Genitalic Characters Research Articles

Phylogenetic position of genera Acrostilicus Hubbard and Pachystilicus Casey (Staphylinidae, Paederinae) and their redescription

Acrostilicus Hubbard, 1896 and Pachystilicus Casey, 1905 are North American genera known from only one and two species, respectively, and have never been a subject of a modern revision. In fact, Acrostilicus was not even properly described as its author provided only a sketchy diagnosis of the genus and species. Here, we provide a redescription of the genus Acrostilicus and its species and illustrate the habitus and male genital features. For the first time, we also redescribe Pachystilicus and its two species, and provide their differential diagnoses. Additionally, we tested the phylogenetic position of both genera. They were scored into a morphological matrix supplemented with molecular data and the analyses were run using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. A total of 119 morphological characters and 4859 bp of nuclear (28S, TP, Wg, CADA, CADC, ArgK) and mitochondrial (COI) sequences were analysed for 46 taxa. The results confirmed that both Acrostilicus and Pachystilicus are members of the subtribe Stilicina, but at the same time challenged the monophyly of the subtribe in its current composition. Additionally, we provided further evidence for non-monophyly of the subtribe Medonina and discussed the biology of Acrostilicus and Pachystilicus.

Description of Perithreticusneglectus sp. n. from the West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania (Diptera, Psychodidae).

The Psychodinae of the Afrotropical Region remain poorly understood. Slightly under 200 species have been described, but many countries have received very little attention from collectors and even countries where significant collection efforts have taken place have rarely had their collections studied in detail by specialist taxonomists. Perithreticusneglectus sp. n. is described from the West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania, based on a male specimen collected in 1990. The new species is similar to Perithreticusanderseni Kvifte, 2015, which occurs in the same forest reserve, but can be separated by several genitalic characters, including the hypandrium well-developed with sclerotised anterior and posterior margins, gonocoxites narrower, the gonostyles with the slender apex shorter, the parameres shorter without pronounced basolateral projections and the surstylus with slightly fewer tenacula. The world fauna of Perithreticus now comprises five described species, of which two occur in the Afrotropical Region.

Review of Paradiscocyrtus Mello-Leitão, 1927 (Gonyleptidae, Opiliones), with the transfer of Paradiscocyrtus cerayanus Roewer, 1929 to Discocyrtus Holmberg, 1878 and a new interpretation of its type locality

After the type species of Paradiscocyrtus Mello-Leitão, 1927 (Paradiscocyrtus neglectus Mello-Leitão, 1927) was recognized and redescribed, the difference between it and the other two species of the genus proved to be remarkable. Herein, a maximum parsimony phylogenetic analysis with morphological characters (2519 scorings; 28 taxa; 105 characters) was performed under equal and implied weights to test the monophyly of Paradiscocyrtus for the first time. According to the relatively stable results obtained, herein: 1) the transfer of Paradiscocyrtus cerayanus Roewer, 1929 to Discocyrtus Holmberg, 1878 (forming Discocyrtus cerayanus n. comb.) is proposed, and Paradiscocyrtus becomes monotypic (represented only by its type species); 2) the assignment of Paradiscocyrtus trochanteralis Roewer, 1929 (already detected as junior synonym of Bunopachylus orientalis (Roewer, 1913)) to Roeweriinae Carvalho & Kury, 2018 is corroborated; 3) the presence of Paradiscocyrtus in DRMN-group is detected and its relationship with Discocyrtus sensu stricto is discussed. Paradiscocyrtus can be separated from Discocyrtus s. str. by some external characters (as dorsal scutum gamma-type, a pair of finger-phalanx-shaped spines on the scutal area III and coxa IV retrolateral apophysis with the same length as the prolateral) and genital characters (as the stylus of glans slightly dorsally convex). Discocyrtus cerayanus n. comb. is herein redescribed, and its geographic distribution is contested. The meaning of “Ceraya”, assigned to the specimen SMF RII 996/53 (male holotype of Paradiscocyrtus cerayanus), is newly attributed to “Serra do Caraça”, a mountain range in Minas Gerais, Brazil instead of Northeastern Brazilian “Ceará”.

A new huriine genus and notes on morphological characters (Araneae: Salticidae: Salticinae).

Huriini Simon, 1901 currently consists of six genera and 17 species, distributed exclusively in South America. In this work, the huriine genus Guriurius Marta, Bustamante, Ruiz Rodrigues, gen. nov. is proposed with two new species herein described: Guriurius minuano Marta, Bustamante, Ruiz Rodrigues, sp. nov. (type species) and Guriurius nancyae Marta, Bustamante, Ruiz Rodrigues, sp. nov. The female of Atelurius segmentatus Simon, 1901 is described and illustrated for the first time. Scoturius dipterioides Perger Rubio, 2018 is transferred to Atelurius Simon, 1901 due to the morphological similarity of copulatory ducts of epigyne, and Hurius pisac Galiano, 1985 is transferred to Simonurius Galiano, 1988 due to the similarities in body shape and female genitalia. Simonurius campestratus (Simon, 1901) is synonymized with Simonurius quadratarius (Simon, 1901). The interpretation of genitalic characters in Huriini is discussed. In addition, we provide new distributional records for Admesturius bitaeniatus (Simon, 1901), Ad. mariaeugeniae Bustamante Scioscia, 2014, Ad. schajovskoyi Galiano, 1988, At. segmentatus Simon, 1901, Scoturius tigris Simon, 1901, Hurius aeneus (Mello-Leito, 1941), and Simonurius gladifer (Simon, 1901). Except for Urupuyu Ruiz Maddison, 2015, all huriine genera are rediagnosed in the new context of tribe and genus composition.

A new species of Haploptychius Möllendorff, 1906 (Stylommatophora: Streptaxidae) from the Western Ghats, India

ABSTRACT We here describe a new species of the streptaxid snail genus Haploptychius from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, which is the third member of the genus from India. Haploptychius sahyadriensis n. sp. is distinguished from the other Indian and South-East Asian Haploptychius sp. in having suboblique-heliciform shell, low spire and presence of one strong parietal lamella. The new species has unique genital anatomy in having a long penis with a penial sheath, the presence of penial appendix, penial hooks, atrium and vagina with longitudinal ridges and irregular transverse ridges respectively, but without any hooks. It bears a shiny muscle near the junction of the vagina, gametolytic duct and the free oviduct. Based on the shell morphology and genital characters, the new species is placed in the genus Haploptychius. Our study reveals that other unexplored areas in the northern Western Ghats may potentially harbour more undescribed land snail species which could be endemic.

Systematic Revision of the Genus Hipalmus Bates, 1870 With Comments on the Placement of Psammetichus dissimilis Peña, 1994 and Zophobas lugubris Boheman, 1858 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tenebrioninae)

The South American genus Hipalmus Bates, 1870 (Tenebrioninae: Tenebrionini), distributed in the Pacific coast of Peru and Ecuador, is revised using external morphology and including for the first time details on sexual dimorphism, defensive glands, and male and female genitalia. The genus and its species are redescribed. New distribution records, photographs of the two included species, illustrations of genital features, and distribution maps are provided. A discussion including differences in character states between Hipalmus and Zophobas Dejean, 1834 as well as the tribal placement of Hipalmus in Tenebrionini on the basis of external and internal morphology is also included. The following nomenclatural changes are proposed: Zophobas lugubris Boheman, 1858 is transferred to Hipalmus, Psammetichus dissimilis Peña, 1994 is synonymized under Hipalmus costatus (Guérin-Méneville, 1831) and Hipalmus aequatorius Kolbe, 1901 is synonymized under Hipalmus lugubris (Boheman, 1858) comb. nov.

Definition of the Emmallodera perlifera Species Group (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Scotobiini) from Argentina with Descriptions of Two New Species

The genus Emmallodera Blanchard, 1842 (Tenebrionidae: Scotobiini) is widely distributed in western and southern Argentina and partially in southern Chile, inhabiting the biogeographic provinces Patagonian, Chacoan and Monte. The genus Emmallodera is well characterized within Scotobiini by the presence of a single spine on the profemur of its species, as well as by having pointed terminal antennomeres, and the tarsomeres loosely articulated to each other. Within the genus, E. perlifera Burmeister, 1875 is the largest species and is the only one characterized by the presence of tubercles on elytral intervals. Analysis of the recently collected specimens resulted in discovery of two new species (E. payunia Silvestro and Flores sp. nov. and E. andina Silvestro and Macagno sp. nov.), which share the main diagnostic features of E. perlifera but possess enough differences in elytral configuration and male genitalia to confirm that they are not conspecific. Under a deep morphological revision, it can be concluded that all of the three above-mentioned species constitute a well-characterized species-group inside the genus Emmallodera, while each of these taxa inhabits different biogeographic provinces, i.e.: Emmallodera perlifera (Monte and Chaco), E. payunia Silvestro and Flores sp. nov. (Patagonian) and E. andina Silvestro and Macagno sp. nov. (Puna). This paper includes taxonomic characterization of the group, designation of lectotype for E. perlifera, descriptions of the two new species, habitus photographs, illustrations of genital features and a distribution map.

Multigene phylogeny reveals the ribbed shell morphotypes in the land snail genus Sarika (Eupulmonata: Ariophantidae), with description of two new species from Thailand and Myanmar

Abstract The speciose land snail genus Sarika is widely distributed throughout mainland Southeast Asia. This genus is generally recognized by a smooth and polished shell. However, we recognize four species with a ribbed shell surface (S. siamensis, S. theodori, S. costabilis sp. nov., and S. costata sp. nov.) exhibiting genital characters similar to those of Sarika s.s. and so a rearrangement in the systematics of the genus is suggested. Here, we analysed these four ribbed shell species together with Sarika s.s. by a combined morphological and molecular approach to species delineation, the latter based on both mitochondrial (coi and 16S) and nuclear (28S) markers. Our molecular phylogeny affirms the monophyly of the genus Sarika including both smooth and ribbed shell morphotypes that is statistically well supported. The ribbed shell morphotype in the land snail genus Sarika is also well defined in terms of diagnostic morpho-anatomical characters that can be divided into two species groups. The S. costata species group consists of only one species, S. costata sp. nov., while the S. siamensis species group comprises S. siamensis, S. theodori and S. costabilis sp. nov. These findings provide a solid basis for the systematics of family Ariophantidae.

A New Norape from the Southwestern United States (Megalopygidae, Trosiinae)

Norape sorpresa sp. nov. Wagner & Matson occurs from extreme southeastern Arizona south into Sonora, Mexico. Beyond differences in leg color, adult external features do not allow ready separation of this species from the other two white Norape that occur north of Mexico. However, genital features, COI barcodes, and larval characters distinguish the three taxa. The adult and larval stages and male and female genitalia are illustrated, available DNA barcode data that support the recognition of the new Norape are shared, and aspects of its larval biology are briefly characterized. We review the problematic nature of the species-level taxonomy of “white” Norape and elevate Norape cretata rev. status, presently regarded as synonym of N. ovina, for the white eastern United States Norape.

A review of the genus Colias Fabricius, 1807 (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) from Qinghai with descriptions of a new subspecies of Colias thrasibulus Fruhstorfer, 1910.

The Colias fauna of Qinghai province, China is reviewed, chiefly based upon the reliable specimens collected by the junior author during his 23 explorations in the past 17 years, with only C. felderi not re-discovered. The male genitalia morphology of the Chinese Colias species is investigated in detail; it proves that male genital characters are useless for the taxonomy in most cases as stated by previous researchers. Colias adelaidae is first reported from Central Qinghai, close to C. arida in distribution, with the diagnostic differences among C. arida cakana, C. wanda wanda and C. adelaidae adelaidae clarified. The taxonomy of C. wanda yangguifei is discussed, with its male holotype figured in color for the first time. The type localities of C. wanda yangguifei and C. grumi aljinshana (synonym of C. grumi) are clarified. Colias aegidii is considered as either a synonym (syn. nov.) or an ecological form of C. sifancia, with the first reliable specimen recorded from Qinghai. More specimens of the very rare Colias thrasibulus fasciata are reported from the type locality, Yushu, SE. Qinghai. Colias thrasibulus angustomarginata ssp. nov. is described from Central Qinghai. Altitude distributions and flight periods are recorded, biotopes are figured and collecting localities are mapped for most Colias species from Qinghai. Subspecies of C. nebulosa are discussed, with two new populations of C. nebulosa karoensis recorded by senior author from Luozha and Cuomei, Shannan Prefecture, Tibet.

Calothecanigromaculata species-group from sub-Saharan Africa with descriptions of two new species from KwaZulu-Natal (Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

Calotheca Heyden is a flea beetle genus with a largely sub-Saharan distribution and currently comprising 34 species. The examination of new material is revealing an increase in species richness and intraspecific variability. Calothecacarolineaesp. nov. and C.wanatisp. nov., both from KwaZulu-Natal in the Republic of South Africa, are here described and attributed to the C.nigromaculata (Jacoby) species group, mainly based on genitalic characters. Photographs of the main diagnostic characters are provided, including the habitus, median lobe of the aedeagus, and spermatheca. Information on the geographic distribution and host plants of these species is also provided.

Three new species of the spider genus Pimoa Chamberlin amp; Ivie, 1943 (Araneae, Pimoidae) from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China.

Three new species of the spider genus Pimoa Chamberlin Ivie, 1943 are described: P. pingwuensis n. sp. () and P. yajiangensis n. sp. () from Sichuan and P. zekogensis n. sp. () from Qinghai. These new species are distinguished from other known Pimoa species by genital characters as well as by DNA barcodes. Detailed descriptions, photographs of genital characters and somatic features, a distribution map, comparisons to closely related species and DNA barcodes of the new species are presented. Illustrations of new species are provided and their phylogenetic relationships within the genus Pimoa are also discussed.

Заметки по Палеарктической фауне Renocera (Diptera, Sciomyzidae)

After revision of diagnostic characters of Renocera (either non-genitalic or genitalic) a new identification key for Palaearctic species is offered. The key takes into account the variability of the number of orbital setae in R. striata. Genitalic characters are discussed. The authors find diagnostic use of the shape of surstyli more difficult and less reliable than the shape of sternites 5. As follows from rich examined material, all three species of Renocera have the same trans-Palaearctic distribution — they are restricted to the forest belt.

Incongruent molecular and morphological variation in the crab spider Synemaglobosum (Araneae, Thomisidae) in Europe.

Establishing species boundaries is one of the challenges taxonomists around the world have been tackling for centuries. The relation between intraspecific and interspecific variability is still under discussion and in many taxa it remains understudied. Here the hypothesis of single versus multiple species of the crab spider Synemaglobosum (Fabricius) is tested. The wide distribution range as well as its high morphological variability makes this species an interesting candidate for re-evaluation using an integrative approach. This study combines information from barcoding, phylogenetic reconstruction based on mitochondrial CO1 and ITS2 of more than 60 specimens collected over a wide range of European localities, and morphology. The findings show deep clades with up to 6% mean pairwise distance in the CO1 barcode without any biogeographical pattern. The nuclear ITS2 gene did not support the CO1 clades. Morphological assessment of somatic and genital characters in males and females and a morphometric analysis of the male palp uncovered high intraspecific variation that does not match the CO1 or ITS2 phylogenies or biogeography either. Screening for endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria was conducted and only a single infected specimen was found. Several scenarios might explain these inconsistent patterns. While the deep divergences in the barcoding marker might suggest cryptic or ongoing speciation or geographical isolation in the past, the lack of congruent variation in the nuclear ITS2 gene or the studied morphological character systems, especially the male palp, indicates that S.globosum might simply be highly polymorphic both in terms of its mtDNA and morphology. Therefore, more data on ecology and behaviour and full genome sequences are necessary to ultimately resolve this taxonomically intriguing case.

A reappraisal of the taxonomy of Neotropical Sialidae (Insecta: Megaloptera): with the description of a new genus from Cuba

The unique Neotropical species of the alderfly genus Protosialis van der Weele, 1909, P. bifasciata (Hagen, 1861), is herein transferred to the newly described genus Caribesialis gen. nov. This new taxon is proposed to be sister to the clade Protosialis + Sialis Latreille, 1802, after a phylogenetic analysis that included male genital characters scored on a previous morphological matrix of the family. Also, Ilyobius nigrocephalus sp. nov., a remarkable new species from Ecuador, is described and its phylogenetic position is discussed. Furthermore, Ilyobius bimaculatus (Banks, 1920) from Bolivia, known solely from the female holotype, is redescribed. Based on the present study, the Neotropical fauna of Sialidae is proposed to be constituted by two genera, one insular (Cuba) and one continental (Mexico to Chile and Argentina).

Assessment the Promachus leoninus Loew 1848 (Diptera: Asilidae) Species, with COI and NADH2 Gene Regions, with New Locality Records in Anatolia

Promachus leoninus Loew 1848 is known to be distributed just in the western part of Anatolia for a very long time. In the present study additional information is given about the distribution of this species with a new and previous localities map. Assessment of new populations evaluated phylogenetically with the COI and NADH2 gene regions. As a result of this analysis the new populations are grouped into 3 different diverging populations. Genital features and habitus of the male specimen are photographed

Taxonomic Revision of the Leafhopper Genus Macropsis Lewis from Korea (Homoptera: Cicadellidae).

Korean species of the genus Macropsis Lewis are revised taxonomically, primarily based on the abdominal apodemes, male genitalia, and 2nd valvulae of the female ovipositor. Previously only three species were erroneously recorded from Korea. Among them, Macropsis notata (Prohaska, 1923) was previously misidentified as Macropsis prasina (Boheman, 1852). Two other European species, Macropsis scutellata (Boheman, 1845) and Macropsis illota (Horvth, 1899), are removed from the list of Korean fauna based on the examination of previously identified specimens that revealed only superficial resemblance to allied species. As a result, a total of 7 species are recognized in this revision, including 2 species new to science. Descriptions and distributional data are provided for all the species. Illustrations of both male and female genitalic characters as well as apodeme structures are provided, and an identification key to species from Korea is also given.

A wolf spider from South American grasslands: phylogenetic placement and redescription of Paratrochosina amica (Mello-Leitão 1941)

The male of the wolf spider Paratrochosina amica (Mello-Leitão 1941) is redescribed, and the female of this species is described for the first time. Additionally, we evaluate the phylogenetic position of P. amica using the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1), the 12S rRNA (12S) and 16S rRNA (16S), NADH deshydrogenase subunit I (nad1) and the complete tRNA leu (L1). In live specimens we recognized three different morphotypes based on colour patterns. There were no differences in genitalic features of males and females among the three morphotypes. Molecular results through GMYC analyses did not identify independent evolutionary lineages. Genetic and taxonomic results support that the three morphotypes are conspecific. Phylogenetic analysis confirms the position of P. amica in the subfamily Allocosinae.

Taxonomic notes on the genus Ischnobaena (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

The previously known species of the thread-legged bug genus Ischnobaena Stål, 1871 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Metapterini), namely I. dohrnii Stål, 1871, I. macerrima Stål, 1871 and I. staliana Wygodzinsky, 1966, are reviewed and diagnosed. Lectotypes are designated for I. dohrnii and I. macerrima. A new species, I. castroae sp. nov., from Mindanao Island in the Philippines is described and photographed. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners primarily by the unicolored fore tarsus and several male genital characters. A revised key to species of Ischnobaena is provided.

Additional records and new species of Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) from Balabac and Palawan, Philippines

Abstract Three new species of the genus Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 of the Philippine Island of Palawan are described in detail, namely H. angelitofelipepunoi sp. n., H. buschietanni sp. n., and H. perpusilla sp. n., along with faunistic records of further species of the genus from previously unexplored areas of Balabac and Palawan. The genital characters of the new species are illustrated by digital line drawings. Photographs of their habitus and type localities are provided. The habitat conditions of their collection sites are assessed and implications of the usefulness of Hydraena species as monitoring organisms for the conservation of vulnerable habitats are briefly discussed. An updated checklist of the Hydraena of Greater Palawan is provided which now comprises 15 described species, of which 13 are endemic to this intra-Philippine island complex.