Membranous Lobe Research Articles

A new species of Siphlonurus Eaton, 1868 (Ephemeroptera, Siphlonuridae) from Yunnan, China.

Siphlonurusdongxi Li & Tong, sp. nov. from Shangri-La City, Yunnan Province, China, is described based on egg, nymph, and winged stages. The new species is closely related to S.davidi (Navás, 1932), and can be distinguished by the colour of the imago, the forking point of MP, the penis, posterolateral spines of tergum IX of imagoes, and first abdominal terga nymph, as well as the structure of the egg. The new species and S.davidi have the same morphological and structural characteristics, such as the long cubital area with many intercalaries, cross veins between C, Sc, RA, and RSa1 surrounded with distinct pigments, the strong curvature of vein CuP in the forewing, the broad expansion of the hindwing, the membranous penis lobes fused without teeth, supporting the proposition of a new species complex, the Siphlonurusdavidi group. The structures of the penis and the egg of the new species could help understand the origin and evolution of the genus Siphlonurus.

A new species of Campsurus Eaton, 1868 (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarcyidae) from Brazil

Campsurus is the most species-rich genus in Polymitarcyidae, and it is divided into four groups. A new species is described and illustrated here based on male imagos. Campsurus molinerii sp. nov. seems to be similar to C. nessimiani, C. dasilvai, and C. cuyuniensis because of the shape of penes and pedestal. The new species differs from them by the main penis lobe being expanded laterally and slightly curved ventrally, with the apex acute and curved ventrally outwards, the apical portion almost cylindrical with apex in ventral view pointed, secondary membranous lobe cylindrical and relatively long, and the outer projection of pedestal with apical condyle process-like projection.

Comparative Morphology of the Mouthparts in Three Predatory Stink Bugs (Heteroptera: Asopinae) Reveals Feeding Specialization of Stylets and Sensilla.

Simple SummaryAs the only predatory group in the family Pentatomidae, Asopinae are a diverse group of specialized soft-bodied insect predators, which have the potential for use in controlling pests of orchards, forests, and field crops. However, the feeding behavior remains poorly known for Asopinae, especially how the mouthpart structures relate to various functions in feeding. The fine structure of the mouthparts, including distribution and abundance of receptor sensilla, was observed in three species of Asopinae using scanning electron microscopy and structural details are described for the first time. The morphology of the mouthparts is similar to those of other Heteroptera. The four-segmented labium and labrum in all studied species have fourteen types of sensilla. Unlike phytophagous pentatomids, two types of olfactory sensilla with nanopores (St1, Sb3) were observed in these three predatory insects, which probably function to locate prey by smell. In predatory stink bugs, each mandibular stylet tip has five irregular teeth and three long, pointed hooks; the apices of the right maxilla have small teeth and few short barbs along the edge of the food canal. The structure and function of the mouthparts are adapted for predatory feeding in the three studied species. The detailed structure of the predatory pentatomid’s mouthparts shown in this study can provide more data for the morphological differentiation of the mouthparts in the future.Mouthpart structures were observed in three species of Asopinae using scanning electron microscopy to investigate their morphological disparity. The examined species attack mainly slow-moving, soft-bodied insects, primarily larval forms of the Lepidoptera, and are the natural enemies of many pests. This is the first detailed description of their external mouthparts. The triangular and elongated labrum and four-segmented tube-like labium are longer in Picromerus species (Picromerus bidens (Linnaeus, 1758) and Picromerus lewisi Scott, 1874 than in Cazira bhoutanica Schouteden, 1907. The labrum of P. lewisi and C. bhoutanica appear to be equipped with olfactory sensilla basiconica Sb3, a special type of sensilla with nanopores. The labium surface in all studied species bears 14 types of sensilla (St1–St4, Sb1–7, Sst, Sca1–2). A new characteristic of sensilla trichodea is represented in sensillum St1; in both Picromerus species, it is classified as an olfactory sensillum with nanopores. The tripartite apex of the labium consists of two lateral lobes and a central membranous lobe having microtrichial extensions. Each lobe has one sensory field, including sensilla basiconica (Sb7), sensilla styloconica (Sst), and sensilla trichodea (St4). In the three studied predatory stink bugs, each mandibular stylet tip has five irregular teeth and three long, pointed hooks. The two opposing maxillae, which are held together by a tongue-and-groove system, form a food canal and a salivary canal. The apices of the right maxilla have small teeth and few short barbs along the edge of the food canal. In P. bidens and P. lewisi, there are 5 teeth, while in C. bhoutanica there are 2. Based on structural differences, we inferred that the hook-shaped mandibular teeth, right maxilla with small teeth, and few short barbs along edge of the food canal are more adapted for a predatory lifestyle. Predatory stink bugs use sharp recurved hooks and irregular teeth penetrating, tearing, or filing devices that aid in the mechanical disruption of host tissue. Stiff bristles in the food canal may indicate their possible adaptation to feeding on insect larvae. The evolution of mouthpart morphology and the putative functional significance of sensilla are discussed, providing insight into the sensory mechanism.

A new species of Smicridea McLachlan 1871 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from the Caatinga biome and new distributional records from Brazil.

A new species of Smicridea (Smicridea) McLachlan 1871 is described and illustrated based on specimens collected from the Caatinga biome, in Sete Cidades National Park, Piauí state, and Ubajara National Park, Ceará state, northeastern Brazil. Based on phallus morphology, Smicridea (Smicridea) caatinga sp. nov. belongs to the S. nigripennis Group and can be distinguished from other species in this group due to the phallus having two ventral sclerotized projections and, when expanded, two dorsal membranous lobes and one ventrolateral membranous lobe with two spines on the apex. New distributional records of Smicridea species are provided for different Brazilian states: S. (S.) aequalis Banks 1920 for Ceará and Piauí, S. (Rhyacophylax) coronata Flint 1980 for Rio Grande do Sul and Piauí; S. (R.) jundiai Almeida Flint 2002 for Mato Grosso; S. (R.) marlieri Flint 1978 for Roraima; S. (R.) palmar Sganga 2005 for Goiás; S. (S.) paranensis Flint 1983 for Ceará and Piauí; and S. (R.) spinulosa Flint 1972 for Rio Grande do Sul. Furthermore, S. (S.) erecta Flint 1974b is recorded for the first time for Brazil, in Amazonas state. [Zoobank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3C2892F9-D430-492B-98DA-A48569253A63].

Phylloicus mirabilis (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae), a new species from Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil.

Phylloicus Müller 1880 is an endemic Neotropical genus of Calamoceratidae characterized by adults that have diurnal to crepuscular habits. Currently, the genus contains 57 species, with 23 of these species recorded from Brazil. Herein, a new species of Phylloicus is described and illustrated based on specimens collected in Malaise traps from Southeast Region, Brazil. The new species can be characterized by the unusual lateral membranous lobes of abdominal segments IV-VII, metathoracic tibiae with brushes of setae and distal emargination, and the wide and long coremata on abdominal pleura VII. Otherwise, the genital structure is similar to that of Phylloicus monneorum Dumas Nessimian 2010, being distinguished by the subtrapezoidal tergum X, the globose harpago of the inferior appendages, and the moustache-shaped phallotremal sclerite.

A new species of Neoperla from China, with a redescription of the female of N. mnong Stark, 1987 (Plecoptera, Perlidae).

A new species of the Neoperla clymene group (Plecoptera, Perlidae), Neoperla chebalinga sp. n. from Guangdong Province of southern China is described, illustrated, and compared with related taxa. The new species is characterized by the slender aedeagal tube, strongly sclerotized dorsally, and weakly sclerotized ventrally with an upcurved, medial, finger-like membranous lobe. Additionally the aedeagal sac gradually tapers to a blunt apex with a dorsoapical patch of spines. A supplementary description of the female of Neoperla mnong Stark, 1987 from Guangdong Province, China is also given.

A new species of comb-clawed beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Alleculinae) from the Lower Cretaceous of Yixian (China, Liaoning Province)

A new genus and species of comb-clawed beetles, Calcarocistela kirejtshuki gen. et sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous of Yixian (China) is described. The new genus is assigned to the tribe Gonoderini of the subfamily Alleculinae (family Tenebrionidae) based on the following characters: five visible abdominal ventrites, nonwidened tarsomeres without a membranous ventral lobes, and serrate antennae. The new genus differs from other members of the tribe Gonoderini in the long spurs of metatibia reaching a half of the first metatarsomere and the lamellate prosternal process. Calcarocistela kirejtshuki is the first member of Alleculinae from the Lower Cretaceous.

The first record of a species of Perlidae from Jiangsu Province, China:a new species of Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae).

A new species of Neoperla (Plecoptera, Perlidae), N. jiangsuensis Chen & Du from Jiangsu Province, China, is described and illustrated. Neoperla jiangsuensis is characterized by the aedeagal sac with two C-shaped rows of large stout spines laterally, a patch of small spines, and with an apical double ear-shaped membranous lobes. The new species is the first recorded species of Perlidae known from the eastern coastal province of Jiangsu, China.

Beetles (Coleoptera) of Peru: A Survey of the Families. Trogossitidae

Diversity in Peru: 1 subfamily, 1 tribe, 2 genera, 4 species. Recognition: This small family has about 600 species world-wide. Adult. Body wide and flattened in Lophocaterinae, flat or conglobate in Peltinae and Rentonium-group, elongate and cylindrical in Trogossitinae. Body mostly bare or sparsely pubescent but sometimes also with tufts of setae, scales, dense pubescence or long hairs. Anterior margin of frons straight to very deeply emarginate, with two “horns” at sides. Antennal insertions partly covered by edge of frons or visible in dorsal view. Eyes not emarginate or posteriorly emarginate. Antennae 8–11-segmented, with conspicuous 1–3-segmented club or with widened distal antennomeres that may be distinctly asymmetrical in Trogossitinae. Mandible bidentate, rarely unidentate (Corticotomus). Male submentum with tuft of setae (ctenidium) in some Trogossitinae. Pronotum usually transverse in Peltinae and Lophocaterinae; elongate in some Trogossitinae (Nemozoma, Airora). Lateral carina almost always present, reduced only in some Trogossitinae (Corticotomus). Procoxa transverse. Coxal cavities internally open and externally closed (Trogossitinae) or widely open (Peltinae, Lophocaterinae). Elytra usually regularly punctate, with or without carinae. Metacoxae extending laterally to meet elytral epipleura. Wings usually present. Radial cell as long as wide or shorter than wide, sometimes very reduced or absent. Medial field with two to four veins, wedge cell and no medial fleck. Trochanters triangular. Femora sometimes clavate. Tibiae often with row of spines along outer side; apex of tibia with row of spines and two spurs (one of them hooked) or only with hooked spur or spurs reduced. Tarsi 5-5-5; basitarsus sometimes partially fused with tarsomere 2 and tarsal pattern seemingly 4-4-4 or 4-4-5; tarsomeres 1–4 never with membranous lobes; terminal tarsomere usually as long as combined length of tarsomeres 1–4; claws large, without denticles; empodium bisetose, strongly projecting. Abdomen with five or six ventrites. Aedeagus cucujiform, usually inverted. Tegmen usually with anterior ventral strut and two opposing dorsal struts, and composed of two or three parts. Penis with two anterior struts. Ovipositor lightly sclerotized, except for baculi, moderate in size with sparsely pubescent coxites and styli. Larva: Body elongate, cylindrical. Color white or pale, but sclerotized areas distinctly pigmented (head capsule, thoracic and abdominal terga, and urogomphi). Median endocarina usually present, usually extending between frontal arms. Frontal arms V-shaped, straight (Trogossitinae, Lophocaterinae) or curved (Peltinae). Five stemmata usually present and arranged in a pattern with two anteriorly and three in a posterior row. Mandibles bidentate; mola absent (Trogossitinae, part of Lophocaterinae) or present (Peltinae, part of Lophocaterinae. Prothorax usually with one large dorsal sclerite. Mesoand metathorax usually with pair of sclerites

Antillipeltis, a new genus of Antillean Trogossitidae (Coleoptera: Cleroidea) with a key to the Cleroidea.

Antillipeltis gen. nov. is described based on the following six new extant species and two new fossil species from Hispaniola and Puerto Rico: A. alleni sp. nov. (Dominican Republic, Miocene), A. darlingtoni sp. nov. (Haiti), A. iviei sp. nov. (Dominican Republic, Miocene), A. maculata sp. nov. (Dominican Republic), A. minuta sp. nov. (Dominican Republic), A. nitida sp. nov. (Puerto Rico), A. portoricensis sp. nov. (Puerto Rico), and A. pubescens sp. nov. (Dominican Republic). The genus is placed in Cleroidea, as currently delimited, based on the presence of a distinctive type of aedeagus occurring primarily in this superfamily, plus a combination of features excluding it from other cucujiform superfamilies. Within Cleroidea, the genus is tenatively placed in the family Trogossitidae and subfamily Lophocaterinae, but it differs from all other Trogossitidae in the presence of ventral membranous lobes with adhesive setae on tarsomeres 1-4 and in a combination of 9-segmented antennae, weak 3-segmented antennal club consisting of slightly elongate antenomeres, lack of postcoxal processes on the pronotal hypomera, and unique leg modifications. A key is provided for major groups of Cleroidea and all described genera of Peltinae and Lophocaterinae, with the exception of Rentoniini, based in part on the literature and in part on dissections of adult males. Antillipeltis is one of three endemic West Indian genera of Coleoptera that is both extant and known from Dominican amber.

The placement of the spider genus Periegops and the phylogeny of Scytodoidea (Araneae: Araneomorphae)

The relationships of Scytodoidea, including the families Drymusidae, Periegopidae, Scytodidae and Sicariidae, have been con-tentious for a long time. Here we present a reviewed phylogenetic analysis of scytodoid spiders, emphasizing Periegops, theonly genus in the family Periegopidae. In our analysis the Scytodoidea are united by the fusion of the third abdominal entapo-physes into a median lobe, the presence of female palpal femoral thorns and associated cheliceral stridulatory ridges, a mem-branous lobe on the cheliceral promargin, and the loss of minor ampullate gland spigots. A basal split within Scytodoideadefines two monophyletic groups: Sicariidae and a group formed by Scytodidae as the sister group of Periegopidae plus Dry-musidae, all united by having bipectinate prolateral claws on tarsi I–II, one major ampullate spigot accompanied by a nubbin,and the posterior median spinnerets with a mesal field of spicules. Periegops is the sister group of Drymusidae, united by the regain of promarginal cheliceral teeth and a triangular cheliceral lamina, which is continuous with the paturon margin.

Description of the male of Lepidodexia (Xylocamptopsis) teffeensis (Townsend) (Diptera, Sarcophagidae)

Description of the male of Lepidodexia (Xylocamptopsis) teffeensis (Townsend) (Diptera, Sarcophagidae). The male of Lepidodexia (Xylocamptopsis) teffeensis (Townsend, 1927) is described and illustrated for the first time based on material housed in the entomological collection of Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ). This monotypic subgenus has been recorded in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, first in the state of Amazonas and now in the state of Para. The general structure of the male terminalia is similar that of other Lepidodexia, especially of the subgenus Lepidodexia, by the short distiphallus, juxta with apical projection, and vesica with a membranous spinous lobe.

New species and new stage descriptions of Campsurus major species group (Polymitarcyidae: Campsurinae), with first report of silk-case construction in mayfly nymphs

Campsurus major, C. argentinus and C. amapaensis sp. nov. form a monophyletic group supported by the following apomorphies in the male genitalia: robust pedestals with a widely rounded inner-posterior margin and a more acute and thinner outer margin, penes strongly sclerotised and curved ventrally, each lobe twisted outwards, and with a small membranous lobe on ventral margin. The nymphs of Campsurus major and C. argentinus and the female adult of C. major are described for the first time and illustrated here; the male adults of both species are redescribed. A new species, C. amapaensis, is described from male imagos. The following new synonymies are proposed: Campsurus argentinus Esben-Petersen (= C. pallidus Needham & Murphy, junior synonym) and C. major Needham & Murphy (= C. brasiliensis Traver, junior synonym). The nymphs of both species are reported to use silk to build soft cases and to glue substrate particles. A list of characters useful to distinguish the treated species from others in the genus is given.

A taxonomic study of the bee genus Evylaeus Robertson of Eastern Siberia and the Far East of Russia (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

The paper presents the results of a taxonomic study of the bees of the genus Evylaeus mostly deposited at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg) and the Institute of Biology and Soil Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Vladivostok). The new insular subspecies Evylaeus baleicus insulicola subsp. n. (from Sakhalin, Kunashir, and Japan), differing from the continental E. baleicus baleicus (Cockerell) in much narrower membranous retrorse lobe of the male gonocoxite, and the hitherto unknown males of E. briseis (Ebmer, 2005) and E. transpositus (Cockerell, 1925) are described. The following synonymy is ascertained: Lasioglossum caliginosus Murao et al., 2006 = L. nemorale Ebmer, 2006, syn. n. E. eomontanus (Ebmer, 2006) is considered a subspecies of E. briseis. Lectotypes are designated for the following nine nominal species: Hylaeus rubellus Eversmann, 1852 (= E. calceatus); Halictus gracilis Morawitz, 1865 (= E. lucidulus); H. pallipes Morawitz, 1865 (= E. quadrinotatulus); H. dybowskii Radoszkowski, 1876; H. nodicornis Morawitz, 1889; H. amurensis Vachal, 1902; H. permicus Blüthgen, 1923 (= E. ellipticeps); H. problematicus Blüthgen, 1923; and H. semilaevis Blüthgen, 1923. A total of 48 species of the genus are found in Eastern Siberia and the Far East of Russia. E. apristus (Vachal), E. briseis (Ebmer), and E. laevoides (Ebmer) are recorded for the first time from Russia; E. albipes (Fabricius), E. fratellus (Pérez), and E. vulsus (Vachal), from Mongolia (Töv); E. affinis (Smith), from South Korea (Gyeonysangnam); E. hoffmanni (Strand), from Japan (Honshu). A key to all species (except for species of the subgenus Prosopalictus) is given; it is provided with figures of the male genitalia. The annotated list of these species includes the data for each species on its synonymy, general distribution, published records from the above regions, and the material examined.

Functional morphology of sexually selected gentalia in the water strider Aquarius remigis

In the water strider Aquarius remigis (Say), sexual selection favours males with longer genitalia. We used video analysis plus light and scanning electron microscopy to examine the structure, movement, and articulation of the genitalia as a first step in determining the functional basis of this selection. Male A. remigis are characterized by long, robust genital segments; a marked ventral median notch in the posterior margin of the pregenital segment; an enlarged phallus tipped with a uniquely prolonged sclerotized plate; and a large, spine-covered, membranous lobe that inflates within the female's reproductive tract. Detailed examinations of genital interactions prior to and during copulation allow us to deduce the functional significance of these distinguishing traits. We postulate that by increasing the length, mobility, strength, and rigidity of the phallus, the first three traits increase the ability of males to achieve intromission in spite of active female resistance, and to maintain intromission during the prolonged copulations characteristic of this species. Inflation of the large, spinous lobe probably contributes to the latter function, and may also directly affect fertilization success by displacing or damaging sperm from previous males. We discuss these interpretations in the context of current theories of genitalic coevolution and sexual conflict in the Gerridae.

Structures of the preantennal region of several species of Damalinia (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae).

A comparative study was made of the structures of the preantennal region of nine species of Damalinia Mjöberg, 1910 (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae). Variability in the form of the head, ventral carina, pulvinus, mandibles, and labrum was observed by light and scanning electron microscopy. According to previous studies, the form of the head is possibly influenced by the density and texture of the hair of the host. The ventral carina, which maybe sharp or blunt, and the pulvinus, a membranous lobe, of these parasite species of different hosts, were studied. Photographs of the mandibles and labrum show a high variability according to species.

Mouthpart structure of Stylogymnusa subantarctica Hammond, 1975 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) with a reanalysis of the phylogenetic position of the genus

Structure, particularly of the mouthparts, of the unusual aleocharine staphylinid Stylogymnusa subantarctica Hammond was reevaluated. The mouthparts are described in detail, and drawings of their structure are provided. Several features were found to be misinterpreted in previous accounts of the structure of this aleocharine. In particular, the stylate structures found on the prementum are not a highly modified, hollow, stylate glossa, as had been previously suggested. Instead, these structures represent highly modified labial palpi; the segments are completely fused, all signs of typical setae of the labial palpi are missing, and the palpi are very long and slender. In addition, there is no sign that they are hollow. Small, slender, membranous lobes at the base of, and between, the palpi are interpreted as the true glossae (=ligula). Reinterpretation of these characters, and greatly improved phylogenetic techniques in the 20 years since previous phylogenies had been proposed, allowed testing of previous hypotheses of the phylogenetic position of Stylogymnusa and the relationships of the tribes Gymnusini and Deinopsini within the Aleocharinae. Phylogenetic analysis of 7 out-group and 12 in-group taxa, based on 84 characters and 231 character states, produced 3 equally most-parsimonious trees (tree length = 253, C.I. = 0.557, R.I. =0.674, rescaled C.I. = 0.376). These trees provide strong support for a monophyletic lineage consbting of Stylogymnusa, Gymnusa and the Deinopsini but only weak support for a monophyletic Gymnusini (Gymnusa + Stylogymnusa). Bootstrap analysis based on 1000 resampling repetitions showed the following monophyletic clades to be well supported by the dataset: Aleocharinae (79%), Stylogymnusa+Gymnusa + Deinopsini (99%), Deinopsis+Adinopsis (100%), and representatives of Myllaenini + Athetini + Aleocharini + Homalotini + Oxypodini (the “higher Aleocharinae”) (88%). Weakly supported clades in the bootstrap analysis were: Paraconosoma + Gymnusini + Deinopsini (56%), Anacyptus + ‘higher Aleocharinae’ (54%), and Athetini + Oxypodini + Homalotini + Aleocharini (52%).

Mouthpart structure of Stylogymnusa subantarctica Hammond, 1975 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) with a reanalysis of the phylogenetic position of the genus

Structure, particularly of the mouthparts, of the unusual aleocharine staphylinid Stylogymnusa subantarctica Hammond was reevaluated. The mouthparts are described in detail, and drawings of their structure are provided. Several features were found to be misinterpreted in previous accounts of the structure of this aleocharine. In particular, the stylate structures found on the prementum are not a highly modified, hollow, stylate glossa, as had been previously suggested. Instead, these structures represent highly modified labial palpi; the segments are completely fused, all signs of typical setae of the labial palpi are missing, and the palpi are very long and slender. In addition, there is no sign that they are hollow. Small, slender, membranous lobes at the base of, and between, the palpi are interpreted as the true glossae (= ligula). Reinterpretation of these characters, and greatly improved phylogenetic techniques in the 20 years since previous phylogenies had been proposed, allowed testing of previous hypotheses of the phylogenetic position of Stylogymnusa and the relationships of the tribes Gymnusini and Deinopsini within the Aleocharinae. Phylogenetic analysis of 7 out-group and 12 in-group taxa, based on 84 characters and 231 character states, produced 3 equally most-parsimonious trees (tree length=253, C.I.=0.557, R.I.=0.674, rescaled C.I.=0.376). These trees provide strong support for a monophyletic lineage consisting ofStylogymnusa , Gymnusa and the Deinopsini but only weak support for a monophyletic Gymnusini (Gymnusa+Stylogymnusa). Bootstrap analysis based on 1000 resampling repetitions showed the following monophyletic clades to be well supported by the dataset: Aleocharinae (79%),Stylogymnusa +Gymnusa+ Deinopsini (99%), Deinopsis+Adinopsis (100%), and representatives of Myllaenini + Athetini + Aleocharini + Homalotini + Oxypodini (the “higher Aleocharinae”) (88%). Weakly supported clades in the bootstrap analysis were Paraconosoma+ Gymnusini + Deinopsini (56%), Anacyptus+ «higher Aleocharinae» (54%), and Athetini + Oxypodini + Homalotini + Aleocharini (52%).

A revision of the Neotropical spider genus Ancylometes Bertkau (Araneae: Pisauridae)

AbstractThe spider genus Ancylometes Bertkau, 1880 is revised. A. vulpes Bertkau, 1880, type species of the genus, is considered a junior subjective synonym of Dolomedes concolor Perty, 1833. Both types are lost and we redescribe the species based on specimens similar to those found at the type locality of A. vulpes. Spiders of the genus are large nocturnal ground-living hunting spiders with a strong affinity in most species, to water bodies within their tropical environment. Those species hunt also on small vertebrates like frogs, tadpoles and fishes. All species show slight sexual dimorphism in colour and body-to-leg-size relations. Females carry brown egg-sacs in chelicerae and build a nursery web. The genus is morphologically diagnosed by the presence of ventral spines on tarsi III and IV in both sexes and by their genital characters: filiform embolus with a basal membranous lobe, wing-like conductor and hammer-like median apophysis in males; female epigyne consisting of two broad lateral plates and a central plate in form of a bike saddle with its nose pointing posteriorly. Ten valid species are recognized and described, five of them are new: Ancylometes japura, A. jau, A. riparius from Amazonas, A. terrenus from Acre, Amazonas and Mato Grosso and A. pantanal from Matto Grosso do Sul, all from Brazil. The female of A. amazonicus is described for the first time and the female of A. hewitsoni for the first time based on an adult specimen. Ancylometes vulpes Bertkau, Ctenus argentinus Holmberg, Ancylometes bolivianus Tullgren, Lycoctenus bahiensis Strand, Lycoctenus selenkae Strand, Lycoctenus paraguayensis Strand, Cupiennius argentinus Petrunkevitch, Ctenus paulensis Mello-Leitão, Cupiennius diplocellatus Mello-Leitão, Ctenus originalis Mello-Leitão, Ctenus iophorus Mello-Leitão, Corinoctenus anomalostomus Mello-Leitão, Ctenus infelix (Mello-Leitão, Ctenus metatarsalis Mello-Leitão, Phoneutria niveobarbata Mello-Leitão and Corinoctenus greenwayi Carcavallo & Martinez are newly synonymized with A. concolor (Perty). Ctenus fuscus Walckenaer, Ctenus giganteus Taczanowski, Ctenus bimaculatus Taczanowski, Leptoctenus tenkatei Hasselt, Lycoctenus brunneus Pickard-Cambridge, Lycoctenus gigas Pickard-Cambridge, Lycoctenus demerarensis Pickard-Cambridge, Lycoctenus saraensis Strand, Lycoctenus paraensis Strand, Ancylometes pindareensis Mello-Leitão, Ancylometes pindareannus Mello-Leitão, Ctenus juruensis Mello-Leitão, Ctenus striolatus Mello-Leitão, Ctenus xerophilus Mello-Leitão and Lycoctenus titanus Caporiacco are newly synonymized with A. rufus (Walckenaer). Lycoctenus palustris Pickard-Cambridge, Ancylometes orinocensis Simon, Lycoctenus venezuelensis Strand, Lycoctenus caracasensis Strand and Ctenus nasutus Kraus are newly synonymized with A. bogotensis (Keyserling). A. valentinei Petrunkevitch, 1925 from Panama is a Cupiennius (new combination) and considered a senior synonym of C. panamensis Lachmuth et al., 1985. The geographical distribution is Neotropical, with one northern widespread species (A. bogotensis) reaching Central America, one widespread species of the Amazon reaching the São Paulo coastal area and one widespread species of central Brazil reaching Argentina. From the Amazon region six rarely collected species are described and one species was recently collected in the Pantanal of Brazil.

Functional morphology of the mouthparts and alimentary tract of the slipper lobster Thenus orientalis (Decapoda : Scyllaridae)

The mouthparts and proventriculus of Thenus orientalis Lund are adapted to ingest soft flesh, which is consistent with the diet of this and other scyllarids. The crista dentata are reduced, with food transfer into the oesophagus facilitated by large stout setae on the second and third maxillipeds. The mandibles exert little force and most food maceration is effected by the gastric mill. Ingestion is aided by mucus secreted by rosette glands in the paragnaths and membranous lobe, as well as expansion of four longitudinal folds in the oesophageal wall. The cardiac stomach has considerable food storage capacity by extension of its membranous walls, reduced ossicles and simplified ventral filtration channels. The filtering ability of the pyloric filter press is consistent with other macrophagous decapods. The dorsal caecum above the pyloric stomach has an absorptive columnar epithelium that contains acid mucin granules and protein. Muscular walls and longitudinal folds in the hindgut facilitate faecal pellet extrusion.