Non-type Material Research Articles

Revision of the Mexican ladybird genus Vedalia Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

The ladybird genus Vedalia was established by Mulsant in 1850 to accommodate a single species Vedalia sieboldii Mulsant. Since its description the genus attracted little attention, and its systematic position in modern classification of the subfamily Coccinellinae remained unclear. Here we provide revisionary study based on the type and non-type material from various collections. Male and female genitalia are illustrated for the first time, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrations of the key characters are also provided. Position of the genus within the tribe Chnoodini Mulsant is confirmed. Distribution and biology of Vedalia are also discussed.

Additions to the knowledge on the genus Phintella Strand, 1906 (Araneae, Salticidae, Chrysillini) from India

Four new species of the chrysilline genus Phintella – P. dentissp. nov. (♂♀), P. handersonisp. nov. (♂♀), P. lunasp. nov. (♀) and P. rajbharathisp. nov. (♂) – are described from India. Additionally, the unknown female of Phintella platnicki Sudhin, Sen & Caleb, 2023 is described and new distributional data are provided for this species. Notes on the type locality and distribution of P. accentifera (Simon, 1901) are provided along with clarification on the identity of other non-type materials. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and a distributional map are also given.

Type material of Asilidae (Diptera) described by Jason Londt in the Natural History Museum, London

The primary and secondary types as well as some non-type material donated by Jason Londt (and various collaborators) to the Natural History Museum, London (NHMUK) have been examined and databased which comprises 35 holotypes, 293 paratypes, and 18 non-types (added for completeness), a total of 328 type specimens from 103 species (6% of the total Afro-tropical fauna). All specimen labels were imaged, both frontal and reverse sides, alongside the specimen. Notes were made of any dissections or damage to the specimens. Additional notes were made of any differences between the labels from the species descriptions and the actual specimens.

Nomenclatural changes on some Mediterranean Aphaenogaster Mayr, 1853 taxa (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

The ant genus Aphaenogaster Mayr, 1853 is especially diverse in the West-Palearctic region, where its taxonomy is still problematic for several groups. Among other issues, there is a redundancy of valid taxa compared to the number of species whose validity is currently sustained by any evidence. Names that do not represent taxa with clearly defined identities complicate specimen identification and add confusion to biodiversity databases and checklists. Based on a review of the available literature information on several taxa, and the study of both type and non-type material, the following taxonomic changes are proposed: i) A. mauritanica Dalla Torre, 1893 should be considered a senior synonym of A. gibbosa homonyma Emery, 1921 syn. nov. and of A. foreli Cagniant, 1996 syn. nov. (the Maghrebian populations of the pallida group hitherto considered to represent A. foreli should be attributed to A. dulcineae Emery, 1924); ii) A. pallida (Nylander, 1849) should be considered a senior synonym of A. leveillei Emery, 1881 syn. nov. and of A. leveillei laurenti Santschi, 1939 syn. nov.; iii) A. sangiorgii (Emery, 1901) should be considered a senior synonym of A. finzii Müller, 1921 syn. nov. and A. radchenkoi Kiran & Tezcan, 2008 syn. nov.; iv) A. sardoa Mayr, 1853 should be considered a senior synonym of A. sardoa ujhelyii Szabó, 1910 syn. nov. and A. sardoa anoemica Santschi, 1910 syn. nov.; v) A. subterraneosplendida André, 1883 should be considered a senior synonym of A. sicula Emery, 1908 syn. nov.; vi) A. subterraneoides Emery, 1881 should be considered a senior synonym of A. subterraneoides armeniaca Arnol'di, 1968 syn. nov. These changes will reduce the gap between nomenclature and actual understanding of species diversity, while synonymized names may be resurrected if supporting evidence is discovered.

A review of the genus Micropachyiulus Verhoeff, 1899 and description of the related Armeniopachyiulus gen. nov. (Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae: Pachyiulini)

The European millipede genus Micropachyiulus Verhoeff, 1899 is revised based on type and non-type material, and on the available literature. The genus Hylopachyiulus Attems, 1904 is established as a junior subjective synonym of Micropachyiulus, syn. nov. Micropachyiulus ocellatus (Antić & Akkari, 2018) is thus listed as a new combination, comb. nov. Two new species-Micropachyiulus caucasicus sp. nov. and M. filiformis sp. nov.-are described from Russia and Romania, respectively. In addition, a presumably closely related monospecific genus, Armeniopachyiulus gen. nov., and its sole species A. pokr gen. et sp. nov. are described from Armenia. A brief discussion on the systematics and distribution of the studied taxa is presented.

Taxonomic revision of the African and Southwest Asian species of Platyderus Stephens, subg. Eremoderus Jeanne (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Sphodrini)

Species of the subgenus Eremoderus Jeanne, 1996, genus Platyderus Stephens, 1827, occurring in continental Africa (excluding Macaronesia) and southwest Asia, are taxonomically revised. The following new species groups and species are defined and described, “weiratheri” group: Platyderus (Eremoderus) chatzakiae, sp. nov. (type locality: Greece, Kalymnos Island, near Stimenia Village); “iranicus-vanensis” group: Platyderus (Eremoderus) felixi, sp. nov. (type locality: Iran, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari Province, 10 km west of Naghan Town); Platyderus (Eremoderus) iranicus, sp. nov. (type locality: Iran, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari Province, 7 km NE Naghan Town); Platyderus (Eremoderus) vanensis, sp. nov. (type locality: Turkey, Van Province, Gevaş Town); Platyderus (Eremoderus) vrabeci, sp. nov. (type locality: Turkey, Nemrut Daği); “lassallei” group: Platyderus (Eremoderus) lassallei, sp. nov. (type locality: Iran, Mazandaran Province, between Nur City and Lavij Village); “davatchii” group: Platyderus (Eremoderus) klapperichi, sp. nov. (type locality: Iran, Mazandaran Province, Damavand, 2000 m); “afghanistanicus” group: Platyderus (Eremoderus) afghanistanicus, sp. nov. (type locality: Afghanistan, “Habatah”); “languidus” group: Platyderus (Eremoderus) arabicus, sp. nov. (type locality: Saudi Arabia, “Hedjaz”); Platyderus (Eremoderus) brunki, sp. nov. (type locality: Republic of Yemen, Thula District, between Kaukaban and Shibam); Platyderus (Eremoderus) irakensis, sp. nov. (type locality: Iraq, Ar Rutba District, 115 km E Ar-Rutbah Town); Platyderus (Eremoderus) jordanensis, sp. nov. (type locality: Jordan, Al-Betrā’ District, Little Petra). Six previously described species — P. brunneus Karsch, P. insignitus Bedel, P. languidus Reiche & Saulcy, P. ledouxi Morvan, P. taghizadehi Morvan, and P. weiratheri Mařan — are redescribed based on type and/or non-type material. P. davatchii Morvan placed as a member of the subgenus was not treated due to the lack of material available for study. The following new nomenclature acts are proposed: Platyderus brunneus Karsch, 1881, stat. rev., is removed from synonymy with Feronia languida Reiche & Saulcy, 1855; Platyderus elegans Bedel, 1900, syn. nov., is proposed as junior synonym of Platyderus brunneus Karsch, 1881; Platyderus ferrantei Reitter, 1909 is proposed as subspecies Platyderus brunneus ferrantei Reitter, 1909, stat. nov. In order to preserve the stability of nomenclature, lectotypes are designated for: Feronia languida Reiche & Saulcy, Platyderus brunneus Karsch, and Platyderus weiratheri Mařan. Keys to identification of the male and female specimens of the species from the regions studied are provided.

Two New Species of Horcomutilla Casal, 1962 (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), Description of Hitherto Unknown Males, and an Illustrated Key to All Known Species in the Genus.

Most holotype specimens of Horcomutilla and other non-type materials deposited in museums of the Americas and Europe were examined resulting in the recognition of 13 valid species in Horcomutilla occurring from Panama to southern Argentina. Six species are known from both sexes, six only from females and one only from the male. The new species Horcomutilla bernali Cambra & Williams, sp. nov., female and male, and Horcomutilla igriega Cambra & Williams, sp. nov., male, are described. The previously unknown males of H. denticeps (Spinola Spinola, Famille Mutillaires Latr Mem Acad Sci Turin 13:62-63, 1853) and H. piala Casal Casal, Physis 30:171-172, 1970, are recognized and described. Horcomutilla suis Casal Casal, Notas Mus La Plata, Zool 20:63-75, 1962 is recognized as a junior synonym of Horcomutilla denticeps (Spinola, Spinola, Famille Mutillaires Latr Mem Acad Sci Turin 13:62-63, 1853). Horcomutilla projectifrons (Cresson, Cresson, Trans Amer Ent Soc 28:1-82, 1902) is recognized as a junior synonym of Horcomutilla fronticornis (Burmeister, Burmeister, Abhandl Naturf Ges Halle 2:19-29, 1854). Horcomutilla toba Casal, Casal, Notas Mus La Plata, Zool 20:63-75, 1962 is recognized as a junior synonym of H. glabriceps (André, André, Anales Mus Nac Buenos Aires 3:169-214, 1908). The genus Horcomutilla is reported for the first time from Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Trinidad. An updated key for species of the genus is presented and diagnostic morphological characters to separate all species are illustrated.

Chryseobacterium potabilaquae sp. nov., Chryseobacterium aquaeductus sp. nov. and Chryseobacterium fistulae sp. nov., from drinking water systems.

A polyphasic taxonomic study was conducted on three strains isolated from drinking water systems that had previously been deposited as Chryseobacterium species at the Spanish Type Culture Collection in order to complete their classification. Strains CECT 9293T, CECT 9390T and CECT 9393T were isolated from sites in Barcelona, Spain, in the framework of a project aimed at generating the first MALDI-TOF database specific for bacteria present in water for human consumption. Their partial 16S rRNA sequences showed that their closest relatives among the type strains of Chryseobacterium exhibited 98 % similarity or less, supporting their taxonomic novelty. At the same time, comparison between them revealed that strains CECT 9293T and CECT 9393T could perhaps be related at the species level as they shared 99.5 % similarity. However, whole genome sequencing was performed and the subsequent calculation of relatedness indices, average nucleotide identity and estimated DNA–DNA hybridization, ruled out that possibility and confirmed instead that each of the strains should be considered a separate species in the genus Chryseobacterium . Having clarified their status, we also performed phylogenomic analyses and searched for possible environmental or non-type material sequences that could be related to any of them at the species level. In parallel, the strains were characterized phenotypically and compared to their closest relatives to determine diagnostic traits to support their formal proposal. The proposed species are Chryseobacterium potabilaquae sp. nov. with the type strain CECT 9293T (=LMG 32084T), Chryseobacterium aquaeductus sp. nov. with the type strain CECT 9390T (=LMG 32085T) and Chryseobacterium fistulae sp. nov. with the type strain CECT 9393T (=LMG 32086T).

Redescription of Cirrhilabrus solorensis Bleeker, with Description of Two New Species of Fairy Wrasses (Teleostei: Labridae: Cirrhilabrus)

The labrid fish Cirrhilabrus solorensis was first described in 1853 by Bleeker, based on specimens collected from the Indonesian island of Solor, off the eastern tip of Flores in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Although sufficient at the time, Bleeker's description of the species was brief, resulting in subsequent taxonomic confusion concerning the true identity of this taxon. Presently, the name has been applied to several fishes with notable differences in coloration, particularly in the terminal males. On the basis of additional non-type material and photographic examination of Bleeker's holotype, we redescribe Cirrhilabrus solorensis and resolve the long-standing contention regarding its taxonomic identity. In doing so, we describe two species as new, Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus, new species, on the basis of the holotype and eight paratypes from Sulawesi and the surrounding islands of Banggai and Wakatobi, Indonesia, and Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, new species, described on the basis of the holotype and nine paratypes from Bali, Indonesia. These three species are closely related and, together with C. aurantidorsalis, C. cyanopleura, C. luteovittatus, C. randalli, and C. ryukyuensis, form a complex of species that differ from congeners in having the following combination of characters: caudal fin in males weakly rhomboidal; median fins hyaline with sinuous filigree in both sexes; body with scales edged in inky blue to indigo, their margins often patterned in an argyle motif; and osseus elements that preserve blue to blue-green in alcohol. We briefly discuss the phylogenetic relationships of species in this complex based on results of a companion study detailed elsewhere.

Stabilizing a chaotic taxonomy: redescription and redefinition of the genera Lasiodorides Schmidt & Bischoff, 1997 and Thrixopelma Schmidt, 1994 (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

The genera LasiodoridesSchmidt & Bischoff, 1997 and Thrixopelma Schmidt, 1994 are preliminarily revised, and their taxonomy stabilized. Both sexes of Lasiodorides polycuspulatusSchmidt & Bischoff, 1997, and the male of Lasiodorides striatus (Schmidt & Antonelli, 1996) are redescribed, and the genus Lasiodorides is rediagnosed. Lasiodorides rolinaeTesmoingt, 1999 is proposed as a junior synonym of L. polycuspulatussyn. nov., based on colouration and spermathecal morphology. Lasiodorides remotus Schmidt, 2007 is proposed as a junior synonym of L. polycuspulatussyn. nov., based on spermathecal morphology. Thrixopelma aymara (Chamberlin, 1916) and Thrixopelma lagunasSchmidt & Rudloff, 2010 are redescribed. Thrixopelma ockerti Schmidt, 1994 is illustrated from the syntype series and redescribed based on a non-type female from Iquitos, Peru, held in the collections of the Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru. Thrixopelma longicolli (Schmidt, 2003) comb. nov. is newly transferred from Lasiodorides to Thrixopelma based on palpal bulb morphology, and the holotype male is redescribed. The inherent problems of the paratype exuviae of this taxon are also discussed. Thrixopelma peruvianum (Schmidt, 2007) comb. nov. is newly transferred from EuathlusAusserer, 1875 following examination of the holotype female exuvia and a conspecific non-type female exuvia. Thrixopelma cyaneolum Schmidt, Friebolin & Friebolin, 2005 is discussed ad illustrated from the syntype female exuviae. Thrixopelma pruriensSchmidt, 1998 is discussed and illustrated from the holotype female exuvia, and the problematic non-type material discussed. Finally, we argue that future designation of exuviae as type specimens of novel theraphosid spiders should be considered an unacceptable practice in arachnology.

Filling the gaps: The mitogenomes of Afrotropical egg-guarding frogs based on historical type material and a re-assessment of the nomenclatural status of Alexteroon Perret, 1988 (Hyperoliidae)

The African reedfrog taxon Alexteroon consists of only three described species with rather restricted geographical ranges. Although the assignment to a distinct genus is supported by multiple evidence, its position within the larger African hyperoliid radiation has been disputed. Available molecular data are scarce and the geographic records are few and scattered. The partially formalin fixed type series were previously not accessible to molecular analyses. This changed only very recently with the advancement of Next Generation Sequencing and ancient DNA techniques. Here we provide a reassessment of the current distribution and identity of all known species in this taxon based on (a) historical and new records, (b) morphological reanalyses of the type material and newly collected specimens from Angola and Gabon, and (c) newly established, nearly complete mitochondrial genome data from historical type and modern non-type material. We also present a molecular phylogeny (five mitochondrial loci 12S, 16S, ND1, ND2, COI, Cytb) for 78 sequences from 75 different species of Hyperolius retrieved from GenBank and 14 newly established Alexteroon sequences. We demonstrate that Alexteroon is more widely distributed than previously thought with records from northern Angola representing major southern range extensions. Results of the quantitative morphometric analyses show that the group has a rather conserved general body plan. Therefore qualitative phenotypic features observable in live specimens appear to be more useful for ad hoc species delimitation. We found Alexteroon to be nested within Hyperolius, corroborating previous findings. However, the combination of molecular data and consistent differences observed in morphology and ecology provide strong support for the distinctiveness of this evolutionary lineage within Hyperolius sensu lato. We therefore treat Alexteroon as a subgenus of Hyperolius and argue that the large and diverse genus Hyperolius is in need of revision that may result in new generic arrangements.

Taxonomic status of Macaronesian Eucyclops agiloides azorensis (Arthropoda: Crustacea: Copepoda) revisited – morphology suggests a Palearctic origin

Macaronesia, with the exception of the Azores, is one of the few Palearctic provinces where basic taxonomic information on the freshwater copepods is still lacking. We redescribed Eucyclops azorensis, a cyclopid crustacean so far known only in the Azores, and report the occurrence of this species in Algeria and Madeira Island. Eucyclops azorensis was formerly considered to be a subspecies of E. agiloides (East Africa); therefore, the latter species is redescribed here as well based on type and non-type material. Morphological comparisons between E. azorensis, E. agiloides and other taxa (E. serrulatus and E. roseus), assumed to be closely related to our target species, support a closer relationship between E. azorensis and E. serrulatus (Palearctic) than between E. azorensis and E. agiloides (Afrotropical). The slight differences between E. azorensis and E. serrulatus in the surface ornamentation of the antennal coxobasis and intercoxal sclerites of legs 1 and 4 suggest a relatively young separation of these lineages. Eucyclops agiloides is morphologically close to E. roseus (temperate and subtropical Asia, southeastern Europe, East Africa). The numerous and clear-cut differences indicate a species rather than subspecies-level differentiation between E. agiloides and E. roseus, unlike what was formerly proposed in the taxonomic literature.

Taxonomic revisions of Altigena laticeps and A. lippa (Cyprinidae: Labeoninae) from the Mekong River Basin.

Altigena laticeps, previously considered a junior synonym of A. lippa, is revalidated and re-described based on morphological examinations of type and non-type material. This species, found in the Upper Mekong River basin in China, can be distinguished from A. lippa based on higher numbers of lateral-line scales (40-42 vs. 34-39), predorsal scales (14-16 vs. 9-12), and circumpeduncular scales (20 vs. 16). Altigena lippa, from the Lower Mekong River basin in Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam is also re-described. Four species of Altigena are herein recognized in the Mekong River basin: A. elegans, A. laticeps, A. lippa, and A. yunnanensis.

Description of the male of Tanyxiphium harriet (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), with new distribution records and synonymy

Tanyxiphium longissimum Huber, syn. n. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) is synonymized under T. harriet (Zeya) based on examination of specimens from Hainan Island and Yunnan Province in the Oriental part of China, Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, and Thailand. These are new country distribution records except for Thailand. The previously unknown male of T. harriet is described from Sulawesi Island, and the female is redescribed and illustrated based on non-type material examined.

Genus-level revision of the Alycaeidae (Gastropoda, Cyclophoroidea), with an annotated species catalogue.

412 species-group names (including 11 replacement names), and 14 genus-group names of the Alycaeidae have been introduced to date. Type materials of 85% (336) of the known species and subspecies were examined, a further 5% (19) of the taxa were studied using available non-type material, and for another 6% (22) the original descriptions were sufficiently detailed to evaluate their taxonomic status. Only 3% of the taxa (12) could not be examined. Special attention was paid to the sculpture of the embryonic whorls and the sutural tube-microtunnel system in order to provide a novel classification for this group.In this study 363 taxa (320 species or 43 subspecies) are accepted within the family Alycaeidae. Of these, 22 have been described by the lead author and his coauthors in previous publications. In addition, there are 18 species that were formerly classified in Cycloryx and now belong to Pincerna due to its synonymy with Cycloryx. Among the remaining 323 species, 209 (65%) are transferred here to another genus, whilst 114 (35%) have remained in their original genus.Seven genera are accepted. While some questions (e.g., the distinction between Pincerna and Alycaeus) remained unanswered, this revision made three main achievements: (1) The Dicharax species were identified based on the absence of spiral striation on the entire shell; (2) the Metalycaeus species were identified based on the spiral striation of the protoconch; (3) and Stomacosmethis was separated from Alycaeus based on the extremely short sutural tube.Five nominal species are being synonymised with other species, and eight species are now treated as subspecies. The following replacement names are proposed: Dioryx urnula niosiensis Páll-Gergely, nom. nov. for Alycaeus urnula var. daflaensis Godwin-Austen, 1914; Dioryx urnula rotundus Páll-Gergely, nom. nov. for Alycaeus urnula var. globosus Godwin-Austen, 1914; Pincerna crenilabris juttingae Páll-Gergely, nom. nov. for Alycaeus crenilabris laevis van Benthem Jutting, 1959; Pincerna crenilabris korintjiensis Páll-Gergely, nom. nov. for Alycaeus crenilabris latecostatus van Benthem Jutting, 1959; Dicharax conicus jatingaensis Páll-Gergely, nom. nov. for Alycaeus conicus var. nanus Godwin-Austen, 1914; Metalycaeus godwinausteni Páll-Gergely, nom. nov. for Alycaeus neglectus Godwin-Austen, 1914; and finally Metalycaeus suhajdai Páll-Gergely, nom. nov. for Alycaeus varius Godwin-Austen, 1914.

Review of two Tonnoir moth fly species, overlooked for a century (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae)

A lectotype (male) and paralectotypes (male, female) of Pneumia vittata (Tonnoir, 1919) comb. nov. (= Pericoma crispi Freeman, 1953 syn. nov.) from Belgium are designated. The species is redescribed and illustrated, and a differential diagnosis is given. The former designation of a holotype, paratypes and paratypoids by Jung is invalid because it was not published. In addition, a problem with Tonnoiriella obtusa (Tonnoir, 1919) comb. nov. (= Tonnoiriella anchoriformis Salamanna, 1975 syn. nov.) from Belgium is resolved. A female specimen is designated as a lectotype, but only the dissected wings from this specimen are in condition suitable for redescription. There is additional non-type material collected later by Tonnoir; this material, including 3 females and 1 male, was the basis for redescription, illustrations and differential diagnosis. The unpublished male lectotype designated by Jung is invalid. Two species are added to the last checklist of Psychodidae from Belgium, raising the total number to 94.

Taxonomic study on Meteoriaceae I. Reappraisal of some species of Barbella and Pseudotrachypus

ABSTRACT Introduction. The concept of the genera Barbella and Pseudobarbella have changed considerably in recent years. The delimitation of Barbella has been revised by Buck, meanwhile, Pseudobarbella has been treated a synonym of Pseudotrachypus. However, the taxonomy of some species in the genus Barbella have not been studied since their inception. Some species have been retained in Pseudobarbella, and their status needs to be reappraised. Methods. Type specimens of Barbella and Pseudotrachypus were studied, and a review of relevant non-type materials was undertaken. Results. The authors have made a reappraisal of the taxonomic status of Pseudotrachypus ancistrodes (Renauld & Cardot) V.Nath & Bansal, Barbella chlorodiclados M.Fleisch., Barbella conferva (Müll.Hal.) Broth., Barbella elegantula Broth. ex Ihsiba and Barbella capillicaulis (Renauld & Cardot) Cardot. Illustrations of these species are provided. Conclusions. Pseudotrachypus ancistrodes (Renauld & Cardot) V.Nath & Bansal should be returned to Meteoriopsis, and it is recognised here as a synonym of Meteoriopsis reclinata (Müll.Hal.) M.Fleisch. Barbella chlorodiclados M.Fleisch. has been resurrected as an independent species. Barbella conferva (Müll.Hal.) Broth. and Barbella capillicaulis (Renauld & Cardot) Cardot. are transferred to Barbellopsis and Neodicladiella respectively. Barbella elegantula Broth. ex Ihsiba is treated as a synonym of Meteoriella soluta (Mitt.) S.Okamura.

Update of the Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) species checklist from Algeria with 10 new records

BackgroundThe Culicoides fauna of Algeria has been historically investigated, leading to the description of many new species by Kieffer in the 1920s, Clastrier in the 1950s or Callot in the 1960s and to a comprehensive inventory by Szadziewski in the 1980s. The emergence of bluetongue in the late 1990s enhanced Culicoides collections made in the country over the last two decades, but information remained mostly unpublished. The aim of this study is therefore to provide a comprehensive and updated checklist of Culicoides biting midge species in Algeria.MethodsThe literature (published and grey, in French and in English) from 1920 to date on Culicoides collections in Algeria was collected and analyzed in the light of the current taxonomic and systematic knowledge and methods. Fresh Culicoides material was also analyzed using light/suction trap collections carried out from November 2015 to September 2018 in nine localities of the ‘wilayah’ of Tiaret (northwestern Algeria). Slide mounted specimens were identified morphologically using the interactive identification key IIKC and original descriptions. Specimens were then compared with non-type material originating from different countries and partly with type material.ResultsA total of 13,709 Culicoides, belonging to at least 36 species within 10 subgenera, were examined leading to 10 new records in Algeria, including C. chiopterus, C. dewulfi, C. navaiae, C. grisescens, C. paradoxalis, C. shaklawensis, C. simulator, C. univittatus, C. achrayi and C. picturatus. These new records and all previous records provided by the literature review were discussed.ConclusionsWe propose a Culicoides checklist for the Algerian fauna of 59 valid species, including species mainly with a large Palaearctic distribution and a specific Mediterranean distribution, and only a few species from the Afrotropical region. Among them, several species, mainly of the subgenera Avaritia and Culicoides, are confirmed or probable vectors of arboviruses important in animal health.

<p><strong><em>Thalictrum mairei</em></strong><strong> (Ranunculaceae) is synonymous with <em>T. foliolosum</em>, not <em>T. leuconotum</em></strong></p>

Thalictrum mairei (Ranunculaceae) has been previously placed in synonymy with T. leuconotum based on non-type material of the former name. Critical examination of the type material of T. mairei reveals that it is actually synonymous with T. foliolosum, not T. leuconotum. We therefore reduce T. mairei to the synonymy of T. foliolosum herein. We also clarify morphological distinction among T. leuconotum, T. sinomacrostigma, T. uncatum var. angustialatum and T. uncatum var. uncatum. Lectotypification is proposed for T. falconeri (another synonym of T. foliolosum) and T. foliolosum.

Review of Tarsonemus heterosetiger Mahunka, 1974 (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Tarsonemidae)-an unusual species from Central Africa warranting supraspecific recognition.

Tarsonemus heterosetiger Mahunka, 1974 is redescribed and illustrated. The type and non-type material are annotated; its morphology is discussed. The collection data of the type series is also corrected. In order to accommodate its systematic distinctiveness, a new supraspecific taxon is proposed.