Pale Body Color Research Articles

A new genus and species of a submarine cave crab of the family Plagusiidae Dana, 1851 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Grapsoidea) from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan.

Caligoplagusia okinawa n. gen. & n. sp., assigned to the brachyuran family Plagusiidae Dana, 1851 is described on the basis of a male and a female specimens collected from a semi-submerged marine cave on the limestone shore of Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan. The new monotypic genus is most similar to Euchirograpsus H. Milne Edwards, 1853 and Miersiograpsus Trkay, 1978 in that the frontal margin lacks a deep sublateral cleft adjacent to the orbit, but differs significantly by its subhexagonal carapace shape, the anterolateral margin of the carapace with three teeth including the external orbital tooth, the anterior margin of ambulatory meri each armed with a row of large teeth, and the greatly reduced eyes. The pale body colour, reduced eyes, the very elongate antennal flagellum, and long ambulatory legs are all typical brachyuran adaptations to living in cave environments. This is the first cave-dwelling species of the family Plagusiidae.

Parasite Prevalence Oodinium sp. in Cantang Hybrid Grouper Cultivated in Recirculating Aquaculture System

The aims of this study were to determine clinical symptoms, mortality, prevalence, and histopathology of Cantang hybrid grouper fish infected with Oodinium sp. on the Cantang. The study was conducted by direct observation of clinical symptoms, calculating the number of fish mortality, and measuring the quality of water in the tank using the Cantang. While histopathology was conducted in the laboratory using 10 samples of sick fish with an average total length of 10.6 ± 0.69 cm and a weight of 18.6 ± 1.77 g. The results showed that the fish seen swimming weakly on the surface of the water near aeration or standing still at the bottom of the tub, decreased appetite, had pale or darker body color, and were thin. Observation of skin and gill mucus under a microscope showed the presence of ectoparasites Oodinium sp. in massive quantities in almost every gill sheet. The mortality of fish infected with Oodinium sp. in the Cantang of 26.84±3.9%, with a prevalence of 49.59%. Histopathologically the gill lamellae of fish infected with Oodinium sp. shows the occurrence of hyperplasia which causes the union of several gill lamellae.

Three New Infaunal Species of <i>Taeniogyrus</i> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Apodida: Chiridotidae: Taeniogyrinae) from Southern Coast of Wakayama, Japan

Three infaunal apodid sea cucumbers collected in Kushimoto, Shirahama, and Susami, in the southern coast of Wakayama, Japan are described. They have different morphological characteristics in body color, ossicle arrangement, and internal organs, each other. First species, animal displays a large body size (approximately 70–150 mm) and pale body color (semi-transparent pink with anterior tip brownish) was found out. Second species, animal displays a small body size (approximately 20 mm) and pale body color (transparent yellow) with whitish wheel-papillae on three dorsal interradii was found out. Third species, animal displays a moderate body size (approximately 20–35 mm) and deep red or reddish brown body color with dark yellowish wheel-papillae on three dorsal interradii was found out. All three species having 10 tentacles, sigmoid-hook ossicles, and wheel ossicles in their body wall, turned out to be belonging to the genus Taeniogyrus Semper, 1867, and new to science.

Yellow-b, -c, -d, and -h are required for normal body coloration of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

The involvement of yellow genes y-b, y-c, y-e, and y-h in cuticle tanning has poorly been clarified. In the present paper, six putative yellow (y-y, y-b, y-c, y-e y-f, and y-h) genes were identified in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. Hvy-b, Hvy-c, Hvy-e, and Hvy-h were abundantly transcribed at early larval and late pupal stages, especially in the epidermis. Accordingly, RNA interference (RNAi) experiments were performed by an injection of dsy-b, dsy-c, dsy-e, or dsy-h into the second instar larvae and 1-day-old pupae. The head capsule, scoli and strumae, and legs in the fourth-instar larvae became blacker; the blackish spots in the pupae were darkened and widened after RNAi of Hvy-b, compared with those of dsegfp-treated controls. Depletion of Hvy-b at the 1-day-old pupal stage expanded two pair of black markings on the sternum of the metathorax, and darkened the black patched on the sterna of the abdomen segments I-VI in the resultant adults. Depletion of Hvy-e caused darker pigmented adult body and elytral cuticles than those of dsegfp-introduced controls. However, there was no obvious difference in pigmentation of the black markings. Hvy-h-deficient larvae displayed dark yellow body color, whereas the body color of the dsegfp-injected control was pale yellow. There was no obvious difference in coloration of larval specific-black markings or pupal cuticle between dsHvy-h- and dsegfp-treated animals. Moreover, silence of Hvy-c at the second instar larval stage lightened black markings in the resulting larvae and pupae, but had no influence on pale yellow body color. Our results demonstrated their different roles of the four yellow genes during body pigmentation: HvY-b and HvY-c, respectively, inhibit and facilitate the coloration within dark markings, whereas HvY-e and HvY-h, respectively, repress the pigmentation in adult and larval body cuticles outside the black patches in H. vigintioctopunctata.

Effects of background color and feeding status on the expression of genes associated with body color regulation in the goldfish Carassius auratus

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a peptide derived from proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), act as neuromodulators and regulate food intake in vertebrates. In teleosts, these peptides are also involved competitively in body color regulation; α-MSH induces a dark body color, while MCH induces a pale body color. Similarly, members of the growth hormone (GH) family, somatolactin (SL) and prolactin (PRL), which are involved in the regulation of energy metabolism, are also associated with body color regulation in teleosts. Since these hormones are involved in both body color regulation and energy metabolism, it is possible that feeding status can affect body color. Here, we examined the effects of fasting on the response of goldfish body coloration to changes in background color. Goldfish were acclimated for one week in tanks with a white or black background under conditions of periodic feeding or fasting. The results showed that body color and expression levels of pmch1 and pomc were affected by background color, irrespective of feeding status. Expression levels of sla were higher in fish maintained in tanks with a black background than in tanks with a white background, and higher in the fasted fish compared to the fed fish. However, the pattern of slb expression was almost the opposite of that observed in sla expression. The expression levels of gh and prl in the pituitary, and pmch2a and pmch2b in the brain, were not affected by background color. These results suggest that MCH, α-MSH, SLα, and SLβ might be involved in body color regulation and that they are affected by background color in goldfish. The results also suggest that feeding status may affect body color regulation via SLα and SLβ, although these effects might be limited compared to the effect of background color.

Identification of giant gourami iridovirus (GGIV): a new infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) from natural outbreak in cultured Osphronemus goramy

Megalocytivirus of family Iridoviridae has been identified as a pathogen that caused the fatal systemic infection to lead to massive death of numerous fish species in both ornamental and food fish industries. It caused significant economic losses due to severe mortality of infected fish. Since 2011 in Indonesia, megalocytivirus in giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy) had been found as the main pathogen in some cases of giant gourami outbreak, especially in West Java, Central Java, and Bali. The aim of this study is to identify and characterize the pathogen known as a megalocytivirus infection in freshwater-cultured giant gourami. We identified the virus using universal and specific primers for megalocytivirus and infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV). Sequencing and BLAST analysis were used to develop a phylogenetic tree. The result showed that phylogenetic analysis of major capsid protein (MCP) gene unveiled a new member of megalocytivirus, designated as giant gourami iridovirus (GGIV). GGIV-formed cluster belonged to ISKNV and has 100% homology to ISKNV complete genome. Artificial infection by intraperitoneal injection with supernatant homogenate from spleen and kidney of naturally infected fish showed 93% cumulative mortality in 12 days. Fish showed a clinical sign of infection as lethargic, loss of appetite, pale or darken body color, and hemorrhages. Internal organ on dead fish showed swollen spleen and kidney and also a pale liver. Quantitative PCR analysis on internal organs showed spleen had the highest viral DNA copy number followed by kidney, gill, and liver. Histopathological analysis showed many abnormally hypertrophied cells in spleen which is typical histopathological characteristic of megalocytivirus infection. In conclusion, GGIV belonged to ISKNV from genus megalocytivirus.

Description of a new species of the genus Dendrothrips Uzel (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from Japan.

A new species, Dendrothrips kinape, is described and illustrated from Oryza sativa at Hokkaidô, Japan. In this genus, this species is very peculiar in its uniformly pale body color and in its host plant (first record from Monocotyledoneae). A key to Japanese species of the genus is provided.

The effect of tank colour on background preference, survival and development of larval swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

The cultured swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus could be supplied out of season and achieve high-added value, leading to rapid development of P. trituberculatus culture industry. However, little knowledge is known in indoor seeding of swimming crab, creating a gap between seed supplies and farmer's demand. Optimizing background colour is essential for maximizing the larval performance of P. trituberculatus. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the colour preference of swimming crab larvae, and the effect of tank colour on survival, development and oxygen consumption rate from zoea I to megalopa. Tank colours evaluated were red, yellow, black, blue, green and white. A self-referent colour preference device was used to study colour preference of the larvae in 24 h. In the survival and development experiment newly hatched zoea I larvae were stocked into 1.4 L plastic culture tanks at an initial density of 100 individual L−1, fed with Artemia nauplii till they all metamorphosized to juvenile crab. Data indicated that >60% larvae of every stage had a significant preference to white background (P < .01), followed by red, blue and yellow. The larvae disliked green and black background. Surprisingly, in the survival and development experiment, the best larval performance was found in red and yellow tank (43.89 ± 2.22% and 42.30 ± 4.16%), while the larvae in white tank had the lowest final survival rate (19.78 ± 3.28%) (P < .01). The larvae also showed better synchronization in development in red (19.7 ± 1.1 d−1) and yellow (20.5 ± 1.2 d−1) tank than in black (22.1 ± 1.8 d−1), blue (22.6 ± 1.3 d−1), green (24.1 ± 1.7 d−1) and white tank (24.1 ± 1.7 d−1). The larvae cultured in white tank tended to swim on the bottom of the tank and had pale body colour. The larvae of all stages in blue tank had the highest oxygen consumption rate (P < .05), while those cultured in red and white had the lowest oxygen consumption rate (P < .05). The results indicated that the red and yellow are suitable background colour for larval P. trituberculatus, while white background may become a stressor and should be avoided.

The congrid eel genus Bathycongrus of Taiwan, with descriptions of three new species (Anguilliformes: Congridae).

Ten species of the congrid eel genus Bathycongrus are recognized from Taiwanese waters. Diagnoses and full descriptions of eight species are provided in present work. Three species are described as new. Bathycongrus bimaculatus sp. nov. is a small species with a pale body color, two black patches on dorsal fin, and 109-111 total vertebrae. Bathycongrus graciliceps sp. nov. is a moderately elongate species with a small, slender head and long trunk, and 163 total vertebrae. Bathycongrus castlei sp. nov. is a slender species with a relatively short trunk, dorsal half of body deep brownish, and 160-162 total vertebrae. Two rare species, B. bleekeri Fowler, 1934 and B. macroporis (Kotthaus, 1968), are newly reported from Taiwan. A key to all species in Taiwan is provided.

Disruption of PTPS Gene Causing Pale Body Color and Lethal Phenotype in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene or by defects in the tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) synthesis pathway. Here, by positional cloning, we report that the 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) gene, encoding a key enzyme of BH4 biosynthesis, is responsible for the alc (albino C) mutation that displays pale body color, head shaking, and eventually lethality after the first molting in silkworm. Compared to wild type, the alc mutant produced more substrates (phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr)) and generated less DOPA and dopamine. Application of 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (DAHP) to block BH4 synthesis in the wild type effectively produced the alc-like phenotype, while BH4 supplementation rescued the defective body color and lethal phenotype in both alc and DAHP-treated individuals. The detection of gene expressions and metabolic substances after drugs treatments in alc and normal individuals imply that silkworms and humans have a high similarity in the drugs metabolic features and the gene pathway related to BH4 and the dopamine biosynthesis. We propose that the alc mutant could be used as an animal model for drug evaluation for BH4-deficient PKU.

The concept of portal system obstruction in Avicenna's canon of medicine

Historical literature on portal hypertension is mainly focused on the contemporary advances in therapeutic methods, especially surgical ones. However, it seems that the origin of the human knowledge on the portal system, its association with the caval system, obstructive pathologies in this system and the gastrointestinal bleeding due to hepatic diseases might be much older than previously believed. Avicenna provided a detailed anatomy of the portal venous system and its feeding branches in the Canon of Medicine. Soddat al-Kabed va al-Masarigha (liver and mesenteric occlusion) is also a disease presented by Avicenna with clinical, etiological and therapeutic descriptions suggesting the fact that Soddat al-Kabed va al-Masarigha has multiple similarities with the currently identified concept of "portal hypertension". He presented sense of heaviness in the liver area with or without mild pain, anemia, pale and inappropriate body color, and loose stool which can be complicated with ascites, infection, fever and abdominal pain as clinical manifestations of this disease. He has also suggested therapeutic approaches including laxative and diuretic herbs to help excreting the obstructive material into stool or urine.

Chinese sea snake (Laticauda semifasciata) misidentified as slender-necked sea snake in previous published account in Korea

Recent ocean warming near the Korean peninsula and our lack of knowledge of an important vertebrate group, the sea snakes, encouraged us to clarify this part of Korea’s regional fauna. We re-examined photographs that had been used to report the slender-necked sea snake (Hydrophis melanocephalus) in 1995. We discovered it was misidentified. To determine the correct identity of the sea snake, we studied 13 original photographs taken at the collecting site in Sooyoung Bay, Busan-si, in 1995 and determined the snake to be Laticauda semifasciata based on enlarged ventral scales, definitive for Laticaudinae sea snakes, and internasal scales, pale blue body color, divided rostral scale, and evident “V”-shaped stripes on the body trunk, definitive for L. semifasciata. Therefore, the snake caught 30 years ago in Korean waters should be considered the first record of a Laticaudinae sea snake in Korean waters. L. semifasciata is listed as near threatened setting the stage for urgently needed studies of sea snakes in Korea and supporting those currently underway.

Dimethoate Induced Behavioural Changes in Juveniles of Cyprinus carpio var. communis under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir, India.

The present study was designed to investigate acute toxicity of dimethoate on juvenile Cyprinus carpio var. communis. Fishes weighing 10 ± 2 gms were selected and mortality data was statistically evaluated by Finney's Probit Method. The 96-hour LC50 value for Cyprinus carpio was found as 1.1 ppm in static bioassay system. Mean values of physicochemical parameters of aquarium waters determined during bioassay depicted slight variation indicating that the mortality in aquarium fishes occurred due to pesticide exposure and not suffocation. Lab. temperature ranged from 12 to 13°C; water temperature ranged from 11 to 12°C; dissolved oxygen ranged from 3.90 to 4.56 mg/L; pH ranged from 6.90 to 7.05; total dissolved solids ranged from 2.66 to 3.0 × 103 mg/L, while CO2 remained at a constant value of 2.0 mg/L. The fishes elicited various behavioural responses such as uncoordinated movements, convulsions, excessive mucus secretion, and imbalanced swimming which ended in a collapse to the bottom of the aquarium. Prior to death, the clinical signs like scale erosion, pale body colour, and hemorrhagic patches over the body were noticed which became more vivid up to the termination of experiments. Results of the study indicate potential toxicity of dimethoate in fingerlings of common carp for which the natural waterbodies must be continuously monitored to reduce its impact across food chains.

Isolation and identification of Aeromonas hydrophila from silver carp and its culture environment from Mymensingh region

The pathogenic bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila from naturally infected silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix were isolated and identified from a fish farm in Mymensingh. Fish showed motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) like reddish head and anal region, pale body colour and external haemorrhages. Intestine, liver, kidney and environmental samples such as sediment, feed and water were inoculated onto the Aeromonas isolation medium (AIM) and TSA plates. The AIM colonies were undergone specific characterization for Aeromonas hydrophila. Quantitative studies of bacterial flora of fish on TSA plates showed that the total bacterial load in intestine, liver and kidney of the sampled fish, sediment, feed and water of the environment were 1.00 × 105 to 1.50 × 105 CFU/g, 2.7 × 102 to 4.46 × 104 CFU/g, 1.00 × 103 to 2.17 × 103 CFU/g, 1.90 × 104 CFU/g, 4.10 × 103 CFU/g and 2.50 × 103 CFU/ml, respectively. After isolation, A. hydrophila was finally identified by their specific morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. They were gram negative, rod shaped, motile bacteria that showed positive reaction for oxidase and catalase, fermented glucose and were resistant to vibriostatic agent 0/129. They showed positive result in esculin hydrolysis test. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i2.19943 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(2): 373-376, 2013

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis infection in Bester sturgeon, a cultured hybrid of Huso huso × Acipenser ruthenus, in Taiwan

Approximately 5300 hybrid sturgeons with an average body weight of 600–800g were farmed in 3 round tankers measuring 3m in diameter each containing 28,000L of aerated groundwater. According to the owner’s description, the diseased fish had anorexia, pale body color, and reddish spots on the abdomen. The morbidity and lethality rates in this outbreak were about 70% (3706/5300) and 100% (3706/3706), respectively. The clinical examination revealed enteritis, enlarged abdomen, and rapid respiration rate. The gross findings revealed a volume of about 4mL of ascites. The histopathological examination showed multiple massive, hemorrhagic or coagulative necrotic foci in the liver and spleen. Furthermore, there was diffuse infiltration of glycogen in hepatic cells, and a few polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leucocytes were observed surrounding the spleen. Some bacterial clumps were noted around the necrotic foci. We also observed that there was moderate to severe, acute, multifocal, coagulative necrosis in the renal parenchyma, with some necrotic foci present beneath the margin of the kidney. Additionally, multifocal, coagulative necrosis was found in the pancreas. Results of microbiologic examinations, including biochemical characteristics, PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene, sequencing and comparison, and phylogenetic analysis, revealed the pathogen of this infection was Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, and based on the results of an antimicrobial agent sensitivity test the bacterium was only sensitive to ampicillin and florfenicol. Additionally, results of in vivo experimental infections in hybrid tilapia showed that 1×108 and 1×109CFU/mL of our isolate caused death in all fish and LD50 values ranged from 102 to 105CFU/mL. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis infection in hybrid sturgeon.

Social and reproductive physiology and behavior of the Neotropical cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus under laboratory conditions

In this work we describe for the first time the social and reproductive behavior of the Neotropical fish Cichlasoma dimerus (Heckel, 1840) [Perciformes: Cichlidae], endemic to the Paraná River basin, using a comprehensive-integral approach, including morphological and physiological features. This substrate breeding fish has biparental care of the fry and presents a dominance hierarchy that determines access to breeding territories among males, and to males with territories among females. Gregarious behavior associated with a pale body color, was observed before reproductive behaviors started. Afterwards, a dominance hierarchy was established through aggressive interactions. Territorial individuals had bright body color patterns and non territorial an opaque grey one. Black ventral coloration was associated with reproductive individuals. Courtship displays, which were similar to threatening displays, had the common effect of increasing the visible area of the individual. The dominant male was always the largest one suggesting that size is probably a major factor determining the hierarchy establishment and that these intra-sexually selected traits may have been reinforced by inter-sexual selection. Reproductive males had higher pituitary levels of β-follicle stimulating hormone (β-FSH) and somatolactin (SL) than non reproductive ones, while no differences were found among females. No differences were found among male gonadosomatic indexes. Non reproductive individuals had higher plasma cortisol levels for both sexes. It is possible that dominant reproductive individuals may be inhibiting reproduction of subordinate fish through physical contact, increasing their cortisol levels and diminishing FSH and SL pituitary content. However, this was not reflected as an inhibition at the gonadal level in our experimental design.

Two new species of pygmy octopuses (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) from deep water off the Ryukyu Archipelago, southern Japan

Two new species of pygmy octopuses are described from upper bathyal waters (350–370 m) around the Ryukyu Archipelago. Bathypolypus rubrostictus n. sp. is characterized by its small body (20 mm ML), short arms (2–2.5×ML), no enlarged suckers, large spoon-shaped ligula with five deep transverse laminae and large round calamus. There are numerous small brownish-red spots on the dorsal surface of the mantle, which is smooth, without papillae, and webs are pale reddish brown. Octopus diminutus n. sp. is characterized by its diminutive adult body size (13–17 mm ML), short arms (2–3×ML), enlarged suckers on the arms of the male, very large pointed calamus, pale brown body colour, and elongate compound superocular papillae. The generic placement of the two species and taxonomic definitions of the genera Octopus and Bathypolypus are discussed.

A new species of Trypanosyllis (Polychaeta: Syllidae) from the Levantine coast of Turkey (eastern Mediterranean)

The examination of rock and stone samples collected at 0.2–3 m in Mersin Bay (Levantine coast of Turkey) revealed the presence of 14 specimens belonging to a new species of Syllidae (Polychaeta), Trypanosyllis sanmartini. The species is mainly characterized by having dark reddish-brown dorsal cirri, pale yellowish body colour, weakly bidentate falcigers, long and filiform dorsal cirri, long proventricle and pharynx, and a trepan with ten large teeth (without a pharyngeal mid-dorsal tooth). The posterior-most segments of the holotype and five paratypes had a cluster of stolons. The morphology and reproductive features of the species are explained and discussed.

Neolamprologus cancellatus, a new cichlid fish from Lake Tanganyika, Africa

Neolamprologus cancellatus, a new cichlid species, is described on the basis of eight specimens from the Zambian coast of Lake Tanganyika. The new species is characterized by a subtruncate caudal fin and a body that is slender (depth 22.3–25.2% in standard length) and easily distinguishable from its congeners by having 7–8 anal fin spines, 34–37 scales in longitudinal line, 33 total vertebrae, and a gridlike body pattern on a pale brownish body color. This species is only known to inhabit the shallow (2–7 m depth), rocky bottom of Wonzye Point in the southern part of the lake.

New Oxycoryninae from Central and South America: phylogenetic and biogeographical implications (Coleoptera: Belidae)

Abstract. Balanophorobius Anderson gen.n. and its type species, B. gamezi Anderson sp.n. (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Belidae) are described from the vicinity of Cerro de Oro in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. Adults were reared from larvae collected in mid‐March in flowers of an unidentified species of root parasitic Balanophoraceae, possibly Helosis cayennensis (Sw.) Spreng. Balanophorobius is characterized by small (&lt;3.5 mm) size, a loosely articulated antennal club, fine golden pilosity covering the entire cuticle, a sculptured pronotum, and the presence of distinct elytral striae with the intervals between the striae somewhat convex, but not carinate. In addition, a second species of the previously monotypic Alloxycorynus Voss, A. whiteheadi Anderson sp.n., from Cuzco Province in Peru, is described. Known only from a single male specimen, this species is distinguished by its uniform pale brown body colour, apically acuminate prosternal process, mesosternal process expanded between the middle coxae into a ventrally directed, flat, platelike form, and the front tibia having a simple apical tooth. No information is available on its host plant associations. A reassessment of the phylogenetic relationships of Belidae including character states from adults of Balanophorobius is consistent with recently published results. The genera Hydnorobius, Oxycorynus, Alloxycorynus and Balanophorobius constitute a monophyletic clade, sister to the Parallocorynus–Rhopalotria clade, united in aspects of structure and natural history. However, relationships among the former four genera are unresolved. If one considers a host shift to Balanophoraceae from Hydnoraceae, then an arrangement placing Alloxycorynus and Balanophorobius as sister taxa, sister to Oxycorynus, sister to Hydnorobius, is favoured. Features of A. whiteheadi affirm the validity of the previously monotypic Alloxycorynus through the shared presence of a ventrally directed prosternal process and the innermost elytral costa effaced throughout most of its length. The discovery of Balanophorobius in Costa Rica is the first record of angiosperm root parasite‐associated Oxycoryninae from outside of South America and suggests a greater geographical range for these taxa than previously recorded.