Taxonomic Remarks Research Articles

New study sheds light on the impressive intraspecific variation of Quaternary Asiatic black bears in China

Asiatic black bears have long been recognized as key members of the Quaternary mammalian fauna in South China. Despite this, for decades, taxonomic remarks since the Early Pleistocene Ursus thibetanus have been controversial, and the intraspecific variations of it remain unresolved. We here described a nearly complete black bear skull from the late Mid-Pleistocene or the early Late-Pleistocene (ca. 134 ± 22–133 ± 30 ka) of the Sifangdi Cave, Yanjinggou area, Chongqing. The studied material was compared with other U. thibetanus materials from the Quaternary localities in China.Morphological analyses revealed impressive intraspecific variations and that U. t. kokeni can be deemed as an invalid paleosubspecies, which discernibly corresponds to all living subspecies of U. thibetanus. Based on isolated teeth and several skulls from various localities, we proposed that U. thibetanus primitinus was a black bear with small-sized skull and upper molars, while U. thibetanus since the Mid-Pleistocene was a larger black bear with significantly larger cranium and upper molars, in accordance with extant subspecies. Furthermore, in response to the prominent Mid-Pleistocene climate transition and ecosystem changes, it is evident that black bears tend to have increased their body sizes, expanded their living territories, and perhaps even arrived at the localities in North China since the Mid-Pleistocene.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF “NON-PHLEBOTOMINE” PSYCHODIDAE (DIPTERA NEMATOCERA) FROM CENTRAL ITALY

Several new records for 10 species of moth flies from central Italy are discussed in this paper. Three species, namely Sycorax similis (Müller, 1927), Pneumia sanae (Krek, 1990), and Jungiella (Jungiella) parvula (Vaillant, 1960), are new to the Italian fauna. Distribution of each species is provided, together with ecological and taxonomic remarks, where relevant. Diagnostic characters currently used to separate the taxa belonging to the Pericoma pannonica Szabó, 1960 species group are also discussed. Key Words: Diptera, Psychodidae, moth flies, faunistics, Apennines, Italy

Taxonomy of Diamesa steinboecki group (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae), with description and DNA barcoding of known species. II. Subgroups davisi, leona and loeffleri.

Illustrated redescription of the adult males Diamesa alpina Tokunaga from the Russian Far East and North America, D. amplexivirilia Hansen from Arctic and the Russian Far East, D. saetheri Willassen from Chukotka Region and Kolyma River basin, D. lupus Willassen from Alaska, D. serratosioi Willassen from Norway and Russian Far East, D. leoniella Hansen from Alaska, D. leona Roback from Eurasia, D. japonica Tokunaga from Japan and Russian Far East, D. khumbugelida Saether et Willassen and D. loeffleri Reiss from Himalayas are provided. Morphological data and DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) were used to delimit of seven species from subgroups davisi (D. alpina, D. amplexivirilia, D. serratosioi), leona (D. japonica, D. leona) and loeffleri (D. khumbugelida, D. loeffleri). Taxonomic remarks with data on geographical distribution of the investigated species are given.

Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) Fauna of Murat Mountain (Kütahya-Uşak), Turkey, with some Taxonomic Remarks

Leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) collected during the years 2019–2020 from Murat Mountain located on the border of Kütahya and Uşak provinces, Turkey were studied. A total of 1,166 specimens were examined, and 86 species belonging to 24 genera and five subfamilies (Criocerinae, Cryptocephalinae, Chrysomelinae, Galerucinae, and Cassidinae) were identified. All taxa are newly reported from Murat Mountain, 83 of them are newly recorded from Kütahya Province, and 36 taxa are newly recorded from the Aegean Region of Turkey. In addition, some taxonomic remarks about Aeschrocnemis serbica (Kutschera, 1860) and Cryptocephalus pygmaeus vittula Suffrian, 1848 are provided and discussed with supporting images. The abundance of chrysomelids occurring in the study area by sampling months and their distributions with respect to different altitude ranges were evaluated as well.

A new species of the snipe fly genus Rhagio Fabricius (Diptera: Rhagionidae) from Korea

A new species of the genus Rhagio Fabricius is described for the Korean peninsula, namely, R . seorsus sp. nov. We document the diagnosis, description, distribution data, and taxonomic remarks of this new snipe fly using external habitus and both male and female terminal structures. Additionally, a key to identifying the Korean Rhagio species is presented.

New records of the five alien species from the flora of United Arab Emirates

During floristic research in 2017–2022 in the Emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the authors discovered new alien species that complement the species composition of the flora of vascular plants in the Emirate and the UAE as a whole. The article presents new records of five alien species previously unknown from the flora of UAE and Fujairah: Gomphrena serrata L. (Amaranthaceae), Portulaca pilosa L., P. grandiflora Hook., P. umbraticolaKunth (Portulacaceae), and Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth (Piperaceae). Gomphrena serrata which is rare in the country was found only in one place in the mountainous region of Fujarah, and it is a novelty for the flora of the Arabian Peninsula as a whole, while Portulaca pilosa was observed in several different areas of Fujairah Emirate and is also known for Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. Peperomia pellucida was found only in a single locality in the “Alamarey plant nursery” in Dibba town but in large number of individuals. For every species, synonyms, overall distribution, habitat preferences, affinity and taxonomic remarks as well as the list of localities are given. The herbarium materials were deposited in the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute (LE, Saint-Petersburg, Russia), duplicates were sent to the Herbarium of Altai State University (ALTB, Barnaul, Russia) and the Scientific Herbarium of Fujairah (FSH, Wadi Wuraya National Park, Fujairah, UAE).

Taxonomical remarks on Promenaea microptera (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae): the rediscovery of a poorly known micro-endemic orchid from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

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Taxonomy of Diamesa steinboecki group (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae), with description and DNA barcoding of new species. I. Subgroups steinboecki and longipes.

The results of a revision of the Diamesa steinboecki group, namely soubgroups steinboecki and longipes (Diptera, Chironomidae, Diamesinae) are presented. Illustrated descriptions of the adult male of D. dragani sp. nov. from Sayan Mountains, D. kownackii sp. nov. from Wrangel Island, D. maisaraensis sp. nov. from Pamir, D. marinskiyi sp. nov. from Tian-Shan, D. zagrosica sp. nov. from Iran, D. moubayedi sp. nov. from Lebanon are provided with redescriptions of D. steinboecki Goetghebuer from Pamir, French and Swiss Alps, D. sakartvella Kownacki et Kownacka from Caucasus and D. praecipua Sther et Willassen from Himalayas. Taxonomic remarks with data on the ecology and biogeography of the investigated species are given. In addition to taxonomic information, 658-bp fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene from the eight species are presented and the results of DNA barcoding are discussed. Previous investigations focused to integrative taxonomy and molecular analysis of the Diamesa species collected in various mountain regions such as Alps, Tien Shan and Pamir. In the present work, we focused on the principle of considering morphological groups, giving more emphasis respect to the division in geographical areas.

Diversity and habitat preferences of benthic diatoms from South Bay (Livingston Island, Antarctica)

Background and aims – Despite a long research history, knowledge of Antarctic marine benthic diatoms is fragmentary. This study reports on marine benthic diatoms from South Bay, Livingston Island, focusing on diatoms living on hard substrata, and species distribution across different coastal habitats.Material and methods – Samples were collected from tidal pools (19), intertidal cobbles (9), artificial substrata installed at various depths (10), coastal rocks (2), and bottom sediments at depths > 20 m (2). Species identifications and community analyses were done using LM with additional information obtained using SEM. nMDS based on diatom abundance data was applied to display differences between the samples by habitat/substratum type and sampling month. The significance of the habitat/substratum type and sampling month on diatom communities was checked with PERMANOVA. Similarity/dissimilarity within and between sample groups and their contributing species were explored with SIMPER.Key results – In total, 133 diatom taxa were recorded, of which 110 are benthic. A large number of taxa could not be certainly identified. Taxonomic remarks and ecology and distribution data for some rarely reported species with convoluted taxonomic and nomenclatural histories are given. One new combination is proposed. Diatom communities were influenced by the habitat/substratum type, but not by seasonality. Significant differences existed between communities in tidal pools and those on cobbles, artificial substrata, and sediments, and between those on sediments and artificial substrata. Navicula aff. perminuta dominated on cobbles and often on artificial substrata. Species forming mucilage tubes, tree-like colonies, and chains of cells embedded in mucilage were restricted to tidal pools.Conclusion – Benthic diatom communities from South Bay are highly diverse and species show distinct distributions in the coastal habitats, but the scarce studies and often confusing nomenclature history of the taxa make their identification challenging, and potentially common species for the region remain unknown.

A checklist of the subfamily Mesochorinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from the Ukrainian Carpathians

The distributional data on the Ukrainian Carpathian mesochorines are summarized. The list contains 64 species belonging to three genera. The genus Astiphromma Frster, 1869 numbering 14 species, of which A. albitarse (Brischke, 1880) and A. flagellator Riedel, 2015, are the first records for Ukraine. All three European species of the genus Cidaphus Frster, 1869 are distributed in the studied region and are the first records from the country. The genus Mesochorus Gravenhorst, 1829 is the most species-rich genus of the subfamily with 46 species found in the Ukrainian Carpathians, containing newly described M. (Mesochorus) genator sp. n. and 41 species recorded from the Ukrainian fauna for the first time. Taxonomic remarks and illustrations for most of the species are provided.

Contribution to knowledge of the Trichoptera of northwestern Algeria: New species records for the Algerian fauna and taxonomic remarks for the Maghreb fauna.

The caddisfly fauna of Algeria is far from complete. In this study, we present data from Trichoptera sampling in northwestern Algeria (Tafna and Ghazouana River basins) during 20142019, enhancing knowledge of this group in the country. We were able to identify 30 species and 17 genera in the study area. Among the listed taxa, five species (Hydroptila fortunata, Ecnomus deceptor, Tinodes waeneri, Limnephilus lunatus, Setodes argentipunctellus,) are new records for Algeria. An updated species checklist of Algerian Trichoptera includes 63 species. We also provide an update of the Maghreb checklist with comments on species distributions. The Maghrebian caddisfly checklist, which includes 44 Maghrebian endemic species, is still very poor in relation to that of neighboring Mediterranean geographical areas and countries, such as the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), France, or Italy.

The millipede family Diplomaragnidae Attems, 1907 in the Asian part of Russia, with the descriptions of two new genera and seven new species (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida).

The family Diplomaragnidae Attems, 1907 of the Asian part of Russia is reviewed and shown to comprise 11 genera and 60 species + 1 dubious species. Two genera and seven species are described here as new to science: Alineuma gen. nov., with type species A. rodionovi sp. nov. and Litovkia gen. nov., with the type species L. anisimovka sp. nov., Diplomaragna budilovi sp. nov., Diplomaragna dentifer sp. nov., Pacifiosoma shabalini sp. nov., Pacifiosoma acutum sp. nov., Pacifiosoma triangulatum sp. nov. Pacifiosoma asperum Mikhaljova, 2016 is recorded from the Primorsky Krai for the first time. Five genera are endemic to the Asian part of Russia. At the species level, the rate of endemism amounts to 91.7%. A key is given to all species of Diplomaragnidae presently known from Siberia and the Russian Far East. The distributions of the regions diplomaragnids are discussed. Taxonomic remarks are provided for many species.

Freshwater gastropods of the western part of the Kola Peninsula and northern Karelia (northern Europe)

The species composition and distribution of freshwater gastropods in the western part of the Kola Peninsula and northern Karelia has been studied. The explored region lies in the far north of Europe and covers several landscape zones: from the northern taiga to the tundra. In sum, seventeen species were found, for each of them the distribution maps and photographs of intraspecific forms of conchological variability are presented. The taxonomic remarks are also given when appropriate. Gyraulus acronicus (Planorbidae) and Ampullacena balthica (Lymnaeidae) are the most common species in the studied region. Two species ( Ampullacena balthica and Galba truncatula ) have been recorded in the Barents Sea islands off the Kola Peninsula. A single non-indigenous species, Physella acuta (Physidae) has been registered in the studied territory. Based on the results of a comparison of the faunas of gastropods from various areas within the whole territory studied and other regions of northern Europe and Western Siberia, it has been shown that the most dramatic reduction in the species composition occurs during the transition from taiga to tundra landscapes.

Taxonomy notes and new occurrence data of four species of atyid shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) in Vietnam, all described from China.

BackgroundFreshwater shrimp of the family Atyidae De Haan, 1849 have been studied in Vietnam for more than a century. A total of 24 species of atyid shrimps from the genera Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837, Neocaridina Kubo, 1938, Atyopsis Chace, 1983 have been recorded from Vietnam. With 22 species, the majority are from the genus Caridina. In 2013, Karge and Klotz mentioned the occurrence of four yet undescribed species belonging to Paracaridina Liang, Guo & Tang, 1999 in Vietnam without taxonomic details.In general, studies of freshwater atyids in Vietnam are limited and most Vietnamese taxa await a taxonomic revision. The available data do not fully reflect their estimated species diversity in the country and distribution data are deficient. Here, we focus on four species of atyid shrimps from two genera, viz. Caridinacantonensis Yu, 1938, C.lanceifrons Yu, 1936, C.serrata Stimpson, 1860 and Neocaridinapalmata (Shen, 1948), all described from China and have been reported to occur in Vietnam. The previous reports on the occurrence of these species in Vietnam are largely unreliable due to taxonomic confusion. To contribute to the knowledge of these taxa, we provide the first verified distribution records of the four species in the country with some taxonomic remarks.New informationThis study shows the first taxonomically-verified distribution data of four atyid shrimp species originally described from China, but also reported from Vietnam, albeit under various species names and, in some cases, erroneously. These data allow the first meaningful discussion of the distribution in light of the reproductive strategy of these four species and, in conjunction with the taxonomic remarks, will contribute to the knowledge of these taxa. As a result of this research and data from previous studies, we now consider all four species as widespread and non-endemic, but land-locked (with a complete freshwater life cycle). In Vietnam, all four species are confined to the northern half of the country. Beyond Vietnam, we provide the first records for Caridinalanceifrons from southern Thailand, which suggests a major sampling gap in Indochina.

Thor dicaprio sp. nov., a new, conspicuously coloured shrimp from the tropical western Atlantic, with taxonomic remarks on the T. amboinensis (De Man, 1888) complex (Decapoda: Caridea: Thoridae).

Thor amboinensis (De Man, 1888), known as sexy shrimp or anemone squat shrimp and popular among divers and aquarists, was previously believed to have a worldwide distribution, with populations throughout the tropical parts of the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. However, consistent differences in some details of the colour pattern strongly suggest that T. amboinensis does not represent a single species, but a pantropical species complex. A recent phylogeographic analysis of T. amboinensis based on molecular data confirmed that this taxon is composed of at least five putative cryptic or pseudocryptic species. In the present study, a new cryptic species, Thor dicaprio sp. nov., is established for the western Atlantic populations previously referred to as T. amboinensis. The new species can be distinguished from all other members of the T. amboinensis complex by two differences in the colour pattern and a subtle difference in the size and setation of the appendix masculina, the latter yet to be confirmed. The conspicuous red-white banding of the antennal flagella appears to be the most diagnostic feature of the new species. In addition, T. dicaprio sp. nov. forms a genetically distinctive, homogeneous, tropical western Atlantic (TWA) clade, with the COI pairwise genetic distances from other clades ranging from 8.8% to 19.2%. The distribution of T. dicaprio sp. nov. includes the entire Caribbean Sea, parts of the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Bahamas, Bermuda, as well as some offshore localities off northern and eastern Brazil. The main aspects and biology and ecological variability of T. dicaprio sp. nov. are discussed in the light of phylogeographic data presently available for the T. amboinensis complex.

New records for chewing lice of the genus Dennyus Neumann, 1906 (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) on two swifts from Saudi Arabia.

BackgroundVery little is known about the chewing lice fauna of Saudi Arabia especially from swifts (Apodidae). Swifts are common resident and migratory birds throughout Saudi Arabia. Two chewing lice genera are known for parasitising swifts throughout the world: Dennyus Neumann, 1906 and Eureum Nitzsch, 1818, none of which have been recorded from the Kingdom before.New informationTwo species of resident wild swifts were examined for chewing lice for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Two rare lice species were identified: D. (Dennyus) hirundinis (Linnaeus, 1761) and Dennyus sp. (Phthiraptera: Amblycera: Menoponidae) infesting the common swift Apusapus (Linnaeus, 1758) and African palm swift Cypsiurusparvus (Lichtenstein, 1823), respectively. The described chewing lice species are considered as new country records. They will be added to the Saudi Arabia parasitic fauna. Taxonomical and ecological remarks were provided for the identified chewing lice through this work, along with notes on swift/chewing lice interaction.

A new subspecies of Epipactis microphylla (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from Pantelleria Island (Sicily)

A new subspecies of Epipactis microphylla, proposed as subsp. cossyrensis is described and illustrated from Pantelleria, a volcanic island near Sicily. It differs from subsp. microphylla mainly in the shape and size of leaves and bracts and several floral traits. This taxon, previously attributed to E. pollinensis, a species currently treated as a synonym of E. purpurata, grows in the undergrowth of thermophilous woodlands occurring on the top of the island, where it numbers a few tens of individuals. The conservation status, phenology and taxonomic remarks are provided. Keys for the species belonging to the Epipactis atrorubens group (= subsect. Atrorubensae), including E. microphylla, are presented.

Typification and Taxonomic Remarks on Names of Iris (Iridaceae) Associated with the Turkish Flora.

In view of the forthcoming review of Turkish irises for Resimli Türkiye Florası (The Illustrated Flora of Turkey), nineteen names are typified or nomenclatural remarks are provided in the present report. Lectotypes are designated for Iris aschersonii, I. attica, I. bornmuelleri, I. purpureobractea (a taxonomic synonym of I. junonia), I. reticulata var. cyanea, I. reticulata var. sophenensis, I. suaveolens and I. taochia. The second-step lectotypification is made for I. histrio. Neotypes are designated for the names I. histrioides, I. junonia, I. masiae and I. reticulata var. histrioides; epitype, for the name I. reticulata var. sophenensis. For the previously typified names, I. bakeriana, I. musulmanica and I. reticulata, lectotypes are given. The lectotypes for I. histrio var. aintabensis, I. schachtii, and Xiphion danfordiae and the authorship for I. histrioides, are corrected. Images are provided for eight specimens selected as types that are not available online. Notes on distribution in Turkey are provided for all the accepted taxa.

NEW RECORDS OF MOTH FLIES (DIPTERA PSYCHODIDAE) MAINLY FROM PROTECTED AREAS OF PENINSULAR ITALY

Several new records for 22 taxa of moth flies from Italy are presented. Among them, Clytocerus (Boreoclytocerus) dalii (Eaton, 1893) and Pericoma (Pericoma) pannonica Szabó, 1960 are new to the Italian fauna. The other taxa represent new regional records, chiefly from central Apennine. Distribution of each species is provided, together with ecological and taxonomic remarks, where relevant. The name pseudoexquisita Tonnoir, 1940, in Pericoma Walker, 1856, is found to be an incorrect subsequent spelling, hence unavailable. The correct original spelling is pseudexquisita Tonnoir, 1940.

The identity of an elusive Chilean harvestman, Pachylus crassus (Roewer, 1943) (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae: Pachylinae), with taxonomic and distribution notes.

The long-neglected Chilean harvestman species Pachylus crassus (Roewer, 1943) (Gonyleptidae, Pachylinae) is redescribed and illustrated from the types and additional material. A lectotype is designated from the original syntype series. Until now P. crassus was only known from its brief original description. Moreover, its generic affiliation remained obscure for decades, as it was successively placed in different genera until it was determined to be a member of Pachylus C.L. Koch, 1839. Aside some taxonomic remarks on the genus, it is here proposed to exclude from Pachylus one doubtful nominal species, Pachylus acanthops (Gervais, 1849), and to consider it a species inquirenda. A thorough comparison of P. crassus with its presumed close relative, P. quinamavidensis Muñoz, 1969, is provided. New records for both species and a map with all known localities of the genus are also given.