Updated Key Research Articles

Taxonomic review of the grasshopper genus Pteropera Karsch, 1891 (Orthoptera, Acrididea, Catantopinae) with description of three new species and a preliminary phylogeny of the Cameroonian species

The Afrotropical grasshopper genus Pteropera Karsch, 1891, is reviewed. Some species present in Cameroon are described, Pteropera augustini Donskoff, 1981, is recorded for the first time in the country, and three new species are described from Cameroon, Pteropera kennei Yetchom & Husemann, sp. nov., Pteropera matzkei Yetchom & Husemann, sp. nov. and Pteropera missoupi Yetchom & Husemann, sp. nov., increasing the number of Pteropera species in Cameroon from eight to 12, and overall to 30 species in Central Africa. An updated key of Pteropera is provided. Photographs with data on the distributions of all known species are given. In addition, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference on the basis of a concatenated dataset of COI, 16S, and 12S markers of available Cameroonian species. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of the concatenated datasets resulted in a well-resolved phylogeny of the group and species of Pteropera were recovered as monophyletic, largely with high support. In all cases, the discrimination of all studied species based on barcode information was congruent with the species limits determined by traditional taxonomy. Our findings show the potential of integrative taxonomy to resolve the relationships among grasshoppers below the family level. Further analyses, including more comprehensive taxon sampling and additional nuclear markers, are needed, and the occurrence of several taxa still needs to be confirmed in African rainforests.

Revisiting the description of Atractoscion macrolepis (Perciformes: Sciaenidae): Another argument for comprehensive taxonomy

Atractoscion macrolepis was described as a species separate to A. aequidens, distinguished by a geographically-separated distribution, genetic evidence and a diagnostic meristic character: the number of pored lateral line scales. However, the distinction of these species and description of A. macrolepis were based on the examination of a limited number of specimens, some of which were incorrectly catalogued and possibly wrongly identified. Moreover, earlier data, demonstrating the overlap of the supposedly diagnostic character, were overlooked or not considered fully. The present study aimed to reconsider the distinction of these two species and to highlight characters for identification, using a more extensive representation of specimens, additional character sets and multivariate analyses. Seven meristic characters, 24 morphometric measurements and nine otolith variables were examined from up to 33 specimens of A. aequidens and 52 specimens of A. macrolepis. These were compared among the species and subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses, including Principal Component Analyses (PCAs) and Discriminant Function Analyses (DFAs). No meristic characters, including the number of lateral line scales, could distinguish the species, with modes being identical or with nodes differing, but ranges overlapping. While the PCA of size-transformed morphometric data revealed some separation of the two species, the DFA indicated significant and reliable discrimination. Considering the otolith variables, the PCA showed weak separation of the two species, while fair discrimination was observed in the DFA. ANOVAs indicated a number of significant differences for some transformed otolith measurements, but there were no clear trends with respect to proportions that would discriminate the species. Further exploration of those morphometric variables highlighted as contributing to separation in the PCA and DFA provided a number of variables that, when expressed as a proportion of SL and used in combination, discriminate A. aequidens and A. macrolepis: HL, MCL, PFL, AFL and PLFL. The present study does not contest the taxonomic status of A. macrolepis, the distinction of which has been demonstrated repeatedly, but does refute the characters regarded as diagnostic. In light of this, an updated key is provided for the five species of the genus. The study demonstrates the value of increased specimen representation and having data fully available rather than in summary.

Review of Neoleptastacus Nicholls, 1945 (Harpacticoida, Arenopontiidae), including an updated key to species and proposal of Phreatipontia gen. nov.

A revision of the genus Neoleptastacus Nicholls, 1945 (Harpacticoida, Arenopontiidae) is presented, resulting in the recognition of 24 valid species. The genus is divided in five species groups based on shared morphological character states, i.e. the acanthus-, australis-, speluncae-, trisetosus- and spinicaudatus-groups with the acanthus-group being further fragmented in three subgroups (acanthus, gussoae, ornamentus). The two members of the speluncae-group, Neoleptastacus phreatica (Cottarelli, Bruno & Venanzetti, 1994) and N. speluncae (Cottarelli, Bruno & Venanzetti, 1994), are redescribed and transferred to a new genus, Phreatipontia gen. nov., that appears to have a preference for low salinity habitats. The Mediterranean N. acanthus (Chappuis, 1954) is redescribed based on material from Türkiye and considered potentially conspecific with N. huysi (Karanovic, 2000). The male specimen illustrated in the original description of N. longiremis (Chappuis, 1955) is designated as the lectotype to define the nominal taxon objectively in the likely event that females and males assigned to this inadequately described species turn out to be non-conspecific. Detailed morphological comparison of species currently allocated to the gussoae-complex revealed three new cryptic taxa from Central and South America which are accorded specific rank (N. abbreviatus sp. nov., N. chilensis sp. nov., and N. rectus sp. nov.). The taxonomic status of Arenopontia (Neoleptastacus) acantha accraensis Lang, 1965 sensu Kunz (1971) is reassessed based on material from Angola and described as N. emendatus sp. nov. The Panamanian material previously identified as N. trisetosus (Mielke, 1982) is considered to represent a distinct species, N. panamensis sp. nov. while N. pseudishikarianus sp. nov. is proposed for the Chilean “population” of N. ishikarianus (Itô, 1968). Neoleptastacus supersetosus sp. nov. is described from Kuwait, representing the first arenopontiid record from the Arabian Peninsula. Neoleptastacus secundus Krishnaswamy, 1957 and N. accraensis (Lang, 1965) are treated as species inquirendae while Arenopontia breviarticulata Mielke, 1975 is removed from its provisional position in Neoleptastacus and placed as species incertae sedis in the Arenopontiidae. Distribution data are summarized for each species and the previously assumed amphi-Panamanian and amphi-Pacific distribution patterns of N. gussoae (Cottarelli, 1973) and N. ishikarianus, respectively, are rejected. Updated keys to the 24 valid species of Neoleptastacus and the six genera currently recognized in the family are provided.

A new epigean species of Trichopeltis Pocock, 1894 from southwest China (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Cryptodesmidae).

A new species of Cryptodesmidae, Trichopeltisjiyue sp. nov., is described from the Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve in Yunnan Province, southwest China. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the gonopodal coxae with two conspicuous wing-like processes, the relatively long, stout setae on the gonopodal coxae, gonopodal telopodites glabrous and four-branched, and the acropodite curved caudolaterad. The new species is the second record of an epigean species of genus Trichopeltis Pocock, 1894 in China. An updated key is provided to all 14 presently known species.

Redescription of two species of Naineris (Annelida, Orbiniidae) with multiple dorsal organs and description of a new species from the NE Pacific

Naineris bicornis Hartman, 1951 and N. australis Hartman, 1957 are redescribed and compared with specimens from the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. A new species, Naineris elegans sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on collections from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, USA. All three species are similar in terms of the chaetal arrangement and having multiple dorsal organs, but they differ in other characters. Naineris elegans sp. nov. is distinguished by a combination of the following characters: spatulate prostomium, multiple dorsal sensory organs oval to rounded, voluminous, seven per side in most chaetigers, with a brown pigmented base; arranged in two distinct groups in the most anterior segments, then forming two subtriangular groups with apex displaced medially in the following ones, touching each other; thoracic notopodial lobes pear-shaped with blunt tips; thoracic neuropodial lobe with an upper rounded papilla; thoracic neurochaetae with 5–6 transverse, posterior rows of numerous subuluncini; a transverse, anterior row of about 20 crenulate capillaries; an inferior, anterior, oblique row of about 20 hooded uncini and an inferior, posterior, oblique row of capillaries. The new species described here increases the number of known species of Naineris to 22. An updated key of species of Naineris from the Northeastern Pacific Ocean is provided.

Three Falagriini species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) new to Korea

Cordalia occipitalis Pace, Myrmecocephalus concinnus (Erichson), and Myrmecocephalus zhejiangensis (Pace) are identified for the first time in the Korean peninsula. The genus Cordalia Jacobs is also new record to the Korean fauna. An updated key is given for the separation of the known species of Korean Falagriini. Redescriptions and illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters are provided to facilitate identification.

Three new records of the genus Batracomorphus Lewis (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae: Iassinae) from Korea

In this study, three newly recorded species of the genus Batracomorphus are reported for the first time from Korea. Morphological information, photographs of habitus, illustrations of the genitalia structure, distributional records, and updated keys to the species are provided.

Taxonomic changes in Scirtothrips species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from México

The twelve species of Scirtothrips known from México are difficult to identify. We present new updates for defining Scirtothrips in that country. The species were re-evaluated using specimens from the National Insect Collection at IBUNAM, México. Visual comparisons of the Scirtothrips holotypes and paratypes were completed and contrasted to the current nomenclature of Central and North America taxa. We proposed synonymy of seven species, but the genus retains the twelve species officially reported in México herein. Scirtothrips citri, Scirtothrips perseae and Scirtothrips dorsalis are crop pests usually recorded. An updated key was developed to identify the Scirtothrips spp. in México.

Seamless group handover authentication protocol for vehicle networks: Services continuity

The advantages of low latency, high reliability and high bandwidth of dense cellular network support real-time sensing, decision making and regulation of vehicular network. Network densification demands smaller coverage areas for base stations that are strategically deployed near consumers to support multiple services. This results in more frequently triggered handover processes. To reduce the latency induced by the handover process and ensure service continuity, this paper proposes a seamless vehicle group handover authentication protocol named SVGHP. The proposed protocol utilizes lightweight algorithms such as quadratic residual and symmetric encryption, and generates and distributes keys for group members based on the Chinese Residual Theorem to achieve handover authentication. Secondly, SVGHP includes a re-authentication phase, specifically, the vehicle group and the subsequent base stations receive the updated keys distributed by the previous RSUs for simplified authentication. And the involvement of the cloud server is avoided, eliminating the network communication delay to the core network. Detailed performance evaluation and comparison with existing protocols demonstrates that the proposed protocol is efficient in terms of computational cost and communication overhead. And in general, our scheme reduces the handover delay by at least 67.91% over the previous authentication schemes. We also provide formal and informal security proofs to prove that our protocol meets common security requirements.

A new subgenus representing a newly recorded genus from China, with a new species featured with special palps (Acari, Hydryphantoidea, Hydryphantidae, Partnunia)

A new subgenus Peculiaripalpus subgen. nov. with a new species Partnunia (Peculiaripalpus) longlingensis sp. nov. which belongs to Partnunia Piersig, 1986 is described and illustrated. Partnunia represents a newly record genus of Protziinae Koenike, 1909 for Chinese fauna. The diagnosis of Partnunia is modified according to the new species. An updated key is provided for the subfamilies, genera and subgenera of Hydryphantidae.

A new species of Mecodema Blanchard, 1853 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Nothobroscina) restricted to the north-eastern arm of the Parataiko Range, Northland, Aotearoa – New Zealand

ABSTRACT In recent years the high plateaus and escarpments of the north-eastern area of the Parataiko Range, Northland, Aotearoa – New Zealand have been recognised by taxonomists as a biodiversity hotspot with several new plant species unique to the whenua (land) above the Waima Valley. The wet and cool climate limits the growth of kauri (Agathis australis) but has allowed for unique species (e.g. Coprosma waima, Olearia crebra) to adapt to the steep-sided slopes and damp soils of the plateaus. Northland is also recognised as a biodiversity hotspot for the ground beetle genus Mecodema, with 15 described species endemic to this region, almost double that of an equivalent North Island entomological region. We describe, M. haakuturi sp. nov., which is restricted to the north-eastern arm of the Parataiko Range and is one of only a few Mecodema species found above an altitude of 500 m in Northland. We provide an updated key of Mecodema species from the Northland region, including the northern Auckland/Northland boundary species M. rusticulus and the widespread coastal M. antarcticum. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CB67CF55-C486-4AFD-B0C1-5F7CAB86A419

Nine New Species of Ilyarachninae Hansen, 1916 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Munnopsidae) from Australia and New Zealand with an Updated Key of the Subfamily from the Southwest Pacific

The Ilyarachninae are a diverse and widely distributed subfamily of the asellote family Munnopsidae. This paper describes nine new deep-sea species from two Ilyarachninae genera, Ilyarachna and Notoapais, from the southwestern Pacific, namely from New Zealand and the east coast of Australia. Ilyarachna aculeatus n. sp., Ilyarachna brucei n. sp., Ilyarachna franki n. sp., Ilyarachna mclayi n. sp., Ilyarachna pacifica n. sp., Ilyarachna sami n. sp., Ilyarachna taranui n. sp. and Notopais chathamensis n. sp. are described from New Zealand waters, while Notopais likros n. sp. is described from off the east coast of Australia. Additionally, a redescription of Notopais spinosa from the Balleny Islands, Antarctica, and a revised key to the Ilyarachna and Notopais species from the southwest Pacific are included, and the distribution, affinities, and diagnostic characters of the new species are discussed.

Asproinocybe hongyaniae sp. nov. (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) in Thailand

Asproinocybe hongyaniae, a new species discovered in northern Thailand, is described, illustrated, and compared with phylogenetically related and morphologically similar species. This new species is characterized by the medium grey to olive grey pileus, light violet to violet blue lamellae, oblong and colourless basidiospores (5.8–8.5 × 4.5–6.3 μm), narrowly clavate pleurocystidia and cheilocystidia. Molecular analyses employing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (nrLSU) of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences strongly supported the new species. An updated key is also provided to assist in identifying all ten Asproinocybe species in the genus. The genus Asproinocybe is the first report in Thailand.

The solitary wasp genus Orancistrocerus from Vietnam, with descriptions of two new species (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae).

New data are presented for the potter wasp genus Orancistrocerus van der Vecht (Eumeninae, Odynerini) occurring in Vietnam. Two species are described as new to science: Orancistrocerusthanhnhatsp. nov. and O.thanghensp. nov.Orancistrocerusaterrimuserythropus van der Vecht is synonymized with Orancistrocerusaterrimusaterrimus (de Saussure); the male genitalia of this species are described for the first time. An updated key is presented to all species of the genus.

New records of coniferous species (Gymnospermae, Pinidae) for the non-native woody flora of Tunisia and North Africa

Abstract Ten new taxa of gymnosperms are added to the non-indigenous woody flora of Tunisia, after almost two decades of botanical surveys. Four of them (Cryptomeria japonica, Pinus brutia var. pityusa, Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca, Taxodium distichum var. distichum) are also new for the flora of North Africa. Pinus coulteri is here first reported for the Mediterranean Basin. Three genera (Cryptomeria, Pseudotsuga and Taxodium) are firstly recorded for the non-native vascular flora of Africa whereas two genera (Cedrus and Platycladus) are reported for the first time only for the woody flora of Tunisia. Brief descriptions together with filed photographs, global distributions and habitats at national scale are provided. Some taxonomic comments on their distinguishable features as well as updated keys are also presented.

A New Species of Cedrela (Meliaceae) from a Colombian Dry Forest and an Updated Key for the Species of the Genus

A New Species of Cedrela (Meliaceae) from a Colombian Dry Forest and an Updated Key for the Species of the Genus

An overview of the mosquitoes of Saudi Arabia (Diptera: Culicidae), with updated keys to the adult females.

Despite the fact that mosquito-borne infections have considerable consequences for public health in Saudi Arabia, there is neither a thorough review of the species that occur in the country nor updated keys for the identification of the adult females. In this study, species accounts are given for 49 Saudi Arabian mosquito species, as well as Aedes albopictus (Skuse), which is not recorded in Saudi Arabia, but is medically important and is found in some countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Taxonomic notes provide additional information for certain taxa and/or aid their identification.

A new species ­of Coreitarsonemus (Acari: Heterostigmata: Tarsonemidae) from the odoriferous glands of Amorbus rhombifer (Hemiptera: Coreidae)

A new species of tarsonemid mite from the tribe Coreitarsonemini, Coreitarsonemus erato sp. nov., is described from female, male and larval specimens collected from the odoriferous glands of the Australian gum-tree bug Amorbus rhombifer (Westwood, 1842). We summarise the hosts and distributions of each species, provide updated keys, and speculate that species of Coreitarsonemini are largely restricted to the tropics and host species that persist as adults year-round.

Additional data on the fauna of Psilidae (Diptera) of France, with description of three new species of Chamaepsila and updated keys.

Since the first faunistic overview of the Psilidae (Diptera) of mainland France published in 2021 with data up to 2019, new material from 26 natural sites and three collections has been examined by the authors. 2663 specimens collected in continental France were identified, representing 37 species. From this material, three species from three mountain national natural reserves are described as new to science: Chamaepsila withersi sp. nov., Chamaepsila massanea sp. nov. and Chamaepsila ristolasiensis sp. nov. Chamaepsila andreji (Shatalkin, 1996) is mentioned for the first time in France. Keys to the species of Chamaepsila Hendel, 1917 from Europe are updated and provided in English and French. Illustrations of the genitalia of the males of Chamaepsila limbatella (Zetterstedt, 1847) and Chamaepsila strigata (Collin, 1959) are provided for the firt time. Male terminalia of Chamaepsila andreji (Shatalkin, 1996), Chamaepsila bicolor (Meigen, 1826), Chamaepsila ephippium (Zetterstedt, 1847), Chamaepsila luteola (Collin, 1944), Chamaepsila obscuritarsis (Loew, 1856), Chamaepsila quadrilineata (Strobl, 1898) and Chamaepsila villosula (Meigen, 1826) are redrawn from the authors material, more complete and more precise. Additional faunistic data are presented for all French species of Psilidae, derived from the 2600+ specimens identified since 2019.

Lestiphorus bilunulatus yamatonis Tsuneki, 1963 (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) raised to full species status, with description of the hitherto unknown male.

Lestiphorus yamatonis Tsuneki, 1963, stat. nov. is resurrected from synonymy and raised to full species level. The species diagnosis is updated and the hitherto unknown male is described. Illustrations of morphological details of L. yamatonis and related species are given. An updated key of the all twelve Palaearctic Lestiphorus is provided.