World Distribution Research Articles

First new record of two diatoms (Caloneis africana (Giffen) Stidolph and Luticola nivalis (Ehrenberg) D. G. Mann) from South West Coast of India (Cochin backwaters)

Summary The main objective of this paper is to report two diatoms (Caloneis africana (Giffen) Stidolph and Luticola nivalis (Ehrenberg) D. G. Mann) from Cochin backwaters, which prove to be a new finding from Indian waters. Surface water samples were collected monthly from twelve stations covering the ecosystem from May 2015 to April 2016. The analysis of physicochemical parameters and the preparation of permanent slides of diatoms were performed based on standard procedures. Descriptions, world distribution and photographs of the two diatoms are included in this paper. These two new species further enrich the diatom floristic diversity of Cochin backwaters in India.

New species and records of the genera Scutacarus and Imparipes (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Scutacaridae) associated with Coleoptera and Hymenoptera (Arthropoda: Insecta) from Iran.

A survey was carried out to study scutacarid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Scutacaridae) associated with insects in Borujerd city, western Iran. A new species and six species new to the mite fauna of Iran, and mostly new to Asia, were found. Scutacarus pseudoapodemi Navabi Hajiqanbar sp. nov. phoretic on the ant CamponotusoasiumForel (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)is described and illustrated. The new records of scutacarids associated with ants and beetles are: Scutacarus avarus Khaustov, 2008; Imparipes ignotus Khaustov Chydyrov, 2004; I. gagati Khaustov, 2008; I. malus Khaustov, 2008 and I. morosus Khaustov, 2008 associated with various ants, and I. moderatus Khaustov, 2008 associated with the beetle Drasterius bimaculatus (Rossi) (Coleoptera: Elateridae). New host records are documented and the world distribution of these mites is also reviewed.

Checklist of sea spiders (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida) from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman with new record of Endeis biseriata (Böhm, 1879) for the region

This is the first record of a pycnogonid for the Iranian coast. It is also the first record of an Endeis, and of Endeis biseriata, for the waters of the Gulf of Oman. A single specimen was collected in an algal bed of Padina sp., along Chabahar Bay, in February 2017. It is deposited in the Zoology Museum of the University of Hormozgan. E. biseriata is probably a native Indo-Pacific species that now has a wide world distribution, being probably pantropical. Morphological and ecological notes, as well as the distribution range of E. biseriata and a checklist of the species of Pycnogonida from the region, are also provided.

Pseudo-nitzschia, Nitzschia, and domoic acid: New research since 2011

Some diatoms of the genera Pseudo-nitzschia and Nitzschia produce the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA), a compound that caused amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) in humans just over 30 years ago (December 1987) in eastern Canada. This review covers new information since two previous reviews in 2012. Nitzschia bizertensis was subsequently discovered to be toxigenic in Tunisian waters. The known distribution of N. navis-varingica has expanded from Vietnam to Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia. Furthermore, 15 new species (and one new variety) of Pseudo-nitzschia have been discovered, bringing the total to 52. Seven new species were found to produce DA, bringing the total of toxigenic species to 26.We list all Pseudo-nitzschia species, their ability to produce DA, and show their global distribution. A consequence of the extended distribution and increased number of toxigenic species worldwide is that DA is now found more pervasively in the food web, contaminating new marine organisms (especially marine mammals), affecting their physiology and disrupting ecosystems.Recent findings highlight how zooplankton grazers can induce DA production in Pseudo-nitzschia and how bacteria interact with Pseudo-nitzschia. Since 2012, new discoveries have been reported on physiological controls of Pseudo-nitzschia growth and DA production, its sexual reproduction, and infection by an oomycete parasitoid. Many advances are the result of applying molecular approaches to discovering new species, and to understanding the population genetic structure of Pseudo-nitzschia and mechanisms used to cope with iron limitation. The availability of genomes from three Pseudo-nitzschia species, coupled with a comparative transcriptomic approach, has allowed advances in our understanding of the sexual reproduction of Pseudo-nitzschia, its signaling pathways, its interactions with bacteria, and genes involved in iron and vitamin B12 and B7 metabolism.Although there have been no new confirmed cases of ASP since 1987 because of monitoring efforts, new blooms have occurred. A massive toxic Pseudo-nitzschia bloom affected the entire west coast of North America during 2015–2016, and was linked to a ‘warm blob’ of ocean water. Other smaller toxic blooms occurred in the Gulf of Mexico and east coast of North America. Knowledge gaps remain, including how and why DA and its isomers are produced, the world distribution of potentially toxigenic Nitzschia species, the prevalence of DA isomers, and molecular markers to discriminate between toxigenic and non-toxigenic species and to discover sexually reproducing populations in the field.

The Invasive Species Zelus renardii (Kolenati, 1857) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in Spain and Comments about its Global Expansion

The distribution in Spain of Zelus renardii, an American invasive species, is analyzed after eight years of its introduction. New hypotheses are presented about its introduction in Europe and its forms of expansion. In Spain, the species seems to have limited its expansion to anthropogenic and urban areas of thermo-Mediterranean-type climate regions and his area of distribution is currently limited to the coastal regions of the Iberian east and south, from the city of Valencia in the north to Malaga in the south. The world distribution of the species is shown and discussed.

The first record of Porcellanaster ceruleus (Echinodermata: Porcellanasteridae) in the South China Sea

Porcellanasteridae is a group of starfish that live in the deep ocean around the world. The type species of this family, Porcellanaster ceruleus Wyville Thomson, 1878, is cosmopolitan as well as polymorphic. The first record of its occurrence in the South China Sea is reported in this paper. One specimen was caught in the South China Sea on June 6, 2015 by trawl and identified to be a P. ceruleus. The morphological characteristics of this specimen are described and detailed pictures are provided. The discovery of this specimen further expands the distribution of P. ceruleus in the Pacific Ocean. The world distribution records of P. ceruleus and its synonymic species are reviewed in this paper.

New and known records of Oppiidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Romania

In this paper two newly recorded species of the family Oppiidae are presented, namely Ramusella alejnicovae (Krivolutsky and Gatilova, 1974) and Lauroppia iranica Akrami and Subías, 2008. Additionally, recent records of two other rare species, i.e., Multioppia (M.) perfecta Mahunka and Topercer, 1983 and Ramusella sengbuschi tokyoensis (Aoki, 1974) are given. For each species, a redescription and illustration based on Romanian material is provided and compared with existing descriptions, and data regarding world distribution and ecological requirements are analyzed. In addition, the status of Multioppia (Hammeroppia) insolita Ivan and Vasiliu, 1999, a species considered as a possible synonym of M. (H.) wilsoni laniseta Moritz, 1966 (Subías 2004 updated 2018) is discussed, and reasons to deem insolita as a valid species are pointed out.

Redescription of Sibling Species of Rhinoleucophenga (Diptera: Drosophilidae): R. brasiliensis and R. fluminensis.

Rhinoleucophenga Hendel comprises an unusual Drosophilidae (Diptera) genus with predaceous larvae, currently compounded by 29 nominal species with New World distribution. In the present study, Rhinoleucophenga brasiliensis (Costa Lima) and R. fluminensis (Costa Lima) are redescribed. These two species are commonly misidentified in Drosophilidae species inventories, mainly by the few morphological character details presented in the original taxonomic description. Thus, by the morphological review performed here, lectotype and paralectotypes designed to R. brasiliensis and R. fluminensis, as well as new morphological characters, drawings and photos (for the first time) are presented in order to avoid further taxonomic mistakes with those referred sibling species of Rhinoleucophenga.

Review of the occurrence of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Italy, with an update of its European and World distribution

The regions in which Halyomorpha halys (Stal, 1855) occurs in Italy are summarized and ordered chronologically according to the date of the first record. Details and verification about the first Italian record from Liguria (often overlooked), that dates back to 2007 the introduction of H. halys in this country, are also given. First exact localities are listed for the Italian regions of Tuscany, Marche, Latium, Abruzzo, Campania, and Apulia, in which only general occurrence was known so far. We included also additional records from Trentino-Alto Adige, where the presence of H. halys has only recently been reported through a few data. Furthermore first records for Sweden, Central Macedonia (Greece), and Manitoba (Canada) are reported, as well as first intercepted specimens from Iceland.

INFLATION TARGETING, PATTERN OF TRADE, AND ECONOMIC DYNAMICS

This paper develops an analytically tractable, two-country, two-traded-good dynamic general-equilibrium model of money to examine the long-run and short-run effects of a temporary change in the domestic inflation target on the trade pattern, the terms of trade, the foreign exchange rate, and the capital accumulation of each country and of the world economy. We find that such a temporary monetary innovation can generate permanent effects on the world distribution of capital and the pattern of trade, resulting in nonneutrality in an otherwise money-neutral cash-in-advance setting. This change also leads to very rich transitional dynamics that we fully characterize analytically. In particular, endogenous responses in transition can be monotone or nonmonotone and can exhibit over-shooting. Our analytic findings and quantitative results help explain some noticeable changes in the capital accumulation, output, and bilateral trade of several countries adopting inflation targeting. Since the permanent effects of a temporary change in the domestic inflation target on the pattern of international trade and the performance of the macroeconomy are driven by a new channel through the world distribution of capital, we add new insights to the literature.

Taxonomy ofCladonia angustilobaand related species

AbstractThe lichen speciesCladonia angustilobais characterized by a well-developed primary thallus and narrow squamules which show deep incisions, and the presence of usnic and fumarprotocetraric acids. Morphologically it is similar toC. foliaceaandC. convoluta, from which it can be distiguished by the squamule size and morphology. Since similar characters were used to distinguishC. foliaceafromC. convolutawhich do not represent different lineages, it is necessary to examine the taxonomic status ofC. angustilobaby means of DNA sequences. In this study, the species delimitation within theC. foliaceacomplex was studied by sequencing three loci, ITS rDNA,cox1andRPB2. The data were analyzed by means of phylogenetic and species delimitation methods (GMYC, PTP, ABGD and BPP). Our results show that none of the three species is monophyletic. Most of the species delimitation methods did not support the current species as evolutionary lineages. Only some of the BPP analyses supportedC. angustilobaas a species distinct fromC. foliaceaandC. convoluta. However, the hypothesis that considers theC. foliaceacomplex as constituted by a unique species obtained the best Bayes Factor value. Therefore,C. angustilobaandC. convolutaare synonymized withC. foliacea.A new, thoroughly checked synonymy with typifications of the wholeC. foliaceacomplex is presented. An updated survey of the world distribution data is compiled.

Modelling the marine eutrophication: A review

In the frame of a national, joint scientific appraisal, 45 scientific French-speaking experts have been mandated in 2015–2016 by the French ministries of Environment and Agriculture to perform a global review of scientific literature dealing with the eutrophication phenomenon, in freshwater as well as in marine waters. This paper summarizes the main results of this review restricted to a sub-domain, the modelling approach of the marine eutrophication. After recalling the different aims pursued, an overview is given on the historical time course of this modelling effort, its world distribution and the various tools used. Then, the main results obtained are examined, highlighting the specific strengths and weaknesses of the present models. Needs for future improvement are then listed.

A comparative description of the larvae of Psychomyia pusilla (Fabricius 1781), Metalype fragilis (Pictet 1834), and Paduniella vandeli Décamps 1965 (Trichoptera: Psychomyiidae) and comments on the larvae of other species belonging to these three genera.

The morphology of the larvae of three French species of Psychomyiinae: Psychomyia pusilla, Metalype fragilis and Paduniella vandeli are described. A set of characters on the head, the prothorax, and the anal prolegs makes it possible to identify the larvae of the fourth and fifth instars. A brief study of the world distribution of the genera Psychomyia, Metalype, and Paduniella is presented. An examination of the larvae of these three genera from literature data and personal observations offered us the possibility to test the validity of the set of characters obtained for the three French species. A key (with comments) of the three genera is provided.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in native South American Atlantic coast populations of smooth shelled mussels: hybridization with invasive European Mytilus galloprovincialis

BackgroundThroughout the world, harvesting of mussels Mytilus spp. is based on the exploitation of natural populations and aquaculture. Aquaculture activities include transfers of spat and live adult mussels between various geographic locations, which may result in large-scale changes in the world distribution of Mytilus taxa. Mytilus taxa are morphologically similar and difficult to distinguish. In spite of much research on taxonomy, evolution and geographic distribution, the native Mytilus taxa of the Southern Hemisphere are poorly understood. Recently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been used to clarify the taxonomic status of populations of smooth shelled mussels from the Pacific coast of South America. In this paper, we used a set of SNPs to characterize, for the first time, populations of smooth shelled mussels Mytilus from the Atlantic coast of South America.ResultsMytilus spp. samples were collected from eastern South America. Six reference samples from the Northern Hemisphere were used: Mytilus edulis from USA and Northern Ireland, Mytilus trossulus from Canada, and Mytilus galloprovincialis from Spain and Italy. Two other reference samples from the Southern Hemisphere were included: M. galloprovincialis from New Zealand and Mytilus chilensis from Chile. Fifty-five SNPs were successfully genotyped, of which 51 were polymorphic. Population genetic analyses using the STRUCTURE program revealed the clustering of eight populations from Argentina (Mytilus platensis) and the clustering of the sample from Ushuaia with M. chilensis from Chile. All individuals in the Puerto Madryn (Argentina) sample were identified as M. platensis × M. galloprovincialis F2 (88.89%) hybrids, except one that was classified as Mediterranean M. galloprovincialis. No F1 hybrids were observed.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that M. platensis (or Mytilus edulis platensis) and M. chilensis are distinct native taxa in South America, which indicates that the evolutionary histories of Mytilus taxa along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts differ. M. platensis is endangered by hybridization with M. galloprovincialis that was introduced from Europe into the Puerto Madryn area in Argentina, presumably by accidental introduction via ship traffic. We confirm the occurrence of a native M. chilensis population in southern Argentina on the coast of Patagonia.

Globalizing labor and the world economy: the role of human capital

We develop a dynamic model of the world economy that jointly endogenizes individual decisions about fertility, education and migration. We then use it to compare the short- and long-term effects of immigration restrictions on the world distribution of income. Our calibration strategy replicates the economic and demographic characteristics of the world, and allows us to proxy bilateral migration costs and visa costs for two classes of workers and for each pair of countries. In our benchmark simulations, the world average level of income per worker increases by 12% in the short term and by approximately 52% after one century. These results are highly robust to our identifying strategy and technological assumptions. Sizable differences are obtained when our baseline (pre-liberalization) trajectory involves a rapid income convergence between countries or when we adjust visa costs for a possible upward bias. Our quantitative analysis reveals that the effects of liberalizing migration on human capital accumulation and income are gradual and cumulative. Whatever is the size of the short-term gain, the long-run impact is 4 to 5 times greater (except under a rapid convergence in income).

A new endemic species of Willowsia from Florida (USA) and descriptive notes on all New World Willowsia (Collembola: Entomobryidae).

Four species of Willowsia have been reported from the Americas (W. buski, W. jacobsoni, W. mexicana, and W. nigromaculata), and to date, W. mexicana is the only member of the genus endemic to the New World. Here, Willowsia pyrrhopygia sp. nov. from Florida is described. Like W. mexicana, this new species has a native New World distribution and uninterrupted rib scale type, but can be separated by color pattern and chaetotaxy. Dorsal head chaetotaxy and other descriptive notes are provided to compliment to descriptions for W. buski, W. jacobsoni, W. mexicana, and W. nigromaculata. Comparative morphological analysis also reveals two unique character states among Entomobryinae-the outer maxillary lobe with two (not three) sublobal hairs and the absence of labial triangle seta r-shared only by endemic New World Willowsia and Americabrya, providing preliminary support for their independent evolution from a common New World ancestor.

A contribution to the knowledge of scutacarid mites (Acari: Pygmephoroidea: Scutacaridae) associated with Coleoptera and Hymenoptera (Arthropoda: Insecta) from northwestern Iran

During the survey of heterostigmatic mites (Acari: Prostigmata) associated with insects in northwestern Iran, Ardabil province, 11 species from three genera of the family Scutacaridae were identified: Heterodispus (one species), Scutacarus (three species) and Imparipes (seven species). Among these, three species are recorded for the first time in Asia including Iran: Imparipes (Imparipes) rafalskii Dastych, 1978, I. (I.) comatus Mahunka, 1970 and Scutacarus remissus Khaustov, 2008. I. (I.) lentus Khaustov, 2008 is recorded for the first time in Iran. All host insects were captured directly from their habitats. Eight new insect host records are reported and the world distribution of these mites is reviewed. A key to Iranian scutacarid mites is also provided.

Predictable invasion dynamics in North American populations of the Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaocto.

Species invasions represent a significant dimension of global change yet the dynamics of invasions remain poorly understood and are considered rather unpredictable. We explored interannual dynamics of the invasion process in the Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and tested whether the advance of the invasion front of the species in North America relates to centrality (versus peripherality) within its estimated fundamental ecological niche. We used ecological niche modelling approaches to estimate the dimensions of the fundamental ecological niche on the Old World distribution of the species, and then transferred that model to the New World as measures of centrality versus peripherality within the niche for the species. Although our hypothesis was that the invasion front would advance faster over more favourable (i.e. more central) conditions, the reverse was the case: the invasion expanded faster in areas presenting less favourable (i.e. more peripheral) conditions for the species as it advanced across North America. This result offers a first view of a predictive approach to the dynamics of species' invasions, and thereby has relevant implications for the management of invasive species, as such a predictive understanding would allow better anticipation of coming steps and advances in the progress of invasions, important to designing and guiding effective remediation and mitigation efforts.

A New Weed in Florida,Spermacoce latifolia, and the Distinction betweenS. alataandS. latifolia(Spermacoceae, Rubiaceae)

Spermacoce alata Aubl. and Spermacoce latifolia Aubl., frequently referred to as Borreria alata (Aubl.) DC. and Borreria latifolia (Aubl.) K. Schum., were described in the 18th century by Jean Baptiste Christophe Fusee Aublet from French Guiana. They have sometimes been treated as a single species but are two easily distinguished species. Spermacoce alata occurs from Venezuela through the Guianas and in the eastern Amazon basin north of the Rio Amazonas and is not weedy. The New World distribution of S. latifolia is from southern Mexico through Central America and throughout eastern South America to Bolivia and Paraguay, and it is naturalized in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World. Spermacoce latifolia is a noxious weed that has frequently been misidentified as S. alata. The first documented reports of S. latifolia in Florida are presented. Given its aggressive colonization elsewhere, prompt consideration should be given to controlling the spread of S. latifolia in the southern USA.

Host range and potential distribution of the rust fungus, Miyagia pseudosphaeria, a biological control agent for Sonchus species

Sonchus species (Sowthistles) have a world-wide distribution and are serious weeds of crops and the environment. We assessed the suitability of the rust, Miyagia pseudosphaeria, for use in biological control of Sonchus species in Australia and elsewhere. Testing of a limited range of plant species showed the host-range of the rust to be restricted to Sonchus species. We measured spore germination and development of the rust on the host plant in relation to temperature. These measurements, the biology and distribution of the rust, and that of the host S. oleraceus, were used to model the potential world distribution of the rust in CLIMEX. The model indicated that there was limited potential for further spread in Australia; the rust already being widespread. The rust is not present in Canada, but the CLIMEX model indicated that cold temperature will be the main limiting factor for the rust should it be introduced, compromising its suitability as a biological control agent. In South America the rust could potentially be introduced as a biological control agents in areas with Mediterranean and subtropical climate. Molecular studies in combination with more comprehensive inoculation and temperature studies are needed to establish if there are pathotypes of the rust that might be more suitable for use in biological control.