World Genera Research Articles

Euphysothrips: an Old World genus of Thripidae (Thysanoptera) associated with rust fungi (Pucciniales).

Fungus-feeding is common amongst members of the family Phlaeothripidae that live on dead branches and leaves (Dang et al. 2014). In contrast, associations with fungi are rare amongst the common thrips of the family Thripidae that live in flowers and on leaves. In this family, two species from Africa in the genus Craspedothrips are reported to be associated with the rust fungus, Hemileia vastatrix, on the leaves of coffee plants (Mound et al. 2012), although there are no reports of direct feeding by the thrips on the fungus. However, the two known species of the Asian genus Euphysothrips have been observed to feed on the spores of rust fungi at widely separated localities. One of these, fungivora, was described by Ramakrishna (1928) in the genus Anaphothrips, and he reported this thrips as feeding on "rust" on wheat plants at Coimbatore, India. Ananthakrishnan (1969: 5) subsequently referred to this species as "feeding on the spores of wheat rust, Puccinia graminis". The second species of Euphysothrips was described by Ramakrishna and Margabandhu (1939) as a new genus and species, Megaphysothrips subramanii, from Mysore in southern India. These authors stated that this thrips was found feeding on coffee rust, and a similar feeding association on coffee was reported from Timor in 1967, when specimens of subramanii were submitted for identification to the Natural History Museum, London. In Timor Leste during August 2018, adults and larvae of subramanii were found commonly on the leaves of coffee plants. The thrips were living only on the reddish-pink patches of Hemileia vastatrix fungus (Fig. 6), and not freely exploring the rest of the leaf surface. Both adults and larvae were difficult to see on these patches of fungus, because each individual was noted to carry a covering of coloured spores. This pinkish covering was shed only when an individual was disturbed by attempts to collect them with a small brush. There was no evidence of feeding damage to the coffee leaves by the thrips, and it appears that subramanii is probably dependent on the rust fungus for its nourishment.

Condylops (Neocondylops) Obrieni Wittmer (Coleoptera: Melyridae): Distribution, Plant Associations, Seasonality, and Mating Behavior

Condylops (Neocondylops) obrieni Wittmer is a small (1.8 mm long), shiny blue melyrid of the subfamily Malachiinae. It is the only Nearctic member of an otherwise Old World genus. Described from Florida in the late 1980s, it has been collected in southeastern Alabama and is newly reported from Georgia, with additional records from Alabama and Florida. Seasonality and mating behavior were observed in the Ohoopee Dunes system of southeastern Georgia from 2011 to 2016 and in 2018. Adults were found from early February to early May in ultra-xeric communities, especially on Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides Michx.; Ericaceae) and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens [W. Bartram] Small; Arecaceae). The wider leaf blades of saw palmetto facilitated behavioral observations, in contrast to the needlelike leaves of Florida rosemary. Males typically appeared a few days before females, whereas females began to predominate by early April. Early in the season, solitary adults (mainly females) fed on pine pollen adhering to leaves of saw palmetto. Sexual interaction began by late February, with males running up and down leaves behind females. Periodically, a pair would stop, the male circling the female, before the pair initiated antennal interplay; after separating, some pairs resumed head-to-head contact. Of the approximately 75 pairs that were observed, courtship resulted in only two copulations. In pairs already found in copula, males remained immobile, slightly above the substrate ventral surface up, as the female walked up and down leaves. Males remained unresponsive when approached by other males.

Two species of Caiusa Surcouf (Diptera: Calliphoridae) new to India, with data on larval behaviour and morphology.

Caiusa Surcouf (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is an Old World genus of blow flies, the larvae of which feed on egg masses in the foam nests of various species of rhacophorid tree frogs. Here, we provide the first records for India (West Bengal, Eastern India) of Caiusa coomani Séguy, 1948 and C. karrakerae Rognes, 2015, together with new information on the behaviour and morphology of their larvae. Active surface swimming to disperse from infested nests is documented in blow fly larvae for the first time, as is the presence of a large internal air sac presumably acting as a floating aid. Chiromantis simus (Annandale, 1915) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) egg masses are first recorded as a feeding substrate of Caiusa larvae.

Review of the New World genus Nanium Townes, 1967 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Ctenopelmatinae), with two new species from the Neotropical region

Nanium Townes, 1967 is a small New World parasitoid wasp genus in the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae Förster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Previously, it comprised five species: one from North America and four from Costa Rica. The current study reviews the Neotropical species of the genus, and includes descriptions of two new species, N. medianum Reshchikov & Sääksjärvi sp. nov. from Ecuador and N. atitlanensis Reshchikov & Sääksjärvi sp. nov. from Guatemala. A key to the species is provided.

Escalonius, a new subgenus of Calochromus Guérin-Méneville, 1833 identified by the molecular phylogeny of Calochromini (Coleoptera: Lycidae).

Calochromini is a net-winged beetle lineage with seven genera and world-wide distribution. The recently collected morphologically divergent Calochromus amabilis Lea, 1899 was sequenced to recover its relationships and a three-marker DNA dataset was assembled from 27 Calochromini from GenBank and new data for C. amabilis. The phylogenetic analysis recovered C. amabilis nested deep within Calochromus s. l. in a sister-position to Calochromus s. str. C. amabilis represents an early diversified and morphologically distinct species, for which the subgenus Escalonius subgen. nov. is erected. In contrast with its phylogenetic relationships, Escalonius subgen. nov. differs from other morphologically uniform Calochromus subgenera. Calochromus (Escalonius) amabilis has a small body, serrate antennae, the pronotum with concave lateral margins, and the long phallus surpassing the apices of parameres. The results demonstrate the unlinked morphological and molecular evolution of Calochromini. The key to world genera and subgenera is presented and all diagnostic characters are illustrated.

New phytoptids (Eriophyoidea, Phytoptidae) from southern African endemic dicotyledons: description of two new species of Solenocristus n. g. and updated key to world genera of the tribe Sierraphytoptini

A new phytoptid genus and two new species, Solenocristus karooensis n. g. & n. sp. and S. searsius n. sp. (Phytoptidae, Sierraphytoptinae, Sierraphytoptini), were collected in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa, from southern African endemic dicotyledonous trees Schotia afra (Fabaceae) and Searsia lucida (Anacardiaceae) respectively. They are described and illustrated with the aid of conventional light microscopy and low temperature scanning electron microscopy. Females of both new species possess a distinct pregenital plate divided into two parts by a subcuticular medial ridge. Additionally, in S. karooensis n. sp. the movable digit of the male chelicerae varies in length: among six observed males, three males had a movable digit (md) twice shorter than the fixed digit (fd), in one male it was slightly shorter than fd and in the remaining two males md and fd were of the same length. An updated key to the world genera of the tribe Sierraphytoptini is given. The key incorporates data on seven sierraphytoptine genera including three genera (Neoprothrix Reis & Navia, Solenoplatilobus Chetverikov & Craemer and Solenocristus n. g.) which were described since the last generic key of Eriophyoidea by Amrine et al. (2003) was published.

A review of New World Malaxa (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Delphacidae).

The New World species attributed to the genus Malaxa Melichar (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Delphacidae) are reviewed with special reference to the type species Malaxa acutipennis from the Philippines. We provide an amended diagnosis for Malaxa acutipennis contrasted with the genus delineation presented for Chinese Malaxa, most recently by Hou et al. (2013). We find Malaxa to be an Old World genus and segregate New World species into two new genera, Lamaxa and Xalama, diagnosed most readily by proportions of the antennae and features of the terminalia. Both Lamaxa and Xalama are uncommonly encountered. Lamaxa is distributed widely through the Neotropics, whereas Xalama is heretofore known only from Bolivia and Peru.

Necessary Nomenclatural Corrections for Mycophtorus Lacordaire, 1842 and Neomycotretus Deelder, 1942, with the Establishment of Myceporthus Skelley and Powell, New Genus (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Tritomini)

Abstract Study of type specimens for the two species originally described in the presumed New World genus Mycophtorus Lacordaire, 1842 (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae: Tritomini) revealed they belong to different genera from different continents. Mycopthorus melanocerus Lacordaire, 1842, the type species of Mycophtorus, is conspecific with Neomycotretus hilaris (Arrow, 1917), the type species of Neomycotretus Deelder, 1942. These findings necessitate a transfer of the generic name and type species of Mycophtorus to Neomycotretus, resulting in 23 new combinations for species of this African taxon. In addition, Petaloscelis hilaris Arrow, 1917 and Neomycotretus liberianus Deelder, 1942 are synonymized under M. melanocerus, new synonymies. Having the same type species, Neomycotretus Deelder is synonymized with Mycophtorus Lacordaire, new synonymy, the latter having priority. Mycophtorus peruvianus Kirsch, 1876 belongs in the genus Mycotretus Lacordaire, 1842 (sensu lato), becoming Mycotretus peruvianus (...

A Revision of Cuphea Section Brachyandra s. s. (Lythraceae)

This morphologically-based study of the New World genus Cuphea section Brachyandra is part of a revision-in-progress of the 1903 monograph of Cuphea by E. Koehne. The section is narrowly defined here as comprising annual and perennial herbs and subshrubs with floral tubes 3–9(-11.5) mm long, stamens deeply inserted, and anthers positioned proximal to the sinuses of the sepals. Thirteen species and three varieties are recognized. Four species are widely distributed in the New World, five are endemic to the Caribbean region, and four species and two varieties are restricted to South America. The revision includes a morphological overview, seed oil composition and chromosome number data, a key to the species, species descriptions, illustrations, and distribution maps. Neotypes are designated for: Cuphea balsamona Cham. and Schltdl., C. fuscinervis Koehne, C. urens Koehne, and Lythrum carthagenense Jacq. Lectotypes are designated for: Cuphea section Brachyandra Koehne, C.calophylla Cham. and Schltdl., C. calophylla var. calophylla f. deformis Koehne, C. orthodisca Koehne, C. anisophylla Hemsl., C. mesostemon Koehne, C. elliptica Koehne, and C. pustulata Koehne. New combinations are: C. calophylla var. fuscinervis (Koehne) S. A. Graham and C. calophylla var. mesostemon (Koehne) S. A. Graham. Relationships of the species are discussed based on evidence from morphology and available molecular phylogenetic studies. The section, although narrowly defined, remains polyphyletic. It is represented by at least three lineages differing in pollen and seed morphology, and occurring in three of the five major clades of the genus. Two of the three lineages, with South American origins, have given rise to the five species of sect. Brachyandra endemic to the Antilles.

A taxonomic revision of the subfamily Tillinae Leach sensu lato (Coleoptera, Cleridae) in the New World.

The subfamily Tillinae Leach is represented by 12 genera in the New World. In this study, eight of these genera are revised. A diagnosis and redescription of the species of Araeodontia Barr, Barrotillus Rifkind, Bogcia Barr, Cylidrus Latreille, Cymatoderella Barr, Lecontella Wolcott & Chapin, Monophylla Spinola, and Onychotillus Chapin are presented. Bogcia oaxacae Barr is designated as a junior synonym of Bogcia disjuncta Barr. One species, Cymatodera striatopunctata Chevrolat, is transferred to Lecontella. The following species are redescribed: Araeodontia isabellae (Wolcott), A. marginalis Barr, A. peninsularis (Schaeffer), Barrotillus kropotkini Rifkind, Bogcia disjuncta Barr, Cylidrus abdominalis Klug, Cymatoderella collaris (Spinola), C. morula Rifkind, C. patagoniae (Knull), Lecontella brunnea (Spinola), L. gnara Wolcott, L. striatopunctata (Chevrolat), Monophylla californica (Fall), M. pallipes Schaeffer, M. terminata (Say), Onychotillus vittatus Chapin, and O. cubana De Zayas. Transcriptions of the original descriptions of Araeodontia picipennis Barr, Bostrichoclerus bicornis Van Dyke and Monophylla cinctipennis (Chevrolat) are given. Cymatodera Gray, with approximately 130 described species, is excluded from this study due to the number of species involved. The genera Neocallotillus Burke and Callotillus Wolcott are also excluded here since these groups have been recently revised elsewhere. Collection data are provided for all species revised. Updated distribution maps are presented. Keys to New World genera and species are given and taxonomic characters of relevant importance are provided and discussed.

Systematics of the new world genus Pentaneura Phillip (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae): Historical review, new species and phylogeny

Non-biting midges of the genus Pentaneura are small dipterans with larvae inhabiting in a variety of aquatic systems. Despite the wide geographical and ecological range, the systematics and phylogenetic relationships of the genus remains scarcely understood. Here, the taxonomy of the new world genus Pentaneura Phillip (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae) is revised. Except for Pentaneura indecisa (Williston, 1896), diagnoses, descriptions, illustrations and taxonomic keys are provided for all previously described species, P. cinerea (Philippi, 1866), P. elisae Fittkau, 1962, P. inconspicua (Malloch, 1915), P. inoyensis Sublette, 1964 and P. vittaria Sublette and Sasa, 1994. Additionally, three new species are described: P. manueli Silva sp. nov. (Brazil), P. neusae Silva sp. nov. (Costa Rica) and P. waniae Silva sp. nov. (United States). We also present the first phylogenetic analysis of Pentaneura based on morphological data. Cladistic analyses were conducted using 61 morphological traits from 25 species, including genera belonging to the nine currently recognized Tanypodinae tribes (Anatopyniini, Clinotanypodini, Coelopyniini, Fittkauimyiini, Macropelopiini, Natarsiini, Pentaneurini, Procladiini and Tanypodini) and all the species within Pentaneura but P. indecisa. We examine the effects of implied weighting by reanalyzing the data with varying values of concavity constant (k). Our analysis supports the monophyly of Pentaneura based on two synapomorphies, in a wide range of weighting factors. Under these conditions, the genus is recovered sister to Parapentaneura, and these as sister to Hudsonimyia. The proposition of the internal phylogenetic structure in Pentaneura is refrained, as no obvious group-forming character was identified.

Tegoribatidae of North America, with proposal of Protectoribates gen. nov., and new species (Acari, Oribatida, Tegoribatidae).

The oribatid mite family Tegoribatidae has been represented in continental North America by the genera Tegoribates and Tectoribates. Herein, I describe a new genus of Tegoribatidae from North America, Protectoribates, and two new species: Protectoribates occidentalis sp. nov., from forest habitats in western North American, and Tegoribates walteri sp. nov., from forest habitats in California, based on adults and immatures. The descriptions of adults of the type species of Tegoribates, T. subniger Ewing, and other North American species, T. americanus Hammer and T. bryophilus Woolley, are expanded and immatures of T. americanus are described for the first time. Immatures of Protectoribates are apheredermous whereas those of Tegoribates are eupheredermous, though retaining centrodorsal setae. Scutozetes Hammer 1952 is transferred from Tegoribatidae to Ceratozetidae after re-examination of type material. I provide a revised diagnosis for Tegoribates and a key to tegoribatid genera and species for North America. Finally, I provide a revised diagnosis for Tegoribatidae based on world genera.

New or little-known taxa of Anurophorinae (Collembola) with anal spines from East Asia with notes on DNA barcode

The paper concerns two species of Collembola having a strong spine armature at the end of abdomen. Sahacanthella saoriae sp.nov. (Hokkaido, Japan), the second species of the genus, is described. Octodonthophora ornata (Magadan district, Russia) is redescribed with remarks on its taxonomical position. A key to the world genera of Anurophorinae with anal spines is given. The genera having four anal spines on the fifth abdominal segment are illustrated. DNA sequences of genes for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S ribosomal RNA, and nucler 28S ribosomal RNA were sequenced as DNA barcodes for S. saoriae sp.nov. and several taxa of Anurophorinae.

Ornativalva erubescens (Walsingham) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Introduced in North America

ABSTRACT. Ornativalva (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an Old World genus known to be associated with the plant genus Tamarix (Angiosperm: Tamaricaceae) which was introduced to North America and became widely distributed in the Southwestern United States. Ornativalva erubescens, introduced from the Old World, is reported from the Southwestern United States. Ornativalva erubescens is redescribed. Adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Sycidiphaga, a new genus of Sycophaginae Walker, 1975 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Agaonidae) associated with Ficus subgenus Sycidium in southern China

A new genus of Sycophaginae (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae), Sycidiphaga Liu, Rasplus & Huang n. gen., is described with a single new species, S. cyrtophyllae Liu, Rasplus & Huang n. sp. This species was discovered in Yun Nan and Gui Zhou, China and is associated with Ficus cyrtophylla (Moraceae, Ficus, subgenus Sycidium). The new taxon is readily distinguished from other genera of Sycophaginae by: 1) the presence of a conspicuous interantennal blade-like projection that extends well above the level of the toruli; 2) an inflated parastigma surrounded by a slight infuscation of the wing membrane; 3) the presence of a long and conspicuous median sulcus on the male pronotum; and 4) the presence of dense and long pilosity on the wings. Illustrations and a diagnosis and description of Sycidiphaga are provided, as is a key to the world genera of Sycophaginae. The phylogenetic position of Sycidiphaga was demonstrated through sequencing four gene regions of COI, Cyt b, 28s D3-D5 and EF-1α genes and conducting a phylogenetic analysis of available sequences for the subfamily. Sycidiphaga cannot be placed with confidence within Sycophaginae but several discussed characters suggest a close relationship with Idarnes Walker and Sycophaga Westwood. Interactive Lucid identification keys are available online at www.figweb.org.

Revision of world Austroterobiinae and Parasaphodinae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae), parasitoids of giant scales (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Monophlebidae)

The world genera and species of Austroterobiinae and Parasaphodinae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) are revised. Austroterobia Girault includes eight valid species, of which five are described as new: A. achterbergi sp. nov., A. iceryae Bouček, A. gatesi sp. nov., A. heydoni sp. nov., A. maldica Narendran & Das, A. noyesi sp. nov., A. partibrunnea Girault, and A. partiviridis sp. nov. Teasienna Heydon includes five valid species, of which four are described as new: T. africana sp. nov., T. burksi sp. nov., T. eirene Heydon, T. gibsoni sp. nov., and T. heratyi sp. nov. Parasaphodes Schulz includes four valid species, of which one is described as new: P. afer sp. nov., P. flavipes (Ashmead) comb. nov., P. iceryae (Ashmead), and P. townsendi (Ashmead). Additionally, another new combination is proposed, Chrysolampus japonicus (Ashmead) comb. nov. The lectotypes of Parasaphodes flavipes and P. townsendi are designated. Teasienna males and the male of A. partibrunnea are described for the first time. The subfamily Austroterobiinae is recorded for the first time in the Neotropical region, while the subfamily Parasaphodinae is recorded for the first time in the Afrotropical region. All species with known biology are parasitoids of giant scales, especially Icerya Signoret (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Monophlebidae), some of which are important agricultural pests.

Taxonomic revision of the New World genus Ariopsis Gill (Siluriformes: Ariidae), with description of two new species

The taxonomy of sea catfishes (Ariidae) has had a complex history. A recent checklist of catfish species recognized Ariidae as having by far the highest number of species with uncertain status among siluriform families. One of the main problems concerns the classification and species delimitation of the amphiamerican genus Ariopsis Gill. Some recent studies have listed Ariopsis under the synonymy of other genera (e.g., Sciades Müller & Troschel), while other systematic revisions recognize Ariopsis as valid but have pointed out the need for clarification of the species composition of the genus. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, the systematic status and taxonomic limits of the genus Ariopsis are herein redefined. Two new species of Ariopsis are described, one only known from the Archipiélago de las Perlas, Pacific coast of Panama and another endemic to the Colombian Caribbean. Additionally, Ariopsis gilberti from the Pacific coast of Mexico and Ariopsis simonsi from Peru to Colombia (Eastern Pacific), previously listed as synonyms of Ariopsis seemanni, are herein resurrected. Finally, a molecular phylogeny is provided together with an identification key to the eight species in Ariopsis.

Generic Transfers in Malagasy Boraginales

Miller, J.S. & M. Gottschling (2017). Generic transfers in Malagasy Boraginales. Candollea 72 : 329–332. In English, English and French abstracts.Recent molecular data have demonstrated convincingly that the Old World genus Hilsenbergia Tausch ex Meisn. (Ehretiaceae) is nested within the New World genus Bourreria P. Browne. Thus, 13 new combinations are required to accommodate the endemic Malagasy species in Bourreria. Additional studies have demonstrated that Heliotropium sect. Orthostachys R. Br. (Heliotropiaceae) is not closely related to the rest of the genus and should be segregated as Euploca Nutt. Three species that occur in Madagascar fall into this group, including one endemic that requires a new combination.

First Palaearctic record of the genus Pygophora Schiner, 1868 (Diptera: Muscidae) from Iranian Baluchestan

The genus Pygophora Schiner, 1868 currently consists of some 80 species within the subfamily Coenosiinae (Yoshizawa, Tachi, Praxaysonbath, & Suzuki, 2015). The genus is strictly an Old World genus,...

Leishmania (V.) braziliensis infecting bats from Pantanal wetland, Brazil: First records for Platyrrhinus lineatus and Artibeus planirostris

In the New World genus Leishmania parasites are etiological agents of neglected zoonoses known as leishmaniasis. Its epidemiology is very complex due to the participation of several species of sand fly vectors and mammalian hosts, and man is an accidental host. Control is very difficult because of the different epidemiological patterns of transmission observed. Studies about Leishmania spp. infection in bats are so scarce, which represents a large gap in knowledge about the role of these animals in the transmission cycle of these pathogens, especially when considering that Chiroptera is one of the most abundant and diverse orders among mammals. Leishmaniasis in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil are remarkably frequent, probably due to the abundance of its regional mastofauna. The recent record of L. braziliensis in bats from this state indicates the need to clarify the role of these mammals in the transmission cycle. In this study we evaluated the presence of Leishmania parasites in the skin of different species of bats, using PCR directed to Leishmania spp. kDNA for screening followed by PCR/RFLP analysis of the hsp70 gene for the identification of parasite species. Leishmania species identification was confirmed by PCR directed to the G6PD gene of L. braziliensis, followed by sequencing of the PCR product. Samples from 47 bats were processed, of which in three specimens (6.38%) was detected the presence of Leishmania sp. kDNA. PCR/RFLP and sequencing identified the species involved in the infection as L. braziliensis in all of them. This is the first report of Leishmania braziliensis in bats from Pantanal ecosystem and the first record of this species in Platyrrhinus lineatus and Artibeus planirostris, bats with a wide distribution in South America. These results reinforce the need to deepen the knowledge about the possibility of bats act as reservoirs of Leishmania spp. especially considering their ability of dispersion and occupation of anthropic environments.