Showing papers in "Journal of Natural History in 2006"
TL;DR: In the studied anuran assemblages, environmental and stochastic factors are more likely to produce the observed patterns of species distribution than biotic interactions.
Abstract: Anuran assemblages were studied regarding species composition, microhabitat partitioning, temporal distribution, and spatial distribution in three natural ponds. Twenty‐two species belonging to four families (Bufonidae, Hylidae, Leptodactylidae, and Microhylidae) were recorded, 11 of these also in the larval stage. Month of occurrence, height above ground, and type of substrate were the most important variables discriminating among adult anuran microhabitats, whereas position in the water column, water depth, and presence of aquatic vegetation were the most important ones to discriminate among tadpole microhabitats. The total number of species and the number of species with calling males recorded were positively correlated with mean monthly rainfall and temperature. Tadpole species richness was not related to the number of types or abundance of potential tadpole predators in ponds. In the studied anuran assemblages, environmental and stochastic factors are more likely to produce the observed patterns of s...
79 citations
TL;DR: This is the first direct evidence of a tortoise surviving such a sea‐crossing, and it is assumed that trans‐oceanic dispersal is the mechanism by which tortoises became established on islands throughout the world.
Abstract: In December 2004 an Aldabra giant tortoise Dipsochelys dussumieri was washed ashore on the coast of east Africa, probably having been carried off the shore of Aldabra atoll, 740 km away. Although trans‐oceanic dispersal is assumed to be the mechanism by which tortoises and many other animals became established on islands throughout the world, this is the first direct evidence of a tortoise surviving such a sea‐crossing.
53 citations
TL;DR: The whole Plecoptera fauna of lowland rivers in Europe can be considered threatened and the situation is particularly critical for several species, known from a small number of individuals and/or from restricted areas, and that of relict species.
Abstract: Plecoptera are one the most endangered groups of insects in running waters. Due to their strict ecological needs and to the growing pollution of water courses, many species are in fact reduced to small isolated populations and many others have already become extinct. With the aim of compiling the taxonomic and faunistic lists of European Plecoptera (within the project Fauna Europaea, ref. EVR1‐CT‐1999‐2001), we catalogued a total of 426 species included in 35 genera and seven families and reviewed their present diversity and conservation status. Historical knowledge and geographical information on Plecoptera diversity in Europe are presented. Data on the conservation status of the European stonefly fauna are discussed as well. The whole Plecoptera fauna of lowland rivers in Europe can be considered threatened. The situation is particularly critical for several species, known from a small number of individuals and/or from restricted areas, and that of relict species. Despite this situation, no European Ple...
50 citations
TL;DR: The results show that there is a strong phylogenetic component to the evolution of maternal care in membracine treehoppers, and provide the first quantitative evidence of correlated evolution of mothers care and ant mutualism in treehopper.
Abstract: Social behaviour in the form of parental care is widespread among insects but the evolutionary histories of these traits are poorly known due to the lack of detailed life history data and reliable phylogenies. Treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae) provide some of the best studied examples of parental care in insects in which maternal care involving egg guarding occurs frequently. The Membracinae exhibit the entire range of social behaviour found in the treehoppers, ranging from asocial solitary individuals, nymphal or adult aggregations, to highly developed maternal care with parent–offspring communication. Within the subfamily, subsocial behaviour occurs in at least four of the five tribes. The Aconophorini and Hoplophorionini are uniformly subsocial, but the Membracini is a mixture of subsocial and gregarious species. The Hypsoprorini contains both solitary and gregarious species. Accessory secretions are used by many treehoppers to cover egg masses inserted into plant tissue while oviposition on plant surfaces is restricted to a few species. Presumed aposematic colouration of nymphs and teneral adults appears to be restricted to gregarious and subsocial taxa. Ant mutualism is widespread among membracine treehoppers and may play an important role in the evolutionary development of subsocial behaviour. The life history information provides a basis for comparative analyses of maternal care evolution and its correlation with ant mutualism in membracine treehoppers. The results show that there is a strong phylogenetic component to the evolution of maternal care in membracine treehoppers, and provide the first quantitative evidence of correlated evolution of maternal care and ant mutualism in treehoppers. Further research on natural history, particularly of the tropical fauna, will be necessary to better understand the evolution of social behaviour and life history in treehoppers.
47 citations
TL;DR: Two new species of Mymaridae, Stethynium ophelimi Huber and S. breviovipositor Huber, are described from Ophelimus maskelli, a gall‐inducing pest of Eucalyptus camaldulensis accidentally introduced from Australia into the Mediterranean region and Africa.
Abstract: Two new species of Mymaridae, Stethynium ophelimi Huber and S. breviovipositor Huber, are described from Ophelimus maskelli, a gall‐inducing pest of Eucalyptus camaldulensis accidentally introduced from Australia into the Mediterranean region and Africa. This is the first record of a species of Mymaridae reared as a larval parasitoid of a holometabolous insect. One or both of the Stethynium species are being considered for introduction into Israel for biological control of this pest. Galls containing late second or third instar larvae are suitable for successful development of Stethynium. Mean survival time in a mixed colony of adults fed with honey and water solution was 1–2 days. Stethynium perlatipenne Girault, syn. nov., is synonymized under S. flavinotae Girault.
39 citations
TL;DR: It is described quantitatively the advertisement calls of six species of anurans from Bali and the release call of three of these and the three release calls have not been described previously to the best of the authors' knowledge.
Abstract: We describe quantitatively the advertisement calls of six species of anurans from Bali and the release call of three of these. The advertisement calls of three of the species and the three release calls have not been described previously to the best of our knowledge. This is the first study that describes calls from anurans of the island of Bali. Advertisement call characteristics are discussed in light of within‐individual and between‐individual variation. For the three species with previously published accounts of their advertisement calls we compare the data obtained in Bali with other accounts. While Bufo melanostictus did not show a substantial difference in advertisement calls from Coorg (India), the calls of Balinese Fejervarya (Limnonectes) limnocharis show substantial differences with those recorded in Coorg (India). Furthermore, the Balinese recordings of Polypedates leucomystax are similar to recordings obtained by other authors in Negros (Philippines), the Malaysian part of Borneo, and from on...
39 citations
TL;DR: F Frey's (1993a) system for differentiation of the subgenera of Pleuroxus is found to be vulnerable in view of the new data, and new studies are needed for the construction of a consistent phylogenetic tree for the genus.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to revise the aduncus‐like species of the genus Pleuroxus Baird, 1843 (Chydoridae, Cladocera) from the southern hemisphere and test the accuracy of subgeneric differentiation within this genus according to Frey (1993a). Pleuroxus wittsteini Studer, 1878 from the Kerguelen archipelago is re‐examined with special attention to thoracic limbs. Forgotten P. carolinae (Methuen, 1910) from the mountains of South Africa is redescribed in detail; it is a species having nine to ten setae in filter plate II, and six to seven setae in filter plate IV, which is a plesiomorphic, non‐oligomerized state. Brief descriptions are also provided for P. scopuliferus (Ekman, 1900) and P. varidentatus Frey, 1993. A new species, P. hardingi sp. nov., is reported from high altitudes of the Bolivian Andes; this species was previously misidentified as P. aduncus by Harding (1955). A key for identification of aduncus‐like species in the southern hemisphere (except Australia and New Zealand) is proposed. Frey'...
38 citations
TL;DR: It is deplorable that recently an artificial obstacle has been developing: the impact factor, which dissuades and repels young biologists from taxonomy.
Abstract: Scientists are racing to discover and describe new species in the face of a global biodiversity crisis (Stuart et al. 2006). The numbers of animal species awaiting description, that sometimes would...
36 citations
TL;DR: This is the first attempt to construct a phylogenetic classification at genus level on a world basis for the subfamily Aleyrodinae, and problems in determining generic level characters and applicability of tribal classification for this subfamily are discussed.
Abstract: Relationships within the Aleyrodinae are investigated phylogenetically through a cladistic analysis of 94 (70 binary and 24 multistate) morphological characters derived from the pupal case. This is the first attempt to construct a phylogenetic classification at genus level on a world basis for the subfamily Aleyrodinae. More than 430 species, about one third of all described species, were examined. These belonged to 124 genera, of which 117 were aleyrodines (including two undescribed genera) and seven were out‐groups from the subfamily Aleurodicinae (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Maximum parsimony analysis yielded more than 30 000 most‐parsimonious trees (length = 2730, RI = 0.672, CI = 0.137). Based upon the strict consensus tree, only 33 of the currently accepted genera, for which we had multiple representatives, were found to be monophyletic (44 genera of the 117 examined genera were monobasic and/or only one species was available for study). Monophyly of some economically important genera, e.g. Aleurolobus...
31 citations
TL;DR: The temporal variation in activity and eventual effects of climatic conditions on activity, calling sites, territorial behaviour; courtship behaviour, egg clutches and tadpole development of P. centralis in southeastern Brazil are described and explored.
Abstract: Physalaemus centralis is widely distributed in areas of cerrado vegetation in South America. Here we describe the temporal variation in activity and explore eventual effects of climatic conditions on activity, calling sites, territorial behaviour; courtship behaviour, egg clutches and tadpole development of P. centralis in southeastern Brazil. Field observations were made from January 1996 to February 1997. Vocalisations and reproductive activity were restricted to the rainy season, with a peak of activity in October. The number of calling males was significantly correlated with relative humidity, mean air temperature, and air pressure values of the previous day. Courtship is simple and did not include any physical contact before amplexus; furthermore, females seem to choose their mates. Amplectant pairs were observed from mid-October to mid-December. Most foam nests observed were anchored within the vegetation. The number of eggs in the foam nests ranged from 1549 to 2405. Tadpoles were mainly found in shallow parts of the water from October to midJanuary. The reproductive biology of P. centralis is similar to that of closely related species of the P. cuvieri group, suggesting conservatism in this lineage.
30 citations
TL;DR: Based on the material deposited in the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, collected from the Indo‐West Pacific, principally from the New Caledonian region, the present paper reports 117 palaemonoid shrimp species, including eight new species, which belong to Anchistioididae, Gnathophyllidae, PalAemonidae Palaemoninae, and Palaemonicidae Pontoniinae.
Abstract: Based on the material deposited in the Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, collected from the Indo-West Pacific, principally from the New Caledonian region, the present paper reports 117 palaemonoid shrimp species, which belong, respectively, to Anchistioididae ( one genus, one species), Gnathophyllidae ( one genus, one species), Palaemonidae Palaemoninae ( seven genera, nine species), and Palaemonidae Pontoniinae ( 30 genera, 106 species), including eight new species. The new species are all Pontoniinae: Mesopontonia brevicarpalis sp. nov., Palaemonella komaii sp. nov., Periclimenes crosnieri sp. nov., Periclimenes forgesi sp. nov., Periclimenes loyautensis sp. nov., Periclimenes paralcocki sp. nov., Periclimenes paraleator sp. nov., and Periclimenes pseudalcocki sp. nov. The last six new species are members of the deep-water "Periclimenes alcocki species complex'', which has more than two ( usually four) pairs of dorsolateral telson spines anterior to the posterior telson margin, the cornea is usually reduced, the dactyl of the major second chela is generally flanged and the chela is sometimes covered with small tubercles. The complex is usually found at more than 200m depth in the West Pacific. The species can be distinguished from each other by the armature of ambulatory propod and dactyl, diameter of cornea, rostrum shape and the number of pairs of dorsolateral telson spines. Mesopontonia brevicarpalis sp. nov., from the southeast coast of Africa, is the seventh species of the genus. Palaemonella komaii sp. nov. is very similar to Palaemonella dolichodactylus Bruce, 1991 and Palaemonella hachijo Okuno, 1999. These three species share the features of very long and slender ambulatory pereiopods with the dactyl more than eight times longer than its basal depth and with several long setae on the dorsal dactylar margin.
TL;DR: The species composition and distribution of Culicoides biting midges in Turkey for the first time is reviewed and the potential of Turkish Culicoide in zoonotic arbovirus, protozoa, and nematode transmission is discussed.
Abstract: This paper reviews the species composition and distribution of Culicoides biting midges in Turkey for the first time. The Culicoides fauna of Turkey is diverse, with 57 reported species collected in 54 localities across the Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, and Central, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolian Regions of Turkey. No records are available for the Black Sea Region. The most widespread species include Culicoides cataneii Clastrier, C. circumscriptus Kieffer, C. festivipennis Kieffer, C. gejgelensis Dzhafarov, C. longipennis Khalaf, C. maritimus Kieffer, C. nubeculosus (Meigen), C. obsoletus (Meigen), C. odiatus Austen, C. pulicaris (Linnaeus), C. puncticollis (Becker), C. saevus Kieffer, and C. shaklawensis Khalaf, whereas C. denisoni Boorman, C. dewulfi Goetghebuer, C. fagineus Edwards, C. minutissmus (Zetterstedt), C. montanus Schakirzjanova, C. semimaculatus Clastrier, C. slovacus Orszagh, and C. turanicus Gutsevich and Smatov are represented from only one locality. Only single specimens represent...
TL;DR: A group of species of the rogadine braconid genus Aleiodes are shown to produce a distinctive mummy, which is “J”‐shaped and is formed after the host larva, in all cases an ennomine geometrid moth, has dropped from a plant suspended in midair by a silk thread.
Abstract: A group of species of the rogadine braconid genus Aleiodes are shown to produce a distinctive mummy, which is “J”‐shaped and is formed after the host larva, in all cases an ennomine geometrid moth, has dropped from a plant suspended in midair by a silk thread. The group includes one described species, A. buzurae He & Chen from China, and a species complex from tropical Africa (W. Uganda). All the African specimens reared from suspended mummies looked morphologically virtually indistinguishable, though there was considerable colour variation that segregated the specimens into five groups. Three gene fragments (nuclear 28S D2‐3 rDNA, the nuclear ITS2 region and part of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (CO1)) were sequenced to assess if these specimens represented a single variable species or a complex of morphologically cryptic species. Results show variation in all three gene fragments, with strong signal in the CO1 gene, parsimony analysis of which revealed six well supported groups correspondi...
TL;DR: This study examines the diversity of bryozoans found at four rocky intertidal sites on the Island of Hawaii, USA, and provides descriptions and SEM illustrations for 32 species recorded, which include a new genus in the Family Stomachetosellidae and 10 new species.
Abstract: This study examines the diversity of bryozoans found at four rocky intertidal sites (Kiholo Bay, Whittington Beach Park, Kealakekua Bay, and Kapa'a Beach Park) on the Island of Hawaii, USA. Bryozoans were patchily distributed, with few or no bryozoans, or low species diversity, at three protected or semi‐protected sites, and unexpectedly high diversity at one exposed site. Species richnesses at the four sites were zero, one, five, and 32 species, respectively. Species diversity at the richest site was within the range of single‐site diversities previously reported from optimal sites in temperate latitudes. We provide descriptions and SEM illustrations for 32 species recorded, which include a new genus (Junerossia) in the Family Stomachetosellidae and 10 new species (Alderina flaventa, Corbulella extenuata, Puellina septemcryptica, Junerossia copiosa, Calytpotheca kapaaensis, Bryopesanser serratus, Cribellopora souleorum, Metacleidochasma verrucosa, Disporella compta, and Favosipora adunca). The species en...
TL;DR: It is confirmed that the widely distributed north‐east Pacific anemone known as U. lofotensis is different from the European species of the same name but is conspecific with Cribrinopsis albopunctata sp.
Abstract: Three species of Cribrinopsis and two species of Urticina from Kamchatka, Commander Islands, and the Sea of Okhotsk are discussed. It is confirmed that the widely distributed north‐east Pacific anemone known as U. lofotensis (Tealia lofotensis: Hand, 1955) is different from the European species of the same name (Madoniactis lofotensis Danielssen, 1890) but is conspecific with Cribrinopsis albopunctata sp. nov. from Kamchatka. Urticina grebelnyi sp. nov. is a large species common in East Kamchatka and recorded also from Puget Sound from where it was previously known as U. crassicornis (Muller, 1776). Cribrinopsis olegi sp. nov. is a distinctive species with short, often almost spherical tentacles known only from East Kamchatka.
TL;DR: The aphidiines presented in this work have been identified from 60 aphid taxa occurring on 136 plant taxa from a total of 57 sampling sites and 90 original parasitoid–host aphid associations are presented.
Abstract: A review of Aphidius species occurring in Greece is presented Fourteen species are keyed and illustrated In addition, a new Aphidius species: Aphidius apolloni sp nov from Macrosiphum daphnidis Borner on Daphne oleoides, is described The new species was collected from Mt Tymphi (western Greece) The aphidiines presented in this work have been identified from 60 aphid taxa occurring on 136 plant taxa from a total of 57 sampling sites Furthermore, 90 original parasitoid–host aphid associations are presented
TL;DR: The variety of nesting materials decreased along the precipitation gradient, while the main structural components are generally fixed.
Abstract: There are few detailed analyses of the building materials used in bird nests. This study was part of a project on interrelations between northern Patagonian plants and birds. Nests of two hummingbird species distributed in the Andean portion of southern South America: the Green‐backed Firecrown Sephanoides sephaniodes and the White‐sided Hillstar Oreotrochilus leucopleurus, were collected along a precipitation gradient in northwestern Patagonia (Argentina). Nest morphology, structure, and composition (mostly botanical in origin) were analysed. Plants used as building materials are presented for each nest, arranged by location. The main structural materials were mosses (especially those with falcate leaves) entangled with spider web. Nests were concealed in their environments by the presence of mimetic material on the outer layer (spider cocoons, leprose lichens, feathers, and hairs). Soft material was the main component of the lining (pappi, feathers, spider web, and manufactured cotton). The variety of n...
TL;DR: The genera Sigillina and Pseudodistoma are found to be diverse in Australian temperate waters, and they have many characters in common, suggesting a probable phylogenetic relationship that formerly was not recognised.
Abstract: Thirty‐five species (including eight that are new) of non‐didemnid aplousobranch species and 25 phlebobranch (including one new) and stolidobranch species are discussed and a further 42 species in non‐didemnid taxa in all suborders are newly recorded. Material was taken by scuba diving in the waters around Kangaroo I. and other southern Australian and Tasmanian locations; and further material was taken by dredge from canyons off the southeastern Continental Slope and from inter‐reefal areas in the northern Great Barrier Reef region. The known geographic ranges of many southern Australian species are extended into Tasmanian waters and a new species of Rhopalaea is described from the Tasmanian Canyons. The genera Sigillina and Pseudodistoma are found to be diverse in Australian temperate waters, and they have many characters in common, suggesting a probable phylogenetic relationship that formerly was not recognised. The greatest diversity of species reported is from the vicinity of the northern Great Barrie...
TL;DR: The succession of insects colonizing cow dung in south west England was examined over 2 years, using arrays of standardized 1.5 kg artificially constructed cow‐dung pats in cattle pasture to contribute valuable information on the temporal distribution and abundance of dung‐colonizing taxa.
Abstract: The succession of insects colonizing cow dung in south west England was examined over 2 years, using arrays of standardized 1.5 kg artificially constructed cow‐dung pats in cattle pasture. The seasonal pattern of colonization was examined using batches of 10 pats each week for 24 weeks in 2001. Pats were left exposed in the field for 7 days, to allow colonization, and were then brought back to the laboratory to await insect emergence and identification. Overall seasonal changes in community structure were relatively gradual and subtle; Coleoptera were generally more abundant earlier and Diptera later in the season, and the number and order of species arrival broadly matched previous studies in similar habitats. The temporal pattern of colonization of individual pats was examined in six batches of 30 pats constructed in May, June, and August/September in 2002. Groups of five pats were recovered and brought back to the laboratory 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, or 21 days after construction. Overall, three broad, but stati...
TL;DR: The first fossil representative of the pholcid spider genus Leptopholcus is described, originating from Dominican amber about 20 million years old, and egg‐parasitism by a wasp of the genus Baeus Haliday (Scelionidae, Baeini) is documented for L. baoruco and L. hispaniola, both of which are the first records of egg‐Parasitism in Pholcidae.
Abstract: Representatives of the pholcid spider genus Leptopholcus are extremely rare on the American mainland, but fairly common on the major Caribbean islands. Previously, four extant Caribbean species were known, each one endemic to one of the Greater Antilles. Here we describe the first fossil representative of the genus, Leptopholcus kiskeya Huber and Wunderlich n. sp., originating from Dominican amber about 20 million years old. Two new extant species from the Dominican Republic are also described, L. toma Huber n. sp. and L. baoruco Huber n. sp., and new records are given for the widely distributed L. hispaniola Huber, 2000. Egg‐parasitism by a wasp of the genus Baeus Haliday (Scelionidae, Baeini) is documented for L. baoruco and L. hispaniola. These are the first records of egg‐parasitism in Pholcidae, and the first Neotropical Baeus species to parasitize spiders other than Araneidae and Theridiidae.
TL;DR: Post‐mounting courtship behaviour of a 6–8 mm long scatophagid fly Hydromyza livens which lays its eggs in yellow water lily is described and analysed, along with lengthy “homosexual” mounting behaviour.
Abstract: Post‐mounting courtship behaviour of a 6–8 mm long scatophagid fly Hydromyza livens which lays its eggs in yellow water lily (Nuphar lutea) is described and analysed. Enigmatic male–male encounters are described, along with lengthy “homosexual” mounting behaviour. A possible interpretation of both types of behaviour is given, with reference to their adaptive significance and the special problems encountered by males in locating females.
TL;DR: The tadpoles of 11 species of treefrogs (Boophis) in the Malagasy family Mantellidae show a rather good fit with recently published molecular phylogenetic data: species groups that were confirmed to be monophyletic in most cases have similar larval morphologies, and, in contrast, some cases of convergent evolution are apparent.
Abstract: Based on specimens identified by DNA barcoding, we describe the tadpoles of 11 species of treefrogs (Boophis) in the Malagasy family Mantellidae. All tadpoles belong to species of the stream‐breeding clade within Boophis. Based on these and other published descriptions of Boophis tadpoles which develop in running water bodies, we tentatively distinguish three ecomorphological guilds for these larvae. Guild A, in which we describe the larvae of B. boehmei, B. reticulatus, B. pyrrhus, B. tasymena, and B. viridis which have few lotic adaptations, their oral disc width being 31–43% of body width, with a single row of 48–81 marginal papillae, and the first upper keratodont row having 58–144 keratodonts. Guild B, in which we describe the tadpoles of B. albilabris, B. madagascariensis, B. luteus, and of an undescribed species here named B. sp. aff. elenae, is intermediate, with an enlarged oral disc, an increasing number of keratodont rows and a lower height of the caudal fin. In these tadpoles, oral disc width ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors addressed abiotic and biotic issues associated with colony site choice in blue-tailed bee-eaters nesting on Kinmen Island, off mainland China, from 2000 to 2002.
Abstract: All bee‐eaters (Family Meropidae) are cavity nesters, excavating terrestrial burrows in sites ranging from flat ground, to small mounds of soil, steep earthen banks seen in road clearings, eroded cliff faces, and river gorges. However, very little is known concerning the environmental factors that influence nest site selection in bee‐eaters. We addressed abiotic and biotic issues associated with colony site choice in blue‐tailed bee‐eaters (Merops philippinus) nesting on Kinmen Island, off mainland China, from 2000 to 2002. About 89% of the colonies were located on slopes with soils of sandy loam and the other 11% on sandy clay loam. No colony was found on clay loam, which covered 20% of the island. The sandy loam and sandy clay loam had lower soil pressure, density and moisture, which, presumably, were easier for bee‐eaters to excavate and provided better drainage and ventilation for nest cavities. Bee‐eaters avoided placing nest cavities in areas with dense vegetation and abandoned colony sites when the...
TL;DR: This study examined cladistically the phylogeny of the Niphargus orcinus aggregate, a widely distributed assemblage of large‐bodied amphipods that comprises the most prominent European groundwater animals, and demonstrated that “Orniphargos” does not constitute a monophylum.
Abstract: The Niphargus orcinus aggregate, also “subgenus Orniphargus” of the genus Niphargus, is a widely distributed assemblage of large‐bodied amphipods. Although it comprises the most prominent European groundwater animals, its phylogeny has not yet been scrutinized and its monophyly has never been tested. In this study, 30 putative “Orniphargus” taxa and 14 other Niphargus and outgroup species were examined cladistically using a matrix of 71 morphological characters. The strict consensus tree constructed of 34 equally parsimonious trees demonstrated that “Orniphargus” does not constitute a monophylum. Most of the species were divided into two large clades. Both clades contain species from the western Balkans (mainly the Dinaric Karst) with partly overlapping ranges. Niphargus croaticus pachytelson and N. orcinus redenseki are elevated to species rank. Four new species are described: N. dolichopus sp. n., N. polymorphus sp. n., N. dabarensis sp. n. (all Bosnia and Herzegovina) and N. lourensis sp. n. (Greece).
TL;DR: Terrestrial nesting appears to be a response to loss of eggs/early tadpoles to aquatic predators, and Communal nesting is facultative behaviour and appears to result unintentionally from the massive aggregation of adults, the selection of steep/bare ground to anchor nests, and disturbed couples restarting egg‐laying beside previously built nests.
Abstract: We report on the behaviour of Eupemphix nattereri in Brazil. Reproduction started with the beginning of the rains and, in peak season, could extend into the diurnal period. Pairs built either isolated or communal foam nests close to, but isolated from, water. The density of nests on steep ground was greater than on flatter terrain. After 40 h, nests collapsed and formed a mucus string allowing early tadpoles to enter the water. Infestation of nests by flies was delayed in relation to the beginning of the reproductive season. Tadpoles of two Leptodactylus species preyed upon eggs or tadpoles leaving the foam of E. nattereri; adults were preyed on by water bugs, raccoons and two bird species. Amplectant pairs took refuge under communal nests when approached. Terrestrial nesting appears to be a response to loss of eggs/early tadpoles to aquatic predators. Communal nesting is facultative behaviour and appears to result unintentionally from (1) the massive aggregation of adults, (2) the selection of steep/bare...
TL;DR: The growth rate and size of A. cribrarius are higher than other portunid species, with great interest for aquaculture, and males have a precocious sexual maturity when compared to females.
Abstract: A total of 2629 individuals of Arenaeus cribrarius (1293 males and 1336 females) were captured in Ubatuba (SP), from August 1996 to July 1997. Individuals were distributed in 5 mm size class carapace width (CW), to verify sex‐specific growth‐age equations. The Von Bertalanffy model was chosen to determine the growth rate and expressed by CW = 120.52[1–e−1.80t ] for males and CW = 100.81[1–e−1.60t ] for females. The age estimated for the first juvenile stage (t 0) was 6.1 and 8.3 days for males and females, respectively. The maximum age determined was 1.8 years for males and 2 years for females, which correspond to a maximum size of 115.8 and 96.7 mm, respectively. The maximum size (CWmax) estimated using 95% of asymptotic size was 114.5 mm for males and 95.8 mm for females. Males have a precocious sexual maturity (5 months) when compared to females (6.8 months). The growth rate and size of A. cribrarius are higher than other portunid species, with great interest for aquaculture.
TL;DR: B Buccinanops gradatum was the most occupied shell species as a function of its availability in the survey, and this occupation is strongly associated with the higher internal volume presented by these shells.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the shell occupation pattern of Pagurus exilis using the percentage of shell types that were occupied and the morphometric relationship between hermits and occupied shells. Specimens were collected monthly from July 2001 to June 2003. A total of 1737 individuals were collected, occupying 19 gastropod shell species. Buccinanops gradatum (82%) was the most occupied shell, followed by Natica isabelleana (6.4%), Stramonita haemastoma (3.2%), and Cymatium parthenopeum (2.2%). There was a differential shell utilization pattern between sexes; males occupied larger and heavier shells while the non‐ovigerous females occupied the lightest ones. Pagurus exilis occupied more bare shells instead of incrusted ones. Buccinanops gradatum was the most occupied shell species as a function of its availability in the survey, and this occupation is strongly associated with the higher internal volume presented by these shells.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the costs of maintaining viscid silk lines in humid areas may be relatively low, explaining the habitat restriction observed in the species studied.
Abstract: In this study we describe and illustrate a new species, Chrysso intervales n. sp., based on males and females collected in Parque Estadual Intervales, an area of Atlantic Forest in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. We present data on habitat selection, web architecture, thread adhesiveness, diet, and mortality due to fungi for both Chrysso intervales and the sympatric species, Helvibis longicauda. Both species build webs on vegetation close to river margins, but they were not found in forest sites away from these shaded and extremely humid corridors. The webs of both species are entirely composed of viscid silk lines, occupying the space between two or more large leaves. The construction of this web type by Helvibis and Chrysso, and the large amount of viscid droplets in their threads, indicate that the investment in adhesive components in theridiids may be dependent on the ambient conditions. We suggest that the costs of maintaining viscid silk lines in humid areas may be relatively low, explaining the hab...
TL;DR: A redescription of this taxon is presented, a Pacific species—Myriochele olgae Blake, 2000—is reported, and one new species is described: Myrioglobula malmgreni sp.
Abstract: Based on the study of specimens previously identified as Myriochele heeri Malmgren, 1867 (Polychaeta, Oweniidae) in Icelandic waters collected during the BIOICE project, a redescription of this taxon is presented, a Pacific species—Myriochele olgae Blake, 2000—is reported, and one new species is described: Myrioglobula malmgreni sp. nov. Myriochele heeri is characterized by three short anterior uniramous chaetigers of similar length. The revision of the type series of M. heeri showed that the length of the anterior chaetigers and the chaetal composition is variable in the different specimens, thus demonstrating that more than one species is involved. Complementary anatomical (prostomial, foregut, and peristomial ciliary fields, ventral pharyngeal organ) and biological (food composition, tube ornamentation, body regeneration) observations from selected specimens are provided. Additions to the original description of Myrioglobula islandica Parapar, 2003a and an updated key to the species of Oweniidae record...
TL;DR: The general dietary composition of the tamarugos barn owl showed a wide‐ranging diet pattern, characterised mainly by a poor diversity of small mammals and a significant consumption of reptiles and arthropods, in contrast to the sites in the central region and south Chile, where the diet included a greater diversity ofsmall mammals, especially rodents.
Abstract: In the present study the diet of the barn owl Tyto alba was analysed in the ecosystem of Pampa del Tamarugal, in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile. The area is characterised by extremely dry conditions, and relatively homogeneous and poor vegetation, dominated mainly by tamarugo forests (Prosopis tamarugo). The results indicated that small mammals were the greatest proportion (76.2%) in the diet of the barn owl, which predated only four species, of which the rodent Phyllotis darwini (approximately 62%) represented the major proportion. Nevertheless, reptiles and arthropods were also relevant prey for the barn owl, with a proportion of 5% and 15.1%, respectively. The general dietary composition of the tamarugos barn owl showed a wide-ranging diet pattern, characterised mainly by a poor diversity of small mammals and a significant consumption of reptiles and arthropods, in contrast to the sites in the central region and south Chile, where the diet included a greater diversity of small mammals, especially rodents. This pattern might reflect the conditions of extreme aridity, and low primary productivity in the ecosystem of Pampa del Tamarugal, restricting the abundance and diversity of the preferential prey (e.g. rodents). Hence, T. alba tends to increase its trophic diversity, adding other kinds of alternative prey to compensate for the low proportion of preferential prey available in the field.