Showing papers in "Journal of Natural History in 2010"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined year-long hourly temperature profiles at sites in lava in the Canary Islands and limestone in Slovenia and found that the temperature extremes were much less pronounced in MSS sites.
Abstract: Within the soil matrix and underlying rock, cracks and fissures and other air-filled spaces between rocks, sometimes called the milieu souterrain superficiel (MSS), are present in a variety of geological contexts. We examined year-long hourly temperature profiles at sites in lava in the Canary Islands and limestone in Slovenia. All sites had species that show morphological adaptations usually associated with cave-dwelling organisms, including elongated appendages and reduced eyes and pigment. MSS sites were studied at depths between 10 and 70 cm and showed strong seasonality, and most had a discernible diurnal cycle as well. The most striking difference from surface habitats was that the temperature extremes were much less pronounced in MSS sites. Temperature variability was not correlated with troglobiotic species richness. The presence of species with similar morphologies to those found in caves indicates that selective pressures are similar in cave and shallow subterranean habitats.
80 citations
TL;DR: It is believed that there is more than one behaviour type referred to as thanatosis, and definitions and new names that complement the present knowledge on the subject are proposed.
Abstract: Anurans are known to feign death as a way to avoid or minimize the risk of predation. However, information on this defensive strategy is scattered and we believe that there is more than one behaviour type referred to as thanatosis. Here we review the literature, add original data, and propose definitions and new names that complement the present knowledge on the subject. We collected information on 334 individuals of 99 species in 16 families and grouped the recorded displays into two categories of tonic immobility: (1) thanatosis, death-feigning, or playing possum, and (2) shrinking or contracting. These two categories are treated as different behaviour types because of the display pattern (position of fore- and hindlimbs, eye opening), presence of skin toxins (shrinking is mostly displayed by toxic species, whereas thanatosis is mostly displayed by non-toxic species), social context (interaction with predators), and their putative or actual functions.
56 citations
TL;DR: Small mammals were affected by fragment size and isolation, whereas larger mammals were not, and communities of small mammals were better structured in the largest fragments, and those in smaller fragments were subsets of the communities in larger fragments.
Abstract: Mammal abundance, richness, and community structure were examined in fragments of savannah and in gallery forests of south-western Brazil in order to assess the influence of fragment size and habitat on the communities. Five savannah fragments and two gallery forests were sampled. Within the savannah fragments, environmental parameters such as tree and shrub densities were measured. Live-traps and pitfalls were used for trapping small mammals; larger mammals were recorded from footprints and sightings. Seventeen species of small mammal and 15 species of large mammal were recorded. Small mammals were affected by fragment size and isolation, whereas larger mammals were not. Communities of small mammals were better structured in the largest fragments, and those in smaller fragments were subsets of the communities in larger fragments. Gallery forests revealed a rather different assemblage of mammals, but also contained species common to both gallery and large savannah remnants. Data are discussed relating mam...
54 citations
TL;DR: This study includes a full historical and literature review of Brazilian reef octocorals and lists 17 species, including four new species described: Muriceopsis metaclados, Leptogorgia pseudogracilis, Stephanogorgias rattoi and Trichogorgio brasiliensis.
Abstract: Brazilian reef octocorals have been relatively poorly studied. The last major review was published in the early 1960s by F.M. Bayer. The current study includes a full historical and literature review of Brazilian reef octocorals and lists 17 species. Four new species are described: Muriceopsis metaclados, Leptogorgia pseudogracilis, Stephanogorgia rattoi and Trichogorgia brasiliensis. Two new synonyms are proposed: Olindagorgia gracilis (Verrill, 1868) with Olindagorgia marcgravii (Bayer, 1961), and Ellisella elongata (Pallas, 1766) with Ellisella barbadensis (Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864). Current knowledge on Muriceopsis is included, but the Muriceopsis sulphurea complex needs a thorough revision. Whenever there is not a recent evaluation of a species, it is fully described and illustrated, its main synonymies are included, and distributional ranges are indicated. An identification key is provided.
37 citations
TL;DR: Mosquitoes of four Iranian islands (Abu-Musa, Hormuz, Larak and Qeshm), Hormozgan Province of southern Iran, were surveyed between 2005 and 2007 as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Mosquitoes of four Iranian islands (Abu-Musa, Hormuz, Larak and Qeshm), Hormozgan Province of southern Iran, were surveyed between 2005 and 2007. In 521 specimens collected, 14 species belonging to four genera were identified: Anopheles culicifacies Giles sensu lato (s.l.), An. dthali Patton, An. fluviatilis James s.l., An. stephensi Liston, An. turkhudi Liston, Culex bitaeniorhynchus Giles, Cx. perexiguus Theobald, Cx. pseudovishnui Colless, Cx. quinquefasciatus Say, Cx. sitiens Wiedemann, Cx. theileri Theobald, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Giles, Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart) and Ochlerotatus (= Aedes) caspius (Pallas) s.l. This is the first record of all of these species on the islands. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcode sequences were used to confirm the taxonomic identity of An. stephensi, Cx. quinquefasciatus and Oc. caspius s.l. from the islands and mainland of Hormozgan Province, with genetic isolation noted in both Oc. caspius s.l. and Cx. quinquefasciatus samples collected in Abu-Musa Island. Mor...
36 citations
TL;DR: The occurrence of differences in morphological traits related to sex roles in both Allocosa species and the results with two non-burrowing wolf spiders with typical sex roles are explored.
Abstract: Allocosa alticeps and Allocosa brasiliensis are two sex-role-reversed spiders. Females locate males and initiate courtship. Copulation occurs inside male burrows and after copulation the males deliver their burrows to the females. We explored the occurrence of differences in morphological traits related to sex roles in both Allocosa species and compared the results with two non-burrowing wolf spiders with typical sex roles. We measured the length of the foreleg's tibia-patella and the chelicerae. Scanning electron micrographs of palpal tarsus distal sections were taken. Males showed higher values than females in all the traits considered. Adult and penultimate males lacked true claws compared with juveniles and females, but showed modified spines. The palpal organ was more proximal to the tibia compared with the non-burrowing lycosids considered in this study. Spines and palpal organ location could be associated with more effective digging. We discuss how natural and sexual selection could interact on mor...
36 citations
TL;DR: These discrepancies suggest that rostral shape is not a reliable taxonomic character in some generic and many specific diagnoses in Atyidae, and some taxonomic consequences of sexual and ontogenetic roStral differences with regard to the molecular phylogenetic tree are discussed.
Abstract: Cave shrimps of the subgenus Troglocaris (Atyidae), exhibit high variability in rostral length and dentition. In shrimp populations that co-occur with the amphibian predator Proteus anguinus, longe...
35 citations
TL;DR: The spatial distribution of these two barnacle species upon the carapaces of their hosts was analyzed, and acorn barnacles Chelonibia testudinaria andChelonibia caretta were the two most commonly occurring epibionts.
Abstract: Understanding the ecological roles performed by an individual species requires knowledge from a wide range of disciplines; here we analyze the epibiont–host relationship found in marine turtles. During the study we recorded five new species of sea turtle epibiont: Laomedea flexuosa, Caprella fretensis, Hyale nilssoni, Hyale schmidti, Parasinelobus chevreuxi; as part of a total of nine zoological epibionts present on 35 female green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and 100 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting in Cyprus. The two most commonly occurring epibionts were acorn barnacles Chelonibia testudinaria and Chelonibia caretta, with larger specimens of both species recorded on loggerhead turtles. We analyzed the spatial distribution of these two barnacle species upon the carapaces of their hosts. Specimens of C. testudinaria situated on the anterior half of the carapace were larger than those located at the posterior. A significantly larger proportion of loggerhead turtles (52.5%) hosted epibionts in comp...
34 citations
TL;DR: The morphology and biology of the immature stages of the Catasticta group are compared with other members of the Aporiina, particularly those of Delias, Aporia and the more distantly related Mylothris, and comments made on their systematic relationships.
Abstract: We present an overview of the morphology, larval food plants and general biology of the immature stages of the “Catasticta group”, one of three clades of aporiine pierids that specialize predominantly on mistletoes, based on extensive field observations and captive reared material in Costa Rica, review of the literature, and examination of material preserved in museum collections. Of the 8 genera recognized in the group, 6 are restricted to the Neotropics of which detailed descriptions and/or illustrations are given for 11 species representing the genera Melete, Pereute, Leodonta and Catasticta. The life histories of these taxa are compared with those of Neophasia and Eucheira, two Nearctic genera in the Catasticta group that specialize on host trees of mistletoes. Larval food plants of the Neotropical genera include Struthanthus, Tripodanthus (Loranthaceae), Antidaphne (Santalaceae), Dendrophthora and Phoradendron (Viscaceae), all aerial-stem hemiparasites in the order Santalales. The butterflies are mul...
34 citations
TL;DR: According to the morphological analysis, Pin notheres ascidicola and Pinnotheres marioni are junior synonyms of Nepinnotheres pinnotheres, whereas the status of Pinnothere pectunculi as a valid species has been demonstrated.
Abstract: Pea crabs distributed around the coasts of Europe live commensally inside bivalves and sea squirts. Even though just five species are described, their taxonomy is still under development. In order to produce standardized comparative descriptions, pea crabs were collected and studied from different hosts and localities in the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. Because of the pinnotherids' sexual dimorphism, the male and female are described separately for every species. The common and widely distributed species Nepinnotheres pinnotheres (Linnaeus, 1758) and Pinnotheres pisum (Linnaeus, 1767) are redescribed, while the status of the questionable species Pinnotheres ascidicola Hesse, 1872 and Pinnotheres marioni Gourret, 1888 from sea squirts and Pinnotheres pectunculi Hesse, 1872 from the dog cockle, Glycymeris glycymeris, was finally clarified. According to the morphological analysis, Pinnotheres ascidicola and Pinnotheres marioni are junior synonyms of Nepinnotheres pinnotheres, whereas the sta...
31 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied key characteristics of C. acutus reproductive ecology on Banco Chinchorro atoll from 2006 to 2009, including the impact of two tropical cyclones.
Abstract: Crocodylus acutus, a coastal species nesting in sand beaches, could be affected by increasing tropical cyclone frequency. We studied key characteristics of C. acutus reproductive ecology on Banco Chinchorro atoll from 2006 to 2009, including the impact of two tropical cyclones. Hurricanes increased canopy openness causing earlier nesting the following year. Crocodiles nested at the beginning of the wet season with hatching in mid-wet season; this could represent a compromise between risking nest flooding and increasing freshwater availability for hatchlings. Tropical cyclones dramatically reduced nesting success by cooling and flooding clutches. Nursery sites were usually hypersaline, but heavy rainfall from tropical cyclones can likely benefit hatchling survival by decreasing salinity. While tropical cyclones have negative short-term impacts on crocodile nesting, they likely have an overall beneficial effect by creating and maintaining open sandy nesting areas used by C. acutus and they may explain its w...
TL;DR: Specialization of the personate flower of Antirrhinum is interpreted for bees with both large bodies and high visitation indices, suggesting that these bee guilds are effective pollinators of the three self-incompatible Antirkhinum species.
Abstract: This paper provides the first results of pollinator fauna associated to the reproductive biology of Antirrhinum charidemi, Antirrhinum graniticum and Antirrhinum braun-blanquetii. Censuses of over 16 hours spanning the flowering phenology of each species were drawn up. As previously hypothesized, the characteristic occluded (personate) corolla of Antirrhinum was exclusively pollinated by bees, but by a higher number (four) of bee families than predicted. Seven bee species (Bombus hortorum, Anthidium manicatum, Chalicodoma lefebvrei, Anthidium sticticum, Anthophora dispar, Xylocopa violacea and Anthidium cingulatum) account for over 90% of flower visits (2098). The flower visitation index varied between species (0.0126−0.0320), reaching relatively medium values compared to Mediterranean plants. In contrast, reproductive success was found to be high when estimated as both fruit (45.4–84.2%) and seed (75.4–98.4%) sets, suggesting that these bee guilds are effective pollinators of the three self-incompatible ...
TL;DR: The natal crèche environment for juvenile horseshoe crabs in Hong Kong is deteriorating and threatening their survival.
Abstract: Juvenile horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus tridentatus and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, with prosomal widths of between 11.5 and 102.5 mm, occur along Hong Kong's northwestern shoreline abutting Deep Bay where dissolved oxygen (DO) has been identified as the principal factor determining distribution and survival. Unreported upon hitherto, however, Tachypleus tridentatus occurred consistently in association with sea-grass (Halophila beccarii) beds, with DO concentrations of 8–14 mg·L−1, a median grain size of >180 μm, interstitial water contents of <36% (sediment wet weight) and organic contents of <3.2% (sediment dry weight). Most individuals occurred between 60 and 120 m down from the shoreline although there appeared to be a trend of down-shore migration in summer, possibly to alleviate thermal stress. No individuals were found at sediment temperatures ≤20°C, i.e. in sub-tropical Hong Kong's winter, when they adopt buried repose. Abundances of emerged T. tridentatus, peaking in November, were synchronized wi...
TL;DR: Three hundred and three individuals representing 14 species of lizards (Scincidae), collected in Papua New Guinea, were examined for metazoan endoparasites and dozens of new host records and two new locality records are reported.
Abstract: Three hundred and three individuals representing 14 species of lizards (Scincidae), collected in Papua New Guinea, were examined for metazoan endoparasites. Two species of Digenea, four species of Cestoda, 21 species of Nematoda (adults and larvae in cysts), two species of Acanthocephala and one species of Pentastomida were found. Forty-two new host records and two new locality records are reported. Skinks from Papua New Guinea are infected by “generalist” endoparasites, which parasitize a variety of reptile or amphibian hosts. Mean endoparasite species diversity per skink species was 5.0 ± 3.3 SD, range: 1–11.
TL;DR: The observation of two distinct lineages supports the proposal that M. eupeus might be a species complex composed of species with highly similar morphological features, and there is a clear divergence between northern and southern clades.
Abstract: In this study, the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of Mesobuthus eupeus in Iran is presented based on sequence data of a ∼ 700-base-pair fragment of cytochrome C oxidase, subunit I. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The results support monophyly of M. eupeus, but there is a clear divergence between northern and southern clades. The northern clade includes four subspecies – M. e. eupeus, M. e. philippovitschi, M. e. afghanus and M. e. thersites; whereas the southern clade is comprised of two others – M. e. phillipsi and M. e. kirmanensis. Accordingly, possible scenarios for the evolution and phylogeographic structure of M. eupeus based on the geological history of the Iranian Plateau were proposed. The observation of two distinct lineages supports the proposal that M. eupeus might be a species complex composed of species with highly similar morphological features.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the potential role of hydroperiod and habitat structural complexity as explanatory factors defining richness, abundance and spatial and temporal distribution of anurans in wetlands of coastal dunes.
Abstract: We investigated the potential role of hydroperiod and habitat structural complexity as explanatory factors defining richness, abundance and spatial and temporal distribution of anurans in wetlands of coastal dunes. This survey was performed in 15 wetlands along the Atlantic coastal zone of southern Brazil. We identified 10 anuran species (nine in the adult and eight in the tadpole stage) distributed in seven genera from five families. The adult richness and abundance varied among the hydroperiod classes, but without temporal variations. Both tadpole richness and abundance varied temporally and both were influenced by hydroperiod. Adult anuran composition was associated with dry months and wetland area, whereas tadpole composition was associated with emergent and floating macrophytes, wetland area and vegetation cover. This study identified the importance of habitat structural complexity and hydroperiod in spatial–temporal distribution models of anurans.
TL;DR: It is suggested that Asiatic cheetahs prey mainly on mountain ungulates (wild sheep and Persian ibex), which has management implications for effective conservation of this taxon in Iran.
Abstract: The presence of the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) has been verified in several protected areas in central Iran. Prey selection by the Asiatic cheetah was studied in Dare-Anjir Wildlife Refuge, one of its typical habitats in central Iran where there are no carnivorous competitors. The frequency of cheetah kills was compared with the relative abundance of each of its primary prey species obtained through two independent surveys. Jebeer gazelle (Gazella bennettii) was least abundant, but was the preferred prey of cheetah, whereas wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) followed by Persian ibex (Capra aegagrus) were the most frequently killed prey. Cheetahs selectively preyed on males of the three prey species. Our data suggest that Asiatic cheetahs prey mainly on mountain ungulates (wild sheep and Persian ibex), which has management implications for effective conservation of this taxon in Iran.
TL;DR: Ten new species of Brevisomabathynella Cho, Park and Ranga Reddy, 2006 are described and illustrated from the arid region of Western Australia, with the presence of three common characters distributed among the 10 species: the five-segmented antenna, the absence of the basipodal seta on the male thoracopod VIII and the absence on the uropodal exopod.
Abstract: Ten new species of Brevisomabathynella Cho, Park and Ranga Reddy, 2006 are described and illustrated from the arid region of Western Australia. Comparison of the external morphology revealed the presence of three common characters distributed among the 10 species: the five-segmented antenna, the absence of the basipodal seta on the male thoracopod VIII and the absence of a basiventral seta on the uropodal exopod. This character combination is not found in Notobathynella and Billibathynella, but only in Brevisomabathynella, a genus known from two described species both with unusual characters. Despite the three common attributes, the 10 new species differ remarkably from these two described species, but could not be defined by their own synapomorphy. Consequently, and cognizant of a previously performed molecular analysis, we assign the 10 new species to Brevisomabathynella and amend the generic diagnosis. The species inhabit shallow aquifers in groundwater calcretes and each appears to be endemic to a giv...
TL;DR: The Lower Cunene morph is recognized as the new species, Hippopotamyrus longilateralis sp.
Abstract: Previous work has revealed that Hippopotamyrus ansorgii (Boulenger, 1905) is a species complex, with specimens from the Upper Zambezi system (Caprivi Strip in Namibia) that are well differentiated from the Angolan type specimens. Here, we sampled the Cunene River, one of several possible type rivers for H. ansorgii, on the border between Namibia and Angola. The specimens are morphologically differentiated from the six other known morphs within the H. ansorgii species complex, including the types and H. szaboi. The electric organ discharge of the Cunene specimens has a different pulse waveform and associated amplitude spectra to that of the three Upper Zambezi system morphs of the species complex. The Cunene specimens are genetically distinct, but relatively closely related to other taxa of the H. ansorgii complex, such as the Upper Zambezi system morphs. We recognize the Lower Cunene morph as the new species, Hippopotamyrus longilateralis sp. nov.
TL;DR: The feeding habits of understorey birds of two fragments of Atlantic Forest in southeast Brazil were studied, based on faecal content, and some birds that had been considered generalists appeared to have dietary specializations, indicating that existing knowledge of the trophic ecology of neotropical birds is inadequate.
Abstract: The feeding habits of understorey birds of two fragments of Atlantic Forest in southeast Brazil were studied, based on faecal content. The 434 samples examined contained 2535 items, principally con...
TL;DR: It is suggested that only anuran species that are generalists and highly resilient will survive as the natural wetlands are transformed into irrigated rice plantations.
Abstract: Agricultural practice is an important factor that threatens biodiversity. However, modified habitats such as irrigated rice fields could serve as potential refuges for several species of amphibians. This study describes the composition of an anuran assemblage in an irrigated rice field system in the Pantanal floodplains of central Brazil. The low species richness found in rice fields and neighbouring habitats can be interpreted as resulting from the structural limitations of a modified environment. Flooding occurs for longer periods than in natural areas and leads to a lack of dry space, hindering the presence of terrestrial anuran species. Furthermore, the absence of herbaceous vegetation and shrubs in cultivated fields prevents the establishment of species of large tree frog. A positive correlation was found between rainfall and richness, although the abundance of some species did not fit this relationship. The present study suggests that only anuran species that are generalists and highly resilient wil...
TL;DR: A new genus and species of the family Parabathynellidae, Octobathynella peelensis gen. sp.
Abstract: A new genus and species of the family Parabathynellidae, Octobathynella peelensis gen. nov. sp. nov., is described from New South Wales, Australia. The new genus displays several exclusive characters: a very large and distinctive male thoracopod VIII with one crest-like projection containing two lobules on the basipod; and four aesthetascs on segments six and seven of the antennule. It also has several combinations of characters that make it unique in the Parabathynellidae, specifically that: the antennule is eight-segmented (a new character in the Australian species); there are seven segments in the antenna; the labrum has 18–20 teeth; the exopod of thoracopod I has three to four segments and the exopod of thoracopod II has four segments; the endopod has one dorsal seta on the first and second segments and the epipod is absent on thoracopod I; pleopods are absent; the endopod of the male thoracopod VIII has two setae and the exopod has setules; there are 10–12 spines on the sympod, three or four spines o...
TL;DR: Fergusonina lockharti Tonnoir (Diptera: Fergusoninidae), which forms apical leaf bud galls on Eucalyptus camaldulensis in a mutualistic association with a nematode, is redescribed, and a description is provided for the new species of its associated nematodes, Fergusobia brittenae sp.
Abstract: Fergusonina lockharti Tonnoir (Diptera: Fergusoninidae), which forms apical leaf bud galls on Eucalyptus camaldulensis in a mutualistic association with a nematode, is redescribed, and a description is provided for the new species of its associated nematode, Fergusobia brittenae sp nov All life stages, egg, larva, female and male, of F lockharti, and parthenogenetic female, infective preparasitic female, parasitic female and male of Fb brittenae sp nov are described Notes on the biology of the fly/nematode association are provided Fergusonina lockharti is characterized by its large gall size and larva with a dorsal shield with four prominent anteriorly projecting sclerotized teeth Fergusobia brittenae sp nov is characterized by having strongly C-shaped parthenogenetic females with narrow tails one and a half to twice as long as wide, and J-shaped males with a short broad tail with a broadly rounded tip, a short bursa and angular spicules with a large manubrium
TL;DR: Using morphological characters of newly collected specimens and nucleotide sequences of the 28S ribosomal DNA gene, the taxonomic validity of P. bicolor and P. aureolineatus is confirmed and the descriptions of their colouration are emended.
Abstract: The polyclad Pseudoceros bicolor derives its name from a distinctive two-coloured dorsal colouration, which consists of a very dark, almost black central area with acute black lobes extending towards a translucent greyish margin. At least three different colour morphs have been described, ranging from a pale speckled brown through an evenly dark brown form, to a morphotype resembling the original species description. Pseudoceros aureolineatus is easily confused with the light brown colour morph of P. bicolor, and P. rawlinsonae resembles both P. bicolor and P. aureolineatus. Using morphological characters of newly collected specimens and nucleotide sequences of the 28S ribosomal DNA gene, the taxonomic validity of P. rawlinsonae and P. bicolor is confirmed and the descriptions of their colouration are emended. The new subspecies, P. bicolor marcusorum subsp. nov. is erected, the genus Cryptoceros is eliminated, and the new combination Maritigrella aureolineata comb. nov. (Euryleptidae) is established for ...
TL;DR: A review of the Veliidae occurring in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, is presented and the following new taxa are described: Oiovelia brasiliensis sp.
Abstract: A review of the Veliidae occurring in Espirito Santo State, Brazil, is presented. The following new taxa are described: Oiovelia brasiliensis sp. nov., Paravelia capixaba sp. nov., Rhagovelia vaniniae sp. nov., R. mangle sp. nov., R. teresa sp. nov., R. denticulata sp. nov. and R. sooretama sp. nov. Husseyella halophila, Microvelia ayacuchana, and Stridulivelia quadrispinosa are recorded for the first time from southeastern Brazil. Microvelia longipes, M. mimula, M. venustatis, R. accedens, R. bocaina, R. elegans, R. hambletoni, R. itatiaiana, R. robusta, R. tenuipes, R. triangula, R. trianguloides, R. zela and S. tersa are recorded for the first time from Espirito Santo State. The occurrence of H. diffidens in Espirito Santo is confirmed. Additional records from the Caparao mountain range are presented for M. mimula, R. accedens, R. aiuruoca and R. triangula. A necessary nomenclatural note concerning R. ochroischion, R. sbolos, R. trianguloides and R. turmalis is presented.
TL;DR: The musculature of 31 species was studied using phalloidin labelling and confocal laser scanning microscopy to provide useful new characters for phylogenetic analysis of this phylum.
Abstract: The musculature of 31 species was studied using phalloidin labelling and confocal laser scanning microscopy. New data are presented on the patterns of the body wall, proboscis and gonadal musculature. Two kinds of epidermal muscles are described in the palaeonemerteans and heteronemerteans – radial fibres (common in anoplans) and a muscular meshwork of longitudinal and diagonal fibres found in Carinoma mutabilis. All palaeonemerteans and hoplonemerteans studied here were found to possess diagonal muscles between the outer circular and the inner longitudinal body wall musculature; however, seven studied heteronemerteans had diagonal muscles only in the cutis. The proboscis musculature of all nemerteans studied here includes inner circular muscles. In addition, palaeonemerteans and heteronemerteans have a layer of outer diagonal muscles in the proboscis. The gonadal musculature of the hoplonemerteans consists of muscle meshwork or regularly arranged longitudinal fibres. Confocal studies of nemertean muscu...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined aquatic macroinvertebrates associated with Eichhornia crassipes roots at five sampling sites in Taabo Lake and recorded an average density of 1644 individuals (ind.)/m2.
Abstract: We examined aquatic macroinvertebrates associated with Eichhornia crassipes roots at five sampling sites in Taabo Lake. An average density of 1644 individuals (ind.)/m2 was recorded. In total, 68 macroinvertebrate taxa belonging to 34 families and 14 orders were identified. Among these, Insecta was predominant (77.94%). The highest densities were recorded at Taabo cite during both rainy and dry seasons. Taxon diversity differences were not observed among all stations according to a Kruskal–Wallis test. High densities of predators were recorded. Next most prevalent in the trophic structure were detritivores. Indicator taxa analysis, using the Indval method, showed that stations upstream of the lake were characterized by eight taxa, while 11 appeared as indicators of the station near the dyke. Predators and herbivores dominated within those indicators. Sites near bays were distinguished by 18 indicator taxa with a predominance of predators and detritivores. Conductivity, NH4 +, temperature, PO4 3−, turbidit...
TL;DR: Data show that species diversity and abundance are highest at middle altitudes and lower at high and low altitudes for grasshoppers, but this pattern is consistent with that found in many arthropod groups, but it is not consistent with the pattern reported for Orthoptera in previous studies.
Abstract: Previously described patterns of altitudinal differences in species diversity and abundance still need to be tested in respect of generality across lineages and regions. Grasshopper diversity and abundance of an altitudinal transect in the eastern Mediterranean were studied to test the generality of these patterns. To identify the reasons underlying altitudinal differences, vegetation of the study area was studied. Our data show that species diversity and abundance are highest at middle altitudes and lower at high and low altitudes for grasshoppers. This pattern is consistent with that found in many arthropod groups, but it is not consistent with the pattern reported for Orthoptera in previous studies. A cluster analysis based on the grasshopper diversity and abundance identified three distinct altitudinal zones. Possible reasons for these distinct zones were the altitudinal differences in plant composition, the precipitous nature near the summits, urbanization and grazing livestock, and the latitudinal p...
TL;DR: A feature by feature comparison of courtship songs indicates that all the C. sillemi tested conform acoustically to the subspecies C. zastrowi arabica Henry et al. 2006 from the Middle Eastern region, and the nomenclature of the carnea group of Chrysoperla Steinmann 1964 is revised to reflect these findings.
Abstract: Across the Indian subcontinent, the agriculturally important Chrysoperla carnea species-group of Chrysopidae is represented by a single common species, Chrysoperla sillemi (Esben-Petersen, 1935). However, the cryptic species within the carnea group can be reliably distinguished from one another only by their substrate-borne vibrational duetting songs. Therefore we analyse mating signals recorded from C. sillemi collected at several Indian sites between latitudes 11°N and 31°N. Feature by feature comparison of courtship songs indicates that all the C. sillemi tested conform acoustically to the subspecies C. zastrowi arabica Henry et al. 2006 from the Middle Eastern region. Adult and larval morphology confirm that diagnosis. Here, we revise the nomenclature of the carnea group of Chrysoperla Steinmann 1964 to reflect our findings, and erect Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi stat. rev. to include both the Indian and Middle Eastern populations. Chrysoperla zastrowi arabica Henry et al. 2006 becomes a junior synony...
TL;DR: Leptus molochinus (C. Koch, 1837) is redescribed based on adults, deutonymphs and larvae, and Backgrounds for synonymisation of species known from different life instars are discussed.
Abstract: Leptus molochinus (C. L. Koch, 1837) is redescribed based on adults, deutonymphs and larvae. Larvae of hitherto distinguished Leptus ignotus (Oudemans, 1903), syn. nov., redescribed as Leptus ignotus ignotus, were obtained by experimental rearing from females of L. molochinus (C. L. Koch, 1837). The previous conjectures on “Leptus ignotus” as a compound taxon were not confirmed. Leptus ignotus danelli Southcott, 1992 is regarded as a distinct species, L. danelli Southcott, 1992 stat. nov. Data on larvae obtained by experimental rearing and those collected in the wild are compared with literature data on field-collected larvae. Information on development of eggs into larvae and on host spectrum is summarised. A female, from which larvae have been obtained by experimental rearing, is designated as neotype. Backgrounds for synonymisation of species known from different life instars are discussed.