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This paper explores the contribution that women past and present have made to cephalopod research. It includes short biographies of eight female cephalopod researchers who are now deceased: Jeanne Villepreux-Power, Anne Massy, Grace Watkinson, Grace Pickford, Anna Bidder, Zulma Castellanos, Katharina Mangold and Martina Roeleveld. In addition, biographies are provided for six female cephalopod researchers who are now retired but who have made an enormous contribution to cephalopod knowledge during their lifetimes: Nancy Voss, Marion Nixon, Joyce Wells, Julia Filippova, Eve Boucaud-Camou, and Renata Boucher-Rodoni. Online supplementary information provides a bibliography of the research outputs of these 14 researchers, who between them, since 1837 have published more than 800 scientific papers making an in-depth contribution to the field of cephalopod research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nakamigawaia is a poorly understood genus of Aglajidae sea slugs with only two species formally ascribed. In this paper we explore new morpho-anatomical characters using stereo and scanning electron microscopy and employ different molecular approaches (a cytochrome c oxidase sub-unit I gene phylogeny, the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery species delimitation method, and genetic distances) to compare specimens across the geographical span of the genus and from two distinct chromatic morphotypes occurring in the Western Pacific (blackish morph and white-dotted morph). Our results support the conspecificity of these two morphs and show they belong to an undescribed species here named Nakamigawaia nakanoae sp. nov. The species differs from the type species of the genus, N. spiralis, by the presence of a distinct open-dilated shell and differs from its Western Atlantic congener N. felis by subtle differences in the shell, male reproductive system and caudal lobes. Genetically (COI uncorrected p-distance) the two species (N. nakanoae and N. felis) are 18.8–20.1% distinct. The definition of the genus Nakamigawaia is discussed and the current assignment to the latter of lineages other than the type species is questioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Dulichiella Stout, 1912 is described in this paper. The genus Dulichiella comprises 19 species, known from tropical and warm temperate seas worldwide. Material examined was manually collected associated to infralittoral sponges, ascidians, and algae, at Urca beach rocky shore, Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The new species can be characterised by the following: antenna 1 peduncle articles ratio 1.0:1.2:0.2, article 1 ventral margin with two robust setae; mandible palp articles ratio 1.0:2.4:2.6; gnathopod 1, coxa anteroventral corner unproduced, palm concave; gnathopod 2 distolateral crown with four spines; epimeral plate 1 posteroventral corner subacute; and pleosome/urosome spine formula 7-7-7-5-4-2. An identification key to world species of the genus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neotropical vine snakes (Oxybelis) have a wide distribution range from southern United States to southeastern Brazil. Notably, the widespread brown vine snake O. aeneus was recently split into eight species, but major geographical areas such as the South American Pacific lowlands remained unsampled. In this paper, we present the largest molecular phylogeny of Oxybelis to date using six mitochondrial and nuclear genes and 10 of the 11 currently recognised species of Oxybelis. Our analyses include the first South American samples from west of the Andes, which we describe as a new species based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species is morphologically most similar to O. acuminatus, O. aeneus, and O. inkaterra. Although the new species is genetically distinctive and divergent from its congeners, its phylogenetic placement received low support. Our results also suggest that a sample from Escudo de Veraguas Island in Panama represents an undescribed species of Oxybelis. Finally, we clarify the phylogenetic position of O. aeneus sensu stricto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few papers have been published on the interactions between slime moulds and beetles in Europe. The available knowledge was usually acquired incidentally to mycological studies and concerns common and easily identifiable slime moulds. The beetles in those studies were frequently identified to genus only, and sometimes only selected families were studied. In 2018–2019, a comprehensive survey of Myxomycete-Coleoptera associations was carried out in the Pieniny National Park (Carpathians, S Poland). A total of 164 sporocarps from 30 species of slime moulds were examined, and beetles were found in 112 sporocarps of 23 slime mould species. The sporocarps were inhabited by 674 individuals from 37 species of beetles. To date, this is the most comprehensive study of beetles associated with slime moulds in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular studies are often essential to infer phylogenetic relationships and biogeography in troglobiotic taxa, frequently characterised by convergent adaptations and cryptic species. Genetic analysis is a particularly useful tool in Dinaric karst, where palaeogeographic history complicates the interpretation of the evolutionary history of cave organisms. In this paper we estimate phylogenetic relationships in an entirely troglobiotic group of perceivable cirolanid isopods, inhabiting Dinarides and other Mediterranean regions, by a DNA-based approach, with a particular attention to the genus Sphaeromides. The originally more extensive genus Sphaeromides appears limited to S. raymondi in Southern France, while we suggest restoring the genus and name Trogloaega for the Dinaric taxa, previously attributed to Sphaeromides. The name and taxon Trogloaega have never been scientifically invalidated, just ignored. Results indicated that S. virei, formerly divided into three subspecies, consists of two or three distinct species, now named T. virei, T. mediodalmatina and T. montenigrina, the latter molecularly closer to T. mediodalmatina. The genus Trogloaega is genetically distant from Sphaeromides. Sphaeromides bureschi from Balkans (Bulgaria, Serbia) appeared closer to Trogloaega than to Sphaeromides. Our results contribute to the awareness that the isopod morphology is characterised by high level of homoplasy and molecular phylogenetic analyses are essential in identifying taxonomic units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The point-tailed palmcreeperBerlepschia rikeriis a distinctive Furnariidae species, very shy and poorly known. In this paper we present natural history notes on this species as well as a detailed review of its range. This paper summarizes anecdotal observations gathered during 10 years of ornithological investigation of the central Brazilian Cerrado, as well as data obtained in 13 Brazilian and overseas collections and from online databases. We found thatB.rikeriis widely distributed across north and central South America, where it is strictly associated with palm groves, especially those ofMauritiaspp. andOrbignya phalerata.Despite being a habitat specialist, this species can be found in a wide spectrum of vegetation formations, from lowland rainforests to high plateau grasslands. This is an insectivorous species, which constructs a stick nest concealed within the fronds ofMauritiapalms. Its juvenile plumage is similar to that of the adult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ilha Grande Bay is considered an area of extreme biological importance for the conservation of Brazilian biodiversity. While monitoring the macroinvertebrate ascidian-dwellers around Ilha Grande Bay, an undescribed commensal species of the amphipod family Leucothoidae was discovered. In this paper, we describe the new species of Leucothoe, associated with the ascidiacean Phallusia nigra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dead wood is a microcosm of biological diversity. Saproxylic insect diversity at the global level is immense, with estimates that up to one third of forest dwelling species rely on moribund or dead wood at some point in their life cycle. Most studies on saproxylic insects have focused on taxa such as beetles, or on areas like the northern temperate regions. This paper presents the first assessment of the diversity of tropical saproxylic Diptera, from the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. Forty-one trees representing nine species and six plant families were sampled in a rearing experiment designed to study saproxylic beetles. In total, 272 individuals attributable to 18 families of Diptera were reared as bycatch. Low abundance and species richness of flies was observed overall. A majority of taxa were in saprophagous and mycophagous larval feeding guilds, followed by predators. Host associations, successional stage, and stratum preferences are estimated for the more abundant species. The results support previous findings regarding saproxylic Diptera and their association with moist wood and secondary forests. Interesting trends and noteworthy reared taxa are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes and illustrates four new species of the parabathynellid genus Mekongbathynella Nam and Cho, 2014 (M. kampucheana sp. n., M. pienensis sp. n., M. jayavarmani sp. n. and M. jayavarthoni sp. n.) collected from the interstitial habitat of the Cambodian Mekong, thereby increasing the number of the known species of the genus to six. The species are clearly distinguished from each other in their general habitus and in the morphology of labrum, mandible, maxillule, male thoracopod VIII and anal operculum. The combination of these characteristics allows us to group the six species into two lineages; one lineage includes M. sesanensis Nam and Cho, 2014, M. kampucheana, M. pienensis (the lineage I), while the other one consists of M. kryi Nam and Cho, 2014, M. jayavarmani and M. jayavarthoni (the lineage II). Moreover, each species in a lineage occurs in sympatry with a species from the other lineage: M. sesanensis (lineage I) and M. kryi (lineage II), M. kampucheana (lineage I), and M. jayavarmani (lineage II) and M. pienensis (lineage I) and M. jayavarthoni (lineage II). The three areas where the species occur are placed in distinctive reaches and/or tributary of the Mekong displaying different hydrological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity and natural history of Cassidinae s. str (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), popularly known as tortoise beetles, were recorded in a 335 ha remnant area of Atlantic Forest in Passa Quatro, south of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is the first inventory with beetles conducted within this conservation unit. Tortoise beetles and their host plants were collected manually at weekly visits conducted between November 2015 and December 2017. Biological and behavioural characteristics of these organisms were obtained. Forty-six species of tortoise beetles were identified, belonging to 23 genera and five tribes. New records include 13 species of cassidines for the state of Minas Gerais, the first host plant 22 record for nine species of beetles, and 15 new host plants for ten species of cassidines. The most common tribes were Cassidini (n = 22) and Mesomphaliini (n = 20). Identification of host plants was possible, at least at the family level, for 40 of the 46 cassidine species collected. The dominant host plant families were Convolvulaceae (43%) and Asteraceae (19%). The biological and behavioural findings are discussed by relating them to the defensive mechanisms that have been described or hypothesised previously in the literature. The present paper is a novel contribution to the tortoise beetle diversity studies in Brazil, as well as their natural history and life cycle within the Atlantic Forest, a diverse and endangered Neotropical biome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although all ground beetles have pygidial glands homologous in structure and function, there are many differences among species, often significant, in terms of chemical composition of the secretion and morphology of the gland components. In this paper, two predatory ground beetle species of the genusCarabus, namelyC. (Tomocarabus)convexusandC. (Procrustes)coriaceus, were subjected to chemical, morphological and histological study of their pygidial glands and the glands’ secretions. Altogether, three carboxylic acids were isolated, and the pygidial gland reservoir and other glandular parts are morphologically described in the study. We also tested whether there exist differences in chemical content of the secretion obtained by upsetting the beetles in a traditional way and that obtained directly from intact reservoirs. Detailed data on morphology of the pygidial glands of both species are presented, as well as updated information about the chemical components of the glandular secretions. Apart from tiglic and methacrylic acids, which are typical forCarabuspygidial secretions, we also found benzoic acid as a minor component of the secretion in both species. In addition, a chemotaxonomic overview ofCarabustaxa is given in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper is a brief tribute to the lives of women who have worked in the field of nemertean biology and began their careers in the first part of the twentieth century. Although nothing specific has been written about these women as nemertean biologists, they have been important to the field with many lasting contributions. They are set apart from their male contemporaries because of gender barriers and the implied cultural roles they had to overcome to pursue science. Their dedication and perseverance in spite of these obstacles make their achievements even more remarkable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on a revision of recent collections (about 100 specimens) housed at Tel Aviv University, the Natural History Museum (London) and Zoological Institute (Saint Petersburg). Short characteristics of the genus Senotainia Macquart, 1846, descriptions of 4 new species, designations of 3 lectotypes, and one new synonym, key and comments of all Middle Eastern species are given. S. flava Verves and Khrokalo, sp. n., S. laetans Verves and Khrokalo, sp. n. and S. similis Verves and Khrokalo, sp. n. are described from Israel, and one (S. paradeserta Verves and Khrokalo, sp. n.) – from Israel and Egypt. One new synonym is given: S. deserta = S. deserta aegyptiaca, syn. n. The lectotypes are designated for S. caspica, S. gobica, and S. turkmenica. Paralectotype is designated for S. gobica. Fourteen species of Senotainia are known from the Middle East, in particular from Cyprus (1 species), Egypt (6, including 1 firstly recorded), Iran (5), Israel (10, including 9 firstly recorded), Jordan (2), Saudi Arabia (2, including 1 firstly recorded), Syria (1), Turkey (4), and United Arab Emirates (1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Southern Antpipit is a terrestrial insectivore passerine that ranges in the undergrowth of semideciduous forests in central South America. Despite the historical interest on its disputed systematic position, no detailed study about its natural history is available. In this paper, we studied its territorial and breeding biology in southeastern Brazil. We studied colour-banded birds and closely monitored the nests found, estimating the home range using two distinct methods, the Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) and the Kernel Density Estimator (KDE). The nest (n = 4) is a dome, somewhat elliptical in shape and with a side entrance, placed on the forest litter. Its structural layer is built with unidentified vegetable fibres, leaf petioles and horsehair fungus, and the external decorative layer is built with dry leaves and mosses. No well-defined lining layer was observed. Two eggs are usually laid and incubation, done solely by the female, lasts for 17 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge when 14–15 days old. Our data, together with citizen science data, reveal that the breeding season extends from August to December, therefore from the end of the dry season to the middle of the wet season. A mean home range size of 1.08 ± 0.44 ha was estimated using the MCP and of 1.42 ± 0.47 ha using the KDE (n = 9). The home range is defended against conspecifics, thus characterising an all-purpose territory, which is hold throughout the year, possibly during the entire reproductive life of the male. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anurans with direct development are among the most difficult species for conducting studies concerning ecology and natural history. This paper provides information on the reproduction of Adelophryne maranguapensis, a threatened species endemic to Serra de Maranguape, an Atlantic Forest relict surrounded by dry Caatinga phytophysiognomies. Our objectives were to identify the reproductive periods, verify any preference for breeding sites, review the reproductive mode and describe parental care. The species reproduces during the rainy season and is not selective as to the species of bromeliad used for oviposition. This is the first report of parental care for the genus since females demonstrate egg attendance until the formation of the gel layer in all the eggs. We revisit the terms that define the reproductive mode of this species and propose the need to redefine it. The redefinition considers: (1) deposition of bromeligen and non-aquatics eggs around the phytotelm; (2) direct development; (3) parental care with egg attendance by the female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dry-forest Sabrewing Campylopterus calcirupicola is a recently described species of hummingbird endemic to the seasonally dry forests of eastern Brazil. In this paper, we describe for the first time the nest of the species based on seven breeding attempts recorded in the municipality of Montes Claros, state of Minas Gerais. The nest is cup-shaped and built with plant down strengthened with arthropod silk, with abundant moss and some lichens on its exterior. The clutch size is of two white eggs. Nests are placed within limestone caves or arches, close to watercourses. We suggest that this unusual nest site is a possible adaptation to breed in the hot and seasonally dry habitat of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain the megadiversity of angiosperms and insects. Flowers and their pollinators represent the most common terrestrial mutualistic interaction today and this is thought to have driven the evolution of angiosperms and their visitors. Within the framework of that interaction, this paper develops and tests two new hypotheses: 1) megadiversity of canopy beetles in tropical rainforests is largely based on flower resources, and 2) the majority of adult canopy beetles are adapted to visit flowers. To test hypothesis 1, the beetle fauna associated with 23 canopy tree species (13 families, 45 individuals) in a 1.4 ha canopy plot of pristine lowland tropical rainforest in southern Venezuela was studied over one year. In total, 6698 adult beetles were collected and identified to 859 species in 44 families. Of these 859 species, 647 species (75.3%) were found with at least one individual on flowering trees, and 527 species (61.4%) were associated exclusively with flowering trees. The proportion of beetle species visiting exclusively small white flowers of the morphological generalist syndrome amounts to 36.6% of the entire canopy beetle community. Based on these findings, the second hypothesis was formulated that canopy beetles are specially adapted flower visitors. To test hypothesis 2, a sub-set study was conducted of the beetles visiting flowers of one tree species in the canopy plot, Hymenopus heteromorphus (Benth.) Sothers and Prance (Chrysobalanaceae). This is a mass-flowering tree with white flowers of a generalised morphology. A total of 440 adult beetles were collected in 20 days and identified to 138 species in 54 genera in 23 families. This assemblage was restricted to the flowering season of this tree. Data collected for H. heteromorphus and other mass-flowering tree species in the same plot indicates that a particular combination of flowering characteristics – massively flowering, white colour, and generalised morphology – attracts the highest diversity of beetles. These findings together suggest that the enormous diversity of canopy beetles in Amazonian tropical rainforests is due mainly to flowers and that mass-flowering trees with small white flowers of the generalist syndrome play a particularly crucial role in assembly and nourishment of this megadiverse beetle community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a contribution to the characterisation by an integrated approach of the species Microterys chalcostomus (Dalman), a parasitoid of mealybugs and apparently a predator of kermesid eggs. Until now, the species, whose type is in good condition, could be identified only by the meagre original description by Dalman and subsequent notes by Graham. Nonetheless, it appears to be extremely common in Europe, hence the need for a thorough morphological and molecular characterisation. Systematic notes on closely related species of Microterys parasitoids of mealybugs are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the search for native Asian parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii, the notorious spotted-wing Drosophila (SWD), an odd new species of Eucoilinae was discovered. Leptopilina lasalleisp. nov. is herein described and diagnosed relative to other eucoilines associated with drosophilid hosts. Morphologically, L. lasallei is somewhat aberrant within Leptopilina; phylogenetically, L. lasallei is sister group to the core Leptopilina. In the process of investigating L. lasallei, a de novo molecular phylogeny of Leptopilina was generated and is included here. The integrated approach used for the characterisation of L. lasallei, and the resulting phylogeny of Leptopilina, produced data useful to select parasitoid species for SWD biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Andaman Sea adjoining the Indian Territory is biologically rich in terms of marine diversity. However, inadequate surveys during the post-independence era have resulted in large lacunae in data on the species composition in these waters. In this paper, we report the first observation of two species of dendrobranchiate prawns, Metapenaeopsis difficilis Crosnier, 1991 and Haliporus taprobanensis Alcock and Anderson, 1899, in the Indian seas, supplemented with notes on their morphological diagnoses, comparison with closely related species and zoogeographical distribution. Crustacean specimens were collected using trawl nets and a naturalists' dredge on board the Fisheries Oceanography Research Vessel Sagar Sampada in the deeper offshore region between 124 and 850 m depth in the Andaman Sea during the period 2015–2017. Metapenaeopsis difficilis is distinguished by an oval-shaped thelycal plate and a low, unarmed bead-like plate on the thoracic sternum between the third pereiopods. Metapenaeopsis difficilis is previously reported from the Philippines, Indonesia, Coral Sea, New Caledonia, Marquesas Islands, and Wallis and Futuna Islands at depths between 21 and 440 m, thereby indicating its westward range extension. Haliporus taprobanensis is distinguished by a tough integument, presence of a postero-dorsal spine on the fourth pleonal somite, and smooth dorsum of the first four pleonal somites. Haliporus taprobanensis is previously reported from South Africa, Madagascar, off Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines and northern Australia at depths between 300 and 1650 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcophaginae is a large subfamily of sarcophagid flies (Diptera: Calyptratae: Oestroidea: Sarcophagidae) which have diverse habits, mainly sarcosaprophagous, and have forensic and sanitary importance. This is the first work that analyzes the fauna of Sarcophaginae exclusively in the Humid Chaco ecoregion where diversity of flies has scarcely been studied. This inventory was based on: a) samplings at different locations in the province of Chaco, Argentina, and in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; b) examination of entomological collections and c) bibliographic records. Sixty-two species of Sarcophaginae flies are included in this paper, of which 31 species are recorded for the first time in the Humid Chaco ecoregion. Ten species are new records for Argentina, two for Brazil and three for Paraguay. Lepidodexia (Neophytodes) lindneri Townsend, 1931, Lepidodexia (Notochaeta) adelina Mulieri, Schaefer, Duré and González, 2018, Lepidodexia (Pachygraphomima) lenti Lopes, 1980, Oxysarcodexia berthet Dufek and Mulieri, 2017, Oxysarcodexia ibera Dufek and Mulieri, 2017 and Retrocitomyia paraguayensis Lopes, 1985 are registered as endemic species of the Humid Chaco ecoregion. Species with forensically and sanitary importance are listed. Some comments on species distribution previously published in catalogues are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

is currently considered to be among the most widely dispersed species within the genus, however, recent studies have provided compelling evidence that this species represents a complex of morphologically similar, deeply divergent taxa. The focus of this paper is to take a closer look at species from Northeast India (NEI) and Bangladesh that are currently, or were until recently, considered to represent M. parva, now comprising the M. (Xenophrys) megacephala species group. We investigate their troublesome taxonomic histories, identify hidden cryptic species diversity using morphological and molecular data, and resolve many of the historical misidentifications that have led to a proliferation of taxonomic confusion in this group. Molecular analyses extend the geographic distribution of the M. (X.) megacephala species group east into northern Myanmar based on available sequence data. A detailed redescription of the paralectotypes of M. parva is provided to better define this poorly known species. The geographic distributions of the taxonomically obscure species, M. serchhipii and M. zunhebotoensis, are extended far beyond their respective type localities, and both are considerably better defined taxonomically based on detailed descriptions of referred specimens, and comparison with relevant congeners. Significant geographic range extensions are also provided for the recently described species M. oropedion and M. megacephala. Three new species from the Indian states of Nagaland and Manipur are identified using a combination of morphological characters, supported by significant genetic divergence. Examination of historical specimen collections and scrutiny of published literature provide sufficient evidence to remove M. parva and M. wuliangshanensis from the checklist of Indian species. Previous records of M. parva from Bangladesh are demonstrated to represent M. serchhipii. Recent reports of M. glandulosa and M. robusta from Meghalaya are also revised and are considered to be based on misidentifications of known species from the state. The revised distributions of NEI's small-sized horned frogs provide insights into the biogeography of the group. One of the newly described species known only from the high-elevation Dzükou Valley, Nagaland, might require immediate conservation action due to increased tourist activity at its type locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walter George Ridewood (1867-1921), an English comparative anatomist, was influential for many reasons, including his methods for preparing anatomical specimens and the factual results of his studies, as well as through his approach toward systematic comparative anatomy. Ridewood was not limited to expertise in any particular taxonomic group, but rather researched and published on many groups and anatomical systems, most notably on the hyoid apparatus of basal anurans, the skull of basal teleostean fishes, the gill morphology of lamellibranch molluscs, and the morphology and taxonomy of the pterobranch Cephalodiscus . In this paper, we describe Ridewood's life, and discuss his influence, particularly in regards to the systematic osteology of teleostean fishes. We provide a partially annotated list of Ridewood's published works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant factor in the evolution of the Cyclorrhapha (Diptera), the most biodiverse of higher dipteran taxa, is the larva. The larva also has wide-ranging trophic and environmental relationships, including positive and negative impacts on human health and wealth. Despite its importance, the larva is neglected and a low proportion of species are known in this stage. In this paper, factors contributing to larval neglect are reviewed, including: poor attitudes leading to cycles of neglect and shallow treatment; taxonomy that uses adult not larval stages; lack of material in collections; rearing barriers, and presumptions of morphological similarity suggesting that characters will be problematic to acquire and analyse. Neglect is pervasive and affects many subjects; those considered here are: species inventories and rarity assessments for biodiversity and conservation, in which larvae are usually ignored although they can be more cost-effective to sample and a richer source of environmental data; determining larval feeding modes where controversies due to conflicting evidence persist unresolved; and reliance on a limited pool of increasingly old publications whose data are repeated rather than tested and updated with new research. In an attempt to reinvigorate interest, which is the main aim of this paper, poorly assessed larval features possibly significant to cyclorrhaphan diversification are also considered. These include: change facilitated by independently evolvable modules; rapid change enabled by labile trophic morphology; shifts between saprophagy and phytophagy due to opportunities provided by angiosperm evolution; and enhanced adaptive potential resulting in derived more than basal taxa developing adaptations that enable access to new and little used resources. Apart from the need to rear more larvae, a major conclusion from this review is that knowledge will improve when the movement capabilities of larvae are used to inform morphological and taxonomic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genusPhthiracarus(Acari: Oribatida: Phthiracaridae) was represented in New Zealand only by two species prior to this work. In this paper,Phthiracarus minutussp. nov. is described andPhthiracarus pellucidusis redescribed.Phthiracarus perlucidusNiedbała, 1994 is probably a junior synonym ofPhthiracarus insularisJacot, 1935. A key to all known species ofPhthiracarusfrom the Australian Region is also provided to facilitate identification. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, material belonging to the genusSchizomavella, collected along the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, is revised. Nine species were identified, including five species new to science:S. cornuta,S. halimedae,S. linearis,S. mamillata,S. adriaticasp. nov.,S. mystaceasp. nov.,S. rosaesp. nov.,S. stanislavisp. nov. andS. tubulatasp. nov. Previous records ofSchizomavellafrom the Adriatic are also discussed. The checklist of AdriaticSchizomavellaspecies is updated to 11 species; a further two species are doubtful owing to wrong previous identifications. The presence of a calcified ‘hood’ covering the opesia of the suboral avicularium is described and its function is discussed. The morphological diversity of ovicells within the genusSchizomavellais compiled and discussed. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:987D8AE0-1E02-430D-9AB5-50B77BEAF52E [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]