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Knowledge of species distribution and, for migratory species, seasonal occurrence is particularly important for vulnerable and protected animals such as bats. The former European bat species Pipistrellus pipistrellus was split into two, Pipistrelus pipistrellus s.s. and Pipistrelus pygmaeus, over 20 years ago. However, their distribution, breeding and winter ranges as well as migratory status in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus remained obscure.In our study, we scrutinised records of both species and assessed the sex ratio during their breeding season in this region.We show that Pipistrellus pipistrellus s.s. has a significantly smaller range than previously assumed, being restricted to the southern part of the study area. On the contrary, Pipistrelus pygmaeus has a broader distribution, covering the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, up to ca. 59° N. Hence, all historical records and long‐distance movements of Pipistrellus pipistrellus sensu lato from Eastern Europe within the inferred allopatric occurrence of Pipistrelus pygmaeus should be attributed to Pipistrelus pygmaeus.The high portion of adult males in breeding localities, mass wintering within the breeding range and lacking evidence of long‐distance seasonal movements imply that Pipistrellus pipistrellus s.s. is a sedentary species. In Pipistrelus pygmaeus, the sex ratio among adults during the breeding season varies latitudinally. The female‐biased sex ratio, absence of mass wintering and the historical long‐distance recoveries of ringed individuals suggest that this species is migratory in Eastern Europe. The male‐biased sex ratio during the breeding season, along with late autumn records, suggests that the Caucasus represents its winter range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiocerus acericola Dubovsky, 1966 is transferred to the genus Acericerus Dlabola, 1974, redescribed, illustrated, and recorded from Tajikistan for the first time. Acericerus heydenii (Kirshbaum, 1868) is recorded for the first time from the Karachaevo-Cherkess Republic in Russia and from Turkmenistan, and A. ribauti Nickel et Remane, 2002, from Stavropol Territory of Russia and Armenia. The origin, distribution, and sexual dimorphism in coloration for the genus Acericerus are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collyria montana sp. n., from Armenia is described and illustrated. It is the first record of the genus Collyria from the country and eighth known Western Palaearctic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine species of Eucharitidae belonging to three genera, namely Eucharis (Eucharis) adscendens (Fabricius, 1787); E. (E.) carinifera Gussakovskij, 1940; E. (E.) caspicus Lotfalizadeh & Rasplus sp. nov. ; E. (E.) shajariani Lotfalizadeh & Ghafouri Moghaddam sp. nov. ; Eucharis (E.) vashicus Lotfalizadeh & Ghafouri Moghaddam, sp. nov. ; E. (Psilogastrellus) acuminata Ruschka, 1924 rec. nov. ; E. (P.) punctata Förster, 1859; Hydrorhoa johnheratyi Lotfalizadeh & Rasplus, sp. nov. and Stilbula cf. cyniformis (Rossi, 1792) are described and illustrated from Iran. Types of all related species have been examined and compared to the Iranian individuals. To stabilize existing nomenclature, we designated lectotypes and paralectotypes for E. (E.) adscendens and E. (E.) carinifera. The genus Hydrorhoa Kieffer, 1904 is confirmed to occur in the Palaearctic region. A key to the genera and species of Eucharitidae occurring in Iran, as well as their distribution maps, are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Split moult is a relatively rare adaptation to cope with time constraints in the annual cycle, although less rare than previously thought. This moult pattern mainly occurs among long‐distance migrants but also among some northern species wintering in the northern or temperate zones. Hedenström et al. rejected the conclusion of Kiat and Izhaki that split moult is a time constraint strategy; instead, they advocated the view that it is an endogenously controlled strategy. They based their conclusion on the first winter secondaries moult by juvenile birds and on the post‐breeding moult sequence. In contrast, we argue that Hedenström et al.'s conclusions are flawed, probably due to their focus on only one species (Barred Warbler Curruca nisoria). Our results suggest that there are no indications of the uniqueness of the secondaries moult by juvenile birds in relation to other species which have no split moult. We thus suggest that split moult is not initiated during the birds' first winter. In addition, there is no difference in moult sequence, although decoupling between two feather tracts occurs (primaries and secondaries), which is a common mechanism among many passerines that perform a partial or incomplete moult. We therefore argue that split moult is an adaptive strategy driven largely by the actual time constraints the birds experience, as already experimentally proven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collyria montana sp. n., from Armenia is described and illustrated. It is the fi rst record of the genus Collyria from the country and eighth known Western Palaearctic species.

Three voucher specimens of Coleophora millefolii Zeller, 1849 (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) from Hungary are deposited in the Hungarian Natural History Museum. All of them were collected more than 70 years ago, in 1952, by László Gozmány on Hársbokor hill near Budakeszi (Pest County). We report eleven additional, more recent localities of this species in Hungary. The larval case, an adult specimen, the female genitalia and the known Hungarian localities of the species are illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of the parasites, bacteria and viruses of Glis glis (Rodentia, Gliridae) inhabiting the Western Palearctic is given. A total of 85 articles published from 1895 to 2021 were reviewed and analysed in our study. According to the literature's data, 104 species associated with G. glis are recorded: 4 viruses, 8 Protozoa, 6 Cestoda, 6 Trematoda, 4 Nematoda, 1 Heteroptera, 2 Anoplura, 39 Siphonaptera and 34 Acari. The most studied group is ectoparasites. To a lesser extent, parasitic worms in G. glis were studied. There is very little data about the dormouse protozoans and viruses. The most studied parasites, viruses and protozoans of G. glis are in Germany, where 21 species were noted. The largest number of parasites was found in the dormouse in Russia (22), but of two groups only: helminths and ectoparasites. Only 20 out of 104 parasite species recorded in G. glis are host-specific. Most parasites (60 species) found in G. glis have a Palaearctic and cosmopolitan distribution. Three viruses, six species of protozoa and three helminths have veterinary and medical significance as potential pathogens of dangerous zoonoses. Also, many species of fleas, mites and ticks found on G. glis are vectors of a number of dangerous vector-borne diseases in humans and domestic and wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) is recorded for the Great Caucasus and Russia (Dagestan) for the first time. The peculiarities of the species distribution in the Caucasus are discussed and records in Azerbaijan (Nakhichevan) are confirmed by a new material. Trends of its distribution changes in the Western Palaearctic are analyzed. The paper provides the analysis of the factors influencing the establishment of resident populations of this migrant species (larval food plants, temperature conditions etc). The possibilities of forming of stable populations of this species in the Great Caucasus are discussed: the climatic features in Dagestan are significantly different from those in the localities of resident populations of D. chrysippus in Europe, while the larval host plant is widely distributed in the East Caucasian region. The ecological valence and migratoryi activity of this species suggest that in the future it can form resident populations in the east of the Great Caucasus. The climate change impact on the distribution and migratory activity of D. chrysippus in Europe and the Caucasus is discussed

Aim: Latitudinal clines in dietary specialization and range size are used to explain biodiversity distributions at large spatial scales, such as the latitudinal diversity gradient. The aim of this study was to test whether dietary breadth (as a dimension of niche breadth) and range size decrease towards lower latitudes in a species‐rich clade of herbivorous insects as predicted by the latitude–niche breadth hypothesis and Rapoport's rule, respectively. We also aimed to study whether these species characteristics are positively linked with each other as stated by the niche breadth–range size hypothesis. Location: Europe (35–71° N). Time period: Present‐day. Major taxa: Geometrid moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). Methods: For every species, we compiled information on latitudinal distribution and host‐plant use based on available literature and online sources. We estimated the level of fundamental dietary specialization of each species while accounting for phylogenetic relationships among the host plants used. We also reconstructed a phylogeny including all studied moth taxa, in order to control for phylogenetic dependence in species characteristics. Phylogenetic least squares (PGLS) analyses were used to test each of our hypotheses. Results: We analysed 631 species of geometrids (85.2% of taxa within the biogeographical region) and found strong support for the latitude–niche breadth hypothesis and for Rapoport's rule. Fundamental dietary breadth was also found to be positively related to latitudinal range size, which supports the niche breadth–range size hypothesis. These results were retained when the subfamilies Ennominae and Larentiinae were analysed separately. Main conclusions: Our findings indicate that latitudinal clines in range size and fundamental dietary breadth covary in European geometrid moths and are likely to be drivers of increased species richness towards lower latitudes. This supports the idea that both characteristics should be studied simultaneously in order to unveil mechanisms structuring biodiversity patterns at the macroecological scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

—Tettigometra virescens bolasubsp. n. is described from La Gomera Island of the Canary Archipelago. This is the second species of the family Tettigometridae recorded so far from the Canaries. Photographs of a Tettigometra beckeri Horváth, 1909 syntype are given for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review on autumn migratory directions is thought as a complement to an earlier overview on the vertical distribution of bird migration between the Baltic Sea and the Sahara (Bruderer et al. in J Ornithol 159:315–336, 2018): (1) A broad synopsis shows that nocturnal migration is generally SW-oriented above the western half of the European mainland, bending gradually southward above the western Sahara and shifting SE at the Sahara-Sahel transition. Important deviations of the SW stream occur along mountain ranges and coastlines. (2) Taking the Alps as a case example of such a leading-line reveals that the effect of the Alpine arc on migratory directions increases from E to W, becoming most prominent in Switzerland where the northern border and the main ridges of the Alps bend from WSW towards SSW. Thus, the migratory stream gets increasingly aligned with the course of the mountain range and reaches highest concentrations in the Swiss Lowlands. (3) Simultaneously recorded tracking radar data on nocturnal migration above Southern Germany and above the Swiss Lowlands show similar distributions of headings, but different tracks (flight directions over ground). (4) Generally, a large proportion of the tracks above the rather flat country N of the Rhine is shifted towards S or SE by frequent westerly winds. This contrasts with barely drifting birds facing south-westerly headwinds canalized along the Jura Mountains in the Swiss Lowlands. (5) Tracks and headings under varying wind conditions above Southern Germany visualise different reactions to following vs opposing winds as well as to side-winds from the right and left. (6) Radar-tracked night migrants above three different sites in south-western Switzerland show their reactions to different topographical conditions which vary from moderate leading effects of the Jura Mountains at a lowland site, to extreme funnelling at an Alpine pass, and wide scatter when a large Alpine valley perpendicular to the principal SW-direction of migration is crossed. (7) Distinguishing between three height zones reveals that (a) the proportion of SSW migration increases with height; this besides a few birds drifting across the Jura Mountains; (b) at the Alpine pass, forward migration is canalised as a narrow stream and complemented by notable reverse movements, while the highest level (above the crests) is characterised by wide directional scatter including moderate southward drift; (c) the proportion of movements along the SE–NW leading Rhone Valley decreases with altitude, while the proportion of SW migration increases, and the distribution approximates that at the pass in the highest zone. (8) This information leads to ideas for continuative studies, particularly on reverse movements, drift and compensation in the Alps and their northern approach areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate species delimitation is of primary importance in biodiversity assessments and in reconstructing patterns and processes in the diversification of life. However, the discovery of cryptic species in virtually all taxonomic groups unveiled significant gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity. Mimicry complexes are good candidates to source for cryptic species. Indeed, members of mimicry complexes undergo selective pressures on their habitus, which results in strong resemblance even between distantly related species. In this study, we used a multi-locus genetic approach to investigate the presence of cryptic diversity within a group of mimetic day-flying moths whose systematics has long been controversial, the Euro-Anatolian Syntomis. Results showed incongruence between species boundaries and the currently accepted taxonomy of this group. Both mitochondrial and nuclear markers indicate the presence of four, well-distinct genetic lineages. The genetic distance and time of divergence between the Balkan and Italian populations of S. marjana are the same as those found between S. phegea and S. ragazzii, the last two being well-distinct, broadly sympatrically occurring species. The divergence between the two lineages of S. marjana dates back to the Early Pleistocene, which coincided with substantial changes in climatic conditions and vegetation cover in Southern Europe that have likely induced geographic and ecological vicariance. Syntomis populations belonging to the taxa kruegeri (s. str.), albionica and quercii are now considered a separate species from marjana s. str. and are thus distinguished as Syntomis quercii Verity, 1914, bona sp., stat. nov. Our results show that the species richness of mimicry complexes inhabiting temperate regions might still be severely underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the first information at the end of the 19th Century and up to the present time, the only species of the family Ascalaphidae has been registered in Crimea: Libelloides macaronius (Scopoli, 1763) with two subspecies, L. macaronius kolyvanensis (Laxmann, 1770) (= Ascalaphus longicornis dubius Eversmann, 1850, syn. n.) and L. macaronius pupillatus (Rambur, 1842). Each listed subspecies has two colour morphs. Yellow (morpha typica) and white (morpha alba n.) morphs of the subspecies L. macaronius kolyvanensis (Laxmann, 1770) сan be found together in south-east part of Crimea. The second subspecies with two colour morphs, L. macaronius pupillatus (Rambur, 1842) morpha typica and morpha intermedia (Menétriés, 1849), is definitely extinct in Crimea and occurs now in the Kuban and the Volga regions. Subspecific and infrasubspecific structure of Libelloides macaronius is discussed. The key to all subspecies from the Ancient Mediterranean zoogeographical region is given. Information about their bionomics, distribution and occurrence in Crimea over the past 100 years are added. Brief diagnoses of taxa and descriptions of L. macaronius kolyvanensis alba, morpha n. is given. The rank of two species is changed: Libelloides macaronius tajikus Luppova, 1973, stat. n. and L. macaronius oculatus (Brullé, 1832), stat. n. = Ascalaphus kolyvanensis var. ponticus McLachlan, 1876, syn. n. Two subspecies are reduced to morphs: Libelloides longicornis (Linnaeus, 1764), morpha leucocelia Costa, 1855; Libelloides macaronius pupillatus (Rambur, 1842) morpha intermedia Ménétriés, 1849. Some ascalaphid taxa from the Central Palaearctic are interpreted as subspecies of Libelloides macaronius described on the base of typical yellow morphs: L. macaronius turсestanicus (Weele, 1909) and L. macaronius trimaculatus (Weele, 1909). In addition, two white morphs, L. macaronius turcestanicus doboszi morpha n. and L. macaronius trimaculatus letardii morpha n., are described. White morpha was not found for L. macaronius tajikus Luppova, 1973, stat. n. Among Asian taxa, the specimen described by L. Navás as variation, transferred here to the rank aberration Libelloides macaronius kolyvanensis ab. fumata (Navás, 1929), which does not form the biological taxon.

The status of the genus Neorthostigma Belokobylskij, 1998 is re-established as a result of additional morphological studies. A new species, N. braeti sp. nov., from Papua New Guinea is described and illustrated. Aspilota brachyclypeata Fischer 1978 is transferred to Neorthostigma, hence N. brachyclypeata (Fischer, 1978), comb. nov. A new synonym is suggested, Aspilota macrops Stelfox & Graham, 1951 = Neorthostigma eoum Belokobylskij, 1998, syn. nov.; A. macrops is transferred to Neorthostigma. This genus is additionally recorded in the Western Palaearctic (Norway) and Australasian (Papua New Guinea) regions for the first time. A key for the determination of the three known species of Neorthostigma is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Elevated biodiversity is the result of the cradle, museum or sink functions. The contributions of these three functions to species accumulation and their changes through time remain unknown for glacial refugia. Additionally, our understanding of the role these functions played during pre‐glacial periods is limited. We test for changes in contributions of functions through time leading to the current diversity patterns using a model refugium and taxon. Location: Anatolia, Western Palaearctic. Taxon: Freshwater neritid snails (genus Theodoxus). Methods: Assessments were made to define molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) for Theodoxus and reaffirm the genus as a suitable model taxon with elevated interspecific diversity in noted glacial refugia. Thereafter, we constructed a time‐calibrated multilocus Bayesian phylogeny of mtDNA and nDNA by using both fossil data and published substitution rates. Ancestral area estimation was performed on the phylogeny to define the contribution of the functions through time. Results: Accumulation of Theodoxus diversity in Anatolia over the Miocene–Pliocene transition is attributed to the museum function, but its contribution was small as only few divergence events occurred. The cradle function dominated during the Pliocene and Early Pleistocene, when most interspecific diversity built up and extant lineages in Anatolia were established. The sink function acted from the Middle Pleistocene to present‐day, but with only a small contribution to the total extant Anatolian interspecific diversity. Main conclusion: Our results do not entirely mitigate the role glacial cycles played in species accumulation, but highlight Ice Ages may have been less effective in forcing temperate aquatic interspecific diversity into more opportune areas. The elevated diversity in refugia may rather be the result of earlier in situ diversification. Elevated interspecific diversity attributed to the legacy of glacially forced retreats may need to be re‐evaluated in cases where refugia have long and complex geological histories such as Anatolia. These results highlight the importance of considering species accumulation through a temporal perspective to adequately explain present‐day biodiversity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casinaria onyx sp. n. (Ichneumonidae: Campopleginae) is described from Georgia. Additionally, the first records of thirty-one ichneumon wasp species of various subfamilies are reported from the following countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions: Albania (10 records), Armenia (1 record), Bosnia and Herzegovina (4 records), Croatia (1 record), Kosovo (3 records), Lebanon (7 records), Montenegro (2 records), Republic of Macedonia (6 records), and Turkey (1 record). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of the work is to analyze the geographic relationships of the family Tenebrionidae, which should be the basis of faunogenesis of the Tethys region of Palaearctic. Methods. The work is based on the material collected by the authors in the various regions of the Caucasus, the south of the European part of Russia, Kazakhstan and North Africa during 50 years (from 1961 to 2016), as well as the extensive literature data. We used the cluster analysis based on the Jaccard similarity coefficient which considers the positive coincidences for analysis the Tethys region tenebrionid faunas. Invasive species are not included in the analysis. Results. Extensive review of the history of study of Western Palaearctic Tenebrionidae from the mid-19th Century to the present day is given. The main directions of contemporary research are marked. Four hundred three genera of darkling beetles are distributed in the Tethys region including dendrophilous groups with tropical origin, transpalaearctic and cosmopolitan species, that represent 63% of all known Palaearctic tenebrionid genera (640 genera). Three quarters of them (304 genera or 75%) combining 5674 species include mainly xerophilous genera that are not found outside the region or presented only by very small number of species in the neighboring territories. Evidences of a common historical development of tenebrionid fauna appear in the 24 common widespread Tethys genera, which may be slightly spread beyond the boundaries, but have a very high diversity of species and infrageneric (probably a center of the origin) diversity within the Tethys region. The significant part (61%) of common Tethys genera, the high diversity of large Palaearctic genera of Tenebrionidae in the western and eastern parts of Tethys region, as well as the presence of complex of supralittoral relics of marine paleobassins (Western Tethys and Eastern Paratethys) from the genus Ectromopsis, indicates a single area of faunogenesis of darkling beetles, which is historically related with epicontinental Paleogene Tethys Ocean. Two super-regions (with western Tethys and eastern Tethys complexis of taxa) are allocated. These two regions are divided on several subregions which differ by high level of taxonomic diversity. The division is based on the analyses of species and generic abudance and level of an endemism. Claster analyses of common to the region genera, Tethys genera, common to the region species and the genus Blaps shows similarity of Anatolia and the Balkan region faunas; the Caucasus is similar to Iran. Two early allocated super-regions are more or less clearly revealed on all dendrograms. The Arabian Peninsula and North Africa have ancient relations with both super-regions based on the analyses of Tethys genera, and the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East have ancient relations with both super-regions using analyses of all tenebrionid species of the Tethys region. Conclusion. The faunogenesis of several subregions of the Tethys region was formed as island type. Analysis of the distribution and taxonomic diversity of darkling indicates a long-time development of the tenebrionid fauna in coastal and island ecosystems of the Tethys Ocean, and later an independent prime of this fauna in different areas of the Tethys desert-steppe region with the retreat of ocean water, aridity and orogeny. At the same time, faunistic elements of relic type of Paleogene origin are preserved and evoluted in the mountain island forests in Anatolia, the Middle East and the Atlas with the Late Tertiary relict flora.

New species of Neanura MacGillivray, 1893 and Deutonura Cassagnau, 1979 are described from northern Iran. Both taxa are characterized by unusual features that place them in isolated positions within the genera. Neanura deharvengi sp. nov. differs from congeners by the extreme reduction of head chaetotaxy and fused lateral tubercles on the head. These characteristics of the new species broaden the existing diagnosis of the genus Neanura. An updated diagnosis is provided herein. Deutonura persica sp. nov. is most similar to D. plena (Stach, 1951), known from the Carpathians. The new species can be distinguished by the strong reduction of its head, labial, and labral chaetotaxy as well as the relative length of chaetae De2 and De3 on abdominal segments I–III. The Iranian records of D. decolorata (Gama & Gisin, 1964) are questioned. Brief remarks on the importance of the newly described species for the knowledge of both genera are also provided.

Species delimitation in Carex section Rhynchocystis has remained relatively constant through its taxonomic history. The section is currently composed of five species distributed in the Western Palaearctic (C. microcarpa and C. pendula) and subSaharan Africa (C. bequaertii, C. mossii and C. penduliformis). Recent phylogenetic studies revealed that the monophyly of C. bequaertii and C. mossii was not well supported and that C. pendula comprises two divergent sister lineages. To evaluate the taxonomic significance of these unexpected results, we performed a rigorous statistical procedure based on morphometrics. We found morphological support for our molecular background, uncovering (1) characters that reflect the evolution of the group and were overlooked by traditional taxonomy and (2) the overlapping of some previously considered diagnostic characters. Our results suggest five species, but only C. microcarpa and C. penduliformis were supported in their traditional concepts. The two lineages of C. pendula corresponded to two morphologically distinct, biogeographically congruent groups: C. pendula s.s. in the western part of the range and C. agastachys in the eastern part. In congruence with the molecular results, C. bequaertii and C. mossii were weakly morphologically differentiated and thus better treated as subspecies of a single species. We propose a revised taxonomic treatment for the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species richness of the aquatic (non-marine) gastropod family Hydrobiidae Stimpson, 1865 reaches its peak in the European region partly because other areas, such as North Africa, remain to be extensively surveyed. Most of the hydrobiid species described in North Africa have been ascribed to the subfamilies Pseudamnicolinae, Hydrobiinae and the genus Mercuria. Little is known about the presence of other hydrobiid subfamilies. This study examines several specimens of gastropods collected from two springs in Tunisia. Based on a comprehensive literature review and rigorous anatomical and molecular comparisons with known species from North Africa, Europe and Asia Minor of similar morphology, we here describe a new genus, Bullaregia gen. nov., and new species Bullaregia tunisiensis gen. et sp. nov. Although the shell shape of this Tunisian species resembles that of European hydrobiid genera such as Belgrandiella, it differs in other anatomical structures (i.e., penis with a glandular strap-like lobe, and two seminal receptacles, SR1 pedunculate, SR2 sessile and less developed). Using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches, phylogenetic relationships inferred from mtCOI sequences point to an independent evolutionary lineage for this new taxon outside Belgrandiella and other known hydrobiid subfamilies.

The taxonomy of the Palaearctic ant genus Proformica Ruzsky, 1902 is confused and in need of revision. The type specimen for P. nasuta (Nylander, 1856), the type species of the genus, was from Beaucaire, southern France, and is presumably lost. Based on extensive sampling of Proformica nests in southern France, including the type locality, we show that the concept of P. nasuta has been erroneous for more than a century. We integrate information from the morphology of workers and sexual castes, DNA markers, and cuticular hydrocarbons to re-define species in southern France. This allowed us to provide a new, accurate description of P. nasuta and designate a neotype, as well as reference individuals for all castes. In addition, we propose a name, P. longipilosa sp. nov., for a species that since the end of the 19th century has mistakenly been included in P. nasuta.

Approximate Bayesian computation ( ABC) is a powerful and widely used approach in inference of population history. However, the computational effort required to discriminate among alternative historical scenarios often limits the set that is compared to those considered more likely a priori. While often justifiable, this approach will fail to consider unexpected but well-supported population histories. We used a hierarchical tournament approach, in which subsets of scenarios are compared in a first round of ABC analyses and the winners are compared in a second analysis, to reconstruct the population history of an oak gall wasp, Synergus umbraculus (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) across the Western Palaearctic. We used 4,233 bp of sequence data across seven loci to explore the relationships between four putative Pleistocene refuge populations in Iberia, Italy, the Balkans and Western Asia. We compared support for 148 alternative scenarios in eight pools, each pool comprising all possible rearrangements of four populations over a given topology of relationships, with or without founding of one population by admixture and with or without an unsampled 'ghost' population. We found very little support for the directional 'out of the east' scenario previously inferred for other gall wasp community members. Instead, the best-supported models identified Iberia as the first-regional population to diverge from the others in the late Pleistocene, followed by divergence between the Balkans and Western Asia, and founding of the Italian population through late Pleistocene admixture from Iberia and the Balkans. We compare these results with what is known for other members of the oak gall community, and consider the strengths and weaknesses of using a tournament approach to explore phylogeographic model space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pachydellus giresunensissp. nov. was collected fromPinuslitter in Giresun Province, Turkey. It is a member of thePachydellus sculptusspecies group. The new species differs from other species in the group by its very long dorsal shield setae and the absence of tubercles on femur IV of the male. The fauna of Pachylaelapidae found in Turkey is reviewed, and some new records are added. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E0629819-82EB-46EF-B8A2-005A445E2F4E [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Water mites of the genus Hygrobates are widely distributed in all biogeographic regions except the Antarctic. Palaearctic Hygrobates species with reticulated soft integument generally have been considered as representatives of one common and widely distributed species, Hygrobates fluviatilis Strøm, 1768. Based on partial COI sequences (DNA-barcodes) and statistical analysis of morphological data, we show that these mites belong to six distinct lineages. Two of them are widely distributed in Central Europe: Hygrobates fluviatilis here redescribed based on a neotype designated from the type locality in Norway, and a species new to science, H. arenarius Smit & Pešić. The four remaining lineages represent additional species new to science that appear to have more restricted distributions: H. corsicus Pešić & Smit (Corsica, Sardinia), H. marezaensis Pešić & Dabert (Montenegro, Albania, Croatia), H. turcicus Pešić , Esen & Dabert (Turkey), and H. persicus Pešić & Asadi (Iran, E Turkey). Statistical morphometric analysis reveals that the latter two species cannot be separated on morphological characters and should be considered true cryptic species. We provide data concerning biology and geographical distributions together with a key to all species of the complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to produce a review of the most important literature references necessary for the identification of ticks of the families Ixodidae and Argasidae in Europe and northern Africa (i.e. the Western Palaearctic region). The purpose of this paper is to pinpoint a set of critically selected papers that contain reliable information on morphology, taxonomic keys, and comparative discussions which are critical for the identification of the ticks reported in the target region. When necessary, comments are provided on the systematic position of a species, or on suitable papers already addressing the issue. This review includes a list of 216 references which cover all Ixodoidea species reported as permanent residents of the Western Palaearctic, namely 28 species of the genus Ixodes , two Dermacentor , seven Haemaphysalis , nine Hyalomma , eight Rhipicephalus , five Argas and about seven species of Ornithodoros . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larvae of net-winged beetles Dictyoptera aurora (Herbst, 1784), Erotides nasutus (Kiesenwetter, 1874) and E. schneideri (Kiesenwetter, 1878) are described for the first time. Larvae of Pyropterus nigroruber (DeGeer, 1774) and Xylobanellus erythropterus (Baudi, 1872) are redescribed. An identification key to larvae of seven species of the European part of Russia and the Caucasus is provided.

Woldstedtius merkli sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Diplazontinae) is described from Hungary. An affix to the recently published identification key to the Western Palaearctic species of the genus is given. With 7 figures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]