Search

The fungus gnats of Georgia are studied based on 2682 specimens collected from 57 localities during 2011–2019. Altogether, 245 species are recorded including four species of Bolitophilidae, three species of Diadocidiidae, two species of Ditomyiidae, 34 species of Keroplatidae and 202 species of Mycetophilidae. 230 and 188 species are recorded from Georgia and the whole of Transcaucasia for the first time, respectively. Three new species –Sciophila georgeisp. nov.,Leia kataesp. nov. andAnatella metaesp. nov. – are described including detailed illustrations of the male terminalia. Photographs are provided for an additional 38 species to highlight a variability of their general facies. Combined with earlier published data, the number of fungus gnat species in Georgia is set at 246. The estimated diversity of fungus gnats in Georgia is calculated using non-parametric methods and discussed with respect to other Western Palaearctic regions.

A new species, Sarcophaga (Pandelleisca) mersinensissp. nov.is described from the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The male terminalia are documented with line drawings, photographs and scanning electron microscope images. The species is compared with the two most similar species, Sarcophaga (Pandelleisca) baudeti (Lehrer) and Sarcophaga (Pandelleisca) theodori (Lehrer), both known from Israel. A key is provided to the western Palaearctic species ofPandelleiscaRohdendorf.

The West Palaearctic species of theAleiodes apicalisgroup (Braconidae: Rogadinae) as defined by van Achterberg & Shaw (2016) are revised. Six new species of the genusAleiodesWesmael, 1838, are described and illustrated:A. carbonaroidesvan Achterberg & Shaw,sp. nov.,A. coriaceusvan Achterberg & Shaw,sp. nov.,A. improvisusvan Achterberg & Shaw,sp. nov.,A. nigrifemurvan Achterberg & Shaw,sp. nov.,A. turcicusvan Achterberg & Shaw,sp. nov., andA. zwakhalsivan Achterberg & Shaw,sp. nov.An illustrated key to 42 species is included. Hyperstemma Shestakov, 1940, is retained as subgenus to accommodate A. chloroticus (Shestakov, 1940) and similar species. Fourteen new synonyms are proposed:Rogas bicolorLucas, 1849 (not Spinola, 1808),Rogas rufo-aterWollaston, 1858,Rhogas bicolorinusFahringer, 1932, Rhogas reticulator var. atripes Costa, 1884, andRhogas similisSzépligeti, 1903, ofAleiodes apicalis(Brullé, 1832); Rogas (Rogas) vicinus Papp, 1977, ofAleiodes aterrimus(Ratzeburg, 1852);Rogas affinisHerrich-Schäffer, 1838, ofAleiodes cruentus(Nees, 1834);Bracon dimidiatusSpinola, 1808, and Rhogas (Rhogas) dimidiatus var. turkestanicus Telenga, 1941, ofAleiodes gasterator(Jurine, 1807);Rogas alpinusThomson, 1892, ofAleiodes grassator(Thunberg, 1822);Rhogas jaroslawensisKokujev, 1898, ofAleiodes periscelis(Reinhard, 1863); Rhogas carbonarius var. giraudi Telenga, 1941, ofAleiodes ruficornis(Herrich-Schäffer, 1838);Ichneumon ductorThunberg, 1822, ofAleiodes unipunctator(Thunberg, 1822);Rogas heterostigmaStelfox, 1953, ofAleiodes pallidistigmus(Telenga, 1941). Neotypes are designated forRogas affinisHerrich-Schäffer, 1838;Rogas nobilisHaliday (in Curtis), 1834;Rogas pallidicornisHerrich-Schäffer, 1838;Rogas ruficornisHerrich-Schäffer, 1838. Lectotypes are designated for Rhogas (Rhogas) dimidiatus var. turkestanicus Telenga, 1941, andRhogas hemipterusMarshall, 1897.

A checklist of 20 extant species of Dryininae (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) from the Western Palaearctic subregion is presented.

Longitarsus Latreille (Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini) is a very large genus of phytophagous insects, with more than 700 species distributed in all zoogeographical regions. Patterns of host use have been a central topic in phytophagous insect research. In this study a first assessment is provided to test the hypothesis that host-plant association is phylogenetically conserved in Western Palaearctic Longitarsus species. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods were used to infer a phylogeny based on DNA sequence data from two mitochondrial genes from 52 Longitarsus species from the Western Palaearctic. In agreement with the host phylogenetic conservatism hypothesis, a strict association between most of the recovered clades and specific plant families was found, except for species associated with Boraginaceae. Low phylogenetic resolution at deep nodes limited the evaluation of whether closely related Longitarsus clades are associated with the same plant family or to closely related plant families.

The genusElectrogenaZurwerra & Tomka, 1985 is a diverse mayfly group in the Western Palaearctic with a partially unclear taxonomy, even in well-examined areas such as Central Europe. Recently, one of the species belonging to this genus,Electrogenaujhelyii(Sowa, 1981), was identified as a complex of genetically and geographically separated species. Two other species,Electrogenasamalorum(Landa, 1982) andElectrogenarivuscellanaSartori & Landolt, 1991 were formerly stated as junior synonyms of the earlier species. The fact that the synonymy ofE.samalorumandE.ujhelyiiwas stated without comparison of any larval or adult material and both species reportedly have different altitude preferences makes the taxonomical position ofE.samalorum(and possiblyE.rivuscellana) questionable. Among others, a comparison of type series is one of the first methods that should be used to clarify the taxonomical position of closely related taxa.The present study aims to comparatively examine the type material and topotypes ofE.ujhelyiiand its presumed junior synonymE.samalorumfor the first time in detail. Additionally, some notes on the status of the geographically extralimitalE.rivuscellanaare discussed briefly. We noted a significant similarity of all studied material from both the larval and imaginal stages, and suggest considering both junior synonyms (E.samalorumandE.rivuscellana) asspecies inquirendae.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1105.81474.]., (Daniel Juřena.)

North-Western Palaearctic species ofPristiphoraLatreille, 1810 are revised. Altogether, 90 species are treated, two of which are described as new:P.caraganaeVikberg & Prous,sp. n.from Finland andP.dedearaListon & Prous,sp. n.from Germany. Host plant ofP.caraganaeisCaraganaarborescensLam.Pristiphoradasiphorae(Zinovjev, 1993) (previously known from East Palaearctic) andP.cadmaWong & Ross, 1960 (previously known from North America) are recorded for the first time from Europe.NematusnigricansEversmann, 1847 [=Pristiphoranigricans(Eversmann, 1847),comb. n.],N.breviusculusEversmann, 1847 [=Euuramelanocephalus(Hartig, 1837)], andN.caudalisEversmann, 1847 [=E.caudalis(Eversmann, 1847),comb. n.] are removed from synonymy withP.pallidiventris(Fallén, 1808),N.paralellusHartig, 1840 [=P.paralella(Hartig, 1840),comb. n.] is removed from synonymy withP.bufo(Brischke, 1883), andP.mesatlanticaLacourt, 1976 is removed from synonymy withP.insularisRohwer, 1910. The following 29 new synonymies are proposed:P.nigropuncticepsHaris, 2002,syn. n.withP.albitibia(Costa, 1859);LygaeonematuskarvoneniLindqvist, 1952,syn. n.withP.alpestris(Konow, 1903); P. (P.) anivskiensis Haris, 2006,syn. n.withP.appendiculata(Hartig, 1837);NematuscanaliculatusHartig, 1840,syn. nwithP.carinata(Hartig, 1837);P.nigrogroenblomiHaris, 2002,syn. n.withP.cinctaNewman, 1837;TenthredoflavipesZetterstedt, 1838,syn. n.,NematuscongenerW.F. Kirby, 1882,syn. n., andP.thomsoniLindqvist, 1953,syn. n.withP.dochmocera(Thomson, 1871);P.atrataLindqvist, 1975,syn. n.withP.friesei(Konow, 1904);P.gelidaWong, 1968,syn. n.withP.frigida(Boheman, 1865);PachynematusnigricorpusTakagi, 1931,syn. n.withP.laricis(Hartig, 1837); Nematus (Pikonema) piceae Zhelochovtsev in Zhelochovtsev and Zinovjev, 1988,syn. n.and P. (P.) hoverlaensis Haris, 2001,syn. n.withP.leucopodia(Hartig, 1837);MesoneuraarcticaLindqvist, 1959,syn. n.,PachynematusincisusLindqvist, 1970,syn. n.,PachynematusintermediusVerzhutskii, 1974,syn. n., andP.mongololaricisHaris, 2003,syn. n.withP.malaisei(Lindqvist, 1952);NematusanderschiZaddach, 1876,syn. n.,P.inocreataKonow, 1902,syn. n., andP.discolorLindqvist, 1975,syn. n.withP.nigricans(Eversmann, 1847);LygaeonematustenuicornisLindqvist, 1955,syn. n.withP.paralella(Hartig, 1840);LygaeonematusconcolorLindqvist, 1952,syn. n.withP.pseudocoactula(Lindqvist, 1952);P.flavipictaLindqvist, 1975,syn. n.,P.flavopleuraHaris, 2002,syn. n.,P.mongoloexiguaHaris, 2002,syn. n., andP.mongolofaustaHaris, 2003,syn. n.withP.punctifrons(Thomson, 1871);P.listoniLacourt, 1998,syn. n.withP.sootryeniLindqvist, 1955;P.gaunitziLindqvist, 1968,syn. n.withP.testacea(Jurine, 1807); andNematusbreviusculusEversmann, 1847,syn. n.withEuuramelanocephalus(Hartig, 1837). The valid name of Pachynematus (Pikonema) carpathiensis Haris, 2001 isNematinuscarpathiensis(Haris, 2001)comb. n.Lectotypes are designated for 43 taxa. An illustrated electronic key made with Lucid and a traditional dichotomous key are provided to facilitate identification of the species. Species belonging to thecarinata(previouslyLygaeotus),micronematica(previouslyLygaeophora), andrufipes(also known asthalictrioraquilegiae) groups are not keyed to the species level, because additional research is needed to delimit the species more reliably in these groups. Phylogeny ofPristiphorais reconstructed based on one mitochondrial (COI) and two nuclear (NaK and TPI) genes. Remarkably, around 50–60% (depending on the exclusion or inclusion of thecarinata,micronematica, andrufipesgroups) of the species cannot be reliably identified based on COI barcodes. Limited data from nuclear genes indicate a better identification potential (about 20% remain problematic).

Seven new species of the genus Aleiodes Wesmael, 1838 (Braconidae: Rogadinae) are described and illustrated: A. abraxanae sp. n., A. angustipterus sp. n., A. artesiariae sp. n., A. carminatus sp. n., A. diarsianae sp. n., A. leptofemur sp. n., and A. ryrholmi sp. n. A neotype is designated for each of Aleiodes circumscriptus (Nees, 1834) and A. pictus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838), and both species are redescribed and illustrated. Aleiodes ochraceus Hellén, 1927 (not A. ochraceus (Curtis, 1834)) is renamed as A. curticornis nom. n. & stat. rev., and redescribed and illustrated. Aleiodes bistrigatus Roman, 1917, A. nigriceps Wesmael, 1838, and A. reticulatus (Noskiewicz, 1956), are re-instated as valid species. A lectotype is designated for Aleiodes bistrigatus Roman. An illustrated key is given to some distinctive species and the residual species groups along which further parts of an entire revision of western Palaearctic species of Aleiodes and Heterogamus will be organised. Biology, host associations and phenology are discussed for the keyed species (in addition to the above, A. albitibia (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838), A. apiculatus (Fahringer, 1932), A. arcticus (Thomson, 1892), A. cantherius (Lyle, 1919), A. esenbeckii (Hartig, 1834), A. jakowlewi (Kokujev, 1898), A. modestus (Reinhard, 1863), A. nigricornis Wesmael, 1838, A. pallidator (Thunberg, 1822), A. praetor (Reinhard, 1863), A. seriatus (Herrich- Schäffer, 1838) sensu lato, A. testaceus (Telenga, 1941), A. ungularis (Thomson, 1892), and A. varius (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838)) which are dealt with in full here (with the exception of A. seriatus s.l. which is, however, included in the key). The experimental methodology covering the revision as a whole, which involves some behavioural investigation, is outlined.

Following indecision and confusion in the literature regarding nomenclature and distribution of Melitaea phoebe (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) and its closely associated congeners M. punica Oberthür, 1876, and M. ornata Christoph, 1893, a synonymic list of phoebe names, and of names both correctly and mistakenly associated with phoebe species-group taxa, is presented. Explanatory footnotes provide the basis of a stable source for future discussion of M. phoebe species-group populations throughout the species’ ranges.

All species of Filistatidae occurring in Iran are surveyed. Zaitunia akhanii sp. n. is described on the basis of female specimens collected in Tehran province, and the previously unknown male of Sahastata sinuspersica Marusik, Zamani & Mirshamsi, 2014 is described for the first time. Also, the endogynes of the holotypes of Zaitunia alexandri Brignoli, 1982, Zaitunia medica Brignoli, 1982 and Zaitunia persica Brignoli, 1982 are illustrated. Including these results, the number of Iranian species of Filistatidae is increased to seven, which indicates the highest species-richness of this family in the Western Palaearctic.

Carabus (Cathoplius) aliai was described as a separate species by Escalera in 1944 but since the 1950–60s it has been considered as a subspecies of Carabus (Cathoplius) stenocephalus Lucas, 1866. This downgrading was adopted after examining only a few specimens, due to their rarity in collections. In recent years, an important population of this taxon was rediscovered in the Tan-Tan area in southern Morocco. By combining field observations with laboratory breeding experiments including hybridization trials, and through the morphological examination of a representative number of individuals, it is confirmed that Carabus aliai is indeed a valid species. Despite close geographic distribution, the morphological and biological characteristics of Carabus aliai and Carabus stenocephalus ifniensis Zarco, 1941, its northern substitutive taxon, are very different. Carabus aliai adults are characterized by a smaller size, a slender silhouette, a more brilliant aspect, a narrower pronotum, a coarser elytral sculpture, longer legs, and a wider and a little more curved apex of the median lobe of the aedeagus. Carabus aliai larvae are also characterized by a much smaller size and the Carabus aliai pupa has a narrower thoracic area and a different chaetotaxy compared to that of Carabus stenocephalus ifniensis. Contrary to this, Carabus aliai has a life cycle belonging to the annual univoltine winter semelparous type. Moreover, the duration of its development cycle is shorter. Carabus aliai is a sabulicolous steppe-wandering species with an intensive running activity, while Carabus stenocephalus ifniensis is a more sedentary taxon. Crossbreeding experiments showed a marked reproductive isolation between Carabus aliai and Carabus stenocephalus ifniensis. When F1 hybrids were crossed with one another, a very high mortality rate during embryonic, larval and pupal development was evident and no vital F2 neo-adults were obtained. Morphological and biological differences, together with the reproductive failure in Carabus aliai × Carabus stenocephalus ifniensis hybrids, clearly indicate that Carabus aliai is a separate Cathoplius species that is distributed in an area south of the Anti-Atlas chain, from Plage Blanche (Guelmim) to Lemsid and Bou Kra (south of Laâyoune). Carabus aliai is therefore both a Saharan desert endemic and an Atlantic resident. Moreover, it is the southernmost Carabus species of the western Palaearctic region.

The species status of Hyphydrus anatolicus Guignot, 1957 and H. sanctus Sharp, 1882, previously often confused with the widespread H. ovatus (Linnaeus, 1760), are tested with molecular and morphological characters. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) was sequenced for 32 specimens of all three species. Gene-trees were inferred with parsimony, time-free bayesian and strict clock bayesian analyses. The GMYC model was used to estimate species limits. All three species were reciprocally monophyletic with CO1 and highly supported. The GMYC species delimitation analysis unequivocally delimited the three species with no other than the three species solution included in the confidence interval. A likelihood ratio test rejected the one-species null model. Important morphological characters distinguishing the species are provided and illustrated. New distributional data are given for the following species: Hyphydrus anatolicus from Slovakia and Ukraine, and H. aubei Ganglbauer, 1891, and H. sanctus from Turkey.

Urartucoris ermolenkoi P. V. Putshkov, 1979 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae: Pseudophloeinae) is recorded from Turkey for the first time. Redescriptions of the genus and species are provided, the male of U. ermolenkoi being described for the first time, and intraspecific variability of the species is discussed. Adults of U. ermolenkoi were collected from mid April to end of July and in mid September by means of pitfall traps. First data on the habitat of the species are provided: it is epigeic, inhabiting sparse forests and shrublands at higher elevations (ca. 1400–1600 m a.s.l.) in arid regions of central Anatolia. A revised key to the genera of the West Palaearctic Pseudophloeini is provided. Translations of the original descriptions from Russian are given in Appendix.

Descriptions of four new species of the genus Dinotrema Foerster with a mesoscutal pit and only medially sculptured propodeum are given. Dinotrema alysiae sp. n. (Denmark, England, Netherlands, Spain), D. paramicum sp. n. (Denmark, Finland), D. tirolense sp. n. (Italy) and D. valvulatum sp. n. (Denmark, Italy).

Microevolutionary trends in Western Palaearctic bats. Case study: microevolutionary trends among bats of Rhinolophus "ferrumequinum" group (Mammalia: Chiroptera) A frecuently recurring tendency in insectivorous bats is the cephalization of he skull. It has been shown that from the early Pliocene onwards, changes which appear to be microevolutionary trends have continued to take place in the skull structure. Some of these trends were analysed, and they were found to consist mainly in the reduction of splanchnocranium: shortening of the palate and of the premolar teethrow (both in the maxilla and the mandible). Postdental part of the mandible becomes shorter.

The genus name Limnobaris Bedel is applied in a restricted sense to baridine weevils with a covered pygidium and non-prominent, decussate mandibles which occur on sedges in the Palaearctic Region and immediately adjacent parts of tropical Southeast Asia. Calyptopygus Marshall and Pertorcus Voss are syn. n. of Limnobaris. Some species from Africa and the Americas are maintained provisionally in Limnobaris in the widest sense but will need to be transferred to other genera in future studies. A total of eleven species is recognized in Asia, two of which are widespread and occur also in the Western Palaearctic Region. Limnobaris martensi Korotyaev sp. n. is described from Nepal. Pertorcus tibialis basalis Voss is raised to species rank, as L. basalis (stat. prom.). New or reestablished synonyms are L. dolorosa (Goeze) (= L. jucunda Reitter, = L. koltzei Reitter), L. tibialis (Voss) (= Pertorcus tibialis pilifer Voss) and L. t-album (Linnaeus) (= L. bedeli Reitter, = Baridius crocopelmus Gyllenhal, = L. sahlbergi Reitter, = L. scutellaris Reitter, = Baris t-album sculpturata Faust). Calandra uniseriata Dufour is considered a junior synonym of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (syn. n.). A key for identification and a distribution map are provided.

The lycaenid genus Phengaris (s. str.) from mainland China is briefly characterized, and a short identification key presented. Phengaris xiushani sp. n. is described and illustrated from northwestern Yunnan. The new species is similar to P. daitozana from Taiwan with respect to the wing maculation ina whitish upperside and much smaller spots on the underside. Genitalia features are similar to Phengaris (Maculinea) nausithous from the western Palaearctic region. The type specimens are kept in the Insect Collection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China (SCAU), and the "Senckenberg Museum fur Tierkunde" in Dresden, Germany (MTD).