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ABSTRACT Evagetes, with 18 species from China, is reviewed. One new species from Xinjiang, China, Evagetes truncantennus Dong & Ma, sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Ten newly recorded species from China are illustrated: E. transbaicalicus Lelej, 1995, E. subglaber (Haupt, 1941), E. iconionus Wolf, 1970, E. orientalis Lelej & Loktionov, 2009, E. crassicornis (Shuckard, 1837), E. dubius (Vander Linden, 1827), E. littoralis (Wesmael, 1851), E. pectinipes (Linnaeus, 1758), E. trispinosus (Kohl, 1886), E. proximus (Dahlbom, 1845), E. deirambo Ishikawa, 1960, E. liane Schmid-Egger, 2019 and E. shwangtashanus Yasumatsu, 1935, and 17 known species from China receive updated diagnoses. Additionally, a key to the Chinese species of Evagetes is provided. A few diagnostic morphological characters are found useful in species’ identifications, further enhancing the understanding of biodiversity within this genus. This study increased the number of known species of Evagetes, and expanded the known distribution of the genus to China.

The order Mantodea is updated, resulting in the recognition of ten species, of which four are described herein as new regional species i-e Empusa fasicata (Brulle, 1832), Empusa spinosa (Krauss, 1902), Iris orientalis (Wood-Mason, 1882) and Rivetinula fraterna (Saussure, 1871) are recorded as new country and state records. Differences from similar species and a taxonomic key to species of Sindh, Pakistan are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the taxonomy of all the Indian Lista. Previously, four species of Lista were reported from India. Herein, two additional species, Lista monticolaYamanaka, 2000 and Lista furciillatusaWang, Chen and Wu, 2019 are reported for the first time from India. Adults and their genitalia structures are illustrated. A key to the Indian species and a checklist of the global Lista species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monotypic banchine ichneumonid genus Shortia is rediscovered after 39 years, based on two new species from India, far away from the type locality in Australia: S. karumban Ranjith sp. nov. and S. manjapulli Ranjith sp. nov., collected from the Western Ghats, India. The generic concept of Shortia is revised. Both new species and the type species of the genus, S. siccula Gauld, 1984, are illustrated. A taxonomic key for the identification of species of Shortia is provided and the possible causes for the disjunct distribution are discussed.

Pentatomid bugs, commonly known as stink bugs, are typically herbivorous insects known for their piercing-sucking feeding habits on crops and wild plants. Among these stink bugs, Spermatodes variolosus (Walker, 1867) stands out as the smallest species, measuring 2.6-2.9 mm, and is also known to be phytophagous. In this study, we report the presence of seven species from six different genera of stink bugs in the rice fields of Cooch Behar, West Bengal. Notably, this research marks the first documented occurrence of Spermatodes variolosus (Walker, 1867) in the rice ecosystem of India, raising concerns about its potential pest status. Furthermore, this study includes taxonomic keys for the six genera identified.

Ampithoe is one of the most diverse genera of Ampithoidae, commonly found in shallow waters associated with algae. This genus is distinguished by the absence of antenna 1 accessory flagellum, pereopods 5–7 not prehensile and uropod 1 spur absent. From Brazil, only four species are hitherto known, which are A. thaix, A. robustimana, A. ramondi and A. marcuzzii. In the present study, we describe a new species of Ampithoe from Todos-os-Santos Bay, Northeastern Brazil, found associated with the sponge Clathria. The new species is unique by showing mandibular palp thin and reduced, male gnathopod 1 propodus palm very short and setose, male gnathopod 2 propodus palm acute, with a tooth near hinge of dactylus. A taxonomic key to Ampithoe of the world is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to investigate the pollen morphology of eight taxa of Tephrosia, namely T. falciformis. T. purpurea subsp. leptostachya, T. purpurea subsp. purpurea, T. subtriflora, T. strigosa, T. uniflora subsp. petrosa, T. villosa and T. wallichii occurring in Indian Thar desert. Safranin-stained and acetolysed pollen grains were used to describe their morphology. The pollen characters investigated include pollen size, shape, polarity, symmetry, aperture type and exine ornamentation. The pollen grains are monads, small (10-25 µm) to medium (25-50 µm), isopolar and radially symmetrical; they are smallest in T. strigosa and biggest in T. purpurea subsp. leptostachya. The exine ornamentation varies from reticulate, micro-reticulate, rugulate-reticulate and foveolate to foveolate-reticulate. A taxonomic key is provided based-on pollen to discriminate Tephrosia taxa investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred and thirty five chilli landraces belonging to Capsicum annuum, C. chinense and C. frutescens species were analyzed for 20 unit characters. Temporal and spatial gene expression patterns of anthocyanin pigmentation and pubescence were analyzed which revealed species specific fixation of alleles and differential response of each species to the external environment. Relative fixation of alleles across species was used to frame taxonomic key based on seed and seedling characters which will be helpful for species alignment in the vegetative stage and will be complementary to the existing key. The relationship between C. chinense and C. frutescens was evident from many phenotypic character states with similar expression patterns in both the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomic studies of dragonfly nymphs were done up to species level using their exuviae. Exuviae, being the last instar larval skin, possess all larval features. These features can be used for the identification of odonate nymphs up to species level. Seven species belonging to the family Libellulidae were identified using the features present on exuviae. This is a non-invasive method that can be used for the taxonomic studies of dragonfly nymphs without rearing them in the laboratory. The study describes the morphological features of seven species of dragonfly nymphs belonging to family Libellulidae using exuviae. A taxonomic key for the identified exuviae were also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correct species identification is critical for studies on biodiversity, ecology, and conservation. Determining Opuntia s.s. species is difficult because they have similar traits and are phenotypically plastic. Taxonomic keys are based on vegetative traits rather than reproductive ones such as flowers, because they are assumed to be too similar. We analyzed morphometric characteristics of flowers and cladodes over 6 years to determine which of these is most useful for differentiating Opuntia species from the Chihuahuan Desert. For each species (Opuntia robusta H.L. Wendl. ex Pfeiff., O. cantabrigiensis Lynch, O. tomentosa Salm-Dyck, and O. streptacantha Lem.), we tagged 20 hermaphroditic and 40 dioecious plants (totaling 100) from 2014 to 2020 to complete the sample size of flowers and cladodes. Seventeen morphometric characters were measured for new cladodes and 15 for flowers, and discriminant analysis was applied to determine which traits enabled species delimitation. Six of the 17 cladode characteristics combined explained 89% of the variation, while 9 floral characteristics combined explained 94% of the variation. Floral morphometrics proved to be very useful to accurately differentiate species and should be included, in addition to cladodes, in future taxonomic studies. Here, we provide the first taxonomic key that includes floral traits to identify Opuntia and a new description of each studied species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parabathynellidae is a family well known for its diversity and is endemic to the interstitial hyporheic zone of South Korea. Two new parabathynellid species, Nipponbathynella yeongchunensis sp. nov. and N. gapcheonensis sp. nov., were found through groundwater sampling on riverbanks in South Korea. Nipponbathynella yeongchunensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the base socket of the two dorsal setae on the antennule's first segment. Nipponbathynella gapcheonensis sp. nov. can be distinguished by the protopod of thoracopod II–IV with hairs. We provide morphological descriptions and remarks about the two new species with molecular information based on 18S rRNA and partial COI gene sequences. In addition, phylogenetic analysis, including Nipponbathynella Schminke, 1973, which had not been previously molecularly evaluated, was inferred. The results of the 18S rRNA gene phylogeny suggest a close relationship between the genera Nipponbathynella and Arisubathynella, as well as Europe–North American genera. We have also included a brief discussion and an identification key for the five known parabathynellid genera found in South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphologically diverse and cosmopolitan chalcidid genus, Chalcis includes 59 species. Most of the species are distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Till date only two species were recorded from the Oriental region. A new species, Chalcis biligiriensis from scrub forests of Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT) of the Western Ghats (Karnataka, India) is described. In addition, detailed illustrations of C. gibsoni Narendran for the first time along with an illustrated key to the identification of the Oriental species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aoridae Stebbing, 1899 is a well diverse family that comprises 26 genera and 230 species across the globe. Bemlos is the most diverse genus with an underestimated biodiversity in the world. This genus shows a history of taxonomic changes; many of the actual species were previously described as Lembos Bate, 1857. Moreover, a great part of known aorid genera was previously identified as Bemlos. Only two species of Bemlos Shoemaker, 1925 are hitherto known from Brazil, and just one of them is recorded from the Northeast coast. In the present work, we describe a new genus and species of Aoridae and a new species of Bemlos from Northeastern Brazil, being the first genus of Aoridae described from Brazilian waters and also the first record of Bemlos from Ceará and Bahia States. Myersellagen. nov. differs from the other aorid genera by showing, among other characteristics: (1) Broad and reniform eyes; (2) Maxilliped palp article 2 with facial setae and without distal nail; (3) Epimeral plates rounded with anterior and posterior margins similar). Bemlos cabralisp. nov. shows: (1) Maxilliped palp article 3 densely setose, with 2 sets of facial long setae; (2) male gnathopod 1 propodus palm oblique, not defined, with two spines and one excavation; (3) male gnathopod 2 propodus and carpus with tuberculous on the surface; (4) pereopods 5–7 basis not densely setose. Moreover, an overview about Bemlos biodiversity around the world is provided and the previous records of Bemlos species from Brazil are discussed. A taxonomic key to male Bemlos of the world is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New taxonomic and faunistic data for two species of the genus Acidota Stephens, 1829 from China are provided. A new species from Xizang (Linzhi) is described and illustrated: A. dawai Peng & Chen, sp. nov. Additional data (including photographs of the habitus and the type labels) on the type specimens of taxa described from Japan (A. crenata japonica Watanabe, 1990) and Taiwan (A. montana Smetana, 1993 and A. nivicola Smetana, 1993) are given. A key to Chinese species of Acidota is given. Acidota crenata (Fabricius, 1792) is recorded from Heilongjiang for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rosaceae family plays a leading role in the dendroflora of Armenia. The Pyrus, Sorbus, Crataegus, Cotoneaster, Rubus and Rosa genera representing the family are of great importance in Armenia in the formation of various plant coexistences. With its species composition and taxonomic diversity, Crataegus is one of the largest genera in the Rosaceae family. Growing in Armenia in low, medium and high mountain zones, Crataegus has a great role in the formation of dendroflora: they are an important element of a number of forest coexistences, form a sub-forest with other representatives of dendroflora, grow in arid sparse forests, scrub, shoreline areas of mountain rivers. Crataegus is a valuable plant resource. Some species produce tasty and nutritious fruits that are rich in sugars, organic acids, mineral salts and vitamins. Since ancient times, the people of Armenia have used it in food and folk medicine, for example there is a decoction of hawthorn root and bark dyed threads. Currently, Crataegus has great economic importance. Drought-resistant and frost-resistant species are used as grafts for obtaining high-value varieties of apple, pear, and quince, decorative species are suitable for greening cities and settlements, creating living fences. Furniture and carpentry tools are made from its hard and strong natural wood. Due to their hardiness, some species of Crataegus are promising for the creation of arid arboretums in the lower and middle mountain zones of Armenia. In Armenia the genus Crataegus is represented by 23 species belonging to three sections: Crataegus, Pentagynae C. K. Schneid. and Azaroli Loud. Species C. ulotricha Pojark. ex Gladkova, C. razdanica Pojark. ex Sargsyan, C. gabrielianae Pojark. ex Sargsyan, C. susanykleinae Gabrieljan et Sargsyan and C. gregorianii Gabrielian et Sargsyan are endemic to Armenia. An updated key is provided to identify species based on new data. Altitudinal and geographical distribution of species, habitat, flowering and fruiting time are given.

Examination of the material collected by Taiwan deep-sea cruises reveals the presence of five species of the deep-sea shrimp genus Glyphocrangon A. Milne-Edwards, 1881, representing new records for Taiwan and Dongsha (Pratas Island; under jurisdiction of Taiwan). These species are Glyphocrangon albatrossae , G. caecescens , G. indonesiensis , G. major and G. proxima , all of which belong to the informal Glyphocrangon spinicauda species group. These findings bring the total number of species in the G. spinicauda species group reported in the waters around Taiwan and Dongsha to 11. The complex ornamentation of the body surface of each species is shown using micro-computed tomography. Diagnosis and illustrations showing diagnostic characters and living colouration are provided for most, if not all, of these species. Glyphocrangon grandis is placed under the synonymy of G. major based on morphology, because it was found that diagnostic characters proposed to distinguish these two taxa are variable within the current series of specimens. The biogeographical distributions of these species are presented, and a key is provided to help identify the 11 known species in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

New taxonomic and faunistic data for three species of the genus Sinlathrobium Assing, 2013 from China are provided. Sinlathrobiumassingi Chen & Peng, sp. nov. (Chongqing: West Daba Shan) and Sinlathrobiumchenzhilini Chen & Peng, sp. nov. (Guangxi: Maoer Shan) are described and illustrated. Additional records from Chongqing, detailed bionomic data and female sexual characters of S.lobrathioides (Assing, 2012) are provided. A key to the species of Sinlathrobium is given., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Xi Chen, Jian-Ping Ye, Zhong Peng.)

Mecistocephalus Newport, 1843 is the most diverse genus in the family Mecistocephalidae; however, only two species have been recorded in mainland China to date. Therefore, taxonomic research on Chinese Mecistocephalus needs further research. In this study, the species diversity of Mecistocephalus in southern China was investigated using the mitochondrial marker COI integrated with morphological evidence. Species delimitation using Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery, Poisson Tree Processes, and phylogenetic and morphological analyses revealed ten species, including two newly described species, M.chuensis Jiang & You, sp. nov. and M.huangi Jiang & You, sp. nov. Furthermore, based on newly collected specimens, the presence of the little-known species M.smithii Pocock, 1895 was confirmed in China and thoroughly re-described., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Yang-Yang Pan, Jia-Bo Fan, Chun-Xue You, Chao Jiang.)

Metopiinae is a relatively large subfamily of Darwin wasps with a cosmopolitan distribution. Species of this subfamily can be distinguished by a convex, and mostly undivided face and clypeus. Among 113 species in 24 genera of the Oriental region, only 24 species in eight genera are reported from India. Here, we describe and illustrate a new genus, Soliga, based on collections made from the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas, two important biodiversity hotspots. The combination of absence of epicnemial carina on dorsolateral part of mesopleuron, absence of propodeal carinae and dorsal carinae of first metasomal tergite differentiates the new genus from other metopiine genera. An illustrated key to the Indo-Australian metopiine genera is provided along with comments on new generic placement and character variability of metopiines.

Abstract Specimens of the harpacticoid copepod Eudactylopus fasciatus Sewell, 1940 were found in plankton samples taken from Lakshadweep, India. In this study, E. fasciatus is redescribed on several additional distinct morphological characters along with the original description dating back to 1940 (Sewell, 1940). The most important features of E. fasciatus from Bangaram Island are the external coloration pattern with eight longitudinal bands, additional numbers of setae on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th segments of the A1, and the modified saber-shaped sexually dimorphic second endopod segment of the male P2 with a bud-like structure. The illustrated redescription and a taxonomic key for the identification of all the species of the genus Eudactylopus are also provided.

Parabathynellidae is a family well known for its diversity and is endemic to the interstitial hyporheic zone of South Korea. Two new parabathynellid species, Nipponbathynella yeongchunensis sp. nov. and N. gapcheonensis sp. nov., were found through groundwater sampling on riverbanks in South Korea. Nipponbathynella yeongchunensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the base socket of the two dorsal setae on the antennule’s first segment. Nipponbathynella gapcheonensis sp. nov. can be distinguished by the protopod of thoracopod II–IV with hairs. We provide morphological descriptions and remarks about the two new species with molecular information based on 18S rRNA and partial COI gene sequences. In addition, phylogenetic analysis, including Nipponbathynella Schminke, 1973, which had not been previously molecularly evaluated, was inferred. The results of the 18S rRNA gene phylogeny suggest a close relationship between the genera Nipponbathynella and Arisubathynella, as well as Europe–North American genera. We have also included a brief discussion and an identification key for the five known parabathynellid genera found in South Korea.

Anchoviella cayennensis (Puyo, 1945) is a relatively small‐sized, coastal and estuarine western Atlantic species of anchovy distributed from Suriname to southeastern Brazil. The species is morphologically similar to Anchoviella perfasciata (Poey, 1860) from the Central and western North Atlantic, and it has been suggested in the literature that both are actually synonyms. The recently described Anchoviella sanfranciscana (Barbosa et al., 2017) was reported as endemic to the estuary of the São Francisco River, northeastern Brazil. Most characters proposed as diagnostic for A. sanfranciscana in the description are, however, similar to the ones reported for A. cayennensis and A. perfasciata. To determine the complex taxonomic scenario involving the three species, 24 morphometric and 13 meristic characters of 171 specimens tentatively identified as A. perfasciata (including the holotype) and A. cayennensis from the Central and South Atlantic in addition to the holotype and 19 paratypes of A. sanfranciscana (total: 191 specimens) were analysed. The PCAs of morphometric characters indicate the existence of two groups, which are recognized as A. perfasciata and A. cayennensis, with A. sanfranciscana proposed as a junior synonym of the later. Further evidence from gill arch dentition also indicates that A. perfasciata and A. cayennensis are distinct valid species. A redescription of A. cayennensis is presented, with a neotype proposed for the species. Confirmation of the identity of specimens attributed to A. cayennensis indicates that its southern limit of distribution is in the Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. An updated taxonomic key for the estuarine and coastal Atlantic species of Anchoviella is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations were carried out in major arecanut growing districts of Karnataka during 2019-2020 to know the species composition of sternorrhynchan pests viz., mealybugs, scales and aphids. A total of 14 species of sternorrhynchan sucking insect pests were recorded in the arecanut growing districts. These belong to five families viz., Coccidae Stephens, Diaspididae Maskell, Pseudococcidae (Heymons) and Aphididae (Buckton). Among these, Coccidae was the species rich. Prococcus acutissimus (Green) was the most predominant species followed by Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti), Ceroplastes sp. nr. rusci (L.), Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.), Parasaissetia nigra (Neitner), Coccus viridis (Green), Coccus hesperidum L., Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Cooley), Pinnaspis aspidistrae (Signoret), Lepidosaphes gloveri (Packard), Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) and Cerataphis lataniae (Boisduval). Diagnostics of these with descriptions of taxonomic characters and a key to genera is also provided herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vast majority of the Thripidae (Insecta:Tysanoptera) species are pest species with phytophagous feeding habits, being economically important horticultural pest globally, attacking a wide range of ornamental plants. In addition to causing extensive crop damage, the species are notorious for vectoring destructive plant viruses, mainly belonging to the Tospovirus genus. This study aims to monitoring the thrips species collected from 6 Petunia x hybrida varieties in western Romania, to present the taxonomic keys for identification, and studies its population dynamics during the season. The Petunia x hybrid varieties used in the experiment were: Tropical, Purple Picotee, Cherry Pop, Bicolor Yellow Red, Orange Bouquet, Pink Bouquet. The observations were carried out for a period of 70 days – from 10 February to 20 May, using colored sticky traps. Traps were placed above the crop canopy to intercept dispersing thrips from wider areas. After an atent monitoring of Petunia x hybrida varieties in greenhouses, 6 thrips species were collected and identified, as followed: Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, Frankliniella fusca Hinds, Frankliniella schultzei Trybom, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, Thrips palmi Karny and Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis Bouché – all being polyphagous species. Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande was the most harmful species, causing the highest damage on flowers, and was able to survive and reproduce at higher rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new mite species belonging to the genus Stereotydeus Berlese, 1901 were discovered from locations along the coast of Victoria Land, continental Antarctica. Previous records of this genus in the area under study only reported the presence of S. belli and S. mollis. Although those studies included no morphological analyses, it has since been assumed that only these species were present within the area. Specimens of S. ineffabilis sp. nov. and S. nunatakis sp. nov. were obtained, sometimes in sympatry, from four different localities in Central and South Victoria Land and are here described and illustrated using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Features useful for identification of the two new Stereotydeus species include the size of the specimens, the length of the apical segment of pedipalps, the presence/absence of division of the femora, the position of solenidia, the shape and disposition of the rhagidiform organs on the tarsi, the shape of the apical setae of the tarsi, the numbers of aggenital setae and the position of the anal opening. A key to 14 of the 15 currently described Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Stereotydeus species is provided.

A new species of Leptostraca, Sarsinebalia agoensis sp. nov., from Ago Bay, Japan is described from specimens found at a depth of 120 m. The new species differs from other known Sarsinebalia species as follows: the compound eye has three distal lobes; the anterior margin of the first antennal segment has one distal process covered with setae; and the lateral margin of pleopod 1 exopod bears 5--6 simple, robust spines. A taxonomic key to all species of Sarsinebalia is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasterope Kornicker, 1975 is a marine ostracod genus with 49 species described so far, which makes it the most diverse representative of the subfamily Cylindroleberidinae, as well as the entire family Cylindroleberididae. Despite its global distribution no species are reported from South Korea. Three new species collected from the Korean coast of the Sea of Japan (Parasterope busanensis sp. nov., P. singula sp. nov., and P. sohi sp. nov.), and one from the Japanese coast of the Pacific Ocean (P. sagami sp. nov.) are described. A taxonomic key to all named species from East Asia is provided. A phylogenetic tree is reconstructed based on partial 16S rRNA sequences of the four new species and other Cylindroleberidinae available from GenBank. Monophyly of Parasterope is supported by high posterior probabilities, but the phylogenetic analyses also indicate that some of the GenBank data attributed to this genus are probably misidentifications. A map of distribution and a checklist of all described Parasterope species are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syrphid flies are important ecological indicators and provide crucial ecosystem services, being important pollinators and biological control agents of insect pests. These charismatic insects are conspicuous and, due to their size and colourful patterns, are relatively easy to identify. However, the lack of user-friendly literature (e.g. photographic guides) for most areas may hamper its wider selection as a study group in biodiversity and ecological studies. The syrphid fauna of Madeira Archipelago comprises 26 species, including four endemics (Eumerus hispidus Smit, Aguiar & Wakeham-Dawson, 2004; Melanostoma wollastoni Wakeham-Dawson, Aguiar, Smit, McCullough & Wyatt, 2004; Myathropa usta, Wollaston, 1858 and Xanthandrus babyssa, Walker, 1849), but, despite the current good taxonomic knowledge on this group, information on species distribution, ecology and conservation is still lacking. Here, we provide a pictorial key to the adult hoverflies of Madeira Archipelago highlighting diagnostic characteristics and present photographs of both males and females (in dorsal and lateral views) in colour plates. The key and plates will help researchers to differentiate these species, thus encouraging the use of this insect group in future bioindication studies. In addition, this study also aims to engage a broader audience of non-experts in improving the knowledge on the distribution and ecology of Madeira syrphids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petiole anatomy of 15 species of family Asteraceae was examined which aimed to investigate petiolar anatomical structures for species level identification. Shandon Microtome was used for petiole histological preparations. Both qualitative and quantitative features were studied under microscope which showed significant variation in petiole, collenchyma, parenchyma shape/size, vascular bundles arrangement/size, and vessel elements quantity. Artemisia japonica Thunb., Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten., Myriactis nepalensis Less., Seriphidium brevifolium Ling & Y.R.Ling, Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg., and Xanthium strumarium L. showed winged petioles. Maximum length and width of upper and lower epidermis was found in Tagetes erecta L. which is 23.05 ± 0.89 μm, 24.9 ± 1.257 μm length and 21.75 ± 1.38067 μm, 22.75 ± 0.467 μm width, respectively. Petioles of Parthenium hysterophorus L. was longest one with 9.85 ± 10.45 μm while A. japonica Thunb. showed highest number of vessel elements. Maximum size of vascular bundles was found in T. erecta L. with 5.05 ± 14.25 μm. Artemisia annua L., C. vulgare (Savi) Ten, Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob., Helianthus annus L., M. nepalensis Less., P. hysterophorus L., Senecio chrysanthemoides DC. have trichomes while Tussilago farfara L. has highest number of vascular bundles. All species have angular collenchyma type except M. nepalensis Less., P. hysterophorus L., S. brevifolium Ling & Y.R.Ling, Tagetes minuta L., T. officinale L., S. chrysanthemoides DC., and T. farfara L. Cluster analysis implemented that distinct plant species in cluster. Petiolar anatomical structures and taxonomic key will helpful for distinguishing Asteraceous taxa at genus and species level. This taxonomic significant investigation will also provide baseline to taxonomists for other Asteraceae studies and phylogenetic research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study concerns the millipede genus Leptherpum Attems, 1931, which contains nine valid species distributed across the Amazonian rainforest of northeastern South America. The type species L. carinovatum (Attems, 1898) is reexamined based on the type material and high-resolution photographs, including the first scanning electron micrographs of this species. The following three new species are described: Leptherpum tialaura sp. nov. from the state of Pará, Brazil; Leptherpum battirolai sp. nov. from the state of Amazonas, Brazil; and Leptherpum buenovillegasi sp. nov. from the commune of Maripasoula, French Guiana. A brief review of Leptherpum taxonomy and geographic distribution is provided, along with a key to males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The genus Pholiota (Strophariaceae, Basidiomycota) is made up of wood-rotting saprotrophic mushrooms characterized by a yellow or brown pileus with scales and/or slimy, and by a brownish smooth spore with a germ pore. However, these features are not enough to distinguish its species, or separate the genus Pholiota from other brown-spored wood-rotting genera such as Hypholoma and Stropharia. Although internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence-based identification has improved identification accuracy for species of Pholiota, most Pholiota species in Korea are reported based on morphological features. To evaluate the taxonomy of Pholiota species, we investigated 62 specimens collected from 1999 to 2019 in Korea using ITS sequence analysis and morphological observation. Twelve of the 16 recorded Pholiota species in Korea were identified. While eight species were clearly separated, the ITS analysis did not distinguish three in the Pholiota adiposa complex. Therefore, further investigation is required to distinguish these three species. ITS sequences deposited in GenBank confirm that P. highlandensis exists in Korea. The presence of the other four Pholiota species could not be confirmed through specimens or sequence information in GenBank. A taxonomic key and the ITS sequence data for Korean Pholiota species are included and can be good baselines for further research on Pholiota taxonomy and diversity.

The species of the Aphaenogaster lepida Wheeler, 1930 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were recorded in Korea for the first time. Morphological characteristics of workers of this species and a taxonomic key of species to the Korean Aphaenogaster are provided.

The genus Pseudoparaclius is endemic to the Afrotropical Region. Pseudoparaclius manningi sp.n. is described from the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal Province of the Republic of South Africa; a key to the nine known southern African species of Pseudoparaclius is provided. P. manningi male differs from other species of the genus in mostly brown-black femora, unmodified podomeres without remarkable setae, strongly elongated clypeus, and morphology of hypopygium. New data on the type species of the genus, P. brincki, are also given.

Seventeen species of the family Gryllidae were reviewed and a Modicogryllus sindhensis is described herein as new. Four species, namely Acheta hispanicus Rambur, 1838, Gryllus septentrionalis F. Walker, 1869, Callogryllus saeedi Saeed, 2000, and Miogryllus itaquiensis Orsini & Zefa, 2017 are recorded as new country and state records. Differences between similar species and a taxonomic key to the species of Sindh are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cylindroleberididae is a peculiar ostracod myodocopid family, characterized by the presence of gills. It accounts for over 200 species described from all bathymetric ranges and from all the world’s oceans. Nevertheless, its biodiversity is still underestimated, with each study brining new taxa to the list. As a result of recent sampling effort in seas around Korea and Japan, we report five cylindroleberid taxa. One of those is described as a new genus (Toyoshioleberis gen. nov.), and four belong to Xenoleberis Kornicker, 1994. Of the latter, three are described as new species, and one has already been reported from Japan, but is the first record for Korea. In fact, our study is also the first record of the family from this country. Having fresh samples provided an opportunity to obtain sequences of three gene markers (16S, 28S, and 18S rRNA), and, by combining those with the ones belonging to Cylindroleberididae available in GenBank, we reconstruct a molecular phylogeny with the aim to assess the position of the new taxa within the family and try to resolve the currently polyphyletic nature of some cylindroleberid taxa. The results of the phylogenetic analyses indicate the monophyly of Xenoleberis and its deep separation from Toyoshioleberis, along with distinct morphological features genetics to support our taxonomic decision. In addition, the phylogenetic results confirm that the general systematic of Cylindroleberididae should be reassessed, in particular the tribes of the subfamily Cyclasteropinae should be given a higher systematic ranking, as suggested previously based on morphology alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial patterns of genetic variation (based on COI and 16S mtDNA) for morphologically similar species in the isopod genus Nannoniscus G.O. Sars. 1870 were examined that occur broadly across the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ). Samples were obtained from five different licence areas as well as an Area of Particular Environmental Interest (APEI-6) with sites located at various distances (a few to several hundred kilometres) from one another. Applying three different species delimitation (SD) methods (sGMYC, mPTP and ABGD) of the molecular data, we could distinguish between four and 12 different molecular taxonomic operational units (MOTUs). Morphological analyses could confirm five distinct phenotypic clades that represent species new to science and are described here: Nannoniscus brenkei sp. nov., Nannoniscus hilario sp. nov., Nannoniscus magdae sp. nov., Nannoniscus menoti sp. nov. and Nannoniscus pedro sp. nov. Despite the assumed limited dispersal capacity of Nannoniscus species, we found haplotypes of two species to be geographically widespread (up to > 1400 km apart), as opposed to several divergent clades occurring in close vicinity or even sympatry. Geographic distance appeared to explain the phylogeographic structure of Nannoniscus species to some extent, although oceanographic features and level of environmental heterogeneity were probably equally important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research provides a description and illustrations for a new species from the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Cynanchum quangbinhense. The distribution, habitat, phenology and conservation assessment for the species are also presented. The new species differs from closely related species, C. ovalifolium in many characters such as leaf shape, inflorescence type, fewer and smaller flowers, colour of petals, margins of the corona, and anthers appendages shape, and differs from C. kwangsiense in having small leaves, umbellate inflorescences, triangular sepals, retuse apex of petals, and plicate margin of corona. Our discovery raises the known species of this genus in Vietnam to seven. In addition, a key to species of Cynanchum in Vietnam, and notes on morphological variation of C. officinale are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The identification of anuran amphibians is still a challenge in megadiverse assemblages. In the Neotropics, the Atlantic Forest harbors more than 600 anuran species, and many studies in this ecoregion report anuran assemblages surpassing 30 species. Taxonomic keys facilitate the identification of biological diversity, however only a few are available for anuran assemblages in the Atlantic Forest. Herein we present an identification key for 40 anuran species distributed across 20 genera and nine families, occurring in the Environmental Protection Area of Catolé and Fernão Velho, northeastern Atlantic Forest. Thirty-five morphological characteristics were used in the key, all of which can be easily observed in living and museum specimens. This pioneer study provides the first identification key for an amphibian assemblage in the northeastern Atlantic Forest and this baseline information acts as the starting point for the development of evolutionary and ecological research in this conservation unit.