Revision of the Neotropical genus Carrerapyrgota Aczel (Diptera, Pyrgotidae) with the description of two new species

The Neotropical genus Carrerapyrgota Aczel is restricted to the South America (Brazil and Argentina). The genus is composed of two previously described species, which are revised herein: C. miliaria Aczel and C. personata (Lutz & Lima). Two new Brazilian species are described: C. aczeli from Sao Paulo and C. bernardii from Bahia. Illustrations of the external morphology of adults and male and female terminalia are also included. An identification key to the species is presented, as well as a brief discussion of the biology and distribution of the genus.

Male and female interactions during courtship of the Neotropical damselfly Mnesarete pudica (Odonata: Calopterygidae)

The courtship behavior in calopterygid damselflies is well documented; however, the behavior of the large Neotropical genus Mnesarete is still unknown. Thus, here we present the first description of male-female interactions in Mnesarete pudica, a common damselfly in the Neotropical Savanna. The male-female interactions were composed of courtship displays, mounting, and chasing. The courtship behavior lasted 5.23 +/- 1.65 s and is very different from other calopterygids, consisting of hovering flights and the cross display made in front of females rather than on the oviposition site. The arrival and presence of females on a male territory are not sufficient to initiate sexual interactions; the male usually interacts with the female only after a patrolling flight. The females may present three distinct behaviors in response to male approach: (a) warding off signal (31.53%), (b) escape (28.83%), (c) and wing flipping (39.64%), which seems to stimulate male courtship. Females also may sit still, which induces males to react as if females were signaling they are willing to mate. In this paper, we also suggest that male courtship behavior is mediated by female signals.

A revision of species diversity in the Neotropical genus Oreobates (Anura: Strabomantidae), with the description of three new species from the Amazonian slopes of the Andes

We revisit species diversity within Oreobates (Anura: Strabomantidae) by combining molecular phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA amphibian barcode fragment with the study of the external morphology of living and preserved specimens. Molecular and morphological evidence support the existence of 23 species within Oreobates, and three additional candidate species (Oreobates sp. [Ca JF809995], Oreobates sp. [Ca EU368903], Oreobates cruralis [Ca EU192295]). We describe and name three new species from the Andean humid montane forests of Departamento Cusco, southern Peru: O. amarakaeri New Species from Rio Nusinuscato and Rio Mabe, at elevations ranging from 670 to 1000 m in the Andean foothills; O. machiguenga, new species, from Rio Kimbiri (1350 m), a small tributary of the Apurimac River, in the western versant of Cordillera Vilcabamba; and O. gemcare, new species, from the Kosnipata Valley at elevations ranging from 2400 to 2800 m. The three new species are readily distinguished from all other Oreobates by at least one qualitative morphological character. Three species are transferred to Oreobates from three genera of Strabomantidae: Hypodactylus lundbergi, Pristimantis crepitans, and Phrynopus ayacucho (for which the advertisement call, coloration in life, and male characteristics are described for first time). Oreobates simmonsi is transferred to the genus Lynchius. Hylodes verrucosus is considered a junior synonym of Hylodes philippi. In addition, H. philippi is removed from the synonymy of O. quixensis and considered a nomem dubium within Hypodactylus. The inclusion of Phrynopus ayacucho in Oreobates extends the ecological range of the genus to the cold Andean puna. Oreobates is thus distributed from the Amazonian lowlands in southern Colombia to northern Argentina, reaching the Brazilian Atlantic dry forests in eastern Brazil, across an altitudinal range from ca. 100 to 3850 m.

Mannheimsia Beyer (Diptera: Phoridae): description of a new species, redescription of Mannheimsia stricta and studies on hypopygial morphology

Mannheimsia conica, sp. nov., is described, M. stricta redescribed and the hypopygial morphology including the phallus of all four Mannheimsia species is illustrated and discussed. A table with the different phallus terminology used in the main studies of this structure in Phoridae is presented. Uniformization of phallus terminology is suggested.

Reflections on the genus Amaga Ogren and Kawakatsu 1990, and description of a new genus of land planarian (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Geoplanidae)

Amaga amagensis, the type species of the genus Amaga, and Amaga bogotensis are re-described. Detailed analysis of the morphology of A. amagensis revealed important taxonomic features, such as testes located dorsally to the supraintestinal parenchymal muscular layer, and secretory accumulations opening through the lateral margins of the body. These characters, as well as other morphological features, are discussed, culminating in an emendation of the generic diagnosis of Amaga. Amaga bogotensis exhibits a characteristic set of morphological features, namely an eversible penis, a male atrium lined with large musculosecretory papillae, and independent muscular coats around both male and female atrium. Therefore, a new genus is proposed for this species.

Description of Two New Sand Fly Species Related to Nyssomyia antunesi (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae)

Both sexes of two new Brazilian phlebotomine sand flies of the genus Nyssomyia Barretto 1962 [= Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) sensu Barretto], Nyssomyia delsionatali n. sp. and Nyssomyia urbinattii n. sp., presenting close affinity with Nyssomyia antunesi (Coutinho), are described and illustrated. N. delsionatali n. sp was captured on the edge of a riparian Amazonian forest on the Juruena river in the northwest of Mato Grosso state and N. urbinattii n. sp in a riparian Amazonian forest on the Teles Pires river between Mato Grosso and Para states. Some measurements of both sexes of N. antunesi and illustration of the male genitalia and the female spermathecae as well as an identi_cation key for males and females of the genus Nyssomyia are provided.

Description of Rhodnius montenegrensis n. sp (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) from the state of Rondonia, Brazil

We present here a multisource approach that takes advantage of several disciplines to address a taxonomic issue. A triatomine related to Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 was recently found in the state of Rondonia, Brazil. The name Rhodnius montenegrensis n. sp. is suggested because it was found in the municipality of Monte Negro. The main differences between these two species can be detected in the female and male genitalia, but there are also noticeable differences in their eggs. Molecular analysis using PCR-RFLP technique and Bayesian inferences based on a fragment of the Cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene corroborated the morphological findings. We used this integrative approach to address the taxonomic decision for a new Rhodnius species and its relationship with others of this genus. Results obtained herein stress that morphology must be used as the major approach for obtaining phenotypic information, and molecular data should be taken as a complementary tool.

Description of the female and new records of Triatoma baratai Carcavallo & Jurberg, 2000 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, with a key to the species of the Triatoma matogrossensis subcomplex

Triatoma baratai Carcavallo & Jurberg, 2000, a species similar to Triatoma williami Galvao, Souza & Lima, 1967 and belonging to the T. matogrossensis subcomplex, was described based on a male specimen collected in a sylvatic environment, near a cave, in Bonito county, Bodoquena mountain range, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. In the present work we describe the female of T. baratai, captured in a chicken house, in Nioaque county, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Furthermore, we recorded the occurrence of T. baratai in domiciles and peridomestic environment in another four municipalities (Bodoquena, Bela Vista, Corumba, and Miranda), extending its geographical distribution. Finally, we present a key to the species of the Triatoma matogrossensis subcomplex.

Development stages of the reproductive tract of male of Panulirus echinatus Smith (Decapoda : Palinuridae)

This paper characterizes the developmental stages of the testes and vasa deferentia of the Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869 through comparisons between microscopic findings, macroscopic aspects, and gonadosomatic index (GSR). The lobsters were sampled monthly (November 1999 to October 2000) using seine nets and a total of 1716 males were obtained at Tamandare Bay. Each carapace was cut to allow evaluation of the reproductive organs; the testes and vasa deferentia were dissected, weighed, fixed in Bouin`s solution up to 12 hours and submitted for histological analysis to determine the presence and/or absence of spermatozoa. These measures, along with change in color, size, diameter, development of the spermatophores and the GSR allowed the caracterization of three development stages: immature, intermediate and ripe. In conclusion, the maturity of the testes precedes the maturity of the vasa deferentia. To evaluate if gonadosomatic relation was a good quantitative indicator of the maturity stage, t tests (alpha = 0,05) were used and verified significant difference in the averages of GSR. The statistics corroborated that GSR can be used as indicative of the developmental stages for P. echinatus.

Description of two new species of Ischyroceridae (Crustacea : Amphipoda) from the coast of Southeastern Brazil

Taxonomic descriptions and figures are provided for 2 new species of Ischyroceridae (Cerapus jonsoni sp. nov. and Notopoma fluminense sp. nov.) from samples of Southwestern Atlantic, between the latitudes 22 and 24 S. Cerapus jonsoni sp. nov. is easily distinguished from others species of the genera recorded in Atlantic Ocean by dacyli of pereopods 6 and 7 with 1 accessory spine. Notopoma fluminense sp. nov. is characterized by 5 setal teeth on outer plate of maxilla 1, only 1 accessory spine on pereopod 7 dactylus and pleopod 3 absent.

Revision of the fungus-growing ant genera Mycetophylax Emery and Paramycetophylax Kusnezov rev. stat., and description of Kalathomyrmex n. gen. (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini)

Based on the morphology of workers, gynes and males, we revise the taxonomy of nominal taxa traditionally included by authors in the fungus-growing ant genus Mycetophylax. Our results indicate that Mycetophylax Emery (Myrmicocrypta brittoni Wheeler, 1907, type species, by designation of Emery, 1913; junior synonym of Cyphomyrmex conformis Mayr, 1884 by Kempf, 1962) includes M. conformis, M. simplex (Emery, 1888), and M. morschi (Emery, 1888) new combination (formerly in Cyphomyrmex), with several synonymies. Mycetophylax bruchi (Santschi, 1916) does not belong to the same genus and is diagnosed, in addition to other characters, by a psammophore arising at the anterior margin of the clypeus. For this species we are resurrecting from synonymy Paramycetophylax Kusnezov, 1956 (Mycetophylax bruchi as type species, by original designation, with M. cristulatus as its new synonym). Myrmicocrypta emeryi Forel, 1907 is the only attine in which females lack the median clypeal seta and have the antennal insertion areas very much enlarged and anteriorly produced, with the psammophore setae arising from the middle of the clypeus and not at its anterior margin as in Paramycetophylax. Notwithstanding its inclusion in Mycetophylax by recent authors, it is here recognized as belonging to a hitherto undescribed, thus far monotypic genus, Kalathomyrmex new genus (Myrmicocrypta emeryi as its type species, here designated). We redescribe workers, gynes and males of all species in the three genera and describe for the first time gynes of Mycetophylax conformis and M. simplex, males of M. simplex and M. morschi, and gynes of P. bruchi. Furthermore we present a key to the workers of the taxa treated here (most formerly included under the name Mycetophylax), a key to workers of the Mycetophylax in the revised sense, SEM pictures and high resolution AutoMontage(C) photographs of the species, along with maps of collection records and a summary of biological observations.

Description of the larva of Potamophilops cinereus (Blanchard) from Southeastern Brazil (Coleoptera, Elmidae, Larainae)

Larvae of Potamophilops cinereus (Blanchard, 1841) from Brazil, Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Grande (Fazenda Intervales, Rio Carmo) are described for the first time and illustrated. The larvae were found associated with adults. The larva of P. cinereus is most similar to larvae of species of the Mexican and Central American genera Disersus Sharp and Hispaniolara Brown, but can be easily distinguished chiefly by the head being not visible when seen from above, due to being concealed by the anterior projection of the pronotum. Comparisons of the three genera are presented. Photographs of the adult habitus of P. cinereus are also furnished. A key to the larvae of the genera of Larainae of Brazil is included.

Revisionary studies on the enigmatic neotropical ant genus Stegomyrmex Emery, 1912 (Hymenoptera : Formicidae : Myrmicinae), with the description of two new species

The recent increase in leaf litter ants sampling effort in Neotropical wet forests has revealed new and interesting records of the highly specialized myrmicine ant genus Stegomyrmex Emery, previously considered as extremely rare. We present a modified diagnosis for the genus and describe Stegomyrmex bensoni n. sp. and S. olindae n. sp., based on, respectively, workers, males, and gyne (central-north Brazil) and on a single worker (northern Brazil). Stegomyrmex vizottoi Diniz (southeastern Brazil) is redescribed and compared with S. olindae n. sp.; these species present significant differences in size, sculpturation, and sting apparatus morphology. The males of S. vizottoi are described for the first time. A key for workers and queens and a distribution map for the five know Stegomyrmex species are provided.

A new Brazilian species of Loxandrus LeConte, 1852, with description of immatures and notes on natural history (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Loxandrini)

Loxandrus oophagus sp. nov. is described (type-locality: Uberlandia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil). Larvae, pupae and adults of the new species of the carabid beetle were collected on foam nests of the anuran Leptodactylus fuscus (Schneider, 1799) in the surroundings of Uberlandia, 18 degrees 55S, 48 degrees 17W (Brazil, Minas Gerais), at 750 m altitude. The new species is compared with the similar Loxandrus quinarius Will & Liebherr, 1997, only known from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, differing by the morphology of tarsomeres. Larvae prey on anuran eggs. Description of the immatures and the natural history of the species are provided. The larva differs from the known larvae of Loxandrus species mainly by being eruciform, glabrous and depigmented, its small head and legs, and the lack of stemmata and urogomphi, representing an unusual last instar type among the Carabidae.

Revision of the Neotropical robber fly genus Cnodalomyia Hull (Diptera, Asilidae, Asilinae) with description of two new species from Brazil

The genus Cnodalomyia includes only two Brazilian species: C. obtusa Hull, 1962 and C. catarinensis Lamas and Mellinger, 2008. Studying material deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo (MZUSP), the authors found a long series of unidentified specimens of the genus, some of which are specimens of C. obtusa labelled with the same data as the type series as well as other specimens from different localities, representing an enlargement of the known geographic records of the species. This material, together with the types of C. catarinensis, enables this revision. A redescription of the genus and of its type species, C. obtusa, including descriptions and illustrations of its spermathecae and egg, until now never described, the description and illustration of two new species (C. artigasi sp. nov. and C. papaveroi sp. nov.), the diagnosis and egg description of C. catarinensis and an identification key to all included species are presented herein.