Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Neotropical Thepytus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae)

The Neotropical lycaenid hairstreak genus Thepytus Robbins and its eight species are revised. Species treatments summarize nomenclature, distribution, habitat, behavior, and diagnostic traits, as well as noting why each species is considered distinct under a biological species concept. An identification key for males and a checklist are included. Beatheclus Balint & Dahners new synonym is synonymized with Thepytus, and Theppus beatrizae (Balint & Dahners) is a new combination. Other nomenclatural actions include the description of Thepytus jennifer Busby & Robbins new species. Thepytus nancyana Busby & Robbins new species, and Thepytus carmen Robbins & Duarte new species. A lectotype is designated or Thecla thyrea Hewitson, 1867, to ensure stability of this name. A phylogenetic analysis based on 22 coded morphological characters yields one equal weight most parsimonious 39-step tree. Implied weighting does not change the tree topology. Unambiguous changes in elevation optimized on the cladogram show that a montane lineage of Thepytus colonized the lowlands in at least one instance. The use of T. echelta (Hewitson) as a biological control agent for Psittacanthus (Loranthaceae) is discussed.

Rare canopy species in communities within the Atlantic Coastal Forest in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Rare species are one of the principal components of the species richness and diversity encountered in Dense Ombrophilous Tropical Forests. This study sought to analyze the rare canopy species within the Atlantic Coastal Forest in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Six different communities were examined: Dense Ombrophilous alluvial Forest; Dense sub-montane Ombrophilous Forest; Dense Montane Ombrophilous in Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira. In each area the vegetation was sampled within forty 10 x 25 m plots alternately distributed along a linear transect. All trees with DBH (1.3 m above ground level) a parts per thousand yen5 cm were sampled. The canopy was characterized using the allometric relationship between diameter and height, and included all trees with BDH a parts per thousand yen10 cm and height a parts per thousand yen10 m. A total of 64 families, 206 genera, and 542 species were sampled, of which 297 (54.8%) represented rare species (less than one individual per hectare). The percentage of rare species varied from 34 to 50% in each of the different communities sampled. A majority of these rare trees belonged to the Rosidae, and a smaller proportion to the Dilleniidae. It was concluded that there was no apparent pattern to rarity among families, that rarity was probably derived from a number of processes (such as gap formation), and that a great majority of the rare species sampled were consistently rare. This indicates that the restricted geographic distribution and high degree of endemism of many arboreal taxa justifies the conservation of even small fragments of Atlantic Forest.

A new Peruvian land planarian species of the genus Gigantea (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Geoplanidae)

A new species of Geoplaninae land planarian from south Peru, Gigantea urubambensis sp. nov., is described. The most outstanding features of the new species are the very dorsal location of the testes, between the dorsal diagonal and the supra-intestinal parenchymatic muscle layers; a penis papilla projecting from the roof of the male atrium and acentrally traversed by the ejaculatory duct; and the absence of glandular ridges on the penis papilla.

A new species of land planarian of Gigantea Ogren and Kawakatsu, 1990 (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Terricola) from Colombia, with taxonomic remarks on the genus

A new species of land planarian from Colombia, Gigantea maupoi sp. nov., is described herein. The penis papilla of the new species is provided with numerous accessory genital organs, or mgo. These mgo are of a unique morphology, consisting of a very strong barrel-shaped circular muscle coat and an underlying longitudinal one, both derived from the subepithelial musculature of the penis papilla. The central mass of each mgo contains secretions and 8-15 canalicula that open to the male atrium on the central region of the organ. Differences in structures constituting the mgo and details of the muscular systems and of the reproductive organs among the 11 Gigantea species from literature and from type material of G. bistriata (Hyman, 1962), G. chiriquii (Hyman, 1962), and G. sandersoni (Prudhoe, 1949) reexamined here show that the genus is heterogeneous.

Oxidative stress biomarkers of exposure in the blood of cichlid species from a metal-contaminated river

The oxidative stress biomarkers of exposure, such as reduced glutathione (GSH), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), were measured in the blood of three cichlid fish (Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia rendalli, and Geophagus brasiliensis) taken during two seasons from two sites, unpolluted and polluted by industrial effluents, to evaluate the effectiveness of these biomarkers in assessing the impact of water contamination. The LPO levels in the blood were higher in fish from the metal-contaminated site and the chronic exposure led to significant changes in GPx, CAT, and SOD activities in all three cichlid species. The considerable variation of responses in these cichlids to water contamination evidenced differences in sensitivity to the metal contamination and/or in the potential to respond to it highlighting the importance of using a set of related biomarkers to assess the impact of water contamination. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Phylogeography of Chelonus insularis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Two Primary Neotropical Parasitoids of the Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

In a previous study, we observed no spatial genetic structure in Mexican populations of the parasitoids Chelonus insularis Cresson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Campoletis sonorensis Cameron (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) by using microsatellite markers In the current study, we Investigated whether for these important parasitoids of the fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) there is any genetic structure at a larger scale Insects of both species were collected across the American continent and their phylogeography was Investigated using both nuclear and mitochondria] markers Our results suggest an ancient north-south migration of C insularis, whereas no clear pattern] could be determined for C sonorensis. Nonetheless, the resulting topology indicated the existence of a cryptic taxon within this later species. a few Canadian specimens determined as C. sonorensis branch outside a clack composed of the Argentinean Chelonus grioti Blanchard, the Brazilian Chelonus flavicincta Ashmead, and the rest of the C sonorensis individuals The individuals revealing the cryptic taxon were collected from Thichoplusia in (Hubner) (Lepidoptera. Noctuidae) on tomato (Lycopersicon spp) and may represent a biotype that has adapted to the early season phenology of its host. Overall, the loosely defined spatial genetic structure previously shown at a local fine scale also was found at the larger scale, for both species Dispersal of these insects may be partly driven by wind as suggested by genetic similarities between Individuals coming from very distant locations.

New eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) from banana and heliconia in Northeastern Brazil-two new genera and three new species

A new genus and new species of the mite family Eriophyidae (Phyllocoptinae), namely Cothrix erugata n. sp. et n. gen., is described from Heliconia stricta Huber (Heliconiaceae). In addition, one new genus and two new species of Diptilomiopidae, namely Rhyncadicrus asperulus n. sp. et n. gen. from banana, Musa acuminata Colla x Musa balbisiana Colla (genomic group AAB) (Musaceae) and Catarhinus granatus n. sp. from Heliconia bihai L., are described and illustrated. The mites were collected in the State of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. All were vagrants on the lower leaf surfaces of their host plants and no visible damage symptoms were observed.

A new species of Abacarus (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) damaging sugarcane, Sacharrum officinarum L., from Costa Rica-the first eriophyoid mite described with a tibial seta on leg II

A new species of eriophyoid mite, belonging in the genus Abacarus Keifer (Eriophyidae), causing damage to sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae), in Costa Rica is illustrated and described. Abacarus doctus n. sp. is the only eriophyoid species recorded so far with a tibial seta (l`) on the second pair of legs, an unexpected characteristic observed for the first time in the superfamily Eriophyoidea. Remarks on the phylogenetic and taxonomical aspects related to the presence of this seta are presented. Damage symptoms caused by this mite are presented as well as a key for Abacarus species described from sugarcane. In addition, the need to apply biosecurity procedures during sugarcane germplasm exchange to avoid dissemination of the new mite species is discussed.

Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) from fruit trees in Northeastern Brazil-a new genus, three new species and a redescription

A new genus and two new species of eriophyoid mites in the family Diptilomiopidae associated with Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae), namely Solivagus n. gen. alpha n. sp. and Davisella spondias n. sp., are described. In addition, a new species of Eriophyidae associated with Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae), namely Dichopelmus ibapitanga n. sp., is described and Aculus pitangae Boczek & Davis, also from E. uniflora, is redescribed including a description of the male, and its classification is discussed. All material studied was collected in the State of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil.

Nestmate recognition in a Neotropical swarm-founding wasp: no effect of seasonality on tolerance of alien conspecifics

Previous study revealed that the swarm-founding wasp Polybia paulista is accurately able to distinguish nestmates from non-nestmates in the summer. However, the risk of accepting alien intruders is considered to be low in winter colonies, and additionally brood production is limited in 30-40% of colonies during the winter in this species. Thus, it is expected that colonies might lower their acceptance threshold and accept some conspecific wasps from alien colonies in winter. We conducted field experiments to examine tolerance of conspecific (nestmate and non-nestmate) females in winter. In contrast to our prediction, our colonies did not accept any individuals from alien colonies. We suggest that P. paulista exhibits the colony-specific acceptance threshold in winter, and colonies that produced brood in their nests may have raised the acceptance threshold even if the risk of accepting alien intruders is low in winter.

A second known species of Eratomyia Amorim & Rindal (Diptera, Rangomaramidae, Chiletrichinae) from Colombia

A second species of the genus Eratomyia Amorim & Rindal-E. risaralda, sp. n.-is described from Risaralda, Colombia, based on one male and three females. The female of Eratomyia is described for the first time. A number of striking modifications in the female terminalia shared with Chiletricha Chandler support the hypothesis that they are sister genera within the Rangomaramidae. The position of Chiletricha and Eratomyia within the Chiletrichinae is discussed.

A new species of Almeidea (Galipeinae, Galipeeae, Rutaceae) from Eastern Brazil

A new species of Almeidea (Rutaceae) belonging to the neotropical tribe Galipeeae (subtribe Galipeinae) is described and illustrated. This new species, Almeidea albiflora, is known so far only from a few collections made in small disturbed forest remnants in the vicinity of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, in the state of Espirito Santo, and by a single collection from northern Rio de Janeiro state, both in the domain of the Atlantic Forest, Eastern Brazil. Diagnostic features, like white petals, sericeous ovary and distal secondary axes as long as the proximal ones are identified. Pollen morphology is also described, and brief discussions of the relationships of the new taxon to other species of Almeidea, as well as comments on its conservation status, are provided.

Four new species of Paraclius Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, and notes on the systematic position of Cheiromyia Dyte

Four new species of Paraclius Loew from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are described and illustrated: P. amphiatheratus, sp. nov., P. parenti, sp. nov., P. sagittatus, sp. nov., and P. dicrophallus, sp. nov. The condition of their enlarged sperm pump, also seen in the Neotropical genus Cheiromyia Dyte, is briefly discussed. Comments on the phylogenetic position of Cheiromyia are presented in light of new data from female terminalia of that genus.

Neotropical Meliponini: the genus Celetrigona Moure (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Apinae)

Three new species of Celetrigona are described: C. euclydiana sp. nov., from Acre, Brazil, C. hirsuticornis sp. nov., from Rondonia, Brazil and C. manauara sp. nov., from the northern Amazon. Additional geographic records are provided for C. longicornis (Friese, 1903), the only previously known species; its nest and the male are described and illustrated for the first time. Diagnosis and an identification key for species are provided, which are distinguished by the pattern of pilosity on the antenna.

Nest site selection by a neotropical swarm-founding wasp: seasonal alternation of nest orientation

Nest orientation in social insects has been intensively studied in warmer and cooler climates, particularly in the northern hemisphere. Previous studies have consistently shown that species subjected to these climatic conditions prefer to select mostly southern locations where the nests can gain direct sunlight. However, very little is known on nest orientation in tropical and subtropical social insects. We studied nest orientations initiated by swarms throughout a year in a Brazilian swarm-founding wasp, Polybia paulista von Ihering (Hymenoptera: Polistinae). Swarms selected various orientations as nest sites, but there was a particular trend in that swarms in the winter period (May-August) preferred to build northward-facing nests. This preference is opposite from that of social wasps observed in the northern hemisphere. Colonies of this species can potentially last for many years with continuous nesting, but nesting activities of colonies during the winter are severely limited due to cool temperature and a shortened day length. Northward-facing nests are warmer through the gain of direct solar heat during the winter period; consequently, choosing northward-facing sites may be advantageous for swarms in terms of a shortened brood development and shortened time needed to increase metabolic rates during warm-up for flight.