Biological and genetic aspects of crosses between species of the genus Meccus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae Triatominae)

The degree of reproductive isolation between Meccus phyllosomus and the remaining five species of the genus Meccus, as well as between Meccus bassolsae and Meccus pallidipennis, Meccus longipennis and Meccus picturatus, was examined. Fertility and the segregation of morphological characteristics were examined in two generations of hybrids from crosses between these species. The percentage of couples with offspring (fertile) was high in the vast majority of sets of crosses, with the exception of that between ♀M. phyllosomus and ♂Meccus mazzottii. In sets of crosses involving M. bassolsae specimens, no first-generation (F1) individuals were morphologically similar to M. bassolsae, but instead shared the morphology of the other parental species. A similar phenomenon was observed in most sets of crosses involving M. phyllosomus. These results indicated that different degrees of reproductive isolation exist among the species of Meccus involved in this study. The biological evidence obtained in this study does not support the proposal that M. bassolsae is a full species. It could indicate that, on the contrary, it should be considered a subspecies of a single polytypic species. The biological evidence does support the proposal that M. phyllosomus is a full species.

Description of the cave organ in three species of the genus Belminus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) by optical and scanning electron microscopy

The cave organ is a sensory receptor in the antenna pedicel of some Reduviidae. This paper describes this organ for the first time in three species of the genus Belminus, Belminus corredori, Belminus ferroae and Belminus herreri, by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The structures presented a general pattern similar to one reported for other species of Triatominae.

DNA multigene sequencing of topotypic specimens of the fascioliasis vector Lymnaea diaphana and phylogenetic analysis of the genus Pectinidens (Gastropoda)

Freshwater lymnaeid snails are crucial in defining transmission and epidemiology of fascioliasis. In South America, human endemic areas are related to high altitudes in Andean regions. The species Lymnaea diaphana has, however, been involved in low altitude areas of Chile, Argentina and Peru where human infection also occurs. Complete nuclear ribosomal DNA 18S, internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-2 and ITS-1 and fragments of mitochondrial DNA 16S and cytochrome c oxidase (cox)1 genes of L. diaphana specimens from its type locality offered 1,848, 495, 520, 424 and 672 bp long sequences. Comparisons with New and Old World Galba/Fossaria, Palaearctic stagnicolines, Nearctic stagnicolines, Old World Radix and Pseudosuccinea allowed to conclude that (i) L. diaphana shows sequences very different from all other lymnaeids, (ii) each marker allows its differentiation, except cox1 amino acid sequence, and (iii) L. diaphana is not a fossarine lymnaeid, but rather an archaic relict form derived from the oldest North American stagnicoline ancestors. Phylogeny and large genetic distances support the genus Pectinidens as the first stagnicoline representative in the southern hemisphere, including colonization of extreme world regions, as most southern Patagonia, long time ago. The phylogenetic link of L. diaphana with the stagnicoline group may give light to the aforementioned peculiar low altitude epidemiological scenario of fascioliasis.

The phylogeny of Simulium (Chirostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) and perspectives on the systematics of the genus in the Neotropical Region

Recently, knowledge of Neotropical Simuliidae has been accumulating quickly. However, information about supra-specific relationships is scarce and diagnoses of Simulium subgenera are unsatisfactory. To investigate the relationships among Simulium (Chirostilbia) species and test the subgenus monophyly, we performed a cladistic analysis. The ingroup included all species of this subgenus and the outgroup included representatives of the 17 species groups of Neotropical Simulium and three Holarctic species. The study was based on a data matrix with 31 terminal taxa and 45 morphological characteristics of adult, pupa and larva. The phylogenetic analysis under equal weights resulted in eight most-parsimonious trees (length = 178, consistency index = 34, retention index = 67). The monophyly of the S. (Chirostilbia) was not supported in our analysis. The Simulium subpallidum species group was closer to Simulium (Psilopelmia) and Simulium (Ectemnaspis) than to the Simulium pertinax species group. Additionally, we describe the three-dimensional shape of the terminalia of male and female of Simulium (Chirostilbia) for the first time and provide comments about the taxonomic problems involving some species of the subgenus: Simulium acarayense, Simulium papaveroi, S. pertinax, Simulium serranum, Simulium striginotum and S. subpallidum.

Genetic and morphological characterisation of a new species of the genus Hysterothylacium (Nematoda) from Paralichthys isosceles Jordan, 1890 (Pisces: Teleostei) of the Neotropical Region, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Taking into account the difficulties of taxonomic identification of larval anisakid nematodes based on morphological characters, genetic analyses were performed, together with those usually applied, in order to identify anisakid larvae found in the flounder Paralichthys isosceles from the littoral of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The analysis of 1,820 larvae revealed a new species, similar to Hysterothylacium MD, Hysterothylacium 2, Hysterothylacium KB and Hysterothylacium sp regarding the absence of the larval tooth, an excretory pore situated below the nerve ring level, and slender lateral alae. Moreover, the new species differs from Hysterothylacium fortalezae and Hysterothylacium reliquens with regard to the number and size of spines present on the tail end and from Hysterothylacium patagonicus by the absence of interlabia. The maximum parsimony and neighbour joining tree topologies based on the 18S ribosomal DNA gene, complete internal transcribed spacer region and cytochrome oxidase 2 (COII) gene demonstrated that the Brazilian larvae belong to Raphidascarididae and represent a unique genetic entity, confirmed as a new Hysterothylacium species. Furthermore, the new species presents COII genetic signatures and shares polymorphisms with Raphidascarididae members. This is the first description of a new anisakid species from Brazil through the integration of morphological and molecular taxonomy data.

Two new species and new records of biting midges of the genus Culicoides from northwestern Argentina (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The following two new species of Culicoides from the Argentinean Yungas are described, illustrated and placed to subgenus or species group and compared with related congeners: Culicoides calchaqui Spinelli & Veggiani Aybar and Culicoides willinki Spinelli & Veggiani Aybar. Culicoides daedaloides Wirth & Blanton is recorded for the first time for Argentina and Culicoides pseudoheliconiae Felippe-Bauer is firstly mentioned from the northwestern region of the country.

Revision of the myrmecophilous diapriid genus Bruchopria Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Proctotrupoidea, Diapriidae)

A redescription of the genus Bruchopria and its two species, B. hexatoma Kieffer (female and male) and B. pentatoma Kieffer (male only) is presented. New record for B. hexatoma from Argentina is provided. Some aspects of diapriid biology with emphasis on their myrmecophilic evidence and association with ants are discussed. Scanning photographs of morphological structures are included.

Review of the genus Chalcolepidius Eschscholtz, 1829 (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Agrypninae)

The genus Chalcolepidius is revised. Type specimens of 65 nominal species, except C. costatus Pjatakowa, 1941, C. fleutiauxi Pjatakowa, 1941 and C. viriditarsus Schwarz, 1906, are examined. Eighty five species are studied, of which 34 are synonymyzed and 12 new species described; three species, C. alicii Pjatakowa, 1941, C. haroldi Candèze, 1878 and C. unicus Fleutiaux, 1910, formely included in this genus, are not congeneric and are removed; C. validus Candèze, 1857 is revalidated. The genus is now formed by 63 species. Redescriptions, illustrations and a key for the examined species, and a cladistic analysis for groups of species are also included. New synonyms established: C. apacheanus Casey, 1891 = C. simulans Casey, 1907 syn. nov. = C. acuminatus Casey, 1907 syn. nov. = C. nobilis Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. approximatus Erichson, 1841 = C. aztecus Casey, 1907 syn. nov. = C. niger Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov.; C. attenuatus Erichson, 1841 = C. cuneatus Champion, 1894 syn. nov. = C. tenuis Champion, 1894 syn. nov.; C. aurulentus Candèze, 1874 = C. candezei Dohrn, 1881 syn. nov. = C. grossheimi Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov.; C. bomplandii Guérin, 1844 = C. humboldti Candèze, 1881 syn. nov.; C. chalcantheus Candèze, 1857 = C. violaceous Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov.; C. cyaneus Candèze, 1881 = C. scitus Candèze, 1889 syn. nov. = C. abbreviatovittatus Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov.; C. desmarestii Chevrolat, 1835 = C. brevicollis Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. gossipiatus Guérin, 1844 = C. erichsonii Guérin-Méneville, 1844 syn. nov. = C. lemoinii Candèze, 1857 syn. nov.; C. inops Candèze, 1886 = C. murinus Champion, 1894 syn. nov.; C. jansoni Candèze, 1874 = C. mucronatus Candèze, 1889 syn. nov.; C. lacordairii Candèze, 1857 = C. exquisitus Candèze, 1886 syn. nov. = C. monachus Candèze, 1893 syn. nov.; C. lenzi Candèze, 1886 = C. behrensi Candèze, 1886 syn. nov.; C. oxydatus Candèze, 1857 = C. jekeli Candèze, 1874 syn. nov.; C. porcatus (Linnaeus, 1767) = C. peruanus Candèze, 1886 syn. nov. = C. flavostriatus Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov. = C. herbstii multistriatus Golbach, 1977 syn. nov.; C. rugatus Candèze, 1857 = C. amictus Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. smaragdinus LeConte, 1854 = C. ostentus Casey, 1907 syn. nov. = C. rectus Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. sulcatus (Fabricius, 1777) = C. herbstii Erichson, 1841 syn. nov; C. virens (Fabricius, 1787) = C. perrisi Candèze, 1857 syn. nov.; C. virginalis Candèze, 1857 = C. championi Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. viridipilis (Say, 1825) = C. debilis Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. webbi LeConte, 1854 = C. sonoricus Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. zonatus Eschscholtz, 1829 = C. longicollis Candèze, 1857 syn. nov. New species described: C. albisetosus sp. nov. (Ecuador), C. albiventris sp. nov. (Mexico: Veracruz), C. copulatuvittatus sp. nov. (Venezuela), C. extenuatuvittatus sp. nov. (Venezuela), C. fasciatus sp. nov. (Mexico: Durango), C. ferratuvittatus sp. nov. (Ecuador), C. proximus sp. nov. (Mexico: Sinaloa), C. serricornis sp. nov. (Mexico: Veracruz), C. spinipennis sp. nov. (Mexico: Veracruz), C. supremus sp. nov. (Venezuela), C. truncuvittatus sp. nov. (Mexico: Tamaulipas) and C. virgatipennis sp. nov. (Mexico: Durango). Redescribed species: C. angustatus Candèze, 1857, C. apacheanus Casey, 1891, C. approximatus Erichson, 1841, C. attenuatus Erichson, 1841, C. aurulentus Candèze, 1874, C. bomplandii Guérin-Méneville, 1844, C. boucardi Candèze, 1874, C. chalcantheus Candèze, 1857, C. corpulentus Candèze, 1874, C. cyaneus Candèze, 1881, C. desmarestii Chevrolat, 1835, C. dugesi Candèze, 1886, C. erythroloma Candèze, 1857, C. eschscholtzi Chevrolat, 1833, C. exulatus Candèze, 1874, C. fabricii Erichson, 1841, C. forreri Candèze, 1886, C. fryi Candèze, 1874, C. gossipiatus Guérin-Méneville, 1844, C. inops Candèze, 1886, C. jansoni Candèze, 1874, C. lacordairii Candèze, 1857, C. lafargi Chevrolat, 1835, C. lenzi Candèze, 1886, C. limbatus (Fabricius, 1777), C. mexicanus Castelnau, 1836, C. mniszechi Candèze, 1881, C. mocquerysii Candèze, 1857, C. morio Candèze, 1857, C. obscurus Castelnau, 1836, C. oxydatus Candèze, 1857, C. porcatus (Linnaeus, 1767), C. pruinosus Erichson, 1841, C. rodriguezi Candèze, 1886, C. rostainei Candèze, 1889, C. rubripennis LeConte, 1861, C. rugatus Candèze, 1857, C. silbermanni Chevrolat, 1835, C. smaragdinus LeConte, 1854, C. sulcatus (Fabricius, 1777), C. tartarus Fall, 1898, C. validus Candèze, 1857, reval., C. villei Candèze, 1878, C. virens (Fabricius, 1787), C. virginalis Candèze, 1857, C. viridipilis (Say, 1825), C. webbi LeConte, 1854, C. zonatus Eschscholtz, 1829.

Description of a new genus and new species of New World Phlebotominae (Diptera, Psychodidae)

A new genus and new species of Phlebotominae, Edentomyia piauiensis (Diptera, Psychodidae) from a cave in Piauí State, Brazil, are described. This new genus belongs to Phlebotomini, but its inclusion in any subdivision of this tribe depends on further study.

The genus Agelaia Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The genus Agelaia Lepeletier 1836 belongs to the swarming genera of the Polistinae, with species distributed from Mexico to northern Argentina. Fifteen of the 31 described species are found in Brazil. Four species occur in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, two of them recorded herein for the first time. Redescriptions and a key to these species are provided.

Redescription of the genus Diopsosoma Malloch (Diptera, Periscelididae)

Diopsosoma Malloch, 1932 and its only included species, D. primum Malloch, 1932 are redescribed. While the genus is remarkable and easily recognized by its laterally elongate head that is produced into eyestalks, it is otherwise virtually unknown. To bring attention to this extraordinary fly we redescribe it within the context of brief descriptions of the family Periscelididae and subfamily Periscelidinae. We also provide an annotated key to the described genera of Periscelididae and a photographic montage of the holotype, which is perhaps the only preserved specimen of this genus and species.

A new genus and nine new species of Neotropical spittlebugs (Hemiptera, Cercopidae, Tomaspidinae)

The following new taxa of South American Cercopidae are described: Ferorhinella gen. nov., with type species Sphenorhina brevis Walker, 1851; Deois (Deois) knighti sp. nov. (Brazil), Deois (Deois) sexpunctata sp. nov. (Brazil), Deois (Pandysia) constricta sp. nov. (Brazil), Mahanarva (Ipiranga) bahiaensis sp. nov. (Brazil), Maxantonia bifurcata sp. nov. (Brazil), Neosphenorhina curvipenis sp. nov. (Brazil), Sphenorhina brevispina sp. nov. (Ecuador), Sphenorhina nigricephala sp. nov. (Ecuador), Sphenorhina minuta sp. nov. (Brazil), Tropidorhinella onorei sp. nov. (Colombia), Zuata luteofascia sp. nov. (Colombia). Ferorhinella brevis (Walker, 1851) comb. nov. In addition, descriptions are given for a new colour form of Mahanarva (M.) phantastica (Breddin, 1904) and a newly found variation in the male genitalia of Deoisella fasciata Costa & Sakakibara, 2002.

New species of the South American loxandrine genus Metoncidus Bates (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Two species are added to the previously monotypic genus Metoncidus Bates, 1871 (Carabidae, Loxandrini): M. epiphytus sp. nov. (type locality Peru: Loreto, Cocha Shinguito) and M. gracilus sp. nov. (type locality Peru: Tambopata, Madre de Dios). Information allowing identification of the genus from among other South American carabid genera and a key to adult individuals of Metoncidus species are provided.

A new genus and new species of Hyphinoini (Hemiptera, Membracidae, Darninae)

Hanstruempelia gen. nov.: H. ceresina sp. nov. (type species) (Colombia, Rio Orteguaza) and H. bitumina sp. nov. (Brazil, Rondonia) are described and illustrated. The new genus is included in Hyphinoini.

Females of Tapinotaspoides, a genus in the oil-collecting bee tribe Tapinotaspidini, collect secretions from non-floral trichomes (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Harvesting of secretions from non-floral trichomes by females of Tapinotaspoides serraticornis is reported for the first time. The females exhibit a type of mopping behavior using the fringes of long, wavy setae along the posterior margins of their metasomal sterna. Our observations indicated a wide range of host plants used as sources for these secretions, including Waltheria (Sterculiaceae), Tibouchina (Melastomataceae), Sida (Malvaceae), Jacquemontia (Convolvulaceae), and unidentified species of Commelinaceae and Cyperaceae.