Notes on social wasps of the group of Mischocyttarus(Omega) punctatus (Ducke), with description of six new species (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae)

ABSTRACTA revision of the taxonomic status and an identification key for wasp species of the genus Mischocyttarus related to M. punctatus (Ducke, 1904) are presented here. Six new species are proposed (M. tayrona Silveira sp. nov.; M. anchicaya Silveira sp. nov.; M. caxiuana Silveira sp. nov.; M. verissimoi Silveira sp. nov.; M. rodriguesi Silveira sp. nov.; M. ryani Silveira sp. nov.), raising to nine the number of species in the M. punctatus group. The highest diversity of the group concentrates in northern South America, in Andean areas and Amazonia. New information concerning the very peculiar nests of these wasps is also given.

Seven new species of Limnophora Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae) from Ecuador

ABSTRACTHere we describe seven new species of Limnophora from Ecuador: Limnophora bifasciatasp. nov. from Napo, Quito; Limnophora equatoriensissp. nov. from Zamora-Chinchipe, Zamora; Limnophora femurosetalissp. nov. from Zamora-Chinchipe, Zamora; Limnophora lamasisp. nov. from Zamora-Chinchipe, Zamora; Limnophora longivittatasp. nov. from Napo, Quito; Limnophora penaisp. nov. from Azuay, Cuenca and Limnophora polletisp. nov. from Napo, Quito. We provide an identification key for the ten recognized species of Limnophora from Ecuador, including L. marginata Stein, 1904, L. pica(Macquart, 1851) and L. saeva (Wiedemann, 1830). We also redescribed Limnophora marginata Stein, 1904, and designated designed lectotype male and paralectotypes males and females of the species.

New species of the stingless bee genus Schwarziana (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

ABSTRACT Two new species of the stingless bee genus Schwarziana from Brazil are described and illustrated. Schwarziana bocainensis sp. nov. is described from Serra da Bocaina, in São Paulo, and S. chapadensis sp. nov. is described from Chapada dos Veadeiros, in Goiás. An identification key to workers of the known species of Schwarziana is provided.

Estudi Biosistemàtic de les poblacions de Ferula communis del NE de la Península Ibèrica i de les illes Balears.

Biosystemalic study of the Ferula communis populations in NE of the Iberian Peninsula and in the Balearic Islands. this paper presents the results of a taxonomic revision of the collective species Ferula communis L. (Umbelliferae) in NE of the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands. The main goal of the research has been to characterize the Ferula communis populations in the region under study and to place them into infraspecific taxa. The proposed classification is based on morphology, anatomy, phenology, karyology and numerical taxonomy. A new taxon is described: Ferula communis L. subsp. cardonae Sanchez-Cuxart and Bernal and two new nomenclatural combinations are proposed: Ferula communis L. subsp. catalaunica (Pau) Sanchez- Cuxart and Bernal and Ferula communis L. subsp. catalaunica var. microcarpa (Cauwet-Marc) Sanchez-Cuxart and Bernal. Description, phenology and chorology for each taxon are included. Also an identification key for infraspecific taxa and a list of new localities are provided.

Feromônios de agregação em curculionidae (insecta: coleoptera) e sua implicação taxonômica

The pheromones of the weevils has been the most studied and used so far for Coleoptera species. The majority of reported weevil pheromones is produced by males and usually attract both sexes. The identified pheromone compounds are classified in two categories: ten-carbon compounds with terpenoid branching and compounds of various sizes, apparently of fatty-acid origin. These pheromone structural categories are consistent within subfamilies. This review aims to give an overview of the aggregation pheromones identified for Curculionidae pests, describing the relationship of the molecules structural pattern among subfamilies, and propose an identification key based on the structure of the pheromone components.

Brachyuran Crabs of Cochin Backwaters- Diversity, Habitat Ecology and Systematics, with special emphasis to Genus Scylla

Among the decapod crustaceans, brachyuran crabs or the true crabs occupy a very significant position due to their ecological and economic value. Crabs support a sustenance fishery in India, even though their present status is not comparable to that of shrimps and lobsters. They are of great demand in the domestic market as well as in the foreign markets. In addition to this, brachyuran crabs are of great ecological importance. They form the conspicuous members of the mangrove ecosystems and play a significant role in detritus formation, nutrient recycling and dynamics of the ecosystem. Considering all these factors, crabs are often considered to be the keystone species of the mangrove ecosystem. Though several works have been undertaken on brachyuran crabs world –wide as well as within the country, reports on the brachyuran crabs of Kerala waters are very scanty. Most of the studies done on brachyuran fauna were from the east coast of India and a very few works from the west coast. Among the edible crabs, mud crabs belonging to genus Scylla forms the most important due to their large size and taste. They are being exported on a large scale to the foreign markets like Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Kerala is the biggest supplier of live mud crabs and Chennai is the major centre of live mud crab export. However, there exists considerable confusion regarding the identification of mud crabs because of the subtle morphological differences between the species.In this context, an extensive study was undertaken on the brachyuran fauna of Cochin Backwaters, Kerala, India, to have a basic knowledge on their diversity, habitat preference and systematics. The study provides an attempt to resolve the confusion pertaining in the species identification of mud crabs belonging to Genus Scylla. Diversity study revealed the occurrence of 23 species of brachyuran crabs belonging to 16 genera and 8 families in the study area Cochin Backwaters. Among the families, the highest number of species was recorded from Family Portunidae .Among the 23 crab species enlisted from the Cochin backwaters, 5 species are of commercial importance and contribute a major share to the crustacean fishery of the Cochin region. It was observed that, the Cochin backwaters are invaded by certain marine migrant species during the Post monsoon and Pre monsoon periods and they are found to disappear with the onset of monsoon. The study reports the occurrence of the ‘herring bow crab’ Varuna litterata in the Cochin backwaters for the first time. Ecological studies showed that the substratum characteristics influence the occurrence, distribution and abundance of crabs in the sampling stations rather than water quality parameters. The variables which affected the crab distribution the most were Salinity, moisture content in the sediment, organic carbon and the sediment texture. Besides the water and sediment quality parameters, the most important factor influencing the distribution of crabs is the presence of mangroves. The study also revealed that most of the crabs encountered from the study area preferred a muddy substratum, with high organic carbon content and high moisture content. In the present study, an identification key is presented for the brachyuran crabs occurring along the study area the Cochin backwaters and the associated mangrove patches, taking into account the morphological characters coupled with the structure of third maxillipeds, first pleopods of males and the shape of male abdomen. Morphological examination indicated the existence of a morphotype which is comparable with the morphological features of S. tranquebarica, the morphometric study and the molecular analyses confirmed the non existence of S. tranquebarica in the Cochin backwaters.

Five New and Narrowly Distributed Species of Paepalanthus Section Diphyomene (Eriocaulaceae) from Central Brazil

Five new species of Paepalanthus section Diphyomene are described and illustrated: P. brevis, P. flexuosus, P. longiciliatus, P. macer, and P. stellatus. Paepalanthus brevis, similar to P. decussus, is easily distinguished by its short reproductive axis, and pilose and mucronate leaves. Paepalanthus flexuosus, morphologically related to P. urbanianus, possesses a distinctive short and tortuous reproductive axis. Paepalanthus longiciliatus, morphologically similar to P. weddellianus, possesses long trichomes on the margins of the reproductive axis bracts, considered a diagnostic feature. Paepalanthus macer shares similarities with P. amoenus, differing by its sulfurous capitula and adpressed reproductive axis bracts. Paepalanthus stellatus also has affinity with P. decussus, but possesses unique, membranaceous, reproductive-axis bracts and a punctual inner-capitulum arrangement of pistillate flowers. Four of the described species are narrowly distributed in the state of Goias, whereas P. brevis is endemic to Distrito Federal. All are considered critically endangered. Detailed comparisons of these species are presented in tables. Comments on phenology, distribution, habitat and etymology, along with an identification key, are provided.

Anchietea ferrucciae (Violaceae), a new species from the Brazilian Caatinga

A new species of Anchietea (Violaceae) is described and illustrated. Anchietea ferrucciae is characterized by its 4-carpellate ovary, small flowers and mostly, by its obovate seeds, cuneate at the base, and with a narrow, toothed wing. The new species is narrowly endemic to a very restricted area of the dry Caatinga in Bahia state (Brazil). An identification key to the species of Anchietea is provided.

Apocynaceae sensun strictum from the Mucuge Municipal Park, Bahia, Brazil, including the valid publication of two names in Mandevilla Lindl.

Apocynaceae sensun strictum from the Mucuge Municipal Park, Bahia, Brazil, including the valid publication of two names in Mandevilla Lindl. The flora of Rauvolfioideae and Apocynoideae, which together form Apocynaceae s.s., from the Mucuge Municipal Park, Chapada Diamantina, State of Bahia, Brazil, is presented. Eight species and five genera were recognized. Mandevilla is the most diverse genus, With four species: M. scabra (Hoffmans. ex Roem. & Schult.) K. Schum., M. tenuifolia (J.C. Mikan) Woodson, M. bahiensis (Woodson) M.F. Sales & Kinoshita-Gouvea, and M.microphylla (Stadelm.) M.F. Sales & Kinoshita-Gouvea, the last two are a new status and a new combination, respectively, whose names are being validly published here. The four remaining genera are each represented by one species: Couma rigida Mull. Arg., Stipecoma peltigera (Stadelm.) Mull Arg,, Temnadenia violacea (Veil.) Miers, and Himatanthus bracteatus (A. DC.) Woodson. Identification key, descriptions, comments and illustrations are presented for every species.

Nectandra Rol. ex Rottb. (Lauraceae) in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

(Nectandra Rol. ex Rottb. (Lauraceae) in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil). This paper presents the taxonomic study of the species of Nectandra from Mato Grosso do Sul. Eight species of Nectandra were identified through the morphological analyses of specimens collected in different regions from the State: N. amazonum Nees, N. cissiflora Nees, N. cuspidata Nees, N. falcifolia (Nees) J.A. Castigl. ex Mart. Crov. & Piccinini, N. gardneri Meisn., N. hihua (Ruiz & Pav.) Rohwer, N. megapotamica (Spreng.) Mez and N. psammophila Nees. Identification key, morphological descriptions, geographic distribution, habitat, fenologic aspect, taxonomic comments, and illustrations are presented.

New species of the bee genus Augochlorodes Moure (Hymenoptera, Apidae s. I., Halictinae)

Five new species of the bee genus Augochlorodes from Brazil are described and the type species, A. turrifaciens Moure, 1958, is redescribed. The new species are: A. clementis sp. nov. (from the states of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul), A. incomitatus sp. nov. (Rio Grande do Sul), A. politus sp. nov. (Parana), A. rostratus sp. nov. (Rio Grande do Sul) and A. vachali sp. nov. (Parana, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo). A discriminant function analysis using head measurements is presented to help distinguish the species. An identification key for the species is provided.

Systematics and phylogeny of Cristacoxidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida): a review

Both sexes of a new species of Noodtorthopsyllus Lang, 1965 (Harpacticoida, Cristacoxidae) from a sandy beach in Sao Paulo State (Brazil) are described using light and scanning electron microscopy. Noodtorthopsyllus tageae sp. nov. displays a mosaic of characters drawn from both Noodtorthopsyllus and Cristacoxa Huys, 1990, blurring the boundaries between both genera. Consequently, Cristacoxa, the type genus of the nominal family-group taxon Cristacoxidae Huys, 1990, is relegated to a junior subjective synonym of Noodtorthopsyllus, and its type species is transferred to the latter as N. petkovskii (Huys, 1990) comb. nov. A new genus Acuticoxa is proposed to accommodate A. ubatubaensis sp. nov. (type species), collected on the northern continental shelf of Sao Paulo State, and A. biarticulata sp. nov., previously identified as Laophontisochra sp., from the Northern Magellan Straits. Amended diagnoses are provided for Noodtorthopsyllus and Laophontisochra. Autapomorphies supporting the monophyly of the Cristacoxidae are re-evaluated, including new data on P3 endopod sexual dimorphism and caudal ramus development. It is concluded that a recently published hypothesis of a deeply rooted split of the family into two highly divergent lineages cannot be supported. Consequently, both Laophontisochra and Acuticoxa gen. nov. are removed from the Cristacoxidae and tentatively assigned to the Nannopodidae (ex Huntemanniidae), forming a clade with three other genera displaying coxal modifications on leg 1 (Rosacletodes Wells, 1985; Huntemannia Poppe, 1884; and an as yet undescribed genus from Brazil). Based on the sexual dimorphism of the P4 endopod, we propose to transfer Metahuntemannia Smirnov, 1946 and Pottekia Huys, 2009 from the Nannopodidae to the Canthocamptidae (subfamily Hemimesochrinae) where they are probably most closely related to Psammocamptus Mielke, 1975; Bathycamptus Huys & Thistle, 1989; Perucamptus Huys & Thistle, 1989; and Isthmiocaris George & Schminke, 2003. An identification key to the genera of the Nannopodidae is presented.

Contributions to the taxonomy of the Normanellidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida): description of a new genus from the Brazilian continental shelf and re-assignment of Pseudocletodes vararensis Scott & Scott, 1893 (ex Nannopodidae)

A new genus and species of Normanellidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida), Paranaiara inajae gen. et sp. nov., is described from the continental shelf off the northern coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The new genus differs from the type genus Normanella Brady, 1880 and Sagamiella Lee & Huys, 1999 in its presence of lamelliform caudal rami, a maxillulary endopod represented by 2 setae, an unarmed maxillipedal syncoxa, and reduced setation on P2 enp-2 (without outer spine) and P3 enp-2 (with only 2 inner setae). All these apomorphic character states are shared with the genus Pseudocletodes Scott & Scott, 1893, formerly placed in the family Nannopodidae (ex Huntemanniidae) and here assigned to the Normanellidae. Pseudocletodes can be differentiated from Paranaiara by the loss of the P1 endopod and of the inner seta on P2-P4 enp-1, the presence of only 2 inner setae on P2 enp-2 (instead of 3) and only 1 inner seta on P4 exp-3 (instead of 2), the presence of a second inner seta on P4 enp-2 (instead of 1), the morphology of the fifth pair of legs which are not medially fused and have only 3 endopodal elements (instead of 4) in the male, and the well developed caudal ramus seta V (instead of rudimentary). It is postulated that prehensility of the P1 endopod was secondarily lost in the common ancestor of Paranaiara and Pseudocletodes. An updated family diagnosis of the Normanellidae and a dichotomous identification key to the 22 currently valid species are presented.

Taxonomy and cladistic analysis of the subgenus Xenomorellia Malloch (Diptera: Muscidae: Morellia Robineau-Desvoidy) with description of two new species

Xenomorellia Malloch, a subgenus of Morellia Robineau-Desvoidy, is revised to include two new species, Morellia (Xenomorellia) inca Nihei and Carvalho sp. nov. from South America, and M. (X.) maia Carvalho and Nihei sp. nov. from Costa Rica and Mexico. Diagnoses for M. (X.) holti (Malloch) and M. (X.) montanhesa (Albuquerque) are provided, as well as an identification key to the four species of the subgenus. A cladistic analysis was performed to test the monophyly of Xenomorellia and to recover the phylogenetic relationships among its species. Tree searches resulted in one single most-parsimonious cladogram, wherein the monophyly of Xenomorellia is supported, as well as a sister-group relationship with the Neotropical subgenus Trichomorellia Stein. Xenomorellia was divided into two clades: one with Caribbean-Andean species (maia + inca), and another with species from southeastern South America (holti + montanhesa).

Taxonomic notes on Borgmeiermyia Townsend (Diptera,Tachinidae) with the first host record for the genus

Borgmeiermyia Townsend, 1935 is a small Neotropical genus of Tachinidae (Diptera) with four described species. Brief descriptions are given to the previously unknown females of B. brasiliana Townsend, 1935 and B. paraguayana Sehnal, 1998, and the male of B. peruana Arnaud, 1963. An identification key to the four known species is given, as well as comments on characters with intraspecific variation. Change of depository of the holotype of B. brasiliana from one institution to another is discussed and its current location is given. Also, the first host is recorded for the genus with the occurrence of B. paraguayana para-sitizing Phylloptera aff. ovalifolia Burmeister, 1839 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae).