Microtus tatricus occurs in the Carpathian Mountains of Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine and Romania – a list of current distribution records is given. The species’ distribution range is insular on the scale of its entire distribution and fragmented within each mountain range inhabited. The overall altitudinal range is 650–2350 m a.s.l., with the largest number of collecting sites situated between 1100–1700 m a.s.l. The total range size of M. tatricus was estimated as 840 km2 and the total population size at between 200,000–250,000 individuals. A possible reduction in the species’ distribution range is discussed.
The subfamily Metriorrhynchinae is the most species-rich clade of Lycidae (Coleoptera). A recent proposal suggests that the Erotinae is a sister group of the Metriorrhynchinae. Within the Metriorrhynchinae, evidence is presented for the monophyly of the Conderini and Metriorrhynchini and their sister group position. The Trichalina, Hemiconderina and Metriorrhynchina form the tribe Metriorrhynchini. The relationships between the basal lineages of this group are poorly understood. Several clades are distinguished within the Metriorrhynchina, but there is only weak evidence supporting a relationships between them. The distribution of individual clades is discussed. Carathrix Kleine, 1926 (= Pseudodontocerus Pic, 1921), Dilolycus Kleine, 1926 (= Metriorrhynchus Gemminger et Harold, 1869), Flabelloporrostoma Pic, 1923 (= Metriorrhynchus Gemminger et Harold, 1869), Rossioptera Kasantsev, 1988 (= Xylobanellus Kleine, 1930), Samanga Pic, 1921 (= Broxylus C.O. Waterhouse, 1879), Strophicus C. O. Waterhouse, 1879 (= Enylus C.O. Waterhouse, 1879), and Tapromenoeus Bocak et Bocakova, 1989 (= Prometanoeus Kleine, 1925) are proposed as junior synonyms. Pseudosynchonnus Pic, 1922 is transferred to the Erotinae (Taphini) and Pseudosynchonnus Pic, 1922, Protaphes Kleine, 1926, and Parapyropterus Kleine, 1926 are proposed to be junior subjective synonyms of Lycoprogenthes Pic, 1915. Redescriptions of Metriorrhynchinae genera and a key to genera are provided.
Variation in genome size in a particular taxonomic group can reflect different evolutionary processes including polyploidy, hybridization and natural selection but also neutral evolution. Using flow cytometry, karyology, ITS sequencing and field surveys, the causes of variation in genome size in the ecologically and morphologically diverse high-Andean genus Lasiocephalus (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) were examined. There was a 1.64-fold variation in holoploid genome size (C-values) among 189 samples belonging to 20 taxa. The most distinct was a group of plants with large genomes corresponding to DNA triploids. Disregarding the DNA triploids, the remaining samples exhibited a pronounced (up to 1.32-fold) and rather continuous variation. Plants with the smallest genomes most likely represent intergeneric hybrids with the closely related and sympatric Culcitium nivale, which has a smaller genome than Lasiocephalus. The variation in genome size in samples of diploid Lasiocephalus was strongly correlated with several environmental and life history traits (altitude, habitat and growth form). However, all these factors, as well as genome size itself, were correlated with phylogeny (main split into the so-called ‘forest’ and ‘páramo’ clades), which most probably represents the true cause of the differentiation in intrageneric genome size. In contrast, relationships between genome size and phylogeny were not apparent at lower divergence levels. Instead, here we suggest that ecological conditions have played a role in driving shifts in genome size between closely related species inhabiting different environments. Collectively, this study demonstrates that various evolutionary forces and processes have shaped the variation in genome size and indicates that there is a need for multi-approach analyses when searching for the causes and consequences of changes in genome size.
The organization and development of ovaries in representatives of two families (Putoidae and Monophlebidae) of scale insects are described. Developing ovaries of Puto albicans McKenzie, 1967 and Crypticerya morrilli (Cockerell, 1914) consist of numerous clusters of cystocytes that are arranged in the form of rosettes. At the end of the last nymphal instar these clusters start to protrude from the interior of the ovary into the body cavity and the ovarioles begin to be formed. The ovary of a young female is composed of about 200 spherical telotrophic ovarioles devoid of terminal filaments. The ovarioles of C. morrilli contain 8 germ cells (7 trophocytes and a single oocyte). From 25 to 45 germ cells (23-43 trophocytes and 2 or 3 oocytes) occur in the ovarioles of P. albicans. An ovariole of an adult female is subdivided into a trophic chamber (tropharium), vitellarium and ovariolar stalk (pedicel). At each stage of development, the ovaries are accompanied by large cells (termed bacteriocytes) that contain endosymbiotic microorganisms. The organization of the ovary in P. albicans is more similar to that in archaeococcoid scale insects than in neococcoid taxa. In contrast, the number of germ cells per ovariole in C. morrilli is not typical of other archaeococcoids, but resembles the derived condition seen in other iceryine taxa. The classification and phylogeny of scale insects are discussed in the light of these results.
Ant-like stone beetles (Coleoptera: Scydmaenidae) include more than 4,850 described species in about 90 genera maintained as a separate cosmopolitan family since 1815. Recent authors have hypothesised that Scydmaenidae might be rooted deep inside rove-beetles (Staphylinidae). To test this hypothesis we analysed 206 parsimoniously informative larval and adult morphological characters scored for 38 taxa. Strict consensus topologies from the shortest trees in all 12 analyses consistently placed Scydmaenidae as sister to (Steninae + Euaesthetinae) in a monophyletic Staphylinine Group (with or without Oxyporinae). The single fully resolved and most consistently supported topology maintains a monophyletic Staphylinine Group consisting of Oxyporinae + (Megalopsidiinae + (("Scydmaenidae" + (Steninae + Euaesthetinae)) + (Leptotyphlinae + (Pseudopsinae + (Paederinae + Staphylininae))))); Solierius lacks larval data and is ambiguously placed within the Group. Eight analyses of variably aligned 18S rDNA data for 93 members of Staphylinoidea under parsimony, neighbour-joining and Bayesian approaches were markedly inconsistent, although partly congruent with the Scydmaenidae + (Steninae + Euaesthetinae) hypothesis. Our results strongly suggest that ant-like stone beetles do not form an independent family, but are morphologically modified members of Staphylinidae and, consequently, should be treated as a 32nd recent subfamily within the megadiverse Staphylinidae sensu latissimo. Formal taxonomic acts are: Scydmaeninae Leach, 1815, status novus (= Scydmaenidae Leach, 1815); Scydmaenitae Leach, 1815, status novus (= Scydmaeninae Leach, 1815); Mastigitae Fleming, 1821, status novus (= Mastiginae Fleming, 1821); Hapsomelitae Poinar & Brown, 2004, status novus (= Hapsomelinae Poinar & Brown, 2004). The family Staphylinidae sensu latissimo becomes the largest in Coleoptera and in the whole of the Animal Kingdom, with 55,440 described species (extant plus extinct), thus surpassing Curculionidae with an estimated 51,000 described species.
First instar larvae of Polystoechotidae sp., and first and older instar larvae of Ithone fusca Newman and Oliarces clara Banks are described; those of the latter species for the first time. The family Ithonidae is unique in Neuroptera in having grub-like C-shaped older instar larvae. Potential morphological synapomorphies of mature larvae of Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae are the mandibles with exceptionally broad base and markedly thickened apical part; antennal curvature is fixed and rather characteristic in shape; ocular area reduced or absent; cardo and stipes are markedly enlarged with stipes much larger than the cardo; presence of gula (Polystoechotes) or some traces of gular sclerotisation (Ithone, Oliarces). Larvae of Ithone have numerous larval autapomorphies such as C-shaped first instar larva with reduced abdominal segments IX and X; fused tibia and tarsus on all legs and dorsally directed maxillae. Larvae of Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae have some similarities with those of the family Dilaridae, such as no or one pair of stemmata; body not flattened dorso-laterally; mesothoracic spiracle located on fold between prothorax and mesothorax; short and stout mandibles widened at base and tapered apically; robust and elongated fore legs; tarsi on all legs markedly shortened; more than three larval instars. Older instar larvae of Ithonidae are markedly similar to those of the beetle superfamily Scarabaeoidea in having a C-shaped body, at least in older instars; body round in cross-section; sclerites on thorax and abdomen reduced and body surface membranous; each thoracic and abdominal segment subdivided dorsally into two or three fleshy lobes; ventral surface of abdominal apex bears a field of short and stout setae. Chaetotaxy pattern in first instar Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae larvae suggests that it is possible to homologise the sensilla in different genera and provide a system of sensilla designation for Neuroptera larvae. This study is illustrated with 36 morphological drawings.
The riffle beetle genus Hedyselmis Hinton, 1976 includes two species from the Malay Peninsula, with adults with a highly deviating morphology. Its phylogenetic relationships are unclear, although it has been hypothesized to be related to Graphelmis Delève, 1968, a large genus widely distributed in the Oriental and East Palaearctic regions. In this paper the larva of H. opis Hinton, 1976 is described based on material collected in the Cameron Highlands (Malaysia) and the conspecificity with co-existing adults tested using sequences of one nuclear (5' end of 18S rRNA) and three mitochondrial gene fragments (5' end of the large ribosomal unit + tRNAleu + 5' end of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1; 5' end of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; and a fragment of cytochrome b) with a total of ca. 2,600 bp. This is the first example of the use of molecular data to match different life stages within the family Elmidae. The larva of H. opis has a subcylindrical body typical of many other elmid genera; abdominal segments 1-7 with preserved pleura; and ninth segment with oval operculum. The last instar larvae have clearly visible prominent spiracles on mesothorax and abdominal segments 1-8. The phylogenetic position of Hedyselmis in relation to Graphelmis was investigated using molecular data for three species of Graphelmis plus a selection of other Elmidae genera. Hedyselmis opis is nested within Graphelmis, confirming their close relationship and suggesting that their status requires taxonomic revision.
One thousand three hundred seventy three fish specimens of eight different species from the vicinity of Kyiv, Ukraine, were examined for the presence of trypanosomes and 921 individuals were found to be infected. The prevalence of infection ranged from 24% in freshwater bream, Abramis brama (Linnaeus), to 100 % in spined loach, Cobitis ''taenia'' Linnaeus. The level of parasitaemia also varied significantly between generally mild infections in pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus), and heavy ones in C. ''taenia''. In most cases the infections with trypanosomes were asymptomatic. Cases of co-infection with species of Trypanoplasma Laveran et Mesnil, 1901 were documented for five out of eight examined host species. Molecular analysis of the 18S rDNA sequences revealed that four hosts, namely northern pike, Esox lucius Linnaeus, freshwater bream, spined loach and European perch, Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, were simultaneously infected with two different trypanosome species. Our findings advocate the view that to avoid the risk posed by mixed infections, subsequent molecular taxonomic studies should be performed on clonal lines derived from laboratory cultures of fish trypanosomes.
The detailed external morphology and general anatomy of the majority of families and subfamilies of Poduromorpha were investigated and compared. This examination was done in relation to the three remaining orders of Collembola: Entomobryomorpha, Symphypleona and Neelipleona. Within Poduromorpha, homologies among the different families and subfamilies are established for general chaetotaxy, and chaeotaxy of head, buccal cone, sensilla of fourth antennal segment, anal valves and tibiotarsus. A consistent and comprehensive nomenclature is proposed for these morphological features unifying those applied in scattered existing studies. Observations on first instars are reported. Comparison of first instars and adult chaetotaxy suggests a possible paedomorphic trend in the evolution of Poduromorpha.