[Most Recent Entries] [Calendar View]
Thursday, November 28th, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||
| 3:09a | [Entomology • 2024] Evolution of Leafcutter Ant Myrmecophiles: Hamotus heidiae, A New symbiont of Acromyrmex Colonies with undetectable hydrocarbons (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)
Abstract Colonies of Atta and Acromyrmex leafcutter ants provide niches for diverse insect species, but few such organisms have evolved obligate myrmecophilous associations inside host colonies. We report a remarkable pselaphine rove beetle myrmecophile, Hamotus heidiae sp. nov., discovered in galleries of Acromyrmex histrix Latreille in lowland tropical rainforest within Tambopata National Reserve, Peruvian Amazonia. Presence of adults and putative larvae inhabiting the central nest implies an obligate relationship, with development of the beetle likely occurring inside the colony environment. Phylogenetic analysis of four genomic loci confirms that H. heidiae is a morphologically derived member of the New World Hamotus-generic complex and is tentatively placed into Hamotus Aubé on morphological grounds. The new species is phylogenetically distant to the genus Attapsenius Bruch—previously, the only pselaphine taxon known with certainty to be an obligate myrmecophile of leafcutter ants. Both H. heidiae and Attapsenius emerge from a newly recognized “Tyrine-group” within Pselaphinae—a major radiation that includes multiple independent origins of myrmecophily and termitophily. We were unable to detect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) on the body surface of H. heidiae adults. Chemical insignificance may form part of the strategy that this myrmecophile, and possibly other pselaphines, employ to infiltrate host colonies. Keywords: Pselaphinae, Myrmecophily, Cuticular hydrocarbons, Leafcutter ants, Chemical ecology, Evolution    Hamotus heidiae Parker, new species Etymology: The new species is named in honor of Dr Heidi Kay Parker, for her scientific intuition, expertise, and accomplishments, her passion for and deep knowledge of the biological world, and for her love, support, and encouragement of the first author’s interest in beetles.  J. Parker, M. Maruyama, T. Okamoto, T. R. Schultz and M. Alvarado. 2024. Evolution of Leafcutter Ant Myrmecophiles: Hamotus heidiae, A New symbiont of Acromyrmex Colonies with undetectable hydrocarbons (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae). Insectes Sociaux. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s00040-024-01005-x x.com/InsSociaux/status/1857339907527630987 | ||||
| 3:59a | [Entomology • 2023] Salassa sunwukongi • A New Species and A New Group of Salassa Moore, 1859 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) with a molecular study based on partial COI
Abstract Salassa is a genus of the family Saturniidae. It comprises over 30 species that are widely distributed in Asia. This study describes a new species, Salassa sunwukongi sp. nov., found in Chinese Yunnan province. The first molecular study of Salassa was conducted using COI fragments. Molecular and morphological analyses revealed the presence of a monophyletic group, royi-group, distributed in the Himalayas. A key to members of the royi-group, along with species lists and distinguishing characteristics of all three groups of Salassa, is provided. Lepidoptera, Salassinae, giant silk moth, systematics, taxonomy
 Salassa sunwukongi sp. nov. Distribution. China: Yunnan Province. Etymology. The new species was named after Sun Wukong, the Monkey King in Chinese Mythology, for the diverse colours and monkey-face-like pattern in the hindwing of the new species. Xuhongyi ZHENG and DONG WANG. 2023. Description of A New Species and A New Group of Salassa Moore, 1859 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) with a molecular study based on partial COI. Zootaxa. 5375(2); 285-296. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5375.2.10 facebook.com/LeslieLin9562/posts/7213681108650789 | ||||
| 10:20a | [Entomology • 2024] Plutella copaquillaensis • A New Species of Plutella Schrank (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from the Andes of northern Chile
Abstract Background: The moth genus Plutella Schrank, 1802 (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) includes 26 described species. In addition to the diamondback moth, P. xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758), which is an important and widely distributed pest of cruciferous crops, only two species have been previously recorded in Chile, both with distribution ranges restricted to the southern temperate rainforests. New information: Plutella copaquillaensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated, based on adults reared from larvae collected on Neuontobotrys lanata (Walp.) Al-Shehbaz (Brassicaceae) in the arid highlands of the Andes of northern Chile. The new species resembles P. xylostella in wing pattern, but clearly differs in genitalia morphology. Keywords: arid environments, diamondback moth, Neotropical Region, taxonomy, South America
Plutella copaquillaensis Vargas, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Plutella copaquillaensis sp. nov. is recognised. based on genitalia morphology. The male lacks a gnathos and basal hook-like processes of the phallus ("lateral hooks" of Baraniak (2007)), has a triangular juxta and a cluster of spiniform setae on the sacculus near the convex part of the ventral margin of the valva and the female has the posterior projection on sternum VII arising between two small excavations. The forewing pattern of P. copaquillaensis sp. nov. is variable and closely resembles that of P. xylostella (Landry and Hebert 2013; figs. 10–16). Although the forewing of some specimens of P. copaquillaensis sp. nov. is more yellowish than that of P. xylostella, much of the variation overlaps between the two species. However, differences in genitalia morphology allow ... Héctor A. Vargas. 2024. A New Species of Plutella Schrank (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) from the Andes of northern Chile. Biodiversity Data Journal. 12: e139664. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.12.e139664 | ||||
| 3:06p | [Ichthyology • 2024] Indoreonectes amrabad, I. kalsubai & I. radhanagar • Three New Species of Hill Stream Loach Genus Indoreonectes (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from peninsular India
Abstract Fishes of the genus Indoreonectes (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) are widely distributed and endemic to the peninsular India. An integrative taxonomic approach-based study including morphology, geography, genetic distance and mt Cytb genebased molecular phylogenetic analysis resulted in the description of three new species of Indoreonectes namely, I. amrabad sp. nov. from the Eastern Ghats, whereas I. kalsubai sp. nov. and I. radhanagari sp. nov. from the northern Western Ghats. Overall, species diversity of the genus has increased from five species to eight species in peninsular India, wherein six species are known from the Western Ghats and two species from the Eastern Ghats. We also provide DNA analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence to support the distinction of the new species. Keywords: Eastern Ghats, Freshwater Fish, Indoreonectes, Taxonomy, Western Ghats
Indoreonectes amrabad sp. nov. Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the name of the type locality, ‘Amrabad Tiger Reserve’, a protected area in the state of Telangana. The species epithet is a noun in apposition to the generic name. Indoreonectes kalsubai sp. nov. Etymology:The specific epithet is derived from the name ‘Kalsubai’, one of the highest mountain peaks in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, which also comprises the type locality. The species epithet is a noun in apposition to the generic name. Indoreonectes radhanagari sp. nov. Etymology: The specific epithet is named after ‘Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary’, the type locality for the species and a protected area in Maharashtra. The species epithet is a noun in apposition to the generic name. Shrikant Jadhav, M. Karuthapandi, Deepa Jaiawal, C. Shiva Shankar, K. P. Dinesh, C. Raghunathan and Dhriti Banerjee. 2024. Three New Species of Hill Stream Loach Genus Indoreonectes (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from peninsular India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 124(1); 11-24. DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v124/i1/2024/172675 | ||||
| 3:06p | [Ichthyology • 2024] Parauchenoglanis dolichorhinus, P. megalasma, P. poikilos, ... • Nine in One: Integrative Taxonomic Evidence of Hidden Species Diversity in the widespread Zambezi Grunter, Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (Siluriformes: Auchenoglanididae),
Abstract The Zambezi grunter, Parauchenoglanis ngamensis, is currently distributed across four (sub)basins in southern and south-central Africa, namely the Okavango, upper Zambezi, Kwanza, and Kasai. The present study used a combination of molecular (barcoding), colour pattern, and other morphological data to explore the possible existence of hidden species diversity within this species. Based on the available samples, analyses of molecular data uncovered seven well-supported (.96–1.00 Bayesian posterior probabilities) candidate species, with 1.6%−8.5% genetic divergence between them. These, in addition to two more candidate species without genetic data, exhibited a combination of consistent colour pattern and other morphological differences that supported their distinction. The present study redescribes P. ngamensis, which is confined to the Okavango and upper Zambezi (sub)basins, and describes eight new species: two from the Kwanza Basin and six from the Kasai sub-basin. The fact that some of the species occur allopatrically, whereas others are sympatric and even syntopic indicates the complex palaeogeographical history of these basins. In addition, the high species diversity discovered in the Kasai sub-basin seems to be related to its highly peculiar hydrography. Accurate delimitation of species boundaries and mapping of their distribution is crucial for conservation assessments and guiding their protection. allopatric speciation, barcoding, catfish, colour pattern, conservation  A. Parauchenoglanis patersoni This species is named in honour of Dr. Angus Paterson, who was the Managing Director of the NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) the time this paper was accepted. The name acknowledges Dr. Paterson’s dedication to developing taxonomic expertise and advancing ichthyological research in the poorly explored regions of southern Africa. B. Parauchenoglanis ernstswartzi This species is named in honour of Dr. Ernst Swartz, recognising his significant contributions to ichthyology, including the collection of specimens used in this study. Dr. Swartz’s pioneering exploration of the Kwanza and Kasai basins was instrumental in the discovery of several new species.  C. Parauchenoglanis dolichorhinus The name ‘dolichorhinus’ is derived from the Greek words “dolichos” meaning “long,” and “rhinus” meaning “snout”. This name refers to the notably long snout of this species compared to others in the P. ngamensis group. D. Parauchenoglanis poikilos The name of this species is derived from the Greek adjective “poikilos,” which means “spotted”. The numerous distinctive spots along its body are a key characteristic of its identification. E. Parauchenoglanis megalasma The name of this species is derived from the Greek words “mega” meaning “large,” and “melasma” meaning “black spot”. It refers to the prominent, large black blotches along its lateral line.  G. Parauchenoglanis lueleensis The suffix “-ensis” means “lives in” and refers to the Luele River in the Kasai sub-basin, where this species is found. H. Parauchenoglanis luendaensis Named after the Luenda River in the Kasai sub-basin, this species also carries the suffix “-ensis,” indicating the region it inhabits. I. Parauchenoglanis chiumbeensis This species is named after the Chiumbe River, which is also located in the Kasai sub-basin. The name acknowledges the region as the habitat of this newly identified species. Yonela Sithole, Emmanuel J W M N Vreven, Pedro H N Bragança, Tobias Musschoot, Albert Chakona. 2024. Nine in One: Integrative Taxonomic Evidence of Hidden Species Diversity in the widespread Zambezi Grunter, Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (Siluriformes: Auchenoglanididae), from southern and south-central Africa. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 202(3); zlae121. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae121 saiab.AC.za Unveiling New Species: How Eight New Catfish Species Were Named  |
| << Previous Day |
2024/11/28 [Calendar] |
Next Day >> |