European Journal of Taxonomy

On three species of Plexippoides Prószyński, 1984 from Southwest, China (Araneae: Salticidae)

2024-11-01T16:17:42-07:00

A new species of Plexippoides Prószyński, 1984 is described from Southwest China: P. qiui sp. nov. (♂♀). Plexippoides cornutus Xie & Peng, 1993 and P. meniscatus Yang, Zhu & Song, 2006 are re-described. The unknown female of P. cornutus Xie & Peng, 1993 is described for the first time. Diagnostic photos and a distributional map for the studied specimens of these species are provided.

Cleotychini planthoppers from Perth region in Western Australia: The new genus Femotyche gen. nov., and more… (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae)

2024-10-31T16:17:38-07:00

The new genus Femotyche gen. nov. is described to accommodate two new species from Western Australia: Femotyche kerryae sp. nov. from Perth area and Femotyche hortorum sp. nov. from York. Illustrations of male and female type specimens and a distribution map are provided. The male terminalia as well as the female terminalia, habitat, host plant and live specimens of the new species are illustrated when available. The tribe Cleotychini now contains two genera, the genus Cleotyche Emeljanov, 1997 with two subgenera and five species and the genus Femotyche gen. nov. with two species. Data are provided on an additional, undescribed genus from the same geographic area, recorded from two species known only from photographs.

Pheidole praehistorica sp. nov., a new addition to spiny ants of the genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839 (Formicidae, Myrmicinae) from Oligo–Miocene Mexican amber

2024-10-30T16:17:37-07:00

A fossil species of ant, Pheidole praehistorica sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae), is described and illustrated from the late Oligocene and early Miocene amber-bearing beds of Mexico. The type material comprises five amber inclusions from the Simojovel site in Chiapas. Pheidole praehistorica is recognized by having compound eyes positioned mesad on the head and protruded laterally from the head’s margins; pronotum long, forming a neck, with a pair of spines directed dorsolaterally; mesonotal groove deep forming a more or less U-shape concavity in lateral view; dorsal and declivitous faces of the propodeum well differentiated, comprising an approximately 90 degrees angle; propodeum with a pair of long spines; peduncle of the petiole long, as long as the spines of the propodeum. A phylogenetic analysis was also performed using Formica integroides, Camponotus chartifex, Dolichoderus spurius, Cephalotes minutus and Atta mexicana to assess the relationships of P. praehistorica with its fossil spiny congeners from Dominican amber and closely related extant species. The results show close morphological and phylogenetic affinities between the fossil ant P. praehistorica with P. primigenia and P. tethepa from Dominican amber, which may suggest that the shared spinescence character in Pheidole has a probable New World ancestry. The new record of P. praehistorica in the Oligo–Miocene strata of southernmost North America provides further evidence for the ancient distribution of spiny ants of the genus Pheidole in the New World.

A revision of the Afrotropical hover fly genus Afroxanthandrus Kassebeer, 2000 (Diptera, Syrphidae), with the description of two new species and one new synonymy

2024-10-29T16:17:35-07:00

The hover fly (Diptera: Syrphidae) genus Afroxanthandrus Kassebeer, 2000 is revised based on morphological and molecular characters. Two new species, Afroxanthandrus comorosensis sp. nov., and Afroxanthandrus conopeum sp. nov. are described, while Xanthandrus magnificus Thompson, 2019 is a new junior synonym of Afroxanthandrus congensis (Curran, 1938). We also redescribe A. congensis stat. rev. and A. longipilus stat. rev. and report additional distribution records for both species.

Three new species of Spongiopsyllus Johnsson, 2000 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Entomolepididae) associated with Aplysina cauliformis (Carter, 1882) (Porifera: Demospongiae) from Todos-os-Santos Bay, Northeastern Brazil

2024-10-28T16:17:29-07:00

Entomolepididae is a small siphonostomatoid family with a distinct shield-like body morphology, comprising 9 genera and 20 species. These genera are divided into two subfamilies, mostly based on their body segmentation, the genera with fused pedigerous somites 2 and 3 are included in the Parmulodinae subfamily, and the genera with free pedigerous somites 2 and 3 are included in the Entomolepinae subfamily. Spongiopsyllus is an endemic Entomolepinae genus, and its four known species are known only of Northeastern Brazil. This study reports three new species of this genus, all found associated with the sponge Aplysina cauliformis. The three new species share 16-segmented antennules, the position of the aesthetasc on the 14^th segment, a 2-segmented antennal endopod and 4 setae on the outer lobe of the maxillule. Spongiopsyllus athosi sp. nov. has the maxillule with 3 setae on the inner lobe, and maxilliped endopod 3-segmented with setal formula (2,1,1+claw); S. porthosi sp. nov. has the maxilliped endopod 3-segmented with setal formula (2,2,0+claw); and S. aramisi sp. nov. differs from its congeners by having the antennal exopod with 6 spinules, plus the maxilliped endopod 3-segmented with seta formula (2,1,1+claw). An updated key to the species of the family is provided.

Separation of Goniocotes Burmeister, 1838, and Dictyocotes Kéler, 1940 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera), with descriptions of four new species

2024-10-25T16:16:29-07:00

The ischnoceran louse genus Dictyocotes Kéler, 1940, has long been considered a synonym of Goniocotes Burmeister, 1838, but the genus has never been revised. Here, the relationships within and between Goniocotes and Dictyocotes are discussed, and the latter genus is resurrected from synonymy. Both genera are redescribed, and four new species of lice are described and illustrated. They are: Dictyocotes furcatus sp. nov. ex Lophophorus lhuysii Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1866; Goniocotes cacumentalis sp. nov. ex Tetraogallus tibetanus Gould, 1854; Goniocotes caoi sp. nov. ex Chrysolophus pictus (Linnaeus, 1758); Goniocotes sarissa sp. nov. ex Tragopan caboti (Gould, 1857). The altitudinal distribution of these two genera is discussed, and appears to indicate a division between a primarily low-altitude Goniocotes and an exclusively high-altitude Dictyocotes. The driving force behind this division is unknown, but unlikely to be based on host associations.

A revision of the spider genus Raveniola (Araneae, Nemesiidae). II. Species from Central Asia

2024-10-24T16:16:25-07:00

The Central Asian representatives of the spider genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 (Araneae, Nemesiidae) are revised. The genus is found to encompass 29 regional species: ♀ Raveniola afghana sp. nov. (Afghanistan), ♂♀ R. alajensis sp. nov. (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan), ♂ R. caudata Zonstein, 2009 (Tajikistan), ♂♀ R. concolor Zonstein, 2000 (India), ♂♀ R. cucullata sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♂♀ R. diluta sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♂♀ R. dolosa sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♂♀ R. fedotovi (Charitonov, 1946) (Uzbekistan), ♂♀ R. ferghanensis (Zonstein, 1984) (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan), ♂♀ R. hirta sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♂♀ R. ignobilis sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♂ R. inopinata sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♂ R. insolita sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♀ R. karategensis sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♂♀ R. kirgizica sp. nov. (Kyrgyzstan), ♂ R. kopetdaghensis (Fet, 1984) (Turkmenistan), ♂♀ R. mikhailovi Zonstein, 2021 (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan), ♂♀ R. nenilini sp. nov. (Uzbekistan), ♂♀ R. ornata sp. nov. (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan), ♂♀ R. ornatula sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♂ R. ovchinnikovi sp. nov. (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan), ♂♀ R. pallens sp. nov. (Uzbekistan), ♂♀ R. pamira sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♂♀ R. redikorzevi (Spassky, 1937) (Turkmenistan), ♀ R. sororcula sp. nov. (Tajikistan), ♀ R. tarabaevi sp. nov. (Kazakhstan), ♂♀ R. virgata (Simon, 1891), the type species of the genus (Kyrgyzstan), ♂♀ R. vulpina sp. nov. (Kyrgyzstan) and ♂♀ R. zyuzini sp. nov. (Uzbekistan). Redescriptions of eight previously described species are given, the descriptions of 21 above-listed new species are provided, and the female of R. redikorzevi is described for the first time. All mentioned species are assigned herein to four species groups (including two of them previously separated and another two newly established ones), which are confined exclusively to the region. Keys to the species groups and included species, as well as data on their variation, distribution and habitats, are provided.

On new genera and species of crack-leg spiders (Araneae, Udubidae) from Madagascar

2024-10-23T16:16:20-07:00

Two new genera, Tabiboka gen. nov. and Zorascar gen. nov., are described to accommodate five new Udubidae species from Madagascar: Tabiboka milleri gen. et sp. nov. (type species; ♂♀), T. milloti gen. et sp. nov. (♂♀), T. polotowae gen. et sp. nov. (♂♀), Zorascar pasunepipe gen. et sp. nov. (type species; ♂♀) and Z. pasunepomme gen. et sp. nov. (♀). In addition, two new species of Zorodictyna Strand, 1907 are described: Zorodictyna almae sp. nov. (♂♀) and Z. silvadavilae sp. nov. (♂♀). Uduba inhonesta Simon, 1906 is declared to be a junior synonym of Zorodictyna oswaldi (Lenz, 1891). The descriptions of the new species are complemented with a phylogenetic analysis to tentatively place them into an existing phylogenetic framework. Phylogenetic analyses based on COI and 16S rRNA genes and morphological data show that they are separate species and confirm their familial and supraspecific placement within the Udubidae. The new species are further described using high quality colored photographs, drawings, SEM and (for Zorascar gen. nov. ssp.) by the use of X-Ray micro-computed tomography to recreate virtual 3D models without destroying the original specimens. A dichotomous key to identify Malagasy Ububidae is provided. Whereas many undescribed Udubidae remain in Madagascar, the phylogenetic and generic arrangement that we present here succinctly summarizes the higher classification of Madagascar Udubidae.

Stick insects from Vietnam: The new genus Mycovartes gen. nov., with two new species and two new species of Neooxyartes Ho, 2018 (Phasmida: Lonchodidae: Necrosciinae)

2024-10-22T16:16:20-07:00

Two new species of Neooxyartes Ho, 2018 are described from Central Vietnam: N. minimus sp. nov. from Kon Ka Kinh National Park and N. neohiraseoides sp. nov. from Chu Yang Sin National Park. A new genus Mycovartes gen. nov. is described to accommodate Oxyartes vietnamensis Ho, 2018 resulting into the new combination Mycovartes vietnamensis (Ho, 2018) gen. et comb. nov. Two new species are described in the new genus: M. khoii gen. et sp. nov. from Chu Yang Sin and Ta Dung National Parks and M. montanus gen. et sp. nov. from Chu Yang Sin and Bidoup-Nui Ba National Parks. For all species, adults of both sexes, nymphs and eggs of wild and captive bred origin are described and figured. Pictures of living specimens, and distribution maps of the species of both genera are provided. The male vomer was dissected for all treated species and is described and figured. The relationship of the herein treated genera to closely related taxa is discussed and supported with recent phylogenetic studies.

An annotated type catalogue of praying mantises (Mantodea) in the Zoological Museum Hamburg (ZMH)

2024-10-21T16:16:05-07:00

With this publication we provide an updated catalogue of the type material of mantises (Mantodea) deposited in the Zoological Museum Hamburg (ZMH). We report 84 type specimens (51 holotypes, 25 paratypes and 8 syntypes) belonging to 64 species (45 valid names and 19 synonyms). Furthermore, we present high resolution illustrations for these type specimens.