An analysis of the mtCOI sequences in the species from the genus Ypsolopha Latreille, 1796 made it possible to confirm a new species for science, Y. occultatella sp. n., morphologically similar to the East Asian species Y. yasudai Moriuti, 1964. The genetic distance between the mtCOI sequences in Y. occultatella sp. n. and Y. yasudai is 0,066–0,069 (6,6–6,9 %). However, the minimal genetic distance, 0,038–0,042 (3,8–4,2 %), was determined between the mtCOI sequences of the new species and Y. blandella (Christoph, 1882), while these species differ well in the forewing pattern.
Tricholapita Gómez-Zurita and Cardoso nom. nov. is proposed as the replacement name for the leaf beetle taxon Lapita Gómez-Zurita and Cardoso, 2014, nec Bickel, 2002. Moreover, the rank of Tricholapita stat. nov. is elevated from subgenus of Taophila Heller, 1916 to generic status. Phylogenetic evidence based on mtDNA rrnS sequences and diagnostic morphological characters reveals a new species from the south of Grande Terre in New Caledonia, which is described: Tricholapita reidi sp. nov.
We collected two specimens of an undescribed species of Lygosoma from pitfall traps in an urban rainforest in Kuching and from the base of a forested hill in western Sarawak, East Malaysia. The new species is diagnosable from all south-east Asian congeners by morphological characters, and most closely resembles Lygosoma herberti from the Thai-Malay Peninsula. The new species shows substantial molecular divergence from its closest relatives in two protein-coding genes, one mitochondrial (ND1) and one nuclear (R35) that we sequenced for several south-east Asian congeners. We describe the new species on the basis of this distinct morphology and genetic divergence. It is the third species of Lygosoma known from Borneo, and highlights the continuing rise in lizard species diversity on the island. In addition, the discovery of this species from a small urban rainforest underscores the importance of preserving intact rainforest areas of any size in maintaining species diversity.
The world’s smallest moths in Lepidoptera (Insecta) and the complexity in making such a determination are examined and discussed. The forewing length and wingspan of 650 species were measured and the same data were retrieved from published papers to determine which species and family have the smallest moths in the world. The minimal recorded forewing length was found to be around 1.2–1.3 mm and the wingspan around 2.6–2.8 mm in two families, the Gracillariidae and Nepticulidae. Among Lepidoptera, the following species have the smallest moths globally: the European Johanssoniella acetosae (Stainton), the Peruvian Simplimorpha kailai Stonis & Diškus, the Mexican Stigmella maya Remeikis & Stonis, the Mediterranean S. diniensis (Klimesh), the Mediterranean Parafomoria liguricella (Klimesh) (Nepticulidae), the South East Asian Porphyrosela alternata Kumata, and the Central African P. desmodivora De Prins (Gracillariidae). Additionally, in the Nepticulidae, we provide a measurement update for Stigmella maya Remeikis & Stonis, one of the tiniest species with a forewing length of 1.3 mm and wingspan of 2.8 mm, and describe a new species, Stigmella incaica Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., with a forewing length of 1.75 to 1.95 mm and a wingspan of 3.8 to 4.3 mm.
The South American species of Desmarestia are revised using morphological features of field sporophytes and reproductive and ontogenetic characters obtained from laboratory culture of gametophytes and young sporophytes. Ten entities including a new species are recognized: D. chordalis, D. confervoides comb.nov., D. distans, D. firma, D. gayana, D. ligulata, D. muelleri sp.nov., D. patagonica, D. peruviana, and D. tropica. Although the taxa were distinguished in part using features of the life history in culture, most field thalli can be identified using morphological characters. A key to the South American species of Desmarestia is provided. Key words: culture study, Desmarestia, Desmarestia confervoides comb.nov., Desmarestia muelleri sp.nov., Phaeophyceae, South America, taxonomy.
Drosophilidae were collected from three Torres Strait islands: Thursday, Moa and Mount Adolphus.
A total of 17 species of the six genera Drosophila, Mycodrosophila, Lissocephala, Sphaerogastrella,
Microdrosophila and Leucophenga were collected, the largest island having the most diverse fauna. The
new Torres Strait records given here extend the known distributions of several Australian species and
link the ranges of other species found in Australia with south-east Asian records. A new species of
the subgenus Scaptodrosophila, Drosophila moana, is described. An unidentified taxon of the south-east
Asian nmuta subgroup, possessing entire frontal pollinosity, is also recorded.
The genus Elliptera Schiner, 1863 is represented by ten species worldwide, but immatures of only the European species E. omissa Schiner has been described so far. Molecular methods were used to associate larvae and adults for two East Asian species from South Korea. Elliptera jacoti Alexander and E. zipanguensis zipanguensis Alexander are common species in aquatic, hygropetric habitats in mountainous parts of the Korean peninsula. Elliptera mongolica Podeniene, Podenas & Gelhaus sp. nov. from Mongolia and China (Inner Mongolia) is described based on mitochondrial DNA COI gene barcode sequences and morphological characters of larvae. Larvae of all three species and pupae of E. jacoti are described and illustrated. Morphological characters of the larvae useful for discrimination of species are given. An identification key for East Asian larvae of the genus Elliptera is compiled.
Abstract—Justicia rubrobracteata, a new species from northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to J. aequilabris due to its shrubby habit, and terminal and axillary spicate inflorescences with
red flowers. However, J. rubrobracteata is differentiated mainly by the shape and color of its bracts and bracteoles as well as an orangish macula in the corolla, and a torulose capsule. In addition, J. rubrobracteata is only known from northeastern Brazil, from
the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, while J. aequilabris is widely distributed in Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. A table with the main morphological characters of both species is included, as well as photographs, a key to species of Justicia for the states of
Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte in northeastern Brazil, a distribution map of both species, and conservation data for the new species.
New species of the genus Ypsolopha Latreille, 1796 (Lepidoptera: Ypsolophidae) from the south of the Russian Far East