Eleven New Nearctic Species of Sciophila Meigen Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Mycetophilidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Taber
Keyword(s):  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya K Matsumoto ◽  
Muneto Hirobe ◽  
Masahiro Sueyoshi ◽  
Yuko Miyazaki

Abstract Background and Aims Interspecific difference in pollinators (pollinator isolation) is important for reproductive isolation in flowering plants. Species-specific pollination by fungus gnats has been discovered in several plant taxa, suggesting that they can contribute to reproductive isolation. Nevertheless, their contribution has not been studied in detail, partly because they are too small for field observations during flower visitation. To quantify their flower visitation, we used the genus Arisaema (Araceae) because the pitcher-like spathe of Arisaema can trap all floral visitors. Methods We evaluated floral visitor assemblage in an altitudinal gradient including five Arisaema species. We also examined interspecific differences in altitudinal distribution (geographic isolation) and flowering phenology (phenological isolation). To exclude the effect of interspecific differences in altitudinal distribution on floral visitor assemblage, we established 10 experimental plots including the five Arisaema species on high- and low-altitude areas and collected floral visitors. We also collected floral visitors in three additional sites. Finally, we estimated the strength and contribution of these three reproductive barriers using the unified formula for reproductive isolation. Key Results Each Arisaema species selectively attracted different fungus gnats in the altitudinal gradient, experimental plots, and additional sites. Altitudinal distribution and flowering phenology differed among the five Arisaema species, whereas the strength of geographic and phenological isolations were distinctly weaker than those in pollinator isolation. Nevertheless, the absolute contribution of pollinator isolation to total reproductive isolation was weaker than geographic and phenological isolations, because pollinator isolation functions after the two early-acting barriers in plant life history. Conclusions Our results suggest that selective pollination by fungus gnats potentially contributes to reproductive isolation. Since geographic and phenological isolations can be disrupted by habitat disturbance and interannual climate change, the strong and stable pollinator isolation might compensate for the weakened early-acting barriers as an alternative reproductive isolation among the five Arisaema species.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1546
Author(s):  
Marta Budziszewska ◽  
Patryk Frąckowiak ◽  
Aleksandra Obrępalska-Stęplowska

Bradysia species, commonly known as fungus gnats, are ubiquitous in greenhouses, nurseries of horticultural plants, and commercial mushroom houses, causing significant economic losses. Moreover, the insects from the Bradysia genus have a well-documented role in plant pathogenic fungi transmission. Here, a study on the potential of Bradysia impatiens to acquire and transmit the peanut stunt virus (PSV) from plant to plant was undertaken. Four-day-old larvae of B. impatiens were exposed to PSV-P strain by feeding on virus-infected leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana and then transferred to healthy plants in laboratory conditions. Using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and digital droplet PCR (RT-ddPCR), the PSV RNAs in the larva, pupa, and imago of B. impatiens were detected and quantified. The presence of PSV genomic RNA strands as well as viral coat protein in N. benthamiana, on which the viruliferous larvae were feeding, was also confirmed at the molecular level, even though the characteristic symptoms of PSV infection were not observed. The results have shown that larvae of B. impatiens could acquire the virus and transmit it to healthy plants. Moreover, it has been proven that PSV might persist in the insect body transstadially. Although the molecular mechanisms of virion acquisition and retention during insect development need further studies, this is the first report on B. impatiens playing a potential role in plant virus transmission.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4319 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
WERNER MOHRIG ◽  
ELLEN KAUSCHKE

In the Nearctic region the genus Eugnoriste includes 7 species currently. Four of them are new to science. These are Eugnoriste brachycostalis sp. n., Eug. florea sp. n., Eug. hirsuta sp. n. and Eug. ptilosis sp. n. The male of Eug. brevirostris Coquillett, which has been unknown until now, was identified and described herein. Moreover, an additional description and figures were given for Eug. occidentalis Coquillett. Eugnoriste villosoabdominalis Mohrig is reported as new for North America. The genus Keilbachia includes three species in the Nearctic region presently. Two of them are new to science. These are Keilbachia americana sp. n. and K. semiacuta sp. n.        All species presented here were diagnosed, keyed and illustrated by figures as well as data of their distribution provided. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 856 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOSTEIN KJÆRANDSEN

The collections of fungus gnats by Johan Wilhelm Zetterstedt (1785–1874), lodged in the Museum of Zoology in Lund, Sweden, are examined for all species belonging in the tribe Exechiini Edwards. The majority of the material was collected in Fennoscandia, mainly in Sweden, in the first half of the 19 th century. Altogether 37 species of the tribe Exechiini could be safely identified. Three additional species are strongly indicated to be present in the collections, but could not be identified with certainty, viz. Allodia (Brachycampta) alternans (Zetterstedt, 1838), Cordyla murina Winnertz, 1863 and Stigmatomeria crassicornis (Stannius, 1831). Some of Zetterstedt's types have been erroneously synonymized and misinterpreted in modern literature. Hence, illustrations of terminalia are presented for all recognizable Exechiini types described by Zetterstedt. In order to preserve nomenclatural stability a lectotype is selected for Brevicornu griseolum (Zetterstedt, 1852) sensu auctore nec Edwards, and a neotype is selected for Allodia (Brachycampta) alternans (Zetterstedt, 1838). Two species names are reinstated, viz. Brevicornu canescens (Zetterstedt, 1852) sp. restit. stat. n. and Notolopha brachycera (Zetterstedt, 1838) sp. restit. stat. n. Two new synonyms are established, viz. Notolopha brachycera (Zetterstedt, 1838) = Allodiopsis (Notol- opha) tuomikoskii Zaitzev & Maximova, 2000 syn. n., and Brevicornu griseolum (Zetterstedt,1852) = Brevicornu boreale (Lundström, 1914) syn. n. All type specimens of Brevicornu fusculum (Zetterstedt, 1838) have lost their abdomens. No material of Exechia parvula (Zetterstedt, 1852) or Cordyla canescens Zetterstedt, 1852 could be located in the collections. Although the type material of Exechia parvula probably is lost, the name is still valid as a junior synonym for Mycetophila nana Staeger, 1840 since Mycetophila nana Staeger, 1840 is a junior primary homonym of Mycetophila nana Macquart, 1826. Cordyla canescens has been made a junior synonym for Stigmatomeria crassicornis (Stannius, 1831). The identity of Brevicornu fusculum is highly uncertain and the name must remain as a nomen dubium. Eleven species are reinstated or correctly reported from Sweden for the first time: Allodia (Allodia) tuomikoskii Hackman, 1971, Allodia (Allodia) zaitzevi Kurina, 1998, Allodiopsis rustica (Edwards, 1941), Brevicornu canescens (Zetterstedt, 1852), Brevicornu nigrofuscum (Lundström, 1909), Exechiopsis (Xenexechia) crucigera (Lundström, 1909), Pseudexechia aurivernica Chandler, 1978, Notolopha brachycera (Zetterstedt, 1852) Synplasta gracilis (Winnertz, 1863), Tarnania dziedzickii (Edwards, 1941), and Tarnania nemoralis (Edwards, 1941).


1983 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne Boddy ◽  
D. Coates ◽  
A.D.M. Rayner
Keyword(s):  

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4303 (4) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
WERNER MOHRIG ◽  
ELLEN KAUSCHKE ◽  
ADAM BROADLEY

This study is the first of a taxonomic series on the Sciaridae of Australia, starting with the sciarid fauna of Queensland. Twelve species described herein are new to science. These are Chaetosciara recondita Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Cratyna adulterina Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Cr. flagriola Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Cr. flavothoracica Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Cr. livida Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Cr. longipeda Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Cr. pullata Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Epidapus excelsus Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Keilbachia adstrictatula Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Scatopsciara brevicolla Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., Sc. dubiosa Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n., and Sc. validovenosa Mohrig & Kauschke sp. n. Seven species are new reports for Australia. These are Cratyna flagria Mohrig, Cr. vera Mohrig, Phytosciara bella Mohrig, Ph. conturbata Mohrig, Ph. pseudoornata Mohrig and Corynoptera gladiota Mohrig, previously described from Papua New Guinea, and Lobosciara trilobata Vilkamaa & Hippa, described from Sulawesi. 


Author(s):  
D. Brayford

Abstract A description is provided for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Lycopersicon spp., including L. esculentum Mill. (tomato). Plants from several families may also be susceptible to some strains, in particular Capsicum frutescens L., Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae), Arachis hypogea L., Astragalus glycyphyllos L., Glycine max (L.) Merr., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Pisum sativum L., Trifolium spp., Vicia faba L., (Leguminosae), Cucumis spp. (Cucurbitaceae), Beta vulgaris L. and Spinacia oleracea L. (Chenopodiaceae) (Jarvis & Shoemaker, 1978; 69, 7094; 73, 7659). DISEASE: Crown and root rot. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Crete, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, UK, USA. TRANSMISSION: Long range dissemination is via contaminated seed (73, 5786), diseased planting material (70, 1472) and by movement of infected soil/compost (64, 2160). Locally, conidia are readily spread by water flow, e.g. in irrigation or hydroponic systems (71, 4871, 4872, 6378). Some airborne dispersal of microconidia has been detected in glasshouses (Rowe et al., 1977), presumably resulting from splash droplet formation following sporulation on nearby plant debris. Fungus gnats have been reported to transport the fungus (73, 5534).


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