Contribution to the biosystematic study of carpophoric basidiomycetes (higher fungi) in the Dakar region (Senegal)

In Senegal, fungi constitute a large and diverse systematic group. However, despite their numerous food and pharmacological potential, few studies have been devoted to this group, particularly carpophore fungi. This work is a contribution to the knowledge of macromycetes in Senegal. It specifically proposes to determine the structure of the fungi on the prospected sites and to propose identification tools. Inventories were made at four (4) sites: two sites in Cheikh Anta DIOP University of Dakar (Botanical Garden, Faculty of Science and Technology and that of Faculty of Medicine), the Forest Park of Hann and the classified forest of Mbao. The identification and description of the samples were carried out based on macroscopic and ecological characteristics. This methodology allowed us to identify (15) morphotypes distributed in 2 subclasses of the Basidiomycetes class. They belong to 5 orders (Agaricales, Pluteales, Trichlomatales, Phallales, Gasterales), 7 families (Agaricaceae, Lepiotaceae, Pluteaceae, Marasmiaceae, Termitomycetaceae, Phallaceae, Sclerodermataceae) and 8 genera. Among these morphotypes, four (4) are identified down to the species level (Phallus roseus, Podaxis pistillaris, Micropsalliota cf elata and Scleroderma auriculatum) and 11 down to the genus. In this fungi group, the genus Termitomyces dominates with five (5) species, followed by the genus Volvaria with three (3) species. This work made it possible to bring out the common and differential characters between the species. It then appeared that the mode of insertion of the foot is the only characteristic common to all species. In addition, the identification of discriminating characteristics made it possible to develop a key for determining all the species inventoried.

Taxonomy of European Damaeidae IX. Contribution to the revision of the genus Belba von Heyden, 1826 (Acari, Oribatida)

Genus Belba von Heyden, 1826 sensu lato is revisited on the basis of its suspected polyphyly. New, narrowed and monophyletic definition of Belba is given and Piribelba gen. nov., Eubelba gen. nov. and Arboribelba gen. nov. are proposed as new genera within this group, for well defined groupings of species with shared apomorphies. Additional information on recently defined genus Tokukobelba Lamos, 2016 is provided. Most of known species of Belba sensu lato are attributed to the new genera, few remaining species are not sufficiently known to be undoubtely combined with proposed genera. Differential characters of all genera within the group including the newly proposed genera is given in the form of detailed determination key. Species Belba patelloides (Michael, 1890) is redecribed on the basis of topotypical material. On the basis of types and additional topotypical material, Belba bartosi Winkler, 1955 is redescribed and confirmed as separate taxon; previous synonymy of bartosi and patelloides is rejected. Additional information on B. corynopus (Hermann, 1804), type species of the genus, is given and other species belonging to newly defined genus Belba are discussed. Determination key for all species of Belba is provided. Individuals of Tokukobelba compta (Kulczynski, 1902) from different parts of Europe were compared with topotypical specimens from Tatra Mountains, and additional information about species morphology and its variability is provided. Proposed synonymy of T. compta and Tokukobelba verrucosa (Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1962) is analysed and discussed.

Description of Idaea josephinae sp. n. from the Iberian Peninsula (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Idaea josephinae sp. n. is described from the Iberian Peninsula. Differential characters from its North African sister species Idaea lobaria (Chrétien, 1909) in external appearance and genitalia, and in the 5’ barcode fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene (the DNA barcode) are presented.

Differential characters of fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides (Siphonaptera, Pulicidae) obtained from dogs

Fleas are the common name of the order Siphonaptera, obligate provisional nidiculous parasites of mammals and, to a lesser extent, birds, which can also feed on humans. Fleas can cause ctenocephalidosis of dogs and are carriers of many dangerous infectious and invasive diseases. Their ability to use humans as an alternative host determines the importance of these parasites in health care. Therefore, the aim of the work was to establish morphological and metric characters of adult male and female fleas of the species Ctenocephalides felis Bouche, 1835 and C. canis Curtis, 1826, isolated from domestic dogs for species identification. Morphological studies of fleas have shown that the differential features of C. felis and C. canis include the shape of the head and anterior-dorsal cuticular notch on the head. Notably, male fleas of both species have a more rounded forehead than female fleas. The metric parameters of adult fleas can be used as additional identification features, which will increase the efficiency of differential diagnosis of parasitic insects. We found differences in male fleas by 23 parameters, of which the value of 17 parameters were smaller in C. canis specimens. Males of C. felis were 9.1–21.1% larger in total body length, lengths of head and thorax, as well as lengths of mesothorax and metathorax. Differential features included size of the teeth of the main ctenidium and pronotal ctenidium: in C. felis males all eight teeth of the main ctenidium, located on the left side, were longer by 12.7–41.7%, and the first, seventh, eighth teeth were wider by 25.4–43.0% than in C. canis. In female fleas, differences were found for 24 metric parameters, of which the values of 20 parameters were also smaller in C. canis specimens. Females of C. felis were 12.1–22.2% larger in terms of total body length, head, breast, prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax. All their teeth of the main ctenidium were longer by 5.6–40.6%, and the first, second, third, and eighth teeth were 18.1–48.9% wider than in females of C. canis. The obtained results add to the already existing data on morphometric features of adult fleas of C. felis and C. canis species, and will allow timely and accurate diagnosis of ctenocephalidosis in dogs caused by parasites of these species.

Chalcidoidea of Iran (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

Within Hymenoptera, the superfamily Chalcidoidea (chalcidoid wasps) is the second largest superfamily after Ichneumonoidea. Because of the preponderance of parasitoid species, Chalcidoidea is one of the most important groups in applied biological control. This book provides a comprehensive, accurate checklists for the chalcidoid fauna of Iran. The species listed in each family chapter include all the species recorded in the literature from Iran through 2019, with one exception as noted in Chapter 10 (Eurytomidae). Each family chapter includes differential characters to distinguish the family, hypothesized phylogenetic relationships with other families, and general biological attributes of the family. Previous cataloguing efforts of the Iranian fauna for the family are summarized, as well as the information included in the checklist of species for the family. This summary information includes the number of species recorded from Iran, any newly recorded species, a comparison of the Iranian fauna with those of adjacent countries, and major host attributes of the family in Iran. Also included for each species record are host records and plant associates in Iran, when known, and additional comments as necessary. The final chapter tabulates the species diversity of Iranian Chalcidoidea by family, the species newly exclude from Iran, the species presently considered as endemic to Iran and the number of species of each family that are known from each of the 31 provinces that comprise Iran. Because of the importance of chalcidoids for biological control of pests in Iran, host information for parasitoid species that is provided throughout the chapters is synthesized in an Appendix at the end of the book.

Family Torymidae Walker, 1833.

This chapter includes differential characters to distinguish the family Torymidae (Chalcidoidea), hypothesized phylogenetic relationships with other families, and general biological attributes of the family. Previous cataloguing efforts of the Iranian fauna for the family are summarized, as well as the information included in the checklist of species for the family. This summary information includes the number of species recorded from Iran, any newly recorded species, a comparison of the Iranian fauna with those of adjacent countries, and major host attributes of the family in Iran. For each species record, reference is included to catalogues that previously reported presence of the species in Iran, including Noyes (2019), distribution in Iran by province and extra-limital distribution by country. In addition to currently recognized countries, previously recognized political units are also included such as Yugoslavia and USSR, as well as some non-political regions such as Caucasus and Transcaucasus (a geographical region in the vicinity of the southern Caucasus Mountains on the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia that roughly corresponds to present-day Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan). Also included for each species record are host records and plant associates in Iran, when known, and additional comments as necessary.

Family Tetracampidae Förster, 1856.

This chapter includes differential characters to distinguish the family Tetracampidae (Chalcidoidea), hypothesized phylogenetic relationships with other families, and general biological attributes of the family. Previous cataloguing efforts of the Iranian fauna for the family are summarized, as well as the information included in the checklist of species for the family. This summary information includes the number of species recorded from Iran, any newly recorded species, a comparison of the Iranian fauna with those of adjacent countries, and major host attributes of the family in Iran. For each species record, reference is included to catalogues that previously reported presence of the species in Iran, including Noyes (2019), distribution in Iran by province and extra-limital distribution by country. In addition to currently recognized countries, previously recognized political units are also included such as Yugoslavia and USSR, as well as some non-political regions such as Caucasus and Transcaucasus. Also included for each species record are host records and plant associates in Iran, when known, and additional comments as necessary.

Family Trichogrammatidae Haliday, 1851.

This chapter includes differential characters to distinguish the family Trichogrammatidae (Chalcidoidea), hypothesized phylogenetic relationships with other families, and general biological attributes of the family. Previous cataloguing efforts of the Iranian fauna for the family are summarized, as well as the information included in the checklist of species for the family. This summary information includes the number of species recorded from Iran, any newly recorded species, a comparison of the Iranian fauna with those of adjacent countries, and major host attributes of the family in Iran. For each species record, reference is included to catalogues that previously reported presence of the species in Iran, including Noyes (2019), distribution in Iran by province and extra-limital distribution by country. In addition to currently recognized countries, previously recognized political units are also included such as Yugoslavia and USSR, as well as some non-political regions such as Caucasus and Transcaucasus (a geographical region in the vicinity of the southern Caucasus Mountains on the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia that roughly corresponds to present-day Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan). Also included for each species record are host records and plant associates in Iran, when known, and additional comments as necessary.