Biological, ecological, morphological and cytogenetic analyses, with taxonomic notes of Zelurus ochripennis (Stål, 1854) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Reduviinae)

Based on specimens of Zelurus ochripennis (Stål, 1854) collected in the entrance zone of a small terrestrial cave, some biological, ecological, morphological and cytogenetic data, as well, as the general morphology of their nymphs are presented for the first time. A short taxonomic summary of the species is also provided.

Review of the genus Meganola Dyar, 1898 of Ivory Coast and adjacent areas with descriptions of 5 new species and several taxonomic updates (Lepidoptera, Nolidae, Nolinae)—Taxonomic studies on West African Nolinae I.

The present paper contains the first comprehensive taxonomic summary of the Meganola Dyar, 1898 species recorded in Ivory Coast and adjacent areas. 35 species are recorded in total with 28 species having been collected on recent African Natural History Research Trust expeditions. All species are listed with label data of specimens examined together with 56 colour and 52 black and white illustrations of the adults and their genitalia. A Lectotype is designated for Meganola furvitincta (Hampson, 1914), five species are described as new to science (Meganola smithi, M. taiana, M. subchionea, M. cinereoparva, M. hackeri spp. n.) and 23 new synonymies are established: Meganola endoscota undosaria Hacker, 2012 syn. n., M. kaduna Hacker, 2012 syn. n., M. mabiriaria Hacker, 2012 syn. n. and M. simplicifacta Hacker, 2012 syn. n. are synonymised with M. endoscota (Hampson, 1914); M. polioleuca Hacker, 2012 syn. n. is synonymised with M. mesonephele (Hampson, 1914); M. togatulella Hacker, 2012 syn. n., M. subterminalis Hacker, 2012 syn. n. and M. lupii Hacker & Hausmann, 2012 syn. n. are synonymised with M. lucia (van Son, 1933); M. septima Hacker, 2012 syn. n., M. octava Hacker, 2012 syn. n., M. heteromorpha Hacker, 2012 syn. n., M. dissoluta Hacker, 2012 syn. n., M. brachyvalva Hacker, 2012 syn. n. and M. pseudofuscata Hacker, 2012 syn. n. are synonymised with M. monofascia (van Son, 1933); M. mbala Hacker, 2014 syn. n. and M. poliographa Hacker, 2012 syn. n. are synonymised with M. furvitincta (Hampson, 1914); M. obscuritata Hacker, 2012 syn. n. is synonymised with M. spermophaga (Fletcher, 1962); M. tabbertiella Hacker & Hoppe, 2012 syn. n., M. amaniella Hacker, 2012 syn. n. and M. fuscostriata Hacker, 2012 syn. n. are synonymised with M. pyrrhomorpha Hacker, 2012; M. longisigna Hacker, 2012 syn. n. and M. politzari Hacker, 2012 syn. n. are synonymised with M. foviferoides (Poole, 1989); Meganola eburneana Hacker, 2012 syn. n. is synonymised with M. illaudata (Fletcher, 1958). The hitherto unknown males of Meganola dananae Hacker, 2012, M. rhyssomorpha Hacker, 2012 and M. mesothermoides (Poole, 1989) as well as females of M. microfascia Hacker, 2012 and M. palaeographa Hacker, 2012 are illustrated for the first time and several new distribution records are provided.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of Drakaeinae: Diurideae (Orchidaceae) based on DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region

Results of the analysis of rDNA sequences based on 55 collections representative of 32 Drakaeinae orchid species and outgroups supported the monophyly of the subtribe, with weak support for the inclusion of Spiculaea, and revealed six strongly supported monophyletic, well defined morphological groups. Caleana is monophyletic. Chiloglottis s.lat. is monophyletic when Simpliglottis and Myrmechila are included. Our results also suggested that the segregate genus Phoringopsis is better treated as part of Arthrochilus.There is sufficient molecular and morphological support for recognition of the leafless, mycroheterotrophic Thynninorchis to be maintained as a separate genus. A taxonomic summary is provided, including reassignment of taxa at generic ranks and new combinations for Caleana alcockii (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem., Caleana brockmanii (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem., Caleana disjuncta (D.L.Jones) M.A.Clem., Caleana dixonii (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem., Caleana gracilicordata (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem., Caleana granitica (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem., Caleana hortiorum (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem., Caleana lyonsii (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem., Caleana parvula (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem., Caleana terminalis (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem. and Caleana triens (Hopper & A.P.Br.) M.A.Clem.

The dates of Westwood’s Mecoptera (Insecta) publications reexamined and further corrected

In a recent issue of Zootaxa (Somma 2011), I corrected the publication dates for one genus and 14 species of Mecoptera (1 choristid, 4 bittacids, and 9 panorpids) and resurrected Panorpa confusa Westwood, 1841, which made Panorpa rufescens Rambur, 1842, a junior synonym of P. confusa. Additionally, I provided a nomenclatural and taxonomic summary for these taxa, and a publication history for all of Westwood’s related publications. However, there were several inaccuracies to the dates I applied to these publications that I herein correct.

The correct publication date for mecopteran insects (Choristidae, Bittacidae, and Panorpidae) described by John Obadiah Westwood, resurrecting Panorpa confusa Westwood, 1841, the confused scorpionfly

I correct the publication dates for one genus and 14 species of Mecoptera (1 choristid, 4 bittacids, and 9 panorpids), and resurrect Panorpa confusa Westwood, 1841. Additionally, I provide a nomenclatural and taxonomic summary for these taxa, and a publication history for all of Westwood’s related publications.

Taxonomy of High-Latitude Goniasteridae (Subantarctic & Antarctic): one new genus, and three new species with an overview and key to taxa

A review of high-latitude Goniasteridae south of 50ºS is presented, including a key to species, figures and taxonomic descriptions of all species with a brief taxonomic summary for all genera. Nineteen species in 11 genera are reviewed. Eratosaster jenae nov. gen and sp., Chitonaster trangae nov. sp., and Pillsburiaster calvus nov. sp. are described. Several taxa, including Chitonaster, have not been reviewed since their initial description and revision of the group has clarified taxonomic boundaries between species. The genus Pentoplia is a junior synonym of Chitonaster. Rarely encountered species, synonyms, and range extensions are reported for multiple species.