Nesting behaviour and larval stages of some Australian nyssonine sand wasps (Hymenoptera : Sphecidae)

1971 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 293 ◽  
Author(s):  
HE Evans ◽  
RW Matthews

Study of the nesting behaviour and larval structure of several nyssonine sand wasps in eastern Australia reveals that these species closely resemble related species in the northern hemisphere. Austrogorytes bellicosus (Smith) makes multicellular nests in coarse sandy soil and provisions them with eurymelid bugs, laying the egg longitudinally on the topmost bug in the cell. Use of the hind legs in digging the nest, as well as certain features of larval structure, suggest that Austvogorytes is properly considered a very generalized nyssonine wasp. Clitemnestva plomleyi (Turner)(= Astaurus hylneoides Rayment, new synonymy), regarded as a structurally primitive sand wasp, preys upon leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) and is believed to utilize pre-existing vertical holes in hard soil. Sphecius pectoralis Smith, on the other hand, digs a long burrow in friable sand and makes up to 12 cells, provisioning them with cicadas. The larva of this species closely resembles that of other members of its genus. Members of the genus Bembecinus also prey on homopterous insects but exhibit two major behavioural specializations: the egg is laid in the empty cell on a pedestal of sand grains and provisioning is progressive. Four members of this genus were studied: egens (Handlirsch), antipodum (Handlirsch), hirtulus (Smith), and an unindentified species.

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1434 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANNA MURRAY ◽  
GREG W. ROUSE

Two new species of Terebrasabella Fitzhugh & Rouse, 1999 are described from eastern Australia. Terebrasabella hutchingsae sp. nov., was found from preserved coral rock debris collected in 1977 on the outer Barrier Reef near Lizard Island, Queensland. Terebrasabella fitzhughi sp. nov., was found alive in burrows in and among spirorbin serpulid tubes on intertidal rocks in Tasmania in 1996. Both species were found in mucoid tubes, and brood their young in a manner similar to the only other described species of Terebrasabella, T. heterouncinata Fitzhugh & Rouse, 1999. Terebrasabella hutchingsae sp. nov., is exceptional as it possesses a type of thoracic neurochaetal uncinus different from the other two species, and which is similar to the notochaetal acicular “palmate hook” seen in Caobangia. Descriptions of both species are given, and the diagnosis for Terebrasabella is emended. Larval and chaetal morphology and relationships among of the three known Terebrasabella spp. are discussed.


2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 893 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Beveridge

The monotypic nematode genus Coronostrongylus Johnston & Mawson, 1939 from the stomachs of macropodid marsupials was reviewed and was found to consist of a least seven closely related species. Coronostrongylus coronatus Johnston & Mawson, 1939 is found most commonly in Macropus rufogriseus, but occurs occasionally in M. dorsalis, M. parryi and Petrogale inornata. Coronostrongylus johnsoni, sp. nov. is most commonly found in M. dorsalis, but occurs also in M. rufogriseus, M. parma, Thylogale stigmatica, Petrogale godmani and P. brachyotis. Coronostrongylus barkeri, sp. nov. is most prevalent in Onychogalea unguifera, but occurs also in M. rufus, M. robustus and P. brachyotis. Coronostrongylus closei, sp. nov. is restricted to Petrogale persephone. Coronostrongylus sharmani, sp. nov. occurs only in rock wallabies from eastern Australia: P.�coenensis, P. godmani and P. mareeba; C. spratti, sp. nov. occurs in P. inornata and P. assimilis. Coronostrongylus spearei, sp. nov. is restricted to Papua New Guinea where it is found in Dorcopsulus vanhearni, Dorcopsis hageni and D. muelleri. Although all of the nematode species occur in one principal host species or a series of closely related host species, occurrences in geographically disjunct areas and in phylogenetically distant hosts are features of C. coronatus, C. barkeri, sp. nov. and C. johnsoni, sp. nov. The occurrence of seven closely related nematode species found in a wide range of macropodid host species is more readily accounted for by a hypothesis involving multiple colonisations of hosts than by the hypothesis of co-speciation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 1023-1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A Baker ◽  
Dennis Wm Stevenson ◽  
Damon P LittLe

Abstract Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) herbal dietary supplements are commonly consumed to treat menopausal symptoms, but there are reports of adverse events and toxicities associated with their use. Accidental misidentification and/or deliberate adulteration results in harvesting other related species that are then marketed as black cohosh. Some of these species are known to be toxic to humans. We have identified two matK nucleotides that consistently distinguish black cohosh from related species. Using these nucleotides, an assay was able to correctly identify all of the black cohosh samples in the validation set. None of the other Actaea species in the validation set were falsely identified as black cohosh. Of 36 dietary supplements sequenced, 27 (75%) had a sequence that exactly matched black cohosh. The remaining nine samples (25%) had a sequence identical to that of three Asian Actaea species (A. cimicifuga, A. dahurica, and A. simplex). Manufacturers should routinely test plant material using a reliable assay to ensure accurate labeling.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 217 (2) ◽  
pp. 164 ◽  
Author(s):  
İlker Çinbilgel ◽  
özkan Eren ◽  
Hayri Duman ◽  
Mustafa Gökceoğlu

Pimpinella ibradiensis, an unusual new species found in the Toka Yayla (İbradı, Antalya) in southern Anatolia, is described and illustrated. Site conditions, synecology and conservation status of P. ibradiensis are considered. In light of the comparison with the other closely related four species, namely P. nephrophylla, P. flabellifolia, P. sintenisii and P. paucidentata, its similarity within the genus are discussed. P. ibradiensis is easly distinguished from its relatives by its white petals, presence of bracts and bracteoles, larger fruits (4–5.5 × 1–2 mm), and having serrulate basal leaves with 60–95 strongly cartilaginous teeth along margins. The geographical distribution of P. ibradiensis and closely related species are mapped and the identification key of those species is updated.


2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Flann ◽  
Pauline Y. Ladiges ◽  
Neville G. Walsh

A study of morphological variation in Leptorhynchos squamatus (Labill.) Less. across its range in south-eastern Australia was undertaken to test the hypothesis that L. squamatus includes two taxa. Phenetic pattern analyses of both field-collected and herbarium specimens on the basis of morphology confirmed two major groups. Bract, cypsela, pappus bristle and leaf characters were particularly important in separating the two groups. The taxa are separated by altitude differences with one being a low-altitude plant found in many habitats and the other being a high-altitude taxon that is a major component of alpine meadows. Lowland plants have dark bract tips, fewer and wider pappus bristles than alpine plants, papillae on the cypselas and more linear leaves. A somewhat intermediate population from the Major Mitchell Plateau in the Grampians shows some alpine and some lowland characters but is included in the lowland taxon. Seeds from five populations (two alpine, two lowland and Major Mitchell) were germinated and plants grown for 18 weeks under four controlled sets of environmental conditions. The experiment showed that leaf size and some other characters are affected by environmental conditions, but that there are underlying genetic differences between the lowland and alpine forms. Leptorhynchos squamatus subsp. alpinus Flann is described here to accommodate the highland taxon.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Acurio ◽  
Flor T. Rhebergen ◽  
Sarah Paulus ◽  
Virginie Courtier-Orgogozo ◽  
Michael Lang

AbstractBackgroundMale genitals have repeatedly evolved left-right asymmetries, and the causes of such evolution remain unclear. TheDrosophila nannopteragroup contains four species, among which three exhibit left-right asymmetries of distinct genital organs. In the most studied species,Drosophila pachea, males display asymmetric genital lobes and they mate right-sided on top of the female. Copulation position of the other species is unknown.ResultsTo assess whether the evolution of genital asymmetry could be linked to the evolution of one-sided mating, we examined phallus morphology and copulation position inD. pacheaand closely related species. The phallus was found to be symmetric in all investigated species exceptD. pachea, which display an asymmetric phallus with a right-sided gonopore, andD. acanthoptera, which harbor an asymmetrically bent phallus. In all examined species, males were found to position themselves symmetrically on top of the female, except inD. pacheaandD. nannoptera, where males mated right-sided, in distinctive, species-specific positions. In addition, the copulation duration was found to be increased innannopteragroup species compared to closely related outgroup species.ConclusionOur study shows that gains, and possibly losses, of asymmetry in genital morphology and mating position have evolved repeatedly in thenannopteragroup. Current data does not allow us to conclude whether genital asymmetry has evolved in response to changes in mating position, or vice versa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
Dušan Šrank ◽  
Vladimír Šimanský

The effort to achieve the sustainable farming system in arable soil led to the intensive search for a new solution but an inspiration can also be found in the application of traditional methods of soil fertility improvement as it is shown in numerous examples in history. Recently many scientific teams have focused their attention on the evaluation of biochar effects on soil properties and crop yields. Since there are a lot of knowledge gaps, especially in explanations how biochar can affect soil organic matter (SOM) and humus substances, we aimed this study at the solution of these questions. Therefore, the objective of the experiment was to evaluate the impact of two biochar substrates (B1 – biochar blended with sheep manure, and B2 – biochar blended with sheep manure and the residue from the biogas station) at two rates (10 and 20 t ha-1) applied alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers (Urea was applied in 2018, at rate 100 kg ha-1, and Urea at rate 100 kg ha-1 + AMOFOS NP 12-52 at 100 kg ha-1 were applied in 2019) on the quantity and quality of SOM and humus of sandy soil (Arenosol, Dolná Streda, Slovakia). The results showed that application of the biochar substrates together with mineral fertilizers (MF) had more pronounced effect on the organic matter mineralization in the sandy soil which resulted in low accumulation of soil organic carbon (Corg) and labile carbon compared to biochar substrates treatments without MF. The share of humic substances in Corg significantly decreased by 16, 50, 16 and 24% in B1 at 10 t ha-1, B1 at 20 t ha-1, B2 at 10 t ha-1 and B2 at 20 t ha-1 treatments, respectively, compared to the control. A similar tendency was observed for biochar substrates treatments + MF, compared to MF control. The carbon content of humic substances (CHS) was equal to 4.40 – 5.80 g kg-1 and the biochar substrates had statistically significant influence on CHS content. On average, there was a smaller decrease of CHS in B1 at rate 10 t ha-1 than at rate 20 t ha-1 and no effect of B2 compared to control. The carbon content of fulvic acid (CFA) was 9% higher in B1 at 10 t ha-1, and 20 t ha-1, 47% higher in B2 at 10 t ha-1 and 17% higher in B2 at 20 t ha-1 compared to control. As a result of biochar substrates + MF application, the reduction in CFA was observed. The results showed a decrease of CHA : CFA ratio with association to biochar substrates alone application compared to control on one hand, and a wider of CHA : CFA ratio in biochar substrates + MF treatments in comparison to MF control on the other hand. Humus stability was increased in biochar substrates alone treatments compared to control, on the other hand, compared to MF control, the application of biochar substrates + MF resulted in a lower humus stability.


2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra E. Favorito ◽  
Angela M. Zanata ◽  
Maria I. Assumpção

Synbranchus lampreia, new species, is described from rio Goiapi, Marajó Island, Pará, northern Brazil. It differs from the other two described species of the genus by its color pattern, which consists of large roundish black blotches scattered over a light brown or yellowish ground pigmentation and presence of inconspicuous brown small spots distributed among the large dark spots. The species is further distinguished from S. marmoratus by a higher number of vertebrae and from S. madeira by a shorter postanal length. Information about reproductive aspects is provided and larval stages are described and illustrated.


1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
GN Batianoff ◽  
RD Reeves ◽  
RL Specht

Stackhousia tryonii Bailey, which appears to be endemic to the serpentinite soils of the Port Curtis district, central Queensland, is a hyper-accumulator of nickel. Concentrations of this element reach 1-20% of the dry weight of the leaves and 0.1-1% in other parts of the plant. This is the first discovery of such behaviour in a plant from eastern Australia. S. tryonii is easily distinguishable from the Queensland occurrences of a related species, S. monogyna Labill., by its smaller inflorescences and muchbranched, tufted, slender stems and distinctive sparsely tuberculate seed coat. S. monogyna shows no abnormal nickel accumulation. Detailed diagnostic comparative descriptions of S. tryonii and S. monogyna are provided, and notes are given on the ecology and distribution of the two species.


Author(s):  
John A. Tossell ◽  
David J. Vaughan

The most abundant materials making up the crust of the earth (i.e., the “rock-forming minerals”) can be regarded as dominated by oxyanion units; notably, the units that can be formally represented by SiO44- and AlO45- clusters of the silicate minerals, and the CO32- unit of the carbonates. less common, but geochemically interesting, oxyanion units include, for example, BO33-, BeO46- , and PO43-. in this chapter, applications of quantum-mechanical calculations and experimental techniques to such materials are considered. first, the silicates are discussed, commencing with the large amount of work undertaken on the olivines, before considering such work as has so far been done on the other silicate minerals and related materials. second, the most important of the nonsilicate rock-forming mineral groups, the carbonates, are discussed. finally, although of less petrological importance but interesting geochemically and in terms of contrast with the othergroups, the borates and related species are considered. in each case, geometric aspects of structure and the problems of calculating structural properties are considered before going on to consider electronic structures and the factors controlling stabilities and a wider range of physical properties. in all of these materials, there is considerable interest in the, bonding in the oxyanion unit and how this is affected by, and controls, the interaction with counterions or the polymeric units. the building up of the minerals by such interactions exerts the dominant control over their crystal chemistries and properties and thus forms a central theme of this chapter. the silicate minerals are, of course, characterized by the presence of the tetrahedral siO4 cluster unit and the crystal chemistry and classification of silicates dominated by the structures built up by the linking together (polymerization) of these units. in the “simplest” of the silicates, the island silicates such as the olivine minerals (dominated by the forsterite (Mg2 SiO4)-fayalite (Fe2SiO4) solid solution series), the sio4 units are isolated by counterions such as Mg2+, Fe2+, Ca2+.


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