Dmitry A. Dmitriev

Decoding of superimposed traces produced by direct sequencing of heterozygous indels.

Direct Sanger sequencing of a diploid template containing a heterozygous insertion or deletion results in a difficult-to-interpret mixed trace formed by two allelic traces superimposed onto each other. Existing computational methods for deconvolution of such traces require knowledge of a reference sequence or the availability of both direct and reverse mixed sequences of the same template. We describe a simple yet accurate method, which uses dynamic programming optimization to predict superimposed allelic sequences solely from a string of letters representing peaks within an individual mixed trace. We used the method to decode 104 human traces (mean length 294 bp) containing heterozygous indels 5 to 30 bp with a mean of 99.1% bases per allelic sequence reconstructed correctly and unambiguously. Simulations with artificial sequences have demonstrated that the method yields accurate reconstructions when (1) the allelic sequences forming the mixed trace are sufficiently similar, (2) the analyzed fragment is significantly longer than the indel, and (3) multiple indels, if present, are well-spaced. Because these conditions occur in most encountered DNA sequences, the method is widely applicable. It is available as a free Web application Indelligent at http://ctap.inhs.uiuc.edu/dmitriev/indel.asp.

Nymphs of some species of the tribes Drabescini and Paraboloponini with a proposed synonymy of Paraboloponini with Drabescini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)

Abstract The last instar nymphs of some species from the genera Drabescus, Welmaya, Athysanopsis, Kutara, and Dryadomorpha are described. Based on mainly nymphal characters the tribe Paraboloponini is considered a junior synonym of Drabescini. The nymphal characters uniting these groups are as follows: head with dorsal and ventral longitudinal carinae, antennae long; the entire body not rarely covered with numerous setae, abdomen with 2–8 longitudinal rows of setae, in some cases on tubercles; pygofer with pair of long apical appendages widely separated at base. Drabescini is considered a tribe of the subfamily Deltocephalinae.

Reassessment of the Leafhopper Tribes Koebeliini Baker and Grypotini Haupt (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Abstract Based on comparative morphology, the leafhopper tribe Grypotini Haupt 1929 is considered a junior synonym of Koebeliini Baker 1897 (new synonymy). Features uniting these taxa include ocelli below crown margin and not visible from above, distant from the compound eyes; anteclypeus long, narrow, and tapered; platellae present on the plantar surface of metathoracic tarsomere I; and nymphs with reduced abdominal chaetotaxy. Koebeliinae is considered a synonym of Deltocephalinae Dallas 1870, and Koebeliini is placed as a tribe within Deltocephalinae based largely on the male and female genitalia. Tribe Koebeliini as here defined includes subtribes Koebeliina, including only Koebelia Baker, and Grypotina, including Grypotes Fieber, Grypotellus Emeljanov, Pinopona Viraktamath and Sohi, Shivapona Ghauri and Viraktamath, and Sohipona Ghauri and Viraktamath. Thamnotettix sinae Stål is transferred to Pinopona. A redescription of Koebeliini and key to genera are provided. Species of this tribe seem to feed primarily on Pinus spp. (Pinaceae). Subtribe Koebeliina is restricted to the western Nearctic region. Species of Grypotina occur primarily in the Himalayan region, with two species distributed in the western Palearctic.

Three unusual species of Erythroneurini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with description of new genera.

Two new genera of the leafhopper tribe Erythroneurini, Nedotepa gen. n. and Alerrawia gen. n., and three new species, Nedotepa curta sp. n. from Ghana, Alerrawia meliae sp. n. from Kenya, and Musbrnoia linnavuorii sp. n. from Indonesia, are described and illustrated. Nedotepa curta sp. n. has an unusually reduced ovipositor, a feature not previously recorded in Typhlocybinae. Musbrnoia linnavuorii sp. n. has extremely elongated parts of the male terminalia, which remarkably resemble parts of the female ovipositor.

Nomenclatural changes in Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae and Delphacidae (Homoptera)

Abstract New replacement names are proposed for seven species of the subfamily Typhlocybinae; one new synonym is recognized in the family Delphacidae. The following changes are proposed: Empoasca (Empoasca) angustata nom.nov. for Empoasca angusta Linnavuori & DeLong (not Dworakowska); Empoasca (Empoasca) chilensis nom.nov. for Empoasca diversa Linnavuori & DeLong (not Vilbaste); Austroasca verdensis nom.nov. for Empoasca artemisiae Lindberg (not Lethierry); Kropka vidanoi Dworakowska for Erythroneura unipunctata Dlabola (not Cerutti); Zyginella vietnamica nom. nov. for Zyginella melichari Dworakowska (not Kirkaldy); Eupteryx (Eupteryx) dlabolai nom. nov. for Eupteryx octonotata Dlabola (not Hardy); Baaora ahmedi nom. nov. for Baaora spinosa (Ahmed) (not Beamer); Paradelphacodes insolitus Dmitriev is synonymized with Paradelphacodes gvosdevi (Mitjaev), syn. nov.

Nomenclatural changes and notes in the Deltocephalinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Abstract Nomenclatural changes and clarifications are provided for names in the leafhopper subfamily Deltocephalinae. The replacement names Cicadula vilbastei nom. nov., Eutettix harlani nom. nov., Macrosteles raoi nom. nov., Maiestas chalami nom. nov., Maiestas viraktamathi nom. nov., Opsius emeljanovi nom. nov., Paradorydium naudei nom. nov., Penthimia alba nom. nov., Penthimia evansi nom. nov., and Penthimia walkeri nom. nov. are given for species-group homonyms. Four new synonyms are recognized for previous replacement names that are no longer valid. The status of Acinopterus angulatus Lawson nomen protectum is discussed. Paramacrosteles Dai, Li & Chen status reinstated is reinstated as valid on taxonomic grounds. Priority is clarified for two species of Deltocephalinae, five new combinations in Balclutha Kirkaldy are given, and two original spellings are fixed.

Insect phylogenetics in the digital age

Insect systematists have long used digital data management tools to facilitate phylogenetic research. Web-based platforms developed over the past several years support creation of comprehensive, openly accessible data repositories and analytical tools that support large-scale collaboration, accelerating efforts to document Earths biota and reconstruct the Tree of Life. New digital tools have the potential to further enhance insect phylogenetics by providing efficient workflows for capturing and analyzing phylogenetically relevant data. Recent initiatives streamline various steps in phylogenetic studies and provide community access to supercomputing resources. In the near future, automated, web-based systems will enable researchers to complete a phylogenetic study from start to finish using resources linked together within a single portal and incorporate results into a global synthesis.

Zoogeographical analysis and statial distribution of auchenorrhynchs (Homoptera, Cicadina) in the Central Chernozem Region

A map of the biogeographical regionalization of the Central Chernozem Region (Lipetsk, Tambov, Kursk, Belgorod, and Voronezh provinces) is compiled based on the literature and the author’s own collections of auchenorrhynchs. Ranges of all the species recorded from the region are given. Thirty nine types of the ranges classified in 13 groups are distinguished based on the distribution of Cicadina in the Palaearctic and in other biogeographical regions. A scheme of the statial distribution of auchenorrhynchs in the region is given. Twenty one types of stations are classified into seven types of a higher rank. The main zonal and azonal elements of the fauna were identified by comparative analysis of the species distribution between zoogeographical and statial groups. Connection between the distributional type of certain species and their habitat preferences was demonstrated.

A new species and a new form of leafhopper from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae)

A new species Erasmoneura tricuspidata sp.n. and a new morphological variant of Erythridula stolata McAtee are described from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.