Paul K. Lago

NOTES ON BLOW FLY (DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE) SUCCESSION ON CARRION IN NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Blow fly succession on carrion was investigated in Lafayette County, Mississippi. Phaenicia caeruleiviridis, Phormia regina and Cochliomyia macellaria were dominant species from April through September and Cynomyopsis cadaverina, P. regina and Calliphora livida dominated during the cooler months (October through March). Although both fish and mammalian carrion were used, and baits were placed in different habitats, no differences between types of bait and types of habitat were observed. The use of P. caeruleiviridis and C. cadaverina as postmortum indicators is discussed.

Phyllophaga and related species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) collected in black-light traps in Alabama pastures.

This study reports the occurrence of the adults of Phyllophaga spp. and other major scarab species in three different geographic regions of Alabama. Thirty-three species of Phyllophaga were found d...

A historical biogeography of megadiverse Sericini-another story “out of Africa”?

Megadiverse insect groups present special difficulties for biogeographers because poor classification, incomplete knowledge of taxonomy, and many undescribed species can introduce a priori sampling bias to any analysis. The historical biogeography of Sericini, a tribe of melolonthine scarabs comprising about 4000 species, was investigated using the most comprehensive and time‐calibrated molecular phylogeny available today. Problems arising through nomenclatural confusion were overcome by extensive sampling (665 species) from all major lineages of the tribe. A West Gondwanan origin of Sericini (c. 112 Ma) was reconstructed using maximum parsimony, maximum‐likelihood and model‐based ancestral area estimation. Vicariance in the tribes earliest history separated Neotropical and Old World Sericini, whereas subsequent lower Cretaceous biogeography of the tribe was characterized by repeated migrations out of Africa, resulting in the colonization of Eurasia and Madagascar. North America was colonized from Asia during the Cenozoic and a lineage of “Modern Sericini” reinvaded Africa. Diversification dynamics revealed three independent shifts to increased speciation rates: in African ant‐adapted Trochalus, Oriental Tetraserica, and Asian and African Sericina. Southern Africa is proposed as both cradle and refuge of Sericini. This area has retained many old lineages that portray the evolution of the African Sericini fauna as a series of taxon pulses.

AN OBSERVATION OF JUVENILE TIGER SHARKS FEEDING ON CLAPPER RAILS OFF THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF THE UNITED STATES

Abstract From September to October 2000, a longline survey conducted aboard the NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Services research vessel FERREL between Ft. Pierce, FL and Charleston, SC resulted in the capture of 72 juvenile tiger sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, (mean size = 108 cm total length). Twenty-three were found to have large quantities of feathers, both contour and semiplumes, on the teeth and on the outside of the buccal area. An internal examination of 5 individuals found the remains of clapper rail, Rallus longirostris (100% occurrence). Since clapper rails generally inhabit coastal salt marshes and are not considered to be a migratory species, we could not positively ascertain how juvenile tiger sharks, a species normally found in offshore waters, were able to prey on this bird species. Although we cannot explain the sequence of events that brought these species together, it is possible that the birds were swept offshore by storm winds, there was a “mass exodus” from a marsh habitat due to disturbance, or perhaps a dispersal flight.

Seasonal fluctuation, phenology and turnover of chafer assemblages – insight to the structural plasticity of insect communities in tropical farmlands

1 Studies on chafer assemblages were conducted on two farmland sites in the Terai lowland of Nepal (200 m above sea level) using light traps. During the course of a 2‐year field monitoring program, a total of 4503 specimens was captured and an unexpectedly high number of syntopically co‐occurring species was found: 52 from Gunganagar (GN) and 36 from Gaindakot (GK), respectively. Highest species abundances and species numbers were found during April and May.

Molecular data resolves relationships within Heteroceridae (Coleoptera: Dryopoidea)

Although most authors have recognized five or fewer genera in the Heteroceridae, the most recent revision divided the heterocerids into 19 genera. Under this system most males can be identified to genus level based on genital morphology, but clearly females cannot be identified to genus level by this method. We conducted the first phylogenetic analysis of the family using separate and combined 28S and EF‐1α sequence data, with the specific aim of testing generic limits and determining whether former family classifications are natural. We found that Tropicus Pacheco forms a strongly supported sister group to all other Heteroceridae. Augyles s.l. Schiödte (monophyly unresolved) is nested between Tropicus and a large terminal clade of four monophyletic species groups of Heterocerus s.l. Fabricius, which is consistent with trends in morphology and geography. The synonymy of North American Lapsus tristis (Mannerheim) and European Heterocerus fenestratus Thunberg is supported. Tests comparing tree topologies, along with strong evidence that many of the proposed genera are polyphyletic, indicate that the more recent generic circumscriptions are generally unnatural, with the exception of Tropicus, which forms a highly supported clade in all our analyses. We propose that the traditional classification of heterocerids, consisting of the four genera Augyles, Heterocerus, Micilus Mulsant & Ray and Elythomerus Waterhouse, plus Tropicus, is the most appropriate for the family. Molecular dating analyses suggest that vicariance played a major role in diversification, with the major clades of Heteroceridae corresponding to continental distributions and an apparent radiation of Heterocerus s.l. in the early Palaeogene period. Behavioural evidence suggesting a possible role for sexual selection during heterocerid evolution is discussed.

Hydrochidae (Coleoptera) of Mississippi

ABSTRACT Mississippi Hydrochidae are poorly known. In this paper, we attempt to untangle some of the taxonomic difficulties caused by recent dubious works of D. Makhan and to validate an undescribed species from previously unpublished research. The 12 species occurring in Mississippi are reviewed and one new species, H. falsus Hellman sp.n., is described. Six new synonymies are established as follows: Hydrochus hanoewanti Makhan, 1994 is a junior synonym of Hydrochus rugosus Mulsant, 1844; Hydrochus monishi Makhan, 1995 is a junior synonym of Hydrochus foveatus Haldeman, 1852; Hydrochus equicarinatus Blatchley, 1928 is a junior synonym of Hydrochus simplex LeConte, 1855; Hydrochus daviniaae Makhan, 1995 is a junior synonym of Hydrochus vagus LeConte, 1851; Hydrochus bakkeri Makhan, 1995 is a junior synonym of Hydrochus obscurus Sharp, 1882; and Hydrochus soesae (Makhan), 2004 is a junior synonym of Hydrochus scabratus Mulsant, 1844. Hydrochus inaequalis LeConte, 1855 is removed from synonymy with Hydrochus foveatus Haldeman, 1852 and resurrected as a proper species. Neotypes are designated for H. rugosus Mulsant, 1844, H. rufipes Melsheimer, 1844, and H. scabratus Mulsant, 1844. A lectotype is designated for H. foveatus Haldeman, 1852. Species descriptions, illustrations of male genitalia, distribution maps and a key to species are presented. Additional notes on Makhan species and holotypes, including unavailable types, are provided.

New Host Plant Associations for Adult Diplotaxis, Serica, and Phyllophaga (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from the Western United States

Abstract Host plant associations are given for the adults of 44 species of melolonthine scarabs in the genera Diplotaxis Kirby, Serica MacLeay and Phyllophaga Harris.

Preliminary Survey of the Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) of Valles Caldera National Preserve (New Mexico, USA)

ABSTRACT: A preliminary survey of the Scarabaeoidea of the Valles Caldera National Preserve and Valles Caldera Science and Education Center was conducted from late July—early September, 2011. In total, 2,432 specimens were collected, representing 4 families and 41 species. Eight of the 41 species represent new state records for New Mexico.

A New Species of Aegialia Latreille (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) from Southeastern Iowa, USA

Abstract Aegialia (Aegialia) shimeki Lago and Freese, new species, is described from southeastern Iowa. The species is most similar to Aegialia opifex Horn.