Ragnar Kinzelbach

Protoxenidae fam. nov. (Insecta, Strepsiptera) from Baltic amber — a ‘missing link’ in strepsipteran phylogeny

A male specimen of a new strepsipteran genus and species (Protoxenos janzeni gen. et sp. nov.) and family (Protoxenidae fam. nov.) found in Baltic amber is described and illustrated. It shows features which are apparently more plesiomorphic than in hitherto known strepsipterans, such as laterally inserted eight‐segmented antennae, very robust mandibles with a broad base, a prominent galea, a comparatively short, transverse metapostnotum, hindwings that are feebly extended in a rostrocaudal direction, and equally sclerotized abdominal tergites and sternites. Based on a cladistic analysis of 46 characters of males of 11 genera and three outgroup taxa, P. janzeni is the sister group of all other known strepsipterans, and Mengea the sister group of Strepsiptera s.s. Eoxenos is the sister group of the remaining extant strepsipterans and Mengenillidae is therefore paraphyletic. Newly established groundplan features of Strepsiptera will facilitate the clarification of the systematic position of the Order in future studies.

Distribution and characterization of Lessepsian migrant fishes along the coast of Libya

Background. The Lessepsian migrant ichthyofauna along the approximately 2000 km of the Libyan coastline has been poorly known. A comprehensive study, addressing this issue, was needed and therefore the presently reported research project is intended to close the gap, through identifying the fish species and assessing their dis tribution. Materials and Methods. The catches of commercial fisheries vessels were monitored and examined in a stan dardized procedure between January 2005 and March 2006. The project covered a total of 4273 specimens, com prising 1901 specimens of Siganus luridus , 1885 specimens of Siganus rivulatus , and 487 specimens of fourteen other Lessepsian fish species. Results. Sixteen Lessepsian fish species, representing 14 families, were recently found along the Libyan coast, two of which are considered to be first records for Libya: Herklotsichthys punctatus (Ruppell, 1837) and Liza carinata (Valenciennes, 1836). Approximately 50% of the immigrants were found along the entire stretch of the Libyan coast, 12.5% in the east and central regions, and 37.5% were restricted to the eastern part of the Libyan coast. All were found in the coastal area (1–50 m depth), 12.5% on the vegetation, 31.25% on sandy bottoms, 12.5% on rocks, while the majority of them (43.75%) were pelagic. Regarding the size, 75% were medium, 18.75% large, and 6.25% were categorized as small. Conclusions. The north African coast (west of the Nile delta)—compared with the Levantine- and Anatolian coast of the Mediterranean Sea—was considered to be settled by immigrants from the Red Sea with some delay, due to sea currents. If so, this situation has changed meanwhile at least for fishes. More than 37% of the record ed Lessepsian fish species are of commercial value, especially rabbitfish ( Siganus spp.). The future research should be focussed on monitoring the stocks, especially of the commercially valuable species, regarding the biol ogy and ecology of the Lessepsian migrants. Also, possible further additions to the fish fauna, by new invaders, should be recorded .

First record of a female stylopid (Strepsiptera: ?Myrmecolacidae) parasite of a prionomyrmecine ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Baltic amber

A female stylopid parasitising an ant of the genus Prionomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is described and illustrated from Baltic amber (Eocene, 39-50 million years old). This new fossil is tentatively considered as a plesiomorphic member of the Myrmecolacidae. Recent Myrmecolacidae parasitise dual hosts: males parasitise Formicidae, while females parasitise either Mantodea or Ensifera. This is the first record of a female stylopid parasitising Formicidae. The phylogenetic relationships of the Myrmecolacidae and the origin of their unique dual host relationship are discussed.

Marine molluscs from the Iztuzu beach near Dalyan (Mediterranean coast of Turkey)

Abstract A total of l84 species of marine molluscs has been identified from shells collected on the beach of Iztuzu near Dalyan (Muġla province, Turkey). Of these, 16 species of gastropod and 4 species of bivalvia are new For the extreme Eastern Mediterranean. Only three species of Lessepsian migrants (from the Red Sea via the Suez canal) have been found.

Der Bienenfresser Merops apiaster als Klimazeiger: Zum Einflug in Bayern, der Schweiz und Baden im Jahr 1644

The discovery of a document from 1644 in the Museum Heineanum at Halberstadt (Germany) encouraged to collect, so far as possible, all complete records (date, place) of the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) north of the Alps in the period between 1500 and 1800. Comparison with long term climate curbs proved, that the Bee-Eater is a sensitive indicator for mild winters and above-average spring temperatures. On the other hand, the close correlation between climatic factors and the expansion of this species to central Europe is a strong evidence that birds are sufficiently recorded by old historical sources to make use of them as historical bio-indicators. Anläßlich eines neu aufgefundenen Dokuments von 1644 im Museum Heineanum in Halberstadt werden möglichst alle genau datierten bzw. lokalisierten Nachweise des Bienenfressers (Merops apiaster) nördlich der Alpen in der Zeit zwischen 1500 und 1800 zusammengestellt. Abgleich mit Langzeit-Klimakurven zeigt, daß der Bienenfresser ein empfindlicher Anzeiger für milde Winter und überdurchschnittlich hohe Frühjahrstemperaturen ist. Die enge Korrelation zwischen den Vorstößen der Art nach Mitteleuropa und Klimadaten beweist umgekehrt, daß auffallende Vogelarten auch in älteren Zeiten hinreichend gut dokumentiert sind, sie als historische Bio-Indikatoren zu nutzen.

Avian taxidermy in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance@@@Vogelpräparation in Europa im Mittelalter und in der Renaissance

Research on textual and pictorial sources from the period 1200–1700, especially in Central Europe, has revealed the existence of considerably more and earlier examples of bird collections than previously suspected, as well as of a variety of motivations and manual skills required for the preserving of birds prior to 1600. Many 16th century natural history cabinets contained large numbers of mounted birds, often of exotic species. This has been documented in some inventories, e. g., that of the cabinet of arts of Emperor Rudolf II of Habsburg. However, it has so far gone unnoticed that numerous illustrations in the ornithological works of Gessner (1555), Belon (1555), Cyganski (1585), Aldrovandi (1599–1603) and in theThesaurus Picturarum of Marcus zum Lamm (from 1577–1606; Kinzelbach & Hölzinger 2000) were made using preserved birds as models. In Gessner (1555) in particular, the great majority of the bird illustrations are of mounted or mummified specimens. Sources from fields that have been neglected in the past, such as bird-trapping, hunting, and folklore, have supplied further examples. Avian taxidermy is referred to as early as in the treatise on falconry of Emperor Friedrich II of Hohenstaufen, written before 1248 (see also Tab. 1). Decoys used in bird-trapping were commonly stuffed specimens, and as such are mentioned around 1300 and 1450. The oldest scientific instructions on taxidermy were set down by Belon (1555). Olina (1622) and Aitinger (1626/31) provide the first detailed guides to taxidermic procedures. At first the mummification method dominated, in which the viscera were removed and the remainder of the body then dried in an oven and/or salted. However, we know that since Olina (1622) and Aitinger (1626/31) at the latest, the feathered skin was pulled over an artificial body following the removal of the flesh. The durability of such specimens was poor. This was only gradually improved by specimens being kept in well-sealed cases and by the use of arsenic, which had actually been employed in Germany at least 70 years before its ‘official introduction’ by Bécoeur (Hohberg 1682). The first scientifically motivated ornithologists of the 16th century were in possession of sound taxidermic knowledge, which they had gained through contact with activities like bird-trapping, hunting, and the preparation of animal skins for clothing. There can be no doubt that the application of avian taxidermy was a crucial precondition for the early flowering of ornithology in the 16th century. Für die Entwicklung der Ornithologie war die Konservierung toter Vögel, insbesondere die Herstellung von montierten Präparaten bzw. Bälgen, eine wesentliche Voraussetzung. Auch heute noch dient der Balg als authentischer Beleg der Avifaunistik, Taxonomic und in jüngster Zeit zusätzlich als Materialquelle für die biochemischen Methoden der Systematik. Während aus dem 17. Jahrhundert präparierte Vögel zunehmend häufiger nachzuweisen sind, waren aus der Zeit vor 1600 bislang nur drei Beispiele von Vogelpräparation bekannt (Stresemann 1923, 1951). Nachsuche in Text- und Bildquellen aus der Zeit von 1200–1700, insbesondere in Mitteleuropa, erbrachte erheblich mehr und weft frühere Belege für Vogelsammlungen, weiterhin Hinweise auf die unterschiedlichen Motive und handwerklichen Voraussetzungen für die Prepäration von Vögeln vor 1600. Die Naturalienkabinette der Renaissance an Fiirstenhöfen als auch in den Häusern städtischer Patrizier und Gelehrter enthielten schon seit dem 16. Jahrhundert in größerer Menge ausgestopfte Vögel, häufig exotischer Herkunft. Dokumentiert ist dies in einigen Inventarlisten, wie z. B. das Kunstkammerinventar Kaiser Rudolf II. von Habsburg. Bisher war unbeachtet geblieben, dass zahlreichen Illustrationen in den ornithologischen Werken von Gessner (1555), Belon (1555), Cyganski (1585), Aldrovandi (1599–1603) und imThesaurus Picturarum des Marcus zum Lamm (1577–1606 entstanden; Kinzelbach & Hölzinger 2000) präparierte Vögel als Bildvorlagen dienten. Vor allem bei Gessner (1555) ist die überwiegende Mehrzahl der Vogelillustrationen nach Stopfpräparaten bzw. Mumien gezeichnet. Neben den wissenschaftlichen Werken und vereinzelten Beispielen in der Kunst bieten bisher unberücksichtigte Quellen aus dem Umfeld von Vogelfang, Jagd und Volkskunde weitere Hinweise auf Vogelpräparation. Eine Vielzahl von Motiven und von beteiligten Berufszweigen für die Vogelpräparation wird sichtbar. Vogelpräparation ist schon im Falknereitraktat Kaiser Friedrich II. von Hohenstaufen, der vor 1248 verfasst wurde, nachweisbar (s. auch Tab. 1). Auch Lockvögel beim Vögelfang waren haufig Stopfpräparate. Solche werden bereits um 1300 und um 1450 erwähnt. Die älteste wissenschaftliche Präparieranweisung stammt von Belon (1555). Olinas (1622)Uccelliera und Aitingers (1626/31)Kurtzer Vnd Einfeltiger bericht Von Dem Vogelstellen enthalten die ersten detaillierten Präparieranleitungen. Beide beschreiben das bereits über Generationen überlieferte Wissen zur Vogelpraparation. Zunächst herrschten mumifizierende Techniken vor, bei denen die Eingeweide entfernt und der Restkörper anschließend im Ofen getrocknet wurde. Doch spätestens seit Olina (1622) und Aitinger (1626/31) ist belegt, dass die befiederte Haut nach Entfernung allen Fleisches über einen künstlichen Körper aus Stroh, Torf oder anderen Materialien gezogen wurde. Diese Form der Präparation wurde als Ausstopfen, das Ergebnis als Balg bezeichnet. Die Haltbarkeit solcher Präparate war gering. Erst Aufbewahrung in dicht schließenden Kästen, ein verbessertes Sammlungsmanagement und insbesondere der Gebrauch von Arsen, welches in Deutschland schon mindestens 70 Jahre vor der „offiziellen Erstanwendung” durch Bécoeur verwendet wurde (Hohberg 1682), verlängerte die Haltbarkeit. Die Vermutung, dass die frühe Vogelpraparation von den erstmals 1522 in Europa eintreffenden Paradiesvogelbälgen abgeleitet sein könnte (Stresemann 1951), lässt sich nicht aufrecht halten. Vielmehr reichen deren Wurzeln mindestens his ins Mittelalter zurück. Die ersten wissenschaftlich ausgerichteten Ornithologen im 16. Jahrhundert besaßen solide präparatorische Kenntnisse, die sie im Umfeld von Vogelfang, Jagd und Kürschnerei erworben hatten. Die Anwendung der Vogelpräparation war zweifellos eine wesentliche Voraussetzung für die frühe Blüte der Ornithologie im 16. Jahrhundert.

The distribution of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminalis in the Near East (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae)

Abstract Data are given on the distribution of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminalis (Corbiculidae) in the Near East, with special reference to its north-western limit. Its present distribution is relatively stable, and this contrasts with the continuing expansion throughout Europe of C. fluminea and C. fluviatilis, two East Asian species that were introduced into America and thence into Europe. The distribution pattern of C. fluminalis in the Near East was shaped during the Pliocene. There were only small expansions in its range in Mesopotamia and the northern Levant during the Pleistocene Riss glacial, which is quite different from the situation in other parts of its range. During the pre-glacial Pleistocene (Ubeidiya) C. Jluminalis reached the Jordan rift valley. From there, either immediately or subsequently during the Riss glacial, it invaded the coastal rivers of the southern Levant and the Nile, reaching upstream as Far as Lake Tana. In Africa C. fluminalis met C. consobrina which had been there...

Freshwater mussels (genus Anodonta) from Anatolia and adjacent areas (Bivalvia, Unionidae)

Abstract A review is given of the species of Anodontinae in Anatolia and the adjacent areas, based mainly on the author’s collections. Five species (A. anatina, A. cygnae, A. palustris, A. pseudodopsis, A. vescoiana) and several subspecies are recognized. Their distribution and the patterns of subspeciation are discussed.

First occurrence of native cymothoids parasites on introduced rabbitfishes in the Mediterranean Sea

This paper presents the first record of two native Mediterranean cymothoid species caught attached to introduced Lessepsian rabbitfishes. This is also the first record of cymothoids from the coastal waters of Libya. Anilocra physodes was collected from Siganus luridus while Nerocila bivittata was found on both Siganus rivulatus and S. luridus. Rabbitfishes in the southern central Mediterranean have acquired native Mediterranean cymothoids but do not seem to be infested along the Levantine coast.

Morphometry, age and growth of Siganus luridus Rüppell, 1828 and Siganus rivulatus Forsskål, 1775 (Siganidae) in the central Mediterranean (Libyan coast)

Algunos aspectos biologicos de las especies de siganidos en la costa de Libia, fueron estudiados en su morfometria, edad y crecimiento. Dos especies fueron recolectadas entre marzo 2005 y marzo 2006, 1.672 individuos de Siganus rivulatus de la costa oriental y 1.756 individuos de S. luridus de la costa occidental y el Golfo de Sirt. La edad de los especimenes capturados por cada especie se estimo mediante el analisis de los otolitos. Los resultados fueron comparados con los datos disponibles de diferentes localidades del Mediterraneo y del Mar Rojo. La edad de S. rivulatus oscilo entre uno a seis anos y para S. luridus fue de uno a siete anos. Se observo una correlacion positiva en las relaciones entre las distintas mediciones morfometricas y el tamano corporal total de ambas especies. Las funciones de crecimiento de von Bertalanffy se estimaron como LT = 35 (1-e-0.160 (t+1.04)) y LT = 30 (1-e-0.213 (t + 0.784)) para S. rivulatus y S. luridus, respectivamente. Las curvas de crecimiento de von Bertalanffy sugieren tasas de crecimiento mas rapidas en S. rivulatus. La relacion longitud-peso fue WT = 0.233 LT2.82 (S. rivulatus) y WT = 0.101 LT3.23 (S. luridus). Siganus luridus tendria una tasa de crecimiento corporal mas rapida que S. rivulatus, lo que podria indicar que esta en un ambiente que le otorga mayor suministro de alimento