V. J. Monserrat

Changes to the elevational limits and extent of species ranges associated with climate change.

The first expected symptoms of a climate change-generated biodiversity crisis are range contractions and extinctions at lower elevational and latitudinal limits to species distributions. However, whilst range expansions at high elevations and latitudes have been widely documented, there has been surprisingly little evidence for contractions at warm margins. We show that lower elevational limits for 16 butterfly species in central Spain have risen on average by 212 m (± SE 60) in 30 years, accompanying a 1.3 °C rise (equivalent to c. 225 m) in mean annual temperature. These elevational shifts signify an average reduction in habitable area by one-third, with losses of 50-80% projected for the coming century, given maintenance of the species thermal associations. The results suggest that many species have already suffered climate-mediated habitat losses that may threaten their long-term chances of survival.

A new European species of Nevrorthus in the Iberian Peninsula (Insecta, Neuropterida)

A new species of Nevrorthus (Insecta, Neuropterida: Nevrorthidae) has been found in the south of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Malaga): N. reconditus Monserrat & Gavira n. sp. This new species represents the first record of this genus and this family in the Westernmost Mediterranean basin. A key to the known species of this genus is provided.

Nuevos datos sobre los coniopterígidos de África y Europa (Insecta, Neuroptera, Coniopterygidae)

New data on the biology, distribution and sometimes morphology of 43 Palaearctic and Afro-tropical dusty wings species are given. A great variability margin in the presenceabsence and extension of scale like hairs in male antennae of some species of subgenus Xeroconiopteryx has been detected and such character (very frequently used) is proposed to be rejected as a definitive taxonomical character to differentiate problematic species of this subgenus with very similar male genitalia. On the contrary, vertex sedation and structures (figured for some different species) seem to be a very good character to be taking into account. Coniocompsa silvestriana Enderlein, 1914 = (Coniocompsa smithersi Meinander, 1972) n. syn. and Parasemidalis alluaudina (Navás, 1912) = (Semidalis alluaudina Navás, 1912 = Parasemidalis fusca Meinander, 1963) n. syn. are proposed as new synonymies. Helicoconis canariensis n. sp. and Coniopteryx canariensis n. sp. from Canary Islands and Semidalis pallidicornis n. sp. from Uganda are described as new species.

The larvae of Gepus invisus Navás, 1912 and Solter liber Navás, 1912, a comparative description (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae).

The third instar larvae of Gepus invisus and Solter liber are comparatively described and illustrated for the first time with a particular emphasis on genus level characters. Larval morphology confirms a close relationship between these genera as they differ only in minor characters.

A new species of Spongilla-fly from Western Africa (Neuroptera: Sisyridae)

A new species of spongilla-fly (Neuropterida, Neuroptera, Sisyridae: Sisyra) is described from Western Africa (Guinea and Ivory Coast). This new Sisyra species differs from all other known African species both in its morphology and genitalia, and it seems to be most closely related to a species in Thailand.

The larva of Tricholeon relictus Hölzel & Monserrat, 2002 a synanthropic antlion (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae)

The larva of Tricholeon relictus, a Spanish endemic antlion of Afrotropical affinities, is described and illustrated for the first time also providing a comparison with the only other European member of the tribe Dendroleontini, Dendroleon pantherinus. The larva of this species is synanthropic but probably originally lived in cave-like habitats.