Latest Articles from ZooKeys Latest 14 Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:49:07 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://zookeys.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Systematic revision of the ant subfamily Leptanillinae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/107506/ ZooKeys 1189: 83-184

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1189.107506

Authors: Zachary Griebenow

Abstract: The genus-level taxonomy of the ant subfamily Leptanillinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is here revised, with the aim of delimiting genus-level taxa that are reciprocally monophyletic and readily diagnosable based upon all adult forms. This new classification reflects molecular phylogenetics and is informed by joint consideration of both male and worker morphology. Three valid genera are recognized in the Leptanillinae: Opamyrma, Leptanilla (= Scyphodon syn. nov., Phaulomyrma, Leptomesites, Noonilla syn. nov., Yavnella syn. nov.), and Protanilla (= Anomalomyrma syn. nov., Furcotanilla). Leptanilla and Protanilla are further divided into informal, monophyletic species groups. Synoptic diagnoses are provided for all genera and informal supraspecific groupings. In addition, worker-based keys to all described species within the Leptanillinae for which the worker caste is known are provided; and male-based keys to all species for which males are known, plus undescribed male morphospecies for which molecular data are published. The following species are described as new: Protanilla wallacei sp. nov., Leptanilla acherontia sp. nov., Leptanilla belantan sp. nov., Leptanilla bethyloides sp. nov., and Leptanilla najaphalla sp. nov.

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Monograph Tue, 16 Jan 2024 10:44:13 +0200
DNA barcoding and morphology reveal European and western Asian Arctia villica (Linnaeus, 1758) as a complex of species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/95225/ ZooKeys 1159: 69-86

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1159.95225

Authors: Antonio S. Ortiz, Rosa M. Rubio, Josef J. de Freina, Juan J. Guerrero, Manuel Garre, José Luis Yela

Abstract: Currently, the genus Arctia Schrank, 1802 includes approximately 16 species in the Palaearctic region, depending on the taxonomic interpretation. Here, populations of the Arctia villica (Linnaeus, 1758) morphospecies complex were studied from Europe to the Middle East (Turkey, northern Iran) by molecular methods. Morphological treatment has traditionally revealed the presence of five nominal taxa: A. villica (Linnaeus, 1758), A. angelica (Boisduval, 1829), A. konewkaii (Freyer, 1831), A. marchandi de Freina, 1983, and A. confluens Romanoff, 1884. The molecular approach tests whether they represent well-delimited species. Subsequently, this study corroborates the suitability of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) marker sequence for species delimitation. In total, 55 barcodes of the Arctia villica complex were compared, and two molecular species delimitation algorithms were applied to reveal the potential Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs), namely the distance-based Barcode Index Number (BIN) System, and the hierarchical clustering algorithm based on a pairwise genetic distances approach using the Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP). The applied ASAP distance-based species delimitation method for the analysed dataset revealed an interspecific threshold of 2.0–3.5% K2P distance as suitable for species identification purposes of the Iberian A. angelica and the Sicilian A. konewkaii and less than 2% for the three taxa of the A. villica clade: A. villica, A. confluens, and A. marchandi. This study contributes to a better understanding of the taxonomy of the genus Arctia and challenges future revision of this genus in Turkey, the Caucasus, Transcaucasia as well as northern Iran using standard molecular markers.

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Research Article Tue, 25 Apr 2023 22:01:27 +0300
Morphology and distribution of the Middle Asian centipede genus Krateraspis Lignau, 1929 (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha, Mecistocephalidae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/80806/ ZooKeys 1095: 143-164

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1095.80806

Authors: Yurii V. Dyachkov, Lucio Bonato

Abstract: A comprehensive redescription of the poorly known mecistocephalid genus Krateraspis Lignau, 1929 and its two species is provided, based on the examination of type material and new specimens, as well as the critical evaluation of all published information. Krateraspis is confirmed differing from all other Mecistocephalidae especially for a peculiar pattern of areolation and setation of the clypeus. Records from 24 localities indicate that Krateraspis is limited to a narrow area of Middle Asia, from the Western Tian-Shan to the western offshoots of Pamir Mountains. Two species are morphologically distinguishable: K. meinerti (Sseliwanoff, 1881) and K. sselivanovi Titova, 1975. They differ mainly in details of the clypeus and maxillae, in the pattern of forcipular denticles, and in the number of legs. Tygarrup asiaticus Verhoeff, 1930 is confirmed as a junior synonym of K. meinerti, and a lectotype is designated for the former.

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Research Article Thu, 14 Apr 2022 09:36:34 +0300
Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Takobia Novikova & Kluge, 1987 (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) in Central Asia https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/71582/ ZooKeys 1071: 127-154

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1071.71582

Authors: Pavel Sroka, Zohar Yanai, Dmitry Palatov, Jean-Luc Gattolliat

Abstract: Based on the original type material, the nymphal stage of the mayfly Takobia maxillare is redescribed; in parallel, a lectotype is designated. Takobia maxillare is the type species of the genus Takobia, and an accurate and complete knowledge of its morphology is crucial to the delimitation of this problematic genus and clarification of its phylogenetic affinities. Ambiguous characters, previously reported for this species in the literature are clarified. Furthermore, two new species in the same genus are described, namely Takobia sinusopalpata sp. nov. and Takobia shughnonica sp. nov. based on the morphology of nymphs from Central Asia, supplemented with COI sequences. Implications for the systematics of Takobia and related taxa are discussed and the need for an extensive phylogenetic study of this group is stressed.

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Research Article Thu, 18 Nov 2021 07:02:21 +0200
Revision of the spider family Zodariidae (Arachnida, Araneae) in Iran and Turkmenistan, with seventeen new species https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/65767/ ZooKeys 1035: 145-193

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1035.65767

Authors: Alireza Zamani, Yuri M. Marusik

Abstract: Species of the spider family Zodariidae occurring in Iran and Turkmenistan are reviewed. Seventeen species of three subfamilies are described as new to science: Lachesana kavirensis sp. nov. (♂, Qom; northern Iran), L. perseus sp. nov. (♂, Alborz; northern Iran) (Lachesaninae), Pax ellipita sp. nov. (♂♀, Kermanshah and Lorestan; western Iran), P. leila sp. nov. (♂♀, Fars; southwestern Iran) (Storeninae), Acanthinozodium armita sp. nov. (♂, Tehran; northern Iran), A. atrisa sp. nov. (♂♀, Qazvin and Tehran; northern Iran), A. diara sp. nov. (♂, Ilam and Lorestan; western Iran), A. dorsa sp. nov. (♂♀, Fars; southern Iran), A. elburzicum sp. nov. (♂♀, Tehran; northern Iran), A. kiana sp. nov. (♂, Kurdistan; western Iran), A. masa sp. nov. (♂, Kermanshah; western Iran), A. niusha sp. nov. (♂♀, Fars, Isfahan and Markazi; central Iran), A. ovtchinnikovi sp. nov. (♂, Mary; southeastern Turkmenistan), A. parmida sp. nov. (♂, Isfahan; central Iran), A. parysatis sp. nov. (♂♀, Ardabil and Qazvin; northern and northwestern Iran), A. sorani sp. nov. (♂, East Azerbaijan and Kurdistan; northwestern and western Iran) and Trygetus susianus sp. nov. (♀, Khuzestan; southwestern Iran) (Zodariinae). Zodariellum Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1968, currently comprising only the type species (Z. surprisum Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1968) is rediagnosed, with the following species being (re)transferred to it: Z. asiaticum (Tyshchenko, 1970) comb. res., Z. bactrianum (Kroneberg, 1875) comb. nov., Z. bekuzini (Nenilin, 1985) comb. res., Z. chaoyangense (Zhu & Zhu, 1983) comb. res., Z. continentalis (Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1968) comb. res., Z. furcum (Zhu, 1988) comb. res., Z. mongolicum Marusik & Koponen, 2001 comb. res., Z. proszynskii (Nenilin & Fet, 1985) comb. res., Z. nenilini (Eskov, 1996) comb. res., Z. surprisum Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1968 comb. res., Z. schmidti Marusik & Koponen, 2001 comb. res., Z. sytchevskajae (Nenilin & Fet, 1985) comb. res. and Z. volgouralensis Ponomarev, 2007 comb. res. (all ex. Zodarion); out of these, Z. proszynskii Nenilin & Fet, 1985, previously known only from the type locality in Turkmenistan, is recorded from northeastern Iran for the first time. This paper raises the number of zodariids known from Iran to 22 species from seven genera (including the first Iranian records of Acanthinozodium Denis, 1966, Pax Levy, 1990 and Zodariellum) and those known from Turkmenistan to five species from five genera (including the first record of Acanthinozodium from this country). Regional distribution records of all species are mapped.

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Monograph Tue, 27 Apr 2021 17:38:40 +0300
The first record of the genus Laemostenus from China, with descriptions of two new species from the Himalaya (Carabidae, Sphodrini, Sphodrina) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/61383/ ZooKeys 1017: 77-88

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1017.61383

Authors: Pingzhou Zhu, Hongliang Shi, Hongbin Liang

Abstract: The genus Laemostenus is recorded from China for the first time, and two new species are described: L. (Pristonychus) zhentangensis sp. nov. (type locality: Dinggyê County, Xizang), and L. (P.) zhamensis sp. nov. (type locality: Nyalam County, Xizang). The relationships of these new species are briefly discussed.

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Research Article Fri, 12 Feb 2021 20:45:46 +0200
New and interesting findings of scarab beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) from Tajikistan https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/55457/ ZooKeys 1003: 57-82

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1003.55457

Authors: Adam Byk, Andrzej Matusiak, Artur Taszakowski, Wojciech T. Szczepański, Marcin Walczak, Marek Bunalski, Lech Karpiński

Abstract: We report on new findings of nearly 50 species that represent four families of the superfamily Scarabaeoidea, which were collected during an expedition to western Tajikistan that was carried out in June and July 2014. Rhyssemodes transcaspicus Rakovič, 1982 is recorded from the country for the first time. Moreover, we describe and illustrate the differences in the external morphology between Euonthophagus gibbosus (Scriba, 1790) and E. koshantschikoffi (Reitter, 1891), the latter of which has a doubtful systematic position. In the collected material of approximately 1,000 specimens, more than 90% of the species and 95% of the individuals belong to the family Scarabaeidae. The other species represent the families Geotrupidae, Glaphyridae, and Hybosoridae.

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Research Article Mon, 14 Dec 2020 22:58:02 +0200
A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 (Araneae, Trachelidae) from Tajikistan https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/59932/ ZooKeys 993: 27-34

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.993.59932

Authors: Yuri M. Marusik, Alexander A. Fomichev

Abstract: A new species of trachelid spiders, Trachelas crewsae sp. nov. is described from south-western Tajikistan based on both sexes. The new species is closely related to T. vulcani Simon, 1896 from South-East Asia but differs in the conformation of the copulatory organs and color pattern.

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Research Article Mon, 16 Nov 2020 10:13:52 +0200
On Araniella and Neoscona (Araneae, Araneidae) of the Caucasus, Middle East and Central Asia https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/47978/ ZooKeys 906: 13-40

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.906.47978

Authors: Alireza Zamani, Yuri M. Marusik, Anna Šestáková

Abstract: New taxonomic data for species belonging to Araniella Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942 and Neoscona Simon, 1864 occurring in the Caucasus, Middle East and Central Asia are provided. Three species are described as new to science: A. mithra sp. nov. (♂♀, northwestern, central and southwestern Iran), A. villanii sp. nov. (♂♀, southwestern Iran, eastern Kazakhstan and northern India) and N. isatis sp. nov. (♂♀, central Iran). Neoscona spasskyi (Brignoli, 1983) comb. nov., stat. res. is removed from the synonymy of N. tedgenica (Bakhvalov, 1978), redescribed and recorded from Iran and Turkmenistan for the first time. New combinations are established for this species, as well as for Araniella nigromaculata (Schenkel, 1963) comb. nov. (♀, north-central China) (both ex. Araneus). Two new synonymies are proposed: Araniella tbilisiensis Mcheidze, 1997 syn. nov. is synonymized with A. opisthographa (Kulczyński, 1905), and Neoscona sodom Levy, 1998 syn. nov. is synonymized with N. theisi (Walckenaer, 1841); the latter is recorded from Iran, Georgia, and Russia (Northern Caucasus) for the first time.

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Research Article Wed, 22 Jan 2020 22:35:00 +0200
New data on the distribution, biology and ecology of the longhorn beetles from the area of South and East Kazakhstan (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/29660/ ZooKeys 805: 59-126

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.805.29660

Authors: Lech Karpiński, Wojciech T. Szczepański, Radosław Plewa, Marcin Walczak, Jacek Hilszczański, Lech Kruszelnicki, Krzysztof Łoś, Tomasz Jaworski, Marek Bidas, Grzegorz Tarwacki

Abstract: New data on the distribution, biology and ecology of the longhorn beetles occurring in southern and eastern regions of Kazakhstan are presented together with a list of 78 species that were collected during two entomological expeditions conducted in May and June 2017. New localities of some rare taxa endemic to this region of Asia, such as Psilotarsus brachypterus brachypterus (Gebler, 1830), Stenocorus minutus (Gebler, 1841) and Dorcadion crassipes crassipes Ballion, 1878 are given. Exocentrus stierlini Ganglbauer, 1883 is recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time. Moreover, the occurrence of three species: Amarysius duplicatus Tsherepanov, 1980, Rhopaloscelis unifasciatus Blessig, 1873 and Saperda alberti Plavilstshikov, 1916, which were recently found in the country, is also confirmed. Furthermore, high-quality photographs of several unique taxa, i.e. Psilotarsus brachypterus pubiventris (Semenov, 1900), Xylotrechus adspersus (Gebler, 1830), X. alakolensis Karpiński & Szczepański, 2018, Anoplistes galusoi (Kostin, 1974), A. jacobsoni Baeckmann, 1904 and Oberea kostini Danilevsky, 1988 along with images of their habitats and feeding galleries are also presented. New localities of species considered serious pests or invasive, such as Turanium scabrum (Kraatz, 1882) and Trichoferus campestris (Faldermann, 1835), respectively, are also given. A new synonymy is proposed: Cerambyx scalaris Linnaeus, 1758 = Cerambyx hieroglyphicus Pallas, 1773, syn. n.

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Research Article Tue, 11 Dec 2018 11:50:20 +0200
Revision of the genus Reichardtiolus Kryzhanovskij, 1959 (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Saprininae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/3348/ ZooKeys 379: 1-27

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.379.6457

Authors: Tomáš Lackner

Abstract: The genus Reichardtiolus Kryzhanovskij, 1959 is revised herein. It now contains five species: R. duriculus (Reitter, 1904) from middle Asia (with a doubtful female specimen from western China that is here tentatively assigned to this species), R. pavlovskii Kryzhanovskij, 1959 from Turkmenistan, R. sphingis (Peyerimhoff, 1936), comb. n. (transferred from Saprinus Erichson, 1834) from Egypt and Jordan, R. perses sp. n. from Iran and R. aldhaferi sp. n. from Saudi Arabia. Except for R. pavlovskii, which is a rather distinct species known only from two females, the remaining species are allopatric, very similar externally and are best separated from each other by their male terminalia. R. pavlovskii is kept in Reichardtiolus only tentatively, pending the examination of more specimens, and especially its male genitalia. R. duriculus and R. pavlovskii are re-described, while R. perses sp. n., R. aldhaferi sp. n. and R. sphingis comb. n. are provided with diagnostic descriptions because of their overall similarity with R. duriculus. Morphological differences of all species are illustrated using SEM micrographs. Male genitalia of R. duriculus, R. sphingis comb. n., R. perses sp. n. and R. aldhaferi sp. n. are illustrated and a key to the species is given. R. duriculus is newly recorded from Tajikistan.

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Research Article Tue, 11 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0200
Cartographic analysis of woodlice fauna of the former USSR https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/2538/ ZooKeys 176: 1-11

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.176.2372

Authors: Daria M. Kuznetsova, Konstanin B. Gongalsky

Abstract: An inventory of the woodlice fauna of the former USSR yielded 190 species, 64 of them were recorded from the territory of Russia. According to the cartographic analysis, the limits of distribution of epigean terrestrial isopods over the area, excluding mountains, is explained by temperature. No woodlice records were found outside the isocline of 120 days a year with the mean daily air temperature >10°C. The highest species diversity was found between the isoclines of 180 and 210 days. These areas correspond to forest-steppe and steppe zones.

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Research Article Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0200
Review of subtribe Singilina Jeannel, 1949, of the Middle East and Central Asia (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/2232/ ZooKeys 155: 1-50

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.155.1779

Authors: Alexander Anichtchenko

Abstract: Species of the genus Singilis Rambur, 1837 (Phloeozeteus Peyron, 1856, syn. n., Agatus Motschulsky, 1845, syn. n.), occurring in the Middle East and Central Asia are reviewed, with 24 species now recognized in the region, including ten species described as new: S. makarovi sp. n. (Tajikistan), S. jedlickai sp. n. (Afghanistan), S. kolesnichenkoi sp. n. (Iran), S. kabakovi sp. n. (Afghanistan, Iran), S. timuri sp. n. (Uzbekistan), S. klimenkoi sp. n. (Iran), S. saeedi sp. n. (Iran), S. felixi sp. n. (UAE), S. kryzhanovskii sp. n. (Iran, Turkmenistan), and S. timidus sp. n. (Iran); S. libani (Sahlberg, 1913) is recognized as a valid species; and S. solskyi nom. n. is proposed as a replacement name for Agatus bicolor (Solsky, 1874, not Rambur, 1837), now placed in Singilis as junior homonym. New synonymies include: Singilis cingulatus (Gebler, 1843) = Singilis jakeschi Jedlička, 1967, syn. n.; S. mesopotamicus Pic, 1901 = Singilis apicalis Jedlička, 1956, syn. n. A key to species is provided. Habitus and aedeagal illustrations are provided for all species. Distributional data include many new country records.

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Research Article Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0200
Redescription of the poorly known Central Asian Titanoeca lehtineni Fet, 1986 (Araneae, Titanoecidae) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/2880/ ZooKeys 144: 81-85

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.144.2266

Authors: Mikhail Omelko

Abstract: A poorly known spiders species, Titanoeca lehtineni Fet, 1986, from southwestern Central Asia is redescribed and diagnosed.

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Short Communication Thu, 3 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0200