“Bactricia nematodes Kby., 1894” (Phasmida, Diapheromeridae, Diapheromerinae) is a nomen nudum
- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440615 , vital:73797 , https://doi.org/10.3897/ AfrInvertebr.65.115507
- Description: A review of published evidence indicates that Bactricia nematodes Kirby, 1894 is a nomen nudum because it is an unavailable name. The specimen collected during the Lund University Swedish South African Expedition and reported by this name is a male of Bactricia bituberculata (Schaum, 1857).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440615 , vital:73797 , https://doi.org/10.3897/ AfrInvertebr.65.115507
- Description: A review of published evidence indicates that Bactricia nematodes Kirby, 1894 is a nomen nudum because it is an unavailable name. The specimen collected during the Lund University Swedish South African Expedition and reported by this name is a male of Bactricia bituberculata (Schaum, 1857).
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# SideHustle: Jason GH Londt’s contribution to holdings of the South African Cicadidae (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha) in the KwaZulu-Natal Museum
- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440598 , vital:73796 , 10.3897/afrinvertebr.64.100851
- Description: Jason GH Londt contributed almost a quarter of the KwaZulu-Natal Museum’s specimens of Cicadidae, including a strong sample of females, and probably the best set to date of African records of predation on cicadas by robber flies. The collection provides evidence that robber flies catch more male cicadas; speculatively, because attacks on the heavier-bodied female fail more often. The metadata derived from these specimens also provide a small gazetteer of Londt’s collecting sites.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440598 , vital:73796 , 10.3897/afrinvertebr.64.100851
- Description: Jason GH Londt contributed almost a quarter of the KwaZulu-Natal Museum’s specimens of Cicadidae, including a strong sample of females, and probably the best set to date of African records of predation on cicadas by robber flies. The collection provides evidence that robber flies catch more male cicadas; speculatively, because attacks on the heavier-bodied female fail more often. The metadata derived from these specimens also provide a small gazetteer of Londt’s collecting sites.
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A replacement name for Bostra Stål (Insecta, Phasmida, Diapheromeridae), a junior homonym of Bostra Walker (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)
- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440738 , vital:73808 , https://jor.pensoft.net/article/97047/
- Description: Bostra Stål (Phasmida, Diapheromeridae) is a junior homonym of Bostra Walker (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). The replacement name Bostranova Villet nomen nov. is proposed for Bostra Stål, and new combinations are proposed for the species-group names currently included in that phasmid genus.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440738 , vital:73808 , https://jor.pensoft.net/article/97047/
- Description: Bostra Stål (Phasmida, Diapheromeridae) is a junior homonym of Bostra Walker (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). The replacement name Bostranova Villet nomen nov. is proposed for Bostra Stål, and new combinations are proposed for the species-group names currently included in that phasmid genus.
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South African nose flies (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Rhiniinae): taxonomy, diversity, distribution and biology
- Thomas-Cabianca, Arianna, Villet, Martin H, Martínez-Sánchez, Anabel, Rojo, Santos
- Authors: Thomas-Cabianca, Arianna , Villet, Martin H , Martínez-Sánchez, Anabel , Rojo, Santos
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441400 , vital:73884 , 10.3897/BDJ.11.e72764
- Description: Rhiniinae (Diptera, Calliphoridae) is a taxon of nearly 400 known species, many of them termitophilous. Approximatelly 160 valid species in 16 genera are Afrotropical, with over 60 of them occurring in South Africa. The taxonomy of this group is outdated, as most studies of the South African taxa were conducted 40 to 70 years ago (mostly by Salvador Peris and Fritz Zumpt). Published information on their biology and ecology is also scarce.
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- Authors: Thomas-Cabianca, Arianna , Villet, Martin H , Martínez-Sánchez, Anabel , Rojo, Santos
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441400 , vital:73884 , 10.3897/BDJ.11.e72764
- Description: Rhiniinae (Diptera, Calliphoridae) is a taxon of nearly 400 known species, many of them termitophilous. Approximatelly 160 valid species in 16 genera are Afrotropical, with over 60 of them occurring in South Africa. The taxonomy of this group is outdated, as most studies of the South African taxa were conducted 40 to 70 years ago (mostly by Salvador Peris and Fritz Zumpt). Published information on their biology and ecology is also scarce.
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Detecting and removing sample contamination in phylogenomic data: an example and its implications for Cicadidae phylogeny (Insecta Hemiptera).
- Owen, Christopher L, Marshall, David C, Wade, Elizabeth J, Meister, Russ, Goemans, Geert, Kunte, Krushnamegh, Moulds, Max, Hill, Kathy, Villet, Martin H, Pham, Thai-Hong, Kortyna, Michelle, Lemmon, Emily M, Lemmon, Alan R, Simon, Chris
- Authors: Owen, Christopher L , Marshall, David C , Wade, Elizabeth J , Meister, Russ , Goemans, Geert , Kunte, Krushnamegh , Moulds, Max , Hill, Kathy , Villet, Martin H , Pham, Thai-Hong , Kortyna, Michelle , Lemmon, Emily M , Lemmon, Alan R , Simon, Chris
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440749 , vital:73809 , https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syac043
- Description: Contamination of a genetic sample with DNA from one or more nontarget species is a continuing concern of molecular phylogenetic studies, both Sanger sequencing studies and next-generation sequencing studies. We developed an automated pipeline for identifying and excluding likely cross-contaminated loci based on the detection of bimodal distributions of patristic distances across gene trees. When contamination occurs between samples within a data set, a comparison between a contaminated sample and its contaminant taxon will yield bimodal distributions with one peak close to zero patristic distance. This new method does not rely on a priori knowledge of taxon relatedness nor does it determine the causes(s) of the contamination. Exclusion of putatively contaminated loci from a data set generated for the insect family Cicadidae showed that these sequences were affecting some topological patterns and branch supports, although the effects were sometimes subtle, with some contamination-influenced relationships exhibiting strong bootstrap support. Long tip branches and outlier values for one anchored phylogenomic pipeline statistic (AvgNHomologs) were correlated with the presence of contamination.
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- Authors: Owen, Christopher L , Marshall, David C , Wade, Elizabeth J , Meister, Russ , Goemans, Geert , Kunte, Krushnamegh , Moulds, Max , Hill, Kathy , Villet, Martin H , Pham, Thai-Hong , Kortyna, Michelle , Lemmon, Emily M , Lemmon, Alan R , Simon, Chris
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440749 , vital:73809 , https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syac043
- Description: Contamination of a genetic sample with DNA from one or more nontarget species is a continuing concern of molecular phylogenetic studies, both Sanger sequencing studies and next-generation sequencing studies. We developed an automated pipeline for identifying and excluding likely cross-contaminated loci based on the detection of bimodal distributions of patristic distances across gene trees. When contamination occurs between samples within a data set, a comparison between a contaminated sample and its contaminant taxon will yield bimodal distributions with one peak close to zero patristic distance. This new method does not rely on a priori knowledge of taxon relatedness nor does it determine the causes(s) of the contamination. Exclusion of putatively contaminated loci from a data set generated for the insect family Cicadidae showed that these sequences were affecting some topological patterns and branch supports, although the effects were sometimes subtle, with some contamination-influenced relationships exhibiting strong bootstrap support. Long tip branches and outlier values for one anchored phylogenomic pipeline statistic (AvgNHomologs) were correlated with the presence of contamination.
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Key for the identification of third instar larvae of African blowflies (Diptera Calliphoridae) of forensic importance in death investigations
- Szpila, Krzysztof, Williams, Kirstin A, Soszyńska, Agnieszka, Ekanem, Mfon, Heyns, Marise, Dinka, Mergi D, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Szpila, Krzysztof , Williams, Kirstin A , Soszyńska, Agnieszka , Ekanem, Mfon , Heyns, Marise , Dinka, Mergi D , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440761 , vital:73810 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111889
- Description: Blowfly larvae are the insects primarily responsible for the active stage of decomposition of exposed vertebrate remains and are the most frequently collected entomological evidence during forensic investigations of death. The necrophagous calliphorids in continental Africa that consistently develop on large vertebrate carrion include 11 species belonging to four genera: Calliphora, Chrysomya, Hemipyrellia and Lucilia. Most of these species are widespread in Africa and frequently reported on large animal carcasses and carrion and human corpses. A few keys have been compiled for identification of their third instar larvae, but none of them covers the complete set of taxa. Therefore, we provide a new comprehensive key with original illustrations of all taxonomically significant characters. The key is based on characters that should be easily observable even in poorly equipped local laboratories and is a reliable taxonomic tool for material collected in either urban or rural areas where synanthropic species predominate. However, it should be used with some caution in areas with relatively pristine natural habitats, where additional carrion-breeding species may occur. The publication of the key will significantly facilitate both medical and forensic entomological research and practice in Africa.
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- Authors: Szpila, Krzysztof , Williams, Kirstin A , Soszyńska, Agnieszka , Ekanem, Mfon , Heyns, Marise , Dinka, Mergi D , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440761 , vital:73810 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111889
- Description: Blowfly larvae are the insects primarily responsible for the active stage of decomposition of exposed vertebrate remains and are the most frequently collected entomological evidence during forensic investigations of death. The necrophagous calliphorids in continental Africa that consistently develop on large vertebrate carrion include 11 species belonging to four genera: Calliphora, Chrysomya, Hemipyrellia and Lucilia. Most of these species are widespread in Africa and frequently reported on large animal carcasses and carrion and human corpses. A few keys have been compiled for identification of their third instar larvae, but none of them covers the complete set of taxa. Therefore, we provide a new comprehensive key with original illustrations of all taxonomically significant characters. The key is based on characters that should be easily observable even in poorly equipped local laboratories and is a reliable taxonomic tool for material collected in either urban or rural areas where synanthropic species predominate. However, it should be used with some caution in areas with relatively pristine natural habitats, where additional carrion-breeding species may occur. The publication of the key will significantly facilitate both medical and forensic entomological research and practice in Africa.
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Season and environment modulate aquatic invertebrates’ responses to trout and indigenous fishes in three South African mountain streams
- Bellingan, Terence A, Hugo, Sanet, Villet, Martin H, Weyl, Olaf L F
- Authors: Bellingan, Terence A , Hugo, Sanet , Villet, Martin H , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441487 , vital:73893 , https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1004939
- Description: Introduced organisms are seen as one of the greatest threats to resource sustainability worldwide, and aquatic macroinvertebrates are regarded as good indicators of the health of water resources. To explore these two perspectives, the responses of macroinvertebrate faunas to native and introduced fishes in three headwater tributaries of the Keiskamma River system, South Africa, were examined by comparing potential indicator communities in reaches considered to be fishless, reaches invaded by introduced salmonid species, and reaches containing native fishes. Patterns in the macroinvertebrate faunal assemblage data were driven strongly by season and flow rate, and less strongly by the presence of insectivorous fishes and biotope availability, a finding in parallel with several similar studies from the region. This affirms that aquatic macroinvertebrate faunas are responsive indicators of both environmental and biotic factors and leaves room for further studies to resolve the effects of non-native fish in the Keiskamma River system and other similar systems from South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bellingan, Terence A , Hugo, Sanet , Villet, Martin H , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441487 , vital:73893 , https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1004939
- Description: Introduced organisms are seen as one of the greatest threats to resource sustainability worldwide, and aquatic macroinvertebrates are regarded as good indicators of the health of water resources. To explore these two perspectives, the responses of macroinvertebrate faunas to native and introduced fishes in three headwater tributaries of the Keiskamma River system, South Africa, were examined by comparing potential indicator communities in reaches considered to be fishless, reaches invaded by introduced salmonid species, and reaches containing native fishes. Patterns in the macroinvertebrate faunal assemblage data were driven strongly by season and flow rate, and less strongly by the presence of insectivorous fishes and biotope availability, a finding in parallel with several similar studies from the region. This affirms that aquatic macroinvertebrate faunas are responsive indicators of both environmental and biotic factors and leaves room for further studies to resolve the effects of non-native fish in the Keiskamma River system and other similar systems from South Africa.
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The first ‘Grylloblattida’of the family Liomopteridae from the Middle Permian in the Onder Karoo, South Africa (Insecta Polyneoptera)
- Cawood, Rebecca, Nel, Andre, Garrouste, Romaine, Moyo, Sydney, Villet, Martin H, Prevec, Rosemary
- Authors: Cawood, Rebecca , Nel, Andre , Garrouste, Romaine , Moyo, Sydney , Villet, Martin H , Prevec, Rosemary
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440723 , vital:73807 , https://hal.science/mnhn-04019993/
- Description: Here we describe a new genus and four new species of the extinct ‘Grylloblattida’: Liomopteridae Sellards, 1909: Liomopterum connexus Cawood and Nel, n. sp., Liomopterum daenerys Cawood and Nel, n. sp., Colubrosopterum karooensis Cawood and Nel, n. gen., n. sp., and Paraliomopterum sp. The fossil wings were collected from a new Middle Permian locality near Sutherland, Northern Cape, South Africa, with the horizon close to the Ecca-Beaufort Group contact in the southern Karoo Basin.
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- Authors: Cawood, Rebecca , Nel, Andre , Garrouste, Romaine , Moyo, Sydney , Villet, Martin H , Prevec, Rosemary
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440723 , vital:73807 , https://hal.science/mnhn-04019993/
- Description: Here we describe a new genus and four new species of the extinct ‘Grylloblattida’: Liomopteridae Sellards, 1909: Liomopterum connexus Cawood and Nel, n. sp., Liomopterum daenerys Cawood and Nel, n. sp., Colubrosopterum karooensis Cawood and Nel, n. gen., n. sp., and Paraliomopterum sp. The fossil wings were collected from a new Middle Permian locality near Sutherland, Northern Cape, South Africa, with the horizon close to the Ecca-Beaufort Group contact in the southern Karoo Basin.
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A new species of Buyisa Distant, 1907 (Hemiptera Cicadidae Cicadettinae Cicadettini) from South Africa
- Sanborn, Allen F, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Sanborn, Allen F , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441318 , vital:73877 , https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.1.199
- Description: A new species of the cicada genus Buyisa Distant, 1907 is described from South Africa for an undetermined species referenced in the literature. Buyisa eccaensis new species is described and illustrated and notes on its biology are provided. A key to the officially described species of Buyisa is also included.
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- Authors: Sanborn, Allen F , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441318 , vital:73877 , https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.1.199
- Description: A new species of the cicada genus Buyisa Distant, 1907 is described from South Africa for an undetermined species referenced in the literature. Buyisa eccaensis new species is described and illustrated and notes on its biology are provided. A key to the officially described species of Buyisa is also included.
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Metrological framework for selecting morphological characters to identify species and estimate developmental maturity of forensically significant insect specimens
- Midgley, John M, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440784 , vital:73813 , https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2020.1794347
- Description: Accurate age estimates of immature necrophagous insects associated with a human or animal body can provide evidence of how long the body has been dead. These estimates are based on species-specific details of the insects’ aging processes, and therefore require accurate species identification and developmental stage estimation. Many professionals who produce or use identified organisms as forensic evidence have little training in taxonomy or metrology, and appreciate the availability of formalized principles and standards for biological identification. Taxonomic identifications are usually most readily and economically made using categorical and qualitative morphological characters, but it may be necessary to use less convenient and potentially more ambiguous characters that are continuous and quantitative if two candidate species are closely related, or if identifying developmental stages within a species. Characters should be selected by criteria such as taxonomic specificity and metrological repeatability and relative error. We propose such a hierarchical framework, critique various measurements of immature insects, and suggest some standard approaches to determine the reliability of organismal identifications and measurements in estimating postmortem intervals. Relevant criteria for good characters include high repeatability (including low scope for ambiguity or parallax effects), pronounced discreteness, and small relative error in measurements. These same principles apply to individuation of unique objects in general.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440784 , vital:73813 , https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2020.1794347
- Description: Accurate age estimates of immature necrophagous insects associated with a human or animal body can provide evidence of how long the body has been dead. These estimates are based on species-specific details of the insects’ aging processes, and therefore require accurate species identification and developmental stage estimation. Many professionals who produce or use identified organisms as forensic evidence have little training in taxonomy or metrology, and appreciate the availability of formalized principles and standards for biological identification. Taxonomic identifications are usually most readily and economically made using categorical and qualitative morphological characters, but it may be necessary to use less convenient and potentially more ambiguous characters that are continuous and quantitative if two candidate species are closely related, or if identifying developmental stages within a species. Characters should be selected by criteria such as taxonomic specificity and metrological repeatability and relative error. We propose such a hierarchical framework, critique various measurements of immature insects, and suggest some standard approaches to determine the reliability of organismal identifications and measurements in estimating postmortem intervals. Relevant criteria for good characters include high repeatability (including low scope for ambiguity or parallax effects), pronounced discreteness, and small relative error in measurements. These same principles apply to individuation of unique objects in general.
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Revision of the Afrotropical genus Fainia Zumpt, 1958, with notes on the morphology of Rhiniidae subfamilies (Diptera, Oestroidea)
- Thomas-Cabianca, Arianna, Martínez-Sánchez, Anabel, Villet, Martin H, Rojo, Santos
- Authors: Thomas-Cabianca, Arianna , Martínez-Sánchez, Anabel , Villet, Martin H , Rojo, Santos
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441446 , vital:73889 , 10.3897/zookeys.1033.58539
- Description: The taxonomy and diversity of Fainia Zumpt, 1958, an exclusive Afrotropical genus, had not been reviewed recently. The genus included six nominal species, but the status of several of them was debated. Identification of most Fainia species depends on characters of the male terminalia; females are poorly known and, in several cases, are not adequately diagnosed. We conducted a taxonomic revision of the genus and generated identification tools. Based on the study of type material and specimens available in entomological collections in Africa and Europe, we recognise here three of the six species as valid (F. albitarsis (Macquart, 1846), F. elongata (Bezzi, 1908) and F. inexpectata Zumpt, 1973). We also provide an identification key to both sexes, redescriptions of the species, updated distribution records and high resolution photographs of males’ and females’ habitus and male terminalia. The description of Fainia kagerana Lehrer, 2007a nom. nud. is an invalid nomenclatural act in terms of ICZN Article 13.1. 1. Based on examinations of their holotypes, F. sambura Lehrer, 2008 syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of F. albitarsis; F. kirinyaga Lehrer, 2007b syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of F. inexpectata; and Fainia giriama Lehrer, 2007b is moved from the genus Fainia to the genus Rhinia Robineau-Desvoidy, as Rhinia giriama (Lehrer, 2007b) comb. nov.. We propose two apomorphies that support the status of the subfamily Rhiniinae.
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- Authors: Thomas-Cabianca, Arianna , Martínez-Sánchez, Anabel , Villet, Martin H , Rojo, Santos
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441446 , vital:73889 , 10.3897/zookeys.1033.58539
- Description: The taxonomy and diversity of Fainia Zumpt, 1958, an exclusive Afrotropical genus, had not been reviewed recently. The genus included six nominal species, but the status of several of them was debated. Identification of most Fainia species depends on characters of the male terminalia; females are poorly known and, in several cases, are not adequately diagnosed. We conducted a taxonomic revision of the genus and generated identification tools. Based on the study of type material and specimens available in entomological collections in Africa and Europe, we recognise here three of the six species as valid (F. albitarsis (Macquart, 1846), F. elongata (Bezzi, 1908) and F. inexpectata Zumpt, 1973). We also provide an identification key to both sexes, redescriptions of the species, updated distribution records and high resolution photographs of males’ and females’ habitus and male terminalia. The description of Fainia kagerana Lehrer, 2007a nom. nud. is an invalid nomenclatural act in terms of ICZN Article 13.1. 1. Based on examinations of their holotypes, F. sambura Lehrer, 2008 syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of F. albitarsis; F. kirinyaga Lehrer, 2007b syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of F. inexpectata; and Fainia giriama Lehrer, 2007b is moved from the genus Fainia to the genus Rhinia Robineau-Desvoidy, as Rhinia giriama (Lehrer, 2007b) comb. nov.. We propose two apomorphies that support the status of the subfamily Rhiniinae.
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The cicada genus Tugelana Distant, 1912 (Hemiptera, Cicadidae): phylogenetic position and conservation status
- Villet, Martin H, Edwards, Shelley
- Authors: Villet, Martin H , Edwards, Shelley
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440628 , vital:73798 , https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/66891/
- Description: The cicada genus Tugelana Distant, 1912 is monotypic and endemic to south-eastern Africa. Material was not available for a recent molecular phylogeny of its tribe, so its precise phylogenetic placement is unestablished. Consequently, a 627 bp sequence of the cytochrome oxidase gene was obtained and its candidate relatives identified as several species of Platypleura Amyot and Audinet-Serville, 1843 using the BOLD Identification System and NCBI Genbank’s BLAST. Bayesian inference analyses indicated that the type species, the Maputaland Orangewing Cicada Tugelana butleri Distant, 1912, is closely related to the Dune Koko Orangewing Cicada Platypleura zuluensis Villet, 1989, which has a geographical distribution that is parapatric with T. butleri and which has aberrant genitalia for a member of Platypleura. This pair of species is placed fairly deep within the African clade of Platypleura. We therefore formally recognized Platypleura Amyot and Audinet-Serville, 1843 as a senior synonym of Tugelana Distant, 1912, syn. nov., and assign T. butleri Distant, 1912 to Platypleura as Platypleura butleri (Distant 1912), comb. nov. The species occurs on the wooded grasslands of the Maputaland coastal plateau east of Lebombo Mountains and south of Maputo Bay. Its Extent of Occurrence is about 6360 km2, which would qualify it as Vulnerable under the IUCN’s classification criteria for conservation status.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Villet, Martin H , Edwards, Shelley
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440628 , vital:73798 , https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/66891/
- Description: The cicada genus Tugelana Distant, 1912 is monotypic and endemic to south-eastern Africa. Material was not available for a recent molecular phylogeny of its tribe, so its precise phylogenetic placement is unestablished. Consequently, a 627 bp sequence of the cytochrome oxidase gene was obtained and its candidate relatives identified as several species of Platypleura Amyot and Audinet-Serville, 1843 using the BOLD Identification System and NCBI Genbank’s BLAST. Bayesian inference analyses indicated that the type species, the Maputaland Orangewing Cicada Tugelana butleri Distant, 1912, is closely related to the Dune Koko Orangewing Cicada Platypleura zuluensis Villet, 1989, which has a geographical distribution that is parapatric with T. butleri and which has aberrant genitalia for a member of Platypleura. This pair of species is placed fairly deep within the African clade of Platypleura. We therefore formally recognized Platypleura Amyot and Audinet-Serville, 1843 as a senior synonym of Tugelana Distant, 1912, syn. nov., and assign T. butleri Distant, 1912 to Platypleura as Platypleura butleri (Distant 1912), comb. nov. The species occurs on the wooded grasslands of the Maputaland coastal plateau east of Lebombo Mountains and south of Maputo Bay. Its Extent of Occurrence is about 6360 km2, which would qualify it as Vulnerable under the IUCN’s classification criteria for conservation status.
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The first record of Omosita nearctica Kirejtshuk (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) in South Africa, with the first description of its mature larva
- Williams, Kirstin A, Clitheroe, Crystal-Leigh, Villet, Martin H, Midgley, John M
- Authors: Williams, Kirstin A , Clitheroe, Crystal-Leigh , Villet, Martin H , Midgley, John M
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440640 , vital:73799 , https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/58842/
- Description: Sap beetles of the genus Omosita Erichson are stored-product pests that are also associated with carrion, potentially making them biosecurity risks and forensic tools. The discovery of a specimen of the Nearctic species Omosita nearctica Kirejtshuk in South Africa prompted an investigation a decade later to determine if this species had established itself in the country, which was confirmed by the collection of further breeding specimens that also facilitated the first description of mature larvae of O. nearctica. A new key to adults of all Omosita species is presented.
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- Authors: Williams, Kirstin A , Clitheroe, Crystal-Leigh , Villet, Martin H , Midgley, John M
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440640 , vital:73799 , https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/58842/
- Description: Sap beetles of the genus Omosita Erichson are stored-product pests that are also associated with carrion, potentially making them biosecurity risks and forensic tools. The discovery of a specimen of the Nearctic species Omosita nearctica Kirejtshuk in South Africa prompted an investigation a decade later to determine if this species had established itself in the country, which was confirmed by the collection of further breeding specimens that also facilitated the first description of mature larvae of O. nearctica. A new key to adults of all Omosita species is presented.
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A new genus and three new species of South African Cicadettini (Hemiptera Cicadidae Cicadettinae).
- Sanborn, Allen F, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Sanborn, Allen F , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441261 , vital:73871 , https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4885.4.7
- Description: Ingcainyenzane irhiniensis n. gen., n. sp. and Ingcainyenzane nolukhanyoensis n. gen., n. sp. are described from Eastern Cape and Ingcainyenzane umgeniensis n. gen., n. sp. is described from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Notes on its biology of the species and a key to species of the genus are also provided.
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- Authors: Sanborn, Allen F , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441261 , vital:73871 , https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4885.4.7
- Description: Ingcainyenzane irhiniensis n. gen., n. sp. and Ingcainyenzane nolukhanyoensis n. gen., n. sp. are described from Eastern Cape and Ingcainyenzane umgeniensis n. gen., n. sp. is described from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Notes on its biology of the species and a key to species of the genus are also provided.
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Dietary fatty acids of spiders reveal spatial and temporal variations in aquatic-terrestrial linkages
- Chari, Lenin D, Richoux, Nicole B, Moyo, Sydney, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Chari, Lenin D , Richoux, Nicole B , Moyo, Sydney , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441919 , vital:73935 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2020.e00152
- Description: Stream and riparian food webs can be strongly linked by inputs of aquatic emergent insect prey to terrestrial predators. However, quantifying these linkages and understanding how they vary in time and space is challenging. We investigated the dynamic width of a riverine trophic subsidy zone by determining the relationship between perpendicular distance from a river and dietary contributions of aquatic insect prey to web-building spiders' diets. To assess this relationship, riparian web-building spiders at two river sites were sampled during four seasons and analysed for the fatty acids 16:0, 16:1ω7 and 20:5ω3, their total ω3-fatty acid content and their ω3:ω6 ratio to evaluate trophic subsidies reaching them from an adjacent river. River-derived fatty acids generally declined with increased distance from the river, indicating a diffusion of aquatically derived subsidies into the riparian zone. While the river was only 16 m wide at its broadest, river-derived trophic subsidies were detected up to four times that distance from the river edge. Spiders at a downstream section of the river, characterised by generally higher emergence rates of aquatic insects, contained higher proportions of aquatic indicator fatty acids compared with spiders located upstream, where emergence rates were lower. Similarly, proportions of aquatic indicator fatty acids in spiders were lowest during winter when aquatic insect emergence rates were lowest. The fatty acid 20:5ω3 (eicosapentaenoic acid; EPA) held the best promise as a biomarker of aquatic-derived tropic subsidies and could be developed as a useful tool for riparian research and management.
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- Authors: Chari, Lenin D , Richoux, Nicole B , Moyo, Sydney , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441919 , vital:73935 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2020.e00152
- Description: Stream and riparian food webs can be strongly linked by inputs of aquatic emergent insect prey to terrestrial predators. However, quantifying these linkages and understanding how they vary in time and space is challenging. We investigated the dynamic width of a riverine trophic subsidy zone by determining the relationship between perpendicular distance from a river and dietary contributions of aquatic insect prey to web-building spiders' diets. To assess this relationship, riparian web-building spiders at two river sites were sampled during four seasons and analysed for the fatty acids 16:0, 16:1ω7 and 20:5ω3, their total ω3-fatty acid content and their ω3:ω6 ratio to evaluate trophic subsidies reaching them from an adjacent river. River-derived fatty acids generally declined with increased distance from the river, indicating a diffusion of aquatically derived subsidies into the riparian zone. While the river was only 16 m wide at its broadest, river-derived trophic subsidies were detected up to four times that distance from the river edge. Spiders at a downstream section of the river, characterised by generally higher emergence rates of aquatic insects, contained higher proportions of aquatic indicator fatty acids compared with spiders located upstream, where emergence rates were lower. Similarly, proportions of aquatic indicator fatty acids in spiders were lowest during winter when aquatic insect emergence rates were lowest. The fatty acid 20:5ω3 (eicosapentaenoic acid; EPA) held the best promise as a biomarker of aquatic-derived tropic subsidies and could be developed as a useful tool for riparian research and management.
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Determination of species and instars of the larvae of the Afrotropical species of Thanatophilus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera, Silphidae)
- Daniel, Claire A, Midgley, John M, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Daniel, Claire A , Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440652 , vital:73800 , https://doi.org/10.3897/ AfrInvertebr.58.12966
- Description: Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus have significance for forensic entomology. Their larvae are therefore described and a key is provided for identifying the larvae of Afrotropical Silphidae based on morphological characters. It is shown that seven common species of Thanatophilus can be distinguished by a 360 bp mtDNA sequence from the cytochrome oxidase I gene.
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- Authors: Daniel, Claire A , Midgley, John M , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/440652 , vital:73800 , https://doi.org/10.3897/ AfrInvertebr.58.12966
- Description: Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus have significance for forensic entomology. Their larvae are therefore described and a key is provided for identifying the larvae of Afrotropical Silphidae based on morphological characters. It is shown that seven common species of Thanatophilus can be distinguished by a 360 bp mtDNA sequence from the cytochrome oxidase I gene.
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Diversity of bacteria isolated from the flies Musca domestica (Muscidae) and Chrysomya megacephala (Calliphoridae) with emphasis on vectored pathogens.
- Brits, Devon, Brooks, Margot, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Brits, Devon , Brooks, Margot , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441935 , vital:73936 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC195091
- Description: We evaluated the bacteria occurring externally on Musca domestica and Chrysomya megacephala, the two most common synanthropic flies which may be found at many refusesites throughout the world. Bacteria cultured from 10 specimens of each species were isolated, Gram-stained and examined microscopically, and divided into morphologically distinct 'pseudospecies', to avoid excessive duplication of genetic identification. About 350 bp of the 16S ribosomalRNAgene was amplified from genomic DNA extracted from each 'pseudospecies', sequenced, and bacteria identified using BLASTn. Nineteen different types of colony were identified from M. domestica, with Pseudomonas sp. and Swine Manure Bacterium SP14 being most abundant. Chrysomya megacephala yielded 15 distinct pseudospecies with total colony counts approximating to 10 000 from 10 plates, where 80% of colonies were non-pathogenic Bacillus pumilus. A total of 18 species were identified genetically: three shared by the fly species; four unique to C. megacephala,, and 13 unique to M. domestica. Half of these 18 species were pathogenic, two or three others were food spoilers and the rest were environmental or commensal bacteria from soil or plant matter. This study added three new pathogenic strains of bacteria and one new environmental strain to the list of bacteria reported to be vectored by these flies.
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- Authors: Brits, Devon , Brooks, Margot , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441935 , vital:73936 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC195091
- Description: We evaluated the bacteria occurring externally on Musca domestica and Chrysomya megacephala, the two most common synanthropic flies which may be found at many refusesites throughout the world. Bacteria cultured from 10 specimens of each species were isolated, Gram-stained and examined microscopically, and divided into morphologically distinct 'pseudospecies', to avoid excessive duplication of genetic identification. About 350 bp of the 16S ribosomalRNAgene was amplified from genomic DNA extracted from each 'pseudospecies', sequenced, and bacteria identified using BLASTn. Nineteen different types of colony were identified from M. domestica, with Pseudomonas sp. and Swine Manure Bacterium SP14 being most abundant. Chrysomya megacephala yielded 15 distinct pseudospecies with total colony counts approximating to 10 000 from 10 plates, where 80% of colonies were non-pathogenic Bacillus pumilus. A total of 18 species were identified genetically: three shared by the fly species; four unique to C. megacephala,, and 13 unique to M. domestica. Half of these 18 species were pathogenic, two or three others were food spoilers and the rest were environmental or commensal bacteria from soil or plant matter. This study added three new pathogenic strains of bacteria and one new environmental strain to the list of bacteria reported to be vectored by these flies.
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Dung beetle (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea) assemblages in the western Italian Alps: benchmark data for land use monitoring
- Tocco, Claudia, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Tocco, Claudia , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441361 , vital:73879 , 10.3897/BDJ.4.e10059
- Description: Traditional agro-pastoral practices are in decline over much of the Alps (MacDonald et al. 2000), leading to shrub and tree encroachment, and this represents one of the main threats for the conservation of alpine biodiversity, as many plant and animal species are dependent on the presence of semi-natural open habitats. However, quantifying this environmental change and assessing its impact on biodiversity may be difficult, especially in the context of sparse historical survey data. The accessibility of contemporary data about local biodiversity surveys in general, and indicator taxa in particular, is an essential consideration for planning future evaluations of conservation status in the Alps and for conservation plans that use ecological indicators to monitor temporal changes in biodiversity. Dung beetles are important ecosystem service providers (Nichols et al. 2008) that have been assessed as a good ecological indicator taxon in several studies (reviewed by Nichols and Gardner 2011), and although the Alps is perhaps one of the best-studied regions in respect of dung beetles, there are still only eight readily-accessible publications. We have augmented and comprehensively reviewed the data from these publications.
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- Authors: Tocco, Claudia , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441361 , vital:73879 , 10.3897/BDJ.4.e10059
- Description: Traditional agro-pastoral practices are in decline over much of the Alps (MacDonald et al. 2000), leading to shrub and tree encroachment, and this represents one of the main threats for the conservation of alpine biodiversity, as many plant and animal species are dependent on the presence of semi-natural open habitats. However, quantifying this environmental change and assessing its impact on biodiversity may be difficult, especially in the context of sparse historical survey data. The accessibility of contemporary data about local biodiversity surveys in general, and indicator taxa in particular, is an essential consideration for planning future evaluations of conservation status in the Alps and for conservation plans that use ecological indicators to monitor temporal changes in biodiversity. Dung beetles are important ecosystem service providers (Nichols et al. 2008) that have been assessed as a good ecological indicator taxon in several studies (reviewed by Nichols and Gardner 2011), and although the Alps is perhaps one of the best-studied regions in respect of dung beetles, there are still only eight readily-accessible publications. We have augmented and comprehensively reviewed the data from these publications.
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Phylogenetic radiation of the greenbottle flies (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Luciliinae).
- Williams, Kristin A, Lamb, Jennifer, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Williams, Kristin A , Lamb, Jennifer , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441431 , vital:73887 , 10.3897/zookeys.568.6696
- Description: The subfamily Luciliinae is diverse and geographically widespread. Its four currently recognised genera (Dyscritomyia Grimshaw, 1901, Hemipyrellia Townsend, 1918, Hypopygiopsis Townsend 1916 and Lucilia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) contain species that range from saprophages to obligate parasites, but their pattern of phylogenetic diversification is unclear. The 28S rRNA, COI and Period genes of 14 species of Lucilia and Hemipyrellia were partially sequenced and analysed together with sequences of 11 further species from public databases. The molecular data confirmed molecular paraphyly in three species-pairs in Lucilia that hamper barcode identifications of those six species. Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina were confirmed as mutual sister species. The placements of Dyscritomyia and Hypopygiopsis were ambiguous, since both made Lucilia paraphyletic in some analyses. Recognising Hemipyrellia as a genus consistently left Lucilia s.l. paraphyletic, and the occasionally-recognised (sub)genus Phaenicia was consistently paraphyletic, so these taxa should be synonymised with Lucilia to maintain monophyly.
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- Authors: Williams, Kristin A , Lamb, Jennifer , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441431 , vital:73887 , 10.3897/zookeys.568.6696
- Description: The subfamily Luciliinae is diverse and geographically widespread. Its four currently recognised genera (Dyscritomyia Grimshaw, 1901, Hemipyrellia Townsend, 1918, Hypopygiopsis Townsend 1916 and Lucilia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) contain species that range from saprophages to obligate parasites, but their pattern of phylogenetic diversification is unclear. The 28S rRNA, COI and Period genes of 14 species of Lucilia and Hemipyrellia were partially sequenced and analysed together with sequences of 11 further species from public databases. The molecular data confirmed molecular paraphyly in three species-pairs in Lucilia that hamper barcode identifications of those six species. Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina were confirmed as mutual sister species. The placements of Dyscritomyia and Hypopygiopsis were ambiguous, since both made Lucilia paraphyletic in some analyses. Recognising Hemipyrellia as a genus consistently left Lucilia s.l. paraphyletic, and the occasionally-recognised (sub)genus Phaenicia was consistently paraphyletic, so these taxa should be synonymised with Lucilia to maintain monophyly.
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Two new species of Xosopsaltria Kirkaldy, 1904, with a key to the species of South African pygmy bladder cicadas (Hemiptera Cicadidae Cicadettinae Tettigomyiini)
- Sanborn, Allen F, Villet, Martin H
- Authors: Sanborn, Allen F , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441274 , vital:73873 , https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4092.2.3
- Description: Two species, Xosopsaltria brachyptera n. sp. and Xosopsaltria vitripennis n. sp., are described as new. Notes on their biology and a key to the South African pygmy bladder cicadas are also provided.
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- Authors: Sanborn, Allen F , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441274 , vital:73873 , https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4092.2.3
- Description: Two species, Xosopsaltria brachyptera n. sp. and Xosopsaltria vitripennis n. sp., are described as new. Notes on their biology and a key to the South African pygmy bladder cicadas are also provided.
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