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Identity Of Planidium Larvae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) Previously Recorded On Antillean Scorpions, Luis F. De Armas

Euscorpius

The insect planidium larvae found on some Antillean scorpions of the family Buthidae, and previously recorded as belonging to Perilampidae wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), are herein identified as members of Eucharitidae, possibly genus Kapala. Their occurrence on scorpions is interpreted as accidental or perhaps phoretic.

Resumen

Las larvas tipo planidio halladas sobre escorpiones antillanos de la familia Buthidae y previamente registradas como pertenecientes a avispas Perilampidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), son aquí reconocidas como miembros de la familia Eucharitidae. Su presencia en escorpiones pudiera ser accidental o tratarse de foresis.

Scorpions Of Iran (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Vi. Lorestan Province, Shahrokh Navidpour, Hassan H. Nayebzadeh, Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet, František Kovařík, Mohammad Hassan Kayedi

Euscorpius

Ten species of scorpions belonging to three families are reported from the Lorestan Province of Iran. Of these, five species are recorded from the province for the first time: Hottentotta zagrosensis Kovařík, 1997; Mesobuthus eupeus phillipsii (Pocock, 1889); Orthochirus iranus Kovařík, 2004; Razianus zarudnyi (Birula, 1903); and Scorpio maurus townsendi (Pocock, 1900). One new species is described, Hottentotta lorestanus sp. n.; it can be easily distinguished from the other four species of the genus known from Iran by its coloration; it is the only Iranian species which has the entire pedipalps yellow and the metasomal segments I to IV …

Scorpions Of Iran (Arachnida, Scorpiones). Part I. Khoozestan Province, Shahrokh Navidpour, František Kovařík, Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

Collections made by a team of Shahrokh Navidpour (Razi Reference Laboratory of Scorpion Research, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Ahvaz, Khoozestan, Iran) include 17 of the 19 species known to inhabit Khoozestan Province, and form the basis of this paper. Among them are two new species (Hottentotta khoozestanus sp. n. and Vachoniolus iranus sp. n.), Compsobuthus jakesi Kovařík, 2003 previously known only from Iraq, and five species representing first records for the province: Buthacus macrocentrus (Ehrenberg, 1828); Odontobuthus bidentatus Lourenço & Pézier, 2002; Orthochirus farzanpayi (Vachon et Farzanpay, 1987); Orthochirus stockwelli (Lourenço et Vachon, 1995) comb. n. …

Rare Or Poorly Known Scorpions From Colombia. Ii. Redescription Of Tityus Columbianus (Thorell, 1876) (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel, Luis F. Garcia H

Euscorpius

A fully illustrated redescription is herein presented of Tityus columbianus (Thorell, 1876). It includes a description of the adult male, an update of its geographical distribution, and detailed information about age-related individual variation, with comments on the taxonomy of the “Tityus clathratus” group.

Rare Or Poorly Known Scorpions From Colombia. I. Redescription Of Tityus Macrochirus Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel, Luis F. Garcia H

Euscorpius

A fully illustrated redescription is herein presented of Tityus macrochirus Pocock, 1897, based upon a series of specimens of both sexes recently collected in a new location near the type locality. We include an update of its geographical distribution and detailed information about age-related individual variation.

A New Species Of Tarsoporosus Francke, 1978 (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae) From Northeastern Colombia, Rolando Teruel, César A. Roncallo

Euscorpius

A new species of Tarsoporosus Francke, 1978 is described herein from two localities in La Guajira Peninsula, northeastern Colombia. This new taxon inhabits arid environments, and is morphologically close to Tarsoporosus flavus González-Sponga, 1984, from northwestern Venezuela. With this addition, the total number of described species in Tarsoporosus is raised to five, with at least two occurring in Colombia.

The Sting Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae): Morphological And Ultrastructural Characterization, Nazife Yigit, Mehlika Benli

Euscorpius

The objective of our study is to characterize the morphological and ultrastructural features of the sting of scorpion species Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) (Buthidae) by using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The venom is delivered by venom ducts, passing through the sting and exiting from the venom pores. Each venom gland has its own venom duct and pore. The venom pores are situated on both sides of the tip of sting. venom ducts are identified in the transverse discussion in this study.

A New Species Of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 From Cordillera Central In Colombia, With Some Notes On The Taxonomy Of The Genus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Rolando Teruel, Luis F. García H

Euscorpius

A new species of Ananteris Thorell, 1891 is herein described from a single locality placed in the Cordillera Central of Colombia, which represents the first record of this genus for Tolima department. This new taxon exhibits several singular features, and apparently represents a relict population inside an urbanized area. Also, some aspects on the taxonomy of the genus are briefly discussed, and its diagnosis is emended. With this addition, the total of Ananteris species described from Colombia is raised to six.

Complements To The Morphology Of Troglokhammouanus Steineri Lourenço, 2007 (Scorpiones: Pseudochactidae) Based On Scanning Electron Microscopy, Wilson R. Lourenço

Euscorpius

A detailed morphological description, based on scanning electron microscopy, is proposed for the recently described pseudochactid scorpion, Troglokhammouanus steineri Lourenço, 2007. As already indicated in the original description, the male (juvenile) paratype has been prepared for SEM studies, but the results are only presented in this publication.

A Revision Of The Genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908, With Descriptions Of Four New Species (Scorpiones, Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

The genus Hottentotta is revised and a key to the species is provided. Subgenera Balfourianus Vachon, 1979 and Deccanobuthus Lourenço, 2000 are synonymized with the subgenus Hottentotta Birula, 1908. Four new species of Hottentotta are described: H. finneganae sp. n. from Pakistan, H. jabalpurensis sp. n. from India (Madhya Pradesh), H. jalalabadensis sp. n. from Afghanistan, and H. stockwelli sp. n. from India (Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra). The following species and subspecies are synonymized: Buthotus alticola kabulensis (Vachon, 1958) with H. buchariensis (Birula, 1897) comb. n.; Hottentotta caboverdensis Lourenço & Ythier, 2006 with H. hottentotta (Fabricius, 1787); H. acostai …

Mesobuthus Nigrocinctus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) In Turkey: Distribution And Morphological Variation, Ayşegül Karataş

Euscorpius

Distribution of Mesobuthus nigrocinctus is studied and new geographical records are given. As a result of field studies, M. nigrocinctus is recorded from 17 confirmed localities from five provinces in Turkey. Comparative statistical analysis of morphology of M. nigrocinctus and M. gibbosus indicated highly significant differences between these two species. Student’s t-test analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) showed that: (a) while all morphometric ratios demonstrated significant differences between M. nigrocinctus and M. gibbosus females, only selected ratios show significant difference in the males (Ca_L/W, Ch_L/W, Met-II_L/H, and Met- V_L/H); (b) among M. nigrocinctus, Adıyaman population was partly separated; …

The Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) On Koufonisi Island (Central Aegean Archipelago, Greece), Dimitris Kaltsas, Moysis Mylonas

Euscorpius

The population structure of Mesobuthus gibbosus was studied over 261 night-hours of sampling during 29 consecutive nights on Koufonisi Island (central Aegean Archipelago, Greece) using the capture-recapture method. The studied population proved to be the densest of all studied scorpion populations in chaparral or intertidal habitats of Mediterranean type ecosystems and even comparable to some populations of desert scorpion species. The negative influence of moon phase on the general activity of the species and synchronization in parturition were the main factors that caused the fluctuations in population density and therefore in the percentage of active scorpions.

Description Of Tityus Mraceki Sp. N. From Colombia And Synonymization Of T. Meridanus González-Sponga With T. Nematochirus Mello-Leitão (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

Tityus (Archaeotityus) mraceki sp. n. from Colombia is described. It differs from other species of the subgenus Archaeotityus by unique sexual dimorphism expressed in the male having a longer metasoma and a narrower chela of the pedipalp. The synonymization of T. meridanus González-Sponga, 1981 with T. nematochirus Mello-Leitão, 1941 is based on morphological and color variation present in a single litter consisting of 33 individuals.

Two New Species Of The Genus Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 From Afghanistan And Pakistan (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík, Zubair Ahmed

Euscorpius

Two new species of Compsobuthus from the werneri group are described. C. afghanus sp. n. is characterized chiefly by the combination of numerous rows of granules on the movable finger of pedipalp (14 rows) and a high number of pectinal teeth (29–31). C. pakistanus sp. n. is most similar to C. plutenkoi Kovařík, 2003 from Iran, from which it differs in having internal granules in all rows on the movable finger of pedipalp and 18–19 pectinal teeth. A key is provided for all species of the genus found in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and adjacent countries.

New Localities Of Iurus Dufoureius Dufoureius (Brullé, 1832) In The Peloponnese, Greece (Scorpiones: Iuridae), Diego Facheris

Euscorpius

New localities of Iurus dufoureius dufoureius (Brullé, 1832) are listed, found during a recent survey in the districts of Achaia, Messinia, and Arcadia in the Peloponnese, Greece. Notes on the habitat and a map are provided.

Sky Island Vaejovis: Two New Species And A Redescription Of V. Vorhiesi Stahnke (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Matthew R. Graham

Euscorpius

Two new scorpion species, Vaejovis cashi sp. nov. and V. feti sp. nov. are described and placed in the “mexicanus” group of the genus Vaejovis. These small scorpions were collected at high-elevations from the sky island archipelago of southern Arizona and New Mexico. Both new species are similar to V. vorhiesi Stahnke, a small mesic scorpion of the Huachuca and Santa Catalina Mountains. The original description of V. vorhiesi consists of a single uninformative paragraph and a holotype was never designated. This paper provides a redescription and lectotype designation for V. vorhiesi and describes the two new related species. …

The Genus Akrav Levy, 2007 (Scorpiones: Akravidae) Revisited, Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Sergei L. Zonstein

Euscorpius

Akrav israchanani, a relict chactoid scorpion from the famous Ayyalon Cave in Israel, is analyzed for the first time since its original description by Gershom Levy (2007). All scorpions found in this cave (20 specimens) were dead, represented by exoskeletons; they are mostly fragmented during collection, many incomplete, but extremely well preserved, and have no evidence of fossilization. Time and cause of death are unknown. Diagnostic characters described by Levy are largely confirmed, and some are further clarified. An exhaustive set of microscopic images is published, encompassing data from all best preserved specimens. Previously unpublished morphological details are illustrated …

One More New Species Of The Genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891 From Africa (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Wilson R. Lourenço, Elise-Anne Leguin

Euscorpius

Following the recent considerations proposed on the African species of the genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891, one new species is described from the south of Morocco. The total number of African species is now raised to six.

Growth Rate Of Copepods In The San Francisco Bay, Brooke Bemowski, Wim Kimmerer, Toni Ignoffo

STAR Program Research Presentations

The San Francisco Estuary is a complex ecosystem. A key part of the foodweb are zooplankton crustaceans, specifically copepods. Many fish, especially the endangered delta smelt, rely on copepods as a food source. Measuring the growth of copepods assists in predictions if enough food is available for delta smelt. Traditionally growth rate is measured through lengthy and involved processes. The objective of this research project is to develop an imaging process to analyze biomass of copepods more efficiently. For this research, field samples of copepods were collected and grown over three days. Subsamples were taken and preserved at three predetermined …

Freshwater Ciliates From Beytepe Pond In Ankara With New Records For Turkey, Sirma Çapar Di̇nçer

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In this study, the ciliate biota from four sites within a pond in Central Anatolia has been examined. A total of 57 species have been identified, 4 of which are newly recorded within the Turkish ciliate fauna, including Oxytricha similis, Pleuronema crassum, Astylozoon pyriforme, and Pseudovorticella monilata. Turkish populations of these newly recorded species have been morphologically described. Furthermore, 17 species have been newly recorded in Central Anatolia. An overwhelming majority of the ciliates found belonged to 3 systematic groups: 1) Oligohymenophorea (44%, 25 species), 2) Spirotrichea (21%, 12 species), and 3) Litostomatea (21%, 12 species). All ciliate species recorded …

Induction Of Histopathological Lesions In Renal Tissue Of The Fish Labeo Rohita Upon Exposure To Municipal Wastewater Of Tung Dhab Drain, Amritsar, India, Rajbir Kaur, Anish Dua

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Labeo rohita were subjected to chronic (15, 30, and 60 days) and recovery (60 days) experiments for kidney histopathology studies using sublethal concentrations (35.4%, 26.6%, and 17.7%) of municipal wastewater collected from Tung Dhab Drain, Amritsar, India. Control fish were maintained simultaneously using laboratory tap water, and exhibited normal structures. The results exhibited both dose- and duration-dependent alterations in exposed tissues. The mean degree of tissue change (DTC) values in treated groups ranged from 37.5 ± 6.60 (17.7%, 15 days) to 149.33 ± 7.75 (35.4%, 60 days), demonstrating reparable to irreparable structural changes. The recorded observations showed changes in tubules …

Identification Of Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne Spp.) Fromgreenhouses In The Middle Black Sea Region Of Turkey, Gökhan Aydinli, Sevi̇lhan Mennan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Root-knot nematodes are among the main important pests causing serious yield losses in greenhouses worldwide, including Turkey. Accurate identification of these pests is essential for determining appropriate control strategies. Identification of Meloidogyne species based on perineal pattern morphology alone is not viable or reliable due to overlaps and high variability among the species. Therefore, our objective was to overcome the difficulties in identifying 90 populations of root-knot nematodes collected from different greenhouses in the Middle Black Sea Region (Samsun, Tokat, Amasya, Çorum, Ordu, and Sinop provinces), using not only morphological (perineal pattern morphology) but also biochemical (esterase phenotype) and molecular …

Haplotype Diversity Of Brown Trout Salmo Trutta (L.) In The Broader Iron Gate Area, Ana Tosic, Dubravka Skraba, Vera Nikolic, Jelena Canak Atlagic, Danilo Mrdak, Predrag Simonovic

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) populations in the area of Djerdap National Park were analyzed in order to determine their phylogeographic statuses. Sequencing the control region of mtDNA in 66 specimens from 9 streams in the broader Iron Gate area revealed that 7 brown trout from those streams carried haplotypes of Atlantic lineage, while the remaining 59 fish were of Danubian lineage, either of Da23c or Da1 haplotypes. Four streams were inhabited by populations of the indigenous Da23c mtDNA haplotype, while the population in one stream had the Da1 haplotype. In the remaining 4 streams, …

Taxonomic Notes On The Genus Sceliphron Klug (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) From Northern Vietnam, With Description Of A New Species, Phong Huy Pham

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A taxonomic study on the genus Sceliphron Klug in northern Vietnam is presented. A total of 3 species are recorded: S. deforme deforme (F. Smith, 1856); S. madraspatanum kohli Sickmann, 1894; and S. clypeatum sp. nov., which is described for the first time here. A key to the species based on morphological characters is given, and new distributional records are also provided.

Reproductive Pattern And Sex Hormones Of Calotes Emma Gray 1845 Andcalotes Versicolor Daudin 1802 (Squamata; Agamidae), Worawitoo Meesook, Taksin Artchawakom, Anchalee Aowphol, Panas Tumkiratiwong

Turkish Journal of Zoology

We monitored testicular and ovarian morphologies, seminiferous tubules, the sexual segments of the kidneys (SSK), follicular histologies, and male testosterone and female estradiol to define the reproductive pattern of Calotes emma and Calotes versicolor. Samples were collected monthly at Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Thailand for 1 year. Testicular hypertrophies occurred at a time characteristic for each species, with their time course corresponding well to both active spermatogenesis and the hypertrophied SSK. Gravid females were also found at a time characteristic for each species. In active reproductive females, oviductal eggs were concomitantly encountered with ovarian vitellogenic follicles. The previtellogenic and …

Effects Of Dietary Selenium Nanoparticles On Physiological Andbiochemical Aspects Of Juvenile Tor Putitora, Kifayat Ullah Khan, Amina Zuberi, Samina Nazir, João Batista Kochenborger Fernandes, Zeenat Jamil, Huda Sarwar

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) on physiological and biochemical aspects of juvenile mahseer (Tor putitora) fish. Maintaining a 40% protein level, 2 different experimental diets supplemented with 0% Se-NPs and 0.68 Se-NPs mg kg-1 were fed to triplicate groups of fish. The experiment was conducted in a semistatic condition consisting of 6 fiber tanks. The fish were first acclimatized, and then 30 fish per tank were randomly put into each fiber tank. At the end of the feeding trial, samples were collected from the fish and analyzed. Results …

Mandibular Morphology And Dietary Preferences In Two Pygmy Molecrickets Of The Genus Xya (Orthoptera: Tridactylidae), Katerina Kuravova, Petr Kocarek

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Pygmy mole crickets (Tridactylidae) are an interesting but little-known group of Orthoptera; their food biology and dietary preferences have not been adequately studied. Our study focused on the diet composition and associated functional morphology of the mandibles in two European species: Xya pfaendleri Harz, 1970 and X. variegata (Latreille, 1809). Based on postmortem gut content analyses, the studied species feed mainly on detritus (decaying organic particles), representing 91% and 97% of the diet in X. pfaendleri and X. variegata, respectively. The mandibular structures are associated with the processing of such food. The incisor area is equipped with three robust and …

Population Size Of Endemic Rana Tavasensis In Its Terra Typica, Turkey, Di̇dem Çapar, Eyup Başkale

Turkish Journal of Zoology

We applied capture-mark-recapture (CMR) methods to estimate the population size of the Tavas frog Rana tavasensis in its terra typica. For this purpose, we used Pollock?s robust design in program MARK in the 2011-2015 breeding seasons in its terra typica. Based on the selected model, equal catchability of each individual and absence of temporary migration were found to be the most likely biological hypotheses. Population sizes were estimated as 398, 348, 275, and 117 individuals during the four study years, respectively. Annual capture probabilities were estimated to average 0.07, and annual survival rates across years averaged 0.19. The year-specific estimations …

Tissue Ph And Gut Ecomorphology In Six Freshwater Teleostsoccupying Different Trophic Levels, Zhimin Zhang, Xing Tian, Dapeng Li

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study investigated the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood, and muscle pH, and explored the characteristic of gut morphology (relative gut length) associated with trophic level in 6 freshwater teleosts. The results showed that GI pH differences among species and significant differences occurred in GI segments (P < 0.05). The lowest pH values were observed in the stomach of 2 typical carnivorous fish. An increased pH from proximal intestine to distal intestine was found in 4 species. A positive relationship was observed between blood and muscle pH values for these species (P < 0.05). Additionally, relative gut length revealed the trend of divergence depending on the feeding habits (in planktivores > omnivores > carnivores). A robust link was negatively found between relative gut length and trophic level (P < 0.05).

Coexistence Of Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos Syriacus Andgreat Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos Major In Nonforest Treestands Of The Agricultural Landscape In Se Poland, Jerzy Michalczuk, Monika Michalczuk

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The number and habitat preferences of Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus and Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major was assessed in 2004-2015 in a 305 km2 area of SE Poland. An assessment of the number of breeding pairs of these sympatric species was carried out in the nonforest tree stands of the agricultural landscape, which consisted of a total area of 41.7 km2. A significant decrease in the density of Syrian Woodpeckers was noted, from 12.2 to 3.8 (down to 31%) breeding pairs/10 km2 nonforest tree stands, whereas the density of Great Spotted Woodpeckers increased from 0.7 to 1.7 (ca. 140%) breeding …