ABSTRACT
We present a revised list of Latvian species of Orthoptera and provide notes on their occurrence and present knowledge. New information on orthopteran observations from online databases, local unpublished studies, entomological collections, and our direct observations is combined, and a dataset of more than 1500 recent observations is provided. All historical synonyms used in the reviewed information sources are presented. As a result, an annotated list of 52 Orthoptera species is compiled, from which five newly reported species in Latvia are presented here for the first time together with distribution maps. In conclusion, the presence of 43 species of Orthoptera is confirmed in Latvia.
ABSTRACT
The taxonomy of Dicerura Kieffer, 1898, a genus of Porricondylinae now comprising 32 species in the Holarctic region, is revised. Three new species are described based on morphological characters of male adults: D. jakovlevi Jaschhof Spungis sp. nov. (from Finland), D. penttineni Jaschhof Spungis sp. nov. (Finland), and D. yezoensis Jaschhof Spungis sp. nov. (Japan). Dicerura padi Mamaev, 1975 syn. nov. is revealed to be a junior synonym of D. furculata Mamaev, 1968. Seven species, whose original descriptions are from a present-day perspective inadequate for the purpose of identification, are redescribed: D. barbata Mamaev, 1966; D. formosa Mamaev, 1998; D. foliicola Mamaev, 1968; D. furculata; D. iridis (Kaltenbach, 1873); D. stipator Mamaev, 1972; and D. unidentata Spungis, 1987. A key to males of Palearctic Dicerura is provided. New faunistic records are presented for D. barbata; D. complicata Spungis, 1987; D. dentata Spungis, 1979; D. formosa; D. fungicola (Mamaev, 1964); D. mixta Spungis, 1987; and D. unidentata. Male genitalic characters are shown to be useful to a certain extent for structuring the species diversity found within the genus Dicerura. The following groups of species are defined: iridis group (with nine species), dentata group (six species), fungicola group (four species), and formosa group (four species). Six of the species whose morphology is adequately known cannot be grouped within the proposed scheme, indicating the need for further character analysis and continuing search for yet undiscovered species that are assumed to exist in large numbers.
Subject(s)
Animal Distribution , Diptera , Animal Structures , Animals , Body Size , Finland , Japan , Male , Organ Size , TaiwanABSTRACT
We report the first finding of Trichinella britovi in a European beaver. In Latvia, beaver is a common game animal and frequently used in human diet. A high prevalence of Trichinella infections in Latvia is present in the most common hosts-carnivores and omnivores. In total, 182 European beaver muscle samples were tested for Trichinella larvae accordingly to the reference method of European Communities Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2075/2005 (2005). Trichinella britovi larvae were detected in one animal (prevalence 0.5%; intensity 5.92 larvae per gram of muscle). This finding suggests that the consumption of European beaver meat can be a risk to human health. Further studies are needed in order to determine if the present observation represents an isolated individual case or low prevalence of Trichinella infection in beavers.
