Feeding rate in adult Manduca sexta is unaffected by proboscis submersion depth.

Adult moths from framily Spingidae (i.e. hawkmoths or sphinx moths) commonly feed on flower nectar through an extended proboscis, often several centimeters in length and longer than the body of the moth. Feeding on a viscous liquid (nectar) through a long and narrow tube is a challenging fluid dynamic problem and the subject of long-running scientific investigation. Here we characterized the relationship between proboscis submergence depth and nectar drinking rate in Manduca sexta hawkmoths. Video recordings of moth feeding bouts were collected and neural networks were used to extract data by object localization, tracking the location of the nectar meniscus and moths' proboscis tips. We found that although feeding rates vary among bouts, the variation was not associated with proboscis submergence depth. These results show that despite the theoretical possibility of fluid uptake through the walls of the proboscis, such effects do not have a substantial effect on nectar uptake rate, and suggest that nectar must traverse the full length of the proboscis.

A new Chinese Cyclogethes pollen beetle, with an updated key to species of the genus and notes on its phylogenetic positioning (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae).

A peculiar new species of the genus Cyclogethes Kirejtshuk, 1979, C. tibialis sp. nov., is described from Southwestern China (Yunnan). The new species appears to be morphologically rather isolated from the other known members of this essentially Oriental genus (including half a dozen species from Northern Indian subcontinent, Northern Indochina, and Southwestern China). However, it could be more closely related to C. abnormis Kirejtshuk, 1979 from Northern India, Indochina, and Southwestern China, and to C. aldridgei Kirejtshuk, 1980 from Northern India and Nepal, from which it is easily distinguished by the more elongate body shape, and by the markedly sinuate hind tibiae in both sexes (a very unusual character state in Meligethinae, where only males of some species exhibit sexual secondary characters in the tibial shape). The new species also differs from other known taxa of the genus by the shape of the male and female genitalia. The larval hostplants of members of Cyclogethes are thus far unknown, although some clues, also involving the new species described herein, may suggest a relationship with small trees or shrubs of the family Asteraceae. Preliminary and incomplete molecular data on a studied member of the genus (C. abnormis) seems to not disagree with a phylogenetic positioning of Cyclogethes in a clade including the African genera Tarchonanthogethes Audisio & Cline, 2009, its allied Afrotropical taxa, and the Palaearctic genera Meligethes Stephens, 1830 and Brassicogethes Audisio & Cline, 2009. The article includes an updated identification key for all six known species of this genus and an updated map of their known geographic distribution.

Contributions to Odontogryllini (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Landrevinae) with comments on its taxonomic status and description of a new species of Xulavuna de Mello & Campos, 2014.

Odontogryllini is a tribe of ground-dwelling crickets exclusive to America. After several taxonomic rearrangements, this tribe has five genera and 23 species now placed in the subfamily Landrevinae. These crickets have dorsoventrally depressed bodies and are moderately to densely covered with bristles. The males may bear tegminal, metanotal, or tergal glands. In this contribution, we discuss the taxonomic status and the morphological features of Odontogryllini and the other two tribes of Landrevinae: Landrevini and Prolandrevini. The presence of dorsal spines between the outer spurs of the hind tibia distinguishes Odontogryllini from Prolandrevini, and the straight or slightly arcuate but never S-shaped stridulum from Landrevini. We also propose the enlarged and plate-like rami as a diagnostic characteristic to distinguish Odontogryllini from Landrevini. Additionally, we describe a new species of the genus Xulavuna de Mello & Campos from the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, named Xulavuna krenakore sp. nov..

Notes on Chisosa (Araneae, Pholcidae), with the description of a new species from Mexico.

The genus Chisosa Huber, 2000 previously included only three species of small to tiny North American and Caribbean spiders that are rare in collections and poorly studied. Originally placed in the subfamily Ninetinae, Chisosa is currently considered a representative of Arteminae, close to the North American genus Physocyclus Simon, 1893. This placement has been suggested by molecular data, and it affects the interpretation of morphological characters that were originally thought to support the monophyly of Chisosa: they are shared with Physocyclus and thus plesiomorphic for Chisosa. Here we describe a new species from Mexico, C. calapa sp. nov., and restudy in detail the morphology (incl. ultrastructure) of the type species C. diluta (Gertsch & Mulaik, 1940) and of C. caquetio Huber, 2019, based on newly collected material. We document further similarities with Physocyclus but find only weak morphological support for the monophyly of Chisosa (body size reduction and short legs). In addition, we document surprisingly large genetic distances among C. caquetio specimens from Curaao (>14% CO1 K2P distances), possibly indicating species limits. Finally, we propose that the Dominican amber genus Serratochorus Wunderlich, 1988, based on a single male specimen, is also phylogenetically close to Chisosa and should be included in future studies on these enigmatic spiders.

A new dwarf gecko of the genus Pseudogonatodes (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from the eastern slope of the Andean Cordillera de Mrida in northern South America.

Pseudogonatodes is a poorly known genus of small bodied, diurnal, ground-dwelling geckos widely distributed in northern South America. No additional species have been described in over two decades. Herein we describe a new species from the eastern slope of the Cordillera de Mrida in the Venezuelan Andes. The new species is readily diagnosable morphologically from the other seven recognized species of Pseudogonatodes by having a single postnasal scalea putative autapomorphy. Furthermore, it is characterized by a unique combination of phenotypic characters that includes granular dorsal scales, three large postrostrals, five to six loreals, mental U-shaped, four to six postmentals, 2629 ventrals between anterior levels of fore- and hind limbs, third lamella under fourth toe not distinctly enlarged, and subcaudal pattern 11. In addition to characterizing the external morphology, we present a description of the skull, based on 3D digital models reconstructed from high resolution computed microtomography scans. The discovery of this new species highlights the still underestimated diversity of this group of Neotropical dwarf geckos and underscores the need for further studies on its systematics and taxonomy.

Notes on the genus Homogryllacris Liu, 2007 (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae) with description of one new species from China.

This paper deals with five species of the genus Homogryllacris Liu, 2007 from China, including one new species, i.e. Homogryllacris nigromacula sp. nov. Morphological illustrations of most species and habitus of the new species are provided. Moreover, one geographical population of Homogryllacris yunnana Shi, Guo & Bian, 2012 and intraspecific variation of Homogryllacris platycis Liu & Bian, 2021 are discussed and illustrated. All specimens examined are deposited in the Museum of Hebei University.

Bridging the gap: A new species of arboreal Abronia (Squamata: Anguidae) from the Northern Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico.

The mountain forests of Middle America are renowned for their endemic biodiversity, and arboreal alligator lizards (genus Abronia) are high-profile vertebrates endemic to this region. In this work, we describe a new species of arboreal Abronia that is known only from the type locality in the Northern Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. The new species is diagnosed from all other members of the genus Abronia by the following combination of characters: lack of protuberant or spine-like supra-auricular scales, lack of protuberant or casque-like posterolateral head scales, dorsum of head pale yellow with distinct dark markings, 35-39 transverse dorsal scale rows, lateralmost row of ventral scales enlarged relative to adjacent medial row, and dorsum brown with darker crossbands that are sometimes reduced to rows of spots. We provisionally include the new species in the subgenus Lissabronia based on genomic and morphological evidence, but our results also suggest a close relationship to the subgenus Abaculabronia. The new species is geographically separated from the nearest Lissabronia and Abaculabronia species by the lowland Central Depression of Chiapas. Ongoing habitat loss and other factors imperil the new species, leading us to propose its listing under multiple threatened species frameworks. Because the Northern Highlands have poor coverage of protected areas, we briefly comment on the potential of this new species for stimulating conservation in the region.

Radula and Shell Microstructure Variations are Congruent with a Molecular Estimate of Shallow-Water Japanese Chitons.

Variations of the radula and shell microstructures in 33 species of Japanese chiton were investigated along with molecular phylogenetic trees. The molecular phylogenetic trees indicated that Chitonida was composed of four clades, of which two clades formed Acanthochitonina and corresponded to Mopalioidea and Cryptoplacoidea, respectively, and the other clades formed Chitonina. In the radula, the shapes of the central and centro-lateral teeth and the petaloid process varied greatly among species or genera and were useful for the identification of particular species or genera. The presence of accessory and petaloid processes and the cusp shape were relatively conserved and useful for recognizing particular genera or even suborders. In the valves, four to six shell layers were found at the section, but the ventral mesostracum was not observed in Acanthochitonina. The shell microstructures in the ventral sublayer of the tegmentum varied at suborder, but those in the other layers were almost constant. The megalaesthete chamber type varied at superfamily and was helpful to identify particular families or superfamilies. The characteristics of the shell layers and shell microstructures appear to be a synapomorphy shared by the members of Acanthochitonina. The classification within Chitonina needs to be reexamined because the variations of the cusp shape and megalaesthete chamber type were relatively large and did not correspond to the current classification. Callochiton formed a sister group with Chitonida and would be equally closely related to Chitonina and Acanthochitonina because of possessing a mosaic of characteristics from both.

Description of a new species of the Alpheus edwardsii group (Decapoda: Alpheidae) with a distinctive colour pattern from the Indo-West Pacific.

A new snapping shrimp species of the Alpheus edwardsii (Audouin, 1826) group is described based on two specimens, one male and one female, collected on shallow-water reef flats of the Southern Ari Atoll in the Maldives, with a photographic record from Cebu in the Philippines. Alpheus octocellatus sp. nov. appears to be morphologically closest to A. edwardsii, A. pareuchirus Coutière, 1905, and A. leptochirus Coutière, 1905, but can be distinguished from all of them by a combination of morphological characters, mainly involving the chelipeds, third maxilliped and pleonal sternites. The new species also has a highly diagnostic colour pattern, with four pairs of conspicuous eyespots distributed in a unique and peculiar pattern on the pleon.

Disentangling cryptic species in Parastenocarididae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) with an integrative approach: the case of Stammericaris similior sp. nov. and Stammericaris destillans Bruno & Cottarelli 2017.

Stammericaris similior sp. nov. is described combining light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and genetic barcoding. The new species was collected from rimstone pools in Scrivilleri Cave, a cave in Sicily with so far unexplored microcrustacean fauna. The new species is particularly interesting because it is morphologically very similar to Stammericaris destillans, an epikarstic parastenocaridid endemic to a different Sicilian cave; however, the phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial COI gene of sixteen parastenocaridids shows that these two Stammericaris are two distinct species, with an uncorrected p-distance of 22.9, and the sequences of Stammericaris similior sp. nov. cluster together in a well-supported monophyletic clade, with two different haplotypes. To our knowledge, the presence of different species of almost identical morphology had not been recorded before for the genus Stammericaris. The integrated molecular and morphological analysis, the latter conducted with the support of SEM, allows disentangling the affinities of the new species and identifying a few distinctive characters: the males of the new species are characterized by the caudal rami shorter than the anal somite; the morphology of the P3, which is thin and slightly arched, with three proximal spinules on exp-1; the peculiar structure of the P4 enp; the P4 basis ornamented with two spinules of different length, the one closest to the endopod being the shortest one, and a half-moon shaped lamella. The new species differs from S. destillans for its larger size, the presence of: three spinules, instead of two, on the P3 exp-1; the half-moon shaped lamella on the P4 basis; a row of spinules along the inner margin of P4 exp-1. We also provide data on the ecology and distribution of the new species, a list of the other copepod species collected, and a dichotomic key for the males of all species presently assigned to the genus.

Notes on the taxonomy revision of poorly known of tribe Eremini Cadena-Castañeda, 2019 from China (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae: Gryllacridinae).

The Chinese species of Eremini Cadena-Castañeda (2019) are revised in this study. Eremus rugosifrons Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888 is examined. Haplogryllacris bilobulata Ingrish, 2018 is initially recorded from China, and the male morphology and habitus of H. bilobulata are described and illustrated for the first time. Gryllacris (Pardogryllacris) deminuta (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888) becomes a new combination from Haplogryllacris Karny, 1937. Larnaca (Larnaca) lincangensis (Yang, Jing & Bian, 2020) becomes a new combination from Eremus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888, and the female morphology of L. (L.) lincangensis is described and illustrated for the first time.

New reports on Chinese Anelytra species (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae).

Based on the former studies and new material, Anelytra (Euanelytra) eunigrifrons Ingrisch, 1998 is reported in China for the first time. In addition, the female sex of Anelytra (Euanelytra) spinia Shi & Qiu, 2009 is described. We also confirmed that Anelytra (Euanelytra) spinia Shi & Qiu, 2009 is mainly distributed in Southern China. The examined specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.

A new species of the alpheid shrimp genus Athanas Leach, 1814 (Decapoda: Caridea) from the Sea of Japan.

A new species of the alpheid shrimp genus Athanas Leach, 1814 is described based on a holotype from Wakasa Bay, Sea of Japan side of Honshu, Japan, at a depth of 90 m. Athanas exilis n. sp. appears close to A. sydnyensis Anker & Ahyong, 2007, but is distinguished from the latter by some morphological features, including the different shape of the telson, the shorter antennular stylocerite, more strongly produced distal lamella of the antennal scaphocerite, and less developed armature of the merus of the major cheliped. Preliminary genetic analysis using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was performed to compare interspecific genetic divergence within the genus.

A new snake of the genus Dendrelaphis Boulenger, 1890 (Squamata: Colubridae) from the coastal area of southern Vietnam.

We describe a new species of Dendrelaphis from the coastal area in southern Vietnam based on morphological data and nucleotide sequences from one partial mitochondrial gene (Cytb). Dendrelaphis binhi sp. nov. is diagnosed by the following morphological characters: body scale rows 13 at neck and midbody, 9-11 before vent; vertebral scale row feebly enlarged; ventrals 154-158 in males and 161-170 in females; subcaudals 95-106 in males and 95-102 in females; one supralabial touching the eye; 18 or 19 maxillary teeth; hemipenis spinose, reaching 10th or 11th SC, with a slender papilla; cloacal plate divided; dorsum dark brown; and a white stripe along the lower flank. The new species differs from its congeners by an uncorrected p-distance in Cytb sequences of at least 8.1%.

Revision of the genus Phyllotrella Gorochov, 1988 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Podoscirtinae: Podoscirtini).

The genus Phyllotrella Gorochov, 1988 presently comprises four described species, P. planidorsalis Gorochov, 1988, P. fumingi Sun & Liu, 2019, P. hainanensis Sun & Liu, 2019 and P. transversa Sun & Liu, 2019. In this study, the results of this genus are based on molecular and morphological features. The molecular result shows that the genetic distance among these individuals from different areas was 0.767%-1.386%. Thus, we consider them as same species. However, based on the similarities and differences of their male genitalia, we suggest treat these species as two subspecies P. planidorsalis planidorsalis (= P. hainanensis syn. nov. and P. transversa syn. nov.) and P. planidorsalis fumingi stat. nov.

Two new species of Paraneseuthia Franz from Okinawa-jima (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae).

Only one (recently discovered) nominal species of the eutheiine genus Paraneseuthia Franz is known to occur on the largest Ryukyuan Island of Okinawa-jima, while five other members of this rare genus inhabit Ishigaki-jima, Shikoku, Kyushu and Honshu. Undescribed species known from females only have been collected also on southwestern Iriomote-jima and northeastern Hokkaido. Two new Okinawan species are described: P. uminzo sp. n. and P. umisatu sp. n., suggesting that the diversity of Paraneseuthia in the Ryukyus is still known fragmentarily and new discoveries can be expected in other forested southern islands.

The identities of Nemophora augites (Meyrick, 1938) and Nemophora amatella (Staudinger, 1892): correction of misidentifications and description of a new species (Lepidoptera: Adelidae) from China.

This study corrects misidentifications found in a recently published paper by Sun, Wang & Li (2022; Zootaxa 5219, 301-338). These authors used the name ?Nemophora amatella (Staudinger, 1892)' for N. augites (Meyrick, 1938) and the name ?N. augites (Caradja et Meyrick, 1938)' for an undescribed species. To resolve these problems, I set aside the earlier (erroneous) lectotype fixation of N. augites (Meyrick, 1938) and replace it with a new lectotype, designate a lectotype of N. amatella (Staudinger, 1892), provide differential diagnoses and morphological descriptions of these species, and describe N. yunnanica Kozlov, sp. nov. from Lijiang (Yunnan, China). The reported misidentifications show that any revision of a taxonomically challenging group like the fairy moth genus Nemophora Hoffmannsegg, 1798 should always be based on the examination of all survived primary types of previously described species.

A distinctive new species of the coral shrimp genus Microprosthema Stimpson, 1860 from the Atlantic coast of Florida and Honduras (Decapoda: Stenopodidea: Spongicolidae).

A new species of the spongicolid coral shrimp genus Microprosthema Stimpson, 1860 is described on the basis of three specimens collected by hand while scuba diving off the Atlantic coast of southern Florida, with additional photographic records from Roatan, Honduras. Microprosthema dimitrisorum sp. nov. can be separated from all presently known species of the genus by a unique combination of morphological characters, and most easily, by its highly diagnostic and conspicuous colour pattern consisting of large red spots on most of the body and appendages.

Reappraisal of Hawaiian species of Corallianassa Manning, 1987 (Crustacea: Axiidea: Callichiridae).

Four species of the callichirid ghost shrimp genus Corallianassa Manning, 1987 are recognised in Hawaii based on evidence from morphology and the CO1 gene. Corallianassa borradailei (De Man, 1928) is a widespread Indo-West Pacific species now confirmed for Hawaii. Corallianassa lanceolata Edmondson, 1944 is an endemic species similar to C. assimilis (De Man, 1928) from Indonesia and Guam. Corallianassa martensi (Miers, 1884) is also a widespread Indo-West Pacific species. Callianassa (Callichirus) winslowi Edmondson, 1944 (Hawaii), Callianassa (Callichirus) nakasonei Sakai, 1967 (Japan) and Callianassa haswelli Poore & Griffin, 1979 (Australia) are treated as junior subjective synonyms of C. martensi. Callianassa (Callichirus) oahuensis Edmondson, 1944, long treated as a junior synonym of C. borradailei, is revived as a valid species of Corallianassa. The four species differ in the shape and dorsal setae of the telson, the extent of the carina along the upper margin of the major cheliped palm, the attitude of the rostrum, and the shape of the maxilliped 3.

A paradox indeed: description of genitalia and clarification of the subtribal classification of Pachyonychis paradoxus Clark and Pachyonychus paradoxus Melsheimer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini).

Pachyonychis paradoxus Clark, 1860 and Pachyonychus paradoxus Melsheimer, 1847 are two species of Alticini whose strikingly similar names have led to significant confusion in the past. Recent study of American Oedionychina Chapuis, 1875 raised doubts about the validity of the subtribal placement of Pachyonychis Clark. Although general characteristics put this genus in Oedionychina, other features, especially the unusual shape of the pronotum, suggested that this monotypic genus would belong in Monoplatina Chapuis, 1875 instead. To collect evidence for the validity of its current placement, we compared external and genitalic morphology of both species to other members of Monoplatina and Oedionychina. Here we present images and descriptions of female genitalia for both species and male genitalia of Pachyonychus paradoxus Melsheimer, to our knowledge the first of their kind, and we conclude that the evidence supports the current subtribal placement of these two genera. Lectotypes are designated for both Pachyonychis paradoxus Clark and Pachyonychus paradoxus Melsheimer.