Diversity and vertical distribution of psocids (Psocodea: Psocoptera) in two forests of the Colombian Amazon / Diversidad y distribución vertical de psócidos (Psocodea: Psocoptera) en dos bosques de la Amazonía colombiana

Introduction: The knowledge on the diversity of psocids in Colombia has increased, following the global trend, but the main interest of most of the studies has been oriented to solve taxonomic aspects, leaving aside other biological aspects, of which little is known, such as the ecological interactions of these organisms in tropical forests. Objective: To describe the psocid diversity in two Colombian Amazonian localities and provide the first data on their vertical distribution in tropical forests. Methods: Monthly samplings of Psocoptera were conducted during new moon periods, from July 2014 to May 2015. Surveys were carried out in two localities of the Putumayo department, Colombia (Puerto Asís and Mocoa), using LED light traps. Results: During the sampling period, 152 species, in 23 genera and nine families were collected. The richest family was Psocidae, followed by Epipsocidae and Lachesillidae. More than 80 % of the species found are still undescribed, and among the described ones, nine represent new records for Colombia, and are shared with neighboring countries in the Amazon basin. Fourteen (9.2 %) species are shared by the two localities surveyed. Puerto Asís is considerably richer than Mocoa. Vertical stratification of Psocoptera was found in both localities, with the canopy being the most species rich stratum. Conclusion: The relatively high diversity of psocidos found, as well as the high number of new species, is an indicator of the need to continue the exploration of these organisms in the rest of the Colombian territory and Andean countries, especially in the Amazon foothills. Stratification of the studied psocoptera community was evident, with the canopy stratum being the richest in species, a trend that continues throughout the year.

Introducción: El conocimiento que se tiene acerca de la diversidad de psócidos en Colombia ha ido en aumento, siguiendo la tendencia mundial, pero el interés principal de la mayoría de estudios se ha centrado en la resolución de aspectos taxonómicos dejando de lado otros aspectos de su biología tales como las interacciones ecológicas de estos organismos en bosques tropicales. Objetivo: Describir la diversidad de psócidos en dos localidades de la Amazonía colombiana y proporcionar los primeros datos sobre su distribución vertical en bosques tropicales. Métodos: Se realizaron muestreos mensuales de psócidos durante los periodos de luna nueva entre julio 2014 y mayo 2015, en dos localidades del departamento de Putumayo, Colombia, utilizando trampas de luz LED. Resultados: Durante el periodo de muestreo, se recolectaron 152 especies, 23 géneros y nueve familias. La familia más rica en especies fue Psocidae, seguida por Epipsocidae y Lachesillidae. Más del 80 % de las especies encontradas no están descritas y entre las descritas, nueve representan nuevos registros para Colombia y son compartidas con países vecinos de la cuenca del Amazonas. Catorce especies (9.2 %) son compartidas por las dos localidades de este estudio; Puerto Asís presentó mayores valores de diversidad que Mocoa. En ambas localidades se encontró una estratificación en la distribución vertical de Psocoptera, siendo el dosel el estrato más rico en especies. Conclusión: La relativamente alta diversidad de psócidos encontrada, así como el alto número de especies nuevas, es un indicador de la necesidad de continuar las exploraciones de estos organismos en el resto del territorio colombiano y países andinos, especialmente en el piedemonte amazónico. Fue evidente una estratificación de la comunidad de psocópteros estudiada, siendo el estrato dosel el más rico en especies, una tendencia que se mantiene a lo largo del año.

The species group Amabilis of the genus Euplocania Enderlein (Psocodea: Psocomorpha: Ptiloneuridae).

We here describe and illustrate 11 species of Euplocania in species group Amabilis from Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador. They raise to 33 the number of species described in the genus. An identification key to the males in the species group is included.

A new genus in the family Ptiloneuridae (Psocodea: 'Psocoptera': Psocomorpha: Epipsocetae) from Brazil.

A new ptiloneurid genus from Brazil, Brasineura n. gen., is described and illustrated. It includes two species, both known only from males, one from the Chapada Diamantina (State of Bahia), and one troglophilic species from the State of Pará. It differs from all other known ptiloneurid genera, in which the males are known, by the unique structure of the phallosome, and by having a uniquely shaped hypandrium of a single sclerite. An updated identification key to the genera of Ptiloneuridae is presented and the synonymy between Brisacia and Loneura is proposed. 

Elaphopsocoides, a new genus of Psocidae (Psocodea: ´Psocoptera´) from Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

Two new species of Elaphopsocoides n. gen. from Valle del Cauca, Colombia, are here described and illustrated. The new genus is related to Elaphopsocus Roesler, but differs from it mostly in the hypandrial projections and in phallosome structure. The female subgenital plate has a distinct, median, posterior projection. The types are deposited in the Entomology Museum, Universidad del Valle (MUSENUV), Santiago de Cali, Colombia.

A new genus and two new species, one extant and one fossil, in the family Troctopsocidae (Psocodea: 'Psocoptera': Troctomorpha: Amphientometae: Electrentomoidea).

We describe a new genus, Troctopsocoides, in the family Troctopsocidae with two new species, T. erwini n. sp. (Madre de Dios, Peru) and T. gracilis n. sp., a fossil in amber from the Dominican Republic. We include a diagnosis of the family Troctopsocidae following a recent important change in its status and a key to the known genera of the family.

Two new species of Lachesilla in species groups riegeli and forcepeta (Psocodea, 'Psocoptera', Lachesillidae), from the state of Bahia, Brazil

Two new species of Lachesilla in species groups riegeli and forcepeta (Psocodea, 'Psocoptera', Lachesillidae), from the state of Bahia, Brazil.Two new species of Lachesilla from the Brazilian state of Bahia are here described and illustrated. Lachesilla cladoclaspers sp. nov., in species group riegeli, was collected in the Chapada Diamantina, Lachesilla nilopecanhensis sp. nov., in species group forcepeta, was collected in Nilo Peçanha, southern Bahia.

New genera of Lachesillidae (Psocodea: 'Psocoptera': Eolachesillinae: Graphocaeciliini) from Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

Two new related Colombian genera of Lachesillidae, including three new species, from the Department of Valle del Cauca, are here described and illustrated. They belong in the tribe Graphocaeciliini (Eolachesillinae). The new genera differ from the other genera in the tribe lacking ocelli, by characters of the male clunium, phallosome, endophallus, paraprocts, and female subgenital plate, gonapophyses and IX sternum. The types are deposited in the Entomological Museum of the Universidad del Valle (MUSENUV), in Santiago de Cali, Colombia.