Identification guide of dung beetle species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) of the Brazilian Pantanal / Guia de identificação de espécies de besouros rola-bostas (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) do Pantanal Brasileiro

Abstract The Pantanal is the largest seasonal freshwater wetland on Earth, characterized by the seasonal flooding and complex mosaic vegetation, which determines its biodiversity. Among this biodiversity, dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) are a group of insects that perform important ecological functions, such as: nutrient cycling, seed dispersion and parasite control. In order to mitigate the lack of information on dung beetle fauna of the Brazilian Pantanal, we conducted a bibliographic search of virtually all literature published until november-2020 on dung beetles sampled in the Pantanal. In addition, we had accessed to the records the largest collection of the dung beetle species from Brazilian Pantanal. We recorded 68 dung beetle species of 30 genera. The genera Canthon Holffmanseg 1847 is the most diverse with 13 species recorded. Although our knowledge about the dung beetle fauna in this ecosystem is still incipient, our results demonstrated a high richness of dung beetles in the Brazilian Pantanal. In addition, our study provides first list of dung beetle species and an illustrated dichotomy key to identify genera and some species occurring in the Brazilian Pantanal. Thus, the use of this guide for identification of dung beetle species and a list of species can be important tools to help researchers and provide incentive for new inventories on dung beetle fauna in the Brazilian Pantanal.

Resumo O Pantanal é a maior área úmida sazonal de água doce Neotropical da Terra, caracterizada pelas inundações sazonais e pela complexa vegetação em mosaico, que determina sua biodiversidade. Dentre essa biodiversidade, os besouros rola-bosta (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) são um grupo de insetos que desempenham importantes funções ecológicas, tais como: ciclagem de nutrientes, dispersão de sementes e controle de parasitas. A fim de mitigar a falta de informações sobre a fauna de besouros rola-bosta do Pantanal brasileiro, realizamos uma pesquisa bibliográfica de praticamente toda a literatura publicada até novembro de 2020 sobre besouros rola-bosta amostrados no Pantanal. Além disso, acessamos os registros da maior coleção da espécie de rola-bosta do Pantanal brasileiro. Registramos 68 espécies de besouros rola-bosta de 30 gêneros. O gênero Canthon Holffmanseg 1847 é o mais diverso com 13 espécies registradas. Embora nosso conhecimento sobre a fauna de rola-bostas neste ecossistema ainda seja incipiente, nossos resultados demonstraram uma alta riqueza de besouros rola-bosta no Pantanal brasileiro. Além disso, nosso estudo fornece a primeira lista de espécies de besouros rola-bosta e uma chave de dicotomia ilustrada para identificar gêneros e algumas espécies encontrados no Pantanal brasileiro. Assim, a utilização deste guia para identificação das espécies de besouros rola-bostas e uma lista de espécies podem ser ferramentas importantes para auxiliar pesquisadores e incentivar novos inventários sobre a fauna de besouros rola-bostas no Pantanal brasileiro.

Taxonomy of family Benthopectinidae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Introduction: The family Benthopectinidae is composed of deep-sea sea stars distributed in eight genera and approximately 70 valid species. So far, only five species of this family have been reported for the Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Objective: To provide an updated local taxonomy of this family. Methods: A total of 566 specimens deposited in the Echinoderm National Collection, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, collected from 1952 to 2015, were taxonomically examined. Results: We present descriptions, photographs, and an illustrated dichotomous key for Benthopecten simplex simplex, Cheiraster (Barbadosaster) echinulatus, Cheiraster (Cheiraster) planus, Cheiraster (Christopheraster) blakei, and Cheiraster (Christopheraster) mirabilis in the region. Conclusions: The five studied species represent 6 % of the world biodiversity of the family and can now be identified with the illustrated key.

Introducción: La familia Benthopectinidae está compuesta por estrellas de mar de profundidad distribuidas en ocho géneros y 70 especies válidas aproximadamente. Hasta el momento, se han reportado cinco especies de esta familia para las aguas mexicanas del Golfo de México. Objetivo: Realizar una actualización local de la taxonomía de esta familia. Métodos: Se examinaron un total de 566 especímenes depositados en la Colección Nacional de Equinodermos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México y el Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Smithsonian Institution, recolectados de 1952 a 2015. Resultados: Presentamos descripciones, fotografías y una clave dicotómica ilustrada para Benthopecten simplex simplex, Cheiraster (Barbadosaster) echinulatus, Cheiraster (Cheiraster) planus, Cheiraster (Christopheraster) blakei, y Cheiraster (Christopheraster) mirabilis en la región. Conclusiones: Las cinco especies estudiadas representan el 6 % de la diversidad mundial de la familia y ahora pueden ser identificadas con la clave ilustrada proporcionada.

Identification key for anuran amphibians in a protected area in the northeastern Atlantic Forest

The identification of anuran amphibians is still a challenge in megadiverse assemblages. In the Neotropics, the Atlantic Forest harbors more than 600 anuran species, and many studies in this ecoregion report anuran assemblages surpassing 30 species. Taxonomic keys facilitate the identification of biological diversity, however only a few are available for anuran assemblages in the Atlantic Forest. Herein we present an identification key for 40 anuran species distributed across 20 genera and nine families, occurring in the Environmental Protection Area of Catolé and Fernão Velho, northeastern Atlantic Forest. Thirty-five morphological characteristics were used in the key, all of which can be easily observed in living and museum specimens. This pioneer study provides the first identification key for an amphibian assemblage in the northeastern Atlantic Forest and this baseline information acts as the starting point for the development of evolutionary and ecological research in this conservation unit.(AU)

Identification key for anuran amphibians in a protected area in the northeastern Atlantic Forest

Abstract The identification of anuran amphibians is still a challenge in megadiverse assemblages. In the Neotropics, the Atlantic Forest harbors more than 600 anuran species, and many studies in this ecoregion report anuran assemblages surpassing 30 species. Taxonomic keys facilitate the identification of biological diversity, however only a few are available for anuran assemblages in the Atlantic Forest. Herein we present an identification key for 40 anuran species distributed across 20 genera and nine families, occurring in the Environmental Protection Area of Catolé and Fernão Velho, northeastern Atlantic Forest. Thirty-five morphological characteristics were used in the key, all of which can be easily observed in living and museum specimens. This pioneer study provides the first identification key for an amphibian assemblage in the northeastern Atlantic Forest and this baseline information acts as the starting point for the development of evolutionary and ecological research in this conservation unit.

Identification key for anuran amphibians in a protected area in the northeastern Atlantic Forest

Abstract The identification of anuran amphibians is still a challenge in megadiverse assemblages. In the Neotropics, the Atlantic Forest harbors more than 600 anuran species, and many studies in this ecoregion report anuran assemblages surpassing 30 species. Taxonomic keys facilitate the identification of biological diversity, however only a few are available for anuran assemblages in the Atlantic Forest. Herein we present an identification key for 40 anuran species distributed across 20 genera and nine families, occurring in the Environmental Protection Area of Catolé and Fernão Velho, northeastern Atlantic Forest. Thirty-five morphological characteristics were used in the key, all of which can be easily observed in living and museum specimens. This pioneer study provides the first identification key for an amphibian assemblage in the northeastern Atlantic Forest and this baseline information acts as the starting point for the development of evolutionary and ecological research in this conservation unit.

Senecio festucoides (Senecioneae, Compositae), a new species from northern Chile.

Senecio festucoides is described from northern Chile. The new species is morphologically similar to the discoid caespitose Andean species and belongs to the subgroup displaying yellow corollas and yellowish anthers and style branches. It is characterized by a weak, not self-supporting stem, narrowly linear leaves, long pedunculate capitula with (17-)21 involucral bracts, and minutely papillose achenes. Among other characters, the color of the corollas, anthers, and style branches and the number of involucral bracts differentiate it from S. scorzonerifolius, which is the morphologically closest species. The new species thrives in the desertic Puna ecoregion and grows amongst tufts of Festuca chrysophylla (Poaceae). Detailed pictures of living plants are provided, as well as a distribution map and a dichotomous key to the discoid caespitose Senecio species from northern Chile.

Recognition of species groups of Naupactus Dejean (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Argentina and neighboring countries.

Naupactus Dejean is the most diverse genus of the tribe Naupactini (Curculionidae: Entiminae), with more than 200 species occurring in South America, of which about 40 range in Argentina and neighboring countries. The Argentinean species treated herein were classified into nine groups having different biogeographic patterns: (1) the groups of Naupactus xanthographus, N. delicatulus and N. auricinctus mainly occur in northeastern Argentina (Misiones province) and reach the highest species diversity in the Atlantic and Parana forests of Brazil; (2) the groups of N. hirtellus, N. cinereidorsum, N. rivulosus and N. tarsalis show the highest species diversity in the Chacoan biogeographic province and also occur in the Yungas, Espinal, Monte, Parana forest (Argentina) and Cerrado (Brazil); (3) the groups of N. leucoloma and N. purpureoviolaceus have the highest species diversity in the Pampean biogeographic province, being also present in adjoining areas, mainly Chaco, Espinal, Monte and Parana forest. We provide descriptions, a dichotomous key, habitus photographs and line drawings of genitalia for the identification of the nine species groups, and a list of the Argentinean species from each group, together with their abbreviated synonymies, updated geographic distributions (including six new country records and several state/province records) and host plant associations. We discuss the characters that allow the separation of the species groups in a geographic distribution context, and provide information on species reassigned to genera other than Naupactus; among these, we transferred N. cephalotes (Hustache) to the tribe Tanymecini, genus Eurymetopellus, establishing the new combination Eurymetopellus cephalotes.

A new species of jumping spider Neonella Gertsch, with notes on the genus and male identification key (Araneae, Salticidae).

The American genus Neonella Gertsch, 1936 consists of very small jumping spiders whose biology is not well known. The genus currently includes eleven valid species, of which eight are known from both sexes and two are only known from one sex. This paper describes and illustrates a new species Neonella acostae sp. n., demonstrates male palpal variation in Neonella montana Galiano, 1988, and provides some information on the ecology of three sympatric species. New records of Neonella montana and Neonella minuta Galiano, 1965 are reported. Because the previously described species of Neonella were well illustrated and diagnosed, a dichotomous key to males is given along with genital illustrations of both sexes for all known species.

Compared leaf anatomy of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) species from Brazilian flood plain / Anatomia comparativa da folha de espécies de Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) da planície de inundação brasileira

Nymphaea has seven species already catalogued in the flood prone areas of the Brazilian Pantanal. However, some species remain difficult to identify and descriptions of the anatomy of vegetative organs are an important tool for infrageneric separation to aid in group taxonomy. The species collected in the Pantanal and prepared according to the usual techniques for anatomical studies showed similar structural characteristics, and data on the arrangement of vascular bundles in the midrib and petiole, as well as the form and distribution of sclereids, were consistent. Nymphaea oxypetala stands out from the other evaluated species for having a greater number of differential characters, including angular collenchyma and the absence of bicollateral bundles in the petiole. Nymphaea lingulata stands out as the only species to feature bicollateral bundles in the leaf blade. The results, summarised in the dichotomous key, facilitate the identification of species that use the flower as the main differentiation, but are in a vegetative stage.(AU)

Nymphaea tem sete espécies catalogadas nas áreas inundáveis do Pantanal brasileiro. No entanto, algumas espécies são de difícil identificação e descrições da anatomia dos órgãos vegetativos são uma ferramenta importante para a separação infragenérica para auxiliar na taxonomia do grupo. As espécies coletadas no Pantanal e preparadas de acordo com as técnicas usuais para estudos anatômicos mostraram as mesmas características estruturais, e os dados de arranjo dos feixes vasculares na nervura central e pecíolo, bem como a forma e distribuição de esclereides, foram consistentes. Nymphaea oxypetala se destaca das outras espécies avaliadas por ter um maior número de caracteres diferenciais, incluindo colênquima angular e ausência de feixes bicolaterais no pecíolo. Nymphaea lingulata se destaca como a única espécie que apresenta feixes bicolaterais no limbo. Os resultados, resumidos em uma chave dicotômica, facilitam a identificação de espécies que utilizam a flor como principal diferenciação quando se encontram em estágio vegetativo.(AU)

Compared leaf anatomy of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) species from Brazilian flood plain / Anatomia comparativa da folha de espécies de Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) da planície de inundação brasileira

Nymphaea has seven species already catalogued in the flood prone areas of the Brazilian Pantanal. However, some species remain difficult to identify and descriptions of the anatomy of vegetative organs are an important tool for infrageneric separation to aid in group taxonomy. The species collected in the Pantanal and prepared according to the usual techniques for anatomical studies showed similar structural characteristics, and data on the arrangement of vascular bundles in the midrib and petiole, as well as the form and distribution of sclereids, were consistent. Nymphaea oxypetala stands out from the other evaluated species for having a greater number of differential characters, including angular collenchyma and the absence of bicollateral bundles in the petiole. Nymphaea lingulata stands out as the only species to feature bicollateral bundles in the leaf blade. The results, summarised in the dichotomous key, facilitate the identification of species that use the flower as the main differentiation, but are in a vegetative stage.

Nymphaea tem sete espécies catalogadas nas áreas inundáveis do Pantanal brasileiro. No entanto, algumas espécies são de difícil identificação e descrições da anatomia dos órgãos vegetativos são uma ferramenta importante para a separação infragenérica para auxiliar na taxonomia do grupo. As espécies coletadas no Pantanal e preparadas de acordo com as técnicas usuais para estudos anatômicos mostraram as mesmas características estruturais, e os dados de arranjo dos feixes vasculares na nervura central e pecíolo, bem como a forma e distribuição de esclereides, foram consistentes. Nymphaea oxypetala se destaca das outras espécies avaliadas por ter um maior número de caracteres diferenciais, incluindo colênquima angular e ausência de feixes bicolaterais no pecíolo. Nymphaea lingulata se destaca como a única espécie que apresenta feixes bicolaterais no limbo. Os resultados, resumidos em uma chave dicotômica, facilitam a identificação de espécies que utilizam a flor como principal diferenciação quando se encontram em estágio vegetativo.

Cockroaches of genus Muzoa: morphology of the male genital sclerites and description of one new species (Dictyoptera, Blattodea, Ectobiidae, Nyctiborinae).

The male genital sclerites of cockroaches of genus Muzoa Hebard 1921 are described for first time and the new species Muzoa curtalata sp. n. is described and ilustrated. A dichotomous key to identify the species of genus Muzoa is given.

A key to the Mexican and Central America Genera of Anthonomini (Curculionidae, Curculioninae).

Presently the only keys available for identification of genera of Anthonomini are limited to those of the United States of America and Canada. A dichotomous key is presented to identify all genera of Mexican and Central American Anthonomini. Previous keys do not include the genera Achia, Botanebius, Loncophorus, Loncophorellus and Melexerus. A brief synopsis is given for each genus and photographs of representative species are included.

Guia ilustrado de Leguminosae Juss. arboreas do Corredor de Biodiversidade Santa Maria - PR / Illustrated Guide of Arboreal Leguminosae Juss. in the Corredor de Biodiversidade Santa Maria - PR

Leguminosae representa uma das principais famílias em estudos florísticos e fitossociológicos. Tal riqueza pode ocasionar dificuldades na identificação, principalmente em coletas de amostras estéreis. O objetivo do presente estudo foi elaborar um guia ilustrado com dicas de campo, bem como uma chave de identificação, abordando as principais características vegetativas diagnósticas das Leguminosae arbóreas do Corredor de Biodiversidade de Santa Maria, o qual une a Faixa de Proteção do Lago de Itaipu ao Parque Nacional do Iguaçu. O corredor reúne vários remanescentes de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual do sudoeste do Paraná e áreas reflorestadas. Foram coletadas amostras em diferentes áreas do corredor, sendo três remanescentes florestais (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Reserva Legal da Fazenda São José, Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural da Fazenda Santa Maria), e duas áreas reflorestadas (Faixa Seca e Faixa de Proteção do Lago de Itaipu). As Leguminosae coletadas foram fotografadas ainda em campo, com câmera semiprofissional, registrando aspectos morfológicos vegetativos como tronco, ritidoma, coloração da casca interna e/ou alburno, presença de exsudato, formato dos folíolos, presença de acúleos, glândulas, nectários extraflorais, indumento e, quando presentes, estruturas reprodutivas. As amostras foram identificadas e adicionadas ao Herbário da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNOP). Foram encontradas 29 espécies de Leguminosae, para as quais foi elaborado um guia com pranchas, ilustrando as principais características vegetativas diagnósticas, bem como uma chave dicotômica, a fim de auxiliar na identificação das espécies de Leguminosae presentes no sudoeste do Paraná. Características do tronco como ritidoma, casca interna e/ou alburno, formato e coloração dos folíolos, presença de exsudado, acúleos, indumento, nectários extraflorais ou glândulas foram de grande valia em campo, pois permitiram a identificação das espécies de Leguminosae do Corredor de Biodiversidade de Santa Maria.

Leguminosae represents one of the leading families in floristic and phytosociological studies. Such variety can lead to difficulties in identification, particularly in sterile sample collection. The aim of this study was to prepare an illustrated guide with tips from the field, as well as an identification key addressing the major vegetative diagnostic features of Leguminosae trees from the Corredor de Biodiversidade de Santa Maria, which binds the protection strip of Itaipu Lake to the Iguaçu National Park. This corridor brings together several remnants of the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual in south-western Paraná and reforested areas. Samples have been collected in different areas of the corridor, three forest remnants (Iguaçu National Park, the Legal Reserve of Fazenda São José, Private Reserve of Natural Heritage Fazenda Santa Maria), and two reforested areas (Range Dry and Range of Itaipu Lake Protection). Legumes collected were photographed in the field, with prosumer camera, recording morphological and vegetative stem rhytidome, staining the inner bark and/or sapwood, exudate, analysis of the format of the leaflets, the presence of spines, glands, extrafloral nectaries, hairiness, and when present, reproductive structures. The samples were identified and housed at Herbário da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNOP). Were found 29 species of Leguminosae, for which were designed with guide plates, illustrating the main diagnostic vegetative characteristics, as well as a dichotomous key to assist in the identification of Leguminosae species present in southwestern Paraná. The specimen features trunk as rhytidome, inner bark and/or sapwood, shape and color of the leaflets, presence of exudate, prickles, hairiness, extrafloral nectaries or glands were of great value in the field, which allowed the identification of species of Leguminosae of the Corredor de Biodiversidade Santa Maria.

Guia de identificação das espécies de Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) do município de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Identification handbook of the Scarabaeinae species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of the city of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Apresenta-se um guia de identificação das espécies de Scarabaeinae ocorrentes em Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, arroladas da literatura e capturadas entre maio de 2009 a abril de 2010 em fragmentos florestais. São fornecidas chave dicotômica, caracterização, ilustrações (das espécies coletadas) e informações ecológicas para 35 espécies.

Here is presented a guide to identify the species of Scarabaeinae occurring in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, compiled from the literature and captured between May 2009 and April 2010 in forest fragments. A dichotomous key, characterization, illustrations (species collected) and ecological information for 35 species are provided.

Taxonomy of longidorid nematodes and dichotomous keys for the identification of xiphinema and xiphidorus species recorded in brazil

ABSTRACT Ectoparasitic Longidoridae are globally an economically important family of nematodes that cause damage to an extensive range of crop plants by their feeding on plant root cells or transmitting viruses to a wide range of fruit and vegetable crops. Here, we provide an update review of Longidoridae taxonomy, including their basic morphology and the taxonomic characters used to distinguish the seven Longidoridae genera (Australodorus, Longidorus, Longidoroides, Paralongidorus, Paraxiphidorus, Xiphidorus and Xiphinema). In addition, dichotomous keys for the identification of Xiphidorus and Xiphinema species reported in Brazil are presented.

RESUMO Nematóides ectoparasitos da família Longidoridae causam danos a grande número de plantas cultivadas no mundo inteiro, alimentando-se diretamente das células das raízes ou transmitindo viroses. A presente revisão aborda a classificação e taxonomia dessa família, incluindo a morfologia básica e as características taxonômicas utilizadas para distinguir os sete gêneros pertencentes a Longidoridae (Australodorus, Longidorus, Longidoroides, Paralongidorus, Paraxiphidorus, Xiphidorus and Xiphinema). Além disso, são apresentadas chaves dicotômicas para facilitar a identificação de espécies de Xiphidorus e Xiphinema que ocorrem no Brasil.