A new species of Deutonura, D. zana sp. nov., is described from north-eastern Algeria. It is morphologically similar in most characters to D. deficiens meridionalis and to D. luberonensis, both members of the D. phlegraea group, differing from the former by the absence of chaeta O on head, and from the later by the separation of tubercles Di and De on Th. I. The muscular insertion pattern of th...

Theoretical models suggest that begging should be costly in order to be evolutionarily stable. However, evidence for such a cost is contradictory (e.g. for growth costs) or scant (e.g. for immunological costs). Here, we experimentally test the existence of both costs in southern shrike (Lanius meridionalis) nestlings. Nestlings were paired by nest of origin and similar body mass. In each pair, ...

Abstract Elucidating electrokinetic stability by which surface charges regulate toxins interaction with erythrocytes is crucial for understanding the cell functionality. Electrokinetic properties of human upon treatment Vipoxin, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and Vipoxin acidic component (VAC), isolated from Vipera ammodytes meridionalis venom were studied using particle microelectrophoresis. PLA2 tre...

Xynocoris Garbelotto & Campos gen. nov. is proposed for a monophyletic group recovered in the previous cladistic analysis of the Herrichella clade. The genus is proposed based in two synapomorphies: the presence of long, projected, and acute anteocular processes, and apices of posterolateral angles of pygophore tumid. Nine new species are described (X. crinitus Garbelotto & Campos sp. nov., X. ...

Thrips are major crop pests and virus vectors in many parts of the world. Despite their economic importance, thrips diversity in Pakistan is not well documented. Surveys were carried out from year 2009 to 2012 to decipher thrips fauna in Pakistan. A total of 158 sites in three climatic regions were surveyed, and specimens were collected from a wide range of flora. Following taxonomic keys, we i...

The Atlantic Forest with its exuberant vegetation of high level of biodiversity is classified as one hotspot of the world. Chemical composition of leaves from native trees and underlying soils was evaluated by INAA. The predominant species Euterpe edulis, Bathysa meridionalis, Hyeronima alchorneoides, Marlierea tomentosa, Gomidesia flagellaris, and Gomidesia spectabilis belonging to the diverse...

Wild relatives genetically close to cultivars are precious genetic resources for plant breeding. Oryza rufipogon, O. barthii, O. glumaepatula, O. meridionalis and O. longistaminata are such wild species, and are also categorized as AA genome species based on their structural similarities. Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are a powerful resource in breeding and genetics, and numerou...

Molecular evidence is interpreted in the light of morphology to examine the validity of several species of Haematoloechus described as Mexican endemics. Internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 and 28S ribosomal genes were sequenced for 11 isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of separate partitions and combined databases was conducted. Results were analyzed, in the light of morphological evidence. Haema...

Species of the genus Chirothrips Haliday breed and pupate only within grass florets. Each larva is restricted to a single floret, and adult body size is thus presumably related to floret size. Despite this, some Chirothrips species are distinguished only on states that are related to body size. The validity of some commonly recorded members of the C. manicatus species-group, including C. africa...