Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 54 (1), pp. 1–11,
2008
Digitally published December 14, 2007
Title: A review of Taiwanese Paramisolampidius (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae: Cnodalonini)
Authors: Merkl, O.1 and Masumoto, K.2
Authors' addresses: 1Hungarian Natural History Museum, H-1088 Budapest, Baross utca 13, Hungary, E-mail: merkl@zoo.zoo.nhmus.hu
2Institute of Human Living Sciences, Otsuma Women's University
Sanbancho 12, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8357 Japan. E-mail: masumoto@otsuma.ac.jp
Abstract: Paramisolampidius csorbai sp. n. is described from Hohuanshan, Central Taiwan. Paramisolampidius alishanus Masumoto, 1981 and Paramisolampidius wufengus Masumoto, 1981 are junior synonyms of Paramisolampidius shirozui (M. T. Chûjô, 1967). Paramisolampidius kagoshimensis Nakane, 1968 is designated as the type species of the Paramisolampidius Nakane, 1968, which is an unavailable genus-group name, because it was published after 1930 without fixed type species. A key to the five Taiwanese species of the genus is given.
Key words: Tenebrionidae, Cnodalonini, Paramisolampidius, Taiwan, key, new species, type species designation
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Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 54 (1), pp. 13–21, 2008 Title: Micromacrocera gen. n., the smallest macrocerine fly (Diptera: Keroplatidae, Macrocerinae)
Author: L. Papp
Author's address: Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum and Animal Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
H-1088 Budapest, Baross utca 13, Hungary, e-mail: lpapp@nhmus.hu
Abstract: Micromacrocera gen. n. of the subfamily Macrocerinae (Keroplatidae) is described (type species M. stenobasis sp. n.) from South Africa. An analysis of characters in comparison to those of the other genera of the subfamily is given. With 15 original figures.
Key words: Keroplatidae, Macrocerinae, new genus, Micromacrocera, taxonomy, Afrotropical region
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Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 54 (1), pp. 23–73, 2008 Title: A review of the histrio group of the spider genus Philodromus Walckenaer, 1826 (Araneae, Philodromidae) of the Eastern Palaearctic Region
Authors: Szita, É.1 and Logunov, D.2
Authors' addresses: 1Plant Protection Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P. O. Box 102, H-1525 Budapest, Hungary. E-mail: szita@julia-nki.hu
2The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester,
Oxford Road, M13 9PL Manchester, UK. E-mail: dmitri.v.logunov@manchester.ac.uk
Abstract: The data on taxonomy, distribution and habitat preferences of 13 species of the histrio species group of the genus Philodromus the eastern Palaearctic Region (Central Asia and Siberia) are presented. Five new species, P. ablegminus sp. n. (male and female; NE Kazakhstan), P. xerophilus sp. n. (male and female; NE Kazakhstan and the mountains of S Siberia), P. tuvinensis sp. n. (male and female; NE Kazakhstan and the mountains of S Siberia), P. timidus sp. n. (male; NE Kazakhstan) and P. angulobulbis sp. n. (male and female; the mountains of S Siberia), are described. The formerly unknown male of P. triangulatus Wu et Song, 1987 is described. Philodromus nanjiangensis Hu et Wu, 1989 is synonymized with P. pictus Kroneberg, 1875. An identification key to all the studied species is provided. The work is reachly illustrated with 80 original drawings and 11 distributional maps.
Key words: Central Asia, Siberia, spider, new synonymy, new species, taxonomy, key
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Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 54 (1), pp. 75–88, 2008 Title: Morphometric criteria for distinguishing species and age-cohorts of Ermine (Mustela erminea) and Long-tailed weasel (M. frenata)
Authors: Elsasser, S. C. and Parker, G. H.
Authors' address: Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada; E-mail: sc_elsasser@laurentian.ca; gparker@laurentian.ca
Abstract: Morphologically similar ermine (Mustela erminea) and long-tailed weasel (M. frenata) were studied to identify diagnostic criteria and confirm the level of certainty with which specimens, both skulls and whole body carcasses, can be classified to species and age classes. Analyses of 9 whole body and 15 skull morphometric measures of 203 specimens revealed that several options for reliable species classification may be employed, ranging from the simultaneous use of several traits as identified within a discriminant function to the use of a single specified trait in cases where pertinent information for the specimen in question may be unavailable. Species identification based on discriminant functions and compliance within range values for selected traits appears possible regardless of gender. Tail vertebrae counts in conjunction with gender information served to successfully distinguish all ermine from long-tailed weasels in the present study. Age-class discrimination was most successful (~75%) with a combination of skull and baculum variables. In terms of practical application, this study provides a solid basis for reliably distinguishing trapper-harvested specimens of either species, including those subjects having sustained extensive trap-inflicted skull damage or tail breakage during the pelting process.
Key words: classification, morphometrics, Mustela, species identification, weasel
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Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 54 (1), pp. 89–97, 2008
Title: Habitat preference in territories of the Red-backed shrike Lanius collurio and their food richness in an extensive agriculture landscape
Authors: Golawski1, A. and Golawska, S.2
Authors' addresses: 1Department of Zoology, University of Podlasie, Prusa 12, 08<@150>110
Siedlce, Poland, E-mail: artgo1@ap.siedlce.pl
2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Podlasie, Prusa 12, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
Abstract: Food richness of habitats influences their occupancy and influences both the numbers and breeding performance of birds. In 1999–2003, the percentage of habitat types in territories of the Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio and their food richness were studied. Numbers and biomass of invertebrates were determined in four open habitats in the farmland of eastern Poland. Red-backed Shrikes preferred territories in meadows, pastures and fallows, and avoided arable land. The greatest number and biomass of animals 4–10 mm in length was found in meadows, the lowest in fallows and differences between these habitats were statistically significant. The highest number and biomass of animals longer than 10 mm was found in meadows, while it was the lowest in arable land. Statistically significant differences were found between meadows and pastures, meadows and arable land, pastures and arable land, and between arable land and fallows. The number and biomass of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Orthoptera in each habitat had the greatest influence on these differences. Habitat preference within the territories of Red-backed Shrikes thus corresponds with differences in the number and biomass of invertebrates occurring in these habitats.
Key words: Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio, farmland, habitat use
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Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 54 (1), pp. 99–112,
2008 Title: Age structure in a declining population of Rana temporaria from northern Italy
Authors: Guarino, F. M.1, Già, I. Di2 and Sindaco, R.3
Authors' addresses: 1Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale,
Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy, E-mail: fabio.guarino@unina.it Abstract: In recent years the population of Rana temporaria from Laghi Paradiso (northern Italy) declined without any appearing reason. We
applied skeletochronology to study the age structure of this population
during the breeding season 2005. Males were on average smaller in
body length than females. The modal age was 6 yrs in males and 3 yrs
in females. Maximum age ascertained (10 yrs) was the same in both
sexes. Sexual maturity was attained after the second or third year
from metamorphosis in males and after the third year in females. Based
on skeletochronological patterns, we conclude that in the examined
population of R. temporaria females are larger than males not
because they are on average older but because they grow faster beginning
their pre-adult stages of life (2 yrs), this fact contributing to
sexual size dimorphism in adults. Comparisons with skeletochronological
data obtained from other European populations of R. temporaria
confirm that in this species body length, longevity and age at maturity
are inversely correlated to the activity period. Finally, we aimed
to investigate potential demographic factors responsible for decrease
in the study population
Key words: Rana temporaria, age structure, skeletochronology, population decline
2Via Latina, 126, 10093 Collegno (Torino), Italy
3I.P.L.A. – Istituto per le Piante da Legno e l"Ambiente,
corso Casale 476, 10132 Torino, Italy