Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 42 (3), pp. 163–172, 1996

Title: Edge effects in tropical versus temperate forest bird communities: three alternative hypotheses for the explanation of differences

Authors: A. Báldi

Authors' address: Animal Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungarian Natural History Museum, H–1088 Budapest, Baross u. 13, Hungary, baldi@zoo.zoo.nhmus.hu

Abstract: The forest edge is the outermost belt of a relatively homogeneous wooded area. The presence and abundance of animals usually differ between edge and interior habitats. Both temperate and tropical zone forest bird communities have been shown to be affected by edges. However, the response of bird communities differs in the two zones: diversity and density usually increase in temperate forest edges, but decline in tropical edges. I propose three alternative hypotheses to explain the observed differences. Hypothesis 1 considers the spatial pattern of the vegetation in Europe and Amazonia, and proposes that pattern in Europe is naturally more patchy, and hence contains more edges. Hypothesis 2 states that changes in vegetation pattern during glaciation were more pronounced in Europe than in Amazonia, resulting in more heterogeneous and patchy vegetation. I discuss this hypothesis in the light of recent views that argue that Amazonia was much more dynamic than previously believed. Hypothesis 3 suggests that human disturbances during historical times may also account for edge creation. The three processes underlying the hypotheses together created a more fragmented landscape in Europe, and temperate zone forest bird communities are adapted to this habitat, whereas those in the tropics do not tolerate fragmentation and edge creation.

Key words: tropical versus temperate forest edges, bird communities, spatial and temporal variations, human activity

Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 42(3), pp. 173–185, 1996

Title: Three new genera of Lauxaniidae (Diptera) from Papua New Guinea

Authors: Papp, L. and S. P. Kim

Authors' address: Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, H–1088 Budapest, Baross utca 13, Hungary, lpapp@zoo.zoo.nhmus.hu
Division of Entomology, CSIRO, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, A.C.T. 2601, Australia

Abstract: Three new genera of the family Lauxaniidae are described here from Papua New Guinea: Kimiella L. Papp, gen. n. (type-species: K. simplex L. Papp et Kim, sp. n., additional species: K. grisea Kim et L. Papp, sp. n., K. spatulifer L. Papp et Kim, sp. n.), Lyciovibrissina L. Papp et Kim, gen. n. (type-species: L. minor L. Papp et Kim, sp. n.) and Celyphohomoneura L. Papp et Kim, gen. n. (type-species: C. nitida L. Papp et Kim, sp. n., additional species: C. nigrifacies Kim et L. Papp). With 22 original figures.

Key words: Lauxaniidae, new genera, new species, taxonomy, Papua New Guinea

Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 42 (3), pp. 187–194, 1996

Title: New East-Palearctic Dolerus species (Hymenoptera, Symphyta, Tenthredinidae)

Authors: Haris, A.

Authors' address: Budapest Plant Health and Soil Conservation Station, Budaörsi u. 141–145, H-1118 Budapest, Hungary

Abstract: Three new Dolerus species are described: Dolerus shanghaiensis from China, D. nipponicus from Japan and D. persicus from Iran. A new colour variation of Dolerus japonicus Kirby from Japan is noted. The hitherto unknown male of Dolerus albolineolatus Haris et Blank, 1996 is also described.

Key words: Hymenoptera, Symphyta, Dolerus, new species, East Palaearctic

Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 42 (3), pp. 195–230, 1996

Title: New species and subspecies of Dichagyris, Chersotis and Rhyacia (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) from Central Asia

Authors: Z. Varga

Authors' address: Department of Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, L. Kossuth University, H–4010 Debrecen, Egyetem-tér 1, Hungary, zvarga@tigris.klte.hu

Abstract: Ten new species: Dichagyris (Dichagyris) korshunovi (Turkmenistan, Kopet-Dagh Mts), Dichagyris (D.) kautti (India, Himachal Pradesh), D. (D.) naumanni (Turkmenistan, Kugitang-Tau Mts), D. (D.) kongur (Kazakhstan, Alma-Ata region), D. (Yigoga) hissariensis (Tadjikistan, Hissar Mts), D. (Y.) thylacina (Turkmenistan, Kopet-Dagh Mts), Chersotis nekrasovi (Tadjikistan W Pamir Mts), Ch. herczigi (Pakistan, Himalaya Mts), Rhyacia gabori (Turkmenistan, Kopet-Dagh Mts), Rh. fabiani (Turkmenistan, Kopet-Dagh Mts), as well as five new subspecies: Dichagyris clara gobialtaica (Mongolia, Adz Bogd Uul Mts), D. celebrata pashtu (Pakistan, Karakoram Mts), D. argentea acroptera (Turkmenistan, Kopet-Dagh Mts), Chersotis anatolica transcaspiae (Turkmenistan, Kopet-Dagh Mts) are described. With 130 figures.

Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 42 (3), pp. 231–249, 1996

Title: Contribution to the knowledge of the leeches of Nepal (Annelida: Hirudinea)

Authors: Nesemann, H. and S. Sharma

Authors' address: Department for Hydrobiology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Agriculture, Forestry and Renewable Natural Resources, Max-Emanuel-Str. 17, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
Department of Biology, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kabre district, Nepal

Abstract: Nine species of leeches belonging to four families are reported from Nepal. Among Glossiphoniidae, Hemiclepsis marginata O. F. Müller, Batracobdelloides reticulatus Kaburaki, Placobdelloides fulvus Harding, Alboglossiphonia weberi Blanchard, A. hyalina O. F. Müller and Helobdella stagnalis Linnaeus are recorded with their distribution and ecology described. Similarly, Barbronia weberi Blanchard (Salifidae), Haemadipsa sylvestris Blanchard, H. zeylanica Moquin-Tandon (Haemadipsidae) and an unidentified specimen (?Hirudinidae) are also included.

Key words: Key words: Hirudinea, Glossiphoniidae, Haemadipsidae, Salifidae, Nepal