Latest Articles from African Invertebrates Latest 8 Articles from African Invertebrates https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:42:29 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from African Invertebrates https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/ Taxonomic revision of the Calotheca parvula species group from southern Africa, with descriptions of three new species (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/62426/ African Invertebrates 62(1): 315-337

DOI: 10.3897/AfrInvertebr.62.62426

Authors: Paola D’Alessandro, Mattia Iannella, Elizabeth Grobbelaar, Maurizio Biondi

Abstract: Calotheca Heyden, 1887 is a flea beetle genus that occurs predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, comprising 29 species. The examination of new material is revealing a significantly higher species richness and high intraspecific variability. A group of five species, occurring in the southernmost portion of the distribution range for the genus, is here attributed to the C. parvula species group: C. parvula (Weise, 1908), C. pallida (Bryant, 1945), C. danielssoni sp. nov., C. oberprieleri sp. nov., and C. prinslooi sp. nov. Species in the C. parvula group have strong similarities in body shape and sculpture on the integument, spermathecal shape, and for most species the morphology of the median lobe of the aedeagus. A key to species of the Calotheca parvula group is provided along with photographs of the habitus, main diagnostic characters, median lobe of the aedeagus and spermatheca. In addition to the geographic distribution, the available information on the habitat, host plants, and phenology are provided for the five species analysed.

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Research Article Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:32:39 +0300
The first record of Omosita nearctica Kirejtshuk (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) in South Africa, with the first description of its mature larva https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/58842/ African Invertebrates 62(1): 257-271

DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.62.58842

Authors: Kirstin A. Williams, Crystal-Leigh Clitheroe, Martin H. Villet, John M. Midgley

Abstract: Sap beetles of the genus Omosita Erichson are stored-product pests that are also associated with carrion, potentially making them biosecurity risks and forensic tools. The discovery of a specimen of the Nearctic species Omosita nearctica Kirejtshuk in South Africa prompted an investigation a decade later to determine if this species had established itself in the country, which was confirmed by the collection of further breeding specimens that also facilitated the first description of mature larvae of O. nearctica. A new key to adults of all Omosita species is presented.

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Research Article Thu, 25 Feb 2021 10:40:51 +0200
The Cis bilamellatus species-group (Coleoptera, Ciidae) in southern Africa: Cis mooihoekite sp. n. and new distributional records https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/22269/ African Invertebrates 59(1): 25-35

DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.59.22269

Authors: Igor Souza-Gonçalves, Cristiano Lopes-Andrade

Abstract: Cis mooihoekite sp. n. is described based on specimens collected at two localities in the province of Mpumalanga, South Africa. The new species is included in the Cis bilamellatus species-group, which comprises species with a single plate on both anterocephalic edge and anterior pronotal edge in males, females with pronotum usually widest near the posterior end and gradually narrowing anteriorly and both sexes with dual elytral vestiture. Cis mooihoekite sp. n. can be distinguished from the other South African species in the group by the pronotum devoid of a median impunctate line, pronotal plate angularly emarginate forming two small and triangular horns with acute apex and anterocephalic edge with very acute corners. New geographical records and information on the host fungi of Cis pickeri Lopes-Andrade, Matushkina, Buder & Klass, 2009 are provided.

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Research Article Fri, 26 Jan 2018 16:40:28 +0200
Corrigenda: Daniel CA, Midgley JM, Villet MH (2017) Determination of species and instars of the larvae of the Afrotropical species of Thanatophilus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera, Silphidae). African Invertebrates 58(2): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3897/afrinvertebr.58.12966 https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/20751/ African Invertebrates 58(2): 53-53

DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.58.20751

Authors: Claire A. Daniel, John M. Midgley, Martin H. Villet

Abstract: After the publication of this article, it was brought to our attention that there was an error in the caption for Figure 2. The caption should read: Figure 2: Right mandible in dorsal view and mesothoracic spiracle of mature Afrotropical Thanatophilus larvae. The arrows indicate species-specific diagnostic characteristics: T. micans has two ventrolateral mandibular setae and two spiracular setae, while T. mutilatus has three ventrolateral mandibular setae and one spiracular seta.

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Corrigenda Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:31:58 +0300
Determination of species and instars of the larvae of the Afrotropical species of Thanatophilus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera, Silphidae) https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/12966/ African Invertebrates 58(2): 1-10

DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.58.12966

Authors: Claire A. Daniel, John M. Midgley, Martin H. Villet

Abstract: Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus have significance for forensic entomology. Their larvae are therefore described and a key is provided for identifying the larvae of Afrotropical Silphidae based on morphological characters. It is shown that seven common species of Thanatophilus can be distinguished by a 360 bp mtDNA sequence from the cytochrome oxidase I gene.

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Research Article Wed, 17 May 2017 16:23:52 +0300
Records of the genus Micrambe Thomson, 1863 (Coleoptera, Cryptophagidae) from Madagascar and Réunion Island https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/12022/ African Invertebrates 58(1): 49-64

DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.58.12022

Authors: José Carlos Otero, José Manuel Pereira

Abstract: A study on the genus Micrambe Thomson, 1863 (Coleoptera, Cryptophagidae) from Madagascar and Réunion is presented. Six species are hitherto known from these countries: M. apicalis Grouvelle, M. brevitarsis Bruce, M. consors Grouvelle, M. madagascariensis Grouvelle, M. modesta (Grouvelle), and M. reuninensis Lyubarsky. A new species, M. leonardoi sp. n., is formally described from Boorg-Murat, Réunion Island. A key is presented to enable their identification. Micrambe consors Grouvelle previously known only from Congo is reported here for the first time from Madagascar.

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Research Article Tue, 28 Mar 2017 13:54:04 +0300
Two new Lebistina Motschulsky, 1864 species from Kenya and Tanzania (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini) https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/11456/ African Invertebrates 58(1): 9-21

DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.58.11456

Authors: Thorsten Assmann, Estève Boutaud, Claudia Drees, Tamar Marcus, Dorothea Nolte, Werner Starke, Heinrich Terlutter, Eva Völler, Pascale Zumstein

Abstract: Two new species of the genus Lebistina Motschulsky, 1864 are described: Lebistina rehagei Assmann, Starke & Terlutter, sp. n., type locality: Kenya: north of Ngomeni. Members of this macropterous species are distinguished from all other known species of the genus by their elytral coloration pattern, large body length, shape of the median lobe of the aedeagus, and shape of the mentum with one tooth showing two small tips. Lebistina petersae Assmann, Drees & Zumstein, sp. n., type locality: Kenya, Tsavo East National Park. Members of this macropterous species differ from all other Lebistina species by their elytral coloration, short body length, shape of the median lobe of the aedeagus, and shape of the mentum with its sinuosity and two blunt teeth. We provide photographs and discuss the characters, including the shape of the mentum which deviates from the classical delineation of the genus Lebistina.

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Research Article Tue, 21 Feb 2017 10:49:19 +0200
The first scarabaeid beetle (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae) described from the Mesozoic (Late-Cretaceous) of Africa https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/8416/ African Invertebrates 57(1): 53-66

DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.57.8416

Authors: Christopher Woolley

Abstract: A full description is given of the first scarabaeid beetle documented from the Mesozoic (Late Cretaceous) of Africa (Orapa, Botswana). Brief and partial descriptions of this beetle have appeared in two previous review papers of fossils from the Orapa Diamond Mine. This work represents an updated analysis and interpretation of the fossil based on character comparison and phylogenetic analysis. The new genus and species, Ceafornotensis archratiras, are described in Melolonthinaeincertae sedis. Phylogenetic analysis suggests a sister group relationship with the tribe Phaenognathini (Melolonthinaeincertae sedis). Although phytophagy in the adult beetle cannot be confirmed, it is proposed that angiosperms could have contributed to a proportion of its diet (larval or adult). This beetle may belong to a stem lineage of pleurostict scarabaeids which later experienced major radiation in response to widespread environmental changes brought about by continuing radiation of the angiosperms.

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Research Article Mon, 6 Jun 2016 12:20:18 +0300