bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kazakhstan's Chairmanship of the OSCE: Challenges and opportunities in the human dimension
Authors: Goldstein Jeff
Published: March 2011

Kazakhstan's 2010 chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has potentially far reaching consequences for Europe's premier international human rights organization and for democratization and human rights in Kazakhstan and other OSCE participating States. Some have argued that Kazakhstan's chairmanship will help tamp down dissatisfaction among some participating states that the organization devotes too much attention to human rights and democracy in the countries of the CIS and the Balkans. Others worry how a Kazakhstani Chairman would react in case of events such as the violence in Andijon in 2005 or the Russian attack on Georgia in 2008. Another significant question is whether the upcoming chairmanship will spur reform in Kazakhstan. To date, unfortunately, the Government of Kazakhstan has failed to deliver the real reforms in promised at the 2007 OSCE Ministerial.
Human Rights: An international context and internal developments. A view from Kazakhstan – the future OSCE Chairmanship country (2010)
Authors: Zhovtis Yevgeniy
Published: March 2011

This article looks into the situation of human rights activists in Kazakhstan, the challenges they face and the role of international organisations, in particular the OSCE. The article maintains that in the mid-nineties significant change of policy took place and the 'war on terror' put further challenges on human rights defenders and civil societies. In view of the author the advancement of democracy and human rights in the modern world has had four main adversaries: oil, gas, war on terror and geopolitics. These issues increasingly determine decisions taken at all levels, including those related to the ability of the international community to influence the countries where human rights violations happen frequently. Concerning Central Asia, the governments have ratified a number of international treaties on human rights and have joined the United Nations and the OSCE. However, they have failed to meet the majority of their obligations under the ratified international treaties and faced no major consequences for this failure. Internally there is a host of challenges that civil societies face and the author points to a number of frustrations on their part.
Respecting Human Rights in Central Asia: Will this stabilize or destabilize the region?
Authors: Lehner Oskar
Published: March 2011

All five Central Asian states have signed most of the major UN Human Rights Conventions. However, due to poor implementation the level of fulfillment of Human Rights — although varying from country to country — is unsatisfying. Poverty, violations of basic economic and social rights, torture, violence against women, lack of freedom of media and freedom of assembly, arbitrary arrests, wide-spread corruption, restrictions regarding freedom of religion, child labor and lack of protection of refugees are the key problems. Poor quality of election, restriction of political and religious freedom, and non-realization of economic and social rights on the long run will contribute to destabilize societies and fuel extremism. Kazakhstan, the first post-Soviet country to take over the OSCE chairmanship in 2010, fails to meet many agreed standards for democratic elections and respect of human rights. It therefore would be over-optimistic to expect that Kazakhstan will become a driving force in promotion and protection of Human Rights. However, the very fact that Central Asia for a certain period will be in the spot light and that Kazakhstan's domestic human rights policy will be closely monitored and scrutinized provides a window of opportunity to advocate for improved respect of Human Rights in Central Asia.
Kazakhstan's Chairmanship: Challenges and opportunities from the Moscow perspective
Authors: Zagorski Andrei
Published: March 2011

Russia would hardly expect much value to be added by the Kazakhstan Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010. It would not expect much harm either. This made the overall balance of supporting Nazarbayev's bid positive to Moscow which found it better to honour rather than to deny (or to allow others to deny) it. The Kremlin must have been struck, however, by the manifested readiness of Astana to seek a successful Chairmanship by engaging not only (and not predominantly) with Russia but particularly with the US and the European nations. As a result Astana's approach towards the OSCE sharply contrasted the toughening rhetoric of Russia. However, while having little leverage to either persuade or punish Kazakhstan's policies, the Kremlin has also little choice next year but to avoid spoiling relations with Astana by denying it a successful Chairmanship.
The High Commissioner on National Minorities after 15 Years: Achievements, Challenges and Promises
Authors: Ghebali Victor-Yves
Published: March 2011

The paper was written upon the request of the Office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities for an in-house seminar on the past achievements and future challenges of the HCNM in October last year. The seminar was organized on the occasion of the 15-year anniversary of the HCNM.
Is this any way to run an organization? Reflection on OSCE's employment policies
Authors: Shkolnikov Vladimir
Published: March 2011

This article examines a number of consequences of OSCE's employment policies. The article seeks to describe the challenges posed by the non-career nature of service in the OSCE and how these employment policies contribute to the overall decline of the organization's reputation and capacity. It takes a managerial rather than political perspective in analyzing some negative consequences of the non-career employment rules. In particular, it looks at detrimental effects of the current policy on the OSCE's reputation, staff motivation, institutional memory, and dealing with problem staff. The article notes technical measures that could be taken to address the shortcomings of the existing policy, while at the same time recognizing the political realities of limited prospects for a consensus emerging on this issue. The result is the decline in the OSCE's reputation and capacity.
The OSCE and transnational security challenges
Authors: Ackermann Alice
Published: March 2011

Although the engagement of the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) with Afghanistan, as an OSCE Asian Partner for Co-operation, is not a new effort, a more structured and focused approach was initiated by the participating States at the Madrid OSCE Ministerial Council in November 2007 and its Decision No. 4/07 (MC Decision No. 4/07). The Ministerial Council Decision identifies the need for OSCE support in three major areas: border security and management, and policing and combating trafficking, with such activities complementing already other national and international efforts. Since then, the implementation of MC Decision No. 4/07 has put OSCE efforts towards Afghanistan on a more systematic basis. With a programme of activities that includes 16 projects, and that aims at the strengthening of border security and management, the facilitation of cross-border co-operation and the enhancement of national law enforcement capacities, the OSCE is well-positioned to strengthen its engagement with Afghanistan. In particular, it can draw on substantial expertise within its existing channels, including its field operations in Central Asia. Although OSCE engagement with Afghanistan remains a challenging task, in particular given the financial constraints of the Organization, the OSCE can continue to build on the solid interaction already established within the Partnership for Co-operation framework.
OSCE's police-related activities: Lessons-learned during the last decade
Authors: Stodiek Thorsten
Published: March 2011

Within the last ten years, police-related activities have become a key component of the OSCE's post-conflict rehabilitation operations and have gained increasing relevance in the organization's democratization and rule of law activities in states of transition as well as in the promotion of international co-operation in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. The article provides an overview of the wide scope of police-related activities the OSCE executive structures have undertaken, the achievements they have made, the challenges they have faced while developing and implementing their police assistance and reform programmes, and the strategies they have developed to address the challenges.
A dangerous precedent? The political implications of Kosovo's independence on ethnic conflicts in South-Eastern Europe and the CIS
Authors: Richter Solveig , Halbach Uwe
Published: March 2011

Kosovo's declaration of independence on 17 February 2008 has re-ignited debates about the interaction among the fundamental international legal principles of self-determination, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The question of conformity with international law was interrelated to scenarios on the political implications of secession. After more than one year the following article elaborates if the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo had a precedent-setting impact for long-standing autonomist and secessionist conflicts in South-Eastern Europe and in CIS. The Kosovo-precedent formula had its biggest impact in the secessionist conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where a powerful external actor Russia, made effective use of the precedent-formula in its coercive diplomacy against Georgia. Generally speaking, in South-Eastern-Europe, the independence of Kosovo had only minor destabilizing effects with the exception of Bosnia and Hercegovina and Macedonia where political entrepreneurs used the opportunity to play the nationalist card and to profit from worst case scenarios of a disintegration of their country.
Missing the big picture? Retrospective on OSCE strategic thinking on Central Asia
Authors: Shkolnikov Vladimir
Published: March 2011

The article makes two intertwining arguments about OSCE's work in Central Asia. The first is that the organization failed to engage the leaders of the region in a political dialogue, opting instead for a quasi-developmental approach centered on technical assistance projects, many of questionable provenance and of limited if not negative impact. The second is that the OSCE has failed to promote in the region its own comprehensive vision of security with the human dimension at its core, instead accepting the security notions of the region's leaders. The articles traces and discusses the key points in the OSCE's involvement in Central Asia, noting that the political influence of the organization has dissipated while the project portfolio has expanded. The article questions the wisdom of projects involving police support and assistance to other governmental power structures in the Central Asian states.
Deadlock and division in Moldova: the 2009 political crisis and the role of the OSCE
Authors: Deen Bob
Published: March 2011

Following the contested parliamentary elections in April 2009, the Republic of Moldova entered a period of political crisis and deadlock between the ruling Communist Party and a coalition of opposition parties. Street protests by the opposition over alleged electoral fraud and a heavy-handed government response were followed by repeat elections in July after parliament failed to find a compromise over a presidential candidate. This article explores the origins of the crisis and the ensuing uneasy transition of power. It specifically examines the role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) during Moldova's political crisis, making the case that although it did not manage to play a key role so far, it has a wide array of crisis management instruments at its disposal through its permanent Mission and its specialized Institutions that could be more actively used to promote stability and democratic pluralism in Moldova.
Measuring the security of persons belonging to National Minorities: Indicators for assessing the impact of the FCNM in its State Parties
Authors: Malloy Tove , Lantschner Emma , Medda-Windischer Roberta
Published: March 2011

The security of persons belonging to minorities is intrinsically linked to the implementation of minority protection instruments. This paper addresses the security of persons belonging to minorities in terms of international standards enshrined in the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM). The paper is divided in three parts. First, it presents indicators piloted to measure developments in the political discourse, including government actions and practices induced by the political discourse. Next, it introduces indicators to assess developments in the legislative branch, including public policies addressing issues protected by international standards. Finally, it presents indicators to assess awareness and acceptance in the judiciary branch of government, including not only court rulings but also matters of courts' structures and organization. A final concluding section relates each section to the overall issue of security of persons belonging to minorities through law and politics.
The role of the OSCE in the conflict in Georgia
Authors: van Rie Marie-José
Published: March 2011

The OSCE mission was established on the invitation of the government of Georgia and with the consent of the leaders of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. One would therefore conclude that there would have been a sound basis for a political solution of the situation. The reality has proved otherwise. The JCC set up to serve as a forum for negotiations, became part of the problem and compromised rather than enabled the OSCE to fulfill its mediating role. The OSCE's security enhancing role in the break away regions was curtailed due to a lack of personnel. As a regional organization lacking political and economic leverage the OSCE was not up to the challenges of this complex situation. The article highlights the constraints of the OSCE in carrying out its mandate: no legal basis, consensus, increasing opposition from the part of CIS countries.
A new START to begin with: recent developments in US-Russian strategic nuclear arms reductions
Authors: den Dekker Guido
Published: March 2011

Nuclear arms control is high on the international agenda again. With START expired, the US and Russia have been taking more time than envisaged to negotiate a START follow-on treaty. The agreed further reductions are far from impressive. As regards future nuclear arms reductions, much will depend on the political-strategic climate between the US and Russia as well as on the regional (NATO) and global (nuclear non-proliferation) levels. Instead of fixating on the end-goal of a nuclear weapons free world, international attention should focus on the small but concrete legal steps towards meaningful nuclear arms reductions. The new START should be only the beginning.
Whose Responsibility to Protect?
Authors: Eckhard Frederic
Published: March 2011

The 2009 challenge in the United Nations General Assembly to the Responsibility to Protect was a warning call. This landmark piece of human rights legislation makes a lot of governments nervous; some of them would want to wipe R2P off the books. It might be worthwhile therefore to review how it came about and ask what its importance is to you. R2P had many “fathers”, but one important one was UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Seared by the UN experience in Bosnia, the genocide in Rwanda and the persecution of the Kosovars by Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, Annan asked the International Peace Academy to look into the basis in international law for humanitarian intervention. They couldn't find one. Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy then stepped in and set up a commission that did in a report called e Responsibility to Protect. Annan carefully laid the groundwork for international acceptance of the principle. He created a high-level panel to study security threats in the 21 st century and named former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans to it. Evans co-chaired the Canadian panel. Annan's panel endorsed R2P. With that crucial backing, he put R2P to the General Assembly, which, against all odds, voted in favor of it in 2005, making R2P international law. Humanitarian intervention is in fact a threat to national sovereignty. But so are most international treaties. Governments trade on their sovereignty when it is in their interest to do so. On R2P they did so again. Why should it matter to you? Just remember the Holocaust.
Phylogenetic analysis and biogeography of Aegean taxa of the genus Dendarus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors:   Trichas,   Giokas,   Mylonas,   Chatzimanolis
Published: March 2011

The genus Dendarus Latr. is distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin with numerous species in the Aegean islands. This paper presents a phylogenetic analysis and the biogeography of most taxa present in the area. Phylogenetic analysis of two outgroup and 25 ingroup taxa based on adult morphology, including 50 characters and 119 character states, produced two equally parsimonious trees (tree length = 148, C.I. = 0.42, R.I. = 0.70, R.C. = 0.294). These trees provide strong support for the monophyly of Dendarus and also define four species groups: the foraminosus group, present mainly on the island of Crete; the rhodius group, present in Dodecanese islands, the sinuatus group present in the central Aegean islands, and another group consisting of taxa from mainland Greece (D. messenius, D. caelatus, D. tenellus, and D. plicatulus paganettii). All area cladograms produced by Compatibility Component Analysis, Brooks Parsimony Analysis, and especially by Component Analysis, correspond quite closely to the hypothesized palaeogeographic history of the studied area and therefore partly support the idea of a vicariant evolution of Dendarus taxa in this region. We distinguished certain monophyletic groups distributed (with some exceptions) within well-defined geographical and palaeogeographical regions of the Aegean. However, we found certain inconsistencies (with Reconciled Tree Analysis) that are probably the result of dispersal, extinction, or duplication events that are independent of the sequence of vicariance events.
The Lauxaniidae (Diptera) described by C. F. Fallén with description of a misidentified species of Homoneura van der Wulp
Authors: Merz Bernhard
Published: March 2011

C. F. Fallén described 15 species of Lauxaniidae, the types of 13 could be studied in the collection of Fallén in the Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm and one type is located in the collection of Zetterstedt in the Zoological Museum Lund. The type of Sapromyza multipunctata was not found. Lectotypes are fixed for 12 species. Homoneura subnotata Papp is a new junior synonym of Homoneura notata (Fallén). Homoneura notata auctt. nec Fallén is now called Homoneura dilecta (Rondani, 1868). Homoneura interstincta (Fallén) has been misidentified in the past. It is fully redescribed and illustrated. Homoneura mediospinosa sp. n. (= H. interstincta auctt. nec Fallén) is described and illustrated. Sapromyza pallida Fallén is unrecognizable, because the only existing syntype, belonging to the Lyciella illota group, cannot be properly identified.
Systematics and song structure of Prozvenella bangalorensis sp. n. with a discussion of song features in Podoscirtini crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Podoscirtidae)
Authors: Balakrishnan Rohini , Metrani Sapna , Desutter-Grandcolas Laure
Published: March 2011

The systematics of the podoscirtine genus Prozvenella Gorochov, 2001(2002) is reviewed, with the description of one new species, P. bangalorensis sp. n. A diagnosis of all known species of Prozvenella is given and a key for male identification is proposed. The monophyly and relationships of Prozvenella are discussed and the homologies for male genitalic characters in Podoscirtini are re-examined. The calling song of P. bangalorensis is described and examined for its variability. A general schema of song variation in Podoscirtini is discussed with a preliminary appraisal on song evolution in this clade.
A revision of the Neotropical species of the lynx spider genus Peucetia Thorell 1869 (Araneae: Oxyopidae)
Authors: Santos Adalberto , Brescovit Antonio
Published: March 2011

The spider genus Peucetia includes 54 species of medium-sized and widely distributed spiders. The majority of its species occurs in the tropical regions, of which only the African fauna has been recently revised. In the Neotropical Region 26 species were described, of which 17 are here synonymyzed. Peucetia tranquillini Mello-Leitão 1922, P. rubrigastra Mello-Leitão 1929, P. meridionalis Mello-Leitão 1929, P. villosa Mello-Leitão 1929, and P. viridisternis Mello-Leitão 1945 are considered junior synonyms of P. flava Keyserling 1877. Eight names, Peucetia similis Keyserling 1877, P. amazonica Mello-Leitão 1929, P. heterochroma Mello-Leitão 1929, P. maculipedes Piza 1938, P. trivittata Mello-Leitão 1940, P. duplovittata Mello-Leitão 1941, and P. roseonigra Mello-Leitão 1943 and Tapinillus argentinus Mello-Leitão 1941 are considered junior synonyms of P. rubrolineata Keyserling 1877. Both senior species are extremelly common, occurring from Colombia to northern Argentina. Peucetia macroglossa Mello-Leitão 1929, recorded only from Central Brazilian Amazonia and Guyana is considered a senior synonym of P. melloleitaoi Caporiacco 1947. Two species occur from Southern USA to northern Colombia: Peucetia viridans (Hentz 1832) and P. longipalpis F. O. P.-Cambridge 1902. The former is recognized as a senior synonym of P. poeyi (Lucas 1857), P. bibranchiata F. O. P.- 1902 and P. rubricapilla Petrunkevitch 1925 and the later as a senior synonym of P. cauca Lourenço 1990. Peucetia viridis (Blackwall 1858), known from Africa, southern Spain and Middle East is newly recorded from the West Indies. One new species, Peucetia cayapa sp. n., is described and illustrated based on males and females from Ecuador and Peru. Peucetia caldensis Garcia-Neto 1989, from Brazil, is transferred to Tapinillus Simon 1898. The type specimens of three species, P. quadrilineata Simon 1891 and P. thalassina (C. L. Koch 1847) from Central America, and P. smaragdina Mello-Leitão 1941 from Colombia are probably lost. Since their original descriptions are not sufficiently clear for their recognition, they are considered nomina dubia.
Blackburnia lata sp. n. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Kauai: morphological transformation in the arboreal microhabitat
Authors: Liebherr James
Published: March 2011

Blackburnia lata sp. n. is described from the western reaches of the Alakai Swamp Trail, Kauaikinana Stream watershed, Kauai. Blackburnia lata is placed phylogenetically among other Kauai species in the subgenus Blackburnia Sharp, 1878. It is sympatric with three closely related species, all distributed largely within the limits of the primeval Kauai caldera, but allopatric with its adelphotaxon, B. atra Liebherr, found on Mt. Kahili, an isolated southern spur of the Mt. Waialeale massif. All five species occur in arboreal mossmats, at the same time exhibiting substantial variation in tarsal configuration. Tarsal evolution across this mossmat-specific lineage suggests that a single tarsal conformation is not required for occupation of this arboreal ecological zone. Historical transformation patterns of tarsal characters are not entirely congruent with the phylogenetic relationships among these species, and inclusion or exclusion of these characters in cladistic analysis is irrelevant to the definition of phylogenetic relationships. This incongruence argues against the necessity of excluding characters from phylogenetic analysis because they are deemed adaptive, while supporting the total evidence approach, wherein all potential synapomorphies are analyzed simultaneously to estimate phylogeny, regardless of their putative adaptive significance.
Revision of the European Aethes rubigana complex with a description of genetically confirmed Aethes kyrkii sp. n. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)
Authors: Lankinen Pekka , Itämies Juhani , Mutanen Marko
Published: March 2011

The Aethes rubigana complex is shown to comprise four closely related species in the Palearctic region: Eurasian Aethes cnicana (Westwood, 1854), European A. rubigana (Treitschke, 1830), Asiatic A. citreoflava V. I. Kuznetsov, 1966, and A. kyrkii, here described as a new species from northern Finland. A. kyrkii is morphologically most close to A. cnicana, but enzyme electrophoresis revealed complete genetic isolation between them. Descriptions are given of the three species occurring in Europe, and their respective biologies are outlined. Statistical analyses of traits of the forewing are given. The taxonomic status of A. arcticana (Brandt, 1937) is revised.
Revision of the quill mites of the genus Picobia Haller, 1878 (Acari: Syringophilidae) with notes on their host-parasites relationships
Authors: Skoracki Maciej , Wauthy Georges , Bochkov Andre
Published: March 2011

The genus Picobia Haller (Acari: Syringophilidae) is revised. The species of this genus are permanent parasites living in quills of bird body feathers. In total 19 species are recognized. Four new species are described from passerine birds (Passeriformes): Picobia locustella sp. n. from Locustella naevia (Sylviidae), P. biarmicus sp. n. from Panurus biarmicus (Panuridae), P. sturni sp. n. from Sturnus vulgaris (Sturnidae) and P. cissa sp. n. from Cissa chinensis (Corvidae). Two species are redescribed: P. dryobatis (Fritsch) and P. zumpti (Lawrence). A neotype for P. dryobatis is designated. A new diagnosis for the genus Picobia and a key to females are provided. Parsimony analysis of the genus is conducted. Host-parasite relationships are briefly discussed.
Exploring Tanytarsini relationships (Diptera: Chironomidae) using mitochondrial COII gene sequences
Authors: Ekrem Torbjørn , Willassen Endre
Published: March 2011

Mitochondrial DNA sequences from COII and flanking regions were retrieved from 42 species of Chironomidae belonging to the genera Cladotanytarsus, Corynocera, Diplocladius, Eukiefferiella, Lauterborniella, Micropsectra, Orthocladius, Pagastiella, Paratanytarsus, Psectroladius, Prodiamesa, Rheotanytarsus, Stempellinella, Sergentia, Stictochironomus and Tanytarsus. Some Tanytarsini have unusually long intergenic regions between COII and the flanking tRNAs. Length variation of the COII gene is associated with hypervariable regions including internal indels. We discuss the possibility that flanking tRNAs and intergenic repeat patterns may make COII susceptible to small scale rearrangements. These mutational patterns are not assumed to disturb the functionality because the polypeptides can be folded to the 3D structure described by the Swiss Model, and putative copper binding active sites in Anopheles COII are conserved in the chironomids. Phylogeny was inferred on COII data using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses. A general time reversible model accounting for the proportion of invariable sites and with gamma correction for nucleotide substitution rate heterogeneity (GTR+Γ+Ι) was found as the best model for evolutionary change. Implementation of the model in Bayesian analyses recovered a phylogenetic consensus tree that corresponds well with the hypothesis of Tanytarsini relationships derived from morphological studies. High probabilities were estimated for monophyly of the genera examined, except that Corynocera ambigua becomes the sister taxon of Tanytarsus gracilentus. The tree is also in agreement with the taxonomic division of subtribes Tanytarsina and Zavreliina. However, the data and model only weakly support many of the suggested relationships between the genera of Tanytarsini.
Final stage larvae and puparia of Platypezidae (Diptera)
Authors: Chandler Peter , Gilbert Francis , Rotheray Graham
Published: March 2011

Platypezidae occupy an important basal position within the Muscomorpha. However, morphological analyses of larval Platypezidae are incomplete and early stage data is insufficient to inform phylogenetic analysis and recognition of groundplan characters and states within Muscomorpha. For example, knowledge is poor of the characters of respiratory organs, head, head skeleton, thorax and segmental sensilla. In this study we describe and compare these features of 16 species in 11 genera. The head appears as a distinct fleshy organ with atrium and antennae and maxillary organs separated on the dorsal surface. Head skeletons are characterised by an anteriorly projecting labrum and labium with laterally placed mandibles. The prothorax is frequently armoured with sclerotised regions and spicules. A repeated and uniform pattern of up to 11 pairs of sensilla circumvent each thoracic and abdominal segment. Respiratory organs vary little in size and arrangement of spiracular openings. Using a set of 43 larval and puparial characters and based on a Brachyceran outgroup, a sequence of genera is established which places Melanderomyia as the most basal. These results are compared with estimates of phylogeny based on adult characters.
Corydasialidae fam. n. (Megaloptera) from Baltic amber
Authors: Chatterton Chris , Ross Andrew , Wichard Wilfried
Published: March 2011

A new family of the order Megaloptera from Baltic amber is suggested: Corydasialidae fam. n. The type species is Corydasialis inexspectatus gen. & sp. n. The new family is characterized by some autapomorphic traits: 4th tarsal segments of the legs are bilobed, underside of the 4th tarsal lobes with a brush of sucker disc-shaped hairs, in forewings Sc and R1 are not fused and both CuA and CuP distinctly forked.
The first instar larva of Apodacra pulchra (Diptera: Sarcophagidae, Miltogramminae)
Authors:   Pape,   Szpila
Published: March 2011

The morphology of the first instar larva of the miltogrammine flesh fly Apodacra pulchra Egger, 1861 is described using SEM and light microscopy. The larva is shown to possess a strongly modified pseudocephalon with comb-like lateral processes, a large ventral organ, and a transversely enlarged, slit-like (or ⊥-shaped) functional mouth opening. The thoracic cuticle is forming longitudinal ridges, and the abdominal segments have a single long lateral sensory sensilla on each side. Morphology is discussed in context of the remaining Oestroidea in general and of the subfamily Miltogramminae in particular.
Larval morphology of Macrovatellus haagi (Wehncke) and phylogeny of Hydroporinae (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)
Authors: Torres Patricia , Michat Mariano
Published: March 2011

The three larval instars of Macrovatellus haagi (Wehncke) are described and figured for the first time. Detailed morphometric, chaetotaxic and porotaxic analyses are provided. They are compared with the immatures of other species of the genus and the tribe Vatellini. Tribal- and generic-level larval characters are identified based on the descriptions herein provided and those found in the literature. A Vatellini larva is distinguished by its very characteristic nasale, antennomere 1 and maxillary stipes elongate, prementum as long as broad, and very long siphon and urogomphi. Macrovatellus Sharp differs from Derovatellus Sharp by the presence of lateral spinulae on prementum, and secondary setation on antennomeres 1 and 2 and maxillary palpomere 1. Third instar of M. haagi differs from M. mexicanus Sharp by its one-segmented labial palpi and siphon shorter than cerci. A phylogenetic analysis based on 57 larval characters and including members of six tribes of the Hydroporinae was conducted. It supports the hypothesis of a derived condition of the tribe Vatellini within this subfamily. The clade Bidessini + Vatellini + Hyphydrini and the clade Vatellini + Hyphydrini are well supported. Several characters suggest a monophyletic origin of the tribe Vatellini, and two synapomorphies support monophyly of the genus Macrovatellus.
The genus Sciarotricha gen. n. (Sciaridae) and the phylogeny of recent and fossil Sciaroidea (Diptera)
Authors: Vilkamaa Pekka , Hippa Heikki
Published: March 2011

The phylogeny of the main groups of the Sciaroidea, including the fossil Antefungivoridae, Archizelmiridae, Mesosciophilidae, Pleciofungivoridae, Pleciomimidae, Protopleciidae and Bolitophilidae: Mangasinae, and an extant new taxon, was studied by parsimony analysis. Two cladistic analyses of seventy-eight morphological characters from adults were made. One analysis, with forty-one extant taxa in the ingroup and the other, with the addition of twelve fossil taxa, both produced two most parsimonious cladograms. The phylogenetic hypotheses obtained differed from each other, and in part also to a great extent from previous ones although most of the traditionally recognized groups appeared monophyletic, including the speciose Cecidomyiidae and Sciaridae. The Cecidomyiidae (fossil analysis) or the Keroplatidae-Ditomyiidae (extant analysis) appeared as the sister-group of the rest of the Sciaroidea. Following on from these analyses, we propose emending the current Sciaridae to include the following subfamilies: Archizelmirinae stat. n., Rangomaraminae stat. n., Sciarinae, Sciarosominae subfam. n. and Sciarotrichinae subfam. n. A new taxon from Namibia, Sciarotricha biloba gen. n., sp. n. is described, and, according to the phylogenetic analysis, is placed in the Sciaridae (Sciarotrichinae). The sister-group of the Sciaridae as newly defined is the Mycetophilidae group, in the extant analysis including the Mycetophilidae, Manotidae, Lygistorrhinidae, Pterogymnus and Sciaropota, and in the fossil analysis even including the Mesosciophilidae and the Ohakunea group (Ohakunea + Colonomyia).
Chironomids (Diptera: Chironomidae) of Dominican amber. Ablabesmyia electrohispaniolana, sp. n. and paleoecological indications due to subfamily proportions
Authors: Grund Martin
Published: March 2011

The first fossil Chironomid species in Dominican amber, Ablabesmyia electrohispaniolana, sp. n. is described. Additionally, a first overview on the proportions of three subfamilies in this fossil chironomid fauna is given. This percent composition is compared with the chironomid fauna in the tropical lowlands of South America and with the fauna of Andean-Patagonian flowing waters. The data presented and knowledge on today's chironomid fauna is not detailed enough to draw new conclusions about the ancient amber forest, but it is shown how chironomids in Dominican amber can contribute in reconstructing palaeoenvironments even at subfamilial level.
On new species of the Neotropical spider genus Attacobius Mello-Leitão, 1923 (Araneae, Corinnidae, Corinninae), with a cladistic analysis of the tribe Attacobiini
Authors: Bonaldo Alexandre , Brescovit Antonio
Published: March 2011

A cladistic analysis of the Attacobiini spiders (Corinnidae, Corinninae) is made from 11 species in the tribe, plus two Corinninae outgroup species (Septentrinna yucatan and Falconina gracilis), scored for 70 characters. Attacobiini, Attacobius and a group composed by A. attarum Roewer, A. luederwaldti (Mello-Leitão) and A. nigripes (Mello-Leitão) are the best supported clades in the analysis. Six new Brazilian species are described: Attacobius blakei, A. tucurui and A. uiriri, from the state of Pará; A. lamellatus and A. kitae, from Tocantins and A. carranca, from Tocantins and Bahia. The known distribution ranges of A. attarum and A. luederwaldti are extended from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia (Distrito Federal) and from São Paulo to Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso, respectively. A 10 percent KOH preparation of the male palp of A. carranca suggests that the Attacobiini tegular process is homologous to the median apophysis, which is putatively symplesiomorphic in Corinninae.
Biodiversity of Apis mellifera iberica (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from northeastern Spain assessed by mitochondrial Analysis
Authors: Rúa Pilar De La , Galián José , Serrano José , Hernández-García Raquel , Jiménez Yolanda
Published: March 2011

The molecular variability has been analysed at the mitochondrial level in 288 honeybee colonies from 28 localities distributed along the four Catalonian provinces. In total sixteen different haplotypes belonging to three evolutionary lineages were found. The west European M lineage has been found at a high frequency in the four provinces and is fixed in Lérida, whereas the African A lineage shows a cline of distribution being more frequent in the northern Catalonia. The east European C lineage has been found in three colonies (one in Gerona and two from Barcelona). These results are most likely attributable to natural evolution events but the human influence should also be considered as an agent causing recent changes in the distribution of the honeybee populations. New insights about the evolution of the honeybee populations from the Iberian Peninsula are discussed in the light of the new information provided.
A taxonomic revision of the genus Pseudostegana Okada, 1978 (Diptera, Drosophilidae)
Authors: Wang Bao-Cheng , Chen Hong-Wei , Toda Masanori
Published: March 2011

The genus Pseudostegana is revised, with descriptions of 20 new species from Southeast Asia: P. angustifasciata Chen and Wang, sp. n., P. atrofrons Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. bifasciata Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. bisetosa Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. curvata Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. dactylis Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. dolichopoda Chen and Wang, sp. n., P. hamata Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. latifasciata Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. leptoptera Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. melanogaster Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. melanopogonias Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. myrmecoformis Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. nitidifrons Chen and Wang, sp. n., P. nitidiventris Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. orbicapitata Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. oxycephala Chen and Toda, sp. n., P. pallidimaculata Chen and Wang, sp. n., P. philoga Chen and Wang, sp. n. and P. xanthoptera Chen and Wang, sp. n. On the basis of the wing patterns, six species-groups are established: the atrofrons, grandipalpis, fleximediata, javana, latiparma and zonaria groups. A key to the all species of this genus is provided.
Review of fungus gnats of the genus Tarnania Tuomikoski, with a phylogeny of the Rymosia s.l. genus group (Diptera: Mycetophilidae)
Authors: Kjærandsen Jostein
Published: March 2011

The four known species of Tarnania Tuomikoski are reviewed, viz. T. dziedzickii (Edwards, 1941), T. fenestralis (Meigen, 1818), T. nemoralis (Edwards, 1941), and T. tarnanii (Dziedzicki, 1910). Males and females are re-described, photographed and their terminalia figured. An attempt is made to homologize and name specific substructures of the male gonostylus, widely recognizable within the tribe Exechiini. A phylogenetic analysis of the Tarnania species, including representatives of the six other genera of the Rymosia s. lat. genus group, strengthens the view that Tarnania is monophyletic. Tarnania is supported by six unambiguous character changes of which three are considered to be unique synapomorphies, viz. 1) lower parts of metepisternum and metepimeron covered with campaniform sensilla; 2) hind tibia with several curved bristles posterodorsally, placed irregularly in more than one row; and 3) anterior branch of male gonostylus forming an elongated, bifurcated lobe. The most parsimonious hypothesis for relationships among the species of Tarnania is ((T. tarnanii + T. nemoralis) + (T. dziedzickii + T. fenestralis)). The practice of regarding the genera of the Rymosia s. lat. genus group as an assemblage of plesiomorphic genera is also supported, the most parsimonious hypothesis for relationships among them being (Notolopha (Allodiopsis (Myrosia (Synplasta (Tarnania + (Rymosia + Pseudorymosia)))))). Tarnania is most diverse in northwestern Europe, with all four species known from Norway, Sweden, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and France. T. dziedzickii extends its distribution southwards to include the North African and the Near East Regions. T. fenestralis is widely distributed in the western Palaearctic Region and extends its distribution eastwards to the eastern Palaearctic region. Only T. tarnanii displays a wide Holarctic distribution including most of Russia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland.
Anatomical investigations of the male reproductive system of five species of Calaphidinae (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea)
Authors: Wieczorek Karina
Published: March 2011

The structure of the male reproductive system of 5 species of Calaphidinae Clethrobius comes, Euceraphis betulae, Myzocallis (Lineomyzocallis) walshii, Tuberculatus (Tuberculoides) annulatus and Tuberculatus (Tuberculoides) neglectus is discussed. C. comes and E. betulae feed on birches (Betula), whereas M. (L.) walshii, T. (T.) annulatus, and T. (T.) neglectus are associated with oaks (Quercus). On the basis of histological sections and whole mount preparations the following elements in the structure of the male reproductive system have been examined: the number of testis follicles and the stage of spermatogenesis, the connection of follicles and vasa deferentia, the position of the proximal part of vasa deferentia as well as the development of accessory glands and the ejaculatory duct. In males of studied species the characters of the reproductive system have been observed: each testis holds 3 or 4 follicles, strongly elongated and arranged in a rosette. Vasa deferentia run separately along their length, only in the proximal part their walls cling together. Accessory glands are strongly elongated, sometimes asymmetric (T.(T.) annulatus) whereas the ejaculatory duct is usually reduced (in exception C. comes). These characters were then used to supplement morphological data in order to interpret developmental trends in the Calaphidinae.
Species delimitation in the leaf beetle genus Macroplea (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) based on mitochondrial DNA, and phylogeographic considerations
Authors: Kölsch Gregor , Pedersen Bo Vest , Biström Olof
Published: March 2011

The genus Macroplea Samouelle, 1819 is a group of highly specialized aquatic leaf beetles occurring in the Palaearctic. Since the members of this genus are morphologically very similar, we addressed the question of species identification and delimitation by analysing the second half of the mitochondrial gene coding for the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) subunit. Species limits are inferred from the multimodal frequency distribution of genetic distances between specimens: low genetic distances within a species are clearly set apart from distances between species. The species status of the hitherto controversial species M. japana (Jacoby, 1885) is confirmed. The pattern of nucleotide and amino acid substitutions is discussed in the light of functional domains of the COI molecule. Although the data are preliminary, the results provide new data on the distribution of the species. Together with the phylogenetic analysis they allow for a discussion of the phylogeography of the genus.
Species identity of Macrolophus melanotoma (Costa 1853) and Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur 1839) (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae) based on morphological and molecular data and bionomic implications
Authors: Sanchez Juan Antonio , Cenis Jose Luis , Cassis Gerasimos , Martinez-Cascales Jose Isidro
Published: March 2011

Macrolophus contains a small group of Palaearctic species with very simple and similar external morphology. The classification of these species has been based on variable characters such as body measurements, the height of the black band-shaped macula behind the eyes and the colour of the first antennal segment. Macrolophus melanotoma (Costa 1853), Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur 1839) and Macrolophus costalis Fieber 1858, are the most reputed predators of the genus. The classification history of M. melanotoma and M. pygmaeus shows a great number of misconceptions that have left the identity of the two species in confusion. Despite the economic importance of these two species, they have not received comprehensive taxonomical treatment until now. In this work, the morphological and sequence variation of a cytochrome b fragment (320 bp) were analysed to determine the identity of M. melanotoma and M. pygmaeus. Macrolophus costalis, Dicyphus cerastii Wagner 1951b, Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner 1951b, Cyrtopeltis geniculata Fieber 1861 and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter 1895) were used as outgroup taxons in the phylogenetic analyses. Several evolutionary models were explored under a maximum likelihood framework. Macrolophus melanotoma and M. pygmaeus were classified as two distinct species based on monophyly, molecular and morphological data. Nodes at the species level were supported by high bootstrap values. M. pygmaeus and M. costalis are sister species, M. melanotoma basal to them. The shape of the black macula behind the eye may be used as a diagnostic character to differentiate M. melanotoma from M. pygmaeus with some degree of confidence.
A new genus and species of trichobiine bat flies (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea: Streblidae) from Costa Rica
Authors: Dick Carl , Wenzel Rupert
Published: March 2011

A new genus and species of parasitic bat fly, Megistapophysis mordax gen. n., sp. n., is diagnosed and described within the subfamily Trichobiinae (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea: Streblidae). Illustrations of the wing, habitus, and male genitalia are provided. The new genus has affinities to species of Megistopoda Macquart, 1852, Neotrichobius Wenzel & Aitken, 1966, Paratrichobius Costa Lima, 1921, and the Trichobius phyllostomae group of species. Morphological affinities of related taxa to the new genus are discussed, and information regarding ecology and host associations is presented. The new genus is known exclusively from Costa Rican Sturnira mordax (Goodwin, 1938) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae).
Phylogenetic review of desert firefly taxonomic characters (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Microphotus)
Authors: Cognato Anthony , Usener Jessica
Published: March 2011

Species are often difficult to discern when morphological attributes do not reflect taxonomic boundaries. Cladistic analysis using individuals as OTUs allows for morphological attributes to be determined as either taxonomic characters or traits. This approach is used to review 16 taxonomic attributes that define Microphotus species. In addition, mitochondrial cyctochrome oxidase I and luciferase DNA data are analyzed for phylogenetic signal and for the potential use for species diagnosis. Analysis of morphological attributes for 317 Microphotus individuals yielded 5000 trees with poor resolution. Individuals of each species where not monophyletic thus failing to reject the hypothesis that the 16 taxonomic attributes are traits, hence they are not taxonomic characters. Separate cladistic analyses of mitochondrial COI and luciferase gene data for ten and seven OTUs, respectively, each produced one parsimonious tree. Topologies of these trees were incongruent by the placement of M. chiricahuae, M. pecosensis, and M. fragilis. Cladistic analysis of all data for 11 OTUs produced two equally parsimonious trees which were unresolved for two nodes. All data sets supported the trees, however, the luciferase data showed the most conflict with the other data sets. The data support the synonymy of M. decarthrus Fall 1912 and M. fragilis Oliver 1912 based on lack of morphological variation and geographic and temporal proximity of collection localities. Additional data is needed to make a more robust statement of Microphotus phylogeny and taxonomy.
Phylogenetic analysis of Anomalophylla Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae: Sericini)
Authors: Ahrens Dirk
Published: March 2011

The phylogeny of the genus Anomalophylla Reitter, 1887 is investigated based on comparative morphology involving 68 characters. Three monophyletic lineages were recognized from the strict consensus tree within the ingroup: (1) Anomalophylla; (2) Gastroserica + Neoserica; (3) Microserica soppongensis + M. panzona. Monophyly of Anomalophylla was evident with highest branch supports in both analyses with unweighted and weighted characters, however its sister taxon was not apparent with present data set. Monophyly of Microserica species included in this analysis could not be shown according to the tree topology.