Diagnosing diagnoses - can we improve our taxonomy?

Taxonomic diagnoses should be clear but minimal statements that precisely distinguish a given specimen from other taxa at the same stage of development (e.g., pupa, adult female, egg). Presently, most diagnoses are of uncertain value. It is a great advantage for readers to be able to simply and confidently confirm their identifications after using a key.

Taxonomy of the Genus Halophila Thouars (Hydocharitaceae): A Review

The seagrass genus Halophila Thouars has more than twenty described species and is predominately distributed over a wide geographic range along the tropical and the warm temperate coastlines in the Indo-West Pacific Oceans. A brief history of the Halophila taxonomic development is presented. Based on reproductive and vegetative morphology, the genus is divided into eight sections including three new sections: section Australes, section Stipulaceae and section Decipientes. A rewritten taxonomic description of the type species for the genus Halophila,H. madagascariensis Steudel ex Doty et B.C. Stone, is provided. The lectotype of H. engelmannii Asch. as well as neotypes of H. hawaiiana Doty et B.C. Stone and H. spinulosa (Br.) Asch. are designated. Furthermore, H. ovalis ssp. bullosa, ssp. ramamurthiana and ssp. linearis together with H. balforurii have been recognised as distinct species. Nomenclature, typification, morphological description and botanical illustrations are presented for each taxon. Recent molecular phylogenetic surveys on certain Halophila taxa are also discussed. Field surveys for the deep water Halophila in West Pacific regions are suggested. Morphological studies combined with molecular investigations for the Halophila on the east coast of Africa and the West Indian Ocean are urgently needed and highly recommended.

A foundation monograph of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) in the New World

A monograph of the 425 New World species of Ipomoea is presented. All 425 species are described and information is provided on their ecology and distribution, with citations from all countries from which they are reported. Notes are provided on salient characteristics and taxonomic issues related to individual species. A full synonymy is provided and 272 names are lectotypified. An extensive introduction discusses the delimitation and history of Ipomoea arguing that a broad generic concept is the only rational solution in the light of recent phylogenetic advances. Although no formal infrageneric classification is proposed, attention is drawn to the major clades of the genus and several morphologically well-defined clades are discussed including those traditionally treated under the names Arborescens, Batatas, Pharbitis, Calonyction and Quamoclit, sometimes as distinct genera, subgenera, sections or series. Identification keys are provided on a regional basis including multi-entry keys for the main continental blocks. Six species are described as new, Ipomoea nivea J.R.I. Wood & Scotland from Peru, I. apodiensis J.R.I. Wood & Scotland from Brazil, I. calcicola J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. pochutlensis J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. zacatecana J.R.I. Wood & Scotland and I. ramulosa J.R.I. Wood & Scotland from Mexico, while var. australis of I. cordatotriloba is raised to specific status as I. australis (O'Donell) J.R.I. Wood & P. Muñoz. New subspecies for I. nitida (subsp. krapovickasii J.R.I. Wood & Scotland) and for I. chenopodiifolia (subsp. bellator J.R.I. Wood & Scotland) are described. The status of previously recognized species and varieties is changed so the following new subspecies are recognized: I. amnicola subsp. chiliantha (Hallier f.) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. chenopodiifolia subsp. signata (House) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. orizabensis subsp. collina (House) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. orizabensis subsp. austromexicana (J.A. McDonald) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. orizabensis subsp. novogaliciana (J.A. McDonald) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. setosa subsp. pavonii (Hallier f.) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. setosa subsp. melanotricha (Brandegee) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. setosa subsp. sepacuitensis (Donn. Sm.) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland, I. ternifolia subsp. leptotoma (Torr.) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland. Ipomoea angustata and I. subincana are treated as var. angustata (Brandegee) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland and var. subincana (Choisy) J.R.I. Wood & Scotland of I. barbatisepala and I. brasiliana respectively. Attention is drawn to a number of hitherto poorly recognized phenomena in the genus including a very large radiation centred on the Parana region of South America and another on the Caribbean Islands, a strong trend towards an amphitropical distribution in the New World, the existence of a relatively large number of species with a pantropical distribution and of many species in different clades with storage roots, most of which have never been evaluated for economic purposes. The treatment is illustrated with over 200 figures composed of line drawings and photographs.

The West Palaearctic genera of Nematinae (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae)

Keys to adults and larvae of the genera of West Palaearctic nematine sawflies are presented. Species of some of the smaller genera are keyed, and their taxonomy, distribution, and host plants reviewed, with a geographic focus on north-western Europe, particularly Sweden. Dinematus Lacourt, 2006 is a new junior subjective synonym of Pristiphora Latreille, 1810, resulting in the new combination Pristiphora krausi (Lacourt, 2006) for the type species of Dinematus. Hemichroa monticola Ermolenko, 1960 is a new junior subjective synonym of Hemichroa australis (Serville, 1823). Lectotypes are designated for Tenthredo opaca Fabricius, 1775, Mesoneura opaca var. nigerrima Enslin, 1914, Mesoneura opaca var. obscuriventris Enslin, 1914, Nematus hypogastricus Hartig, 1837, Nematus alnivorus Hartig, 1840, Leptopus rufipes Förster, 1854, Nematus protensus Förster, 1854, and Platycampus luridiventris var. pleuritica Enslin, 1915. A phylogenetic analysis based on four genes (mitochondrial COI and nuclear NaK, POL2, and TPI) supports the current generic classification.

the Indian Ocean islands), Macaronesia and the Cape Verde Islands

Solanum L. (Solanaceae) is one of the largest genera of angiosperms and presents difficulties in identification due to lack of regional keys to all groups. Here we provide keys to all 135 species of Solanum native and naturalised in Africa (as defined by World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions): continental Africa, Madagascar (incl. the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, La Réunion, the Comoros and the Seychelles), Macaronesia and the Cape Verde Islands. Some of these have previously been published in the context of monographic works, but here we include all taxa. The paper is designed to be used in conjunction with the web resource Solanaceae Source (www.solanaceaesource.org) and hyperlinks provide access to online descriptions, synonymy and images (where available) of each species. All taxa treated and specimens seen are included in searchable Suppl. material 1, 2.

Gonatopusjaliscanus sp. n., a new Pincer wasp from Jalisco, Mexico (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae)

A new species of Gonatopus Ljungh, 1810, G.jaliscanussp. n., from Jalisco, Mexico, is described and illustrated. In the Neotropical region, G.jaliscanus is similar to G.forestalis Olmi, 1998, but it is distinguished by the black mesosoma (except prothorax, mesoscutum, and mesoscutellum that are yellow), and the metapostnotum being granulated and not rugose; in G.forestalis the mesosoma is completely black and the metapostnotum is granulated and strongly rugose. In the Nearctic region, the new species is morphologically similar to G.curriei Krombein, 1962, but it is distinguished by the dull and granulated metapostonotum; in G.curriei the metapostnotum is shiny and unsculptured. The new species belongs to Gonatopus group 7. The keys to the females of the Nearctic and Neotropical species of this group are modified to include the new taxon.

A revision of the Chinese Aulacidae (Hymenoptera, Evanioidea)

The Chinese Aulacidae are revised, keyed and illustrated for the first time. In total twenty-five species are recorded from China, included within two genera Aulacus Jurine, 1807 and Pristaulacus Kieffer, 1900, with five and twenty species respectively. Among the treated species, six are newly described for science: Aulacus magnus sp. n., Pristaulacus calidus sp. n., Pristaulacus centralis sp. n., Pristaulacus fopingi sp. n., Pristaulacus obscurus sp. n., and Pristaulacus pseudoiosephi sp. n. Three species are newly recorded from China: Pristaulacus excisus Turner, 1922, Pristaulacus iosephi Turrisi & Madl, 2013, and Pristaulacus rufobalteatus Cameron, 1907.

Revision of the family Chalcididae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) from Vietnam, with the description of 13 new species

A total of 16 genera and 68 species of Chalcididae of Vietnam are taxonomically treated. Thirteen new species are described; the remaining 55 species are keyed, redescribed or provided with a diagnosis. Among these 37 species and eleven genera are recorded for the first time from Vietnam. The thirteen new species are: Antrocephalus neogalleriae Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n.; Brachymeria neowiebesina Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., Brachymeria semirusula Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., Dirhinus neoclaviger Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., Epitranus narendrani van Achterberg, sp. n., Epitranus neonigriceps Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., Heydoniella vietnamensis Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., Megachalcis vietnamicus Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., Notaspidium vietnamicum Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., Oxycoryphe neotenax Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., Sthulapada neopadata Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., Sthulapada vietnamensis Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n., and Tanycoryphus masii Narendran & van Achterberg, sp. n. The newly recorded genera are: Antrocephalus Kirby, 1883; Haltichella Spinola, 1811; Heydoniella Narendran, 2003; Hockeria Walker, 1834; Kriechbaumerella Dalla Torre, 1894; Notaspidium Dalla Torre, 1897; Oxycoryphe Kriechbaumer, 1894; Psilochalcis Kieffer, 1904; Sthulapada Narendran, 1989; Tanycorphus Cameron, 1905, and Trigonura Sichel, 1865. The following known species are recorded for the first time from Vietnam: Antrocephalus decipiens (Masi, 1929); Antrocephalus lugubris (Masi, 1932); Antrocephalus maculipennis (Cameron, 1905); Antrocephalus nasutus (Holmgren, 1869); Antrocephalus sepyra (Walker, 1846); Antrocephalus validicornis (Holmgren, 1868); Brachymeria alternipes (Walker, 1871); Brachymeria aurea (Girault, 1915); Brachymeria coxodentata Joseph, Narendran & Joy, 1972; Brachymeria euploeae (Westwood, 1837); Brachymeria hime Habu, 1960; Brachymeria jambolana Gahan, 1942; Brachymeria kamijoi Habu, 1960; Brachymeria lugubris (Walker, 1871); Brachymeria marmonti (Girault, 1924); Brachymeria minuta (Linnaeus, 1767); Brachymeria scutellocarinata Joseph, Narendran & Joy, 1972; Brachymeria shansiensis Habu, 1961; Brachymeria taiwana (Matsumura, 1910); Dirhinus anthracia Walker, 1846; Dirhinus claviger Bouček & Narendran, 1981; Epitranus albipennis Walker, 1874; Epitranus ater Bouček, 1982; Epitranus gauldi Bouček, 1982; Epitranus oxytelus Bouček, 1982; Epitranus ramnathi (Mani & Dubey, 1973); Haltichella delhensis Roy & Farooqi, 1984; Haltichella nipponensis Habu, 1960; Hockeria bangalorica Narendran, 1989; Hockeria guptai Narendran, 1989; Kriechbaumerella ayyari (Gahan, 1919); Kriechbaumerella cordigaster Roy & Farooqi, 1984; Kriechbaumerella destructor (Waterston, 1922); Kriechbaumerella nepalensis Narendran, 1989; Oxycoryphe scutellatus Narendran, 1989; Psilochalcis carinigena (Cameron, 1907), and Trigonura luzonensis Narendran, 1987. Brachymeria calopeplae Joseph, Narendran & Joy, 1972, is treated as a valid species.

A review of the genera Gnathochorisis Förster and Symplecis Förster of South Korea, with notes on Korean orthocentrines (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Orthocentrinae)

Two genera of Korean Orthocentrinae, Gnathochorisis and Symplecis, are reviewed, and keys to species of these genera are provided here. Two new species, Gnathochorisisfuscipes Humala & Lee, sp. n. and Gnathochorisiskoreensis Humala & Lee, sp. n. are described from South Korea. The current state of the taxonomy of Eastern Palaearctic orthocentrines is briefly discussed.

Revision of the Ceratocapsine Renodaeus group: Marinonicoris, Pilophoropsis, Renodaeus, and Zanchisme, with descriptions of four new genera (Heteroptera, Miridae, Orthotylinae)

The Renodaeus group, a monophyletic assemblage of genera within the New World orthotyline tribe Ceratocapsini, comprising eight genera, including four new ones, is defined; and 48 species are treated, including 26 described as new and 12 transferred from Ceratocapsus Reuter as new combinations. Ceratocapsideagen. n. is described to accommodate the new species Ceratocapsideabahamaensissp. n., from the Bahamas; Ceratocapsideabaranowskiisp. n., from Jamaica; Ceratocapsideadominicanensissp. n., from the Dominican Republic; Ceratocapsidearileyisp. n., from Texas; Ceratocapsideataeniolasp. n., from Jamaica; Ceratocapsideatexensissp. n., from Texas; Ceratocapsideatransversasp. n., from Mexico (Neuvo León); and Ceratocapsideavariabilissp. n., from Jamaica; and Ceratocapsusballi Knight, comb. n., Ceratocapsuscomplicatus Knight, comb. n., Ceratocapsideaconsimilis Reuter, comb. n., Ceratocapsusfusiformis Van Duzee, comb. n. (as the type species of the genus), Ceratocapsusnigropiceus Reuter, comb. n., and Ceratocapsusrufistigmus Blatchley, comb. n. [and a neotype designated], Ceratocapsusclavicornis Knight, syn. n. and Ceratocapsusdivaricatus Knight, syn. n. are treated as junior synonyms of Ceratocapsusfusiformis Van Duzee. The genus Marininocoris Carvalho and the only included species Marinonicorismyrmecoides Carvalho are redescribed. The genus Pilophoropsis Poppius is redescribed and revised, Renodaeustexanus Knight, comb. n. is transferred into it and the three new species Pilophoropsisbejeanaesp. n., from Sonora, Mexico; Pilophoropsiscunealissp. n., from Oaxaca, Mexico; Pilophoropsisquercicolasp. n., from Arizona, USA, are described. Pilophoropsideagen. n. is described to accommodate the 12 new species Pilophoropsideabrailovskyisp. n., from Federal District, Mexico; Pilophoropsideacuneatasp. n., from Chiapas, Mexico; Pilophoropsideadimidiatasp. n., from Durango, Mexico; Pilophoropsideafuscatasp. n., from Durango, Mexico and Arizona and New Mexico, USA; Pilophoropsideakeltonisp. n., from Durango, Mexico; Pilophoropsideamaximasp. n., from Durango, Mexico; Pilophoropsideapueblaensissp. n., from Puebla, Mexico; Pilophoropsideaschaffnerisp. n., from Neuvo León and San Luis Potosi, Mexico; Pilophoropsideaserratasp. n., from Michoacan, Mexico; Pilophoropsideatouchetaesp. n., from Mexico (Puebla); Pilophoropsideatruncatasp. n., from Mexico (Guerrero); Pilophoropsideatuberculatasp. n., from Mexico (Guerrero); and Ceratocapsusbarberi Knight, comb. n., Ceratocapsuscamelus Knight, comb. n. (as the type species of the genus), and Ceratocapsusfascipennis Knight, comb. n.Pilophoropsitagen. n. is described to accommodate Pilophoropsideaschaffnerisp. n. from Costa Rica and Mexico (Jalisco, Nayarit, Oaxaca). The genus Renodaeus Distant is redescribed and the new species Renodaeusmimeticussp. n. from Ecuador is described. The genus Zanchisme Kirkaldy is reviewed and the four known species are redescribed. Zanchismeopsideagen. n. is described to accommodate Zanchismeopsideadiegoisp. n. from Argentina (Santiago del Estero). Provided are habitus illustrations for certain adults (Pilophoropsideacamelus, Pilophoropsisbrachyptera Poppius, Renodaeusmimeticus, and Zanchismemexicanus Carvalho & Schaffner), male and female (when available) color digital images and figures of male genitalia of all species, electron photomicrographs of diagnostic characters for selected species, and keys to the genera and their included species. The taxa treated in this paper are arranged alphabetically by genus and species.

Guide and keys for the identification of Syllidae (Annelida, Phyllodocida) from the British Isles (reported and expected species)

In November 2012, a workshop was carried out on the taxonomy and systematics of the family Syllidae (Annelida: Phyllodocida) at the Dove Marine Laboratory, Cullercoats, Tynemouth, UK for the National Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control (NMBAQC) Scheme. Illustrated keys for subfamilies, genera and species found in British and Irish waters were provided for participants from the major national agencies and consultancies involved in benthic sample processing. After the workshop, we prepared updates to these keys, to include some additional species provided by participants, and some species reported from nearby areas. In this paper, we provide the revised keys to enable rapid identification of Syllidae from the seas around Britain and Ireland. One new combination, Palposyllispropeweismanni, is proposed.

Revision of the plant bug genus Xenocylapidius (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Miridae, Cylapinae), with descriptions of five new species from Australia and New Caledonia

The genus Xenocylapidius Gorczyca, 1997 is revised. Five new species: Xenocylapidiusacutipennissp. n., Xenocylapidiusatersp. n., Xenocylapidiusbimaculatussp. n., Xenocylapidiusgemellussp. n., and Xenocylapidiusrolandisp. n. are described from Australia and New Caledonia. Illustrations of the male genitalia, color photographs of dorsal and lateral views of the adults of all species, and key to species of the genus Xenocylapidius are provided.

Morphological identification of Lucilia sericata, Lucilia cuprina and their hybrids (Diptera, Calliphoridae)

Hybrids of Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina have been shown to exist in previous studies using molecular methods, but no study has shown explicitly that these hybrids can be identified morphologically. Published morphological characters used to identify L. sericata and L. cuprina were reviewed, and then scored and tested using specimens of both species and known hybrids. Ordination by multi-dimensional scaling indicated that the species were separable, and that hybrids resembled L. cuprina, whatever their origin. Discriminant function analysis of the characters successfully separated the specimens into three unambiguous groups - L. sericata, L. cuprina and hybrids. The hybrids were morphologically similar irrespective of whether they were from an ancient introgressed lineage or more modern. This is the first evidence that hybrids of these two species can be identified from their morphology. The usefulness of the morphological characters is also discussed and photographs of several characters are included to facilitate their assessment.

The intertidal polychaete (Annelida) fauna of the Sitakunda coast (Chittagong, Bangladesh), with notes on the Capitellidae, Glyceridae, Lumbrineridae, Nephtyidae, Nereididae and Phyllodocidae of the "Northern Bay of Bengal Ecoregion"

Of seven species of polychaetous annelids collected from the intertidal zone of Sitakunda coast, Chittagong, Bangladesh, five were new records for the country. The seven are listed, with brief notes on these, some previously recorded! species and others housed in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London. Keys are given to the recorded species of Phyllodocidae, Nereididae, Lumbrineridae, Nephtyidae and Capitellidae of the "Northern Bay of Bengal Ecoregion", and to the recognised species of Glyceridae from the Bay of Bengal. The worms in this Ecoregion are subject to the outflows of the Irrawaddy, Ganges, Hooghly and Mahanadi Rivers, and many of them are known to be freshwater tolerant.

A revision of the Chinese Trigonalyidae (Hymenoptera, Trigonalyoidea)

The Chinese fauna of the family Trigonalyidae Cresson, 1887, is revised, keyed and fully illustrated for the first time. Eight genera of this family (Bakeronymus Rohwer, 1922, Bareogonalos Schulz, 1907, Jezonogonalos Tsuneki, 1991, re-instated, Lycogaster Shuckard, 1841, Orthogonalys Schulz, 1905, Pseudogonalos Schulz, 1906, Taeniogonalos Schulz, 1906 and Teranishia Tsuneki, 1991) are recorded from China. The genus Ischnogonalos Schulz, 1907, is synonymized with Taeniogonalos Schulz, 1906. In total 40 valid species are recognized. Twenty species are new for science: Jezonogonalos elliptiferasp. n., J. jiangliaesp. n., J. luteatasp. n., J. nigratasp. n., Lycogaster angustulasp. n., L. flavonigratasp. n., L. nigralvasp. n., Orthogonalys chenisp. n., O. clypeatasp. n., O. robustasp. n., Pseudogonalos angustasp. n., Taeniogonalos bucarinatasp. n., T. cordatasp. n., T. geminatasp. n., T. sculpturatasp. n., T. triangulatasp. n., T. tricolorisomasp. n., T. unciferasp. n., Teranishia crenulatasp. n. and T. glabratasp. n. Two species are reported new for China: Orthogonalys elongata Teranishi, 1929 and Nanogonalos flavocincta Teranishi, 1929 (renamed to Taeniogonalos subtruncatanom. n.). Seven new synonyms are proposed: Poecilogonalos yuasai Teranishi, 1938, and P. maga taiwana Tsuneki, 1991, of Taeniogonalos taihorina (Bischoff, 1914); Taiwanogonalos minima Tsuneki, 1991, and T. similis Tsuneki, 1991, of Taeniogonalos alticola (Tsuneki, 1991); P. intermedia Chen, 1949, and P. unifasciata Chen, 1949, of Taeniogonalos formosana (Bischoff, 1913). Six taxa are recognised as valid species: Bakeronymus seidakka Yamane & Terayama, 1983, Jezonogonalos laeviceps (Tsuneki, 1991), J. satoi (Tsuneki, 1991), Taeniogonalos alticola (Tsuneki, 1991), T. flavoscutellata (Chen, 1949) and T. gestroi (Schulz, 1908). Five new combinations are made: Jezonogonalos laeviceps (Tsuneki, 1991), comb. n., J. satoi (Tsuneki, 1991), comb. n., Taeniogonalos flavoscutellata (Chen, 1949), comb. n., T. gestroi (Schulz, 1908), comb. n. and T. lachrymosa (Westwood, 1874), comb. n. Lectotypes are designated for Lycogaster violaceipennis Chen, 1949, Poecilogonalos flavoscutellata Chen, 1949, P. rufofasciata Chen, 1949, and P. tricolor Chen, 1949.

Comparative morphology of immature stages of four species of Chinavia (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), with a key to the species of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Chinavia Orian (1965) is one of the most diverse genera of Pentatomidae, distributed in the Afrotropical, Neotropical and Nearctic Regions. Thirty-two species are recorded for Brazil, some of them having potential economic impact because they are found on crops and referred to as pests. The morphology of the five nymphal instars of Chinavia armigera (Stål, 1859), Chinavia aseada (Rolston, 1983), Chinavia brasicola (Rolston, 1983) and Chinavia runaspis (Dallas, 1851) are described here. Through a comparative study, identification keys were developed to allow an early identification of the 12 Chinavia species of Rio Grande do Sul.

Phylogeny and host-plant relationships of the Australian Myrtaceae leafmining moth genus Pectinivalva (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae), with new subgenera and species

The phylogeny of the mainly Australian nepticulid genus Pectinivalva Scoble, 1983 is investigated on the basis of morphology, and a division into three monophyletic subgenera is proposed on the basis of these results. These subgenera (Pectinivalva, Casanovula Hoare, subgen. n. and Menurella Hoare, subgen. n. ) are described and diagnosed, the described species of Pectinivalva are assigned to them, and representative new species are described in each: Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) mystaconota Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Casanovula) brevipalpa Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Casanovula) minotaurus Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Menurella) scotodes Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Menurella) acmenae Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Menurella) xenadelpha Van Nieukerken & Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Menurella) quintiniae Hoare & Van Nieukerken, sp. n., and Pectinivalva (Menurella) tribulatrix Van Nieukerken & Hoare, sp. n. Pectinivalva (Menurella) quintiniae (from Quintinia verdonii, Paracryphiaceae) is the first known member of the genus with a host-plant not belonging to Myrtaceae. Pectinivalva (Menurella) xenadelpha from Mt Gunung Lumut, Kalimantan, Borneo, is the first pectinivalvine reported from outside Australia. Keys to the subgenera of Nepticulidae known from Australia, based on adults, male and female genitalia, and larvae, are presented. Host-plant relationships of Pectinivalva are discussed with relation to the phylogeny, and a list of known host-plants of Pectinivalva, including hosts of undescribed species, is presented. DNA barcodes are provided for most of the new and several unnamed species.

A revision of the Chinese Gasteruptiidae (Hymenoptera, Evanioidea)

The Chinese fauna of the family Gasteruptiidae is revised, keyed and fully illustrated for the first time. Only one genus of this family, Gasteruption Latreille, 1796, is recorded from China. In total 28 valid species of the genus Gasteruption are recognized. Six species are new to science (Gasteruption angulatumsp. n., Gasteruption assectoidessp. n., Gasteruption coloratumsp. n., Gasteruption latitibiasp. n., Gasteruption sinepunctatumsp. n. and Gasteruption strigosumsp. n.) and eight species are reported new for China (Gasteruption bimaculatum Pasteels, 1958, Gasteruption birmanense Pasteels, 1958, Gasteruption dimidiatum Semenov, 1892, Gasteruption formilis Alekseev, 1995, Gasteruption subhamatum Pasteels, 1958, Gasteruption tonkinense Pasteels, 1958, Gasteruption tournieri Schletterer, 1885, Gasteruption transversiceps Pasteels, 1958). Three new synonyms are proposed: Gasteruption curiosum Pasteels, 1958, of Gasteruption amoyense Pasteels, 1958; Gasteruption sinense var. minus Kieffer, 1924, with Gasteruption japonicum Cameron, 1888,and Gasteruption sinense Kieffer, 1924, of Gasteruption sinarum Kieffer, 1911. Lectotypes are designated for Gasteruption corniculigerum Enderlein, 1913, Gasteruption sinense Kieffer, 1924, and Gasteruption transversiceps Pasteels, 1958. Gasteruption bihamatum Kieffer, 1911, previously reported from South China, is a South American species.

The genus Cladosporium

A monographic revision of the hyphomycete genus Cladosporium s. lat. (Cladosporiaceae, Capnodiales) is presented. It includes a detailed historic overview of Cladosporium and allied genera, with notes on their phylogeny, systematics and ecology. True species of Cladosporium s. str. (anamorphs of Davidiella), are characterised by having coronate conidiogenous loci and conidial hila, i.e., with a convex central dome surrounded by a raised periclinal rim. Recognised species are treated and illustrated with line drawings and photomicrographs (light as well as scanning electron microscopy). Species known from culture are described in vivo as well as in vitro on standardised media and under controlled conditions. Details on host range/substrates and the geographic distribution are given based on published accounts, and a re-examination of numerous herbarium specimens. Various keys are provided to support the identification of Cladosporium species in vivo and in vitro. Morphological datasets are supplemented by DNA barcodes (nuclear ribosomal RNA gene operon, including the internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2, the 5.8S nrDNA, as well as partial actin and translation elongation factor 1-α gene sequences) diagnostic for individual species. In total 993 names assigned to Cladosporium s. lat., including Heterosporium (854 in Cladosporium and 139 in Heterosporium), are treated, of which 169 are recognized in Cladosporium s. str. The other taxa are doubtful, insufficiently known or have been excluded from Cladosporium in its current circumscription and re-allocated to other genera by the authors of this monograph or previous authors.

TAXONOMIC NOVELTIES

Cladosporium allicinum (Fr.: Fr.) Bensch, U. Braun & Crous, comb. nov., C. astroideum var. catalinense U. Braun, var. nov., Fusicladium tectonicola (Yong H. He & Z.Y. Zhang) U. Braun & Bensch, comb. nov., Septoidium uleanum (Henn.) U. Braun, comb. nov., Zasmidium adeniae (Hansf.) U. Braun, comb. nov., Zasmidium dianellae (Sawada & Katsuki) U. Braun, comb. nov., Zasmidium lythri (Westend.) U. Braun & H.D. Shin, comb. nov., Zasmidium wikstroemiae (Petch) U. Braun, comb. nov.

A synoptic review of the ant genera (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of the Philippines

An overview of the history of myrmecology in the Philippine archipelago is presented. Keys are provided to the 11 ant subfamilies and the 92 ant genera known from the Philippines. Eleven ant genera (12%), including 3 undescribed genera, are recorded for the first time from the Philippines. The biology and ecology of the 92 genera, illustrated by full-face and profile photo-images, of Philippine ants are summarized in the form of brief generic accounts. A bibliography of significant taxonomic and behavioral papers on Philippine ants and a checklist of valid species and subspecies and their island distributions are provided.

A revision of the Chinese Stephanidae (Hymenoptera, Stephanoidea)

Stephanidae Leach, 1815 (Hymenoptera: Stephanoidea) from China are revised. Five genera are reported from China: Foenatopus Smith, 1861; Megischus Brullé, 1846; Parastephanellus Enderlein, 1906; Schlettererius Ashmead, 1900; and Stephanus Jurine (in Panzer), 1801, and the genera are keyed. All the Chinese species are described and illustrated and new synonyms are established. Keys to species of the five genera occurring in China and adjacent regions are provided.SIX SPECIES ARE NEW TO SCIENCE: Foenatopus brevimaculatussp. n., Foenatopus maculiferussp. n., Foenatopus yangisp. n., Parastephanellus angulatussp. n., Parastephanellus brevicoxalissp. n. and Parastephanellus zhejiangensissp. n. One species, Parastephanellus matsumotoi van Achterberg, 2006, is newly recorded from China.The following 9 new synonyms are proposed: Foenatopus aratifrons Enderlein, 1913 and Foenatopus yunnanensis Chao, 1964, new synonymys for Foenatopus annulitarsus Enderlein, 1913; Foenatopus cerviculatus (Chao, 1964) and Foenatopus chaoi Belokobylskij, 1995 for Foenatopus chinensis (Elliott, 1919); Foenatopus formosanus Enderlein, 1913 for Foenatopus cinctus (Matsumura, 1912); Foenatopus simillimus (Elliott, 1920) and Foenatopus trilineatus (Elliott, 1920) for Foenatopus flavidentatus (Enderlein, 1913); Foenatopus trilobatus (Elliott, 1920) for Foenatopus ruficollis (Enderlein, 1913); Parastephanellus austrochinensis Belokobylskij, 1995 for Parastephanellus brevistigma Enderlein, 1913. A lectotype is designated for Diastephanus trilineatus Elliott, 1920.