With the dead under the mat: the zombie ant extended phenotype under a new perspective.

Some parasitic fungi can increase fitness by modifying the behavior of their hosts. These behaviors are known as extended phenotypes because they favor parasitic gene propagation. Here, we studied three lineages of Ophiocordyceps, a fungus that infects ants, altering their conduct before death. According to fungal strategy, ants may die in leaf litter, with entwined legs in branches, under the moss mat, or biting plant tissue. It is critical for parasites that the corpses stay at these places because Ophiocordyceps exhibit iteroparity, possibly releasing spores in multiple life cycles. Thus, we assumed substrate cadaver permanence as a fungi reproductive proxy and corpse height as a proxy of cadaver removal. We hypothesize that biting vegetation and dying in higher places may increase the permanence of ant corpses while avoiding possible corpse predation on the forest floor. We monitored over a year more than 4000 zombie ants in approximately 15 km2 of undisturbed tropical forest in central Amazonia. Our results show a longer permanence of corpses with increasing ground height, suggesting that the parasites may have better chances of releasing spores and infecting new hosts at these places. We found that the zombie ants that last longer on the substrate die under the moss mat in tree trunks, not necessarily biting vegetation. The biting behavior appears to be the most derived and complex mechanism among Ophiocordyceps syndromes. Our results put these findings under a new perspective, proposing that seemingly less complex behavioral changes are ecologically equivalent and adaptative for other parasite lineages.

Review of Lepidocyrtinus Börner, 1903 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirinae): the African species.

Herein Lepidocyrtinus Börner is reviewed based on African species and a new diagnosis to the genus is provided, including the description of intermediary stages of two species and a proposal for the interpretation of the dorsal chaetotaxy based in juveniles. In total, 17 species previously assigned as Seira Lubbock are transferred to Lepidocyrtinus, and three of them are redescribed: L. barnardi Womersley and L. dayi Yosii from South Africa, and L. voeltzkowi (Börner) from Madagascar. Neotypes are designated for these last two species. In addition, nine new species are described from Africa: one from Botswana, two from Republic of the Congo, two from South Africa, and four from Madagascar. Finally, identification keys for the current genera of Seirinae and for the African species of Lepidocyrtinus are provided. After our revision, Lepidocyrtinus has now its generic status revalidated with 36 species, 29 of them from African continent, two from Oceania and five from Brazil.

Taxonomic revision of Brazilian genus Tyrannoseira Bellini amp; Zeppelini, 2011 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirinae).

Tyranonoseira is revised and new diagnostic characters to the genus and its species are proposed. The genus is now characterised by distinct chaetotaxic patterns of head, in lacking M2, S1, S4, S5 macrochaetae and Th II to Abd IV with 21-27, 7, 0, 3, 1 and 8-10 central macrochaetae, as well as anterior legs of males with modified chaetae. The five species of the genus are redescribed based on type material: T. raptora Zeppelini Bellini, T. bicolorcornuta Bellini Zeppelini, T. diabolica Bellini Godeiro, T. gladiata Zeppelini Lima and T. sex Bellini Zeppelini. We include an identification key and comparison of the species. The dorsal chaetotaxy is similar for all species. Characters omitted from the original descriptions such as chaetotaxy of the clypeus, labral papillae, collophore chaetae and manubrial formula are now used to distinguish species more clearly. We compare the morphology of Seira and Tyrannoseira using dorsal chaetotaxy and the modified chaetae on anterior legs of males.

Three new species of Seira Lubbock (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirinae) from Madagascar with Lepidocyrtus-like habitus.

Here three new species of Seira from Madagascar are described and illustrated, all with Lepidocyrtus-like habitus, as short antennae, truncate unguiculus, and overall reduction of dorsal macrochaetae. The new species Seira lepidochaetosa sp. nov., Seira semicaerulea sp. nov. and Seira metafemurata sp. nov. can be distinguished from each other by color patterns and chaetotaxic elements. An identification key for these three species is also provided, including a discussion on truncate unguiculus on Seira species with dense and reduced macrochaetotaxy.

A new species of Masteria L. Koch, 1873 (Dipluridae: Masteriinae) from Guyana.

Mygalomorphs are a diverse spider group with primitive characteristics composed of the largest spider species in the world, however some species may be very small (Bond et al. 2012; Rogerio et al. 2013). The small spiders of the subfamily Masteriinae (Dipluridae, Mygalomorphae) can be found in Asia and South America (Raven 1981; Pedroso et al. 2015; WSC 2017). The subfamily is represented by two genera: Masteria L. Koch, 1873 and Striamea Raven, 1981. Masteria species can be identified by the following combination of characters: absence of cuspules in endites and labium; zero, two, six or eight eyes; and with or without paraembolic apophysis on the male palpal bulb (Raven 1981, 1985, 1991; Alayón 1995; Bertani et al. 2013; Pedroso et al. 2015). Currently, 24 species of Masteria are described, with 6 species found in South America: Masteria colombiensis, Raven, 1981 from Colombia; M. manauara Bertani, Cruz Oliveira 2013 and M. emboaba Pedroso, Baptista Bertani, 2015 from Brazil; M. cyclops (Simon 1889), M. tovarensis (Simon, 1889) and M. lucifuga (Simon, 1889) from Venezuela (WSC 2017). We document herein the first record and description of a new species of the genus Masteria from Guyana.

Description of female of Titidius urucu Esmerio Lise, 1996 (Araneae: Thomisidae).

The genus Titidius Simon, 1895 belongs to the family Thomisidae Sundevall, 1833 and can be easily identified from the related genera Tmarus Simon, 1875 and Acentroscelus Simon, 1886 by the high carapace, anterior eye row straight and posterior eye row recurve-;pd in dorsal view, carapace smooth with moderate setation, abdomen longer than wide, legs long, slender and setose and clypeus vertical (Esmerio Lise 1996). It is currently composed of 20 species, all occurring in Brazil with exception of Titidius ignestii Caporiacco, 1947 from Guyana (World Spider Catalog 2017). Eight species are distributed in the Amazon region (Esmerio Lise 1996): T. caninde Esmerio Lise, 1996, T. gurupi Esmerio Lise, 1996, T. multifasciatus Mello-Leitão, 1929 and T. rubrosignatus (Keyserling, 1880) from Pará; T. galbanatus (Keyserling, 1880) from Amazonas and Pará; T. quinquenatus Mello-Leitão, 1929 and T. urucu from Amazonas; and T. rubescens Carporiacco, 1947 from Amazonas and Roraima.

Solving taxonomic Orthoptera problems by Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS): the case of Aganacris Walker, 1871 (Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae; Scudderini).

Over the last 50 years, the genus Aganacris has undergone several taxonomic changes. In this study, an infrared spectrum analysis as a complementary and alternative analysis method was carried out for 112 Aganacris specimens belonging to five species. Significant differences were observed between males and females of the species, thus taking into account a new taxonomic status for the genus and the revalidation of Aganacris sphex (Rehn) stat. rev. The ability of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) to reproduce phenotypic (intra and interspecific) patterns in Aganacris populations was also verified. This method was applied, for the first time, as a taxonomic tool in the definition of individual sexual association and for the resolution of a taxonomic problem concerning Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae.

New species, redescriptions and a new combination of Acanthocyrtus Handschin, 1925 and Amazhomidia Cipola Bellini, 2016 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae).

Herein one new species of Amazhomidia Cipola Bellini from Brazilian Amazon is described and illustrated: A. thaisae sp. nov., plus one specimen no nominal due to lack of material for formal descriptionend point.  Acanthocyrtus guianiensis Womersley is redescribed and transferred to Amazhomidia by presence of prelabral chaetae bifurcated, macrochaetotaxy pattern, manubrium laterally with long distal mac finely ciliate and dens ventrally unscaled. Acanthocyrtus croceus Womersley is confirmed as a junior synonymy of A. guianiensis. The juvenile description of Amazhomidia ducke is provided, and changes in chaetotaxy nomenclature are made based on them. Acanthocyrtus lineatus Womersley is redescribed based on type material and new diagnostic characters are revealed. Identification keys for both genera and a comparison for Entomobryinae genera with dental spines are provided. Amazhomidia has now three and Acanthocyrtus Handschin six valid species.

Two new species of Seira Lubbock (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirini) from South Brazil.

Two new species of Seira, Seira tinguira sp. nov. and Seira paulae sp. nov. from Atlantic Rainforest Phytogeographic Domain in Paraná State, southern Brazil, are described and illustrated, with dorsal chaetotaxy labeled in detail. The general morphology of S. tinguira sp. nov. resembles S. frater (Bonet) and S. oceanica Yosii, however differs by chaeta Pa4 present in head, three extra macrochaetae (m1i2, p1i2 and one extranumerary) in mesothorax; four (a3, p2e, p2ea and a4) in metathorax; one (m3ep) in the second abdominal segment , among other morphological features. Seira paulae sp. nov. is similar to S. atrolutea (Arlé) in body colour, however dorsal chaetoxy resembles S. mendoncea Bellini & Zeppelini and S. ritae Bellini & Zeppelini. On the other hand, the new species clearly differs from other similar taxa by the presence of cephalic macrochaeta M2; three macrochaetae (M2, M1 and M2i) in mesothorax and p2p as microchaeta; one extra macrochaeta (p1i) in metathorax and two (a1 and p2ea) as macro or microchaetae; macrochaeta m3ep missing in the second abdominal segment; macrochaeta am6 present in the third abdominal segment among other features. Seira tinguira sp. nov. was found in different habitats of Paraná State while S. paulae sp. nov. was recorded only in its type locality. A distribution map is provided for both species. With the presented description there are now four recorded species of Seira from south Brazil.

A new species of Dicranocentrus Schött (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Orchesellinae) from Brazilian Amazon.

Orchesellinae specimens are distinguished from other Entomobryidae by a shorter fourth abdominal segment (length at the midline less than 1.8 times the third segment), generally more than four antennal segments, recurved labral setae and the presence of a complex metatrochanteral organ, with at least 11 spine-like setae, (Soto-Adames et al. 2008). Adult Dicranocentrus Schött specimens have the following characters: antennae with six segments, both fifth and sixth antennal segments annulated, 8+8 lenses in the eye patches, absence of a postantennal organ, apically rounded and/or truncated scales, pre-labral setae simple, not bifurcated, rows of spines on dens (present in most but not all species) and mucro bearing two teeth with a basal spine (Mari-Mutt 1976, 1981, Arlé & Mendonça 1982, Bellinger et al. 1996-2012). The genus is similar to other scaled Orchesellini genera such as Pseudodicranocentrus Mari-Mutt, 1981 and Dicranorchesella Mari-Mutt, 1977, but differs from these taxa by the presence of simple pre-labral setae (bifurcated in Pseudodicranocentrus) and by rounded and/or truncated scales (fusiform and apically pointed in Dicranorchesella) (Mari-Mutt 1977, 1980). Dicranocentrus is holotropical in distribution only four species recorded from Brazil: D. bicolor Handschin, 1924, D. silvestrii Absolon, 1903, D. termitophilus Handschin, 1924 and D. heloisae Arlé & Mendonça, 1982 (Abrantes et al. 2012). These species are restricted to northeastern and southeastern Regions (Abrantes et al. 2012). The new species is the first from Brazilian Amazon, north region of Brazil. The dorsal chaetotaxic scheme follows that of Mari-Mutt (1979).

Species diversity of edaphic mites (Acari: Oribatida) and effects of topography, soil properties and litter gradients on their qualitative and quantitative composition in 64 km² of forest in Amazonia.

Small-scale spatial distribution of oribatid mites has been investigated in Amazonia. In addition, medium- and large-scale studies are needed to establish the utility of these mites in detecting natural environmental variability, and to distinguish this variability from anthropogenic impacts. We are expanding the knowledge about oribatid mites in a wet upland forest reserve, and investigate whether a standardized and integrated protocol is an efficient way to assess the effects of environmental variables on their qualitative and quantitative composition on a large spatial scale inside an ecological reserve in Central Amazonia, Brazil. Samples for Berlese-Tullgren extraction were taken in 72 plots of 250 × 6 m distributed over 64 km(2). In total 3,182 adult individuals, from 82 species and 79 morphospecies were recorded, expanding the number of species known in the reserve from 149 to 254. Galumna, Rostrozetes and Scheloribates were the most speciose genera, and 57 species were rare. Rostrozetes ovulum, Pergalumna passimpuctata and Archegozetes longisetosus were the most abundant species, and the first two were the most frequent. Species number and abundance were not correlated with clay content, slope, pH and litter quantity. However, Principal Coordinate Analysis indicated that as the percentage of clay content, litter quantity and pH changed, the oribatid mite qualitative and quantitative composition also changed. The standardized protocol effectively captured the diversity, as we collected one of the largest registers of oribatid mites' species for Amazonia. Moreover, biological and ecological data were integrated to capture the effects of environmental variables accounting for their diversity and abundance.