Beetles (Coleoptera) of Peru, a survey of the families: Sphindidae Jacquelin du Val, 1860, Corylophidae LeConte, 1852, and Latridiidae Erichson, 1842

Three beetle families, Sphindidae Jacquelin du Val, Corylophidae LeConte and Latridiidae Erichson, are documented as part of the "Beetles of Peru" project. The checklists are based on fieldwork in Peru, museum specimens, and published literature. Three sphindid genera are indicated as new country records.

Tres familias de escarabajos, Sphindidae Jacquelin du Val, Corylophidae LeConte y Latridiidae Erichson, estan documentado como parte del proyecto "Escarabajos del Perú". Los checklists se basan en trabajo de campo en Perú, especimenes en museos, y literatura publicada. Se indican tres géneros de Sphindidae registros nuevos para el país.

Diachea mitchellii: A new myxomycete species from high elevation forests in the tropical Andes of Peru.

A new species of the genus Diachea (order Physarales, Myxomycetes, Amoebozoa) is described from Peru. Relevant details on spore germination, as well as morphological and phylogenetic data, are provided. At first glance, the new species shares some morphological similarities with both D. leucopodia, type of the genus, and D. koazei, but it strikingly differs from all other species of its genus by combining a short dark stalk, with a reticulate columella, and clustered spores. Moreover, it seems to be the only species of Diachea exclusively associated with Polylepis tropical forests at elevations above 3500 m. Apart from a comprehensive morphological study of 31 specimens, we here provide phylogenetic evidence to confirm the inclusion of this species in the genus Diachea. Specifically, our phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear 18S rDNA (18S), mitochondrial 17S rDNA (17S), and elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α) genes show that the new species is related to D. leucopodia and D. bulbillosa. The remarkably different morphological characters distinguishing the new Diachea from all other species of its genus, along with its particular ecological preferences and geographic distribution, indicate that it is a distinct entity deserving recognition as an independent species.

Nivicolous Trichiales from the austral Andes: unexpected diversity including two new species.

Nivicolous myxomycetes are a group of amoebozoan protists dependent on long-lasting snow cover worldwide. Recent fine-scale analysis of species diversity from the austral Andes revealed high intraspecific variability of most taxa, suggesting independent evolutionary processes and significant differences in species compositions between the Northern (NH) and Southern (SH) Hemispheres. The present study is the second part of this analysis based on representatives of Trichiales. A total of 173 South American collections were studied based on morphological and molecular data, and 15 taxa have been identified. Two of them, Hemitrichia crassifila and Perichaena patagonica, are proposed as new species confirmed by a phylogeny of Trichiales. However, their affinity to the genera in which they are proposed are not confirmed due to polyphyletic character of all genera of Trichiales. Four species, Dianema subretisporum, Trichia contorta var. karstenii, T. nivicola, and T. sordida, are reported for the first time from the Southern Hemisphere. One species, T. alpina, is new for Argentina. Additionally, we provide the first record of Perichaena megaspora from Chile. Specimen frequency and species diversity of Trichiales found at nivicolous localities in the austral Andes are unexpectedly high, exceeding those of Stemonitidales, the most numerous group in the Northern Hemisphere, where Trichiales play a marginal role. By contrast, Trichiales appear the main component of nivicolous assemblages in the Andes. Results of the present work, together with the earlier analysis of Stemonitidales, indicate that the Andes constitute an exceptionally important evolutionary hot spot for nivicolous myxomycetes characterized by an outstanding species diversity.

Morphological and molecular characterization of a new succulenticolous Physarum (Myxomycetes, Amoebozoa) with unique polygonal spores linked in chains.

A new plasmodiocarpic and sporocarpic species of myxomycete in the genus Physarum is described and illustrated. This new species appeared on decayed leaves and remains of succulent plants (Agave, Opuntia, Yucca) growing in arid zones. It differs from all other species in the genus in having polyhedral spores linked in chains like a string of beads, a unique feature within all known myxomycetes. Apart from detailed morphological data, partial sequences of both the small-subunit ribosomal RNA and elongation factor 1-alpha genes, generated from four isolates collected in two distant regions, i.e., Mexico and Canary Islands, are also provided in this study. Combined evidence supports the identity of the specimens under study as a new species.

The genus Alwisia (Myxomycetes) revalidated, with two species new to science.

Based on morphological investigations and a phylogeny constructed with partial sequences of the SSU rDNA gene, we revalidate the genus Alwisia and propose the combination Alwisia bombarda Berk. & Broome to be used against Tubifera bombarda (Berk. & Broome) G.W. Martin. Two new species, Alwisia morula and A. repens, are described based on material collected respectively in Costa Rica and Australia. Both new species lack a capillitium and possess individually stalked subspherical sporothecae. Alwisia repens differs from A. morula by its procumbent stalks and iridescent peridium. A comparison of 83 sequences of species in the genera Lycogala, Reticularia and Tubifera with a recent two-gene phylogeny of the bright-spored myxomycetes resulted in a similar topology of both Bayesian and maximum likelihood trees and placed A. bombarda, A. morula and A. repens in one well delimited clade within Reticulariaceae.

Myxomycetes do estado de Roraima, com especial referência para a estação ecológica de Maracá (Amajari - RR, Brasil)

This survey raises the number of registers referred to the State of Roraima to 28 species of Myxomycetes. Of these, 24 were collected in the Maracá Ecological Reserve (Lat.3°l 5' - 3°35'N, Long. 61°22' - 61°58'WG). The following families and genera are registered: Ceratiomyxaceae (Ceratiomyxa, 4 sp); Cribrariaceae (Cribraría, lsp, Dictydium, lsp); Didymiaceae (Didymium, 2 sp); Enteridiaceae (Lycogala, 1 sp, Tubifera, 2 sp); Physaraceae (Craterium, 2 sp, Fuligo, 1 sp, Physarum, 2 sp); Stemonitaceae (Comatricha, 1 sp, Stemonitis, 4 sp); Trichiaceae (Arcyria, 3 sp, Hemitrichia, 2 sp, Perichaena, 1 sp, Trichia, Isp). One family, seven genera and eleven species are new records for the State; one of them, Ceratiomyxa sphaerosperma Boedj., is new for Roraima State and Northern Brazil. Comments and geographical distribution of these species are presented.

Myxomycetes do Estado de Roraima, com especial referência para a Estação Ecológica de Maracá (Amajari - RR, Brasil). Este levantamento eleva para 28 o número de espécies de Myxo-mycetes encontradas para o estado de Roraima. Destas, 24 foram coletadas na Estação Ecológica dc Maracá ( Lat. 3°15' - 3°35'N, Long. 61°22' - 61°58'WG). As seguintes famílias e gêneros são registrados: Ceratiomyxaceae (Ceratiomyxa, 4 sp); Cribrariaceae (Cribraría, lsp, Dictydium, lsp); Didymiaceae (Didymium, 2 sp); Enteridiaceae (Lycogala, lsp, Tubifera,2 sp); Physaraceae (Craterium, 2sp, Fuligo, lsp, Physarum, 2 sp); Stemonitaceae (Comatrícha, lsp, Stemonitis, 4 sp); Trichiaceae (Arcyria, 3 sp, Hemitrichia, 2 sp, Perichaena, lsp, Trichia, lsp). Uma família, sete gêneros e onze espécies são novas referências para o estado; uma delas, Ceratiomyxa sphaerosperma Boedj., é nova para o estado de Roraima e para a Região Norte. São apresentados comentários e a distribuição geográfica das espécies no Brasil.

Myxomycetes do estado de Roraima, com especial referência para a estação ecológica de Maracá (Amajari - RR, Brasil)

This survey raises the number of registers referred to the State of Roraima to 28 species of Myxomycetes. Of these, 24 were collected in the Maracá Ecological Reserve (Lat.3°l 5' - 3°35'N, Long. 61°22' - 61°58'WG). The following families and genera are registered: Ceratiomyxaceae (Ceratiomyxa, 4 sp); Cribrariaceae (Cribraría, lsp, Dictydium, lsp); Didymiaceae (Didymium, 2 sp); Enteridiaceae (Lycogala, 1 sp, Tubifera, 2 sp); Physaraceae (Craterium, 2 sp, Fuligo, 1 sp, Physarum, 2 sp); Stemonitaceae (Comatricha, 1 sp, Stemonitis, 4 sp); Trichiaceae (Arcyria, 3 sp, Hemitrichia, 2 sp, Perichaena, 1 sp, Trichia, Isp). One family, seven genera and eleven species are new records for the State; one of them, Ceratiomyxa sphaerosperma Boedj., is new for Roraima State and Northern Brazil. Comments and geographical distribution of these species are presented.

Myxomycetes do Estado de Roraima, com especial referência para a Estação Ecológica de Maracá (Amajari - RR, Brasil). Este levantamento eleva para 28 o número de espécies de Myxo-mycetes encontradas para o estado de Roraima. Destas, 24 foram coletadas na Estação Ecológica dc Maracá ( Lat. 3°15' - 3°35'N, Long. 61°22' - 61°58'WG). As seguintes famílias e gêneros são registrados: Ceratiomyxaceae (Ceratiomyxa, 4 sp); Cribrariaceae (Cribraría, lsp, Dictydium, lsp); Didymiaceae (Didymium, 2 sp); Enteridiaceae (Lycogala, lsp, Tubifera,2 sp); Physaraceae (Craterium, 2sp, Fuligo, lsp, Physarum, 2 sp); Stemonitaceae (Comatrícha, lsp, Stemonitis, 4 sp); Trichiaceae (Arcyria, 3 sp, Hemitrichia, 2 sp, Perichaena, lsp, Trichia, lsp). Uma família, sete gêneros e onze espécies são novas referências para o estado; uma delas, Ceratiomyxa sphaerosperma Boedj., é nova para o estado de Roraima e para a Região Norte. São apresentados comentários e a distribuição geográfica das espécies no Brasil.