Parasitism of Trombidium brevimanum larvae on agrobiont linyphiid spiders from Germany.

An experiment on three differently-managed agricultural fields in Ahlum, Germany, which aimed at establishing the impact of different management systems on the biodiversity of predators and decomposers, yielded a significant number of spiders parasitized by larvae of Trombidium brevimanum (Actinotrichida, Parasitengona, Trombidiidae). Spider data from the whole sampling period (September 2010-July 2012), indicated that ectoparasitic larvae were recorded only on spiders in pitfall traps in the period of June-July 2011. In this period, only eight species of Linyphiidae--out of 42 species assigned to nine spider families recorded from the study area--were parasitized by mites; considerable levels of parasitism were recorded on Erigone atra, E. dentipalpis, and Oedothorax apicatus. The highest prevalence of parasitism was recorded on the organic field for E. atra (29%), while on the integrated and conventional fields significantly fewer parasitized spiders were observed. The preferred attachment sites on the spider host were regions with softer cuticle, especially regions on the carapace and on the abdomen, adjacent to the pedicel.

Presence of morphological integration and modularity of the forcipular apparatus in Lithobius melanops (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae).

The presence of morphological integration and modularity of the forcipular apparatus, despite its evolutionary significance, has not been analyzed in centipedes. This morphological structure has a crucial role in feeding and defense, thanks to its poisonous part (forcipules), which is important for catching the prey. The aims of our study were: i) to test the hypothesis of modularity of the forcipular apparatus in centipede Lithobius melanops; and ii) to investigate the influence of allometry on overall morphological integration in the aforementioned species using a geometric morphometric approach. The presence of fluctuating asymmetry was obtained by Procrustes ANOVA. Allometry was significant only for the symmetric component of the forcipular apparatus. The modularity hypothesis was not accepted, because the covariance coefficients for symmetric and asymmetric components were lower than 89.5% and 72.1% (respectively) of other RV coefficients obtained by a random contiguous partition of the forcipular apparatus. Results of the present study indicate that allometry does increase the level of morphological integration in the forcipular apparatus. According to our results, the forcipular coxosternite and forcipules could not be considered as separate modules; namely, they probably share similar developmental pathways and function in different forms of behavior and survival in L. melanops.

Sexual size and shape dimorphism in Brachydesmus troglobius Daday, 1889 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida).

Until now, morphological trait variation has been investigated in several millipede species using geometric morphometrics. The present study is the first attempt to explore sexual shape and size dimorphism (SShD and SSD) of morphological structures in Polydesmida. We here analyse antennal, head, and leg SShD and SSD in Brachydesmus troglobius Daday, 1889. Our results show that SSD exists in all of the analysed structures, while SShD is present only in the legs. In comparison with females, males possess longer and wider legs, as well as longer antennae and a shorter head. Contrary to previous findings in some Julida, in B. troglobiusSSD of the antennae and legs varies more than SShD in these morphological structures.

The first hydrophilous cave-dwelling millipede from Serbia-Typhloiulus balcanicus sp. nov. (Diplopoda, Julida, Julidae).

As the fourth hydrophilous species of the genus Typhloiulus Latzel, 1884, the new species T. balcanicus Antic sp. nov. is described from two caves in the Stara Planina Mountains of Serbia. A brief discussion of the relationships between the new species and congeners with modified and unmodified mouthparts is presented, as well as short notes on the habitat of the new species and comments on other semiaquatic millipedes with modified mouthparts.

A new species of the family Heterolatzeliidae from the Balkan Peninsula (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida).

A new species of Heterolatzelia Verhoeff, 1897, H. karlstrasseri sp. n., is described from the Datlo Cave in east Herzegovina. A brief discussion about the relationship between H. karlstrasseri sp. n. and H. durmitorensis Gulicka, 1968 and a distribution map of the family Heterolatzeliidae are presented.