Zoodiversity

New Spider Species of Cnephalocotes and Peponocranium (Aranei, Linyphiidae) from the North-East of Ukraine

V. A. Gnelitsa — 2024-06-03

Two species of the genera Cnephalocotes Simon, 1884 and Peponocranium Simon, 1884: Cnephalocotes similis sp. n. and Peponocranium fallax sp. n. (Linyphiidae) from the north-eastern Ukraine are described and illustrated.

On the Study of Fauna (Macroinvertebrates, Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals) of the Lower Course of Shokhdara River Valley in Pamir, Mountain Bodakhshan, Tajikistan

S. A. Afanasyev — 2024-05-16

This paper contains information on the records of bottom macroinvertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals collected during a field expedition to the valley of the Shokhdara River (in the vicinities of town of Khorog city) near its mouth and confluence with Panj River in autumn 2019 – spring 2020. According to the results of the study, 3 fish species (Actinopterigii) were found inhabiting Shokhdara River with 1 additional species being confirmed by locals. The taxonomic composition of the registered fish species is as follows: Cyprinidae – 2, Nemacheilidae – 1. 5 species of reptiles (Squamata: Colubridae – 2, Viperidae – 1, Agamidae – 1, Gekkonidae - 1), and 1 species of amphibians (Anura: Bufonidae – 1) were registered within the investigated area. 24 taxonomic groups of water macroinvertebrates were spotted (89,7% - Insecta): Simuliidae - 35,8%, Ephemeroptera – 18,7%, Chironomidae – 18%, Trichoptera – 10,5%, Oligochaeta – 6,5%, Plecoptera – 2,8%, Diptera – 2,5%, Gastropoda – 2,5%. Nematoda, Turbilaria, Ostracoda, Copepoda, Сyclops, Sphaerium, Araneida, Acarina, Odonata, Heteroptera, Colleoptera, Neuroptera, Lepidoptera and Megaloptera in total counted as only 2,7% of all registered macroinvertebrates. A total of 99 bird species (48% of the avifauna of the studied region) were registered during autumn/spring research. Among Mammalia class such valuable and rare internationally protected species as Asian otter, snow leopard and Himalayan brown bear were confirmed to inhabit the areas adjacent to the studies river valley.

A Study on the Feeding Biology of Soil Oribatid Mite Papillacarus (Papillacarus) elongatus (Acari, Lohmanniidae)

K. K. Praveena — 2024-05-03

The feeding biology of lohmanniid mite Papillacarus (Papillacarus) elongatus Xavier, 2007 was investigated under laboratory conditions (relative humidity 80 ± 2 % and temperature 27 ± 2˚C) using appropriate feeding preference tests. Different microfungi and semi-degraded leaves were provided as food items. To validate feeding biology, the gut enzymes and structural morphology of mouth parts of P. (P.) elongatus were also examined. The results demonstrated that the P. (P.) elongatus are panphytophages, and could feed on both higher and lower plant elements. These alternative feeding guilds might enable these mites to coexist with other soil organisms; moreover, they can be directly involved in the biodegradation of leaf litter and indirectly influence the microbial activity in the soil ecosystem.

Body Size and Ectoparasitic Infestations in the Mediterranean Pond Turtle Mauremys leprosa (Testudines, Geoemydidae) in Majen Belahriti Pond (North-Eastern Algeria)

K. Ramdani — 2024-05-01

Morphological parameters were measured on a population of the Mediterranean pond turtle Mauremys leprosa (Schweigger, 1812) in Majen Belahriti pond in the region of Guelma (North-east of Algeria). Females exhibited a longer carapace length (CL) at 177 ± 23.85 mm, surpassing that of males (151.45 ± 31.12 mm), and they also displayed a higher body weight (BW) at 756.52 ± 243.91 g, which was notably greater than that of males (453.09 ± 224.42 g). Placobdella nabeulensis Ben Ahmed, Gajda, Utevsky, Kwist & Świątek, 2023 (Hirudinida, Glossiphoniidae) was identified as the only ectoparasite affecting M. leprosa, with an average body length and width of 11 ± 5.83 mm and 5.1 ± 2.89 mm respectively. The intensity, represented by the average number of leeches per turtle, was calculated to be 2.21 ± 1.31 for this specific population and a prevalence rate of 21.17 %. The tail region showed the highest parasite load, indicating its increased susceptibility compared to other body parts.

Two New Aphaenogaster Species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Baltic Amber

A. G. Radchenko — 2024-04-11

Aphaenogaster groehni Radchenko, sp. n. and A. ribbeckei Radchenko, sp. n., are described from the Late Eocene Baltic amber, each based on the holotype worker. Aphaenogaster groehni Radchenko, sp. n. differs from previously described species from the Late Eocene European ambers by a distinctly narrowed posteriorly head without pronounced occipital corners and a longer antennal scape, and A. ribbeckei Radchenko, sp. n. differs by a more slender mesosoma. The taxonomic position of the new species is discussed.