Four new species and three synonyms in the hoverfly (Paramixogaster Brunetti 1923)

NEWS - Researchers have assigned four new species and three new synonyms to the hoverfly genus (Paramixogaster Brunetti, 1923) bringing the total number of valid species to the list to 15. This new revision of the new insects could provide a clearer map of the overall structure of the nomenclature.

Paramixogaster has been confusing for some time due to the small number of specimens available for most of the species. This has led to uncertainties in keys and diagnoses. Menno Reemer of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden and Hariharakrishnan Sankararaman of the Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture in Coimbatore have described 15 species of the genus.

The four new species are Paramixogaster halmaherensis Reemer, P. jubata Reemer, P. kodaiana Sankararaman & Reemer, and P. sulawesiana Reemer. Three new synonyms are Paramicrodon decipiens de Meijere (1917) as a junior synonym of Microdon vespiformis de Meijere (1908), Paramixogaster wegneri Keiser (1964), as a junior synonym of Ceratophya indica Doleschall (1857), Microdon subpetiolatus Thompson (2020) as a junior synonym of Microdon contractus Brunetti (1923).

While Paramixogaster huoi Reemer was introduced as a replacement name for P. trifasciatus Huo & Zhao (2022) which is a primary homonym of P. trifasciatus Ssymank & Reemer (2016). Neotypes were assigned to Paramixogaster icariiformis Pendlebury (1927) and Myxogaster variegata Sack (1922). Lectotypes were assigned to Microdon vespiformis de Meijere (1908).

The researchers say that some of the taxonomy of Paramixogaster species is not entirely satisfactory. The main reason is the small number of specimens available for most species. There is at least one additional species that has not been described.

They advise caution when using the key and diagnosis by always carefully comparing specimens with descriptions and photographs. Paramixogaster luxor is very different from other Oriental species in terms of the scutellar calcar and short postpedicel.

The surstylus of the male genitalia is also very different from other species in the genus because. It appears that P. luxor is not included in Paramixogaster. Analysis of molecular traits could help in recovering the phylogenetic affinities of these species, but is not yet available.

Original research

Reemer M, Sankararaman H (2024) Revision of the Oriental species of the hoverfly genus Paramixogaster Brunetti, 1923 (Diptera, Syrphidae, Microdontinae). ZooKeys 1208: 1-48. DOI:10.3897/zookeys.1208.122829

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake

NEWS - Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) create bubble net tools while foraging, consisting of internal tangential rings, and actively control the number of rings, their size, depth and horizontal spacing between the surrounding bubbles. These structural elements of the net increase prey intake sevenfold. Researchers have known that humpback whales create “bubble nets” for hunting, but the new report shows that the animals also manipulate them in a variety of ways to maximize catches. The behavior places humpbacks among the rare animals that make and use their own tools. “Many animals use tools to help them find food, but very few actually make or modify these tools themselves,” said Lars Bejder, director of the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP), University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Humpback whales in southeast Alaska create elaborate bubble nets to catch krill. They skillfully blow bubbles in patterns that form a web with internal rings. They actively control details such ...

Javan mocca or Javan slender caesar (Amanita javanica)

OPINION - Javan mocca or Javan slender caesar ( Amanita javanica ) is a mysterious fungus species and has been enigmatic since it was first reported by Boedijn in 1951 and after that no explanation or reporting of specimens is believed to be the same as expected. Boedijn (1951) described A. javanica which grew on Java island as having the characteristics covered in the Amanita genus. Corner and Bas in 1962 tried to describe Javan mocca and all species in Amanita based on specimens in Singapore. Over time some reports say that they have found A. javanica specimens in other Southeast Asia including also China, Japan, India and Nepal. But there is no definitive knowledge and many doubt whether the specimen is the same as described by Boedijn (1951). I was fortunate to have seen this species one afternoon and soon I took out a camera for some shots. In fact, I've only met this mushroom species once. Javan mocca is an endangered species and I have never seen in my experience in...

Javanese grasshopper (Valanga nigricornis)

Wooden grasshopper or Javanese grasshopper ( Valanga nigricornis ) is an animal species of Acrididae, grasshoppers that have at least 18 subspecies, insects with very wide diversity in color and size, sexual dimorphism in which females are larger in size and paler in color. V. nigricornis in males has a length of 45-55 millimeters and females 15-75 mm. The head is square and green or yellow or brown or black in color. A pair of antennas has a black color. The eyes are large and gray or white or brownish. The hind legs are very large and have a green or yellow or brown or black color, plain or brindle. The limbs have two rows of large and long spines with black tips facing backward. The wings have a length exceeding the belly, a rough surface and are brown or green or yellow or black in color with pulse lines forming spaces filled with black color. The hind wings are rose red which will be visible when flying. Nymphs are pale green or yellow or brown or blackish in color. Javanese gr...

Dlium