Studies of the genus Enchodelus Thorne, 1939 (Nematoda, Nordiidae) from Arctic polar deserts. 1. Species with long odontostyle: E. makarovae sp. n. and E. groenlandicus (Ditlevsen, 1927) Thorne, 1939, with an identification key to the species of the E. macrodorus group

Two nematode species of the genus Enchodelus Thorne, 1939, one new and one known from Arctic polar deserts were studied. Enchodelus makarovae sp. n. is an amphimictic species, characterised by females with body length of 1.57–2.00 mm, lip region 15–17.5 µm wide, amphid duplex, odontostyle 38–43 µm long or 2.3–2.8 times lip region diam. Odontophore with flanges, 1.2–1.4 times as long as odontostyle; pharynx length 320–377 µm, pharyngeal expansion 113–130 µm long or 32–37% of total pharynx length; female genital system amphidelphic, uterus tripartite, pars refringens vaginae with two trapezoid sclerotisations, vulva a transverse slit (V=45–51%); tail bluntly conoid (25–35 µm, c=45.8–70.3, c’=0.6–0.9 in females, and 29–33 µm, c=46.4–58.9, c’=0.7–0.8 in males). Males with 65–74 µm long spicules and 10–12 spaced ventromedian supplements. Additional information for Enchodelus groenlandicus is provided, this being a new geographic record for the Putorana Plateau, Russian Arctic

Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) diversity from pastures in Southern Bulgaria

This study aimed at clarifying the species composition and ecological structure of carabids, associated with active pastures. Field work was carried out in 2017 and 2018. Pitfall traps (5 in each site) were set in 10 sampling sites in Thracean Lowland and Sarnena Sredna Gora Mts. Captured beetles belonged to 90 species and 33 genera, representing 12% of the species and 26% of the ground beetle genera occurring in Bulgaria. The most diverse was genus Harpalus (22 species), followed by the genera Amara (7 species), Microlestes (6 species), Ophonus (6 species) and Parophonus (5 species). Twenty species were new for the region of the Thracean Lowland: Amara fulvipes (Audinet-Serville, 1821), Anisodactylus binotatus (Fabricius, 1787), A. intermedius Dejean, 1829, Apotomus clypeonitens Müller, 1943, Calathus cinctus Motschulsky, 1850, Carterus gilvipes (Piochard de la Brûlerie, 1873), Gynandromorphus etruscus (Quensel en Schönherr, 1806), Harpalus fuscicornis Ménétriés, 1832, H. subcylindricus Dejean, 1829, Microlestes apterus Holdhaus, 1904, M. corticalis (L. Dufour, 1820), M. fulvibasis (Reitter, 1901), M. maurus (Sturm, 1827), M. minutulus (Goeze, 1777), Notiophilus laticollis Chaudoir, 1850, Pangus scaritides (Sturm, 1818), Parophonus laeviceps (Ménétriés, 1832), P. planicollis (Dejean, 1829), Polystichus connexus (Geoffroy in Fourcroy, 1785) and Pterostichus strenuus (Panzer, 1796). Twenty species were new for the whole Sredna Gora Mts.: Acinopus picipes (Olivier, 1795), A. megacephalus (P. Rossi, 1794), Amara anthobia A. Villa et G. B. Villa, 1833, Ditomus calydonius (P. Rossi, 1790), Harpalus albanicus Reitter, 1900, H. angulatus Putzeys, 1878, H. attenuatus Stephens, 1828, H. dimidiatus (P. Rossi, 1790), H. flavicornis Dejean, 1829, H. pumilus Sturm, 1818, H. pygmaeus Dejean, 1829, H. subcylindricus Dejean, 1829, H. tardus (Panzer, 1796), H. signaticornis (Duftschmid, 1812), Lebia scapularis (Geoffroy, 1785), Microlestes fissuralis (Reitter, 1901), M. fulvibasis (Reitter, 1901), M. maurus (Sturm, 1827), M. minutulus (Goeze, 1777) and Ophonus sabulicola (Panzer, 1796). Fourty-one species were new for the region of the Sarnena Sredna Gora. Genus Apotomus, Gynandromorphus, Pangus and Polystichus were new geographic records for Thracean Lowland. Genera Acinopus and Ditomus were new for the Sredna Gora Mts. Fourteen life form categories were established (9 zoophagous and 5 mixophytophagous). The analysis of the life forms showed a slight predominance of the mixophytophages (53 species; 59%) over the zoophages (37 species; 41%). Microlestes minutulus was a constant species occurring in all sampling sites

Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) diversity from harvested oilseed rape fields (Brassica napus L.) in Southern Bulgaria

This study aimed at clarifying the species composition and ecological structure of carabid communities, in oilseed rape fields after rape harvest. Field work was carried out in 2018. Pitfall traps (5 in each site) were set in 10 sampling sites in Thracean Lowland and Sarnena Sredna Gora Mts. Captured beetles belonged to 66 species and 24 genera, representing 9% of the species and 19% of the ground beetle genera occurring in Bulgaria. The most diverse was genus Harpalus Latreille, 1802 (15 species), followed by the genera Amara Zimmermann, 1832 (7 species), Microlestes Schmidt-Goebel, 1846 (6 species) and Parophonus Ganglbauer, 1891 (5 species). Five species were new for the region of the Thracean Lowland: Amara (Bradytus) consularis (Duftschmid, 1812), Harpalus (Harpalus) caspius (Steven, 1806), H. (Pseudoophonus) calceatus (Duftschmid, 1812), Microlestes negrita negrita (Wollaston, 1854), Tachyura (Tachyura) parvula (Dejean, 1831). Three species: Amara (Zezea) fulvipes (Audinet-Serville, 1821), A. (Zezea) chaudoiri incognita Fassati, 1946 and Diachromus germanus (Linnaeus, 1758) were new records for the region of the Sarnena Gora. Seven species were new for the whole Sredna Gora Mts.: Acinopus (Acinopus) picipes (Olivier, 1795), A. (Oedematicus) megacephalus (P. Rossi, 1794), Carterus (Carterus) dama (P. Rossi, 1792), Harpalus (Harpalus) flavicornis flavicornis Dejean, 1829, H. (Pseudoophonus) griseus (Panzer, 1796), Licinus (Licinus) depressus (Paykull, 1790) and Microlestes maurus maurus (Sturm, 1827). Genera Acinopus Dejean, 1821, Carterus Dejean, 1830 and Licinus Latreille, 1802 were new geographic records for the Sredna Gora Mts. Twelve life form categories were established (7 zoophagous and 6 mixophytophagous). The analysis of the life forms showed a slight predominance of the mixophytophages (38 species; 58%) over the zoophages (28 species; 42%). There were no constant species occurring in all sampling sites (with 100% occurrence). Thirteen species appeared after the harvest (they were absent during the flowering and ripening of the rape), forty-four species disappeared (they were present during flowering and ripening), and twenty-nine species were present in all stages

Terrestrial nematodes from the Maritime Antarctic

Soil nematodes are one of the most important terrestrial faunal groups in Antarctica, as they are a major component of soil micro-food webs. Despite their crucial role in soil processes, knowledge of their species diversity and distribution is still incomplete. Taxonomic studies of Antarctic nematodes are fragmented, which prevents assessment of the degree of endemicity and distribution of the species, as well as other aspects of biogeography.The present study is focused on the nematode fauna of one of the three Antarctic sub-regions, the Maritime Antarctic and summarises all findings published up to April 2023. A species list that includes 44 species, belonging to 21 genera, 16 families and eight orders is provided. A review of the literature on terrestrial nematodes inhabiting the Maritime Antarctic showed that the sites are unevenly studied. Three islands (Signy, King George and Livingston Islands) revealed highest species richness, probably due to the highest rates of research effort. Most species and four genera (Antarctenchus, Pararhyssocolpus, Amblydorylaimus and Enchodeloides) are endemic, proving that nematode fauna of the Maritime Antarctic is autochthonous and unique. Several groups of islands/sites have been revealed, based on their nematode fauna. The study showed that species with a limited distribution prevailed, while only two species (Plectus antarcticus and Coomansus gerlachei) have been found in more than 50% of the sites. Based on the literature data, details on species localities, microhabitat distribution, plant associations and availability of DNA sequences are provided

Biogeography and phylogenetic position of Enchodeloides signyensis (Loof, 1975), gen. n., comb. n. from Maritime Antarctic (Nematoda, Nordiidae)

The taxonomic position of the endemic Antarctic species Enchodeloides signyensis (Loof, 1975), gen. n., comb. n. (= Enchodelus signyensis Loof, 1975) is discussed on the basis of morphological study, including SEM, morphometric data, postembryonic observations, and sequence data of 18S rDNA and the D2-D3 expansion fragments of the large subunit rDNA. A number of characters such as the cuticle and stoma structures, including the presence of moderately developed cuticularised ring around the oral aperture, peculiarities of pharynx expansion, size and position of the posterior pair of pharyngeal nuclei, a less complex uterus, and the position of a posterior ventromedian supplement show that this species differs substantially from the other members of the genus Enchodelus. Furthermore, both the 18S and 28S rDNA-based phylogenetic trees of the Enchodelus sequences available in the GenBank formed two distinct clusters with E. signyensis being a part of a well-supported group with species of the genus Pungentus; therefore, it is proposed that its taxonomic position should be reconsidered

New data on two remarkable Antarctic species Amblydorylaimus isokaryon (Loof, 1975) Andrássy, 1998 and Pararhyssocolpus paradoxus (Loof, 1975), gen. n., comb. n. (Nematoda, Dorylaimida)

The taxonomic position of two antarctic dorylaimid species Amblydorylaimus isokaryon (Loof, 1975) Andrássy, 1998 and Pararhyssocolpus paradoxus (Loof, 1975), gen. n., comb. n. are discussed on the basis of morphological, including SEM study, morphometric, postembryonic and sequence data of 18S rDNA and the D2-D3 expansion fragments of large subunit rDNA. The evolutionary trees inferred from 18S sequences show insufficient resolution to determine the assignment of the two species to particular families, moreover P. paradoxus gen. n., comb. n. (=Rhyssocolpus paradoxus) previously regarded as a member of Nordiidae or Qudsianematidae, showed distant relationship both to Rhyssocolpus vinciguerrae and Eudorylaimus spp. The phylogram inferred from 28S sequences revealed that A. isokaryon is a member of a well-supported group comprised of several Aporcelaimellus spp., while, no close relationships could be revealed for the P. paradoxus gen. n., comb. n. to any nematode genus. On the basis of molecular data and morphological characteristics, some taxonomic changes are proposed. Amblydorylaimus isokaryon is transferred from family Qudsianematidae to family Aporcelaimidae, and a new monotypic genus Pararhyssocolpus gen. n. is proposed, attributed to Pararhyssocolpidae fam. n. The diagnosis of the new family is provided together with emended diagnosis of the genera Amblydorylaimus and Pararhyssocolpus gen. n. Data concerning distribution of these endemic genera in the Antarctic region are also given

Chalcidoid fauna (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of grasslands situated in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) surroundings in Bulgaria

The objective of the current study was to assess the potential of semi-natural grasslands to serve as parasitoid sources from which individuals can spread to the surrounding cultivated habitats. The composition of chalcidoid fauna was studied in nine non-harvested grasslands located near to but not bordering oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) fields. The investigated areas were generally used as pastures for domestic animals, but vegetation was not intensively grazed in all sampling sites. Samples were collected by sweep-netting during the period between full flowering and the end of flowering of the rapeseed (stages 65-70 according to the BBCH-scale). Insect counts showed significant dominance of Eulophidae Westwood (84 individuals; 42%) and Pteromalidae Dalman (60 ind.; 30%), with lower abundance of Eurytomidae Walker (22 ind.; 11%). Some other groups were poorly represented – Torymidae Walker (10 ind.; 5%), Encyrtidae Walker (9 ind.; 5%), Ormyridae Förster (6 ind.; 3%), Eupelmidae Walker (4 ind.; 2%), Chalcididae Latreille (2 ind.; 1%) and Tetracampidae Förster (2 ind.; 1%). Most numerous among eulophids were Baryscapus Förster (38 ind.; 46%), Aprostocetus Westwood (21 ind.; 25%) and Necremnus Thomson (11 ind.; 13%). Nine other genera comprised the remaining 23% of the eulophid collection – Diglyphus Walker, Elachertus Spinola, Entedon Dalman, Eulophus Geoffroy, Neochrysocharis Kurdjumov, Neotrichoporoides Girault, Pnigalio Schrank, Sympiesis Förster and Tetrastichus Haliday. The most abundant pteromalids were Mesopolobus Westwood (20 ind.; 37%) and Pteromalus Swederus (11 ind.; 20%), followed by 13 genera with 7% or less – Catolaccus Thomson, Chlorocytus Graham, Cyrtogaster Walker, Cyclogastrella Bukovskii, Gastrancystrus Westwood, Glyphognathus Graham, Halticoptera Spinola, Homoporus Thomson, Norbanus Walker, Psilocera Walker, Trichomalus Thomson, Spalangia Latreille and Systasis Walker. Parasitoid diversity and its possible beneficial role were discussed according to the present knowledge on the rapeseed pests and their natural enemies

Longidorus carniolensis sp. n. (Nematoda, Longidoridae) from vineyard soil in Slovenia

A new needle nematode, Longidorus carniolensis sp. n., recovered from the soil around the roots of grapevine Vitis vinifera L. from Slovenia, is described and illustrated. Longidorus carniolensis is an amphimictic species, characterised by females with a moderately long (L=5.6–8.2 mm) and plump (a=51–72.4, ave. 66.3) body, assuming a spiral to C-shape when heat relaxed. Head region continuous, anteriorly almost flat, lip region 23–25 µm wide; guiding ring situated posteriorly (42–47 µm, 43–50 µm in males), odontostyle long (ave. 146.6 (136–157) µm); pharyngeal glands with normal location, their nuclei of approximately equal size; tail bluntly conoidal to almost hemispherical. Males abundant, spicules slender and long (122–145 µm), ventromedian supplements 13–17, irregularly spaced, preceded by an adanal pair. Four juvenile stages present, the first stage juvenile with bluntly conoidal tail. Codes for identifying the new species when using the key by Chen et al. (1997) are: A 56, B 4, C 4, D 1, E 4, F 35, G 1, H 1, I 2. The new species is morphologically the most similar to L. poessneckensis Altherr, 1974, L. macrosoma Hooper, 1961, L. caespiticola Hooper, 1961, L. helveticus Lamberti et al., 2001, L. macroteromucronatus Altherr, 1974, L. pius Barsi et Lamberti, 2001, L. raskii Lamberti et Agostinelli, 1993, L. kheirii Pedram et al, 2008, L. silvae Roca, 1993, L. iuglandis Roca et al., 1985, L. vinearum Bravo et Roca, 1995 and L. major Roca et d’Erico, 1987, but differs from these species either by the body and odontostyle length, position of guide ring, head region and tail shape or the shape of the first stage juvenile tail. Sequence data from the D2-D3 region of the 28S rDNA distinguishes this new species from other species of the genus Longidorus with known sequences. Relationships of L. carniolensis sp. n. with other Longidorus species based on analysis of this DNA fragment and morphology are discussed