Biology

Multiple-marker (COI-5P, UPA, psbA and rbcL-3P) and two algorithmic approaches [automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD) and Poisson tree process (PTP)] were used for species delimitation of Lithophylloideae in Brazil. The integrative approach was mostly congruent between markers and algorithmic methods of species delimita-tion, suggesting the occurrence of 24 species. Based on morphology and molecular data, Amphiroa rigida, Amphiroa vanbosseae, Lithophyllum atlanticum, Litho-phyllum kaiseri, Lithophyllum margaritae, Titanoderma pustulatum, Titanoderma prototypum and Paulsilvella huveorum, which were previously reported for Brazil, are confirmed in this work. Six new species are distinguished by both molecular and morphological traits, and they are provisionally named as Amphiroa sp. 1, Amphiroa sp. 2, Amphiroa sp. 3, Lithophyllum sp. 1, Lithophyllum sp. 2 and Lithophyllum sp. 3. Another 10 species are cryptic and cannot be distinguished based on traditionally used morphological traits. These include Amphiroa sp. 4, Lithophyllum sp. 4, three species that are morphologically named under Amphiroa beauvoisii, and six that share the morphology described for Amphiroa fragilissima. All four markers used were useful for species delimitation. However, a combination of practical aspects and levels of intra-and interspe-cific divergence values led us to propose the use of rbcL-3P as a standard DNA barcode marker for the Corallinales.

In the present study a new method involving extraction by SPME fibers and storage in an organic solvent is
described and tested in an ant species, Dinoponera quadriceps. The results demonstrate that the cuticular
hydrocarbons trapped by SPME fibers can be efficiently desorbed from the fibers to hexane and stored for
later analysis. This method can be used as an alternative procedure for the collection of samples in field
studies. This technique is an effective non-lethal method for the extraction of cuticular hydrocarbons
and was developed specifically for the long-term monitoring of individuals, as well as for situations in
which gas chromatography equipment is unavailable at the sampling site.

Zethus Fabricius, 1804 is the largest genus
in the subfamily Eumeninae with over 250 species.
Its Neotropical representatives are divided into three
subgenera: Z. (Zethus) Fabricius, 1804; Z. (Zethusculus)
de Saussure, 1855; and Z. (Zethoides) Fox, 1899. Two
specimens were collected in the northeastern region of
São Paulo state, Brazil belonging to two species of the
latter subgenus: Z. (Zethoides) lobulatus de Saussure,
1855 and Z. (Zethoides) rugosiceps Fox, 1899. These
species have so far only been collected in the Amazon
Forest and these findings not only expand the latitude
of the species’ distribution but also their occurrence to
the Atlantic Forest as well.

Zethus wileyi Stange sp. nov. (Panama) is described and a cladistic analysis is carried in order to determine the relationship between the new species and the other species in the hilarianus species-group. The new species is assigned to its own new species-group due to evident differences in the morphology.

Zethus is the largest genus in Vespidae with over 270 species. It is currently divided into four subgenera: Z. (Zethus), Z. (Zethoides), Z. (Zethusculus) and Z. (Madecazethus). While the last three are restricted to certain biogeographic areas, the first is spread through western and eastern hemispheres. Studies have shown possible phylogenetic incongruence regarding this current division and even raised the possibility of paraphyly in the genus. To evaluate this classification, morphological pasimony analyses under implied weights was carried out, examining external morphology and male genitalia. Analyses showed paraphyly of the genus under various “k” values and paraphyly of two subgenera. Ischnocoelia and Ctenochilus are lowered to subgenera of Zethus. Zethus (Madecazethus) is no longer restricted to Malagasy species and now includes those of the African continent as well. Zethus (Zethastrum) subg. nov. is defined for Oriental representatives. Z. (Zethus) is subdivided into three subgenera: Z. (Zethus), Z. (Didymogastra) and Z. (Wettsteinia). Zethus (Zethusculus) and Z. (Zethoides) are monophyletic and hold their status as subgenera. Three species-groups are Incertae sedis: Z. albopictus, Z. pallidus and Z. spinosus.