02073nas a2200145 4500008004100000245010300041210006900144300001400213490000800227520158300235100002801818700002001846700001501866856004601881 2013 eng d00aIntra-specific variability in life-cycle synchronization of an ectoparasitic fly to its avian host0 aIntraspecific variability in lifecycle synchronization of an ect a274–2840 v1223 a

The role of environmental and host-associated factors in synchronization of host–parasite life-cycles is an important question of evolutionary ecology. Yet, only handsome of studies examined this question at the intraspecific level. Here we explore how host-associated traits, such as breeding phenology and host breeding habitat, can influence parasite phenology and co-occurrence at different spatial scales. We studied the system comprised of a generalist ectoparasitic fly Carnus hemapterus and one of its avian hosts, the European roller Coracias garrulus. Inter-annual variation in phenology was larger for parasites than hosts. Host predictability in terms of occurrence and phenological regularity was moderate, suggesting that this resource can be difficult to be tracked by the parasite. A large proportion of flies consistently emerged before the appearance of suitable host resources at both the nest and population level. Consequently, we revealed low and highly variable inter-annual host–parasite synchronization rates. Nevertheless, we found that parasites from nests of early and progressively earlier breeding European rollers were more synchronized with their hosts than parasites from nests of late and progressively later breeding hosts, respectively. Temporal trends in host suitability and parasite emergence at the population scale suggest that other mechanisms, such as dispersal or exploitation of other host species, ensure parasites access to resources and counteract asynchrony with the host at the nest scale.

1 aCalero-Torralbo, M., A.1 aVaclav, Radovan1 aValera, F. uhttps://diptera.myspecies.info/node/1044600946nas a2200205 4500008004100000245010100041210006900142260001500211300001200226490000700238520035200245653001700597653001300614653001200627653001300639653001600652653001300668100001300681856004600694 2013 eng d00aNew species and records of Meoneura Rondani, 1856 from the old world tropics (Diptera, Carnidae)0 aNew species and records of Meoneura Rondani 1856 from the old wo c2013/09/30 a213-2270 v593 a

Meoneura indica sp. n. (India), M. nepalensis sp. n. (Nepal), M. orientalis sp. n. (Laos, Vietnam), M. simplex sp. n. (India), M. subinversa sp. n. (Vietnam) and M. nigrohalterata sp. n. (Namibia) are described, M. biseta Deeming is re-described from the Afrotropical region.

10aAfrotropical10aCarnidae10aDiptera10aMeoneura10anew species10aOriental1 aPapp, L. uhttps://diptera.myspecies.info/node/1042800726nas a2200205 4500008004100000024007300041245008800114210006900202300001000271490000800281520007300289653001300362653001200375653001500387653001300402653001600415100001900431700002400450856004600474 2013 eng d ahppt/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub: 8AE65E06-EA70-4355-9EF7-FA58B0477AA300aNew species of the genus Meoneura Rondani, 1856 (Diptera, Carnidae) from Kazakhstan0 aNew species of the genus Meoneura Rondani 1856 Diptera Carnidae  a11-120 v2793 a

Meoneura merzi sp. n. is described from Kazakhstan

10aCarnidae10aDiptera10aKazakhstan10aMeoneura10anew species1 aOzerov, A., L.1 aKrivosheina, M., G. uhttps://diptera.myspecies.info/node/1042401834nas a2200145 4500008004100000245009200041210006900133300001200202490000800214520136800222100001701590700001401607700001501621856005201636 2013 eng d00aMale European starlings do not use egg spots as a cue to adjust investment in nestlings0 aMale European starlings do not use egg spots as a cue to adjust  a109-1150 v1253 a

The effects of post-laying egg spottiness on nestling condition and parental provisioning were investigated in a nest box-breeding population of European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Our objectives were to ascertain whether egg spottiness was associated with the nest ectoparasite Carnus hemapterus, and to examine potential relationships between egg spottiness, presence of C. hemapterus, nestling condition, and parental provisioning effort in European Starlings. Spotted-egg clutches were present over all 3 years in our population, but the spots did not reflect C. hemapterus abundance. Nestlings from spotted-egg clutches did not have more C. hemapterus than those from unspotted-egg clutches. However, nestlings from spotted clutches were in better condition than those from unspotted clutches. Nestling condition was not associated with C. hemapterus abundance. Adult male and female provisioning rates to the offspring did not differ between spotted and unspotted clutches. Similarly, the proportion of provisioning visits by males did not differ significantly between spotted and unspotted clutches, indicating that parents in our population of European Starlings do not use egg spots as a cue to altering their provisioning effort. Further research is required to fully understand the cause and consequences of egg spots in European Starlings.

1 aHornsby, MAW1 aFairn, ER1 aBarber, CA uhttp://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1676/11-167.101410nas a2200145 4500008004100000245017600041210006900217300001400286490000700300520084100307100001701148700001901165700001801184856006201202 2013 eng d00aA new genus and species of North American Exosternini associated with cavity-nesting owls and a reassignment of Phelister simoni Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Histerinae)0 anew genus and species of North American Exosternini associated w a557–5650 v673 a

We describe Strigister Caterino, Tishechkin, and Proudfoot new genus (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Histerinae: Exosternini) for Strigister tecolotito Caterino, Tishechkin, and Proudfoot new species and for Strigister simoni (Lewis, 1889) new combination. These species are excluded from Phelister Marseul based on several unique characters, especially transverse slits on the prosternal keel and a single v-shaped annulus on the antennal club, and the genus is suggested to be more closely related to Baconia Lewis. Strigister tecolotito has been found exclusively in association with nests of the ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum (Gmelin)) and the Eastern screech-owl (Megascops asio (L.)) in extreme southern Texas, USA. Strigister simoni is known only from the type specimen, lacking ecological data, from Venezuela.

1 aCaterino, MS1 aTishechkin, AK1 aProudfoot, GA uhttp://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1649/0010-065X-67.4.557