Marco A. Bologna

The discovery of some specimens of a new first instar larval type in blister beetles, collected in Iran on Anthophora bees, confirms the existence of repetitive and parallel trends in morphological specialization to phoresy in distinct lineages of Meloidae and in particular in the subfamily Meloinae. The new Iranian larva, herein described and illustrated, shows several characters and a peculiar phoretic strategy that closely parallel that of the Meloe subgenus Lampromeloe, with similar modifications of the fronto-clypeal setae into strong lanceolate spines used to pierce the intersegmental membranes of the bees. Both parallel and shared derived evolution of these characters seem possible. The coexistence in this larva of characters in both primitive and derived state is of particular interest in order to analyse the different rates and trends of evolution of phoretic adaptations. A morphological comparison (SEM) of this new meloine larva (incertae sedis), tentatively assignable to Meloe, with the M. (Lampromeloe) larvae is carried out in order to discuss the evolutionary implications of its placement in Lampromeloe, and the relative characters that would support it, vs other possible alternative scenarios.

The mylabrine genus Pseudabris is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and includes seven species with overlapping or disjunct ranges. The genus is revised: three new species, P. brevipilosa sp.n., P. latimaculata sp.n., P. regularis sp.n., are described and illustrated, and a key to the species is provided. Molecular evidence supports the placement of Pseudabris within the tribe Mylabrini. Results of a morphology‐based cladistic analysis support the existence of two lineages, one centred mainly on the south central plateau, and the second in the eastern area. Faunistics and bionomics of the genus are summarized, focusing on phenology, elevation, habitat preference and host plants. The endemism of the Tibetan Plateau is discussed, with a special focus on the genus Pseudabris .

This is the first study of Australian blister beetle larvae. The first-instar larva of one species of the endemic genus Palaestra Laporte de Castelnau, 1840, is described as well as those of other phoretic species without adult association and consequently unplaced to genus. Two main larval types (Groups 1 and 2) are recognised, as are distinct morphotypes within each group. Although both groups are assignable to the Nemognathinae, they are characterised by traits not paralleled by subfamily representatives from other regions of the world. Group 1, which includes Palaestra, is the more distinctive, whereas Group 2 shares most characteristics with members of the cosmopolitan tribe Nemognathini. A tabular comparison of larval groups and morphotypes is included.

The endemic diversification of the Cape zone fauna and the phylogenetic relationships among the 30 species of the blister beetle genus Iselma are investigated. We analysed morphological, molecular (mtDNA 16S) and combined datasets of characters using a number of approaches (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference analyses). We propose hypotheses of diversification times among taxa from molecular clock analyses. Morphological and molecular analyses produced similar results. According to maximum likelihood molecular studies, radiation within the genus Iselma occurred during the Pliocene and Pleistocene, roughly contemporaneously with the shift in African climate, vegetation and faunal assemblages. Two main lineages, one Namibian and one South African, separated c . 4.9 Ma. Within the South African lineage we identify two groups of endemic species, one in Little Karoo and one that extend towards southern Namaqualand. The remaining South African groups of species are spread through Namaqualand and the southwestern Cape area. These include several endemisms, with different times of diversification during the Pleistocene, probably related in part to glacial cycles. These endemisms are distributed in small areas of the following ecosystems: coastal Strandveld, Succulent Karoo and particularly Fynbos.

The first instar larva of Berberomeloe insignis (Charpentier, 1818) is described and figured for the first time and compared to that of B. majalis (Linnaeus, 1758). Diagnostic larval characters of the genus and of both species are identified. Morphometric data from different populations are analyzed statistically. Results support species differentiation and characters definition. Additionally, analyses also suggest that whereas B. majalis is structured in the Iberian Peninsula, there is a lack of differentiation between Iberian and North African populations.

Amphibians are declining worldwide and many species are threatened for unknown reasons. In fact, information on ecology of several species are not available due to the lack of studies. The Apennine yellow-bellied toad (Bombina pachypus) is an Italian endemic species in progressive decline in many areas, often for unclear reasons. A two-year study of 116 temporary ponds in a grazing area of the Majella National Park (central Italy) from 2001 to 2002 revealed that: (a) Apennine yellow-bellied toads reproduced in small ponds characterized by high desiccation risk; (b) breeding activity occurred for a prolonged period (at least from May to the beginning of August), during which females spawned clutches of very few eggs in several, successive events; (c) the reproductive success was very low especially because of high egg mortality; and (d) the main cause of mortality was the desiccation of ponds. Consequently, the characteristics of breeding areas (i.e., small, ephemeral ponds) are the most important feature influencing the reproduction. The safeguard of temporary ponds is crucial for the conservation of this amphibian and could preserve also the other species using these pools.

An annotated catalogue of the Meloidae of Libya is presented, including 64 species belonging to 17 genera (5 Lyttini, 1 Cerocomini, 5 Mylabrini, 1 Meloini, 5 Nemognathini). This fauna includes species representative of both the Mediterranean and Saharan subregions, two of the richest biogeographic areas in the World as concerns the Meloidae genus diversity. Three new Mylabrini are described; Hycleus ringenbachi n. sp., Mylabris (Mylabris)poggii n. sp., Mylabris (Zitunabris) cyrenaica n. sp. Also, Alosimus mendax (Fairmaire 1876) is resurrected as a distinct species. Sixteen species were unrecorded from Libya. Three previously cited species are excluded from the Libyan fauna and the doubtful presence of 5 others is discussed. Preliminary biogeographical remarks are carried out.