A new North American region colonized by the Australian millipede Akamptogonus novarae (Humbert & DeSaussure, 1869) (Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae), with a key for the known Paradoxosomatidae species from North and Central America and the Caribbean Islands

Full text

Correspondence –Notes
385
ences, Graduate University of Advanced Technol-
ogy, Kerman, Iran.
Key to the apterous viviparous aphid
species living on Berberis spp. in Iran
1− Siphunculi tapering, not swollen; Siphunculi
and cauda dark; Marginal tubercles present on
abdominal tergites 2−4; Cauda with 10−19 hairs
(rarely less than 13); Ultimate rostral segment
more than 120 µm Aphis pomi
− Siphunculi swollen, with maximum width of
swollen part broader than base; Siphunculi and
cauda pale; Marginal tubercles absent on abdomi-
nal tergites 2−4; Cauda with 5−27 hairs 2
2− Siphunculi markedly clavate (Fig. 1), and lack-
ing imbrication except near apex; Antennal tuber-
cles weakly developed; Cauda with 5−6 hairs…...3
− Siphunculi slightly and uniformly swollen over
most of length, narrowing at base and apex, with
spinulose imbrication; Antennal tubercles well-
developed; Cauda with 11−27 hairs
Amegosiphon platicaudum
3− Dorsum sclerotic, usually with a complete dark
shield; Processus terminalis 1.15–1.56 times longer
than the base of antennal segment VI
Liosomaphis atra
− Dorsal abdomen pale; Processus terminalis 0.8–
1.4 times as long as the base of antennal segment
VI Liosomaphis berberidis
The biodiversity and aphid fauna of Iran has not
been extensively studied and there is no complete
information on this important group of insects. It
is expected that more aphid species are present in
Iran so that with more extensive investigations the
number of species will increase in the future.
Acknowledgments. This study was supported by the
Institute of Science and High Technology and
Environmental Sciences, Kerman, Iran, which is greatly
appreciated. I would like to thank Dr. S. M.
Mirtadjadinni, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, for
identification of the host plants, and Mr. M. Mihanyar
and Mr. M. Iranmanesh who helped in collecting the
specimens.
References
Blackman, R.L. (2010): Aphids - Aphidinae (Macrosiphini). Field
Studies Council.
Blackman, R.L., Eastop, V.F. (2000): Aphids on the world's crops
(An identification and information guide). Second edition. John
Wiley & Sons, London, UK.
Blackman, R.L., Eastop, V.F. (2006): Aphids on the world’s herba-
ceous plants and shrubs. John Wiley & Sons, London, UK.
Blackman, R.L., Eastop, V.F. (2015): Aphids on the World’s Plants:
An online identification and information guide.
<http://www.aphidsonworldsplants.info/>, accessed at:
2015.07.10.
Ghosh, L.K., Pramanik, N.K. (1976): First record of sexuale of Lio-
somaphis himalayensis Basu and hitherto undescribed morph of L.
atra H.R.L. from India (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae). News-
letter Zoological Survey of India 2: 108-109.
Hodjat, S.H. (1993): A list of aphids and their host plants in Iran.
Shahid-Chamran University Printing & Publication Center,
Ahwaz, Iran.
Holman, J. (2009): Host plant catalogue of aphids: Palaearctic re-
gion. Springer, Berlin.
Raychaudhuri, D.N., Ghosh, L.K., Das, S.K. (1980): Studies on the
aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) from North and North-west
India, 1. Insecta Matsumurana 20: 1-42.
Remaudière, G., Davatchi, A. (1959): Elbourzaphis et Iranaphias: Gen-
res d'Aphididae (Hom.) nouveaux de l'Iran. Revue de Patholo-
gie Végétale et d’Entomologie Agricole de France 38: 135-147.
Rezwani, A. (2004): [Aphids on trees and shrubs in Iran]. Plant Pests &
Diseases Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. [in Persian].
Key words: Aphid, New record, Liosomaphis atra, Berberis,
Iran
Article No.: e162201
Received: 22. August 2015 / Accepted: 01. November 2015
Available online: 09. January 2016 / Printed: December 2016
Mohsen MEHRPARVAR
Department of Biodiversity, Institute of Science and
High Technology and Environmental Sciences,
Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran,
E-mail: mehrparvar@aphidology.com
A new North American region colo-
nized by the Australian millipede
Akamptogonus novarae (Humbert &
DeSaussure, 1869) (Polydesmida, Para-
doxosomatidae), with a key for the
known Paradoxosomatidae species
from North and Central America and
the Caribbean Islands.
Introduced species represent one of the most con-
cerning factors in conservation biology, as they
may become a threat for native biodiversity and
ecosystems' equilibrium. Human activity has be-
come a strong dispersal force for organisms of any
kind, either by actively releasing alien species or
by passively transporting colonizers into new
geographical areas. Although introductions of
species have been occurring for thousands of
years, their frequency has increased accordingly
with the higher intensity of modern worldwide
commercial and non-commercial movements

North-Western Journal of Zoology 12(2) / 2016
386
(Hulme 2009). In the majority of cases, introduced
species fail to thrive in the new environments and
in fact just a small part eventually become inva-
sive and thus a threat for native biota. However, it
is important to keep track on introductions, as of-
ten we do not fully understand the processes con-
trolling biological invasions, and even small
changes in biotic or abiotic factors can turn al-
ready established alien species into invasive
(Mack et al. 2000).
Among soil organisms, several millipede spe-
cies are currently established outside their original
ranges. It seems that their introductions are fre-
quently associated with the commerce of potted
plants, and so it is even possible to find tropical
species in green houses in temperate to cold lati-
tudes (Stoev et al. 2010, Decker et al. 2014). Some
of these species have been especially successful
and are now present in localities all around the
world. This is the case of some polydesmid species
of the family Paradoxosomatidae, one of the most
diverse groups of millipedes.
Paradoxosomatids are naturally present in
every continent except Antarctica and North
America (Nguyen & Sierwald 2013). They are rep-
resented in South America by the tribe Catharo-
somatini, but have not been very successful dis-
persing northwards. Only two species are known
from Central America, Iulidesmus isthmianus
(Loomis, 1961) from Panama and I. moorei (Hoff-
man, 1977) from Costa Rica. Another species, I.
semirugosus (Pocock, 1888) is known from the Car-
ibbean island of Dominica, although this could be
the result of an introduction from an unknown
source (Hoffman 1977).
Nevertheless, up to this day four species of
diverse origin have colonized more or less suc-
cessfully several North American territories
(Hoffman 1999): Oxidus gracilis (C. L. Koch, 1847)
(Figs. 2A, 3A, 4A), currently widespread from
Canada to Mexico; Orthomorpha coarctata (DeSaus-
sure, 1860) (Figs. 2B, 3B, 4B), mostly present
around the Gulf of Mexico but also in the Mexican
Pacific coast (Cupul-Magaña & Bueno-Villegas
2006); Chondromorpha xanthotricha (Attems, 1898)
(Figs. 2C, 3C, 4C), known from several of the An-
tilles and a few scattered localities in Mexico and
southern Texas (Shelley & Cupul-Magaña 2007).
These three species are also known from multiple
areas in Central America and the Caribbean is-
lands (Hoffman 1999).
Apparently the most recent addition to this
group is Akamptogonus novarae (Humbert &
Figure 1. Habitus of Akamptogonus novarae male from
Mexico City, Mexico.
Figure 2. In situ view of gonopods from: A) Oxidus
gracilis, B) Orthomorpha coarctata, C) Chondromorpha
xanthotricha, D) Akamptogonus novarae.
DeSaussure, 1869) (Figs. 1, 2D, 3D, 4D), an Austra-
lian species sparsely reported along the coast of
California (Hoffman 1979, Shelley 2002). Akamp-
togonus is a small genus in the tribe Australioso-
matini currently comprising two species, A. nova-
rae and A. caragoon Rowe & Sierwald, 2006. Both
seem native to New South Wales, Australia, but
the former is currently widespread and found in
several Australian territories and also in New Zea-
land, Hawaii and, as mentioned before, California
(Nguyen & Sierwald 2013), indicating a strong po-
tential as an invasive species.
During separate visits into urban green areas in central
Mexico along 2013 and 2014 we observed several indi-
viduals of A. novarae, and so it is hereby reported for the
first time for this region. Sampling was performed by ac-
tive search under stones and logs, under the bark of fallen

Correspondence –Notes
387
Figure 3. Segments 9 and 10: A) Oxidus gracilis, B) Ortho-
morpha coarctata, C) Chondromorpha xanthotricha (seg-
ment 11 also shown), D) Akamptogonus novarae.
Figure 4. Body end: A) Oxidus gracilis, B) Orthomorpha
coarctata, C) Chondromorpha xanthotricha, D) Akamp-
togonus novarae.
logs, among leaf litter and other vegetal debris and inside
decayed wood. Collected specimens were preserved in
95% ethanol.
Additional information was gathered from material
deposited at the Colección Nacional de Acarología
(CNAC), Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional
Autónoma de México. Part of the observed material was
collected and deposited in the CNAC or kept in ER per-
sonal collection.
Pictures were taken with a Canon Ixus 70 digital
camera coupled to a Leica EZ4 stereo microscope. Illus-
trated specimens are currently held in ER personal collec-
tion, with codes ERG2955 (O. gracilis), ERG2909 (O. coarc-
tata), ERG2956 (C. xanthotricha) and ERG2836 (A. novarae).
The species was observed in several localities in
the south-western part of Mexico City, in habitats
with moderate to high anthropogenic disturbance,
at altitudes between 2322 to 2495 meters above sea
level (masl). Another population was located in
the State of Tlaxcala, in an urban forest with mixed
native scrub vegetation and Eucalyptus trees at an
elevation of 2311 masl. The precise data for each
population is:
Mexico City: Jardín Botánico IBUNAM,
19°19'07"N 99°11'36"W, 2326 masl, found under
stones and logs in areas of exposed volcanic rock
and scrub vegetation in several visits, 20-IX-2013
(1 ♂, 1 immature), 22-I-2014 (1 immature), 20-V-
2014 (4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 4 immatures), 29-VII-2014 (4 ♂♂,
1 ♀); Ciudad Universitaria, 19°19'17"N 99°11'34"W,
2322 masl, found in a sidewalk by a recently
mowed meadow, 7-XI-2013 (1 ♂); Bosque de Tlal-
pan, 19°17'46"N 99°12'02"W, 2389 masl, found un-
der stones and vegetal debris in scrubland and
Eucalyptus plantation on volcanic soil in several
visits, 7-XII-2013 (1 ♂), 13-VII-2014 (1 ♂, 2 ♀♀), 22-
VIII-2014 (1 ♂, 2 immatures); Colonia Ampliación
Miguel Hidalgo, found in a small flower bed, in-
side a large piece of partially decayed Yucca log,
19°16'59"N 99°12'38"W, 2495 masl, 4-XII-2014 (4
♂♂, 1 ♀, 32 immatures); CNAC-DI000386, “Km. 5.5
antigua carretera México-Cuernavaca”, C. Beutel-
spacher leg., 15-VIII-1983 (4 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀).
Tlaxcala: Parque de la Amistad, San Diego
Metepec, 19°17'58.9"N 98°14'41.4"W, 2311 masl,
found under vegetal debris in scrubland and Euca-
lyptus plantation on sandy soil, 5-VII-2014 (2 ♂♂, 2
♀♀).
Additionally, another specimen with no local-
ity data but undoubtedly from somewhere in
Mexico, is deposited at the CNAC: CNAC-
DI000251, C. V. Castelo leg., 20-VIII-1998 (1 ♂).
Akamptogonus novarae is readily identifiable and
distinguishable from the rest of the paradoxoso-
matids already established in North America. De-
tailed diagnosis can be found in Shelley & Lehti-
nen (1998) and Rowe & Sierwald (2006). As usual
in most Diplopoda, the best identification method
is checking the structure of male gonopods (Fig. 2,
see also illustrations in Shelley & Lehtinen 1998),
but there are also other non-gonopodal characters
that seem reliable for that purpose, as shown in
the following key. Non-gonopodal characters use-

North-Western Journal of Zoology 12(2) / 2016
388
ful for identification are important, as collections
often do not include adult males. To make the key
useful at a larger geographical scale, we included
all naturalized species and also Iulidesmus species
known from Central Amer- ica and the Caribbean
islands (characters taken from the literature):
1. Reduced paranota (Figs. 3D, 4D) 2
— Paranota well developed, even in segments 18-
19 (Figs. 3A-C, 4A-C) 5
2. Pleurosternal carinae absent; only known in
America from California and Central Mexico
Akamptogonus novarae
— Pleurosternal carinae (Fig. 5) well-marked……3
3. Dorsal surface irregularly roughened; known
only from Dominica Iulidesmus semirugosus
— Dorsal surface smooth 4
4. Coloration generally dark brown with a narrow
yellow/whitish, moniliform, middorsal band;
transverse sulcus (Fig. 5) in metazonites shallow;
known only from Costa Rica Iulidesmus moorei
— Coloration generally dark brown with a broad
yellow/whitish middorsal band; transverse sulcus
(Fig. 5) in metazonites strongly impressed; known
only from Panama Iulidesmus isthmianus
5. Metazonites with granular surface and with
three transverse rows of setae; setae from the pos-
terior side are especially conspicuous as they are
directed backwards, overlapping the following
prozonite (Figs. 3C, 4C)
Chondromorpha xanthotricha
— Metazonites with smooth surface (Figs. 3A-B,
4A-B) 6
6. Posterior angles of paranota acute and clearly
extending beyond metazonites’ posterior margin
(Figs. 3B, 4B) Orthomorpha coarctata
— Posterior angles of paranota not acutely pro-
duced caudad in most of the segments, being so
only in segments 16 to 19 (Figs. 3A, 4A)
Oxidus gracilis
Even if the presence of this Australian invader in
Mexico has remained unnoticed until now, it
seems that, as indicated by the material deposited
in the CNAC collection, A. novarae has been estab-
lished in the region at least since the early 80's, not
much later than the first report in California (Hoff-
man 1979). This species has been found in two dif-
ferent areas in central Mexico, distant by almost
100 km. Further sampling will determine whether
this population areas are isolated (suggesting at
least two introduction events) or if the species has
been able to spread over this distance from a sin-
gle introduced population.
As usual in this kind of organisms, it is likely
that the arrival of A. novarae in Mexico was unin-
tentional. Curiously, all localities where it has
been found are characterized by the presence of
Eucalyptus plantations. It is a possibility that its in-
troduction was associated with the original stocks
for any of these plantations, either seeds or seed-
lings. However, with the current information at
hand it is not possible to determine neither how it
arrived in Mexico nor where it came from. Further
studies using molecular markers and a full sam-
pling of the species could clarify some of these
points. This species has been found in strict sym-
patry with both native (Cleidogona, Parajulus, Peri-
dontodesmus) and introduced (Cylindroiulus,
Polydesmus, Oxidus) millipedes. Detailed studies
are necessary to evaluate its effects on native local
communities of soil organisms.
Acknowledgments. Thanks to M. en C. Griselda Montiel
Parra, for providing access to the Diplopoda material
deposited at the Colección Nacional de Acaros, Instituto
de Biología, UNAM. We are also thankful to Patricia
Ornelas and Carlos Pedraza for their assistance in the
sampling journey to Tlaxcala, to Jorge Rodriguez for help
with some of the literature, and to the three anonymous
reviewers for constructive remarks on an earlier version
of the manuscript. Ernesto Recuero was supported by a
DGAPA-UNAM postdoctoral fellowship and is a
postdoctoral fellowship in the "Red Temática Biología,
Manejo y Conservación de la Fauna Nativa en Ambientes
Antropizados" supported by CONACYT.
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Cupul-Magaña, F.G., Bueno-Villegas, J. (2006): Primer registro de
Asiomorpha coarctata (DeSaussure, 1860) (Diplopoda:
Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) para Jalisco y Nayarit,
México. Dugesiana 13: 45–48.
Figure 5. Schematic representa-
tion of a metazonite o
f
Iulidesmus semirugosus show-
ing the main structures.
TS: transverse sulcus;
O: ozopore; P: paranotum;
PC: pleurosternal carina;
SP: spiracles.

Correspondence –Notes
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invasive species pathways in an era of globalization. Journal of
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Mexico
Article No.: e152303
Received: 17. June 2015 / Accepted: 01. October 2015
Available online: 13. November 2015 / Printed: December 2016
Ernesto RECUERO1,2,*
and Mario GARCÍA-PARÍS3
1. Departamento de Ecología de la Biodiversidad, Instituto de
Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap. Postal
70-275, Ciudad Universitaria, México DF, 04510, Mexico.
2. Laboratorio de Zoología, Facultad Ciencias Naturales, Universi-
dad Autónoma de Querétaro. Avd. de las Ciencias S/N, Juriquilla,
Querétaro, 76230, Mexico.
3. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Na-
cional de Ciencias Naturales MNCN-CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal
2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
*Corresponding author, E. Recuero,
E-mail: ernestorecuerogil@gmail.com
Antropogenic effect or niche prefer-
ence? contributions to the knowledge
of Hemidactylus mabouia invasion in
South America
The African gekkonid lizard Hemidactylus mabouia
(Moreau De Jonnès 1818) is a nonindigenous spe-
cies widely distributed in Brazil and other areas of
the Americas (e.g. Rocha et al. 2011, Fierro-Cabo &
Rentfro 2014). It is usually associated with an-
thropic environments (Vanzolini et al. 1980), using
areas closer to artificial lighting sources as hunting
grounds (Daniells et al. 2008). In some cases, H.
mabouia associates to some degree with the local
native assemblage (Anjos et al. 2008, Rocha &
Vrcibradic 1998, Hatano et al. 2001, Koski et al.
2013).
The records of H. mabouia in Brazilian natural
environments are increasing, and include most bi-
omes (e.g. Vanzolini 1968, 1978, Telles et al. 2015)
except Amazônia (Rocha et al. 2011). In this study,
we conducted surveys to identify new occurrences
of H. mabouia in natural environments along the
coast of Espírito Santo state, in southeastern Bra-
zil. We also documented the vegetation types
(mesohabitats) and microhabitats used by the spe-
cies. Additionally, we evaluated if its presence is
related to the intensity of habitat modification.
Restingas are sandy coastal habitats characterized by
sand dune formations, with relatively high temperatures
and low availability of free water compared to other eco-
systems within the Atlantic Rainforest biome (Rocha et al.
2003). The vegetation structure varies as the distance from
the seashore increases, resulting in distinct mesohabitats
or vegetation zones: herbaceous, sparse shrubs, closed
post-beach, and restinga forest.
We surveyed five sandy dune sites along the state of
Espírito Santo (datum WGS84): Praia das Neves (21.14°N,