First records of Aedes pulcritarsis (Rondani, 1872) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Austria

Aedes pulcritarsis is a tree-hole breeding species with its main distribution in the Mediterranean area. Within the scope of two independent monitoring programmes, this mosquito species was detected for the first time in Austria, in the province of Lower Austria (2018, districts Mistelbach and Gaenserndorf; 2020, district Bruck an der Leitha). As the climatic and habitat situation in Central Europe seems to be generally suitable for this species, the most likely explanation for the species not being recorded previously is that it might have been overlooked in the past due to its specialized breeding habitat. However, further research on the distribution of Ae. pulcritarsis in Austria would be needed to support this hypothesis. The results from this study will contribute to the investigation of the northern distribution limit of Ae. pulcritarsis in Europe and possible changes thereof.

Factors Influencing Habitat Selection of Three Cryptobenthic Clingfish Species in the Shallow North Adriatic Sea

Cryptobenthic fishes were often overlooked in the past due to their cryptic lifestyle, so knowledge of their ecology is still incomplete. One of the most poorly studied taxa of fishes in the Mediterranean Sea is clingfish. In this paper we examine the habitat preferences of three clingfish species (Lepadogaster lepadogaster, L. candolii, and Apletodon incognitus) occurring in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic). The results show that all three species have a cryptic lifestyle and are well-segregated based on their depth distribution and macro- and microhabitat preferences. L. lepadogaster inhabits shallow waters of the lower mediolittoral and upper infralittoral, where it occurs on rocky bottoms under stones. L. candolii similarly occurs in the rocky infralittoral under stones, but below the lower distribution limit of L. lepadogaster, and in seagrass meadows, where it occupies empty seashells. Such hiding places in seagrass meadows are also occupied by A. incognitus, which mostly occurs below the lower distribution limit of L. candolii. Despite the overlap of depth and macrohabitat, the probability of individuals of two species encountering each other or competing in the same habitat is low when the depth range is combined with the microhabitat preferences of these species.

Pelagic amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyperiidea) in western Mexico. 3. Family Lestrigonidae

Thirteen species belonging to five genera of pelagic amphipods of the family Lestrigonidae were collected during a deep-water survey off western Mexico: four species of Hyperietta, two species of Hyperioides, five species of Lestrigonus, and one species each of Phronimopsis and Themistella. This represents 93% of all known species of Lestrigonidae world-wide. A total of 1092 specimens were obtained in 40 sampling localities in the Gulf of California (35) and off southwestern Mexico (5). Although sampling methodology was rather heterogeneous, two species, Hyperioides sibaginis and Lestrigonus bengalensis, were particularly abundant (336 and 562 specimens) and frequent (present in 24 and 31 localities) in the samples, representing 82% of the total catch. The southernmost distribution limit of Hyperietta stebbingi is extended to off SW Mexico. Of the 13 species that were collected during this survey, 10 and 8 species co-occurred at two sampling localities in the SE Gulf of California.

Species of Euryplacidae (Brachyura) in western Mexico

Two species of Euryplacidae were collected in western Mexico. Trizocarcinus dentatus (12 localities) and Euryplax polita (4 localities) were both found in the Gulf of California. In the case of E. polita 11 specimens (5 males, 5 females, one ovigerous female) were obtained, while in the case of T. dentatus 42 specimens (25 males, 10 females, 7 ovigerous females) were collected. The northern distribution limit of E. polita is extended to the northern Gulf of California (28°16′N 111°36′W). Environmental data for both species are provided, including depth range, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and sediment composition.