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The role of progenitor/stem cells in pituitary tumorigenesis, resistance to pharmacological treatments and tumor recurrence is still unclear. This study investigated the presence of progenitor/stem cells in non-functioning pituitary tumors (NFPTs) and tested the efficacy of dopamine receptor type 2 (DRD2) and somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) agonists to inhibit in vitro proliferation. They found that 70% of 46 NFPTs formed spheres co-expressing stem cell markers, transcription factors (DAX1, SF1, ERG1) and gonadotropins. Analysis of tumor behavior showed that spheres formation was associated with tumor invasiveness (OR = 3,96; IC: 1.05-14.88, p = 0.036). The in vitro reduction of cell proliferation by DRD2 and SSTR2 agonists (31 +/- 17% and 35 +/- 13% inhibition, respectively, p < 0.01 vs. basal) occurring in about a half of NFPTs cells was conserved in the corresponding spheres. Accordingly, these drugs increased cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 and decreased cyclin D3 expression in spheres. In conclusion, they provided further evidence for the existence of cells with a progenitor/stem cells-like phenotype in the majority of NFPTs, particularly in those with invasive behavior, and demonstrated that the antiproliferative effects of dopaminergic and somatostatinergic drugs were maintained in progenitor/stem-like cells.

Aim. The induction of sleep would depend on interaction between gabaergic system and the pineal gland through its main hormone melatonin. Until few years ago benzodiazepines were the only drugs effective in the treatment of insomnia. Recently, however, both melatonin and acupressure have appear to be active in sleep disorders. The aim of study was to evaluate the efficacy of HT 7 point acupressure in insomniac. Methods. The study enrolled 25 patients affected by sleep disorders, 14 of whom had a neoplastic disease. They were treated by HT 7 stimulation for al least two consecutive weeks using a medical device named H7 Insomnia Control®. Results. An improvement in the quality of sleep was achieved in 15/25 (60%) patients, with a more evident efficacy in cancer patients (11/14 [79%]). Conclusion. This study confirms previous clinical data showing the efficacy of acupressure in the treatment of sleep disorders, particularly in cancer-related insomnia.

AIM: The recent rediscovery of the natural traditional medical sciences has contributed to improve the treatment of the human diseases and, in particular, it has been shown that the pharmacological approach is not the only possible strategy in the treatment of nausea and vomiting, since bioenergetic approaches, such as acupressure and acupuncture, may also counteract the onset of vomiting due to different causes. Previous preliminary clinical studies had already suggested a possible efficacy of acupressure also in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced vomiting resistant to the classical antiemetic drugs. The aim of this study was to confirm these preliminary data. METHODS: The study was performed in 100 consecutive metastatic solid tumour patients, who underwent chemotherapy for their advanced neoplastic disease, and who had no benefit from the standard antiemetic agents, including corticosteroids, antidopaminergics and 5-HT 3R-antagonists. Acupressure was made by a stimulation of PC6 acupoint. RESULTS: The emetic symptomatology was reduced by acupressure in 68/100 (68%) patients, without significant differences in relation to tumour histotype. The lowest efficacy was observed in patients treated by anthracycline-containing regimens, without, however, statistically significant differences with respect to the other chemotherapeutic combinations. CONCLUSION: This study confirms previous preliminary clinical results, which had already suggested the potential efficacy of acupressure in the treatment of vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy. Therefore, acupressure may be successfully included within the therapeutic strategies of cancer chemotherapy-induced vomiting.

AIM: Corticosteroids, antidopaminergig agents and 5-HT3 antagonists are the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced vomiting. Acupuncture and acupressure have also appeared to exert antiemetic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupressure in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced vomiting resistant to the standard antiemetic therapies. METHODS: The study included 40 consecutive advanced cancer patients with untreatable chemotherapy-induced vomiting. Colorectal cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer were the neoplasm most frequent in our patients. According to tumour histotype, patients received chemotherapeutic regimens containing the main emetic cytotoxic agents, including cisplatin and athracyclines. Acupressure was made by PC6 point stimulation for at least 6 h/day at the onset of chemotherapy. RESULTS: The therapeutic approach was well accepted by the overall patients. An evident improvement in the emetic symptomatology was achieved in 28/40 (70%) patients, without significant differences in relation to neither tumor histotype, nor type of chemotherapeutic agent. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study seems to suggest that a bioenergetic approach by acupressure on PC6 point may be effective in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced vomiting resistant to the conventional pharmacological strategies, as previously demonstrated for vomiting occurring during pregnancy

Nama gen. n. Type species: Nama richtersveldiana sp. n. Diagnosis: Small to very small Trachyphloeini, densely covered with appressed scales and some raised setae; dorso-lateral margins of rostrum sharply delimited along entire length, at base wider than space between anterior border of eyes; epistome developed; rostrum and dorsum of head capsule smoothly continuous in side view, without interruption by depression or sulcus; antennal scrobes short, directed towards eyes but not reaching them; antennal scapes robust, at apex wider than club; apex of metatibiae flattened, squamose, corbels absent; metaventral process wider than width of metacoxa, abdominal ventrites squamose, ventrite 1 longer than 2–4 combined; femora untoothed; claws free. Description: Body length (rostrum excluded): 1.6–3.4 mm. Body densely covered with appressed scales and raised setae. Elytra with one distinct row of setae, sometimes only on odd intervals. Setae on rostrum, head and pronotum irregularly scattered, on pronotum suberect, particularly on sides. Scapes densely squamose and setose, funicles setose, clubs tomentose. Femora and tibiae squamose with subspatulate to spatulate setae. Tarsi setose. Rostrum very short, 1.6–2.1 times wider than long, parallel-sided or tapered anteriad. Dorsum wide and short, with sharp lateral margins along entire length, at base wider than space between anterior border of eyes, with Ushaped or simple, narrow longitudinal furrow. Frons wide, squamose or, in N. pentamera, glabrous. Epistome distinct, separated from frons by very narrow V-shaped keel. Antennal scrobes in dorsal view invisible or visible only in apical half, in lateral view short, not reaching eyes, with ventral border curved, directed to ventral margin of eye and dorsal border directed to or above dorsal border of eye. Eyes small, without subocular fringe. Vertex flat, without fovea. Temples in lateral view with fine longitudinal striae, at least below eyes, in N. pentamera without striae. Antennal scapes robust, reaching anterior border of pronotum, 1.3–1.5 times longer than funicles; in basal part curved or S-shaped, widened apicad, in apical part robust, widest at apex and here 4–5 times wider than at base, wider than club or protibia at midlength. Funicles slender, 5 - or 7 -segmented. Clubs slender, spindle-shaped, first segment as long as or slightly longer than segments 2 and 3 combined, annulus of segment 3 visible. Pronotum 1.3–1.7 times wider than long, sides arcuate, constricted behind anterior margin, anteriorly narrower than posteriorly, occasionally with a dorsal fringe of setae. Disc regularly and weakly convex, without any differentiated sculpture. Lateral part of anterior border without postocular lobes and lacking a fringe of setae. Procoxal cavities contiguous; procoxae semiglobular, situated near anterior border of pronotum but not reaching it. Scutellum entirely concealed. Elytra oval to elongate-oval, 1.3–1.5 times longer than wide, with regularly rounded humerus, sides parallel or curved, in lateral view flat or convex. Striae very narrow, intervals wide, all almost flat. First stria at base curved towards outside, sutural interval widened at base, only in N. pentamera first stria straight at base. Mesocoxae semiglobular, mesoventral process slightly wider than one-fifth of mesocoxal width. Femora of all legs untoothed. Protibiae with apex rounded, without lobes and indentations, armed with strong or fine spines or with a fringe of fine setae and a strong mucro. Meso- and metatibiae mucronate. Apex of metatibiae flattened, densely squamose, corbels absent. Tarsi short or slender; segment 3 distinctly wider than 2, deeply bilobed; 5 distinctly exceeding 3. Claws free. Ventrite 1 longer than ventrites 2–4 combined. Ventrite 2 in middle as long as or longer than ventrite 3 or 4. Suture between 1 and 2 fine, arcuate with arch directed posteriad or straight, other sutures deep and broad. Ventrites densely squamose. Metaventral process obtuse, very wide, distinctly wider than width of metacoxa. Male genitalia. Penis parallel-sided along most of its length, short and very feebly sclerotised, only in apical part rounded or tapered. Temones 2.0– 2.4 times longer than body. Tegmen without parameres, ring very narrow, temones 3.3–4.2 times longer than tegminal manubrium. Sternite IX with spiculum gastrale moderately long, anteriorly curved and tapered, posteriorly with fused basal arms; apical plate absent. Endophallus with two long, slender, cylindrical sclerites and a long ventral slender process, in N. pentamera without sclerites. Female genitalia. Sternite VIII with spiculum ventrale slender, 2.7 –4.0 times longer than plate, at apex with indistinct caput, at base fully extending into plate almost to its apex; plate small, oval or triangular, with indistinctly delimited basal margin and with very narrow apical margin, translucent or sclerotised in the middle. Gonocoxites flat, triangular, tapered apicad, translucent, with apical cylindrical stylus bearing setae. Spermatheca C-shaped, with developed cornu, ramus and nodulus, straight ramus usually longer and wider than curved nodulus. Reproduction. All the known species are sexually reproducing. Sexual dimorphism. Not apparent in morphological characters. Distribution. The genus as known so far occurs only in the north-western part of South Africa. Etymology. The genus is named after the Nama people, an ethnic group of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. They are the largest group of the Khoikhoi people, most of who have largely disappeared as a group, and the Richtersveld Community Conservancy is their last refuge (Wikipedia contributors, 2012 b). The genus name is feminine in gender. Included taxa. Four species, here described as new, are presently known. Differential diagnosis and discussion. Nama gen. n. is included in the tribe Trachyphloeini by the presence of the following set of characters: - dorsal part of rostrum with well-defined borders along entire length, at base as wide as space between the anterior borders of eyes - epistome developed - antennal scrobes placed dorsally, furrow-shaped in lateral view - rostrum distinctly wider than long, dorsally not separated from head by a sharp, narrow, V-shaped transverse sulcus - elytra without developed humeri - entire dorsal part of the body densely covered with appressed scales - all femora untoothed - metatibiae without corbels, obliquely flattened at apex. Nama differs from the only other genus of Trachyphloeini thus far described from the South African region, Pentatrachyphloeus, in the following characters: claws free (connate in basal half in Pentatrachyphloeus), metaventral process distinctly wider than width of metacoxa (at most as wide in Pentatrachyphloeus) and ventrite 1 distinctly longer than ventrites 2–4 combined (as long as in Pentatrachyphloeus). The new genus resembles the Palaearctic trachyphloeine genera Cathormiocerus Schoenherr, 1842, Trachyphloeus Germar, 1817 and Romualdius Borovec, 2009 in having the anterior margin of the pronotum straight, without postocular lobes, lateral fringe of setae and claws free. However, Nama differs from Cathormiocerus by having all claws free in the male (connate in the fore and middle tarsi in males of Cathormiocerus), the ventrites covered with matt scales (glossy scales in Cathormiocerus), the scrobes not reaching the eyes (at least ventral border reaching eyes in Cathormiocerus), the suture between ventrites 1 and 2 straight or arcuate posteriad (suture sinuose and arcuate anteriad in Cathormiocerus) and ventrite 1 longer than ventrites 2–4 combined (shorter in Cathormiocerus). Nama is easily distinguished from Trachyphloeus by the following characters: protibiae without apical lobes and indentations (with lobes and indentations in Trachyphloeus), spiculum ventrale loosely connected to plate of sternite VIII, plate without a sharply delimited basal margin (distinctly connected to plate in a Y-shape, plate thus with a distinct basal margin in Trachyphloeus), metaventral process distinctly wider than width of metacoxa (at most as wide in Trachyphloeus), ventrite 1 longer than ventrites 2–4 combined (shorter in Trachyphloeus), suture between ventrites 1 and 2 straight or arcuate posteriad (sinuose, arcuate anteriad in Trachyphloeus). Nama is easily distinguished from Romualdius in having the rostrum dorsally not separated from the head (separated by a shallow, transverse impression in Romualdius), the sutures between ventrites 2 and 5 straight (feebly arcuate in Romualdius), the metatibiae without corbels (with corbels in Romualdius), the metaventral process distinctly wider than width of metacoxa (at most as wide in Romualdius), ventrite 1 longer than ventrites 2–4 combined (shorter in Romualdius) and sternite VIII in the female feebly sclerotised, flat, with apical setae (strongly sclerotised, longitudinally folded along spiculum ventrale, without setae in apical part in Romualdius). Description of the new species of Nama Nama richtersveldiana sp. n. Figs 1 –10, 41, 45, 49, 53. Holotype: 3, South Africa, Northern Cape, Richtersveld National Park, 5.5 km N of Helskloof Pass, 28 ° 17.211 'S 16 ° 59.378 'E, 22.ix. 2012, 570 m, M. Meregalli lgt. (TMSA). Paratypes: same data as holotype, 12 exx. (10 MER, 2 BOR); same locality, 2.xi.2011, 1 3 1 Ƥ, M. Meregalli lgt. (BOR). Description: Body length (rostrum excluded): 2.69–3.43 mm, holotype 3.19 mm. Appressed scales on entire body rounded, finely longitudinally striate, very dense, completely hiding integument. Elytral intervals with one moderately dense row of semi-erect, subspatulate setae, slightly shorter than half one interval width. Pronotum with similar semi-erect setae, irregularly scattered on disc, on sides erect and strongly prominent. Rostrum and head with short, inconspicuous, irregularly placed semi-erect setae. Elytra with dark brownish to blackish scales and yellow-greyish scales forming numerous irregular small spots, in several specimens elytra almost entirely yellow-greyish. Pronotum with two longitudinal yellow-greyish stripes, rostrum paler than head. Rostrum very short, 1.8 –2.0 times wider than long, at apex as wide as at base, with slightly concave sides. Dorsum from base to apex feebly widened, with slightly concave sides, wide, flat, with distinct, very narrow Ushaped furrow, extending from between antennal insertions to posterior edge of eyes. Frons not separated from epifrons, densely squamose. Antennal scrobes in dorsal view invisible, in lateral view short, strongly widened posteriad, ventral border feebly curved, almost reaching bottom edge of eye, dorsal border straight, parallel to dorso-lateral margin of rostrum, directed above eye. Rostrum and head in lateral view flat, with straight dorsal border. Eyes small, convex, in dorsal view moderately prominent, in lateral view placed in dorsal half of head. Head wide, in dorsal and ventral view significantly tapered anteriad. Vertex large, flat. Temples in lateral view longitudinally striate below and above eye, above eye concealed by scales. Scapes very slender in basal third, distinctly S-shaped, robust in apical two-thirds, gradually widened apicad, at apex 1.6 times wider than club and 1.5 times wider than middle of protibia. Funicles with segment 1 1.6–1.8 times longer than wide and 1.5–1.7 times longer than segment 2, which is 1.7–1.9 times longer than wide; segments 3 and 4 1.3–1.5 times longer than wide, segment 5 1.2–1.3 times longer than wide, segment 6 1.1–1.2 times longer than wide, segment 7 as long as wide. Clubs slender, 2.2–2.3 times longer than wide, segment 1 as long as segments 2 + 3 combined. Pronotum transverse, 1.6–1.7 times wider than long, widest at basal third, sides strongly rounded, distinctly constricted behind anterior margin; base arcuate; in lateral view almost flat. Elytra long, 1.4–1.5 times longer than wide, parallel-sided, base arcuate, apically broadly rounded, in lateral view flat. Striae very narrow, intervals wide, almost flat; first stria curved laterad at base, sutural interval widened at base. Protibiae moderately long, apex slightly widened laterally and mesally, rounded, armed with 6 distinct, yellowish spines and one long mucro. Tarsi slender, very long; segment 2 1.1 times wider than long; segment 3 1.2–1.3 times wider than long and 1.7–1.8 times wider than 2; segment 5 long, gradually widened apicad, 3.0 times longer than wide, 2.1–2.2 times longer than previous one, at apex as wide as segment 2. Claws long. Ventrites densely squamose, 1.1–1.2 times longer than wide. Ventrite 1 in middle longer than ventrites 2–5 combined; ventrite 2 half as long in middle than at sides, in middle as long as ventrite 3 or 4. Ventrite 5 apically subtruncate. Suture between ventrites 1 and 2 fine, deeply arcuate anteriad; other sutures straight, deep and broad. Penis short and wide, 1.6 times longer than wide, widest at base and regularly tapered apicad with straight sides, apex approximately triangular. Female genitalia. Sternite VIII with apodeme slender, 2.7–2.9 times longer than plate, extending into plate, dividing at basal part of plate into parallel-sided arms extending almost along to apex of plate. Caput small, indistinct. Plate small, oval, narrowed basad and apicad, more sclerotised in the middle, translucent at circumference. Gonocoxites flat, triangular, translucent, tapered apicad, with apical cylindrical setose stylus. Spermatheca with slender and curved cornu, large body and straight, robust ramus, twice as long as and wider than nodulus. Habitat. All the specimens were sifted from debris and dead leaves below chenopodioid shrubs (Amaranthaceae). Etymology. This species is named after the Richtersveld. Differential diagnosis. This is the largest species of the genus, easily distinguished also by the distinct Ushaped furrow on the rostrum, the invisible antennal scrobes in dorsal view, the elongate funicle segments 3 and 4 (1.3–1.5 times longer than wide), the strongly transverse pronotum (1.6–1.7 times wider than long), and the deeply arcuate suture between ventrites 1 and 2. Nama pentamera sp. n. Figs 11 –20, 42, 46, 50, 54. Holotype: 3, South Africa, Northern Cape, Richtersveld National Park, mountain S of Helskloof Pass, 28 ° 21.416 'S 16 ° 58.899 'E, 815 m, 22.ix. 2012, M. Meregalli lgt. (TMSA). Paratypes: same data as holotype, 16 exx. (12 MER, 4 BOR); South Africa, Northern Cape, Richtersveld National Park, 5.5 km N of Helskloof Pass, 28 ° 17.211 'S 16 ° 59.378 'E, 22.ix. 2012, 570 m, 2 exx., M. Meregalli lgt. (MER). Description: Body length (rostrum excluded): 1.63–1.91 mm, holotype 1.78 mm. Entire body covered with irregular, star-shaped appressed scales with five raised tips and a small impression in the middle, scales scarce, distance between two scales about as wide as diameter of a scale. Elytra with setae only on odd intervals, setae dense, semi-erect, spatulate, about as long as half one interval width. Setae on pronotum and head including rostrum similar to those on elytra, irregularly scattered, on side erect, strongly prominent. Scales and setae uniformly greyish or pale brownish on entire surface. Rostrum short, 1.6–1.8 times wider than long, parallel-sided. Dorsum strongly tapered anteriad, with linear sides, flat, with a very narrow median longitudinal furrow, extending along the entire length and reaching anterior margin of pronotum. Frons glabrous, short. Antennal scrobes in dorsal view visible in apical two thirds, in lateral view short, curved, triangle-shaped, dorsal and ventral border distinctly curved, respectively directed towards dorsal and ventral margin of eye but not reaching it. Scrobes separate from eye by a glabrous stripe. Rostrum in lateral view convex, frons oblique. Eyes small, distinctly convex, prominent. Eyes in lateral view placed in lower half of head. Head short, sides convergent anteriad. Vertex broad, moderately convex. Temples in lateral view without longitudinal striae. Scapes short, robust, extremely thickened, curved at midlength, basal half narrow, straight, apical two/thirds irregularly and abruptly widened, maximum width before apex, 1.2 times wider than club and only 1.1 times wider than middle of protibia. Funicles with segment 1 conspicuously bigger than segment 2, 1.7–1.8 times longer than wide and 1.7–1.9 times longer than segment 2, which is 1.9–2.1 times longer than wide, segment 3 1.1 times longer than wide, segment 4 as long as wide, segment 5 1.1 times wider than long. Clubs oval, much bigger than segments 2–5, 1.5–1.6 times longer than wide, first segment slightly longer than segments 2 and 3 combined. Pronotum 1.3–1.4 times wider than long, maximum width behind midlength, slightly constricted behind anterior margin, sides distinctly rounded, base straight; in lateral view feebly convex in basal half, slightly impressed in apical half. Anterior margin in lateral view obliquely directed towards underside. Elytra elongate–oval, 1.4 times longer than wide, with parallel sides, broadly rounded apicad, in lateral view almost flat, base straight. Striae hardly visible, hidden by appressed scales, intervals flat. Protibiae short and robust, widest at basal third, tapered to apex. Apex with a fringe of fine, yellowish setae, lateral and mesal edge straight, not widened, with one conspicuously long and strong mucro. Tarsi short, segment 2 1.5 times wider than long; segment 3 1.2–1.3 times wider than long and 1.2–1.3 times wider than segment 2. Tarsomere 5 distinctly widened apicad, 2.2–2.3 times longer than wide, 1.6–1.7 times longer than segment 3, at apex narrower than segment 2. Ventrites densely squamose, 1.21–1.25 times longer than wide. Ventrite 2 slightly longer than ventrites 2–4 combined. Ventrite 2 shorter in middle than at sides, in middle about as long as ventrite 3. Ventrite 5 rounded at apex. Suture between ventrites 1 and 2 fine, shallowly arcuate posteriad; other sutures straight, deep and broad. Penis along entire length approximately parallel-sided, 1.8–2.2 times longer than wide, with slightly concave sides, apex abruptly tapered to a small triangular point. Female genitalia. Sternite VIII with apodeme moderately long, slender, widest at plate base and tapered towards an indistinct caput, 2.8–3.2 times longer than plate, terminating inside plate and almost reaching apical border of plate. Plate triangular, constricted, with obtuse apex and a distinct concavity before it, with a narrow but distinct basal border, translucent in apical half. Gonocoxites flat, triangular, translucent with sclerotised external borders, tapered apicad, pointed, styli apica

Nama erikae n.sp. Figs 31 ���40, 44, 48, 52, 56. Holotype: 3, South Africa, Northen Cape, Richtersveld National Park, 5.5 km N of Helskloof Pass, 28 �� 17.211 'S 16 �� 59.378 'E, 22.ix. 2012, 570 m, M. Meregalli lgt. (TMSA). Paratypes: same data as holotype, 6 exx. (4 MER, 2 BOR). Description: Body length (rostrum excluded): 1.88���2.06 mm, holotype 2.06 mm. Entire body densely covered with irregularly, angular appressed scales, finely longitudinally striate, covering integument. Elytra with a dense row of semi-erect setae, intervals 5 and 7 with two irregular rows of setae. Setae short, spatulate, almost rounded, only slightly longer than wide, about as long as 1 / 3 to 1 / 4 of one interval width, only slightly longer than the length of one appressed scale. Pronotum and head with rostrum with setae similar to those on elytra, irregularly scattered, on pronotum erect and distinctly prominent. Pronotum with dorsal anterior fringe of setae, setae short, directed anteriad. Body dark brownish to blackish, elytra with irregular small spots of greyish scales, pronotum with two greyish longitudinal stripes, rostrum greyish. Rostrum very short, 1.9���2.1 times wider than long. Dorsum at base as wide as at apex, with concave sides, flat, with hardly visible, very narrow longitudinal median stria extended from apex to head and reaching anterior border of pronotum. Frons not separate from epifrons, short, squamose. Antennal scrobes in dorsal view visible as a short narrow furrow in apical half of rostrum, in lateral view short, distinctly widened distad, with ventral and dorsal border feebly curved, ventral border directed towards ventral margin of eye but not reaching it, dorsal border directed slightly above dorsal margin of eye. Scrobes separated from eye by a squamose stripe. Rostrum in lateral view convex. Eyes small, convex, in dorsal view not protruding from outline of head, in lateral view placed in dorsal third of head. Vertex flat. Temples in lateral view visibly longitudinally striate below eye. Scape in basal part very slender, feebly S-shaped, in apical two thirds straight, gradually widened apicad, widest at apex, 1.2 times wider than club and 1.4 times wider than middle of protibia. Funicles with segment 1 2.1��� 2.3 times longer than wide and 1.6���1.7 times longer than segment 2, which is 1.9 ���2.0 times longer than wide; segments 3 and 4 isodiametric, segment 5 1.1 times, segment 6 1.2 times and segment 7 1.5 times wider than long. Club spindle-shaped, twice longer than wide. Pronotum 1.4���1.5 times wider than long, widest at basal third, slightly constricted behind anterior margin, with rounded sides, base arcuate; in lateral view flat. Elytra oval, 1.3���1.4 times longer than wide, with rounded sides, widest at midlength, base arcuate, apically broadly rounded, in lateral view convex. Striae distinct, narrow, intervals wide, almost flat, first stria curved laterad at base, sutural interval widened at base. Protibia short, apex with slightly widened lateral and mesal edge, dull, with 5 scarce, slender, fine yellowish spines and one hook-shaped, long spine at mesal angle. Tarsi short, segment 2 1.5���1.6 times wider than long; segment 3 1.5���1.6 times wider than long and 1.4���1.5 times wider than segment 2, segment 5 moderatey widened apicad, 2.3���2.4 times longer than wide and 2.0��� 2.2 times longer than previous segment, at apex narrower than segment 2. Ventrites densely squamose, 1.0��� 1.1 times longer than wide. Ventrite 1 slightly longer than ventrites 3���4 combined. Ventrite 2 longer than ventrites 3 and 4 combined. Ventrite 5 subtruncate at apex. All sutures straight, suture between ventrites 1 and 2 fine, other sutures deep and broad. Penis short, 2.2 times longer than wide, widest at base, narrowed towards apex, apex tapered. Female genitalia. Sternite VIII with apodeme moderately long and slender, 4.0 times longer than plate, extending into plate, with terminal part ill-defined. Caput small, indistinct. Plate small, oval, basal border not clearly delimited from membranes, distinctly narrowed apicad, translucent. Gonocoxites flat, triangular, translucent, tapered apicad, styli apical, cylindrical, setose. Spermatheca with wide and almost straight cornus, indistinct corpus and robust straight ramus, twice as long and wide as curved nodulus, this inserted perpendicularly to ramus. Collection circumstances. The specimens were collected sifting soil under shrubs and stones, together with specimens of other species of the genus. Etymology. Nama erikae, very similar to N. iuliae, is named after Erika Borovcov��, R. Borovec's daughter. In the same way as these two species of Nama, Giulia Meregalli and Erika Borovcov�� resemble each other in age, figure and overall interests in life. In forming the species epithet, the name Erika is not latinised to Erica to avoid the implication that Nama erikae is associated with plants of the genus Erica, frequent in South Africa. Differential diagnosis. Nama erikae sp. n. is very similar to N. iuliae sp. n., see key and description of the latter for the discriminating characters. Key to the species of Nama 1. Funicles 5 -segmented. Elytral setae limited to odd intervals. Appressed scales scarce, not overlapping, star-shaped. Sternite VIII of female with constricted triangular plate. Length 1.6���1.9 mm............................. N. pentamera sp. n. - Funicles 7 -segmented. Elytral setae present on all intervals. Appressed scales dense, covering integument, angular or rounded. Sternite VIII of female with oval plate..................................................................... 2 2. Larger species, length 2.7���3.4 mm. Dorsum of rostrum with U-shaped longitudinal furrow. Eyes in dorsal view protruding from outline of head. Suture between ventrites 1 and 2 strongly arcuate...................... N. richtersveldiana sp. n. - Smaller species, at most 2.1 mm in length. Dorsum of rostrum at most with a narrow median longitudinal stria. Eyes in dorsal view not protruding from outline of head. Suture between ventrites 1 and 2 straight................................ 3 3. Elytra long-oval, more than 1.4 times longer than wide, in lateral view flat. Elytral setae almost as long as half width of interval, distinctly longer than wide and longer than one appressed scale length. Scapes strongly S-shaped in basal third. Length 1.9���2.1 mm.............................................................................. N. iuliae sp. n. Elytra oval, less than 1.4 times longer than wide, in lateral view convex. Elytral setae almost rounded, only slightly longer than wide, about as long as 1 / 3 to 1 / 4 of one interval width, only slightly longer than one appressed scale length. Scapes feebly Sshaped in basal third. Length 1.9 ���2.0 mm...................................................... N. erikae sp. n. Remarks. The facts that these four species of Nama represent three distinct morphological groups and that the very similar N. iuliae and N. erikae occur less than 10 km apart, in a very small and marginal part of the Richtersveld (Fig. 57), are remarkable. It seems that this previously unknown genus may have undergone an intense diversification in this area and reached a high level of differentiation, with each species apparently being quite localised. Greater exploration and more research of these small terricolous weevils in the vast territory of the Richtersveld is required to gain a better knowledge of this genus and properly delimit the distribution of all its species and recognise phylogenetic lineages among them. The fauna of Trachyphloeini of north-western South Africa and southern Namibia seems to be very rich and varied, and this study only scratches the surface of an apparently large diversity of species of the region. Several other taxa of Trachyphloeini have recently been collected by the authors in the Northern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa and in southern Namibia, some probably also referable to Nama. These taxa will be the subject of further papers. Acknowledgements We are grateful to the following colleagues for the loan of type material of South African Trachyphloeini: Max Barclay (Natural History Museum, London, UK), Roy Danielsson (Museum of Zoology, Lund, Sweden), Eva Sprecher (Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland) and Bert Viklund (Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden). We wish to thank Ruth-Mary Fisher, Hugo Bezuidenhout and Nicholas DeGoede (SANParks) for the kind assistance in obtaining the collecting permits for the Richtersveld National Park, and are indebted to Ruth M��ller (TMSA) for her continuous support of our research on South African weevils. A very sincere acknowledgement also goes to the staff of the park for their really friendly welcome during our visit. We shared the pleasure of the researches in the Richtersveld with our friends Laura Guglielmone and Nestor Vinals. Chris Lyal (Natural History Museum, London) and Rolf Oberprieler (CSIRO, Canberra) have kindly checked the English language of the manuscript and provided very useful suggestions to improve the text. References Borovec, R. (2006) Taxonomic notes on the tribe Omiini, with description of one new genus and species, and with revision of genera Anemophilus and Euplatinus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae). Klapalekiana, 42 (1���3), 1���44. Borovec, R. (2009) Revision of the Palaearctic supraspecific taxa of the tribe Trachyphloeini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae). Klapalekiana, 45, 1��� 97. Guglielmone, L. (2012) Succulents in Nature. The British Cactus and Succulent Society & Cactus & Co. 128 pp. Kania, J. (1994) A new species of Protostrophus Marshall from South Africa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Brachyderinae). Genus, 5 (3), 177���180. Lyal, C.H.C. (Ed.) (2012) Glossary of Weevil Characters. International Weevil Community Website. Available from: http:// weevil.info/glossary-weevil-characters (Accessed 21 January, 2013). Marshall, G.A.K. (1942) On some East African Otiorrhynchinae (Col., Curcul.). Annals and Magazine of Natural History, ser. 11, 9, 1���26. Marshall, G.A.K. (1943) On the multistriate Embrithini (Col., Curcul.). Annals and Magazine of Natural History, ser. 11, 10: 607���616. Oberprieler, R.G. (1988) Revision of the Tanyrhynchini of continental Africa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). 1. Introduction and review of the genera, revision of the genus Brachytrachelus Sch��nherr and description of Afroleptops gen. nov. Entomology Memoir of Department of Agriculture and Water Supply, 71, 1��� 50. Van Schalkwyk, H.A.D. (1968) A monograph of the genus Protostrophus Marshall (Col: Curculionidae, Brachyderinae). Entomology Memoir of Department of Agriculture and Water Supply, 15, 1��� 173. Van Schalkwyk, H.A.D. (1972) New species of the genera Protostrophus Marshall and Proscephaladeres Sch��nherr (Brachyderinae, Curculionidae, Coleoptera). Entomology Memoir of Department of Agriculture and Water Supply, 25, 1��� 13. Wikipedia contributors (2012 a) "Richtersveld". Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Richtersveld (Accessed 21 January 2013). Wikipedia contributors (2012 b) " Nama people". Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Nama _people (Accessed 21 January 2013). Yunakov, N. (2012) Afrotropical weevils of the Cadoderus Marshall generic complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Embrithini). Part 1. Genera: Cadoderus Marshall 1926, Sphrigodellus Marshall, 1942 and Oncophyes Marshall, 1942. Zootaxa, 3535, 1��� 104., Published as part of Borovec, R. & Meregalli, M., 2013, Soil insect research in South Africa. 1. A new genus of terricolous weevils with four new species from the Richtersveld National Park (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Trachyphloeini), pp. 501-515 in Zootaxa 3646 (5) on pages 511-515, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3646.5.1, http://zenodo.org/record/224070

Nama iuliae n.sp. Figs 21 ���30, 43, 47, 51, 55. Holotype: 3, South Africa, Northern Cape, Richtersveld National Park, mountain S of Helskloof Pass, 28 �� 21.416 'S 16 �� 58.899 'E, 815 m, 22.ix. 2012, M. Meregalli lgt. (TMSA). Paratypes: same locality as holotype, 1 3 (BOR), 1 �� (MER). Description: Body length (rostrum excluded): 1.94���2.06 mm, holotype 1.94 mm. Appressed scales on entire body irregularly angular, dense, completely covering integument, finely longitudinally striate. Elytra with a dense row of reclined setae. Setae spatulate, wide, almost as long as half width of interval and longer than the length of a scale. Pronotum and head with rostrum with setae similar to those on elytra, but shorter, irregularly scattered, on sides erect, strongly prominent. Pronotum with a dorsal anterior fringe of setae, setae long, directed anteriad. Scales and setae uniformly coloured, greyish or pale brownish. Rostrum very short, 1.9���2.1 times wider than long, slightly and regularly tapered anteriad, with straight sides. Dorsum almost parallel-sided, wide, flat, with a barely delimited, almost invisible, very short and narrow longitudinal median furrow in apical half. Frons not separated from epifrons, short, squamose. Antennal scrobes in dorsal view visible as a short slender furrow in apical half of rostrum, in lateral view short, distinctly widened distad, almost triangular, with ventral border feebly curved, directed towards ventral margin of eye but not reaching it, dorsal border indistinctly curved, directed slightly above dorsal margin of eye. Scrobes separated from eye by a squamose stripe. Rostrum in lateral view convex. Eyes small, convex, in dorsal view not prominent, in lateral view placed in dorsal half of head. Vertex flat. Temples in lateral view visibly longitudinally striate below and above eye. Scape at basal third slender, conspicuously S-shaped, in apical two thirds moderately robust, gradually widened apicad, widest at apex, 1.3 times wider than club and 1.2 times wider than middle of protibia. Funicles with segment 1 conical, distinctly bigger than segment 2, 1.6���1.7 times longer than wide and 1.9 ���2.0 times longer than segment 2, which is 1.4���1.5 times longer than wide, segments 3���5 1.1 times wider than long, segment 6 1.2��� 1.3 and segment 7 1.3���1.4 times transverse. Clubs slender, 2.1���2.3 times longer than wide. Pronotum 1.3 times wider than long, maximum width at basal third, slightly constricted behind anterior margin, with rounded sides, base arcuate; in lateral view flat. Elytra long-oval, 1.4���1.5 times longer than wide, with slightly rounded sides, widest at midlength, base arcuate, apically broadly rounded, in lateral view flat. Striae distinct, narrow, intervals wide, almost flat, first stria curved laterad at base, sutural interval widened at base. Protibiae short, with lateral and mesal edge straight, apex dull, with 5 scarce, fine, short, yellowish spines and a long, hook-shaped mucro. Tarsi short, segment 2 1.6���1.7 times wider than long; segment 3 1.6���1.7 times wider than long and 1.4���1.5 times wider than segment 2, segment 5 distinctly widened apicad, 2.3���2.4 times longer than wide and 2.3 times longer than segment 3, at apex narrower than segment 2. Ventrites densely squamose, 1.2 times longer than wide. Ventrite 1 slightly longer than ventrites 2���4 combined. Ventrite 2 longer than ventrites 3 and 4 combined. Ventrite 5 subtruncate at apex. All sutures straight, suture between ventrites 1 and 2 fine, other sutures deep and broad. Penis long, 3.0 times longer than wide, parallel-sided, slightly widest at apical portion, apex broadly rounded. Female genitalia. Sternite VIII with apodeme moderately long, slender, 4.2 times longer than plate, extending into plate, terminal part ill-defined. Caput small, indistinct. Plate small, oval, not clearly delimited from membranes at base, and with very narrow translucent, apical border. Gonocoxites flat, triangular, translucent, tapered apicad, with apical cylindrical setose styli. Spermatheca with indistinct corpus and robust straight ramus, twice as long and wide as curved nodulus, oblique to ramus. Collection circumstances. The three specimens were sifted below and at the margin of large and flat stones and underneath mesembryanthemoid shrubs, amidst detritus and dry soil litter. Etymology. This species is named after Giulia Meregalli, M. Meregalli's daughter. See etymology of N. erikae for further remarks. Differential diagnosis. Nama iuliae is very similar to N. erikae sp. n. in the following characters: elytra with very dense row of subspatulate erect setae; head with eyes not protruding from outline; the straight suture between ventrites 1 and 2. It can be differentiated by the apex of the protibia with straight mesal and lateral edges, the more slender pronotum (1.3 times wider than long), the shorter first two funicle segments, the long penis, parallel-sided, slightly widest at apical portion, with broadly rounded apex and the nodulus of the spermatheca oblique to the ramus., Published as part of Borovec, R. & Meregalli, M., 2013, Soil insect research in South Africa. 1. A new genus of terricolous weevils with four new species from the Richtersveld National Park (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Trachyphloeini), pp. 501-515 in Zootaxa 3646 (5) on pages 508-510, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3646.5.1, http://zenodo.org/record/224070

A phylogenetic analysis of the Saxifraga-associated species of Dichotrachelus was carried out based on morphological and, for some species, molecular data. The various methods implemented gave congruent results and yielded a significantly supported phylogenetic inference of the relationships among the species. Saxifraga-associated species form a monophyletic unit, and some species-groups were evidenced, distributed in the eastern, central and western Alps, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic inference, and taking into account palaeogeological and palaeogeographical information, a biogeographic scenario of the events that may have led to the present-day distribution is proposed.