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The genus Lissocnemis Kohl, 1907 of the subfamily Ctenocerinae is recorded from Korea for the first time. The diagnosis and characteristics of the genus, description of a new species, L. koreana Kim & Shimizu sp. nov. and redescription of another species, L. brevipennis hitherto known from Southeast Asia and Japan, are presented. The biogeographical distribution of the genus is discussed. Cryptosalius Turner, 1917 (type species: Pseudagenia rava Bingham, 1896; in part) and Dinagenia Banks, 1934 (type species: D. apollo Banks, 1934) are synonymized with Lissocnemis and the following new combinations are made: Lissocnemis tonkinensis (Turner, 1920) comb. nov. (= Cryptosalius tonkinensis Turner, 1920); Lissocnemis apollo (Banks, 1934) comb. nov. (= Dinagenia apollo Banks, 1934); and Lissocnemis satyrus (Banks, 1938) comb. nov. (= Dinagenia satyrus Banks, 1938). Lastly, L. satyrus (Banks, 1938) and L. nigricoxis Haupt, 1941 are rendered to be junior synonyms of L. apollo (Banks, 1934) comb. nov.
Due to the fragility of the ophiuroid (brittle star) skeleton, the bulk of the group’s fossil record consists of dissociated ossicles preserved as microfossils. In spite of their great potential as basis for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, however, ophiuroid ossicles from the Paleozoic have received very little attention so far. Here, we provide an exhaustive taxonomic assessment of such fossils retrieved from sieving residues from the Silurian of Gotland, Sweden. This material was used in a previous study to describe two key taxa that allowed constraining the origin of the extant ophiuroid clade. The remaining taxa belonging to that same lineage are described in the present paper. The evidence at hand suggests that the stem of the extant ophiuroid clade was formed by two genera, Ophiopetagno and Ophiolofsson gen. nov., including six and five species, respectively, and spanning at least the upper Llandovery through upper Ludlow. We conclude that Ophiopetagno and Ophiolofsson represent sister genera that coexisted through most of the Silurian in the shallow tropical seas of Gotland. They underwent repeated body size reductions in correlation with environmental perturbations, with Ophiopetagno paicei eventually giving rise to Muldaster haakei; the first member of the living Ophiuroidea. Herein, we also introduce two new clades, Ankhurida clade nov. and Ophiovalida clade nov., and the following eight new species: Ophiolofsson joelmciveri gen. et sp. nov., O. obituary gen. et sp. nov., O. immolation gen. et sp. nov., O. archspire gen. et sp. nov., O. hendersonorum gen. et sp. nov., Ophiopetagno bonzo sp. nov., O. kansas sp. nov., O. doro sp. nov.; and two probably new species in open nomenclature: Ophiopetagno sp. 1, and Ophiopetagno sp. 2.
Highlights
• A proteomic analysis of the mandibular glands of Shinisaurius crocodilurus and Corucia zebrata, was performed.
• Scanning electron microscopy of S. crocodilurus' teeth revealed a sharp ridge on the anterior surface, but no grooves.
• Scanning electron microscopy of C. zebrata teeth showed a flattened crown with a pointed cusp.
• Proteomic analysis of gland extracts of S. crocodilurus and C. zebrata showed absence of venom-derived peptides or proteins.
• Our results strongly support the non-venomous character of both S. crocodilurus and C. zebrata.
Abstract
Based on its phylogenetic relationship to monitor lizards (Varanidae), Gila monsters (Heloderma spp.), and the earless monitor Lanthanotus borneesis, the Chinese crocodile lizard, Shinisaurus crocodilurus, has been assigned to the Toxicofera clade, which comprises venomous reptiles. However, no data about composition and biological activities of its oral secretion have been reported. In the present study, a proteomic analysis of the mandibular gland of S. crocodilurus and, for comparison, of the herbivorous Solomon Island skink Corucia zebrata, was performed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the teeth from S. crocodilurus revealed a sharp ridge on the anterior surface, but no grooves, whereas those of C. zebrata possess a flattened crown with a pointed cusp. Proteomic analysis of their gland extracts provided no evidence of venom-derived peptides or proteins, strongly supporting the non-venomous character of these lizards. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD039424.
Highlights
• Proteomic analyses of submandibular gland extracts of two alligator lizards of the Anguidae family are reported.
• A conserved set of putative toxins was found in the submandibular gland extracts of Abronia lythrochila and A. graminea.
• Toxins evolved in oral secretions of paleo- and neoanguimorpha over more than 100 million years of Anguimorpha cladogenesis.
• Electron microscopy of pleurodont teeth of A. lythrochila showed no sign of groove, external opening or striations.
• Assessing the role toxins play in the ecology of extant anguimorph lizards deserves functional studies in natural prey.
Abstract
A useful approach to deepen our knowledge about the origin and evolution of venom systems in Reptilia has been exploring the vast biodiversity of this clade of vertebrates in search of orally produced proteins with toxic actions, as well as their corresponding delivery systems. The occurrence of toxins in anguimorph lizards has been demonstrated experimentally or inferred from reports of the toxic effects of the oral secretions of taxa within the Varanidae and Helodermatidae families. In the present study, we have focused on two alligator lizards of the Anguidae family, the Mexican alligator lizard, Abronia graminea, and the red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard, A. lythrochila. In addition, the fine morphology of teeth of the latter species is described. The presence of a conserved set of proteins, including B-type natriuretic peptides, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, group III phospholipase A2, and kallikrein, in submandibular gland extracts was demonstrated for both Abronia species. These proteins belong to toxin families found in oral gland secretions of venomous reptile species. This finding, along with previous demonstration of toxin-producing taxa in both paleo- and neoanguimorpha clades, provides further support for the existence of a handful of conserved toxin families in oral secretions across the 100+ million years of Anguimorpha cladogenesis.
Among the 44 genera of predatory stink bugs (Asopinae) described for the Old World, there is a notable lack of recent studies. In this research, we aim to fill this gap by investigating the taxonomic history and morphology of species of Cantheconidea. As results, we present the redescription of the genus and validate three species: C. humeralis, C. javana and C. mitis comb. nov. A lectotype for C. mitis is designated and comments on the type material are given. Additionally, we transfer four species from Cantheconidea to the genus Eocanthecona: E. acuta comb. nov., E. variabilis comb. nov., E. gaugleri comb. nov. and E. insularis comb. nov. To accommodate the unique characteristics of Cantheconidea cyanacantha, we describe a new genus, Cantheconesia Brugnera & Roca-Cusachs gen. nov., and transfer the species, resulting in Cantheconesia cyanacantha gen. et comb. nov. Our study provides detailed redescriptions of species and accompanying images to support taxonomic decisions and presents new distribution records.
A comprehensive checklist and host plants of Aphididae (Aphidomorpha: Hemiptera) from Pakistan
(2024)
The family Aphididae (Hemiptera) represents one of the most diverse groups of sap-sucking insect pests referred to as aphids or plant-lice, with 366 species reported in Pakistan, associated with wide array of agricultural and horticultural crops, including fruit and forest trees, weeds, grasses, shrubs, and vines. This work aims to provide an updated checklist of aphids and their associated host plants documented across various regions of Pakistan. The checklist consolidates information from various published literature sources, including annotated checklists, regional distribution data, and host plant records from Pakistan. In this study, we present an annotated checklist of 366 aphid species, belonging to 134 genera and 11 subfamilies, associated with a total of 359 host plant species stretched over 84 families in Pakistan.
Samples of Crustacea and Annelida (Polychaeta, Sipuncula, and Hirudinea) were collected in the Bering Sea and the northwestern Pacific Ocean during scientific cruise SO-249 BERING in 2016. Biological samples were collected from 32 locations by the team on-board RV Sonne using a chain bag dredge at depths ranging between 330–5,070 m, and preserved in 96% ethanol. Specimens were morphologically identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible using a Leica M60 stereomicroscope. The generated data here comprise taxonomic information as well as annotated bathymetric and biogeographic information from a total of 78 samples (26 Crustacea, 47 Polychaeta, 4 Sipuncula, and 1 Hirudinea). The dataset was prepared following Darwin Core Biodiversity standards for FAIR data sharing based on Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) and Global Biodiversity Facility (GBIF) guidelines. The standardised digitised data were then mobilised to both OBIS and GBIF under CC BY 4.0 licence to publicly share and adopt the data. As records of these important marine taxa from bathyal and abyssal depths are sparse, especially from the deep Bering Sea, the herein generated and digitised data aid in filling existing knowledge gaps on their diversity and distribution in that region. As part of the “Biogeography of the NW Pacific deep-sea fauna and their possible future invasions into the Arctic Ocean” (BENEFICIAL) project, this dataset thus not only increases our knowledge in re-assessing and uncovering the deep-sea diversity of these taxa, but also serves policy and management sectors by providing first-hand data for global report assessments.
The monophyly of Theraphosinae is supported by both morphological and molecular phylogenies. However, intergeneric relationships often show polytomies and branches with low support. A previous phylogenetic study proposed an intergeneric relationship for the subfamily based on molecular data and divided it into three tribes: Grammostolini, Hapalopini and Theraphosini. However, not all genera of Theraphosinae were sampled, and some relationships were inferred based on morphological similarities. Regarding the Hapalopini from Brazil, the relationships of some genera are still uncertain, such as Kochiana, Catanduba, and Munduruku. In this paper, we describe four new species of Hapalopini from Brazil: Cyriocosmus paresi sp. nov., Hapalopus akroa sp. nov., H. guidonae sp. nov., and K. fukushimae sp. nov. In addition, we propose an updated diagnosis for these three genera and for the species K. brunnipes and M. bicoloratum.
Ophioderma teres (Lyman, 1860), an ophiuroid previously believed to have a wide distribution in the eastern Pacific, has been found to have an unclear taxonomic identity. While considered a well-known species, recent studies have revealed that O. teres lacks a holotype and has vague boundaries with its congeners Ophioderma teres unicolor H.L. Clark, 1940 and Ophioderma sodipallaresi Caso, 1986, as well as with two additional new morphotypes detected in Mexico and Nicaragua, causing continuous misidentifications. This study utilized an integrative taxonomy approach based on morphologic, morphometric, and molecular evidence to clarify the taxonomic status of O. teres, O. sodipallaresi, O. teres unicolor, and the two new morphotypes. Data integration led to the following results: 1) the neotype designation and redescription of O. teres; 2) the proposal of O. sodipallaresi as a junior synonym of O. teres; 3) the status change of O. unicolor stat. nov. from subspecies to species, and 4) the description of the morphotypes as the new species Ophioderma aija sp. nov. and Ophioderma bichi sp. nov. An identification key to the eastern Pacific species of Ophioderma was also developed. This work contributes to the knowledge of Ophioderma in the region, increasing the number of described species and providing resources for their accurate identification.
In this study, we describe two new species of Mesobiotus based on morphological data collected through light and scanning electron microscopy. Descriptions include DNA sequences of four commonly used molecular markers (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS-2, and COI). Mesobiotus efa sp. nov. was discovered in North-West Russia and belongs to the group of species with smooth cuticle, harmsworthi-type OCA, typical Mesobiotus claws IV with unindented lunules, and egg chorion with reticulated processes in form of ‘sharp wide cones’ or ‘cones with long slender endings’, egg process bases with well-developed crone of dark thickenings without finger-like projections, and egg shell surface between the processes with ridges without reticulation, areolation or semi-areolation. It can be distinguished from all know species of this group by a unique combination of morphological and morphometric characters. Mesobiotus vulpinus sp. nov. was found in the Russian Far East, and is similar to Mesobiotus mauccii by having an egg chorion with polygonal relief. The new species can be distinguished from M. mauccii by having a narrower buccal tube, by details of oral cavity armature, and by longer egg chorion processes. Furthermore, we provide results of the phylogenetic analyses of the genus Mesobiotus conducted in this study.
Although semi-aquatic cockroaches have been known for a long time, these insects remain little studied and their diversity underestimated. While a few species are known from Asia or South America, only a single one is known to be associated with water in Africa. Here, we report two species of semi-aquatic cockroaches of the subfamily Epilamprinae from Cameroon. One of these species is new: Rhabdoblatta fotoi Nyame Mbia, Legendre & Biram à Ngon sp. nov. Africalolampra camerunensis (Borg, 1902) comb. nov. was also found associated to these streams and we provide an extended description of this species, as well as for Africalolampra stipata comb. nov., also known from streams in West Africa. Another species was found in Cameroonian streams and is described here, although only identified at the family level (Blattellidae). The descriptions are based on morpho-anatomic characters, including male genitalia. Because nymphs were found primarily associated with water – more than adults – we provide a description of nymphs whenever possible. We provide molecular data (12S rRNA marker) for two of these water-associated species that we compared with published and unpublished sequences of Epilamprinae in a Maximum Likelihood approach. We also illustrate all but one species from continental Africa in the genera Africalolampra and Rhabdoblatta, including R. punctipennis (Saussure, 1895) which we reinstate. We provide a map and list of localities for Africalolampra and Rhabdoblatta spp. from continental Africa and Madagascar, as well as an identification key for species of Africalolampra. We finally discuss putative adaptations of semi-aquatic cockroaches.
Discoveries of new species often depend on one or a few specimens, leading to delays as researchers wait for additional context, sometimes for decades. There is currently little professional incentive for a single expert to publish a stand-alone species description. Additionally, while many journals accept taxonomic descriptions, even specialist journals expect insights beyond the descriptive work itself. The combination of these factors exacerbates the issue that only a small fraction of marine species are known and new discoveries are described at a slow pace, while they face increasing threats from accelerating global change. To tackle this challenge, this first compilation of Ocean Species Discoveries (OSD) presents a new collaborative framework to accelerate the description and naming of marine invertebrate taxa that can be extended across all phyla. Through a mode of publication that can be speedy, taxonomy-focused and generate higher citation rates, OSD aims to create an attractive home for single species descriptions. This Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA) approach emphasises thorough, but compact species descriptions and diagnoses, with supporting illustrations and with molecular data when available. Even basic species descriptions carry key data for distributions and ecological interactions (e.g., host-parasite relationships) besides universally valid species names; these are essential for downstream uses, such as conservation assessments and communicating biodiversity to the broader public.This paper presents thirteen marine invertebrate taxa, comprising one new genus, eleven new species and one re-description and reinstatement, covering wide taxonomic, geographic, bathymetric and ecological ranges. The taxa addressed herein span three phyla (Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata), five classes, eight orders and twelve families. Apart from the new genus, an updated generic diagnosis is provided for four other genera. The newly-described species of the phylum Mollusca are Placiphorella methanophila Vončina, sp. nov. (Polyplacophora, Mopaliidae), Lepetodrilus marianae Chen, Watanabe & Tsuda, sp. nov. (Gastropoda, Lepetodrilidae), Shinkailepas gigas Chen, Watanabe & Tsuda, sp. nov. (Gastropoda, Phenacolepadidae) and Lyonsiella illaesa Machado & Sigwart, sp. nov. (Bivalvia, Lyonsiellidae). The new taxa of the phylum Arthropoda are all members of the subphylum Crustacea: Lepechinella naces Lörz & Engel, sp. nov. (Amphipoda, Lepechinellidae), Cuniculomaera grata Tandberg & Jażdżewska, gen. et sp. nov. (Amphipoda, Maeridae), Pseudionella pumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Bopyridae), Mastigoniscus minimus Wenz, Knauber & Riehl, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Haploniscidae), Macrostylis papandreas Jonannsen, Riehl & Brandt, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Macrostylidae), Austroniscus indobathyasellus Kaiser, Kniesz & Kihara, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Nannoniscidae) and Apseudopsis daria Esquete & Tato, sp. nov. (Tanaidacea, Apseudidae). In the phylum Echinodermata, the reinstated species is Psychropotes buglossa E. Perrier, 1886 (Holothuroidea, Psychropotidae).The study areas span the North and Central Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the North, East and West Pacific Ocean and depths from 5.2 m to 7081 m. Specimens of eleven free-living and one parasite species were collected from habitats ranging from an estuary to deep-sea trenches. The species were illustrated with photographs, line drawings, micro-computed tomography, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. Molecular data are included for nine species and four species include a molecular diagnosis in addition to their morphological diagnosis.The five new geographic and bathymetric distribution records comprise Lepechinella naces Lörz & Engel, sp. nov., Cuniculomaera grata Tandberg & Jażdżewska, sp. nov., Pseudionella pumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov., Austroniscus indobathyasellus Kaiser, Kniesz & Kihara, sp. nov. and Psychropotes buglossa E. Perrier, 1886, with the novelty spanning from the species to the family level. The new parasite record is Pseudionella pumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov., found in association with the hermit crab Pagurus fraserorum Landschoff & Komai, 2018.
Five new species of the spider genus Heteropoda Latreille, 1804 (Araneae: Sparassidae) from China
(2024)
Five new species of Heteropoda (Araneae, Sparassidae, Heteropodinae) are described from China: H. bawanglingensis sp. nov. (female; Hainan), H. dulongensis sp. nov. (male, female; Yunnan), H. hainanensis sp. nov. (male, female; Hainan), H. longa sp. nov. (female; Guizhou), and H. vaginalis sp. nov. (female; Yunnan). We provide descriptions and illustrations for each species as well as a distribution map in the current paper.
Scalibregmatidae Malmgren, 1867 is a family of annelids, with only few taxa reported from Brazil. In this work, we describe two new species of Asclerocheilus Ashworth, 1901. The new species A. geiseae sp. nov. and A. blakei sp. nov. were collected during scientific expeditions to the Espírito Santo and Campos sedementary basins. These expeditions were coordinated by PETROBRAS/CENPES. The species A. geiseae sp. nov. is unique among its congeners by the presence of acicular spines with rounded and curved tips in two rows. The second species, A. blakei sp. nov., differs from its congeners by the combination of the presence of a trapezoidal prostomium, acicular spines on chaetigers 1–3, lyrate chaetae from chaetiger 3 on notopodia and 2 on neuropodia. Moreover, we report the species A. tropicus Blake, 1981 from the localities sampled on this study. We also provide an identification key to all species of Asclerocheilus of the world.
Sipunculans are a poorly studied group in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. For the Southern Mexican Pacific (SMP) there is only one record of a sipunculan species. The main objective of this work was to determine the species composition of the phylum Sipuncula present in the SMP. The study area covered three Mexican states: Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas; specimens from 28 localities were examined from both intertidal and subtidal zones. A total of 551 specimens were reviewed, from which 11 species were identified. Five of them have previously been recorded in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP): Apionsoma (A.) hespera comb. nov., A. (Edmondsius) pectinatum, Aspidosiphon (A.) elegans, Phascolosoma (P.) puntarenae and Themiste (T.) hennahi; four species are similar to nominal species: Sipunculus (S.) cf. polymyotus, Siphonosoma cf. vastum, Siphonosoma cf. cumanense and Phascolosoma (P.) cf. perlucens; and two new species are described: Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) cutleri sp. nov. and Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) pastori sp. nov. A checklist and an identification key for all sipunculan species from the TEP are presented. The checklist includes 53 taxa, 25 of which are questionable records. This work generated 11 new records of sipunculans in the SMP and five new records in the TEP.
A taxonomic study on the Afrotropical genera Afrepipona Giordani Soika, 1965 and Afrepsilon gen. nov. is presented. Twenty new species are described, of which 15 are in Afrepipona (Afrepipona anomala sp. nov., Afrepipona cellularis sp. nov., Afrepipona clonata sp. nov., Afrepipona cuprea sp. nov., Afrepipona lamellata sp. nov., Afrepipona lamptula sp. nov., Afrepipona lobulata sp. nov., Afrepipona meridionalis sp. nov., Afrepipona occidentalis sp. nov., Afrepipona orientalis sp. nov., Afrepipona punctatissima sp. nov., Afrepipona scabra sp. nov., Afrepipona segregata sp. nov., Afrepipona ulterior sp. nov., Afrepipona vulcanica sp. nov.) and five are in Afrepsilon (Afrepsilon aterrimum gen. et sp. nov., Afrepsilon ferrugineoaureum gen. et sp. nov., Afrepsilon hybridum gen. et sp. nov., Afrepsilon minor gen. et sp. nov., and Afrepsilon pictum gen. et sp. nov.). Afrepipona lamptoensis Giordani Soika, 1965 is withdrawn from synonymy with A. angusta (de Saussure, 1863) and subsequently revalidated. Afrepipona unifasciata Gusenleitner, 2012 is transferred to the genus Antodynerus de Saussure, 1855 (Antodynerus unifasciatus comb. nov.). Keys to all known species are provided.
Description of four new species of the Neotropical genus Scione Walker, 1850 (Diptera: Tabanidae)
(2024)
After 94 years after the last revision of the genus and after 22 years since the last species was named, we describe four new species of Scione from Ecuador and Peru: S. cooperi sp. nov., S. gertrudeae sp. nov., S. kroeberi sp. nov. and S. merianae sp. nov. We provide diagnoses, descriptions, photographs and discussions for each of the species.
Highlights
• Linking ecological and ecotoxicological data from 30 river sites.
• Bioassays indicate complex mixture of chemicals with different modes of action.
• Macroinvertebrate community deteriorates along a toxicity gradient.
• Macroinvertebrate response has low potential for toxicity-specific bioindicators.
• Effect-based methods could isolate toxicity effects from multiple stressors.
Abstract
Chemical pollution is one of the most important threats to freshwater ecosystems. The plethora of potentially occurring chemicals and their effects in complex mixtures challenge standard monitoring methods. Effect-based methods (EBMs) are proposed as complementary tools for the assessment of chemical pollution and toxic effects. To investigate the effects of chemical pollution, the ecological relevance of EBMs and the potential of macroinvertebrates as toxicity-specific bioindicators, ecological and ecotoxicological data were linked. Baseline toxicity, mutagenicity, dioxin-like and estrogenic activity of water and sediment samples from 30 river sites in central Germany were quantified with four in vitro bioassays. The responses of macroinvertebrate communities at these sites were assessed by calculating 16 taxonomic and functional metrics and by investigating changes in the taxonomic and trait composition. Principal component analysis revealed an increase in toxicity along a joint gradient of chemicals with different modes of action. This toxicity gradient was associated with a decrease in biodiversity and ecological quality, as well as significant changes in taxonomic and functional composition. The strength of the effects suggested a strong impact of chemical pollution and underlined the suitability of EBMs in detecting ecological relevant effects. However, the metrics, taxa, and traits associated with vulnerability or tolerance to toxicity were found to also respond to other stressors in previous studies and thus may have only a low potential as toxicity-specific bioindicators. Because macroinvertebrates respond integratively to all present stressors, linking both ecological and environmental monitoring is necessary to investigate the overall effects but also isolate individual stressors. EBMs have a high potential to separate the toxicity of chemical mixtures from other stressors in a multiple stressor scenario, as well as identifying the presence of chemical groups with specific modes of action.
Three Nearctic species of Episyron Schiødte (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Pompilini) were examined morphologically, geographically, and ecologically with intent to infer an aposematic correlation with habitat type, protarsal digging rake morphology, and host spider association. Episyron quinquenotatus quinquenotatus (Say) and E. conterminus cressoni (Dewitz), two subspecies with extensive aposematic markings and more and longer protarsal comb spines, were associated with bare or sparsely vegetated sandy soils near water courses. Episyron biguttatus biguttatus (Fabricus), with few aposematic markings and less and shorter protarsal comb spines, was associated with more densely vegetated terrain and gravelly and loamy soils. Three subspecies of Anoplius apiculatus (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Pompilini) are discussed as an aposematic-habitat comparison.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6A128918-F0FC-4B58-BDDF-992DEDCD2755
Therates tuberosus Fleutiaux, 1893 and Calochroa octogramma octogramma (Chaudoir, 1852) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) are newly recorded for Vietnam. Ten additional species are reported to have new provincial records in Vietnam.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:53ADD674-7C16-40E7-ADF2-D9766125867C
Pulchriphyllium anangu Cumming et al., 2023 is here reported for the first time from Maharashtra state, India. Also, this is the first record of a leaf insect (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae) for Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, District Raigad, Maharashtra. This sighting represents the northernmost distribution in the Western Ghats for Pulchriphyllium anangu.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7A6F51C4-A097-4C63-B4F7-81252007F055
Homocopris Burmeister, 1846 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is a small genus of South American dung beetles composed of four species distributed in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. Recently, a neotype was designated for Copris torulosus Eschscholtz, 1822 (currently H. torulosus) based on the assumption that the original type series had been lost. However, this designation is invalid for failing to comply with articles 75.2, 75.3, 75.3.1, and 75.3.4. of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Furthermore, even if it had been nomenclaturally valid, the neotype now loses its type status because we found a syntype in the material of the Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz collection, preserved in the collection of Zoological Museum, Moscow Lomonosov State University, Moscow, Russia. We present evidence supporting the recognition of this specimen as a syntype and newly designate it as the lectotype. Photographs of the lectotype and its labels are provided. Additionally, the geographic distributions of H. punctatissimus (Curtis, 1844) and H. torulosus (Eschscholtz, 1822) in Chile are corrected.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2E05482A-282E-4206-8FE5-D3C59C5F149A
Fifteen new species of longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Disteniidae) from Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti) are diagnosed, described, and illustrated: Novantinoe pilithorax Lingafelter, new species (Disteniini); Eburiola ciferrii Lingafelter, new species (Eburiini), Eburiola konstantinovi Lingafelter, new species (Eburiini), Elaphidion jaragua Lingafelter, new species (Elaphidiini), Linsleyonides guerreroi Lingafelter, new species (Elaphidiini), Compsibidion iviei Lingafelter, new species (Tropidini: Subtribe Neoibidionina), Hormathus albisetosus Lingafelter, new species (Tropidini: Subtribe Compsina), Trichrous eryphoides Lingafelter, new species (Dichophyiini), Plectrocerum woodruffi Lingafelter, new species (Dichophyiini), Oreodera nearnsi Lingafelter, new species (Acrocinini/Acanthoderini), Acrepidopterum fuscum Lingafelter, new species (Apomecynini), Acrepidopterum giesberti Lingafelter, new species (Apomecynini), Estola touroulti Lingafelter, new species (Desmiphorini), Eupogonius baorucensis Lingafelter, new species (Desmiphorini), and Eupogonius nigroapicalis Lingafelter, new species (Desmiphorini). Callidium biguttatum Sallé, 1856 is transferred to Calliclytus Fisher, 1932 new combination. The tribe Callidiini is thus removed from the West Indian fauna. Smodicum miserum Thomson, 1878 is a new synonym of Enosmaeus cubanus Thomson, 1878. Heterops hispaniolae Fisher, 1932 is a new synonym of Eburiola geminata (Fabricius, 1787) and the Dominican Republic is a new country record for the species. Linsleyonides portoricensis (Fisher, 1932) is newly recorded for Hispaniola and the Dominican Republic, new country and island record. Mallosoma bicolor Sallé, 1856 (formerly Trichrous) is transferred to Pseudothonalmus Guerrero in Lingafelter and Micheli, 2004, new combination. Trichrous bicolor Fisher, 1932 (now Trichrous fisheri Monné and Giesbert, 1992 due to homonymy) is a new synonym of Trichrous jaegeri Chevrolat, 1858. Rhopalophora baracoana Zayas, 1975 is transferred to Plectrocerum Dejean, 1835, new combination, and this removes Rhopalophorini from the West Indian fauna. Plectrocerum cribratum Sallé, 1856 is a new synonym of Plectrocerum spinicorne (Olivier, 1800). Plinthocoelium virens (Linnaeus, 1758) is reestablished as the proper name for the West Indian species previously known as Plinthocoelium columbinum (Guérin-Méneville, 1838). The African species called Philematium virens (Linnaeus) should use the senior-most synonym and be called Philematium sansibaricum (Gerstaecker, 1871). Plinthocoelium domingoensis (Fisher, 1922) is a new synonym of Plinthocoelium virens (Linnaeus, 1758). Neoclytus pallidicornis Fisher, 1932 is a new synonym of Neoclytus podagricus White, 1855.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B6A71A8B-0730-4ECA-B0EC-6128421D40AB
Based on the examination of an extensive series of specimens and available type material, three out of the six species of Aleyrodes Latreille (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) described from California, A. diasemus Bemis, 1904, A. essigi Penny, 1922, and A. osmaroniae Sampson, 1945, are newly synonymized under A. spiraeoides Quaintance, 1900. The species of Aleyrodes reported from California are keyed and diagnosed based on characters from puparia and male genitalia, and character variability is documented and illustrated.
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The genera Lophalia Casey, 1912, Mannophorus LeConte, 1854 and Ischnocnemis Thomas, 1864 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Trachyderini) are recharacterized by providing additional morphological features to enhance the delineation of these genera. Two species Lophalia cribricollis Bates, 1892 and Ischnocnemis luteicollis (Bates, 1885) are transferred to a new genus Lophaliamorpha Eya with Lophaliamorpha luteicollis (Bates) new combination as the type species. Ischnocnemis skillmani Chemsak and Hovore, 2010 is transferred to a new genus Paramannophorus Eya with Paramannophorus skillmani (Chemsak and Hovore) new combination as the type species. A new genus Microteroschema is created to accommodate two additional species from Mexico: Microteroschema parvum Eya new species (Oaxaca and Chiapas) and Microteroschema pseudolaetum Eya new species (Chiapas) with M. parvum as the type species. Additional new species from Mexico include: Lophalia nigricollis Eya new species (Morelos and Michoacán), Mannophorus tricostatus Eya new species (Chiapas), Ischnocnemis edmundi Eya new species (Chiapas), and Ischnocnemis brevis Eya new species (Michoacán and Guerrero). Other new combinations include: three species previously included in Neotaranomis Chemsak and Linsley, 1982 (N. australis, Chemsak and Linsley, 1982, N. sinaloae Chemsak and Linsley, 1982 and N. atropurpurea Chemsak and Noguera, 2001) are transferred to Cyphosterna Chevrolat, 1862; Lophalia auricomis Chemsak and Linsley, 1979 is transferred to Zalophia Casey, 1912; and two species, Chemsakiella virgulata (Chemsak, 1987) and Ischnocnemis minor Bates, 1880 are transferred to Mannophorus LeConte, 1854. Furthermore, Ischnocnemis virescens Eya, 2010 is also transferred to Mannophorus as a new combination and new subspecies of Mannophorus virgulata (Chemsak). New synonymies include two species previously in Ischnocnemis, i.e., I. cribellatus (Bates, 1892), and I. cyaneus Bates, 1892 synonymized with Mannophorus laetus LeConte, 1854 and I. caerulescens Bates, 1885, respectively. A key to Sphaenothecus-like trachyderines, which includes all the above-mentioned genera, and keys to species of Lophalia, Lophaliamorpha, Mannophorus, Ischnocnemis, Microteroschema, and Cyphosterna are provided. Illustrations of the available species in color are included.
ZooBank registration. zoobank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5671A77B-2ECB-445F-8F61-246A9E442CDE
A new species of Gaindaphodius Král and Mencl from Nepal (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae)
(2024)
A new species from Nepal, Gaindaphodius marigold (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae), is described, illustrated and compared with G. gainda Král and Mencl, 2024, the only other species in the genus Gaindaphodius Král and Mencl, 2024.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C18D0E89-34D2-452F-B836-BA6A1A6411C5
Buch des Monats Mai 2024
(2024)
Kurzvorstellung der folgenden Publikation:
Richter, C. F. W.: Beschreibung und illuminirte Abbildungen in- und auslaendischer Schmetterlinge : XL Stuecke / C.F.W. Richter. - Breslau : [Verlag nicht ermittelbar], 1805-1806. - 160 ungezaehlte Seiten, 40 Blaetter Tafeln : Illustrationen. Die Illustrationen sind handkolorierte Kupferstiche.
Purpose: The stomachs and spiral valves of sharks and rays were examined for their trypanorhynch (Cestoda) parasite fauna and dietary items to infer feeding ecology. In Indonesia, sharks and rays have been experiencing increasing awareness and conservation in the recent years due to high fisheries activities and to avoid future species extinction.
Methods: The samples were collected in 2009 from two different sampling sites at the southern coasts of Java and Bali in Indonesia. The parasite fauna was studied for 41 elasmobranch fishes. Amongst these, three shark species, Carcharhinus sorrah, Carcharhinus sp. I and Squalus megalops and seven ray species, Brevitrygon heterura, B. cf. heterura, Gymnura zonura, Maculabatis gerrardi, Mobula kuhlii, Neotrygon cauruleopuncatata and Rhinobatos penggali were studied. Four additional specimens, belonging to the shark species Carcharhinus sp. II and Mustelus cf. manazo and the ray species Maculabatis gerrardi were studied from the waters of South Bali.
Results: Analyses of the feeding ecology of the ray M. gerrardi revealed distinct differences between both sampling sites, indicating the presence of ecological differences between the geographically independent regions. A total of 11 different trypanorhynch species/taxa belonging to the five families Eutetrarhynchidae (5), Gilquiniidae (1), Lacistorhynchidae (1), Pterobothriidae (1) and Tentaculariidae (3) were found. Ten trypanorhynch species from Penyu Bay and four species from South Bali could be identified. Two taxa that might represent new species were collected: Dollfusiella sp. from Brevitrygon heterura and Prochristianella sp. from Maculabatis gerrardi.
Conclusions: The present paper gives insights in using the trypanorhynch cestode community in combination with feeding ecology analyses to support conservation of elasmobranchs in Indonesian waters.
Highlights
• Stomach content analyses, parasitological and fecal examinations were performed on 73 raccoon dogs from Germany.
• 9 ecto- and 11 endoparasitic species could be identified of which 6 endoparasitic species have a human pathogenic potential.
• Stomach content was composed of one-third vegetable and two-thirds animal components.
• Invasive alien species can have negative impact on native animal species and can act as a carrier of various parasites.
Abstract
Originally from Asia, the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides is an invasive alien species in Europe, listed since 2019 on the List of invasive alien species of Union concern. The raccoon dog is considered to have negative impact on native biodiversity, as well as a crucial role in hosting and transmitting diverse parasites and pathogens of human and veterinary importance. In the present study, stomach content analyses and parasitological examinations were performed on 73 raccoon dogs from Germany. In addition, fecal samples were analyzed. The results of the study confirm the assumption that the examined raccoon dogs were infested with a various ecto- and endoparasite fauna. A total of 9 ecto- and 11 endoparasites were detected, with 6 of the endoparasites having human pathogenic potential. Trichodectes canis (P = 53.42%), Toxocara canis (P = 50.68%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (P = 68.49%) were the most abundant parasite species. The stomach contents consisted of approximately one-third vegetable and two-thirds animal components, composed of various species of amphibians, fish, insects, mammals and birds. Among them were specially protected or endangered species such as the grass frog Rana temporaria. The study shows that the raccoon dog exerts predation pressure on native species due to its omnivorous diet and, as a carrier of various parasites, poses a potential risk of infection to wild, domestic and farm animals and humans.
Evidence of predation pressure on sensitive species by raccoons based on parasitological studies
(2024)
Highlights
• Parasitological analyses were carried out on 108 free-ranging raccoons in Germany.
• Three endoparasite species were newly discovered, alongside 13 parasites already known.
• A high prevalence of the pathogenic nematode Baylisascaris procyonis was identified.
• Uncovering endoparasites provides insights into predation events from the past.
• Stomach contents show serious negative impact of raccoons on native amphibians.
Abstract
To demonstrate predation and potential impacts of raccoons on various species, a total of 108 raccoons from aquatic-associated nature reserves and natural areas in three federal states of Germany, Hesse (n = 36), Saxony-Anhalt (n = 36) and Brandenburg (n = 36), were investigated from a dietary ecological perspective in the present study. Fecal analyses and stomach content examinations were conducted for this purpose. Additionally, as a supplementary method for analyzing the dietary spectrum of raccoons, the parasite fauna was considered, as metazoan parasites, in particular, can serve as indicators for the species and origin of food organisms. While stomach content analyses allow for a detailed recording of trophic relationships solely at the time of sampling, parasitological examinations enable inferences about more distant interaction processes. With their different developmental stages and heteroxenous life cycles involving specific, sometimes obligate, intermediate hosts, they utilize the food web to reach their definitive host. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that spawning areas of amphibians and reptiles were predominantly utilized as food resources by raccoons in the study areas. Thus, common toad (Bufo bufo), common newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), grass frog (Rana temporaria), and grass snake (Natrix natrix) were identified as food organisms for raccoons. The detection of the parasite species Euryhelmis squamula, Isthmiophora melis, and Physocephalus sexalatus with partially high infestation rates also suggests that both amphibians and reptiles belong to the established dietary components of raccoons from an ecological perspective, as amphibians and reptiles are obligate intermediate hosts in the respective parasitic life cycles of the detected parasites. The study clearly demonstrates that raccoons have a significant impact on occurrence-sensitive animal species in certain areas and, as an invasive species, can exert a negative influence on native species and ecosystems.
Highlights
• 234 raccoons were dissected, 23 parasite species could be detected.
• 14 new parasite species have been identified for raccoons in Europe.
• Compared to literature, a very high prevalence (95%) of B. procyonis was detected.
• The human pathogenic trematode P. muris was detected in raccoons for the first time.
Abstract
The invasive raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an abundant carnivore and considered as an important potential vector of infectious diseases and parasites in Europe. Raccoons show a broad, opportunistic, omnivorous food spectrum. Food supply and habitat quality in urban areas are very attractive for the generalist raccoon. This inevitably leads to increased interaction with humans, domestic animals and livestock, making the raccoon a potentially suitable zoonosis vector. In its autochthonous range, especially in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, the raccoon has been studied very intensively since the beginning of the 20th century. Whereas, basic field biology and parasitology studies in Germany and Europe are lacking and have only been conducted sporadically, regionally and on small sample sizes. In the presented study 234 raccoons from central Germany were comprehensively examined for their metazoan parasite fauna. The present study shows for the first time an extremely diverse parasite fauna in raccoons outside their native range and proves their essential role as intermediate hosts and hosts for ecto- and endoparasites. A total of 23 different parasite species were identified, five of which are human pathogens, 14 of which are new for the parasite fauna of raccoons in Europe. The human pathogenic raccoon roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis is the most common parasite species in this study, with a prevalence of up to 95%. The digenetic trematode Plagiorchis muris, another human pathogenic parasite species, was detected for the first time in raccoons. The ongoing spread of invasive carnivores and the associated spread and transmission of their parasites and other pathogens increases the potential health risk of wild and farmed animals as well as humans. An increase in parasitic diseases in humans (e.g. raccoon roundworm) is to be expected, especially in urban areas, where raccoons are becoming more and more abundant.
The raccoon is listed among the invasive alien species of EU concern requiring management actions. Projections of its global distribution have been mainly based on climatic variables so far. In this study, we aim to address the impact of land cover (LC) on the raccoon distribution in North America and Europe. First, we identified the LC types in which the observation sites are predominantly located to derive preferred LC types. Second, we used an ecological niche modelling (ENM) approach to evaluate the predictive power of climatic and LC information on the current distribution patterns of raccoons in both ranges. Raccoons seem to be more often associated to forested areas and mixed landscapes, including cropland and urban areas, but underrepresented in vegetation-poor areas, with patterns largely coinciding in both ranges. In order to compare the predictive power of climate variables and land cover variables, we conducted principal component analyses of all variables in the respective variable sets (climate variables and land cover variables) and used all PC variables that together explain 90% of the total variance in the respective set as predictors. Land cover only models resulted in patchy patterns in the projected habitat suitabilities and showed a higher performance compared to the climate only models in both ranges. In Europe, the land cover habitat suitability seems to exceed the current observed occurrences, which could indicate a further spread potential of the raccoon in Europe. We conclude that information on land cover types are important drivers, which explain well the spatial patterns of the raccoon. Consideration of land cover could benefit efforts to control invasive carnivores and contribute to better management of biodiversity, but also human and animal health.
Species lists play an important role in biology and practical domains like conservation, legislation, biosecurity and trade regulation. However, their effective use by non-specialist scientific and societal users is sometimes hindered by disagreements between competing lists. While it is well-known that such disagreements exist, it remains unclear how prevalent they are, what their nature is, and what causes them. In this study, we argue that these questions should be investigated using methods based on taxon concept rather than methods based on Linnaean names, and use such a concept-based method to quantify disagreement about bird classification and investigate its relation to research effort. We found that there was disagreement about 38% of all groups of birds recognized as a species, more than three times as much as indicated by previous measures. Disagreement about the delimitation of bird groups was the most common kind of conflict, outnumbering disagreement about nomenclature and disagreement about rank. While high levels of conflict about rank were associated with lower levels of research effort, this was not the case for conflict about the delimitation of bird groups. This suggests that taxonomic disagreement cannot be resolved simply by increasing research effort.
In recent decades, a rapid range expansion of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) towards Northern and Western Europe has been observed. The golden jackal is a medium-sized canid, with a broad and flexible diet. Almost 200 different parasite species have been reported worldwide from C. aureus, including many parasites that are shared with dogs and cats and parasite species of public health concern. As parasites may follow the range shifts of their host, the range expansion of the golden jackal could be accompanied by changes in the parasite fauna in the new ecosystems. In the new distribution area, the golden jackal could affect ecosystem equilibrium, e.g., through changed competition situations or predation pressure. In a niche modeling approach, we project the future climatic habitat suitability of the golden jackal in Europe in the context of whether climatic changes promote range expansion. We use an ensemble forecast based on six presence-absence algorithms to estimate the climatic suitability of C. aureus for different time periods up to the year 2100 considering different IPCC scenarios on future development. As predictor variables, we used six bioclimatic variables provided by worldclim. Our results clearly indicate that areas with climatic conditions analogous to those of the current core distribution area of the golden jackal in Europe will strongly expand towards the north and the west in future decades. Thus, the observed range expansion may be favored by climate change. The occurrence of stable populations can be expected in Central Europe. With regard to biodiversity and public health concerns, the population and range dynamics of the golden jackal should be surveyed. Correlative niche models provide a useful and frequently applied tool for this purpose. The results can help to make monitoring more efficient by identifying areas with suitable habitat and thus a higher probability of occurrence.
Predator-prey interactions are vital for organismal survival. They shape anti-predator mechanisms and often depend on sensory abilities. Tadpoles use chemical cues, such as injury cues (alarm cues), to assess predation risks and modify their life-history, morphology, and behaviours accordingly. However, the prevalence of chemically mediated anti-predator responses in species with distinct ecological niches (e.g. within phytotelmata) remains unknown, hindering our understanding of the ecological significance and evolution of alarm substances. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate chemically mediated anti-predator responses in tadpoles of two Neotropical poison dart frogs, Ranitomeya sirensis and Epipedobates anthonyi (and compare their responses to two Palearctic model organisms, Rana temporaria and Bufo bufo, which are known to utilise alarm substances). Through behavioural bioassays, we exposed predator-naïve tadpoles to extracts of each species (i.e. con- and heterospecific cues), including water as a control (i.e. five treatments per species). We assessed changes in their activity before and after stimulus introduction. Our results show that E. anthonyi did not respond to any of the stimuli, whereas R. sirensis displayed increased activity levels exclusively in response to conspecific cues, but not to heterospecific cues. With this, our findings suggest a specialized recognition system in R. sirensis, potentially directed at conspecific competitors but likely unrelated to anti-predator mechanisms. In contrast, E. anthonyi may be insensitive to injury cues or utilize alternative sensory modalities to respond to acute predation events. This study sheds light on the chemical alarm response system of Neotropical poison dart frog tadpoles, providing foundational understanding of how dendrobatids react to injury cues. It prompts questions about the ecological significance and evolutionary implications of chemical communication in species facing extreme resource limitation during development and underscores the importance of comparative research for understanding chemical communication in diverse aquatic ecosystems.
Thought to be monotypic for decades, the only species in the goosefish genus Lophiomus Gill, Lm. setigerus (Vahl), shows a wide range of morphological variation and is distributed widely in the Indo-West Pacific (IWP). In this study, datasets for two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes sequences obtained from samples of Lophiomus collected in different localities across the IWP were constructed and analyzed to explore the phylogeny and species diversity within the genus. Our integrated approach with multiline evidence unveiled an unanticipated richness of at least six delimited species of Lophiomus. Herein, based on materials already available from museums and new specimens obtained primarily through the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos program surveying IWP benthic fauna, we formally describe three new species: Lm. immaculioralis sp. nov., Lm. nigriventris sp. nov., and Lm. carusoi sp. nov. Also, we resurrect Lm. laticeps stat. rev. from synonyms of Lm. setigerus. These species can be diagnosed by genetics, body coloration, patterns on the floor of the mouth, peritoneum pigmentation, morphometric measurements, and meristic counts of cranial spines, dorsal-fin spines, and pectoral-fin and pelvic-fin rays from each other and from Lm. setigerus. The species Lm. setigerus, as well as the genus Lophiomus, are re-described accordingly based on the new results. Amended identification keys to the four extant lophiid genera and to species of Lophiomus are also provided.
Biodiversity patterns of marine crustaceans are still unknown in many locations or might have been overlooked due to our knowledge gaps, despite increasing sampling and data sharing efforts during the last decades. By analysing big data extracted from open portals such as Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) and Global Biodiversity Information System (GBIF), we aim to revisit the distribution and biodiversity patterns of the highly speciose and abundant Crustacea in the Northwest Pacific (NWP) from shallowest depths to the deep sea. This study focussed on selected benthic and pelagic crustacean (sub) classes and their species richness, sampling effort, and expected species richness (ES50) using equal/sized hexagonal cells, 5° latitudinal bands, 500 m depth intervals were analyzed. Crustacean species richness was highest in the tropical Philippines as well as around the Japanese islands. Pelagic crustacean species richness peaked at 30° latitude and declined beyond that. Benthic taxa; however, depicted high levels of species richness across most of the latitudinal gradient, reaching its highest point at 45° latitude. Due to the prevalence of certain crustacean orders in the deep sea, benthic species richness showed a distribution pattern with two distinct peaks across bathymetric gradients; with highest species richness recorded at shallow-water depths and also at abyssal depths. The most important environmental drivers of benthic and pelagic crustacean species richness were primary productivity (positive correlation) and salinity (negative correlation). Our study provides first insights into biodiversity patterns of the highly diverse Crustacea in the NWP and highlights strong differences between benthic and pelagic taxa. The results presented here could help us to better understand whether benthic or pelagic taxa might respond differently to climate changes in the NWP based on their distinct physiological and biological characteristics. This information is crucial in establishing species management strategies and ecosystem restorations in both shallow water and deep-sea environments.
The Indian species of the genera Orionis Shaw and Stenothremma Shaw (Braconidae, Euphorinae) are reviewed. Both genera are reported for the first time from India. Three new species, Orionis shillongensis Gupta, van Achterberg & Pattar sp. nov. from north-eastern India (Meghalaya), O. femorator Gupta, van Achterberg & Pattar sp. nov. from southern India (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) and Stenothremma flavator Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. from southern India (Karnataka) are illustrated and described. A key to the Old World species of Orionis Shaw is provided.
The family Dendrodorididae has a global distribution, with prevalence in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones. Three species of Dendrodorididae were collected from the intertidal zone of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf in Iran. Based on anatomical, histological, and molecular investigations they can be assigned to Dendrodoris fumata, Dendrodoris nigra, and a new species of Doriopsilla, D. aroni sp. nov. Molecular analyses of CO1 and 16S, including all genera of Dendrodorididae, members of the sister taxon Phyllidiidae, and other dorid outgroups resulted in a polyphyletic genus Dendrodoris, which is in contrast to the nuclear gene studies. Our molecular results confirm the differentiation between Dendrodoris rubra and D. fumata. Dendrodoris nigra, D. fumata, and D. krusensternii each consist of several clades, indicating cryptic species complexes requiring further investigation. We describe the presence of bacteria for the first time in the vestibular gland of D. fumata. Validation of the specimens of Doriopsilla from the Persian Gulf as a new species is supported by haplotype networking, genetic distance, and ABGD analyses of mitochondrial genes. Our CO1 analysis confirms a previous hypothesis that Cariopsilla is a junior synonym of Doriopsilla.
The genus Tekellina Levi, 1957 is currently composed of ten species, six of which are Neotropical. They are small-sized spiders (0.9 to 1.5 mm), with a wide distribution, with a great diversity in the Neotropical Region and well represented in Brazil. In this article, males and females of the species Tekellina bella Marques & Buckup, 1993 and T. crica Marques & Buckup, 1993 are redescribed and illustrated. The female of Tekellina minor Marques & Buckup, 1993 is described and illustrated for the first time. New records are included for Neotropical species. Tekellina guaiba Marques & Buckup, 1993 is synonymized with T. pretiosa Marques & Buckup, 1993. Three new species are described for Brazil: Tekellina picurrucha Rodrigues & Estol sp. nov. (São Paulo, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul), Tekellina miuda Rodrigues & Estol sp. nov. (São Paulo and Paraná) and Tekellina miudinha Rodrigues & Estol sp. nov. (São Paulo). Distribution maps with new records and an identification key of the Neotropical species are also presented.
Nerillids are small marine annelids, once placed at the artificial group ‘Archiannelida’, which contained all families of the exclusively interstitial polychaetes. Nerillidae is the most species rich family among them, with 71 species grouped into 15 genera, and represents an important component of the interstitial fauna, occupying a wide bathymetric range. Despite its problematic placement among the ‘Archiannelida’ families, the group per se is considered monophyletic. Currently, only two species of Paranerilla are valid, both being reported from the northern hemisphere. It is presented herein as the first description of a species of Paranerilla from tropical waters, named as Paranerilla schiavettii sp. nov., which is also considered as a unique record by the presence of a modified acicular spine in noto- and neuropodia from chaetiger 3–7, not mentioned in its congeners descriptions. Hence, we also propose an emendation on the genus diagnosis to embrace the presence of acicular spines within Paranerilla. So, the presented information complements the current knowledge about the group’s taxonomy and expands its distribution to South Atlantic waters.
In the present study, a revision of the phylogeny and taxonomy of the family Dorididae is carried out focusing on the genus Doris Linnaeus, 1758. The type species D. verrucosa Linnaeus, 1758 and a blueish and yellow morphotype of D. ocelligera collected in different localities in the Mediterranean Sea and the North-East Atlantic were sequenced, as well as D. bertheloti and the elusive D. marmorata for the first time. The genetic markers include the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S rRNA, and histone 3. The phylogenetic results suggest that the genus Doris is paraphyletic, and D. ocelligera morphotypes separate into two species, as confirmed with species delimitation tests. To complement the phylogenetic evidence with morphoanatomical data, the dissection of two specimens of each morphotype is conducted. Significant differences in morphological traits such as body shape, colouration patterns, and mantle tubercles come to light, together with anatomical differences in the relative shape and size of the radular teeth and reproductive structures. Considering the modern and old descriptions of D. ocelligera, it is finally concluded that the blueish morphotype belongs to D. ocelligera. In contrast, the yellow morphotype responds to the actual synonym Aldisa berghi (Vayssière, 1901), which is resurrected here as Doris berghi comb. rest. Considering the broad phylogeny of the family, some systematic notes at the genus level are here provided.
New World lampyrid taxonomy faces severe taxonomic impediments. Most species remain known from original taxonomic descriptions only, often insufficient for accurate identification. Therefore, the study of type specimens is critical to ensure proper identification. The Russian entomologist Viktor Ivanovich Motschulsky was one of the most important authors of firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) taxonomy during the XIXth century, and his work is still relevant today. Part of his material, including the type specimens of several species, is deposited at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Unlike their European, Asian, and Oceanian counterparts, the taxonomy of Neotropical fireflies is still in its infancy, partly due to largely outdated literature and difficulties in accessing type specimens. Here, we review the type specimens of 38 firefly species deposited at ZIN, 15 of which are holotypes and 7 are lectotypes. For each specimen, the name-bearing status, condition of preservation, as well as the associated label data are provided. Lectotypes are designated for the following species described by Motschulsky: Bicellonycha lividipennis, Ellychnia californica, Lychnuris klugii, Macrolampis longipennis, Pseudolychnuris suturalis, Telephoroides lineaticollis, Telephoroide occidentalis.
Four new species of the genus Catonidia Uhler, 1896, C. triangula sp. nov., C. saccata sp. nov., C. trilobata sp. nov. and C. uncinata sp. nov. from China (Fujian, Guizhou, Yunnan and Hainan provinces), are described and illustrated, giving the genus 14 species in total. A checklist and key to all known species of Catonidia are provided, as well as a map of their geographic distributions.
Four new species of the genus Catonidia Uhler, 1896, C. triangula sp. nov., C. saccata sp. nov., C. trilobata sp. nov. and C. uncinata sp. nov. from China (Fujian, Guizhou, Yunnan and Hainan provinces), are described and illustrated, giving the genus 14 species in total. A checklist and key to all known species of Catonidia are provided, as well as a map of their geographic distributions.
Anthrenus (Anthrenus) querneri (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), a new species from Austria
(2024)
A new species, Anthrenus (Anthrenus) querneri Holloway (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Austria is described and compared with A. pimpinellae (Fabricius, 1775), the most similar species. Images of the habitus, ventrites, antenna, aedeagus, and sternite IX are presented. Anthrenus querneri represents the 26th species belonging to the Palaearctic Anthrenus pimpinellae complex.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EF3828C0-DDD2-4619-9F86-BC8626522465
The subfamily Prosympiestinae (Heteroptera: Aradidae) is revised for New Zealand. Three genera and thirteen species are recognized. Five species are described as new: Neadenocoris centralis Larivière and Larochelle new species, Neadenocoris hoarei Larivière and Larochelle new species, Neadenocoris northlandicus Larivière and Larochelle new species, Neadenocoris pseudovatus Larivière and Larochelle new species, Neadenocoris wellingtonensis Larivière and Larochelle new species. One new synonymy is established: Neadenocoris reflexus Usinger and Matsuda, 1959 becomes a junior synonym of Neadenocoris acutus Usinger and Matsuda, 1959. A revision of all taxa is provided. Descriptions, identification keys, illustrations of male parandria, habitus photos, distributional data and maps are given. Extensive information on biology is included for each species.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BFF9716E-100D-492F-8F11-6F8EFBADF940
Anthrenus (Nathrenus) peacockae (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), a new species from Pakistan
(2024)
A new species, Anthrenus (Nathrenus) peacockae Holloway (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Pakistan is described and compared with A. narani Háva and Ahmed, 2014, the most similar species. Images of the habitus, ventrites, antenna, aedeagus, sternites VIII and IX are presented. Anthrenus peacockae is only the third species in the subgenus Nathrenus Casey, 1900 to be recorded from Pakistan.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F68C53E2-3BCF-4F6B-A838-A14EE2FA4B66
The small, eyeless beetles of the genus Anillinus Casey (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae: Anillini) comprise a diverse, ubiquitous, but poorly known component of insect biodiversity in the southeastern United States. Their limited dispersal capabilities make them ideal subjects for biogeography, but taxonomic problems and undescribed species diversity hamper such studies. In this paper, we redescribe four enigmatic species, Anillinus docwatsoni Sokolov and Carlton, Anillinus elongatus Jeannel, Anillinus pecki Giachino, and Anillinus turneri Jeannel, and consider their relationships. The elongatus species group is revised, with descriptions of four newly discovered species, Anillinus arenicollis Harden and Caterino, new species, Anillinus montrex Harden and Caterino, new species, Anillinus pittsylvanicus Harden and Caterino, new species, and Anillinus uwharrie Harden and Caterino, new species. Two species previously considered part of the elongatus group are determined to not belong here, Anillinus cavicola Sokolov and Anillinus turneri Jeannel. The exact placement of A. turneri remains uncertain, but it shares some character states with the sinuaticollis group. We erect the pecki group for A. docwatsoni and A. pecki, which are likely sister species. We provide a key to the eastern species groups of Anillinus and the species of the elongatus and pecki species groups. Anillinus pecki is broadly distributed in the southern Appalachian Mountains northeast of the French Broad River basin, while A. docwatsoni is apparently endemic to the Hickory Nut Gorge in western North Carolina. Anillinus pecki is reported for the first time from Tennessee and Virginia. All members of the elongatus group have small geographic ranges and are difficult to sample without special techniques, hinting that many more species await discovery in the densely populated Piedmont region of North Carolina, where natural habitats are rapidly being lost. Our sampling was not dense enough to test biogeographic hypotheses, but distributions of the elongatus group species suggest that hydrochory might have played an important role in passive dispersal and reproductive isolation. These taxonomic contributions will facilitate future studies on the genus and serve to highlight the rich insect biodiversity that remains to be discovered in the southeastern United States.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DE12672F-A328-41A3-90E2-EE62ABDD5ECF
Eucnemis Ahrens, 1812 (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Eucneminae: Eucnemini) is reviewed from the Nearctic region. Eucnemis americanus Horn is redescribed and illustrated and a new species, Eucnemis piceous Muona and Otto, is described and illustrated from Ontario, Canada and the United States from Wisconsin south to Kentucky, east to Massachusetts and West Virginia, north to Connecticut and Rhode Island. Thus, E. americanus is restricted to the western coastline of northern North America from northern California to northern Washington. A key is provided for the two species.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:00D66817-BDB5-4AEF-B703-CFA479510B81
The Chinese members of the genera Leptothorax Mayr, 1855 and Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 are reviewed based on the morphological characters of the worker caste, and 66 species are recognized in China to date. A new synonym is proposed: T. opaciabdomin (Chang & He, 2001) is a junior synonym of T. mongolicus (Pisarski, 1969). Twenty-eight new species of Temnothorax, T. bailu sp. nov., T. chun sp. nov., T. chunfen sp. nov., T. chushu sp. nov., T. dahan sp. nov., T. dashu sp. nov., T. daxue sp. nov., T. dong sp. nov., T. dongzhi sp. nov., T. guyu sp. nov., T. hanlu sp. nov., T. jingzhe sp. nov., T. lichun sp. nov., T. lidong sp. nov., T. liqiu sp. nov., T. lixia sp. nov., T. mangzhong sp. nov., T. qingming sp. nov., T. qiu sp. nov., T. qiufen sp. nov.,T. shuangjiang sp. nov., T. xia sp. nov., T. xiaohan sp. nov., T. xiaoman sp. nov., T. xiaoshu sp. nov., T. xiaoxue sp. nov., T. xiazhi sp. nov., T. yushui sp. nov., are described from China based on worker caste. Three species of Temnothorax, T. desioi (Menozzi, 1939), T. susamyri (Dlussky, 1965) and T. volgensis (Ruzsky, 1905) are recorded in China for the first time. The following eight species are recorded in a province or autonomous region of China for the first time: Leptothorax acervorum (Fabricius, 1793) is a new record in Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan; Temnothorax angulohumerus Zhou et al., 2010 is a new record in Guizhou and Tibet; T. argentipes (Wheeler, 1928) is a new record in Sichuan and Yunnan; T. mongolicus (Pisarski, 1969) is a new record in Inner Mongolia; T. reticulatus (Chang & He, 2001) is a new record in Beijing, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Shaanxi and Yunnan; T. spinosior (Forel, 1901) is a new record in Yunnan; T. taivanensis (Wheeler, 1929) is a new record in Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan; and T. zhejiangensis Zhou et al., 2010 is a new record in Henan and Guangxi. A key based on the worker caste is provided for the 66 known Chinese species.
As insect decline threatens the fauna of Central Europe, “dark taxa” present an obstacle to understanding biodiversity loss. The superfamily Platygastroidea is a dark taxon, with many superficial descriptions requiring examination of type material to characterize and revise species and genera. The Natural History Museum Vienna (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien) is arguably the most important historical collection of Platygastroidea in Central Europe. Type specimens from 85 species in 21 genera and three families are here catalogued and photographically illustrated, including previously undocumented types described by Förster, Kieffer, Nees von Esenbeck, and Ratzeburg. Lectotypes are designated for Anteris bicolor Kieffer, Anteris simulans Kieffer, Hadronotus laticeps Kieffer, Leptacis foersteri Kieffer, Plastogryon investis Kieffer, Plastogryon sagax Kieffer, Prophanurus mayri Kieffer, and Telenomus laeviceps Förster. Trissolcus schimitsheki (Szelényi) syn. nov. is treated as a junior synonym of Trissolcus scutellaris (Thomson) and Telenomus nomas Förster syn. nov. is treated as a junior synonym of Trissolcus semistriatus (Nees). Baeus maculatus (Förster) comb. nov. is transferred from Telenomus. Historical, taxonomic, and curatorial remarks are included, providing an essential foundation for revisionary work on the Platygastroidea of Central Europe and beyond.
Rove beetles (Staphylinidae) are a diverse insect group, especially in the Neotropical region. At the same time, this fauna remains significantly understudied. During our visits to museum collections, we encountered numerous specimens of undescribed species representing the Neotropical genus Neolindus Scheerpeltz, 1933 which was earlier thought to be rare. To address the knowledge gap in the genus, we studied the museum material that resulted in descriptions of 21 new species. Our work involves the redescription of the genus, descriptions of the new species, and an updated identification key to 39 previously described and new species. The newly described species are Neolindus bicornis Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. elegans Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. longithorax Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. luxipenis Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. maya Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. minutus Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. napo Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. niger Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. ornatus Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. parahermani Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. paraplectrus Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. parasinuatus Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. parautriensis Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. pseudosensillaris Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. sauron Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. sibyllae Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. triangularis Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. tropicalis Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. utriensis Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., N. volkeri Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov., and N. yotokae Guzman, Tokareva & Żyła sp. nov. This research emphasises the importance of museum collections in advancing taxonomy and enriching biodiversity knowledge. With these contributions, the known number of species of Neolindus reaches 60, thereby enhancing data on the Neotropical rove beetles diversity. Additionally, we provide several new country records for the genus (Guyana, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Suriname), which widen its distribution, and new occurrence records for the described species of Neolindus, N. agilis Herman, 1991; N. apiculus Herman, 1991; N. basisinuatus Herman, 1991; N. campbelli Herman, 1991; N. cuneatus Herman, 1991; N. hermani Asenjo, 2011; N. irmleri Asenjo, 2011; N. lodhii Herman, 1991; N. procarinatus Herman, 1991; N. punctogularis Herman, 1991; and N. retusus Herman, 1991.
Four new species of the Australian genus of Eurybrachidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) Olonia Stål, 1862 are described from northern Queensland: O. albomarginata sp. nov., O. aschei sp. nov., O. jackiei sp. nov. and O. lindae sp. nov. Host plants and natural history data are documented and additional new records provided for O. guillaumei Constant, 2018, O. hochae Constant, 2018, O. picea Kirkaldy, 1906, O. rubicunda (Walker, 1851) and O. soulierae Constant, 2018. Trophobiosis is recorded for the first time in the genus, between a female of O. hochae and ants of the genus Camponotus Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), representing the second record of trophobiosis in Australian Eurybrachidae. The male terminalia of the new species are illustrated and photographs of collection and live specimens, distribution maps, biological data and an identification key are provided. The genus Olonia currently contains sixteen species.
Twenty-one species of Mysidae were sampled by three ANDEEP expeditions to the Southern Ocean with epibenthic sledges dragged over the deep-sea floor in the realm of 58–71° S and 00–65° W, depth 774–5190 m. Previously known ranges are significantly extended southward for four species and to greater depth in the same four species plus two other species. Supplementary descriptions are given for Amblyops tattersalli and Dactylamblyops murrayi, and a first description of a (subadult) male for Thalassomysis tattersalli. The definitions of the genera Amphiakrops gen. nov., Chelamblyops gen. nov., Desmocornea gen. nov. and Schizurakrops gen. nov. are mainly based on the structure of the eyes as well as of the antennal peduncle, chelate second thoracic endopod and telson. These structures are also important for the descriptions of Amblyops arianii sp. nov., A. bipapillatus sp. nov., Amblyopsoides fenestragothica sp. nov., A. lepidophthalma sp. nov., Amphiakrops brandtae gen. et sp. nov., Dactylamblyops benthophilus sp. nov., Desmocornea subchelata gen. et sp. nov., Paramblyops petrescui sp. nov., Schizurakrops meesi gen. et sp. nov., Scolamblyops muehlenhardtae sp. nov., Stellamblyops doryphorus sp. nov. and Mysidella antarctica sp. nov. Six previously described taxa are recombined as Amblyopsoides laticauda comb. nov., Amphiakrops bidigitatus comb. nov., A. japonicus comb. nov., Chelamblyops globorostris comb. nov., Meierythrops tattersalli comb. nov. and M. triangulatus comb. nov. One species is revised back to the initial combination as Dactylamblyops japonicus. All except one (Mysidella antarctica sp. nov.) newly described (12), newly recombined (6) or back-combined (1) species belong to the Erythropinae. Keys to the resulting 61 genera and 263 species of Erythropinae and 18 species of Mysidellinae are given at the world-wide scale. Ocular papillae with a terminal pore (sensory pore organ) are recorded in nine ANDEEP species. The organ of Bellonci is identified on the reduced eyes in 16 species, among which D. subchelata gen. et sp. nov. has many ommatidia arranged in a self-contained ribbon which shows a banded rhabdom only in non-adults. Reduction of visual elements together with shrinking of ocular papillae during ontogenetic development suggest that non-adults of D. subchelata and T. tattersalli stay in the photic zone for feeding and growth and then descend only once during their lifetime to the abyss for reproduction.
Until now, the genus Porcelliniodes Miers, 1877 is represented in the Ibero-Balearic region by seven species. The study of 721 specimens from Portugal and Spain has led to the identification of 11 species, including poorly known species, and the description of a new species, Porcellionides ibericus sp. nov. This new species is characterized by the absence of transverse ridges on the pereonites, medium-sized lateral lobes on the cephalon, the pleon slightly retracted in relation to the pereon, pereopods without sexual differentiation, and a truncated posterior inner tip in the male pleopod I. We consider P. glaber (Koch, 1856), P. hispanus (Vandel, 1953), P. lucasioides (Vandel, 1953), P. lusitanus (Vandel, 1946), and P. molleri (Verhoeff, 1901) as valid species, while P. buddelundi (Verhoeff, 1901) and P. rufocinctus (Dollfus, 1892) are considered species inquirendae. Five species are recorded for the first time in some Portuguese districts and seven in some Spanish provinces.
The ability of wild animals to navigate and survive in complex and dynamic environments depends on their ability to store relevant information and place it in a spatial context. Despite the centrality of spatial memory, and given our increasing ability to observe animal movements in the wild, it is perhaps surprising how difficult it is to demonstrate spatial memory empirically. We present a cognitive analysis of movements of several wolves (Canis lupus) in Finland during a summer period of intensive hunting and den-centered pup-rearing. We tracked several wolves in the field by visiting nearly all GPS locations outside the den, allowing us to identify the species, location and timing of nearly all prey killed. We then developed a model that assigns a spatially explicit value based on memory of predation success and territorial marking. The framework allows for estimation of multiple cognitive parameters, including temporal and spatial scales of memory. For most wolves, fitted memory-based models outperformed null models by 20 to 50% at predicting locations where wolves chose to forage. However, there was a high amount of individual variability among wolves in strength and even direction of responses to experiences. Some wolves tended to return to locations with recent predation success—following a strategy of foraging site fidelity—while others appeared to prefer a site switching strategy. These differences are possibly explained by variability in pack sizes, numbers of pups, and features of the territories. Our analysis points toward concrete strategies for incorporating spatial memory in the study of animal movements while providing nuanced insights into the behavioral strategies of individual predators.
Research on the Heteroptera fauna of Turkey has not been extensive enough to illustrate its true diversity. Although several factors contribute to this, the lack of an up-to-date and comprehensive review is a basic factor. To address this issue, we compiled a list of all the Heteroptera species recorded from Turkey in the literature and iNaturalist. In addition, we re-examined several specimens preserved in the Lodos Entomological Museum, İzmir, Turkey (LEMT). Consequently, we excluded 24 species from the checklist of Heteroptera fauna of Turkey, and proposed a new synonymy: Psallus (Psallus) pardalis Seidenstücker, 1966 = Psallus (Psallus) oenderi Wagner, 1976 syn. nov. Furthermore, we recorded following six species from Turkey for the first time: Blissus hirtulus Burmeister, 1835 (Blissidae), Loricula (Loricula) pselaphiformis Curtis, 1833 (Microphysidae), Globiceps (Globiceps) coryli V.G. Putshkov, 1970, Heterocordylus (Heterocordylus) cytisi Josifov, 1958, Mesopsallus fagi (Drapolyuk, 1990) and Psallus (Psallus) helenae Josifov, 1969 (Miridae); and described following six species as new for science: Orthonotus efei Çerçi & Koçak sp. nov., Orthotylus (Parapachylops) oenderi Çerçi, Tezcan & Koçak sp. nov., Orthotylus (Pinocapsus) girayi Çerçi & Tezcan sp. nov., Psallus (Psallus) eceae Çerçi & Koçak sp. nov., Psallus (Psallus) pehlivani Çerçi & Tezcan sp. nov. and Ribautocapsus tezcani Çerçi sp. nov. Altogether, 1668 species of Heteroptera have been recorded from Turkey (664 species in the European part and 1633 species in the Anatolian part) until now, out of them, the presence of 37 species needs confirmation. We determined the chorotypical composition of species as follows: Mediterranean (399 spp., 23.9%), European (380 spp., 22.8%), Local (280 spp., 16.8%), Widespread (182 spp., 10.9%), Endemic (128 spp., 7.7%), Turanian (127 spp., 7.5%), Turano-Mediterranean (89 spp., 5.3%), Europeo-Mediterranean (68 spp., 4.1%) and Alien (12 spp., 0.7%). We showed that provinces in the Eastern Anatolian, Southeastern Anatolian, and Black Sea regions had lower numbers of species recorded, compared to the provinces in the remaining regions. Finally, we underlined that 109 species, absent from Turkey, were recorded from three or more neighboring countries of Turkey. In summary, our findings emphasize that despite the abundant research devoted over the last 150 years to the Heteroptera fauna of Turkey, our understanding of it remains incomplete in the majority, if not in all, of the regions. Our findings strongly encourage further research, particularly in regions with small numbers of recorded species. This endeavor will undoubtedly lead to numerous novel discoveries and provide a better understanding of the true Heteroptera diversity in Turkey.
Two new species of Perinereis with single bar-shaped paragnaths on area VI (Group 1) from the rocky shores of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, are described with barely (Subgroup 1A) or largely (Subgroup 1B) expanded proximal region of dorsal ligule in posterior parapodia. Perinereis malabarensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from the morphologically similar 1B species P. euiini Park & Kim, 2017 by the paragnath count in area I, the laterally isolated paragnaths in area III, and the length of the dorsal cirrus and dorsal ligule. Additionally, P. misrai sp. nov. is more similar to 1A species P. falsovariegata Monro, 1933 and P. villalobosi Rioja, 1947, but differs by the paragnath count in areas III–V and VII–VIII, the isolated paragnaths in area III, and the number of rows in the anterior band of areas VII–VIII. The morphological characters of the current 44 species within Perinereis G1 are compared, and an identification key to the species belonging to this group is also provided.
The taxonomic status of recently described Isophya taxa from Serbia (Tettigoniidae, Phaneropterinae)
(2024)
During recent decades, increasing research of the taxonomy of the genus Isophya resulted in taxonomic descriptions of several new species. The delimitation of these species is mainly based on oscillographic song analysis of the male song in combination with morphological characters, such as the shape of male cerci, tegmina and ovipositor. In the present paper, we used an integrative taxonomic approach in order to resolve the status of four recently described Isophya taxa from Serbia. Based on our molecular and bioacoustic analyses, all analyzed taxa belong to a single species: Isophya modestior. The majority of the morphological characters used to differentiate the taxa showed strong intra- and interpopulational variability, proving that describing new species within the genus Isophya should not rely on morphological characters alone, but needs to consider bioacoustic analyses as the main tool and a larger series of specimens.
A collection of 1149 otoliths of the Ypresian and Ypresian–Lutetian transition (early Eocene) from 18 sites across five states in the eastern and southern regions of the USA was analyzed. In total, 33 otolith-based taxa are documented, of which 27 are identified at the species level. Nine of these are introduced as new species: “Conger” biaculeatus sp. nov., Bauzaia gibbosa sp. nov., Ampheristus brevicaudatus sp. nov., Symmetrosulcus virginicus sp. nov., Neobythites longesulcatus sp. nov., “Neobythites” pamunkeyensis sp. nov., “Neobythites” stringeri sp. nov., Waitakia dorsogibbosa sp. nov., and “Haemulon” ypresiensis sp. nov. The assemblages are distinct when compared to their younger Eocene counterparts in America. This distinction is primarily characterized by the high proportion of the newly introduced species or exclusive Ypresian species. Additionally, we highlight the presence of 10 amphi-Atlantic species originally described in European deposits. Significantly, the composition of the otolith collection supports the interpretation of a shallow-water environment for the sampled sites during the Ypresian. This ecological setting appears to persist into the subsequent middle and late Eocene within the same geographic region.
In natural environments, background noise can degrade the integrity of acoustic signals, posing a problem for animals that rely on their vocalizations for communication and navigation. A simple behavioral strategy to combat acoustic interference would be to restrict call emissions to periods of low-amplitude or no noise. Using audio playback and computational tools for the automated detection of over 2.5 million vocalizations from groups of freely vocalizing bats, we show that bats (Carollia perspicillata) can dynamically adapt the timing of their calls to avoid acoustic jamming in both predictably and unpredictably patterned noise. This study demonstrates that bats spontaneously seek out temporal windows of opportunity for vocalizing in acoustically crowded environments, providing a mechanism for efficient echolocation and communication in cluttered acoustic landscapes.
In natural environments, background noise can degrade the integrity of acoustic signals, posing a problem for animals that rely on their vocalizations for communication and navigation. A simple behavioral strategy to combat acoustic interference would be to restrict call emissions to periods of low-amplitude or no noise. Using audio playback and computational tools for the automated detection of over 2.5 million vocalizations from groups of freely vocalizing bats, we show that bats (Carollia perspicillata) can dynamically adapt the timing of their calls to avoid acoustic jamming in both predictably and unpredictably patterned noise. This study demonstrates that bats spontaneously seek out temporal windows of opportunity for vocalizing in acoustically crowded environments, providing a mechanism for efficient echolocation and communication in cluttered acoustic landscapes.
One Sentence Summary Bats avoid acoustic interference by rapidly adjusting the timing of vocalizations to the temporal pattern of varying noise.
In natural environments, background noise can degrade the integrity of acoustic signals, posing a problem for animals that rely on their vocalizations for communication and navigation. A simple behavioral strategy to combat acoustic interference would be to restrict call emissions to periods of low-amplitude or no noise. Using audio playback and computational tools for the automated detection of over 2.5 million vocalizations from groups of freely vocalizing bats, we show that bats (Carollia perspicillata) can dynamically adapt the timing of their calls to avoid acoustic jamming in both predictably and unpredictably patterned noise. This study demonstrates that bats spontaneously seek out temporal windows of opportunity for vocalizing in acoustically crowded environments, providing a mechanism for efficient echolocation and communication in cluttered acoustic landscapes.
One Sentence Summary: Bats avoid acoustic interference by rapidly adjusting the timing of vocalizations to the temporal pattern of varying noise.
Metabolic differences between symbiont subpopulations in the deep-sea tubeworm Riftia pachyptila
(2020)
The hydrothermal vent tube worm Riftia pachyptila lives in intimate symbiosis with intracellular sulfur-oxidizing gammaproteobacteria. Although the symbiont population consists of a single 16S rRNA phylotype, bacteria in the same host animal exhibit a remarkable degree of metabolic diversity: They simultaneously utilize two carbon fixation pathways and various energy sources and electron acceptors. Whether these multiple metabolic routes are employed in the same symbiont cells, or rather in distinct symbiont subpopulations, was unclear. As Riftia symbionts vary considerably in cell size and shape, we enriched individual symbiont cell sizes by density gradient centrifugation in order to test whether symbiont cells of different sizes show different metabolic profiles. Metaproteomic analysis and statistical evaluation using clustering and random forests, supported by microscopy and flow cytometry, strongly suggest that Riftia symbiont cells of different sizes represent metabolically dissimilar stages of a physiological differentiation process: Small symbionts actively divide and may establish cellular symbiont-host interaction, as indicated by highest abundance of the cell division key protein FtsZ and highly abundant chaperones and porins in this initial phase. Large symbionts, on the other hand, apparently do not divide, but still replicate DNA, leading to DNA endoreduplication. Highest abundance of enzymes for CO2 fixation, carbon storage and biosynthesis in large symbionts indicates that in this late differentiation stage the symbiont’s metabolism is efficiently geared towards the production of organic material. We propose that this division of labor between smaller and larger symbionts benefits the productivity of the symbiosis as a whole.
The genus Legua Walker, 1870 comprises only two known species from Central America and Brazil, with a notable scarcity of collected specimens. Herein, we provide a new contribution to our knowledge of the distribution of Legua rosea Amédégnato and Poulain, 1986 (Romaleinae: Leguini), that has a restricted distribution in Brazil, based on entomological collection data and social media information. Our records emphasize the importance of natural history collections and new tools for biodiversity studies.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:17E0802B-A389-4983-AC74-21B51197F557
A new species of Paranthrene Hübner (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from the northern midwest United States
(2024)
A clearwing moth species, Paranthrene sogaardi Taft and Smith, 2024, new species, is described from Michigan and Minnesota. The recognition of this new species is based on a phylogeny estimated from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and wingless DNA sequences of 25 specimens representing all Paranthrene Hübner species including individuals from various locations. Paranthrene sogaardi new species was monophyletic and differed from Paranthrene tabaniformis Rottenburg, 1775 by a mean of 7.6% COI pairwise “p” distance, coloration, and genitalic morphology.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8B9ED6CE-4DEB-4CB2-9235-3CA593F4D9DB
Hurd (1952) separated Pepsis cerberus Lucas from P. elegans Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae: Pepsini) based on external morphology and biogeography. Vardy (2005) synonymized the familiar and historically well-documented P. cerberus and P. elegans, combining these Nearctic taxa with several Neotropical variants in an extremely broad definition of P. menechma Lepeletier. In doing so, Vardy (2005) breached the principle of nomenclatural stability. He ignored the prevailing usage and clearly violated articles 23.2, 23.3 and 23.9.1.2 of the ICZN (1999). Morphological differences, ecological divergence, and narrow sympatric geographic distribution of P. cerberus and P. elegans contradict Vardy (2005) and justify full species status (Kurczewski 2023a). Furthermore, we propose the removal of the two species from the P. menechma list of synonyms and recommend full species reinstatement as Pepsis cerberus, restored status and Pepsis elegans, restored status. Pepsis menechma becomes a senior synonym of P. elegans. Morphometric re-examination and statistical analysis of P. cerberus and P. elegans structural features strongly support their reinstatement. Quantitative measurement of 10 parasitoid-related morphological characteristics of the females revealed the two species differ significantly in frons width/head width, head length/head width, vertex length/head width, vertex length/head length, flagellomere 1 length/flagellomere 1 width, forewing length/mesosoma width, and hind tibial inner spur length/hind basitarsus length. Pepsis cerberus and P. elegans females are structurally and statistically similar in gena-postgena corner radius, fore femur width/mesosoma width, and number of hind tibial serrations.
ZooBank registation. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D22EC64F-7C55-4071-9290-4661CA377B24
The geographic distributions of three large wasps, Sphecius speciosus (Drury), Stictia carolina Fabricius and Stizus brevipennis Walsh (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), occurring in Arkansas are defined using museum specimens and three internet-based data platforms. The internet-based data platforms generally provided more county location records than museum records. Using data from internet sources for easily identified species can better serve to illustrate the known distributions for some species thus making for a powerful tool elucidating distributional patterns and conservation planning.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DCAE9192-1765-40CD-952B-0A094F413991
Corrections and additions to the Hydnocerina (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae: Hydnocerini) of Mexico
(2024)
Corrections, additions and remarks are made with respect to the recent checklist of the Cleridae (Coleoptera) of Mexico (Araujo-Castillo et al. 2024). Current valid names, synonymies, clarifications of taxonomic problems, and omitted taxa are reviewed. This work is intended to serve as a supplement to the “Hydnocerinae” section of the checklist.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EF3E45B5-6EA6-41AB-B92F-DB4ABF9D8215
The exclusively New World velvet ant genus Timulla Ashmead, 1899 (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae: Mutillinae: Trogaspidiini) contains 180 species and ten subspecies. Most of these species are known from a single sex, and the validity of the subspecies has not been evaluated since their original description in 1937 and 1938. The Timulla fauna of the United States of America includes thirty species and eight subspecies, and the fauna of Canada includes three species. The faunas of these two countries were critically studied with the following results. Out of the eight total subspecies, seven were found to be structurally identical to and sympatric with the nominate subspecies. The subspecific differences were limited to cuticle and/or setal coloration in males and intergrades between them were found in several cases. With the senior synonym listed first, seven subspecies-level synonymies are proposed, which include: Timulla barbigera (Bradley, 1916) = T. barbigera rohweri Mickel, 1937, new synonym; T. dubitata (Smith, 1855) = T. dubitata fugitiva Mickel, 1937, new synonym; T. hollensis (Melander, 1903) = T. hollensis melanderi Mickel, 1937, new synonym; T. ocellaria Mickel, 1937 = T. ocellaria rufidorsa Mickel, 1937, new synonym; T. suspensa (Gerstaecker, 1874) = T. suspensa jonesi Mickel, 1937, new synonym, = T. suspensa sonora Mickel, 1937, new synonym; T. vagans (Fabricius, 1798) = T. vagans rufinota Mickel, 1937, new synonym. The final remaining subspecies, Timulla navasota coahuila Krombein, 1951, is raised to a full species, Timulla coahuila Krombein, 1951, new status, based on its unique female morphology. Also, four new sex associations are proposed, which include: Timulla barbata (Fox, 1899) = T. wileyae Mickel, 1937, new synonym; T. euterpe (Blake, 1879) = T. compressicornis Mickel, 1937, new synonym; T. neobule Mickel, 1937 = T. nicholi Mickel, 1937, new synonym; T. subhyalina Mickel, 1937 = T. dubitatiformis Mickel, 1937, new synonym. The former species, T. dubitatiformis, which was previously known only from females, is here recognized as being a morphologically-conservative complex of species; its synonymy with T. subhyalina effectively associates the remaining male-based members of the Timulla ocellaria species-group with it as well, which includes Timulla hollensis (Melander, 1903), T. kansana Mickel, 1937, T. ocellaria Mickel, 1937, T. rufosignata (Bradley, 1916), T. sayi (Blake, 1871), T. subhyalina Mickel, 1937, and T. tolerata Mickel, 1937. Further, two species-level synonymies are proposed, which include: Timulla dubitata (Smith, 1855) = T. murcia Mickel, 1938, new synonym; T. vagans (Fabricius, 1798) = T. huntleyensis Mickel, 1937, new synonym. Finally, Timulla cyllene (Cameron, 1894) is newly recorded in the United States of America from the state of Arizona.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:891E0C92-B8BF-4487-84D4-42EB2254AF4A
The nine genera of Malagasy spittlebug are revised, with the addition of new characters, facilitating the identification of the species. Nesaulax Jacobi, 1917, is synonymized with Amberana Distant, 1908, leading to a new combination for Amberana vittipennis (Bergroth, 1894). A new endemic genus Soulierana Bucher & Bouteille gen. nov. is proposed for two species originally placed in Literna Stål, 1866, based on morphological characters of the head, tegmina and male genitalia. Also, three new species are described in this genus: Soulierana bigidea Bucher gen. et sp. nov., Soulierana claudinae Bouteille gen. et sp. nov. and Soulierana kelymena Le Cesne gen. et sp. nov. Pictures of species and drawings of the male genitalia for all genera, with the exception of Rhinaulax Amyot & Serville, 1843, Alluaudensia Lallemand, 1920 and Literna, are included. An identification key is available in both a dichotomous format and an interactive format (Xper3).
Systematics of the Sierra Nevada endemic earwig: Eulithinus analis (Forficulidae, Dermaptera)
(2024)
Since the description of Eulithinus analis (Rambur, 1838) the taxonomic position of this Sierra Nevada endemic earwig has been controversial. It has been subdivided in different taxa, assigned to various genera or transferred to different subfamilies. With the aim of clarifying its systematics, we performed a mitochondrial phylogeographic analysis using specimens from different localities of Sierra Nevada representing the diverse phenotypes treated as differentiated taxa until now, and a phylogenetic analysis including representatives of apparently distant, but morphologically close, relatives. The phylogenetic and phylogeographic results obtained using mitochondrial (cytb, cox1) and nuclear (ITS2) markers and the study of morphological characters, indicate that the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range harbors a single species of the genus Eulithinus. Based on these molecular data, the morphological characters used to date in the internal taxonomy of this group of earwigs, especially size and shape of the cerci, lack diagnostic validity and show a large inter- and intra-populational variability. These results imply the synonymy of Eulithinus montanus (Steinmann, 1981) with Eulithinus analis (Rambur, 1838) syn. nov. and the reconsideration of Eulithinus analis outside the subfamily Allodahliinae. We established the synonymy between Eulithinus analis (Rambur, 1838) and Forficula brevis Rambur, 1838 syn. nov., a name that must be removed from the synonymy of Forficula decipiens Gené, 1832.
We review the diagnosis of the genus Eugenys Quate, 1996 (Diptera: Psychodidae) which occurs in the Neotropical Region. Initially known from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama, we describe one additional species from Costa Rica, Eugenys singularis sp. nov., and two species from Ecuador, namely, Eugenys micra sp. nov. and E. upsilon sp. nov., bringing the total known species to six. This study provides detailed descriptions of the new species based on male and female specimens, along with the first DNA barcodes for the genus and some of the newly described species. We also provide an identification key for identifying male specimens of the genus worldwide. Finally, we discuss the morphological characteristics of Eugenys and compare the genus with other taxa, tentatively suggesting a placement within the tribe Pericomaini.
Two species new to science Willowsia sikkimensis sp. nov. and W. arunachalensis sp. nov., and one new record of the genus Willowsia Shoebotham, 1917 are described and illustrated here. The new species are mainly distinguished from the others on the basis of pigment pattern, scale type and chaetotaxy. The species were collected from the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim (India). Willowsia shiae Pan, Zhang & Chen, 2006 is recorded for the first time from India (Arunachal Pradesh) and redescribed with detailed chaetotaxic nomenclature. A key to the Indian species of Willowsia and a comparison table of related species are also provided.
Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die vergleichende morphometrische Untersuchung der Molarenmorphologie rezenter Hominoidea. Im Mittelpunkt der Fragestellung stand die dreidimensionale Analyse des hominoiden Facettenmusters, neben dem quantitativen Vergleich der Relieftopographie und der konstruktiven Veränderung der Kauflächen mit zunehmender Abnutzung, im Hinblick auf die funktionellen Möglichkeiten zur effektiven Nahrungsaufschließung.
Die qualitative Analyse umfasst, neben der dentalmorphologischen Beschreibung, die digitale Fotodokumentation und die Klassifizierung der verschieden weit abgenutzten Molaren in vergleichende Abkauungsgrade.
Die quantitative Auswertung der virtuellen Zahnmodelle schließt die Vermessung der größten Länge, Breite und Höhe, die Berechnung des prozentualen Dentin- und Facettenflächenanteils, des Relief-Index sowie die Neigung und Orientierung der antagonistischen Facetten des Oberund Unterkiefers mit ein. Die Berechnung der korrespondierenden Facettenwinkel in einem einheitlichen Koordinatensystem erlaubt die Kalibrierung der okkludierenden Flächenareale und die Berechnung dreidimensionaler Richtungsvektoren, die die buccale und linguale Mandibelbewegung widerspiegeln. Je nach der Art der Verzahnung der in Okklusion tretenden Höckerflanken lassen sich aus dem räumlichen Zusammenspiel der Funktionselemente quetschende und scherende Komponenten differenzieren.
Die Ergebnisse, die am Rezentmaterial (244 Einzelzähne) gewonnen wurden, sind auf 16 ausgewählte Einzelzähne aus Sangiran und Punung (Java, Indonesien) der Sammlung VON KOENIGSWALD der Abteilung Paläoanthropologie und Quartärpaläontologie des Forschungsinstituts Senckenberg, übertragen worden.
Entsprechend der zu Anfang aufgeworfenen Fragestellung konnte ein für jede Gattung charakteristisches Reliefmuster der Okklusalfläche und dessen Veränderung im Laufe der Abkauung etabliert werden. Infolge des Abschleifens der konvexen Höckerspitzen kommt es zu einer unterschiedlich schnellen und intensiven Reliefverflachung. Die Reliefunterschiede zwischen den Gattungen bleiben im Laufe der Abnutzung erhalten. Gorilla besitzt das am stärksten ausgeprägte okklusale Relief und zeigt die intensivste Abnutzung der Kauflächen und grenzt sich von Pan und Hylobates und insbesondere von Pongo deutlich ab. Pongo besitzt das flachste okklusale Relief und zeigt eine geringere Abnutzung der Kauflächen.
Auf der Grundlage der rekonstruierten Facettenwinkel lässt sich das homologe Facettengrundmuster der Hominoidea weiter differenzieren. Alle Gattungen stimmen in der Position der Facettenareale weitgehend überein. Dieses homologe Facettenmuster resultiert aus der relativ zyklischen Kaubewegung. Die Relieftopographie und Profilierung der Kaufläche sind für die individuelle Bewegungsführung entscheident. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass aus der unterschiedlichen Steilheit der Zahn-zu-Zahn-Kontakte, unter Berücksichtigung der auf der dreidimensionalen Orientierung der Facetten basierenden Bewegungsbahnen, verschiedene Funktionalitäten resultieren. Durch die Unterschiede in der räumlichen Facettenausdehnung prägt sich ein gattungsspezifisches Grundmusters aus, welches direkt mit der Funktion korreliert und die hohe Effizienz bei der unterschiedlichen Nahrungsaufbereitung bewirkt. Jene quantitativ erfassten Flächen und Bewegungen können funktionell interpretiert werden und stellen eine eindeutige Verbindung zu den in der Literatur aufgeführten Ernährungsweisen der Hominoidea her. Die Kauflächen der vier rezenten Gattungen können unter unterschiedlichen Nutzungsbedingungen im Hinblick auf eine spezifische Ernährungsweise verstanden werden.
Es wurde gezeigt, dass die dreidimensionale Ausrichtung homologer Facetten zu unterschiedlicher Funktionalität führen kann und demzufolge über die zweidimensionale Analyse hinausgeht.
Gorilla nutzt die Vielzahl steiler und kleiner Kontaktflächen zum Zerschneiden der überwiegenden faserigen Nahrungsbestandteile durch hohe Scherkräfte. Aufgrund der stark profilierten Kaufläche folgt die Bewegungsführung restriktiv dem Furchungsverlauf.
Pongo besitzt infolge der Konstruktion der Kaufläche große Kontaktareale, die in flachem Winkel aufeinandertreffen und so ein effizientes Quetschen oder Zermahlen der überwiegenden Früchtenahrung erlauben. Das flache Kauflächenprofil ermöglicht einen größeren Spielraum in der Bewegungsführung.
Pan und Hylobates besitzen ein Repertoire aus schneidenden und quetschenden Funktionselementen und somit einen geringeren Spezialisierungsgrad.
Die Beurteilung der Konstruktion und Funktion der pleistozänen Einzelmolaren im Vergleich mit den erarbeiteten Rezentmodellen ergibt eine Ähnlichkeit mit dem modernen Pongo. Die flache Relieftopographie, die geringe Steilheit der Winkel und die zusätzlichen Schmelzrunzelungen lassen auf ein Quetschen der Nahrung schließen. Eine phylogenetische Aussage zur Differenzierung zwischen Homo oder Pongo konnte aufgrund der kleinen und als exemplarisch anzusehenden Zahl fossilen Materials nicht eindeutig erfolgen.
A new genus and species of Parabathynellidae (Crustacea: Bathynellacea), Megabathynella totemensis Camacho & Abrams gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Northern Territory, Australia. This species is the first to be described from an Australian cave. It is a new giant species (4 to 6 mm). The new species displays several unique morphological character states within Parabathynellidae and is the only known species with: more than 12 articles on antennules, with a short, curved barbed seta on each article from the fifth; eight setae on the last article of antennae; more than three setae on the mandibular palp; up to 17 articles on the exopod of the thoracopods, without ctenidia but with a strong spine on each article at the base of the external seta; strong row of pair of spines on latero-external side of second article of endopod in all thoracopods; the male thoracopod VIII is different from all those known; more than 50 spines on the sympod of the uropod and more than 35 spines on the furcal rami. Specimens of the new species are morphologically different from all known species, but more closely resemble some giant species of the genera Kampucheabathynella (Asia), and Billibathynella and Brevisomabathynella (Australia).
Five new species of the genus Phlugiolopsis Zeuner, 1940 (Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from China
(2024)
This paper reports five new species of Phlugiolopsis Zeuner, 1940 from Sichuan, Yunnan and Guangxi in China, i.e., Phlugiolopsis luojishanensis sp. nov., Phlugiolopsis lata sp. nov., Phlugiolopsis rongshuiensis sp. nov., Phlugiolopsis acuta sp. nov. and Phlugiolopsis daweishanensis sp. nov. We present a redescription of the male of Phlugiolopsis punctata Wang, Li & Liu, 2012, describe the female of Phlugiolopsis punctata Wang, Li & Liu, 2012 and the male of Phlugiolopsis pentagonis Bian, Shi & Chang, 2013 for the first time. In addition, images illustrating the morphology of these species and seven previously described species are provided. The distribution map of the genus Phlugiolopsis from China is also provided.
Highlights
• BaP exposure increases the mutation rate of C. riparius.
• BaP exposure is detrimental for the fitness and the population dynamics of C. riparius.
• Multi-generational studies are essential to assess evolutionary implications of anthropogenic substances on biodiversity.
Abstract
The release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the environment is posing a threat to ecosystems and human health. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is considered a biomarker of PAH exposure and is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. However, it was not known whether BaP is mutagenic, i.e. induces inherited germline mutations. In this study, we used a recently established method, which combines short-term mutation accumulation lines (MAL) with whole genome sequencing (WGS) to assess mutagenicity in the non-biting midge Chironomus riparius. The mutagenicity analysis was supplemented by an evaluation of the development of population fitness in three successive generations in the case of chronic exposure to BaP at a high concentration (100 μg/L). In addition, the level of ROS-induced oxidative stress was examined in vivo. Exposure to the higher BaP concentration led to an increase in germline mutations relative to the control, while the lower concentration showed no mentionable effect. Against expectations, BaP exposure decreased ROS-level compared to the control and is thus probably not responsible for the increased mutation rate. Likewise, the higher BaP concentration decreased fitness measured as population growth rate per day (PGR) significantly over all generations, without signs of rapid evolutionary adaptations. Our results thus highlighted that high BaP exposure may influence the evolutionary trajectory of organisms.
In this second part of the study, using a ‘clean’ dataset without very low precision landmarks and outliers, I describe how to compare mandibular size and shape using Procrustes methods in adult North American marmots. After demonstrating that sex differences are negligible, females and males are pooled together with specimens of unknown sex and species are compared using a battery of tests, that estimate both statistical significance and effect size. The importance of allometric variation and its potential effect on shape differences is also explored. Finally, to provide potential clues on founder effects, I compare the magnitude of variance in mandibular size and shape between the Vancouver Island marmot (VAN) and the hoary marmot, its sister species on the mainland. In almost all main analyses, I explore the sensitivity of results to heterogeneous sample size and small samples using subsamples and randomized selection experiments. For both size and shape, I find a degree of overlap among species variation but, with very few exceptions, mean interspecific differences are well supported in all analyses. Shape, in particular, is an accurate predictor of taxonomic affiliation. Allometry in adults, however, explains a modest amount of within-species shape change. Yet, there is a degree of divergence in allometric trajectories that seems consistent with subgeneric separation. VAN is the most distinctive species for mandibular shape and mandibular morphology suggests a long history of reduced variation in this insular population. Geometric morphometrics (GMM) is a powerful tool to aid taxonomic research. Regardless of the effectiveness of this family of methods and the apparent robustness of results obtained with GMM, however, large samples and careful measurements remain essential for accuracy. Even with excellent data, morphometrics is important, but its findings must be corroborated with an integrative approach that combines multiple lines of evidence to taxonomic assessment. The analytical protocol I suggest is described in detail, with a summary checklist, in the Appendix, not to miss important steps. All the analyses can be replicated using the entire dataset, which is freely available online. Beginners may follow all the steps, whereas more experienced researchers can focus on one specific aspect and read only the relevant chapter. There are limitations, but the protocol is flexible and easy to improve or implement using a programming language such as R.
Taxonomy lays the foundations for the study of biodiversity and its conservation. Procrustean geometric morphometrics (GMM) is a most common technique for the taxonomic assessment of phenotypic population differences. To measure biological variation and detect evolutionarily significant units, GMM is often used on its own, although it is much more powerful with an integrative approach, in combination with molecular, ecological and behavioural data, as well as with meristic morphological traits. GMM is particularly effective in taxonomic research, when applied to 2D images, which are fast and low cost to obtain. Yet, taxonomists who may want to explore the usefulness of GMM are rarely experts in multivariate statistical analyses of size and shape differences. In these twin papers, I aim to provide a detailed step-by-step guideline to taxonomic analysis employing Procrustean GMM in user-friendly software (with tips for R users). In the first part (A) of the study, I will focus on preliminary analyses (mainly, measurement error, outliers and statistical power), which are fundamental for accuracy, but often neglected. I will also use this first paper, and its appendix (Appendix A), to informally introduce, and discuss, general topics in GMM and statistics, that are relevant to taxonomic applications. In the second part (B) of the work, I will move on to the main taxonomic analyses. Thus, I will show how to compare size and shape among groups, but I will also explore allometry and briefly examine differences in variance, as a potential clue to population bottlenecks in peripheral isolates. A large sample of North American marmot mandibles provides the example data (available online, for readers to replicate the study and practice with analyses). However, as this sample is larger than in previous studies and mostly unpublished, it also offers a chance to further explore the patterns of interspecific morphological variation in a group, that has been prominent in mammalian sociobiology, and whose evolutionary divergence is complex and only partially understood.
Belostomatidae Leach, 1815 (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) of northeastern Brazil
(2024)
Belostomatidae Leach, 1815 (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha), also known as giant water bugs, is a family with 11 genera and about 160 described species, most of which are recorded from the Neotropical region. Knowledge about these bugs in northeastern Brazil is relatively poor, with 16 previously recorded species. Here, we present new records for five additional species based on material from the states of Ceará, Maranhão, and Piauí deposited in the Coleção Zoológica do Maranhão, Caxias, Brazil. This increases to 21 the number of species recorded from the region. In addition, we provide photographs, distribution maps, and a key to the fauna of Belostomatidae from northeastern Brazil.
Taxonomic analysis of the genital plates and associated structures in Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata)
(2024)
Recently, new insights have been gained from the ophiuroid skeleton that were instrumental in the inference of a new phylogeny. The so far least studied ossicles are the adradial and abradial genital plates and the radial shields, which articulate with each other and support the genital slit and disc. In addition, the inner sides of the oral shields and madreporites have never been examined in detail. The present study utilized SEM, micro-CT and digital photography to document and examine these structures in 57 species from 28 of the currently accepted 34 families of Ophiuroidea. Early ontogeny and fossils were also considered. Previously, mainly the articular structures had been analysed, but the overall shape of the genital plates was here found to hold important phylogenetic signals. A long-neglected ossicle was re-discovered and studied in detail for the first time, here named the oral genital plate. It was recognized in all Ophintegrida, but was found to be absent in all Euryophiurida. The oral genital plate articulates with the oral shield and supports the proximal part of the genital slit wall. Abradial and oral genital plates were found to be absent in species that lack genital slits, but the adradial genital plate was always present. Numerous new morphological characters with potential phylogenetic signals were identified, described and figured in detail. A pre-existing character matrix was extended and revised with these new data, as well as with recently revised data on oral papillae, and a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was performed. This phylogeny largely agrees with the current molecular hypothesis, but some branches were not supported.
Two new species, Habrocestum sahyadri sp. nov., and Irura shendurney sp. nov. are described from the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala. The unknown female of Habrocestum kerala Asima, Caleb, Babu #38; Prasad, 2022 is described and three other species: Gelotia lanka Wijesinghe, 1991, Phintella accentifera (Simon, 1901) and Vailimia jharbari Basumatary, Caleb #38; Das, 2020 are recorded from the locality. Detailed descriptions, diagnosis and illustrations of the species are provided.
Dealing with potential stress in species that have high husbandry requirements, such as elephants, is a challenge for zoos. The objective of the present study was to determine whether positive reinforcement training (PRT) and exposure to a novel object (NOV) for enrichment induced a salivary cortisol response indicative of activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and which factors determine individual variation in this regard in captive African elephants. We repeatedly sampled the saliva of ten animals (three zoos) for the analysis of cortisol (SACort) before and up to 60 min (in 10–15 min intervals) after the onset of PRT (three repeats) or NOV (nine repeats), which lasted 10 min. There was considerable individual variation in SACort in response to PRT or NOV. Using mixed models, we were able to control these and to reveal that PRT was associated with high SACort before and relatively low SACort after PRT, while NOV induced a moderate SACort increase. The individual differences in SACort were related to age and sex (NOV), while the effects of zoo, handling method (free vs. protected contact) and reproductive and social status were variable. We conclude that positive affective states, such as anticipation or arousal, should be taken into account when interpreting the differences in the SACort responses between PRT and NOV. In addition, understanding the individuality of stress will support management decisions aimed at promoting captive elephant welfare.
An update on the diversity and distribution of Caponiidae from Peru is presented. New distributional records for Caponina cajabamba Platnick, 1994 are given and the male is described for the first time. Additionally, three new species of the genus Nyetnops Platnick & Lise, 2007 are described: Nyetnops alexanderi Villarreal & Martínez sp. nov. (♂♀), Nyetnops madre Villarreal & Martínez sp. nov. (♂♀) and Nyetnops josei Villarreal & Martínez sp. nov. (♂). The taxonomic key proposed by Sánchez-Ruiz et al. (2020) for Nyetnops is updated to include all the described species as well as the new ones proposed herein. Maps showing the distribution of the records of Caponiidae species in Peru, mainly focused on the genus Nyetnops is included.
Buch des Monats Juni 2023
(2023)
Kurzvorstellung der folgenden Publikation:
Kaspar Susenbeth, Bilder aus dem Zoologischen Garten zu Frankfurt a. M. Nach der Natur gezeichnet und mit erläuterndem Text von J. C. Susenbeth. Frankfurt am Main: Verlag von Heinrich Keller 1860. - 4 ungezählte Blätter, 2 ungezählte Seiten, 33 ungezählte Blätter, 36 Blätter Tafeln.
The chenopodium aphid, Hayhurstia atriplicis (Linnaeus, 1761) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is reported for the first time in Colombia. The aphid was found on the aerial parts of the quinoa plant, Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (Amaranthaceae), especially on the leaves, in five municipalities in the department of Cauca, Colombia. Brief information on its natural enemies, distribution and biology is provided. This is the only aphid in Colombia known to cause malformations on the leaves of quinoa plants. In South America, this aphid has been found previously only in Ecuador, where it was reported for the first time in 2023 based on specimens collected from 2019 to 2021. However, we report that H. atriplicis was likely introduced to Ecuador in the 2000s or earlier, based on a collection dated 2006 found in the United States National Museum of Natural History.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F43613E0-2854-44DE-9654-74138909717D
First record of the beekeeping pest Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) for Honduras
(2024)
Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) (also known as the small hive beetle), an important pest in apiaries, is reported from Honduras for the first time, new country record. The precise distribution in the country is unknown, and no damage related to it has been observed. Photographs are provided to aid in its identification. Differentiation of A. tumida from Aethina villosa Reitter and Aethina quadrata Sharp, which also occur in Honduras, is provided.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DAF12C6A-0F8C-4151-9C4D-F191CCC4032F
Three species of false click beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) are added to the Nearctic fauna. One new species, Isorhipis bicolor, is described from a small series collected in Florida, U.S.A. Eighteen specimens collected from Georgia were identified as Dyscharachthis amplicollis (Fleutiaux), new U.S.A. records for a species previously taken from Japan and Southeast Asia. Examination of a series of eucnemids collected by Kyle Schnepp in Florida allowed me to revisit the Deltometopus fauna in eastern North America. Antennal structures present in a series of male specimens in the loan and past examined specimens are definitive enough to resurrect Deltometopus ereptus Bonvouloir, status restored, from synonymy with Deltometopus amoenicornis (Say). Species identification keys are provided for Deltometopus Bonvouloir and Isorhipis Boisduval and Lacordaire in the Nearctic region. Diagnostic differences are briefly noted for each of the three newly added species found in the United States. Images of three species and the related D. amoenicornis are provided.
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The review of the taxonomic status of Herpetoreas xenura species complex, based on morphological and molecular data, revealed a new species from Myanmar, which we describe as Herpetoreas davidi sp. nov. from the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Wildlife Sanctuary in Rakhine State. It is suggested to be a sister species to Herpetoreas pealii and Herpetoreas xenura sensu stricto, and can be separated from the latter species by a combination of morphological and scalation characters, and by its pattern. Another population from the Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Sagaing Region, was previously confused with H. xenura. However, as a closer examination of its morphology, shows it to be closer to Hebius khasiensis, we herein tentatively refer to this population as Hebius khasiensis, pending further molecular data confirming its taxonomic status. Consequently, we propose to temporarily remove Herpetoreas xenura from the fauna of Myanmar. Further studies, especially in the northwestern region of Myanmar, such as near border with India in Chin Hills and Naga Hills, are required. An updated key for the species of Herpetoreas is also provided.
The cosmopolitan pipunculid genus Dasydorylas Skevington, 2001 includes just a few species from the Neotropical Region and is completely unknown to Colombia. Three new species of Dasydorylas are described from protected areas and conflict territories of limited access in Colombia, namely Dasydorylas colombiensis sp. nov. (type locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque, Boyacá), D. gibber sp. nov. (type locality: Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque, Boyacá), and D. santainesensis sp. nov. (type locality: Páramo de Santa Inés, Belmira, Antioquia). Diagnoses, illustrations and distributional data of the new species are presented. Dasydorylas nigellus (Rafael, 1991) is recorded for the first time from Colombia and its amended diagnosis is provided. An identification key to males of all Neotropical species is presented. With this paper, the number of Neotropical species of Dasydorylas is increased from six to nine.
Zebragryllus Desutter-Grandcolas & Cadena-Castañeda, 2014 is a Neotropical genus of field crickets that inhabits the leaf litter of the Amazon rainforest. The genus has six species and is characterized by the distinct ‘zebra’ pattern displayed by some of them. The species are recorded in French Guiana, Peru, and Colombia. Here, we describe two new species of the genus from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, the first record of the genus for Brazil. We expand the records of Z. guianensis Desutter-Grandcolas, 2014 and Z. nouragui Desutter-Grandcolas, 2014 to Brazil. We also describe but do not name two females corresponding to two new species, provide an up-to-date key for species of Zebragryllus, and discuss the potential distribution for the genus.
Angel sharks (Squatina spp. Duméril, 1805) are a group of coastal benthic sharks distributed worldwide, currently including threatened and understudied species. Two species are formally described along the East Pacific coast, the California angel shark S. californica Ayres, 1859 and the Chilean angel shark S. armata (Philippi, 1887). The latter species occurs in the southeastern Pacific and has historically been understudied. Additionally, the original description of S. armata lacks sufficient data to confidently identify individuals of this species compared to modern descriptions, and no type specimen is currently available to ensure specimen identification. Detailed morphological descriptions for identifying species are an essential resource for solving taxonomic issues in groups of morphologically similar species and to promote the conservation of critically endangered species. Therefore, a neotype from the type locality is here designated for S. armata, and a detailed and standardized morphological characterization based on modern taxonomic works is provided. This work contributes in improving the knowledge on the Chilean angel shark taxonomy and provides an improved frame of reference for identifying angel sharks in the East Pacific, especially in areas where species may occur in sympatry.