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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.