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Wing autotomy is known to occur sporadically in some heteropteran families but undocumented in the superfamily Lygaeoidea. The regular and seasonal partial de-alation of the macropterous form of the wing-dimorphic blissid bug Ischnodemus sabuleti is documented in this paper. All macropterous adults of both sexes stay full winged after emergence during the late summer and autumn and during the hibernation. Breaking down of the forewing membrane and the serious damage to the hindwings happens in the spring and coincides with the onset of the reproductive behaviour. Very likely the bugs mutilate their wings by rubbing them with the hind legs (active autotomy); however, this should be confirmed with observations. Heteropteran wing autotomy might have evolved several times independently from the normal wing-cleaning behaviour and might be triggered by natural wing injuries. Phylogenetically, the supposed wing autotomy of I. sabuleti is probably an apomorphic character. Most, if not all, heteropteran species known to mutilate their wings are the macropters of wing-dimorphic species, which fact represents another aspect of the phenomenon called 'migratory syndrome'. Concerning the possible adaptive value of I. sabuleti's supposed wing autotomy, some mutually non-exclusive hypotheses are presented and discussed. These might be also relevant to the documented wing autotomy of some other heteropteran species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species, Harpactea bozdaglarensissp. n. and H. dilekensissp. n. are described based on both sexes from the Aegean region of Turkey. Both species belong to the rubicunda species group defined for Harpactea due to the characteristics of the copulatory organs and some somatic parts, and H. bozdaglarensissp. n. resembles H. alexandrae and H. clementi while H. dilekensissp. n. resembles H. chaniaensis and H. walterdebucki known from the Aegean Islands. Morphometric and meristic characters of the new species and detailed photographs of the copulatory organs are given in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the subgenus Merocratus Belý, 1989 of the genus Anthaxia Eschscholtz, 1829 from China is reported, which includes three species: Anthaxia (Merocratus) insulaecola, Obenberger from Taiwan, A. (M.) tamdaoensis Bílý, 1998 from Yunnan and A. (M.) zhengyucheni Qi & Song, sp. n. from Hainan. The new species is described and illustrated. The illustrations and information of A. (M.) tamdaoensis from Yunnan are updated. Maclurodendron oligophlebium (Rutaceae) is reported as a new host plant of Merocratus adults in family level. A key to species of the subgenus from China is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Armadillo is represented by 26 species, three of which are recorded from Tunisia: the Mediterranean A. officinalis Duméril, 1816, and the endemic A. mayeti Simon, 1885 and A. pseudomayeti Mattern, 1999. In this paper, the endemic species A. mayeti is redescribed, its morphological diagnostic characters are illustrated, and its stridulation apparatus structure and biochemical composition are highlighted for the first time using optical and scanning electronic microscopy. The stridulation apparatus, visible dorsally on propodus of pereopods 4 and 5, is structured in a row of chain scales. Regarding its chemical composition, the scale contains numerous elements with a high carbon content (C = 58.71%) followed by calcium (Ca = 19.63%), oxygen (O = 13.98), aluminium (Al = 4.81), copper (Cu = 1.02), iron (Fe = 0.63), potassium (K = 0.43), and silicon (Si = 0.20). Its distribution is extended and its status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is reported. Armadillo mayeti is then compared with the widespread Mediterranean A. officinalis for diagnostic purposes on the bases of morphological features and the stridulation apparatus structure focusing on the chemical composition. The taxonomic status of A. pseudomayeti is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quindina Roewer, 1914 is a nomoclastid genus with 11 described species behaviourally characterised by its remarkable nest-building behaviour. In this paper we describe two new Colombian species of the genus from the western range of the Northern Andes, based on genital morphology and external characters. In addition, we explore their phylogenetic relationships using a phenotypic matrix with 96 characters, three newly proposed, and 55 terminals including all described species of Quindina and a wide outgroup sample across the suborder Laniatores. Quindina sanantoniosp. n. (type locality: Valle del Cauca, Santiago de Cali, San Antonio Forest) can be diagnosed by having two olive-green patches behind the ocularium and on the lateral portion of areas II and III, connected on the posterior margin of area III. Quindina horologiumsp. n. (type locality: Risaralda, Santuario, Planes de San Rafael) can be diagnosed by having an hourglass-shaped dorsal pattern, beginning as two emerald-green patches next to the ocularium and continuing to the posterior margin of area III. Both species build nests without walls on the underside of leaves (ie flattened nest type), a previously unknown nest architecture for the genus. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of Quindina. The two new species, herein described, were recovered as basally branching within the genus. The inferred ancestral state for the nest architecture was the flattened nest type. We provide an updated key for the Colombian species of the genus Quindina and an updated distribution map. . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social insects have developed different nest defence strategies; for example, social wasps use nonaggressive mechanisms or aggressiveness, including stinging. This subject has been widely examined in the literature, and it may help improve our understanding of wasps' ecology. The nesting behaviour of some genera is still poorly known. In this paper, we report new information on the nesting behaviour of the species Clypearia in different Brazilian biomes. We observed six nesting events in natural and anthropic environments of the Amazon rainforest, Atlantic forest, and Cerrado domains, sporadically from 2004 to 2022. From our observations, we suggest that Clypearia nest defence includes (i) preference for nest camouflage rather than aggressive behaviour; (ii) selection of nesting sites close to water sources in natural or anthropic environments, and eventually obtaining food from the substrate; (iii) nesting association with ants for mutual protection against predators; and (iv) variations in the nests' height. Our records suggest nest camouflage and association with ants are strategies for nest defence. These may have influenced nest height in relation to the ground, which may also vary according to the environment explored by the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview on the history of the British cuckoo wasps is presented. Some very old publications dealing with this fauna have fallen into oblivion, along with the description of some taxa. In the present paper I discuss these taxa and other species observed in museum collections. The species formerly identified as Cleptes semicyaneus Tournier, 1879 was found in England and Scotland. This species was misidentified in the literature and it is here described as Cleptes britannicorum Rosa, sp. n. Three new synonymies are proposed: Chrysis politus Harris, 1776 syn. n. of Omalus aeneus (Fabricius, 1787); Chrysis curax Harris, 1776 syn. n. of Trichrysis cyanea (Linnaeus, 1758); Chrysis variegata Curtis, 1837 nec Olivier, 1790 syn. n. of Chrysis leachii Shuckard, 1837. The lectotype of Chrysis lucidula Fabricius, 1775 (type species of the genus Hedychrum Latreille, 1802) is designated. Chrysis aenea Fabricius, 1787 is considered a nomen protectum and Chrysis politus Harris, 1776 a nomen oblitum. A discussion on nomina nuda and nomina dubia found in historical publications is given. In the context of British fauna, Chrysis rutilans Olivier, 1790 is considered regionally extinct, and the presence of Chrysis mediadentata Linsenmaier, 1951 and Pseudomalus triangulifer (Abeille de Perrin, 1877) in England is reported for the first time. The following species recently added to the British fauna are considered native because they were present in the UK in the nineteenth century and can be traced in historical collections: Elampus konowi (du Buysson, 1892); Hedychridium caputaureum (Trautmann and Trautmann, 1919); C. corusca Valkeila, 1971; C. schencki Linsenmaier, 1968; C. terminata Dahlbom, 1854; and Chrysis mediadentata Linsenmaier, 1951. It is also confirmed, based on historical data, that Holopyga generosa (Förster, 1853) and Hedychrum nobile (Scopoli, 1763) have recently expanded their distributional limits, making their presence in England evident only in the last few decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematodes serve as excellent models for developmental studies, with a good number of favourable properties. The family Rhabditidae is a paraphyletic group of bacterivorous nematodes showing diversity in the structure of gonads, mode of reproduction, cleavage pattern, etc. In the present paper, two species of Rhabditidae, namely Mesorhabditis paucipapillata Paetzold, 1955 and Cephaloboides anisospiculus Tahseen et al., 2017, with monodelphic and didelphic types of gonads, respectively, were selected for a comparative analysis of the embryonic patterns and trends in gonad development. The cleavage patterns of the early cell lineages were observed to vary considerably with the division of EMS after three consecutive divisions in the AB line in C. anisospiculus. The patterns of gonad development differed, with the number of branches being the key factor in determining the shape and orientation of the primordium; in contrast, vulva formation largely depended on the position and shape of the vulval opening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New data on the oecobiid spiders of the genus Oecobius Lucas, 1846 occurring in Iran and Azerbaijan are provided. Five species are described as new to science: O. dariusisp. n. (♀; Alborz and Tehran ‒ northern Iran), O. melanocephalussp. n. (♀; Lorestan, Razavi Khorasan, Semnan, and Tehran ‒ south-western, northern and north-eastern Iran; hitherto described as the female of O. ferdowsii Mirshamsi, Zamani and Marusik, 2017), O. naxuanussp. n. (♂; Nakhchivan ‒ western Azerbaijan), O. pasargadaesp. n. (♂♀; Fars ‒ south-central Iran), and O. zagrossp. n. (♂; Kermanshah ‒ western Iran). Furthermore, O. navus Blackwall, 1859 is reported in Iran for the first time, and new distribution records are provided for O. putus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1876 and O. nadiae (Spassky, 1936). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first comprehensive revision of the Afrotropical genus Delorhachis Karsch, 1896. Through the utilisation of integrative taxonomic methods (external morphology, dissections of genitalia and DNA barcoding), we distinguish five species groups within the genus and herein describe 11 new species and one new subspecies: D. meyi sp. nov., D. nimbaensis sp. nov., D. pallidifascia sp. nov., D. parvinota sp. nov., D. smithi sp. nov., D. wetzelae sp. nov., D. wetzelae shambaa ssp. nov., D. manuelae sp. nov., D. tommasoi sp. nov., D. bakossi sp. nov., D. baaka sp. nov., and D. zambica sp. nov. We also remove D. charopa Bethune-Baker, 1909 stat. rev. from synonymy with D. viridiplaga Karsch, 1896. Several new taxonomic combinations are proposed: Chrysamma syntomoctena Tams, 1929 is transferred to Delorhachis (D. syntomoctena (Tams, 1929) comb. nov.) and Delorhachis amator Hering, 1928, D. amica Hering, 1928 and D. purpurea Hering, 1928 are transferred to Miresa (M. amator (Hering, 1928) comb. nov., M. amica (Hering, 1928) comb. nov., and M. purpurea (Hering, 1928) comb. nov.). Delorhachis schultzei Aurivillius, 1905 is synonymised with Hilipoda gravidipes Karsch, 1896 syn. nov. Miresa strigivena Hampson, 1910 is synonymised with D. nigrivenosa Karsch, 1896 syn. nov. Delorhachis denisae Dufrane, 1945 and Chrysamma erythrochrysa Tams, 1929 are synonymised with M. purpurea syn. nov. The females of D. viridiplaga and D. charopa and the male of D. chlorodaedala Tams, 1929 are described and illustrated for the first time. DNA barcodes were obtained for 55 specimens representing 14 taxa, and analyses were performed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches; a tree resulting from the latter is provided. Pairwise distances of barcodes between taxa are provided where available. The adults and genitalia of all taxa, their habitats and distribution are illustrated in 182 colour figures and five distribution maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a revised faunal checklist for the subfamilies, tribes, subtribes, genera and species of the family Cicadidae (Insecta: Hemiptera) from Mindanao, Philippines, comprising 31 species belonging to 19 genera. A new genus, Neopurana Lee and Marshall gen. nov., and nine new species, Platypleura bella Lee and A. Mohagan sp. nov., Platypleura minima Lee and Marshall sp. nov., Chremistica flavialata Lee and Marshall sp. nov., Oncotympana obesa Lee and Marshall sp. nov., Neopurana bouptera Lee and Marshall sp. nov., Purana mindanaoensis Lee and Marshall sp. nov., Mogannia tenebrosa Lee and Marshall sp. nov., Philipsalta exilis Lee and Marshall sp. nov. and Philipsalta lata Lee and Marshall sp. nov., are described. Platypleura transitiva Lee, 2021 is newly added to the list of cicadas from Mindanao. Male calling songs are illustrated and described for all new species. Information on the geographic distributions of the 31 Mindanao species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Cyrtodactylus is described from Tamenglong District in northwestern Manipur State, northeast India. The new species is diagnosed from other congeners based on a combination of morphological characters and molecular data (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene, ND2). Molecular analyses placed the new species as the sister taxon to C. montanus. Due to inconsistencies in the hierarchical clade terminology for Cyrtodactylus species in the Indo-Burma region, recommendations are made for stabilising the terminology and the names for various levels of clades. Based on this revised terminology, the new species was found to be nested within the gansi group of the khasiensis clade, within the Indo-Burma radiation of Cyrtodactylus. A large number of errors and inconsistencies in literature covering species of the Indo-Burma radiation were discovered, particularly in summary tables of measurements and meristic data. Other notable errors found included incorrect identifications of type specimens in figure captions, errors in museum catalogue numbers of type series, incorrect GPS coordinates for type localities, a variety of issues involving GenBank accession numbers and associated data, and many others. We highlight these specific errors and inconsistencies and attempt to clarify or correct them where possible. Suggestions and recommendations are given for authors, journal editors and reviewers on how to improve the accuracy and consistency of morphological and molecular data provided in taxonomic and molecular phylogenetic papers. We also encourage authors and scientific journals to follow or enforce the basic citation guidelines set by NCBI when using sequences downloaded from GenBank, which have been largely overlooked, or ignored. It is hoped that the issues discussed here will be taken as a reminder that errors in peer reviewed papers are an inevitability, and that users of this literature must always carefully assess the accuracy of others' data when it is important for the interpretation of their results to reduce the propagation of errors in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Cryptolestes Ganglbauer (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Laemophloeidae) is described in this paper from specimens collected in Pederneiras, São Paulo state, Brazil. Cryptolestes pederneirensis sp. nov. is diagnosed, illustrated and compared to its most similar congeners with a modified antennal scape. Additional records are also given for four species of the genus, two of which, namely C. spectabilis Thomas and C. thomasi Hauth and Bremer, are recorded for the first time in Brazil. New morphological data is provided by describing the male genitalia of these two species, as well as the hitherto unknown female of C. spectabilis. The pre-existing key to species of Cryptolestes is modified at the first steps to include C. pederneirensis sp. nov., C. robinclarkei Thomas, and C. thomasi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence from the Linnean Society’s ledger of papers received in 1858 points to 1 July as the date of submission of the Darwin–Wallace papers for the famous meeting of the same evening. It has been widely assumed, and repeatedly stated, that the submission was on 30 June. but this article shows that this seems to be a wrong assumption. Acceptance of this later submission date also provides an explanation of the ‘oddities’ in the letter of transmittal. In turn, this reading implies further details about the separate roles of Hooker and Lyell in the crucial 13 days before the meeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leafhoppers (family: Cicadellidae) are among the most common plant sap-sucking pests, causing damage to wild and agronomic plants worldwide. The current paper aims to assess the zoogeography, diversity and population dynamics of the leafhopper species in an agricultural land converted ecosystem. Twenty species (two identified only to the genus level) belonging to 17 genera, 10 tribes, and three subfamilies were collected from Toshka Region, Aswan Governorate, Egypt, in 2020. The most common cicadellid species was Orosius albicinctus, representing 46.7% of the total catch. Low values of species richness and diversity were measured for leafhopper species as compared with those reported in our recent study carried out in Alexandria and Qena governorates. In sum, conversion of any natural ecosystem to agricultural land uses may cause declines in insect diversity. However, desert conversion may increase the diversity pattern of some insect pests. Analysis of the zoogeographic affinities of the leafhopper species from Toshka Region indicated a closer affiliation to the Palaearctic Region (35%) than any other region. Most leafhopper populations exhibited a unimodal seasonal pattern and were abundant in hot and dry months (May–September). The abundance of some leafhopper species correlated positively with temperature (seven species) and negatively with relative humidity (nine species). Six of these species correlated with both variables. This study is the first to investigate leafhopper communities in a converted ecosystem of Toshka Depression, Western Desert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the new land planarian genus Mapuplana gen. nov. from Chile, on the basis of the two new species Mapuplana guttulata sp. nov. and M. fjordica sp. nov. The genus Mapuplana is mainly characterised by two putative apomorphies: a subneural parenchymal musculature consisting of diagonal decussate muscle fibres; and a blind duct opening sideways into the female atrium. The new species are very similar to each other in their general anatomy and differ only in details in the pattern of dorsal colouration, the relative distance between mouth and gonopore, the relative thickness of the ventral cutaneous musculature, the orientation of the gonoduct, and the shape of the female atrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical species of the genus Phyllomya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 are revised. Photographs and diagnosis of the male holotype of P. pictipennis (van der Wulp, 1891), until now the only recorded species of this genus in the Neotropics, are provided. The monotypic genus Itamintho Townsend, 1931 from Brazil is considered as a new junior synonym of Phyllomya, resulting in the following new combination: P. erro (Townsend, 1931) comb. n.Phyllomya erro is the second species of this genus reported from the Neotropical Region and the first from South America. A new identification key is given for the six recognised New World species of Phyllomya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of a new Cosmetidae species from Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama, with unusual sexual dimorphism and colouration, presented an identification challenge due to the limited knowledge of the taxonomy of cosmetids in Central America. The new species is notable for the extensive bright orange blots on the dorsal scutum and by the unusual structure of tibia IV of males, which is not incrassate, and bears two compact rows of strong spines. After examination of both type and non-type specimens of the type species of the genus Poecilaemula Roewer, 1912 (Meterginus signatus Banks, 1909), we decided that the new species should be assigned to this genus, and that the current circumscription of the genus is debatable as a natural group. Here, we propose a new definition of Poecilaemula, which includes three species: the type species from Costa Rica; Poecilaemula ichingsp. n. from western Panama; and the species Poecilaemula eutypa (Chamberlin, 1925) comb. n. from eastern Panama, which is newly transferred from Paecilaema C.L. Koch, 1839. Additionally, Paecilaemana reimoseri Roewer, 1933 is considered a new junior subjective synonym of Meterginus signatus Banks 1909 (currently under Poecilaemula). The five South American species currently included in Poecilaemula reveal a geographic discrepancy, and they should be transferred to other genera in future investigations because they do not share any special similarity with the type species of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bubble snail family Haminoeidae has traditionally been the richest in genera within Cephalaspidea; however, most of these genera were erected based on only the characteristics of the shell or external morphology. The family was recently revised through a combined analysis of DNA, internal anatomy, and external body and shell morphology, leading to major taxonomic rearrangements and a drastic reduction in the number of genera. However, these analyses also show that there may still be undefined genera and certainly several undescribed species waiting to be discovered. In this work, a new genus and species is described in light of recent revisions within Haminoeidae and the phylogenetic hypothesis generated by Oskars and colleagues. Due to its colourful external anatomy, the new species was initially assumed to belong to Lamprohaminoea, but the specimens failed to produce DNA sequences that could confirm this hypothesis. During further anatomical study of species of Lamprohaminoea and further examination of these specimens, it became clear that the morpho-anatomical features of Confettiella malaquiasigen. n. and sp. n. distinguish it from this genus and all other genera and species of the Haminoeidae. To illustrate this, shells, external features of the animals, and anatomical characters of the jaws, radula, gizzard plates, and female and male reproductive system were studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy, and these studies are reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study from the state of Odisha, India, documents for the first time a species of Idris Förster (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) as an egg parasitoid of a clubionid spider. In Scelionidae, two genera, Ceratobaeus Ashmead and Odontacolus Kieffer, are known to attack clubionids. The emerged species of Idris did not fit the descriptions of congeners; hence, the new species is described and illustrated here as a novel species, Idris hirsutus Sunita and Rajmohana sp. n. The mt COI gene-based molecular characterisation of the species is provided. In addition, a preliminary phylogenetic tree to decipher the placement and broader geographic groupings of Idris on a country-wide scale is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South American genus Polynoncus Burmeister encompasses 38 valid species that are considered to be endemic to South America. In this work, we provide a comprehensive revision of this genus. Polynoncus seymourensis (Mutchler, 1925) with only insular occurrence (Galapagos Islands) is now recorded for the continent. We describe Polynoncus pseudogemmifersp. n. from Argentina to accommodate a species previously considered as 'P. gemmifer'. Polynoncus furcillifer Pittino 1987 and P. argentinus (Harold, 1872) are both reinstated as valid species, and P. haafi (Vaurie 1962) is synonymised with P. gemmifer (Blanchard, 1847). Lectotypes are designated for the following names: Trox hemisphaericus Burmeister, 1876, T. pampeanus Burmeister, 1876, T. gemmiferus Blanchard, 1847, T. gemmifer Blanchard, 1847, T. leprosus Blanchard, 1847, T. argentinus Harold, 1872, T. gemmingeri Harold, 1872, T. pedestris Harold, 1872 and T. globulatus Fairmaire, 1884. We provide high-quality images of the type specimens and their labels, a differential diagnosis, synonyms, chresonomy and known geographical distributions. A key for the accurate identification of species of Polynoncus is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six species in two genera of the family Cheiracanthiidae Wagner, 1887 are studied from Hainan Island, China, including two new species: Cheiracanthium bawanglingense sp. n. (♀♂) and Eutittha hainanensis sp. n. (♀). Cheiracanthium ningmingense Zhang and Yin, 1999 syn. n. is synonymised with C. exquestitum Zhang and Zhu, 1993, and C. adjacensoides Song, Chen and Hou, 1990 stat. resurr. (♀♂) is removed from synonymy with C. approximatum O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885. Cheiracanthium insigne O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874 (♀♂) and C. taegense Paik, 1990 (♀♂) are reported from Hainan Province, China, for the first time. Photos of habitus and genitalia and a distribution map of all species are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of publishing a scientific paper. According to the author the purpose of a scientific paper is to convey ideas to the readers who may be differentiated into experts and novices. Concept mapping is a graphical tool that can be used to summarize complex ideas. Its value lies in the way in which the links between ideas are depicted explicitly to show the writer's beliefs and assumptions about the nature of knowledge integration in a particular context. For the text of a scientific paper to encourage meaningful learning by the student/reader, it must enable the student/reader to link the ideas presented with existing knowledge frameworks and support the construction of understanding. Increasing accessibility to published work is not about compromising quality or dumbing down, it is about increasing clarity and respecting the needs of the readership. Consideration of the readers when writing a paper may increase its readability and increase the likelihood of the paper being used at university as a tool to help students to engage in the discourse of the discipline.

Pseudolitochira Ward, 1942 (Brachyura: Pilumnidae) is superficially similar to Heteropilumnus De Man, 1895, but it can be distinguished from the latter by possessing a more subovate carapace, the dorsal surface of the carapace almost devoid of regions, a proportionately wider front with short anterolateral margins, and, most significantly, a different posterior margin of the epistome. In Heteropilumnus species, and most Pilumnus species, each lateral margin of the posterior margin of the epistome is separated into two parts, demarcated by a clear median fissure. In Pseudolitochira, the lateral margin is entire and evenly concave, without any trace of a cleft or fissure. For the present study, Japanese specimens reported as 'P. integra' by Maenosono (2019) were examined and it was found that they should be referred to a new species. Furthermore, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu specimens belong to two other new species. The present paper provides a diagnosis for the three new species and compares them with P. integra (Miers, 1884) s. str. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian and Oriental genus Formosargus James, 1939 (Stratiomyidae: Sarginae), until recently only known from three described species – F. kerteszi James, 1939, F. melanogrammus Lessard and Woodley, 2020, and F. variegatus James, 1969 – is herein revised. The monotypic sargine genus Amsaria Adisoemarto, 1974 is considered to be a synonym of Formosargus, and examination of material accumulated over the years resulted in the description of five new species to science: F. berezovskiyi sp. nov., F. borneensis sp. nov., F. mangoleensis sp. nov., F. trivittatus sp. nov. and F. woodleyi sp. nov. The genus, which was previously thought to be restricted to the Oriental Region only – known from species from Taiwan and the Philippines, though recently discovered in northern Australia and West Java, Indonesia (F. melanogrammus) – is here shown to be widespread in Southeast Asia. It reaches not only the transition zone between the Oriental and Australian regions and beyond, with first records from Papua New Guinea, but is also reported from the continental portion of Asia, with first records from Malaysia and Thailand. Rare in collections and with virtually no biological information available, Formosargus may have a hidden diversity in the Southeast Asia tropical wet forests, so additional species are expected to be found with future collecting efforts in the area. A key to all the species of Formosargus (which now includes 10 species), detailed descriptions of the species, and a map expanding the geographical distribution of the genus are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global distribution and host records of the external fish parasitic isopod genus Renocila Miers, 1880, are reviewed. A revised generic diagnosis is provided and 11 species of Renocila are regarded as Renocila incertae sedis. Renocila trillesi Aneesh and Kumar sp. nov., parasitizing the coral grouper, Cephalopholis miniata (Forsskål, 1775) collected off Junglighat, South Andaman, India, is described and illustrated, the second species of Renocila from the Indian EEZ. Renocila currently includes 20 valid species including Renocila trillesi Aneesh and Kumar sp. nov. Renocila trillesi Aneesh and Kumar sp. nov., is characterized by: anteriorly truncate rostrum with a ventral posteriorly directed anterior margin; antenna subequal to antennula; pereonite 7 posterolateral angle acute, pleon is 0.85 width of pereon; pleotelson broadly truncate, with weak median longitudinal carina; pereopods 1–3 each with a produced process on the posterodistal angle of basis, gradually increasing the length from 1–3; and pereopods 1–3 inferior margins of articles all without a process or lobe, though ischium of pereopods 1–7 carinate. The present paper also records Acanthurus mata (Cuvier, 1829) as a new host fish for recently described Renocila bijui Aneesh and Bruce 2020. A revised key to the global species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life of Father Jean Xavier Hyacinthe Montrouzier (1820–1897) is briefly reviewed, with special reference to the 5 years he spent on Woodlark Island (Muyua), Papua New Guinea, and his subsequent academic studies while briefly resident in Australia. Of the four species listed by Montrouzier as members of the genus Euploea in his 1856 paper on the Lepidoptera of Woodlark, two do undoubtedly belong to the genus as currently recognised: Euploea leucostictos and E. boisduvalii (Danaini: subtribe Euploeina). A third species, originally described by Macleay as a species of Euploea but now included in the genus Tirumala (Danaini, Danaina), was correctly identified by Montrouzier. The fourth, for which Montrouzier introduced a new species name, appears to represent either a species of Neptis (Limenitidinae) or Tellervo (Danainae, Tellervini). This name, Euploea transfixa Montrouzier, is however both a nomen dubium and a nomen oblitum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life histories of four species of sympatric Brazilian Cerurinae (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), belonging to the recently erected genus Americerura St Laurent and Goldstein, are fully documented from egg to adult. During fieldwork targeting Cerurinae in Rio Grande do Sul, we were able to obtain eggs of the four species known to occur in the state. No immature stages of any of the four species had previously been reared or illustrated in the literature. One of the species, Americerura brasiliensis St Laurent, Carvalho, and Orlandin sp. n., is described as new and is a close relative of the North and Central American A. rarata (Walker). The other species reared herein are A. argynnis (Schaus), A. rivera (Schaus) and A. splendens (Jones), all endemics of South America. All four species feed on Salicaceae, as is typical of the subfamily. We document multiple colour forms and individual larval variation in all species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keystone components in green urban spaces can make a big difference in supporting either impoverished or rich animal communities. Trees that produce thousands of flowers at densities higher than that of herbs and produce much more nectar than the latter can be such keystone structures. However, there is a lack of specific information on trees, both native and alien, and their flower visitors in urban/suburban contexts, which blurs the conservation role that such species can perform. In 2019 and 2020, we thoroughly recorded the flower visitors to a silk-floss tree in suburban Guadalajara, Mexico. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive inventory of silk-floss tree flower visitors. We documented 79 species/morphospecies of insects; eight of birds, and one of mammals visiting the flowers. All, except two, are native to the region; three are endemic/quasi-endemic to Mexico. Besides direct and indirect floral resources, the silk-floss tree offered perches, resting/hiding cover, nesting substrate, and seed fibres used by several birds, and feeding substrate for gleaning insectivorous birds. Four species are on one or more conservation listings: monarch butterfly (endangered), pink-spotted swallowtail (vulnerable), sparkling-tailed hummingbird (threatened), and lesser long-nosed bat (near-threatened). Our data supports that small patches can enhance the quality of urban green spaces, and that rather than geographic origin, flower output drives visitation. Alien trees can be pollination enhancement 'devices' for imperilled pollination networks. Silk-floss trees are a potential option for conservation-oriented urban greening, as well as to contribute to enhancing human enjoyment of nature, and provide opportunities for public outreach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical family Phloeidae includes three species within two genera, Phloea Lepeletier and Serville, 1825 and Phloeophana Kirkaldy, 1908, distributed in South America. Due to their large size and notable morphological features, such as cryptic colouration, extreme body flattening and lateral expansions around the body, these insects became known as Neotropical bark bugs. These characteristics also make them easily recognisable; nonetheless, the correct identification of the species is still tricky, even more so for the nymphs. In this work, we clarify the identity of the species, present new diagnoses for the family, both genera and all species, and provide an updated identification key to both adults and nymphs of the three species. We also describe and illustrate chromatic variation in Phloea subquadrata Spinola, 1837, and high-resolution photos of the three species and important diagnostic characters are provided. Literature information is synthesised and updated, and an exhaustive synonymic list is provided for the three species, including two nomenclatural corrections: Phloeocoris paradoxus Burmeister, 1835 is removed from synonymy with Phloeophana longirostris (Spinola, 1837) and considered a new junior synonym of Phloea corticata (Drury, 1773); and Phlaea paradoxa Signoret, 1863 is removed from synonymy with Phloea corticata and considered a new junior synonym of Phloeophana longirostris. Lastly, we review the distribution of the species based on collection specimens and citizen science data and, for the first time, present distribution maps for the three species of Phloeidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Polycentropus confusus species group (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae) comprises 19 nominal species occurring throughout the eastern Nearctic Region. This group has never been comprehensively treated, prompting its full revision here. Males of all 19 species are redescribed and illustrated, and the 14 known females of the group are described and illustrated, including the original descriptions and illustrations for the females of P. alabamensis Hamilton, Harris, and Lago, 1990, P. carolinensis Banks, 1905, and P. chelatus Ross and Yamamoto, 1965. Neotypes are designated for P. alabamensis and P. elarus Ross, 1944, and dichotomous keys to males and females are provided. New state and province records are reported, one new country record is reported, erroneous records are corrected, biological notes are provided, and the known distribution of each species is summarised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds generally employ bipedal terrestrial locomotion; their wings flap synchronously to provide aerial propulsion. Penguins (Spheniscidae) are non-flyers that use their modified wings (flippers) to 'fly' underwater, again using synchronous action. The family is distributed from the equator to the Antarctic; the earliest penguins lived at temperate latitudes. On land, penguins usually walk bipedally and slowly (waddling) because their legs are short and their bodies long and fusiform. Their flippers are held out sideways and show little movement; they may function like balance poles. A few penguin species breed at high latitude and make substantial terrestrial migrations over snow and ice; they intermittently use an alternative terrestrial locomotory mode (tobogganing) in which they lie on their ventral surfaces and use the feet alternately to propel them more quickly. The emperor penguin Aptenodytes forsteri makes two-way trips (<250 km) to breed, encountering both ice and several types of snow. The topography varies from flat areas to steep slopes and ridges. In this study we analysed 13 publicly available video records and demonstrate that the flippers are also used for propulsion (particularly for climbing in deep snow). Gait analysis reveals that all four limbs are employed in a quadrupedal, ipsilaterally coordinated manner: the classic mode of tetrapod terrestrial locomotion. During climbing, tetrapod limb action is supplemented by use of the beak as an anchor. During quadrupedal locomotion over snow the flippers move snow on their power strokes, thereby demonstrating exchange of forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Peruvian tarantula Homoeomma peruvianum (Chamberlin, 1916) is revised. As the type specimens do not fit the diagnostic characters of Homoeomma Ausserer, 1871, especially because of the different palpal bulb morphology in males and the shape of spermathecae in females, H. peruvianum (Chamberlin, 1916) was transferred into the newly established genus Urupelma gen. n., which is herein described, diagnosed and illustrated. Eleven new species of Urupelma gen. n. (U. sanctitheresae sp. n., U. sanctimariae sp. n., U. awanqay sp. n., U. ashaninka sp. n., U. atarraz sp. n., U. megantonianum sp. n., U. machiguenga sp. n., U. pampas sp. n., U. johannae sp. n., U. veronicae sp. n., and U. dianae sp. n.) are herein described, diagnosed and illustrated. The monophyly of Urupelma gen. n. is supported by a molecular phylogenetic analysis focused on the tarantulas with urticating setae of type III and III+IV and based on three genes: the nuclear 18S and 28S, and the mitochondrial COI gene. Apart from the support of the new genus and some existing valid genera, the molecular phylogeny also sheds light on the dynamic evolutionary history behind the adaption to high montane environments in tarantulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature museums and university natural collections deal with the deposition and conservation of numerous representatives of flora and fauna. The work related to the maintenance of the collection is time-consuming and expensive, often exceeding the financial capacity of a given institution. It is very reasonable for subsidies allocated for this purpose to be adjusted to the value of the collections. In this work, the authors focus on defining the most important criteria, which are the key drivers for the collection evaluation process. The importance of these measures was determined by the use of weights and equations for the algorithm. This process has been automated through the use of an electronic form used to calculate a collection's overall value (the Relativistic Collection Value). The form is made available online through a dedicated portal (CollMan), enabling access to a wider group of recipients, and tests with many practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of recognised taxa tends to change continually over time in many groups of animals. It can be hypothesised, however, that non-elusive, relatively large taxa of great appeal to humans would show a high taxonomic stability over time. We test this hypothesis using the former order Artiodactyla (now Cetartiodactyla) as a case study. To do so, we compare the main checklists of known mammalian species published over time, analysing the temporal changes and the underlying reasons for the observed patterns. Our study revealed (i) the occurrence of four peak phases of new species descriptions in Cetartiodactyla between 1758 and 2020; and (ii) a prominent peak of new descriptions for the family Bovidae (and, to a lesser extent, Cervidae) from 2005 to 2020, with the number of species increased by more than 95%. New taxa came almost exclusively from splitting (= revisions of the existing taxa) and very rarely from newly discovered species. So, the new taxonomic arrangements were essentially due to revisions of the existing taxa. Overall, our study only partially confirms the above-mentioned hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nakamigawaia is a poorly understood genus of Aglajidae sea slugs with only two species formally ascribed. In this paper we explore new morpho-anatomical characters using stereo and scanning electron microscopy and employ different molecular approaches (a cytochrome c oxidase sub-unit I gene phylogeny, the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery species delimitation method, and genetic distances) to compare specimens across the geographical span of the genus and from two distinct chromatic morphotypes occurring in the Western Pacific (blackish morph and white-dotted morph). Our results support the conspecificity of these two morphs and show they belong to an undescribed species here named Nakamigawaia nakanoae sp. nov. The species differs from the type species of the genus, N. spiralis, by the presence of a distinct open-dilated shell and differs from its Western Atlantic congener N. felis by subtle differences in the shell, male reproductive system and caudal lobes. Genetically (COI uncorrected p-distance) the two species (N. nakanoae and N. felis) are 18.8–20.1% distinct. The definition of the genus Nakamigawaia is discussed and the current assignment to the latter of lineages other than the type species is questioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Dulichiella Stout, 1912 is described in this paper. The genus Dulichiella comprises 19 species, known from tropical and warm temperate seas worldwide. Material examined was manually collected associated to infralittoral sponges, ascidians, and algae, at Urca beach rocky shore, Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The new species can be characterised by the following: antenna 1 peduncle articles ratio 1.0:1.2:0.2, article 1 ventral margin with two robust setae; mandible palp articles ratio 1.0:2.4:2.6; gnathopod 1, coxa anteroventral corner unproduced, palm concave; gnathopod 2 distolateral crown with four spines; epimeral plate 1 posteroventral corner subacute; and pleosome/urosome spine formula 7-7-7-5-4-2. An identification key to world species of the genus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neotropical vine snakes (Oxybelis) have a wide distribution range from southern United States to southeastern Brazil. Notably, the widespread brown vine snake O. aeneus was recently split into eight species, but major geographical areas such as the South American Pacific lowlands remained unsampled. In this paper, we present the largest molecular phylogeny of Oxybelis to date using six mitochondrial and nuclear genes and 10 of the 11 currently recognised species of Oxybelis. Our analyses include the first South American samples from west of the Andes, which we describe as a new species based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species is morphologically most similar to O. acuminatus, O. aeneus, and O. inkaterra. Although the new species is genetically distinctive and divergent from its congeners, its phylogenetic placement received low support. Our results also suggest that a sample from Escudo de Veraguas Island in Panama represents an undescribed species of Oxybelis. Finally, we clarify the phylogenetic position of O. aeneus sensu stricto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few papers have been published on the interactions between slime moulds and beetles in Europe. The available knowledge was usually acquired incidentally to mycological studies and concerns common and easily identifiable slime moulds. The beetles in those studies were frequently identified to genus only, and sometimes only selected families were studied. In 2018–2019, a comprehensive survey of Myxomycete-Coleoptera associations was carried out in the Pieniny National Park (Carpathians, S Poland). A total of 164 sporocarps from 30 species of slime moulds were examined, and beetles were found in 112 sporocarps of 23 slime mould species. The sporocarps were inhabited by 674 individuals from 37 species of beetles. To date, this is the most comprehensive study of beetles associated with slime moulds in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular studies are often essential to infer phylogenetic relationships and biogeography in troglobiotic taxa, frequently characterised by convergent adaptations and cryptic species. Genetic analysis is a particularly useful tool in Dinaric karst, where palaeogeographic history complicates the interpretation of the evolutionary history of cave organisms. In this paper we estimate phylogenetic relationships in an entirely troglobiotic group of perceivable cirolanid isopods, inhabiting Dinarides and other Mediterranean regions, by a DNA-based approach, with a particular attention to the genus Sphaeromides. The originally more extensive genus Sphaeromides appears limited to S. raymondi in Southern France, while we suggest restoring the genus and name Trogloaega for the Dinaric taxa, previously attributed to Sphaeromides. The name and taxon Trogloaega have never been scientifically invalidated, just ignored. Results indicated that S. virei, formerly divided into three subspecies, consists of two or three distinct species, now named T. virei, T. mediodalmatina and T. montenigrina, the latter molecularly closer to T. mediodalmatina. The genus Trogloaega is genetically distant from Sphaeromides. Sphaeromides bureschi from Balkans (Bulgaria, Serbia) appeared closer to Trogloaega than to Sphaeromides. Our results contribute to the awareness that the isopod morphology is characterised by high level of homoplasy and molecular phylogenetic analyses are essential in identifying taxonomic units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document titled "Erratum: Important corrections to the recent revision of Bolbapium Boucomont, 1910 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Geotrupidae)" is an erratum that corrects errors in a taxonomic revision of Bolbapium Boucomont, 1910. The errors include incorrect years of description for two species and a misspelling of the name of a newly described species. The document provides the correct information and highlights the corrections that should be made in the original paper. The authors express gratitude to those who brought the errors to their attention and acknowledge the proofreading assistance they received. [Extracted from the article]

The Ilha Grande Bay is considered an area of extreme biological importance for the conservation of Brazilian biodiversity. While monitoring the macroinvertebrate ascidian-dwellers around Ilha Grande Bay, an undescribed commensal species of the amphipod family Leucothoidae was discovered. In this paper, we describe the new species of Leucothoe, associated with the ascidiacean Phallusia nigra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dead wood is a microcosm of biological diversity. Saproxylic insect diversity at the global level is immense, with estimates that up to one third of forest dwelling species rely on moribund or dead wood at some point in their life cycle. Most studies on saproxylic insects have focused on taxa such as beetles, or on areas like the northern temperate regions. This paper presents the first assessment of the diversity of tropical saproxylic Diptera, from the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. Forty-one trees representing nine species and six plant families were sampled in a rearing experiment designed to study saproxylic beetles. In total, 272 individuals attributable to 18 families of Diptera were reared as bycatch. Low abundance and species richness of flies was observed overall. A majority of taxa were in saprophagous and mycophagous larval feeding guilds, followed by predators. Host associations, successional stage, and stratum preferences are estimated for the more abundant species. The results support previous findings regarding saproxylic Diptera and their association with moist wood and secondary forests. Interesting trends and noteworthy reared taxa are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes and illustrates four new species of the parabathynellid genus Mekongbathynella Nam and Cho, 2014 (M. kampucheana sp. n., M. pienensis sp. n., M. jayavarmani sp. n. and M. jayavarthoni sp. n.) collected from the interstitial habitat of the Cambodian Mekong, thereby increasing the number of the known species of the genus to six. The species are clearly distinguished from each other in their general habitus and in the morphology of labrum, mandible, maxillule, male thoracopod VIII and anal operculum. The combination of these characteristics allows us to group the six species into two lineages; one lineage includes M. sesanensis Nam and Cho, 2014, M. kampucheana, M. pienensis (the lineage I), while the other one consists of M. kryi Nam and Cho, 2014, M. jayavarmani and M. jayavarthoni (the lineage II). Moreover, each species in a lineage occurs in sympatry with a species from the other lineage: M. sesanensis (lineage I) and M. kryi (lineage II), M. kampucheana (lineage I), and M. jayavarmani (lineage II) and M. pienensis (lineage I) and M. jayavarthoni (lineage II). The three areas where the species occur are placed in distinctive reaches and/or tributary of the Mekong displaying different hydrological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on emergence records from trap nests and naturally occurring nests, we determined the brood parasitism behaviour of Irenangelus punctipleuris (Pompilidae: Ceropalinae) for the first time and that of Dipogon (Nipponodipogon) nagasei (Pompilidae: Pepsinae) as a complement to a previous study. The former species was found to parasitise Auplopus carbonarius and A. pygialis (Pompilidae: Pepsinae), while the latter species was found to parasitise Di. (Deuteragenia) sperconsus (Pepsinae). When using the well-established system of categories of brood parasitism in Pompilidae, Irenangelus corresponds to type A brood parasitism ('highwayman') and Nipponodipogon corresponds to type B brood parasitism ('sneak thief'). In comparison with brood parasitism in birds, we propose new concepts, namely 'generalists' and 'specialists' of brood parasitism, which correspond to type A and type B brood parasites, respectively. We discuss the differences in behavioural patterns and morphological features between the two types. We also confirm the proposed concepts by their molecular phylogenetic positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the annual activity patterns and variation in sex ratios across different months of the year for three Lucanidae species (Lucanus cervus, Lucanus tetraodon and Dorcus parallelipipedus) in three distinct regions of central Italy. The results reveal significant differences in the month-by-month activity patterns among the species, indicating that each species has its own unique activity pattern. Specifically, L. cervus shows activity from May to September, with the highest peak between 10 and 30 June. This species remains significantly active until the end of July. Lucanus tetraodon, on the other hand, exhibits activity from June to August, with a notable peak during the last 10 days of July. Dorcus parallelipipedus displays an extended activity phase, with peaks in the first 20 days of June and the middle of July. Interestingly, various individuals of this species were also observed in November, December and February. The prolonged activity pattern of D. parallelipipedus is primarily due to overwintering adults and overlapping generations. Both Lucanus species demonstrate clear protandry, where males dominate in the initial phase, followed by a more balanced sex ratio and even female dominance in the subsequent phase. In D. parallelipipedus, the trend in sex ratio is less apparent, likely because of overlapping generations and the survival of adults for 2–3 years. The different activity patterns observed between Lucanus species can be attributed to (1) their distinct geographical distributions, with one species better adapted to temperate climates and initiating activity earlier than the strictly Mediterranean species, and (2) a possible division of temporal niches to minimise reproductive interference, reducing the chances of interspecies encounters and cross-mating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent examination of type specimens and unidentified Indian cuckoo wasps deposited at the Natural History Museum (London) and at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History led to the discovery of: two new Indian species, Chrysis parviocula sp. n. (amneris species group) and Elampus bicolorsp. n.; a new synonymy, Chrysis quaerita Nurse, 1902 syn. n. of Chrysis dissimilis Dahlbom, 1854; an unnecessary replacement name, Hedychridium mocsaryi Rosa, 2021 for Hedychridium virescens (Mocsáry, 1914); and a misidentification of Chrysis obscura Smith, 1860 which is now excluded from the Indian fauna. Chrysis perfecta Cameron, 1897 is transferred to the viridissima group. New distributional records are given for Chrysis arkadyi Rosa et al. 2021, Chrysis bayadera du Buysson, 1896, Chrysis musa Semenov-Tian-Shanskij, 1954 and Praestochrysis palawanensis (Mocsáry, 1899). Eighteen types of Indian and Oriental species are illustrated for the first time. Types of six Oriental and Australian species described by Cameron, Smith, and Gray are illustrated and their status and depositories discussed. A lectotype is designated for Chrysis festina Smith, 1874. Type material of Stilbum princeps (Gray, 1832) is rediscovered 190 years after its description. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dasyhelea bifida Zilahi-Sebess is fully redescribed, photographed and drawn from adults collected in Mexico City by Alfonso Dampf in 1944. This species is compared with the American congeners D. crassiseta Borkent and Forster, D. furva Remm and D. pollex Borkent and Forster. This is a new record of this species from Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Afrotropical genus (Ifrika gen. n.) and three new species (Ifrika mnyamasp. n., Ifrika nyigusp. n. and Ifrika wadudusp. n.) are described and illustrated. A fourth species, Ifrika pauculihirtacomb. n., is transferred from Dissomphalus. The males of this genus are easily recognised among the other genera of Pristocerinae by having the following combination of characteristics: the median clypeal lobe indistinct from the lateral ones, the dorsal pronotal area very short, the hypopygium with an inner membrane and a posterior margin deeply excavated, the genitalia with the harpe strongly incurved, almost fully divided, the aedeagus with a basal cover plate, the mediodorsal fold, and the median projection ventrally curved and apodeme dorsally curved. A key to all species and some comments on the Afrotropical Bethylidae fauna are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the Oriental tropical genus Belciana Walker, 1862, Belciana jeremyisp. n., is described from northern Thailand, Lampang Province. The new species is closely related to Belciana hemodi (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1874). Adults, male and female genitalia as well as multi-locus molecular data of the new and related species are presented. The genus Belciana most probably originated in the Oriental region during the Miocene and radiated in the late Miocene, about 11 Mya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]