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Las canciones de las aves se han convertido en herramientas importantes para estudios taxonómicos, de ecología del comportamiento y de selección sexual. En esta contribución presentamos y comparamos las vocalizaciones de 12 especies de aves de las islas Socorro y Clarión del Archipiélago de Revillagigedo. Mostramos espectros sonoros de algunas vocalizaciones, así como una discusión de sus características y diferencias geográficas – a nivel de deme, subespecie o especie. Comparamos las vocalizaciones de algunas aves con aquéllas de sus contrapartes continentales. Documentamos algunos eventos acústicos relevantes, como son las vocalizaciones de las hembras de algunas especies, los duetos antifonales de la matraquita de Isla Socorro, o las contravocalizaciones que los cenzontles de Isla Socorro intercambian con sus vecinos al amanecer o al anochecer. Además, discutimos la aplicación de los cantos y las llamadas de algunas especies en tareas de conservación, tales como el levantamiento de censos poblacionales, la identificación de sexos o el recuento de individuos célibes o apareados. También proponemos algunas líneas que la investigación bioacústica en esta región insular pudiera tomar en el futuro.

© Chetri 2022. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication. The Tibetan Brown Bear Ursus arctos pruinosus is a large mammalian carnivore of high-altitude environments that is closely associated with the pastoral landscape. Limited information is available on this species, probably due to its rarity in the Himalaya. To date, scientific evidence of the presence of Tibetan Brown Bears has not been reported officially. The information presented here is based on data collected in the central Himalayan region of Nepal in 2003–2014 during biodiversity surveys and other research. Methods included random walks along livestock trails, transect surveys, opportunistic camera trapping, and herders’ reports & interviews. This is the first camera-trap confirmation of the Tibetan Brown Bear in the central Himalaya. The distribution map was updated based on direct observation, signs and field reports gathered from reliable sources. The presence of signs (diggings, footprints, and feces) and direct observation in the Annapurna-Manaslu landscape reveal that bears are closely associated with Himalayan marmots and other small rodents. Local folklore, legends, and cultural beliefs have played important roles in Brown Bear conservation in the central Himalaya.

Using 3226-bp-long mtDNA sequences and five nuclear loci (Cmos, ODC, R35, Rag1, Rag2, together 3409 bp), we examine genetic differentiation and relationships of Central American slider turtles (Trachemys grayi, T. venusta). Our investigation also included samples from taxa endemic to North America (T. gaigeae, T. scripta), the Antilles (T. decorata, T. decussata, T. stejnegeri, T. terrapen), and South America (T. dorbigni, T. medemi plus the two T. venusta subspecies endemic to northern South America). Our mitochondrial phylogeny retrieves all studied species as distinct, with three well-supported clades in a polytomy: (1) the Central and South American species (T. grayi + T. venusta) + (T. dorbigni + T. medemi), (2) the Antillean species, and (3) T. gaigeae + T. scripta. Our nuclear DNA analyses also suggest three distinct but conflicting clusters: (1) T. scripta plus the Antillean species, (2) T. gaigeae, and (3) the Central and South American species T. dorbigni, T. grayi, T. medemi, and T. venusta. However, in the mitochondrial phylogeny, T. gaigeae is the little divergent sister taxon of T. scripta. This conflicting placement of T. gaigeae suggests a distinct evolutionary trajectory and old hybridization with T. scripta and mitochondrial capture. Despite prominent color pattern differences, genetic divergences within T. grayi and T. venusta are shallow and the taxonomic diversity of each species with several currently recognized subspecies could be overestimated. Finally, we provide for the first time evidence for the occurrence of T. grayi along the Caribbean versant of Costa Rica.

Background Understanding the variation between well and poorly adapted cattle breeds to local environments and pathogens is essential for breeding cattle with improved climate and disease-resistant phenotypes. Although considerable progress has been made towards identifying genetic differences between breeds, variation at the epigenetic and chromatin levels remains poorly characterized. Here, we generate, sequence and analyse over 150 libraries at base-pair resolution to explore the dynamics of DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility of the bovine immune system across three distinct cattle lineages. Results We find extensive epigenetic divergence between the taurine and indicine cattle breeds across immune cell types, which is linked to the levels of local DNA sequence divergence between the two cattle sub-species. The unique cell type profiles enable the deconvolution of complex cellular mixtures using digital cytometry approaches. Finally, we show distinct sub-categories of CpG islands based on their chromatin and methylation profiles that discriminate between classes of distal and gene proximal islands linked to discrete transcriptional states. Conclusions Our study provides a comprehensive resource of DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility and RNA expression profiles of three diverse cattle populations. The findings have important implications, from understanding how genetic editing across breeds, and consequently regulatory backgrounds, may have distinct impacts to designing effective cattle epigenome-wide association studies in non-European breeds.

This article reviews for the first time, the taxonomy of all Romanian orchid taxa known to date. It describes the morphology, pollination strategies, habitats, ecology and distribution of all genera, emphasizing the conservation and protection status of the most vulnerable, endangered species. This extensive, unique botanical study, undertaken between 2017-2023, resulted in a taxonomical evaluation of Romanian orchid flora, which is represented by 3 subfamilies and 26 genera that comprise approximately 76 species, 20 subspecies, 55 varieties and forms. Additionally,14 intrageneric hybrids and 3 intergeneric hybrids aredocumented, out of which, two of those, such as × Pseudorhiza nieschalkii (Senghas) P.F.Hunt nothosubsp. siculorum H.Kertesz & N.Anghelescu, 2020, nothosubsp. nov. (IPNI LSID 77216534–1), are new to science. The species list remains open, with discoveries being made each year. Romanian endemic and rare taxa such as Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. transsilvanica, Dactylorhiza cordigera susbsp. siculorum, Epipactis danubialis and Epipactis guegelii are described in detail. Since 12 genera of Romanian orchids are deceptive and do not secrete any nectar or other food rewards for their pollinators, deceit pollination strategies are greatly emphasized in this review. Various mimicry strategies and deception mechanisms such as generalized food deception (Anacamptis, Dactylorhiza), food-deceptive (Batesian) floral mimicry (Traunsteinera), brood/nest-site mimicry (Malaxis), shelter mimicry (Cypripedium), rendezvous attraction (Anacamptis papilionacea), sexual deceptive mimicry (Ophrys), are also described. Unlike other European countries where some species are very rare or even extinct, in Romania, they are still well represented by numerous populations that occur in relatively constant numbers. Nevertheless, I thought it is imperious to draw readers’ attention to the vulnerability of Romanian orchids and the numerous dangers, which threaten their existence mainly due to habitat loss (anthropogenic factors).

Pavonia is the only genus of the tribe Malvaviscae in the FSA region and is distinguished by the style branches and stigmas being twice as many as the carpels. In this revision, 12 species are recognised, four of which are endemic to the FSA region (P. dentata, P. dregei, P. praemorsa and P. transvaalensis) with P. dregei being classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN red list. The new subspecies, Pavonia elegans subsp. stellata is described and P. gossweileri is taken into synonymy with P. rehmannii. In the present revision, a combination of leaf, epicalyx, calyx and mericarp characters are used to distinguish the species of Pavonia. We include correct nomenclature, typification, descriptions, geographical distributions, and a key to the species.

The nymphalid butterfly Euphaedra neophron (Hopffer, 1855) is the only structurally coloured species representing the genus along the Indian Ocean coast in East Africa and Southern Africa, with a distribution from southern Somalia to the Kwa-Zulu-Natal region of South Africa. The range of E. neophron is subdivided to several, geographically distinct populations, currently recognised as subspecies by taxonomists on the basis of violet, blue, and green-coloured morphs. We investigated the optical mechanism of all these morphs by various materials science techniques. We found that the structural colour is generated by the lower lamina of the cover scales and the different colours are tuned according to their thickness, which was also proved by modelling. The colour tuning of the different subspecies does not reflect any clinal pattern, be it geographical or altitudinal.

The leafcutting bees of the leachella group of Megachile Latreille subgenus Eutricharaea Thomson are revised for the Western Palaearctic region using a combination of morphology and phylogenetic analyses of three genes (COI, LW-Rhodopsin, CAD). Although only seven species are recognized, much effort was needed to link delimitated taxonomic units to taxon names because of the difficulties in identifying type specimens. Numerous types were in a poor state of conservation, preventing straight-forward identification using morphology. This was in some cases aggravated by the fact that they often belonged to a sex that could not easily be identified; one type was a gynandromorph specimen whose identification is even more challenging. In several cases, the type locality was vague or unclear; in three cases, the type specimens originated from introduced populations for which the source of the introduction needed to be determined using DNA barcoding. In two cases, the type specimens consisted of several body parts not originating from a single individual but from two heterospecific specimens. We argue that this tedious nomenclatural work would have been greatly facilitated if a reference library of type specimens had been available. Our revision leads to the following taxonomic changes. Megachile argentata (Fabricius, 1793), described from northern Africa and with a convoluted taxonomic history, is demonstrated, based on morphometric analyses of its lectotype, to be conspecific with the species hitherto known as M. pilidens Alfken, 1924. After discussing and excluding several alternative options that would minimize nomenclatural changes, we place M. pilidens in synonymy with M. argentata (syn. nov.). Two new subspecies are described for morphologically slightly divergent insular populations, M. leachella cretica Praz, ssp. nov. from Crete, and M. leachella densipunctata Praz, ssp. nov. from Cyprus. In addition, M. albipila Pérez, 1895 is treated as a subspecies of M. leachella Curtis, 1828 (stat. nov.). The following new synonymies are proposed: M. compacta Pérez, 1895 (not M. compacta Smith, 1879) and the replacement name M. crassula Pérez, 1896, M. argyrea Cockerell, 1931 and Perezia maura Ferton, 1914, are placed in synonymy with M. argentata (syn. nov.). M. beaumonti Benoist, 1951, is newly treated as a valid species (stat. rev.). M. schmiedeknechti Costa, 1884 is treated as a subspecies of M. argentata (stat. nov.), and M. xanthopyga Pérez, 1895 is placed in synonymy with M. argentata schmiedeknechti (syn. nov.). M. bioculata Pérez, 1902, M. discriminata Rebmann, 1968 and M. ichnusae Rebmann, 1968 are placed in synonymy with M. leachella (syn. nov.). M. variscopa Pérez, 1895, M. timberlakei Cockerell, 1920, M. atratula Rebmann, 1968, M. striatella Rebmann, 1968 and M. sudai Ikudome, 1999 are placed in synonymy with M. pusilla Pérez, 1894. Lectotypes are designated for M. albipila, M. bioculata, M. compacta Pérez, M. pusilla, M. variscopa and M. xanthopyga.

Based on herbarium and field investigations, the taxonomic status of Solenopsis laurentia (Campanulaceae), hygrophilous species belonging to the subfam. Lobelioideae showing a Mediterranean distribution is here examined. According to literature, it can be considered as a species complex, within which several taxa at specific and infraspecific rank were described. Morphological and nomenclatural studies carried out on several living populations coming from many Italian localities allowed to recognize five subspecies. For each of them, a detailed description, iconography, micromorphology of the seed testa and pollen grains, taxonomical relationships, chorology, conservation status and nomenclatural notes are provided. The recognized subspecies of Solenopsis laurentia are the following: a) subsp. laurentia, which is the most widespread in Italy and also in the Mediterranean area; b) subsp. gasparrinii (Tineo) comb. nov., which is quite common in Sicily with scattered occurrence in other Mediterranean localities; c) subsp. caespitosa Brullo, it seems currently localized in Apulia and Sardinia; d) subsp. parvula Brullo, occurring in some localities of the Italian peninsula, Sardinia and Tunisia; e) subsp. hyblaea, described as new for science from Sicily with a punctiform distribution.

The systematic position of the earthworm Dendrodrilus rubidus (Bimastos rubidus) has been changed many times due to differences in its anatomy and external morphology, which were revealed in individuals that at first glance belonged to the same species. Deviations from existing diagnoses also made taxonomic determination difficult. The research goal is to conduct comparative morphometric and molecular genetic analyses of D. rubidus (B. rubidus) individuals from different regions of Russia and Belarus to identify accurate diagnostic features. Materials and methods. For the study, we collected four samples of adult individuals of D. rubidus (B. rubidus), depending on geographical location. The worms were collected in the territories of Russia (European part, Western Siberia, North-Western Caucasus) and Belarus. Morphometric analysis was carried out according to the main qualitative and quantitative anatomical and morphological features. The variability of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (cox 1) gene used in molecular taxonomy was evaluated using molecular-genetic analysis. Further the data obtained from the two analyses were compared. Results and conclusions. Previously, it was believed that only two subspecies of D. rubidus (tenuis and subrubicundus) were present in the studied territories, which are currently considered to be species forms. During the study, we found three forms of this species: tenuis, rubidus and subrubicundus. The revealed anatomical and morphological differences make it possible to determine the species forms of adult individuals of D. rubidus, taking into account possible deviations from generally accepted diagnoses. There were no significant molecular-genetic differences between the different species forms.

Background The Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) is a difficult to treat mycobacterium with two distinct morphologies: smooth and rough. As the clinical implications are unclear, we explored the morphology of MABC in relation to disease and outcome. Methods We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort study including patients with confirmed MABC in Sweden, 2009–2020, with treatment outcome as the primary outcome. MABC colony morphology was determined by light microscopy on Middlebrook 7H10 agar plates. Results Of the 71 MABC isolates, a defined morphology could be determined for 63 isolates, of which 40 were smooth (56%) and 23 were rough (32%). Immunosuppression, pulmonary disease, and cavitary lesion on chest radiographs were significantly associated with a rough isolate morphology. Participants with smooth isolates had more favorable treatment outcomes (12/14, 86%) compared to those with rough isolates (3/10, 30%). In an age-adjusted logistic regression, rough morphology of MABC was associated to lower odds of clinical cure compared to smooth morphology (adjusted odds ratio, 0.12; P = .049). Conclusions Study participants with rough MABC colony morphology of isolates had a worse clinical outcome compared to those with smooth isolates. The biological mechanisms should be further characterized and colony morphology of MABC taken into account during clinical management.

In recent years, the number of publications devoted to both modification of existing methods of differentiation of F. tularensis strains and their practical application for analysing populations of the tularemia pathogen circulating in different territories has increased significantly. Nevertheless, the development of methods for differentiation of subspecies and separate groups of F. tularensis is still relevant. The aim of this study is to develop a method of differentiation of subspecies and separate groups of F. tularensis on the basis of INDEL typing, optimisation of a set of primers for VNTR typing and creation on their basis of an original complex approach for revealing phylogenetic relationships of F. tularensis strains circulating in the territory of the Russian Federation and other regions of the world. Materials and Methods. A local database of nucleotide sequences of F. tularensis strains of different subspecies was created for comparative analysis of F. tularensis genomes represented in the GenBank database. INDEL markers were detected in the genomes of strains of the local database using the GeneExpert programme. Primer design and in silico PCR were performed using Primer3 Plus and the author’s VirtualPCR software. Cluster analysis and phylogenetic tree construction were performed using GrapeTree software. Conclusion. An integrated approach based on canINDEL and VNTR typing allows us to identify phylogenetic relationships of tularemia pathogen strains circulating in different regions of the world without the need for preliminary sequencing. Detailed investigation of disease outbreaks to identify the source of infection is currently difficult without a set of molecular biological methods capable of unambiguously assigning isolates to a certain subspecies and within subspecies to a certain genetic cluster, which is extremely important in the light of the requirements of modern public health and the real threat of introduction of the tularemia pathogen from other countries. Our proposed method of complex canINDEL and VNTR typing of tularemia pathogen strains is a contribution to the solution of this problem.

This study was conducted to re-examine the geographic distribution and update the existing maps and distribution data of the two Greater Luzon Philippine malkohas (Lepidogrammus cumingi and Dasylophus superciliosus) derived from museum specimens and online anecdotes. Precise locality of each skin specimen from various museum collections and recent field accounts from various online platforms on the occurrence of these malkohas were collected, plotted, and compared with the existing distribution maps from the BirdLife International using the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) software. Results showed that the data collected on the locations of the two endemic Philippine malkohas revealed that L. cumingi and D. superciliosus exhibited broader range on their distributions compared to the existing BirdLife International distribution data. Furthermore, the collected distribution data also revealed that the subspecies D. s. cagayanensis is not restricted in the northeast region of Cagayan province but also occurs in its southern regions as well as in the provinces of Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya. The updated and generated maps of the distribution of these birds constitutes a significant range extension that will serve as additional information in the proper implementation of conservation management plan of the Philippine Malkohas.

This work was funded by the United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service appropriated project 2034-22000-012-00D and the Xylella fastidiosa Active Containment Through a Multidisciplinary-Oriented Research Strategy (XF-ACTORS) project. Illumina sequencing for BB08-1 was carried out at the University of California, Davis, Genome Center DNA Technologies and Expression Analysis Cores, supported by National Institute of Health Shared Instrumentation Grant 1S10OD010786-01.

Purpose: Precise subspeciation of Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MAB) is crucial for predicting antibiotic susceptibilities and patient outcomes. However, routine clinical microbiology laboratories have limited diagnostic tools for the differentiation of the subspecies. Thus, we investigated the predictors for MAB subspecies to actuate rapid differentiation and the optimal treatment plans. Methods: We retrospectively identified stored clinical isolates of MAB and reviewed patient medical records to compare clinical characteristics, sites of infection, and outcomes among patients infected with M. abscessus subsp. abscessus (M. abscessus) and M. abscessus subsp. massiliense (M. massiliense). MAB subspecies were characterised by multilocus sequence analysis with 3-locus sequence (hsp65, rpoB, and secA1) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Results: After outbreak and duplicated cases were excluded, 56 and 36 patients with infection caused by M. abscessus and M. massiliense, respectively, were included in the analysis. Patients with either cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease (male gender and age ≥55 years) were 4.5 times more likely to harbour M. abscessus (P = 0.002), whereas M. massiliense was 4.8 times more frequently recovered from cutaneous and surgical wounds (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Distinct host and organ specificity were observed among patients infected with M. abscessus and those with M. massiliense. These differences may provide clinically significant clues to optimise treatment strategies.

The taxonomic classification of dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium spp., Viscaceae) is complicated due to their reduced morphology, requiring the integration of not only morphology but also phenology, geography, and host relationships. This has been particularly true for the classification of taxa in subgenus Vaginata, section Campylopoda, series Campylopoda. Most of the species in this group have been recently circumscribed in synonymy with or reduced to subspecies of Arceuthobium campylopodum Engelm; however, we contend they deserve separate species recognition. To address this question, we have conducted morphological analyses of the taxa in ser. Campylopoda using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Our results have demonstrated that these taxa can be determined to species using morphological data without consideration of geographic location or host specificity; however, the host specialization and geographic distribution exhibited by these taxa also supports their classification as species. Here, we discuss the evidence supporting the specific classification of ser. Campylopoda taxa. This taxonomic framework permits the treatment of several dwarf mistletoe populations with geographically restricted distributions, fewer morphological differences, and specialized host affinities as subspecies of Arceuthobium abietinum (Engelm.) Abrams, Arceuthobium microcarpum (Engelm.) Hawksw. & Wiens, and Arceuthobium tsugense (Rosend.) G.N.Jones. It is also the most practical classification for the management of these economically and ecologically important parasitic plants.

It has been nearly 100 years since citrus growers in two distinct regions in the northern provinces of South Africa noticed unusual symptoms in their citrus trees, causing significant crop losses. They had no idea that these symptoms would later become part of an almost global pandemic of a disease called greening or huanglongbing (HLB). The rapid spread of the disease indicated that it might be caused by a transmissible pathogen, but it took >50 years to identify the causative agent as ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’. Recently, the disease appeared in more African countries, spreading by both infected planting material and Trioza erytreae. To date, five ‘Ca. L. africanus’ subspecies have been identified in various rutaceous species, with ‘Ca. L. africanus subsp. clausenae’ the only subspecies for which a biovar was detected in citrus. Efforts to detect and differentiate HLB-causing Liberibacter species are ongoing, and recent developments are discussed here. This review focuses on aspects of the African form of HLB, including its specific bacterial species and subspecies, its main insect vector, its geographic distribution, and current management strategies.

The Old World swallowtail Papilio machaon Linnaeus, 1758 is one of the most well-known and most characteristic members of the family Papilionidae. Over the past two centuries, the butterfly has been the subject of many studies. P. machaon is characterised by a tendency to change the wing colour pattern. In turn, due to the great interest of collectors and amateur entomologists, these studies have been converted into the description of over 100 colour forms, aberrations and subspecies. In this study, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), 16S rDNA and cytochrome b sequences were used to examine the correlation between the intraspecific classification and genetic structure of P. machaon. The study used 87 specimens from 59 different localities covering the geographic distribution of this species in the Palaearctic. The phylogenetic relationships within and between the Old World swallowtail subspecies showed that the intraspecific classification proposed by various authors does not correlate with the variability in mitochondrial DNA sequences. In addition, populations occurring at the species distribution borders in the Palaearctic Region (i.e., Japan, Kamchatka, Morocco and Sakhalin) are genetically distinct from other species.

Muscari botryoides (L.) Mill. s. l. (Asparagaceae s. l. / Hyacinthaceae s. str.) is a taxonomically complicated species (or a species aggregate) with a high level of intraspecific polymorphism. Since it has been taxonomically established, a large number of taxa of different ranks have been identified for various regions of Europe, such as Muscari lelievrei Boreau, M. motelayi Foucaud – for France, M. transsilvanicum Schur – for Romania, Botryanthus kerneri Marches., Muscari longifolium Rigo – for Italy, M. botryoides subsp. hungaricum Priszter – for Hungary, M. botryoides var. podolicum Zapał., M. carpaticum Racib. and M. pocuticum Zapał. – for Ukraine. The article provides a brief overview of the main publications on intraspecific taxonomy of M. botryoides. A list of selected synonyms (mainly taxa mentioned for the flora of Ukraine) of the species is provided. It is noted that the intraspecific taxonomy of M. botryoides remains unresolved in many aspects.

The genetic basis of bird migration has been the focus of several studies. Two willow warbler subspecies (Phylloscopus trochilus trochilus and Phylloscopus trochilus acredula) follow different migratory routes to wintering grounds in Africa. Their breeding populations overlap in contact areas or "migratory divides" located in central Scandinavia and in eastern Poland. Earlier analyses demonstrated that the genetic differences between these two migratory phenotypes are few and cluster on chromosomes 1 and 5. In addition, an amplified fragment length polymorphism-derived biallelic marker (known as WW2) presents steep clines across both migratory divides but failed to be mapped in the genome. Here, we characterize the WW2 marker and describe its two variants (WW2 ancestral and WW2 derived) as portions of long terminal repeat retrotransposons originating from an ancient infection by an endogenous retrovirus. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction techniques to quantify copy numbers of the WW2 derived variant in the two subspecies and their hybrids. This, together with genome analyses revealed that WW2 derived variants are much more abundant in P. t. acredula and appear embedded in a large repeat-rich region (12 Mbp), not associated with the divergent regions of chromosomes 1 or 5. However, it might interact with genetic elements controlling migration direction. Testing this hypothesis further will require knowing the exact location of this region, such as by obtaining more complete genome assemblies preferably in combination with techniques like fluorescence in situ hybridization applied to a willow warbler karyotype, and finally to investigate the copy number of this marker in hybrids with known migratory tracks.

The ability to distinguish among the subspecies of Pasteurella multocida isolates is important epidemiologically; however, classification at the subspecies level based on the results of conventional biochemical tests (fermentation of sorbitol and dulcitol) is reportedly not accurate in all cases. Therefore, we developed a rapid, multiplex PCR assay to differentiate among the 3 subspecies of P. multocida. The PCR assay includes the P. multocida species–specific primers KMT1SP6 and KMT1T7 as an internal amplification control, with a newly designed gatD (galactitol-1-phosphate-5-dehydrogenase)-specific primer pair (unique for subsp. gallicida), and primers targeting a 16S rRNA gene region specific for subsp. septica. The subspecies specificity of the PCR was demonstrated by applying the test to a collection of 70 P. multocida isolates, including the Heddleston serovar reference strains; all isolates and strains were assigned correctly. The PCR assay is a sensitive, specific, and highly effective method for the identification of P. multocida subspecies, and an alternative to biochemical test–based differentiation. A possible relationship was noticed between P. multocida subspecies and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) genotype; all but one of the subsp. gallicida strains were isolated only from avian hosts and represented L1 LPS genotype. Subsp. multocida and subsp. septica isolates were classified into 5 and 4 different LPS genotypes, respectively, of which L3 was the only LPS genotype shared between these 2 subspecies.

Orbilia xanthostigma, with golden yellow to yellow-orange apothecia and O. leucostigma, with white to very pale rose-lilaceous apothecia, were described by E.M. Fries over 200 years ago. Each of the two taxa, which are not easy to interpret because type material is lacking, was proposed in the past as lectotype of the genus Orbilia. In the here presented circumscription, which follows the current usage, O. xanthostigma is among the most frequently recorded species of the genus, whereas O. leucostigma appears to be much less common. Both grow gregariously on decorticated hygric gymno- and angiosperm wood or rarely bark and show a worldwide distribution. They are characterised by minute, strongly curved, warted ascospores and a dicranidion-like anamorph. Except for apothecial colour, there are no other notable morphological differences between them, either in the teleomorph (asci, ascospores, paraphyses) or anamorph (conidiophores, conidia). Because of their strong similarities, the two taxa have often been treated as infraspecific variants (subspecies, varieties) of a single species or even as synonyms. In order to overcome the ambiguities associated with the two names, O. delicatula, a name proposed by P.A. Karsten for a collection with golden yellow apothecia, was suggested by B. Spooner as a replacement name for them. The present study reveals unexpectedly high ITS and LSU variation within a morphologically extremely homogeneous group, representing over 16 more or less invariable genotypes whenever more than one sample with a sequence was available. ITS and LSU rDNA data from European (Luxembourg, Germany, Ukraine) and Macaronesian (Tenerife) collections suggest that the two colour variants represent two distinct species with a 16.5% ITS and 3.5% LSU D1–D2 distance, but very low infraspecific variation (0.2% ITS, 0% LSU). A sample with scattered yellow apothecia from Luxembourg on a xeric branch deviates from typical European-Macaronesian O. xanthostigma by 4% (ITS) and 0.7% (LSU). Further available sequences from samples from Asia, New Zealand and North America with mainly yellow apothecia clustered in various other clades that represent further distinct genotypes. In the absence of morphological characteristics, none of these genotypes are given names pending further investigation. Only two of these genotypes are sufficiently distinct to be recognised morphologically: O. aureocrenulata from tropical, Middle and South America, with golden yellow apothecia with a crenulate margin and prominent stipe, and O. xanthoflexa from temperate, northeastern North America with yellow sessile apothecia with a smooth margin and larger, less curved, smooth-walled ascospores.

Scutellaria L. (family Lamiaceae) includes approximately 470 species found in most parts of the world and is commonly known as skullcaps. Scutellaria L. is a medicinal herb used as a folk remedy in Korea and East Asia, but it is difficult to identify and classify various subspecies by morphological methods. Since Scutellaria L. has not been studied genetically, to expand the knowledge of species in the genus Scutellaria L., de novo whole-genome assembly was performed in Scutellaria indica var. tsusimensis (H. Hara) Ohwi using the Illumina sequencing platform. We aimed to develop a molecular method that could be used to classify S.indica var. tsusimensis (H. Hara) Ohwi, S. indica L. and three other Scutellaria L. species. The assembly results for S.indica var. tsusimensis (H. Hara) Ohwi revealed a genome size of 318,741,328 bp and a scaffold N50 of 78,430. The assembly contained 92.08% of the conserved BUSCO core gene set and was estimated to cover 94.65% of the genome. The obtained genes were compared with previously registered Scutellaria nucleotide sequences and similar regions using the NCBI BLAST service, and a total of 279 similar nucleotide sequences were detected. By selecting the 279 similar nucleotide sequences and nine chloroplast DNA barcode genes, primers were prepared so that the size of the PCR product was 100 to 1000 bp. As a result, a species-specific primer set capable of distinguishing five species of Scutellaria L. was developed.

Using two mitochondrial DNA fragments and 13 microsatellite loci, we examined the phylogeographic structure and taxonomy of two codistributed snake species (Natrix natrix, N. tessellata) in their eastern distribution area, with a focus on Turkey. We found evidence for frequent interspecific hybridization, previously thought to be extremely rare, and for backcrosses. This underscores that closely related sympatric species should be studied together because otherwise the signal of hybridization will be missed. Furthermore, the phylogeographic patterns of the two species show many parallels, suggestive of a shared biogeographic history. In general, the phylogeographies follow the paradigm of southern richness to northern purity, but the dice snake has some additional lineages in the south and east in regions where grass snakes do not occur. For both species, the Balkan Peninsula and the Caucasus region served as glacial refugia, with several mitochondrial lineages occurring in close proximity. Our results show that the mitochondrial divergences in both species match nuclear genomic differentiation. Yet, in the former glacial refugia of grass snakes there are fewer nuclear clusters than mitochondrial lineages, suggesting that Holocene range expansions transformed the glacial hotspots in melting pots where only the mitochondrial lineages persisted, bearing witness of former diversity. On the other hand, the deep mitochondrial divergences in N. tessellata across its entire range indicate that more than one species could be involved, even though lacking micro satellite data outside of Turkey prevent firm conclusions. On the contrary, our microsatellite and mitochondrial data corroborate that N. megalocephala is invalid and not differentiated from sympatric populations of N. natrix. For Cypriot grass snakes, our analyses yielded conflicting results. A critical assessment of the available evidence suggests that N. natrix is a genetically impoverished recent invader on Cyprus and taxonomically not distinct from a subspecies also occurring in western Anatolia and the southern Balkans. Based on combined mitochondrial and nuclear genomic evidence we propose that for grass snakes the following subspecies should be recognized in our study region: (1) Natrix natrix vulgaris Laurenti, 1768, southeastern Central Europe and northern Balkans; (2) Natrix natrix moreoticus (Bedriaga, 1882), southern Balkans, western Anatolia, and Cyprus; and (3) Natrix natrix scutata (Pallas, 1771), eastern Anatolia, Caucasus region, Iran, northeastern distribution range (from eastern Poland and Finland to Kazakhstan and the Lake Baikal region). Thus, Natrix natrix cypriaca (Hecht, 1930) becomes a junior synonym ofN. n. moreoticus and Natrix natrix persa (Pallas, 1814) becomes a junior synonym ofN. n. scutata. Due to insufficient material, we could not resolve the status of Natrix natrix syriaca (Hecht, 1930) from the Gulf of Iskenderun, southeastern Turkey., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey TuBTAK [116Z359]; Senckenberg; Slovak Research and Development Agency [APVV-19-0076]; Scientific Grant Agency of the Slovak Republic [VEGA 1/0242/21], The authors thank the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey TuBTAK (project number 116Z359) for financial support. Marika Asztalos' work was funded by Senckenberg. Daniel Jablonski was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract APVV-19-0076 and by the grant VEGA 1/0242/21 of the Scientific Grant Agency of the Slovak Republic. All animal handling within the scope of the TuBTAK project was in accordance with wild-life husbandry standards approved by Decision 2016-18 of the Labora-tory Animals Ethical Committee at Ege University, Turkey. Suleyman lhan and Melodi Yenmi assisted with laboratory work. Frank Glaw and Ben Wielstra donated some samples. Henrik BringsOe allowed the use of two photos for a figure. Frank Glaw and an anonymous reviewer made helpful suggestions that improved an earlier version of this study. Flora Ihlow and Markward Herbert Fischer produced one map for us.

Mostly southeast Asian countries are known as the area of biodiversity’s hotspot; nevertheless, there are lots of uncleared distributional information and taxonomic errors in insect biodiversity. To resolve and advance the basic data in the species of Lepidoptera from Myanmar, checklist of the family Nymphalidae is provided. As a result, 529 species (included subspecies) of 105 genera in 13 subfamilies of Nymphalidae are listed from Myanmar based on the recent updated taxonomic data and original descriptions.

Persistent hyperglycaemia is the hallmark of diabetes and is accountable for the devastating complications, which cause high morbidity and mortality. Conventional anti-diabetic agents are only palliative and characterised with limited efficacy, adverse effects, high costs, inaccessibility, prompting the need for better alternatives. Therefore, we investigated the in vivo hypoglycaemic activities, elemental composition, and qualitative phytochemistry of the aqueous leaf extracts of P. zanzibarica and O. europaea subspecies africana as potential sources of affordable, safer, accessible, and potent anti-diabetic therapies. In vivo hypoglycaemic activities of the studied plant extracts were evaluated at three dose levels of 50, 100, and 150 mg/Kg body weight (bw) in Alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic Swiss albino mice. The elemental composition of the plant extracts was analysed using the energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF System) and the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Qualitative phytochemical screening was done following standard procedures. In this study, the aqueous leaf extract of P. zanzibarica, significantly (pth h) at a dose of 50 mg/Kg body weight, 166.98±1.56 mg/dL (at 0h) to 48.90±1.40 mg/dL (at 4th h) at a dose of 100 mg/Kg body weight, and 168.64±2.96 mg/dL (at 0h) to 42.46±1.80 mg/dL (at 4th h) at a dose of 150 mg/Kg body weight, respectively. Similarly, the aqueous leaf extract of O. europaea subspecies africana significantly (pth h) at a dose of 50 mg/Kg body weight, 158.14±3.49 mg/dL (at 0h) to 53.68±1.48 mg/dL (at the 4th h) at a dose of 100 mg/Kg body weight, and from 161.66±2.19 mg/dL (at 0h) to 44.48±1.35 mg/dL (at the 4th h) at a dose of 150 mg/Kg body weight, respectively Furthermore, the extracts contained chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), among other elements, and phytochemicals like phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids, among others. Generally, the studied plant extracts exhibited significant hypoglycaemic efficacy in alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic mice, indicating their antidiabetic potential, and possess pharmacologically active phytochemicals and valuable minerals.

The lower/upper Emsian boundary witnessed prominent diversification of biostratigraphically important genera Polygnathus Hinde, Caudicriodus Bultynck, and Latericriodus Muller. In contrast, conodonts previously reported around this boundary from the South China Block were characterized by relatively low species or subspecies diversity, and only a few widely distributed and extensively studied zone-defining taxa were recorded. In this paper, conodonts from the Daliantang Formation at the Daliantang section (Guangnan, southeastern Yunnan), one of the representative sections of the transitional facies between the benthic Xiangzhou facies and the pelagic Nandan facies, are investigated. The conodont fauna shows a remarkably high species or subspecies diversity, with fourteen taxa that are assignable to the notoperbonus Zone and inversus Zone. Five polygnathid species are described: P. gronbergi Klapper and Jonson, P. inversus Klapper and Jonson, Polygnathus sp. B, P. luciae Martinez-Perez and Valenzuela-Rios, and P. mashkovae Bardashev. The latter two are reported for the first time from the South China Block. Additionally, three icriodontid taxa are also described, of which L. guangnanensis n. sp. is characterized by distinctly chevron-shaped transverse rows in the anterior part and a well-developed process branching off to the outer side. The new conodont record increases our understanding of the diversification and faunal composition around the lower/upper Emsian boundary in the South China Block. It contributes to the regional and inter-regional biostratigraphical correlation between shallower- and deeper-water facies and also furnishes important South China material for future discussion and deliberation on the position of the lower/upper Emsian boundary.

BACKGROUND This study examined the population structure of Macaca fascicularis aurea and their genetic relationships with M. f. fascicularis and M. mulatta. METHODS The study analyzed 868 RADseq-derived SNPs from samples representing the entire distribution range of M. f. aurea, including their inter- and intraspecific hybrid zones. RESULTS The study supports a M. mulatta/Indochinese M. f. fascicularis, Sundaic M. f. fascicularis, and M. f. aurea trichotomy; M. f. aurea was genetically distinct from both forms of M. f. fascicularis and M. mulatta. Hybridization between M. f. aurea and M. f. fascicularis occurred in two directions: south-north (8°25' to 15°56') and west-east (98°28' to 99°02'). Low levels of M. mulatta introgression were also detected in M. f. aurea. CONCLUSION This study showcases a complicated scenario of genetic relationships between the M. fascicularis subspecies and between M. fascicularis and M. mulatta and underscores the importance of these taxa's population structure and genetic relationships for biomedical research.

Establishing conservation priorities requires an understanding of the diversity within and among taxa. Land snails in the subgenus Monadenia consist of six species, three of which are recognized in Oregon, M. fidelis, M. chaceana and a recently discovered M. infumata found north of its presumed range limits in Northern California. Further, M. fidelis is composed of at least six named subspecies, one of which is a candidate for federal listing, and extensive sampling and expert assessments of shell morphology have uncovered even more distinct forms. Still, it is unknown if these morphological variants are truly distinctive units of diversity or rather reflect environmentally driven plasticity. Here we investigate whether there are multiple, structured units of diversity in Washington, Oregon, and California Monadenia. We used COI, a mitochondrial barcode gene, a ddRAD-based genome-wide SNP dataset, along with expert-assessment of morphology, to better delimit diversity of Monadenia in Oregon and in parts of Washington and California to inform conservation strategies for this group. Morphological analyses confirm the existence of distinctive morphotypes, but genomic data show widespread admixture, even at the species level. Still, we do find limited geographic structuring between samples collected in the northern versus southern portions of the study area and possibly weak structuring between populations in the Coast Ranges compared to the Cascade Mountains. Genetic differentiation was similar among the morphotypes in the north–south grouping, but pairwise estimates of differentiation were much greater among some morphotypes and species. Our finding of admixture and gene flow across Monadenia, even at the species level, complicates assessment of individuated units of diversity critical for establishing conservation prioritization. Further work is still necessary, such as including more Monadenia taxa, in order to evaluate species limits and investigate mechanisms underlying the morphological diversity in this group.

The Australian skyhopper genus Kosciuscola Sjöstedt consists of brachypterous species that inhabit the Australian alpine and subalpine region. The genus used to include 5 species and 1 subspecies, but according to a recent phylogenomic study, there could be as many as 14 species in the genus, that are genetically and geographically isolated from each other. This study represents the first step in describing and documenting the diversity of this interesting genus. In this study, we redefine the type species K. tristis, and elevate its subspecies K. tristis restrictus as a valid species on the basis of distinct morphological traits, geographical isolation, and phylogenomic evidence.

The distribution and genetic relatedness of subspecies among the populations of seaside sparrow (Ammospiza maritima [Wilson 1810]) along the coast of Florida are poorly understood. We evaluated genetic support for three defined Florida Gulf coast subspecies, as well as a fourth subspecies on the Atlantic coast, and assessed whether genetic clusters corresponded geographically with the defined ranges of subspecific designations. Data generated using double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) suggest that the Florida endemics, A. m. peninsulae and A. m. juncicola, are genetically indistinguishable, but that the third Gulf coast subspecies, A. m. fisheri, and the Atlantic coast subspecies, A. m. macgillivraii, are genetically distinct units. These three distinct genetic groups were identified in three main geographic areas within the state of Florida, USA: (1) Florida’s panhandle (2) Florida’s Gulf coast peninsula, and (3) the Atlantic coast. Admixture was detected between genetic clusters in sites near the transition zone between the Florida panhandle and peninsula. Geographic distributions of genetic clusters on the Gulf coast do not match currently defined subspecific ranges for A. m. fisheri and A. m. peninsulae.

There is a growing demand for ecological restoration using suitable seeds following international standards or national legal demands for local seed‐sourcing. However, before selecting the appropriate geographic origin of seeds, it is vital to explore taxonomic complexity related to the focal taxa. We used ddRAD‐seq to screen genomic diversity within Carex bigelowii s.lat. focussing on Norway. This species complex is considered a candidate for seeding, but presents considerable morphological, ecological, and genetic variation. The genetic structure of 132 individuals of C. bigelowii s.lat., including Carex nigra as an outgroup, was explored using ordinations, clustering analyses, and a genetic barrier algorithm. Two highly divergent clusters were evident, supporting the recognition of two taxonomic units “C. dacica” and C. bigelowii “subsp. bigelowii”. Previously defined seed‐sourcing regions for C. bigelowii s.lat. did not consider the known taxonomic complexity, and therefore interpreted the overall genetic structure as seed‐sourcing regions, not taxa. We estimated genetic neighborhood sizes within each taxon to be 100–150 km and 300 km, respectively, indicating species‐specific delimitations of local seed‐sourcing regions. Frequent hybrids, local genetic distinctiveness, and suggested ecotypes add complexity to the discussed seed‐sourcing regions. Our results show how genomic screening of diversity and structure in a species complex can alleviate the taxonomic impediment, inform practical questions, and legal requirements related to seed‐sourcing, and together with traditional taxonomic work provide necessary information for a sound management of biodiversity., There is a growing demand for ecological restoration using suitable seeds following international standards or national legal demands for local seed sourcing. However, before selecting the appropriate geographic origin of seeds, it is vital to explore the taxonomic complexity related to the focal taxa. Genomic screening of diversity and structure of the complex case of Carex bigelowii s.lat. can alleviate the taxonomic impediment, inform practical questions and legal requirements related to seed sourcing, and together with traditional taxonomic work provide necessary information for a sound management of biodiversity.

Seven described species (N. (Erirhinus) aethiops (Paykull, 1792), N. (Asionotaris) eversmanni Faust, 1882, N. (A.) altaica (Legalov, 1997), N. (N.) acridulus (Linnaeus, 1758), N. (N.) daurica Faust, 1882, N. (N.) oryzae (Ishida, 1902), and N. (N.) scirpi (Fabricius, 1792) with two subspecies: N. (N.) scirpi scirpi (Fabricius, 1792) and N. (N.) scirpi mandschurica Voss, 1940) of the genus Notaris Germar, 1817 are known from Siberia and the Russian Far East. The distributions of these species are specified. There are the first records of N. (Erirhinus) aethiops for Republic of Khakassia, N. (Asionotaris) eversmanni for Sakhalin Is., N. (N.) acridulus for Altai Krai and Jewish Autonomous Oblast, N. (N.) scirpi scirpi for Irkutsk Oblast and N. (N.) scirpi mandschurica for Zabaikalskii Krai. A new subgenus Asionotaris subgen. n. (type species – Erirhinus altaicus Legalov, 1997) of the genus Notaris is described. Keys for subgenera of the genus Notaris and species of this genus from Siberia and the Russian Far East are completed. Distribution maps of the considered Notaris species are given.

In this study, the systematic status of Messageria Bavay & Dautzenberg, 1904 is discussed. It is recognized as an alycaeid genus, rather than as a subgenus or a junior synonym of Helicomorpha Möllendorff, 1890 (Diplommatinidae) as previously thought. Additionally, a new species, Messageria sinica n. sp. from Guizhou, and a new subspecies, Messageria scalarioides donghiana n. ssp. from Guangxi are described. Messageria scalarioides donghiana n. ssp. is morphologically different from the nominate subspecies by the larger shell and wider lower whorls and umbilicus. Messageria sinica n. sp. is morphologically different from the type species by having larger shell and distinct intermediate ribs.

A taxonomic revision of the Iranian species of the family Cossidae is conducted. Sixthy-nine species and 16 subspecies in 26 genera and five subfamilies, namely Catoptinae, Mehariinae, Stygiinae, Cossinae and Zeuzerinae, are identified. Meharia baluchestana Alipanah & Yakovlev, sp. n. and Cossulus kopetdaghensis Yakovlev & Alipanah, sp. n. are described. Dyspessa elbursensis derbenti Daniel, 1964 is raised to the species level, Dyspessa derbenti Daniel, 1964, stat. n.; Dieida ledereri (Staudinger, 1817) is considered as the senior synonym of D. persa Strand in Stichel, 1911, syn. n.; Cossus coccus araraticus Teich, 1896 is considered as a senior synonym of C. c. armeniaca Rothschild, 1912, syn. n.; C c. kossai Wiltshire, 1957 as a senior synonym of C. c. omrana Wiltshire, 1957, syn. n.; and Deserticossus arenicola iranica (Austaut, 1897), syn. n. and D. arenicola transcaucasicus (Zukowsky, 1936), syn. n. are newly synonymized with D. arenicola arenicola (Staudinger, 1879). Additionally, the genus Mormogystia Schoorl, 1990, and 15 species, namely Dyspessa alpherakyi (Christoph in Romanoff, 1885), D. artemis Yakovlev, 2008, D. blonda Yakovlev, 2008, D. stroehlei Yakovlev, 2008, D. tsvetaevi Yakovlev, 2008, Barchaniella inspersa (Christoph, 1887), B. sacara (Grum-Grshimailo, 1902), Cossulus intractatus (Staudinger, 1887), C. mollis (Christoph, 1887), C. stertzi (Püngeler, 1899), Deserticossus campicola (Eversmann, 1854), Kotchevnik durelli Yakovlev, 2004, Mormogystia reibellii (Oberthür, 1876), Eremocossus erebuni Yakovlev, 2008 and Phragmataecia turkmenbashi Yakovlev, 2008 are newly reported for the fauna of Iran. Moreover, the hitherto unknown female of Kotchevnik durelli is described. Additional data of the species previously reported from Iran is provided and the collecting data maps of the entire studied species are presented.

Many aquatic species in the arid USA-Mexico borderlands region are imperiled, but limited information on distributions and threats often hinders management. To provide information on the distribution of the Western Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium), including the USA-federally endangered Sonoran Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi), we used traditional (seines, dip-nets) and modern (environmental DNA [eDNA]) methods to sample 91 waterbodies in northern Sonora, Mexico, during 2015-2018. The endemic Sonoran Tiger Salamander is threatened by introgressive hybridization and potential replacement by another sub-species of the Western Tiger Salamander, the non-native Barred Tiger Salamander (A. m. mavortium). Based on occupancy models that accounted for imperfect detection, eDNA sampling provided a similar detection probability (0.82 [95% CI: 0.56-0.94]) as seining (0.83 [0.46-0.96]) and much higher detection than dip-netting (0.09 [0.02-0.23]). Volume of water filtered had little effect on detection, possibly because turbid sites had greater densities of salamanders. Salamanders were estimated to occur at 51 sites in 3 river drainages in Sonora. These results indicate tiger salamanders are much more widespread in northern Sonora than previously documented, perhaps aided by changes in land and water management practices. However, because the two subspecies of salamanders cannot be reliably distinguished based on morphology or eDNA methods that are based on mitochondrial DNA, we are uncertain if we detected only native genotypes or if we documented recent invasion of the area by the non-native sub-species. Thus, there is an urgent need for methods to reliably distinguish the subspecies so managers can identify appropriate interventions.

Oceanic islands have long been considered engines of differentiation and speciation for terrestrial organisms. Here we investigated colonisation and radiation processes in the Madeira Archipelago and the Canary Islands of the Andrena wollastoni group of bees (subgenus Micrandrena), which comprises six endemic species and five endemic subspecies on the islands. Mitochondrial COI sequences support the monophyly of the four species of the Canary Islands and the two species of the Madeira Archipelago and suggest a relatively young age for all taxa. The data do not support a simple stepping-stone model (eastern-western colonisation from the mainland, with splitting into new taxa), but suggest Andrena gomerensis (extant on La Gomera and La Palma) or its ancestor as the basal lineage from which all other taxa evolved. Andrena lineolata (Tene-rife) or its putative ancestor (A. gomerensis) is sister to A. dourada (Porto Santo), A. catula (Gran Canaria), and A. acuta (also Tenerife). Andrena dourada (Porto Santo) and A. wollastoni (Madeira Island) are sister species. Morphologically and morphometrically defined subspecies were not distinguishable with COI DNA sequences. Colonisation likely led from the Canary Islands to the Madeira Archipelago and not from the mainland directly to the latter.

Three new Noctuoidea subspecies are described as local endemics from the Silver Coast, part of the Bulgarian North Black Sea Coast: Eutelia adoratrix platinea ssp. n., Lacanobia praedita canescens ssp. n. and Hadena adriana petergyulaii ssp. n. They are characterised by a pale forewing ground colour corresponding to the colour of the calcareous sediments dominating their habitats. These new subspecies, in comparison with the nominotypical taxa, show greater differences in external appearance than in the female and male genitalia, including the everted vesica. Furthermore, the new subspecies cannot be separated from the nominotypical subspecies by DNA barcoding.

Bembidion (Peryphanes) sanatum iwanai ssp. n. is described from the solfatara fields of the Mendeleev Volcano (Kuril Archipelago: Kunashir Island). It slightly differs from the nominative subspecies by body proportions, as well as the relatively narrow external intervals of the elytra and their microsculpture, yet showing stable distinctions in endophallus armature (basal part of lamina 1 is rounded, vs. angular in the nominative subspecies) and in the spermatheca duct (5–6 convolutions, vs. 7–8 in the nominative subspecies). Endemism of insects on the island’s large volcanic massifs of Kunashir Island is discussed.

Ammonoids are extinct cephalopods with external shells which predominated in many late Paleozoic and Mesozoic marine ecosystems. Stable isotope data from ammonoid shells constitute primary tools for understanding their palaeohabitats. However, in most sedimentary successions globally the aragonitic shells of ammonoids are dissolved during fossilisation process and therefore not available for geochemical studies. We overcome this taphonomic bias by analysing the better preservable calcitic elements of the ammonoid jaws (aptychi). We study moulds and aptychi of two successive members, temporal subspecies in our interpretation, of a scaphitid evolutionary lineage from a Late Cretaceous chalk succession in Poland. In order to reconstruct their habitat depth preferences, we apply the powerful combination of stable isotope data from aptychi and co-occurring benthic and planktic foraminifera with an analysis of predation marks preserved on scaphitid specimens. On this basis we conclude that the populations of the older subspecies led a nektic, and those of the younger subspecies, a nektobenthic lifestyle. The shift in habitat depth preferences took place probably as a response of local populations to the shallowing of the sea. Previous studies largely assumed stable depth preferences for ammonoid species, genera and even higher clades. Our study casts doubts over such generalizations by pointing out that ammonoids could have been more flexible in their depth-related behaviour than anticipated.

Individual personalities affect animal experiences of zoo environments, impact on an animal’s coping ability and have potential implications for welfare. Keeper assessments have been identified as a quick and reliable way of capturing data on personality in a range of species and have practical application in improving animal welfare on an individual level. Despite widespread recognition of the importance of animal personality within a zoo environment, there is a paucity of research into tiger personality and the potential impact of this on tiger experiences within zoos. This research investigated the personality of 34 tigers (19 Amur and 15 Sumatran) across 14 facilities in the UK using keeper ratings and identified changes keepers made in animal husbandry to support tiger welfare. Reliability across keepers (n = 49) was established for nine adjectives and a principal component analysis identified three personality components: ‘anxious’, ‘quiet’ and ‘sociable’. When subspecies were combined, there was no relationship between tiger scores on the personality components and age or sex of tigers (p > 0.05). Subspecies of tiger was not related to scores on the ‘quiet’ or ‘sociable’ components (p > 0.05). Sumatran tigers scored more highly than Amur tigers on the ‘anxious’ component (mean ± SD, Sumatran: 3.0 ± 1.7, Amur: 1.8 ± 0.6, p < 0.05). Analysis within subspecies found that male Amur tigers were more sociable than females (mean ± SD, males: 5.5 ± 0.707; females: 4.15 ± 0.55). Amur tiger age was also negatively correlated with scores on the sociable personality component (R = −0.742, p < 0.05). No significant differences were seen in Sumatran tigers. Keepers reported a number of changes to husbandry routines based on their perceptions of their tigers’ personality/needs. However, there was no significant relationship between these changes and tiger personality scores (p > 0.05). Despite significant evolutionary differences between Amur and Sumatran tigers, there are no subspecies specific guidelines for zoo tigers. This research has highlighted the potential for these two subspecies to display personality differences and we advocate further research into this area. Specifically, we highlight a need to validate the relationship between tiger personality, management protocols and behavioural and physiological metrics of welfare. This will enable a fuller understanding of the impact of personality on zoo tiger experiences and will enable identification of evidence-based best practice guidelines.

Background This paper presents the results of 30 years of field studies on the Caraboidea fauna of the southern Sikhote-Alin Mountain, Russian Far East. Material was collected at 300+ geographical localities within 18 administrative and seven urban districts of the Primorsky Krai, Russia. A total of 55,953 adult ground beetles belonging to 426 subspecies, 411 species, 86 genera and three families were studied. The families Rhysodidae and Trachypachidae are represented by one species each, while the family Carabidae the remaining 409 species. The resulting sampling-event dataset includes 12,852 occurrences. New information This is the first dataset underlying an accurate and referenced taxonomic composition, as well as the geographic distribution of the Caraboidea in the southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains, Primorsky Krai, Russian Far East.

Guettarda L. (Rubiaceae) as traditionally circumscribed has been found to be polyphyletic in molecular analyses. Tournefortiopsis Rusby has been separated from it based on details of inflorescence arrangement, pyrene shape, and molecular analyses. We here find additional characters that distinguish this genus: valvate-induplicate corolla lobes and apical horns on the pyrenes. Some features that are usually consistent within species and often genera of Rubiaceae vary within some species of Tournefortiopsis, especially pubescence form and number of corolla lobes and locules. Our taxonomic review of this genus recognizes 12 species found in Central America and perhaps southern Mexico, the Lesser Antilles, and northern and Andean South America, and finds its center of diversity in the Andes of Colombia. Chomelia torrana C. M. Taylor is here transferred to Tournefortiopsis, and four species are newly described here plus one recently recognized variety is raised to species status, all in South America: T. crassifolia (Standl. ex Steyerm.) C. M. Taylor & A. C. Berger, T. deviana C. M. Taylor, T. robusta C. M. Taylor, T. sopkinii C. M. Taylor, and T. tamboana C. M. Taylor. Tournefortiopsis crispiflora (Vahl) Borhidi is here treated as widespread and morphologically variable, with a complex of forms that are not distinctive but completely separable and with notable diversification in Central America and the northern Andes. Four subspecies of T. crispiflora are recognized, with one circumscribed differently than previously and one newly described, T. crispiflora subsp. delicatula C. M. Taylor & A. C. Berger. The identity and characters of T. dependens (Ruiz & Pav.) Borhidi are clarified, and it is more widely distributed than previously noted. Six names are lectotypified.

Red-legged pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica) occur as several subspecies in eastern Australia. The northern subspecies (T. stigmatica stigmatica) in north Queensland is considered common; the southern subspecies (T. stigmatica wilcoxi) in north-eastern New South Wales is, by comparison, rare and is listed as threatened. Activity patterns should also vary between these subspecies because T. s. stigmatica emerges from the forest at night to graze, whereas T. s. wilcoxi remains in the forest throughout the 24-h cycle. Using camera traps, we detected pademelons at a greater rate at a Queensland site occupied by T. s. stigmatica than at a New South Wales site inhabited by T. s. wilcoxi; this result is consistent with their conservation status. However, pademelons at these sites displayed remarkably similar activity patterns within rainforest over the 24-h period, a result that was unexpected based on what is known of their diel behaviour.

Nemastoma bidentatum Roewer, 1914 is a complex of closely related litter-dwelling harvestmen, characterized by a penis glans with two pairs of lateral lancet-like spines, and a femur IV with a saw-like series of pointed tubercles. Here we a) revise the hitherto known taxa within the N. bidentatum complex, and b) analyze in detail the relations among the taxa in Slovenia. The study revealed that the N. bidentatum complex consists of four species: N. bidentatum Roewer, 1914 s. str., N. relictum Gruber & Martens, 1968 stat. nov., N. pluridentatum (Hadži, 1973) stat. nov. and N. kozari Novak, Kozel, Podlesnik & Raspotnig sp. nov. Moreover, N. bidentatum s. str. consists of six subspecies: N. bidentatum bidentatum Roewer, 1914, N. bidentatum sparsum Gruber & Martens, 1968, N. bidentatum gruberi Novak, Slana Novak, Kozel & Raspotnig ssp. nov., N. bidentatum martensi Novak, Slana Novak & Raspotnig ssp. nov., N. bidentatum schmidti Novak, Raspotnig & Slana Novak ssp. nov. and N. bidentatum sneznikensis Novak, Komposch, Slana Novak & Raspotnig ssp. nov. In Slovenia, the six subspecies of N. bidentatum form a parapatric complex around N. bidentatum schmidti. Hybrids occur in the contact zones between adjacent subspecies, but they are missing between distant subspecies. The taxonomic distinction of lineages / subspecies is congruent with their distribution patterns. With six of the nine taxa present, Slovenia is considered the center of the N. bidentatum complex speciation. At the time being, this complex is the most diversified harvestman group on a subspecific and young-species level and provides important details on speciation processes in Opiliones.

Cho, Hee-Wook (2021): Confirmation of Gonioctena rufa (Kraatz, 1879) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in northeastern Asia, previously misinterpreted as a subspecies of G. viminalis (Linnaeus, 1758), and a new synonym in the genus. Zootaxa 5060 (1): 146-150, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5060.1.8

Morphological boundaries between South American species of Euphrasia L. are controversial, rendering determination of specimens an arduous task. In this context, a comprehensive taxonomic revision of Euphrasia in South America is here provided for the first time. This study, based upon a classical morphological study of ca. 400 herbarium specimens, supports the recognition of eight species and one subspecies distributed in the Andean regions of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. From among native species, six belong to section Trifidae Benth. and one to the monotypic section Paradoxae Pugsley, endemic to Juan Fernández Islands; one adventive species, E. officinalis L., belongs to the section Euphrasia. The previously misunderstood presence of E. cockayniana Petrie is here untangled, and, consequently, the species is excluded from South America. A key to all Euphrasia taxa in South America, plus morphological descriptions, nomenclature items, geographical distribution and maps, habitat notes, illustrations, photographs, and discussion notes are included for the nine taxa. Eleven names are here synonymized, and lectotypes are designated for E. andicola Benth., E. debilis Wettst., E. flavicans Phil., E. intricata Phil., and E. philippii Wettst. Euphrasia andicola is reported for the first time for Argentina. This collaborative effort will represent a baseline for further investigations on Euphrasia in South America.