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Ant diversity in tropical montane rainforests is globally understudied. This is true for Cusuco National Park (CNP), a cloud forest ecosystem in northwestern Honduras that supports geographically isolated and threatened habitats. The current study presents the first comprehensive ant species checklist for CNP , which is also the first ant checklist for Honduras in over a century. Species records from several projects are also combined and presented. Sampling occurred along an elevational range (mainly between 1170 and 2030 m a.s.l.), with methodologies and intensities varying among projects and dates. Overall, 162 ant species belonging to nine subfamilies and 60 genera are reported from the CNP. Five species are recorded for the first time in Honduras (Pheidole natalie Longino, 2019; Strumigenys cf. calamita; Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972; Solenopsis texana/carolinensis; Pseudomyrmex pallens Mayr, 1870). For the first time, male individuals are reported in Pheidole balatro Longino, 2019. For each species, we provide information on observed habitat preference, elevational range, and sampling technique. Species accumulation curves are provided for each sample technique, representing sampling intensity and community sample coverage. We also provide a key to the ant genera of Honduras to aid future taxonomic efforts in the country. Our research demonstrates that CNP harbours a surprisingly rich diversity of ant species, despite its small area, similar to many other taxa in the park. The information provided here represents baseline information for future work on ants in CNP and other Honduran cloud forests and will help guide research in these otherwise poorly explored yet highly threatened ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We provide new records of Neogale frenata and Potos flavus, two carnivores with elusive behaviors that are challenging to observe in their natural habitats. Through direct records compiled in diurnal and nocturnal monitoring over three years, we record two individuals of N. frenata, a juvenile and an adult, and three individuals of P. flavus, an adult and two juveniles. The juvenile of N. frenata increases the distribution range to 68 km from its nearest record. The two juveniles of Potos flavus represent an extension of their distribution range of 22 km away from their nearest record. This new data highlights the importance of opportunistic records in combination with passive methods as part of fauna inventories. We emphasize the relevance of considering the habitat conditions of each record to identify possible threats to their conservation, like human disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are recognised worldwide not only as man's best friend, but also as a form of anthropogenic edge effect impacting wildlife through predation, competition and disease infection. In the Northern Andes, there is growing evidence of dogs inducing activity shifts or alterations in the habitat use of native mammalian species. However, little information exists on direct attacks of dogs on wildlife, even in the case of species of conservation concern such as the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque). Here, we used camera traps to report two cases of dogs chasing and attacking mountain tapirs in a protected area of the Central Andes of Colombia. The first event showed a direct physical contact between a living adult mountain tapir and two dogs, but the picture's angle did not lead to observable signs of wounds or other injuries. The second event showed an adult mountain tapir running while being chased by the same two dogs of the first event, denoting a stressful moment for the tapir. This may have negative consequences on the populations of mountain tapirs through decreased reproductive performance and foraging efficiency, increased potential for disease outbreaks and more. Population management and control of domestic dogs inside and around protected areas must be considered a priority in future conservation actions to support a healthy population of mountain tapirs and other imperilled species in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The currently known species of Valeriana are herbs, shrubs, small trees and vines. After 20 years without new species of Valeriana in Mexico, here is described and illustrated the first epiphytic species in the genus. The species was found growing on Quercus glabrescens trees of the cloud forests from central Veracruz in eastern Mexico. It is known and described from very few specimens in the type locality. The most morphologically similar Mexican species are the vines V. naidae and V. subincisa, it was compared. Conservation assessment classifies this species under the Critically Endangered CR B1+B2ab(ii,v) category of the IUCN Red List Criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe here a new species of Casearia from Panama based on both morphological and molecular data. Casearia isthmica sp. nov. is restricted to the mid-elevation cloud forests of Central Panama and presents morphological similarities with two more widespread species, C. sanchezii from high elevation areas of El Salvador and Mexico and C. tremula from the Caribbean, Central America, and Northern South America. Casearia isthmica differs in presenting pedunculated and congested inflorescences with up to 20 flowers, as well as flowers with 12 stamens and a pubescent style. Phylogenetic analysis based on selected plastid (petD, trnK-matK, rpl16 and rps4-trnLF) and nuclear (GBSSI and ITS) markers shows that the new species belongs to subclade B3 of Casearia, a lineage that encompasses species from Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Results of the morphological and molecular analysis were congruent and allowed a broader understanding of this new taxon, especially regarding its relationships to other Casearia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the description of Eugenia naraveana in 2016 from the cloud forest of the Cofre de Perote volcano, Mexico, the doubt about the existence of another unlocalized and sympatric species of Eugenia remained. After years of searching, the second endemic species of the Cofre de Perote volcano, Eugenia sarahchazaroi, is presented here. It belongs to the section Umbellatae, and is described, illustrated, and compared with E. naraveana and E. coetzalensis, recently described from Veracruz, the second state with the highest diversity of Eugenia in Mexico. The species is only known from the type locality and is classified in the Critically Endangered CR B1+B2(a,biii) category of the IUCN Red List conservation assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Crested-tailed deer mouse, Habromys lophurus, is one of seven arboreal species within the genus Habromys. Species of this genus are monotypic, relatively rare, and occur in low densities. Their geographical distribution is highly fragmented due to being restricted to montane cloud forest in Mesoamerica and they are of conservation concern. All Habromys species are endemic to Mexico, except H. lophurus, which is also distributed in Guatemala and El Salvador. In this study, we obtained and characterized the first mitogenome and several thousand nuclear ultraconserved elements (UCEs) of H. lophurus to determine its phylogenetic position within neotomine-peromyscine mice. Its mitogenome sequence (16,509 bp) is only the second complete mitogenome obtained for this poorly known genus. We also obtained the first nuclear genomic data for H. lophurus, including 3,654 UCE loci, as well as a partial mitogenome of H. simulatus (6,349 bp), and 2,186 UCE for the outgroup Holochilus sciureus. Phylogenetic analyses that included our newly generated genomic data coupled with previously published data from other neotomine-peromyscine mice confirm the placement of H. lophurus, H. simulatus, and H. ixtlani within a highly supported clade. The Habromys clade was nested within a clade that also contains members of the genus Peromyscus and provides further support for the hypothesis of the paraphyly of Peromyscus. These genomic resources will contribute to future phylogenomic studies that aim to further elucidate the evolutionary history of this rare and critically endangered genus of rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new salamander species of the genus Bolitoglossa is here described from the cloud forests of the western slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia, in the Cundinamarca department. The most salient characters of this new species are its numerous maxillary and vomerine teeth, its moderate webbing on hands and feet, its short and robust tail, and its chromatic variation. Based on molecular analyses this new species is assigned to the adspersa species group and its status established as the sister species of B. adspersa, with which it was previously confused. Lastly, the distribution, natural history, and conservation status of the new species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Struthanthus ibe-dzi sp. nov. is a new species described and illustrated from the cloud and pine-oak forests of the Sierra Madre del Sur in Oaxaca, Mexico. This species shares similarities of leaf shape and inflorescence type with S. deppeanus, S. quercicola, and S. ramiro-cruzii. However, S. ibe-dzi can be recognized by its glaucous branches, leaves and inflorescences; compressed nodes; convoluted distal half of styles in pistillate flowers; and staminate flowers with asymmetrical thecae and an extended connective forming an apiculate horn in both anther series. A distribution map and an identification key are provided to separate S. ibe-dzi from morphologically similar congeners present in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Saña River Valley in Northern Peru is unusual for the western slopes of the Peruvian Andes because of its nearly year-round regime of precipitation instead of marked seasonal dry winters. This results in unexpected plant diversity. We surveyed the species of Peperomia (Piperaceae), occurring in this valley from 300 to 3000 m elevation, based on the study of specimens from ten herbaria and field collections, resulting in a total of 81 accessions, of which 48 were made by the authors. We found 16 different taxa: Peperomia cacaophila, from Ecuador, is reported for the first time in Peru; P. cymbifolia, P. dolabriformis and P. emarginulata are reported for the first time for the Saña River Valley; other widely distributed species like P. fraseri, P. galioides, P. haematolepis, P. hispidula, P. inaequalifolia, P. microphylla, and P. rotundata were also found. Five species new to science are described: P. pilocarpa, P. riosaniensis, close to P. palmiformis from Amazonas; P. sagasteguii, related to P. trinervis, P. symmankii, close to P. ricardofernandezii from Piura, and P. vivipara, related to P. alata. A key to the species of Peperomia from the Saña River Valley, based on vegetative characters, is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liparis altomayoënsis sp. nov. is described, illustrated, and tentatively assigned to the Neotropical section Decumbentes on the basis of its branching, prostrate rhizomes and upright stems bearing several leaves. Vegetatively, the new species is distinguished by its short, upward stems bearing 3-6 leaves, these with undulate, translucent margins and reticulate, prominent veining on the upper surface. Florally, it is distinctive in the labellum with fleshy basal one-half provided with a central, rounded cavity limited on each side by a prominent, bilobulate ridge and apically by a lunate ridge, and membranaceous, trilobulate apical one-half deflexed ca. 90°. In contrast with other species of section Decumbentes, in which fruit formation is infrequent, in L. altomayoënsis a high proportion (~50-100%) of flowers develop into a fruit; in some flowers the pollinaria rotate and contact the stigma, apparently resulting in at least facultative self-pollination. The main differences among the six species of L. section Decumbentes hitherto known are contrasted in a dichotomous key. The new species is known only from three populations located in the Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo, on the Amazonian slope of the Andes in northeastern Peru but appears to be under no foreseeable threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of sequestrate fungi are described from south Mexico based on morphological and molecular evidences. Here we describe Elaphomyces castilloi characterized by the yellowish mycelial mat, dull blue gleba and ascospores of 9.7-11.5 µm; Entoloma secotioides is characterized by the secotioid basidiomata, sulcate, pale cream pileus, and basidiospores of 7-13 × 5-9 µm. Both species grow in montane cloud forest under Quercus sp. in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Descriptions, photographs, and multilocus phylogeny for both species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Licaria ramiroi, a species endemic to western Mexico, is described and illustrated. The ascription of the new species to Licaria is analysed. It is classified in the subgen. Licaria and is most closely related to L. triandra and L. siphonantha from which it differs by its glabrous vegetative and floral structures, stamens mainly with free anthers and the inner wall of the receptacle sericeous. According to the IUCN criteria, the species is classified as critically endangered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Nublapamea gen. nov. is described (type species: Trachea altivolans Schaus), here determined to belong to the primarily temperate Holarctic tribe Apameini (Noctuidae: Noctuinae). Currently known only from mid- to upper elevation montane forests of Costa Rica, Nublapamea is a disjunct southern extension of a largely northern hemisphere temperate region fauna. The life history of Nublapamea altivolans is unknown; it may be associated with chusquea bamboo (Chusquea Kunth), as most Apameini are dietary specialists on graminoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the rediscovery of the Critically Endangered cloud forest herb Gasteranthus extinctus, not seen since 1985. In 2019 and 2021, G. extinctus was recorded at five sites in the western foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes, 4-25 km from the type locality at the celebrated Centinela ridge. We describe the species' distribution, abundance, habitat and conservation status and offer recommendations for further research and conservation efforts focused on G. extinctus and the small, disjunct forest remnants it occupies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial molecular and morphological character differences lead us to the description of a new species of the genus Pristimantis from the cloud forest of Cerro Chucantí, Maje Mountains, Darien Province, as well as from several other mountain ranges in eastern and central Panama. Pristimantis gretathunbergae sp. nov. is a sister species to the allopatric P. erythropleura-penelopus group from northern Colombia with a mtDNA sequence divergence of > 4.4% at 16S and > 14.6% at COI. Its closest congener in sympatry is P. cruentus that differs by a large sequence divergence of > 9.6% in 16S mtDNA and 19.0% at COI, and from which it differs also by ventral and groin coloration, unusually prominent black eyes, a contrasting light upper lip, commonly a single conical to spine-like tubercle on the upper eyelid, and a larger head. While the habitat continuity at most sites in eastern Panama is moderate, habitats in central Panama are severely fragmented. Cerro Chucantí and the surrounding Maje Mountains are highly threatened by rapid deforestation and replaced by plantations and cattle pastures. Thus, investigations on the ecology of the new species and its population status, especially at the type locality, are highly recommended. As a flagship species, this new frog can help to preserve the Chucantí cloud forest including several recently described species known only from this isolated area in eastern Panama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of herpetological surveys in two adjacent mountains where the EcoMinga Foundation protects the cloud forest in the Upper Rio Pastaza watershed, in the Llanganates Sangay Ecological Corridor in Ecuador. A rapid assessment of the amphibian communities of the study sites reveals a diverse and heterogeneous composition, dominated by terrestrial frogs from the genus Pristimantis. We also identify a cryptic diversity with a significant number of candidate new species. We describe two new species of terrestrial frogs of the genus Pristimantis. Pristimantis maryanneae sp. nov. is characterised by not having tympanum externally visible and having 2-3 subconical tubercles in the upper eyelid; and Pristimantis burtoniorum sp. nov. is characterised by the presence of red colouration in hidden surfaces of the hind-limbs, tubercles on the upper eyelid, interorbital tubercle and a row of rounded tubercles along the snout to the tip and a pale red venter with dark brown mottled pattern. Our samples from the two Reserves do not share species between them, so the proportion of shared species seems to be relatively low. In addition, we highlight the importance of updating the knowledge of amphibians that are restricted to this important conservation region and comment about the threats and composition of the amphibian communities on the eastern slopes of the Upper Rio Pastaza watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) of the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica are a unique and understudied habitat that is home to a high number of endemic bird species. Cloudbridge Nature Reserve is a TMCF reforestation reserve lying on the Pacific slope of Cerro Chirripó in the cantón of Pérez Zeledón. Here, we synthesize data collected at Cloudbridge between March 2016 and May 2020 from multi-year point count, walking, call-playback, and camera trap surveys along with photographs collected from February 2007 to April 2021 to present a bird species inventory of the reserve. In total, 204 bird species from 40 families, including 40 endemic species, were identified, and monthly presence summarized for each species. We discuss the implications of our findings for understanding TMCF avian communities, as well as the importance of year-round surveys using a variety of techniques to better capture overall avian diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) exhibits characteristics that are common to species prone to extinction, such as occurring at low densities, presenting strict ecological requirements, and inhabiting locations with high rates of degradation. The lack of data on the abundance of threatened species makes it difficult to make management decisions and does not allow to know trends over time, which is essential for conservation in their distribution areas. The abundance and density of the Resplendent Quetzal was estimated from audio/visual detections analyzed with distance sampling techniques. Data was collected in the public use sector of La Tigra National Park, a reserve of virgin and secondary growth cloud forest in Honduras, Central America. A population N = 136 was found with a density of 40 quetzals per km2. There are no systematic studies on the population size and density of the species for this site since 1979, in which a population of 145 quetzals was reported. The estimation of the Resplendent Quetzal population for the total area of the park is a main research priority, which will make it possible to evaluate the viability of the species and the establishment of a new baseline for conservation policies and environmental education efforts in the area of influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuscuta mantiqueirana Costea, S.S. Silva & Sim.-Bianch. a new species from montane cloud forests of the Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The morphological and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new species belongs to sect. Subulatae of subg. Grammica. The new species is related to C. odorata var. botryoides, C. rotundiflora and C. globiflora from which it differs in narrower calyx lobes and the presence of four stomatiferous lobes or projections at the distal part of the ovary. A detailed morphological comparison with C. odorata var. botryoides, morphologically the most similar taxon, is provided along with the geographical distribution, ecology and host range of the species. The morphological and phylogenetic relationships of the new species, as well as the diversity of stomatiferous projections, are discussed in the broader context of sect. Subulatae and subg. Grammica. Cuscuta boliviana var. paranensis is considered a synonym of C. odorata var. botryoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistence of the coat color polymorphism melanism has been reported for several tropical felids, but its evolutionary advantages remain an active area of research. Few publications have explored melanism in the elusive species, oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) within the Neotropical part of their range in Costa Rica. Herein, I present the first record of a melanistic oncilla within the montane cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Recent studies have found support for theories (e.g. Temporal Segregation Hypothesis and Gloger's Rule) explaining the ecological advantages driving melanism in oncilla and tropical felid populations. However, it is unclear what is driving melanism in this Monteverde oncilla population due to the singular observation. Further research investigating whether melanism is occurring at a higher frequency in other individuals in the region is critical to better understanding the occurrence of melanism in local populations of this cryptic species. The montane cloud forest in Monteverde provides critical habitat to this vulnerable species within the small Neotropical part of their range. Melanistic individuals may be particularly threatened by land-use change and increasing human pressure if theories for the evolutionary advantages and ecological conditions motivating melanism are supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dolichomitus Smith, 1877 is a genus of Darwin wasps characterised by their large bodies and long ovipositors, that includes more than 75 species worldwide, 20 of which occur in the Neotropical Region. Due to recent efforts, the number of species of this genus continues to increase in South America. New information A new iridescent species of Pimplinae, Dolichomitus meii sp. nov., is described and illustrated. It was discovered from the biological station of Yanayacu located in the north-eastern slopes of the tropical Andes. It may be separated from all other species of Dolichomitus Smith by the striking colour pattern and apically strongly decurved ovipositor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The montane cloud forests of the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca (SMO) host a remarkable herpetofauna diversity and represent one of the most important areas of endemism for Mexico and Mesoamerica. Although the area has been previously studied, most of the extant records for this group are biased to locations accessed by paved roads. In addition, an important proportion of this territory is conserved by Indigenous and Community Conservation Areas (ICCA), but little information of the species occurring within these areas exists. Therefore, information on the distribution of many endemic taxa in this region to date is either underestimated or incomplete. With the aim of increasing the ecological and distributional knowledge of this group in remote areas, we carried out field surveys in Santa Cruz Tepetotutla Oaxaca, a locality 25 km in a straight line to the closest paved road that conserves 9,670 ha of land through the ICCAs modality. Surveys were made during 2018 and 2019, including both dry and wet seasons. A total of 40 species of amphibians and reptiles were recorded: 32.5% of these records represent distributional range extensions, while 20% represent altitudinal range extensions. A total of 17.5% are records of species under a high risk category, highlighting both the relevance of studying remote areas to increase species population knowledge and the role of community conservation actions for species persistence. Finally, our records include the rediscovery of Rhadinella schistosa, a species undetected for more than 50 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lizards of the genus Dendragama are endemic to the highland cloud forests of Sumatra's Barisan Mountain Range in western Indonesia, and recent studies have uncovered widespread diversity within the genus. Here, a suite of morphological characters and mitochondrial DNA are used to compare three geographically isolated populations of D. boulengeri from (1) Mount Kerinci in Jambi province, (2) Mount Marapi of west Sumatra, and (3) the Karo Highlands of north Sumatra. Additional phylogeographic analyses with two recently described sister species, D. australis and D. dioidema were conducted. Five genetically distinct clades of Dendragama, all distributed allopatrically of one another were identified and some are suspected to inhabit small distributions. Morphological and genetic data confirm the Karo Highlands population D. schneideri (previously Acanthosaura schneideri Ahl, 1926) should be revalidated from the synonymy of D. boulengeri. Dendragama schneideri is endemic to montane forests of the Karo Highlands surrounding Lake Toba in Sumatra Utara province. Pairwise genetic distances of 6-11% separate D. schneideri from congeners. Two distinct clades of D. boulengeri from Mount Kerinci and Mount Marapi were identified, which are 5.0% genetically distant from one another. Using morphological characters, we provide the first key for distinguishing between species of Dendragama. Based on biogeographic patterns and levels of genetic variation it is suspected that at least 18 other isolated cloud forest locations may hold new species or divergent populations of Dendragama but lack survey work. Collectively, these comparisons among populations of montane lizards further elucidate the complex biogeographic history of Sumatra's montane forest species and the first phylogeny of the genus Dendragama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of Diplotaxis Kirby are described and illustrated, D. balam sp. nov. from Guatemala, and D. chiapasensis sp. nov. and D. complanatis sp. nov. from Mexico. The new species have a flattened body and are included in the trapezifera species group. An updated key to the trapezifera species group is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Pristimantis (Craugastoridae, subgenus Pristimantis) is described from a relict and unexplored cloud forest in the western slope from Cordillera Oriental of the Colombian Andes. The specific name was chosen by consensus expert scientists and local people. Pristimantis chamezensis sp. nov. is easily distinguished from congeneric species by having a gray iris with black reticulations in life, subconical tubercles on the upper eyelid, the chin edged with irregular, dark-brown blotches, and conical heel tubercles. The phylogenetic analyses suggest that the origin and radiation of its clade may have occurred in the highlands. With the description of P. chamezensis sp. nov., we identify 14 species distributed throughout the eastern slope of the Andes that are associated with the Orinoco Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwanoshaira Lee & Beenen gen. nov. is described. It represents the first genus of Galerucinae (s. str.) in Taiwan documented to inhabit moss cushions. Shaira chujoi Kimoto, 1982 is transferred to Taiwanoshaira, as follows: T. chujoi (Kimoto), comb. nov. Two new species, T. taipingshanensis sp. nov. and T. tsoui sp. nov., are described. Adults of T. taipingshanensis sp. nov. were observed feeding on the moss species Plagiomnium vesicatum (Besch.) T.J. Kop. (Mniaceae). Microhabitats and distribution of Taiwanoshaira species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dolichomitus Smith is a widely distributed pimpline genus with more than seventy known species. There are eight species previously reported from South America: D. annulicornis (Cameron), D. bivittatus Townes, D. hypermeces Townes, D. jatai Loffredo & Penteado-Dias, D. longicauda Smith, D. megalourus (Morley), D. moacyri Loffredo & Penteado-Dias and D. zonatus (Cresson). In this paper, we describe five new species: D. mariajosae Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., D. menai Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., D. orejuelai Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., D. pimmi Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., and D. rendoni Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov. All have been collected in cloud forests in the Colombian tropical Andes. An illustrated key to the South American species of the genus is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butterflies are one of the most recognized and useful groups for the monitoring and establishment of important conservation areas and management policies. In the present study, we estimate the richness and diversity, as well as the association value of submontane scrub, oak forest, and cloud forest species at Cerro Bufa El Diente, within the Sierra de San Carlos priority land region, located in the Central-western region of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Three sampling sites were established based on criteria of vegetation distribution per altitudinal floor. One site for each altitudinal floor and vegetation type. Sampling was carried out in permanent transects on a monthly basis at each site, using an aerial entomological net and ten Van Someren-Rydon traps, during four sampling periods: early dry season, late dry season, early wet season and late wet season. In total, 7,611 specimens belonging to six families, 20 subfamilies, 32 tribes, 148 genera and 243 species of the study area were collected. Nymphalidae was the most abundant family with 3,454 specimens, representing 45.38% of total abundance in the study area. Lower abundance was recorded in Hesperiidae (19.17%), Pieridae (16.41%), Lycaenidae (10.17%), Papilionidae (5.12%), and finally Riodinidae (3.74%). The highest species richness was presented in the family Hesperiidae with 34.57% of the total obtained species followed by Nymphalidae (30.45%), Lycaenidae (15.23%), Pieridae (9.88%), Papilionidae (5.76%), and Riodinidae (4.12%). Twenty-seven species were categorized as abundant, these species, Anaea aidea (Guérin-Méneville, 1844), Libytheana carinenta larvata (Strecker, 1878), Pyrgus oileus (Linnaeus, 1767), Mestra amymone (Ménétriés, 1857) and Phoebis agarithe agarithe (Boisduval, 1836) presented the highest number of specimens. Sixty-five species were considered common, constituting 41.73% of the total number of butterflies, 63 frequent (9.76% of the total abundance), 55 limited (2.54%) and 33 rare (0.43%). The greatest number of specimens and species, as well as alpha diversity, were presented on the lowest altitudinal floor, made up of submontane scrub, and decreased significantly with increasing altitude. According to the cluster analysis, low and intermediate altitude sites constitute an area of distribution of species that prefer tropical conditions, while the third-floor site forms an independent group of high mountain species. The greatest abundance and richness of species, as well as alpha diversity, was obtained during the last wet season, decreasing significantly towards the early dry season. Moreover, through the use of the association value, 19 species were designated as indicators, three for the last altitudinal floor, three for the intermediate and 13 for the first. The present work represents the first report of the altitudinal variation in richness, abundance and diversity of butterflies in the northeast of Mexico. These results highlight the importance of the conservation of this heterogeneous habitat and establish reference data for the diurnal Lepidoptera fauna of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhadinaea marcellae Taylor, 1949 is known from only 12 specimens. Based on recent fieldwork and research in scientific collections and databases, we report 14 new records of R. marcellae, bringing the total number of verified occurrences up to 26, updating our understanding of this secretive species' distribution in the tropical and cloud forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico. The new records come from the Mexican states of Hidalgo, Puebla, San Luis Potosí and Veracruz. All the newly reported specimens are morphologically concordant with R. marcellae, but exhibit noteworthy variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We describe 22 new species in the genus Hyphantrophaga Townsend, 1892 (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in north-western Costa Rica. All species were reared from an ongoing inventory of wild-caught caterpillars spanning a variety of families (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae, Crambidae, Depressariidae, Doidae, Erebidae, Euteliidae, Gelechiidae, Geometridae, Hedylidae, Hesperiidae, Immidae, Lasiocampidae, Limacodidae, Megalopygidae, Mimaloniidae, Noctuidae, Nolidae, Notodontidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Phiditiidae, Pterophoridae, Pyralidae, Riodinidae, Saturniidae, Sphingidae, Thyrididae, Tortricidae and Zygaenidae). We provide a morphological description of each species together with information on life history, molecular data and photographic documentation. In addition to the new species, we provide a redescription of the genus, as well as the redescription of three previously described species, which were also collected within ACG during this study: Hyphantrophaga angustata (van der Wulp), Hyphantrophaga myersi (Aldrich) and Hyphantrophaga virilis (Aldrich & Webber). New information The following 22 new species of Hyphantrophaga are described: Hyphantrophaga adrianguadamuzi Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga albopilosa Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga anacordobae Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga calixtomoragai Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga calva Fleming & Wood sp. n.., Hyphantrophaga ciriloumanai Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga danausophaga Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga diniamartinezae Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga duniagarciae Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga edwinapui Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga eldaarayae Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga eliethcantillanoe Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga gilberthampiei Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga guillermopereirai Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga hazelcambroneroae Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga luciariosae Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga manuelriosi Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga morphophaga Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga nigricauda Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga osvaldoespinozai Fleming & Wood sp. n., Hyphantrophaga pabloumanai Fleming & Wood sp. n. and Hyphantrophaga similis Fleming & Wood sp. n. The following are proposed by Wood as new synonyms of Hyphantrophaga Townsend, 1892: Brachymasicera Townsend, 1911 syn. n., Ommasicera Townsend, 1911 syn. n., Ophirosturmia Townsend, 1911 syn. n., Patillalia Curran, 1934 syn. n. and Ypophaemyiops Townsend, 1935 syn. n. The following nine new combinations are proposed as a result of the new synonymies: Hyphantrophaga adamsoni (Thompson, 1963), comb. n., Hyphantrophaga fasciata (Curran, 1934), comb. n., Hyphantrophaga glauca (Giglio-Tos, 1893), comb. n., Hyphantrophaga gowdeyi (Curran, 1926), comb. n., Hyphantrophaga myersi (Aldrich, 1933), comb. n., Hyphantrophaga nigripes (Townsend, 1928), comb. n., Hyphantrophaga optica (Schiner, 1868), comb. n., Hyphantrophaga polita (Townsend, 1911), comb. n., Hyphantrophaga subpolita (Townsend, 1912), comb. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative collecting efforts over the last several decades in Costa Rica have resulted in many new species of insects. The Arthropods of La Selva projects included collecting from a typical lowland Neotropical forest and up an altitudinal transect, and has provided many valuable samples of insects, spiders and mites potentially new to science. We describe 18 new species in the bark beetle genus Scolytodes Ferrari, 1867, 14 of which were collected during this project: S. angulus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. sufflatus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. squamatifrons Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. comosus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. spatulatus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. seriatus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. profundus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. catinus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. fimbriatus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. sulcifrons Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. planifrons Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. porosus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. mundus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. callosus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. parvipilus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. plenus Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., S. niger Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov., and S. simplex Jordal & Kirkendall, sp. nov. One species, Scolytodes minutissimus Schedl, 1952, is redescribed to match the holotype. We give new Costa Rica records for S. costabilis Wood, 1974, which is the correct name for S. obesus Wood, 1975 (syn. nov.). We report Costa Rica as a new country record for six species: Scolytodes clusiacolens Wood, 1967, S. crinalis Wood, 1978, S. culcitatus (Blandford, 1897), S. libidus Wood, 1978, S. reticulatus (Wood, 1961), and S. spadix (Blackman, 1943). From a closely related genus, we provide the first record for Central America (and only the second collection) of Pycnarthrum fulgidum Wood, 1977. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of permanent ectoparasites is likely underestimated due to the difficulty of collecting samples. Lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) are permanent ectoparasites of birds and mammals; there are approximately 5,000 species described and many more undescribed, particularly in the Neotropics. We document the louse genera collected from birds sampled in Peru (2006-2007) and Colombia (2009-2016), from 22 localities across a variety of ecosystems, ranging from lowland tropical forest and Llanos to high elevation cloud forest. We identified 35 louse genera from a total of 210 bird species belonging to 37 avian families and 13 orders. These genera belong to two suborders and three families of lice: Amblycera, families Menoponidae (present on 131 bird species) and Ricinidae (39 bird species); and Ischnocera, family Philopteridae (119 bird species). We compared our birdlouse associations with data in Price et al. (2003) and recently published Neotropical studies. The majority of bird-louse associations (51.9%) were new, with most of these coming from Passeriformes, the most diverse avian order, with the most poorly known louse fauna. Finally, we found geographical variation in louse infestation and prevalence rates. With this study, we report the first comprehensive documentation of bird-louse associations for Colombia and substantially increase the known associations documented for Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nelson's small-eared shrew, Cryptotis nelsoni (Merriam, 1895), is a critically endangered species, endemic to cloud forests in Los Tuxtlas, a mountain range along the Gulf of Mexico coast. This species is only known from the type locality and its surroundings. Here we present new records that extend its distribution approximately 7 km southeast of the type locality and report more specimens near to the type locality. We also identified climatically suitable areas for C. nelsoni using ecological niche modelling and investigated the sampling bias to identify poorly sampled areas in Los Tuxtlas. We suggest that the scarcity of records in other areas with suitable climatic conditions throughout Los Tuxtlas is a consequence of incomplete surveys. We strongly highlight the importance of continuing surveying this critically endangered shrew using more efficient sampling techniques to better understand its current distribution and conservation status. Despite all known localities occurring inside Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, deforestation and climate change still pose current and future threats to this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We describe a new species in the genus Voria Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Tachinidae: Voriini) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica. It was reared as part of an ongoing inventory of wild-caught caterpillars spanning a variety of moth and butterfly families (Lepidoptera). Our study provides a concise description of the new species using morphology, life history, molecular data, and photographic documentation. In addition to the new species, we provide a diagnosis of the genus as well as new data relating to host use. New information The following new species of Voria is described: Voria erasmocoronadoi Fleming & Wood sp. n. The following are proposed by Fleming & Wood as new synonyms of Voria: Xenoplagia Townsend, 1914 syn. n., Hystricovoria Townsend, 1928 syn. n., Afrovoria Curran, 1938 syn. n., and Anavoria Mesnil, 1953 syn. n., and Itavoria Townsend, 1931 syn. n. The following new combinations are proposed as a result of the new synonymies: Voria bakeri (Townsend, 1928), comb. n. and Voria setosa (Townsend, 1914), comb. n. The authors also propose Voria pollyclari (Rocha-e-Silva, Lopes & Della Lucia, 1999), comb. n. based on the morphology of the holotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first record of Coendou speratus from a cloud forest enclave, based on an adult male specimen captured in April 2016 in a house in the urban zone of the municipality of Garanhuns, in the state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. This record extends the known geographic distribution of the species 167 km west of the type locality in the Atlantic Forest biome. This record is now the westernmost limit of the geographic distribution of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phanaeus bravoensis sp. n. is described from the coniferous-oak forests in the state of Guerrero, and P. huichol sp. n. from coniferous-oak forests and cloud forests in Jalisco and Nayarit. The new species are closely related to P. halffterorum and P. zoque respectively. Morphological trait combination, geographic distribution, and trophic habits show important differences among the studied species. A distribution map and an updated key to separate the species are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We describe nine new species in the genus Uramya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 from Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica. All species were reared from an ongoing inventory of wild-caught caterpillars spanning a variety of families (Lepidoptera: Erebidae; Limacodidae; Megalopygidae; Lasiocampidae and Dalceridae). Our study provides a concise description of each new species using morphology, life history, molecular data, and photographic documentation. In addition to the new species the authors provide a redescription the previously described Uramya sibinivora Guimarães, which was also collected within ACG during this study. We also provide a redescription of the genus, and a revised key to species of Uramya occurring in Central and South America. New information The following nine new species of Uramya, all authored by Fleming & Wood, are described: Uramya albosetulosa Fleming & Wood sp. nov., Uramya constricta Fleming & Wood sp. nov., Uramya contraria Fleming & Wood sp. nov., Uramya infracta Fleming & Wood sp. nov., Uramya lativittata Fleming & Wood sp. nov., Uramya lunula Fleming & Wood sp. nov., Uramya nitida Fleming & Wood sp. nov., Uramya pannosa Fleming & Wood sp. nov., and Uramya penicillata Fleming & Wood sp. nov. The following are proposed by Wood as new synonyms of Uramya: Olinda Townsend, syn. nov. and Procleonice Townsend, syn. nov. The following new combination is proposed as a result of the new synonymies: Uramya brasiliensis Macquart, comb. nov. Procleonice prolixa Townsend is synonymized under Uramya brevicauda Curran, syn. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical genus of parasitoid wasps Sendaphne (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) is revised and the following six new species are described, all authored by Fernández-Triana and Whitfield: anitae, bennetti, broadi, dianariaspennae, penteadodiasae, and rogerblancoi. The greatest species richness is found in northern South America, but the genus extends north to 23° N in Mexico. Most species have been collected in rainforest below altitudes of 900 m, with only a few species found in cloud forests up to 1900 m. Nothing is known of the host caterpillars for these parasitoid wasps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Symmerista Hübner (Notodontidae, Nystaleinae) is reviewed for Costa Rica, based on 49 wildcaught specimens. Four species are newly described: Symmerista luisdiegogomezi Chacón, Symmerista inbioi Chacón, Symmerista minaei Chacón and Symmerista aura Chacón. All are from the cloud forests of the Talamanca moutain range, southern Costa Rica. Photographs of the adults, male and female genitalia, and barcodes are also provided. The species Symmerista tlotzin Schaus (1892) is removed from Symmerista and assigned to the genus Elymiotis Walker as a new combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Two new species of gingers (Zingiberaceae), Globba sherwoodiana W.J. Kress & V. Gowda sp. nov., and Curcuma arracanensis W.J. Kress & V. Gowda sp. nov., from Myanmar are described. The new species of Globba is currently only known in cultivation and is commonly grown and sold in markets in Myanmar. In contrast C. arracanensis has been collected from a single restricted region in the cloud forests of the Rakhine Yoma above the Bay of Bengal in western Myanmar. Three-locus DNA barcodes were generated as aids for the identification of the two new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carabid beetles were sampled at five sites, ranging from 1500 m to 3400 m, along a 15 km transect in the cloud forest of Manu National Park, Perú. Seasonal collections during a one year period yielded 77 morphospecies, of which 60% are projected to be undescribed species. There was a significant negative correlation between species richness and altitude, with the number of carabid species declining at the rate of one species for each 100 m increase in altitude. The majority of species (70.1 %) were restricted to only one altitudinal site and no species was found at more than three of the five altitudinal sites. Only one genus, Pelmatellus (Tribe Harpalini), was found at all five sites. Active (hand) collections yielded approximately twice as many species per individuals collected than passive (pitfall trap) collections. This study is the first systematic sampling of carabid beetles of a high altitude gradient in the cloud forests of southeastern Perú and supports the need to conserve the zone of extremely high biodiversity present on the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new cicadellid tribe, Tungurahualini, is recognized to include Tungurahuala Kramer, and a related new genus, Ilyapa gen. n., based on six new species. The tribe is included in subfamily Mileewinae, the concept of which is further expanded to include tribes Makilingiini Baker, and Tinteromini Godoy and Webb, taxa previously treated as separate subfamilies. Keys to tribes of Mileewinae (sensu lato) and genera of Tungurahualini are provided. A new species of Tungurahuala, T. acuminata sp. n., is also described and keys to species of Tungurahuala and Ilyapa are provided. The new tribe is presently recorded only from cloud forests in the northern Andes Mountains of South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single specimen of Tantilla alticola was collected from Parque Nacional G. D. Omar Torrijos Herrera of Coclé Province, Republic of Panama. This record fills in a gap in the distribution for this species within the cloud forests of Central America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]