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The shorthead drum Larimus breviceps has an important role in the subsistence of local communities. However, studies addressing the trophic ecology of this species are still scarce. Here we present further information on the trophic ecology and ecomorphology of L. breviceps, including dietary analyses, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes compositions (δ13C and δ15N), and morphometric measurements on a seasonal basis. Specimens were captured in the Northeastern Brazil from February to November 2017 by the local artisanal shrimp fisheries. A total of 46 individuals (27 juveniles and 19 adults) were randomly subsampled for ecomorphological analysis. Significant differences in the ecological attributes between ontogeny were found for peduncle and body flatness indexes. A total of 479 stomachs of L. breviceps were analyzed. The fish total length ranged from 6.3 to 19.2 cm. Nine prey categories were defined for L. breviceps. Sergestidae shrimps were the main prey. The diet composition from the multivariate technique of non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination displayed a different pattern for juveniles and adults. A subsample of 40 individuals (dry season = 20; rainy season = 20) were selected for stable isotope analysis. Mean values of δ13C and δ15N were different by size in the dry season. This information improves the general knowledge and ecological data on bycatch species, as well as may give support to management initiatives, potentially associated to trophic models, or may be considered into the design of Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRD), taking into account the current paradigm of the Ecosystemic Approach to Fishery (EFA).

Hepatic toxicosis caused by copper accumulation has been reported in most domestic species, as well as multiple small exotic mammals, including ferrets, fruit bats, and sugar gliders. The purpose of this study was to determine the signalments, clinical presentations, and histologic findings associated with hepatic copper accumulation in sugar gliders based on post-mortem histologic findings and retrospective analysis of reported antemortem clinical signs. Sugar gliders with histologic evidence of various hepatopathies were identified within the Northwest ZooPath archive. Sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded hepatic samples were stained for copper, and copper deposition was graded semiquantitatively. The prevalence of copper accumulation in the evaluated hepatopathies was 28%. Copper deposition was seen in all individuals with icterus and non-ataxia neurologic signs. Grossly, individuals with hepatic masses and nodules were 5.50 times more likely to have hepatic copper accumulation. Sugar gliders with biliary hyperplasia were 16.20 times more likely to have copper accumulation while all individuals with cholestasis had hepatic copper accumulation. The results of this study indicate that hepatic copper accumulation is frequently identified in post-mortem evaluation of sugar gliders with hepatopathy. Copper accumulation is frequently noted in individuals with icterus, neurologic abnormalities, hepatic masses, biliary hyperplasia, and cholestasis. This study details the prevalence of hepatic copper accumulation in sugar gliders and illustrates associations between copper hepatotoxicosis and other hepatic diseases.

Odontocete cetaceans have undergone profound modifications to their integument and sensory systems and are generally thought to lack specialized exocrine glands that in terrestrial mammals function to produce chemical signals (Thewissen & Nummela, 2008). Keenan-Bateman et al. (2016, 2018), though, introduced an enigmatic exocrine gland, associated with the false gill slit pigmentation pattern in Kogia breviceps. These authors provided a preliminary description of this cervical gill slit gland in their helminthological studies of the parasitic nematode, Crassicauda magna. This study offers the first detailed gross and histological description of this gland and reports upon key differences between immature and mature individuals. Investigation reveals it is a complex, compound tubuloalveolar gland with a well-defined duct that leads to a large, and expandable central chamber, which in turn leads to two caudally projecting diverticula. All regions of the gland contain branched tubular and alveolar secretory regions, although most are found in the caudal diverticula, where the secretory process is holocrine. The gland lies between slips of cutaneous muscle, and is innervated by lamellar corpuscles, resembling Pacinian's corpuscles, suggesting that its secretory product may be actively expressed into the environment. Mature K. breviceps display larger gland size, and increased functional activity in glandular tissues, as compared to immature individuals. These results demonstrate that the cervical gill slit gland of K. breviceps shares morphological features of the specialized, chemical signaling, exocrine glands of terrestrial members of the Cetartiodactyla.

Monitoring large marine mammals is challenging due to their low abundances in general, an ability to move over large distances and wide geographical range sizes.The distribution of the pygmy (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf (Kogia sima) sperm whales is informed by relatively rare sightings, which does not permit accurate estimates of their distribution ranges. Hence, their conservation status has long remained Data Deficient (DD) in the Red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which prevent appropriate conservation measures.Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding uses DNA traces left by organisms in their environments to detect the presence of targeted taxon, and is here proved to be useful to increase our knowledge on the distribution of rare but emblematic megafauna.Retrieving eDNA from filtered surface water provides the first detection of the Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) around the remote Malpelo island (Colombia).Environmental DNA collected during oceanic missions can generate better knowledge on rare but emblematic animals even in regions that are generally well sampled for other taxa., Retrieving eDNA from filtered surface water provides the first detection of the Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) around the remote Malpelo island (Colombia).

Information on the gut microbiome composition of different mammals could provide novel insights into the evolution of mammals and succession of microbial communities in different hosts. However, there is limited information on the gut microbiome composition of marine mammals, especially cetaceans, because of sampling constraints. In this study, we investigated the diversity and composition of microbial communities in the stomach, midgut, and hindgut of two stranded short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and hindgut of a stranded pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) by using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing technology. On the basis of the 50 most abundant operational taxonomic units, principal coordinate analysis, and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis, we confirmed that the gut microbial communities of the three whales were different. Our results revealed that the gut microbiome of one stranded short-finned pilot whale GM16 was dominated by Firmicutes (mainly Clostridium) and Fusobacteria; whereas that of the other pilot whale GM19 was composed of Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes (mainly Vibrio and Bacteroides, respectively), probably caused by intestinal disease and antibiotic treatment. The gut microbiome of the pygmy sperm whale was dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Moreover, different gastrointestinal tract regions harbored different microbial community structures. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the gut microbiome of short-finned pilot whales, and our findings will expand our current knowledge on microbial diversity and composition in the gastrointestinal tract of cetaceans. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Three species (Petroscrites breviceps, P. springeri and P. variabilis) belong to the blenny genus Petroscirtes have been recognized from the Korean waters to date. The latter two species of them have been known to be based on underwater photographs without any taxonomic detailed description, not scientific material. Based on a single specimen (80.3 mm SL) collected from a depth of 12 m in the southern coastal waters of Jeju island, P springeri is described in detail as the first reliable record from the Korean waters. The species is characterized by having two dark bluish spots on opercle and caudal fin base, 12 spinous and 21 soft rays on dorsal fin, two spinous and 21 soft rays on anal fin, and a palmate cirrus on lower jaw. We add formally the species into the ichthyfauna of Korea in this study. To avoid confusion in naming of the species, the original Korean name (Du-jeom-be-do-ra-chi) is maintained instead of proposing a new Korean name.

Despite its wide geographical distribution and habit specialization, Blarinomys breviceps is an understudied species. In this work, we analyzed for the first time the intrapopulation variation of the karyotype and cranial measurements of specimens collected in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. We described three new karyotypes with different diploid numbers due to the presence of B chromosomes (2n = 40, 2n = 41, and 2n = 42, with FN = 50), using conventional staining, GTG- and CBG-banding, Ag-NOR, and FISH with a telomeric probe. In addition, morphometric analyses based on twenty-two quantitative cranial characters showed absence of sexual dimorphism contributing to future studies of geographic variation of the species.

Recent molecular phylogenetic work has found that Breviceps Merrem, 1820 comprises two major clades, one of which, the B. mossambicus group, is widely distributed across southern sub-Saharan Africa. This group is notable for harboring abundant cryptic diversity. Of the four most recently described Breviceps species, three are members of this group, and at least five additional lineages await formal description. Although Breviceps has long been known to occur in Angola, no contemporary material has been collected until recently. The three most widespread taxa, B. adspersus, B. mossambicus, and B. poweri, may all occur in Angola, but accurate species assignment remains challenging given the rampant morphological similarity between these taxa, and, until recently, the lack of genetic resources. Phylogenetic, morphological, and acoustic analyses of recently collected samples from disparate localities within Angola provide evidence for an undescribed species that is sister to B. poweri. The new species can be diagnosed from its sister taxon by lacking pale spots along the flanks, a pale patch above the vent, and a short, dark band below the nares (all present in B. poweri). Additionally, the male advertisement call differs from the three other Breviceps that might occur in Angola in having both a longer interval between consecutive calls and a higher average dominant frequency. We here describe this lineage as a distinct species, currently only known from Angola, and discuss the presence of other Breviceps taxa within Angola.

Antarctic dragonfishes (Bathydraconidae) of the suborder Notothenioidei are found only in the Southern Ocean where they diversified in habitats from the surface to the bathypelagic zone thousands of meters deep. Among dragonfishes, the pelagic Gymnodraconinae sister species Acanthodraco dewitti and Psilodraco breviceps remain poorly known. Although A. dewitti is thought to be restricted to Antarctic waters and P. breviceps to be endemic to South Georgia Island, several P. breviceps specimens have occasionally been reported in coastal Antarctica. Here we investigated the molecular genetic identity of the two species and their geographic distribution. Three mitochondrial genetic markers (mt-cyb, mt-co1, and mt-nd2) identified two dragonfish larvae collected on the West Antarctic Peninsula as A. dewitti and showed that all six specimens with available genetic data and reported to be P. breviceps collected in Antarctic waters were also A. dewitti. These results support the allopatric distribution of the two species, with P. breviceps being endemic to South Georgia Island and A. dewitti being endemic to Antarctic waters, potentially with a circumpolar distribution. The biogeography of the sister species A. dewitti and P. breviceps is likely similar to the allopatric distribution of the congeneric sister dragonfish species Parachaenichthys charcoti and P. georgianus. These considerations suggest that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current may geographically isolate the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic species of both sister species pairs, limiting gene flow and promoting speciation. Furthermore, we provide a detailed description of the A. dewitti larvae to supply characteristic morphological features differentiating A. dewitti and P. breviceps larvae.

On 18 July 2020, a small whale was found stranded along the eastern shoreline of Viti Levu, Fiji. The whale died two days later despite efforts to refloat and guide it out to sea. Morphometric measurements and photo identification confirm it to be an adult male pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps (Blanville, 1838). This specimen acts as the first confirmed record of the species in Fiji.

The shorthead drum Larimus breviceps is one of the main bycatch species of the shrimp fisheries in Brazil. However, studies addressing the biology and fisheries impacts on this species are still scarce. Here we describe the main aspects of the reproductive biology and the female gonadal development of L. breviceps on Paraiba, northeast Brazil. The reproductive tract was described by macroscopic and microscopic analysis. The ovaries were composed by oogonia, pre-vitellogenic, vitellogenic, mature, and atretic oocytes. A total of 970 individuals (549 females and 421 males) were caught between December 2016 and November 2017 through beach seining. The total length (TL) varied from 4.2 to 23.0 cm. Females dominated over males (1 female: 0.77 male). The length–weight relationship did not differ between the sexes, presenting a positive allometric growth. The following stages were thus defined for females: immature, initial development, advanced development, mature, and regressing. The period of highest reproductive activity occurs between November and March and immature individuals occur throughout the year. Mean length at first maturity ( L 50 ) was estimated as 11.1 cm TL. The information provided here contributes to the overall knowledge of this species and may be helpful for further development of management practices that ensure the sustainability of marine species exploitation.

International audience; The present study reports a new host association of Neochalcis Kirby, N. breviceps Masi reared from an apid bee, Braunsapis breviceps (Cockerell). This is the first report of hymenopteran parasitism of Neochalcis from the Oriental region. Association of parasitic Hymenoptera with Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm. (Polypodiaceae) and the biology of Neochalcis are briefly commented.

Petaurus breviceps and Petaurus norfolcensis have produced hybrids in captivity, however there are no reported cases of Petaurus hybridisation in the wild. This study uses morphological data, mitochondrial DNA, and nuclear genome-wide SNP markers to confirm P. breviceps breviceps × P. norfolcensis hybridisation within their natural range on the central coast of New South Wales, Australia. Morphological data identified a potential hybrid that was confirmed with next-generation sequencing technology and 10,111 genome-wide SNPs. Both STRUCTURE and NewHybrid analyses identified the hybrid as a P. norfolcensis backcross, which suggests an initial F1 hybrid was fertile. The mitochondrial DNA matched that of a P. b. breviceps, indicating that a P. b. breviceps female initially mated with a P. norfolcensis male to produce a fertile female offspring. Our study is an important example of how genome-wide SNPs can be used to identify hybrids where the distribution of congeners overlaps. Hybridisation between congeners is likely to become more frequent as climate changes and habitats fragment, resulting in increased interactions and competition for resources and mates.

Arboreal gliders are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and to barriers that extend their glide distance threshold. Habitat fragmentation through deforestation can cause population isolation and genetic drift in gliding mammals which in turn can result in a loss of genetic diversity and population long-term persistence. This study utilised next generation sequencing technology to call 11, 292 genome-wide SNPs from 90 adult sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps). Samples were collected from 12 locations in the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area (New South Wales), with two of these locations west of the Pacific Motorway, a potential major barrier to their dispersal. Overall, Lake Macquarie sugar gliders appeared to have high levels of gene flow and little genetic differentiation, however spatial least cost path analyses identified the Pacific Motorway as a barrier to their dispersal. This Motorway is still relatively new (< 40 years old), so man-made crossing structures should be erected as a management priority to mitigate any long-term effects of population isolation by assisting in the dispersal and gene flow of the species. This study provides further insight into the sugar glider after it was classed as three separate species in 2020 and could potentially be used as a model for its threatened congener in the area, the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis).

Among extant cetaceans, mysticetes are filter feeders that do not possess teeth and use their baleen for feeding, while most odontocetes are considered suction feeders, which capture prey by suction without biting or chewing with teeth. In the present study, we address the functionality of amelogenin (AMEL) genes in cetaceans. AMEL encodes a protein that is specifically involved in dental enamel formation and is located on the sex chromosomes in eutherians. The X-copy AMELX is functional in enamel-bearing eutherians, whereas the Y-copy AMELY appears to have undergone decay and was completely lost in some species. Consistent with these premises, we detected various deleterious mutations and/or non-canonical splice junctions in AMELX of mysticetes and four suction feeding odontocetes, Delphinapterus leucas, Monodon monoceros, Kogia breviceps, and Physeter macrocephalus, and in AMELY of mysticetes and odontocetes. Regardless of the functionality, both AMELX and AMELY are equally and unusually small in cetaceans, and even their functional AMELX genes presumably encode a degenerate core region, which is thought to be essential for enamel matrix assembly and enamel crystal growth. Furthermore, our results suggest that the most recent common ancestors of extant cetaceans had functional AMELX and AMELY, both of which are similar to AMELX of Platanista minor. Similar small AMELX and AMELY in archaic cetaceans can be explained by gene conversion between AMELX and AMELY. We speculate that common ancestors of modern cetaceans employed a degenerate AMELX, transferred from a decaying AMELY by gene conversion, at an early stage of their transition to suction feeders.

Postmortem examination of an 8-year-old intact female sugar glider euthanized for end-stage neoplasia revealed a large mass in the mammary gland, masses in the liver, and a few small masses in the lung. Histologic evaluation of the lesions revealed hepatocellular carcinoma, mammary gland adenocarcinoma, and pulmonary granulomata associated with a trematode larva. Ribosomal RNA gene sequencing identified a diplomastid fluke, Neodiplostomum americanum. This parasite utilizes snails as first intermediate hosts and birds of prey as definitive hosts, but the complete life cycle is not known; the hosts of the intervening life stages had not been previously reported. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of N. americanum in a sugar glider.

Species distribution models (SDM) are increasingly used in the regional biodiversity assessments, pest management strategies, conservation biology, ecology, and evolution. In the present study, the maximum entropy model was used to predict the potential distribution of three hemipteran stink bugs, namely Acrosternum arabicum, A. breviceps, and A. millierei in Kerman province, south of Iran, using the presence records of the species sampled during 2012–2014 alongside seven environmental predictors. Besides, having described the climatic profile of the species, we explored the contribution percentage of the bioclimatic variables. The accuracy and performance of distribution models were also evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). According to Jackknife, the annual precipitation, the precipitation of the wettest month, and the precipitation of the coldest quarter were regarded as the most important predictors for A. arabicum distribution model. The maximum temperature of warmest month, the precipitation of the wettest month, and the precipitation of driest quarter for A. breviceps; and also for A. millierei temperature seasonality, the precipitation of coldest quarter, and the precipitation of wettest month were the most effective variables on species distribution. The AUC values, based on training data, were respectively 0.83 for A. arabicum, 0.89 for A. breviceps, and 0.83 for A. millierei. The suitable distribution sites and the most effective bioclimatic variables could be used in a more practical management program for three stink bugs. The MaxEnt algorithm had a good predictability based on the AUC values for the species under study.

A 5-year-old castrated male sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) was referred for a 2-week history of a left fluctuant pericloacal swelling and intermittent stranguria. Ultrasound of the abdomen and pericloacal area suggested a herniation of the urinary bladder with cystolithiasis. Upon surgical exploration, the bladder was normal, and a paracloacal cyst originating from the left cloacal wall was identified. Removal of the paracloacal cyst and subsequent histopathologic evaluation confirmed a cloacal wall cyst. Recovery from surgery was uneventful and long-term follow-up revealed no complications or recurrence. This is the first reported case of a paracloacal cyst in a sugar glider. Paracloacal cyst should be considered as a differential when presented with a pericloacal mass or swelling in a sugar glider.

This study aims to determine the possibility of changes in the hair color on young sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) were given additional fruits in the feed. Research has been conducted in the Small Mammal Captive Breeding of Zoology Division, Research Center for Biology - LIPI, Cibinong, Bogor. Descriptive method used in this study with 10 days of preliminary and 90 days (3 months) of data collection period. The research material used is 16 young sugar gliders aged about 2-3 months, divided into 2 groups namely group I consists of 8 sugar gliders (4 male and 4 female) whose the parent is brownish brown color, while group II consists of 8 sugar gliders (4 male and 4 females) whose the parent are gray in color. Each group received 2 feeding porridge formulations T0 (control) and T1 (T0 + kepok banana (Musa balbisiana), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)). T0 feed composition consists of brown rice porridge, boiled chicken eggs, honey, calcium, and water. Sugar gliders is given live superworm (Zophobas morio) every Tuesday and every Thursday is given live crickets (Gryllidae). During the observation each pair of young sugar glider is placed in a wire enclosure (60 cm x 42 cm x 42 cm) equipped with feeding box, drinking water bottle and a hammock. The results showed that the average of dry matter intake T1> T0. KII / T0 / enclosure 6 show higher of body weight gain and feed efficiency than KI / T1 / enclosure 4. The addition of fruits into the T1 diet did not show any discoloration in hair on sugar gliders in captivity. Keywords: fruits, feed intake, hair/fur color, Petaurus breviceps

Cranial morphology of the type species of the genus Enosuchus, E. breviceps Konzhukova, 1955, is reexamined in detail based on the holotype and previously undescribed specimens from the type locality (Isheevo; Tatarstan, Russia; uppermost Urzhumian). E. breviceps is distinguished from known anthracosauromorphs by the intense osteogenesis of the dermal and endocranial bones, well developed surface ornamentation, the absence of the intertemporal, expanded interorbital region, and very massive quadrate.

Baird's pocket gopher (Geomys breviceps) is a subterranean rodent native to the southern United States. Little is known about their burrow dimensions or how their burrows relate to body size and soil texture. This information is valuable since G. breviceps is the main diet item of the Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni), recently listed federally as Threatened, and additional insight on the natural history of G. breviceps could aid in its management. The objectives of this research were to measure burrow depths, burrow diameters, and body masses of G. breviceps in Louisiana to describe them and to determine if any relationships exist between these variables and soil texture. Measurements of burrow depth and diameter and body mass of G. breviceps were collected at three sites in Louisiana along with soil samples. Burrow depth and diameter were not related to soil texture. Body mass differed significantly among the three sample sites and was positively related to burrow diameter. Further, smaller individuals were found exclusively in soils with higher percentages of sand, whereas larger individuals occurred in all soil textures.

Heretofore, the populations of the genus Sphaerotheca Günther, 1859 (Dicroglossidae) in their northern and western borders laying in Pakistan have been assigned to two species, S. breviceps (Schneider, 1799) and S. strachani (Murray, 1884). The genus originated in the Oriental zoogeographic region and comes to close geographic proximity with the Palearctic region in Pakistan. The recent molecular studies have on one hand restricted the distribution range of S. breviceps to the eastern coastal plains of India and, on the other hand, revealed the northern- and westernmost population in India as a separate species, S. pashchima Padhye et al., 2017. This species has recently been synonymized with S. maskeyi (Schleich and Anders, 1998). These taxonomic changes, however, warranted the need for validation of Pakistani Sphaerotheca based on genetic data. We sequenced and analyzed 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene from specimens originating from the Himalayan foothills of Pakistan and compared these with all available GenBank sequences of the genus. Based on this data, we conclude that the Himalayan foothills of Pakistan are occupied by S. maskeyi. Simultaneously, we bring the first record of this species for the Palearctic region. We further suggest that more genetic material from across Pakistan is required to ascertain the validity of S. strachani and for the phylogeographic evaluation of western and northern border populations of the genus. Our geographically wide and revisited molecular phylogeny shows that the genus exhibits genetic diversity suggesting further taxonomic changes. The low level of genetic divergences between S. breviceps and S. magadha Prasad et al., 2019 compared to other species of the genus, indicates that the taxonomic status of S. magadha is questionable. Moreover, we found that S. magadha and S. swani (Mayers and Leviton, 1956) are genetically conspecific with S. breviceps and both should be thus considered its junior synonyms. On the other hand, S. dobsonii and populations from Myanmar need further detailed investigations.

The fish-tetrapod transition (which incorporates the related fin-limb and water-land transitions) is celebrated as one of the most important junctions in vertebrate evolution. Sarcopterygian fishes (the “lobe-fins”) are today represented by lungfishes and coelacanths, but during the Paleozoic they were much more diverse. It was some of these sarcopterygians, a lineage of the tetrapodomorph fishes, that gave rise to tetrapods (terrestrial vertebrates with limbs bearing digits). This spectacular leap took place during the Devonian Period. Due to the nature of preservation, it is the hard parts of an animal’s body that are most likely to fossilize, while soft tissues such as muscular and brain tissues, typically fail to do so. Thus, our understanding of the adaptations of the hard skeletal structures of vertebrates is considerably greater than that of the soft tissue systems. Fortunately, the braincases of early vertebrates are often ossified and thereby have the potential to provide detailed morphological information. However, the correspondence between brain and endocast (an internal mold of the cavity) has historically been considered poor in most “lower” vertebrates and consequently neglected in such studies of brain evolution. Despite this, recent work documenting the spatial relationship in extant basal sarcopterygians (coelacanth, lungfish, axolotl, and salamander) has highlighted that this is not uniformly the case. Herein, we quantify and illustrate the brain-endocast relationship in four additional extant basal tetrapod exemplars: neobatrachian anurans (frogs) Breviceps poweri and Ceratophrys ornata; and gymnophionans (caecilians) Gegeneophis ramaswamii and Rhinatrema bivittatum. We show that anurans and caecilians appear to have brains that fill their endocasts to a similar degree to that of lungfishes and salamanders, but not coelacanth. Ceratophrys has considerably lower correspondence between the brain and endocast in the olfactory tract and mesencephalic regions, while Breviceps has low correspondence along its ventral endocranial margin. The brains of caecilians reflect their endocasts most closely (vol. ∼70%). The telencephalon is tightly fitted within the endocast in all four taxa. Our findings highlight the need to adequately assess the brain-endocast relationship in a broad range of vertebrates, in order to inform neural reconstructions of fossil taxa using the Extant Phylogenetic Bracket approach and future studies of brain evolution.

The dicroglossid genus Sphaerotheca was erected by Günther in 1859, with its range of distribution in South Asia. Since then, 13 species have been described and 10 species are considered valid. Many of these descriptions were from low to mid-elevation ranges of homestead areas, agroecosystems and degraded landscapes with a few from forested areas. In the present account, a new species of Sphaerotheca, a genetically distinct lineage with a morphological character set distinguishable from its congeners, is described from the surroundings of Bengaluru city, India. Based on evidence for the origin of the original specimen, we also designated a neotype for Rana variegata Gravenhorst, 1829, a junior primary homonym of Rana variegata Linnaeus, 1758, and permanently invalid name, so that it is now a subjective synonym of Rana (Tomopterna) breviceps rolandae Dubois, 1983.

Gut microbiomes perform crucial roles in host health and development, but few studies have explored cetacean microbiomes especially deep divers. We characterized the gut microbiomes of stranded dwarf (Kogia sima) and pygmy (K. breviceps) sperm whales to examine the effects of phylogeny and life stage on microbiome composition and diversity. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed diverse gut communities (averaging 674 OTUs) dominated by a few symbiont taxa (25 OTUs accounted for 64% of total relative abundance). Both phylogeny and life stage shaped community composition and diversity, with species-specific microbiome differences present early in life. Further analysis showed evidence of microbiome convergence with host maturity, albeit through different processes: symbiont ‘accumulation’ in K. sima and ‘winnowing’ in K. breviceps, indicating different methods of community assembly during host development. Furthermore, culture-based analyses yielded 116 pure cultures matching 25 OTUs, including one isolate positive for chitin utilization. Our findings indicate that kogiid gut microbiomes are highly diverse and species-specific, undergo significant shifts with host development, and can be cultivated on specialized media under anaerobic conditions. These results enhance our understanding of the kogiid gut microbiome and may provide useful information for symbiont assessment in host health.

Primary types of Centris bees described by the German melittologist Heinrich Friese were studied. To stabilize the application of some names, lectotypes were designated for C. agilis abdominalis, C. americana bicincta, C. atriventris rubripes, C. bakeri, C. birkmannii, C. breviceps, C. bucephala, C. buchwaldi, C. burgdorfi paraguayensis, C. chilensis neoqueenensis, C. collaris fluviatilis, C. costaricensis erubescens, C. flavothoracica, C. labrosa, C. labrosa simplex, C. lateritia, C. lutea, C. metathoracica, C. mexicana albiceps, C. mixta, C. mocsaryi, C. muralis melanopus, C. nigripes, C. pauloensis, and C. versicolor rufiventris. Centris agilis abdominalis and C. labrosa simplex were revalidated from the synonymy of C. agilis Smith and C. analis (Fabricius), respectively, raising both varieties at species level. Centris fulvicollis is removed from C. (Ptilotopus) and transferred to C. (Melanocentris), transforming the former subgenus in a natural group. Centris fusciventris atriceps is proposed as n. syn. of C. mocsaryi, C. flavifrons rufescens as n. syn. of C. flavifrons (Fabricius), and C. xanthocnemis ardesiaca as n. syn. of C. xanthocnemis (Perty). Centris femoralis is withdrawn from the synonymy of C. lutea and proposed as n. syn. of C. rufipes. Taxonomic notes and comments of the remaining species described by Friese are also provided.

Objective To provide reference values for ocular examination and diagnostics in ophthalmologically normal sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps). To retrospectively determine the prevalence of ocular diseases in sugar gliders presenting to a single institution. Animals Ten client owned and 106 previously evaluated sugar gliders. Procedure A descriptive study evaluated sugar gliders presented to Colorado State University's Avian, Exotics, and Zoological Medicine Service (CSU-AEZ) from August-2019 to January-2020. A complete ophthalmic examination including Schirmer tear test II (STT II), phenol red threat test (PRTT), intraocular pressure (IOP) via rebound tonometry, fluorescein, and rose bengal stain was performed under anesthesia. Conjunctival aerobic culture swabs and cytology were collected prior to ophthalmic evaluation. A retrospective review of medical records of sugar gliders presented to CSU-AEZ from 2008 to 2018 for ocular disease was performed. Results Mean values ± standard deviation for selected diagnostics included the following: STT II: 2.2 ± 6.7 mm/min; PRTT: 0 ± 0 mm/15 s; IOP: 12 ± 2.6 mm Hg. Fluorescein and rose bengal staining highlighted corneal abrasions secondary to tear testing. The three most common conjunctival bacterial isolates cultured were Staphylococcus spp. (3/20, 15%), Coryneform spp. (3/20, 15%), and unidentified Gram-positive cocci (3/20, 15%). Retrospective analysis revealed ocular diseases to be the third most common abnormality resulting in sugar glider presentations (13/106, 12.3%). Conclusion This descriptive study gives reference values for IOP, conjunctival microbiology, and cytology for sugar gliders. STT II and PRTT provide little clinical value in sugar gliders. The retrospective study revealed that ocular abnormalities, often secondary to dental disease, are a common reason for presentation.

In the California Current off the United States West Coast, there are three offshore cetacean species that produce narrow-band high frequency (NBHF) echolocation pulses: Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) and two species of Kogia. NBHF pulses exist in a highly specialized acoustic niche thought to be outside the hearing range of killer whales and other potential mammal-eating odontocetes. Very little is known about the dwarf and pygmy sperm whales (K. sima and K. breviceps), including their NBHF pulse characteristics. This paper presents a multivariate clustering method using data from unmanned drifting acoustic recorders and visually verified porpoise recordings to discriminate between probable porpoise and Kogia clicks. Using density clustering, this study finds three distinct clusters whose geographic distributions are consistent with the known habitat range for Kogia and Dall's porpoise. A Random Forest classification model correctly assigned 97% of the clicks to their cluster. Visually verified Dall's porpoise clicks from towed hydrophones were strongly associated with one of the clusters, while a second cluster tended to be outside the geographic range of Dall's porpoise and unlike the Dall's porpoise cluster. These clicks, presumed to be made by Kogia, exhibited greater spectral variance than previous Kogia echolocation studies. It is possible that the structure of Kogia NBHF pulses may not be as stereotypical as previously described.

This study compared the food plants, life cycle, colony development, and mating behaviour of the two Asian bumblebee species Bombus friseanus and B. breviceps, which are very important pollinators for many wild flowers and crops in local ecosystems. Both species were shown to be highly polylectic. Differences were observed in their life cycles and colony development patterns. The colony foundation rate of the field-collected queens was high in both species, 95.5% in B. friseanus and 86.5% in B. breviceps. The intervals from colony initiation to colony sizes of 30, 60, and 80 workers and to the first male and gyne emergence were significantly shorter in B. friseanus than in B. breviceps (p &lt, 0.01). The development period of the first batch of workers showed no significant difference between the two species (p &gt, 0.05). Compared with B. friseanus, B. breviceps produced remarkably higher numbers of workers (135 &plusmn, 30 workers/colony in B. friseanus and 318 &plusmn, 123 workers/colony in B. breviceps) and males (199 &plusmn, 46 males/colony in B. friseanus and 355 &plusmn, 166 males/colony in B. breviceps) (p &lt, 0.01), with notable variation was found among the colonies in both species. With no significant difference in the mating rate between these two species, the copulation duration of B. breviceps (1.54 &plusmn, 0.63 min) was strikingly shorter than that of B. friseanus (27.44 &plusmn, 11.16 min) (p &lt, 0.001). This study highlights the characteristics of the two Asian bumblebee species and will aid further studies on their conservation and agricultural pollination use.

The genus Panaspis in Angola is represented by four species, most of them part of taxonomically and nomenclaturally challenging species-complexes. We present a taxonomic revision of the group in the region and describe one new species, Panaspis mocamedensis sp. nov., endemic to the lowland areas of the Namibe province, southwestern Angola. Phylogenetic analysis using a combination of mitochondrial (16S, cytb) and nucleares (RAG1, PDC) markers, as well as morphological and meristic data support the recognition of the new species. In addition, these data support the presence of nominotypical Panaspis cabindae, P. wahlbergi and P. maculicollis in Angola. Reexamination of the Angolan population of P. breviceps was based on morphological analysis, as no molecular data from Angola is available for this species. According to our results, this population likely represents the nominotypical form, but due to its complex taxonomic and nomenclatural history and the lack of molecular data, this population needs to be reconsidered when molecular data become available. The description of a new species and revision of the Angolan Panaspis contributes to a better understanding of the true species richness of the Angolan herpetofauna, as well as to understanding the major biogeographic patterns of the region. A key to Angolan Panaspis species is also presented.

The mitochondrial (mt) genome of the bushveld rain frog (Breviceps adspersus, Brevicipitidae, Afrobatrachia) is the largest (28.8 kbp) among the vertebrates investigated to date. The major cause of genome size enlargement in this species is the duplication of multiple genomic regions. To investigate the evolutionary lineage, timing, and process of mt genome enlargement, we sequenced the complete mtDNAs of two congeneric rain frogs, B. mossambicus and B. poweri. The mt genomic organization, gene content, and gene arrangements of these two rain frogs are very similar to each other but differ from those of B. adspersus. The B. mossambicus mt genome (22.5 kbp) does not differ significantly from that of most other afrobatrachians. In contrast, the B. poweri mtDNA (28.1 kbp) is considerably larger: currently the second largest among vertebrates, after B. adspersus. The main causes of genome enlargement differ among Breviceps species. Unusual elongation (12.5 kbp) of the control region (CR), a single major noncoding region of the vertebrate mt genome, is responsible for the extremely large mt genome in B. poweri. Based on the current Breviceps phylogeny and estimated divergence age, it can be concluded that the genome enlargements occurred independently in each species lineage within relatively short periods. Furthermore, a high nucleotide substitution rate and relaxation of selective pressures, which are considered to be involved in changes in genome size, were also detected in afrobatrachian lineages. Our results suggest that these factors were not direct causes but may have indirectly affected mt genome enlargements in Breviceps.

Morocco has a diverse bee fauna, but one that has also been relatively understudied in recent years. Here a revision of the species-rich genus Andrena is presented that reveals eleven new species for science and substantially improves our understanding of North African Andrena. From Morocco, Andrena (Aciandrena) semiadesus Wood, sp. nov., Andrena (Aciandrena) triangulivalvis Wood sp. nov., Andrena (Campylogaster) sparsipunctata Wood sp. nov., Andrena (Carandrena) hebescens Wood sp. nov., Andrena (Cnemidandrena) niveofacies Wood sp. nov., Andrena (incertae sedis) tenebricorpus Wood sp. nov., Andrena (Notandrena) acutidentis Wood sp. nov., Andrena (Poliandrena) breviceps Wood sp. nov., and Andrena (Poliandrena) farinosoides Wood sp. nov. are described and their ecology is discussed. Andrena (Aciandrena) astrella Warncke, 1975 is synonymised with Andrena (Aciandrena) fulica Warncke, 1974 syn. nov. The unknown female of Andrena (Nobandrena) ounifa Warncke, 1974, and the unknown male of Andrena (Poliandrena) guichardi Warncke, 1980 are described. Andrena (incertae sedis) gafsensis Wood sp. nov. from Tunisia is described due to its similarity to Andrena tenebricorpus. Andrena (Poecilandrena) nigriclypeus Wood sp. nov. from Algeria is also described as it was collected within 10 km of the Moroccan border. A further 18 species are recorded in Morocco for the first time. Andrena (Melandrena) nitida (Müller, 1776) and Andrena (Notandrena) nitidiuscula Schenck, 1853 are removed from the Moroccan list due to historic problems in the application of these names to Mediterranean taxa.

Blarinomys breviceps is a shrew-like mouse, morphologically divergent from the remaining Akodontini (Cricetidae), and best known in the literature for its apparent fossorial adaptations. However, no detailed morphological description concerning its morphology and burrowing habits is available. Through a detailed osteological description and geometric morphometrics approach, we show the distinctiveness of the skull of Blarinomys when compared with other Akodontini. Its unique skull morphology shows some features that can be associated with its underground lifestyle. Many aspects of the peculiar morphology of Blarinomys may be attributed to selective pressures of the underground environment, and are convergent with the morphology of other fossorial rodents. However, in the Neotropics, Blarinomys represents one of the few instances of specialized fossorial habits among members of the Sigmodontinae.

Although the ecosystem engineering role of termites has long been recognized, understanding the distribution and properties of their nests that affect ecosystem heterogeneity continues to be a priority. Studies have investigated soil properties like clay and organic matter (OM) composition of mounds belonging to fungus growing termites, however, little is known for southern African savanna soil feeding termites. Indeed, studies on the spatial distribution of termite mounds in savannas have been carried out with a focus mainly on the genus Macrotermes in savanna woodlands, leaving us with little information on other species that often occur on grasslands, for example soil feeding Cubitermes. Therefore, in this study we aimed to understand the effect of rainfall on Cubitermes breviceps mounds structure, soil properties and spatial point patterning at three sites. At each site two 25 m × 25 m plots were marked for spatial analysis. Mound height and basal diameter were recorded. Two soil properties (clay and OM) from mound and savanna matrix soil were investigated. A decreasing trend in mound height and diameter was observed from the more arid to the wettest site. Mound height was positively influenced by the amount of both clay and OM. However, both clay and OM had a negative relationship with numerical density of mounds, and we suggest other factors such as grass cover and the prevailing conditions such as moisture and competition at early colony establishment also influence mound density. Cubitermes breviceps mounds were generally completely spatially random across sites, except for Ripley’s L summary function that showed clustering, which we attribute to its cumulative nature. In conclusion, soil feeding C. breviceps incorporate more OM in their mounds and do not show competition between colonies probably due to them not feeding on limited food resources in the savanna such as grass and wood.

The distribution of Kogiid whales from the Indian Ocean waters, especially Indian waters are poorly known. It is extremely difficult to differentiate the two species (Kogia sima and K. breviceps) based on their morphological characteristics alone. Our study presents the first confirmed record of dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima from the Indian waters using morphological examinations, skull morphology and molecular identification. The study is based on the stranded animal found in the west coast of Agatti Island in Lakshadweep Archipelago belongs to the Indian EEZ. K. sima showed intra-species genetic variability which confirms the isolation of the species in oceans as the tropical nature of the species restricts its movement.

Species of the ant genus Polyergus are social parasites that steal brood from colonies of their hosts in the closely related genus Formica. Upon emergence as adults in a mixed population, host Formica workers carry out all the normal worker functions within the Polyergus colony, including foraging, feeding, grooming, and rearing brood of the parasitic Polyergus ants. Some unmated Polyergus gynes (queens) run in the raiding columns of their colonies and attract males by releasing a pheromone from their mandibular glands. There are two Polyergus species groups in North America: an eastern P. lucidus group and a western P. breviceps group. One species of each of these groups, P. lucidus Mayr and P. mexicanus Emery, are sympatric in Missouri. In this study, we characterized the sex pheromones of virgin queens of two species of the P. lucidus group (P. lucidus sensu stricto and P. sanwaldi) and one species of the P. breviceps group (P. mexicanus), and compared these with the previously identified sex pheromone of P. topoffi of the P. breviceps group. We then used sex pheromone blends reconstructed from synthesized components of the two groups to test their efficacy at reproductively isolating these species. We found that methyl 6-methylsalicylate is conserved as the major component of the pheromone blends for both Polyergus species groups; however, methyl (R)-3-ethyl-4-methylpentanoate is the species-specific minor component produced by P. lucidus group queens, and (R)-3-ethyl-4-methylpentan-1-ol is the crucial minor component for P. breviceps group queens. The optimal ratio of the major and minor components for P. lucidus group queens was about 100:1 salicylate to ester. In concurrent field trials in Missouri, males of P. lucidus sensu stricto and P. mexicanus (a member of the P. breviceps group) were attracted almost exclusively to their particular blends of sex pheromone components. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a possible sex-pheromone-based reproductive isolating mechanism in ants.

The possible links between river flow, zooplankton abundance and the responses of zooplanktivorous fishes to physico-chemical and food resource changes are assessed. To this end, the seasonal abundance, distribution and diet of the estuarine round-herring Gilchristella aestuaria and Cape silverside Atherina breviceps were studied in the Kariega Estuary. Spatio-temporal differences were determined for selected physico-chemical variables, zooplankton abundance and zooplanktivorous fish abundance and distribution. Results indicated that, following a river flood event in winter (>30 m3 s-1 ), altered physico-chemical conditions occurred throughout the estuary and depressed zooplankton stocks. Abundance of G. aestuaria was highest in spring, with this species dominant in the upper and middle zones of the estuary, while A. breviceps was dominant in summer and preferred the middle and lower zones. The catch per unit of effort of both zooplanktivores also declined significantly following the flooding, thus suggesting that these fishes are reliant on zooplankton as a primary food source for healthy populations. Copepods dominated the stomach contents of both fish species, indicating a potential for strong interspecific competition for food, particularly in the middle reaches. Temporal differences were evident in dietary overlap between the two zooplanktivorous fish species and were correlated with river flow, zooplankton availability and fish distribution. The findings of this study emphasize the close trophic linkages between zooplankton and zooplanktivorous fishes under changing estuarine environmental conditions, particularly river flow and provide important baseline information for similar studies elsewhere in South Africa and the rest of the world.

The abundance of specimens ofIchthyosaurusprovides an opportunity to assess morphological variation without the limits of a small sample size. This research evaluates the variation and taxonomic utility of hindfin morphology. Two seemingly distinct morphotypes of the mesopodium occur in the genus. Morphotype 1 has three elements in the third row: metatarsal two, distal tarsal three and distal tarsal four. This is the common morphology inIchthyosaurus breviceps,I. conybeariandI. somersetensis. Morphotype 2 has four elements in the third row, owing to a bifurcation. This morphotype occurs in at least some specimens of each species, but it has several variations distinguished by the extent of contact of elements in the third row with the astragalus. Two specimens display a different morphotype in each fin, suggesting that the difference reflects individual variation. InIchthyosaurus, the hindfin is taxonomically useful at the genus level, but species cannot be identified unequivocally from a well-preserved hindfin, although certain morphologies are more common in certain species than others. The large sample size filled in morphological gaps between what initially appeared to be taxonomically distinct characters. The full picture of variation would have been obscured with a small sample size. Furthermore, we have found several unusual morphologies which, in isolation, could have been mistaken for new taxa. Thus, one must be cautious when describing new species or genera on the basis of limited material, such as isolated fins and fragmentary specimens.

A male sugar glider ( Petaurus breviceps ) was presented to the National Taiwan University Veterinary hospital for repeated self-mutilation of the cloacal region. After correction of husbandry deficiencies and medical management of the lesion, the condition improved but a pericloacal mass was found. Surgical removal of the mass resolved the self-mutilation, and a dorsal paracloacal gland carcinoma was diagnosed on histopathological examination. Straining to defecate and a pericloacal mass could indicate neoplasia in sugar gliders. A tumor should be differentiated from chronic inflammation, infection, paracloacal gland impaction, and hyperplasia. Surgical removal is recommended as a treatment for paracloacal gland carcinoma in sugar gliders. Further monitoring is suggested after surgical removal of the tumor.

Trypanosomiasis is generally considered an exotic tropical disease. American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' Disease) of dogs, cats, armadillos, monkeys, and small wild animals is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Although T. cruzi has been detected in chimpanzees and cynomolgus monkeys in captivity, and experimentally in an Australian phalanger marsupial (Trichosurus vulpecula), this is the first report of it detected in naturally infected “pet” sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) and African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). A polymerase chain reaction-based method was used to detect T. cruzi organisms in formalin fixed paraffin embedded blocks from 3 sugar gliders and 1 hedgehog, which were previously diagnosed as T. cruzi-positive using the histopathological method. Sugar gliders and hedgehogs are fond of insects and actively seek arthropods in nightly forays. It is suspected that Triatoma was not feeding on the sugar gliders and hedgehogs, but rather were being eaten. The oral route of infection is often nonfatal and induces a carrier state in South American didelphid opossums, however sugar gliders and hedgehogs appear to be peracutely affected and infection results in death.

Prionogale breviceps is a tiny carnivorous mammal from the early Miocene of eastern Africa. Originally, specimens were interpreted as the adult morphology of the taxon. The dentition did not obviously align Prionogale with the carnivorous lineages present in Afro-Arabia during the early Miocene: Hyaenodonta and Carnivora. When Namasector was discovered in Namibia, the small taxa were placed together in Prionogalidae and aligned with Hyaenodonta. In this study, based on comparisons to hyaenodont specimens preserving deciduous dentition, the holotype of Prionogale is reinterpreted as preserving dP3 and dP4. Some of the lower dental specimens attributed to the taxon preserve dp4. The holotype of Namasector also preserves deciduous dental material. A phylogenetic analysis that includes deciduous dental characters for a broader sample of hyaenodonts resolved Prionogalidae as a clade. Understanding of the deciduous dentition of Prionogale allows future analyses to compare homologous morphology, and to e...