The main prey of the Grey Wolf (Canis lupus L.) in the Central Balkan Mountains are wild and domestic ungulates. It was established that the carnivore employed a seasonal selectivity in its prey that was established by analysing Wolf ’s excrements collected in 2018–2020. In winter, the diet included exclusively wild animals, with a differing share of prey species. The biggest share belonged to Red Deer (56.8%). In spring (when the grazing of domestic animals begins), the highest share was to Horses (juveniles) (52.1%), and from the wild animals to Roe Deer (18.8%). During the summer, juvenile Horses again constituted the biggest part of the diet (47.2%), as well as Roe Deer (20.8%). In autumn, juvenile Horses again predominated, with Wild Boar was at second position (15.6%). Ivlev’s selectivity index was used to determine Wolf prey preference (D). In respect of Red Deer, Wolves exhibit positive selection of D = 0.30 for frequency of occurrence in excrements, and of D = 0.21 for biomass. Conversely, Roe Deer are negatively selected during the winter: D = -0.44 for occurrence, and D = -0.45 for biomass. In the warmer part of the year, the Wolf showed positive selection towards Roe Deer (D = 0.40), and negative selection for Wild Boar (D = -0.64 for biomass). From domestic animals, there was strong selection for juvenile Horses in respect of both indexes. Frequency of occurrence is D = 0.98, while use of biomass is D = 0.97. Livestock shows negative selection for both indexes (D = -0.38) and (-0.31). Sheep occur least of all in the predator’s diet, the coefficient for both indexes strongly showing negative selection (D = -0.94).

Based on a specimen collected in the mid-19th century, the first documented record of Saptha divitiosa from the Nicobar Islands is given. This record extends and reshapes the known western limit of this species’ distribution range. Image of the specimen, as well as brief considerations on the known distribution of this species are provided. The specimen also holds a certain historical value, being collected during the first “Galathea” expedition (1845–1847).

We present the records of Bombus mastrucatus Gerstaecker, 1869 in the Murmansk Region (Russia). We suppose that the distribution of this species in the region is probably limited to the territory from the vicinity of the town of Kandalaksha to the south of the Kola Peninsula along the Kandalaksha Gulf.

Sphecidae sensu lato currently includes more than 10,000 species of which 34 belong to the genus Sceliphron Klug, 1801. In Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, three out of eight species of Sceliphron are alien to the region, including the Asian S. curvatum (Smith, 1870) and S. deforme (Smith, 1856) as well as the Nearctic S. caementarium (Drury, 1773). Up-to-date, only three species of Sceliphron have been reported for Cyprus, S. destillatorium, S. madraspatanum tubifex and S. spirifex, being native to the island. In this publication, S. curvatum is reported for the first time as a new alien mud-dauber to the island. Specimens were first observed in 2020 at Xyliatos (Nicosia) and reared from nests collected in 2023 upon annual surveys. In addition, nests of both S. curvatum and S. spirifex co-existing at the site were opened providing preliminary data on spider prey. A literature investigation compared with the national list of spiders in Cyprus provides an insight into potential spider prey while a dichotomous identification key, including alien S. caementarium and S. deforme yet to be reported from the island, is provided. The number of Sceliphron species known from Cyprus is raised to four. More research is necessary to elucidate the biotic interactions of Sceliphron in Cyprus, the invasiveness and the further spread of S. curvatum on the island.

Crete (Greece) and its satellite islets have been identified as a significant biodiversity hotspot with a high concentration of endemic species, including Orthoptera. So far, 76 species of Orthoptera have been recorded from Crete and its surrounding islets, 21 of which are endemic to the area. The present study contributes to the understanding of the Orthopteran fauna of Crete and its satellite islets by presenting new records and findings derived from 37 years of pitfall-trap samplings by the Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC). Seven species are added to the species list for Crete and its satellite islets (Pteronemobius heydenii, Stenonemobius gracilis, Paramogoplistes novaki, Paramogoplistes kinzelbachi, Rhacocleis andikithirensis, Rhacocleis graeca, Rhacocleis insularis), while new records and distribution data are provided for five Cretan endemic taxa (Dolichopoda paraskevi, Ovaliptila lindbergi, Troglophilus spinulosus, Platycleis albopunctata cretica, Rhacocleis derrai). New species records and checklists are provided for four satellite islets of Crete (Gavdos, Gavdopoula, Dia, Chrysi). As a result, the number of taxa known from this island group is increased to 83, 21 of which are endemic to Crete and Gavdos and eight are endemic to the South Aegean.

Kleptoparasitism is a widely observed feeding strategy across various animal taxa. In snakes it is well documented in captivity, but rarely reported in the wild. This observation is the first of its kind in Nicaragua. This behavior may be more common in wild snake populations than previously thought.

The new wolf spider species Wadicosa intermediata sp. n. belongs to W. quadrifera species-group is described based on both sexes collected from Idukki district of Kerala, southern India.

Cryptopone ochracea (Mayr, 1855) is a hypogeous ant species with a poorly known biology. Usually, alate or dealate queens are recorded by myrmecologists. Data on the species distribution is scarce. However, the species occurs mainly in the southern part of Europe. In Romania, the species was previously known from only two locations. Herein, we report new records of the species during a 6-year observation period. Insights on the species swarming activity are given.

The aim of this study was to analyse the orbital asymmetry in Saguinus skulls. The examination was conducted on 13 dry well-preserved skulls, belonging to different species of the genus Saguinus. The sample was studied by means of geometric morphological methods. The photos were taken by a digital camera with high definition. Digital pictures were obtained on the facial plane of each skull, and subsequently 15 semi-landmarks were placed along each orbital ridge. Contralateral orbital asymmetries were compared individually for both size and shape. Interestingly, we discovered statistically significant differences in size, which can be interpreted as orbital area, with the right orbit being larger, as well a significant shape directional asymmetry, which changes affected mostly the lacrimal and temporal edges. Detected orbital asymmetry can be assumed as a normal although unconspicous anatomic adaptative pattern in Saguinus, as it has been described in other primates. The underlying causes remain unknown, although this directional bias may indicate a possible visual lateralization. This is the first demonstration of orbital form asymmetry in this genus.

Two new species of the genus Melinirmus Mey, 2017, are described from Australian honeyeaters (Meliphagidae). These are: Melinirmus coromandelica n. sp. ex Ptilotula penicillatus penicillatus (Gould, 1837) and Melinirmus palmai n. sp. ex Anthochaera carunculata (Shaw, 1790). A checklist of all known species of Brueelia-complex chewing lice known from the Meliphagidae is provided.