The genus Aulacizes is recorded from Brazil and Argentina and has nine known species. Among them, Aulacizes conspersa has a complex taxonomy and unclear boundaries, with seven synonyms identified to date, due to considerable variation in colour pattern. This study seeks to delimitate distinct evolutionary lineages within A. conspersa. Molecular methods of species delimitation are employed together with a morphological study. We applied single-locus delimitation methods (ABGD, ASAP, GMYC, bPTP, mPTP, PTP) to mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (ITS2) DNA sequences. The analyses included specimens previously identified as A. conspersa and of the similar Aulacizes insistans, as well as two outgroups. COI analyses recovered a group including only specimens previously identified as A. conspersa and delimited from 3–5 putative species within it, whereas ITS2 delimited from 2–15 putative species and was not able to distinguish A. conspersa from A. insistans. The discordant results of COI and ITS2 are likely caused by low variability in ITS2 sequences. Based on COI results and type specimen studies, we reinstate and redescribe Aulacizes repanda and Aulacizes persistans and synonymize Aulacizes conspurcata with A. persistans and Aulacizes divergens with A. conspersa. Although molecular methods delimited at least three species within A. conspersa s. stricto, no consistent morphological differences were found, a situation that supports its treatment as a cryptic species complex. This study highlights the limited interspecific variation in the terminalia of both sexes within Aulacizes. Homogeneity of male terminalia hinders species delimitation, explaining the long-standing challenges in resolving Aulacizes taxonomy based on morphology. Formal taxonomic treatments are provided for A. conspersa, A. repanda, and A. persistans.

Spatial phylogenetics has emerged as an innovative approach in biodiversity studies, offering insights into evolutionary processes and informing conservation efforts. Unfortunately, most available phylogenetic trees do not contain all described taxa. Currently, 40% of vascular plants have molecular data available. To address this gap, we explore the use of alternative phylogenetic information derived from taxonomic data and available phylogenetic hypotheses to improve biogeographic understanding and conservation planning. We tested this approach using a dataset of 54 species of the genus Roldana (Asteraceae) distributed across Mexico, dividing the territory into 89 1° × 1° grid cells. We obtained molecular phylogenies of varying degrees of completeness for 31 species. Phylogenies were constructed to include all described taxa in Mexico by adding missing species as polytomies or utilizing phylogenetic hypotheses proposed by taxonomists. We assessed differences between phylogenies using weighted Robinson-Foulds distance and covariation of branch lengths. We then calculated phylogenetic endemism, relative phylogenetic endemism, and categorical phylogenetic endemism indices and analysed the results using the Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, and Cohen’s Kappa agreement. A total of 159 trees were obtained: 12 molecular (varying completeness) and 147 with all described Mexican taxa (146 based on taxonomy and one with polytomies). The phylogenies exhibited high covariation within individual branches, but not within their total lengths. Robinson-Foulds distance analysis revealed significant differences between the molecular phylogeny and the other phylogenies, although there were fewer discrepancies with phylogenies based on taxonomic data. The U-test showed non-significant differences, but phylogenies with polytomies, low completeness (<40%), or short branches showed poorer correlations. In contrast, phylogenies with all described taxa showed good to excellent agreement. In conclusion, phylogenies based solely on molecular information are robust for spatial phylogenetic analyses and biodiversity assessment. Conversely, phylogenies with low completeness or excessive polytomies yield less reliable results.

The genus Limnatis comprises internally parasitizing leeches that are distributed in Africa, southern Europe and Asia. In Europe three species of Limnatis were reported so far – Limnatis nilotica, Limnatis haasi and Limnatis bacescui – but their taxonomic status is confusing. The last species was originally described from Romania and subsequently identified as Limnatis nilotica. To ascertain the identity of leeches of the genus Limnatis in Romania we have sampled in the type locality of Limnatis bacescui. Based on external morphology, internal anatomy and colouration pattern the collected specimens were unambiguously identified as Limnatis paluda. The Bayesian inference and Maximum likelihood phylogeny, developed using the COI marker, confirmed that specimens originating from Romania are nested within the Limnatis paluda clade, alongside samples from Israel, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Consequently, Limnatis bacescui is hereby synonymized with Limnatis paluda. This is the first confirmed molecular record of Limnatis paluda in Europe, representing a considerable expansion of its hitherto known distribution. Our results also prompt the necessity for carrying out more comprehensive studies on the taxonomy and distribution of species of the genus Limnatis in southern Europe and southern Africa.

This study employs an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological examination, molecular phylogenetic analyses (based on mitochondrial COI and partial 28S rRNA sequence data), and four species delimitation methods (using COI sequences) to investigate species diversity within the genus Mongoloniscus. Our results indicate that 10 species of Mongoloniscus are currently recorded in China, including two new species described here (Mongoloniscus albomarginatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov. and M. niger Li & Jiang, sp. nov.). This study also reveals phenotypic variation within Mongoloniscus orientalis populations. It further highlights the utility of integrative taxonomy in assessing phenotypic plasticity in terrestrial isopods, thereby preventing overestimation of species diversity. https://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4B250DF1-B26C-4D62-A0AB-3538AF06AE23

We studied the taxonomy of the Pluteus ephebeus complex using morphological and molecular (nrITS, TEF1-α) data and designate a lectotype and an epitype for P. ephebeus and a lectotype for P. murinus. Based on our type studies, P. murinus and P. lepiotoides were recognized as distinct species; while P. pearsonii was found to be a later synonym of P. murinus. Four new species are described: Pluteus dyscritus, P. hortensis, P. phaeodyscritus and P. ratticolor. Within the P. ephebeus complex, four species are currently recognized in Europe, at least eight species in the Palearctic region of Asia, and at least five species in the Nearctic region of North America.

Microphalloid digeneans (flukes) are the most taxonomically diverse group of endoparasites of bats. The phylogeny of these helminths, especially species from tropical regions, remains poorly documented. In this study, we report the finding of Anchitrema sp., Caprimolgorchis сf. molenkampi (Lie-Kian-Joe, 1951), Papillatrium parvouterus (Bhalerao, 1926) and Paralecithodendrium ovimagnosum (Bhalerao, 1926) in Scotophilus kuhlii Leach, 1821 in the Philippines. We made morphological descriptions of these parasites and obtained molecular data on 28S rRNA gene, ITS2 region and cox1 gene. Anchitrema sp. differed from all valid species of the genus Anchitrema in the sucker width ratio. Caprimolgorchis сf. molenkampi was very similar to C. molenkampi but, unlike the latter species, had a distinct pseudogonotyl. In phylogenetic analysis based on the 28S rRNA gene dataset, Anchitrema sp. clustered with other species of Anchitrema available in GenBank NCBI. The clade formed by these digeneans was resolved as a sister group to the Lecithodendriidae. The newly collected Pap. parvouterus specimens clustered in the same group as an isolate from Europe available in GenBank NCBI under the synonymous name Paralecithodendrium parvouterus, but both isolates were resolved as separate species. Caprimolgorchis сf. molenkampi and Par. ovimagnosum were members of the same small group of lecithodendriids but did not have any direct phylogenetic relationship. Other genetic markers used in this work poorly resolved the phylogenetic relationships of the digenean species under study.

An expanded dataset of caryophyllidean tapeworms (Cestoda) of the genus Promonobothrium Mackiewicz, 1968, parasites of suckers (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) in North America, was used to reassess the host specificity of these parasites. Molecular data from newly collected specimens from diverse hosts revealed contrasting patterns in host range among congeneric tapeworms, ranging from strict specialists (half of all species, namely P. minytremi, P. fossae, P. mackiewiczi, P. papiliovarium and Promonobothrium sp. from Ictiobus niger) parasitizing a single host species, to family generalists (three species, namely P. hunteri, P. ingens and P. rogersi) occurring in fishes of different sucker subfamilies (Catostominae and Ictiobinae). Promonobothrium currani is considered a congeneric specialist and P. ulmeri a subfamily generalist. The high proportion of generalists (40%) is exceptional in the Caryophyllidea. Based on this study, it is recommended to verify records of tapeworms from atypical hosts, preferably using molecular data from vouchered specimens (hologenophores or paragenophores). https://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EBFB81F5-6565-45D4-A9B8-48C146591248

The tribe Aradellini Wygodzinsky & Usinger, 1963 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Holoptilinae) has been traditionally considered as the earliest diverging tribe of the feather-legged assassin bugs, lacking many of the diagnostic characters of the rest of the subfamily. These include the lack of the long antennal and hind-tibial setae, as well as the absence of the abdominal trichome – a glandular structure fundamental to prey interactions in the more derived Holoptilini Lepeletier & Serville, 1825. Here, we describe a new monotypic genus, Aratrichous anacomosus gen. et sp. nov., which shares synapomorphies with members of Aradellini, yet starkly contrasts the tribe’s diagnosis by having a distinct abdominal trichome. This trichome occurs in all instars and in both sexes; although incomplete in the first instar, it is fully developed in later stages. Phylogenomic analysis confirms this new species as sister taxon to the remaining Aradellini and places the tribe as a derived lineage within Holoptilini and as sister group to other endemic Australian genera, thereby refuting the long-held assumption that Aradellini represent the earliest diverging lineage of the entire subfamily. Consequently, we here synonymize Aradellini with Holoptilini sensu nov. and present a revised diagnosis for the tribe that includes characters pertaining to forewing venation, vestiture and trichome presence. Furthermore, within the Australian Holoptilinae, our findings suggest: a secondary loss of the trichome; a replacement of elongate setae with short teardrop-shaped setae; and a pronounced broadening of the antennae. We hypothesize that these morphological shifts reflect an adaptive transition toward a more myrmecophilous lifestyle, in contrast to the interceptive predatory strategies typical of other Holoptilinae. https://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0FFCE963-EEA5-48A9-BFAE-1E86189FC4CC

The monogeneric family Spondylidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Pectinida) contains 75 currently accepted extant species, all of which are assigned to the genus Spondylus Linnaeus, 1758. The type series of 23 of these, representing a third of the family’s global diversity, are held in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London (NHM), together with type material representing over 50 synonymized nominal taxa. Type series of 12 fossil taxa are also represented, spanning the Late Cretaceous to the Miocene. Extensive intra-specific variability and a paucity of molecular data mean that delineation between Recent Spondylus species is often extremely difficult. Identification remains heavily dependent on notoriously labile shell characters, and accurately identified type specimens are therefore critical to taxonomic stability within the group. Here, we provide comprehensive evaluations of the NHM type material, together with detailed new images of complete type series, to form a primary resource for morphological comparison. Spondylus reevei Fulton, 1915 is reinstated as a valid species; in addition, we designate 34 lectotypes and one neotype for the purpose of maintaining taxonomic stability. Errors identified in the published literature have also been corrected.

Luciola Laporte, 1833 is a taxonomically challenging firefly taxon. Five species occur in Europe: L. italica, L. lusitanica, L. pedemontana, L. mingrelica and L. novaki. Their taxonomic history has been obscured by synonymies, insufficient diagnoses and a lack of integrative studies. This species assembly is particularly important because it includes the type species of Luciola, L. lusitanica. Legacy diagnostic traits have proven ineffective in distinguishing Luciola species across Europe, and accurate species identification is challenging, which hinders further studies and conservation efforts. Three species – L. lusitanica, L. pedemontana and L. mingrelica – share similar external morphology (e.g. pale thorax, femora darkened apically, no pronotal black spot) and have often been treated collectively as L. lusitanica sensu lato, underscoring the need for revised species boundaries. We analyzed COI sequences from 86 L. lusitanica s.l. and six L. italica specimens. We found L. lusitanica s.l. to be paraphyletic (excluding L. italica). Using integrative species delimitation (combining morphological, molecular and behavioural evidence), we found support for the distinctiveness of L. lusitanica, L. pedemontana, L. mingrelica and L. italica, proposing updated diagnoses and distributions for each species. Our richly illustrated and updated diagnoses are intended to significantly facilitate species identification and help stabilize Luciola taxonomy.