The orb-weaving spider Trichonephila clavata (L. Koch, 1878) (Araneae Nephilidae), commonly known as Joro spider, was recently introduced into North America and has been spreading in the invaded territory. Several studies have suggested potential negative impacts of this spider on native communities. The present study focused on risk-taking behavior in Joro spider individuals from their native range. A comparison between our behavioral experiment and a previous study investigating an exotic population in the USA suggests that spiders tend to exhibit more risk-aversive behavior in the introduced region. Although it remains unclear whether the observed difference is an adaptive or plastic change, knowledge on the adaptability of Joro spiders to novel conditions is crucial for assessing their impact on the ecosystem.

Birds move from one place to another without regard to international borders during their migrations. Particularly, the Mediterranean region is considered a link in the African-Eurasian bird migration route, especially migratory water birds. Among the North African countries, Libya is located in the middle of the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, it is considered a stopover and resting ground for many bird species. A Wood duck Aix sponsa (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves Anatidae), species commonly found throughout North America, was recorded for the first time in Benghazi city at the eastern coastal part of Libya on 04 Jan 2025 in a Sabkha (salt marsh). It is a female characterized by the gray and brown color of the body with a white ring around the eyes. It can be confirmed that this species is not among the ornamental birds imported into Libya for trade but may have escaped from a farm in countries bordering Libya.

Malacological surveys in the limestone massifs west of Palermo (Carini, NW Sicily), revealed the presence of a new species of Aciculidae: Acicula occidentalis n. sp. (Gastropoda Architaenioglossa Aciculidae). Diagnostic traits are: the high number of axial irregularly distributed grooves, the sub-rectangular to pyriform aperture and the larger size compared to other Acicula taxa known for Sicily. Acicula occidentalis n. sp. seems to be restricted to the mountains west of Palermo, until now known only to the eastern slopes of Montagna Longa (Carini).

Temnorhynchus baal Reiche et Saulcy, 1856 (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Dynastinae) is reported for the first time in Sardinia (Italy) on the basis of three records, one record made in the year 2003 along the coastal areas of Cagliari and the other two, made in the year 2024, in two localities along the South-Eastern coast of the island. The pest status of the species in the eastern Mediterranean basin is briefly discussed as well as the historical expansion of this species in the Palaearctic area.

Caudanthera edulis (Edgew.) Meve & Liede, a perennial succulent herb, belonging to the family Apocynaceae, has been documented as a new record for the flora of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A description of the species, distribution and habitat ecology, and its importance is provided. This new record highlights the importance of continued botanical exploration in the region to document and understand the plant diversity.

The fauna from Indo-Pacific waters attributed to the cystiscid genus Sagittalia Boyer, 2024 is reviewed. Eight species are revised in this genus: Marginella pulchella Kiener, 1834 recognized from Norfolk Island; M. deburghi A. Adams, 1864 described from West Australia; M. pacifica Pease, 1868 described from the Tuamotu Island; M. shepstonensis E.A. Smith, 1906 described from South Africa; M. fulgurata Hedley, 1911 described from West Australia; M. albomaculata May, 1911 described from Tasmania; M. newmanae Cotton, 1949 described from Esperance (southwest Australia); Gibberula squamosa Boyer, 2003 described from New Caledonia. Ten Indo-Pacific species are described as new in the genus Sagittalia: S. ovata n. sp. Boyer et Rosado from South Africa and Mozambique; S. granum n. sp. Boyer et Rosado from Mauritius; S. hervillardi n. sp. from Djibouti; S. cingalica n. sp. Boyer et Gori from Sri Lanka; S. similis n. sp. Boyer et Rosado from Sri Lanka; S. nancyae n. sp. from west and south Australia; S. marshalli n. sp. Boyer et Renda from southwest Australia; S. kieneriana n. sp. from the southern half-part of Australia; S. thorae n. sp. from the Queensland; S. coralensis n. sp. Boyer et Raines from the Coral Sea Islands Territory. Several species attributed to Sagittalia are tackled and compared in the frame of this review, but not formally revised, either because they were fully revised in previous works, or because nothing useful can be added for now to the previous reports, or because of insufficient documentation at hand. Live specimens and their soft parts are pictured and described for three of the new species. Possible species groups are proposed. Oman is sheltering the higher Sagittalia diversity documented until now, what is attributed to important remains of the Tethyan fauna in this area. Similar diversity might occur in the Gulf of Aden and off the coasts of East Africa, which remain about unexplored areas as far as marine micro-gastropods are concerned. The somewhat important Sagittalia diversity documented from Australia might prove to be much higher if fitting collecting effort were applied.

Colonialism is a historical practice in which foreign powers have politically, economically and culturally controlled a country or territory, especially between the 16th and 20th centuries. From an environmental point of view, colonialism has caused great changes in landscapes, introducing exotic species, modifying land use and exploiting natural resources often in ways that are harmful to ecosystems. As for dogs, colonialism has also influenced their histories and characteristics. In fact, colonialism has had a profound impact on dogs as well, influencing their breeds, their social role and often even their survival in many parts of the world.

In this paper two new species of Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 of subgenus Apotomopterus Hope, 1938 (Coleoptera Carabidae) from Yunnan Province (Southwestern China) are described and figured: C. (A.) walterlucianae n. sp. and C. (A.) xima n. sp. Comparative notes on the mor phological and taxonomic affinities of these species with the most closely related taxa are also provided.

In order to update the basic data on the species richness of frugivorous and insectivorous bats (Mammalia Chiroptera) living in the northern forests of the Republic of Congo, collections were carried out between March 2021 and September 2023. Black mist nets installed in the treetops at four sites over an 18–month period enabled 567 individuals belonging to 11 species, ten genera and four families to be collected. Fruit bats revealed 11 species of the same family, while insectivorous bats were represented by three species in three families. Eidolon helvum (n = 352) was the species most often observed at the various sites. Three species were recorded for the first time in Congo: Epomophorus intermedius, Epomophorus gambianus and Saccolaimus peli.

The occurrence of the dwarf snake Eirenis modestus (Martin, 1838) (Reptilia Squamata) in the Dodecanese Islet of Telendos (Greece) is reported here for the first time.