Incertae Sedis Research Articles

Legacy molecular phylogenetics suggests restricting the concept of Melandryidae and resurrecting Osphyidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea)

The superfamily Tenebrionoidea is one of the most challenging clades in the beetle tree-of-life owing to its vast species richness and complex taxonomic history. Within this group, the family Melandryidae has long been overlooked and its systematics remains poorly known. Using available sequence data, we infer the most comprehensive phylogeny of Melandryidae to date. Our results support the polyphyly of Melandryidae with three independent clades spread across Tenebrionoidea. To accommodate these results, we restrict the status of Melandryidae and resurrect the family Osphyidaestat. rev. The third clade corresponding to the tribe Serropalpini pro parte is placed as incertae sedis within Tenebrionoidea pending further investigation and additional taxon sampling to resolve its phylogenetic placement.

Uncovering the relationships among herring-like fossils (Clupei: Teleostei): a phylogenetic analysis

Abstract Research interest in the diversity and evolutionary history of herring-like fossils (subcohort Clupei) has increased in recent decades. However, little is known about the relationships between fossils assigned to Clupei, particularly those that are demonstrably related to extant herring-like members of the order Clupeiformes. To help bridge this gap, we present a new morphological phylogeny that includes representatives of all major clupeiform lineages. The data matrix consists of 192 characters, drawn from 79 extant and 37 fossil taxa and selected to be readily identifiable in fossils. Most clupeiform families are recovered as monophyletic, and their interrelationships are generally compatible with previous morphological hypotheses. The phylogenetic positions of six fossil clupeiform taxa are resolved, as the results of all analyses (unconstrained/constrained parsimony and Bayesian inference) are consistent. Twenty-one fossil taxa are incertae sedis, including two species of Ellimmichtyiformes, which are recovered as Clupeoidei in the parsimony analyses. The relationships of the rest of the fossils are interpreted with varying degrees of certainty. The evolution of key morphological characters is discussed in light of the new results, and four fossil taxa are proposed as calibration points for future dating studies.

An unusual new ophiuroid (Echinodermata) from the Late Ordovician (early Katian) of Morocco

A distinctive new genus and species of the subphylum Asterozoa, Componaster spurius n. gen., n. sp., is described from the Late Ordovician (early Katian) of Morocco. Construction of the ambulacral column is considered key to delineation of classes of the subphylum Asterozoa: morphology and configuration of the mouth frame, axial (ambulacral series), and adaxial (lateral series) enable class-level assignment of C. spurius n. gen., n. sp. to the Ophiuroidea Gray, 1840. However, overall form and aspects of extraxial skeletal expression from beyond the ambulacral column are strongly reminiscent of expressions of the Asteroidea de Blainville, 1830. The character complex of C. spurius n. gen., n. sp. precludes its alignment with any available ophiuran ordinal concept, and available data do not justify proposal of new ordinal terminology: the species is left incertae sedis at the ordinal level but a new familial taxon, Componasteridae n. fam., is recognized. Although Late Ordovician, the complex morphology of Componaster spurius n. gen., n. sp. suggests either plesiomorphic expressions from asterozoan diversification surviving until the Katian or significant homoplasy during early ­asterozoan history.

African cichlid fishes: morphological data and taxonomic insights from a genus-level survey of supraneurals, pterygiophores, and vertebral counts (Ovalentaria, Blenniiformes, Cichlidae, Pseudocrenilabrinae).

The iconic freshwater cichlid fishes (Cichlidae) comprise about 1750 validly named species and hundreds more that are known, but not yet described and named. Cichlids are an important source of protein for millions of people on several continents, are model organisms in studies of evolution, speciation, ecology, development, behaviour and physiology and are popular as aquarium fishes. Yet, comparative studies of cichlid internal anatomy are rare. Even their osteology has not been taxonomically surveyed. The cichlid postcranial skeleton has been especially neglected. Here, I provide the first survey in cichlids of the considerable variation in numbers of vertebrae, supraneurals and dorsal- and anal-fin supports (pterygiophores), as well as the patterns with which the pterygiophores insert between the neural or haemal spines. The study includes some 1700 specimens of nearly 400 cichlid species. Focusing on the largest subfamily, the African cichlids or Pseudocrenilabrinae, the survey furnishes data from species in all but one of its 166 genera. Limited data from species in the other cichlid subfamilies (Etroplinae, Ptychochrominae and Cichlinae) and from the related leaffishes, Polycentridae, are also presented. Key examples of pterygiophore insertion patterns from throughout the range of variation are illustrated and discussed. Detailed analytical tables and all raw data are provided in supplementary files.A bizarre specialisation in Cyprichromis is noted, evidently for the first time. Uniquely in this Lake Tanganyikan genus, five to seven anal pterygiophores are abdominal in position, located anterior to the anal fin and inserting toward or between successive pairs of pleural ribs.Taxonomic changes: The most speciose tribe of African cichlids, currently known as Haplochromini, is correctly called Pseudocrenilabrini. Based chiefly on the molecular phylogenetic findings of other workers, I propose four pseudocrenilabrine subtribes, one occurring in rivers and three endemic to Lake Malawi. I also re-assign the Lake Tanganyikan tribe Tropheini as another subtribe of Pseudocrenilabrini, in line with numerous molecular studies placing tropheines firmly within this tribe. The remaining genera of Pseudocrenilabrini remain incertae sedis in this tribe pending clarification of their phylogenetic relationships.The character complex here surveyed is a promising source of taxonomically and phylogenetically informative characteristics distinguishing or uniting cichlid taxa at multiple hierarchical levels, from species through subfamily. This reference set of novel character data can also provide information for palaeontological studies of African cichlids. These attributes are skeletal features potentially available for study in well preserved fossils and may help determine their correct taxonomic placement.

Comparative Analysis of Fecal Microbiota Between Adolescents with Early-Onset Psychosis and Adults with Schizophrenia.

Studies of the composition of the gut microbiome have consistently shown that psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia are associated with gut dysbiosis. However, research focusing on adolescents with early-onset psychosis remains limited. This study aimed to characterize the microbial communities and their potential metabolic functions in these populations. We identified that genera Desulfovibrionaceae_Incertae_Sedis, Paraprevotella, and several genera from the Oscillospiraceae family were significantly more abundant in patients with schizophrenia compared to non-psychotic individuals, while Dorea showed decreased levels in schizophrenia patients. Furthermore, patients with early-onset psychosis demonstrated a significant reduction in Staphylococcus abundance. Additionally, we observed an increase in Prevotellaceae Leyella and Prevotellaceae Incertae Sedis in patients receiving atypical antipsychotic treatment, along with a rise in the genus Weissella among those treated with sertraline. Conversely, patients on valproate treatment exhibited decreased levels of Desulfovibrionaceae Incertae Sedis, while showing increased levels of Kandleria and Howardella. Functional prediction analysis using PICRUSt2 revealed significant differences in the expression of key enzymes associated with fatty acid metabolism. Gene orthology analysis identified 10 differentially expressed genes in the early-onset psychosis and schizophrenia groups. Our findings underscore the importance of considering dietary factors, pharmacological treatments, and microbial composition in understanding the gut-brain axis in psychiatric disorders.

Xoconochcothelphusa, a new genus for Ehecatusa chiapensis (Rodríguez & Smalley, 1972), with notes on Spirothelphusa Pretzmann, 1965 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pseudothelphusidae)

The species of the genus Ehecatusa Ng & Low, 2010, E. chiapensis (Rodríguez & Smalley, 1972) and E. mixtepensis (Rodríguez & Smalley, in Smalley, 1970), were referred to as incertae sedis in the classification system of the tribe Pseudothelphusini Ortmann, 1897, proposed by Villalobos-Hiriart (2005) and Villalobos & Alvarez(2010) and as members of the subfamily Pseudothelphusinae in the recent phylogenetic proposal by Álvarez et al. (2020), supported with morphology and molecular information. The recent discovery of a new specimen of E. chiapensis, from Chiapas, Mexico, comes to expose again the unresolved taxonomic situation of this species in the genus Ehecatusa. New morphologic evidence from the male first gonopod and a phylogenetic analysis based on partial DNA sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear genes (COI, 16S and H3), support the placement of the two species in different genera. Consequently, Xoconochcothelphusa n. gen. is erected to receive X. chiapensis n. comb. The phylogenetic relationships of X. chiapensis n. gen., n. comb. and E. mixtepensis with other genera of the subfamily Pseudothelphusinae Ortmann, 1893 (Ehecatusa, Smalleyus Alvarez, 1989, and Spirothelphusa Pretzmann, 1965) distributed in Mexico, are examined and a key to the identification of the genera of this subfamily is provided.

Research on the Mechanism of Root Endophytes of Morus alba L. and Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., Two Host Plants Growing Inonotus hispidus (Bull.) P. Karst., with Metabarcoding and Metabolomics

Inonotus hispidus (Bull.) P. Karst., is a medicinal fungus, which parasitizes broad-leaved tree such as Morus alba L., Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., and Ulmus macrocarpa Hance. To elucidate the internal relationship between I. hispidus and its hosts, this study analyzed endophytic bacteria and fungi in the roots of M. alba and F. mandshurica growing I. hispidus using the 16S rDNA and ITS high-throughput sequencing technologies; and conducted widely targeted metabolomics research using UPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that Cyanobacteria and unidentified chloroplasts had the highest relative abundance at the phylum and genus levels, respectively. For endophytic fungi, Ascomycota was dominant at the phylum level, while Pleosporales gen Incertae sedis and Oncopodiella were the dominant genera in the roots of M. alba and F. mandshurica, respectively. Widely targeted metabolomics identified 562 differential metabolites and 46 metabolic pathways. Correlation analysis revealed that Xanthobacteraceae, Pseudorhodoplanes, and Bauldia were potential regulators of phenolic acids and phenylpropanoids biosynthesis. Additionally, the genus Oncopodiella was primarily associated with the enrichment of lipids, amino acids, sugars, phenolic acids, and other compounds. This result provides significant insights into the size of the fruiting body, resource development, and active ingredients of I. hispidus from different tree sources.

Review of Asaphes Walker, 1834 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Asaphesinae) from Xinjiang, China.

Four species of the cosmopolitan genus Asaphes Walker, 1834 (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Asaphesinae, family incerta sedis) are recorded from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, bringing the number of known species in China to eight. In addition to Asaphessuspensus (Nees ab Esenbeck), 1834 and A.vulgaris Walker, 1834, A.fuyunis Li & Zhang, sp. nov. is newly described based on females and A.californicus Girault, 1917, previously known only from North and South America, is newly recorded from China. These four species are differentiated using an integrative taxonomic approach that includes COI barcode data and morphometrics, and are illustrated using macrophotography. Additionally, the 13 described world species of Asaphes are tabulated and females of the eight recognized Chinese species are keyed.

Mitochondrial phylogenomics reveals the sister relationship between the endogean Mediterranean raymondionymine weevils and the remaining 51,000+ Curculionidae (Coleoptera)

The tribe Raymondionymini has long been neglected in phylogenetic studies. The tribe is characterized by uncertain monophyly, fluctuating taxonomic status, and a composition prone to instability. All raymondionymine weevils are wingless and have eyes either completely absent or, rarely, consisting of a single ommatidium. With body lengths predominantly below three millimeters, they inhabit deep soil environments and are infrequently collected. The core of this tribe comprises nine genera distributed in Europe and around the Mediterranean region and encompassing 76 species, while six additional genera include 17 species distributed in USA (California), Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Russian Far East, and Madagascar. Here, we present eight new mitogenomes, complemented by one publicly available, encompassing all but two Mediterranean genera of raymondionymine weevils. We used publicly available Curculionoidea mitogenomes to compile an all-inclusive dataset with 391 terminals and a reduced dataset with 61 terminals representing main families of Curculionoidea and subfamilies within Curculionidae. Our maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses, employing both DNA and amino acids datasets under alternative partition schemes, consistently produced congruent phylogenies. Our results show that the Mediterranean raymondionymines form a strongly supported clade, and their easternmost and morphologically distinct genus Ubychia is sister to the rest of them. Most notably, our results consistently recover a sister relationship between the clade of Mediterranean raymondionymine weevils and a clade encompassing all remaining Curculionidae. Consequently, we propose a revision of weevil taxonomy: (i) Our target group is removed from the non-monophyletic subfamily Brachycerinae; (ii) this clade is resurrected to its former subfamily level within Curculionidae, as the subfamily Raymondionyminaestat. rev; (iii) the nine Mediterranean genera Alaocephala, Alaocyba, Coiffaitiella, Derosasius, Ferreria, Raymondiellus, Raymondionymus, Tarattostichus, and Ubychia compose Raymondionyminaestat. rev; (iv) and non-Mediterranean genera Alaocybites, Bordoniola, Gilbertiola, Homosomus, Neoubychia, and Schizomicrus are considered as “incertae sedis” pending further phylogenetic corroboration. We hypothesize that the remaining Brachycerinae and the non-Mediterranean representatives within Raymondionyminae constitute a series of species-poor early-diverging lineages representing currently unrecognized subfamilies of Curculionidae.

Cyber catalogue and revision of the nematode genus Enchodelus (Dorylaimida, Nordiidae).

The genus Enchodelus is an intriguing free-living dorylaimid nematode taxon. Its representatives display a distinct distributional pattern as they are mainly spread in high altitudinal enclaves of the Northern Hemisphere, being often associated with mosses and cliff vegetation. Although their feeding habits have not been studied with experimental protocols, it is traditionally assumed that they are omnivorous.The genus Enchodelus has not been recently revised; descriptions of many 'old species' (that have been described long ago and have not been reported since their original discovery) are of poor quality, hardly discoverable and do not conform to the nowadays taxonomical standards. Thus, a comprehensive compilation and analysis of their literature data is indispensable to provide new insights into the taxonomy of the genus and to elucidate its evolutionary relationships. This contribution provides a cyber catalogue of all Enchodelus species, 28 in total. It compiles available information from the key European Research Infrastructures, such as TreatmentBank, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Literature Services (SIBiLS), the Catalogue of Life (CoL), Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) and Biodiversity Literature Repository (BLR). Data about their distribution (geographical records and habitats) are incorporated too and all brought together. It is completed with discussion and notes for some species, along with information on species distributions and microhabitats. Here, all available information on Enchodelus species is brought together. This will contribute to a more complete assessment of species diversity and distribution and support further biogeographical and ecological research.Besides, type material Enchodelusvestibulifer Altherr, 1952, deposited in the Museo Cantonale di Storia Naturale di Lugano (Switzerland), is re-examined and the species is considered as incertae sedis. Further, a new species of the genus found in Caucasus, Georgia is described after its morphological and molecular study; also morphological and molecular data for E.macrodorus (de Man, 1880) Thorne, 1939, the type species of the genus, collected from Spain are provided.

A possible archaic precursor of the octocoral structural plan from the Ordovician of Estonia

AbstractA new species and genus of colonial coral, Lindaphylon solovjevi, from the Upper Ordovician of Estonia is described in detail. The colony has a zonation similar to the zonation structure of the mesogleal skeleton of octocorals, since it consists of a narrow axis and a surrounding wide cortex of small calcite sclerites and a system of large solenia. Corallites present 12 sclerosepta in a wide shallow cup. A new family Lindaphylonidae and an order Lyndaphylonaceae are based on these features, and a new order placed in the subphylum Anthozoa as incertae sedis. A comparative study of skeleton formation and mesenteric apparatus symmetry in different groups of coral polyps is considered in detail.

Comparative morphology of the rhinarium and upper lip in sigmodontine rodents: Refined nomenclature, intertribal variation in a phylogenetic framework, and functional inferences.

Rodents have received substantial attention in the study of olfaction. However, the rhinarium, the naked part of the nose, which plays an important role in chemical, tactile, and thermal perception, has been relatively overlooked. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the rhinarium morphology and spatially associated structures (i.e., upper lip, and philtrum) in sigmodontines, a diverse group within the Cricetidae rodents. The research covers 483 specimens representing 145 species, accounting for 74% of genera in the clade, including all 13 recognized tribes, three incertae sedis genera, and the murid representatives Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus. The inconsistent use of terminology in describing rhinarium traits across the literature poses a challenge for comparative analyzes. To address this issue, a standardized terminology was proposed to characterize the rhinarium. A paired complex protuberance typically with epidermal ridges (i.e., rhinoglyphics), termed here the tubercle of Hill, was identified as a distinctive feature in muroid rhinaria. Comparative assessments among tribes revealed unique sets of features defining each major clade, encompassing variations in hairiness, dorsum nasi complexity, size and positioning of the tubercle of Hill, and other key attributes. Two primary rhinarium configurations were discerned: one shared by Oryzomyalia and Sigmodontini and another specific to Ichthyomyini. The former groups display a ventrally positioned rhinarium prominently featuring the tubercle of Hill and sculptured areola circularis. In contrast, Ichthyomyini exhibit a frontally directed rhinarium characterized by an enlarged dorsum nasi fused to the tubercle of Hill, resulting in a distinctive "cherry" appearance. Convergent rhinarium structures observed in fossorial species, characterized by well-developed plica alaris and hair fringes, are presumed to mitigate potential damage during digging. Conversely, semiaquatic carnivorous sigmodontines showcase an integrated apical structure in their rhinarium, facilitating enhanced somatosensory capabilities crucial for predation activities during diving expeditions.

One more step into the resolution of Panicum (Poaceae) polyphyly: Drakkaria, a new segregate genus from neotropical Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests

Abstract Panicum was once one of the largest grass genera with >450 species associated to >4000 names. The revelation of its polyphyletic nature emerged with the use of molecular data in phylogenetic studies. Consequently, most of its species have been transferred to other genera. A notable case occurred with Panicum (subg. Phanopyrum) sect. Stolonifera, whose species were recovered in tribe Paspaleae, distantly related to Panicum s.s. (P. subg. Panicum), placed in tribe Paniceae. Most species from the section were transferred to Ocellochloa, leaving only one enigmatic species, P. venezuelae, remaining as incertae sedis. In this study, we endeavoured to clarify the phylogenetic placement of P. venezuelae by expanding the taxon sampling and increasing the number of molecular markers. The nuclear External Transcribed Spacer marker was used for the first time in a comprehensive analysis of Paspalinae genera. Additionally, we reviewed the literature and herbarium records to provide a comprehensive update on the morphology and distribution of the species, and a conservation assessment. Our findings confirm that Panicum venezuelae belongs to the tribe Paspaleae, which is here transferred to a new genus, Drakkaria. However, identifying its closest relative remains an open question within Paspaleae. The new genus is considered here endemic to the diverse and threatened Neotropical Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests.

Revision of Australian Brachysandalus with the description of nine new species including one cavernicolous species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae), and observations on male extragenital structure and leg teratology

The Australian species of the genus Brachysandalus Stål, 1867 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae) are revised. A total of 21 species are recognised, including nine new species: B. ayyammae Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. flavidus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. fulvipes Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. gunbalanyae Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. howarthi Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. longifemoratus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. maculatus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov., B. pallidus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. and B. westraliensis Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. Redescriptions of the genus Brachysandalus and all 12 previously described Australian species of the genus as recognised in this study, are presented. Lectotypes are designated for Brachysandalus helluo Stål, 1867, B. lurco Stål, 1867, B. punctorius Stål, 1867, Pirates (Brachysandalus) alutaceus Reuter, 1881, P. (Brachysandalus) brevicoxis Stål, 1874, P. (Brachysandalus) crassifemur Reuter, 1881, P. (Brachysandalus) flavo-pictus Stål, 1874, P. (Brachysandalus) limbatus Reuter, 1881, P. (Brachysandalus) melanolestoides Stål, 1874, P. (Brachysandalus) setosus Stål, 1874, P. fuliginosus Erichson, 1842, P. fulvipennis Walker, 1873, P. sepulchralis Distant, 1902 and Reduvius (Pirates) ephippiger White, 1843. Pirates fulvipennis Walker, 1873 is removed from synonymy with B. punctorius Stål, 1867, and revalidated with the new combination as B. fulvipennis (Walker, 1873), stat. rev. & comb. nov. Pirates (Brachysandalus) flavopictus Stål, 1874, is removed from synonymy with B. punctorius Stål, 1867, and confirmed as synonym of B. fulvipennis (Walker, 1873). Reduvius semifasciatus Walker, 1873 is removed from synonymy with Brachysandalus fuliginosus (Erichson, 1842), and because the former not considered to be a peiratine species is placed here as “Incertae sedis”. Pirates erythromelas Walker, 1873 is transferred to Brachysandalus as B. erythromelas (Walker, 1873), comb. nov. A key to species is provided together with images of the habitus of type specimens and some other males and females with different wing forms, and major structures of male genitalia to assist distinguishing these species. Based on morphology, brief comments are provided on putative species groups within the studied species. Brachysandalus howarthi Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. collected from Bayliss Cave, north Queensland, is morphologically and behaviourally adapted to live in caves and is regarded to be an obligate subterranean species, further details and some biological information is provided. Detailed observations of the male extragenital structure that is present on the left side of sternite VII, were made in all species of Brachysandalus considered in the present study. Fourteen of the 21 species studied have been recorded to possess an externally visible extragenital process, that varies greatly in size, shape and development between species; these details are illustrated and discussed including their probable function in mating process, and potential value in species diagnoses. Cases of leg teratology, specifically morphological abnormalities of tarsi and tarsal claws, were observed in a few specimens of four species, i.e., Brachysandalus lurco Stål, 1867, B. helluo Stål, 1867, B. flavidus Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov. and B. gunbalanyae Malipatil & Liu, sp. nov.; details are illustrated and discussed.

Inopinatus corneliae sp. nov. gen. nov. isolated from human skin: A newly discovered keratinophilic hyphomycete, order Onygenales.

Fungi clinically relevant to human skin comprise prevalent commensals and well-known pathogens. Only rarely human skin harbours fungi that evade identification. To characterise an enigmatic specimen isolated from a skin lesion. A comprehensive clinical and mycological workup including conventional methods for phenotypic characterisation and sequencing based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) regions to infer a phylogenetic tree. Cultures on common solid media were macroscopically inconspicuous initially until mycelial tufts developed on the surface, notably on potato dextrose agar. Polymorphous chlamydospores were detected but no aleurospores and ascomata. At 26°C, the isolate grew on standard agars, plant materials and garden soil and utilised peptone, keratins, lipids, inulin, erythrocytes and cellulose. It also grew at 5°C and at 37°C. Nucleotide sequences of its ITS region showed 93% similarity to sequences of different Malbranchea species. The closest matches among LSU rRNA sequences were obtained with the genera Amauroascus, Arthroderma, Auxarthronopsis and Malbranchea (93%-95%). A combined phylogenetic analysis placed the fungus in a sister clade to Neogymnomycetaceae, classified as incertae sedis in Onygenales, on a large distance to either Diploospora rosea or 'Amauroascus' aureus. The genus Inopinatus gen. nov. (MB854685) with the species Inopinatus corneliae sp. nov. (MB854687) is introduced to accommodate our isolate (holotype: DSM 116806; isotypes: CBS 151104, IHEM 29063). Probably Inopinatus corneliae is a geophilic species that, although potentially harmful, was no relevant pathogen in our case. Its ecology, epidemiology and pathogenicity need to be further clarified.

Erythrocyte Very Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids, Gut Microbiota-Bile Acid Axis, and Incident Coronary Artery Disease in Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

BackgroundPrior research has highlighted inverse associations between concentrations of circulating very long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLCSFAs) and coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the intricate links involving VLCSFAs, gut microbiota, and bile acids remain underexplored. ObjectivesThis study examined the association of erythrocyte VLCSFAs with CHD incidence, focusing on the mediating role of gut microbiota and fecal bile acids. MethodsThis 10-y prospective study included 2383 participants without CHD at baseline. Erythrocyte VLCSFAs [arachidic acid (C20:0), behenic acid (C22:0), and lignoceric acid (C24:0)] were measured using gas chromatography at baseline, and 274 CHD incidents were documented in triennial follow-ups. Gut microbiota in 1744 participants and fecal bile acid metabolites in 945 participants were analyzed using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry at middle-term. ResultsThe multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for CHD incidence in highest compared with lowest quartiles were 0.87 (0.61, 1.25) for C20:0, 0.63 (0.42, 0.96) for C22:0, 0.59 (0.41, 0.85) for C24:0, and 0.57 (0.39, 0.83) for total VLCSFAs. Participants with higher total VLCSFA concentrations exhibited increased abundances of Holdemanella, Coriobacteriales Incertae Sedis spp., Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 and UCG-010, and Lachnospiraceae ND3007 group. These 5 genera generated overlapping differential microbial scores (ODMSs) that accounted for 11.52% of the total VLCSFAs-CHD association (Pmediation = 0.018). Bile acids tauro_α_ and tauro_β_muricholic acid were inversely associated with ODMS and positively associated with incident CHD. Opposite associations were found for glycolithocholic acid and glycodeoxycholic acid. Mediation analyses indicated that glycolithocholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid, and tauro_α_ and tauro_β_muricholic acid explained 56.40%, 35.19%, and 26.17% of the ODMS-CHD association, respectively (Pmediation = 0.002, 0.008, and 0.020). ConclusionsElevated erythrocyte VLCSFAs are inversely associated with CHD risk in the Chinese population, with gut microbiota and fecal bile acid profiles potentially mediating this association. The identified microbiota and bile acid metabolites may serve as potential intervention targets in future studies.This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03179657.

The Neotropical Orthonevra Macquart, 1829 (Diptera: Syrphidae)

The Neotropical species of the flower fly genus Orthonevra (Diptera: Syrphidae) are revised and 12 new species are described and illustrated: Orthonevra batman sp. nov., O. cthulhu sp. nov., O. gli sp. nov., O. gouletmasnerorum sp. nov., O. hypnotica sp. nov., O. minuosetulata sp. nov., O. nebulosa sp. nov., O. neiae sp. nov., O. roseae sp. nov., O. sternolobosa sp. nov., O. theta sp. nov., and O. thompsoni sp. nov. In addition, seven species are redescribed and illustrated: O. argentina (Brèthes, 1922), O. chilensis Thompson, 1999, O. flukei (Sedman, 1964), O. gewgaw (Hull, 1941), O. neotropica (Shannon, 1925), O. quadristriata (Shannon & Aubertin, 1933) and O. shannoni (Curran, 1926), and three Nearctic (one extending into the Neotropical region) species are diagnosed: O. bellula (Williston, 1882), O. nitida (Wiedemman, 1830) and O. nitidula (Curran, 1925) (for a total of 20 species with Neotropical distribution). Lectotypes are designated for two species, Chrysogater bellulus Williston and C. nitidus Wiedemann, and C. lugubris Jaennicke (1867) is removed from Orthonevra and left incertae sedis. A dichotomous and an interactive pictorial key to these species are also presented.

Proposal of Troglocephalinae n. subfam. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) to accommodate existing and two new monocotylids from the gills of rhinopristiform shovelnose rays

Troglocephalinae n. subfam. is proposed for Spinuris Doran, 1953, Neoheterocotyle Hargis, 1955, Anoplocotyloides Young, 1967, Troglocephalus rhinobatidis Young, 1967 (previously incertae sedis), Nonacotyle pristis Ogawa, 1991, Mehracotyle insolita Neifar, Euzet & Ben Hassine, 2002, Scuticotyle cairaen. gen. et sp., and Brancheocotyle imbricatan. gen. et sp. All members of the proposed new subfamily are gill parasites of shovelnose rays of the order Rhinopristiformes. The subfamilies Heterocotylinae Chisholm, Wheeler & Beverley-Burton, 1995, and Dasybatotreminae Bychowsky, 1957, are amended to exclude Spinuris, Nonacotyle, Neoheterocotyle, and Anoplocotyloides and Mehracotyle, respectively. Heterocotylinae includes gill parasites of members of the orders Myliobatiformes and Torpediniformes. Dasybatotreminae includes parasites of the gills and pharyngeal cavity of members of the orders Myliobatiformes and Rajiformes. A revised phylogeny of the Monocotylidae Taschenberg, 1879 is presented and discussed, based on 28S rDNA sequences, including new sequences for Myliocotyle pteromylaei Neifer, Euzet & Ben Hassine, 1999, Heterocotyle tokoloshei Vaughan & Chisholm, 2010, Neoheterocotyle robii Vaughan & Chisholm, 2010, and the two newly proposed species and genera. Additional locality records are also provided for Monocotylidae from off South Africa.

Otoliths from the Lealt Shale Formation, Great Estuarine Group, Middle Jurassic (Bathonian), Inner Hebrides, Scotland

The Lealt Shale Formation is known for its superb preservation of aragonitic molluscs. As fish otoliths are primarily composed of aragonite, and because of the semi-stable nature of this polymorph, records of otoliths become increasingly rare in deep time. Therefore, the Lealt Shale Formation provides a window through which to expand knowledge of Middle Jurassic otoliths. A total of 753 otoliths have been collected, representing 10 species: three in Archaeotolithus , five in Leptolepis , one Archengraulis and a teleost incertae sedis (juveniles only). Four species are new: Archaeotolithus eiggensis, Archaeotolithus invernizziae, Leptolepis flexuosus and Leptolepis skyensis . Two species remain in open nomenclature and the remaining species are known from the Middle Jurassic of southern England and continental Europe: Archaeotolithus doppelsteini , Leptolepis densus , Leptolepis rotundatus and Archengraulis productus . The Lealt Shale Formation was deposited in a low-salinity lagoonal environment with variable freshwater influx and a probably tenuous link to marine waters, resulting in a complex palaeosalinity history. The relevance of the specific environment for the composition of the fish fauna as documented by otoliths is discussed. The evolution of the otolith morphospace during the Jurassic is discussed in the light of the new finds.

THE CARNIVORAN RECORD FROM THE NEOGENE OF EASTERN ROMANIA

The present work deals with the carnivorans found in five Neogene localities in eastern Romania: the Vallesian locality of Păun, the Turolian localities of Pogana 1 and Creţeşti 1, and the Ruscinian localities of Bereşti and Măluşteni. The presented material includes cranial and postcranial specimens, some of which are herein described for the first time. This study includes a re-description and re-depiction of the type material of Lutra rumana Simionescu, 1922 and Promephitis malustenensis Simionescu, 1930, in order to clarify the taxonomic position of these two enigmatic taxa. The carnivoran faunal lists of all five localities are reviewed offering interesting insights into the temporospatial range of the discovered forms. Most localities have only yielded a limited number of species, except from Măluşteni, which shows evidence of at least nine different coexisting forms. Notable occurrences in terms of biostratigraphy include Paludolutra sp. in Pogana 1, Protictitherium crassum (Depéret, 1892) in Creţeşti 1, and a phocid from Măluşteni. This review aims to aid the understanding of the Neogene ecosystems in the north of the Paratethys in terms of faunal contents, biostratigraphy and palaeoecology.