Neotropical Research Articles

Helminth parasites of terrestrial and freshwater chelonians in the Neotropical region: Biogeographic distribution and new record for Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) (Testudines: Chelidae) in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

The Neotropical region is considered a biodiversity hotspot for reptiles, with eight families of terrestrial and freshwater chelonians. Parasites are of great importance to aquatic ecosystems and are essential to host communities. They help understand the patterns and phylogenetic relationships of their hosts and act to control populations. A literature survey on helminth parasites of chelonians in the Neotropical region was conducted, examining the most commonly found groups of helminths, the most parasitized hosts, compiling their biogeographical and political distribution and recording the parasite fauna of Phrynops geoffroanus in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Considering the literature from 1850 to 2024, 202 helminth taxa were recorded. The Mesoamerican dominion had the highest number of helminth taxa, and Brazil was the political unit that recorded the most helminth taxa, followed by Mexico. Nematoda was the group with the highest number of taxa and occurred in all biogeographical units, with the species Spiroxys contortus being the most commonly found, followed by Trematoda, represented by the most commonly found species, Nematophila grandis. Hosts from the Chelidae family had the highest number of helminth taxa, followed by the Kinosternidae family. The most parasitized host species were Chelonoidis denticulatus and Phrynops hilarii. For the host Phrynops geoffroanus, the first occurrence of the nematode helminth Spiroxys contortus was recorded. This is the first study to include all parasitic helminths of terrestrial and freshwater chelonians in the Neotropical region, including a new occurrence in a chelonian host in the hinterland of Paraíba, Brazil.

New species, redescriptions, and new records of Hygronemobius Hebard, 1913 (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae) from Brazil

Hygronemobius Hebard, 1913 is a genus of nemobine crickets with a wide distribution in the Neotropical region, but also found in southern North America, typically inhabiting the leaf litter. They are small size crickets with the hind tibia bearing three dorsal spurs dorsally on each margin and three external and two internal apical spurs; male genitalia with a very broad ectophallic fold, forming a distinct ventral half-disc, with two ventrally directed pseudepiphallic lobes and a small dorsal cavity. Currently, 30 species are considered valid, of which nine are officially recorded in Brazil. Therefore, this work aims to describe two new species of Hygronemobius found in Brazil. The species were collected in the Melgaço and Juruti municipalities in Pará State. Additionally, Hygronemobius amoenus Chopard, 1920 and Hygronemobius nigrofasciatus Desutter-Grandollas, 1993 are being redescribed, and their distribution expanded to Brazil. Finally, Hygronemobius ottei n. nom. is proposed as a new name for Hygronemobius elegans (Otte, 2006) (Costa Rica) as it is a homonym of Hygronemobius elegans Desutter-Grandcolas, 1993 (Peru).

The leaf-miner flies (Diptera: Agromyzidae) of Costa Rican cloud forests

Cloud forests are known as important reservoirs of biodiversity and species endemism, but they are also one of the most threatened of tropical ecosystems. This study investigates the leaf-miner flies (Diptera: Agromyzidae) collected over a period of one year at three different cloud forest localities in Costa Rica, as part of the Zurquí All Diptera Biodiversity Inventory (ZADBI). A total of 976 specimens of Agromyzidae was collected, resulting in the identification of 158 species (or morphospecies). This number is surprisingly high, considering that only 65 species of Agromyzidae were previously recorded in Costa Rica. Most of the species were collected from the main site (Zurquí de Moravia) and only six species were collected at all three sites. Most of the species were collected from a Malaise trap set-up near a forest-edge at the main site, but the more limited sampling at the other two sites added some unique species and one unrecorded genus (Haplopeodes Steyskal) for Costa Rica. Of the 14 previously recorded Neotropical genera of Agromyzidae, 12 were sampled at the cloud forest sites, in addition to the genus Metopomyza Enderlein, previously unreported from the Neotropical Region. The 26 species of the genus Phytoliriomyza Hendel are noteworthy as only 28 congeneric species were previously reported for the entire Neotropical Region. We also discuss the presence of two predominantly northern temperate genera, Phytomyza and Metopomyza, at these sites. Additionally, taxonomic discussion and geographical distributions are provided for the following species: Agromyza fusca Spencer, Calycomyza dominicensis Spencer, Calycomyza meridiana (Hendel), Japanagromyza sasakawai Monteiro, Carvalho-Filho & Esposito, Liriomyza archboldi Frost, Melanagromyza wedeliae Spencer. Finally, we provide comments and a few illustrations for a selection of newly identified species (Cerodontha (Dizygomyza) n.sp.; Liriomyza n.sp.; Haplopeodes ZADBI-1; Cerodontha (Cerodontha) ZADBI-8; Metopomyza ZADBI-4, Phytomyza ZADBI-3). The high species richness and the discovery of several potentially endemic species, support the importance of conservation efforts of these fragile ecosystems.

The rare Adisianus Bretfeld (Collembola, Bourletiellidae): a new species from Northeastern Brazil and an identification key to the genus

Bourletiellidae (Symphypleona, Appendiciphora, Sminthuroidea) comprises several genera exclusively distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Adisianus Bretfeld, a genus within this family, is found in the Neotropical Region and currently includes only three species described from forested areas in Brazil and Mexico. Here we revisit the genus describing a new species, Adisianus pinheadi sp. nov., from a transitional area between the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes in the Northeastern region of Brazil. The new species is more similar to A. fuscus (Bretfeld) and A. maculatus (Bretfeld) in the presence of rough blunt spine-like chaetae on antennae, dorsal head and large abdomen, but it is unique in the combination of its color pattern, antennal and head chaetotaxy, and number of chaetae on manubrium and tenaculum. We also update the diagnosis of the genus, provide an identification key to its species, and discuss its similarities with the Sphyrothecinae (Sminthuridae), along with the potential implications for the internal relationships within Symphypleona.

A revision of the parasitoid wasp genus Dolichogenidea Viereck (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in the Neotropical region, with the description of 102 new species

The parasitoid wasp genus Dolichogenidea is currently the second most speciose within the subfamily Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with 366 world species known so far, but with hundreds awaiting to be described. Here, the fauna of the Neotropical region is revised, with an emphasis in the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica. In addition to 23 species previously recorded from the Neotropics, 102 additional species are described as new, increasing the regional and world richness to 125 and 468 species, respectively. All species are diagnosed and described by using a combination of basic morphology (dichotomous key and brief diagnostic descriptions) and, when available DNA COI barcodes, biology (host data and wasp cocoon strategy), and distribution data. Neither morphology, biology, nor molecular data alone were sufficient to unambiguously separate all taxa, as all approaches were found to have limitations, but the combination of all three approaches provided stronger support to species delimitation. Morphology allowed the inclusion of all known species, therefore building a foundation upon which to improve as more molecular and biological data become available and new species are discovered; however, it was not sufficient (or it was very difficult to use) to separate at least 15% of all species keyed out in the dichotomous key. DNA barcoding was better able to separate species, and it is likely to become the most efficient way to identify species in the near future; however, DNA failed to identify 8.3% of the species with molecular data available, in addition to one third of the described species currently lacking molecular data. Biological data is currently the most incomplete, with only 42% of the species having associated host information, with a strong data availability bias towards ACG specimens. A total of 11 Lepidoptera families are here recorded to be parasitized by Neotropical Dolichogenidea, mainly Depressariidae (34% of all host data available), Gelechiidae (17%), Crambidae (14%), Tortricidae (10%), Thyrididae (8%) and Pyralidae (7%). Most of the wasps seem to be monophagous or at most oligophagous, as 56% are known to only parasitize a single host species, whereas 23% parasitize two host species and 10% parasitize three hosts; in almost all cases, the hosts species belong to one genus (or related genera) in the same Lepidoptera family. Most species of Dolichogenidea are found between 400–1,500 m, but a few have been found at higher elevations, including a few examples higher than 3,000 m (Costa Rica) and 4,000–4,100 m in the Andes (South America). The following nomenclatural acts are proposed: 1) the genus Exoryza is synonymized under Dolichogenidea, syn. nov.; 2) a total of 16 species are transferred to Dolichogenidea as comb. nov., one species formerly in the genus Apanteles: Dolichogenidea croceicornis (Muesebeck, 1958) and all 15 species formerly placed within Exoryza (six of them from the Neotropics): Dolichogenidea asotae (Watanabe, 1932), Dolichogenidea belippicola (Liu & You, 1988), Dolichogenidea hylas (Wilkinson, 1932), Dolichogenidea mariabustosae (Fernandez-Triana, 2016), Dolichogenidea megagaster (de Saeger, 1944), Dolichogenidea minnesota (Mason, 1981), Dolichogenidea monocavus (Valerio & Whitfield, 2004), Dolichogenidea oryzae Walker, 1994, Dolichogenidea reticarina (Song & Chen, 2003), Dolichogenidea richardashleyi (Fernandez-Triana, 2016), Dolichogenidea ritaashleyae (Fernandez-Triana, 2016), Dolichogenidea rosamatarritae (Fernandez-Triana, 2016), Dolichogenidea safranum (Rousse & Gupta, 2013), Dolichogenidea schoenobii (Wilkinson, 1932) and Dolichogenidea yeimycedenoae (Fernandez-Triana, 2016); 3) Dolichogenidea yeimycedenoae (Fernandez-Triana, 2016) becomes a senior secondary homonym of Dolichogenidea yeimycedenoae Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, 2019; therefore, Dolichogenidea cedenoae Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, 2025 is a replacement name for Dolichogenidea yeimycedenoae Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, 2019; 4) the following 102 species, all authored by Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, are described as sp. nov.: D. aceituno, D. alanflemingi, D. alejandromarini, D. alerce, D. alexamasisae, D. alexandrei, D. alixhamiltonae, D. amazonas, D. anacamposae, D. andreamezae, D. angelsolisi, D. anikenpalolae, D. anniapicadoae, D. annlisterudae, D. annychaverae, D. antioquia, D. antjevirkusae, D. arenal, D. bernardoespinozai, D. beryllacosteae, D. bradzlotnicki, D. caldas, D. carlosalvaradoi, D. carlosviquezi, D. chichicastenango, D. christinaagapakisae, D. claudiadoblesae, D. dole, D. encruzilhada, D. ericpalolai, D. ericsimoni, D. escobarae, D. felipechavarriai, D. frankjoycei, D. fredhicksi, D. helenedumasae, D. heredia, D. ingredolsonae, D. isabelleae, D. isidrochaconi, D. jaimelewisi, D. jasonkelleyi, D. jennyphillipsae, D. jessiehillae, D. johnrobinsoni, D. jorgecarvajali, D. jorgecortesi, D. josephfridmani, D. joshdarfleri, D. juanmatai, D. junhyongkimi, D. kasiiya, D. katiemccluskeyae, D. kenzabaddouae, D. lacochaparamo, D. leahdennisae, D. limoncocha, D. luishamiltoni, D. luzmariaromeroae, D. machupichu, D. mehdirheljari, D. moniqueae, D. moniquegilbertae, D. ninamasisae, D. nothofagus, D. oiketicus, D. palenque, D. papallacta, D. paulfryi, D. pedroleoni, D. puschendorfi, D. putumayo, D. puyo, D. rexhamiltoni, D. robertofernandezi, D. robinsherwoodae, D. robmacewani, D. robpringlei, D. rociocordobae, D. rodrigogamezi, D. ronaldzunigai, D. rubymacpearsae, D. rudyamadori, D. sallydaleyae, D. sarahoconnorae, D. scottmilleri, D. shelleymcsweeneyae, D. sigifredomarini, D. stephmae, D. stevestroudi, D. susanabramsae, D. teremariae, D. tiboshartae, D. timrichi, D. tomdaleyi, D. tristanpalolai, D. tucuman, D. verobrondexae, D. virgendelparamo, D. weaversway, D. yungas, D. yvesbraeti.

Imidacloprid Resistance Challenges in Brazilian Strains of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is a relevant pest affecting berries and stone fruits globally, including in the Neotropical region, where its invasion was reported about a decade ago. Despite chemical control being the main management method for D. suzukii, data on insecticide susceptibility in Neotropical D. suzukii populations are scarce. Here, we assessed the susceptibility of three field-collected Brazilian D. suzukii populations to four insecticides (i.e., deltamethrin, permethrin, spinetoram, imidacloprid) and contrasted this with a standard insecticide-susceptible population. Using the discriminating concentration (LC90) from the standard susceptible population, we identified resistant populations. Synergist exposure (piperonyl butoxide, triphenyl phosphate, diethyl maleate) indicated the role of detoxification enzymes in resistance. Our results showed that deltamethrin was the most toxic, followed by spinetoram, permethrin, and imidacloprid. While all field populations were similarly susceptible to pyrethroids and spinosyns, one population from Minas Gerais (i.e., Paula Candido) had significantly lower imidacloprid susceptibility, with only 53.4 ± 5.2% mortality at 10.0 g/L (the equivalent of 10-fold the estimated imidacloprid LC90). Only piperonyl butoxide increased the imidacloprid susceptibility of Paula Candido flies. Our findings indicate the occurrence of cytochrome P450 enzyme-based imidacloprid resistance in the state of Minas Gerais, which can challenge the management of D. suzukii in Brazil.

Descriptions of the immature stages of Microvelia pulchella Westwood, 1834 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerridae)

Microvelia Westwood, 1834 (Gerromorpha: Gerridae: Microveliinae) is a widespread genus of semiaquatic bugs with more than 100 species recorded from the Neotropical Region. Microvelia pulchella Westwood, 1834 is the type species of the genus and one of the most common throughout the American continents, ranging from Canada to Argentina. Although its life cycle has been studied repeatedly, the immature stages have not been described. Here, we provide descriptions, measurements, and illustrations of eggs and four nymphal instars of this species based on specimens collected and reared in southeastern Brazil.

Disconnecting trapdoors: Phylogenomic analyses reveal evolutionary contrasts in trapdoor spiders with intercontinental distribution (Idiopidae, Idiopinae).

Disconnecting trapdoors: Phylogenomic analyses reveal evolutionary contrasts in trapdoor spiders with intercontinental distribution (Idiopidae, Idiopinae).

Soil fertility matters! A new conceptual model for carbon stewardship in neotropical croplands taking climate-smart agricultural practices into account.

Soil fertility matters! A new conceptual model for carbon stewardship in neotropical croplands taking climate-smart agricultural practices into account.

Screening Genipa americana Progenies for Their Ability to Maintain Leaf Vitality Under Severe Dehydration Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence

Damage to the photosynthetic apparatus during leaf dehydration is an indicator of the maintenance of leaf vitality and the resilience of tree seedlings to severe drought. Genipa americana is a tree widely distributed in the neotropical region but with great ecological and sociocultural importance in the south of the state of Bahia, Brazil, where its fruits are harvested from subspontaneous trees. This study aimed to compare the feasibility of the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and performance indexes derived from the JIP test, i.e., performance index on absorption basis (PIabs) and total performance index (PItotal), for screening G. americana seedlings from different mother plants for leaf damage caused by dehydration. From leaf dehydration curves, we calculated the values of relative water content (RWC) in which Fv/Fm, PIabs, and PItotal reach a loss of 10% and 50% in relation to the values of fully hydrated leaves. PItotal was the only parameter that revealed consistent significant differences between progenies for RWC at 50% of percentage loss. Significant differences were observed among progenies for leaf traits; however, no correlation was detected between these traits and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Monitoring the PItotal values during leaf dehydration is a useful tool for screening G. americana progenies in relation to their capacity to maintain leaf vitality under occasional severe droughts.

Proposal for the use of morphometry as a sexing method for psittacine species Amazona amazonica, Amazona aestiva , Ara chloropterus , Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus , and Ara ararauna

Psittacides are birds characterized by a curved beak, zygodactyl feet and colorful feathers, with species varying in size and without apparent sexual dimorphism. They are among the birds most threatened with extinction, with around 31% of species in the Neotropical region in this condition. Reproduction of these birds in captivity is crucial for the maintenance and recovery of populations, with sex identification being essential in this process. Given the difficulty of differentiating between males and females, it is proposed to use external morphometry to determine sex in a population of parrots, correlating it with the measurement of five parameters: length of the culmen, tomium, depth of the beak, length of the head and cloaca opening. Sex was determined by DNA testing, where females presented two copies of genes amplified by PCR (one from each chromosome, W and Z) and males presented only one copy (Z chromosome). 40 parrot specimens of different species were used: 7 Amazona amazonica , 8 Amazona aestiva , 9 Ara chloropterus , 5 Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus , 11 Ara ararauna . Of the total, 55% (22/40) were males and 45% (18/40) were females. Among the parameters evaluated, there were no significant variances between the sexes of the species studied, with the exception of one variable vent opening of one species Ara ararauna . Additionally, the lack of information about the age range of the animals meant that some individuals showed similarities, as in the case of A. amazonica , possibly linked to the stage of development. Thus, in addition to verifying that not all species can be subjected to the morphometric technique, the development phase also interferes with its use. It is concluded that among the species studied, only Ara ararauna is possible to determine the sex by measuring the cloaca opening, which showed significant differences, with no divergence from other biometric parameters.

Historical biogeography and plastome evolution of Commelinaceae Mirb. (Commelinales) corroborate the East Gondwanan origins

BackgroundCommelinaceae are a Pantropical monocot family comprising ca. 36 genera and 810 species. Due to the high morphological variation and limited sampling, the relationships within the family remain unclear. Previous studies, which relied on limited genetic loci or low-resolution sequencing, have not fully resolved these relationships. Additionally, there is a need to investigate the historical biogeography of Commelinaceae using genomic data. To address these issues, we assembled twelve Commelinaceae plastomes and inferred their biogeographical pathways using both newly generated and previously published data.ResultsOur results indicate that all members of the subfamily Commelinoideae have shortened accD and rpoA genes, which do not affect functionality. In contrast, members of the subf. Cartonematoideae possess intact forms of both genes. Phylogenetic analyses based on 79 plastid protein-coding genes provide much-needed insight into the placement of some key genera that had previously remained unplaced or were erroneously placed elsewhere within the family. Of these, our results support the monophyly of the subtribe Streptoliriinae, the non-monophyly of the subtr. Coleotrypinae, and the need to recognise a broader circumscription of Aneilema R.Br. (including Rhopalephora Hassk.). Our biogeographic analysis shows that the ancestor of Commelinaceae originated in the Australian region around 104.8 million years ago (Mya), thus revealing an East Gondwanan origin. We also found that four major dispersal events have shaped the intercontinental diversification of this family: (1) from the Australian to the Ethiopian region ca. 81.4 Mya; (2) from the Ethiopian to the Oriental + Palearctic region ca. 50.4 Mya; (3) from the Oriental + Palearctic to the Neotropical region ca. 50.4 Mya; and (4) from the Neotropical to the Ethiopian region ca. 32.3 Mya.ConclusionsWe identified genetic events, such as inversions and IR expansion, which shed light on the genomic evolution of Commelinaceae. Our findings support taxonomic updates, and future work will integrate comprehensive phylogenomic and morphological datasets to deepen our understanding of morphological evolution and biogeographic history within Commelinaceae, establishing a robust foundation for systematic revisions in the family.

Variability and General Trends in the Geographic Distribution and Climatic Niche of Endemic and Cosmopolitan Drosophilidae Species in Subtropical Regions of the Neotropics.

The Neotropical region is a vast and heterogeneous ecozone harboring diverse Drosophilidae Fallén 1823 species. However, these species' distribution patterns and climatic requirements are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to estimate differences in the climatic niche and distribution patterns among species to test the hypothesis that endemic and cosmopolitan species occurring in the Neotropics present different climatic niches, such that distribution range and niche breadth are highly correlated among species. For this task, we evaluated the geographic distributions and the climatic niches of 47 endemic and cosmopolitan drosophilids occurring in subtropical regions of the Neotropics using raw climatic data from collection records and environmental niche models (ENMs). We showed that the studied species varied in two highly correlated properties: the distribution ranges and the environmental niche breadth. Moreover, significant differences were observed between endemic and cosmopolitan drosophilids in terms of variable importance and climatic niches. Most of the studied species are distributed in regions under mild climatic conditions, but there are many species inhabiting harsher environments. Generally, the results suggest that several Neotropical drosophilid species may be highly vulnerable to global warming, potentially serving as bioindicator species for assessing the impact of climate change.

Current and potential distribution of the neotropical hard tick Amblyomma patinoi (Ixodida: Ixodidae).

The Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) complex (Acari: Ixodidae) is represented by six species of hard ticks widely distributed from southern Texas in the United States to northern Argentina. Species within the complex feed on a variety of vertebrate hosts, primarily mammals, including humans. These ticks are the main vector of the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii (Brumpt; Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) and have been associated with the transmission of several arboviruses. In Colombia, one of the most ecologically diverse countries of the Neotropics, two species of the complex have been recorded with sympatric distribution in the northwestern part of the country: Amblyomma mixtum (Koch) and Amblyomma patinoi (Labruna, Nava & Beati). The latter is of medical importance as it has been confirmed as a competent vector of R. rickettsii in inter-Andean valleys of Colombia. Here, we assessed the current distribution of A. patinoi and predicted changes in its distribution over the century under different climate change scenarios. Additionally, we incorporated new records, delved deeper into the distribution of A. patinoi and interpreted model results using the climate classification and ecoregions for the Neotropical region. The results showed the presence of A. patinoi in 79 localities distributed across 34 municipalities and seven departments of the Caribbean and Andean regions of Colombia. In addition, new records were identified in two additional departments (Valle del Cauca and Caquetá) of the Andean and Amazon regions, as well as additional records in the department of Cundinamarca, especially in the inter-Andean Magdalena River basin. A. patinoi has been recorded in five ecoregions (Cauca Valley Dry Forests, Guajira-Barranquilla Moist Forests, Magdalena Valley Dry Forests and Magdalena-Urabá Moist Forests) and is associated with horses, cattle, dogs and humans. Its elevational range extends from 8 to 645 m a.s.l. in the Caribbean region and from 497 to 1712 m a.s.l. in the Andean region and inter-Andean valleys. The potential distribution models suggest that A. patinoi presents high climatic suitability in the Caribbean areas and inter-Andean valleys. Under climate change scenarios a possible expansion of the species distribution is observed in areas currently not recorded in the Neotropics, in countries such as Brazil, Peru and Venezuela. However, geographical conditions, such as elevation, could limit its distribution at higher elevations.

Integrative morphometric and molecular analyses reveal possible genetic contamination of silver catfish populations of the genus Rhamdia in Neotropical River basins.

Rhamdia quelen, Rhamdia branneri and Rhamdia voulezi are morphologically similar species that, until recently, were considered synonymous. Although R. quelen has wide distribution in the Neotropical region, R. branneri and R. voulezi are sympatric and endemic species of the Iguaçu River basin. We used an integrative approach, including morphometric and molecular data (barcodes DNA, COI gene), to assist in the identification and delimitation of these species. We also intended to investigate genetic contamination of the Paraná III and lower Iguaçu River basins, as silver catfish production has increased in southern Brazil, and accidental or occasional escapes to nature may pose risks to the genetic integrity of native populations. COI sequences and morphometric data were efficient in the characterization and differentiation of Rhamdia species and may be helpful tools in correctly identifying R. quelen, R. branneri and R. voulezi. Both morphometric and molecular analyses indicated the segregation of specimens into three groups. Although this separation coincided with the taxonomy and the collection site in the morphometric analyses, the taxonomic identification of most samples did not coincide with the molecular identification. This fact may be due to (i) incorrect morphological identification and/or (ii) escapes of pure species and/or interspecific hybrids from fish farms. The detection of COI haplotypes of R. quelen in the lower Iguaçu River, as well as COI haplotypes of R. branneri and R. voulezi in the Paraná III basin, combined with the morphometric and morphological characteristics of the specimens, reinforces the occurrence of hybrid specimens in these river basins. These results reveal the importance of characterizing species and interspecific hybrids of Rhamdia and the urgency to regulate aquaculture activities.

Phylogenetic Structure of Two Euglossine Communities Divided by the Colombian Andes.

The alarming decline in bee populations throughout the world makes it imperative to understand the dynamics of its communities in undersampled tropical regions such as Colombian Choco and Amazon. Euglossine bees, also known as orchid bees, are the primary pollinators of orchids in the Neotropical region, and little is known about the resilience of these communities to geographical formations. Combining phylogenetics with the community ecology makes it possible to evaluate the evolutionary relationships among coexisting species, and to associate the phylogenetic structure of the community with the niche overlap and historical events. Here, we evaluated whether the orchid bee communities differ phylogenetically by altitudinal range on each side of the Andean mountains. We collected euglossine bees using chemical attractants at three different elevation levels in two sites (Putumayo and Nariño) separated by the Andean cordillera. We captured 1225 bees belonging to 64 species and four genera. We found phylogenetic clustering in Low and High Nariño, in contrast to Putumayo and Mid Nariño, which tended toward a random draw. However, overdispersion was not recorded; hence, the role of environmental filtering and competitive exclusion in community assembly along elevation gradients remains unclear. Consequently, we propose that the emergence of the Northern Andes generated changes in the composition of orchid bee communities distributed sympatrically. The niche conservatism observed in Nariño is explained by the narrow zone and climatic homogeneity and randomness in Putumayo, by the extension of the territory and other geological events such as Pleistocene refugees and Amazon River formation.

Understanding the role of ecological divergence in the evolution of isolated populations in the Arremonops rufivirgatus species complex across Mesoamerica

BackgroundThe topographic complexity and wide range of environmental conditions of the Neotropical region have allowed the evolution of the most diverse avifauna in the world. Distributional patterns within this avian diversity mirror this complexity, and many species show allopatric distributions in environmentally continuous regions. Here, we used environmental variables and historical presence records to understand the evolution of the distribution of three isolated groups (Gulf, Pacific, and Yucatan Peninsula) of the Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) species complex. We assessed the role of environmental factors underlying geographic distribution patterns in the complex based on ecological niche modeling and performed paleoclimatic reconstructions to assess distributional changes based on suitable areas during the Late Pleistocene.ResultsNiche similarity was not rejected in the Pacific/Yucatan comparison, but the Gulf/Pacific and Gulf/Yucatan comparisons showed niche differentiation. We found regions with low climatic suitability representing a biogeographic barrier for the Pacific and the Yucatan groups, but not for the Yucatan and the Gulf groups, suggesting that biotic factors, such as competition with ecologically similar species, may be involved in geographic isolation.ConclusionsOur results suggest that allopatric distributions in the three groups within the A. rufivirgatus complex probably evolved due to biotic interactions with ecologically similar species in the relatively environmentally continuous areas across the Gulf Slope, but to range contractions leading to isolation in the Yucatan and the Pacific groups.

Record of an unknown species of Aylacostoma (Gastropoda: Hemisinidae) evidenced by molecular data

Gastropods belonging to the Hemisinidae family are distributed in the Neotropical region, mainly in Central and South America, with Aylacostoma being a native genus of South America, as documented in the Paraná River Basin. The Ivaí River is one of the last rivers in the state of Paraná free of dams along its main channel. The future construction of hydroelectric dams could lead to the extinction of populations, including those of Aylacostoma, as occurred with the construction of the Yacyretá reservoir (in the Argentina–Paraguay region). The morphological similarity between species of the genus and the limited number of specialized taxonomists may result in an underestimation of the diversity of these organisms in the region. Molecular techniques have become an invaluable tool for the characterization of gastropod populations. The main objective of this study was to provide a record of an unknown species of Aylacostoma found in the Ivaí River, as indicated by molecular data. The COI mitochondrial region of five specimens was sequenced and subsequently compared with other Hemisinidae and Thiaridae species available in GenBank. The genetic distances observed for Aylacostoma sp. were 5.4% with A. chloroticum and 6% with A. brunneum, indicating that it is a distinct species from those available in GenBank.

Germany’s established non-native species: a comprehensive breakdown

BackgroundThe introduction of non-native species can cause significant ecological and economic impacts by disrupting local habitats and ecosystem services. Due to its central European location and extensive trade networks, Germany is particularly susceptible to the introduction and spread of non-native species. Here, we compiled the first comprehensive list of established non-native species in Germany, detailing the invaded environments, native regions, and documented impacts.ResultsThe final list included 1962 established non-native species from 594 families and 35 phyla, with Tracheophyta (n = 839), Arthropoda (n = 612), and Chordata (n = 129) being the most represented. Most of these species were terrestrial (79.3%), followed by semi-aquatic (8.4%), with less than 5% occupying freshwaters and other ecosystems. This study highlights a significant lack of information on the impacts of non-native species in Germany, with 97.9% of species having unknown effects. The greatest number of species included in this list were native to the Palearctic region (n = 813), followed by the Nearctic (n = 365) and Neotropic (n = 127) regions. However, many species were of unknown origin (n = 335), with a smaller subset classified as widespread (n = 166).ConclusionsThis first comprehensive list of established non-native species is essential for guiding management strategies in Germany. By cataloguing established non-native species and their impacts, it provides policymakers and stakeholders with a clearer understanding of which species are present, their patterns of spread, and their potential impacts, enabling them to prioritise management efforts for the most harmful species.

Discovery and formal description of the female of Microphotina Beier, 1935 (Mantodea: Photinaidae), with an updated key to species and remarks on the role of Citizen Science in advancing Mantodea biodiversity studies

French Guiana (FG) is renowned as one of the most extensively studied and recognized Neotropical regions for Mantodea. Despite comprehensive historical and contemporary collections, several taxa remain known from only one sex. This is the case for the females of Microphotina Beier, 1935 (Photinaidae, Microphotinini), whose elusiveness has prevented full characterization of this little-known lineage of foliage-dwelling praying mantises. In this study, we report and describe the female of Microphotina viridescens (Chopard, 1912), discovered in FG through citizen science efforts. We detail critical diagnostic features to recognize the female of M. viridescens and distinguish it from those of Chromatophotina Rivera, 2010, while reinterpreting wing and genital traits of males to enhance its recognition. The egg case is also described for the first time and compared with those of Chromatophotina awajun Rivera, 2010 and other closely related taxa. We complement taxonomy with general observations on the life history of M. viridescens, reporting habitat preferences, cryptic strategy, parental care, and aspects of its postembryonic development. Taxonomic and systematic considerations are provided along with an updated identification key to Microphotina spp. based on males. Finally, we briefly discuss the pivotal role that citizen science can play in advancing praying mantis biodiversity research.