World Species Research Articles

Spread of the African spotted orchid <i>Oeceoclades maculata</i> in the New World

Oeceoclades maculata (Lindl.) Lindl. (= Eulophia maculata (Lindl.) Rchb.f.) has a broad native range across tropical Africa and Madagascar. Here, we document the spread of O. maculata in the New World, using published records, herbarium specimens, photographs posted online, and our own collections. The earliest known New World record of O. maculata is from Brazil dating to before 1790. Until 1962, O. maculata was known in the New World only from South America. Since then, this species has spread north through Central America into Mexico and across the West Indies to Florida and the Bahamas. It was first found in Florida in 1974, and until 1994 all Florida records of O. maculata were restricted to Miami-Dade County (except one record of greenhouse escapees in Gainesville). Here, we document O. maculata records from the following geographic areas in the New World: 11 South American countries (all except Chile and Uruguay), all 7 Central American countries, Mexico, 22 West Indian island-groups, and Florida. We also document records from 31 counties in peninsular Florida. Oeceoclades maculata has now been recorded in the New World from northeastern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (~28.5°S) and Estancia Santa Teresa, Corrientes, Argentina (28.0°S) in the south, to Gainesville (29.7°N) and Palm Coast, Florida (29.6°N) in the north. A report of O. maculata populations in Gainesville dying out after a hard frost suggests that this species may have reached its northern outdoor limit in peninsular Florida. Although its impact on native species in the New World appears to be minor, there are efforts to eradicate O. maculata in some natural areas.

First record of parasitism in soldier flies by tachinids: Lixophaga stratiophaga Gudin, sp. nov. (Diptera: Tachinidae), reared from Ptecticus testaceus (Fabricius) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) in Amazon rainforest and updated catalogue of dipteran hosts of Tachinidae

AbstractAlthough tachinids parasitise a wide variety of insects, two‐winged flies are not commonly recorded as hosts. Of the host records from Diptera, most are from larvae of Tabanidae and Tipulidae, with a few occasional records in other families. We present here the first record of parasitism in soldier flies by tachinids and the first record of a dipteran host in the Neotropical Region. Lixophaga stratiophaga Gudin, sp. nov. (Diptera: Tachinidae: Blondeliini) is described and illustrated from pupae of Ptecticus testaceus (Fabricius) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae: Sarginae), collected in fallen fruit of Casearia combaymensis Tul. (Salicaceae) in a reserve of Amazon rainforest in Manaus, state of Amazonas, Brazil. We include notes about its host and discuss the most relevant diagnostic characters for New World species of Lixophaga. An updated and annotated catalogue of dipteran hosts of Tachinidae is also provided, with an overview of host use and oviposition strategies of their respective parasitoids.

Limited role of recombination in the global diversification of begomovirus DNA-B proteins

Approximately half of the characterized begomoviruses have bipartite genomes, but the second genomic segment, the DNA-B, is understudied relative to the DNA-A, which is homologous to the entire genome of monopartite begomoviruses. We examined the evolutionary history of the two proteins encoded by the DNA-B, the genes of which make up ∼60% of the DNA-B segment, from all bipartite begomovirus species. Our dataset of 131 movement protein (MP) and nuclear shuttle protein (NSP) sequences confirmed the deep split between Old World (OW) and New World (NW) species, and showed strong support for deep, congruent branches among the OW sequences of the MP and NSP. NW sequences were much less diverse and had poor phylogenetic resolution; over half of nodes in both the NSP and MP NW clades were supported by <50% bootstrap support. This poor resolution hampered our ability to detect incongruent phylogenies between the MP and NSP datasets, and we found no statistical evidence for recombination within our MP and NSP datasets. Finally, we quantified the sequence diversity between the NW and OW proteins, showing that the NW MP has particularly low diversity, suggesting it has been subject to different evolutionary pressures than the NW NSP.

First record and a new species of Foxiphalus Barnard, 1979 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Phoxocephalidae) from the Atlantic Ocean, with two new records of the family from northeastern Brazil

A new species of Foxiphalus Barnard, 1979 is described. The material examined was collected as part of the project "Avaliação da biota bentônica e planctônica da Bacia Potiguar e Ceará" (BPOT), off northeastern Brazilian continental slope on the state of Rio Grande do Norte at depths ranging from 135 to 283 meters. Foxiphalus potiguara sp. nov. is recognized among its congeners by: rostrum slightly exceeding the article 2 of antenna 1; lower lip outer lobes with strong shoulder cusps; maxilliped inner plate with two apical robust setae; gnathopod 2 carpus shortened; pereopod 5 basis tapering distally; and epimeral plate 3 posterior margin weakly crenulated. This is the first record of Foxiphalus for the Atlantic Ocean and we provide an amended diagnosis of the genus and an identification key to its world species. In addition, two new records of Phoxocephalidae are reported from northeastern Brazil: Heterophoxus shoemakeri Andrade &amp; Senna, 2020 and Metharpinia dentiurosoma Alonso de Pina, 2003.

Polyctenidae (Hemiptera: Cimicoidea) species in the Afrotropical region: Distribution, host specificity, and first insights to their molecular phylogeny.

Polyctenidae bugs are rarely studied, hematophagous, and highly specialized ectoparasites of bats. There are only 32 described species worldwide, including six species in the Afrotropical region. Knowledge on these parasites is limited, and most studies are restricted to the New World polyctenid species. Here we report additional records of Adroctenes horvathi from Kenya and South Africa, as well as Hypoctenes faini from Rwanda. We present an updated list of published polyctenid records in the Afrotropical region indicating their host specificity and their geographical distribution. We report global infection patterns and sex ratio of polyctenids based on previously published data, including Old and New World species. Lastly, we demonstrate the first molecular phylogeny of Polyctenidae, showing their phylogenetic relationship with the closely related family Cimicidae.

Review of the genus Pleurotroppopsis Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) with interspecific phylogenetic relationships based on morphological characters.

This study is dedicated to the late Dr. John LaSalle, and reviews the world species of Pleurotroppopsis Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); fourteen species are treated, of which two are newly described: P. dactylispae Cao & Zhu sp. nov. from China and P. peukscutella Cao & Zhu sp. nov. from Malaysia. On the basis of morphological characters, tentative relationships among genera allied to Pleurotroppopsis are discussed. A revised definition of Pleurotroppopsis is presented based on study of type specimens of all species and a critical review of previous studies on the genus. In addition, parsimony analyses were conducted to infer a phylogeny of Pleurotroppopsis species based on a unique data matrix of morphological characters. Keys to genera allied to Pleurotroppopsis and to known species of Pleurotroppopsis are provided.

Adverse effects of heat stress during summer on broiler chickens production and antioxidant mitigating effects.

Broiler chicken meat is a good source of protein consumed universally, and is one of the most commonly farmed species in world. In addition to providing food, poultry non-edible byproducts also have value. A major advantage of broiler chicken production is their short production cycle, which results in a greater rate of production in comparison to other species. However, as with any production system, there are constraints in broiler production with one of the most pressing being energy requirements to keep the birds warm as chicks and cool later in the growth cycle, as a result of the cost needing mechanical heating and cooling. While this is feasible in more advanced economies, this is not readily affordable in developing economies. As a result, farmers rely on natural ventilation to cool the rearing houses, which generally becoming excessively warm with the resultant heat stress on the birds. Since little can be done without resorting to mechanical ventilation and cooling, exploring the use of other means to reduce heat stress is needed. For this review, we cover the various factors that induce heat stress, the physiological and behavioral responses of broiler chickens to heat stress. We also look at mitigating the adverse effect of heat stress through the use of antioxidants which possess either an anti-stress and/or antioxidant effects.

The famous Linnean Society meeting: from old errors to new insights

Abstract A meeting of the Linnean Society of London held on the evening of 1 July 1858 is famous for being the occasion of the first public announcement of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. This declaration was completed by publication of On the Origin of Species in the following year. The present analysis rebuffs this interpretation, in that the material read and subsequently published did not promote a theory of evolution, let alone the Origin theory. It did promote natural selection, a theory of organic change; however, a theory of evolution requires, in addition, a theory of how both the organic and physical components of the world behave and interact (i.e. a world-view theory). A first announcement of a theory of evolution also requires some promotion of the likelihood that new species will result. The Origin world view and species transmutation as an outcome are both largely absent from the contributions. Hence, Bell’s much maligned Presidential address might need re-assessment. Curiously, the published title almost denies species transmutation. The present paper undertakes detailed inspection of this meeting; it supports a re-assessment of its customary interpretation in the history of biological science.

Synopsis of the cockroach family Corydiidae (Blattodea: Corydioidea) in North America, with an identification key to subfamilies and genera, and taxonomic changes

A synopsis of the cockroach family Corydiidae in North America (Canada, Mexico and the USA) is made. The diversity of this family in the region comprises 65 species grouped in eight genera and three subfamilies. Through the revision of type material, Myrmecoblatta hebardi Estrada-Álvarez &amp; Guadarrama, 2013 is transferred to the genus Paralatindia Saussure, 1868; Latindia mexicana Saussure, 1868 is retransferred to the genus Compsodes Hebard, 1917; and Homoeogamia brasiliana (Saussure, 1864) is revealed to be a junior synonym of the Old World species Polyphaga aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1758). A checklist of the species for the region is presented, and a key to the subfamilies and genera is proposed.

Re-establishment of the genus Pseudalbizzia (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade): the New World species formerly placed in Albizia.

Following recent mimosoid phylogenetic and phylogenomic studies demonstrating the non-monophyly of the genus Albizia, we present a new molecular phylogeny focused on the neotropical species in the genus, with much denser taxon sampling than previous studies. Our aims were to test the monophyly of the neotropical section Arthrosamanea, resolve species relationships, and gain insights into the evolution of fruit morphology. We perform a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of sequences of nuclear internal and external transcribed spacer regions and trace the evolution of fruit dehiscence and lomentiform pods. Our results find further support for the non-monophyly of the genus Albizia, and confirm the previously proposed segregation of Hesperalbizia, Hydrochorea, Balizia and Pseudosamanea. All species that were sampled from section Arthrosamanea form a clade that is sister to a clade composed of Jupunba, Punjuba, Balizia and Hydrochorea. We find that lomentiform fruits are independently derived from indehiscent septate fruits in both Hydrochorea and section Arthrosamanea. Our results show that morphological adaptations to hydrochory, associated with shifts into seasonally flooded habitats, have occurred several times independently in different geographic areas and different lineages within the ingoid clade. This suggests that environmental conditions have likely played a key role in the evolution of fruit types in Albizia and related genera. We resurrect the name Pseudalbizzia to accommodate the species of section Arthrosamanea, except for two species that were not sampled here but have been shown in other studies to be more closely related to other ingoid genera and we restrict the name Albizia s.s. to the species from Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. Twenty-one new nomenclatural combinations in Pseudalbizzia are proposed, including 16 species and 5 infraspecific varietal names. In addition to the type species Pseudalbizziaberteroana, the genus has 17 species distributed across tropical regions of the Americas, including the Caribbean. Finally, a new infrageneric classification into five sections is proposed and a distribution map of the species of Pseudalbizzia is presented.

Disintegration of the genus Prosopis L. (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade).

Robust evidence from phylogenomic analyses of 997 nuclear genes has recently shown, beyond doubt, that the genus Prosopis is polyphyletic with three separate lineages, each with affinities to other genera of mimosoids: (i) Prosopisafricana is an isolated lineage placed in the grade of Plathymenia, Newtonia and Fillaeopsis that subtends the core mimosoid clade; (ii) the remaining Old World species of Prosopis form a clade that is sister to the Indo-Nepalese monospecific genus Indopiptadenia and (iii) New World Prosopis has the Namibian / Namaqualand monospecific endemic genus Xerocladia nested within it. This means that it is now clear that maintaining the unity of the genus Prosopis sensu Burkart (1976) is no longer tenable. These three distinct lineages of Prosopis species correspond directly to Burkart's (1976) sectional classification of the genus, to previously recognised genera and to the differences in types of armature that underpin Burkart's sections. Here, we address this non-monophyly by resurrecting three segregate genera - Anonychium, Neltuma and Strombocarpa and provide 57 new name combinations where necessary, while maintaining the morphologically distinctive and geographically isolated genera Xerocladia and Indopiptadenia. The genus Prosopis itself is reduced to just three species and an emended description is presented. The impacts of these name changes for a genus of such high ecological and human use importance are discussed. These impacts are mitigated by clear differences in armature which facilitate identification and by potential benefits from the deeper biological understanding brought about by recognition of these divergent lineages at generic rank. We provide an identification key to genera and present a map showing the distributions of the segregate genera, as well as drawings and photos illustrating variation in armature and fruits.

The evolution of chromosome number during the diversification of the tribe Vernonieae (Asteraceae)

Abstract Changes in chromosome number have played an important role in the diversification and evolution of angiosperms. In Asteraceae, tribe Vernonieae are one of the most variable groups with regard to chromosome number. Previously, chromosome numbers n = 9 and 10 were thought to characterize the Old World members of the tribe, and n = 14, 16, 17 and 18 the New World members. This scenario was revised as a result of reports of new chromosome numbers, but the events leading to this wide variation remain unknown. Here we carried out a phylogenetic analysis of Vernonieae in a temporal framework, assessing patterns of diversification and establishing possible relationships with chromosome events. Chromosomal evolution was analysed with ChromEvol, from a phylogenetic tree dated in BEAST. Shifts in diversification rates using Bayesian analysis of macroevolutionary mixtures were inferred. Vernonieae originated ~46 Mya and the diversification rate increased sharply ~11 Mya after the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum. The ancestral chromosome number for the tribe was n = 10, which remained stable for Old World taxa, whereas n = 9 was the ancestral number for New World species. The tribe has undergone 32 chromosome rearrangements throughout its evolutionary history, with dysploidy and polyploidy possibly explaining the observed diversification pattern.

Desdimelita spicatimanus a new species of Melitidae Bousfield, 1973 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hadziida) from the Sea of Okhotsk.

A new amphipod species, Desdimelita (?) spicatimanus sp. nov., from the north-eastern slope of the Sea of Okhotsk (Russian Far East) is described. The new species is tentatively assigned to the genus Desdimelita because it is similar to females of the species of this genus in most of the characters: in the structure of the mouthparts, the armament of the dactylus of pereopod 2 (gnathopod 2), the anterior and posterior margins of the propodus of pereopods 1 and 2 (gnathopods 1 and 2), pereopods 37, uropods and telson. The new species differs from other Desdimelita species by the morphology of propodus of pereopod 2: broadened; palm with a row of 56 rare strong long robust setae). It also differs from D. microphthalma Jarrett Bousfield, 1996 in larger eyes; from D. barnardi Jarrett Bousfield, 1996 and D. transmelita Jarrett Bousfield, 1996 it differs by the presence of a postero-dorsal tooth (teeth) on urosome 1; from D. californica (Alderman, 1936) it differs by the presence only a single postero-dorsal tooth on urosome 1; from D. desdichada (J.L. Barnard, 1962) and D. microdentata Jarrett Bousfield, 1996 it differs by the long dactylus of pereopods 57. Keys to the world species of the genus Desdimelita is provided.

First record of Lepidiella Enderlein, 1937 from the Oriental Region (Diptera, Psychodidae).

We provide the first record of the genus Lepidiella Enderlein, 1937 from the Oriental Region with the description of Lepidiellalimicornis sp. nov., based on two male specimens collected in Thailand. Additionally, we provide a list of the world species of Lepidiella and discuss the diagnosis and taxonomic placement of the genus.

Eavesdropping at the Speed of Light: Distributed Acoustic Sensing of Baleen Whales in the Arctic

In a post-industrial whaling world, flagship and charismatic baleen whale species are indicators of the health of our oceans. However, traditional monitoring methods provide spatially and temporally undersampled data to evaluate and mitigate the impacts of increasing climatic and anthropogenic pressures for conservation. Here we present the first case of wildlife monitoring using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). By repurposing the globally-available infrastructure of sub-sea telecommunication fiber optic (FO) cables, DAS can (1) record vocalizing baleen whales along a 120 km FO cable with a sensing point every 4 m, from a protected fjord area out to the open ocean; (2) estimate the 3D position of a vocalizing whale for animal density estimation; and (3) exploit whale non-stereotyped vocalizations to provide fully-passive conventional seismic records for subsurface exploration. This first example’s success in the Arctic suggests DAS’s potential for real-time and low-cost monitoring of whales worldwide with unprecedented coverage and spatial resolution.

First record of the alien seed beetle Stator limbatus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) from Cyprus

The subfamily Bruchinae includes the majority of alien to Europe Chrysomelidae. Up-to-date, seven alien seed-beetle species have been collected from Cyprus affecting ornamental plants and stored products. During the last decade Stator limbatus (Horn, 1873), a New World species has been gradually reported invading Middle-Eastern countries and Mediterranean islands. In this publication, S. limbatus is recorded for the first time from the island of Cyprus. Specimens were collected from Ficus microcarpa, Eucalyptus sp. and Delonix regia, with the later species being confirmed as a suitable host for S. limbatus. The alarming presence of S. limbatus in both urban and protected areas raises some questions about any adverse effects on native biodiversity and socioeconomic parameters. The general lack of knowledge regarding the Bruchinae fauna of Cyprus hampers research endeavours for possible agonistic behaviour between native and alien species for resources and host-plants.

First record of the bow-legged bug, Hyalymenus subinermis Van Duzee, 1923 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Alydidae), in California, with description of the mimetic immature stages

The bow-legged bug genus Hyalymenus Amyot & Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreoidea: Alydidae) includes 20 New World species. Of these, nymphs of only one species, H. tarsatus (Fabricius, 1803), have been described, and the description was restricted to the fifth instar. Nine specimens of H. subinermis Van Duzee, 1923, representing the first through the fifth instars, were collected on two Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae) shrubs from a residential neighborhood (approximately 177,828 m2 surveyed) in Long Beach, California, U.S.A. in June 2021. Several other locations within the city were surveyed (i.e., parks, residential areas, and riparian habitats; approximately 109,177 m2 surveyed, collectively), but this species was not observed on other S. terebinthifolia plants or other plant species in these areas. Here, we give the first California record for H. subinermis, describe the five nymphal instars, provide habitus images of each instar, and discuss the distribution of the species in California, known host plants, and putative ant models that nymphs may mimic.

Characterization of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis oligopeptidase B and its role in macrophage infection.

Leishmania spp. are parasitic protozoa that cause leishmaniasis, a disease endemic in 98 countries. Leishmania promastigotes are transmitted by the vector and differentiate into amastigotes within phagocytic cells of the vertebrate host. To survive in multiple and hostile environments, the parasite has several virulence factors. Oligopeptidase B (OPB) is a serine peptidase present in prokaryotes, some eukaryotes and some higher plants. It has been considered a virulence factor in trypanosomatids, but only a few studies, performed with Old World species, analysed its role in Leishmania virulence or infectivity.L. (L.) amazonensis is an important agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil. The L. (L.) amazonensis OPB encoding gene has been sequenced and analysed in silico but has never been expressed. In this work, we produced recombinant L. (L.) amazonensis OPB and showed that its pH preferences, Km and inhibition patterns are similar to those reported for L. (L.) major and L. (L.) donovani OPBs. Since Leishmania is known to secrete OPB, we performed in vitro infection assays using the recombinant enzyme. Our results showed that active OPB increased in vitro infection by L. (L.) amazonensis when present before and throughout infection. Our findings suggest that OPB is relevant to L. (L.) amazonensis infection, and that potential drugs acting through OPB will probably be effective for Old and New World Leishmania species. OPB inhibitors may eventually be explored for leishmaniasis chemotherapy.

The Pheidole Westwood, 1839 ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Colombia: new records including two species with remarkable morphology.

Pheidole is one of the most diverse groups of ants in the World, with more than 630 species known from the Neotropical Region. As part of studies on the ant fauna of Colombia, a contribution to the taxonomy of these ants is presented here. The worker subcastes of Pheidole praeusta Roger are redescribed, this being the first record of a trimorphic species outside the Nearctic region. Pheidole amata Forel is proposed as a junior synonym of Pheidole praeusta. Pheidole rogeripolita Longino is identified as the first species in the New World with a 5-segmented antennal club, and the third species with such antennal club in the world. Pheidole distorta Forel, a species described 120 years ago, is redescribed, and notes on its reproductive caste are offered. The description and diagnosis of the Pheidole iceni Fernndez soldier is amended. New species records for the country and South America are listed. Multifocus photographs of P. praeusta, and P. rogeripolita are offered.

Fruit bat migration matches green wave in seasonal landscapes

Abstract Migrating grazers and carnivores respond to seasonal changes in the environment and often match peaks in resource abundance. However, it is unclear whether and how frugivorous animals use phenological events to time migration, especially in the tropics. The straw‐coloured fruit bat Eidolon helvum, Africa's most gregarious fruit bat, forms large seasonal colonies throughout much of sub‐Saharan Africa. We hypothesized that aggregations of E. helvum match the timing of their migration with phenologies of plant growth or precipitation. Using monthly colony counts from across much of the species' range, we matched peak colony size to landscape phenologies and explored the variation among colonies matching the overall closest phenological event. Peak colony size was closest to the peak instantaneous rate of green‐up, and sites with closer temporal matching were associated with higher maximum greenness, short growing season and larger peak colony size. Eidolon helvum seem to time their migrations to move into highly seasonal landscapes to exploit short‐lived explosions of food and may benefit from collective sensing to time migrations. The link between rapid changes in colony size and phenological match may also imply potential collective sensing of the environment. Overall decreasing bat numbers along with various threats might cause this property of large colonies to be lost. Remote sensing data, although, indirectly linked to fruiting events, can potentially be used to globally describe and predict the migration of frugivorous species in a changing world. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.