Type Series Research Articles

Among the world's smallest vertebrates: a new miniaturized flea-toad (Brachycephalidae) from the Atlantic rainforest.

The genus Brachycephalus includes miniaturized toadlets with two distinct morphotypes: brightly colored species with a bufoniform phenotype and smaller, cryptic species with a leptodactyliform phenotype. The diversity of leptodactyliform species is still underappreciated, and we generally lack fundamental information about their biology. Recent sampling efforts, including DNA analyses and recordings of advertisement calls, have improved our understanding of this group. In the present study, we describe a new species of Brachycephalus, one of the smallest vertebrates known. This new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of morphological, bioacoustic, and genetic data. Despite being among the smallest frogs globally (the second smallest amphibian species), it exhibits skeletal traits typical of larger frogs, such as the presence of cranial bones that are lost or fused in other miniature frogs, including other Brachycephalus. Our description underscores how new discoveries within the megadiverse fauna of the Atlantic Forest-a rich biodiversity hotspot-can provide insights into phenotypic variation, including vertebrate body size. By describing this new species, we also aim to revisit the hypothesis that the type series of B. hermogenesi includes two species, potentially including individuals of the species described here.

Lights on tardigrade biodiversity: integrative redescription of Eremobiotus alicatai (Eutardigrada, Isohypsibiidae) with new insights on its morphology, phylogeny, and biogeography

AbstractCurrent knowledge on the genus Eremobiotus still remains limited. Only three species are known, mainly recorded in the Palaearctic region, with Eremobiotus alicatai representing the most common species. In the present study, an integrative re-description of E. alicatai based on the examination of a topotypic population from Sicily (Italy) is given, the morphological characters of which perfectly correspond to those of the type series collected in 1969. A second population of E. alicatai, from Tuscany (Italy), was also investigated from the morphological and the molecular point of view, allowing examining the intraspecific variability of the species. A re-analysis of the morphology of specimens of the type series, along with a morphological analysis of specimens of the two investigated populations of E. alicatai, allowed for an update and correction of certain morphological traits in the species. The topotypic and the Tuscanian populations were both investigated through a molecular approach: COI, ITS2, 18S, and 28S gene sequences were obtained, allowing to update the Isohypsibioidea phylogeny and to discuss the correct placement of the genus Eremobiotus. Moreover, the definition of the morphology of the claws of Eremobiotus-type and new observations regarding the buccal opening are discussed.

The genus Tetralicia Harrison (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) in California, U.S.A., with the description of five new species and a redescription of Tetralicia granulata Sampson & Drews, 1941

Nineteen species of Tetralicia Harrison are recorded from California, United States of America, of which five are new to science and are described here: Tetralicia agrifoliae sp. nov., T. guajavae sp. nov., T. hoelmeri sp. nov., T. lantanae sp. nov., and T. salsolae sp. nov., and four are new records for the State: T. abnormis (Quaintance, 1900), T. eriogonum (Carapia-Ruiz, 2020), T. mexicana (Carapia Ruiz & Sánchez Flores in Carapia Ruiz, Sánchez Flores, García Martínez & Castillo Gutiérrez, 2018), and T. nevadensis (Dooley in Dooley, Lambrecht & Honda, 2010). Neotypes are designated for California species for which types were not designated originally and for which type material is apparently lost: Aleuropleurocelus acaudatus Drews & Sampson, 1958, A. coachellensis Drews & Sampson, 1958, A. laingi Drews & Sampson, 1956, A. oblanceolatus Drews & Sampson, 1958, and A. ornatus Drews & Sampson, 1958. All Tetralicia species found in California are keyed, fully illustrated, measured, and accompanied by species accounts based on their puparia including characterization, diagnosis, hosts, and distribution. Tetralicia granulata Sampson & Drews, 1941 is redescribed based on its type material, and it is believed to be currently known only from its type series from Mexico. The earlier nymphal instars of four species (T. guajavae, T. hoelmeri, T. hyptisemoryi, and T. lantanae) and the adults of three species (T. guajavae, T. hoelmeri, and T. lantanae) are described, illustrated, and diagnosed from known congeners.

Revision of the polyphyletic genus Hirrius Bolívar, 1887 (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae), with descriptions of three new genera and insights into antennal sensilla morphology

Discotettiginae were recently synonymized with Scelimeninae, but the polyphyletic genus Hirrius Bolívar, 1887, with five species endemic to the Philippines and Sulawesi, remained an unsolved issue. Besides similarly widened subapical antennomeres, head and pronotum, other traits suggest that Hirrius members belong to different subfamilies. The genus is now split into four genera, with four new species. Hirrius (Tetrigidae: incertae sedis) now includes three species, one of which is new, all endemic to Mindanao, the Philippines: H. punctatus (Stål 1877), H. mindanaensis (Günther, 1938), and H. ruber Skejo, Patano et Kasalo sp. nov. A lectotype is designated for H. punctatus, because the type series was found to contain two different species belonging to two different genera. Three new genera are described. Genus Parahirrius Skejo, Patano et Kasalo gen. nov. (Tetrigidae: incertae sedis) consists of P. parvus Skejo, Patano et Kasalo sp. nov. and P. amorosus Skejo, Patano et Kasalo sp. nov., both endemic to Mindanao. Genus Zvierckia Skejo, Tumbrinck et Pushkar gen. nov. (Scelimeninae: Discotettigini) includes Z. montana (Günther, 1937), comb. nov., Z. sarasinorum (Günther, 1937), comb nov., and Z. storozhenkoi Skejo et Tumbrinck sp. nov., all endemic to Sulawesi. Genus Guentheracris Skejo, Tumbrinck et Pushkar gen. nov. (Tetrigidae: “Asian Metrodorinae”) includes G. scrobiculata (Günther, 1937), comb. nov. from Sulawesi. Subapical antennomeres of Zvierckia storozhenkoi sp. nov. and Phaesticus mellerborgi (Stål, 1855) were scanned for the first time and compared to Discotettix belzebuth (Serville, 1838). Zvierckia gen. nov. and Discotettix Costa, 1864, both Scelimeninae: Discotettigini members, share many features of the antennal morphology, such as many basiconic sensilla on the antennal margins giving the ridge a saw-like impression. On the other hand, antennae of Phaesticus Uvarov, 1940 contain many elongated placoid sensilla, which are fully absent in the subapical widened segments of Zvierckia gen. nov. and Discotettix.

Four new Afrotropical Hypotrabala from moist broadleaf forests and the first description of the female of H. obscura (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae, Selenepherini)

Four new species in the genus Hypotrabala Holland, 1893 are described: 1) Hypotrabala leopoldi sp. n. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); 2) Hypotrabala benjamini sp. n. from DRC; 3) Hypotrabala carlottae sp. n. from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana; and 4) Hypotrabala bettinae sp. n. from Nigeria. They are somewhat reminiscent of the dark colored Hypotrabala obscura Takano & László, 2024 known from the type series of four males originating from Gabon. The female of H. obscura and its genitalia are described for the first time; the species is recorded for the first time for Cameroon. Adults of both sexes, their genitalia, and map with collecting localities are illustrated.

First confirmed record of Buforubroventromaculatus Orlov, Ananjeva, Ermakov, Lukonina, Ninh & Nguyen, 2024 (Anura, Bufonidae) from China, with supplementary description of this species.

Buforubroventromaculatus Orlov, Ananjeva, Ermakov, Lukonina, Ninh & Nguyen, 2024 is a species recently described from Vietnam. Currently, this species is known from central and northern Vietnam and it uncertain whether this species is distributed in China. In addition, the original description of this species is very brief. Based on nine specimens collected from Yunnan Province and Guangxi Autonomous Region, China, we provide the first confirmed record of Buforubroventromaculatus from China. The morphological characteristics of the specimens from China mostly agree with the original description of B.rubroventromaculatus and, phylogenetically, the specimens from China clustered with the type series of B.rubroventromaculatus from Vietnam. We also provide a supplementary description of this species, based on the specimens we collected.

On nonnegative invariant quartics in type A

The equivariant nonnegativity versus sums of squares question has been solved for any infinite series of essential reflection groups but type A. As a first step to a classification, we analyse An-invariant quartics. We prove that the cones of invariant sums of squares and nonnegative forms are equal if and only if the number of variables is at most 3 or odd.

Cubic Singular Moduli x_(5/2) and Series for 1/π

In this study, we give proof of a Ramanujan type series for 1/π, which is derived from cubic singular moduli x_(5/2).

Two names, one species: redescription and phylogenetic position of Schrankiana formosula Freitas, 1959 provides new insights into the evolutionary history of the Cosmocercidae.

Schrankiana are gastrointestinal parasites of anurans, distributed throughout Central and South America. Schrankiana formosula and Schrankiana inconspicata are some of the most commonly reported species parasitising anurans from Brazil, and the morphological differences between them are unclear. In the present study, we redescribed S. formosula based on a re-examination of type series and newly collected material from the frog Leptodactylus pentadactylus in the state of Amapá, Brazil. Additionally, we re-examined the type series of S. inconspicata, and propose it as a junior synonym of S. formosula. We provide detailed morphological and morphometric data with intraspecific variation analyses and new molecular data for S. formosula. In the present phylogeny, S. formosula formed a well-supported clade with Raillietnema sp. and Labeonema synodontisi. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and some morphological similarities, our findings support the hypothesis that Schrankiana is a member of the family Cosmocercidae, not Atractidae. Additionally, we provide the first ultrastructural descriptions of S. formosula, and establish the species' phylogenetic position from the Cosmocercidae.

Long-term investigation on the daily variability of microplastic concentration and composition - Monitoring in the effluent of a wastewater treatment plant

The discharge of treated wastewater into receiving waters by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is considered as one of the main pathways for microplastics (MPs) to enter the environment. To gain a better understanding of the temporal variability of MPs in WWTP effluents, this study investigated the concentration and composition (size, shape and polymer type) of MPs in the effluent of a German WWTP over the course of one month. 24-hour mixed samples were collected daily by a custom built automated sampling unit for MPs. Particles and fibers ≥11 μm were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. The MP concentration showed large daily fluctuations and ranged between 9.64 103 m−3 and 8.44 104 m−3 MPs over the study period. However, there was no significant correlation between the MP concentration and the precipitation or discharge from the WWTP. In contrast to the MP concentration, the MP composition in terms of size and shape was consistent over the study period. There were strong correlations between the time series of the polymer types polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester, ethylene-vinyl-acetate, cellulose artificially modified as well as the polymer cluster acrylates/polyurethanes/varnish. The time series of polyamide showed no significant correlation with the time series of any other polymer type. This study established a one month long high-resolution time series of MP concentration and composition, and thus provides a valuable basis for future research on the temporal variability of MP inputs into the environment from WWTP effluents.

Fourier coefficients of Jacobi Poincaré series and applications

We define Jacobi Poincaré series over Cayley numbers and explicitly compute its Fourier coefficients. As an application, we obtain an estimate for the Fourier coefficients of a Jacobi cusp form. We also evaluate certain Petersson scalar products involving Jacobi cusp forms and Poincaré series. This evaluation yields certain special values of shifted convolution of Dirichlet series of Rankin-Selberg type associated to Jacobi cusp forms in consideration.

Characterization on Flaking of Rammed Earthen Sites Using SMO Algorithm and Surface Topography Analysis: A Case Study of Jiaohe Ruins

There are a large number of rammed earthen sites in northwest China. For thousands of years, earthen sites have developed a series of deterioration types that include surface weathering, sapping, cracks, collapses, gullies, and so on. Surface weathering is a highly destructive type of soil deterioration which erodes the sites all the time. Flake peeling (flaking) is one of the main manifestations of weathering. In order to prevent flaking more scientifically and efficiently, it is necessary to quantitatively evaluate its development stage and degree. In this article, the Vajra Pagoda of Jiaohe Ruins was selected as the research area, and we explored how to use GIS to analyze the surface topography of 3D scanning data. Meanwhile, using the sequential minimum optimization (SMO) algorithm, the authors effectively identify the crust and original wall (wall outcroppings following the detachment of crust) in the evolution of flaking. Finally, the 3D roughness of the four facades was calculated. The calculations show that the roughness parameters D and R s can well characterize the development of flaking. In a period of flaking development, the change rule of D and R s first increases and then decreases. This study proves that it is feasible to quantify the development degree of flaking employing morphological characteristic parameters. Furthermore, the results of the study provide a basis for determining the degree of deterioration of the sites in future heritage management efforts, leading to more rational and efficient conservation.

Discovery of Potent Azetidine-Benzoxazole MerTK Inhibitors with In Vivo Target Engagement.

Inhibition of the receptor tyrosine kinase MerTK by small molecules has the potential to augment the immune response to tumors. Potent, selective inhibitors with high levels of in vivo target engagement are needed to fully evaluate the potential use of MerTK inhibitors as cancer therapeutics. We report the discovery and optimization of a series of pyrazinamide-based type 1.5 MerTK inhibitors bearing an azetidine-benzoxazole substituent. Compound 31 potently engages the target in vivo and demonstrates single agent activity in the immune-driven MC-38 murine syngeneic tumor model.

Special values of shifted Dirichlet series and quasi-modular forms

Multiplication by a given modular form can be viewed as a linear map on the space of modular forms. By computing its adjoint operator, one can obtain certain cusp forms whose Fourier coefficients are special values of Dirichlet series of Rankin-Selberg type associated to modular forms. We generalize this idea to the space of almost holomorphic modular forms with some cuspidal conditions. We prove that the generating function of special values of the Dirichlet series at certain points is a quasi-modular form.

Mind the information gap: How sampling and clustering impact the predictability of reach‐scale channel types in California (USA)

AbstractClustering and machine learning‐based predictions are increasingly used for environmental data analysis and management. In fluvial geomorphology, examples include predicting channel types throughout a river network and segmenting river networks into a series of channel types, or groups of channel forms. However, when relevant information is unevenly distributed throughout a river network, the discrepancy between data‐rich and data‐poor locations creates an information gap. Combining clustering and predictions addresses this information gap, but challenges and limitations remain poorly documented. This is especially true when considering that predictions are often achieved with two approaches that are meaningfully different in terms of information processing: decision trees (e.g., RF: random forest) and deep learning (e.g., DNNs: deep neural networks). This presents challenges for downstream management decisions and when comparing clusters and predictions within or across study areas. To address this, we investigate the performance of RF and DNN with respect to the information gap between clustering data and prediction data. We use nine regional examples of clustering and predicting river channel types, stemming from a single clustering methodology applied in California, USA. Our results show that prediction performance decreases when the information gap between field‐measured data and geospatial predictors increases. Furthermore, RF outperforms DNN, and their difference in performance decreases when the information gap between field‐measured and geospatial data decreases. This suggests that mismatched scales between field‐derived channel types and geospatial predictors hinder sequential information processing in DNN. Finally, our results highlight a sampling trade‐off between uniformly capturing geomorphic variability and ensuring robust generalisation.

Cytological Features and Mimickers of Thyroid Gland Sarcomas: A Case-Based Study.

Sarcomas of thyroid glands represent a distinctive subset of rare and perplexing anomaly that present a challenges in the field of thyroid pathology. Thyroid sarcomas, primary or secondary, are exceptionally rare with only a handful of case reports documented so far. The challenges lie in the fact that certain primary thyroid malignancies of epithelial origin may exhibit spindle cell morphology, making them difficult to differentiate from thyroid sarcomas. Despite the morphological similarities, discerning between these entities is crucial due to their distinct treatment and management implications. This report documents a series of unusual types of sarcoma in the thyroid gland. The aim is to explore the peculiarities of these lesions, the diagnostic challenges faced as well to study the potential implications for both clinicians and patients.

A new southern Atlantic cryptic marine shrimp species of Acetes (Decapoda, Sergestidae).

A recently published molecular phylogenetic analysis, focusing on selected Western Atlantic subspecies of Acetesamericanus Ortmann, 1893 and allies, was inconclusive about relationships among these members. This previous study found three groups that split into two distinct lineages: Acetesamericanus (Brazil 1) (= A.americanus sensu stricto) and Acetesamericanus (Brazil 2) + A.americanus (USA). Combined morphometry and molecular analyses applied to members of the group Acetesamericanus (Brazil 2) revealed a new unidentified species genetically related to the A.americanus representatives. However, at that time, no conclusive morphological characters were found to identify it. In the present study, following an in-depth morphological analysis of specimens from the three groups, including data on the type series and consideration of the subtle distinctions of members of each lineage, morphological features of the reproductive structures (petasma and genital sternite) were found to characterize the new species, which is formally described and named herein.

Species of the Genus Paroniella Fuhrmann, 1920 (Cestoda: Davaineidae) from Bulbuls (Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae): Redescription of P. perreti (Mahon, 1954) and Description of P. neolestes n. sp. from Africa.

The purpose of the present study is to contribute to the knowledge on the diversity of cestodes of the genus Paroniella Fuhrmann, 1920 parasitising passerine birds of the family Pycnonotidae (bulbuls) in the Afrotropical Region. The only known species of this groups, Paroniella perreti (Mahon, 1954) from Pycnonotus tricolor (Hartlaub) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is poorly described. Therefore, it needed a detailed redescription in order to make a reliable comparison and provide differentiation among this species and newly-collected davaineid specimens. Based on new materials collected from Neolestes torquatus Cabanis in Gabon, Paroniella neolestes n. sp. is described. The type series of P. perreti from the collection of the Natural History Museum of Geneva is redescribed and figured using conventional light microscopy and interference-contrast microscopy. The specimens of the new species were stained by iron acetocarmine and mounted in Canada balsam. The present study provided more detailed and accurate data on P. perreti (compared to its original description) in relation mostly to the armament of suckers (not mentioned in the original description), the structure of the copulative apparatus, the number of rostellar hooks and the number of testes. The morphological comparison of the specimens from Neolestes torquatus from Gabon with the known 53 species of the genus Paroniella (presented in a table format) characterised them as belonging to a new species. The new combination Paroniella oitaensis (Kugi, 1990) n. comb. was proposed. Based on the present state of knowledge, P. perreti and P. neolestes seem to be specific each to a single host species, i.e. Pycnonotus tricolor and Neolestes torquatus, respectively. Further studies of davaineid cestodes from pycnonotids from Africa as well as from South and Southeast Asia may result in discovering much greater diversity of this group than currently known.

Bisecting the type series of Leporinus paranensis Garavello and Britski, 1987 (Characiformes, Anostomidae)

The type series of Leporinus paranensis includes two distinct species, one of which is herein described as new. Leporinus paranensis is redescribed based on its holotype, two paratypes, and additional specimens recently sampled in tributaries of the Grande river, in the north portion of the upper Paraná basin in Brazil. A new species of Leporinus is described based on specimens collected in all major tributaries of the upper Paraná basin in Brazil, and tributaries of the Paraná river in Paraguay. Both species share the presence of three unicuspid teeth on the premaxillary and four on dentary, terminal mouth and three dark midlateral blotches on the body. The new species is distinguished from L. paranensis based on the number of scale series around the caudal peduncle (12 vs. 16). The variation in the body shape of both species were compared through a Principal Component Analysis and showed that they share a similar body shape. Species delimitation analyses using DNA Barcode were applied to compare samples of the new species to congeners and corroborated the uniqueness of the new species. In addition, molecular data revealed that L. bahiensis, L. octofasciatus, and L. taeniatus are possibly closely related to the new species. The conservation status of L. paranensis and the new species are discussed using the IUCN criteria.

A Case Series of Type A Acute Aortic Dissection at a Single Centre in New Zealand Over Five Years

A Case Series of Type A Acute Aortic Dissection at a Single Centre in New Zealand Over Five Years