Updated Species List Research Articles

A new species of genus Homotechnes Candèze, 1882 from Guangxi, China (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Hypnoidinae)

Homotechnes choui sp. nov., a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. An updated key and list of Chinese Homotechnes species, with corrected or supplementary distribution data, are provided.

Two new records of sea anemones (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Actiniaria) from the Eastern Pacific coast of El Salvador

Two species of the genus Actinostella Duchassaing, 1850 are documented for the first time on the coasts of El Salvador: A. bradleyi (Verrill, 1869) and A. californica (McMurrich, 1893). Both species are briefly described, and images of live specimens showing their main external features are provided, as well as images of histological sections showing some taxonomic characteristics of their internal anatomy. These two species are distinguished from each other primarily by the number of tentacles, the number of mesentery pairs, the arrangement of gametogenic tissue, and some differences in their cnidom. The record of these two species in El Salvador increases the number of sea anemones recorded for the country to 12. Additionally, an updated list of sea anemone species documented in El Salvador is provided.

Kimboza, a Small Lowland Forest With an Outstanding Herpetofauna Diversity in East Africa.

The Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) and Coastal forests of Tanzania are renowned for harboring large number of threatened and endemic vertebrate species, yet most of these areas have been partially studied. The Kimboza Nature Forest Reserve (KNFR) is a small forest which is in transition between the EAM and Coastal forests, and among the poorly surveyed areas for amphibians and reptiles. We conducted systematic surveys across the KNFR in 2012 and between 2020 and 2023 using a range of approaches with the aim of establishing a comprehensive and updated list of reptile and amphibian species and assess the contribution of EAM and Coastal forests to the KNFR's herpetofauna. We identified 77 species, 29 amphibians and 48 reptiles, substantially updating previous species lists. Three of these species (Kinyongia magomberae, Trachylepis boulengeri and Philothamnus macrops) represent range extensions from previously known ranges. Fourteen species are endemic to East Africa, 11 of them being restricted to Tanzania. These results make the KNFR the richest forest reserve for herpetofauna per square km in Tanzania, and most similar in its composition to the Coastal, rather than Eastern Arc forests. With the caveats concerning taxonomic uncertainties and the inequalities of sampling intensity across the region, this study shows that the KNFR is an important area that deserves conservation attention. The KNFR, like other Coastal forests, is under significant pressure from anthropogenic activities which call for an urgent action to protect this small but rich forest.

Costa Rica’s potential for entotechnology development: an ecosystem and entomophagy perspective

Abstract Entotechnology integrates scientific and technical knowledge to leverage the potential of insects for societal benefit, encompassing fields such as medicine, agriculture, food, and biotechnology. This article aims to assess and promote the potential of Costa Rica to develop entotechnology from an ecosystem and entomophagy perspective, including an updated list of edible insect species in the region. Costa Rica boasts a biodiversity of 48 edible insect species. To date, two notable projects by the Universidad de Costa Rica have been successfully implemented. However, the current legislation in Costa Rica needs to provide better conditions to foster industrial insect farming within a circular economy. Universities play a crucial role in encouraging the formalization and appreciation of insect rearing, entomophagy, and entotechnology studies. Prioritizing the exploration of new uses for edible insect species is essential for the advancement of this field.

Characterisation of four species of the genus Acrobeloides Cobb, 1924 (Rhabditida, Cephalobidae) from xeric areas in Spain, with revision of the genus and restoration of Paracephalobus Akhtar, 1962

New material of four Acrobeloides species (Acrobeloides arenicola, Acrobeloides bodenheimeri, Acrobeloides nanus and Acrobeloides tricornis) are redescribed from xeric areas in Spain. This species are morphological (based on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy study) and morphometrically differentiated in two groups. One of them, including A. arenicola, A. nanus and A. tricornis (belonging to the buetschli-group), are characterised by having smaller body, lip region with labial probolae having rectangular base, pharynx with long isthmus, female genital system scarcely developed with vulva midventral, and usually males absent, these with small spicules. Other species group, including A. bodenheimeri (belonging to the maximus-group), is characterised by having longer body, lip region with triangular base, pharynx with very short isthmus, female genital system well developed with vulva usually located ventrolateral, and males frequent with large and robust spicules. This division is corroborate with molecular analyses based on 18S and 28S rDNA. According to this, the separation of the genus Acrobeloides in two different genera is proposed. As Paracephalobus litoralis is morphologically similar to the species of the maximus-group, the genus Paracephalobus is restored to name the species included in the maximus-group. An updated list of species for the genera Acrobeloides and Paracephalobus is included. In addition, Acrobeloides insignis, A. sexlineatus, A. thornei and A. varius are proposed new junior synonyms of A. tricornis.

Diversity and Ecological Distribution of Plecoptera of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The order Plecoptera constitutes a relatively small group of aquatic insects, encompassing 17 extant families and comprising over 4400 valid species. In Brazil, the number of valid extant species is 207, located in two families: Perlidae (149) and Gripopterygidae (58). Despite extensive research on the southeastern region of Brazil, there is a notable scarcity of comprehensive studies consolidating geographical records and species richness of Plecoptera in the state of Minas Gerais. This study seeks to increase and refine our understanding of Plecoptera within Minas Gerais, focusing on its diversity and distribution. The initial phase involved a thorough review of articles documenting Plecoptera species in the state. Subsequently, biological material from the Museum of Entomology at the Federal University of Viçosa collection was meticulously identified, and its geographical records were incorporated. Utilizing this dataset, we compiled an updated list of Plecoptera species documented in Minas Gerais. Geographical coordinates of collection points were then mapped and graphically represented to elucidate the geographic and altitudinal distribution of these species. A total of 42 Plecoptera species were identified within the state of Minas Gerais, adding many occurrence records and documenting the first record of Gripopteryx pinima for the state. Despite these advancements, knowledge gaps persist, particularly in the mesoregions of Triângulo/Alto Paranaíba, Oeste de Minas, Vale do Mucuri, and Campo das Vertentes. This endeavor serves as an initial foundation to stimulate further collections and investments in undersampled areas, fostering future monitoring and conservation initiatives for aquatic environments.

Updating the national list of marine alien species in Morocco

This study provides an updated list of alien marine species that have been introduced to Morocco by analyzing both previous data and new findings. A total of 46 marine alien and 15 cryptogenic and crypto-expanding species were recorded in Moroccan waters. Alien species are more abundant in the Mediterranean (35 species) than in the Atlantic (16 species) waters. The number of records of introductions increased in recent years in Moroccan waters. Macrophyta ranked first in terms of the number of species (19 species), followed by Mollusca (8 species), Crustacea (7 species), Cnidaria (5 species), Pisces (3 species), and Tunicata (2 species), while Nematoda and Annelida each contain only one species. The finding of Phyllorhiza punctata, a new species recorded for the first time in the Moroccan Mediterranean waters, is described. The Moroccan Mediterranean harbors more established species (77%) than the Atlantic (69%), contrary to casual records (25% in the Atlantic and 20% in the Mediterranean). Within Moroccan waters, 12 species have been identified as either invasive or potentially invasive: Rugulopteryx okamurae, Sargassum muticum, Asparagopsis armata, Asparagopsis taxiformis, Caulerpa cylindracea, Codium fragile, Agarophyton vermiculophyllum, Artemia monica, Callinectes sapidus, Caprella scaura, Microcosmus squamiger, and Branchiomma luctuosum. The Transport- Stowaway pathway accounted for 23 and seven records in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, respectively. In the Mediterranean, the second most frequent pathway was Transport-Contaminant (6 species), while in the Atlantic was Escape (4 species). This list serves as a starting point for management measures and for selecting invasive alien species to assess their impact.

NEW RECORDS OF HELMINTHS OF THE JAGUAR IN MEXICO, WITH AN UPDATED LIST OF SPECIES IN THE AMERICAS.

An inventory of parasites infecting the jaguar (Panthera onca) across its distribution range is relevant for the conservation of this threatened big cat. In this study, we report the occurrence of helminths in a jaguar from Mexico using morphological techniques (cleared and stained mounts and scanning electron microscopy) and partial sequences of the 28S ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA) gene and the cytochrome c oxidase 1 mitochondrial (COI) gene. We also provide an updated list of helminth species reported in jaguars in the Americas. Three helminth taxa are identified in the jaguar examined from Mexico: Toxocara cati, Physaloptera sp., and Taenia sp. The new 28S rRNA sequences of To. cati, Physaloptera sp., and Taenia sp. and the COI sequence of Taenia sp. corroborate the identity of the helminths isolated from this host. One hundred and twenty-nine records of helminths parasitizing jaguars from 49 studies up to May 2023 were identified in the Americas. In most of these studies (73.6%), helminths were identified using coproparasitological techniques. Sixteen helminths (7 nematodes, 5 cestodes, 3 acanthocephalans, and 1 trematode) were identified at the species level in free-ranging and captive jaguars. The study demonstrates the value of an integrative taxonomy approach to increase the accuracy of parasite identification in wildlife, especially when helminth specimens are scarce or poorly fixed.

First record of the genus Pygoluciola Wittmer (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from Sri Lanka with two new species, P. rammale and P. ruhuna

We present the first record of the Southeast Asian firefly genus, Pygoluciola Wittmer, 1939 from Sri Lanka with descriptions of two new distinctive yellow species, P. rammale Wijekoon & De Silva sp. nov. and P. ruhuna Wijekoon & De Silva sp. nov. Both species are from a low-land forest in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, and females were associated with males when captured together in copula. An updated list of species, and key to males and known females of Pygoluciola is presented.

Evaluating the reliability of DNA Barcoding for Central American Pacific shallow water echinoderms identification: a molecular taxonomy and database accuracy analysis

Introduction: Molecular divergence thresholds have been proposed to distinguish recently separated evolutive units, often displaying more accurate putative species assignments in taxonomic research compared to traditional morphological approaches. This makes DNA barcoding an attractive identification tool for a variety of marine invertebrates, especially for cryptic species complexes. Although GenBank and the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) are the major sequence repositories worldwide, very few have tested their performance in the identification of echinoderm sequences.
 Objective: We use COI echinoderm sequences from local samples and the molecular identification platforms from GenBank and BOLD, in order to test their accuracy and reliability in the DNA barcoding identification for Central American shallow water echinoderms, at genus and species level.
 Methods: We conducted sampling, tissue extraction, COI amplification, sequencing, and taxonomic identification for 475 specimens. The 348 obtained sequences were individually enquired with BLAST in GenBank as well as using the Identification System (IDS) in BOLD. Query sequences were classified depending on the best match result. McNemar’s chi-squared, Kruskal-Wallis’s and Mann-Whitney’s U tests were performed to prove differences between the results from both databases. Additionally, we recorded an updated list of species reported for the shallow waters of the Central American Pacific.
 Results: We found 324 echinoderm species reported for Central American Pacific shallow waters. Only 118 and 110 were present in GenBank and BOLD databases respectively. We proposed 325 solved morphology-based identities and 21 provisional identifications in 50 putative taxa. GenBank retrieved 348 molecular-based identifications in 58 species, including twelve provisional identifications in tree taxa. BOLD recovered 170 COI identifications in 23 species with one provisional identification. Nevertheless, 178 sequences retrieved unmatched terms (in 34 morphology-based taxa). Only 86 sequences (25 %) were retrieved as correct identifications and 128 (37 %) as identification errors in both platforms. We include 84 sequences for eleven species not represented in GenBank and 65 sequences for ten species in BOLD Echinoderm COI databases. The identification accuracy using BLAST (175 correct and 152 incorrect identifications) was greater than with IDS engine (110 correct and 218 identification errors), therefore GenBank outperforms BOLD (Kruskal-Wallis = 41.625, df = 1, p < 0.001).
 Conclusions: Additional echinoderm sample references are needed to improve the utility of the evaluated DNA barcoding identification tools. Identification discordances in both databases may obey specific parameters used in each search algorithm engine and the available sequences. We recommend the use of barcoding as a complementary identification source for Central American Pacific shallow water echinoderm species.

Illustrated identification key to females of the genus Sabethes Robineau-Desvoidy recorded from Brazil (Diptera: Culicidae), in dichotomous and interactive formats, including an updated list of species and new records for the states.

Female mosquitoes of the genus Sabethes Robineau-Desvoidy, 1827 are implicated in the transmission of several arboviruses, including yellow fever virus. Here, we present an illustrated species identification key for females of the genus Sabethes recorded in Brazil, except Sa. nitidus Theobald, 1901 and Sa. harbachi Nascimento-Pereira, Guimares, Loureno-de-Oliveira & Motta, 2021 as only the males of these species are known. The key is available in dichotomous and interactive formats. An updated list of the Sabethes species of Brazil and new occurrence records for the states of the country are provided. The type localities of four speciesSa. glaucodaemon (Dyar & Shannon, 1925), Sa. amazonicus Gordon & Evans, 1922, Sa. belisarioi Neiva, 1908 and Sa. soperi Lane & Cerqueira, 1942are corrected or restricted.

Cladocera (Crustacea; Branchiopoda) from the Brazilian Cerrado – the richness and species composition for Goiás state

Goiás state, situated in the Cerrado biome harbors several water bodies belonging to the Paraná, São Francisco, and Tocantins-Araguaia hydrographic regions. However, there are several gaps in the knowledge about the diversity and geographic distribution of aquatic invertebrates in the state, including microcrustaceans of the Superorder Cladocera. Thus, this study aims to elaborate an updated list of cladoceran species occurring in Goiás, using data from 37 literature sources and original samples from different ecosystems and localities. The history and type of publications were evaluated. The number of studies between 1988 and 2022 and the type of publications and species richness were listed. The literature data indicated that most studies reporting or describing species for Goiás were found in papers published in indexed journals (75%). Tocantins-Araguaia was the hydrographic region with the highest number of studies (20). The number of observed species was strongly related to the number of studies (r2 = 0.59; p < 0.0001). When observing literature data and findings from sampling, 92 species were recorded with five news reports: Scapholeberis freyi, Grimaldina freyi, Parvalona parva, Chydorus brevilabris, and Picripleuroxus quasidenticulatus. The number and composition of species in Goiás state should be considered relevant. However, the observed richness is lower than expected (114 spp), suggesting the need for increased sampling effort. The focus of this sampling should preferably occur in areas lacking information.

Diversity of siphonophores in Colombia (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa): updated checklist

An updated list of Colombian siphonophore species was compiled from records in published and unpublished theses and final technical reports of Invemar projects. The most recent inventory published for South American marine waters contains some of the records, but leaves out others that are included in this document. There are records of 63 species of siphonophores in Colombianmarine waters, 45 in the Caribbean Sea and 46 in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from the families Abylidae (9 species), Diphyidae (30 species), Hippopodiidae (5 species), Prayidae (4 species), Rhizophysidae (3 species), Physaliidae (1 species), Agalmatidae (9 species), Apolemiidae(1 species) and Physophoridae (1 species).

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In the current review, an updated list of dark beetle species (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) recorded in Iraq was given. The current paper is based on previous studies in the literature and contains all dark beetles referred to in Iraq, except for the species within the Pimelinae subfamily. The investigation of this review showed the presence of 89 species belonging to 34 genera within five subfamilies. This work included mentioning the basionyms and synonyms for genera and species with their global distribution, as well as, correcting the scientific names that were mentioned in the previous checklists.

Amphibians and reptiles of the Sierra Gorda de Querétaro Biosphere Reserve, Mexico: species richness, conservation status and comparison with other natural protected areas in central Mexico

The Sierra Gorda de Querétaro Biosphere Reserve (SGQBR) is one of the largest natural protected areas in Mexico; however, little is known about the richness and diversity of amphibians and reptiles. We present an updated list of species of both groups, the conservation status of these species, as well as an analysis of their diversity with respect to other protected natural areas (NPAs) in central Mexico. The SGQBR contains 132 herpetofauna species (35 amphibians and 97 reptiles). The richest and most diverse families for amphibians were Hylidae (anurans) and Plethodontidae (caudates), and for reptiles Phrynosomatidae (lizards), Colubridae and Dipsadidae (snakes). The values of taxonomic diversity of the SGQBR were similar to those for the regional pool considering others NPAs. However, it did not achieve the highest values compared to the adjacent Los Mármoles National Park or Sierra Gorda de Guanajuato Biosphere Reserve. There was a high complementarity in the species composition between El Chico National Park and SGQBR for both herpetofauna groups. Although a formal list is presented, it is necessary to carry out a greater number of studies focused on analyzing diversity, considering functional attributes of the species and the richness by vegetation types.

An updated list of mosquito species in Armenia and Transcaucasian region responsible for Dirofilaria transmission: A review.

Canine dirofilariasis is a world-wide distributed mosquito-borne helminthiasis that has a potential zoonotic impact. This disease is a serious problem in Southern Caucasus region, including Armenia. Average extensity of Dirofilaria infection in canids in Armenia is 26.9%. At present, 77 mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) are presumed to have a role in the transmission of dirofilariasis. 80 species of Culicidae family mosquitoes are registered in Southern Caucasus Region, and 31 of them are described in Armenia. The following species of Culicidae can serve as vectors of Dirofilaria spp. in Armenia: Aedes vexans, Ae. caspius, Ae. albopictus, Ae. geniculatus, Culex pipiens, Cx. theileri, Cx. modestus, Anopheles maculipennis s.s., An. claviger, An. hyrcanus, An. superpictus, Coquillettidia richardi, Culiseta annulata and Uranotaenia unguiculta. We see a risk of transmission in active foci of dirofilariasis, as well as for human infection in Armenia. Comprehensive research should be conducted on detection of microfilariae in the target mosquito species and in target localities.

Vascular Plant Species Inventory of Mexico's Revillagigedo National Park: Awareness of Alien Invaders as a Sine Qua Non Prerequisite for Island Conservation.

The Revillagigedo Archipelago, located in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, stands out for its unique biological richness and endemism. These islands remained uninhabited until the second half of the twentieth century, allowing a better conservation status than on other oceanic islands. However, the continuous introduction of potentially invasive alien plant species, and the lack of adequate control or eradication actions, jeopardize the conservation and restoration of these islands' fragile ecosystems. We present the most complete vascular plant species inventory and an updated list of alien plant species of the Revillagigedo Archipelago, which was compiled through an extensive review of national and international plant collections and other sources. Our 272 species list includes 106 alien plant species (39.3%; 104 in Socorro, and 16 in Clarion): 67 (24.8%) are naturalized, 14 (5.2%) are casual aliens, and 25 (9.3%) subsist under cultivation. The documented alien species belong to 73 families. Annual and perennial herbs are the prevailing life forms in the alien flora, while naturalized species are primarily native to North America. The number of introduced species has increased significantly since the islands became inhabited. Many of the recently introduced species pose a major invasion risk like on other islands of the world.

New records and updated list of species in Gobiidae in the Hoi estuary of Ma River, Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam

Fieldwork in the Hoi estuary area of the Ma River has recorded nine species of Gobiidae. Three of these species are recorded for the first time in the study area, including Acentrogobius caninus (Valenciennes, 1837), Glossogobius olivaceus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1845), and Oxyurichthys papuensis (Valenciennes, 1837). We update the list of gobiid species in the Hoi estuary; it now includes 18 species.

An updated checklist of the wild silkmoths (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) of Colombia.

In recent years, the study of wild silkmoths (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) has increased exponentially due to the intense sampling effort and the use of molecular evidence for species delimitation, which led to the description of numerous new taxa especially from the Neotropic. Given these rapid advances, the checklist of the Colombian Saturniidae needs to be updated to cover the taxonomy, distribution, and diversity of these moths in the country. After an extensive review of literature, data repositories, and collections, an updated and comprehensive list of Saturniidae from Colombia is presented, including their occurrence status in each Colombian department. The checklist includes 7 subfamilies, 55 genera, and 790 taxa (766 in species rank) of Saturniidae in Colombia. Current distribution data show that the genus Winbrechlinia, the subgenusDarylesia, 379 species, and 18 subspecies are endemic to Colombia. Moreover, a dichotomic key to the Colombian subfamilies is provided. A few taxonomic changes are proposed based on a thorough taxonomic revision of the Colombian taxa. This revision also addresses the issue of outdated species names reported in the first checklist of Colombian Saturniidae (Amarillo-Suárez 2000) and excludes old records of taxa that are considered dubious for Colombia based on new evidence. By presenting an updated list of Colombian species, including the newly described taxa, this study aims at eliminating confusion stemming from outdated names and provides a useful resource for researching and conservating Saturniidae in Colombia. We wish to offer a common reference for future studies on the biodiversity and biogeography of moths in the Neotropical realm.

Peruvian nudibranchs (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Heterobranchia): an updated literature review-based list of species.

Nudibranchs, as a group, have received limited attention in terms of scientific study along the coastline of Peru. Here, an updated and comprehensive list of nudibranch species found in the Peruvian sea is presented, compiled through an extensive review of relevant literature. This compilation encompasses a total of 31 species, classified into two suborders, 10 superfamilies, 20 families, and 28 genera. With respect to the biogeographic provinces along the Peruvian coast, 23 species inhabit the Warm Temperate Southeastern Pacific province, 18 species occur in the Tropical Eastern Pacific province, and 10 species are found in both provinces, crossing the transitional zone between them. In terms of distribution patterns, two species exhibit a cosmopolitan distribution (Glaucusatlanticus and Fionapinnata), while two species display a circumtropical distribution (Cephalopygetrematoides and Phylliroebucephala). One species exhibits a bipolar distribution in the Eastern Pacific and possesses an amphi-South American distribution (Rostangapulchra). Additionally, six species exhibit an amphi-South American distribution (Rostangapulchra, Diaululapunctuolata, Dotouva, Tyrinnaevelinae, Tyrinnadelicata, and Dorisfontainii), and two species are endemic to Peru (Corambemancorensis and Felimaresechurana). This study provides comprehensive information on biogeographical aspects, geographical distributions, and taxonomic updates within the nudibranch species documented in Peru. Furthermore, we discuss the status of species listed in previous literature that have not been confirmed by collections, referring to them as potentially occurring species.