World Species Research Articles

A new species of the genus Puto Signoret (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Putoidae) from China and redescription of Puto huangshanensis Wu

The scale insect genus Puto Signoret (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Putoidae) has a mainly Nearctic and Palaearctic distribution but one species is known from Oriental China and a second from the Palaearctic part of China prior to this study. Here we describe and illustrate the adult female and male of a new species, Puto sinensis Zheng & Wu, sp. nov., from Oriental China. We also redescribe and illustrate the adult female and male of Puto huangshanensis Wu, 2001 and provide diagnostic characters for both species. In addition, an identification key to the Old World species of Puto based on the adult female, and a key to the world adult males of Puto are provided.

The Thermal Tolerance of Springtails in a Tropical Cave, with the Description of a New Coecobrya Species (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from Thailand

A new species of Collembola in the genus Coecobrya, C. microphthalma sp. nov., is described from a cave environment in Saraburi province, central Thailand. The new species is the second described species of the boneti-group found in the country. It is most similar to C. chompon Nilsai, Lima & Jantarit, 2022, which is also described from a Thai cave. However, the new species is morphologically different from C. chompon in having orange dot pigmentation on its body and a combination of other morphological characteristics such as the number of sublobal hairs on the maxillary outer lobe and the number of medio-sublateral mac on Th. II, Abd. I, Abd. III and Abd. IV and the anterior face of the ventral tube. The morphological comparison of all known boneti species and a key to the world species of Coecobrya of the boneti-group are given. Coecobrya microphthalma sp. nov. was successfully cultured in the laboratory. The thermal tolerance of the new species was studied and tested with seven different temperature experiments (27 °C as a control, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 °C). The results showed that C. microphthalma sp. nov. cannot survive at a temperature higher than 32 °C after exposure to the experimental heat for 7 and 14 consecutive days. At 27, 30 and 32 °C, C. microphthalma sp. nov. remained alive and produced eggs, but the duration of egg production and number of egg-laying days significantly declined when the temperature increased (p < 0.001). An interesting aspect of their reproduction concerns temperature. At 32 °C (5 °C above the control temperature), the F1 generation survived, was active and was able to molt to the adult stage. However, specimens were unable to produce the next generation of offspring. For postembryonic development, C. microphthalma sp. nov. required six molts to reach the adult stage. The development rate (from egg to adult) varied and differed significantly between the tested temperatures (p < 0.001). An increase in temperature from the control temperature significantly accelerated the developmental rate from egg to juvenile instars to adult with a statistical significance (p < 0.01). This study is the first attempt that provide information on the impact of increasing temperature on the population dynamics, reproductive capacity and life history of a subterranean tropical Collembola.

Understanding observable historical pest dynamics through a data rescue approach

Long-term historical data on the presence of invasive pests can inform current pest management. By examining correlations between shifts in pest occurrences and various potential drivers, we can better inform decision-making and management strategies. However, the availability of such long-term data is often limited. We apply a data rescue protocol to recover difficult-to-access pest information from periodical annual forestry reports on the island of Ireland from 1970 to 2020, resulting in an open-access dataset of pest dynamics and their management for the island. We combined the pest dataset with auxiliary weather data to estimate the effects of surveying effort, control measures and weather upon observed pest outbreak dynamics. A first-order auto-logistic regression model was used to model rates of transition between observed presences and absences of non-native insects, fungi, chromista, and bacteria. The results provide evidence that multi-year systematic surveillance efforts have improved the detection of pest species before they have arrived and help towards preventing false absences of invaded species being recorded. We provide reporting recommendations for invasive species which would improve the usability of reported data to better understand observed pest dynamics going forward. Our methodology for data collection and analysis serves as a blueprint for other regions of the world and other invasive species assemblages where data is physically available but not ready for analysis.

DNA Barcodes and Morphology Reveal Two New Species of the Genus Prochas Walkley, 1959 (Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae), from China.

DNA barcoding is an effective modern tool in taxonomy, evolutionary biology, and biodiversity research. Many new species have been discovered and described with DNA barcodes as part of their diagnostic features. We combined morphological examination and molecular species delimitation of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene using the automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD) to investigate species boundaries. The genus Prochas Walkley (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) was first reported from China and is new for the Oriental and Eastern Palearctic regions. Using an integrative taxonomy method, two new species P. rugipunctata sp. nov. and P. striata sp. nov. are hereby described and illustrated. A key to the world species and a distribution map are provided.

Establishment and application of chloroplast genome database with the largest number of species in world

The chloroplast genome is an important tool for studying plant classification, evolution, and the heterologous production of secondary metabolites and protein drugs. With advancements in sequencing technology and reductions in sequencing costs, chloroplast genome data have rapidly accumulated. However, existing chloroplast genome databases suffer from issues such as incomplete data, inadequate management, and inconsistent, inaccurate information, posing significant challenges for the development and utilization of the chloroplast genome. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to establish a database that provides comprehensive and reliable chloroplast genome information. This article provides a brief introduction to the Chloroplast Genome Information Resource(CGIR), the most comprehensive chloroplast genome database globally in terms of species coverage. The database, consisting of five modules, i.e.,(1) genomes,(2) genes,(3) simple sequence repeats(SSRs),(4) DNA barcodes, and(5) DNA signature sequences(DSSs), currently includes 34 923 chloroplast genome assemblies from 16 717 species. Based on the functionalities of these modules, the article systematically summarizes the progress in the application of the database in plant phylogenetic analysis, species identification, and chloroplast genetic engineering. The chloroplast genome database will be continuously updated in the future to provide a solid and reliable data foundation for chloroplast genome research, further promoting studies on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)identification, resource conservation, and germplasm innovation.

Contribution to the knowledge of larval chaetotaxy of the genus Berosus (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilinae)

The primary and secondary chaetotaxy of the larval head capsule and head appendages of eight New World species of Berosus Leach (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilinae), are described for the first time, together with detailed illustrations of all characters. The chaetotaxy of these eight species is compared to that of other known Berosus larvae. Larval chaetotaxy of Berosus appears to be very stable and chaetotaxic characters separating species are very subtle. Those chaetotaxic characters which are informative to distinguish among species or groups of species are discussed.

The First Neotropical Record of the Genus Urodeta (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae: Elachistinae) with Keys to the World Species and a Description of a New Species from Honduras.

The genus Urodeta Stainton (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae: Elachistinae) is recorded for the first time from the Neotropical region, with the description of a new species, Urodeta inerme sp. nov., from Honduras. The new species is diagnosed and illustrated with photographs of the adults, genitalia of both sexes, and habitat. Identification keys to the world species of the genus Urodeta, based on male and female genitalia, are provided.

Among the spores' clouds: A checklist for Lycoperdon subgenus Morganella in Brazil with a key for the world's species, and an initial overview of Lycoperdon Pers. in Bahia1

Among the spores' clouds: A checklist for Lycoperdon subgenus Morganella in Brazil with a key for the world's species, and an initial overview of Lycoperdon Pers. in Bahia1

A new Korean species of Pararhabdepyris Gorbatovsky (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) with an updated world key.

Pararhabdepyris Gorbatovsky is a small genus within Bethylidae, currently comprising only six valid species worldwide. A new species, Pararhabdepyris directus Lim sp. nov., is described and illustrated from South Korea. It appears closely related to P. paradoxus, is characterized by the combination of the following characters: the basal two-thirds of the scape are dark castaneous, coxa and femora are dark castaneous, the median and submedian areas of metapectal-propodeal disc are rugulose, and the transverse posterior carina of metapectal-propodeal complex is straight. An updated key to the world species of the genus are presented.

One new species and one new record of the genus Trirogma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Ampulicidae) in China, with a key to the world species.

The taxonomy of the genus Trirogma from China is studied, with description of one new species from Guangdong and Yunnan Provinces in China, namely Trirogma lobusicurvus Liu et Li, sp. nov. Meanwhile, one newly recorded species, Trirogma kohima Girish Kumar and Sheela, 2018 from China is reported and the female is described for the first time. An updated key to the world species of Trirogma is provided.

A general subpopulation model for the Animal Landscape and Man Simulation System (ALMaSS)

ALMaSS (the Animal Landscape and Man Simulation System) is a well-established modelling system known for its detailed agent-based animal models. However, for certain species, such as aphids, extremely high population sizes and limited detailed individual behaviour information make agent-based approaches either computationally expensive or unfeasible. Additionally, when these species are modelled as a prey base for other species, such as aphids for ladybirds, an efficient and accurate modelling approach is required. To address these challenges, we introduce a subpopulation-based model framework that effectively handles high population densities, while reducing computational complexity. This framework divides the landscape into a non-overlapping grid and population dynamics are managed within each grid using a flexible stage-structured population model. Grids are interconnected through short- and long-distance dispersal mechanisms, allowing for realistic movement and interactions. Parallel programming is employed to enhance performance, enabling faster simulation runs. We demonstrate the application of this model framework with a hypothetical species (not a species in the real world) and showcase its use in modelling aphid populations. This foundational subpopulation model could be used to model species with large population sizes within the ALMaSS framework and can be integrated into other simulation systems.

Exploring the importance of stochasticity to Hybrid Equilibria in a Discrete Signaling Game.

Communication via evolved signals is ubiquitous (both within and between species) in the natural world. However, how honest we should expect signals to be remains an open question. Hybrid equilibria are a form of equilibria predicted by discrete signaling games in which signalers are sometimes dishonest and signals do not completely reliably convey information on signaler quality. While these equilibria have been theoretically demonstrated in several signaling games, their dynamics in a stochastic simulation of evolutionary trajectories (that include representation of the inherent noise expected in evolution in the natural world) have not previously been studied. In this paper, we present an agent-based simulation of a discrete signaling game which exhibits hybrid equilibria. We find that while hybrid equilibria are evolutionarily attractive where they exist, populations exhibit variable and often drastic oscillating behavior around the predicted equilibrium values. We discuss how these dynamics might offer valuable opportunity for detecting hybrid equilibria in natural populations.

Collaborative national satellite event of World Species Congress for conservation in Indonesia

Collaborative national satellite event of World Species Congress for conservation in Indonesia

Barbenigma Powell & Miller, a bizarre new genus and two new species of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Ortheziidae) from the United States.

A strange new genus and two species of scale insect from the United States, Barbenigma Powell & Miller, gen. nov. and Barbenigma biza Powell & Miller, sp. nov. and B. boscus Powell & Miller, sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Ortheziidae) are described and illustrated, including the adult female and immature stages available. Barbenigma boscus was recently collected in Nebraska on the roots of grasses; B. biza is described from a series of undetermined specimens from Florida found in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods. These species, which have three-segmented antennae, no wax plates, conspicuous clusters of quadrilocular ducts on the abdomen, thoracic and abdominal spiracles set in a ring of pores, legs reduced in size, sparse ornate fimbriate dorsal setae, and very few capitate spines, stretch our current concept of the family Ortheziidae. The anal ring morphology, a fused trochanter and femur, presence of abdominal spiracles, large differentiated setae on the apex and subapex of the terminal segment of the antenna, a reduced number of ventral abdominal segments, and the presence of modified quadrilocular pores (most likely homologous to the ovisac band), support placement in Ortheziidae. We provide an updated phylogenetic analysis of Ortheziidae based on morphological characters with the new species included. The analysis demonstrates that the four species previously placed in the family Carayonemidae and the two new species of Barbenigma form a monophyletic group that should be placed within the Ortheziidae as the subfamily Carayoneminae Richard new synonymy and change of rank. The tribes Carayonemini Richard and Barbenigmini Powell & Miller tribe nov. are proposed as subunits within the subfamily. A revised key to the world species of Carayoneminae is provided.

Three new species of Amphipoda (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the remote oceanic island of Trindade, off the coast of south-eastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Trindade is a volcanic remote island isolated some 1200 km from the nearest continental landmass. While knowledge of the island’s diversity of crustacean decapod fauna has been notably broadened by extensive investigations, knowledge about its amphipod fauna is still poor. During a 12-year survey (2012–2024) a wealth of amphipod material was obtained in Trindade from various sublittoral habitats at water depths of less than 30 m. Here, we report on three new species of the genera Colomastix Grube, 1861, Pariphinotus Kunkel, 1910 and Eusiroides Stebbing, 1888. Additionally, identification keys to the world species of Eusiroides and Pariphinotus, and to the Brazilian species of Colomastix are provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B17266F0-B78E-4768-8FB2-D91BA5F748CA

Foraging by predatory ants: A review.

In this review, we show that predatory ants have a wide range of foraging behavior, something expected given their phylogenetic distance and the great variation in their colony size, life histories, and nesting habitats as well as prey diversity. Most ants are central-place foragers that detect prey using vision and olfaction. Ground-dwelling species can forage solitarily, the ancestral form, but generally recruit nestmates to retrieve large prey or a group of prey. Typically, ants are omnivorous, but some species are strict predators preying on detritivorous invertebrates or arthropod eggs, while those specialized on termites or other ants often have scouts that localize their target and then trigger a raid. They can use compounds that ease this task, including chemical insignificance, mimicry, and venoms triggering submissive behavior. Army ants include 8 Dorylinae and some species from other subfamilies, all having wingless queens and forming raids. Dorylinae from the Old World migrate irregularly to new nesting sites. The foraging of most New World species that prey on the brood of other ants is regulated by their biological cycle that alternates between a "nomadic phase" when the colony relocates between different places and a "stationary phase" when the colony stays in a bivouac constituting a central place. Among arboreal ants, dominant species forage in groups, detecting prey visually, but can use vibrations, particularly when associated with myrmecophytes. Some species of the genera Allomerus and Azteca use fungi to build a gallery-shaped trap with small holes under which they hide to ambush prey.

First record of the genus Palpostilpnus Aubert (Ichneumonidae: Phygadeuontinae) from Vietnam, with descriptions of eight new species.

Palpostilpnus Aubert, 1961 is a genus of the subfamily Phygadeuontinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) with 17 currently recognized species from the Oriental and Australasian regions. In this paper, this genus is reported for the first time from Vietnam. Eight new species are described, comprising: P. cattienensis, P. hoanglienensis, P. incompletus, P. melanothoracicus, P. melinhensis, P. meovacensis, P. ngoclinhensis and P. taynguyenensis. Three species, P. maculata Sheng & Sun, 2013, P. pterodactylus Reshchikov, Santos, Liu, Barthélémy, 2019 and P. tamasek Reshchikov, Santos, Liu, Barthélémy, 2019 are recorded as new from the country. The key to the world species of Palpostilpnus by Reshchikov et al. (2019) is modified to include eight new species from Vietnam.

Problems when diagnosing cutaneous leishmaniasis: a retrospective study analyzing clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) incidence in Switzerland is rising due to factors like migration and globalization. The aim of this work was to investigate CL frequency in Switzerland and identify clinical and histopathological difficulties in diagnosing CL in a non-endemic country. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical and histopathological characteristics of all CL cases from two dermatopathology laboratories between 2000 and 2022. Skin biopsies were histopathologically reviewed using HE, Giemsa, and immunohistochemical stain for CD1a and a specific Leishmania antibody (LA). PCR to detect Leishmania DNA was performed if sufficient tissue was available. 42 cases (27m, 15f) were included. The correct clinical diagnosis of CL was only made in 15 (35.7%) cases. In seven (16.6%) cases, CL was missed in the initial histopathologic evaluation. Two main histopathological patterns were observed: granulomatous and pseudolymphomatous. Immunohistochemical staining with CD1a and Leishmania-specific antibody was positive in 91% and 80% of cases, respectively. Leishmania PCR was positive in 25 of 26 cases, mainly detecting Old World species. CL is rare in Switzerland and often misdiagnosed clinically and histopathologically. CD1a and specific Leishmania antibody stainings are useful. CL should be considered in non-healing ulcers, even without a history of travel to endemic areas.

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

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

Diversity Analysis in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) Genotypes Using Microsatellite Markers

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is commonly called as eggplant or aubergine. It is one of the most important commercial solanaceous vegetable crops grown widely in Asian and African countries. It is popular among people of all social strata and is rightly called a vegetable of masses [1, 2]. It is of substantial economic importance in Asia, Africa, and the subtropics (India, Central America), and it is also grown in some warm temperate regions (Mediterranean area, Southern USA) [3, 4]. It is an old world species and native to Indo-Chinese centre of origin [5]. The genus Solanum is morphologically hypervariable and highly diverse in number of species [6] and ecogeographical distribution [7]. Despite the economic and nutritional importance of eggplant, breeding efforts in this crop have been limited compared to other solanaceous crops, such as tomato and potato [8, 9]. In the present study 30 solanaceae specific microsatellite markers were used of which 29 showed good amplification in the 4 checks used viz state check for round and oblong to long fruit, national check for round fruit and national check for oblong to long fruit. Of these 29, primer set emi04J02 and emk03O04 did show amplification in the other genotypes. Finally, 27 markers were used for analysis. Of these 23 showed monomorphic pattern (85.1%) whereas only 4 showed some polymorphism (14.8 %). The most informative marker was eme01D03 which showed presence of 3 alleles. The low degree of polymorphism indicated a high degree of homogeneity in the genotypes which could be due to a narrow genetic base.