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Ocosia fasciata Matsubara 1943 (Synanceiidae: Tetraroginae) is redescribed on the basis of the lectotype, 37 available paralectotypes and 39 non-type specimens from Japan and Taiwan. A reassessment of diagnostic characters within the genus is made, with emphasis on comparisons with the morphologically similar congener Ocosia zaspilota Poss and Eschmeyer 1975, and two other Japanese congeners, Ocosia spinosa Chen 1981 and Ocosia vespa Jordan and Starks 1904. Ocosia fasciata is distinguished from O. zaspilota by a relatively narrower body and longer head, in addition to previously recognized differences in the lengths of the anterior dorsal-fin spines. Ocosia fasciata also tends to have slightly fewer lateral-line tubes and gill rakers that O. zaspilota. Ocosia spinosa and O. vespa share a combination of characters, including usually 16 dorsal-fin spines (almost always 15 in O. fasciata), the presence of lateral lacrimal and suborbital spines (almost always absent), moderately incised or weakly concave interspinous dorsal-fin membranes (strongly incised), and a relatively broad membrane between the last pelvic-fin soft ray and abdomen (narrow). Compared with O. spinosa, O. vespa has broader dorsal-fin membranes, apparently lacking incisions in life, although slightly concave in preserved specimens, and densely distributed papillae on both jaws. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial COI sequences (443 bp) showed no clear interspecific divergence among the four species, despite clear morphological differentiation, suggesting that COI-based DNA barcoding does not consistently match morphological species definitions in Ocosia.
ABSTRACT Understanding seed‐dispersal of Rafflesiaceae species is essential to conserve this extraordinary family of parasitic plants. We present evidence supporting diplochorous seed dispersal, involving primary endozoochorous dispersal by small mammals, followed by secondary exozoochorous dispersal by dung beetles. Methods employed included in situ live capture of small mammals in traps, placed over developing Sapria himalayana fruits, in situ observations of dung beetles handling the small dung pellets of primary dispersers and ex situ experiments with both dispersers. Dung pellet analyses (number, weight, expulsion time and ratio of undamaged to broken seeds) indicated that the most capable primary seed dispersers were the nocturnal rat Maxomys surifer (among four species studied) and, during daytime, the squirrel Dremomys rufigenis and, to a lesser extent, the treeshrew Tupaia belangeri. Dispersal distances were likely to encompass multiple host Tetrastigma spp. (lianas). Dung beetles served as secondary dispersers. They removed all faecal pellets of primary dispersers from the soil surface within 24 h, burying them up to 7 cm deep. The beetles also released seeds from the faecal matrix by microphagy, enabling the seeds to come into intimate contact with hosts' fine roots and root hairs, through which infection likely occurs. Forty‐one beetle species (including seven new species) were involved, with Ochicanthon thai and Onthophagus lindaae being the most abundant. Further research throughout the distribution of Rafflesiaceae species, particularly in the Philippines, regarded as a centre of Rafflesia diversity, is likely to add to primary and secondary disperser diversity.
Understanding the mechanisms by which environmental gradients shape avian communities is essential for interpreting biodiversity patterns across heterogeneous landscapes. Mongolia, characterized by strong transitions among desert, steppe, forest–steppe, and montane ecosystems, provides an ideal system for such analyses. We investigated avian communities across four regions of Mongolia (Darkhan nature reserve, Gorkhi-Terelji National Park, Khuvsgul lake, and Southern Gobi Desert) from 2023 to 2025 using standardized field surveys and compared species diversity, feeding guild composition, and community structure. A total of 114 species were recorded, and community structure varied markedly among regions. Species richness and diversity were highest in Gobi and Terelji, intermediate in Khuvsgul, and lowest in Darkhan. Abundance distributions were right-skewed, and community structure showed clear regional differences in evenness and dominance. Insectivorous species comprised the largest proportion across all regions, whereas other feeding guilds varied depending on habitat conditions. Environmental variation is a major factor shaping avian communities across Mongolia’s major ecological gradients. These results provide a baseline for understanding regional variation in avian communities and for future comparative and long-term monitoring studies.
Introduction: Museums are increasingly recognized as community settings that can support memory, emotional well-being, and social connection among older adults and caregivers. However, little is known about how museum environments in non-Western contexts activate autobiographical and embodied memory within older-adult–caregiver dyads. Methods: This study examined how two Thai museums—the National Science Museum (NSM) and Museum Siam—function as health-promoting environments that support autobiographical and embodied memory, emotional well-being, and intergenerational connection. Sixty-four participants (32 older adults and 32 caregivers) engaged in a photo-elicitation protocol in which they photographed exhibits and narrated their reflections. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns across narratives, and observational field notes documented affective and social interactions. Cognitive functioning was screened using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results: Four recurring themes emerged: Cultural Anchoring, Civic Consciousness, Nostalgia of Childhood, and Intergenerational Affection. At the NSM, participants who were not at risk of mild cognitive impairment or depressive symptoms expressed broader thematic diversity, including future-oriented reflections, whereas those at risk focused more narrowly on health literacy and family-related themes. At Museum Siam, dyadic analysis highlighted both congruent and divergent storytelling, with such differences enriching intergenerational remembering rather than producing conflict. Emotional expressions—including gratitude, nostalgia, and pride—demonstrated how museums function as relational spaces of memory, empathy, and shared reflection. Conclusion: Findings position museums as culturally grounded infrastructures for social prescribing, fostering resilience, autobiographical memory, and intergenerational solidarity within ageing societies. Museums may serve as emotionally supportive environments consistent with the WHO Healthy Ageing framework.
Two novel actinomycete strains, AG03ᵀ and ODS28ᵀ, were isolated from worker ants Anochetus graeffei and Odontomachus simillimus, respectively, collected in Thailand. Strain AG03ᵀ exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.28%) to Nocardia grenadensis NBRC 108939ᵀ, whereas strain ODS28ᵀ showed the highest similarity (97.73%) to Actinacidiphila bryophytorum NEAU-HZ10ᵀ. Chemotaxonomic analysis of AG03ᵀ revealed the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall, glucose and mannose as whole-cell sugars, and MK-8(H₄ω-cycl) as the predominant menaquinone. In contrast, ODS28ᵀ contained LL-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, ribose, and xylose as whole-cell sugars, with MK-9(H₈) and MK-9(H₆) as the predominant menaquinones. Whole genome sequence-based relatedness values, including average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), supported the classification of both strains as representing novel species. Based on polyphasic taxonomic evidence, strains AG03ᵀ and ODS28ᵀ are proposed as the type strains of Nocardia anocheti sp. nov. (AG03ᵀ = TBRC 16206ᵀ = NBRC 115864ᵀ) and Streptomyces odontomachicola sp. nov. (ODS28ᵀ = TBRC 18345ᵀ = NBRC 116641ᵀ), respectively. The genomes of both strains contained biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) potentially responsible for the production of bioactive secondary metabolites. These findings suggest that social insects, such as ants, represent a promising source of novel actinomycetes.
