Abstract A new species of door snail, Grandinenia jinniu Chen & Jiang sp. n., is described from Shanglin, Guangxi, China. It can be distinguished from all other congeners by a decollated, fusiform, thick-walled, solid, and white to light brown shell; a thin apex; a thick, strongly expanded and reflexed peristome; and the weak inferior and subcolumellar lamellae.
Abstract The ornamental fish trade is a major pathway for non-native species introductions into freshwater ecosystems. In temperate regions, thermally influenced habitats may facilitate the survival of tropical aquarium species under otherwise unsuitable climatic conditions. This study evaluates occurrence patterns, persistence, and reproductive status of non-native ornamental fishes across 14 thermally influenced sites in Slovakia. Records were compiled from targeted field surveys, published sources, grey literature, and validated citizen-science data. A total of 22 ornamental fish taxa belonging to six orders and nine families were recorded. Poeciliidae dominated in both frequency and persistence. Only five species demonstrated consistent reproduction, whereas most taxa occurred as transient or repeatedly introduced populations. Species richness and population persistence were higher in artificially heated systems with stable discharge compared to natural thermal springs characterized by steep thermal gradients. Our findings indicate that thermally influenced waters in Slovakia currently function primarily as environmentally constrained microrefugia rather than sources of basin-scale invasion. Continued monitoring of sites with stable warm-water discharge and hydrological connectivity is recommended.
Seven new species of Chrysolina are described from China: Chrysolina jikangi sp. nov. (Gansu), Ch . liulingi sp. nov. (Hubei), Ch . ruanxiani sp. nov. and Ch . wangrongi sp. nov. (Sichuan), Ch . ruanjii sp. nov., Ch . shantaoi sp. nov., and Ch . xiangxiui sp. nov. (Yunnan). Distribution area map, photographs of habitus and male aedeagus are presented for all new species. For comparison with new species, type specimens of little-known species Ch. bechynei (Gressitt et Kimoto, 1963), Ch. foveopunctata (Fairmaire, 1888), and Ch . zhongdiana Chen et Wang, 1984 are studied, and their photographs are published for the first time.
Chromosomal evolution is a principal mechanism of speciation in subterranean mammals, particularly blind mole rats ( Nannospalax ). Extensive cytogenetic research across Anatolia has revealed striking karyotypic variation, yet its evolutionary and taxonomic significance remains incompletely resolved. Here, we synthesize cytogenetic, molecular, morphological, and behavioral evidence to evaluate how chromosomal change structures lineage diversification. Robertsonian rearrangements, pericentric inversions, and centromeric shifts emerge as primary drivers of reproductive isolation, frequently in the absence of overt morphological differentiation. Complementary evidence from seismic communication and baculum morphology further supports the interpretation of cytotypes as reproductively and evolutionarily cohesive units. Within this integrative framework, we revise species limits in the Nannospalax complex and describe 17 new species: N. gazii sp. nov., N. karatasi sp. nov., N. abiissent sp. nov., N. occidentalis sp. nov., N. tenebrosus sp. nov., N. mursalogluae sp. nov., N. flavus sp. nov., N. eflani sp. nov., N. kemali sp. nov., N. medialis sp. nov., N. inspirata sp. nov., N. guleki sp. nov., N. victoriosus sp. nov., N. kastamonuensis sp. nov., N. montanus sp. nov., N. artus sp. nov., and N. irenaeus sp. nov. We further show that geographic isolation, ecological divergence, and interacting pre- and postzygotic barriers can accelerate diversification within Anatolia, a recognized hotspot for spalacine evolution. By reconciling signals across datasets, our synthesis supports a "cytotype-equals-species" framework as a parsimonious working model for Nannospalax diversification and clarifies long-standing taxonomic ambiguities within Anatolian lineages. We also outline testable predictions for future genome-scale and bioacoustic analyses, including expectations for contact-zone dynamics, hybrid fitness, and the genomic distribution of rearrangement breakpoints. More broadly, this revision advances understanding of cryptic speciation in fossorial mammals and provides an evidence-based rationale for conservation prioritization in subterranean biodiversity hotspots across Eurasia.
The genus Boletoxenus Motschulsky, 1858 (Tenebrionidae: Tenebrioninae: Bolitophagini), previously considered restricted to the Oriental and eastern Palaearctic realms, is recorded from the Papuan Region for the first time. A new remarkable species with distinct elytral tuberculation and unusual genital morphology, Boletoxenus papuanus sp. Nov. from the Central Region of New Guinea is described and illustrated.
Yunnan Province, China, harbors numerous ancient plateau lakes, some of which have dried up. Recent research has uncovered a wealth of gastropod fossils from these desiccated lake basins, with most representing Yunnan-endemic species. For the family Viviparidae, these subfossils and fossils typically possess large shells, a trait that facilitates their preservation in deeper clay layers. This study investigated ancient lake basins in Qujing, Mengzi, and Zhaotong cities, Yunnan Province. Viviparidae specimens were collected from different stratigraphic layers to explore the evolutionary patterns of shell morphology in endemic species of these ancient lakes. The study describes fifteen new species: Anularya bengu H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & A.-S. Lv sp. nov., Cipangopaludina somnumbra H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & T.-X. Xie sp. nov., Dalipaludina zhanglejiai H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov., Dalipaludina zhaolu H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya ashimaae H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya buhou H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & L.-R.-X. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya cunshan H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & A.-S. Lv sp. nov., Tchangmargarya sparkleae H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya laojin H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya liyoufui H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya luyizhii H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya mohou H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & L.-R.-X. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya yangjizhoui H.-Q. Xiang, B.-Y. Wang, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya yumi H.-Q. Xiang, X.-C. Zha, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov., Tchangmargarya zhangxianmingi H.-Q. Xiang, X.-C. Zha, Y.-M. He & H. Chen sp. nov. The species previously known as Tulotomoides tulotomoides (Yen, 1935), Idiopoma tingi (Yen, 1935) and Idiopoma chutsingensis (Yen, 1935) are moved to Tchangmargarya J. He, 2013 genus; Idiopoma wangi (Yen, 1935) syn. nov. being assigned as a junior synonym of Tchangmargarya tingi comb. nov.; Vivipara margaryaeformis Mansuy, 1918 is moved to the Anularya Zhang & Chen, 2015 genus.
Notable European hare (Lepus europaeus) population decline was recorded in most areas of the species' distribution during the 20th century. There is evidence that the hare population in Vojvodina Province (Serbia) severely declined in the '60s, which corresponds with the general trend throughout Europe, caused mostly by changes in agricultural practices. This paper focuses on the population dynamics after the initial decline, analyzing the period from the '70s onwards. We also tested the influence of habitats i.e. agricultural land use, fox abundance, and climate variables, using multiple regression and GLM analyses for data of 51 years (1970-2020). This period was chosen because it provides the most reliable data series necessary for analyses. After the initial drop, the population seemed to adapt to the new intensive agricultural habitats and seemingly developed a pattern with peaks in population size occurring every 10 years. This pattern was destabilized in 2010 when a dramatic population decline was recorded. Since then, the population has struggled to recover, but the numbers have slowly risen in the last five years. We found that spring hare population size in year t+1 was positively associated with the proportion of cereals, industrial crops and meadows in the agricultural landscape, whereas climatic conditions represented by large-scale circulation indices (winter NAO, EA) showed modest, generally negative associations. The proportion of juveniles in the autumn bags showed a pronounced non linear temporal pattern, with an overall increase from the 1970s to the mid 1990s followed by a marked decline after 2010. Extreme weather events during the main reproductive period, particularly years with very high spring and summer rainfall, coincided with years of very low proportions of juveniles. Our results highlight the importance of crop composition and climate for brown hare populations in intensively farmed landscapes. The role of predation by red foxes is likely to be important locally, but we did not detect a clear negative effect of fox cull indices at the regional scale.
A new species, Reptalus (Pererepa) mezoi sp. nov. (Fulgoromorpha: Delphacoidea: Cixiidae: Pentastirinae) is described from the mainland of Spain based on almost 120 years old historical specimens.
A revised identification key for European (excluding Russia and Ukraine) Neoitamus species with yellow (orange) tibiae (apically blackish) and black femora (at most apically reddish) is provided, based on external and internal characters of male genitalia. A new species, Neoitamus tothsandori sp. nov., is described from Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, and Romania. A new checklist of Neoitamus species in Hungary is provided, including two species (Neoitamus dasymallus (Gerstaecker, 1861) and Neoitamus tumulus Tomasovic, 1999) newly recorded from this country, the latter also firstly reported from Albania and Montenegro. Neoitamus impudicus (Gerstaecker, 1861) is proposed for removal from the Hungarian checklist, and its taxonomic status is discussed.
Based on a recently collected specimen from the Khasi Hills region of Meghalaya state, we report the first occurrence of Titania's woolly bat Kerivoula titania within the geographic boundary of India. We provide detailed morphological descriptions (external, craniodental, and the first information of the species' bacular bone), supplemented by mtDNA, echolocation call, and wing morphology data. The new record constitutes an extension of westward range of the species by about 500 km and raises the tally of bat species in India to 137. The findings also call for fresh impetus for extensive field studies in the undersampled northeastern region of India.
Amphibians are among the most endangered vertebrate groups. One of the main reasons for their biodiversity loss is the relatively recent global spread of chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which has contributed to the decline or extinction of at least 200 amphibian species. With relevant knowledge accumulating, it has become evident that the effects of chytridiomycosis can differ among geographic regions not only on the interspecific level but also within species. Ultimately, temporal and spatial variation in the outcome of chytridiomycosis is driven by the evolutionary arms race between the parasite and its hosts. Proximately, this variation may arise due to variation in host susceptibility, differences in the pathogenicity of different lineages of Bd, variation in prevailing environmental conditions, or interactions between these factors. Here, we summarize the evidence for each one of these possibilities and draw attention to the fact that studies considering several of these factors simultaneously are scarce, and those taking all into account are lacking entirely. Consequently, the overall interpretation of the differences in the outcomes of existent studies and experiments has remained difficult. We conclude that future research should focus on the interactive effects of co-evolutionary history, host susceptibility, Bd virulence, and relevant environmental factors on disease outcomes. These studies will help in deepening our understanding of disease dynamics, in predicting future hotspots of chytridiomycosis outbreaks, and in focusing conservation efforts to where they are most needed.
Leopold Tausch published in 1886 a study on a Late Cretaceous molluscan fauna of Ajka, Hungary. In the same work, he described five species from deposits of similar age at Aigen, Austria. The material from that publication was long considered lost. We have rediscovered the type material from Ajka in the collection of the Department of Paleontology at the University of Vienna. With a few exceptions, nearly all figured specimens were located. Among the species described from Aigen, only Bulimus fuggeri was found in the collections of GeoSphere Austria. Here, we provide an illustrated overview of the terrestrial snail species from the Late Cretaceous of Ajka and, where taxonomically relevant, discuss related species from other localities and associated aquatic taxa. Ptychicula specialis Tausch, 1886, previously considered a land snail, is here found to be a subjective synonym of the aquatic Melanopsis ajkaensis Tausch, 1886; however, the genus Ptychicula Tausch, 1886 remains valid for the two melanopsid species described from Ajka. Two new species ( Ajkaia corpulenta Páll-Gergely, sp. n., and Anapomatias klebelsbergi Páll-Gergely, sp. n.) and two new genera ( Brunszvikia Páll-Gergely, gen. n. Tingtingia Páll-Gergely, gen. n.) are described.
Two new species of the genus Pseudiberus Ancey, 1887 are described and illustrated from Sanmenxia City and Huixian City, Henan Province, China: Pseudiberus zhangquanyui Wang, Chen, He & Feng, sp. nov. and Pseudiberus zhoujunjiei sp. nov. P. zhangquanyui Wang, Chen, He & Feng sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a rounded and blunt keel, a strongly oblique aperture, and a distinctive banding pattern. P. zhoujunjiei sp. nov. differs from related species by its smaller shell, a slit-like umbilicus, a slightly reflexed keel starting from the penultimate whorl and rising above the body whorl, and the absence of spiral bands. Molecular analysis based on partial mitochondrial COI and 16S rDNA also supports the systematic position of the new taxa.
A new tribe, Picumnini trib. n., is erected for the genera Picumna Stål, 1864 and Cyclumna Fowler, 1904 in the subfamily Issinae and a new subtribe, Duroidina subtrib. n., is erected for the genus Duroides Melichar, 1906 in tribe Parahiraciini. Relationships of these taxa within Issinae in connection with the evolutionary origin and distribution of the family Issidae are discussed. Cyclumna Fowler, 1904 is reinstalled from synonymy with Picumna Stål, 1864. Ovipositor structure of Duroides globosus Melichar, 1906, and hind wing of Cyclumna cf. subrotundata Fowler, 1904 are described and illustrated for the first time.
The superfamily Helicoidea is represented by the largest European land snails. In the present paper, the Helicoidea of Serbia are reviewed (altogether 47 species). Photographs of shells and genital anatomy are provided for 44 and 33 species, respectively. Characters important for identification are discussed and distribution maps are provided for each species (based on both literature and new data). Notes on habitat preferences and distribution in Serbia are given. The latest checklist of Serbian land snails is revised. Six species are reported for the first time from the territory of Serbia: Monacha cf. oshanovae I. Pint & eacute;r & L. Pint & eacute;r, 1970, Hygromia cinctella (Draparnaud, 1801), Pseudotrichia rubiginosa (Rossm & auml;ssler, 1838), Cernuella cisalpina (Rossm & auml;ssler, 1837), Cattania haberhaueri (Sturany, 1897), and Eobania vermiculata (O. F. M & uuml;ller, 1774). The following nine species are excluded from the previous checklist, considering the lack of samples or relevant literature data: Liburnica setosa (A. F & eacute;russac, 1832), Macularia sylvatica (Draparnaud, 1801), Helix cincta O. F. M & uuml;ller, 1774, H. secernenda Rossm & auml;ssler, 1847, Theba pisana (O. F. M & uuml;ller, 1774), Candidula unifasciata (Poiret, 1801), Perforatella vicina (Rossm & auml;ssler, 1842), Trochulus striolatus (C. Pfeiffer, 1828), and Urticicola umbrosus (C. Pfeiffer, 1828). The presence of Campylaea ljubetenensis (A. J. Wagner, 1914) and Liburnica hoffmanni (Rossm & auml;ssler, 1836) is doubtful and still has to be confirmed.
The taxonomic status of a number of Eastern and Central Asian species of the tribe Rhamphini are clarified. Five new synonymies are proposed: Amurorchestes Legalov, 2007 syn. n. and Granulorchestes Legalov, 2007 syn. n. of Orchestes (Salius), Rhynchaenus guliensis L. Yang & Dai, 1991 syn. n. of O. amplithorax Faust, 1882, R. maculosus L. Yang & X. Zhang, 1991 syn. n. of O. fasciculatus Faust, 1882, and R. empopulifolis Y-Q. Chen & L. Zhang, 1988 syn. n. of R. seriatosetosus Ter-Minasian, 1953. Two new combinations are introduced: Pseudorchestes (s. str.) tianschanicus (Bajtenov & Kazakova, 1971) comb. n. and Tachyerges seriatosetosus (Ter-Minasian, 1953) comb. n. Orchestes (Salius) variegatus Roelofs, 1875 stat. rest. was restored from synonymy with O. mutabilis Boheman, 1843. Due to its important economic significance as a pest of poplars, T. seriatosetosus is completely redescribed and illustrated in detail. Also, Tachyerges nakamurai (Morimoto & Miyakawa, 1996) is recorded for the first time for Russia and for the continental part of Asia, O. harunire (Morimoto, 1984) for Russia, T. seriatosetosus - for Turkmenistan.
A remarkable new species, Grammacephalus domokosevae sp. nov. (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Scaphoideini) is described from Iran. Two species, Grammacephalus rahmani (Singh-Pruthi, 1930) and G. raunoi Viraktamath, 1981 are reported for the first time from Iran. Grammacephalus albatus Gnezdilov, 2021 is recorded from Oman for the first time. A key to the Iranian Grammacephalus species is provided.
This study sought to examine the co-occurrence patterns and ecological traits of ostracod species in Eski & scedil;ehir province. During the period of July 11-17, 2020, a total of 118 sampling sites were surveyed, and 36 ostracod species were collected from 94 sampling sites. Of these, 24 species were newly reported for the province. With the addition of the 20 previously known species, the total number of ostracod species in the area has increased to 44. The most influential ecological variables on species occurrences identified by Canonical Corresponding Analysis (CCA) were elevation, nitrite, and pH. The first two axes of CCA explained about 51% of the relationships between the species abundance and the environmental variables investigated. Species co-occurrence test showed different patterns based on habitat types in the area. Accordingly, Potamocypris arcuata co-occurred with Heterocypris salina, and Ilyocypris bradyi co-occurred with Herpetocypris intermedia and Prionocypris zenkeri across the entire sampled area. However, H. salina and I. bradyi were generally found together in the lentic waters while P. zenkeri was found with I. bradyi in the lotic habitats. According to the C2 analysis, which uses weighted averaging regression, the ecological tolerance levels of some species appeared to differ between lentic and lotic habitats, except for a few cosmopolitan species. Results suggested that cosmopolitan species tend to co-occur in a variety of habitats due to their similarities in functional characteristics. This observation can be useful in determining typical habitat characteristics of species both in contemporary and paleontological studies.
Chrysolina (subgenus incertae sedis) gemma sp. nov., Ch. (subgenus incertae sedis) moseykoi sp. nov., Ch. (subgenus incertae sedis) veronicae sp. nov., Ch. (subgenus incertae sedis) yurii sp. nov., Ch. (Timarchomela) cathedralis sp. nov., and Ch. (Timarchomela) jubilaea sp. nov. are described from NW Yunnan (Mount Diancang Shan and environs). A key for identification of all Chrysolina species, found in that territory, is compiled. Areas of the subgenera Chrysolina (Latipoda Bie & nacute;kowski, 2024), Ch. (Timarchomela Achard, 1922), and Ch. (Volosatik Bie & nacute;kowski, 2022) are discussed. Photographs of habitus and male aedeagus are presented for all species.
Long-distance migration is highly internally regulated; however, it has recently been shown that even for long-distance migrant species, the timing of migration, breeding and moulting can change under the influence of climate change. We studied the timing of spring and autumn migration of the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica in Hungary in two periods (1894-1927 and 2005-2022) using 2,904 spring and 830 autumn migration records. In addition, we used 726 long-term recapture data from the Hungarian bird-ringing database to analyse changes in the birds' breeding and wintering grounds. Our results show that the spring return from wintering grounds shifted significantly earlier, while the start of autumn migration shifted significantly later. Based on sub-Saharan recapture data, we found that the species' wintering grounds shifted southward. In contrast, the breeding areas of the individuals ringed north of Hungary did not change significantly over time. Our findings suggest that climate change affects breeding populations of this species differently in different geographical regions. The earlier spring return affects the start of breeding, which, in the case of the Hungarian population, is a factor in the increase in the proportion of second and third broods.
