Cervellus Szépligeti, 1904, is a small genus of Braconidae with limited biological information. It is mainly known as a parasitoid of Coleoptera. This study describes a new species for Brazil, Cervellus cajuina Silva & Pinheiro sp. nov., and reports the first association of this genus as a parasitoid of Lepidoptera, specifically in the pupae of caterpillars of the genus Acharia, in the state of Alagoas, in the Northeast region of Brazil.
In blind mole-rats, extensive chromosomal diversity despite pronounced morphological similarity indicates the presence of distinct evolutionary lineages, as supported by genetic evidence. Accordingly, analyses were restricted to a single cytotype (2n = 60) to minimize morphological heterogeneity associated with differences in diploid chromosome number. This study examined age- and sex-related mandibular shape variation in Nannospalax cilicicus using landmark-based geometric morphometrics (GM). A total of 120 individuals (20 males and 20 females per age class: subadult, adult, elderly) were analyzed. Mandibular size differed significantly among age groups, whereas no sexual size dimorphism was detected. In contrast, mandibular shape varied significantly with both age and sex. Sexual shape dimorphism was independent of size, absent in subadults, and became pronounced with maturation. After controlling for allometry, age-related shape differences persisted in males but not in females. Adult males exhibited a more robust mandibular configuration characterized by superoposterior expansion of the ramus and reinforcement of the basal contour, reflecting increased functional loading associated with digging. In contrast, elderly males displayed a more compact morphology, with lateral expansion of the anterior and basal regions and reduced ramus height, consistent with age-related remodeling. Female mandibles exhibited limited, non-directional shape variation across ontogeny, consistent with a more stable ontogenetic trajectory. This study provides the first GM assessment of ontogenetic and sexual mandibular shape variation conducted within a single cytotype in Nannospalax cilicicus, demonstrating that mandibular morphology is shaped by the interaction between ontogenetic stage and sex and that the observed sex-specific patterns are consistent with differential functional demands.
Evolutionary transitions toward novel ecological niches are major drivers of biological diversification, yet in highly specialized symbiotic systems they may be constrained by strong evolutionary conservatism between symbionts and their hosts. Within the rove beetle tribe Corotocini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), the subtribe Termitogastrina is predominantly associated with termites of the genera Nasutitermes Dudley, 1890 and Trinervitermes Holmgren, 1912. An exception lineage comprises the physogastric genera Idioptochus Seevers, 1957, Leucoptochus Kistner, 1973, and Melanoptochus Kistner, 1973, which are exclusively associated with the termite Grallatotermes Holmgren, 1912 across East Africa. Despite their distinctive ecological specialization, the phylogenetic placement of these beetles has remained unresolved since their original descriptions. Here, a taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of this assemblage are presented, based on a morphological matrix comprising 122 characters and 25 taxa. Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood, and Bayesian Inference analyses consistently recovered the three genera as monophyletic, with the association with Grallatotermes representing an ecological synapomorphy of the clade. Ancestral-state reconstructions indicate that the common ancestor of Termitogastrina was associated with wood-feeding, closed-foraging Nasutitermes-like termites, and that two major ecological transitions gave rise to morphologically distinctive lineages: one toward grass-feeding Trinervitermes and another toward lichen-feeding, open-foraging Grallatotermes. All species are redescribed and new records are provided. The independent occurrence of exclusive termitophile assemblages associated with lichen-feeding termites in Africa and the Neotropics suggests that host ecology may play an important role in shaping the diversification of termite-associated beetles.
Thirteen populations of Echiniscus palmai Dastych, 1997, a New Zealand endemic hypothesised to represent a separate genus Zealandiscus Kaczmarek & Roszkowska, 2021, were examined using modern taxonomic tools. We pinpoint the phylogenetic position of this species and document both adult and larval traits which were previously unavailable. In result, we supress Zealandiscus by demonstrating that Echiniscus palmai belongs in Nebularmis Gąsiorek & Michalczyk, 2019, as suggested previously. We caution tardigrade taxonomists that historical type series have their limitations and should not be the only source of argumentation when creating supraspecific ranks.
The millipede genus Cyrtodesmus Gervais, 1847 has been known from Costa Rica south to Peru and eastward into Venezuela and the island of Trinidad. Herein, the genus is recorded for the first time in Brazil, and two new species are described from the Brazilian Amazon, namely Cyrtodesmus ferricola Romero-Rincon & Alvear sp. nov., from three localities in Pará State, and Cyrtodesmus setiger Romero-Rincon & Alvear sp. nov., from Porto Velho, Rondônia State. In addition, a checklist of the family Cyrtodesmidae was compiled based on literature, including three genera, and 46 species.
Larvae of Lepidoptera are predominantly herbivorous, feeding mainly on plant tissues of angiosperms. Some Lithosiini larvae, however, are capable of feeding on lichens, mosses, and algae, forming a distinctive ecological association within Lepidoptera. This study presents the first comprehensive investigation of the biology and larval morphology of Miltochrista pallida, a widespread representative of Asian Lithosiini. Through laboratory rearing and detailed observations under optical and scanning electron microscopy, it was found that the egg stage lasts approximately seven days, while the larval stage spans 21–31 days and consists of five instars. Early instars were observed feeding on moss-covered bark under laboratory conditions, whereas third through fifth instar larvae accepted mulberry leaves in addition to moss. This observation should be interpreted as laboratory feeding acceptance rather than evidence of a natural host plant association. Larvae of M. pallida exhibit several distinctive features, including mandibles with a mola, the presence of secondary setae from the first instar, and uniserial mesoseries crochets. These findings provide new morphological and biological evidence for identifying Lithosiini larvae and contribute to understanding the adaptive evolution of lichen- and moss-feeding strategies within Arctiinae.
Adhesions to the substrate are essential for anthozoans that develop large arborescent colonies, yet adult adhesion structures are difficult to study, and larval anchorages remain challenging to obtain. This study exploited the ability of the Mediterranean black coral Antipathella subpinnata to form new anchorages from adult fragments upon contact with a surface. The objectives were to assess the adhesive capacity of A. subpinnata, evaluate the role of biomineralogy, and determine whether other Mediterranean habitat-forming anthozoans exhibit comparable abilities. Long-term photographic monitoring was conducted on fragments of five species (one black coral and four gorgonians) under three experimental conditions, and the number, growth, and morphology of adhesions were analysed using histology, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.All species displayed morphological changes upon contact with the substrate, but only Paramuricea clavata and A. subpinnata developed well-formed adhesions. P. clavata showed specific responses, including a rigid membrane, coenenchyma flattening, lateral displacement of polyps, sclerite expulsion, and thread-like tentacles. Its adhesions exhibited limited development, expanding on average to 34% of their initial area, and the skeleton never reached the substratum. In contrast, A. subpinnata frequently produced permanent anchorages consisting of a basal chitinous lamina covered with spines. These adhesions underwent substantial morphological changes, expanding on average to 73% of their initial area.This study offers new insights into early adhesion mechanisms in arborescent anthozoans, suggesting greater skeletal plasticity in antipatharians than in gorgonians. It also documents, for the first time, the growth rates of newly formed anthozoan adhesions and a distinct mode of granular skeletal deposition in black corals. Biomineralogical preferences remain unresolved.
A new genus, Spinobala Ortiz-Tovar & Pinedo-Escatel gen. nov., is described to accommodate S. soctonae Ortiz-Tovar & Pinedo-Escatel sp. nov and S. metapanella (Kramer, 1963) comb. nov. from the Chiapas Highlands province. The new genus can be separated from other Neobalini genera by the unique next combination of external and internal features including: (1) rounded crown with anterior and posterior margin parallel, (2) forewing with three anteapical cells and rounded apex, (3) metafemur macrosetal formula 2 + 2+1, (4) anal tube with a pair of stout processes, and (5) apophysis of styles with a preapical transverse carina. A dichotomous key is provided and a map of distribution for Spinobala is given, which for S. metapanella comb. nov. is newly reported in Guatemala.
Protodrilids are minute, almost exclusively interstitial annelids lacking parapodia and chaetae, whose neuromuscular organization remains insufficiently known. We investigated sensory structures and the organization of the nervous and muscle systems in the protodrilid Lindrilus flavocapitatus using phalloidin staining and immunohistochemistry for 5HT, FMRFamide, and α-tubulin combined with confocal microscopy. The body-wall musculature of L. flavocapitatus includes outer diagonal, circular, inner diagonal (bracing), longitudinal, and oblique muscles. The pharyngeal bulb is more complex than previously reported in protodrilids and contains two morphologically distinct groups of transverse muscles. Serotonin-immunoreactive elements are few and concentrated in the cerebral ganglion, circumesophageal connectives, and ventral nerve cords (VNCs), with receptor cells restricted to the palps. Their distribution suggests a major role in regulating ciliary movement and innervating the anterior digestive tract. RFamide-immunoreactive neurons are much more numerous and occur in both central and peripheral nervous systems; RFamide-immunoreactive sensory cells include palpal receptors, phaosome-like structures, a row of preoral sensory cells, and receptor cells of the apical bud-shaped organ. In the anterior regions of the VNCs, 5HT-, RFamide-, and catecholamine-containing somata form segmentally repeated clusters, which contrasts with a more diffuse neuronal distribution in other studied Protodriliformia. Our results show that miniaturization in protodrilids is not necessarily accompanied by simplification and that confocal data can reveal fine anatomical features relevant for comparisons within the group. Several sensory structures of L. flavocapitatus cannot yet be confidently homologized with previously described sensory organs in protodrilids or other annelids and require further comparative and ultrastructural study.
We analysed the phylogenetic relationships of Aristena rechingeri, an extremely rare, large, flat-shelled snail from the Aegean island of Karpathos. Low-depth Illumina sequencing data obtained from an empty shell were available, but there was no reference genome or sequences of nuclear loci from the related taxa, so we attempted to resolve the phylogeny with mitogenome sequences. Our results support Aristena as a sister clade to the globular-shelled genera Helix and Maltzanella, providing no evidence for a close relationship to the similarly flat-shelled and geographically proximate Isaurica from Anatolia. Concurrently, we clarified the status of two other flat-shelled taxa (Isaurica callirhoe, Levantina menkhorsti). However, even data from complete mitogenomes do not resolve most of the other relationships among genera. The mitogenome sequences show variation in nucleotide compositions and substitution rates among species, making phylogenetic inference difficult even with complex mixture models. In general, our examination of the properties of the mitogenomes point to their dynamic and varied evolution, which misleads phylogenetic analyses even at shallow phylogenetic depths. Furthermore, we found that present annotation approaches produce incorrect results due to the way mature mitochondrial tRNAs are produced from raw transcripts and that duplications within the mitogenomes are not very rare.
A new monotypic genus of lycosids Dorrigocosa gen. nov. and the type species D. framenaui sp. nov. are described from the montane rainforests of eastern Australia. Phylogenetic analysis using nuclear and mitochondrial markers places Dorrigocosa within Venoniinae as a sister lineage to Anomalosa. The genus is distinguished from Venonia and Anomalosa by a set of somatic and genitalic characters, including a distinct colour pattern, the basal segment of the posterior spinnerets not elongated, a male palp with a sclerotized median apophysis and an epigyne with semicircular copulatory ducts. These small spiders are rainforest specialists, constructing silk retreats within decaying logs. Specimens were found exclusively from the highly restricted, isolated rainforests of Dorrigo National Park, New South Wales. Photographic records from the citizen science platform iNaturalist from nearby localities further support a strong association with this threatened habitat.
Australian salt lakes are distinctive ecosystems that support specialized biota and provide opportunities to study evolutionary and biogeographic processes. Many salt lakes occur along ancient river channels (palaeodrainage systems), which form natural replicates for testing hypotheses of vicariance and dispersal among isolated habitats. We examined the phylogeography and genetic structure of the Australian wolf spider Lycosa salifodina McKay, 1976, a salt lake habitat specialist widespread across south-western Australia. We tested the hypothesis that genetic structure in L. salifodina primarily reflects long-term isolation among palaeodrainage systems, with reduced population structuring in more frequently inundated and interconnected lakes. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial CO1 sequences from 26 specimens (collected 2023–2024) recovered three major clades (A–C) largely corresponding to discrete palaeodrainage systems. Clade A, occurring in north-western palaeodrainages (e.g. Lakes Barlee, Giles and Moore), showed >5% divergence from other clades. Clade B comprised populations from north-eastern inland palaeodrainages (Lakes Raeside, Ballard, Rebecca and Marmion), while Clade C included southern, near-coastal populations spanning multiple palaeodrainage systems. Genetic divergence within clades was low (1–3% pairwise divergence), with no haplotype sharing among localities. Molecular dating suggests that the L. salifodina complex originated approximately 15 million years ago during the Miocene, with divergence among the three major clades occurring within the last 4 million years, coinciding with increased salinization of palaeodrainage systems. Stronger genetic isolation in northern inland populations and weaker structuring in southern coastal lakes support the hypothesis that palaeodrainage history and hydrological connectivity jointly shape diversification in this species.
Parasitic castration by rhizocephalan barnacles is widely assumed to eliminate host reproductive capacity. In male Carcinus maenas infected by Sacculina carcini, the presence of the externa is widely regarded as causing functional reproductive suppression, both behaviourally and physiologically. However, the extent and reversibility of this suppression remain poorly documented. Here, we present the results of a series of behavioural and reproductive trials using C. maenas males naturally infected with S. carcini, collected from the Limfjorden, Denmark. In controlled laboratory experiments, we show that a majority of parasitised males, including some with visible adult externae, retain the ability to engage in mating behaviour, including courtship and pre-copulatory embrace of receptive, recently molted females. Mating success followed a predictable size hierarchy in competition trials, indicating that behavioural dominance is not disrupted by parasitism. Importantly, dissections revealed that females paired with parasitised males had received spermatophores containing morphologically intact spermatozoa in both examined cases-one from a male with a developing externa and the other from a male two months post-extirpation-providing evidence that fertility is likely retained despite infection. These findings suggest that reproductive suppression in S. carcini-infected C. maenas males may be incomplete and context-dependent. We discuss the implications for understanding host-parasite dynamics, potential recovery after parasite removal, and the broader ecological role of parasitised and previously parasitised males in natural crab populations.
A new species of the genus Filenchus was recovered from rhizosphere soil in South Africa and is herein described as Filenchus safricana n. sp. The species was characterised using an integrative approach combining morphology, morphometrics, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S rDNA marker. Filenchus safricana n. sp. is distinguished by a body length of 420-612 & micro;m (a = 30.4-45.3, b = 5.3-7.1, c = 5.2-6.9, V = 61-74), a low, continuous lip region with five annuli, amphidial openings sinus shaped, confined to the labial plate as observed under SEM, a short stylet (8.0-9.5 & micro;m), lateral field with two incisures, an oval median bulb lacking a distinct valve, a short post-uterine sac (8.5-15.0 & micro;m), and a long filiform tail (65-112 & micro;m). Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA placed the new species within a clade including an unidentified Filenchus sp. (FJ949565) and Filenchus facultativus (KJ869310), with high posterior probability support (PP = 1.00). Despite this relationship, the new species is clearly distinguished from closely related taxa by a combination of morphological and morphometric characters, particularly stylet length, amphidial structure, and tail morphology. Discriminant analysis based on morphometric data further supported its distinctiveness, achieving 100% correct classification. The present study provides detailed illustrations, and SEM micrographs, morphometric data, and molecular evidence supporting the establishment of F. safricana n. sp. as a new species.
The Euthyneura, a remarkably successful and diverse infraclass of gastropods within the Heterobranchia, have successfully adapted to a wide range of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats. Despite their ecological success, the phylogenetic relationships within this group have remained a subject of debate. This research addresses some of these ambiguities by sequencing, and analyzing five new Euthyneura mitochondrial genomes. The sequenced genomes ranged in length from 13,832 nt to 14,369 nt and showed a strong AT nucleotide preference. While most species had the typical 37 mitochondrial genes, Meghimatium bilineatum was a notable exception, as it lacked the atp8 gene. Gene arrangement also varied significantly among the species. Limacus flavus shared an identical gene order with Lissachatina fulica, whereas M. bilineatum displayed the most extensive rearrangements, affecting both protein-coding and tRNA genes. Phylogenomic analysis, which focused on the first and second codon positions to avoid substitution saturation, provided strong support for the monophyly of both Euthyneura and Stylommatophora. Bayesian inference under a site-heterogeneous model yielded betterresolved relationships within Euthyneura than maximum likelihood analyses employing site-homogeneous model. While certain superfamilies and families were consistently recovered as monophyletic, others like Limacoidea and Helicoidea were not. The study successfully clarified the phylogenetic placement of the four newly sequenced Stylommatophora species: Laevicaulis alte was placed within Veronicellidae, Megaustenia imperator in Ariophantidae, L. flavus as a sister to Ambigolimax valentianus, and M. bilineatum within Arionoidea. Overall, this study offers insights into the phylogeny of Euthyneura and is expected to create a framework for future systematic studies.
