Behningia baei McCafferty & Jacobus, 2006 was only known from the nymphal stage and recorded from two localities in Thailand. While the winged stages have been described for four congeners of Behningia, those of B. baei have not yet been documented.Here, we present the first morphological description of the female subimago of B. baei based on reared specimens collected from sandy-bottomed rivers in northern Thailand. We compare diagnostic characters of the female subimago with those of known species of Behningia. In addition, we provide data on burrowing behaviour in fine-sand substrate. Our findings bring new biological and behavioural data for this rare genus.
Expanding DNA barcode reference libraries is essential to support ecological surveys, conservation assessments and future metabarcoding applications. Réunion Island (Mascarene's Archipelago) hosts a rich diversity of pteridophytes despite its small surface area. Although the chloroplastic rbcL sequences are available for several fern taxa in public databases, additional regions with high variability such as trnH–psbA are still under-represented for the Réunion pteridoflora. This dataset has been produced in the framework of the FRBOL (FRench Barcode Of Life) network.The current curated DNA barcode dataset contains 84 pteridophyte species from Réunion Island, representing approximately 25% of the pteridophyte species present on the Island. All specimens were morphologically identified by a specialist and are preserved as vouchers in the public herbarium of the University of Réunion (REU). A total of 163 sequences of rbcLa (86) and trnH–psbA (77) were generated and deposited in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) with complete associated metadata and photos. While numerous rbcLa sequences were already available on GenBank, our dataset provides newlygenerated sequences linked to curated vouchers on BOLD and substantially increases the representation of trnH–psbA for the Island’s pteridophytes. Additionally, this work documents the first record of Pteris ensiformis Burm.f., an exotic species for Réunion. Morphological examination allowed the identification of this newly-recorded species, which was corroborated by molecular analyses.
The landscape in the Midwest, USA (limited to the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) has undergone dramatic shifts from the historic natural settings to agricultural and urbanised landscapes over the past two centuries following European colonisation. These shifts have restructured community assemblages and species distributions of aquatic insects, particularly stoneflies, an insect order susceptible to regional and local extirpations following anthropogenic, climatic and environmental alterations. Within the Midwest, species extirpations at a broad scale have been documented for multiple states, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Illinois and Minnesota appear to have lost endemics to extinction. To better understand how species distributions have shifted over the past two centuries, we have compiled records of species occurrences from the mid-19 th century to the present day. In preparation for a comprehensive assessment of the Midwest stonefly fauna, we present a species occurrence dataset composed of approximately 50,000 records. This dataset spans from the early 1860s through 2025. These data have been compiled from 26 regional natural history museums, a review of published literature records and collecting efforts by the authors since 1987. This dataset presents occurrence records for 157 regional species from 41 genera, representing nine of ten Nearctic stonefly families. Of these species, 21 are new state records, including three species recorded for the first time within the Midwest region. The new state records include two from Illinois, two from Indiana, one from Iowa, one from Michigan, nine from Minnesota, five from Ohio and seven from Wisconsin. Overall, these updates bring the total known richness for Illinois to 85, Indiana to 93, Iowa to 47, Michigan to 71, Minnesota to 65, Ohio to 109 and Wisconsin to 68. State richness declines along east-west and south-north gradients. The five most species-rich families were Perlidae (n = 42), Perlodidae (n = 38), Capniidae (n = 21), Chloroperlidae (n = 15) and Nemouridae (n = 15). The contemporary Midwest fauna is diminished compared to historical community richness and composition, through both regional and state extirpations and extinctions. Despite intensive contemporary collection efforts throughout the region, 13 species are known solely from historical collections. Each Midwest state experienced extirpations. The greatest losses occurred in Illinois, with 16 species that were absent in collections made after 1970. This was followed by Indiana (n = 9), Michigan (n = 8), Ohio (n = 8), Minnesota (n = 7), Wisconsin (n = 2) and Iowa (n = 1). The greatest losses were within the families Perlidae and Perlodidae, with 17 and eight species extirpated from at least one state by 1970, respectively.
Grass and water snakes of the genus Natrix are a dominant component of the Palaearctic reptile fauna, with a broad distribution ranging from North Africa across much of Europe to Lake Baikal in Central Asia. As part of a series of studies on the phylogeography and systematics of the group, a large database of mtDNA sequences and microsatellite genotypes was compiled for all five Natrix species.We present a range-wide genetic database comprising georeferenced information for approximately 3,700 snakes belonging to the grass snake complex (i.e. Natrix astreptophora, N. helvetica, N. natrix), N. maura, N. tessellata and interspecific hybrids. This unique repository can serve as a comprehensive resource for phylogeographic, population genetic and systematic studies, as well as for monitoring hybrid zone dynamics and future anthropogenic hybridisation and admixture resulting from translocated non-native snakes.
BackgroundThe genus Podosphaeraster comprises seven species, characterised by a distinctive spherical body, all currently known from the seabed at depths below approximately 70 m. Its peculiar morphology has made its phylogenetic placement a subject of ongoing debate. It was initially suggested to be placed in Sphaerasteridae, the same family as fossil species. However, subsequent detailed skeletal analyses of the fossil forms suggested that this similarity was likely due to convergent evolution. Recent molecular analyses have revealed that Valvatida, in which the genus is currently placed, is likely a large polyphyletic group, leaving its taxonomic position still unresolved.New informationA detailed examination of the internal skeletal structure of Podosphaeraster toyoshiomaruae, collected from the seas around Japan, was conducted using micro-focus X-ray computed tomography. Concurrently, shotgun sequencing was performed to identify key molecular markers for recent asteroid phylogeny. Additionally, shotgun sequencing determined the complete mitochondrial genome. Despite conservative evolution amongst asteroidean mitochondrial genomes, a translocation of the COX2 gene was revealed, representing the first discovery of a major protein-coding gene translocation within Asteroidea.In the phylogenetic tree, P. toyoshiomaruae was positioned as the most basal lineage within Valvatida. However, the statistical support for this placement was low, potentially due to the long-branch attraction caused by the excessively rapid evolutionary rate.Images reconstructed by micro-CT confirmed the presence of calcified reinforcement in the mesentery and showed its detailed structure for the first time.The mesentery skeleton was found to connect to the V-plate and five pairs of plates, including three kinds of marginal plates. This suggests that the marginal plates of this species may not be homologous with those of other asteroids.Although varying degrees of marginal plate reduction are shared with the order Velatida, we consider this to be a case of convergent evolution. Our phylogenetic analysis indicates a close relationship between P. toyoshiomaruae and Poraniidae (and other Valvatida), all of which possess marginal plates differentiated to varying extents, the homology of which remains uncertain.
Hemiglyptinus Shenefelt, 1978 is a monotypic genus of the subfamily Braconinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) with only one described species worldwide. The biology of this genus is still unknown. Up to present, Hemiglyptinus has not been recorded from China. This study reports the first record of the genus Hemiglyptinus in the Hainan Province of China; the newly-recorded species, Hemiglyptinus flavus (Ashmead, 1905), is re-described and illustrated.
Background:Large millipedes of the family Spirostreptidae are often kept in zoos and other educational living collections in the United States where they are commonly known as giant African millipedes. Although accurate species determinations are needed for permitting, live animal care protocols and outreach, many of these millipedes originate from poorly-documented sources (e.g. the exotic species trade). This leaves species determination unclear and hampers understanding and communicating the species natural history and other biological information. New information:We found that Spiropoeus fischeri Brandt, 1833 is the identity of a large millipede commonly exhibited alive by zoos in the U.S. Although this large (14 cm-long), easy-to-raise millipede has been kept for decades in living exhibits, its identity was unknown until now. We provide a detailed explanation of the diagnostic morphology to identify S. fischeri, and supply cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA barcode sequences of individuals. With accurate knowledge of its identity, zoos and educational collections can now share with the public a species name and rich biological information about S. fischeri, including its life history and home range in sub-Saharan Africa.
This short communication is to inform the scientific community of the closing of Species 2000. The organisation was registered in the United Kingdom for 28 years and officially closed its doors as of 5 May 2026. It was responsible for building a "federation" of database organisations, taxonomists and sponsoring agencies that produced the most complete list of biological scientific names for life on Earth. Responsibility for continuing the Catalogue of Life data product and infrastructure has been transferred to the Catalogue of Life Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation registered in the Netherlands since May 2022. The former board members of Species 2000 wish the board of the Catalogue of Life Foundation best wishes for a fruitful continuance of the mission of the Catalogue of Life.
Triple clutching within a single breeding season is rarely documented in falcons, particularly under captive conditions. This study reports the occurrence of triple clutching in three falcon species - Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) - reared in captivity in Bulgaria. Two breeding pairs per species were monitored during the 2011-2020 breeding seasons under controlled conditions with optimal husbandry and nutritional regimes. Clutch frequency, egg production, fertility rates, hatching success and chick survival were recorded for each pair. Results revealed that both monitored pairs of each species produced three successive clutches within a single season, with varying degrees of reproductive success. These findings suggest that under good captive conditions, triple clutching is a feasible reproductive strategy in falcons and may significantly enhance the productivity of conservation breeding programmes. Further research is needed to determine the physiological limits and welfare implications of induced high‑frequency breeding in raptors Triple clutching within a single breeding season is rarely documented in falcons, particularly under captive conditions. This study reports the occurrence of triple clutching in three falcon species - the Common Kestrel, Saker Falcon and Peregrine Falcon - maintained in captivity and monitored over the 2011-2020 breeding seasons. Two breeding pairs per species were observed under controlled husbandry and nutritional conditions and clutch frequency, egg production, fertilisation, hatching success, chick survival and breeding outcome were recorded for each pair. All monitored pairs produced three successive clutches within a single breeding season, although the mechanism differed amongst species. Triple clutching occurred naturally in Common Kestrels under full parental care, whereas in Saker and Peregrine Falcons, it was induced through egg removal and artificial incubation. Reproductive output remained high across successive clutches, with viable eggs and healthy chicks produced in all three species, despite some reduction in egg size in later clutches of Saker and Peregrine Falcons. These findings demonstrate considerable reproductive plasticity in falcons and show that, under favourable captive conditions, triple clutching can substantially increase breeding output. The results highlight the practical value of multi-clutch breeding for captive propagation and conservation programmes involving re-introduction or population reinforcement.
Numerous Calanthe (Orchidaceae) species are considered food-deceptive orchids because they attract floral visitors without providing rewards. In this study, we investigated floral visitors and their different types of behaviour in natural populations of Calanthe discolor and C. striata in South Korea during peak flowering to identify pollinaria-carrying visitors and assess whether the observations suggest potential pollinator sharing between the two taxa. A total of 73 visitation events involving 17 insect species were recorded on C. discolor. Diptera accounted for most visitation events, but no dipteran or lepidopteran visitors carried pollinaria. Pollinaria attachment was confirmed only in hymenopteran visitors (Andrena opacifovea, Apis cerana, Ceratina japonica and Lasioglossum formosae) that probed deeply into the spur. In C. striata, a single visitation event by Eucera nipponensis was recorded and the observed individual carried pollinaria on the head and transported them between flowers. This observation is consistent with previous reports from Japan and suggests a possible mechanism of pollinator sharing that should be tested through broader temporal and population-level observations. The results reveal a clear mismatch between visitation frequency and pollinaria transport in C. discolor, with pollinaria attachment restricted to a subset of bee visitors. Together with previous studies, our findings support a generalised food-deceptive pollination strategy in C. discolor mediated by locally available bees. This study provides baseline field evidence on floral visitors and pollinaria transport in Korean Calanthe and establishes testable hypotheses for future studies of reproductive interactions amongst closely-related taxa.
Background:This data paper details the publication of a dataset derived from the scorpion (Order Scorpiones C.L. Koch, 1850) collections preserved at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), Brussels. The dataset includes all 3,652 specimens mostly identified to genus or species level during a recent re-evaluation. To maximise accessibility and interoperability, the entire dataset was fully standardised using the Darwin Core (DwC) standard and published as open data. The published dataset comprises a significant collection of records, encompassing eleven families, 56 genera and 117 species of scorpions. Geographically, the specimens originate from a wide range of locations, in 59 countries. The records within this dataset span a substantial chronological period, with collection dates ranging from 1872 to 2023. Most of the specimens were collected during expeditions led by researchers of RBINS. New information:The mobilisation and standardisation of this rich historical collection provide a valuable resource for global biodiversity informatics, supporting crucial research in taxonomy, ecology and biogeography of the order Scorpiones.
When waterfowl are kept in mixed collections in captivity, interbreeding between different species can often be observed. Five cases of hybridisation between different ducks and teals raised together have been described. The first case from 2011 was a cross between a male Hottentot teal ( Spatula hottentota ) and a female Silver teal ( Spatula versicolor ), from the same genus Spatula, the offspring resembling the mother in size, while in decoration, it primarily took on the features of the father. In a second hybridisation from 2018, between a male Ferruginous duck ( Aythya nyroca ) and a female Mandarin duck ( Aix galericulata ), the hybrids strongly resembled the father. In 2020, the third hybridisation occurred between the male Brazilian teal ( Amazonetta brasiliensis ) and the female Ringed teal ( Callonetta leucophrys ), with their offspring more similar in colour and size to the father. In 2025, two cases of interspecific hybridisation were observed between a male Baikal teal ( Sibirionetta formosa ) and a female Falcated duck ( Mareca falcata ), with the offspring having predominantly dominant paternal traits. The latest case of hybridisation is between a Chestnut teal ( Anas castanea ) and a Wood duck ( Aix sponsa ), with the offspring being intermediate in traits between the species.
Background:Miyun Reservoir is north China's largest artificial reservoir and vital drinking water supply for Beijing and is a key stopover for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). Previous literature indicates that continuous high-water-level regulation starting in 2015 may alter shallow wetland habitats and migratory bird distribution patterns; previous studies reported a decline in reservoir waterbird occupancy from 79% (2018) to 56% (2022). However, no complete annual-cycle synchronous waterbird census covering the full reservoir basin has been published to date. This paper releases standardised synchronous survey data collected across Miyun Reservoir in 2023. This one-year dataset provides a spatial and temporal baseline for future multi-year ecological modelling and comparative analysis, rather than direct evidence to quantify long-term ecological changes driven by reservoir water management. New information:We publish the first full annual-cycle standardised waterbird dataset covering all 14 fixed sampling stations of Miyun Reservoir, with four seasonal synchronous surveys implemented between 10 April and 16 October 2023. A total of 32 waterbird species and 25,180 individuals were recorded, generating 198 unique Darwin Core-compliant occurrence records archived on GBIF with a permanent DOI (https://doi.org/10.15468/vfjx35). The dataset delivers baseline abundance and distribution data for resident and migratory waterbird assemblages within the reservoir basin.
Abalone is an economically important mollusc in the aquaculture industry; however, research on the morphological classification and geographical origin tracing of abalone species remains limited. In the present study, a total of 177 specimens were collected, comprising five abalone species — Haliotis madaka (T. Habe, 1977), Haliotis diversicolor Reeve, 1846, Haliotis gigantea Gmelin, 1791, Haliotis ovina Gmelin, 1791 and Haliotis discus hannai Ino, 1953 (including samples from wild and cultured populations in Liaoning Province, as well as a cultured population in Fujian Province). Generalised Procrustes Analysis (GPA) was applied to standardise the landmark data, thereby removing non-morphological sources of variation. Subsequently, multivariate statistical methods — including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) were employed to quantify morphological differences. PCA results showed that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 62.23% and 12.68% of the total morphological variance amongst the five species, respectively, with a cumulative contribution of 74.91%. For the three H. discus hannai populations (Liaoning-wild, Liaoning-cultured and Fujian-cultured), PC1 and PC2 explained 50.57% and 12.07% of the total variance, respectively. CVA revealed that the first two canonical variates accounted for 69.59% of the overall shape variation amongst groups. These findings demonstrate that geometric morphometric approaches effectively distinguish amongst the five abalone species examined and successfully differentiate between wild and cultured specimens of H. discus hannai . However, the two cultured populations from Liaoning and Fujian Provinces exhibited considerable morphological overlap along the primary discriminant axis, precluding complete separation.
Kazakhstan is usually associated with steppes; only 5% of the territory is covered by forests. The forest areas are small and located in the Altai and Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, as well as the northern border of the country. Forest "oases" are also present in Central Kazakhstan. These are unique and almost unexplored relict forest sites, historically linked to the boreal forests of Altai and Siberia. These forests are relatively small and placed in isolated areas of the Kazakh Upland mountain ranges, surrounded by vast steppe landscapes. Until now, vegetation data from Central Kazakhstan (especially forest habitats) are still limited in digital repositories. Therefore, the aim of this work was to summarise, standardise and publish the vegetation relevés collected in Central Kazakhstan. The presented dataset is the first open-access relevé collection that contributes to the knowledge of the current vegetation of the Kazakh Uplands, Central Kazakhstan. It provides 117 vegetation plots (3473 associated occurrences) sampled in 2014 and 2022–2025. The data cover two IUCN nature-protected areas (Karkaraly and Buiratau State National Natural Parks), Ulytau State National Natural Park and the Ortau and Bektauata Mountains, as well as ecologically valuable nature areas without protected status. Data on invasive vascular plant species occurrences are provided for the first time.
Background:The nudibranch genus Dendrodoris Ehrenberg, 1831 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia, Dendrodorididae) comprises a group of marine gastropods commonly known as "doris"nudibranchs. Members of this genus are characterised by their soft, flattened bodies, lack of radular teeth and reliance on sponge prey for nutrition. D. arborescens (Collingwood, 1881) originally was described from the Haitan Strait in the East China Sea, subsequent records having been reported from South Korea, Japan, Australia and the Philippines. New information:This study documents the first record of the dendrodorid nudibranch Dendrodoris arborescens (Collingwood, 1881) from the northern Yellow Sea, China. This study is based on twenty specimens collected from the lower intertidal zone at Heishijiao, Dalian, China (38.864987N, 121.548425E) between December 2023 and September 2024.The species identification was confirmed through morphological examination and molecular analysis of the COI gene sequence. This discovery extends the known northern distributional limit of the species by approximately 800 km from Jeju Island, South Korea and represents the first record of both the species and the genus Dendrodoris Ehrenberg, 1831 in northern Chinese waters. The potential role of the Kuroshio Current extension in facilitating long-distance dispersal of planktotrophic larvae is discussed, along with the significance of this finding for updating the marine biodiversity inventory of northern Chinese waters.
Background:The genus Cephalispa Malloch, 1935 (Diptera, Muscidae, Coenosiinae) includes 32 species worldwide and is mainly distributed in the Oriental and Afrotropical Regions, with few records from the Palaearctic Region. The genus remains poorly known and has not previously been recorded from Korea. New information:Cephalispa acerca (Xue, Wang & Ni., 1990) is recorded from Korea for the first time, representing the first national record of the genus and the easternmost record of the species. The male is re-described and the female is described for the first time. An identification key to the males of East Asian species is provided. Predatory behaviour was repeatedly observed under natural conditions, with individuals capturing small insects using an ambush strategy on herbaceous leaves. This represents the first ecological information for the genus. These findings improve the understanding of the taxonomy, distribution and ecology of Cephalispa in East Asia.
Background:Microdaccus Schaum, 1864 and Psammodromius Peyerimhoff, 1927 are regarded as two closely-related taxa of Lebiinae, comprising a total of 11 species. The species known to date occur from south-eastern Europe and Egypt to Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Iran. New information:Microdaccus birgitae sp. nov. is described from the Hajar Mountains, Sultanate of Oman. Characterised by its slender pronotum with lateral margin almost not widened to hind angles and strongly rounded elytra, this species extends the known distribution range of the genus to the southern Arabian Peninsula. We studied taxonomically most of the Microdaccus and Psammodromius species, including some type material, re-assessing characters and rank Psammodromius Peyerimhoff, 1927 stat. nov. as a subgenus of Microdaccus Schaum, 1857. An illustrated key enables the identification of the known Microdaccus species.
Nitella gracilis (Charophyceae) is a rare charophyte, previously considered regionally extinct in Slovakia. During a systematic survey of charophytes conducted between 2021 and 2025, new localities of this species were discovered. These findings represent the first confirmed records of the species in Slovakia in more than 45 years. The results highlight the importance of small temporary waterbodies such as forest road puddles for the conservation of charophytes. We found Nitella gracilis in two localities. The first locality was found in a forest pool in the Krupinská planina Mountains, while the second consisted of 23 microsites, located in road puddles near the village of Sklené in the Turčianska kotlina Basin. The water in pools supporting N. gracilis ranged from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 5.7–7.5) and exhibited relatively low electrical conductivity (21–274 μS/cm). At the second locality, phytosociological relevés were recorded around stands dominated by N. gracilis and classed as the association Nitelletum gracilis . Based on the limited number of confirmed sites, we propose changing its national Red List status from Regionally Extinct (RE) to Endangered (EN (B1, B2a, c)) (IUCN 2012a, IUCN 2012b, IUCN 2024).
