Groundwater ecosystems host a diverse yet poorly understood fauna, largely due to their inaccessibility and the prevalence of cryptic species. These organisms often exhibit convergent adaptations (troglomorphy), such as loss of pigmentation and eyes, which can mask true phylogenetic relationships and impede species delimitation based solely on morphology. This study investigates the diversity of three populations of the stygobiont amphipod genus Niphargus from springs in Iran using an integrative taxonomic approach, combining molecular data (mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S rRNA genes) with traditional morphological analysis. Phylogenetic reconstructions placed all three populations within the N. alisadri subclade. Despite minimal differentiation in the 28S marker and only subtle morphological divergence, species delimitation analyses (ASAP and bPTP) of COI sequences and genetic distance calculations identified the populations as comprising two putative new species. We describe these as N. hamedanensis sp. nov. and N. arakensis sp. nov. The small but significant genetic and inferred functional differences between these species and N. alisadri suggest a recent evolutionary divergence, potentially driven by allopatric isolation in higher altitude refugia. This discovery of cryptic diversity highlights the necessity of molecular methods for uncovering groundwater biodiversity and presents a model system for studying the initial stages of speciation in subterranean environments.
Military zones (MZs) can provide important opportunities for conserving natural ecosystems. Gyeryongsan National Park contains both MZs and non-military zones (NMZs), offering a setting to assess the role of MZs in biodiversity conservation. To examine medium- and large-sized mammal distribution, we deployed 21 camera-traps from May to November 2021—six in the MZ and 15 in the NMZ—and compiled 36 environmental predictors across multiple spatial scales. Temporal activity patterns were compared between zones using kernel density estimation, and spatial habitat use was assessed with Bayesian single-species occupancy models. Community composition was broadly similar between zones; however, two disturbance-sensitive carnivores, the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), differed in their spatiotemporal responses. The leopard cat showed higher estimated occupancy in the MZ, whereas the marten exhibited zone-specific diel activity patterns. In contrast, several more disturbance-tolerant or generalist species, including water deer (Hydropotes inermis), wild boar (Sus scrofa), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and Asian badger (Meles leucurus) were more strongly associated with the NMZ. Taken together, our results suggest that MZs can function as low-disturbance refuges for sensitive species and provide conservation value complementary to NMZs, although long-term, multi-site monitoring is needed to determine whether these findings can be generalized across military zones.
Understanding how co-occurring migratory species differ in movement strategy is essential for predicting their responses to habitat change along flyways. Using GPS tracking data from 95 individuals of six dabbling duck species wintering in South Korea—Baikal Teal (Sibirionetta formosa), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Eurasian Teal (A. crecca), Mallard (A. platyrhynchos), Eurasian Wigeon (A. penelope), and Eastern Spot-billed Duck (A. zonorhyncha)—we compared spring migration metrics, stopover ecology, and migratory connectivity. Distribution-specific generalized linear mixed models, with species as a fixed effect and year as a random intercept, identified interspecific differences in total migration distance, mean migration speed, maximum daily distance, maximum inter-stopover latitudinal shift, night movement ratio, and mean and maximum stopover duration, whereas migration duration did not differ. Differences in stopover number, mean inter-stopover latitudinal shift, and route straightness were weaker or model-sensitive. Northern Pintail and Baikal Teal showed the longest migrations, Baikal Teal the largest maximum daily movements, and Mallard and Eastern Spot-billed Duck shorter, lower-intensity movements. Eurasian Wigeon showed the longest stopover durations, whereas Northern Pintail and Eurasian Teal showed high observed stopover counts, indicating species-specific combinations of movement and stopover use along a multidimensional time–energy trade-off continuum. Stopover sites were concentrated along the Yellow Sea coast, northeastern China, and the southern Russian Far East. Mantel correlations were small and non-significant in the tracked samples, although nearest-neighbour indices revealed differences in local spatial structure. These findings show that dabbling ducks sharing a wintering region can adopt divergent migration strategies and stopover-network use. Conservation planning in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway should prioritize key staging areas, notably the Yellow Sea region, and the connectivity and redundancy of species-specific stopover networks.
Integrating biodiversity sampling with pathobiology is vital for pandemic preparedness and wildlife conservation in the One Health context. While natural history museums increasingly house pathobiology-relevant specimens, standardized field protocols and datasheets are needed to maximize the research value of vouchers and associated samples collected through both lethal and non-lethal sampling approaches. This review aims to bridge the gap between field biologists and pathobiologists by providing a comprehensive guide to optimizing vertebrate sample collection for downstream pathobiological applications. We outline best practices for collecting a variety of sample types, including whole blood, serum, swab samples (e.g. cloacal, nasopharyngeal, etc.), ectoparasites, and organ tissues, for both lethal and non-lethal sampling designs. A central focus of this review is the management of the cold chain and the selection of appropriate storage buffers under varied field conditions with the intention of preserving nucleic acid and immunological analytes. We rank collection methods based on their pathobiological utility and feasibility in resource-constrained or remote environments. Intentional, pathobiology-focused sampling significantly expands the scientific utility of biodiversity collections. We provide scalable recommendations that allow researchers to navigate budgetary, logistical, and biosafety constraints while ensuring high-quality material for downstream assays, thereby promoting an interdisciplinary approach to global health monitoring.
In insects, the midgut is the primary organ where chemical digestion and nutrient absorption occur, while the Malpighian tubules play a critical role in removing metabolic waste and maintaining osmoregulation, making them vital to the functioning of the digestive and excretory systems. Therefore, in this study, the morphological structure of the midgut and Malpighian tubules of Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) was examined using stereo, light, and electron microscopes. According to this study’s findings, the digestive system of O. funesta consists of three sections: the midgut, located between them, is the longest and extends as a straight, tube-like structure from the foregut, forming two annular structures toward the hindgut. The midgut is characterized by a single-layered cylindrical epithelium, a thin muscle layer, and a peritrophic membrane in the lumen; the epithelial cells exhibit apocrine secretion, and regenerative cells at the base; in SEM images of the midgut, secretory vesicles in the lumen and short microvilli extending from the apical surface of the epithelial cells are discernible. The Malpighian tubules, on the other hand, are a pair of long, tubular structures with flat surfaces that extend from the midgut to the hindgut. Light and SEM examinations of these tubules reveal microvilli extending from the apical surface of a single-layered cuboidal epithelium with round nuclei. This study aims to characterize the midgut and Malpighian tubules of O. funesta, supporting comparative studies in Scarabaeidae and future development of selective pest management strategies.
