Pathologies et irrégularités crânio-dentaires chez la girafe (Giraffa spp.). Les girafes (Giraffa spp.) comptent parmi les représentants les plus emblématiques de la mégafaune africaine. Pourtant, les données publiées sur leurs pathologies en général restent rares. Notre étude a rapporté de multiples cas de pathologies et d'irrégularités crânio-dentaires chez les quatre espèces de girafes, sur la base d'un vaste ensemble de données comprenant 516 crânes. Les irrégularités dentaires comprenaient des morphologies anormales, des dents mal alignées ou absentes, une usure dentaire irrégulière et des fractures dentaires. Les cas crâniens comprenaient la parodontite (observée dans une proportion considérable de l'ensemble de données; n = 206, 39,9 %), une asymétrie de taille et d'orientation des ossicones (due à des variations développementales ou à un traumatisme), un traumatisme possiblement causé par une agression intraspécifique, une néoplasie, un nez tordu et une fente nasale. Les causes de ces pathologies semblent être congénitales (par exemple, un nez tordu), comportementales (par exemple, des blessures lors de combats) ou environnementales (par exemple, une parodontite liée à l'alimentation). Ce rapport préliminaire sur les pathologies/irrégularités crâniennes des girafes sert de base de données de référence pour permettre la détection de déformations similaires chez différentes espèces de girafes, et peut-être chez d'autres espèces également.
A homolid crab of the genus Yaldwynopsis Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995, collected using traps at a depth of 310 m off Guadeloupe Island, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea, represents the first record of the genus in the Atlantic Ocean. The specimen, an ovigerous female, is compared with the four known species of the genus, all previously described from the Pacific Ocean. It is identified as a new species (Y. couppeyi n. sp.) and formally described in this study. Additionally, a key to all known Yaldwynopsis species is provided, along with discussions on geographic distributions and fishing gear selectivity.
To date, there is no real consensus on the taxonomic status of the family Gecarcinidae H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (land crabs or terrestrial crabs), which is generally considered to comprise seven genera (without including Epigrapsus Heller, 1862) and is currently subordinate to the superfamily Grapsoidea MacLeay, 1838. The congruence between adult morphology and larval data allows us to elevate Gecarcinidae to a higher rank and, by providing a diagnosis, to formally establish the Gecarcinoidea H. Milne Edwards, 1837 n. stat. Contrary to the current view, morphology alone, with its unique characters, argues in favour of a superfamily Gecarcinoidea very distinct from the Grapsoidea. Furthermore, the adult morphology and larval data highlight the heterogeneity of Gecarcinoidea n. stat. and, in addition, the existence of separately evolving lineages within it, as documented by Guinot et al. (2018). Recent genetic studies have confirmed the diversity of the group, so that, despite unambiguous morphological and biological similarities supporting the Gecarcinoidea n. stat., this group can be divided into two groups of genera sharing a set of characters that allows the relevant criteria for their delimitation to be explicitly recognised. These two groups therefore deserve formal nomina, as follows: Gecarcinidae restrict. to encompass the genera Gecarcinus Leach, 1814, Gecarcoidea H. Milne Edwards, 1837, Hartnollius Guinot, Rodriguez Moreno & Toledano-Carrasco, 2025, and Johngarthia T & uuml;rkay, 1970; and Cardisomatidae n. fam. to encompass the genera Cardisoma Latreille in Le Peletier, Serville & Gu & eacute;rin, 1828, Discoplax A. Milne Edwards, 1867 and Tuerkayana Guinot, N. K. Ng & Rodriguez Moreno, 2018. The case of the genus Discoplax, whose three species all live in caves, often in water, and which are included in the family of terrestrial crabs Gecarcinidae sensu lato despite significant morphological differences, is discussed. Cardisomatidae n. fam. forms a group of land crabs that are less terrestrial than Gecarcinidae restrict., and this difference in the degree of terrestriality is reflected in morphological characters that allow them to be differentiated. The morphological study of a series of new characters, practically never used in carcinological taxonomy, namely the female pleon and telson, as well as the female pleopods, provides a new informative dataset for the family-level discrimination of Gecarcinoidea n. stat. The Gecarcinoidea n. stat. becomes a crown group of Thoracotremata Guinot, 1977. Based on morphological, biological, larval, and genetic data, Epigrapsus Heller, 1862, generally considered a Gecarcinidae sensu lato, though often in an isolated position, and containing only two species, is here split into two genera, namely Epigrapsus restrict. and Grapsodes Heller, 1865 (which we are reviving), each with a new diagnosis. These two genera share no characters that could link them to either the Cardisomatidae n. fam. or the Gecarcinidae restrict.: rather different from each other, each could represent a distinct family within the Grapsoidea sensu lato, unless they can be incorporated into other existing families of shore crabs or others groups.
Brachiopods are one of the minor phyla of marine invertebrates, and representatives of the superfamily Discinoidea Gray, 1840 are rare. To date, six species of the genus Discradisca Stenzel, 1964 are known, mainly from coastal waters around the world. A new species of Discradisca is described here from northwestern Borneo: Discradisca borneensis n. sp., widely distributed in shallow waters of the South China Sea, in Sarawak, Sabah (East Malaysia) and Brunei Darussalam. The low conical dorsal valve of the new species is ornamented by 125-135 tuberculate radial costellae. The irregularly subhexagonal ventral valve has an elongated, ovoid pedicle foramen, and rounded, smooth and white pedicle area. The outer part of the ventral valve is ornamented by numerous (about 180) closely spaced radial costellae without tuberculated appearance. During this work, it was noted that Acmaea semicornea Preston, 1908, a little-known gastropod species described from the Andaman Islands (India), also belongs to the genus Discradisca. Examination of the type material shows that it is a senior synonym of Discradisca indica Dall, 1920, a species widely distributed in South Asia. Although the name semicornea was previously unused by researchers specialising in brachiopods, it has priority over the name indica, which has been used for a long time but does not meet the criteria of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (Art. 23.9) for a reversal of precedence.
The genus Merohister Reitter, 1909 comprises seven recognized species, most of which exhibit a broad distribution across multiple biogeographic regions worldwide. Two species have been recorded from India, M. jekeli (Marseul, 1857) and M. asoka (Lewis, 1910). Both species were re-examined on a large sample of specimens collected from buffalo carcass disposal sites in Punjab, India, and both are redescribed in detail, supported by high-resolution images, highlighting their diagnostic morphological features. For the first time, the male genitalia ofM. asoka are described and illustrated, enhancing the taxonomic understanding of this species. Multivariate studies of 14 morphometric features (Principal Component Analysis and Canonical Discriminant Function) further support the delimitation of both species, demonstrating the value of an integrative approach in their redescription.
Although the colossal work consisting of Martinet's Planches enlumin & eacute;es (1765-1780) and Buffon & Gu & eacute;neau de Montbeillard's Histoire naturelle des Oiseaux (1771-1783) does not include any scientific names, their importance in avian nomenclature remains paramount. Several authors subsequently introduced the Linnaean binomens to the French names of the Planches enlumin & eacute;es, thereby making the specimen that served as the model a type. Specimens from the Buffon era, like all bird specimens from before 1800, are very rare in ornithological collections. Nine 'Buffon' specimens have been identified in the Baillon ornithological collection (La Ch & acirc;tre, France). Their possible status as a model for the Planches enlumin & eacute;es, and thus their possible status as type specimens, is examined. Two other specimens, from the Paris museum and possibly from the Buffon era, are also discussed. Three specimens have been identified as possible types of Pelecanus leucogaster Boddaert, 1783, Picus rubricollis Boddaert, 1783, and Picus flavigula Boddaert, 1783.
We propose establishing a new genus of mygalomorph spiders in the family Theraphosidae Thorell, 1869, from the Province Calca, Department of Cusco, Peru. The monotypic genus Allpamayu n. gen. with its type species Allpamayu suyuwixsa n. gen, n. sp. is described. Allpamayu n. gen. differs from the known Ischnocolinae Simon, 1892 by the following unique combination of characters: abdomen with stripes, labium with a low number of cuspules, and clavate trichobothria on tarsi forming two parallel rows along half of tarsus length. Additional characters are palpal bulb of males with two keels, metatarsal ventral tumescence on the first pair of legs, cymbium with long erected setae, spermathecae of females with large subquadrate receptacles and a short wide duct oriented laterally and pointing upwards carrying two to three rounded lobes.
The genus Ingoma Fennah, 1954 of the tribe Trienopini Fennah, 1954 (Tropiduchinae St & aring;l, 1866) is revised. The type species of the genus, Ingoma triquerta Fennah, 1954, originally based on a single female from southern Kenya, is redescribed after the male from the same area. Three new species, Ingoma corona n. sp., I. milardi sp. n., and I. draco n. sp., representing a new subgenus, Congoma n. subgen., are described from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic. Ingoma (Congoma) draco n. sp. is described with two subspecies-Ingoma (Congoma) draco draco n. subsp. from Kongo Central Province and Ingoma (Congoma) draco sinespinosa n. subsp. from Kasai-Central Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Key to subgenera, species, and subspecies of Ingoma is given. The relationships of Ingoma within the tribe Trienopini are briefly discussed.
We present the inventory of the spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) inhabiting the Orsiera Rocciavr & egrave; Natural Park and the Foresto Ravine Natural Reserve (NW Italy). This work combines data from literature sources, unpublished material, and new samplings conducted between 2018 and 2019 as part of the "Biodiversity Monitoring Project", supplemented by verified iNaturalist observations. In total, we report 212 species belonging to 128 genera and 32 families, including 12 new records for Piemonte. Linyphiidae Blackwall, 1859 and Gnaphosidae Banks, 1892 emerged as the most represented families, consistently with other similar Alpine parks. Most species exhibit Palearctic or European distributions, with a small proportion of endemics, including rare species such as Rhode testudinea Pesarini, 1984, for which new morphologic illustrations are provided. The new data presented here allowed us to study species richness and abundance along altitudinal gradients, revealing different patterns across the transects. Additionally, we conducted an indicator species analysis to identify key-species within elevational zonation. Beyond the faunistic contribution, we underline the importance of faunal inventories as a baseline for future studies on spider conservation ecology, especially within protected areas.
The Chryxini Champion, 1898, previously recognized as a subfamily of the Reduviidae Latreille, 1807, is now placed in the Reduviinae Latreille, 1807 as a tribe to accommodate five genera and 18 species from the Neotropical Region. Many species of the Chryxini are rarely encountered in the field as well as in museum collections, and their systematics, morphology, and ecology are still poorly understood. In the present study, two new species of the Chryxini, Chryxus willemsei Chen, Hartong & Cai, n. sp. (from Commewijne, Suriname) and Wygodzinskyella gilsantanai Chen, Li & Cai, n. sp. (from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), are described and illustrated. The Chryxus genus group is proposed to include Chryxus Champion, 1898, LentiaWygodzinsky, 1946, PetasolentiaWeirauch, 2012, and Wygodzinskyella Usinger, 1952; this genus group is characterized by the tuft of long setae on the mesopleuron and the single membrane cell on the hemelytron; other related morphological characters are also discussed. An identification key to the genera and species of the Chryxus group is provided. The Chryxini and Chryxus are newly recorded from Suriname.
Four new species of the Nemesia dorthesi group, morphologically similar to Nemesia shenlongi Pertegal, Garcia, Molero-Baltan & aacute;s & Knapp, 2022 from Andalusia (Spain) are described based on various aspects such as morphology, burrow architecture, behaviour and habitus: Nemesia eira n. sp. from C & aacute;diz province, N. gajui n. sp. from C & oacute;rdoba municipality, N. socohina n. sp. from Guadalc & aacute;zar, C & oacute;rdoba, and N. ripolli n. sp. from C & aacute;rtama, M & aacute;laga. In addition to the traditional diagnostic characters, this study discusses the dispersion ability, distribution, as well as the taxonomic status of the nominal species N. ariasi Simon, 1914 from Morocco and N. macrocephala occidentalis Frade & Bacelar, 1931 from Guadalajara and Valencia, Spain.
First catalog ofSalticidae (Arachnidae, Araneae) from French Guiana, with the description of one new species. A work of bibliographic synthesis and identification of collected material made possible to complete the knowledge concerning one of the best studied spider families of the neotropical region from a systematic point of view, namely the Salticidae Blackwall, 1841. This catalog lists the presence of 122 species as well as 68 morphospecies, belonging to 36 genera, making a total of 190 potential species. After argument based on the observation of type species or individuals, exchanges with data producers or even verification of data in the bibliography, the following species, 19 in number, are deleted from the list of Salticidae of French Guyana: Amycus ectipus (Simon, 1900), Amycus pertyi Simon, 1900, Anasaitis canosa (Walckenaer, 1837), Chira simoni (Galiano, 1961), Chirothecia crassipes (Taczanowski, 1878), Colonusgermaini (Simon, 1900), Corythalia tropica (Mello-Leit & atilde;o, 1939), Hypaeus miles Simon, 1900, Lyssomanes amazonicus G. W. Peckham, E. G. Peckham & Wheeler, 1889, Lyssomanes elegans (Cambridge, 1900), Lyssomanes parallelus (Peckham & Wheeler, 1889), Matinta fasciata (Mello-Leit & atilde;o, 1940), Noegus bidens (Simon, 1900), Noegus petrusewiczi Caporiacco, 1947, Psecas bubo (Taczanowski, 1871), Sarinda atrata (Taczanowski, 1871), Scopocira melanops (Taczanowski, 1871), Rudra wagae (Taczanowski, 1871) and Viciria chabanaudi Fage, 1923. The mention of a species in Vedel et al. (2013), not recognized by the World Spider Catalog (2023), is also deleted: Salticus fulvatus (Fabricius, 1896). The following new synonymy is established: Amycus flavolineatus C. L. Koch, 1846 is a junior synonym of Colonus sylvanus (Hentz, 1846), n. syn. Amycus amrishi Makhan, 2006 and Neonella heliophanina (Taczanowski, 1871) are considered as nomina dubia. Pseudopartona ornata Caporiacco, 1954, type species of the genus Pseudopartona Caporiacco, 1954, belongs to the genus Sassacus Sassacus G. W. Peckham & E. G. Peckham, 1895, which results in Pseudopartona being synonymised with Sassacus, and the following new combination Sassacus ornatus (Caporiacco, 1954) n. comb. Finally, 25 species are newly cited, including one newly described species: Eustiromastix agatheae Courtial & Picard n. sp. (male).
The type specimens of the true bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) described by & Eacute;mile Blanchard in the extensive monographic work Voyage dans lA'm & eacute;rique m & eacute;ridionale by Alcide d'Orbigny (1835-1847) were studied. All are deposited in the Mus & eacute;um national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris (MNHN). From the 19 described species we found the type specimens of 17, and also one non-type specimen from one additional species recorded in this work. We selected lectotypes for 13 nominal species, and established two new combinations and synonymies: Arilus spiniceps Blanchard, 1842 is transferred into the genus Sindala St & aring;l, 1861, with the new combination Sindala spiniceps (Blanchard, 1842) n. comb. and synonymized with Sindatagranuligera (St & aring;l, 1860) n. syn.; Paryphes miniaceus Blanchard, 1842 is transferred into the genus Laminiceps Costa, 1863 with the new combination Laminiceps miniaceus (Blanchard, 1842) n. comb. and synonymized with Laminiceps conjunctus Brailovsky, 1992 n. syn. Also, dorsal, ventral, and lateral habitus photographs, and photographs of labels of all 17 types are given.
One of the peculiarities of the insect collections of the Mus & eacute;um national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN) in Paris is to have preserved, in many orders, quantity of private collections, also called "nominal collections", next to the general collection. Over the course of two centuries (19th and 20th) and right up today, these collections, acquired by donation, bequest or purchase, have enriched the national collections, and many have remained in their original state. At the request of several French and foreign colleagues, and in response to frequently-asked questions, we present here an annotated inventory of the 32 private collections of Heteroptera currently separated from the general collection. For each of them, we give biographical details about the author, as well as the following information: state of the collection, presence of typical material, scientific interest and, where applicable, historical interest. Details are also given on the specimens from three dismantled old collections (Bosc d'Antic, Fieber and Lethierry), now scattered throughout in the general collection, or in other private collections. In addition, information is provided on the old general collection of Heteroptera collection created at MNHN during the 19th century and kept separately from the current general collection under the name of "Collection Amyot & Serville". This inventory highlights an all-too-often forgotten fact: having a collection in its original state is always a rich source of information, and dismantling it is an irretrievable loss of information.
The species diversity of glossiphoniid leeches of the Ferghana Valley was studied. Both morphological features and molecular data were employed to identify the leeches and to trace their evolutionary history. The mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was used as a molecular marker. The Palearctic leeches Alboglossiphonia hyalina (M & uuml;ller, 1774) and Helobdella stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758) are recorded for the Ferghana Valley based on their morphology and molecular characters. The endemic Glossiphonia ferghanensis Solijonov, Izzatullaev & Kuchboev, 2022 differs from typical representatives of the related G. concolor (Ap & aacute;thy, 1888) in the dorsal colouration and forms a well-separated clade confirming the species status of the Ferghana population. Alboglossiphonia weberi (Blanchard, 1897) is the first molecularly and morphologically substantiated record of an Oriental leech species in the Ferghana Valley, Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
Situated at the border triangle of Liberia, C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire and Guinea, Mount Nimba provides strong isolation due to climatic and vegetation changes along an altitudinal gradient, which have resulted in high endemism. One of the three tallest mountains in West Africa, Mount Nimba (1752 m a.s.l.) belongs to the Guinean montane forest ecoregion and is situated at the ecotone between the Guinean forest block and the Guinean savanna. Lowland forest extends up to 600 m a.s.l., replaced by montane forest (600-1200 m a.s.l.), and by edaphic altitude savanna (above 1200 m a.s.l.), a unique biotope and an endemism hotspot. Four field surveys were performed on the Guinean and Liberian sides of Mount Nimba between 2008 and 2013 and in 2017. Live traps were placed at different elevations, in different vegetation zones, and in areas with multiple land uses including protected areas and a variety of anthropogenic habitats. A total of 43 rodent species (32 genera) were collected and identified by an integrative approach combining morphology, morphometrics, cytogenetics and molecular barcoding. Observations of larger, arboreal rodents were also recorded. Edaphic savannas between 500-600 m hosted the highest species richness (11 and 14 species), followed by lowland and montane forests (8-12 species). Some species were restricted to lowland forest, i.e., Malacomys edwardsi Rochebrune, 1885, Dephomys spp., and Typomys trivirgatus Temminck, 1853. Others were recorded in multiple vegetation types up to 1600 m a.s.l. The Mare d'hivernage savanna site (Guinea, 1600 m a.s.l.) hosted eight species but no endemic taxa, with two synanthropic species, Mastomys natalensis (Smith, 1834) and M. erythroleucus Temminck, 1853, in both natural savannas and anthropogenic environments. In Liberia, Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) was collected in a peri-urban environment in close association with humans. Old collections confirm the presence of several taxa recorded in 1960s and 1970s surveys, i.e., Uranomys ruddi Dollman, 1909, Oenomys ornatus Thomas, 1911, and Mylomys dybowski Pousargues, 1893 (Muridae), two Nesomyidae species and some Sciuridae, Anomaluridae and Graphiuridae. The poor state of some old specimens prevented from confirming the presence of three murids, Arvicanthis cf. rufinus (Temminck, 1853), Praomys daltoni (Thomas, 1892) and Lemniscomys macculus bellieri Van der Straeten, 1975. Our surveys added at least six species, i.e., Mastomys natalensis, Dephomys cf. eburneae Heim de Balsac & Bellier, 1967, Dendromus lachaisei Denys & Aniskine, 2012, Mus baoulei Vermeiren & Verheyen, 1980, Malacomys cansdaleiAnsell, 1958, and Cricetomysgambianus Waterhouse, 1840. Such exceptional diversity highlights the importance of the West African highlands as a uniquely important biodiversity hotspot.
The taxonomic status of several of the freshwater crab species from Guatemala is somewhat confused due to old and poor descriptions of some taxa, description of several species based on female specimens, synonymization and revalidation of species and subspecies, and new combinations made by different authors. Here, we revised the taxonomy and geographic distribution of the Pseudothelphusidae Ortmann, 1893 freshwater crabs from Guatemala, Central America. Historical material deposited in major collections of several institutions was examined, as well as previously unstudied material from the crustacean collection of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala in Guatemala City. The pseudothelphusid crab fauna of Guatemala consists of 17 currently valid species assigned to six genera: Elsalvadoria Bott, 1967 (two species), Phrygiopilus Smalley, 1970 (five species), Potamocarcinus H. Milne Edwards, 1853 (two species), Raddaus Pretzmann, 1965 (three species), Typhlopseudothelphusa Rioja, 1953 (two species), and Zilchia Pretzmann, 1968 (three species). Five species described only from female specimens are treated as incertae sedis: they are too poorly defined to be classified reasonably. Two species, one from Phygiopilus and the other from Zilchia, are described as new. Illustrations of the first male gonopod and a keys to the species of all genera are provided, as well as a discussion of their geographic and altitudinal distribution accompanied by maps of the species occurrences.
