Article
Biology
Antonio Sanchez-Marco
Summary: This study investigates the distribution and fossil record of three monospecific genera of extant accipitrids, namely Gypaetus, Neophron, and Gypohierax. It highlights the surprising vulture radiation in North America during the early Miocene to late Pleistocene, with closer links to Gypaetinae. Recent discoveries of new fossil gypaetines in North America and China are also discussed, with two new species assigned to Gypaetus and Neophron. These findings contribute to our understanding of the evolution and diversity of vultures.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Ellen K. Mather, Michael S. Y. Lee, Diana A. Fusco, John Hellstrom, Trevor H. Worthy
Summary: The Pleistocene fossil record of Australian raptors is poorly understood, with only three extinct species confirmed until now. Recent research has identified Cryptogyps lacertosus and Dynatoaetus gaffae as valid species, suggesting a low diversity of large raptors in Australia compared to other continental regions. The discovery of additional fossils similar in size to the Wedge-tailed Eagle suggests the presence of further raptor taxa. A new species, Dynatoaetus pachyosteus, was also identified and named. This study increases our understanding of the diversity of raptors in Pleistocene Australia.
Article
Ornithology
Ellen K. Mather, Michael S. Y. Lee, Aaron B. Camens, Trevor H. Worthy
Summary: Describes the fossil remains of the giant accipitrid Dynatoaetus gaffae gen. et sp. nov. It was a large predatory bird in the Pleistocene, functionally similar to the Philippine Eagle. Its extinction marked a decline in the diversity and function of Australia's raptor guild.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chentao Wei, George Sangster, Urban Olsson, Pamela C. Rasmussen, Lars Svensson, Cheng-te Yao, Geoff J. Carey, Paul J. Leader, Ruiying Zhang, Guoling Chen, Gang Song, Fumin Lei, David S. Wilcove, Per Alstrom, Yang Liu
Summary: Recent taxonomic efforts have validated several new avian species in the Sino-Himalayan region, suggesting that avian diversity in this area may be higher than previously estimated. In this study, the species limits of the Tarsiger genus were investigated, revealing the distinctiveness of certain populations and proposing their treatment as separate species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
George Sangster, Guy M. Kirwan, Jerome Fuchs, Edward C. Dickinson, Andy Elliott, Steven M. S. Gregory
Summary: Multiple molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that two Neotropical raptors and two Asian accipitrids are phylogenetically distinctive, requiring recognition at the generic level.
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
George Sangster
Summary: Recent molecular studies have questioned the taxonomic status of the North American and Eurasian populations of northern goshawk A. gentilis, indicating the need for further research in this area. This study examines vocalizations of the birds and finds significant differences in call duration and other aspects, supporting the recognition of two separate species: northern goshawk A. gentilis and American goshawk A. atricapillus.
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Mariano Duenas Diaz, Veronica Nunez, Fabiana Beatriz Drago
Summary: The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge of parasitic helminths in the Crane hawk. Two specimens of the Crane hawk were examined, and six different taxa of helminths were found. A new species of Parastrigea was described, and new host-parasite associations and geographical records were reported. This study highlights the importance of contemporary studies on host-parasite relationships.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paula Moreno-Martin, Mar Mourin, Aida Verdes, Patricia Alvarez-Campos
Summary: The polychaete family Syllidae has been neglected in the Bermuda Archipelago, despite its dominance in marine benthic ecosystems. To fill this knowledge gap, a comprehensive analysis of Bermudan Syllidae was conducted, combining morphological and molecular data. Five new species were identified and their phylogenetic positions established, along with proposing reorganization of Opisthosyllis and Syllis based on molecular characters.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sho Toshino, Gaku Yamamoto, Shinsuke Saito
Summary: In this study, a new genus and species of hydromedusa are described, which can be distinguished from other species by genetic sequences and morphological characteristics. The diagnosis of the Halimedusidae family was modified and taxonomic keys for identification were provided.
Article
Microbiology
Qiuxia Yang, Xiangmin Cheng, Tingting Zhang, Xinzhan Liu, Xinli Wei
Summary: This study conducted a taxonomic study on the genus Peltula from China, discovering and describing five new species and providing a key to identify Peltula species in China.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Racquel A. Singh, Vittorio Boscaro, Erick R. James, Anna Karnkowska, Martin Kolisko, Gregory S. Gavelis, Noriko Okamoto, Javier del Campo, Rebecca Fiorito, Elisabeth Hehenberger, Nicholas A. T. Irwin, Varsha Mathur, Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, Patrick J. Keeling
Summary: Cristamonadea is a large class of parabasalian protists that play an important role in the digestion of lignocellulose in the hindguts of wood-feeding insects, exhibiting complex morphological characteristics that have evolved independently multiple times. This study describes seven new species of cristamonad symbionts from termites in Peru and Ecuador, with five representing new species within described genera and two classified in a new genus.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
L. C. Zinevich, P. S. Tomkovich
Summary: Feathers collected from the coastal plain tundra near Meinypil'gyno, SE Chukotka on June 5, 2021 were identified through DNA analysis as belonging to a male Nearctic Northern Harrier, a species previously considered as a subspecies of the Holarctic Hen Harrier. This finding represents the first record of the American Harrier in Russia, specifically in Chukotka.
ZOOLOGICHESKY ZHURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biology
Ellen K. Mather, Michael S. Y. Lee, Aaron B. Camens, Trevor H. Worthy
Summary: The Australian pre-Pleistocene fossil record of Accipitridae reveals one new extinct species, Archaehierax sylvestris, which was larger than the black-breasted buzzard but smaller than the wedge-tailed eagle. This raptor had relatively short wings, suggesting it was adapted for flight within enclosed forests. Comprehensive morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses placed Archaehierax as a basal accipitrid not closely related to any living subfamily.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Wei Zhao, Chang-Lin Zhao
Summary: This study identifies three new wood-inhabiting fungal species within the Trechispora genus, based on morphological features and molecular evidence. Phylogenetic analyses reveal the relationships among these fungi and their roles in wood degradation and the ecological system. The study highlights the importance of understanding the phylogeny of wood-inhabiting fungi in ecological processes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Wen-Yuan Duan, Feng-Yan Wang, Hong-Zhang Zhou
Summary: This paper describes three species of the genus Melixanthus from China, including two new species and one species reported for the first time in China. Detailed descriptions and images of the species are provided, and the types of the new species are deposited in the collection of Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
