Article
Zoology
Bruna L. Merlin, Raphael C. Castilho, Gilberto J. de Moraes
Summary: The newly discovered Lasioseius foliatisetus was described based on morphology and molecular markers found in litter/soil samples from the Caatinga and Pantanal biomes in Brazil. This species can be distinguished by its cheliceral digit with four teeth, leaf-shaped dorsal shield setae, and seven pairs of setae on the ventrianal shield. The genetic sequences of CytB and ITSS from this species are the first of their kind to be deposited in a published database (GenBank) for the Lasioseius genus.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Stanislaw Seniczak, Anna Seniczak
Summary: Nanhermannia coronata is a common oribatid species in peatlands, but often confused with another species, N. sellnicki. By analyzing COI sequence data, we were able to differentiate and describe the morphological differences between N. coronata and N. sellnicki. Our ecological observations also revealed the habitat preferences of these two species.
Article
Entomology
Alexander A. Khaustov
Summary: The fauna of Tydeidae in Western Siberia was reviewed, with 27 species from eight genera found. Two new species, Lorryia sibiriensis n. sp. and L. speciosa n. sp., were described. Lorryia evansi Baker was recorded from Russia for the first time and redescribed. Several species were newly recorded in Russia. The holotype of Paralorryia formosa Livshitz was reassigned to Nudilorryia, and morphological characteristics separating two closely related species, Lorryia catenulata (Thor) and L. polita Kuznetsov, were provided.
Review
Zoology
Hiroshi Abe
Summary: The halacarid subfamily Lohmannellinae consists of five genera with species living in marine or freshwater habitats, mainly on sandy substrates. The taxonomy of this subfamily has been revised by researchers, with Lohmannella showing almost cosmopolitan distribution, while other genera have more restricted geographic ranges.
Article
Entomology
Dong Liu, Shuyuan Zhang, Yang Zou, Zhiwen Zou
Summary: In this study, the investigation on oribatid fauna of bird nests is carried out for the first time in China. A total of eight taxa, including a new species and a species recorded in China for the first time, are reported. Additionally, a key to all known species of a genus is provided.
SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andre Schuette, Peter E. Stueben, Jonas J. Astrin
Summary: The Molecular Weevil Identification project (MWI) uses an integrative taxonomic approach to study the systematics of Western Palearctic weevils. This barcode release includes curated CO1 sequences linked to morphological vouchers in over 1300 weevil species, providing valuable data for species identification. The project also discusses unresolved taxonomic issues, presents a new barcode primer set, and establishes group-specific genetic distances for weevil genera.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Alexander A. Khaustov
Summary: A new monotypic genus and species Andrelorryia hajiqanbari gen. et sp. nov. is described from Western Siberia, Russia. It differs from the previously mentioned Generic Unit TY2 by the absence of seta l on palptibia and absence of solenidion on tarsus II.
PERSIAN JOURNAL OF ACAROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Vladimir Pesic, Yunus Esen, Pinar Gulle, Andrzej Zawal, Milica Jovanovic, Tomasz Rewicz, Harry Smit
Summary: In this study, the DNA barcodes of Hygrobates mite species in different types of water bodies in Turkiye were obtained and discussed. The results showed the existence of five species morphologically classified as Hygrobates, including a new species named H. crypticus from the H. trigonicus species-complex. Additionally, the first COI sequence of H. anatolicus was provided, contributing to the understanding of the diversity of the genus Hygrobates in Turkiye based on molecular and morphological data.
SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
V. A. Yudkin, I. G. Frolov, E. S. Sleptsova
Summary: Mapping of house sparrow nests in Western and Central Siberia revealed clustered distribution patterns, with no correlation between nest size and geographical location or population density. No higher rank aggregations were identified, and individual colonies were defined based on recognized clusters.
Review
Zoology
Shahrooz Kazemi, Abdelrady Korashy Nasr, Mahmoud Mohamed Ramadan, Hans Klompen
Summary: This study reviews the concept of the genus Sessiluncus based on literature review and examination of described and undescribed species, presenting an updated diagnosis and listing the most diagnostic morphological characters of valid species. Additional details on specific species such as S. aegypticus, S. oculatus, and S. hungaricus are provided, including descriptions of male and female characteristics, as well as discussion on idiosomal adenotaxy and poroidotaxy of the genus.
Article
Zoology
Daniel Jablonski, Neftali Sillero, Oleksandra Oskyrko, Adriana Bellati, Andris Ceirans, Marc Cheylan, Dan Cogalniceanu, Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailovic, Pierre-Andre Crochet, Angelica Crottini, Igor Doronin, Georg Dzukic, Philippe Geniez, Cetin Ilgaz, Ruben Iosif, David Jandzik, Dusan Jelic, Spartak Litvinchuk, Katarina Ljubisavljevic, Petros Lymberakis, Peter Mikulicek, Edvard Mizsei, Jiri Moravec, Bartlomiej Najbar, Maciej Pabijan, Mihails Pupins, Patricia Sourrouille, Ilias Strachinis, Marton Szabolcs, Evanthia Thanou, Elias Tzoras, Vladislav Vergilov, Judit Voros, Vaclav Gvozdik
Summary: The slow-worm lizards comprise five species with relatively uniform morphology but deep genetic divergence. Four of the species live in parapatry, while only two species occur in partial sympatry in certain regions. Further research is needed to explore the eco-evolutionary interactions between these species, including their hybridization rates, to uncover more details about the slow-worm evolutionary and natural history.
Article
Mycology
Wenxiu Sun, Shengting Huang, Jiwen Xia, Xiuguo Zhang, Zhuang Li
Summary: This study identified eight new species and two previously described species of Diaporthe from leaf spots of twelve host plants in tropical rain forests of Yunnan Province, China, suggesting a high species diversity of Diaporthe in this region.
Article
Parasitology
Wichai Srisuka, Kittipat Aupalee, Masako Fukuda, Atiporn Saeung, Hiroyuki Takaoka
Summary: A comparison of adult females and males from two black fly species, Simulium sp. and S. chiangdaoense, in northern Thailand revealed morphological and genetic differences. A new species, S. mokroense, was identified based on the distinct hair tuft coloration in Simulium sp., and it was found that S. chiangdaoense exhibits genetic and morphological variability.
Article
Entomology
Vladimir Pesic, Harry Smit
Summary: In this study, we have described a new species, Hydrodroma angelieri sp. nov. from Corsica, France, using morphological data and DNA barcodes. The high genetic distance and distinct morphological characteristics support its status as a distinct species. Additionally, an updated key for the European species of Hydrodroma has been provided.
Article
Biology
Yu Xu, Zifeng Zhan, Kuidong Xu
Summary: Deep-water octocorals, particularly those of the genus Iridogorgia, are important components of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the Western Pacific. This study described five species, including three new ones, using a combination of morphological and molecular approaches. While mitochondrial markers were found to be inadequate for resolving species boundaries, nuclear 28S rDNA showed potential for DNA barcoding and phylogenetic reconstruction in the genus Iridogorgia. Additionally, the study proposed taxonomic changes within the genus to better understand the biodiversity of deep-sea octocorals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jesus A. Ballesteros, Carlos E. Santibanez-Lopez, Caitlin M. Baker, Ligia R. Benavides, Tauana J. Cunha, Guilherme Gainett, Andrew Z. Ontano, Emily V. W. Setton, Claudia P. Arango, Efrat Gavish-Regev, Mark S. Harvey, Ward C. Wheeler, Gustavo Hormiga, Gonzalo Giribet, Prashant P. Sharma
Summary: Deciphering the evolutionary relationships of Chelicerata has been challenging due to their ancient rapid radiation and elevated evolutionary rates in some lineages. Despite conflicting hypotheses, the monophyly of Arachnida is widely accepted. However, our analysis of high-quality genomic and transcriptomic data suggests the nested placement of horseshoe crabs within a paraphyletic Arachnida. We found that genes and sites that recover arachnid monophyly are noisy and have low information content. Additionally, combined analysis of morphological and molecular data supports the placement of merostomates within Arachnida, indicating convergence driven by terrestrial adaptations.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Efrat Gavish-Regev, Igor Armiach Steinpress, Ibrahim N. A. Salman, Nitzan Segev, Assaf Uzan, Yebin Byun, Tanya Levy, Shlomi Aharon, Yoram Zvik, Raisa Shtuhin, Yotam Shapira, Marija Majer, Zeana Ganem, Sergei Zonstein, Ivan L. F. Magalhaes, Yael Lubin
Summary: Deserts are characterized by unpredictable precipitation and extreme temperatures. Fauna and flora in deserts are sensitive to anthropogenic environmental changes and often recover slowly from environmental disasters. The study found that burrow-dwelling spiders can be used as effective bioindicators of persistent soil pollution in desert habitats, as oil spills have long-lasting negative effects on their populations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bracha Schindler, Efrat Gavish-Regev, Tamar Keasar
Summary: The study investigated the non-target effect of the insecticide Indoxacarb on parasitoid wasp communities in vineyards, focusing on the dynamics of common wasp species and their abundance in different areas of the vineyard. The results showed that the insecticide had an impact on the parasitoid wasp community, particularly on parasitoids of lepidopterans. However, there was potential for recovery of the community through migration from nearby natural vegetation.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Lise Roy, Benoit Barres, Cecile Capderrey, Frederique Maheo, Annie Micoud, Maurice Hulle, Jean-Christophe Simon
Summary: Understanding the dynamics of pesticide resistance at the landscape scale is crucial for predicting the evolution and spread of new resistance phenotypes. In a crop mosaic, host plant specialization in pest populations may limit the spread of resistance between different crops. This study investigated the genetic differentiation and resistance alleles in Myzus persicae, a major aphid pest. The results showed distinct genetic clusters associated with host plants and barriers to resistance spread, but also identified clones with resistant alleles on multiple host plants, suggesting potential spread of resistance between crops.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira, Enrico Bernard, Francisco William da Cruz Junior, Luis Beethoven Pilo, Allan Calux, Marconi Souza-Silva, Jos Barlow, Paulo S. Pompeu, Pedro Cardoso, Stefano Mammola
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Carlos E. Santibanez-Lopez, Shlomi Aharon, Jesus A. Ballesteros, Guilherme Gainett, Caitlin M. Baker, Edmundo Gonzalez-Santillan, Mark S. Harvey, Mohamed K. Hassan, Ali Hussein Abu Almaaty, Shorouk Mohamed Aldeyarbi, Lionel Monod, Andres Ojanguren-Affilastro, Ricardo Pinto-da-Rocha, Yoram Zvik, Efrat Gavish-Regev, Prashant P. Sharma
Summary: Scorpions are a fascinating group of arthropods with over 2500 species. They can be found in various tropical and temperate habitats and have a long evolutionary history dating back to the Silurian period. The diverse family Buthidae harbors almost half of all scorpion species and is responsible for most medically significant scorpion venom. However, the lack of a well-sampled scorpion phylogeny has limited our understanding of the diversification dynamics of scorpion toxins. To address this gap, researchers assembled a dataset of 100 scorpion venom gland transcriptomes and genomes, focusing on highly toxic buthid genera. By applying phylogenomic node dating and phylostratigraphic bracketing, they established a robust phylogeny of scorpions and determined the minimum ages of mammal-specific toxins. Their analyses revealed that mammal-active sodium channel toxins have evolved independently in five lineages within Buthidae, and the temporal origins of these toxins correlate with the diversification of major scorpion mammal predators. This study provides insights into the recent diversification of scorpion toxins in response to the diversification of their predators.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stefano Mammola, Jagoba Malumbres-Olarte, Valeria Arabesky, Diego Alejandro Barrales-Alcala, Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, Marco Antonio Benamu, Tharina L. Bird, Maria Bogomolova, Pedro Cardoso, Maria Chatzaki, Ren-Chung Cheng, Tien-Ai Chu, Leticia M. Classen-Rodriguez, Iva Cupic, Naufal Urfi Dhiya'ulhaq, Andre-Philippe Drapeau Picard, Hisham K. El-Hennawy, Mert Elverici, Caroline S. Fukushima, Zeana Ganem, Efrat Gavish-Regev, Naledi T. Gonnye, Axel Hacala, Charles R. Haddad, Thomas Hesselberg, Tammy Ai Tian Ho, Thanakorn Into, Marco Isaia, Dharmaraj Jayaraman, Nanguei Karuaera, Rajashree Khalap, Kiran Khalap, Dongyoung Kim, Tuuli Korhonen, Simona Kralj-Fiser, Heidi Land, Shou-Wang Lin, Sarah Loboda, Elizabeth Lowe, Yael Lubin, Alejandro Martinez, Zingisile Mbo, Marija Milicic, Grace Mwende Kioko, Veronica Nanni, Yusoff Norma-Rashid, Daniel Nwankwo, Christina J. Painting, Aleck Pang, Paolo Pantini, Martina Pavlek, Richard Pearce, Booppa Petcharad, Julien Petillon, Onjaherizo Christian Raberahona, Joni A. Saarinen, Laura Segura-Hernandez, Lenka Sentenska, Gabriele Uhl, Leilani Walker, Charles M. Warui, Konrad Wisniewski, Alireza Zamani, Catherine Scott, Angela Chuang
Summary: Mass media plays a crucial role in shaping and spreading public perception of animal-related risks. In this study, we compiled a global database of online newspaper coverage on human-spider encounters over the past decade. The database includes information on location, content characteristics, errors, expert consultations, and sensationalism assessment. This comprehensive dataset provides a valuable resource for future research and analysis.
Article
Agronomy
Ibrahim N. A. Salman, Yael Lubin, Efrat Gavish-Regev
Summary: Orchards may have high spider diversity due to their structural complexity and stability. The composition of spider assemblages in orchards is influenced by environmental variables at different scales, including latitude and surrounding landscape at large scale, and vegetation at local scale.
Article
Agronomy
Sebastien Dupray, Rumsais Blatrix, Laurent J. M. Roy, Anne-Sophie Soulie, Liza Dadu, David Degueldre, Nathalie Sleeckx, Dominique J. Bicout, Lise Roy
Summary: A thorough understanding of the population dynamics of Dermanyssus gallinae is crucial for effective control strategies. The results of this study highlight the unique characteristics of D. gallinae and question the relevance of traditional threshold-based management practices. The findings suggest the need for further research and the design of perches that are less conducive to parasite traffic.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Stefano Masier, Adrien Taudiere, Laurent J. M. Roy, David Carrasco, Jean-Yves Barnagaud, Camille Planchon, Anne-Sophie Soulie, Nathalie Sleeckx, Lise Roy
Summary: Pest management using attractive and repellent semiochemicals is an important alternative to synthetic insecticides. However, the chemical ecology of mites, including the Dermanyssus gallinae, is not well-studied. In this study, a high-throughput ethomics system was developed to analyze the behavior of D. gallinae. The results revealed the presence of a volatile aggregation pheromone emitted by D. gallinae and its effect on odor source presentation. The study also confirmed the attractive effect of hen odor on D. gallinae, but noted a repellent effect at high concentrations.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART A-ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas Auffray, Alfonsina Arriaga-Jimenez, Adrien Taudiere, Laurent J. -M. Roy, Benoit Lapeyre, Lise Roy
Summary: Blood-feeding arthropods, including mesostigmatic mites, use volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to detect their vertebrate hosts. This study investigated the attractive response of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae to VOCs emitted by living hens. A blend of 5 VOCs was found to be significantly attractive to D. gallinae, highlighting the importance of chemical interactions in host-parasite relationships and potential for developing alternative control methods.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shlomi Aharon, Jesus A. Ballesteros, Guilherme Gainett, Dror Hawlena, Prashant P. Sharma, Efrat Gavish-Regev
Summary: Caves are unique environments that promote speciation and endemism through adaptations and reduced gene flow. A recent survey of Israeli caves revealed the presence of troglophilic and troglobitic Tegenaria spiders, which show phenotypic differences and genetic separation. Further analysis identified seven new troglobitic species and revealed a complex biogeographic history, suggesting closer relatedness to eastern-Mediterranean congeners than to local troglophile species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Diana Rueda-Ramirez, Eric Palevsky, Liliane Ruess
Summary: Numerous studies have shown the potential of soil predatory mites for the biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes and arthropods pests. Instead of augmentative releases, conserving soil mite populations by providing them with free-living nematodes as prey may offer better agricultural ecosystem performance and long-term sustainability.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Gemma. E. E. Collins, Monica. R. R. Young, Peter Convey, Steven. L. L. Chown, S. Craig Cary, Byron. J. J. Adams, Diana. H. H. Wall, Ian. D. D. Hogg
Summary: This study investigates the genetic diversity and distribution of free-living terrestrial mites in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. The results reveal high genetic divergence due to geographic isolation, highlighting the need for further sampling in understudied areas to uncover additional diversity.
Article
Entomology
Zeana Ganem, Marco Ferrante, Yael Lubin, Igor Armiach Steinpress, Moshe Gish, Rakefet Sharon, Ally R. Harari, Tamar Keasar, Efrat Gavish-Regev
Summary: This study investigated the composition of spider species in Mediterranean vineyard habitats. The results showed that spider species diversity was influenced by season and habitat, with more species found in early summer and higher diversity in the natural habitat compared to the vineyards. While some species were present in both vineyards and natural habitats, the composition of the spider assemblages differed between the two.