Review
Ecology
Carmen Huerta, Magdalena Cruz-Rosales, Patricia Gonzalez-Vainer, Ivette Chamorro-Florescano, Jose D. Rivera, Mario E. E. Favila
Summary: Human activities have a significant impact on the reproductive behavior of Neotropical dung beetles, and further research is needed to understand their response to environmental changes.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Gonzalo Halffter, Mario E. Favila
Summary: This study focuses on the relationship between arboreal dung beetles and arboreal mammals, and reveals the presence of various beetle species associated with trees in different regions. These beetles coexist and reproduce with arboreal animals, which is significant for the understanding of tropical forest ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Taira Nishimura, Nobuaki Nagata, Karen Terada, Tian Xia, Kohei Kubota, Teiji Sota, Yasuoki Takami
Summary: Genital morphology can reveal rapid diversification among species, and species-specific divergence in genital morphology can lead to reproductive isolation and promote speciation. In this study, the researchers focused on closely related Ohomopterus ground beetle species to examine reproductive character displacement (RCD) and its underlying mechanisms. They found patterns of RCD in species-specific genital parts and suggested that reinforcement is the most plausible process underlying the observed RCD.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose D. Rivera, Alejandro Espinosa de los Monteros, Romeo A. Saldana-Vazquez, Mario E. Favila
Summary: Anthropogenic activities drive tropical forest loss and biodiversity decay. This study investigates how the biodiversity response varies between disturbance-adapted species and those highly susceptible to disturbance, and whether such responses differ between taxonomic, functional, or phylogenetic diversity. Using dung beetles as model organisms, the researchers found that disturbance led to decreases in all dimensions of dung beetle diversity, with phylogenetic diversity showing the highest losses. However, second-growth forests and agroforestry systems mitigated diversity loss and homogenization processes, highlighting their importance for conservation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Maria Katia Matiotti Da Costa, Gervasio Silva Carvalho, Edison Zefa
Summary: The comparative analysis of the internal and external male genitalia of the Abracrini grasshoppers was conducted, including representatives of the type species of the genera, specimens compared with the same or more representative specimens of the genus, and bibliography data. Schematic illustrations pointing to the morphological differences between the genitalia were included, along with a dichotomous key to the 21 Abracrini genera.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Xochipiltecatl, Joaquin Baixeras, Carlos R. Cordero
Summary: Research on monandrous butterflies found that females lack the necessary apparatus to mechanically digest spermatophores, resulting in a constant state of sexual unreceptivity. The evolution of this mechanism deserves further investigation.
Article
Biology
Goran Arnqvist, Karl Grieshop, Cosima Hotzy, Johanna Ronn, Michal Polak, Locke Rowe
Summary: The study found that male genital spines in seed beetles have a direct negative impact on female fecundity, but females mating with males from long-spine lines produced more offspring, indicating the presence of indirect effects. Females adapt to male spines through evolutionary selection, influenced by multiple simultaneous processes that affect mating and fertilization biases.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maiara Vicentini, Leticia da Silva Pereira Fernandes, Antonio Ernesto Meister Luz Marques, Flavio Henrique Tincani Osorio, Loana Mara Baika, Wagner Ezequiel Risso, Claudia Bueno dos Reis Martinez, Marco Tadeu Grassi, Luiz Fernando Favaro, Maritana Mela, Marta Margarete Cestari, Helena Cristina Silva de Assis
Summary: The study found that cadmium may have potential effects on the female reproductive regulation axis HPGL of the Neotropical species Rhamdia quelen. Although no significant changes were observed in hormone levels and reproductive indicators after 15 days of cadmium exposure, the metal was detected at higher concentrations in the liver compared to the gonads, and oxidative stress was present to some extent.
Article
Cell Biology
Gerald R. Cunha, Yi Li, Cao Mei, Amber Derpinghaus, Laurence S. Baskin
Summary: This study reviews the ontogeny of estrogen receptors in developing human male and female internal and external genitalia, offering new insights into the role of estrogen in normal development and abnormalities caused by exogenous estrogens. The correlation between the ontogeny of estrogen receptors and the known susceptibility period for diethylstilbestrol-induced malformations in the female reproductive tract suggests a potential mechanism underlying these abnormalities. The comprehensive mapping of estrogen receptor ontogeny provides a basis for further investigation in this area.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah J. Dolson, Elyssa Loewen, Kelsey Jones, Shoshanah R. Jacobs, Angel Solis, Winnie Hallwachs, Adam J. Brunke, Daniel H. Janzen, M. Alex Smith
Summary: A study on Staphylinid beetles in northwestern Costa Rica found that species diversity increased linearly with elevation, with a negative relationship with surface area and temperature, and a positive relationship with precipitation. These patterns suggest a potential catastrophic loss of biodiversity in the future due to the heating and drying of the forests where these beetles are found.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Marcin J. Kaminski, Ryan Lumen, Kojun Kanda, Dariusz Iwan, M. Andrew Johnston, Gael J. Kergoat, Patrice Bouchard, Xing Long Bai, Xiu Min Li, Guo Dong Ren, Aaron D. Smith
Summary: The taxonomic concepts of Blapimorpha and Opatrinae among darkling beetles are being tested using molecular phylogenetics and a reassessment of morphology. Results suggest that a monophyletic grouping within Tenebrionidae can be defined by certain morphological features, leading to the resurrection of the subfamily Blaptinae.
SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lucas Denadai de Campos, Pedro Guilherme Barrios de Souza-Dias, Laure Desutter-Grandcolas, Silvio Shigueo Nihei
Summary: The phylogeny of the cricket genus Eidmanacris was used to analyze its historical distribution and diversification in three South American biomes: Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Chiquitano Dry Forest. The study revealed that the ancestral distribution of the genus was the Atlantic Forest, and showed a coherent pattern of changes in biome occupancy, habitat, size, and mating behavior throughout Eidmanacris evolution. The results suggest that gallery forests may play a key role in the distribution and diversification of Eidmanacris species.
Article
Ecology
Christina Ann Torres, Hector Barrios, Sara Pinzon-Navarro, Amy Berkov
Summary: The goal of this study is to explore the community composition of two cerambycid subfamilies in Panama according to the wood traits in the wood they eat. Cerambycines emerged more slowly, and from denser, drier wood, than lamiines. Cerambycines might be more drought-tolerant than lamiines, and therefore, more resistant to the longer, more severe dry seasons that are predicted to occur due to climate change.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Marcin J. Kaminski, Olivia M. Gearner, Marcin Ras, Elliot T. Hunsinger, Amelia L. Smith, Paloma Mas-Peinado, Jennifer C. Giron, Aleksandra G. Bilska, Werner P. Strumpher, Christopher C. Wirth, Kojun Kanda, Kali Swichtenberg, Dariusz Iwan, Aaron D. Smith
Summary: This study focused on investigating the female terminalia morphology of tok-tok beetles to determine the scope of Sepidiini tribe and establish relationships within the group. Unique features of tok-tokkie terminalia were identified, along with new traits linking phenotypically challenging tribes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li Xiao, Tiantian Cao, Jiali Ou, Weijiang Liang
Summary: As the public becomes more aware of health and medical advancements improve, the survival rates of patients with malignant tumors have increased, leading to a rise in the incidence of multiple primary malignant neoplasms. However, there is limited research on female patients with multiple primary malignant neoplasms of breast cancer or genital malignancies. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of these patients and explore factors that impact survival.
Article
Geology
Marcia Fernandes Aquino dos Santos, Ingrid Mattos, Jose Ricardo M. Mermudes, Sandro Marcelo Scheffler, Pedro Reyes-Castillo
Summary: Species with a xylobiont lifestyle are rarely fossilized due to taphonomic reasons. The discovery of a new genus and species of Passalidae fossil provides insights into the origin and radiation of terrestrial Coleoptera, suggesting the family has existed for over 150 million years.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carolina Colares, Andre S. Roza, Jose R. M. Mermudes, Luiz F. L. Silveira, Gabriel Khattar, Peter J. Mayhew, Ricardo F. Monteiro, Maria Fernanda S. Q. C. Nunes, Margarete Macedo
Summary: Mountains provide important insights into the impacts of climate change on species distribution, especially for organisms living in tropical mountains. Insects, with their sensitivity to temperature variation, can serve as suitable bioindicators for monitoring the effects of climate change. By understanding the elevational distribution and thermal tolerance of local insect populations, specific beetle taxa can be identified as valuable indicators for monitoring climate change effects in tropical mountainous regions.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Viviane Campos da Silva Nunes, Eduardo Jose Lemos de Matos, William Lima, Stephanie Vaz, Jose Ricardo M. Mermudes, Luiz Felipe Lima da Silveira
Summary: Fireflies spend most of their lives in larval form, but for over 99% of species, the larvae stages remain unknown, leading to an incomplete understanding of their biology. The spotted tortoise firefly has unique characteristics, including independent control of its larval lantern spots. Research emphasizes the need for further field studies on fireflies for a deeper understanding.
Article
Entomology
Luiz Felipe Lima da Silveira, Andre Silva Roza, Stephanie Vaz, Jose Ricardo M. Mermudes
Summary: Based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters, a new firefly genus, Costalampys gen. nov., has been proposed to accommodate eleven species, including newly described and transferred species. The genus is tentatively placed in Lampyrinae and is characterized by specific diagnostic features. While supporting the monophyly of the new genus and proposed combinations, the relationships among congeneric species remain poorly resolved.
ARTHROPOD SYSTEMATICS & PHYLOGENY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Stephanie Vaz, Maria Cecilia Guerrazzi, Marizete Rocha, Lynn Faust, Gabriel Khattar, Jose Mermudes, Luiz Felipe Lima da Silveira
Summary: This study describes a new species of intertidal fireflies from the northeastern coast of the Atlantic Rainforest, providing insights into the adaptations and limitations of insects inhabiting marine environments. The genus Micronaspis is reviewed and redefined based on morphological data, with descriptions, illustrations, and behavioral records provided for both immature stages and adults. Loss of habitat due to human occupation poses a concern for conservation efforts of all Micronaspis species, with potential greater species diversity in the genus.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paula Malaquias Souto, Luiz Felipe Lima da Silveira, Daniela Maeda Takiya, Frederico Falcao Salles
Summary: The study revealed that Leptohyphodes inanis in Southeastern Brazil may consist of three to seven potential cryptic species, each associated with mountain ranges in the region. Additionally, there was no genetic variation among individuals within the same drainage basin, suggesting populations may be isolated from each other.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Milada Bocakova, Lucas Campello-Goncalves, Luiz Felipe Lima da Silveira
Summary: The phylogenetic relationships of Vestini were investigated using extensive sampling and morphological characteristics. The study revealed the existence of a new subfamily Cladodinae and described four new Andean species.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Andre Silva Roza, Carlos G. Schrago, Jose Ricardo M. Mermudes
Summary: This study aims to understand the boundaries and evolutionary relationships of species in the Mesochila genus, and to conduct a biogeographic analysis of the group. The results indicate that Mesochila is a monophyletic group composed of four lineages, and a new infrageneric classification is proposed. The biogeographic analysis suggests a South American origin for the group, with subsequent dispersal to Central America and the Amazon.
ARTHROPOD SYSTEMATICS & PHYLOGENY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gabriel Khattar, Stephanie Vaz, Pedro Henrique Pereira Braga, Margarete Macedo, Luiz Felipe Lima da Silveira
Summary: This study aims to investigate how artificial light at night (ALAN) and climate interact with life history traits and courtship signaling systems to determine the composition of firefly communities. The findings indicate that climate filters species according to their body size and trophic position, while ALAN affects the dominant courtship signaling system by influencing the abundance of species that use bioluminescence or a combination of bioluminescence and pheromones.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Lucas Campello, Stephanie Vaz, Jose R. M. Mermudes, Andre L. D. Ferreira, Luiz F. L. Silveira
Summary: Amydetinae is an exclusively Neotropical subfamily of fireflies. Three new species are described in this study, known only from the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. The endoskeletal structures of Memoan and Magnoculus species are described and compared for the first time, and an updated diagnosis for Memoan is provided.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Luiz Silveira, Paula Souto, Gabriel Khattar, Daniela M. Takiya, Viviane Nunes, Jose Ricardo M. Mermudes, Ricardo Monteiro, Margarete Macedo
Summary: Understanding the evolution of genitalic traits and their co-evolution between sexes is essential in Evolutionary Biology. The cross-species co-variation of reproductive traits can be the result of hybrid avoidance or sexual selection. In the case of Luciuranus, it was found that male terminalia co-evolved with female abdominal morphology, suggesting lineage-specific sexual selection has shaped their unique abdominal morphologies.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andre Silva Roza, Jose Ricardo Miras Mermudes, Luiz Felipe Lima da Silveira
Summary: The classification of Lampyridae needs to be consolidated based on rigorous phylogenetic analyses, and recent studies emphasize the value of genitalic trait variation in the evolution of South American Photinini species. In this study, a new genus and two new species are described and classified as Zoiudo gen. nov. Extensive character and taxon sampling are confirmed to be important for revising the classification of Photinini taxa, and further sampling and protection of South American biomes are highlighted.
Article
Zoology
Gabriel S. Ferreira, Jose Ricardo M. Mermudes
