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Six new species of the spider genus Clubiona Latreille, 1804 (Araneae, Clubionidae) from subtropical forests of Sichuan Province, China
No full textSix new species, belonging to three species groups of Clubiona Latreille, 1804 are described from both males and females: C. huntianling Yu & Li, sp. nov., C. rouqiu Yu & Li, sp. nov. and C. yinyangjian Yu & Li, sp. nov. from the corticalis group; C. huojianqiang Yu & Li, sp. nov. and C. qiankunquan Yu & Li, sp. nov. from the trivialis group; C. nezha Yu & Li, sp. nov. from the zilla group. These species are currently known to occur only in subtropical forests, Sichuan, China. The DNA barcodes of all species were obtained for species delimitation, matching of sexes and future use
Transparency and reproducibility in invasion science
No full textPolicymakers and practitioners overseeing invasive species management depend on reliable research for guidance. Transparency and reproducibility are core features of reliable research, and prerequisites for outcomes to be independently replicated within the same or different systems. These features are evidently lacking in many science disciplines, including Ecology. In this discussion paper, we first report the findings of an assessment of 49 primary research studies that were part of a systematic mapping effort, showing that invasion science research exhibits the same shortfalls as ecology research more broadly. For instance, only one study explicitly considered statistical power in the methods describing study design, and only 2 studies provided access to both data and code, which is the minimum requirement for computational reproducibility. We then discuss the implications that low statistical power has for published invasion science research, for designing studies, and for policymakers and practitioners relying on primary research to inform their decisions. We then make specific recommendations, targeting the same stakeholders as well as publishers, on how to maximize the reliability of invasion science research moving forward. This includes explicitly considering and ideally estimating statistical power, undertaking a study pre-registration, making all relevant code and non-sensitive raw data accessible and useable, and devising and upholding clear and consistent policies on transparent reporting and open materials
Ecological niches and climate-driven range shifts in Hemorrhois snakes: implications for biogeography
No full textUnderstanding the factors shaping species distributions is essential for predicting their responses to environmental change. The genus Hemorrhois (horseshoe whip snakes) comprises ecologically diverse colubrid snakes found across the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Despite this broad range, their ecological niches and distributional dynamics remain understudied. This study employs ecological niche modeling (ENM) to assess the biogeography, niche differentiation, and potential climate-driven range shifts of H. algirus, H. hippocrepis, H. nummifer, and H. ravergieri under future climate scenarios. Using species occurrence data and bioclimatic variables, I constructed ensemble models to predict suitable habitats, evaluate niche overlap, and quantify potential range changes. Results indicate significant variation in climate-driven distributional responses among species. Hemorrhois algirus is projected to expand across North Africa, whereas H. hippocrepis, H. nummifer, and H. ravergieri may face range contractions under high-emission scenarios. Niche analyses suggest moderate overlap between H. algirus and H. hippocrepis, implying historical and ecological connectivity, while H. nummifer and H. ravergieri display distinct environmental preferences. Climatic and geographic barriers—such as the Sahara Desert, the Dardanelles and Istanbul Straits, the Alps, and the Pyrenees Mountains—play crucial roles in shaping their evolutionary trajectories. Given the increasing threats of climate change and habitat loss, this study underscores the need for conservation strategies prioritizing habitat connectivity, species-specific management, and climate refugia. By integrating ecological and evolutionary perspectives, this research contributes to understanding Mediterranean and Western Palearctic reptile biogeography and their responses to environmental change
The unexpected naturalization of Strobilanthes schomburgkii (Craib) J.R.I.Wood (Acanthaceae) in Java, Indonesia
No full textStrobilanthes schomburgkii (Craib) J.R.I.Wood is a plant native to Thailand’s humid tropics. It is discovered to be newly naturalized in Bandung, Cirebon, and Sumedang, West Java. It occurs in riparian habitats along the Winong River and Ciherang River, and in a ditch in Pasir Impun, which resemble its native habitat. The discovery represents the first record of S. schomburgkii as a naturalized species in Indonesia. Considering its recent establishment, regular monitoring and further study of its population dynamics and potential impacts on native vegetation are recommended to anticipate and prevent its possible spread
Silent enemies: can low-virulence macroparasites drive disease-mediated invasions?
No full textShared pathogens can alter the interaction between native and alien species resulting in disease-mediated invasions (DMIs). Invasive animals often harbour low-virulence macroparasites, but empirical evidence for macroparasite-driven DMIs is still limited due to their subtile pathological impacts and scarce prominence. Here, we modelled the dynamics of native red squirrels, invasive grey squirrels and their shared nematode Strongyloides robustus to assess whether macroparasites can drive DMIs and lead to native species extinction. Our simulations showed that spill-over of the alien parasite can lead to red squirrel extinction, that grey squirrels can amplify the infection in the native host and that the infection can accelerate the replacement of red squirrels compared to direct competition alone, ultimately facilitating invasion by grey squirrels. These results show that low-virulence macroparasites can potentially mediate animal invasions, suggesting that we are overlooking key drivers of native species decline
IgG-mediated food intolerances – prevalence, mechanisms, and cross-reactivities among the Bulgarian population. Contemporary aspects
No full textBackground: The prevalence of food intolerances (FIs) in 1679 individuals over 18 years of age from Bulgaria and some cross-reactivities between the intolerances to different foods were studied. Method: A blood test was used: Food Detective – CNS (Cambridge Nutrition Sciences Ltd.) to identify the foodstuffs to which the body exhibits intolerance. The basis of the study is the formation of antibodies of class IgG, which are markers for intolerance to different food groups and food products. Individuals were tested for 46 foods. Results: The most common food intolerances are to cereals (60–90% of the subjects), probably related to the high consumption of such products in Bulgaria; to milk and eggs (about 50–68%); legumes (about 24–43%) and nuts (24–40%); and fish and shellfish (about 12–25%). Gluten intolerance is shown by 41.2% of the subjects. Intolerance to vegetables, fruits, and meat has the lowest relative share in the study. Significant correlations were found for 20 pairs of foods, with a high degree of correlation between simultaneous intolerance to soy, tomatoes, and legumes; peppers and mushrooms; and eggs with peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Conclusion: Specific features of the Bulgarian population in the prevalence of food intolerances and the correlations between them have been identified, contributing to the prevention and treatment of nutritional diseases, overweight, and other eating disorders; optimization of dietary regimens at the individual level; prescription of healthy individual diets; and maintenance of individual health
Morphological and molecular data reveal one new species of the genus Xenophrys Günther, 1864 (Anura, Megophryidae) from Yunnan, China
No full textTongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, located in the western part of China’s Yunnan Province adjoining northern Myanmar, harbors a striking diversity of species. Previous studies have indicated that herpetological diversity in this region remains underestimated. During herpetological surveys in 2024, five specimens of Xenophrys were collected from Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve. Subsequent morphological comparisons and phylogenetic reconstruction indicate the presence of a distinct and previously unknown lineage within the genus Xenophrys, which we herein describe as a new species, Xenophrys tongbiguanensis sp. nov. This discovery brings the total number of recognized species in the genus to 32, including 13 in China and five in Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve. The identification of this species further underscores the underestimated amphibian diversity of the reserve. Given its location along the China–Myanmar border, it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation in order to clarify the distribution of species within this transboundary region
A review of the wolf spider genus Bogdocosa (Araneae, Lycosidae)
No full textBogdocosa Ponomarev & Belosludtsev, 2008 is reviewed, two new combinations are proposed: Bogdocosa flavida (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885), comb. nov. (from Gansu, Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang of China) and B. multivaga (Simon, 1880), comb. nov. (from Hebei and Inner Mongolia of China). Pardosa xinjiangensis Hu & Wu, 1989, syn. nov. is synonymized with B. flavida (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885). Additionally, a new species is described based on both sexes from Xinjiang: B. yunshani Wang, Marusik & Zhang, sp. nov. Detailed species descriptions, morphological photos, illustrations of copulatory organs, and a distribution map of the genus are presented
Reticulation within Sporobolus: recognition of two new sections, Acinifolii and Thellungia, and a new genus, Hyalolemma (Poaceae, Chloridoideae, Zoysieae, Sporobolinae)
No full textWe present a molecular DNA phylogeny utilizing four plastid regions (rps16–trnK spacer, rps16 intron, rpl32–trnL spacer, ndhA intron) and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, investigating 123 species of subtribe Sporobolinae. We also aimed to assess the generic limits of Sporobolus, characterize possible subgeneric relationships among species in the genus, and identify hypothesized reticulation events. The core Bayesian tree, based on combined and congruent plastid and ITS regions, is well resolved, and 11 sections within a monophyletic Sporobolus are strongly supported. We describe a new genus, Hyalolemma, with two species and include a key; erect two new sections within Sporobolus, S. sect. Acinifolii and S. sect. Thellungia; and make three new combinations, Hyalolemma compactum, H. somalensis, and Sporobolus collinus. The names Eragrostis collina Trin. and Sporobolus compactus Clayton are lectotypified
Curated occurrence records for native millipedes in Tasmania, Australia
No full textTasmania is the smallest of the eight continental Australian States and Territories, with a landmass of ca 68000 sq. km. In comparison to the rest of Australia, Tasmania's millipede fauna is relatively well-sampled and well-studied, and includes 135 formally described native species in five orders: Polyxenida (5 species), Sphaerotheriida (2), Spirostreptida (21), Chordeumatida (11) and Polydesmida (96). Another 84 species (Polyzoniida 7, Polydesmida 76, Chordeumatida 1) have been sorted to morphospecies but not yet described.There is currently no complete, publicly available compilation of occurrence records for both described and undescribed Tasmanian millipedes. I privately maintain a dataset of this kind for generating distribution maps on the "Tasmanian Millipedes" website (https://www.datafix.com.au/tasmanian_millipedes/). In 2018 I shared more than 7000 records for named, native species in Tasmania with the Atlas of Living Australia (https://collections.ala.org.au/public/showDataResource/dr444), but the ALA resource has not been updated since 2019 and does not include either undescribed species occurrences or the large number of newer records for named species.This paper describes a public version in Darwin Core format of 10073 curated occurrence records for native Tasmanian millipedes, and seven records for three Polydesmida species native to the Australian mainland which have been introduced to Tasmania. The dataset does not include records for introduced European Julida and Polydesmida. Some other exclusions are noted in the General description section, below