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Ecological observations on the genus Samia Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) of China, especially the natural hostplants
No full textA few members within the genus Samia, have been widely collected and domesticated due to their sericultural or entomophagous value. Based on field observations in recent years, this article summarizes and analyzes relevant ecological information, especially focused on the hostplants in nature, related to all five species of this genus naturally distributed in China, and another population restricted to artificial environments. Plants in the families Rutaceae, Simaroubaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae and Coriariaceae are considered suitable for feeding the caterpillars of most members of these wild silkworms, while Styracaceae and Theaceae require special attention in future field surveys or captive experiments. Combined with the results for Samia, an additional contribution of this work is to discuss the hostplant discoveries for the genera Archaeoattacus Watson, 1914 and Rhodinia Staudinger, 1892, which are also members of the tribe Attacini, to reveal potential homologies in hostplant preferences within a larger phylogenetic context beyond Samia
An evaluation of research on crayfish invasion pathways in the Great Lakes region
No full textInvasive crayfish species have become a significant ecological concern in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin, adversely affecting native biodiversity and ecosystem functions. This review synthesizes 24 years of peer-reviewed literature to elucidate crayfish invasion pathways in the Great Lakes. Over this period, the literature has highlighted natural dispersal and bait release as dominant invasion pathways for crayfish in this region, accounting for over half of reported cases. Emerging pathways, including the retail trade and accidental releases, underscore the evolving nature of invasion pathways. Research efforts have concentrated geographically in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois, with limited studies addressing other Great Lakes states, revealing significant gaps to understand the full scope of invasion pathways. This review identified rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) and red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) as the focus of much of this work while other species were not as prevalent in introduction pathways research. While historical studies have provided foundational insights, reliance on historical pathways data has limited our understanding of newer mechanisms, such as aquarium trade releases and species misidentifications in retail markets. To address these challenges, we recommend broadening the research focus of future work to encompass underrepresented regions and species, enhancing collaborative efforts among stakeholders, and improving regulatory oversight of retail trade practices. Public engagement is a critical component for mitigating the impacts of invasive crayfish through responsible consumerism and pet ownership practices. This comprehensive synthesis aims to inform future research efforts, policy development and surveillance initiatives, foster coordinated responses to invasive species threats, and contribute to the preservation of the Great Lakes Basin’s ecological integrity
Two new species of Cicadellinae (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) from Yunnan, China
No full textTwo new species of the subfamily Cicadellinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Atkinsoniella piscioscillum Jiang & Yang, sp. nov., and A. hippocampus Jiang & Yang, sp. nov. from Yunnan, China are described and illustrated. Atkinsoniella piscioscillum Jiang & Yang, sp. nov. is similar to A. yani Yang, Meng & Li, 2017 in appearance, but can be distinguished by the color of the legs, the characteristic of the two longitudinal red stripes on the corium, and the morphology of the male genitalia. Atkinsoniella hippocampus Jiang & Yang, sp. nov. is similar to nine Atkinsoniella species, but can be differentiated by the characteristics of aedeagus and subgenital plate. All type specimens of the two new species are deposited at the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC)
Phylogenetic placement of Sri Lankan goblin spiders (Araneae, Oonopidae): integrating new taxa and taxonomic implications
No full textSri Lanka harbours an exceptionally high diversity of goblin spiders (family Oonopidae), with 45 currently recognised species across 13 genera, of which 38 are endemic. In this study, we present a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on two nuclear ribosomal markers (18S and 28S rRNA), incorporating 28 species from eight genera: Aprusia, Brignolia, Ischnothyreus, Opopaea, Orchestina, Pelicinus, Silhouettella, and Xestaspis. These taxa were analysed in the context of the existing global phylogeny, enabling both regional and broader evolutionary comparisons. Our results reveal that several genera, particularly Brignolia, Opopaea, and Ischnothyreus, are paraphyletic, highlighting the need for taxonomic revision. Endemic clades such as Aprusia, Brignolia, and Xestaspis show strong evidence of recent, within-island speciation and microendemism. The genus Orchestina is recovered as monophyletic, with Sri Lankan species forming a distinct clade. The findings support the hypothesis that reduced body sclerotisation is a plesiomorphic trait in oonopids. Overall, the study underscores the exceptional microendemism and evolutionary distinctiveness of Sri Lanka’s oonopid fauna, likely driven by both ecological isolation and in situ speciation. However, given the incomplete representation of Indian and Southeast Asian taxa, and limited molecular sampling, further studies incorporating broader taxon and gene sampling are needed to fully resolve the origins and diversification of this ecologically important spider family
Analysis of medicinal product shortages in Bulgarian hospital settings in 2023: addressing procedures and unmet needs
No full textObjective: This study aims to examine the national landscape of medicine shortages in Bulgaria, with an emphasis on the supply and procurement of medicines requested by hospital facilities due to their absence from the domestic market. Materials and methods: A mixed-method approach was employed, combining regulatory and real-world data analysis. European and national legislation governing the supply of unavailable medicines in Bulgaria, including the Medicinal Products in Human Medicine Act and Ordinance No. 10, were reviewed. Data on unavailable medicinal products imported into Bulgaria in 2023 were obtained from the Bulgarian Drug Agency. These data were categorized into therapeutic classes, dosage forms, and regulatory pathways, with additional analysis of price regulation and World Health Organization Essential Medicines List status. Results: In 2023, Bulgaria imported 165 INNs that were unavailable through the standard supply chain and reimbursement system due to their absence from the local market. Of these, 35% were procured under the regulatory framework established by Article 266a of the Medicinal Products in Human Medicine Act. These imports comprised 1,996 deliveries to hospital facilities nationwide. The analysis identified significant shortages in key therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular care, and critical care. The imported products were predominantly opioid analgesics, anticoagulants, anticancer medications, and diagnostic tools. Notably, several of these medicines are listed in the World Health Organization Essential Medicines List, underscoring their critical importance in addressing unmet healthcare needs. Conclusion: Medicine shortages in Bulgaria present substantial challenges to healthcare delivery, further complicated by complex regulatory, economic, and market dynamics. Legislative mechanisms could not ensure the availability of some essential medicines. This study highlights the need for comprehensive national strategies to address shortages effectively, drawing on best practices from other European Union Member States. Future research should focus on expanding the assessment of shortages to enhance healthcare resilience and ensure continuous access to essential treatments
Across desert and island: Phylogeny of two thin stick insects from China with taxonomic insights into the clade “Gratidiini II” (Phasmatodea, Clitumninae)
No full textExtensive convergence led to poorly understood systematics of stick insects (Phasmatodea) in the past. Both Sceptrophasma bituberculatum and Macellina souchongia belong to the tribe Gratidiini of the family Bacillidae, but they were separated by about 3500 km and inhabit different zoogeographic regions. To further understand the Chinese Phasmatodea, we sequenced the above two species using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and assembled their mitochondrial genomes and standard molecular markers for two phylogenetic analyses. Mitochondrial genome (13 PCGs and 2 rRNAs) phylogeny showed that these two species, originally belonging to the family Bacillidae, were included in the subfamily Clitumninae. Another phylogeny including seven standard molecular markers (four mitochondrial genes: COI, COII, 12S, 16S and three nuclear genes: H3, 18S, 28S), covering more species revealed that: S. bituberculatum is the sister group of Clonaria spp. from Africa; and genus Macellina formed a complex clade with the Oriental Clonaria and Sceptrophasma. Our results corroborate that the family Bacillidae is not monophyletic as currently treated in the Phasmida Species File database and that the genera Clonaria and Sceptrophasma, which span different zoogeographic regions, are not monophyletic and are in need of further revision
Two new species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) from unprotected campo rupestre in the western Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil
No full textMicrolicia D.Don (Melastomataceae, Lavoisiereae) is a genus of shrubs and subshrubs comprising nearly 300 species, primarily distributed across nutrient-poor, open habitats in Brazil’s campos rupestres, cerrado, and other montane ecosystems. During botanical surveys in previously unexplored campo rupestre areas in the municipality of Ibitiara (Bahia, Brazil), we discovered two undescribed species, herein named Microlicia integra and Microlicia flavistyla. The campo rupestre of Ibitiara is located at the westernmost limits of the Chapada Diamantina, a region known for its scenic landscapes and high levels of plant endemism. We provide formal descriptions, illustrations, photographs of living specimens, distribution maps, and notes on their taxonomy and conservation status. Our findings highlight the rich yet still insufficiently known floristic diversity of the unprotected campo rupestre areas of western Chapada Diamantina and underscore the urgent need for conservation measures in these fragile ecosystems
First early-stage observations for Tenaga Clemens, 1862 with notes on biology and distribution of T. nigripunctella (Haworth, 1828) (Lepidoptera, Tineidae)
No full textEarly stages of the tineid genus Tenaga Clemens, 1862 are reported for the first time, for T. nigripunctella (Haworth, 1828). Its larvae were found within the shells of dead Garden Snails Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774), feeding on the dried body tissues. Larvae of the moth have been found, but not reared, among a range of detritus substrates, with traces of likely feeding observed on dry mouse droppings, and in a dead Western Honeybee Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758. Adults of the species have been seen annually since 2013 in a small area of Dorset, England. Historical and modern occurrences in Great Britain (until 1934) and country records elsewhere are reviewed, with new records reported for Lebanon and Syria. Two live larvae have been found within dead snail shells, one reared to the adult stage, the other was identified from its DNA barcode. Only a single COI-5P haplotype is known worldwide and ours is the fourth known DNA sequence. The taxonomic placement of the genus Tenaga, containing only two closely related species, sometimes placed in the family Meessiidae, is also discussed
Contribution to the subfamily Panchaetothripinae (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) from Saudi Arabia, with two new genera records and an illustrated key
No full textThe subfamily Panchaetothripinae Bagnall (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) comprises about 150 species belonging to 42 genera worldwide. Amongst these, twelve species belonging to six genera were previously recorded from the Arabian Peninsula, including eight species in four genera from Saudi Arabia. The Faunistic studies on the subfamily have been confined to the tropical and subtropical parts of Africa, America, Southeast Asia and Australia. However, the tropical regions of the Arabian Peninsula remained under-studied, with no considerable work having been done on this subfamily.We present the first illustrated key to the Panchaetothripinae genera of the Arabian Peninsula and a checklist of Arabian species to facilitate their recognition. Moreover, two genera and species, Hercinothrips femoralis (Reuter) and Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus Hood, are recorded as new to Saudi Arabia. New distributional data for each species is also given. The presence of greenhouse thrips Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis Bouche in the country is doubtful. The species has not been recovered despite extensive surveys across the country spanning over six years. However, it is kept in the Arabian species list until further confirmations
Updated distribution of Placobdella ali Hughes & Siddall, 2007 (Hirudinea, Glossiphoniidae) in the United States of America
No full textPlacobdella ali Hughes & Siddall, 2007 is a species of North American leech that commonly parasitizes freshwater turtles. Previous distribution records have confirmed its presence across southern New England, New York, and New Jersey, USA. We examined recently collected specimens, museum records, and iNaturalist observations to update the distribution of P. ali. We report the species presence in eight additional states, more than quadrupling its previously published distribution, and document the first report of P. ali utilizing Pseudemys concinna LeConte, 1830 as a host.