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Synodus synodus (Actinopterygii, Aulopiformes, Synodontidae) in the coastal waters of Malta, central Mediterranean Sea
No full textThe occurrence of Synodus synodus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the central Mediterranean Sea is ascertained through integrated morphological and molecular analyses conducted on two specimens collected in April 2025 off the southwestern coast of Malta as well as through underwater photographic documentation from the same region. Morphological examination, including meristic counts and morphometric measurements, revealed diagnostic characters consistent with S. synodus. DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene further supported this identification, with BOLD assigning the sequences to a S. synodus with 99.84% similarity. The presence of S. synodus in Maltese waters represents the first confirmed record for the area and is added to the sparse reports of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. The occurrence of other Synodontidae recently found in the basin is briefly discussed
Two new species and a new record of the genus Nephrotoma Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Tipulidae) from Northwest China, with a key to species in the region
No full textThis study describes two new species of the genus Nephrotoma Meigen, 1803 from Northwest China, N. furvligulata sp. nov. and N. palacea sp. nov., with full descriptions and illustrations. It also records N. lunulicornis (Schummel, 1833) for the first time in China. Updated descriptions and illustrations are also provided for three previously known species, N. geniculata Yang & Yang, 1987, N. joneensis Yang & Yang, 1990, and N. ligulata Alexander, 1925, incorporating new morphological details. An identification key to all Nephrotoma species currently recorded in Northwest China is included to facilitate further research
Simultaneous quantitative determination of remdesivir, dexamethasone, rosuvastatin, and atorvastatin in human plasma using HPLC-UV analysis
No full textA new reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination and quantification of two clinically proven drugs in COVID-19 treatment – remdesivir and dexamethasone – and two 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors – rosuvastatin and atorvastatin – in human plasma by isocratic elution and ultraviolet detection. A mobile phase consisting of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water and acetonitrile (60:40, v/v) was used in the proposed analytical procedure, and the chromatographic determination was performed on a Purospher® RP–18 column at room temperature. The developed method was validated for linearity in the range of 1–24 µg/ml, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.998. The percentage recovery of the analyzed drugs was 100.87, 99.71, 102.41, and 93.38% for remdesivir, dexamethasone, rosuvastatin, and atorvastatin, respectively. The developed, effective, and specific method is suitable for implementation in routine quality control and clinical laboratory practice
Insights from the Dalberto Teixeira Pombo (DTP) Arthropod Collection – I. Revealing the Hidden Diversity of Terrestrial Cave Arthropods in the Azores
No full textHosted at the University of the Azores, the “Dalberto Teixeira Pombo” Collection (DTP) is an invaluable repository showcasing the diversity of arthropods from the Azores Archipelago, Portugal. This collection not only preserves a vital record of the region’s arthropological heritage but also underpins ongoing biodiversity research and conservation efforts. In this context, we are inaugurating a new series of Data Papers under the AZORES BIOTA Biodiversity Data Journal Collection. These papers will systematically document and analyze previously unidentified specimens derived from multiple past expeditions aimed at surveying and monitoring a range of habitats across the Azores Islands. By integrating historical collections with modern research methodologies, this initiative aspires to reveal previously hidden facets of the archipelago’s biodiversity and to inform future ecological, biogeographical and evolutionary studies, as well as conservation endeavours.This first manuscript targets the subterranean arthropod fauna. Collected primarily during intensive field expeditions between 1991 and 2010, subterranean samples from the archipelago’s diverse cave systems and mesovoid habitats form a vast assemblage of specimens — most of which remain unidentified — that illuminate the region’s hidden and understudied biodiversity. Notably, the only taxonomically resolved subset comprises the cave-adapted ground‐beetles of the genus Trechus, a group of paramount importance to the understanding of the evolution of Azorean subterranean adapted fauna.This study significantly contributes to addressing the Wallacean shortfall within the Azorean subterranean ecosystem by documenting novel range extensions for key endemic cave-adapted arthropods. Among the taxa recorded in previously uncharted locations are the centipede Lithobius obscurus azoreae Eason & Ashmole, 1992, the pseudoscorpion Pseudoblothrus vulcanus Mahnert, 1990, and several single-island endemic ground beetles of the genus Trechus, including Trechus terceiranus Machado, 1988 and Trechus picoensis Machado, 1988. These new distributional records enhance our understanding of species biogeography in the unique subterranean volcanic systems of the Azores and provide valuable insights into the connectivity and dispersal potential of troglobitic species in oceanic island settings.Furthermore, this research plays a crucial role in defining new priority areas for the conservation of Azorean cave-adapted arthropods. By refining knowledge on species distributions, it supports the development of targeted spatial conservation strategies aimed at mitigating habitat degradation and preserving the fragile subterranean biodiversity of the archipelago. The findings of this study contribute directly to future conservation planning, ensuring that appropriate protective measures are implemented to safeguard these highly specialized and often vulnerable cave ecosystems
Evidence of nest usurpation of Vespa velutina in the founding stage by V. basalis reveals it as a facultative social parasite (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)
No full textWe investigated the usurpation behavior of the hornet Vespa basalis Smith in nests of V. velutina Lepeletier. We collected 47 nests of the two species in Taiwan in their establishment and growth stages. Of these, 29 were mixed-species nests, and in at least 16 V. velutina was replaced by V. basalis. While most nests were initiated by V. velutina, V. basalis coexisted with it during the establishment stage, leading to intense conflict between the two. The multiplex PCR method gave evidence of the usurper’s eggs and larvae in the mixed-species nest. Over time, the number of adults and brood in usurped V. velutina nests decreased, while those of V. basalis increased, demonstrating behavior in V. basalis akin to facultative social parasitism. This study provides further evidence of nest usurpation in the genus Vespa, along with description of complex interactions among these hornets, their natural enemies, prey, and humans in Taiwan
A new genus and two new species in the tribe Empoascini (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae) from China
No full textA new leafhopper genus, Conjunctus Yao, Yu & Yang, gen. nov., together with its type species, Conjunctus decussatus Yao, Yu & Yang, sp. nov., and an additional new species, Inflatopina pilosa Yao, Yu & Yang, sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae, Empoascini), are described from China. An updated identification key to species of the genus Inflatopina Lu, Dietrich & Qin, 2017 is provided
Lysimachia barcae (Primulaceae), a new endemic shrub from Wainiha, Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands
No full textA new endemic species of Lysimachia from Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands, is described and illustrated with notes on its distribution, ecology, conservation status and phylogenetic relationships. A modification to the existing key for Hawaiian Lysimachia is provided. Lysimachia barcae sp. nov., differs from its Hawaiian congeners by its unique combination of mature stems villous to tomentose, petioles 1–3 mm long, leaves ovate, cordate to subcordate or rounded at base, with primary and secondary veins conspicuous, purple-red, raised on abaxial surface, often densely hirsute to pilose and pedicels 35–70 mm long. Only ten mature individuals are known from a single colony along steep, precipitous slopes of Wainiha Valley, Kaua‘i. Lysimachia barcae represents a new Critically Endangered (CR) single-island endemic species and is the focus of concerted conservation efforts to prevent its extinction
The oldest Jurassic anurans from continental Africa (Tendaguru Hill, Tanzania)
No full textAnurans are a diverse clade of tetrapods with a rich evolutionary history beginning ~250 Ma. Most time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic analyses place the early diversification of anurans during the Jurassic, with the emergence of several major modern anuran clades linked to the break-up of the Pangea. Neobatrachia—a clade containing ~95% of extant anuran species— likely emerged within Gondwana during the Jurassic, but the oldest fossils so far assigned to this clade are from the latest Early Cretaceous of South America. Here we describe the oldest occurrence of crown-anurans in Africa, with five specimens from the Jurassic Middle Dinosaur Member of the Tendaguru Formation (Tendaguru Hill, Tanzania). The specimens are assigned to at least two taxa, both assigned to crown anurans, rather than salientians. Comparisons with humeri from all major anuran clades revealed an overall similarity for one taxon to neobatrachians. This potential occurrence of Neobatrachia in the Jurassic of Tanzania would be the earliest occurrence of this clade by more than 30 Ma and suggests its early diversification occurred within Gondwana as inferred by biogeographic analyses of extant taxa
Unwanted guests: The first records of two established non-native moth species in the Caucasus, with notes on non-native fauna of Georgia
No full textThis study aims to expand our current knowledge of biological invasions of Georgia by reporting the first records of two non-native moth genera Micromelalopha Nagano, 1916 (Notodontidae), and Antheraea Hübner, 1819 (Saturniidae) from the South Caucasus, based on three male specimens of Micromelalopha sieversi (Staudinger, 1892) and five male specimens of Antheraea pernyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1855). These findings are based on recent field collections, supported by morphological examination and DNA barcoding, and contribute to a better understanding of the region's shifting lepidopteran fauna and potential bio-invasion risks. Additionally, we provide the first comprehensive list of non-native animal species recorded in Georgia, based on literary and online sources
Titanium allergy: diagnostic challenge in dental pre-implant surgery patch testing
No full textIntroduction: Titanium dental implants are the most common type of dental implants. Although titanium and its alloys are considered biocompatible, there are concerns about the induction of metal allergy with dental implants. Aim: To evaluate the presence of titanium sensitization by patch testing in patients who intend to have titanium dental implants. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was performed in which data on sensitization to titanium collected from the Allergy Office at the Faculty of Dentistry in Plovdiv from January 2022 to April 2024 were analyzed. We analyzed data from 95 patients who had patch testing done before their dental implant surgery. Results: Thirty-eight (40.0%) patients exhibited positive patch test reactions to at least one metal. The most common allergen was nickel (32.6%). Titanium (IV) oxalate was the only one with a positive rate (7.4%) among titanium reagents. Almost one-half (42.9%) of the patients were monosensitized to titanium (IV) oxalate. No association between positive reaction to titanium (IV) oxalate and history of suspected metal allergy was identified (p=0.064). Conclusions: The absence of positive reactions to other titanium reagents, as well as a correlation with a history of metal allergy and other allergies in patients who tested positive for titanium oxalate, makes determining the clinical relevance of the positive reactions difficult. Standardization in titanium allergy research is required to ensure the accuracy of the findings