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A long-term ecological research dataset from the marine genetic monitoring programme ARMS-MBON 2020-2021
No full textContinuing the international efforts of the ARMS Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (ARMS-MBON), we present data from the second sampling campaign, coming from 56 Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) deployed in 2020 and 2021 along European coasts under the European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO BON). The dataset includes information on sampling locations and conditions, sample archiving and quality reports of collected samples. Data and metadata are openly accessible and can be downloaded from the associated GitHub repository. Sequence data can be accessed via the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) through the corresponding accession numbers. Images of ARMS plates are stored on PlutoF and can be downloaded through links provided in this paper. Sequence data were processed and explored with the PEMA pipeline, resulting in 17,194, 7,235 and 5,261 unique ASVs/OTUs for COI, 18S and ITS, respectively. In this dataset, ARMS revealed the presence of over 61 eukaryotic phyla, aligning with our previous sampling campaign. Amongst these phyla, 35 had sequences identified to the species level. With this dataset and its associated paper, we provide a standardised resource for marine biodiversity monitoring and scientific analyses of benthic biodiversity. The presented data product supports future studies on the status and changes in species composition, distribution and genetic diversity
First record of Rutilus virgo (Actinopterygii, Cypriniformes, Leuciscidae) from the Lower Danube in Bulgaria
No full textFive adult specimens of cactus roach, Rutilus virgo (Heckel, 1852), were collected from the westernmost section of the Bulgarian stretch of the Danube River (rkm 769–844) in April 2025, during the period of spring high waters. This finding constitutes the first confirmed and documented record of the species in Bulgaria. All specimens were in a potential spawning condition, exhibiting mature gonads, and the males displayed well-developed tubercles on the head and front part of the body
A low-cost, scalable solution for automated cutting of entomological labels
No full textThe digitization and labelling of historic and new specimens is a time-consuming, error-prone process as labels are still often hand-cut. To improve efficiency and consistency, we developed a low-cost solution for high-throughput environments which employs Cricut Maker 3 to automatically cut precision entomological labels. We optimized digital label templates for use with Cricut software and developed custom accessories for efficient label transfer and organization. Implementation of pre-cut label batches increased workflow efficiency, reduced user strain, and improved label quality. This system is compatible with existing digitization pipelines and supports standardized labelling formats, including those for DNA barcode workflows. With minimal set-up and maintenance costs, Cricut offers an effective suite of tools for generating specimen labels in Natural History Collections. Modernizing entomology labelling workflows supports data standardization, collection digitization, and the scientific value of natural history specimens
Two new species of the genus Trilacuna Tong & Li, 2007 (Araneae, Oonopidae) from the Nangunhe Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China
No full textThe spider genus Trilacuna Tong & Li, 2007, currently comprises 32 species known from China, of which 15 species are from Yunnan and one species, i.e. T. wumanshan Tong, Yang & Zhang, 2023 is recorded from the Nangunhe Nature Reserve, Yunnan.Two new Trilacuna species, Trilacuna jimengi Dai & Tong, sp. nov. (♂♀) and Trilacuna nangunhe Dai & Tong, sp. nov. (♂♀), are described, based on specimens collected from the Nangunhe Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province. Morphological descriptions and photomicroscopy images of the new species are given
Traceability of Bees and their Products Using eDNA: Uncovering Biodiversity, Microbial Communities, and Bioeconomic Potential in Colombia
No full textThe demand for natural products that promote sustainable production chains is growing worldwide. Honey, while not a staple for food security due to its limited nutritional contribution, represents a valuable resource to foster dietary diversity, responsible consumption, and forest conservation. Its production depends directly on access to diverse flora with low pesticide exposure and requires minimal soil transformation or external inputs, making it a low-impact practice. Beekeeping also contributes to the maintenance of pollinator populations, which are key for biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. Consumer interest in the origin and authenticity of honey has grown in recent years, especially for Apis mellifera products (Escuredo and Seijo 2024, Mascarello et al. 2024).Less known is the diversity and economic potential of stingless bees (Meliponini). Across tropical and neotropical regions, nearly 500 species have been described (Grüter 2020), many of which produce honey and act as key pollinators. In Colombia, about 34 species are reportedly used in meliponiculture (Nates-Parra and Rosso-Londoño 2013). This practice is expanding in rural areas, where it complements agriculture and is compatible with family-centered management. Traditional knowledge attributes medicinal properties to stingless bee products (Sgariglia et al. 2010, Rosales 2012). Although clinical validation remains limited, biochemical studies of their honeys have identified distinctive compositions rich in phenolic compounds and other bioactive molecules, providing preliminary evidence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that warrant further research (Gomes et al. 2022).These properties are linked to microbial communities naturally present in stingless bee honeys. Fermentative yeasts and lactic acid bacteria shape these products, creating unique ecological niches with potential probiotic and bioactive value (da Silva et al. 2024). Microbial assessment is also essential to detect possible pathogens, as not all stingless bee species are recommended for meliponiculture: Trigona species, for example, may incorporate feces or dead animal tissue into nests, raising sanitary concerns (Gómez et al. 2023)Developing markets for stingless bee products requires robust methodologies for authentication and safety. We propose environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool to address three dimensions of traceability and diversity assessment:Entomological origin of honey. Despite vast bee diversity, taxonomic expertise has declined, limiting our ability to monitor wild bees. DNA-based approaches, particularly metabarcoding, enable verification of the bee taxa involved in honey production—critical in regions with limited expertise. Challenges include primer selection for non-Apis bees, expanding reference databases, and training in molecular methods. Incorporating eDNA and metabarcoding into product traceability could democratize biodiversity monitoring and inform public policy.Botanical foraging spectrum. DNA from bee pollen and honey reveals floral visitation patterns, offering a proxy for ecosystem health. Progress is constrained by incomplete plant reference libraries. Diversity indices—borrowed from microbiome studies—can help characterize floral communities, though interpretation must account for variable foraging behavior across bee species.Microbial diversity and bioprospecting. Stingless bee honeys act as natural “filters,” concentrating microbial communities with industrial, probiotic, or antibiotic potential. Although generally safe, rigorous biosafety evaluation is needed to balance opportunities with risks. Reliable isolation and cultivation methods will be key to characterize diversity, establish reference libraries, and develop pipelines for future bioprospecting.Our pilot project, in the Magdalena Medio region of Colombia, applies eDNA analyses to bees, honey, pollen, and associated microorganisms. The study focuses on three genera of stingless bees maintained in boxes derived from colonies collected in situ in the El Silencio nature reserve of Fundación Biodiversa Colombia, ensuring foraging in a pesticide-free environment with high floral diversity. As one of the first efforts to apply DNA-based tools to stingless bee biodiversity surveys and product authentication, this initiative highlights the need for stronger collaboration, standardized data frameworks, and investment to unlock the potential of eDNA for conservation and bioeconomic development
Educating To Recognize and Value Local Biodiversity: From the University to the Community, With the Help of iNaturalist
No full textiNaturalist*1 is a digital citizen science platform that allows the presence of species to be identified and geolocated. In Chile, it was adopted by the Ministry of the Environment*2 and is widely used by academics, students and the public. This platform has become a valuable educational tool at the Catholic University of the Most Holy Conception (USCS)*3, allowing students to experience being protagonists in the generation of knowledge, which is made instantly available to a community of millions of naturalists around the world. In the process, students learn to recognize the various species that exist in a given study site, a fundamental step to value and promote the conservation of biodiversity. The objective of this work is to share the progress made with 14 projects created since 2021 to the present, brought together under the umbrella project "Naturalists in Action"*4 (Fig. 1), with its concrete application to the registration of biodiversity on the main university campus, and moving forward into projects that involve community organizations. One hundred and eighty-three students from 23 undergraduate and graduate programs at UCSC (Fig. 2) have participated in these projects, with more than 6400 observations, 1190 species registered and identified, with the online collaboration of more than 800 specialists and naturalists in general (Fig. 1). Nearly 70% of the students who learned to use the application in curricular activities at UCSC have remained active on iNaturalist (Fig. 3), showing the interest generated by the knowledge of local biodiversity. In agreement with Di Cecco et al. (2021), a few of them stayed very active (Fig. 3). The most recent actions involve the creation of collection projects for areas delimited by a .kml file, such as the one created for the San Andrés Campus*5. In addition, students and academics have collaborated with citizen organizations that wish to promote the conservation of nature, in places of interest, by virtue of the biodiversity they host, or for the cultural value they represent. Emblematic iNaturalist projects are the ones generated to accompany the conference cycles created in alliance with the Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción (2024), Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción (2025a), Museo de Historia Natural de Concepción (2025b), entitled “Luciérnagas en Concepción”*6 and “Puya chilensis Santuario de la Naturaleza Península de Hualpén”*7. Both include lectures at the Museum and registration of people interested in sighting the organisms of interest in the field. Fireflies and P. chilensis are two types of charismatic organisms that help to promote the conservation of habitats and biodiversity on a local scale
I eat what my mother eats. Maternal effects on food preferences in invasive amphipods
No full textInvasive alien species achieve their success through a set of traits that give them a fitness advantage over other species. Many of them are characterised by a generalist diet with an inclination to carnivory. The feeding habits of aquatic animals depend on environmental conditions operating at the population level, but the population origin and genetic background are rarely taken into account. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the intraspecific genetic variability on the inheritance of feeding habits. We bred individuals of an invasive amphipod, Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894), under semi-natural conditions in a mesocosm system, interbreeding genetically differentiated invasive populations originating from geographically isolated areas (Danube and Dnieper Deltas) or by inbreeding within the populations. We then tested food preferences of the F1 offspring (n = 256) in a 24-hour experiment providing them three food types: leaves, fish tissue and live chironomid larvae. Our results show that, despite similar breeding conditions applied to all experimental groups, populations of different origins varied in their food preferences. It appeared that the level of necrophagy or predation depended on the origin of the maternal population. Interestingly, inter-population hybrids exhibited a higher predation rate compared to pure strains. Our research shows that some traits related to invasiveness are influenced by the maternal effects and are shaped not only by the environment, but also depend on the population origin. To better predict the course and consequences of invasions, we stress the need to study the biology of invasive species using multiple populations
Taxonomic notes on the genus Paralastor (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)
No full textTaxonomic and distributional notes are given for the eumenine genus Paralastor. New synonymy includes Paralastor albifrons (Fabricius) = Paralastor habilis Perkins; Paralastor brunneus (de Saussure) = Paralastor multicolor Perkins; Paralastor maculiventris (de Saussure) = Paralastor elegans Perkins
Development of a saline-tolerant YY supermale UPV SpiN tilapia hybrid (Oreochromis spilurus × O. niloticus) (Actinopterygii, Cichliformes, Cichlidae) using molecular marker-assisted selection
No full textThe tilapia aquaculture industry faces increasing challenges from saline intrusion into freshwater systems and consumer concerns over hormone-treated fish. This study developed a molecular marker-assisted YY male technology in the saline-tolerant UPV SpiN tilapia hybrid {Oreochromis spilurus (Günther, 1894) × Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)} to enable all-male progeny production without direct hormone treatment. A primer set (UPV-SpiN-M5) targeting the amhy gene, a key determinant of male sex differentiation, was utilized. Crosses between neofemales (sex-reversed XY females; XY ♀) and natural XY males produced YY supermales, and mating these with natural XX females yielded 100% genotypically male fingerlings all exhibiting the Y-specific band (~523 bp). Despite the limited number of successful spawns among YY supermale × XX female crosses, the successful families produced viable all-male fry, demonstrating the effectiveness of the molecular-assisted approach. These results demonstrate the feasibility of hormone-reduced monosex production in saline-tolerant tilapia and provide a foundation for scalable, sustainable seed production systems suitable for both freshwater and brackish water aquaculture. Future studies should focus on refining broodstock management to improve spawning success, validate genotypic and phenotypic sex at maturity, assess growth and economic performance of YY-derived males, and explore the use of pseudofemales (sex-reversed YY females; YY ♀) to enable the mass production of YY supermales and enhance overall production efficiency
Reinstatement of the independent specific status of Camellia angustifolia, a tea plant (Camellia sect. Thea, Theaceae) from Guangxi, China
No full textCamellia angustifolia Hung T. Chang was published in 1981 and was treated as a synonym of C. sinensis var. pubilimba in 1992. Field investigation and herbarium research have revealed remarkable morphological differences between C. angustifolia and C. sinensis var. pubilimba. Evidence from morphology—particularly the variations in indumentum on young branches, leaves, and flowers, the size of the sepals, and the thickness of the pericarp—suggests that C. angustifolia should not be reduced to C. sinensis var. pubilimba. We hereby reinstate the independent specific status of C. angustifolia. A detailed description, including the flower morphology of C. angustifolia, is provided. In addition, the incorrect information regarding the type specimen in the protologue of C. angustifolia has been rectified