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Two novel hyphomycetes associated with ferns from China
No full textDuring an ongoing investigation of fungi associated with ferns in southwestern China, three hyphomycetes were discovered on the dead rachises of Angiopteris fokiensis and an unidentified fern. Based on morphology and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, Arthrobotrys angiopteridis and Corynespora septata are introduced as new species. Arthrobotrys angiopteridis is a nematode-trapping fungus characterized by macronematous, mononematous, hyaline conidiophores, conidiogenous cells with polyblastic denticles at each node, and 0–1-septate, clavate to elongate pyriform, hyaline conidia. Corynespora septata features macronematous, mononematous, pale brown to dark brown conidiophores, integrated, monotretic conidiogenous cells and up to 7-distoseptate with one true septum, subcylindrical to obclavate, hyaline to pale brown conidia. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of these two new species are provided, along with morphological comparisons of the new taxa with closely related species
Challenges and opportunities for assessing trends of amphibians with heterogeneous data – a call for better metadata reporting
No full textOver the last decades, the worldwide decline of amphibian populations has become a major concern of researchers and conservationists. Studies have reported a diversity of trends, with some species strongly declining, others remaining stable and still others increasing. However, only a few species have been monitored annually for a long period of time by specific monitoring programmes. Instead, there are many heterogeneous datasets that contain observations of amphibians from professional surveys as well as diverse citizen science and other voluntary surveys. The use of these data brings a number of challenges, raising concerns about their validity and use in ecological research and conservation. We assessed to what extent such heterogeneous occurrence data can provide information on the status and trends of amphibians by contrasting different approaches to overcoming challenges with the data, using the German state of Saxony as an example. We assessed the effects of data processing decisions to infer absences, the use of survey method information and the statistical model (generalised linear mixed-effect occurrence model [GLMM] versus occupancy-detection model) and compared the trends with expert opinions (Red Lists). The different data processing decisions mainly led to similar annual occupancy estimates, newts being an exception. Annual occupancy estimates were typically less certain when attempting to account for the effects of survey methods, which could be explained by many missing values on methods. Separate models for drift fence data reduced the uncertainty in the annual occurrence probability estimates of the GLMM models, but uncertainty remained high for occupancy-detection models. For both methods, strong peaks and troughs in the annual occupancy estimates occurred for several species, which were not biologically plausible. Some peaks align with periods of lower sampling effort and were probably caused by shifts in the sampling locations or target species amongst years. Only for three species (Bufotes viridis, Hyla arborea and Pelophylax esculentus) were the trend results consistent amongst approaches and with expert opinions. For most other species, some inconsistencies appeared amongst models or approaches, indicating that trend assessments are sensitive to analytical choices. While heterogeneous data have proved useful for other taxa, our results highlight the complexity of using them for amphibians. We strongly recommend better harmonisation of data collection and metadata documentation, including explicit absence data and, if available, abundance data, to enable more robust trend assessments in the future
New and revised groundwater snails (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda, Cochliopidae) from karst and associated hyporheic habitats in western Texas and northern Mexico
No full textThe freshwater gastropod family Cochliopidae is a diverse component of the subterranean fauna in the karst and hyporheic habitats of western Texas and northern Mexico, with 11 genera and 27 described species found in the region. Building on previous phylogenetic studies of the family in the region we incorporate additional sampling, DNA, and morphological study for systematic revision of species found in the western Edwards-Trinity Aquifer System and associated karst and hyporheic habitats. We describe three new species, Stygopyrgus variabilis sp. nov., Stygopyrgus gracilis sp. nov., and Phreatodrobia embossa sp. nov. and revise the generic placement of two others, Texapyrgus diaboli comb. nov. and Balconorbis coronae comb. nov
Recurrent pregnancy loss: etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment
No full textThe current article aims to provide an analytical review of the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) with a focus on Bulgaria. RPL has become an important reproductive health issue worldwide and affects 2%–3% of reproductive-aged women. The findings showed that the etiological factors can be biological, hereditary or environmental, and in approximately 50% of RPL cases, these factors remain unknown. In relation to pathophysiological processes associated with the condition, the findings showed that different etiological factors affect different gestational processes, such as alteration of the structural and nanomechanical abnormalities of the platelets and disruption of the ANXA5 protective shield that prevents adverse pregnancy outcomes. Also, acquired uterine structural defects such as submucosal uterine leiomyomas, endometrial synechiae, and polyps disrupt the implantation and embryonic development processes, which can result in recurrent miscarriages. A common factor for diagnostic approaches to recurrent pregnancy loss is the examination of historical medical records of patients who have experienced the condition and the identification of possible etiological and risk factors. The management and treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss are often based on the results of the diagnostic tests used to determine the underlying etiological factors associated with the condition
Diversity of beetles (Arthropoda, Insecta, Coleoptera) associated with coniferous forests in Honduras
No full textBark beetles are among the primary drivers of tree mortality in coniferous forests worldwide. Individuals belonging to the order Coleoptera were identified across different forest areas in Honduras. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the number of families, subfamilies, genera, and species collected per department. Moreover, the barcoding approach was used by amplifying and sequencing the mitochondrial COI gene. The intraspecific genetic diversity of Ips apache was also analyzed. 1,131 individuals were examined and 27 genera were identified. Most of the specimens were identified as belonging to the genus Ips, accounting for 53.2% of the total. Xyleborus accounted for 16.5% and Temnoscheila accounted for 10%. Fewer than four individuals were found for fifteen genera. 68% of the specimens were identified to the species level, and all the specimens were identified to the genus level. Ips, Temnoscheila, Xyleborus, Hypothenemus, and Pityophthorus exhibited the most extensive geographic distribution among the sampled sites. At the genus level, Olancho, El Paraíso, and Copán displayed the highest diversity. This study also marks the first report of the genera Xylomeira and Stephanopachys in Honduran pine forests. Within I. apache, evidence of intraspecific genetic diversity was observed, although no population structure was detected. While this research provides an updated inventory of beetle species associated with Honduran coniferous forests, further taxonomic surveys and ecological studies are essential to better understand the spread and impact of bark beetles in pine ecosystems
Vanilla lindmaniana and V. palmarum (Orchidaceae) are distinct allopatric species
No full textBackground and aims – With more than 40 species, Brazil is the centre of diversity for Vanilla. Despite the species richness, few studies on species boundaries involving Brazilian taxa have been carried out. Consequently, many species have been synonymized under taxa with a wider distribution. This is the case for V. lindmaniana, a species currently synonymized under V. palmarum. While studying the diversity of Brazilian Vanilla, differences between plants from the Amazonia/Cerrado/Pantanal and Caatinga/Atlantic Forest Biomes were recorded. Material and methods – Detailed descriptions based on herbaria specimens and living material of V. lindmaniana and V. palmarum are provided and a morphological comparison is given. Illustrations of both species based on living plants is provided, and their geographic distributions are presented. Key results – Plants occurring in the Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal Biomes correspond to V. lindmaniana, while V. palmarum occurs in the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest Biomes. Vanilla lindmaniana is distinguished from V. palmarum by several vegetative and reproductive characteristics, such as the size of leaves and flower structures, and the shape of the fruits. Characteristics associated to pollination strongly differ between both taxa. Vanilla lindmaniana is ornithophilous, while the labellar morphology of V. palmarum suggests pollination by bees. Both species occur as epiphytes on palms: Vanilla lindmaniana predominantly on Acrocomia, Attalea, and Mauritia, while V. palmarum on Elaeis and Syagrus. Both V. lindmaniana and V. palmarum are assessed as Endangered. Conclusion – Appraisal of reproductive and vegetative characteristics from living specimens is crucial in delimitating species boundaries in Vanilla. Species delimitation based on ecological divergencies, plus geographic disjunctions have advanced the current evaluation and understanding of diversity in this economically and ecologically important orchid genus. All evidence reveals that V. lindmaniana is distinct from V. palmarum. Vanilla palmarum is endemic to Brazil, while V. lindmaniana is widely distributed throughout South America
Two new species in the green lacewing genus Santocellus (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae, Leucochrysini)
No full textBased on adult morphological features, two new species are described and assigned to the leucochrysine genus Santocellus: Santocellus legrandi sp. nov. from Central America and Santocellus helene sp. nov. from Bolivia. As a result, the genus, which now contains five known species, becomes more securely defined. An updated catalog and an illustrated key to the known Santocellus species are provided
Management and sustainability of ground-mounted solar parks requires consideration of vegetation succession as an omnipresent process
No full textIn addition to the aspects of power generation, land use, aesthetics, nature conservation, and multifunctionality considered so far, there are still overlooked issues in the relatively new topic of solar landscapes. I reveal a connection with a supposedly not equally contemporary theme: ecological succession. Understanding succession provides the background for interrelationships, and explains why, in large solar parks, the occurrence of large operational disruptors, such as trees, cannot be sustainably countered with the usual maintenance measures. Woody plants benefit from the thousands of safe sites amongst the modular panel constructions, and softwoods often avoid being cut due to their flexibility, or grow back from their stumps. Stronger and stronger over time. Instead of relying exclusively on labour-intensive and costly mowing, managers can make use of grazing animals. In this way, simply anticipating the ecological succession process and taking it into account when planning and managing a solar park can boost overall sustainability. The recommendation makes connections with social dimensions and can result in ethically produced meat
Commentary on "Preliminary Species Hypotheses" in Entomological Taxonomy: A Global Data and FAIR Infrastructure Perspective
No full textWhat if early taxonomic findings were treated like preprints, open to iterative improvement or managed with practices from the open-source community, such as Git branching, merging and patch management? Prompted by Buckley's article Charting a Future for Entomological Taxonomy in New Zealand (2024), this commentary explores these possibilities in the context of biodiversity informatics. In response to the need for rapid, scalable biodiversity monitoring, Buckley introduces preliminary species hypotheses (PSH) as a bridge between quick identification tools and the rigorous Linnaean system, leveraging DNA barcoding and AI-assisted image recognition to produce provisional classifications that can later be validated. Expanding on Buckley’s framework, this commentary emphasises the critical role of data linking, versioning and integration to support evolving taxonomic data. Borrowing from software and open-source practices, I explore the idea of managing PSH with an infrastructure that treats each taxonomic update as a versioned "commit", which can be tracked, refined and integrated over time. Drawing insights from FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles and Digital Extended Specimens, I identify infrastructure requirements for PSH, including robust data standards, persistent identifiers and interoperability to support global biodiversity repositories. Additionally, Taxonomic Data Objects offer a model for dynamically integrating PSH into adaptable taxonomies that can evolve with new data and tools. By positioning PSH within an open, infrastructure-focused framework, this commentary advocates for scalable, hypothesis-driven biodiversity data that meets modern conservation needs, bridging traditional and emerging practices in taxonomy
Expression of atherosclerosis-associated genes in peripheral blood of drug-naïve hypertensive subjects with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus
No full textAim: To evaluate the expression of atherosclerosis-associated genes in peripheral blood of drug-naïve hypertensive subjects with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: Eighteen subjects (15 males, 3 females), mean age 46.27 ± 12.07 years, divided into two groups: studied group - subjects with newly-diagnosed hypertension and newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes (n = 9), control group – normotensive individuals with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes (n = 9) Gene expression analysis was performed with Human Atherosclerosis RT2 Profiler PCR Array. Results: In gene expression analysis, 5 genes with increased expression in the studied group were found – CD44, ITGA5, ITGB2, PPARA and RXRA. No genes with decreased expression matching the criteria were found. Conclusion: The presence of arterial hypertension in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes tends to increase the expression of CD44, ITGA5, ITGB2, PPARA and RXRA in the peripheral blood