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A new species of Andrena (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae) from northern Sardinia (Italy)
No full textIn this paper, a new species belonging to the Andrena pilipes/nigrospina complex, Andrena culucciae sp. nov., is described and illustrated from northern Sardinia (Italy). The species is distinguished by significant morphological characters, including the structure of the genital capsule and the translucent marginal zones of the tergites in males, as well as the coloration patterns of setae in females. These characters are discussed in detail and compared with those of closely related species. Morphological evidence is complemented by COI barcode data, which supports the distinctiveness of the new taxon, although they do not fully resolve the phylogenetic relationships within the A. pilipes/nigrospina complex. Both Neighbor-Joining and Maximum Likelihood trees consistently place A. culucciae sp. nov. in a well-supported monophyletic clade. The COI data also reveal p-distance values between A. culucciae sp. nov. and both A. nigrospina Thomson, 1872 and A. pilipes Fabricius, 1781 that are higher than those observed between A. nigrospina and A. pilipes themselves, and show distinct haplotypes for all three taxa. Furthermore, we argue that the Sardinian subspecies Andrena pilipes iliensis Alfken, 1938 is not valid, as it lacks significant morphological and molecular divergence from A. pilipes s.s. An identification key for the Andrena pilipes/nigrospina complex is provided. Ecological data on A. culucciae sp. nov. are also presented, suggesting a possible association with coastal dune habitats. This highlights important conservation implications, given the ecological vulnerability of these environments in the Mediterranean region
First documented record of Catharus fuscescens (Stephens, 1817) (Passeriformes, Turdidae) in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil
No full textCatharus fuscescens (Stephens, 1817), Veery, is a Nearctic–Tropical migrant that winters mainly in Brazilian Amazonia and Cerrado. In the Atlantic Forest of the southeastern region of Brazil, it is frequently recorded in São Paulo and Minas Gerais states, but remains undocumented from Rio de Janeiro. We report the first confirmed record of C. fuscescens in Rio de Janeiro, based on a banded specimen (F7817) captured on Marambaia Island, Mangaratiba. This finding contributes to the understanding of the species’ distribution and migratory routes and supports conservation strategies in southeastern Brazil
New records of amphibians for Ha Nam Province, Vietnam
No full textThe Kim Bang Proposed Species and Habitat Conservation Area (SHCA) is located in Ha Nam Province, northern Vietnam. The terrain of the proposed SHCA is characterised by limestone karst formations and narrow valleys. However, the amphibia fauna of Kim Bang SHCA as well as of Ha Nam Province is poorly studied with only nine recorded species of amphibians from this Province so far.As a result of our field survey in April 2025, a total of 19 species of amphibians were recorded from Kim Bang SHCA. Ten of them are recorded for the first time from Ha Nam Province, comprising five species of Microhylidae (Microhyla butleri, M. heymonsi, M. mukhlesuri, M. pulchra and Micryletta hekouensis), one species of Dicroglossidae (Occidozyga lingnanica), two species of Ranidae (Hylarana annamitica, Rana johnsi) and two species of Rhacophoridae (Kurixalus bisacculus, Theloderma lateriticum). In addition, we provide morphological data and ecological notes of the aforementioned species
Investigating the regional commonality and divergence of Anaemia determining factors: A comparative study among Assamese women
No full textAnaemia is a serious global health issue that particularly affects all section of women and iron-deficiency is the most common nutritional cause of anaemia. But it is unacceptable to deny the role of various socioeconomic factors and potential regional factors of anaemia among women especially in the Indian state of Assam. Thus, the study attempts to understand the level of prevalence of anaemia in various regions of Assam while finding the regional difference and congruence of anaemia-causing factors in Assam. Employing Logit model, the study found that several socio-economic and health factors including education, wealth, BMI, and protein-based foods women among the all factors are significant determinants of anaemia among Assamese women. However, the higher prevalence of anaemia among married women in the Barak valley is the first incongruous factor compared to other regions in the study area. And secondly, high prevalence of anaemia among richer women in the regions of Upper and Lower Assam is also significant at the regional level. Thus, there is need of universal government policies to promote girls education, mass awareness of healthy BMI maintenance and special awareness among Hindu women to eradicate the problem of anaemia from the state of Assam. In contrast, tailored interventions providing special awareness and targeted awareness in few districts of Assam about nutritional foods should be promoted by the decision makers
Two new species of Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae) from Yunnan and Guangxi, China
No full textTwo new species, Hedyotis jinghongensis from Yunnan Province and H. austroguangxiensis from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, are described and photographed here. H. jinghongensis is similar to H. communis and H. interrupta in having lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate leaves and triangular stipules, but it differs from them by its smaller leaves, stipules marginally with 3–6 colleter-tipped linear lobes on each side, and shorter inflorescences. H. austroguangxiensis is most similar to H. taishanensis and H. shenzhenensis in having terminal, compound-cymose inflorescences and short internodes at the base, but it differs from them by its terete stem and inflorescence rachis and longer corolla tubes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two new species represent independent clades. In addition, they were assessed as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria
Analysis of excitation function for an induced reaction by nucleon on Arsenic-75 isotope using COMPLET code
No full textNucleon-induced nuclear reactions are a significant field in nuclear physics with numerous applications like as in the production of medically important radioisotopes. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the excitation function of nucleon-induced nuclear reactions on the arsenic-75 isotope across projectile energies from 10 MeV to 100 MeV using COMPLET code. The excitation functions of the seven reaction channels: 75As(p, 3n)73Se, 75As(p, pn)74As, 75As(p, p5n)70As, 75As(p, p2p)73As, 75As(p, n)75Se, 75As(n, 2n)74As, and 75As(n, p)75mGe were investigated, analyzed and compared with experimental data within the energies from 10 MeV to 100 MeV. The calculated excitation functions showed strong agreement with experimental data obtained from the EXFOR data base, as assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Both pre-equilibrium and equilibrium nuclear excitation functions for all nucleon-induced reaction channels displayed a strong correlation with experimental results, except for the neutron-induced reaction channel, 75As(n, p)75mGe, which exhibited a moderate correlation. Studies have indicated that the pre-equilibrium reaction mechanism primarily governs the high-energy segment of the excitation function, whereas the low-energy segment is dominated by the equilibrium reaction mechanism for both neutron and proton-induced nuclear reactions on arsenic-75. Thus, utilization of the COMPLET code and the EXFOR data base has facilitated a detailed analysis of induced nuclear reactions in producing radionuclides with diverse applications
Phylogenetic relationships among western Atlantic representatives of Pilumnus Leach, 1816 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Pilumnidae) based on molecular markers, with comments on biogeography
No full textPilumnus is a highly speciose brachyuran crab genus distributed in tropical and temperate oceans. Previous systematic studies of the genus have revealed a high degree of uncertainty as to phylogenetic relationships. This is particularly evident among western Atlantic representatives, which have never been examined comprehensively from a phylogenetic perspective. A comparative molecular phylogenetic analysis of Pilumnus from the western Atlantic was conducted using mitochondrial sequences of the 16S rRNA and Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I genes. Sequences for 14 species from the western Atlantic were generated, included in the analyses, and compared to sequences of congeners from other biogeographic regions. Phylogenetic hypotheses including divergence time data were derived, genetic distances were calculated, and species delimitation methods were applied. Our results reveal that these taxa represent two distinct lineages that do not reflect modern geography in their distributions. The phylogenetic reconstruction identified two separate lineages presently treated under P. reticulatus, and species delimitation methods suggested that they may correspond to two separate species. Similarly, delimitation analyses indicated that an accessed specimen phylogenetically close to P. lacteus may represent an undescribed species. The results evince the importance of molecular phylogenetic studies in comprehending the evolutionary and biogeographic patterns that characterise the marine decapod biota
A taxonomic revision of Tragia (Euphorbiaceae) in Gabon, with a description of two threatened new species
No full textBackground and aims – The production of the Flora of Gabon is advancing biodiversity discovery and highlighting knowledge gaps in complex genera, such as Tragia. By studying this genus, we have identified new species to science and documented new country records for Gabon. Material and methods – Standard practices of herbarium taxonomy were applied to study material from institutions with important holdings from Central Africa. Key results – After a critical study of specimens from Gabon and surrounding territories, a total of six species of Tragia were identified in the country. Two new species, Tragia flagellata and T. sericea, are described and preliminarily assessed as Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU), respectively. We cite Tragia mildbraediana and T. zenkeri as new records for Gabon. Comprehensive nomenclatural information is supplied and three lectotypes are designated. An updated identification key, an original illustration, photos of the new species, and maps are provided
Terrestrial Mollusca of Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam – Results from the 2019 VIETBIO inventory work
No full textCuc Phuong National Park is located along a range of limestone karst mountains in northern Vietnam and spans over an area of 222 km² mainly covered by tropical evergreen forest. While a number of works have focused on the park’s rich terrestrial mollusc fauna to date, the most extensive survey so far was carried out in 1998. In the present paper with its corresponding data package, we focus on the land snails and slugs recorded in the park during the VIETBIO inventory work between 29 April and 10 May 2019. Throughout this survey, live specimens and empty shells of terrestrial molluscs were collected at 34 sampling sites via visual search and additional soil sampling. Furthermore, we summarise the current knowledge on the park’s land molluscs.We present new data on the terrestrial mollusc fauna of Cuc Phuong National Park, which are linked to collection material stored at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (dry shells, wet specimens, samples for long-term tissue preservation) and to a smaller part at the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Ha Noi (dry shells). Our data package contains a Darwin Core Archive with respective collection data, and four further data sets with photos of sampling sites and live specimens. We provide soil pH values and information on the microhabitats where live specimens were collected. In addition, the paper includes photos of collection material, which were partly taken with a DORA station developed for the high-volume imaging of molluscan specimens. In total, 116 species and 1 additional subspecies of land snails and slugs from 23 families were recorded. From the (sub-)species found, we matched 70 with nominal species-group taxa, while 47 remained provisionally named, with most of the latter likely belonging to undescribed species. However, as the taxonomic identification was only based on shell morphology, external features of the soft body, and sampling locality, it should still be regarded as provisional. We collected a total of 2666 specimens, 1909 of them alive and 757 as empty shells. From all taxa recorded, ca. 26% were only found at one sampling site each and ca. 15% were represented only by a single individual, which indicates that many species are rare or unevenly distributed. Based on our survey and previous works, we compiled a comprehensive list of 159 species and 1 additional subspecies known from Cuc Phuong National Park, about one-third of them non-eupulmonates, which places the park amongst the most species-rich tropical forest regions known worldwide. A mark-recapture analysis, based on the 1998 collection and our survey, resulted in an estimate of 178 ± 7 species of shelled land molluscs present in the park. When adding further (semi-)slug species that were disregarded for this analysis, at least 184 ± 7 terrestrial mollusc species can be expected. The high overall number of species in the park probably results from a combined effect of allopatric, mosaic, and sympatric diversity
Coastal grassland vegetation records from São Miguel Island (Azores) and Mainland Portugal
No full textThe present work provides an inventory of the plant species recorded in two distinct coastal grasslands ecosystems: the Azores Archipelago (São Miguel Island) and Portugal mainland (Sesimbra and Sines regions – Setúbal district). Thirty-one plots were selected in the coastal grasslands: thirteen were located on São Miguel Island and eighteen on the mainland, distributed across Sesimbra (12) and Sines (6). All plots were visited once during the spring of 2022. In each plot, 30 photos were taken at 5-meter intervals, for a total of 930 photos.A total of 213 plant species or morphospecies were recorded in the two coastal grasslands (Azores = 98; Mainland = 132). In the Azores, 98 species and morphospecies belonging to three classes: Liliopsida, Magnoliopsida, and Polypodiopsida. In the mainland a total of 132 species or morphospecies were observed, belonging to four classes: Genopsida, Liliopsida, Magnoliopsida and, Pinopsida. In total, 17 species were common between the two regions