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Effects of environmental humidity on epidermal physiology
No full textPrevious studies have suggested that changes in season and environmental humidity influence skin health. In particular, hairless human skin is directly affected by environmental conditions. For example, a dry environment influences the water-impermeable barrier function of the epidermis. A drastic decrease in environmental humidity induces barrier dysfunction. A dry environment also induces several inflammatory factors, including those from the peripheral immune system, and affects the skin’s endocrine system. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects require further investigation through experimental scientific studies. This paper summarizes current findings and offers a new perspective on the effects of environmental humidity on skin health
An analytical synopsis of caddisfly (Insecta, Trichoptera) taxonomic history and progress in Canada and the United States
No full textA total of 1,510 caddisfly species representing 28 families and 155 genera are reported from the 63 states and provinces of Canada and the United States of America (USA). These species have been described over a period of nearly 270 years, with the most prolific period occurring during the 1930–1940s. The families Hydroptilidae (307), Limnephilidae (255), and Hydropsychidae (159) contain the most species, whereas six families contain less than five species each. Canada and the USA host 644 and 1,487 species, respectively. The states and provinces with the greatest species richness are Tennessee (384), Virginia (383), and Alabama (378), and those with the least are Rhode Island (27), Prince Edward Island (23), and Nunavut (15). Differences in state species assemblages largely followed a geographic pattern, with a non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination suggesting six regions of caddisfly diversity corresponding to the central, far north, northeastern, northwestern, southeastern, and southwestern portions of the study area. Caddisfly species richness was highest in the southeastern region, despite being the smallest region of the six, and lowest in the far north. Species rarefaction predicted 129–181 species remain to be discovered within the two countries, while multiple linear regression modeling using common environmental variables suggested 17 states and provinces with at least 50 species remaining to be found in each
Lateral and longitudinal dispersal of aquatic insects in mountain streams, with notes about Trichoptera
No full textUnderstanding the spatial patterns of energy flow from mountain streams via emerging aquatic insects remains limited due to a lack of empirical data. Upon emergence, adult flying insects disperse in both longitudinal (upstream/downstream) and lateral (into terrestrial habitats) directions. Here, we quantified the dispersal patterns of adult aquatic insects in both dimensions using a combination of sticky and Malaise traps. To assess longitudinal dispersal, we deployed sticky traps in transects along three streams, with Petri dish arrays designed to capture insects flying upstream, downstream, or laterally across the channel. Lateral dispersal was measured using the same trap design placed at increasing distances (up to 32–64 m) from the stream edge, complemented by Malaise traps at one site. Trichoptera exhibited the highest family-level richness among captured taxa, and the genus Micrasema showed a clear exponential decay in abundance with distance from the stream, consistent with lateral dispersal theory. Our findings contribute empirical evidence on the spatial extent of aquatic insect emergence and dispersal, informing future studies on stream–riparian energy flow across larger spatial and temporal scales
Reassessment of Leucothyreus noctivagus Ohaus, 1917 reveals Mimogeniates margaridae Martínez, 1964 as new generic and specific synonym (Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae, Geniatini)
No full textIn this paper, Mimogeniates margaridae Martínez (Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae, Geniatini) is synonymized with Leucothyreus noctivagus Ohaus (syn. nov.). Hence, the monotypic genus Mimogeniates Martínez is a new junior synonym of Leucothyreus MacLeay (syn. nov.). Leucothyreus noctivagus is redescribed and illustrated based on the type and additional material, including new distributional records in southern Brazil. As a result of our work, the tribe Geniatini now includes 12 genera
Four new species of Microdochium (Microdochiaceae, Xylariales) from Hainan, China
No full textMicrodochium has been reported worldwide as a plant pathogen, endophyte, or saprotroph. This study utilized four genetic loci (ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tub2) along with morphological characteristics, employing maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses to identify and establish the taxonomic status of four new species from two host plants (Bambusaceae sp. and Phragmites australis) in Hainan Province, China. We propose four new species, Microdochium australiana sp. nov., M. baishamenense sp. nov., M. bambusina sp. nov., and M. bambusarum sp. nov. We provide detailed descriptions and micrographs of these species and compare them with other Microdochium species
Three novel species and a new record of Pleosporales (Didymellaceae, Roussoellaceae) from China
No full textWe are investigating saprobic Ascomycota in Guizhou Province, China. Fungal specimens collected from dead wood were identified based on morphological characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, SSU, LSU, β-tubulin, ef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data. Three novel species, Neoroussoella guizhouensis, Roussoella guizhouensis, and Xenodidymella guizhouensis, are introduced, along with one new geographical record, Xenoroussoella triseptata. This study contributes to our understanding of the diversity of Ascomycota in Guizhou Province and the classification in Roussoellaceae
The Formal Model for the butterfly Pieris napi (Lepidoptera, Pieridae) agent-based model in the Animal Landscape and Man Simulation System (ALMaSS)
No full textWe present a formal model for Pieris napi, the green-veined white. This model is intended for inclusion in the Animal Landscape and Man Simulation System as the basis for regulatory assessment of the impacts of pesticides on butterfly pollinators. We propose implementing the model using an individual-based format, with the added complication of a dynamically coupled individual-based model for parasitoids and hyperparasitoids. The model’s main drivers are weather, temperature and the distribution of larval food plants and nectar forage resources in space and time. A prototype model description is presented, describing the full model ready for implementation. The model considers individuals at all life stages, from eggs to adults and utilises thermal performance models to represent development. Movement is modelled in detail, integrating dispersal, egg laying and foraging. Mortality sources include parasitoids, background mortality, slow development and pesticide and farm management mortality. A simple toxicological model is described as a basis for future expansion
Two new species of deep-sea Red Corals (Coralliidae, Genus Hemicorallium Gray, 1867) from the western Indian Ocean
No full textDeep-sea corals are critical to global exploration of deep-sea biodiversity, but research on them in the Indian Ocean is very limited. In this study, we report the first discovery of two new species of red corals at a depth of 1697 m in the western Indian Ocean. The species were identified through detailed morphological analysis, including microscopic examination of colony structure, branches and autozooids (assessing size, abundance and spacing), as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of sclerite morphology and quantity. Two species for the genus Hemicorallium Gray, 1867 were found as new species, designated Hemicorallium indicodensum sp. nov. and Hemicorallium jiaolongensis sp. nov. H. indicodensum sp. nov. is characterised by densely branched structures and numerous globular double-club sclerites, distinguishing it from other species. Meanwhile, H. jiaolongensis sp. nov. features yellowish-white colonies with short rods with sharp, large radial projections in the tentacles. Four mitochondrial regions were used to reveal the phylogenetic relationship in Coralliidae, supporting the taxonomic placement of these two new species. This study provides significant new insights into the biodiversity of deep-sea corals in the Indian Ocean, enriching the known species pool. Additionally, a more comprehensive key to the genus Hemicorallium is provided, further enhancing our understanding of the group’s taxonomy
The mitochondrial genome of the threatened freshwater snail Aylacostoma chloroticum (Gastropoda, Hemisinidae) from the High Paraná River and the phylogenetic relationships of Cerithioidea
No full textThe family Hemisinidae consists exclusively of freshwater snails and has long been understudied, only recently recognized as a distinct evolutionary lineage among limnic cerithioideans. Most South American species of this family belong to the genus Aylacostoma, with limited information available beyond their original descriptions. Aylacostoma chloroticum, a threatened freshwater snail endemic to the High Paraná River between Argentina and Paraguay, is currently part of an ex-situ conservation program due to habitat alterations caused by the Yacyretá Binational Reservoir. Molecular data on this species are scarce, with only one prior study addressing the genetic composition of captive populations. In this study, next-generation sequencing was used to sequence the complete mitochondrial genome of A. chloroticum, marking the first mitogenome contribution for both Aylacostoma and Hemisinidae. The mitogenome is 15,740 bp long and contains the typical 37 genes found in animal mitogenomes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and two ribosomal RNAs. Comparative analyses revealed a conserved gene order, high A+T content, and negative AT and GC skews, consistent with other Cerithioidea species. Secondary structure models for ribosomal and transfer RNAs were also generated, providing the first complete models for Aylacostoma and Hemisinidae. Phylogenetic analyses, based on protein-coding genes and complementary analyses using 16S-rRNA and 28S-rRNA genes, confirmed the monophyly of Hemisinidae and its close evolutionary relationship with the families Paludomidae and Thiaridae. This research enhances the understanding of the mitochondrial architecture of Cerithioidea and provides new insights into the evolutionary relationships of Neotropical hemisinids
Four new species of Erioscyphella (Leotiomycetes, Helotiales) from southwestern China
No full textErioscyphella is found across various regions and is part of the family Lachnaceae (Helotiales). It is distinguished by its white to orange disc-shaped apothecia, white to brown receptacles, and granulated hairs that contain amorphous or resinous material. These hairs lack swelling apices and crystals. Additionally, this genus is unique for its long ascospores. In the present study, we collected eight specimens from southwestern China. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses based on the combined LSU, ITS, mtSSU and RPB2 dataset showed that our specimens represent four new species of Erioscyphella, including E. ailaoensis, E. baimana, E. gelangheica and E. tengyueica. Here, we provide complete morphological descriptions with illustrations and sequence data essential for future taxonomic and evolutionary research