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A new genus of non-bloodsucking aquatic cave leeches in the family Salifidae Johansson, 1909 (Erpobdelliformes) from the Wuling Mountains of Central China
No full textThis paper describes a species of non-bloodsucking aquatic leeches distributed in Shibadong Cave, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan Province, belonging to the Wuling Mountains of central China. Based on morphological examination, mitochondrial DNA COI gene sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis, the leech was identified as a new genus in the family Salifidae and named Shibabdella gen. nov. after its collecting locality, “Shibadong Cave,” with the type species named Shibabdella wulingensis sp. nov. The genetic distances between this new genus and other genera in the family Salifidae ranged from 19.01% to 23.75% based on COI gene sequence alignment. Morphologically, the main distinguishing features are as follows: one complete somite consists of nine annuli; the pharynx appears tubular, reaching XIV c1–c4, with three myognaths anteriorly; accessory copulatory pores are absent; male and female gonopores are located in the ventral center and annular furrow of somite XII c2/c3 (57th/58th annuli) and somite XII c11/c12 (63rd/64th annuli), respectively, separated by six annuli. The atrium appears spherical in shape and lacks a pre-atrial loop. Ovisacs are strip-like and extend to the middle of somite XXI, then fold in the opposite direction
Fragmented Networks: Challenges in communication and cohesion of European Biodiversity Research Infrastructures
No full textEuropean Biodiversity Research Infrastructures (BioRIs) play a central role in addressing the complex challenges in biodiversity research, scientific collaboration across disciplines and national boundaries, as well as informing the public and policy-makers about the status and challenges of the European biodiversity. Our study focuses on the communication and coordination amongst BioRIs and revealed important fragmentation in communication strategies both within and across the key European BioRIs — including DiSSCo (Distributed System of Scientific Collections), eLTER (Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem Research), GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) and LifeWatch ERIC. This fragmentation manifests in uneven geographical representation, inconsistent communication practices and limited data and service cohesion, ultimately impeding collaboration and the efficient use of resources. While some initiatives to tackle this issue demonstrate the potential for harmonisation, the the broader systemic challenges still persist. We argue that overcoming these barriers will require the development of standardised communication frameworks, more equitable distribution of infrastructures and deeper understanding of domain-specific differences that currently hinder the interoperability. Our study demonstrates the urgent need for coordinated efforts to integrate European BioRIs into a more coherent and accessible research ecosystem capable of addressing the biodiversity challenges of the 21st-century
Taxonomic characteristics of xylem anatomy in some species of Euphorbia in Nigeria
No full textThis study uses xylem-based traits to examine the anatomical and ecological adaptations of four Euphorbia species (E. milii, E. hirta, E. heterophylla, and E. thymifolia). The research aims to investigate the xylem anatomy of these species to provide valuable taxonomic data for classification and identification. By analyzing and comparing the xylem characteristics, this study highlights the effects of xylem structure on the species’ adaptation and ecological strategies. Four species have been collected from the garden within the premises of the Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin and submitted after identification to the Herbarium. Thin transverse stem sections have been prepared using a manual microtome, then processed with graded isopropanol, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned at 4 μm, stained with safranin, and observed under a light microscope. The results have revealed significant variations in vessel dimensions, fiber thickness, and parenchyma organization among the species. E. milii has exhibited large vessel lumens for rapid water conduction, while E. thymifolia hasshown smaller vessels and thinner fibers, suggesting adaptation to water-limited environments. Euphorbia heterophylla has demonstrated the largest pit diameters and abundant ray parenchyma supporting efficient water transfer. A principal component analysis (PCA) has revealed that Principal Component 1 (PC1) (53.82% variance) and Principal Component (PC2) (40.03% variance) feature the species variation, with E. milii and E. thymifolia separated by PC1, and E. heterophylla distinguished by PC2. These findings underscore the ecological significance of xylem adaptations in water transport, mechanical stability and environmental resilience, offering insights into the taxonomy and functional anatomy of the genus Euphorbia
Marsupials (Didelphidae, Mammalia) of Mato Grosso do Sul state (Brazil): taxonomic accounts, species richness, and biogeography
No full textThe marsupials of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) state in southwestern Brazil are still poorly known, with most research being concentrated around the Pantanal wetland. In this work, the marsupial richness was analysed in four different ecoregions of MS, based on more than ten years of sampling using live and pitfall traps, comparing them with published information. Fifteen marsupial species were recorded, adding 117 new records and increasing the previously known richness by more than 50%. These new records represent an increase between 96.7% (Gracilinanus agilis) to 9.1% (Chironectes minimus) of those previously known for the state, with an average increase of 43%. Cryptonanus agricolai is recorded for the first time for MS, but we did not trap Caluromys lanatus and Metachirus myosuros, which were mentioned in the literature. The Cerrado ecoregion (a type of savanna) shows more species than other ecoregions, being the largest ecoregion in the state. A strong faunal turnover was found in the state, from the humid and mild forests of the southeast (Atlantic forest ecoregion) to the more seasonal, dry, and warm forests, shrublands, and grasslands of the northwest (Chiquitano and Pantanal ecoregions). A full taxonomic account and localities of the species recorded are provided and the biogeographical affinities of ecoregions present in MS are discussed
Shell disease dynamics in the non-indigenous Atlantic rock crab (Cancer irroratus) in Icelandic waters
No full textCrustacean shell disease, characterized by progressive degradation of the chitinous exoskeleton due to secretion of chitinases and other enzymes by microorganisms, has been reported in crustaceans worldwide. Diseases affect all natural populations to some extent. However, under normal circumstances, they are generally not in high prevalence. Disease epidemics are regularly experienced in various marine animals. Data on their causes is often scarce, at least partly due to limited or nonexistent baseline data on the prevalence and intensity of even the most common agents, under normal circumstances. This study presents the first description of shell disease in the non-indigenous Atlantic rock crab Cancer irroratus in Icelandic waters, a finding of significant concern. Between June and August from 2017 to 2023, a total of 5,818 C. irroratus were sampled in Hvalfjörður, SW-Iceland. The shell disease was assessed in relation to sex, and the pattern of infection on exoskeleton surfaces was described. The prevalence and severity of shell disease showed a concerning upward trend, with the infection rate increasing from 47% in 2017 to 85% in 2023. Samples taken from diseased crabs and subjected to histological, bacteriological and molecular analyses, revealed severe bacterial infections in lesions, composed of a mix of nine species of chitinolytic bacteria of five genera. Furthermore, a known pathogenic oomycete (fungal-like organism) was observed in all crabs examined. As in similar crustacean shell disease studies, the condition in C. irroratus from Icelandic waters appears to result from synergistic effects of various bacterial species, possibly exacerbated by the observed oomycete pathogen. However, the cause of an epidemic like this is unknown and can only be speculated on with current knowledge
Unveiling species diversity within early-diverging fungi from China IV: Four new species of Absidia (Cunninghamellaceae, Mucoromycota)
No full textTo investigate early-diverging fungi in soil from Yunnan Province, China, four novel species of the genus Absidia were discovered based on a combination of morphological characteristics, molecular evidence, and physiological features. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of SSU–ITS–LSU–Act–TEF1α sequences indicate that Absidia arrhiza sp. nov., A. simplex sp. nov., A. sphaerica sp. nov., and A. viridis sp. nov. are closely related to A. chinensis, A. panacisoli, A. medulla, and A. varians, respectively. A. arrhiza is named for the sparse presence of rhizoids. A. simplex refers to the simple branching of its sporangiophores. A. sphaerica is characterized by its spherical columellae. A. viridis is distinctive for its light green colony. These four new species are described and illustrated herein, and their phenotypic and genotypic differences from allied species are discussed
New records and an updated checklist of the herpetofauna from Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve, north-eastern Vietnam
No full textThe Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve is situated on the western side of the Yen Tu Mountain Range in Bac Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Since its establishment in 2002, several studies on the herpetofauna of this protected area have been carried out. For example, Nguyen et al. reported 25 species of snakes in 2002 and most recently, Hecht et al. reported 36 species of amphibians and 40 species of reptiles in the Nature Reserve in 2013. Remarkably, two new species of amphibians and two new species of reptiles have been discovered from Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve since 2005.As a result of our fieldwork in Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve between 2015 and 2025, we recorded four species of amphibians and three species of reptiles for the first time from Bac Giang Province, comprising two species of Leptobrachella, one species of Kaloula, one species of Hylarana, one species of Takydromus, one species of Sinomicrurus and one species of Xenopeltis. We herein provide morphological data as well as ecological notes of the aforementioned species. In addition, we provide an updated list of 44 amphibian species and 49 reptile species recorded from Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve
CIAS: Catalog of Interoperability Architectural Solutions for Software Systems
No full textContext: Software systems have become increasingly large and complex, and are required in several critical domains, including Industry 4.0, the military, smart cities, and transportation. Consequently, the architectural design of these systems becomes considerably complicated, in addition to requiring interoperability among diverse systems that sometimes comprise them. Problem: Although many interoperability architectural solutions exist, software architects have struggled to comprehend, analyze, and select the most suitable ones to solve their problems. Objective: This work provides a catalog of the main interoperability architectural solutions (patterns, styles, tactics, and approaches) for addressing the four levels of interoperability (namely, technical, syntactic, semantic, and organizational) to resolve interoperability issues in software systems. Method: 65 studies found systematically in the scientific literature were deeply examined and provided evidence to define our catalog, which comprises interoperability issues and architectural solutions to address these problems. Results: As a contribution, this catalog could help software architects better decide which architectural solutions could solve each interoperability issue in their integration projects
Recent progress in sustainable energy storage using activated carbon from biowaste for high-performance supercapacitors: a review
No full textCarbon-based materials have emerged as attractive possibilities for supercapacitor applications due to their high electrical conductivity, huge surface area, and excellent stability. The potential of carbon materials, like carbon allotropes and activated carbon derived from biowaste, to enhance supercapacitor performance is examined in this paper. Activated carbon remains popular due to its high surface area and low cost, but improvements in CNTs and graphene provide enhanced conductivity and structural adaptability, increasing energy and power density. It also examines the creation of carbon composites, which combine the benefits of carbon and other materials to improve supercapacitor qualities. The main factors influencing supercapacitor performance are discussed, focusing on surface modification and nanotechnology, including electrode design, pore structure, and electrolyte compatibility. Recent study findings emphasize the relevance of sustainable synthesis processes and the materials' scalability for commercial applications. The analysis continues by identifying potential prospects in carbon-based supercapacitor research, including the incorporation of environmentally friendly material production methods and the improvement of cyclic stability for long-term use in energy storage devices. This analysis provides a solid foundation for future advancements in high-performance supercapacitor technology
Two centuries of Pachyrhynchus (Curculionidae, Entiminae, Pachyrhynchini) research: a comprehensive annotated checklist of taxonomy, species groups, distribution, and ecological insights in Southeast Asia
No full textThe genus Pachyrhynchus comprises a group of entimine weevils with diverse body coloration, endemic to the islands of Southeast Asia, with the highest diversity of species found in the Philippines. In the past ten years, many new species have been discovered, necessitating an updated list of Pachyrhynchus weevils for future study. This checklist provides the valid names, synonyms, type depository, type locality, and distribution of each Pachyrhynchus species, with ecological information such as host plants and life history. Species are further classified into defined species groups based on recent revisions using morphology and genetic analyses. A region-based analysis across eight major faunal areas highlights spatial patterns in species richness. Since the first Pachyrhynchus species was described 200 years ago, a total of 179 species and 43 subspecies (excluding nominotypical subspecies) have been recognized, with 45.8% of Pachyrhynchus species distributed in the Greater Luzon Faunal Region and 39.1% in Greater Mindanao. However, most species still lack ecological information, indicating the difficulty in collecting these data, and further investigations are needed