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Three new species of Ophiocordyceps (Hypocreales, Ophiocordycipitaceae) and a new host record for Hirsutella vermicola from China
No full textOphiocordyceps, a genus of invertebrate-pathogenic fungi in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae (order Hypocreales), is globally distributed. Over 300 species have been described and accepted as members of the genus. This study introduces three new Ophiocordyceps species from China: O. liaoningensis, O. muscidarum, and O. neocommunis. Remarkably, O. muscidarum, hosted on flies (Muscidae, Diptera), is characterized by its larger perithecia and longer secondary ascospores. Ophiocordyceps neocommunis is also introduced based on morphological distinctions from closely related species. Ophiocordyceps liaoningensis produces dark brown superficial perithecia with an asexual morph at the apex and does not break into part-spores. Phylogenetic analyses using six loci (LSU, ITS, SSU, tef-1α, rpb1, and rpb2) robustly support the placement of these new species within the Ophiocordyceps. Additionally, we report a new host record for Hirsutella vermicola. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, color photo plates, and a phylogenetic tree are provided
First record of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from Honduras
No full textCheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), a ladybug of Asian origin, has been recently reported in the Americas. Here, we record it for the first time in Honduras. In 2023, 26 specimens were collected on corn (Zea mays L. (Poaceae)), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) (Poaceae)), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae)) in Francisco Morazán. The series included five color types: quadriplagiata group types D‑1, F‑2, and I, and diversijunata group types L‑2 and N. Diagnosis, photographs of the adults, and the male genitalia are presented to aid in the identification
On the path to cosmopolitanism: the continuing geographic expansion of Caprella mutica (Crustacea, Amphipoda)
No full textHuman activities have been transporting caprellid amphipods (or “skeleton shrimps”) across the oceans for many decades. As a result, some caprellid amphipods now are among the most widespread non-indigenous species in many different coastal regions of the world. The global spread of these species is still ongoing in some cases, such as that of the successful invader Caprella mutica Schurin, 1935. Here, we report on the arrival of C. mutica in South America and modelled its environmental niche based on its current global distribution in order to evaluate future expansion risks. The species distribution model confirmed high occupancy probabilities for already invaded areas of Europe and North America with generally lower probabilities in the southern hemisphere and mean sea surface temperature as best predictor. Further, the model suggested that our discovery of C. mutica in northern Chile was made in a region that is less favorable for this species, while occupancy probabilities increased further south. Given the invasion history of C. mutica in other marine regions of the world and the more favorable oceanographic conditions, a further spread of this invader southwards along the South American Pacific coast seems very likely
Effects of archipelago geo-environmental dynamics on phylogenetic tree shape
No full textIn archipelagic environments, the successive emergence and submergence of islands induces changes in area, spatial structure and isolation. Here, we aim to understand how such geo-environmental dynamics, by altering immigration, speciation and extinction over time, may influence phylogenetic patterns. We use a neutral, stochastic, individual-based model which simulates a community evolving in an archipelago where four islands emerge and submerge consecutively. We record each birth, death and immigration event, allowing us to build the complete phylogeny at any time, from which we extract the phylogeny of extant species. We show that the rate of lineage accumulation and tree imbalance vary according to a hump-shaped curve, and we show that this is mainly due to variations in area and inter-island connectivity. We highlight that past abrupt changes, such as island emergence, may leave persistent imprints in the rate of lineage accumulation. We show that the spatial configuration of an archipelago modulates these effects: (i) enhancing inter-island connectivity leads to more frequent inter-island speciation events, resulting in a faster accumulation of lineages, and in larger evolutionary radiations, which in turn produce highly imbalanced phylogenies; (ii) increase in mainland connectivity brings ancestral lineages to the islands, which slows down the rate of lineage accumulation and increases the species turnover, allowing for more balanced phylogenies. Accounting for variations in the geo-environmental configuration of an archipelago is important to understand the shape of contemporary phylogenies. However, these effects have to be interpreted in the context of the spatial configuration of an archipelago. Highlights The emergence and submergence of islands in an archipelago influences immigration, speciation and extinction rates at both island and archipelago scales Landscape dynamics in an archipelago drives insular species diversification rates and influences phylogenies of island species Inter-island dispersal favors lineage accumulation and generates imbalanced phylogenies Mainland connectivity increases species turnover, slows down lineage accumulation and makes phylogenies more balanced The establishment and size of a phylogenetic island clade may depend on the spatial configuration of the archipelago at the time of colonizatio
Taxonomic and functional nestedness of bird communities in urban parks of Liuzhou, China
No full textUrbanisation significantly impacts the composition and distribution of species through habitat loss and fragmentation. Nestedness is a significant pattern often observed in species assemblages on islands or within fragmented systems. However, numerous studies on nestedness have focused on species richness and composition, neglecting the role of species traits in generating and explaining nestedness. To determine whether functional nestedness follows the same pattern as taxonomic nestedness. In this study, we examined the nestedness patterns of bird assemblages (all birds, passerines, insectivorous, omnivorous and resident birds) across 17 urban parks in Liuzhou of Guangxi Province, China, focusing on taxonomic and functional nestedness. From April 2021 to February 2022, we conducted line transect surveys of bird communities, with three surveys during the breeding season and three surveys during the non-breeding season. In total, we documented 95 bird species. Taxonomic nestedness was assessed using NODF (a nestedness metric, based on overlap and decreasing fill) and WNODF (weighted nestedness metric, based on overlap and decreasing fill) metrics, while functional nestedness was evaluated using treeNODF. Our results showed that none of the birds, passerines, insectivorous, omnivorous and resident birds in Liuzhou urban parks exhibited significant nestedness patterns. However, the nested pattern strongly depended on the choice of the null model. In contrast, as the park area gradually decreases, we observed significant functional nestedness, implying that the trait loss in parks with decreasing area follows an ordered pattern, where smaller parks represent nested subsets of functional traits found in larger parks. From the perspective of species conservation, we recommend prioritizing the protection of larger urban parks to support species with larger habitat requirements. All in all, our findings highlight the importance of considering both taxonomic and functional nestedness in urban biodiversity conservation
Integrating formal surveys and local knowledge: Insights into the subterranean fauna of Apulia
No full textThe study of hypogean fauna is critical for preserving subterranean biodiversity and ecosystem functions despite climate change. However, underground habitats, often hosting unique and endemic species, present significant challenges for traditional biodiversity assessments owing to their inaccessibility and the specialised nature of their inhabitants, resulting in a paucity of academic studies. Furthermore, even when these studies exist, data are often held in personal notes and databases that are not interoperable according to current standards, making them less usable for research purposes. Reawakening this dormant data, standardising, and sharing it according to modern criteria offers enormous opportunities to expand existing knowledge and provide support for future studies. In the Apulian region of Southern Italy, a biodiversity hotspot for subterranean life, the paucity of recent systematic surveys and reliance on expert knowledge poses both opportunities and challenges for ecological research. By integrating data from various sources, this study provides an overview of the subterranean faunal assemblages documented in this region. Overall, the dataset is comprehensive, comprising 109 species (29 of which are considered endemic to Apulia) and 224 sites, totalling 622 presence-only records. As our records have expanded over 93 years, this dataset represents a unique resource for elucidating the characteristics of Apulian subterranean ecosystems and potentially their changes over time. Integrating observations already published in previous studies with unpublished records, this is the first complete data collection on Apulian subterranean fauna organised according to modern standards of data sharing
Microcirculation and cardiovascular risk: Diagnostic value and clinical relevance
No full textArterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most common diseases in modern medicine, affecting a significant portion of the adult population. Microcirculatory endothelial dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease, contributing to the development of organ complications. Within this context, microcirculation has emerged as a key target area of study in AH and cardiovascular risk (CVR). Low-grade vascular inflammatory processes and oxidative stress are major mediators in the development and complications of AH. Increasing scientific evidence points to a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors that determine the individual risk of developing AH. Microcirculation represents the intersection of these pathogenetic mechanisms and is subject to morphological and functional alterations determined by the prolonged effects of high arterial pressure. The aim of this review is to analyze the microcirculatory changes associated with the pathogenesis of AH and their diagnostic and prognostic value in modern medicine. In conclusion, the study of microcirculation has been established as a reliable, noninvasive method of assessment of the microcirculatory disturbances occurring in the course of AH and may contribute to more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of the disease, as well as to the identification of metabolic disturbances associated with increased cardiovascular risk
An annotated checklist of the Tortricidae of the region of Murcia (Spain) with new records, distribution and biological data (Lepidoptera, Tortricoidea)
No full textThe Murcia Region is located at the south-east corner of the Iberian Peninsula and has a great diversity of Lepidoptera fauna, as a zoogeographical crossroads and biodiversity hotspot with almost 1,100 butterflies and moth species recorded. The study of its Microlepidoptera fauna has already been initiated previously for the families Crambidae and Pyralidae into the clade Obtectometra.This document presents a detailed and critical catalogue of Tortricidae moths (Lepidoptera, Tortricoidea) from the Murcia Region, derived from an analysis of museum specimens as well as both published and new observations. A total of two subfamilies (Tortricinae and Olethreutinae), 52 genera and 107 species have been identified and are provided here, complete with their collection details, references in literature and biological information. This includes chorotype, voltinism, larval feeding behaviour and the flight periods observed within the study area. Amongst these, seventy-four species are recorded for the first time, twenty-six species are corroborated from existing literature and merely seven species have yet to be seen in the Murcia Region
Types and biological effects of titanium alloys in prosthodontics
No full textRecent EU regulations recommend restriction of the use of medical devices in which cobalt content exceeds 0.1%. Commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and titanium alloys appear to be excellent alternatives to cobalt-based alloys in the fields of implantology and prosthodontics. The narrative review summarizes the structure and types of titanium alloys and the methods of their processing. The high biocompatibility of titanium is explained in terms of corrosion, ion release, and interaction with the biological environment. An analysis of existing studies on the mechanical properties of titanium prosthetic restorations is presented, and future perspectives are outlined
Metabolic storm in psoriatic arthritis: a cardiovascular time bomb?
No full textIntroduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immune-mediated disease that extends beyond joint and skin involvement, being strongly associated with metabolic disturb ances and increased cardiovascular risk. Chronic inflammation, adipokine imbalance, and endothelial dysfunction contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis in this population. Aim: To assess the interrelationships between systemic inflammation, lipid metabolism, leptin levels, and subclinical atherosclerosis in PsA patients, with the goal of improving cardiovascular risk stratification and management. Materials and methods: A total of 256 PsA patients and 150 matched healthy controls were enrolled. Clinical evaluations included disease activity indices, BMI, and waist circumference. Biochemical assessments comprised lipid profile, leptin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque formation were evaluated via ultrasonography. Statistical comparisons were made using non-parametric and chi-square tests. Results: PsA patients exhibited significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (5.9 mmol/L vs. 5.0 mmol/L), triglycerides (1.2 mmol/L vs. 0.5 mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.0 mmol/L vs. 3.5 mmol/L), and atherogenic coefficient (3.5 vs. 2.6), with p-values 30 kg/m2), and leptin was elevated in 58% of PsA patients versus 8% of controls. Leptin levels correlated positively with hs-CRP (R=0.59) and BMI (R=0.75). Increased hs-CRP levels were associated with thicker IMT, more frequent plaque formation, and higher prevalence of coronary artery disease. Patients with hs-CRP >10 mg/L had the greatest cardiovascular burden. Conclusion: This study confirms that PsA is associated with significant pro-atherogenic lipid disturbances, obesity, elevated leptin levels, and subclinical atherosclerosis. The integration of lipid profile, leptin, and hs-CRP with vascular imaging offers a practical framework for early cardiovascular risk assessment. Multidisciplinary management, including metabolic and inflammatory targets, is essential for improving long-term outcomes in PsA patients