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First description of the male and hemipenial morphology of Opisthotropis haihaensis Ziegler et al., 2019 (Serpentes, Natricidae), with updated diagnosis and distribution
No full textThe Haiha Mountain Stream Keelback, Opisthotropis haihaensis Ziegler, Pham, Nguyen, Nguyen, Wang, Wang, Stuart & Le, 2019, was originally described based on a single female specimen from northern Vietnam. To date, only two female specimens have been reported, rendering O. haihaensis one of the least studied members of its genus.During recent herpetological surveys in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China, one male and one female specimen of Opisthotropis were collected from Qinzhou City. Phylogenetic analyses and detailed morphological comparisons identified these individuals as O. haihaensis. Based on these new specimens, we provide the first description of the male of this species, including hemipenial morphology, along with revised diagnostic features and new data on its natural history and distribution
Vegetative morphological variation in Chamaedorea elatior (Arecaceae), a first approach at species delimitation
No full textBackground and aims – Chamaedorea is the largest genus of neotropical palms distributed mainly in lowland rainforests and montane cloud forests from Mexico to Bolivia. Species delimitation in this genus remains problematic due to high morphological variation and inconsistent taxonomic treatment of such variation. Chamaedorea elatior, a climbing species from southern Mexico and northern Central America, exemplifies these challenges with several historical synonyms and informally recognized morphotypes. This study evaluates the morphological variation in vegetative characters between this species’ most characteristic two morphotypes, cespitose and solitary, to evaluate their taxonomic distinctiveness. Material and methods – Six populations of C. elatior were sampled in Mexico and Guatemala, representing both solitary and cespitose morphotypes. Thirteen morphological leaf characters were measured from mature individuals. Data were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses (NMDS, k-means clustering, PCA, MANOVA, LDA) to evaluate morphological variation between the morphotypes and populations. Discriminant analyses were also used to assess classification into either morphotype. Key results – Univariate analyses revealed significant differences between morphotypes in most measured characters, mainly those associated with leaf size. Similarity analyses recovered both morphotypes as being distinct from each other. PCA showed notable separation of the morphotypes along the first component that summarized leaf and median leaflet size. Both MANOVA and LDA confirmed significant differences between morphotypes and resulted in high accuracy classification. Conclusion – Leaf morphology clearly distinguishes the solitary and cespitose morphotypes of C. elatior, supporting their potential delimitation as separate species. The branching habit of the cespitose form further reinforces this distinction. While current results support species-level recognition, additional evidence from reproductive characters, niche, and genetic divergence is recommended to confirm a possible species delimitation
Five Years of the Guatemala Biodiversity Portal: Increasing Capacities for the Mobilization of Natural History Collections Using Symbiota
No full textSymbiota is an open source software for the management and mobilization of biodiversity information (Gries et al. 2014). Symbiota generated portals work as online Collection Management Systems (CMS) and medium-scale aggregators, facilitating digitization and mobilization taks simultaneously. CMS features for live-managed collections include a form to directly transcribe specimen data and upload images, as well as more advanced label editing, loan management, and georeferencing tools. Aggregator features allow administrators to integrate snapshot collections that are not directly managed in the portals. Currently, more than 60 portals are maintained by the Symbiota Support Hub, now based at the University of Kansas. Each portal is managed by a community of biodiversity researchers, often focused on specific taxa or regions. The Guatemala Biodiversity Portal (GBP) is a Symbiota-based platform, dedicated to digitization and mobilization of natural history collections in the country (Orellana et al. 2024), serving academic, non-governmental and governmental institutions. In five years of activity (September 2020 to September 2025), the GBP enabled the digitization and mobilization of more than 58,000 records of Guatemalan collections and biodiversity surveys (Fig. 1). Additionally, the GBP integrates specimen and observation records shared by foreign collections and iNaturalist, with taxonomic resources available in IUCN, Catalog of Life, World Register of Marine Species, and the Biodiversity Heritage Library, among others, increasing accessibility of specialized information for local communities.At least 86% of these records (more than 50,000) have also been mobilized to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to increase their accessibility (GBIF 2025,Fig. 2). From GBIF, data can be cited in scientific publications and harvested by external platforms like Bionomia (Shorthouse 2020), aiding local researchers to claim credit for their collected and identified specimens. Moreover, the direct data mobilization to GBIF, has facilitated the aggregation of 30 collections and over 50,000 records to this global platform. The digital presence of Guatemalan collections has allowed the use of the data in at least 500 scientific publications, including studies developed by local scientists. Furthermore, Guatemalan collections and their digitized records are now available in the Global Registry of Scientific Collections (GRSciColl), increasing their international visibility. The GBP has also facilitated development of Symbiota documentation in Spanish, as well as online and in-person training in Guatemala. Regular workshops, meetings, and social media communications keep the community engaged and updated about the GBP. Online activities have also reached hundreds of users in natural history collections across Latin America, increasing capacity for the mobilization of biodiversity data in the region. The poster in Spanish presented during the conference is available as Supplementary Material (Suppl. material 1)
Five new species and three new country records of Megaspilidae from Xizang Autonomous Region, China (Hymenoptera, Ceraphronoidea)
No full textFive new species of the Megaspilidae are described from Xizang (or Tibet, SW China): Conostigmus bomensis Wang & Zhu, sp. nov., Conostigmus jilongensis Wang & Zhu, sp. nov., Conostigmus shigatsensis Wang & Zhu, sp. nov., Conostigmus kairus Wang & Zhu, sp. nov., and Dendrocerus tumidulus Wang & Zhu, sp. nov. Lagynodes acuticornis (Kieffer, 1906), Conostigmus rufinotum Dodd, 1914, and Dendrocerus sergii Alekseev, 1994 are reported for the first time from China based on specimens collected from Xizang. A key to all known species of Chinese Megaspilidae is included
Pharmacogenes associated with adverse reactions induced by second-generation antipsychotic drugs: A systematic review
No full textPharmacogenes are specific genes that determine how an individual will respond to medication. Some of these genes have been linked to adverse reactions caused by second-generation antipsychotics. A literature search was conducted using relevant terms across the PubMed, CTG Studies, and Scopus databases. The included articles examined pharmacogenes associated with adverse reactions induced by second-generation antipsychotics. The articles were published between 2015 and 2025. A total of 12 observational studies were included. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251035803). The studies demonstrated an association of CYP1A2 with adverse reactions induced by aripiprazole (p < 0.035), clozapine (p = 0.009, p = 0.042, and p = 0.046), and olanzapine (p < 0.05). CYP2C19 was associated with clozapine-induced metabolic syndrome (p < 0.01). CYP3A4 was associated with clozapine-induced hyperglycemia (χ² = 0.1), and CYP3A5 was associated with quetiapine (p < 0.007). CYP2D6 was linked to adverse reactions induced by clozapine (p = 0.039), olanzapine (p = 0.047), risperidone (p = 0.021 and p = 0.02), and quetiapine (p = 0.003). This review shows that certain allelic variants of pharmacogenes are associated with adverse reactions to second-generation antipsychotics. This finding applies to patients with impaired metabolism. We recommend conducting longitudinal multicenter studies before promoting allelic variants of pharmacogenes as predictive biomarkers
An overview of the genus Lobothallia (lichenized Ascomycota, Megasporaceae) in China
No full textLobothallia is a species-rich genus of crustose lichens that is mainly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus, leading to the description of numerous new species. However, Lobothallia in China has never been systematically revised. In this study, approximately 500 specimens of Lobothallia collected from different provinces of China were examined. Based on morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, an overview of this genus in China was provided. Eight species, L. benzilanensis, L. complanata, L. polypycnidiata, L. pseudopruinosa, L. pulchra, L. rubra, L. stipitata and L. wangii, were described as new to science. The species, Lobothallia brachyloba, was reported in China for the first time. In addition, we generated DNA sequences of the species Lobothallia hedinii from topotype specimens and clarified its phylogenetic position. Detailed descriptions, illustrations of morphological characters of the above-mentioned species, and comparisons with closely related taxa are provided. A dichotomous key to 22 species of Lobothallia from China is presented
New distributional record of the Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby, Favonigobius reichei (Actinopterygii, Gobiiformes, Gobiidae), from Jeju-do Island, Korea
No full textTwo specimens, a male–female pair of Favonigobius reichei (Bleeker, 1854) (32.7–41.9 mm SL) were collected from the intertidal zone based on sandy and muddy areas in Jeju-do Island, Korea. This species is distinguished from Favonigobius gymnauchen (Bleeker, 1860), the previously recognized sole representative of the genus Favonigobius in Korea, by the following characteristics: VI–I, 8 dorsal fin rays, I, 8 anal fin rays, predorsal scales 0–1, and the black spot at the base of the caudal fin undivided and rounded. We propose a new Korean common name, “Hwang-jul-nal-gae-mang-duk” for F. reichei based on the yellow stripes on the abdomen of the male
First record of the white trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) in the Black Sea: a new occurrence from Bulgarian coastal waters
No full textThis study documents the first confirmed record of the white trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) in the Black Sea. A specimen (354 mm TL and weight 703 g) was recorded near Varna, Bulgaria, on 24 July 2025. This observation represents the northernmost occurrence of the species along the western Black Sea coast, extending its known distribution beyond the transitional zone of the Bosphorus. The present record from Varna Bay is located approximately 330 km north of the previous northernmost confirmed occurrence in the Bosphorus Strait, marking a substantial northward extension along the western Black Sea coastline. Identification was based on morphological and meristic characteristics. Despite abundant benthic prey in the area, the specimen’s empty stomach may indicate a recent arrival or a trophic mismatch. The finding supports the hypothesis of meridionalization and climate-driven range shifts of thermophilic fishes. Sea surface temperatures in the region have increased by ~0.5 °C per decade since the 1990s, creating favorable conditions for warm-water species. As a fast-growing, generalist predator, P. dentex may alter food web dynamics and interact with native species. This record underscores the need for sustained ichthyofaunal monitoring and further research on the ecological implications of thermophilic newcomers in the Black Sea
Redescription, DNA barcoding, and new distributional records of Mordellistena microgemellata Ermisch, 1965 (Coleoptera, Mordellidae)
No full textMordellistena microgemellata Ermisch, 1965, recorded from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, and Hungary, is here reported for the first time from Tunisia. A detailed redescription of the species, supplemented with photographs and illustrations of key diagnostic characters, is provided based on the examination of the holotype and 25 additional specimens. Furthermore, six sequences of the DNA barcoding fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene generated in this study represent the first available DNA data for the species
Proposal NFDI4Chem 2025-2030 In the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) — Our Vision: All Chemists Publish FAIR Data
No full textThe first funding period of NFDI4Chem established a robust foundation for research data management (RDM) in chemistry by promoting FAIR data principles and creating a cohesive infrastructure to capture well-annotated data early in the lab through electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) and making this data available in public repositories. Key achievements include standardised data formats and metadata, a federated repository environment, and improved data visibility and accessibility. Training programs and outreach have significantly increased awareness and adoption of best RDM practices. In the second funding period, the consortium aims to advance these achievements by consolidating this infrastructure, developing a model for its sustainable maintenance and operation, and fostering cultural change for its widespread adoption. Goals include ensuring seamless data workflows from laboratories to open repositories, enhancing interoperability, and supporting innovative research through AI-ready data. The work plan is organised into six task areas (TAs). TA1 (Management) provides leadership and supports all other TAs in achieving their objectives. TA2 (Smart Lab) aims to develop a fully digital research environment, including an ELN as a modular platform. This environment will support data collection, management, storage, analysis, and sharing. Integrating devices and external resources will enable seamless data transfer to repositories. TA3 (Repositories) will consolidate the repository ecosystem. The goal is to integrate repositories into a federated system for better accessibility and interoperability, ensuring long-term data availability and sustainability. TA4 (Metadata, Data Standards, and Publication Standards) focuses on developing and promoting new data and metadata standards in an international community process. This includes applying ontologies to create a semantic foundation for linking research data, making it machine-readable and enabling knowledge graphs. TA5 (Community and Training) is dedicated to fostering a cultural shift towards digital chemistry through continuous engagement, collecting requirements, and providing extensive training and support through workshops and open education resources. It will promote FAIR-compliant machine learning applications, embedding RDM into academic curricula to ensure future scientists are well-versed in these practices. TA6 (Synergies and Cross-Cutting Topics) aims to enhance collaboration across NFDI consortia and beyond. This includes developing ontologies, terminology services, the search service, and other cross-cutting solutions, integrating these developments into existing infrastructure, enabling interdisciplinary data harmonisation and fostering machine learning applications