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Fossil insects of Chile, including arachnids and myriapods: a systematic literature review and checklist
No full textFossil insects have been a key tool for understanding the phylogeny and evolutionary history of life. However, many regions of the world still exhibit significant gaps in the knowledge of insect fossils, with South America being particularly underrepresented. The limited understanding of the fossil record—encompassing diversity pools, types of fossil evidence, geological ages, and taxonomic identity—can lead to the undervaluation of this heritage and, in severe cases, to the material loss of specimens. This study aims to provide a systematic compilation of studies on Chilean fossil insects and a fossil checklist. A broad literature review was conducted, including scientific articles, books, theses, and conference papers, using keywords related to Chilean fossil insects. We included data of species identity, fossil type, stratigraphic context, age calibrations, and locality information. The resulting dataset comprised 93 works, including 65 primary and 28 secondary sources. We registered records from Quaternary, Neogene, Paleogene, Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Carboniferous periods. The Quaternary period had the most extensive coverage in terms of fossil records. A total of 726 nominal records (taxon and ichnotaxon names) of arthropod fossils were recorded, with Coleoptera the most diverse group. Additionally, 17 records of Araneae and one putative record for Myriapoda classes were registered. Finally, we critically evaluated the sources of information to confirm or dismiss some doubtful records, provide an overview of the current state of knowledge, and suggest considerations for the future development of this discipline in Chile. Future studies should consider new methodological approaches, validate the records through thorough phylogenetic and nomenclatural analyses, properly characterize the type of material and its compliance with current nomenclatural rules, and finally, provide an accessible repository to ensure the replicability of the studies
Alternative performance measures’ disclosure quality in the 2024 press release and management report
No full textThis study examines the disclosure quality of alternative performance measures (APMs) in 2024 press releases and management reports. Based on the ESMA guidelines on APMs, we established a disclosure index to capture the disclosure quality amongst European listed companies. We find the disclosure quality in the management report to be significantly better than the disclosure quality in the press release while, notably, these press releases are often published before the external audit of the financial statements is completed. Moreover, it is not always clear from the press releases whether the GAAP financial information has been audited or not. Our study further showed that almost all companies applied APMs on their first page of their Q4 press releases and management reports. In addition, the effects of the forthcoming IFRS 18 standard are discussed in this study
Morphometric and bioacoustic profiling of Myotis cf. davidii/aurascens (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in East Asia: evidence for a range extension and elevational record
No full textDuring a Chiroptera resource survey conducted in 2023 on the Pamir Plateau of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, two adult male bat individuals were captured. External morphology examination revealed small-sized individuals characterized by long, narrow ears with straight tragus structures tapering to sharp tips—features diagnostic of the genus Myotis. Concurrently, we obtained free-flight echolocation calls from the bats: the signals showed an initial frequency of 65.12 ± 2.12 kHz, terminal frequency of 42.78 ± 1.27 kHz, peak energy frequency of 47.41 ± 1.46 kHz, pulse duration of 2.52 ± 0.26 ms, and inter-pulse interval of 94.01 ± 31.41 ms. Based on skull morphological traits and bioacoustic data, the specimens were preliminarily identified as Myotis aurascens. However, our phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene revealed that sequences attributed to M. aurascens and M. davidii formed a single strongly supported clade, underscoring the unresolved taxonomic status of these species. Irrespective of the exact species assignment, this discovery constitutes the first documented occurrence of the M. davidii/aurascens complex on the Pamir Plateau, thereby extending the known distribution range in China. Notably, these specimens represent the highest-elevation record for this group to date (3200 m). Our study provides the first comprehensive description of cranial morphology and echolocation signatures for this taxon in a high-altitude habitat. These findings significantly enhance regional biodiversity inventories and offer critical baseline data for plateau ecosystem research
A morphometric approach to the taxonomic dilemma of Zonozoe drabowiensis Barrande, 1872 and Zonoscutum solum Chlupáč, 1999 (Upper Ordovician, Czech Republic)
No full textZonozoe drabowiensis Barrande, 1872 and Zonoscutum solum Chlupáč, 1999 are rare and incompletely preserved arthropods from the Upper Ordovician of the Czech Republic. Their classification has been a subject of debate for over a century due to the limited number of specimens, lack of knowledge related to post-cephalic morphology and the absence of clear diagnostic features. They were previously considered as members of Aglaspidida, an extinct group of arthropods from the Cambrian and Ordovician, within Vicissicaudata, a branch of the larger arthropod clade Artiopoda. Herein, we analysed the cephalic outlines of Zonozoe and Zonoscutum to determine whether their shapes align more closely with vissicaudatans than with other early Palaeozoic arthropods, offering a new morphological perspective on their systematics. We assembled a data set of cephalic outlines each representing one of thirty-three early Palaeozoic species, including Zonozoe, Zonoscutum, nine euchelicerates, six aglaspidids, three cheloniellids, and a selection of other artiopodans. We quantified their shape using elliptical Fourier analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) place Zonozoe within the vicissicaudatan morphospace, and Zonoscutum in their proximity, clearly distinguishing them from euchelicerates. These data add support to the most conservative classification of Zonozoe and Zonoscutum within Artiopoda, while strengthening the case for a more specific affinity with Vicissicaudata, helping to resolve a 150-year-old taxonomic uncertainty. More broadly, this study demonstrates the value of outline-based morphometrics in aiding systematic hypotheses when discrete characters are unavailable or scarce, offering a reproducible tool for re-evaluating other problematic fossils
Diversity and distribution of the Huastec Mayan medicinal plants: hotspots for bioprospecting and conservation
No full textThe multi-ethnic biocultural region Huasteca in Mexico has a variety of practices, including the use of traditional plant-based medicine. Here, we analyse the diversity and distribution of the medicinal plants used by the Tenek culture, to identify hotspots for bioprospecting and conservation. We describe their diversity, growth forms, origin and endemism, classes of diseases, parts used and conservation risk status. A total of 468 plant species used for medicinal purposes were recorded, from 113 families and 350 genera. More than 50% of the species richness is concentrated in 10 families and 11 genera. A total of 418 species are native, 23 of them are endemic, while 50 are non-native. These species are obtained from one or more habitats, including 356 from the wild, 237 from home gardens, 111 from milpas, 20 from sugarcane plantations and 16 from disturbed habitats. The most common growth form is herbaceous and the most commonly used parts are leaves. Geographic hotspots with high species richness, disease classes diversity and high ethnomedicinal index values occur in Aquismón, San Antonio and Tantoyuca. Our results show that the biocultural region Huasteca is a reservoir of current benefits and future option values for bioprospecting and preserving of biocultural heritage. Further studies should employ phylogenetic approaches to elucidate evolutionary patterns and processes implied selection of medicinal plants by local people of medicinal plants. This will help identify lineages with phytochemicals, improve bioprospecting and ensure benefits for local people. As knowledge holders, they contribute to the conservation of medicinal plants
Karyotype characteristics and COI gene data of Chironomus degelenus Seisebaev, Bakhtin & Siirin, 2001 (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Eastern Caucasus (Dagestan) and its relationship with the Nearctic species Chironomus atrella (Townes, 1945)
No full textThis study provides new details on the karyotype characteristics, chromosomal polymorphism, and COI gene data of the Dipteran species Chironomus degelenus from the Eastern Caucasus. This is the first record of Ch. degelenus in the Eastern Caucasus (and Russia in General). The Caucasian population of this species shows eight banding sequences and low polymorphism. We discovered a new banding sequence, degC2, in Ch. degelenus. Only arm C showed an inversion polymorphism. There are striking similarities between the polytene chromosome banding patterns of Ch. degelenus and Ch. atrella. Therefore, we propose including Ch. degelenus in the Ch. atrella group of closely related species. Phylogenetic analysis of COI gene sequences reveals two distinct entities referred to as “Ch. atrella”, with a higher-than-average K2P distance of 6.2%. This pattern is attributed to “dark taxa”; genetic information in databases from unknown and taxonomically challenging species. We also discuss the potential link between the emergence of the species Ch. degelenus and Ch. atrella and Pliocene climate changes
Phylogeny of eleven genera of Perlodidae Klapálek, 1909 (Plecoptera) based on the mitochondrial genomes, with biogeographical discussion of the family
No full textThe phylogenetic relationship of Perlodidae is presented in this paper based on mitochondrial genomes with different matrix (PCG, PCGR, PCG12, PCG12R). This study includes molecular data from seven genera and seven species, including three rare genera and five species from China. The results show that the monophyly of subfamilies and tribes of Perlodidae is well supported, as well as that Perlodinae and Isoperlinae diverged from a common ancestor at the same time, while the split between Arcynopterygini and Perlodini + Diploperlini occurred after the split between the two subfamiles. A discussion of the origin and migration of the Holarctic and Palearctic-Oriental perlodid genera is provided in this paper
Integrative systematics of the tarantulas Euathlus Ausserer, 1875 from Argentina: cladistics, molecular phylogeny and new species (Araneae: Theraphosidae)
No full textThe present study contributes to the understanding of the diversity within the tarantula genus Euathlus Ausserer, 1875. Through a combination of cladistic, molecular, and morphological analyses, three new species are described: Euathlus basalticus sp. nov. from Neuquén, Euathlus kupal sp. nov. from Mendoza, and Euathlus susanae sp. nov. from the La Pampa-Mendoza provinces. Additionally, the female of Euathlus tenebrarum Ferretti, 2015 is described for the first time, revealing that the previously attributed female of this species belongs to E. basalticus sp. nov. Phylogenetic trees from both morphological and molecular datasets are presented. Preliminary molecular analyses reveal the identity and support the proposal of the species treated here. Morphological analyses found considerable diversity within Euathlus, particularly in genitalic structures, challenging the general assumption of morphological homogeneity among mygalomorph spiders. Cladistic analyses recovered the genus Phrixotrichus within Euathlus, though this hypothesis could not be tested with molecular data due to the lack of available sequences for Phrixotrichus. These results suggest that future taxonomic revisions may be complemented once molecular data become available. Altogether, our results provide new insights into the systematics and diversity of Euathlus and highlight the importance of integrative approaches for unraveling evolutionary relationships within this group
D2.1 Good practice criteria for multi-hazard forecasting (including a multidisciplinary calibration) and application limits, as enablers for risk reduction through restoration, exportable to other coasts
No full textThe REST-COAST project (Large-scale RESToration of COASTal ecosystems through rivers to sea connectivity) is a Horizon 2020 research initiative funded by the European Commission under Grant Agreement No. 101037097. Its overarching aim is to restore coastal ecosystems across Europe by advancing science-based approaches to hazard mitigation and resilience, with a strong emphasis on nature-based solutions (NbS) and the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services (ESS). To meet this objective, the project adopts a multidisciplinary approach that combines modelling, monitoring, restoration, governance, and finance. Scientific development is tightly linked to practical implementation through a network of pilot sites representing diverse coastal typologies and pressures. These sites serve as laboratories for testing and validating coupled hydro-morpho-eco models capable of simulating the role of natural ecosystems in reducing risks such as coastal flooding, erosion, and saline intrusion. This deliverable, D2.1, documents the modelling work conducted under Task 2.1, focusing on present-day storm conditions. It presents the model configurations, validation procedures, and simulation outcomes used to evaluate the risk reduction potential of NbS across seven pilot sites. The work includes detailed analysis of hydrodynamic and morphodynamic processes, sediment transport, and vegetation interactions, as well as the derivation of site-specific ESS indicators. The models are tailored to local physical settings and restoration goals, and have been validated against real storm events using field and remote sensing data. D2.1 provides a robust technical foundation for assessing the effectiveness and operational relevance of ecosystem-based approaches to coastal risk management. The methods and results presented here contribute to the broader REST-COAST objective of supporting adaptive, transferable, and evidence-based coastal restoration strategies throughout Europe
Diversity of Rhyacophila (Trichoptera, Rhyacophilidae) in the Hengduan Mountains
No full textAquatic insects are particularly dependent on environmental conditions because their life cycles are directly linked to physico-chemical conditions in freshwater habitats. Here, we combine DNA barcoding and ecological analysis to determine general distributional patterns for an unknown fauna of Rhyacophila (Trichoptera, Rhyacophilidae) in the Hengduan Mountains in China. In total 415 larval and 109 adult specimens from four major Hengduan Mountain river basins (1022 m – 4381 m a.s.l.) were sequenced and analyzed. Molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) were delimited as putative species analogs. MOTUs were derived from mitochondrial COI (mtCOI) and nuclear wingless (nuWG) data using the tree-based GMYC method. As expected, based on a higher mutation rate, mtCOI delimitation resulted in a much higher number of MOTUs (66) than in WG (27), but not all mtCOI MOTUs were nested within nuWG MOTUs. Many mtCOI MOTUs were geographically restricted and rare, often occurring in only one or two sampling sites. Multivariate GLM analyses confirmed the importance of basins as the primary factor for explaining the diversity of Rhyacophila MOTUs. The high level of geographical restriction of MOTUs among basins and along elevational gradients indicates that Rhyacophila in the Hengduan Mountains are largely range-restricted, dispersal limited and consequently vulnerable to local changes in environmental conditions