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Diversity and distribution of the Trichoptera of Florida, United States, with descriptions of five new species
No full textBased on previously published species accounts and collection records of the authors, a county-level distributional checklist of all 220 caddisfly species documented within Florida is presented, representing 46 genera within 19 families. New state records are provided for four species and five new Integripalpian species are described and illustrated: Protoptila chipolensis Rasmussen & Harris, sp. nov. (Glossosomatidae), Hydroptila aviforma Rasmussen & Harris, sp. nov. (Hydroptilidae), Beraea jennyae Rasmussen & Harris, sp. nov. (Beraeidae), Ceraclea pescadori Rasmussen & Harris, sp. nov. (Leptoceridae), and Oecetis densoni Rasmussen & Harris, sp. nov. (Leptoceridae). The most speciose families within Florida are the Hydroptilidae (77 species), Leptoceridae (54 species), Hydropsychidae (21 species) and Polycentropodidae (18 species). In addition to county-level distributional data, conservation status ranks and ranking recommendations for the newly described species are also provided. The majority of Florida’s caddisfly species are native to the eastern Nearctic, with many endemic (precinctive) to the Southeastern Coastal Plain, including 34 species known only from Florida. Diversity and distributional data are summarized for each family and regional diversity is compared between the panhandle and peninsula. Taxa richness and endemism are higher in the panhandle than in the peninsula. The panhandle contains 213 recorded species with 23 species endemic to the region, compared to the peninsula containing 131 recorded species, with five of those endemic to the peninsula. The higher taxonomic richness and presence of many cool-adapted taxa within the panhandle is likely due the temperate climate, diverse lentic and lotic habitats, and connectedness of river basins that extend north into Alabama and Georgia. The water bodies in counties of the Florida peninsula have a less diverse caddisfly fauna with taxonomic richness generally decreasing north to south along the peninsula, where habitat diversity declines and mean annual temperature increases
Additions to the genus Rhyacopsyche Müller, 1879 (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) in Ecuador
No full textPrior to this publication, six species of microcaddisflies in the genus Rhyacopsyche (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) had been recorded from Ecuador. Herein, we describe five new species: Rhyacopsyche abdita sp. nov., Rhyacopsyche bellavista sp. nov., Rhyacopsyche decouxi sp. nov., Rhyacopsyche patula sp. nov., and Rhyacopsyche tumida sp. nov. Illustrations of male genitalia are provided with each description. This work brings the total number of Rhyacopsyche species in Ecuador to eleven, and the world total to 37
Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Mayamaea densestriata sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a new terrestrial species from Henan Province, China
No full textA new terrestrial diatom species, Mayamaea densestriata sp. nov., is described from moist agricultural soil in Henan Province, China. Morphologically, it exhibits the typical diagnostic features of the genus Mayamaea, including small, elliptical to linear-elliptical valves, areolae externally occluded with hymenes, uniseriate radiate striae, and a distinct sternum. M. densestriata closely resembles six congeners, including M. atomus, M. terrestris, M. fossalis, M. vietnamica, M. arida, and M. permitis, but can be clearly distinguished by its lanceolate axial area fusing with a transversely expanded central area, higher stria density, and a notably greater number of areolae per stria. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated SSU rDNA and rbcL gene sequences strongly support the placement of M. densestriata within the genus Mayamaea. Furthermore, the overall topology also confirms the monophyly of Mayamaea, which is resolved as sister to a clade encompassing species of Pinnularia and Caloneis, thereby supporting its affiliation within the family Pinnulariaceae
A digitization workflow of dry-pinned collections of Lepidoptera
No full textButterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are one of the most commonly found insect groups in museum collections. Yet many specimens still lack digital data and few digitization workflows are available. Here we present a digitization workflow for natural history collections that can be widely applicable for any museum or dried pinned-specimen collection of Lepidoptera. Our workflow consists of pre-imaging preparation, usage of a copy stand for imaging pinned specimens and data labels, image processing, and transcription, the latter two which utilize Python scripts for optimization
New insights into the Syllis prolifera species complex from the eastern Mediterranean Sea
No full textReports of cases of cryptic and pseudocryptic speciation have increased in the last decade among marine invertebrates thanks to the use of integrative taxonomy that combines all available data sources to correctly establish species boundaries, now routinely incorporated into classical taxonomical studies. This approach has enhanced our understanding of the real biodiversity of a given area, which has fundamental implications for conservation and management of marine ecosystems. Among polychaete annelids, considered one of the most ubiquitous and abundant groups in our oceans, there are numerous documented cases of cryptic and pseudocryptic speciation, mainly in those highly diverse families as Syllidae Grube, 1850. One of the most recent cases of species complex has been reported in Syllis prolifera Krohn, 1852 – traditionally considered a widespread, cosmopolitan species – and now recognised as a pseudocryptic complex in the western Mediterranean Sea. However, its broader distribution suggests that additional pseudocryptic lineages may exist in other regions of the Mediterranean basin. In this study, newly collected specimens from the Greek islands of Crete and Mykonos are combined with all previously published data on the S. prolifera complex, aiming to assess the existence of additional putative Mediterranean species. Combining morphological, biogeographical, and molecular data (COI, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA markers) the presence of at least three more novel lineages for the eastern Mediterranean Sea is revealed. However, unlike previous studies, no clear diagnostic morphological characters were found for each lineage, suggesting that the complex includes both pseudocryptic and cryptic potential new species. Our results further reinforce the view that species diversity within the family Syllidae remains underestimated and highlight the necessity of integrative studies to accurately assess marine invertebrate biodiversity
Tree line dynamics and forest densification in the European Alps revealed by Landsat images and machine learning: a case study in the Senales/Schnals Valley
No full textThe alpine tree line represents one of the most climate-sensitive ecological boundaries, where multiple interacting factors determine vegetation distribution at its upper limit. This study investigates the spatio-temporal dynamics of the tree line in the Senales Valley (South Tyrol, Italy) between 1985 and 2023, combining multi-temporal Landsat imagery, Random Forest (RF) classification, and visual orthophoto interpretation performed by manually delineating the forest boundary to assess both spatial and elevational shifts. Climatic variables (temperature, precipitation, snow cover, and growing season length) were analysed using linear models (LM) and generalized additive models (GAM) to identify long-term trends and potential drivers of tree line migration. The results reveal a consistent increase in forest cover in all 16 study areas, averaging +44%, with the largest expansions occurring on slopes facing W. Elevational advances were recorded in 15 of 16 areas, averaging +32 m for Landsat-derived data and +45 m for orthophotos. Elevated minimum temperatures during spring and autumn, alongside warmer summers and a significant rise in precipitation during the same season, created conditions which maintained soil moisture and reduced water stress—factors known to facilitate tree line advancement. Wind exposure from the N-NW sector and associated föhn effects appeared to limit tree line expansion on S-SE facing slopes. Comparison between manual and RF-derived tree lines revealed overall high agreement, with deviations below one Landsat pixel (30 m) in most cases. This confirms that Landsat imagery combined with RF algorithms provides a robust, cost-effective method for assessing long-term tree line dynamics in heterogeneous alpine environments
Mastering the technology of fast reactors with liquid-metal coolant at the Beloyarsk NPP
No full textSodium-cooled fast neutron reactors are one of the most environmentally friendly reactor types and play an important role in the development of Russia’s nuclear power industry and the long-term supply of nuclear fuel for the industry. The long-term successful operation of the industrial-scale fast neutron reactor BN-600 and the commissioning of a new power unit with a more powerful BN-800 reactor have made Russia a world leader in the construction and operation of fast neutron reactors. This paper describes the stages of mastering the capacity of the sodium-cooled fast neutron power reactors BN-600 and BN-800 at the Beloyarsk NPP. Based on the experience of BN-600 and BN-800 operation, a power unit with a BN-1200M reactor is being created, which can be considered as the head in a series of power units with BN-1200M reactors. The creation of the series will significantly expand the fuel base of nuclear power by reusing spent nuclear fuel from other NPPs, and minimizing radioactive waste by burning the longest-lived isotopes from spent nuclear fuel from other reactors. The main task in creating the BN-1200M is to achieve economic characteristics that ensure its competitiveness with a serial thermal neutron reactor VVER of a similar power level. According to the General Scheme for the Placement of Electric Power Facilities approved by the Government of the Russian Federation until 2042, the lead power unit with the BN-1200 reactor will be built at the Beloyarsk NPP as power unit No. 5
Economic growth volatility: Is financialization a culprit?
No full textFinancial development plays a crucial role in shaping economic growth, yet it can introduce volatility. This study examines the relationship between financial development and economic growth volatility. Using panel data from 60 countries (30 developed and 30 developing) for 1981–2022, we employ panel-corrected standard errors and generalized method of moments to ensure robustness. Financial development is analyzed through financial institutions and financial markets across three dimensions: depth, access, and efficiency. Conceptually, the paper finds that the supply-leading hypothesis does not account for the economic growth volatility associated with excessive financialization. The results indicate that, at higher levels, financial development has a volatility-enhancing impact in developed countries, while in developing countries it has a volatility-reducing effect. Policymakers in developed countries should ensure that credit expansion is aligned with real-sector development. Regulators should monitor adverse effects of financial depth and ensure funds are directed toward real-sector growth, while improving access and efficiency. In a too‑much-finance scenario, economies need moderators — such as strong regulatory quality and well-defined rights for creditors and borrowers — to mitigate volatility-enhancing effects
Differential oviposition timing by seasonality and oviposition timing of parasitoids of the invasive roseau cane scale (Nipponaclerda biwakoensis) as revealed by multiplex PCR assays
No full textRoseau cane scale, Nipponaclerda biwakoensis (Hemiptera: Aclerdidae) is an invasive species negatively impacting Phragmites australis (Cyperales: Poaceae) stands within the Mississippi River Delta. Previous research generated a PCR multiplex capable of identifying the three species of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) that attack the scale in its invasive range. The appearance of a fourth species, Aprostocetus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), within Louisiana in 2022 necessitated updating the multiplex with primers specific to the new species. The newly updated multiplex can identify the presence of all four parasitoid species within their host. DNA was extracted from the whole bodies of scales collected at different life stages and three different dates during the growing season and PCR performed with the new multiplex. Our findings show each species within the complex oviposits within a specific window of nymphal development which might help explain how successful multiparasitism frequently occurs in this system. The frequency of multiparasitism and relative abundance of each parasitoid species was consistent across the three sampling dates, except Astymachus lasallei (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), which was found in higher abundance during the end of the growing season
Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) of the Nature Reserve of Pantalica (Sicily, Italy)
No full textThe hymenopteran family Ichneumonidae (also known as Darwin wasps) represents one of the largest families of parasitoid insects. However, faunistic research is needed to fill the gaps in the knowledge of the biodiversity of this group in the Mediterranean area and Italy.A faunistic survey on Darwin's wasps of the Nature Reserve of Pantalica (Siracusa, Sicily, Italy) is presented. A total of 81 species of ichneumonids belonging to 19 subfamilies were identified. Of these, 42 species are new records for Sicily and nine species are new records for Italy. The subfamilies Adelognathinae and Oxytorinae are reported for the first time in Sicily.Misetus obscurus Berthoumieu, 1897 stat. rev. (Ichneumoninae, Phaeogenini), originally described as a colour form of M. oculatus Wesmael, 1845, is raised to species level, based on both morphological and molecular data