Zoological Studies最新文献

The Taiwan Broad-tailed Swallowtail, Papilio maraho, is an endangered species in Taiwan and has been recognized as sister to continental Papilio elwesi. However, the exact species identification between them has remained contentious because of similar genital morphology and only a few DNA diagnostic sites. Here, we integrate wing morphometrics and next-generation sequencing to reevaluate their identification. Our analyses show that hindwing morphology clearly separates these taxa: Papilio maraho has a broader, shorted hindwing with a much higher proportion of red scaling, whereas Papilio elwesi shows a narrower, elongated hindwing with higher proportion of black scaling. Furthermore, phylogenetic relationships and the haplotype network based on 37 mitochondrial genes separates the two taxa into reciprocally monophyletic clusters, further confirming their genetic distinctiveness. The congruence among morphological and genetic evidences strongly supports that Papilio maraho is an independent lineage. Formal recognition at the species level will facilitate more targeted and effective conservation strategies.

Dorylaimellus (Dorylaimellus) grandis sp. nov. is described, including morphological data, LM and SEM illustrations, and molecular (18S-, 28S-rDNA) analyses. The new taxon is widely distributed in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, where it is mainly associated with natural habitats. It is characterized by its 1.57-2.43 mm long body, lip region cap-like and offset by marked constriction, cheilostom slightly flasklike with thick and visibly refractive walls bearing distinct circumoral platelets, odontostyle 9.0-9.5 μm long or almost equal to lip region diameter, odontophore linear, relatively short neck (b = 6.1-9.7), anterior pharyngeal region weakly muscular and bearing a spindle-shaped and valve containing region behind the odontophore base, pharyngeal expansion 113-157 μm long or 44-54% of total neck length, longitudinal vulva (V = 5057), tail conoid to subcylindroid (31-47 μm, c = 37-59, c' = 1.4-1.9 in females), spicules 38-40 μm, and five ventromedian supplements with hiatus. The results confirm an intricate scenario for elucidating both the phylogeny and the taxonomy of Dorylaimellinae in particular, and of Belondiridae in general. The morphological heterogeneity of the group is even more complex than usually assumed, and its internal evolutionary relationships are not well established as the phylogenies derived from the molecular analyses significantly differ depending on the gene considered.

Parasites can significantly influence ecological communities by altering the traits of their hosts. hizocephalans, a group closely related to thoracican barnacles within Cirripedia, are common in marine ecosystems and profoundly impact their hosts, most notably by inducing reproductive castration. However, their influence on other host traits, particularly those related to predator defense, remains underexplored. The rhizocephalan Polyascus polygenea modifies the length of the cheliped propodus in the host crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus. To determine whether parasitized crabs are more vulnerable to predation, we conducted field tethering experiments comparing parasitized and unparasitized individuals. The results showed that parasitism itself did not directly increase the likelihood of crabs being lost (presumably due to predation) in either sex. However, structural equation modeling revealed that in parasitized males, a reduced cheliped propodus length indirectly increased predation risk. In females, parasitism reduced carapace width, which in turn shortened the cheliped propodus and increased vulnerability to predation. These findings demonstrate that Polyascus infection heightens predation risk through non-consumptive effects by inducing host morphological changes.

Clinostomum species are typical trematodes (or flatworms) and zoonotic parasites of humans, fish, and birds. These parasites require at least two definitive hosts, fish and birds, to complete their life cycle. Previous studies indicated that the yellow grub, identified as C. complanatum, first appeared in northern Taiwan around the 1990s, with uncertain origins. This study identified 65 of 2,181 museum fish specimens with leech-like metacercariae across four main river systems (Tamshui, Houlong, Tzengwen, and Xiuguluan Rivers) and documented new infection records in fishes from Beigang, Puzih, Kaoping, and Bie Rivers during subsequent field work. The parasite appears to have established in the Houlong and Tamshui Rivers before dispersing to southern and eastern waterways. COI barcode analysis revealed that most metacercariae belong to C. sinensis with low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00314353). The closely related haplotypes with insignificant Tajima's D (-1.89473 with p-value = 0.981839) suggest a gentle population expansion after their colonization to Taiwan. Additionally, yellow grub infections were more prevalent in carnivorous fishes (> 60%) compared to omnivorous and algal-feeding fishes. The high infection rates documented in literature and museum specimens suggest that Jhonggang and Houlong rivers represent the primary (or earlier) infection areas from which the parasite subsequently spread throughout Taiwan, highlighting the need for enhanced regulations to protect endangered or cultivated species.

Asopinae is a globally distributed subfamily of Pentatomidae, encompassing 65 genera and over 300 known species. Most asopines are generalist predators, making them valuable for the biological control of agricultural pests. Although the subfamily has a wide global range, most genera are region-specific. To date, no database has consolidated collection sites or provided organized, updated distributional records for these predatory stink bugs. Here, we aim to build a web interactive database after compiling distribution data for Asopinae species across all continents except Antarctica, using taxonomic revisions, regional lists, catalogues, and specimen collections. Our study also examines global patterns of taxonomic richness using multiple analytical units, including political boundaries, biogeographic realms, ecoregions, and grid cells. The resulting database of 5,831 records for 299 species is now available on the "Asopinae of the World Database," an interactive, live website. Results indicate that the most species-rich countries are predominantly the world's largest, with the exception of nations characterized by high proportions of deserts or extreme environments. Species richness across ecoregions exhibits discontinuous patterns, even between adjacent areas. Among biogeographic realms, the Neotropics host the highest richness, followed by Indo-Malay, Palearctic, Afrotropic, Nearctic, and Australasian regions. Furthermore, we identified 23 bioregions that align closely with classical biogeographical realms, and we recognized 14 key areas of endemism within the group. The extensive data presented in this study offer a valuable resource for future systematic, taxonomic, biological, and applied research on Asopinae.

Despite the severe decline that arthropod communities are experiencing worldwide, there are still basic scientific knowledge deficits that are preventing policymakers from implementing optimal decisions for their conservation. Chorological maps, fundamental conservation tools, are not available for most species or are not updated periodically in an agile way. Limited funding or an unaffordable workforce are some of the impediments to surveying species distribution. To address these challenges in the near term, several solutions have been proposed. One option involves engaging citizens in the collection of data, a method not commonly employed for studying spiders. Here, the distribution of the only spider species protected by EU legislation, the elusive Iberian endemism Macrothele calpeiana Walckenaer, 1805 (Macrothelidae) is updated by using traditional sources, but mostly citizen records, both in its native range and for the whole European continent, given that the species has frequently been unintentionally exported to various countries. The native range has been slightly expanded and currently occupies 156 UTM 10 × 10 grid cells, which means ca. 2.7% of the total area of the Iberian Peninsula. Citizen collaboration proved decisive, especially to generate recent information in a short period of time: over just the last 10 years, data from third parties covered 35 grid cells, 17 of them new to science. On the other hand, M. calpeiana has been reported as non-native in eight different countries. In some of them, such as France and Italy, the reports are recurrent. The outcomes of the methodology used in the study were highly encouraging, showcasing its potential for implementation by budget-constrained administrations to effectively monitor this species of conservation concern.

Climate change and biological invasions have had significant impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. To assess how environmental changes affect two key invasive snails-Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata-in East Asia, we built species distribution models (SDMs) and ecological niche models. These apple snails (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) have negatively impacted ecosystems and human health. Understanding their distribution is crucial for containing invasions under current and future climates. Our findings indicate that these two species occur primarily in China and Japan but occupy different suitable habitats, and the highly overlapping niches suggest interspecific competition. P. canaliculata is more adaptable extreme environments. The projections show that the sustainable development pathway (SSP126) best limits these invaders by suppressing reproduction and dispersal. This study provides predictive information that can be utilized to reduce the invasiveness and spread of these two Pomacea species. To prevent further increases in suitable habitat, control measures should be taken as early as possible.

Opoptera Aurivillius, 1882 belongs to the tribe Brassolini and comprises 10 species. The white belt owlet butterfly Opoptera fruhstorferi (Röber, 1896) is endemic to the Atlantic Forest, occurring in the southeast and south regions of Brazil. Morphological studies, including detailed descriptions of immatures and aspects of the natural history of Opoptera, remain poorly documented. This study aims to 1) describe for the first time the morphology of the immature stages of O. fruhstorferi; 2) provide a complete view of its life cycle; 3) report tritrophic plant-host-parasitoid interactions; 4) compile records of Brassolini parasitoids from the literature. These data expand the understanding of the natural history of Opoptera, a genus that still has several gaps to be filled. This study also contributes to the systematics of Neotropical butterflies.

Scylla olivacea is a commercially important species in the Indo-Pacific region, currently facing growing pressures from anthropogenic stressors. This study compares populations from the Indian Ocean (Andaman Sea) and the Pacific Ocean (Gulf of Thailand) to assess how different oceanic region and seasonal conditions influence key reproductive traits. By examining parameters such as sex ratio, size at first maturity, fecundity, and gonadosomatic index (GSI), the study aims to identify the differences that can inform targeted and sustainable management strategies. Crab samples were collected monthly from five sampling sites along the coast of the Indian Ocean (Ranong, Satun and Trang provinces) and the Pacific Ocean (Pattani and Surat Thani provinces) using traditional crab traps by local fishermen from April 2022 to May 2023 and subsequently analyzed in the laboratory. Results indicated that crabs from Ranong province, the Indian Ocean, exhibited smaller body sizes and values of most reproductive parameters (p < 0.01). The fecundities were 1.03 × 106 and 1.49 × 106 for crabs from Ranong and Pattani provinces, respectively. Positive relationships were found between internal carapace width (ICW), carapace length (CL), abdomen width (AW), and body weight (BW) with ovary weight (OW). Mature females, based on gonad development stages III and IV, were present year-round at both oceanic coasts. Peak abundances were found in November at both sites. High GSI levels were recorded in April and June for Ranong province (3.05 ± 1.97 to 10.97 ± 1.96) and February and June for Pattani province (3.19 ± 1.72 to 10.52 ± 1.71). The estimated sizes at maturity (M50) for female/male of S. olivacea varied across locations with smaller sizes observed from the Indian Ocean viz., 78.0/83.1 mm, 64.0/79.2 mm and 81.9/80.6 mm in the provinces of Ranong, Satun and Trang, respectively and 92.3/93.2 mm and 96.9/96.8 mm in Pattani and Suratthani, respectively. The sex ratio also indicated variations across region, with male:female ratios of 1:0.92, 1:0.78, 1:0.77 and 1:1 in the provinces of Pattani, Ranong, Satun and Trang. It is thus concluded that the oceanic region affects reproductive characteristics of S. olivacea and these findings can be applied to highlight the importance of localized management strategy for a sustainable use of mud crab resources.