Pub Date : 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.012
Francesco Saponi , Agata Cesaretti , Anush Kosakyan , Valentina Serra , M. Antonio Todaro
The understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the phylum Gastrotricha is currently evolving, revealing significant discrepancies between the evolutionary interpretations based on morphology and molecular data. This inconsistency also applies to the families Dasydytidae and Neogosseidae, which include the remarkable planktonic gastrotrich species of the order Chaetonotida. The inter- and intra-relationships within these families remain unclear, mainly due to incomplete taxonomic sampling. In this study, we describe a new species of Setopus and provide its 18S, 28S, and COI genetic sequences. We also provide the sequences of Setopus tongiorgii (Balsamo, 1983), offering the first available molecular data for the genus. The new sequences were used in a phylogenetic analysis that encompassed 53 terminals, covering a broad taxonomic range. The results indicate that the two Setopus species are closely related to Ornamentula Kisielewski, 1991 and highlight a possible non-monophyletic nature of the family Dasydytidae, with members of the family Neogosseidae falling within it.
{"title":"Phylogenetic position of Setopus (Gastrotricha, Paucitubulatina) among planktonic Gastrotricha, with the description of a new species","authors":"Francesco Saponi , Agata Cesaretti , Anush Kosakyan , Valentina Serra , M. Antonio Todaro","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the phylum Gastrotricha is currently evolving, revealing significant discrepancies between the evolutionary interpretations based on morphology and molecular data. This inconsistency also applies to the families Dasydytidae and Neogosseidae, which include the remarkable planktonic gastrotrich species of the order Chaetonotida. The inter- and intra-relationships within these families remain unclear, mainly due to incomplete taxonomic sampling. In this study, we describe a new species of <em>Setopus</em> and provide its 18S, 28S, and COI genetic sequences. We also provide the sequences of <em>Setopus tongiorgii</em> (Balsamo, 1983), offering the first available molecular data for the genus. The new sequences were used in a phylogenetic analysis that encompassed 53 terminals, covering a broad taxonomic range. The results indicate that the two <em>Setopus</em> species are closely related to <em>Ornamentula</em> Kisielewski, 1991 and highlight a possible non-monophyletic nature of the family Dasydytidae, with members of the family Neogosseidae falling within it.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 248-261"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.011
Xin Tong , Wen-Jing Wu , Shu-Yue Liu , Lei Wang
Antennae are essential sensory organs of insects, and their sensory functions are realized by various sensilla. Numerous studies have highlighted notable the interspecific and intraspecific variations in the antennal sensilla among insects. However, given the vast diversity of insect species, there is less research interest in terms of the morphology and sexual dimorphism of their antennal sensilla. In this study, the morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla of both sexes (male, female) of Moechotypa diphysis (Pascoe, 1871) (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the ratio of antennal length to body length is considerably higher in males compared to females. Both sexes display the same types of sensilla, including sensilla chaetica (three subtypes), Böhm bristles, sensilla trichodea (two subtypes), and sensilla basiconica. Additionally, numerous cuticular pores are widely distributed on the antennal surface. Although the distribution of sensilla between males and females shows no major differences, sexual dimorphisms are observed in the size and number of certain sensillum types. In terms of quantity, males have significantly more sensilla chaetica and sensilla basiconica than females. For size, sensilla chaetica, Böhm bristles, and sensilla basiconica tend to be slightly larger in males compared to those of the female, although these differences are not always statistically discernible. The differences in sensilla size and quantity between the two sexes may reflect the intraspecific differences in the chemical and mechanical sensing mechanisms. Our findings may provide foundational data for future research into the sensory physiological functions of specific sensilla types in longhorn beetles.
{"title":"Morphology and sexual dimorphism of antennal sensilla in longhorn beetle Moechotypa diphysis (Pascoe, 1871) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae)","authors":"Xin Tong , Wen-Jing Wu , Shu-Yue Liu , Lei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antennae are essential sensory organs of insects, and their sensory functions are realized by various sensilla. Numerous studies have highlighted notable the interspecific and intraspecific variations in the antennal sensilla among insects. However, given the vast diversity of insect species, there is less research interest in terms of the morphology and sexual dimorphism of their antennal sensilla. In this study, the morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla of both sexes (male, female) of <em>Moechotypa diphysis</em> (Pascoe, 1871) (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the ratio of antennal length to body length is considerably higher in males compared to females. Both sexes display the same types of sensilla, including sensilla chaetica (three subtypes), Böhm bristles, sensilla trichodea (two subtypes), and sensilla basiconica. Additionally, numerous cuticular pores are widely distributed on the antennal surface. Although the distribution of sensilla between males and females shows no major differences, sexual dimorphisms are observed in the size and number of certain sensillum types. In terms of quantity, males have significantly more sensilla chaetica and sensilla basiconica than females. For size, sensilla chaetica, Böhm bristles, and sensilla basiconica tend to be slightly larger in males compared to those of the female, although these differences are not always statistically discernible. The differences in sensilla size and quantity between the two sexes may reflect the intraspecific differences in the chemical and mechanical sensing mechanisms. Our findings may provide foundational data for future research into the sensory physiological functions of specific sensilla types in longhorn beetles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 238-247"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.009
Xiaoyan Sun, Jinhui Cheng
The species-level taxonomy of Eulimnadia has been a subject of concern because of the plasticity observed in adult morphological characters, which often results in low taxonomic resolution. In the past three decades, conservative egg morphology has become the most reliable taxonomic characteristic, especially for the identification of sibling species. To resolve these taxonomic uncertainties and clarify phylogenetic relationships within Eulimnadia cylindrova sensu lato, we integrated morphological analyses (adult soft-body anatomy and egg shell morphology via scanning electron microscopy) and molecular data (four gene markers: nuclear 28S rRNA, mitochondrial 12S rRNA, cytb, and cox1). Species delimitation was performed using distance-based (ABGD) and tree-based (bPTP) methods, combined with maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic reconstructions. Our results confirmed the validity of Eulimnadia taoluoensis: it is morphologically distinct from Eulimnadia braueriana and Eulimnadia indocylindrova; notably, it forms an independent clade from E. braueriana in phylogenetic trees, with substantial cox1 (22.34 %) and cytb (14.18–14.90 %) genetic divergences (rejecting prior synonymy hypotheses). Molecular phylogenetic analyses and phylogenetic signal dissection strongly supported that E. cylindrova sensu lato was non-monophyletic and that at least four distinct clades within E. cylindrova sensu lato have been revealed. Notably, E. taoluoensis is nested within the Mexican population of E. cylindrova sensu lato with low cytb genetic divergence (0.55–1.05 %), representing preliminary molecular evidence suggesting potential conspecificity. Future studies incorporating comprehensive morphological comparisons and multi-locus genetic data will be critical to validate the taxonomic status of these closely related lineages. Our findings provided the first molecular data for E. taoluoensis and demonstrated its species validity and the systematic position of E. cylindrova sensu lato. This study demonstrated the utility of integrative taxonomy in resolving taxonomic controversies in groups with morphological plasticity and offered critical insights for species delimination of Eulimnadia.
{"title":"Resolving the taxonomic status of Eulimnadia cylindrova sensu lato (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) and its cryptic species based on morphological and molecular data","authors":"Xiaoyan Sun, Jinhui Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The species-level taxonomy of <em>Eulimnadia</em> has been a subject of concern because of the plasticity observed in adult morphological characters, which often results in low taxonomic resolution. In the past three decades, conservative egg morphology has become the most reliable taxonomic characteristic, especially for the identification of sibling species. To resolve these taxonomic uncertainties and clarify phylogenetic relationships within <em>Eulimnadia cylindrova</em> sensu lato, we integrated morphological analyses (adult soft-body anatomy and egg shell morphology via scanning electron microscopy) and molecular data (four gene markers: nuclear 28S <em>rRNA</em>, mitochondrial 12S <em>rRNA</em>, <em>cytb</em>, and <em>cox1</em>). Species delimitation was performed using distance-based (ABGD) and tree-based (bPTP) methods, combined with maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic reconstructions. Our results confirmed the validity of <em>Eulimnadia taoluoensis</em>: it is morphologically distinct from <em>Eulimnadia braueriana</em> and <em>Eulimnadia indocylindrova</em>; notably, it forms an independent clade from <em>E. braueriana</em> in phylogenetic trees, with substantial <em>cox1</em> (22.34 %) and <em>cytb</em> (14.18–14.90 %) genetic divergences (rejecting prior synonymy hypotheses). Molecular phylogenetic analyses and phylogenetic signal dissection strongly supported that <em>E. cylindrova</em> sensu lato was non-monophyletic and that at least four distinct clades within <em>E. cylindrova</em> sensu lato have been revealed. Notably, <em>E. taoluoensis</em> is nested within the Mexican population of <em>E. cylindrova</em> sensu lato with low <em>cytb</em> genetic divergence (0.55–1.05 %), representing preliminary molecular evidence suggesting potential conspecificity. Future studies incorporating comprehensive morphological comparisons and multi-locus genetic data will be critical to validate the taxonomic status of these closely related lineages. Our findings provided the first molecular data for <em>E. taoluoensis</em> and demonstrated its species validity and the systematic position of <em>E. cylindrova</em> sensu lato. This study demonstrated the utility of integrative taxonomy in resolving taxonomic controversies in groups with morphological plasticity and offered critical insights for species delimination of <em>Eulimnadia</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 222-237"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The development of behavioral control studies for Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) involves the elucidation of the chemical ecology, which begins with the observation of the calling sexual behavior through the exposure of females abdominal gland. After the pheromone release, the perception of chemical substances is carried out in the sensilla of male antennae, whose characterization can be carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thus, this research aimed to ultrastructurally characterize the antennal sensilla of males and females of T. arnobia. For the characterization of the structural morphology of the sensilla in the antennae of females and males of T. arnobia, scanning electron microscopy was used. In total, six types of sensilla were identified, and characterized in trichoid, squamiform, caetic, basiconic, celoconic and styloconic. The antennae of female and male T. arnobia have different structural morphology of sensilla. The trichoid sensilla are the most abundant, mainly in the antennae of males, indicating that they can respond to stimuli from chemical substances, since these sensilla are recognized for their sex pheromone receptor function. The present study allows a better understanding of the sexual dimorphism between female and male T. arnobia.
{"title":"Morphological characterization and distribution of antennal sensilla on Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)","authors":"Elmadã Pereira Gonzaga , Camila Alexandre Cavalcante de Almeida , Lucas Teles Bezerra , Maclauds Nathan Feliciano Salmento , Fernanda da Silva Gonçalves , Henrique Fonseca Goulart , Antônio Euzébio Goulart Santana , Johnnatan Duarte de Freitas , Mariana Oliveira Breda","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of behavioral control studies for <em>Thyrinteina arnobia</em> (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) involves the elucidation of the chemical ecology, which begins with the observation of the calling sexual behavior through the exposure of females abdominal gland. After the pheromone release, the perception of chemical substances is carried out in the sensilla of male antennae, whose characterization can be carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thus, this research aimed to ultrastructurally characterize the antennal sensilla of males and females of <em>T. arnobia</em>. For the characterization of the structural morphology of the sensilla in the antennae of females and males of <em>T. arnobia</em>, scanning electron microscopy was used. In total, six types of sensilla were identified, and characterized in trichoid, squamiform, caetic, basiconic, celoconic and styloconic. The antennae of female and male <em>T. arnobia</em> have different structural morphology of sensilla. The trichoid sensilla are the most abundant, mainly in the antennae of males, indicating that they can respond to stimuli from chemical substances, since these sensilla are recognized for their sex pheromone receptor function. The present study allows a better understanding of the sexual dimorphism between female and male <em>T. arnobia</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 213-221"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.005
Anastasia D. Lianguzova , Natalia A. Arbuzova , Nikita E. Lapshin , Ekaterina R. Petrova , Aleksei A. Miroliubov
Adult parasitic barnacles significantly differ from their free-living relatives. This leads to uncertainty in the phylogenetic interrelationships even at the family-level, particularly for the former Lernaeodiscidae. This family was abolished based on molecular data, however, the morphological description for lernaeodiscids remains incomplete. Here we describe a morphology of Lernaeodiscus rybakovi parasitizing the porcelain crab Pachycheles stevensii, using a variety of methods. The externa's lacunar and muscular systems are “Kentrogonida”-type in general, but exhibit notable deviations, including an atypical mantle opening formed partly by the visceral mass and a distinct dorso-ventral bridge. The interna displays a previously undescribed organization: a prominent main trunk giving rise to flattened primary branches and tubular secondary rootlets. Muscular fibers are absent in the interna; only sparse actin filaments are present, suggesting alternative mechanisms of nutrient transport. Two invasive rootlet types—goblet-shaped organs and neuropil rootlets—interact with host nervous tissue, and their ultrastructure differs from that of other rhizocephalan families. Additionally, we describe an aberrant trophic rootlet filled with concentric extracellular matrix layers, likely reflecting localised misregulation of cuticle production. Our findings, together with molecular evidence, suggest that Lernaeodiscus may represent an independent lineage, warranting exclusion from Peltogastridae and possibly reinstatement of Lernaeodiscidae. Broader sampling and multigene phylogeny are needed to clarify its rank and composition.
{"title":"The return of Lernaeodiscidae? Morphology of Lernaeodiscus rybakovi points to a distinct clade","authors":"Anastasia D. Lianguzova , Natalia A. Arbuzova , Nikita E. Lapshin , Ekaterina R. Petrova , Aleksei A. Miroliubov","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adult parasitic barnacles significantly differ from their free-living relatives. This leads to uncertainty in the phylogenetic interrelationships even at the family-level, particularly for the former Lernaeodiscidae. This family was abolished based on molecular data, however, the morphological description for lernaeodiscids remains incomplete. Here we describe a morphology of <em>Lernaeodiscus rybakovi</em> parasitizing the porcelain crab <em>Pachycheles stevensii</em>, using a variety of methods. The externa's lacunar and muscular systems are “Kentrogonida”-type in general, but exhibit notable deviations, including an atypical mantle opening formed partly by the visceral mass and a distinct dorso-ventral bridge. The interna displays a previously undescribed organization: a prominent main trunk giving rise to flattened primary branches and tubular secondary rootlets. Muscular fibers are absent in the interna; only sparse actin filaments are present, suggesting alternative mechanisms of nutrient transport. Two invasive rootlet types—goblet-shaped organs and neuropil rootlets—interact with host nervous tissue, and their ultrastructure differs from that of other rhizocephalan families. Additionally, we describe an aberrant trophic rootlet filled with concentric extracellular matrix layers, likely reflecting localised misregulation of cuticle production. Our findings, together with molecular evidence, suggest that <em>Lernaeodiscus</em> may represent an independent lineage, warranting exclusion from Peltogastridae and possibly reinstatement of Lernaeodiscidae. Broader sampling and multigene phylogeny are needed to clarify its rank and composition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 198-212"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.008
Fengping Li , Aimin Wang , Chunsheng Liu , Yu Sun , Zhifeng Gu , Yi Yang
The family Xenophoridae (carrier shells), comprising marine gastropods distinguished by their unique shell-attaching behavior, has attracted scientific interest since the 19th century. Despite this attention, its phylogenetic position and internal intergeneric relationships remain contentious. This study sequenced complete mitochondrial genomes of four xenophorid species—Stellaria solaris, Aspidophoreas chinensis, Xenophora conchyliophora, and Xenophora cerea—to resolve the phylogeny and systematic placement of this family. Comparative analyses revealed high mitochondrial genome similarity among these species in structure, size, gene order, and nucleotide composition. The mitochondrial genomes exhibited significant nucleotide variation among protein-coding genes. Selection pressure analyses indicate purifying selection across all PCGs, with atp8 showing the weakest evolutionary constraint. This suggests that atp8 may be subject to stronger selective pressures, potentially reflecting substantial energy demands associated with xenophorids' unique attachment ecology. Phylogenetic reconstruction supported two major clades within Stromboidea: Clade I included Strombidae + (Rostellariidae + Seraphsidae) and Clade II comprised Xenophoridae + (Struthiolariidae + Aporrhaidae). Internally, Xenophoridae exhibited a strongly supported clade (Onustus + Stellaria) + Aspidophoreas that aligned with morphological classifications and features with reduced/absent object attachment, clearly separating it from Xenophora. Notably, Xenophora japonica did not form a monophyletic group with the sister taxa X. conchyliophora and X. cerea. Morphological and molecular evidence collectively indicate that the current taxonomy of Xenophora requires revision.
{"title":"Comparative mitogenomic analysis of family Xenophoridae (Mollusca, Stromboidea) and its implication for phylogeny","authors":"Fengping Li , Aimin Wang , Chunsheng Liu , Yu Sun , Zhifeng Gu , Yi Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The family Xenophoridae (carrier shells), comprising marine gastropods distinguished by their unique shell-attaching behavior, has attracted scientific interest since the 19th century. Despite this attention, its phylogenetic position and internal intergeneric relationships remain contentious. This study sequenced complete mitochondrial genomes of four xenophorid species—<em>Stellaria solaris</em>, <em>Aspidophoreas chinensis</em>, <em>Xenophora conchyliophora</em>, and <em>Xenophora cerea</em>—to resolve the phylogeny and systematic placement of this family. Comparative analyses revealed high mitochondrial genome similarity among these species in structure, size, gene order, and nucleotide composition. The mitochondrial genomes exhibited significant nucleotide variation among protein-coding genes. Selection pressure analyses indicate purifying selection across all PCGs, with <em>atp8</em> showing the weakest evolutionary constraint. This suggests that <em>atp8</em> may be subject to stronger selective pressures, potentially reflecting substantial energy demands associated with xenophorids' unique attachment ecology. Phylogenetic reconstruction supported two major clades within Stromboidea: Clade I included Strombidae + (Rostellariidae + Seraphsidae) and Clade II comprised Xenophoridae + (Struthiolariidae + Aporrhaidae). Internally, Xenophoridae exhibited a strongly supported clade (<em>Onustus</em> + <em>Stellaria</em>) + <em>Aspidophoreas</em> that aligned with morphological classifications and features with reduced/absent object attachment, clearly separating it from <em>Xenophora</em>. Notably, <em>Xenophora japonica</em> did not form a monophyletic group with the sister taxa <em>X. conchyliophora</em> and <em>X. cerea</em>. Morphological and molecular evidence collectively indicate that the current taxonomy of <em>Xenophora</em> requires revision.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 125-135"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stick insect systematics has been traditionally based on external morphology, which was believed to be sufficiently informative. However, molecular data repeatedly show convergence and underestimation of species diversity due, in part, to the superficiality of morphological diagnoses based on external characters. In contrast, the internal male genitalia have proved to be useful for assessing species diversity, but remain poorly studied because of their complexity and variation. Nevertheless, interest in internal male genitalia has recently increased as they provide an important number of additional characters useful to identify species for which the traditional sets of characters are insufficient. To date, the genitalia of 105 species from 55 genera belonging to 13 families are known, but comparative approaches across taxa are difficult due to different terminology. Our aim is to propose a nomenclature for the genitalia of Diapheromerini that can be used for standardized descriptions as well as for the postulation of homology assessments. We focused on Pseudosermyle, the most diverse genus in North America, which exhibits many different shapes: phasmid appearance and genitalia. We reviewed the literature on internal male genitalia in Phasmatodea and examined it, as well as the external male genitalia in different Diapheromerini species. This is the first attempt to use these structures to identify orthologues as potential homologues within Phasmatodea. We hope that our study will improve communication and promote systematic analysis of internal and external male genitalia, at least in Diapheromerini.
{"title":"Proposed terminology in describing both internal and external male genitalia in Diapheromerini with emphasis on Pseudosermyle Caudell, 1903 (Insecta: Phasmatodea)","authors":"Ulises López-Mora , Thies Henning Büscher , Helga Ochoterena-Booth , Ismael A. Hinojosa-Díaz","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Stick insect systematics has been traditionally based on external morphology, which was believed to be sufficiently informative. However, molecular data repeatedly show convergence and underestimation of species diversity due, in part, to the superficiality of morphological diagnoses based on external characters. In contrast, the internal male genitalia have proved to be useful for assessing species diversity, but remain poorly studied because of their complexity and variation. Nevertheless, interest in internal male genitalia has recently increased as they provide an important number of additional characters useful to identify species for which the traditional sets of characters are insufficient. To date, the genitalia of 105 species from 55 genera belonging to 13 families are known, but comparative approaches across taxa are difficult due to different terminology. Our aim is to propose a nomenclature for the genitalia of Diapheromerini that can be used for standardized descriptions as well as for the postulation of homology assessments. We focused on <em>Pseudosermyle</em>, the most diverse genus in North America, which exhibits many different shapes: phasmid appearance and genitalia. We reviewed the literature on internal male genitalia in Phasmatodea and examined it, as well as the external male genitalia in different Diapheromerini species. This is the first attempt to use these structures to identify orthologues as potential homologues within Phasmatodea. We hope that our study will improve communication and promote systematic analysis of internal and external male genitalia, at least in Diapheromerini.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 179-197"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.002
Renata M. Pertossi , Daniela Pereyra , Noelia C. Sánchez , Daniel Lauretta , Mariano I. Martinez
The genus Notocrinus appears to be part of the cryptic crinoids fauna of the Southern Ocean. In this study, we describe a new species of Notocrinus fromthe southwestern Atlantic at a depth of 1280 m. Morphological and molecular analyses were used to characterize this species. Both dataset confirm the recognition of Notocrinus messingi sp. nov. as a new species, differentiated by its hemispheric centrodorsal, radial ossicles, first division series, XL - L cirri, cirrals, pinnules, and lobulated gonopores. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this new species belongs to a monophyletic clade that includes species from the Antarctic Peninsula and the southwestern Atlantic. Genetic comparison further highlight the close evolutionary relationships populations from the Southern Ocean and the southwestern Atlantic. These findings suggest that Antarctica and adjacent regions harbor greater biodiversity than previously recognized, with implications for future studies of evolutionary processes in these unique marine ecosystems.
{"title":"First record of Notocrinus (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) in the Atlantic: a new species challenges the limits of the Antarctic genus","authors":"Renata M. Pertossi , Daniela Pereyra , Noelia C. Sánchez , Daniel Lauretta , Mariano I. Martinez","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The genus <em>Notocrinus</em> appears to be part of the cryptic crinoids fauna of the Southern Ocean. In this study, we describe a new species of <em>Notocrinus</em> fromthe southwestern Atlantic at a depth of 1280 m. Morphological and molecular analyses were used to characterize this species. Both dataset confirm the recognition of <em>Notocrinus messingi</em> sp. nov. as a new species, differentiated by its hemispheric centrodorsal, radial ossicles, first division series, XL - L cirri, cirrals, pinnules, and lobulated gonopores. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this new species belongs to a monophyletic clade that includes species from the Antarctic Peninsula and the southwestern Atlantic. Genetic comparison further highlight the close evolutionary relationships populations from the Southern Ocean and the southwestern Atlantic. These findings suggest that Antarctica and adjacent regions harbor greater biodiversity than previously recognized, with implications for future studies of evolutionary processes in these unique marine ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 149-161"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.001
Bader H. Alhajeri
Cranial diversity in desert rodents reflects evolutionary history, developmental constraints, and environmental pressures, poorly understood in South American sigmodontines. This study used geometric morphometric methods to examine drivers of interspecific cranial shape variation in the phyllotine genus Eligmodontia, integrating phylogenetic, allometric, and ecological perspectives. I digitized 71 landmarks on 151 adult specimens representing six Eligmodontia species and one outgroup (Calomys callosus) from 54 localities across South America, analyzing patterns using an ANOVA framework based on residual randomization in a permutation procedure (RRPP), allometric regressions, principal component analysis (PCA), and clustering methods. Scaled cranial shape distinguished all analyzed species pairs except the closely related E. hirtipes-E. puerulus, demonstrating effective taxonomic resolution. Phylogenetic congruence was limited, with morphological clustering diverging from molecular relationships. Larger crania exhibited typical mammalian allometric scaling patterns with elongated rostra (faces) and contracted braincases. Climate and geography significantly influenced cranial variation, with northern taxa differing morphologically from central-southern species in tympanic bulla inflation, corresponding to distinct spatially structured climatic regimes of seasonal versus year-round precipitation patterns. In addition to bulla hypertrophy, ecological adaptations also included nasal elongation and narrowing in more arid habitats, plus increased cranial robustness in tougher soils and for high bite-force diets. This study reveals that developmental constraints and environmental pressures jointly drive cranial diversification in eligmodontines, establishing scaled cranial shape as a valuable taxonomic tool and providing new insights into adaptive evolution in South American desert rodents.
沙漠啮齿类动物的颅骨多样性反映了进化史、发育限制和环境压力，这在南美洲的西莫齿目动物中知之甚少。本研究采用几何形态计量学方法，综合系统发育、异速生长和生态学的观点，研究了phyllotine genus Eligmodontia种间颅骨形状变化的驱动因素。作者对来自南美洲54个地区的6个Eligmodontia物种和1个外群（Calomys callosus）的151个成年标本进行了71个标志的数字化处理，并使用基于置换过程中剩余随机化（RRPP）、异速回归、主成分分析（PCA）和聚类方法的方差分析框架进行了模式分析。鳞片颅骨形状区分了所有被分析的种对，除了密切相关的毛刺e。葛根，显示有效的分类学分辨力。系统发育一致性有限，形态学聚类偏离分子关系。较大的颅骨表现出典型的哺乳动物异速缩放模式，面部拉长，脑壳收缩。气候和地理因素对颅骨变异有显著影响，北部类群与中南部类群鼓室膨胀的形态存在差异，这与季节性和全年降水模式的不同空间结构气候机制相对应。除了大球茎肥大，生态适应还包括在更干旱的栖息地中鼻子的伸长和变窄，以及在更坚硬的土壤和高咬力的食物中颅骨的坚固性增强。该研究揭示了发育限制和环境压力共同推动了eligmodontiines的颅骨多样化，建立了鳞片状颅骨形状作为有价值的分类工具，并为南美洲沙漠啮齿动物的适应进化提供了新的见解。
{"title":"Allometry and ecology shape cranial variation in phyllotine gerbil mice (Eligmodontia)","authors":"Bader H. Alhajeri","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cranial diversity in desert rodents reflects evolutionary history, developmental constraints, and environmental pressures, poorly understood in South American sigmodontines. This study used geometric morphometric methods to examine drivers of interspecific cranial shape variation in the phyllotine genus <em>Eligmodontia</em>, integrating phylogenetic, allometric, and ecological perspectives. I digitized 71 landmarks on 151 adult specimens representing six <em>Eligmodontia</em> species and one outgroup (<em>Calomys callosus</em>) from 54 localities across South America, analyzing patterns using an ANOVA framework based on residual randomization in a permutation procedure (RRPP), allometric regressions, principal component analysis (PCA), and clustering methods. Scaled cranial shape distinguished all analyzed species pairs except the closely related <em>E. hirtipes</em>-<em>E. puerulus</em>, demonstrating effective taxonomic resolution. Phylogenetic congruence was limited, with morphological clustering diverging from molecular relationships. Larger crania exhibited typical mammalian allometric scaling patterns with elongated rostra (faces) and contracted braincases. Climate and geography significantly influenced cranial variation, with northern taxa differing morphologically from central-southern species in tympanic bulla inflation, corresponding to distinct spatially structured climatic regimes of seasonal versus year-round precipitation patterns. In addition to bulla hypertrophy, ecological adaptations also included nasal elongation and narrowing in more arid habitats, plus increased cranial robustness in tougher soils and for high bite-force diets. This study reveals that developmental constraints and environmental pressures jointly drive cranial diversification in eligmodontines, establishing scaled cranial shape as a valuable taxonomic tool and providing new insights into adaptive evolution in South American desert rodents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 162-178"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Soldierfish, a group of commercially important coral reef fishes from the genus Myripristis, are commonly caught by local fishermen in the waters of Aceh Besar, Indonesia. Despite their economic importance, limited information exists regarding their bioecological characteristics, particularly genetic and morphometric traits. This study aimed to investigate morphological and genetic variation among six Myripristis species: M. adusta, M. berndti, M. kuntee, M. murdjan, M. violacea, and M. vittata harvested in Aceh Besar waters, Indonesia. The research was conducted from August 2024 to March 2025. Fish samples were collected from five landing sites in Aceh Besar District, namely Pulo Aceh, Ujung Pancu, Lam Awe, Lhokseudu, and Lampulo. A total of 360 specimens were measured for morphometric analysis, with 60 individuals representing each species. Additionally, five individuals from each species were randomly selected for DNA analysis based on the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). A Mantel test was performed to assess the correlation between genetic and morphometric distance matrices. Morphological analysis identified head length (HL) and eye diameter (ED) as key discriminating traits among species. Cross-validation of the DFA revealed a high degree of similarity between M. adusta and M. violacea. Genetic analysis validated the separation into six distinct species. The smallest genetic distance was observed between M. adusta and M. violacea (4.2 %), while the greatest distance was between M. murdjan and M. kuntee (8.5 %). A total of 23 haplotypes were identified across six species, the highest number of haplotypes in M. kuntee and M. murdjan each exhibited five haplotypes. Correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between morphometric and genetic variation (r = 0.173; p > 0.05). These findings indicate that genetic approaches provide an effective tool for validating species-level taxonomic status within the genus Myripristis.
{"title":"Morphometric and genetic variation of six soldierfish species (genus Myripristis, family: Holocentridae) harvested in Aceh Besar waters, Indonesia","authors":"Nadya Tirta , Essy Harnelly , Rania Feranita Fachri , Putri Khairani Amalia Siregar , Nanda Muhammad Razi , Nanda Ulfa Khaira , Mutia Ramadhaniaty , Sri Riska Rahayu , Nurlita Putri Anggraini , Raissha Amanda Siregar , Adrian Damora , Nur Fadli","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soldierfish, a group of commercially important coral reef fishes from the genus <em>Myripristis</em>, are commonly caught by local fishermen in the waters of Aceh Besar, Indonesia. Despite their economic importance, limited information exists regarding their bioecological characteristics, particularly genetic and morphometric traits. This study aimed to investigate morphological and genetic variation among six <em>Myripristis</em> species: <em>M. adusta</em>, <em>M. berndti</em>, <em>M. kuntee</em>, <em>M. murdjan</em>, <em>M. violacea</em>, and <em>M. vittata</em> harvested in Aceh Besar waters, Indonesia. The research was conducted from August 2024 to March 2025. Fish samples were collected from five landing sites in Aceh Besar District, namely Pulo Aceh, Ujung Pancu, Lam Awe, Lhokseudu, and Lampulo. A total of 360 specimens were measured for morphometric analysis, with 60 individuals representing each species. Additionally, five individuals from each species were randomly selected for DNA analysis based on the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). A Mantel test was performed to assess the correlation between genetic and morphometric distance matrices. Morphological analysis identified head length (HL) and eye diameter (ED) as key discriminating traits among species. Cross-validation of the DFA revealed a high degree of similarity between <em>M. adusta</em> and <em>M. violacea</em>. Genetic analysis validated the separation into six distinct species. The smallest genetic distance was observed between <em>M. adusta</em> and <em>M. violacea</em> (4.2 %), while the greatest distance was between <em>M. murdjan</em> and <em>M. kuntee</em> (8.5 %). A total of 23 haplotypes were identified across six species, the highest number of haplotypes in <em>M. kuntee</em> and <em>M. murdjan</em> each exhibited five haplotypes. Correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between morphometric and genetic variation (r = 0.173; p > 0.05). These findings indicate that genetic approaches provide an effective tool for validating species-level taxonomic status within the genus <em>Myripristis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 136-148"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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