Stick insects are herbivorous animals found in tropical, subtropical or temperate regions worldwide. Their digestive system is typically tubular, divided into regions with subregions that can vary among species. Arumatia dubia (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae) is a species that has undergone several taxonomic changes based on recent studies of external morphology, but morpho-histological analyses of internal organs, such as the digestive system, can contribute with identification to these and other Phasmatodea species. This study aimed to describe the digestive system of third instar A. dubia nymphs, using histochemical techniques and scanning electron microscopy. The digestive system of A. dubia consists of three regions and their subregions: foregut (esophagus and crop), midgut (anterior and posterior), and hindgut (ileum and rectum). The foregut has a simple epithelium covered by the tunica intima, and externally, surrounded by muscle fibers. The midgut features columnar cells with a brush border and regenerative cells. Malpighian tubules originate in the ileum (hindgut) and have an excretory function. This study provides detailed morpho-histological data on third instar A. dubia gut, contributing important information about the morphology and histology of the digestive system of this species.
{"title":"The digestive system of the Arumatia dubia (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae): a morpho-histology characterization","authors":"Giovana Gomes Ferreira Matos , Matheus Froes Caetano de Castro , Elton Luiz Scudeler , Satiko Nanya , Bruno Vinícius Daquila , Helio Conte","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Stick insects are herbivorous animals found in tropical, subtropical or temperate regions worldwide. Their digestive system is typically tubular, divided into regions with subregions that can vary among species. <em>Arumatia dubia</em> (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae) is a species that has undergone several taxonomic changes based on recent studies of external morphology, but morpho-histological analyses of internal organs, such as the digestive system, can contribute with identification to these and other Phasmatodea species. This study aimed to describe the digestive system of third instar <em>A. dubia</em> nymphs, using histochemical techniques and scanning electron microscopy. The digestive system of <em>A. dubia</em> consists of three regions and their subregions: foregut (esophagus and crop), midgut (anterior and posterior), and hindgut (ileum and rectum). The foregut has a simple epithelium covered by the tunica intima, and externally, surrounded by muscle fibers. The midgut features columnar cells with a brush border and regenerative cells. Malpighian tubules originate in the ileum (hindgut) and have an excretory function. This study provides detailed morpho-histological data on third instar <em>A. dubia</em> gut, contributing important information about the morphology and histology of the digestive system of this species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145771908","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 : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.003
Leonardo Polizeli , Ângelo Parise Pinto
Bionoblatta Rehn, 1940 is allocated in the poorly known and intriguing Brachycolini, a Neotropical tribe with eight genera and 44 blaberid species. This outstanding genus of cockroaches encompasses mostly montane and brachypterous species, all endemic to Brazil. Nevertheless, they are moderate sized and noticeable species due to coloration, pronotum shape, and callosities on the abdomen, all taxonomic knowledge is based on a small number of males. In this study, we revisit the taxonomy of Bionoblatta, based on a comparative morphological analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of the genus. Our results support Bionoblatta as a taxonomically distinguishable genus comprising six species with a distribution range exclusively in southeastern Brazil. Bionoblatta marcellisp. nov. is herein introduced (holotype male deposited in DZUP: Brazil, Minas Gerais State, Catas Altas) based on males, females, and nymphs. A diagnosis, notes on morphology and natural history, photographs of type and non-type specimens, a distribution map, and an identification key are provided for the species. We hope this study inspires further investigations into this fascinating group of cockroaches, deepening our understanding of their evolutionary history. Future research could explore their phylogeny and biogeography, habitat and social behavior, as well as intra- and interspecific morphological variations.
{"title":"Revisiting the Brazilian giant cockroaches of the genus Bionoblatta (Blattodea: Blaberidae): taxonomic revision with description of Bionoblatta marcelli sp. nov. from Serra do Caraça, a mountain range in Minas Gerais State","authors":"Leonardo Polizeli , Ângelo Parise Pinto","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Bionoblatta</em> Rehn, 1940 is allocated in the poorly known and intriguing Brachycolini, a Neotropical tribe with eight genera and 44 blaberid species. This outstanding genus of cockroaches encompasses mostly montane and brachypterous species, all endemic to Brazil. Nevertheless, they are moderate sized and noticeable species due to coloration, pronotum shape, and callosities on the abdomen, all taxonomic knowledge is based on a small number of males. In this study, we revisit the taxonomy of <em>Bionoblatta</em>, based on a comparative morphological analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of the genus. Our results support <em>Bionoblatta</em> as a taxonomically distinguishable genus comprising six species with a distribution range exclusively in southeastern Brazil. <em>Bionoblatta marcelli</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong> is herein introduced (holotype male deposited in DZUP: Brazil, Minas Gerais State, Catas Altas) based on males, females, and nymphs. A diagnosis, notes on morphology and natural history, photographs of type and non-type specimens, a distribution map, and an identification key are provided for the species. We hope this study inspires further investigations into this fascinating group of cockroaches, deepening our understanding of their evolutionary history. Future research could explore their phylogeny and biogeography, habitat and social behavior, as well as intra- and interspecific morphological variations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 85-103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145885826","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 : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.002
Guang-Jie Cheng , Jia-Xin Liu , Ping Wang , Lu Jiang
Eggshells display stable patterns and are able to provide solid basis for insect identification. Notodontidae are usually considered as significant pests for their larvae causing serious damage during outbreaks, underscoring the importance of early and accurate identification. In this study, nine notodontid eggshells from eight genera were compared using cold field emission scanning electron microscopy, in order to discover detailed evidence for the egg identifications. The eggshells exhibit morphological differences on the micropyle area, chorion sculpture, aeropyle density, and polygonal wall details. Notably, the eggshell ornamentations are different between the congeneric species E. splendida and E. cristata, highlighting the potential of eggshell morphology to enhance taxonomic research.
{"title":"Eggshell comparisons among nine species of Notodontidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera), using cold field emission scanning electron microscopy","authors":"Guang-Jie Cheng , Jia-Xin Liu , Ping Wang , Lu Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eggshells display stable patterns and are able to provide solid basis for insect identification. Notodontidae are usually considered as significant pests for their larvae causing serious damage during outbreaks, underscoring the importance of early and accurate identification. In this study, nine notodontid eggshells from eight genera were compared using cold field emission scanning electron microscopy, in order to discover detailed evidence for the egg identifications. The eggshells exhibit morphological differences on the micropyle area, chorion sculpture, aeropyle density, and polygonal wall details. Notably, the eggshell ornamentations are different between the congeneric species <em>E. splendida</em> and <em>E. cristata</em>, highlighting the potential of eggshell morphology to enhance taxonomic research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"320 ","pages":"Pages 36-46"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737245","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 : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.001
Luxiu Gao , Yifan Liu , Faiz Muhammad , Taobo Feng , Mingzhe Han , Chi Zhang , Bingjian Liu
In this study, we obtained the complete mitogenome of Lutjanus fulvus from a specimen collected in Pakistani waters (63.95°E, 25.30°N) by utilizing high-throughput sequencing technology, then we characterized it and downloaded the complete mitogenomes of closely related species to constructed phylogenetic trees based on 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) using Bayesian Inference (BI) methods. The complete mitogenome of L. fulvus is a typical closed circular double-stranded DNA molecule, was 16 493 bp in length, with a relatively low G content (16.2 %) and a high AT pronounced bias (52.8 %). The genome comprises 37 genes: 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, 13 PCGs, and one putative control region (D-loop). Among the 13 PCGs, four types of stop codons (TAA, TAG, AGA, T--) are observed, and all genes, except for COX1, which starts with GTG, begin with the ATG start codon. The BI trees exhibited consistent topologies, indicating close relationships with Lutjanus vitta and Lutjanus ophuysenii. This study provides valuable genomic insights into the mitogenome of L. fulvus, enhancing our understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the Lutjanidae family and offering a fundamental reference for further exploration of mitogenomes in the Lutjanus genus. Furthermore, these data contribute new molecular evidence and theoretical foundations for the classification, genetic diversity studies, and the conservation and management of L. fulvus.
{"title":"The first complete mitochondrial genome characterization of Lutjanus fulvus (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) and phylogenetic analysis within the Lutjanidae family","authors":"Luxiu Gao , Yifan Liu , Faiz Muhammad , Taobo Feng , Mingzhe Han , Chi Zhang , Bingjian Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, we obtained the complete mitogenome of <em>Lutjanus fulvus</em> from a specimen collected in Pakistani waters (63.95°E, 25.30°N) by utilizing high-throughput sequencing technology, then we characterized it and downloaded the complete mitogenomes of closely related species to constructed phylogenetic trees based on 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) using Bayesian Inference (BI) methods. The complete mitogenome of <em>L. fulvus</em> is a typical closed circular double-stranded DNA molecule, was 16 493 bp in length, with a relatively low G content (16.2 %) and a high AT pronounced bias (52.8 %). The genome comprises 37 genes: 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, 13 PCGs, and one putative control region (D-loop). Among the 13 PCGs, four types of stop codons (TAA, TAG, AGA, T--) are observed, and all genes, except for <em>COX1</em>, which starts with GTG, begin with the ATG start codon. The BI trees exhibited consistent topologies, indicating close relationships with <em>Lutjanus vitta</em> and <em>Lutjanus ophuysenii</em>. This study provides valuable genomic insights into the mitogenome of <em>L. fulvus</em>, enhancing our understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the Lutjanidae family and offering a fundamental reference for further exploration of mitogenomes in the <em>Lutjanus</em> genus. Furthermore, these data contribute new molecular evidence and theoretical foundations for the classification, genetic diversity studies, and the conservation and management of <em>L. fulvus</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"320 ","pages":"Pages 27-35"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685067","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 : 2025-11-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.10.011
Alfredo E. Giraldo-Mendoza , Gustavo E. Flores , Reinhard Predel , Álvaro Zúñiga-Reinoso
The Peruvian species of Psectrascelis Solier, 1836 (Pimeliinae: Nycteliini) are revised and a phylogenetic analysis is conducted on the basis of characters of external morphology plus the male and female genitalia. Also, based on a barcode region of the COI gene, the genetic distance of some species collected specifically for this study is calculated. Based on morphology, Peruvian species of Psectrascelis form a monophyletic group named here laevigata group and constitute a well-characterized species-group inside the genus. This group comprises 11 species/subspecies, out of which six are described as new: Psectrascelis sacratus Giraldo & Flores sp. nov., Psectrascelis claudiavelizae Giraldo & Flores sp. nov., Psectrascelis laevigata huayruro Giraldo & Flores ssp. nov., Psectrascelis yanatulti Giraldo & Flores sp. nov., Psectrascelis chankas Giraldo & Flores sp. nov., and Psectrascelis altiplanicus Giraldo & Flores sp. nov. Other valid species of the group are: Psectrascelis politicollis Fairmaire, 1876, P. laevigata (Erichson, 1834), Psectrascelis marginipennis Kulzer, 1954, Psectrascelis subplanata Peña, 1994, and Psectrascelis rufipes Kulzer, 1954 stat. n. Psectrascelis escobari Peña, 1985 is synonymized under P. laevigata (Erichson, 1834), P. laevigata rufipes Kulzer, 1954 is raised to species status and a neotype is designated for Nyctelia laevigata Erichson, 1834. Psectrascelis aequalis Fairmaire, 1876 and Psectrascelis intricaticollis Fairmaire, 1876 are excluded from the Peruvian fauna. This article includes morphological descriptions or redescriptions of each of the 11 species/subspecies including features of male genitalia, complemented by an identification key and distribution maps. The external morphology and male/female genitalia are discussed to propose characters that may be informative for phylogenetic analysis. Also based on the distributional patterns a biogeographical scenario is suggested.
{"title":"Systematic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the Peruvian species of the genus Psectrascelis Solier (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Nycteliini)","authors":"Alfredo E. Giraldo-Mendoza , Gustavo E. Flores , Reinhard Predel , Álvaro Zúñiga-Reinoso","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.10.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.10.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Peruvian species of <em>Psectrascelis</em> Solier, 1836 (Pimeliinae: Nycteliini) are revised and a phylogenetic analysis is conducted on the basis of characters of external morphology plus the male and female genitalia. Also, based on a barcode region of the COI gene, the genetic distance of some species collected specifically for this study is calculated. Based on morphology, Peruvian species of <em>Psectrascelis</em> form a monophyletic group named here <em>laevigata</em> group and constitute a well-characterized species-group inside the genus. This group comprises 11 species/subspecies, out of which six are described as new: <em>Psectrascelis sacratus</em> Giraldo & Flores sp. nov., <em>Psectrascelis claudiavelizae</em> Giraldo & Flores sp. nov., <em>Psectrascelis laevigata huayruro</em> Giraldo & Flores ssp. nov., <em>Psectrascelis yanatulti</em> Giraldo & Flores sp. nov., <em>Psectrascelis chankas</em> Giraldo & Flores sp. nov., and <em>Psectrascelis altiplanicus</em> Giraldo & Flores sp. nov. Other valid species of the group are: <em>Psectrascelis politicollis</em> Fairmaire, 1876, <em>P. laevigata</em> (Erichson, 1834), <em>Psectrascelis marginipennis</em> Kulzer, 1954, <em>Psectrascelis subplanata</em> Peña, 1994, and <em>Psectrascelis rufipes</em> Kulzer, 1954 stat. n. <em>Psectrascelis escobari</em> Peña, 1985 is synonymized under <em>P. laevigata</em> (Erichson, 1834), <em>P. laevigata rufipes</em> Kulzer, 1954 is raised to species status and a neotype is designated for <em>Nyctelia laevigata</em> Erichson, 1834. <em>Psectrascelis aequalis</em> Fairmaire, 1876 and <em>Psectrascelis intricaticollis</em> Fairmaire, 1876 are excluded from the Peruvian fauna. This article includes morphological descriptions or redescriptions of each of the 11 species/subspecies including features of male genitalia, complemented by an identification key and distribution maps. The external morphology and male/female genitalia are discussed to propose characters that may be informative for phylogenetic analysis. Also based on the distributional patterns a biogeographical scenario is suggested.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 104-124"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927433","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 : 2025-11-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.005
Ivan D. Ilin , Svetlana N. Sharina , Alexei V. Chernyshev
The family Lepetidae Gray, 1850 is a small group of limpets widely distributed from tidal zone to abyssal. The monophyly of the family is supported by both morphological traits and molecular phylogenetic analyses, but phylogenetic relationships within the family remain unsolved. The current phylogenetic analyses based on four gene markers (COI, 16S, 12S and H3) revealed a highly supported clade including the Northwestern Pacific lepetids. Sagamilepeta sagamiensis is a sister species to Lepeta caeca and should be synonymized with the genus Lepeta on the basis of morphological traits and genetic distances. Cryptobranchia is a separate genus which differs from Lepeta in both radular morphology and phylogenetic position. In addition, the analyses revealed the second undescribed species of the genus Limalepeta which has amphiboreal distribution. Keys to the identification of the Northwestern Pacific Lepetidae are given based on the shell and radula morphology.
{"title":"Limpets of the family Lepetidae (Patellogastropoda) from the continental shelf of the Northwestern Pacific – generic and specific composition","authors":"Ivan D. Ilin , Svetlana N. Sharina , Alexei V. Chernyshev","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The family Lepetidae Gray, 1850 is a small group of limpets widely distributed from tidal zone to abyssal. The monophyly of the family is supported by both morphological traits and molecular phylogenetic analyses, but phylogenetic relationships within the family remain unsolved. The current phylogenetic analyses based on four gene markers (COI, 16S, 12S and H3) revealed a highly supported clade including the Northwestern Pacific lepetids. <em>Sagamilepeta sagamiensis</em> is a sister species to <em>Lepeta caeca</em> and should be synonymized with the genus <em>Lepeta</em> on the basis of morphological traits and genetic distances. <em>Cryptobranchia</em> is a separate genus which differs from <em>Lepeta</em> in both radular morphology and phylogenetic position. In addition, the analyses revealed the second undescribed species of the genus <em>Limalepeta</em> which has amphiboreal distribution. Keys to the identification of the Northwestern Pacific Lepetidae are given based on the shell and radula morphology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"320 ","pages":"Pages 13-26"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145618330","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 : 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.004
Dong Guo , Makoto Tokuda , Yan Li , Xuankun Li
We describe two new species—Holopogon hyalopterussp.nov. And Molobratia zhangisp.nov.—and report the first record of Cyrtopogon centralis for Liaoning Province. Morphological identifications were supported by molecular evidence from 34 full-length (658 bp) COI barcode sequences. Both Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) and multi-rate Poisson Tree Processes (mPTP) analyses consistently delineated three distinct species, confirming the morphological conclusions. This research provides the first systematic study of Liaoning's asilid diversity, highlighting the province's underexplored status and its importance for understanding insect biogeography in Northeast Asia.
{"title":"Assassin flies of Liaoning Province, China—I. Subfamilies Brachyrhopalinae and Dasypogoninae (Diptera, Asilidae)","authors":"Dong Guo , Makoto Tokuda , Yan Li , Xuankun Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We describe two new species—<em>Holopogon hyalopterus</em> <strong>sp.</strong> <strong>n</strong><strong>ov.</strong> And <em>Molobratia zhangi</em> <strong>sp.</strong> <strong>n</strong><strong>ov.</strong>—and report the first record of <em>Cyrtopogon centralis</em> for Liaoning Province. Morphological identifications were supported by molecular evidence from 34 full-length (658 bp) COI barcode sequences. Both Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) and multi-rate Poisson Tree Processes (mPTP) analyses consistently delineated three distinct species, confirming the morphological conclusions. This research provides the first systematic study of Liaoning's asilid diversity, highlighting the province's underexplored status and its importance for understanding insect biogeography in Northeast Asia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"320 ","pages":"Pages 1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145610131","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 : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.001
Sivaperuman Chandrakasan, Swarnakala Thamada
The Andaman Islands harbor a unique biodiversity that is distinct from Asian mainland India and Southeast Asia due to geographical isolation, high endemism, and varied ecological conditions. Among the diverse fauna, species of the genus Junonia are widely distributed across various habitats; however, their genetic diversity has not been explored using molecular approaches in this region. The present study aimed to generate mitochondrial COI gene DNA barcodes for Junonia species from the Andaman Islands on a broader scale. A total of 74 specimens, morphologically identified as four different species were analyzed. The intraspecific divergence ranged from 0.003 to 0.017, while interspecific nucleotide divergence among the four species ranged from 0.044 to 0.095. The maximum divergence (0.095) was observed between Junonia lemonias and Junonia atlites, and the lowest (0.044) between J. lemonias and Junonia hierta. The Phylogenetic tree was constructed using both Neighbor-Joining (NJ) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods which displayed nearly identical topologies, with COI sequences clustering cohesively by species. This study represents the first molecular documentation of Junonia genetic diversity in the Andaman Islands, establishing a critical baseline for future taxonomic and evolutionary investigations.
{"title":"Molecular phylogenetics and genetic diversity of Junonia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Andaman group of Islands","authors":"Sivaperuman Chandrakasan, Swarnakala Thamada","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Andaman Islands harbor a unique biodiversity that is distinct from Asian mainland India and Southeast Asia due to geographical isolation, high endemism, and varied ecological conditions. Among the diverse fauna, species of the genus <em>Junonia</em> are widely distributed across various habitats; however, their genetic diversity has not been explored using molecular approaches in this region. The present study aimed to generate mitochondrial COI gene DNA barcodes for <em>Junonia</em> species from the Andaman Islands on a broader scale. A total of 74 specimens, morphologically identified as four different species were analyzed. The intraspecific divergence ranged from 0.003 to 0.017, while interspecific nucleotide divergence among the four species ranged from 0.044 to 0.095. The maximum divergence (0.095) was observed between <em>Junonia lemonias</em> and <em>Junonia atlites</em>, and the lowest (0.044) between <em>J. lemonias</em> and <em>Junonia hierta</em>. The Phylogenetic tree was constructed using both Neighbor-Joining (NJ) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods which displayed nearly identical topologies, with COI sequences clustering cohesively by species. This study represents the first molecular documentation of <em>Junonia</em> genetic diversity in the Andaman Islands, establishing a critical baseline for future taxonomic and evolutionary investigations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"319 ","pages":"Pages 378-385"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145473957","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 : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.002
Wilson J.E.M. Costa, Caio R.M. Feltrin, José Leonardo O. Mattos, Axel M. Katz
Listrura is a genus of small fossorial microcambevine catfishes presently comprising 14 species in three subgenera, two from tropical and one from subtropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Our field studies have revealed five new species from the subtropical area with unique morphological features. Herein we conducted a molecular phylogeny including all nominal species of the genus in which the new species are supported forming a clade, here described as a new subgenus sister to the subgenus Listrura from the tropical area. The five new species are diagnosed on the basis of osteological characters and external morphology. The new subgenus is separated from its sister group by a distance of about 500 km. This distributional gap is probably a result of insufficient field sampling efforts directed to the specialized biotopes of Listrura, consisting of leaf litter in the bottom of small brooks draining gently sloping terrain. However, the increasing environmental degradation in the region can easily reduce or eradicate these fragile environments.
{"title":"Molecular phylogeny and morphology corroborating a new subgenus with five new species of fossorial catfish genus Listrura (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from southern Brazil","authors":"Wilson J.E.M. Costa, Caio R.M. Feltrin, José Leonardo O. Mattos, Axel M. Katz","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.11.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Listrura</em> is a genus of small fossorial microcambevine catfishes presently comprising 14 species in three subgenera, two from tropical and one from subtropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Our field studies have revealed five new species from the subtropical area with unique morphological features. Herein we conducted a molecular phylogeny including all nominal species of the genus in which the new species are supported forming a clade, here described as a new subgenus sister to the subgenus <em>Listrura</em> from the tropical area. The five new species are diagnosed on the basis of osteological characters and external morphology. The new subgenus is separated from its sister group by a distance of about 500 km. This distributional gap is probably a result of insufficient field sampling efforts directed to the specialized biotopes of <em>Listrura</em>, consisting of leaf litter in the bottom of small brooks draining gently sloping terrain. However, the increasing environmental degradation in the region can easily reduce or eradicate these fragile environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"319 ","pages":"Pages 395-407"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578934","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 : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2025.10.008
Chirlei D. Brito , Geane O. Lanes , Ricardo Kawada , Celso O. Azevedo
In Bethylidae, the ninth abdominal sternum or hypopygium is very important in the taxonomy of the family, because it is extremely variable in shape. Under this scenario, our objective is to compare the pregenital terminal segments and their muscles present in the abdomen of Bethylidae and standardize the terminology among the Hymenoptera. The function and position of the abdominal muscles and sclerites are described, the functions are discussed and the names are standardized. Our results indicate that the musculature and sclerites are few variable in the most part of the abdomen, however the ninth abdominal sternum presents the greatest changes related to its shape and associated muscles. Furthermore, based on our studies, we also infer that the sinergic movements of the ninth sterno-genital muscles are responsible for the protrusion, retraction and rotation of the genitalia, being responsible for the movements during the copula. In Pristocera, the muscles between S8 and S9 also promote secondarily the adduction and abduction of the ninth abdominal sternum. This phenomenon is interpreted as an example of exaptation. The understanding about the muscle morphology and its origin as well as its functionality are important because it may help conduct studies with other taxa in Hymenoptera with the same or different changes present in Bethylidae and arise hypotheses about the morphofunctionality in other groups.
{"title":"Pregenital terminal segments and functional morphology in the flat wasps (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae)","authors":"Chirlei D. Brito , Geane O. Lanes , Ricardo Kawada , Celso O. Azevedo","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.10.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.10.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Bethylidae, the ninth abdominal sternum or hypopygium is very important in the taxonomy of the family, because it is extremely variable in shape. Under this scenario, our objective is to compare the pregenital terminal segments and their muscles present in the abdomen of Bethylidae and standardize the terminology among the Hymenoptera. The function and position of the abdominal muscles and sclerites are described, the functions are discussed and the names are standardized. Our results indicate that the musculature and sclerites are few variable in the most part of the abdomen, however the ninth abdominal sternum presents the greatest changes related to its shape and associated muscles. Furthermore, based on our studies, we also infer that the sinergic movements of the ninth sterno-genital muscles are responsible for the protrusion, retraction and rotation of the genitalia, being responsible for the movements during the copula. In <em>Pristocera</em>, the muscles between S8 and S9 also promote secondarily the adduction and abduction of the ninth abdominal sternum. This phenomenon is interpreted as an example of exaptation. The understanding about the muscle morphology and its origin as well as its functionality are important because it may help conduct studies with other taxa in Hymenoptera with the same or different changes present in Bethylidae and arise hypotheses about the morphofunctionality in other groups.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"319 ","pages":"Pages 335-348"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145473955","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}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号