Search Results (684)

The crane fly subgenus Sivalimnobia has been taxonomically stagnant for over half a century, with its apparent absence from mainland China representing a major biogeographic anomaly. We address this by integrating detailed morphology and COI DNA barcoding of specimens collected across 14 Chinese provinces. Our study conclusively establishes the presence of Sivalimnobia in mainland China, resolving three species: the newly recorded and continentally widespread Dicranomyia (Sivalimnobia) alticola Edwards, 1916, and two new endemic species—D. (S.) bispinosa sp. nov. (restricted to Yunnan) and D. (S.) inflata sp. nov. (a cryptic lineage within the D. (S.) alticola complex distributed across Chongqing, Sichuan and Yunnan). The discovery of D. (S.) inflata sp. nov. was validated by a discrete male genitalic autapomorphy and a pronounced COI barcode gap (8.7–9.6% divergence). These findings update the global biogeography of the subgenus, identifying India as the primary diversity center and southwestern China as a significant secondary center. The overall pattern suggests a “stepping-stone dispersal and multi-center diversification” model. This work transforms Sivalimnobia from a taxonomic relic into a model for studying Eurasian insect biogeography and highlights the conservation importance of East Asian montane stream habitats. Full article

The taxonomy of the East Mediterranean species of the Crematogaster scutellaris complex, Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr, 1853) and C. ionia Forel, 1911 sensu lato, has not yet been investigated via modern approaches like morphometric analyses. We collected morphometric data of 201 workers from 68 nests of Crematogaster schmidti and C. ionia s. l. from Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the Greek mainland, Crete, Bulgaria, Samos, Karpathos, Rhodes, Turkish Thrace, and Anatolia. Nest-centroid clustering suggested four distinct entities with different geographic distributions: C. schmidti from Slovenia southwards to Greece and Turkish Thrace, and three species which have been so far summarized under C. ionia: one from the Greek mainland and North Macedonia, one from Crete, and one from Samos, Karpathos, Rhodes, and Anatolia. We describe two new species: the Cretan entity as Crematogaster ariadnae sp. n. and the Balkan mainland entity as Crematogaster graeca sp. n. A key and (re)descriptions for the East Mediterranean members of the Crematogaster scutellaris complex are provided. The four species show different geographic distribution patterns, do not occur together at the same localities, and most likely speciated through long-term geographic isolation. Full article

Introduction: Brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) is a salmonid fish considered a genetically and geographically highly structured species. The species is catalogued as vulnerable in the Spanish Red List since 1992. Based on morphological differentiation, some authors have proposed splitting Salmo trutta into many taxa and in recent years, several binomials involving morphologically differentiated Western Mediterranean brown trout morphs have regained relevance as distinct species and are now assessed in the IUCN Red List. However, Spanish legislation still considers a single species, S. trutta, inhabiting Atlantic and Mediterranean rivers. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA variation across the species’ native range have revealed numerous matrilineal lineages and helped disentangle the phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history of brown trout. Four largely distant evolutionary lineages defined by sequencing the mitochondrial control region (Adriatic, AD, Mediterranean, ME, Atlantic, AT and Duero, DU) are native among the Iberian brown trout populations. Stocking activities have resulted in introgressive hybridization of these native populations with non-native northern Atlantic stocks throughout the Iberian rivers and compromise the evolutionary singularities of brown trout in the Iberian Peninsula. Methodology: In this study, we compare complete mitogenomes from Iberian brown trout specimens with those from other regions, using both newly sequenced samples and whole mitogenomes from the GenBank database and estimate their divergence times relative to those observed among species of other Salmoninae genera, such as Oncorhynchus and Salvelinus, to assess patterns of species-specific divergence among Iberian brown trout populations. Results: The evolutionary relationships of the specimens using their mitogenomes fitted with previous analyses using partial mitochondrial sequences and confirmed the strong differentiation among the Iberian lineages. All the branches involving distant Iberian mitogenomes are sister branches with taxa historically described under different binomials (such as Salmo macrostigma, S. multipunctatus, S. pallaryi). Conclusions: The results provide evidence supporting the existence of potentially distinct and undescribed native Salmo species in the Iberian rivers. Full article

The subtropical and tropical islands of East Asia host a unique and highly endemic aquatic insect fauna threatened by a variety of anthropogenic stressors (e.g., invasive species, habitat fragmentation, pollution, and climate change). This review synthesizes the impacts of these stressors on aquatic insect diversity across this region based on 206 articles published over the past 40 years (1985–2025) to evaluate the impacts of these stressors on insular aquatic insect diversity. The islands of East Asia include all or parts of China, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. The annual number of publications demonstrates a steady upward trend over time and has been accelerating in the last decade. Our systematic analysis reveals a large geographic disparity. Research is heavily concentrated on major islands, with Honshu Island (42%) and Taiwan Island (24%) accounting for two-thirds of the total literature, while small islands (<10,000 km²) comprise only 20%. Furthermore, current research tends to focus on independent impacts of single stressors, largely overlooking the complex additive, synergistic, or antagonistic interactions that characterize stressors on these fragile ecosystems. These research gaps, compounded by a lack of long-term monitoring data (i.e., only ~22% of the studies span more than 3 years), hinder efforts to distinguish natural inter-annual variability from anthropogenic shifts. The extinction of cryptic or endemic species may occur before these species are identified and described. In addition, the disentanglement of these interactive impacts on aquatic insect communities in East Asian islands is critical for predicting ecosystem responses to further local and global changes. Identification of non-linear ecological tipping points through these long-term monitoring networks, coupled with proactive, science-guided habitat restoration, is essential to mitigate imminent extinctions and to rebuild the functional integrity of these imperiled freshwater ecosystems. Full article

Many biting midge species of the genus Culicoides Latreille are significant pests and vectors that transmit diverse parasites to humans and other animals. However, knowledge of these hematophagous insects in Laos remains limited, with the most recent information reported more than four decades ago. In this study, we investigated Culicoides species diversity, DNA barcoding and host blood sources using specimens collected across seven provinces in northern, central, and southern Laos. A total of 4592 specimens were collected, comprising 3095 females and 1497 males. Morphological identification, complemented by DNA barcode analysis, revealed 26 species (24 named and 2 unnamed), including five (three named and two unnamed) new country records. Culicoides peregrinus was the most abundant species, representing 25.7% (1179 individuals), followed by C. oxystoma at 23.8% (1093 individuals), and C. arakawae/C. mahasarakhamense, which together comprised 18.5% (849 individuals) of the total specimens. DNA barcode analysis demonstrated that this genetic marker is effective for species identification of Culicoides in Laos. Of the 115 COI sequences, 103 (89.6%) were successfully matched with conspecifics in the BOLD database. Cryptic genetic diversity was detected in three species, C. clavipalpis, C. palpifer, and C. huffi, with two, two, and three divergent lineages, respectively. Host blood meal analysis revealed that chickens and domestic water buffalo were the most common blood sources for the investigated Culicoides species. These findings provide important baseline information for future studies on the pest and vectorial roles of Culicoides in Laos. Full article

Two new cryptic species from central China, belonging to the Pholcus yichengicus species group, were identified using an integrative approach combining morphological and three molecular species delimitation methods, and incorporating data from five related previously described species. These two new species are named Pholcus chengkou sp. nov. and P. yanan sp. nov. DNA barcodes were generated for the two new species to calculate p-distances and K2P distances, thus confirming their identities alongside the five previously described species. Additionally, revised diagnoses for the five previously described species and a distribution map encompassing all the species discussed are provided. Full article

The genus Sebastes comprises around 110 species of marine fish. In Japan, the Sebastes inermis complex includes three sympatric species (S. cheni, S. inermis, and S. ventricosus), and morphotypes that cannot be assigned to any of these three species. We focused on two morphotypes: (1) the ‘big red’, which is predominantly found in the Kii and Izu peninsulas and are traditionally believed to be large, older specimens of S. inermis; and (2) the ‘red white’, which is found in the Seto Inland Sea and Kagoshima and includes putative hybrids of S. cheni and S. inermis. We assessed the biological identity of both morphotypes by comparing their morphological and genetic variations with those of the three species. The meristic traits of both morphotypes overlapped with those of the three species. The ‘big red’ morphotype showed significant differences in body proportions and otolith structure, whereas the ‘red white’ morphotype differed mainly in otolith features. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genes did not separate these morphotypes into distinct lineages. However, the ‘big red’ morphotype exhibited unique mutations at the rhodopsin gene. Analyses of microsatellite loci indicated that the divergence of both morphotypes is as large as the divergence observed between sister species within the genus. Phylogenetic analyses of genomic data placed the ‘big red’ morphotype in a basal position in relation to the three species and supported the separation of the ‘red white’ morphotype from S. cheni and S. inermis. Genomic scan analyses comparing the ‘big red’ and ‘red white’ morphotypes with S. inermis and S. cheni, respectively, indicate that genes involved in fertilization, egg hatching, immunity, and thermal resilience are under divergent selection. Overall, the results suggest that both morphotypes could represent previously undescribed cryptic species, warranting further investigation to confirm their status as independent taxa. Full article

Chitin deacetylases (CDAs) play important roles in the growth and development of insects. In this study, four genes encoding chitin deacetylases (BtCDAs) were identified and characterized in the genome of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 cryptic species through bioinformatic annotation. Phylogenetic analysis showed that insect chitin deacetylases could be divided into five groups, with no Group II, IV, or V CDAs found in B. tabaci. Investigation of the developmental expression patterns of the four BtCDAs revealed that BtCDA1, BtCDA2a, BtCDA2b, and BtCDA4 were expressed at varying levels during the egg and nymph stages, with extremely low expression levels in adults. Delivery of dsRNA targeting BtCDA1, BtCDA2a/b, and BtCDA4 to fourth-instar nymphs of B. tabaci using the nanomaterial SPc resulted in significant gene silencing and mortality. A fusion gene of the three BtCDAs was designed based on the four BtCDA genes and subjected to RNAi experiments, demonstrating that both transgenic tomato and SPc-mediated delivery of fusion gene dsRNA could silence all BtCDA genes. These preliminary results indicate that the RNAi targeting of BtCDAs leads to substantial mortality in B. tabaci, highlighting the potential of BtCDAs as effective targets for RNAi-based pest management strategies. Full article

Invasive leafhopper species Arboridia kakogawana, Tautoneura polymitusa and Erasmoneura vulnerata were investigated for distribution, routes of introduction and population genetics in the viticultural regions of Serbia. Surveillance traps were set up in vineyards and natural habitats across 26 administrative districts between 2017 and 2025. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COX1) and a nuclear wingless gene (Wg) were used in phylogenetic analysis. Arboridia kakogawana showed a significant invasive potential with its populations sampled from 19 districts. A single COX1 haplotype detected was identical with specimens from Bulgaria and Georgia suggesting a shared origin and probable invasion route via the Black Sea region. Tautoneura polymitusa expressed limited invasiveness, predominantly with northern distribution and very low population density. One detected COX1 haplotype shared identity with samples from Hungary, indicating their joint origin. Erasmoneura vulnerata has the greatest invasive potential, detected in all inspected districts. Eighteen COX1 haplotypes clustered into a monophyletic group. Three lineages were separated but morphologically indistinguishable, with a 7.5 to 9.5% average divergence between the groups. Analysis of Wg sequences led to the discovery of only two haplotypes, confirming their common ancestry. Diversity of Serbian COX1 haplotypes entirely reflected genetic variability in the native range, indicating a complex scenario of E. vulnerata introduction from multiple sources with admixed genotypes, including co-introduction of uncovered cryptic lineages. Full article

The genus Xylaria (Xylariaceae, Ascomycota) comprises a morphologically and ecologically diverse group of fungi with a predominantly saprobic lifestyle, widely distributed in forest ecosystems worldwide. Despite its global occurrence, its diversity in European Atlantic laurel forests (laurisilva), both insular and continental, remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined more than 80 collections of Xylaria from laurisilva forests in Madeira and the Azores (Portugal), the Canary Islands (Spain), and relict laurel woodlands in mainland Iberia, documenting at least 13 species. Several collections could not be successfully sequenced, suggesting that additional taxa may occur. Among the identified species, eight are described here as new to science and are supported by morphological differences and multilocus phylogenetic analyses. Species delimitation was based on an integrative approach combining detailed morphological observations with phylogenetic inference from ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TUB2 loci. Our results reveal a substantially higher diversity of Xylaria in these ecosystems than previously recognized and confirm the importance of multilocus frameworks for resolving species boundaries, particularly in morphologically cryptic lineages. This study expands the known diversity of Xylaria in Europe and identifies Atlantic laurel forests as important reservoirs of fungal diversity and evolutionary novelty. Full article

Trichoderma asperellum and T. asperelloides are two cryptic species that have potential for use as biocontrol and biofertilizer (B&B) agents. Comparison of the reference genomes of the two species revealed that each species had seven chromosomes, but Trichoderma asperellum has about 1000 more genes than T. asperelloides. The number of genes coding for chitinases, cellulases, xylanases, secreted proteases, and genes involved in soil and plant health was slightly greater in T. asperellum than in T. asperelloides. Moreover, T. asperellum had five more genes than T. asperelloides involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites like peptaibols and siderophores. The B&B genes were distributed on all the chromosomes. No duplicate genes were found for any of the enzymes searched. The investigation also revealed that T. asperellum had 15 copies of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA compared to only seven copies in T. asperelloides. Further transcriptomic, proteomic, and efficacy studies are needed to determine the impact of the missing genes in T. asperelloides on its B&B activities compared to those of T. asperellum. The search for B&B genes in T. asperelloides was hindered by the lack of annotation for the genome. Thus, comparison only involves B&B genes searched in T. asperellum and whether homologs to the genes were available or missing in T. asperelloides. A comparison between additional strains of the two species is essential to show whether the data in this study apply to all intraspecies strains of the two species. Full article

Clupeiform bait fishes play critical roles in marine food chains and fisheries worldwide. Despite a paradigm of large stocks in temperate regions, the structure of clupeiform populations in complex coral reef environments is poorly described. This study assessed the population structure of a small reef-based clupeiform, Spratelloides delicatulus, over spatial scales of kilometres to 1000’s of kilometres on the Great Barrier Reef using sequence data from the control region of the mitochondrial D-Loop. Following confirmation of the species, we found strong stock structure within the metapopulation of the GBR. Three significantly different stock units were found, and these were closely related to three strongly divergent clades that were associated with changes in latitude. Within these stocks, a surprisingly strong structure was observed among reefs separated at scales of less than 10 km. This species likely has a complex demographic history with recent expansion and potential for incipient cryptic speciation evident by the sympatry observed at some reefs. The short lives and complex stock structure we have found for sprats on coral reefs contrasts with the findings from traditional stocks of high latitude clupeiforms. Full article

Effective management and conservation of sea turtles is often constrained by a lack of knowledge of at-sea distribution and abundance. While abundance estimates of nesting females are typically well-documented on nesting beaches, counting sea turtles at sea presents challenges due to their widespread distribution and cryptic habits. Given nesting beaches only document adult females, at-sea data are also more informative of greater population demographics. To estimate the abundance and density of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Red Sea waters of Saudi Arabia we conducted strip transect aerial surveys in four survey zones that spanned ~66% of shallow water habitats (<200 m depth), within which we counted sea turtles, and also other species such as dugongs and other marine mammals, sharks, and rays. Corresponding abundance estimates were modelled to account for perception bias (whether a surveyor saw a turtle that was available) and detection bias (whether a turtle was available to be seen). Our results suggest an abundance of ~201,427 green sea turtles potentially present between the 200 m bathymetric contour and the Saudi Arabian shore. However, there was a statistically significant relationship between turtle location and proximity to coral reefs, with over 90% of turtles found within 3500 m of coral reef structures (whether coastal fringing reefs, barrier reefs or atolls), and therefore it would be inappropriate to use an estimate assuming equal distribution. Adjusting for this buffer area we estimated ~95,000 turtles (95% CI: 64,000–142,000) within the proximity of reef structures. These findings represent the first abundance estimates of green turtles in the Red Sea. Repeated over time, surveys such as these can identify changes in population structure, distribution and abundance, and inform conservation and management agencies. Full article

Bemisia tabaci is a globally destructive agricultural pest and an efficient vector of begomoviruses, which cause recurrent epidemics across South Asia, including cotton leaf curl disease in Pakistan. Increasing evidence shows that bacterial endosymbionts play a central role in shaping whitefly biology, population dynamics, and vector competence. However, the distribution of these symbionts remains poorly resolved in Pakistan, a region where begomoviruses are persistent and widespread. This study investigated the cryptic species diversity, secondary endosymbiont composition and their infection frequency in B. tabaci populations collected from major agricultural regions of Pakistan. A total of 274 adult whiteflies belonging to Asia II-1 (n = 199), MEAM-1 (n = 67), Asia I (n = 7), and Asia II-8 (n = 1) were screened using a symbiont-specific PCR assay for six endosymbionts. The primary endosymbiont Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum was detected in all individuals, whereas five secondary endosymbionts (Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Hamiltonella, Wolbachia and Rickettsia) were identified with distinct cryptic species- and region-specific patterns. Notably, Arsenophonus was the most prevalent endosymbiont, occurring in 68% of Asia II-1, 100% of Asia I, and 21% of MEAM-1 individuals, with the highest regional prevalence in Punjab (80%) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (77%). Logistic regression analyses confirmed significantly higher infection probabilities in indigenous Asia II-1 populations. Network analysis revealed structured co-occurrence patterns, including strong negative associations between Arsenophonus and Hamiltonella. Phylogenetic analyses revealed close relatedness of Pakistani Arsenophonus strains to those reported from neighboring regions, indicating regional community rather than unique local diversification. The dominance of Arsenophonus in Pakistani whitefly populations is of particular significance, given its role in protecting begomoviruses within the insect vector and its implication in facilitating virus persistence and transmission. This study, for the first time in Pakistan, provides a comprehensive assessment of endosymbiont–cryptic species associations in Pakistani B. tabaci populations and highlights the dominant prevalence of Arsenophonus as a potential key player in local virus vector dynamics. Full article

Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758) is considered one of the major pests affecting global pome fruit production due to its wide distribution, cryptic feeding habit, high economic impact, and continuous evolution of insecticide resistance. Historically, management of this species has relied on repeated pesticide applications, which have been associated with environmental impacts, occupational exposure, pesticide residues in food, and compromised sustainability of pesticide-dependent agricultural systems, reinforcing the relevance of integrated One Health approaches. This narrative review analyzed global management strategies for C. pomonella published between 2014 and 2024 and indexed in the Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases. The reviewed studies demonstrate a gradual transition from predominantly chemical-based programs toward integrated strategies involving pheromone-based monitoring, mating disruption, biological control, and preventive plant biosecurity measures. Behavioral and biological approaches showed potential to reduce dependence on recurrent insecticide applications, particularly when associated with phytosanitary surveillance and integrated pest management programs. However, the effectiveness of these approaches remains influenced by insecticide resistance, climatic variability, and local ecological conditions. The evidence also suggests that the impacts of C. pomonella management are not limited to phytosanitary protection, involving interactions related to environmental sustainability, food safety, and human exposure to pesticides. Despite the relevance of the One Health approach, its operational incorporation into agricultural pest management remains limited, especially regarding the integration of research conducted under the One Health perspective. In this context, the sustainable management of Cydia pomonella requires integrated strategies capable of connecting phytosanitary surveillance, preventive plant biosecurity, and agricultural and ecological sustainability in order to ensure food security and population health. Full article