Search Results (67)

This study on Mygalomorphs from Ecuador revealed an amazing unknown diversity, including the first record of the families Actinopodidae and Halonoproctidae. Here, 16 new species and one new genus are described in five families: in Actinopodidae, Actinopus saraguro n. sp. (♀); in Barychelidae, Paracenobiopelma vesca n. sp. (♀), Strophaeus pacificanus n. sp. (♀), S. real n. sp. (♀), S. elongata n. sp. (♂♀), S. josefita n. sp. (♂♀), S. peronii n. sp. (♂♀), S. kaiae n. sp. (♀), S. subterraneus n. sp. (♂), S. spiculum n. sp. (♂), and S. kawsay n. sp. (♀); in Halonoproctidae, Ummidia pupulae n. sp. (♂); in Idiopidae, Idiops clepsydra n. sp. (♀); and in Theraphosidae, Pululahua gen. n., Pululahua kunukyaku gen. n., n. sp. (♂♀), and Pululahua winku gen. n., n. sp. (♂♀); and Thalerommata yasuni n. sp. (♂). Furthermore, images of the type specimens of Actinopus nattereri (Doleschall, 1871) and Actinopus piceus (Ausserer, 1871) are presented. Finally, the synonymy of Idiops fulvipes under Idiops argus is rejected. Full article

This study presents a taxonomic revision of the genus Macrima Baly, 1878 to advance the understanding of suprageneric, non-monophyletic “Monoleptites”. Through comprehensive morphological examinations of all type specimens, including detailed analyses of male and female genitalia and the structure of the cavitous anterior part of the head, we propose M. roseofulva Medvedev, 2011 and M. ferrugina Jiang, 1990 as new synonyms of M. aurantiaca (Laboissière, 1936), M. bifida Yang, 1992 a new synonym of M. cornuta (Laboissière, 1936), and M. yunnanensis (Laboissière, 1936) as a new synonym of M. pallida (Laboissière, 1936). In addition, M. costatipennis Jacoby, 1896 is transferred to Hoplosaenidea Laboissière, 1933 (comb. nov.). Color photos of habitus, body details, and genitalia are presented for all species. Full article

Power demand forecasting is a critical and challenging task for modern power systems and integrated energy systems. Due to the absence of well-established theoretical frameworks and publicly available feature databases on power demand changes, the known interpretable features of power demand fluctuations are primarily derived from expert experience and remain significantly limited. This substantially hinders advancements in power demand forecasting accuracy. Emerging multimodal learning approaches have demonstrated great promise in machine learning and AI-generated content (AIGC). In this paper, we propose, for the first time, a textual-knowledge-guided numerical feature discovery (TKNFD) framework for short-term power demand forecasting by interacting text modal data—a potentially valuable yet long-overlooked resource in the field of power demand forecasting—with numerical modal data. TKNFD systematically and automatically aggregates qualitative textual knowledge, expands it into a candidate feature-type set, collects corresponding numerical data for these features, and ultimately constructs four-dimensional multivariate source-tracking databases (4DM-STDs). Subsequently, TKNFD introduces a two-stage quantitative feature identification strategy that operates independently of forecasting models. The essence of TKNFD lies in achieving reliable and comprehensive feature discovery by fully exploiting the dual relationships of synonymy and complementarity between text modal data and numerical modal data in terms of granularity, scope, and temporality. In this study, TKNFD identifies 38–50 features while further interpreting their contributions and dependency correlations. Benchmark experiments conducted in Maine, Texas, and New South Wales demonstrate that the forecasting accuracy using TKNFD-identified features consistently surpasses that of state-of-the-art feature schemes by up to 36.37% MAPE. Notably, driven by multimodal interaction, TKNFD can discover previously unknown interpretable features without relying on prior empirical knowledge. This study reveals 10–16 previously unknown interpretable features, particularly several dominant features in integrated energy and astronomical dimensions. These discoveries enhance our understanding of the origins of strong randomness and non-linearity in power demand fluctuations. Additionally, the 4DM-STDs developed for these three regions can serve as public baseline databases for future research. Full article

Four new dung beetle species of the genus Onthophagus Latreille from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Bénin, and Cameroon are described, and a fragment of their COI gene is sequenced. The coprophagous Onthophagus (Trichonthophagus) sylviae sp. nov. from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso is most similar to Onthophagus pallidus d’Orbigny from Cameroon, but it is more elongated, more silky than shiny, and has no dark spot on the third elytral interstria. Onthophagus odikpatra sp. nov. (18th group of d’Orbigny) from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon feeds on carrion, including dead millipedes and fish, and dung. It is most similar to Onthophagus baloghi Balthasar from Central Africa but has simple punctures on the sides of the pronotum. Onthophagus chinonophilus sp. nov. from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, which feeds on freshly dead millipedes and is attracted by their quinonous defensive secretions; it also belongs to the 18th group in d’Orbigny’s classification. Small and medium individuals resemble small Onthophagus latigibber d’Orbigny but differ in shape and sculpture of the pronotum. Small individuals are also similar to Onthophagus tschadensis Balthasar (19th group) but differ in the shape of the aedeagus. The generalist feeder Onthophagus (Tiaronthophagus) necneavius sp. nov. (24th group) from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Bénin is most similar to Onthophagus naevius from Zambia, DR Congo, and Tanzania, but it is smaller, shiny all over; the sides of pronotum behind anterior angles are almost straight, not distinctly emarginate, and the frons is densely covered with fine punctures. COI barcode sequences were provided for all four new species, but the poor sampling of Onthophagus in GenBank prevents meaningful analysis of species relationships on the basis of COI barcodes at this point. Full article

This study revises the taxonomy of Cephalomanes javanicum (Hymenophyllaceae), a filmy fern traditionally considered widespread across the Indomalayan and Australasian regions. Through a comprehensive analysis of the literature, type specimens, and herbarium collections, we clarify the taxonomic status of three recognized varieties: typical C. javanicum, C. javanicum var. sumatranum, and C. javanicum var. asplenioides. Morphological, morphometric, and molecular phylogenetic investigations reveal that these varieties represent distinct species rather than intraspecific variants. Additionally, we reassess C. atrovirens, a species often confused with C. javanicum, and confirm that its two previously recognized subspecies also warrant species status. Based on these findings, we propose the elevation of the C. javanicum varieties and C. atrovirens subspecies to full species rank, providing updated taxonomic treatments, synonymy lists, and new lectotypifications. These revisions contribute to a more accurate understanding of species diversity within Cephalomanes and have broader implications for fern taxonomy, biogeography, and conservation in the tropical Asia, Australasian, and Oceanian regions. Full article

Frankenia is a morphologically complex genus, with some species exhibiting a few diagnostic characters and significant morphological variability. This has led to misidentification or the synonymisation of many names based on one or a few diagnostic traits. This phenomenon affects the annual sea-heath, F. pulverulenta, a Eurasian–Mediterranean herb that has become subcosmopolitan, to which several entities have been included due to their shared features, namely their annual lifespan or their flattened leaves. However, this fact also extends to shrubby species, such as the Madeiran F. cespitosa. Here, integrative taxonomic studies, encompassing detailed morphological descriptions of macro- and microcharacters along with molecular phylogenetic analyses of both nuclear ribosomal (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region) and plastid (matK gene) DNA sequence data, and an analysis of biogeographic data were undertaken. This examination has resulted in the most complete phylogenetic trees of Frankenia to date, leading to the reinstatement of two African species broadly differing morphologically from F. pulverulenta. Firstly, F. florida L.Chevall., a name applied to a species occurring in the Saharan regions of Algeria, Morocco, Mali, and Mauritania, is often accepted as a variety or subspecies of the annual sea-heath. In contrast, F. densa Pohnert, a species endemic to southern Namibia and northern South Africa, has been synonymised with F. pulverulenta. However, since those two names were later homonyms of two Chilean and Australian plants, they were deemed illegitimate upon publication. Consequently, two new names are proposed for them: F. sahariensis and F. dinteri, respectively. Their substantiation as independent species is provided by data on their morphology, distribution, ecology, and molecular phylogenetics, which demonstrate their distinctiveness from F. pulverulenta. Nomenclatural synonymy and types are also presented for all concerned names, including the designation of two new lectotypes. Furthermore, the importance of an accurate description of the morphological variation in populations is emphasised for a precise identification of taxa in Frankenia. Full article

One new genus and five new species of the extinct family Maimetshidae from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber are described based on five well-preserved specimens as follows: Maimetshasia nova Li, Kopylov and Rasnitsyn, sp. nov.; Maimetshasia engeli Li, Kopylov and Rasnitsyn, sp. nov.; Guyotemaimetsha perrichoti Li, Kopylov and Rasnitsyn, sp. nov.; Guyotemaimetsha ortegablancoi Li, Kopylov and Rasnitsyn, sp. nov.; and Crucimaimetsha nigra Li, Kopylov and Rasnitsyn, sp. nov. A new generic synonymy is proposed: Turgonalus Rasnitsyn, 1990 (=Turgonaliscus Engel, 2016, syn. nov. and = Ahiromaimetsha Perrichot, Azar, Nel and Engel, 2011, syn. nov.); Guyotemaimetsha Perrichot, Nel and Néraudeau, 2004 (=Burmaimetsha Perrichot, 2013, syn. nov.); Afrapia, Rasnitsyn and Brothers, 2009 (=Afromaimetsha, Rasnitsyn and Brothers, 2009, syn. nov.); and Iberomaimetsha nihtmara Ortega-Blanco, Delclòs and Engel, 2011 are transferred to Afrapia, Rasnitsyn and Brothers, 2009. This results in the following new combinations: Turgonalus cooperi, Rasnitsyn and Jarzembowski, 1998, comb. resurr.; Turgonalus najlae (Perrichot, Azar, Nel & Engel, 2011), comb. nov; Afrapia robusta (Rasnitsyn & Brothers, 2009), comb. nov; and Afrapia nihtmara (Ortega-Blanco, Delclòs & Engel, 2011), comb. nov. The occurrence of various genera of Maimetshidae in amber and compression fossil and the morphological differences of the forewings in all the fossil species are provided, which highlights a high level of genus-level diversity among Mesozoic maimetshids. The key to genera was updated. Full article

This study presents four new records of Boesenbergia species (Zingiberaceae) in Cambodia: Boesenbergia parvula (Wall. ex Baker) Kuntze, B. petiolata Sirirugsa, B. siphonantha (King ex Baker) M.Sabu, Prasanthk. & Škorničk., and B. xiphostachya (Gagnep.) Loes. Previously, only B. rotunda (L.) Mansf. was officially recognized in Cambodia. This research also confirms the occurrence of B. rotunda in natural habitats. and provides a new distribution report for this species within the country, and lectotypification of B. xiphostachya (Gagnep.) Loes. We studied plant specimens collected from Cambodia, using calipers and a stereomicroscope, and identified them based on protologue descriptions and herbarium records. We provide detailed morphological descriptions, complete synonymy, taxonomic diagnoses, and a comprehensive identification key. In addition, we present data on habitat, phenology, vernacular names, traditional uses, provisional conservation statuses, horticultural potential, and cultivation guidelines. These findings substantially expand the known species diversity of Boesenbergia in Cambodia, highlighting their ecological significance, cultural value, and ornamental potential. By advancing the understanding of regional flora, this study contributes to biodiversity conservation and emphasizes the importance of continued exploration and documentation in Southeast Asia to preserve ecological integrity and. traditional knowledge. Full article

The nomenclatural and taxonomic issues regarding the thread-legged bug genera Pleias Kirkaldy, 1901 and Bagauda Bergroth, 1903 are reviewed, and Pleias is concluded to be the valid name of the genus. A comprehensive review of Pleias is conducted, resulting in 18 new combinations and two new synonymies [P. aelleni (Villiers, 1970) comb. n., P. atypica (Ghate, Boyane & Joshi, 2019) comb. n., P. avida (Bergroth, 1903) comb. n., P. brunnea (McAtee & Malloch, 1926) comb. n., P. cavernicola (Paiva, 1919) comb. n., P. creppei (Lhoste, 1939) comb. n. = Bagauda gilletti Miller, 1956 syn. n., P. ernstmayri (Kulkarni & Ghate, 2016) comb. n., P. furcosa (Ribes, 1987) comb. n., P. gigantea (Lhoste, 1939) comb. n., P. lucifuga (McAtee & Malloch, 1926) comb. n., P. monodi (Villiers, 1972) comb. n., P. similis (Wygodzinsky, 1966) comb. n., P. smithersi (Wygodzinsky, 1966) comb. n., P. splendens (Distant, 1906) comb. n., P. strinatii (Villiers, 1970) comb. n., P. tenebricola (Horváth, 1910) comb. n., P. wagneri (Villiers, 1949) comb. n. = B. eriksoni Miller, 1954 syn. n., and P. zetteli (Rédei, 2005) comb. n.]. The bibliographies, diagnosis, and known distribution records are presented for all described species, and three new species [P. fashengisp. n. (from Yunnan, China), P. serratasp. n. (from Sabah, Malaysia), and P. trimaculatasp. n. (from Sulawesi, Indonesia)] are described. The identification keys to the African and Asian species of Pleias are provided. The systematic relationships, distribution, and ecology of the genus are discussed. Full article

Iris scariosa is a rhizomatous perennial whose taxonomy and distribution range still remain unclear. The results of our examination of literature, specimens, and wild plants have shown that I. glaucescens, described from Kazakhstan, and I. timofejewii, considered to be endemic to the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, are very closely related to I. scariosa. We have carried out molecular phylogenetic analyses for the first time to clarify the taxonomy of I. scariosa. For this, we sequenced six chloroplast DNA regions of an extended sampling that comprised the accepted species I. glaucescens and I. timofejewii, which has revealed their strong affinity to the accession of I. scariosa from the vicinity of Astrakhan, Russia. A thorough revision of the morphological characters has confirmed the lack of evident differences between I. scariosa and I. timofejewii. Thus, the analyses support a broad species circumscription of I. scariosa. We here reduce I. timofejewii, as well as I. curvifolia, considered to be endemic to Xinjiang, western China, to synonymy of I. scariosa. Color illustrations, updated nomenclature, and data on distribution of I. scariosa are provided. A lectotype for I. astrachanica and a neotype for I. timofejewii are designated here. Also, the phylogenetic relationships within I. subg. Iris are outlined, and an updated classification of the subgenus is proposed. We have recovered six major lineages within four major clades which we recognize as sections. Here, we propose two new nomenclatural combinations, a revised taxonomic treatment, and a new identification key to I. subg. Iris. Full article

Brachynemurus bowlesi, sp. n. is a newly discovered myrmeleontid from the Sonoran Province, the northernmost subtropical region of Mexico. The new species fits within the Brachynemurus versutus subgroup, which now includes five species, all of them occurring in Mexico and the central and western United States. The new species may be identified by characteristics of the internal male genitalia, especially by a roof-like mediuncus, as well as the basal part of the 10th gonostyli, with paired processes in an acute angle and a shield-like expansion more evident in the dorsocaudal view. The formerly proposed synonymy of Brachynemurus mexicanus Banks, under B. versutus (Walker), is herein reinstated and supported. Full article

The nomenclatural status and typification of the names Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, Salicornia fruticosa, S. fruticosa var. deflexa, S. fruticosa var. glaucescens, S. fruticosa var. intermedia, S. fruticosa var. humilis, S. fruticosa var. pachystachya, S. fruticulosa, S. glauca, S. lignosa, S. macrostachya var. virescens, S. macrostachya var. glaucescens, S. perennis, S. radicans, S. radicans var. caespitosa, S. sarmentosa, S. sempervirens, and S. virginica, as well as an unnamed β-variety of S. fruticosa proposed by A. Bertoloni, are investigated. Concerning A. macrostachyum, we document that the type indicated in literature (G00177362) is not a holotype, and that lectotypification is necessary. A specimen from G (G00687638) is here designated as a lectotype. On the level of variety, Arthrocnemum fruticosum var. macrostachyum is an earlier legitimate name for Salicornia fruticosa var. pachystachya. Furthermore, Piirainen et al. are incorrect when citing Forsskål’s “Salicornia” from Alexandria as “S. virginica Forssk.”; it is not a new name and should be cited as S. virginica auct. non L., as published in Forsskål’s Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica. Like with numerous other parallel cases in Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica, Forsskål’s designation of “Salicornia virginica” for an Arabian plant is to be considered a misapplication of the earlier Linnaean name for an American plant. Arthrocnemum glaucum (a nomen illegitimum of Ungern-Sternberg), was listed as type species of Arthrocnemum by the Names in Current Use project; the basionym, Salicornia glauca Delile, is here lectotypified and identified as Arthrocaulon meridionale, published by Ramirez et al. Updated synonymies of Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, A. meridionale, Salicornia fruticosa, and S. perennis are proposed. Salicornia sempervirens is an invalid name according to Art. 36.1a of ICN. No original material was found for S. radicans var. caespitosa. This paper also refer to lecto- or neotypifications on specimens deposited at BM, G, LINN-HS, LY, MPU, NAP, and PAL, and their current taxonomic positions are suggested in a taxonomic part of the paper. Full article

To update the record of mosquito diversity in the state of Morelos, Mexico, mosquito collections were conducted in both physiographical regions of Morelos: the Neo-volcanic Axis and the South Mountain Range. Immature stages were collected from aquatic habitats, while adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps, Shannon traps and approaching/landing on the collecting personnel. All specimens were identified using taxonomic keys and the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (COI). Following Mexico State, this is the second study of mosquito taxonomy of a complete Mexican state using COI barcoding. In Morelos, a total of 58 species of mosquito occurs, of which we report 12 for first time (Aedes vexans, Ae. euplocamus, Ae. vargasi, Psorophora cilipes, Ps. lineata, Culex restrictor, Cx. interrogator, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. tarsalis, Cx. sandrae, Cx. lactator and Toxorhynchites moctezuma). Morelos now ranks sixth in mosquito diversity among Mexican states. Phylogenetic trees were constructed for 32 species, including Ae. shannoni, which is a new record for GenBank databases. Additionally, we report COI barcode sequences of Culiseta dugesi Dyar and Knab, which is resurrected from the synonymy of Cs. particeps (Adams). Fourth-instar larvae and adult females of Cs. dugesi were redescribed. This brings the number of mosquito species in Mexico to 248. Ecological and distributional notes for the new records, the medical importance of mosquito species in Morelos, and an identification key for larvae and females of the known Culiseta species occurring in Mexico are also included. Full article

The long-horn bee genus Tetralonia consists of 35 Western Palaearctic species that are associated mostly with the family Asteraceae as host plants. A minority of the species are, however, exclusively associated with other host plants that have particularly large pollen grains, such as those in the plant families Caprifoliaceae, Malvaceae, and Onagraceae. This work presents a taxonomic account and morphological description of the assemblages of Tetralonia species with atypical (non-Asteraceae) host plants. It includes a key to the pollinosa-group, which contains most of the species, a description of three regionally restricted new species, namely T. eoacinctella Dorchin sp. nov., T. epilobii Dorchin sp. nov., and T. stellipilis Dorchin sp. nov., a lectotype designation for Eucera cinctella Saunders, 1908 [=Tetralonia cinctella (Saunders, 1908)], and a neotype designation for Apis malvae Rossi, 1790 [=Tetralonia malvae (Rossi, 1790)]. In addition, the name Eucera macroglossa Illiger, 1806 is confirmed as a synonym of Apis malvae Rossi, 1790; Tetralonia macroglossa ssp. xanthopyga Alfken, 1936 is officially placed in synonymy with Apis malvae Rossi, 1790; and Macrocera confusa Pérez, 1902 is listed as a doubtful synonym of Tetralonia scabiosae Mocsàry, 1879 (syn. nov.). Full article

Species of Anteon Jurine, 1807 are a large group of parasitoids attacking leafhoppers, which are important insect pests. Despite their great potential in pest biological control, the taxonomy and biology of these parasitoids are far from clear. Sexual dimorphism is extreme in Anteon species and has hampered the taxonomy of these parasitoids, resulting in many species described based on a single sex. In this paper, we employed an integrated taxonomic approach for delimitating species, combining morphological examinations with DNA barcoding, to investigate Anteon species from China. In total, 53 COI sequences representing 29 species of Anteon were obtained and analyzed. On the basis of both morphology and DNA barcoding, five new species of Anteon were discovered and described: A. clariclypeum sp. nov., A. maguanense sp. nov., A. parafidum sp. nov., A. shaanxianum sp. nov., and A. shandonganum sp. nov. The neotype of A. claricolle Kieffer is designated. The sexual association of six species was confirmed by DNA barcoding, which led to the synonymy of Anteon liui Xu, Olmi & He 2010, new syn., under Anteon meifenganum Olmi, 1991. Keys to species of Anteon from the Oriental and Eastern Palaearctic are updated to contain the five new species. Our study demonstrates that DNA barcoding is a potent tool for tackling the taxonomic challenges in parasitoids with extreme sexual dimorphism. Full article