DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e214835

Authors: Junshuo Wang, Mian Wei, He Zhang, Jie Liu, Changhao Hu

Abstract: Troglocoelotes Zhao & Li, 2019 is currently known from Guangxi and Guizhou, China and comprises 12 species. Of these, only four are known from both sexes, whereas the remaining eight are known only from females. Troglocoelotes doul Lin & Li, 2024 was originally described from a female specimen collected in Guangxi and its male has remained unknown.Based on specimens collected from the type locality of Troglocoelotes doul Lin & Li, 2024, the male of this species is described for the first time.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199726

Authors: Lin Li, Hongbo Li, Chang Luo, Fanmiao Zhou, Zhonglian Wang, Qiuxia Wang, Zifa Zhao, Jiang Zhou

Abstract: Xizang, China, has complex alpine ecosystems and supports a diversity of primates. However, systematic survey data on the current distribution and population characteristics of the white-cheeked macaque (Macaca leucogenys) and the Arunachal macaque (Macaca munzala) in Xizang remain limited. To determine the spatial distributions and troop sizes of the two macaque species, line-transect surveys and camera-trap monitoring were conducted in Shannan City and Nyingchi City, Xizang, in 2025. The surveys recorded 11 troops of Arunachal macaques in Himalayan fir forests and forest-edge habitats at elevations of 2,000–3,000 m in Cona City, Shannan City and 10 troops of white-cheeked macaques in habitats, ranging from evergreen broad-leaved forest to mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forest at elevations of 1,395–2,700 m in Gedang Township and Damu Township, Medog County, Nyingchi City. Average troop size was approximately 14 individuals for the Arunachal macaque and 17 individuals for the white-cheeked macaque. Troops of both species included adults, subadults and infants and the presence of infants indicated normal reproductive activity. This study provides the first systematic documentation of the current distribution ranges, habitat preferences and social structure of these two macaque species in Xizang, thereby providing baseline data for subsequent conservation assessments and management decisions.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e210973

Authors: Yejin Kang, Hyobin Lee, Wonhoon Lee

Abstract: The genus Kurisakia Takahashi, 1924 belongs to the subfamily Thelaxinae (Hemiptera, Aphididae) and currently comprises seven valid species worldwide. Kurisakia querciphila Takahashi, 1960 was originally described from Japan as a subspecies of K. onigurumii and was subsequently recognised as a distinct species. In Korea, Paik recorded K. onigurumii, a record that was later referred to K. querciphila. Nevertheless, the current National Species List of Korea lists only K. onigurumii within the genus Kurisakia, whereas K. querciphila is not included.We provide a detailed morphological re-description and illustrations of the apterous viviparous female of Kurisakia querciphila, based on recently collected specimens from South Korea. The specimens were collected from Quercus variabilis in Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, in 2024. Host-plant and distributional information is also provided and the COI sequence obtained from a single individual was deposited in GenBank. The present study confirms the occurrence of K. querciphila in South Korea, based on morphologically identified specimens and provides taxonomic evidence supporting its inclusion in the National Species List of Korea.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e202389

Authors: Fernando Moya, Claudia Maturana, Sebastian Rosenfeld, Melanie Delleuze, Guillaume Schwob, Camila Neder, Paul Brickle, Thomas Saucède, Léa Cabrol, Karin Gerard, Angie Díaz, Elie Poulin

Abstract: The study of biodiversity distribution is essential for its conservation. In particular, knowledge gaps concerning the distribution of Antarctic and Subantarctic benthos lead us to undertake research initiatives. Platforms such as GBIF allow us to gather geographical information, standardise it and subsequently analyse it in a reproducible manner. Here, we present a dataset created in GBIF, which shows an occurrence compilation of three species of the genus Abatus (Troschel, 1851). The records collated were organised at the specimen level and collected by project from different countries and dates. The aim of this work is to curate these samples and records, contributing to the knowledge of the biogeographical distribution of these three species across three different macrozones (southern Patagonia, Subantarctic islands and Antarctica).The occurrence dataset presented here has never been released before and is the result of a rigorous compilation and curation of records to document the distribution of species within the genus Abatus across the Southern Ocean. We compiled data from field collections and taxonomic research carried out between 2004 and 2024. The dataset includes 27 occurrences of three recognised species (Abatus agassizii (Mortensen, 1910); Abatus cavernosus (Philippi, 1845); and Abatus cordatus (Verrill, 1876)) and two occurrences of Abatus identified only at genus level (Abatus sp.), which were obtained from multiple locations including the Magellan Strait, Kerguelen Islands, Falkland/Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and South Shetland Islands. All records were georeferenced and curated by experts from the Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE) and associated institutions. The dataset has been published through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and is accessible under a CC-BY 4.0 licence. This work was supported by various research programmes and contributes to international biodiversity initiatives focused on the Southern Ocean.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e212181

Authors: Christos Arvanitidis, Cristina Isabel Huertas Olivares, Mike Elliott, Alberto Basset, Anne Fouilloux, Ohad Graber-Soudry, Dimitris Koureas, Lucas de Moncuit, Roland Roberts, Antonio José Saenz-Albanes, Peter van Tienderen

Abstract: Research Infrastructures are increasingly central to scientific discovery, innovation and evidence-informed policy, but their management requires the integration of many dimensions that are often treated separately. This paper proposes an eleven-tenet framework for the integrated, evolving and sustainable management of European Research Infrastructure Consortia, extending existing tenet-based approaches by adding the explicit dimension of enabling scientific excellence. The framework brings together scientific, technological, economic, administrative, political, legal, societal, environmental, ethical, cultural and communication considerations into a coherent structure. It is intended to support strategic reflection, gap analysis, adaptive management and future assessment of ERICs, while recognising that the challenges addressed are relevant beyond the European RI and ERIC context.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e198617

Authors: Thomas Brekke, Thomas Weeks, Robert Barber, Isabelle Thomson, Rosemary Gooda, Roberta Gargiulo, Guillaume Delhaye, Carrie Andrew, Jill Kowal, Martin Bidartondo, Laura Suz

Abstract: Processing Sanger DNA sequences remains a routine, yet technically demanding step in many biodiversity and ecological studies, particularly when barcoding large numbers of environmental samples. Manual inspection and editing of trace files, DNA sequence alignment and classification using taxonomic reference databases are time-consuming, inconsistent and prone to error, compromising workflow standardisation, traceability and reproducibility. These challenges are compounded in studies involving degraded samples, in-house DNA sequencing, under-described taxa or research contexts in which investigators have limited access to computational tools.We present MycorrhizaTracer, an open-source pipeline for processing and taxonomically classifying large batches of Sanger sequencing chromatograms. The pipeline is optimised for fungal and plant taxa, but it is adaptable across the tree of life. The pipeline performs quality trimming, consensus generation from bidirectional reads, taxonomic classification via BLAST, clustering, optional salvaging of low-quality sequences and functional annotation of fungal taxa. Designed for scalability and ease of use, MycorrhizaTracer can process thousands of DNA chromatograms in a matter of hours without the need for a high-performance computer (HPC). Accuracy and ecological relevance are promoted by features such as gene region-specific taxonomic filtering and sequence-based clustering of unclassified reads. By streamlining trace-to-taxon workflows, MycorrhizaTracer reduces the burden of manual curation, supports reproducibility and enables efficient recovery of biodiversity data from Sanger sequences, particularly in field-based or resource-limited research contexts. MycorrhizaTracer is available through an open GitHub repository under an MIT licence as an open-source reproducible piece of bioinformatic software.We demonstrate the use and effectiveness of MycorrhizaTracer with a sample set of environmental sequencing data to illustrate how the pipeline preforms when applied to real-world data. These data are composed of over 2,000 samples sequenced in both directions at three target regions and include both high and low quality chromatograms chosen to represent the variation that may be seen in practice.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e211811

Authors: Dewen Gong, Changfa Zhou

Abstract: The nymphs of Potamanthellus unicutibius Nguyen & Bae, 2003 possess filtering mouthparts and modified fore-legs. However, no adults are known.In this study, both nymphal and imaginal stages of this species were collected and reared from China. Morphological examination reveals that these specimens differ markedly from all other members of Potamanthellus Lestage, 1931. In addition to the filtering nymphal morphology, the males of this species are characterised by more distinctly developed penes, longer tibiae and cerci and smaller compound eyes compared to those of Potamanthellus. Significantly, its distinct penes not only validates its independent species status, but also reveals the evolutionary process of the reduction of neoephemerid male genitalia and provides the original clue of the vestigial penes in several other lineages of the order Ephemeroptera as well.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199459

Authors: Fani Lyrou, Nikolaos Tourvas, Filippos Aravanopoulos

Abstract: This study provides the first quantitative dataset on leaf morphometric diversity for Quercus trojana subsp. euboica (Papaioannou) K.I.Chr., a narrow endemic oak of Greece. This subspecies is of high conservation priority, listed in the Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece and its restricted range in Northern Euboea was heavily impacted by a catastrophic wildfire in 2021. We sampled 301 leaves from three natural populations (Kerasia1, Kerasia2 and Prokopi) and processed them using a custom Python pipeline to extract 14 size and shape variables. Statistical analyses (PCA and LDA) showed that, while leaf shape remains relatively stable across populations, there is significant variation in leaf size. Specifically, the Prokopi population, where only understorey individuals were found, had much larger leaves (mean leaf area 1,015 mm2) than those in Kerasia1 (648 mm2) and Kerasia2 (715 mm2). These data establish a baseline for monitoring the species' recovery and will be used alongside future genomic data to better understand the role of phenotypic plasticity in its conservation.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e211761

Authors: Congzheng Li, Qinlong Liang, Zhongjing Wang, Ke-Ke Liu

Abstract: Prior to this study, only two mygalomorph species from two distinct families had been formally recorded in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province: Calommata jinggangica Li & Xu, 2022 (Atypidae Thorell, 1870) and Conothele jinggangshan Liu, Xu, Zhang, Liu & Li, 2019 (Halonoproctidae Pocock, 1901), indicating that the overall mygalomorph diversity in this region remains far from fully revealed. The family Nemesiidae Simon, 1889, is known from the neighbouring provinces of Jiangxi: Hunan, Hubei, Fujian and Zhejiang. Nevertheless, no systematic surveys of Nemesiidae have ever been conducted in Jiangxi Province, and to date, no species belonging to this family has been formally reported from the region. During a recent exploratory field survey of local microhabitats in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, we collected a series of nemesiid specimens with distinctive morphology. Following morphological examination and preliminary molecular data, these specimens are confirmed to represent a new species of the genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987. This discovery not only provides the first formal record of Nemesiidae from Jiangxi Province, but also highlights that the mygalomorph diversity in Jiangxi and eastern China remains largely under-investigated, with many potential taxa awaiting discovery.The spider genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 is reported for the first time from Jiangxi Province, China, based on material collected in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve. A new species, R. zhangzongxuni Liu, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The discovery provides the first formal record of the family Nemesiidae from Jiangxi Province and bridges the known distributional records of the genus in eastern China, enhancing its geographic continuity on the map. The finding highlights that the mygalomorph diversity in Jiangxi and adjacent regions remains largely under-sampled and contributes to the understanding of the biogeography of the family Nemesiidae in East Asia.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e206796

Authors: Zixuan Li, Y. Miles Zhang, Zhixuan Liu, Shixiao Luo, Huayan Chen

Abstract: The genus Aximopsis sensu lato (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae) is a cosmopolitan group of parasitoid wasps, currently comprising 43 described species. The genus is defined by a suite of homoplastic morphological characters and its taxonomic boundaries remain unstable, with recent molecular phylogenies indicating paraphyly. The nodularis species group, which accounts for approximately half of the known species, includes parasitoids of various endophytic insects. While host associations with small carpenter bees of the genus Ceratina (Apidae) have been documented for a few eurytomid species in Europe and North America, no species of Aximopsis s.l. has ever been recorded from China.A new species of Aximopsis Ashmead, Aximopsis qiong Li, Zhang & Chen sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae) is described from Hainan, China. The species was reared as a gregarious ectoparasitoid of the small carpenter bee Ceratina smaragdula (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera, Apidae). The new species is provisionally placed in Aximopsis sensu lato and tentatively assigned to the nodularis species group based on morphological characters. Diagnostic characters, detailed morphology, biological observations and illustrations of both sexes are provided. Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on COI sequences,failed to recover Aximopsis sensu lato as monophyletic, supporting previous evidence of its uncertain generic boundaries. This discovery represents the first record of the genus Aximopsis from China and only the second confirmed species of the nodularis group associated with Ceratina hosts. Collectively, our finding expand the known distribution and host range of this parasitoid lineage, while also underscoring the pressing need for a comprehensive taxonomic revision of Aximopsis sensu lato.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e191990

Authors: Nicolas Turenne, Eric Chenin, Youcef Sklab, Jean-Daniel Zucker

Abstract: Plant taxonomic descriptions are essential for botany, but remain scattered in unstructured texts. Automatic trait extraction is difficult due to linguistic variation, specialised terminology and the need for large, structured datasets.Methods: We developed WordGen, an algorithm for species name recognition tolerant to OCR and typographical errors, using curated botanical dictionaries to reliably identify species sections in noisy and web-scraped texts.Results: We created a 345,000 species file dataset with natural language descriptions of global plant species from monographs, Wikipedia and databases. It achieved over 99% coverage and high recall on New Caledonia and Cameroon Floras datasets, enabling advanced AI-based plant taxonomy analysis.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e208528

Authors: Joseph Miller, Caitlin Mandeville, Dmitry Schigel, Javier Gamboa Martinez, Anne Mette Nielsen, Susanne Sheldon, Andrea Hahn, Melianie Raymond, Søren Bundgaard-Jensen, Maheva Bagard Laursen, Kyle Copas, Matthew Blissett, Morten Høfft, Federico Méndez Hernández, Daniel Noesgaard, Andrew Rodrigues, Laura Russell, Thomas Stjernegaard Jeppesen, Annie Elkjær Ørum-Kristensen, Marie Grosjean, John Waller, Mikhail Podolskiy, Hilary Goodson, Sanja Novakovikj, Tobias Frøslev, Kate Ingenloff, Aleksander Sørensen Nilsson, Cecilie Svenningsen, Daniel van der Meijden, April Suen, Ahmet Hakan Uzun, Maja Vaskova, Charlotte Nielsen, Esteban Marentes Herrera, Nikolaj Schaldemose Reibke, Tim Robertson

Abstract: The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) provides free and open access to biodiversity data to anyone, anywhere. It realizes this mission by mobilizing technologies and skills to enable data-holding institutions to standardize and publish biodiversity data and by integrating these data into a unified resource that facilitates free and open access. The work of GBIF is distributed across the global biodiversity data community, directed and funded by the world’s governments. By August 2026, the twenty-fifth year since GBIF was established, it has data providers in more than 120 countries and provides access to over 3.8 billion data records, which have become fundamental inputs underpinning global biodiversity research and policy. Yet despite these successes, global biodiversity infrastructure needs are larger now than they were twenty-five years ago. Biodiversity data needs are changing and growing, driving ongoing development of the GBIF infrastructure and community. This article offers a historically informed overview of GBIF. It introduces the GBIF community, services, and infrastructure, illustrating how these have developed and continue to evolve in response to the needs of the growing community that they serve. Ultimately the article aims to enrich the depth of engagement across the GBIF community, strengthening its capacity to respond to biodiversity data needs in the next twenty-five years and beyond.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e206902

Authors: Sung Je Lee, Yong-Ki Kim, Yong-Sik Hong, Kwang jin Cho

Abstract: Pure Quercus mongolica stands are a major component of temperate deciduous broad-leaved forests in South Korea and provide important habitats for vascular plant diversity. Although Q. mongolica forests have been widely studied in terms of community structure, succession and relationships with environmental factors, large-scale plot-based floristic information focused specifically on stands in which Q. mongolica dominates the canopy layer remains limited. This study aimed to document the vascular flora of pure Q. mongolica stands in Gangwon-do and to provide baseline information for floristic diversity assessment, long-term monitoring and conservation management using plot-level occurrence data.Field surveys were conducted from 2019 to 2023 across 1,098 plots established in representative pure Q. mongolica stands. For each plot, vascular plant occurrence data were compiled and selected environmental characteristics of the plots were summarised. The identified taxa were classified according to taxonomic rank and conservation- and management-related categories, including Korean endemic plant taxa, endangered wild plant taxa, Red List plant taxa, floristic target plant taxa, alien plant taxa and ecosystem-disturbing plant taxa.A total of 594 vascular plant taxa were recorded, comprising 103 families, 288 genera, 539 species, 45 varieties, seven subspecies and three forms. The dataset included 20,906 plot-level occurrence records. The families with the highest numbers of taxa were Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Liliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae. The number of taxa per plot ranged from 5 to 55, indicating variation in local taxon richness amongst plots of pure Q. mongolica stands. Conservation- and management-related taxa included 32 Korean endemic taxa, one Class II endangered wild plant taxon, 21 Korean Red List plant taxa, 172 floristic target plant taxa, seven alien plant taxa and two ecosystem-disturbing plant taxa. The floristic target plant taxa consisted of 42 Grade I, 44 Grade II, 57 Grade III, 24 Grade IV and 5 Grade V taxa. In addition, 85 taxa listed on the IUCN Red List were identified.These results show that pure Q. mongolica stands in Gangwon-do contain diverse vascular plant assemblages and may serve as habitats for taxa of conservation and phytogeographical interest. The plot-based floristic inventory presented here provides baseline information for biodiversity assessment, long-term monitoring and conservation management of Q. mongolica-dominated temperate deciduous broad-leaved forests in Korea. By linking plot-level occurrence records with environmental metadata, the dataset can support future comparisons of floristic composition amongst Q. mongolica forests.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e203118

Authors: Martha Vounatsi, Sébastien Lhoumeau, Alexandra Dal Lago, Sophie Wallon, Nelson Moura, Mauro Ponte, Ricardo Abreu, Paulo Borges

Abstract: The data presented here constitute an important component of the LIFE SNAILS project (Support and Naturalisation in Areas of Importance for Land Snails) which aims to protect three threatened endemic mollusc species from Santa Maria Island: two land snails (Oxychilus agostinhoi Martins 1981 and Leptaxis minor Backhuys, 1975) and a semi-slug, Azorivitrina angulosa (Morelet, 1860). Although, arthropods are not direct targets of the project, their communities can provide useful indicators of overall habitat quality. A previous survey of mixed forests on Santa Maria provided the baseline for the present study, as the same sites were surveyed, except two additional sites incorporated in 2025.We obtained 55 sampling events from forests on Santa Maria between 16 June 2024 and 15 December 2025. A total of 20,282 specimens were collected, with 15,055 specimens identified to species or subspecies level, representing 74% of the total sample. Overall, 172 species and subspecies were identified: 27 endemic, 48 native non-endemic, 77 introduced and 20 of uncertain colonisation status. We recorded ten species new to Santa Maria Island. However, none represented a new record for the Azores Archipelago. Of these new island records, two were native non-endemic species, six were introduced and two had uncertain colonisation status. These new records include Campyloneura virgula (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1835), Carpelimus troglodytes troglodytes (Erichson, 1840), Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758), Nacaeus impressicollis (Motschulsky, 1858), Neobisium maroccanum Beier, 1930, Phyllotreta procera (Redtenbacher, 1849), Pilophorus confusus (Kirschbaum, 1856), Ploiaria chilensis (Philippi, 1862), Sophonia orientalis (Matsumura, 1912) and Textrix caudata L. Koch, 1872.Calculation of the Biotic Integrity Index (IBI) showed that SMR-SNAILS-T04 consistently recorded high values, whereas SMR-SNAILS-T08 exhibited the clearest decline over time. In this study, we extended the long-term monitoring of the mixed forests of Santa Maria by deploying SLAM (Sea, Land, Air, Malaise) traps and compiling a comprehensive database of all identified specimens collected between Summer 2024 and Autumn 2025.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e210136

Authors: Wanting Zhao, Lianfeng He, Xiaolin Chen, Jianshuang Zhang, Hao Yu

Abstract: Linyphiidae Blackwall, 1859 is the second-largest spider family, currently comprising nearly 5,000 species worldwide. Although Guiyang is one of the most biodiverse provincial capitals in China, its linyphiid fauna remains poorly known, with only a single species previously recorded.Recent field surveys conducted by the authors in Guiyang revealed 17 species of Linyphiidae, including one new to science. We provide the first checklist of the family from Guiyang, together with a distribution map of all recorded species and live habitus photographs for 13 species (the remaining four species were not photographed in the field). A detailed description and diagnostic micrographs of the new species are presented and a partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence is provided to facilitate future molecular studies.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e204436

Authors: Denise Swanborn, Alfredo Marchiò, Giulia La Bianca, Megan Cundy, Travis Reynolds Jr, Melanie Stott, Brett Gonzalez, Heather Stewart, Alan Jamieson

Abstract: Comprehensive biodiversity inventories of abyssal and hadal ecosystems remain rare due to the financial and logistical challenges associated with operating in the deepest parts of the ocean. However, deep-sea exploration programmes are increasingly generating extensive video datasets offering new opportunities to document biodiversity across broad depth ranges.Here, we present the most extensive visual biodiversity inventory assembled from an abyssal-hadal system to date, using imagery collected in the Nova Canton Trough (Central Pacific Ocean), combining observations from 99 baited lander deployments and 16 submersible transects conducted between ~ 3000 m and ~ 8000 m depth. Across more than 1500 hours of lander video and 136 hours of submersible video, ~ 30,000 individual organisms belonging to the kingdoms Animalia and Protista were recorded and grouped into 325 morphotaxa, spanning a wide range of benthic and demersal taxa. The integration of baited and non-baited visual platforms provided complementary observations of mobile scavengers and sessile or low-mobility benthic taxa.Combined observations reveal a depth-structured transition from a diverse abyssal biota through a broad abyssal-hadal transition zone to a distinctive hadal assemblage. Notable findings include the first population of hadal snailfish (Pseudoliparis sp.) reported outside a subduction trench, high density and diversity of xenophyophores across the depth range and several putative bathymetric range extensions, including first hadal records for several groups within the Animalia and Protista. At phylum level, these include live Brachiopoda and direct observations of protists belonging to the Cercozoa. The orders Corallimorpharia (Phylum Cnidaria, Class Hexacorallia) and Nacromedusae (Phylum Cnidaria, Class Hydrozoa) are extended by over 1200 m, with the former being the first hadal record. The families Amathillopsidae (Phylum Arthropoda, Order Amphipoda), Candelabridae (Phylum Cnidaria, Order Anthoathecata), Hesionidae (Phylum Annelida, Order Phyllodocida), Onuphidae (Phylum Annelida, Order Eunicida) and Umbellulidae (Phylum Cnidaria, Order Scleralcyonaceae) are also depth-extended, with the first three representing first records at hadal depths.The Nova Canton Trough also differs from most previously studied hadal systems in being a tectonically quiescent fracture zone rather than a subduction trench. This makes it an important reference system for evaluating whether depth-structured faunal zonation is consistent across different geological contexts. Its position in the central Pacific provides another important biogeographic relevance connecting existing hadal studies focused on the north and south Pacific.By combining observations with curated reference imagery and identification notes, this study establishes a biodiversity baseline for the Nova Canton Trough and provides a visual framework to guide future taxonomic identification, ecological studies and targeted biological sampling, particularly at lower abyssal and hadal depths where biodiversity remains most poorly resolved.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e198070

Authors: Lindsie McCabe, Byron Love, Jonathan Koch, Skyler Burrows, Kelsey Graham, Diana Cox-Foster

Abstract: Bees provide critical pollination services to a diversity of flowering plants, facilitating the function of terrestrial ecosystems and global food production. Here, we present a checklist of bee species collected in conjunction with a larger systematic study in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah, United States, over the course of three consecutive summers (2020-2022). The survey was conducted on public lands managed by the United States Forest Service. We collected 8,500 bee specimens using pan traps, hand nets and trap nests, representing at least 199 bee species belonging to 33 genera across five families. The checklist produced in this survey is critical for land managers and other stakeholders in developing pollinator management and conservation strategies, especially on public lands.We present the first published checklist of bees in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah and document five new species that have not been recorded in Utah before: Ceratina sequoiae, Coelioxys alternata, Hoplitis pilosifrons, Megachile campanulae and Stelis holocyanea. Notably, this survey did not detect the presence of Osmia cornifrons, a non-native solitary bee species that is known from lower elevations in the adjacent Cache Valley. However, two non-native species, Megachile rotundata and Anthidium manicatum were each represented by an occurrence during our three year survey. Early detection of non-native species provides a baseline for potential range expansion.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e204046

Authors: Shuo Liu, Chao Bu, Tao Deng, Jinming Bai, Bin Luo, Mian Hou, Xiaoping Li, Jiansong Zhang, Wenyu Li, Zhihong Wang, Yanfei Feng, JiShan Wang, Dingqi Rao

Abstract: Zhangixalus puerensis sensu lato was previously considered to be distributed in most parts of Yunnan and northern Vietnam. Some studies have implied that Z. puerensis sensu lato contains multiple independent species. However, the taxonomic status of Z. puerensis sensu lato remains unresolved.Based on the sequences obtained from GenBank and our newly-generated sequences, we performed a taxonomic assessment of Zhangixalus puerensis sensu lato. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four distinct lineages within Z. puerensis sensu lato. We described two of the four lineages as two new species. The first new species from Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan, China and Ha Giang Province, Vietnam, can be distinguished from its congeners by having a relatively small body size, head being wider than long, heels not meeting, tibiotarsal articulation reaching centre or anterior margin of tympanum, fifth toe being longer than third toe, nuptial pad being present on first finger and dorsal surface being green with more or less dark-edged brown spots. The second new species from Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China, can be distinguished from its congeners by having a relatively small body size, head being wider than long, heels not meeting, tibiotarsal articulation reaching posterior margin or centre of tympanum, fifth toe and third toe being approximately equal in length, dorsal surface green with no or a few or many dark-edged brown spots. In addition, the taxonomic status of populations previously considered to be Z. puerensis from north-western Yunnan of China and north-western Vietnam needs further research to determine.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e212593

Authors: Dinh-Sac Pham, Vu Duc Toan

Abstract: This corrigendum serves to recognise the official museum depository and formal registration codes for the type specimens of the Epeus taybac Vu & Pham, 2025.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199297

Authors: Dawn R. Cook-Price, Sunchai Makchai, Pongthep Suwanwaree

Abstract: Insular snake species are often under-assessed, rendering them vulnerable to habitat encroachment and other anthropogenic threats. The aim of this study was to compile a comprehensive checklist of snakes on Ko Pha-ngan, Thailand. Data were collected via transect surveys, drift line fence traps and opportunistic encounters from February 2021 to September 2023.Twenty-one snake species were detected across three main habitats (human settlement, human-disturbed forest and national park forest) with the highest species diversity observed in the Than Sadet - Ko Pha-ngan National Park protected areas (20 species). Lycodon capucinus, Chrysopelea ornata, Ahaetulla prasina and Boiga cyanea were the most abundant species detected during surveys. Thirteen species were detected in all three habitat types, indicating broad habitat tolerance amongst several taxa. Two species, Ptyas korros and Ophiophagus bungarus, are assessed as Near Threatened and Vulnerable, respectively, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Finally, the island harbours one endemic species, Oligodon phangan. This study highlights the need for additional monitoring to better understand the dynamics of insular populations and to assess the ongoing impacts of tourism-driven development on species within finite island habitats.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e208779

Authors: Zhu-Cheng Yu, Xiao-Yi Wang, Chang Gao, Ke Wang, Mei-Fang Wang, Bai-Wei Gao, Wei Zhao, Si-Han Wu, Zhe-Ping Xu, Xiao Zhou, Lin-Li Xu, Jie Yu, Lotanna Nneji, Jin-Min Chen, Wei Jin, Ping Shin Lee

Abstract: Research on mammalian diversity and activity rhythms is critical for understanding biological adaptation, evolutionary processes and the development of effective ecological conservation strategies. Xianxialing Nature Reserve in Zhejiang Province is an area with rich mammalian biodiversity, yet no study has been conducted on mammalian activity rhythms in the Reserve. This study aims to systematically monitor and document mammalian diversity and characterise the activity rhythms of threatened species in the Xianxialing Nature Reserve using infrared camera traps.Between January 2021 and November 2023, this survey used 97 continuously monitored infrared cameras, generating totals of 71,879 effective camera-days of data. In total, 24,919 effective records were obtained, representing 12 independently detected non-rodent mammal species belonging to seven families, 10 genera and four orders. Based on the Relative Abundance Index (RAI), the five most abundant species were Reeves' Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata), Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris), Chinese Ferret-badger (Melogale moschata) and Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). Compared with diurnal species, nocturnal species, such as the Masked Palm Civet, showed a preference for lower-altitude habitats during winter. These spatial distribution patterns can be attributed to a combination of thermoregulatory strategies and other ecological drivers. Overall, the findings provide an objective assessment of the current status of mammalian diversity in Xianxialing Nature Reserve. Studying mammal activity rhythms offers baseline data and practical insights for the dynamic conservation of nationally protected species in China's subtropical nature reserves.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e191625

Authors: Amaëlle Bisch, Pauline Stephan, Sophie Elliott, Thomas Barreau, Caroline Bousquet, Laurent Colombet, Ghislain Dorémus, Michel Marengo, Matthieu Lapinski, Alexandra Rohr, François Sichel, Eric Stephan, Anthony Acou

Abstract: Chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks, skates and rays) are the most threatened vertebrate group in the marine environment. Currently, 106 species (7 chimaeras, 40 skates and rays, 59 sharks) of chondrichthyans are known to occur regularly or occasionally in metropolitan French waters. However, the distribution of these species remains poorly documented due to a lack of data. In this context, a comprehensive dataset was compiled to support the recently published Atlas des Chondrichtyens de France métropolitaine (Chondrichthyan Distribution Atlas within North-East Atlantic and French Mediterranean waters), aiming to provide an updated and standardised overview of their occurrence in French metropolitan and adjacent marine waters.This dataset compiles 177,042 events (e.g. fishing operations, transects, sightings) collected between 2003 and 2021 across the North-East Atlantic (Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast) and Western Mediterranean Sea. These events comprise 169,519 occurrence records representing 86 chondrichthyan species (7 chimaeras, 35 skates and rays, 44 sharks). The dataset includes fisheries-dependent data, scientific survey data and citizen-science observations. Each record was carefully checked for taxonomic accuracy, geographical plausibility, depth, and biological (i.e. individual length) compliance with existing literature. French experts further reviewed the reliability of occurrences for the species within their taxonomic area of expertise. The dataset is publicly available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and can be found under: https://doi.org/10.15468/xq94ag.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e210906

Authors: Sedtawut Kwanboon, Damrong Chainthong, Boonsatien Boonsoong

Abstract: Behningia baei McCafferty & Jacobus, 2006 was only known from the nymphal stage and recorded from two localities in Thailand. While the winged stages have been described for four congeners of Behningia, those of B. baei have not yet been documented.Here, we present the first morphological description of the female subimago of B. baei based on reared specimens collected from sandy-bottomed rivers in northern Thailand. We compare diagnostic characters of the female subimago with those of known species of Behningia. In addition, we provide data on burrowing behaviour in fine-sand substrate. Our findings bring new biological and behavioural data for this rare genus.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e208358

Authors: Phillip Hogan, Ralph DeWalt, Scott Grubbs

Abstract: The landscape in the Midwest, USA (limited to the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) has undergone dramatic shifts from the historic natural settings to agricultural and urbanised landscapes over the past two centuries following European colonisation. These shifts have restructured community assemblages and species distributions of aquatic insects, particularly stoneflies, an insect order susceptible to regional and local extirpations following anthropogenic, climatic and environmental alterations. Within the Midwest, species extirpations at a broad scale have been documented for multiple states, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Illinois and Minnesota appear to have lost endemics to extinction. To better understand how species distributions have shifted over the past two centuries, we have compiled records of species occurrences from the mid-19th century to the present day.In preparation for a comprehensive assessment of the Midwest stonefly fauna, we present a species occurrence dataset composed of approximately 50,000 records. This dataset spans from the early 1860s through 2025. These data have been compiled from 26 regional natural history museums, a review of published literature records and collecting efforts by the authors since 1987. This dataset presents occurrence records for 157 regional species from 41 genera, representing nine of ten Nearctic stonefly families. Of these species, 21 are new state records, including three species recorded for the first time within the Midwest region. The new state records include two from Illinois, two from Indiana, one from Iowa, one from Michigan, nine from Minnesota, five from Ohio and seven from Wisconsin. Overall, these updates bring the total known richness for Illinois to 85, Indiana to 93, Iowa to 47, Michigan to 71, Minnesota to 65, Ohio to 109 and Wisconsin to 68. State richness declines along east-west and south-north gradients. The five most species-rich families were Perlidae (n = 42), Perlodidae (n = 38), Capniidae (n = 21), Chloroperlidae (n = 15) and Nemouridae (n = 15). The contemporary Midwest fauna is diminished compared to historical community richness and composition, through both regional and state extirpations and extinctions. Despite intensive contemporary collection efforts throughout the region, 13 species are known solely from historical collections. Each Midwest state experienced extirpations. The greatest losses occurred in Illinois, with 16 species that were absent in collections made after 1970. This was followed by Indiana (n = 9), Michigan (n = 8), Ohio (n = 8), Minnesota (n = 7), Wisconsin (n = 2) and Iowa (n = 1). The greatest losses were within the families Perlidae and Perlodidae, with 17 and eight species extirpated from at least one state by 1970, respectively.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199400

Authors: Mirana Gauche, Némo Fontanié, Edmond Grangaud, Nicholas Wilding, Rodolphe Rougerie, Marie Lapègue, Claudine Ah-Peng

Abstract: Expanding DNA barcode reference libraries is essential to support ecological surveys, conservation assessments and future metabarcoding applications. Réunion Island (Mascarene's Archipelago) hosts a rich diversity of pteridophytes despite its small surface area. Although the chloroplastic rbcL sequences are available for several fern taxa in public databases, additional regions with high variability such as trnH–psbA are still under-represented for the Réunion pteridoflora. This dataset has been produced in the framework of the FRBOL (FRench Barcode Of Life) network.The current curated DNA barcode dataset contains 84 pteridophyte species from Réunion Island, representing approximately 25% of the pteridophyte species present on the Island. All specimens were morphologically identified by a specialist and are preserved as vouchers in the public herbarium of the University of Réunion (REU). A total of 163 sequences of rbcLa (86) and trnH–psbA (77) were generated and deposited in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) with complete associated metadata and photos. While numerous rbcLa sequences were already available on GenBank, our dataset provides newlygenerated sequences linked to curated vouchers on BOLD and substantially increases the representation of trnH–psbA for the Island’s pteridophytes. Additionally, this work documents the first record of Pteris ensiformis Burm.f., an exotic species for Réunion. Morphological examination allowed the identification of this newly-recorded species, which was corroborated by molecular analyses.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e208590

Authors: Andrea Criado-Flórez, Marika Asztalos, Carolin Kindler, Adrian Neumann, Nadine Schultze, Uwe Fritz

Abstract: Grass and water snakes of the genus Natrix are a dominant component of the Palaearctic reptile fauna, with a broad distribution ranging from North Africa across much of Europe to Lake Baikal in Central Asia. As part of a series of studies on the phylogeography and systematics of the group, a large database of mtDNA sequences and microsatellite genotypes was compiled for all five Natrix species.We present a range-wide genetic database comprising georeferenced information for approximately 3,700 snakes belonging to the grass snake complex (i.e. Natrix astreptophora, N. helvetica, N. natrix), N. maura, N. tessellata and interspecific hybrids. This unique repository can serve as a comprehensive resource for phylogeographic, population genetic and systematic studies, as well as for monitoring hybrid zone dynamics and future anthropogenic hybridisation and admixture resulting from translocated non-native snakes.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e194006

Authors: Shimpei Hiruta, Iraru Kobayashi, Toshihiko Fujita

Abstract: BackgroundThe genus Podosphaeraster comprises seven species, characterised by a distinctive spherical body, all currently known from the seabed at depths below approximately 70 m. Its peculiar morphology has made its phylogenetic placement a subject of ongoing debate. It was initially suggested to be placed in Sphaerasteridae, the same family as fossil species. However, subsequent detailed skeletal analyses of the fossil forms suggested that this similarity was likely due to convergent evolution. Recent molecular analyses have revealed that Valvatida, in which the genus is currently placed, is likely a large polyphyletic group, leaving its taxonomic position still unresolved.New informationA detailed examination of the internal skeletal structure of Podosphaeraster toyoshiomaruae, collected from the seas around Japan, was conducted using micro-focus X-ray computed tomography. Concurrently, shotgun sequencing was performed to identify key molecular markers for recent asteroid phylogeny. Additionally, shotgun sequencing determined the complete mitochondrial genome. Despite conservative evolution amongst asteroidean mitochondrial genomes, a translocation of the COX2 gene was revealed, representing the first discovery of a major protein-coding gene translocation within Asteroidea.In the phylogenetic tree, P. toyoshiomaruae was positioned as the most basal lineage within Valvatida. However, the statistical support for this placement was low, potentially due to the long-branch attraction caused by the excessively rapid evolutionary rate.Images reconstructed by micro-CT confirmed the presence of calcified reinforcement in the mesentery and showed its detailed structure for the first time.The mesentery skeleton was found to connect to the V-plate and five pairs of plates, including three kinds of marginal plates. This suggests that the marginal plates of this species may not be homologous with those of other asteroids.Although varying degrees of marginal plate reduction are shared with the order Velatida, we consider this to be a case of convergent evolution. Our phylogenetic analysis indicates a close relationship between P. toyoshiomaruae and Poraniidae (and other Valvatida), all of which possess marginal plates differentiated to varying extents, the homology of which remains uncertain.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e210019

Authors: Ming-Min Zheng, Yang Li, Cornelis van Achterberg, Jia-Chen Zhu, Xue-xin Chen

Abstract: Hemiglyptinus Shenefelt, 1978 is a monotypic genus of the subfamily Braconinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) with only one described species worldwide. The biology of this genus is still unknown. Up to present, Hemiglyptinus has not been recorded from China.This study reports the first record of the genus Hemiglyptinus in the Hainan Province of China; the newly-recorded species, Hemiglyptinus flavus (Ashmead, 1905), is re-described and illustrated.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e196645

Authors: Santiago Alvear, Carter Young, Luisa Vasquez-Valverde, Paul Marek

Abstract: Large millipedes of the family Spirostreptidae are often kept in zoos and other educational living collections in the United States where they are commonly known as giant African millipedes. Although accurate species determinations are needed for permitting, live animal care protocols and outreach, many of these millipedes originate from poorly-documented sources (e.g. the exotic species trade). This leaves species determination unclear and hampers understanding and communicating the species natural history and other biological information.We found that Spiropoeus fischeri Brandt, 1833 is the identity of a large millipede commonly exhibited alive by zoos in the U.S. Although this large (14 cm-long), easy-to-raise millipede has been kept for decades in living exhibits, its identity was unknown until now. We provide a detailed explanation of the diagnostic morphology to identify S. fischeri, and supply cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA barcode sequences of individuals. With accurate knowledge of its identity, zoos and educational collections can now share with the public a species name and rich biological information about S. fischeri, including its life history and home range in sub-Saharan Africa.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e197934

Authors: Rusko Petrov, Alian Valchev

Abstract: Triple clutching within a single breeding season is rarely documented in falcons, particularly under captive conditions. This study reports the occurrence of triple clutching in three falcon species — Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) — reared in captivity in Bulgaria. Two breeding pairs per species were monitored during the 2011–2020 breeding seasons under controlled conditions with optimal husbandry and nutritional regimes. Clutch frequency, egg production, fertility rates, hatching success and chick survival were recorded for each pair. Results revealed that both monitored pairs of each species produced three successive clutches within a single season, with varying degrees of reproductive success. These findings suggest that under good captive conditions, triple clutching is a feasible reproductive strategy in falcons and may significantly enhance the productivity of conservation breeding programmes. Further research is needed to determine the physiological limits and welfare implications of induced high‑frequency breeding in raptorsTriple clutching within a single breeding season is rarely documented in falcons, particularly under captive conditions. This study reports the occurrence of triple clutching in three falcon species — the Common Kestrel, Saker Falcon and Peregrine Falcon — maintained in captivity and monitored over the 2011–2020 breeding seasons. Two breeding pairs per species were observed under controlled husbandry and nutritional conditions and clutch frequency, egg production, fertilisation, hatching success, chick survival and breeding outcome were recorded for each pair.All monitored pairs produced three successive clutches within a single breeding season, although the mechanism differed amongst species. Triple clutching occurred naturally in Common Kestrels under full parental care, whereas in Saker and Peregrine Falcons, it was induced through egg removal and artificial incubation. Reproductive output remained high across successive clutches, with viable eggs and healthy chicks produced in all three species, despite some reduction in egg size in later clutches of Saker and Peregrine Falcons.These findings demonstrate considerable reproductive plasticity in falcons and show that, under favourable captive conditions, triple clutching can substantially increase breeding output. The results highlight the practical value of multi-clutch breeding for captive propagation and conservation programmes involving re-introduction or population reinforcement.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e201540

Authors: Gyu Young Han, Seung-Su Euo, Sealki Son, Heung-Sik Lee, Kyung Choi, Chang-Jun Kim

Abstract: Numerous Calanthe (Orchidaceae) species are considered food-deceptive orchids because they attract floral visitors without providing rewards. In this study, we investigated floral visitors and their different types of behaviour in natural populations of Calanthe discolor and C. striata in South Korea during peak flowering to identify pollinaria-carrying visitors and assess whether the observations suggest potential pollinator sharing between the two taxa. A total of 73 visitation events involving 17 insect species were recorded on C. discolor. Diptera accounted for most visitation events, but no dipteran or lepidopteran visitors carried pollinaria. Pollinaria attachment was confirmed only in hymenopteran visitors (Andrena opacifovea, Apis cerana, Ceratina japonica and Lasioglossum formosae) that probed deeply into the spur. In C. striata, a single visitation event by Eucera nipponensis was recorded and the observed individual carried pollinaria on the head and transported them between flowers. This observation is consistent with previous reports from Japan and suggests a possible mechanism of pollinator sharing that should be tested through broader temporal and population-level observations. The results reveal a clear mismatch between visitation frequency and pollinaria transport in C. discolor, with pollinaria attachment restricted to a subset of bee visitors. Together with previous studies, our findings support a generalised food-deceptive pollination strategy in C. discolor mediated by locally available bees. This study provides baseline field evidence on floral visitors and pollinaria transport in Korean Calanthe and establishes testable hypotheses for future studies of reproductive interactions amongst closely-related taxa.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e209643

Authors: Ralph DeWalt, Christoph Haeuser, William Gray

Abstract: This short communication is to inform the scientific community of the closing of Species 2000. The organisation was registered in the United Kingdom for 28 years and officially closed its doors as of 5 May 2026. It was responsible for building a "federation" of database organisations, taxonomists and sponsoring agencies that produced the most complete list of biological scientific names for life on Earth. Responsibility for continuing the Catalogue of Life data product and infrastructure has been transferred to the Catalogue of Life Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation registered in the Netherlands since May 2022. The former board members of Species 2000 wish the board of the Catalogue of Life Foundation best wishes for a fruitful continuance of the mission of the Catalogue of Life.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e191439

Authors: Bernard Asanbe

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate how biological traits influence extinction risk amongst mammal species in Nigeria and how these traits interact with specific anthropogenic threats, such as agriculture, urbanisation and climate change. Focusing on mammal species in Nigeria, we used phylogenetic logistic regression to test the influence of five biological traits: body mass, brain mass, generation time, current geographic range and historical range contraction, on extinction risk across nine IUCN threat categories. Standardised models were used to compare trait sensitivity across threats. Brain mass emerged as the most consistent and influential predictor of extinction risk across threat categories, including agriculture, biological resource use, urban development and, notably, climate change, where it was the strongest predictor of all models. Species with larger brains, often primates and carnivores, were highly vulnerable. Geographic range size was a strong negative predictor of risk across most models, with range-restricted species more susceptible to habitat loss and fragmentation. Generation time was positively associated with risk under direct human pressures, but inversely linked under climate threats. Body mass showed weak and inconsistent effects overall, though it was significantly and negatively associated with extinction risk under agriculture and aquaculture. The number of species affected was highest under direct human pressures, compared to indirect anthropogenic threats, such as climate change and pollution. Extinction risk in Nigerian mammals is shaped by intrinsic traits that interact predictably with human pressures. Species with large brains, small ranges and slow reproduction are at greatest risk. Trait-based models can improve conservation planning by identifying vulnerable species before population declines become critical, especially in regions facing intensive land-use change.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e188187

Authors: Fabiola Durante, Lorenzo Prendini, Roberto Pizzolotto, Gladys Wérenne, Léon Baert, Tobias Musschoot, Wouter Dekoninck

Abstract: This data paper details the publication of a dataset derived from the scorpion (Order Scorpiones C.L. Koch, 1850) collections preserved at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), Brussels. The dataset includes all 3,652 specimens mostly identified to genus or species level during a recent re-evaluation. To maximise accessibility and interoperability, the entire dataset was fully standardised using the Darwin Core (DwC) standard and published as open data. The published dataset comprises a significant collection of records, encompassing eleven families, 56 genera and 117 species of scorpions. Geographically, the specimens originate from a wide range of locations, in 59 countries. The records within this dataset span a substantial chronological period, with collection dates ranging from 1872 to 2023. Most of the specimens were collected during expeditions led by researchers of RBINS.The mobilisation and standardisation of this rich historical collection provide a valuable resource for global biodiversity informatics, supporting crucial research in taxonomy, ecology and biogeography of the order Scorpiones.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e197937

Authors: Rusko Petrov, Slavko Nikolov

Abstract: When waterfowl are kept in mixed collections in captivity, interbreeding between different species can often be observed. Five cases of hybridisation between different ducks and teals raised together have been described. The first case from 2011 was a cross between a male Hottentot teal (Spatula hottentota) and a female Silver teal (Spatula versicolor), from the same genus Spatula, the offspring resembling the mother in size, while in decoration, it primarily took on the features of the father. In a second hybridisation from 2018, between a male Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) and a female Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata), the hybrids strongly resembled the father. In 2020, the third hybridisation occurred between the male Brazilian teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis) and the female Ringed teal (Callonetta leucophrys), with their offspring more similar in colour and size to the father. In 2025, two cases of interspecific hybridisation were observed between a male Baikal teal (Sibirionetta formosa) and a female Falcated duck (Mareca falcata), with the offspring having predominantly dominant paternal traits. The latest case of hybridisation is between a Chestnut teal (Anas castanea) and a Wood duck (Aix sponsa), with the offspring being intermediate in traits between the species.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e203213

Authors: Weiwei Sun, Qun Wang, Chenqiang Zhao, Lei Liu, Dehai Gu, Zheping Xu, Fanjuan Meng, Lei Cao

Abstract: Miyun Reservoir is north China’s largest artificial reservoir and vital drinking water supply for Beijing and is a key stopover for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). Previous literature indicates that continuous high-water-level regulation starting in 2015 may alter shallow wetland habitats and migratory bird distribution patterns; previous studies reported a decline in reservoir waterbird occupancy from 79% (2018) to 56% (2022). However, no complete annual-cycle synchronous waterbird census covering the full reservoir basin has been published to date. This paper releases standardised synchronous survey data collected across Miyun Reservoir in 2023. This one-year dataset provides a spatial and temporal baseline for future multi-year ecological modelling and comparative analysis, rather than direct evidence to quantify long-term ecological changes driven by reservoir water management.We publish the first full annual-cycle standardised waterbird dataset covering all 14 fixed sampling stations of Miyun Reservoir, with four seasonal synchronous surveys implemented between 10 April and 16 October 2023. A total of 32 waterbird species and 25,180 individuals were recorded, generating 198 unique Darwin Core-compliant occurrence records archived on GBIF with a permanent DOI (https://doi.org/10.15468/vfjx35). The dataset delivers baseline abundance and distribution data for resident and migratory waterbird assemblages within the reservoir basin.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e189416

Authors: Natalya Ivanova, Margarita Ishmuratova, Sayagul Tyrzhanova

Abstract: Kazakhstan is usually associated with steppes; only 5% of the territory is covered by forests. The forest areas are small and located in the Altai and Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, as well as the northern border of the country. Forest "oases" are also present in Central Kazakhstan. These are unique and almost unexplored relict forest sites, historically linked to the boreal forests of Altai and Siberia. These forests are relatively small and placed in isolated areas of the Kazakh Upland mountain ranges, surrounded by vast steppe landscapes. Until now, vegetation data from Central Kazakhstan (especially forest habitats) are still limited in digital repositories. Therefore, the aim of this work was to summarise, standardise and publish the vegetation relevés collected in Central Kazakhstan.The presented dataset is the first open-access relevé collection that contributes to the knowledge of the current vegetation of the Kazakh Uplands, Central Kazakhstan. It provides 117 vegetation plots (3473 associated occurrences) sampled in 2014 and 2022–2025. The data cover two IUCN nature-protected areas (Karkaraly and Buiratau State National Natural Parks), Ulytau State National Natural Park and the Ortau and Bektauata Mountains, as well as ecologically valuable nature areas without protected status. Data on invasive vascular plant species occurrences are provided for the first time.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199742

Authors: Ying Tian, Wenjia Li, Yida Han, Yuyoumin Wen, Yifei Liu, Linxuan Cai, Zhenlin Hao

Abstract: The nudibranch genus Dendrodoris Ehrenberg, 1831 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia, Dendrodorididae) comprises a group of marine gastropods commonly known as "doris"nudibranchs. Members of this genus are characterised by their soft, flattened bodies, lack of radular teeth and reliance on sponge prey for nutrition. D. arborescens (Collingwood, 1881) originally was described from the Haitan Strait in the East China Sea, subsequent records having been reported from South Korea, Japan, Australia and the Philippines.This study documents the first record of the dendrodorid nudibranch Dendrodoris arborescens (Collingwood, 1881) from the northern Yellow Sea, China. This study is based on twenty specimens collected from the lower intertidal zone at Heishijiao, Dalian, China (38.864987N, 121.548425E) between December 2023 and September 2024.The species identification was confirmed through morphological examination and molecular analysis of the COI gene sequence. This discovery extends the known northern distributional limit of the species by approximately 800 km from Jeju Island, South Korea and represents the first record of both the species and the genus Dendrodoris Ehrenberg, 1831 in northern Chinese waters. The potential role of the Kuroshio Current extension in facilitating long-distance dispersal of planktotrophic larvae is discussed, along with the significance of this finding for updating the marine biodiversity inventory of northern Chinese waters.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e201558

Authors: Ying Tian, Wenjia Li, Jiancheng Zhang, Wanle Sun, Qingqiao Li, Sining Hou, Zhenlin Hao

Abstract: Abalone is an economically important mollusc in the aquaculture industry; however, research on the morphological classification and geographical origin tracing of abalone species remains limited. In the present study, a total of 177 specimens were collected, comprising five abalone species — Haliotis madaka (T. Habe, 1977), Haliotis diversicolor Reeve, 1846, Haliotis gigantea Gmelin, 1791, Haliotis ovina Gmelin, 1791 and Haliotis discus hannai Ino, 1953 (including samples from wild and cultured populations in Liaoning Province, as well as a cultured population in Fujian Province). Generalised Procrustes Analysis (GPA) was applied to standardise the landmark data, thereby removing non-morphological sources of variation. Subsequently, multivariate statistical methods — including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) were employed to quantify morphological differences.PCA results showed that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 62.23% and 12.68% of the total morphological variance amongst the five species, respectively, with a cumulative contribution of 74.91%. For the three H. discus hannai populations (Liaoning-wild, Liaoning-cultured and Fujian-cultured), PC1 and PC2 explained 50.57% and 12.07% of the total variance, respectively. CVA revealed that the first two canonical variates accounted for 69.59% of the overall shape variation amongst groups. These findings demonstrate that geometric morphometric approaches effectively distinguish amongst the five abalone species examined and successfully differentiate between wild and cultured specimens of H. discus hannai. However, the two cultured populations from Liaoning and Fujian Provinces exhibited considerable morphological overlap along the primary discriminant axis, precluding complete separation.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e195650

Authors: Dongmin KIM, Sang Jae Suh

Abstract: The genus Cephalispa Malloch, 1935 (Diptera, Muscidae, Coenosiinae) includes 32 species worldwide and is mainly distributed in the Oriental and Afrotropical Regions, with few records from the Palaearctic Region. The genus remains poorly known and has not previously been recorded from Korea.Cephalispa acerca (Xue, Wang & Ni., 1990) is recorded from Korea for the first time, representing the first national record of the genus and the easternmost record of the species. The male is re-described and the female is described for the first time. An identification key to the males of East Asian species is provided. Predatory behaviour was repeatedly observed under natural conditions, with individuals capturing small insects using an ambush strategy on herbaceous leaves. This represents the first ecological information for the genus. These findings improve the understanding of the taxonomy, distribution and ecology of Cephalispa in East Asia.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e197476

Authors: František Bednár, Martin Dobrota, Roman Romanov, Richard Hrivnák

Abstract: Nitella gracilis (Charophyceae) is a rare charophyte, previously considered regionally extinct in Slovakia. During a systematic survey of charophytes conducted between 2021 and 2025, new localities of this species were discovered. These findings represent the first confirmed records of the species in Slovakia in more than 45 years. The results highlight the importance of small temporary waterbodies such as forest road puddles for the conservation of charophytes.We found Nitella gracilis in two localities. The first locality was found in a forest pool in the Krupinská planina Mountains, while the second consisted of 23 microsites, located in road puddles near the village of Sklené in the Turčianska kotlina Basin. The water in pools supporting N. gracilis ranged from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 5.7–7.5) and exhibited relatively low electrical conductivity (21–274 μS/cm). At the second locality, phytosociological relevés were recorded around stands dominated by N. gracilis and classed as the association Nitelletum gracilis. Based on the limited number of confirmed sites, we propose changing its national Red List status from Regionally Extinct (RE) to Endangered (EN (B1, B2a, c)) (IUCN 2012a, IUCN 2012b, IUCN 2024).

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e206276

Authors: Andrea Petrone, Paulo Borges, Fernando Pereira, Rui Elias

Abstract: Although the Azores Archipelago is widely recognised for its remarkable natural heritage, it is increasingly threatened by the rapid spread of invasive species, which are causing significant biodiversity decline and impairing ecosystem functioning and services. These biological invasions — mainly driven by intensified global trade and human mobility — also have consequences for public health, local livelihoods and economic activities.To address these challenges, the PRIBES project ("Estratégia regional para o controlo e prevenção de espécies exóticas invasoras"; LIFE IP AZORES NATURA - LIFE17 IPE/PT/000010) advocates the implementation of an integrated regional strategy for the management of terrestrial and freshwater invasive species. The proposed framework focuses on coordinated governance through a dedicated task force, strengthened preventative actions including biosecurity measures and risk analyses and early detection systems supported by monitoring programmes and citizen-science initiatives. It also promotes a hierarchical management approach, ranging from eradication to long-term control and mitigation, according to feasibility and economic sustainability.This strategy is supported by scientific research aimed at understanding invasion pathways and evaluating management outcomes, as well as collaborations at national and international levels that encourage data exchange and shared expertise. Public engagement is fostered through awareness campaigns and educational activities. In parallel, the Azores Bioportal functions as a key open-access repository for biodiversity information, providing validated species records and connections with international biodiversity networks. Together, these initiatives contribute to monitoring both native and invasive species, while offering valuable resources for conservation planning and evidence-based decision-making.In the scope of the PRIBES Project and the Azores Bioportal, we started a series of data papers with new spatial records of vascular plants gathered during field campaigns across several Azorean Islands between 2019 and 2025. The first focused on São Jorge Island, whereas the second, current data paper focuses on Pico Island.On Pico Island, a total of 251 vascular plant taxa were recorded, encompassing six classes, 38 orders and 88 families. These records correspond to 11,023 individual plant occurrences that have been recorded, including repeated observations of the same species across different sites. As each photographic observation is associated with unique geographic coordinates, all recorded specimens represent new spatial records for the island’s flora. Amongst the recorded taxa, 59 are endemic to the Azores, 68 are native, 123 are introduced and one is of uncertain status (Dracaena draco (L.) L.), corresponding to 6,019 endemic, 3,378 native, 1,624 introduced and two indeterminate occurrences. At the family level, 34 families include endemic taxa, 36 include native taxa, 60 include introduced taxa and one includes taxa of uncertain origin; because several families contain taxa belonging to different floristic status categories, these counts are not mutually exclusive. The inventory includes several Azorean endemic taxa, noteworthy records comprise Sanicula azorica Guthnick ex Seub., Bellis azorica Hochst. ex Seub., Leontodon filii (Hochst. ex Seub.) Paiva & Ormonde, Scabiosa nitens Roem. & Schult., Carex pilulifera subsp. azorica (J. Gay) Franco & Rocha Afonso, Platanthera micrantha (Hochst. ex Seub.) Schltr., Dryopteris crispifolia Rasbach, Reichst. & Vida and Isoëtes azorica Durieu ex Milde.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e185048

Authors: Thorsten Assmann, Ali Abduallah Al-Jahdhami, Swantje Grabener

Abstract: Microdaccus Schaum, 1864 and Psammodromius Peyerimhoff, 1927 are regarded as two closely-related taxa of Lebiinae, comprising a total of 11 species. The species known to date occur from south-eastern Europe and Egypt to Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Iran.Microdaccus birgitae sp. nov. is described from the Hajar Mountains, Sultanate of Oman. Characterised by its slender pronotum with lateral margin almost not widened to hind angles and strongly rounded elytra, this species extends the known distribution range of the genus to the southern Arabian Peninsula. We studied taxonomically most of the Microdaccus and Psammodromius species, including some type material, re-assessing characters and rank Psammodromius Peyerimhoff, 1927 stat. nov. as a subgenus of Microdaccus Schaum, 1857. An illustrated key enables the identification of the known Microdaccus species.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e196523

Authors: Isadora Lopes, Herison Medeiros, Rafaela Forzza

Abstract: The family Myristicaceae (Magnoliales) comprises ca. 500 species and has a pantropical distribution and centres of diversity in Africa, Asia and the Neotropics. In the latter, the Amazon Region, the largest rainforest in the world, is notable for having about 65 Myristicaceae species and recorded hyperdominance with 29 species of five genera, with a highlight for Iryanthera Warb. and Virola Aubl. genera with 13 and 11 hyperdominant species, respectively. Although the Amazon is known to be highly biodiverse, with 14,003 known seed plant species, much remains unknown due to the lack of proper research funding and difficulty in accessing many areas. This study aims to increase our knowledge of the family and the region by providing curated data about the occurrence of Myristicaceae species in the Amazonian State of Acre in Brazil.We provide a dataset with 34 species and five genera of Myristicaceae recorded in Acre, Brazil, treated in the most recent flora by the authors. This includes the nine new occurrences for the State and corresponds to ~ 31% of the family’s species richness in the American continent. The distributions exhibit different patterns, with 16 species found throughout the State and 18 species restricted to one of two watersheds. This difference between the diversity in the two basins was previously observed in other studies of birds and vines and here which we observed may also be the case for trees and treelets. We also observed the ratio of staminate and pistillate inflorescences amongst the collections, with a staminate-biased ratio of approximately 7:1.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e194577

Authors: Rūta Starka, Solvita Rūsiņa, Liene Auniņa, Maksims Balalaikins, Jekaterīna Butkeviča, Inese Cera, Dagmāra Čakstiņa, Andris Čeirāns, Jānis Gailis, Ligita Liepiņa, Ivars Leimanis, Anna Mežaka, Rolands Moisejevs, Jānis Ozols, Digna Pilāte, Ilze Priedniece, Raitis Riters, Betija Rubene, Līga Strazdiņa, Vita Šakele, Artūrs Vancāns, Vineta Vērpēja, Viesturs Vintulis, Marks Župerka, Ivo Vinogradovs, Ainārs Auniņš, Andris Avotiņš

Abstract: Achieving the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 requires reliable, evidence‑based tools to guide conservation planning. Habitat suitability models can help identify priority areas by predicting suitable habitats for taxa of conservation concern. However, their usefulness depends heavily on the quality of input data. Using heterogeneous data sources, especially citizen-science occurrences, poses challenges for ensuring quality-informed use of these records. In addition, inconsistencies in the selection of environmental variables can compromise the reliability of the results, particularly when combining predictions across multiple species. Therefore, transparent species selection and rigorous, harmonised data preparation are essential for producing robust spatial assessments that can effectively support national‑level conservation decisions.We present conceptual framework and methodological rationale for a structured dataset for model-based conservation planning in Latvia, from species selection and observations to species-specific ecogeographical variable selection. The framework was developed and the dataset created as a part of the state research programmes project "HiQBioDiv: High-resolution quantification of biodiversity for conservation and management". The dataset provides a basis for multi-taxon habitat suitability modelling that can be further used in site prioritisation for conservation as well as in ecological and socio-economic assessments. As a part of this dataset, we provide 162,186 expert-filtered occurrences from 464 taxa, most of which were previously unavailable to the international community.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e197082

Authors: Liangchen Ding, Jingpeng Cao, Lei Cao, Zheping Xu, Qingshan Zhao

Abstract: Coastal wetlands in Fujian, eastern China, are an important component of the regional wetland system of south-eastern China and function as a key node along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). As a key segment of this migratory corridor, coastal wetlands in Fujian support substantial populations of migratory waterbirds by providing essential breeding habitats, stopover sites and stable overwintering refuges. Notably, coastal wetlands in Fujian support several IUCN threatened species, including the Endangered Platalea minor (Temminck & Schlegel, 1849) and Anser cygnoides (Linnaeus, 1758), as well as the Vulnerable Aythya ferina (Linnaeus, 1758) and Chroicocephalus saundersi Swinhoe, 1871. Therefore, maintaining the ecological integrity of coastal Fujian is critical for conserving biodiversity at regional and broader scales.This dataset originates from a synchronised survey of wintering waterbirds conducted in coastal Fujian Province, China, in February 2006. The survey aimed to assess the distribution and abundance of waterbirds across the coastal wetlands of the region. The geographical extent of the survey ranged from 23°43′N to 27°17′N and from 117°19′E to 120°18′E, covering a total area of 2,657.56 km². Systematic observations were conducted at 191 fixed survey points within 21 wetlands, encompassing 25 wetland nature reserves. In total, 108,125 waterbirds were recorded during the survey, including 102,036 identified individuals belonging to 64 species and 39 genera. The top 10 species accounted for 84% of all individuals, comprising four shorebirds, three ducks, one gull, one egret and one cormorant. All records have been organised according to the Darwin Core standard, ensuring data comparability and reusability. This dataset provides essential information on the distribution patterns and abundance of wintering waterbirds in coastal Fujian, supporting long-term monitoring of species distributions and population dynamics, as well as waterbird conservation planning and policy-making.Here, we present a comprehensive dataset on waterbirds from coastal wetlands in Fujian, China. The dataset comprises 64 waterbird species and 108,125 individuals recorded at 21 coastal wetland sites in February 2006. All observation records have been standardised following the Darwin Core format and the dataset has been made publicly available via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e197009

Authors: Marco Grillo, Martina Linciano, Maria Balan, Alice Guzzi, Nicholas Noli, Valentina Cometti, Leonardo Langone, Patrizia Giordano, Stefano Schiaparelli

Abstract: Long-term studies of pelagic communities in the Southern Ocean are crucial for understanding biodiversity patterns and detecting the impacts of climate change and other environmental stressors. Here, we provide temporal occurrence and spatial data on Antarctic “swimmers” (i.e. pelagic organisms that are captured by sediment traps deployed on moorings) collected within three projects of the Italian National Antarctic Programme (PNRA) in the Ross Sea sector during the periods 1995–1996, 2004–2005 and 2014–2016. These data were obtained over six Italian Antarctic expeditions carried out between 1994 and 2016.This dataset constitute to the first checklist of Antarctic “swimmers” collected in the Joides Basin, a sector of the Ross Sea (Antarctica), using automatic sediment traps deployed at approximately 500 metres depth on Mooring B (approx. Lat = 74.1514°S, Lon = 175.0906°E). Although primarily designed to study particle and export fluxes, these traps also capture motile pelagic organisms, the “swimmers”, that enter actively or accidentally. In total 210,411 individuals were sampled. These represent 68 genera and 68 species, corresponding to 905 occurrence records. These accidental captures provide valuable biodiversity data for zooplankton and micronekton taxa yielding quality information useful to refine species distributional models and occurrence predictions, due to the fact that, together with the biological records, a full set of environmental data (e.g. temperature, salinity and density) continuously collected by mooring sensors.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e196955

Authors: Menno Schilthuizen, Rob Boomsma, Sofie Faes, Marije Jousma, Janine Buisman, Dirk-H. Lankenau, Sotiris Kountouras, Marlijn van den Broek, Elisabeth Hemelaar, Jeroen Noomen, Rick de Vries, Giulia Lopatriello, Antonina Rita Limongi, Simone Maestri, Panche Kamchev, Siebe van Manen, Mohd Zacaery Khalik, Massimo Delledonne, Jovana Đokić, Andrijana Mićanović, Jelena Popović, Iva Njunjić, Enrico Zallot

Abstract: Slow-migrating gastropods are key indicators of habitat continuity, i.e. areas of relatively long-term ecological stability. The gastropod genus Cochlostoma (Architaenioglossa, Cochlostomatidae) is a common and widespread component of karst communities throughout the countries surrounding the Mediterranean. Recent work has taken into account genetic and reproductive-anatomical diversity and has revealed that the uniform shell morphology hides surprisingly rich and deep divergences.Here, we describe two species of the subgenus Turritus, C. (Turritus) dobrido sp. nov. and C. (Turritus) komarnica sp. nov. They were collected, studied and described as part of citizen-science expeditions to the threatened Komarnica Canyon and to Durmitor National Park, two adjoining regions in Montenegro. The new species were found sympatrically and, in some cases, syntopically with Cochlostoma scalariniforme (A. J. Wagner, 1906), as well as with each other.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199345

Authors: Michael Seizmair, Alrabea Ishag, Hathal Al Dhafer

Abstract: The genus Palpita Huebner, 1808 presently comprises 166 valid species and is, thus, amongst the three most diverse genera in the subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus is represented in all zoogeographical main zones. In the Afrotropical zone, the genus is represented by a total of 21 species, 20 of which have been known exclusively from the Afrotropical zone to date. The Afrotropical zone reaches its northern boundaries in the southern parts of the Arabian Peninsula, which include southern Oman (province Dhofar), Yemen and the Sarawat Mountain chains in the south of Saudi Arabia. From the Arabian Peninsula, only two species are known to date, namely Palpita vitrealis (Rossi, 1794) and the recently described Palpita subflavalis Seizmair, 2022.One further species new to science, Palpita digitalis sp. nov., is added to the fauna of the Arabian Peninsula, based on material from southern Saudi Arabia. The adults and the male genitalia are described and illustrated. The female genitalia are unknown. The new species is closest both in external and in internal morphology to the Aftrotropical Palpita irroratalis (Hampson, 1912) and Palpita tsisabiensis Maes, 2004 and to the Oriental Palpita argoleuca (Meyrick, 1938). The diagnostic characters in the male genitalia are listed. Taxonomic and distributional updates are given for Palpita subflavalis Seizmair, 2022, based on recent material from Saudi Arabia and Oman. External character states and the male genitalia are re-described. The species is reported as new to the fauna of Saudi Arabia. A determination key to the Arabian species of the genus Palpita Hübner, 1808 and to their closest Afrotropical and Oriental relatives is provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e192348

Authors: Ruobing Hua, Haoyu Liu, Xingke Yang, Yuxia Yang

Abstract: Taiwanocantharis Wittmer, 1984 is a genus of soldier beetles that are remarkable for their metallic green or blue elytra, medium-sized body, subrounded pronotum and usually appendiculate outer tarsal claws in both sexes. Currently, the genus comprises 19 species distributed across the Indochina Peninsula and the Himalayan Region.Two new species of Taiwanocantharis have been discovered and described under the names of T. flavipes sp. nov. and T. liangi sp. nov. (China, Yunnan). Both species are illustrated with habitus of both sexes, aedeagus, as well as abdominal sternite VIII and reproductive systems of the female. An updated key to the genus is provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e192282

Authors: Thomas Leclère, Andreas Prinzing, Pille Gerhold, Igor Bartish

Abstract: For several regions, ecologists and taxonomists have assembled information on phenotypes for almost all species of the megadiverse angiosperms. However, testing hypotheses on regional evolutionary and biogeographic history requires highly resolved and dated phylogenies covering the same taxa, which are often lacking at regional scales. Here, we filled this knowledge gap for one of the best-studied regional floras: the native angiosperms of the Netherlands.We provide a molecular phylogenetic dataset and two time-calibrated trees (based on BEAST and MrBayes approaches) of the native angiosperm flora of the Netherlands, reconstructed from publicly available DNA sequences. The resulting phylogenies include 1178 species from the 2017 species list on SynBioSys NL, a national database that provides a curated checklist of native vascular plant species occurring in the Netherlands (also core to the flora of adjacent countries), and are provided in multiple formats (Newick, Nexus), along with alignments, BEAST and MrBayes input files, and metadata linking taxa to GenBank accession numbers. This dataset offers a phylogenetic framework that is based on molecular data covering more than 95% of the native species included in the checklist, reproducible and extremely well-resolved phylogeny (99.92% of nodes resolved in the maximum clade credibility tree; reflecting the absence of polytomies; 67.9% of nodes with posterior probability above 0.95 and 92.3% above 0.50) for researchers. These data will permit the signal of evolutionary history in patterns of biodiversity across the Netherlands, such as the age structure of habitat species pools or functional groups, where a focus on native species is essential. All resources are openly available via IDiv (https://doi.org/10.25829/idiv.3600-myr3t3) under a CC-BY license.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e201422

Authors: Jian Wang, Bin-Bin Zhan, Lin Tan, Wei-Wen Xiao, Yuan-Hang Li, Shi-Shi Lin, Zhao-Chi Zeng

Abstract: The genus Boulenophrys displays high species diversity, yet most species are known only from isolated localities with narrow geographic distributions. Fundamental ecological data and reproductive traits remain largely undocumented across the genus. Boulenophrys elongata is one of the least investigated species in this group. Given that the male type specimens of this species exhibited incompletely developed breeding-related secondary sexual characteristics, the sexual dimorphism of the species has remained poorly clarified.We conducted systematic field surveys at the type locality of Boulenophrys elongata and collected five adult individuals during the breeding season, enabling supplementation of morphological diagnoses and baseline ecological data. Through long-term in situ monitoring, we recorded the full sequence of pre-amplexus reproductive behaviour, constituting the first formal documentation of such behaviour in the genus. This study addresses critical gaps in the biological understanding of B. elongata and the genus and provides empirical support for population assessments and conservation strategies for montane amphibians.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e202544

Authors: Maria Maidanou, Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou, Panayota Koulouri

Abstract: Chrysi Island, an area also including the island of Mikronisi, is located in the southeast of Crete (Greece, eastern Mediterranean). It is a protected ecosystem within the Natura 2000 network (GR4320003), renowned for its diverse marine environment. However, this coastal marine ecosystem, primarily influenced by strong hydrodynamism and characterised by oligotrophy, has never been studied before despite the presence of diverse habitats, such as subtidal rocky reefs associated with communities of macroalgae and sandy soft bottoms covered by Posidonia oceanica beds. Amongst the key biological components of this ecosystem, soft-bottom macrobenthic communities are important indicators of environmental stress and human-induced disturbances particularly in the Mediterranean biodiversity and climate-change hotspot.The present study investigates for the first time the shallow marine environment surrounding the islands of Chrysi and Mikronisi focusing on composition, diversity and distribution patterns of macrobenthic communities inhabiting the sandy soft-bottom sediments, aiming to address one of the important knowledge gaps of the study area. The outcomes of this study are expected to support ongoing conservation efforts and contribute to informed management strategies for safeguarding this coastal marine ecosystem.A total of eleven sampling stations were established around Chrysi and Mikronisi islands, covering depths ranging from approximately 10 to 30 m and soft substrates consisting mainly of 60 to 90% coarse sand (Koulouri et al. 2023). Sampling was conducted during the spring of 2023 (from 04-23 to 05-01) and funded by the Region of Crete (sub-regional Unit of Lasithi). Soft-bottom sediment samples were collected using standardised benthic sampling procedures and subsequently processed for macrobenthic analysis.All organisms retained were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. In total, 588 individuals were recorded, representing 80 distinct taxa distributed across five major macrobenthic groups: the phyla Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata and a group categorised as “Others”. Amongst these, the class of Malacostraca of the phylum Arthropoda emerged as the most abundant and dominant group across all sampling stations.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e191607

Authors: Jennifer Heron, Roxanne Jessome, Kihan Yoon-Henderson, Siena Achal

Abstract: Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel (Gonidea angulata (Lea, 1838)) is a freshwater bivalve with a global range in North America that extends from British Columbia, Canada, south to central California and east through Nevada and Idaho in the United States. In Canada, this mussel is of conservation concern and is currently assessed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and recommended for listing as such under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Until recently, the species distribution in Canada was restricted to south-central British Columbia within the Okanagan watershed, with historical, yet vague records from the Kootenays, Cache Creek and Vancouver Island areas of the province. In 2023, a photograph of a Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel shell from the confluence of the Pitt and Fraser rivers in the lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia was posted to the online citizen-science forum iNaturalist (https://www.inaturalist.ca/). The Fraser River watershed has no present-day aquatic linkages with the Okanagan watershed and the potential range extension for this mussel within a new watershed prompted targeted field surveys within the Pitt River and surrounding waterways to confirm the presence of live mussels. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, we completed surveys and confirmed a subpopulation of live Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussels within the Pitt River. This newly-confirmed subpopulation of mussels in the Fraser River watershed is of significant conservation interest, opens the door to important future research and new opportunities for monitoring and stewardship.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e182643

Authors: Eiana Joshier Odulio, Jorge Anton Ordas, Yen Ting Chen, Niña Kathryn Alfeche, Manimar Druselle Operio, Sarah Grace Zamudio, Roanne Romeroso, Propa Joy Venturina, Rudolph Valentino Docot, Alyssa Marie Lola, Jay Edneil Olivar, Marjorie delos Angeles, Antonio Felipe Arbias, Danilo Tandang, Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, Cecilia Moran

Abstract: Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), the largest terrestrial protected area in the Philippines, encompasses the nations's most extensive karst landscape and largest remaining intact old-growth forests. While it is widely recognised for its exceptional biodiversity, comprehensive information for SINP, especially for plants, remains elusive. As a result, major taxonomic and distributional gaps persist. Nevertheless, with its immense biological value and urgent conservation needs, SINP has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To bolster this nomination, field surveys combined with secondary data were performed to generate a checklist of vascular flora of SINP.A total of 874 morphospecies representing 124 families and 444 genera were documented in SINP. The flora is predominantly native and exhibits high endemism, including 339 Philippine endemics and 37 species restricted to Samar Island, alongside 82 newly-recorded species for the island. The taxonomic composition, dominated by Rubiaceae, Orchidaceae and other species-rich families, reflects both regional floristic patterns and SINP’s biogeographical positioning within the Sunda–Sahul Convergence Zone. Moreover, a notable portion of its flora is threatened under the IUCN and DENR-DAO listings, with the majority classified as Not Evaluated. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SINP functions as a critical refuge for some of the Philippines’ most unique and vulnerable plant lineages.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e186680

Authors: Jonathan Sanchez-Muelas, Ranulfo González Obando, Karol Salazar-Rivera, Julianna Barbosa, Felipe Moreira

Abstract: Corixoidea is the only group of water bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nepomorpha) that does not exhibit strictly predatory habits. Two families have been recorded from the Neotropics: Corixidae and Micronectidae. The latter is represented by three genera in the region: Monogobia Nieser & Chen, 2006, Synaptogobia Nieser & Chen, 2006 and Tenagobia Bergroth, 1899. At least four species of Corixoidea have been introduced into non-native areas: Micronecta ludibunda Breddin, 1905 to North America; Synaptonecta issa (Distant, 1910) to North America, the Caribbean Islands and New Zealand; Trichocorixa verticalis (Fieber, 1851) to Europe, Africa and New Caledonia; and T. reticulata (Guerin-Meneville, 1857) to Hawaii.Here, we record S. issa from South America for the first time. We collected specimens in the Municipality of Buenaventura, Department of Valle del Cauca, Pacific Region of Colombia. We found it in a permanent freshwater lagoon, in areas dominated by the aquatic plant Cabomba cf. haynessi. We also found the native Neotropical micronectid Tenagobia signata (White, 1879) at the same site and report its first record from Colombia. The introduction pathway of S. issa into South America and any environmental impacts that it might cause locally remain unknown and should be investigated.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e202669

Authors: Immanuel John Lasco, Nick Rossen, Riccardo Focaia, Niccolò Rossi, Bram van Rijn, Hugo Koopmans, Peter Koomen, David Alford, Boukje Beuger, Dumitru Diaconu, Francesco Fiorentino, Rizmoon Zulkarnaen, Larry Holbrook, Paula Gómez-Zapata, Rafhiah Siti Kahar, Massimo Delledonne, Daniele Cicuzza, Iva Njunjić, Menno Schilthuizen

Abstract: ‘Taxon expeditions’ are field courses/expeditions for mixed teams of scientists, students and lay people with the aim to do biodiversity inventories, particularly of cryptobiota and to discover and describe new species.During a taxon expedition to the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre and surrounding area of the Ulu Temburong Forest in Brunei, leaf litter sampling yielded a specimen of a previously unknown species of the round fungus beetle genus Dermatohomoeus Hlisnikovský (Leiodidae, Leiodinae, Pseudoliodini). Using the limited time and facilities available, a scientific description was prepared by a number of the expedition participants. The new species is described, pictured and compared with related species from South and Southeast Asia.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e201405

Authors: Heiko Brunken, Lars Braubach, Thore Engel, Peter Grobe, Claas-Thido Pfaff, Birgit Rach, Heide-Rose Vatterrott, Martin Friedrichs-Manthey

Abstract: Despite the urgent need for conservation, reliable data on the distribution of fish species across countries and federal states is limited for both freshwater and marine habitats. The German Ichthyological Society (Gesellschaft für Ichthyologie e.V. or GfI) aims to compile fish distribution data with a focus on Germany (including its marine areas), Austria and the marine areas of the Netherlands and Denmark. These data are openly available on the "GfI-Fischartenatlas" web portal which serves as an information platform at the intersection of science, practice and environmental education, promoting the conservation of fish biodiversity and their habitats. The GfI-Fischartenatlas is a joint project of the GfI and the City University of Applied Sciences Bremen. It was developed in cooperation between the biology and computer science departments at the university. The IT basis for collecting, managing and presenting the data online is the “Biodiversity Warehouse” software architecture. The data are hosted by the Biodiversity Informatics Department at the Museum Koenig Bonn, which is part of the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB).The GfI-Fischartenatlas consolidates fish distribution data from various cross-border sources into a unified platform. This includes both data collected specifically for the atlas and data integrated from other databases (in total n = 136,714, as of 13.03.2026). The data primary to the atlas are published as a dataset on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). This dataset (ABCD archive) contains occurrence records (n = 62,545) for 264 freshwater and marine fish species, derived from scientific and grey literature as well as citizen0science observations, covering 16 European countries (with a focus on Germany and Austria).

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199166

Authors: Haidar Hasan, Adib Zeini, Wassim Mayya

Abstract: Global biodiversity repositories, including GBIF, OBIS and the authoritative taxonomic database WoRMS, consistently indicate that Scina nana is a globally rare holoplanktonic amphipod. None of these databases contains any historical or contemporary evidence of the species within the Mediterranean Basin. This complete absence of records strongly suggests that the specimen documented from Syrian coastal waters represents the first known occurrence of S. nana in the eastern Mediterranean.In this study, Scina nana was observed for the first time in the coastal waters of Syria (Latakia Basin), this species being found mainly in tropical regions of all the world’s oceans, except the Mediterranean Sea. Given the complete lack of previous Mediterranean records, the appearance of S. nana in the region is most plausibly interpreted as a recent event, supporting its classification as non-indigenous species that has only recently entered the basin. The rapid warming of Mediterranean waters in recent decades may have provided conditions favourable for the arrival or temporary establishment of this species. Additional factors, such as broader changes in the thermohaline structure of the eastern Mediterranean, may also have facilitated its introduction to the Syrian coast.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e190669

Authors: Dragana Vukov, Danijela Žunić, Nataša Prodanović, Vladimir Sabadoš

Abstract: Baseline biodiversity data collected prior to hydromorphological interventions are essential for understanding and evaluating ecological change following restoration or engineering measures. In large river floodplains, interventions such as side-arm reconnection are expected to alter hydrological regimes, habitat connectivity and disturbance patterns, with cascading effects on both riparian and aquatic plant communities. However, without well-documented pre-intervention datasets, post-restoration assessments often lack a reliable reference against which observed changes can be interpreted.Along the right bank of the Danube River near the village of Draž (Croatia), planned hydro-technical measures aim to reconnect a cut-off side arm to the main channel. This reconnection is expected to modify local hydrological conditions and habitat structure in adjacent riparian forests and aquatic habitats, creating a clear need for baseline vegetation data collected prior to intervention.This data paper presents a baseline dataset of riparian forest and aquatic vegetation collected along the right bank of the Danube River near the village of Draž (Croatia), prior to planned hydromorphological restoration measures involving the reconnection of a cut-off side-arm to the main channel. Riparian forest vegetation was surveyed in May 2024 using three 10 m × 10 m plots per site, with species cover estimated using the Domin cover-abundance scale and reported as plot means. Aquatic vegetation was surveyed in July 2025 using three 10 m belt transects per site, with species cover recorded in five ordinal cover classes and reported as transect means.The dataset comprises 20 sampling events (10 forest and 10 aquatic), 251 taxon-by-event occurrence records and 331 measurements, including species cover or abundance, establishment status (native, introduced, invasive) and event-level environmental descriptors, such as canopy-cover classes, water physicochemistry, water-velocity class and CORINE Land-Cover categories. Taxonomic nomenclature was standardised according to Plants of the World Online (POWO 2026). The sampling design and data structure allow the dataset to serve as the “before” component of a before–after monitoring framework, supporting future assessments of vegetation responses to hydrological reconnection. The dataset provides a reference for restoration evaluation, invasion dynamics and comparative studies of riparian and aquatic plant communities in large river floodplains and constitutes the baseline vegetation component of the ecological monitoring programme established within the Horizon Europe project DaWetRest.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e193040

Authors: Matteo Annessi, Alessandra Riccieri, Carlo Polidori, Maurizio Mei, Andrea Di Giulio

Abstract: Cleptoparasitic bees represent a poorly studied yet ecologically important component of wild bee communities, responding sensitively to environmental heterogeneity and reflecting local wild bee diversity. Despite representing approximately 13% of bee species globally, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding their species distribution, taxonomy, and conservation status, particularly within the Mediterranean region, which is recognized as a global hotspot for bee diversity.This work provides a faunistic survey of cleptoparasitic bees collected in rural protected areas within the province of Rome (Latium, central Italy), employing an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological identification and DNA barcoding (COI-5P gene). A total of 417 individuals belonging to 44 species from 10 genera and three families were collected. Five species are newly recorded for Latium. A total of 98 COI-5P sequences were generated and deposited in BOLD and GenBank, including the first COI-5P record for Nomada nausicaa Schmiedeknecht, 1882. The integrative approach proved particularly valuable for resolving challenging identifications and for highlighting some taxonomic issues — particularly within the genus Melecta — that clearly require further molecular and morphological studies. Our findings provide new distributional data on cleptoparasitic bees in central Italy and expand the availability of COI-5P sequences in public molecular databases.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e195967

Authors: Salvatore Urso, Giuseppe Martino, Eugenio Muscianese, Manuela Policastrese, Mario Pucci, Maurizio Vena, Pierpaolo Storino

Abstract: Information on the avifauna of Calabria is still incomplete, with much of it contained in isolated studies, local reports and unpublished observations. More than thirty years have passed since the publication of the first regional checklist. The last ten years have seen an increase in fieldwork and collaboration amongst local ornithologists, now coordinated by the Stazione Ornitologica Calabrese (StOrCal).We provide an updated checklist of the birds of Calabria, revised through 31 December 2025, representing an increase of 43 species compared to the previous regional checklist of 320 species. The total number of taxa is 363 species and nine subspecies, divided as follows: 336 AERC category A, 12 B, 7 C, 5 AC and 3 E. General status codes were assigned to 258 regular species, 20 irregular species, 64 accidental/vagrant species and 21 historical species. Breeding status was assigned to 143 regularly breeding species, eight irregular, three occasional and four former breeding species. A total of 125 species are included in Annex I of Directive 2009/147/EC. National IUCN categories are known for 230 species, including nine Critically Endangered, 21 Endangered and 32 Vulnerable species. Taxonomy and status coding are from the national CISO–COI checklist.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e191556

Authors: Jong-Hoon Jeon, Anya Lim

Abstract: Understanding how ecologically similar species share space and time is central to community ecology and can provide information for conservation and management in multi-species systems. Camera-trap data provide a practical means of describing spatial co-occurrence and diel activity overlap amongst sympatric mammals, particularly where direct mechanistic inference is not possible from observational data alone. In human-dominated landscapes, standardised, open-access occurrence data are critical for balancing the conservation of endangered species with the management of over-abundant, conflict-prone wildlife.In this study, we present a curated, year-long camera-trap dataset for four sympatric ungulates in South Korea, based on monitoring conducted in a temperate forest landscape in Uljin County, together with station-level covariates and harmonised effort information derived from a camera operation log. We provide example analyses illustrating: (i) spatial occurrence patterns using species-wise occupancy models and (ii) diel activity and temporal overlap using non-parametric activity analyses. For the temporal example, overlap is summarised using local clock time (Asia/Seoul, UTC+09:00) and complemented by a photoperiod-adjusted (solar-time) sensitivity analysis, based on sunrise and sunset times calculated for site-level representative coordinates (one point per site; UJ1 and UJ2). Diel-period summaries are additionally reported as rate-normalised detections (detections per 100 hours) using civil-twilight definitions to account for unequal period durations. The released dataset contains 4,623 independent detection events for the four ungulate species (long-tailed goral: 2,317; water deer: 814; Siberian roe deer: 808; wild boar: 684) recorded at 82 camera stations between April 2022 and May 2023. Survey effort totalled 29,850 functional camera-trap nights (30,410 scheduled nights, including 560 inactive nights from recorded downtime). All released files are listed in the Data resources section and include event-level records, station-level covariates, generalised coordinates and effort summaries to support reproducible reuse.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e190624

Authors: Yejin Kang, Wonhoon Lee

Abstract: The subfamily Greenideinae (Hemiptera, Aphididae) comprises approximately 180 species in 16 genera worldwide. It is divided into three tribes: Cervaphidini, Greenideini, and Schoutedeniini, with the majority of species assigned to Greenideini. In South Korea, seven species representing four genera have been recorded to date.In 2025, Eutrichosiphum sinense Raychaudhuri, 1956 was collected from Castanopsis sieboldii in Samgye-ri, Naedong-myeon, Jinju-si, South Korea (35.1477, 128.0448). This species is reported here for the first time from South Korea. Illustrations of apterous viviparous females, together with morphological descriptions, measurements, host plant information, and distributional data, are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e175030

Authors: Xusheng Liu, Chuntian Zhang

Abstract: The subgenus Drino (sensu stricto) Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae) is a group within the tribe Eryciini, comprising 27 valid species with a wide global distribution, though it is absent from the Australasian region.The species of the subgenus Drino (sensu stricto) Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863 (Diptera, Tachinidae) from China are revised. Fifteen valid species were recognized: D. adiscalis (Chao, 1982), D. angustivitta Liang & Chao, 1998, D. argenticeps (Macquart, 1851), D. auripollinis Chao & Liang, 1998, D. densichaeta Chao & Liang, 1998, D. facialis (Townsend, 1928), D. flava Chao & Liang, 1992, D. interfrons (Sun & Chao, 1992), D. laticornis Chao & Liang, 1998, D. latifrons Liu, Zhang & Xi, 2023, D. longicapilla Chao & Liang, 1998, D. longihirta Chao & Liang, 1992, D. lota (Meigen, 1824), D. minuta Liang & Chao, 1998, D. parafacialis Chao & Liang, 1998, and four species are described as new to science: D. liaoningensis sp. nov. (Liaoning Province, Northeast China), D. uniseta sp. nov. (Hubei Province, Central China), D. meridionalis sp. nov. (Guangxi Autonomous Region, South China) and D. oharai sp. nov. (Hubei Province, Central China). An identification key to 19 species recorded from China is provided. This is accompanied by 33 figures depicting the head, body, and male terminalia, and a distribution map for the four new species. Additionally, 90 illustrations of the head, body, and terminalia of type specimens of known species are included. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Insect Collection of Shenyang Normal University (SYNU), China.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199879

Authors: Chenlu Yang, Chunxue You, Chao Jiang

Abstract: Three new species of the soil centipede genus Californiphilus Verhoeff, 1938 (Geophilomorpha, Himantariidae) are described from central and southwest China: C. cryptoporus Yang, You & Jiang, sp. nov. from Jiangxi Province, C. hubeiensis Yang, You & Jiang, sp. nov. from Hubei and C. nanus Yang, You & Jiang, sp. nov. from Hubei, Hunan and Chongqing. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and a key to the species of the genus are provided.In this study, three new species of Californiphilus are described from central and southern China. This contribution increases the documented diversity of the genus in China and provides new morphological data.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e196734

Authors: Nina Filippova, Tatiana Bulyonkova, Elena Zvyagina, Dmitry Ageev, Elena Rudykina, Alexandra Mingalimova

Abstract: The genus Cortinarius (Pers.) Grays. is a highly diverse and ecologically crucial group of ectomycorrhizal fungi in boreal forests. Despite a long history of mycological study in Russia, a comprehensive, molecularly validated inventory of its diversity in Western Siberia has been lacking. Global genetic resources are essential for modern fungal research, yet such a curated, regional dataset for this complex genus has not been previously available for this region.This paper describes a curated database of 624 Cortinarius specimens from Western Siberia and adjacent regions, resulting in 624 high-quality ITS sequences. The dataset includes detailed collection metadata, morphological descriptions and photographic documentation, all standardised and linked to DNA sequence data originally managed in Specify 7. The sequences were processed through a rigorous bioinformatics pipeline with strict quality controls and assigned provisional taxonomy using a defined BLAST protocol against international reference databases. The complete dataset, including raw sequences, specimen data and collection images, has been deposited in international repositories (Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (https://doi.org/10.15468/4v8km8), Sequence Reads Archive (SRA) and GenBank), providing a foundational resource for future taxonomic, phylogenetic and ecological studies on this key fungal genus in Western Siberia.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199461

Authors: Maria Lampa, Nafsika Papageorgiou, Dimitra Chatzivasileiou, Panagiotis Dimitriou, Stefania Manolaki, Ioannis Karakassis, Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou, Wanda Plaiti

Abstract: Stenothoe gallensis Walker, 1904 is one of the most widely reported species, with records from various localities across the globe, including the Indian, the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. Nevertheless its cosmopolitan distribution has increasingly been questioned and, in recent years, the taxon has been established as a species complex whose members are recognised for their invasion potential.This study revealed the presence of specimens belonging to the S. gallensis complex, which closely matched the original description of Stenothoe irakiensis Salman, 1985. This species is currently considered a junior synonym of S. gallensis. A thorough examination of key linear and meristic morphological characters across sexes and maturity stages revealed significant intraspecific variation in several characters commonly used for species diagnosis. This size-, sex- and maturity-dependent variation within the population, when combined with incomplete or conflicting species descriptions from different localities, introduces uncertainty regarding the reliability of the diagnostic features that were used to identify members of the Stenothoe gallensis complex. This, in turn, complicates the interpretation of previous records and the delimitation of taxa within the complex. These findings provide a compelling rationale for a comprehensive re-assessment of records attributed to the S. gallensis complex, underscoring the necessity for an integrative taxonomic revision incorportating both morphological and molecular data from material collected at the designated type localities.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e203903

Authors: Jiseung Kim, Jaegwan Yang, Sora Kim

Abstract: Pseudoformicaleo and Paraglenurus are genera belonging to the tribes Nemoleontini and Megistopini of Nemoleontinae, respectively. Prior to this study, Pseudoformicaleo had not been recorded in the Korean Peninsula, while three species of Paraglenurus (Paraglenurus albiventris Matsumoto, Kikuta & Hayashi, 2021, Paraglenurus japonicus (McLachlan, 1867), and Paraglenurus melanostictus Matsumoto, Kikuta & Hayashi, 2021) have been recorded in the country.In this paper, Pseudoformicaleo nubecula (Gerstaecker, 1885) and Paraglenurus okinawensis (Okamoto, 1910) are reported from the Korean Peninsula for the first time. A diagnosis and supplementary description of both species are provided, together with illustrations of the adult and genitalia. An updated key to species of Korean Nemoleontinae is also provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e196932

Authors: André Menegotto, Cristina Ronquillo, Joaquín Hortal, Thomas Webb

Abstract: Standardising taxonomic names is an essential step in biodiversity studies to ensure robust data aggregation under the most recent accepted species nomenclature. Fuzzy (inexact) matching is widely used in this process to detect correspondences between scientific names that differ due to alternative spelling or orthographic mistakes. Such an approach assumes that species names are sufficiently distinct such that names differing in just a few characters in fact refer to the same taxon, but this has rarely been evaluated. Across c. 230,000 marine species names, we show that name similarity is common: 19.34% of specific epithets differ by three or fewer edits from another epithet within the same genus. Shared epithets are also widespread within and across phyla, occurring in 73% of all marine species; in 6.05% of these cases, the associated genera differ by three or fewer edits. This level of similarity increases the risk of incorrect matches, limiting the reliability of automated text-string tools in biodiversity big data analyses and highlighting the importance of combining post-matching filters with systematic and authorship information in taxonomic workflows to support name resolution beyond orthographic similarity.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e194005

Authors: Sujian Pei, Huiqin Ma, Bing Li, Zhida Chen, Kexin Zhang, Jiaqi Wang, Zhengyuan Zhang

Abstract: Ezembius was originally proposed as a subgenus of Lithobius Leach, 1814 in the family Lithobiidae in 1919 by Chamberlin; it accommodates a group of approximately 79 species/subspecies mostly known from Asia, with little extension into north-western North America.A new species Lithobius (Ezembius) zebrinus sp. nov. is described, based on both sexes from Daweishan National Nature Reserve, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, south-western China. A detailed morphological description and illustrations of the new species are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e186831

Authors: Fabiola Durante, Roberto Pizzolotto

Abstract: Carabid beetles (Coleoptera) are a group of living organisms with characteristics that make them suitable as model organisms for ecological studies, because they are good bioindicators and one of the most widespread beetle families in the world. Although numerous scientific works are available on the different aspects of carabid biology, there is a lack of open and standardised data. This work focuses on carabids present in various Italian habitats, from forests to pastures. Their presence was recorded across mountain areas of Italy, specifically in the Apennines (Tuscan-Emilian, Abruzzese, Lucanian, Calabrian and Sicilian Apennines) and in the Alpine area of the Lessini mountains, in natural and semi-natural environments, located at altitudes ranging from 150 to 1840 m a.s.l. The aim of this work is to develop a dataset from a selected pool of studies, standardise it according to the Darwin Core standard and make it freely accessible to the scientific community. This approach facilitates data integration, sharing and reuse, promoting transparency and collaboration in ecological research.This study provides a unified and standardised dataset combining previously dispersed sources, some of which were in Italian and not easily accessible. This new dataset adheres to the FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and contributes to feed the information on carabid beetles already stored in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The dataset incorporates new elements not included in the original publications: activity densities were calculated for species represented by a single individual in the research of De Felici and collaborators (1995) and missing site information from the research of Brandmayr and Pizzolotto (1990) was completed with four additional sites. By harmonising these records according to Darwin Core standards, the dataset enhances data integration and reuse, demonstrating the value of standardisation and "FAIRification" for biodiversity research and enabling the scientific community to access a comprehensive, high-quality resource on Italian carabid beetles communities.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e192023

Authors: Achraf Guellaf, Nard Bennas, Kawtar Kettani

Abstract: This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of aquatic beetle assemblages in the Martil River, northern Morocco, where hydrological intermittency and anthropogenic pressures threaten aquatic diversity and endemism. Over four seasons (spring, summer, autumn 2017, and winter 2018), we sampled 16 sites, grouped into four categories (A–D) along altitudinal and land-use gradients. Our surveys recorded 1,268 individuals representing 50 species from 10 families. Richness and abundance peaked in natural and/or permanent reaches (groups A–B), declining sharply downstream under urbanization and pollution (groups C–D). Gyrinidae dominated numerically (54%), while Dytiscidae exhibited the highest diversity.Adephaga prevailed during dry periods with lentic affinities, in contrast to Polyphaga, which were associated with wet-season lotic conditions. Predators (73%) and swimmers (72%) represented the main functional feeding and locomotion groups. Correspondence analysis revealed seasonal segregation, with rheophilic taxa in wet flows, thermophiles in summer pools, and eurytherms in spring. Co-inertia analysis (CIA) ordination highlighted upstream and midstream refuges with high dissolved oxygen that support sensitive species, in contrast to lowland, slow-flowing streams with elevated BOD5, COD, and conductivity, where more tolerant generalist species dominate. Beta-diversity partitioning showed that species turnover (βsim) was the main component of community dissimilarity. PERMANOVA confirmed significant compositional differences between urban and non-urban assemblages. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating permanent mid-reaches into conservation planning and demonstrate the potential of aquatic beetles as indicators of hydrological intermittency.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e194219

Authors: Soma Chiyoda, Yu Hisasue, Hiroki Yoshino, Ryosuke Kuwahara, Toru Miura

Abstract: The Ogasawara Islands are remote oceanic islands located approximately 1,000 km south of mainland Japan and investigations of their fauna are essential for understanding the processes underlying the assembly of oceanic island biotas. Despite this importance, knowledge of several terrestrial invertebrate groups remains remarkably limited, including millipedes, which constitute a major component of soil macrofauna. Previous studies on the millipede fauna of the Ogasawara Islands have been sporadic and, to date, only ten identified species had been recorded from the archipelago.Field surveys conducted between 2023 and 2026 on Ototo-jima, Ani-jima, Chichi-jima and Haha-jima Islands revealed five species of polydesmid millipedes: Prosopodesmus jacobsoni Silvestri, 1910; P. panporus Blower & Rundle, 1980 (Haplodesmidae); Cryptocorypha ornata (Attems, 1938); Dyskolonius uniramus (Attems, 1938) (Pyrgodesmidae); and Solaenaulus butteli (Carl, 1922) (Opisotretidae). All five species represent new records for both Japan and the Ogasawara Islands. Reexamination of specimens previously reported as Prosopodesmus sinuatus from the Ogasawara Islands revealed that they were misidentified and actually belong to Cryptocorypha ornata. Furthermore, the previous record of Solaenaulus sp. from Chichi-jima Island was identified as S. butteli, based on detailed sketches of the gonopods. In addition, we partially examined and compared the postembryonic development of Prosopodesmus species, a genus known for intrageneric polymorphism in the number of body rings in adult males. Based on these observations, we discuss potential heterochronic shifts in sexual maturation amongst species and between sexes.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e194507

Authors: Irsalina Syakirah Mohd Ikbal, Salwana Md Jaafar, Norhayati Ahmad, Rahayu Sukri

Abstract: This study presents the first long-term analysis forest dynamics in lowland Bornean heath forests in Brunei Darussalam, based on two 0.96 ha permanent forest plots, established in 1992 at Bukit Sawat Forest Reserve and Badas Forest Reserve. The plots were re-censused in 2022, during which all trees with stem diameter ≥ 5 cm were tagged, identified and measured for their stem diameter and basal area. Over the 30-year period, mean stem abundance and mean tree density significantly decreased, while mean stem diameter and mean basal area significantly increased, at both heath forest sites. At Bukit Sawat, mean species richness and diversity indices were significantly higher in 1992 than in 2022, but no significant temporal dfferences were observed at Badas. No significant differences between sites were detected in mean annual diameter growth rate, mortality and recruitment rates. Notably, both plots exhibited significant shifts in tree community composition over the 30-year period, coupled with a 24% increase in total species richness at Bukit Sawat and a 4% decrease at Badas. Despite their locations in protected areas, droughts events and anthropogenic disturbance over the past three decades likely contributed to observed changes in forest structure, species diversity and community composition. These findings provide important insights into the long-term dynamics of threatened Bornean heath forests and underscore the need for continued monitoring to guide conservation and management strategies.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e200131

Authors: Chun-Hua Yao, Cheng-De Li, Hui-Lin Han

Abstract: A new species of the genus Araeopteron Hampson, 1893 from China: Araeopteron zheganensis, sp. nov., collected from Zhejiang and Jiangxi Provinces, as well as a new subspecies, A. nigrizonatum chinensis, ssp. nov., recorded from Yunnan, Fujian, Zhejiang and Chongqing.The study provides illustrations of the adults and genitalia of A. zheganensis, sp. nov. and the new subspecies A. nigrizonatum chinensis, ssp. nov. and includes comparative analyses with morphologically similar species.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e191847

Authors: Rémi Santerre, Denis Michez, Ahmet Aytekin, Seçil Aytekin, Jordan Benrezkallah, Thomas Brau, Frédéric Carion, Fatih Dikmen, Achik Dorchin, Vahap Eldem, Simone Flaminio, Sebastian Hopfenmüller, Ece Kamalak, Anatole Maugendre, Çiğdem Özenirler, Pierre Rasmont, Blandine Rigaut, Michaël Terzo, Clément Tourbez, Guillaume Ghisbain

Abstract: Bees (Anthophila) are key pollinators, yet major gaps persist in the knowledge of their diversity and distribution, particularly across Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots. Türkiye, located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, hosts amongst the richest bee faunas in the Western Palaearctic, with more than 1,800 recorded species. Despite previous faunistic work, the national fauna remains incompletely documented, as shown by numerous recent species descriptions and new country records. Additional sampling is, therefore, required to improve taxonomic and distributional knowledge and to support biodiversity research and conservation in this highly diversified region.The dataset comprises 2,070 wild bee specimens collected in southern Türkiye, with 246 identified species. Amongst these, six species are recorded for the first time from Türkiye and several additional noteworthy species of taxonomic, biogeographical or conservation interest are highlighted and illustrated. This dataset provides new, well-documented occurrence records contributing to an improved understanding of bee diversity in the region.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e189983

Authors: Lyudmila Kamburska, Silvia Zaupa, Marco Orlandi, Laura Garzoli, Angela Boggero

Abstract: This data paper presents 367 georeferenced occurrence records of invasive crayfish collected from 17 lakes in north-western Italy between 2017 and 2025. The database comprises four datasets in the standardised Darwin Core Archive format (DwC-A) and is openly accessible through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). We document the datasets, associated metadata, and the projects supporting data acquisition, rather than presenting research findings. All records derive from sampling conducted in submontane lakes in two Italian regions (Piedmont and Lombardy). The lakes represent different origins (fluvial, glacial and tectonic) and typologies, ranging from large, deep systems to small, shallow waterbodies. Two study lakes (Maggiore and Orta) are part of the national Long-Term Ecological Research network (LTER Italy), while the remaining lakes are designated as Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas or belong to the European Union’s Natura 2000 network under the Birds Directive. By making these data publicly available, this work supports global efforts to mobilise FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) biodiversity data on invasive species, facilitating regional-scale monitoring and management.Newly georeferenced records of three invasive crayfish species — Faxonius limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii — from 17 lakes in Piedmont and Lombardy (north-western Italy) have been published in GBIF. The data reveal the spatial distribution and relative abundance of these species, supporting ecological research, regional monitoring and the management of freshwater invasions.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e194216

Authors: Martha Vounatsi, Sébastien Lhoumeau, Alexandra Dal Lago, Sophie Wallon, Luís Carlos Crespo, Carlos Picanço, Pedro Raposo, Paulo Borges

Abstract: The data we present are part of the long-term project SLAM – Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the natural forest of Azores, which was established in 2012 to monitor arthropod communities in Azorean forest habitats using standardised long-term ecological sampling. The main aim of this project is to understand how major biodiversity erosion drivers, including habitat degradation, biological invasions and climate-related pressures, affect the distribution, abundance and diversity of Azorean arthropods through time. Long-term monitoring is particularly relevant on oceanic islands, where biodiversity change may be expressed more strongly through species turnover, shifts in community composition and increases in introduced taxa than through immediate declines in total species richness. The SLAM framework also contributes to the early detection and documentation of new species occurrences, thereby improving baseline knowledge for conservation planning, biodiversity assessment and biosecurity. Sampling relies on passive flight-interception SLAM (Sea, Land and Air Malaise) traps, which are operated continuously and serviced at regular intervals to provide comparable seasonal and interannual samples.We sampled 17,064 specimens from samples from the years 2015-2021 out of which 16,491 were identified to the level of species (96.6%) or even subspecies (326 individuals) and 247 were identified to the order, family or genus level. The identified specimens belong to 17 unique orders, 82 families, 156 genera and 165 species and eight subspecies. Of these species and subspecies, 14 were endemic, 49 were native non-endemic, 86 were introduced and 24 have uncertain colonisation status.A total of 26 species were recorded for the first time on Graciosa Island, but none represents a new record for the Azores Archipelago. Amongst these newly-recorded species, two are Azorean endemics, five are native non-endemics, 16 are introduced and three have uncertain colonisation status, with most detected at very low abundance.New island records on Graciosa Island comprise nine spiders (Order Araneae), including two Azorean endemic spiders recorded for the first time on Graciosa, Neon acoreensis (jumping spider; Salticidae) and Savigniorrhipis acoreensis (dwarf sheet spider; Linyphiidae). The remaining newly-recorded spiders are: Agyneta decora (dwarf sheet spider; Linyphiidae), Enoplognatha mandibularis (cobweb spider; Theridiidae), Haplodrassus signifier (ground spider; Gnaphosidae), Neriene clathrata (sheetweb spider; Linyphiidae), Orchestina furcillata (goblin spider; Oonopidae), Theridion melanostictum (cobweb spider; Theridiidae) and Zelotes aeneus (ground spider; Gnaphosidae).New records also include eight beetles (Coleoptera): Amischa forcipata (rove beetle; Staphylinidae), Brassicogethes aeneus (pollen beetle; Nitidulidae), Carpelimus troglodytes troglodytes (rove beetle; Staphylinidae), Cathormiocerus curvipes (weevil; Curculionidae), Omosita discoidea (sap beetle; Nitudulidae), Phyllotreta procera (flea beetle; Chrysomelidae), Ptenidium pusillum (featherwing beetle; Ptiliidae) and Quedius curtipennis (rove beetle; Staphylinidae).Additional new records comprise one millipede (Diplopoda), Cylindroiulus latestriatus (julid millipede; Diplopoda, Julida) and three true bugs (Hemiptera): Buchananiella continua (minute pirate bug; Anthocoridae), Empicoris rubromaculatus (thread-legged bug; Reduviidae) and Pilophorus confusus (plant bug; Miridae).Further additions are one ant (Hymenoptera), Hypoponera eduardi (ant; Formicidae), one booklouse (Psocodea), Lepinotus reticulatus (booklouse; Trogiidae), two thrips (Thysanoptera), Anisopilothrips venustulus (thrips; Thripidae) and Ceratothrips ericae (thrips; Thripidae) and one bush-cricket (Orthoptera), Phaneroptera nana (katydid/bush-cricket; Tettigoniidae).

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e191869

Authors: Peter Pothmann, Doreen Werner, Helge Kampen, Hans-Hermann Thulke

Abstract: Aedes vexans, a widespread mosquito species in Germany, is a major nuisance pest and a demonstrated or putative vector of numerous pathogens affecting humans and animals. To document its spatial and temporal occurrence, both passive and active mosquito monitoring programmes have been conducted across Germany.Passive monitoring is carried out through the citizen-science project “Mückenatlas”, in which volunteers collect and submit mosquito specimens from across the country. All citizen-collected specimens are subsequently identified by professional entomologists. Active monitoring is performed by experts using a variety of standardised entomological methods, including trapping, aspirating and netting adults, as well as sampling larvae and pupae by dipping and sieving. Portions of the resulting dataset have already been used in scientific publications.This data paper presents a comprehensive dataset on the occurrence of Aedes vexans in Germany, comprising 6,422 records collected between 26.04.2011 and 21.11.2023. Of the total occurrence records, 2963 originate from citizen-science contributions, while the remainder derive from active monitoring efforts. The dataset documents 225,565 individual mosquitoes from 2,784 distinct locations.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e188597

Authors: Martim Baptista, Paulo de Sousa, Roberto Keller

Abstract: The Mediterranean Basin, characterised by temperate rainy winters and hot dry summers, represents a notable hotspot for bee species richness. However, research on the bee fauna across this region remains uneven, with significant knowledge gaps in countries like Portugal. As human-driven climate change continues to cause a dramatic decline on insect species, museum records become indispensable for assessing changes in species distributions over time and to preserve material evidence about species for future generations.We provide data on 5,295 bee records with Palaearctic distribution, collected from the 1920s to the year 2025. The collection, hosted in the Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência (MNHNC), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), encompasses 425 species and 49 genera. The majority of the records originate from Portugal, including a newly-documented species for the country, Nomada chrysopyga Morawitz, 1871, bringing the total number of bee species in mainland Portugal to 737. Type material held in the collection is documented and photographed here, alongside a record of bee types destroyed in the 1978 fire.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e189764

Authors: Edgar Dorado-Roncancio, Erika Montoya-Cadavid, Armando Rodríguez-Toscano, Luz López de Mesa, Luis Chasqui, Edgardo Londoño-Cruz, Rafael Bechara-Escudero, Cristina Cedeño-Posso, Eliana Barrios-Vásquez, Mayra Atencia-Galindo, Vanessa Yepes-Narvaez, Alejandro Rodríguez-Sánchez, Juliana Sánchez Muñoz, Nicoll Lizarazo, Natalia Ossa-Hernandez, Diana Gallego-Sánchez, Valeria Restrepo, Valentina Orozco Llanos, Hosmer Gomez-Vanega, Alexandra Pardo Rivera, Laura González Carreño, Cristian Ortega Sánchez, Adriana Osorno-Arango, Shanly Coneo-Gómez, Luisa Cera Marulanda, Jheyson Mercado-Vides, Karen Murillo Jiménez, Harold Monge López, Sven Zea, Jose Tavera, Beatriz Beltran-Leon, Yiliana Murillo Posso, Martha Vides Casado, David Alonso Carvajal

Abstract: The Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (INVEMAR), in partnership with the Universidad del Valle (UV), Universidad tecnológica del Chocó (UTCH) and the community councils of Cupica and Los Delfines, conducted the Colombia BIO Juradó-Cupica scientific expedition. This initiative, developed under the Colombia BIO strategy of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Minciencias), intended to increase our knowledge about marine and coastal biodiversity associated with ecosystems between the township of Cupica and the municipality of Juradó, on Colombia’s northern Pacific coast. During the expedition, samples were collected from 34 stations located across five key ecosystems in the area: mangroves, a rocky coastline, intertidal mudflats, rocky reefs and the pelagic environment. As a result of observing and analysing specimens, the specialists were able to identify near 500 morphospecies including invertebrates, vertebrates, chormists and plants, belonging to 17 phyla. Some of these groups found numerous species that had not previously been detected in the north of the Colombia Pacific Region or even in tropical eastern Pacific Region. Similarly, the initiative makes an invaluable contribution to marine scientific collections by ensuring that the biological material obtained and its information are properly safeguarded, available and accessible, in order to continue promoting and strengthening marine research. The expedition also encouraged collaboration between national experts and local communities, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and incorporating traditional practices into the research process.This study provides evidence of the presence of 468 species obtained from 2,107 records of observations, sightings and collected specimens from a single expedition, demonstrating a considerable taxonomic richness in the area. The number of new species records is particularly noteworthy, 96 for northern Chocó and 44 for the Colombian Pacific coast, particularly for Chordata, Annelida, Arthropoda, Cnidaria, Porifera and Chlorophyta. New distribution data acquired will be crucial in deepening our comprehension of species biogeography. The results significantly improve our understanding of marine and coastal biodiversity in northern Chocó, where information is scarce and emphasise the region's biological importance and its significant contribution to the Colombia's Pacific coast biodiversity, which is a region recognised as biodiversity hotspot. More broadly, the information expands national and regional marine biodiversity catalogues, enriching scientific collections providing input for future support of resource management and conservation processes in the region. Furthermore, from a social perspective, the data enable local communities to develop a better understanding of the ecosystems in their territory, thereby promoting the empowerment of local knowledge.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e191347

Authors: Zoya Dudnik

Abstract: This dataset provides information for 3235 Brachiopoda specimens held within the Ocean Benthic Fauna collection (collection code: OBFc) in the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (IORAS). Collected from 1852 unique locations across the World Ocean, these specimens represent a 100-year record of Brachiopoda biodiversity, with sampling beginning in 1924.The IORAS Brachiopoda collection, due to its high species diversity, is a valuable resource for researchers. Broad taxonomic representation provides critical baseline data that fundamentally advance our understanding of brachiopod distribution patterns, ecological niches, and historical biogeography. The collection thus directly supports a wide range of disciplinary research, including taxonomy and phylogenetics, and the study of large-scale macroecological patterns in global marine ecosystems.A comprehensive revision and digitization of the complete Brachiopoda collection of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology has yielded a detailed dataset on specimen distribution across geographic, bathymetric, and taxonomic categories. The project prioritized the documentation and imaging of the type specimens. This new dataset is a significant scientific resource for taxonomy, biodiversity, and biogeography; this data enhances our understanding of marine biodiversity and the distribution patterns of Brachiopoda throughout various oceanic regions and depth zones.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e198224

Authors: Hee Han, Dong Ha Park, Sora Kim

Abstract: The genus Hypena Schrank is a large but poorly-defined taxon. Hypena nakajimai Kishida, which is reported here for the first time in Korea, highlights the Hypena’s current taxonomic situation — a lack of phylogenetic analysis, taxonomic revision and numerous tropical species descriptions. H. nakajimai was initially found by Sugi more than 40 years ago, but the species was officially named by Kishida in 2010. It is expected that numerous undescribed and unknown Hypena species still remain to be discovered.The present study reports the thirtieth Korean Hypena species, provides its diagnosis, re-describes its habitus and male genitalia and emphasises the importance of describing Hypena and its difficulties.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e189286

Authors: Bongjun Kim, Inho Yang, Sang-kyu Lee, Hyesuk Kim, Jong Seong Khim, Jongseong Ryu, Jinsoon Park

Abstract: Air-breathing marine slugs of the family Onchidiidae inhabit intertidal environments worldwide, but their diversity and distribution remain poorly documented in Korean tidal flats, particularly in upper intertidal and supralittoral habitats such as saltmarsh vegetation.The following report documents the first confirmed record of Onchidium reevesii from Korea, based on specimens collected from saltmarsh vegetation in the upper intertidal and supralittoral zones of Korean tidal flats at three localities: Jindo, Muan and Suncheon. Species identification was facilitated by an integrative taxonomic approach, incorporating external morphology, radular characters and mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA sequence analyses. The Korean specimens closely matched the diagnostic morphological features described for Chinese specimens in previous studies. Furthermore, molecular analyses revealed a high degree of sequence similarity, which supports a close phylogenetic affinity with reported sequences of O. reevesii. This record constitutes the first genetic confirmation of O. reevesii on the Korean Peninsula, thereby extending the known geographic distribution of the species across the Yellow Sea in East Asia.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e166468

Authors: Siti Nurfarhana Zafirah Azidi, Nur Zakirah Halmi, Jacqueline Clara Anak Chuat, Shameera Nasreen Ahamed Noordeen, Muhammad Hafiz Mohd Yazid, Muhammad Aminuddin Baqi Hasrizal Fuad, Mohd Arifuddin, Izereen Mukri, Fong Har, Anthony Giordano, Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran

Abstract: Lipis Geopark, a recently designated National Geopark in Pahang, is geologically rich in limestone karst formations centred in Merapoh. Its north-eastern region comprises a portion of the Taman Negara Pahang, with an entry point at Sungai Relau, Merapoh. However, research conducted in the area is highly concentrated in the forested regions inside Taman Negara Pahang, with minimal studies assessing vertebrate diversity outside the protected National Park. Thus, this study compiled data on the diversity of vertebrates in Lipis Geopark, comparing two distinct habitats: the caves of Merapoh and the Taman Negara Pahang buffer zones. A total of 20 camera traps were installed at: (1) Site A, Merapoh cave complex and (2) Site B, forested buffer zones of Taman Negara Pahang. For about 1,100 camera trap nights of 55 days, up to 30 species comprising reptiles, aves and mammals were photo-captured from 288 independent occasions. Altogether, 7,755 photo images were captured, and only 52.174% were identified as wildlife images. The remaining images were excluded from the data analysis. It was observed that the Eurasian wild pig (Sus scrofa) is the most photographed species with the highest PCRI (Photographic Capture Rate Index) value of 14.000 and Site A exhibited greater species evenness and diversity compared to Site B, despite recording fewer total individuals. Additionally, a notable documentation of a mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a Vulnerable species, utilising a cave in Merapoh has been recorded – representing a rare and possibly novel behaviour in Peninsular Malaysia. Thus, these findings highlight the ecological importance of karst caves and surrounding forests in Lipis Geopark, underscoring the urgent need for expanded biodiversity assessments and integrated conservation strategies within and beyond protected area boundaries.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e200154

Authors: Yasemin Özdemir

Abstract: Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water purification, flood mitigation and biodiversity support. Lake Karataş has been recognised as a Wildlife Development Area since 2006. However, it is experiencing reductions in water volume and habitat size due to insufficient rainfall, water source drying and intensive agricultural practices. This study assessed ecological changes and their effects on avian diversity using remote sensing, climate data and ornithological surveys.This dataset presents bird occurrence records from Lake Karataş (Burdur, Türkiye), derived from field surveys conducted in 2021–2022 using the point count method. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was derived from Sentinel-2 imagery (2017–2024) and climate data were sourced from TerraClimate. Species richness was estimated using the Jackknife method. Lake Karataş, a shallow system converted to a reservoir in 1982, is fed by the Sarıdere. In this study, 46 bird species were recorded, including the Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus, near threatened (NT)) and Common Pochard (Aythya ferina, vulnerable (VU)). Remote-sensing observations from 2017 to 2024 indicated agricultural expansion, wetland contraction and marked interannual variation in lake inundation. The summer season demonstrated the highest species richness (37 species) and abundance (3785 individuals) with an NDVI of 0.1418 and an average of 32.55°C, whereas autumn's peak NDVI (0.1482) resulted in only nine species. The findings suggest that integrating NDVI, climate metrics and bird diversity indicators is crucial for restoration planning, emphasising sustainable agriculture and water management to restore ecosystem services.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e191754

Authors: Jonathan Rees, Nico Franz, Beckett Sterner

Abstract: This article describes an exemplar-based approach to species checklist alignment. Biologists in many fields often work with tables whose rows denote taxonomic groups (more formally called taxonomic concepts). Such tables, here called checklists, are essential ingredients for communicating the information contained in many research articles, databases developed for research projects and laboratories and comprehensive taxonomic resources, such as the Mammal Diversity Database and Catalogue of Life. An important activity is reconciling or aligning two or more checklists (also called taxonomic concept mapping), i.e. relating the records of one checklist to the records of another. Our implementation of exemplar-based alignments is scalable both pragmatically and computationally: it does not require labour-intensive manual processing of the checklists or alignments, it handles large checklists efficiently and it is usefully aware of taxonomic concept relationship mappings. Open-source code implementing the exemplar-based approach is available online as part of the List Tools software library.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e185229

Authors: Theodore Cook, R. DeWalt, Scott Grubbs, Phillip Hogan, Lily Hart, Shawn Clark, Richard Baumann, David Burton, Luke Myers

Abstract: Stoneflies are a relatively small order of insects comprising over 4,200 extant, described species. They have long been recognised as valuable indicators of water quality, since nymphs are dependent on clean water conditions and are sensitive to the effects of sedimentation and pollution. It is also well-documented that stonefly species around the world have suffered contractions in range, leading, in some cases, to local extirpation or extinction. West Virginia is home to high stonefly species richness relative to most other USA (United States of America) states. Despite this diversity, the available literature is scattered and occurrence datasets supported by voucher specimens are non-existent. Funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a consortium of northeastern USA states has provided an opportunity to document the stonefly fauna of West Virginia, especially for state and regional species of conservation interest, by gathering specimen-based occurrence data from museums, collecting new specimens statewide, and compiling trusted literature records into a single statewide dataset. Our hope is that the records presented in this data paper will further the understanding of stonefly species distribution in West Virginia and the eastern USA in general, and provide conservation agencies with usable temporal and locality data. These data will be used as the basis of an upcoming distribution atlas and annotated checklist of the stoneflies of West Virginia.Our dataset brings together over 4,500 stonefly records from all 55 counties in West Virginia. These records, spanning the previous 134 years, have been contributed by 17 institutions and personal collections. Through new collecting and the examination of museum specimens, we have been able to verify the presence of 150 species, with representatives from all nine eastern North American families. Fourteen species previously recorded from West Virginia, comprising seven Perlodidae, six Perlidae and one Chloroperlidae, have not been recovered. Most of these absences can be accounted for by changes in taxonomic nomenclature. In addition to 140 species already known from the state, we report the presence of 11 new state records, including four Perlidae, three Perlodidae, two Capniidae, one Leuctridae and one Nemouridae.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e189309

Authors: Josué Silva-Hurtado, Ana Martínez-Falcón, Irene Goyenechea, Sergio López-Mendoza, Pablo Octavio-Aguilar

Abstract: This study shows how the different environments and biogeographical provinces in the Mexican Transition Zone influence the structure of odonate communities. Through sampling conducted in 2024 across lentic and lotic habitats in a representative area where four biogeographic provinces converge, habitats were compared by recording physicochemical water parameters and climate conditions. The results revealed that species richness did not vary significantly between habitat types (lentic vs. lotic), but showed marked differences at the biogeographical scale, with the arid and semi-arid zones being the most diverse and high elevations having the lowest species richness. Beta diversity analysis indicated higher turnover than nestedness, suggesting that each region hosts a unique fauna adapted to specific conditions. Environmental variables, such as air and water temperatures and humidity played a crucial role, differentially affecting suborders: Anisoptera showed a greater capacity for dispersal and were more affected by landscape-level, while Zygoptera exhibited higher sensitivity to local factors. We concluded that environmental heterogeneity and biogeographical factors are determinants of odonate biodiversity in the region, with Anisoptera following a classical hierarchical community assembly mechanism and Zygoptera is being influenced and limited by the filter created by environmental factors. It is imperative to implement conservation strategies that protect connectivity and integrity of waterbodies to preserve this unique biological heritage.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e189822

Authors: Anaïs Marquisseau, Mélodie Ollivier, Christophe Klopp, Géraldine Pascal, André Pornon, Nathalie Escaravage, Veronique Sarthou, Jean-Pierre Sarthou, Magalie Pichon

Abstract: With ongoing biodiversity loss, a wide range of taxa are being monitored to support the implementation of conservation measures aimed at preventing their decline. Effective monitoring requires the development of robust and scalable tools and methods. Amongst these, DNA barcoding and metabarcoding have emerged as powerful and widely adopted approaches for tracking biodiversity. To achieve high taxonomic resolution in molecular-based monitoring, the use of multiple DNA markers is often essential.In this study, we focused on Syrphidae, a family that plays a key role in ecological networks. Alongside bees, hoverflies are remarkable pollinators within the order Diptera. Furthermore, larvae of the subfamily Syrphinae are widely regarded as beneficial in agricultural contexts, contributing to the biological control of pest populations. Mainland France, with its temperate climate, is a hotspot for Syrphidae diversity, hosting 566 species whose biological and ecological traits are thoroughly documented in the Syrph the Net 2024 database. France currently holds the highest recorded number of Syrphidae species in Europe.We produced a set of 16S rRNA sequences for Syrphidae, well suited for environmental biomonitoring applications. A total of 713 specimens from the private collection of specialist entomologists, representing 352 species across 14 tribes, were sequenced. Using a customised validation workflow, 561 sequences covering 316 species were retained, representing approximately 60% of the French hoverfly fauna. For 166 species, the 16S rRNA marker successfully discriminates specimens at the species level, including morphologically challenging genera such as Paragus, Melanostoma and Microdon. For the remaining 150 species in the dataset, the 16S rRNA marker enables identification at the genus level, though species-level resolution would require additional specimens to be sequenced. This study represents a first step towards the development of a comprehensive multi-marker reference library for French Syrphidae.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e199306

Authors: Zhao Wang, Cheng Wang, Xiaoqi Mi

Abstract: The orb-weaver spider genus Zangaraneus Mi, Wang & Feng, 2026 contains four species known only from Xizang, China. In our recent study, the fifth species has been found and is described herein.A new species of the genus Zangaraneus from central China is described: Zangaraneus zhishengi sp. nov. (♂♀). Diagnostic photos of habitus and copulatory organs are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e176358

Authors: Tatiana Velásquez-Roa, Maria Hurtado-Materon, Angel Robles-Fernández, Iván Castro-Arellano

Abstract: Temporal niche overlap can be effectively studied using null models, which are statistical tools that randomise ecological data to reveal underlying patterns. The Rosario R package enables robust analysis of cyclical phenomena in ecology through the implementation of the Rosario algorithm. The Rosario package preserves temporal autocorrelation (the tendency for events close in time to be similar) and generates biologically realistic time-use scenarios. To ensure continued usability and standardisation, we are transitioning the Rosario algorithm from Windows-based software to the R programming environment. This transition enhances accessibility and compatibility with R packages, such as activity and overlap. Unlike these packages, rosario supports concurrent overlap analysis amongst multiple biological identities (e.g. individuals, species, populations, communities) at the same time, offering a more comprehensive approach to studying cyclical data. Now, users can access rosario in R and work with a full suite of packages in one language, facilitating complementary insights into natural temporal patterns.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e189867

Authors: Michael Thomas, Elias Bizuru, Concorde Nsengumuremyi, Gaspard Munyaneza

Abstract: The native vascular flora of Rwanda is currently the subject of ongoing study aimed at producing a comprehensive and up-to-date national checklist. The discovery of Diospyros abyssinica forms part of the Flora of Akagera National Park project, a focused initiative designed to document and synthesise the vascular plant diversity of this protected area in Rwanda’s Eastern Province. The ultimate objective of this project is to generate a complete and authoritative checklist of the Park’s vascular plant species, incorporating current taxonomic treatments, verified distributional data and conservation status assessments. The checklist is being developed through the integration of systematic field observations, the assembly and analysis of a comprehensive database of herbarium specimens and a critical review of relevant published and unpublished botanical literature.A new country-level record of a native vascular plant species previously unrecorded in Rwanda emerged during 2023 fieldwork inventory in the Eastern Province. Diospyros abyssinica is reported as new to the Province, where it is represented in a relict population of only 15 individuals in less than 20 hectares. Due to the species having many uses, it has been prioritised as a species for indigenous tree planting programmes.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e192613

Authors: Kenza Meradi, Imene Benzina, Salah Meradi, Abdelkrim Si Bachir, Ahmed Yassine Kalbaza, Rabah Bounar

Abstract: This study reports the response of aquatic insect functional feeding groups (FFGs) to forest microclimatic conditions in a protected area and anthropogenic disturbance across four permanent wadis in the semi-arid and arid Aurès Region (north-eastern Algeria), comparing two wadis within a protected forested area with two exposed to domestic, agricultural, and industrial effluents. Aquatic insects and selected environmental parameters were sampled once per season. A total of 19,271 aquatic insects were collected, representing 58 taxa and 36 families distributed across seven orders. Across the recorded FFGs, the most abundant group was gathering collectors (67%), followed by filtering collectors (16.7%) and herbivore shredders (12.5%). Data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test, hierarchical clustering and canonical correspondence analysis. The FFGs indices were used as surrogates for stream ecosystem attributes to reveal functional changes of the studied wadis. The results indicate that the undisturbed wadis (Bouilef and El-Ma), located in a protected forest area under a semi-arid climate, showed higher functional diversity, characterised by the presence of all FFGs. The disturbed wadis (El-Hai and Gourzi), located in an arid region, display a low functional community, likely due to the degradation of water quality. This study showed that the forest microclimate, as well as the level of anthropogenic pressure, influenced the functional structure of the aquatic community. The autotrophy/heterotrophy index indicated that all studied wadis were heterotrophic. The shredder and filtering collector index were higher in forested wadis. The habitat stability index indicated that stable substrates were more abundant in undisturbed wadis. These results confirm the usefulness of the FFGs index as a relevant tool for understanding functional changes under a semi-arid to arid climate.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e164744

Authors: Jeremy Miller

Abstract: Specimen citation records were extracted from the oeuvre of Christa Deeleman-Reinhold (1930-2025), automated using large language models (LLMs). The legacy of an exemplary career in arachnology featured 55 publications from 1971 to 2025, 49 of which contain a total of 677 taxonomic treatments that cite specimens. Updated to account for current nomenclature, these treatments contributed to the taxonomy of 644 species (including two subspecies and four with less than species level identification) across 29 spider families; 408 species were described by CDR as sole or co-authority. CDR was listed as the sole or co-collector for 125 specimen records.A total of 2719 material citation records accounting for more than 6000 individual specimens were digitized and structured according to Darwin Core standards to facilitate data mobilization. Records were georeferenced and plotted by year of collection on an animated map and shared with the online biodiversity informatics datasphere. Both ChatGPT and Claude.ai LLMs struggled with large monographs, but Claude.ai performed better overall. In some cases, ChatGPT hallucinated non-existent species, something Claude.ai never did.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e181867

Authors: Daniel Suárez, Manuel Cárdenas, Daniel Febles, Eduardo Jiménez-García, David Lugo, Carlos Ruiz, Nuria Macías-Hernández

Abstract: The Teide National Park is a high-mountain ecosystem characterised by a high temperature and solar radiation, together with low humidity. Aside from these extreme conditions, a rich biota inhabits there. In 1996, the first comprehensive inventory of arthropods was carried out and, since then, no further catalogue has been accomplished. The present work aims to update the current check-list of arthropods, as well as establishing sampling sites for further biomonitoring with standardised protocols.A total of 615 taxa has been identified from the specimens recorded during the 2024–2025 field surveys, with 80 of them being new to the Teide National Park. This contribution highlights the outstanding biodiversity in an ecosystem characterised by extreme-conditions.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e182671

Authors: Jasper Van doninck, Wietske Bijker, Louise Willemen

Abstract: Before-after-control-impact (BACI) assessments are crucial in determining effectiveness of ecosystem conservation and restoration actions. This type of analysis can strongly benefit from earth observation and other geospatial datasets. The R package spatialBACI provides functionalities to streamline use of spatial datasets in some of the main steps of BACI assessment for ecosystem conservation: defining impact and control units, matching impact and control units and impact assessment. We demonstrate the utility of the package for a restoration site.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e195965

Authors: Lilian Santos, Pedro Moraes

Abstract: Ocotea Aubl. is the largest genus amongst the Neotropical Lauraceae, estimated to have 469 recognised species in the Americas, 183 of them occurring in Brazil, 117 being endemic to the country. In the course of preparing a treatment of Lauraceae for the Flora of Espírito Santo, Brazil, an undescribed species of Ocotea was encountered. Its description and illustrations are presented here.Ocotea vervloetii P.L.R.Moraes & L.S.Santos is a new species of Ocotea from the Atlantic Rainforest of south-eastern Brazil, collected in the Municipality of Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo. This new species probably belongs to the Ocotea floribunda group, since it bears relatively large male flowers ca. 7–8 mm diam., with receptacle flat, small, shallow, bowl-shaped and pistillode densely tomentose. Nevertheless, it is clearly different from other congeners in this group by presenting relatively short leaves, oblanceolate to obovate, elliptic, discolorous, coriaceous, with margin strongly revolute, adaxially glabrous to glabrescent, shiny, strongly bullate, abaxially sparsely to densely strigulose and papillose.

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DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.14.e193820

Authors: Marcelo Leandro Brotto, Pedro Luís de Moraes

Abstract: The Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest is one of the centres of diversity for the genus Aiouea (Lauraceae). This Neotropical genus comprises approximately 85 species, 35 of which occur in Brazil, with 24 being endemic. Based on a taxonomic review of herbarium collections and recently gathered specimens, we propose a new species of Aiouea endemic to the country and the Atlantic Rainforest.Herein, we describe and illustrate Aiouea altomacaensis. It is a medium-sized tree endemic to the State of Rio de Janeiro, southeast Brazil, specifically restricted to the mountainous region between Nova Friburgo and Petrópolis. This taxon can be confused with three others: Aiouea acarodomatifera, A. albopunctata and A. ombrophila. Aiouea altomacaensis differs from these mainly by its narrow leaves and short inflorescences. Initially, the species was assessed as Endangered (EN) under IUCN Criteria due to its restricted distribution. However, Data Deficient (DD) is a more appropriate classification until more reliable information on its actual range becomes available.

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