Zoologischer Anzeiger最新文献

{"title":"Enhancing knowledge of species diversity in the genus Paratylenchus (Nematoda: Tylenchulidae): three new pin nematode species and additional insights into a known species from Florida, USA","authors":"Sergio Álvarez-Ortega ,&nbsp;Sergei A. Subbotin ,&nbsp;Amy Michaud ,&nbsp;Jason D. Stanley ,&nbsp;Renato N. Inserra","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.04.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study expands knowledge on diversity of pin nematodes, <em>Paratylenchus</em> spp. in Florida, USA, by providing integrative descriptions of three new species: <em>Paratylenchus gladensis</em> sp. n., <em>Paratylenchus hodgesi</em> sp. n., and <em>Paratylenchus syngonii</em> sp. n. The new taxa were recovered from natural and agricultural ecosystems, including commercial operations for the production of ornamental plants to be exported to national and international markets. Morphological and morphometric analyses were combined with molecular data from the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA, and mitochondrial <em>COI</em> genes to delimit species and infer phylogenetic placement. Comparative diagnoses demonstrated clear distinctions from closely related species, while also highlighting intrapopulation variability in <em>Paratylenchus hawaiiensis</em>, which shows lip region polymorphism. This characteristic was confirmed by the results of molecular analyses using DNA sequences of a polymorphic population of this species. These findings underscore both the high diversity and the taxonomic complexity of <em>Paratylenchus</em> in Florida and emphasize the value of integrative approaches for resolving species boundaries within this challenging genus.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"322 ","pages":"Pages 261-276"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147802671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic study of the genus Sumpigaster Macquart from China (Diptera, Tachinidae)","authors":"Xingyan Zhang,&nbsp;Junjian Li,&nbsp;Chuntian Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.04.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.04.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Sumpigaster</em> Macquart is an Old World genus of 11 described species belonging to the tribe Minthoini of the Tachininae (Diptera: Tachinidae). The Chinese species of <em>Sumpigaster</em> are revised: two described species are recognized, <em>Sumpigaster subcompressa</em> (Walker) and <em>S. sumatrensis</em> Townsend, and four species are described as new: <em>Sumpigaster bivittata</em>, <em>Sumpigaster guangxiensis</em>, <em>Sumpigaster pallidihirta</em> and <em>Sumpigaster wuyishan. Sumpigaster longiventris</em> Zhang &amp; Zhang is proposed as a new name (<em>nomen novum</em>) to replace <em>Stenodexiopsis sumatrensis</em> Townsend, 1926.The first instar larvae of <em>S</em>. <em>subcompressa</em> (Walker) and <em>S. sumatrensis</em> Townsend are reported for the first time. A key is provided to the eleven species of <em>Sumpigaster</em> known from Asia and Australia. Figures of adult males and females, first instar larvae of two known species and male terminalia are given as well as a distribution map of the five Chinese species of <em>Sumpigaster</em>. The specimens examined during this study are kept in the Insect Collection of Shenyang Normal University, China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"322 ","pages":"Pages 307-324"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147802668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ghosts of the Abyss: new data on giant asellotes Bathyopsurus (Isopoda, Asellota, Munnopsidae) observed and captured in the Aleutian and Kuril-Kamchatka trenches","authors":"Marina Malyutina,&nbsp;Olga Golovan,&nbsp;Svetlana Sharina","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.04.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.04.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>During a joint Chinese-Russian hadal expedition (2024) aboard the RV <em>TanSuoYiHao</em> in the Kuril-Kamchatka (KKT) and the western Aleutian (AT) trenches, individuals of <em>Bathyopsurus</em> were frequently observed on video taken by the HOV <em>Fendouzhe</em> at nine stations across the studied areas at depths from 5988 to 7292 m. Four specimens collected using the HOV slurp gun at two stations in the AT were identified as <em>Bathyopsurus sonnei</em> Brandt and Kelch, 2025 that was supported by genetic analysis. Morphological study of previously unknown characters of the collected specimens helped to supplement the species description and clarify the diagnoses of both the genus and the subfamily Bathyopsurinae. Morphological comparison revealed a number of characters shared between Bathyopsurinae and Munnopsinae, though molecular analysis based on 16S and COI markers did not confirm this relationship, nor did it resolve the position of Bathyopsurinae within the family Munnopsidae. A discussion of the ecology and lifestyle of <em>Bathyopsurus</em> based on observations of individuals swimming and sitting on the bottom, as well as an analysis of their diet based on gut contents, has provided a better understanding of the adaptive strategy of this taxon to life at great depths and the increasing pelagization as one of the evolutionary trends within the family Munnopsidae.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"322 ","pages":"Pages 368-386"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147858262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphology and sexual dimorphism of antennal sensilla in longhorn beetle Moechotypa diphysis (Pascoe, 1871) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae)","authors":"Xin Tong ,&nbsp;Wen-Jing Wu ,&nbsp;Shu-Yue Liu ,&nbsp;Lei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antennae are essential sensory organs of insects, and their sensory functions are realized by various sensilla. Numerous studies have highlighted notable the interspecific and intraspecific variations in the antennal sensilla among insects. However, given the vast diversity of insect species, there is less research interest in terms of the morphology and sexual dimorphism of their antennal sensilla. In this study, the morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla of both sexes (male, female) of <em>Moechotypa diphysis</em> (Pascoe, 1871) (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the ratio of antennal length to body length is considerably higher in males compared to females. Both sexes display the same types of sensilla, including sensilla chaetica (three subtypes), Böhm bristles, sensilla trichodea (two subtypes), and sensilla basiconica. Additionally, numerous cuticular pores are widely distributed on the antennal surface. Although the distribution of sensilla between males and females shows no major differences, sexual dimorphisms are observed in the size and number of certain sensillum types. In terms of quantity, males have significantly more sensilla chaetica and sensilla basiconica than females. For size, sensilla chaetica, Böhm bristles, and sensilla basiconica tend to be slightly larger in males compared to those of the female, although these differences are not always statistically discernible. The differences in sensilla size and quantity between the two sexes may reflect the intraspecific differences in the chemical and mechanical sensing mechanisms. Our findings may provide foundational data for future research into the sensory physiological functions of specific sensilla types in longhorn beetles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 238-247"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genus Hemicytherura (Crustacea, Ostracoda) in Korea with description of a new species and the first insight into its molecular phylogeny","authors":"Hyunsu Yoo ,&nbsp;Anna B. Jöst ,&nbsp;Huyen Thi Minh Pham ,&nbsp;Jingyu Du ,&nbsp;Ivana Karanovic","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hemicytherura Elofson, 1941 contains over 100 species globally, described mostly from fossil and subfossil assemblages. They are minute, mostly phytal ostracods, with an intricate pattern of fossae and muri on the surface of the shell. This pattern has been used to define four species groups in the genus, but only 10 living species from Japan and Taiwan have been classified using this labelling. Eight species have been reported so far from Korea, albeit mostly briefly. Here we study six species, collected from eight littoral localities on the South Korean mainland and Jeju Island: <em>Hemicytherura cuneata</em> Hanai, 1957; <em>Hemicytherura japonica</em> Kaseda &amp; ikeya, 2011; <em>Hemicytherura kajiyamai</em> Hanai, 1957; <em>Hemicytherura occidens</em> n. sp., <em>Hemicytherura okuboi</em> Kaseda &amp; ikeya, 2011; and <em>H.</em> sp. The new species is proposed based on morphological and genetic differences in partial ITS and CO1 regions; these two genes were also used to test the phylogenetic basis of the existing species groups. Morphologically, <em>H. occidens</em> is very similar to <em>Hemicytherura huangi</em> Kaseda &amp; ikeya, 2011, <em>Hemicytherura notoensis</em> Kaseda &amp; ikeya, 2011, and <em>H. okuboi</em>, but differs from all three in the appearance of the outer clasping apparatus on the hemipenis. Phylogenetic tree resulting from the analysis of the ITS region (but not CO1) supports a close relationship of the new species with <em>H. kajiyamai</em> and <em>H. okuboi</em> (both members of the <em>kajiyamai-</em>group) with high posterior probabilities. The other three Korean species studied belong to the <em>cuneata</em>-group. The existing four groups are used to classify another 25 <em>Hemicytherura</em> species, and two new groups (<em>anomala</em> and <em>clathrata</em>) are proposed for further 18 species. Our new groups are also based on the surface ornamentation of the shell, but without using fossae and muri labelling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 359-370"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Resolving the taxonomic status of Eulimnadia cylindrova sensu lato (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) and its cryptic species based on morphological and molecular data","authors":"Xiaoyan Sun,&nbsp;Jinhui Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The species-level taxonomy of <em>Eulimnadia</em> has been a subject of concern because of the plasticity observed in adult morphological characters, which often results in low taxonomic resolution. In the past three decades, conservative egg morphology has become the most reliable taxonomic characteristic, especially for the identification of sibling species. To resolve these taxonomic uncertainties and clarify phylogenetic relationships within <em>Eulimnadia cylindrova</em> sensu lato, we integrated morphological analyses (adult soft-body anatomy and egg shell morphology via scanning electron microscopy) and molecular data (four gene markers: nuclear 28S <em>rRNA</em>, mitochondrial 12S <em>rRNA</em>, <em>cytb</em>, and <em>cox1</em>). Species delimitation was performed using distance-based (ABGD) and tree-based (bPTP) methods, combined with maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic reconstructions. Our results confirmed the validity of <em>Eulimnadia taoluoensis</em>: it is morphologically distinct from <em>Eulimnadia braueriana</em> and <em>Eulimnadia indocylindrova</em>; notably, it forms an independent clade from <em>E. braueriana</em> in phylogenetic trees, with substantial <em>cox1</em> (22.34 %) and <em>cytb</em> (14.18–14.90 %) genetic divergences (rejecting prior synonymy hypotheses). Molecular phylogenetic analyses and phylogenetic signal dissection strongly supported that <em>E. cylindrova</em> sensu lato was non-monophyletic and that at least four distinct clades within <em>E. cylindrova</em> sensu lato have been revealed. Notably, <em>E. taoluoensis</em> is nested within the Mexican population of <em>E. cylindrova</em> sensu lato with low <em>cytb</em> genetic divergence (0.55–1.05 %), representing preliminary molecular evidence suggesting potential conspecificity. Future studies incorporating comprehensive morphological comparisons and multi-locus genetic data will be critical to validate the taxonomic status of these closely related lineages. Our findings provided the first molecular data for <em>E. taoluoensis</em> and demonstrated its species validity and the systematic position of <em>E. cylindrova</em> sensu lato. This study demonstrated the utility of integrative taxonomy in resolving taxonomic controversies in groups with morphological plasticity and offered critical insights for species delimination of <em>Eulimnadia</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 222-237"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The return of Lernaeodiscidae? Morphology of Lernaeodiscus rybakovi points to a distinct clade","authors":"Anastasia D. Lianguzova ,&nbsp;Natalia A. Arbuzova ,&nbsp;Nikita E. Lapshin ,&nbsp;Ekaterina R. Petrova ,&nbsp;Aleksei A. Miroliubov","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adult parasitic barnacles significantly differ from their free-living relatives. This leads to uncertainty in the phylogenetic interrelationships even at the family-level, particularly for the former Lernaeodiscidae. This family was abolished based on molecular data, however, the morphological description for lernaeodiscids remains incomplete. Here we describe a morphology of <em>Lernaeodiscus rybakovi</em> parasitizing the porcelain crab <em>Pachycheles stevensii</em>, using a variety of methods. The externa's lacunar and muscular systems are “Kentrogonida”-type in general, but exhibit notable deviations, including an atypical mantle opening formed partly by the visceral mass and a distinct dorso-ventral bridge. The interna displays a previously undescribed organization: a prominent main trunk giving rise to flattened primary branches and tubular secondary rootlets. Muscular fibers are absent in the interna; only sparse actin filaments are present, suggesting alternative mechanisms of nutrient transport. Two invasive rootlet types—goblet-shaped organs and neuropil rootlets—interact with host nervous tissue, and their ultrastructure differs from that of other rhizocephalan families. Additionally, we describe an aberrant trophic rootlet filled with concentric extracellular matrix layers, likely reflecting localised misregulation of cuticle production. Our findings, together with molecular evidence, suggest that <em>Lernaeodiscus</em> may represent an independent lineage, warranting exclusion from Peltogastridae and possibly reinstatement of Lernaeodiscidae. Broader sampling and multigene phylogeny are needed to clarify its rank and composition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 198-212"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A revision of the Chinese species of Merodontina Enderlein, 1914 (Diptera, Asilidae, Ommatiini), with notes on the generic relationship to Pseudomerodontina Joseph and Parui, 1976","authors":"Hongna Guo ,&nbsp;Wenliang Li ,&nbsp;Xuankun Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.12.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Five species of <em>Merodontina</em> have been recorded from China to date: <em>M. jianfenglingensis</em> Hua, <em>M. nigripes</em> Shi, <em>M. obliquata</em> Shi, <em>M. rectidensa</em> Shi, and <em>M. rufirostra</em> Shi. Since first described between 1987 and 1991, these species have not been redescribed or reported. Although 16 species were described in <em>Merodontina</em>, no molecular data have been available for this genus. We examined type specimens of all five previously described species from China, provided high-resolution images and redescriptions. We synonymized <em>M. rufirostra</em> Shi under <em>M. rectidensa</em> Shi, <em>M. bellicosa</em> Scarbrough and Costantino and <em>M. silvatica</em> Haupt and Azuma under <em>M. obliquata</em> Shi, and <em>M. vietnamensis</em> Tomasovic and Bartolozzi under <em>M. jianfenglingensis</em> Hua. The previously proposed name <em>M. abligueodentia</em> Shi, 1992 is formalized as a <em>nomen nudum</em> under <em>M. obliquata</em> Shi. We obtained DNA barcodes from multiple populations of <em>M. jianfenglingensis</em> and the widely distributed <em>M. obliquata</em>. Genetic analyses revealed distinct barcoding gaps, with interspecific distance of 15.7 %–16.8 % versus intraspecific distance of 0 %–2.6 %. An updated key to males of the Chinese species of <em>Merodontina</em> and a revised world catalogue are provided.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 62-84"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145885229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fine structure of the mantle epithelium and shell growth in rhynchonellide brachiopod Hemithiris psittacea","authors":"Anna V. Ratnovskaya,&nbsp;Tatyana V. Kuzmina","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.02.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.02.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Brachiopods are marine benthic invertebrates that secrete a calcitic bivalve shell via mantle epithelia. This study examines the shell and mantle structure of the rhynchonellide <em>Hemithiris psittacea.</em> The shell consists of an organic uppermost sheet, comprising mucopolysaccharide and periostracal layers, and a mineralized part composed of primary and secondary layers. The secondary layer is formed by fibers, enclosed in organic sheaths. We identified distinct mantle epithelial cell types: inner, columnar, oval, lobate, and vesicular cells, as well as two types of outer epithelial cells. Each cell type exhibits ultrastructural features that correspond to putative specialized functions: columnar and lobate cells secrete the mucopolysaccharide layer; the vesicular cells synthesize the periostracum; the first type of outer epithelial cells contributes to primary layer secretion; and the second type produces the fibers of the secondary layer. Oval cells in the mantle groove display undifferentiated morphology, supporting the existence of a putative generative zone in rhynchonellide brachiopods. Our analysis identifies three distinct morphological and functional zones of the shell. The primary zone is the marginal shell region, consisting only of the primary layer. The transitional zone exhibits progressive changes in both fiber morphology and epithelial cell dimensions without constant relative position of cells and fibers, while the stable pattern zone maintains regular cells and fibers arrangement. Based on these findings, we propose regional modifications to the classical conveyor belt model for mantle growth and shell thickening in rhynchonelliform brachiopods. In the transitional zone, several cells may cooperatively secrete fibers and translocate the fiber during synthesis, while in the stable pattern zone each cell produces two adjacent fibers throughout its lifespan. In the posterior zone shell secretion terminates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 371-384"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Historical biogeography of the diverse Neotropical seasonal killifishes of the Austrolebias Genus Group: potential environmental drivers of diversification","authors":"Sabrina Portelli ,&nbsp;Wilson Sebastián Serra Alanís ,&nbsp;Luis Esteban Krause Lanés ,&nbsp;Martin Miguel Montes ,&nbsp;Guillermo Enrique Terán ,&nbsp;Matheus Vieira Volcan ,&nbsp;Felipe Alonso","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.02.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2026.02.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The <em>Austrolebias</em> Genus Group (AGG), endemic to the southern portion of the Neotropics, comprises eleven genera of seasonal killifishes, characterized by small body size, restricted geographical ranges, and reliance on ephemeral aquatic habitats. In this study, we performed a comprehensive biogeographic analysis of the AGG, integrating a phylogeny based on 48 taxa that includes 90% of the species in this group with precise distribution data. The main objective was to identify the historical processes—particularly geological and climatic events—that shaped the diversification and current distribution of AGG species. To achieve this, we inferred a time-calibrated phylogeny, reconstructed ancestral area distributions, and analyzed patterns of dispersal and vicariance throughout the group's evolutionary history. Our results indicate that the AGG began its diversification approximately 13–10 million years ago during the Late Miocene, a period marked by significant geomorphological and climatic changes across the main basins of the La Plata system, including the Paraguay, Paraná, and Uruguay basins, as well as adjacent lowlands. Marine incursions together with tectonic activity and broader paleogeographic changes during this time reconfigured the drainage patterns of major basins, driving dispersal, isolation, and diversification within the group. These findings underscore the pivotal role of paleogeographic and environmental changes in shaping the evolutionary history and current distribution of Neotropical freshwater fishes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"321 ","pages":"Pages 345-358"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}