Sima Aslan Faal , Hamid Reza Esmaeili , Azad Teimori , Gholamreza Shahhosseini
{"title":"Does fish scale morphology allow the identification of species complex? A case study for algae scraper fishes in Iran (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)","authors":"Sima Aslan Faal , Hamid Reza Esmaeili , Azad Teimori , Gholamreza Shahhosseini","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated scale morphology in 18 Iranian algae-scraper species from the genera <em>Capoeta</em> and <em>Paracapoeta</em> to assess variation patterns and evaluate whether phylogenetic relationships correlate with scale morphological differences. Phylogenetic analysis utilized 44 COI gene sequences (651 bp) from the same specimens used for scale examination. Morphological assessment includes macro- and microscopic features from scales across five body regions and three size classes. The results revealed that the general scale type in these genera is a basal elasmoid cycloid and a sectioned type. The scales of examined species from two genera demonstrate remarkable variation in focus shape, size, and position among the five body regions and different size classes. The scales possess narrow or wide radii in three types: primary, secondary, and tertiary—the radii present in all four scale fields i.e., a tetra-sectioned type resulting in scale flexibility. The rostral margin of the scales was smooth, indented, and waved domical, dentate, and scalloped types. Additionally, the shape and size of the lepidonts varied, with some being blunt, pointed, tiny, sharp, short, and long. These scale characteristics serve as reliable diagnostic tools for species identification, classification, and phylogenetic inference within this species complex.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"316 ","pages":"Pages 182-217"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143907834","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":"Speciation on the continent in the Miocene? Multiple overseas dispersal to the island? –Reexamination of diversification process of Kurixalus eiffingeri (Boettger, 1895) (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae)–","authors":"Ryo Kamimura , Shumei Sakihama , Chi-Shiun Wu , Yi-Huey Chen , Masafumi Matsui , Natsuhiko Yoshikawa , Atsushi Tominaga","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To clarify the genetic differentiation of a small tree frog species, <em>Kurixalus eiffingeri</em> complex from the Yaeyama Islands and Taiwan, phylogenetic analyses were conducted using the partial mitochondrial DNA sequences. <em>K. eiffingeri</em> was divided into four major lineages: Ishigaki, Iriomote, Central Taiwan, and Northern Taiwan. The Ishigaki and Iriomote lineages were combined as the Ryukyu clade, which is sister to the Northern Taiwan lineage, and these together were outgrouped by the Central Taiwan lineage. The expansion of <em>Kurixalus</em> into Taiwan is estimated to have occurred twice, the first 4.75–6.70 million years ago by the common ancestor of the <em>K. eiffingeri</em> species group, and the second in the Late Pleistocene (0.33–1.11 million years ago) by the ancestor of the <em>Kurixalus idiootocus</em> species group. The <em>K. eiffingeri</em> species group diverged into <em>Kurixalus wangi</em> and <em>Kurixalus berylliniris</em>, and Central and Northern Taiwan lineages through the uplift of the mountain range of Taiwan, and then the Northern Taiwan lineage spread to the Yaeyama Islands (including Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island and son on) during the Early Pleistocene through a land bridge. The divergence time between the Ishigaki and Iriomote lineages was much older than the age of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Thus, their genetic differentiation was maintained even the two islands were connected during the LGM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"316 ","pages":"Pages 298-308"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143942578","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":"Morphological and molecular evidence confirm the occurrence of the threatened annual fish Garcialebias reicherti (Loureiro & Garcia 2004) (Rivulidae) in Brazil","authors":"Matheus Vieira Volcan , Djenifer Huppes Grubler , Lizandra Jaqueline Robe , Luis Esteban Krause Lanés","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Garcialebias</em> is the most representative genus of the <em>Austrolebias</em> genus group, comprising 16 species, 14 of which are recorded in Brazil. Most of these are rare and are restricted-range species facing a severe threat of extinction. <em>Garcialebias reicherti</em> is endemic to drainages associated with the Mirin lagoon in Uruguay. However, preliminary studies suggested that the species is also present in Brazilian territory. In this study, the analysis of morphological and molecular characters confirms the occurrence of the species in Brazil. Individuals of <em>G. reicherti</em> collected in the Jaguarão River basin exhibited all the diagnostic characteristics of the species, and molecular analyses revealed that these individuals clustered with the Uruguayan populations of <em>G. reicherti</em>, forming together a well-supported monophyletic group. In total, seven temporary wetlands with the presence of <em>G. reicherti</em> were recorded in Brazil, distributed along the lower course of the Jaguarão River and its tributary. As in Uruguay, the species should likewise be considered endangered in Brazil.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"316 ","pages":"Pages 275-283"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143931381","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 closer look inside the hollow stalks for uninvited guests: Parasitoids of nesting bees (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) in Iran","authors":"Hossein Lotfalizadeh , Yadollah Hajilari , Ahmad Nadimi , Majid Jafarlu","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.03.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The reed stalks, <em>Phragmites</em> spp. are widely used for biological and ecological studies of nesting aculeate Hymenoptera, as well as in the construction of artificial nests or insect hotels for their conservation. During our studies in northern Iran, which involved the use of reed stalks and various other plants stems, we reared five chalcidoid wasps from three families Chalcididae, Eulophidae and Leucospidae. Among these, two new species were described <em>Neochalcis hyrcanicus</em> Lotfalizadeh, <strong>sp. nov</strong> (Chalcididae) associated with <em>Megachile</em> sp. (Megachilidae), and <em>Baryscapus caspicus</em> Lotfalizadeh & Jafarlu, <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (Eulophidae) associated with Vespidae. Additionally, a novel association between <em>Leucospis bifasciata</em> Klug, 1812 and <em>O</em>. <em>caerulescens</em> was documented for the first time. Illustrations and diagnostic characteristics of the parasitoids are provided.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"316 ","pages":"Pages 170-181"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143886582","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}
Nicoletta Micaela , Soresi Daniela , Ferretti Nelson
{"title":"Taxonomy, molecular phylogeny and distribution of Actinopus Perty, 1833 (Araneae: Actinopodidae) in central Argentina","authors":"Nicoletta Micaela , Soresi Daniela , Ferretti Nelson","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Actinopus</em> comprises 98 species of trapdoor spiders endemic to the Neotropic region. In southwestern Buenos Aires, Argentina, four species are recorded: <em>Actinopus casuhati</em> Ríos-Tamayo and Goloboff, 2018, <em>A. laventana</em> Miglio, Pérez-Miles & Bonaldo, 2020, <em>Actinopus patagonia</em> Ríos-Tamayo and Goloboff, 2018, and <em>Actinopus puelche</em> Ríos-Tamayo and Goloboff, 2018; females of <em>A. puelche</em> are unknown. By the examination of <em>Actinopus</em> from Bahía Blanca district, southwestern Buenos Aires province, we found specimens that do not fit within any of the known species. Thus, we implemented an integrative approach combining molecular and morphological evidence to describe, diagnose and illustrate <em>Actinopus obrerografico</em> sp. nov. In addition, we describe for the first time the female of <em>A. puelche.</em> We also present new distributional records for <em>A. patagonia</em> and <em>A. puelche</em>. Males of <em>A. obrerografico</em> sp. nov. Can be distinguished by having red tarsi and metatarsi, and bulb with well developed keels and apophysis, and no denticles along the inferior prolateral keel; females, can be distinguished by the spermathecae, bilobed with external lobe well developed and an internal basal proejection. Females of <em>A. puelche</em> can be distinguished by having a spermathecae with slight marked lobes. A first molecular phylogeny using Maximum likelihood yielded <em>Actinopus</em> as monophyletic, <em>A. obrerografico</em> sp. nov. as a distinct clade and <em>A. puelche</em> more related to the remaining Argentinean species despite living in sympatry with <em>A. obrerografico</em> sp. nov.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"317 ","pages":"Pages 33-44"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144169439","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}
María Antonella Argoitia , Guillermo H. Cassini , Fernando Mapelli , Pablo Teta
{"title":"Integrative taxonomy and geographic variation of Myotis dinellii and M. levis (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) Argentinean populations","authors":"María Antonella Argoitia , Guillermo H. Cassini , Fernando Mapelli , Pablo Teta","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Myotis</em> is one of the most diverse genus of bats in the world, with ca. 35 species recognized for the Neotropics. Among these, <em>Myotis dinellii</em> Thomas, 1902 has been alternatively treated as a valid species or as a synonym of <em>Myotis levis</em> (I. Geoffroy, 1824). Previous phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences suggests that both taxa could constitute a single species. To test this hypothesis, we employed both qualitative and quantitative morphological approach and a re-examination of the available genetic data, in order to integrate multiple lines of evidence. Principal component and discriminat analyses failed to separate morphologically <em>M. dinellii</em> from <em>M. levis</em>. Also, mitochondrial sequences of the cytochrome <em>b</em> gene showed very low divergence, and the taxa did not form reciprocally monophyletic groups. Therefore, morphological and genetic analyzes provides a strong support to the conspecificity between <em>M. dinellii</em> and <em>M. levis</em>. This hypothesis is also supported by our direct examination of some topotypes of <em>M. dinelli</em> and color photograph of the syntype of <em>M. levis</em>. The morphological variation found within the studied samples is more likely explained by geographic variation, involving a west-east gradient in overall size. Based on these findings, we propose that <em>M. dinellii</em> is a junior synonym of <em>M. levis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"316 ","pages":"Pages 158-169"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143873137","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":"New species and records of Alisotrichia Flint, 1964 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Protected Areas of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil","authors":"André Almeida Alves , Isabela Cristina Rocha , Leandro Lourenço Dumas","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The genus <em>Alisotrichia</em> Flint, 1964 comprises 67 species described throughout the New World, being largely distributed in the Neotropics. In Brazil, only 10 species have been recorded, mainly in northeastern and southeastern regions. Herein, we describe and illustrate two new species of <em>Alisotrichia</em> from the Cerrado biome in the state of Minas Gerais: <em>Alisotrichia trem</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong> and <em>Alisotrichia uai</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong>, both belonging to the <em>orophila</em> species group. We also provide new distributional data for <em>Alisotrichia cainguas</em>, <em>Alisotrichia macae</em>, and <em>Alisotrichia ubatuba</em>, with the first one also representing a new record for Brazil. This work helps to reduce the Wallacean and Linnean shortfalls by addressing knowledge gaps regarding <em>Alisotr</em><em>i</em><em>chia</em> in the state of Minas Gerais and in the Cerrado biome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"316 ","pages":"Pages 150-157"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143864826","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":"Morphological variations among Schizothorax species from Kashmir Himalayas","authors":"Sobiya Gul, Ifrah Rashid","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the morphological variation among <em>Schizothorax</em> species in the Kashmir Himalayas using geometric morphometric techniques. <em>Schizothorax</em> species, commonly known as snowtrouts, are vital to the aquatic ecosystems and fisheries of the Himalayan region. Despite extensive taxonomic research, significant ambiguity remains regarding species delineation due to hybridization and environmental influences. A total of 111 <em>Schizothorax</em> specimens were collected from the River Jhelum. Eleven anatomical landmarks and five semi-landmarks were identified and digitized using tps Dig software. The results revealed significant shape differences among four Schizothorax species, primarily in the head and body regions. Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) demonstrated a clear separation of <em>Schizothorax esocinus</em> and <em>Schizothorax labiatus</em> from <em>Schizothorax niger</em> and <em>Schizothorax curvifrons,</em> although some overlap was observed between the latter two species. Discriminant Function Analysis validated these findings with a 97 % correct classification rate. The study underscores the effectiveness of geometric morphometrics in distinguishing closely related species and understanding their morphological adaptations. These findings provide critical insights for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management in the Kashmir Himalayas, emphasizing the need for integrated taxonomic, genetic, and ecological approaches to resolve species ambiguities and support sustainable management practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"316 ","pages":"Pages 130-139"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143837893","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":"Skull variation of the genus Apodemus Kaup, 1829 (Mammalia: Rodentia) distributed in the Northern Anatolia region including three Turkish Islands, with evolutionary insight","authors":"Duygu Korkmaz , Engin Selvi , Nuri Yiğit , Ercüment Çolak","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, skull variations of 134 genetically identified (mtDNA cyt <em>b</em> and mtDNA control region) <em>Apodemus</em> specimens from 39 localities from Northern Anatolia, Thrace, Gökçeada Island, Bozcaada Island and Marmara Island were analyzed based on skull morphology. The limits of variation of five <em>Apodemus</em> species (<em>A. flavicollis, A. witherbyi, A. sylvaticus, A. uralensis, A. mystacinus</em>) distributed in Turkey were determined. These species, which live in similar habitats and thus have a complex taxonomic situation, were genetically identified to determine location-specific variations and standard characters. It was determined whether geographical barriers such as the Marmara Sea, Istanbul and Çanakkale straits, Melet River and Çoruh River separate the populations of the species from each other. These inferences were discussed in terms of paleogeographic reasons. The Kızılırmak River or ecological constriction were found to separate <em>A. mystacinus</em> to west and east parts. Also, the İstanbul strait was found to cause a possible separation of <em>A. flavicollis</em> specimens. The Melet River and the Çoruh River were not found to cause a distinction within the species. Differences between island populations and mainland populations were determined in <em>Apodemus slyvaticus</em> and <em>A. witherbyi</em> distributed in the islands. Differences in the East–West transition in Northern Anatolia were identified within species and related to habitat. Phylogenetic trees suggested that <em>A. sylvaticus</em> is nearly related to <em>A. flavicollis</em>. Differences were observed among <em>Apodemus</em> species in the palatine bone, and this diversity was also detected between geographic regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"316 ","pages":"Pages 140-149"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143845100","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}
Luís Ricardo Schmitz , Aline Barcellos , Joseph Eger , Filipe Michels Bianchi
{"title":"Kernegaster gen. nov. (Heteroptera, Scutelleridae, Pachycorinae) and six new species based on genital and polychromatic synapomorphies","authors":"Luís Ricardo Schmitz , Aline Barcellos , Joseph Eger , Filipe Michels Bianchi","doi":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.03.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcz.2025.03.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polychromatism is the presence of different colors or color patterns in a population. It is observed in many animal groups, abundantly in insects. <em>Tetyra</em> is a genus of Scutelleridae (jewel and shield bugs) containing five valid species distributed in the Americas. The three Nearctic species <em>Tetyra antillarum</em> (type species), <em>T. bipunctata,</em> and <em>T. robusta</em>, share more morphological traits among them than with the Neotropical species, <em>Tetyra pinguis</em>, <em>Tetyra poecila</em>, <em>Tetyra farcta</em>, previously considered a junior synonym but here revalidated, and six undescribed species. Here, we tested the monophyly of the genus under parsimony criteria, using 64 morphological characters (13 polychromatic characters) with equal and implied weighting schemes. We also evaluate the phylogenetic use of polychromatic characters using two supplementary analyses. The ingroup species formed a monophyletic group split in two well-defined clades, supported by more than ten characters each. One of them includes the three Nearctic species and the other nine Neotropical species. The last clade was supported by twelve character states, with six synapomorphies (mostly from polychromatic characters). <em>Kernegaster</em> gen. nov. is described for the Neotropical species based on genital traits and general morphology with six new species: <em>Kernegaster chapadanus</em> sp. nov., <em>Kernegaster diminutus</em> sp. nov., <em>Kernegaster fulvescens</em> sp. nov., <em>Kernegaster igneus</em> sp. nov., <em>Kernegaster multimaculatus</em> sp. nov., and <em>Kernegaster rosafloresae</em> sp. nov.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49332,"journal":{"name":"Zoologischer Anzeiger","volume":"316 ","pages":"Pages 97-123"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816771","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}