Acta Zoologica最新文献

{"title":"Sagitta asymmetry in the striped snakehead, Channa striata (Anabantiformes, Channidae), collected from the River Ganga and two of its tributaries, India","authors":"Salman Khan,&nbsp;L. A. Jawad,&nbsp;Mohammad Afzal Khan,&nbsp;A. Ankita,&nbsp;Farah Bano,&nbsp;Kaish Miyan","doi":"10.1111/azo.12544","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12544","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The current study is the first to investigate morphological asymmetry in three otolith features—including length, width and weight—of the striped snakehead, <i>Channa striata</i> (Bloch, 1793), collected from the Ganga River and its two tributaries in India. Among the three otolith characteristics examined, the width exhibited the highest level of asymmetry. Otolith width was greatest in specimens from the Yamuna River (96.42), followed by those from the Ganga River (92.52), and was lowest in specimens from the Gomti River (72.52). Additionally, the study found that the asymmetry value increased with the total length of the fish across the three locations. Potential explanations for the observed asymmetry in these morphological traits are discussed, particularly in relation to variations in growth influenced by ecological factors, including pollutants present in the waters of the three rivers studied.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"107 2","pages":"155-165"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Temperature-Dependent Development Model for Male and Female Pupae of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)","authors":"Fazil Hasan,&nbsp;Mukesh K. Dhillon,&nbsp;Aditya K. Tanwar","doi":"10.1111/azo.12553","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12553","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Temperature-dependent development of male and female pupae of <i>Chilo partellus</i> was evaluated at seven constant temperatures ranging from 5°C to 35°C. Development of <i>C. partellus</i> pupae completely arrested at 5°C and 35°C. The duration of the pupal developmental period was short and the developmental rate faster in both male and female pupae with an increase in temperature from 10°C to 30°C. Percent emergence of male and female adults also increased from 10°C to 25°C, and declined thereafter at 30°C. Several phenological parameters were assessed by fitting the development rate data to two linear and seven non-linear models. Ikemoto and Takai model accurately computed the lower thermal thresholds as 10.20°C and 10.38°C, and thermal constants as 328.2° and 395.28°-days for male and female pupae, respectively. The Lactin-2 non-linear model was considered best, as it estimated thermal thresholds (<i>T</i>_min, <i>T</i>_max and <i>T</i>_opt) similar to those of the observed values. Analytis model also computed the accurate estimations of <i>T</i>_max and <i>T</i>_opt, but failed to compute the correct estimations of <i>T</i>_min. In a nutshell, Ikemoto and Takai and Lactin-2 are useful and effective models for describing temperature-dependent development and estimating the temperature thresholds of male and female pupae of <i>C. partellus</i>.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"107 2","pages":"243-254"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147568808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular characterization of gut cellulolytic bacteria isolated from different ecotypes of Brahmina coriacea (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) grubs in North-Western Himalaya","authors":"Suresh Kumar Mahala,&nbsp;Ravinder Singh Chandel,&nbsp;Kuldeep Singh Verma,&nbsp;Karthik Ramappa,&nbsp;Abhishek Walia","doi":"10.1111/azo.12543","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12543","url":null,"abstract":"<p>White grubs are known as the “National pest” of India due to their wide distribution and economic damage. <i>Brahmina coriacea</i> grubs are restricted to Tibet, China and the Himalayan region in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The grubs of <i>B. coriacea</i> were collected from the soil of <i>Solanum tuberosum</i>, <i>Zea mays</i>, <i>Pisum sativum</i>, <i>Rosa rubiginosa</i>, <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>, <i>Malus pumila</i> and <i>Pyrus communis</i> from different ecosystems of eight different locations in Himachal Pradesh, India, by the pit sampling method. The grubs of <i>B. coriacea</i> were identified by examining the raster pattern. There was variation in the morphology and biology among different populations of <i>B. coriacea</i> in Himachal Pradesh. The morphological parameters and biological differences were also recorded, such as fecundity rate and damage potential among different ecotypes of <i>B. coriacea</i> collected from various locations. A total of 102 morphologically distinct bacterial isolates were isolated from the gut of different populations of <i>B. coriacea</i>. The gut microbial diversity and abundance were recorded as maximum in the hind gut, compared to other gut compartments. A total of 11 cellulolytic bacterial isolates were identified using morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA molecular methods. The cellulolytic index of bacterial strains ranged from 0.33 to 2.0. The 11 gut cellulolytic bacteria were identified by using morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene analysis. <i>Staphylococcus haemolyticus</i> was isolated from the Nauni population of <i>B. coriacea</i>, and it is the first report from the gut of scarabaeids. This is an opportunistic human pathogen but a useful endosymbiont in the grubs of <i>B. coriacea</i>. <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> as a biological agent, <i>Staphylococcus cohnii</i>, <i>Ralstonia mannitolilytica</i> and some <i>Bacillus</i> sp. were reported for the first time from <i>B. coriacea</i> grubs in India. The potent cellulose-degrading bacteria can be used in industries for decomposing agricultural waste, in pulp and paper industries and for biofuel production.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"107 2","pages":"139-154"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Asymmetry in the Sagitta of Saurida lessepsianus Russell, Golani and Tikochinski, 2015 Collected From the Coast of Muğla Province, Aegean Sea, Türkiye","authors":"İsmail Reis,&nbsp;Laith Jawad,&nbsp;Celal Ateş","doi":"10.1111/azo.12551","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12551","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Otolith characteristics such as size and weight were inspected in 1275 fish specimens of <i>Saurida lessepsianus</i> Russell, Golani and Tikochinski, 2015 collected from the coast of Muğla province, Aegean Sea, Türkiye. The purpose was to compute the asymmetry level of the otolith length (OL), otolith width (OW) and otolith weight (OWe). The asymmetry estimated for otolith length was greater than that of otolith width and otolith width. The asymmetry estimation of the three otolith traits augmented with the upsurge in the fish's length. The feasible reason for asymmetry in the otolith features explored has been linked to the inconsistency in growth provoked by natural stress associated with the discrepancy in water temperature, salinity, depth and contaminants present on the coast of Muğla province.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"107 2","pages":"233-242"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Larval morphology of Eophileurus chinensis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), with discussions on their living strategies","authors":"Lu Jiang,&nbsp;Yan-Liang Wang,&nbsp;Yuan-Hua Wu,&nbsp;Ze-Hua Zhang","doi":"10.1111/azo.12547","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12547","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Dynastinae are among the most diverse groups of scarab beetles, with body sizes ranging from 10 to 225 mm. People often focus on larger male beetles with prominent horns, while smaller species, particularly their larvae, are frequently overlooked. In this study, the final-instar larvae of <i>Eophileurus chinensis</i> were observed and described using scanning electron microscopy. The larvae are notable for their coarse punctures on the head capsule, paired angular processes on the labrum, a prominent truncate process on the haptomerum, mandibles with a prominent left S4 tooth and a subtle right one, and thoracic claws flattened at the apex. This unique combination of traits distinguishes them from all previously described species. Additionally, the living strategies underlying their relatively small size and life history strategies were briefly discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"107 2","pages":"211-218"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147566785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationship between otolith size and fish total length of Saurida lessepsianus Russell, Golani and Tikochinski, 2015 collected from the coast of Muğla province, Aegean Sea, Türkiye","authors":"İsmail Reis,&nbsp;Laith Jawad,&nbsp;Celal Ateş","doi":"10.1111/azo.12546","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12546","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The relationship between fish total length and otolith length, width and weight was studied in the synodontid species <i>Saurida lessepsianus</i> collected from the coast of Muğla province, Aegean Sea, Türkiye. <i>Saurida lessepsianus</i> is regarded as a marketable fish in Türkiye. The objective of the study at hand was to evaluate the statistical association between fish total length and the otolith length, width and weight. This evidence will be significant in future investigations on the biology of this species, which will offer the key data about feeding, age and growth of this species. Linear and non-linear regression models were utilized. The results obtained from this examination were the first to address the relationship between otolith traits and total length for <i>S. lessepsianus</i> collected from Turkish marine waters.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"107 2","pages":"203-210"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147565732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morpho-functional analysis of musculature and nervous system of mantle in brachiopod Hemithiris psittacea (Gmelin, 1791)","authors":"Anna V. Ratnovskaya,&nbsp;Tatyana V. Kuzmina,&nbsp;Vladislav S. Kuzmin","doi":"10.1111/azo.12548","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12548","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The brachiopod mantle, which has a row of setae along its edge, plays a crucial role in environmental interactions and defence reflexes, triggering rapid valve closure. However, the organization of the muscular and nervous systems in the mantle of rhynchonelliform brachiopods, as well as the sensory mechanisms of the mantle setae, remains largely unexplored. In this study, we present a morpho-functional analysis of the neuromuscular system of the mantle in the brachiopod <i>Hemithiris psittacea,</i> using transmission electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and in vivo video recordings of mantle movements. The mantle contains numerous thin muscles extending from its central region to the periphery, but not reaching the mantle edge. The contraction of these muscles allows the mantle with setae to retract into the mantle cavity. Additionally, the mantle is innervated by numerous radial nerves that connect to the marginal mantle nerve. We demonstrate that mantle contraction may occur independently of the central nervous system. However, the subenteric ganglion plays a role in maintaining the mantle in a pre-contracting state during rest, thus enhancing the sensory selectivity of the setal sensory complexes.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"107 2","pages":"219-232"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147569979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reading the carnivoran skeletal story: An acetabular viewpoint, with suggested implications across geological time","authors":"Dennis Lawler,&nbsp;Basil Tangredi,&nbsp;Christopher Widga,&nbsp;Michael Etnier,&nbsp;Terrance Martin,&nbsp;Kurt Schulz,&nbsp;Luci Kohn","doi":"10.1111/azo.12542","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12542","url":null,"abstract":"<p>We compared acetabular traits among canid and non-canid museum specimens, using the same pre-established protocols. We hypothesized conserved, intersecting development-growth and insult-response biology, reflecting morphologically and being highly similar across carnivoran taxa. We evaluated acetabular traits from dry bone museum specimens of <i>Vulpes lagopus</i>, <i>Vulpes vulpes</i>, <i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>, <i>Urocyon cinereoargenteus</i>, <i>Canis lupus familiaris</i> and <i>Canis latrans</i>. The same was done from <i>Procyon lotor</i> (Procyonidae), <i>Taxidea taxus</i> (Mustelidae) and <i>Lynx rufus</i> (Felidae). We assessed intra-articular structures as: (a) acetabular fossa; (b) medial articular margin; (c) lateral articular margin; and (d) articular surface. Each scoring category included multiple subcategories. The primary observed traits across taxa included variably shaped mineralized foci, bony rimming of articular margins and rough-surfaced or worn articular bone. These traits occurred in a very similar fashion across taxa. We then evaluated only the most frequently occurring 80% of the data within the scoring category, observing only minor differences among taxa. The consistency of trait expression supports broad conservation and intersection of development and response capacities. The exact phylogenetic nature of the trait relationships requires further evaluation across development and growth; usually undetected early life damage; degrees of parallel responses across multiple diarthrodial joints within taxon; and the extent of morphological similarity across other carnivorans and non-carnivorans.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"107 2","pages":"125-138"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147615365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Osteological insights on Turkish Pseudophoxinus species and Egirdira nigra (Teleostei: Leuciscidae)","authors":"Salim Serkan Güçlü,&nbsp;Laith A. Jawad,&nbsp;Fahrettin Küçük","doi":"10.1111/azo.12545","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12545","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The present study aims to provide a comprehensive comparative analysis of the vertebral column, fin structure and caudal skeleton of 21 species of <i>Pseudophoxinus</i> and <i>Egirdira nigra</i> (Family: Leuciscidae) collected from various freshwater locations across Türkiye. Using mammographic imaging, eight distinct characteristics of the vertebral column and caudal skeleton were examined: the structure of the vertebral column, vertebral column regionalization, interdigitation of the pterygiophores with the neural spines of the dorsal fin, interdigitation of the pterygiophores with the haemal spines of the anal fin, the caudal fin formula, distribution of the dorsal procurrent caudal fin, distribution of the ventral procurrent caudal fin and the description of the caudal fin skeleton. These features were documented for all species studied. The findings reveal that osteological data vary among the species examined, highlighting that the structure of the vertebral column and caudal skeleton can serve as valuable tools in the taxonomic classification of <i>Pseudophoxinus</i> species and <i>E. nigra</i>. Additionally, this study introduces a novel approach for defining the regions of the vertebral column, dividing it into four distinct regions: postcranial, middle (comprising both anterior and posterior sections) and caudal regions. Furthermore, the research identifies specific osteological features that could serve as effective taxonomic criteria to differentiate <i>E. nigra</i> from the species within <i>Pseudophoxinus</i>. This new anatomical data contributes to a deeper understanding of the taxonomy and systematics of these species in Türkiye.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"107 2","pages":"166-202"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147565684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In Vitro and In Vivo Effect of Amitraz on Honey Bee Drone Sperm Quality","authors":"Janice Faith Murray,&nbsp;Gerhard van der Horst,&nbsp;Mike Allsopp,&nbsp;Retha Christina Magrietha Kotzé","doi":"10.1111/azo.12555","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12555","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Honey bee hive infestation by the ectoparasitic mite, <i>Varroa destructor</i>, has been a major cause of declining populations. Treating such infestations is important for sustainability. Knowledge about the sub-lethal effects of commonly used acaricides on drone reproductive health, particularly sperm quality, is limited. The effect of in vitro and in vivo acaricide (amitraz) exposure was evaluated using Cape honey bee (<i>Apis mellifera capensis</i>) drone body size and sperm quality. For the in vitro study, semen samples were exposed to three concentrations of amitraz (125, 250, 500 μM). The in vivo study entailed in-hive Apivar treatment as per commercial recommendations. Adult drones were harvested following three weeks of treatment. Drone body weight (determined in the in vivo study only) was significantly higher in amitraz-exposed drones. No correlations were found between drone weight, sperm volume or concentration. In both studies, amitraz exposure had statistically insignificant effects on sperm motility and structure, while vitality significantly decreased in the 500 μM amitraz-exposed in vitro group. Sperm structure remained unaffected in both studies. This study highlighted the absence of sub-lethal effects of high doses of amitraz on sperm functionality. When used as advised, amitraz exposure does not have a detrimental effect on drone sperm quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 4","pages":"493-502"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/azo.12555","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145012106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}