Confirmation of pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps from Palk Bay, India through Cytochrome Oxidase1 (COI) sequence

The identity of a stranded cetacean from the Palk Bay has been confirmed as a pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) by the partial sequencing of mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit-I (COI). The specimen was unambiguously discriminated from the COI sequence of Kogia sima by matching exactly with the sequence of K. breviceps. Stranding events of the pygmy whales are considered to be uncommon. The sequence developed for K. breviceps is the first of its kind attempt from Indian waters.

Haplotype Analysis of Varroa destructor and Deformed Wing Virus Using Long Reads

As a phoretic parasite and virus vector, the mite Varroa destructor and the associated Deformed wing virus (DWV) form a lethal combination to the honey bee, Apis mellifera. Routine acaricide treatment has been reported to reduce the diversity of mites and select for tolerance against these treatments. Further, different DWV strains face selective pressures when transmitted via mites. In this study, the haplotypes of Varroa mites and associated DWV variants were quantified using long reads. A single haplotype dominated the mite mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I, reflecting an ancient bottleneck. However, highly polymorphic genes were present across the mite genome, suggesting the diversity of mites could be actively maintained at a regional level. DWV detected in both mites and honey bees show a dominant variant with only a few low-frequency alternate haplotypes. The relative abundances of DWV haplotypes isolated from honey bees and mites were highly consistent, suggesting that some variants are favored by ongoing selection.

Genetic Diversity of a Rising Invasive Pest in the Native Range: Population Genetic Structure of Aromia bungii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in South Korea

The red-necked longhorn beetle (RLB; Aromia bungii [Faldermann, 1835]) is an emerging invasive pest. From its native range of East Asia, it invaded Europe and Japan in the early 2010s. Despite its increasing importance, the molecular resources of RLB are scarce, and its invasive dynamics are largely unknown. In the present study, we carried out the first analysis of its population genetic structure in South Korea, which is part of its native range, using 1248 bp cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of 199 individuals from 18 localities. We found that in South Korea, RLB has a moderate population genetic structure and can be divided into three geographical subgroups: central, southeastern, and southwestern subgroup. Comparative analyses with two Chinese, one German, and ten Italian RLB sequences yielded non-significant results because of largely missing genetic data from other native areas. Nevertheless, as it provided the first population genetic data for this invasive alien species (IAS) whose range is increasing, our research is a crucial molecular resource for future invasive dynamics research.

Geothelphusa boreas, a new montane freshwater crab (Crustacea: Potamidae: Geothelphusa) from northeastern Taiwan, and the identity of G. hirsuta Tan & Liu, 1998

A new freshwater crab is described from the montane area in northeastern Taiwan based on morphological and molecular evidence. Geothelphusa boreas sp. nov., from the Fushan Botanical Garden situated around New Taipei City and Yilan County, is distinct from similar congeners by the structure of the male first gonopod and the proportions of the male thoracic sternites. In addition, after comparing the holotypes of G. takuan and G. hirsuta Tan & Liu, 1998, no substantial difference could be found. Molecular evidence from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I also supports the recognition of the new species and the conspecificity of G. hirsuta with G. takuan.

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of ornamental freshwater prawns of the genus Macrobrachium (Decapoda, Caridea, Palaemonidae) from China with the description of a new species

This study dealt with three species of ornamental palaemonid freshwater prawns of the genus Macrobrachium, based on morphological and molecular analysis. Macrobrachium pentazona He, Gao & Guo, 2009; M. laevis Zheng, Chen & Guo, 2019; and M. bilineare sp. nov. are distinguishable from closely related species by segmental ratios, spination of the second pereiopods and the slender scaphocerite. Macrobrachium bilineare sp. nov. can easily be recognized in the field by its bright colour pattern. Molecular evidence of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), also supports the characterization of this new species, raising the total number of Macrobrachium spp. known from China to 41. Detailed description, illustrations, colour photographs, habitat information, distribution maps and features of conservation significance are also briefly discussed.

Characterizing Billbug (Sphenophorus spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric Analysis

Billbugs (Sphenophorus spp.) are a complex of grass-feeding weevil species that reduce the aesthetic and functional qualities of turfgrass. Effective billbug monitoring and management programs rely on a clear understanding of their seasonal biology. However, our limited understanding of regional variation in the species compositions and seasonal biology of billbugs, stemming primarily from our inability to identify the damaging larval stage to species level, has hindered efforts to articulate efficient IPM strategies to growers. We used a combination of DNA barcoding methods and morphometric measures to begin filling critical gaps in our understanding of the seasonal biology of the billbug species complex across a broad geographic range. First, we developed a DNA barcoding reference library using cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences from morphologically identified adult billbugs collected across Indiana, Missouri, Utah and Arizona. Next, we used our reference library for comparison and identification of unknown larval specimens collected across the growing season in Utah and Indiana. Finally, we combined our DNA barcoding approach with larval head capsule diameter, a proxy for developmental instar, to develop larval phenology charts. Adult COI sequences varied among billbug species, but variation was not influenced by geography, indicating that this locus alone was useful for resolving larval species identity. Overlaid with head capsule diameter data from specimens collected across the growing season, a better visualization of billbug species composition and seasonal biology emerged. This approach will provide researchers with the tools necessary to fill critical gaps in our understanding of billbug biology and facilitate the development of turfgrass pest management programs.

New data on the valvatiform-shelled Hydrobiidae (Caenogastropoda, Truncatelloidea) from southern Greece

The minute valvatiform-shelled Hydrobiidae are less studied than other hydrobiid gastropods. In this paper, new data on these snails are presented, which have been collected at twelve springs in southern Greece: one in Boeotia, one on Evvoia Island, and ten on the Peloponnese Peninsula. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear histone (H3) have been used to confirm the determinations and infer the relationships of the studied gastropods. They represent the genera Daphniola, Graecoarganiella and Isimerope. New localities, expanding the known geographic ranges, have been presented for Daphniola hadei and Daphniola louisi. A species of Daphniola found at two localities has been identified as a species new to science, and its description, including the shell, penis, and female reproductive organs is given. Possible relationships between Graecoarganiella and Isimerope are discussed; their representatives are possibly new species. At one locality a single specimen likely represents a new genus: it was found to be most closely related with Islamia, but genetically (p-distance) too distant to be congeneric with Islamia.

Integrative taxonomic review of the genus Peschetius (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae) from India with description of two new species

The diving beetle genus Peschetius Guignot, 1942 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in India is reviewed. Integrative taxonomic approach using morphology, multivariate morphometry and genetic analysis of cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 revealed the presence of four species, two of which are described here as new: Peschetius bistroemisp. nov. from southern Western Ghats (Kerala) differs from all known congeners with distinctly broadened male antennomeres IV and V, shape of the prosternal process and the male genitalia; P. nilssonisp. nov. from northern Western Ghats, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh is similar to the widespread Indian P. toxophorus Guignot, 1942, from which it differs in habitus, elytral colour pattern and the shape of the male genitalia. New records are presented for the remaining Indian species, namely P. quadricostatus (Aubé, 1838) and P. toxophorus. All species are diagnosed, illustrated and a key to their identification is provided.

DNA Barcoding for Scorpion Species from New Valley Governorate in Egypt Reveals Different Degrees of Cryptic Speciation and Species Misnaming

(1) Background: Scorpions (Arthropoda: Arachnida) represent a diverse group of invertebrates, accounting for a significant proportion of earth’s predators and ecosystems’ modulators. Surviving mostly in hardly reachable nests, and representing key hazards to human health, they attracted major interest for characterizing their eco-, morpho-, and genotypes. (2) Methods: Four scorpion species were collected from the New Valley governorate in Upper Egypt, where a high level of scorpionism and related neurological symptoms are found, that were Leiurus quinquestriatus, Androctonus amoreuxi, Orthochirus innesi, Buthacus leptochelys. They were DNA barcoded, genetically and phylogenetically analyzed through PCR amplification and sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene hypervariable 5′ region. (3) Results: New, morphologically authenticated scorpion barcodes could be added to the barcoding databases. However, several discrepancies and barcode database inadequacies could be revealed. Moreover, taxon-specific patterns for nitrogenous bases’ distribution could be identified, resulting in a significantly high percentage of COI barcode guanine in scorpionids, in comparison to araneids and opilions. (4) Conclusions: For a group of animals where both cryptic speciation and a high risk of human envenomation are evident, the findings of the current study strongly recommend continuous and comprehensive research efforts dealing with morphogenetic authentication for different species of scorpions.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) reveals potential for interoceanic fish invasions across the Panama Canal

Interoceanic canals can facilitate biological invasions as they connect the world’s oceans and dissolve dispersal barriers between bioregions. As a consequence, multiple opportunities for biotic exchange arise and the resulting establishment of migrant species often causes adverse ecological and economic impacts. The Panama Canal is a key region for biotic exchange as it connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans in Central America. In this study, we used two complementary methods (environmental DNA (eDNA) and gillnetting) to survey fish communities in this unique waterway. Using COI (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) metabarcoding, we detected a total of 142 taxa, including evidence for the presence of sixteen Atlantic and eight Pacific marine fish inside different sections of the Canal. Of these, ten are potentially new records of marine taxa detected in the freshwater segment of the Canal. Molecular data did not capture all species caught with gillnets, but generally provided a more complete image of the fish fauna. Diversity indices based on eDNA surveys revealed significant differences across different sections of the Canal reflecting in part the prevailing environmental conditions. The observed increase in the presence of marine fish species in the Canal indicates a growing potential for interoceanic exchange of fishes across the Isthmus. Monitoring using eDNA is a rapid and efficient way to assess potential changes in the fishes of this important waterway.