Lost, forgotten, and overlooked: systematic reassessment of two lesser-known toad species (Anura, Bufonidae) from Peninsular India and another wide-ranging northern species

We rediscovered two species of toads, Bufo stomaticus peninsularis and Bufo brevirostris, which were described from Peninsular India 84 and 101 years ago, respectively, but have not been reported since. Because the name-bearing types of both species are either damaged or lost, we provide detailed redescriptions, morphological comparisons, and insights into phylogenetic relationships with closely related members of the genus Duttaphrynus sensu lato, based on new material from the type locality of each species. We clarify and validate the identity of D. brevirostris, which was rediscovered from multiple localities in the Malenadu and adjoining coastal regions of Karnataka. We also demonstrate that Bufo stomaticus peninsularis, which was considered a synonym of Duttaphrynus scaber, is a distinct species. Bufo stomaticus peninsularis differs from Duttaphrynus scaber morphologically and genetically, and is more closely related to members of the Duttaphrynus stomaticus group. We also clarify the identity of the namesake species of the Duttaphrynus stomaticus group, which is reported widely in India and neighbouring countries, but lacks sufficient taxonomic information due to its brief original description and reportedly untraceable type material. We located and studied the complete syntype series of D. stomaticus, probably for the first time in over a century, and we report on the status of available specimens, provide detailed description of a potential type, compare it to related species, and clarify the species’ geographical range. Our molecular analyses suggest that D. stomaticus is minimally divergent from, and possibly conspecific with, D. olivaceus. Our analyses also clarify its relationship to the closely-related D. peninsulariscomb. nov., with which it was previously confused. Finally, our study provides other insights into the phylogenetic relationships and genetic differentiation among various species of Duttaphrynus toads.

Tendons and ligaments of the Rangifer tarandus metapodial and hoof

Rangifer tarandus, the northern species including both reindeer and caribou, is a pillar of northern ecosystems and the lives of northern peoples. As the only domestic cervid, reindeer are important not only to the herders and hunters who presently interact with them, but also to zooarchaeologists and palaeontologists tracing their histories. Unfortunately, limited anatomical information on Rangifer tarandus muscles is available beyond descriptions of the large muscle groups. The lower limb and hoof in particular is poorly documented. This is problematic, as this important body part has the potential to be informative in zooarchaeological analyses of habitual activity, especially in regards to historical animal health, movement, and habitual activity. Better understanding of the hoof can additionally be useful to herders and veterinarians seeking to provide veterinary care for living animals. This study has used dissections and comparisons of the reindeer hoof with other domestic ungulates to document both the common and unique structures in Rangifer tarandus hooves, including the presence and attachment points of these structures. As these structures have proved unique, especially in regards to the dewclaw, it is important that other ungulates not be used exclusively in the analysis of Rangifer tarandus remains.

Birds of a feather moult together: Differences in moulting distribution of four species of storm-petrels

The non-breeding period of pelagic seabirds, and particularly the moulting stage, is an important, but understudied part of their annual cycle as they are hardly accessible outside of the breeding period. Knowledge about the moulting ecology of seabirds is important to understand the challenges they face outside and within the breeding season. Here, we combined stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) signatures of rectrices grown during the non-breeding period of two pairs of storm-petrel species breeding in the northern (European storm-petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus, ESP; Leach’s storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous, LSP) and southern (black-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica, BBSP; Wilson’s storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus, WSP) hemispheres to determine differences in moulting ranges within and between species. To understand clustering patterns in δ13C and δ18O moulting signatures, we examined various variables: species, sexes, years, morphologies (feather growth rate, body mass, tarsus length, wing length) and δ15N. We found that different factors could explain the differences within and between the four species. We additionally employed a geographical distribution prediction model based on oceanic δ13C and δ18O isoscapes, combined with chlorophyll-a concentrations and observational data to predict potential moulting areas of the sampled feather type. The northern species were predicted to moult in temperate and tropical Atlantic zones. BBSP was predicted to moult on the southern hemisphere north of the Southern Ocean, while WSP was predicted to moult further North, including in the Arctic and northern Pacific. While moulting distribution can only be estimated on large geographical scales using δ13C and δ18O, validating predictive outcomes with food availability proxies and observational data may provide valuable insights into important moulting grounds. Establishing those, in turn, is important for conservation management of elusive pelagic seabirds.

Antifreeze protein dispersion in eelpouts and related fishes reveals migration and climate alteration within the last 20 Ma

Antifreeze proteins inhibit ice growth and are crucial for the survival of supercooled fish living in icy seawater. Of the four antifreeze protein types found in fishes, the globular type III from eelpouts is the one restricted to a single infraorder (Zoarcales), which is the only clade know to have antifreeze protein-producing species at both poles. Our analysis of over 60 unique antifreeze protein gene sequences from several Zoarcales species indicates this gene family arose around 18 Ma ago, in the Northern Hemisphere, supporting recent data suggesting that the Arctic Seas were ice-laden earlier than originally thought. The Antarctic was subject to widespread glaciation over 30 Ma and the Notothenioid fishes that produce an unrelated antifreeze glycoprotein extensively exploited the adjoining seas. We show that species from one Zoarcales family only encroached on this niche in the last few Ma, entering an environment already dominated by ice-resistant fishes, long after the onset of glaciation. As eelpouts are one of the dominant benthic fish groups of the deep ocean, they likely migrated from the north to Antarctica via the cold depths, losing all but the fully active isoform gene along the way. In contrast, northern species have retained both the fully active (QAE) and partially active (SP) isoforms for at least 15 Ma, which suggests that the combination of isoforms is functionally advantageous.

Demographic analyses of a new sample of haploid genomes from a Swedish population of Drosophila melanogaster

European and African natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster have been the focus of several studies aiming at inferring demographic and adaptive processes based on genetic variation data. However, in these analyses little attention has been given to gene flow between African and European samples. Here we present a dataset consisting of 14 fully sequenced haploid genomes sampled from a natural population from the northern species range (Umeå, Sweden). We co-analyzed this new data with an African population to compare the likelihood of several competing demographic scenarios for European and African populations and show that gene flow improves the fit of demographic models to data.

The story of the Malagasy devils (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae): Holocerus lucifer in the north and H. devriesei sp. nov. in the south?

Madagascar is home to some of the largest and most colorful pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae) in the world, known as ‘Malagasy Metrodorinae’. Among them, Devil’s pygmy grasshoppers (genus Holocerus Bolívar, 1887) are unique in having two long spines on the back, which are modified internal lateral pronotal carinae. The genus Holocerus was composed of two species – H. lucifer (Serville, 1838) and H. taurus Rehn, 1929 syn. nov., but here it is evidenced that the latter represents a junior synonym of the former. Simultaneously, H. devrieseisp. nov. is described as a species new to science. Holocerus lucifer is a northern species of paler coloration and longer spines (distributed from Marojejy and Maroantsetra in the north to Zahamena in the south), whereas H. devrieseisp. nov. represents the southern and darker species (distributed from Vohimana and Andasibe-Mantadia in the south to the Antongil Bay in the north). There are potential overlaps in the distribution of the two species, but without more georeferenced localities, it is impossible to discriminate whether they occur only sympatrically or also syntopically.

Morphological development, distribution and ecology of the arctic oribatid mite Hermannia scabra (Acari: Oribatida: Hermanniidae) and synonymy of Hermannia gigantea

The topotypes (adult and juvenile instars) of the arctic oribatid mite Hermannia scabra (L. Koch, 1879) (Oribatida, Hermanniidae) from Vaygach Island (easternmost arctic Europe) were investigated and compared with those of Hermannia gigantea Sitnikova, 1975 collected from southwest Taymyr Peninsula, northern Middle Siberia, resulting in the following new taxonomic proposal: Hermannia scabra (L. Koch, 1879) (= Hermannia gigantea Sitnikova, 1975, syn. nov.). The morphology of its all instars is described and illustrated in detail on the base of specimens collected from the northern West Siberia (Shokalsky Island). The main morphological traits are summarized. Two northern species of Hermannia with granulate notogaster, namely H. scabra and H. nodosa Michael, 1988, were regularly mixed up in the literature. Their differential diagnosis is provided after elaboration of spacious materials. The morphological differences of juvenile instars of five species of Hermannia (H. gibba (C.L. Koch, 1839), H. jesti Travé, 1977, H. nodosa, H. reticulata Thörell, 1871, and H. scabra) are given. The biotopic preferences of arctic members of Hermannia are briefly observed.

Large Russian Lakes Ladoga, Onega, and Imandra under Strong Pollution and in the Period of Revitalization: A Review

In this paper, retrospective analyses of long-term changes in the aquatic ecosystem of Ladoga, Onega, and Imandra lakes, situated within North-West Russia, are presented. At the beginning of the last century, the lakes were oligotrophic, freshwater and similar in origin in terms of the chemical composition of waters and aquatic fauna. Three stages were identified in this study: reference condition, intensive pollution and degradation, and decreasing pollution and revitalization. Similar changes in polluted bays were detected, for which a significant decrease in their oligotrophic nature, the dominance of eurybiont species, their biodiversity under toxic substances and nutrients, were noted. The lakes have been recolonized by northern species following pollution reduction over the past 20 years. There have been replacements in dominant complexes, an increase in the biodiversity of communities, with the emergence of more southern forms of introduced species. The path of ecosystem transformation during and after the anthropogenic stress compares with the regularities of ecosystem successions: from the natural state through the developmental stage to a more stable mature modification, with significantly different natural characteristics. A peculiarity of the newly formed ecosystems is the change in structure and the higher productivity of biological communities, explained by the stability of the newly formed biogeochemical nutrient cycles, as well as climate warming.

Differences in tail feather growth rate in storm-petrels breeding in the Northern and Southern hemisphere: a ptilochronological approach

Moulting and breeding are costly stages in the avian annual cycle and may impose trade-offs in energy allocation between both stages or in their timing. Here, we compared feather growth rates (FGR) of rectrices in adults between two pairs of small pelagic Procellariiformes species differing in moult-breeding strategies: the European storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus and Leach’s storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa breeding in the Northern Hemisphere (Faroe Islands), showing moult-breeding overlap in tail feathers; and the Wilson’s storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus and black-bellied storm-petrel Fregetta tropica, breeding in the Southern Hemisphere (South Shetlands), temporally separating moult and breeding. We used ptilochronology (i.e., feather growth bar width) to reconstruct FGR reflecting relative energy availability during moult. Based on previous research, we expected positive correlations between feather length (FL) and FGR. Additionally, we expected to find differences in FGR relative to FL between the moult-breeding strategies, where a relatively higher FGR to FL indicates a higher energy availability for moult. To investigate if energy availability during moult in the studied species is similar to species from other avian orders, we used FGR and FL found in literature (n = 164) and this study. We fitted a phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) model to FGR with FL, group (i.e., Procellariiformes vs. non-Procellariiformes) and the interaction FL * group as predictors. As it has been suggested that Procellariiformes may form two growth bars per 24 h, we fitted the same model but with doubled FGR for Procellariiformes (PGLSadj). The group term was significant in the PGLS model, but was not in the PGLSadj model, confirming this suggestion. Individually predicted FGR by the PGLSadj model based on FL, showed that the Southern species have a significantly higher FGR relative to FL compared to the Northern species. Additionally, we found no correlation between FL and FGR in the Northern species, and a positive correlation between FL and FGR in the Southern species, suggesting differences in the trade-off between feather growth and size between species from both hemispheres. The observed differences between the Northern and Southern species may be caused by different moult-breeding strategies. The Southern species may have had more energy available for moult as they are free from breeding duties during moult, while the Northern species may have had less free energy due to a trade-off in energy allocation between breeding and moulting. Our study shows how different moult-breeding strategies may affect relative nutritional condition or energy allocation during moult of migratory pelagic seabirds.

NEW MOLLUSCAN RECORDS AND PALAEOECOLOGY OF THE LATE PLEISTOCENE MARINE ASSEMBLAGE FROM LA CORONILLA (ROCHA, URUGUAY) /NOVOS REGISTROS E PALAEOECOLOGIA DE MOLUSCOS DA ASSOCIAÇÃO MARINHA PLEISTOCÉNICA DE LA CORONILLA (ROCHA, URUGUAI)

The Late Pleistocene marine molluscan assemblage from La Coronilla is one of the richest Quaternary marine deposit from Uruguay. This contribution represents an update of the bivalve and gastropod species composition of this deposit and includes a palaeoecological analysis of the molluscan fauna. The ecological preferences of the recorded species allowed the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironmental conditions of the eastern Uruguayan coast and the palaeobiogeographic scenario of the area during the Late Pleistocene. The fossil assemblage of La Coronilla contains 91 bivalve and gastropod taxa of which 28 are new to this deposit and 11 are first reported for the Uruguayan Quaternary marine assemblages. The latest are Turbonilla abrupta, Turbonilla cf. farroupilha, Turbonilla brasiliensis, Turbonilla cf. deboeri, Turbonilla penistoni, Turbonilla turris, Olivella defiorei, Eurytellina angulosa, Kellia sp., Paraleptopecten bavayi, and Pandora sp. Almost all recorded species from the assemblage are marine and live in soft bottoms, although hard/consolidated substrate species and microgastropods that live in ecological interaction with other invertebrate taxa were also found. The high percentage of tropical-subtropical species, the absence of cold-water species, and the record of extralimital warm water northern species, adds new evidence for the inference of warmer than present conditions in the Uruguayan coast during the Late Pleistocene. ResumoA associação de moluscos marinhos do Pleistoceno Superior de La Coronilla é um dos mais ricos depósitos marinhos Quaternários do Uruguai. Esta contribuição representa uma revisão da composição de espécies de bivalves e gastrópodes deste depósito e inclui uma análise paleoecológica da fauna de moluscos. As preferências ecológicas das espécies registradas permitiram a reconstrução das condições paleoambientais da costa leste uruguaia e do cenário paleobiogeográfico da área durante o Pleistoceno Superior. A associação fóssil de La Coronilla contém 91 taxa de bivalves e gastrópodes, dos quais 28 são novos neste depósito e 11 são relatados pela primeira vez nas associações marinhas quaternárias uruguaias. São elas Turbonilla abrupta, Turbonilla cf. farroupilha, Turbonilla brasiliensis, Turbonilla cf. deboeri, Turbonilla penistoni, Turbonilla turris, Olivella defiorei, Eurytellina angulosa, Kellia sp., Paraleptopecten bavayi e Pandora sp. Quase todas as espécies registradas na associação são marinhas e vivem em fundos constituídos por sedimentos móveis, embora também sejam encontradas espécies de substratos duros/sedimentos consolidados e microgastrópodes que vivem em interação ecológica com outros taxa de invertebrados. A alta percentagem de espécies tropicais-subtropicais, a ausência de espécies de água fria e o registro de espécies que com habitats não limitados às águas quentes do norte, constituem novas evidências da ocorrência de condições mais quentes do que as atuais na costa uruguaia durante o Pleistoceno Superior.