Patterns of Genetic Variation in the Eisenia nordenskioldi Complex (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) along an Elevation Gradient in Northern China

Eisenia nordenskioldi is the dominant earthworm species in many tundra and boreal habitats. Nothing is known about the genetic diversity of this species along the elevation gradient in China. This study sampled 28 individuals in the E. nordenskioldi complex from Wuling Mountain, northern China, to examine their external morphology and genetic diversity. Mt. Wuling is the southern limit of the distribution of the E. nordenskioldi complex. The specimens from Mt. Wuling were classified into three groups along an elevation gradient. Mismatch distribution analysis suggested that the Pleistocene glaciations possibly did not significantly affect the distribution of earthworm species in this region. We also found that elevation affected the genetic diversity, but not the external morphology of E. nordenskioldi. Given the altitudinal genetic diversity within the E. nordenskioldi complex, the phylogeography of this species provides important information for the zoogeographic reconstruction of the mountains in northern China. With the relatively limited sample size, the result is not conclusive, and further studies need to be conducted in the future to verify the results.

A new species of eyeless Lymantes Schoenherr (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae: Lymantini) from Texas caves

A new eyeless cave-inhabiting species of the weevil genus Lymantes Schoenherr (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae: Lymantini) is described. Lymantes reddelli Anderson, new species, occurs in caves in Bexar and Travis Counties, Texas, United States of America. The new species is very similar to Lymantes nadineae Anderson but is found in caves south of the Colorado River whereas L. nadineae is only known from caves north of the Colorado River. Characters of external morphology and male genitalia to separate the species are given.

Recovery of Haemal Lordosis in European Seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus 1758)

Lordosis of the haemal part of the vertebral column is a frequent abnormality in reared fish. Haemal lordosis develops during the late larval and early juvenile life stages of fish, mainly due to the high swimming activity of the fish in the rearing tanks. In the present study, we have examined whether haemal lordosis recovers during the growth of European seabass. Furthermore, we aimed to develop simple morphometric indices (PrAn1 and PrAn2) that might link the severity of lordosis at the juvenile stage with fish morphological quality at harvesting. At 111 days post-hatching (dph, 53 ± 4 mm standard length, SL), 600 seabass juveniles with lordotic (L, 200 fish) or normal (N, 400 fish) external morphology were selected and introduced in a common tank. At 150 dph (75 ± 7 mm SL), 350 fish were randomly selected, pit-tagged and transferred to a sea cage for on-growing up to 502 dph (234 ± 16 mm SL). The morphological examination of the fish at 150 and 502 dph revealed that 60% (46 out of 77) of L juveniles turned into normal phenotype by the end of on-growing period. Interestingly, 56% of the fish with recovered external morphology (N-Rec) presented either a completely normal vertebral column (31%) or minor abnormalities of individual vertebrae (25%). Following the results of geometric morphometric analysis, the differences in the body shape between N-Rec and N fish were not statistically significant (p > 0.05, canonical variate analysis). The examined morphometric indices were effective in discriminating the normal fish from 58% (PrAn1) to 65% (PrAn2) of lordotic juveniles. Results are discussed with respect to the mechanism of lordosis recovery, and spotlights on their application for quality control and cull out of the abnormal fish in commercial hatcheries.

First record of Athetis rionegrensis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) attacking soybean and new geographical report in Argentina

The genus Athetis Hübner (Lepidoptera. Noctuidae. Amphipyrinae) comprises numerous species worldwide, two of them recently reported as pests of maize in China. This work presents the first record of an Athetis species feeding on soybean in the eastern region of the province of Córdoba, Argentina. The specimens were identified as Athetis rionegrensis status rev. based on external morphology and genitalia characters for both sexes. Furthermore, additional specimens were collected in the province of La Pampa, Argentina, on October, 2021.This species was only known to be in Alto Valle, province of Río Negro, Argentina, therefore these specimens represent the first record of the species outside that province. The correct assignment of this species to the Athetis genus is confirmed. Finally, the implications of this new record are discussed.

Janzenella theia Bremer & Talamas (Platygastroidea, Janzenellidae): a new species from Baltic amber

A new species, Janzenella theia Bremer & Talamas, sp. nov., is described from Baltic amber, which is the second known species of the family Janzenellidae (Platygastroidea). Synchrotron scanning was performed to observe internal structures and external morphology that was occluded by turbidity in the amber matrix surrounding the specimen.

Liolaemus duellmani Cei, 1978 (Reptilia: Squamata: Liolaemini), redescription of the holotype and variation in a microendemic and inadequately known species of Liolaemus from Northwestern Patagonia

Liolaemus duellmani is a microendemic lizard described from southern Mendoza, Argentina, representing the southernmost distribution of the Liolaemus montanus species group. The original description was based on a small batch of preserved material and a juvenile collected alive. Along the years, this poorly known species was rarely collected or observed in the field, with no additional reports or findings published until a recent description of an adult female which was considered as a rediscovery of the species. Here, we redescribe the species and describe variation on external morphology, coloration, and some natural history observations.

Identity of Gymnophthalmus (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from northeastern Amazonia with evidence for G. underwoodi as invasive in Belém

ABSTRACT We report the occurrence of the lizard Gymnophthalmus underwoodi in the municipality of Belém, state of Pará, Brazil. This is the first record of that species south of the Amazonas River, probably because of an accidental introduction by ships that dock in Belém, the same pathway suggested for the recent introduction of another species of exotic lizard recently recorded in the city. We also determined the identity of some specimens of Gymnophthalmus from the states of Amapá and Pará through external morphology and molecular data, confirming that, until now, G. vanzoi is the only Gymnophthalmus occurring in the savanna enclaves of those states. Finally, we provide a new distribution map for the species of Gymnophthalmus, including the new occurrence record for G. underwoodi for the state of Pará, where it can be considered as an invasive species.

A review of the Larainae of Australia with description of seven new species and the new genus Australara (Coleoptera, Byrrhoidea, Elmidae)

The three genera and four species of Larainae (Elmidae) previously described from Australia are reviewed, and one new genus and seven new species are described: Australara glaisterigen. et sp. nov., Ovolara lawrenceisp. nov., Ovolara monteithisp. nov., Stetholus carinatussp. nov., Stetholus longipennissp. nov., Stetholus metatibialissp. nov., and Stetholus woronorasp. nov. A lectotype is designated for Hydora laticeps (Carter & Zeck), and the first new collection records of the species are reported since its description in 1932. The occurrence in Australia of Potamophilinus papuanus Satô, described from Papua New Guinea, is reported. A key to the species, photographic images of the external morphology and male genitalia, distribution maps, and habitat and behavioral information, when known, are provided for all twelve species of Australian Larainae.

Recovery of Haemal Lordosis in European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus 1758)

The lordosis of the haemal part of the vertebral column is a frequent abnormality in reared fish. Haemal lordosis develops during the late larval and early juvenile period, mainly due to the high swimming activity of the fish in the rearing tanks. In the present study we examined whether haemal lordosis recovers during the growth of European sea bass. Furthermore, we aimed to develop simple morphometric indices (PrAn1 and PrAn2) that could link the severity of lordosis at the juvenile stage with fish morphological quality at harvesting. At 111 days post-hatching (dph, 53±4 mm standard length, SL), 600 seabass juveniles with lordotic (L, 200 fish) or normal (N, 400 fish) external morphology were selected and introduced in a common tank. At 150 dph (75±7 mm SL), 350 fish were randomly selected, pit-tagged and transferred in a sea cage for on-growing up to 502 dph (234±16 mm SL). The morphological examination of the fish at 150 and 502 dph revealed that the 60% (46 out of 77) of L juveniles turned into normal phenotype by the end of on-growing period. Interestingly, 56% of the fish with recovered external morphology (N-Rec) presented either a completely normal vertebral column (31%) or minor abnormalities of individual vertebrae (25%). Following the results of geometric morphometric analysis, the differences in the body shape between N-Rec and N fish were not significant (p>0.05, canonical variate analysis). The examined morphometric indices were effective in discriminating the normal fish from the 58% (PrAn1) to 65% (PrAn2) of lordotic juveniles. Results are discussed with respect to the mechanism of lordosis recovery, as well as to their application for the quality control and cull out of the abnormal fish in the commercial hatcheries.