A new species of Homonota (Squamata: Gekkota: Phyllodactylidae) from Paraguay

The 12 recognized species of the genus Homonota are geographically restricted to central and southern South America in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Paraguay. The phylogenetic relationships within the genus are well known where three groups are identified, each of them containing four species: the whitii group (Homonota darwinii, H. williamsii, H. whitii, and H. andicola), the borellii group (H. borellii, H. taragui, H. rupicola, and H. uruguayensis) and the horrida group (H. horrida, H. underwoodi, H. septentrionalis, and H. marthae). During fieldwork in Paraguay, we found a specimen of Homonota with unique morphological and geographical traits. Thus, we performed a comparative morphological analysis against specimens housed in different Paraguayan collections. Additionally, we performed a DNA analysis of our specimen to assess its relationships within the genus. Results suggest that this specimen represents a new species of the Homonota horrida group based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species is characterized by a robust body, 10 longitudinal rows of strongly keeled scales separated by one or two granular scales, square-shaped mental scales, small postmental scales, one or two rows of rectangular scales in the upper eye scales, rostral scale divided, edge of auditory meatus serrated posteriorly, and black and brown background coloration with one white vertebral line and seven white transverse bands. The new species is restricted to Paraguarí Department, characterized by herbaceous grasslands with rocky outcrops.

A New Species of the genus Augochloropsis Cockerell 1897 (Halictidae, Augochlorini) from Northeast Brazil, and a key to species from the Bahia State

Augochloropsis, with 150 species, is the most speciose Augochlorini genus. This taxon displays a wide spectrum of social behavior ranging from solitary to primitively eusocial. In the present study Augochloropsis beatrice sp. nov. from Bahia, northeast Brazil, is described and a key to the species occurring in Bahia is provided, together with their distribution.

A review of Planet of People (Lithuanian Space Agency, Biennale Architettura 2021)

Julijonas Urbonas presents his project Planet of people, brought by the Lithuanian Space Agency in the Lithuanian Pavilion, and is curated by Jan Boelen.

Notes on species of the tribe Stigmoderini Lacordaire, 1857 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) from Australia and Papua New Guinea, with description of a new subspecies of Calodema wallacei Deyrolle, 1864

Two new distribution records for Western New Guinea for Metaxymorpha Parry, 1848 and one for Calodema Gory & Laporte, 1838, previously known only from Papua New Guinea, are reported. In addition, Calodema wallacei meeki ssp. nov. is described based on an old specimen in the collection of Neervoort van de Poll. New corrigenda to previous published records are also reported.

Taxonomic notes on the genus Rosenbergia Ritsema, 1881 with description of a new species and subspecies (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae)

The R. dianneae species group of the genus Rosenbergia is described and enlarged with the additional descriptions of R. cheesmanae sp. nov. and R. valentinae eki ssp. nov. Adult genitalia are depicted. The R. weiskei species group is analysed and Rosenbergia valentinae Rigout, 2004 stat. nov. is raised to species level and no longer considered a subspecies of R. dianneae Allard, 1990. The rediscovery of the holotype of Rosenbergia humeralis Gilmour, 1966 allows for the description of the male of this species. After extensive research, the holotype of R. dianneae is considered lost and a neotype has been designated.

What is Azara's (1805) No. 193 Suiriri pardo amarillo menor?

Despite being well-described, Azara's No. 193 Suiriri pardo amarillo menor has never been conclusively identified. Indeed, during the 19th Century it was usually associated with species in the genus Myiarchus, despite the cup nest description provided being incompatible with that genus. In the early 20th Century it became associated with Elaenia obscura, and that has not been seriously questioned since. However, Paraguayan populations formerly attributed to E. obscura are now known as E. sordida, a species that is rare in Paraguay and incompatible with the original description. In this paper I argue that the true identity of No. 193 is Large Elaenia E. spectabilis (Pelzeln, 1868), a common species in Paraguay, and this error of understanding is responsible for many early 20th Century Paraguayan reports of E. obscura. Azara's description predates the type description of E. spectabilis by 63 years.

HOLOTIPUS IN MARINE BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION

The oceans are a vast yet fragile environment, and one of the biggest issues scientists have to tackle today is the conservation of marine biodiversity. In 1975, to try to address the physical, chemical and biological alteration of these delicate ecosystems, 16 Mediterranean States together with the European Union, implemented the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP). The aim was to safeguard the marine environment and promote its development in the Mediterranean basin.

UNIFICATION OF KNOWLEDGE

BioArt is a broad term used to introduce many artworks. In order to simplify, two main points of focus could be examined: one is devoted to increasing and ordering our knowledge about life, whilst the second one involves the ethical implications derived from the “living” tissue on which BioArtists work.

Raising of Lazarus: Rediscovery and Redescription of Apostolepis niceforoi Amaral, 1935 (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Elapomorphini)

Apostolepis is a speciose Neotropical snake genus, encompassing approximately 40 species, widely distributed at South America. Most species of the genus are known based on small series, which has contributed to a convoluted taxonomic history. In this study, we report the rediscovery of Apostolepis niceforoi, a taxon that remained known from a single specimen since 1935, providing a detailed redescription, with comments on its close congeners, as well as taxonomic misidentifications related to this species.

A new species of Apriona Chevrolat 1852 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) from Western New Guinea

A new species of Apriona Chevrolat, 1852 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) from West Papua is described as new: Apriona herlinae sp. nov. The adult and genitalia are depicted.