Fishes are integral components of coral reef ecosystems, exerting significant influence on the structural and functional integrity of these environments. The coral reefs encircling Weizhou Island, located in the South China Sea, are celebrated for their exceptional biodiversity, providing a critical habitat for an extensive array of ichthyofauna. Despite the profound ecological significance and widespread recognition of these reefs, the taxonomic composition and spatial distribution of the fish assemblages remain inadequately characterized. In contrast to conventional ichthyological survey techniques, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis offers a revolutionary approach for biodiversity assessments, enabling the non-invasive, high-resolution detection and quantification of fish communities. Here, we investigate the marine fish diversity around Weizhou Island based on eDNA metabarcoding, aiming to generate foundational data to inform future conservation and management strategies.

The Salento Peninsula represents the eastern-most edge of the Italian Peninsula, and one of the first areas to be invaded by thermophilic non-indigenous species. The diversity of non-indigenous polychaetes occurring along the Salento Peninsula is reviewed based on literature data and new samples. Overall, fifteen non-indigenous polychaetes were recorded; among them, Syllis similisunzima is reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea; Lepidonotus tenuisetosus is recorded for the first time in Italian waters; Pseudonereis anomala, until now known only for Sicily, is reported for the first time from the Italian Peninsula; Dorvillea similis is a first record for the Ionian and Adriatic Sea. 16S rDNA and COI sequences were obtained for eleven species, allowing us in some cases to confirm their identity and/or geographical origin, while in the case of some species they represent the first molecular data ever obtained.

The study investigates the distribution and diversity of the old-world moth genus Theretra from the family Sphingidae in the Indian subcontinent. Through extensive data collection and molecular analysis from the Northernmost Western Ghats (Nashik District), seven species of Theretra were identified: T. alecto, T. castanea, T. clotho, T. gnoma, T. nessus, T. oldenlandiae, and T. sumatrensis. Molecular clustering identifies genetically similar specimens, which further helps to recognise similar ecological niches and the associated ecological drivers regulating the distribution pattern of similar specimens. A dataset of 196 published records from Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD), including outgroup and the sequences generated in the present study for the Indian species of Theretra, were compiled in a dataset ‘THEREIND’. The crucial role of monsoon and elevation in the diversity and distribution of these moths was comprehended using DNA barcoding and sequence clustering on BOLD. The comparisons suggested a strong correlation with either monsoon or elevation or both. In the purview of the sixth mass extinction and the first true extinction of insects, adequate information on the diversity and the factors affecting it would provide fundamental information to insinuate conservation strategies required for coping with continuous climatic changes.

Annelid biodiversity studies in the Red Sea are limited and integrative taxonomy is needed to accurately improve reference libraries in the region. As part of the bioblitz effort in Saudi Arabia to assess the invertebrate biodiversity in the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba, Perinereis specimens from intertidal marine and lagoon-like rocky environments were selected for an independent assessment, given the known taxonomic ambiguities in this genus. This study used an integrative approach, combining molecular with morphological and geographic data. Our results demonstrate that specimens found mainly in the Gulf of Aqaba are not only morphologically different from other five similar Perinereis Group I species reported in the region, but phylogenetic analysis using available COI sequences from GenBank revealed different molecular operational taxonomic units, suggesting an undescribed species, P. kaustiana sp. nov. The new species is genetically close and shares a similar paragnath pattern to the Indo-Pacific distributed P. helleri, in particular in Area III and Areas VII–VIII. Therefore, we suggest it may belong to the same species complex. However, P. kaustiana sp. nov. differs from the latter mainly in the shorter length of the postero-dorsal tentacular cirri, median parapodia with much longer dorsal Tentacular cirri, posteriormost parapodia with much wider and greatly expanded dorsal ligules. Additionally, two new records are reported for the Saudi Neom area belonging to P. damietta and P. suezensis, previously described only for the Egyptian coast (Suez Canal) and are distributed sympatrically with the new species, but apparently not sympatric with each other.

In this study, we updated and revised the checklist of macrofungi, along with the distribution of phytogeographical regions and the regional conservation status in Mongolia. The checklist comprises 677 macrofungal species belonging to 284 genera and 119 families in the country. Based on previous studies, 18 species are currently invasive to Mongolia. In this checklist, only four species are endemic to Mongolia. Among the 677 species, the regional conservation status of 51 species was previously assessed as threatened in the country. Furthermore, we collected all available occurrence records from various sources. A total of 4733 occurrences of 655 species across Mongolia were analyzed for species richness based on a 0.5° × 0.5° grid cell size. We found the records to be unevenly distributed across Mongolia, where records from the northern and central parts dominate. Among these, we identified 43 grids with a high diversity of macrofungal species. Most of these grids did not reside inside by protected geographical areas.

A new labrid fish species, Halichoeres sanchezi n. sp., is described from eight specimens collected in the Revillagigedo Archipelago in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Mexico. The new species belongs to the Halichoeres melanotis species complex that is found throughout the region, differing by 2.4% in the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase I sequence from its nearest relative, H. melanotis from Panama, and 2.9% from Halichoeres salmofasciatus from Cocos Island, off Costa Rica. The complex is distinguished from others in the region by having a black spot on the opercular flap and a prominent black area on the caudal fin of males. The juveniles and initial phase of the new species closely resemble those of H. salmofasciatus and Halichoeres malpelo from Malpelo Island of Colombia, differing in having an oblong black spot with a yellow dorsal margin on the mid-dorsal fin of initial-phase adults as well as on juveniles. In contrast, the terminal-phase male color pattern is distinct from other relatives, being vermilion to orangish brown with dark scale outlines, a white patch on the upper abdomen, and a prominent black band covering the posterior caudal peduncle and base of the caudal fin. The new species adds to the list of endemic fish species for the isolated archipelago and is an interesting case of island endemism in the region. The discovery was made during the joint 2022 collecting expedition to the archipelago, which featured a pioneering collaborative approach to an inventory of an island ichthyofauna, specifically including expert underwater photographers systematically documenting specimens in situ, before hand-collection, and then photographed fresh, tissue-sampled, and subsequently vouchered in museum collections.

The new lichen species Lecania lepidota is described from two localities in oceanic, old-growth, deciduous forests (boreo-nemoral rainforest) in SW Norway, growing near the base of pollarded Fraxinus excelsior. The generic placement is uncertain, as the ITS marker differs significantly from all other available ITS sequences and the mtSSU marker indicates sister relationship with Lecania croatica, a species of uncertain position in the Ramalinaceae. The species is morphologically most similar to Phyllopsora rosei, but differs, e.g., in having a negative PD reaction due to the lack of lichen substances

This study describes Bucculatrix flavimaculata sp. nov., a new species of Bucculatrix from the Ogasawara Islands in Japan, feeding on Hibiscus. Photographs of adult male and female genitalia and their larval biology (e.g., host plants and feeding habits) are shown. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI-5P) DNA barcode sequences, including those of some Japanese Bucculatrix species related to B. flavimaculata sp. nov. In addition, we discuss the relationships within the species group.

The Beas River is one of the important rivers of the Indus River system located in Himachal Pradesh, India, that harbors a diverse range of freshwater fish species. The present study employed COI gene to investigate the ichthyofaunal diversity of river Beas. Through the sequencing of 203 specimens from Beas River, we identified 43 species, belonging to 31 genera, 16 families, and 10 orders. To analyze the genetic divergence and phylogeny of identified species, 485 sequences of Indian origin were retrieved from BOLD, resulting in a dataset of 688 sequences. Our findings consistently revealed a hierarchical increase in the mean K2P genetic divergence within species (0.80%), genus (9.06%), and families (15.35%). Automated Barcode Gap discovery, Neighbour Joining, and Bayesian inference consensus tree methodologies were employed to determine the putative species and their phylogeny, successfully delimiting most of the species with only a few exceptions. The results unveiled six species exhibiting high intra-species divergence (> 2%), suggesting the presence of sibling species and falsely identified sequences on online databases. The present study established the first DNA barcoding-based inventory of freshwater fish species in the Beas River providing comprehensive insights into economically exploited endangered and vulnerable species. In order to ensure the sustainable use of aquatic resources in the Beas River, we recommend the implementation of species measures to protect biodiversity and genetic resources.

Five new species of treehoppers are described from French Guiana : Lycoderides flucticulus Lapèze n. sp., Lycoderides labyrinthicus Lapèze n. sp., Lycoderides malicornus Lapèze n. sp., Lycoderides minutifloraphiles Lapèze n. sp. and Lycoderides phi Lapèze n. sp. Only the first three species show strong sexual dimorphism. Holotypes and some paratypes are deposited at MNHN of Paris. Additional notes about field observations, host-plants and distribution are presented. DNA barcoding allowed to match males and females of the same species, and each newly described species has been assigned its own unique barcode index number (BIN). Four species closely related to those described are presented and illustred : Lycoderides gradatus (Sakakibara, 1972), L. luteus (Funkhouser, 1940), L. hippocampus (Fabricius, 1803) and L. obtusus (Sakakibara, 1991). Males of Lycoderides sonzognii Lapèze, 2022 and L. gradatus (Sakakibara, 1972) are described and illustrated for the first time. We discuss some species complexes.