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The genus Hordeum (barley) represents an essential group within the Poaceae family, comprising diverse species with significant ecological and economic importance. This study aims to improve the infrageneric classification of Hordeum by integrating multiple analytical approaches based on morphological data. A comprehensive dataset of key morphological traits was compiled from a wide range of Hordeum accessions, including representatives from all major taxonomic groups within the genus. Understanding and classifying the evolutionary traits of barley species, particularly in terms of environmental adaptation, pest resistance, and productivity improvement, is essential. DNA-based classification methods allow precise molecular-level analysis but are resource-intensive, especially when large-scale processing is required. This study addresses these limitations by employing an integrative approach combining hierarchical clustering, Principal Component Analysis–Linear Discriminant Analysis (PCA-LDA), and Random Forest (RF) to analyze the compiled morphological datasets. Morphological clustering via hierarchical analysis revealed clear taxonomic distinctions, achieving 86.0% accuracy at the subgenus level and 83.1% at the section level. PCA-LDA further refined classification by identifying key traits such as seed width, area, and 100-seed weight as primary contributors, achieving perfect accuracy for the Hordeum section and high accuracy for species like Hordeum vulgare and Hordeum spontaneum. RF analysis enhanced classification performance, achieving 100% accuracy at the section level and high accuracy for species with sufficient data. This approach offers a new framework for classifying diverse barley species and contributes significantly to data-driven decision-making in breeding and conservation efforts, supporting a deeper understanding of barley's adaptive evolution in response to environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Vochysiaceae A.St.-Hil. (Order: Myrtales) has been reported to occur in South and Central America and the equatorial region of West Africa. Six genera and approximately 160 species belonging to this family occur in Brazil. The objective of the present study was to morphologically describe the species of Vochysiaceae that occur in the Cerrado fragment of the Federal University of Rondonópolis (UFR), to present identification keys and boards with images and illustrations, in addition to include taxonomic comments and on the distribution of species. For this, monthly surveys and collections were carried out in the area, which resulted in the description of five species: Qualea grandiflora Mart., Qualea multiflora Mart., Qualea parviflora Mart., Vochysia cinnamomea Pohl and Vochysia divergens Pohl. The present study contributed to expand knowledge about the Vochysiaceae family and the flora of the region, in addition to being able to serve as a subsidy for discussions on the preservation of the Cerrado.

The taxonomic classification of the genus Crocus has undergone substantial revisions over the past half‐century. Likewise, over the last two decades, the number of known species in Iran has tripled with the discovery of 16 additional species. Despite these noteworthy recent findings, there is a lack of an updated taxonomic revision that encompasses all these newcomers. This revision of the genus in Iran is based on comprehensive morphological examinations conducted on fresh plant material collected in the field, cultivated plants, herbarium specimens, and an extensive literature review. Presently, 24 species are recognized in Iran. They are classified into two sections: Crocus and Nudiscapus. Notably, 18 species (75%) are endemic to Iran, with 14 among them being steno‐endemics, the five remaining species are subendemic elements whose distribution is limited to Iran and the adjacent countries. An identification key to all 24 recognized species is presented, accompanied by illustrations, detailed descriptions, distribution maps and information on the conservation status of each species. According to the IUCN criteria, the conservation status of all species, excluding C. caspius, C. damascenus,C. haussknechtii and C. michelsonii is at an alarming level. This revision aims to resolve ambiguities in the Iranian Crocus taxonomy, and offers the opportunity to collectively examine all previously described species in one comprehensive contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological diversity of trichomes and pappi in 20 common Asteraceae members were studied from the standpoint of species identification. Thirteen of these species bear trichomes on all surfaces and 16 types of trichomes were recorded. Non-glandular, multicellular, uniseriate trichomes with long terminal cell are the most common type recorded at 87 observed surfaces of 16 species. Some trichome types were restricted to one or two species. The trichomes of Leucomeris spectabilis are being reported for the first time. The pappi were recorded in 13 species and their morphology is quite characteristic of species and genera. Separate dichotomous keys are constructed to help identify the species on the basis of trichomes and pappi exclusively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Climaciella Enderlein is a genus of the family Mantispidae (Neuroptera) restricted to the New World with records ranging from southern Canada to northern Argentina. The genus is currently represented by 12 valid species, three of them with records from Brazil: C. amapaensis Penny, C. duckei Navás, and C. semihyalina (Le Peletier & Audinet-Serville). Besides the relatively low number of species from Brazil, it is known that Climaciella species present some historical taxonomic problems. In this sense, the main goal of this study was to taxonomically revise the Climaciella species from Brazil, providing detailed (re)descriptions and illustrations of all species, an updated distribution map, and an identification key to the whole genus. The study resulted in some new taxonomic acts: C. tincta (Navás) is revalidated and C. duckei is considered a new synonym of C. tincta; two new species are described: Climaciella hoffmani sp. nov. and Climaciella pennyi sp. nov.

Information regarding species occurrence is fundamental to understanding biodiversity distribution. However, the biodiversity from the west of the state of Paraná has been historically less studied, especially amphibians and reptiles. For this reason, we present the first reptile list of species from the west of the state of Paraná and extend the current list of anurans for the municipality of Foz do Iguaçu. The species list was based on a systematic field study conducted at Refúgio Biológico Bela Vista (RBV) a conservation area within the Hydroelectric Power Itaipu Binacional. We integrated the species list with previous species observations available in the literature for the same place where our sampling was conducted. A total of 41 species of amphibians and reptiles are presented. All amphibians species found were recorded in the field; however, from the 22 species of reptiles recorded, three were historical records obtained before this study. Species were all classified as Least Concern and/or had stable populational status according to the IUCN. Sampling sufficiency was achieved for anurans but not for reptiles, probably due to low abundance of several snake species. The most abundant species of anuran was Dendropsophus nanus, from the Hylidae family, whereas Leptodactylus plaumanni and Scinax squalirostris were represented by only one individual each. The lizard Salvator merianae was the most abundant reptile, and seven species were represented by only one individual each. The most successful sampling method for adult anurans was active search in water bodies whereas most of reptile species were observed by accidental encounters and not through a systematic sampling method. We found that herpetofauna composition from RBV was similar to other communities from Paraná state that also occur within the Semideciduous Seasonal Forest. Finally, as additional information to the species list, we offer species identification keys and discuss the importance of Refúgio Biológico Bela Vista to harbor the anuran and reptile diversity of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review is devoted to the taxonomic representation of the order Cantharellales in connection with problems of taxonomical history of the group and problems of its ecological diversification. The history of the taxonomy of Cantharellales is considered, and it is shown that at present the order is limited to no more than 550 species from 31 genera and 5 families: Aphelariaceae (Aphelaria, Phaeoaphelaria, Tumidapexus); Botryobasidiaceae (Botryobasidium with anamorphs, Suillosporium); Ceratobasidiaceae (Ceratoporia, Ceratobasidium pr.p., Rhizoctonia); Hydnaceae (Bergerella, Bryoclavula, Bulbilla, Burgella, Burgellopsis, Burgoa, Cantharellus, Clavulina, Craterellus, Gloeomucro, Hydnum, Ingoldiella, Membranomyces, Minimedusa, Multiclavula, Neoburgoa, Parastereopsis, Repetobasidiellum, Rogersiomyces, Sistotrema, Sistotremella); and Tulasnellaceae (Pseudotulasnella, Stilbotulasnella, Tulasnella). The unresolved problems of the Cantharellales taxonomy are discussed. The ecomorphological and ecological-trophic diversification of the order is consi-dered. A synopsis of families and genera is given with identification keys and detailed original taxa diagnoses down to the generic level. It is concluded that, during the evolution of the order Cantharellales and other large groups of Agaricomycetes, there is a parallelism associated with the development by fungi of similar adaptive zones that opened up in connection with the Early Cretaceous diversification of the terrestrial biota: the co-lonization of wood debris with the formation of hypochnoid, corticioid, and secondary resupinate forms; fo-rest litter with the formation of clavarioid and ramarioid forms; the development of sporulation within grasses with a reduction of cantharelloid and secondary formation of clavarioid forms; the formation of ectomycorrhizae and orchid mycorrhiza by lignotrophic fungi; and colonization of moss protonemata, films of aerophytic algae, and lichen thalli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the world fauna of the H. meteorica group, which, according to the present publication, consists of six valid species, is offered. It is proposed that the group originated from SE Asia and recently several of its species have been widely spread along with cattle breeding. Four new synonymies are offered: Hydrotaea affinis Karl, 1935 = H. zao Shinonaga & Kano, 1971, syn.nov. = H. affinoides Feng & Feng, 1997, syn.nov. and Hydrotaea nigribasis Stein, 1913 = H. australis Malloch, 1923, syn. nov. = H. dukouensis Ni, 1982, syn. nov. Considering these cases, the author has formulated his approaches to the synonymy in general. Keys to males and females of the H. meteorica group are given.

This work records the presence of 13 species of tubuliferan thrips from the Maltese Islands. Eleven of these species, namely Bolothrips dentipes, B. insularis, Priesneriella mavromoustakisi, Gynaikothrips uzeli, Haplothrips acanthoscelis, H. aculeatus, H. setiger, H. tritici, Karnyothrips flavipes, Liothrips reuteri and Neoheegeria dalmatica are new records for the Maltese Islands. Two species: Gynaikothrips ficorum and Karnyothrips flavipes can be described as subcosmopolitan in distribution, another three species: Haplothrips aculeatus, H. setiger and H. tritici are distributed across the Holarctic and Palaearctic regions, while a further seven: Bolothrips dentipes, B. insularis, Haplothrips acanthoscelis, Liothrips oleae, L. reuteri, Neoheegeria dalmatica and Priesneriella mavromoustakisi have a European and/or Mediterranean distribution. Gynaikothrips ficorum and G. uzeli are considered as alien species. A key to the Tubulifera of the Maltese Islands as well as chorological data for these recorded species are provided in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tribes Goniaderini Lacordaire, 1859 and Lupropini Lesne, 1926 within the tenebrionid subfamily Lagriinae Latreille, 1825 have previously been shown to be non-monophyletic by molecular phylogenetic analyses. The tribes and constituent genera are here reviewed and redefined morphologically. As part of tribal redefinitions, we establish Prateini New Tribe with type genus Prateus LeConte, 1862. We reestablish the subtribe Phobeliina Ardoin, 1961 Revised Status, which is transferred from Goniaderini and placed as a subtribe of Lagriini Latreille, 1825 where it is comprised of Phobelius Blanchard, 1842, and Rhosaces Champion, 1889 (previously in Lagriini: Statirina Blanchard, 1845). The fossil tribe Archaeolupropini Nabozhenko, Perkovsky, & Nazarenko, 2023 is transferred from Lagriinae to Tetratomidae: Tetratominae Billberg, 1820. Keys to extant tribes and subtribes of Lagriinae and genera of Goniaderini, Lupropini, and Prateini are provided. Generic and species-level changes from this work are as follows: Prateini is comprised of the following 15 genera: Antennoluprops Schawaller, 2007, Ardoiniellus Schawaller, 2013, Bolitrium Gebien, 1914, Enicmosoma Gebien, 1922, Indenicmosoma Ardoin, 1964, Iscanus Fauvel, 1904, Kuschelus Kaszab, 1982, Lorelopsis Champion, 1896, Mesotretis Bates, 1872, Microcalcar Pic, 1925, Micropedinus Lewis, 1894, Paratenetus Spinola, 1845, Prateus, Terametus Motschulsky, 1869, and Tithassa Pascoe, 1860. Lorelus Sharp, 1876 is Returned to Synonymy with Prateus, resulting in the following 49 New Combinations: Prateus angulatus (Doyen & Poinar, 1994), P. angustulus (Champion, 1913), P. armatus (Montrouzier, 1860), P. biroi (Kaszab, 1956), P. blairi (Kaszab, 1955), P. brevicornis (Champion, 1896), P. breviusculus (Champion, 1913), P. caledonicus (Kaszab, 1982), P. carolinensis (Blair, 1940), P. chinensis (Kaszab, 1940), P. clarkei (Kulzer, 1957), P. crassicornis (Broun, 1880), P. crassepunctatus (Kaszab, 1982), P. cribricollis (Kaszab, 1940), P. curvipes (Champion, 1913), P. dybasi (Kulzer, 1957), P. fijianus (Kaszab, 1982), P. fumatus (Lea, 1929), P. glabriventris (Kaszab, 1982), P. greensladei (Kaszab, 1982), P. guadeloupensis (Kaszab, 1940), P. hirtus (Kaszab, 1982), P. ivoirensis (Ardoin, 1969), P. kanak (Kaszab, 1986), P. kaszabi (Watt, 1992), P. laticornis (Watt, 1992), P. latulus (Broun, 1910), P. longicornis (Kaszab, 1982), P. mareensis (Kaszab, 1982), P. marginalis (Broun, 1910), P. niger (Kaszab, 1982), P. norfolkianus (Kaszab, 1982), P. obtusus (Watt, 1992), P. ocularis (Fauvel, 1904), P. opacus (Watt, 1992), P. palauensis (Kulzer, 1957), P. politus (Watt, 1992), P. priscus (Sharp, 1876), P. prosternalis (Kaszab, 1982), P. pubescens (Broun, 1880), P. pubipennis (Lea, 1929), P. punctatus (Watt, 1992), P. quadricollis (Broun, 1886), P. queenslandicus (Kaszab, 1986), P. rugifrons (Champion, 1913), P. solomonis (Kaszab, 1982), P. tarsalis (Broun, 1910), P. unicornis (Kaszab, 1982), and P. watti (Kaszab, 1982). Microlyprops Kaszab, 1939 is placed as a New Synonym of Micropedinus resulting in the following New Combinations: Micropedinus ceylonicus (Kaszab, 1939) and M. maderi (Kaszab, 1940). Lorelopsis Revised Status is revalidated as a genus and eight species formerly in Lorelus are transferred to it resulting in the following six New Combinations: Lorelopsis bicolor (Doyen, 1993), L. glabrata (Doyen, 1993), L. exilis (Champion, 1913), L. foraminosa (Doyen & Poinar, 1994), L. minutulis (Doyen & Poinar, 1994), L. trapezidera (Champion, 1913), and L. wolcotti (Doyen, 1993). Lorelopsis pilosa Champion, 1896 becomes a Restored Combination. In Goniaderini, Aemymone Bates, 1868 Revised Status and Opatresthes Gebien, 1928 Revised Status, which were recently considered as subgenera of Goniadera Perty, 1832, are restored as valid genera based on new character analysis resulting in the following New Combinations: Aemymone hansfranzi (Ferrer & Delatour, 2007), A. simplex (Fairmaire, 1889), A. striatipennis (Pic, 1934) and Restored Combinations: Aemymone cariosa (Bates, 1868), A. crenata Champion, 1893, and A. semirufa Pic, 1917. Gamaxus Bates, 1868 is Returned to Synonymy with Phymatestes Pascoe, 1866, and the type species Gamaxus hauxwelli Bates, 1868 is placed as a New Synonym of Phymatestes brevicornis (Lacordaire, 1859). The following seven genera are placed as New Synonyms of Anaedus Blanchard, 1842: Microanaedus Pic, 1923, Pengaleganus Pic, 1917, Pseudanaedus Gebien, 1921, Pseudolyprops Fairmaire, 1882, Spinolyprops Pic, 1917, Spinadaenus Pic, 1921, and Sphingocorse Gebien, 1921. Fourteen species described by Pic in Aspisoma Duponchel & Chevrolat, 1841 (not Aspisoma Laporte, 1833) are returned to Tenebrionidae as valid species of Anaedus. These synonymies necessitate the following 51 New Combinations: Anaedus albipes (Gebien, 1921), A. amboinensis (Kaszab, 1964), A. amplicollis (Fairmaire, 1896), A. anaedoides (Gebien, 1921), A. angulicollis (Gebien, 1921), A. angustatus (Pic, 1921), A. australiae (Carter, 1930), A. bartolozzii (Ferrer, 2002), A. beloni Fairmaire, 1888), A. biangulatus (Gebien, 1921), A. borneensis (Pic, 1917), A. carinicollis (Gebien, 1921), A. conradti (Gebien, 1921), A. cribricollis (Schawaller, 2012), A. gabonicus (Pic, 1917), A. himalayicus (Kaszab, 1965), A. inaequalis (Pic, 1917), A. jacobsoni (Gebien, 1927), A. lateralis (Pic, 1917), A. latus (Pic, 1917), A. longeplicatus (Gebien, 1921), A. maculipennis (Schawaller, 2011), A. major (Pic, 1917), A. nepalicus (Kaszab, 1975), A. nigrita (Gebien, 1927), A. notatus (Pic, 1923), A. pakistanicus (Schawaller, 1996), A. pinguis (Gebien, 1927), A. punctatus (Carter, 1914), A. raffrayi (Pic, 1917), A. rufithorax (Pic, 1917), A. rufus (Pic, 1917), A. serrimargo (Gebien, 1914), A. sumatrensis (Pic, 1917), A. terminatus (Gebien, 1921), A. testaceicornis (Pic, 1921), A. testaceipes (Pic, 1917), A. thailandicus (Schawaller, 2012), A. trautneri (Schawaller, 1994); and 13 restored combinations: Anaedus boliviensis (Pic, 1934), A. claveri (Pic, 1917), A. diversicollis (Pic, 1917), A. elongatus (Pic, 1934), A. guyanensis (Pic, 1917), A. holtzi (Pic, 1934), A. inangulatus (Pic, 1934), A. inhumeralis (Pic, 1917), A. mendesensis (Pic, 1917), A. minutus (Pic, 1917), A. rufimembris (Pic, 1932), A. rufipennis (Pic, 1917), A. subelongatus (Pic, 1932). The new synonymies with Anaedus necessitate the following six New Replacement Names Anaedus maculipennis (for Spinolyprops maculatus Kulzer, 1954), A. grimmi (for Aspisoma forticornis Pic, 1917), A. minimus (for Anaedus minutus Pic, 1938), A. merkli (for Anaedus diversicollis Pic, 1938), A. ottomerkli (for Anaedus lateralis Pic, 1923), A. schawalleri (for Anaedus nepalicus Schawaller, 1994). Capeluprops Schawaller, 2011 is removed from Lupropini and provisionally placed in Laenini Seidlitz, 1895. Plastica Waterhouse, 1903 is transferred from Apocryphini Lacordaire, 1859 to Laenini. Paralorelopsis Marcuzzi, 1994 is removed from Lupropini and provisionally placed in Lagriinae incertae sedis. Pseudesarcus Champion, 1913 is transferred from Lagriinae incertae sedis to Diaperinae incertae sedis. Falsotithassa Pic, 1934 is transferred from Lupropini to Leiochrinini Lewis, 1894 (Diaperinae). Mimocellus Wasmann, 1904 is transferred from Lupropini to Tenebrionidae incertae sedis, and likely belongs in either Diaperinae or Stenochiinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Accurate species identification is essential for ecological monitoring and biodiversity conservation. Interactive plant identification keys have been considerably improved in recent years, mainly by providing iconic symbols, illustrations, or images for the users, as these keys are also commonly used by people with relatively little plant knowledge. Only a few studies have investigated how well morphological characteristics can be recognized and correctly identified by people, which is ultimately the basis of an identification key's success. This study consists of a systematic evaluation of people's abilities in identifying plant‐specific morphological characters. We conducted an online survey where 484 participants were asked to identify 25 different plant character states on six images showing a plant from different perspectives. We found that survey participants correctly identified 79% of the plant characters, with botanical novices with little or no previous experience in plant identification performing slightly worse than experienced botanists. We also found that flower characters are more often correctly identified than leaf characteristics and that characters with more states resulted in higher identification errors. Additionally, the longer the time a participant needed for answering, the higher the probability of a wrong answer. Understanding what influences users' plant character identification abilities can improve the development of interactive identification keys, for example, by designing keys that adapt to novices as well as experts. Furthermore, our study can act as a blueprint for the empirical evaluation of identifications keys. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Thirty-nine species of terebrantian Thysanoptera belonging to four families and 22 genera are here recorded from the Maltese Islands. Of these, 33 represent new records to this archipelago. Thrips were collected from 65 different locations over a seven-year period, covering the main habitat types found across the Maltese Islands, namely steppe, garigue, maquis and woodland, but also sand dunes and saltmarshes as well as roadsides, private and public gardens, greenhouses and cultivated fields. An illustrated dichotomous key to identify the Terebrantia of the Maltese Islands is presented. Chorological data for the species researched in the current study shows that the majority of these insects are of a European Mediterranean origin, though the geographical distribution of some of them extends to Africa and the Middle East. Seven species associated with agricultural commodities were found to be of alien origin; however they were locally found in small numbers and do not pose a threat to horticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity and distribution of the amphibians in Rwanda was critically reviewed to provide a reliable species inventory for informed conservation management. The checklist of the amphibian species of Rwanda is based on results of our own fieldwork, historical records compiled from the literature, and examination of voucher specimens in museum collections. A total of 62 species are recorded, and 22 further species listed in field guides and open-access data bases are discussed, identified as erroneous records, and consequently not included in the country list. We provide diagnostic characters of external morphology and the advertisement call for each validated species, and a short synopsis of geographic distribution, altitudinal range, occurrence in the provinces of Rwanda, and habitat preference. We provide keys to all genera, and all taxonomically described species based on morphological characters and additional keys based on features of the advertisement calls. We discuss features of amphibian communities including local community structure and delimitation of altitudinal metacommunities. Based on the IUCN red list assessment and our field surveys, we propose for the first time a national red list of amphibians in Rwanda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The genus Hebeloma is renowned as difficult when it comes to species determination. Historically, many dichotomous keys have been published and used with varying success rate. Over the last 20 years the authors have built a database of Hebeloma collections containing not only metadata but also parametrized morphological descriptions, where for about a third of the cases micromorphological characters have been analysed and are included, as well as DNA sequences for almost every collection. The database now has about 9000 collections including nearly every type collection worldwide and represents over 120 different taxa. Almost every collection has been analysed and identified to species using a combination of the available molecular and morphological data in addition to locality and habitat information. Based on these data an Artificial Intelligence (AI) machine-learning species identifier has been developed that takes as input locality data and a small number of the morphological parameters. Using a random test set of more than 600 collections from the database, not utilized within the set of collections used to train the identifier, the species identifier was able to identify 77% correctly with its highest probabilistic match, 96% within its three most likely determinations and over 99% of collections within its five most likely determinations.

Accurate species identification is essential for ecological monitoring and biodiversity conservation. Interactive plant identification keys have been considerably improved in recent years, mainly by providing iconic symbols, illustrations, or images for the users, as these keys are also commonly used by people with relatively little plant knowledge. Only a few studies have investigated how well morphological characteristics can be recognized and correctly identified by people, which is ultimately the basis of an identification key's success.This study consists of a systematic evaluation of people's abilities in identifying plant‐specific morphological characters. We conducted an online survey where 484 participants were asked to identify 25 different plant character states on six images showing a plant from different perspectives.We found that survey participants correctly identified 79% of the plant characters, with botanical novices with little or no previous experience in plant identification performing slightly worse than experienced botanists. We also found that flower characters are more often correctly identified than leaf characteristics and that characters with more states resulted in higher identification errors. Additionally, the longer the time a participant needed for answering, the higher the probability of a wrong answer.Understanding what influences users' plant character identification abilities can improve the development of interactive identification keys, for example, by designing keys that adapt to novices as well as experts. Furthermore, our study can act as a blueprint for the empirical evaluation of identifications keys. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Hebeloma is renowned as difficult when it comes to species determination. Historically, many dichotomous keys have been published and used with varying success rate. Over the last 20 years the authors have built a database of Hebeloma collections containing not only metadata but also parametrized morphological descriptions, where for about a third of the cases micromorphological characters have been analysed and are included, as well as DNA sequences for almost every collection. The database now has about 9000 collections including nearly every type collection worldwide and represents over 120 different taxa. Almost every collection has been analysed and identified to species using a combination of the available molecular and morphological data in addition to locality and habitat information. Based on these data an Artificial Intelligence (AI) machine-learning species identifier has been developed that takes as input locality data and a small number of the morphological parameters. Using a random test set of more than 600 collections from the database, not utilized within the set of collections used to train the identifier, the species identifier was able to identify 77% correctly with its highest probabilistic match, 96% within its three most likely determinations and over 99% of collections within its five most likely determinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of a comparative morphological analysis, the multi-rakered sharpbellies were divided into four groups, differing in the number of branched rays in the anal fin, the relative length of the head, body depth, the length of the spine of the dorsal fin, and the color of the peritoneum: Ussuri sharpbelly Hemiculter lucidus; the Buir-Nuur sharpbelly H. varpachovskii; sharpbellies from the basin of the Yangtze River (it is shown, that H. clupeoides is an available name for them); the sharpbellies from the Lower Amur basin described as an independent species, the status of which is confirmed by its differences from H. lucidus and H. clupeoides in the composition of haplotypes of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The phylogenetic relationships of the species of multi-rakered sharpbellies are discussed, some problems of synonymy are considered, and a key for diagnosing the species is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present report provides the first material evidence of Nerocila orbignyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1832) collected from two different landing centres of the Chilika lagoon, thus claiming the first report of this parasite from India. One of the specimens was recorded from the host fish species Plotosus canius Hamilton 1822, constituting the first host record for this isopod. A key for the identification of N. orbignyi among its congeners is also provided. Molecular characterization of Cytochrome C Oxidase I (COI) gene of N. orbignyi was based on one specimen submitted for the first time to the NCBI database. This parasite is differentiated from the other available sequences of its related congeners retrieved from the NCBI and BOLD database by 26–34% in the Kimura 2 Parameter (K2P) distance and belongs to a separate cluster in Maximum likelihood (ML) tree analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The worldwide genus Anopheles Meigen, 1918 is the only genus containing species evolved as vectors of human and simian malaria. Morbidity and mortality caused by Plasmodium Marchiafava & Celli, 1885 is tremendous, which has made these parasites and their vectors the objects of intense research aimed at mosquito identification, malaria control and elimination. DNA tools make the identification of Anopheles species both easier and more difficult. Easier in that putative species can nearly always be separated based on DNA data; more difficult in that attaching a scientific name to a species is often problematic because morphological characters are often difficult to interpret or even see; and DNA technology might not be available and affordable. Added to this are the many species that are either not yet recognized or are similar to, or identical with, named species. The first step in solving Anopheles identification problem is to attach a morphology-based formal or informal name to a specimen. These names are hypotheses to be tested with further morphological observations and/or DNA evidence. The overarching objective is to be able to communicate about a given species under study. In South America, morphological identification which is the first step in the above process is often difficult because of lack of taxonomic expertise and/or inadequate identification keys, written for local fauna, containing the most consequential species, or obviously, do not include species described subsequent to key publication. Methods Holotypes and paratypes and other specimens deposited in the Coleção Entomológica de Referência, Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP-USP), Museo de Entomología, Universidad del Valle (MUSENUV) and the US National Mosquito Collection, Smithsonian Institution (USNMC) were examined and employed to illustrate the identification keys for female, male and fourth-instar larvae of Anopheles. Results We presented, in four concurrent parts, introduction and three keys to aid the identification of South American Anopheles based on the morphology of the larvae, male genitalia and adult females, with the former two keys fully illustrated. Conclusions Taxonomic information and identification keys for species of the genus Anopheles are updated. The need for further morphology-based studies and description of new species are reinforced.

Abstract Background Despite the importance of some species of Culex (Melanoconion) (Diptera: Culicidae) as vectors of several arboviruses that cause diseases in humans and other animals, there are few taxonomic studies focusing on species of the subgenus, especially providing morphological keys for species identification. Results Thirteen species of the Atratus Group of Culex (Melanoconion) were reviewed, five new species are described, and two taxonomic changes are proposed: Cx. (Mel.) exedrus Root, 1927 and Cx. (Mel.) loturus Dyar, 1925 are resurrected from synonymy with Cx. (Mel.) dunni Dyar, 1918 and Cx. (Mel.) zeteki Dyar, 1918, respectively. The Atratus Group now includes fourteen species: Cx. (Mel.) atratus Theobald, 1901; Cx. (Mel.) caribeanus Galindo & Blanton, 1954; Cx. (Mel.) columnaris Sá & Hutchings n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) commevynensis Bonne-Wepster & Bonne, 1919; Cx. (Mel.) comptus Sá & Sallum n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) dunni; Cx. (Mel.) ensiformis Bonne-Wepster & Bonne, 1919; Cx. (Mel.) exedrus; Cx. (Mel.) longisetosus Sá & Sallum n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) longistylus Sá & Sallum n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) loturus; Cx. (Mel.) spinifer Sá & Sallum n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) trigeminatus Clastrier, 1970; and Cx. (Mel.) zeteki. Keys, descriptions and illustrations for the identification of the male, female, pupal and fourth-instar larval stages of each species are provided. The treatment of each species includes a complete synonymy, descriptions of available life stages, a taxonomic discussion, updated bionomics and geographical distribution, and a list of material examined. Conclusions The taxonomy of the Atratus Group of Culex (Melanoconion) is updated, including descriptions of five new species. The number of valid species is greater than the number recognized in the previous taxonomic study of the group, increasing from seven to 14 species. Distributional and bionomical data are updated. Morphology-based identification keys for females, males, fourth-instar larvae and pupae provided in this study will facilitate species identification.

Large numbers of new taxa are described annually and while there is a great need to make them identifiable, there seems little consistency in how this might be facilitated. 427 papers published in 2021 and 2022 were surveyed, which described 587 new insect genera. Only 136 of these papers included keys, and these allowed the identification of 233 of the new genera (31.9% of papers and 39.7% of the new genera). The proportion of papers that included a key varied significantly among insect orders but not among the handful of journals wherein the bulk of the new genera were described. Overall, for 17 key-related variables assessed in a binary fashion (optimal vs suboptimal), the average key had almost six criteria that were scored as being suboptimal. For example, less than one-fifth facilitated retracing and less than 12% had illustrated keys where the images were conveniently located close to the relevant key couplets. Progress towards confirming a putative identification was possible in all papers, through the inclusion of a diagnosis, habitus images, or both. Based upon this analysis, and expanding on previous suggestions for key construction, 23 recommendations are made on how to make an identification key maximally useful for users and I indicate the relative ease with which each could be adhered to. Identification keys should accompany all new taxon descriptions, guidelines for effective key construction should be added to journals' instructions to authors, editors and reviewers should check keys carefully, and publishers should be attentive to the needs of users through, for example, permitting duplication of images to make keys easier to use. Recommendations are likely relevant to all levels in the taxonomic hierarchy for all organisms, despite the data being derived from generic-level keys for insects., Competing Interests: The author has declared that no competing interests exist., (Laurence Packer.)

Abstract The pantropical family Connaraceae includes 12-13 genera and about 200 species, with species richness centered in Amazonia and Atlantic Forest. Most neotropical species of this family occur in Brazil, where several taxa are exclusively found. In Espírito Santo (southeast Brazil), two genera (Connarus and Rourea) and nine species of Connaraceae occur, all of which are exclusive to Brazil and mostly distributed in tableland forests or restingas from Rio de Janeiro up to south Bahia, with some taxa restricted to a few sites or even endemic to a particular area in Espírito Santo. In order to contribute to the flora of Espírito Santo, this taxonomic treatment presents morphological descriptions of the family, the two genera and their respective species, along with identification keys, illustrations, distribution maps and recognition notes.

Copyright of Rodriguésia is the property of Revista Rodriguesia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Imagery has become a key tool for assessing deep-sea megafaunal biodiversity, historically based on physical sampling using fishing gears. Image datasets provide quantitative and repeatable estimates, small-scale spatial patterns and habitat descriptions. However, taxon identification from images is challenging and often relies on morphotypes without considering a taxonomic framework. Taxon identification is particularly challenging in regions where the fauna is poorly known and/or highly diverse. Furthermore, the efficiency of imagery and physical sampling may vary among habitat types. Here, we compared biodiversity metrics (alpha and gamma diversity, composition) based on physical sampling (dredging and trawling) and towed-camera still images (1) along the upper continental slope of Papua New Guinea (sedimented slope with wood-falls, a canyon and cold seeps), and (2) on the outer slopes of the volcanic islands of Mayotte, dominated by hard bottoms. The comparison was done on selected taxa (Pisces, Crustacea, Echinoidea, and Asteroidea), which are good candidates for identification from images. Taxonomic identification ranks obtained for the images varied among these taxa (e.g., family/order for fishes, genus for echinoderms). At these ranks, imagery provided a higher taxonomic richness for hard-bottom and complex habitats, partially explained by the poor performance of trawling on these rough substrates. For the same reason, the gamma diversity of Pisces and Crustacea was also higher from images, but no difference was observed for echinoderms. On soft bottoms, physical sampling provided higher alpha and gamma diversity for fishes and crustaceans, but these differences tended to decrease for crustaceans identified to the species/morphospecies level from images. Physical sampling and imagery were selective against some taxa (e.g., according to size or behavior), therefore providing different facets of biodiversity. In addition, specimens collected at a larger scale facilitated megafauna identification from images. Based on this complementary approach, we propose a robust methodology for image-based faunal identification relying on a taxonomic framework, from collaborative work with taxonomists. An original outcome of this collaborative work is the creation of identification keys dedicated specifically to in situ images and which take into account the state of the taxonomic knowledge for the explored sites.

Sundaquedius gen. nov. (Cyrtoquediini) and Fluviphirus gen. nov. (Indoquediini) are described from southeast Asia and western North America, respectively, resulting in the new combinations Sundaquedius nigropolitus (Cameron) and Fluviphirus elevatus (Hatch). Sundaquedius abbreviatus sp. nov. is described from Vietnam. The phylogenetic positions of these genera within Staphylininae are supported by morphology and recently published phylogenomic evidence. New keys to the world genera of Cyrtoquediini and Indoquediini are provided. A new country record for Alesiella lineipennis (Cameron) is provided for Thailand, based on the first available specimen in more than 100 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to discuss the importance of using participatory methodologies in research related to traditional communities. Brazil has innumerable cultural expressions, and for this reason indigenous communities, quilombolas, peasants, fishing, among others, maintain unique sociospatial relations in their territories. Traditional hegemonic science has long made research questions invisible through cold and partial written methodologies that did not reach the identity territory of these communities. It starts from the experience of researches carried out in Colony Z-29, in São Pedro Village, in Jaramataia, Alagoas, to understand how ancient knowledge and practices are used to classify, by means of identification keys, different types of soils and their characteristics. Uses. From the observant participation, conversation wheels were held that were potentiated with the use of the mystical technique, seeking to know the fishing cosmologies in relation to the soils recorded in a field diary of the geoethnographic method. It is noteworthy that the ethnopedological approach not only served to classify soils based on traditional knowledge, but reflected the identity, collectivity and ancestry of a people who need another academic writing as potent as their orality

The material of family Helotidae collected over 2008-2014 in the area of Mount Phu Pane, in the small part of northeastern Laos, was studied and the results are given. Twenty-two species of this family were recognized, including two species new to science described herein: Helota luciae sp. nov. (the Helota thibetana species group) and Helota catharinae sp. nov. (the Helota vigorsii species group). An updated key for three mentioned species groups sensu Lee (2010) including the newly described species is provided. Figures of protibiae, genitalia, internal sacs, eighths abdominal tergites, and fifth abdominal ventrites are given for all new species. New records from Laos are presented for the two new species only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After 15 years of field studies in Madagascar, especially focused on the overlooked fern genus Elaphoglossum (Dryopteridaceae), a synoptic revision of the genus is here presented. Based on more than 2,600 herbarium specimens including collections over 200 years, Elaphoglossum is the second most diversified fern genus in Madagascar, with 52 species and three subspecies (with 76% of endemism). It is to be compared to the 34 species treated by Tardieu-Blot in 1960 for the "Flore de Madagascar et des Comores" or the 38 species listed by Roux in 2009 in the seminal "Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighboring islands". The 55 taxa represent five out of seven existing generic sections (sect. Amygdalifolia and sect. Wrightiana being monotypic and Neotropical): sect. Lepidoglossa (29 spp. and three subspp.), sect. Elaphoglossum (17 spp.), sect. Setosa (3 spp.), sect. Squamipedia (2 spp.), and sect. Polytrichia (1 sp.). Distribution is given for each species and subspecies, and detailed for each island or archipelago in the Western Indian Ocean (La Réunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros). Twenty species and three subspecies are newly described, all but one endemic to Madagascar: Elaphoglossum ambrense Rouhan, Elaphoglossum andohahelense Rouhan, Elaphoglossum anjanaharibense Rouhan, Elaphoglossum approximatum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum brachymischum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum cerussatum Tardieu subsp. brunneum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum coracinolepis Rouhan, Elaphoglossum desireanum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum glabricaule Rouhan, Elaphoglossum gladiifolium Rouhan, Elaphoglossum leucolepis (Baker) Krajina ex Tardieu subsp. nanolepis Rouhan, Elaphoglossum leucolepis (Baker) Krajina ex Tardieu subsp. nigricans Rouhan, Elaphoglossum longiacuminatum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum patriceanum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum perangustum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum prominentinervulum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum rakotondrainibeae Rouhan, Elaphoglossum repandum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum sabineanum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum sinensiumbrarum Rouhan, Elaphoglossum subglabricaule Rouhan, Elaphoglossum tsaratananense Rouhan, and Elaphoglossum viridicaule Rouhan. Morphological description, distribution map, and original illustrations are provided for each new taxon. Novel identification keys to the sections and all species from Madagascar are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The worldwide genus Anopheles Meigen, 1918 is the only genus containing species evolved as vectors of human and simian malaria. Morbidity and mortality caused by Plasmodium Marchiafava & Celli, 1885 is tremendous, which has made these parasites and their vectors the objects of intense research aimed at mosquito identification, malaria control and elimination. DNA tools make the identification of Anopheles species both easier and more difficult. Easier in that putative species can nearly always be separated based on DNA data; more difficult in that attaching a scientific name to a species is often problematic because morphological characters are often difficult to interpret or even see; and DNA technology might not be available and affordable. Added to this are the many species that are either not yet recognized or are similar to, or identical with, named species. The first step in solving Anopheles identification problem is to attach a morphology-based formal or informal name to a specimen. These names are hypotheses to be tested with further morphological observations and/or DNA evidence. The overarching objective is to be able to communicate about a given species under study. In South America, morphological identification which is the first step in the above process is often difficult because of lack of taxonomic expertise and/or inadequate identification keys, written for local fauna, containing the most consequential species, or obviously, do not include species described subsequent to key publication. Methods: Holotypes and paratypes and other specimens deposited in the Coleção Entomológica de Referência, Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP-USP), Museo de Entomología, Universidad del Valle (MUSENUV) and the US National Mosquito Collection, Smithsonian Institution (USNMC) were examined and employed to illustrate the identification keys for female, male and fourth-instar larvae of Anopheles. Results: We presented, in four concurrent parts, introduction and three keys to aid the identification of South American Anopheles based on the morphology of the larvae, male genitalia and adult females, with the former two keys fully illustrated. Conclusions: Taxonomic information and identification keys for species of the genus Anopheles are updated. The need for further morphology-based studies and description of new species are reinforced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the importance of some species of Culex (Melanoconion) (Diptera: Culicidae) as vectors of several arboviruses that cause diseases in humans and other animals, there are few taxonomic studies focusing on species of the subgenus, especially providing morphological keys for species identification. Results: Thirteen species of the Atratus Group of Culex (Melanoconion) were reviewed, five new species are described, and two taxonomic changes are proposed: Cx. (Mel.) exedrus Root, 1927 and Cx. (Mel.) loturus Dyar, 1925 are resurrected from synonymy with Cx. (Mel.) dunni Dyar, 1918 and Cx. (Mel.) zeteki Dyar, 1918, respectively. The Atratus Group now includes fourteen species: Cx. (Mel.) atratus Theobald, 1901; Cx. (Mel.) caribeanus Galindo & Blanton, 1954; Cx. (Mel.) columnaris Sá & Hutchings n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) commevynensis Bonne-Wepster & Bonne, 1919; Cx. (Mel.) comptus Sá & Sallum n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) dunni; Cx. (Mel.) ensiformis Bonne-Wepster & Bonne, 1919; Cx. (Mel.) exedrus; Cx. (Mel.) longisetosus Sá & Sallum n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) longistylus Sá & Sallum n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) loturus; Cx. (Mel.) spinifer Sá & Sallum n. sp.; Cx. (Mel.) trigeminatus Clastrier, 1970; and Cx. (Mel.) zeteki. Keys, descriptions and illustrations for the identification of the male, female, pupal and fourth-instar larval stages of each species are provided. The treatment of each species includes a complete synonymy, descriptions of available life stages, a taxonomic discussion, updated bionomics and geographical distribution, and a list of material examined. Conclusions: The taxonomy of the Atratus Group of Culex (Melanoconion) is updated, including descriptions of five new species. The number of valid species is greater than the number recognized in the previous taxonomic study of the group, increasing from seven to 14 species. Distributional and bionomical data are updated. Morphology-based identification keys for females, males, fourth-instar larvae and pupae provided in this study will facilitate species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annales de la Société Entomologique de France: International Journal of Entomology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This is on the one hand an announcement of the two-volume Fourth Edition of the Excursion Flora for Austria expanded by also including the remaining parts of the Eastern Alps (chapter 1), and on the other hand a rough survey of the flora of the Eastern Alps in connection with the main vegetation types (chapter 2). The geographical scope includes, besides Austria, the entire Eastern Alps from the Rhine valley in E Switzerland (Grisons) to the Vipava valley in SW Slovenia. Volume 1 mainly contains comprehensive introductory chapters like introductions to plant morphology, taxonomy, and nomenclature, as well as a sketch of ecomorphology and habitat ecology, a survey of vegetation types (phytosociology) and floristic peculiarities of the different natural regions, a rough history of floristic research, a detailed glossary including the meaning of epithets, etc., and drawings of several plant species characteristic of the flora covered. The structure of the keys concentrated in volume 2 is explained: besides the descriptive traits, they include for each taxon comprehensive ecological and plant geographical data, as well as information about Red Lists of the countries involved, plant uses, and taxonomical problems. Genus names are given not only in German, but also in the Romansh (Rumantsch Grischun), Italian, and Slovenian languages. In chapter 2, some important chorotypes including endemics are characterised, and an overview of floristic diversity (lists of exemplary taxa) in accordance with the main and most characteristic vegetation types is presented.

Se presentan la morfología general, incluyendo los caracteres de interés diagnóstico, una breve historia del grupo, la actualización taxonómica y las claves dicotómicas y figuras para la clasificación de los tres géneros y las cuatro especies de estigiomísidos y las ocho tribus,12 géneros y las 30 especies de mísidos cubanos. Los lofogástridos están representados únicamente por el género Lophogaster Sars, 1857. Los mísidos mejor representados en las aguas cubanas pertenecen a los géneros Heteromysis Smith, 1873, con ocho especies y Mysidium Dana, 1852, con cuatro. ABSTRACT The general morphology, including the characters of diagnostic interest, a brief history of the group, the actualized taxonomy and the dicothomic keys and figures for the classification of the 3 genera and 4 species of stigiomysids, as well as the 8 tribes, 12 genera and 30 species of Cuban mysids are given. The lofogastrids are represented only by the genus Lophogaster. The best represented genera in the Cuban waters are Heteromysis Smith, 1873, with 8 species and Mysidium Dana, 1852, with 4.

The scarcity of easily accessible high-quality, up-to-date information about certain taxa and difficulties using dichotomous taxonomic keys have long been issues raised by the scientific community. This problem is especially evident regarding resources in Portuguese. This article introduces the Chalcidoidea Biodiversity Portal (Portal de Biodiversidade de Chalcidoidea), a web resource which aims to provide researchers, educators and other members of the community with tools to aid in the taxonomic identification of chalcid wasps, as well as a continuously updated texts with recent advancements in the area. The main differential of the portal is a section including freely accessible multiple-entry keys. The interface for multiple-entry keys are desktop- and mobile-friendly, allowing the user to select illustrated features by clicking, progressively eliminating alternative results until only one is left. The researcher interface allows them to easily update information and to upload developed keys using the Structured Descriptive Data (SDD 1.1) format. Our main objective is to foster communication for research groups focusing on Chalcidoidea in the Neotropical region, including sectors focused on biological control. The web site is hosted at http://chalcidoidea.ufes.br.

Two new species of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) collected from New Caledonia are described and figured based on worker specimens: Leptogenys loarelae Ramage sp. nov. (Ponerinae, Ponerini) and Lioponera neocaledonica Jouault, Ramage & Perrichot sp. nov. (Dorylinae, Cerapachyini). All specimens were collected from the South Province of Grande Terre. These two new species are primarily distinguished from the other New Caledonian relatives by the size and shape of petiole for L. loarelae Ramage sp. nov. and by the presence of dorsolateral margins on the mesosoma for L. neocaledonica Jouault, Ramage & Perrichot sp. nov. Keys to New Caledonian Leptogenys and Lioponera are provided.

In this paper, the species of the genus Clanoptilus Motschulsky, 1854 mentioned for the Italian territory are reviewed. Two separate keys are provided for identification of males and females. For each species a discussion of taxonomic status and distribution in Italy, and the list of localities of studied specimens are also presented. Clanoptilus affinis subconcolor (Pic, 1911) and Clanoptilus spinipennis brevispina (Kiesenwetter, 1871) are tentatively proposed as valid subspecies or separate semi-species. The new synonymy Clanoptilus bellieri (Peyron, 1877) = Clanoptilus transadriaticus (Evers, 1970) is also proposed.

Deer keds (Lipoptena spp.) are blood‐sucking ectoparasites of domestic and wild animals, and also accidentally of humans. In Europe, five Lipoptena spp. have been recorded, although the lack of specific taxonomic keys has often led to mistaken identification or to missing data. The present study aimed to develop an identification key of the European species and also to identify Lipoptena spp. found on wild ungulates in northern Italy. In total, 390 hippoboscids were collected from Rupicapra rupicapra, Capreolus capreolus, Cervus elaphus and Ovis aries musimon in an Alpine area of Italy. After morphological identification, 140 specimens were subjected to phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial (CO1) and nuclear (CAD) gene sequences. Despite the expected presence of slight morphological variations, all specimens examined were identified both microscopically and molecularly as Lipoptena cervi (100% identity for both CO1 and CAD genes). The massive increase in wild ungulate populations can favour the possibility of detecting other species of Lipoptena. The identification keys proposed in the present study may help with monitoring the presence of Lipoptena species, particularly in European countries where this ectoparasite is neglected and for which various data (from diffusion to control methods) are still missing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because aphids represent major crop pests worldwide and are intensively studied for their agricultural impacts and unusual biological features, there is a constant need to disseminate the knowledge accumulating on these insects to a large audience. Encyclop'Aphid, an online encyclopedia, in both English and French, devoted to aphids and their natural enemies, is intended to meet this need. The website includes five main sections describing 1) aphid traits (taxonomy, morphology, biology), 2) their interactions with other organisms (antagonists, mutualists), 3) their economical impact, 4) some current research themes and 5) a species-by-species presentation of common aphid species and their natural enemies, i.e., pathogenic fungi, insect predators, parasitoids and hyperparasitoids. Encyclop'Aphid also contains several taxonomic identification keys for aphids that attack cultivated plants. It offers freely accessible iconographies and a video library. The website is intended to evolve and to be constantly enriched by new contributions from different international specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Contributii Botanice is the property of Contributii Botanice and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Subtribe Chusqueinae was previously composed of the genera Neurolepis and Chusquea. Following molecular-based phylogenetic studies, all species of Neurolepis were transferred to Chusquea and placed in two new subgenera: Chusquea subg. Magnifoliae and Chusquea subg. Platonia. Complete keys for the identification of taxa within C. subg. Magnifoliae and C. subg. Platonia are lacking. The present paper provides five new reports and a taxonomic revision of Chusquea subg. Magnifoliae and C. subg. Platonia in Peru involving 13 taxa. Vegetative and reproductive morphological diagnostic characters were analyzed. Complete illustrations of C. aristata, C. fimbriligulata subsp. peruviana, and C. spectabilis are provided. Chusquea elata, C. fimbriligulata subsp. fimbriligulata, C. mollis, C. nana, and C. spectabilis constitute new reports for Peru. Keys for the identification of the species of Chusquea subg. Magnifoliae and C. subg. Platonia occurring in Peru were prepared based on vegetative and reproductive characters and are here presented for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Tribe Linnaeeae is a diverse group disjunctly distributed in the northern hemisphere between China and Japan and Mexico. The tribe consists of shrubs with showy flowers that are important in the horticultural industry. We present a detailed monograph of tribe Linnaeeae that includes descriptions, identification keys, botanical plates with line drawings and photographs, distribution maps, morphometric analysis of key characters, and discussion on evolution, cultivation and conservation. Twenty species, as well as five new varieties and four new forms, are recognised in six genera. Forty heterotypic names (not including the 218 names for Linnaea borealis) are listed as synonyms. 1,973 specimens were studied and databased from 13 herbaria (A, BM, CAS, E, GZAC, IBSC, KUN, KYO, MAK, PE, TNS, TOFO and TI). The Kolkwitzia–Dipelta–Diabelia clade radiated from the Qinling Mountain Range of China and is disjunctly distributed in Japan. The Linnaea–Vesalea clade may have migrated through the Bering Land Bridge and radiated along the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico. Abelia, which is most diverse in China, evolved in relation to the formation of the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the species of the genus Clanoptilus Motschulsky, 1854 mentioned for the Italian territory are reviewed. Two separate keys are provided for identification of males and females. For each species a discussion of taxonomic status and distribution in Italy, and the list of localities of studied specimens are also presented. Clanoptilus affinis subconcolor (Pic, 1911) and Clanoptilus spinipennis brevispina (Kiesenwetter, 1871) are tentatively proposed as valid subspecies or separate semi-species. The new synonymy Clanoptilus bellieri (Peyron, 1877) = Clanoptilus transadriaticus (Evers, 1970) is also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circumscription of the circumboreal tribe Scirpeae has been contentious since the earliest infrafamilial classifications of the Cyperaceae (>100 genera, ~ 5500 species). Molecular phylogenetic studies place Scirpeae in a strongly supported clade with the enigmatic genus Khaosokia and tribes Cariceae, Dulichieae, and Sumatroscirpeae, a lineage comprising more than 40% of all Cyperaceae species. This lineage was previously known as the Cariceae‐Dulichieae‐Scirpeae (CDS) clade. Here we informally characterize it as the "Scirpo‐Caricoid Clade". Previous phylogenetic and phylogenomic studies of the Scirpo‐Caricoid Clade have shown Scirpeae to be paraphyletic, forming four distinct lineages that are successive sisters to a Cariceae + ​Sumatroscirpeae clade, thus confirming decade‐old suspicions that the modern circumscription of Scirpeae is unnatural. Using a total‐evidence phylogenetic analysis incorporating three plastid markers (matK, ndhF, rps16), two nuclear ribosomal markers (ETS‐1f, ITS), and 64 morphological characters, this study confirms the paraphyly of Scirpeae, the isolated phylogenetic position of Khaosokia, and identifies morphological synapomorphies for seven monophyletic lineages that are here recognized as tribes. Our new classification places for the first time all genera of the Scirpo‐Caricoid Clade into natural tribes that are identifiable using morphological and embryological characters. Three new tribes are proposed: Calliscirpeae tr. nov., Khaosokieae tr. nov. and Trichophoreae tr. nov. Diagnoses for all tribes of the Scirpo‐Caricoid Clade, an identification key to all currently recognized Cyperaceae tribes, and identification keys for all genera of the Scirpo‐Caricoid Clade are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dicranocentrus Schött is the most diverse and widespread taxon of Neotropical Orchesellidae. In Brazil, the genus is represented by 11 species found in humid forested areas of Atlantic and Amazon forests domains. Here we describe in detail Dicranocentrus abestado sp. nov. from Chapada Diamantina, Caatinga domain, Brazil. The new species belongs to the marias group sensu Mari-Mutt, due to the absence of most posterior macrochaetae on the dorsal head, and resembles other Neotropical species with 3, 2 and 2 central macrochaetae on abdominal segments I–III. However, the new species is unique especially by its reduced colour pattern combined with its empodial complex morphology. We compare Dicranocentrus abestado sp. nov. with 27 other taxa from the New and Old World, including all species with 3 macrochaetae on the first abdominal segment; provide notes and details on the morphology of the compared species plus identification keys to Brazilian and all species of the genus with similar abdominal chaetotaxy. We also discuss the current taxonomical knowledge on Brazilian Dicranocentrus and provide notes on its chaetotaxy and Heteromurinae systematics.

In recent years, the number and scale of environmental citizen science programmes that involve lay people in scientific research have increased rapidly. Many of these initiatives are concerned with the recording and identification of species, processes which are increasingly mediated through digital interfaces. Here, we address the growing need to understand the particular role of digital identification tools, both in generating scientific data and in supporting learning by lay people engaged in citizen science activities pertaining to biological recording communities. Starting from two well-known identification tools, namely identification keys and field guides, this study focuses on the decision-making and quality of learning processes underlying species identification tasks, by comparing three digital interfaces designed to identify bumblebee species. The three interfaces varied with respect to whether species were directly compared or filtered by matching on visual features; and whether the order of filters was directed by the interface or a user-driven open choice. A concurrent mixed-methods approach was adopted to compare how these different interfaces affected the ability of participants to make correct and quick species identifications, and to better understand how participants learned through using these interfaces. We found that the accuracy of identification and quality of learning were dependent upon the interface type, the difficulty of the specimen on the image being identified and the interaction between interface type and ‘image difficulty’. Specifically, interfaces based on filtering outperformed those based on direct visual comparison across all metrics, and an open choice of filters led to higher accuracy than the interface that directed the filtering. Our results have direct implications for the design of online identification technologies for biological recording, irrespective of whether the goal is to collect higher quality citizen science data, or to support user learning and engagement in these communities of practice.

We describe five new species of fungi of the order Laboulbeniales Lindau growing on millipedes and belonging to the genera Diplopodomyces W.Rossi & Balazuc and Troglomyces S.Colla. Three new species of Diplopodomyces, viz. Diplopodomyces coronatus Santam., Enghoff & Reboleira sp. nov. living on Serboiulus spelaeophilus Gulicka, 1967 from Bulgarian caves, Diplopodomyces liguliphorus Santam., Enghoff & Reboleira sp. nov. on an unidentified species of Spirobolida from Sri Lanka, and Diplopodomyces ramosus Santam., Enghoff & Reboleira sp. nov. on Pachyiulus spp. from Turkey, Macedonia and Serbia; and two new species of Troglomyces, viz. Troglomyces dioicus Santam., Enghoff & Reboleira sp. nov. on Nepalmatoiulus sp. from Myanmar, and Troglomyces tetralabiatus Santam., Enghoff & Reboleira sp. nov. on Caucaseuma Strasser, 1970 and Heterocaucaseuma Antić & Makarov, 2016 from caves in Western Caucasus. Troglomyces dioicus sp. nov. is the first dioecious species described in the genus Troglomyces. Keys for all hitherto known species of Diplopodomyces and Troglomyces are presented, as is a discussion of the status of both genera. Additional records for Diplopodomyces lusitanipodos Santam., Enghoff & Reboleira and Troglomyces manfrediae S.Colla are also included.

Attempts to use machine learning (ML) for species identification of macrofungi have usually involved the use of image recognition to deduce the species from photographs, sometimes combining this with collection metadata. Our approach is different: we use a set of quantified morphological characters (for example, the average length of the spores) and locality (GPS coordinates). Using this data alone, the machine can learn to differentiate between species. Our case study is the genus Hebeloma, fungi within the order Agaricales, where species determination is renowned as a difficult problem. Whether it is as a result of recent speciation, the plasticity of the species, hybridization or stasis is a difficult question to answer. What is sure is that this has led to difficulties with species delimitation and consequently a controversial taxonomy. The Hebeloma Project--our attempt to solve this problem by rigorously understanding the genus--has been evolving for over 20 years. We began organizing collections in a database in 2003. The database now has over 10,000 collections, from around the world, with not only metadata but also morphological descriptions and photographs, both macroscopic and microscopic, as well as molecular data including at least an internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence (generally, but not universally, accepted as a DNA barcode marker for fungi (Schoch et al. 2012)), and in many cases sequences of several loci. Included within this set of collections are almost all type specimens worldwide. The collections on the database have been analysed and compared. The analysis uses both the morphological and molecular data as well as information about habitat and location. In this way, almost all collections are assigned to a species. This development has been enabled and assisted by citizen scientists from around the globe, collecting and recording information about their finds as well as preserving material. From this database, we have built a website, which updates as the database updates. The website (hebeloma.org) is currently undergoing beta testing prior to a public launch. It includes up-to-date species descriptions, which are generated by amalgamating the data from the collections of each species in the database. Additional tools allow the user to explore those species with similar habitat preferences, or those from a particular biogeographic area. The user is also able to compare a range of characters of different species via an interactive plotter. The ML-based species identifier is featured on the website. The standardised storage of the collection data on the database forms the backbone for the identifier. A portion of the collections on the database are (almost) randomly selected as a training set for the learning phase of the algorithm. The learning is "supervised" in the sense that collections in the training set have been pre-assigned to a species by expert analysis. With the learning phase complete, the remainder of the database collections may then be used for testing. To use the species identifier on the website, a user inputs the same small number of morphological characters used to train the tool and it promptly returns the most likely species represented, ranked in order of probability. As well as describing the neural network behind the species identifier tool, we will demonstrate it in action on the website, present the successful results it has had in testing to date and discuss its current limitations and possible generalizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]