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The genus Aegyptobia is recorded from South America for the first time, with the description of a new species collected from the branches of a native forest tree, Neltuma piurensis (Fabaceae), from Department of Piura in north-western Peru. The species A. pennatulae Baker & Tuttle was also collected from the same host, and is redescribed based on the types and new material. Observations during summer and autumn revealed A. pennatulae as the predominant species, and that N. piurensis is likely an accidental host for A. peruensissp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have indicated that tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) are extending their distributional range westward in the United States. Montane and subalpine habitats consist of a mosaic of forest types including Lodgepole Pine woodlands and meadows, which provide an opportunity to study how a newly arriving species—typically associated with lowland riparian systems—is adapting to novel environmental conditions. The objectives of this study are to document Tri-colored Bat activity in these novel habitats and to quantify which factors are influencing activity patterns in habitats and at elevations not previously documented. We surveyed sites in various stages of secondary succession following beetle kill outbreaks using acoustic monitoring and nonparametric multiplicative regression to model habitat activity patterns. Results showed that activity was highest in meadows and early time-since-kill (TSK) forests in the beginning of the survey period and activity increased in late TSK forest habitats at the end of the survey in early August. Tri-colored bats are not restricting their activity to lower-elevational riparian areas in the Colorado foothills but appear to also be using these high-elevation habitats. Careful consideration of misidentification confirms the high likelihood of tri-colored bats at our sites. We hope that this study will support conservation efforts considering the expected US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered listing for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two genera of the poorly known family Cetomimidae (flabby whalefishes), Cetomimus Goode and Bean, 1895 and Gyrinomimus Parr, 1934, are morphologically similar but differ in jaw tooth row (indistinct diagonal rows in Cetomimus vs. distinct longitudinal rows in Gyrinomimus) and vomerine tooth plate morphology (domed, round or rarely oval vs. flat, rectangular or oval). Three examples of these genera, recently collected off the Pacific coast of Honshu Island, Japan, were respectively identified as Cetomimus hempeli Maul, 1969 (two specimens; characterized by a rounded and broad head, a reduced fourth gill arch and small slit between the third and fourth arches, and cavernous tissue present around the anus, 1–3 anal-fin rays, and dorsal fin origin, but absent from the caudal peduncle) and Gyrinomimus bruuni Rofen, 1959 (single specimen; characterized by 20 dorsal- and anal-fin rays, three or four jaw tooth rows, the dorsal-fin base length 18.2% of the standard length, the anal-fin base with lappets, and the lateral-line pores without flaps). Previously, C. hempeli had been known only from the Atlantic Ocean, the present specimens are the first reliable records from the Pacific Ocean, and the specimen collected off the Fukushima Prefecture coast is the northernmost record of the species. The specimen of G. bruuni also represents the first reliable record of this species from Japan, and the northernmost record of the species. New standard Japanese names are proposed for both species, “Seiun-kujirauo” for C. hempeli, and “Hitaguro-kujirauo” for G. bruuni.

Documenting the distribution of species is necessary as the first step to assess their responses to both anthropogenic disturbance and ongoing climate change. Among insects, some orders, including butterflies (Lepidoptera), dragonflies (Odonata), and families, such as ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) and tiger beetles (Cicindelidae), have received both scientific focus and public attention. In particular, tiger beetles are a diverse, charismatic group of insect predators that occur in habitats with bare soil and are generally well-documented. Because of its geographic location and numerous ecoregions, Oklahoma has many insect species that occur at their eastern, western, northern, and southern edges. A total of 36 species of tiger beetles have previously been documented in the state. Here, we report the occurrence of three additional species, which add approximately 10% to the known occurrence of tiger beetles in Oklahoma. We documented Amblycheila picolominii, a large, nocturnal tiger beetle known from the southwestern United States, which has extended its range by more than 300 km. We also documented Cicindela limbalis, a species typically found on clay in northern North America, and Cicindelidia sedecimpunctata, which is found in the southwestern United States into Mexico. Updating the occurrence of the insects' range, especially for popular insects, can lead to increased study and better baseline data for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of Megalops cyprinoides (Megalopidae) in the Red Sea has been confirmed through the collection of two specimens by recreational fishers at freshwater inputs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Meristic and morphometric characters are provided, complemented by molecular COI sequences, which confirm their identification as M. cyprinoides. These molecular findings also indicate a widespread monophyletic lineage. The limited availability of freshwater inputs to the Red Sea likely restricts suitable habitats for M. cyprinoides, contributing to its low population size in the region and its previous absence from regional ichthyological records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study documents the first record of Lindernia tamilnadensis (M.G.Prasad & Sunojkumar) in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Previously, 16 species of Lindernia have been reported from different parts of India. The newly acquired specimen exhibits distinct morphological characteristics compared to previously described taxa from the Indo-Gangetic plains. A brief description, field notes, photographs, location, and distribution of the species are provided to facilitate identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report Bungarus suzhenae Chen, Shi, Vogel, Ding & Shi, 2021 and Ovophis zayuensis (Jiang, 1977) for the first time from India. Specimens of B. suzhenae and O. zayuensis were collected during our field surveys in north (Arunachal Pradesh) and south (Nagaland-Manipur border) of the river Brahmaputra. Species identity was supported by partial cytochrome b (cyt b), and 16s mitochondrial gene. We provide a detailed morphological description and a key to the two genera of this region. This report extends the westernmost distribution of B. suzhenae by ca. 300 km from Myanmar, and the southernmost range of O. zayuensis by 170 km from Tibet. Until now eight species of Bungarus and only one Ovophis species have been reported from India. Ovophis species are recently reported to be medically important venomous snakes whose venom properties have not been investigated in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of the Coastal Bull Frog, Hoplobatrachus litoralis in Arunachal Pradesh was not certain for lack of any tangible report. The occurrence of this species in this Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh is reported herein based on recent collection of three individuals from a swampy area from the Senki Valley of the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh. Brief diagnostic characters are also provided based on the observed individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Zoologica Lilloana is the property of Fundacion Miguel Lillo 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.)

Wireless communication in underground environments presents formidable challenges due to the diverse and complex transmission mediums, including rocks, icebergs, soil, and water. These environments exhibit distinct properties such as varying densities, salinities, and numerous obstacles. Conventional wireless communication methods encounter difficulties in these scenarios, primarily stemming from issues like electrical conduction, line-of-sight obstacles, high path loss, dynamic channel conditions, and the requirement for large antennas, multiple scattering, and propagation delays constrained by the speed of light. However, electromagnetic induction (EMI) communication has emerged as a promising alternative solution, offering advantages such as reliable connectivity, consistent channel responses, rapid propagation, frequency offset capabilities, minimal propagation delays, and energy efficiency. Despite these merits in underwater environment ecosystems communications, EMI communication suffers from a limited communication range, typically spanning just a few meters. Recent research endeavors have sought to extend the effective range of EMI communication by exploring various strategies, including manipulations of coil parameters, structural enhancements, material advancements, and configuration improvements. This comprehensive study and evaluation delves into the diverse applications, notable advantages, techniques for extending communication range, and the pressing challenges and open issue facing EMI communication in underwater ecosystem environments, requiring further investigation and new research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dermanura gnoma (Handley, 1987) is a phyllostomid bat that occurs in South America. In Brazil, most of the records are concentrated in the Amazon Forest, with sparse data from Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. This study presents the first record of D. gnoma for Alagoas state, and for the Pernambuco Endemism Center (PEC), the most threatened region of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, characterized by its high rate of endemism, habitat loss, and fragmentation. The species was surveyed at Murici Ecological Station and its identification was supported by morphological and molecular data. We provide the first COI and CYTB gene sequences for this species in the entire Atlantic Forest. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that the generated sequences were recovered in the same clade as the published sequences of D. gnoma from the Amazonian Forest, corroborating the disjunct distribution pattern between Amazonia and PEC, as already reported for other vertebrate taxa. Also, this record increases the number of bat species to 71 for the PEC and extends the geographic distribution of D. gnoma by 758 kilometers to the northeast of its range.

Amata (Syntomis) caspia Staudinger, 1877 is reported for the first time from Tajikistan. Additional information on the distribution of other species in Tajikistan is also provided.

Tamarix laxa, a new species for the flora of Ukraine, is first reported for the Bilosaraiska Spit on the northern coast of the Sea of Azov in the Meotyda National Nature Park, Donetsk Region, Ukraine. Its main range extends from the eastern coast of the Sea of Azov to China. Thus, the new location is the extreme northwestern point of the species' natural distribution range. The presence of representatives of the genus Tamarix at the Bilosaraiska Spit has been known for more than 100 years, but T. laxa probably appeared here only in the early 1990s. In ecological and phytosociological terms, the species is confined mainly to the shores of shallow brackish and periodically drying water bodies (bakai) and occupies the same eco­logical niche as T. gracilis; the latter has long been known in the Bilosaraiska Spit and is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. Represen­tatives of the genus Tamarix are reliably identified only during the flowering period, so the growth of related species together makes it difficult to identify them during other periods. The diagnostic characters used for identification of the species of the genus growing in the Bilosaraiska Spit are discussed. It is suggested that the range of T. laxa has been gradually expanding westward during recent decades.

The current study documents the presence of twelve lichenicolous fungi from India that were previously unknown from the country. These fungi include Cercidospora solearispora, Endococcus verrucosus, Lichenopeltella leptogii, Lichenostigma dimelaenae, Polycoccum aksoyi, P. evae, P. kerneri, Rosellinula haplospora, Scutula milliaris, Sphaerellothecium parmotrematis and Stigmidium ramalinae. Moreover, this research reveals that Cladophialophora parmeliae has expanded its distributional range in India. These newly documented lichenicolous fungi provide valuable insights into the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of the Indian lichen flora, throwing light on previously unexplored aspects of fungal diversity in the region.

First described in 2004 off California, Osedax worms are now known from many of the world's oceans, ranging from 10 to over 4000 m in depth. Currently, little is known about species ranges, since most descriptions are from single localities. In this study, we used new sampling in the north-eastern Pacific and available GenBank data from off Japan and Brazil to report expanded ranges for five species: Osedaxfrankpressi, O.knutei, O.packardorum, O.roseus and O.talkovici. We also provided additional DNA sequences from previously reported localities for two species: Osedaxpriapus and O.randyi. To assess the distribution of each species, we used cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences to generate haplotype networks and assess connectivity amongst localities where sampling permitted. Osedaxfrankpressi, O.packardorum, O.priapus, O.roseus and O.talkovici all had one or more dominant COI haplotypes shared by individuals at multiple localities, suggesting high connectivity throughout some or all of their ranges. Low ΦST values amongst populations for O.packardorum, O.roseus and O.talkovici confirmed high levels of gene flow throughout their known ranges. High ΦST values for O.frankpressi between the eastern Pacific and the Brazilian Atlantic showed little gene flow, reflected by the haplotype network, which had distinct Pacific and Atlantic haplotype clusters. This study greatly expands the ranges and provides insights into the phylogeography for these nine species.

We present the first photographic records of the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) at the remote Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the south‐east Pacific. Previous anecdotal sightings exist for tiger sharks in this region; however these records have not been reported within the scientific domain. The present sighting occurred in a period of unusually warm sea surface temperature, which has been shown to influence tiger shark range extensions elsewhere. Novel and historic species occurrence records are valuable for determining and predicting species' environmental tolerances, migratory routes, and distributional limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports a new state record of butterfly Pale Small Branded Swift, Pelopidas thrax (Heubner 1821) and a notable range extension record of butterfly Large Branded swift, Pelopidas subochracea (Moore 1878). Here, we provide a brief differential identification of the both species based on their morphology of male genitalia along with its previous physical descriptions. The present study also clarifies why the genitalia is required for the identification of skippers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document summarizes a study on earthworm communities in wildlife sanctuaries in West Bengal, India. The study found that the number of earthworm species varied across the sanctuaries, with one sanctuary being more suitable for earthworm communities based on diversity. Exotic species were identified as indicators in most sanctuaries, except for one where an endemic species was found. The study also observed the range extension of a particular earthworm species in West Bengal and the tolerance of certain species to different environmental factors. The authors suggest further research is needed to understand the genetic variations between parthenogenetic and sexually reproducing colonies of a specific earthworm species. [Extracted from the article]

Four adult females of a rare benthic/epiphytic harpacticoid copepod species of the genus Peltidium Philippi, 1839 were collected from insular zooplankton samples obtained at Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico. They were identified as Peltidium nayarit Suárez-Morales & Jarquín-González, 2013 with type location (and the single previously known distribution site) at Playa Careyeros (20°46'59.46"N, 105°30'35.48"W), Nayarit, Mexico. We provide a complementary description of this species including new details of antennules, caudal rami, legs 1 and 5, and cuticular ornamentation using scanning electron microscopy observations. Peltidium nayarit has a dark reddish-pink coloration allegedly mimicking the color of the macroalgae where they live, but specimens collected in the present study were obtained from sea surface zooplankton net tows. The record of Peltidium nayarit in the Revillagigedo Islands represents the southwestern-most record of the genus in the Americas and the second record for Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Mexico, land use changes have significantly impacted the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in a negative way. In light of this, we evaluate the alpha and beta components of the taxonomic diversity of amphibians and reptiles in a heterogeneous landscape in west-central Mexico. Additionally, we provide a checklist of amphibian and reptile species recorded over nine years of observations within the studied landscape and surrounding areas. The land cover/use types with the highest species richness and alpha taxonomic diversity differed between amphibians and reptiles. Overall beta taxonomic diversity was high for both groups, but slightly higher in reptiles. This taxonomic differentiation mainly corresponded to a difference in the turnover component and was greater in pristine habitats compared to disturbed ones. The checklist records 20 species of amphibians (ten of which are endemic) and 48 of reptiles (30 endemics). Additionally, the study expands the known geographical distribution range of one species of frog and three species of snakes. Our findings suggest that heterogeneous landscapes with diverse land cover/use types can provide essential habitats for the conservation of amphibian and reptile species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the "Tydeman" CANCAP VII expedition to the Cape Verde Islands in 1986 and the "Tyro" MAURITANIA II Expedition to the Banque d'Arguin off the coast of Mauritania in 1988, several specimens belonging to two species within the genus Periclimenes were trawled from deep water constituting range extensions for both species. The specimens are here compared with previous descriptions, illustrated, and their distribution is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the presence of the common dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, in Argentinian waters for the first time, with a specimen collected by experienced sport fishermen near Mar del Plata (38°S). This finding also represents the first record of a species from the Coryphaenidae family in Argentinian waters. The collection of these specimens coincided with sightings of other rarely-seen pelagic and oceanic fish species during the same period, providing further evidence supporting the influx of subtropical fish species from warmer Brazilian waters. These observations highlight the need for continued monitoring of fish populations and their distribution and the ecological dynamics within the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peropteryx leucoptera is a widespread species in the Neotropics but with a disjunct distribution in Northern South America and a separated population in the Atlantic Forest of Northeastern Brazil. Here we present new records of this species for Northeastern Brazil, the first records for the Caatinga biome and for the states of Bahia and Rondônia. These new records represent a major range extension and establishes a new southern limit of occurrence for the species. We also examined and provide measurements of other specimens and present an updated map with the distribution of P. leucoptera in South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peropteryx pallidoptera is the newest described species of Peropteryx, know from only few localities in Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia. Herein, we report new records of this species, and we show that P. pallidoptera has a wider distribution than known across the Amazon. Our records are based on field sampling and, mostly, on museum vouchers, which reinforces the importance of biological collections and the need to continually review deposited specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia 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.)

A specimen of tripletail Lobotes surinamensis (total length: 402 mm, total mass: 1262 g) was caught in the shallow waters of the inner Bristol Channel on September 2, 2019, with this only the second known capture of this species from the British Isles. Given the cosmopolitan distribution of this species, the potential origin of this specimen is uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sosuga virus (SOSV), a rare human pathogenic paramyxovirus, was first discovered in 2012 when a person became ill after working in South Sudan and Uganda. During an ecological investigation, several species of bats were sampled and tested for SOSV RNA and only one species, the Egyptian rousette bat (ERBs; Rousettus aegyptiacus), tested positive. Since that time, multiple other species have been sampled and ERBs in Uganda have continued to be the only species of bat positive for SOSV infection. Subsequent studies of ERBs with SOSV demonstrated that ERBs are a competent host for SOSV and shed this infectious virus while exhibiting only minor infection-associated pathology. Following the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, surveillance efforts focused on discovering reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens resulted in the capture and testing of many bat species. Here, SOSV RNA was detected by qRT-PCR only in ERBs captured in the Moyamba District of Sierra Leone in the central region of the country. These findings represent a substantial range extension from East Africa to West Africa for SOSV, suggesting that this paramyxovirus may occur in ERB populations throughout its sub-Saharan African range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neomerintheignea (Scorpaenidae), a new species of scorpionfish from the western Pacific Ocean, previously confused with Neomerintheerostris (Alcock 1896), is described. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characteristics: body size less than about 90 mm standard length (SL); lateral lacrimal and second preopercular spines present; usually a distinct longitudinal ridge on lateral surface of maxilla; usually 18 pectoral-fin rays; 37–42 longitudinal series scale rows; pored lateral-line scales 23–25; scale rows above lateral line 4–6, below lateral line 9–11, between sixth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5 or 6, and between last dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 5–7; usually 6 upper gill rakers, 9–16 lower gill rakers (8–10 and 0–7 rakers on ceratohyal and hypobranchial, respectively); numerous cycloid scales on ventral body surface between isthmus and posterior to pelvic fin; 1st dorsal-fin ray length 14.7–19.1% of SL, 2nd dorsal-fin ray length 14.6–18.9% of SL, 3rd dorsal-fin ray length 15.6–18.9% of SL, 4th dorsal-fin ray length 15.2–19.1% of SL, and 5th dorsal-fin ray length 14.2–19.5% of SL; body bright orange to reddish-white when fresh; body and pectoral fins pale yellowish, with indistinct blotches on lateral body surface when preserved. A molecular genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial marker Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I showed that the new species formed a clade distinct from congeneric species. In addition, records of N.erostris, a species similar to N.ignea, are reviewed, and additional specimens from northern Australia noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a relatively broad distribution in Africa, the Spotted Rubber Frog, Phrynomantis affinis, is extremely rarely encountered. Only 18 specimens from 12 localities have been collected with a few additional observations recorded. Virtually nothing of the species' natural history is known. We report or summarise new localities and range extensions of P. affinis in Namibia and Zambia and describe the call for the first time. We also compare its call to that of the sister species, P. bifasciatus, describing this call for the first time and noting a considerable range extension. The calls show several key differences, with P. affinis calls generally having a lower dominant frequency, pulse repetition rate, and number of pulses than P. bifasciatus. The calls of Namibian and Zambian P. affinis also show marked differences. These descriptions add valuable natural history information for both species and will considerably improve the field detection of the enigmatic P. affinis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exacanthomysis marsailiae and Nipponomysis neolingvura are described as new species based on specimens collected with a light trap off the East Sea coast of Korea. E. marsailiae is closely related to Exacanthomysis alaskensis (Banner, 1954) and Exacanthomysis borealis (Banner, 1954). However, E. marsailiae can be distinguished from these species by having slightly grouped spines on lateral margins near the telson apex, and the exopod of male’s fourth pleopod more than twice as long as the endopod. N. neolingvura can be distinguished from its closest relative, Nipponomysis lingvura (Murano, 1977), in that the lateral sides of the telson are all armed with spines without any empty space, and that the second segment of the fourth male pleopod is longer than the third one. The report of E. marsailiae from the East Sea of Korea extends the distribution range of the genus Exacanthomysis from the high-latitude North Pacific southward to the mid-latitude waters of the western Pacific. The morphological characteristics of the two current new species are also compared with those of their congeners.

In the American Museum of Natural History, New York, there is an old specimen labelled as “Holodromia harrisonwilliamsi Boone, MS name” that was collected from Cocos Island in 1925. This name has never been published. An examination of the specimen shows that it is a juvenile specimen of Homolodromia robertsi Garth, 1973, a species described from Peru, which has since been reported from Chile and off the coast of Ecuador. This paper reports on the specimen Homolodromia robertsi Garth found in Costa Rica for the first time, a discovery that extends the known range of this species northwards.

Austrocylindropuntia pachypus (K.Schum.) Backeb. is an endemic cactus of Peru, whose known distribution was restricted to the western slopes of La Libertad, Áncash, and Lima. Based on botanical expeditions along the Andean foothills of Ica, this study reports new localities with small populations, thereby extending the known distribution of A. pachypus by over 260 km to the south. Additionally, based on 42 georeferenced records, information on its localities, populations, potential distribution, habitats, threats, and conservation status is expanded. The potential distribution model exhibited high predictive or suitability levels with AUC values of 0.96 based on seven climatic variables, with Bio17, Bio2, and Bio7 being the most contributory variables; Lambayeque, La Libertad, Áncash, Lima, Ica, and Huancavelica demonstrated the highest suitability values. Populations with the highest concentration of individuals, yet significantly disturbed by anthropogenic activities, are those in the valleys of the Chillón River (Santa Rosa de Quives, Canta) and Rímac River (Santa Eulalia, Huarochirí) in Lima. Furthermore, it is estimated that approximately 70% of A. pachypus populations are threatened by mining rights, hydrocarbon extraction, overgrazing, and urban or agricultural expansion, exacerbating habitat fragmentation. Hence, it is proposed to categorize this endemic cactus as Endangered (EN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the American Museum of Natural History, New York, there is an old specimen labelled as "Holodromia harrisonwilliamsi Boone, MS name" that was collected from Cocos Island in 1925. This name has never been published. An examination of the specimen shows that it is a juvenile specimen of Homolodromia robertsi Garth, 1973, a species described from Peru, which has since been reported from Chile and off the coast of Ecuador. This paper reports on the specimen Homolodromia robertsi Garth found in Costa Rica for the first time, a discovery that extends the known range of this species northwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stenodactylus sthenodactylus (Lichtenstein, 1823) is a widely distributed naked-toed gecko found from Western Sahara throughout North Africa to Jordan. While its occurrence in Saudi Arabia was tentatively assumed but not yet confirmed, we report its presence by documenting several individuals from the north-westernmost margin of Tabuk Province in 2021 and 2023. These new records are discussed in light of relevant literature and previous records originating from Tiran and Sanafir islands in the late 20th century, before they were transferred to Saudi Arabia in 2016. These records predate the mainland records reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tropical and warm-temperate eastern Australian muricid snail Tenguella marginalba (Blainville, 1832), unknown in Victoria prior to 1982, is formally reported as established in far eastern Victoria. It also occurs in southernmost New South Wales. The Marine Research Group of the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria (MRG) first detected it at Mallacoota in 1982, and subsequent surveys by the MRG and others have confirmed its local persistence. This paper maps its appearance and range in Victoria over time, based on MRG records and other literature references. A possible cause for its Victorian incursion is the warming of the Eastern Australian Current through climate change. Recent Victorian intertidal records of other warm-temperate marine invertebrates not typically found in eastern Victoria are provided as possible co-examples of this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The starfish Luidia magnifica (Asteroidea: Paxillosida: Luidiidae) is a multiradiate starfish that occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific. Since the description of L. magnifica in 1906 by Fisher, very few observations of this species have been documented. We present new shallow-water records for L. magnifica in the Tropical Eastern Pacific obtained between 2017 and 2021. We collected a total of 15 specimens of L. magnifica in the bay of Manzanillo, Colima, in the central nearshore Mexican Pacific. We provide morphological description of specimens collected and additional ecological data. We used molecular techniques to verify species identification. This record represents a considerable expansion of the known distribution range of L. magnifica and provides the first evidence of the presence of this species in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. The presence of L. magnifica larvae from the Caribbean coast of Panama was also identified from DNA sequencing of larvae left unindentified in previous reports. This result indicates that it is possible that the L. magnifica also occurs in the Carribbean. Because observations of the starfish in the Mexican Pacific have been recent, the presence of larvae in the Caribbean could be a recent introduction through the Panama Canal from the Eastern Pacific to the Western Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing sea water temperatures, higher latitude temperate and sub-tropical coral reefs are becoming increasingly tropicalised. Although these cooler areas might offer refuge to tropical species escaping the heat, the reshaping of ecosystems can have devastating effects on the biodiversity in these areas, especially when habitat structure is affected. Recently, feeding aggregations of corallivorous gastropod Drupella cornus, a tropical species capable of large-scale reef degradation, were found at Rottnest Island in Western Australia (32°S). We provide evidence that D. cornus spawned at Rottnest Island for 2 consecutive years in 2021 and 2022, and Drupella veligers from an egg case collected at the island hatched and grew at temperatures in the laboratory that were predominantly lower than those at Rottnest Island at the same time. The spawning was possibly triggered by higher than usual La Niña-associated SSTs during the survey period, or the long period of high sea water temperature anomalies recorded around Rottnest Island. A spawning population of D. cornus can greatly affect these higher latitude reef areas, especially when accompanied by increased heat stress. Monitoring and management should be implemented to further understand what effects a breeding population of D. cornus has on Rottnest Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Tajuria yajna yajna (Doherty, 1886), a new record in Himachal Pradesh, India (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)" documents the discovery of Tajuria yajna yajna, a species of butterfly, in the Balh Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. This is the first time the species has been reported in Himachal Pradesh, expanding its known distribution range in the North West Himalayas. The study also provides information on the species' larval host plant and its life history in India. The article emphasizes the need for conservation efforts due to the species' rarity and the decline of its host plant. [Extracted from the article]

The Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus is the most northern and cold-water shark, longest-lived vertebrate, and species at risk. A single specimen of this species, 210 cm in length and 71 kg in weight, was captured for the second time in the Laptev Sea (Siberian Arctic, Russia). Species identification was confirmed by examination of the main morphometric characters and DNA barcoding using the COI mtDNA gene. This species is widely distributed in the North Atlantic, but records in the Arctic Ocean were limited to the Canadian and Greenland coasts, White, Barents, and Kara seas. In the Laptev Sea, the Greenland shark was previously known from a single record, which was not confirmed genetically. Recent records in the Siberian Arctic are likely associated with the eastward extension of warmer waters of the North Atlantic current to this area due to recent climate change and warming in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specimens of Oligosarcus itau Mirande, Aguilera & Azpelicueta, 2011 were collected in different environments in the province of Jujuy, expanding the distribution of the species to the San Francisco River basin, a tributary of the Bermejo River. It is the second record of the species (there were only four specimens known to date that correspond to the Type series and one additional specimen) and the first outside the type locality.

Eleven fish species, namely Heniochus singularius Smith & Radcliffe, 1911; Entomacrodus vermiculatus (Valenciennes, 1836); Pomacentrus similis Allen, 1991; Myripristis berndti Jordan & Evermann, 1903; Myripristis seychellensis Cuvier, 1829; Sargocentron cornutum (Bleeker, 1854); Thalassoma lunare (Linnaeus, 1758); Pardachirus pavoninus (Lacepède, 1802); Paraplotosus albilabris (Valenciennes, 1840); Canthigaster papua (Bleeker, 1848), have been documented for the first time in Andhra Pradesh state of India associated with artificial reef and rocky shoreline habitats. Additionally, E. thalassinus has been recorded for the first time in India from this study. The study provides detailed descriptions of the diagnostic characteristics and distribution of these ten species. These findings highlight the richness of fish fauna along the Andhra Pradesh coastline of India.

Two large specimens [310–476 mm standard length (SL)] of the genus Hoplostethus Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829, collected from Iwate and Okinawa prefectures, Japan, were recently discovered and identified as Hoplostethus grandperrini Roberts and Gomon, 2012 on the basis of the following characteristics: large body size, exceeding 300 mm SL; abdominal scutes strong; pectoral fins light red; caudal-fin tip without black pigmentation; upper margin of eye almost horizontally level with lateral-line origin; predorsal scales not enlarged; fin spines moderately thickened; pectoral-fin tip not reaching anal-fin origin; anterior part of oral cavity, including underside of tongue, without black pigmentation; 15–17 pectoral-fin rays; 21 predorsal scales; and 13 or 14 abdominal scutes. Furthermore, a molecular phylogenetic analysis of a partial sequence of the mtDNA COI gene from one of the specimens placed it in the same clade as H. grandperrini previously recorded from Taiwan, with an uncorrected p-distance between both specimens of 0.19%. Hoplostethus grandperrini was originally described on the basis of two specimens collected off New Caledonia, with only one additional specimen having been reported (from southern Taiwan). The Japanese specimens are the first records of the species from Japan, the fourth and fifth specimens known, and the Iwate Prefecture specimen the northernmost record of the species.

Philonotis breutelioides, described new in 2022 as a California endemic within fen communities, has recently been found in Oregon. Provided is a site description and a range map depicting occurrences from both California and Oregon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Side-striped Jackal, Lupulella adusta (Sundevall, 1847), occurs in a vast area within sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, the current geographical distribution is limited to eastern coastal regions. Recent sightings from north-central areas of the country suggest a wider geographical distribution. Here we report on 5,130 confirmed, repeated detections of Side-striped Jackal. Of these, 3,625 captures were from 471 new locations not previously recorded in the scientific literature, thereby expanding their current geographical distribution. These new records were captured in 33 vegetation types, including the forest and grassland biomes where they are not commonly detected.

The stripe-faced dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura) is one of the most widespread dasyurids in Australia, occurring mostly in semiarid and arid habitats. It is not known to inhabit coastal regions of southern Australia, and no records have previously been recorded from latitudes greater than 28.5°S in Western Australia. Following the capture of an individual south of the known species range provisionally identified based on external morphology as S. macroura , we used DNA and craniodental morphology to corroborate the specimen's identification, providing a record of the species at Eucla, Western Australia. This represents a large range extension for S. macroura of 630 km from the nearest confirmed records of the species in Western Australia and South Australia. A suspected stripe-faced dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura) was captured at a coastal dune site near Eucla, Western Australia. The identity of the specimen was corroborated through DNA sequencing and morphological examination. This represents a range extension into novel habitat for the species in southern Western Australia. Photograph by Joshua Keen, Biota Environmental Sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological advances have enabled the expansion of ocean exploration to include the deep ocean, providing new species observations. Here, the authors present two new observations, captured by deep‐sea cameras, of the sleeper shark Somniosus cf. pacificus from the Solomon Islands and Palau. This presents the first observation of S. cf. pacificus in the western Pacific tropics and extends its range about 2000 nautical miles south. The observations presented here provide much‐needed information on the range of this species which can help guide future management and conservation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]