Search

In 1948, the Museum from Bucharest received an important donation from Andrei Racoviă, the son of the great founding father of Biospeleology, Emil Racovitza. We provide details for three type (syntype) specimens identified in the Crustacean collection from the "Grigore Antipa" National Museum of Natural History. Three jars harbouring three species of isopods were identified, one cirolanid and two spheromatid isopods, marked with a "cotype" label. Typhlocirolana gurneyi was described by Emil Racovitza in 1912 based on material collected from a cave in Algeria, Missergin. The other two are: Caecosphaeroma (Vireia) burgundum burgundum Dollfus, 1898 and Monolistra (Typhlosphaeroma) bericum bericum (Fabiani, 1901) from France and the Italian Alps. We therefore underline the necessity to designate the "syntype" of the three species rediscovered in the collection. This paper is dedicated as an homage to the colossal work and great scientific personality who was Emil Racovitza and to his immense contribution to the history of biospeleology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the name Gastrotheca splendens is applied to Bolivian montane forest populations of marsupial frogs that have been associated with G. marsupiata and its allies in the past. Because its comparatively large size evoked taxonomic doubts, we re-examined the holotype of Hyla splendens Schmidt, 1857 and extracted and sequenced archival DNA to clarify its identity. Morphological and molecular data revealed H. splendens as being conspecific with Gastrotheca monticola from northwestern Peru. We place Gastrotheca monticola Barbour & Noble, 1920 as a junior synonym of Hyla splendens Schmidt, 1857, regarding the latter a valid species, Gastrotheca splendens (Schmidt, 1857). We furthermore correct its type locality to 'northwestern Peru'. As a result of these findings and the morphological differences observed among the name-bearing types, the Bolivian taxa Gastrotheca lauzuricae De la Riva, 1992 and G. piperata Duellman & Köhler, 2005 are removed from the synonymy of Hyla splendens. Examination of the external morphology and osteology (inferred from micro-CT images) of the holotypes of G. lauzuricae and G. piperata revealed several differences. However, with the data currently available, we are unable to judge whether these differences represent species-specific diagnostic characters or intraspecific variation. We consider G. lauzuricae a valid species and, applying a principle of parsimony of taxonomic changes, provisionally regard G. piperata as its junior synonym pending future investigations. Furthermore, pending further studies, we tentatively continue to consider Gastrotheca coeruleomaculata (Werner, 1899) a valid species occurring in montane forests of the Departamento La Paz, Bolivia. Finally, Leptodactylus andicola Boettger, 1891 is removed from the synonymy of Gastrotheca marsupiata (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) and regarded a nomen dubium based on the morphological characters mentioned in its original description, which are in disagreement with Gastrotheca and argue for affinities with the genus Yunganastes (Strabomantidae). The results of this study highlight the importance of referring to namebearing type specimens when taxonomically revising complex and species-rich groups of organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverine hump-nosed whitefish was described as a new species Coregonus fluviatilis by Issatschenko in 1925 based on eight specimens from the middle Yenisei River basin. The further fate of these specimens is still unknown. At the same time, C. fluviatilis has been involved in various confusions related to its taxonomic position, type locality, distribution, diagnostic characters, and the identification of two forms under the same name. In this regard, in this paper, the neotype of C. fluviatilis (ZMMU P-24531) is designated in accordance with the conditions set out in Article 75.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enneapterygius pallidoserialis Fricke, 1997, previously considered a valid species, is regarded as a junior synonym of E. erythrosoma Shen, 1994. Re-examination of type specimens of both nominal species revealed that the meristic and morphometric characters of the holotype and seven paratypes of E. pallidoserialis examined closely matched those of the holotype, paratype, and non-type specimens of E. erythrosoma. Furthermore, the nuptial coloration of male specimens of E. pallidoserialis, including the holotype, was consistent with that of E. erythrosoma. This synonymization resulted in E. erythrosoma being newly recorded from Miyake-jima island (Izu Islands, Japan), and Putic and Siayan islands (Philippines) on the basis of specimens previously identified as E. pallidoserialis.

Arnot's Chat Myrmecocichla arnotti in the family Muscicapidae is largely confined to the woodlands of the Zambezian biome of south-central Africa. This work assesses its taxonomic status, including comments on the so-called Ruaha Chat M. [a.] collaris (also named M. [a.] leucolaema). Based on an analysis of morphology, behaviour and molecular data, we recommend that M. arnotti be considered a single species with two subspecies: M. a. arnotti (including shelleyi, leucolaema and collaris) and M. a. harterti. A restricted type locality is proposed for Saxicola shelleyi Sharpe, 1877: Ngwesi (21°03′ S, 27°50′ E), southwestern Zimbabwe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Herbarium Apenninicum (international code: APP), hosted in the Floristic Research Center of the Apennines (Abruzzo, central Italy), is approximately composed of about 80,000 specimens of vascular plants; 66,352 of them are mounted with data labels and entered in a database. The specimens from the Abruzzo administrative region (central Italy) correspond to more than half of the collection (57.8% of the specimens), while immediately afterwards, other neighboring provinces of central Italy follow. Outside of Italy, the most represented areas are Morocco and southern European countries. Most of the specimens were collected between 2001 and 2020; nevertheless, the herbarium also contains two historical collections from the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. The herbarium houses 146 types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After forty years, the type specimens kept in the Myriapoda Collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum are revisited, a current catalogue is provided, and the status of the old names are updated and reevaluated. A total of 239 nominal taxa (species, subspecies, varietas and forma) are listed which is an almost fivefold increase compared to the number (35) of the previous catalogue from 1983. Two collections of old type specimens arrived to the museum after 1983: a set of Daday's types from the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle Genève in 2004, and another collection containing Loksa's material from the Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, in 2017. Thorough search in the collection revealed type material of 66 species-group taxa originally considered lost. 53 type specimens that were supposedly deposited in the Hungarian Natural History Museum are missing, and the possible reason for that is discussed. In addition, a comprehensive bibliography is given along with the names of all type taxa dealt in those publications. With 43 figures, 8 tables, and an appendix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pierfelice Ravenna was a controversial Chilean botanist active from the late 1960s through the first decade of the 21st century. He died in 2022. During his active years he described ca. 650 species and infraspecific taxa of plants, mostly in Amaryllidaceae and Iridaceae. Unfortunately, the fate of his type specimens, a majority of which were located in his personal herbarium along with many loans from other herbaria, is not clearly known, but by all indications they were destroyed. In this article, we briefly review his life, compile an annotated list of all validly published specific and infraspecific taxa that he described, and determine which have available holotypes and isotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Herpetology Collection of the Natural History Museum Gustavo Orcés V. at Escuela Politécnica Nacional (MEPN-H) in Quito maintains more than sixteen thousand curated specimens and it comprises Ecuador ́s second largest collection of herps.The Collection contains 193 type specimens: 14 holotypes, 34 paratopotypes and 145 paratypes, which correspond to 10 families, 17 genera and 32 species. The collection of type specimens is particularly important in the genera Atelopus and Pristimantis in amphibians and the genera Atractus and Enyaloides in reptiles. An assessment of the geographic distribution showed that collection sites of type specimens are clustered towards the south of Ecuador in the provinces of Zamora Chinchipe, Morona Santiago and Pastaza in the Amazon Region; and in the provinces of Carchi and Azuay in the Andes. The collection of type specimens dates from 1955 to 2013, comprising an invaluable source of historical biodiversity data.

Type specimens of Oedionychina Chapuis, 1875 described by Fabricius from the Kiel collection are examined and illustrated. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: Chrysomela albicollis Fabricius, 1787; Chrysomela nobilitata Fabricius, 1787; Chrysomela quadrifasciata Fabricius, 1787; Chrysomela quadriguttata Fabricius, 1781; Galleruca atomaria Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca decemguttata Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca fasciata Fabricius, 1798; Galleruca humeralis Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca lunata Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca nitida Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca obsoleta Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca petaurista Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca quadrinotata Fabricius, 1798; Galleruca sellata Fabricius, 1801. The species status is restored for Chrysomela quadriguttata Fabricius, 1781 and Alagoasa areata (Germar, 1824) comb. nov. The following new combinations are proposed: Phenrica quadriguttata (Fabricius, 1781), Asphaera nitida (Fabricius, 1801), Phenrica obsoleta (Fabricius, 1801), Alagoasa areata areata (Germar, 1824), Alagoasa areata decempunctata (Latreille, 1833), Alagoasa areata escuintla Bechyné, 1955, Alagoasa areata macromela Bechyné, 1958, Alagoasa areata praecessa Bechyné, 1959, Alagoasa areata recuperata Bechyné, 1959; all comb. nov. New placement: Galleruca avicenniae Fabricius, 1792 is removed from Alticini and placed in Galerucini incertae sedis; Galleruca trifasciata Fabricius, 1801 is removed from Chrysomelidae and placed in genus Ora Clark, 1865 (Scirtidae Fleming, 1821).

Eleven new species from the Scytodoidea group are described from mainland Ecuador: in the family Drymusidae, Drymusa pristirana sp. nov. (female) and in the family Scytodidae, Scytodes amazonica sp. nov. (male, female); S. argelia sp. nov. (female), S. ayampe sp. nov. (female), S. choco sp. nov. (male, female), S. costa sp. nov. (female), S. jaguar sp. nov. (male), S. loja sp. nov. (female), S. minus sp. nov. (male); S. orellana sp. nov. (male, female); and S. tayos sp. nov. (male). The new species D. pristirana sp. nov. presents a unique morphological character on the ventral surface of the female abdomen. The type specimens of S. lineatipesTaczanowski, 1874 from French Guiana and S. luteola Simon, 1893 from Venezuela are imaged for the first time, and S. romitii Caporiacco, 1947 is removed from synonymy with S. lineatipes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicholas Edward Brown, a botanist primarily interested in the African flowering plant flora, was also an active member of the Quekett Microscopical Club. In 1933, he published a monograph on the genus Arachnoidiscus. Brown had described Arachnoidiscus antarcticus in 1920 and went on to add a further 19 more new species to the genus. The present contribution is not intended as a review of Brown's species in Arachnoidiscus, but an account of the specimens available in BM that went towards its creation, with some notes on nomenclature. A few words are devoted to other species Brown described, and other names he proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solenostomataceae are among the most diverse and, at the same time, least described liverwort families in Pacific Asia. Many species therein are known only from type descriptions, which are sometimes incomplete. The present account is based on a study of 81 type specimens belonging to 61 species known mostly in East Asia, although also in other regions; it provides line-art figures and photomicrographs of all the studied taxa. One lectotype and one epitype are designated, and six new combinations are proposed. as Additionally, the indication of a necessity of an epitype for Plectocolea setulosa Herzog is justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Herbarium Apenninicum (international code: APP), hosted in the Floristic Research Center of the Apennines (Abruzzo, central Italy), is approximately composed of about 80,000 specimens of vascular plants; 66,352 of them are mounted with data labels and entered in a database. The specimens from the Abruzzo administrative region (central Italy) correspond to more than half of the collection (57.8% of the specimens), while immediately afterwards, other neighboring provinces of central Italy follow. Outside of Italy, the most represented areas are Morocco and southern European countries. Most of the specimens were collected between 2001 and 2020; nevertheless, the herbarium also contains two historical collections from the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. The herbarium houses 146 types.

The catalogued collection of South American terrestrial gastropods, including the Caribbean ABC islands and Trinidad & Tobago, of the Auckland War Memorial Museum (AM), New Zealand, is discussed here. In total, 264 specimen lots from South America were found in the AM collection, including eight type lots. Twelve of the specimens represent new geographic distribution data, including the first known precise locality for the species Bostryx luridus (L. Pfeiffer, 1863) and potentially for Drymaeus cf. waldoschmidti Parodiz, 1962 as well. The specimens of Lopesianus crenulatus Weyrauch, 1967 allowed for the revision of the monospecific genus Lopesianus Weyrauch, 1958, which is herein considered valid in the family Simpulopsidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augustus Hamilton (1853-1913) was a New Zealand ethnologist and naturalist who amassed a significant collection of fossils, mostly of birds, during his career. Today, those fossils are housed in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (NMNZ). While some fossils have been catalogued and integrated into the collection of the NMNZ, a large part remained unsorted and uncatalogued. The present study brings an integrated view of Hamilton's collection at the NMNZ, highlighting the most significant fossils. In total, there are 3692 specimen lots collected by Hamilton in the NMNZ representing a large sample of taxa and a wide range of locations around Aotearoa New Zealand. Most fossils are of Holocene age and belong to birds. The collection includes type specimens, circa 250 specimen lots belonging to extinct species, and specimens belonging to otherwise poorly represented species in natural history collections. We hope that our study makes Hamilton's fossils visible and more readily available for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of a collection of type specimens of fishes of the National Museum of Natural History NAS of Ukraine has started in 1974. In the following years, the collection of fish type specimens of the Zoological Museum was enriched by both national and foreign specialists such as E. E. Meisner, L. G. Manilo, G. A. Shandikov, D. A. Didier and M. Stehmann, M. R. De Carvalho and others. Some of these specimens (holotypes and paratypes of eight cartilaginous and bony fishes described at that time) were included into the first catalogue of type specimens of all groups of invertebrates and vertebrates of the Zoological Museum (Catalogue… 2001). This catalogue includes information on 73 type specimens of fishes (10 holotypes and 63 paratypes) belonging to 12 species of 6 families: Acroteriobatus stehmanni Weigmann,Ebert, Séret, 2021; Raja taaf Meisner, 1987; Torpedo adenensis Carvalho, Stehmann, Manilo, 2002; Neoharriotta pumila Didier, Stehmann, 1996; Channichthys aelitae Shandikov, 1995; Channichthys bospori Shandikov, 1995; Channichthys irinae Shandikov, 1995; Channichthys mithridatis Shandikov,2008; Channichthys panticapaei Shandikov,1995; Channichthys richardsoni Shandikov, 2011; Channichthys velifer Meisner, 1974; Parapercis ventromaculata Manilo, 1990, stored in the fish collection of the National Museum of Natural History NAS of Ukraine. Two taxa were not found in the collection: the holotype of Arius dayi Dmitrenko, 1974 (lost), as well as the holotype and paratypes of Romanogobio albipinnatus tanaiticus Naseka, 2001 (not received from the author of the description). The number of paratypes of each species (subspecies) is given according to their presence in the collection as of the time of compilation of this catalogue. In the text, after the Latin name of species (subspecies), the following information is given: collection record number, number of paratype specimens, length (standard or absolute) in millimetres, full label information including water body, coordinates, name of the vessel and cruise number, depth, trawl (station) number, date of collection, and name of collectors.

Fungaria are an unmatched resource for providing genetic data from authoritative, taxonomically-correct fungal species, especially type specimens. These specimens serve to anchor species hypotheses by enabling the correct taxonomic placement of taxa in systematic studies. The DNA from ancient specimens older than 30 years is commonly fragmented, and sometimes highly contaminated by exogenous, non-target fungal DNA, making conventional PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing difficult or impossible. Here, we present the results of DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the ITS2 region, and Illumina MiSeq Nano sequencing of nine recent and 11 ancient specimens, including seven type specimens. The taxa sampled included a range of large and fleshy, to small and tough, or small, melanized specimens of Discina, Gyromitra, Propolis, Stictis, and Xerotrema, with a culture of Lasiosphaeria serving as a positive control. DNA was highly fragmented and in very low quantity for most samples, resulting in inconclusive or incorrect results for all but five samples. Taxonomically-correct sequences were generated from the holotype specimens of G. arctica, G. korshinskii, and G. leucoxantha, from the neotype of G. ussuriensis, and from the positive control. Taxonomic assignments were confirmed through morphology, top BLASTn hits, and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses. Though this study was not cost-effective due to the small number of samples submitted and few generating correct sequences, it did produce short DNA barcode fragments for four type specimens that are essential for their correct taxonomic placement in our ongoing systematic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type specimens from the collection of Hymenoptera deposited in the Department of Entomology, National Museum, Prague are currently being catalogued. In this part of the catalogue dealing with the family Braconidae, we present precise information about 27 taxa belonging to the subfamilies Brachistinae (1 species), Cheloninae (1 species), Doryctinae (1 species), Euphorinae (2 species), Gnamptodontinae (1 species), Lysiterminae (1 species), Microgastrinae (2 species), Opiinae (15 species) and Orgilinae (3 species), including holotypes of 20 species. Current status, distribution, and photos are given for each taxon. Additionally, one missing type and one historically important specimen are mentioned in the catalogue with detailed information about them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El estudio de los especímenes tipográficos, también conocidos como muestras de letras o catálogos de tipos, permite una clase de investigación de fuentes primarias que combina las facetas histórica, tecnológica, artística y visual y, por extensión, arroja luz sobre otros aspectos de la cultura impresa. Si bien esas fuentes ofrecen una aproximación material al conocimiento del patrimonio gráfico regional, en América Latina se ha investigado poco sobre ellas. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es describir y analizar la estructura y el contenido de dos muestras tipográficas colombianas que fueron elaboradas durante la primera mitad del siglo XX, en el contexto de la enseñanza de artes y oficios en los colegios de los salesianos. El estudio de ambos documentos y su comparación con otras muestras (norteamericanas, europeas, y de dos países de América Latina), así como la revisión de bibliografía especializada, permitirá establecer el origen de algunas de las fundiciones tipográficas utilizadas en Colombia y visualizar una parte de las relaciones de la cultura gráfica colombiana con otras tradiciones tipográficas que a la fecha no se han planteado.

Etmopteridae (lantern sharks) is the most species-rich family of sharks, comprising more than 50 species. Many species are described from few individuals, and re-collection of specimens is often hindered by the remoteness of their sampling sites. For taxonomic studies, comparative morphological analysis of type specimens housed in natural history collections has been the main source of evidence. In contrast, DNA sequence information has rarely been used. Most lantern shark collection specimens, including the types, were formalin fixed before long-term storage in ethanol solutions. The DNA damage caused by both fixation and preservation of specimens has excluded these specimens from DNA sequence-based phylogenetic analyses so far. However, recent advances in the field of ancient DNA have allowed recovery of wet-collection specimen DNA sequence data. Here we analyse archival mitochondrial DNA sequences, obtained using ancient DNA approaches, of two wet-collection lantern shark paratype specimens, namely Etmopterus litvinovi and E. pycnolepis, for which the type series represent the only known individuals. Target capture of mitochondrial markers from single-stranded DNA libraries allows for phylogenetic placement of both species. Our results suggest synonymy of E. benchleyi with E. litvinovi but support the species status of E. pycnolepis. This revised taxonomy is helpful for future conservation and management efforts, as our results indicate a larger distribution range of E. litvinovi. This study further demonstrates the importance of wet-collection type specimens as genetic resource for taxonomic research.

A growing number of publications presenting results from sequencing natural history collection specimens reflect the importance of DNA sequence information from such samples. Ancient DNA extraction and library preparation methods in combination with target gene capture are a way of unlocking archival DNA, including from formalin-fixed wet-collection material. Here we report on an experiment, in which we used an RNA bait set containing baits from a wide taxonomic range of species for DNA hybridisation capture of nuclear and mitochondrial targets for analysing natural history collection specimens. The bait set used consists of 2,492 mitochondrial and 530 nuclear RNA baits and comprises specific barcode loci of diverse animal groups including both invertebrates and vertebrates. The baits allowed to capture DNA sequence information of target barcode loci from 84% of the 37 samples tested, with nuclear markers being captured more frequently and consensus sequences of these being more complete compared to mitochondrial markers. Samples from dry material had a higher rate of success than wet-collection specimens, although target sequence information could be captured from 50% of formalin-fixed samples. Our study illustrates how efforts to obtain barcode sequence information from natural history collection specimens may be combined and are a way of implementing barcoding inventories of scientific collection material.

Four new species of the genus Phrynarachne Thorell, 1869 from China are described: P. dreepy Lin & S. Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), P. xuxiake Lin & S. Li, sp. nov. (♀), P. yunhui Lin & S. Li, sp. nov. (♀), and P. zhengzhongi Lin & S. Li, sp. nov. (♀). The unknown sexes of P. brevis Tang & S. Li, 2010 (♂), P. huangshanensis Li et al., 1985 (♀), P. lancea Tang & S. Li, 2010 (♂), and P. mammillata Song, 1990 (♀) are described for the first time. Phrynarachne sinensis Peng, Yin & Kim is treated as a nomen dubium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of individuals in the absence of reproductive traits or in juvenile stages can be difficult. Incorrect identification will result in inaccurate biodiversity inventories that are an impediment to effective conservation management. Here, we present data in which we argue that the generation of DNA barcode reference libraries using DNA extracted from type specimens could resolve issues related to correct identification. The genus Micropholis (Sapotaceae) is diverse and ecologically important in Neotropical lowland rain forests. We first assessed the capacity of the molecular markers ITS2, matK and rbcL in differentiating species in the genus. Based on a phylogenetic reconstruction we found that many individuals in our study were incorrectly identified, and we argue that if we had access to a type specimen DNA barcode reference library we would have more rapidly and correctly identified individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The types of four Oxyopes species kept in the British Musuem (Natural History), London and the National Zoological collection, Zoological Survey of India (Kolkata) are reexamined. Three new synonyms are recognized: Oxyopes nilgiricus Sherriffs 1955 syn. nov., O. pankaji Gajbe & Gajbe 2000 syn. nov. and O. ratnae Tikader 1970 syn. nov. with O. hindostanicus Pocock 1901. The updated distribution of O. hindostanicus is mapped with records from several new localities from India and Sri Lanka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Comunicaçõe Geológicas is the property of Laboratorio Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P. 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.)

Thirteen historical specimens (including original material, mainly syntypes and isolectotypes) of Allan and Richard Cunningham's taxa of Epilobium and Fuchsia (Onagraceae) from New Zealand recently discovered in the Turczaninow Herbarium (KW-TURCZ) at the National Herbarium of Ukraine (KW) are discussed in comparison with digital images of and data on other relevant specimens from several other herbaria, such as K, BM, WELT, etc. These specimens, collected in New Zealand by Allan Cunningham in 1826 and 1838 and by Richard Cunningham in 1833–1834, represent the following taxa (as outlined by A. Cunningham): Epilobium alsinoides, E. atriplicifolium, E. confertum, E. hirtigerum, E. nerterioides, E. nummulariifolium, E. pedunculare, E. thymifolium, E. virgatum (A.Cunn., non Lam.), and Fuchsia procumbens. It is demonstrated that type designations for some names in Epilobium mentioned above remain problematic; some names appear to be not yet typified effectively. These problems are caused by several factors, such as misplaced original labels or specimens, errors or misinterpretations in curatorial or copied labels, a complicated numbering system applied by A. Cunningham, etc. Critical re-assessment of all available original and other associated specimens of the mentioned names in Epilobium, especially those in K, is needed. Before such re-assessment, we refrain from any nomenclatural actions affecting type designations. The recent discovery in KW-TURCZ of important historical specimens (not only Onagraceae but also many other plant families) collected in New Zealand in the first half of the 19th century by Allan Cunningham, Richard Cunningham, J. Everard Home and some other early explorers is not only interesting from a historical viewpoint but also important for taxonomy, especially for proper application of names validated by A. Cunningham.

The present list contains data on type material of 109 mite species (Acaridida and Prostigmata) from Bulgaria (species, described by I. Vassilev, M. Kolebinova, P. Beron) and many foreign countries: Greece, Suriname, the Netherlands, New Guinea, Cuba, Mexico, Chile, USA, Canada, Madagascar, Gaboon, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Morocco, Tunisia, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, China, and the Philippines (species, described by M. Kolebinova, P. Beron, F. Lukoschus, A. Fain, C. Welbourn, F. Dusbábek, K. Samšinák, K. R. Orwig, W. Atyeo and other authors). The type material housed in the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia includes species from the families Acaridae, Glycyphagidae, Canestriniidae, Proctophyllodidae, Trouessartiidae, Syringobiidae, Dermationidae, Ereynetidae, Cytoditidae, Myocoptidae, Chirodiscidae, Gastronyssidae, Myobiidae, Ophioptidae, Demodicidae, Smarididae, Erythraeidae, Neotrombidiidae, Eutrombidiidae, Trombiculidae, Leeuwenhoekiidae, Walchiidae, and Vatacaridae. All Bulgarian and foreign acarologists are kindly invited to submit type specimens under their care in the collections of the National Museum of Natural History in Sofia. This material will be properly housed and well used.

The taxonomy of the Ptychadena neumanni species complex, a radiation of grass frogs inhabiting the Ethiopian highlands, has puzzled scientists for decades because of the morphological resemblance among its members. Whilst molecular phylogenetic methods allowed the discovery of several species in recent years, assigning pre-existing and new names to clades was challenged by the unavailability of molecular data for century-old type specimens. We used Illumina short reads to sequence the mitochondrial DNA of type specimens in this group, as well as ddRAD-seq analyses to resolve taxonomic uncertainties surrounding the P. neumanni species complex. The phylogenetic reconstruction revealed recurrent confusion between Ptychadena erlangeri (Ahl, 1924) and P. neumanni (Ahl, 1924) in the literature. The phylogeny also established that P. largeni Perret, 1994 represents a junior synonym of P. erlangeri (Ahl, 1924) and distinguished between two small species, P. nana Perret, 1994, restricted to the Arussi Plateau, and P. robeensis Goutte, Reyes-Velasco, Freilich, Kassie & Boissinot, 2021, which inhabits the Bale Mountains. The phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA from type specimens also corroborate the validity of seven recently described species within the group. Our study shows how modern molecular tools applied to historical type specimens can help resolve long-standing taxonomic issues in cryptic species complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Botryosphaeria includes more than 200 epithets, but only the type species, Botryosphaeria dothidea and a dozen or more other species have been identified based on DNA sequence data. The taxonomic status of the other species remains unconfirmed because they lack either morphological information or DNA sequence data. In this study, types or authentic specimens of 16 " Botryosphaeria " species are reassessed to clarify their identity and phylogenetic position. nu DNA sequences of four regions, ITS, LSU, tef1-α and tub2 , are analyzed and considered in combination with morphological characteristics. Based on the multigene phylogeny and morphological characters, Botryosphaeria cruenta and Botryosphaeria hamamelidis are transferred to Neofusicoccum. The generic status of Botryosphaeria aterrima and Botryosphaeria mirabile is confirmed in Botryosphaeria. Botryosphaeria berengeriana var. weigeliae and B. berengeriana var. acerina are treated synonyms of B. dothidea. Botryosphaeria mucosa is transferred to Neodeightonia as Neodeightonia mucosa , and Botryosphaeria ferruginea to Nothophoma as Nothophoma ferruginea. Botryosphaeria foliicola is reduced to synonymy with Phyllachorella micheliae. Botryosphaeria abuensis , Botryosphaeria aesculi , Botryosphaeria dasylirii , and Botryosphaeria wisteriae are tentatively kept in Botryosphaeria sensu stricto until further phylogenetic analysis is carried out on verified specimens. The ordinal status of Botryosphaeria apocyni , Botryosphaeria gaubae , and Botryosphaeria smilacinina cannot be determined, and tentatively accommodate these species in Dothideomycetes incertae sedis. The study demonstrates the significance of a polyphasic approach in characterizing type specimens, including the importance of using of DNA sequence data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]