Explore the vast range of titles available.

Three new species of the genus Scaponopselaphus Scheerpeltz, 1972 are described; Scaponopselaphus caribi sp. nov., and Scaponopselaphus oby sp. nov. from Brazil, and Scaponopselaphus paradoxus sp. nov. from Peru. New locality for Scaponopselaphus mutator (Sharp, 1876) is recorded. Major diagnostic features and pictorial and dichotomic identification key are provided for all species of the genus.

Based on the morphological comparisons and molecular results, three new species of Homatula, i.e., H. geminusclathratus sp. nov., H. microcephala sp. nov., and H. longibarbatus sp. nov., have been described and named from the Lancang-jiang (the upper Mekong River) and the Chuan-he (the upper Black River, a tributary of the Red River) basins. The loaches of Homatula from the Lancang-jiang and the Chuan-he can be distinguished via morphology, genetics, and geographic distribution. All of the 10 recorded species distributed in the Nu-jiang (the upper Salween River), the Lancang-jiang, and the upper Black River share the following combination of character states: whole body, except head, densely scaled; lateral line complete; and a short adipose crest along the dorsal midline of the caudal peduncle, anteriorly not reaching vertically through the anal-fin origin. Species with these characters are called the densely-scaled group of Homatula. The three newly described species belong to the densely-scaled group of Homatula. Based on molecular phylogenetics, these Homatula species form a monophyletic group that can be divided into two clades, the densely-scaled group and the non-densely-scaled group. The densely-scaled group of Homatula includes 13 species occurring between the Nu-jiang and the upper Black River. The non-densely-scaled group is non-monophyletic and includes 14 species that are distributed in the Red, Pearl, Yangtze, and Yellow River basins. Species of the non-densely-scaled group are clustered into four sub-clades that are constrained to the four river basins. Homatula exclusively inhabits mountain streams with rapid or gentle currents, vauclusian springs, underground rivers connected to streams, and ditches near villages and farmland. No specimens of Homatula were collected from the main streams of Lixian-jiang, Lancang-jiang, and Nu-jiang as well as their large tributaries. Small environmental changes in the habitat of Homatula, such as water pollution or extensive human use, can lead to species/population extinction. Effective conservation of rare and endemic fishes, like loaches of Homatula, entails systematic observations and more targeted protection.

This is the first taxonomic study of cirratulid polychaetes of the genus Kirkegaardia Blake, 2016 from Brazil. Nine new species of the genus are described from the Southern Brazilian coast (50-3000 m deep). The genus Kirkegaardia is generally subdivided into three distinct groups of species (Kirkegaardia dorsobranchialis-heterochaeta, Kirkegaardia baptisteae-tesselata and Kirkegaardia luticastella) and several out-group species for which relationships remains to be defined. In this study, new species were included in the Kirkegaardia dorsobranchialis-heterochaeta and Kirkegaardia baptisteae-tesselata groups. Kirkegaardia dorsobranchialis-heterochaeta is characterized by thoracic parapodia elevated producing a channel between the notopodia, elongate pre-setigerous region that is either entirely smooth or modified with a dorsal ridge and/or rings, and noto- and neurosetae capillaries denticulated. As belonging to this group, K. blakei sp. nov., K. brisae sp. nov., K. goytaca sp. nov., K. jongo sp. nov. and K. papaveroi sp. nov. are described here. Kirkegaardia baptisteae-tesselata includes species that lack thoracic parapodia elevated and mid-dorsal thoracic groove, although a dorsal ridge is sometimes developed. In the pre-setigerous region dorsal ridges and rings are present or absent. Most species in this group have neurosetae denticulated, and notosetae capillaries of other types. This study adds K. helenae sp. nov., K. medusa sp. nov., K. nupem sp. nov. and K. zafirae sp. nov. to the latter species group. In addition, two new records are provided for K. hampsoni. A key to cirratulid polychaete species reported from Brazilian waters is provided.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128108.].[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128108.].

The fossil record for Cretaceous birds in Australia has been limited to rare skeletal material, feathers, and two tracks, a paucity shared with other Gondwanan landmasses. Hence the recent discovery of 27 avian footprints and other traces in the Early Cretaceous (Barremian-Aptian, 128-120 Ma) Wonthaggi Formation of Victoria, Australia amends their previous rarity there, while also confirming the earliest known presence of birds in Australia and the rest of Gondwana. The avian identity of these tracks is verified by their tridactyl forms, thin digits relative to track lengths, wide divarication angles, and sharp claws; three tracks also have hallux imprints. Track forms and sizes indicate a variety of birds as tracemakers, with some among the largest reported from the Early Cretaceous. Although continuous trackways are absent, close spacing and similar alignments of tracks on some bedding planes suggest gregariousness. The occurrence of this avian trace-fossil assemblage in circumpolar fluvial-floodplain facies further implies seasonal behavior, with trackmakers likely leaving their traces on floodplain surfaces during post-thaw summers.

The determination of the synanthropic index is essential to evaluate the degree of association between species, such as diptera and man, based solely on their degree of preference for urban areas. This research aimed to study the synanthropic behavior of Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae flies in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The experiment was conducted between 2021 and 2022 in three areas, where four traps containing 300 g of fresh liver or with 48 h of putrefaction were installed, remaining exposed for 48 h; after collection the dipterans were sacrificed and taxonomically identified. A total of 2,826 dipterans were collected, represented by nine species of Calliphoridae (89.24%) and ten of Mesembrinellidae (10.76%), with the first record of Mesembrinella currani in this biome. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the abundance of individuals did not differ among the three analyzed environments. The Mesembrinellidae family was exclusively asynanthrope, along with two species of Calliphoridae: Hemilucilia benoisti (Séguy 1925) and Paralucilia nigrofacialis (Mello 1969) which were exclusive of the forest area, while Calliphoridae had varied synanthropy. Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann 1819) alone represented 57.18% of the total sampled, being the most abundant in all environments except the urban area where Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius 1805) totaled 55.73%. No species were exclusive to the urban area, however Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel 1858) and Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann 1830) were exclusive to the rural area. The most synanthropic species were Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius 1794) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann 1819).

Sipuncula, specifically the family Aspidosiphonidae, faces taxonomic challenges due to brief original descriptions and the poor condition or loss of the type material. Detailed standardized redescriptions are essential to understanding the diversification in this group. Herein, a comprehensive redescription of Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) steenstrupii based on an extensive material collection from the tropical Western Atlantic is provided. Based on morphological data and the analysis of COI sequences, we delimited A. (P.) steenstrupii morphologically, restricting its distribution to the tropical Western Atlantic. Also, the redescriptions and proposals for reinstatement of A. (P.) exostomum, A. (P.) ochrus, and A. (P.) speculator, previously considered junior synonyms of A. (P.) steenstrupii, are included. Furthermore, a comprehensive discussion on diagnostic morphological features to recognize aspidosiphonid species and a detailed revision of synonyms of A. (P.) steenstrupii are included. Notable differences in morphology and genetic data suggest the need for revising the taxonomic status of several synonyms within the family, highlighting underestimated diversity in sipunculans.

In the present study, the rare true bug Bannacoris hyalinus (Schaefer & Ashlock, 1970), comb. nov. (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomomorpha, Pentatomoidea, Saileriolidae), which is endemic to Vietnam, is redescribed and transferred from the genus Saileriola China & Slater, 1956 to the genus Bannacoris Hsiao, 1964 based on morphological characteristics. Adults and nymphs of this species congregate in groups of several individuals and suck sap from the abaxial side of the leaves of Litsea sp. (Lauraceae). They cause visible feeding damage on the adaxial side of Litsea leaves, similar to that caused by members of the heteropteran family Tingidae Laporte, 1832 (Cimicomorpha, Miroidea). The new knowledge of B. hyalinus comb. nov. also represents the first formal record of the feeding habits of Saileriolidae China & Slater, 1956. An identification key to all four species of this family is provided.

The present review summarizes the arthropod-related research conducted at the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility (FARF), which operates under the auspices of Texas State University (TXST). It draws on entomology-related research from the establishment of FARF in 2008 to the present. FARF serves as a key site for investigating postmortem biological processes under natural conditions and is the largest of 15 human decomposition research facilities, with 12 located in the United States of America and 3 internationally. While these facilities focus on various aspects of taphonomy, they are primarily operated by forensic anthropologists. Forensic entomology, which examines the role of insects and other arthropods in legal investigations, has been studied directly and indirectly at the FARF. The results documented a wide array of arthropod taxa on human remains, with particular attention given to necrophagous insect groups such as blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and beetles (Coleoptera), which have been utilized in some studies to aid in the estimation of the time since death (TSD). Further studies at FARF have explored the interactions between arthropods and microbial communities to better understand their roles in the decomposition process. Given the subtropical climate of the region, the activity patterns of these organisms are closely linked to abiotic variables such as temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). Although these findings show promise for improving forensic methodologies, they are accompanied by methodological challenges and contextual limitations that merit further investigation. The central aim of this review is to promote greater involvement of forensic entomology in human taphonomic facilities (HTFs), to support law enforcement and enhance the resolution of forensic casework.

Acuticulata is a globally distributed group in the actiniarian superfamily Metridioidea comprised of taxa with ecological, economic, and scientific significance. Prominent members such as Exaiptasia diaphana and Diadumene lineata serve as model organisms for studying coral symbiosis, bleaching phenomena, and ecological invasions. Despite their importance, unresolved phylogenetic relationships and outdated taxonomic frameworks hinder a full understanding of the diversity and evolution of the taxa in this clade. In this study, we employ a targeted sequence-capture approach to construct a robust phylogeny for Acuticulata, addressing long-standing questions about familial monophyly and comparing the results to results from a more conventional five-gene dataset. Specimens from previously underrepresented families and global regions, including the Falkland Islands, were included to elucidate evolutionary interrelationships and improve resolution. Our results support the monophyly of Aliciidae, Boloceroididae, Diadumenidae, Gonactiniidae, and Metridiidae. Our results reiterate the need for taxonomic revision within the family Sagartiidae, as the specimens we included from this family were recovered in four distinct clades. Based on our results, we transfer Paraiptasia from Aiptasiidae to Sagartiidae. These findings emphasize the utility of genome-scale data for resolving phylogenetic ambiguities for morphologically problematic taxa and suggest a framework for future integrative taxonomic and ecological studies within Acuticulata.