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Taxonomy of Cinnamomum Schaeff. of Lauraceae remains problematic because recent phylogenetic studies have suggested that this genus is not monophyletic. In this study, we assembled three sequence matrices including plastomes (datamatrix I), nrITS sequences alone (datamatrix II), and nrITS plus plastid psbA‐trnH sequences (datamatrix III) of the Cinnamomum‐Ocotea complex of Lauraceae and conducted a new phylogenetic study with thusfar the most extensive species sampling of the Cinnamomum‐Ocotea group. We determined that the Old World Cinnamomum is diphyletic: sect. Camphora Meisn. is sister to Sassafras J.Presl and sect. Cinnamomum is sister to the African Kuloa Trofimov & Rohwer. A recent study indicated that characters of leaf micromorphological anatomy can define the two clades: one possessing reticulate periclinal and the other having non‐reticulate periclinal walls. As result, we divided the genus Cinnamomum of Lauraceae into two genera, i.e., Cinnamomum and Camphora Fabr. The generic name Cinnamomum is retained for those species mainly having reticulate periclinal epidermal cell walls, inconspicuous non‐perulate terminal buds and usually tripliveined leaves; the oldest generic name, Camphora, is applied to the second group which contains those species mainly possessing non‐reticulate periclinal epidermal cell walls, prominent perulate terminal buds and pinnately‐veined leaves. A census of the species and their type specimens listed under Cinnamomum in Asia resulted in the transfer of 18 species to Camphora, including 15 new combinations. Cinnamomum is diphyletic according to a new phylogeny using nrITS and psbA‐trnH sequences. As a result, we classify the genus Cinnamomum into two genera, i.e., Camphora and Cinnamomum.

ABSTRACT Vocalization is an important feature in anuran identification that could vary among individuals and populations. We present an investigation of multiple‐level variation on advertisement calls of Microhyla fissipes from nine populations across Hainan Island and further test the differences between the two geographical groups that were divided by morphological features in a previous study. We found that dominant frequency is the most static call parameter at the individual level. Four of six call parameters show significant differences between groups and could be useful for identification between groups. The southwest (SW) group from Hainan Island represents the highest dominant frequency among all reported advertisement calls of M. fissipes in the literature, implying a need for further studies. Vocalization is an important feature in anuran identification that could vary among individuals and populations. We present an investigation of multiple‐level variation on advertisement calls of Microhyla fissipes from nine populations across Hainan Island and further test the differences between the two geographical groups that were divided by morphological features in a previous study.

Monitoring large marine mammals is challenging due to their low abundances in general, an ability to move over large distances and wide geographical range sizes. The distribution of the pygmy (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf (Kogia sima) sperm whales is informed by relatively rare sightings, which does not permit accurate estimates of their distribution ranges. Hence, their conservation status has long remained Data Deficient (DD) in the Red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which prevent appropriate conservation measures. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding uses DNA traces left by organisms in their environments to detect the presence of targeted taxon, and is here proved to be useful to increase our knowledge on the distribution of rare but emblematic megafauna. Retrieving eDNA from filtered surface water provides the first detection of the Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) around the remote Malpelo island (Colombia). Environmental DNA collected during oceanic missions can generate better knowledge on rare but emblematic animals even in regions that are generally well sampled for other taxa. Retrieving eDNA from filtered surface water provides the first detection of the Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) around the remote Malpelo island (Colombia).

Beetles have a remote evolutionary history dating back to the Carboniferous, with Mesozoic fossils playing a pivotal role in elucidating the early evolution of extant families. Despite their exceptional preservation in amber, deciphering the systematic positions of Mesozoic trogossitid‐like beetles remains challenging. Here, we describe and illustrate a new trogossitid‐like lineage from mid‐Cretaceous Kachin amber, Foveapeltis rutai Li, Kolibáč, Liu & Cai, gen. et sp. nov. Foveapeltis stands out within the Cleroidea due to the presence of a significant large cavity on each hypomeron. While the exact phylogenetic placement of Foveapeltis remains uncertain, we offer a discussion on its potential affinity based on our constrained phylogenetic analyses. Deciphering the systematic positions of Mesozoic trogossitid‐like beetles is challenging. Here, we describe and illustrate a new trogossitid‐like lineage from mid‐Cretaceous Kachin amber, Foveapeltis rutai gen. et sp. nov. Foveapeltis stands out within the Cleroidea due to the presence of a significant large cavity on each hypomeron. While the exact phylogenetic placement of Foveapeltis remains uncertain, we offer a discussion on its potential affinity based on our constrained phylogenetic analyses.

ABSTRACT The vocalisations of female songbirds are more complex, widespread, and functionally important than previously thought; yet information is still depauperate compared to that of males. Here we provide the first recordings and analysis of the vocal behaviour of female Albert's lyrebirds, a species in which males are known for elaborate song and dance displays involving vocal mimicry. We document one female Albert's lyrebird vocalising during nest construction and another vocalising at a nest containing a nestling and find that, like males, female Albert's lyrebirds produce vocal mimicry, conspecific song, and alarm calls. However, female repertoires are both distinct from those of the males and used during female‐specific contexts. Our results highlight the potential complexity of vocalisations produced by female songbirds and add to a small but growing list of species in which females produce vocal mimicry. The vocalisations of female songbirds are more complex, widespread and functionally important than previously thought, yet information is still depauperate compared to that of males. Here we provide the first recordings and analysis of vocal mimicry and conspecific song and calls in the female Albert's lyrebird. We found that female repertoires were complex, distinct from those of males and used in female‐only contexts, highlighting the need to study both males and females to fully understand animal communication.

In China, six species of Statherotmantis Diakonoff, 1973 were previously recorded. In the present study, four other species were recognized using morphology and DNA barcording analysis. Among these, three of which, S. miniscula sp. n., S. calva sp. n., and S. longiuscula sp. n., are described as new. In addition, one species, S. laetana Kuznetzov, 1988, is a new record for China. Adults and genitalia are illustrated, and keys to identify the Chinese species of Statherotmantis are provided. In the present study, three new species and one new record are recognized using morphology and DNA barcording analysis.

ABSTRACT The integration of high‐resolution 3D photogrammetry in insect taxonomy offers potential enhancements to traditional classification methods, particularly in educational and resource‐limited settings. This study assesses the Artec Micro scanner's capability to capture detailed external phenotypic features of insects across a size spectrum from 1.63 to 33.49 mm. Ten samples from unique species were mounted and scanned. The model outputs were evaluated against an identification key, which compiled diagnostic features for the specimens from the wider literature, to describe the specimens to the lowest taxonomic level possible. The results showed that six of the ten specimens could be identified to species level using the scans. Threshold values for body length and width were 10.7 and 4.4 mm, respectively. Below these body dimensions, important diagnostic features of specimens could not be resolved reliably. This result outlines the limitations of this technology and highlights the supportive role that this approach can provide when integrated with traditional taxonomic methods. This approach opens up novel applications for species identification and data sharing among taxonomists, international field research, conservation efforts and entomological outreach. However, the limitations of this approach to taxonomic identification must be considered depending upon the size of the specimen and its diagnostic features. Future developments could enhance this technology's application in routine taxonomic work, particularly through integration with artificial intelligence platforms. Our study presents a cost‐effective 3D scanning approach to enhance taxonomic identification, particularly for archival and educational applications. By allowing the scanning of pinned specimens without damage, this method supplements traditional taxonomy while promoting accessibility and conservation efforts.

ABSTRACT We documented the influence of the section of the annual life cycle when crops were not available by tracking space use by two male Barbary macaques Macaca sylvanus that had access to the same cultivated area with cherry and walnut trees, adjacent to an oak forest near Ifrane NP, Morocco. Both individuals remained within a few kilometers of the orchards, even when there was no fruit available. They visited the orchards the most at the beginning of the study when walnuts were available and the herbaceous layer grew, leading to a peak in home range overlap, as predicted by the resource dispersion hypothesis. By contrast, they visited the orchards the least when cherries were available at the end of the study. These results indicated that the orchards and their vicinity hold resources that sustained the macaques outside of the cherry and walnut seasons, and confirmed that the wardens who were hired for this purpose efficiently protected the cherry crop. The spatial behavior of Barbary macaques around orchards during the winter. Using remote sensing data, we described the use of croplands by Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) when fruit were no longer available in the orchards. Our study revealed that macaques remained in close proximity to the orchards throughout the winter but used them the least during the cherry season, when the orchards were protected by hired wardens.

Triplet embryos observed from within an egg oviposited by a wild adult female Burmese python in southern Florida. All three embryos were attached to the yolk and found deceased and at differing stages of development.

ABSTRACT This Nature note reports the first documented instance of tool use in Sunda crows (Corvus enca) and provides additional evidence of this ability in house crows (Corvus splendens). At Singapore Zoo (December 2023), individuals from both species spontaneously manipulated a hooked stick to extract food rewards from enclosed containers. This observation extends the catalogue of tool‐using corvids. We briefly review tool use across the corvid family and examine competing hypotheses regarding its evolution, including inherited predisposition from a tool‐using ancestor and the development of general physical intelligence with food caching as a potential precursor. Our findings suggest that the cognitive foundation for tool use may be conserved across the corvid family, with expression contingent upon environmental demands rather than species‐specific adaptations. This work contributes to ongoing discussions regarding the evolutionary origins of complex problem‐solving in birds and the potential role of general physical intelligence in corvid cognition. Picture exemplifying the crow tool use.