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During a recent expedition in the moist lowland Chocó forests from Colombia, three species of Anaides Westwood, 1842 were collected. These specimens represent important extensions to their distribution and are notable records for the Chocó Biogeographic Region of Colombia, and for the country itself. Anaides fossulatus Westwood, 1842 is recorded for the first time in the Colombian Chocó region, Anaides planus Ocampo, 2006 is confirmed for Colombia, and the distribution of Anaides longeciliatus Balthasar, 1938 is extended to Colombia.

Little information for Eunectes beniensis (Dirksen, 2002) (Serpentes, Boidae) exists in the scientific literature and museum data. We review the natural history, diet, reproduction, distribution of this species and discuss its identifying characteristics. We present new records and discuss the species’ distribution in Bolivia. As reported in the previous literature, the geographic locality data of the holotype and paratypes are incorrect. We report corrected data for these specimens and update knowledge of the species’ distributional status and natural history by summarizing novel and existing data from the entirety of this species’ known range. We provide a distribution map based on vouchered museum specimens.

Accurate taxonomy is central to the study of biological diversity, as it provides the needed evolutionary framework for taxon sampling and interpreting results. While the number of recognized species in the class Mammalia has increased through time, tabulation of those increases has relied on the sporadic release of revisionary compendia like the Mammal Species of the World (MSW) series. Here, we present the Mammal Diversity Database (MDD), a digital, publically accessible, and updateable list of all mammalian species, now available online: https://mammaldiversity.org. The MDD will continue to be updated as manuscripts describing new species and higher taxonomic changes are released. Starting from the baseline of the 3rd edition of MSW (MSW3), we performed a review of taxonomic changes published since 2004 and digitally linked species names to their original descriptions and subsequent revisionary articles in an interactive, hierarchical database. We found 6,495 species of currently recognized mammals (96 recently extinct, 6,399 extant), compared to 5,416 in MSW3 (75 extinct, 5,341 extant)—an increase of 1,079 species in about 13 years, including 11 species newly described as having gone extinct in the last 500 years. We tabulate 1,251 new species recognitions, at least 172 unions, and multiple major, higher-level changes, including an additional 88 genera (1,314 now, compared to 1,226 in MSW3) and 14 newly recognized families (167 compared to 153). Analyses of the description of new species through time and across biogeographic regions show a long-term global rate of ~25 species recognized per year, with the Neotropics as the overall most species-dense biogeographic region for mammals, followed closely by the Afrotropics. The MDD provides the mammalogical community with an updateable online database of taxonomic changes, joining digital efforts already established for amphibians (AmphibiaWeb, AMNH's Amphibian Species of the World), birds (e.g., Avibase, IOC World Bird List, HBW Alive), non-avian reptiles (The Reptile Database), and fish (e.g., FishBase, Catalog of Fishes). Una taxonomía que precisamente refleje la realidad biológica es fundamental para el estudio de la diversidad de la vida, ya que proporciona el armazón evolutivo necesario para el muestreo de taxones e interpretación de resultados del mismo. Si bien el número de especies reconocidas en la clase Mammalia ha aumentado con el tiempo, la tabulación de esos aumentos se ha basado en las esporádicas publicaciones de compendios de revisiones taxonómicas, tales como la serie Especies de mamíferos del mundo (MSW por sus siglas en inglés). En este trabajo presentamos la Base de Datos de Diversidad de Mamíferos (MDD por sus siglas en inglés): una lista digital de todas las especies de mamíferos, actualizable y accesible públicamente, disponible en la dirección URL https://mammaldiversity.org/. El MDD se actualizará con regularidad a medida que se publiquen artículos que describan nuevas especies o que introduzcan cambios de diferentes categorías taxonómicas. Con la tercera edición de MSW (MSW3) como punto de partida, realizamos una revisión en profundidad de los cambios taxonómicos publicados a partir del 2004. Los nombres de las especies nuevamente descriptas (o ascendidas a partir de subespecies) fueron conectadas digitalmente en una base de datos interactiva y jerárquica con sus descripciones originales y con artículos de revisión posteriores. Los datos indican que existen actualmente 6,495 especies de mamíferos (96 extintas, 6,399 vivientes), en comparación con las 5,416 reconocidas en MSW3 (75 extintas, 5,341 vivientes): un aumento de 1,079 especies en aproximadamente 13 años, incluyendo 11 nuevas especies consideradas extintas en los últimos 500 años. Señalamos 1,251 nuevos reconocimientos de especies, al menos 172 uniones y varios cambios a mayor nivel taxonómico, incluyendo 88 géneros adicionales (1,314 reconocidos, comparados con 1,226 en MSW3) y 14 familias recién reconocidas (167 en comparación con 153 en MSW3). Los análisis témporo-geográficos de descripciones de nuevas especies (en las principales regiones del mundo) sugieren un promedio mundial de descripciones a largo plazo de aproximadamente 25 especies reconocidas por año, siendo el Neotrópico la región con mayor densidad de especies de mamíferos en el mundo, seguida de cerca por la region Afrotrópical. El MDD proporciona a la comunidad de mastozoólogos una base de datos de cambios taxonómicos conectada y actualizable, que se suma a los esfuerzos digitales ya establecidos para anfibios (AmphibiaWeb, Amphibian Species of the World), aves (p. ej., Avibase, IOC World Bird List, HBW Alive), reptiles “no voladores” (The Reptile Database), y peces (p. ej., FishBase, Catalog of Fishes).

Of the few endemic vertebrates found in Paraguay, Homonota rupicola Cacciali, Ávila & Bauer, 2007 is considered micro-endemic, globally threatened, absent in conservation units, and restricted to rocky outcrops in a small mountain range, a priority hotspot, known as Cordillera de los Altos. Through sampling efforts in areas surrounding the type locality, we recorded H. rupicola at other sites. Together the current geographic range of this species is approximately 13 km along a segment of the Cordillera de los Altos. Nonetheless, H. rupicola is currently unknown from any protected areas, and non-governmental organizations are working towards establishing conservation units within the geographic range of the species.

Chromosome numbers and ploidy levels of 24 accessions of 17 species of tribe Panicoideae from Argentina, Cuba, and Brazil are given. Most of the studied species are endemics. The studied taxa are: Axonopus aureus P. Beauv., Dichanthelium aequivaginatum (Swallen) Zuloaga, D. stipiflorum (Renvoize) Zuloaga, D. surrectum (Chase ex Zuloaga & Morrone) Zuloaga, Homolepis isocalycia (G. Mey.) Chase, Paspalum arenarium Schrad., P. blodgettii Chapm., P. capillifolium Nash, P. coryphaeum Trin., P. distortum Chase, P. durifolium Mez, P. lindenianum A. Rich., P. oligostachyum Salzm. ex Steud., P. pumilum Nees, P. scutatum Nees ex Trin., P. strigosum Döll ex Chase, and Plagiantha tenella Renvoize; of these, the chromosome numbers of D. aequivaginatum, D. stipiflorum, D. surrectum (n = 9), Homolepis isocalycia (n = 20), Paspalum capillifolium, P. distortum, P. lindenianum, P. oligostachyum, and P. strigosum (n = 10) are presented for the first time. A new diploid cytotype (n = 10) for Paspalum blodgettii was found.

Psecas euoplus Chamberlin & Ivie, 1936 is recorded for the first time from Colombia. In addition, the known distribution of the species Lyssomanes amazonicus G.W. Peckham, E.G. Peckham & Wheeler, 1889, Lyssomanes bitaeniatus G.W. Peckham, E.G. Peckham & Wheeler, 1889, Lyssomanes remotus G.W. Peckham & E.G. Peckham, 1896, and Sarinda armata (G.W. Peckham & E.G. Peckham, 1892), are extended to the department of Córdoba. We provide descriptions of the species reported here as well as images and drawings of both type material and our new records.

Objective: Investigate the capture of Brycon devillei and Steindachneridion amblyurum in the Jequitinhonha River basin to contribute to the knowledge of these endemic and endangered species.   Theoretical Framework: Based on concepts of ecology and conservation of aquatic species, highlighting the importance of preserving natural habitats for maintaining biodiversity. Theories on the relationship between climatic events and fish capture patterns are also explored.   Method: Monthly collections of the species from 2011 to 2015, focusing on the months of October to February. Data collection included the capture of live specimens, which were sent for macro and microscopic analysis at the Machado Mineiro Environmental Station. The relationship between rainy days and reservoir levels with the number of species captured was statistically analyzed.   Results and Discussion: Both Brycon devillei and Steindachneridion amblyurum were mainly captured during periods of rain and reservoir filling. There was a significant relationship between capture and rainy days for both species, with p<0.003 for Steindachneridion amblyurum and p<0.002 for Brycon devillei. The discussion contextualizes these findings in light of the theoretical framework, considering the ecological implications.   Research Implications: Monitoring the reservoir during rainy days for the conservation of these species. Theoretically, the study highlights the importance of environmental factors in the capture of endangered aquatic species.   Originality/Value: Contributes to the literature by providing unprecedented data on Brycon devillei and Steindachneridion amblyurum. The research offers valuable insights for the conservation of endemic fish in impacted habitats.

Tropical forests are renowned for their astonishing diversity of life, but the fundamental question of how many species occur in tropical forests remains unanswered. Using geographic range maps and data on species habitat associations, we determined that tropical forests harbor 62% of global terrestrial vertebrate species, more than twice the number found in any other terrestrial biome on Earth. Up to 29% of global vertebrate species are endemic to tropical forests, with more than 20% of these species at risk of extinction. Humid tropical forests (also known as tropical rainforests) and the Neotropics dominate as centers of species diversity, harboring more than 90% and nearly half of all tropical forest vertebrates, respectively. To maintain the biodiversity that underpins the ecosystem functions and services essential for human well-being, we emphasize the critical importance of environmental policies aimed at reducing tropical deforestation and mitigating deleterious anthropogenic pressures on these imperiled ecosystems.

The hitherto unknown pheromone gland of female Stenophylla lobivertex Lombardo, 2000, a poorly understood praying mantis distributed in the Neotropics, is described and figured. In contrast to other mantodeans, this species has a protrusible, bifurcated (Y-shaped) gland of 6 mm length. It is protracted by sexually receptive females during nighttime and only when undisturbed. The significance of this morphological and behavioral adaptation is discussed in light of the reproductive strategy of the species and its assumed rarity in the natural habitat.

The American tropics (the Neotropics) are the most species-rich realm on Earth, and for centuries, scientists have attempted to understand the origins and evolution of their biodiversity. It is now clear that different regions and taxonomic groups have responded differently to geological and climatic changes. However, we still lack a basic understanding of how Neotropical biodiversity was assembled over evolutionary timescales. Here we infer the timing and origin of the living biota in all major Neotropical regions by performing a cross-taxonomic biogeographic analysis based on 4,450 species from six major clades across the tree of life (angiosperms, birds, ferns, frogs, mammals, and squamates), and integrate >1.3 million species occurrences with large-scale phylogenies. We report an unprecedented level of biotic interchange among all Neotropical regions, totaling 4,525 dispersal events. About half of these events involved transitions between major environmental types, with a predominant directionality from forested to open biomes. For all taxonomic groups surveyed here, Amazonia is the primary source of Neotropical diversity, providing >2,800 lineages to other regions. Most of these dispersal events were to Mesoamerica (∼1,500 lineages), followed by dispersals into open regions of northern South America and the Cerrado and Chaco biomes. Biotic interchange has taken place for >60 million years and generally increased toward the present. The total amount of time lineages spend in a region appears to be the strongest predictor of migration events. These results demonstrate the complex origin of tropical ecosystems and the key role of biotic interchange for the assembly of regional biotas.