Explore the vast range of titles available.

Typical delimitation trapping survey designs for area-wide (nonlocalized) insect populations are regularly spaced grids, and alternative shapes have not been evaluated. We hypothesized that transect-based designs could give similar detection rates with significantly shorter servicing distances. We used the TrapGrid model to investigate novel “trap-sect” designs incorporating crossed, spoked, and parallel lines of traps, comparing them to a regular grid, in single survey and multiple-site scenarios. We calculated minimum servicing distances and simulated mean probabilities of detecting a pest population, judging overall performance of trap network designs using both metrics. For single sites, trap-sect designs reduced service distances by 65–89%, and most had similar detection probabilities as the regular grid. Kernel-smoothed intensity plots indicated that the best performing trap-sect designs distributed traps more fully across the area. With multiple sites (3 side by side), results depended on insect dispersal ability. All designs performed similarly in terms of detection for highly mobile insects, suggesting that designs minimizing service distances would be best for such pests. For less mobile pests the best trap-sect designs had 4–6 parallel lines, or 8 spokes, which reduced servicing distances by 33–50%. Comparisons of hypothetical trap-sect arrays to real program trap locations for 2 pests demonstrated that the novel designs reduced both trap numbers and service distances, with little differences in mean nearest trap distance to random pest locations. Trap-sect designs in delimitation surveys could reduce costs and increase program flexibility without harming the ability to detect populations.

Fully trapped survey designs are widely used to delimit adventive pests populations that can be detected using traps and lures. Delimitation includes verifying the presence of the pest and determining its spatial extent. The size and shape of the survey design and the density of traps can vary; however, resulting variation in detecting efficiency is often unknown. We used a trapping network simulation model with diffusion-based insect movement to investigate delimiting survey trapping design performance for fully trapped and some modified designs. Simulations included randomized outbreak locations in a core area and a duration of 30 d. We assessed impacts of insect dispersal ability, grid size and shape, and trap attractiveness and density on survey performance, measured as mean probability of capturing individual pests [p(capture)]. Most published grids are square, but circles performed equally well and are more efficient. Over different grid sizes, p(capture) increased for insects with greater dispersal ability but was generally unresponsive to size because most captures occurred in central areas. For low dispersing insects, the likelihood of egress was approximately zero with a 3.2-km square grid, whereas an 11.3-km grid was needed to contain highly vagile insects. Trap attractiveness affected p(capture) more strongly than density: lower densities of poorly attractive traps may underperform expectations. Variable density designs demonstrated potential for cost savings but highlighted that resource-intensive outer bands are critical to boundary determination. Results suggesting that many grids are oversized need empirical verification, whereas other principles, such as using circular shapes, are readily adoptable now.

Current detection tools for Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) in North America are poor. To determine the importance of intercept trap type for capturing females of S. noctilio and its native congener, Sirex nigricornis F., in eastern North America, we report on seven trap comparison studies from different years and geographic locations. Among studies, total numbers of S. noctilio captured were low (mean of ≤1 wasp per trap). Total numbers of S. nigricornis caught were generally greater, and ranged from a mean of 1–13 wasps per trap. Nearly all studies found no significant differences among intercept trap types in the number of woodwasps caught. For future studies, we recommend that either panel or 12-unit Lindgren funnel traps be used to catch S. noctilio or S. nigricornis in eastern North America.

One of Australia's most serious weeds, Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata (bitou bush) was recently found for the first time in Western Australia as a well established population in Kwinana, a major port and industrial area south of Perth, the State's capital. This population is remote from other bitou bush infestations in Australia and had escaped detection despite extensive surveys in the same State for the other subspecies that is present in Australia, Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera (boneseed). The main reasons it went undetected are thought to be the tightly controlled access to this area because of mineral processing and port activities, the unusual invasion route via a heavy industrial area and the morphological similarity to a native species when it is not flowering. Two surveys defined the core population of 1038 plants that are spread along the coast over a 25-ha semi-circle with about a 500-m (1640 ft) diameter. Subsequent surveys of first a 500 m buffer zone and later a 1-km (0.621 mi) buffer found four additional plants, indicating that there is considerable potential for dispersal. We concluded that the survey has not delimited the distribution because of the potential and evidence for long distance dispersal. Cooperation by the various land managers has led to all plants being killed, as an initial step to management of this species. Other steps to be undertaken include an awareness campaign in the area that would need to be surveyed for delimitation of the spatial distribution and seed bank assessment to measure potential dispersal both in space and through time. It remains to be determined what is the best strategic response: eradication or containment. Nomenclature: Bitou bush, Chrysanthemoides monilifera (L.) T. Norl. subsp. rotundata (DC.) T. Norl.

Patterns of local abundance and geographical distribution are often prime correlates of invasive species' impacts on native ecosystems. Here we adaptively increased the spatial scale of delimitation surveys to determine the local abundance, range and habitat associations of the introduced portunid Charybdis japonica (Milne-Edwards, 1861) in New Zealand. The crab was first discovered in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour in September 2000, and by April 2002 trapping surveys revealed the invader had spread widely throughout the Harbour. Experiments using three deployment times (1, 3 and 24 h) optimized detection rates prior to larger scale geographic surveys that defined the range of the introduced population. We surveyed >300 sites in coastal waters within the predicted range of larval dispersal and then 14 major shipping ports throughout New Zealand. C. japonica was abundant in the Waitemata Harbour and present in two nearby estuaries, but there was no evidence of spread to other shipping ports nationwide. Subtidal habitat associations were explored in the main area of infestation which indicated that the invader occupied a range of substrata from fine, silty muds to coarse, shelly sands. Although its distribution overlaps with the native portunid crab Ovalipes catharus, the invader was more abundant throughout Waitemata Harbour and occurred in muddy sediments where native portunids are rare. It is not yet clear whether the C. japonica population in New Zealand is self-sustaining, however if it persists and continues to spread, it is likely to have significant impacts on native estuarine benthic assemblages.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Molecular tools have revolutionized the exploration of biodiversity, especially in organisms for which traditional taxonomy is difficult, such as for microscopic animals (meiofauna). Environmental (eDNA) metabarcode surveys of DNA extracted from sediment samples are increasingly popular for surveying biodiversity. Most eDNA surveys use the nuclear gene-encoding small-subunit rDNA gene (18S) as a marker; however, different markers and metrics used for delimiting species have not yet been evaluated against each other or against morphologically defined species (morphospecies). We assessed more than 12,000 meiofaunal sequences of 18S and of the main alternatively used marker [Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA] belonging to 55 datasets covering three taxonomic ranks. Our results show that 18S reduced diversity estimates by a factor of 0.4 relative to morphospecies, whereas COI increased diversity estimates by a factor of 7.6. Moreover, estimates of species richness using COI were robust among three of four commonly used delimitation metrics, whereas estimates using 18S varied widely with the different metrics. We show that meiofaunal diversity has been greatly underestimated by 18S eDNA surveys and that the use of COI provides a better estimate of diversity. The suitability of COI is supported by cross-mating experiments in the literature and evolutionary analyses of discreteness in patterns of genetic variation. Furthermore its splitting of morphospecies is expected from documented levels of cryptic taxa in exemplar meiofauna. We recommend against using 18S as a marker for biodiversity surveys and suggest that use of COI for eDNA surveys could provide more accurate estimates of species richness in the future.

DNA barcoding is an essential tool in modern biodiversity sciences. Despite considerable work to barcode the tree of life, many groups, including insects, remain partially or totally unreferenced, preventing barcoding from reaching its full potential. Aquatic insects, especially the three orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT), are key freshwater quality indicators worldwide. Among them, Plecoptera (stoneflies), which are among the most sensitive aquatic insects to habitat modification, play a central role in river monitoring surveys. Here, we present an update of the Plecoptera reference database for (meta)barcoding in Switzerland, now covering all 118 species known from this country. Fresh specimens, mostly from rare or localized species, were collected, and 151 new CO1 barcodes were generated. These were merged with the 422 previously published sequences, resulting in a dataset of 573 barcoded specimens. Our CO1 dataset was delimited in 115 CO1 clusters based on a priori morphological identifications, of which 17% are newly reported for Switzerland, and 4% are newly reported globally. Among the 115 CO1 clusters, 85% showed complete congruence with morphology. Distance-based analysis indicated local barcoding gaps in 97% of the CO1 clusters. This study significantly improves the Swiss reference database for stoneflies, enhancing future species identification accuracy and biodiversity monitoring. Additionally, this work reveals cryptic diversity and incongruence between morphology and barcodes, both presenting valuable opportunities for future integrative taxonomic studies. Voucher specimens, DNA extractions and reference barcodes are available for future developments, including metabarcoding and environmental DNA surveys.

Leaf‐eared mice (genus Phyllotis) are among the most widespread and abundant small mammals in the Andean Altiplano, but species boundaries and distributional limits are often poorly delineated due to sparse survey data from remote mountains and high‐elevation deserts. Here, we report a combined analysis of mitochondrial DNA variation and whole‐genome sequence (WGS) variation in Phyllotis mice to delimit species boundaries, to assess the timescale of diversification of the group, and to examine evidence for interspecific hybridization. Estimates of divergence based on cytb data suggest that most diversification of Phyllotis occurred during the past 3 million years. Consistent with the Pleistocene Aridification hypothesis, our results suggest that diversification of Phyllotis largely coincided with climatically induced environmental changes in the mid‐ to late‐Pleistocene. Contrary to the Montane Uplift hypothesis, most diversification in the group occurred well after the major phase of uplift of the Central Andean Plateau. Species delimitation analyses revealed surprising patterns of cryptic diversity within several nominal forms, suggesting the presence of much undescribed alpha diversity in the genus. Results of genomic analyses revealed evidence of hybridization between the sister species P. limatus and P. vaccarum, suggesting that the contemporary zone of range overlap between the two species represents a hybrid zone. Diversification of Phyllotis coincided with mid‐ to late‐Pleistocene climate change. Species delimitation revealed cryptic diversity within several nominal forms. Genomic analyses revealed evidence for introgressive hybridization.

In groups undergoing rapid radiations, species delimitation among phylogenetically close sister lineages has long been a challenge. During plant surveys in northwestern Sichuan, we unexpectedly discovered two putative new species of Primula that are morphologically similar yet distinct from each other. These species resemble P. xingshanensis, which has been assigned to sect. Auganthus based on morphological characters. To clarify the precise phylogenetic positions of the two putative new species and P. xingshanensis, we sampled related taxa and conducted phylogenetic analyses using chloroplast genomes and nuclear SNPs. The results showed that the two putative new species form sister clades and are closely related to P. sinensis, while P. xingshanensis is sister to P. rupestris. All belong to the sect. Auganthus. Based on population genetic structure, morphological statistics, and artificial hybridization experiments, both putative new species should be accepted as distinct species, herein formally described as P. rongrong sp. nov. and P. fujiangensis sp. nov. Based on our field surveys and in accordance with the IUCN criteria, we assess the conservation status of P. rongrong as least concern (LC) and P. fujiangensis as critically endangered (CR). We describe two new sister species, Primula rongrong and P. fujiangensis (sect. Auganthus), from Sichuan, China. Phylogenomic analyses (chloroplast + nuclear SNPs) confirm their sister relationship within the section. Significant morphological divergence (PCA of 16 traits; **p < 0.05 for 8 characters) and reproductive isolation (13.75% interspecific vs. 67.5%–80% intraspecific fruit set) validate their distinct species status.

Background Bat flies belong to the order Diptera and superfamily Hippoboscoidea. They can be divided into two families, Streblidae and Nycteribiidae, which collectively encompass 239 and 280 species worldwide, respectively. In Thailand, 43 species of Nycteribiidae and 16 species of Streblidae have been documented. Despite their diversity, the molecular characteristics and host-parasite interactions of these ectoparasites remain poorly understood. Methods During a bat survey conducted between 2019 and 2022, bat flies were collected across eight sites in three provinces of Thailand. Morphological identification was performed using identification keys and a bat fly checklist endemic to Thailand. DNA barcoding targeted to the mitochondrial Cox1 and nuclear 28S rRNA genes was utilized. Infestation patterns were analyzed in relation to host sex, sampling site, and physiological status. Species identification was confirmed via BLASTN searches, and species delimitation was conducted using the ASAP algorithm under three substitution models. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using Maximum Likelihood methods, while genetic variation was assessed through TCS haplotype network analysis. Tripartite network analysis was employed to examine site-host-parasite associations. Results A total of 1,042 bats, representing 28 species, were captured during the study, of which 298 individuals (28.59%) were infested with bat flies. In total, 773 bat flies were collected, comprising 737 from the family Streblidae and 36 from Nycteribiidae. Morphological and molecular analyses identified three genera— Raymondia , Brachytarsina , and Nycteribia —along with seven hypothetical species. Phylogenetic reconstruction using mitochondrial ( Cox 1) and nuclear (28S rRNA) gene markers revealed distinct clades within each genus, underscoring substantial genetic diversity. Haplotype analyses identified 18 haplotypes in Raymondia , six in Brachytarsina , and two in Nycteribia , with evidence of site-specific host-parasite associations. Infestation rates varied by host species, sex, and location, with larger bat populations demonstrating higher infestation intensities. Raymondia sp. 1 is the most frequently encountred species an predominantly infested Hipposideros gentilis . Conclusions This study provides the first molecular characterization of bat fly diversity in Thailand, revealing their genetic complexity, taxonomy, host specificity, and ecological interactions. The findings establish a crucial foundation for further research concerning the biodiversity, host-parasite dynamics, and zoonotic risks associated with bat flies. Graphical Abstract