Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Coping with the impacts of global climate change on the biosphere in general and humanity in particular requires that we shift attention from economic principles of sustainability to evolutionary principles of survival. Darwinism provides a third way between unattainable utopia and unacceptable apocalypse. The Four Laws of Biotics provide Darwinian guidelines for interacting with the biosphere and improving humanity’s chances of survival as a technological species. The biosphere is a complex evolutionary system comprising species that generate, store, and use their own potential to survive. This allows the biosphere to continue to cope with change by changing, making ecosystems robust, not fragile. This is the only means by which the biosphere has survived previous episodes of climate change, and it has never failed. Conservation policies need to shift from treating the biosphere as a material commons to treating the biosphere as an evolutionary commons. Within a survivable biosphere, humanity’s future can be enhanced by (1) implementing the economics of well-being, (2) reducing population density through climate migration into rural areas, revitalizing them into circularized economies, (3) re-growing sustainably by creating networks of cooperating circular economies, not consolidating into densely populated urban centers, and (4) ensuring social institutions are responsive to the desires of the grassroots. Technological urbanized humans can alter their behavior now at great expense and difficulty, extending the benefits of the Anthropocene, or can fail to act, and face imminent collapse.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Biodiversity and food security are often perceived as conflicting objectives, yet they are deeply interdependent through ecological processes. Biodiversity regulates soil quality, water, climate dynamics and ecological processes-such as pollination-thereby influencing food security, economic development, and resilience to climate risks. In Brazil, the conservation of ecosystems and pollination services exemplify how biodiversity underpins key agricultural commodities such as soy and coffee. Aligning biodiversity conservation with climate policy is therefore crucial, particularly in megadiverse countries that are major commodity producers. With COP30 taking place in Brazil, there is a unique opportunity to integrate biodiversity into global climate agendas, strengthen governance and legislation, and attract investment through sustainable frameworks. This perspective emphasizes that protecting biodiversity is not only an environmental priority but also a strategic pathway for food security, climate resilience, and sustainable economic development.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Biodiversity loss, land degradation, and climate change are deeply interlinked. We present the main conclusions of an initiative led by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), which focuses on the synergies between the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as climate change policies and plans, to increase the potential for achieving both agendas. Conserving biodiversity and restoring ecosystems helps stabilize the climate, while climate action supports the health of ecosystems. Nature-based Solutions (NbS), through conservation, restoration, and ecosystem management, can contribute to a mutual reinforcement of multiple goals. Quantified benefits of these synergies often outweigh costs, especially long-term. Integrated policies are urgently needed to align biodiversity and climate goals and financing, as well as to address trade-offs and environmental injustice. However, fragmented governance, as exemplified by the global conventions on biological diversity, climate change, and desertification, and siloed financing, hinder joint action. Policy levers could overcome barriers and accelerate action. The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Climate Change in Brazil, a megadiverse country with significant greenhouse gas emissions from the land-use sector, represents an opportunity to integrate policy agendas and explore synergies that can accelerate action.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Ephydrini comprises 118 species (plus seven nomina dubia species) that are distributed in all biogeographical regions except Antarctica. The tribe currently includes 13 genera, of which three (Calocoenia Mathis, Ephydra Fallén, Paracoenia Cresson) include subgenera. The subgenus Ephydra and three other genera (Neoephydra Mathis, Notiocoenia Mathis, Setacera Cresson) include species groups. Representatives of all these groupings (genera, subgenera, and in most cases also species groups) are included in the phylogenetic analysis and taxonomic treatment. To test the monophyly of Ephydrini and to understand phylogenetic relationships among genera, a cladistic analysis was performed using equal and implicit character weightings based on the morphology of adult males and females. Species of all 13 genera of Ephydrini from different geographical regions were included to account for morphological and phylogenetic diversity. Also included in the analysis are species of the other tribes of the subfamily Ephydrinae to provide greater perspective on the phylogenetic position of Ephydrini within the subfamily and to serve as outgroups. In our analyses, cladograms from both equal weighting and implied weighting resulted in cladograms of 261 steps in length. The tribes Ephydrini, Dagini, and Scatellini were recovered as monophyletic lineages. The tribe Dagini is the sister lineage to the node giving rise to the tribes Scatellini and Ephydrini, and the latter two tribes were recovered as sister groups. Within Ephydrini, the implied weighting cladogram provided higher resolution among terminal taxa with the same number of steps and is thus our preferred cladogram. In this cladogram, all currently valid genera, including subgenera and species groups, were recovered as monophyletic lineages. Thus, no taxonomic changes are needed at the genus-group level. In the taxonomic section, the tribe Ephydrini is characterized, as are all included genera within the tribe. In addition, keys to all genera, subgenera, and species groups are provided to facilitate their identification.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Urbanization may significantly impact wild population dynamics, even in protected green spaces. From 2016 to 2018, we accessed an assemblage of freshwater turtles isolated in an urban remnant of the Atlantic Forest, southern Brazil. We captured turtles by active search, hookless fishing, and funnel trap, and we marked them individually. Using a capture-mark-recapture method, we estimated population density, and movement, including home range size and habitat selection. Home ranges were estimated using the 100% minimum convex polygon method and habitat selections through eigenanalysis. We captured 41 specimens of Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812), 35 Trachemys dorbigni (Duméril & Bibron, 1835), and 20 Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839). The invasive T. dorbigni showed the highest density (1.72 individual/ha), followed by the native P. geoffroanus (1.36 individual/ha) and the invasive T. scripta elegans (0.87 individual/ha). Home range sizes for P. geoffroanus and T. dorbigni ranged between 0.04-0.48 ha, with the latter species covering the longest distance (525.8 m). All three species showed a preference for habitats influenced by human presence (walkways). Our findings highlight the anthropic influence on the movement of the freshwater turtle assemblage and underscore the need for enhanced protection of native species and control of invasive turtles. This study provides essential baseline data for future researches and management of urban areas.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Habitat loss and fragmentation is the greatest threat to global biodiversity and is especially acute in biodiversity hotspots such as the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Because the Brazilian fauna suffers from ongoing human impacts both inside and outside protected areas and their buffer zones, inventories of the faunal assemblages in these areas remain vital. Based on field surveys and the examination of museum specimens, we report on the herpetofauna of the buffer zone of Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Across nine sampling areas during 2017 and 2018, we documented 30 species of anurans, one caecilian, 18 snakes, eight lizards, and one crocodilian. This assemblage includes the first record for five species from the protected area. Our inventory offers fundamental information that can promote actions to maintain populations of these taxonomic groups and their habitats within and outside of this protected area.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The Atlantic Forest has one of the richest avifaunas in the world, with endemic, migratory and endangered taxa. However, some of the ornithological knowledge produced there has yet to be organized and published, hindering effective conservation actions. For example, a study concluded in 2005 documented 213 species for Parque das Neblinas (PN), a private reserve located in the Serra do Mar in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, but there has been no update since. We retrieved, organized, and technically evaluated ornithological data produced for PN over the last 20 years, including that from articles, online platforms, occasional lists and a systematic inventory logging 250 field hours. Data consolidation resulted in 293 bird species for PN, including 88 endemic and nine threatened with extinction. Two-hundred and fifty-seven species were recorded by different researchers and bird observers while 141 were recorded by the field inventory, which added 24 species to the total list, showing great potential for new research. The PN bird community is typical of the São Paulo plateau, with the occurrence of species from coastal lowlands as well as drier areas in the interior, and represents an important area for the conservation of Atlantic Forest birds that is also suitable for bird observation and photography.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Knowledge of neotropical freshwater gastrotrichs, especially in Brazil, has gained momentum in the past decades, with new species being discovered yearly, accumulating in the last 30 years more than 10% of known species worldwide. Nevertheless, there is still much to accomplish in the field, with large geographical gaps to be filled, especially in continental countries such as Brazil. In the present study, we report the partial results of an expedition that, for the first time, sampled the inland waters of Alagoas, Bahía, and Pernambuco states, Northeast Region, Brazil, and found ten species belonging to five genera of Chaetonotidae. We report the first occurrence in Brazil of Chaetonotus majestuosus Grosso & Drahg, 1984, originally described from Argentina, and the second record in Brazil of Chaetonotus dadayi Schwank, 1990, originally found in Paraguay, and the first occurrence beyond ‘terra typica’ of Heterolepidodermella jureiense Kisielewski, 1991, originally discovered in Southeastern Brazil. Furthermore, we report members of species in conformity to species originally described in European countries Chaetonotus cf. persetosus Zelinka, 1889, and Chaetonotus cf. oculifer Kisielewski, 1981, although further investigations are needed to confirm the occurrence of such widespread lineages. Finally, we list three putative undescribed species related to Lepidochaetus aff. zelinkai (Grünspan, 1908), Chaetonotus aff. hoanicus Schwank, 1990 and Chaetonotus aff. acanthocephalus Valkanov, 1937. This new survey increases the list of northeast Brazilian freshwater gastrotrichs to 13 species.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Due to the hematophagous habits of females, some species of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) cause economic losses and health damages to humans and livestock. Several bioinsecticides based on the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) have been widely used to control the populations of these insects. This study evaluates the susceptibility of black fly larvae to a new Bti solid effervescent formulation, comparing it with a commercial standard formulation, Vectobac® liquid formulation, under laboratory conditions. Also, the diversity of Simuliidae, and aspects of the water quality, were analyzed from streams in the municipality of Cascavel, state of Paraná, Brazil. Larvae were collected from streams in the urban and rural areas of Cascavel. In laboratory, larvae were exposed of the Bti formulations. Eighteen hours after application of the formulations, larval mortality was evaluated. The control group did not exceed 20% mortality, for concentrations of 50 and 60 mg/L, the mean mortality rates were 50.6% and 64.2%, respectively, and neither differed significantly from the Vectobac®. Samples from streams showed external fecal contamination during the eight weeks of monitoring, and water quality parameters that could interfere with the efficacy of Bti application at the site. The following species of black flies were collected and identified in the two watersheds sampled: Simulium pertinax, S. subpallidum, S. nigrimanum, S. rubrithorax, S. perflavum, and S. inaequale. The bioecological aspects of the breeding site were investigated and are presented here. This is the first report of black fly species for the municipality of Cascavel. The potential of the solid effervescent formulation was proven under laboratory conditions and the bioecological evaluations demonstrated the relevance of environmental diagnosis and monitoring in the optimization of control protocols for Simuliidae.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The detectability of birds may shift seasonally in response to changes in environmental conditions and social interactions. Seasonal variation in bird behavior may influence the findings of avifaunal inventories, by making it difficult to detect some species, especially the rarest ones. We investigated how variation in rainfall patterns affects the detection of bird species in a fragment of tropical forest in the most threatened region of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, in its northern extreme. The data were collected between January and September 2018, and October to December 2019, during which, two observers walked transects within a forest fragment. Considering the complete set of species studied, detection correlated negatively with rainfall, with a decrease in detection of bird species two months before the onset of the rainy season, between February and June. We identified distinct patterns of variation in bird detection. While 10 bird taxa were detected throughout the year, others were detected more frequently during the dry season, or at the onset of the rainy season. A positive correlation was found between rainfall and the detection of Momotus momota marcgravianus Pinto & Camargo, 1961, Xiphorhynchus atlanticus (Cory, 1916), and Xenops minutus alagoanus Pinto, 1954. Negative correlations, with reduced detection, were found in relation to the onset of the rainy season in the detection of Hemitriccus griseipectus naumburgae (Zimmer, 1945) and Chiroxiphia pareola (Linnaeus, 1766). The combined detection of these species was more frequent between the peak of the dry season and the onset of the rainy season. We recommend scheduling future surveys in the study region during this period to maximise the likelihood of detecting the greatest number of species.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Length-weight relationships (LWR) and length-length relationships (LLR), along with length at first maturity (L50), were estimated for 24, 25, and 16 freshwater fish species, respectively, caught in the Salto Osório Reservoir, Iguassu River Basin, Paraná State, Brazil. Sampling was conducted over a 20-year period at three sites within the reservoir’s influence area. Significant differences in LWR between sexes were observed in 15 fish species. Isometric growth (b = 3) was recorded in six species, with an average b-value of 2.87 (SE ± 0.06). The average b-value for LLR was 1.143 (SE ± 0.020), with significant differences between sexes found in 14 species. Length at first maturity was estimated for 16 species, with significant sex-based differences in L50 observed in two species. This study provides the first references for LWR, LLR, and L50 in nine, 12, and 10 species, respectively, as well as new maximum total lengths for 20 species. These parameter estimates can support assessments of species conservation status and inform models of fish growth, reproduction, and fisheries management.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Two new species of Dasineura Rondani, 1840 from Brazil are described and illustrated based on specimens from the Entomological Collection of Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ): D. capsicicola sp. nov. and D. microstachysae sp. nov. The former attacks bud flowers of Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae), a plant economically important, commonly known as sweet pepper and the latter induces leaf galls on Microstachys corniculata (Vahl.) Griseb. (Euphorbiaceae), both plant species native to Brazil. Dasineura capsicicola, has 12-13 flagellomeres in male, 12-14 in female and 8th tergite divided longitudinally, pupa with long apical setae, long prothoracic spiracle, and dorsal spines present on the second to eighth abdominal segments, larva with two-toothed spatula without lateral projections. Dasineura microstachysae, has 15 flagellomeres in male, 14-15 in female, pupa with dorsal spines on the second to eighth abdominal segments, and larval spatula without prominent teeth. The new gall midges are compared with other congeneric Brazilian species and a key to segregate them is presented. Furthermore, the male of Dasineura tavaresi Maia, 1996 is described for the first time and label data from the holotype are corrected herein.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Anura, one of the most studied taxa regarding intersexual selection, has been considered a model for experiments on female preferences for decades. Despite this, there is still much to learn about most species and different topics. We describe the current state of knowledge on anuran intersexual selection (e.g., most studied taxa, themes, types of signals, and traits) through a scientometric review. Our survey identified and classified 521 studies published between 1975 and 2022, and a yearly publication rate of 10.85 articles. Most studies were classified into the research themes of mating preferences (314) or mating success (180), while only a few fit into selection analysis (52) or signal recognition (22). In studies on mating preferences, acoustic features were the most explored, especially the female’s preference for the dominant frequency (79). Even though a considerable diversity was embraced in our survey (203 species), we found that most efforts concentrate on a small set of species (nearly 40% of the records are about the 10 most studied species). Of those, Engystomops pustulosos (63) and Dryophytes versicolor (60) are by far the most studied. Considering the type of signal, acoustic communication was explored more often (292 studies) in comparison to visual (35), acoustic-visual (23), and chemical (2) signals. Our findings in this review point to a considerable bias in anuran intersexual selection studies regarding species, themes, and types of signals studied, which we discuss. We also make recommendations for future studies.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Ampullariids are freshwater snails distributed widely in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Asolene d’Orbigny, 1838, Felipponea Dall, 1919, Marisa Gray, 1824, and Pomacea Perry, 1810 constitute the New World genera. Despite their importance and wide distribution, the species limits are still confusing, especially in less studied genera such as Asolene. The original description of Asolene meta (Ihering, 1915) was based on a single shell, from the municipality of Barra, state of Bahia, northeast Brazil, but provided few characteristics to reliably distinguish it from congenerics. We redescribe A. meta based on topotypes and additional specimens from other localities of the São Francisco Basin, where this species is endemic. The combined characters of shell morphology (thick shell and wide and deep umbilicus), the respiratory siphon, and egg morphology (oviposition under water and non-calcareous eggs) confirmed A. meta as a valid species within Asolene. Key anatomical characters include, in males, a penis sheath with two accessory glands on the dorsal surface, one rugose apical and one smooth, a rounded internal basal gland, as well as one gland on the external basal surface; and in females, the pallial oviduct dominating the floor of the mantle cavity, a muscular, oval elongated seminal receptacle, two blind diverticula of the albumen gland and spiral lamellae on the capsule gland, embedded within a mass of parenchymal tissue, peach colored in live specimens. This is the first description of the internal anatomy of A. meta, the only species of the genus known to occur in northeast Brazil, extending from west of Bahia to Pernambuco.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Low/cold ambient temperatures can induce hepatic damage in mammals, prompting the evolution of huddling as an adaptive strategy among small mammals to survive cold conditions in the wild. However, the specific mechanisms by which low/cold ambient temperatures and huddling influence the liver remain poorly characterized. This study examined the impact of huddling on liver glycogen and lipid metabolism in wild Brandt’s vole, Lasiopodomys brandtii (Radde, 1861) under low/cold ambient conditions. Results indicated that: (1) Compared to the Control group (CON), the Resting Metabolic Rate of the Cool separated group (CS) increased, whereas the Cool huddling group (CH) exhibited no change; (2) Liver glycogen content decreased, and glycogen phosphorylase activity increased in both the CH and CS groups compared to the CON group. However, CH showed a less pronounced reduction in glycogen content and attenuated glycogen phosphorylase hyperactivity compared to CS. Glycogen synthase activity remained consistent across all groups; (3) Compared with the CON group, the CS group exhibited decreased triglyceride content, fatty acid synthase activity, and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity. Conversely, triglyceride content and fatty acid synthase activity in CH were unchanged, while acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity was higher compared to CS. Hepatic lipase activity was stable across all experimental groups. These results indicate that low/cold ambient temperatures decrease hepatic glycogen and lipid reserves in the livers of Brandt’s voles. However, huddling mitigates these effects by inhibiting glycogen breakdown and promoting lipid synthesis, thereby enhancing physiological resilience to cold stress.

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ABSTRACT The assimineid Solenomphala scalaris (Heude, 1882) is present in the interface between freshwater and terrestrial habitats. It was originally described from China, but it has been recently recorded it from Singapore and Malaysia, in addition to possible records from Taiwan, Japan and Elba, Italy. Sampling efforts in four Brazilian states (Amazonas, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina) since 2009 recovered specimens similar to S. scalaris, always in anthropic sites. The shell, operculum, radula and penis largely agree with descriptions and images of S. scalaris available in the literature. The mitochondrial gene COI was sequenced for 25 specimens from Brazil, revealing that two genetic lineages (diverged by 1.9-2.5%) are widespread in that country, one of which is also present in China and Taiwan. Additional sampling in native and non-native sites is required to test whether S. scalaris is synonymous with other species from East Asia. Solenomphala scalaris is a cryptic exotic species; due to its minute shell and simple morphology, S. scalaris has most likely gone unnoticed in its introduced range.

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ABSTRACT A practical guide for the taxonomic identification of 25 species and subspecies of free-living cyclopoid copepods from the La Plata Basin, the second largest river basin in South America, is presented. Samples were collected at 43 sites across the main river sub-basins and selected reservoirs during the rainy and dry seasons of 2010. We also provide a key for the identification of female cyclopoid copepods, taxonomic diagnoses with general remarks for each species, drawings, digital photographs, and scanning electron micrographs. Considering all the cyclopoids known from different habitats in South America (i.e., groundwater, phytotelmata, mosses, interstitial), our inventory of free-living planktonic and littoral species accounts for approximately 30% of the total cyclopoid diversity known in South America. This guide offers unprecedented coverage in terms of taxonomic data, and illustrations of American free-living cyclopoids. It will be a useful laboratory tool for limnologists and biologists.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The microbiome plays an important role in human health and biodiversity conservation. However, the gut microbial composition of many wild animals is still unknown due to the difficulty in sampling. To explore and describe the microbiome of white-lipped deer, we conducted 18S rRNA gene sequencing and analyzed the gut eukaryotes in 20 fecal samples in both GBJD (white-lipped deer populations from Gongbujiangda White-lipped deer National Nature Reserve) and ND (Naidong district) regions of Xizang, China. From a total of 161.78G clean data, 313 genera were identified, belonging to 25 phyla. Nematoda, Evosea, Basidiomycota, Cercozoa, and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla in GBJD, while Evosea, Nematoda, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Cercozoa were dominant in ND. Moreover, alpha diversity indexes differed significantly between the two regions (ACE: p = 0.000; Sobs: p = 0.001; Chao1: p = 0.001; Shannon: p = 0.038). Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis indicated significant differences in the beta diversity of the gut eukaryotes between the two regions. These results showed that the composition and the alpha and beta diversity of the gut eukaryotes in white-lipped deer differed significantly between GBJD and ND. Additionally, food resources and human disturbance could impact the composition and diversity of gut eukaryotes in wild white-lipped deer. Our results suggested that gut eukaryotes can facilitate their host to adapt to different environments during the coevolution with their hosts.

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ABSTRACT A sand fly survey was carried out as part of the environmental risk assessment surrounding the construction of a hydroelectric power plant at the Teles Pires River, at the boundary between the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Pará. In order to evaluate the diversity and similarity of the sand fly communities in sylvatic forest and domestic environments, sand flies were collected every three months for two years (January 2015 to July 2017). A total of 1,682 sand flies distributed in 14 genera and 59 species were collected. In the forest, 1,364 individuals distributed in 14 genera and 54 species were collected; the most abundant species were Psychodopygus davisi (Root, 1934) (16%) followed by Trichophoromyia sp. (12%) and Nyssomyia antunesi (Coutinho, 1939) (9%). In domestic environments, 318 individuals were collected from 10 genera and 29 species, with Evandromyia termitophila (Martins, Falcão & Silva, 1964) (37%) being the most abundant species, followed by Nyssomyia delsionatali Galati & Galvis, 2012 (8%) and Evandromyia walkeri (Newstead, 1914) (8%). Non-metric multidimensional scaling and non-parametric permutational multivariate analysis of variance of sand fly relative abundance and species occurrence indicated significant differences in the sand fly fauna between sylvatic forest and human-associated environments. New state-level occurrence records for eight species are also reported and Trichophoromyia dilermandoi sp. nov. is described. This new species can be distinguished from similar species by the rectangular shape of the paramere, the presence of 10-12 setae in the gonocoxite and the aedeagal ducts/sperm pump ratio of 5.7.

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ABSTRACT This study presents the first assessment of the conservation status of Chilean species of the order Scolopendromorpha, a group rarely included in conservation policies. Eleven species were identified (three from Akymnopellis and eight from Cryptops) through a literature review and databases such as CHILOBASE and GBIF. IUCN and NatureServe criteria were applied, estimating the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) using tools like GeoCAT. Results indicate that all species face some degree of threat, with Cryptops armatus Silvestri, 1899, Cryptops detectus Silvestri, 1899, Cryptops nahuelbuta Chamberlin, 1955, and Cryptops triserratus Attems, 1903 classified as critically endangered. The most frequent threats include urbanization, deforestation, and land use change. The discussion highlights the urgent need to include these species in official conservation lists, promote research on their biology, and propose measures such as the creation of microreserves and environmental education programs, given their limited distribution, ecological vulnerability, and ecological importance.

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ABSTRACT The arboreal rodent Rhipidomys tribei Costa, Geise, Pereira & Costa, 2011, which is endemic to Southeast Brazil, is a sparsely documented species, with only five confirmed published records, mainly in the mountainous areas of the Atlantic Forest and the transitional semi-deciduous zones adjacent to the Cerrado biome. We report a new locality for R. tribei within the Itatiaia National Park, in the municipality of Itatiaia, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, within the Mantiqueira Mountains range, where we captured six individuals. This discovery significantly expands the known geographic range of this rare and endangered species. Taxonomic identification was confirmed by cytogenetic and mitochondrial cytochrome b gene analyses. Our results support the Meridional Mantiqueira Mountains as a new habitat for R. tribei, extending its range approximately 300 km southward into Rio de Janeiro. This identification is significant because R. tribei remains unrecorded in the neighboring lowlands and Serra do Mar Mountains, where its sister species, Rhipidomys itoan Costa, Geise, Pereira & Costa, 2011, is found.

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ABSTRACT Micro-computed tomography is a non-invasive technique that allows 3D rendered images with anatomical information, which facilitates functional anatomy interpretations. Its usefulness has already been proven in several animal groups of relatively small size, but it has rarely been applied for the anatomical and morphological investigation of meiofaunal organisms. Here, we tested micro-CT as a potential technique for anatomical studies on Kinorhyncha, a hard-bodied meiofauna phylum. The morphological information obtained from our micro-CT images regarding the cuticle, epidermis, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems fits with the known anatomical information on kinorhynchs through classical techniques such as Light Microscopy (LM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), thus presenting a valid option when few specimens are available for study, as it is practically a non-invasive technique for the morphological study of these animals.

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ABSTRACT The temporal variation in the diversity of Polistinae was analyzed in three fragments of tropical dry forest (TDF) in the Colombian Caribbean (Reserva Campesina la Montaña = RCM, Reserva La Flecha = RCF and Finca La Clarita = FLC). Three transects, each measuring 250 × 20 m and spaced 200 m apart, were established per site. Within each transect, six collection points were marked, each separated by 50 m. The social wasps were captured using baited traps and entomological nets. A total of 2274 wasps were collected across the three TDF fragments, identified into 11 genera and 24 species. The most diverse genus was Polybia, followed by Polistes and Agelaia. The highest species richness among fragments was recorded at RLF (22), while the lowest was at RCM and FLC (10). Seasonally, RLF exhibited the highest richness (17) during the rainy season, whereas the lowest richness was observed at RCM during the dry season (5). According to diversity profiles, the highest value of the effective number of species (0D) was recorded at RLF during the rainy season (15), and the lowest (2) during the dry season at RCM. This same pattern was observed for the other two orders of diversity (1D and 2D). In terms of beta diversity, a high dissimilarity was observed among the three locations, driven by both nesting and species turnover, while from a temporal perspective (dry-rainy seasons), species turnover was predominant. The diversity variation of the social wasps is associated with changes in humidity due to the onset of the rainy season, demonstrating that seasonal changes in these variables within TDF fragments are crucial in the dynamics of social wasp communities.

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ABSTRACT Heredius Marsh, 2002 is a small genus, with only three described species, recorded only in Costa Rica and Brazil. The aim of this paper was to describe a new species of Heridius from Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. The specimen was collected by Malaise trapping in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve (02°57’S, 59°55’W), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. A new species, Heredius gadelhai sp. nov. differs from the other three known species mainly having 1.5 mm long, is entirely yellow, ocellar-ocular distance of about 3.5 times the diameter of the lateral ocellus; malar space 0.3 times the height of the eye; first flagellomere 0.8 times the length of the second flagellomere; precoxal groove present and smooth, and ovipositor 0.2 times the length of the body. We illustrate and a key to all described species of Heredius were provided.

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ABSTRACT Monogeneans are among the main parasites affecting aquaculture worldwide. The present study describes four new species belonging to Schilbetrema, which is only known from African catfishes. Host specimens were sampled from the Sanaga Basin and from the Boumba River (Congo Basin) using gill nets or purchased at local fish markets. Four new species, namely Schilbetrema bilongi sp. nov., Schilbetrema sanagaensis sp. nov., Schilbetrema ducentesimum sp. nov. from Schilbe mystus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Schilbetrema asambaensis sp. nov. from Schilbe intermedius Rüppel, 1832 are described. Schilbetrema bilongi sp. nov. is close to S. spirocirra in the morphology of the dorsal anchors; it differs in the morphology of the dorsal bar, distal part of the accessory piece, dorsal anchor length and number of turns of the male copulatory organ (MCO). Schilbetrema ducentesimum sp. nov. is close to S. hexacornis in the morphology of the ventral anchors, ventral bar and MCO; it differs in the morphology of the dorsal bar, length of the dorsal anchor, MCO and presence of to two light sclerotised parts. Schilbetrema sanagaensis sp. nov. is close to S. ducentesimum sp. nov. in the morphology of the dorsal bar and ventral anchors; it differs from this species by the morphology of the dorsal anchors, the distal extremity of the accessory piece, MCO length and the length of the dorsal anchors. Schilbetrema asambaensis sp. nov. resembles S. eutropii and S. calamocleithrum. It differs from S. calamocleithrum by the morphology of the accessory piece, the ventral bar, MCO length; and from S. eutropii by the morphology of the ventral bar and MCO length.

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ABSTRACT A new species of Pareas is described from Gengma County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China, based on morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analysis. The new species is phylogenetically closely related and morphologically similar to P. nigriceps and P. tigerinus. It can be distinguished from P. nigriceps and P. tigerinus and other congeners by a combination of the following characters: snout-vent length 352-472 mm in adults, tail length/snout-vent length 0.25-0.29, preoculars 1-2, subocular single, postocular single, one row of vertebral scales enlarged, 1-7 rows of dorsal scales keeled at mid-body, ventral scales 172-176, subcaudals 68-77, maxillary teeth 4-5, dorsal head solid black, 62-69 black bars on trunk, 27-33 black bars on tail, iris solid black.

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ABSTRACT Despite serious restrictions in most of the world regarding the use of Fipronil in agricultural areas, due to its high toxicity, the insecticide has been used intensively in Brazil, especially since 2022. Used to combat insects that attack crops, Fipronil can be leached from the soil and reach water bodies. Fipronil can also generate even more toxic byproducts when in contact with chlorine dissolved in the water column (chlorine is normally used in public water treatment plants). This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of Fipronil and its chlorine degradation byproducts on the behavior of zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822). Fishes were exposed to different concentrations of fipronil and its byproducts for 28 and 60 days. Their behavior was recorded using the scan method, with instantaneous recording and a sampling interval of 30 seconds. The results showed that fish exposed to the pesticides in the highest concentrations and for 60 days changed drastically their behavior, becoming more lethargic, swimming more abnormally, and using the bottom of the aquarium more. At low concentrations, the pesticides did not significantly modify the fish’s behavior. Overall, the results showed that fipronil and its byproducts could negatively influence fish behavior, possibly decreasing their fitness and survival and contribute to support studies with wild fish populations.

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ABSTRACT The Neotropical genus Opoptera Aurivillius, 1882 comprise the charismatic owlet butterflies. Information on the morphology of immatures and the natural history of the species is still incipient. This study describes the immature stages of Opoptera sulcius (Staudinger, 1887) and gives information on the natural history of the species. Host plants of Opoptera species are listed. Opoptera sulcius were reared in the laboratory from eggs, and high-resolution photos of the various stages were taken, including scanning electron microscopy. This study provides the first detailed description of the immature stages of O. sulcius, contributing with information about its morphology, natural history, and a summary of host plants for species of Opoptera.

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ABSTRACT A global wave of megafauna extinctions occurred between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago, impacting numerous large continental mammals that are crucial to ecosystem dynamics. Among these are the gomphothe res, Cuvieronius hyodon (Fischer, 1814) and Notiomastodon platensis (Ameghino, 1888), two species closely related to modern elephants. Cuvieronius migrated from North to South America during the Pleistocene. Both species became extinct between 15,000 and 7,000 years ago. Proposed explanations for these extinctions include hunting by early human populations in South America and climatic fluctuations during the Pleistocene. We tested the climate change hypothesis over the past 120,000 years as a critical factor related to the extinction of South American gomphotheres. Our analysis relied on paleoclimatic models spanning the Last Interglacial (120,000 years before present - YBP), the Last Glacial Maximum (21,000 YBP), the Oldest Dryas (18,000 YBP), the Younger Dryas (13,000 YBP), and the Middle Holocene (6,000 YBP), marking the last known occurrence of the Pleistocene megafauna. Geographic distribution records of both species were mapped using data from the scientific literature and open databases. Subsequently, suitable climatic areas for both species in South America were identified through species distribution model projections across these five paleoclimatic periods. Our models revealed significant fragmentation of suitable areas for both species during these critical events. This fragmentation likely contributed to their extinction, possibly exacerbated by additional factors such as the establishment of early human populations in the continent.

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ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize the population structure and critical life history parameters of Stellifer stellifer (Bloch, 1790) in a Brazilian subtropical estuary. Environmental variables such as pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were the most strongly correlated, revealing a spatial gradient in the west-east direction. A total of 1,363 individuals were captured, with the innermost sampling point yielding the highest capture rate (76.8%). Total length ranged from 8.2 to 22.3 cm in females and from 8.5 to 21.1 cm in males, considering both juvenile and adult specimens, and histological analysis revealed five stages of ovarian and testicular development. The reproductive period occurred in spring and summer, characterized by fractional (batch) spawning. Environmental variables, particularly temperature, significantly influenced the monthly distribution of gonadal maturation stages. Natural mortality rates were 1.12 and 1.01 year-1 for females and males, respectively. The age of the population ranged from eight months to six years, with juveniles accounting for 3.3% of the total catch. Females predominated in the smallest and largest length classes, while males were more prevalent in intermediate-length classes. Our results suggest that the abundance and distribution of S. stellifer play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of estuarine ecosystems. Despite being exploited as bycatch in shrimp fishing, the species exhibits a well-defined reproductive process influenced by seasonality and demonstrates rapid growth.

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ABSTRACT Urbanization has been growing in recent decades, and it has become one of the greatest threats to the world’s biodiversity. Brazil, which is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, has also shown great urban growth in recent years. However, no study has focused on investigating the patterns of urban ecolo gy research related to the country’s fauna. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze the patterns of scientific publication on faunal urban ecology, in Brazil. Scientific articles and their citations were surveyed on the Web of Science and Scopus platforms. Articles were selected through their titles and abstracts for further analysis. In total, 3926 articles were recovered, 1282 of them were selected for the analysis. Based on the collected data: although publications started in the 1970s, they only boomed after the 2000s; both the Brazilian Southeastern and Southern regions have the strongest impact on the country’s research; Brazil stands out worldwide for its number of institutions, publishers, journals and authors; research is notoriously interdisciplinary, closely related to assessing diseases; arthropods, mammals and birds are the most often assessed faunal groups. The current results are mainly related to the country’s economic, cultural and biological features. Despite the difficulties associated with this research type, it is expected to encourage more research (like this one) to be developed in the future, to analyze elements that were herein identified (e.g., herpetofauna), but that need in-depth analysis.

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ABSTRACT The external pores of the cranial lateral line canals and on the trunk canal are described for four Chilean species of catfish, Diplomystidae: Diplomystes arratiae, Nematogenyidae: Nematogenys inermis, Trichomycteridae: Bullockia maldonadoi and Trichomycterus areolatus, from the Biobío River basin, Chile. The infraorbital, supraorbital, otic, preopercular, and mandibular cranial pores were assessed. Diplomystes arratiae and N. inermis differ from other studied species in the presence of mandibular pores and the number and arrangement of the rest of the cranial pores. Diplomystes arratiae is characterized by a complete lateral line with at least 50 pores, unlike the other species that present an incomplete lateral line with only four or five pores. The otic pore is only present in Diplomystes arratiae. Our results corroborate that the external pores of the cranial and trunk lateral line canals are valuable characteristics as a diagnostic tool with phylogenetic and conservation implications. Differences in their arrangement and number their usefulness in species identification, variability analysis and conservation of threatened taxa.

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ABSTRACT The feeding ecology of Neotropical tadpoles remains poorly understood, and, to our knowledge, no published studies have addressed the diet of tadpoles in Hylodidae. Here, we examine the feeding ecology of Crossodactylus gaudichaudii Duméril & Bibron, 1841 and Hylodes pipilans Canedo & Pombal, 2007 tadpoles co-occurring in stream habitats within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Tadpoles were collected from two streams where both species coexist, and periphyton samples were taken from the same sites to assess food availability. Gut content analysis revealed the presence of algae, cyanobacteria, detritus, fungi, insects, fern spores and pollen, protozoans, and rotifers in both species. The most frequently consumed items were detritus, fungi, protozoans, algae, and insects, with detritus being the dominant items in numerical terms. Trophic niche breadths were similar between the two species, and niche overlap was high. In terms of electivity, both species consumed rotifers and insects more frequently than expected based on environmental availability, whereas protozoans, fern spores and pollen, and algae were consumed less frequently than their availability would suggest. These findings indicate that C. gaudichaudii and H. pipilans tadpoles have generalist diets and appear to have similar filtering rates and abilities to ingest particles of varying sizes in their stream habitats.

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ABSTRACT Brazil harbors one of the highest number of fish species in the world; however, the occurrence of fish in high-altitude aquatic ecosystems remains largely underexplored. This study aimed (1) to investigate the occurrence of fish species in the Itatiaia Plateau (Itatiaia National Park), at altitudes ranging from 2,140 to 2,543 m; and (2) to analyze gaps in the altitudinal distribution of fish above 2,000 meters in Brazil. This was accomplished by compiling approximately one million occurrence records from digital biodiversity repositories and digital elevation models. The results indicate that there are no records of fish in high-altitude aquatic ecosystems (> 2,000 m) in Brazil. The highest altitudinal record (~ 1,944 m) is for Psalidodon cf. scabripinnis. There are many possible reasons for this: challenging climatic conditions, physical barriers to dispersal, isolation, historical absence, sampling gaps, and repository biases. This study highlights the gaps in knowledge regarding fish distribution and emphasizes the potential for future research to discover previously unknown species or species adapted to high altitudes in Brazil.

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ABSTRACT Feeding research in fish has offered understanding into the ecology of individuals, populations, and ecosystems. In these studies, analyzing enough stomachs is crucial to determine a species’ diet. This research evaluates the number of stomachs needed to characterize the diet of omnivorous fish species by employing cumulative prey curves, non-parametric estimators, and rarefaction/extrapolation curves. The Feeding Index was calculated by utilizing a wide taxonomic classification of food items to determine the number of individuals needed to characterize trophic groups. The stomach contents of three species: Megaleporinus garmani (n = 174), Trachelyopterus galeatus (n = 99), and Wertheimeria maculata (n = 68) was analyzed. The cumulative prey curves fail to reach an asymptote for any species. In comparison to richness estimators, the observed diversity of prey varied between 73 and 91% across different species. The extrapolation curves approach an asymptote in the case of T. galeatus and W. maculata, reinforcing the declining counts of food item singletons and doubletons noted in their dietary accumulation curves. According to the Feeding Index, analyzing 30 to 60 stomachs is adequate to determine the primary dietary components. A reduced number of stomachs (25 to 35) is needed to identify feeding guilds. Due to the wider diets of omnivorous species, a larger sample is required to properly characterize their diet. Elements like research goals, required detail level, seasonal variations, and species-specific characteristics should be taken into account when determining the number of stomachs to analyze, to guarantee strong and dependable outcomes.

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ABSTRACT Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) is an invasive species that has caused major environmental and economic impacts in several regions where it has been introduced. In Brazil, since its introduction in 2019, it has been rapidly expanding its distribution. We aimed at describing its geographic distribution expansion on the southeast and southern coast of Brazil based on biodiversity monitoring surveys, underwater observations documented through photography, and using the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. The collected individuals were identified through morphological and molecular analyses, confirming the identity of the species. The available evidence suggests it is rapidly expanding its geographic distribution in Brazil. In total, we provide 53 new locality records where the species was found. This mollusk is known for its great invasive potential and can become an important environmental problem, as it can alter the structure of natural habitats and ecosystems, and negatively affect the commercial harvest of economically important native marine organisms.

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ABSTRACT Since Portuguese colonization in 1500, the coast of Rio de Janeiro has experienced intense marine traffic with many ports, marinas, shipyards, and marine farms, all of which facilitate the spread of marine invertebrates. Due to their sessile lifestyle, feeding strategies, and reproductive traits, ascidians are key taxa in biodiversity and bioinvasion studies. This study synthesizes validated Ascidiacea records in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) from 1945 to the present, categorizing them as native, cryptogenic, or exotic. Data were sourced from zoological collections at Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Estudos do Mar Almirante Paulo Moreira, Universidade Federal do Paraná, and Museu Nacional. A total of 67 species from 12 families and 30 genera were documented from Macaé to Paraty (450 km apart), with 19 representing unpublished occurrences. The highest richness was in Ilha Grande Bay (Western RJ), followed by Baixada Litorânea (Eastern RJ). Twenty-six species were exotic, 15 were native, and 26 cryptogenic. These findings highlight that stressors, such as maritime activities and pollution, contribute to the increase of exotic species. Additionally, significant spatial gaps in ascidian data underscore the need for future surveys and monitoring to better understand and manage biodiversity along this coastline.

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ABSTRACT Eggshell characteristics can be important components of fitness, providing protection to the developing embryo against environmental stressors. Many invertebrates, however, produce multiple egg types as part of their reproductive strategies. In monogonont rotifers, for example, reproduction occurs via cyclical parthenogenesis-a process involving extended periods of asexual reproduction interrupted by brief phases of sexuality. Asexual reproduction yields diploid subitaneous (amictic) eggs or haploid eggs that develop into males, while sexual reproduction produces diploid diapausing (resting) eggs. To date, only the eggshells of diapausing eggs have received substantial ultrastructural investigation. Here, we examine the ultrastructure of subitaneous eggshells in monogonont rotifers across diverse taxa and lifestyles, using light and electron microscopy. Our results reveal considerable variation in eggshell thickness, layering, and staining properties among taxa. Generally, sessile rotifers exhibited thinner eggshells with fewer layers and limited morphological diversity, whereas species that brood or oviposit eggs on substrates had thicker, more layered shells with more complex staining profiles. These findings indicate that subitaneous eggshell ultrastructure is more diverse than previously recognized and may hold value for future ecological and evolutionary studies.

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ABSTRACT Arapona DeLong, 1979 and Platypona DeLong, 1982 are small Neotropical genera with four and three species, respectively. Both genera are firstly recorded from Brazil and their female genitalia are described in detail for the first time providing previously unknown characters at the generic level. Platypona urucu sp. nov. is described from the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The new species is easily recognized in having the style short and approximately straight, with a truncated apex, the apodemal processes of aedeagus lacking a basidorsal projection, and the aedeagal shaft wide and strongly flattened laterally on basal half. Updated keys to males are provided for both genera, along with a descriptive discussion of the female genitalia within the tribe Gyponini.

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ABSTRACT Charadrella is a small genus of Neotropical Muscidae, with larvae feeding on live or dying snails. There are five known species, i.e., C. albuquerquei de Carvalho, 1985 (Brazil), C. boliviana Haseyama & de Carvalho, 2012 (Bolivia), M. macrosoma Wulp, 1896 (Mexico), C. malacophaga Lopes, 1938 (Brazil), and C. nambikwara Haseyama & de Carvalho, 2012 (Brazil). Herein, we propose two new species from the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, Charadrella lopesi sp. nov. from Bom Jardim, Reserva Biológica Gurupi, Maranhão; and Charadrella mirnae sp. nov. from Itaituba, Parque Nacional da Amazônia, Pará. Charadrella malacophaga inhabits the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest and the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, whereas C. albuquerque, C. lopesi sp. nov., C. mirnae sp. nov., and C. nambikwara are found only in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. An updated identification key for adults of Charadrella and a distribution map of the Neotropical region species are provided.

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ABSTRACT A new genus and species of Limnichidae, Serrathroscinus majaechi gen. et sp. nov., is described from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of Myanmar. While sharing a typical appearance with other members of Cephalobyrrhinae, Serrathroscinus is distinctive within the subfamily due to its fully and unambiguously serrate antennae.

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ABSTRACT Collembola are major components of soil mesofauna, playing crucial roles in this environment. However, studies on this fauna in the Neotropical Region are mostly focused on taxonomy. The aim of this study was to investigate how vegetation structure influences the diversity and composition of epiedaphic Collembola assemblages across different vegetation types in Serra das Confusões National Park (PNSC), Brazil. Specimens were collected during two samplings, and were sorted, morphotyped, mounted, and identified. We performed environmental characterization, evaluated alpha and beta diversity, used the IndVal index for indicator species analysis, and conducted a Redundancy Analysis to assess the influence of environmental parameters on assemblages. We sampled 29,616 specimens, comprising 40 morphospecies and six nominal species. Our data showed significant differences between the vegetation types, with the highest abundances and richness recorded during the first sampling in the semideciduous forest, due to the dominance of taxa related to open habitats with limited moisture. The main environmental variables influencing diversity patterns were canopy cover, leaf litter height, silt percentage and soil temperature, reinforcing the dominance of species better adapted to aboveground and open habitats. We also present a comprehensive inventory of families and genera for PNSC, resulting in increased knowledge about the group in the region.

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ABSTRACT The Brazilian Atlantic Forest has been reduced to less than 25% of its original coverage and is considered one of the main global biodiversity hotspots. In the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, five large remnants of Atlantic Forest remain, among which Pedra Branca Forest stands out as the largest urban forest in the world. Mammal studies conducted by the Fiocruz Mata Atlântica team in Pedra Branca adopt the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health for conservation and well-being. We present here the results of a survey of medium- and large-sized mammals in the Pedra Branca Forest, understanding their community structure and local anthropogenic impacts. The inventory was carried out through camera traps, interviews, and occasional records, covering the period from September 2017 to September 2023. We identified 23 wild species of medium- and large-sized mammals from 13 families and seven orders. Endangered and Vulnerable species were recorded, such as Leontopithecus rosalia (Linnaeus, 1766) and Leopardus guttulus (Hensel, 1872). We also identified the presence of feral domestic dogs and cats living in Pedra Branca Forest and collected evidence that indicates intense poaching activity of wild mammals, in addition to other threats to wildlife, such as deforestation, fires and disorderly occupation. Such results reinforce the need to adopt measures to protect biodiversity in this important area for biodiversity and provision of ecosystem services.

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ABSTRACT The Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland globally, faces growing threats from habitat destruction, agribusiness growth, and wildfires The barn owl, Tyto furcata (Temminck, 1827), is an opportunistic predator that helps structure small vertebrate communities, primarily by preying on non-volant mammals. We investigated the diet of T. furcata at the Taiamã Ecological Station, in the northern Pantanal, by analyzing 167 owl pellets (95 intact and 72 partially disintegrated) collected in August 2017, September 2019, and March 2020. Cranial and dental remains were examined to estimate the minimum number of individuals represented in the diet of the barn owl. A total of 255 prey items were identified, dominated by Holochilus chacarius Thomas, 1906 (88.2%) and Cryptonanus chacoensis (Tate, 1931) (7.8%), followed by birds (3.5%) and bats (0.4%). Some species previously recorded through live trapping, such as Philander opossum (Linnaeus, 1758) and Oecomys mamorae (Thomas, 1906), were absent from the pellets, suggesting that prey selection is influenced by abundance, behavior, and accessibility. These results underscore the value of owl pellet analysis to detect cryptic or underrepresented species and to complement traditional survey methods. As anthropogenic pressures intensify, understanding the dynamics of populations of small mammals becomes increasingly urgent, highlighting the need for complementary tools to support ecological research and conservation.

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ABSTRACT Brazil, a megadiverse country, contains extensive regions where faunal inventories remain incomplete, with more than half of its territory lacking comprehensive documentation. The northeastern region, in particular, harbors numerous underexplored areas critical for Caatinga biodiversity conservation, including Chapada do Araripe. Despite their ecological importance, several faunal groups, such as moths and butterflies, remain underrepresented in scientific collections from this region. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic survey of hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) between August 2016 and July 2018 in the Environmental Protection Area of Chapada do Araripe, within the municipality of Santana do Cariri, Ceará, Northeast Brazil. Sampling occurred from 5:30 PM to 5:30 AM over three nights around each new moon. Hawkmoths were attracted using a 250-watt mixed-light trap, manually collected, and euthanized via ammonia injection into the metathorax. A total of 3,690 individuals, representing 37 species and 18 genera, were recorded. The most abundant species, Erinnyis ello ello (Linnaeus, 1758), Xylophanes tersa tersa (Linnaeus, 1771), and Hyles euphorbiarum (Guérin-Méneville & Percheron, 1835), accounted for 74% of the collected specimens. Additionally, Adhemarius gannascus (Stoll, 1790), Callionima guiarti (Debauche, 1934), Cocytius duponchel (Poey, 1832), Erinnyis impunctata Rothschild & Jordan, 1903, Eumorpha fasciatus fasciatus (Sulzer, 1776), Madoryx oiclus oiclus (Cramer, 1780), Manduca florestan (Cramer, 1782), Pachylioides resumens (Walker, 1856), and Xylophanes pluto (Fabricius, 1777) were documented in Ceará for the first time. Pronounced seasonality was observed, with species richness and abundance markedly declining during the dry periods of both years.

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ABSTRACT The diversity of organisms is one of the most fundamental questions in sciences. Here, we inventory species distributed in 273 families of mites from Brazil. Taxonomic information is provided for all 88 superfamilies in Brazil, accompanied by relevant publications for the families, including notes on their identification and importance. However, despite recent taxonomic improvement in a few groups, particularly in Mesostigmata (Dermanyssoidea, Phytoseioidea and Uropodoidea), Ixodida (Ixodoidea), Sarcoptiformes (Analgoidea, Galumnoidea, Oppioidea, Oripodoidea, Phthiracaroidea, Pterolichoidea and Sarcoptoidea) and Trombidiformes (Arrenuroidea, Bdelloidea, Cheyletoidea, Eriophyoidea, Hygrobatoidea, Pygmephoroidea, Tarsonemoidea, Tetranychoidea, Trombiculoidea and Tydeoidea), knowledge remains limited for most other taxa. This limitation underscores the urgent need for taxonomic revisions and improvements in describing new species. Based on groups of host-specificity, we estimate nearly 50,000 species of mites occurring in Brazil, but the diversity could be greater. This enormous gap in our taxonomic knowledge of mites suggests that greater investment in training and hiring acarologists, is essential. In this context, the Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna (TCBF) should serve as a key platform for compiling, updating, and disseminating taxonomic data, ensuring that mite diversity in Brazil is systematically documented and accessible for future research and conservation efforts.

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ABSTRACT The emergence of non-native species as a threat to local biodiversity is a pressing concern that warrants immediate attention. Our study reports the first record of the non-native fish golden dorado, Salminus brasiliensis, for the Preguiças River Basin, Maranhão State, Northeastern Brazil, near the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses (PNLM). This discovery occurred when a single adult, measuring 77 cm in total length, was captured by artisanal fishers using gillnets in January 2024. This finding underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring efforts focused on the ichthyofauna of the Preguiças River Basin: the tributaries of the lower portion of the basin are located within and at the border of the PNLM area. Such monitoring initiatives are essential for comprehending the distribution range of S. brasiliensis and evaluating its potential impacts on local native freshwater species.

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ABSTRACT Despite being crucial to forest ecosystems and biodiversity, primates globally face severe threats from trafficking, driven by demands for pets, traditional medicine, and biomedical research. Primate trafficking is a little-known issue in Bangladesh and has not been well-documented. This study investigates the recent trends and patterns of primate trafficking in Bangladesh from January 2021 to June 2024, utilizing secondary data from online news portals. We documented 19 trafficking incidents involving 32 primates across ten districts. Five species were identified as trafficked, with the capped langur, Bengal slow loris, and Western Hoolock Gibbon being the most affected. Traffickers predominantly targeted juveniles due to their manageability and appeal. Most of the animals were sourced from the Chattogram division and transported using public transport, with most interceptions made by the Bangladesh Police. Our findings highlight a structured trafficking network and call for comprehensive studies to trace the trafficking routes and economic transactions. This study underscores the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures, stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws, and regional cooperation to combat primate trafficking effectively.

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ABSTRACT We record a single juvenile specimen of a driftfish, Nomeus gronovii (Gmelin, 1789), in a shallow surf zone in the southern Brazilian waters. This is the southernmost record of N. gronovii on the South Atlantic. The specimen was identified based on morphological characters that had been unintentionally recorded with a small underwater video camera. Although the species is usually found in symbiotic association with the Portuguese man-of-war, a species of Physalia (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa), siphonophores were not found as part of this record. This finding emphasizes the role citizen scientists play in the process of recording poorly-documented species, thus helping to increase their known distribution range.

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ABSTRACT This study reports new data on the diet of the ocelot, Leopardus pardalis, in the Brazilian Cerrado, and reviews the literature data on the diet of the species in the Neotropical region, based on 22 studies. One hundred and twenty-one vertebrate species, in addition to arthropods and plants, are consumed. The highest diversity of prey items, mainly small mammals, was revealed by scat analysis, the most common method used. Analysis of road killed specimens also revealed new dietary records. The wide prey selection, influenced by availability and habitat, enables the ocelot to thrive despite environmental disturbances. This dietary flexibility underscores the importance of diverse sampling methods to fully understand ocelot feeding behavior and habitat needs.

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ABSTRACT The non-native species Megalamphodus eques (Steindachner, 1882) (Characiformes: Acestrorhamphidae) was detected in the Laguna dos Patos system, southern Brazil, based on specimens collected in the Gravataí River basin-one of the five rivers flowing into the Jacuí River Delta, Rio Grande do Sul State. Megalamphodus eques is native to the Amazonas, Paraguay, lower Paraná, and Uruguay River basins. Possible invasion pathways are briefly discussed, including artificial connections between drainage basins and anthropogenic introduction, as the species is widely cultivated and valued in the ornamental fish trade.

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ABSTRACT Camouflage in nestlings has been documented for passerines of the genus Schiffornis, but limited reproductive details exist for the majority of species. Here, we present the first description of the nests and eggs of a threatened population of the brown-winged schiffornis, S. turdina (Wied, 1831), from the Atlantic Forest of the Pernambuco Endemism Center, northeastern Brazil, and we reveal nestling characteristics that contribute to mimicry interpretation in the genus. Two nests were found in a 900 ha Atlantic Forest fragment in the State of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. The nests were cup-shaped and were placed inside the top of broken, rotten trunks, 1.3 and 1.5 m above ground, in the understory of a mature forest. They were constructed mainly of dry leaves, some skeletonized, and contained two eggs each. Differently from many other birds, the nestlings remained motionless when the observers approached the nests, keeping their heads and legs hidden in the middle of their dense, downy feathers. The absence of movement offered minimal evidence for the idea of poisoning caterpillar mimicry, as it had been previously proposed for certain other Tityridae species. Their strategy might be closer to masquerading, which means imitating inedible formations like fungal hyphae, or employing disruptive camouflage, where an unrecognizable shape is formed to confuse predators. The initial report on nest location is significant for conservation, since the decayed trunks that are appropriate for nest building can be a limited resource in disturbed environments.

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ABSTRACT Invasive sun corals (Tubastraea spp.) are spreading along the Brazilian coast, competing for space with native species and altering community structure and function. This study presents the first record of Tubastraea sp. in Guanabara Bay, a site subject to multiple environmental stressors, including domestic sewage, industrial effluents from a densely populated area, and intense port activity. To compare morphological characteristics, we analyzed six additional samples from three locations along the coast of Rio de Janeiro, focusing on septal and columella features, calicular and colony measurements, and coenosarc coloration. The colony from Praia Vermelha exhibited a close resemblance to Morphotype I, especially the sample collected in the Cagarras Islands. In contrast, colonies from Arraial do Cabo and Ilha Grande exhibited greater variability in septal structure. The similarities between our record in Praia Vermelha and Morphotype I from the Cagarras Archipelago suggest that the proximity between these sites, along with the influence of local currents and potential transport via vessel traffic, may have facilitated the dispersion and establishment of similar morphotypes in both areas. The invasive potential of Tubastraea spp. remains a significant concern, and its spread may be further facilitated by frequent vessel traffic in Guanabara Bay. Although no new occurrences of Tubastraea spp. have been recorded at the site since May 2023, ongoing monitoring remains crucial for detecting potential future introductions and mitigating the risk of its establishment in new areas.

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ABSTRACT Biological invasions pose significant threats to native biodiversity, particularly within coastal ecosystems. During long-term monitoring of populations of the threatened lizard Liolaemus lutzae Mertens, 1938 along the coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, we documented the widespread establishment of the non-native lizard Salvator merianae Duméril & Bibron, 1839 in the beach habitat of Barra da Tijuca, located within the environmental protection area (APA da Orla Marítima) in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. In October 2024, we recorded 18 individuals of S. merianae, although this number is likely underestimated due to the species’ burrowing behavior. The presence of S. merianae within this protected area represents a potential risk to the persistence of L. lutzae through competition for space and resources or predation. Continuous monitoring, the implementation of a targeted removal program, and the urgent restoration of native dune habitats are recommended to mitigate the impact of this invasion and safeguard local biodiversity.

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ABSTRACT The recently described subspecies Thamnophilus caerulescens atricapillus Lima, 2025 was found to be preoccupied by an earlier name, Thamnophilus atricapillus Vieillot, 1816, requiring a replacement name. Herein, I propose a new name in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

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ABSTRACT Recent sampling efforts documented the occurrence of Serrapinnus notomelas (Eigenmann, 1915) at two different sites in the Iguaçu River basin, one in the upper portion and another in the lower stretch of the river, expanding the geographical range of this small-sized Cheirodontinae species to an important tributary of the left margin of the Paraná River. The new records likely result from a recent, human-mediated accidental introduction associated with stocking programs. This finding is relevant for species inventories and for analyses of freshwater fish diversity patterns.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) is a comprehensive digital biodiversity database that provides standardized taxonomic and ecological information for animal species in Brazil. Although widely used in biodiversity studies, its accessibility and reproducibility can be enhanced through integration with computational tools like R packages. Here, we introduce faunabr, an R package designed to facilitate the retrieval, exploration, and spatialization of taxonomic data from CTFB. I demonstrate its application in key biogeographic and conservation tasks, including taxonomic verification, selection of target species based on traits and distribution, and identification of erroneous occurrence records outside their known ranges. By simplifying these processes, faunabr enhances the accessibility and practical use of CTFB data for zoologists, biogeographers, ecologists, taxonomists, and curators of biological collections, ultimately supporting more rigorous and reproducible biodiversity research.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Low predation pressure is considered one of the main factors enabling invasive species to reproduce and spread outside their native habitats. In Curitiba, Paraná State, southern Brazil, the black-tufted-ear marmoset Callithrix penicillata has established populations in urban parks within the threatened Araucaria Pine Forest (Mixed Ombrophilous Forest). Here we report two events involving allochthonous marmosets in an urban park responding to the presence of an apex predator, the black-hawk-eagle Spizaetus tyrannus (M. Wied-Neuwied, 1820), a raptor known to prey on primates and other arboreal mammals in Brazil’s tropical forests. On the first occasion, when a hawk silently flew overhead, one member of the marmoset group emitted a single, high, loud peep, prompting the others to scatter into the understory. On the second occasion, members of another group produced ‘tsiks’ and short peeps interspersed with the hawk’s vocalizations as it flew farther away; the group did not flee but remained feeding and alert. Although based on few observations, our data suggest that black-tufted-ear marmosets respond adaptively to a native apex predator in the urban Araucaria Pine Forest. Further field research is needed to better understand interactions between these introduced marmosets and the native fauna, including experiments assessing variation in behavioral responses as a function of distance from vocal and/or visual cues of native and domestic predators.