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1. Hidden diversity in eastern North America: The genus Ligidium (Oniscidea, Ligiidae) in the southern Appalachian Mountains

   https://doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12661  

   Recuero, Ernesto; Caterino, Michael S (May 2024, Zoologica Scripta)

   Abstract The terrestrial isopod genusLigidiumincludes 58 species from Europe, Asia, and North America. In Eastern North America four species are recognized:L. floridanumandL. mucronatum, known just from their type localities in Florida and Louisiana respectively,L. blueridgensis, endemic to the southern Appalachians, andL. elrodii, widespread from Georgia to Ontario. The genus shows a marked morphological conservatism, and species are differentiated mostly by small morphological differences; it is not always easy to determine if such variability represents inter‐ or intraspecific variation. Here, we explore the diversity ofLigidiumfrom the southern Appalachian Mountains, exploring the congruence of morphologically defined groups with multilocus phylogenetic reconstructions and molecular species delimitation methods. We have studied a total of 130 specimens from 37 localities, mostly from the southern Appalachians, and analysed mtDNA (Cox1) and nuclear (28S, NaK) sequences. Morphologically, we recognized eight morphotypes, most of them assignable to current concepts ofL.elrodiiandL.blueridgensis. Phylogenetic analyses supported the evolutionary independence of all morphotypes, and suggest the existence of 8–9 species, including limited cryptic diversity. Single‐locus delimitation analyses based on mtDNA data suggest the existence of a much higher number of species than the multilocus analyses. The estimated age of the ancestors of sampled lineages indicates a long presence of the genus in eastern North America and old speciation events through the Miocene. Our results indicate a higher diversity than previously thought among theLigidiumpopulations present in the southern Appalachian Mountains, with several species to be described. 

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2. The millipede family Striariidae Bollman, 1893. II. New records and species of the genus Amplaria Chamberlin, 1941 (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Striarioidea)

   https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4908.2.3  

   SHEAR, WILLIAM A. (January 2021, Zootaxa)

   null (Ed.)

   The millipede genus Amplaria Chamberlin, 1941 (senior synonym of Vaferaria Causey, 1958 and Speostriaria Causey, 1960) is endemic to western North America, from Mt. Palomar and San Luis Obispo, California, north to southwestern British Columbia, Canada, and east to northern Idaho. Seven species names are currently assigned to the genus. Below I describe ten additional new species: Amplaria crawfordi, Amplaria fontinalis, Amplaria rykkenae, Amplaria arcata, Amplaria baughi, Amplaria staceyi, Amplaria umatilla, Amplaria cervus, Amplaria mendocino and Amplaria flucticulus, and provide new records of Amplaria nazinta Chamberlin. 

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3. Phylogenetic status of some unique species representing Blapstinina Mulsant & Rey (Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae: Opatrini), and implications for continued study of the subtribe

   https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5000.5.2  

   KAMIŃSKI, MARCIN JAN; LUMEN, RYAN; KANDA, KOJUN; SMITH, AARON DENNIS (February 2022, Zootaxa)

   Blapstinus Dejean is the most taxonomically challenging genus within Blapstinina Mulsant & Rey (Tenebrionidae: Opatrini). With over 120 species, it is widely distributed throughout the Americas, with representatives reaching Canada on the northern range edge, and Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay in the south. Traditionally, Blapstinus has been distinguished from other blapstinoid beetles via well-developed metathoracic wings and their lack of synapomorphies present in other genera; however, fused and tapering aedeagal parameres were recently introduced as a potential autapomorphy for the genus. This study used molecular data (nuclear ribosomal 28S, cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), arginine kinase (ArgK), carbomyl-phosphate synthetase domain of rudimentary (CAD), and wingless (wg)) to investigate the phylogenetic placement and taxonomic status of three Blapstinus species with distinct male genitalic morphology, i.e. Blapstinus tibialis Champion (USA), B. grandis Champion (Mexico, Nicaragua), and B. punctulatus Solier (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay). Analyses highlight the phylogenetic informativeness of the aedeagal morphology within the subtribe, and support an urgent need for taxonomic studies of South American taxa. Blapstinus tibialis and B. grandis were recovered as a specific lineage within Blapstinus that can be easily distinguished from remaining congeners by having tridentate parameres. A lectotype for B. grandis is designated to fix the taxonomic status of this species. Blapstinus punctulatus was recovered outside of its current genus which, along with aedeagal morphology, supports a change of status of the species. As a result, the following synonymy and combinations are introduced: Lodinus Mulsant and Rey stat. restit. (=Austrocaribius Marcuzzi syn. nov.), Lodinus araguae (Marcuzzi) comb. et stat. nov., L. punctulatus comb. nov., L. venezuelensis (Marcuzzi) comb. nov. Lectotypes for Lodinus nigroaeneus Mulsant and Rey, L. araguae, and L. punctulatus are designated to fix the taxonomic status of these species. 

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4. The Distributions of Two Invasive Honeysuckle Species (Lonicera maackii and Lonicera japonica) inEastern Oklahoma

   https://doi.org/10.22488/okstate.25.100001  

   Short, Sarah; Fishbein, Mark; Hubbard, Sierra (September 2025, Oklahoma Native Plant Record)

   Concerns about spreading non-native invasive plant species have increased in recent decades following their harmful impacts on ecosystems. Their encroachment, aided by survival and reproductive advantages, can negatively impact ecosystems and biodiversity. These effects often lead to larger long-term issues and can be difficult and expensive to manage. Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder and L. japonica Thunb. are invasive honeysuckle species that can outcompete, inhibit, and reduce the populations of native species, thus threatening biodiversity in invaded regions. Both species have formed naturalized populations throughout much of the eastern United States, including Oklahoma. Both species reproduce quickly, grow prolifically, face less environmental resistance, and tolerate a wider range of environmental conditions than most native plant species. This study, based on field surveys and herbarium records, presents new information on the distribution of L. maackii and L. japonica in eastern Oklahoma. Surveys were conducted in parks and public recreation areas of all 47 counties of eastern Oklahoma. By combining herbarium data and field surveys, we found that L. maackii occurs in fewer counties than expected and L. japonica is present in nearly all counties surveyed. The results also revealed a strong positive relationship between the presence of L. maackii and the population size of towns. We also found a weak and non-significant relationship between the occurrence of L. maackii and the number of non-native species in a county. 

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5. Airfoil-like mechanics generate thrust on the anterior body of swimming fishes

   https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1919055117  

   Lucas, Kelsey_N; Lauder, George_V; Tytell, Eric_D (April 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

   The anterior body of many fishes is shaped like an airfoil turned on its side. With an oscillating angle to the swimming direction, such an airfoil experiences negative pressure due to both its shape and pitching movements. This negative pressure acts as thrust forces on the anterior body. Here, we apply a high-resolution, pressure-based approach to describe how two fishes, bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirusRafinesque) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalisMitchill), swimming in the carangiform mode, the most common fish swimming mode, generate thrust on their anterior bodies using leading-edge suction mechanics, much like an airfoil. These mechanics contrast with those previously reported in lampreys—anguilliform swimmers—which produce thrust with negative pressure but do so through undulatory mechanics. The thrust produced on the anterior bodies of these carangiform swimmers through negative pressure comprises 28% of the total thrust produced over the body and caudal fin, substantially decreasing the net drag on the anterior body. On the posterior region, subtle differences in body shape and kinematics allow trout to produce more thrust than bluegill, suggesting that they may swim more effectively. Despite the large phylogenetic distance between these species, and differences near the tail, the pressure profiles around the anterior body are similar. We suggest that such airfoil-like mechanics are highly efficient, because they require very little movement and therefore relatively little active muscular energy, and may be used by a wide range of fishes since many species have appropriately shaped bodies. 

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