The Austrelatuspapuensis group is the second species group of the New Guinean representatives of the recently described genus AustrelatusShaverdo et al., 2023. The group is mainly defined by distinct scale- and/or spinula-like surface structures of the dorsal sclerite of the median lobe. The species group already contains four described species and 42 new species and one subspecies treated here: Austrelatusaiyurensissp. nov., A.asteiossp. nov., A.bewaniensissp. nov., A.bosaviensissp. nov., A.bundunensissp. nov., A.centralensissp. nov., A.craterensissp. nov., A.decorissp. nov., A.dekaisp. nov., A.epicharissp. nov., A.flavocapitatussp. nov., A.fuscussp. nov., A.herzogensissp. nov., A.inconstanssp. nov., A.iriatoisp. nov., A.kalibumisp. nov., A.kebarensissp. nov., A.kokodensissp. nov., A.leptossp. nov., A.lolokisp. nov., A.lopintolensissp. nov., A.madangensissp. nov., A.maindaisp. nov., A.mamberamosp. nov., A.mianminensissp. nov., A.miltokarenossp. nov., A.noiadisp. nov., A.normanbyensissp. nov., A.ohusp. nov., A.posmanisp. nov., A.procerussp. nov., A.pseudogestroisp. nov., A.pseudomianminensissp. nov., A.robustussp. nov., A.sarartisp. nov., A.sumokedisp. nov., A.wanangensissp. nov., A.wasiorensissp. nov., A.wasurensissp. nov., A.weigelisp. nov., A.yamurensissp. nov., A.yeretuarsp. nov., A.xanthocephalusnabirensisssp. nov. A checklist and identification key to New Guinean species of the group are provided and important diagnostic characters are illustrated. Data on the species distributions and habiat preferences are given.

Exploring the alterations in functional traits of urban remnant vegetation offers a more comprehensive perspective on plant assembly within the context of urbanization. While plant functional traits are influenced by both environmental gradients and the evolutionary history of plant species, the specific mechanisms by which urbanization mediates the combination of functional traits and the evolutionary history of remnant vegetation remain unclear. To examine the relationship between functional traits and phylogenies of remnant vegetation and urbanization, we classified the woody plant species surveyed in 72 sample plots in nine remnant forest patches in Guiyang, China, into four groups (urban, rural, middle and general groups) according to their location under different levels of urbanization and measured nine functional traits of these species. The phylogenetic signals of each functional trait of the four species groups were then quantified based on Blomberg\'s K. Furthermore, we analysed the correlations between functional traits and species abundance using phylogenetic generalized least squares. The results showed that significant phylogenetic signals were detected in more functional traits of the urban group than other groups. Thirteen and three significant relationships between functional traits and species abundance were detected for tree and shrub species after removing phylogenies. Tall tree species were more abundant in the urban group, while the general group favoured the species with adaptable traits (low height and high leaf area and C/N). Overall, we demonstrate that urbanization drove shifts in plant functional traits in remnant forests after combining the phylogenetic patterns.

Herein, Austrelatusgen. nov. (type species: Copelatusirregularis W.J. Macleay, 1871) is described for a distinctive lineage of predominantly Australasian species previously assigned to Copelatus Erichson, 1832. The new genus was retrieved as well supported, monophyletic clade in phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences data using Bayesian and parsimony approaches. The main morphological diagnostic character of Austrelatus is a complex median lobe of the aedeagus, with evident dorsal and ventral sclerites usually divided in apical half into two lobes of different shape or otherwise modified. Morphological comparison of the new genus with other Copelatinae genera, especially with Copelatus and Exocelina Broun, 1886, and a generic key to the New Guinean Copelatinae are provided. New combinations are established for 31 already described species mainly from the Australian Region (all from Copelatus): Austrelatusadelbert (Megna, Atthakor, Manaono, Hendrich & Balke, 2017), comb. nov.; A.badeni (Sharp, 1882), comb. nov.; A.bakewelli (J. Balfour-Browne, 1939), comb. nov.; A.baranensis (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.bougainvillensis (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.boukali (Hendrich & Balke, 1998), comb. nov.; A.clarki (Sharp, 1882), comb. nov.; A.daemeli (Sharp, 1882), comb. nov.; A.davidi (Wewalka, 2017), comb. nov.; A.deccanensis (Sheth, Ghate & Hájek, 2018), comb. nov.; A.fidschiensis (Zimmermann, 1928), comb. nov.; A.gestroi (Régimbart, 1892), comb. nov.; A.irregularis (W.J. Macleay, 1871), comb. nov.; A.kaszabi (Guignot, 1956), comb. nov.; A.kietensis (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.laevipennis (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.luteomaculatus (Guignot, 1956), comb. nov.; A.maushomi (Sheth, Ghate & Hájek, 2018), comb. nov.; A.neoguineensis (Zimmermann, 1919), comb. nov.; A.nigrolineatus (Sharp, 1882), comb. nov.; A.papuensis (J. Balfour-Browne, 1939), comb. nov.; A.parallelus (Zimmermann, 1920a), comb. nov.; A.schuhi (Hendrich & Balke, 1998), comb. nov.; A.sibelaemontis (Hájek, Hendrich, Hawlitschek & Balke, 2010), comb. nov.; A.strigosulus (Fairmaire, 1878), comb. nov.; A.ternatensis (Régimbart, 1899), comb. nov.; A.uludanuensis (Hendrich & Balke, 1995), comb. nov.; A.urceolus (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.variistriatus (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.wallacei (J. Balfour-Browne, 1939), comb. nov. and A.xanthocephalus (Régimbart, 1899), comb. nov.Austrelatus species from New Guinea are divided into two informal species groups, the A.neoguineensis group and A.papuensis group, and A.fumatosp. nov. and A.setiphallussp. nov. standing aside of them. The A.neoguineensis group is introduced with three previously known species and 29 new species described here based on the morphological characters and Cox1 data: Austrelatusbaliemsp. nov., A.bormensissp. nov., A.brazzasp. nov., A.debulensissp. nov., A.fakfaksp. nov., A.febrisaurisp. nov., A.fojaensissp. nov., A.garainensissp. nov., A.innominatussp. nov., A.lembenensissp. nov., A.lisaesp. nov., A.manokwariensissp. nov., A.mimikasp. nov., A.mirificussp. nov., A.moreguinensissp. nov., A.nadjaesp. nov., A.oksibilensissp. nov., A.pseudoneoguineensissp. nov., A.pseudoksibilensissp. nov., A.rajaampatensissp. nov., A.rouaffersp. nov., A.rugosussp. nov., A.sandaunensissp. nov., A.sarmiensissp. nov., A.securiformissp. nov., A.testegensissp. nov., A.toricellisp. nov., A.vagauensissp. nov., and A.wanggarensissp. nov.Copelatusvagestriatus Zimmermann, 1919, syn. nov. is recognised as a junior subjective synonym of A.clarki (Sharp, 1882). The lectotypes of Copelatusgestroi Régimbart, 1892, C.neoguineensis Zimmermann, 1919 and C.xanthocephalus Régimbart, 1899 are designated. All species are (re)described, and their important species characters (genitalia, habitus, and colour patterns) are illustrated. Keys to all species are provided. The known distribution and habitat preferences of each species are outlined briefly. New Guinean Austrelatus occupy a variety of stagnant water habitats, either lentic sensu stricto, or standing water associated with lotic habitats (e.g., backflows, rockpools, intermittent / ephemeral stream pools).

A new species of the genus Amolops, Amolops ailao sp. nov., is described from central Yunnan, China. The new species belongs to the A. mantzorum species group. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combination of mitochondrial 16S rRNA, COI, and cytb genes revealed that the new species is the sister taxon to Amolops ottorum with strong support. Genetically, the new species differs from A. ottorum by 5.0% in cytb sequences. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from known congeners by the combination of the following characters: true dorsolateral folds absent, but dorsolateral folds formed by series of glands present; circummarginal groove on tip of first finger absent; body size small (males SVL 33.0-35.1 mm and female SVL 41.3 mm); HW/SVL 0.32‒0.35; UEW/SVL 0.08‒0.10; THL/SVL 0.52‒0.56; vomerine teeth absent; interorbital distance narrower than internarial distance; tympanum distinct, less than half eye diameter; supratympanic fold present, indistinct; a pair of large tubercles on sides of cloaca; tibiotarsal articulation reaching beyond anterior corner of eye; and vocal sac absent. The cladogenesis events within the A. mantzorum group rapidly occurred from Pliocene 4.23 Mya to Pleistocene 1.2 Mya, coinciding with the recent intensive uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau since the Pliocene. Combining findings in this study with the most recent taxonomic progress, we consider that there are 20 known Amolops species in Yunnan, China, accounting for the highest proportion of amphibian diversity of Yunnan, and five of them belong to the A. mantzorum group. Among different subfauna and water systems in Yunnan, the species diversity of Amolops in northwestern Yunnan and Nu River Basin is highest.

The Platythyreaclypeata species group is reviewed and three species, including one new species, P.homasawini sp. nov., are recognized. This species group is distinguished from the P.parallela species group by the reddish-brown body, the elliptical shape of the propodeal spiracle, the elongate antennal scape, and the distinctly narrowed posteriad space between frontal carinae. Platythyreahomasawini sp. nov., from Thailand and China, is described based on the worker caste. The type series of the new species was collected on the forest floor from dead wood in an advanced stage of decomposition. A key to the Oriental species of the genus Platythyrea based on the worker caste is provided.

Lispe Latreille (Diptera: Muscidae) are a widespread group of predatory flies that inhabit semi-aquatic environments. Previous studies on this genus have mainly focused on morphological classification, so molecular data are entirely lacking, and there has been no attempt at a phylogenetic placement of the genus or the resolution of intragenic relationships. To address the phylogenetic placement of Lispe and to fill its gap in the Tree of Life Web Project, 58 Lispe spp. (covering 11 out of 13 acknowledged Lispe species groups) were selected to reconstruct a phylogeny using Maximum likelihood (ML) estimates, Maximum Parsimony (MP) analyses, and Bayesian inference (BI) based on two mitochondrial protein-coding genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) and cytochrome b gene (CYTB)) and one nuclear gene (a fragment of the carbamoyl phosphate synthetase region of the CAD gene). The phylogenetic analyses indicated that the monophyletic Lispe is the sister group of the monophyletic Limnophora, together forming the tribe Limnophorini under the subfamily Coenosiinae. Three generic categories are proven obsolete: Chaetolispa Malloch, Lispacoenosia Snyder, and Xenolispa Malloch. Within the genus, the validity of 11 species groups is clarified by both molecular and morphological data. This study provides a sound basis for continuing intergeneric and intrageneric research into this fascinating and widespread genus.

The genus Streptococcus, a member of family Streptococcaceae, is known for its wide range of industrial, clinical and human relevance. Among the species of genus Streptococcus two members, namely Streptococcus koreensis and Streptococcus ilei, were isolated from subgingival dental plaque and human small intestinal fluid, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of the type strains of these members shows a similarity of 99.87%. In this study, we performed a systematic study to clarify the taxonomic assignment of these two species. Genome similarity assessment based on whole-genome sequence information such as average nucleotide identity using orthoANI and fastANI, digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between S. koreensis and S. ilei were 96.31, 96.60, 86.4 and 97.63, respectively. All these genome similarity values clearly exceeded the species delineation cutoffs. Phylogenetic assessment using 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome information using PhyloPhlAn, which uses around 400 conserved genes across bacterial phyla, provides additional evidence for these members forming a monophyletic clade in the phylogenetic tree. Pan genome analysis suggests a very large core genome (n = 1374) and the presence of no unique gene between the genomes of S. koreensis and S. ilei. Additionally, we found highly syntenic genomes of type strains of these two species. Based on these evidences, we propose S. ilei should be reclassified as a later heterotypic synonym of S. koreensis.

Among the species of genus Streptococcus two members namely Streptococcus ratti and Streptococcus ursoris were isolated from oral cavity of rat and bear, respectively. Type strain of these members shows a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.9%. Based on systematic phylo-taxonogenomics investigations, we could deduce the taxonomic assignment of the members of these species. Genome similarity assessment among the type strain of these members using average nucleotide identity (orthoANI and fastANI), digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity (AAI) were 98.5, 98.3, 88, and 98.3% respectively. All these values exceed the species delineation cutoffs suggesting a unified species. Phylogenetic tree obtained using 16S rRNA gene sequence also indicates the monophyletic nature of the member strains. Such monophyletic taxonomic positioning of the strains was further complemented with the whole genome-based phylogenomic tree. Based on these evidences, we propose S. ursoris should be reclassified as a later heterotypic synonym of S. ratti.

The origin of the populations used in ecotoxicological bioassays (from nature (wild populations) or from cultures (laboratory populations)) could have a key influence on the sensitivity of the tested species to different toxicants. However, the available information on this subject is scarce. To assess the likely influence of the population origin (wild vs. laboratory) of species-genus on the toxicant tolerance, we performed a quantitative review of the ECOTOX database, from which we collected the effective concentrations for a wide range of compounds (metals and organics), endpoints, and exposure times. We found a general trend of lower sensitivity of wild populations to toxicants than laboratory populations, although sensitivity was dependent on species and toxicant groups. This suggests that the results of bioassays with laboratory populations may overestimate the toxicity of most of the compounds. Our study highlights the relevance of the origin of the populations in the determination of the sensitivity of species to toxicants. This study also warns about the biases in the species and toxicants used in ecotoxicology, which may lead to an underrepresentation of the biodiversity and the toxicological context of aquatic ecosystems.

The ability of ant colonies to transport, store, and distribute food resources through trophallaxis is a key advantage of social life. Nonetheless, how the structure of the digestive system has adapted across the ant phylogeny to facilitate these abilities is still not well understood. The crop and proventriculus, structures in the ant foregut (stomodeum), have received most attention for their roles in trophallaxis. However, potential roles of the esophagus have not been as well studied. Here, we report for the first time the presence of an auxiliary thoracic crop in Pheidole aberrans and Pheidole deima using X-ray micro-computed tomography and 3D segmentation. Additionally, we describe morphological modifications involving the endo- and exoskeleton that are associated with the presence of the thoracic crop. Our results indicate that the presence of a thoracic crop in major workers suggests their potential role as repletes or live food reservoirs, expanding the possibilities of tasks assumed by these individuals in the colony. Our contribution emphasizes the utility of combining data from external and internal morphology to better understand functional and behavioral mechanisms.