One third of Vietnam’s 329 mammal species are threatened with extinction, according to a recent study published in our open-access journal Nature Conservation.
Conducted by German scientist Hanna Höffner of the University of Cologne and Cologne Zoo, alongside an international team, the research underscores Vietnam’s vital but fragile position as a biodiversity hub within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.
The study reveals that 112 mammal species in Vietnam face extinction, despite most being found in at least one protected area. Some micro-endemic species, such as the Da Lat tube-nosed bat (Murina harpioloides), are particularly vulnerable as they are not present in any protected sites.
Murina harpioloides. Credit: Son Truong Nguyen.Hipposideros alongensis. Credit: Son Truong Nguyen.
Around 40% of the threatened species lack ex situ conservation (zoo conservation breeding) programs, which increases their risk of extinction. Iconic species like the saola (Pseudoryx vuquangensis), the silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor), and the large-antlered muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis) are among the Critically Endangered taxa at risk.
The study advocates for the IUCN‘s “One Plan Approach” to species conservation, which calls for combining different expertise and integrated in situ and ex situ management strategies. Establishing assurance colonies in zoos and increasing connectivity between isolated protected areas are critical recommendations for safeguarding Vietnam’s unique mammal diversity.
A gaur (Bos gaurus) in Vietnam.
By building up ex situ populations for threatened taxa, zoos can help to literally “buy time” and act as modern arks that can contribute with later releases according to the IUCN’s “Reverse the Red” conservation campaign. Ex situ species holding data by Species360 are now also integrated in the IUCN Red List species’ chapters (a “One Plan” approach to species data).
Ex situ preservation of threatened Vietnamese mammals worldwide.
Vietnam is home to a rich array of mammals, including 36 endemic species and nine micro-endemic taxa. Its primate fauna is particularly noteworthy, with 28 species, the highest number in mainland Southeast Asia. This includes the endemic tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) and Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri).
Northern Vietnam and the Annamite Mountain Range are biodiversity hotspots, hosting species such as the Critically Endangered Cao-vit gibbon (Nomascus nasutus), the southern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus siki) and the red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus).
A red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus).
The study calls for prioritising the “One Plan Approach” to conservation of highly threatened species, reassessing Data Deficient species, and enhancing habitat connectivity.
VIETNAMAZING logo.
The conservation campaign VIETNAMAZING by EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) currently highlights Vietnam’s biodiversity treasure and advocates for improved conservation of threatened mammal species.
Original study
Höffner H, Nguyen ST, Dang PH, Motokawa M, Oshida T, Rödder D, Nguyen TQ, Le MD, Bui HT, Ziegler T (2024) Conservation priorities for threatened mammals of Vietnam: Implementation of the IUCN´s One Plan Approach. Nature Conservation 56: 161-180. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.56.128129
“You fool. No man can kill me,” said the Witch-king of Angmar.
“I am no man!” Éowyn replied, “I am a newly discovered freshwater snail species from Brazil!”
Okay, maybe that isn’t exactly how it goes – but it’s our way of letting you know that two newly discovered snail species have been named in honour of Éowyn and Meriadoc from The Lord of the Rings.
Described in the open-access journalZoosystematics and Evolution, Idiopyrgus eowynae and Idiopyrgus meriadoci were named by fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic series (who happen to also be successful researchers).
Idiopyrguseowynae.
Explaining the name Idiopyrgus eowynae, they said: “Éowyn exemplifies courage, resilience, and resistance against darkness, both internal and external, standing against Gríma Wormtongue and the Witch-king of Angmar.”
The discovered species are troglobitic and were found in a single limestone cave in the Serra do Ramalho karst area of Bahia state, northeastern Brazil. The gastropods belong to the family Tomichiidae, a group previously known for inhabiting surface freshwater environments but now shown to have adapted to subterranean ecosystems.
Both snails have unique periostracal hairs—thorn-like structures—on their shells, a feature uncommon among Brazilian freshwater snails. Their cave-specific adaptations include reduced pigmentation, fragile shells, and small size.
The Gruna do Pedro Cassiano cave, area and entrance.
The Gruna do Pedro Cassiano cave, where the snails were discovered, is a fragile ecosystem threatened by water extraction, deforestation, and climate change. Due to the species’ limited habitat and environmental threats to their subterranean ecosystem, the authors recommend a ‘Vulnerable’ classification. The findings highlight the importance of protecting Brazil’s subterranean biodiversity and raise concerns about the impact of human activities on these delicate ecosystems.
These concerns played a part in the naming of Idiopyrgus meriadoci, as the researchers state: “Besides standing with Éowyn against the Witch-king in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Merry is also an example of the fight for nature conservation in Middle-earth, pushing the Ents into action and ultimately ending Saruman’s threat to Fangorn Forest.”
Idiopyrgusmeriadoci.
On his choice of Tolkien-inspired names for the new species, lead author Dr Rodrigo B. Salvador of the Finnish Museum of Natural History said: “I tend to use lots of pop culture references in my species names—from books, comics, Dungeons & Dragons, and video games. If we think about it, there is a long-standing tradition in taxonomy of using names from mythology and literature to name species.
“Granted, in the old days, those names mostly came from Greek and Roman myths and Shakespeare. Today, we have newer mythologies and literature classics, so in a way, we’re just continuing that tradition.”
Salvador was also resposible for naming a land snail after Shar of Dungeons and Dragons, and more recently Baldur’s Gate, fame. Read about it below!
Salvador RB, Bichuette ME (2024) Idiopyrgus Pilsbry, 1911 (Gastropoda, Tomichiidae): a relict genus radiating into subterranean environments. Zoosystematics and Evolution 100(4): 1543-1556. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.136428
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Beneath the arid pre-Saharan zone of Morocco lies Aziza Cave, also known as Kef Aziza or Tazouguert Cave. The vast subterranean system stretches over 3.5 kilometers of surveyed galleries, making it Morocco’s fifth-largest cave system and one of the top ten most extensive caves in North Africa.
A view of the Sahara desert and Aziza cave’s entrance.
Beyond its sheer size and geological significance, Aziza Cave harbors a rich and diverse array of subterranean life that is only now beginning to be revealed widely. In a recent study in the journal Subterranean Biology, researchers cataloged the subterranean fauna of Aziza Cave and provided a detailed checklist of 26 different taxa potentially representing cave-restricted species. Among these are 22 troglobitic species, organisms that have adapted to life entirely within the cave environment, and four stygobitic species, which have specially evolved to live in the cave’s groundwater.
Four of the authors of the paper.
The discovery of such a variety of species highlights the cave as a critical biodiversity hotspot, not only in Morocco but for the African continent as a whole. One alarming aspect of this discovery is the large number of species that still need to be thoroughly studied or described.
Dysdera caeca, a cave spider
Only about 34.6% of the species in Aziza Cave have been formally identified and described by scientists. Further research could lead to the identification and description of many new species. The fauna found in Aziza Cave includes a wide variety of life forms, with the richest groups being beetles (Coleoptera), spiders (Araneae), springtails (Entomobryomorpha), and woodlice (Isopoda). Some have evolved remarkable adaptations to their lightless, nutrient-scarce environment, such as reduced pigmentation, elongated appendages, and heightened sensory capabilities that help them navigate and survive in this extreme habitat.
Long-tailed bat Rhinopoma hardwickei.
Despite these discoveries, much of Aziza Cave remains unexplored. Large portions of this karstic system have yet to be surveyed, and researchers believe that the biodiversity uncovered so far is just the beginning. The cave’s unexplored depths likely hold many more secrets, including potentially new species that have yet to be seen by human eyes. This prospect has sparked great interest among speleologists and conservationists, who see Aziza Cave as an important research site for studying subterranean ecosystems.
Magnezia gardei, a cave isopod.
The biodiversity of Aziza Cave is something to celebrate, but it also sheds light on the significant conservation challenges that subterranean habitats in Morocco and across North Africa are facing. Caves are delicate ecosystems that are highly sensitive to changes in their environment. Human activities such as pollution, mining, deforestation, and unsustainable tourism pose severe threats to these ecosystems and the species that depend on them. Once these habitats are damaged or destroyed, it is often impossible to restore them, and the species that inhabit them may face extinction.
Graffiti on the cave walls.
Human-induced impacts have already begun to take their toll in Aziza Cave. Visitors can disrupt the delicate balance of the cave’s ecosystem, change water quality, or introduce pollutants and alien species. These pressures underscore the urgent need for conservation measures to protect this unique environment and its inhabitants. By highlighting the importance of Aziza Cave and similar habitats, the researchers hope to encourage further exploration and study of Africa’s subterranean ecosystems and develop effective conservation strategies to protect them. By protecting these fragile ecosystems and supporting scientific exploration, we can ensure that the incredible biodiversity of Aziza Cave and other subterranean habitats continues to thrive.
Research article:
Moutaouakil S, Souza-Silva M, Oliveira LF, Ghamizi M, Ferreira RL (2024) A cave with remarkably high subterranean diversity in Africa and its significance for biodiversity conservation. Subterranean Biology 50: 1-28. https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.50.113919
The thin, flexible, and mobile ovipositor of some female insects, perfected over thousands of years of evolution, can carry substances and drill into various substrates. Although its structure is well studied, many of its functions remain a mystery.
Researchers from Saratov State University and Moscow State University spotted interesting, unusual oviposition behaviour in the parasitoid wasp Eupelmus messene: it used its ovipositor to drill through the wall of a polystyrene Petri dish and lay an egg outside the dish.
Drilling with the ovipositor through a plastic wall of a Petri dish by Eupelmus messene (A), a newly laid egg into the external environment (B), and UV fluorescent biological substance inside the perforations (C). ov – ovipositor, per – perforation, egg – egg.
This is the first time such behaviour has been observed and recorded.
E.messene is a parasitoid of the gall wasp Aulacidea hieracii, which forms a gall on the stems of the hawkweed Hieracium×robustum. The female of E.messene then drills the walls of the gall with its ovipositor in search of a gall wasp larva and, upon finding it, lays an egg next to it.
The researchers reared 56 females from galls of H.×robustum collected near Saratov, Russia. Of them, they placed 18 in Petri dishes without host galls, and later observed five of those wasps drilling into the walls of the Petri dishes.
The team followed the behaviour of one wasp: drilling each perforation in the polystyrene wall took more than two hours, during which the insect often paused to eat, drink water, or wash. In the end, it managed to completely pierce the plastic wall and lay an egg on the outside of the Petri dish. It drilled multiple holes, even after being transferred to a different Petri dish.
Eupelmus messene drilling the wall of the polystyrene Petri dish. Video by Matvey I. Nikelshparg, Evelina I. Nikelshparg, Vasily V. Anikin, Alexey A. Polilov
“We distinguished four steps of drilling: pushing movements, rotational movements, ejection movements, as well as the cementing step. However, in natural gall, we never observed ejection movements. We suppose that such a type of movement is required to rake out plastic particles, which is unnecessary for more elastic plant gall substrate,” write the authors in their study, which was published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research.
After laying the egg, the female carefully cemented the drilled perforation with an unknown biological substance, likely to keep it safe from the impacts of changing temperatures, water, and microorganisms.
Unlike galls, which usually have an opaque and dense structure, the transparent Petri dish provided a clear view of the whole drilling and oviposition process, allowing the researchers to study it closely.
It is still unknown why the wasp behaved this way, but the scientists believe we can learn a lot from this observation: “Studying in detail the drilling behavior of parasitic mycrohymenopterans can be useful in medicine for the creation of minimally invasive guided probes in neurosurgery, the development of orthopedic surgical instruments, needle biopsies using functionally graded tools,” they write in their paper.
Research article:
Nikelshparg MI, Nikelshparg EI, Anikin VV, Polilov AA (2023) Extraordinary drilling capabilities of the tiny parasitoid Eupelmus messene Walker (Hymenoptera, Eupelmidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 96: 715-722. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.96.107786
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Jake Lewis, an entomologist in the Environmental Science and Informatics Section at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), is fascinated by weevils, a diverse group of beetles that includes many species with elephant trunk-like mouthparts (called a rostrum). Weevils provide various ecosystem services such as pollination and decomposition, but some species are serious pests known to decimate crop fields and timber forests.
OIST entomologist and Insect Collection Manager, Jake Lewis, searches for weevils on Okinawa Island, Japan. He and his collaborators collected weevils from Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia, and discovered 12 new species. Photo credit: Merle Naidoo, OIST
Using x-ray microtomography, a 3D imaging technique that uses x-rays to visualize cross sections of the internal structure of objects, Lewis and his collaborators digitally removed scales that cover the cuticle of the weevils. They found that the underlying cuticle differs significantly between species and can therefore be used for taxonomic and classification purposes. Using this technique in combination with traditional light microscopy and DNA barcoding, they discovered, described, and named 12 new weevil species from Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. These species range from 1.5 – 3.0 mm in length and are comparatively quite small weevils.
Two of these new species are present in Japan: Aphanerostethus magnus (Oo-daruma-kuchikakushi-zoumushi) and Aphanerostethus japonicus (Nippon-daruma-kuchikakushi-zoumushi). One of these, Aphanerostethus japonicus, is also found in Yanbaru National Park, Okinawa. This is the first time x-ray microtomography has been used to remove obscuring scales to examine underlying differences in morphology for taxonomic purposes. The findings from this study have been published in the open-access journal ZooKeys.
Researchers have discovered, described, and named 12 new weevil species in Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Aphanerostethus magnus and Aphanerostethus japonicus are found in Japan, with the latter also found in Yanbaru National Park, Okinawa. Photo credit: Lewis et al., 2024
The researchers showed that removing scales using x-ray microtomography reveals significant morphological differences between species, which cannot be easily observed using other methods. Consequently, this technique may gain more popularity as a tool for identifying new insect species, especially those covered in scales or debris.
Lewis, OIST’s Insect Collection Manager and lead author of the paper, examined specimens from collections in Canada, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Netherlands. One of the primary goals was to investigate the use of x-ray microtomography as a tool in weevil taxonomy. The genus Aphanerostethus was poorly studied in the past, but many undescribed species were discovered in museum collections around the world, including the two new species from Japan.
X-ray microtomography generated 3D models of weevil species from the genus Aphanerostethus with the right elytron (forewing) removed, revealing differences in the length, width, and pattern of veins in the hindwing. A lateral view of the full body is shown below each closeup for reference. The red, blue, and yellow arrows indicate the base, midpoint, and apex of the hindwing, respectively. A: Aphanerostethus bifidus; B: A. decoratus; C: A. japonicus; D: A. magnus. Image credit: Lewis et al., 2024
Multiple methods to find new species
The researchers used traditional methods such as light microscopy and dissections to observe differences between species, including the scales along the elytra (back), leg spines, and the shape of the rostral canal (a canal that protects the rostrum). They also used DNA barcoding to analyze their genes and create a phylogenetic tree of eight of the species. Some species were not as easy to separate based on morphology alone, but as the gene sequences differ between species, the phylogenetic tree was informative and provided additional evidence of new species.
: Phylogenetic tree of eight Aphanerostethus species constructed by comparing genetic information to see how closely related different species are. This helped Lewis and his team verify their predictions about species classification by using DNA analysis instead of only physical traits. The colored, vertical bars represent different species and includes the two new species from Japan. Image credit: Lewis et al., 2024
Although the above methods are standard practice in taxonomy, the researchers’ use of X-ray microtomography was novel and was successfully used to examine the structure of not only the hidden cuticle, but also the hindwings. Aphanerostethus weevils have lost the ability to fly due to the gradual reduction of their hindwings, however the degree of reduction was shown to differ between species. Normally, specimens would have to be dissected to view the hindwings, but because x-ray microtomography allows for non-destructive examination of internal anatomy, it is invaluable when working with rare or precious specimens that cannot be dissected or altered.
X-ray microtomography generated 3D models of Aphanerostethus pronota with scales removed, revealing otherwise hidden differences in underlying puncture morphology A–C Aphanerostethus magnus D–F Aphanerostethus morimotoi. Image credit: Lewis et al., 2024
The presence of partially reduced wings in some species offers a fascinating glimpse into the ongoing process of evolutionary change: “Some species have almost completely lost their hindwings, while others still have non-functional half-wings with remaining vein patterns. The differing degrees in hindwing loss is not only useful for taxonomy and systematics, but also shows how different species within the same group can be at different stages of losing a historically highly important organ that played a crucial role in insect evolution,” Lewis explained.
Investing in Japan’s natural heritage
The discovery of new weevil species can be challenging for two main reasons. Firstly, weevils are incredibly diverse, making complete cataloging time consuming and tedious. Secondly, many weevil species are highly host-specific, may only inhabit very particular microhabitats, and may only be active for a short period of time as adults. For example, some species feed on a single tree species and may only occupy a certain part of a tree, such as the canopy. Furthermore, some species of weevils are strictly nocturnal and rarely observed during the daytime.
Episomus mori weevils. Photo credit: Jake H. Lewis
This extreme specialization and variation in natural history means that unless researchers investigate at night and day, across seasons, and focus on specific parts of many different plant species, they will inevitably overlook certain species.
Dr. Dan Warren, a research fellow at the Gulbali Institute for Applied Ecology and former leader of the Environmental Science and Informatics Section, emphasized the importance of investing in specimen collections: “These specimen collections are crucial for discovering new species and documenting biodiversity changes, both from human activities and natural cycles. They are essential tools for scientific research and conservation biology,” he stated. “Without proper support for them and the people who maintain them, we risk losing irreplaceable information on species and ecosystems, potentially before we even discover them.”
Euthycus weevils. Photo credit: Jake H. Lewis
“These new weevil species are part of Japan’s natural heritage, and although still poorly known ecologically, discovering and naming them is the first step towards an understanding of their biology,” Lewis added. Protected areas like Yanbaru National Park, home to the newly discovered A. japonicus, are essential to the protection of the island’s rich and endemic biodiversity.
Research article:
Citation: Lewis JH, Kojima H, Suenaga M, Petsopoulos D, Fujisawa Y, Truong XL, Warren DL (2024) The era of cybertaxonomy: X-ray microtomography reveals cryptic diversity and concealed cuticular sculpture in Aphanerostethus Voss, 1957 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). ZooKeys 1217: 1–45. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1217.126626
Decades after it was first found in Japan, a species of crustacean with unique black-and-white coloring that resembles a panda has been confirmed to be new to science. Melitid amphipods are shrimp-like crustaceans found worldwide. The newly classified Melita panda — named after the charismatic mammal — was first found in the 1990s. Details of the discovery and morphological analysis were published in a ZooKeysarticle on 21 September.
A panda sitting on a rock outdoors, holding a bamboo branch
The discovery of the Melita panda highlights the importance of studying species taxonomy, which is the naming and classification of organisms, for conservation efforts. It is impossible to know if a species is in danger of disappearing if it hasn’t even been identified.
“Despite the fact that biodiversity conservation is a global issue, species diversity and other aspects of biodiversity are still not fully understood. As a first step toward species conservation, we conducted a taxonomic study of amphipod Crustacea, which boasts high species diversity around Japan,” said Ko Tomikawa, a professor at Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Hiroshima, Japan.
A new species of amphipod with a unique panda pattern was found in the intertidal zone of the Japanese coast. Photo credit: Ko Tomikawa/Hiroshima University
Before the discovery of Melita panda, there were 63 known species of Melita amphipods, with 16 of those found in Japan. Melita panda was found in intertidal waters in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. There are likely even more unidentified and undescribed species of Melita amphipods in Japan’s coastal waters.
“Study on the amphipod Crustacea in the coastal zone of Japan is lagging behind. In order to accurately assess species diversity, taxonomic studies are necessary. We hope the discovery of a new species of amphipod with the familiar coloring of the panda pattern will increase the public’s interest in biodiversity and taxonomy,” said Tomikawa.
A line drawing of Melita panda.
To identify the Melita panda, researchers did both a morphological study and molecular phylogeny using genomic DNA. The morphological description of Melita panda found unique features including its panda-like colors and other physical characteristics, while molecular phylogeny is used to identify how closely related the Melita panda is to other Melita amphipods. This information is used to create a phylogenetic tree or evolutionary tree of the known Melita amphipods. Phylogenetic trees are diagrams that show the evolutionary relationships between species.
A line drawing of Melita Panda‘s gnathopod 1.
The molecular phylogeny found that Melita panda is closely related to two other Melita amphipods, the Melita nagatai and Melita koreana. The panda-like coloring distinguishes Melita panda from these two other amphipods, along with other physical differences. Its gnathopods, which are claws that extend from the second thoracic segment, sit more forward than other Melita amphipods, covering another one of its appendages. Its setae, which are hair-like structures that look like bristles, are also distinguishable from other Melita amphipods. Together, the Melita nagatai, Melita koreana, and newly discovered Melita panda form a monophyletic group. This means they have a common evolutionary ancestor. In this case, it is the Melita hoshinoi.
Looking ahead, researchers will continue to study the Melita panda.
“Hopefully, a detailed study of the ecology and behavior of Melita panda will reveal the reason for its panda pattern,” said Tomikawa.
Beyond Melita panda, Tomikawa emphasized that there is still more to study.
“Further taxonomic studies on amphipods in uninvestigated areas are expected to lead to the discovery of additional new species. Continued taxonomic studies are expected to elucidate the biodiversity in the coastal environments of the Japanese archipelago and provide important basic data for species conservation,” he said.
Other contributors include Shigeyuki Yamato of Shirahama Katata in Wakayama, Japan, and Hiroyuki Ariyama at the Osaka Museum of Natural History in Osaka, Japan.
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI grants supported this research.
Research article:
Tomikawa K, Yamato S, Ariyama H (2024) Melita panda, a new species of Melitidae (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from Japan. ZooKeys 1212: 267-283. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.128858
All available information on Enchodelus species is brought together. This will contribute to a more complete assessment of species diversity and distribution.
Guest blog post by Milka Elshishka and Vlada Peneva
The order Dorylaimida is the most diverse nematode group, with over 2640 valid species and more than 260 valid genera, with new taxa being described each year. They are the richest nematode order in number of species in natural soils. Dorylaims are often regarded as good environmental bio-indicators since the number of species/specimens drastically decreases following any significant disturbance in their habitat.
In our study, published in the Biodiversity Data Journal, we examined one intriguing free-living dorylaimid nematode taxon: the genus Enchodelus which is considered to have conservation value. The genus currently includes 28 species, which display a distinct distributional pattern, being spread mainly in high altitudinal enclaves of the Northern Hemisphere (with the exception of E. brasiliensis, only known to occur in Brazil). Its representatives are often associated with mosses and cliff vegetation. Although their feeding habits have not been studied with experimental protocols, it is traditionally assumed that they are omnivorous.
Distribution of Enchodelus species
The genus Enchodelus has not been recently revised; the descriptions of many ‘old species’ (that have been described long ago and have not been reported since their original discovery) are of poor quality, hardly discoverable, and do not conform to today’s taxonomical standards.
An Enchodelus species.
Actually, information available from databases often is limited to some of the species and usually incomplete as relevant data are missing. Consequently, a comprehensive compilation and analysis of literature data is indispensable to reach new insights into the taxonomy of the genus and to elucidate its evolutionary relationships.
Our work provides a cyber catalogue of Enchodelus species, where all available data for the species are accessible and collected in one place, which will greatly facilitate future research. It compiles available information from key European Research Infrastructures, such as TreatmentBank, the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Literature Services (SIBiLS), the Catalogue of Life (CoL), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) and the Biodiversity Literature Repository (BLR). Data about their distribution (geographical records and habitats) are incorporated too and all brought together. It is completed with discussion and notes for some species, along with information on species distributions and microhabitats.
Here, all available information on Enchodelus species is brought together. This will contribute to a more complete assessment of species diversity and distribution and support further biogeographical and ecological research.
The type species Enchodelus macrodorus is the most widely spread and reported Enchodelus species. It is a typical member of Palearctic nematode fauna, recorded in a myriad of countries and habitats and very sporadically recorded in Nearctic and Indomalayan enclaves. In our study we add new morphological and molecular data for this species collected from Spain.
Enchodelus macrodorus from Spain.
Additionally, type material of Enchodelus vestibulifer, belonging to Edmond Altherr’s collection, deposited at the Museo Cantonale di StoriaNaturale di Lugano (Switzerland), is re-examined.
Enchodelus vestibulifer
This species was described by the Swiss nematologist Edmond Altherr in 1952 on the basis of a single female from Switzerland and no later record of it exists. The re-examination of this material revealed that several relevant traits are not compatible with those characterising the genus Enchodelus and we considered it as incertae sedis.
In our study we also present one new species, Enchodelus enguriensis. It was collected from moss on stone (Tortellasquarrosa) in Caucasus, Georgia (Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region, Bogreshi, Enguri River, Tower of Love). The description of the new species was supported by a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis based on D2-D3 of 28S rRNA. When naming the new taxon, we selected the name of the place from which the material was collected, namely the River Enguri; it was recovered from the stone next to the Tower of Love on the bank of the river.
Enchodelus enguriensis
We are grateful for the support the BiCIKL project, Grant No 101007492.
Research article:
Elshishka M, Mladenov A, Altash S, Álvarez-Ortega S, Peña-Santiago R, Peneva V (2024) Cyber catalogue and revision of the nematode genus Enchodelus (Dorylaimida, Nordiidae). Biodiversity Data Journal 12: e126315. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.12.e126315
Founded in 1857 as the Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift (DEZ), stands as one of the world’s oldest continuously published entomological journals. Throughout its 166-year history, DEZ has weathered significant challenges, navigating two world wars and internal societal divisions, consistently re-emerging to contribute to insect systematics.
In 2014, the journal transitioned to Open Access publishing under the auspices of Pensoft. Through this partnership, DEZ embraced a publishing model dedicated to transparency and global accessibility, making its content freely available to anyone, anywhere in the world.
As we celebrate 10 years of Open Access for the journals of Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN), we look at some of the most interesting insect research published in the journal in the past decade.
Read our blog post celebrating 10 years of Open Access for all of Museum für Naturkunde Berlin’s journals here.
Caribbean pygmy jumping leaves
Published in 2023, one of DEZ’s most popular recent papers discusses the Caribbean pygmy jumping leaves, a tribe of pygmy grasshoppers called Choriphyllini. Their taxonomy has been historically confusing, with many unrelated but similar-looking tetrigids (pygmy grasshoppers) being grouped together. Authors Josip Skejo and Niko Kasalo call this group of leaf-resembling insects “a lovable mess,” referring to their confused taxonomy.
With common names such as “Jamaican Bitten Jumping Leaf” or “Old Cuban Dancing Leaf”, these insects are attractive to both researchers and laypeople.
Valalyllum folium, a member of the tribe Valalyllini, subfamily Cladonotinae.
“We can only guess what the future holds for these neglected animals,” the authors said, concluding their paper. Will we see another paper in DEZ dealing with pygmy jumping leaves?
Research paper: Skejo J, Yong S, Bogić D, Kasalo N (2023) Caribbean pygmy jumping leaves (Tetrigidae, Cladonotinae, Choriphyllini). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 70(1): 129-141. https://doi.org/10.3897/dez.70.98982
Barcoding Taiwanese leaf litter beetles
Another important study published in DEZ focused on beetles found in Taiwan’s leaf litter. Researchers Martin Fikácek and Fang-Shuo Hu said that leaf litter is like an underwater coral reef, in that they support a huge amount of life that we don’t know much about. This is what motivated the Taiwanese Leaf Litter Beetles Barcoding project, a research effort aiming to create a DNA barcode library for the beetles that inhabit the forest floor in Taiwan.
As a rule, studying leaf litter beetles presents a number of challenges due to their vast numbers, diminutive size, and high endemism, but the DNA barcoding approach allows for faster, easier species identification. In their 2024 study in DEZ, the researchers reported the publication of 953 DNA barcodes of forest leaf litter beetles from central Taiwan, in total representing 334 species of 36 beetle families.
Research paper: Hu F-S, Arriaga-Varela E, Biffi G, Bocák L, Bulirsch P, Damaška AF, Frisch J, Hájek J, Hlaváč P, Ho B-H, Ho Y-H, Hsiao Y, Jelínek J, Klimaszewski J, Kundrata R, Löbl I, Makranczy G, Matsumoto K, Phang G-J, Ruzzier E, Schülke M, Švec Z, Telnov D, Tseng W-Z, Yeh L-W, Le M-H, Fikáček M (2024) Forest leaf litter beetles of Taiwan: first DNA barcodes and first insight into the fauna. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 71(1): 17-47. https://doi.org/10.3897/dez.71.112278
Revising Tropopterus
Tropopterus spp.
Having received more than 33,000 views, the paper titled “Revision of Tropopterus Solier: A disjunct South American component of the Australo-Pacific Moriomorphini (Coleoptera, Carabidae)” is the most popular DEZ article of the last decade.
Sole author Dr James K. Liebherr of Cornell University has published numerous important papers on beetle taxonomy in the journal, garnering close to 100,000 total views.
Research paper: Liebherr JK (2019) Revision of Tropopterus Solier: A disjunct South American component of the Australo-Pacific Moriomorphini (Coleoptera, Carabidae). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 66(2): 147-177. https://doi.org/10.3897/dez.66.38022
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In these ten years of Open Access, DEZ has published 155 articles, contributing to the advancement of open entomology. As we look forward, we hope for a bright future for Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift that reflects its rich and inspiring history.
Don’t forget to follow DEZ on X and Facebook, and subscribe for its newsletter from the journal’s website!
Follow the #openaccess_mfnberlin hashtag on X (formerly Twitter) to join the conversation around the anniversary!
Established as Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, Geowissenschaftliche Reihe in 1998, the journal welcomed its 25th birthday last year, and today celebrates ten years of Open Access (OA) publishing. Unlike its sister journals, Fossil Record did not immediately partner with Pensoft upon its transition to OA. However, in 2022, following eight years of successful collaboration, Pensoft began publishing the journal on behalf of MfN.
In this blog post, we take a look back at some of the research that has defined Fossil Record’s Open Access era.
Read our blog post celebrating 10 years of Open Access for all of Museum für Naturkunde Berlin’s journals here.
The geologically oldest specimen of Pterodactylus
Pterodactylus antiquus from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Torleite Formation of Painten. Credit: Augustin et al.
One of Fossil Record’s most popular recent articles is “The geologically oldest specimen of Pterodactylus: a new exquisitely preserved skeleton from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Plattenkalk deposits of Painten (Bavaria, Germany).”
Published in November 2022, the paper has garnered more than 6,500 views, attracting significant news and social media attention. The exceptional imagery in the article emphasises Fossil Record’s commitment to optimal research presentation.
Research paper: Augustin FJ, Kampouridis P, Hartung J, Albersdörfer R, Matzke AT (2022) The geologically oldest specimen of Pterodactylus: a new exquisitely preserved skeleton from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Plattenkalk deposits of Painten (Bavaria, Germany). Fossil Record 25(2): 331-343. https://doi.org/10.3897/fr.25.90692
Ornithischian dinosaurs in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia map showing the distribution of Jurassic–Cretaceous non-marine sediments in Southeast Asia. Credit: Manitkoon et al.
The 2023 paper “Ornithischian dinosaurs in Southeast Asia: a review with palaeobiogeographic implications” provides an example of major interest within the scientific community.
With thousands of views and multiple citations, the study illustrates the diversity of ornithischian assemblages in Southeast Asia, providing an updated review and a discussion about their palaeobiogeographic implications.
Research paper: Manitkoon S, Deesri U, Warapeang P, Nonsrirach T, Chanthasit P (2023) Ornithischian dinosaurs in Southeast Asia: a review with palaeobiogeographic implications. Fossil Record 26(1): 1-25. https://doi.org/10.3897/fr.26.e93456
The fossil history of pseudoscorpions
Progonatemnus succineus preserved in amber. Credit: Yamamoto et al.
The most cited paper published in Fossil Record’s Open Access era is “The fossil history of pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones)” from 2017.
The paper reviews the sparse fossil record of pseudoscorpions, tiny arachnids first documented 390 million years ago. Most fossils are suspended in amber, preserving the specimens remarkably well.
Research paper: Harms D, Dunlop JA (2017) The fossil history of pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones). Fossil Record 20(2): 215-238. https://doi.org/10.5194/fr-20-215-2017
First ship-timber beetle fossils from Eocene Rovno amber
Raractocetus sverlilo preserved in amber. Credit: Yamamoto et al.
With 21 citations, the 2022 paper “First fossil species of ship-timber beetles (Coleoptera, Lymexylidae) from Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine)” is a great example of a highly cited recent paper.
Asked about the success of his team’s research, corresponding author of the paper Evgeny Perkovsky said: “finding this beetle in the Eocene of Ukraine indicates a very specific fossil climate, which explains a high visibility of the paper.”
Research paper: Yamamoto S, Nazarenko VYu, Vasilenko DV, Perkovsky EE (2022) First fossil species of ship-timber beetles (Coleoptera, Lymexylidae) from Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine). Fossil Record 25(1): 65-74. https://doi.org/10.3897/fr.25.81054
The “accidentally discovered” ancient shark
The study attracted significant media attention.
Perhaps the most sensational publication in Fossil Record came when palaeontologist Jun Ebersole stumbled upon a 100-year-old box of teeth at the Geological Survey in Alabama, USA, which led to the discovery of a ‘new’ ancient shark species.
“A new species of Palaeohypotodus Glückman, 1964 (Chondrichthyes, Lamniformes) from the lower Paleocene (Danian) Porters Creek Formation, Wilcox County, Alabama, USA” was published in 2024 and attracted significant public and scientific attention.
Describing the study, T. Lynn Harrell Jr., one of the authors said: “this time period is understudied, which makes the discovery of this new shark species that much more significant.
“Shark discoveries like this one give us tremendous insights into how ocean life recovers after major extinction events and also allows us to potentially forecast how global events, like climate change, affect marine life today.”
Research paper: Ebersole JA, Cicimurri DJ, Harrell Jr. TL (2024) A new species of Palaeohypotodus Glickman, 1964 (Chondrichthyes, Lamniformes) from the lower Paleocene (Danian) Porters Creek Formation, Wilcox County, Alabama, USA. Fossil Record 27(1): 111-134. https://doi.org/10.3897/fr.27.e112800
– As Fossil Record celebrates ten years of Open Access publishing, the future looks bright. Going forward, the journal hopes to expand the reach and impact of open-access palaeontology, connecting with both the scientific community and layman enthusiasts, and bringing exciting discoveries to all.
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Don’t forget to follow Fossil Record on X and Facebook, and subscribe for its newsletter from the journal’s website!
Follow the #openaccess_mfnberlin hashtag on X (formerly Twitter) to join the conversation around the anniversary!
For a journal with more than 125 years of history, a single decade may seem like a mere drop in the ocean. However, the last ten years have been significant for Zoosystematics and Evolution (ZSE) as they have seen the historic Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN) journal transition to an open-access publishing model.
Established in 1898 as Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin Zoologische Reihe, ZSE is one of the oldest zoological journals in Europe. But far from falling behind the times, the journal partnered with Pensoft in 2014 to make their research available and free to all. The move marked the beginning of a new era, enhancing the journal’s global reach, accessibility, and influence.
Here we take a look back and celebrate some of the publications that have defined Zoosystematics and Evolution’s decade of Open Access with Pensoft.
Read our blog post celebrating 10 years of Open Access for all of Museum für Naturkunde Berlin’s journals here.
Salazar’s pit viper
Salazar’s pit viper (Trimeresurus Salazar). Photo by Zeeshan A. Mirza.
ZSE’s most popular article, “A new species of green pit vipers of the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Reptilia, Serpentes, Viperidae) from western Arunachal Pradesh, India” has been viewed more than 47,000 times at the time of writing.
Published in 2020, the article drew major mainstream attention due to the scientific name of the new species, Trimeresurus salazar, which was inspired by Salazar Slytherin of the Harry Potter franchise.
Spectacular pictures of the species accompanies the article, undoubtedly contributing to the success of the Indian researchers’ publication.
On his decision to publish with ZSE, lead author Zeeshan Mirza of the Max Planck Institute for Biology Department of Integrative Evolutionary Biology said: “Zoosystematics and Evolution is a reputed journal of the Museum Für Naturkunde, and I was happy that my work was published in it. I like the simple and excellent layout and the smooth experience throughout the article’s publication process.”
Research paper: Mirza ZA, Bhosale HS, Phansalkar PU, Sawant M, Gowande GG, Patel H (2020) A new species of green pit vipers of the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Reptilia, Serpentes, Viperidae) from western Arunachal Pradesh, India. Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(1): 123-138. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.48431
Losing a medical leech
Two adult, free-living H. medicinalis in the process of sucking blood from an edible frog (Rana esculenta L.). Credit: Kutschera et al.
One of the first articles published by Pensoft on behalf of MfN was an exploration of the morphology and occurrence of the European medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis.
Now, ten years since its publication, the 2014 article has garnered almost 30,000 views, cementing it as a major research paper for the journal.
Research paper: Kutschera U, Elliott J (2014) The European medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis L.: Morphology and occurrence of an endangered species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 90(2): 271-280. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.90.8715
Explaining image editing for scientific publications
It is no surprise that the ‘Guide to image editing and production of figures for scientific publications with an emphasis on taxonomy’ by Marcus Bevilaqua of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, is one of ZSE’s most viewed publications with almost 30,000 views.
Photoshop workspace screenshot used in the research paper. Credit: Marcus Bevilaqua.
A fantastic resource for researchers, the guide published in 2020 focuses on digital photo editing and the production of figures using Adobe Photoshop to produce publication-quality figures for scientific publications.
“One picture is worth ten thousand words”, and Zoosystematics and Evolution presents a guide to image editing and production of figures for scientific publications with an emphasis on #taxonomy.
— Zoosystematics and Evolution (@Zoosyst_Evo) May 5, 2020
Research paper: Bevilaqua M (2020) Guide to image editing and production of figures for scientific publications with an emphasis on taxonomy. Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(1): 139-158. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.49225
A new catfish genus
The most cited research published in ZSE is the 2018 article, ‘Multigene analysis of the catfish genus Trichomycterus and description of a new South American trichomycterine genus (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae)’.
Cambeva davisi, topotype. Photo by A. M. Katz.
With 59 citations, the paper is an important analysis of an elusive genus that has attracted wide attention from fellow researchers.
Scite.ai is one of the tools ZSE uses to dynamically track usage of its papers in real time. Find more about the integration here and see the paper’s metrics to date.
Asked about the success of the paper, lead author Axel Makay Katz of the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro said: “I believe that since it is one of the first attempts to organise a taxonomically challenging genus, many authors see that as a big step in solving a problematic genus.”
Research paper: Katz AM, Barbosa MA, de Oliveira Mattos JL, da Costa WJE (2018) Multigene analysis of the catfish genus Trichomycterus and description of a new South American trichomycterine genus (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae). Zoosystematics and Evolution 94(2): 557-566. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.94.29872
A ‘cute but deadly’ discovery
Recent years have seen an influx of media attention for research published in ZSE. A fantastic recent example of this came when a newly discovered velvet worm species was published in the journal.
More than 20 years in the making, the 2024 discovery represented the first study of Ecuadorian velvet worms for over 100 years. The cute appearance and fascinating behaviour of the species attracted plenty of attention from news outlets and social media users.
Describing the study, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, one of the authors and director of the USFQ Museum of Zoology, Ecuador said: “The research on this new species took several decades. I discovered the first individual of this new species in 2001, and we finally managed to describe it as part of Jorge Montalvo’s graduation thesis.
“To complete the description, we used not only macromorphological descriptions but also high-magnification images obtained with a scanning electron microscope.”
Research paper: Montalvo-Salazar JL, Bejarano ML, Valarezo A, Cisneros-Heredia DF (2024) A new species of velvet worm of the genus Oroperipatus (Onychophora, Peripatidae) from western Amazonia. Zoosystematics and Evolution 100(3): 779-789. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.117952
The League of Legends crab
While this crab discovered in coral reefs of the South China Sea may seem unassuming, it gained hundreds of thousands of views, likes and shares when it was published just a few months ago.
In a perfect example of the global reach of open-access publishing, the paper was shared extensively on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, and even resulted in Riot Games sending the lead author a goodie bag!
Research paper: Yuan Z-M, Jiang W, Sha Z-L (2024) Morphological and molecular evidence for Gothus teemo gen. et sp. nov., a new xanthid crab (Crustacea, Brachyura, Xanthoidea) from coral reefs in the South China Sea, with a review of the taxonomy of Actaeodes consobrinus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1867). Zoosystematics and Evolution 100(3): 965-987. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.117859
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Much of the popularity and success of these articles can be attributed to Museum für Naturkunde Berlin’s decision to move their journal to an open-access publishing model with Pensoft. By making research available to all, the potential reach of research increases exponentially, allowing for greater accessibility and collaboration.
As we celebrate a decade of partnership between Pensoft and Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, we look forward to many more years of Open Access!
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Don’t forget to follow ZSE on X and Facebook, and subscribe for its newsletter from the journal’s website!
Follow the #openaccess_mfnberlin hashtag on X (formerly Twitter) to join the conversation around the anniversary!
