Pensoft blog - Part 9

Tiny sesame sea slug species discovered in the waters of northern Taiwan

This tiny nudibranch, which measures less than three millimetres in length, was first spotted by lead author Ho-Yeung Chan during a recreational dive in 2019.

Translucent, speckled, and barely the size of a grain of rice, a new species of sea slug has been identified in the coastal waters of Keelung, Taiwan. Because of its minute size and distinctive black and yellow markings, researchers from National Taiwan Ocean University, National Museum of Natural Science and National Taipei University of Education have named the creature Thecacera sesama.

“Taiwanese divers call it ‘sesame’ in Chinese and it is also small like a sesame seed, hence the name,” the research team explained regarding their decision to honour the local nickname in the scientific nomenclature. This tiny nudibranch, which measures less than three millimetres in length, was first spotted by lead author Ho-Yeung Chan during a recreational dive in 2019.

*Thecacera* *sesama* sp. nov. Details of appearance and morphological features, hand-drawn on a tablet PC by Chen-Lu Lee.

The discovery was a stroke of luck that began during Chan’s undergraduate studies:

“During a recreational dive in the summer during the undergraduate study of HY Chan in 2019, he accidentally discovered Thecacera sesama sp. nov. in northern Taiwan waters.”
The Research Team

Despite its unique appearance, the importance of the find was not immediately obvious. In a modern twist on traditional taxonomy, Chan “never realised Thecacera sesama was a new species until he consulted the sea slug expert ‘Hsini Lin teacher’ on Facebook.”

Living specimens of *Thecacera* *sesama* sp. nov. Image credit: Ho-Yeung Chan et al.

Documenting the species proved to be a significant logistical feat due to the volatile environment of the Keelung coast. The research team noted that the most challenging part of the study was the unique weather conditions of the region.

Taiwan experiences frequent typhoons in the summer and large waves during the winter monsoon season, with sea temperatures often dropping below 16 degrees Celsius. These factors mean that diving for nudibranch research is only possible for about four months of the year, making sightings of such tiny creatures entirely a matter of chance.

Living specimens of bryozoan with *Thecacera* species. Image credit: Ho-Yeung Chan et al.

The life of T. sesama is remarkably focused, as the researchers observed that the species exhibits only four primary behaviours: feeding, searching, mating, and laying eggs on bryozoans, which are tiny aquatic invertebrates often called “moss animals”. Interestingly, the specific bryozoan that T. sesama calls home may itself be a species new to science.

From a broader ecological perspective, these vibrant molluscs play a vital role in the marine environment:

“Nudibranchs are one of the key players in the marine food web. They are extremely colourful and can be spotted on coral reef ecosystems. However, many nudibranchs are very small in size and are extremely difficult to spot underwater with the naked eye.”
The Research Team

The researchers believe that the discovery of T. sesama is just the tip of the iceberg for Taiwanese marine biology. Because many species are so small, many more are likely awaiting discovery and formal study. The full research on Thecacera sesama was published in the open-access journal ZooKeys on 11 May 2026.

Original source:

Chan H-Y, Lee C-L, Chen W-C, Chang C-H, Shao Y-T, Pang K-L (2026) Thecacera sesama sp. nov. (Nudibranchia, Polyceridae) from Taiwan, evident from morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase I gene. ZooKeys 1279: 269-284. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1279.184298

Cover image:

Two individuals of Thecacera sesama sp. nov. feeding on a bryozoan. Image credit: Ho-Yeung Chan et al.

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Four Decades of Overlooked Data Reveal the Hidden Amphipod Diversity of Italian Seas

A new inventory of over 300 amphipod species from Italian seas offers an updated picture of their distribution and biodiversity.

Guest blog post by Prof. Sabrina Lo Brutto

What if some of the most important clues about marine biodiversity were already collected but never fully shared?

That’s the question that motivated this study, published in Biodiversity Data Journal. It brought together over 40 years of unpublished data on marine amphipods – ecologically crucial crustaceans – from across Italian waters. By unifying scattered records and making them openly accessible, researchers have assembled comprehensive and up-to-date inventories of these species for the Mediterranean.

Satellite image of the Mediterranean Sea with Italy and Sicily. Image provided by Prof. Sabrina Lo Brutto.

Researchers analysed 4,344 previously unpublished records spanning from 1980 to 2025, identifying 302 amphipod species across the Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, and Ionian Seas. Interestingly, they found that the Tyrrhenian Sea harbours the highest taxonomic richness (258 species), while the Adriatic Sea accounts for the greatest number of records due to intense historical sampling.

A Number of species per sea; B Venn diagram illustrating the distribution and shared amphipod species across the three areas, Tyrrhenian Sea (light blue), Ionian Sea (red), Adriatic Sea (blue). Credit to Badalucco et al., 2026.

This work not only updates the Italian inventory but also reinforces the country’s central role as a biodiversity hotspot in the Mediterranean.
noted Prof. Sabrina Lo Brutto of the Department of Earth and Sea Sciences (DiSTeM) at the University of Palermo, the coordinator of the study.

Why amphipods matter

A female hyalid amphipod species (Serejohyale sicilia) with eggs — A female hyalid amphipod species (*Serejohyale sicilia*) with eggs. Image credit to Prof. Sabrina Lo Brutto.

Amphipods are small, often just a few millimeters long, but they play an outsized role in marine ecosystems. They recycle nutrients, connect food webs, and serve as prey for fish, birds, and mammals. Because they respond quickly to environmental stress, they are also powerful bioindicators, helping scientists detect pollution and ecological changes.

Yet despite their importance, our knowledge of where these species live has been fragmented. In some cases, outdated or incomplete records have even led to cascading misidentifications in the scientific literature.

A collaborative effort across Italy

Map of Italy with georeferenced species records — Map showing the distribution of the georeferenced species records. Points were differentiated by colours, based on the sea upon which they lie: Tyrrhenian Sea (light blue), Ionian Sea (red) and Adriatic Sea (blue). Credit to Badalucco et al., 2026.

This study represents a collective effort coordinated under the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC). Researchers from universities, environmental agencies, and research institutes across Italy contributed data spanning more than four decades.

By harmonizing these datasets under the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), we ensured that the information was not only scientifically robust but also openly available for future research.
commented the first author of the study, Dr. Antonina Badalucco (Dept. DiSTeM, University of Palermo).

The full dataset is now accessible via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), making it a resource for scientists worldwide.

A changing Mediterranean

Percentage of the amphipod species per substrate/habitat categories.
*The species *Dendropoma petraeum* is now accepted as *Dendropoma cristatum*. Credit to Badalucco et al., 2026.

The presence of non-indigenous species is a reminder that marine ecosystems are rapidly evolving. The study identified 11 alien species primarily concentrated in ports, lagoons such as the Venice Lagoon, and aquaculture facilities. Increased shipping, aquaculture, and global connectivity are allowing these species to travel farther and establish themselves in new environments, sometimes with significant ecological consequences.

At the same time, researchers observed that sampling efforts have intensified dramatically in the last decade, driven in part by European environmental policies such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive – generating a surge in available data, while also highlighting how much earlier information had remained underused.

Why this matters now

Understanding where species live is the foundation of conservation. Without accurate distribution data, it’s nearly impossible to track biodiversity loss, identify vulnerable habitats, or design effective protection strategies.
Prof. Lo Brutto explained

By filling long-standing gaps in knowledge, this research supports broader efforts – such as the EU’s and National Biodiversity Future Centre’s shared goal to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 – and provides a baseline for monitoring future environmental change.

Looking ahead

This is not the end of the story; it’s a starting point. Our study shows the immense value of unlocking existing data and making it accessible. We hope it will inspire similar efforts across other regions and taxonomic groups, helping to build a more complete picture of life in our oceans.
Prof. Lo Brutto concluded

Original study:

Badalucco A, Auriemma R, Balistreri P, Baratti M, Bonifazi A, Capillo G, Cimmaruta R, Coccia I, D’Amore A, Desiderato A, D’Iglio C, Grech D, Iaciofano D, Lattanzi L, Lezzi M, Lionello M, Macaluso E, Mancini E, Martino C, Marusso V, Mercurio M, Mucciolo S, Prato E, Pulieri M, Puthod P, Scipione MB, Scirocco T, Sirchia B, Specchiulli A, Targusi M, Trabucco B, Vannucci A, Rosati I, Lo Brutto S (2026) A contribution to the inventory of marine amphipod species from Italian waters based on unpublished sources and FAIR principles. Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e189256. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e189256

Remote fieldwork and museum collections reveal hidden pit viper diversity in High Asia

Published in ZooKeys, a recent study revises the Himalayan pit viper group using a combination of fresh and historical DNA, morphology, skeletal anatomy, and ecological observations.

The high mountain ranges of Asia remain among the least biologically explored regions of the continent. Now, an international team of researchers has shown that one of their most elusive venomous snakes, long treated a single species, is in fact a complex of five distinct species, three of which are new to science.

Published in the open-access journal ZooKeys, the study revises the Himalayan pit viper group using a combination of fresh and historical DNA, morphology, skeletal anatomy, and ecological observations. The data reveals that what scientists had long treated as a single widespread species, the Himalayan pit viper first described in 1864, actually consists of multiple deeply distinct evolutionary lineages.

The analyses identified five clearly distinct species-level lineages, i.e. the Himalayan pit viper in the strict sense, Gloydius chambensis described in 2022, and three previously unrecognised species from different parts of Pakistan and Nepal. Alongside genetic divergence, these lineages exhibit distinct morphological and skeletal variations.

Phylogeny and distribution of five pit viper species in the Himalaya and Hindu Kush. Image credit: Dr Daniel Jablonski

“These mountain systems still harbour overlooked vertebrate diversity and hold important clues to the biogeography of Asia,” says Daniel Jablonski of Comenius University Bratislava, who has been conducting extensive research in Pakistan and Afghanistan for many years.

“By combining modern field sampling with data from historical museum specimens, we uncovered evolutionary lineages that had remained hidden for more than a century after the original description of the Himalayan pit viper.”
Daniel Jablonski

A key element of the discovery was the integration of newly collected material with a powerful source of evidence: DNA extracted from museum specimens collected in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This included the original type specimen of the Himalayan pit viper, allowing the researchers to clarify the identity of the species in its strict scientific sense.

The study underscores the enduring scientific value of natural history collections. Indeed, specimens gathered by earlier generations of explorers and preserved in museums are still helping scientists solve modern biological puzzles, especially in regions where fieldwork remains difficult.

Paratype of the newly described species Gloydius hindukushensis from northwestern Pakistan. Image credit: Dr Daniel Jablonski and Dr Frank Tillack.
Paratype of the newly described species Gloydius nepalensis from Nepal. Image credit: Dr Daniel Jablonski and Dr Frank Tillack.

In fact, part of the discovery had been waiting in plain sight. “Museum specimens are not just records of the past. They are active research tools and essential infrastructure for future science,” says Sylvia Hofmann from the Museum Koenig as part of the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, who has comprehensively worked in the Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau during the past 20 years.

“Some of the key evidence had been sitting in museum collections for more than a hundred years. We just didn’t have the tools to recognise it. As analytical methods continue to improve, the scientific value of these collections will only grow and revealing biodiversity we didn’t even know was there.”
Sylvia Hofmann

Representatives of the herpetofauna play an important role in the ecosystem, particularly as ecological indicators, within the food chain, and as predators in pest control. A group of top predators in the region consist of pit vipers adapted to mountainous environments, which have so far been studied only very inadequately in the Himalayan region.

“Our work aims to close these gaps in knowledge and to lay the groundwork and provide inspiration for further, in-depth studies on this ecologically and medically relevant group.”
Frank Tillack of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research

Tillack maintains close ties with Nepalese colleagues and has been collaborating with them for 35 years on projects concerning the biodiversity of herpetofauna in the Himalaya.

An important part of the study is the osteology of these snakes, including the skull anatomy of the lectotype BMNH 1946.1.19.64 of *Gloydius himalayanus*, collected more than 160 years ago.
Image credit: Kristin Mahlow-Tillack.

The study also emphasises how much remains to be discovered in regions that have long been difficult to access for scientific research. “Pakistan’s high mountains are still full of biological surprises,” says Rafaqat Masroor of the Pakistan Museum of Natural History, the country’s leading herpetologists.

“This finding highlights how little we still know about a region long shaped by socio-political instability.”
Rafaqat Masroor

Beyond taxonomy, the findings also carry an important conservation message:

“Each of the newly recognised species seems to occupy a relatively restricted range in fragile mountain environments, highlighting new ecological and evolutionary questions.”
Daniel Jablonski

Without recognising such diversity, it would be impossible to assess it accurately or protect it effectively.

Original study:

Jablonski D, Tillack F, Mahlow-Tillack K, Petzold A, Wilzo M, Das A, Idrees M, Baniya CB, Masroor R, Hofmann S (2026) Integrative taxonomy reveals previously undescribed diversity within the Gloydius himalayanus complex (Squamata, Viperidae, Crotalinae) from the Himalaya and Hindu Kush. ZooKeys 1280: 83-153. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1280.182768

New Study Outlines How Countries Can Build Effective DNA Barcoding Networks

New research in Metabarcoding and Metagenomics provides a blueprint for building a robust, globally adaptable network of DNA barcoding practitioners.

Aligning with the International Day for Biological Diversity‘s theme of “Acting locally for global impact,” researchers have released a comprehensive blueprint for building a robust, globally adaptable network of DNA barcoding practitioners.

Heat map illustrating the heterogeneity in the number of available DNA barcode records with species assignment. Data were retrieved from the BOLD Systems data portal in November 2025. Credit to Kaitetzidou et al., 2026.

DNA barcoding has become a cornerstone for modern species identification and biodiversity monitoring, proving vital for applications ranging from ecological research to conservation and environmental policy. Since its inception, the DNA barcoding community worldwide has been convening under the aegis of the International Barcode of Life (iBOL), which provides necessary global coordination. To implement barcoding at scale, build local capacity, and translate scientific advances into actionable practice, iBOL national nodes have been established since the 2010s

Published in the open-access journal Metabarcoding and Metagenomics, the article “Empowering national capacity for a DNA-based approach to species identification and biodiversity monitoring” by E. Kaitetzidou et al. provides strategic advice on establishing iBOL national nodes.

Drawing on a survey and workshop conducted under the Horizon Europe Biodiversity Genomics Europe project, this research synthesises experiences from 20 countries, including 17 in Europe, and examines how national nodes are initiated, governed, and sustained. Common challenges included defining scope, securing sustainable funding, harmonising methodologies, and engaging stakeholders. For example, a particularly striking finding was how rarely node coordinators sought guidance from established networks before setting up their own.

The decision-making process and steps taken were almost entirely based on intuition and the experience from other within-country activities, as well as their perceptions of the activities of other nations’ barcoding nodes,
the researchers note.

Countries are highlighted whose representatives of a national initiative responded to the questionnaire (yellow), attended the workshop (green) or both (yellow–green stripes). Peru and South Africa are not displayed on the map; however, representatives of their national nodes took part in the survey and the workshop, respectively. Credit to Kaitetzidou et al., 2026.

Central to the paper are ten practical recommendations to ensure the establishment and long-term success of national DNA barcoding nodes. The authors emphasise several key priorities, primarily the construction of comprehensive DNA barcode reference libraries and the critical need to align scientific activities with practical biomonitoring requirements.

Furthermore, they strongly advocate for promoting FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and CARE data principles, alongside implementing focused strategies for capacity building, methodological standardisation, communication, and diverse stakeholder engagement.

Stronger national infrastructures will enhance Europe’s capacity for DNA-based biodiversity monitoring and support metabarcoding and metagenomic research. Building on milestones such as the establishment of iBOL Europe in 2022, these local efforts add up to real progress on species discovery, conservation, and environmental management worldwide.

This paper has been published with the support of the Biodiversity Genomics Europe project, funded through Horizon Europe, the UK Research & Innovation Fund and the Swiss Confederation (https://biodiversitygenomics.eu/).

Original source:

Kaitetzidou E, Gadawski P, Goodall-Copestake WP, Dankova G, Gkagkavouzis K, Holak S, Rewicz T, Bącela-Spychalska K, Mamos T, Fantoni K, Jabłońska A, Tończyk G, Trębicki Ł, Aravanopoulos FA, Bruschini C, Bonchev G, Dagher Kharrat MB, Čiampor F, Costa FO, Dapporto L, Ekrem T, Ferreira S, Geiger M, Hausmann A, Hebert PDN, Kalamujić Stroil B, Kamenova S, Kautmanova I, Keskin E, Kučinić M, Lipinskaya T, Mutanen M, Papakostas S, Price B, Ramírez R, Rougerie R, Rulik B, Szucsich N, Van Der Bank M, Triantafyllidis A, Hollingsworth PM, Grabowski M (2026) Empowering national capacity for DNA-based approach to species identification and biodiversity monitoring. Metabarcoding and Metagenomics 10: e183268. https://doi.org/10.3897/mbmg.10.183268

A new PollinERA policy brief proposes regional budget system for pesticide management for Europe

The brief proposes assigning ecological regions an annual toxic-unit (TU) budget linked to environmental carrying capacity.

A new policy brief from the PollinERA project calls for a major shift in EU pesticide regulation, arguing that current assessments of individual substances fail to address the cumulative environmental impacts of pesticide use across landscapes, and that many pesticide bans are unnecessary if the scale of use is managed.

The brief, “A Regional Budget System for Pesticide Management: Systems-first environmental risk assessment: the case for change,” proposes assigning ecological regions an annual toxic-unit (TU) budget linked to environmental carrying capacity. Farmers would register pesticide applications digitally, with approvals dependent on available regional budget capacity.

The authors, Christopher John Topping, Johan Axelman and James Henty Williams, argue that the approach would better align pesticide regulation with EU environmental obligations under the Water Framework Directive, Natura 2000 and the Nature Restoration Law. The brief also outlines key advantages, including environmental protection, regulatory simplification, resistance management, improved farmer access, fair access, and stronger market incentives for lower-impact products.

The brief also proposes implementation through three targeted amendments within the current EU Omnibus process: linking pesticide use conditions under Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 to regional ecological limits; introducing Regional Pesticide Management Plans under the Sustainable Use Directive (2009/128/EC); and aligning regional budget calibration with Water Framework Directive and Nature Restoration Law targets. According to the authors, no new legislative framework would be required.

The policy brief is accompanied with a commentary for further reading, “Pesticide Regulation and the Omnibus Process: A systems-based regional management approach: operational framework, fair access, and market incentives.” Both the policy brief and technical support document are available on the Research Ideas and Outcomes (RIO) journal, in PollinERA’s open-access collection, as well as on PollinERA’s website.

Read the policy brief here.

About PollinERA
PollinERA (Understanding pesticide-Pollinator interactions to support EU Environmental Risk Assessment and policy) is a four-year Horizon Europe project that aims to move the evaluation of the risk and impacts of pesticides and suggestions for mitigation beyond the current situation of assessing single pesticides in isolation on honey bees to an ecologically consistent assessment of effects on insect pollinators.

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Pensoft Celebrates International Tea Day with Fascinating Discoveries in Camellia

Camellia species are famous for their tea properties, providing the leaf buds and young branches used to manufacture black, green, and oolong tea.

At Pensoft Publishers, we are proud to support the open-access dissemination of botanical knowledge through our journal PhytoKeys. On International Tea Day, we invite you to spill the tea on the captivating world of the genus Camellia. While most people recognise these plants as the source of their morning brew, the genus is incredibly diverse and economically significant.

Camellia species are famous for their tea properties, providing the leaf buds and young branches used to manufacture black, green, and oolong tea. Beyond the teapot, these evergreen shrubs and trees are valued for their oil-producing seeds and their stunning ornamental flowers in horticulture. Despite their global fame, we are still discovering new members of this family, often in the remote forests of East and Southeast Asia.

One of the most dramatic stories recently published in PhytoKeys concerns Camellia hekouensis, a tree native to Hekou in Yunnan, China. For a time, the botanical community feared the species was lost forever after the last known living tree died at the end of 2024 due to bark destruction.

However, a dedicated effort by the staff of the Dawei Mountain National Nature Reserve saved the species from the brink. They successfully protected 11 wild trees and propagated 32 others ex-situ. This species is particularly interesting because its chemical profile challenged previous scientific claims. While earlier researchers suggested it lacked certain purine alkaloids, new analysis shows the leaves actually contain 1.18 mg/g of theobromine.

*Camellia* *hekouensis*. Image credit: Dongwei Zhao et al.

Read more: Zhao D, Zhang G, Yang S (2025) Phylogenetic position, supplementary description and phytochemical analysis of Camellia hekouensis (Theaceae), a critically endangered tree native to Hekou, Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys 256: 185-195. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.256.149481

Further research in Yunnan has revealed another unique relative of the common tea plant named Camellia yangii. Discovered in the forests of Malipo County, this species is a true member of the tea section, yet it stands out for being remarkably hairy. It bears a red or purplish red terminal bud that is densely pubescent, making it a rare and visually striking germplasm resource.

Lead researcher Dongwei Zhao of Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, found that while most Camellia species have five sepals, Camellia yangii typically bears only three. It also follows its own schedule, flowering about a month later than other tea plants in the vicinity. This late flowering phase is a natural barrier that prevents it from hybridising with other species, keeping its genetic line distinct. With fewer than ten individuals known in the wild, its discovery is a call to action for urgent protection.

*Camellia* *yangii*. Image credit: Dongwei Zhao.

Read more: Zhao D (2025) Camellia yangii (Theaceae), a new species of tea plants (Camellia section Thea). PhytoKeys 257: 247-256. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.257.152000

Botanical science sometimes involves correcting the records of the past, as seen in the reinstatement of Camellia angustifolia. This species from Guangxi, China, was originally described in 1981 but was later dismissed as a mere synonym of another variety in 1992.

Recent field investigations proved that this was a mistake. Researchers from the Guangxi Research Institute of Tea Science discovered that the original type specimen was actually a misidentified bellflower from a completely different family. Once the correct specimens were examined, the differences became clear – unlike its shrubby relatives that grow only a few meters tall, Camellia angustifolia is a majestic tree that can reach heights of 20 meters.

*Camellia* *angustifolia*. Image credit: Shixiong Yang.

Read more: Deng H, Liao X, Yu X, Liu Z, Yang S (2025) Reinstatement of the independent specific status of Camellia angustifolia, a tea plant (Camellia sect. Thea, Theaceae) from Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys 267: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.267.174664

Our journey through recent tea-related discoveries concludes in the striking Danxia landscape of Guangdong Province. Here, researchers identified Camellia shangshii, a new species endemic to the red sandstone formations of Danxiashan Mountain. This species bears smaller leaves and flowers than its closest relatives. One of its most defining features is that its white petals are fused together at the base for several millimeters.

This tree notably thrives in a unique microclimate where specialised soils and environmental contrasts drive the evolution of distinct species. It is named in honour of Dr. Shangshi Wu, a scientist who pioneered the study of these geological landscapes.

*Camellia* *shangshii*. Image credit: Shiyang Wang, Yinyu Wu and Xiaowei Yi.

Read more: Wang S, Liu H, Tan S, Shen L, Chen Z, Chen F, Fan Q (2026) Camellia shangshii (Theaceae), a new species endemic to danxia landscape from Guangdong Province, China. PhytoKeys 270: 13-23. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.270.172597

As we celebrate International Tea Day, these discoveries remind us that our knowledge of the natural world is still growing. Every new species found and every historical error improves our understanding of the biological heritage of our favorite beverages. At Pensoft, we will never stop be-leafing in the power of new species to inspire conservation and science!

Make sure to follow PhytoKeys on Facebook and Bluesky for more interesting articles on plants.

“Invasional Mutualism” Between Honey Bees and Myrtle Rust Pathogen

New research from NeoBiota uncovers an invasional mutualism between Western honey bees and myrtle rust, with potentially troubling consequences for Australia’s native ecosystems.

Every year on May 20th, the world celebrates World Bee Day, a date chosen to honour Anton Janša, an 18th-century pioneer of modern beekeeping who was born on this day in Slovenia, a country where beekeeping has been a cherished tradition for centuries. This year’s theme, “Bee Together for People and the Planet,” puts the spotlight on the partnership between humans and bees, and how collaboration, tradition, and innovation can help secure a sustainable future for both.

At Pensoft, we’re marking the occasion by shining a light on a threat that often goes unnoticed: the destabilisation of pollination networks. As ecosystems change and pathogens spread, sometimes carried by the very pollinators we rely on, the delicate web of relationships between plants and their pollinators is under pressure. Understanding bees and other pollinators as potential carriers of invasive plant diseases is becoming an increasingly important piece of the conservation puzzle.

Surprising Interaction

Apis mellifera and myrtle rust fungus invasional mutualism — Apis mellifera on leaves with myrtle rust. Photo credit to Geoff S Pegg.

New research published in NeoBiota has found that the Western honey bee – an introduced species to Australia – and the devastating, invasive plant fungus known as myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) may have formed a mutually beneficial relationship known as an “invasional mutualism.”

Myrtle rust is notorious for devastating ecologically and culturally significant native plants in the Myrtaceae family, putting 17% of Australia’s endemic vegetation at risk. While rust fungi generally rely strictly on wind to spread, researchers discovered that bees may actively forage on the bright yellow fungus spores, packing them into their pollen baskets and carrying them back to the hive just as they would regular pollen.

Researcher taking samples from a beehive. Photo credit to Caroline Hauxwell.
Beehive in the forest. Photo credit to Caroline Hauxwell.

Through a series of experiments, the team made three significant findings. Firstly, the rust spores proved to be quite nutritious. They contained over 22% protein and all 10 essential amino acids, meeting the threshold required for bee colonies to survive. In fact, the fungus matched the nutritional quality of high-value floral pollen, like willow pollen.

In laboratory feeding trials, larvae raised on a diet of myrtle rust spores grew up perfectly healthy, developing at the same speed and reaching similar body weights as bees raised on a traditional high-quality pollen diet. As the researchers explain:

These findings suggest that spore foraging may not be an aberration, but a viable foraging strategy for honey bees.

And perhaps the most alarming discovery is that the myrtle rust spores remain viable and capable of causing new plant infections for at least nine days inside a beehive which could pose significant biosecurity risks

A Devastating Ecological Feedback Loop

Beehive samples taking — Taking samples from a beehive. Photo credit to Caroline Hauxwell.

This discovery challenges the assumption that invasive species always act independently, and it carries major environmental consequences. As myrtle rust kills off keystone taxa in the Myrtaceae family, such as eucalypts, paperbarks, and other ecologically and culturally significant species, particularly in Australia, fewer flowers and less pollen become available for bees to forage on. Beyond the direct biodiversity loss, as the fungus kills these plants, fewer flowers and less pollen are available for the bees.

Under such conditions, bees may increasingly turn to alternative protein sources, such as fungal urediniospores,
the researchers explain.

This could set off a devastating ecological feedback loop.

“Over time, this dynamic may destabilise plant-pollinator networks and forest regeneration, particularly in regions with high Myrtaceae endemism.” They add: “While generalist foragers like A. mellifera may buffer their colony health by switching to spores or non-Myrtaceae pollen sources, the long-term ecological cost could be substantial, especially for specialist pollinators that lack such flexibility.“

The risks extend beyond ecosystems. Because spores remain viable inside a hive for over a week, commercial beehives – regularly transported across the country over three to seven days to pollinate crops – now represent a significant pathway for human-assisted spread of the pathogen.

As the lead author, Sacchi Shin-Clayton (University of Cambridge) emphasises:

Apis mellifera is an introduced species used as a commercial pollination agent worldwide, and shifting honey bee colonies between agricultural sites to boost pollination has become a standard practice. This reliance on honey bee colonies and shifting between multiple sites is quite concerning, given the demonstrated interaction between A. mellifera and myrtle rust, and its longevity within colonies.

Despite this, current biosecurity strategies for managing myrtle rust do not account for the movement of commercial beehives, leaving a critical gap in disease management approaches.

We propose that honey bees be explicitly considered in both epidemiological models and the formulation of management and containment strategies,
the researchers urge.

Recognising pollinators as potential vectors of invasive plant pathogens is an essential next step – one that could prove critical for protecting Australia’s vulnerable native forests.

This World Bee Day is a timely reminder that our relationship with bees is more complex than it might seem. Protecting them and the ecosystems they move through will require us to understand that complexity better.

Original source:

Shin-Clayton S, Mortensen AN, Beggs JR, Buxton MN, Hauxwell C, Bateson MF, Jochym M, Pegg GS, Pattemore DE (2026) Honey bees as potential vectors of the invasive rust pathogen Austropuccinia psidii: nutritional mutualism and implications for pathogen spread. NeoBiota 106: 75-90. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.106.169027

For more interesting research, follow NeoBiota on Bluesky and Facebook.

Revealing the Invisible: A New Baseline for Salish Sea Diatoms Answers a Global Call

A new checklist published in the Biodiversity Data Journal sheds light on the diversity of diatoms in the Salish Sea.

Invisible to the naked eye, phytoplankton play a critically important role at the base of marine food webs, yet their diversity continues to be underestimated. Recently, the UN Global Compact released “The Plankton Manifesto,” highlighting how these microscopic organisms are crucial for addressing the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Diatoms, a major group of photosynthetic microalgae, are particularly powerful in driving roughly 20% of global photosynthesis and forming the very base of marine food webs.

Yet despite their monumental importance, microalgal ecosystems remain largely unexplored and poorly mapped. That is why a recent major scientific undertaking in the Northeast Pacific is so significant.

A First-of-its-Kind Baseline in the Salish Sea

sample locations from the Salish Sea — Map of sampling locations. A Distribution of sampling sites throughout the Salish Sea (green markers).Red frame: area of enlargement around Galiano Island (1B); B Sampling sites around Galiano Island (green markers). Map credit to Webber et al., 2026.

Diatom records of the Salish Sea bioregion have historically been fragmentary, dating back to early inventories in the 1800s, and with only scattered surveys filling the gap across the 20th and 21st centuries. As Andrew Simon, PhD student at the University of Alberta, president of IMERSS, and one of the study’s researchers, puts it:

The Salish Sea has long been studied for its rich marine biodiversity. Yet, until now, the history of research on its primary producers has been fragmented, and we have lacked a consolidated baseline record.

Now, for the first time, researchers have taken a significant step toward closing that gap. A team of Canadian researchers — Mark Webber (University of Victoria; IMERSS), Elaine Humphrey (UVic; IMERSS), Arjan van Asselt (IMERSS), Alice Chang (UBC), Evan Morian (Hakai Institute; UBC), and Andrew Simon (IMERSS; University of Alberta) — has published a new checklist of 924 diatom taxa alongside a curated dataset of 11,469 records in the open-access journal Biodiversity Data Journal, providing a long-needed foundation for environmental monitoring across this region of the northeast Pacific Ocean.

Trigonium quinquelobatum, external valve view. SEM. Scale bar: 20 µm, Credit to Webber et al., 2026.
Cocconeis kerguelensis, SV. LM. Scale bar: 5 µm. Photo credit to Webber et al., 2026
Neocalyptrella robusta, live, girdle view. LM. Scale bar: 50 µm, Credit to Webber et al., 2026

The findings include some curious discoveries. Several taxa are reported for the first time on the Pacific coast of North America, including Trigonium quinquelobatum, while others, such as Cocconeis kerguelensis (previously known only from the Indian Ocean) and Neocalyptrella robusta (previously confined to California), suggest a range expansion into cooler waters.

Ecologically, the genus Tabularia stands out as a dominant presence on eelgrass and macroalgae, despite having few species. In contrast, genera like Auliscus, Biddulphia, and Mastogloia are surprisingly scarce in the Salish Sea compared to other regions, leaving open questions about what limits their occurrence there.

This dataset also directly answers a key recommendation from the UN Plankton Manifesto, which urges the scientific community to strengthen plankton research and develop comprehensive plankton atlases to biomonitor the health of marine ecosystems.

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Why Diatoms? Why Now?

Bacteriastrum hyalinium — *Bacteriastrum* *hyalinium*, valve view. LM. Scale bar 20 µm. Credit to Webber et al., 2026.

The Salish Sea — the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples — is home to roughly nine million people and is experiencing rapid growth in urbanization, industrial activity, and marine shipping.

Because diatom populations respond quickly to changes in water quality and environmental conditions, they serve as highly effective early-warning bioindicators for shifts in ecosystem health and pollution levels.

Without a clear picture of what the base of the food web looks like today, it is impossible to understand the impact of tomorrow’s environmental changes.

Attheya longicornis — Attheya *longicornis*, girdle view. SEM. Scale bar: 10 µm. Credit to Webber et al., 2026.

“We are fortunate to have had a dedicated group of academic researchers and community scientists contribute to this work over many years,” says Mark Webber, IMERSS’ resident diatomist. “Drawing from the literature, microscope analysis, and molecular sequencing, we now have a better picture of the diatoms present in the Salish Sea. Diatoms are vital to the health of countless organisms — from shorebirds and shellfish to fish and mammals. This baseline provides a reference point for understanding changes that could ripple across the entire web of life.“

Local Research for Global Solutions

Actinoptychus adriaticus — *Actinoptychus* *adriaticus* var. *pumila*, exterior valve view. SEM. Scale bar: 5 µm. Credit to Webber et al., 2026.

The UN Plankton Manifesto stresses that understanding and managing plankton communities can unlock “Plankton-Based Solutions” to support fisheries, clean waters, and climate change mitigation.

Our work demonstrates how sustained collaboration between community scientists and research institutes can bridge these gaps, through partnering community expertise and observation with access to microscopy and molecular technologies,
the team concludes.

The new checklist and dataset will support researchers and policymakers in environmental assessments of the Salish Sea, as the team continues to refine and analyze the data to support ongoing regional research.

Original source

Webber M, Humphrey E, van Asselt A, Chang A, Morien E, Simon ADF (2026) Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) of the Salish Sea, Northeast Pacific: annotated checklist and new species reports. Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e189060. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e189060

About Institute for Multidisciplinary Ecological Research in the Salish Sea (IMERSS)

IMERSS, or the Institute for Multidisciplinary Ecological Research in the Salish Sea, is a non-profit society based in Galiano Island, British Columbia, Canada. IMERSS joins scientific researchers, citizen scientists, and Indigenous communities to conduct multidisciplinary ecological research, monitor biodiversity and the environment, and communicate results to better understand and respond to change in the Salish Sea bioregion.

For more interesting research, follow Biodiversity Data Journal,on Bluesky , Facebook and X.

New “Happy-Face” Spider Species Discovered in the Indian Himalayas

For over a century, this cheerful-looking creature was thought to be a unique resident of the Hawaiian Islands.

Vibrant, tiny, and sporting a bright red grin on its back, the Happy-Face spider is one of the most famous and recognisable arachnids in the world. For over a century, this cheerful-looking creature was thought to be a unique resident of the Hawaiian Islands, a biological curiosity found nowhere else on Earth.

When researchers from the Forest Research Institute and the Regional Museum of Natural History discovered a new species of spider with the same unmistakable smile in the montane mountains of Uttarakhand, India, they knew exactly what to call it: Theridion himalayana, the Himalayan Happy-Face Spider.

Mature male (left) and female (right) of *Theridion himalayana* sp. nov. Photo credit: Devi Priyadarshini and Ashirwad Tripathy.

“The discovery was accidental because our survey was [originally] on ants. But my co-author [Ashirwad Tripathy] kept sending me spiders from high altitude regions for identification.

So, one fine day, when he shared this image from the underside of a Daphniphyllum leaf, I froze in shock because I had seen the Hawaiian spider during my master’s programme itself, and I knew instantly we had a jackpot because of its striking resemblance.

I asked him to send all morphs that he found, and that led to the discovery in the next few months, from October 2023 onwards.”
Devi Priyadarshini, Regional Museum of Natural History, Bhubaneswar

Priyadarshini added that she was always interested in exploring high-altitude spiders because the landscape and vegetation are so different there than in the plains:

“This almost came across as a gateway to look at other polymorphic species from this region.”

Ashirwad also said that we could find more variations in the species if the surveys could be done extensively.

Nest architecture of *Theridion himalayana*. Photo credit: Devi Priyadarshini and Ashirwad Tripathy.

The species name, himalayana, serves as a tribute to the mountain range where the spider was found at elevations of over 2,000 meters above sea level.

“The name Himalayana was decided as the species name because we both wanted to pay our respects to the mighty Himalaya mountain ranges, which have been standing tall not just guarding our country but also holding a plethora of biodiversity within them.

Since this spider was the first polymorphic from this region, we decided to make it an ode to the amazing mountain ranges.”
Ashirwad Tripathy, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun

*Theridion himalayana* sp. nov. Photo credit: Devi Priyadarshini and Ashirwad Tripathy.

The research, published in the open-access journal Evolutionary Systematics, identified 32 different colour variations, or “morphs”, of the species collected from three locations in Uttarakhand: Makku, Tala, and Mandal. DNA analysis revealed a genetic variation of approximately 8.5% from the Hawaiian happy-face spider, confirming it as a separate lineage that evolved independently in Asia.

Different “morphs” of *Theridion himalayana* sp. nov. Photo credit: Devi Priyadarshini and Ashirwad Tripathy.

While the smiling patterns are striking, their exact purpose remains a mystery.

“The reason behind the expression of polymorphism is also very complex and unique.

These patterns definitely help them survive better in the wild, which is understood prima facie, but why do they resort to such patterns on their back, and what functional role in their life cycle does it exactly serve is yet to be deciphered. This is definitely indicative of a deeper genetic mystery.”
Priyadarshini

Ashirwad also mentioned that the spider species was surrounded by critters which had similar colour patterns on their body.

Subadult female with Psocid (booklice) prey. Photo credit: Devi Priyadarshini and Ashirwad Tripathy.

The study additionally noted that these spiders are frequently found on ginger plants (Hedychium species), mirroring the behaviour of their Hawaiian cousins. Since ginger is not native to Hawaii, the researchers are intrigued by the evolutionary connection.

“How did the spiders choose an invasive species and ginger exactly? If T. himalayana is an elder cousin of T. grallator, although discovered 125 years later!

Although this sounds like a tall claim now, it will be our further scope of work to establish any missing links, if at all, through Hedychium sps.”
Priyadarshini

Showing the prey of T. himalayana sp. nov. Video credit: Devi Priyadarshini and Ashirwad Tripathy.

Original source:

Tripathy A, Priyadarshini D (2026) On the discovery of a new polymorphic Happy-Face Spider (Araneae, Theridiidae) from the Western Himalayas, India, with notes on its natural history. Evolutionary Systematics 10(1): 63-84. https://doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.10.174338

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Bridging Worlds Through Knowledge: Celebrating International Museum Day 2026

Pensoft Publishers is proud to celebrate International Museum Day and its 2026 theme: Museums Uniting a Divided World.

Pensoft Publishers is proud to celebrate International Museum Day and its 2026 theme: Museums Uniting a Divided World. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the International Council of Museums, which stresses the enduring necessity of institutions that serve as custodians of our collective memory. In alignment with this year’s focus on fostering dialogue and peace, we have curated a special “Best of the Archive” collection.

Here, we highlight recent research from a selection of open-access, museum-led journals that exemplify cultural diplomacy, repatriation, and the evolution of inclusive curation. These include Pensoft’s Natural History Collections and Museomics, Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa” and Annals of the Natural History Museum Vienna, alongside the ARPHA-supported Papahou: Records of the Auckland Museum and Tuhinga.

Empowering Communities in Mexico

In our journal Natural History Collections and Museomics, researchers from the Institute of Ecology in Mexico demonstrate how entomological outreach can transform scientific surveys into community connections. Focusing on dung beetle research in Oaxaca, Mexico, the authors moved beyond data extraction to prioritise ethical engagement with Indigenous communities. Specifically, they utilised a knowledge exchange approach known as intercambio de saberes, which integrated “Traditional Ecological Knowledge” into the scientific process. By donating outreach collections to local libraries and documenting names in Indigenous languages like Ayuujk and Tu’un Savi, the project created a shared space for cultural and scientific dialogue.

Examples of interactions with elementary school students using entomological outreach collections after workshop sessions in the communities of Tlaxiaco and Huajuapan de León. Image credit: Cruz-García et al.

Read more: Cruz-García BJ, Sandoval O, Cruz-García EJ, Escobar-Hernández F, Arriaga-Jiménez A (2025) From collections to connections: empowering communities through entomological outreach. Natural History Collections and Museomics 2: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3897/nhcm.2.147417

Cultural Interaction in the Coral Sea

A review published in Tuhinga explores the “Connections across the Coral Sea” exhibition, which traces the movement of First Nations communities across Northern Queensland, the Torres Strait, and Papua New Guinea. This work, led by Safua Akeli Amaama of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, highlights a Cultural Interaction Sphere where about 100 cultural groups have traded resources and shared knowledge for centuries. The exhibition bridges geopolitical divides by showcasing shared cosmological stories, such as the star constellations known as Matariki in Aotearoa New Zealand and Usiam in the Torres Strait. This inclusive approach to curation honours the maritime technologies and spiritual connections that have long linked these diverse coastal regions.

Map of Northern Queensland coastline. Image credit: Safua Akeli Amaama.

Read more: Akeli Amaama S (2024) Connections across the Coral Sea: a story of movement (Queensland Museum, Australia). Tuhinga 35: 11-13. https://doi.org/10.3897/tuhinga.35.132206

Citizen Science and Social Inclusion in Cyprus

The journal Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa” highlights the power of public participation in its report on the first records of the Giant water bug in Cyprus. This research relied almost entirely on data provided by biodiversity enthusiasts through social media networks. Validating findings from non-scientists allows for the museum to foster a sense of inclusion and empowers local citizens to contribute to national biodiversity monitoring. This collaboration represents an important bridge between professional researchers and the broader community, ensuring that scientific knowledge is a collective achievement rather than an isolated one.

Photographs of *Lethocerus sp.* in situ. Records from Facebook Groups (FBG) and
Personal Communication (PC).

Read more: Hadjiconstantis M, Tziortzis I, Kunt KB (2023) On the importance of citizen-science: first records of the Giant water bug Lethocerus patruelis (Hemiptera, Belostomatidae) in Cyprus. Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa” 66(2): 291-299. https://doi.org/10.3897/travaux.66.e94457

Digital Repatriation from Aotearoa to West Africa

In Papahou: Records of the Auckland Museum, an article examines how open cultural heritage practices connect Aotearoa New Zealand with West Africa. Through partnerships with Wikimedia, the Auckland Museum is facilitating digital access to Nigerian and Ghanaian artifacts for their source communities. This initiative addresses questions of authority and authorship by allowing local advocates in Ghana and Nigeria to shape how their heritage is represented online. Indeed, by adopting a policy of “open by default, closed by exception”, the museum balances the democratisation of knowledge with the need for cultural safety and Indigenous sovereignty.

“Ikorodu Lagos State Town Hall Nigeria 1972 Designed by Michael Olutusen Onafowokan Part Plan Of Gallery 024” (circa 1961–1983). Wikimedia Commons.

Read more: Selvadurai A, Bayel H, Petercan AL (2026) Open access from Aotearoa to West Africa. Papahou: Records of the Auckland Museum 60: 11-15. https://doi.org/10.32912/papahou.60.187681

Confronting Colonial History in Vienna

The Annals of the Natural History Museum Vienna contributes to cultural diplomacy by critically examining the provenance of osteological collections acquired during 19th-century naval expeditions. This interdisciplinary study investigates the ethical challenges of human remains collected from East Africa and Madagascar. It is becoming increasingly clear that the documentation of the circumstances of acquisition and the presence of colonial violence in the historical record is necessary to the adoption of better guidelines for future engagement and repatriation. This transparent approach to difficult histories is essential for building trust and understanding between European institutions and the communities whose heritage they hold.

Different assessments of trauma in the Tanzania and Madagascar Collection. Image credit: Schattke et al.

Read more: Schattke C, Wolf D, Berner M, Eggers S (2026) Ships and Bones: Violence contributing to and consisting in osteological museum collections. Annals of the Natural History Museum Vienna 127: 85-94. https://doi.org/10.3897/anhmw.182645

Conclusion

As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the International Council of Museums, we reaffirm our understanding that museums act as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides. Through the articles highlighted here, we see museums actively fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion, and peace within and between communities worldwide.

For more museum-led research, make sure to follow Pensoft’s journals on social media:

Natural History Collections and Museomics: Facebook and Bluesky
Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa”: Facebook and Bluesky