Western Australian Museum

Molecular data are widely used to resolve complex phylogenetic relationships between cryptic species, particularly in cases where morphological features are insufficient to confirm taxonomic distinctness. For benthic shallow-water octopuses, several successes and failures have been reported when attempting to delineate species using individual nuclear or mitochondrial markers. In this study, we investigated the potential of shallow random shotgun sequencing to assess the phylogenetic placement of an undescribed southern hemisphere lineage within the Octopus vulgaris species complex, which could not be conclusively delimited using single-marker approaches. A total of 338 nuclear loci, along with complete mitochondrial genomes, were generated for two specimens presently classified as Octopus vulgaris (Type III) that originated from the southeastern Atlantic coast of South Africa and Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean. Our combined phylogenomic approach reveals that this lineage is genetically distinct from O. vulgaris sensu stricto (ss) from the Mediterranean and the northeast Atlantic, as well as from the closely related O. sinensis from East Asia. A further separation of O. vulgaris (Type III) into distinct South African and Amsterdam Island lineages cannot be proven. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that supports O. vulgaris Type III as a genetically distinct lineage within the O. vulgaris species complex, and emphasise that the taxonomic classification of this southern hemisphere lineage warrants re-evaluation.

PurposeChildhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk of long-term skeletal muscle deficits following intensive therapies during critical periods of growth. This review aimed to synthesize approaches for assessing muscle quantity, quality, and function in CCS and to quantify deficits relative to healthy peers.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science from inception to June 2024, with an update in November 2025. Studies including CCS who had completed cancer treatment and reported measures of muscle quantity, quality, or physical function were eligible. A three-level mixed-effects model meta-analysis was conducted. Associations between muscle quantity and function and potential moderators were tested using meta-regression models. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.ResultsForty-four studies comprising 5175 CCS were included. Compared to controls, CCS exhibited significantly lower muscle quantity (SMD −0.45; 95% CI −0.63 to −0.28; p < 0.001) and muscle function (SMD −0.41; 95% CI −0.57 to −0.24; p < 0.001). No studies evaluated muscle quality. Deficits in muscle function were more pronounced in the lower body than the upper body, and meta-regression analyses indicated greater muscle quantity deficits with increasing time since treatment completion.ConclusionChildhood cancer survivors exhibit significant deficits in muscle quantity and function. Future research should focus on developing international consensus guidelines for standardized, clinically meaningful assessments that include lower-body function and muscle quantity. Additionally, investigating muscle quality may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these deficits and help inform targeted interventions aimed at preserving long-term health in CCS.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-026-10425-3.

Pseudoscorpions collected from the remote southeast Pacific Island of Motu Motiro Hiva (also known as Isla Salas y Gómez) yielded two different species. A juvenile specimen of the genus Garypus (Garypidae) was found near the seashore, which represents the most southerly record of Garypus in the Pacific Ocean. Numerous specimens of an unusual chernetid were taken from inside mummified carcasses of seabirds that breed on the island. Although they show morphological similarities to some other American genera such as Americhernes Muchmore, Cordylochernes Beier, and Lustrochernes Beier, the gaping fingers on the male chela and the positions of the trichobothria clearly differentiate them from all other genera. We therefore propose the new genus and species Motuchernes spatiodigitus sp. nov., which is endemic to this small remote and isolated island.

AI-based solutions offer the potential for rapid taxonomic identification of species of biosecurity concern, enhanced global accessibility, and time-saving in contrast to traditional taxonomic identification by humans. 2. This study provides a systema

The diversity and distribution of species' traits in an ecological community determine how it functions. While modern fish communities conserve trait space across similar habitats, little is known about trait-space variation through deep time or across different habitats. We examined how fish trait diversity varies through space and time by comparing three Late Devonian fish communities — a tropical reef (Gogo, Australia), a tropical estuary (Miguasha, Canada), and a temperate freshwater system (Canowindra, Australia) — with six modern communities from diverse habitats. Trait-space metrics reflecting within-community diversity (functional richness) and species similarity (functional nearest-neighbour distance) indicated Late Devonian communities had scores similar to modern communities. However, they were less functionally rich than their closest modern analogues, and their species tended to be more functionally distinct from one another. Metrics describing location in trait space (centroid distances and hypervolume overlap) showed modern communities were similar to each other, Gogo and Miguasha were similar but distinct from modern communities, and Canowindra was distinct from all others. This pattern suggests period-associated differentiation and substantial heterogeneity among some Late Devonian communities. In addition to temporal changes, we found consistent differences associated with habitat type and climate zone. Reef and tropical communities were the most functionally rich, whereas functional nearest-neighbour scores were highest in estuarine and temperate communities. These results indicate fish community trait space varies with time, habitat and climate, suggesting ( i ) lability in fish trait space and ( ii ) that evolutionary history, environmental filtering, and stochasticity influence community assembly. • The functional trait space of fish communities reflects evolutionary history, habitat, and climate. • Devonian and modern fish communities differ in their trait composition. • Trait differences imply ancient communities functioned differently. • Habitat- and climate-related patterns in functional diversity metrics are consistent across time.

ABSTRACT Australasian Hyriidae produce larvae, called glochidia, which are parasitic on fishes. Gravid females were collected from Goodga River, south-western Australia in December 2023 and monitored for glochidial release. Glochidia were released in amorphous mucous conglutinates. A sample of conglutinate was examined under light microscopy to confirm at least some glochidia were mature, exhibiting a ‘blinking’ behaviour. Light microscopy also revealed that individuals had clearly apparent larval threads. Glochidia were examined under scanning electron microscopy. Glochidia measured 293 μm ± 1.31 SE in length, 241 μm ± 1.08 SE in height and 207.4 μm ± 0.93 SE in hinge length. The shell shape is subtriangular isosceles, with an angle of obliquity (i.e., position of the ventral apex relative to the mid-point of the dorsal hinge line) of 19.4° ± 0.32 SE and shells have s-shaped hooks lacking microstylets, each terminating to a singular point on opposing valves. The observed positioning of freshwater mussels near the upstream end of a fish ladder in Goodga River suggests a potential localised optimisation of glochidial contact with upstream-migrating host fishes, but whether this observation has enhanced recruitment remains to be tested.

We present Ocean Genomes, a program dedicated to producing reference genome resources to facilitate improved monitoring approaches and management outcomes for marine vertebrate biodiversity. Ocean Genomes will generate high-quality reference genomes of representatives of all marine vertebrate families and additional high-conservation-value species. Draft-quality genomes may be produced for a more comprehensive sampling of species. We include case studies of Enoplosus armatus, Old Wife and Pempheris klunzingeri, Rough Bullseye.

ABSTRACTMembers of the genus Porcellanella White, 1851 (Porcellanidae) are common commensals of sea pens in tropical and subtropical coastal waters. Despite having only three described species (P. triloba White, 1851 from Cape Capricorn, Australia; P. picta Stimpson, 1858 from Hong Kong; and P. haigae Sankarankutty, 1963 from the Gulf of Mannar, Indian Ocean), the taxonomy of this genus has been widely debated. Porcellanella picta was previously considered a junior synonym of P. triloba, but this synonymization has been the subject of disagreement. In this study, we conducted integrative phylogenetic and morphological analyses of Porcellanella specimens tentatively identified as P. triloba, collected from Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, Thailand, Singapore and Australia. Our Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA sequences revealed four distinct lineages: one corresponding to P. picta from Asia, one to P. triloba and two representing new species (P. brevidentata n. sp. and P. longiloba n. sp.) from Australia. Morphologically, Porcellanella species can be distinguished by the colour markings on the chelipeds and carapace, the shape of the trilobate rostrum, the presence or absence of a meral lobe on the cheliped, the relative size of the unguicles on the ambulatory leg dactylus, and the presence or absence of a spinule on the lateral margin of the pterygostomian flap. We provide a morphological key to the species of Porcellanella. Our study demonstrates the value of an integrative approach in distinguishing cryptic invertebrate species that are considered to exhibit wide geographic distribution patterns.

There is a current trend to relegate the details of molecular and morphometric analyses in species descriptions to electronic Supplementary Information (eSI), where they may be separated and lost. We find that half of the species descriptions in non-specialist journals since 2012 have put important material in eSI. The identity of specimens and measurements that are used in taxonomic descriptions needs to be available in perpetuity. A simple and effective way to avoid relegating species description details to electronic SI in non-specialist journals is to publish these in appendices attached to the main text, rather than in separate digital files.