Entomological investigations in western Algeria have led to the first observation of the trap-jaw ant Anochetus ghilianii (Spinola, 1851) in the country. Five nests were found under stones in two agricultural orchards in the Hauts Plateaux of Meghila and Hammam Tires (Tissemsilt department). This finding marks the first record of the genus Anochetus in Algeria, increasing the number of ant genera known in the country to 35 and the number of species to 219. This species was so far only known from Morocco and Spain, and suspected to be introduced in the latter. Additionally, a list detailing the other ant species collected in the two orchards is provided. Dataset published through GBIF (DOI: 10.15470/o3zxvj).

Snow trout (Schizothorax plagiostomus) is a member of the Cyprinidae familyand commonly found in cold waters. We collected fish samples using cast nets and studied seasonal variations in the food consumption of this species. We analysed the gut content of 160 S. plagiostomus. Gut content revealed that S. plagiostomus feeds mainly on plant parts (45.14 %), followed by stones and muds (30.01 %), and insect parts (13.97 %), while unidentified detritus matter (5.42 %) and algae (5.33 %) are in small volume regarding the average percentage on a monthly basis. Maximum food consumption occurred in the summer and minimal food consumption occurred in winter. Seasonal variation in consumption of foods items showed that in summer it feeds mainly on plant parts (0.54 ± 0.86), followed by animal parts (0.19 ± 0.41), and algae (0.06 ± 0.25). In winter it feeds at a relatively minimal level (0.28 ± 0.56), (0.05 ± 0.22), (0.02 ± 0.16), respectively. Detritus (unidentified) was also observed as part of its diet, with a maximum in summer (0.06 ± 0.24), and less in autumn (0.03 ± 0.18). Lastly, materials uch as stones and mud were observed at a maximum level in winter (0.58 ± 0.76) and a minimum level in summer (0.12 ± 0.34). In conclusion, we found that the diet composition of S. plagiostomus changes with season, revealing a diverse diet that includes plants and animal fragments (caddis flies), algae, detritus, stones, and mud.

We conducted an inventory and characterization of Laro-limicolae settlement at three Ramsar sites located in Eastern Numidia (Lake Tonga, Lake Oubeira and El Mellah lagoon) between 2014 and 2016. We identified 27 species belonging to six families, dominated by Scolopacidae (10 sp.) and Laridae (9 sp.) followed by Charadriidae (4 sp.), Recurvirostridae (2 sp.) and for Glareolidae and Haematopodidae families (1 sp.) Inventoried species exhibited different phenological status: resident (26%), wintering (44%), migratory breeders (19%) and wintering/breeding (11%). Population analysis showed the presence of protected species such as black-tailed godwit and Northern lapwing. Bird counts showed monthly variations in total abundance and richness, peaking during winter. Highest numbers were recorded in January and lowest numbers in August. Analysis of diversity and equitability indices indicated that maximum values (H’ = 3.01 and E = 0.94) were noted at El Mellah lagoon in November and at Lake Oubeira in June. Our study provides recent and unpublished data on a group of birds that are little-documented for North Africa, particularly for Algeria. Our findings open the way for further, more detailed work on the subject, and may serve to develop action plans for the management and conservation of these bird populations and their habitats.

Workers of Lasius flavus (Fabricius, 1782) and the Tetramorium group caespitum (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) infested by mermithids (Nematoda, Mermithidae) Juvenile mermithid nematodes parasitize various groups of invertebrates, including ants, in which they may induce morphological changes. Records of these nematodes parasitizing ants are relatively scarce worldwide, and few data are available from the Iberian Peninsula. In this work, their presence is cited for the first time parasitizing the worker caste of Lasius flavus, and workers and pupae of theTetramorium group caespitum for the first time in the genus. We compare the morphology and biometry of the infested specimens with healthy individuals of the same species.

Sphyraena ensis is distributed in the Eastern Pacific from Mexico to Chile, including the Galapagos Islands. Despite the wide distribution of this fish, knowledge of the parasitic fauna of S. ensis is restricted to only three monogenean species. The objective of this study was to record and describe two monogenean species of S. ensis in northern Peru. During a parasitological study from May to October 2019, monogeneans were collected from the gills of 138 specimens of S. ensis from Caleta de Zorritos, Contralmirante Villar Province, Tumbes, on the north coast of Peru. Helminths were stained in carmine acetic acid, dehydrated in ethyl alcohol, diaphanized in clove oil and mounted in Canada balsam. To observe the sclerotized structures, several specimens were placed in Hoyer’s medium. We identified the following monogeneans not previously reported in Peru: Pseudochauhanea mexicana and Scomberocotyle scomberomori. This is the first report of these two monogeneans in Peru, and the first report of P. mexicana in South America. Furthermore, S. ensis is reported as a new host of S. scomberomori.

Ylistrum balloti is one of the Pectinidae species distributed within the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, 15 live specimens of Y. balloti were recorded from the continental shelf of Sarawak, Malaysia. The main morphological characteristics were displayed on the outer valve, these being a brown-red colour and a clear concentric pattern of thin brown lines. The prominent internal ribbing numbers on both valves also helped species identification. The preliminary report of Y. balloti revealed that the species is present in Sarawak waters and can be further explored in the future.

The present study contributes to update the checklist of Lanternfishes species of the genus Diaphus known to occur in the tropical southwestern Pacific. The findings are based on material collected from six recent oceanographic cruises of RV Alis in the Coral Sea, the Fiji Basin and the Wallis and Futuna Exclusive Economic Zone (EZZ). Diaphus spp. samples were obtained using pelagic trawl nets. We identified 20 species of the genus Diaphus. Specimens morphologically closest to D. termophilus and belonging to a possibly undescribed species were also sampled from the Wallis and Futuna waters, highlighting persisting gaps in our knowledge regarding this ecologically important group of fishes. Our collection of specimens, all preserved for DNA extraction, will be useful to complement the current Diaphus barcode database for the tropical southwestern Pacific. Dataset published through GBIF (Doi: 10.15470/ek0u3y)

In this paper, we provide the first record of the white prawn Palaemon longirostris, a palaemonid shrimp with socio–economic interests, in the northeastern coasts of Morocco, and the third confirmed record for the Mediterranean. Future surveys may increase its known range in the Mediterranean Sea.

Islands, islets, and guano capes provide a unique variety of habitats for seabirds. Their variability determines the structure and dynamics of the community. Studies about the temporal diversity and habitat use of these systems in southern Peru are lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze the abundance, composition, and behavior of seabirds at Punta La Metalera (El Faro) in the province of Islay in the Arequipa region of southern Peru. We recorded a total of 12 species. One of these is endemic to the Peruvian coast (Cinclodes taczanowskii), one is considered in endangered (Spheniscus humboldti), and four have been assigned near threatened status (Phalacrocorax gaimardi, Pelecanus thagus, Sula variegata and Larosterna inca). Some of these birds belong to the guano bird group. Laridae was the most abundant family due to Larosterna inca, which showed the highest number of individuals. Temporal variation showed that species were most abundant in December and January. The habitat was mainly used for resting, preening, and feeding. However, nesting was also recorded for six species. Based on the little information previously available for this region our findings indicate that Punta La Metalera is an important area for the development and reproduction of some of the species recorded.

This research aims to describe the ichthyological fauna in the area surrounding the Taiamã Ecological Station in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Three expeditions were carried out, in September 2014, February 2015 and May/2015, in seasons ranging from the hydrological conditions of high waters (flood), low waters (drought), and decreasing waters (ebbing). During the research we sampled 3,664 individuals from six orders, 28 families and 78 species. Characiformes was the most abundant order (̴ 81 % of individuals), followed by Siluriformes (̴ 13 % of individuals), and Gymnotiformes (̴ 4 % of individuals). The most representative species were Moenkhausia dichroura (Kner, 1858), Serrapinus calliurus (Boulenger, 1900), Odontostilbe pequira (Steindachner, 1882) and Pimelodella gracilis (Valenciennes, 1840). The dry period showed the highest abundance (1,541 individuals), richness (61 species), diversity (H’ = 2.69) and equitability (J’ = 0.65). These results fill a gap concerning species composition in the Pantanal, mainly referring to data available on Conservation Unit, and its surroundings. Moreover, this research provides a database to update the checklist of fish species in a remote wetland, offering a tool for management and conservation. Data published through GBIF (Doi: 10.15470/jjpuuu)