ABSTRACT Body size and colour morphs are important life-history traits, and various factors are responsible for intraspecific variation in ladybirds. However, little is known regarding their dynamics in the field populations. To address the tripartite relationship among colour morphs, body size, and adult age, the following three surveys were conducted: First, morph-type (dark and light colour) frequencies were compared between generations and adult age (teneral and post-teneral) in a population in Osaka, Japan. Second, body size was examined by generation, morph type, adult age and sex. Third, body size was compared among morph types based on specimen surveys. The results demonstrated that the post-teneral frequency of dark morphs was significantly higher than that of tenerals in the spring and autumn generations of both sexes. The mean body size of the dark morphs was significantly smaller than that of the light morphs of both sexes in the autumn generation, and there was a similar tendency in the spring generation. The specimen survey also revealed that dark morphs were smaller than light post-teneral morphs. These results suggest that the mortality of the light morphs may be higher than that of the dark morphs during spring and autumn. Therefore, smaller light morph individuals are likely to have shorter longevity. Considering that smaller dark morphs may be able to survive owing to the advantages of solar radiation, the mean body size of dark morphs may be smaller than that of light morphs.

ABSTRACT Passiflora foetida L. is a vine of the Passifloraceae family native to South and Central America that has been widely introduced in many tropical regions outside its native distribution. In some of its exotic habitats, particularly in Australia, it is considered an invasive species that threatens native biodiversity and needs to be managed. Due to the vastness of its native range, information related to natural enemies, particularly highly host-specific ones that could be used as biological control agents, is limited. Entomological research has been carried out in Colombia recently, including the antagonistic ecological relationships between phytophagous insects associated with this plant. The species Philonis inermis Champion, a cryptic stem galling weevil, has been observed to cause significant damage to P. foetida plants, and it may be a candidate for biological control purposes. This species was first described from specimens collected in Mexico, with later reports of its presence in other Central American countries and Venezuela. Still, aspects of its life cycle, immature stages and host plants were unknown until now. A laboratory colony was established using field-collected specimens to record and describe the immature stages and life cycle of this insect. This study provides insights into how the weevils damage the plant, details on their biology, new distribution records and observations of host specificity, information necessary for considering this species as a potential biological control agent. Additionally, this study marks the first record of the genus and species P. inermis in Colombia.

ABSTRACT The freshwater calanoid copepod genus Leptodiaptomus Light, contains roughly 20 species, eight of which have been reported in Mexico. Male and female individuals of an undescribed species of this genus were collected during a plankton survey of a small temporary pond in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The new species is described from adult male and female individuals and was assigned to Leptodiaptomus based on the armature of the male right antennule, the structure of the male right fifth leg, and the reduced third exopod of the female fifth legs. Leptodiaptomus amulensis sp. n. closely resembles L. signicauda, but can easily be distinguished by the shape of the female genital somite, the shape of the male right fifth leg endopod, the non-articulated coxal projections of the female fifth legs, and the presence of spinules on the coxae of both male and female fifth legs. To perform a complete comparative analysis, the type specimens of 20 species of North American Leptodiaptomus deposited in the National Museum of Natural History were examined. The new species L. amulensis has been found so far only in its type locality, with a very limited distribution, as also observed for some of its congeners. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D1C632A6-4549-4F0F-ABA2-4411F2403D6A

ABSTRACT The East Java province is among the most vulnerable regions of Java and still possesses overlooked biodiversity. There are very few remaining areas of pristine forest, including the upper montane forests that are home to a wide variety of poorly known and endemic herpetofauna. From August 2022 to May 2023, a survey was carried out in the upper montane forest of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (BTSNP) to examine the herpetofauna’s diversity and community along the elevational gradient. Out of 20 surveyed sites, we identified 47 herpetofauna species, comprising 20 amphibian and 27 reptile species, including three species of conservation importance, ie Nyctixalus margaritifer, Sphenomorphus sanctus tenggeranus, and Tetralepis fruhstorferi. We found that amphibian and reptile diversity decreased linearly with increasing altitude, with generalist species more abundant at relatively moderate and wide altitude ranges (750–1500 m) and specialist species (even endemics, eg T. fruhstorferi) found at higher and narrower altitudes (>1500 m). This study highlights hotspots for amphibian and reptile diversity where conservation efforts may require different approaches (sites with high species richness but many common species vs. sites with low species richness but including some endemic species). Expanding systematic surveys into currently underexplored areas will also help refine conservation priorities by uncovering hidden diversity and informing more effective, evidence-based management plans.

ABSTRACT The following two novel species of the genus Pheretima are described from Maria Aurora National Park, Aurora Province, Philippines: Pheretima auroraensis sp. n. and Pheretima balerensis sp. n. We also describe three putative species-level taxa, but lack sufficient data to assign formal names. All belong to the sangirensis group with one pair of spermathecal pores in 7/8. Pheretima auroraensis sp. n. has relatively few setae per segment, 26 at VII, 36 at XX; three setae between male pores and pigmented setal rings. The copulatory bursal opening is surrounded by six wedge-shaped pads. Pheretima balerensis sp. n. has relatively abundant setae numbering 45–50 at VII and 61–67 at XX but only 2–6 between the male pores, no ventral setal gap, and striped pigmentation. Two more putative species were found but are not being given formal names. Pheretima sp. 1 has spermathecae in VII (L) and VIII (R), copulatory bursae with ring of wedge-shaped pads; dorsal pigmentation stripes, and setal numbers low for its body size. The spermathecal locations may be an aberration. Pheretima sp. 2 has spermathecae in VIII, copulatory bursae with ring of wedge-shaped pads and an intestinal origin XVII. Pheretima sp. 3. has relatively anterior dorsal pores (9/10), copulatory bursae with an internal glandular mass and pad on roof, ring of five wedge pads surrounding the bursal opening, and very few setae between the male pores. Descriptions of the new species are provided, including illustrations of the ventral view and representative spermathecae. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:05527581-E65F-4191-B779-CEFE339405E1

ABSTRACT One new species of the genus Neoperla Needham, Neoperla yingjianga sp. n., is described from Yunnan Province, China, with colour photograph illustrations, and compared with related taxa. Neoperla melanocephala Navás, and N. monacha Stark and Sivec, are recorded from China for the first time and descriptions of the female and egg of N. monacha are presented. We also provide a map of the distribution of species addressed in this study. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E4DCFB6F-8F55-48FE-8D7C-0797080CEC9A

ABSTRACT Bauerus dubiaquercus is a vespertilionid bat species found from Mexico to Costa Rica, including insular populations on the Tres Marías Islands. It has an insectivorous diet and inhabits tropical evergreen, tropical deciduous, tropical subdeciduous, and cloud forests. In this study, we assembled and characterised the complete mitochondrial genome of B. dubiaquercus. The publication of this mitogenome represents a valuable contribution to the genetic data available for this genus and may serve as a reference for future molecular studies on Bauerus or its relationship with other species in the family Vespertilionidae. The mitogenome is 16,446 bp long and contains the typical 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, two origins of replication, and a control region (CR). Its gene order is identical to that previously reported for bats. The secondary structure of the tRNA genes exhibits the typical cloverleaf shape, except for tRNA-Serine-1, which lacks the DHU (dihydrouridine) arm. Nucleotide composition and codon usage patterns are consistent with those reported for Chiroptera. Selective pressure analysis of the PCGs indicates strong purifying selection across all genes. Within the CR, we identified three microsatellites and one tandem repeat. A phylogenomic analysis supports the placement of Bauerus dubiaquercus within the tribe Antrozoini, closely related to the genus Rhogeessa, consistent with previous taxonomic proposals.

ABSTRACT The Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae is one of the most common shark species in the western Atlantic Ocean and has an important ecological role as prey and predator. In this study, we developed the first genomic resource for this species; we assembled and analysed in detail the mitochondrial genome of R. terraenovae. The A-T rich genome (61%) was 16,707 base pairs long and encoded 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. Of the 13 PCGs, all had the ATG (Met) start codon except for cox1, which uses the GTG (Val) instead. Two PCGs, cox2 and nad4, had incomplete (T) stop codons. All Ka/Ks values calculated for each PCG were < 1, indicating that all these genes are exposed to purifying selection. Of the 22 tRNA genes in the genome, all had typical cloverleaf secondary structure except the trnS1 gene, which had a reduced D-loop. The control region (CR) was 1068 bp in length and contained 11 microsatellites and 3 tandem repeats. Two secondary structures predicted for the CR contained large numbers of ‘hairpins’ of a variety of lengths. As R. terraenovae faces overfishing in the western Atlantic Ocean, this study will be an important resource in supporting conservation efforts.

ABSTRACT Ennearthron melancholicum sp. n. is described based on specimens from a single municipality in the Southeast Region of Brazil, representing the second species of Ennearthron Mellié sensu stricto recorded from the country. We comment on the composition of Ennearthron, formally excluding seven species from the genus and designating them as incertae sedis within Ciini. Additionally, we update the geographic distribution of E. victori Lopes-Andrade and Zacaro, and present a redescription of its genitalia, including a comparison with that of the closely related E. cornutum (Gyllenhal). http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:416A1A8A-DF34-4B79-9F0E-9C2A057CE4FA http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CEE07195-DC8E-4E5E-9BEA-19114CB86F4F