The effects of rainfall and temperature on the seasonal phenology of ant nuptial flights in a forest locality in Ghana was studied for 42 months using a light-trap. A total of 204393 ants was caught. Of the 135 species/morphospecies collected, 40 could not be identified beyond genus, and males of a further 14 beyond subfamily. The commonest 65 species/morphospecies flew a mean of 10.1 ± 0.4 months per year. With the exception of males of Dorylus atriceps, Platythyrea conradti, Plat. modesta, Crematogaster nr striatula plus gynes of Plagiolepis brunni and Cr. [F257], whose peak flights occurred in the main dry season, flight activity coincided with the onset of the rainy seasons. Both sexes of Pheidole megacephala, P. speculifera, Tetramorium aculeatum, and Paraparatrechina albipes plus gynes of Cr. striatula and males of Anochetus africanus, Hypoponera dulcis, Cr. kneri, and T. guineensis flew more frequently on rainy than dry dates. Nineteen species were caught more frequently on dry than on wet dates including most Camponotus, Tapinoma, and Technomyrmex spp. Fifteen species/morphospecies responded positively to increasing monthly rainfall, six to increasing monthly temperatures, and five to the interaction between these factors, with males of A. pellucidus, H. dulcis, and Cr. striatula caught more frequently in wetter, warmer months, and those of Camponotus olivieri and Technomyrmex andrei in drier, warmer ones.

For insects whose larvae are incapable of moving between food resources, the selection of oviposition sites by females is critical to the survival and development of their offspring. In such insects, it is known that females utilise and benefit from conspecific cues for oviposition choice. Studying how information from the behaviour of conspecifics affects egg-laying decision-making is crucial for understanding the biology of insects, which can lead to novel strategies for pest management. We focused on the reproductive behaviour of the Asian long-horned beetle Anoplophora glabripennis, which has become an invasive pest species throughout the world. Here, we show that A. glabripennis avoids sites already containing conspecific cues during egg-laying decision-making. The field survey measuring the distance between neighbouring oviposition scars (in this species, females make scars through the bark of host branches for laying eggs) suggested that the selection of oviposition sites by females is not random. In laboratory oviposition-choice bioassays, females made less oviposition scars on branches containing scars made by other females than those without scars. In addition, female oviposition was also deterred by the presence of their own oviposition scars. Our results indicate that avoiding sites containing conspecific (and their own) traces realises fitness benefit such as reducing resource competition among larvae. This study provides insights into the reproductive behaviour of this invasive longhorn beetle, which is useful for developing environmentally friendly control methods such as oviposition deterrents.

The connectivity between epigean and cave habitats is crucial for maintaining invertebrate communities once it can facilitate faunal movement, organic resource supply, and environmental stability. The study aimed to investigate how some spatial and temporal variations in environmental factors within caves and epigean habitats influence invertebrate species richness and composition. We found a notable difference in invertebrate species richness and composition between cave and epigean environments and between cave lithologies. Moisture and temperature significantly influenced species composition across lithologies and epigean and hypogean environments. Cave microclimatic emerged as a critical factor influencing cave fauna. The dissimilarities between epigean and cave environments underscore the selective pressures imposed by caves, challenging species to overcome such environmental filters. Despite epigean environments offering more significant variability in conditions and resources, the findings highlight the importance of local ecological context and specific situations in shaping invertebrate communities. Furthermore, spatial variability within caves emphasises the necessity for a nuanced approach to conservation, considering the heterogeneity of habitats within each cave system. The study contributes to understanding the relationship between caves and their surrounding areas, emphasising the need for tailored conservation strategies that account for regional and cave-specific factors in the context of global environmental changes.

The Santa Marta Sabrewing Campylopterus phainopeplus is listed as a “Critically Endangered” hummingbird endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) in Colombia. Prior to 2022, there were only three documented sightings of the sabrewing since it was described in 1879, including only one record between 1946 and 2022. As a result, this “lost” species has long been one of the most poorly known birds in Colombia. We located a resident population of Santa Marta Sabrewing along the Guatapurí River near the Chemesquemena and Guatapurí villages in July 2022, and at its type locality, San José, in January 2023. Based on historical data and newly collected field observations, we assess the species’ status and describe aspects of its natural history and ecology. Our review indicates that the species has been frequently misidentified in the past, and that to date, documented evidence of its presence is limited to four localities, all of them restricted to the south-eastern slope of the SNSM, along the mid Guatapurí River basin. Consequently, this bird appears to represent a case of microendemism. This species is likely to remain listed as Critically Endangered until conclusive evidence suggests otherwise. Field observations indicate that the species is highly associated with watercourses, where males hold year-round territories and form leks. We obtained records of males in mid-elevation habitats (1,150–1,850 m) for 16 consecutive months between July 2022 and October 2023, suggesting that the species might not be an elevational migrant, as previously speculated. More information is needed to understand the species’ ecology so that effective conservation actions can be designed in collaboration with the indigenous communities with which the species coexists.

Although octopuses are the third most fished marine invertebrate species in Puerto Rico, there is a lack of information about this fishery. Here, we present the first small-scale study assessing the genetic diversity and connectivity of Octopus vulgaris in Puerto Rico. To achieve this, we applied double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing, using the restriction enzymes EcoRI and SphI in 43 specimens captured from ten locations representing three geographic regions. We used F-statistics and Bayesian analysis to evaluate over 2000 polymorphic loci. We found high genetic connectivity (FST = 0.0008, FST = 0.005), high nucleotide diversity (π ≈ 0.1), and moderate genetic diversity (HO ≈ 0.255–0.361, HE ≈ 0.258–0.373) between the studied regions. In contrast to our expectations, given oceanographic characteristics and distance between the geographic regions, our results suggest a single admixed population of O. vulgaris in Puerto Rico, with no differentiation between the sampled regions. Even though genomics techniques are powerful for inferring population connectivity, researchers should be cognizant of protocol limitations to retain the most reliable information possible.

Despite the importance of the commercially harvested benthopelagic fish Beryx mollis, little information is available on their adult phase and reproduction. This is likely due to the low abundance of this species compared to Beryx splendens and Beryx decadactylus as well as misidentification of Beryx spp. In this study, early life stages of B. mollis were found in the southwest region off Sri Lanka during a survey with research vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen in 2018, coinciding with the southwest monsoon period. As morphological characteristics of eggs and larval stages of the three Beryx spp. are very similar, visual identification to differentiate to species level has always been challenging. Therefore, in this study, DNA barcoding was carried out targeting the mitochondrial COI gene. Molecular analysis confirmed that the collected egg and larvae belonged to the B. mollis species due to their high identity (>99%) with reference to previously submitted adult B. mollis sequences in the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed a closer evolutionary relationship among B. mollis and B. splendens than with B. decadactylus. To the best of our knowledge this is the first genetic and morphological confirmation of B. mollis egg and larvae worldwide and suggests the southwest coastal area in Sri Lanka, in the north central Indian Ocean, as a potential spawning ground for this species.

Outbreaks caused by migrant pests such as the armyworm, Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth, 1809) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are generally unpredictable. In the province of Quebec, Canada, the arrival and dispersal of armyworms is monitored by capturing males using pheromone traps. Because only males are captured in pheromone-baited traps, trap catch is not predictive of subsequent larval occurrence and damage. We used traps baited with a feeding attractant to capture both male and female armyworm moths and evaluate their flight period at 11 sites across the province in 2018 and 2019. The reproductive status of females was also investigated by dissecting their reproductive apparatus to determine if they were sexually active when captured. The results showed two peak flight periods between May and August but high variation at the different sites and between years. Both sexes migrate in Quebec at the same time but in variable and unpredictable proportions. All spring migrant females had mated before capture, whereas some unmated females were captured later in the season. These results provide useful information to better monitor the armyworm in Quebec and to develop more appropriate integrated pest management strategies.

The Myrtaceae is the ninth largest angiosperm family with c. 6000 species, and it diverged from its closest relative the Vochysiaceae c. 100 Ma in southern Gondwana before the final separation of South America and Australia from Antarctica. The family has trees and shrubs and a few viny epiphytes but no herbs and mainly occurs in the tropics and in temperate regions with a Mediterranean climate. Numerous fleshy-fruited species and dry-fruited species have evolved in moist and seasonally dry (fire-prone) regions, respectively. Five kinds of fully developed embryos are found in Myrtaceae seeds, and at maturity seeds are either nondormant (ND) or have physiological dormancy, regardless of embryo morphology, kind of fruit produced, life form, habitat/vegetation region or tribe. Dormant seeds of fleshy-fruited species in wet habitats become ND and germinate at high temperatures. Dormant seeds of dry-fruited species in seasonally dry habitats become ND during the hot, dry season and germinate with the onset of the wet season; seeds germinate only at high temperatures or over a range of low to high temperatures, depending on the species. Seeds of fleshy-fruited species are animal-dispersed, and some Myrteae and Syzygieae are desiccation-sensitive and/or exhibit totipotency. Relatively few species form a persistent soil seed bank, but many dry-fruited species in fire-prone habitats form an aerial seed bank (serotiny). Heat and smoke from fires have a negative, neutral or positive effect on germination, depending on the species. Challenges for maintaining the high species richness of Myrtaceae include habitat destruction/fragmentation, pathogenic fungi and climate change, especially patterns of precipitation.

Pteridium aquilinum, commonly known as bracken, is a fern species distributed in temperate and subtropical regions. In Iran, it primarily grows in isolated populations in the northern regions, and its genetic structure, gene flow and population genetics are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate gene flow and genetic diversity in 11 geographical populations of P. aquilinum in Iran for the first time. A total of 133 plants from different populations were examined, and both morphological and genetic diversity were assessed using start codon targeted (SCoT) molecular markers. Results showed genetic and morphological admixture within populations, likely due to the high mobility of dispersal units in this species. Significant genetic differences were found among populations, but a high degree of genetic variability was observed within individual populations. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between geographical and genetic distances, indicating gene flow between populations. The assignment test revealed genetic admixture among plants from different populations, and Gst analysis of SCoT loci yielded Nm = 0.95, confirming gene flow among the populations. Overall, this study demonstrates that the Iranian populations of P. aquilinum maintain substantial gene flow, which may contribute to the long-term survival and adaptability of this species in the region.

Seed biopriming with Pseudomonas fluorescens as a beneficial microbial inoculant and seed hydropriming with deionized water were conducted with oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Both techniques involve restricted seed hydration followed by seed drying. Seed biopriming reduced the uniformity (time difference between 10 and 90% germination) of germination ca 4-fold, without changing the maximum germination percentages (Gmax) of seed populations. In contrast to this, seed hydropriming improved the uniformity, but not for aged seed populations. The distinct effect of biopriming on germination was caused by the high salt concentration in the priming medium, not by the bacteria or any of the other components. The effects of biopriming duration, seed input and temperature (incubation and drying) were tested and the number of bacteria attached to the seed coat surface was between 1.6 × 106 and 9.8 × 108 colony-forming units (CFUs) per seed. Long-term storage (21°C, <10% relative humidity, 21% oxygen) of dry bioprimed seeds resulted in a rapid decline of bacterial viability, for example (6 h biopriming, 50 g seed input) from 9.8 × 108 CFU per seed to 7.3 × 104 after 4 weeks and 5.0 × 102 after 12 weeks of air-dry seed storage. Seed biopriming and long-term storage of dry bioprimed seeds did not affect Gmax at optimal (24°C) and cold-stress (16°C) temperatures, and did not appreciably affect early seedling growth. Additive biopriming with kimchi paste did not affect the number of bacteria attached per seed but caused an ~800-fold increase in retaining bacterial viability during long-term seed storage.

A subfossil robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) from the genus Lasiopogon Loew is reported from a Beringian rodent, Arctic ground squirrel, Urocitellus parryii Richardson (Rodentia: Sciuridae), midden in the Yukon Territory, Canada, dated to about 16 500 years old. This is the first asilid reported from Quaternary-aged material and represents the first (sub)fossil for this genus and for the subfamily Stichopogoninae.

Lindenleaf sage (Salvia tiliifolia Vahl) is an annual plant native to Mesoamerica that thrives in tropical, seasonally dry environments. It was introduced to Ethiopia in the late 20th century and made its way to the Tembien highlands in Tigray in 2018. With its many branching stems and profusion of seeds, this upright pioneer plant becomes dominant in the herbaceous layer of intensively used rangeland and roadsides before spreading to areas with other land uses, including agricultural land. Visual observations show that S. tiliifolia is not prevalent in areas with less grazing pressure. Farmers uproot S. tiliifolia from their crops, which is rather simple, because this species is easily recognized and its roots do not withstand much force. On rangeland, weeding is labor-intensive. As an alternative, we recommend converting rangelands into managed exclosures to maximize grass production, with initial S. tiliifolia removal. Natural vegetation regrowth in infested places would keep the most significant S. tiliifolia seed supply under control and reduce the species’ invasion of farmlands.

Rainfall is the main driving factor for soil-active herbicides, influencing their incorporation, leaching, and absorption. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of simulated rainfall and hexazinone application rates on giant smutgrass [Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br. var. pyramidalis (P. Beauv.) Veldkamp] control and the impacts of application timing and rates on S. indicus var. pyramidalis in the field. Greenhouse experiments were established in Florida between 2017 and 2018, comprising hexazinone application rates of 0.56 and 1.12 kg ai ha−1, and seven simulated rainfall accumulation volumes (0, 6, 12, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mm), distributed in a completely randomized design with four replicates and a non-treated control. Field experiments were conducted in a split-plot arrangement, wherein main plots were application timings at 1-wk intervals, subplots were two hexazinone application rates (0.56 and 1.12 kg ha−1) and a non-treated control, distributed in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. In the greenhouse experiment, 49 and 92 mm were required to obtain 50% visual control and 35 and 82 mm to reduce biomass by 50% for hexazinone rates of 0.56 and 1.12 kg ai ha−1, respectively. Field experiments showed that hexazinone peak efficacy was from mid-June to mid-August when applications were followed by 10 to 75 mm of rainfall during the first 7 d after treatment. The recommended rate of hexazinone at 1.12 kg ai ha−1 should be applied, as it has an extended window of optimum application timing.

Species abundances and richness are central parameters in ecology and crucial for describing diversity and composition across environments. Understanding how they vary in natural environments is critical for informed conservation decisions, especially in the face of anthropogenic pressures, such as deforestation and climate change. We evaluate the influence of landscape and local habitat variables on the richness and abundances of lizards in the Caatinga, the largest continuous block of seasonally dry tropical forests. We sampled seven lizard communities for three months using visual encounters along transects. We recorded landscape and microhabitat variables and evaluated their influence on lizard species richness, diversity, and occurrence using model selection. Ten lizard species were recorded, with Tropidurus semitaeniatus, Ameivula ocellifera, and Tropidurus hispidus being the most abundant. Topographic complexity and the number of rocky outcrops positively affect species richness and diversity by promoting environmental heterogeneity and hence increasing refuges, shelters, and thermoregulation sites. Different microhabitat and landscape variables were important predictors of the occurrences of individual lizard species. The quantity of rocks significantly increased the likelihood of Tropidurus semitaeniatus occurrence, while litter negatively affected Tropidurus hispidus, and fallen logs increased the probability of Ameiva ameiva occurrence. We argue that preserving topographically complex regions is essential for maintaining the diversity of lizards in the Caatinga biome.

This perspective article takes up the challenge of articulating a political epistemology for extinction studies, centered around how both the systematic-scientific and mythopoetic traditions conceive of the idea of preservation. Political epistemology offers a solution to this for impasse because it asks the question of the social orientation or “end” of knowledge formations, thereby questioning what the larger goal of preservation might be. By focusing on the example of the thylacine, I outline one strand of what a political epistemology for contemporary justifications of preservation in the Museum might look like. Then I discuss how the mode of storytelling in extinction studies also conceives of preservation. Finally, I introduce the idea of replenishment as contrary to the preservation, focused on the cultural practices of Indigenous peoples in North East Arnhem Land, and ask whether new developments in the techno-scientific tradition will begin to turn to replenishment as well.