This study presents the molecular and morphological results from an analysis of water mites collected in southwestern Türkiye. 83 COI barcodes are provided, clustered into 40 BINs, with 23 BINs being unique and deposited for the first time in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD). The first DNA barcodes for eight water mite species are uploaded into the BOLD database. In total, 34 water mite species were identified and one of them, Iranothyas marismortui (Gerecke, 1999) is newly reported from Türkiye. Iranothyas alhajarica Pešić, Gerecke & Smit, 2009 is excluded from the fauna of Türkiye. Sperchon fundamentalis Bader & Sepasgozarian, 1980, a species previously synonymized with S. glandulosus Koenike, 1886 is resurrected as a valid species. One species, Atractides turani Pešić, Zawal, Gulle & Smit, sp. nov. (Hygrobatidae), is described as new to science.

The skate fauna in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (SWA; 34–55◦ S) is represented by ~32 species, many of which share external features that have led to misidentifications and deficient fishery statistics. The use of DNA barcoding to discriminate SWA skate species was explored after 20 years of surveys. COI sequences were subjected to distance-based neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum likelihood (ML), barcode index number (BIN), automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD), and nucleotide diagnostic character (NDC) analyses. For widely distributed species, a haplotype network was built. Overall, 187 specimens and 31 egg cases from 26 skate species were barcoded. NJ and ML analyses showed that nearly all species exhibited unique barcodes or clusters of closely related haplotypes, except for Psammobatis normani/P. rudis and Dipturus trachyderma/D. argentinensis. The first pair was discriminated by NCD. BIN analysis recovered 17 groups, whereas ABGD recovered 23, better reflecting taxonomic diversity. In summary, 24 species were resolved by COI. Phylogeographic signals were observed for Amblyraja doellojuradoi and Zearaja brevicaudata. Compiling our results with data from BOLD, almost all the species occurring in the area possess barcodes, contributing to completing and curating the BOLD reference library, which constitutes an important tool for resolving taxonomic issues, tracing fishery products, and performing eDNA biomonitoring

A new species, Eupoecilia yanbaruana sp. nov. is described from Japan. In addition, Eupoecilia koreana Byun and Jung, 2020 is recorded and redescribed from Japan. Diagnoses of the two species as well as images of adult, male and female genitalia are provided.

New taxonomic and faunistic data on the dysderid spiders of Kosovo are presented, along with a survey of previous records. Harpactea dardanica Geci & Zamani sp. nov., belonging to the lepida species-group, is described as new to science based on male specimens collected in the Bjeshkët-e-Nemuna National Park, western Kosovo. Dysdera adriatica Kulczyński, 1897, D. lata Reuss, 1834, Dasumia kusceri (Kratochvíl, 1935), H. rubicunda (C.L. Koch, 1838), H. srednagora Dimitrov & Lazarov, 1999, and H. tenuiemboli Deltshev, 2011, as well as the genus Dasumia Thorell, 1875, are reported from Kosovo for the first time. Additional records are provided for D. longirostris Doblika, 1853 and H. lepida (C.L. Koch, 1838). DNA barcodes (partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene) were generated for all species. Photographic illustrations are provided for the newly described species, as well as for H. srednagora and H. tenuiemboli.

The taxonomic positions of species in the genus Setina are poorly known and not well established, with ongoing uncertainties in their classification. In this work, the distribution of Setina irrorella pseudoirrorella Freina and Witt, 1985, and Setina cantabrica Freina and Witt, 1985, in Spain and Portugal is updated, expanding their distribution area based on revised bibliographic data and information provided by researchers and public or private collections. The taxonomic status of the binomial flavicans–irrorella and cantabrica– roscida are discussed, and their specific validity is analysed, comparing the differences observed between these taxa, which are studied on the basis of external morphological characteristics, genitalia, and molecular genetics. An updated distribution map is presented. The authors conclude that S. cantabrica and S. i. pseudoirrorella are the only two species of the genus Setina present in the Iberian Peninsula.

The diversity and host relationships of lichen-inhabiting tremellalean fungi remain understudied, partly due to their asymptomatic yeast phase. This study employs ITS2 metabarcoding to investigate the diversity and colonization patterns of these fungi within 13 Pertusaria lichen species collected in Norway. We discovered a high prevalence, with tremellalean fungi present in 57 % of the examined specimens, representing 12 of the 13 species included, 10 of which were not previously recognized as hosts. Our findings suggest a broad host range for the presumed yeast phase of these fungi, though occurrences of the five most frequent OTUs appeared non-random across different host species. Additionally, negative-binomial general linear models indicated a negative correlation between the presence of tremellalean fungi and the occurrence of specific secondary metabolites, such as thiophaninic acid, fumarprotocetraric acid, and gyrophoric acid, in Pertusaria hosts. These results highlight previously undocumented genetic diversity within tremellalean fungi and suggest that host chemotype significantly influences colonization patterns. Our findings demonstrate a higher frequency of asymptomatic colonization than previously reported, emphasizing the need for further research into their ecological roles and interactions.

Parasitoid wasps are important biocontrol agents for agricultural pests, with increasing demand for their use in sustainable pest management practices. Endosymbiotic bacteria of parasitoid wasps can have a range of fitness effects on their insect hosts, and these could be manipulated to enhance commercial stocks. Here, we characterized the diversity and distribution of key endosymbiont species in parasitoids that are important to Australian agriculture. In total, we screened 12 species of field-collected aphid parasitoids, 32 species of field-collected lepidopteran parasitoids, and 11 commercially available parasitoid species sourced from biological control companies. Our results suggest that endosymbiont infections are uncommon across the different parasitoid species in Australia but are found in high frequencies within some species. Wolbachia was the most prevalent endosymbiont in field-collected aphid and lepidopteran parasitoids, and in commercially reared whitefly and scale insect parasitoids. These Wolbachia infections all belong to the Supergroups A and B. Our findings provide a useful basis for future investigations on the phenotypic effects of different endosymbiont infections, with a long-term view to support their effectiveness as agents for sustainable pest management.

The study focuses on the evolutionary and taxonomic dynamics driving cavernicoly (cavedwelling behavior) within Cixiidae planthoppers on La Réunion Island. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the island’s cixiid species reveals that the genus Brixia, the most diversified cixiid taxon on the island, exhibits both epigean and hypogean adaptations. In particular, the lalouettei + clade includes eutroglophile species, with two independently evolved troglobiont species, Brixia briali and Brixia sp. nov., while its sister clade includes only epigean species. Several potential cryptic species are disclosed, particularly within the genera Brixia and Achaemenes. Overall, and corresponding to each genus of Cixiidae present in La Réunion, a minimum of five independent dispersal events must be considered, with potentially even two separate events for the genera Brixia and Achaemenes. In light of the phylogenetic framework obtained, we address the drivers behind cavernicoly in these taxa, focusing on the interplay between external ecological pressures and intrinsic genetic factors. We show that Howarth’s adaptive shift hypothesis, suggesting that species actively colonized caves as new ecological niches being available, aligns well with the observed phylogenetic pattern of close relative species present. However, Vandel’s “climatic relict” hypothesis cannot be discarted in relation with unfavorable surface conditions some 21,000 years ago during the Last Glacial Maximum in La Reunion, that may have pushed epigean species underground. These two processes may not be mutually exclusive. The combination of life traits such as underground feeding behavior on roots, possible relaxed dietary preferences of island taxa, and the weaker defense systems of secondary roots in caves, likely facilitated the adaptation of Brixia species to cave environments. However, if these traits may be viewed as exaptations that enabled these taxa to successfully transition to cavernicolous lifes traits, the phylogenetic-based divergence between a strictly epigean costalis+ group and and its eutroglophile sister clade lalouettei+, suggests that some genetic factors may also play a critical role in supporting cavernicoly.

The Balkans are a recognized biodiversity hotspot. Yet, for many parts of this region, knowledge about the diversity of many taxa is limited. This is particularly true for the spiders of Kosovo, for which increased efforts to elucidate the actual diversity have been started only recently. Here, based on traditional morphological analyses and DNA barcoding data, we present the first records of Nemesiidae Simon, 1889 from Kosovo, including the descriptions of Brachythele kosovarica Geci & Sherwood sp. nov. and Nemesia dukagjinica Geci & Sherwood sp. nov.

Herein, we describe Psora mediterranea, found in the Mediterranean region of Europe. Previously misidentified as Psora pseudorussellii based on morphology, P. mediterranea has a distinct molecular lineage and geographic distribution. This new species is phylogenetically the sister to a species that we henceforth epitypify as Psora himalayana, from the Himalayas. These sister Psora taxa are distinct due to morphology, current known geographic range, and preferred habitat. We provide two updated keys to the Psora species in Europe, including a key with morphologically similar species that may be confused with Psora in this region and a simplified “hand lens” key. To assist with ongoing DNA barcoding of lichens, we publish the first barcode ITS sequences from Psora gresinonis (an isotype) and the first sequences of P. pseudorussellii from North America. We also include sequences from understudied taxa, including Glyphopeltis, Romjularia, and Protomicarea. Further, we suggest updates to the circumscription of the Psoraceae by suggesting a new family for Glyphopeltis, Glyphopeltidaceae, and supporting the placement of Protomicarea in the Pilocarpaceae.