Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

Understanding behavioral differences between non-native and closely related endangered species could be important to aid conservation management. In volume 169 of Zoology, Bels et al. (2025) reported on their comparison of display-action-patterns (DAP) between native Iguana delicatissima and non-native iguanas present on islands of the Guadeloupe Archipelago in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles. Here, we address conceptual and methodological concerns about their work and reanalyze their data given our proposed corrections, primarily a literature-informed adjustment of their "species" category. We additionally utilize online videos from South American mainland I. iguana populations, from where the non-native iguanas in the Guadeloupe Archipelago originate, to better understand the different DAPs between native and non-native iguanas in the Guadeloupe Archipelago. Significant differences in DAP characteristics among "species" categories (native I. delicatissima, non-native iguanas, and hybrids) show that Bels et al. (2025) oversimplified their data analyses by merging all non-native populations into one group. This result indicates the presence of behavioral variation among subpopulations within widely hybridizing iguanid populations, which has been poorly studied. Additionally, videos from mainland populations across two major mitochondrial clades of Iguana iguana show that non-native iguanas on Guadeloupe retained DAP characteristics of those populations from which they originate. We discuss these findings in light of the proposed hypotheses put forward by Bels et al. (2025), of which two can be excluded. Overall, our reanalysis shows that studies focusing on characteristics within settings of complex hybridization in diverse species should acknowledge this complexity.

Incilius marmoreus inhabits an extensive range along the Pacific Coast of Mexico and a smaller allopatric region in the State of Veracruz, exhibiting an unusual distribution among herpetofauna. Gunther (1901) classified the Pacific coastal toads Bufo argillaceus and B. lateralis as conspecific with Incilius [Bufo] marmoreus, which has its type locality in Veracruz. Here, we adopt a multidisciplinary approach to reevaluate the phylogeography and taxonomy of I. marmoreus by gathering and analyzing morphological data and conducting phylogenetic and population genetic analyses from genome-wide SNP data. Our results uphold the current taxonomy by concurring with Gunther (1901). Our phylogenetic and population genetic analyses suggest that I. marmoreus from Veracruz are closely related to those from Oaxaca whilst coalescent analyses recovered a north-south split along the Pacific Coast estimated to have occurred [~]0.86 Mya followed by a shallow east-west split in the southern lineage that separates the Pacific coastal populations and the allopatric population in Veracruz [~]0.33 Mya. This species displays marked morphological and genetic diversity throughout its range, but this variation appears to be consistent with gene flow across contiguous populations rather than the existence of independent evolutionary lineages. The processes leading to the geographic isolation of the population on the coast of Veracruz remain uncertain, but we hypothesize that climatic and vegetation changes in the Late Pleistocene may have played a role.

Hypanus brevis (Garman, 1880) and Hypanus dipterurus (Jordan & Gilbert, 1880) are currently considered as a conspecific lineage of the "diamond stingray" from the Eastern Pacific. This taxonomic group has been the subject of nomenclatural disputes for about 145 years. To clarify the historical confusion surrounding this lineage, we employed an integrative taxonomic approach using specimens from the Eastern North and Eastern South Pacific (ENP and ESP). The genetic results, based on single and multilocus mitochondrial analyses, revealed a distinct evolutionary unit in the ESP. While morphological analyses detected subtle differences between ENP and ESP specimens, most characters exhibited significant overlap (e.g., disc shape, dentition patterns, body coloration), suggesting low evolutionary divergence. A calibrated molecular clock analysis estimated this divergence at approximately 3.09 Ma. In accordance with Garmans (1880) original description based on specimens from Paita (northern Peru), we formally resurrect H. brevis from synonymy with H. dipterurus. Our findings suggest an anti-tropical speciation pathway, with core populations of H. brevis and H. dipterurus restricted to the temperate waters of the ESP and ENP, respectively. Notably, a single, fixed COI haplotype was detected in all H. brevis specimens from the north-central Peruvian coast. This result may indicate a severe bottleneck event, raising concerns about the genetic health and long-term viability of this vulnerable species. Finally, we analyzed historical fishery data of H. brevis to infer its current population status, suggesting targeted conservation measures and precautionary management to prevent further loss of genetic diversity.

We present new distributional records of Argiope spiders in India, based on more than 10,000 digital images of the genus from the region curated by iNaturalist (www.inaturalist.org). Notable range expansions to India are documented for three species: A. chloreides Chrysanthus, 1961, A. mangal Koh, 1991, and A. sector (Forssk[a]l, 1776). Second, previously unrecorded field characters, updated distributional data, and a re-examination of published descriptions of type material, support the resurrection of A. undulata Thorell, 1887 as a valid species, long treated as a synonym of A. pulchella Thorell, 1881. Finally, we report the first in situ photographic records of live specimens of the rarely documented A. caesarea Thorell, 1897 and A. macrochoera Thorell, 1891. These varied findings for a small and conspicuous taxon highlight the value of online community-science platforms for documenting the arachnofauna of a biodiverse region, as well as illustrate the need for continued taxonomic review, even within well-known genera.

We provide the first comprehensive analysis of the origin of two enigmatic Satyrinae genera of uncertain affinities. Calisto, the only Satyrinae genus from the West Indies and endemic to these islands, has resisted numerous attempts at phylogenetic placement, regardless of the data type or methods used. Llorenteana, a monotypic genus from northwestern Mexico, has never been included in a molecular phylogenetic study, and past authors have placed it in five different genera and subtribes. We used mostly published genomic data, but also newly sequenced whole genome data from museum specimens and old DNA extracts, extracted BUSCO genes and prepared several datasets. These datasets differed in the degree of heterogeneity and saturation, the number of nucleotide positions used (all positions or only the first two), and were analyzed as nucleotides or as amino acids. We employed several methods for phylogenetic reconstruction using both partitioned and mixture models, as well as ASTRAL, and we inferred divergence times and ancestral areas of origin for Calisto and Llorenteana. The phylogenetic placement of Calisto varied among datasets when we used partitioned models and ASTRAL; however, most datasets resulted in the same relationships under mixture models. Our results suggest that Calisto is part of a clade of Old World origin that colonized the New World from north to south, thus sharing ancestry with Nearctic taxa. Llorenteana constitutes one of the earliest splits within the Euptychiina, a subtribe of Neotropical origin, but descending together with the Pronophilina from Nearctic ancestors. We propose the recognition of Erebiina stat. rev. as the only subtribe comprising the former Calistina syn. nov., Callerebiina syn. nov, Maniolina syn. nov., and Ypthimina syn. nov.

In birds, the quadrate bone serves as a hinge articulating with the lower jaw and the skull, playing an important mechanical role in the feeding apparatus. Avian cranial kinesis is dependent on the streptostylic quadrate transferring force from the adductor muscles at the back of the skull toward the beak, as part of a four-bar mechanical linkage to elevate and depress the bill. The complex morphology of the bird quadrate has led to authors adopting a range of alternative terminologies to describe the same anatomical structures and character states, impeding clarity of communication and presenting a barrier to progress in our understanding of the evolution of this important component of the avian feeding apparatus. Here, we reconcile terminological discord among previous studies on avian quadrate morphology and propose a stable nomenclature for future work. To characterise the considerable variation in quadrate form across crown bird diversity, we present an extensive anatomical atlas of the avian quadrate and summarise major patterns of quadrate morphological variation across extant avian phylogeny. In addition, we investigate macroevolutionary patterns in avian quadrate morphology, incorporating comparisons of crown birds and Late Cretaceous near-crown stem birds. We demonstrate that quadrate characters are useful for diagnosing a range of major avian subclades, and suggest that numerous distinctive features are likely to be associated with important biomechanical consequences. This investigation has implications for resolving the unsettled phylogenetic relationships of extinct bird clades such as Pelagornithidae and Gastornithiformes, as well as controversial relationships within several extant groups.

Astyanax Baird & Girard, 1854 is a widely distributed and species-rich genus of Acestrorhamphidae, whose abundant populations in Neotropical basins play a crucial ecological role at the trophic level. Taxonomic uncertainties persist within the genus, as seen in Astyanax sp. (formerly designated as A. fasciatus) from the Magdalena basin in Colombia. Concerns about its genetic status are heightened due to ecological threats posed by hydroelectric dams, from habitat loss to river connectivity. We isolated and characterized 17 microsatellite loci to assess the population genetics of this species in a broad sample from the middle and lower sections of the Cauca River, now interrupted by the Ituango dam. Furthermore, a multidisciplinary approach integrating phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (rag2) markers with geometric morphometric analyses was employed to evaluate potential cryptic diversity within Astyanax sp. Microsatellites revealed two genetic groups in the studied area, strongly supported as distinct lineages by phylogenetic analyses. Unexpectedly, one of these lineages of Astyanax sp. was recovered in an unresolved clade with samples of A. microlepis and allopatric samples of A. viejita from the Maracaibo Lake basin. Each genetic group showed high genetic diversity, but also evidence of recent bottleneck events and significant-high values of inbreeding. Morphometric analyses provided evidence of significant phenotypic differentiation among A. microlepis, Astyanax sp. 1 (Asp1), and Astyanax sp. 2 (Asp2). Morphological patterns ranged from the robust profile of A. microlepis to the streamlined shape of Astyanax sp. 2 (Asp2), with Astyanax sp. 1 (Asp1) displaying intermediate traits and localized differences in head length and fin placement. Statistical support from permutation tests and a high overall classification accuracy (95.65%) underscore the existence of distinct morphospecies, suggesting that phenotypic differentiation is well-established, despite the complex evolutionary history of the group. This study suggests the presence of cryptic diversity within Astyanax sp. and provides valuable genetic information for the conservation and management of their populations in the Magdalena basin.

Abstract/SummaryHere we untangle the systematics of the Asiatic white-eye complex (Zosterops spp.) to better understand the early stages of a recent island radiation. We adopt an integrative approach involving allelic data, genome-scale single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and museum-based morphometrics coupled with a comprehensive sampling to provide the most holistic understanding of the group to date. The island lineages of Asiatic white-eyes across Indonesia, the Philippines, East Asia, the adjacent oceanic islands of the Western Pacific underwent a deep split separating Zosterops everetti and Z. nigrorum in the Phillippines from a very rapid radiation including Z. japonicus, Z. meyeni, and Z. montanus in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. Z. nigrorum catarmanensis on Camiguin South in the Philippines was found to be nested within Z. montanus and a species limit between Z. nigrorum populations on Panay and Luzon was strongly supported. Phylogenetic splits and population structure were detected within the clade containing Z. japonicus, Z. meyeni, and Z. montanus. A well-supported split separates a northern group including Northern Philippines Z. montanus subspecies, Z. meyeni, and Z. japonicus from the southerly Z. montanus taxa. This creates a paraphyletic Z. montanus. However, based on speciation rates within the broader Asiatic white-eye clade this break likely does not yet represent evolutionarily independent species lineages. Morphological evolution is taking place within the Asiatic white-eyes especially within the robust, large-billed subspecies of Z. japonicus on the oceanic islands of Japan and in the newly identified yellow-morph of Z. montanus on Camiguin South.

Uintatheres, mammals belonging to the extinct order Dinocerata, are among the most recognizable of all Paleogene ([~]66 - 23 Ma) organisms. Unmistakable for their bizarre skulls with multiple pairs of horns and saber-like upper canines, uintatheres have captivated paleontologists since the late nineteenth century. Since their initial discovery, uintatheres have been regarded as a classic example of dramatic sexual dimorphism in the fossil record, with males purported to be larger and possess more prominent horns and canines than females. However, the hypothesis that uintatheres were highly sexually dimorphic has never been formally tested. Here, I use traditional, linear morphometrics on a collection including most known skulls of Uintatherium anceps to quantify patterns of cranial variation within this taxon. Despite using a variety of traditional and novel statistical methods, I fail to detect any evidence of strong sexual dimorphism in Uintatherium. To verify my approach, I assembled a similarly sized dataset from Bison bison as an extant analog, and found strong, consistent evidence of sexual dimorphism. In light of these findings, as well as the current understanding of uintathere systematics and paleoecology, I argue that strong sexual dimorphism should not be treated as the null hypothesis for this clade.

The temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest of North America harbor many endemic taxa whose evolutionary histories have been shaped by major climatic and geologic events. The enigmatic taildropper slugs (genus Prophysaon) are one example, notable for their ability to autonomize their tails to escape predators. Despite extensive work uncovering the evolutionary history of individual lineages, relationships among the nine recognized species of Prophysaon remain poorly understood due to insufficient molecular data. To address this, we collected transcriptomes for six of the nine currently accepted species of Prophysaon. Using these data, we were able to resolve species relationships, calling into question the existing subgeneric classification based on morphology. We also detected undescribed phenotypic diversity within the P. andersonii--P. foliolatum species complex, with molecular data supporting the distinctness of two phenotypically distinct populations from Washington. Finally, our transcriptomic data suggest a moderate role of introgression in shaping the evolutionary history of Prophysaon. Here, we synonymize the subgenus Mimetarion with nominotypical Prophysaon. Future work should further investigate whether the undescribed diversity detected here represents species level differentiation.

Animal naming is fundamental to scientific communication, yet it also reflects the historical and cultural contexts in which names are bestowed. Scientific names function as taxonomic labels and enduring records of human engagement with nature. Owing to this dual role, species names have recently attracted increasing attention from historical and humanities perspectives, both for their informative value and for the biases they may encode. To objectively assess these patterns at a large scale, we investigated etymological trends across Animalia using a comprehensive dataset of species names. Our analyses reveal that naming practices are shaped by a combination of historical events, taxonomic traditions, and cultural influences. Major global disturbances coincided with marked declines in species descriptions, whereas advances in biological techniques were associated with shifts in naming practices. Furthermore, etymological trends differed among phyla, indicating that taxonomic communities vary in their naming conventions. These differences suggest that taxonomists preferences, shared aesthetics, available knowledge, and cultural biases are differentially preserved in scientific names. Together, our results demonstrate that zoological nomenclature constitutes a valuable archive for understanding the historical and cultural dimensions of taxonomy.

The early evolutionary history of modern domestic horses (Equus caballus/E. ferus caballus), known as the DOM2 lineage, is well documented due to numerous archaeological and ancient DNA (aDNA) studies. Although many uncertainties remain in the domestication timeline, current evidence suggests that the domestication of modern horses began in the Pontic-Caspian steppe at least [~]2700 BCE (before common era), or even earlier. However, it is not known how long remnant wild horse populations survived or when domestic horses were introduced into Northern Europe. In this study, we review the current knowledge of horse domestication, focusing on Northern Europe. We analysed prehistoric horses from western Russia to assess the body sizes of wild horses from the Ivanovskaya site (5900-3800 BCE) in the Pontic-Caspian steppe, and the body weight of one Lithuanian wild horse (4000-3800 BCE). Additionally, we analysed body sizes of Late Bronze Age-Early Roman Age horses (1100 BCE-300 CE; common era) and re-analysed body sizes and estimated rider weights of historic domestic horses from Lithuania (100-1400 CE). We searched for pathological changes and signs of bit wear indicative of bridling. Furthermore, we investigated maternal genetic diversity by sequencing ancient mitochondrial DNA. We found that wild horses from Ivanovskaya were intermediate in body size between earlier and more recent horses of the Eurasian Steppe, and that the Lithuanian wild horse weighed only [~]270 kg and Late Bronze Age-Early Roman Age horses 200-300 kg. Lithuanian domestic horses were pony-sized (< 130 cm on average). Bit wear was confirmed on one tooth, the oldest domestic horse in Lithuania (799-570 cal BCE). Another tooth showed signs of the Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) condition. Mitochondrial DNA was successfully amplified from one Ivanovskaya wild horse along with 25 other ancient samples, including Lithuanias oldest domestic horse. mtDNA diversity was high, revealing several maternal lineages.

The Santa Catalina Mountains are an iconic member of the Madrean Sky Islands, rising above Tucson, Arizona, USA, where the Catalina Highway connects Sonoran desertscrub to stands of conifer forest nearly 2,800 meters in elevation. As one of the [~]54 forested mountain areas in this system, the Santa Catalinas host unique biotic communities relative to the surrounding lowlands. However, most of these sky islands lack the surveys of resident small mammals (either historical or recent) needed for studying biodiversity in the context of changing climate and habitat use. From 2021 to 2023, we surveyed 10 localities on the north and south slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains using holistic sampling methods to document terrestrial small mammal diversity and preserve multiple tissue types. Here we summarize these new collections relative to previous voucher specimens and human observations, identifying gaps for future work to address. Our survey recorded the presence of 15 species, preserved 150 voucher specimens paired with a suite of flash-frozen tissues, and non-lethally sampled another 219 individuals (ear tissue, feces, ectoparasites, and measurements) to provide populational data from sites where vouchering occurred. Despite the road accessibility and long history of sampling in the Santa Catalina Mountains, our surveys extended the known elevational range for 8 species, including the first known specimen of Reithrodontomys fulvescens from the area. Our use of a transect-based survey design, which maximizes species diversity across biotic communities, paired with holistic specimen preservation techniques, provides a model for surveying patterns of population genetic and parasite sharing relationships across other Madrean Sky Islands, bridging a [~]40 year lull in specimen preservation while adding new data dimensions that promote integrative studies of small mammal biodiversity. With more complete sampling, other mountains will offer promising replicates for studying eco-evolutionary impacts of the regions episodic habitat connectivity. Teaser textSurveying the terrestrial small mammals of the Santa Catalina Mountains, part of the Madrean Sky Islands, we analyze modern occurrences relative to previous records and demonstrate the potential value of holistically surveying sky island small mammals.

The deepest phylogenetic divergence within crown birds (Neornithes) is that between the reciprocally monophyletic Palaeognathae and Neognathae. Extant palaeognath diversity comprises the iconic flightless "ratites" (ostriches, rhea, kiwi, cassowaries, and emu), as well as 46 species of volant tinamous in Central and South America (Billerman et al., 2020). Although the earliest stages of palaeognath evolution remain shrouded in mystery due to a sparse fossil record, a group of apparently volant extinct palaeognaths from the Paleogene of Europe and North America, the lithornithids, can help to clarify palaeognath origins. Here, we use high resolution microCT scanning to characterize the morphology of two lithornithid specimens from the early Eocene (Ypresian) London Clay Formation: the neotype of Lithornis vulturinus (NHMUK A5204), from the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, England, and a newly discovered clay nodule containing lithornithid postcranial remains from the nearby locality of Seasalter. This three-dimensional dataset reveals bones from the L. vulturinus neotype that are partially or completely covered by matrix, allowing us to redescribe this critical specimen in new detail and present a revised differential diagnosis of L. vulturinus. We refer the new specimen from Seasalter to L. vulturinus on the basis of apomorphies such as a proximally directed lateral process of the coracoid, caudally divergent lateral margins of the sternum, an arcuate deltopectoral crest, as well as its provenance from a nearby penecontemporaneous locality. The Seasalter specimen contains abundant postcranial material that provides new insight into bones damaged or missing in the neotype, including two undamaged scapulae bearing the hooked acromion that is a diagnostic feature of lithornithids, two complete coracoids, and a nearly complete three-dimensionally preserved sternum. Its estimated body mass is one third larger than that of the neotype, indicating intraspecific variation within L. vulturinus that may reflect sexual dimorphism. Molecular divergence dates and Cretaceous neognath fossils indicate the presence of total-clade palaeognaths before the K-Pg mass extinction event; detailed anatomical descriptions of Paleogene palaeognaths will assist in the identification of the first total-clade palaeognaths from the Cretaceous, and provide insight into how and when flight was independently lost among Cenozoic crown palaeognaths.

Animal translocations are becoming increasingly popular as a tool for conservationists. Demographic factors can be crucial determinants dictating translocation viability in the short term. Translocated populations pass through artificial bottlenecks and can suffer from founder effects. Reduction in genetic variation relative to their source populations is likely, limiting their adaptive potential. Founder events can increase frequencies of deleterious alleles due to elevated rates of inbreeding and inbreeding depression. Here, we describe the effects of human-driven, serial population translocations on the genetic diversity of critically endangered Anegada iguanas (Cyclura pinguis) in the British Virgin Islands. Though founding populations were extremely small (N=8, N=4), the census sizes of translocated iguana populations increased dramatically over the first twenty years. This implies that these translocations were successful from a demographic perspective despite the small number of animals used, indicating a genetic paradox. To quantify genetic signatures in these bottlenecked populations, blood samples were collected from the source population and two translocated populations and genotyped at 21 microsatellite loci. We found that allele frequencies in translocated populations differed significantly from those of the source, with the translocated populations having less genetic diversity. However, common methods for estimating presence of genetic bottlenecks were non-significant. Estimates of internal relatedness by age class suggest that inbreeding depression may be elevated after translocation, likely reflecting the small initial population sizes associated with these translocation events. Anecdotally, our work shows that translocations may result in subtle genetic erosion that has long-term population viability impacts, even when census size indicates success.

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWSpecies represent a fundamental unit of biodiversity in evolutionary biology, but the nature of the speciation continuum and inadequate sampling of organisms with broad distributions provide substantial challenges to species delimitation. The Pacific Treefrog complex (Pseudacris regilla sensu lato) is an iconic but systematically poorly understood group of chorus frogs inhabiting a vast portion of western North America. Current studies tentatively recognize three species in this complex (P. hypochondriaca, P. regilla, P. sierra), but disagreement remains among morphological, mitochondrial, and nuclear genetic data. In this study, we used thorough geographic sampling and thousands of nuclear loci to clarify the phylogenetic relationships and divergence history of P. regilla s.l. lineages and recommend a new taxonomic arrangement. We inferred recent divergence with gene flow between P. regilla and P. sierra, topological inconsistencies, and genealogical divergence indices that place P. regilla and P. sierra firmly in the "gray zone" of speciation. Pseudacris hypochondriaca diverged over 0.5 Ma without gene flow until recent secondary contact with the "north" (P. regilla + P. sierra) lineage. Based on inferences from our genomic data and recently published acoustic signal differentiation, we propose a two species taxonomy for this complex, recognizing the "north" lineage as P. regilla. Our study shows how extensive geographic sampling, high-throughput sequencing, and multiple analytical approaches can resolve systematic uncertainties in challenging species complexes.

The evolution of body shape reflects the interplay between functional constraints and habitat structure. In fishes, cave environments are well known for promoting regressive traits such as eye and pigment loss, yet their influence on overall body form remains poorly understood. Here, we examine patterns of body shape variation in cave- and surface-dwelling trichomycterid catfishes from northeastern Colombia to assess whether consistent associations exist between habitat type and morphology. Using geometric morphometric analyses, we quantified differences in body shape among species inhabiting subterranean and surface environments. Our results reveal significant habitat-associated differentiation in body shape along the main axes of morphological variation. Cave-dwelling species exhibit more elongated and fusiform body shapes, whereas surface-dwelling species tend to show deeper and more robust morphologies. In a functional context, these contrasting body patterns suggest associations with differing locomotor demands imposed by subterranean versus surface habitats. Although we do not explicitly test convergence or performance, the recurrence of similar body shapes among species from different clades occupying comparable habitats is consistent with repeated morphological responses to shared ecological constraints. Research HighligthsO_LIMultivariate shape analyses reveal significant habitat-associated variation in trichomycterid fishes. Recurrent morphological patterns suggest repeated responses potentially mediated by habitat constraints. C_LIO_LIBody shape differs consistently between cave- and surface-dwelling trichomycterids. Cave species exhibit more elongated and fusiform forms, whereas surface species display deeper body configurations. C_LI

The olfactory system plays a critical role in mammalian environmental perception, with some clades relying on an expanded accessory olfactory (vomeronasal) system (VNS) to detect larger, non-volatile odorants. Mammals make extensive use of this system for social communication between conspecifics. Recent studies have begun to investigate how the VNS changes in response to or as part of ecological transitions. Several studies have identified trends of VNS-associated gene loss or regression in secondarily aquatic mammals. However, continuing discussion on genotype-phenotype correlation within the VNS means that greater effort should be made to investigate the morphology of the VNS in species where it remains poorly understood. Here, we use skeletal and soft-tissue data to demonstrate that the vomeronasal groove, an established osteological correlate for the VNO in bats and primates, is also a valid indicator for its presence in Caniformia. Additionally, we confirm the presence of the VNO in the secondarily aquatic North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) and compare its morphology with that of two close-related species, the semi-aquatic American mink (Neogale vison) and the terrestrial long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata). This study expands the valid taxonomic scope of the vomeronasal grooves proxy as an osteological correlate, confirms the presence of the VNO in the previously undescribed system of the North American river otter, and highlights the complexity of the mammalian accessory olfactory system.

Natural history collections underpin our understanding of species distributions, yet some historical records remain embedded in modern avifaunal checklists despite limited documentation and no independent verification. One such case concerns the Dusky Parrot Pionus fuscus in Colombia: although reported from specimens collected by Melbourne A. Carriker Jr. in 1942 in the Serrania de Perija, the species has not been observed in the country for nearly eight decades yet continues to be included in national checklists and conservation assessments. We reassessed the validity of this record by applying a multi-evidence framework integrating historic archival reconstruction, specimen-based morphological comparisons, climatic niche analyses, biogeographic limit assessment and contemporary survey-effort data. Historical documentation and morphological evidence based on high-resolution specimen images and associated curatorial records demonstrate that the Carriker specimens correspond to Pionus chalcopterus, not P. fuscus. Climatic niche analyses reveal minimal environmental overlap between P. chalcopterus and P. fuscus, and place the Perija locality within the climatic niche of P. chalcopterus, while regional biogeography and extensive modern birdwatching coverage provide no support for the occurrence of P. fuscus in Perija. Together, these concordant lines of evidence demonstrate that P. fuscus does not occur in Colombia. Our findings support its removal from national bird lists and conservation assessments and highlight how integrated, multi-evidence reassessments of historical records strengthen ornithological baselines, improve biogeographic inference and ensure that conservation priorities rest on verifiable evidence.

Macromiidae is a widely distributed lineage of libelluloid dragonflies with a largely allopatric genus-level distribution across the Holarctic, Afrotropical, Australasian, and Indo-Malayan regions. Previous studies involving this family have been complicated by morphological convergence and limited phylogenetic sampling. Here, we present the most densely sampled phylogenetic framework for Macromiidae to date, using Anchored Hybrid Enrichment data from 62 of the 125 described species. Our sampling represents all four genera and major geographic regions, including Libelluloid and Cordulegastrid outgroups. Maximum likelihood recovered three major lineages: Epophthalmia, Phyllomacromia, and Macromia sensu lato, with Epophthalmia strongly supported as sister to Phyllomacromia. Didymops was not recovered as monophyletic and was placed within Macromia, although deeper relationships within the Macromia complex showed some gene tree discordance. We additionally scored seven male genitalic characters and reconstructed their evolution across a dated phylogeny. We revealed that these traits varied heavily in phylogenetic signal, with some characters supporting the major clades and others showing high degree of homoplasy. Fossil-calibrated divergence time estimation placed the crown origin of Macromiidae in the late Oligocene (24 Ma), with other major intrafamilial divergences concentrated in the Miocene. Historical biogeographic reconstructions consistently supported Afrotropical origins for Phyllomacromia, Indo-Malayan centered ancestry for Epophthalmia, and a multi-region history for Macromia + Didymops spanning Indo-Malayan, Australasian, and Nearctic regions. Habitat reconstructions favored lentic ancestry for Macromiidae, and diversification rate variation was best explained by trait-independent models rather than lentic/lotic habitat association.