Latest Articles from Evolutionary Systematics Latest 8 Articles from Evolutionary Systematics https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 09:44:07 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Evolutionary Systematics https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/ The sheltopusik (Pseudopus apodus) in southwestern Ukraine? Insights from the museum collection https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/81752/ Evolutionary Systematics 6(1): 71-76

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.6.81752

Authors: Oleksandra Oskyrko, Roman Lysenko, Daniel Jablonski

Abstract: We provide data on the historical record of Pseudopus apodus (Anguidae) from Odesa, Ukraine based on the specimen re-discovered in the museum collection of the National Science and Natural History Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv (NMNH) in 2021. The data show that the specimen belongs most likely to the nominotypical subspecies, P. a. apodus (Pallas, 1775). We discussed the possible origin of the record and we concluded that the specimen was introduced to Odesa most probably from its native range (Crimea or Caucasus). The uniqueness of the record and the past human-mediated interactions thus suggest an allochthonous origin rather than the historical sign of the relict population. Thus, our data clarify the situation on species distribution in the north-western Black Sea region from where we have still limited knowledge.

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Research Article Tue, 19 Apr 2022 09:33:41 +0300
First record of the invasive true bug (Heteroptera) Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) from Hamburg with other records from Northern Germany and possible implications for its range expansion https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/80744/ Evolutionary Systematics 6(1): 57-64

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.6.80744

Authors: Viktor Hartung, Martin Heller, Martin Husemann

Abstract: The invasive pentatomid true bug Halyomorpha halys is reported for the first time from the German state of Hamburg, along with records from several other locations in Northern Germany. Specimens collected by scientists were evaluated along with records from citizen science platforms. DNA barcode sequences of several H. halys specimens from Hamburg were evaluated along with 42 sequences of the species from across the world in a haplotype network analysis demonstrating that all specimens studied from Hamburg had the haplotype H3. The present state of distribution of H. halys in Germany, patterns of range extension, invasiveness, and possible economic impacts are discussed.

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Research Article Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:12:05 +0200
An illustrated catalogue of the type specimens of Lepidoptera housed in the Zoological Museum Hamburg (ZMH): Part II. superfamily Papilionoidea https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/63435/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(2): 193-261

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.63435

Authors: Reza Zahiri, Vazrick Nazari, Hossein Rajaei, Martin Wiemers, Maryam Fatahi, Matthias Seidel, Thure Dalsgaard, Martin Husemann

Abstract: We provide an updated catalogue of the type material of the lepidopteran superfamily Papilionoidea deposited in the Zoological Museum of Hamburg (ZMH). We report 414 specimens labelled as “types” belonging to nine species (all of valid names), 74 subspecies (44 valid names and 30 synonyms), 59 invalid infrasubspecific names under the ICZN code, and 23 specimens of 16 “in litteris” (= unavailable) names. Out of the 414 specimens labelled as “types”, 171 specimens are primary types (8 holotypes/lectotypes and 163 syntypes) and 80 are secondary types; 120 specimens are infrasubspecific and hence invalid and are considered as “original specimens”; and 43 specimens are treated here as “Non-type” specimens (topotype). We present a full bibliography of the original descriptions and illustrations for all of these taxa, aiming to provide a comprehensive taxonomic guide to this collection.

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Research Article Fri, 20 Aug 2021 17:05:11 +0300
Return of the walking dead: First verified record of the shrew Crocidura leucodon (Hermann, 1780) in Hamburg, Germany https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/67302/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(1): 121-128

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.67302

Authors: Robert Klesser, Frederik Jessen, Jörgen Ringenberg, Matthias Preuß, Thomas Kaiser, Martin Husemann

Abstract: The bicolored shrew Crocidura leucodon so far has not been reported in Hamburg with certainty. Some plausible historical records before 1920 are present; in turn, two more recent records are doubtful for different reasons. Hence, the Red List status of the species for Hamburg has to be considered uncertain (either not present, or extinct). A citizen scientist provided a specimen of an unknown shrew, an accidental catch by a snap trap, to the Centrum für Naturkunde. The specimen was caught on the 12th of September 2019 in Tatenberg, Hamburg. It was morphologically and genetically clearly determined as C. leucodon. This find represents the first confirmed record of C. leucodon for the federal state of Hamburg and increases the number of shrew species recorded in Hamburg to five. The Red List status of the species will have to be reevaluated.

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Research Article Tue, 25 May 2021 14:42:39 +0300
An illustrated catalogue of the type specimens of Lepidoptera (Insecta) housed in the Zoological Museum Hamburg (ZMH): Part I. superfamilies Hepialoidea, Cossoidea, and Zygaenoidea https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/62003/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(1): 39-70

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.62003

Authors: Reza Zahiri, Gerhard Tarmann, Konstantin A. Efetov, Hossein Rajaei, Maryam Fatahi, Matthias Seidel, Birgit Jaenicke, Thure Dalsgaard, Marcy Sikora, Martin Husemann

Abstract: Zoological collections remain the main archive of animal biodiversity on Earth, and especially in times of large-scale declines of many groups represent important resources for biodiversity and conservation research. The most important individuals of these collections are the type specimens, which represent the original and unique reference for a species. While a full digitization of most museum collections currently remains utopic, lists of types are an essential resource for researchers to perform taxonomic revisions. Here, we provide an updated type catalogue of the lepidopteran superfamilies Hepialoidea, Cossoidea and Zygaenoidea deposited in the Zoological Museum of Hamburg (ZMH). In this paper, we report 259 specimens labelled as “types” belonging to 36 infrasubspecific taxa (invalid under the ICZN codes), 34 subspecies (16 of valid status) and 13 species (all of valid status). We present a full bibliography of the original descriptions and illustrations for all taxa, aiming to provide a comprehensive taxonomic guide to this collection.

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Research Article Mon, 22 Mar 2021 14:22:01 +0200
The northernmost record of the Asian hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/47358/ Evolutionary Systematics 4(1): 1-4

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.4.47358

Authors: Martin Husemann, Andreas Sterr, Swen Maack, Rudolf Abraham

Abstract: For the first time the Asian hornet Vespa velutina has been found in Hamburg (Northern Germany). So far this is the northernmost occurrence of this originally SE-Asian species in Europe and in the world. It remains unclear whether this is a single accidentally translocated specimen or one of a population already reproducing. The find may suggest that the species will possibly spread much faster than previously anticipated and modelled.

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Research Article Tue, 4 Feb 2020 15:06:40 +0200
Lost and found – Fritz Müller´s type material of Glossiphonia verrucata (Fr. Müller, 1844) (Hirudinida, Glossiphoniidae) with notes on the leech fauna of lake Tegel in Berlin (Germany) https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/30793/ Evolutionary Systematics 2(2): 163-168

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.2.30793

Authors: Uwe Jueg, Peter Michalik

Abstract: In 1844, the famous German biologist Fritz Müller published his dissertation about the leech fauna of lakes in Berlin. This study not only addressed the occurrence of leeches in the different lakes, but also contains the description of a new species - Glossiphonia verrrucata (Fr. Müller, 1844). Unfortunately, he never mentioned how many specimens he found and where he deposited the material of his dissertation research. Thus, it came as a surprise that the material appeared in the small leech collection of the Zoological Museum of the University of Greifswald. Here, we provide an overview of the material focusing especially on the four syntypes of G. verrucata. Since this is a rarely found species, we further explored historical material from the type locality, Lake Tegel, held in other museums. Our survey revealed that the material collected by Müller is the only one known to date from the species-rich Lake Tegel, which is inhabited by 14 species of freshwater leeches.

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Research Article Fri, 30 Nov 2018 09:10:44 +0200
Arachnids in Bitterfeld amber: A unique fauna of fossils from the heart of Europe or simply old friends? https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/22581/ Evolutionary Systematics 2(1): 31-44

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.2.22581

Authors: Jason A. Dunlop, Ulrich Kotthoff, Jörg U. Hammel, Jennifer Ahrens, Danilo Harms

Abstract: Bitterfeld amber, sometimes referred to as Saxon or Saxonian amber, is a potentially significant but poorly known source of arthropod data for the Palaeogene of northern Europe. An important aspect is a long-standing controversy about the age of this amber: namely whether it is equivalent to, and perhaps merely a southerly extension of, the better-known Baltic amber, or whether it is a unique and geological younger deposit sampling a different fauna. Here, we briefly review the Bitterfeld arachnids with particular emphasis on how these data could be used to elucidate the age of this deposit. Five arachnid orders have been recorded from Bitterfeld amber: spiders (Araneae), acariform mites (Acariformes), parasitiform mites (Parasitiformes), harvestmen (Opiliones) and pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones). This is a lower diversity than Baltic amber, where scorpions (Scorpiones) and camel spiders (Solifugae) have also been recorded. Spiders are the most comprehensively studied group, with more than 75 described species. Other groups such as pseudoscorpions and mites appear to be very diverse, but are virtually undescribed. Morphological overlap is apparent in the arachnid fauna and 40 species are currently shared between Baltic and Bitterfeld amber whilst 50 species are unique to the Bitterfeld deposit. At the family level overlap is even higher, but in all groups Baltic amber appears more diverse than Bitterfeld. This overlap may be interpreted as evidence for temporal conspecifity of the Baltic and Bitterfeld ambers, albeit with the Bitterfeld and Baltic ambers possibly representing independent localities within a larger Eocene European amber area which also included the Rovno amber from the Ukraine. However, caution should be exercised because the taxonomic foundation for such assumptions is far from comprehensive, most of the material remains to be studied in detail using modern techniques of morphological reconstruction. There are further issues with date estimates because some arachnid groups show extraordinary morphological stasis over time, even at species level, which may bias the analyses available. Here, we review the available knowledge on Bitterfeld arachnids and discuss how a detailed assessment of this fauna, and other arthropod taxa, could be generated. Several natural history museums – including Hamburg and Berlin – as well as private collectors host major assemblages of Bitterfeld fossils which may help to clarify the debate about the age and provenance of the material, and the extent to which (morpho)-species were maintained both over geographical distances and potentially geological time.

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Research Article Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:56:55 +0300