A new and threatened species of Bondarzewia from the Brazilian cloud forests.

A new and threatened polypore species, Bondarzewia loguerciae, is described from the cloud forests of southern Brazil. It is characterized by single-pileate basidiomata that grow on dead branches and along living stems of standing trunks and present a context with dark lines and resinous tubes. When growing in axenic culture, this species also develops chlamydospores. We provide an illustrated morphological description and molecular analysis. Our specimens from Brazil form a monophyletic group among other species of the Southern Hemisphere. The conservation status of B. loguerciae is assessed and published as "Critically Endangered" based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature  (IUCN) criteria. Additionally, a key to the species is provided.

Genomes of the Orestias pupfish from the Andean Altiplano shed light on their evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships within Cyprinodontiformes.

BACKGROUND: To unravel the evolutionary history of a complex group, a comprehensive reconstruction of its phylogenetic relationships is crucial. This requires meticulous taxon sampling and careful consideration of multiple characters to ensure a complete and accurate reconstruction. The phylogenetic position of the Orestias genus has been estimated partly on unavailable or incomplete information. As a consequence, it was assigned to the family Cyprindontidae, relating this Andean fish to other geographically distant genera distributed in the Mediterranean, Middle East and North and Central America. In this study, using complete genome sequencing, we aim to clarify the phylogenetic position of Orestias within the Cyprinodontiformes order. RESULTS: We sequenced the genome of three Orestias species from the Andean Altiplano. Our analysis revealed that the small genome size in this genus (~ 0.7 Gb) was caused by a contraction in transposable element (TE) content, particularly in DNA elements and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs). Using predicted gene sequences, we generated a phylogenetic tree of Cyprinodontiformes using 902 orthologs extracted from all 32 available genomes as well as three outgroup species. We complemented this analysis with a phylogenetic reconstruction and time calibration considering 12 molecular markers (eight nuclear and four mitochondrial genes) and a stratified taxon sampling to consider 198 species of nearly all families and genera of this order. Overall, our results show that phylogenetic closeness is directly related to geographical distance. Importantly, we found that Orestias is not part of the Cyprinodontidae family, and that it is more closely related to the South American fish fauna, being the Fluviphylacidae the closest sister group. CONCLUSIONS: The evolutionary history of the Orestias genus is linked to the South American ichthyofauna and it should no longer be considered a member of the Cyprinodontidae family. Instead, we submit that Orestias belongs to the Orestiidae family, as suggested by Freyhof et al. (2017), and that it is the sister group of the Fluviphylacidae family, distributed in the Amazonian and Orinoco basins. These two groups likely diverged during the Late Eocene concomitant with hydrogeological changes in the South American landscape.

Concordance among lacustrine communities are low and inconsistent in the conterminous United States.

Concordance occurs when two or more biological groups are correlated to each other. Examining the degree of concordance between communities has been a central goal in ecology. However, few studies have assessed the levels of community concordance at large spatial scales. We used a dataset obtained by the National Lakes Assessment (United States Environmental Protection Agency) to evaluate whether (i) the levels of concordance between aquatic communities were higher at the continental scale than within individual ecoregions of the United States and (ii) whether the levels of concordance between phytoplankton and zooplankton were higher than those between the plankton and macroinvertebrates communities. At the continental scale, the levels of concordance between different pairs of aquatic communities were low and did not exceed those within the ecoregions. Furthermore, levels of concordance varied considerably among ecoregions. Our results suggest that interactions between aquatic communities likely determined concordance patterns; however, the expectation of higher levels of concordance between the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities than between them and the macroinvertebrates community was not supported. The consistently low and variable levels of concordance suggest that using surrogate groups is not recommendable for monitoring lakes in the United States, both at the continental and regional scales. According to our results, the prospect of using the surrogacy approach was low even for aquatic communities that are highly interactive or driven by similar environmental factors.

From molecular variations to behavioral adaptations: Unveiling adaptive epistasis in primate oxytocin system.

OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective was to investigate the variability of oxytocin (OT) and the GAMEN binding motif within the LNPEP oxytocinase in primates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We sequenced the LNPEP segment encompassing the GAMEN motif in 34 Platyrrhini species, with 21 of them also sequenced for the OT gene. Our dataset was supplemented with primate sequences of LNPEP, OT, and the oxytocin receptor (OTR) sourced from public databases. Evolutionary analysis and coevolution predictions were made followed by the macroevolution analysis of relevant amino acids associated with phenotypic traits, such as mating systems, parental care, and litter size. To account for phylogenetic structure, we utilized two distinct statistical tests. Additionally, we calculated binding energies focusing on the interaction between Callithtrix jacchus VAMEN and Pro8OT. RESULTS: We identified two novel motifs (AAMEN and VAMEN), challenging the current knowledge of motif conservation in placental mammals. Coevolution analysis demonstrated a correlation between GAMEN, AAMEN, and VAMEN and their corresponding OTs and OTRs. Callithrix jacchus exhibited a higher binding energy between VAMEN and Pro8OT than orthologous molecules found in humans (GAMEN and Leu8OT). DISCUSSION: The coevolution of AAMEN and VAMEN with their corresponding OTs and OTRs suggests a functional relationship that could have contributed to specific reproductive and adaptive behaviors, including paternal care, social monogamy, and twin births, prominent traits in Cebidae species, such as marmosets and tamarins. Our findings underscore the coevolution of taxon-specific amino acids among the three studied molecules, shedding light on the oxytocinergic system as an adaptive epistatic repertoire in primates.

Austropuccinia licaniae, first congeneric with the myrtle rust pathogen A. psidii.

In 1895 and 2001, rust fungi affecting Licania trees (Chrysobalanchaceae) in Brazil were described as Uredo licaniae by Hennings in the state of Goiás and as Phakopsora tomentosae by Ferreira et al. in the state of Amazonas, respectively. Recently, a Licania rust fungus collected close to the Amazonian type location sharing symptoms with the former two species was subjected to morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses using 28S nuc rDNA (ITS2-28S) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (CO3) gene sequences. Since the original type specimen of Ph. tomentosae is considered lost, we carefully reviewed the type description and questioned the identity of the telium, which justified the description of the fungus as a Phakopsora species. Furthermore, the additional revision of the type material described by Hennings revealed that Ph. tomentosae is a synonym of U. licaniae. Based on the morphological examinations, disease symptoms, and shared hosts, we concluded that the newly collected material is conspecific with U. licaniae. However, the phylogenetic analyses rejected allocation in Phakopsora and instead assigned the Licania rust fungus in a sister relationship with Austropuccinia psidii (Sphaerophragmiaceae), the causal agent of the globally invasive myrtle rust pathogen. We therefore favored a recombination of U. licaniae (syn. Ph. tomentosae) into Austropuccinia and proposed the new name Austropuccina licaniae for the second species now identified for this genus. The fungus shares conspicuous symptoms with A. psidii, causing often severe infections of growing leaves and shoots that lead to leaf necrosis, leaf shedding, and eventually to the dieback of entire shoots. In view of the very similar symptoms of its aggressively invasive sister species, we briefly discuss the current state of knowledge about A. licaniae and the potential risks, and the opportunity of its identification.

Exploring the interplay between running exercises, microbial diversity, and tryptophan metabolism along the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

The emergent recognition of the gut-brain axis connection has shed light on the role of the microbiota in modulating the gut-brain axis's functions. Several microbial metabolites, such as serotonin, kynurenine, tryptamine, indole, and their derivatives originating from tryptophan metabolism have been implicated in influencing this axis. In our study, we aimed to investigate the impact of running exercises on microbial tryptophan metabolism using a mouse model. We conducted a multi-omics analysis to obtain a comprehensive insight into the changes in tryptophan metabolism along the microbiota-gut-brain axis induced by running exercises. The analyses integrated multiple components, such as tryptophan changes and metabolite levels in the gut, blood, hippocampus, and brainstem. Fecal microbiota analysis aimed to examine the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, and taxon-function analysis explored the associations between specific microbial taxa and functional activities in tryptophan metabolism. Our findings revealed significant alterations in tryptophan metabolism across multiple sites, including the gut, blood, hippocampus, and brainstem. The outcomes indicate a shift in microbiota diversity and tryptophan metabolizing capabilities within the running group, linked to increased tryptophan transportation to the hippocampus and brainstem through circulation. Moreover, the symbiotic association between Romboutsia and A. muciniphila indicated their potential contribution to modifying the gut microenvironment and influencing tryptophan transport to the hippocampus and brainstem. These findings have potential applications for developing microbiota-based approaches in the context of exercise for neurological diseases, especially on mental health and overall well-being.

Intermittent migration can induce pulses of speciation in a two-island system.

Geographic barriers can come and go depending on natural conditions. These fluctuations cause population cycles of expansion and contraction, introducing intermittent migrations that may not hinder speciation but rather promote diversification. Here, we study a neutral 2-island speciation model with intermittent migration driven by sea-level fluctuations. Seabed depth modulates isolation and connection periods between the islands, with migration occurring during connection periods with a certain probability. Mating is restricted to genetically compatible individuals on the same island and offspring inherit genomes from both parents through recombination. We observe speciation pulses that would not occur under strict isolation or continuous migration, with infrequent, temporary increases in species richness happening at different times depending on the combination of geographic settings and migration probability. The resulting dynamic patterns of richness exhibit contrasting behavior between connected and isolated scenarios, often including species that do not persist. Prolonged isolation can reduce richness to 1 species per island, resembling patterns commonly associated with archipelagos under sea-level fluctuations. Together with other studies, our results in out-of-equilibrium populations support the relevance of investigating the impact of variable migration on diversification, particularly in regions of high diversity.

First molecular evidence of lichen-inhabiting Acrospermum and new insights into the evolution of lifestyles of Acrospermales (Dothideomycetes).

Acrospermales represent one of the least studied lineages of Dothideomycetes and are characterized by diverse ecological strategies, including saprotrophic, epiphytic, fungicolous, lichenicolous, and bryophilous lifestyles. The order is composed of two teleomorphic genera, Acrospermum and Oomyces, and five anamorphic genera of unclear relationships. The objectives of the study were to establish the phylogenetic position of Acrospermum species collected from lichens in the tropical forest of Bolivia and to infer the evolution of the lichenicolous lifestyle in Acrospermales. Our results reveal that the examined specimens from Bolivia represent a new species, A. bolivianum, which is well characterized by its phylogenetic distinctness, morphological characteristics, and host selection. The new species is the first lichenicolous member of Acrospermum and forms a well-supported clade sister to the bryophilous Acrospermum adeanum. The evolution of lifestyles, concluded by phylogenetic analyses and ancestral state reconstructions, indicated that the saprotrophic lifestyle is ancestral to Acrospermales. This corresponds to their close relationship to other saprotrophic lineages of Dothideomycetes and indicates that the wide spectrum of nutritional strategies, currently observed in Acrospermales, may be a result of more recent shifts in their ecology. Our results also suggest that the lichenicolous lifestyle in Acrospermales appeared independently at least two times. Lichenicolous species are represented in our data set by Acrospermum bolivianum and Gonatophragmium physciae, which evolved from lichenicolous and plant-parasite ancestors, respectively. The genus Oomyces, represented by O. carneoalbus, was included for the first time in the phylogenetic analysis and showed a sister relationship to the remaining taxa of Acrospermales.

Reproductive isolation between two sympatric bat-pollinated Bauhinia (Leguminosae).

Several barriers contribute to reproductive isolation between plant species, which can be classified as pre- or post-pollination. Understanding the strength of these barriers could clarify the factors that maintain reproductive isolation and thus species integrity. In this study, we quantified reproductive isolation between two bat-pollinated co-occurring Bauhinia species (B. acuruana and B. pentandra) with similar flower morphology. Over the course of 18 months, we assessed reproductive isolation between these two Bauhinia species by quantifying the individual strengths and absolute contributions of five pre- and post- pollination barriers. Our data showed that both species are completely isolated in their reproduction by a combination of several barriers. Although they co-occur in a few populations, we found a high degree of geographic isolation between them. And although their flowering periods overlap, there is a significant difference in flowering peaks. Both species have the same pollinating bats, but the interspecific transfer of pollen between the plant species may be reduced due to the different length of the flower stamens, resulting in different pollen deposition on the bats' bodies. We have documented complete incompatibility between taxa and conclude that pre- and post-pollination barriers are important factors in preventing gene flow, even in contact zones between these two species of Bauhinia. We highlight that our work is the first study to use methods to estimate the strength of reproductive isolation barriers between bat-pollinated species.

A new species of Mollinedia (Monimiaceae, Laurales) from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil.

Monimiaceae comprises approximately 26 genera and 250 species, with a pantropical distribution, predominantly occurring in humid forests. In Brazil, it is represented by five genera and 47 species, most of which are found in the Atlantic Forest, particularly in dense ombrophilous forest. Nevertheless, studies on this family in other biomes and vegetation types in Brazil are still scarce. The Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF), a region located in the state of Minas Gerais, exhibits high plant species richness and endemism. During collections and analysis of herbarium materials from this region, some specimens of Mollinedia caught our attention due to a combination of characteristics that do not match those of any described species within the genus. For this reason, we describe this new taxon and assess its risk of extinction. Additionally, we review the occurrences of Monimiaceae in the QF and provide maps of its geographical distribution. With the description of this new species, the region now hosts eight species of Monimiaceae, two from the genus Macropeplus and six from Mollinedia. The new species is the first endemic species of the Monimiaceae family to be described in the QF. Concerning the extinction risk assessment, the new species was assessed as critically endangered.

ResumoMonimiaceae abrange c. 26 gêneros e 250 espécies, tem distribuição pantropical e suas espécies ocorrem predominantemente em florestas úmidas. No Brasil está representada por cinco gêneros e 47 espécies, a maior parte das quais com ocorrência na Mata Atlântica, em floresta ombrófila densa. Estudos com a família em outros biomas e vegetações ainda são escassos no Brasil. O Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF), região localizada no estado de Minas Gerais, possui alta riqueza e endemismo de plantas. Durante coletas e análise de materiais herborizados da região, alguns espécimes de Mollinedia nos chamaram a atenção devido a uma combinação de caracteres que não coincidem com nenhuma espécie descrita para o gênero. Este novo táxon é aqui descrito e tem seu risco de extinção avaliado, além disso, revisamos as ocorrências de Monimiaceae no QF, e fornecemos mapas de distribuição geográfica. Com a descrição desta nova espécie, a região apresenta agora oito espécies de Monimiaceae, duas do gênero Macropeplus e seis de Mollinedia. A nova espécie é a primeira da família endêmica do QF. Em relação à avaliação do risco de extinção, a nova espécie foi categorizada como Criticamente em Perigo.

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the genera of Erysiphaceae, part 3: Cystotheca.

This contribution is part of a series devoted to the phylogeny and taxonomy of powdery mildews, with an emphasis on North American taxa. An overview of Cystotheca species is given, including references to ex-type sequences or, if unavailable, proposals for representative reference sequences for phylogenetic-taxonomic purposes. The new species C. mexicana is described, based on Mexican collections on Quercus glaucoides × Quercus microphylla and Quercus liebmannii × Q. microphylla. Cystotheca lanestris is reported for the first time worldwide on Quercus laceyi (Collected in Mexico) and on Q. toumeyi (collected in Arizona, USA). Cystotheca lanestris on Q. agrifolia and on Q. cerris is reported for the first time in Mexico. Epitypes with ex-epitype sequences are designated for Cystotheca wrightii, Lanomyces tjibodensis (= C. tjibodensis), Sphaerotheca kusanoi, and S. lanestris (C. lanestris).

Nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene for phylogeny of some species of Rodentia

Order Rodentia contains approximately half of all living mammalian species. Most of the living species diversity within rodents is within five monophyletic radiations: Hystricognathi, Sciuridae, Geomyoidea, Dipodidae, and Muroidea. The samples collected across different areas of Egypt were analyzed by means of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence analysis to ascertain the true taxonomic status between the studied species. For phylogenetic analysis, the cytochrome b sequences from this study were combined with previously published data. This study reveals that all species were divided into two main clades, the first for the Gerbillinae taxon and the second for the other studied genera in the molecular phylogenetic trees and demonstrates that Gerbillus species form a sister group with Dipodillus species. The phylogenetic relationships specified for the murine genera. Clustering was obtained between Mus and Rattus as well as in all Gerbillinae species. This study provides the first insight into the genetic diversity of some rodents in Egypt.

Acrogenospora terricola sp. nov., a fungal species associated with seeds of pioneer trees in the soil seed bank of a lowland forest in Panama.

As currently circumscribed, Acrogenospora (Acrogenosporaceae, Minutisphaerales, Dothideomycetes) is a genus of saprobic hyphomycetes with distinctive conidia. Although considered common and cosmopolitan, the genus is poorly represented by sequence data, and no neotropical representatives are present in public sequence databases. Consequently, Acrogenospora has been largely invisible to ecological studies that rely on sequence-based identification. As part of an effort to identify fungi collected during ecological studies, we identified strains of Acrogenospora isolated in culture from seeds in the soil seed bank of a lowland tropical forest in Panama. Here we describe Acrogenospora terricola sp. nov. based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. We confirm that the genus has a pantropical distribution. The observation of Acrogenospora infecting seeds in a terrestrial environment contrasts with previously described species in the genus, most of which occur on decaying wood in freshwater environments. This work highlights the often hidden taxonomic value of collections derived from ecological studies of fungal communities and the ways in which rich sequence databases can shed light on the identity, distributions and diversity of cryptic microfungi.

Cordyceps mexicana sp. nov., parasitizing Paradirphia sp. moths: A new sister species of the Cordyceps militaris complex, distributed in central Mexican Quercus-Pinus mixed forests.

Cordyceps s.l. is a paraphyletic group of ascomycete fungi that exhibit multifunctional lifestyles, that is, as saprotrophs, endophytes, and pathogens of insects, spiders, fungi, and grasses. The family Cordycipitaceae includes macroscopically similar species that have been erroneously considered to be conspecific with Cordyceps militaris. In this study, we describe a new species within the C. militaris complex that is distributed in the Quercus-Pinus forests of central Mexico on the basis of its morphology, phylogenetic relationships, and life cycle. Phylogenetically, Cordyceps mexicana is a well-supported new sister species of the C. militaris complex. It is distinguished by the morphology of its conidiophore, host association, and geographic distribution. This species parasitizes pupae of Paradirphia sp. (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) and might be macroscopically confused with C. militaris. Its stromata are large, can measure up to 10 cm in length, and the fertile part is always bright yellow. This species develops whitish mycelial cords that emerge from the stromata and grow toward the host. Microscopically, it develops asci with filiform ascospores disarticulating in part-spores. Its life cycle and geographic distribution are also discussed.

Diachea mitchellii: A new myxomycete species from high elevation forests in the tropical Andes of Peru.

A new species of the genus Diachea (order Physarales, Myxomycetes, Amoebozoa) is described from Peru. Relevant details on spore germination, as well as morphological and phylogenetic data, are provided. At first glance, the new species shares some morphological similarities with both D. leucopodia, type of the genus, and D. koazei, but it strikingly differs from all other species of its genus by combining a short dark stalk, with a reticulate columella, and clustered spores. Moreover, it seems to be the only species of Diachea exclusively associated with Polylepis tropical forests at elevations above 3500 m. Apart from a comprehensive morphological study of 31 specimens, we here provide phylogenetic evidence to confirm the inclusion of this species in the genus Diachea. Specifically, our phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear 18S rDNA (18S), mitochondrial 17S rDNA (17S), and elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α) genes show that the new species is related to D. leucopodia and D. bulbillosa. The remarkably different morphological characters distinguishing the new Diachea from all other species of its genus, along with its particular ecological preferences and geographic distribution, indicate that it is a distinct entity deserving recognition as an independent species.

Fusarium mirum sp. nov, intertwining Fusarium madaense and Fusarium andiyazi, pathogens of tropical grasses.

Many species in the Fusarium fujikuroi Species Complex (FFSC) have an affinity for grass species, with whom they live in an endophytic association or cause disease. We recovered isolates of Fusarium from agriculturally important grasses in Africa and Brazil, and characterized them with morphological markers, mating type, and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs). We also conducted multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on partial DNA sequences of translation elongation factor-1α (TEF1), ß-tubulin (TUB), and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase (RPB2) gene regions. Sexual cross fertility was used to test the biological species concept and the sexual stage of F. madaense is described. A novel species within the FFSC, Fusarium mirum, that is different from the other known species in the complex, was formally described. Fusarium mirum, F. madaense, and Fusarium andiyazi are a tightly intertwined species trio that are morphologically identical, but phylogenetically distinguishable, and amongst whom interspecific genetic exchange may still occur. These three species are so close that they cannot be reliably distinguished if only sequences of the TEF1 gene are used. In pathogenicity tests, all tested isolates of F. madaense from sugarcane, sorghum, maize, millet and Brachiaria could induce stalk rot in sorghum, maize and millet, and pokkah boeng in sugarcane. This study increases our understanding of the diversity of species within the FFSC that cause disease in tropical grasses or act as endophytes, and their geographic distributions. The genetically close relationship between F. mirum, F. madaense, and F. andiyazi provides an opportunity to study and identify factors underlying their limited inter-specific cross-fertility and sympatric speciation.

Fusarium chaquense, sp. nov, a novel type A trichothecene-producing species from native grasses in a wetland ecosystem in Argentina.

The Chaco wetland is among the most biologically diverse regions in Argentina. In collections of fungi from asymptomatic native grasses (Poaceae) from the wetlands, we identified isolates of Fusarium that were morphologically similar to F. armeniacum, but distinct from it by their production of abundant microconidia. All the isolates had identical, or nearly identical, partial sequences of TEF1 and RPB2. But they were distinct from reference sequences from F. armeniacum and Fusarium species closely related to it. Phylogenetic analysis of 34 full-length housekeeping gene sequences retrieved from whole genome sequences of three Chaco wetland isolates, 29 genes resolved the isolates as an exclusive clade within the F. sambucinum species complex. Based on results of the morphological and phylogenetic analysis, we concluded that the Chaco wetland isolates are a distinct and novel species, herein described as Fusarium chaquense, sp. nov., which is closely related to F. armeniacum. F. chaquense in culture can produce the trichothecenes T-2 and HT-2 toxin, neosolaniol, diacetoxyscirpenol, and monoacetoxyscirpenol, as well as beauvericin and the pigment aurofusarin. Genome sequence analysis also revealed the presence of three previously described loci required for trichothecene biosynthesis. This research represents the first study of Fusarium in a natural ecosystem in Argentina.

Description of Tabanusrondoniensis (Diptera: Tabanidae), a new species of horsefly from the State of Rondônia, Brazil.

Background: The genus Tabanus Linnaeus has a worldwide distribution and is the richest in species; however, it is probably not monophyletic. In the Neotropical Region, its richness is certainly underestimated, mainly due to the large number of species and the absence of recent taxonomic revisions. New information: We describe Tabanusrondoniensis sp. n. from the State of Rondônia, Brazil, based on a conspicuous tabanid species possibly related to the T.nebulosus species group. Diagnosis, discussion and illustrations are also provided.

Didymium pseudonivicola: A new myxomycete from the austral Andes emerges from broad-scale morphological and molecular analyses of D. nivicola collections.

A new nivicolous myxomycete is described as a result of a comprehensive study of Didymium nivicola collections from the entire range of its occurrence. Statistical analysis of 12 morphological characters, phylogenetic analyses of nuc 18S rDNA and elongation factor 1-alpha gene (EF1A), and a delimitation method (automatic barcode gap diversity) have been applied to corroborate the identity of the new species. A preliminary morphological analysis of D. nivicola revealed high variability of South American populations where four types of spore ornamentation were noted. However, results of molecular study and statistical analysis of morphological characters did not support recognition of these four forms but the distinction of two morphotypes. Consequently, two species have been recognized: D. nivicola and the newly proposed D. pseudonivicola. The new species can be distinguished from D. nivicola by distinctly larger and mostly plasmodiocarpic sporophores, which are scattered to gregarious, paler spores, and by the paler, more delicate and more elastic capillitium. Spore ornamentation of D. pseudonivicola is uniform and can be described as distinctly spiny (pilate under scanning electron microscope [SEM]), whereas those of D. nivicola is more variable, where spines (pilae under SEM) are delicate, distinct, or conspicuous. Additionally, whereas D. nivicola is a species distributed worldwide, D. pseudonivicola occurs only in the austral Andes of Argentina and Chile.

A New Species of Dynamine Hübner, [1919] (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Biblidinae) from the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil.

A new butterfly species, Dynamine sideria Rosa & Freitas sp. nov. (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae), is described from the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil. The new species is known from only seven adult specimens and three observation records (two from photographs) in five sites, including a large forest reserve, forest fragments on a disturbed landscape, and a backyard in a dense urban site. Illustrations of adults and male genitalia are provided, as well as a distribution map and limited natural history notes.