Tightening the requirements for species diagnoses would help integrate DNA-based descriptions in taxonomic practice.

Modern advances in DNA sequencing hold the promise of facilitating descriptions of new organisms at ever finer precision but have come with challenges as the major Codes of bionomenclature contain poorly defined requirements for species and subspecies diagnoses (henceforth, species diagnoses), which is particularly problematic for DNA-based taxonomy. We, the commissioners of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, advocate a tightening of the definition of "species diagnosis" in future editions of Codes of bionomenclature, for example, through the introduction of requirements for specific information on the character states of differentiating traits in comparison with similar species. Such new provisions would enhance taxonomic standards and ensure that all diagnoses, including DNA-based ones, contain adequate taxonomic context. Our recommendations are intended to spur discussion among biologists, as broad community consensus is critical ahead of the implementation of new editions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and other Codes of bionomenclature.

The evolution of conglobation in Ceratocanthinae.

Conglobation is an adaptive behaviour occurring independently in various animal groups. Here, we study the evolution of conglobation in Ceratocanthinae, a beetle group with the ability to roll three body segments into a tight ball. It is here implied that this ability evolved only once in the Mesozoic. Evidence is offered suggesting that the high defensive strength of Ceratocanthinae is due not only to the spherical body shape but also to the thickness and stronger mechanical properties of the dorsal cuticle. We further validate five adaptive characters including the allometrically thickened body wall and find that the specific adaptation of different body segments are likely separate evolutionary events. Finally, we propose an "attackers stress" hypothesis to explain the origin of conglobation behaviours. This work contributes to understanding how and why conglobation behaviour may have evolved in this group.

Description of the male of emPterorthochaetes/em emyunnanensis/em Ballerio, 2014 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Hybosoridae: Ceratocanthinae).

The ceratocanthine genus Pterorthochaetes Gestro, 1898 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Hybosoridae) includes about 26 valid species and occurs from the eastern Himalaya (Nepal and India) and southern China to northern Australia (Queensland) and Vanuatu Islands (Paulian 1978, 1987; Ballerio 1999, 2006, 2013, 2014).

Is it time to describe new species without diagnoses?A comment on Sharkey et al. (2021).

New methods in taxonomy and systematics can influence the overall practice of formally naming and describing biodiversity. DNA barcoding has been controversial since its emergence, but now, large scale species descriptions exclusively based on barcodes have created what can be called a 'new quality of performance. Its limitations are discussed from different perspectives: nomenclature, general pragmatism, and problems of DNA-based species delimitation in the light of the central aim of achieving a robust and stable nomenclature of organisms, essential for all applications of biodiversity research. This issue needs to be addressed to prevent restraining the progress of taxonomy and its ability to contribute to modern science.

Notes on the Chinese fauna of Ceratocanthinae (Coleoptera: Hybosoridae), with description of a new species of Eusphaeropeltis Gestro, 1898.

The genus Eusphaeropeltis Gestro, 1898 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Hybosoridae: Ceratocanthinae) is recorded for the first time from China and Eusphaeropeltis chenchaomingi Jiang, Ballerio, Guo Wang, new species is described from Yunnan Province. Habitus and diagnostic features of the adult of the new species are described and illustrated. Details of Eusphaeropeltis male and female genitalia are illustrated for the first time. All known Chinese species of the subfamily Ceratocanthinae are listed and a distribution map is provided.

Revision of the Australian ceratocanthinae (coleoptera, scarabaeoidea, hybosoridae).

The Australian fauna of Ceratocanthinae (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Hybosoridae) is revised. Two genera are present, both shared with Asia, with a total of seven species, all localized in eastern Queensland and all except one, endemic to Australia. Cyphopisthes is comprised of three species, two of them new (Cyphopisthes yorkensis sp. n. and Cyphopisthes monteithi sp. n., the latter, together with Cyphopisthes descarpentriesi Paulian, 1977 displaying an unusual ecology, with occurrence in the southern Queensland dry rainforest/scrub habitats), and Pterorthochaetes is comprised of four species, two of them new (Pterorthochaetes danielsi sp. n. and Pterorthochaeres storeyi sp. n.). Descriptions, distribution, ecological remarks and a key to species are provided.

Two new records of ceratocanthinae from northeastern Argentina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea, Hybosoridae).

Germarostes (Haroldostes) rugiceps (Germar) and Germarostes (Haroldostes) diffundus (Petrovitz) (Ceratocanthinae) are recorded for the first time for Argentina from Misiones and Corrientes, respectively. This brings to thirteen the total number of the Ceratocanthinae species recorded for Argentina up to now. Some remarks on the type series of G. diffundus and on the collecting circumstances of the Argentine specimens in here discussed are included.

Two new records of ceratocanthinae from northeastern Argentina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea, Hybosoridae) / Dos nuevas citas de ceratocanthinae para el nordeste Argentino (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea, Hybosoridae)

Germarostes (Haroldostes) rugiceps (Germar) and Germarostes (Haroldostes) diffundus (Petrovitz) (Ceratocanthinae) are recorded for the first time for Argentina from Misiones and Corrientes, respectively. This brings to thirteen the total number of the Ceratocanthinae species recorded for Argentina up to now. Some remarks on the type series of G. diffundus and on the collecting circumstances of the Argentine specimens in here discussed are included.

Germarostes (Haroldostes) rugiceps (Germar) y Germarostes (Haroldostes) diffundus (Petrovitz) (Ceratocanthinae) son registrados por primera vez para Argentina, para Misiones y Corrientes respectivamente. Con estos registros se suman a un total de trece las especies de Ceratocanthinae registradas para Argentina hasta el momento. Se incluyen comentarios sobre la serie tipo de G. diffundus y las circunstancias en las que fueron colectados los especímenes de Argentina.