Our Work

In addition to their importance for biodiversity and food production, Austrian carp ponds fulfill essential hydrological functions. Water retention, in particular, is becoming increasingly important, …

In addition to their importance for biodiversity and food production, Austrian carp ponds fulfill essential hydrological functions. Water retention, in particular, is becoming increasingly important, both during dry periods and during heavy rainfall events. During the floods in September 2024, which severely affected parts of Lower Austria, it was observed regionally that ponds can retain significant amounts of water and thereby reduce peak runoff. Due to the preceding dry spell, many ponds had water levels below their maximum capacity. In addition, following relevant weather warnings, pond operators lowered the water levels in the other ponds. As a result, the ponds of Lower Austria were able to retain a considerable amount of water.  

Zootaxa recently published a monograph entitled "Studies on pygmy grasshoppers: On the current Metrodorinae sensu lato classification (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae) with emphasis on American and Malagasy ta…

Zootaxa recently published a monograph entitled "Studies on pygmy grasshoppers: On the current Metrodorinae sensu lato classification (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae) with emphasis on American and Malagasy taxa" by Cadena-Castañeda et al. (2025b). This monograph represents the most expansive revision of Tetrigidae taxonomy in recent history, spanning nearly 300 pages. Across South America and Madagascar, the authors describe two new subfamilies, seven new tribes, 12 new genera and 11 new species in their revision of the subfamily Metrodorinae. The revision of this subfamily is much needed and the monograph in question provides valuable data in the form of type specimen photographs. However, in this paper, we present numerous concerns regarding this revision, including factual errors, omissions of key information, questionable taxonomic decisions and inconsistently applied diagnostic characters. Most of the newly-described taxa lack any diagnostic information and their compositions, coupled with the provided data, do not allow for differentiation between taxa, prompting us to propose numerous taxonomic acts: Platytettix Hancock, 1906 syn. of Metrodora Bolívar, 1887; Tylotettix Morse, 1900 syn. of Metrodora; Hebardidora Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares, 2025, syn. nov. of Metrodora; Bolivaridora Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares, 2025, syn. nov. of Metrodora; Morseidora Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares, 2025, syn. nov. of Armasius Perez-Gelabert & Yong, 2014; Armasius acutus comb. nov. of Metrodora acuta Günther, 1939; Metrodora mollilobata Kasalo & Skejo, 2025, stat. resurr.; Devrieseium Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares, 2025, syn. nov. of Chiriquia Morse, 1900; Stalitettix Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares, 2025, syn. nov. of Chiriquia; Garciaitettigini Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares, 2025, syn. nov. of Metrodorini Bolívar, 1887; Otumbini Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares, 2025, syn. nov. of Metrodorini; Tumbrinckitettix Cadena-Castañeda & Tavares, 2025, syn. nov. of Cryptotettix Hancock, 1900; Holocerus devriesei Skejo, Medak, Pavlović, Kitonić, Miko & Franjević, 2020, comb. rev.

Synchronization between larval development and peak resource quality drives life-history evolution in forest defoliators from cold-temperate regions but is less considered in other ecosystems, such as…

Synchronization between larval development and peak resource quality drives life-history evolution in forest defoliators from cold-temperate regions but is less considered in other ecosystems, such as those in the Mediterranean region. Studies on Thaumetopoea pityocampa, the main Mediterranean pine defoliator, which typically develops during winter (winter population [WP]), have mostly focused on climate. In the present work, the hypothesis that resource matching drives the evolution of this defoliator was tested, alongside the alternative hypothesis that climatic factors are the primary drivers. Seasonal changes in pine foliage quality and defoliator phenology were examined across WPs and a recently evolved summer population (SP) restricted to a section of an otherwise WP-occupied continuous forest. All studied forests consisted of Pinus pinaster monocultures in coastal Portugal, where P. pinaster is the only host available for T. pityocampa. In WP distribution areas, larval development coincided with increasing foliage nitrogen and declining C:N ratios during autumn and winter. In contrast, the SP forest was characterized by poor winter foliage quality, which did not exceed summer leaf quality. Overall, WP development aligns with Mediterranean pine physiology, and the shift in the life cycle to summer in a region with low winter leaf quality provides some support for the resource-matching hypothesis. The mild climate of central coastal Portugal does not appear to constrain life history in this moth. This work provides evidence that interactions between resource availability and climate may contribute to life-history evolution in this forest defoliator. It illustrates a pathway through which insects can diversify life cycles to optimize resource use.

This paper outlines a methodological approach to examining individual wellbeing within married couples that incorporates each partner's allocation of time. Drawing on data from the Sample Survey of Da…

This paper outlines a methodological approach to examining individual wellbeing within married couples that incorporates each partner's allocation of time. Drawing on data from the Sample Survey of Daily Time Use by the Population (orig. Выборочное наблюдение использования суточного фонда времени населением 2024), we construct multiple‑indicator, multiple‑cause (MIMIC) models using ALR‑transformed time‑use regressors to identify the association between wellbeing and the relative redistribution of time. Wellbeing, treated as a latent construct, is operationalised through indicators of human capital (health status and educational attainment) and material resources (income). The results demonstrate a robust and statistically significant relationship between wellbeing and the time‑allocation decisions made by individuals and their partners. The analysis also reveals gendered patterns in this relationship, alongside differences between weekends and working days. The proposed integrated approach enables the estimation of partners' wellbeing – despite its inherently non-observable nature – while explicitly accounting for each partner's time allocation.

Oxytripia orbiculosa (Esper, 1800) is a noctuid with a trans-Palaearctic distribution whose presence in the Iberian Peninsula had sometimes been considered uncertain more than four decades after the i…

Oxytripia orbiculosa (Esper, 1800) is a noctuid with a trans-Palaearctic distribution whose presence in the Iberian Peninsula had sometimes been considered uncertain more than four decades after the initial recording of a single specimen in 1981. The discovery of a population in the Central Pyrenees, in the province of Huesca (Spain) through sampling conducted in 2023 and 2025, confirms a close ecological link with the orophilous endemism Xiphion latifolium Mill., which acts as the host plant of O. orbiculosa in high mountain meadows between 1400 and 1700 m altitude. Data on the biology of the species and its attraction to various types of artificial light are provided. Externally, the Iberian specimens differ from most populations of the rest of Europe in their somewhat larger average size and in their colour, which is notably darker, with less apparent whitish spots, markings and crosslines. However, we have not found any substantial differences in genital morphology or CO1 barcode. Interpopulation variability inferred from a molecular study using CO1 barcoding of the Eastern European populations, as well as isolation, reinforces the taxonomic identity of the Iberian population at the subspecific level. Therefore, we propose the name Oxytripia orbiculosa isolata Guerrero, Yela, Grundy, Rubio & Ortiz, 2026, ssp. nov.

The Palaearctic species of the hoverfly genus Ferdinandea Rondani, 1844 are revised and a new species, Ferdinandea harusawai Ichige, sp. nov., is described from Japan. For a long time, the new taxon w…

The Palaearctic species of the hoverfly genus Ferdinandea Rondani, 1844 are revised and a new species, Ferdinandea harusawai Ichige, sp. nov., is described from Japan. For a long time, the new taxon was known as Ferdinandea nigrifrons (Egger, 1860). We studied the type material of Chrysochlamys nigrifrons Egger, 1861, designated a lectotype for it and synonymized it with Ferdinandea cuprea (Scopoli, 1763). A full description of the new species, together with available DNA barcodes and images for all the Palaearctic species, is given. Moreover, we provide an identification key to all the Ferdinandea species in the Palaearctic Realm.

Tenrikyo is a Japanese religious movement founded in Nara in 1838 by Miki Nakayama, who is revered by followers as the Shrine of God. The faith seeks the realization of the "Joyous Life," a world in w…

Tenrikyo is a Japanese religious movement founded in Nara in 1838 by Miki Nakayama, who is revered by followers as the Shrine of God. The faith seeks the realization of the "Joyous Life," a world in which all people live in harmony, helping one another as members of a single human family under God the Parent. Central teachings include the concept that the human body is "a thing lent, a thing borrowed" from God and that physical or social difficulties can serve as guidance for spiritual reflection and self-cultivation. Followers are encouraged to practice sincere daily conduct, charity, and mutual support. The spiritual center of Tenrikyo is the Jiba, located in Tenri City, Nara, which is regarded as the place of human creation and attracts pilgrims from around the world. Through active missionary work, Tenrikyo expanded beyond Japan and established communities throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In Brazil, where Japanese immigration began in 1908, Tenrikyo developed alongside immigrant communities and gradually attracted non-Japanese believers. Today, the Brazilian mission operates churches, educational activities, and community programs, serving both descendants of Japanese immigrants and local Brazilians. As one of the largest overseas centers of Tenrikyo, Brazil plays an important role in the religion's global development and intercultural outreach. It also serves as a bridge between Japanese religious traditions and Brazilian society, fostering intercultural understanding and transnational religious exchange. In addition, Tenrikyo communities in Brazil organize cultural events, youth activities, and social welfare programs that strengthen ties among members and promote dialogue with the wider society. These efforts have helped the religion adapt to the Brazilian context while maintaining its Japanese spiritual heritage. Through its emphasis on gratitude, mutual help, and spiritual growth, Tenrikyo continues to contribute to religious diversity and community building in contemporary Brazilian society.

A new stag beetle species, Lucanus apollon Kristl & Flocon, sp. nov., is described from the Geraneia Mountains, Corinthia, Greece, based on 56 male specimens collected in July 2025. The new specie…

A new stag beetle species, Lucanus apollon Kristl & Flocon, sp. nov., is described from the Geraneia Mountains, Corinthia, Greece, based on 56 male specimens collected in July 2025. The new species is diagnosed, illustrated, and compared with morphologically similar western Palaearctic Lucanus species. Information on its habitat and phenology is provided. Additionally, a checklist and distribution map of the Greek Lucanus species are presented, including the first records of Lucanus ibericus Motschulsky, 1845 from Lesbos and L. laticornis Deyrolle, 1864 from Lesbos and Samos. A key to the Greek Lucanus species and species morphologically similar to L. apollon sp. nov. is provided.

The millipede genus Hedinomorpha Verhoeff, 1934 is recorded in Vietnam for the first time with two new species, Hedinomorpha caobang sp. nov. and Hedinomorpha vast sp. nov. Both species are described …

The millipede genus Hedinomorpha Verhoeff, 1934 is recorded in Vietnam for the first time with two new species, Hedinomorpha caobang sp. nov. and Hedinomorpha vast sp. nov. Both species are described and illustrated. The COI and 16S rRNA fragments are also provided for the two new species.

This repository contains the analysis code and non-identifiable processed data for an integrated single-cell, spatial transcriptomic, and mitochondrial lineage-tracing study of a treatment-naïve,…

This repository contains the analysis code and non-identifiable processed data for an integrated single-cell, spatial transcriptomic, and mitochondrial lineage-tracing study of a treatment-naïve, late-stage, non-metastatic human osteosarcoma, together with external validation in independent public cohorts. Data generated in this study: Assay Platform Scale Single-cell RNA-seq 10x Genomics 11,203 cells, 12 annotated populations Spatial transcriptomics 10x Visium 1,849 spots, 5 spatial clusters Mitochondrial variant enrichment MAESTER 8 candidate variants, 7 Bonferroni-passing External validation datasets (public, not re-deposited here): GSE293065 — Visium atlas of 26 osteosarcoma samples (Moquin-Beaudry et al., Nat Commun 2026) GSE152048 — scRNA-seq of 11 osteosarcoma patients (Zhou et al., Nat Commun 2020)