We assessed the potential of photography‐based measurements in identifying green‐winged grasshoppers. By applying a multivariate classification approach based on ratio measurements taken from photographs, we provide a quantitative tool to successfully identify two closely resembling species from the genus Aiolopus, and disclose that the recently described A. puissanti widely occurs outside of its currently known range. Abstract Understanding the geographical distribution of phenotypically highly similar species (i.e. cryptic species) represents a challenge to biogeographers, due to the obvious ..read more

The ecological niche of a species is shaped by multiple, biotic and abiotic, factors, which are often difficult to identify and disentangle. We analysed the ecological niches of two populations of Vipera aspis and V. latastei from a secondary contact zone, using the meso‐habitat (100 × 100 m) scale. We found a partial divergence in the ecological preferences of the two species, mainly caused by their allopatric evolutionary history, with no ‐or minor‐ contribution of interspecific competition. Abstract Disentangling the multiple factors that shape the ecological niche of a species is often dif ..read more

During reproduction in the wild, male red‐legged partridge are under strong sexual selection and would trade health for signalling, which could explain why males are more likely to be infected by blood parasites than females and why they do not mobilize circulating carotenoids when facing the immune challenge. In contrast, females infected with blood parasites showed lower levels of circulating carotenoids than uninfected ones, indicating that immune activation diverted carotenoids from plasma and possibly compromised the amount of carotenoids incorporated into the eggs. Abstract A central iss ..read more

Courtship and mating behaviors in mygalomorph spiders are very poorly understood. We describe the sexual behavior of the iconic Sydney funnel‐web spider Atrax robustus, using 81 interactions filmed in captivity. Seventeen distinct behaviors are described (two new to mygalomorphs) and the sequences of male behaviors are presented for when they come into contact with females inside or outside of their burrows. The mating positions of the pair, including details of how males use their legs and clasping spurs (indicated by the arrow) to grasp the females, are also presented. We discuss our results ..read more

Biparental care is rare among insects but has evolved independently several times, resulting in diverse forms and varying levels of parental involvement. Previous studies focused on Scarabaeidae and Silphidae families, but our knowledge about other beetle families, such as Geotrupidae, is limited. In this study, we investigated the behavioural repertoire of Lethrus apterus breeding pairs in two natural populations with parental care. We found that males spend the majority of their time at the nest entrance, while females leave their nest and collect leaves at a significantly higher rate. Males ..read more

Adult sandpaper frogs (Lechriodus fletcheri) overwhelmingly reproduce in a single breeding year of their short lives, despite depositing eggs in ephemeral waterbodies where there is a high chance of total reproductive failure. We show that individuals of both sexes likely have the capacity to participate in multiple reproductive events within a single breeding season. We thus suggest that L. fletcheri are abbreviate iteroparous rather than truly semelparous, providing evidence that short‐lived anurans may exploit alternative bet‐hedging strategies that mimic the fitness benefits of multi‐year ..read more

Water striders regularly adjust their limbs to maintain motion constancy at each stage of locomotion. As stabilizers, the forelegs and hindlegs play an important role in locomotion, while the midlegs generate propulsion force. The essential component of their locomotion is the balancing of loads between the legs. Abstract Water striders (Gerris argentatus) move across the water surface by taking advantage of the surface tension, which supports their bodyweight without breaking. During locomotion, the midlegs are primarily responsible for generating thrust, whereas the other legs support the bo ..read more

We identify the practice of 'nomenclatural harvesting' as one that could significantly impact the stability of organismal taxonomy and nomenclature. Attaching taxon names to operational taxonomic units (OTUs) identified in phylogenetic trees without proper scientific underpinning leads to confusion and an erosion of trust in taxonomy among those wishing to correctly apply scientific nomina. We recommend specific changes in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and the addition of suitable language to scientific papers when taxonomic decisions are presented. Abstract We coin the ter ..read more

Hybrid faeces were found at lower elevations than Alpine mountain hare faeces but at higher elevations than European hare faeces (number of samples = 387; number of individuals = 148). Faecal samples were collected in four study areas in South Tyrol (Italy) during winters 2016/17, 2017/18, and 2018/19. Abstract As a glacial relict species, mountain hares are adapted to cold and snowy conditions. Conversely, European hares originate from the grasslands of the Middle East and spread from there throughout low‐lying agricultural areas of Europe. Mountain hares and European hares generally occur al ..read more

The manuscript analyzes the structure, dynamics, and activity period of an introduced population of ladder snake Zamenis scalaris on the island of Formentera. As demographic studies had not been carried out on this exotic colubrid on the Balearic Islands to date, all the results obtained reveal essential information not only to assess the main ecological aspects of Z. scalaris and the current state of the population on Formentera but also to implement effective management measures and improve the ones already applied. This study becomes a starting point to improve the management and control pr ..read more