Sediment Core DNA-Metabarcoding and Chitinous Remain Identification: Integrating Complementary Methods to Characterise Chironomidae Biodiversity in Lake Sediment Archives.

Chironomidae, so-called non-biting midges, are considered key bioindicators of aquatic ecosystem variability. Data derived from morphologically identifying their chitinous remains in sediments document chironomid larvae assemblages, which are studied to reconstruct ecosystem changes over time. Recent developments in sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) research have demonstrated that molecular techniques are suitable for determining past and present occurrences of organisms.

Urbanization-associated range expansion genetically homogenizes a butterfly species.

Human-induced environmental change and globalization facilitate biological invasions, which can lead to the displacement of native species by non-native ones. Analogously, biodiversity loss may occur within species when habitat modifications facilitate the expansion of a specific population's range, leading to genetic admixture with native local populations. We demonstrate such intraspecific loss in population-level diversity in the Southern Small White (Pieris mannii), an originally sedentary butterfly that recently expanded its range across Central Europe due to urbanization.

Chromosome-Level Assemblies of the Pieris mannii Butterfly Genome Suggest Z-Origin and Rapid Evolution of the W Chromosome.

The insect order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) represents the largest group of organisms with ZW/ZZ sex determination. While the origin of the Z chromosome predates the evolution of the Lepidoptera, the W chromosomes are considered younger, but their origin is debated. To shed light on the origin of the lepidopteran W, we here produce chromosome-level genome assemblies for the butterfly Pieris mannii and compare the sex chromosomes within and between P.

Hidden biodiversity revealed by integrated morphology and genetic species delimitation of spring dwelling water mite species (Acari, Parasitengona: Hydrachnidia).

Background: Water mites are among the most diverse organisms inhabiting freshwater habitats and are considered as substantial part of the species communities in springs. As parasites, Hydrachnidia influence other invertebrates and play an important role in aquatic ecosystems. In Europe, 137 species are known to appear solely in or near springheads.