Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology

Resurvey of boreal earthworm communities in southern and northern Finland

The paper resurveys earthworm communities in Finland to assess changes in diversity and abundance over 10 years, finding a decline in abundance and shifts in species composition linked to climate change and land use.

New insights into the evolution of Charlie Chaplin worms (Histriobdellidae, Eunicida, Annelida)

This study uses morphological and molecular analyses to clarify the evolutionary placement of Histriobdellidae within Annelida, supporting their sister group relationship with Dorvilleidae.

Transcriptomes resolve phylogenetic relationships and reveal undescribed diversity in taildropper slugs (Genus Prophysaon)

The paper uses transcriptomes to resolve phylogenetic relationships and uncover undescribed diversity in Prophysaon slugs, questioning existing classifications and suggesting introgression.

An integrative taxonomic approach reveals unexplored diversity in Croatian planarians

Degenerate COI primers combined with histology, karyology and transcriptomics raise the known Croatian freshwater planarian species from eight to sixteen and describe Dendrocoelum pigmentatum sp. nov.

Molecular phylogeny of Catenulida (Platyhelminthes) with special focus on their diversity in Poland

The paper surveys catenulid diversity in Central and Western Europe, focusing on Poland, using molecular markers to infer phylogeny and identify taxonomic challenges.

Evaluating hot water immersion as a quarantine method: impact on Obama nungara egg capsule viability

This study tests if a 40°C water bath kills Obama nungara egg capsules, finding it effective and supporting thermal quarantine measures.

Biotic interactions and environmental filtering both determine earthworm alpha and beta diversity in tropical rainforests

This study examines how biotic interactions and environmental factors influence earthworm diversity in tropical rainforests, finding that habitat filtering and competition affect alpha diversity, while distance and environmental variables drive beta diversity.

Disentangling the evolutionary history of terrestrial planarians through phylogenomics

This study uses phylogenomic analysis of transcriptomic data to resolve the evolutionary relationships among terrestrial planarian subfamilies, revealing a well-supported topology and re-diagnosing Rhynchodeminae.

Tiny killers: first record of rhabdocoel flatworms feeding on water flea embryos

This paper reports a novel interaction where a rhabdocoel flatworm preys on Daphnia water flea embryos, significantly reducing Daphnia fitness and suggesting ecological impacts on freshwater ecosystems.

The applicability of Regional Red List assessments for soil invertebrates: First assessment of five native earthworm species in Canada

The paper assesses the conservation status of five Canadian earthworm species using the IUCN Regional Red Listing protocol, finding one as Vulnerable, two as non-threatened, and two as Data Deficient.

Dissecting earthworm diversity in tropical rainforests

This study assesses earthworm diversity in French Guiana, finding that regional mechanisms drive diversity while local environmental factors shape community composition.

A passage through India: the biotic ferry model supports the build-up of Indo-Australian biodiversity of an ancient soil arthropod clade

The paper reconstructs the biogeographic history of Scutigeromorpha, finding that in-situ diversification in the Peninsular Indian Plate and dispersal events explain the distribution of extant species, with a single dispersal event generating most of Australia's diversity.