The neglect of nonnative orthopterans as potential invaders:A call for awareness

Despite the potential ecological and economic impacts of invasive species,there is a dearth of data on the presence,impacts,and management implications of potentially invasive Orthoptera species.This lack of research and inconsistent data,including risk screenings and impact assessments,is especially evident in Europe.Consequently,assessing the status,distribution,and potential threats of nonnative Orthoptera in Europe remains challenging,impeding the development of effective management strategies.To address this gap,we call for increased efforts to collect and curate data on non-native and possibly invasive Orthoptera in Europe.Such efforts will improve our understanding of this order’s invasion dynamics,facilitate the identification of priority areas for conservation,and support the development of effective management policies and preventive measures.

Genetic diversity,phylogenetic position and morphometric analysis of Astacus colchicus(Decapoda,Astacidae):a new insight into Eastern European crayfish fauna

The phylogeny of European crayfish fauna,especially with respect to Eastern European species,is still far from being completely resolved.To fill this gap,we analyzed most of the European crayfish species focusing on the phylogenetic position of the endemic crayfish Astacus colchicus,inhabiting Georgia.Three mitochondrial and one nuclear marker were used to study evolutionary relationships among European crayfish species,resulting in the unique phylogenetic position of A.colchicus indicating independent species status to A.astacus.Phylogenetic analyses revealed a deep molecular divergence of A.colchicus in comparison to A.astacus(6.5–10.9%in mtDNA and 1.1%in nDNA)as well as to Pontastacus leptodactylus and P.pachypus(5.5–10.0%in mtDNA and 1.4–2.4%in nDNA).Absent ventral process on second male pleopod and abdominal somites II and III with pleura rounded lacking prominent spines clearly indicate taxonomic assignment to the genus Astacus;however,the species is distributed almost in the middle of Ponto-Caspian area typical by occurrence of the genus Pontastacus.Several morphological indices linked to head length,carapace,and total body length and width were found to demonstrate apparent differences between A.colchicus and A.astacus.Although this study provides a novel insight into European crayfish phylogeography,we also point out the gaps in comprehensive study of the P.leptodactylus species complex,which could reveal details about the potential species status of particular species and subspecies within this genus.

Unrecognized diversity in New Guinean crayfish species (Decapoda, Parastacidae): The evidence from molecular data

The phylogenetic relationships among imported ornamental crayfish belonging to the genus Cherax were in­ferred from a combined dataset of 3 mitochondrial genes(COI,16S and 12S)and by comparison with avail­able GenBank sequences of 14 Cherax species.Furthermore,the concordance of previously described species obtained from a wholesaler(Cherax boesemani,C.holthuisi and C.peknyi)with available GenBank sequences was verified based on COI with special respect to comparison with sequences assigned as Cherax species.Re­cently described species C.gherardiae,C.pulcher and C.subterigneus belong to the northern group of Cher­ax species.Comparison and analysis with other GenBank COI sequences show previously unreported diversity of New Guinean species,suggesting 5 putative new species.Surprisingly,species assigned to the subgenus As­taconephrops do not form a monophyletic clade;this subgenus should be reappraised relative to the purported typical morphological characteristic of the uncalcified patch on male chelae.Increasing importation of crayfish underscores the importance of accurate species identification.Use of basic molecular methods is a necessary requisite for documenting occurrence,abundance and population trends of target species.Consequently,it helps to support eventual conservation decision-making by stakeholders.