Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig

ERGA-BGE reference genome of the bladderpod Alyssoides utriculata (L.) Medik. (Brassicaceae), a yellow-flowering shrub native to Switzerland

We present the chromosome-level genome assembly for bladderrpod, Alyssoides utriculata (Brassicales: Brassicaceae), the only currently accepted species in the genus Alyssoides. The phased assembly comprises two haplotypes with total lengths of 1.01 Gb and 0.98 Gb, respectively. F...

Anatomy and mechanics of tsetse fly blood feeding

Abstract African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease transmitted by tsetse flies ( Glossin a spp.) in sub-Saharan Africa. The fly’s saliva carries parasitic unicellular trypanosomes, such as Trypanosoma brucei , leading to infections in humans, domestic animals, and w...

ERGA-BGE genome of Valencia hispanica (Valenciennes, 1826): a critically endangered Iberian toothcarp

The reference genome of Valencia hispanica , a critically endangered actinopterygian species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, is key to unravelling its genetic architecture and adaptation to freshwater ecosystems. This genomic resource will enable targeted conservation efforts a...

Disentangling local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in traits associated with altitude and temperature in widespread tropical butterflies

Climatic stratifications, in particular differences in temperature, occur along altitudinal clines. Understanding divergence across these regions can give insight into speciation and diversification, as well as how species may respond to climate change scenarios. Most past resear...

Hidden charisma: ethno-ornithological knowledge and attitudes of local communities toward a threatened endemic pheasant in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract Background Ethno-ornithological knowledge plays a key role in the conservation and management of birds and their habitats. However, the cultural roles and significance of birds in Ethiopia, as well as the threats to their survival within human cultural contexts remain la...

Towards a unified publicly accessible database of avian type specimens

Type specimens represent the crucial physical reference for any scientific bird name, but type material is scattered widely across the globe, and there is still no one comprehensive source documenting the presence, status and condition of all avian type specimens, as well as asso...

Evolution of South Asian mountain biota: dispersal, fine-scale biogeography, phylogenetics and systematics of Nannenini jumping spiders

The northward drift of the Indian subcontinent and its biotic exchanges with adjacent landmasses have shaped biodiversity in South Asia. We investigate biogeographic patterns and evolutionary relationships within a clade of spiders endemic to South Asia, focusing on two newly ide...