🪲Systematics and Biodiversity🦠

#TaxonomyTuesday Choi et al. report the discovery of two new ciliate species – 𝘿𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙙𝙖 and 𝘿𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨 – from hydrothermal vent field environments along the Central Indian Ridge in the Indian Ocean, at depths of 1978 m and 2523 m, respectively. Read more: buff.ly/hfng3xg

Did you know... Systematics and Biodiversity is one of two journals published for the Natural History Museum, London.

We document the diversity of all living organisms 🧬 through systematic, phylogenetic and taxonomic papers. Read our current issue: buff.ly/MMS5cnG

#Systematics #Biodiversity

For #TaxonomyTuesday - Nuñez-Florentin 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭. employed an integrative taxonomic framework to resolve the intricate classification of Spermacoceae and formally describe a new monospecific genus: 𝙇𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖 🌱
🔍 Read the full study: buff.ly/dGbJXmW

#Systematics #Biodiversity #NewSpecies #Botany #NHM

Clarifying genetic relationships and intraspecific variation of lentic-breeding Japanese salamanders (Amphibia, Caudata, Hynobiidae) based on mitochondrial DNA and genome-wide SNP Clarifying taxonomic status of species can be crucial for understanding biodiversity and informing conservation efforts. This study focused on Hynobius setouchi, H. vandenburghi, and H. owariensis,...

For #TaxonomyTuesday 🦎 ML tree of three 𝙃𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙪𝙨 species🦎 (Amphibia, Caudata, Hynobiidae)
Kimoto et al. characterized the intraspecific variation in lentic-breeding Japanese salamanders using mtDNA and genome-wide SNPs. Read more: buff.ly/igtVxYd
#salamander #biodiversity #conservation #NotALizard

Niche modelling supports cryptic diversification in an Andean hemiparasitic herb Pleistocene climatic fluctuations shaped Andean environments, affecting the geographic and demography of many extant species. Quinchamalium chilense, a hemiparasite monospecific herb is distributed...

A new study in Systematics and Biodiversity used niche modelling to investigate cryptic diversification in 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙪𝙢 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚, a monospecific Andean hemiparasitic herb distributed across the temperate Andes and affected by climate oscillations. Read more: buff.ly/POwohaj
#Paleosky #climate

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A new paper by Williams et al. in Systematics and Biodiversity, presents observations on the three “phases” of 𝙊𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙨𝙖 (Bacillariophyta), providing a comprehensive revision of its life-cycle and taxonomy.

Read the full study here: buff.ly/zsNr4MG
#Bacteria #Biodiversity #Taxonomy #NHM

For #TaxonomyTuesday check out these gorgeous sea slugs!
Image from: A deceptive variety: integrative systematics and phylogeography suggest 𝘼𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙖 and 𝘼𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙞 represent a single species (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) by Ekimova et al. (2025). Read more: buff.ly/pAIkLxD
#Slugs #NHM

A new study in Systematics and Biodiversity by Bonaldo et al. (2025): Taxonomic revision of the genus 𝙀𝙭𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙪𝙨 Jumars, 1974 (Dorvilleidae: Annelida) with the description of a new species from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, distinguished by unique chaetal morphology.

Read more: buff.ly/99uloZc

Did you know..?

The South East Asian land snail 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙡𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙖 was thought to be the only terrestrial gastropod that was bioluminescent 🐌 but now 𝙋𝙝𝙪𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙖 sp. have also been found to glow in the dark - as well as their eggs!

Read more about South East Asian land snails: buff.ly/hrzmeWO

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#TaxonomyTuesday 🐚
The shells of 𝙇𝙖𝙥𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙖 (Pilsbry, 1889)

Image from 🐌 Taxonomic revision of the land snail genus 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢 (Gastrodontidae: Gastropoda) by Saito et al. (2025) in Systematics and Biodiversity

Read the study here: buff.ly/5ZxIgb5

#Snails #Perpolita #Biodiversity #Nature

Did you know we are one of two journals produced by the Natural History Museum London. We document the diversity of all living things through systematic, phylogenetic and taxonomic studies. We also provide a forum for museum sciences and collections-based works. So, why publish with us?

#TaxonomyTuesday !

A study by Nuñez-Florentin et al. (2024) used multiple sources of evidence to investigate the taxonomic status of 𝘋𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢, finding significant morphological differences between 𝘓𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢 and 𝘋𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢 -showing 𝘓𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢 is a new genus (Spermacoceae-Rubiaceae) buff.ly/ChmYBbg

Meet our Editorial team!
Welcoming our new co-Editor-in-Chief Dr Tom White - a renowned specialist in non-insect Invertebrates, focussing on the taxonomy and systematics of Mollusca; Quaternary palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstructions 🐌🦪🐚🐙

Read more about his work:

Did you know.. Molluscs are the second most diverse phylum and possibly the most disparate! 🐚🦪🐌🐙🦑

A recent study by Karapunar et al. (2024) documents the phylogeny of Pleurotomariidae, the longest-living gastropod group, comparing different shell characters: buff.ly/2pEof6e @spissatella.bsky.social

#TaxonomyTuesday 🌱
Tawong et al. (2025) highlighted the high radical-scavenging ability and biotechnological potential of 𝘚𝘤𝘺𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘮, which produces compounds capable of neutralizing oxidative stress: buff.ly/h2Ycz0j 🌱
This is important for #pharmaceuticals and #sustainable #bioremediation.

Did you know..? 🪱

In free-living and parasitic flatworms, extreme developmental plasticity (e.g. whole-body regeneration) is enabled by somatic stem cells: the only cell population capable of undergoing mitosis, contributing to their growth and homeostasis.

Read about #flatworms buff.ly/TQa4CmM

A new paper out today in Systematics and Biodiversity by Isabel Carmona-Gallego et al., looks at the historical biogeography of the mistletoe genus 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘹 (Loranthaceae), with results suggesting that 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘹 originated in the southern Andes during the Eocene!

Read more here: buff.ly/8cFa8a3

For #TaxonomyTuesday meet 𝙎𝙘𝙮𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙤𝙨𝙪𝙢 sp. nov.

This newly described cyanobacterium isolated from wet soil in Thailand, shows high biotechnological promise, achieving >80% DPPH inhibition in antioxidant assays.

Read its taxonomic characterization in SAB by Tawong et al.:
🔗 buff.ly/NRMbc14

Meet our Editorial team at Systematics and Biodiversity!

Firstly, introducing our long-standing co-Editor-in-Chief Dr Peter Olson, a leading specialist in the evolution, development and genomics of parasitic flatworms, especially tapeworms 🪱
Read about his fantastic work here: buff.ly/YW7NBpl

Diversity in the antennae of Amydetinae - a subfamily of Neotropical fireflies.

Read the full study by Campello-Gonçalves et al. (2025): buff.ly/8bM62dw

#TaxonomyTuesday #Fireflies #Systematics #Biodiversity #NHM #Evolution

For #TaxonomyTuesday have a look at the variation in shells and opercula of the freshwater snail 𝙎𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙞 sp. nov. and a putative hybrid

Read the full study published in SAB by Sawada et al. (2025): buff.ly/YEb6YbY

#Biodiversity #NHM #NaturalHistory #Evolution #Snails #Ecology

Check out a new paper in SAB today by H F. Carter & Tom S. White - An illustrated catalogue of the type Asteroidea in the Natural History Museum, London. Part I. Forcipulatacea, buff.ly/fe7xYfj

#NHM #Biodiversity #Starfish #NaturalHistory #Taxonomy #Biodiversity #Systematics

A Lankan invasion? An intriguing case of the presence of a Sri Lankan endemic skink on the southwestern Indian Coast! Indian populations of 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙭 likely result from human-mediated transport into India.
Read the study by Ghosh et al. (2024) in SAB: buff.ly/lvMbAy4

#Biodiversity #SAB

Welcome to the new co-Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board members Published in Systematics and Biodiversity (Vol. 23, No. 1, 2025)

Have a look at our latest Editorial from Dr Peter Olson in Systematics and Biodiversity, highlighting some important changes that have been going on in the editorial team here at the Natural History Museum!

#Biodiversity #NaturalHistory #Taxonomy #Nature #Systematics #SAB #NHM

The sponge 𝘌𝘤𝘵𝘺𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘹 is abundant in tropical marine ecosystems, but its taxonomy is complex, as specimens exist with and without clavulate acanthostyles.

A recent study in SAB assessed the phylogeny of 𝘌𝘤𝘵𝘺𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘢. Read the Nascimento et al. study: buff.ly/F7nML2P

#TaxonomyTuesday #NHM

A new paper by Farco et al. in Systematics and Biodiversity uses modelling and ordination techniques to highlight the high invasive potential of pompom weed (𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘮, Asteraceae) in Africa.

Read the full study: buff.ly/1ti2Dy2

#Biodiversity #NHM #Invasivespecies

A side view of the urosome of 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴 sp. nov. from a study published in SAB, focusing on the evolutionary development and geographical distribution of 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘶𝘴

Read the full article by Denis CopilaŞ-Ciocianu, Ivan Marin and Dmitry Palatov (2025): buff.ly/yOdAdnP

Hans Sloane's collection (1660–1753) formed the foundation of the Natural History Museum, London. Scott et al. (2025) analysed Sloane’s Herbarium, the largest pre-Linnaean botanical collection in existence.
Read the full article: buff.ly/3meKE2W #TaxonomyTuesday #NaturalHistory #Biodiversity #NHM

A study by Ezzine et al. (2025) looks at the phylogenetic position of some snail taxa within the tribe Cernuellini and briefly characterizes the Xeroplana genus.
Image shows specimens from England (D = 11.2-12.4 mm)
Read the full study: buff.ly/cjK4Im8

#Snails #Systematics #Biodiversity #Taxonomy