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There have been five Mass Extinction events in the history of Earth's biodiversity, all caused by dramatic but natural phenomena. It has been claimed that the Sixth Mass Extinction may be underway, this time caused entirely by humans. Although considerable evidence indicates that there is a biodiversity crisis of increasing extinctions and plummeting abundances, some do not accept that this amounts to a Sixth Mass Extinction. Often, they use the IUCN Red List to support their stance, arguing that the rate of species loss does not differ from the background rate. However, the Red List is heavily biased: almost all birds and mammals but only a minute fraction of invertebrates have been evaluated against conservation criteria. Incorporating estimates of the true number of invertebrate extinctions leads to the conclusion that the rate vastly exceeds the background rate and that we may indeed be witnessing the start of the Sixth Mass Extinction. As an example, we focus on molluscs, the second largest phylum in numbers of known species, and, extrapolating boldly, estimate that, since around AD 1500, possibly as many as 7.5-13% (150,000-260,000) of all ~2 million known species have already gone extinct, orders of magnitude greater than the 882 (0.04%) on the Red List. We review differences in extinction rates according to realms: marine species face significant threats but, although previous mass extinctions were largely defined by marine invertebrates, there is no evidence that the marine biota has reached the same crisis as the non-marine biota. Island species have suffered far greater rates than continental ones. Plants face similar conservation biases as do invertebrates, although there are hints they may have suffered lower extinction rates. There are also those who do not deny an extinction crisis but accept it as a new trajectory of evolution, because humans are part of the natural world; some even embrace it, with a desire to manipulate it for human benefit. We take issue with these stances. Humans are the only species able to manipulate the Earth on a grand scale, and they have allowed the current crisis to happen. Despite multiple conservation initiatives at various levels, most are not species oriented (certain charismatic vertebrates excepted) and specific actions to protect every living species individually are simply unfeasible because of the tyranny of numbers. As systematic biologists, we encourage the nurturing of the innate human appreciation of biodiversity, but we reaffirm the message that the biodiversity that makes our world so fascinating, beautiful and functional is vanishing unnoticed at an unprecedented rate. In the face of a mounting crisis, scientists must adopt the practices of preventive archaeology, and collect and document as many species as possible before they disappear. All this depends on reviving the venerable study of natural history and taxonomy. Denying the crisis, simply accepting it and doing nothing, or even embracing it for the ostensible benefit of humanity, are not appropriate options and pave the way for the Earth to continue on its sad trajectory towards a Sixth Mass Extinction.

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Ancient Lake Tanganyika in East Africa houses the world's ecologically and morphologically most diverse assemblage of cichlid fishes, and the third most species-rich after lakes Malawi and Victoria. Despite long-lasting scientific interest in the cichlid species flocks of the East African Great Lakes, for example in the context of adaptive radiation and explosive diversification, their taxonomy and systematics are only partially explored; and many cichlid species still await their formal description. Here, we provide a current inventory of the cichlid fish fauna of Lake Tanganyika, providing a complete list of all valid 208 Tanganyikan cichlid species, and discuss the taxonomic status of more than 50 undescribed taxa on the basis of the available literature as well as our own observations and collections around the lake. This leads us to conclude that there are at least 241 cichlid species present in Lake Tanganyika, all but two are endemic to the basin. We finally summarize some of the major taxonomic challenges regarding Lake Tanganyika's cichlid fauna. The taxonomic inventory of the cichlid fauna of Lake Tanganyika presented here will facilitate future research on the taxonomy and systematics and the ecology and evolution of the species flock, as well as its conservation.

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Extinction is a key issue in the assessment of global biodiversity. However, many extinction rate measures do not account for species that went extinct before they could be discovered. The highly developed island city-state of Singapore has one of the best-documented tropical floras in the world. This allowed us to estimate the total rate of floristic extinctions in Singapore since 1822 after accounting for sampling effort and crypto extinctions by collating herbaria records. Our database comprised 34,224 specimens from 2076 native species, of which 464 species (22%) were considered nationally extinct. We assumed that undiscovered species had the same annual per-species extinction rates as discovered species and that no undiscovered species remained extant. With classical and Bayesian algorithms, we estimated that 304 (95% confidence interval, 213-414) and 412 (95% credible interval, 313-534) additional species went extinct before they could be discovered, respectively; corresponding total extinction rate estimates were 32% and 35% (range 30-38%). We detected violations of our 2 assumptions that could cause our extinction estimates, particularly the absolute numbers, to be biased downward. Thus, our estimates should be treated as lower bounds. Our results illustrate the possible magnitudes of plant extirpations that can be expected in the tropics as development continues.

Tasa de Extinción de Plantas Descubiertas y No Descubiertas en Singapur Resumen La extinción es un tema importante para la valoración de la biodiversidad global. Sin embargo, muchas medidas de la tasa de extinción no consideran a las especies que se extinguieron antes de que pudieran ser descubiertas. Singapur, la ciudad-estado isleña altamente desarrollada, tiene una de las floras mejor documentadas del mundo. Esto nos permitió estimar la tasa total de las extinciones florísticas en Singapur desde 1822 después de considerar el esfuerzo de muestreo y las criptoextinciones cuando recopilamos los registros de herbarios. Nuestra base de datos incluyó 34,224 especímenes de unas 2,076 especies nativas, de las cuales 464 especies (22%) estaban consideradas como extintas a nivel nacional. Asumimos que las especies no descubiertas tuvieron la misma tasa anual de extinción por especie que las especies descubiertas y que ninguna especie no descubierta permanecía en existencia. Con algoritmos clásicos y bayesianos, respectivamente, estimamos que 304 (95% IC 213-414) y 412 (95% IC 313-534) especies adicionales se extinguieron antes de que fueran descubiertas; las estimaciones correspondientes de la tasa de extinción total fueron 32% y 35% (rango de 30-38%). Detectamos violaciones en nuestras dos suposiciones que podrían causar que nuestras estimaciones de extinción, particularmente los números absolutos, tuvieran un sesgo hacia abajo. Por lo tanto, nuestras estimaciones deberían ser tratadas como límites inferiores. Nuestros resultados ilustran las magnitudes posibles de las extirpaciones de plantas que pueden esperarse en los trópicos conforme el desarrollo continúa.

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Abstract: The Guareí River is a tributary of the Paranapanema River (Brazil), located in the upper portion of the Jurumirim Reservoir. Fish fauna studies in this watershed began in the 2000s, but they were restricted to a few waterbodies. This work conducted a broad survey of the fish fauna in tributary streams and the main channel of the Guareí River. Sampling occurred between February 2017 and November 2018 at 36 sites and using different collection methods. We captured 2,169 specimens belonging to 50 species, 16 families and 6 orders. The species accumulation curve tended to stabilize but indicated that species richness is underestimated. Almost all species are native (46); only three were non-native (Hyphessobrycon eques, Oreochromis niloticus and Poecilia reticulata) and one was undefined (Gymnotus pantanal). Among the native species, two are unknown to science (Bryconamericus aff. iheringii and Hypostomus sp. n.) and three are migratory (Leporinus friderici, Megaleporinus obtusidens and Pimelodus maculatus). In this paper, we provide images of species collected. Results indicate that the Guareí River basin is a hotspot of fish diversity in the Upper Paranapanema River, stressing the need for adequate management and conservation actions.

Resumo: O Rio Guareí é um afluente do Rio Paranapanema (Brasil), localizado na parte superior do reservatório de Jurumirim. Os estudos da fauna de peixes nesta bacia hidrográfica começaram nos anos 2000, mas estão restritos a poucos corpos d'água. Este trabalho realizou um amplo levantamento da ictiofauna em tributários e no canal principal do Rio Guareí. As amostragens ocorreram entre Fevereiro de 2017 e Novembro de 2018 em 36 sítios e utilizando diferentes métodos de coleta. Capturamos 2.169 espécimes pertencentes a 50 espécies, 16 famílias e 6 ordens. A curva de acumulação de espécies tendeu a se estabilizar, mas indicou que a riqueza de espécies está subestimada. Quase todas as espécies são nativas (46); apenas três não nativas (Hyphessobrycon eques, Oreochromis niloticus, e Poecilia reticulata) e uma não definida (Gymnotus pantanal). Entre as espécies nativas, duas são desconhecidas da ciência (Bryconamericus aff. iheringii e Hypostomus sp. n.) e três migradoras (Leporinus friderici, Megaleporinus obtusidens e Pimelodus maculatus). Neste artigo, fornecemos imagens das espécies coletadas. Os resultados indicam que a bacia do Rio Guareí é uma região importante em termos de diversidade de peixes no alto Rio Paranapanema, enfatizando a necessidade de ações adequadas de manejo e conservação.

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A first comprehensive account on the dolichopodid fauna (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) of Portugal is presented as the result of multiple surveys by primarily Portuguese researchers between 2009 and 2016. All mainland Portuguese provinces and all districts but one (Évora) were investigated. A total of 761 dolichopodid samples were collected in 278 sampling sites distributed over 87 municipalities and 182 localities, with nearly ¾ of the samples gathered by sweep net. They contained 6,680 specimens of 200 different species, with 142 recognized (known), 40 new (undescribed) and 18 doubtful species. Medetera and Dolichopus were the most diverse among the recognized species, with 20 and 18 species respectively. Fourteen genera were represented by the new species, with Medetera as most diverse. The doubtful species included one species of Pelastoneurus, which is a first record of this genus for the Palaearctic realm. At present 208 dolichopodid species are known from Portugal. A checklist with 150 recognized species is presented, with first records of 116 species for Portugal. For nearly every species, information on its distribution, ecology and rarity in Portugal and northwestern Europe is given, as well as its seasonal activity in Portugal. Raw distribution data are available as dataset in GBIF. Seventy-five pictures of species in the field, and 15 habitat photos are also provided. Current data suggest that a higher proportion of Portuguese species are rare as compared to the Flemish fauna (northern Belgium). Both share 104 species, with 38 species only recorded from Portugal; only seven can be considered Iberian or Portuguese specialities. Though differences between the two Portuguese biomes cannot be substantiated at this moment, two very common and widespread European species, Campsicnemus scambus and Chrysotimus molliculus, seem to be restricted to the Eurosiberian biome in the northwest of the country. In terms of generic representation, the Portuguese dolichopodid fauna occupies an intermediate position between those of northwestern European and other Mediterranean countries. Despite the large amount of data gathered, the dolichopodid fauna of Portugal remains insufficiently known and a considerable number of additional known and new species can be expected with continued sampling.

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Abstract: The Rio Sapucaí basin, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is one of the many watersheds of the upper Rio Paraná system. Ichthyofauna surveys in this basin, in general, are scarce. In addition, small rivers and streams of the region have been targets of anthropogenic actions (e.g., pollution) - which suggest that more ichthyological studies must be performed within the watershed. In this study we provide a survey of species that occur within three streams of the lower Rio Sapucaí basin. Samples were collected in April, July, and November 2017 and in May 2018. Collections resulted in 349 individuals belonging to 28 species, five orders, and 12 families. Among our findings are three putatively undescribed species and the first record of Oligosarcus argenteus and Pareiorhina hyptiorhachis within the Rio Paraná system.

Resumo: A bacia do Rio Sapucaí, no Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, é uma das muitas bacias hidrográficas do sistema do alto Rio Paraná. Levantamentos de ictiofauna nessa bacia, em geral, são escassos. Além disso, rios de pequeno porte e córregos da região têm sido alvos de ações antrópicas (e.g., poluição) - o que sugere que mais estudos ictiológicos devem ser realizados na bacia. Neste trabalho nós fornecemos um levantamento de espécies que ocorrem em três riachos da porção baixa da bacia do Rio Sapucaí. As amostras foram coletadas em Abril, Julho, e Novembro de 2017 e em Maio de 2018. As coletas resultaram em 349 indivíduos pertencentes a 28 espécies, cinco ordens e 12 famílias. Dentre os nossos achados estão três espécies possivelmente não descritas e o primeiro registro de Oligosarcus argenteus e Pareiorhina hyptiorhachis no sistema do Rio Paraná.

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BACKGROUND: Loach is one of the major cypriniform fishes in freshwater habitats of Japan; 35 taxa/clades have, until now, been recognised. Parallel to genetic studies, morphological examinations are needed for further development of loach study, eventually ichthyology and fish biology. Digital archiving, concerning taxonomy, ecology, ethology etc., is one of the progressive challenges for the open science of biology. This paper aimed to online publish photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of all the known clades of loaches inhabiting Japan (103 individuals in total with several type specimens), contributing to ichthyology and public interest of biodiversity/biology. NEW INFORMATION: Photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of all the known 35 taxa/clades of loaches inhabiting in Japan were online published at http://ffish.asia/loachesOfJapan and http://ffish.asia/loachesOfJapan3D.

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Approximately two-dozen species in three genera of the Neotropical suckermouth armored catfish family Loricariidae are the only described fishes known to specialize on diets consisting largely of wood. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis of 10 described species and 14 undescribed species or morphotypes assigned to the wood-eating catfish genus Panaqolus, and four described species and three undescribed species or morphotypes assigned to the distantly related wood-eating catfish genus Panaque. Our analyses included individuals and species from both genera that are broadly distributed throughout tropical South America east of the Andes Mountains and 13 additional genera hypothesized to have also descended from the most recent common ancestor of Panaqolus and Panaque. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of two mitochondrial and three nuclear loci totaling 4293bp confirmed respective monophyly of Panaqolus, exclusive of the putative congener 'Panaqolus' koko, and Panaque. Members of Panaqolus sensu stricto were distributed across three strongly monophyletic clades: a clade of 10 generally darkly colored, lyretail species distributed across western headwaters of the Amazon Basin, a clade of three irregularly and narrowly banded species from the western Orinoco Basin, and a clade of 11 generally brown, broadly banded species that are widely distributed throughout the Amazon Basin. We erect new subgenera for each of these clades and a new genus for the morphologically, biogeographically and ecologically distinct species 'Panaqolus' koko. Our finding that perhaps half of the species-level diversity in the widespread genus Panaqolus remains undescribed illustrates the extent to which total taxonomic diversity of small and philopatric, yet apparently widely distributed, Amazonian fishes may remain underestimated. Ranges for two Panaqolus subgenera and the genus Panaque overlap with the wood-eating genus Cochliodon in central Andean tributaries of the upper Amazon Basin, which appear to be a global epicenter of wood-eating catfish diversity.

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This study, conducted during a scientific cruise, MR15-04, aims, first, to examine species and larval/adult components of Halobates (Heteroptera: Gerridae) inhabiting the tropical Indian Ocean of 4°00' S-7°00' S, 101°00' E-103°00' E and, second, to examine the correlative relationship between precipitation just before collection and the number of sea skaters collected in November and December 2015. Near Sumatra (50 km south-west), larvae and adults of four species of Halobates (Halobates germanes White, 1883; Halobates micans Eschscholtz, 1822; Halobates princeps White, 1883; undescribed species: Halobates sp.) were collected. Adults of an undescribed species had about a 5 mm long body in a gourd-like shape. One male adult specimen of H. princeps was collected. Body length, body width, and head width was measured in all specimens of Halobates. Six larval stages were detected in all three species of sea skaters as the first finding for Heteropteran insects. There was a negative correlation between amount of precipitation for 19 h before collection and the number of Halobates individuals collected by the neuston net. Death or (positive or passive) sinking by sea skaters could be due to occasional rain fall on the sea surface.