This article articulates a regional, diachronic approach to precontact central Andean tombs by interpreting differences in materiality and function as evidence for distinct religious traditions. I analyze a sample of 788 tombs from 30 sites in the Sacred Valley and adjacent tributary valleys (Cusco, Peru), built and used during the Late Intermediate and Inka periods (ca. AD 1000–1532). Combining primary and published datasets, this sample includes a wide variety of tombs that variably facilitated or impeded certain interactions and relationships between the living, the dead, and the environment. To understand this diversity, I develop a typology comprising six tomb types based on morphological traits, which exhibit overlapping distribution patterns at local and regional scales. In contrast to studies that emphasized commonality and timelessness in central Andean mortuary practices, these data attest to considerable diversity in belief and value systems during half a millennium. As such, this study challenges existing models and presents new interpretations of late precontact tombs, considering that central Andeans across time and space held divergent beliefs about life and death. Recognizing diversity in past and present Indigenous societies is required for an empirical and decolonial archaeology that rejects stereotypes of cultural homogeneity.

The diogenid hermit crab, Calcinus morgani Rahayu & Forest, 1999, is reported from the Andaman Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean. It was previously recorded as Calcinus gaimardii (H. Milne Edwards, 1848) from the Nicobar Islands, south of the Andaman Islands, in 1865 about 160 years ago, but there were no additional records of the species in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The diagnosis of C. morgani is provided on the basis of the present specimens for helping the identification. A key to species of the genus Calcinus known from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also provided.

The genetic diversity of Cyclanthera pedata was assessed through agro-morphological, mineral composition and biochemical traits. Field surveys across India documented its wide ecological distribution (18.66°–31.02°N, 78.05°–83.27°E, 131–3665 m AMSL) in Andhra Pradesh and northwest Himalayan region. Field evaluations were conducted during Kharif 2021 and 2022 at ICAR-Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora (1250 m AMSL). Significant genotypic variation was observed in fruit yield (195–1505 g/plant), fruit numbers (36–364 per plant), chlorophyll content (0.49–2.61 μg/g) and antioxidant activities (16.02–39.04 mM Trolox equivalent/g DW). Notable genotypes included RK-40 (highest yield of 1505 g/plant), RK-01 (early flowering) and RK-33 (early fruiting). High coefficients of variation (>23%) were noted in total chlorophyll, carotenoids and FRAP values. Genotype RK-42 excelled in antioxidant activities and carotenoids. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the germplasm into four clusters based on critical traits independent of geographic origin. In contrast, principal component analysis identified traits like polyphenols, antioxidants, seed weight and fruit yield as significant contributors to phenotypic variation. The biplot revealed relationships between traits, such as positive correlations between fruit yield, fruit and pulp weight, and biochemical traits like DPPH and ABTS. Genotypes such as IC 430006, IC 356007, IC 393261, IC 393308, UKAl 1 and IC 361297 display distinct profiles. These findings highlight critical traits for breeding and conservation efforts, particularly for enhancing fruit yield and biochemical attributes in C. pedata germplasm.

Humans often learn preferentially from ingroup members who share a social identity affiliation, while ignoring or rejecting information when it comes from someone perceived to be from an outgroup. This sort of bias has well-known negative consequences – exacerbating cultural divides, polarization, and conflict – while reducing the information available to learners. Why does it persist? Using evolutionary simulations, we demonstrate that similarity-biased social learning (also called parochial social learning) is adaptive when (1) individual learning is error-prone and (2) sufficient diversity inhibits the efficacy of social learning that ignores identity signals, as long as (3) those signals are sufficiently reliable indicators of adaptive behaviour. We further show that our results are robust to considerations of other social learning strategies, focusing on conformist and pay-off-biased transmission. We conclude by discussing the consequences of our analyses for understanding diversity in the modern world.

Pummelo is the largest citrus species in the Rutaceae family and is important for human health and nutrition. This fruit is underutilized and threatened by human activities in its natural habitat. The present research was conducted in the Devanahalli region of Karnataka, which has a vast diversity of pummelo. This study aimed to evaluate 40 pummelo genotypes, selected through a preliminary survey, using morphological, biochemical and sensory assessments. Fruit and pulp weights ranged from 344.03 to 1746.23 g and 194.39 to 1073.07 g, with mean values of 939.67 and 522.81 g, respectively. Traits such as fruit length, diameter, fruit axis diameter, fruit volume, number of segments, rind thickness, fruit, pulp, peel weight, seed weight and seeds per fruit showed highly significant differences. Biochemical analysis revealed that ascorbic acid content varied from 28.53 to 60 mg/100 g, titratable acidity from 0.73 to 2.07% and total soluble solids from 7.63 to 11.07°Brix. High phenol (55.08–166.17 mg GAE/g FW) and flavonoid (39.26–137.78 mg CE/g FW) content were observed in fruit pulp, indicating significant antioxidant potential. Several morphological and biochemical traits exhibited significant positive correlations. A slightly higher phenotypic coefficient of variation was found for all the characters compared to the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation. The principal component analysis indicated that the first nine components contributed 94.24% of the total variation. Hierarchical cluster analysis divided the populations into two distinct clusters. Sensory analysis indicated that genotypes, DVP-1 and DVP-2 had higher acceptability rates. The significant variations in plant traits among the genotypes offer great chances to select the best ones for genetic improvement programmes.

Trematodes are one of the most abundant and diverse groups of platyhelminths. They parasitize all major groups of vertebrates as definitive hosts and therefore play an important role in ecosystem composition. It is estimated that 18,000 to 25,000 species of trematodes exist worldwide, of which 685 have been reported in Mexico. Although this group is an integral part of ecosystems, there are still no studies that highlight the importance of parasites, especially in conservation approaches. Here, we recompiled information on the occurrence and available genetic data of trematodes in Mexico to estimate the specific richness of their representation across the Protected Areas (PAs) and provinces of Mexico. We consulted national and international databases (e.g., GBIF, CONABIO, CNHE-UNAM) and genetic repositories (e.g., GenBank) to generate curated datasets. We obtained 6,780 records that represent 99% of species reported in Mexico (680 species), of which only 10.2% are included in PAs. For genetic data, we found information from five nuclear regions (28S, 18S, ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8S) and two mitochondrial genes (COI and NAD1) for 118 species, of which only 3.5% were associated with PAs. With these results, we provide a spatial distribution of records (occurrence and genetic data) of trematodes present in Mexico and its PAs and identify poorly represented biogeographic provinces (e.g., Sierra Madre del Sur). We also highlight that this is the first study in Mexico to include this group in a conservation approach, and we record valuable information for future studies.