The Maranhão State harbours great fish diversity, but some areas are still undersampled or little known, such as the Munim River Basin in the northeast of the State. This lack of knowledge is critical when considering anthropogenic impacts on riverine systems especially in the face of major habitat destruction. These pressing threats mean that a comprehensive understanding of diversity is critical and fish checklists extremely relevant. Therefore, the present study provides a checklist of the fish species found in the Munim River Basin, Maranhão State, north-eastern Brazil, based on collected specimens. A total of 123 species were recorded for the Munim River Basin, with only two non-native species, Oreochromis niloticus and Colossoma macropomum, showing that the fish assemblage has relatively high ecological integrity. In addition, 29 species could not be identified at the species level, indicating the presence of species that are probably new to science in the Basin. A predominance of species belonging to the fish orders Characiformes and Siluriformes, with Characidae being recovered as the most species-rich family (21 species) agrees with the general pattern for river basins in the Neotropical Region. The total fish diversity was estimated by extensive fieldwork, including several sampling gears, carried out in different seasons (dry and rainy) and exploring different environments with both daily and nocturnal sampling, from the Basin's source to its mouth. A total of 84 sites were sampled between 2010 and 2022, resulting in 12 years of fieldwork. Fish assemblages were distinct in the Estuary and Upper river basin sections and more similar in the Lower and Middle sections indicating environmental filtering processes. Species were weakly nested across basin sections, but unique species were found in each section (per Simpsons Index). High variability of species richness in the Middle river basin section is likely due to microhabitat heterogeneity supporting specialist fish communities.

This study examines the risks associated with relying solely on images for documenting new species records, rediscoveries, taxonomic descriptions, and distribution expansions. We highlight concerns regarding image authenticity, especially in cases where images may be altered, adulterated, or AI (artificial intelligence)-generated, potentially leading to inaccuracies in biodiversity documentation. To illustrate the evolving challenges, we conducted an experiment with 621 participants who assessed nine AI-generated images. Surprisingly, six were deemed authentic, while three raised doubts, highlighting the difficulty in discerning AI-generated content. Our main message emphasizes the critical role of trust in biodiversity documentation, particularly for taxonomy and conservation, and how eroded trust can hinder conservation efforts. Improved communication and collaboration between taxonomists and conservationists are needed, emphasizing scientific integrity. We urge a reevaluation of journal policies concerning data validation, especially in articles relying on images as primary evidence, to preserve the credibility of scientific research amidst technological advancements.

Os sarcomas de artéria pulmonar são tumores raros e de difícil diagnóstico, simulando frequentemente o tromboembolismo pulmonar crônico. Relatamos dois casos de pacientes do sexo feminino com quadro clínico de dispneia e massas pulmonares associadas a falhas de enchimento na artéria pulmonar em angiotomografia de tórax. A tomografia por emissão de pósitrons com 18F fluordesoxiglicose mostrou hipercaptação das respectivas lesões. O sarcoma de artéria pulmonar foi confirmado posteriormente por exame anatomopatológico. Ressaltamos a importância do uso desse tipo de tomografia como exame não invasivo no auxílio diagnóstico desses tumores

Saddle Barb, Barbodes sellifer, is a freshwater fish endemic to Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian archipelago and is here recorded for the first time from Belitung Island, Indonesia. This is a range extension of about 300 km to the southeast from the closest previously known locality on Bangka Island, and, in addition to reporting its occurrence on another island of the Indonesian archipelago, this is the southernmost known locality for the species. We also provide an updated map showing the species’ distribution.

This study was conducted aiming to record for the first time the occurrence of Mastacembelus notophthalmus Roberts, 1989 in Belitung Island (Indonesia), and update the geographic distribution of this species. Although this species is categorized as LC according to the IUCN Red List, it is rarely reported in fish inventories, with few specimens sampled. Moreover, data on the geographic distribution, population size, and other population details of M. notophthalmus are scarce and insufficient to predict possible threats and propose appropriate conservation measures and policies. A single specimen of Mastacembelus was collected using a fish trap on 20 February 2023, in a swamp, located in the middle course of the Lenggang River, Belitung Island, Indonesia. This specimen was identified as M. notophthalmus and this finding constitutes the southernmost record for this species, expanding its geographic range. In addition, the new record site is about 700 km south-east of the nearest locality in Peninsular Malaysia, about 250 km south-east of the nearest locality in Bangka Island, about 600 km south-east of the nearest locality in Sumatra, and about 500 km south-west from the nearest locality in Borneo. Better ecological and biological data concerning distribution, habitat, and stressors is crucial to reassess the conservation status of M. notophthalmus, and possible future conservation measures and policies. Therefore, we emphasize here the urgency for more comprehensive and accurate data to facilitate conservation assessments and management in Indonesia.