Zoodiversity

Phantom references and the peer-review crisis: how artificial intelligence tests the resilience of scientific periodicals

V. O. Kharchenko — 2026-05-14

The critical vulnerability of the traditional blind peer-review system to the challenges posed by the rapid development of generative tools is examined. Based on a real-world precedent involving the discovery of a completely fabricated bibliography in a submitted manuscript, we analyse the basic mechanisms behind the creation of false references, such as anachronisms, “Frankensteinisation”, and professional biases. The study demonstrates the evolution of the threat: a transition from the obvious errors of early algorithms to the deep “semantic hallucinations” of modern RAG-based search engines, which are capable of generating perfectly formatted yet conceptually empty texts derived from real databases. To protect the publication process, an updated algorithm for editorial control is proposed, requiring the mandatory validation of digital object identifiers (DOIs) and a clear declaration of the algorithms utilised by the authors. The main conclusion emphasises the necessary and unalterable transition to the Open Science Framework paradigm, where textual material is viewed merely as an accompanying document to a verified array of primary datasets, open-source code, and deposited collection specimens.

Documenting the first ocurrence of Feihyla baladika (Anura, Rhacoporidae) in East Java: ecology, genetics, and habitat suitability

M. A. Rijalullah — 2026-04-28

Previously, Feihyla baladika (Riyanto and Kurniati, 2014) was known exclusively from Sumatra, Indonesia. This study reports a new record of this species from the eastern region of Java Island, within a lowland tropical rainforest close to Pantai Kondang Merak. Due to the absence of other findings in Java and some morphological differences along with a genetic distance of 2–3%, we cautiously refer to the specimens as F. cf. baladika. Species distribution modeling using MaxEnt suggests that F. baladika may potentially occur in Sumatra, Java, and Bali, in areas characterized by relatively low precipitation during the wettest month, forest cover, and low temperature seasonality.

Fossil vertebrates of Skelia Podil’ska 2 (Dnister area, Ukraine): a distinctive interglacial fauna of the Early Chibanian

L. Popova — 2026-04-27

A new microvertebrate assemblage from Skelia Podil’ska 2 (Ternopil Oblast, the Dniester area, Ukraine) sheds light on faunal evolution during the Martonosha interglacial (Early Chibanian, Pleistocene). The fauna was discovered beneath a small rock shelter developed in the Shyrokyne alluvial sandstones. The section comprises alluvial and subaerial deposits of the Zbruch valley, and records several palaeoincisions of different ages. The oldest, Martonosha palaeoincision, formed a cliff face hosting a small rock shelter in which the fossils were recovered. Taphonomic analysis of the findings and their palaeogeomorphological context indicates that the bones accumulated due to owl activity. The fossil assemblage includes amphibians and rodents and is taxonomically and ecologically attributable to the Kolkotovian association of the Tiraspol fauna (MIS 17). The fauna is characterised by the absence of steppe and semi-desert species, and by a pronounced dominance of the subgenus Terricola voles, particularly Microtus (Terricola) arvalidens. Amphibian remains constitute an unusually high proportion of the assemblage. Ecologically, the assemblage reflects warm and highly humid climatic conditions typical of the Martonosha interglacial. At the same time, the scarcity of strictly forest-associated vertebrates suggests that closed forests were locally poorly developed. This discrepancy is attributed to shallow limestone and sandstone bedrock, which limited forest development despite favourable climatic conditions.

A New Species of Hahnia (Araneae, Hahniidae) from Bulgaria and Crimean Peninsula close to H. nava

S. Indzhov — 2026-04-27

Hahnia kovblyuki sp. n. is described from forest habitats in Western Bulgaria and compared to its closest species, H. nava (Blackwall, 1841), using morphology and simple morphometry. Previous records of H. nava from Crimea are formally re-assigned to H. kovblyuki sp. n., and issues in the taxonomy of the Hahnia nava complex are briefly discussed.

New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea)

N. I. Dykan — 2026-04-27

The full cycle of taphonomic analysis of ostracods (including visual microscopic study of the shell fossilisation, statistical, population, ecological and biostratigraphic analyses) is described. Graphical population analysis was used for taphonomic analysis for the first time and is described in detail. This allows the type of ostracod burial to be determined with a high degree of accuracy. Signs of autochthonous and allochthonous (synchronous and heterochthonous) burial of ostracods are clarified and illustrated using SEM images. The technique of modification quantitative method for determining the numerical abiotic parameters of the aquatic environment (water depth, temperature and salinity), which was initially developed for fossil ostracods, is described.