Ecology of the facultative phytotelmic crab Platychirarma buettikoferi (De Man, 1883) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Sesarmidae)

The mangrove forests surrounding Douala, Cameroon, have a long history of human impact due to rapid urbanization, resulting in patches of true mangrove forest interspersed with areas dominated by the mangrove-associated Pandanus species. A survey carried out to assess the possible shift in crab fauna composition and dominance between mangrove and Pandanus dominated areas revealed an undescribed phytotelmic habitat for Platychirarma buettikoferi. This species was found colonizing the natural reservoirs of fresh water represented by Pandanus spp. Our results show P. buettikoferi to be ecologically dependent upon Pandanus spp., and absent on the mangrove floor and trees, strongly indicating a phytotelmic adaptation. Our data suggest that this species is a facultative phytotelmic species well adapted to Pandanus spp. dominated areas. Further studies on the reproductive biology and feeding behaviour of P. buettikoferi may shed light on this unique phytotelmic lifestyle and its role in mangrove ecosystem functioning.

Changes of knowledge of the fauna volume: species discovery curve in case of silken-fungus beetles of the Carpathians

The approach to the analysis of the fauna composition and completeness of its detection through the concept of “species discovery curve” is considered. Beetles of the family Cryptophagidae were taken as a model group. The dynamics of the accumulation of the information about the composition and volume of the Cryptophagidae fauna of the Ukrainian Carpathians during the eight stages of their study (the middle XIX, late XIX and the end of XIX century, the beginning of the XX century, the period until 1930–1940; middle and second half of XX century, and the current state for 1999 and 2021) are presented. In general, the composition of the cryptophagid fauna in the Ukrainian Carpathians is estimated at 116 species. This is 16 % more compared to what was known 100 years ago, i.e. each stage of the study adds about 5 % to the known species richness of this group of beetles. The components of fauna changes are analysed separately: 1) due to the changes in the nomenclature of existing species, 2) as a result of finding rare species (i.e. strengthening research efforts), 3) due to division or vice versa – combining existing species into two or three “small” species that were previously considered as morphs, varieties, or were not distinguished.

Occurrence of lizards in agricultural land and implications for conservation

Agriculture intensification is among one of the major threats affecting terrestrial reptiles worldwide. There is however a lack of information available on the ecology of these vertebrates in agricultural landscapes. Basic information like the pattern of occurrence in cultivated fields is key to assess the probability of an animal being affected by threats driven by agricultural managing. Focussing on the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus), we performed a field study to assess in detail its distribution and abundance in two cultivations, vineyards and cereal fields. Lizard distribution and abundance significantly varied among land uses, regardless of the arthropod fauna composition and diversity (analysed in the same fields), and the management activities. In the cereal fields, lizards were present exclusively along the field margins while in the vineyards they also occurred in the inner portions of the cultivated areas, even if they were more abundant next to the borders. The widespread presence of lizards in the vineyards suggest that P. siculus can likely adapt to such cultivated areas. This partly lowers the effect of habitat loss due to vineyard planting but exposes animals to the risks related to management activities, including mechanical practices and chemical application. In contrast, the presence of sowed lands, as extremely simplified habitats, results primarily in a definitive loss of habitat for lizards that are unable to settle within them, while the exposure to threats driven by management is less direct than in vineyards.

New records of fleas and ticks in armadillos (Xenarthra: Chlamyphoridae) from the Espinal and Monte ecoregions of La Pampa province, Argentina

La Pampa province is divided into two clearly distinguishable fractions: a small northeastern humid sector corresponding to the Pampas ecoregion and a drier western sector, represented by the Monte de Llanuras y Mesetas (termed Monte region in this paper) and Espinal ecoregions (sensu Brown et al. 2006). These three ecoregions are visibly distinguishable from an edaphological and phytogeographic point of view, while the mammalian fauna composition is homogeneous. The study area was located in the central part of the province, comprising the Monte and Espinal ecoregions (Fig. 1). In that area three species of armadillos are recorded (Soibelzon et al. 2015). Two of these (Zaedyus pichiy Desmarest, 1804 and Chaetophractus villosus Desmarest, 1804) (Xenarthra: Chlamyphoridae) are the most common and widely distributed armadillos both in the province and in the country, while the third species, Chlamyphorus truncatus Harlan, 1825, has a more restricted distribution and is one of the most cryptic and least known armadillos in the country. For this reason, in our fieldwork ectoparasites were obtained only from the first two species mentioned.

Ecological impacts caused by the alternance of wet/dry episodes occurred in the last 2,000 years in southern Tibetan Plateau: A paleoecological record from Lake Nam Co

<p>High altitudinal aquatic ecosystems are subject to environmental change due to global warming and increasing solar radiation. The Nam Co catchment is part of the highest and largest alpine plateau on Earth, where the effects of climate change are expressed stronger than the global average. Thus, this area has experienced rapid changes in biodiversity. Fluctuations between wetter and drier periods during the last 2,000 calibrated (cal.) years were detected. These changes may alter the dynamics in ecosystems and therefore their resilience to climate change.</p><p>A ~65 cm sediment record from Nam Co spanning the late Holocene, was analyzed to evaluate the assemblage composition of three of the most abundant and diverse benthic taxa (Arcellinidae, Ostracoda and Chironomidae) and the diverse family of small bivalves (Sphaeriidae). In general, the presence of the bivalve <em>Pisidium stewarti</em>, together with a high abundance of black-coated ostracod shells, and high Ca/Ti and Zr/Rb ratios correspond to the driest period (~ 1,000 - 1,860 cal. years BP) detected in our sediment record. For the last 256 cal. years, higher lake levels were inferred from aquatic fauna composition and geochemical analysis (XRF and XRD) suggesting a more humid environment. This period was characterized by higher temperatures and a higher input of organic matter. Species not previously reported for Lake Nam Co such as Arcellinida species, the ostracod <em>Ilyocypris angulata</em>, several chironomid species, and the bivalve <em>P. stewarti</em>, were observed. These new records, as well as the detection of varieties in morphological structures (e.g. spines, aggregate material, valve ornamentations, etc.) highlight the probable existence of cryptic species in the ecosystem, which is an important factor to take into account for biodiversity evaluation and paleoenvironmental inferences, due to potential misleading ecological interpretation.</p><p>Therefore, emphasis should be placed on combining ecology, morphology and DNA analysis to corroborate the taxonomy of species already described, and determine the accurate richness and distribution of the species in an environment where endemism is expected. This is essential in order to evaluate possible losses or gains in terms of diversity that climate change may exert on aquatic ecosystems in the future.</p>

Asteroids and Ophiuroids Associated With Sponge Aggregations as a Key to Marine Habitats. A Comparative Analysis Between Avilés Canyons System and El Cachucho, Marine Protected Area

This study analyzes the fauna composition of the community of brittle and sea stars associated with sponge aggregations located in Avilés Canyons System and El Cachucho, Marine Protected Area (MPA). Diverse sampling methods were used depending on bottom morphology, such as rock dredges and specific samplers for sedimentary bottoms, mainly beam trawl models. These banks are made up of sponge and coral species that build a very appropriate substrate for the proliferation of benthic species, which together create Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems that are highly relevant for management and conservation. Among these benthic species, echinoderms are of great interest due to their value as indicators of good habitat. In total, 1261 specimens were collected (934 brittle stars and 327 starfishes), belonging to 42 species (28 ophiuroids and 14 asteroids) from INDEMARES AVILÉS, ECOMARG, and SponGES project surveys. Specimens were distributed among four sponge aggregations (F: fields) that were considered according to the sponge records obtained in the same stations (36). These fields were defined and named based on the five most common sponge species: Aphrocallistes beatrix and Regadrella phoenix (F1: Avilés Canyon); Pheronema carpenteri (F2: Intraslope basin of Le Danois Bank); Asconema setubalense (F3: Le Danois Bank); and Neoschrammeniella aff. bowerbankii (F4: Corbiro Canyon). Faunistic results show that Ophiactis abyssicola (55.55% occurrence), Brisinga endecacnemos, Ophiolycus purpureus, and Peltaster placenta (33.33%) were the most frequently found species in F1; Psilaster andromeda (80%), Pseudarchaster parelii (60%), and Nymphaster arenatus (46.67%) in F2; Ophiura carnea (71.43%) and Ophiacantha smitti (42.86%) in F3; and Ophiacantha densa, and Henricia caudani (100%) in F4. The asteroid and ophiuroid species collected seem to be composed of four different communities that fit to areas with particular morphological and biological features, related to the presence of species specialized in the use of the resources they can find there. In general, the abiotic factor controlling this structure is depth. This assemblage structure, which favors the dissimilarity between the canyons and the bank, is not so clear, since the deepest stations are located on the intraslope basin of El Cachucho, Marine Protected Area (MPA), therefore, using it a priori could lead to misunderstandings. Once the structure of the echinoderm community was known, we compared the expected and obtained results to analyze evidence which should prove the existence of any association between echinoderms and sponges, which enabled us to refute the incongruous hypothesis.

Cecidomyiidae (Diptera, Insecta): richness of species and distribution in Brazil

Most Neotropical species of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) have been described from Brazil, but a list of species with occurrence in the country has never been published. Little is known about their distribution and richness in the Brazilian phytogeographic domains. Additionally, a list of host plant species has never been gathered. The present study aims to fill these knowledge gaps and provides an overview of this family in Brazil. For this, data were obtained mainly from the literature, but also from the Cecidomyiidae collection of Museu Nacional and two herbaria (RB and R). Based on the site "Flora do Brasil 2020", botanical names were updated and plant species origin and distribution were verified. A total of 265 gall midge species have been recorded in Brazil, most from the Atlantic Forest (183), followed by Cerrado (60), and Amazon Forest (29). The other phytogeographic domains shelter from five to ten species. Phytophagous gall midges occur on 128 plant species of 52 families, almost all native, being 43 endemic to Brazil (21 endemic to Atlantic Forest, five to Cerrado, and one to Amazon). Although, the taxonomical knowledge is focused on the Atlantic Forest, each domain has its own fauna composition and these informations can be useful for environmental conservational purposes. About 58% of the Brazilian fauna are known only from the type-locality. In order to fill these gaps, it is necessary and important to collect in uninvestigated areas.

Fish fauna of small-order streams of savannah and forest fragments landscape in the lower Tapajós River basin, Amazonia

To better understand the fish fauna of Amazonian streams, we assessed small streams in a landscape of forest fragments and savannah in the region of the lower Tapajós River, Brazil. We sampled the fish fauna using a well-tested active capture method during two dry seasons (October 2006 and 2018) and one rainy season (March to May 2018). Species richness was calculated using an abundance matrix and first-order jackknife estimator. Using qualitative and quantitative data, we present a cluster analysis in which each stream corresponds to a sampling unit. We collected 6,094 individuals of 43 species distributed in six orders. The sampling effort represents 73% of the estimated richness (58.69 ± 7.65). The most abundant species were Copella nattereri, Iguanodectes variatus and Laimosemion dibaphus that together represent almost half of the total sample (48.7%). The most frequent species were Aequidens epae, Helogenes marmoratus and Laimosemion dibaphus, which were collected in 11 of the 13 sampled streams. This is the first fish fauna list for small-order streams of savannah and forest fragments landscape in Amazonian Brazil. The richness of fish and the presence of many rare species underscore the contribution of small streams to the regional fish fauna composition, even in dynamic and spatially restricted landscapes.