Population density and structure of a breeding bird community in a suburban habitat in the Cuvelai drainage system, northern Namibia

In a suburb (c. 100 ha) of Ongwediva, a total of 30 breeding bird species were recorded in 2018. Shannon’s Diversity Index was 2.01. Passer domesticus comprised almost half of all breeding pairs (36.4 pairs / 10 ha). Granivores were by far the most numerous feeding guild, comprising 77.5 % of all birds breeding. Birds nesting on/in buildings were represented by two species only, but they comprised almost half (49.9 %) of all breeding birds. In comparison with other southern African towns, the number of bird species breeding in Ongwediva was low. This was compensated by high population densities of some species.

Landscape Diversity and the Directions of Its Protection in Poland Illustrated with an Example of Wielkopolskie Voivodeship

As part of the implementation of the provisions of the European Landscape Convention, a landscape audit of the provinces has been underway in Poland for a few years. The main objectives of the audit are the delimitation of landscape units, assessment of their values, and identification of the priority of landscapes to be protected. This study presents the results of research on the landscape division of the Wielkopolskie voivodeship and a geostatistical analysis of the differentiation of ecological units. With reference to legal regulations in force in Poland, the landscape diversity of the province was characterized using two divisions: geophysical regionalization and landscape typology. In the case of regional division, the meso- and microregions of physical and geographical rank are referenced. The proposed microregional division is the first example in Poland of such a detailed landscape analysis completed for the area of the voivodeship. In the case of typological division, the study conducted in cooperation with the Wielkopolska Bureau of Spatial Planning in Poznań was used. The statistical analysis included metrics to quantitatively characterize landscape composition, including the landscape division index (DIVISION), Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI), and Simpson’s diversity index (SIDI). The results of the study were then compared with the distribution of areas associated with different forms of landscape protection such as national parks, landscape parks, and protected landscape areas. The applied methodology and the results obtained indicate the important role of physical and geographical microregions in the complex analyses of landscape diversity and their broad application in procedures connected with landscape planning and environmental protection.

Behavioural diversity as a potential welfare indicator for professionally managed chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Exploring variations in calculating diversity using species-specific behaviours

Behavioural diversity may serve as a positive indicator of animal welfare that can be applied in long-term monitoring schemes in managed settings (eg zoos, laboratories, farms). Behavioural diversity is often higher when animals live in stimulating environments and experience positive events. Unfortunately, welfare researchers have not adopted consistent, standardised approaches to measuring behavioural diversity. The goal of this exploratory study was to utilise data from 41 adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) housed across 16 zoological institutions to examine various models of Shannon's Diversity Index. Specifically, we investigated the impact of: combining versus splitting behaviours, including only positive behaviours, including human interaction, and considering recipient behaviours. We evaluate how the inclusion or exclusion of different behaviours impacts the relationship of behavioural diversity with: (i) concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM), a common indicator of adrenal activity; (ii) concentrations of immunoglobulin-A (IgA), an indicator of immune function and potential indicator of positive welfare; and (iii) stereotypic behaviour, a validated indicator of poor welfare. Most indices had significant negative relationships with faecal GCM. Animals that express a variety of behaviours from their species-typical repertoire have lower average faecal GCM concentrations and are likely experiencing better welfare. We did not find significant relationships between the behavioural diversity indices and IgA concentrations. Two indices were inversely associated with stereotypic behaviour. Our findings provide additional support for using Shannon's Diversity Index to calculate behavioural diversity as a robust, valid measure of positive welfare. However, future publications must justify the process for including or excluding behaviours from calculations.

Fish Fauna of Kankai River of Jhapa District, Eastern Nepal

This study explored fish diversity in the Kankai River of the Jhapa district. Fishes were collected by cast net (mesh 0.5cm) from three sampling sites: Domukha, Kotihom and Bengdada in rainy and winter seasons. Water temperature, pH and water velocity were recorded at each site. A total of 20 fish species belonging to 4 orders and eight families were recorded. Cypriniformes has recorded as the dominant order with 16 species, followed by Siluriformes with two species and Perciformes, and Synbranchiformes with a single species each. The value of Shannon’s diversity Index (H’) was higher in winter (3.06; Domukha) than a rainy season (1.06; Bengdada), indicating higher diversity in winter than rainy season. Only a slight variation in pH was recorded during the study period, i.e. 7.9 (highest) and 7.8 (lowest). The highest and the lowest temperatures recorded in the rainy season were 280C and 270C, and that of winter were 170C and 150C. The highest and the lowest water current recorded in the rainy season were 0.75 m/s and 0.68 m/s, and that of winter were 0.55 m/s and 0.52 m/s. It should be noted that to have comprehensive fish diversity status, future investigation covering more seasons and more sampling sites is essential.

Composite core set construction and diversity analysis of Iranian walnut germplasm using molecular markers and phenotypic traits

Iran is a center of origin and diversity for walnuts (Juglans regia L.) with very good potential for breeding purposes. The rich germplasm available, creates an opportunity for study and selection of the diverse walnut genotypes. In this study, the population structure of 104 Persian walnut accessions was assessed using AFLP markers in combination with phenotypic variability of 17 and 18 qualitative and quantitative traits respetively. The primers E-TG/M-CAG, with high values of number of polymorphic bands, polymorphic information content, marker index and Shannon’s diversity index, were the most effective in detecting genetic variation within the walnut germplasm. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated 93.98% of the genetic variability was between individuals, while 6.32% of variation was among populations. A relatively new technique, an advanced maximization strategy with a heuristic approach, was deployed to develop the core collection. Initially, three independent core collections (CC1–CC3) were created using phenotypic data and molecular markers. The three core collections (CC1–CC3) were then merged to generate a composite core collection (CC4). The mean difference percentage, variance difference percentage, variable rate of coefficient of variance percentage, coincidence rate of range percentage, Shannon’s diversity index, and Nei’s gene diversity were employed for comparative analysis. The CC4 with 46 accessions represented the complete range of phenotypic and genetic variability. This study is the first report describing development of a core collection in walnut using molecular marker data in combination with phenotypic values. The construction of core collection could facilitate the work for identification of genetic determinants of trait variability and aid effective utilization of diversity caused by outcrossing, in walnut breeding programs.

The costs of urban living: human–wildlife interactions increase parasite risk and self-directed behaviour in urban vervet monkeys

The urban landscape is a complex mosaic of costs and benefits for urban wildlife. Although many species may adapt and thrive in the urban mosaic, the complexity of this landscape can be stressful and have health implications for urban wildlife, raising concerns for zoonosis and biodiversity. In this study, we assessed how human–primate interactions influenced parasite risk and anxiety-related behaviour of urban vervet monkeys in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Over 1 year, we collected and analysed faecal samples, assessing eggs per gram, species richness, and Shannon’s diversity index. In addition, using behavioural sampling, we recorded self-directed scratching behaviour, as an indicator of anxiety, and human–primate interactions, both positive (human-food consumption) and negative (human–monkey aggression). To assess parasite risk in the urban mosaic, we ran three models with our parasite measures as dependent variables. Results showed that negative human interactions significantly increased with eggs per gram, species richness, and Shannon’s diversity index and positive human interactions increased with both eggs per gram and species richness. Furthermore, eggs per gram significantly increased with higher scratching rate. We also tested the relationship between scratching and human interactions, finding that scratching significantly increased under higher rates of negative human incidents. Overall, results suggest that there are costs to urban living that increase anxiety-related behaviour and parasite risk despite increased food availability. Our findings are important for developing effective management strategies that focus on cohabitation rather than conflict, for the benefit of human and wildlife health.

Diversity and community ecology of metazoan parasites in Pimelodus ornatus (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from the Amazonas River in Brazil

The present study investigated the metazoan parasite community in Pimelodus ornatus from the Amazon River, in the state of Amapá (Brazil). Of 71 fish examined, 70.4% were parasitized by Demidospermus sp. (Monogenea), Cucullanus pinnai, Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus and Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda) and plerocercoids from Proteocephalidae gen. sp. (Cestoda). The dominance was of nematode species such as Procamallanus (S.) inopinatus and Contracaecum sp. The parasites showed a highly aggregated dispersion and a predominance of hosts infected by one species of parasite. The parasite community was characterized by a low Shannon diversity index, low evenness and low species richness. The richness of parasite species, Shannon's diversity index, abundance of P. (S.) inopinatus and Proteocephalidae gen. sp. showed a positive correlation with the length of the hosts. Therefore, the size of the hosts had an influence on the parasite community and infracommunities, as well as their intermediate position in the food web. This is the first record of P. (S.) inopinatus and Contracaecum sp. for P. ornatus.

List of bee species (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) of Lviv city (Ukraine). Part II: Families Colletidae Lepeletier, 1841; Halictidae Thomson, 1869; Megachilidae Latreille, 1802 and Melittidae Michener, 2000

Background. The article presents the results of the research on bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) that occur in the city of Lviv. Bees are one of the most important pollinators of many species of angiosperm plants. Research on species diversity of bees is very important not only on the wild nature territories, but also on the urbanized areas. Cities have a significant impact on bee species diversity, their biology and conservation. A comprehensive study of all Apoidea on the whole territory of the city of Lviv has been conducted for the first time in more than 80 years and we hope that the presented materials will lay the foundation for further more detailed studies in this area. Materials and Methods. Lviv is the largest city in Western Ukraine located on the eastern edge of the Roztochia Upland. The material was collected during the warm period of 2017–2019. The Moericke (yellow) pan traps and the entomological nets were used. Besides, we collected dead bees (killed by traffic) along the roads. W have analyzed the entomological collection of the Zoological Museum of the Ivan Franko National University [ZMD] (Lviv). The stereoscopic microscope and a variety of specialized keys for bee species identification were used. We used the Shannon’s diversity index to assess species diversity. We also calculated the Shannon evenness measure to facilitate the interpretation of the results. Results. We analyzed 960 specimens of bees that belong to 106 species, 25 genera and 6 families. The current (second) part of our study deals with review of the Colletidae (3 species), Halictidae (22 species), Megachilidae (11 species) and Melittidae (5 species) families. Species diversity of the bees from Andrenidae and Apidae families was analyzed in previous (first) the part of our research [27]. Conclusions. All species from the six families are native for the territory of Europe. The majority of them are polylectic (≈ 61 %), while the number of oligolectic species (≈ 23 %), or species that do not need to collect pollen (≈ 16 %) is much smaller. The Shannon’s diversity index is approx. 3.718 and the Shannon evenness measure is 0.799 (the honeybee Apis mellifera was excluded in both calculations). Analysis of the impact of urbanization and various environmental factors on the species diversity of bees requires further detailed studies. Keywords: bees, species diversity, Lviv, Ukraine

PSV-23 The influence of prior experience on dietary diversity in sheep

The objective of this study was to explore the influence of prior dietary experiences on intake and selection of novel feeds by lambs. Twenty lambs housed in individual pens were assigned to two groups (10lambs/group): Negative (NE) and Positive (PE) Experiences, in a split-plot design. Lambs were offered a nutritive novel feed followed by intra-ruminal infusions of lithium chloride-LiCl (150 mg/kg BW), a toxicant that causes food aversions (NE), or vehicle (water; PE). The feed was offered daily and infusions were delivered only when intake was ≥50g, when the protocol was repeated with another novel feed until 4 feeds (oats, wheat bran, corn, beep pulp) were offered. After exposure, all lambs were tested for their acceptance of single novel feeds, each offered during 2 consecutive days: sorghum grain, rice bran, Calfmanna® pellets and soybean meal. Subsequently, all lambs were offered a 5-way choice among these feeds and alfalfa (familiar feed). Intake data, preference and Shannon’s diversity index (5-way choices) were analyzed with a Mann-Whiney U test. During exposure, the NE group ate less of the 4 feeds than the PE group (P < 0.05). Moreover, as exposure progressed, it took more days for NE lambs to reach the 50 g intake threshold, suggesting that neophobia in this group increased with negative experiences. During testing, NE lambs ate less (P < 0.05) of the novel feeds, except soybean meal, than the PE lambs. During the 5-way-choice test, preference for alfalfa was 63.6±3.5% for NE and 45.2±2.6% for PE (P < 0.001). The Shannon’s index was 0.85±0.05 for NE and 1.24±0.03 for PE (P < 0.001), suggesting that lambs in NE selected a less diverse diet. Thus, prior experience influenced neophobia and dietary diversity, an outcome that could impact the nutrition and welfare of grazing animals introduced to novel environments and the diversity of plant communities.

Potential Effects of Climate and Human Influence Changes on Range and Diversity of Nine Fabaceae Species and Implications for Nature’s Contribution to People in Kenya

Climate and land-use changes are the main drivers of species distribution. On the basis of current and future climate and socioeconomic scenarios, species range projections were made for nine species in the Fabaceae family. Modeled species have instrumental and relational values termed as nature’s contribution to people (NCP). For each species, five scenarios were analyzed resulting in 45 species range maps. Representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 and three shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs 1, 2, and 3) were used in the analysis. Species ranges under these scenarios were modeled using MaxEnt; a niche modeling software that relates species occurrence with environmental variables. Results were used to compute species richness and evenness based on Shannon’s diversity Index. Results revealed a mix of range expansion and contraction for the modeled species. The findings highlighted which species may remain competitive in an urbanized future and which ones are detrimentally affected by climate. Parts of the country where species abundances are likely to change due to climate and socioeconomic changes were identified. Management of species will be required in people-dominated landscapes to maintain interactions between nature and society, while avoiding natural resource degradation and loss of NCP.