Lumbriculus variegatus is a typical cold-water worm and is mainly distributed in the Tibetan Plateau and Northeast in China. The current study aimed to explore the genetic diversity and phylogeography of L. variegatus sampled from different geographical regions based on concatenated (COI + 16S rRNA, 879 bp) genes. Among 63 L. variegatus specimens, 29 haplotypes were identified with high haplotype diversity (h = 0.923) and nucleotide diversity (π = 0.062). The Bayesian phylogenetic analysis and Median-joining haplotype network revealed two lineages, or species, of L. variegatus. Taxa belonging to lineage I was mainly distributed in the Tibetan Plateau of China, North America, and Sweden, while lineage II composed taxa from Northeast China, southern China, and Sweden. The analysis of molecular variance indicated that the genetic difference was mainly due to differences between lineages. Neutrality tests showed that the overall L. variegatus have a stable population since the time of origin. Divergence time analysis suggested that L. variegatus originated from the Triassic period of Mesozoic in 235 MYA (95%HPD: 199–252 MYA), and the divergence between different lineages of L. variegatus began from the next 170 million years. Full article

Temperature is an important factor determining the abundance, distribution and diversity of termite species. Thus, termites are affected by changing climate and have to adopt different means of surviving in order to avoid extinction. Using termite occurrence data, bioclimatic variables and vegetation cover, we modelled and predicted the current and future habitat suitability for mound-building termites in Nigeria. Of the 19 bioclimatic variables and the vegetation index (NDVI) tested, only six were significant and eligible as predictors of habitat suitability for the mound-building termites Macrotermes subhyalinus and M. bellicosus. Under current climatic conditions (2022), the northwest, northeast and central regions are highly suitable for M. subhyalinus, while the distribution of M. bellicosus decreased in the North West, North East and in the Central region. However, regarding habitat suitability for the future (2050), there was a predicted range expansion into suitable areas for the two termite species. The increase in temperature due to global warming has an effect which can either result in migration or sometimes extinction of termite species within an ecosystem. Here, we have predicted habitat suitability for the two mound-building termite species under current and future climatic scenarios, and how the change in climatic variables would lead to an expansion in their range across Nigeria. Full article

Predicting variations in dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) is important for management and environmental monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. Regression analyses and univariate and multivariate time-series analyses based on autoregressive methods were performed to investigate oxygen conditions in the Pivka River, Slovenia. The monitoring site was established upstream where the river sinks into the karst cave Postojnska jama, which hosts one of the richest subterranean faunas yet studied worldwide. It was found that abnormal variations of DO started to be noticeable at values of DO < 3 mg/L and became more pronounced until the ecosystem reached fully anoxic conditions. The abnormal fluctuations during the critical summer period were due to environmental conditions, organic load and resident biota. Predictions for future detection of anomalies in DO values were made from stable residuals of the measured data, and it was demonstrated that the model could be used to obtain a reliable estimate for a short period, such as one day. The example presented an analysis pipeline based on specific and established threshold DO values, and it is particularly important for ecosystems with diversity hotspots where prolonged low DO values can pose a threat to their biota. Full article

Intermittent rivers, common in dry parts of the world, such as the Mediterranean region, are hydrologically harsh habitats characterized by periodical flow cessation. Ephemeroptera are aquatic insects common in both lotic and lentic waterbodies, where they show a high sensitivity to anthropogenic modifications of their habitat. Therefore, they are widely used as bio-indicators of the freshwater’s health. However, mayfly assemblages and their ecological requirements in the karst Mediterranean intermittent habitats are still not sufficiently known. Thus, the work presented here includes an analysis of mayfly assemblages and their relationship with environmental variables in the lotic phase of four intermittent rivers in the karst Mediterranean region of Croatia. Considering that the studied intermittent rivers are hydrologically extreme environments, a total of 12 recorded mayfly species could be considered as rather high species richness. Nevertheless, species richness per river was quite low (between three and six), and was highly influenced by river morphology, physico-chemical water properties (especially conductivity, water velocity, and concentrations of dissolved oxygen), and anthropogenic pressures. Our results could contribute to the mayfly species protection in karst Mediterranean intermittent freshwater habitats in the Balkans, as well as to the development of conservation measures for those threatened habitats. Full article

Reservoirs are an integral part of the global carbon cycle and generally considered to be methane (CH₄) emission hot spots. Although remarkable research achievements have been made concerning CH₄ ebullition from inland waters, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, few have been devoted to CH₄ ebullition from plateau reservoirs. The present study focused on CH₄ ebullition from the Dahejia Reservoir located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. We analyzed the spatial and temporal characteristics of CH₄ ebullition flux across the water-atmosphere interface between July and August 2021. We also evaluated the influence of microbes on CH₄ ebullition flux. The results showed that (1) CH₄ ebullition was the dominant mode of CH₄ emissions in the study site, which contributed to 78.85 ± 20% of total CH₄ flux. (2) The mean CH₄ ebullition flux in the nighttime (0.34 ± 0.21 mg m⁻² h⁻¹) was significantly higher than that in the daytime (0.19 ± 0.21 mg m⁻² h⁻¹). The mean CH₄ ebullition flux first decreased and then increased from the upstream (0.52 ± 0.57 mg m⁻² h⁻¹) to the downstream (0.43 ± 0.3 mg m⁻² h⁻¹) of the Yellow River. (3) Sediment microbes affected the CH₄ ebullition flux primarily by changing the microbial community abundance. The regression analysis showed that CH₄ ebullition flux had a significantly linear negative correlation with microbial abundance in sediments. The redundancy analysis further showed CH₄ ebullition flux was significantly positively correlated with the abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, and negatively with that of Proteobacteria and Chloroflexi. Among abiotic variables, CH₄ ebullition flux was closely related to total phosphorus, total organic carbon, pH and nitrate nitrogen. Full article

Springs are often considered as “hotspots” of aquatic biodiversity. However, small organisms, such as rotifers, substantially contribute to secondary production, but they are rarely investigated in springs. We surveyed the rotifer fauna of 47 springs in the Knyszyn Forest (north-eastern Poland) in summer and autumn 2014–2015. We hypothesized that stream communities of Rotifera may be specific to this habitat. Rotifer samples were taken using a Plexiglas tube in the spring current. Concurrently, water temperature, pH, conductivity, water redox potential and phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations were determined. The springs did not differ statistically in water quality and were stable regarding their temperature and conductivity. Rotifer densities and mean number of monogonont species were very low both in summer and autumn. Nevertheless, the total number of species recorded in all springs was relatively high and accounted for 101 in total. Although strongly differentiated, the rotifer fauna contained a set of several species common to most of the springs. Most of the recorded species are eurytopic and widely spread in water ecosystems. Only the concentration of magnesium and chloride ions had an impact on Monogononta numbers. Full article

This paper presents the effect of water extracts from the leaves of various Mentha spp. on the growth of selected fungi causing the gray decay of wood. The study determined which of the Mentha spp. extracts used had the best effect on inhibiting the development of fungi on various substrates including pine wood. The best results in the complete inhibition of fungi growth on an agar medium were obtained for the M. × piperita ‘Almira’ extract. Biocidal properties were not achieved on wood samples, although it was noticed that at doses of extracts of 600 g/m² and higher, the growth of fungi in the initial stages of cultivation was clearly inhibited. Chemical substances in the obtained extracts were characterized by gas chromatography. Oxygen monoterpenes were the dominant group of substances, substances belonging to sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, monoterpene hydrocarbons containing oxygen sesquiterpenes, and one substance belonging to non-terpene hydrocarbons were also identified. Full article

Arthropods include a high diversity of lineages adapted for silk production. Several species of microscopic phytophagous mites of the hyperdiverse superfamily Eriophyoidea spin web; however, the origin of their silk is unknown. We described a new web-spinning mite, Aberoptus schotiae n. sp., collected from leaves of Schotia brachypetala (Fabaceae) in South Africa and showed that it has a complex life cycle, including two morphotypes of adults and nymphs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and 28S sequence comparison showed conspecificity of heteromorphic females and rejected synonymy of Aberoptus and Aceria proposed by previous authors. For the first time, we provided SEM images of the web nests and, using a set of different microscopic techniques, described the silk-producing anal secretory apparatus (ASA) of Aberoptus. It comprises two pairs of anal glands (hypertrophied in web-spinning females), three cuticular sacs and a rectal tube leading to the anal opening. This is a unique case (analogy) of anal silk secretion in Chelicerata previously reported only in Serianus (Pseudoscorpiones). Recent findings of rudimentary ASA in distant eriophyoid lineages and the results of this study transform the current paradigm of exoticism of web-spinning eriophyoid taxa into the concept of synapomorphic specialization of the hindgut for excreting the anal gland secretions in Eriophyoidea. Full article

Mollusk fauna is an important component of the Caspian Sea ecosystem alongside ostracods and diatoms. These faunal proxies are essential indicators of hydrological shifts reflecting global and regional climate changes. Adding lithological, geochemical, and geochronological (radiocarbon) data, we revealed paleogeographic events of different scales recorded in the sequence of the Rybachya core from the North Caspian Sea. Here, we present the reconstruction of Mangyshlak paleovalley sediments during the Holocene multi-stage Neocaspian transgression, reflecting global and regional climate changes varying in scale and direction. The determined age of paleovalley-fill sediments, 8070 ± 110 cal yr BP and 7020 ± 140 cal yr BP, suggests that sedimentation processes with extended warming and humidification started later and lasted longer than was assumed earlier. Biological proxies indicate quasi-cyclic variability and shifts from brackish to freshwater conditions throughout the studied interval. Rybachya core was obtained from the early Khvalynian deposits. The Mangyshlak flow formed the depression and eroded the late Khvalynian deposits, which we did not observe in the core structure. It possibly collapsed into paleodepression and acted as a host material for the freshwater lentic faunal association. During the Holocene, we detected a transition from a tranquil water regime to a more dynamic one during the paleovalley gradual filling, followed by marine conditions typical for the modern Caspian Sea. Full article

We provide a diversity assessment of the agamid genus Phrynocephalus Kaup, 1825. We analyze COI mtDNA barcodes from 385 individuals sampled all over Phrynocephalus range. We apply the ABGD, ASAP, bGMYC, mlPTP and hsPTP species delimitation algorithms to analyze the COI gene fragment variation and assess the species diversity in Phrynocephalus. Nine species groups are revealed in Phrynocephalus in agreement with earlier studies on the phylogenetic relationships of the genus. We demonstrate that the present taxonomy likely underestimates the actual diversity of the genus. Alternative species delimitation algorithms provide a confusingly wide range of possible number of Phrynocephalus species—from 54 to 103 MOTUs (molecular operational taxonomic units). The ASAP species delimitation scheme recognizing 63 MOTUs likely most closely fits the currently recognized taxonomic framework of Phrynocephalus. We also report on 13 previously unknown Phrynocephalus lineages as unverified candidate species. We demonstrate that the ASAP and the ABGD algorithms likely most closely reflect the actual diversity of Phrynocephalus, while the mlPTP and hsPTP largely overestimate it. We argue that species delimitation in these lizards based exclusively on mtDNA markers is insufficient, and call for further integrative taxonomic studies joining the data from morphology, mtDNA and nuDNA markers to fully stabilize the taxonomy of Phrynocephalus lizards. Full article

Mangrove wetlands play a key role in global biodiversity conservation, though they have been damaged in recent decades. Therefore, mangrove habitats have been of great concern at the international level since the latter half of the 20th century. We focused on the key issue of the dynamics of mangrove habitats. A comprehensive review of their typicality and status from the global perspective was evaluated before the landscape dynamics of the mangrove habitats at the five sites were interpreted from Landsat satellite images covering 20 years, from 2000 to 2020. Ground-truthing was undertaken after comparing the results with the other published international mangrove datasets. We reached three conclusions: Firstly, within the period from 2000 to 2020, the mangrove area in Dongzhaigang increased by 414 ha, with an increase of 24.6%. In Sembilang NP, Sundarban, Kakadu NP, and RUMAKI, the mangrove area decreased by 1652 ha, 16,091 ha, 83 ha, and 2012 ha, with a decrease of 1.8%, 2.7%, 0.9%, and 3.9%, respectively. Secondly, other types of wetlands play a key role in degradating the mangrove wetlands in all of five protected areas. Thirdly, the rate of mangrove degradation has slowed dramatically based on the five sites over the past two decades, which are generally consistent with the findings of other researchers. Full article

Reefal limestones of the Štramberk Carbonate Platform are preserved as olistoliths and pebbles in deep-water flysch of the Outer Carpathians (Czech Republic, Poland). They contain the richest coral assemblages of the Jurassic/Cretaceous transition (Tithonian–Berriasian). Symbiotic associations between corals and tube-dwelling macroorganisms were recognized only in the branching scleractinian corals Calamophylliopsis flabellum and Calamophylliopsis sp. One to seven calcareous tubes were recognized either in coral calyces, embedded in the wall, or attached to it. Two types of tubes were recognized: Type 1: tubes with a diameter of 0.3–0.6 mm and a very thin wall (ca. 0.05 mm), mostly occurring inside corallites, and nearly exclusively in the Štramberk-type limestone of Poland; Type 2: tubes with an outer diameter of 0.8–2.0 mm and a thick wall (ca. 0.1 mm, some even up to 0.2 mm), mostly found in the Štramberk Limestone of the Czech Republic. Growth lamellae were observed in some thick walls. Most tubes are almost straight, some are curved. The tubes were probably produced by serpulids or by embedment of organic-walled sabellid polychaete worms. It is likely the oldest record of a sabellid–coral association. Modification of the coral skeleton in contact with tubes indicates that the worms were associated with live corals. For many modern and fossil worm–coral associations, this symbiotic association is interpreted as mutualistic or commensal. Full article

The interrelationship of the minerals calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺) and silicon (Si) in the sediments and in the body walls of four tropical sea cucumber species was explored by modeling the concentrations of these minerals. The elemental concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Si were measured in the body walls and in the ambient sediments occupied by the sea cucumbers Holothuria scabra, H. leucospilota, H. atra and Bohadschia marmorata. The results indicate that the concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the body walls of the four sea cucumber species are significantly different from each other, indicating a varying degree of biomineralization across sea cucumber taxa. In contrast, only B. marmorata showed a significant difference in the concentration of Si when compared to the rest of the species tested. Further analysis using linear mixed models revealed that the Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Si concentrations in the body walls of the tested sea cucumber species are associated with the sediment concentrations of the same elements. The relatively high concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the sediments indicate that these minerals are sufficiently high in sea cucumbers to support their biomineralization. The relationship between the Mg/Ca ratio in the body walls of the sea cucumbers and minerals in the sediments revealed that Si was the only mineral that was not correlated with the Mg/Ca ratio. Predicting the relationship of the elements Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Si between the sediments and the body walls of sea cucumbers may be complex due to the various factors that influence the metabolism and biomineralization in sea cucumbers. Full article

Curculio glandium is one of the pre-dispersal seed predators occurring in Central Europe. It is associated with Quercus robur, the acorns of which are shelter and food sources for developing larvae. Females of the species, to our knowledge, are lacking in marking pheromones or do not use them; therefore, in nature, multiple infestations (over 10 eggs or larvae) of the same host fruit can be found. Such density can provoke very strong competition, which was verified in this study. The survival rate and body mass of 695 second-instar larvae, competing in various test groups (one, three, five, eight and ten larvae) offered one acorn, were measured and video recordings made in order to describe their behavior and determine differences between groups. Experimental observations indicated that when the density of larvae in an acorn increased, the survival rate and body mass significantly decreased—being the lowest in test groups consisting of eight and ten individuals. In the latter groups, also the acorn embryo was completely consumed. Video footage, along with the presence of dead, nibbled larvae and living ones covered with scars resembling mouthparts, is evidence for aggression and cannibalism in the second and the third larval instars—behavior scarce in weevils and in phytophagous insects in general. Results confirm the assumption that in heavily infested oak fruits, competition between individuals is so strong that it involves cannibalism, which at the same time provides the strongest larvae with additional nutrients. Full article

Two eggs (L29 and N28) were recovered in the Holocene site of Lobos 3, (Islote de Lobos, north Fuerteventura, Canary Islands), the site has been interpreted as a purple dye workshop from the Early Roman Empire Epoch. For the first time, eggs from a Holocene deposit of the Canary Islands have been analyzed in terms of size, shape, and biomineral structure, and studied on the basis of several thin sections and SEM analysis. The analysis of the remains allowed the assignation of both eggs to Procellariidae birds, thanks to the relative proportion of the eggshell layers and the vesiculation patterns. The size of the eggs allowed the assignation of L29 to cf. Calonectris/Puffinus, and to cf. Puffinus for N28. The absence of more structural analysis on Procellariiformes eggshells prevent a more specific assignation. The accumulation pattern of the eggs is compatible with a seasonal occupation pattern of the Roman site. Full article