Diversity, Volume 15, Issue 8 (August 2023) – 64 articles

Penguins, like most birds, are considered monomorphic species. Cloacal endoscopy, laparoscopy, or molecular sex verification are used to determine sex in such animals. Our aim in this study was to investigate whether sex recognition can be performed in penguins by a non-invasive method using the shape of the bill. For this purpose, sex and population differences in penguins were investigated by geometric morphometric methods using photos of the bill in the dorsal and lateral views. Fifty-four African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) were taken for the study. Principal component analysis was applied to reveal the shape variations of the bill. Principal components were extracted for each bill projection. PC1 explained 37.06% of the total variation in the dorsal view, while PC1 for the lateral view explained 31.4% of the total variation. Canonical variance analysis was performed to reveal the differences between groups. The lateral view was more effective in revealing the differences between the groups and between the sexes. For the dorsal view, Procrustes distances values between any group were not statistically significant. The maxillary rostrum in female penguins was higher, while, in males, the mandibular rostrum was higher. The females’ bills were narrower than in males. Centroid size in males was on average larger than in females. Significant differences in bill shape between populations were also found. Using geometric morphometric methods, sex analysis can be conducted with less equipment and less stress on the birds. However, the environmental factors that cause bill variation in birds should be examined in more detail. Better knowledge of the effects of environmental factors on bill variation is important for geometric morphometric methods to give more accurate results in sex and population analyses. Full article

The authors complete the study of the genus Nama Borovec & Meregalli, 2013, one of the seven genera of the tribe Namaini Meregalli & Borovec, 2021, with the description of 14 new species: Nama chaslavskae (type locality: North of Aggeneys, 29°12′ S 18°50′ E); N. startorum (type locality: Danielskuil, 28°11′ S 23°33′ E); N. ginobartalii (type locality: Messelpad Pass, 29°54′ S, 17°44′ E); N. yusrae (type locality: Wildepaarde Hoek, 29°57′ S 17°33′ E); N. goegapensis (type locality: Goegap Park, Kraaifontein, 29°37′ S, 18°02′ E); N. semilunata (type locality: Gemsbok Vlakte frm., 30°30′ S 17°29′ E); N. martiana (type locality: Aggeneys, Gamsberg, 1116 m, 29°15′S, 18°57′ E); Nama smithi (type locality: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Pass South, 27°19′ S, 22°31′ E); N. kostali (type locality: near Danielskuil, 28°15′ S, 23°34′ E); Nama seriehispida (type locality: NE Bitterfontein, 30°53′ S, 18°19′ E); N. khalidae (type locality: SW Kliprand, 30°40′ S, 18°41′ E); N. switzerae (type locality: W Gamoep, 29°58′ S, 18°22′ E); N. peternormani (type locality: Anenous Pass, 29°14′ S, 17°35′ E); N. wallacei (type locality: Pofadder, 29°07′ S, 19°25′ E). Short biogeographical remarks are added. Full article

The influence of landscape structure on species communities is intimately connected to the spatial scales at which measurements are made. If we do not measure landscape structure at its most impactful scale, otherwise known as the “scale of effect”, we might fail to detect crucial community–landscape relationships. In our study, we focused on the “scale of effect” as it pertains to the relationship between urban bird diversity and landscape structure. We investigated eight types of landscape structure variables alongside elevation attributes across 16 spatial scales around 28 sampling sites in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Our objective was to identify the most influential scale at which the environmental variables under investigation affect the taxonomic and functional diversity of bird species. We utilized PLSR and VIP scores to overcome challenges posed by multicollinearity among predictors. We found that the influence of landscape characteristics on bird species richness and functional dispersion index (FDis) was scale-dependent. Notably, the influence of the area of open water on FDis is most pronounced at smaller scales, while at larger scales, open water dispersion becomes more essential. Additionally, in a highly fragmented urban matrix, the importance of forest connectivity may exceed that of patch size at medium scales. However, the significance of forest coverage increases with scale, which underscores the importance of preservation efforts at larger scales to prevent forest fragmentation. We also noted a considerable impact from landscape-level subdivision across almost all scales. These findings highlight the importance of shifting urban conservation planning towards a multi-scale approach, which would allow for the identification of priority intervention scales. Full article

We studied the species diversity and morphometric variations of rotifers from a high-altitude water body, the Llano reservoir, in central Mexico during September 2021 to August 2022. Samples were collected from four stations in the reservoir every month. During the study period we were able to identify 54 monogonont rotifer species of which Polyarthra vulgaris, Lecane closterocerca, Trichocerca porcellus, Lepadella patella and Keratella cochlearis were numerically the most abundant. Depending on the season, the total rotifer density varied from 250 to 2450 ind L⁻¹. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the species of Trichocerca similis, Keratella cochlearis, Mytilina ventralis and Scaridium longicaudum were directly related to temperature. Using rotifer species richness and abundance data, we derived the Shannon diversity index, saprobic index and rotifer trophic state index. Data on the geometric morphometrics showed that Keratella cochlearis was found in two of the three climatic periods of the year (dry and winter), while Lecane closterocerca and Trichocerca porcellus occurred during the three climatic seasons (dry, winter and rainy) and formed three distinct clusters in relation to body size. Full article

The diversity and distribution of polychaetes in the coastal area and the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus is presented based on both the literature records and new data acquired in a wide range of environmental monitoring programmes and research projects. A total of 585 polychaete species belonging to 49 families were reported in Cyprus waters; among them, 205 species (34%) were recorded based on the literature only, 149 (26%) were new records based on our own data, and a total of 231 spp. (40%) were recorded from both the literature and new data. A total of 51 polychaete species were identified as non-indigenous; among them, 32 were confirmed as alien species, 4 were considered cryptogenic, and 15 were considered questionable as there were doubts about their identity. The Indo-Pacific Schistomeringos loveni was reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, while four species already reported in the literature, namely, Bispira melanostigma, Fimbriosthenelais longipinnis Leonnates aylaoberi, and Rhodopsis pusilla, were added to the list of non-indigenous polychaetes in the Mediterranean Sea. The current work highlights the importance of implementing environmental monitoring programmes and carrying out research surveys targeting benthic macrofauna assemblages. Full article

California sea cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus) are often abundant at oyster farms in British Columbia, Canada both on the suspended gear as juveniles and on the seafloor beneath them as a mixture of juveniles and adults. Their natural abundance, high value, and potential to mitigate benthic organic loading has led to an interest in their coculture with oysters. Whether farmed sea cucumbers ought to be contained to physically separate them from wild stocks is debated. The present three-year field study examined the movement of wild California sea cucumbers on/off an operational oyster farm (~3000 m²) to help inform future sea cucumber aquaculture development. Sea cucumber effects on organic loading, immigration to/emigration from the farm, and the efficacy of various containment-material mesh types and sizes were examined. Juvenile and adult sea cucumber densities on the farm steadily increased from the end of winter through the end of summer, likely due in large part to juveniles falling off the suspended oyster gear, which occurred at an average rate of ~780 ind d⁻¹ (for the whole farm) in the summer months. The largest increase in abundance on the farm was observed between January and March/April, when the population increased by 100–350 ind d⁻¹. Between late summer and early winter, sea cucumbers emigrated from the farm at a rate of 50–90 ind d⁻¹, neither juvenile nor adult densities on the farm changing appreciably over the winter. The sea cucumber density showed a progressive decrease in the first 20 m from the farm, after which the animals were scarcely noticed. Apostichopus californicus did not significantly decrease sediment organics beneath the farm compared to a nearby control site, but such an effect may have been lost due to their seasonal feeding cycles and/or the presence of other benthic grazers that were not part of our exclusion trial. Overall, our findings suggest that the separation of farmed and wild California sea cucumbers on a shellfish farm can only be guaranteed through containment, given the dynamic immigration and emigration patterns of wild stocks. Through laboratory trials, we found that individuals of A. californicus were able to squeeze through mesh as small as 32% of their contracted width and could escape fenced areas (90 ± 4% escape from nylon fencing and 40 ± 8% escape from Vexar^TM fencing) unless the fencing extended above the water surface (where there was no escape from either type). Full article

A very common intertidal alga, Corallina officinalis, serves as a refuge for numerous invertebrates within its settlements. The composition and structure of invertebrates may differ in relation to different natural or human-induced stress, and this study examined the effects of anthropogenic impact on the abundance and diversity of mollusks residing within C. officinalis settlements. Sampling was conducted during two seasons (Season 1 = algae’s maximum vegetation growth and Season 2 = algae’s minimum vegetation growth). Gastropods and bivalves made up 50% of all invertebrates identified, with a total of 47 species of gastropods, 25 species of bivalves, and one polyplacophoran species recorded. Considering the overall count of individuals, 4562 gastropods, 21,738 bivalves, and 260 polyplacophorans were collected from all available Corallina samples. The results indicated that locations under human impact showed a reduced number of the most abundant gastropod and bivalve species and a reduced average number of individuals. Full article

For a better understanding of the transmission cycles of mosquito-borne diseases, it is essential to explore the species composition and population dynamics, mainly during their peak abundance period. These investigations do not normally include peri-urban areas, despite their significant epidemiological interest. To address these gaps, an entomological survey was carried out in 2016 and 2017 in three aquatic ecosystems located on the outskirts of the city of Logroño, in northern Spain: the Iregua River and La Grajera (La Rioja) and Las Cañas Reservoirs (Navarra). Mosquitoes were captured using BG-Sentinel traps baited with CO₂ and BG-lure, as well as through the human landing collection method. In total, 6793 mosquito specimens were captured, representing 24 taxa within six genera. A specific PCR based on the ITS2 gene was used to differentiate members of the Anopheles claviger complex, and all individuals were identified as An. claviger sensu stricto. La Grajera had the most diverse culicid fauna, with 19 taxa, followed by Las Cañas (n = 15) and the Iregua River (n = 13). The composition and abundance of Culicidae varied across the aquatic ecosystem. We observed that the different hydrological management practices of each environment could play a key role in determining the abundance of mosquito genera. The overall risk of mosquito bites in the study area is expected to be relatively low and will depend on the freshwater ecosystem and the time of year. Full article

The marine benthic diversity of the Palawan/North Borneo ecoregion is poorly known, despite its implied unique high species richness within the Coral Triangle. The present study investigated the diversity and distribution of benthic foraminifera on the Brunei shelf. The objectives were to determine the species composition of sediment samples collected from 11 sites, extending ~70 km from the Brunei coastline and along a depth gradient of 10–200 m. We retrieved a total of 99 species, belonging to 31 families and 56 genera, out of which 52 species represented new records for Brunei and probably the ecoregion. Using presence/absence data, analyses were also performed to compare species diversity patterns (species richness, occupancy, taxonomic distinctness) and species assemblage similarity across the sites. For further insight into the relationship between distribution and depth-associated environmental conditions, we undertook stable isotope analyses of selected species of Rotaliida, Miliolida, and Lagenida. Oxygen isotope values were positively correlated with depth and species distribution, confirming cooler temperatures at greater depth. The carbon isotope data revealed species differences relating to habitat and food source specificity and a biomineralization effect. Close to one-third of the species were recorded from single sites, and species richness and taxonomic distinctness increased with depth and were greatest at the second deepest site (144 m). Together, these findings suggest data underrepresentation of diversity, habitat disturbance in shallower water, and species specialization (adaptation) in deeper water. Importantly, assemblage similarity suggests the occurrence of at least three marine biotopes on the Brunei shelf (10–40 m, 40–150 m, and >150 m). This study contributes significantly to our understanding of the local and regional patterns of foraminiferal diversity and distribution. Full article

Weeds can have both positive and negative effects on agricultural environments. However, despite the growing interest in the ecology of weed communities in agricultural areas, a few studies have been carried out in the northern region of the Andes of Colombia, where urban and agricultural expansion have generated highly disturbed scenarios. The aim of this study was to analyze the diversity of vegetation and weed seed banks in three agricultural production systems and a forest ecosystem in the northern Andes of Colombia. Hill numbers were used to compare diversity, Beta diversity to assess changes in composition, and range—abundance–dominance curves at different sites. Likewise, indicator species were analyzed to find species associations to each system. The results revealed differences in the composition of weeds between the forest ecosystem and the agricultural production systems, with higher equitability in the forest ecosystem and higher dominance in agricultural systems. Significant differentiation was observed among the dominant species within each agricultural system, particularly highlighting those species considered pests due to their unique life history traits. These traits confer them with a greater advantage in the face of various anthropogenic selection pressures. These findings highlight the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on the ecological dynamics of weed communities in different ecosystems, which should be considered when planning integrated weed management techniques. Full article

Understanding how species richness changes along elevational gradients has attracted increasing attention from many researchers. The relationships between species richness and elevations were characterized by monotonic decreases or mid-elevational peaks. The western Sichuan Plateau is an important species diversity hotspot. However, there is little information available about the ant species diversity and distribution patterns of this region. In this study, we hypothesize that ant diversity will show a monotonic decrease from mid-elevation with increasing elevation. Here, the ant species diversity and distribution patterns of this region were investigated by plot surveys. A total of 22,645 ants were collected from eight elevational transects in the central and northern parts of the western Sichuan Plateau, which were identified as belonging to 40 species, 18 genera, and 4 subfamilies. We found a unimodal relationship between elevation and ant species richness, with the highest ant species richness occurring at mid-elevations. The similarity coefficient of ant communities in each elevational transect was at a moderate level of dissimilarity, indicating that the elevation difference and habitat heterogeneity had a great impact on ant communities in the central and northern areas of the western Sichuan Plateau. Full article

Differences in fish assemblages’ composition and their relationship with the environmental variables were analyzed in the Urías estuarine system, Mexican North Pacific. Environmental variables and fish catches were recorded bimonthly between June 2018 and November 2021, including a period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariate analyses were performed in the studied area to define zones based on their environmental, biotic, and abiotic characteristics and the effect of these on the fish assemblages. Two zones were identified, an estuarine with mangrove forest and a surf zone in the coastal area outside the estuarine system. Fish composition, biomass, and diversity (α and β) were evaluated among the factors of the period (before–during COVID-19), climatic seasons, and zones. A total of 5947 fish individuals of 41 species were collected using beach seines as fishing gear. The structure of the fish assemblages was different between zones and periods. Abiotic (temperature, salinity, and total matter suspended), biotic (mangrove area), and temporal (season and period before–during COVID-19) variables had an effect on fish biomass and α diversity, while the results of the β diversity only indicate changes in the nestedness component before–during the lockdown. These results indicate a change in fish assemblages’ structure and composition between periods, which might be a consequence of the limitation of human activities derived from the pandemic, climatic changes, or a combination of both effects. Our results show that fish assemblages in the estuarine systems of the Tropical Eastern Pacific are unique, and there is a need to establish local management strategies for these ecosystems. Full article

The deep shoal of Punta del Faro (Ligurian Sea, Mediterranean Sea) is a mesophotic rocky elevation hosting complex animal forests threatened by fishing activities. To identify appropriate conservation measures and set a reference example for similar cases, we present a detailed characterization of its megabenthic communities and a quantification of the fishing pressure. The results highlight the high natural value of the area, presenting high biodiversity (111 megabenthic and demersal species) and diverse types of animal forest, predominantly dominated by cnidarians. The tridimensional seascape is among the most complex in the eastern Ligurian Sea, but the long-term evaluation of its environmental status suggested consistent affects due to the high abundance of lost fishing gear (0.65 items m⁻²) directly entangled with structuring cnidarians. The artisanal and recreational fishing pressure are currently moderate. However, the use of bottom-contact fishing gear causes significant modifications to the seafloor’s integrity. This study emphasizes the high conservation value and vulnerability of the shoal, highlighting the importance of its protection through its inclusion in the Portofino MPA, whose external perimeter is 200 m from the study area. A critical discussion of the advantages and disadvantages is provided with a map of the possible extension of the MPA boundaries. Full article

Studies on the skin microbiota of amphibians in different disturbed habitats can clarify the relationship between the skin microbiota composition and environmental factors and have practical implications for the conservation of endangered species. In this study, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was used to profile the skin microbiota of Maoershan hynobiids (Hynobius maoershanensis). Our results illustrate that the alpha diversity of the skin microbiota significantly differed among individuals in higher anthropogenic disturbance-degree (HADD) habitats and lower anthropogenic disturbance-degree (LADD) habitats. The diversity of the skin microbiota in forelimb bud-stage tadpoles from HADD habitats was higher than that in their counterparts from LADD habitats. The richness of the skin microbiota in hindlimb bud-stage tadpoles was greater in HADD habitats than in LADD habitats. However, the alpha diversity of the adult skin microbiota did not differ significantly between the two habitats. Furthermore, stepwise regression analysis indicated that the skin microbiota diversity and relative abundance of dominant bacteria decreased with increasing air temperature, water temperature, and pH; conversely, skin microbiota richness increased with increasing humidity. In addition, the relative abundance of dominant bacteria was influenced by anthropogenic disturbance. We conclude that the skin microbiota of Maoershan hynobiids is affected by ecological factors and anthropogenic disturbance, highlighting the importance of the skin microbiota in response to habitat alteration. Full article

Amphibians are the most endangered class of vertebrate on Earth. Knowledge of their ecology is crucial to their conservation; however, many species have received scant attention from researchers, particularly in regions that are difficult to access or when traditional monitoring methods are impractical. In recent years, technological advancements in environmental audio collection techniques and signal detection algorithms (i.e., call recognition) have created a new set of tools for examining the ecology of amphibians. This study utilises these recent technological advancements to examine the calling phenology of a poorly known Australian mountain frog (Philoria kundagungan). Audio recordings and meteorological data were collected from six localities across the species range, with recordings made every hour for ten minutes between July 2016 and March 2018. We developed an audio recognition algorithm that detected over 1.8 million P. kundagungan calls in 8760 h of audio recordings with a true positive rate of 95%. Our results suggest that calling activity was driven by substrate temperature and precipitation, which has potential consequences for the species as the climate warms and seasonal precipitation patterns shift under climate change. With this detailed knowledge of P. kundagungan calling phenology, this difficult-to-find species will now be more reliably detected, removing a barrier that has hindered efforts to study and conserve this species. Full article

The species composition of fungal pathogens among three of the most harmful locust species (Asian migratory locust, Moroccan locust and Italian locust) in the southern Russian Federation was studied. Insects were sampled in 20 locations of seven federal subjects of the Russian Federation (Republic of Dagestan, Republic of Kalmykia; Krasnodar and Stavropol Krai; Astrakhan, Volgograd and Rostov Regions). Forty-five isolates belonging to the fungal genus Beauveria were collected, particularly isolates of B. bassiana and B. pseudobassiana. B. bassiana was the most prevalent, constituting 98% of the samples, and could be differentiated into three clades, as evidenced by the TEF gene and intergenic spacer Bloc. Clade 1, represented by the reference isolate ARSEF 2040, was most abundant (61%), and Clade 2, represented by ARSEF 1811, had lower abundance (27%). The remaining isolates either belonged to the genetically distinct Clade 3, represented by ARSEF 1564, or were found to fall outside the major lineages. The frequency of infection in locust populations was variable and tended to increase under conditions unfavorable for the insects. The vast majority of Beauveria isolates from locusts were highly virulent in this insect group. Full article

(1) Background: Trichomycterinae represent 60% of the species in the family and, while seven genera comprise 1–3 species each, Trichomycterus and Cambeva have over 180 known species between them. Although integrative studies aimed to clarify the relationships within the subfamily, the diversity of species of Trichomycterus remains an open question. Herein, we explored an unprecedented sample to investigate the divergence in the lineages of Trichomycterus. (2) Methods: we recovered the phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily using 566 sequences (999 bp) of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, calculated intra- and intergroup distance percentages, and estimated divergence times. (3) Results: we recovered 13 highly supported and geographically structured lineages; intergenus divergence was 11–20%, while interspecies divergence was 3–11%; Trichomycterus, Cambeva, Scleronema, Hatcheria, Eremophilus, and Ituglanis were recovered as monophyletic, with three other highly divergent clades: Guiana Shield, Magdalena basin, and Tapajós basin. (4) Conclusions: We propose that the trans-Andean austral clades be allocated into Hatcheria, and the Guiana clade supports a new genus. We also observed that the headwaters nearest the Magdalena and Orinoco basins showed a high diversity and endemism of Trichomycterinae lineages. We discussed the role of geomorphological events and the climatic features which may explain cladogenesis events in Trichomycterinae. Full article

The Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) is an endangered passerine typical of Mediterranean shrub-steppes, whose European distribution is restricted to Spain. Here, we update the population size and distribution range of the species at a European scale and evaluate (i) the current status; (ii) the change in population size and distribution range of the species from 2004 to 2009 to the current period (2017–2022); and (iii) the effectiveness of the current network of special protection areas (SPAs) for protecting the Dupont’s lark. The European Dupont’s lark population showed a decrease of 29.9%, declining from ca. 3267 to 2289 territorial males from 2004 to 2009 to the current period. Moreover, the species has suffered a contraction in its distribution range of 35.9%, with only 39.3% of the species’ territories located within the current network of SPAs. Our findings agree with the previously described decline of the Dupont’s lark in Europe. The population decline was even larger in peripheral regions, which suggests that the species is suffering a centripetal process of contraction and extinction. These results indicate that if there is no change in present-day declining forces, several peripheral populations will reach extinction in a few decades and the overall population size of the species will continue decreasing. Our study should be considered as a last call for action and used for implementing urgent conservation measures to protect the species and its habitat. Future studies should focus on analyzing and managing the factors driving the species’ extinction and future actions for the conservation of the species should focus on increasing the percentage of the Dupont’s lark territories within protected areas, since the data are alarmingly low for a species that is facing clear risk of extinction. Full article

Montes de María is the best-preserved tropical dry forest fragment in the Colombian Caribbean, making it an ideal location for studying the impacts of human disturbance on local ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed the community structure of diurnal butterflies in both forested and disturbed areas using 16 circular plots to identify relationships between alpha and beta diversity, and the geographic distance between disturbed areas and native forests, using a range of metrics, including range–abundance and rarefaction curves, nonlinear models, and the Bray–Curtis dissimilarity index. The results revealed three distinct species assemblages associated with forests, intermediate disturbed areas (IDAs), and disturbed areas (DAs). Nonlinear models show that IDAs are more diverse than forests and DAs. However, forests have more beta diversity in plots than IDAs and DAs. Indicator species for each butterfly assemblage were also identified. Thus, although new butterfly species assemblages emerge from a new human landscape, it is clear that species that only occur within dry forest fragments are lost when forest fragments disappear. Overall, these findings have important implications for conservation efforts and understanding how human disturbance affects biodiversity in tropical ecosystems. Full article

Soil cyanobacterium, FBCC-A195 were isolated from the soil underneath the Jangnak Bridge, Republic of Korea. The FBCC-A195 was studied using light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), 16S rRNA, 16S–23S ITS, and ecological data. FBCC-A195 showed the circular cross-section of the trichome, broad mucilaginous envelopes, a swirl-like pattern of thylakoids inside the cell, and the lowest length/width ratio within the genus. In the 16S rRNA phylogeny, FBCC-A195 showed a sister relationship of Hormoscilla and belonged to the family Gomontiellaceae. The p-distance of FBCC-A195 ranged from 1.7% with H. pringsheimii to 12% with Komvophoron kgarii in the family. In the secondary structure of 16S–23S ITS, D1–D1’, Box-B, and V3 helix of FBCC-A195 were distinguished from those of other taxa in the Gomontiellaceae. Based upon morphological, ecological, and molecular traits, Katagnymene terrestris proved to be a unique and novel species of the Katagnymene. Full article

Bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] is cultivated for multiple utilities, including as a leafy vegetable, for fresh and dried fruits and seeds. It is an under-researched and -utilized crop, and modern varieties are yet to be developed and deployed in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). There is a dire need for pre-breeding and breeding of bottle gourds for commercialization in SSA. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the combining ability and heterosis among selected genotypes of bottle gourd for fruit yield and related traits under drought-stressed and non-stressed conditions to select the best parents and hybrids. Eight preliminarily selected and contrasting parents with drought tolerance were crossed using a half-diallel mating design. The 8 parents and 28 crosses were evaluated under non-stressed (NS) and drought-stressed (DS) conditions across two growing seasons (2020/21 and 2021/22) using a 6 × 6 alpha lattice design with three replicates. Data were collected on fruit yield and related traits and subjected to analysis of variance, combining ability and heterosis analyses. Significant (p < 0.05) specific combining ability (SCA) and general combining ability (GCA) effects were computed for fruit yield per plant (FYPP). The SCA × environment and GCA × environment interaction effects were highly significant (p < 0.001) for FYPP and SYPP. The results suggest that genetic effects were affected by the test environment. Parental genotypes BG-58 and GC recorded positive and significant GCA effects for FYPP under the DS condition, whereas GC recorded positive and significant GCA effects for FYPP under the NS condition. The two genotypes are ideal breeding parents for population development to select genotypes with high fruit and seed yields. Crosses BG-27 × BG-79, BG-79 × BG-52, BG-79 × BG-70, BG-80 × BG-70, BG-80 × GC, and BG-70 × GC recorded high and positive SCA effects for FYPP and SYPP under DS condition. Crosses BG-81 × BG-52, BG-81 × GC, BG-27 × BG-79, BG-27 × GC, BG-79 × GC, BG-80 × BG-70, BG-81 × BG-58, BG-27 × BG-80, BG-27 × BG-58, BG-79 × BG-52, BG-52 × BG-58, BG-80 × BG-58, and BG-58 × BG-70 recorded high and positive SCA effects for FYPP and SYPP under NS condition. Crosses BG-80 × BG-58, BG-27 × BG-79, BG-79 × BG-52, BG-27 × BG-52, and BG-52 × BG-80 showed high and positive mid- and better-parent heterosis under DS condition for FYPP and SYPP. Crosses BG-27 × GC, BG-79 × GC, BG-27 × BG-58, and BG-27 × BG-79 showed high and positive mid- and better parent heterosis under NS condition for FYPP and SYPP. The newly selected families are recommended for multi-environment evaluation forrelease and commercialization in South Africa or similar agroecologies. Full article

Here, we report a comprehensive description of the stable associations between two Paramecium species (P. nephridiatum and P. caudatum) and their cytoplasmic bacterial endosymbiont Pseudolyticum multiflagellatum. These spindle-like, rod-shaped, non-motile peritrichous bacteria demonstrate significant phenotypic polymorphism. Considering the differences in bacterial morphology and host species, several scientific groups have previously described these endosymbionts as distinct species. Our study provides brand-new molecular data, which allows us to unify earlier descriptions and determine the phylogenetic position of this endosymbiont as a member of the family “Ca. Midichloriaceae” (Rickettsiales). The distinguishing feature of this bacterium is the presence of a highly refractive granule in its cytoplasm, well detectable with differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. The protein nature of these peculiar inclusion bodies is considered. The other endosymbiont, “Ca. Megaira venefica”, co-inhabiting the cytoplasm of the studied P. nephridiatum strains, also displayed polymorphism, rounded forms being infected with phages. Full article

Analyzing genetic variability and kinship relations is essential to guide conservation management plans for threatened species. The Red-browed Amazon (Amazona rhodocorytha) is one of the four Amazona parrots that are endemic to remnants of the Atlantic Forest, classified as Vulnerable (IUCN) owing to habitat loss and fragmentation and trapping for the illegal pet trade. At the end of 2021, 19 Red-browed Amazons were rescued from illegal trade in the Espírito Santo state, Brazil, including 14 nestlings reportedly captured in the Sooretama Biological Reserve, which provided the first opportunity to address the genetic parameters of a wild population of this threatened parrot. We used Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data to assess the genetic diversity and kinship relations between the rescued birds. We observed high heterozygosity levels and low inbreeding coefficients. Principal Component Analysis revealed the presence of at least two distinct genetic groups, suggesting past isolation followed by secondary contact. Our results suggest that the population from Sooretama is an important genetic and demographic repository of the Red-browed Amazon, and the presence of individuals from the two genetic lineages in the same area reduces concerns about potential inbreeding depression in rehabilitation and reintroduction plans and also inspires further investigations on historical and contemporary population structuring. Full article

Amidst urbanization and industrialization in China, abandoned farmland plays a crucial role in safeguarding plant diversity within agricultural landscapes. This study aimed to examine the patterns of seasonal variation in plant diversity within abandoned farmland habitats in the Huang–Huai Plain region. Nonparametric tests were employed to analyze plant species diversity and phylogenetic diversity across seasons. Redundancy analysis and linear regression were conducted to examine the associations between plant species composition, species diversity, phylogenetic diversity, and soil environmental factors. Our results showed that plant species diversity, richness, and phylogenetic diversity were highest in spring, followed by summer, and lowest in autumn. The phylogenetic structure of plant communities demonstrated a tendency to diverge in spring, become random in summer, and cluster in autumn. Soil available potassium and soil organic matter emerged as important factors influencing plant species composition. The content of soil organic matter and ammonium nitrogen level exhibited a significantly positive correlation with the species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of plants. This study underscores the significance of considering seasonal and temporal scales when investigating plant diversity and provides a theoretical basis for biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes. Full article

The herpetofauna of the insular systems of Mexico is composed of 226 species, of which 14 are anurans, two are salamanders, and 210 are reptiles, comprised of two crocodilians, 195 squamates, and 13 turtles. Although the surface of the Mexican islands is only 0.26% of the Mexican territorial extension, these 226 species constitute 16.1% of Mexico’s documented herpetofauna of 1405 species. We classified the Mexican islands into five physiographic regions: the islands of Pacific Baja California; the islands of the Gulf of California; the islands of the Tropical Pacific; the islands of the Gulf of Mexico; and the islands of the Mexican Caribbean. The highest species richness among these regions is in the Gulf of California, with 108 species, and the lowest richness is 40 for the islands of the Pacific Baja California and 46 for those of the Gulf of Mexico. We identified introduced species, risk of wildfires, climate change, and urban/tourist development as the main environmental threats impinging on these species. In addition, we assessed the conservation status of the native species by comparing the SEMARNAT (NOM-059), IUCN Red List, and the Environmental Vulnerability Score (EVS) systems. The comparison of these systems showed that the NOM-059 and the IUCN systems seriously underestimate the degree of threat for insular endemics, being particularly concerning for those insular species that are known only from their respective type localities. The EVS system proved to be practical and indicated that 94 species have a high vulnerability status, 62 a medium status, and 56 a low status. The Relative Herpetofaunal Priority system, which contrasts the number of endemic and threatened species among different physiographic areas, indicates that the regions with the highest priority are the Islands of the Gulf of California, followed by the islands of the Tropical Pacific. Finally, we discussed the completeness of the Mexican Natural Protected Areas on the insular systems of the country; the result is outstanding since Mexico is already close to achieving the goal of having all their islands under some degree of federal protection. Full article

Three Gram-negative strains, SJOD-M-6^T, SJOD-M-5, and SJOD-M-33, were isolated from Ostrea denselamellosa. These strains are oxidase- and catalase-positive coccoids that thrive aerobically. The three strains shared 100.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and showed average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values of 99.7–99.8% and 93.8–96.8%, suggesting that they belonged to the same species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed that all three isolates belong to the genus Poseidonibacter. Their closest neighbors were Poseidonibacter parvus LPB0137^T (98.8%), Poseidonibacter antarcticus SM1702^T (98.7%), and Poseidonibacter lekithochrous LFT 1.7^T (95.5%). However, the ANI and dDDH values between SJOD-M-6^T (the representative strain of the novel species) and its closest phylogenetic relatives fell well below the established cut-off values of <95% (ANI) and <70% (dDDH) for species delineation. Furthermore, several phenotypic traits distinguish the novel strains from their closest relatives. Based on the combined genotypic and phenotypic data, strains SJOD-M-6^T, SJOD-M-5, and SJOD-M-33 are classified as novel species within the genus Poseidonibacter. We propose the name Poseidonibacter ostreae sp. nov. for this novel species, with the type strain being SJOD-M-6^T (=KCTC 72758^T = NBRC 114334^T = FBCC-B685). Full article

Biological invasions are widely recognized as a major threat to native biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services. Amongst the NIS recorded in the Mediterranean Sea, Chlorophyta species belonging to the genus Caulerpa (Caulerpa cylindracea, C. taxifolia and C. taxifolia var. distichophylla) have raised serious concerns due to their potential or ascertained impact on native benthic communities. During surveys carried out to monitor the occurrence and the coverage of Caulerpa species along the coasts of Favignana Island (Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area), we observed variations in C. cylindracea and C. taxifolia coverage and also some large invertebrates overgrown with thalli of both species. Full article

In taxonomy, qualitative methods are commonly used to analyze morphological characters, which can lead to dramatic changes in higher taxa. Geometric morphometrics (GM) has proven to be useful for discriminating species in various taxonomy groups. However, the application of geometric morphometrics in supraspecies classification is relatively scarce. In this study, we tested the controversial two subgenera classification of Chaetocnema with geometric morphometrics; a total of 203 Chaetocnema species representing 50% of all known species from around the world were selected for the analysis. We analyzed the shape of the pronotum, elytron, head, aedeagus, and spermatheca. The results showed that the two traditional subgenera distinctly differed from each other; therefore, we propose using two subgenera arrangements to facilitate the understanding and taxonomy of the Chaetocnema species (especially in the Oriental, Palearctic, and Nearctic regions). Additionally, the morphological diversity of the abovementioned structures of Chaetocnema was analyzed, and it was found that the highest morphological diversity was in the spermatheca, which was greater than that in the aedeagus. Our research demonstrated that GM could be useful for detecting morphological delimitation of the supraspecies taxa. It also showed that GM methods are applicable to insects as small as 2 mm in body size. Full article

Research on potentially adverse effects of wind farms is an expanding field of study and often focuses on large raptors, such as golden eagles, largely because of their life history traits and extensive habitat requirements. These features render them sensitive to either fatality (collision with turbine blades) or functional habitat loss (avoidance through wariness of turbines). Simplistically, avoidance is antagonistic to collision; although, the two processes are not necessarily mutually exclusive in risk. A bird that does not enter a wind farm or avoids flying close to turbines cannot collide with a blade and be killed. In the USA, collision fatality is implicated as the typical adverse effect. In Scotland, avoidance of functional habitat loss appears more likely, but this depends in part on the habitat suitability of turbine locations. Previous Scottish studies have largely concentrated on the responses of GPS-tagged non-territorial golden eagles during dispersal. Several arguments predict that territorial eagles may have lower avoidance (be less wary) of turbines than non-territorial birds. Hence, we contrasted the responses of GPS-tagged non-territorial (intruding) and territorial eagles to the same turbines at 11 operational Scottish wind farms. We show that territorial eagles rarely approached turbines, but, as in previous Scottish studies of non-territorial birds, the spatial extent of avoidance depended on the habitat suitability of both turbine locations and their wider surroundings. Unexpectedly, we found that territorial eagles were apparently as wary as intruding non-territorial conspecifics of the same turbines. Our results show that regardless of age or territorial status, Scottish golden eagles largely avoided wind turbine locations, but this avoidance was conditional, in part, on where those turbines were located. Responses to turbines were also strongly dependent on birds’ identities and different wind farms. We speculate on how widespread our findings of avoidance of turbines by golden eagles are elsewhere in Europe, where there appear to be no published studies showing the level of collision fatalities documented in the USA. Full article

A new species, Fragilaria shirshovii sp. nov., is described on the basis of molecular and morphological investigations. Cells were isolated from the surface levels of desalinated water masses in the zone of mixing river and marine waters in the Gulf of Ob. The morphology of this species is analyzed with light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The valves of F. shirshovii sp. nov. are fusiform to almost linear. The frustules are linked together in the central part, forming double comb-shaped colonies. The axial area is narrow and linear, with a distinct rounded or rectangular fascia in the center. Ghost striae are present on the central area. Areolae are not discernible in LM. Apical pore fields are composed of small pores and closed papillary outgrowths. The lips of the rimoportula are well pronounced and the striae are uniseriate. Phylogenetic analysis based on partials 18S rRNA and rbcL genes infers the species F. shirshovii sp. nov. as a member of Fragilariaceae. The species most resembling F. shirshovii sp. nov. are F. crotonensis, F. pararumpens, F. bidens and F. perminuta. The differences between F. shirshovii sp. nov. and close taxa are discussed. This work is a pioneer investigation of Fragilariaceae taxa from the freshwater ecosystems of the Siberian Arctic using a combination of morphological and molecular tools. Full article