Diversity

25 pages, 1752 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Environmental Stressors on the Spring Zooplankton Community in Qinzhou Bay, China

by Jun Zeng, Hao Li, Wengang Xu, Lijiao Deng, Fu Lei, Rongcan Zhang, Mingben Xu, Vin Cent Tai and Junxiang Lai

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070442 - 22 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Multiple environmental stressors can directly or indirectly affect zooplankton community structure in marine coastal waters. However, quantifying the relative importance of eutrophication-mediated pathways remains challenging. In this study, we surveyed zooplankton, phytoplankton, and water conditions at 24 stations in Qinzhou Bay during spring [...] Read more.

Multiple environmental stressors can directly or indirectly affect zooplankton community structure in marine coastal waters. However, quantifying the relative importance of eutrophication-mediated pathways remains challenging. In this study, we surveyed zooplankton, phytoplankton, and water conditions at 24 stations in Qinzhou Bay during spring and used correlation analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine the association between eutrophication and zooplankton biomass. The results showed that zooplankton biomass increased from the Inner Bay to the Outer Bay; whereas, zooplankton evenness decreased. Biomass was significantly negatively correlated with both the eutrophication index and zooplankton evenness; a single small copepod numerically dominated the assemblage, so high biomass and low evenness co-occurred as expressions of dominance. The SEM showed an acceptable fit and linked eutrophication to lower zooplankton biomass mainly through heavy-metal enrichment, community dominance (low evenness), and reduced phytoplankton density. The total association between eutrophication and biomass was −0.40, primarily indirect rather than through a significant direct path (−0.13, p = 0.51), with heavy-metal enrichment and community dominance (low evenness) as the main statistical mediators. Because the data come from a single spring survey of 24 stations, these path coefficients should be interpreted as correlational associations requiring multi-season confirmation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

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16 pages, 2846 KB

Open AccessArticle

Riparian Tugai Forest Ecosystems of Azerbaijan: Vegetation Structure, Classification and Ecological Characteristics

by Elshad Gurbanov, Tariel Talibov, Vagif Novruzov, Aynur Bayramova, Nigar Ahmadova, Ulkar Bayramova and Sanubar Aslanova

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070441 - 21 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Tugai forests are intrazonal riparian ecosystems formed along river valleys in arid and semi-arid regions and characterized by high biodiversity and complex vegetation structure. The aim of this study was to assess the phytocenological structure, species composition, and ecological characteristics of tugai forests [...] Read more.

Tugai forests are intrazonal riparian ecosystems formed along river valleys in arid and semi-arid regions and characterized by high biodiversity and complex vegetation structure. The aim of this study was to assess the phytocenological structure, species composition, and ecological characteristics of tugai forests distributed within the Kura River basin and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The study was conducted using classical geobotanical and phytocenological methods based on the Braun—Blanquet approach. The results revealed clear ecological differentiation among tugai forest formations depending on hydrological regime, groundwater conditions, and soil salinity. High species diversity and a multi-layered vegetation structure were identified within the Populeta—Salicetum—Ulmosum, Ulmeta, Populeta, Saliceta—Alnueta—Populeta, and Tamariceta formation groups, which develop mainly on alluvial soils under conditions of elevated moisture. In the Nakhchivan region, tugai forests adapted to more arid environments are distributed mainly along the Araz River and are dominated by Tamarix ramosissima, Populus euphratica, Populus nigra, and Salix species. Anthropogenic impacts, including grazing, deforestation, and hydrological alterations, were identified as major factors contributing to ecosystem degradation and reduction in vegetation cover. The obtained results confirm the high ecological and conservation significance of tugai forests and emphasize the necessity of their protection, restoration, and sustainable management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)

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47 pages, 6198 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Value of Correct Identification of Coastal Marine Fishes of Economic Importance: The Case of the Senegalese Tongue Sole (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae) in the Eastern Central Atlantic (Africa)

by Paul N’lemvo, Eva Decru, Luis M. da Costa, Soleil Wamuini Lunkayilakio, Jerida Kosi Zola, Jean-Claude Micha and Emmanuel J. W. M. N. Vreven

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070440 - 21 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The Senegalese tongue sole, Cynoglossus senegalensis, includes three junior synonyms: C. goreensis, C. guineensis and C. simulator. In addition, C. browni, originally described as a subspecies of C. senegalensis, is currently considered a valid species. Recent observations of [...] Read more.

The Senegalese tongue sole, Cynoglossus senegalensis, includes three junior synonyms: C. goreensis, C. guineensis and C. simulator. In addition, C. browni, originally described as a subspecies of C. senegalensis, is currently considered a valid species. Recent observations of C. senegalensis specimens showed two different mouth morphologies, with mouth angle (i) not exceeding the posterior border of the lower eye and with a narrow interorbital distance (IOD) or (ii) exceeding that level and with a wider IOD. The first group represents C. senegalensis. The second, although containing the C. browni holotype, is named C. goreensis, following name priority. A third group, with a mouth angle not exceeding the posterior border of the lower eye and with an intermediately wide IOD, was also revealed. This last group suggests that C. simulator requires revalidation. DNA barcoding results confirmed all three species. This highlights that current Cynoglossus fishery statistics are based on doubtful identifications, probably skewing IUCN assessments. A pictorial guide is proposed to ease identification and help conservation assessments of policies and sustainable management plans for these economically important marine fish species. Common names in English, French and Kikongo (DRC) are proposed to facilitate communication with concerned local communities and to better spread the preservation/conservation message. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic and Morphological Diversity of Marine Fish Populations)

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17 pages, 4941 KB

Open AccessArticle

Palynological Assemblages from the Jurassic Qingtujing Formation in the Northwestern Margin of the Chaoshui Basin: Implications for Geological Chronology and Paleoclimate

by Pengfei Niu, Wenxiu Ren and Guoqiang Dong

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070439 - 21 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The Qingtujing Formation of the Chaoshui Basin is an important Jurassic coal-bearing unit in the Hexi Corridor. Palynological data on this formation are crucial for regional stratigraphic correlation and paleoclimate reconstruction. In this study, we systematically identified and analyzed the palynological fossils in [...] Read more.

The Qingtujing Formation of the Chaoshui Basin is an important Jurassic coal-bearing unit in the Hexi Corridor. Palynological data on this formation are crucial for regional stratigraphic correlation and paleoclimate reconstruction. In this study, we systematically identified and analyzed the palynological fossils in the Qingtujing Formation in Well Gao 4 and Well 801 on the northwest margin of the Chaoshui Basin and identified two characteristic palynological assemblages. The lower part is the Disacciatrileti–Cycadopites–Osmundacidites assemblage, dominated by gymnosperm pollen, followed by fern spores, with very low Classopollis content. The upper part is the Classopollis–Disaccites assemblage, dominated by gymnosperm pollen, among which Classopollis pollen accounts for a portion as high as 75.5%, and fern spores only appear sporadically. Based on a comparison of palynological assemblages and the distribution pattern of fossils, the sedimentary age of the Qingtujing Formation was determined to be early to late Middle Jurassic. The paleoclimate was reconstructed based on the ecological habits of the pollen/spore-producing plants, indicating that the study area had a warm and humid climate in the early Middle Jurassic and that this climate changed to a hot and dry one in the late Middle Jurassic. This evolution pattern is consistent with the Jurassic climate evolution trend in the northwest of China. These results provide key palynological evidence for the stratigraphic chronology and paleoclimate reconstruction of the Jurassic strata in the Chaoshui Basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Phylogeny and Evolution)

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14 pages, 3346 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Investigations on the Sicilian Populations of Prunus mahaleb L. and Prunus cupaniana Guss ex E. Huet & A. Huet (Rosaceae): Implications for Conservation

by Claudia Mattioni, Salvatore Pasta, Marcello Cherubini, Luca Leonardi, Giuseppe Clementi, Emilio Badalamenti, Giuseppe Traina and Tommaso La Mantia

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070438 - 21 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Assessing genetic diversity of species and populations can help reduce the risk of biodiversity loss by identifying areas deserving the greatest attention in terms of conservation priority. Our study was focused on evaluating the genetic variability of Prunus mahaleb L. and Prunus cupaniana [...] Read more.

Assessing genetic diversity of species and populations can help reduce the risk of biodiversity loss by identifying areas deserving the greatest attention in terms of conservation priority. Our study was focused on evaluating the genetic variability of Prunus mahaleb L. and Prunus cupaniana Guss. ex E. Huet & A. Huet (Rosaceae), both of which are quite rare and unevenly distributed in Sicily (Italy). In this region, P. mahaleb occurs in scattered populations, mostly concentrated on the mountain ranges close to the northern Tyrrhenian coast, while P. cupaniana, which is endemic in Sicily, is known to occur only on Sicani Mountains and on the Madonie Massif. A total of 118 georeferenced individuals of P. mahaleb and P. cupaniana were sampled across eight different sites. The samples were genotyped using nine unlinked nSSr loci. A high percentage of clonal individuals was observed especially in P. cupaniana. Low intrapopulation diversity, as well as high divergence among populations were recorded. The analysis performed using STRUCTURE separated P. mahaleb and P. cupaniana into two different gene pools (K = 2) and revealed the complete absence of introgression between them. These results, if confirmed through further molecular analysis, indicate that these taxa should be considered as two distinct species. Moreover, more detailed analyses allowed us to distinguish four gene pools for P. mahaleb, while the extant populations of P. cupaniana could be grouped into two clusters suggesting their strong isolation and a very low, if any, absent gene flow between them. Our results underline the urgent need for interventions aimed at conserving and managing the genetic heritage of the Sicilian populations of both species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)

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23 pages, 2225 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Remarkable Diversity of Syngnathid Fishes in a Highly Modified Large Coastal Embayment in the Southeastern Indian Ocean

by Glenn I. Moore, Jenelle A. Ritchie, Georgia M. Nester, Glenn A. Hyndes and Alan J. Kendrick

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070437 - 21 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Southern Australia supports a high diversity of fishes in the family Syngnathidae, which is recognised as globally threatened, facing threats from coastal development, over-exploitation and bycatch. In southwestern Australia, Cockburn Sound houses a large industrial port and naval defence assets with plans to [...] Read more.

Southern Australia supports a high diversity of fishes in the family Syngnathidae, which is recognised as globally threatened, facing threats from coastal development, over-exploitation and bycatch. In southwestern Australia, Cockburn Sound houses a large industrial port and naval defence assets with plans to substantially expand the port facilities but also sits within a recognised syngnathid ‘hotspot’. Using a broad array of data sources, including historical museum vouchers, published records, historical and contemporary observations from notebooks and diving surveys, historical and contemporary trawl surveys, citizen science observations and environmental DNA, we compiled 4839 records of syngnathid fishes from the embayment. Twenty-one species of seadragons, seahorses or pipefishes were confirmed from an area of around 200 km², representing a high diversity by area on a global scale. This remarkable diversity exists despite the bay being a highly modified system. Many species are likely to face conservation concerns within the bay, but others may benefit from the addition of artificial structures. There is clearly a need to protect the diversity and mitigate detrimental impacts from development and ongoing infrastructure operations, including direct and indirect interaction, habitat loss, water quality, turbidity, noise and introduced pests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

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13 pages, 17048 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Mediterranean as a Refuge for the Endangered Sand Tiger Shark Odontaspis ferox in a Warming Ocean

by Cemal Turan and Alen Soldo

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070436 - 20 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The endangered Odontaspis ferox remains a poorly understood large predatory shark, with limited knowledge of its ecological niche and vulnerability to climate change. This study aimed to assess its current and future habitat suitability across the Mediterranean Sea and global oceans using a [...] Read more.

The endangered Odontaspis ferox remains a poorly understood large predatory shark, with limited knowledge of its ecological niche and vulnerability to climate change. This study aimed to assess its current and future habitat suitability across the Mediterranean Sea and global oceans using a species distribution modeling framework. A total of 303 occurrence records were compiled from multiple biodiversity databases and literature sources, and 12 environmental predictors were selected following multicollinearity filtering. Among the tested algorithms, the Random Forest model demonstrated high predictive performance, indicating strong accuracy and reliability. Current projections reveal a highly fragmented distribution, with suitability hotspots concentrated in the eastern and central Mediterranean, particularly in the Aegean Sea, Hellenic Trench, and Ionian Sea, as well as in specific coastal regions globally. Future projections under the SSP2-4.5 scenario (2020–2100) indicate a clear spatial reorganization. Core habitats in the southeastern Mediterranean are projected to persist, while substantial expansion into the northern and central Mediterranean suggests a poleward shift in habitat suitability. In contrast, global projections indicate an overall contraction of suitable habitats. Temperature and primary productivity emerged as the main drivers of distribution patterns. Overall, the results suggest that the Mediterranean Sea may act as a critical climate refuge for O. ferox, highlighting its increasing conservation importance under future ocean warming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

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36 pages, 18215 KB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Phylogenetic Reexamination of Trigonostomidae Graff, 1905 (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela), with the Resurrection of Messoplana Den Hartog, 1966, and the Description of Four New Species from the United States

by Yander L. Diez, Marlies Monnens, Tom Artois and L. Holly Sweat

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070435 - 20 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The rhabdocoel family Trigonostomidae has been the subject of recent phylogenetic revisions. However, due to the limited number of sequenced taxa, questions regarding intrafamilial and intrageneric relationships remain unresolved. To address these gaps, we collected trigonostomids from the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and [...] Read more.

The rhabdocoel family Trigonostomidae has been the subject of recent phylogenetic revisions. However, due to the limited number of sequenced taxa, questions regarding intrafamilial and intrageneric relationships remain unresolved. To address these gaps, we collected trigonostomids from the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic Ocean, and examined them using an integrative approach. Nineteen specimens, representing ten species, were sequenced for phylogenetic analyses. Eight species were sequenced for the first time, including the first molecular data for Lutheriella. All genera were recovered as monophyletic; however, Ceratopera falcata (type species of Messoplana) and a new closely related species were found to cluster with species of Beklemischeviella, while the remaining species of Ceratopera formed a distinct clade. Based on these findings, we propose the resurrection of Messoplana, which had previously been synonymised with Ceratopera. Notably, genetic divergence and differences in the bursal mouthpiece between specimens of M. falcata suggest the possible presence of cryptic diversity or geographical isolation within this taxon. The inclusion of Trigonostomum breitfussi provided molecular support for its morphologically defined group. Furthermore, L. diplostyla was found to be closely related to species of Ptychopera. In addition to phylogenetic analyses, we describe four new species: Ceratopera bransoni sp. nov., Messoplana judithae sp. nov., Parapharyngiella scotti sp. nov., and Ptychopera woodyi sp. nov. The discussion of the new species of Parapharyngiella and Ptychopera motivated the reclassification of Pt. scutulifera as Pa. scutulifera comb. nov. We record for the first time eight species from Florida, seven from the Indian River Lagoon, and two from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, in the USA. This study refines the phylogenetic framework and internal classification of Trigonostomidae by providing new molecular evidence for previously unsampled taxa and by re-evaluating generic boundaries within the family. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary History and Ecology of Global Flatworms)

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19 pages, 8103 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Vertical Structure of Rich Fen Vegetation and the Development of Bryophyte Cover

by Monika Kalvaitienė and Ilona Jukonienė

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070434 - 20 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The vertical structure of fen vegetation has received little attention, despite its obvious relevance to interactions between herbaceous plants and bryophytes. The main objective of this study was to determine relationships among the vertical herbaceous-rich-fen vegetation structure and the overall cover and species [...] Read more.

The vertical structure of fen vegetation has received little attention, despite its obvious relevance to interactions between herbaceous plants and bryophytes. The main objective of this study was to determine relationships among the vertical herbaceous-rich-fen vegetation structure and the overall cover and species diversity of bryophytes. The study was conducted in eight fens in Lithuania and covered 210 subplots (0.5 m × 0.5 m). Within each subplot, the total and individual percentages of bryophyte and vascular plant cover, and of each visually distinct vertical vegetation layer, were estimated. In vertical vegetation structure, five distinct structural groups were identified, ranging from a simple two-layer group to a four-layer group. Vertical structural differences in herb cover were primarily associated with water level and microrelief. Our results revealed that an open structure is favourable for entire bryophyte cover; shading does not necessarily lead to a decline in total bryophyte cover but rather drives a structural rearrangement of the bryophyte community. The abundant development of higher vegetation layers in highly hummocky areas negatively affects the bryophyte cover. Monitoring visually distinct vertical structures can help predict negative trends in plant community structure, including shifts in bryophyte diversity and cover. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation—Second Edition)

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33 pages, 5403 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phylogenetic Inference via Ancestral State Reconstruction/Character Mapping Is Logically Unsound Abductive Reasoning

by Kirk Fitzhugh

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070433 - 18 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Ancestral state reconstruction (ASR) and the related method of character mapping (CM) have become increasingly popular, wherein it is claimed that phenotypic characters are causally accounted for by fitting those characters onto a phylogenetic tree previously inferred to explain sequence data. In this [...] Read more.

Ancestral state reconstruction (ASR) and the related method of character mapping (CM) have become increasingly popular, wherein it is claimed that phenotypic characters are causally accounted for by fitting those characters onto a phylogenetic tree previously inferred to explain sequence data. In this paper, I offer a unique critique of ASR/CM by addressing several relevant, interconnected conceptual issues that, in the scope of established deductive and non-deductive forms of reasoning applied in the process of scientific inquiry, show that ASR/CM are logically unsound methods that lead to erroneous conclusions. The problem, as outlined in this paper, rests largely on the fact that inferences of phylogenetic, as well as all other classes of systematic hypotheses, à la taxa, are instances of abductive reasoning. Abductive inferences involve the conjunction of a theory of cause–effect relations to observed effects in order to conclude a plausible hypothesized cause or set of causes. As a matter of non-deductive reasoning, it is shown that the requirement of total evidence (RTE) is relevant to abductive reasoning, at least in the context of inferring phylogenetic and specific (i.e., species) hypotheses. It is then shown that ASR/CM fail as forms of abductive reasoning for two reasons: (1) violation of the RTE, and (2) the methods include, as a premise, a previously inferred phylogenetic tree that has no logical relevance to the inference. The consequence is that ASR/CM necessarily lead to conclusions that cannot be interpreted as explanatory hypotheses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Phylogeny and Evolution)

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21 pages, 1179 KB

Open AccessArticle

Plant Collections of the E. Gareev Botanical Garden: Diversity and Characteristics

by Mira Mamytova, Aida Nurmanbetova, Medet Akhmatov, Galina Malosieva, Irina Popova, Leonid Andreychenko, Yaoming Li and Xuexi Ma

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070432 - 17 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The article presents the results of long-term research on plant introduction and the establishment of plant collections at the E. Gareev Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim of the research was to preserve, expand, and [...] Read more.

The article presents the results of long-term research on plant introduction and the establishment of plant collections at the E. Gareev Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim of the research was to preserve, expand, and comprehensively investigate the living plant collection of the E. Gareev Botanical Garden. Phenological, ontogenetic, and biological characteristics were examined, along with plant adaptation to the soil and climatic conditions of the Chui Valley. The living collection comprises 495 woody and shrub taxa (48 families, 121 genera), including 80 coniferous and 415 deciduous species. Notably, 63 native Kyrgyz taxa were identified, comprising 5 coniferous and 58 deciduous tree species, with 30 subendemics and 2 endemics. The herbaceous collection includes 57 native Kyrgyzstan species, of which 5 are endemic, 37 are subendemic, and 14 are listed in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. Additionally, 117 medicinal species and varieties were documented, with 48 species (41 genera, 15 families) representing the native flora. Species from the low-mountain valleys, foothills, and lower mountain belts exhibited the highest adaptation success, whereas high-mountain species showed comparatively lower establishment rates. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing ex situ conservation strategies and expanding the botanical garden’s collection through targeted introduction programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)

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9 pages, 1696 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Natural Versus Anthropogenic Dispersal of Freshwater Turtles Between the Baja California Peninsula and Mainland Mexico

by James F. Parham, Bryan L. Stuart, W. Brian Simison and Theodore J. Papenfuss

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070431 - 17 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Trachemys nebulosa is a freshwater turtle found on the Baja California Peninsula (BCP) and mainland northwestern Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: Trachemys nebulosa nebulosa from the BCP and Trachemys nebulosa hiltoni from the mainland. Previous genetic studies found small differences between these taxa, [...] Read more.

Trachemys nebulosa is a freshwater turtle found on the Baja California Peninsula (BCP) and mainland northwestern Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: Trachemys nebulosa nebulosa from the BCP and Trachemys nebulosa hiltoni from the mainland. Previous genetic studies found small differences between these taxa, but limited sampling left questions about their distinctiveness and origins. Most authors who have studied this species have invoked human-mediated transport to explain its distribution. To test this hypothesis, we combined previously published genetic data with expanded sampling. Mainland and peninsular populations did not share mitochondrial or nuclear sequences, and data from both genomes separated them into distinct groups. These results support retaining T. n. hiltoni and T. n. nebulosa as separate taxa and favor a natural dispersal from the BCP to the mainland, followed by isolation of mainland populations. Because T. n. hiltoni has a limited distribution and is harvested for food, recognizing it as a distinct lineage has conservation implications. Additional sampling, particularly from the Cape Region of the BCP, will help further test historical connections between mainland and peninsular populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Turtles in Anthropogenic Landscapes)

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14 pages, 530 KB

Open AccessArticle

DNA Barcoding of Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Jamaica: A Preliminary Assessment

by Latoya Foote-Gordon, Taneisha A. Barrett and Paula Tennant

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070430 - 17 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The Caribbean is a recognized biodiversity hotspot; however, on islands such as Jamaica, many faunal groups of ecological and forensic importance, including flesh flies, remain poorly characterized, particularly at the genetic level. This study represents an initial step towards addressing that gap through [...] Read more.

The Caribbean is a recognized biodiversity hotspot; however, on islands such as Jamaica, many faunal groups of ecological and forensic importance, including flesh flies, remain poorly characterized, particularly at the genetic level. This study represents an initial step towards addressing that gap through DNA barcoding. Forty-four specimens from 16 species were analyzed through partial sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Of the 44 sequences, 30% shared 97–100% similarity with reference sequences in GenBank and BOLD; however, taxonomic resolution varied between databases. The remaining sequences gave lower similarity matches (88–96%), with assignments restricted to the genus level or higher taxonomic ranks, or were discordant with morphology-based identifications. With one exception, pairwise intraspecific genetic distances were low (0.17%), whereas interspecific distances ranged from 5.68% to 12.83%. Neighbor-joining analysis showed that Jamaican taxa, including five endemic species and two new records, formed largely distinct monophyletic clades relative to sequences from North and South America, Europe and Oceania, with >70% bootstrap support. These findings demonstrate the utility of COI barcoding for species discrimination among Jamaican flesh flies and represent an important step towards establishing a regional DNA barcode library. Expanding Caribbean representation in global databases will be essential for improving the accuracy of molecular identification and resolving uncharacterized taxa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)

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21 pages, 1663 KB

Open AccessArticle

Citizen-Science Data Reveal Global Diversity Patterns in the Gecko Genus Hemidactylus

by Muammer Kurnaz, Ahmet Ali Berber and Cansu Akbulut

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070429 - 17 Jul 2026

Viewed by 394

Abstract

Understanding how species richness is distributed across space is a central goal of macroecology and biogeography. The gecko genus Hemidactylus ranks among the most speciose and broadly distributed of all squamate genera, with species spanning tropical and subtropical environments on most continents. Yet [...] Read more.

Understanding how species richness is distributed across space is a central goal of macroecology and biogeography. The gecko genus Hemidactylus ranks among the most speciose and broadly distributed of all squamate genera, with species spanning tropical and subtropical environments on most continents. Yet the large-scale structure of its diversity has rarely been examined at a global scale. Here we assembled georeferenced occurrence data for the genus from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF Access data is 14 March 2026) and, following cleaning and quality control, retained 143,858 records covering 157 currently recognized species (approximately 79% of the genus) to characterize broad-scale biodiversity patterns. Our analyses addressed the latitudinal diversity gradient, the distribution of species range sizes, continental richness, spatial clustering of diversity, and regional beta diversity. Richness declined steadily from the tropics toward the poles, producing a pronounced latitudinal diversity gradient (Pearson r = −0.71, p < 0.001). A generalized additive model captured a strong non-linear association between latitude and richness (deviance explained = 98.1%), consistent with tropical regions acting as principal centers of diversity. Range-size distributions were markedly right-skewed, with the majority of species restricted to comparatively small areas; however, these estimates co-varied strongly with per-species sampling effort (r = 0.90) and warrant cautious interpretation. We found only a weak, marginally significant association between range size and latitudinal midpoint, offering little support for Rapoport’s rule in the genus. At the continental scale, Hemidactylus diversity was overwhelmingly concentrated in Afro-Asian tropical regions (Asia, 93 species; Africa, 66), whereas Europe and Oceania supported few species (four each). Spatial analyses indicated significant autocorrelation in richness (Moran’s I = 0.56, p < 0.001) and well-defined diversity hotspots in East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, and regional beta diversity was high (Jaccard dissimilarity up to 0.97), reflecting pronounced faunal turnover among continents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Intersection Between Macroecology and Data Science)

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15 pages, 7396 KB

Open AccessArticle

Floristic Diversity, Vegetation Structure, and Ontogenetic Composition of Sibiraea altaiensis (Rosaceae) Populations in the Kazakhstan Altai

by Anar Myrzagaliyeva, Aidyn Orazov, Talant Samarkhanov, Serik Irsaliyev, Zhanylkan Alemseitova and Shynar Tustubayeva

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070428 - 16 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The taxonomic status of the Altai populations traditionally identified as Sibiraea altaiensis remains unresolved, with international databases generally treating the name as a synonym of S. laevigata. At the same time, regional sources retain it for conservation and floristic purposes. Using S. [...] Read more.

The taxonomic status of the Altai populations traditionally identified as Sibiraea altaiensis remains unresolved, with international databases generally treating the name as a synonym of S. laevigata. At the same time, regional sources retain it for conservation and floristic purposes. Using S. altaiensis as an operational regional name, we established a comparative ecological baseline for six natural populations distributed across the Southern and Western Kazakhstan Altai at 814–2130 m a.s.l. Vegetation was surveyed in July 2024 and July 2025 in ten 10 m × 10 m plots per population using complete vascular plant inventories, Braun–Blanquet abundance–dominance estimates, descriptions of vertical structure, and field assessment of shrub ontogenetic states. Observed vascular plant richness ranged from approximately 35 species at Tautekeli to 78 at Lineinsky; Shubartoc and Ridder contained 76 and 72 species, respectively. Mesophytes constituted 56.3–77.0% of the population floras, demonstrating a predominantly mesic community affinity across contrasting subalpine slopes, river terraces, floodplains, and sparse conifer forest. Sibiraea altaiensis was dominant or structure-forming at every locality, although associated species composition and vegetation architecture varied substantially among habitats. Juvenile plants were not detected at five populations, whereas their occurrence at Lineinsky was insufficiently documented for comparison; this pattern is interpreted cautiously because dense midsummer vegetation and litter may reduce seedling detectability. Floristic richness did not conform to a simple Southern-versus-Western Altai division, indicating that local habitat heterogeneity and vegetation context may be more informative than regional position alone. The study provides a verified descriptive baseline and identifies permanent plot monitoring, early-season recruitment surveys, direct environmental measurements, and integrated molecular taxonomic analyses as priorities for conservation assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)

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18 pages, 6521 KB

Open AccessArticle

Early Changes in Soil Organic Carbon Following Ecological Restoration in Mangroves Invaded by Acrostichum aureum

by Julio César Chávez-Barrera, Juan Fernando Gallardo-Lancho, Carlos Armando Chan-Keb, Margarita Elizabeth Gallegos Martínez, Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernández, Robert Puschendorf and Claudia Maricusa Agraz-Hernández

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070427 - 16 Jul 2026

Viewed by 325

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems store large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, degradation processes associated with invasive species can alter vegetation structure, hydrological conditions, and carbon cycling, with uncertain consequences for SOC storage and greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluated changes in SOC stocks [...] Read more.

Mangrove ecosystems store large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, degradation processes associated with invasive species can alter vegetation structure, hydrological conditions, and carbon cycling, with uncertain consequences for SOC storage and greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluated changes in SOC stocks to 0–50 cm depth, soil CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O fluxes, and early restoration responses four years after ecological restoration in the Térraba–Sierpe National Wetland, Costa Rica. Comparisons were conducted among a conserved mangrove, a degraded mangrove dominated by Acrostichum aureum, and three restored sites subjected to hydrological rehabilitation with contrasting reforestation intensities. The degraded site showed significantly higher SOC contents (171 ± 31 Mg C ha⁻¹; p < 0.0001) compared to the conserved site (103 ± 26 Mg C ha⁻¹). CO₂ fluxes did not differ significantly between March and October. CH₄ and N₂O fluxes remained below the detection limits in most measurements. Redundancy analysis identified a significant association between vegetation composition and the measured environmental variables (p = 0.005). Higher CO₂ emissions were associated with the dominance of A. aureum. Plant density was positively related to SOC content (R² = 0.78). MR1 site, where hydrological rehabilitation was combined with high-density reforestation, had significantly higher SOC content than the degraded site (242 ± 24.3 Mg C ha⁻¹; p < 0.001). Soil CO₂ emissions at MR1 were also significantly lower than at the degraded site (p = 0.001). This study provides a pioneering field assessment of mangrove restoration through the control of A. aureum invasion. The results suggest that restoration design may influence soil carbon storage during the early stages of recovery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation of Coastal Wetlands)

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5 pages, 176 KB

Open AccessReply

Reply to Galil, B.S.; Rinkevich, B. Comment on “Kuplik et al. Rhopilema nomadica in the Mediterranean: Molecular Evidence for Migration and Insights into Its Proliferation. Diversity 2026, 18, 94”

by Zafrir Kuplik, Hila Dror, Karin Tamar, Alan Sutton, James Lusana, Blandina Lugendo and Dror L. Angel

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070426 - 16 Jul 2026

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Abstract

We thank Galil and Rinkevich for their interest in our recent publication [...] Full article

3 pages, 149 KB

Open AccessComment

Comment on Kuplik et al. Rhopilema nomadica in the Mediterranean: Molecular Evidence for Migration and Insights into Its Proliferation. Diversity 2026, 18, 94

by Bella S. Galil and Baruch Rinkevich

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070425 - 16 Jul 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 230

Abstract

Based on COI analyses of three medusae collected in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and on a low-resolution photograph of a jellyfish swarm in Haifa Port, Kuplik et al. [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

16 pages, 13845 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Taxonomic, Functional, and Phylogenetic Diversity of Plants in the Gurbantunggut Desert

by Xinyi Lin, Lin Han, Yong Zeng, Gulmira Nurmaimaiti, Dandan Wang and Peng Wang

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070424 - 15 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms that sustain plant diversity in arid regions is a current focus of ecological research. This study focused on the Gurbantunggut Desert, China’s largest fixed and semi-fixed desert, and systematically investigated the plant community diversity and its environmental drivers on fixed, [...] Read more.

Understanding the mechanisms that sustain plant diversity in arid regions is a current focus of ecological research. This study focused on the Gurbantunggut Desert, China’s largest fixed and semi-fixed desert, and systematically investigated the plant community diversity and its environmental drivers on fixed, semi-fixed, and mobile dunes. Data analysis was conducted using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination, redundancy analysis (RDA), boosted regression tree (BRT), and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicated that taxonomic diversity (TD), functional diversity (FD), and phylogenetic diversity (PD) all exhibited consistent gradient patterns: fixed dunes > semi-fixed dunes > mobile dunes. The Net Relatedness Index (NRI) and the Nearest Taxon Index (NTI) primarily exhibited phylogenetic clustering, and habitat filtering was the dominant process in community assembly. Soil water content (SWC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) are the key drivers regulating plant diversity in this region. SWC and SOC directly and significantly influence FD and PD; however, their indirect effects on TD are weak, suggesting that species composition is also jointly constrained by abiotic processes such as dispersal limitation and interspecific competition. This study offers a theoretical foundation for differentiated ecological management of fixed, semi-fixed, and mobile dunes in the Gurbantunggut Desert. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)

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20 pages, 6618 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mountaintop-Extinction Risk for Polylepis tarapacana: An Elevational-Ceiling and No-Escape Framework in the South-Central Andes

by Javier Quille-Mamani, Raul Uscamayta, German Huayna-Felipe, Pablo Franco-León, Fredy Cabrera-Olivera, Bertha Vera-Barrios, José Huanuqueño-Murillo, Marco Navarro and Edwin Pino-Vargas

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070423 - 15 Jul 2026

Viewed by 609

Abstract

Sustained warming is displacing montane species upslope, yet trees already at the upper limit of their mountains face a finite vertical refuge. This study assessed whether the world’s highest-elevation tree, Polylepis tarapacana, can remain within climatically suitable terrain as the climate warms [...] Read more.

Sustained warming is displacing montane species upslope, yet trees already at the upper limit of their mountains face a finite vertical refuge. This study assessed whether the world’s highest-elevation tree, Polylepis tarapacana, can remain within climatically suitable terrain as the climate warms across its South-Central Andean range (Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina), with field validation in Tacna, southern Peru. The aim was to quantify, under CMIP6 scenarios extending to 2100, how much suitable habitat the species retains and what fraction of any loss leaves no reachable higher-elevation refuge. A MaxEnt model, benchmarked against Random Forest, was calibrated on the full known range from GBIF occurrences and field plots using collinearity-filtered bioclimatic predictors and a sampling-bias-corrected background, projected as a multi-GCM ensemble under CMIP6 twenty-first-century scenarios, and validated externally against 148 field-mapped stand polygons (12,874 ha). A novel elevational-ceiling and “no-escape” framework quantified, for each scenario, the suitable area lost without any reachable higher-elevation refuge. The models discriminated suitable habitat well (external AUC

= 0.85

, Boyce

= 0.98

). Under the highest-emission pathway, suitable habitat in Tacna contracts from

- 13 %

(2030s) to

- 100 %

(2090s) and the highly suitable class collapses by

99.4 %

; across the partial-loss scenarios, the suitability centroid shifts upslope by up to

+ 195

m. By 2081–2100 the no-escape fraction reaches

100 %

at every tested dispersal buffer—to date the first quantitative evidence of mountaintop-extinction risk for the world’s highest-elevation tree. These results argue for anticipatory ex situ conservation and Peru–Bolivia cross-border protection of the highest-elevation Altiplano refugia, before the vertical escape route closes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biogeography and Macroecology)

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17 pages, 9352 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Temperature-Structured Cetacean Community and the Loss of Its Cold-Water Species from a Rapidly Warming Marginal Sea (The East Sea/Sea of Japan)

by Kyum Joon Park, Keiko Yamada, Min Ju Kim, Dasom Lee, Namgyu Uh and Sora Kim

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070422 - 14 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The East Sea (Sea of Japan) is one of the world’s most rapidly warming marginal seas, a sensitive setting in which to examine how cetacean communities are structured by, and respond to, ocean temperature. Using visual sighting records from line-transect surveys off the [...] Read more.

The East Sea (Sea of Japan) is one of the world’s most rapidly warming marginal seas, a sensitive setting in which to examine how cetacean communities are structured by, and respond to, ocean temperature. Using visual sighting records from line-transect surveys off the Korean east coast (2015–2024) and analyses designed to be robust to heterogeneous survey effort rather than to estimate abundance, we matched 177 sightings of six species to satellite sea-surface temperature (SST) and tested whether the species form distinct thermal guilds. Cold-water species (Dall’s porpoise and Pacific white-sided dolphin) occurred in water averaging 11.6 °C and warm-water species (common, Risso’s, and bottlenose dolphins and false killer whale) in water averaging 17.8 °C—a 6.2 °C separation that was highly significant, very large (Cohen’s d = 1.84), and independent of location, defining a temperature-structured community. Over the same period, spring regional mean SST rose about 2 °C (0.22 °C yr⁻¹). Strikingly, the cold-water guild was absent during the spring surveys in 2022 and 2024: it was absent in the two warmest-spring years despite the highest survey effort and full spatial coverage, its encounter rate fell with spring SST (ρ = −0.78), and—unlike the warm-water guild, which persisted unchanged—its loss was guild-specific. National bycatch statistics and local knowledge independently corroborate this decline. A sharply temperature-structured community, rapid warming, and the guild-specific loss of cold-water species together indicate that climate-driven reorganization of this assemblage is already underway, underscoring the need for sustained, all-season monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

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17 pages, 4495 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Genomic Insights into Genomic GC Variation in the Genus Kordiimonas

by Ruo-Ying Zhuo, Jia-Xi Li, Yue-Ran Zhu, Yu-Chen Deng, Xiang-Yang Yu, Cong Sun and Lin Xu

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070421 - 14 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Bacterial wide genomic GC variation poses numerous interesting scientific questions, which center on the role evolution plays in shaping genome content and the mechanisms that abruptly alter such processes. In this study, eleven Kordiimonas genomes were obtained and processed for comparative genomic, phylogenetic, [...] Read more.

Bacterial wide genomic GC variation poses numerous interesting scientific questions, which center on the role evolution plays in shaping genome content and the mechanisms that abruptly alter such processes. In this study, eleven Kordiimonas genomes were obtained and processed for comparative genomic, phylogenetic, evolutionary, and statistical analyses. The phylogenomic reconstruction based on single-copy orthologous cluster protein sequences and overall genomic relatedness index calculations showed that the genus Kordiimonas could be separated into GC-rich (56.3 to 59.9%) and -poor (46.2 to 49.6%) groups, and Ca. Kordiimonas sp. UBA4487 should be reclassified to remove it from this genus. Comparisons of amino acid frequencies in the genus also indicated that the GC-rich and -poor groups had several significantly different amino acid usages. Evolutionary analysis revealed that the GC-poor group had significantly higher nonsynonymous and synonymous substitution rates than the GC-rich group did, and evolved from the GC-rich ancestor. Comparative genomics also demonstrated that the GC-rich group encoded more genes related to nitrogen metabolism and transport than the GC-poor group did, leading to ecological niche diversification of the two groups, which could reduce inter-species competition in similar environments. Our study characterized the evolutionary patterns involved in nucleotide substitutions and their trends, as well as metabolic changes at the genus level, which can shed light on the understanding of bacterial microevolution in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Marine Microorganisms)

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17 pages, 18594 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Decade of Change: Trends in Scorpion Richness, Abundance, and Community Structure in Central Algerian Sahara

by Salah Eddine Sadine, Rabah Zebsa, Zinette Bensakhri, Zineb Souilem, Linda Rouari, Moussa Houhamdi and André F. A. Lira

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070420 - 13 Jul 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 440

Abstract

Understanding long-term temporal dynamics of desert arthropod communities is essential for evaluating ecosystem responses to environmental variability. This study investigates decadal changes (2014–2024) in species richness, abundance, diversity, and assemblage composition of scorpions in the central Algerian Sahara. Annual species abundance data were [...] Read more.

Understanding long-term temporal dynamics of desert arthropod communities is essential for evaluating ecosystem responses to environmental variability. This study investigates decadal changes (2014–2024) in species richness, abundance, diversity, and assemblage composition of scorpions in the central Algerian Sahara. Annual species abundance data were analyzed using diversity indices and multivariate approaches. Temporal turnover in species composition was assessed using Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, linear regression, and SIMPER analysis to identify species contributing to assemblage change. Species richness increased substantially over the study period, rising from four species in 2014 to eleven species in 2024, but this rise likely reflects improved taxonomic knowledge and more complete inventories rather than a recent ecological colonization. In contrast, total abundance showed strong interannual variability without a clear temporal trend, indicating a decoupling between richness and overall population size. Diversity indices increased progressively, with higher Shannon and Simpson values in later years, reflecting reduced dominance and greater evenness, although both indices reached minimum values in 2019. Temporal β-diversity revealed moderate interannual turnover (mean dissimilarity = 0.22) and a non-significant decline through time, suggesting gradual assemblage reorganization. SIMPER analysis indicated that temporal change was mainly driven by shifts in dominance, particularly the decline of Androctonus amoreuxi and changes in secondary species such as Buthacus samiae and Lissothus chaambi. Overall, scorpion assemblages exhibited increasing richness and diversity with moderate turnover, driven primarily by changes in species dominance rather than widespread species replacement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scorpion Ecology and Biodiversity)

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22 pages, 2200 KB

Open AccessArticle

eDNA Metabarcoding Reveals Taxonomic Heterogeneity and Functional Guild Structure of Fungal Communities in Mangrove Sediments

by Lila Kusuma Rahayu, Budi Warsito, Muhammad Danie Al Malik and Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070419 - 13 Jul 2026

Viewed by 433

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems are ecologically important coastal habitats, yet the organization of fungal communities in mangrove sediments remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated the taxonomic composition, community structure, and functional guild distribution of fungal communities in mangrove sediments from five sites in Central Java, [...] Read more.

Mangrove ecosystems are ecologically important coastal habitats, yet the organization of fungal communities in mangrove sediments remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated the taxonomic composition, community structure, and functional guild distribution of fungal communities in mangrove sediments from five sites in Central Java, Indonesia, using ITS1-based environmental DNA metabarcoding. Sediment samples were analyzed through alpha and beta diversity metrics, taxonomic profiling, shared-versus-unique taxa assessment, and FUNGuild-based functional annotation. Alpha and beta diversity showed no significant differences among sites, indicating weak broad-scale spatial structuring. In contrast, taxonomic profiling revealed pronounced heterogeneity at finer taxonomic levels, with communities dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota and composed of both a conserved core microbiome and numerous site-specific taxa. Genera such as Malassezia, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium were consistently detected across sites. Functional guild analysis showed that fungal communities were dominated by pathotrophic and undefined guilds, whereas saprotrophic fungi formed a secondary but ecologically important component and symbiotrophs remained minor. Overall, these findings indicate that mangrove sediment fungal communities are taxonomically dynamic but functionally more conserved across sites, supporting partial taxonomic–functional decoupling and suggesting a role for functional redundancy in maintaining ecosystem stability. Full article

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26 pages, 26251 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Scale Responses of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera Communities to Catastrophic River Disturbance: Evidence from the Rio Doce Mining Tailings Dam Disaster

by Ana Dária Leite Viana, Álvaro Domingues Ataíde, Pedro Rodrigues Junior, Millena Cristhina Dias Correia, Frederico Falcão Salles and Carlos Frankl Sperber

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070418 - 11 Jul 2026

Viewed by 413

Abstract

The 2015 Mariana mining disaster in Minas Gerais, Brazil, profoundly altered the abiotic conditions of the Rio Doce basin, severely affecting aquatic biodiversity. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT), widely recognized as sensitive bioindicators of freshwater disturbance, were used to assess long-term ecological responses [...] Read more.

The 2015 Mariana mining disaster in Minas Gerais, Brazil, profoundly altered the abiotic conditions of the Rio Doce basin, severely affecting aquatic biodiversity. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT), widely recognized as sensitive bioindicators of freshwater disturbance, were used to assess long-term ecological responses to this event. Forty sites across the basin were sampled, including twenty affected by mining tailings and twenty unaffected reference sites, collecting adult and immature EPT along with physical and chemical and habitat data. It was evaluated how tailings deposition, abiotic factors, spatial scale, life stage, and climatic variation influenced EPT community structure seven years after the disaster. EPT communities showed persistent negative responses in impacted areas, with reduced species richness, shifts in species composition, and increased dominance of generalist taxa. Tailings deposition also altered environmental conditions, intensifying the effects of pre-existing stressors on aquatic assemblages. Responses varied across spatial scales and life stages, highlighting the complexity of disturbance effects on freshwater insect communities. Climatic variation further influenced community dynamics, interacting with local environmental conditions to shape recovery trajectories. Our findings demonstrate that the disaster produced lasting ecological impacts, reinforcing the importance of multi-scale monitoring to understand biodiversity responses and guide conservation and restoration strategies in disturbed river ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insect Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics in Disturbed Rivers)

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19 pages, 3162 KB

Open AccessArticle

Capturing Phytoplankton Diversity in the Central Adriatic Sea: Complementary Insights from DNA Metabarcoding and Morphological Identification

by S. Skejić, B. Milić Roje, J. Arapov, Ž. Ninčević Gladan, M. Straka, A. Bakrač, T. Bonačić, D. Rabadan, T. Tomašević, M. Bužančić and O. Vidjak

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070417 - 10 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Monitoring phytoplankton diversity is essential for the conservation of marine ecosystems and the protection of human health. This study compares light microscopy (LM) and DNA metabarcoding (MB) for analysing phytoplankton community at a long-term station in the Central Adriatic Sea, representing the first [...] Read more.

Monitoring phytoplankton diversity is essential for the conservation of marine ecosystems and the protection of human health. This study compares light microscopy (LM) and DNA metabarcoding (MB) for analysing phytoplankton community at a long-term station in the Central Adriatic Sea, representing the first application of metabarcoding in this region. Sampling was conducted in June 2024 using Niskin bottles and a 53 µm plankton net. Four genetic markers (COI, 18S V4, 18S V9, rbcL) were applied to bulk plankton DNA to broaden taxonomic coverage and assess their detection performance relative to LM. Among the molecular markers, rbcL detected the highest taxonomic richness and was particularly effective for diatom species detection. In contrast, 18S V4 and 18S V9 captured a broader spectrum of phytoplankton diversity, especially outperforming LM and the other two molecular markers in detecting a previously unrecognized but ecologically important phytoflagellate group. Species-level resolution within the taxonomically challenging genera Chaetoceros and Pseudo-nitzschia was considerably improved with metabarcoding. However, several taxa observed by LM, including certain coccolithophores and thecate dinoflagellates, were not detected by any of the molecular markers. Overall, the results show that methodological choices strongly influence biodiversity estimates and highlight the value of a complementary integrative approach in assessing phytoplankton diversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

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17 pages, 5634 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Skeletal Morphology and Adaptive Evolution of Three Schizothorax (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes) Species in Xinjiang Revealed by Micro-CT

by Xuyuan Lin, Chengxin Wang, Zhichang Yuan, Qihai Wu, Hao Xu, Bin Huo, Yafan Zhu, Jieya Liu, Yong Song and Shengao Chen

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070416 - 10 Jul 2026

Viewed by 277

Abstract

The genus Schizothorax comprises an important group of freshwater fishes in Xinjiang (China); however, detailed information on their skeletal anatomy remains limited. In this study, we combined micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and traditional skeletal preparations to examine and compare the osteological characteristics of three [...] Read more.

The genus Schizothorax comprises an important group of freshwater fishes in Xinjiang (China); however, detailed information on their skeletal anatomy remains limited. In this study, we combined micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and traditional skeletal preparations to examine and compare the osteological characteristics of three representative Schizothorax species: Schizothorax biddulphi, Schizothorax eurystomus, and Schizothorax curvifrons. Distinct variations were observed in several skeletal structures, including the cranium, pharyngeal teeth, fin-supporting elements, and vertebrae. Among the three species, S. biddulphi and S. eurystomus showed generally similar skeletal architectures, whereas S. curvifrons exhibited more pronounced osteological differences. These findings provide new comparative osteological data for Schizothorax species and offer a morphological reference for future studies on the taxonomy, systematics, and conservation of these freshwater fishes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Freshwater Biodiversity)

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37 pages, 10757 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Ecoregional Conservation Assessment for the Klamath-Siskiyou Ecoregion and Proposed Siskiyou Crest Climate Refuge, Southwest Oregon and Northern California, USA

by Dominick A. DellaSala, Bryant C. Baker, Matthew H. Rogers, Monica Bond, Gwen Bury, R. Bruce Bury and James R. Strittholt

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070415 - 9 Jul 2026

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Abstract

The Klamath-Siskiyou Ecoregion (KSE) of southwest Oregon–northern California, USA, has globally exceptional biodiversity but is experiencing mounting pressures from climate change and land uses. We conducted an ecoregional conservation assessment of the KSE and the Siskiyou Crest subregion (SCS), a proposed climate refugium [...] Read more.

The Klamath-Siskiyou Ecoregion (KSE) of southwest Oregon–northern California, USA, has globally exceptional biodiversity but is experiencing mounting pressures from climate change and land uses. We conducted an ecoregional conservation assessment of the KSE and the Siskiyou Crest subregion (SCS), a proposed climate refugium within the KSE. We integrated protected area priorities based on established conservation targets with climate change planning and fire risk reduction for communities. Both areas contained very low levels (<30%) of protection (GAP status 1, 2) for nearly all land cover types (n = 17), including serpentine substrates where endemic plants are highly concentrated, older forests with potential refugia properties, and habitat for Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) and Pacific fisher (Pekania pennanti). At the ecoregional scale, high-severity fire levels were proportionately similar across GAP land-use status (“managed” vs. protected). However, high-severity fire was lowest for protected areas at the subregional scale, reflective of potential refugium properties. Most fuel treatments by federal agencies were >1 km from nearest structures, far removed from effective community fire protection in both locales. The relatively higher-elevation SCS is projected to maintain refugia properties (cooler, wetter) for longer periods than the KSE; however, that function may dissipate toward the end of the century and under a higher emissions scenario. We recommend increased protections of potential refugia combined with fire risk reduction of the built environment to more effectively maintain unique biota and prepare communities for increased likelihood of wildfire spillover events. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2026 Feature Papers by Diversity's Editorial Board Members)

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18 pages, 1132 KB

Open AccessReview

Increased State of Knowledge and Extinction Risks of the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtles of Colombia

by Vivian P. Páez and Brian C. Bock

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070414 - 8 Jul 2026

Viewed by 504

Abstract

A decade ago, several publications summarized the state of knowledge on Colombia’s non-marine turtle species, and in 2015, the Colombian Red Book of Reptiles assessed their national conservation status, yielding information to guide research and conservation priorities in this biodiverse country. However, a [...] Read more.

A decade ago, several publications summarized the state of knowledge on Colombia’s non-marine turtle species, and in 2015, the Colombian Red Book of Reptiles assessed their national conservation status, yielding information to guide research and conservation priorities in this biodiverse country. However, a recent initiative has produced or updated the global extinction risk assessments of Latin American non-marine turtle species. We summarize the current state of knowledge on Colombian populations of these species and propose new research and conservation priorities. The number of threatened turtle species in Colombia and the magnitude of the threats they face are greater than previously thought. Despite advances in research on the Colombian populations of these species, knowledge biases exist across species, with many important aspects of their life histories and population trends poorly understood. Given the speed of habitat loss and degradation, the current levels of exploitation, and the lack of enforcement of the legislation that protects them, we predict continued declines in population densities and distributions. We emphasize the need for more life-history studies and monitoring of population trends and threats to assign a more realistic category of national extinction risk and request the implementation of conservation legislation and the establishment of conservation programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Turtles in Anthropogenic Landscapes)

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16 pages, 4873 KB

Open AccessArticle

Plant Biodiversity Along a Protection-Coverage Gradient in the Baekdudaegan Protected Area, South Korea

by Byeong-Joo Park and Kwangil Cheon

Diversity 2026, 18(7), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18070413 - 7 Jul 2026

Viewed by 336

Abstract

Assessing biodiversity within protected areas requires consideration of not only the extent of protection but also multiple dimensions of biodiversity, including species richness, composition, and turnover. This issue is particularly relevant to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3, which emphasizes area-based conservation [...] Read more.

Assessing biodiversity within protected areas requires consideration of not only the extent of protection but also multiple dimensions of biodiversity, including species richness, composition, and turnover. This issue is particularly relevant to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3, which emphasizes area-based conservation by protecting 30% of terrestrial areas by 2030. However, empirical case studies examining how plant biodiversity is associated with protection coverage at fine spatial scales within protected areas remain limited, particularly in East Asian temperate forests. We aimed to examine the relationships between grid-scale protection coverage and plant species richness, species composition, species turnover, and multisite species-sharing structures within the core zone of the Baekdudaegan Protected Area in Korea. Plant biodiversity was analyzed using 60 grid cells (each 1:25,000 topographic sheet units, ~100 km²) located within legally protected core zones with minimal human disturbance. Negative binomial regression, beta regression, non-metric multidimensional scaling, and ζ-diversity analyses were applied to evaluate relationships between protected area extent and biodiversity patterns. Core-zone area with greater protection coverage supported higher plant species; however, climate and topography were stronger drivers of species richness. Species turnover and community assembly patterns were not significantly associated with protection coverage. ζ-diversity analyses supported a power-law model across all area groups, indicating deterministic community assembly driven by environmental filtering. These findings suggest that protection coverage is positively associated with α-diversity but shows no clear association with qualitative aspects of biodiversity such as species turnover and community assembly. Although our correlational design does not allow causal inference, the results suggest that future conservation policy should incorporate habitat quality, environmental representativeness, and ecological connectivity alongside area expansion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Conservation)

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