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The West Atlantic Hoary Rubble Crab, Banareia palmeri, Behaves Like a Corallivore
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First Report of Three Ampharetinae Malmgren, 1866 Species from Korean Subtidal Waters, Including Genetic Features of Histone H3 and Descriptions of Two New Species
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Diversity, Ecology, and Distribution of Opuntioideae (Prickly Pears and Chollas) Neophytes in Southern Switzerland
Journal Description
Diversity
Diversity
is a peer-reviewed, open access journal on the science of biodiversity from molecules, genes, populations, and species, to ecosystems and is published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, GEOBASE, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Biodiversity Conservation) / CiteScore - Q2 (Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 18.3 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 4.4 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Diversity is a companion journal of Fossil Studies.
Impact Factor:
2.1 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.3 (2023)
Latest Articles
Rare Observation of a Female Argonauta argo in the Northeastern Aegean Sea: A Contribution to Mediterranean Cephalopod Records
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050361 - 19 May 2025
Abstract
Argonauta argo (Linnaeus, 1758), commonly known as the greater argonaut, is a pelagic octopod with a circumglobal distribution in warm and temperate seas. Although the species is occasionally reported in the Mediterranean Sea, confirmed in situ observations of live individuals remain scarce, particularly
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Argonauta argo (Linnaeus, 1758), commonly known as the greater argonaut, is a pelagic octopod with a circumglobal distribution in warm and temperate seas. Although the species is occasionally reported in the Mediterranean Sea, confirmed in situ observations of live individuals remain scarce, particularly in the eastern basin. Here, we document the occurrence of a live female A. argo entangled in aquaculture nets at a sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) facility off the coast of Lesvos Island in the northeastern Aegean Sea, Greece. This represents the first confirmed observation in this part of the Mediterranean and only the second confirmed observation of a live individual in Greek waters. The individual was photographed in situ and identified based on diagnostic morphological features. The encounter occurred under specific hydrodynamic and environmental conditions potentially favorable to the species, including enhanced prey availability and structural refuge within the aquaculture infrastructure. This record contributes to the limited dataset on Mediterranean argonauts and underscores the need for further research into their ecology, distribution patterns, and potential interactions with anthropogenic marine structures.
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(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)
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Relative Influence of Salinity in the Flow and Accumulation of Organic Carbon in Open-Water Karstic Mangroves
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Angélica Paola Quintero Alvarado, Jairo Humberto Medina Calderón and José Ernesto Mancera-Pineda
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050360 - 19 May 2025
Abstract
Carbonat—open-water mangroves have high organic carbon (OC) content, apparently due to sediments’ biophysical characteristics. However, the role of key regulators such as salinity and hydroperiod, which modulate the forest structure and, therefore, carbon dynamics, has been little explored. This study evaluates the influence
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Carbonat—open-water mangroves have high organic carbon (OC) content, apparently due to sediments’ biophysical characteristics. However, the role of key regulators such as salinity and hydroperiod, which modulate the forest structure and, therefore, carbon dynamics, has been little explored. This study evaluates the influence of salinity on the accumulation of aerial and underground OC (production of litter and roots), in open—water karstic forests. To this end, an experimental design was implemented on San Andrés Island, where an edaphic salinity gradient exists due to the water regime. Three physiographic types of mangroves, characterized by different saline regimes, were selected for the study. Two inland forests were selected, both of which exhibited a mesohaline regime (9.63 ± 6.26 and 11.54 ± 7.46 PSU), while a third site corresponded to a euhaline fringe forest (37.47 ± 5.76 PSU). The final location was characterized by a hyperhaline regime basin forest (62.36 ± 10.54 PSU). The fundamental hypothesis posited an inverse relationship between salinity and litter production, and a direct relationship between salinity and root production. To assess root production, the growth core implantation technique (108 soil cores) was employed, with live roots selected based on diameter (<2, 2–5, and 5–20 mm). The mean (±SD) OC content in dry litter ( ) was 8.96 ± 0.28; 5.57 ± 0.15; 6.31 ± 0.27; and 4.54 ± 0.8; while The production of dry roots was 0.41 ± 0.08; 1.19 ± 0.46; 1.30 ± 0.5; and 0.24 ± 0.20, for the mesohaline forests, the euhaline forest, and the hyperhaline forest, respectively. The proposed hypotheses were confirmed when considering only the extreme salinity ranges. Upon incorporating all salinity ranges from the four forests into the analysis, it was observed that litter production exhibited a tendency to decrease with increasing salinity, while root production demonstrated a tendency to increase. However, this trend did not attain statistical significance, thereby suggesting that, in addition to salinity, other factors may also regulate production processes. These findings serve to affirm the high productivity of carbonate environments and the contribution of autochthonous production.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Restoration, Functioning and Conservation of Coastal Wetlands)
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Advancing Regional Adaptation and Nitrogen Stress Resilience Through Integrative Phenotyping of Watkins Wheat Landraces via Source–Sink Dynamics
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Abdul Waheed, Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Zareen Sarfraz, Yanping Wei, Junliang Hou, Sixing Li, Bo Song and Shifeng Cheng
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050359 - 19 May 2025
Abstract
Historical landrace collections, such as the Watkins Wheat Collection, harbor immense genetic diversity that holds the potential to transform our understanding of crop resilience and adaptation. This study employs a novel integrative phenotyping approach to dissect regional adaptation and nitrogen stress resilience in
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Historical landrace collections, such as the Watkins Wheat Collection, harbor immense genetic diversity that holds the potential to transform our understanding of crop resilience and adaptation. This study employs a novel integrative phenotyping approach to dissect regional adaptation and nitrogen stress resilience in Watkins wheat landraces under contrasting nitrogen regimes. By leveraging a multidimensional framework, including stress indices, geographic analyses, and multivariate clustering, this work identifies 48 landraces with contrasting responses to nitrogen limitation. High-performing genotypes, such as WATDE0013 and WATDE0020, exhibited superior biomass partitioning under stress, reflecting historical adaptation to low-input agroecosystems spanning Europe, Asia, and North Africa. These findings emphasize the value of phenotypic plasticity in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) improvement. In contrast, low-performing accessions, such as WATDE1055, highlighted vulnerabilities to nitrogen limitation, illustrating the importance of comprehensive phenotypic screening for gene-bank prioritization. Regional adaptation patterns, elucidated through geographic analyses, uncovered stress-resilient genotypes clustered in historically marginal agricultural regions, revealing adaptive traits shaped by environmental selection pressures. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering delineated five distinct phenotypic groups, enhancing our understanding of evolutionary trajectories within this collection. This integrative approach transcends traditional phenotyping methods by linking phenotype, genotype, and geographic context to uncover nuanced adaptive traits. By bridging gene bank conservation with a systems-level understanding of crop evolution, this study provides actionable insights and a robust framework for breeding climate-resilient wheat varieties. These findings underscore the critical role of preserving genetic diversity in landraces to address global challenges in nitrogen stress and climate resilience.
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(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)
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Effectiveness of Torymus sinensis Kamijo Releases in Controlling the Chestnut Gall Wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu, in Trás-os-Montes, Portugal
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Ana Lobo Santos, Sónia Alexandra Paiva Santos, Pedro António Casquero, Rosalina Marrão, Vanessa Guerra, Santiago Fernandez, Jessica Morais-Silva and Albino Bento
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050358 - 18 May 2025
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The chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu) is an invasive pest that attacks species of the genus Castanea, inducing gall formation on buds and leaves, which can significantly reduce tree growth, fruiting, and overall chestnut production. Native to China, D. kuriphilus
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The chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu) is an invasive pest that attacks species of the genus Castanea, inducing gall formation on buds and leaves, which can significantly reduce tree growth, fruiting, and overall chestnut production. Native to China, D. kuriphilus has become a serious threat to chestnut orchards worldwide. Torymus sinensis Kamijo, a parasitoid also originating from China, is highly specific to D. kuriphilus and is currently considered the most effective biological control agent against this pest. This study aimed to evaluate the establishment of T. sinensis as well as its effectiveness in controlling D. kuriphilus at release sites between 2020 and 2023. Releases of T. sinensis were conducted in the municipality of Bragança with a sex ratio of 120 females to 70 males. The parasitoids were randomly released across three chestnut trees with infestation levels ranging from moderate (26–50% of the canopy affected by galls) to very severe (>80% of the canopy affected). At each release site, 250 galls were collected annually, and 10% of these galls were dissected to calculate parasitism rates by T. sinensis. Results revealed a positive correlation between the monitoring year and the parasitism rate. Following the releases, parasitism rates increased gradually, reaching values between 15% and 40%. T. sinensis successfully established itself in chestnut orchards and parasitized D. kuriphilus, despite normal population fluctuations being observed across years and orchards.
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Open AccessArticle
Spartina alterniflora-Derived Biochar Alters Biomass Allocation and Root Traits of Native Scirpus mariqueter
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Yaoyao Tang, Jingwen Gao, Pengcheng Jiang, Junzhen Li, Ming Wu, Shengwu Jiao, Long Zhang, Niu Li and Xuexin Shao
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050357 - 18 May 2025
Abstract
Coastal wetlands provide vital ecosystem services, yet large-scale removal of invasive Spartina alterniflora disrupts soil carbon pools and fragments habitats. Converting this biomass to biochar may enhance restoration outcomes, though ecological effects remain poorly understood. We evaluated how Spartina alterniflora-derived biochar (0%,
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Coastal wetlands provide vital ecosystem services, yet large-scale removal of invasive Spartina alterniflora disrupts soil carbon pools and fragments habitats. Converting this biomass to biochar may enhance restoration outcomes, though ecological effects remain poorly understood. We evaluated how Spartina alterniflora-derived biochar (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 3%) influences growth performance, clonal reproduction, root morphology, and rhizosphere properties of native Scirpus mariqueter. Moderate biochar addition (1%) significantly boosted plant performance, increasing total biomass by 64.5%, aboveground biomass by 36.7%, and belowground biomass by 115.0%, while root length increased by 135.8%. Biochar improved soil moisture and nutrient availability, including nitrate nitrogen (NO3⁻-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4⁺-N), and available phosphorus (AP), while stimulating nitrification and promoting clonal propagation. In contrast, high-dose biochar (3%) elevated soil salinity and electrical conductivity, leading to suppressed plant growth and reproductive allocation. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between root volume and soil nutrient levels. Our findings demonstrate that moderate application of Spartina alterniflora-derived biochar enhances plant productivity and soil function, potentially improving carbon sequestration in restored coastal wetlands. This study provides insights into ecological recycling of invasive biomass and supports biochar as a viable tool for sustainable wetland restoration, though potential risks at high concentrations warrant further investigation.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation)
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Open AccessReview
A Review on Eurasian Otters in Urban Areas: Principles for the Enhancement of Biodiversity
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Connor Lee and Xiaofeng Luan
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050356 - 17 May 2025
Abstract
Eurasian otters, as apex predators in freshwater ecosystems, are crucial to maintaining nutrient cycling and habitat stability. Although Eurasian otters prefer unaltered natural habitats, their adaptive and opportunistic behavior allows them to occupy suboptimal environments, including urbanized areas. As urbanization increases, the pressure
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Eurasian otters, as apex predators in freshwater ecosystems, are crucial to maintaining nutrient cycling and habitat stability. Although Eurasian otters prefer unaltered natural habitats, their adaptive and opportunistic behavior allows them to occupy suboptimal environments, including urbanized areas. As urbanization increases, the pressure on apex carnivores like the Eurasian otter will continue to grow. To date, urban stream restoration plans have not used the Eurasian otter as a keystone species, but given their influence across the trophic levels, Eurasian otter-focused restoration plans could enhance otter populations and overall biodiversity in urban areas. Here, we lay out six principles designed as a template for enhancing urban habitats for Eurasian otters as well as biodiversity. The principles (enhancing habitat structure complexity, restoring natural riparian vegetation and habitats, safeguarding water quality, providing native prey species, reducing otter mortality, and promoting positive public perception) are essential for urban ecosystem regeneration focused on Eurasian otters. Although there have been no urban restoration projects specifically tailored toward Eurasian otters, initiatives based on similar principles have been effective in promoting biodiversity and otter presence. Overall, an urban habitat restoration plan focused on Eurasian otters will not just increase otter presence but biodiversity across all trophic levels.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Conservation in Urbanized Ecosystems)
Open AccessReview
Blood Glucose in Birds: Another Way to Think About “Normal” Glycemia and Diabetes Mellitus in Animals
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Alda Quattrone, Ivan Picozzi, Emanuele Lubian, Nour Elhouda Fehri, Laura Menchetti, Olimpia Barbato, Daniele Vigo, Stella Agradi, Majlind Sulçe, Massimo Faustini, Enkeleda Ozuni, Xhiliola Bixheku, Gabriele Brecchia and Giulio Curone
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050355 - 16 May 2025
Abstract
Birds exhibit naturally high blood glucose concentrations, a physiological trait that, unlike in mammals, does not lead to typical pathological consequences such as diabetes mellitus. This review explores the unique features of glucose metabolism in birds, with a particular focus on the anatomy
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Birds exhibit naturally high blood glucose concentrations, a physiological trait that, unlike in mammals, does not lead to typical pathological consequences such as diabetes mellitus. This review explores the unique features of glucose metabolism in birds, with a particular focus on the anatomy and function of the avian pancreas, the roles of key hormones such as insulin and glucagon, as well as the distinctive mechanisms of glucose absorption and utilization. Evidence suggests a dominant role of glucagon over insulin, along with adaptations such as insulin resistance and antioxidant defenses, which may contribute to birds’ apparent resilience to hyperglycemia-related complications. Despite these adaptations, cases of diabetes mellitus have been reported, primarily as secondary to other pathologies, including pancreatitis, hemochromatosis, infections, and toxicities. Diagnosis remains challenging due to interspecies variability and the lack of standardized assays. Treatment, mainly via insulin therapy, has shown mixed outcomes, often limited by the underlying disease severity. This review highlights the need for species-specific diagnostic tools and a deeper investigation into the pathophysiology of glucose regulation in birds, aiming to improve clinical outcomes, develop standardized therapies, and ultimately broaden the perspectives of comparative endocrinology.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Systematic Revision of the Genus Charmus Karsch, 1879 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), and Assessment of Its Phylogenetic Position Within Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837 Using Ultraconserved Elements
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Mihir Joshi, Shubhankar Deshpande, Sajiri Ukale, Gaurang Gowande, Julia Bilat, František Kovařík, Hélène Mottaz, František Šťáhlavský, Deshabhushan Bastawade, Lionel Monod and Shauri Sulakhe
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050354 - 16 May 2025
Abstract
India and Sri Lanka are known to exhibit high levels of biological diversity with many endemic taxa, such as the enigmatic scorpion genus Charmus Karsch, 1879. Members of this genus are rarely encountered in the field and are also known to be morphologically
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India and Sri Lanka are known to exhibit high levels of biological diversity with many endemic taxa, such as the enigmatic scorpion genus Charmus Karsch, 1879. Members of this genus are rarely encountered in the field and are also known to be morphologically very similar, which impedes their systematic assessment. Our dedicated efforts towards sampling the members of the genus resulted in the collection of important material, which allowed us to carry out a thorough systematic revision of the genus using an integrated taxonomic approach. We propose several taxonomic changes based on the results of a detailed morphological study supported by molecular data. Charmus indicus Hirst, 1915 is synonymized with Charmus laneus Karsch, 1879, owing to the lack of morphological differences and low genetic divergence between the two taxa. We designate a neotype for Charmus sinhagadensis Tikader and Bastawade, 1983, and describe a new species from Sirumalai (Tamil Nadu, India). Moreover, we provide the first molecular phylogeny of Charmus based on Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S rRNA (16S) and 28S rRNA (28S) genes. The phylogenetic position of the genus within the family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837 is also tested using an independent genome-wide dataset (Ultraconserved Elements). Topological congruence and discrepancies between the phylogenies generated with Sanger sequences and the Ultraconserved Elements are commented on, and the reliability of these datasets when evaluating phylogenetic relationships at different hierarchical levels is further discussed.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Evolution, and Systematics of Chelicerates)
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Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Peru: A Microsatellite Analysis
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Wilber Peralta, Agustin Nestares, Julyssa Gamarra, Miler Rojas, Juan Sullca and Richard Estrada
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050353 - 16 May 2025
Abstract
This study evaluated the genetic diversity and population structure of Vicugna pacos (Huacaya alpacas) from two contrasting breeding contexts in Junín, Peru: the genetically managed herd of INIA’s Santa Ana Experimental Station (Suitucancha) and the community-based herd of Huayre, where natural,
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This study evaluated the genetic diversity and population structure of Vicugna pacos (Huacaya alpacas) from two contrasting breeding contexts in Junín, Peru: the genetically managed herd of INIA’s Santa Ana Experimental Station (Suitucancha) and the community-based herd of Huayre, where natural, unregulated mating practices are common. An external reference population from Quimsachata was also included. Genetic diversity parameters revealed high allelic richness and heterozygosity within all populations. Analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), Bayesian clustering, and phylogenetic reconstruction indicated moderate genetic differentiation between Suitucancha and Huayre, likely influenced by the use of selected males under controlled mating in Suitucancha versus natural, unregulated group mating in Huayre, which facilitates broader gene flow. The Quimsachata group displayed distinct genetic characteristics, likely reflecting limited gene flow due to its role as a germplasm conservation nucleus under closed reproductive management. These results reflect how differences in reproductive management may influence population structure in alpacas.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Diversity—Biodiversity, Conservation and Ecology of Animals, Plants and Microorganisms)
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Biodiversity and Phytochemical Characterization of Adonis volgensis Populations from Central and Northern Kazakhstan: Insights into Bioactivity and Toxicity
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Moldir Zhumagul, Milena Rašeta, Zhanar Iskakova, Serik Kubentayev, Anar Myrzagaliyeva, Gulnara Tleubergenova, Saule Mukhtubayeva, Jovana Mišković and Yusufjon Gafforov
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050352 - 16 May 2025
Abstract
This study examines the phytocenotic, phenotypic, phytochemical, antioxidant, and toxic effects of four geographically distinct populations of the traditionally used plant species Adonis volgensis Steven ex DC. from Central and Northern Kazakhstan. These populations, found in diverse habitats such as steppe-like forest edges
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This study examines the phytocenotic, phenotypic, phytochemical, antioxidant, and toxic effects of four geographically distinct populations of the traditionally used plant species Adonis volgensis Steven ex DC. from Central and Northern Kazakhstan. These populations, found in diverse habitats such as steppe-like forest edges and moist plains, coexist with species like Achillea nobilis L. and Artemisia absinthium L. Significant variations were observed in plant community composition and environmental stressors, including grazing and habitat degradation. Morphological analysis revealed that Population 2 exhibited greater vigor, while Population 3 was more constrained by local conditions, highlighting adaptive strategies influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. FTIR analysis of A. volgensis extracts revealed distinct solvent-specific profiles of bioactive compounds. Ethanol (EtOH) and ethyl acetate extracts were rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds, whereas the chloroform (CHCl3) extract was less effective in extracting phenolics, displaying weaker O–H bands. Phytochemical analysis showed notable variations in total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The highest TPC (89.351 ± 4.45 mg GAE/g d.w.) was found in the ethyl acetate extract from the Akmola region, while the highest TFC (33.811 ± 0.170 mg QE/g d.w.) was observed in the CHCl3 extract from Kostanay region. Toxicity assessment using the Artemia salina lethality assay revealed significant mortality rates (88–96%) in CHCl3 extracts of aerial parts, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect. These findings highlight the antioxidant and potential toxic properties of A. volgensis, emphasizing the importance of solvent selection in bioactive compound extraction for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation: 2nd Edition)
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Forestry Plans as the Source of Environmental Data for the Analysis of Bird Community Composition
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Jakub Šimurda, Petr Šmilauer and Roman Fuchs
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050351 - 16 May 2025
Abstract
Forest management plans offer valuable data on forest species composition and structure, useful for large-scale bird conservation. We examined the relationship between bird community diversity and five vegetation characteristics from management plans in Krkonoše Mts. National Park. Bird communities were surveyed from 2012
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Forest management plans offer valuable data on forest species composition and structure, useful for large-scale bird conservation. We examined the relationship between bird community diversity and five vegetation characteristics from management plans in Krkonoše Mts. National Park. Bird communities were surveyed from 2012 to 2014 using the point method on 285 plots (radius 100 m). We analyzed songbirds, woodpeckers, and pigeons. The vegetation characteristics were divided into composition (tree species proportion, soil-based phytocoenosis, and target vegetation type) and structure (vertical tree layering and remotely sensed heights). Bird species richness was used as a diversity measure. Redundancy analysis (RDA) tested the impact of vegetation characteristics on bird community composition. Higher bird diversity was linked to deciduous forests, particularly beech, in multi-layered stands (20–40 m height) on rich soils. In contrast, lower diversity occurred in spruce-dominated stands with Scots pine, waterlogged soils, and low vegetation (<0.5 m). All vegetation characteristics correlated significantly with bird community diversity and composition. Our findings demonstrate that forest management data can help identify key variability sources in bird communities, aiding in large-scale monitoring and landscape planning. Beyond tree composition and structure, phytocoenological characteristics provide useful insights for conservation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Birds in Temperate and Tropical Forests—2nd Edition)
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Correlation Between Individual Body Condition and Seasonal Activity in Buresch’s Crested Newt, Triturus ivanbureschi
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Simeon Lukanov and Irena Atanasova
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050350 - 15 May 2025
Abstract
Body condition is a standard measure of the individual fitness and health status in many animal species and is typically estimated by calculating the body condition indices (BCIs). The present study used capture/recapture data and the BCIs to test whether the activity (number
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Body condition is a standard measure of the individual fitness and health status in many animal species and is typically estimated by calculating the body condition indices (BCIs). The present study used capture/recapture data and the BCIs to test whether the activity (number of times an individual has been recaptured) of adult T. ivanbureschi was related to individual body condition. For three consecutive seasons, we set funnel traps in a temporary pond near Sofia, Bulgaria. A ventral pattern was used for individual identification, and the linear regression of lnMass/lnSVL was used for BCI calculation. The overall recapture rate for the population was 52.52%, with males recaptured more often than females. Activity and estimated population size varied across seasons. Body condition generally decreased towards the end of the aquatic phase in all years, with females consistently maintaining higher BCIs than males. There was no relationship between mean BCI per session and population activity for either sex, but individual BCI scores were correlated with individual activity, and this relationship was independent of both sex and temperature. The results suggest that winter activity may carry energetic costs later in the season and highlight potential sex-based differences in aquatic behavior.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amphibian and Reptile Adaptation: Biodiversity and Monitoring)
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Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Macrobenthic Communities and Environmental Factors in the Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Zone of Baimao Bay
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Weiwei Wei, Ning Hu, Chunhua Li, Chun Ye, Kexin Miao, Yang Wang, Xian Xiao, Yuan Zhao, Youde Yang and Liangkui Lai
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050349 - 15 May 2025
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Lake Taihu, China’s third-largest freshwater lake, faces severe eutrophication challenges and therefore requires innovative ecological restoration strategies. This study systematically evaluates the ecological effects of aquatic vegetation restoration in Baimao Bay through comprehensive analysis of macrobenthic communities and environmental parameters, demonstrating significant water
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Lake Taihu, China’s third-largest freshwater lake, faces severe eutrophication challenges and therefore requires innovative ecological restoration strategies. This study systematically evaluates the ecological effects of aquatic vegetation restoration in Baimao Bay through comprehensive analysis of macrobenthic communities and environmental parameters, demonstrating significant water quality improvements including a 42.9% decrease in total phosphorus, a 69.4% decline in chl-a concentration, a 34.8% reduction in ammonium nitrogen, and a 81.2% increase in water transparency. Multivariate analysis revealed a fundamental ecological driver shift where post-restoration pH and transparency replaced nutrients as dominant factors, reducing total nitrogen/total phosphorus influence by 40–60%, while filter-feeding species (predominantly bivalves and gastropods) became the dominant macrobenthic biomass group (72.4%) with pollution-tolerant oligochaetes decreasing by 69.1% in abundance, alongside distinct spatial heterogeneity showing pH-regulated lakeshore communities (8.37 to 8.45), transparency-governed shallow-water communities (H′ = 1.35), and a residual nutrient-influenced deep-water area, with a shallow-water area (<2.5 m) unexpectedly exhibiting 3.2 times higher biomass (222.51 g/m2) than deep waters, highlighting vegetation-mediated habitat optimization. These findings advance restoration ecology theory by elucidating ecosystem transition mechanisms from nutrient-driven to light-regulated systems while providing a replicable technical framework for global shallow eutrophic lake restoration, establishing quantitative benchmarks including target transparency (>64 cm) and chlorophyll-a levels (<10 μg/L) for effective eutrophication reversal.
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From the Woods to the Great Steppe: The Phylogenetic Affinities and New Distribution Records of the Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca in Kazakhstan
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Evgeniy Simonov, Andrey Bakiev, Anastasia Klenina, Oleg Ermakov and Kazhmurat Akhmedenov
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050348 - 15 May 2025
Abstract
The smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) has a wide but fragmented distribution across the Western Palearctic, with limited records in Kazakhstan. This study aims to provide an updated distribution map and to explore the phylogenetic affinities of C. austriaca in Kazakhstan. The
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The smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) has a wide but fragmented distribution across the Western Palearctic, with limited records in Kazakhstan. This study aims to provide an updated distribution map and to explore the phylogenetic affinities of C. austriaca in Kazakhstan. The species had not been documented for over 60 years until its recent rediscovery in the region. Field surveys conducted between 2019 and 2024 in the West Kazakhstan and Aktobe regions have yielded novel records, including the southernmost observation in the Mugodzhar mountain range. Mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed that the Kazakh populations belong to the Eastern lineage, sharing haplotypes with specimens from the northwestern Caucasus and Crimea. Habitat assessment revealed that the species’ distribution is restricted to open habitats of petrophytic and calciphyte steppe communities on chalks and rocky steppes. Of particular interest is that 70% of the observed individuals exhibited patternless coloration, suggesting the potential for regional morphological variation. These findings offer the first evidence for the phylogenetic affiliation of the smooth snake in Kazakhstan and reflect its rarity in the country, highlighting the need for local conservation efforts, including habitat protection and population monitoring.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Conservation)
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Genomic Diversity and Species Boundaries of the Chilean Silversides Fishes (Atheriniformes, Atherinopsidae)
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Yanina F. Briñoccoli, Yamila P. Cardoso, Roberto Cifuentes, Evelyn M. Habit and Guillermo Ortí
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050347 - 14 May 2025
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Silverside fishes in Chile, abundant in marine and freshwater habitats, are classified in two genera: Odontesthes and Basilichthys. Both genera have widespread distributions across southern South America, with marine origins. Despite extensive information on Chilean freshwater silversides and their overlapping distributions along
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Silverside fishes in Chile, abundant in marine and freshwater habitats, are classified in two genera: Odontesthes and Basilichthys. Both genera have widespread distributions across southern South America, with marine origins. Despite extensive information on Chilean freshwater silversides and their overlapping distributions along a latitudinal gradient, their taxonomy and diversification remain contentious. This study examines the diversity of Chilean silversides using RADseq genomic data from 78 Odontesthes and 60 Basilichthys individuals, covering most of their range. The phylogenetic and structural analyses of approximately 20,000 SNPs reveal some geographic variation but indicate no differentiation between Odontesthes mauleanum and O. brevianalis. The genus Basilichthys, in contrast, presents a disjunct distribution, with populations in coastal rivers of Peru (B. semotilus) that are separated from Chilean populations by the Atacama Desert. Chilean Basilichthys, traditionally classified as B. microlepidotus and B. australis until 2012, also show no genetic differentiation consistent with species boundaries but exhibit latitudinal differences consistent with isolation by distance. The contrasting patterns of genetic differentiation exhibited by species of these genera may be explained by the more frequent exchange with marine species for Odontesthes that do not occur in Basilichthys, in addition to the recent geological history of glaciations affecting the southern range of their distribution.
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Open AccessReview
An Aegean View on Non-Adaptive Radiations
by
Spyros Sfenthourakis
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050346 - 14 May 2025
Abstract
The diversification of lineages sometimes exhibits patterns that are often described as ‘radiations’, which can be seen at various time scales, but researchers most often focus on a fast divergence of parental forms within short time spans. Adaptive radiations are widely discussed and
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The diversification of lineages sometimes exhibits patterns that are often described as ‘radiations’, which can be seen at various time scales, but researchers most often focus on a fast divergence of parental forms within short time spans. Adaptive radiations are widely discussed and have served as important showcases of Darwinian evolutionary processes. Other types of radiation have been identified, too, and several classifications have been suggested. Among these, ‘non-adaptive radiations’ remain controversial till today. Despite concerns on the conceptual basis of such a process, more and more cases of radiation that are described as ‘non-adaptive’ are published, and the continuously accumulating genetic/genomic data for more and more taxa seem to reveal extensive lineage diversification that is often not attributable to any apparent selective force. Given that allopatric divergence due to stochastic processes is presumably the cause of non-adaptive radiations, insular systems provide a rich pool of case studies. Using examples of lineage divergence from various taxa living on the Aegean islands, I discuss the processes leading to non-adaptive radiations in view of the alternative classifications of radiation by other authors, and show that such patterns may also result from a mixture of adaptive and non-adaptive processes.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Phylogenetics, and Phylogeography of Animals in the Mediterranean Region)
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Open AccessArticle
The Importance of Different Biomes (Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga) in the Regional Structuring of Neotropical Dragonfly Assemblages
by
Karolina Teixeira, Acácio de Sá Santos, Diogo Silva Vilela, Cíntia Ribeiro and Marciel Elio Rodrigues
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050345 - 14 May 2025
Abstract
Understanding how assemblages are structured is important for ecology, especially in tropical regions that exhibit high biodiversity and are currently experiencing high rates of loss and modification of natural environments caused by anthropogenic impacts. Understanding the structuring of assemblages across different regions at
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Understanding how assemblages are structured is important for ecology, especially in tropical regions that exhibit high biodiversity and are currently experiencing high rates of loss and modification of natural environments caused by anthropogenic impacts. Understanding the structuring of assemblages across different regions at different spatial scales allows us to comprehend how environmental modifications can affect biodiversity on a local and regional scale. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biodiversity of Odonata species using taxonomic diversity metrics (richness and composition) in areas of Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga and to evaluate which sets of local and spatial environmental variables are associated with these assemblages among the different areas evaluated. The study was conducted in the state of Bahia, where 49 streams were sampled, including 17 in the Atlantic Forest, 18 in the Caatinga, and 15 in the Cerrado. Our results demonstrate a high diversity of Odonata species, with 95 species collected. We found a similar species richness among the regions sampled. However, each region presented a distinct composition, with greater similarity between the Cerrado and the Caatinga. Spatial predictors along with some environmental variables were associated with the Caatinga and Cerrado. Some environmental variables, such as the amount of riparian vegetation and aquatic vegetation, were associated with the Cerrado. The results highlighted that each of the evaluated regions are fundamental for maintaining and conserving the regional dragonfly biodiversity. The lack of conservation of aquatic ecosystems in the different regions leads to local species loss and, consequently, to a loss of regional Odonata biodiversity.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tropical Aquatic Biodiversity)
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Open AccessArticle
Local Variation in Ground Arthropod Diversity Rises as Distance to Residential Areas Decreases in a Mature Evergreen Forest
by
Jing Su, Meili Wang, Hui Liu, Wenqi Shang, Fanfang Zhou, Haochen Cao, Jinwen Pan, Yang Zeng, Kun Xu and Ganghua Li
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050344 - 13 May 2025
Abstract
Ground-dwelling arthropods interact with vertebrates, plants, detritus, and microbes as important players in forest ecosystems. Human disturbance threatens the diversity of forest arthropods, with varied impacts on different taxa. However, we understand little of the impact of human disturbance on overwintering ground-dwelling arthropod
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Ground-dwelling arthropods interact with vertebrates, plants, detritus, and microbes as important players in forest ecosystems. Human disturbance threatens the diversity of forest arthropods, with varied impacts on different taxa. However, we understand little of the impact of human disturbance on overwintering ground-dwelling arthropod diversity in mature subtropical evergreen forests. In order to test how ground-dwelling arthropod diversity varies by the distance to residential areas, we set 108 pitfall traps along four 100 m transects beginning near residential areas along the edges of a mature subtropical evergreen forest in Central China. We collected 30,616 arthropods, representing 96 morphospecies. The results show that the Shannon, Simpson, and Pielou’s evenness indices, as well as the effective number of species at α = 1 and 2, decrease when the pitfall traps are within 60 m of the residential areas. Moreover, the coefficients of variation in these three indices are higher at the sites closer to the residential areas by 11.54–17.72%. Such high variations in these widely used diversity and evenness indices indicate that estimation bias in arthropod diversity is more likely to occur at sites closer to residential areas. We suggest that different aspects of community composition should be studied to assess the effects of human disturbance on ground-dwelling arthropod diversity.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Ecocide on Diversity)
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Pore Characteristics of Deep-Sea Benthic Foraminifera
by
Bruce H. Corliss and Anthony E. Rathburn
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050343 - 13 May 2025
Abstract
A review of the pore patterns of deep-sea benthic foraminifera is presented with a discussion of their characteristics, function and relationship with dissolved oxygen levels. Pore characteristics of deep-sea benthic foraminifera are of timely interest due to their potential for reconstructing dissolved oxygen
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A review of the pore patterns of deep-sea benthic foraminifera is presented with a discussion of their characteristics, function and relationship with dissolved oxygen levels. Pore characteristics of deep-sea benthic foraminifera are of timely interest due to their potential for reconstructing dissolved oxygen conditions from the sedimentary record. Scanning electron micrographs of 20 epifaunal and infaunal deep-sea taxa from the Sulu Sea, Monterey Bay, California Bight and northwest Atlantic Ocean are presented to illustrate the wide range of pore patterns found in deep-sea taxa. New SEM observations of three taxa with biconvex test shapes, Oridorsalis umbonatus, Hoeglundina elegans, and Epistominella umbonifera, suggest that these taxa have an infaunal habitat for at least part of their life span.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foraminiferal Research: Modern Approaches and Emerging Trends)
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Open AccessArticle
Comparative Overview of Cave Biodiversity Research Activities in Southern Africa: Insights from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa
by
Richard Mazebedi, Kefeletswe Majoka and Thomas Hesselberg
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050342 - 12 May 2025
Abstract
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Caves and subterranean habitats in general support a unique set of organisms that are adapted to the dark and nutrient-limited environment. The high selection pressure and limited gene flow between semi-isolated caves have generally resulted in a high level of endemicity among the
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Caves and subterranean habitats in general support a unique set of organisms that are adapted to the dark and nutrient-limited environment. The high selection pressure and limited gene flow between semi-isolated caves have generally resulted in a high level of endemicity among the depauperate cave fauna. The cave fauna is vulnerable to a range of anthropogenic factors, including mining and excessive usage as show caves. The awareness of the need for conservation of these unique habitats has been growing in recent years, but not uniformly. In this paper, we use Web of Science to look at how the subterranean research output in the ecology and conservation area in southern Africa compares to the rest of the world. We find that while Africa as a whole has a disproportionately low publication rate, southern Africa is relatively well represented, though driven exclusively by South Africa. However, unlike the development in the rest of the world, the number of publications has not risen much in recent years and is mainly focused on vertebrates. In this paper, we discuss the reasons for this discrepancy and use well-known show caves in the region as case studies to identify research priorities and promote more awareness of the conservation needs of caves in southern Africa.
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