Diversity

50 pages, 37446 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Mitogenome-Based Phylogeny of Pilargidae (Phyllodocida, Polychaeta, Annelida) and Evaluation of the Position of Antonbruunia

by Sonja Huč, Avery S. Hiley, Marina F. McCowin and Greg W. Rouse

Diversity 2024, 16(3), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030134 - 21 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4062

Abstract

Pilargidae is a family of free-living and burrowing marine annelids. A lack of available molecular data for most of these species has precluded a molecular assessment of their phylogenetic relationships and has left uncertain the placement of Antonbruunia, which is hypothesized to [...] Read more.

Pilargidae is a family of free-living and burrowing marine annelids. A lack of available molecular data for most of these species has precluded a molecular assessment of their phylogenetic relationships and has left uncertain the placement of Antonbruunia, which is hypothesized to be either a member of Pilargidae or its sister clade, the monotypic family Antonbruunidae. In this study, we describe the new species Antonbruunia milenae sp. nov., found at 845 m of depth off the coast of San Diego, California, USA, and we address the phylogeny of these organisms using 15 novel mitogenomes and multiple Sanger-sequenced loci. Our results show that Antonbruunia falls within Pilargidae, making Antonbruunidae a junior synonym of Pilargidae. Glyphohesione was transferred from Pilarginae to Synelminae, the previously unassigned genera Otopsis and Antonbruunia were shown to belong within Synelminae, and Hermundura was assigned to Phyllodocida incertae sedis. Sigambra was found to be non-monophyletic. Four different mitogenome gene orders were found among Pilargidae. Changes between the gene orders and the ancestral state gene order of the family were inferred. Two species have introns within the COI gene. These efforts represent a significant expansion of the available molecular resources for pilargids, as well as the basis for a more stable taxonomy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2023)

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14 pages, 2407 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Mass Mortality Event of Mediterranean Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) in the Middle Adriatic: Potential Implications of the Climate Crisis for Marine Ecosystems

by Luca Bracchetti, Martina Capriotti, Massimiliano Fazzini, Paolo Cocci and Francesco Alessandro Palermo

Diversity 2024, 16(3), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030130 - 20 Feb 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2910

Abstract

The effects of the climate crisis are affecting ecosystems at different scales and magnitudes. This paper focuses on a massive Mediterranean mussel die-off observed along the middle Italian Adriatic coast in the summer of 2022. We considered the possible environmental causes of this [...] Read more.

The effects of the climate crisis are affecting ecosystems at different scales and magnitudes. This paper focuses on a massive Mediterranean mussel die-off observed along the middle Italian Adriatic coast in the summer of 2022. We considered the possible environmental causes of this phenomenon and carried out a climatic analysis of the last decade. We performed field surveys in different locations along a 16 km coastal stretch from Martinsicuro (TE) in the south, to Grottammare (AP) in the north. The study area includes two marine Sites of Community Importance under the European Natura 2000 network. The die-off of the mussels was observed in practically all the natural mussel beds colonizing the study area. As sessile filter-feeding organisms inhabiting the intertidal zone, mussels are highly exposed to variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and nutrient load. We discuss the possible causes of this die-off, proposing that high temperature and the scarce availability of food acted simultaneously as stress factors, generating local unsustainable living conditions for this species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Marine Ecology, Environmental Stress and Management)

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14 pages, 960 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation via Urban Ecosystem Regeneration

by Gad Perry and Robert D. Cox

Diversity 2024, 16(3), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030131 - 20 Feb 2024

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5126

Abstract

Conservation traditionally focuses on at-risk species and relatively intact ecosystems. As the human population and our global impact have risen, many more species and ecosystems are at risk and fewer intact ecosystems remain, with urbanization being a major contributing factor. Cities and their [...] Read more.

Conservation traditionally focuses on at-risk species and relatively intact ecosystems. As the human population and our global impact have risen, many more species and ecosystems are at risk and fewer intact ecosystems remain, with urbanization being a major contributing factor. Cities and their inhabitants are here to stay, and the prevalence of urbanization, often in the vicinity of areas of high conservation value, requires reconsideration of the conservation value of urban ecosystems and urban green spaces. Our aim is to explore the practical aspects of such actions. Urban ecosystem regeneration will require the incorporation of strategies for urban ecosystem regeneration into an overall conservation policy. The novel paradigm of urban ecosystem regeneration, advocated here, maximizes the capacity of urban spaces to support biodiversity while reducing undesirable outcomes and enhancing human wellbeing. The potential for cities to exacerbate biological invasion, climate change, and other ecosystem-degrading factors requires particular attention in devising a strategy for conservation in urban spaces, made essential by the predicted further spread of cities across the globe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2024)

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16 pages, 43442 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Unrecognised Ant Megadiversity in the Australian Monsoonal Tropics III: The Meranoplus ajax Forel Complex

by Alan N. Andersen, François Brassard and Benjamin D. Hoffmann

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020126 - 16 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1947

Abstract

Australia’s monsoonal (seasonal) tropics are a global centre of ant diversity, but are largely unrecognised as such because the vast majority of its species are undescribed. Here we document another case of undescribed hyper-diversity within a taxon that is formally recognised as a [...] Read more.

Australia’s monsoonal (seasonal) tropics are a global centre of ant diversity, but are largely unrecognised as such because the vast majority of its species are undescribed. Here we document another case of undescribed hyper-diversity within a taxon that is formally recognised as a single, widespread species, Meranoplus ajax Forel. We recognise 50 species among 125 specimens of M. ‘ajax’ that we CO1-barcoded, integrating CO1 clustering and divergence, morphological differentiation and geographic distribution. A large proportion (44%) of these species are represented by single records, indicating that very many additional species are yet to be collected in this extremely remote and sparsely populated region. Sampling has been concentrated in the Northern Territory, where 27 of the 50 species occur. If diversity in Western Australia and Queensland were similar to that in the Northern Territory, as appears likely, then the M. ajax complex would comprise >100 species. In 2000, when Australia’s monsoonal ant fauna was estimated to contain 1500 species, Meranoplus ajax was considered to represent a single species. Our previous analyses of a range of other taxa have shown that their diversity has been similarly under-appreciated in this estimate. Our findings suggest that the total number of ant species in monsoonal Australia is several thousand, which would make the region by far the world’s richest known. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2024 Feature Papers by Diversity’s Editorial Board Members)

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12 pages, 2996 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Habitat Impacts on the Golden Eagle’s Foraging Ecology and Nest Site Selection in Poland

by Marian Stój, Robert Kruszyk, Dorota Zawadzka and Grzegorz Zawadzki

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020123 - 14 Feb 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3442

Abstract

The Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (hereafter GE) is one of Europe’s largest avian top predators. The present study recognizes the habitat characteristics and food composition of the GE in Poland. The research was carried out in the Polish part of the Carpathian Mountains. [...] Read more.

The Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (hereafter GE) is one of Europe’s largest avian top predators. The present study recognizes the habitat characteristics and food composition of the GE in Poland. The research was carried out in the Polish part of the Carpathian Mountains. The GEs built nests mainly on old coniferous trees and strongly preferred the Silver Fir Abies alba. On average, within a 5 km buffer around the nest, forests covered about 2/3 of the area, while open land with villages was at 31% and water was about 1%. Birds preferred areas with less forest cover than in the random points, but the nests were significantly further from the countryside than the distance measured for the drawn points distributed in the GEs’ range in Poland. Their diet during the breeding season was assessed by analyzing pellets and food remains. The proportion of birds was 55.7%, mammals was 43.4%, and reptiles was 0.9%. The ten most common prey species included the Domestic Pigeon Columba livia, the Ural Owl Strix uralensis, the Tawny Owl Strix aluco, the Buzzard Buteo buteo, the Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus, the Martens Martes sp., and the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes, which composed 70% of food items. Our results showed that the GE is a top predator, as evidenced by the high share of other predators—both mammal and bird species—in its diet, which constituted about 34% of identified preys. The diet of the studied GE population showed geographical variation, suggesting local adaptations to available prey species. The share of Roe Deer increased from west to east, indicating a higher availability in the less urbanized eastern part of the country. An analysis of general food categories showed that, as latitude increased, the share of captured birds among prey of the GEs declined, while the percentage of forest prey increased. Pigeons were prey of the GEs mainly in the western part of their range. The GEs often captured species with nocturnal activity—owls and martens, which were identified in most of the GEs’ territories. The proportion of mammals in the diet of the GE increased with an increase in the proportion of open areas, while the abundance of birds of prey and owls in the diet correlated with a higher proportion of forests. The greatest threat to Poland’s GE population is the reduction in semi-open areas with low human activity and low human population densities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)

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15 pages, 3357 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Bee Communities of Young Living Lavender Farm, Mona, Utah, USA

by Joseph S. Wilson, Jacob G. Young and Lindsey Topham Wilson

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020119 - 13 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 9086

Abstract

It is now widely recognized that bees are among the most important pollinators worldwide, yet the bee faunas of many regions and habitats remain inadequately documented. The Great Basin Desert in North America is thought to host some of the richest bee communities [...] Read more.

It is now widely recognized that bees are among the most important pollinators worldwide, yet the bee faunas of many regions and habitats remain inadequately documented. The Great Basin Desert in North America is thought to host some of the richest bee communities in the world, as indicated by several studies documenting diverse bee faunas in the region’s natural habitats. However, limited attention has been given to the bee communities present on agricultural lands within the Great Basin Desert. Here, we describe a rich bee community housed at the Young Living Lavender Farm in Juab County, Utah, near the eastern edge of the Great Basin Desert. Our survey of bees on this farm identified 68 bee species across 22 genera. This represents 34% of the bee species known from the county, including 34 new county records. Among the numerous flower species cultivated at the farm, we found that lavender supported the richest bee community, with 32 species collected from cultivated lavender fields. While lavender is frequently recommended for homeowners to plant in support of pollinators, our study is among the first to provide a list of bee species that visit lavender in western North America. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that agricultural lands, particularly those implementing pollinator-friendly farming practices, can support rich bee communities in the Great Basin Desert. Full article

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21 pages, 4418 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of Non-Native Annual Plant Removal on Native Species in Mediterranean-Climate Shrub Communities

by Priscilla M. Ta, Emily Griffoul, Quinn Sorenson, Katharina T. Schmidt, Isaac Ostmann, Travis E. Huxman, Jennifer J. Long, Kathleen R. Balazs, Jutta C. Burger, Megan Lulow and Sarah Kimball

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020115 - 9 Feb 2024

Viewed by 2669

Abstract

Removal of non-native plants is known to increase overall native cover within degraded communities that contain at least a small percentage of native plant cover. We investigated the mechanisms behind this pattern, asking whether removal of non-native annual species increases the density and [...] Read more.

Removal of non-native plants is known to increase overall native cover within degraded communities that contain at least a small percentage of native plant cover. We investigated the mechanisms behind this pattern, asking whether removal of non-native annual species increases the density and species richness of the native community through increased seedling recruitment or through the growth of established native shrubs. We also investigated whether the effectiveness of non-native removal was influenced by region (coastal versus inland) and whether there was a threshold of native cover required for invasive removal to be effective. We established 13 study sites (7 coastal and 6 inland) located throughout the Nature Reserve of Orange County, CA, USA. Each degraded site contained four paired plots corresponding to a range of existing native plant cover: low 20–29%, medium-low 30–39%, medium-high 40–49%, and high cover 50–59% with one plot per pair subjected to non-native removal. We collected plant density, species richness, and established native shrub volume measurements to clarify the effectiveness of non-native removal. Non-native plant removal reduced non-native annual recruitment, increased that of native shrub seedlings, but had no impact on native forb recruitment. Non-native removal increased the number and reduced mortality of established native shrubs but did not influence shrub size. Native seedling density, species richness, and established native shrub number were highest inland, but coastal sites had larger adult shrubs. We found that non-native removal was most effective for increasing native density and species richness for degraded inland sites with less than 40% of existing native cover. The initial native cover did not affect established shrub volume or number. Our results confirm the importance of non-native plant removal in areas with medium-low or low native cover to increase native recruitment, species richness, adult shrub number, and to reduce established shrub mortality, especially during extreme drought. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Conservation)

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19 pages, 9192 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Forest Refugium of the Bükk Mountains, Hungary—Vegetation Change and Human Impact from the Late Pleistocene

by Katalin Náfrádi and Pál Sümegi

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020109 - 8 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2163

Abstract

The Rejtek I. Rock Shelter in the Bükk Mountains of the inner Western Carpathian region plays an important role in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene environmental historical analyses. The investigations of the cave sediment accumulated from the end of the Pleistocene and the [...] Read more.

The Rejtek I. Rock Shelter in the Bükk Mountains of the inner Western Carpathian region plays an important role in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene environmental historical analyses. The investigations of the cave sediment accumulated from the end of the Pleistocene and the recovered paleontological finds, together with the archaeological artefacts, provided an opportunity to develop stratigraphic classifications. In addition, by comparing archaeostratigraphic, lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic data, it was possible to link environmental and prehistoric events. The importance of the site is shown by both the mollusc and floral cold- and warm-tolerant species that were present in the area during the Late Pleistocene. The early expansion of thermophilous species indicates the presence of a refuge already during the Late Pleistocene. Based on the documents of the excavation, the previous works, the sediment sequence, as well as the sediment samples and the filling material of the mollusc shells, together with the new chronology, we were able to clarify the relative order of the excavated layers and the description of the sediment types in the Rejtek I. Rock Shelter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Phylogeny and Evolution)

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18 pages, 10868 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Role of Vegetation in Elevational Diversity Patterns of Tenebrionid Beetles in Central Italy

by Simone Fattorini

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020110 - 8 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2010

Abstract

Vegetation tends to vary in a systematic fashion along elevational gradients, leading to the possibility of recognizing distinct vegetational belts, which are frequently used to describe and interpret elevational variations in biodiversity. However, anthropogenic changes can create landscapes dominated by secondary grasslands in [...] Read more.

Vegetation tends to vary in a systematic fashion along elevational gradients, leading to the possibility of recognizing distinct vegetational belts, which are frequently used to describe and interpret elevational variations in biodiversity. However, anthropogenic changes can create landscapes dominated by secondary grasslands in areas formerly occupied by forests, thus altering the natural sequence of vegetation types. The present research illustrates how the distribution of tenebrionid beetles in central Italy is influenced by secondary vegetation. Classical schemes of vegetational belts were modified into a scheme of main vegetation types that include secondary vegetations. Tenebrionid species presence/absence in each vegetation type was then assessed. Species richness tended to decrease with elevation in both natural and secondary vegetations. Geophilous (ground-dwelling) species (which include many endemics) prevailed in natural and secondary grasslands, while xylophilous species (associated with trees) prevailed in the natural forests. Similarities in tenebrionid composition indicated the presence of two main groups: one associated with forests and the other with natural and secondary grasslands. Geophilous species prevailed among tenebrionids with Mediterranean distributions, whereas xylophilous species prevailed among species distributed mainly in Europe and the Palearctic. High values of richness, biogeographical complexity and proportion of endemics make secondary vegetations of high conservation concern. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2023)

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52 pages, 18448 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Taxonomic Review of South African Indigenous Meliaceae Using Molecular Systematics and Anatomical Data

by Mariam Oyefunke Oyedeji Amusa, Ross Dylan Stewart, Michelle van der Bank and Ben-Erik van Wyk

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020113 - 8 Feb 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5015

Abstract

The Meliaceae are broadly distributed worldwide, with about 50 genera and over 1400 species. There are 11 genera in South Africa, with 13 indigenous and three naturalized species. Considering the diversity of the indigenous species of this family in South Africa and the [...] Read more.

The Meliaceae are broadly distributed worldwide, with about 50 genera and over 1400 species. There are 11 genera in South Africa, with 13 indigenous and three naturalized species. Considering the diversity of the indigenous species of this family in South Africa and the lack of recent studies encompassing these species, a taxonomic revision of the South African indigenous species of Meliaceae is presented here. Phylogenetic analysis, anatomical data, herbarium collections, and online data sources were used in this study. The results confirm the monophyly of Melioideae and Swietenioideae. The incongruence of Turraea previously reported was resolved in this study. Most representative genera of South African Meliaceae were recovered monophyletic with strong support. However, multiple samplings of species and including more markers could provide a better understanding of the relationships among South African species of Meliaceae. The review of the taxonomy of the South African Meliaceae, and especially the study of diagnostic characters and hitherto recorded natural distributions, have value in providing an up-to-date inventory of the indigenous genera and species and an easy means of identifying the taxa. Anatomical characters may be of systematic value to explore higher-level relationships in the family. This study is a contribution to tropical botany and to a more comprehensive database for the Meliaceae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2024 Feature Papers by Diversity’s Editorial Board Members)

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29 pages, 7045 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Trèmols Herbarium: A European Herbarium from the End of the 19th Century

by Laura Gavioli, Neus Nualart, Jordi López-Pujol and Neus Ibáñez

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020105 - 6 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2793

Abstract

The herbarium Trèmols, preserved in the Botanical Institute of Barcelona (IBB), was created during the second half of the 19th century by the Catalan chemist and botanist Frederic Trèmols Borrell (Cadaqués 1831–1900). He was a member of important scientific institutions, including the Real [...] Read more.

The herbarium Trèmols, preserved in the Botanical Institute of Barcelona (IBB), was created during the second half of the 19th century by the Catalan chemist and botanist Frederic Trèmols Borrell (Cadaqués 1831–1900). He was a member of important scientific institutions, including the Real Acadèmia de Ciències i Arts de Barcelona, the Societat Botànica Barcelonesa, the Société Botanique de France, and the Société Helvétique pour l’Échange des Plantes. The value of this herbarium lies in the large volume of specimens that it preserves (12,953) and the high percentage (61.9%) of material of foreign origin that it contains. The Trèmols herbarium was completely digitised in 2019 as part of a wider study that is aimed to classify, digitise, document, review, and, finally, make the IBB historical herbaria available to the scientific community. Herein, we provide a general overview of the almost 13,000 specimens of this collection, which can give valuable insight into the flora that existed more than 100 years ago. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herbaria: A Key Resource for Plant Diversity Exploration)

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55 pages, 12543 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Marine Crabs of Guinea-Bissau, with Emphasis on the Deep Fauna, Supported by an Integrative Taxonomy

by Isabel Muñoz, José Enrique García-Raso, Pere Abelló and Jose A. Cuesta

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020093 - 1 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4171

Abstract

The updated checklist of the marine crabs of Guinea-Bissau presented in this work is the result of consolidating decades of research, ongoing systematic revisions of the regional carcinofauna, and the inclusion of new records. DNA markers and morphological analyses for accurate identifications are [...] Read more.

The updated checklist of the marine crabs of Guinea-Bissau presented in this work is the result of consolidating decades of research, ongoing systematic revisions of the regional carcinofauna, and the inclusion of new records. DNA markers and morphological analyses for accurate identifications are integrated. Sixty-one species are mentioned in this list after reviewing specimens from scientific collections and literature. Of these 61 species listed, the presence of 51 species in Guinea-Bissau is confirmed, and 21 are reported for the first time in the area. A total of 98 sequences were obtained from 41 species (51 of 16S for 38 species and 47 of COI for 35 species), and 48 sequences (24 of 16S and 24 of COI) were the first ones obtained for 29 species. The maximum or minimum bathymetric range is expanded by 16 species, and for other six species, a color description is provided for the first time. Merocryptus obsoletus is synonymized as Merocryptus boletifer. The present study will be a useful baseline for gathering further ecological information about globally important marine taxa, not only in Guinea-Bissau but about African brachyurans in general. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

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35 pages, 8363 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Mexican Balsam, Impatiens mexicana Rydb: A Redescription Based on Morphological and Phylogenetic Studies, with an Update of the Current Geographical Range of the Species

by René Monzalvo, Diana Lizbeth Escorcia-Guerrero, Mario Adolfo García-Montes, Agnieszka Rewicz, Tomasz Rewicz and Norma L. Manríquez-Morán

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020087 - 31 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3825

Abstract

Impatiens mexicana is a native balsam restricted to the cloud forests of central and southwest Mexico, which is currently known to exist in four states (Zacatecas, Veracruz, Puebla, and Oaxaca), and is probably threatened by geographic restriction. Morphological and distributional information about this [...] Read more.

Impatiens mexicana is a native balsam restricted to the cloud forests of central and southwest Mexico, which is currently known to exist in four states (Zacatecas, Veracruz, Puebla, and Oaxaca), and is probably threatened by geographic restriction. Morphological and distributional information about this species is still scarce, with only a couple of investigations since its first description in 1910, which means the phylogenetic position of this species has yet to be placed. In order to contribute to knowledge of I. mexicana, morphological and molecular studies were carried out with material collected in the localities of Hidalgo, Veracruz, and Oaxaca, during expeditions from July to October 2021 and in 2022. The specimens selected were measured, photographed, and compared with morphological information from the six American balsams. At the same time, phylogenetic studies were carried out by using two regions of the cpDNA and one of the nrDNA. We report I. mexicana for the first time in Hidalgo state, and identify new registers in the Veracruz and Oaxaca localities, thus increasing the knowledge in its geographic distribution. We also redescribe the Mexican balsam by using new and complementary traits: we note that while the species is morphologically similar to I. capensis, it is distinguished by differences in flower color, the distribution of spot patterns on the upper petal, lower sepal, and lateral petals, and geographic information such as endemic geographic distribution in Mexico’s Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF). We also carried out phylogenetic analyses by using ITS and ITS + atpb-rbcL, which showed the Mexican balsam was independent from its Asian-American congeners. Interestingly, our genetic distance analyses reveal differences of 0.01–0.16% between I. mexicana and the other North American congeners that use ITS, atpb-rbcL and trnL-F, both independently and as concatenated genes: this low divergence most likely occurred because of the recent diversification of the group. However, both future redescriptions and phylogenetic studies in American species are imperative, as this will enable better discrimination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances and Future Perspectives for Balsaminaceae Research)

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12 pages, 3680 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Co-Evolution of Iolana Blues with Their Host Plants and the Higher Phylogeny of Subtribe Scolitantidina (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

by Vazrick Nazari, Sergio Montagud Alario, Loukia Spilani, Vlad Dincă, Alireza Naderi, Wolfgang ten Hagen and Roger Vila

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020089 - 30 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2364

Abstract

We investigated the evolutionary relationships between the taxa in the butterfly genus Iolana Bethune-Baker, 1914 and others in the subtribe Scolitantidina using information from nine DNA markers (COI-COII, ND1, ITS2, 28S, CAD, EF-1α, wg, and H3). We show that the genus Iolana originated [...] Read more.

We investigated the evolutionary relationships between the taxa in the butterfly genus Iolana Bethune-Baker, 1914 and others in the subtribe Scolitantidina using information from nine DNA markers (COI-COII, ND1, ITS2, 28S, CAD, EF-1α, wg, and H3). We show that the genus Iolana originated about 10 mya in Central Asia and gradually expanded to the west to reach Europe about 5 mya. We then compared our inferred phylogeny with that of the Iolana larval host plants in the genus Colutea, reconstructed using three DNA markers (ITS, matK, and rpl32). Although the host plant phylogeny was weakly resolved, the close spatiotemporal correlation between Iolana butterflies and their larval hosts suggests that they may have co-evolved. Based on the molecular results and the morphology of male and female genitalia, we confirm nine species in the genus Iolana, which are distributed in allopatry from Europe and North Africa to Central Asia. We synonymize I. andreasi andreasi Sheljuzhko, 1919 (=I. andreasi khayyami Bernardi, 1964 syn. nov.) and I. iolas wullschlegeli Oberthür, 1914 (=I. iolas protogenes Fruhstorfer, 1917 syn. nov.). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Speciation, Phylogenetics and Taxonomy of Lepidoptera)

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22 pages, 7332 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Reintroduction of the Extinct-in-the-Wild Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) in the Caatinga Forest Domain of Brazil

by Cromwell Purchase, Camile Lugarini, Candice Purchase, Ariane Ferreira, Ugo Eichler Vercillo, Mark L. Stafford and Thomas H. White, Jr.

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020080 - 26 Jan 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 13373

Abstract

We describe efforts to reintroduce the extinct-in-the-wild Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) within its historical range in eastern Brazil. Twenty captive-reared Spix’s Macaws were released, along with 15 Blue-Winged Macaws (Primolius maracana), as heterospecific flocks in two events during the [...] Read more.

We describe efforts to reintroduce the extinct-in-the-wild Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) within its historical range in eastern Brazil. Twenty captive-reared Spix’s Macaws were released, along with 15 Blue-Winged Macaws (Primolius maracana), as heterospecific flocks in two events during the dry and rainy seasons of 2022. We monitored the release groups through daily observation and telemetry tracking from early June 2022 to early June 2023. We documented an overall first-year survival of 58.3% (CI: 37.8–78.7%), with 65% of Spix’s Macaws establishing a stable area of activity within 5 km of the release site, excluding any temporary long-distance forays. Eighty-five percent of released Spix’s Macaws exhibited flock cohesion, including interactions with and integration into wild Blue-Winged Macaw groups at the release site. Several released Spix’s Macaws formed pair-bonds with conspecifics and engaged in nest cavity exploration, breeding behavior, and territorial defense of nest sites, with three females also laying and incubating eggs. One nesting pair successfully hatched and reared chicks in an artificial nest cavity. These releases employed a novel reintroduction strategy using a surrogate species model, the sympatric Blue-Winged Macaw, to “mentor” and facilitate post-release adaptation by the target species and increase the total number of individuals in the release cohort. Lastly, participatory monitoring by local citizens is considered a way to engage and involve local communities in species and habitat conservation and potentially create new employment opportunities in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective)

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15 pages, 5071 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessment of Sessile Benthic Communities in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, Using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS)

by Kyeong-Tae Lee, Taihun Kim, Gun-Hoo Park, Chulhong Oh, Heung-Sik Park, Do-Hyung Kang, Hyun-Sil Kang and Hyun-Sung Yang

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020083 - 26 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2534

Abstract

Assessing the effectiveness of artificial structures as a monitoring tool for benthic diversity in temperate reefs is crucial to determining their relevance in reef conservation and management. In this study, we utilized Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) to evaluate sessile benthic communities that [...] Read more.

Assessing the effectiveness of artificial structures as a monitoring tool for benthic diversity in temperate reefs is crucial to determining their relevance in reef conservation and management. In this study, we utilized Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) to evaluate sessile benthic communities that colonized ARMS units after 12 and 34 months of immersion within distinct habitats (coral-dominated and macroalgae-dominated habitats) in Jeju Island, Korea. We used two methods: image analysis of the ARMS plates and DNA metabarcoding of the ARMS units. We found significant differences in the sessile benthic community between the plate faces, installation periods, and habitats. DNA metabarcoding also revealed differences in sessile benthic diversity among habitats. Additionally, we identified the Lithophyllum genus within the crustose coralline algae community, whose dominance might trigger a transition to coral-dominated habitats in Jeju Island. We recommend integrating ARMS image analysis with DNA metabarcoding to enhance and complement studies focusing on benthic diversity. By utilizing ARMS, this study provides valuable information for understanding sessile benthic communities and biodiversity, contributing to an enhanced understanding of the responses of ecological communities to climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics of Marine Communities)

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12 pages, 878 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Seasonal Variation in First Territory Settlement of Dispersing Golden Eagles: An Innate Behaviour?

by D. Philip Whitfield, Alan H. Fielding, David Anderson, Stuart Benn, Robin Reid, Ruth Tingay and Ewan D. Weston

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020082 - 26 Jan 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2270

Abstract

Despite advancements through satellite telemetry, knowledge of the behaviour and ecology of large raptors during natal dispersal is still poor, even though this transience phase is important in understanding the population dynamics and conservation of these keystone species. After this phase, which can [...] Read more.

Despite advancements through satellite telemetry, knowledge of the behaviour and ecology of large raptors during natal dispersal is still poor, even though this transience phase is important in understanding the population dynamics and conservation of these keystone species. After this phase, which can take several years, the subsequent rapid transitional event on first territory settlement is less studied. It apparently occurs earlier without competition from existing territory occupants. The time of year when young large raptors settle on a territory has rarely been addressed empirically. Our study of seasonal timing of first settlement used data from 46 golden eagles GPS-tagged as nestlings in Scotland which were tracked to their first territory settlement, as adjudged by a robust algorithmic method. We show that when young golden eagles occupied their first territory, their settlements were uncommon in summer and most common in late winter/spring, but also occurred in autumn into early winter. The significant seasonal pattern was consistent, regardless of the probable prior occupancy status (vacant/occupied) of the settled territory (respectively, the likely absence or presence of defending territorial birds). This showed that seasonal territory settlement was unlikely to be related to any response from territory occupants. It infers further that seasonality in first territory settlement was underpinned by innate behaviours in dispersing eagles. Seasonal distribution of settlement dates was significantly different between sexes, with males more likely to settle in autumn, predominantly in prior vacant territories. We speculate on potential causative drivers behind our results and conclude that more research is clearly needed in this field of study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of the White-Tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle)

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15 pages, 33597 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Roadkill Patterns on Workdays, Weekends and Long Weekends: Anticipating the Implications of a Four-Day Work Week

by Linas Balčiauskas, Andrius Kučas and Laima Balčiauskienė

Diversity 2024, 16(2), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020084 - 26 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2889

Abstract

Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of animal road mortality is important for planning protective measures and raising driver awareness. In our study of Lithuania, spanning from 2002 to 2022, we examined these patterns based on road types and categorized them by working [...] Read more.

Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of animal road mortality is important for planning protective measures and raising driver awareness. In our study of Lithuania, spanning from 2002 to 2022, we examined these patterns based on road types and categorized them by working days, weekends, and long weekends, predicting the potential impact of transitioning to a four-day working week. We found that road type explains 22–50% of the variability in roadkill numbers for moose, red deer, wild boar, and roe deer. The highest occurrences were on main roads, while regional roads had the fewest incidents. The overall number of roadkills, especially those involving ungulates, was highest on weekends, followed by workdays, with the least on long weekends. However, these variations lacked statistical significance, and their effect size was small. We also observed a trend of increased roadkill numbers on the day before, the first day, notably on All Saints Day, or the last day of long weekends. In this context, with the introduction of a four-day work week, we are only expecting the highest roadkill numbers to move from Friday to Thursday. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Wildlife Conflicts)

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12 pages, 1646 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Diet Composition Explains Interannual Fluctuations in Reproductive Performance in a Lowland Golden Eagle Population

by Gunnar Sein and Ülo Väli

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010069 - 20 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2526

Abstract

Food supply stands out as one of the most critical drivers of population demographics by limiting reproductive rates. In this study, we assessed fluctuations in diet composition and monitored various reproductive parameters over a nine-year period in a Golden Eagle population in an [...] Read more.

Food supply stands out as one of the most critical drivers of population demographics by limiting reproductive rates. In this study, we assessed fluctuations in diet composition and monitored various reproductive parameters over a nine-year period in a Golden Eagle population in an Eastern European peatland. The identification of 2439 prey specimens from 84 species revealed that the studied eagles primarily preyed upon birds (constituting 78.3% of prey numbers and 67.2% of prey biomass) and less on mammals (21.6% and 32.8%, respectively). Grouse emerged as the most important prey group (31% and 27%), followed by waterfowl (17%) and hares (8% and 14%). The most significant prey species, both in terms of numbers and weight, were the Black Grouse, Mountain Hare, Common Crane, and Capercaillie. The share of the Black Grouse decreased, while those of the White-fronted Goose, Roe Deer, and hares increased. The food niche, as measured by the Levins’ index, was broad (6.6), and it expanded during the study. On average, 58.3% of Golden Eagle pairs initiated breeding annually, with 69.1% successfully completing it, and 0.41 young per occupied territory were produced annually; there was pronounced interannual variation in reproductive performance. These fluctuations were associated with the shares of White-fronted Goose, Capercaillie, Mountain Hare and Roe Deer in the diet, suggesting that these species may be gaining increasing importance for the Golden Eagle, particularly following the decline of the Black Grouse. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of the White-Tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle)

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22 pages, 5054 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Baget Karstic System and the Interstitial Environment of Lachein, a Hotspot of Subterranean Biodiversity in the Pyrenees (France)

by Franck Bréhier, Danielle Defaye, Arnaud Faille and Anne Bedos

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010062 - 18 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1905

Abstract

Located in Lestelas-Balaguères massif, central northern Pyrenees, France, the Baget catchment covers 13.25 km² and is highly karstified: so far, more than 80 caves have been recorded. The main outlet of the system, the exsurgence de Las Hountas, has an average flow [...] Read more.

Located in Lestelas-Balaguères massif, central northern Pyrenees, France, the Baget catchment covers 13.25 km² and is highly karstified: so far, more than 80 caves have been recorded. The main outlet of the system, the exsurgence de Las Hountas, has an average flow of 550 L/s. Downstream, it is connected with the hyporheic of the Lachein stream. The Baget system, formed by both the karstic system and the hyporheic, has been intensively investigated by cave biologists and is known to be a hotspot for subterranean biodiversity. The synthesis provided here lists no less than 17 troglobionts and 40 stygobionts, with 3 single site endemics, making the Baget system the richest subterranean hotspot in the Pyrenees. This is notably due to the diversity of subterranean habitats and to the comprehensive knowledge of the stygofauna, likely unmatched at the European scale. Considering the significant speleological findings of the last 15 years that have not been yet biologically investigated, we can expect new discoveries, especially for the troglofauna. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hotspots of Subterranean Biodiversity—2nd Volume)

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53 pages, 56535 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The First Attempt to Assess the Taxonomic Diversity of the Nepticulidae of Armenia Resulted in the Discovery of New Species and Cryptic Taxa in the Caucasus

by Jonas R. Stonis, Viktorija Dobrynina, Andrius Remeikis, Arūnas Diškus, Svetlana Orlovskytė and Mark Yu. Kalashian

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010060 - 17 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2250

Abstract

A taxonomic review of the Nepticulidae of Armenia is provided for the first time. Currently, the previously little-known fauna of the pygmy moths of Armenia consists of eight genera and 31 species, including seven new species described and illustrated in the current paper [...] Read more.

A taxonomic review of the Nepticulidae of Armenia is provided for the first time. Currently, the previously little-known fauna of the pygmy moths of Armenia consists of eight genera and 31 species, including seven new species described and illustrated in the current paper as follows: Stigmella armi Stonis, Dobrynina & Remeikis, sp. nov.; Stigmella garnica Stonis, Dobrynina & Remeikis, sp. nov.; Stigmella inopinoides Dobrynina, sp. nov.; Stigmella magicis Stonis & Dobrynina, sp. nov.; Stigmella ararati Stonis, Dobrynina & Remeikis, sp. nov.; Trifurcula vardenisi Stonis, Dobrynina & Remeikis, sp. nov.; and Etainia caucasi Remeikis, sp. nov. The most common Nepticulidae species in Armenia, Stigmella muricatella (Klimesch), still remains a taxonomic puzzle. However, the molecular sequences of the Armenian specimens and a specimen of S. muricatella from Greece were found to be similar, though clearly distinct from the widespread S. rolandi van Nieukerken due to numerous hypothetical mutational steps. Mitotype analysis revealed that the Ectoedemia specimens collected in Armenia do not belong to the expected widespread E. spinosella (Joannis) but are more similar to the less-known E. mahalebella (Klimesch). Moreover, some specimens from Armenia identified by us as Simplimorpha promissa (Staudinger) and Ectoedemia (Zimmermannia) longicaudella Klimesch may actually represent possible cryptic taxa, allopatric subspecies or species. However, from a practical point of view, the description of such difficult-to-diagnose taxa is inappropriate. Thus, we have refrained from describing such new taxa based solely on observed molecular differences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Speciation, Phylogenetics and Taxonomy of Lepidoptera)

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12 pages, 10046 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Ten-Year Record Shows Warming Inside the Belize Barrier Reef Lagoon

by Phillip S. Lobel and Lisa Kerr Lobel

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010057 - 16 Jan 2024

Viewed by 2865

Abstract

The Belize Barrier Reef system (BBR) in the western Caribbean’s Gulf of Honduras contains a large region of lagoon coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitat. As the largest lagoon habitat within the Caribbean, this region experiences differing oceanographic and temperature conditions as compared [...] Read more.

The Belize Barrier Reef system (BBR) in the western Caribbean’s Gulf of Honduras contains a large region of lagoon coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitat. As the largest lagoon habitat within the Caribbean, this region experiences differing oceanographic and temperature conditions as compared to deeper offshore areas. The occurrence of several endemic species within the Gulf of Honduras area and inside the Belize lagoon supports the hypothesis that this area is a unique biogeographic region. Consequently, the ecological effects of temperature increase due to global climate change may have a long-term adverse impact on this region’s unique marine species. This study reports an in situ temperature record over a ten-year period (2004–2014) collected from a coral reef offshore of Wee Wee Cay within the South Water Cay Marine Reserve of Belize. There was a steady increase in temperature during the decade. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coral Reef Biogeography, Ecology and Conservation under Climate Change and Human Disturbance)

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25 pages, 2520 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Seeking a Hideout: Caves as Refuges for Various Functional Groups of Bryophytes from Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal)

by Ruymán David Cedrés-Perdomo, Clara Polaíno-Martín, Laura Jennings and Rosalina Gabriel

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010058 - 16 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2141

Abstract

Caves represent sites of great geological and biological interest. For most taxonomic groups, caves represent one of the most challenging ecosystems due to their extreme conditions. However, these places are rich in biodiversity, and some groups, such as bryophytes, can take advantage of [...] Read more.

Caves represent sites of great geological and biological interest. For most taxonomic groups, caves represent one of the most challenging ecosystems due to their extreme conditions. However, these places are rich in biodiversity, and some groups, such as bryophytes, can take advantage of these conditions. Bryophytes from twelve caves on Terceira Island (Azores archipelago) were sampled and compared in terms of species richness, abundance, and composition. The results revealed a high species richness of bryophytes, with one-fifth of the species being threatened and one-third endemic. Moreover, the dominance of bryophyte species, as determined by different functional groups, varies depending on the sampled cave and, consequently, the environmental variables. This is evident from the high β-diversity values obtained, demonstrating significant dissimilarities in species composition among the surveyed caves. Both macro- and microclimatic variables significantly influenced the richness and abundance of bryophyte species in different ways, depending on the functional group studied. Highlighting bryophyte diversity in cave environments, this study points to the need for effective management strategies to preserve and protect these unique and ecologically significant communities. These places can serve as refuges for some species, even for bryophytes, a taxonomic group with a long-distance dispersal strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2023)

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14 pages, 2571 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Diversity of Quill Mites of the Family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) Parasitizing Starlings of the Genus Lamprotornis (Passeriformes: Sturnidae)

by Maciej Skoracki, Milena Patan, Markus Unsoeld, Martin Hromada, Zbigniew Kwieciński and Iva Marcisova

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010051 - 13 Jan 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1862

Abstract

Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) parasitizing starlings of the genus Lamprotornis Temminck (Aves: Passeriformes: Sturnidae) from the sub-Saharan region are comprehensively studied for the first time. Among them, two new species are described: (1) Syringophiloidus soponai Skoracki, Patan and Unsoeld [...] Read more.

Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) parasitizing starlings of the genus Lamprotornis Temminck (Aves: Passeriformes: Sturnidae) from the sub-Saharan region are comprehensively studied for the first time. Among them, two new species are described: (1) Syringophiloidus soponai Skoracki, Patan and Unsoeld sp. n., collected from four host species—Lamprotornis chalybaeus (Hemprich et Ehrenberg) (type host) in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia; L. superbus (Rüppell) in Kenya and Tanzania; L. chloropterus (Swainson) and L. unicolor (Shelley) both in Tanzania; (2) Syringophilopsis parasturni Skoracki, Patan and Unsoeld sp. n. collected from L. pulcher (Müller) and L. chalcurus (Nordmann), both in Senegal. Additionally, two Lamprotornis species, L. chalybaeus in Tanzania and Kenya and L. chloropterus in Kenya, are recorded as the new hosts for Picobia lamprotornis Klimovicova et al., 2004. We also discussed the diversity of the syringophilid mites associated with starlings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Ecology of the Acari)

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18 pages, 4824 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Morphological Strategies in Ant Communities along Elevational Gradients in Three Mountain Ranges

by Heloise Gibb, Peter Contos, Manoli Photakis, Iona Okey, Robert R. Dunn, Nathan J. Sanders and Mirkka M. Jones

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010048 - 12 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2432

Abstract

Species traits often vary in a coordinated manner, making up an ecological strategy comprised of suites of interrelated traits. Environmental gradients, such as those along elevational gradients, provide an ideal venue in which to examine variation in ecological strategies with the environment. We [...] Read more.

Species traits often vary in a coordinated manner, making up an ecological strategy comprised of suites of interrelated traits. Environmental gradients, such as those along elevational gradients, provide an ideal venue in which to examine variation in ecological strategies with the environment. We examined variation in the morphological strategies of ants along elevational gradients on thirteen mountains across three mountain ranges in central and south-eastern Australia. We pitfall-trapped ants, counted and identified workers and measured morphological traits. Most species showed a hump-shaped relationship between occurrence and elevation, and several responded to microhabitat variables. Morphological traits varied along two key axes: “gracility”, where high values indicated longer-legged species with dorsally positioned eyes and smooth, bare cuticles; and “size and darkness”, where species with high values were larger and darker. Analysis of assemblage-weighted means revealed that gracility decreased with temperature and increased with precipitation, suggesting links with desiccation tolerance. Size and darkness increased with UV-B, declined with increasing canopy cover and peaked at mid-temperatures. We thus detected strong shifts in dominant morphological strategies along our elevational gradients. However, the multifunctionality and interrelatedness of traits and the covariance of climatic factors may make isolation of the function of individual traits difficult. Further, the predictive power of our models may be limited in the context of novel environments predicted under global change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Biogeography and Community Ecology of Ants II)

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29 pages, 24829 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Cent Fonts Aquifer: An Overlooked Subterranean Biodiversity Hotspot in a Stygobiont-Rich Region

by Vincent Prié, Cédric Alonso, Claude Bou, Diana Maria Paola Galassi, Pierre Marmonier and Marie-José Dole-Olivier

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010050 - 12 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3648

Abstract

The South of France is a biodiversity hotspot within Europe. Here, we present a comprehensive review of surveys conducted in the Cent Fonts aquifer, an overlooked subterranean biodiversity hotspot embedded in a region rich in stygobiotic species and threatened by climate change and [...] Read more.

The South of France is a biodiversity hotspot within Europe. Here, we present a comprehensive review of surveys conducted in the Cent Fonts aquifer, an overlooked subterranean biodiversity hotspot embedded in a region rich in stygobiotic species and threatened by climate change and water abstraction projects. Key studies, spanning from 1950 to 2006, show a progression in survey methods and results, although troglobiotic species remain poorly documented. With 43 stygobiotic species recorded, the Cent Fonts is the richest stygobiont hotspot in France. Most species are regional endemics, a quarter of which are considered vulnerable by the IUCN. The Cent Fonts also hosts several relict species and is the type locality of four species. Such a high biological value clearly deserves to be preserved. Our analysis warns of a possible decline in biodiversity, as eight of the species recorded in the 20th century were absent from the 2006 survey, suggesting potential threats of unknown origin. The capture of the Cent Font springs for water abstraction is discussed as a potential threat to this ecosystem and its unique biodiversity. Three new species of stygobiotic molluscs are described, one of which was collected in the Cent Fonts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hotspots of Subterranean Biodiversity—2nd Volume)

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20 pages, 3014 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Biogeography and History of the Prehuman Native Mammal Fauna of the New Zealand Region

by Carolyn M. King

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010045 - 11 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5831

Abstract

The widespread perception of New Zealand is of a group of remote islands dominated by reptiles and birds, with no native mammals except a few bats. In fact, the islands themselves are only part of a wider New Zealand Region which includes a [...] Read more.

The widespread perception of New Zealand is of a group of remote islands dominated by reptiles and birds, with no native mammals except a few bats. In fact, the islands themselves are only part of a wider New Zealand Region which includes a large section of Antarctica. In total, the New Zealand Region has at least 63 recognised taxa (species, subspecies and distinguishable clades) of living native mammals, only six of which are bats. The rest comprise a large and vigorous assemblage of 57 native marine mammals (9 pinnipeds and 48 cetaceans), protected from human knowledge until only a few centuries ago by their extreme isolation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Even after humans first began to colonise the New Zealand archipelago in about 1280 AD, most of the native marine mammals remained unfamiliar because they are seldom seen from the shore. This paper describes the huge contrast between the history and biogeography of the tiny fauna of New Zealand’s native land mammals versus the richly diverse and little-known assemblage of marine mammals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeography and Archaeozoology of Island Mammals)

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17 pages, 2166 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Crossing Old Concepts: The Ecological Advantages of New Vineyard Types

by Lea Böhm, André Krahner, Matthias Porten, Michael Maixner, Juliane Schäffer and Thomas Schmitt

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010044 - 10 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2635

Abstract

In times of global insect decline, agricultural ecosystems need to be designed in an as insect-friendly manner as possible to halt the progressive loss of biodiversity. This is particularly important for steep-slope viticulture being established on sites with high biodiversity potential. Therefore, we [...] Read more.

In times of global insect decline, agricultural ecosystems need to be designed in an as insect-friendly manner as possible to halt the progressive loss of biodiversity. This is particularly important for steep-slope viticulture being established on sites with high biodiversity potential. Therefore, we compared different vineyard types (cross-slope with greened embankments vs. down-slope or other types without greened embankments), using wild bees and butterflies as indicators for biodiversity in the lower Moselle region (SW Germany). The numbers of species and individuals in both groups were significantly higher in cross-slope vineyards with greened embankments. This also held true for the number of specialised and endangered species. The communities of wild bees and butterflies differed remarkably between the vineyard types. Three wild bee and five butterfly species were identified as indicator species and hence can be used as such for further monitoring. Our results underline that the structure of steep-slope vineyards has tremendous importance for biodiversity conservation. Since the cultivation of cross-slope vineyards on steep slopes is easier than that of down-slope vineyards, we assume the great synergistic potential to reconcile agricultural use and biodiversity conservation and, in addition, to preserve steep-slope viticulture as a structural element in landscape planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Conservation)

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20 pages, 11949 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Advances in the Study of Orchidinae Subtribe (Orchidaceae) Species with 40,42-Chromosomes in the Mediterranean Region

by Alessio Turco, Robert Philipp Wagensommer, Pietro Medagli, Antonella Albano and Saverio D’Emerico

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010041 - 9 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2420

Abstract

This study presents an updated analysis of cytogenetic data for several species within the 40,42-chromosome genera of the subtribe Orchidinae. The research includes insights into the distribution of heterochromatin obtained using C-banding and fluorochrome techniques. Our investigation confirmed variation in the distribution [...] Read more.

This study presents an updated analysis of cytogenetic data for several species within the 40,42-chromosome genera of the subtribe Orchidinae. The research includes insights into the distribution of heterochromatin obtained using C-banding and fluorochrome techniques. Our investigation confirmed variation in the distribution of heterochromatin and repetitive DNA sequences among species pertaining to Neotinea s.l. and Orchis s.str. These variations also potentially contribute to the diversification of these species. Cytogenetic analyses of the Neotinea group demonstrated that both H33258 and DAPI staining result in blocks of fluorescent regions on numerous chromosomes. Particular attention was paid to the cytological composition of the polyploid Neotinea commutata, focusing on its potential origin. Based on the karyological results acquired, a hypothesis concerning the origin of N. commutata is proposed. The most noteworthy revelations regard the O. mascula complex. In these species, the telomeric areas of all chromosome sets display extensive heterochromatin. Fluorochrome staining revealed telomeric blocks on many chromosomes that were not seen with Giemsa staining. This highlighted a distinct feature of O. mascula, where particularly large C-bands surrounding the centromeric regions of multiple chromosomes were found. However, in O. mascula, O. provincialis, O. pauciflora, and O. patens, C+ chromatin may not show a significant response to fluorochrome Hoechst or DAPI+ staining. The unique cytomorphological arrangement observed in the O. mascula species, unlike other members of the O. mascula complex, suggest epigenetic phenomena. Additional data are presented for the genera Dactylorhiza and Gymnadenia. A deeper understanding of the diversity of chromosomal structures among these orchids promises to shed light on the mechanisms underlying speciation, adaptation, and the remarkable diversity characteristic of the Orchidaceae family. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution and Diversity of Orchids—2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 19447 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Strengths and Challenges of Using iNaturalist in Plant Research with Focus on Data Quality

by Eduard López-Guillén, Ileana Herrera, Badis Bensid, Carlos Gómez-Bellver, Neus Ibáñez, Pedro Jiménez-Mejías, Mario Mairal, Laura Mena-García, Neus Nualart, Mònica Utjés-Mascó and Jordi López-Pujol

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010042 - 9 Jan 2024

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 7699

Abstract

iNaturalist defines itself as an “online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature” and it is likely one of the largest citizen science web portals in the world, as every year millions of observations across thousands [...] Read more.

iNaturalist defines itself as an “online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature” and it is likely one of the largest citizen science web portals in the world, as every year millions of observations across thousands of species are gathered and collectively compiled by an engaged community of nearly 3 million users (November 2023). The strengths and potentialities that explain the success of the platform are reviewed and include, among others, its usability and low technical requirements, immediacy, open-access, the possibility of interacting with other users, artificial-intelligence-aided identification, versatility and automatic incorporation of the validated records to GBIF. iNaturalist has, however, features that scientists need to carefully consider when using it for their research, making sure that the quality of observations does not limit or hinder its usefulness in plant research. While these are identified (e.g., the lack of representative photographs for many observations or the relatively frequent identification errors), we provide some suggestions to overcome them and, by doing so, improve the use and add value to iNaturalist for plant research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2023)

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24 pages, 2750 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Thermal Tolerance and Vulnerability to Climate Change of a Threatened Freshwater Mussel

by Annekatrin Wagner, Daniel Linke, Felix Grunicke and Thomas U. Berendonk

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010039 - 6 Jan 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2827

Abstract

Freshwater pearl mussels (FPMs, Margaritifera margaritifera, Linnaeus, 1758) are endangered and particularly vulnerable to climate change. To create effective conservation strategies, we studied their thermal tolerance and the impact of elevated water temperatures on growth and survival. Our experiments included field mesocosm studies [...] Read more.

Freshwater pearl mussels (FPMs, Margaritifera margaritifera, Linnaeus, 1758) are endangered and particularly vulnerable to climate change. To create effective conservation strategies, we studied their thermal tolerance and the impact of elevated water temperatures on growth and survival. Our experiments included field mesocosm studies in five FPM-streams in the Vogtland region (Germany) (2016 to 2020), as well as laboratory experiments at temperatures ranging from 1 to 26 °C. Growth of juvenile FPMs increased significantly within a temperature gradient from 12 to 21 °C. In the streams, maximum growth was 8.9 µm/d in surface water and 6.5 µm/d in the interstitial. The upper thermal tolerance for the mussels ranged from 22.1 to 22.9 °C, resulting in low survival during hot summer periods in 2018 and 2019. Warming during winter (+5 °C) did not significantly affect growth and survival, but survival during winter increased with the pre-overwintering shell length. Exceeding a shell length of about 1100 µm in December indicating gill development corelated to 50% survival. Shell length in December is primarily controlled by growth depending on water temperatures during summer. These findings define the thermal niche of juvenile FPMs (average summer temperatures of 14.5–21 °C) and have implications for water management, conservation strategies, and site selection for releasing captive-breeding mussels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Population Ecology and Protection of Freshwater Mussels)

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10 pages, 233 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Strengthening Partnerships to Safeguard the Future of Herbaria

by Barbara M. Thiers

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010036 - 5 Jan 2024

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3653

Abstract

Herbaria remain the primary means of documenting plant life on earth, and the number of herbaria worldwide and the number of specimens they hold continues to grow. Digitization of herbarium specimens, though far from complete, has increased the discoverability of herbarium holdings and [...] Read more.

Herbaria remain the primary means of documenting plant life on earth, and the number of herbaria worldwide and the number of specimens they hold continues to grow. Digitization of herbarium specimens, though far from complete, has increased the discoverability of herbarium holdings and has increased the range of studies from which data from herbarium specimens can be used. The rather large number of herbaria about which no current information is available is a source of concern, as is herbarium consolidation and removal of herbaria to offsite storage facilities. Partnerships are key to the future health of herbaria. Benefits could accrue from the reimagining of the world’s herbaria as a global resource rather than a collection of independent, often competing institutions. Herbaria can extend the reach of their specimens by joining the nascent effort to link the species occurrence data they manage to other biological and environmental data sources to deepen our ability to understand the interrelationships of earth’s biota. To assure that data held by herbaria contribute to the range of conservation-related projects for which they are relevant, herbaria should embrace the tenets of Team Science and play a more proactive role in promoting their holdings for relevant research and conservation projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herbaria: A Key Resource for Plant Diversity Exploration)

17 pages, 2473 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Environmental Compatibility and Genome Flexibility of Klebsiella oxytoca Isolated from Eight Species of Aquatic Animals

by Shuo Sun, Tingting Gu, Yafei Ou, Yongjie Wang, Lu Xie and Lanming Chen

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010030 - 2 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2825

Abstract

Klebsiella oxytoca is an emerging pathogen that can cause life-threatening infectious diseases in humans. Recently, we firstly reported for the first time the presence of K. oxytoca in edible aquatic animals. In this study, we further investigated its bacterial environmental fitness and genome [...] Read more.

Klebsiella oxytoca is an emerging pathogen that can cause life-threatening infectious diseases in humans. Recently, we firstly reported for the first time the presence of K. oxytoca in edible aquatic animals. In this study, we further investigated its bacterial environmental fitness and genome evolution signatures. The results revealed that K. oxytoca isolates (n = 8), originating from eight species of aquatic animals, were capable of growing under a broad spectrum of environmental conditions (pH 4.5–8.5, 0.5–6.5% NaCl), with different biofilm formation and swimming mobility profiles. The genome sequences of the K. oxytoca isolates were determined (5.84–6.02 Mb, 55.07–56.06% GC content). Strikingly, numerous putative mobile genetic elements (MGEs), particularly genomic islands (GIs, n = 105) and prophages (n = 24), were found in the K. oxytoca genomes, which provided the bacterium with specific adaptation traits, such as resistance, virulence, and material metabolism. Interestingly, the identified prophage-related clusters were derived from Burkholderia spp., Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Haemophilus spp., suggesting phage transmission across Klebsiella and the other four genera. Many strain-specific (n = 10–447) genes were present in the K. oxytoca genomes, whereas the CRISPR-Cas protein-encoding gene was absent, indicating likely active horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and considerable genome variation in K. oxytoca evolution. Overall, the results of this study are the first to demonstrate the environmental compatibility and genome flexibility of K. oxytoca of aquatic animal origins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occurrence and Molecular Biology of Water Bacteria and Protozoa)

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14 pages, 1924 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Variations in the Characters of Platorchestia pacifica and Demaorchestia joi (Amphipoda, Talitridae, Talitrinae) with Revised Diagnoses Based on Specimens from Japan

by Hiroshi Morino

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010031 - 2 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1759

Abstract

Seventy-three male specimens of “Platorchestia platensis” from Japan were inspected on 13 morphological characters. Most characters revealed high variation. The coxa and propodus of gnathopod 2 and the carpus of pereopod 7 indicated that the specimens comprised two species: Platorchestia pacifica [...] Read more.

Seventy-three male specimens of “Platorchestia platensis” from Japan were inspected on 13 morphological characters. Most characters revealed high variation. The coxa and propodus of gnathopod 2 and the carpus of pereopod 7 indicated that the specimens comprised two species: Platorchestia pacifica Miyamoto and Morino, 2004 and Demaorchestia joi (Stock and Biernbaum, 1994) sensu lato. Both species were rediagnosed. Demaorchestia hatakejima Lowry and Myers, 2022 was synonymized to P. pacifica. A key to allied species in Platorchestia and Demaorchestia from Japan and the surrounding countries was given. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution within the Amphipoda)

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17 pages, 1850 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Orthoptera Community Dynamics and Conservation in a Natura 2000 Site (Greece): The Role of Beta Diversity

by Apostolis Stefanidis, Konstantina Zografou, Olga Tzortzakaki and Vassiliki Kati

Diversity 2024, 16(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010011 - 23 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3052

Abstract

Greece is a European hotspot for Orthoptera (378 species), yet it has been scarcely explored. We investigated the diversity patterns of Orthoptera and the ecological mechanisms shaping them by sampling 15 sites (30 plots of 1ha) across five habitats in Mount Mitsikeli, a [...] Read more.

Greece is a European hotspot for Orthoptera (378 species), yet it has been scarcely explored. We investigated the diversity patterns of Orthoptera and the ecological mechanisms shaping them by sampling 15 sites (30 plots of 1ha) across five habitats in Mount Mitsikeli, a Natura 2000 site. The mountain is deemed rich (0.4 species/km²), hosting 34 species, including a species of European interest (Paracaloptenus caloptenoides). The grassy openings in the beech–fir forest and rural mosaics were found to be important habitats for Orthoptera, while the mountain grasslands were poorer but hosted a greater abundance of grasshoppers. The three main environmental factors shaping diversity patterns (with an explained variance of 51.34%) were grass height, the cover of woody vegetation and the cover of bare ground. Beta diversity was high (with a Bray–Curtis of index 0.45 among habitats). Species turnover prevailed among all sites and within agricultural land, beech–fir forest and Mediterranean scrub, while nested patterns prevailed within mountain grasslands and mixed thermophilous forest. Conservation actions should target sites in ecosystems driven by species turnover, but primarily the most species-rich sites are driven by nestedness. Such actions should include the implementation of biodiversity-inclusive grazing schemes to hamper forest encroachment and the restoration of mountain grassland quality from cattle overgrazing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2024 Feature Papers by Diversity’s Editorial Board Members)

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25 pages, 19292 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Integrative Taxonomy of Turcinoemacheilus Bănărescu & Nalbant, 1964 in West Asia with the Description of Three New Species (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)

by Arash Jouladeh-Roudbar, Saber Vatandoust, Ignacio Doadrio and Hamid Reza Ghanavi

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121222 - 17 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4147

Abstract

Nemacheilid fishes in the genus Turcinoemacheilus are physically small members of the ichthyofauna communities of high-altitude and mountainous freshwater ecosystems. They are all distributed in Western Asia apart from a single species, described in the Himalayas. They are usually very similar in appearance, [...] Read more.

Nemacheilid fishes in the genus Turcinoemacheilus are physically small members of the ichthyofauna communities of high-altitude and mountainous freshwater ecosystems. They are all distributed in Western Asia apart from a single species, described in the Himalayas. They are usually very similar in appearance, which complicates their proper identification and/or description. This is why it is important to use multidisciplinary and integrative taxonomical approaches in order to study their true diversity. In this study, three new species of Turcinoemacheilus are described from Iran, raising the total number of valid species to nine. Turcinoemacheilus ansari new species, is distinguished by the anus being situated behind the midpoint of the pelvic-fin and anal-fin origins and the short anal-fin base length. Turcinoemacheilus christofferi new species, differs by the anus being situated behind the midpoint of the pelvic-fin and anal-fin origins, with a complete lateral line reaching to the anterior part of the caudal fin. Turcinoemacheilus moghbeli new species, is distinguished by the anus being situated at or in front of the midpoint of the pelvic-fin and anal-fin origins, with a great pre-pelvic distance and a caudal peduncle length 1.5–2.3 times its length. In Western Asia, all Turcinoemacheilus species are well separated by molecular characters, showing between 3.6 and 14.1% uncorrected p genetic distances in the COI barcode region. This work shows the importance of studying the hidden diversity of under-sampled and understudied groups of organisms to have a clear image of true biodiversity in order to effectively conserve and protect it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biodiversity of Freshwater Fishes)

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48 pages, 18111 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Diversity of Larvae with Multi-Toothed Stylets from About 100 Million Years Ago Illuminates the Early Diversification of Antlion-like Lacewings

by Florian Braig, Timo Popp, Ana Zippel, Gideon T. Haug, Simon Linhart, Patrick Müller, Thomas Weiterschan, Joachim T. Haug and Carolin Haug

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121219 - 15 Dec 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2758

Abstract

Neuroptera, the group of lacewings, is well known to have been more diverse in the past, offering to study patterns of biodiversity loss over time. This loss of diversity has been quantitatively established by the morphological diversity of lacewing larvae. Here, we explore [...] Read more.

Neuroptera, the group of lacewings, is well known to have been more diverse in the past, offering to study patterns of biodiversity loss over time. This loss of diversity has been quantitatively established by the morphological diversity of lacewing larvae. Here, we explore in more detail the diversity of lacewing larvae with tooth-bearing mouthparts. All these larvae are representatives of Myrmeleontiformia, the group of antlion-like lacewings. Today, larvae of several major ingroups bear teeth on their mouthparts: (1) owllions (formerly Ascalaphidae and Myrmeleontidae; taxonomic status is currently unclear); (2) Nymphidae; (3) Crocinae (mostly in younger larvae); and (4) Nemopterinae (only micro teeth). In addition, there are several now extinct larval types with teeth known from Cretaceous ambers (about 100 million years old). These larvae also possess several plesiomorphic characters, indicating that they were part of the early diversification of Myrmeleontiformia. We report numerous new specimens of these now extinct forms and provide a quantitative morphological comparison of head and mouthpart shapes, demonstrating that some of these Cretaceous larvae possessed morphologies not represented in the extant fauna. The resulting pattern is complex, indicating that at least some extinct morphologies have been later replaced by modern-day antlions due to convergent evolution. Full article

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21 pages, 15625 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Xyloplax princealberti (Asteroidea, Echinodermata): A New Species That Is Not Always Associated with Wood Falls

by Cheyenne Y. Payne, Ekin Tilic, Rachel E. Boschen-Rose, Amanda Gannon, Josefin Stiller, Avery S. Hiley, Benjamin M. Grupe, Christopher L. Mah and Greg W. Rouse

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121212 - 12 Dec 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4860

Abstract

Xyloplax is a genus of three species of sea stars previously found only on sunken wood in the deep ocean. Their circular and petaloid bodies, which lend them their common name “sea daisy”, and their presumed exclusive diet of wood make them an [...] Read more.

Xyloplax is a genus of three species of sea stars previously found only on sunken wood in the deep ocean. Their circular and petaloid bodies, which lend them their common name “sea daisy”, and their presumed exclusive diet of wood make them an unusual and rare element of deep-sea ecosystems. We describe here the fourth species of Xyloplax from the eastern Pacific Ocean, Xyloplax princealberti n. sp., which ranges from offshore Canada to the Gulf of California (Mexico) and Costa Rica. Though sampled geographically close to another described species of Xyloplax from the northeastern Pacific, X. janetae, this new species is unique morphologically and according to available DNA data. The short abactinal spines are the most obvious feature that distinguishes X. princealberti n. sp. from other Xyloplax. The minimum distance for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I from Xyloplax princealberti n. sp. to the only other available Xyloplax, X. janetae, was 13.5%. We also describe Ridgeia vestimentiferan tubeworm bushes from active hydrothermal vents as a new Xyloplax habitat, the first record of a non-wood substrate, and a new reproductive strategy, simultaneous hermaphroditism, for this genus. We generated the first mitochondrial genome for a member of Xyloplax and analyzed it with other available asteroid data using nucleotide-coding or amino acid (for protein-coding genes) plus nucleotide coding (for rRNA genes). The nucleotide-coding results place Xylopax as part of the clade Velatida, consistent with a previous phylogenomic analysis that included Xyloplax princealberti n. sp. (as Xyloplax sp.), though the placement of Velatida within Asteroidea differed. The amino acid plus nucleotide coding recovered Velatida to be a grade with X. princealberti n. sp. as sister group to all other Asteroidea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Biogeography of Sea Stars (Echinodermata, Asteroidea))

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75 pages, 27568 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Indo-Pacific Stingray Genus Brevitrygon (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae): Clarification of Historical Names and Description of a New Species, B. manjajiae sp. nov., from the Western Indian Ocean

by Peter R. Last, Simon Weigmann and Gavin J. P. Naylor

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121213 - 12 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 8250

Abstract

Members of the genus Brevitrygon are small, locally abundant tropical stingrays (family Dasyatidae) occurring in soft sedimentary habitats of inner continental shelves of the Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea to Indonesia. Formerly members of the genus Himantura, whose members lack dorsal [...] Read more.

Members of the genus Brevitrygon are small, locally abundant tropical stingrays (family Dasyatidae) occurring in soft sedimentary habitats of inner continental shelves of the Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea to Indonesia. Formerly members of the genus Himantura, whose members lack dorsal and ventral skin folds on the tail (typical of most dasyatid genera), folds are present or rudimentary in some Brevitrygon. Important to artisanal fisheries and known to consist of at least five species, these fishes are possibly the most frequently misidentified of all stingrays. Most were inadequately described in the 19th century, and they are often taxonomically confused due to morphological similarity, ontogenetic variability, and sexual dimorphism. Their nomenclatural history is complex with four of the known species represented within the type series of one species, B. walga (Müller & Henle). Also, the type of the species with which B. walga is most often confused, B. imbricata (Bloch & Schneider) from off southern India and Sri Lanka, is in very poor condition. A lectotype has been designated for B. walga (confined to the Bay of Bengal). The genus also contains B. heterura (Bleeker) from the Indo-Malay Archipelago, B. javaensis (Last & White) from off southern Indonesia, and a new species, B. manjajiae sp. nov., from the western Indian Ocean. The former species are redescribed and redefined based largely on a combination of morphometrics, tail morphology, squamation, and molecular data. Molecular divergences were detected within lineages of B. heterura, B. walga and B. manjajiae sp. nov., requiring further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity of the Chondrichthyan Fauna)

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10 pages, 742 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Population Size, Non-Breeding Fraction, and Productivity in a Large Urban Population of Burrowing Parrots (Cyanoliseus patagonus)

by Daiana N. Lera, Natalia Cozzani, José L. Tella and Sergio Zalba

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1207; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121207 - 8 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2492

Abstract

Psittaciformes are one of the bird orders with the highest number of threatened species and the most marked declining population trends. At present, the lack of information on the population size, reproductive fraction, and productivity of most parrot populations makes it difficult to [...] Read more.

Psittaciformes are one of the bird orders with the highest number of threatened species and the most marked declining population trends. At present, the lack of information on the population size, reproductive fraction, and productivity of most parrot populations makes it difficult to design effective conservation actions. In this study, we monitored a population of Burrowing Parrots (Cyanoliseus patagonus) breeding in urbanized habitats in the southwest of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Every December and February from 2018 to 2023, we counted the individuals arriving at a single communal roost, located in the main park of Bahía Blanca city, which gathers all the parrots breeding in 18–22 colonies within a radius of 20 km. Censuses were conducted before (December) and immediately after the incorporation of juveniles into the flocks (February). Breeding pairs were also counted annually in the colonies, and the average annual productivity and the proportion of juveniles were estimated from surveys in pre-roosting and feeding areas in February. The non-breeding fraction approached half of the population with no statistically significant differences among years (range: 37–53%), and the breeding population showed little annual variation, with a minimum of 1363 and a maximum of 1612 breeding pairs. The proportion of juveniles in the flocks and the estimated productivity showed larger variations among breeding seasons. Our results add insight to the scarce information available on the breeding-to-non-breeding-population ratios in parrots, and birds in general, and show key breeding parameters for a species that is thriving well in urban habitats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2023)

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11 pages, 2837 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Use of R and R Packages in Biodiversity Conservation Research

by Jiangshan Lai, Dongfang Cui, Weijie Zhu and Lingfeng Mao

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1202; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121202 - 7 Dec 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4700

Abstract

R is one of the most powerful programming languages for conducting data analysis, modeling, and visualization. Although it is widely utilized in biodiversity conservation research, the comprehensive trends in R and R package usage and patterns in the field still remain unexplored. We [...] Read more.

R is one of the most powerful programming languages for conducting data analysis, modeling, and visualization. Although it is widely utilized in biodiversity conservation research, the comprehensive trends in R and R package usage and patterns in the field still remain unexplored. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of R and R package usage frequencies spanning fifteen years, from 2008 to 2022, encompassing over 24,100 research articles published in eight top biodiversity conservation journals. Within this extensive dataset, 10,220 articles (42.3% of the total) explicitly utilized R for data analysis. The use ratio of R demonstrated a consistent linear growth, escalating from 11.1% in 2008 to an impressive 70.6% in 2022. The ten top utilized R packages were vegan, lme4, MuMIn, nlme, mgcv, raster, MASS, ggplot2, car, and dismo. The frequency of R package utilization varied among journals, underscoring the distinct emphases each journal places on specific focuses of biodiversity conservation research. This analysis highlights the pivotal role of R, with its powerful statistical and data visualization capabilities, in empowering researchers to conduct in-depth analyses and gain comprehensive insights into various dimensions of biodiversity conservation science. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Conservation)

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18 pages, 1946 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Phytoplankton Diversity and Blooms in Ephemeral Saline Lakes of Cyprus

by Polina Polykarpou, Matina Katsiapi, Savvas Genitsaris, Natassa Stefanidou, Gerald Dörflinger, Maria Moustaka-Gouni, Athena Economou-Amilli and Dionysios E. Raitsos

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1204; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121204 - 7 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2576

Abstract

The ephemeral saline lakes of Cyprus in the Mediterranean, situated in close proximity to each other, demonstrate pronounced seasonal and interannual fluctuations in their environmental conditions. Despite their extreme saline conditions, these lakes support phytoplankton diversity and bloom-forming species. Anthropogenic activities, particularly urban [...] Read more.

The ephemeral saline lakes of Cyprus in the Mediterranean, situated in close proximity to each other, demonstrate pronounced seasonal and interannual fluctuations in their environmental conditions. Despite their extreme saline conditions, these lakes support phytoplankton diversity and bloom-forming species. Anthropogenic activities, particularly urban and artificial land uses within their catchments, contribute to eutrophication, warranting conservation attention within the context of European legislation. Over two years (2018–2019), we examined phytoplankton abundance and diversity alongside salinity in six lakes, with samples collected every three weeks. Chlorophytes were the dominant and most diverse group, followed by cyanobacteria and diatoms. Increasing salinity correlated with reduced compositional diversity and species richness. The proximity of lakes to each other suggested airborne microbe colonization from one lake to another as a significant factor in shaping these communities, while similar land use within each lake’s catchment impacted bloom formation. The highly halotolerant chlorophyte Dunaliella frequently dominated phytoplankton blooms, occasionally coexisting with other taxa in less saline lakes. Our findings provide insight into the phytoplankton community dynamics in temporal saline lakes, essential for developing effective conservation strategies and sustainable management practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Freshwater Biodiversity)

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14 pages, 2382 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Is the Existence of Two Lineages for Hamadryas glauconome (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) True? Molecular and Ecological Evidence

by Blanca R. Prado-Cuellar, Luis A. Lara-Pérez, Marysol Trujano-Ortega, Salima Machkour-M’Rabet and Carmen Pozo

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121196 - 6 Dec 2023

Viewed by 2657

Abstract

The genus Hamadryas has a neotropical distribution. In 1983, the subspecies H. glauconome grisea from Mexico was recognized with subtle and subjective differences in color, size and distribution and limited to the northwest. Since then, there has been a debate about whether it [...] Read more.

The genus Hamadryas has a neotropical distribution. In 1983, the subspecies H. glauconome grisea from Mexico was recognized with subtle and subjective differences in color, size and distribution and limited to the northwest. Since then, there has been a debate about whether it is a different lineage from H. glauconome because adult-stage morphology studies have not found significant differences. This study aims to delimitate H. g. glauconome and H. g. grisea lineages with two sources of evidence: ecological and molecular—the former through ecological niche modeling using the accessible area for the species and estimating the minimum volume ellipsoid overlapping as a fundamental niche using occurrences databases. The molecular evidence is found through the methods of phylogenetic inference and the generalized mixed yule coalescent approach, using sequences of cytochrome oxidase I. Ecological and molecular evidence suggest that H. g. grisea is a different lineage from H. glauconome. Also, molecular evidence of a third lineage from the south of Texas needs further study. This study suggests that different evidence should be provided when morphology is not enough for delimiting species, especially in recently diverged species. Furthermore, the H. g. grisea cytochrome oxidase I sequence (658 bp) is published for the first time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeography and Diversity of Butterflies and Moths)

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15 pages, 11998 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Coccolithophore Distribution in the Western Black Sea in the Summer of 2016

by Margarita D. Dimiza, Maria V. Triantaphyllou, Alexandra Ravani, Elisa Malinverno, Boris T. Karatsolis, Stella Psarra and Aristomenis P. Karageorgis

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121194 - 5 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 7756

Abstract

Coccolithophores are an important component of phytoplankton abundance and biomass in the brackish environments of the Black Sea. Here, the abundance, composition, and distribution of coccolithophores were investigated in water samples taken from the first 50 m at 18 stations in the western [...] Read more.

Coccolithophores are an important component of phytoplankton abundance and biomass in the brackish environments of the Black Sea. Here, the abundance, composition, and distribution of coccolithophores were investigated in water samples taken from the first 50 m at 18 stations in the western Black Sea during a coccolithophore bloom, in June 2016. The total cell abundances ranged from 2 to 763 × 10⁴ coccospheres L⁻¹; Emiliania huxleyi was the most dominant species, but also Syracosphaera spp. (S. dilatata and S. molischii), Acanthoica (A. acanthifera and A. quattrospina), and Algirosphaera robusta displayed remarkably high concentrations. The formation of the seasonal thermocline significantly affects the vertical distribution of coccolithophores. Emiliania huxleyi, Syracosphaera spp., and Acanthoica spp. were restricted to the upper part of the water column, whereas high abundances of Algirosphaera robusta occurred below the thermocline. Overall, our results show significant differences in the vertical (ANOSIM R = 0.50, p = 0.0001) and spatial (ANOSIM R = 0.18, p = 0.0006) distribution of coccolithophores. Higher abundances of E. huxleyi and Syracosphaera spp. were recorded in the northwestern inner shelf region when compared to the open-sea samples. The observed coccolithophore spatial distribution is suggested to be mostly associated with the influx of less saline river water with high nutrient concentrations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

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12 pages, 4919 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessing Genetic Diversity and Population Differentiation in Wild Hop (Humulus lupulus) from the Region of Central Greece via SNP-NGS Genotyping

by Konstantinos Tegopoulos, Dimitrios V. Fountas, Elisavet-Maria Andronidou, Pantelis G. Bagos, Petros Kolovos, George Skavdis, Panagiotis Pergantas, Georgia G. Braliou, Aristotelis C. Papageorgiou and Maria E. Grigoriou

Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1171; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121171 - 24 Nov 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3011

Abstract

A growing need for the development of novel hop (Humulus lupulus) varieties has emerged as a result of the increasing demand for beers with distinct organoleptic characteristics and the expected impact of climate change on hop cultivars. As the genetic variation [...] Read more.

A growing need for the development of novel hop (Humulus lupulus) varieties has emerged as a result of the increasing demand for beers with distinct organoleptic characteristics and the expected impact of climate change on hop cultivars. As the genetic variation in the existing hop cultivars is low, wild hop germplasm can be used as a source for the development of novel cultivars. In this work, we analyzed, for the first time, the genetic diversity of H. lupulus var. lupulus wild germplasm in Greece. A SNP-NGS genotyping approach using a set of nine specific genetic markers, was employed in order to determine individual genotypes and to perform population structure analyses of wild hops from a region with complex topography, namely the Region of Central Greece. Our results revealed low differentiation among populations, with the spatial genetic patterns observed relating mainly to topographical elements rather than geographic distance. Interestingly, within wild hop populations, high genetic diversity was observed, showing that in the region of Central Greece, wild H. lupulus germplasm has significant potential that can be exploited in breeding programs towards the development of local, well adapted and potentially superior hop varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)

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36 pages, 3251 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Diversity and Phylogeny of Gyrodactylus spp. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) across the Strait of Gibraltar: Parasite Speciation and Historical Biogeography of West Mediterranean Cyprinid Hosts

by Chahrazed Rahmouni, Mária Seifertová, Michal Benovics and Andrea Šimková

Diversity 2023, 15(11), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15111152 - 20 Nov 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3046

Abstract

Knowledge on the diversity of parasitic flatworms of Western Mediterranean cyprinids is extremely scarce. In the present study, we parasitologically investigated 12 cyprinid species across the Strait of Gibraltar inhabiting watersheds in northwest Africa (Morocco) and Iberia (Portugal and Spain). Taxonomically relevant features [...] Read more.

Knowledge on the diversity of parasitic flatworms of Western Mediterranean cyprinids is extremely scarce. In the present study, we parasitologically investigated 12 cyprinid species across the Strait of Gibraltar inhabiting watersheds in northwest Africa (Morocco) and Iberia (Portugal and Spain). Taxonomically relevant features of the attachment organ and sequences of the 18S rDNA and ITS regions were used for species delineation and to investigate their phylogenetic relatedness. Among the Gyrodactylus collected from Morocco and Spain, we identified specimens with an unusual T-shaped dorsal bar observed herein for the first time. In contrast, the membranous patch-like structure surrounding the twisted inner roots of hamuli and the median ridge of the ventral bar have been generally observed in Eurasian relatives. Our analyses suggest vicariant speciation of Gyrodactylus across the Strait of Gibraltar. We describe herein G. gibraltarensis sp. nov. from Iberian Luciobarbus graellsii; G. moroccensis sp. nov. from northwest African cyprinids, i.e., L. maghrebensis, L. rabatensis, L. rifensis, L. yahyaouii, and L. zayanensis; and finally, G. pseudomoroccensis sp. nov. from Moroccan L. ksibi, all possessing a new haptoral configuration. The genetic divergence and conservative morphologies in populations of G. moroccensis sp. nov. from five cyprinid species support its ongoing speciation in Northwest Africa. The West Mediterranean lineage was revealed to be monophyletic, with Eurasian species forming a sister group. Morphologically, West Mediterranean Gyrodactylus also appeared to be of Middle Eastern origin. Gyrodactylus spp. possessing an unusual T-shaped dorsal bar have most likely speciated, allowing for the appearance of a haptoral morphology that is restricted to the region across the Strait of Gibraltar. To conclude, viviparous Gyrodactylus reflect parasite speciation across the Strait of Gibraltar and the historical biogeography of cyprinids in the West Mediterranean. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Phylogenetics of Parasites in Aquatic Animals)

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164 pages, 259734 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

New Skeletons of the Ancient Dolphin Xenorophus sloanii and Xenorophus simplicidens sp. nov. (Mammalia, Cetacea) from the Oligocene of South Carolina and the Ontogeny, Functional Anatomy, Asymmetry, Pathology, and Evolution of the Earliest Odontoceti

by Robert W. Boessenecker and Jonathan H. Geisler

Diversity 2023, 15(11), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15111154 - 20 Nov 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 9122

Abstract

The early diverging, dolphin-sized, cetacean clade Xenorophidae are a short-lived radiation of toothed whales (Odontoceti) that independently evolved two features long thought to be odontocete synapomorphies: the craniofacial and cochlear morphology underlying echolocation and retrograde cranial telescoping (i.e., posterior migration of the viscerocranium). [...] Read more.

The early diverging, dolphin-sized, cetacean clade Xenorophidae are a short-lived radiation of toothed whales (Odontoceti) that independently evolved two features long thought to be odontocete synapomorphies: the craniofacial and cochlear morphology underlying echolocation and retrograde cranial telescoping (i.e., posterior migration of the viscerocranium). This family was based on Xenorophus sloanii, which, for the past century, has been known only by a partial skull lacking a braincase and tympanoperiotics, collected around 1900 from the Ashley Formation (28–29 Ma, Rupelian) near Ladson, South Carolina. A large collection of new skulls and skeletons (ChM PV 5022, 7677; CCNHM 104, 168, 1077, 5995) from the Ashley Formation considerably expands the hypodigm for this species, now the best known of any stem odontocete and permitting evaluation of intraspecific variation and ontogenetic changes. This collection reveals that the holotype (USNM 11049) is a juvenile. Xenorophus sloanii is a relatively large odontocete (70–74 cm CBL; BZW = 29–31 cm; estimated body length 2.6–3 m) with a moderately long rostrum (RPI = 2.5), marked heterodonty, limited polydonty (13–14 teeth), prominent sagittal crest and intertemporal constriction, and drastically larger brain size than basilosaurid archaeocetes (EQ = 2.9). Dental morphology, thickened cementum, a dorsoventrally robust rostrum, and thick rugose enamel suggest raptorial feeding; oral pathology indicates traumatic tooth loss associated with mechanically risky predation attempts. Ontogenetic changes include increased palatal vomer exposure; fusion of the nasofrontal, occipito-parietal, and median frontal sutures; anterior lengthening of the nasals; elaboration of the nuchal crests; and blunting and thickening of the antorbital process. The consistent deviation of the rostrum 2–5° to the left and asymmetry of the palate, dentition, neurocranium, mandibles, and vertebrae in multiple specimens of Xenorophus sloanii suggest novel adaptations for directional hearing driven by the asymmetrically oriented pan bones of the mandibles. A second collection consisting of a skeleton and several skulls from the overlying Chandler Bridge Formation (24–23 Ma, Chattian) represents a new species, Xenorophus simplicidens n. sp., differing from Xenorophus sloanii in possessing shorter nasals, anteroposteriorly shorter supraorbital processes of the frontal, and teeth with fewer accessory cusps and less rugose enamel. Phylogenetic analysis supports monophyly of Xenorophus, with specimens of Xenorophus simplicidens nested within paraphyletic X. sloanii; in concert with stratigraphic data, these results support the interpretation of these species as part of an anagenetic lineage. New clade names are provided for the sister taxon to Xenorophidae (Ambyloccipita), and the odontocete clade excluding Xenorophidae, Ashleycetus, Mirocetus, and Simocetidae (Stegoceti). Analyses of tooth size, body size, temporal fossa length, orbit morphology, and the rostral proportion index, prompted by well-preserved remains of Xenorophus, provide insight into the early evolution of Odontoceti. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution of Crown Cetacea)

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14 pages, 1953 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Changes in Avian Top-Predator Diet in the 21st Century in Northeast (NE) Poland

by Dorota Zawadzka and Grzegorz Zawadzki

Diversity 2023, 15(11), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15111144 - 16 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2088

Abstract

The White-Tailed Eagle (WTE) Haliaeetus albicilla is a top avian predator that has rapidly increased in numbers and range in large parts of Europe in recent decades. In Poland, over the past 30 years, it has recolonized previously abandoned areas. In 1991, the [...] Read more.

The White-Tailed Eagle (WTE) Haliaeetus albicilla is a top avian predator that has rapidly increased in numbers and range in large parts of Europe in recent decades. In Poland, over the past 30 years, it has recolonized previously abandoned areas. In 1991, the first breeding pair in a large forest complex, the Augustów Forest (Northeast (NE) Poland), was recorded. In 2022, there were 13 breeding pairs. We analyzed changes in the diet composition of WTE in 2000–2023, divided into three periods: 2000–2005, 2009–2017, and 2018–2023. Throughout the 24 years of study, birds were the most frequently recorded food item, accounting for an average of 58% of food items, followed by fish (34%) and mammals (7%). During the study period, the most numerous food items were the Northern Pike Esox lucius, Coot Fulica atra, Common Bream Abramis brama, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, and storks Ciconia sp. These species together accounted for 52% of food items. We recorded a long-term increasing share of Northern Pike, storks, and Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. Opposite changes, with declining frequency, were found for Coots and ducks. The share of the Coot, ducks, and Great Crested Grebe, as well as the total share of food connected with lakes in the WTE’s diet, increased along the growing area of lakes in the territory of the WTE. The proportion of fish in the food did not show a relationship with the increase in the area of lakes, while the most frequently eaten fish species changed. Observed changes in food composition appear related to the settlement of the habitat-diverse areas by individual breeding pairs and changes the availability of main food categories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of the White-Tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle)

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30 pages, 10026 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Gamete Recognition Gene Divergence Yields a Robust Eutherian Phylogeny across Taxonomic Levels

by Emma K. Roberts, Emily A. Wright, Asha E. Worsham, Daniel M. Hardy and Robert D. Bradley

Diversity 2023, 15(11), 1145; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15111145 - 16 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4072

Abstract

The extraordinary morphological diversity among extant mammals poses a challenge for studies of speciation, adaptation, molecular evolution, and reproductive isolation. Despite the recent wealth of molecular studies on mammalian phylogenetics, uncertainties remain surrounding both ancestral and more recent divergence events that have proven [...] Read more.

The extraordinary morphological diversity among extant mammals poses a challenge for studies of speciation, adaptation, molecular evolution, and reproductive isolation. Despite the recent wealth of molecular studies on mammalian phylogenetics, uncertainties remain surrounding both ancestral and more recent divergence events that have proven difficult to resolve. Multi-gene datasets, especially including genes that are highly divergent, often provide increased support for higher-level affinities within Mammalia; however, such analyses require vast amounts of genomic sequence data and at times, intensive, high-performance computational effort. Furthermore, despite the large-scale efforts dedicated to comprehensive, multi-gene phylogenetic analyses using a combination of mitochondrial, nuclear, and other sequences (e.g., tRNA, ultra-conserved elements, and transposable elements), many relationships across Mammalia remain highly controversial. To offer another approach and provide a phylogenetic solution to this longstanding issue, here we present a phylogenetic tool based on a single reproductive molecular marker, zonadhesin (gene: Zan), one of two known mammalian speciation genes, which encodes the rapidly evolving sperm protein zonadhesin that mediates species-specific adhesion to the egg and thereby promotes reproductive isolation among placental mammals (Eutheria). Topological comparison of Zan Maximum Likelihood phylogenies to a nearly complete mammalian supertree confirmed Zan’s striking phylogenetic utility and resolution at both deeper and more terminal nodes in the placental mammalian phylogeny. This single gene marker yielded an equivalent and/or superiorly supported topology in comparison to a supertree generated using DNA sequences from a supermatrix of 31 genes from 5911 species (extinct and extant). Resolution achieved with this new phylogenetic approach provides unique insights into the divergence of both early and recent mammalian radiations. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the utility of zonadhesin as a singular molecular marker was especially useful in clades where sufficient taxon sampling is impossible to achieve, and where only a subset of members of the mammalian species tree is available. The eutherian relationships presented here provide a foundation for future studies in the reconstruction of mammalian classifications, including reproductive isolation, hybridization, and biodiversification of species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Phylogeny and Evolution)

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13 pages, 5388 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Teeth Enamel Ultrastructural Analysis of Selected Equidae Taxa

by Vitalii Demeshkant, Michał Biegalski and Leonid Rekovets

Diversity 2023, 15(11), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15111141 - 14 Nov 2023

Viewed by 2681

Abstract

This paper presents historical and evolutionary insights into the “tarpan” group of small horses by examining molar tooth enamel ultrastructure. Mathematical methodologies were applied to enhance the analysis. Tooth enamel from species such as Equus gmelini (tarpan), E. latipes, and E. hydruntinus [...] Read more.

This paper presents historical and evolutionary insights into the “tarpan” group of small horses by examining molar tooth enamel ultrastructure. Mathematical methodologies were applied to enhance the analysis. Tooth enamel from species such as Equus gmelini (tarpan), E. latipes, and E. hydruntinus from Pleistocene Ukrainian localities, E. przewalskii from the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine, and E. caballus form sylvaticus (Polish konik) from Roztocze National Park, Poland, underwent scanning microscope examination. Measurements of enamel structures, including prisms (PE) and interprismatic matrix (IPM), were conducted, with the K-index used as their ratio, categorized by enamel type (I, II, III). The findings confirmed that the crystal structures of enamel in these horse groups vary based on genus evolution, diet, and environmental conditions, shaping the enamel’s morphological features. Through analysis, clusters were identified, allowing for potential reconstructions of relationships among study groups. The results revealed distinct differences between species, enabling their classification within an established phenogram. Two primary clusters emerged: one consisting of extinct small horse forms from diverse localities and another grouping modern forms. Notably, the Late Pleistocene European species E. latipes showed close affinities to the latter cluster. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Evolution of Mammals)

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