Diversity

14 pages, 2462 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Abundance, Distribution, and Habitat Preference of Syngnathid Species in Sabaudia Lake (Tyrrhenian Sea)

by Tamara Lazic, Cataldo Pierri, Giuseppe Corriero, Maria Flavia Gravina, Michele Gristina, Miriam Ravisato and Armando Macali

Diversity 2023, 15(9), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090972 - 28 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 40215

Abstract

Syngnathids are considered flagship species of estuarine and coastal environments. However, most of the Mediterranean species are still classified as data-deficient (DD) at a global level according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In central Italy, several areas host potentially suitable [...] Read more.

Syngnathids are considered flagship species of estuarine and coastal environments. However, most of the Mediterranean species are still classified as data-deficient (DD) at a global level according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In central Italy, several areas host potentially suitable habitats for syngnathids but have not been previously reported in the literature; the estimation of population parameters and habitat partitioning at these sites may help to assess their conservation status. In this study, we investigated the abundance, distribution, and habitat preferences of sympatric populations of Hippocampus hippocampus, H. guttulatus, Syngnathus abaster, and Nerophis ophidion in Sabaudia Lake (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). While confirming the primary importance of a healthy coastal habitat, we retrieved hints about species ecology and habitat use. The species distribution in the study area highlights the role of habitat complexity in supporting local populations of these sensitive species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Investigation of the Biology, Ecology, Distribution of Marine Macrozoobenthic Communities)

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29 pages, 8314 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Hot Is Rich—An Enormous Diversity of Simple Trichal Cyanobacteria from Yellowstone Hot Springs

by Jan Kaštovský, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Radka Hauerová and Mildred U. Akagha

Diversity 2023, 15(9), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090975 - 28 Aug 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6072

Abstract

In 2019, cyanobacterial samples were collected from thermal sites in Yellowstone National Park. In this paper, we discuss the considerable richness of representatives of simple filamentous cyanobacteria. Using a polyphasic approach, one new genus, Copelandiella, with two species (C. yellowstonensis and [...] Read more.

In 2019, cyanobacterial samples were collected from thermal sites in Yellowstone National Park. In this paper, we discuss the considerable richness of representatives of simple filamentous cyanobacteria. Using a polyphasic approach, one new genus, Copelandiella, with two species (C. yellowstonensis and C. thermalis) and eight additional new species Albertania prattii, K. anagnostidisii, Kovacikia brockii, Leptolyngbya tildenae, L. vaporiphila, Nodosilinea calida, N. igneolacustris, and Oculatella castenholzii were described. At the same time, by analyzing our new molecular data, we concluded that other genera of trichal cyanobacteria can be merged with existing genera: species within the genus Plectolyngbya are herein transferred to Leptolyngbya, and if some nomenclatural issues are resolved, species within the genus Leptothermofonsia will be subsequently transferred to the genus Kovacikia, an earlier synonym. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Phylogenetic Diversity of Cyanobacteria and Algae)

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35 pages, 6059 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Upemba National Park (Upper Congo Basin, DR Congo): An Updated Checklist Confirming Its Status as an African Fish Biodiversity Hotspot

by Bauchet Katemo Manda, Jos Snoeks, Auguste Chocha Manda, Emmanuel Abwe, Christian Mukweze Mulelenu, Micheline Kasongo Ilunga Kayaba, Pacifique Kiwele Mutambala, Lewis Ngoy Kalumba and Emmanuel J. W. M. N. Vreven

Diversity 2023, 15(9), 966; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090966 - 26 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5525

Abstract

An annotated checklist of the ichthyofauna of the Upemba National Park, draining part of the Upper Lualaba basin and situated in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is presented, based on a literature review, a re-examination of museum collections, [...] Read more.

An annotated checklist of the ichthyofauna of the Upemba National Park, draining part of the Upper Lualaba basin and situated in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is presented, based on a literature review, a re-examination of museum collections, and a study of recent collections (2012–2020). In total, 247 native and 1 introduced species, Heterotis niloticus, are reported. The native species belong to 78 genera, 26 families, and 15 orders. Of these, 45 species (18%) are endemic to the park, 35 species (14%) await formal description, and 5 taxa (2%) need further study to clarify their status. With 51 species, the Cyprinidae is by far the most species-rich family, followed by the Mormyridae (26), Mochokidae (26), Alestidae (18), Distichodontidae (18), Amphiliidae (17), and Cichlidae (16). The remaining families are represented by less than 15 species. Comments about the species distribution and the fish fauna shared with adjacent ecoregions are provided. Although the park provides some protection for the fish species living within its borders by limiting human access to the core zone, the annex and buffer zones are both subject to strong anthropogenic pressure. These observations underscore the need for the implementation and further elaboration of fish-related preservation guidelines and plans to enable better protection/conservation of the park’s ichthyofauna. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Biogeography of Freshwater Fish)

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15 pages, 2113 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Relationships between Environmental Factors and Functional Traits of Macrophyte Assemblages in Running Waters of Greece

by Konstantinos Stefanidis, Anthi Oikonomou, Georgios Dimitrellos, Dionysios Tsoukalas and Eva Papastergiadou

Diversity 2023, 15(9), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090949 - 23 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3033

Abstract

The analysis of plant trait composition has raised significant interest among freshwater ecologists as a complementary approach for assessing the effects of environmental change on ecosystem functions. In this study, we investigated patterns of functional traits of the aquatic macrophyte assemblages of 74 [...] Read more.

The analysis of plant trait composition has raised significant interest among freshwater ecologists as a complementary approach for assessing the effects of environmental change on ecosystem functions. In this study, we investigated patterns of functional traits of the aquatic macrophyte assemblages of 74 lotic ecosystems of Greece, and we identified associations between species traits and environmental variables (hydromorphological and physicochemical parameters) through testing the hypothesis that the environmental features determine the spatial structure of traits. We allocated 12 traits to a total of 39 hydrophyte species, and we conducted RLQ and fourth corner analysis to explore relationships between species, trait composition, and environmental gradients. Based on the results of the RLQ, a hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify groups of plants that share common trait characteristics. Plants were discriminated into five discrete groups based mostly on their life form (e.g., free-floating, rooted submerged etc.) and their ecological preference for nitrogen levels. Hydromorphological parameters had a higher contribution than physicochemical variables in explaining the total variance of the trait data, with water abstraction, channel substrate, and hydrologic alteration being the most important. Our analysis did not reveal significant bivariate relationships between single traits and environmental parameters, although the five groups of macrophyte assemblages appeared to associate with certain environmental gradients. Free-floating and emergent plants were related to higher concentrations of nutrients, whereas rooted submerged plants were related to higher oxygen concentration and increased pH. In addition, free-floating plants were highly associated with metrics of hydromorphological change. Our findings showed clear discrimination of macrophytes based on their functional composition and association of traits with environmental gradients. Thus, further research could explore whether macrophyte functional groups can serve as indicators of environmental change and the overall ecosystem health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Plant Diversity, Conservation, and Restoration)

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27 pages, 12644 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

High Megabenthic Complexity and Vulnerability of a Mesophotic Rocky Shoal Support Its Inclusion in a Mediterranean MPA

by Francesco Enrichetti, Giorgio Bavestrello, Valentina Cappanera, Mauro Mariotti, Francesco Massa, Lorenzo Merotto, Paolo Povero, Ilaria Rigo, Margherita Toma, Leonardo Tunesi, Paolo Vassallo, Sara Venturini and Marzia Bo

Diversity 2023, 15(8), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15080933 - 16 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1405

Abstract

The deep shoal of Punta del Faro (Ligurian Sea, Mediterranean Sea) is a mesophotic rocky elevation hosting complex animal forests threatened by fishing activities. To identify appropriate conservation measures and set a reference example for similar cases, we present a detailed characterization of [...] Read more.

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

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Ligurian Sea and the National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC): Biodiversity Conservation in a Temperate Marine Environment under Threat)

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24 pages, 5556 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Responses of GPS-Tagged Territorial Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos to Wind Turbines in Scotland

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

Diversity 2023, 15(8), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15080917 - 8 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1964

Abstract

Research on potentially adverse effects of wind farms is an expanding field of study and often focuses on large raptors, such as golden eagles, largely because of their life history traits and extensive habitat requirements. These features render them sensitive to either fatality [...] Read more.

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

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

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17 pages, 3209 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of the Spotted Sleeper Odontobutis interrupta (Odontobutidae), a Fish Endemic to Korea

by Kang-Rae Kim, Hee-kyu Choi, Taek Won Lee, Hyuk Je Lee and Jeong-Nam Yu

Diversity 2023, 15(8), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15080913 - 7 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1961

Abstract

The spotted sleeper, Odontobutis interrupta, is a fish species endemic to Korea and shows potential as an aquaculture species. Nevertheless, the population size of this species has declined significantly in recent years. To characterize the population structure and genetic diversity of O. [...] Read more.

The spotted sleeper, Odontobutis interrupta, is a fish species endemic to Korea and shows potential as an aquaculture species. Nevertheless, the population size of this species has declined significantly in recent years. To characterize the population structure and genetic diversity of O. interrupta in Korea, we analyzed four microsatellite loci in twelve populations from four major river systems. The provenance of the population was investigated to discern the origin of the translocated populations. The genetic diversity of the microsatellite ranged from 0.440 to 0.756, showing a high level of diversity similar to that of other freshwater fishes. However, mitochondrial DNA analysis exhibited low genetic diversity (H_d: 0.000–0.674, π: 0.00000–0.00159). The F_ST values of microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA ranged from 0.096 to 0.498 and −0.046 to 0.951, suggesting genetic admixture among populations. All populations exhibited an effective population size of <100; therefore, preservation efforts to prevent inbreeding depression would be required. The genetic structure could be divided into unique genotypes from the Seomjingang and Geumgang Rivers. However, genetic admixture was observed in all populations, rendering it impossible to distinguish them. Our findings provide fundamental but significant genetic insights pursuant to devising conservation strategies for O. interrupta. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Population Genetics of Animals and Plants)

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20 pages, 3196 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Subterranean Species of the Vjetrenica Cave System in Bosnia and Herzegovina

by Teo Delić, Tanja Pipan, Roman Ozimec, David C. Culver and Maja Zagmajster

Diversity 2023, 15(8), 912; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15080912 - 6 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2382

Abstract

The Western Balkan’s Vjetrenica Cave in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina is renowned for high richness of subterranean species. However, the data on its fauna have been published only in monographs printed in a small number of copies, making them hardly accessible to the [...] Read more.

The Western Balkan’s Vjetrenica Cave in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina is renowned for high richness of subterranean species. However, the data on its fauna have been published only in monographs printed in a small number of copies, making them hardly accessible to the wider scientific community. To overcome this issue, we compiled the data from published monographs with the data from our own recent field surveys. Further, as they are connected via water channels or small crevices in bedrock, we defined the Vjetrenica Cave System as a system comprising Vjetrenica and Bjelušica Caves and Lukavac Spring. Altogether, 93 troglobiotic, i.e., obligate subterranean aquatic (48) and terrestrial (45), taxa were reported for the system, verifying the Vjetrenica Cave System as the second richest locality in subterranean biodiversity in the world. The global uniqueness of the system is also reflected in the fact that as many as 40 troglobiotic species were described from the system. Finally, we reviewed the factors endangering this unique subterranean community and questioned whether it will withstand human-induced changes and pressures due to infrastructural development in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Full article

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

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15 pages, 1874 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Notes on the Summer Life History Traits of the Non-Native Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) (Linnaeus, 1758) in a High-Altitude Artificial Lake

by Alexandra S. Douligeri, Athina Ziou, Athanasios Korakis, Nikolaos Kiriazis, Nikolaos Petsis, George Katselis and Dimitrios K. Moutopoulos

Diversity 2023, 15(8), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15080910 - 2 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1541

Abstract

In the present study, the biology of the pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus in the artificial lake of Aoos, located in northwestern Greece, was investigated. The samplings of the pumpkinseed were conducted from the shore using a portable electrofishing device over a 4-month period (July [...] Read more.

In the present study, the biology of the pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus in the artificial lake of Aoos, located in northwestern Greece, was investigated. The samplings of the pumpkinseed were conducted from the shore using a portable electrofishing device over a 4-month period (July 2021–October 2021). A total of 581 specimens were caught, with an average length of 62 mm. The sex ratio of female to male was estimated to be 1.0:1.7, and the percentage of mature specimens was estimated for all of the months to be above 52%, matching the highest percentage in July (57.4%). The b value of the length–weight relationship ranged from 3.16 in September to 3.31 in July. The value of the L∞ and K was estimated to be equal to 119 mm and 0.36 years⁻¹, respectively, and the value of φ′ was equal to 3.707. The total mortality was estimated to be equal to 1.63 ± 0.48 y⁻¹ (R² = 0.96), and the natural and fishing mortalities were 0.83 and 0.80, respectively. The maximum age was 6 years, and the theoretical maximum age was 8 years. In the current study, the value of the L∞ was estimated to be near the European average but significantly lower than the North American one, whereas the value of the K was slightly higher than the European average. The small size of the specimens obtained in Aoos Springs was most likely owed to the combined impact of the investigated lake’s high altitude and low food availability, resulting in a limited factor for species expansion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Invasive Freshwater Fish on Native Fauna and Aquatic Ecosystems)

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15 pages, 5760 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Spatial Patterns in the Distribution and Diversity of Diploneis Genus-Level Diatoms in the Podlasie Springs (North-Eastern Poland)

by Magdalena Grabowska, Agata Z. Wojtal, Elżbieta Jekatierynczuk-Rudczyk and Olha Kryvosheia-Zakharova

Diversity 2023, 15(8), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15080897 - 29 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1650

Abstract

This research is focused on the presence of the genus Diploneis (Bacillariopyta) in small lowland springs of north-eastern Poland. This study presents a biogeographic overview of the genus from 2 urban and 12 forest springs in the Podlasie area. Seven species were identified, [...] Read more.

This research is focused on the presence of the genus Diploneis (Bacillariopyta) in small lowland springs of north-eastern Poland. This study presents a biogeographic overview of the genus from 2 urban and 12 forest springs in the Podlasie area. Seven species were identified, some of which have been described recently and whose distribution is not well-known (D. burgitensis, D. fontium). The presence of D. burgitensis and D. parapetersenii, both rare taxa, are the first recorded for Poland. Their presence was confirmed using both LM and SEM micrographs. The presence of much more frequently noted European species (D. elliptica, D. fontanella, D. krammeri, and D. separanda) was also found. Greater knowledge of the Diploneis genus opens the way towards better and more comprehensive approaches to uncovering biological diversity and biogeographical patterns on the European continent and among the springs. The distribution of all recorded Diploneis species and their habitat preferences are briefly given. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Biodiversity Research in Poland)

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22 pages, 1969 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Revisiting Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning through the Lens of Complex Adaptive Systems

by Alexandra M. Correia and Luís F. Lopes

Diversity 2023, 15(8), 895; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15080895 - 28 Jul 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6689

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) is essential to comprehend the impacts of biodiversity changes on ecosystem functioning. This knowledge helps to detect and anticipate significant trends in global biodiversity loss and the homogenization of biota worldwide to prevent them. [...] Read more.

Understanding the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) is essential to comprehend the impacts of biodiversity changes on ecosystem functioning. This knowledge helps to detect and anticipate significant trends in global biodiversity loss and the homogenization of biota worldwide to prevent them. Species act together with climate, resource availability, and disturbance regimes to modulate ecological processes defining ecosystems’ complexity and their dynamic adaptation to variability. In this article, we revisit the BEF paradigm by addressing current knowledge of how biodiversity connects to ecosystem functioning across scales in the context of complex adaptive systems (CAS). We focus on ecosystem processes that lead to the emergence of the BEF relationship, considering ecosystem functioning as a macroscopic emergent property. Specifically, this work integrates the knowledge of the processes that connect biodiversity to ecosystem functioning. It addresses how biodiversity supports ecosystem multifunctionality across scales, resulting in the persistence of CAS in a rapidly changing world. We present a framework for ecological management considering the BEF relationship within the scope of CAS. The CAS standpoint brings new insights into the BEF field and its relevance for future ecological conservation of the Earth’s life support. Full article

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13 pages, 23563 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Paleoclimatic Reconstruction Based on the Late Pleistocene San Josecito Cave Stratum 720 Fauna Using Fossil Mammals, Reptiles, and Birds

by J. Alberto Cruz, Julián A. Velasco, Joaquín Arroyo-Cabrales and Eileen Johnson

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070881 - 24 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2893

Abstract

Advances in technology have equipped paleobiologists with new analytical tools to assess the fossil record. The functional traits of vertebrates have been used to infer paleoenvironmental conditions. In Quaternary deposits, birds are the second-most-studied group after mammals. They are considered a poor paleoambiental [...] Read more.

Advances in technology have equipped paleobiologists with new analytical tools to assess the fossil record. The functional traits of vertebrates have been used to infer paleoenvironmental conditions. In Quaternary deposits, birds are the second-most-studied group after mammals. They are considered a poor paleoambiental proxy because their high vagility and phenotypic plasticity allow them to respond more effectively to climate change. Investigating multiple groups is important, but it is not often attempted. Biogeographical and climatic niche information concerning small mammals, reptiles, and birds have been used to infer the paleoclimatic conditions present during the Late Pleistocene at San Josecito Cave (~28,000 ¹⁴C years BP), Mexico. Warmer and dryer conditions are inferred with respect to the present. The use of all of the groups of small vertebrates is recommended because they represent an assemblage of species that have gone through a series of environmental filters in the past. Individually, different vertebrate groups provide different paleoclimatic information. Birds are a good proxy for inferring paleoprecipitation but not paleotemperature. Together, reptiles and small mammals are a good proxy for inferring paleoprecipitation and paleotemperature, but reptiles alone are a bad proxy, and mammals alone are a good proxy for inferring paleotemperature and precipitation. The current paleoclimatic results coupled with those of a previous vegetation structure analysis indicate the presence of non-analog paleoenvironmental conditions during the Late Pleistocene in the San Josecito Cave area. This situation would explain the presence of a disharmonious fauna and the extinction of several taxa when these conditions later disappeared and do not reappear again. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Subterranean Habitats)

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16 pages, 1855 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Presence of Endangered Red-Crowned Parrots (Amazona viridigenalis) Depends on Urban Landscapes

by Simon Kiacz, Hsiao-Hsuan Wang and Donald J. Brightsmith

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070878 - 23 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 13875

Abstract

Many species of plants and animals thrive in urban habitats and stand to gain from the global trend in increased urbanization. One such species, the Red-crowned Parrot (Amazona viridigenalis), is endangered within its native range but seems to thrive in urban [...] Read more.

Many species of plants and animals thrive in urban habitats and stand to gain from the global trend in increased urbanization. One such species, the Red-crowned Parrot (Amazona viridigenalis), is endangered within its native range but seems to thrive in urban landscapes. While populations of endangered synanthropic species may be uncommon, they can act as genetic reservoirs and present us with unique conservation and research opportunities. We sought to determine the red-crowned parrot’s level of dependency on urban areas, as well as the climatic and anthropogenic drivers of their distribution throughout the United States. We built national level species distribution models for the USA using Maxent and correlated presence points derived from field work and citizen science databases to environmental variables for three Red-crowned Parrot populations: two naturalized (California and Florida) and one native (Texas). We found current occupancy to be 18,965 km² throughout the three states. These three states also contained 39,429 km² of high- and medium-quality habitats, which, if occupied, would represent a substantial increase in the species range. Suitable habitat showed a strong positive correlation with urbanization in areas where average monthly temperatures were at least 5 °C. The current and predicted distributions of Red-crowned Parrots were closely aligned with urban boundaries. We expected populations of Red-crowned Parrots and other synanthropic species to grow due to a combination of factors, namely, continued urbanization and the effects of climate change, which increase the size and connectivity of a suitable habitat. For some imperiled species, urban habitats could prove to be important bastions for their conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biogeography and Macroecology)

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15 pages, 1633 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Selected Case Studies on Fastidious Eukaryotic Microorganisms: Issues and Investigation Strategies

by Benedetta Turchetti, Annamaria Bevivino, Patrizia Casella, Claudia Coleine, Giovanna E. Felis, Carolina Elena Girometta, Antonio Molino, Iolanda Perugini, Antonino Pollio, Valeria Prigione, Laura Selbmann, Giovanna Cristina Varese and Pietro Buzzini

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070862 - 16 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2473

Abstract

The concept of fastidious microorganisms currently found in scientific literature is mainly related to the difficulty of isolating/culturing/preserving bacteria. Eukaryotes are investigated much less in this respect, although they represent a fundamental part of the microbial world. Furthermore, not only isolation, but also [...] Read more.

The concept of fastidious microorganisms currently found in scientific literature is mainly related to the difficulty of isolating/culturing/preserving bacteria. Eukaryotes are investigated much less in this respect, although they represent a fundamental part of the microbial world. Furthermore, not only isolation, but also identification and culturing (in the perspective of long-term preservation) should be considered key aspects often impacting on the study of fastidious microorganisms, especially in terms of preservation in culture collections and biotechnological exploitation. The present review aimed to investigate the current state of the art on fastidious eukaryotes, with special emphasis on the efforts to improve their isolation, identification, culturing and long-term preservation in culture collections practices. A few case studies focused on some fastidious eukaryotic microorganisms (including possible customized solutions to overcome specific issues) are also presented: isolation and preservation of slow-growing fungi, culturing of Haematococcus lacustris, isolation of unialgal strains of Cyanidiophytina (Rhodophyta), identification of Metschnikowia pulcherrima clade yeasts, isolation and preservation of Pyricularia species, preservation of Halophytophtora spp. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Microbial Diversity and Culture Collections)

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6 pages, 4060 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceInteresting Images

Is Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Annelida: Serpulidae) Becoming a Nuisance in Galveston Bay, Texas?

by Vanessa Fernández-Rodríguez, Laura Jurgens and Anja Schulze

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070852 - 13 Jul 2023

Viewed by 2092

Abstract

Herein, we report the recent proliferation of the non-native serpulid worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus in parts of Galveston Bay, Texas. Reef-like aggregations were first recovered from a settlement plate and a submerged brick at the Kemah Boardwalk Marina on 4 May 2023. By 20 [...] Read more.

Herein, we report the recent proliferation of the non-native serpulid worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus in parts of Galveston Bay, Texas. Reef-like aggregations were first recovered from a settlement plate and a submerged brick at the Kemah Boardwalk Marina on 4 May 2023. By 20 May, similar growths were reported to us by the Kemah Boardwalk Marina on floating docks, boat hulls, propellers, and rudders. On June 8, nearby marinas remained unaffected. We confirmed the worms’ species identities by noting their diagnostic characteristics. Full article

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14 pages, 1380 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Adaptive Genetic Management of a Reintroduction Program from Captive Breeding to Metapopulation Management of an Arboreal Marsupial

by Jennifer C. Pierson, Laurence Berry, Lauren Alexander, Jennifer Anson, Michelle Birkett, Leah Kemp, Bruce A. Pascoe, Katherine A. Farquharson and Carolyn J. Hogg

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070848 - 12 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1997

Abstract

The application of genetic data to conservation management programs can be hindered by the mismatch in timelines for management decisions and the acquisition of genetic data, particularly genomic sequence data that may require outsourcing. While applying genetic principles where data are absent can [...] Read more.

The application of genetic data to conservation management programs can be hindered by the mismatch in timelines for management decisions and the acquisition of genetic data, particularly genomic sequence data that may require outsourcing. While applying genetic principles where data are absent can provide general guidelines for actions, genetic data can often fine-tune actions through adaptive management. We describe the adaptive genetic management of the establishment of a metapopulation of a small arboreal marsupial, the red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura). Two captive breeding programs were established as source populations, with genetic principles applied to the establishment of the first program and empirical genetic data used to guide the establishment of the second program. Genetic data from both programs were then used to allocate founders to three new populations to create a metapopulation with diversity both within and among the sites. Building and maintaining the diversity of metapopulations when recovering threatened species will reduce pressure on the original source populations and increase the resilience of the species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Threatened Animal)

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27 pages, 13920 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Species in Disguise: A New Species of Hornshark from Northern Australia (Heterodontiformes: Heterodontidae)

by William T. White, Frederik H. Mollen, Helen L. O’Neill, Lei Yang and Gavin J. P. Naylor

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070849 - 12 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 11511

Abstract

A new species of hornshark is described from northwestern Australia based on six whole specimens and a single egg case. Heterodontus marshallae n. sp. was previously considered to be conspecific with H. zebra from the Western Pacific. The new species differs from H. [...] Read more.

A new species of hornshark is described from northwestern Australia based on six whole specimens and a single egg case. Heterodontus marshallae n. sp. was previously considered to be conspecific with H. zebra from the Western Pacific. The new species differs from H. zebra in the sequence of its NADH2 gene, several morphological characters, egg case morphology and key coloration features. Despite the coloration being similar between H. marshallae n. sp. and H. zebra, i.e., pale background with 22 dark brown bands and saddles, they differ consistently in two key aspects. Firstly, the snout of H. marshallae n. sp. has a dark semicircular bar, usually bifurcated for most of its length vs. a pointed, triangular shaped dark marking in H. zebra. Secondly, H. zebra has a dark bar originating below the posterior gill slits and extending onto anterior pectoral fin, which is absent in H. marshallae n. sp. The Heterodontus marshallae n. sp. is endemic to northwestern Australia and occurs in deeper waters (125–229 m) than H. zebra (0–143 m). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Connectivity, Species Diversity and Conservation Biology of Chondrichthyes)

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18 pages, 4221 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A New Enigmatic Teleost Fish from the Mid-Cretaceous of Lebanon

by Tamara El Hossny and Lionel Cavin

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 839; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070839 - 8 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2845

Abstract

Teleosts form the largest clade among the extant actinopterygians, some extinct forms of which are still poorly positioned in the phylogeny. The Tselfatiiformes and Araripichthyidae are such examples. A newly discovered genus and species from the Cenomanian of Haqel, Lebanon, is described, and [...] Read more.

Teleosts form the largest clade among the extant actinopterygians, some extinct forms of which are still poorly positioned in the phylogeny. The Tselfatiiformes and Araripichthyidae are such examples. A newly discovered genus and species from the Cenomanian of Haqel, Lebanon, is described, and its systematic affinities are discussed. It shares several characteristics (deep and compressed body with elongated and high dorsal and anal fins, edentulous maxilla, and sinusoidal vertebral column) with both the Tselfatiiformes and Araripichthys, making it difficult to place within the teleosts. It shares with Abisaadichthys, among the tselfatiiforms’ family Protobramidae, an autogenous retroarticular, and with Araripichthys premaxillae with a long ascending process, well-developed maxillary articular condyle and two supramaxillae. Moreover, it shows some unique characteristics (a thin maxilla with two large supramaxillae, fused articular and angular bones, mandibular sensory canal opening on the external side of the anguloarticular, first dorsal pterygiophore having the same enlarged semi-circular plate as the first anal pterygiophore) justifying its generic status. Comments on some of the protobramids are presented, and the necessity for phylogenetic analysis to place the Tselfatiiformes, Araripichthys and Ypsiloichthys within the teleosts is outlined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Phylogeny and Evolution)

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16 pages, 1980 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Testing White’s Floristic Impoverishment Hypothesis in the Forest-Savanna Transition Zones of Africa

by Mathew Rees, John L. Godlee, David J. Harris, Casey M. Ryan and Kyle G. Dexter

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 833; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070833 - 3 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2316

Abstract

In tropical Africa, forests and savannas are the two most widespread biomes and potentially represent alternative stable states with a divergent species composition. A classic, but untested, hypothesis posited by White (1983) suggests that the transition zones between forests and savannas contain a [...] Read more.

In tropical Africa, forests and savannas are the two most widespread biomes and potentially represent alternative stable states with a divergent species composition. A classic, but untested, hypothesis posited by White (1983) suggests that the transition zones between forests and savannas contain a floristically impoverished assemblage, with few representatives from each biome. Further, the evolutionary dimension of diversity has received limited attention, despite its importance for understanding the biogeographic history of biomes. Here, we quantified species richness and several measures of evolutionary diversity in 1° grid cells, using c. 300,000 occurrence records of trees and shrubs combined with biome affiliation data for 3203 species. We found that assemblages in transition zones hold fewer woody species than assemblages in forest and savanna zones, as posited by White. However, transition zones hold more phylogenetic diversity than expected given their species richness, whether one considers forest and savanna assemblages separately or together. We also show that the Congo Basin forest has low levels of phylogenetic diversity, given the number of species, and highlight south-eastern African savannas as a centre of savanna woody species richness and phylogenetic diversity. Regions with high phylogenetic diversity, given the number of both forest and savanna species, were centred around the Dahomey Gap and Cameroon, mainly in transition zones. Overall, our study shows that even if floristically impoverished, transition zones hold unexpectedly high evolutionary diversity. This suggests that they are important centres of evolutionary innovation and diversification and/or serve as evolutionary crossroads, where lineages that diversified in contrasting environments coexist within a single area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Vegetation and Flora in Tropical Africa -2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 1423 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Molecular Taxonomy of South Africa’s Catsharks: How Far Have We Come?

by Michaela van Staden, David A. Ebert, Enrico Gennari, Rob W. Leslie, Meaghen E. McCord, Matthew Parkinson, Ralph G. A. Watson, Sabine Wintner, Charlene da Silva and Aletta E. Bester-van der Merwe

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 828; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070828 - 1 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1681

Abstract

The ability to correctly identify specimens at the species level is crucial for assessing and conserving biodiversity. Despite this, species-specific data are lacking for many of South Africa’s catsharks due to a high level of morphological stasis. As comprehensive and curated DNA reference [...] Read more.

The ability to correctly identify specimens at the species level is crucial for assessing and conserving biodiversity. Despite this, species-specific data are lacking for many of South Africa’s catsharks due to a high level of morphological stasis. As comprehensive and curated DNA reference libraries are required for the reliable identification of specimens from morphologically similar species, this study reviewed and contributed to the availability of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nicotinamide adenine dehydrogenase subunit 2 (NADH2) sequences for South Africa’s catsharks. A molecular taxonomic approach, implementing species delimitation and specimen assignment methods, was used to assess and highlight any taxonomic uncertainties and/or errors in public databases. The investigated species were summarised into 47 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs), with some conflicting specimen assignments. Two Apristurus specimens sampled in this study remained unidentified, revealing the presence of previously undocumented genetic diversity. In contrast, haplotype sharing within Haploblepharus—attributed to nucleotide ambiguities—resulted in the delimitation of three congeners into a single MOTU. This study reveals that molecular taxonomy has the potential to flag undocumented species and/or misidentified specimens, and further highlights the need to implement integrated taxonomic assessments on catsharks that represent an irreplaceable component of biodiversity in the region. Full article

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17 pages, 1658 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Crystal-Wonder Cave System: A New Hotspot of Subterranean Biodiversity in the Southern Cumberland Plateau of South-Central Tennessee, USA

by Matthew L. Niemiller, Kirk S. Zigler, Amata Hinkle, Charles D. R. Stephen, Brendan Cramphorn, Jared Higgs, Nathaniel Mann, Brian T. Miller, K. Denise Kendall Niemiller, Kelly Smallwood and Jason Hardy

Diversity 2023, 15(7), 801; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070801 - 23 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 7276

Abstract

The Crystal-Wonder Cave System developed in the Western Escarpment of the southern Cumberland Plateau in the Interior Low Plateau karst region of south-central Tennessee, USA is a global hotspot of cave-limited biodiversity. We combined historical literature, museum accessions, and database occurrences with new [...] Read more.

The Crystal-Wonder Cave System developed in the Western Escarpment of the southern Cumberland Plateau in the Interior Low Plateau karst region of south-central Tennessee, USA is a global hotspot of cave-limited biodiversity. We combined historical literature, museum accessions, and database occurrences with new observations from bio-inventory efforts conducted between 2005 and 2022 to compile an updated list of troglobiotic and stygobiotic biodiversity for the Crystal-Wonder Cave System. The list of cave-limited fauna includes 31 species (23 troglobionts and 8 stygobionts) with 28 and 18 species documented from the Crystal and Wonder caves, respectively, which represents five phyla, ten classes, nineteen orders, and twenty-six families (six arachnids, three springtails, two diplurans, three millipedes, six insects, three terrestrial snails, one flatworm, five crustaceans, and two vertebrates, respectively). The Crystal-Wonder Cave System is the type locality for six species—Anillinus longiceps, Pseudanophthalmus humeralis, P. intermedius, Ptomaphagus hatchi, Tolus appalachius, and Chitrella archeri. The carabid beetle Anillinus longiceps is endemic to the Crystal-Wonder Cave System. Sixteen species are of conservation concern, including twelve taxa with NatureServe conservation ranks of G1–G3. The exceptional diversity of the Crystal-Wonder Cave System has been associated with several factors, including a high dispersal potential of cave fauna associated with expansive karst exposures along the Western Escarpment of the southern Cumberland Plateau, a high surface productivity, and a favorable climate throughout the Pleistocene. Full article

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

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19 pages, 5856 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Subterranean Fauna of the Lukina Jama–Trojama Cave System in Croatia: The Deepest Cave in the Dinaric Karst

by Marko Lukić, Cene Fišer, Teo Delić, Helena Bilandžija, Martina Pavlek, Ana Komerički, Tvrtko Dražina, Branko Jalžić, Roman Ozimec, Rajko Slapnik and Jana Bedek

Diversity 2023, 15(6), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15060726 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3036

Abstract

The Dinaric Karst is a global hotspot for subterranean diversity, with two distinct peaks of species richness in the northwest and southeast, and an area of a lower species richness in the central part. In this article, we present a species list and [...] Read more.

The Dinaric Karst is a global hotspot for subterranean diversity, with two distinct peaks of species richness in the northwest and southeast, and an area of a lower species richness in the central part. In this article, we present a species list and describe the ecological conditions of the Lukina jama–Trojama cave system, located in the central part of the Dinaric Karst. This cave system is the deepest and one of the most logistically challenging cave systems sampled so far in the Dinaric Karst. Repeated sampling resulted in a list of 45 species, including 25 troglobionts, 3 troglophiles, 16 stygobionts, and 1 stygophile. Most of the recorded species are endemic to the Velebit Mountain, while three species are endemic to the Lukina jama–Trojama cave system. Within the system, species richness peaks in the deepest third of the cave, most likely reflecting the harsh ecological conditions in the upper parts, including ice, cold winds, and occasional waterfalls. Milder and more stable deeper parts of the cave contain a rich subterranean species community, part of which is associated with two very distinct aquatic habitats, the cave hygropetric and the phreatic zone. The newly recognized hotspot of subterranean biodiversity in the central Dinaric Karst, which has emerged between the two known centers of biodiversity, further highlights the species richness in large cave systems, but also challenges the diversity patterns in the Dinaric Karst overall. Full article

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

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16 pages, 2136 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Fern Cave: A Hotspot of Subterranean Biodiversity in the Interior Low Plateau Karst Region of Alabama in the Southeastern United States

by Matthew L. Niemiller, Michael E. Slay, Thomas Inebnit, Benjamin Miller, Benjamin Tobin, Brendan Cramphorn, Amata Hinkle, Bradley D. Jones, Nathaniel Mann, K. Denise Kendall Niemiller and Steve Pitts

Diversity 2023, 15(5), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050633 - 6 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4801

Abstract

The Fern Cave System, developed in the western escarpment of the Southern Cumberland Plateau of the Interior Low Plateau karst region in Northeastern Alabama, USA, is a global hotspot of cave-limited biodiversity as well as home to the largest winter hibernaculum for the [...] Read more.

The Fern Cave System, developed in the western escarpment of the Southern Cumberland Plateau of the Interior Low Plateau karst region in Northeastern Alabama, USA, is a global hotspot of cave-limited biodiversity as well as home to the largest winter hibernaculum for the federally endangered Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens). We combined the existing literature, museum accessions, and database occurrences with new observations from bioinventory efforts conducted in 2018–2022 to generate an updated list of troglobiotic and stygobiotic species for the Fern Cave System. Our list of cave-limited fauna totals twenty-seven species, including nineteen troglobionts and eight stygobionts. Two pseudoscorpions are endemic to the Fern Cave System: Tyrannochthonius torodei and Alabamocreagris mortis. The exceptional diversity at Fern Cave is likely associated with several factors, such as the high dispersal potential of cave fauna associated with expansive karst exposures along the Southern Cumberland Plateau, high surface productivity, organic input from a large bat colony, favorable climate throughout the Pleistocene, and location within a larger regional hotspot of subterranean biodiversity. Nine species are of conservation concern, including the recently discovered Alabama cave shrimp Palaemonias alabamae, because of their small range sizes, few occurrences, and several potential threats. Full article

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

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15 pages, 2547 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Updating the National Baseline of Non-Indigenous Species in Spanish Marine Waters

by Lydia Png-Gonzalez, Robert Comas-González, Matías Calvo-Manazza, Guillermo Follana-Berná, Enric Ballesteros, Pilar Díaz-Tapia, Jesús M. Falcón, J. Enrique García Raso, Serge Gofas, Marcos González-Porto, Eduardo López, Alfonso A. Ramos-Esplá, Eva Velasco and Aina Carbonell

Diversity 2023, 15(5), 630; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050630 - 5 May 2023

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2958

Abstract

The introduction of new non-indigenous species (NIS) in Spanish marine waters is addressed under Descriptor 2 of the European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive. National baseline inventories of NIS have been compiled and updated for the three subregions (Western Mediterranean Sea, WMED; Bay [...] Read more.

The introduction of new non-indigenous species (NIS) in Spanish marine waters is addressed under Descriptor 2 of the European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive. National baseline inventories of NIS have been compiled and updated for the three subregions (Western Mediterranean Sea, WMED; Bay of Biscay–Iberian Coast, ABI; Macaronesia, AMA) with data from 1800 to 2021. An overall of 574 species were identified with an alien, cryptogenic, crypto-expanding, or debatable status, mostly invertebrates (~65%) and primary producers (~22%). Of 412 alien species, 80.51% were reported in ABI, 67.82% in WMED, and 66.67% in AMA. Cryptogenic species are more abundant in the WMED (25.25%), compared to AMA (19.77%) and ABI (18.46%). ABI harbors more established species (62.56%) than AMA (45.2%) and WMED (43.56%), contrary to casual records (AMA 31.64%, WMED 23.76%, ABI 13.85%). Invasive species are more abundant (14.36%) in WMED. The ‘transport-stowaway’ pathway accounted for 142 (79.33%), 123 (67.58%), and 169 (85.21%) records in WMED, ABI, and AMA, respectively. The second most common pathway was ‘transport-contaminant’ related to mariculture (~10% of the total), prevalently in ABI with 42 species (23.08%). The Canary Islands stand out for species introduced through oil platforms from throughout the world. ‘Unaided’ was a relevant pathway of secondary introduction into the WMED, particularly of Lessepsian species progressing westwards. Temporal trends in newly introduced species show similar behavior among subregions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Marine Non-Indigenous Species in Europe by 2020, and Predictions through Modelling and Horizon Scanning for 2050)

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23 pages, 4423 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Fungal Diversity and Dynamics during Long-Term Immersion of Conventional and Biodegradable Plastics in the Marine Environment

by Aurélie Philippe, Cyril Noël, Boris Eyheraguibel, Jean-François Briand, Ika Paul-Pont, Jean-François Ghiglione, Emmanuel Coton and Gaëtan Burgaud

Diversity 2023, 15(4), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040579 - 20 Apr 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2659

Abstract

Plastics are associated with a worldwide pollution crisis, with strong negative impacts on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In marine environments, various organisms are colonizing plastic debris, but few studies have focused on fungal communities despite their non-trivial ecological roles in the marine [...] Read more.

Plastics are associated with a worldwide pollution crisis, with strong negative impacts on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In marine environments, various organisms are colonizing plastic debris, but few studies have focused on fungal communities despite their non-trivial ecological roles in the marine environment. In this study, different types of plastics (biodegradable and conventional) immersed in marine natural environments and under laboratory controlled settings were collected after long-term colonization. Using a metabarcoding approach targeting two genetic markers, namely, the ITS2 region and the V4 hypervariable region of the 18S rRNA gene, we highlighted that fungal communities associated with plastic polymers were distinct from those found in the surrounding seawater. They also differed significantly between sampling locations and the nature of immersed polymers, indicating that fungal colonization was impacted by the sites and types of plastics, with clear dissimilarities between conventional and biodegradable polymers. Specifically for the conventional PVC polymer (Polyvinyl chloride), we also observed the successive stages of biofilm development and maturation after long-term immersion in seawater. A noticeable change in the fungal communities was observed around 30–40 days in natural settings, suggesting a colonization dynamic likely associated with a transition from biofilm formation to distinct communities likely associated with biofouling. Overall, this study strengthens the idea that the fungal kingdom is an integrated part of the “plastisphere”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

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23 pages, 9587 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Whole Genome Resequencing Reveals Genetic Diversity and Selection Signatures of Ethiopian Indigenous Cattle Adapted to Local Environments

by Endashaw Terefe, Gurja Belay, Abdulfatai Tijjani, Jianlin Han and Olivier Hanotte

Diversity 2023, 15(4), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040540 - 9 Apr 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2958

Abstract

Cattle are among the most important domesticated bovid species in the world, of which Ethiopia possesses large populations adapted to different agro-ecologies and production systems. Though several molecular population genetic studies have been done on Ethiopian indigenous cattle, genomic diversity and selection signatures [...] Read more.

Cattle are among the most important domesticated bovid species in the world, of which Ethiopia possesses large populations adapted to different agro-ecologies and production systems. Though several molecular population genetic studies have been done on Ethiopian indigenous cattle, genomic diversity and selection signatures pertinent to adaptation to the different local environments have yet to be comprehensively characterized. Here, the whole genome sequences of 151 samples from 14 Ethiopian indigenous cattle populations were analyzed to assess genomic diversity and differentiation as well as signatures of positive selection (using Hp, iHS, F_ST, and XP-CLR) in comparison to Sudanese zebu, Asian zebu, Ankole, and African and European taurine cattle. High genomic differentiation was observed between Ethiopian and non-Ethiopian cattle populations, while low genomic differentiation and inbreeding were present between and within Ethiopian cattle populations. Sixteen genome regions overlapping with 40 candidate genes were commonly identified by at least three genome scan methods. High frequencies of missense SNPs in ITPR2, CHADL, GNAS, STING1, and KIT genes with high haplotype differentiations were observed in Ethiopian cattle compared to non-Ethiopian cattle. The candidate genes were significantly associated with several biological functions and molecular pathways responsible for nutrient metabolism, skeletal development, immune response, reproduction, water balance, coat color pigmentation, and circulatory homeostasis. Our results provide new insights into the adaptation of the Ethiopian indigenous cattle to the country’s diverse environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)

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14 pages, 1650 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Ancient DNA Contradicts the Presence of Social Voles (Genus Microtus, Subgenus Sumeriomys) in the Late Pleistocene of Western Europe

by Adam Nadachowski, Anna Lemanik, Laure Fontana, Danijela Popović, Michał Golubiński, Barbara Bujalska and Mateusz Baca

Diversity 2023, 15(4), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040538 - 7 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2938

Abstract

Taxonomic decisions made by palaeontologists are often based on a few morphological features preserved in the fossil material. This practice may sometimes lead to the description of new species based on single specimens, which are, in fact, extreme or aberrant morphological variants of [...] Read more.

Taxonomic decisions made by palaeontologists are often based on a few morphological features preserved in the fossil material. This practice may sometimes lead to the description of new species based on single specimens, which are, in fact, extreme or aberrant morphological variants of known taxa. Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis of the Late Pleistocene specimens from the archaeological site Petits Guinards (Creuzier-la-Vieux, Allier, France), described as a new vole Microtus (Sumeriomys) bifrons, did not confirm the species distinctness of the studied population. The genetically examined specimens belonged to Stenocranius anglicus and/or Microtus arvalis, the dominant species at the site. Our findings show that it is risky to describe new fossil taxa on the basis of phenotypic outliers or morphologically aberrant, rare specimens that do not fall within the previously known population variability. We also highlight the importance of ancient DNA in resolving taxonomic and nomenclature problems and classifying fossil mammals of the Late Pleistocene age. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Environment and Climate during Pleistocene and Holocene)

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13 pages, 1382 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Checklist of the Mammal Collection Preserved at the University of Palermo under the Framework of the National Biodiversity Future Center

by Sabrina Lo Brutto, Antonina Badalucco, Rocco Iacovera, Elisabetta Cilli and Maurizio Sarà

Diversity 2023, 15(4), 518; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040518 - 3 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2510

Abstract

The latest reorganization of the Vertebrate collections preserved at the “Pietro Doderlein” Museum of Zoology of the University of Palermo (Italy) has made it possible to draw up a check-list of the Mammal taxa present in the stuffed (M), fluid-preserved (ML) and anatomical [...] Read more.

The latest reorganization of the Vertebrate collections preserved at the “Pietro Doderlein” Museum of Zoology of the University of Palermo (Italy) has made it possible to draw up a check-list of the Mammal taxa present in the stuffed (M), fluid-preserved (ML) and anatomical (AN) collections. The intervention was planned under the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) agenda, focused on the enhancement of Italian natural history museums. The growing interest in museum collections strongly demands databases available to the academic and policy world. In this paper, we record 679 specimens belonging to 157 specific taxa arranged in 58 families and 16 orders. Most of the species (75.1%) come from the Palaearctic Region (southern Mediterranean and North Africa), with a minority of taxa coming from the Afrotropical (7.8%), Neotropical (4.6%), Indo-Malayan (3.4%) and Australasian (1%) regions. Among the 24% of the taxa listed in the IUCN categories as threatened (VU, EN, CR, RE) the specimens of the Sicilian wolf, a regional endemic subspecies that became extinct in the last century, stand out. Even if small (<1000 specimens), the collection of mammals of the Museum of Zoology is an important asset for research on biodiversity in the Mediterranean area, representing an international reference for those wishing to conduct morphological and genetic studies in this area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoological Checklists: From Natural History Museums to Ecosystems)

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12 pages, 2727 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Being Safe, but Not Too Safe: A Nudibranch Feeding on a Bryozoan-Associated Hydrozoan

by Davide Maggioni, Giulia Furfaro, Michele Solca, Davide Seveso, Paolo Galli and Simone Montano

Diversity 2023, 15(4), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040484 - 24 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2671

Abstract

Nudibranchs have a mostly carnivorous diet, and they prey on a wide variety of other animal taxa. Many species, mainly belonging to the Cladobranchia suborder, feed on cnidarians, including member of the class Hydrozoa. Several hydrozoan species display a symbiotic lifestyle, being associated [...] Read more.

Nudibranchs have a mostly carnivorous diet, and they prey on a wide variety of other animal taxa. Many species, mainly belonging to the Cladobranchia suborder, feed on cnidarians, including member of the class Hydrozoa. Several hydrozoan species display a symbiotic lifestyle, being associated with other benthic invertebrates, including for instance bryozoans, corals, octocorals, and sponges. In our knowledge, no record of nudibranch predation on symbiotic hydrozoans has been reported so far, possibly thanks to the protective action by the host towards its symbiotic hydrozoan. Here, we show the unexpected case of a nudibranch belonging to the recently described species Sakuraeolis marhe (Fernández-Simón and Moles, 2023) feeding on Zanclea sp. 2, a hydrozoan associated with the cheilostome bryozoan Celleporaria sp. This trophic association is confirmed by the presence and storage of the nematocysts into the nudibranch cnidosacs. Moreover, the nudibranch appears to selectively store mostly a single type of nematocyst, that is large size stenotele. The observation here reported represents the first well-documented record of a nudibranch feeding on a symbiotic hydrozoan and the first confirmed case of predation on Zanclea polyps. Moreover, we provide additional genetic information and the first description of the internal anatomy of S. marhe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics and Evolution of Gastropods)

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30 pages, 2173 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Detection and Evaluation of Environmental Stress in Winter Wheat Using Remote and Proximal Sensing Methods and Vegetation Indices—A Review

by Sandra Skendžić, Monika Zovko, Vinko Lešić, Ivana Pajač Živković and Darija Lemić

Diversity 2023, 15(4), 481; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040481 - 24 Mar 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4770

Abstract

Climate change has a significant impact on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation due to the occurrence of various environmental stress parameters. It destabilizes wheat production mainly through abiotic stresses (heat waves, drought, floods, frost, salinity, and nutrient deficiency) and improved conditions [...] Read more.

Climate change has a significant impact on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation due to the occurrence of various environmental stress parameters. It destabilizes wheat production mainly through abiotic stresses (heat waves, drought, floods, frost, salinity, and nutrient deficiency) and improved conditions for pest and disease development and infestation as biotic parameters. The impact of these parameters can be reduced by timely and appropriate management measures such as irrigation, fertilization, or pesticide application. However, this requires the early diagnosis and quantification of the various stressors. Since they induce specific physiological responses in plant cells, structures, and tissues, environmental stress parameters can be monitored by different sensing methods, taking into account that these responses affect the signal in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum (EM), especially visible (VIS), near infrared (NIR), and shortwave infrared (SWIR). This study reviews recent findings in the application of remote and proximal sensing methods for early detection and evaluation of abiotic and biotic stress parameters in crops, with an emphasis on winter wheat. The study first provides an overview of climate-change-induced stress parameters in winter wheat and their physiological responses. Second, the most promising non-invasive remote sensing methods are presented, such as airborne and satellite multispectral (VIS and NIR) and hyperspectral imaging, as well as proximal sensing methods using VNIR-SWIR spectroscopy. Third, data analysis methods using vegetation indices (VI), chemometrics, and various machine learning techniques are presented, as well as the main application areas of sensor-based analysis, namely, decision-making processes in precision agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)

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14 pages, 2577 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Qualitative Exploration of Conflicts in Human-Wildlife Interactions in Namibia’s Kunene Region

by Robert Luetkemeier, Ronja Kraus, Meed Mbidzo, Morgan Hauptfleisch, Stefan Liehr and Niels Blaum

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030440 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2633

Abstract

Wildlife numbers are declining globally due to anthropogenic pressures. In Namibia, however, wildlife populations increased with policy instruments that allow private ownership and incentivize their sustainable use. Antithetically, this resulted in increased resource competition between humans and wildlife and triggered conflicts among various [...] Read more.

Wildlife numbers are declining globally due to anthropogenic pressures. In Namibia, however, wildlife populations increased with policy instruments that allow private ownership and incentivize their sustainable use. Antithetically, this resulted in increased resource competition between humans and wildlife and triggered conflicts among various stakeholder groups. This paper summarizes the results of a qualitative exploration of conflicts in wildlife management in Namibia’s Kunene Region, adjacent to Etosha National Park. We conducted a workshop and expert interviews with stakeholders from relevant sectors. Our qualitative research sheds light on societal conflicts over wildlife that originate from diverging interests, livelihood strategies, moral values, knowledge holders, personal relations and views on institutional procedures. We frame our insights into conflicting human–wildlife interactions with theoretical concepts of social-ecological systems, ecosystem services and ecosystem disservices and open the floor for quantitative assessments. Overall, our results may present a suitable way of understanding biodiversity conflicts in a theoretical way. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Wildlife Conflict across Landscapes)

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44 pages, 8716 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Reviewing Introduction Histories, Pathways, Invasiveness, and Impact of Non-Indigenous Species in Danish Marine Waters

by Kathe R. Jensen, Per Andersen, Nikolaj R. Andersen, Annette Bruhn, Helle Buur, Henrik Carl, Hans Jakobsen, Cornelia Jaspers, Kim Lundgreen, Ruth Nielsen, Beate Strandberg and Peter A. U. Stæhr

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030434 - 15 Mar 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3290

Abstract

Non-indigenous species (NIS) are of concern for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functioning. We present an updated list of NIS, including cryptogenic species, from Danish marine waters containing 123 species. Benthic invertebrates (36%) and phytoplankton (28%) dominate the list, but fish (15%) and macroalgae [...] Read more.

Non-indigenous species (NIS) are of concern for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functioning. We present an updated list of NIS, including cryptogenic species, from Danish marine waters containing 123 species. Benthic invertebrates (36%) and phytoplankton (28%) dominate the list, but fish (15%) and macroalgae (13%) are also important. The Limfjord in Northern Jutland emerges as a hotspot for the introduction of NIS. Data from multiple sources were included, i.e., the National Monitoring Program (NOVANA), the National Fish Atlas project, the citizen science project Arter.dk, research articles, and annual national reports of the ICES working group ITMO. Forty-six NIS species were subject to expert judging using a modified Harmonia protocol; 19 were found to fulfil the four selected criteria identifying a species as being ‘invasive’. Additionally, 38 species, not yet recorded in Danish waters, were evaluated using the same method, and 31 were found to fulfil the ‘invasive’ criteria. For nine selected species, introduction history, distribution maps, and time-series diagrams are presented. Our data document that the national monitoring efforts should be expanded to record macrozooplankton, coastal fish, and mobile epibenthic species. Furthermore, the national data repository, Arter.dk, should be expanded to enable more detailed documentation of new NIS records. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends in Marine Non-Indigenous Species in Europe by 2020, and Predictions through Modelling and Horizon Scanning for 2050)

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24 pages, 7882 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Phylogeny of Serpulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) Inferred from Morphology and DNA Sequences, with a New Classification

by Elena Kupriyanova, Harry A. ten Hove and Greg W. Rouse

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030398 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3755

Abstract

Serpulidae Rafinesque, 1815 is a speciose group of polychaetes that all inhabit calcareous tubes. The family was traditionally subdivided into Serpulinae, Filograninae, and Spirorbinae. Recent phylogenetic analyses have suggested that both Filograninae and Serpulinae are paraphyletic, though with limited sampling. Here we report [...] Read more.

Serpulidae Rafinesque, 1815 is a speciose group of polychaetes that all inhabit calcareous tubes. The family was traditionally subdivided into Serpulinae, Filograninae, and Spirorbinae. Recent phylogenetic analyses have suggested that both Filograninae and Serpulinae are paraphyletic, though with limited sampling. Here we report the first phylogenetic analysis of Serpulidae based on comprehensive sampling of genera (though excluding most spirorbin genera). We include a much-needed revision of serpulid taxonomy based on a phylogenetic hypothesis derived from both morphological and molecular data. We analysed 18S, 28S, histone H3 ribosomal nuclear DNA and cytochrome b (cytb) mitochondrial sequences, combined with morphological data. The proposed new classification includes the re-formulated Serpulinae (with tribes Serpulini and Ficopomatini), Spirorbinae, and Filograninae, with apomorphies highlighted for major taxa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2022)

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70 pages, 16879 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Synoptic Review of the Cartilaginous Fishes (Chondrichthyes: Holocephali, Elasmobranchii) from the Upper Jurassic Konservat-Lagerstätten of Southern Germany: Taxonomy, Diversity, and Faunal Relationships

by Eduardo Villalobos-Segura, Sebastian Stumpf, Julia Türtscher, Patrick L. Jambura, Arnaud Begat, Faviel A. López-Romero, Jan Fischer and Jürgen Kriwet

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030386 - 8 Mar 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6517

Abstract

The Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous (164–100 Ma) represents one of the main transitional periods in life history. Recent studies unveiled a complex scenario in which abiotic and biotic factors and drivers on regional and global scales due to the fragmentation of Pangaea resulted in [...] Read more.

The Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous (164–100 Ma) represents one of the main transitional periods in life history. Recent studies unveiled a complex scenario in which abiotic and biotic factors and drivers on regional and global scales due to the fragmentation of Pangaea resulted in dramatic faunal and ecological turnovers in terrestrial and marine environments. However, chondrichthyan faunas from this interval have received surprisingly little recognition. The presence of numerous entire skeletons of chondrichthyans preserved in several localities in southern Germany, often referred to as Konservat-Lagerstätten (e.g., Nusplingen and the Solnhofen Archipelago), provides a unique opportunity of to study the taxonomic composition of these assemblages, their ecological distributions and adaptations, and evolutionary histories in detail. However, even after 160 years of study, the current knowledge of southern Germany’s Late Jurassic chondrichthyan diversity remains incomplete. Over the last 20 years, the systematic study and bulk sampling of southern Germany’s Late Jurassic deposits significantly increased the number of known fossil chondrichthyan genera from the region (32 in the present study). In the present work, the fossil record, and the taxonomic composition of Late Jurassic chondrichthyans from southern Germany are reviewed and compared with several contemporaneous assemblages from other sites in Europe. Our results suggest, inter alia, that the Late Jurassic chondrichthyans displayed extended distributions within Europe. However, it nevertheless also is evident that the taxonomy of Late Jurassic chondrichthyans is in urgent need of revision. Full article

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

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21 pages, 2438 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Conservation Genetics of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens): Nuclear Phylogeography Drives Contemporary Patterns of Genetic Structure and Diversity

by Shawna L. Kjartanson, Tim Haxton, Kristyne Wozney, Nathan R. Lovejoy and Chris C. Wilson

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030385 - 7 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2446

Abstract

Sustainable management of exploited and endangered species is facilitated by knowledge of their geographic genetic structure. Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) epitomizes both categories, but genetic information has largely been limited to the Laurentian Great Lakes basin. We assessed the hierarchical geographic [...] Read more.

Sustainable management of exploited and endangered species is facilitated by knowledge of their geographic genetic structure. Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) epitomizes both categories, but genetic information has largely been limited to the Laurentian Great Lakes basin. We assessed the hierarchical geographic genetic structure of lake sturgeon across their Canadian range using a variation at 14 microsatellite loci. Observed patterns showed evidence of two ancestral groups which originated from Mississippian and Missourian glacial refugia. Coalescent analysis indicates the two lineages most recently shared common ancestry during the late Pleistocene and were likely isolated by the late Wisconsinan ice advance, with subsequent interpopulation divergences within each lineage reflecting their reciprocal isolation as glacial meltwaters receded. Hierarchical patterns of genetic relationships among contemporary populations largely reflect colonization histories and connections within primary and secondary watersheds. Populations in western Canada showed strong similarities based on their shared Missourian origins and colonization from glacial Lake Agassiz. By contrast, populations in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River drainage were largely founded from a Mississippian source. Sturgeon populations in northern parts of Ontario and Quebec showed evidence of mixed ancestry from secondary contact between the two refugial groups through Holocene meltwater lakes. Within major watersheds, the strong similarity among geographically separate populations reflects their shared ancestry during postglacial colonization. The general lack of structure within major river systems highlights historically continuous habitat (connectivity) and gene flow rather than contemporary barriers (dams). These data highlight the importance of Quaternary and prehistoric events on patterns of genetic diversity and divergence within and among contemporary populations, as well as the importance of these populations for conserving the species’ evolutionary legacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Genetics of Sturgeons)

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14 pages, 8043 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Neuroanatomical Study and Three-Dimensional Cranial Reconstruction of the Brazilian Albian Pleurodiran Turtle Euraxemys essweini

by Marcos Martín-Jiménez and Adán Pérez-García

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030374 - 5 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2495

Abstract

Pleurodira represent one of the two clades that compose the crown Testudines, and their temporal range is Late Jurassic–present. However, knowledge about the neuroanatomy of extinct pleurodires is still very limited. In this context, scarce neuroanatomical information about the Cretaceous clade Euraxemydidae is [...] Read more.

Pleurodira represent one of the two clades that compose the crown Testudines, and their temporal range is Late Jurassic–present. However, knowledge about the neuroanatomy of extinct pleurodires is still very limited. In this context, scarce neuroanatomical information about the Cretaceous clade Euraxemydidae is currently available, limited to some characters of the Moroccan Cenomanian Dirqadim schaefferi. In the present work, we perform the detailed neuroanatomical study of its sister taxon, the Brazilian Albian Euraxemys essweini, based on the analysis of the skull of its holotype and only known individual of the species. The detailed virtual three-dimensional reconstruction of all its cranial bones is performed, also improving the information about its osseous anatomy. The different neuroanatomical cavities (i.e., cranial, nasal, and labyrinthic ones) and canals (i.e., nervous and circulatory ones) are compared with those identified thus far for other extinct and extant members of the Pleurodira in order to characterize the neuroanatomy of the extinct clade Euraxemydidae in detail. Full article

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18 pages, 8807 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Invading the Greek Seas: Spatiotemporal Patterns of Marine Impactful Alien and Cryptogenic Species

by Michail Ragkousis, Maria Sini, Nikoletta Koukourouvli, Argyro Zenetos and Stelios Katsanevakis

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030353 - 1 Mar 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3254

Abstract

The Greek Seas are greatly exposed to the proliferation of marine alien species. At least 242 alien species have been reported within Greek territorial waters, three-quarters of which are considered established, while their rate of introduction is increasing. Some of these species exhibit [...] Read more.

The Greek Seas are greatly exposed to the proliferation of marine alien species. At least 242 alien species have been reported within Greek territorial waters, three-quarters of which are considered established, while their rate of introduction is increasing. Some of these species exhibit high invasiveness, imposing severe impacts on native ecosystems and ecosystem services. The spatiotemporal proliferation of these species outside their natural boundaries depends on several parameters, including their biological characteristics, native distribution range, introduction pathway, and time of initial introduction. Knowing the current and potential alien species distribution is essential for the implementation of effective management actions. To investigate the distribution of impactful cryptogenic and alien species (ICAS) in the Greek Seas, we combined all records available until the end of 2020 from eight types of data sources: (1) scientific literature, (2) grey literature, (3) offline databases, (4) online scientific databases, (5) personal observations of independent researchers, (6) communications with divers and diving centers, (7) in situ underwater sampling, and (8) social networks. The results of 5478 georeferenced records refer to 60 marine ICAS belonging to 16 taxonomic groups. The number of records and the overall number of ICAS present an increasing trend from the northern to the southern parts of our study area, and there is a clear distinction in community composition between the northern and southern subregions. This latitudinal gradient is mainly due to the large number of thermophilous Lessepsian species of West Indo-Pacific origin, which reach the southern parts of the study area through unaided dispersal. On the other hand, transport stowaways appear to be more prevalent in areas located near large ports, which show significant differences in ICAS numbers and community composition compared to sites located far from ports. Most records (>40% of the total) were associated with rocky reefs, partly reflecting the preference of divers for this habitat type but also the presence of conspicuous, reef-associated impactful fish. The number of published records, as well as the number of reported ICAS, shows a dramatic increase with time, highlighting the urgent need for immediate proactive management actions and scientifically informed control measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Studies of Invasion Ecology in the Mediterranean Basin)

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21 pages, 1711 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Reptile Relocation Industry in Australia: Perspectives from Operators

by Chantelle M. Derez and Richard A. Fuller

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030343 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4988

Abstract

Thousands of reptiles are relocated annually in Australia, yet there has been relatively little research aimed at understanding how the reptile relocation industry operates. An online questionnaire was distributed to anyone who had relocated a reptile between April 2019 and April 2020, including [...] Read more.

Thousands of reptiles are relocated annually in Australia, yet there has been relatively little research aimed at understanding how the reptile relocation industry operates. An online questionnaire was distributed to anyone who had relocated a reptile between April 2019 and April 2020, including wildlife relocators, wildlife rehabilitators and the general public. The questionnaire explored demographics, decision-making and concerns about how the industry functions, through 24 questions and two opportunities to provide open-ended comments. We received 125 responses and 123 comments from operators in all Australian states and territories. Beliefs about appropriate times and places for reptile releases were not reflected in practice for the majority of operators. Confidence about reptiles remaining at recipient sites was low regardless of how many years’ experience an operator had. Escaped captive native reptiles were encountered by most operators, and a quarter of operators were called out to exotic non-native snakes. Operators across all levels of experience indicated a need for changes within the industry, including increased training and professionalism, and more scientific studies on the outcomes of relocations to address concerns about the impacts that the industry has on the wildlife that it is trying to protect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Welfare)

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43 pages, 9735 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Systematics and Phylogenetic Interrelationships of the Enigmatic Late Jurassic Shark Protospinax annectans Woodward, 1918 with Comments on the Shark–Ray Sister Group Relationship

by Patrick L. Jambura, Eduardo Villalobos-Segura, Julia Türtscher, Arnaud Begat, Manuel Andreas Staggl, Sebastian Stumpf, René Kindlimann, Stefanie Klug, Frederic Lacombat, Burkhard Pohl, John G. Maisey, Gavin J. P. Naylor and Jürgen Kriwet

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030311 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 8134

Abstract

The Late Jurassic elasmobranch Protospinax annectans is often regarded as a key species to our understanding of crown group elasmobranch interrelationships and the evolutionary history of this group. However, since its first description more than 100 years ago, its phylogenetic position within the [...] Read more.

The Late Jurassic elasmobranch Protospinax annectans is often regarded as a key species to our understanding of crown group elasmobranch interrelationships and the evolutionary history of this group. However, since its first description more than 100 years ago, its phylogenetic position within the Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) has proven controversial, and a closer relationship between Protospinax and each of the posited superorders (Batomorphii, Squalomorphii, and Galeomorphii) has been proposed over the time. Here we revise this controversial taxon based on new holomorphic specimens from the Late Jurassic Konservat-Lagerstätte of the Solnhofen Archipelago in Bavaria (Germany) and review its skeletal morphology, systematics, and phylogenetic interrelationships. A data matrix with 224 morphological characters was compiled and analyzed under a molecular backbone constraint. Our results indicate a close relationship between Protospinax, angel sharks (Squatiniformes), and saw sharks (Pristiophoriformes). However, the revision of our morphological data matrix within a molecular framework highlights the lack of morphological characters defining certain groups, especially sharks of the order Squaliformes, hampering the phylogenetic resolution of Protospinax annectans with certainty. Furthermore, the monophyly of modern sharks retrieved by molecular studies is only weakly supported by morphological data, stressing the need for more characters to align morphological and molecular studies in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution and Diversity of Fishes in Deep Time)

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20 pages, 25644 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Exceptional Presence of Megaloceros giganteus in North-Eastern Iberia and Its Palaeoecological Implications: The Case of Teixoneres Cave (Moià, Barcelona, Spain)

by Antigone Uzunidis, Florent Rivals, Anna Rufà, Ruth Blasco and Jordi Rosell

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020299 - 17 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4106

Abstract

In this article we announce the discovery of the first remains of Megaloceros giganteus found in Catalonia (north-eastern Iberia) from the Late Pleistocene: a fragment of maxillary. Dated between 35,000 and 37,000 cal BP, it is also among the youngest occurrence of this [...] Read more.

In this article we announce the discovery of the first remains of Megaloceros giganteus found in Catalonia (north-eastern Iberia) from the Late Pleistocene: a fragment of maxillary. Dated between 35,000 and 37,000 cal BP, it is also among the youngest occurrence of this taxon in the Iberian Peninsula, while its last known occurrence is dated to the Neolithic period. Through a comparison with the giant deer of the northern Pyrenees, we analyzed the herbivore guilds in which this taxon was associated to understand the context in which it was able to enter the Iberian Peninsula. By comparing its diet with those of specimens from Northern Europe, we detail the ecological adaptations of this taxon in this new environment. We suggest that Megaloceros accompanied the migrations of cold-adapted species by taking advantage of the opening of corridors on both sides of the Pyrenees during the coldest periods of the Late Pleistocene. The diet of the Iberian individuals, which is oriented towards abrasive plants, suggests an adaptation to a different ecological niche than that found in Northern European individuals. The northern Iberian Peninsula may have been an extreme in the geographical expansion of M. giganteus. More specimens will be needed in the future to establish the variability of the southern Megaloceros populations. Full article

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

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17 pages, 1091 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Threat Analysis of Forest Fragmentation and Degradation for Peruvian Primates

by Sam Shanee, Lorena Fernández-Hidalgo, Nestor Allgas, Veronica Vero, Raul Bello-Santa Cruz, Mark Bowler, Mrinalini Erkenswick Watsa, Gabriel García Mendoza, Alvaro García-Olaechea, Cindy Hurtado, Zoila Vega, Laura Marsh, Ramesh Boonratana and A. Patricia Mendoza

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020276 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3877

Abstract

Peru has 55 primate taxa (including all species and subspecies), a third of which are threatened. The major drivers of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are grazing, forestry, agriculture and transport infrastructure. Other activities such as hunting exacerbate these threats. We assessed the [...] Read more.

Peru has 55 primate taxa (including all species and subspecies), a third of which are threatened. The major drivers of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are grazing, forestry, agriculture and transport infrastructure. Other activities such as hunting exacerbate these threats. We assessed the threats from degradation and fragmentation facing Peruvian primates to aid in the design and implementation of mitigation strategies. Through GIS-based mapping, statistical modeling and specialist assessments, we evaluated all primate taxa using the IUCN Conservation Measures Partnership Unified Classifications of Direct Threats across five categories (direct threats to primates, threats to habitat, causes of fragmentation, factors exacerbating fragmentation and threats to primates and habitats as a consequence of fragmentation), highlighting which were most common and most severe. Our results showed that all primate taxa were affected by degradation and fragmentation in Peru. The most common and severe direct threat was hunting, whereas housing and urban development, smallholder crop farming, smallholder grazing and large-scale logging were the most common and severe threats across the other categories. The families Cebidae and Atelidae face the highest overall threat. Our analysis showed that the current IUCN listing of Leontocebus leucogenys [LC] underestimates the true threat level this species faces and that Lagothrix lagothricha tschudii [DD] should be listed under one of the threat categories. In Peru, the need for mitigating the threat of habitat fragmentation is clear. To ensure the survival of Peru’s diverse primate taxa, forest connectivity needs to be maintained or recovered through the protection and restoration of key areas considering their biological and social needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human Impacts)

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17 pages, 1627 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

How Epiphytic Are Filmy Ferns? A Semi-Quantitative Approach

by Gerhard Zotz and Helena J. R. Einzmann

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020270 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3664

Abstract

Similar to plants in many other families, members of the Hymenophyllaceae use numerous substrates for growth, e.g., soil, rocks or tree bark. However, substrate preference does not only differ among species but can also vary among members of the same species. There have [...] Read more.

Similar to plants in many other families, members of the Hymenophyllaceae use numerous substrates for growth, e.g., soil, rocks or tree bark. However, substrate preference does not only differ among species but can also vary among members of the same species. There have been several attempts in the past to appropriately capture this variation, but none proved feasible or was replicated in any subsequent work. In our approach, we use textual information from numerous sources like checklists, floras and species descriptions to come up with a quantitative index of the preference of 450 species of filmy ferns (=c. 75% of all species of the family) for epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial growth. We show that the majority of species have clear habitat preferences, while strict habitat specificity is rather uncommon. Our compilation will be an important input for future ecological and phylogenetic studies in this family, but the presented approach is of much more general interest: it is immediately applicable to other taxonomic groups and should eventually allow us to replace the current approach of assigning species to distinct categories (epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial) by one that finally reflects biological variability more appropriately. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2022)

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10 pages, 2168 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Missing Late Pleistocene Ostrich Femur from Zhoukoudian (China): New Information Provided by a Rediscovered Old Cast

by Eric Buffetaut

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020265 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3272

Abstract

A complete ostrich femur from the Late Pleistocene deposits of the Upper Cave at Zhoukoudian (China) was referred by Shaw to Struthio anderssoni in the 1930s, but its present whereabouts are unknown. A good quality plaster cast of the missing specimen has been [...] Read more.

A complete ostrich femur from the Late Pleistocene deposits of the Upper Cave at Zhoukoudian (China) was referred by Shaw to Struthio anderssoni in the 1930s, but its present whereabouts are unknown. A good quality plaster cast of the missing specimen has been found in the collections of the Natural History Museum (London). This cast provides interesting information about the morphology of this large ostrich femur, which had previously been only summarily described and not illustrated. Although smaller than the femora of the Early Pleistocene giant ostrich Pachystruthio, the robust femur from Zhoukoudian shows morphological similarities with them, and it is suggested that ‘Struthio’ anderssoni should be placed in the genus Pachystruthio. The importance of old palaeontological casts is emphasized, as well as the need to preserve and curate them properly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Do We Still Need Natural History Collections?)

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17 pages, 1225 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Addressing Threats and Ecosystem Intactness to Enable Action for Extinct in the Wild Species

by Sarah E. Dalrymple, Thomas Abeli, John G. Ewen, Tania C. Gilbert, Carolyn J. Hogg, Natasha A. Lloyd, Axel Moehrenschlager, Jon Paul Rodríguez and Donal Smith

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020268 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4311

Abstract

The species listed as Extinct in the Wild (EW) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species consist of 84 plants and animals that have been lost from their indigenous range. EW species are therefore restricted to ex situ conservation facilities and often [...] Read more.

The species listed as Extinct in the Wild (EW) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species consist of 84 plants and animals that have been lost from their indigenous range. EW species are therefore restricted to ex situ conservation facilities and often have populations founded with few individuals. Our analysis demonstrates that 60% of EW species are associated with ecoregions that have very low proportions of intact habitat. Furthermore, threats such as invasive species, pollution, and climate change affect just over half of EW species and compound the obstacles facing their reinstatement to the wild. Despite these bleak assessments, there are various options for EW recovery. We present five scenarios that encapsulate the circumstances facing EW species and suggest potential conservation action for each of these situations. We illustrate these scenarios using case studies of EW species that demonstrate how the various options of ex situ management, reintroduction, and assisted colonisation to new habitat can be used to address the very exacting requirements of EW species. Our aim is to present a broad review of the obstacles facing the recovery of EW species whilst inspiring action to prevent the extinction of the most imperilled species on the planet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessments, Planning and Action for Conservation of Species and Ecosystems at Multiple Spatial Scales)

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53 pages, 13639 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Basal Anseriformes from the Early Paleogene of North America and Europe

by Peter Houde, Meig Dickson and Dakota Camarena

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020233 - 7 Feb 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 7554

Abstract

We describe nearly complete skeletons of basal Anseriformes from the Latest Paleocene to the early Eocene of North America and Europe. Collectively, these birds appear to be representative of anseriforms near the divergence of Anhimae and Anseres, but their exact positions relative to [...] Read more.

We describe nearly complete skeletons of basal Anseriformes from the Latest Paleocene to the early Eocene of North America and Europe. Collectively, these birds appear to be representative of anseriforms near the divergence of Anhimae and Anseres, but their exact positions relative to these clades remains uncertain. A new family, Anachronornithidae nov. fam., is erected on the basis of one of these, Anachronornis anhimops nov. gen., nov. gen. et sp., to which the others cannot be confidently assigned. The new fossils augment a growing collection of early Pan-Anseriformes, which in their diversity do not paint an unambiguous picture of phylogeny or character state evolution on the path to or within crown-Anseriformes. Anachronornis nov. gen. is similar in some aspects of both cranial and postcranial anatomy to other well-represented early Paleogene Anseriformes and members of Anseres, such as Presbyornis Wetmore, 1926. However, it exhibits a more landfowl-like bill, like that of Anhimae and unlike the spatulate bill of Anseres. Additional specimens of similar basal Anseriformes of uncertain affinities from the early Eocene of North America and Europe further complicate interpretation of character state polarity due to the mosaicism of primitive and derived characters they exhibit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2022)

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47 pages, 11309 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Cranial Material of Long-Snouted Dolphins (Cetacea, Odontoceti, Eurhinodelphinidae) from the Early Miocene of Rosignano Monferrato, Piedmont (NW Italy): Anatomy, Paleoneurology, Phylogenetic Relationships and Paleobiogeography

by Vera Tosetto, Piero Damarco, Riccardo Daniello, Marco Pavia, Giorgio Carnevale and Michelangelo Bisconti

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020227 - 5 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3790

Abstract

We provide a new study of previously published eurhinodelphinid materials from the early Miocene of Piedmont (NW Italy) based on a new preparation of the fossil specimens. We studied specimens previously assigned to Tursiops miocaenus and Dalpiazella sp. and provide new anatomical data [...] Read more.

We provide a new study of previously published eurhinodelphinid materials from the early Miocene of Piedmont (NW Italy) based on a new preparation of the fossil specimens. We studied specimens previously assigned to Tursiops miocaenus and Dalpiazella sp. and provide new anatomical data on the eurhinodelphinid skull and ear bones. In particular, we suggest that a skull that was previously assigned to Tursiops miocaenus must be reassigned to Ziphiodelphis sigmoideus (Cetacea, Odontoceti, Eurhinodelphinidae) based on new comparisons of the squamosal. This finding enabled us to provide new anatomical information on the ear bone anatomy of Z. sigmoideus that was previously unknown. The material originally assigned to Tursiops miocaenus is currently lost. For this reason and due to the fact that the partial illustration of this species by Portis does not allow us to find diagnostic characters for this species, we decided that Tursiops miocaenus is a nomen dubium. Analysis of additional isolated teeth previously assigned to Tursiops miocaenus led to the conclusion that these specimens represent Odontoceti incertae sedis. We performed a new phylogenetic analysis by adding newly discovered character states to a previous dataset and a paleobiogeographic analysis of Eurhinodelphinidae. We found two monophyletic clades within this family. The paleobiogeographic pattern found by the present work suggests the existence of North Atlantic and Mediterranean clades with some species distributed among both basins. We analyzed the virtual endocast of Ziphiodelphis sigmoideus and found that it resembles that of Schizodelphis in several respects, suggesting that some of the more derived characters of the odontocete brain were still absent in these early Miocene eurhinodelphinids. Full article

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

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29 pages, 4137 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Photographic Checklist, DNA Barcoding, and New Species of Sea Slugs and Snails from the Faafu Atoll, Maldives (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia and Vetigastropoda)

by Tauana J. Cunha, Jose Fernández-Simón, Macy Petrula, Gonzalo Giribet and Juan Moles

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020219 - 3 Feb 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5838

Abstract

Baseline biodiversity data are key for ecological and evolutionary studies and are especially relevant for areas such as the Maldivian Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which can act as a stepping-stone for the transport of widely distributed marine species. We surveyed the islands [...] Read more.

Baseline biodiversity data are key for ecological and evolutionary studies and are especially relevant for areas such as the Maldivian Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which can act as a stepping-stone for the transport of widely distributed marine species. We surveyed the islands and reefs of the Faafu and Malé Atolls with snorkeling and scuba diving, collecting the two gastropod subclasses, Heterobranchia and Vetigastropoda. Our inventory comprises 104 species photographed alive to create an identification guide. We also provide COI barcodes for most species, adding novel sequence data for the Maldivian malacofauna. Half of our species represent new records for the Maldives, emphasizing how much diversity remains to be discovered. Species distributions reflect ecological rarity, with almost 60% of taxa only found in one site. We also compiled a comprehensive checklist of heterobranchs and vetigastropods of the Maldives based on literature records, resulting in 320 species, which, together with barcoding data, indicate several potential cryptic species in the Indo-Pacific. Six new species are described, the nudibranchs Limenandra evanescenti n. sp., Eubranchus putnami n. sp., Sakuraeolis marhe n. sp., Moridilla maldivensis n. sp., Tergiposacca perspicua n. sp., and the sacoglossan Costasiella fridae n. sp. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoological Checklists: From Natural History Museums to Ecosystems)

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18 pages, 3877 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Wolves, and Sympatric Predators and Prey Relative to Human Disturbance in Northwestern Greece

by Maria Petridou, John F. Benson, Olivier Gimenez and Vassiliki Kati

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020184 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3820

Abstract

In an era of increasing human pressure on nature, understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of wildlife relative to human disturbance can inform conservation efforts, especially for large carnivores. We examined the temporal activity and spatial patterns of wolves and eight sympatric mammals at 71 [...] Read more.

In an era of increasing human pressure on nature, understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of wildlife relative to human disturbance can inform conservation efforts, especially for large carnivores. We examined the temporal activity and spatial patterns of wolves and eight sympatric mammals at 71 camera trap stations in Greece. Grey wolves temporally overlapped the most with wild boars (Δ = 0.84) and medium-sized mammals (Δ > 0.75), moderately with brown bears (Δ = 0.70), and least with roe deer (Δ = 0.46). All wild mammals were mainly nocturnal and exhibited low temporal overlap with human disturbance (humans, vehicles, livestock, and dogs; Δ = 0.18–0.36), apart from roe deer, which were more diurnal (Δ = 0.80). Six out of nine species increased their nocturnality at sites of high human disturbance, particularly roe deer and wolves. The detection of wolves was negatively associated with paved roads, the detection of roe deer was negatively associated with human disturbance, and the detection of wild boars was negatively associated with dogs. The detection of bears, boars, and foxes increased closer to settlements. Our study has applied implications for wolf conservation and human–wildlife coexistence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)

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16 pages, 1894 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Compilation, Revision, and Annotation of DNA Barcodes of Marine Invertebrate Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) Occurring in European Coastal Regions

by Ana S. Lavrador, João T. Fontes, Pedro E. Vieira, Filipe O. Costa and Sofia Duarte

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020174 - 26 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2772

Abstract

The introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) is one of the major threats to the integrity of European coastal ecosystems. DNA-based assessments have been increasingly adopted for monitoring NIS. However, the accuracy of DNA-based taxonomic assignments is largely dependent on the completion and reliability [...] Read more.

The introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) is one of the major threats to the integrity of European coastal ecosystems. DNA-based assessments have been increasingly adopted for monitoring NIS. However, the accuracy of DNA-based taxonomic assignments is largely dependent on the completion and reliability of DNA barcode reference libraries. As such, we aimed to compile and audit a DNA barcode reference library for marine invertebrate NIS occurring in Europe. To do so, we compiled a list of NIS using three databases: the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN), the Information System on Aquatic Non-indigenous and Cryptogenic Species (AquaNIS), and the World Register of Introduced Marine Species (WRiMS). For each species, we retrieved the available cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene sequences from the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) and used the Barcode, Audit & Grade System (BAGS) to check congruence between morphospecies names and Barcode Index Numbers (BINs). From the 1249 species compiled, approximately 42% had records on BOLD, among which 56% were discordant. We further analyzed these cases to determine the causes of the discordances and attributed additional annotation tags. Of the 622 discordant BINs, after revision, 35% were successfully solved, which increased the number of NIS detected in metabarcoding datasets from 12 to 16. However, a fair number of BINs remained discordant. Reliability of reference barcode records is particularly critical in the case of NIS, where erroneous identification may trigger action or inaction when not required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Marine Invasive Species)

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17 pages, 1857 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Role of Cymodocea nodosa and Caulerpa prolifera Meadows as Nitrogen Sinks in Temperate Coastal Lagoons

by Jaime Bernardeau-Esteller, José Miguel Sandoval-Gil, María Dolores Belando, Aranzazu Ramos-Segura, Rocío García-Muñoz, Lazaro Marín-Guirao and Juan Manuel Ruiz

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020172 - 26 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2223

Abstract

In coastal lagoons, marine benthic macrophyte meadows can be an important element in the resistance to eutrophication of the ecosystem, as they can function as temporary nitrogen sinks, limiting the availability of this nutrient for opportunistic organisms. The role of nitrogen sinks for [...] Read more.

In coastal lagoons, marine benthic macrophyte meadows can be an important element in the resistance to eutrophication of the ecosystem, as they can function as temporary nitrogen sinks, limiting the availability of this nutrient for opportunistic organisms. The role of nitrogen sinks for two dominant macrophyte species of Mediterranean coastal lagoons, the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa and the seaweed Caulerpa prolifera, was analysed by two different approaches: (i) studying nitrate (NO₃^-) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) uptake kinetics of aboveground tissues in a laboratory and (ii) estimating nitrogen stocks and demands of meadows under natural conditions. The studies were carried out in the coastal lagoon of the Mar Menor, which has been subjected to high anthropogenic nitrogen inputs for decades. While both macrophytes were efficient in exploiting NH₄⁺ from the water column, only C. prolifera showed a high NO₃^- uptake capacity. Large N pools in the C. nodosa and C. prolifera meadows of the Mar Menor were detected, suggesting that these habitats may have the potential to be essential reservoirs for this nutrient. However, the major role of belowground tissues of the seagrasses in nitrogen accumulation may determine important differences between the two species in temporary N storage and sequestration. The data on N demands for the meadows of both macrophytes in the Mar Menor suggest an important contribution of these habitats in controlling the inputs of this nutrient into the lagoon. We conclude that C. nodosa and C. prolifera meadows can play a key role as a sink for dissolved inorganic nitrogen in temperate coastal lagoons, being an important mechanism of resistance to eutrophication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Nitrogen Cycling and Food Webs)

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