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Diversity
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Genetic Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Species—2nd Edition
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Genetic Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Species—2nd Edition

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1374

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Salima Machkour-M’Rabet

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular y Conservación, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal C.P. 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Interests: population genetics; genetic diversity; conservation; molecular ecology; genomic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yann Hénaut

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Avenida Centenario km 5.5, Chetumal 77014, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Interests: biological interactions; arachnology; entomology; zoology; animal behavior; predation; invasive species; biodiversity conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The conservation, protection, and management of threatened species have become key issues for the future of biodiversity in pessimistic scenarios. Wild species are facing many threats, such as deforestation, the excessive exploitation of resources, pollution, the introduction of invasive species, climate change, etc. A solid understanding of the genetics and ecology of species and their populations is essential to developing conservation strategies and preventing local extinctions.

This Special Issue aims to present new research on endangered species. We encourage the submission of works focused on genetic diversity and the structure of populations, as well as ecology. These approaches will allow us to better understand the interaction of species with their environment and the impact of these interactions on their survival. In addition, articles on applied approaches to the conservation and management of species in natural environments are welcome. This Special Issue is open to the submission of review articles and research papers on animal and plant species from around the world, and we strongly encourage works on tropical and subtropical areas.

Dr. Salima Machkour-M’Rabet
Dr. Yann Hénaut
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • genetic conservation
  • conservation of biodiversity
  • conservation and management strategies
  • population ecology
  • threatened species
  • evolution

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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21 pages, 3071 KiB  
Article
New Insight into the Demography History, Evolution, and Phylogeography of Horseshoe Crabs with Special Emphasis on American Species
by José Manuel García-Enríquez, Salima Machkour-M’Rabet, Yann Hénaut, Sophie Calmé and Julia Maria Lesher-Gordillo
Diversity 2025, 17(4), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040269 - 11 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Xiphosurids (Merostomata, Xiphosura) are a group of chelicerates with a rich and complex evolutionary history that is constantly being updated through new discoveries. In this study, we re-estimated the divergence time of the extant horseshoe crab species with new fossil calibration points and [...] Read more.
Xiphosurids (Merostomata, Xiphosura) are a group of chelicerates with a rich and complex evolutionary history that is constantly being updated through new discoveries. In this study, we re-estimated the divergence time of the extant horseshoe crab species with new fossil calibration points and addressed the inter- and intraspecific relationships of the American horseshoe crab through a phylogeographic perspective. In order to achieve our objectives, three datasets were compiled from fragments of different lengths of the COI gene that include sequences from 154 individuals, representing the Mexican populations. In addition to these, the datasets also included previously published sequences corresponding to individuals from different US populations and Asian horseshoe crab species. Firstly, we estimated the divergence times of extant horseshoe crab species by Bayesian methods using multiple fossil calibration points. Subsequently, we investigated the phylogeographic relationships and demographic history of Limulus polyphemus in the Americas utilizing various datasets. The time of divergence of the two Asian species clades was estimated to be approximately 127 million years ago (Ma). Phylogeographic relationships between the Asian and American species are linked through a minimum of 86 mutational steps. In America, phylogeographic relationships reflect differentiation between US and Mexican populations of L. polyphemus. We detect signs of demographic expansion for the Mexican population during the last 75,000 years, as well as an absence of phylogeographic structuring. The evolutionary history of horseshoe crabs is older than previously believed; however, the current distribution and demographic changes have probably been influenced by environmental events of the recent past, such as the glacial–interglacial periods that occurred during the Pleistocene. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Species—2nd Edition)
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Review

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23 pages, 2268 KiB  
Review
Indigenous Knowledge and Utilisation of Strychnos spinosa Lam. in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review of Its Medicinal, Nutritional, and Cultural Significance
by Sanele Nomfundo Sandisiwe Thothela, Elizabeth Kola, Mwazvita T. B. Dalu and Peter Tshepiso Ndhlovu
Diversity 2025, 17(4), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040228 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 410
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, indigenous knowledge is a vital source of information about the local environment, including the identification and use of various plant species. One plant species that has attracted much attention in the area is Strychnos spinosa Lam., as local communities utilise [...] Read more.
In sub-Saharan Africa, indigenous knowledge is a vital source of information about the local environment, including the identification and use of various plant species. One plant species that has attracted much attention in the area is Strychnos spinosa Lam., as local communities utilise it for various purposes, such as medicinal, nutritional, and cultural. A systematic search for eligible studies was carried out by exploring different electronic databases, such as JSTOR, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The survey yielded 61 eligible studies, highlighting the diverse of uses of S. spinosa. The literature indicates that 37% of African countries have studied S. spinosa, mainly in Southern Africa. Most studies used semi-structured interviews, but over 70% did not analyse the plant’s nutritional and bioactive compounds. The research highlighted six distinct S. spinosa plant parts used for managing different ailments and conditions in Africa. Roots (25%), along with bark and fruits (23%), are primarily used for digestive disorders and fever; this was followed by leaves (20%) and wood (6%). The least utilised plant part was the radix or cortex (3%). These findings emphasise a significant gap in the understanding of S. spinosa’s nutritional and bioactive compounds, emphasising the need for quantitative research on its phytochemical properties and therapeutic applications within African traditional medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Species—2nd Edition)
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