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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 2042

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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12 pages, 3287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DNA vs. Morphology in Delineating Species Boundaries of Endemic Mongolian Eodorcadion Taxa (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

by Lech Karpiński, Patrick Gorring and Anthony I. Cognato

Diversity 2023, 15(5), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050662 - 13 May 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1862

Abstract

This paper provides the first DNA sequences and phylogenetic insight into the Central Asian genus Eodorcadion. We used four molecular markers (COI, CAD, ITS2, and Histone 3) and investigated COI genetic distances to verify phylogenetic position of closely related taxa endemic to [...] Read more.

This paper provides the first DNA sequences and phylogenetic insight into the Central Asian genus Eodorcadion. We used four molecular markers (COI, CAD, ITS2, and Histone 3) and investigated COI genetic distances to verify phylogenetic position of closely related taxa endemic to Mongolia of the ‘Eodorcadion intermedium species-group’. Histone3 data are presented for the first time for Cerambycidae species. We also designed new PCR primers for better amplification of the Cerambycidae COI barcode region. Morphology of all targeted taxa was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. Our study showed that while there were very few nucleotide differences among COI sequences of three closely related taxa, such that they shared one haplotype, two of them were grouped separately in the all-data tree, and all three were morphologically distinguishable. Conversely, there was a clear barcode gap between E. intermedium intermedium and all the remaining taxa, including E. intermedium kozlovi. Based on the phylogeny, they belong to two different species-groups; thus, E. kozlovi is herein restored to specific rank. Using Bayesian analysis, we contrasted the COI-based tree with the one supported by nuclear data and showed that COI-only data are not sufficient to resolve the phylogeny of the recently derived flightless groups such as Dorcadionini. We conclude that the Eodorcadion intermedium species-group is a polyphyletic species assemblage, established based on the pattern of the elytral stripes, which may be a case of parallel evolution driven by ecological adaptation. Full article

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

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29 pages, 5619 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Contribution of Singletons and Doubletons Captured Using Weak Light Heath Traps for the Analysis of the Macroheteroceran Assemblages in Forest Biotopes

by João Matos da Costa and Marcin Sielezniew

Diversity 2023, 15(4), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040508 - 1 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3078

Abstract

In nearly every ecological community, most species are represented by a few individuals, and most individuals come from a few of the most common species. Singletons (one individual sampled) and doubletons (two individuals sampled) are very common in moth community studies. In some [...] Read more.

In nearly every ecological community, most species are represented by a few individuals, and most individuals come from a few of the most common species. Singletons (one individual sampled) and doubletons (two individuals sampled) are very common in moth community studies. In some reports, these specimens are excluded from the analysis once they are considered a consequence of under-sampling or of contamination with tourist species that are just passing through. Throughout 12 nights in 2018 and 12 nights in 2019, two Heath traps, one with an 8 W ultraviolet lamp and the other with a 15 W actinic lamp, were positioned approximately 50 m apart at nine sites of four different biotopes in a mosaic forest ecosystem in the Narew National Park (NE Poland). We were able to differentiate moth assemblages according to the forest biotopes under study and by the year of research. With our results, it becomes more evident that singletons and doubletons sampled using weak light Heath traps should be included in the ecological analysis of Macroheteroceran moth assemblages, and our research strongly suggests that they are an important and consistent element of such a sampling method. We also demonstrate that weak light Heath traps are suitable for building an inventory scheme of moth assemblages in small forest areas and that singletons and doubletons can be crucial elements in long-term monitoring systems. Full article

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

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17 pages, 3672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Palaeobiodiversity of Knyszyn Forest (NE Poland) Mires Based on the Late Glacial and Holocene Histories of Vascular Plant Species

by Danuta Drzymulska

Diversity 2023, 15(4), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040502 - 1 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1537

Abstract

Peat and lacustrine sediments are a valuable source of knowledge about past biodiversity. Plant macrofossil remains were identified in sediments of mires in northeastern Poland’s Knyszyn Forest. Among them, the remains of species currently absent in this area, such as Potamogeton pusillus, [...] Read more.

Peat and lacustrine sediments are a valuable source of knowledge about past biodiversity. Plant macrofossil remains were identified in sediments of mires in northeastern Poland’s Knyszyn Forest. Among them, the remains of species currently absent in this area, such as Potamogeton pusillus, P. friesii, P. filiformis, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, and Cladium mariscus, have been found. In addition, the history of Betula humilis and its possible correlations with another species of bush birch—Betula nana—were of interest. Radiocarbon dating allowed the presence of the studied species to be placed within a time frame, and it was thus established that aquatic species existed in the area under study during the Late Glacial and the turn of the Holocene. Cladium mariscus occurred during the Greenlandian and Meghalayan stages of the Holocene and then became intolerant of habitat changes that occurred. The coexistence of two species of birch known to exist since the Late Glacial was interrupted in the Northgrippian. B. nana, then disappeared from the area, and B. humilis continued to occur as it was more resistant to the changing environmental conditions. It must be emphasized, however, that these conclusions were made possible by the researchers’ access to undisturbed deposits. The mires present in the area of study remain in good condition, providing important and relevant materials for palaeoecological research. Full article

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

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12 pages, 2842 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Fish Species Richness in Polish Lakes

by Krystyna Kalinowska, Dariusz Ulikowski, Piotr Traczuk, Michał Kozłowski and Andrzej Kapusta

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020164 - 24 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2695

Abstract

Global warming, eutrophication, fisheries overexploitation, species invasions, and habitat loss are the major threats to freshwater biodiversity. The aim of this study was to determine the species richness and diversity of fish in 535 Polish lakes of different morphometry (area of more than [...] Read more.

Global warming, eutrophication, fisheries overexploitation, species invasions, and habitat loss are the major threats to freshwater biodiversity. The aim of this study was to determine the species richness and diversity of fish in 535 Polish lakes of different morphometry (area of more than 50 ha and a maximum depth ranging from 0.4 to 108.5 m) and trophic status (from oligotrophy to hypereutrophy). A total of 39 fish species were found in the studied lakes, among which eight species were alien invasive. The Shannon diversity index varied between 0 and 2.04.The most common and frequent species were Rutilus rutilus (99.8% frequency) and Perca fluviatilis (99.6% frequency). Ten fish species, including five alien ones, were characterized by a very low frequency (<1%). The number of fish species in single lakes ranged from 1 to 19. In most of the studied lakes, 11 and 12 species (104 and 108 lakes, respectively) were caught. The richest taxonomic composition (19 species) was recorded in the meso-eutrophic lake with an area of 80 ha and a maximum depth of 34.4 m, slightly poorer (18 species) in the hypereutrophic lake with an area of 168 ha and a maximum depth of 2.7 m. The poorest taxonomic composition (one species) was found in a lake with low conductivity and circumneutral pH. Statistical analysis showed that the number of fish species decreased with increasing eutrophication conditions of the studied lakes, while it increased with an increasing area and the maximum depth of these lakes. Full article

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

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16 pages, 2855 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rotifers of Inter-Forest Springs

by Elżbieta Jekatierynczuk-Rudczyk and Jolanta Ejsmont-Karabin

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020153 - 21 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1812

Abstract

Springs are often considered as “hotspots” of aquatic biodiversity. However, small organisms, such as rotifers, substantially contribute to secondary production, but they are rarely investigated in springs. We surveyed the rotifer fauna of 47 springs in the Knyszyn Forest (north-eastern Poland) in summer [...] Read more.

Springs are often considered as “hotspots” of aquatic biodiversity. However, small organisms, such as rotifers, substantially contribute to secondary production, but they are rarely investigated in springs. We surveyed the rotifer fauna of 47 springs in the Knyszyn Forest (north-eastern Poland) in summer and autumn 2014–2015. We hypothesized that stream communities of Rotifera may be specific to this habitat. Rotifer samples were taken using a Plexiglas tube in the spring current. Concurrently, water temperature, pH, conductivity, water redox potential and phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations were determined. The springs did not differ statistically in water quality and were stable regarding their temperature and conductivity. Rotifer densities and mean number of monogonont species were very low both in summer and autumn. Nevertheless, the total number of species recorded in all springs was relatively high and accounted for 101 in total. Although strongly differentiated, the rotifer fauna contained a set of several species common to most of the springs. Most of the recorded species are eurytopic and widely spread in water ecosystems. Only the concentration of magnesium and chloride ions had an impact on Monogononta numbers. Full article

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

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15 pages, 2251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity and Fine-Scale Spatial Genetic Structure of the Endangered Shrub Birch (Betula humilis Schrk.) Populations in Protected and Unprotected Areas

by Agnieszka Bona, Damian Brzeziński and Katarzyna A. Jadwiszczak

Diversity 2022, 14(8), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080684 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2428

Abstract

The genetic diversity of natural populations is a key factor in the success of long-term ecosystem protection. We studied the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure (SGS) in three endangered shrub birch (Betula humilis) populations using seven nuclear microsatellite loci. The [...] Read more.

The genetic diversity of natural populations is a key factor in the success of long-term ecosystem protection. We studied the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure (SGS) in three endangered shrub birch (Betula humilis) populations using seven nuclear microsatellite loci. The highest genetic variation was found in the restored Szuszalewo population in Biebrza National Park, where active prevention of thicket forest succession was recently conducted. The results of bottleneck tests were not statistically significant in each locality, although a genetic indication for population reduction was detected in the Rospuda stand, which is not actively protected. The Bayesian clustering, principal coordinates analysis, and F_ST estimates revealed the greatest difference between Magdzie Bagno and Rospuda samples. SGS was found in all B. humilis stands; however, it was the strongest in the Rospuda locality, where pollen and seed dispersal was limited by dense clusters of shrub birch ramets scattered among forest and brushwood plants. The weakest SGS, also supported by finding some sibling pairs in distant locations, was observed in the Szuszalewo population. The aforementioned results indicate that the active protection practices may impose an immediate beneficial effect on the restoration and maintenance of the B. humilis populations. Full article

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

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Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 1953 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

A Review on the Genus Paramacrobiotus (Tardigrada) with a New Diagnostic Key

by Pushpalata Kayastha, Monika Mioduchowska, Jędrzej Warguła and Łukasz Kaczmarek

Diversity 2023, 15(9), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090977 - 29 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4178

Abstract

Paramacrobiotus species have been described in almost every corner of the world. To date, 45 species have been reported from this genus. Among which, 13 belong to the areolatus group (without a microplacoid) and 32 belong to the richtersi group (with a microplacoid). [...] Read more.

Paramacrobiotus species have been described in almost every corner of the world. To date, 45 species have been reported from this genus. Among which, 13 belong to the areolatus group (without a microplacoid) and 32 belong to the richtersi group (with a microplacoid). The species’ presence in different climatic conditions and habitats provides evidence of their adaptation to various harsh environments. The species of the genus are both bisexual (diploid) and parthenogenetic (triploid). The bisexual species have external fertilization. And they are omnivorous whose diet consists of certain cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, rotifers, nematodes and juvenile tardigrades. The life history of species from this genus varies from species to species. Because the species has a strong predilection for cryptobiosis, numerous investigations involving anhydrobiosis have been conducted utilizing specimens from varied Paramacrobiotus species to date. In this review, we provide a concise summary of changes observed due to various cryptobiotic conditions in many species of this genus, the geographical distribution of all the species, feeding behaviour, life history, microbiome community, Wolbachia endosymbiont identification, reproduction, phylogeny and general taxonomy of the species from the genus Paramacrobiotus. Furthermore, we provide a new diagnostic key to the genus Paramacrobiotus based on the morphological and morphometric characters of adults and eggs. Full article

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

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19 pages, 820 KiB

Open AccessReview

Invasive and Alien Mammal Species in Poland—A Review

by Arkadiusz Dziech, Heliodor Wierzbicki, Magdalena Moska and Magdalena Zatoń-Dobrowolska

Diversity 2023, 15(2), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020138 - 19 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6905

Abstract

About 20 species of non-native mammals have been recorded in Poland. Some of them are already extinct or have been extirpated, while others are widely distributed and may affect the native biota in Poland. We review the literature on 15 non-native species found [...] Read more.

About 20 species of non-native mammals have been recorded in Poland. Some of them are already extinct or have been extirpated, while others are widely distributed and may affect the native biota in Poland. We review the literature on 15 non-native species found in this country, discussing their origin, distribution, and presence on lists of invasive species that pose a threat to wildlife in Poland and the EU. In addition, we discuss current knowledge on their impact on Polish ecosystems. However, on many of these species, there is little information, and the consequences of their presence remain unclear. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of this review for appropriate species management and suggest the introduction of monitoring, especially of species whose populations are increasing. Full article

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

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