Search Results (318)

Introduction: The fish fauna in the Yucatan Peninsula exhibit a unique composition, shaped by the region’s complex geological and hydrological history. Thorichthys meeki is a widely distributed cichlid species that has been the subject of morphological, behavioral, and phylogenetic studies. Nevertheless, the historical and biogeographical processes that have shaped its diversification and genetic structure remain unexplored. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify phylogeographic patterns and assess the genetic diversity of T. meeki in southeastern Mexico. Methodology: Genomic DNA was extracted from the muscle tissue of specimens preserved in 90% ethanol. DNA was amplified using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequences were obtained from two molecular markers: cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) and S7 intron 1. Phylogeographic analyses included genetic diversity indices molecular variance analyses to assess population structure and haplotype networks. Results: A total of 60 CO1 and 40 S7 intron 1 sequences were obtained from 26 sampling sites. For CO1, 14 haplotypes were identified, with high haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.84), and low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0048). For S7 intron 1, 16 haplotypes were recovered with lower haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.543) and π = 0.021. A hierarchical AMOVA (2 groups) showed the greatest variation; 72.3% in CO1 and 79.8% in S7 within population groups with significant ΦST values. Haplotype networks identified three haplogroups for each gene. A single CO1 haplotype was found in 26 sequences from 13 sampling sites. For S7 intron 1, one haplotype was identified in 22 sequences and was shered from all populations. Conclusions: A widely distributed haplotype for CO1 and S7 reflects historical connectivity among hydrological systems. These preliminary results provide an interesting insights into the processesthat have influenced the distribution of T. meeki on the Yucatán Peninsula. Full article

The authentication of Algerian honey represents a critical challenge for the valuation of national biological patrimony. The present review provides a comprehensive synthesis of existing literature regarding Algerian honeys, emphasizing their diverse botanical origins and complex chemical profiles across seven distinct biogeographical regions, while proposing an innovative Foodomics and AI-driven roadmap to secure geographic authenticity and sustainable rural development. Such evidence underscores the necessity of transitioning from this classical analytical framework toward the emerging ‘Foodomics’ paradigm. By integrating advanced technologies like DNA metabarcoding and molecular fingerprinting, the establishment of a proposed ‘digital passport’ is proposed as a strategic solution to secure Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). Beyond technical innovation, this evolution is presented as a vital socio-economic necessity to ensure the sustainability of rural beekeeping and the international competitiveness of the industry. Ultimately, bridging established data with a molecular roadmap ensures that the biological prestige of this natural heritage is preserved for future generations. Beyond chemical and botanical analyses, this roadmap also incorporates Chemometric Modeling as a cognitive system. By applying techniques such as self-organizing maps (SOMs) and principal component analysis (PCA). This combination ensures highly accurate classification and supports the implementation of a sustainable digital passport system for the local honey industry. Full article

Rivulid killifishes are among the most threatened components of freshwater biodiversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, yet their biogeographic patterns remain poorly documented. This study provides the first comprehensive biogeographic assessment for rivulids across the Southeastern and Eastern Atlantic basins of Brazil. We compiled distribution records for 54 species, analyzing patterns of endemism, similarity between hydrographic regions, and sampling coverage. Our results reveal patterns of hyper-endemism, with 31 species (57.4%) restricted to single basins and a highly aggregated distribution. Faunal similarity between regions was negligible, indicating strong historical isolation, with only 3.7% of species shared between the Eastern and Southeastern Atlantic basins. Seventeen bioregions were delimited across the study area, with minimal faunal overlap. We identified that 50.0% of basins lack any rivulid records, despite the region having been extensively sampled for more than 150 years (including since the Thayer Expedition of 1865–1866). This study area contains the highest concentration of research institutions in Brazil, suggesting that the absence of records reflects genuine absence rather than a sampling artefact. Based on endemism values, we highlight 16 priority basins for urgent conservation management. These findings reveal that small coastal basins harbor a disproportionately high, imperiled, yet overlooked diversity. We argue that effective conservation of this unique evolutionary heritage requires targeted research in unsampled areas, basin-scale management, and expanded protected area mosaics to incorporate these high-endemism micro-basins. Our results provide the biogeographic foundation for evidence-based strategies to prevent the extinction of these fishes. Full article

Nature-based solutions (NBSs) involving tree-based interventions deliver multiple community benefits, yet evidence linking these benefits to underlying socio-ecological vulnerabilities remains limited. This study synthesised metadata from 131 European treescape NBS case studies spanning eight biogeographical regions using reverse-logic, thematic qualitative analysis. Case studies were identified via adapted PRISMA guidelines from open-access repositories, with community benefit themes categorised and mapped spatially across bioregions. The analysis revealed eleven principal community benefit categories and distinct region-specific patterns: Mediterranean interventions primarily mitigated extreme heat and drought vulnerabilities, whilst Alpine projects addressed slope stability and hazard reduction. The Continental and Atlantic regions emphasised social cohesion, recreational access, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The reverse-logic methodology successfully identified underlying socio-ecological vulnerabilities through systematic analysis of observed benefit profiles across diverse European contexts. This approach provides evidence-based guidance for designing location-sensitive treescape NBS that advance environmental research and public health objectives. The findings establish a methodological foundation for future assessments of NBS effectiveness and for refining location-specific treescape interventions that address community vulnerabilities and enhance adaptive capacity. Full article

Agricultural intensification has led to landscape homogenization and the widespread loss of semi-natural habitats, contributing to biodiversity decline in agroecosystems. Semi-natural areas embedded within croplands may mitigate these effects by acting as reservoirs and steppingstones for species providing ecosystem services such as pollination. We assessed the role of remnants of semi-natural habitats in sustaining the diversity and abundance of nocturnal Lepidoptera within a Mediterranean vineyard landscape (southern Italy) using monthly light trap sampling over almost one year. Assemblages were compared between vineyards and adjacent semi-natural patches. Multivariate analyses revealed marked differences in community composition between semi-natural habitat types. Species richness was consistently higher in semi-natural habitats, even when represented by small residual patches. Vineyard assemblages were characterized by reduced richness and a predominance of generalist species with high dispersal ability, indicating a simplified community structure. Nevertheless, some taxa of biogeographical interest were recorded. These findings demonstrate the importance of semi-natural habitats in maintaining nocturnal Lepidoptera diversity in vineyard-dominated landscapes and support their integration into sustainable agricultural management to enhance biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services. Full article

A systematic survey of macrofungal diversity was conducted at the Jiulingshan National Nature Reserve, located in a subtropical monsoon climatic zone dominated by well-preserved evergreen broad-leaved forests, Jiangxi Province, China. From May 2020 to September 2025, fruiting bodies were collected along transects established in the experimental zone, covering major vegetation types across an elevation gradient of 50–850 m. Macrofungal specimens were initially identified using traditional morphological taxonomy. For taxonomically challenging species, identification was further supported by ITS sequence analysis. A total of 295 macrofungal species were identified, belonging to two phyla, six classes, 20 orders, 63 families, and 150 genera, along with one species of myxomycete. Boletaceae, Agaricaceae, Amanitaceae, and Polyporaceae were the most species-rich families, while Amanita, Russula, and Entoloma were the dominant genera. Floristic analysis revealed that cosmopolitan and North Temperate elements predominated in the macrofungal flora. Among the recorded species, 105 (35.6%) possess edible or medicinal value, whereas 26 (8.8%) are poisonous. This study provides the first comprehensive inventory of macrofungi in the Jiulingshan reserve, offering essential baseline data to support biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource utilization, and the understanding of fungal diversity in northwestern Jiangxi. Full article

The Anatolian Diagonal is a major mountain system in Türkiye, yet its community-level structuring effect on mammalian assemblages remains understudied. This study provides a comprehensive inventory of the mammal fauna in Ağrı Province and evaluates the biogeographical role of the Diagonal by comparing 14 provinces. Field surveys in Ağrı (2014–2015) across 228 localities identified 16 medium- and large-sized mammal species (705 individuals), including Felis silvestris as a new provincial record. Community structure followed a lognormal distribution (AIC: 95.29). Regional patterns were analysed using presence–absence data on medium- and large-sized mammals using alpha and beta diversity indices, PERMANOVA, and Partial Canonical Correspondence Analysis (PCCA). PERMANOVA revealed significant differences in mammal assemblages between the western and eastern sides of the Diagonal (F = 3.08, R² = 0.19, p = 0.007). Beta diversity was driven predominantly by species turnover (83.8%) rather than by nestedness (16.2%). Notably, PCCA confirmed that biogeographical position significantly influenced community variation independently of habitat, elevation, and slope. These findings support a biogeographical filtering effect associated with the Anatolian Diagonal, where species replacement drives diversity patterns. The results emphasize the necessity of trans-regional conservation strategies that account for the distinct faunal compositions across this evolutionary boundary. Full article

Wild relatives of cultivated legumes represent valuable genetic resources for crop improvement, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable agriculture. This study presents a comparative ecological and metagenomic assessment of three biogeographically distinct regions in Bulgaria—Kaliakra, Strandzha, and the Eastern Rhodopes—where populations of wild legumes, including Pisum elatius, Cicer montbrettii, Vicia incisa, and Lupinus spp., occur. Field expeditions were conducted during flowering and seed maturation stages, followed by rhizosphere soil sampling and high-throughput sequencing targeting bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS regions. Soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity indices, and taxonomic composition were analysed and compared among regions. Distinct microbial community structures were identified. Kaliakra soils were dominated by Firmicutes (26–58%) and Proteobacteria (20–25%), while Strandzha soils showed higher abundance of Actinobacteriota (12–68%) and Proteobacteria (10–35%). The Eastern Rhodopes exhibited more balanced communities, with Proteobacteria (30–45%), Firmicutes (7–43%), and Actinobacteriota (3–11%). Fungal communities also differed significantly, with Nectriaceae dominating in Kaliakra, higher evenness in Strandzha, and intermediate diversity in the Eastern Rhodopes. Alpha diversity revealed the highest bacterial richness in Kaliakra, whereas the Eastern Rhodopes showed the greatest community evenness. Beta diversity analysis demonstrated clear regional separation driven by environmental filtering. These findings highlight the ecological and microbiological differentiation of wild legume habitats and support their conservation and utilisation in sustainable agriculture and breeding programs. Full article

Antarctic terrestrial photosynthetic biota is dominated by cryptogamic communities, which are largely restricted to scarce ice-free areas. Among these, nunataks constitute habitats of remarkable biogeographical interest, as they may harbor distinctive biotic assemblages worthy of investigation. This work presents a comprehensive assessment of lichen diversity on Antarctic nunataks. The lichen flora of four nunataks on the Hurd Peninsula (Livingston Island, maritime Antarctica) was investigated. Specimens were identified using an integrative approach combining morphological assessment and DNA barcoding. This survey revealed a high and potentially underestimated species richness, with 39 confidently identified and several additional taxa requiring further taxonomic resolution. A review of published records of lichen occurrence in nunatak and non-nunatak environments throughout Antarctica was used to evaluate patterns in taxonomic, biogeographical, and morphotype composition. This synthesis showed that nunataks support lower species richness than other ice-free environments. Most of their taxa occur in non-nunatak areas, consistent with patterns observed locally on the Hurd Peninsula. Floristic overlap seems greater in continental Antarctica, suggesting a stronger influence of nunatak-associated environmental constraints in the maritime region. These results underscore the ecological significance of nunataks as environmentally filtered habitats and highlight their relevance for understanding biodiversity patterns and community assembly in Antarctica’s terrestrial ecosystems. Full article

Knowledge of the Oestroidea and Muscoidea fauna of Greece and Cyprus remains fragmentary, with substantial parts of the two countries having never been systematically surveyed. The present study verifies the presence of Scathophaga stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) in Cyprus and records 16 new species from Greece, belonging to five calyptrate families: [Anthomyia illocata Walker, 1856 (Muscoidea: Anthomyiidae); Scathophaga lutaria (Fabricius, 1794) (Muscoidea: Anthomyiidae); Fannia pallitibia (Rondani, 1866); Fannia pusio (Wiedemann, 1830) (Muscoidea: Fanniidae); and Coenosia sp. nov. 1, Coenosia sp. nov. 2, Lispe flavicincta Loew, 1847, Lispe nuba Wiedemann, 1830, Lispe orientalis Wiedemann, 1824, Lispe cf. sericipalpis (Stein, 1904), Potamia littoralis Robineau–Desvoidy, 1830 (Muscoidea: Muscidae); Apodacra radchenkoi Verves and Khrokalo, 2015, Craticulina tabaniformis (Fabricius, 1805), Miltogramma rutilans Meigen, 1824, Nyctia lugubris (Macquart, 1843) (Oestroidea: Sarcophagidae), and Linnaemya lithosiophaga (Rondani, 1859) (Oestroidea: Tachinidae)]. These records are based on the examination of 152 dry-pinned specimens from 58 localities, collected between 1978 and 2026 across Greece and Cyprus using a combination of passive (animal-baited traps, UV-bright pan traps) and active (hand collecting, net sweeping) sampling methods, together with insect material from the entomological collections of the National Museum of Natural History Goulandris and the Melissotheque of the Aegean. In addition, the first checklists of the family Fanniidae and the subfamily Scathophaginae for Greece and Cyprus are presented. Collectively, the findings presented expand the documented diversity of Greek and Cypriot Calyptratae and refine the current understanding of their biogeographic patterns, providing an updated framework for taxonomic, ecological, forensic, and other applied entomological research within the two countries. Full article

This paper explores the role of the Taurus Mountains in shaping species differentiation and biogeographical regions, including distinct ecological zones at various altitudes. The genus Aethionema is a monophyletic group in tribe Aethionemeae, subfamily Aethionemoideae (Brassicaceae), a sister group to the rest of the family. Aethionema has significant taxonomic complexity, particularly in Türkiye, where the genus has the highest species diversity. In this study, four new species (Aethionema kadriyeae, A. uysalii, A. beysehirense, and A. ermenekense) are described based on morphological, palynological and phylogenetic analyses. The diagnoses, detailed descriptions, distribution maps, and illustrations of the new species are provided. Pollen and seed morphology, including detailed measurements of size, ornamentation, and shape, is given. Phylogenetic analyses using DNA sequences from nuclear region (ITS) and chloroplast region (rpl32-trnL^UAG) were conducted to determine the evolutionary relationships within the genus. Overall, this research provides new insights into the biodiversity and evolutionary history of Aethionema in Türkiye, highlighting the significance of the Taurus Mountains in supporting rich ecological diversity. Full article

Anomalopsychidae Flint, 1981, is a small family of caddisflies comprising two genera: the monotypic Anomalopsyche Flint, 1967, and Contulma Flint, 1969, including 31 described species grouped into the cranifer and spinosa species groups. The genus Contulma is distributed across Costa Rica, the Andes, and the mountainous areas of Brazil and Chile, with six species recorded in Brazil, primarily from the Atlantic Forest biome in the southeastern region. In this study, we describe and illustrate a new species of Contulma from the Cerrado biome of São Paulo State, representing the first record of the genus in this biome. Male specimens were collected using Malaise traps in a stream within a protected area. The new species is distinguished by the presence of both a strongly sclerotized dorsomesal process and a strongly dorsolateral process on tergum IX and by an extremely deep cleft in the posteromesal process of sternum IX, dividing it into two narrow, digitated lobes. Based on its unique combination of characters, the new species cannot be placed unambiguously in either of the species groups. Consequently, C. assisensis sp. nov. is here treated as incertae sedis within Contulma. With this addition, seven species of Contulma are now known from Brazil, most of which are recorded from the Atlantic Forest (6 spp.), especially in the mountainous areas of southeastern Brazil. The discovery of this new species in the Cerrado highlights the underestimated diversity of the genus in Brazil and underscores the importance of regional taxonomic studies for addressing biogeographic and diversity knowledge gaps. The identification key provided enables the differentiation of the seven Contulma species now known from Brazil. Full article

The evolutionary history and contemporary biogeography jointly shape the genetic architecture of marine species. This study investigates the phylogeny and population genetics of two closely related syngnathid fishes, Trachyrhamphus serratus and Trachyrhamphus longirostris. We report the first record of T. longirostris along the mainland coast of China, with samples collected from Yantai, Kenting, Zhanjiang, and Beihai. Population genetic analyses reveal genetic differentiation within T. longirostris, which exhibits low levels of genetic diversity across all sampled populations compared to T. serratus. The star-like haplotype network and significantly negative neutrality test values collectively indicate a recent population expansion event in T. longirostris. This study offers important insights into the evolutionary dynamics and biogeographic patterning of syngnathid fishes, with clear implications for their conservation and management. Full article

The Veracruzan biogeographic province is a central part of the Gulf of Mexico slope and serves as an interface between the Neotropical Region, the Mexican Transition Zone, and the Nearctic Region. We provide an overview of amphibian and reptile diversity in the province, focusing on species richness, endemism, conservation status, and faunal similarity to neighboring biogeographic provinces. In the Veracruzan biogeographic province there are 343 native species of amphibians and reptiles, encompassing nearly one quarter of the Mexican herpetofauna, with over 85% of the families and over 90% of the genera found in Mexico represented. The province therefore possesses exceptional taxonomic richness. It has the fifth highest richness among Mexican biogeographic provinces. The herpetofauna comprises several Neotropical taxa and locally endemic species found among amphibians of montane and cloud forest fauna. Richness of amphibians and reptiles generally increases with province area. Regions of the Mexican Transition Zone exhibit a relatively higher species richness than their Neotropical neighbors. Analyses of faunal similarities between the Veracruzan province and its neighboring provinces and highlight the importance of geographic proximity, environmental continuity, and historical processes for assemblage composition. Amphibians are more threatened than reptiles, with high levels of endemism and vulnerability to habitat loss and emerging diseases, whereas reptiles are more threatened by habitat degradation, exploitation, and invasive species. Our findings show that the Veracruzan biogeographic province is an important reservoir of herpetofaunal diversity and a priority region for conservation in Mexico. Full article

Latitudinal gradients are widely recognized as a key macro-environmental driver shaping microbial biogeographic patterns; however, the spatial organization of sediment archaeal communities in estuarine ecosystems and the mechanisms underlying their assembly remain insufficiently understood. This study is based on sediment samples collected from three representative estuarine regions spanning distinct latitudes along the Chinese coastline—the North China Sea (NCS), East China Sea (ECS), and South China Sea (SCS). Based on 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, combined with null-model inference and molecular ecological network (MEN) analyses, we characterized latitudinal patterns in archaeal community distributions, assembly processes, and cross-regional interaction architectures. The results showed that archaeal communities exhibited obvious spatial segregation across three regions, with both community richness and network complexity increasing significantly toward lower latitudes. Nitrate (NO₃⁻), ferric iron (Fe³⁺), and dissolved oxygen (DO) were identified as key environmental factors governing archaeal community structure. Notably, archaeal community assembly processes exhibited a clear latitudinal gradient: deterministic processes, particularly environmental filtering, were more obvious at lower latitudes, whereas the contributions of stochastic processes—including dispersal limitation and ecological drift—increased markedly at higher latitudes. A MEN analysis further revealed that archaeal networks at lower latitudes exhibited higher connectivity, modularity, and stability, suggesting that interspecific interactions may enhance ecosystem resistance to environmental disturbance under more stable environmental conditions. Overall, this study demonstrates that macro-environmental gradients jointly shape archaeal biogeographic patterns via multiple pathways, including modulation of environmental filtering, dispersal dynamics, and cross-regional interactions. These findings deepened our understanding of the stable mechanisms governing the diversity and biogeographical distribution of archaea in estuarine systems. Full article