Ecological considerations and niche differentiation between juvenile and adult black limpets (Cymbula nigra)

2010 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.A. Rivera-Ingraham ◽  
F. Espinosa ◽  
J.C. García-Gómez
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Patella Ferruginea ◽  
Maximum Shell Length

The endangered patellid limpet Cymbula nigra is present in the extreme western Mediterranean, yet the species has rarely been the subject of study in this region. The aim of the present research is to describe the ecology, distribution and population structure of the species in an area of the Mediterranean coast of North Africa (Ceuta). Results indicate that the species prevails in waters that have an important Atlantic influence. Furthermore, different shell morphologies are distinguished, and in consequence, a statistical analysis is carried out based on morphometric data. Based on maximum shell length, height/length coefficients and shell morphology, a total of three significantly different morphologies are described. Furthermore, considering physical parameters such as height over seawater level and average substratum inclination, juveniles resulted to be clearly segregated from the two other groups. Additionally, no differences were found regarding the topography of the substrate used by juvenile and adult individuals, although the colonized surfaces are significantly smoother than those where Patella ferruginea is present.

Further Additions to the Knowledge of the Reproduction of Zonaria pyrum insularum var. nigromarginata (Deprez & Govaert 2009) in the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean Coast of Spain

The Festivus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-177
Author(s):  
Benito Muñoz Sánchez ◽  
José Muñoz Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Strait Of Gibraltar ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Mediterranean

The family Cypraeidae is represented in the Mediterranean Sea by four native species: Luria l. lurida; Naria s. spurca; Schilderia a. achatidea; and Zonaria p. pyrum. These species also inhabit the Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa beyond the Strait of Gibraltar. Besides these, there are a few Lessepsian immigrants found occasionally throughout the central and eastern part of the Mare Nostrum including Naria turdus var. micheloi and Purpuradusta gracilis notata. This article focuses on the subspecies of Z. pyrum insularum (Schilder, 1928); var. nigromarginata (Deprez & Govaert, 2009), whose populations in the Atlantic have recently been the subject of numerous notes and comprehensive revisions (Goutal, 2008, Bergonzoni, 2013).

Chasing the phantom: biogeography and conservation of Vipera latastei-monticola in the Maghreb (North Africa)

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inês Freitas ◽  
Soumia Fahd ◽  
Guillermo Velo-Antón ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Freiría
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Habitat Transformation ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Suitable Space ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The Maghreb region (North Africa) constitutes a major component of the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot. During the last centuries, a consistent human population growth has led to an unprecedented rate of habitat transformation and loss in the region and thus, threatening its biodiversity. The Western Mediterranean viper Vipera latastei-monticola inhabits humid and subhumid areas in the main mountain ranges of the Maghreb, facing such threatening factors; however, its elusive character and rarity hindered data collection for distinct biological purposes. Here, we study the biogeographical patterns and conservation status of the Maghrebian V. latastei-monticola resulting from recent sampling campaigns in Morocco and Tunisia. We update species distribution, and integrate phylogeographic and ecological niche modelling analyses at both species and lineage level to identify suitable areas, and to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic transformation and level of protection of their suitable space. We identified four highly divergent mitochondrial lineages, including a new lineage endemic to the Western High Atlas, with allopatric distributions and restricted to mountain ranges, supporting the role of mountains as past climatic refugia. Despite the remoteness of suitable areas, we report widespread habitat degradation and identify the low effectiveness of the current protected areas system in preserving the species and lineages range. Our study shows the urgent need to apply management actions for the long-term conservation of this vulnerable species and suggests a revaluation of the specific status of V. monticola, as these populations likely represent an ecotype of V. latastei.

Biochemical Systematics, Biogeography and Evolutionary Rates in Species of the Mediterranean Genus Tyrrhenoleuctra (Plecoptera, Leuctridae)

2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
J. M. Tierno de Figueroa ◽  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Evolutionary Rate ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Similar Distribution ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Vicariance Event ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractThe western Mediterranean stonefly genus Tyrrhenoleuctra traditionally includes 3 species: T. minuta (Spain, North Africa, Balearic Islands), T. tangerina (Spain, North Africa), T. zavattarii (Corsica and Sardinia). Since the traditional morphological characters display great and overlapping variation, allozyme electrophoresis was used to clarify taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships within the genus and to discuss biogeographical implications. The results clearly discriminate at least four entities: the Corso-Sardinian unit, for which the name T. zavattarii can be used; the Balearic population, representing an undescribed species; at least two Iberian peninsular species. However, more data on topotypic populations are needed to define the taxonomic status of the Iberian species (including definition of the currently used names T. minuta and T. tangerina). The presence of Tyrrhenoleuctra in Sardinia and Corsica is likely due to an old vicariance event following separation of the Sardinia-Corsica microplate from the Iberian Peninsula. Calibration of the molecular clock (genetic distances vs. Corso-Sardinian plate split from Iberia) resulted in a very low evolutionary rate (0.008 D/my), lower than those found in taxonomically distant groups (including stoneflies) with similar distribution.

The Making of a Revolution in Tunisia

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 68-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laryssa Chomiak
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Political Repression ◽  
Political Liberalization ◽  
Political Activities ◽  
Authoritarian State ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Tunisian Revolution

In their search for explanations for the so-called Tunisian paradox under Ben Ali –a country with comparatively high levels of socio-economic development, yet plagued by the absence of a civil society that could push for political liberalization–analysts primarily investigated the gradual co-optation of political institutions and actors. As research and analytical agendas were consumed by the robustness of Ben Ali’s authoritarian state, little attention was paid to the development of informal and extra-institutional political activities that existed even under deepening political repression. In hindsight, many of these informal activities clearly contributed to the December 2010-January 2011 nation-wide campaign, which eventually led to the Arab World’s fi rst bottom-up revolution ousting an unpopular and illegitimate ruler. Th is article will engage two stories about the Tunisian Revolution that later inspired protests and contentious activities across the Middle East and North Africa. First, it will tell a back-story of contentious activities preceding the January 2011 events that surprised observers, scholars and analysts–even those familiar with the Tunisian case. Second, this article will discuss some of most pressing political dynamics that have emerged in the post-revolutionary (and pre-October 2011 election) environment. The concluding section will subsequently identify avenues for short and long-term research on the subject of contestation, resistance, and the construction of a new political order.

scholarly journals The Origin of Sand and Its Colour on the South-Eastern Coast of Spain: Implications for Erosion Management

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asensio-Montesinos ◽  
Pranzini ◽  
Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Cinelli ◽  
Anfuso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Colour Space ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Beach Width ◽  
Severe Erosion ◽  
Colour Coordinates ◽  
Economic Function

Sand colour can give important information about mineral composition and, consequently, sediment source areas and input systems. Beach appearance, which is mostly linked to sand colour, has a relevant economic function in tourist areas. In this paper, the colour of 66 sand samples, collected along both natural and nourished beaches in the western Mediterranean coast of Spain, were assessed in CIEL*a*b* 1976 colour space. The obtained results showed relevant differences between natural and artificially nourished beaches. The colour of many nourished beaches generally differs from the native one because the origin of the injected sand is different. The native sand colour coordinates’ range is: L* (40.16–63.71); a* (−1.47–6.40); b* (7.48–18.06). On the contrary, for nourished beaches’ the colour range is: L* (47.66–70.75); a*(0.72‒5.16); b* (5.82–18.82). Impacts of beach nourishment on the native sand colour were studied at San Juan beach, the most popular one along the study area. Nourishment works were performed after severe erosion, usually linked to anthropic activities/structures and storm events, but also to increase beach width and hence benefit tourism.

scholarly journals New distributional record of Anthrenus dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868 (Coleoptera, Dermestidae), Thessaloniki, Greece

Check List ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1077-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham J. Holloway ◽  
Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Western Mediterranean Basin

Anthrenus dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868 has been recorded from North Africa, Malta, and Iberia. During a recent visit to Thessaloniki, Greece, several Anthrenus species were collected, including A. dorsatus. The previously known distribution of A. dorsatus suggested that this species was restricted to the western Mediterranean basin, possibly with a coastal bias. This record extends the known range of A. dorsatus farther east and providing more evidence of range expansion in the pimpinellae species group across Europe, possibly driven by global climate change.

scholarly journals Application of Model-Based Tests for Analysing the Consequences of Mine Fires

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 767-774
Author(s):  
Magdalena Tutak
Keyword(s):  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Gas Mixture ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Underground Coal Mines ◽  
Mine Fires ◽  
Underground Mine Workings ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Chemical Products

Abstract One of the most common and most dangerous hazards in underground coal mines is fire hazard. Mine fires can be exogenous or endogenous in nature. In the case of the former, a particular hazard is posed by methane fires that occur in dog headings and longwalls. Endogenous and exogenous fires are large hazard for working crew in mining headings and cause economics losses for mining plants. Mine fires result in emission of harmful chemical products and have a crucial impact on the physical parameters of the airflow. The subject of the article concerns the analysis of the consequences of methane fires in dog headings. These consequences were identified by means of model-based tests. For this purpose, a model was developed and boundary conditions were adopted to reflect the actual layout of the headings and the condition of the atmosphere in the area under analysis. The objective of the test was to determine the effects of methane fires on the chemical composition of the atmosphere and the physical parameters of the gas mixture generated in the process. The results obtained clearly indicate that fires have a significant impact on the above-mentioned values. The paper presents the distributions for the physical parameters of the resulting gas mixture and the concentration of fire gases. Moreover, it shows the distributions of temperature and oxygen concentration levels in the headings under analysis. The methodology developed for the application of model-based tests to analyse fire events in mine headings represents a new approach to the problem of investigating the consequences of such fires. It is also suitable for variant analyses of the processes related to the ventilation of underground mine workings as well as for analyses of emergency states. Model-based tests should support the assessment of the methane hazard levels and, subsequently, lead to an improvement of work safety in mines.

scholarly journals VARIABILITY OF SHELL IN GASTROPODS OF THE GENUS BORYSTHENIA LINDHOLM, 1914: TESTING THE STATISTICAL APPROACH IN SEARCH OF TRAITS FOR THE RECENT AND FOSSIL SPECIES DELIMITATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-116
Author(s):  
Olga Yu. Anistratenko ◽  
Diana S. Osipova ◽  
Vitaliy V. Anistratenko
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Species Delimitation ◽  
Statistical Approach ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Gastropod Mollusc ◽  
Fossil Records

The gastropod mollusc genus Borysthenia Lindholm, 1914 comprises many species throughout Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America but species delimitation, based mainly on shell morphology (only possible concerning the fossil records) is often disputable. Statistical methods used to test if the shell measurements are reliable traits in delimitation of recent and fossil species in gastropod molluscs of the genus Borysthenia. Our analyses based on quantitative study of over 100 specimens of the Borysthenia species both modern and fossil. It is concluded that the dimensional characteristics of their shell are suitable for the differentiation of both recent and fossil (at least of Pontian age) species through the statistical processing of quantitative data. Through the morphological study of type material, taxonomic status of B. jalpuchense Gozhik, 2002 and B. vinogradovkaense Gozhik, 2002 described from the middle-pontian deposits of Ukraine revised. It is suggested that these taxa are considered two distinct though close relative extinct species. Stratigraphic range of B. jalpuchense is expanded up to the Lower Pontian. All the modern individuals of Borysthenia involved are attributed to B. menkeana (Jelski, 1863) due to their exact correspondence to the lectotype of this species.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Scorpion Stings Events and Environmental Conditions in Mainland France

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jules-Antoine Vaucel ◽  
Sébastien Larréché ◽  
Camille Paradis ◽  
Magali Labadie ◽  
Arnaud Courtois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Poison Control ◽  
Flow Temperature ◽  
The World ◽  
Scorpion Stings ◽  
Multi Center Study ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Amazonian Region

Abstract In the world, the impact of environmental conditions on the number of scorpion events was evaluated in North Africa,Middle East, and the Amazonian region but not in Europe. In mainland France, scorpion species described are Buthus occitanus (Amoreux, 1789), Belisarius xambeui (Simon, 1879) and 4 Euscorpiidae: Euscorpius concinnus (Koch, 1837), Euscorpius italicus (Herbst, 1800), Euscorpius tergestinus (Koch, 1837), and Tetratrichobothrius flavicaudis (De Geer, 1778). We aimed to describe the impact of environmental conduction on the number of scorpion events. For this, a retrospective multi-center study was conducted with data from the French poison control centers files about scorpion events between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2020. During the study period, 975 incoming calls for scorpion events were recorded and 574 were related to scorpions native to mainland France and Corsica: B. occitanus (n = 86), Euscorpiidae species (n = 222), B. xambeui (n = 1), and undetermined species (n = 265). Cases were mostly reported along the Mediterranean coast, along rivers, and in cities with a trading port. The number of scorpion events was linked to the rivers' water level, rivers' flow, temperature, sunshine, and pluviometry (P < 0.05 for all variables). B. occitanus need warmest and driest environment than Euscorpiidae spp. A link between the severity of the envenoming and climatic condition or seasonality was not demonstrated.

scholarly journals Scientific collaboration for early detection of invaders results in a significant update on estimated range: lessons from Stenothoe georgiana Bynum & Fox 1977

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
GEMMA MARTÍNEZ-LAIZ ◽  
MACARENA ROS ◽  
JOSÉ MANUEL GUERRA-GARCÍA ◽  
AGNESE MARCHINI ◽  
VICTORIA FERNÁNDEZ-GONZÁLEZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
First Record ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Amphipod Species ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Scientific Cooperation ◽  
Vectors Of Introduction ◽  
Non Indigenous Species ◽  
Effective Spread

Detection of new non-indigenous species is often delayed when taxonomically challenging taxa are involved, such as small-sized marine organisms. The present study highlights the relevance of scientific cooperation in the early detection of the invader amphipod Stenothoe georgiana. Originally described from North Carolina (USA), the species was recently found in Chile and the Western Mediterranean. Here, we provide the first record of the species in Macaronesia, Atlantic coasts of continental Europe, North Africa and Australia, and extend its known distribution along the Mediterranean coast. Just like other small crustaceans, shipping (including recreational boating) and aquaculture are probably the main vectors of introduction and secondary spread for this amphipod species. This case of S. georgiana sheds light on the importance of promoting taxonomical knowledge, and building multidisciplinary expertise networks that ensure an effective spread of alien species information. We also encourage the implementation of standardized monitoring methodologies to facilitate early detection of small mobile invaders. 

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