Social Parasite Ants in the Alps: a New Site of the Vulnerable Myrmica myrmicoxena and New Uppermost Altitudinal Limit for M. microrubra

We conducted a survey on the Alpine fauna of one of the largest Natural Park of the Italian Alps (Stelvio National Park) in the framework of a broad ecological monitoring of Alpine biodiversity. A two-years standardized sampling employing pitfall traps along a 1200 m altitudinal gradient led to the discovery of two interesting inquiline social parasite ants of the genus Myrmica: M. myrmicoxena Forel, 1895 and M. microrubra Seifert, 1993. Myrmica myrmicoxena, which is classified as Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List, was so far known from only three sites across a narrow geographic range between Italy and Switzerland. Our data support the previous hypothesis over its ecology and host association. Myrmica microrubra is considered an incipient species of high evolutionary interest, sometimes regarded as an intraspecific form of M. rubra. While having a wide distribution in Europe, its presence in Italy was hitherto known only from a single site, and our record extends its altitudinal distribution limit in Europe upwards by about 600 m.

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Reassessing the conservation status of the shrew Crocidura thomensis, endemic to São Tomé Island

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s003060531400091x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 360-363 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ricardo Faustino de Lima ◽

Eden Maloney ◽

W. Brian Simison ◽

Robert Drewes

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Intensification ◽

New Records ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Effective Protection ◽

Term Survival ◽

Natural Park ◽

Forested Areas

AbstractThe shrew Crocidura thomensis is a little-known species endemic to São Tomé Island. We review its distribution, ecology and conservation status based on nine published and 23 new records. The species has a wide distribution across São Tomé, preferring rugged forested areas with high rainfall. The location of new records coincides with that of historical records but the proportion of records in plantations has declined, possibly as a result of agricultural intensification, increased use of pesticides, and presence of exotic species. The shrew is restricted to a single island, its extent of occurrence is < 1,000 km2 and its habitat is declining in extent and quality, and thus its categorization as Endangered on the IUCN Red List remains appropriate. It is important to gain a better knowledge of population trends, ecological preferences and sensitivity to potential threats, but the effective protection of São Tomé Obô Natural Park and surrounding forests is the most important measure to ensure the long-term survival of this mammal.

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Cytogenetic Analysis of the Asian Box Turtles of the Genus Cuora (Testudines, Geoemydidae)

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12020156 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 156

Author(s):

Lorenzo Clemente ◽

Sofia Mazzoleni ◽

Eleonora Pensabene ◽

Tomáš Protiva ◽

Philipp Wagner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Determination ◽

Sex Chromosomes ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Telomeric Repeats ◽

Rdna Loci ◽

Box Turtles ◽

Genotypic Sex Determination ◽

Poorly Differentiated ◽

Almost All

The Asian box turtle genus Cuora currently comprises 13 species with a wide distribution in Southeast Asia, including China and the islands of Indonesia and Philippines. The populations of these species are rapidly declining due to human pressure, including pollution, habitat loss, and harvesting for food consumption. Notably, the IUCN Red List identifies almost all species of the genus Cuora as Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR). In this study, we explore the karyotypes of 10 Cuora species with conventional (Giemsa staining, C-banding, karyogram reconstruction) and molecular cytogenetic methods (in situ hybridization with probes for rDNA loci and telomeric repeats). Our study reveals a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 52 chromosomes in all studied species, with karyotypes of similar chromosomal morphology. In all examined species, rDNA loci are detected at a single medium-sized chromosome pair and the telomeric repeats are restricted to the expected terminal position across all chromosomes. In contrast to a previous report, sex chromosomes are neither detected in Cuoragalbinifrons nor in any other species. Therefore, we assume that these turtles have either environmental sex determination or genotypic sex determination with poorly differentiated sex chromosomes. The conservation of genome organization could explain the numerous observed cases of interspecific hybridization both within the genus Cuora and across geoemydid turtles.

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Biotic Index of Dragonflies in The Suranadi Natural Park Area West Lombok

JURNAL PIJAR MIPA ◽

10.29303/jpm.v15i4.2201 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 424

Author(s):

Mohammad Liwa Ilhamdi ◽

Agil Al Idrus ◽

Didik Santoso

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Data Retrieval ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Biotic Index ◽

Survey Method ◽

Exploratory Research ◽

Natural Park ◽

Nature Park ◽

Park Area

The aims this researc to analyze the biotic index of dragonflies (Odonata) in the Suranadi Nature Park. This research is a descriptive exploratory research. The method used in data collection is the survey method on predetermined transect lines, namely the forest left, right, middle forest and river paths. Data retrieval is done 2 times in 1 month in the morning at 08.00-11.00 WIB and evening at 15.00 - 17.00 WIB. The results showed that the biotic index of dragonflies in Suranadi Nature Park showed that there were 3 species that had the greatest biotic index, namely Gynacantha subinterupta, Zyxomma obtusum and Libelago linearis. There are 13 species that have a biotic index of 0-2. The conclusion is that the dragonfly biotic index in Suranadi Nature Park is more in the 0-2 category, which means that dragonflies still have a wide distribution so they are very commonly found throughout the Suranadi Nature Park.

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Die Höhenverbreitung von Esche, Buche und Tanne. Diskussion am Beispiel der Luzerner Voralpen | Altitudinal distribution of ash, beech and silver fir: Discussion using the example of the Prealps in the canton of Lucerne

Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen ◽

10.3188/szf.2002.0228 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 153 (6) ◽

pp. 228-234

Author(s):

Beat Von Wyl ◽

Pius Häfliger ◽

Markus Baggenstos

Keyword(s):

Historical Context ◽

Forest Community ◽

Considerable Proportion ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Altitudinal Distribution ◽

Mixed Stands ◽

The Alps ◽

Individual Trees

In the upper montane forests in the region of Entlebuch,Lucerne the current proportion of mixed stands of ash, beech and silver fir is low. Cultivation and management of stable,well-adapted stands is therefore illusory. If promotion of the missing species is to be encouraged in the future, the natural potential must first be ascertained. In order to achieve this the canton of Lucerne effectuated an expansive plant-sociological site map. The exact altitudinal distribution of each forest community first had to be ascertained, as the identification of the relevant species is hardly possible at a glance. In order to draw up a complete and accurate plant-sociological site map, the exact altitudinal distribution of each forest community had to be inventoried, as the determination of species is hardly possible at a glance. Only the systematic search for individual trees in the higher altitudes delivered a good database. In a survey,carried out from 1995 to 2000 along the northern slopes of the alps between Marbach and Pilatus, a total of 396 individual trees or tree groups of the three species were catalogued. By combining the collection of this data with the drawing up of the site map, the workload entailed in this survey remained within acceptable limits. The collected data show that scattered remnants of earlier mixed stands can still be found today. The maximum distribution altitude for silver fir lies at 1800 m.a.s.l., for beech at 1600 m.a.s.l. and for ash at 1400 m.a.s.l. In the uppermost 150 metres of distribution, trees only grow to the middle of this level and are not silviculturally relevant. Although in the next lowest 150 metres the three species do not generally attain numbers that are relevant regarding the function of stands, in certain adapted sites they can make up a considerable proportion and therefore greatly influence the structure, dynamics and stability of these stands. Today's underrepresentation of the three species in question can be plausibly explained within an historical context. The enormous requirement of wood in early industrial times,especially in the glass industry, played a central role. If the silvicultural management of protection forests is to be carried out in an economical sound manner with all embracing,long term goals the promotion of the examined tree species will play a considerable role. We have formulated a number of recommendations to help achieve these goals.

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A new species of Sun Skink (Reptilia: Scincidae: Eutropis) from the Zamboanga Peninsula, southwestern Mindanao Island, Philippines

10.26757/pjsb2020b14012 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Far East ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

The Philippines ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Nicobar Island ◽

Long Distance ◽

Natural Park ◽

Continental Origin ◽

A New Species

We describe a new species of lizard in the genus Eutropis Fitzinger 1843 from the southwestern tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula on the western part of Mindanao Island, Philippines. The new species is related to Eutropis rugifera, which is a secretive, forest-adapted skink that ranges widely outside the Philippines from the western extent of its distribution on Nicobar Island (the type locality) through southern Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and the Mentawai islands, Borneo, Java, and as far east as Bali Island. The discovery of a new, morphologically distinct, and genetically highly divergent Sun Skink lineage in the low elevation forests of the Zamboanga Peninsula creates a puzzling disjunct geographic distribution (E. rugifera has not been reported from the Sulu Archipelago). The new species is estimated to have diverged ~10–16 mya from E. rugifera, from which it appears to have an extralimital and isolated distribution. Considering the dynamic geological history and ancient continental origin of the Zamboanga Peninsula, colonization by the new species may have been facilitated by pre-Pleistocene overseas long-distance dispersal, saltatory range expansion, and subsequent contraction/extinction in the Sulu Archipelago, and/or possibly paleotransport on the ancient crustal fragment of Zamboanga. The new species is known only from Zamboanga City’s primary surface water supply catchment at the lowest elevations inside the boundaries of Pasonanca Natural Park, despite the fact that there have been historical surveys of herpetological diversity at multiple sites to the northeast (Zamboanga, western Mindanao) and to the southwest (Sulu Archipelago). The new species, thus, may be limited to just the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula, possibly rendering KEYWORDS: IUCN Red List, Palawan microcontinent block, Pasonanca Natural Park, Sulu Archipelago, Surface catchment watershed biodiversity

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Depleting wild prey compels common leopard (Panthera pardus) to sustain on livestock

Animal Biology ◽

10.1163/15707563-17000161 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (2) ◽

pp. 213-230 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Abid Hussain ◽

Tariq Mahmood ◽

Faraz Akrim ◽

Shaista Andleeb ◽

Hira Fatima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prey Species ◽

Winter Season ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Panthera Pardus ◽

Jammu And Kashmir ◽

The Common ◽

Prey Remains ◽

Endangered Status

Abstract The wide distribution of a predator can reflect its flexibility in adapting to various ecosystems. The common leopard (Panthera pardus) is “Critically Endangered” in Pakistan while the IUCN Red List categorizes it globally as “Vulnerable”. This study investigated the distribution of the common leopard and the contribution of livestock in its diet in District Sudhanoti of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. During the surveys, scats, pugmarks, prey remains, and dead bodies of the common leopard were recovered in a scanned area of approximately 262 km2. The scats were mostly found on tracks and trails in hilly terrain, and pugmarks in the riparian zone and nallas, while prey remains were found mostly in dense bushes and rocks. Dead common leopards were recovered within or around village areas. All signs of the species were found between 418 m and 2016 m elevation above sea level. Scat analysis revealed a total of ten prey species including seven domestic mammals and only three wild meso-mammals. Domestic animals were most frequently consumed while wild prey contributed significantly less. The consumption of domestic prey species was found not to differ between the summer and winter season. We conclude that the common leopard was sustaining mainly on livestock with a much smaller contribution from wild prey. This fact, along with the “Critically Endangered” status of the species in the country, demands effective conservation measures to be taken to save common leopards.

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Catalogue of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from South Tyrol (Prov. Bolzano, Italy)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4435.1.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4435 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

HEINRICH SCHATZ

Keyword(s):

Oribatid Mite ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Oribatid Mites ◽

General Distribution ◽

Undescribed Species ◽

Mediterranean Species ◽

Italian Alps ◽

South Tyrol ◽

Mountainous Regions ◽

The Alps

A checklist of the oribatid mites reported in South Tyrol (Italy) is presented, covering all published records until 2017. Numerous unpublished records are added. Several species were revised, doubtful and erroneous records from previous publications are discussed and corrected if necessary. A total of 397 described species in 71 families are listed, complemented by two subspecies and 15 undetermined or undescribed species. The list includes all records of each species in South Tyrol, their known distribution in the Italian Alps sorted to provinces, the distribution in Italy, occurrence in the neighbouring countries Austria and Switzerland, and their general distribution. Occasional additional remarks give taxonomic information. A historical overview of the exploration of the oribatid mites in South Tyrol is outlined. The general distribution of the oribatid mite fauna of South Tyrol is analysed. Beside species with a wide distribution the region includes many “Mediterranean” species, species with their main distribution in Central Europe, and species restricted to the Alps, the latter mainly in higher mountainous regions.

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On the high bird diversity in the non-protected regions of Trashiyangtse District in Bhutan

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.6843.13.9.19274-19292 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 19274-19292

Author(s):

Lam Norbu ◽

Phuntsho Thinley ◽

Tandin Wangchuck ◽

Ugyen Dechen ◽

Lekey Dorji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Health ◽

Bird Species ◽

Ecological Monitoring ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Bird Diversity ◽

Feeding Guilds ◽

Avian Diversity ◽

Feeding Guild ◽

Baseline Information

Birds are ecological indicators of ecosystem health. Baseline information on bird diversity are, therefore, important for ecological monitoring. Such information is, however, sorely lacking for many areas outside the protected areas. Here, we explore the avian diversity and present a comprehensive checklist for the non-protected regions of Trashiyangtse District in northeastern Bhutan. We also categorise the bird species by their residency pattern, feeding guilds, abundance, and IUCN Red List status. We conducted an avifauna exploration for a period of four years from 2017 to 2020, mostly through opportunistic encounters coinciding with regular field visits. We recorded a total of 273 bird species belonging to 173 genera, 69 families and 19 orders. Passeriformes was the most dominant order with 41 families and 174 species and Muscicapidae was the most dominant family with 12 genera and 32 species. Most birds were altitudinal migrants (39%), insectivorous (45%), and occasional (44%) in terms of residency pattern, feeding guild, and abundance, respectively. Only one species (Ardea insignis) was listed as Critically Endangered and one (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) as Endangered. Our study identified the non-protected regions of Trashiyangtse District as an important bird diversity area in Bhutan.

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Diversity, distribution, and threats of the Juglandaceae in Vietnam

Dendrobiology ◽

10.12657/denbio.086.005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 86 ◽

pp. 39-55

Author(s):

Hoang Van Sam ◽

Do Quang Tung ◽

Anna K. Jasińska ◽

François Rion ◽

Phung Thi Tuyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sea Level ◽

National Parks ◽

Hot Spots ◽

Road Construction ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Habitat Destruction ◽

Threat Status ◽

Data Book ◽

First Time

Vietnam is one of the main centers of generic diversity for Juglandaceae worldwide. In this study, we present for the first time a province-wide distribution of all 3 subfamilies, 7 genera, and 11 Vietnamese species, and give an update on the habitats of all Vietnamese Juglandaceae species, their uses, and current threats. Juglandaceae are found throughout Vietnam. However, most species occur predominantly in the northern part of the country between 600 and 1200 m. Some taxa range is found extensively from sea level up to 2,500 meters above sea level. According to the IUCN Red List, Rhoiptelea chiliantha, Carya sinensis, and Pterocarya tonkinensis are threatened while Engelhardia spicata, E. serrata, Alfaropsis roxburghiana, Pterocarya stenoptera are classified as least concerned. Carya tonkinensis is threatened locally, and Engelhardia spicata var. colebrookiana and Platycarya strobilacea merit “threatened” designation in Vietnam’s Red Data Book. The most frequent threats are logging, land-use change, and habitat destruction due to artificial wood plantations or road construction. Until now, no conservation measures have been applied for any of the species in Vietnam, although some species occur in national parks. Our study gives an important update on the current diversity and distribution of Juglandaceae in Vietnam.We point out the need for a correct assessment of the threat status of various species on a national and international scale to protect the rarest and most endangered of them. Further research, the use of various forms of protection of individual taxa and/or their habitats, and drawing the attention of an international group of researchers to the urgent need to work together to protect biodiversity in Vietnam hot spots are necessary.

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Argentinian odonates (dragonflies and damselflies): current and future distribution and discussion of their conservation

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.7166.13.11.19448-19465 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 19448-19465

Author(s):

A. Nava-Bolaños ◽

D.E. Vrech ◽

A.V. Peretti ◽

A. Córdoba-Aguilar

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Potential Distribution ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Quantitative Approach ◽

Physiological Tolerance ◽

Dispersal Abilities ◽

Near Threatened ◽

Study Species

In terms of conservation, Argentinian odonates have not been assessed using a quantitative approach. One way to achieve this is by modelling their distribution to gather the extent of occurrence. Thus, we modelled the current and future (projected year, 2050) potential distribution of 44 odonate species that occur in Argentina as well as in neighboring countries. Our models of current times indicate a fairly wide distribution for most species but one exception is relevant for conservation purposes: Lestes dichrostigma has less than 30,000 km2 and falls in the ‘Near Threatened’ category according to the IUCN Red List. Another seven species have less than or close to 100,000 km2: Elasmothemis cannacrioides, Erythemis credula, E. paraguayensis, Heteragrion angustipenne, H. inca, Lestes forficula, and Mecistogaster linearis. Future distribution estimates suggest that: a) 12 species will lose or gain around 10%, four species will increase their distribution beyond 10% (up to 2,346%), and 28 species will lose more than 10% (up to 99%). Although current protected areas embrace most odonate species in Argentina, it is still premature to conclude whether this situation will remain in the future given the physiological tolerance and dispersal abilities of the study species among other drivers of distribution.

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