Parnassius nebrodensis: A threatened but neglected Apollo butterfly species from Southern Europe (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 140-163
Author(s):  
Ivan N. Bolotov ◽  
Mikhail Y. Gofarov ◽  
Vyacheslav V. Gorbach ◽  
Yulia S. Kolosova ◽  
Alisa A. Zheludkova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Decline ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Nucleotide Substitutions ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Cryptic Species Complex ◽  
Phylogenetic Lineages ◽  
Apollo Butterfly

Recent multi-locus phylogenetic studies repeatedly showed that what was thought to be the Clouded Apollo butterfly Parnassius mnemosyne (Linnaeus, 1758) represents a cryptic species complex. This complex contains at least three distant species-level phylogenetic lineages. Here, we compile a set of morphology- and DNA-based evidences supporting the distinctiveness of two species in this group, i.e. P. mnemosyne s. str. and P. nebrodensis Turati, 1907 stat. rev. These species can be distinguished from each other based on a combination of diagnostic characters in the male genitalia structure, wing scale patterns, and the forewing venation. The species status of P. nebrodensis is supported based on unique nucleotide substitutions in the mitochondrial (COI, ND1, and ND5) and nuclear (Wg and EF-1a) genes. P. nebrodensis is endemic to the Western Mediterranean Region. This species shares a disjunctive range through the Pyrenees, Western and Central Alps, Apennines, and the Nebrodi and Madonie mountains on Sicily. Altogether 38 nominal taxa initially described as P. mnemosyne subspecies are considered here to be junior synonyms of P. nebrodensis. At first glance, P. nebrodensis can be assessed as an endangered species due to its restricted distribution, narrow range of habitats, and ongoing population decline. Isolated populations of this species scattered through mountain ranges need special management and conservation efforts.

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.

Abundance, distribution and reproduction of the Data-Deficient species (Squalus blainville) around Sardinia Island (central western Mediterranean Sea) as a contribution to its conservation

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Francesca Marongiu ◽  
Cristina Porcu ◽  
Andrea Bellodi ◽  
Rita Cannas ◽  
Pierluigi Carbonara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Decline ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Abundance Distribution ◽  
Western Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Fishery Data ◽  
Data Deficient

Data-Deficient (DD) species are currently under threat because of the paucity of information regarding their abundance, distribution and biological traits. In this study we analysed temporal trends and bioecological features of the DD shark, Squalus blainville. Biological and fishery data were collected through two different scientific surveys spanning 1994–2018 and commercial hauls around Sardinia Island (central western Mediterranean) from 2008 to 2018. The analysis of temporal trends based on abundance data revealed a significant population decline over time. The late attainment of maturity and low fecundity of S. blainville are suspected to have contributed to making it highly vulnerable to overfishing. No bathymetric segregation by sex and size was found. However, the almost exclusive presence of pregnant females south-west of Sardinia could be due to sexual spatial segregation. This is also supported by histological findings showing long-term sperm storage to ensure the persistence of the species when females and males are separated. The documented decline of this species, its low reproductive potential and similarities in the depth distribution of immature and mature individuals indicate the need for urgent protection plans for S. blainville in Sardinian waters.

Acricotopus indet. morphotype incurvatus: Description and genetics of a new Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) larval morphotype from the Tibetan Plateau

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4656 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-544
Author(s):  
ANDREAS LAUG ◽  
LADISLAV HAMERLÍK ◽  
STEN ANSLAN ◽  
STEFAN ENGELS ◽  
FALKO TURNER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Central Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Peculiar Form ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Coi Sequences ◽  
Complex Formations

High mountain ranges such as the Tibetan Plateau with an average altitude above 4500 m are topographically complex formations. Elevational gradients, physiographic diversity and climatic heterogeneity have led to highly biodiverse ecosystems in these regions. Mountain ranges can be seen as cradles of evolution and harbour, due to their unique characteristics, a high number of highly adapted species. At the same time these areas are hard to access and therefore taxonomic information is limited. Here we describe a new Acricotopus (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae) larval morphotype occurring in lakes and ponds of differing salinity and water depths located on the Southern and Central Tibetan Plateau. The description is based on larvae and their genetics (ribosomal 18S, 28S and mitochondrial COI sequences) collected from a shallow pond in close proximity to the large saline lake Selin Co. Larvae of Acricotopus indet. morphotype incurvatus are characterized by a mentum with a cluster of lateral teeth, partially folded inwards, a mandible with a toothed lobe in addition to four inner teeth and a sclerotized plate positioned behind the mentum. Up to now, these morphological features have only been found in early instars of other Acricotopus species. The proposed morphotype name is inspired by the peculiar form of the mentum. 

Allozyme Evidence of Genetic Differentiation Between Populations of Hediste Diversicolor (Polychaeta: Nereididae) from the Western Mediterranean

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 637-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Abbiati ◽  
F. Maltagliati
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Allozyme Electrophoresis ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Hediste Diversicolor ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Distance Model ◽  
Limited Dispersal

The occurrence of genetic differentiation among western Mediterranean Hediste diversicolor (Polychaeta: Nereididae) populations was assessed by allozyme electrophoresis on cellulose acetate. Seventeen loci were analysed in four populations. The level of the genetic variability was markedly low (mean HL range: 0.014–0.034), but comparable to that of other brackish water nereidids. The values of Nei genetic distance index (D) confirm the existence of genetic differentiation between the geographically isolated populations at Venice, Elba, Navicelli and Serchio D range: 0.128–0.356). However, the two samples from Serchio and Navicelli, ~15 km apart, were not genetically different (D=0·00005). The level of genetic differentiation in H. diversicolor populations followed the isolation-by-distance model. Reduced gene flow among H. diversicolor populations may be explained by its limited dispersal capacity and the eco-physiological barriers that occur between different brackish habitats.

A new species of Buenia (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the western Mediterranean Sea, with the description of this genus

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4250 (5) ◽  
pp. 447 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARCELO KOVAČIĆ ◽  
FRANCES ORDINES ◽  
ULRICH K. SCHLIEWEN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Standard Length ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Head Length ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Western Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Coi Barcoding ◽  
First Time ◽  
Fin Length

A new miniature gobiid species, Buenia massutii sp. nov. (Teleostei: Gobiidae) is described from the circalittoral bottom off the Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial COI-barcoding fragment supports its species-level distinctiveness and the monophyly of the genus Buenia. A description and diagnosis of the genus Buenia is for the first time provided. Material of the new species was collected in 57–67 m depth from beam trawl samples carried out on red algae beds. The traits that differentiate the new species from two congeneric species are: anterior oculoscapular canal only semiclosed with pores σ, λ, κ, ω, α, ρ and additional pores and open furrows from interorbital part to pore ρ; posterior oculoscapular canal absent; suborbital row c with 5 papillae; scales in lateral series 26–28; pectoral fin rays 16; the second spine of the first dorsal fin the longest, reaching to or behind posterior end of the second dorsal fin in males when folded down; pelvic fin anterior membrane one sixth or less of length of spinous ray in midline depth; head length 31.2–32.5% of standard length; eye 32.8–35.7% of head length; caudal fin length 21.5–24.0% of standard length. 

A simple molecular identification method of the Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) cryptic species complex

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Péter Farkas ◽  
Zsuzsanna György ◽  
Annamária Tóth ◽  
Annamária Sojnóczki ◽  
József Fail
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Thrips Tabaci ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Reproduction Rate ◽  
Onion Thrips ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cryptic Species Complex ◽  
Laboratory Colonies

AbstractThe onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman, 1889) is a key pest of a wide range of crops because of its ecological attributes such as polyphagy, high reproduction rate, ability to transmit tospoviruses and resistance to insecticides. Recent studies revealed that T. tabaci is a cryptic species complex and it has three lineages (leek-associated arrhenotokous L1-biotype, leek-associated thelytokous L2-biotype and tobacco-associated arrhenotokous T-biotype), however, the adults remain indistinguishable. T. tabaci individuals were collected from different locations of Hungary to create laboratory colonies from each biotypes. Mitochondrial COI (mtCOI) region was sequenced from morphologically identified individuals. After sequence analysis SNPs were identified and used for CAPS marker development, which were suitable for distinguishing the three T. tabaci lineages. Genetic analysis of the T. tabaci species complex based on mtCOI gene confirmed the three well-known biotypes (L1, L2, T) and a new biotype because the new molecular evidence presented in this study suggests T-biotype of T. tabaci forming two distinct (sub)clades (T1 and T2). This genetic finding indicates that the genetic variability of T. tabaci populations is still not fully mapped. We validated our developed marker on thrips individuals from our thrips colonies. The results demonstrated that the new marker effectively identifies the different T. tabaci biotypes. We believe that our reliable genotyping method will be useful in further studies focusing on T. tabaci biotypes and in pest management by scanning the composition of sympatric T. tabaci populations.

scholarly journals Ecological genetics of Adalia beetles: variability and symbiotic bacteria in european populations of the ten-spot ladybird beetle Adalia decempunctata

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
Elena V. Shaikevich ◽  
Ilya A. Zakharov ◽  
Alois Honek
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Genetics ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Symbiotic Bacteria ◽  
Nucleotide Substitutions ◽  
Ladybird Beetle ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Glta Gene ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi Gene ◽  
Palearctic Species ◽  
Horizontal Transfers

Background. Adalia decempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) ten-spot ladybird beetle, widespread morphologically variable Palearctic species. Materials and methods. DNA polymorphism and infection with Wolbachia, Spiroplasma and Rickettsia symbiotic bacteria were investigated. Results. Eight different haplotypes of the mitochondrial COI gene, seven of which were previously unknown, were found in 92 A. decempunctata individuals from nine European collection places: Prague, Rome, Florence, Hamburg, Paris, Stockholm, Moscow, Feodosia and Yalta. A. decempunctata is less variable in mtDNA compared to A. bipunctata. Symbiotic bacteria Wolbachia and Spiroplasma were not detected. Only Rickettsia infestation was found in A. decempunctata specimens, gathered in Stockholm and Feodosia. Rickettsia from A. decempunctata from Feodosia and Stockholm differ by 0.5% in gltA gene. Rickettsia from A. decempunctata from Feodosia is clustered with Rickettsia from A. bipunctata and Coccinella sp. based on the analysis of the gltA gene. Conclusion: Three of the eight mtDNA haplotypes are present in the A. decempunctata gene pool from geographically distant habitats. A small amount of nucleotide substitutions between Rickettsia from A. decempunctata and A. bipunctata suggests a single origin of the symbiont in the ladybirds of the genus Adalia, the results do not exclude subsequent horizontal transfers between individuals of both species.

scholarly journals A new species of Pharmacis Hübner, 1820 from Spain with a brief review of the genera Pharmacis and Korscheltellus Börner, 1920 (Lepidoptera, Hepialidae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-249
Author(s):  
Axel Kallies ◽  
Teresa Farino
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi Gene ◽  
Italian Apennines ◽  
A New Species

We here describe a new ghost moth (Hepialidae) species, Pharmaciscantabricussp. n. from the Picos de Europa National Park, Cantabria, in northern Spain. The new species belongs to a group of mostly day-flying species that are restricted to the European Alps and some mountain ranges of southern Europe. Based on morphology and analysis of mitochondrial COI gene sequences, the new species is closely related to Pharmacisaemilianus (Constantini, 1911), an endemic of the Italian Apennines. However, Pharmaciscantabricussp. n. can easily be distinguished from all related species based on both external and genitalic characters. We briefly review and illustrate all species of the genus Pharmacis Hübner, 1820 and discuss its relationship with the related genus Korscheltellus Börner, 1920. We reinstate Hepialuscastillanus Oberthür, 1883 as a distinct species and transfer it to Korscheltellus (stat. rev., comb. n.).

Movement and Demography of At-Risk Butterflies: Building Blocks for Conservation

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl B. Schultz ◽  
Nick M. Haddad ◽  
Erica H. Henry ◽  
Elizabeth E. Crone
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Population Viability ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Conservation Decisions

The number of insect species at risk of population decline and extinction is increasing rapidly. Yet we know almost nothing about the ecology of these species, except for at-risk butterflies. A growing body of literature shows how butterfly vital rates, including demography and movement, are essential for guiding conservation and recovery. History has shown us that without these data, conservation decisions often weaken, rather than enhance, population viability. This is especially true in changing landscapes. We review knowledge of vital rates across all at-risk butterflies. We have information on movement for 17 of 283 butterfly species and information on demography for 19 species. We find that habitat-specific movement behavior is key to understanding how to connect populations, and habitat-specific demography is central to managing habitats. Methods and analyses worked out for butterflies can provide a scaffold around which to build studies for the conservation of other at-risk insects.

Genetic variation and population structure of the carpet shell clam Ruditapes decussatus along the Tunisian coast inferred from mtDNA and ITS1 sequence analysis

Biologia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aicha Gharbi ◽  
Noureddine Chatti ◽  
Khaled Said ◽  
Alain Wormhoudt
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Haplotype Frequency ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Ruditapes Decussatus ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Its1 Sequence ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi

AbstractSurveys of allozyme polymorphisms in the carpet shell clam Ruditapes decussatus have revealed sharp genetic differentiation of populations. Analysis of population structure in this species has now been extended to include nuclear and mitochondrial genes. A partial sequence of a mitochondrial COI gene and of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-1) were used to study haplotype distribution, the pattern of gene flow, and population genetic structure of R. decussatus. The samples were collected from twelve populations from the eastern and western Mediterranean coasts of Tunisia, one from Concarneau and one from Thau. A total of twenty and twenty-one haplotypes were detected in the examined COI and ITS1 regions respectively. The study revealed higher levels of genetic diversity for ITS1 compared to COI. The analysis of haplotype frequency distribution and molecular variation indicated that the majority of the genetic variation was distributed within populations (93% and 86% for COI and ITS1 respectively). No significant differentiation was found among eastern and western groups on either side of the Siculo-Tunisian strait. However, distinct and significant clinal changes in haplotypes frequencies between eastern and western samples were found at the most frequent COI haplotype and at three out of five major ITS1 haplotypes. These results suggest the relative importance of historical processes and contemporary hydrodynamic features on the observed patterns of genetic structure.

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