Invertebrates diversity in mountain Neotropical quartzite caves: which factors can influence the composition, richness, and distribution of the cave communities?

Twenty caves located in a high altitudinal quartzite area in Brazil were examined for invertebrate richness and composition and in terms of environmental factors that determine community structure. We evaluate how distance, altitude, cave extension, environmental stability, number and size of cave entrances and stream presence can act on species composition and richness. The caves presented a high richness of troglophilic (463 spp.) and troglobitic species (6 spp.) in relation to other siliciclastic caves around the world. The average richness was 39.55 species per cave (sd = 21.87), the quantitative similarity among caves was 41% and turnover was βrepl. = 0.769. Araneae (20% of the sampled species), Diptera (18%) and Coleoptera (14%) were the dominant orders regarding species richness. Only twenty percent of the caves were placed out of the confidence interval of the average taxonomic distinctness (∆+); however, the ∆+ decreased with the increase of environmental stability. Cave extension and stream presence were the main factors determining the variation of species composition among caves. Cave extension also influenced species richness variations. Furthermore, the total richness and richness of troglobitic species increased with cave extension. The threats to these habitats further revealed that the fauna is at risk due to tourism, trampling and natural soil erosion that can promote microhabitat alterations. Therefore, quartzite caves also require special attention regarding conservation actions in order to keep their natural biological dynamics.

Download Full-text

Corrigendum to: Fish in the matrix: effects of landscape on community-structure patterns of the ichthyofauna of streams in Cerrado

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf19281_co ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (9) ◽

pp. 1219

Author(s):

Thiago Bernardi Vieira ◽

Leandro Schlemmer Brasil ◽

Naiara Raiol Torres ◽

Tatiana Lima de Melo ◽

Elto Aparecido Moreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Community Structure ◽

Species Composition ◽

Indicator Species ◽

Matrix Effects ◽

Native Vegetation ◽

Generalist Species ◽

The Matrix ◽

Structure Patterns

This study aims to identify species richness and composition patterns of the ichthyofauna in different landscape matrices (forest, pasture and eucalypt crops) and to evaluate the variation of species composition in different matrices, identifying possible indicator species. We selected 21 streams; 7 were surrounded by native vegetation, 9 surrounded by pasture and 5 by eucalypt crops. We tested whether there was difference in the composition and species richness. In addition, we used the indicator value (IndVal) to verify if there were species faithful and specific to some land use and land cover. Streams located in forest presented the highest estimated species richness, followed by streams in pasturelands and eucalypt matrices. There was no difference between the composition of fishes in different matrices, but we observed a relationship between Phenacorhamdia somnians (Mees, 1974) and pasture matrix. The results indicated that the change in land use may benefit some generalist species such as Phenacorhamdia somnians.

Download Full-text

Fish in the matrix: effects of landscape on community-structure patterns of the ichthyofauna of streams in Cerrado

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf19281 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (9) ◽

pp. 1211 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thiago Bernardi Vieira ◽

Leandro Schlemmer Brasil ◽

Naiara Raiol Torres ◽

Tatiana Lima de Melo ◽

Elto Aparecido Moreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Community Structure ◽

Species Composition ◽

Indicator Species ◽

Matrix Effects ◽

Native Vegetation ◽

Generalist Species ◽

The Matrix ◽

Structure Patterns

Download Full-text

Zooplankton community structure in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea in autumn

Brazilian Journal of Oceanography ◽

10.1590/s1679-87592015094506304 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 63 (4) ◽

pp. 455-468 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hongju Chen ◽

Guangxing Liu

Keyword(s):

Community Structure ◽

Species Composition ◽

East China Sea ◽

Yellow Sea ◽

Zooplankton Community ◽

The Yellow Sea ◽

East China ◽

Taxonomic Distinctness ◽

Zooplankton Community Structure ◽

China Sea

Abstract Study on zooplankton spatial distribution is essential for understanding food web dynamics in marine ecosystems and fishery management. Here we elucidated the composition and distribution of large mesozooplankton on the continental shelf of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, and explored the zooplankton community structure in these water masses. Sixty vertical hauls (bottom or 200 m in deep water to surface) using a ring net (diameter 0.8 m, 505-μm mesh) were exploited in November 2007. The biogeographic patterns of zooplankton communities were investigated using multivariate analysis methods; copepod biodiversity was analyzed using univariate indices. Copepods and protozoans were dominate in the communities. Based on the species composition, we divided the study areas into six station groups. Significant differences in zooplankton assemblages were detected between the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Species richness was higher in East China Sea groups than those in Yellow Sea, whereas taxonomic distinctness was higher in Yellow Sea than in East China Sea. There was a clear relationship between the species composition and water mass group.

Download Full-text

Reptile surveys reveal high species richness in areas recovering from mining activity in the Brazilian Cerrado

Biologia ◽

10.1515/biolog-2017-0138 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 72 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Fabrício H. Oda ◽

Robson W. Ávila ◽

Leandro de O. Drummond ◽

Danusy L. Santos ◽

Priscilla G. Gambale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Composition ◽

Population Decline ◽

Central Area ◽

Mining Activity ◽

Brazilian Cerrado ◽

Central Brazil ◽

Reptile Species ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

Unique Species

AbstractOur study determines the reptile species richness, composition, and habitat use in three areas recovering from mining activity in addition to the adjacent pristine and anthropized areas of a priority region for biodiversity conservation of the Brazilian Cerrado. We also compared our data with published surveys on the Cerrado domain in order to identify areas with unique species composition and/or areas where the reptile composition is more homogeneous. The survey was conducted in the municipality of Niquelândia, northern Goiás state, central Brazil, and involved reptile samplings from different physiognomies and water bodies. We found 47 species, including one crocodilian, one chelonian, two amphisbaenians, 17 lizards, and 26 snakes. The list includes 37 species with large geographic distribution, occurring in other morphoclimatic domains, as well as 10 species which are endemic to the Cerrado. Some species recorded for the region are listed in the Appendices I and II of the CITES. Many reptile species were frequently associated with anthropogenic habitats, while others seem to depend on remnants of pristine habitats. Low similarity was found among the 32 sites considered across the Cerrado domain. Ten sites located in Cerrado regions in contact with the adjacent domains have unique reptile composition, whereas most sites largely located in the central area of the domain have reptile communities which are more homogeneous among them. It is important to conduct long-term studies to have patterns of reptile species composition recognized as well as population decline and/or local extinctions and effective reptile conservation actions, with focus on these sites considering their unique species.

Download Full-text

Hydrozoan diversity on hard bottom in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315409991573 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 90 (7) ◽

pp. 1337-1352 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Andrey Voronkov ◽

Sofia D. Stepanjants ◽

Haakon Hop

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Community Structure ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Depth Range ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Main Factors ◽

Abundance And Distribution ◽

First Time

Hydroids in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, were studied on five hard-bottom transects along gradients of environmental conditions from the glacier at the fjord's head to the fjord's mouth at depth-range 0–30 m. Hydrozoa colonies are widely distributed on rock and gravel substrata in Kongsfjorden. In general, however, hydroids are not dominant or subdominant in zoobenthic communities. The exception isSymplectoscyphus tricuspidatusvar.acuminatus, colonies of which were sometimes abundant enough to determine the community structure and characteristics of benthic diversity. Of the 23 species recorded in this study,Laomedea flexuosa,Phialella quadrataandHalecium tenellumas well as representatives of family Stylasteridae were recorded from Svalbard waters for the first time. Hydroid diversity was highest in the zoobenthic community structured by branched bryozoans. The abundance and distribution of hydroids were reduced, to some extent, in the inner part of the fjord compared to the outer fjord. Species richness of hydroids was high at shallow depths, decreased at around 15 m and then increased again to 30 m depth. Species with Low-boreal–Arctic and Panoceanic distributional ranges were the most frequently occurring species. Depth, type of background substratum and amount of silt on its surface were the main factors influencing hydroid distribution. Description of all recorded taxa distributions together with data on their habitat and associations in zoobenthic communities are presented in an Appendix.

Download Full-text

The Community of Strongylids (Nematoda, Strongylida) of Working Donkeys (Equus Asinus) in Ukraine

Vestnik Zoologii ◽

10.2478/v10058-008-0004-4 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. e-18-e-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

T. Kuzmina ◽

Yu. Kuzmin

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Community Structure ◽

Species Composition ◽

Equus Asinus

The Community of Strongylids (Nematoda, Strongylida) of Working Donkeys (Equus Asinus) in UkraineThe aim of our work was to study the species composition of the strongylid community of donkeys and to explore the influence of anthelmintic treatments on the community structure. Strongylid nematodes were collected by the diagnostic deworming technique from 33 donkeys from the riding school "Chudo-oslik" (Crimea) (25), from Kharkiv (3) and Kyiv zoos (2) and Kyiv riding schools (3). Seventeen species were found in donkeys studied: 16 species of Cyathostominae and 1 of Strongylinae. Between 2 and 7 species were found per donkey (average of 4.2 ± 2.8). Cyathostomum tetracanthum, C. catinatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus goldi and C. longibursatus) dominated in the community; they were found in 80-100% animals studied and comprised 91.7% of the total number of strongylids collected. Two species C. tetracanthum and Cylicocyclus auriculatus were found to be specific for donkeys. The results obtained showed a reduction of the species richness of the strongylid community in donkeys from riding schools and zoos caused by lack of grazing and by regular anthelmintic treatments.

Download Full-text

Keanekaragaman dan komposisi kumbang elaterid (Coleoptera: Elateridae) di kawasan hutan hujan tropis Taman Nasional Bukit Duabelas dan Hutan Harapan, Jambi

Jurnal Entomologi Indonesia ◽

10.5994/jei.17.1.33 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 33

Author(s):

Kasmiatun Kasmiatun ◽

Rizky Nazarreta ◽

Damayanti Buchori

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Composition ◽

National Park ◽

Tropical Rainforest ◽

Tropical Rainforests ◽

Landscape Characteristics ◽

The World ◽

Canopy Fogging ◽

Landscape Types ◽

Insect Sampling

Jambi province is one of the regions in Indonesia that has tropical rainforests with different landscape characteristics in each region. Tropical rainforests contain the highest biodiversity in the world and as a habitat for various types of flora and fauna, including elaterid beetles. Elaterid beetles have an important role as ecological bioindicators. The aim of this research was to study the diversity and species composition of elaterid beetle in two different landscape types. Insect sampling was carried out in Jambi Province on two tropical rainforest landscape, i.e. Bukit Duabelas National Park (TNBD) and Harapan Rainforest. Elaterid beetles were collected by canopy fogging method in the morning. Each landscape consists of four core plots and each core plot consist of three as subplot, total subplots observed in both landscape were 24 subplots. A total of 2069 individuals of elaterid beetles were collected, belonging to 6 subfamilies, 23 genera, and 59 morphospecies. The abundance of elaterid beetles was higher in Harapan Rainforest, while species richness was higher in TNBD landscape. Species dominant in two landscape consist to subfamily Agrypninae, belonging to genera Adelocera with morphospecies Adelocera sp.01. The result of this research showed that landscape differences influencing the composition and abundance of elaterid beetles, but it does not influence in species richness of elaterid beetles.

Download Full-text

Carabid community structure in northern China grassland ecosystems: Effects of local habitat on species richness, species composition and functional diversity

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.6197 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e6197 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Noelline Tsafack ◽

François Rebaudo ◽

Hui Wang ◽

Dávid D. Nagy ◽

Yingzhong Xie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Community Structure ◽

Species Composition ◽

Functional Diversity ◽

Climatic Factors ◽

Northern China ◽

Regional Level ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Environmental Characteristics ◽

Local Habitat

Background Most carabid beetles are particularly sensitive to local habitat characteristics. Although in China grasslands account for more than 40% of the national land, their biodiversity is still poorly known. The aim of this paper is to identify the main environmental characteristics influencing carabid diversity in different types of grassland in northern China. Methods We investigated the influence of vegetation (plant biomass, cover, density, height and species richness), soil (bulk density, above ground litter, moisture and temperature) and climate (humidity, precipitation and temperature) on carabid community structure (species richness, species composition and functional diversity—measured as body size, movement and total diversity) in three types of grasslands: desert, typical and meadow steppes. We used Canonical correspondence analysis to investigate the role of habitat characteristics on species composition and eigenvector spatial filtering to investigate the responses of species richness and functional diversities. Results We found that carabid community structure was strongly influenced by local habitat characteristics and particularly by climatic factors. Carabids in the desert steppe showed the lowest richness and functional diversities. Climate predictors (temperature, precipitation and humidity) had positive effects on carabid species richness at both regional and ecosystem levels, with difference among ecosystems. Plant diversity had a positive influence on carabid richness at the regional level. Soil compaction and temperature were negatively related to species richness at regional level. Climatic factors positively influenced functional diversities, whereas soil temperature had negative effects. Soil moisture and temperature were the most important drivers of species composition at regional level, whereas the relative importance of the various environmental parameters varied among ecosystems. Discussion Carabid responses to environmental characteristics varied among grassland types, which warns against generalizations and indicates that management programs should be considered at grassland scale. Carabid community structure is strongly influenced by climatic factors, and can therefore be particularly sensitive to ongoing climate change.

Download Full-text

Peer Review #3 of "Carabid community structure in northern China grassland ecosystems: Effects of local habitat on species richness, species composition and functional diversity (v0.1)"

10.7287/peerj.6197v0.1/reviews/3 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Community Structure ◽

Species Composition ◽

Peer Review ◽

Functional Diversity ◽

Northern China ◽

Grassland Ecosystems ◽

Local Habitat

Download Full-text

Ichthyofauna of the Aiuruoca River basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Check List ◽

10.15560/8.6.1166 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 1166 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ruanny Casarim ◽

Marina Lopes Bueno ◽

Paulo Santos Pompeu

Keyword(s):

Community Structure ◽

Rainbow Trout ◽

Species Composition ◽

River Basin ◽

Fish Community ◽

Fish Fauna ◽

Main Channel ◽

Fish Community Structure ◽

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽

Main Factors

Although the Aiuruoca River is recognized as a very important area for fish fauna, the species composition of this river remains unknown or restricted to technical reports of licensing projects. The aim of this study was to describe the composition and distribution of the ichthyofauna in the Aiuruoca River basin. Fifty-eight collection points were sampled along the Aiuruoca River basin during 2010 and 2011, including 38 streams, 11 lagoons and 9 points along the Aiuruoca River main channel. A total of 8562 specimens were collected belonging to 6 orders, 15 families, 33 genera and 47 species. The pirapetinga fish (Brycon nattereri) is listed on Brazil’s endangered species, and the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was the only exotic species captured. Altitude is one of the main factors that influence fish community structure in the Aiuruoca River basin, confirming its importance for fish conservation

Download Full-text