scholarly journals Rediscovery of Hoplia walterrossii: new localities, first ecological notes, description of the female and conservation issues (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-144
Author(s):  
Marco Uliana ◽  
Andrea Liberto ◽  
Valerio Gallerati ◽  
Daniel Patacchiola
Keyword(s):  
Human Activity ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Alluvial Soils ◽  
Strong Reduction ◽  
New Information ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Suitable Habitats ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Flooded Areas

Hoplia walterrossii is a species endemic to Molise, Southern Italy, with completely unknown ecology and virtually known only on the holotype, few additional specimens having been merely listed in a recent paper. Following the discovery of various new populations in the field and of old unpublished samples, we provide new information on ecology, phenology, distribution, and morphology, including the description of the female, so far unknown. H. walterrossii is associated to alluvial soils near the coast, and to lowland floodplains, with apparent tolerance for temporarily flooded areas. Adults are active for about one month, from early May to early June, and have been observed mostly on leaves of canes and on young poplars, never on flowers. An attempt of formal IUCN status assignment is provided, giving the species the “Endagered” status. Suitable habitats for H. walterrossii are small residual meadows and, in particular, wetlands which have been subjected to a recent strong reduction due to human activity. This process, that started centuries ago, is still in progress, in spite of the formal identification of these areas as sites of conservation concern.

Ice-free area expansion compounds the non-native species threat to Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant Duffy ◽  
Jasmine R Lee
Keyword(s):  
Human Activity ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Climate Scenario ◽  
Climatic Environment ◽  
Species Establishment ◽  
Suitable Habitats ◽  
Terrestrial Biodiversity ◽  
A Site ◽  
Area Expansion ◽  
Free Area

Warming across ice-covered regions will result in changes to both the physical and climatic environment, revealing new ice-free habitat and new climatically suitable habitats for non-native species establishment. Recent studies have independently quantified each of these aspects in Antarctica, where ice-free areas form crucial habitat for the majority of terrestrial biodiversity. Here we synthesise projections of Antarctic ice-free area expansion, recent spatial predictions of non-native species risk, and the frequency of human activities to quantify how these facets of anthropogenic change may interact now and in the future. Under a high-emissions future climate scenario, over a quarter of ice-free area and over 80 % of the ~14 thousand km2 of newly uncovered ice-free area could be vulnerable to invasion by one or more of the modelled non-native species by the end of the century. Ice-free areas identified as vulnerable to non-native species establishment were significantly closer to human activity than unsuitable areas were. Furthermore, almost half of the new vulnerable ice-free area is within 20 km of a site of current human activity. The Antarctic Peninsula, where human activity is heavily concentrated, will be at particular risk. The implications of this for conservation values of Antarctica and the management efforts required to mitigate against it are in need of urgent consideration.

scholarly journals New localities of Orobanche bartlingii Griseb. in the Silesian-Cracow Upland as a result of the spread of Libanotis pyrenaica (L.) Bourg. due to the changes in land use

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Babczyńska-Sendek ◽  
Agnieszka Błońska ◽  
Izabela Skowronek
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Secondary Succession ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Ecological Characteristics ◽  
Current State ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Traditional Land Use

Abstract Human activity is a factor strongly influencing the current state of vegetation. The abandonment of traditional land use enables uncontrolled secondary succession. Libanotis pyrenaica, a host plant for Orobanche bartlingii, is a great example of species that spread as a result of this process, especially in the area of the Silesian-Cracow Upland. The aim of this study is to show that the expansion of L. pyrenaica caused by changes in land use promotes spreading of O. bartlingii - a species rare in Poland and Europe. During the field research conducted in the last decade, further localities of O. bartlingii were found. The gathered data were summarized to supplement the known distribution of the species and to present floristic and ecological characteristics of the phytocenoses with the participation of L. pyrenaica and O. bartlingii.

scholarly journals The Neolithic Site of Serra Cicora: Results of the AMS Radiocarbon Dating

Radiocarbon ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Quarta ◽  
M D'Elia ◽  
E Ingravallo ◽  
I Tiberi ◽  
L Calcagnile
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Early Neolithic ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Late Neolithic ◽  
Ams Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Neolithic Site ◽  
New Information ◽  
Definition Of

Bone and charcoal samples from the Neolithic site of Serra Cicora in the Salento Peninsula (southern Italy) have been dated by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Measurements appear to support other archaeological evidence and have shown that 2 distinct phases of human occupation of the site can be identified: the first occupation in the Early Neolithic and a second occupation in the Middle-Late Neolithic. The results provide new information and are a fundamental contribution to the definition of the absolute chronology of the Middle-Late Neolithic in this part of Europe.

Contribution to the taxonomy and biology of two Balkan endemic Isoperla Banks, 1906 (Plecoptera: Perlodidae) species

Zoosymposia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 73-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
DÁVID MURÁNYI ◽  
TIBOR KOVÁCS ◽  
KIRILL MÁRK ORCI
Keyword(s):  
Total Duration ◽  
First Record ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
New Information ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Apical Half ◽  
Repetition Pattern ◽  
High Elevations ◽  
First Time

We contribute new information on the taxonomy and biology of two recently described Balkan endemic stonefly species of the genus Isoperla Banks, 1906 (Plecoptera: Perlodidae). The hitherto unknown larva of Isoperla pesici Murányi, 2011 can be distinguished from related species on the basis of more laterally positioned abdominal stripes, and the long hairs on the apical half of the cerci. This species has a wide distribution in the Central Balkans, and we add six new localities, including the first record from Albania. It emerges from late spring to mid-summer, and occurs at low to moderately high altitudes. Isoperla pesici seems to be associated with springs, especially karst spring outlets, although it occurs in both small and large springs. The hitherto unknown larva of Isoperla citrina Murányi, 2011 is distinguished by its brown coloration with an indistinct pattern, quadrangular lacinia and lack of long hairs on the apical half of the cerci. The female lacks distinctive terminalia or egg characters and its habitus is similar to the male and sufficient to distinguish it from other known Balkan taxa. The male mating call is a sequence of beat-groups with a total duration of 3–6 s (at 22 °C); each group generally containing 3 beats, while the beat repetition pattern within beat groups is rather simple. This species is restricted to the high mountains of the western-Central Balkans, where we record four new localities, including the first record from Macedonia. It emerges from June to October, and is associated with very small creeks, lined with bushes at high elevations. Amongst the accompanying species, eleven are reported for the first time from Albania: (Brachyptera helenica Aubert, 1956, B. graeca Berthélemy, 1971, Leuctra bronislawi Sowa, 1970a, L. hirsuta Bogoecu & Tabacaru, 1960, L. hippopoides Kaçanski & Zwick, 1970, L. pseudosignifera Aubert, 1954, Protonemura hrabei Raušer, 1956, P. nitida (Pictet, 1836), Nemurella pictetii (Klapálek, 1900), Chloroperla russevi Braasch, 1969 and Siphonoperla neglecta (Rostock, 1881)), while one from Macedonia (Nemoura caligula Zwick, 1978) and Leuctra pseudohippopus Raušer, 1965 is reported from outside the Moesian ranges for the first time.

scholarly journals Palaeobotanical study of Polichnitos region, southern part of Lesbos Island, Greece (preliminary results on angiosperm wood).

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mantzouka ◽  
J. Sakala ◽  
Z. Kvaček ◽  
V. Karakitsios
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Data ◽  
Fossil Wood ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Plant Fossils ◽  
New Information ◽  
New Localities ◽  
First Time ◽  
Petrified Forest

The present contribution brings new scientific data for the palaeoflora of Lesbos based on new collections of plant fossils which were discovered in 2011 at six new localities from the southern part of Lesbos Island. This study resumes the published data both on the palaeovegetation of the Petrified Forest and the palaeogeography of Lesbos Island during the Neogene. The new palaeobotanical study with more than seventy new samples of fossilized wood from the broader area of Polichnitos region gives new information about the palaeobotanical and palaeontological content of this area. It is reported for the first time here the existence of a diversified fossil wood assemblage from the southern part of the Island as long as the identification of three types of lauraceous wood according to their idioblasts characteristics.

scholarly journals Piecing together the biogeographic history of Chenopodium vulvaria L. using botanical literature and collections

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin J Groom
Keyword(s):  
Environmental History ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Introduction Pathways ◽  
The North ◽  
Climate Niche ◽  
Biogeographic History ◽  
Suitable Habitats ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Alien Weed

This study demonstrates the value of legacy literature and historic collections as a source of data on environmental history. Chenopodium vulvaria L. has declined in Northern Europe and is of conservation concern in several countries, whereas in other countries it has naturalised and is considered an alien weed. It is hypothesised that much of its former distribution was the result of repeated introductions from its native range in southern Europe and that its decline in northern Europe is the result of habitat change and a reduction in number of propagules imported to the north. An historical analysis of its ecology and distribution was conducted by mining legacy literature and historic botanical collections. Text analysis of habitat descriptions written on specimens and published in botanical literature covering a period of more than 200 years indicate that the habitat and introduction pathways of C. vulvaria have changed with time. Using the naturalised alien range in a climate niche model it is possible to project the range in Europe. By comparing this predicted model with a similar model created from all observations it is clear that there is a large discrepancy between the realised and predicted distributions. It is concluded that if C. vulvaria was native to northern Europe, then it was only ever a rare species, however it was more common in the 18th and 19th centuries due to a combination of repeated introductions and the creation of suitable habitats by people.

scholarly journals Multiple Effects of Intense Meteorological Events in the Benevento Province, Southern Italy

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Revellino ◽  
Luigi Guerriero ◽  
Neri Mascellaro ◽  
Francesco Fiorillo ◽  
Gerardo Grelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
Total Rainfall ◽  
Campania Region ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Pattern Distribution ◽  
The Town ◽  
Flooded Areas

In October 2015, two intense rainfall events hit the central and southern regions of Italy and triggered a combination of different and widespread effects, including floods, landslides, and soil erosion. These outcomes devastated about 68 municipalities of the Benevento province (Campania region), killed two people, and caused millions of euros worth of damage to structures, infrastructures, and agriculture. The town of Benevento was one of the sectors most affected by overflow. Extensive areas characterized by flyschoid outcrops experienced widespread occurrences of soil erosion and landslides, and destructive, high-velocity debris flows (about 50) afflicted areas that had experienced heavy rainfall of higher intensity (total rainfall of 415.6 mm). In this study, the characteristics of these rainfall events and related geomorphological processes were determined by (i) analyzing the available rainfall data to identify the spatial pattern, distribution, and statistical characteristics of the two storms and (ii) mapping the storm effects, such as flooded areas, landslide types, and soil erosion. These effects were then related to the spatial distribution of the storms and the local geological and geomorphologic settings that drove their initiation and development.

Notes on the cultural value, biology and conservation status of the Data Deficient Tagula butcherbird (Cracticus louisiadensis Tristram, 1889)

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
W. Goulding ◽  
P. Moss ◽  
C. A. McAlpine
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Island Species ◽  
Area Of Occupancy ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Species Population ◽  
Data Deficient ◽  
Suitable Habitats ◽  
Conservation Concern

The Tagula butcherbird (Cracticus louisiadensis) is an endemic island species of butcherbird that has remained virtually unknown for over 130 years. The lack of information on the species has resulted in it being assigned to the Data Deficient category by BirdLife International and the IUCN, leaving its conservation status open to continuing speculation. This is an ongoing concern given the rapid environmental changes occurring in the region. Here, we describe the first observations of the habitat use, life history and ecology of the species. We also present information collected across the island distribution of the species, including density and population estimates. We found the Tagula butcherbird to be culturally important and relatively common in suitable habitats across four islands of the Louisiade Archipelago (Papua New Guinea). However, the species was absent from highly disturbed areas. We estimated this species’ extent of occurrence to be ~1200km2 and area of occupancy to be less than 800km2. Population densities were estimated via pre-dawn assessments of singing birds and line transects. Density estimates were found to be between 0.14 and 0.53 individuals per hectare, with the highest density observed on Sabara Island. These densities were combined with remote sensing data to estimate the amount of available habitat and the species’ population size, which was estimated to be between ~11500 and 23000 individuals. The species’ dependence on forest habitat with a relatively intact canopy, combined with the likely continuing destruction of habitat on Junet and Panawina Islands, remains a conservation concern.

Extended diagnosis of the type species of Pseudogonatodes Ruthven 1915 (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4915 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-59
Author(s):  
ANDRÉS CAMILO MONTES-CORREA ◽  
LILIANA P. SABOYÁ-ACOSTA ◽  
JUAN DAVID JIMÉNEZ-BOLAÑO ◽  
TEDDY ANGARITA-SIERRA ◽  
VLADIMIR BRICEÑO-PÉREZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
External Morphology ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
New Information ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Taxonomic Studies

Pseudogonatodes furvus is an endemic gecko from the region of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an isolated massif located in the continental Caribbean region of Colombia. Pseudogonatodes furvus is the type species of the genus, and its morphology and natural history remain poorly known. This lizard was described based on two specimens. After its description, the species has only been mentioned in a handful of taxonomic studies of Pseudogonatodes, in which a few morphological characters of P. furvus have been mentioned. One other paper reported two new localities, without providing new information on the external morphology, especially the lepidosis of the newly obtained specimens. Here we review the external morphology of P. furvus, based on examination of the holotype and six additional specimens. We provide an extended diagnosis and definition, description of holotype, variation, comparisons with other Pseudogonatodes, geographic distribution (adding a fourth locality to the known distribution for the species), and conservation status. Additionally, we describe osteological features for the diagnosis of the genus. 

Flowering of Australia's Rainforests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Williams
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Evolutionary Pathway ◽  
Current State ◽  
New Information ◽  
Major Species ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pollinator Fauna

The Flowering of Australia’s Rainforests provides a comprehensive introduction to the pollination ecology, evolution and conservation of Australian rainforest plants, with particular emphasis on subtropical rainforests and their associated pollinators. This significantly expanded second edition includes new information on the impact of climate change, fire, fragmentation and invasive species. Rainforests continue to be a focus of global conservation concern, not only from threats to biodiversity in general, but to pollinators specifically. Within Australia, this has been emphasised by recent cataclysmic fire impacts, ongoing extreme drought events, and the wider consideration of climate change. This second edition strengthens coverage of these issues beyond that of the first edition. The Flowering of Australia’s Rainforests makes timely contributions to our understanding of the nature and function of the world’s pollinator fauna, plant-reproduction dependencies, and the evolutionary pathway that has brought them to their current state and function. Illustrated with 150 colour plates of major species and rainforest formations, this reference work will be of value to ecologists and field naturalists, botanists, conservation biologists, ecosystem managers and community groups involved in habitat restoration.

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