Ant diversity on the largest Mediterranean islands: on the presence or absence of 28 species in Sicily (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

The ant fauna of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean basin, has been significantly overlooked over the time. Drafting a reliable Sicilian ant checklist requires extensive field surveys, a careful review of the literature and of museum specimens, as well as the taxonomic investigation of some problematic issues. As a part of these ongoing efforts, we present our results on the presence or absence of 25 species. By analyzing specimens collected during the last 35 years across the island and reviewing old records in the light of present-day taxonomy, we provide evidence of the presence of 9 species (Camponotus ruber, Lasius myops, L. platythorax, Plagiolepis schmitzii, Ponera testacea, Solenopsis orbula, Temnothorax clypeatus, T. nylanderi, and T. ravouxi), while suggesting the absence of 19 others (Camponotus ligniperda, C. sicheli, C. spissinodis, Formica lugubris, Lasius alienus, L. flavus, L. niger, L. paralienus, Messor minor, M. wasmanni, Monomorium monomorium, Myrmica scabrinodis, M. spinosior, Nylanderia sp. 2 sensu Schifani & Alicata 2018, Solenopsis fugax, Temnothorax luteus, T. tuberum, Tetramorium caespitum, and T. indocile). Similar studies are necessary across Italy, as a significant portion of the existing ant records is outdated due to the evolved taxonomic framework.

Download Full-text

Extensive introgression and mosaic genomes of Mediterranean endemic lizards

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-22949-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Weizhao Yang ◽

Nathalie Feiner ◽

Catarina Pinho ◽

Geoffrey M. While ◽

Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Evolutionary History ◽

Mediterranean Islands ◽

The Past ◽

Island Endemics ◽

Extant Species ◽

Mediterranean Island ◽

History Of ◽

Entire History ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Mediterranean Basin

AbstractThe Mediterranean basin is a hotspot of biodiversity, fuelled by climatic oscillation and geological change over the past 20 million years. Wall lizards of the genus Podarcis are among the most abundant, diverse, and conspicuous Mediterranean fauna. Here, we unravel the remarkably entangled evolutionary history of wall lizards by sequencing genomes of 34 major lineages covering 26 species. We demonstrate an early (>11 MYA) separation into two clades centred on the Iberian and Balkan Peninsulas, and two clades of Mediterranean island endemics. Diversification within these clades was pronounced between 6.5–4.0 MYA, a period spanning the Messinian Salinity Crisis, during which the Mediterranean Sea nearly dried up before rapidly refilling. However, genetic exchange between lineages has been a pervasive feature throughout the entire history of wall lizards. This has resulted in a highly reticulated pattern of evolution across the group, characterised by mosaic genomes with major contributions from two or more parental taxa. These hybrid lineages gave rise to several of the extant species that are endemic to Mediterranean islands. The mosaic genomes of island endemics may have promoted their extraordinary adaptability and striking diversity in body size, shape and colouration, which have puzzled biologists for centuries.

Download Full-text

Habitat Characteristics Coincidence of Dead and Living Long-Tailed Gorals (Naemorhedus caudatus) According to Extreme Snowfall

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11040997 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 997

Author(s):

Hee-Bok Park ◽

Sungwon Hong

Keyword(s):

Species Distribution Modeling ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Heavy Snowfall ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Location Data ◽

Pregnant Females ◽

Occurrence Data ◽

Animal Remains ◽

Extensive Field ◽

Lower Mobility

The long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) is a critically endangered herbivore in South Korea. Despite government efforts to recover the population through reintroduction programs, the animal remains vulnerable to heavy snowfall. From March to June 2010, 24 animals were found dead due to heavy snowfall in the Wangpi Stream basin. In this study, we hypothesized that gorals that died due to snowfall are low-status individuals that lived in the sub-optimal or non-suitable areas. Using the occurrence data from extensive field surveys from 2008 to 2010 in the Wangpi Stream and the carcass location data, we (1) defined the goral habitat characteristics and (2) compared the habitat characteristics between dead and living gorals using ensemble species distribution modeling. The results suggested that the sites where dead gorals were found were highly related to typical goral habitats. These results implied that the optimal goral habitats could become uninhabitable following heavy snowfall. Most of the dead animals were pregnant females or were young, implying that they could not escape their primary habitats due to lower mobility. Thus, when there is a climate catastrophe, the optimal goral habitats should be considered for rescue and artificial feeding.

Download Full-text

A refined circumscription of Notobubon striatum and the resurrection of Dregea collina Ecklon & Zeyher (Apiaceae, Apioideae)

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.266.1.4 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 266 (1) ◽

pp. 27 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

ANTHONY R. MAGEE ◽

ODETTE E. CURTIS ◽

B-E. VAN WYK

Keyword(s):

Conservation Status ◽

Leaf Size ◽

Type Specimen ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Type Material ◽

New Combination ◽

Careful Examination ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Extensive Field

Extensive field surveys of the Critically Endangered Central and Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld have uncovered that Notobubon striatum, as currently circumscribed, comprises two distinct species. Upon careful examination of the type material it has become clear that names exist for both species. The type specimen of N. striatum clearly matches the lesser known species, a large shrub, ca. 1 m. tall, with a powerful anise-scent and which is restricted to the banks of seasonal rivers and watercourses in the Central and Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld. The second and better known entity, with a wider distribution, corresponds to the type material of Dregea collina Ecklon & Zeyher. As such, a new combination, Notobubon collinum (Ecklon & Zeyher) Magee, is here made to accommodate this taxon, restricted to dry quartz and silcrete patches or outcrops in Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld. In their revised circumscriptions N. striatum and N. collinum are readily distinguished by habit, scent, leaf size and division, as well as leaf lobe shape and sepal size. Comprehensive descriptions of both species are provided, together with notes on their ecology and conservation status, and the existing key to the species of Notobubon updated. This brings the number of recognised species in the genus to thirteen.

Download Full-text

Chemotaxonomic study of the Lethariella cladonioides complex (lichenized Ascomycota, Parmeliaceae)

The Lichenologist ◽

10.1017/s0024282911000119 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 213-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dong-ling NIU ◽

Hiroshi HARADA ◽

Li-song WANG ◽

Ying-jun ZHANG ◽

Chong-ren YANG

Keyword(s):

Chemical Analysis ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Chemical Polymorphism ◽

Extensive Field ◽

Chemotaxonomic Study

AbstractA chemotaxonomic study was carried out on the Lethariella cladonioides complex, including L. sernanderi and L. cashmeriana of the subgenus Chlorea, based on extensive field surveys and a detailed morphological and chemical analysis. Only one species, L. cladonioides made up of five chemical races, is recognized. Lethariella sernanderi and L. cashmeriana are reduced to synonyms under L. cladonioides. The presence of a remarkable chemical polymorphism within the population of L. cladonioides is demonstrated. New data on the chemistry and the distribution of the species are presented.

Download Full-text

Updated checklist of bony fishes along the Libyan coasts (Southern Mediterranean Sea)

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.15570 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

HOUSSEIN ELBARAASI ◽

BAHRIA ELABAR ◽

SALAMA ELAABIDI ◽

ASMA BASHIR ◽

OSAMA ELSILINI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Scale ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Complete Representation ◽

Bony Fishes ◽

Southern Mediterranean ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Marine Areas ◽

Non Indigenous Species ◽

The Mediterranean Basin

Here we provide an updated review of both native and non-indigenous ichthyofauna occurring in the waters of Libya, one of the largest and less studied marine areas of the Mediterranean basin. With respect to the most recent information, the list of Libyan bony fishes was updated with 104 species for a total of 304 listed taxa. Out of these species, 271 are native, 6 endemic to the Mediterranean, 22 non indigenous of Lessepsian origin and 5 range expanding taxa from Gibraltar. Information on the distribution and abundance of Lessepsian fishes along the Libyan coasts was gained through both field surveys and interviews with local small-scale fishermen, which contributed in filling large information gaps in the area. This combined approach allowed to gather a more complete representation of non indigenous species along the Libyan coasts and indicated three assessment areas, corresponding to the eastern, central and western sectors of the country, which should be considered in future monitoring programs.

Download Full-text

Legumes of Kerala, India: a checklist

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.6475.13.5.18257-18282 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 18257-18282

Author(s):

Anoop P. Balan ◽

S.V. Predeep

Keyword(s):

Western Ghats ◽

Single Species ◽

Biodiversity Hotspot ◽

The State ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Extensive Field ◽

Voucher Specimens ◽

Kerala State ◽

The Western Ghats

A checklist of the legumes of Kerala State is presented. This exhaustive checklist is an outcome of extensive field surveys, collection, identification and documentation of family Leguminosae carried out across Kerala State during the period 2006–2019. A total of 448 taxa were recorded under five subfamilies and 115 genera. The majority of the legumes are herbs and shrubs, the rest being trees and woody climbers. About 81 taxa are endemic to India, especially confined to the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, out of which 17 are endemic to Kerala. The state is home to two Critically Endangered and six Endangered legumes, facing severe threat of extinction. Crotalaria is the dominant legume genus in the state with 62 taxa followed by Desmodium and Indigofera. About 57 genera are represented by single species each. Legumes are treated according to the latest phylogenetic classification of the Legume Phylogeny Working Group (LPWG). Updated nomenclature, habit, native countries, voucher specimens, and images of endemic and lesser known legumes found in the state are provided. Crotalaria multiflora var. kurisumalayana (Sibichen & Nampy) Krishnaraj & N. Mohanan is reduced as a synonym to C. multiflora (Arn.) Benth.

Download Full-text

The oat-like grass Trisetopsis aspera (Munro ex Thwaites) Röser & A.Wölk (Poaceae): a new record for the flora of central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.6181.13.1.17601-17603 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 17601-17603

Author(s):

H.U. Abhijit ◽

Y.L. Krishnamurthy ◽

K. Gopalakrishna Bhat

Keyword(s):

Random Sampling ◽

Western Ghats ◽

New Record ◽

Sampling Method ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Extensive Field ◽

Central Western Ghats

For the documentation of grasses in the central Western Ghats of Karnataka, we have conducted the extensive field surveys by using random sampling method from 2017 to 2020. During this survey we have collected some grass specimens from the shola grassland, which forms the new distributional record of Trisetopsis aspera (Munro ex Thwaites) Roser & A. Wolk to the flora of central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India from the montane high- lands of Baba Budangiri hills of Chikkamagaluru District.

Download Full-text

Documentation of Commonly Used Ethnoveterinary Medicines from Wild Plants of the High Mountains in Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh, India

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae7100351 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. 351

Author(s):

Pramod Prakash ◽

Radha ◽

Manoj Kumar ◽

Ashok Pundir ◽

Sunil Puri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Rural People ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Extensive Field ◽

Permanent Loss ◽

Rosaceae Family ◽

Medicinal Properties ◽

Livestock Diseases

The aim of current study is to provide a significant traditional knowledge on wild medicines used for ethnoveterinary purposes in the rural area of Maraog region in district Shimla. The medicinal plants have played a significant role in the treatment of human as well as animal’s diseases. The rural people of the Maraog region were interviewed through a questionnaire and extensive field surveys were conducted from June 2020 to July 2021. The discussion, observations and interviews were conducted in study site and included 96 informants. The information gathered from the residents is presented in a table format and includes scientific and local names, different parts used, diseases treated and mode administration. The most commonly used taxa are calculated with used value. The study revealed 100 plants in which trees (7), shrubs (26), herbs (56), ferns (5), grasses (3) and climbers (3) were identified. The most commonly documented livestock diseases were found to be hoof infections, eyes infections, poisoning and skin infections. In the current study, the Rosaceae family was reported as being the highest number (11), followed by Asteraceae (10) and then Lamiaceae (6). It was found that leaves, roots, flowers and fruits are the commonly used parts for ethnoveterinary medications. The phytochemicals present in the plant, such as alkaloids, sterols, glycosides, flavonoids, lignin, coumarins and terpenoids, etc., may be responsible for their medicinal properties. In this documentation, it was observed that the younger generation does not have good knowledge of medicinal plants as compared to the older ones. Therefore, it is necessary to preserve the traditional knowledge of these medicinal plants before their permanent loss. The documentation and conservation of medicinal plants can be a good start for novel phytopharmacological research in the veterinary field.

Download Full-text

Vachellia bolei (Leguminosae, Mimosaceae) a possibly extinct coastal stenoendemic legume of southern India

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.397.1.11 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 397 (1) ◽

pp. 107

Author(s):

KRISHNACHANDRAN SAMPATH KUMAR ◽

KANDASAMY KATHIRESAN ◽

SENNIAPPAN ARUMUGAM

Keyword(s):

Present Status ◽

Tamil Nadu ◽

Literature Survey ◽

Southern India ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Extensive Field

Based on intensive literature survey, thorough herbaria consultations, and extensive field surveys (2012–2017) along the coast of Tamil Nadu, besides consulting experts and botanists to resolve the typification and nomenclatural issues, the discovery, nomenclature, lectotype, distribution, and the present status of the coastal stenoendemic legume, Vachellia bolei (syn. Acacia bolei), in southern India, is discussed here in detail. Clarification regarding the Lectotype of the taxon is made and the extinction of the species is reported.

Download Full-text

HYDKOSEDIMENTOLOGICAL STUDIES IN BAHIA BLANCA

Coastal Engineering Proceedings ◽

10.9753/icce.v18.76 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 1 (18) ◽

pp. 76

Author(s):

R.V. Petroni ◽

D.D. Serman ◽

R.S. Escalante

Keyword(s):

Outer Part ◽

Tidal Range ◽

Buenos Aires Province ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Influence Area ◽

Extensive Field ◽

Navigation Channel ◽

Grain Trade ◽

The Mean ◽

Long Channel

The increasing international grain trade make it necessary to have more deep facilities for large draught ships. Within the areas of major agriculture developments, Bahia BIan ca harbour complex, is one of the most important and consequen (;ly also its improvement. In order to achieve this improvement a deeper and wider navigation channel has to be designed. The actual channel, 100 km. long is limited to bulk up to 37 ft. draught. It is developed along a sandy coast with large bars and islands. Bahia Blanca is the southwest of the Buenos Aires Province, within trapezoidal shape, where the mean tidal range chang m in the inner part to 1,8 m in the outer part. Try prove a so long channel in a complex sedimentologic imply a rather difficult task, which requires a ful gation programme to achieve an economical and techn tion. To this end, extensive field and desk studies ed out covering all the influence area and testing altematives . . carriers and silty located at a Bay of es from 3,5 ing to imal area . ly investiical so luwe re carri different One of the major problems to solve is the sedimentological sta bility of the channel due to the action of currents and waves. The use of mathematical models and of large and reliable field surveys, together with a pilot test dredging used as a one to one model for the calibration of the transport formulas, looks as the most suitable method to attack such problems. The results of this study are part of the navigation channel project carried out by the firm NEDECO-ARCONSULT for the Argen tine Government.

Download Full-text