Faunal features of caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera) in Konavle region (Croatia) with notes on DNA barcoding and conservation biology

Throughout this research, 230 Trichoptera specimens were collected in the area of Konavle area, the southernmost region of Croatia. Altogether 21 species, 15 genera and 11 families were identified. DNA barcoding covered 41 specimens represented with 15 species collected in the Konavle region. The highest number of species was recorded at two localities: the spring of the River Ljuta (13) and a spring in the village Vodovađa (8). The highest number of taxa (4) was recorded within the following two families: Hydroptilidae and Hydropsychidae. From a faunistic point of view, the most interesting species in Konavle region are: Agapetus cf. kampos Oláh (the first record for Croatia), Hydroptila martini Marshall (the first record for the Mediterranean part of Croatia), Oxyethira falcata Morton (the first record for Croatia), Tinodes andrasi Oláh (type locality of the species is River Ljuta), Diplectrona cf. afra McLachlan (the first record from the Mediterranean part of Croatia) and Micropterna wageneri Malicky (the second record for Croatia). The first DNA barcoding data for the species Agapetus cf. kampos Oláh and Tinodes andrasi Oláh were entered into the BOLD database. The area of Konavle represents one of the most interesting regions for the fauna of Trichoptera and can be considered as a ”hotspot” for caddisflies in Croatia. Thus, it is necessary to install high standards for their protection.

Morphological and molecular confirmation of the common pipistrelle bat, Pipistrellus pipistrellus Schreber, 1774 (Vespertilionidae: Chiroptera), in Xinjiang, China

Species identification is pivotal in taxonomy, systematics, evolutionary biology and conservation biology. We collected bats that died of natural causes in Shihezi city, Xinjiang, China, and carried out morphological and genetic identification. Morphologically, all individuals were adults/subadults or juveniles of Pipistrellus pipistrellus. We found one haplotype for the mitochondrial gene ND1 and five for the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (Cytb) among six specimens. Phylogenetically, all the Cytb sequences grouped with P. pipistrellus. We confirm this species’ occurrence in Xinjiang, China.

Challenges and Perspectives in the Study of Self-Incompatibility in Orchids

Self-incompatibility affects not only the formation of seeds, but also the evolution of species diversity. A robust understanding of the molecular mechanisms of self-incompatibility is essential for breeding efforts, as well as conservation biology research. In recent years, phenotypic and multiple omics studies have revealed that self-incompatibility in Orchidaceae is mainly concentrated in the subfamily Epidendroideae, and the self-incompatibility phenotypes are diverse, even in the same genus, and hormones (auxin and ethylene), and new male and female determinants might be involved in SI response. This work provides a good foundation for future studies of the evolution and molecular mechanisms of self-incompatibility. We review recent research progress on self-incompatibility in orchids at the morphological, physiological, and molecular levels, provide a general overview of self-incompatibility in orchids, and propose future research directions.

Reinforcement of Environmental DNA Based Methods (Sensu stricto) in Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation: A Review

Recently developed non-invasive environmental DNA-based (eDNA) techniques have enlightened modern conservation biology, propelling the monitoring/management of natural populations to a more effective and efficient approach, compared to traditional surveys. However, due to rapid-expansion of eDNA, confusion in terminology and collection/analytical pipelines can potentially jeopardize research progression, methodological standardization, and practitioner adoption in several ways. Present investigation reflects the developmental progress of eDNA (sensu stricto) including highlighting the successful case studies in conservation management. The eDNA technique is successfully relevant in several areas of conservation research (invasive/conserve species detection) with a high accuracy and authentication, which gradually upgrading modern conservation approaches. The eDNA technique related bioinformatics (e.g., taxon-specific-primers MiFish, MiBird, etc.), sample-dependent methodology, and advancement of sequencing technology (e.g., oxford-nanopore-sequencing) are helping in research progress. The investigation shows that the eDNA technique is applicable largely in (i) early detection of invasive species, (ii) species detection for conservation, (iii) community level biodiversity monitoring, (iv) ecosystem health monitoring, (v) study on trophic interactions, etc. Thus, the eDNA technique with a high accuracy and authentication can be applicable alone or coupled with traditional surveys in conservation biology. However, a comprehensive eDNA-based monitoring program (ecosystem modeling and function) is essential on a global scale for future management decisions.

EDITORIAL : A research priority for biodiversity conservation

Conservation biology emerged as a scientific discipline in the mid-1980s with the explicit practical goal of conserving species and habitats. The term ‘biodiversity’ was coined soon after, apparently at some time during the organization of the September 1986 National Forum on Biodiversity held by the US National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institution. The science of conservation biology was quickly taken up. Journals proliferated and textbooks soon followed. Laboratories within university biology and ecology departments specialized in conservation biology. Along with a great many other young biologists and ecologists, I climbed the moral high ground and set about research to help change the future by discovering how to protect biodiversity.

Amarakaeri: Connecting Biodiversity | Conectando la Biodiversidad

<p><b><i>This digital monograph is made available by the publisher. Print copies are available for purchase through our distributor, Penguin Random House and on Amazon.com</i></b></p> <p><em><b> </b></em></p><p>Highlighting the enormous biodiversity of the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve (ACR) and the critical role this protected area plays in the conservation of Madre de Dios, in southeastern Peru, with more than 1,700 vivid photographs, <i>Amarakaeri: Connecting Biodiversity</i> offers readers a glimpse into the extensive research conducted by scholars from the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and their Peruvian counterparts. For three years, scientists and local experts had the extraordinary opportunity to collect data at the premontane forests of the ACR to determine potential impacts of an exploratory gas platform on selected animal and plant groups. <i>Amarakaeri</i> also portrays the main threats to the ACR and presents a vision for the region’s future.</p><p>Destacando la enorme biodiversidad de la Reserva Comunal de Amarakaeri (RCA) y el papel crítico que esta área protegida juega en la conservación de Madre de Dios, en el sureste de Perú, <i>Amarakaeri: Conectando la Biodiversidad</i> ofrece a los lectores una mirada rápida a la extensa investigación realizada por académicos del Smithsonian National Zoo y del Conservation Biology Institute junto con sus homólogos peruanos. Durante tres años, los científicos y expertos locales tuvieron la extraordinaria oportunidad de compilar datos en los bosques premontanos de la RCA para determinar los posibles impactos de una plataforma exploratoria de gas en grupos seleccionados de animales y plantas. <i>Amarakaeri</i> además retrata las principales amenazas a la reserva y presenta una visión para el futuro de la región.<br></p><div></div>

Opportunities and Limitations for Reproductive Science in Species Conservation

Reproductive science in the context of conservation biology is often understood solely in terms of breeding threatened species. Although technologies developed primarily for agriculture or biomedicine have a potentially important role in species conservation, their effectiveness is limited if we regard the main objective of animal conservation as helping to support populations rather than to breed a small number of individuals. The global threats facing wild species include the consequences of climate change, population growth, urbanization, atmospheric and water pollution, and the release of chemicals into the environment, to cite but a few. Reproductive sciences provide important and often unexpected windows into many of these consequences, and our aim here is both to demonstrate the breadth of reproductive science and the importance of basic knowledge and to suggest where some of the insights might be useful in mitigating the problems. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Volume 10 is February 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.