Distribution of the European bladdernut Staphylea pinnata (Staphyleaceae) in Poland

This paper presents the current distribution range of the protected shrub European bladdernut Staphylea pinnata in Poland. The study was based on a literature review, multidisciplinary search methods and field visits. The paper presents 211 sites considered as natural (including 48 new) and 143 sites considered as sites of anthropogenic origin (including 116 new). The data included in this paper extend the natural range of the species mainly in the Sudety Mts & Sudety Foreland, Rożnów Foothills, and the Tarnogród Plateau. It has been confirmed that the areas of Przemyśl Foothills (54 sites) and Dynów Foothills (49 sites) are the sites most abundant in bladdernut considered as natural. A few sites of anthropogenic origin have been found in the area of northern Poland, several hundred kilometres from the border of the bladdernut continual distribution range. In the case of sites of anthropogenic origin, knowledge of their distribution has increased significantly. This paper provides a basis for further research on the bladdernut in Poland and Europe and may be useful in population management of this protected species.

Rare and protected species of Caraboidea (Coleoptera) of the Steppe zone of Ukraine

New data on the distribution, occurrence and ecology of 19 rare and little-known species of Caraboidea from 14 genera were obtained in the result of research at Steppe zone of Ukraine. Herein, Parophonus hirsutulus is given for the fauna of Ukraine for the first time, while Cicindela sylvatica and Carabus coriaceus are recorded for the first time in the Steppe zone. The species Poecilus nitens, Carterus angustipennis lutschniki and Eucarterus sparsutus are registered for the first time in mainland Ukraine, and Acinopus ammophilus is newly found at the steppe of Left-bank Ukraine. The distribution of six rare species in the Steppe zone of Ukraine is specified, namely Calathus mollis, Ophonus minimus, Parophonus planicollis, Ditomus calidonius oriens, Masoreus wetterhallii, and Mastax thermarum. The seasonal occurrence of subspecies Cephalota deserticola sivashensis and Carabus sibiricus errans in biotopes is analyzed. New data on four species of ground beetles protected by the Red Data Book of Ukraine (Cephalota besseri, Carabus hungaricus, Parazuphium chevrolatii, Carterus dama) is provided.

Improving the Knowledge on Distribution, Food Preferences and DNA Barcoding of Natura 2000 Protected Species Paracossulus thrips (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) in Romania

Paracossulus thrips (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) is one of the locally distributed and endangered species. In Europe, it is also one of the few protected moth species, through Annexes II and IV of the Council Directive 92/43/EEC, Annex II of the Bern Convention. To date, little is known about the biology and ecology of this species. Our study was conducted in Transylvania, Romania. Romania hosts some of the strongest populations of the species in the European region. As part of the study, we conducted field observations, vegetation analyses, and genetic analyses. In our paper, we show the habitat types where we encounter P. thrips in Transylvania and confirm Phlomis tuberosa as a host plant. Furthermore, a piece of important information for habitat conservation is given. In this paper, we present the eggs and larvae of P. thrips, the first DNA barcoding sequences, and four new populations of P. thrips in Romania. Our study provides baseline knowledge about the biology and ecology of P. thrips, which is important for conservation and establishing management measures.

DISTRIBUTION AND GENETIC ANALYSIS OF WILD-LIVING EURASIAN BEAVERS IN CENTRAL ITALY

The presence of the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber L. has been recently confirmed with two separated populations in Tuscany (Central Italy) and probably represents the result of an unofficial release. In late spring and summer 2021, seven reliable records of Eurasian beaver have been collected in Umbria and other neighbouring regions, implying that the distribution of this large rodent is even wider than previously reported. In this short work, we updated the distribution of this protected species in Central Italy, by collecting and mapping all the confirmed occurrences. Beavers were proved to be present throughout the Tiber (Tevere) river basin in both provinces of Umbria, and another individual has been road-killed in the Marche region, near the border with Tuscany. Other single signs of presence occurred in Emilia Romagna and Latium. The only hair sample we were able to collect confirmed it as the Eurasian beaver species. No reliable evidence is available on the number of free-ranging beavers in Central Italy, and systematic monitoring is needed. Before any management and conservation action, further data are required concerning distribution range, potential origin, social perception, and the effects on the ecosystems.

On the occurance of crowned river turtle, Hardella thurjii in Gujarat, India

The crowned river turtle, Hardella thurjii (Gray, 1831) is widely distributed from Pakistan to Bangladesh, and possibly in western Myanmar. It prefers the middle and lower reaches of the northern river systems on the Indian subcontinent, comprising the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries. The species is classified as Endangered, but nationally remains a poorly protected species under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. This communication presents the first photographic evidence of the crowned river turtle, from Gujarat State, India. It was previously reported from North Gujarat two decades ago, but without any evidence.

The European green toad, Bufotes viridis, in Donaufeld (Vienna, Austria): status and size of the population

The European green toad, Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768), is a rare and protected species in Vienna. In spring and summer 2020, we conducted a survey to assess size and status of its population in Donaufeld, an agricultural area designated for real estate development. Recaptures of photographically registered toads allowed to estimate the population size with 137 individuals (confidence interval: 104–181). Comparatively large body size indicates the presence of a well-established population. Reproductive success was high in the study year. A mismatch mating of a male B. viridis with a female Bufo bufo was observed. Mitigation measures are needed to support this population facing imminent habitat deterioration.

Shaped by the Sun: the effect of exposure to sunlight on the evolution of spider bodies

Body temperature can strongly influence fitness. Some Sun-exposed ectotherms thermoregulate by adjusting body posture according to the Sun's position. In these species, body elongation should reduce the risk of heat stress by allowing the exposure of a smaller body area to sunlight. Therefore, selection should favour more elongated bodies in Sun-exposed than in Sun-protected species. Diurnal orb-web spider species that sit on their webs are more likely to be Sun-exposed, on average, than nocturnal or diurnal shelter-building species. We measured the body elongation of orb-web spiders (Araneae, Araneidae) across 1024 species and classified them as Sun-protected or exposed based on the literature. We found that Sun-exposed species evolved more elongate bodies than Sun-protected ones. Further, we built a model combining traditional heat transfer models with models of thermoregulatory postures in orb-web spiders and meteorological data. The model indicates that body elongation in large orb-web spiders decreases the risk of high body temperatures. Overall, our results suggest that Sun exposure influenced the evolution of body shapes of orb-web spiders.

Impact de la Phénologie des Espèces Ligneuses Préservées de Savane sur L’évolution des Milieux Modifiés par L’activité Anthropique dans le Nord-Est Ivoirien. L’exemple des Savanes Soudaniennes de la Région de Bouna

Les savanes soudaniennes sont caractérisées par les groupements d’arbres utiles protégés, organisés en vergers ou en parcs. Ces ligneux conduisent à un retour remarquable à la physionomie originelle des divers faciès de végétation profondément modifiés à travers l’apparition et la chute de leurs feuilles, fleurs et fruits. On peut alors s’interroger sur le rôle de ces phases phénologiques dans la restauration des milieux transformés par l’activité anthropique. Cette étude vise à montrer le processus de régénération des milieux transformés par l’homme à partir des cycles phénologiques des ligneux épargnés par les défrichements. Elle contribue à améliorer la capacité des communautés rurales à planifier et à gérer durablement les ressources environnementales en savanes soudaniennes. Elle repose sur le postulat d’une restauration des faciès des milieux végétaux modifiés à partir de la dissémination du stock au sol des organes des diverses espèces protégées. L’analyse des stades phénologiques de ces espèces ligneuses est effectuée à partir de relevés réalisés tous les 15 jours du début de la saison sèche à la fin de l’hivernage. Les résultats indiquent que leurs recrûs verts, à partir des fruits disséminés ou des racines, permettent la reconquête ligneuse des milieux abandonnés à la jachère. The sudanese savannahs are characterized by useful protected species of trees, organized in orchards or parks. This woody stand involves remarkable modifications of the physiognomy of the different facies of the vegetation by appearance and fall of their leaves, flowers and fruits. We can therefore wonder about the role of these phenological modifications in restoring the environments modified by humans. This study aims to show the process of regeneration of environments transformed by humans from the phenological cycles of the ligneous species spared by clearing. It contributes to improving the capacity of rural communities to plan and sustainably manage environmental resources in the sudanese savannahs. It is based on postulate of a restoration of facies of transmormed plant environments from dissemination of the stock on soil of the organs of the various protected species. The phenological stages of these woody species are analyzed on the basis of surveys carried out every two weeks from the start of the dry season to the end of the rainy season. The results show that their green regrowth, from scattered fruits or roots, allow the woody reconquest of environments abandoned to fallow.

Protecting Species by Promoting Protected Areas and Human Development—A Panel Analysis

We analyze a panel of 147 countries over a 21-year period. We used the Generalized Method of Moments First Differences panel estimation method and found that there is a statistically significant positive association between terrestrial protected areas and protected species. There is strong evidence of a positive statistical relationship between the Human Development Index and protected species under the condition of efficient nitrogen use as an instrumental variable. We support the revision of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis by claiming that in the 21st century it need not be strictly U-shaped, but that a rise in environmental protection measures is present across the board. The final contribution of the paper is the idea that protecting the habitat of endangered species is commensurate with increasing human welfare through income, health and education.