Photographic record of Dholes predating on a young Banteng in southwestern Java, Indonesia

A long-term camera-trap study of the Javan Rhinoceros in 2013 in Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP), Indonesia, allowed us to document the first photographic evidence of Dholes preying on a young Banteng and other species. Our photographs suggested that Dholes get in large packs to predate on Banteng and commonly separate young from adults when attacking the young. Future research should examine the Dhole diet and interspecific relationships between Dhole and Banteng to gain a better understanding of the ecological impacts of endangered predators on endangered prey in UKNP.

Is Forensic Entomology Lost in Space?

Spatial and scale effects have barely been considered in forensic entomology, despite their pervasive influence on most of the parameters affecting the development of insect larval stages and the progression of insect succession on cadavers. Here, we used smoothing/interpolation techniques and semivariograms to document the spatial dynamics of sarcosaprophageous Calliphoridae, an important forensic taxon, in the Greater Moncton area in New Brunswick, Canada. Results indicated that the spatial dynamics of Calliphoridae differed between species, some species showing strong patterns of regional aggregation while others did not. Multivariate spatial correlations indicated that interspecific relationships in space varied widely, ranging from local and large-scale aggregation to spatial anticorrelation between species. Overall, this study suggested that even within a restricted timescale, the spatial dynamics of Calliphoridae can operate at many scales, manifest in different patterns, and be attributed to multiple different causes. We stress that forensic entomology has much to benefit from the use of spatial analysis because many important forensic questions, both at the fundamental and practical levels, require a spatial solution.

Diversity of Epibionts Associated with Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz 1829) Sea Turtles Nesting in the Mexican South Pacific

The present study contributes to the knowledge of epibionts recorded on sea turtles that nested on a beach in the South Pacific of Mexico. A total of 125 Lepidochelys olivacea turtles nested on Llano Real beach, Guerrero, Mexico, were examined. We collected 450 conspicuous organisms from 8 species from 43 turtles. The corresponding data analysis was carried out to obtain the relative abundance, the relationship between turtle sizes and the presence of organisms, the similarity of species between the sampling months, and the interspecific relationships between the epibionts and the turtles observed. Chelonibia testudinaria was the most abundant species, while Remora remora was the least abundant species. The turtles were divided into six body sections, with the greatest abundance of these organisms located in the head–neck section of turtles, and there was a significant difference in the size of the turtles that presented epibionts and those that did not. C. testudinaria showed greater similarity between sampling months, and the interspecific relationships recorded were commensalism, parasitism, amensalism, and protocooperation. This research contributes the first record of epibionts in L. olivacea nesting in Guerrero, Mexico.

Effects of grazing disturbance of spatial distribution pattern and interspecies relationship of two desert shrubs

Grazing significantly affects the distribution, growth, and productivity of shrubs. In this study, we evaluated the effects of grazing disturbance on the spatial distribution patterns and interspecific relationships of two desert shrubs, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and Sarcozygium xanthoxylon. Three types of grazing conditions were considered, including enclosed area (EA), seasonal rotational grazing area (SRGA), and grazing area (GA) (100 m × 100 m), in the West Ordos Nature Reserve of Inner Mongolia, China. The results showed that A. mongolicus and S. xanthoxylon populations were uniformly distributed at a small scale, and the distribution in EA and SRGA became gradually random. In GA, A. mongolicus population showed aggregated distribution but S. xanthoxylon population showed random distribution at a small scale. Moreover, both A. mongolicus and S. xanthoxylon populations at the 5–7 m scale showed random distribution. At the small and intermediate scales, the two species showed positive interspecific relationships of GA. However, no interspecific relationship was noted between the two species in EA and SRGA. A significant positive relationship (P < 0.01) was noted between the two species at 2–9 m and a negative relationship (P < 0.01) at 13–17 m scales in GA. Positive relationship (P < 0.01) was noted between the two species at 6–13 m scales and a significant negative relationship (P < 0.01) at 14–24 m scales in SRGA. The two species of desert shrubs showed positive interspecific relationships at the small scale, and they showed negative relationships as the interspecific competition intensified in the presence of grazing disturbance. When the grazing intensity exceeds a certain threshold, the interspecific relationships become weak. Therefore, moderate grazing would facilitate interspecific competition and species succession, whereas excessive grazing would disrupt natural competition causing desertification ultimately.

Molecular phylogenetics of Pterocyclus (Apiaceae) based on nrDNA ITS sequences: revised circumscription with a restored species

The genus Pterocyclus Klotzsch, along with many others, constituted the taxonomically complex Pleurospermum s.l. To delimit its circumscription and clarify its interspecific relationships, molecular phylogenetic analysis and detailed specimen examination were carried out. Its status as an independent genus was confirmed, with four species recognized. Pterocyclus wolffianus, the synonymous species of Pterocyclus forrsetii should be restored as an independent species. A new taxonomic account for Pterocyclus and an identification key to its four species, are provided.

New insights into the phylogeny and taxonomy of Chinese Physospermopsis (Apiaceae)

Physospermopsis (Apiaceae) comprises about 10 species, but its taxonomy and phylogeny are disputed. The genus is mostly distributed in the Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains at high elevation. Earlier molecular studies involving six species of Physospermopsis indicated that this genus is not monophyletic and is nested in the East Asia Clade. Therefore, the aims of this study were to re-assess the phylogenetic position of, and interspecific relationships within, Physospermopsis based on two chloroplast loci (rpl16, rps16) and one nuclear region, the internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA (ITS). Eight species involving 13 populations of Physospermopsis were collected. These were sequenced and analyzed with the sequences of 31 other Apiaceae species obtained from the NCBI to determine phylogenetic relationships using Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum likelihood (ML). Our study found that Physospermopsis is monophyletic, nested in Pleurospermeae of Apiaceae, sister to Pleurospermum. And we propose that the Physospermopsis clade should be replaced by the East Asia Clade. However, the interspecific relationships within Physospermopsis were not well resolved and the positioning of species was unclear. Diagnostic characteristics to distinguish Physospermopsis species in the field and laboratory are provided for future Physospermopsis phylogenetic studies.

PHARAOH EAGLE-OWL BUBO ASCALAPHUS (SAVIGNY, 1809) (STRIGIFORMES, STRIGIDAE), THE “SHROUDED IN MYSTERY” OWL OF IRAQ AND IRAN

The easternmost extent of the Pharaoh Eagle-Owl Bubo ascalaphus (Savigny, 1809) distribution has remained enigmatic due to identification problems and lack of owl research. In Iraq, B. ascalaphus has been reported from only few localities in western Iraqi deserts; while its occurrence in Iran has not been reported before this study. In 2017–2020, several new records of B. ascalaphus in western through southeastern Iraq were made and a new distribution range in western Iran was confirmed. Furthermore, field identification, interspecific relationships and conservation status of B. ascalaphus in Iraq and Iran were comprehensively discussed.