Abundance and Diurnal Time Activity Budget of the Threatened Species White-Headed Ducks (Anatidae: Oxyura leucocephala) in an Unprotected Area, Boussedra Marsh, Northeast Algeria

The white-headed duck is a globally threatened species and its populations have become fragmented and undergone major decline in recent decades. Changes including long-term abundance (five times from 2005 to 2018) and diurnal activity budget (2010−2011 and 2017−2018) with respect to the effect of habitat features at Boussedra marsh (unprotected area) were compiled in order to fill some gaps in the status and trend of North African populations. The population size of the white-headed duck decreased over years from 2010 to 2018 by about 52.81%, and was positively associated with interior vegetation area, but not significantly with water surface area. Trends of population dynamics differed among seasons, and the number was higher in wintering than breeding season. Sleeping (44.93%, 23.74%) and feeding (59.09%, 27.43%) were the dominant diurnal activities at both the years of study, respectively. Boussedra marsh plays an important ecological role as a diurnal forging habitat and reproduction site for this threatened species and as a shelter for other waterfowl.

Wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada) in crops—more than in pasture areas—reduce aggression and affiliation

Human–primate interfaces are expanding and, despite recent studies on primates from peri-urban environments, little research exists on the impact of agriculture and/or pasture areas on primate social behavior and health. We assessed how crop/pasture areas potentially alter social behavior and health of wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada) frequenting the unprotected area of Kundi (Ethiopia). We predicted that compared to pasture areas, crop areas (i) would be more challenging for geladas (prediction 1) and (ii) would have a greater impact on both aggressive and affiliative behavior, by reducing grooming time and enhancing competition (prediction 2). During January–May 2019 and December 2019–February 2020, we collected data (via scan, focal animal sampling, and video analyses) on direct human disturbance, external signs of pathologies and social behavior of 140 individuals from 14 one-male units and two all-male units. Animals experienced the highest level of human disturbance in crop areas (in line with prediction 1). Individuals from the groups preferentially frequenting crop areas showed the highest prevalence of external signs of pathologies consistent with chemical and biological contamination (alopecia/abnormally swollen parts). We collected 48 fecal samples. Samples from frequent crop users contained the highest rates of parasitic elements/gram (egg/larva/oocyst/cyst) from Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, a parasite common in human settlements of the Amhara region. In crop areas, subjects spent less time grooming but engaged in lower rates of intense aggression (in partial agreement with prediction 2). We speculate that the reduction in social behavior may be a tactic adopted by geladas to minimize the likelihood of detection and maximize food intake while foraging in crops.

Do Anthropogenic Activities Affect Floristic Diversity and Vegetation Structure More Than Natural Soil Properties in Hyper-Arid Desert Environments?

Egypt is characterized by its hyper-arid desert environment with high temperature, scanty rainfall, high evapotranspiration rate, and patchy scattered precipitation-dependent vegetation. Located in this peculiar ecosystem, the northeastern part of the eastern desert occupies vast areas where this study was conducted. Despite some protection in this area, destruction of plant cover, soil erosion, and degradation of natural habitat are still occurring. Among the complex array of anthropogenic disturbances that directly affect species diversity, over-grazing, road construction, over-collection of plants, salinization, over-cutting, military activities, urbanization, and industrialization were encountered. The aim of this study was to assess the effect on long-lasting anthropopressure on the current floristic and ecological status of the unprotected area in comparison to the protected one. Two areas were chosen for detailed studies: protected (Wadi Degla; WD) and unprotected (Cairo-Suez road, SR). Fourteen soil variables were used to assess the soil–vegetation relationships in the two areas. An assessment of seven human activities (over-grazing, over-collection, introduced species, land degradation, urbanization, solid wastes, and military activities) was carried out at four levels of disturbance intensities. A floristic presence/absence data set of 25 plots × 56 species, including 14 plots for SR and 11 plots for WD, was employed in the analyses. The application of multivariate analysis techniques such as cluster analysis (for classification), indicator species analysis (ISA) and the multi-response permutation procedure (MRPP), canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and redundancy analysis (RDA) for ordination were performed in the data analysis. Generally, a total of 85 plant species belonging to 68 genera and 30 families was recorded. Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Fabaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, and Geraniaceae were the largest families, constituting more than 50% of the total flora. Chamaephytes, therophytes, hemicryptophytes, and phanerophytes prevail in the life form spectrum. Chorological analysis showed that the Saharo-Arabian element, whether pure or combined with other chorotypes, dominated the current flora, whereas the Mediterranean chorotype was very poorly represented. Application of cluster analysis yielded eight vegetation groups: I–IV for the Cairo-Suez road, and V–VIII for Wadi Degla. This study indicated the disappearance of several plant communities that were previously of common occurrence such as Retama raetam, Anabasis articulata, Ephedra alata, Artemisia monosperma, Zygophyllum decumbens, Lasiurus hirsutus, and Panicum turgidum. Partial CCA (pCCA) for the unprotected area revealed that most of the variance (45.7%) was attributed to the anthropogenic variables more than soil factors (14.5%). Like what was revealed in other unprotected areas, a clear relationship between anthropogenic pressure and habitat fragmentation was observed. Long-term, intensive human activities caused vegetation degradation, species loss, and a decline in plant richness. Hence, the highest species richness value was recorded in the protected area. Over-grazing, land degradation, and military activities were not correlated with the diversity indices, whereas over-collection of plant species, urbanization, and solid wastes were significantly negatively correlated with both α-diversity and the Shannon–Wiener index. Suitable protection measures should be taken to reduce the anthropogenic pressures in this ecosystem as well as some conservation programs and management plans should be implemented to save biodiversity.

Efficacy of S-PRG filler containing varnishes on enamel demineralization prevention

This study evaluated the efficacy of S-PRG vanishes on preventing enamel demineralization. Bovine enamel specimens were obtained, polished and the baseline Knoop microhardness was evaluated. Specimens were stratified into six groups (n = 15), according to the varnish applied: S10—experimental varnish containing 10% of S-PRG fillers, S20—20% of S-PRG fillers, S30—30% of S-PRG fillers; S40—40% of S-PRG fillers; PC (positive control)—5% of NaF; NC (negative control)—no treatment was performed. Half of enamel surfaces were protected to work as a control and varnishes were applied over the unprotected area. A demineralizing pH-cycling was performed, and surface and cross-sectional microhardness were measured. The percentage of microhardness of the treated area was calculated comparing with the untreated area. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p = 5%). All experimental S-PRG varnishes protected against demineralization in relation to no treatment, but S40 was the most effective on the surface. For all depths, S30 and S40 were superior in enamel demineralization prevention than other S-PRG filler concentrations and 5% NaF. It was concluded that S-RPG filler containing varnishes were effective to prevent enamel demineralization. The higher concentrated products were more effective than 5% sodium fluoride on surface demineralization prevention.

Correction: Mbehang Nguema, P.P., et al. Characterization of ESBL-Producing Enterobacteria from Fruit Bats in an Unprotected Area of Makokou, Gabon. Microorganisms 2020, 8, 138

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]

A New Species of Araeococcus (Bromeliaceae) from Bahia, Brazil and a Comparative Morphological and Anatomical Analysis

Abstract—Araeococcus lageniformis is a new species described and illustrated here based on collections from the Atlantic Forest from the south of Bahia State, northeastern Brazil, and on morphological and anatomical characters. It is distinguished from A. nigropurpureus by the diameter of the tank, the morphology of the leaf, floral bracts, and sepals, by its sessile to nearly sessile flowers, its seed morphology, and by the presence of trichomes on both sides of the leaves. So far, the species is only known from Apuarema and Ibirapitanga municipalities. The type population was found in an unprotected area, fragmented by tracks and roads, where illegal logging takes place. Here we preliminarily assessed its conservation status as critically endangered.

Relationship Between Salinity and Crop Production in Different Hydrological Regimes Downstream of Muhuri Regulator

A large landmass was formed at the downstream of Feni river due to the construction of Muhuri regulator at a cross dam in Mirsaraiupazila of Chittagong district. But this land is more vulnerable to storm and tidal surges leading to saline water intrusion. The study site was selected from this area to investigate the relationship between salinity and crop production. Soil samples were collected from different hydrological regimes such as old protected area, new protected area, unprotected area and affected area from topsoil, subsoil and substratum in both wet and dry period. Crop yield of the sampling plots were recorded through farmer’s interview. It was found that, salinity of the study area was less than 4 dS/m both in aman and rabi season. Rice is a semi-tolerant crop (it can tolerate salinity up to 4 dS/m). So no significant relationship between soil salinity and rice yield was observed. Farmers of this area mainly cultivate khesari crop in rabi season. A significant positive correlation (correlation coefficient 0.97) was found between the soil salinity and khesari yield in unprotected area. Water salinity inside the cross dam was around 0.1 dS/m (rabi season), which is considered excellent for irrigation. But outside the cross dam it ranged in between 4.8-5.4 dS/m in aman season and 12.4-20.8 dS/m in rabi season, which was extremely toxic for irrigation for the cultivation boro rice. Although soil salinity permits to cultivate HYV rice in a man season but water logging is the main constraint. HYV rice in boro season can be cultivated in old and new protected area by utilizing Feni river water inside the Muhuri regulator and closure dam for irrigation purpose. But in unprotected area, it can not be cultivated due lack of suitable irrigation water and tidal flooding. In the study area, non-irrigated crop like khesari can be grown successfully just after aman season by utilizing residual soil moisture.

Community dynamics in Fijian coral reef fish communities vary with conservation and shark-based tourism

Marine protected areas (MPAs) effectively improve the biomass and diversity in heavily exploited marine systems, but often fail to reach their full potential because they require more space, time, and consistency of regulation. Recently, shark-based tourism, which utilises some of the remaining shark strongholds as tourism hotspots, has brought about increased awareness to exploited reef systems. In Fiji, specifically, shark diving companies include local community members in their operations to promote better understanding of their reefs. We seek to investigate whether seemingly denser shark populations during feeding times influence community composition and structure. Visual census data were collected from 50-m belt transects at four different reefs in Fiji: two MPAs with shark-based ecotourism with food provisioning, one MPA without shark-based ecotourism, and one unprotected area without shark-based tourism. Paradoxically, indices of evenness and diversity were highest in the non-protected site. However, there was significantly higher fish abundance and species diversity within reserves than outside of reserves. Within reserves, sites with shark feeding had lower fish abundance and higher richness, diversity, and evenness. Mean trophic level was highest at sites with shark feeding. Use of chum increased average fish abundance and diversity within shark-dive sites. These results indicate that there are evident differences between MPAs that do and do not offer trophic supplementation for shark-based ecotourism. Thus, tourism may be facilitating a shift of ecosystem composition in such areas. Furthermore, the results suggest that feeding methods may augment the impacts of shark-based tourism on the reef at large.

Hoehnea grandiflora (Lamiaceae), a rare, critically endangered new species from southern Brazil

We describe here Hoehnea grandiflora, a rare, critically endangered new species of Lamiaceae from high-elevation bogs in southern Brazil. The new species is similar to H. scutellarioides and can be distinguished by its shape and size of leaves, as some floral features. Its conservation status is assessed as Critically Endangered, because the new species is known from only one population located in an environmentally unprotected area. Urgent conservation studies and actions are necessary to prevent the extinction of this species. We also provide an identification key to the five species in the genus Hoehnea.