On some additions to the amphibians of Gunung Inas Forest Reserve, Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia

A survey on amphibian fauna was conducted in compartments 15, 16, and 17 of Gunung Inas Forest Reserve (GIFR), Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia for a period of two-and-a-half years, starting from January 2016 to May 2018, with a total of 20 visits. Observations and collections of amphibian species were carried out in and along the rivers, forest streams, forest pools, rock pools, cascade areas, waterfalls, ditches, temporary pools, forest floors, and forest trails. In total, 41 species of amphibians, belonging to 25 genera, and seven families were collected over the survey period. Of these, 11 species were ranids, followed by 10 dicroglossids, seven rhacophorids, six microhylids, four bufonids, two megophryids, and a single ichthyophiids (Ichthyophis sp.). From these observations, it is being pointed out that 15 species of amphibians represent new records for GIFR, while two species were not detected. This increases the known amphibian diversity of Gunung Inas Forest Reserve from 28 to 41 species.

Predatory and competitive interaction in Anopheles gambiae sensu lato larval breeding habitats in selected villages of central Uganda

Background Malaria is often persistent in communities surrounded by mosquito breeding habitats. Anopheles gambiae sensu lato exploit a variety of aquatic habitats, but the biotic determinants of its preferences are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify and quantify macroinvertebrates in different habitat types with determined water physico-chemical parameters to establish those preferred by An. gambiae s.l. larvae as well as their predators and competitors. Methods A field survey was conducted in Kibuye and Kayonjo villages located in the vicinity of the River Sezibwa, north-eastern Uganda to identify Anopheline larval habitats shared by aquatic insects. Habitats were geo-recorded and as streams, ponds, temporary pools and roadside ditches. From October to December 2017, random microhabitats/quadrats were selected from each habitat type, their water physico-chemical parameters (electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, temperature and pH) were measured, and they were sampled for macroinvertebrates using standard dippers. All collected arthropod macroinvertebrates were then morphologically identified to family level and enumerated. Results Principal component analysis showed that the four larval habitat types were characterized by distinct physico-chemical parameter profiles. Ponds and streams had the highest number and diversity of macroinvertebrate insect taxa and sustained few An. gambiae s.l. larvae. Anopheles gambiae s.l. were more common in roadside ditches and particularly abundant in temporary pools which it commonly shared with Dytiscidae (predaceous diving beetles) and Culex spp. Cluster correlation analysis conducted on the abundance of these taxa within quadrats suggested that An. gambiae s.l. and Dytiscidae have the most similar patterns of microhabitat use, followed by Cybaeidae (water spiders). Whilst Culex spp. co-occurred with An. gambiae s.l. in some habitats, there was only partial niche overlap and no clear evidence of competition between the two mosquito taxa. Conclusions Ponds and streams are habitats that host the largest diversity and abundance of aquatic insect taxa. Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae distinctively preferred temporary pools and roadside ditches, where they were exposed to few predators and no apparent competition by Culex spp. Further studies should aim to test the impact of Dytiscidae and Cybaeidae on An. gambiae s.l. dynamics experimentally. Graphical Abstract

Ecological Niche Differentiation Among Six Annual Lythrum Species in Mediterranean Temporary Pools

The ecological niche defines the favorable range of a species in a multidimensional space of ecological factors that determine the presence and function of individuals. This fundamental concept in ecology is widely used to understand plant species coexistence and segregation. In this study we test for ecological differentiation among six annual Lythrum species that are characteristic of temporary pools in the South of France, where they either coexist or occur separately. We first analysed the co-occurrence of species at two different geographical scales: cluster analyses of species presence in 10 km grid cells and coexistence in 0.25m2 quadrats within populations of each species. Second, for three to nine populations of each species, we quantified a range of biotic and abiotic parameters using point contacts and soil measurements in three 0.25m2 quadrats per population. We performed PCA on all variables, and analysed each variable separately to compare the ecological niche features of the six species. A phenological index was assessed for the plant community of each site. We detected highly localised niche differentiation in terms of soil pH (all species) and for a range of variables among pairs of species. The six species also showed marked differences in flowering period relative to the mean and variability of flowering time in their local community. These fine-scaled niche differences are associated with phylogenetic distances among species and may contribute to species’ coexistence. These results are integrated in a conservation management plan for the habitat of the rarest species in this group.

Influence of Anthropic and Topographic Factors on the Physicochemical Properties of the Soil around Temporary Pools in Ferlo, North Senegal

The temporary ponds at Ferlo constitute wetlands whose pastoral activity is of paramount importance in the economy of Senegal. These zones are characterized by a fairly specific microclimate (soft and humid), a shallow depth of the water table, alternating phases of submersion and exudation whose functioning is linked to the soil. Thus the restoration and conservation of these wetlands requires a good knowledge of the soil factors. The objective of this study is to compare the physico-chemical parameters of the soil around temporary pools in grazed and ungrazed areas and different topographical units in order to determine their relative similarities. The samples taken at different horizons from seven soil pits (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7) opened in the different morpho-pedological facies of two grazed ponds and one ungrazed pond were analyzed in the laboratory. The results obtained show that the soils of Ferlo have a sandy texture and low fertility in the slopes and plateaus. However, they have a balanced texture and average fertility in ponds and ungrazed areas. The factorial analysis made it possible to highlight three distinct soil classes. A class of sandy texture soil with very low chemical fertility comes from the plateau. A class of soil with a balanced texture which is rich in cation and calcium exchange capacity found in the low zones of strong mineralization. A last class rich in chemical element with a silty texture which is found in wooded areas. These results thus reveal the predominant influence of anthropic and topographic factors on the evolution and physico-chemical composition of the soil.

Lythrum netofa (Lythraceae) a new species from a temporary flooded plain of Israel

Species of the genus Lythrum Linnaeus (1753: 446) (Lythraceae) occur in temporary pools and wetlands (Morris, 2007) with about 35 species around the world (Graham, 2007). In the Mediterranean area, there are more than 10 species that mostly occur in temporary pools (Castroviejo Bolibar et al., 1997; Tison et al. 2014). Most of the species are also present in East and Central Asia (Webb, 1968). However, some species are limited to Europe, mostly Western Europe, e.g. L. flexuosum Lagasca (1816: 16) and L. baeticum González-Albo (1936: 141) (Castroviejo Bolibar et al., 1997), some are limited to West Asia, e.g. L. silenoides Boissier & Noë (in Boissier 1856: 55) (Ghazanfar, 2016), while Lythrum salicaria Linnaeus (1753: 446), the loosestrife, is widely distributed in Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and introduced in North America.

Diversity Analysis of Rotifers from Temporary Spring Pools of Jallo Park, Lahore, Pakistan

Temporary pools are relatively small water bodies with limited resources and are seasonally available.These freshwater bodies are rich source of microbial and planktonic life Objective: This survey wasconducted to find out the presence of rotifers in temporary pools formed in Jallo Park established in1978 and explore their density and diversity Methods: Sample collection was done from ten pools withthe help of a planktonic mesh. The counting was performed with a Sedgwick- Rafter chamber. Diversityindices like Shannon Weaver index etc. were applied Results: In present study 27 rotifer speciesbelonging to 14 genera were identified. The highest diversity and density was shown by Brachionus andLecane. There was even distribution in each pool. Results of ANOVA showed statistically significantdifference in population density and diversity Conclusions: This study has presented a guideline tofind out rotifer diversity which could be present in any water reservoir like temporary pool.