Present and historical landscape structure shapes current species richness in Central European grasslands

Context Current diversity and species composition of ecological communities can often not exclusively be explained by present land use and landscape structure. Historical land use may have considerably influenced ecosystems and their properties for decades and centuries. Objectives We analysed the effects of present and historical landscape structure on plant and arthropod species richness in temperate grasslands, using data from comprehensive plant and arthropod assessments across three regions in Germany and maps of current and historical land cover from three time periods between 1820 and 2016. Methods We calculated local, grassland class and landscape scale metrics for 150 grassland plots. Class and landscape scale metrics were calculated in buffer zones of 100 to 2000 m around the plots. We considered effects on total species richness as well as on the richness of species subsets determined by taxonomy and functional traits related to habitat use, dispersal and feeding. Results Overall, models containing a combination of present and historical landscape metrics showed the best fit for several functional groups. Comparing three historical time periods, data from the 1820/50s was among the most frequent significant time periods in our models (29.7% of all significant variables). Conclusions Our results suggest that the historical landscape structure is an important predictor of current species richness across different taxa and functional groups. This needs to be considered to better identify priority sites for conservation and to design biodiversity-friendly land use practices that will affect landscape structure in the future.

Spatial Adaptive Responses of Highly Threatened European Mammal Species under Climate Change

Current species’ range displacements are mostly triggered by climate change but European landscapes are largely dominated by human activities. In this study we identify the most promising spatial adaptive trajectories (SATs) for the thirty most threatened non volant mammal species in Europe up to 2080 (under three climate and land change scenarios) and where/when SATs of each species synchronically converge. We found large contrasts on the persistence of species in SATs, with some species largely reliant on the functionality of areas where many SATs converge. Overall, SATs and convergence centers are not adequately covered by existing conservation areas and coincide with crop and arable lands, compromising species persistence. It is important to invest in the protection of SATs and convergence centers through a mix of conventional instruments and new collaborative forms with the socio-economy. Anticipative plans at long-term coupled with risk analysis offer decision–makers templates to prevent negative surprises.

The blinking eye: A window into tinnitus

Tinnitus is a prevalent untreatable audiological disorder, charaterized by the perception of phantom sound. Despite longstanding research with animals, its underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood. The obstacle in progressing in the field may lie in both the current species of choice and the available measurements of tinnitus for animals. To provide fresh impetus, we developed a novel tinnitus-verification technique applicable to rhesus monkeys. Tinnitus was induced via salicylate administration in two rhesus monkeys, and was confirmed by applying a specific eye-blinking procedure: Blinks, as monitored using EMG, were triggered via puffs of air towards the cheek, and their modulation was studied as a function of preceding tones with various frequency and intensity conditions. The advantage in using a tactile reflex-inducing stimulus lies in its non-auditory modality, bypassing potential confounding factors of hearing loss and hyperacusis. Interference effects on the blink modulation pattern was interpreted as tinnitus, and the interfering frequency of the preceding interfering tone as tinnitus frequency. A cross-validation in a sample of tinnitus patients revealed interfering effects of the preceding tone at the specific frequency range corresponding to their own tinnitus frequency, as independently determined by audiologists. This interference effect increased as a function of their individual tinnitus loudness. In conclusion, the present work demonstrates a considerable transferability of our newly established tinnitus-verification technique from non-human primates to human tinnitus patients.

The modern species composition of the family Chenopodiaceae Vent. (Amaranthaceae Juss.) of the flora of the desert part of the Syrdarya river valley

Representatives of the Chenopodiaceae Vent. family are the hallmark of the flora of the desert regionsof Kazakhstan, as they far outnumber other leading families. Moreover, this applies not only to the flora of the mountainousterritories, but also to the flora of the river valleys, in particular, the flora of the wide valley of the Syrdarya river. Thepredominance of Chenopodiaceae is due to the excellent adaptability of its species to desert conditions. Quite a few speciesof Chenopodiaceae are dominant plant communities, especially in the middle deserts of the North Turan province. Amongthem there are many species that have useful properties (forage, landscape, medicinal, etc.). The aim of the work was toidentify the current species composition of the Chenopodiaceae family (Amaranthaceae Juss.) of the flora of the desertpart of the Syrdarya river valley. Classical botanical methods were used in the research process. As a result of the conductedstudies, the modern species composition of the Chenopodiaceae family of the studied territory, consisting of 112 speciesfrom 38 genera, was revealed. The three largest genera include genera: Salsola–17 species, Atriplex–15 species, Suaeda–11species. The remaining genera contain from 6 to 1 species. Genera represented by a small number of species predominate(26 genera of 1–2 species each).

Targeting current species ranges and carbon stocks fails to conserve biodiversity in a changing climate: opportunities to support climate adaptation under 30x30

Protecting areas for climate adaptation will be essential to ensuring greater opportunity for species conservation well into the future. However, many proposals for protected areas expansion focus on our understanding of current spatial patterns, which may be ineffective surrogates for future needs. A science-driven call to address the biodiversity and climate crises by conserving at least 30% of lands and waters by 2030, 30x30, presents new opportunities to inform the siting of new protections globally and in the U.S. Here we identify climate refugia and corridors based on a weighted combination of currently available models; compare them to current biodiversity hotspots and carbon-rich areas to understand how 30x30 protections siting may be biased by data omission; and compare identified refugia and corridors to the Protected Areas Database to assess current levels of protection. Available data indicate that 20.5% and 27.5% of identified climate adaptation areas (refugia and/or corridor) coincides with current imperiled species hotspots and carbon-rich areas, respectively. With only 12.5% of climate refugia and corridors protected, a continued focus on current spatial patterns in species and carbon richness will not inherently conserve places critical for climate adaptation. However, there is ample opportunity for establishing future-minded protections: 52% of the contiguous U.S. falls into the top quartile of values for at least one class of climate refugia. Nearly 27% is already part of the protected areas network, but managed for multiple uses that may limit their ability to contribute to the goals of 30x30. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of nationally identified refugia coincide with ecoregion-specific refugia suggesting representation of nearly all ecoregions in national efforts focused on conserving climate refugia. Based on these results, we recommend that land planners and managers make more explicit policy priorities and strategic decisions for future-minded protections and climate adaptation.

The state of Moldavian viper (Vipera Ursinii Moldavica) in the context of the action plan for their conservation (annexed to the Bern convention)

Based on the generalization of data from previous publications and own results, regarding the distribution of Meadow Viper (Vipera ursini) in the Dniester - Prut interfluve, the current species state in the context of the Action Plan for conservation, annexed to the Bern Convention, is characterized. The need to complex study of local habitat status and to take measures for their conservation is discussed. The influence of some anthropogenic and climatic factors upon the habitats and the problems of their conservation in the current conditions of agrolandscape are analyzed.

East Meets West in the Western Carpathians: Contact Zone Between Alpine and Carpathian Caddisfly Lineages Evidenced by COI Barcodes

European mountains are important areas regarding biodiversity of the continent, and they also harbour diverse freshwater fauna, which is critically endangered in terms of the current species extinction. However, sufficient knowledge of this valuable part of European biota is no longer possible without molecular data. This study focuses on the genetic diversity and distribution patterns of the classical representative of the mountain freshwater fauna, caddisfly Rhyacophila tristis, in the Western Carpathians. Based on the COI mitochondrial marker, two genetic lineages (separate BINs) were identified. BIN_W was found in 16 localities in the western part of the study area, BIN_E in 44 eastern localities. The data obtained indicate that BIN_W occurs in a significantly narrower altitude range, BIN_E is more closely related to the Balkan populations than to co-occurring BIN_W, and that the contact zone of the lineages passes through the Western Carpathians. The study revealed phylogeographic and demographic differences between lineages, supporting hypothesis of their evolutionary independence and specific ecological preferences. The obtained genetic data shifted our knowledge on the populations of the studied caddisfly and suggested patterns that could be common to other freshwater species. This could help us to protect unique freshwater ecosystems and preserve European biodiversity.

SPECIES COMPOSITION AND RELATIVE POPULATION SIZE OF FISHES IN THE OSTER RIVER (THE DESNA RIVER BASIN): 50 YEARS ANALYSIS

Inroduction. Changes in the species composition and population size of freshwater fihes are determined by deformations of the habitat in Ukraine and are characterized by a pronounced negative dynamics. Deformation of ichthyofauna is caused by extinction of a number of aboriginal fihes and emergence of alien species.Aim. To establish the current species composition and relative population size of fih species in the Oster River and the dynamics of these characteristics over a 50-yearlong period in the context of negative transformations of the ichthyofauna of the rivers of Ukraine.Results. Comparative study of the species composition and relative population size of fih species in the fih catches by small-river fihing gear in the Oster river was conducted during the period since 1971-72 till 2019. During this time considerable changes in species composition took place. The following species disappeared from the catches: Leuciscus leuciscus, Leuciscus idus, Chondrostoma nasus, Carassius carassius, Blicca bojerkna and Neogobius flviatilis, they were replaced by three invasion species (Percottus glenni, Pseudorasbora parva, Proterorhinus marmoratus). The changes in the dominant species took place, thus, in the Oster ichthyocene the species with the short life cycle started to prevail, the share of invasion species increased from 1.4 to 37%, and the share of initial marine fih among them is very low. The comparison with the river systems of the Stugna and the Lower Dnipro represents the fact that the mentioned negative tendencies are common for the whole Dnipro system, however the situation in the Lower Dnipro must be considered less critical than in the Oster and the Stugna rivers. The fact that the catches of industrial fih decreased more than 10 times in the Desna river during this period of time gives the reason to consider that the dramatic reduction of the absolute number of their populations occurred in the Oster river as well. That is why even relatively safe species (Abramis brama, Rutilus ritilus, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Esox lucius, Perca flviatilis, Alburnus alburnus, Squalius cephalus) are in critical situation in this transformed river system.Сonclusions. In the ichthyocene of the Oster River over a 50-year period there have been signifiant changes in species composition, relative and absolute population numbers associated with the extinction and reduction of population sizes of rheophilic species and fih that are adapted to life in the flodplain. The modern Oster River is dominated by invasive and short-cycle species. The obtained tendencies in the dynamics of the ichthyofauna of the Oster River are similar to the nature of changes in other river systems of Ukraine, although they occur at a faster pace, which is characteristic of the smallest plain rivers.

Resolving phylogenetic and classical nomenclature: A revision of Seraphsidae Jung, 1974 (Gastropoda: Neostromboidae)

This revision demonstrates that an integrated taxonomic approach to classical taxonomic practice can lead to increased internal cladistic resolution within a clade, including the recognition of new taxa at all nomenclatural levels. In particular, this revision has two aims: 1) to complete an α-taxonomic revision of Seraphsidae (Stromboidea); and 2) to resolve the infrafamilial relationships within Seraphsidae using morphological cladistics. An annotated synonymy was generated for each taxon, the precedence of names determined, and revised descriptions formulated. Character sets that reflect the synapomorphies within the major subclades of Seraphsidae were coded and a cladogram generated using maximum likelihood within the tnt program with default settings. Four forms of material and evidence were used in this systematic review: 1) the type material for each taxon; 2) non-type physical material; 3) published images; and 4) literary references for specimen localities without illustration. The current morphologically-based classification of Seraphsidae was found to be sound in terms of current species delimitations. Regardless of this, the use of an integrated taxonomy improved understanding of the internal cladistic relationships within Seraphsidae, which led to higher resolution of the internal cladistic arrangements and taxonomic delimitation. Furthermore, this increased resolution is now reflected in the family nomenclature. Two new subfamilies are proposed, Seraphsinae and Pseudoterebellinae, which are used to distinguish the two clades within Seraphsidae based on form: members of Seraphsinae are involute, while members of Pseudoterebellinae are evolute. Pseudoterebellum is proposed as a new genus to show the discontinuity in the fossil record and highlight the structural differences between it and Terebellum. A new species from Jamaica, Seraphs kaindraperi, is described, being the first record from that location and that geological period and is morphologically distinct from other described taxa. This revision included Mauryna within Seraphsidae on the grounds that it provides a basal link to the Seraphsidae sister taxa Semiterebellum and Terebellopsis, all of which are currently contained within Rostellariidae, and all three clades may in time be brought together under one family. All clades have been constructed to be in compliance with both the ICZN and PhyloCode. It was not possible within the context of this revision to test the results of the α-taxonomic findings against phylogenies generated with molecular data. This was due to the high number of extinct taxa within the Seraphsidae.

The Great Dying

The benefits of no longer eating animals extend beyond climate mitigation. It will also mitigate current species extinction trajectories. This chapter looks at the history of human-caused extinctions. A great extinction occurs when a percentage of a species dies out (e.g., 75%). A mass extinction occurs when the actual rate of extinction exceeds the normal background rate by a certain margin (e.g., 1000×). There are good reasons for thinking that a mass extinction of species is currently occurring. Humans are the cause of this, as they have been the cause of all major extinction pulses since the Quaternary period. This chapter examines one of the Quaternary extinction pulses of 8000–11,500 years ago and defends the hominin paleobiogeography hypothesis, that is, that humans were substantially responsible for this pulse of extinctions. An undue focus on extinction, however, can mask the harm we are currently doing to species.