Journal Description
Diversity
Diversity
is a peer-reviewed, open access journal on the science of biodiversity from molecules, genes, populations, and species, to ecosystems and is published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, GEOBASE, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Biodiversity Conservation) / CiteScore - Q2 (Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 17.8 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
2.4 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.5 (2022)
Latest Articles
Ground Cover Vegetation in Differently Managed Hemiboreal Norway Spruce Stands: Plantation vs. Natural Regeneration
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 203; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040203 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Forest plantations, which have a simplified structure and composition, are becoming more frequent, raising concerns regarding their contribution to biological diversity in highly managed landscapes. The biological value of a stand has been related to stand age, although stand properties, which are often
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Forest plantations, which have a simplified structure and composition, are becoming more frequent, raising concerns regarding their contribution to biological diversity in highly managed landscapes. The biological value of a stand has been related to stand age, although stand properties, which are often intercorrelated with it, yet are manageable, might be of primary importance. The relationships between stand properties (age, structure and composition) and ground cover vegetation, as a proxy for biological value, were assessed in Norway spruce stands with contrasting land use history (low-density plantations on former agricultural land, unmanaged and old-growth stands) in Latvia. The ground flora differed according to land use history of the stands. The principal gradients of ground cover vegetation were related to the degree of deciduous admixture in the tree stand, stand vertical heterogeneity (multi-layer; density and height of the understorey), light, age and site fertility. However, the plantations were more species-rich and diverse, appearing as promising in terms of biological diversity in intensively managed sites (especially periurban forests). The observed relationships between ground cover vegetation and stand characteristics suggest that diversification of the stand structures in plantations might reduce the recovery time of ground cover vegetation, contributing to the ecosystem services provided under intensifying management and disturbances.
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(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)
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Biodiversity of Gelatinous Organisms in the Western Adriatic Sea and Identification of Their Echo Traces in Acoustic Data
by
Andrea De Felice, Ilaria Biagiotti, Giovanni Canduci, Ilaria Costantini, Antonio Palermino, Michele Centurelli, Samuele Menicucci and Iole Leonori
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 202; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040202 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
The abundance of gelatinous organisms, such as salps and jellyfish, in the Adriatic Sea has significantly increased over the past decade. Environmental factors play a key role in driving this shift in abundance through rising temperatures and a consequent decrease in oxygen levels
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The abundance of gelatinous organisms, such as salps and jellyfish, in the Adriatic Sea has significantly increased over the past decade. Environmental factors play a key role in driving this shift in abundance through rising temperatures and a consequent decrease in oxygen levels in the water, for which jellyfish have higher tolerance levels. Additionally, fisheries may contribute to the proliferation of jellyfish by diminishing their natural predators and food competitors. Pelagic trawl catch data from 2015 to 2023 acquired during MEDIAS acoustic surveys in the western Adriatic Sea were reviewed to extract information concerning the abundance and distribution of salps and jellyfish. These data were subsequently analyzed and compared with satellite environmental information to identify potential correlations. When considering environmental information related to the month of the survey, the results show two significant relationships: one between the abundance of Aequorea aequorea and average salinity and another one between the abundance of Rhizostoma pulmo and bottom temperature. Furthermore, when considering environmental data from the month preceding the survey, a relationship between the overall abundance of gelatinous organisms, salps and jellyfish together, and surface temperature was identified. Additionally, an analysis was conducted on specific hauls that almost exclusively yielded jellyfish, with the aim of identifying their echo traces. Although it was not possible to allocate one jellyfish species to a specific echo trace due to the frequent co-occurrence of more than one species, a general indication of typical backscatter for these species, with a higher response at 70 kHz, was consistently observed in all cases examined.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecology in the Mediterranean Sea)
Open AccessArticle
Metarhizium dianzhongense sp. nov. and New Record of M. bibionidarum (Clavicipitaceae, Hyocreales) Attacking Insects from China
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Cui-Yuan Wei, Mei Tang, Liu-Yi Xie, Qi Fan, Shi-Kang Shen, Zhu-Liang Yang, Gang Deng and Yuan-Bing Wang
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 201; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040201 - 27 Mar 2024
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The genus Metarhizium is one of the most significant entomopathogenic fungi with diverse morphological characteristics and host species. Species of Metarhizium have been widely used for pest control as an environmentally safe alternative to chemical pesticides. This study reports a new species of
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The genus Metarhizium is one of the most significant entomopathogenic fungi with diverse morphological characteristics and host species. Species of Metarhizium have been widely used for pest control as an environmentally safe alternative to chemical pesticides. This study reports a new species of Metarhizium and a new record of M. bibionidarum from China. The taxonomic positions of the two species within Metarhizium were assessed by morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic data. This assessment confirmed that the new species M. dianzhongense on white grubs (Coleoptera) is a sister to M. ellipsoideum on adult leafhoppers (Hemiptera) and represents a distinctive fungus according to the morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The two species, M. dianzhongense and M. bibionidarum, were described and illustrated. Pathogenicity tests by M. bibionidarum and M. dianzhongense were performed on early instar larvae of the significant agricultural pest Spodoptera frugipera (Lepidoptera). The results demonstrated that both M. bibionidarum and M. dianzhongense exhibit significant insecticidal activity against larvae of S. frugipera, providing new fungal resources for the development of an eco-friendly biocontrol agent against this pest.
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Open AccessArticle
An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Freshwater Atyid Shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea) of Micronesia
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Valentin de Mazancourt, Gérard Marquet and Philippe Keith
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 200; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040200 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
Twelve species of atyid shrimps are reported from three Micronesian islands (Babeldaob, Pohnpei, and Guam) and studied using a combined morphological and molecular approach. Among them, three are new records for the area (Caridina appendiculata, Caridina lobocensis, and Caridina rubella
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Twelve species of atyid shrimps are reported from three Micronesian islands (Babeldaob, Pohnpei, and Guam) and studied using a combined morphological and molecular approach. Among them, three are new records for the area (Caridina appendiculata, Caridina lobocensis, and Caridina rubella), while three new species are here described: Atyoida chacei sp. nov., Caridina ponapensis sp. nov., and Caridina rintelenorum sp. nov. Descriptions for these new species, diagnoses for poorly known species, and taxonomic notes are provided herein and their biogeography is discussed.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Systematics, Evolution and Biogeography of Freshwater Decapod Crustaceans)
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Open AccessCommunication
Is Chorioptes texanus to Displace Chorioptes bovis? Notes on the Mites Causing Bovine Chorioptic Mange in Central Europe
by
Steffen Rehbein and Martin Visser
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 199; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040199 - 26 Mar 2024
Abstract
Chorioptic mange is the most common type of bovine mange in central Europe, affecting mainly housed dairy cattle. Until 1976, when Chorioptes texanus were described for the first time from mangy cattle in Brazil, bovine chorioptic mange was thought to be caused only
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Chorioptic mange is the most common type of bovine mange in central Europe, affecting mainly housed dairy cattle. Until 1976, when Chorioptes texanus were described for the first time from mangy cattle in Brazil, bovine chorioptic mange was thought to be caused only by C. bovis mites. In Europe, C. texanus parasitism in cattle was for the first time reported in Germany in 1998. Following the repeated diagnosis of C. texanus mites in skin scrapings from local cattle in recent years, scrapings from cattle that were clinically suspicious for chorioptic mange were requested and provided during the years from 2019 to 2022 from Austria, France, Germany, and Switzerland (from 6, 17, 28, and 7 farms, respectively) and from dairy cows of 1 farm in Canada. Mites were isolated from the scrapings, cleared, and microscopically identified based on their morphology. Examination of scrapings revealed the presence of C. texanus in the cattle from 2 farms in Austria, 13 farms in France, 7 farms in Germany, 1 farm in Switzerland, and in the specimens from Canada. Chorioptes bovis mites were recovered only in scrapings from 5 farms in Germany and Psoroptes ovis mites in scrapings of cattle from 2 farms in France. The scrapings did not reveal co-infestations of C. bovis and C. texanus or of Chorioptes species and P. ovis. The records of C. texanus from Austria, France, Switzerland, and Canada constitute the first descriptions of this mite species in these countries. Although this investigation was based on an opportunistic collection of the material and was of small extent, the results suggest a widespread occurrence of C. texanus in central Europe and may emphasize the need for studies to closely investigate the nature of the causative agents of chorioptic mange in cattle and other hosts.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Ecology of the Acari)
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Open AccessArticle
Change in the Ecological Stoichiometry of Carex thunbergii in Response to Seasonal Dynamics and Environmental Factors in Shengjin Lake, China
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Wenjing Xu, Xin Wang, Yujing Ren and Xiaoxin Ye
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 198; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040198 - 26 Mar 2024
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Exploring the effects of environmental factors and plant physiological processes on plant nutrient stoichiometry is of great significance to understanding how wetland vegetation distributes and maintains function. However, we have a limited understanding of how the combination of plant communities and seasonality with
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Exploring the effects of environmental factors and plant physiological processes on plant nutrient stoichiometry is of great significance to understanding how wetland vegetation distributes and maintains function. However, we have a limited understanding of how the combination of plant communities and seasonality with soil physicochemical properties affects nutrient stoichiometry in wetland plants. In this study, we examined these factors in Carex thunbergii and soil across four types of plant communities dominant in the riparian zone of Shengjin Lake during the non−flooding periods of December 2020 and March 2021. In winter, the total foliar C, N, and P concentrations decreased along with an increase in plant coverage, which did not differ in spring. The C, N, C: P, and N: P of foliage significantly increased over the season, while soil C, N, C: P, and N: P significantly decreased over the season. Both in winter and spring, soil C and soil N decreased along with the increase of plant coverage. Our results suggest that both plant community and soil physicochemical properties have a significant influence on plant nutrient stoichiometry. This study improves our understanding of the seasonal dynamics of plant nutrients under different communities and soil physicochemical properties.
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Open AccessArticle
Redescription and First Nucleotide Sequences of Opecoeloides pedicathedrae (Digenea: Opecoelidae), a Parasite of Cynoscion leiarchus (Cuvier, 1830) (Eupercaria: Sciaenidae) from Brazil
by
Melissa Querido Cárdenas, Simone Chinicz Cohen, Amanda Gleyce Lima de Oliveira, Marcia Cristina Nascimento Justo and Cláudia Portes Santos
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 197; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040197 - 26 Mar 2024
Abstract
Opecoeloides Odhner, 1928, is represented by 19 valid species found in marine fish, of which five have been reported in Brazil. Specimens of Opecoeloides pedicathedrae Travassos, Freitas & Bührnheim, 1966, were collected from the intestine of smooth weakfish Cynoscion leiarchus, a new
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Opecoeloides Odhner, 1928, is represented by 19 valid species found in marine fish, of which five have been reported in Brazil. Specimens of Opecoeloides pedicathedrae Travassos, Freitas & Bührnheim, 1966, were collected from the intestine of smooth weakfish Cynoscion leiarchus, a new host record, from off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They were examined using light and confocal laser microscopy. New partial sequences of 18S and 28S rDNA genes of O. pedicathedrae were obtained. Bayesian inference analysis on the partial 28S rDNA dataset resulted in a phylogram in which O. pedicathedrae formed a well-supported clade with Opecoeloides fimbriatus and Opecoeloides furcatus. The K2p distance between O. pedicathedrae and O. fimbriatus was 0.34%, with 3 divergent nucleotides; and between O. pedicathedrae and O. furcatus was 4.18%, with 38 divergent nucleotides. A Bayesian-inference phylogenetic tree based on the 18S rDNA recovered two main clades with five subfamilies. A clade of Opecoelinae showed that O. pedicathedrae was closer to Pseudopecoeloides tenuis; the K2p distance between these species was 2.14%, with 28 divergent nucleotides. The new nucleotide sequences presented inclusion of a phylogenetic analysis that can help to clarify the understanding of this complex taxon.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Taxonomy and Systematics of Fish Parasites)
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Open AccessArticle
DNA Barcoding for Species Identification of Moss-Dwelling Invertebrates: Performance of Nanopore Sequencing and Coverage in Reference Database
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Stephan Koblmüller, Philipp Resl, Nadine Klar, Hanna Bauer, Lukas Zangl and Christoph Hahn
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 196; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040196 - 25 Mar 2024
Abstract
In view of the current biodiversity crisis and our need to preserve and improve ecosystem functioning, efficient means for characterizing and monitoring biodiversity are required. DNA barcoding, especially when coupled with new sequencing technologies, is a promising method that can, in principle, also
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In view of the current biodiversity crisis and our need to preserve and improve ecosystem functioning, efficient means for characterizing and monitoring biodiversity are required. DNA barcoding, especially when coupled with new sequencing technologies, is a promising method that can, in principle, also be employed by taxonomic lay people. In this study we compare the performance of DNA barcoding by means of a third-generation sequencing technology, nanopore sequencing with classical Sanger sequencing, based on a sample of invertebrates collected from moss pads in a bog in Austria. We find that our nanopore sequencing pipeline generates DNA barcodes that are at least as good as barcodes generated with Sanger sequencing, with the MinION producing better results than the Flongle flowcell. We further find that while many arthropod taxa are well covered in the international reference DNA barcode database BOLD, this clearly is not the case for important taxa like mites and springtails, which hampers large-scale biodiversity assessments. Based on examples from our study we further highlight which factors might be responsible for ambiguous species identification based on BOLD and how this can, at least partly, be solved.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Barcodes for Evolution and Biodiversity—2nd Edition)
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Open AccessArticle
Golden Eagle Populations, Movements, and Landscape Barriers: Insights from Scotland
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Alan H. Fielding, David Anderson, Catherine Barlow, Stuart Benn, Robin Reid, Ruth Tingay, Ewan D. Weston and D. Philip Whitfield
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 195; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040195 - 25 Mar 2024
Abstract
GPS satellite tracking allows novel investigations of how golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos use the landscape at several scales and at different life history stages, including research on geographical barriers which may prevent or limit range expansion or create population/sub-population isolation. If there are
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GPS satellite tracking allows novel investigations of how golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos use the landscape at several scales and at different life history stages, including research on geographical barriers which may prevent or limit range expansion or create population/sub-population isolation. If there are significant barriers to golden eagle movements, there could be demographic and genetic consequences. Genetic studies have led investigations on the identification of sub-species, populations, and sub-populations but should be conjoined with demographic studies and dispersal movements to understand fully such designations and their geographic delimitation. Scottish eagles are genetically differentiated from continental European birds, with thousands of years of separation creating a distinct population, though without sub-species assignation. They present unique research opportunities to examine barriers to movements illustrated by satellite tracking under Scotland’s highly variable geography. We primarily examined two features, using more than seven million dispersal records from satellite tags fitted to 152 nestlings. The first was the presence of unsuitable terrestrial habitat. We found few movements across a region of largely unsuitable lowland habitat between upland regions substantially generated by geological features over 70 km apart (Highland Boundary Fault and Southern Uplands Fault). This was expected from the Golden Eagle Topography model, and presumed isolation was the premise for an ongoing reinforcement project in the south of Scotland, translocating eagles from the north (South Scotland Golden Eagle Project: SSGEP). Second was that larger expanses of water can be a barrier. We found that, for a northwestern archipelago (Outer Hebrides), isolated by ≥24 km of sea (and with prior assignation of genetical and historical separation), there were no tagged bird movements with the Inner Hebrides and/or the Highlands mainland (the main sub-population), confirming their characterisation as a second sub-population. Results on the willingness of eagles to cross open sea or sea lochs (fjords) elsewhere in Scotland were consistent on distance. While apparently weaker than the Outer Hebrides in terms of separation, the designation of a third sub-population in the south of Scotland seems appropriate. Our results validate the SSGEP, as we also observed no movement of birds across closer sea crossings from abundant Highland sources to the Southern Uplands. Based on telemetric results, we also identified where any re-colonisation of England, due to the SSGEP, is most likely to occur. We emphasise, nevertheless, that our study’s records during dispersal will be greater than the natal dispersal distances (NDDs), when birds settle to breed after dispersal, and NDDs are the better shorter arbiter for connectivity.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of the White-Tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle)
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Open AccessReview
Diversity of Plant Colorant Species in a Biodiversity Hotspot in Northern Thailand
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Sukhumaabhorn Kaewsangsai, Prateep Panyadee, Aussara Panya, Hataichanok Pandith, Prasit Wangpakapattanawong, Henrik Balslev and Angkhana Inta
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 194; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040194 - 25 Mar 2024
Abstract
Growing concerns regarding health and eco-safety have led to a resurgence in the recognition of natural products. Although plant colorants are often mentioned in ethnobotanical studies in northern Thailand, they have not been comprehensively examined. This study aims to (i) investigate the colorant
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Growing concerns regarding health and eco-safety have led to a resurgence in the recognition of natural products. Although plant colorants are often mentioned in ethnobotanical studies in northern Thailand, they have not been comprehensively examined. This study aims to (i) investigate the colorant plants used by ethnic minorities in northern Thailand and (ii) compare colorant plants used among the groups in northern Thailand with other regions worldwide. Data on colorant plants used by ten ethnic groups across 142 villages in northern Thailand were extracted in a systematic review of 42 published references. The importance of the colorant plant species was evaluated using the ethnobotanical index “use value” (UV), and the homogeneity of knowledge was assessed using the “information consensus factor” (ICF). The similarity of colorant plants used among the ethnic minority groups and beyond was evaluated using Jaccard’s index. The 42 published references included information about 104 colorant plant species belonging to 85 genera and 43 families from seven provinces in northern Thailand. This represents nearly half of the 212 colorant plant species reported across all 72 provinces in Thailand. The most important species were Strobilanthes cusia and Morinda angustifolia, which are sources of blue and red colors. Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Lamiaceae were the plant families with most species used as colorants. The colorant plant species yielded ten different color shades, with blue being the most prevalent. The Jaccard’s index varied from 0 to 0.27 among the northern Thai ethnic minorities and from 0 to 0.13 for regions outside of northern Thailand. The regions located closest to northern Thailand exhibited the highest degree of similarity. This study provides valuable insights into the traditional knowledge and usage of dye plants in northern Thailand, contributing to preserving the cultural heritage and providing basic knowledge for the sustainable use of natural colorants for modern applications.
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(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)
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Open AccessArticle
Diversity of Freshwater Mollusks from Lake Pampulha, Municipality of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Paulo Ricardo Silva Coelho, Silvana Carvalho Thiengo, Cristiane Lafetá Furtado de Mendonça, Nathália Moreira Teodoro de Oliveira, Sonia Barbosa dos Santos, Roberta Lima Caldeira and Stefan Michael Geiger
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 193; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040193 - 24 Mar 2024
Abstract
The artificially created Lake Pampulha, within the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, lacks detailed information about its freshwater mollusks, representing a challenge for the assessment and conservation of this ecosystem. In this study, conducted during June and August 2021, we
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The artificially created Lake Pampulha, within the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, lacks detailed information about its freshwater mollusks, representing a challenge for the assessment and conservation of this ecosystem. In this study, conducted during June and August 2021, we collected specimens on four different occasions and at five sampling points around the lake, using different sampling equipment, such as a shovel and a scoop. During these collections, we identified, enumerated and measured 1538 species of mollusks and additionally examined the presence of trematode larvae. We identified twelve species of fresh water bivalves and gastropods: Biomphalaria straminea, Biomphalaria kuhniana, Biomphalaria occidentalis, Drepanotrema cimex, Pomacea maculata, Stenophysa marmorata, Physa acuta, Gundlachia ticaga, Melanoides tuberculata, Pseudosuccinea columella, Omalonyx matheroni and Corbicula largillierti. Echinostome and strigeocercaria types of larval trematodes were detected in B. straminea. Notably, some species of mollusks have not previously been recorded at Lake Pampulha. The analyses revealed differences in the composition and abundance of species, highlighting the higher number of mollusk species in areas more impacted by human actions. This study expands our understanding of mollusk diversity at Lake Pampulha, and provides valuable data for longitudinal comparisons of water quality and considerations of the conservation of native species. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of choosing appropriate sampling equipment, depending on the research objectives. The presence of invasive species of medical and veterinary relevance as intermediate hosts of parasites reinforces the need for efficient environmental protection strategies to preserve this artificial, aquatic environment widely used by the local population and by tourists.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Freshwater Mollusk Communities)
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Open AccessArticle
Diversity of Flea Species (Siphonaptera) and Their Vector-Borne Pathogens from Bats (Chiroptera) in Lithuania
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Povilas Sakalauskas, Indrė Lipatova, Loreta Griciuvienė, Irma Ražanskė, Justina Snegiriovaitė and Algimantas Paulauskas
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 192; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040192 - 22 Mar 2024
Abstract
Bat fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae) are highly host-specific ectoparasites distributed worldwide (except Antarctica). The identification of flea species and the detection of flea-borne pathogens plays a significant role not only in veterinary and public health, but also in providing insights into the ecology,
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Bat fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae) are highly host-specific ectoparasites distributed worldwide (except Antarctica). The identification of flea species and the detection of flea-borne pathogens plays a significant role not only in veterinary and public health, but also in providing insights into the ecology, behaviour, and geographical distribution of fleas and flea-associated pathogens. The present study aimed to conduct a morphological and molecular identification of fleas collected from Lithuanian bats, as well as to screen for the presence of vector-borne pathogens. A total of 58 flea specimens were collected from bats in Lithuania. Based on morphological analysis, seven flea species were identified (Ischnopsyllus variabilis, I. octactenus, I. simplex, I. elongatus, I. hexactenus, Nycteridopsylla pentactena, and N. eusarca) and screened for the presence of Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., and Mycoplasma spp. Molecular analysis of fleas’ COI and 18S rRNA genes showed that the flea species collected from bats are closely genetically related. Bartonella DNA was detected in bat fleas (41.4%). No DNA of Anaplasma, Borrelia, Babesia, Rickettsia, and Mycoplasma was amplified in the tested samples. The Wolbachia sp. was accidentally found in I. elongatus. The phylogenetic analysis of four Bartonella genes (16S-23S rRNA ITS, gltA, rpoB, and groEL) revealed specificity to bats or bats’ ectoparasites. This is the first report about bat flea species and the pathogens in bat fleas in Lithuania. New host records for bat fleas were also reported. This study extends the knowledge about bat fleas and their role as vectors of different pathogens.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Epidemiology, Evolution and Phylogeny of Common Ectoparasites of Vertebrates: Siphonaptera and Acari)
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Open AccessBrief Report
New Euthemistid Damsel–Dragonfly from the Middle Jurassic of Northern China (Odonata, Isophlebioidea, Euthemistidae)
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Yuxuan Liu, Chaofan Shi, Jingan Shang, Dong Ren and Qiang Yang
Diversity 2024, 16(4), 191; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16040191 - 22 Mar 2024
Abstract
A new genus and new species of the euthemistid, Kidaneuthemis ningchengensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China. It can be assigned to the Euthemistidae by the several long intercalary veins between RP1 and IR1, IR1 and
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A new genus and new species of the euthemistid, Kidaneuthemis ningchengensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China. It can be assigned to the Euthemistidae by the several long intercalary veins between RP1 and IR1, IR1 and RP2, as well as between RP2 and IR2 and between IR2 and RP3/4. Kidaneuthemis ningchengensis gen. et sp. nov. distinguishes from the other two genera of this family by the presence of not less than eight intercalary veins between MP and wing margin; about three rows of cells in the distal part between MA and MP; the base of IR2 is two cells distal to that of RP3/4. In addition, a revision of the family Euthemistidae has been proposed.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity of Fossil and Recent Insect Faunae)
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Open AccessArticle
Water Reserves for the Environment: A Strategic and Temporal Analysis (2012–2022) for the Implementation of Environmental Flows in Mexico
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Sergio A. Salinas-Rodríguez and Anuar I. Martínez Pacheco
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 190; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16030190 - 21 Mar 2024
Abstract
In Mexico, the evaluations of environmental flows are regulated by the Mexican Norm NMX-AA-159-SCFI-2012, and they warrant the establishment of water reserves for the environment. However, the pressure or demand for water use limits the establishment of said reserves because their implementation is
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In Mexico, the evaluations of environmental flows are regulated by the Mexican Norm NMX-AA-159-SCFI-2012, and they warrant the establishment of water reserves for the environment. However, the pressure or demand for water use limits the establishment of said reserves because their implementation is generally conditioned to water availability. This research aimed to evaluate the changes through time of the variables that serve as a basis for the implementation strategy by the Mexican government. A geographical information system was built with updated information on water availability, conservation values, and pressures for all basins nationwide. Their desired conservation status was analyzed, and the potential reserves were estimated based on the reference values. The results were examined according to the ranking changes in environmental water reserves enactment feasibility and desired conservation status of Mexican basins, the progress achieved to date, and the potential contribution to the conservation of protected areas and their connectivity if the gaps of reserves were implemented. The outcomes point towards an administrative implementation strategy with positive results despite the growing demand for water use, with a change rate higher than the one for the creation of new protected areas. Currently, basins with low demand and high conservation value have the potential to meet people’s and the environment’s water needs, and contribute to 86% of the goal set by the present administration without affecting water availability. Finally, reserving water in the priority basins would guarantee the legal protection of the flow regime in 48–50% of the hydrographic network (63,760–66,900 km) in a desired conservation status, 43–49% of wetlands of international importance (48,650–49,600 km2) and other protected areas (128,700–136,500 km2) in 85–89% of the global ecoregions represented in Mexico (780,500–852,200 km2).
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Methods to Strengthen Protected Area Conservation and Management on the National Level)
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Open AccessArticle
A Beacon in the Dark: Grey Literature Data Mining and Machine Learning Enlightening Historical Plankton Seasonality Dynamics in the Ligurian Sea
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Alice Guzzi, Stefano Schiaparelli, Maria Balan and Marco Grillo
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 189; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16030189 - 21 Mar 2024
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea, as one of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions, faces significant environmental changes due to rising temperatures. Zooplankton communities, particularly copepods, play a vital role in marine ecosystems, yet their distribution dynamics remain poorly understood, especially in the Ligurian Sea. Leveraging
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The Mediterranean Sea, as one of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions, faces significant environmental changes due to rising temperatures. Zooplankton communities, particularly copepods, play a vital role in marine ecosystems, yet their distribution dynamics remain poorly understood, especially in the Ligurian Sea. Leveraging open-source software and environmental data, this study adapted a methodology to model copepod distributions from 1985 to 1986 in the Portofino Promontory ecosystem using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm to produce the first abundance and distribution maps of the area. Five copepod genera were studied across different trophic guilds, revealing habitat preferences and ecological fluctuations throughout the seasons. The assessment of model accuracy through symmetric mean absolute percentage error (sMAPE) highlighted the variability in copepod dynamics influenced by environmental factors. While certain genera exhibited higher predictive accuracy during specific seasons, others posed challenges due to ecological complexities. This study underscores the importance of species-specific responses and environmental variability in predictive modeling. Moreover, this study represents the first attempt to model copepod distribution in the Ligurian Sea, shedding light on their ecological niches and historical spatial dynamics. The study adhered to FAIR principles, repurposing historical data to generate three-dimensional predictive maps, enhancing our understanding of copepod biodiversity. Future studies will focus on developing abundance distribution models using machine learning and artificial intelligence to predict copepod standing crop in the Ligurian Sea with greater precision. This integrated approach advances knowledge of copepod ecology in the Mediterranean and sets a precedent for integrating historical data with contemporary methodologies to elucidate marine ecosystem dynamics.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Ligurian Sea and the National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC): Biodiversity Conservation in a Temperate Marine Environment under Threat)
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Open AccessArticle
Feeding Ecology of Reintroduced Golden Parakeets (Guaruba guarouba, Psittacidae) in a Protected Area in the Amazon Forest
by
Marcelo Rodrigues Vilarta, Thaís Tamamoto De Moraes, Maria Fernanda Naegeli Gondim, Crisomar Lobato, Mônica Nazaré Rodrigues Furtado Da Costa, Rubens de Aquino Oliveira and Luís Fábio Silveira
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 188; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16030188 - 21 Mar 2024
Abstract
The Golden Parakeet is an endemic Brazilian flagship species that has suffered from poaching and habitat loss, leading to local extinctions in the urbanized parts of the Amazon. We reintroduced six groups of mostly captive-bred parakeets in a protected area. The birds were
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The Golden Parakeet is an endemic Brazilian flagship species that has suffered from poaching and habitat loss, leading to local extinctions in the urbanized parts of the Amazon. We reintroduced six groups of mostly captive-bred parakeets in a protected area. The birds were acclimatized for at least five months at the release site, where they were trained to recognize native foods and develop foraging skills. Subsequently, we conducted a soft release, followed by daily supplementation and monitoring. For three years following the release we recorded their diet, feeding behavior, and how they adapted to wild foraging. The reintroduced birds fed on 23 plant species, with 13 not being previously listed in past studies. The three most consumed species corresponded to 77% of their feeding records. Parakeets spent more time feeding in altered landscapes and secondary vegetation than in the preserved forest. Most of the feeding happened during the rainy season when most of their favorite plants are fruiting. The parakeets’ incorporation of new species in their diet and their transition from supplemental to natural feeding happened gradually, as we did not reduce food offerings. Parakeets that showed site fidelity were able to find native food rapidly following release, but individuals that dispersed immediately had more difficulty finding food. This study showed that captive-bred Golden Parakeets can transition to a wild diet following a gradual reintroduction process.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Parrots)
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Open AccessArticle
Population Reinforcement of the Endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera): Lessons Learned
by
Louise Lavictoire and Christopher West
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 187; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16030187 - 20 Mar 2024
Abstract
Freshwater mussel populations are in sharp decline and are considered to be one of the most imperilled groups globally. Consequently, the number of captive breeding programmes has increased rapidly in recent years, coupled with subsequent reintroductions/population reinforcements to reverse these declines. The outcomes
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Freshwater mussel populations are in sharp decline and are considered to be one of the most imperilled groups globally. Consequently, the number of captive breeding programmes has increased rapidly in recent years, coupled with subsequent reintroductions/population reinforcements to reverse these declines. The outcomes of mussel conservation translocations are seldom reported in the primary literature, hindering opportunities for learning and for population recovery at pace. Here, we describe the methods employed to carry out a successful conservation translocation of the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) in a declining population in northwest England. Following a small-scale pilot release in 2017, four release sites were identified for a population reinforcement of over 1300 tagged mussels in 2021. Monitoring during 2022 showed high levels of retention of juveniles at three out of the four release sites, despite the occurrence of a significant flood event during October 2021. Subsequent releases of 1100 juveniles were carried out across the three successful sites in 2023. Ongoing and regular monitoring is essential in order to provide data on the longer-term fate of propagated juveniles in the wild. This will allow for adaptive management of release activities in this river. These data will be useful to design conservation translocation strategies for other imperilled pearl mussel populations in the UK and throughout Europe.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Population Ecology and Protection of Freshwater Mussels)
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Open AccessArticle
Microclimatic Influences on the Abundance of Three Non-Troglobiont Species
by
Luca Coppari, Raoul Manenti and Enrico Lunghi
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 186; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16030186 - 19 Mar 2024
Abstract
Subterranean environments are often characterized by a natural gradient of microclimatic conditions and trophic resources, showing a higher trophic availability and a lower microclimatic stability in the shallowest area (close to the cave entrance), while the opposite occurs in the deepest sections. The
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Subterranean environments are often characterized by a natural gradient of microclimatic conditions and trophic resources, showing a higher trophic availability and a lower microclimatic stability in the shallowest area (close to the cave entrance), while the opposite occurs in the deepest sections. The shallowest areas of subterranean environments (e.g., the entrance and twilight zone, Mesovoid Shallow Substratum) act as ecotones between the surface habitats and the deep areas, creating a particular habitat which can be exploited by numerous species with different degrees of adaptation to subterranean environments. Species living in these ecotones may hold a key role in sustaining the entire ecosystem, as they are likely one of the major drivers of allochthonous organic matter. Indeed, these species are usually facultative cave-dwellers, meaning that they are able to exit and forage on the surface. Once these species are back inside the cave, they provide the local community with different typologies of organic matter (e.g., feces, eggs), which represent one of the most important sources of organic carbon. Therefore, studying which ecological features may exert significant effects on the abundance of these species may be of great help in understanding the ecosystem dynamics and the functional role of each species. In this study we analyzed the data collected through a year-round monitoring program, aiming to assess the potential effects that both abiotic and biotic features may have on the abundance of three facultative cave species. We focused on seven caves located in Monte Albo (Sardinia, Italy). The cave environments were divided into 3-meter sectors, and within each cave sector, microclimatic and biological data were seasonally recorded. We focused on the following facultative cave species: the spiders Metellina merianae and Tegenaria sp. and the snail Oxychilus oppressus. Different relationships were observed between the ecological features and the abundance of the three species. The two spiders were more abundant in warmer cave sectors closer to the cave entrance, especially the M. merianae. On the other hand, the snail tended to be more abundant farther from the cave entrance and in more illuminated cave sectors, probably because sunlight promotes the abundance of some of its trophic resources (e.g., lichens, vegetation). Furthermore, O. oppressus was the only species whose abundance and cave distribution was significantly affected by seasonality. This study provides useful and novel information to understand the population dynamics of facultative cave species and their role in subterranean ecosystems.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Loss & Dynamics)
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Two New Species of Elaphoidella (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from Subterranean Waters in Northeast Thailand, with a Record of a Gynandromorphic Specimen and an Up-to-Date Key to Elaphoidella Species from Southeast Asia
by
Chaichat Boonyanusith, Anton Brancelj and Laorsri Sanoamuang
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 185; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16030185 - 18 Mar 2024
Abstract
Two new species of copepods of the genus Elaphoidella Chappuis, 1929 were discovered in a cave and a spring in northeastern Thailand. The first species, E. phuphamanensis sp. nov., belongs to species-group VII sensu Lang. It is most similar to E. turgisetosa Petkovski,
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Two new species of copepods of the genus Elaphoidella Chappuis, 1929 were discovered in a cave and a spring in northeastern Thailand. The first species, E. phuphamanensis sp. nov., belongs to species-group VII sensu Lang. It is most similar to E. turgisetosa Petkovski, 1980 in the armament of the male third exopod of the fourth swimming leg and the shape and armament of the fifth swimming leg in both sexes. However, it is easily distinguished from other congeners by the segmentation of the first swimming leg, the endopod of the fourth swimming leg, and the armature of the third exopod of swimming legs 2–4 in both sexes. The second species, E. propecabezasi sp. nov., is located in species-group I sensu Lang, where the male does not have a transformed seta on the third exopod of the fourth swimming leg and the female fifth swimming leg has four baseoendopodal robust setae, unequal in length. It is most similar to E. cabezasi Petkovski, 1982 and E. paraaffinis Watiroyram, Sanoamuang and Brancelj, 2017 in having the same armature formula as endopods 1–2 of female swimming legs 1–4. However, the ornamentation of the anal operculum, the shape of the caudal ramus, and the armature of the fifth swimming leg in both sexes distinguish them from each other. A rare gynandromorphic specimen of E. propecabezasi sp. nov. was recorded, and a revised key to Elaphoidella species in Southeast Asia is provided.
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(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)
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Open AccessArticle
Phylogeography of Dolichophis Populations in the Aegean Region (Squamata: Colubridae) with Taxonomic Remarks
by
Adam Javorčík, Ilias Strachinis, Evanthia Thanou, Panagiotis Kornilios, Aziz Avcı, Nazan Üzüm, Kurtuluş Olgun, Çetin Ilgaz, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Petros Lymberakis, Zoltán T. Nagy and Daniel Jablonski
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 184; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16030184 - 18 Mar 2024
Abstract
In this study, we investigate the phylogeographic patterns of Dolichophis species in the Aegean region, aiming to elucidate their genetic diversity and putative historical colonisation routes through mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data. Our findings revealed distinct phylogeographic patterns: D. caspius exhibited a
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In this study, we investigate the phylogeographic patterns of Dolichophis species in the Aegean region, aiming to elucidate their genetic diversity and putative historical colonisation routes through mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data. Our findings revealed distinct phylogeographic patterns: D. caspius exhibited a higher level of haplotypes within two shallow mitochondrial lineages, contrasting with D. jugularis, which displayed lower genetic variability in the area. Additionally, we identified evidence showing possible human-mediated historical translocation of D. caspius populations to Karpathos from the Balkans mainland. The mitochondrial variability in D. jugularis remained relatively uniform across southwestern Anatolia and Dodecanese, except for Rhodes Island. The evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear data confirming the previously described morphological differentiation of the Rhodes snakes, and thus the name D. j. zinneri Cattaneo, 2012, described on the island, could be applied to this isolated population. This result addresses the first genetic view on the long-standing taxonomic uncertainties regarding the subspecies status of Rhodes D. jugularis. Our results also raise questions regarding possible historical hybridisations between D. caspius and D. jugularis in the Dodecanese islands, prompting the need for further investigation using extensive field studies and genomic approaches. Ultimately, the Aegean islands, particularly Kos and Rhodes, seem to be important sites for the evolution of these colubrid snakes and their historical dynamics.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Phylogenetics, and Phylogeography of Animals in the Mediterranean Region)
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