Assessing the potential spread of arthropod pests of wild and cultivated Vaccinium species in British Columbia using digitized occurrence records: the blackheaded fireworm Rhopobota naevana (Hübner, 1817) as an exemplar

Chelydra serpentina, a species introduced to China for aquaculture purposes, is commonly found in its natural habitats within the country. The invasion of C. serpentina poses potential threats to both the biodiversity of China and human health. The potential distribution of C. serpentina has been simulated using the species distribution model – MaxEnt, incorporating global distribution data, climate, and land cover variables. Our simulations encompasses both current conditions and four future climate change scenarios. Currently, the potential distribution is concentrated in central, eastern, and southeastern regions of China, with the central and eastern regions facing the highest risk of invasion. Under future climate change scenarios, the distribution area may expand by 30–90%, and multiple provinces will face a more severe threat of invasion. This study presents the inaugural simulation of the potential invasion range of C. serpentina under current climatic conditions. Moreover, it reveals that climate change is likely to contribute to the expansion of its invasive range, thus furnishing a reference foundation for scientific prevention and control measures. We propose integrating citizen science and eDNA technologies into species monitoring to enhance the efficiency of detecting invasive species. This research has filled the gap in the research on the invasive distribution range of C. serpentina in China and globally, while also providing novel perspectives on the invasion control of this species.

The aim of present study was to predict the potential distribution of mango shoot gall psylla, Apsylla cistellata (Psyllidae: Hemiptera) under current and future climate scenarios of 2050 and 2070. This study was conducted across six states in India where their infestation and occurrence noticed. The study provided a deep insight on surveys of shoot gall psylla infestation that occurred between 2012 and 2018. Current and future climate change scenarios acquired from the WorldClim database and Maxent modeling technique was used to fit with occurrence points and current climate data to model potential shoot gall psylla distributions. The model performance was tested using area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) values. Response curves depicted the relationships between bioclimatic variables and predicted probability of A.cistellata presence. MaxEnt model used to develop spatial map and their distributions for selected climate change scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP 4.5. RCP 6.0 and RCP 8.5) and mapped the habitat for A.cistellata suitability under current and future scenarios. Present study results suggested that under current climate change scenarios, the potential distribution of shoot gall psylla was noticed in Western and Central part of Uttar Pradesh and Eastern part of Madhya Pradesh. In future climate change scenarios predicted suitable habitat areas for A.cistellata was found mostly from regions of Western and Central Uttar Pradesh, Southern parts Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The predicted suitability maps developed from present study will be useful in planning and designing of pest management strategies to control pest effectively from designated areas. The study provides clutches of clues for understanding potential changes in distribution and activity of pest in designated areas in response to current and future climate change scenarios.

Molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy using COI-5P and rbcL-3P was employed to reassess species diversity for the Rhodymeniales (Rhodophyta) in British Columbia. A total of 563 collections from British Columbia were resolved as 16 genetic species groups, whereas 13 were previously reported. Collections attributed to Botryocladia pseudodichotoma from British Columbia were resolved as distinct from collections of that species from California (type locality) and were assigned to Botryocladia hawkesii sp. nov. DNA sequence data also resolved an additional species of Fryeella. Although two species of Gloiocladia were recognized, genetic analyses resolved three: G. fryeana, G. laciniata, and Gloiocladia vigneaultii sp. nov. Data also resolved Gloiocladia media comb. nov. from California. For the genus Rhodymenia, where two species were expected, DNA sequence data resolved four. Both R. californica and R. pacifica were confirmed in British Columbia, whereas some collections field-identified as R. californica were genetically distinct and assigned to the novel species, Rhodymenia bamfieldensis sp. nov. Some collections initially identified as R. pacifica were assigned to the resurrected species R. rhizoides. Anatomical development for the monospecific genus Minium was also reassessed owing to that taxon’s assignment to the Fryeellaceae. Our investigation clarified the number of rhodymenialean species in British Columbia and resolved taxonomic and distributional uncertainties associated with some of these taxa.

Recent deep-water surveys of the continental slope in the Bering Sea and the eastern North Pacific, conducted by the US National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, have broadened our understanding of the ichthyofauna in the region. Herein, we report significant new records of 2 species of skates based on morphological and molecular data. For Bathyraja spinosissima, the White Skate, we describe 2 specimens: a neonate male that constitutes a northern range extension for the species to Alaska in the Bering Sea; and an adult male representing a new record for the species in British Columbia. For B. microtrachys, the Fine-spined Skate, we describe 5 males taken in a single haul that represent the 1st record of the species in British Columbia. These specimens had been previously misidentified as B. violacea, the Okhotsk Skate, a species known only from the western Aleutian Islands and the western North Pacific.

Throughout the world, the diversity of fungi remains poorly characterized and Cortinarius is a classical example of a difficult, species-rich, and under-researched mushroom genus. Here, we sequenced and analyzed ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence barcodes from herbarium specimens to improve understanding of Cortinarius species diversity in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Starting with 962 specimen sequences, 617 from B.C. herbaria, we present a maximum likelihood tree showing 179 putative Cortinarius species in British Columbia. As a working definition, we considered a “species” to be a monophyletic clade that included a reliably identified reference sequence, with a maximum of 3% ITS sequence variation. If no reference sequence was available, “species” were groups sharing 97% or more sequence identity. By these criteria, 110 putative B.C. species matched European species and 12 B.C. species matched species exclusively found in the Americas. Of the 56 B.C. species that did not match an identified reference sequence, some may be new to science, while others likely represent described species without available sequences. By depositing sequences from B.C. specimens into GenBank and BOLD, and by providing our alignment to TreeBASE, we have supplied the resources necessary to improve accuracy in identifications of Cortinarius in future systematic and ecological studies.

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the distribution of a species is useful before undertaking management and conservation actions. Distribution estimates provide ecological insights about a species, and help frame the scope and scale of research questions. However, compiling reliable distribution information is a challenge for elusive mesocarnivores such as bobcats (Lynx rufus) and Canada lynx (L. canadensis). In British Columbia, Canada, bobcats and lynx are key mesocarnivores ecologically and are important furbearers, but their distributions are poorly understood. We compiled and compared 5 independent sources of bobcat and lynx records in British Columbia to gain a better understanding of their provincial distributions: trapping records, hunting records, vehicle‐kill records, trapper surveys, and images solicited from the public. Our objectives were to compare bobcat and lynx distributions derived from each of these data sources, and provide reliable estimates for the distribution of each species in British Columbia between 2008 and 2017. Although each method has unique advantages and limitations, all data sources indicated similar distributions, and each data source provided unique locations for the final distribution maps that we derived. Bobcats were restricted to the southern half of British Columbia, whereas lynx occurred across most of the interior of the province. Bobcat and lynx distributions broadly overlapped in southern British Columbia, but image detections generally occurred at higher elevations for lynx than bobcats. We demonstrate the utility of combining multiple data sources when estimating species distributions, and highlight the usefulness of citizen science in such studies. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

BackgroundGlobal risk assessment of invasive weeds is a proactive strategy for identifying high-risk species and regions, predicting invasion rates and extents, and evaluating harmful impacts on native biodiversity, agriculture, and ecosystems. In this study, species distribution modeling was used to assess the global invasion risk of Ardisia elliptica, a highly invasive tropical shrub native to South and Southeast Asia that is harmful in other parts of the world, under the current climate and future climate change scenarios [shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5] and other environmental variables, including land use and land cover change, soil moisture, soil carbon, soil pH, and human influence index.ResultsOur study revealed that annual precipitation, human influence index, and precipitation in the wettest month contributed significantly to the MaxEnt model, with estimated contributions of 31.35%, 22.76%, and 14.77%, respectively. These findings suggest that the global distribution of A. elliptica is limited primarily by climatic variables, whereas anthropogenic factors also play an important role in its habitat expansion. The current invasion risk was highest in South America, Oceania (east), and Africa, affecting up to 24.51% of the total land surface area. A risk assessment of 165 countries revealed a risk of invasion in 41 countries with no records of species occurrence. Under future climate change scenarios, a significant global expansion of the distribution was predicted, with invasion in South America covering up to 48.97% of the land surface area by 2061–2080. Habitat suitability analysis revealed that 21 countries under the current climate and 47 countries under SSP5-8.5 had extremely suitable habitats for A. elliptica. Additionally, the species has already invaded at least 115 countries, while 15 countries, including Benin, Burundi, Japan, Uruguay, Swaziland, and South Korea, are predicted to shift categories from having unsuitable or poor invasion risk to having high invasion risk.ConclusionsThese findings are crucial for understanding the global invasion risk of A. elliptica under substantial climate change and anthropogenic activities and support the development of effective biosecurity measures and sustainable management strategies for this harmful species at the global and national levels.

A total of 1,745, 362, and 536 bats collected in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, respectively, was tested for rabies virus between 1979 and 1983. Only one (0.1%) of 769 bats collected at random from buildings was infected with rabies virus in contrast to 95 (5%) of 1,874 symptomatic, rabies-suspect bats submitted for testing. The pattern of infection in the rabies-suspect bats was similar in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but differed in British Columbia. Rabies was diagnosed in four species of bats in each of Alberta and Saskatchewan, but in seven species in British Columbia. Annual prevalence in rabies-suspect bats was similar in colonial species within each province. Rabies was found rarely in suspect little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) (less than 1%). In suspect big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), the prevalence was low in Saskatchewan (3%), moderate in Alberta (10%), and high in British Columbia (25%). Big brown bats accounted for over 55% of the rabid bats detected in each province. Annual prevalence reported in silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) and hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) was variable in all three provinces. Rabies is enzootic in northern insectivorous bats.

We combine climate preferences of tree species with probable changes in insect, disease, fire and other abiotic factors to describe probable changes in distribution of tree species in British Columbia. Predictions of what British Columbia’s forests will become are rife with uncertainty from three major sources: predicting climate, predicting tree species’ responses and predicting changes in factors modifying the trees’ responses (e.g., pathogens, fires). Challenges in predicting climate result because climate projection models differ and downscaling climate is difficult, particularly where weather stations are sparse. Challenges in predicting responses of individual tree species to climate result because species will be competing under a climate regime we have not seen before and they have not experienced before. That challenge is increased by the differential response of pathogens and effects of changes in fire frequency. We first examine responses of individual species, then consider implications for broad regional forests. Despite the uncertainty, some trends are more likely than others. We present our estimates of the relative species composition of future forests in British Columbia.

Until recently, only the following seven species of marine eels were known to exist in waters off British Columbia (based on literature sources and museum records): Nemichthys scolopaceus, and Avocettina infans (Nemichthyidae, snipe eels), Xenomystax atrarius (Congridae, conger eels), Serrivomer jesperseni (Serrivomeridae, sawtooth eels), Cyema atrum (Cyematidae, bobtail eels), Synaphobranchus affinis (Synaphobranchidae, cutthroat eels), and Thalassenchelys coheni (Colocongridae, worm eels). Histiobranchus bathybius (also in the Synaphobranchidae) is expected to occur in British Columbia, since its range extends from Mexico to Alaska. Recent surveys to determine the viability of crab fisheries facilitated the collection of non-game fishes from by-catch in bottom-trawl samples. Several eels were collected between 2004 and 2006, and they were originally identified as Serrivomer jesperseni (Serrivomeridae). Re-examination of these specimens indicates that they all are duckbill eels (Nettastomatidae), the first records of this family north of 45°39'N along the North American Pacific coast. Both Venefica ocella and V. tentaculata are represented, with V. ocella found farther north than V. tentaculata. All British Columbia specimens are housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum. The collection of new deep-water species in British Columbia reinforces the value of survey sampling to improve our knowledge of biodiversity.

Assessing the vulnerability of Thailand's forest birds to global change

Simple SummaryThe objective of our study was to gain a deep understanding about the role of predicted climate change on the range restricted and high-mountain dwelling animal species like the Himalayan goral (HG). To achieve this, we conducted species distribution modeling of the target species under present and predicted future climate change scenarios. Our focus was on identifying the potential suitable microhabitats of the target species using a predictive modeling and maximum entropy algorithm under current climate, and any possible range variation and shift under future climate change scenarios. Annual precipitation and elevation are important factors that affect goral distribution; the elevation between 2000 and 3000 m is thought to be the most suitable for the goral’s habitat. Additionally, a general slight range shift toward northern latitudes and along the higher elevations is observed. Our analysis shows that the suitability of the Himalayan goral’s habitat can change dramatically depending on the forecast. This work might fill the existing knowledge gap about the target species distribution in the study area and predict suitable habitats necessary for species conservation. This study might also be helpful in future planning, management, and sustainable use of available resources, and to mitigate the possible negative effects of climate change in the Himalayan region.The distribution of large ungulates is more often negatively impacted by the changing climate, especially global warming and species with limited distributional zones. While developing conservation action plans for the threatened species such as the Himalayan goral (Naemorhedus goral Hardwicke 1825; a mountain goat that mostly inhabits rocky cliffs), it is imperative to comprehend how future distributions might vary based on predicted climate change. In this work, MaxEnt modeling was employed to assess the habitat suitability of the target species under varying climate scenarios. Such studies have provided highly useful information but to date no such research work has been conducted that considers this endemic animal species of the Himalayas. A total of 81 species presence points, 19 bioclimatic and 3 topographic variables were employed in the species distribution modeling (SDM), and MaxEnt calibration and optimization were performed to select the best candidate model. For predicted climate scenarios, the future data is drawn from SSPs 245 and SSPs 585 of the 2050s and 2070s. Out of total 20 variables, annual precipitation, elevation, precipitation of driest month, slope aspect, minimum temperature of coldest month, slope, precipitation of warmest quarter, and temperature annual range (in order) were detected as the most influential drivers. A high accuracy value (AUC-ROC > 0.9) was observed for all the predicted scenarios. The habitat suitability of the targeted species might expand (about 3.7 to 13%) under all the future climate change scenarios. The same is evident according to local residents as species which are locally considered extinct in most of the area, might be shifting northwards along the elevation gradient away from human settlements. This study recommends additional research is conducted to prevent potential population collapses, and to identify other possible causes of local extinction events. Our findings will aid in formulating conservation plans for the Himalayan goral in a changing climate and serve as a basis for future monitoring of the species.

The global threat of invasive alien species (IAS) being introduced into new habitats is concerning, particularly in agricultural crops as invasive insect species are continuing to expand their distribution through anthropogenic activities and climate changes. Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) are an economic threat to numerous legume crops as they can reproduce parthenogenetically, damage crops directly, and vector over 30 plant viruses as the insect's distribution continues to spread. There are no existing pea aphid-specific risk maps that identify the habitat suitability of pea aphids at either a regional or global scale. Here, we used Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to evaluate which climatic variables influence pea aphid distribution, identify regions of potential distribution, and analyze the global distribution of pea aphids under current and future climate change scenarios (SSP 126, 245, and 370) by utilizing presence-only SDMs based on Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt). The modeling results indicate suitable conditions are relevant for pea aphid establishment in six out of seven continents, with significant range expansion in western Canada, the United States of America, and across Europe. We identified human influence to be the most prominent predictor in determining the distribution of pea aphids, supporting the fact that invasive species distributions are heavily impacted by human activities.

Common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) occur throughout much of South America to northern México. Vampire bats have not been documented in recent history in the United States, but have been documented within about 50 km of the U.S. state of Texas. Vampire bats feed regularly on the blood of mammals and can transmit rabies virus to native species and livestock, causing impacts on the health of prey. Thus cattle producers, wildlife management agencies, and other stakeholders have expressed concerns about whether vampire bats might spread into the southern United States. On the other hand, concerns about vampire-borne rabies can also result in wanton destruction at bat roosts in areas occupied by vampire bats, but also in areas not known to be occupied by this species. This can in turn negatively affect some bat roosts, populations, and species that are of conservation concern, including vampire bats. To better understand the current and possible future distribution of vampire bats in North America and help mitigate future cattle management problems, we used 7,094 vampire bat occurrence records from North America and species distribution modeling (SDM) to map the potential distribution of vampire bats in North America under current and future climate change scenarios. We analysed and mapped the potential distribution of this species using 5 approaches to species distribution modeling: logistic regression, multivariate adaptive regression splines, boosted regression trees, random forest, and maximum entropy. We then projected these models into 17 “worst-case” future climate scenarios for year 2070 to generate hypotheses about how the vampire bat distribution in North America might change in the future. Of the variables used in this analysis, minimum temperature of the coldest month had the highest variable importance using all 5 SDM approaches. These results suggest two potential near-future routes of vampire bat dispersal into the U.S., one via southern Texas, and a second into southern Florida. Some of our SDM models support the hypothesis that suitable habitat for vampire bats may currently exist in parts of the México–U.S. borderlands, including extreme southern portions of Texas, as well as in southern Florida. However, this analysis also suggests that extensive expansion into the south-eastern and south-western U.S. over the coming ~60 years appears unlikely.

Climate change is affecting the ocean, altering the biogeography of marine species. Yet marine protected area (MPA) planning still rarely incorporates projected species range shifts. We used the outputs of species distribution models fitted with biological and climate data as inputs to identify trends in occurrence for marine species in British Columbia (BC), Canada. We assessed and compared two ways of incorporating climate change projections into MPA planning. First, we overlaid 98 species with modelled distributions now and by the mid-21st century under two contrasting (“no mitigation” and “strong mitigation”) climate change scenarios with existing Provincial marine parks in BC, to ask which species could overlap with protected areas in the future. Second, we completed a spatial prioritization analysis using Marxan with the projected future species ranges as inputs, to ask where priority regions exist for the 98 marine species. We found that many BC marine parks will lose species in both climate scenarios that we analyzed, and that protecting 30% of important marine species will be challenging under the “no mitigation” climate change scenario. Challenges included the coarse resolution of the data and uncertainty in projecting species range shifts.