Abstract The lunar cycle influences the behaviours of life forms across multiple phyla, including humans. Tides are perhaps the most observable effect of the moon. The moon exerts a surprising impact on animals through reflected fluctuations in light levels. Early works on the lunar effect were primarily observations. The interpretation of natural light by animals to adjust their physiology and behaviour has been enigmatic for a long time. In Platynereis, rOpsin1 senses the moonrise. A molecule called L-cryptochrome (L-Cry) can distinguish between moon phases and sun and moonlight. L-Cry distinguishes the proper valence of moonlight and thus entrains the circalunar clock to regulate reproduction. The lunar effects influence animals through hormones such as melatonin, GnRH, and some steroids. Interestingly, several genes have been revealed to constitute the genetic basis of lunar effects. The present communication provides a succinct account of lunar-mediated effects on animals, including our species.

Abstract Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker Gawl. (Zingiberacea) is newly recorded from southwest China, which stretching its eastern natural distribution range. A full description of the species and a color plate showing diagnostic features of the species, as well as taxonomic and distributional notes are provided here.

Abstract Oncocyclus is a large group of bearded irises with poorly known phylogeny and evolutionary history. In Israel, Iris sect. Oncocyclus comprises eight species belonging to three aggregates. We used a combination of approaches to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of these species and indicate the evolutionary forces responsible for their origin. We sequenced the whole chloroplast genomes of species and integrated a phylogenetic tree with results of genetic (AFLP) divergence, degree of reproductive isolation, and species distribution modeling. Our findings suggest that quantitative and even qualitative morphological characters, such as flower color, are unreliable diagnostic traits for Oncocyclus taxonomy; that some recognized species comprise more than one species; and that group evolution did not involve the origin of distinct flower aggregates. A lack of pre-zygotic reproductive isolation agrees with the very low variability of the Oncocyclus plastome, suggesting that Israeli Oncocyclus species are very young. Homoploid hybridization followed or preceded by long periods of geographic isolation, and local selection likely contributed to speciation in Oncocyclus. In the group evolutionary history, importance of homoploid hybridization and local selection differed among species, but limited gene flow played a crucial role for all species.

Abstract Araceae is a large family widely distributed worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Members of Araceae have a characteristic inflorescence and they also possess various morphologies. There were many taxonomic confusions based on the botanist's views on the taxonomic status of Araceae members. This review provides information about application of molecular markers in studying taxonomy of the Araceae species, especially in Vietnam. Furthermore, it includes illustrative photos of all aroids species in Vietnam identified using molecular markers.

Abstract The spatiotemporal evolution of ecological entropy (EE) reflects the differences and correlations among the different elements (roads, rivers, land, etc.) and regions in an ecosystem. In this study, an index system for evaluating the EE in an ecologically vulnerable area in China from 2005 to 2020 is constructed according to the pressure–state–response model. Models of the EE and its gradient are constructed, and they are evaluated using GIS and remote sensing. The results show that except for the utilization rate of solid waste, the index values of EE have increased dramatically in the past 16 years. Investment in waste pollution control, GDP per capita, vegetation index in July, and utilization rate of solid waste make large contributions to the EE. The EEs on the edge of the ecologically vulnerable area increased from 2005 to 2020, indicating that the ecological environment in these areas has deteriorated year by year. The regions with the largest outflow of EE indicate that the EEs of these regions had a large impact on those of their surrounding regions. The regions with the largest inflow of EE indicate that the ecological security of these regions is relatively stable to the surrounding regions. Large EE gradients existed between adjacent regions show large rate of change and inflow and outflow of EE. The results contribute to alleviating the high entropy, reversing the ecological imbalance, enhancing the ecological benefits, and improving the environmental quality in an ecological entropy system. The present results offer decision support for ecological evaluation, protection, restoration, compensation, and security.

Abstract Despite numerous domestic legislations, international treaties, agreements, conventions, and protocols to curb wildlife crimes, Bangladesh’s illegal wildlife trade (IWT) crime rate has increased significantly in recent years. The provision of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012 sets the highest seven and lowest two years punishment for killing tigers and elephants, a maximum of two years, and a minimum of six months imprisonment for killing birds. Nevertheless, the country has only 17% forest land; in this small area, wildlife crime increased 28 times in 2020, and nearly 4,000 live wild animals have been rescued, while more than 300 cases have been registered in the last ten years. We suggest that ineffective legal enforcement is the main reason for the illegal transaction of wild species through insecure border areas. Hence, successfully controlling the IWT problem in Bangladesh requires reducing the demand for wild animals, stopping the route of supplies, and combating global transnational wildlife crime.

Abstract Centipedes (Chilopoda) are mainly predators, which play essential roles in agroecosystems. In this work, pitfall traps were placed monthly during 1998 in two sites of vineyards in Northern Israel: the Geshur and Ramat Magshimim vineyards. The present research refers to the centipedes that were caught in these traps. Specimens of seven species of centipedes were caught in this work. Four centipede species were found in both vineyard sites: Thereuonema syriaca Verhoeff 1905, Scutigera coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758), Scutigeridae gen. species, and Hessebius barbipes (Porath, 1893). Two species were found in the Geshur, and not in the Ramat-Magshimim vineyard: Lithobius (Monotarsobius) sp., and Harpolithobius halophilus Verhoeff, 1941. One species was found in the Ramat-Magshimim, and not in the Geshur vineyard: Lithobius carinatus L. Koch, 1862. In the Geshur vineyard, 52 specimens of 6 centipede species were found. In the Ramat Magshimim vineyard, 20 specimens of 5 centipede species were detected. These differences are probably related to the Geshur vineyard being close to natural Mediterranean shrubland, while the Ramat Magshimim vineyard is situated between cultivated areas.

Abstract The study identified, listed, and determined birds’ eco classes, conservation status, relative abundance, and endemism while quantifying and comparing species diversity, richness, evenness, and community composition among agricultural areas, pine and mossy forests in Mt. Santo Tomas Forest Reserve in Tuba, Benguet, Northern Philippines. Forty-one species of birds under twenty-five families were listed and identified within the agricultural lands, mossy, and pine forests. Twenty-two bird species are endemic (53.66%) or only found in the Philippines, indicating high endemism in the forest reserve. Of the endemic bird species, two are classified as vulnerable and threatened. Incidentally, ranks 6 and 7 of the ten must-see bird species in the Philippines were also found in the mossy Reserve Forest. The two are the scale feathered malkoha, and the forest spotted kingfisher. Although there were significant differences in species diversity, richness, and evenness among the agricultural areas, pine, and mossy forests, all values are considered high. The high endemism and diversity of birds, their species richness, evenness, and abundance are indicators that Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reserve’s vegetation is still diverse and stable. Therefore, we recommend that the Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reserve Management Council, led by the DENR and Local Government units of Tuba Benguet to continue implementing adequate protection and conservation measures and management strategies.

Abstract Marine litter is known to pose a threat to biodiversity. In this work, we wanted to verify if marine litter was overestimated as a threat by academic students when compared to other threats acting on a specific conservation target, a coastal bird of conservation concern, breeding on Mediterranean coastal dunes (Kentish Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus) in a site of central Italy (Maremma Regional Park, Tuscany). To test this hypothesis, before conducting any direct local survey (a priori), a panel of academic students in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sustainability (Second cycle degree; Siena University) collected indirect information on a set of threats (trampling, coastal erosion, marine litter, presence of dogs and illegal plant collection), known as impacting on the target, assigning a score (from 1: low to 4: high) to two selected threat regime attributes (extent and intensity), and obtaining a magnitude score based the judgment only on general information communicated by park operators. After a field survey on the plover’s breeding site, students were newly assigned a posteriori scores (‘after’ phase). The before-after comparison showed that no threat showed a significant difference in scores, except for marine litter, which was significantly a priori overestimated. Although marine litter is known to threatened plover birds, it has been significantly overestimated at the local level suggesting a prejudice in student evaluation. This biased overestimation could be due to the high media exposure of the marine litter as a threat, making it charismatic, affecting the a priori judgment.

Abstract Bohor reedbuck is a medium-sized, even-toed ungulate species endemic to Africa. Its population is gradually declining, and an estimation of Meta populations is required to determine its current population status and as an input for conservation action. To this end, this study aimed to investigate this species’ population size and diurnal activity patterns in the compound of Alage Agricultural College, Central rift valley of Ethiopia. A total count was conducted to determine the population size of Bohor reedbuck by dividing the study area into different blocks. Continuous focal animal observations were used to collect data on activity patterns by recording group activities with five minutes intervals. The results revealed that the mean population size of Bohor reedbuck counted during the study period was (SE) with a density of 1.74 per km2. Females formed the dominant group in the population. From the mean total population size of Bohor reedbucks, 47.42% were adults. The mean group size of Bohor reedbuck was (SE). Feeding (, 45.81%) was the dominant mean diurnal activity pattern of Bohor reedbuck, followed by Resting (, 31.91%), whereas grooming (, 3.51%) was the least performed activity. There was a significant difference between the diurnal activities performed by Bohor reedbuck (). The studied compound is an important refuge for this species, and minimum management interference can increase the population size of Bohor reedbuck in the area.