Distribution Map Of Species Research Articles

Predictions of species distributions based only on models estimating future climate change are not reliable

Changes in climate and land use are the most often mentioned factors responsible for the current decline in species diversity. To reduce the effect of these factors, we need reliable predictions of future species distributions. This is usually done by utilizing species distribution models (SDMs) based on expected climate. Here we explore the accuracy of such projections: we use orchid (Orchidaceae) recordings and environmental (mainly climatic) data from the years 1901–1950 in SDMs to predict maps of potential species distributions in 1980–2014. This should enable us to compare the predictions of species distributions in 1980–2014, based on records of species distribution in the years 1901–1950, with real data in the 1980–2014 period. We found that the predictions of the SDMs often differ from reality in this experiment. The results clearly indicate that SDM predictions of future species distributions as a reaction to climate change must be treated with caution.

A new species of the genus Thelcticopis Karsch, 1884 (Araneae: Sparassidae: Sparianthinae) from Guangdong, China

A new species of the genus Thelcticopis Karsch, 1884 is described from Guangdong Province, China: T. recta sp. nov. (♂, ♀). Diagnosis, morphological description, photos and distribution map of the new species are provided. Specimens are deposited in the Centre for Behavioral Ecology and Evolution, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University in Wuhan.

Four new species of Enochrus Thomson (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from southern China

Four new species of the water scavenger beetle genus Enochrus Thomson, 1859 are described from China. Among the new species, Enochrus hani sp. nov. from Yunnan and E. tathagatus sp. nov. from Xizang are very similar to E. laoticus Hebauer, 2005 and E. niisatoi Minoshima, 2017 in aedeagus and external morphology. E. imprimedius sp. nov. from Guizhou is similar to E. liangi Jia & Zhao, 2007 and E. japonicus sharp, 1873 in general form and colour. E. strangulatus sp. nov. from Guangxi is similar to E. laoticus Hebauer, 2005, but elytra with five longitudinal rows of punctures and a marginal series. Species diagnoses, illustrations and a distribution map of the new species are provided.

A review of the genus Lagynochthonius Beier, 1951 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from China

The genus of Lagynochthonius from China was reviewed. Nine new hypogean species were described: Lagynochthonius apexus sp. nov. (♂♀), L. infirmus sp. nov. (♂♀), L. longquanensis sp. nov. (♀) and L. zhakouensis sp. nov. (♂♀) from Sichuan, L. baiguensis sp. nov. (♂♀), L. guangyangensis sp. nov. (♂♀), L. jingshengensis sp. nov. (♂♀) and L. zhaoae sp. nov. (♀) from Guangxi, L. galeatus sp. nov. (♀) from Guizhou. The male L. guanniuensis Hou, Feng & Zhang, 2023, L. maanensis Hou, Feng & Zhang, 2023 and L. xiaoensis Hou, Feng & Zhang, 2023 from Guizhou are reported for the first time. The species key and a geographical distribution map of Lagynochthonius species from China are provided.

Open-source software integration: A tutorial on species distribution mapping and ecological niche modelling

Over the last decade, access to global data has become increasingly critical for research, allowing insights into diverse biological, environmental and societal questions at a macro scale. Digitisation has greatly enhanced the use of herbarium data in the analysis of species distributions and ecological niche modelling. Yet, sources on modelling and mapping methodology using open-source software is greatly lacking for beginners. We have created a replicable and thorough tutorial to visualise species occurrence data and exploratory analysis that was developed by undergraduates with broad backgrounds and levels of experience. This tutorial integrates the open-source programmes QGIS, MaxEnt and R to develop distribution maps, using bryophytes as a case study, to promote the accessibility of open-source software and remote access learning. This tutorial has already set the foundation for further research into distribution modelling of rare Illinois bryophytes to better understand the potential impact of climate change.

PPDC: An online platform for the prediction of plant distributions in China

Abstract The survival and reproduction of plants in a particular region are closely related to the local ecological niche. The use of species distribution models based on the ecological niche concept to predict potential distributions can effectively guide the protection of endangered plants, prevention and control of invasive plants, and plant introduction and ex-situ conservation. However, traditional methods and processes for predicting potential distributions of plants are tedious and complex, requiring the collection and processing of large amounts of data and the manual operation of multiple tools. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve large-scale prediction of the potential distributions of plants. To address these limitations, by collecting and organizing a large amount of basic data, occurrence records, and environmental data and integrating species distribution models and mapping techniques, a workflow to automatically predict the potential distributions of Chinese plants was established, thus the innovative work of predicting the potential distributions of 32,000 species of plants in China was completed. Furthermore, an online platform for predicting plant distributions in China (PPDC) based on visualization technology was developed, providing a basis for sharing the prediction results across a wide range of scientists and technologists. Users can quickly access information about the potential distributions of plants in China, providing a reference for the collection, preservation, and protection of plant resources. In addition, users can quickly predict the potential distribution of a certain plant in a certain region in China according to specific needs, thus providing technical support for research and a basis for biodiversity conservation.

Alien species distribution mapping using satellite and drone fusion on river dikes along the Tone River, Japan

Alien species distribution mapping using satellite and drone fusion on river dikes along the Tone River, Japan

Mapping Species Distributions of Latoia consocia Walker under Climate Change Using Current Geographical Presence Data and MAXENT (CMIP 6).

Latoia consocia Walker is an important phytophagous pest that has rapidly spread across North China in recent years, posing a severe threat to related plants. To study the impact of climatic conditions on its distribution and to predict its distribution under current and future climate conditions, the MaxEnt niche model and ArcGIS 10.8 software were used. The results showed that the MaxEnt model performs well in predicting the distribution of L. consocia, with an AUC value of 0.913. The annual precipitation (Bio12), the precipitation of the driest month (Bio14), the temperature annual range (Bio7), and the minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6) are key environmental factors affecting the potential distribution of L. consocia. Under current climate conditions, L. consocia has a highly suitable growth area of 2243 km2 in China, among which Taiwan has the largest high-suitable area with a total area of 1450 km2. With climate warming, the potential habitat area for L. consocia shows an overall decreasing trend in future. This work provides a scientific basis for research on pest control and ecological protection. A "graded response" detection and early warning system, as well as prevention and control strategies, can be developed for potentially suitable areas to effectively address this pest challenge.

Spatio‐temporal occupancy models with INLA

Abstract Modern methods for quantifying, predicting and mapping species distributions have played a crucial part in biodiversity conservation. Occupancy models have become a popular choice for analysing species occurrence data due to their ability to separate out the observational error induced by imperfect detection of a species, and the sources of bias affecting the occupancy process. However, the spatial and temporal variation in occupancy that is not accounted for by environmental covariates is often ignored or modelled through simple spatial structures as the computational costs of fitting explicit spatio‐temporal models is too high. In this work, we demonstrate how Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) may be used to fit complex spatio‐temporal occupancy models and how the R‐INLA package can provide a user‐friendly interface to make such complex models available to users. We show how occupancy models, provided some simplification on the detection process is assumed, can be framed as latent Gaussian models and, as such, benefit from the powerful INLA framework. A large selection of complex modelling features, and random effect models, including spatio‐temporal models, have already been implemented in R‐INLA. These also become available for occupancy models, providing the user with an efficient, reliable and flexible toolbox. We illustrate how INLA provides a flexible and computationally efficient framework for developing and fitting complex occupancy models using two complex case studies. Through these, we show how different spatio‐temporal models that include spatial‐varying trends, smooth terms and spatio‐temporal random effects can be fitted to aggregated detection/non‐detection data. At the cost of limiting the complexity of the detection model structure, INLA can incorporate a range of rather complex structures in the ecological process of interest and hence, extend the functionality of occupancy models. The limitations of occupancy models in terms of scalability for large spatio‐temporal data sets remain a challenge and an active area of research. INLA‐based occupancy models provide an alternative inferential and computational framework to fit complex spatio‐temporal occupancy models. The need for new and more flexible computationally efficient approaches to fit such models makes INLA an attractive option for addressing complex ecological problems, and a promising area of research.

A new species of Alipumilio Shannon, 1927 (Diptera: Syrphidae), with the description of the male of A. avispas Vockeroth, 1964 and A. femoratus Shannon, 1927

Alipumilio Shannon, 1927 is a flower fly genus endemic to the New World, comprising five described species. In the present study we describe Alipumulio aureus sp. nov. from the Colombian Amazon region. This is the first record of this genus from Colombia. Additionally, the male of A. avispas Vockeroth, 1964 is described from Peru and the male of A. femoratus Shannon, 1927 is described from new material collected in Ecuador. Moreover, we provide an identification key to all the Alipumilio species and a species distribution map.

Hesperis oznur-duraniae (Brassicaceae), a new species from the East Anatolia region, Turkey

A new species of Hesperis L. is described from East Anatolia. This species has been collected from Yolçatı village (Bingöl province) in Turkey. Hesperis oznur-duraniae A.Duran sp. nova is morphologically similar to H. kitiana P.H.Davis but it differs mainly with life form, habitat, leaves, pedicels, sepals, petals, and anthers. In this study, an identification key with a description of the new species is provided along with statements about the habitat, distribution map, phenology, and conservation status of the new species. Additionally, seed features are also documented using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

A new species of Oxalis sect. Holophyllum (Oxalidaceae) from the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo, discovered with the help of citizen science

A new species of Oxalis sect. Holophyllum restricted to the Atlantic Forest of the State of Espírito Santo (Brazil) is described. This species can be distinguished from others of the section by the leaf blades up to ca. 1.6× longer than wide, adaxially with very abundant, patent hairs, phyllodial peduncles shorter than the leaves, distally enlarged and hiding floral buds and young fruits underneath, and flowers with yellow corolla. A morphological description with taxonomic notes and a preliminary assessment of its conservation status are presented here, as well as a photographic plate, and a geographic distribution map for the new species. An identification key for the species of O. sect. Holophyllum with the peduncle wider distally than proximally is also provided.

A new species of Nogunius Jałoszyński (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae: Stenichnini) in Korea

The ant-like stone beetle genus Nogunis Jałoszyński (Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae: Stenichnini) is reported for the first time in Korea, and a new species, Nogunius oseongensissp. nov. is described. Photographs and illustrations of the habitus, morphological character, and genitalia of the new species are provided. Nogunius is now represented by two species in Taiwan, five in Japan, and one in Korea, increasing the total number of species of eight. A distribution map, identification key, and checklist of Nogunius species are also provided.

Diversity and distribution of the lichen genus Umbilicaria in the Argentine Islands–Kyiv Peninsula region, the maritime Antarctic

This paper documents the occurrence of the genus Umbilicaria in the Argentine Islands–Kyiv Peninsula region of the Graham Coast in the maritime Antarctic. The presence of seven Umbilicaria species (U. africana, U. antarctica, U. aprina, U. decussata, U. kappenii, U. nylanderiana and U. umbilicarioides) in the ice-free areas of the Argentine Islands–Kyiv Peninsula region were confirmed. The species of U. africana and U. aprina are documented from the studied region for the first time. This study moves the southern distribution limit of U. africana about 300 km to the south: to the Argentine Islands–Kyiv Peninsula region. The distribution maps of Umbilicaria species for the studied region and maritime Antarctica are prepared.

Machine learning applied to species occurrence and interactions: the missing link in biodiversity assessment and modelling of Antarctic plankton distribution

BackgroundPlankton is the essential ecological category that occupies the lower levels of aquatic trophic networks, representing a good indicator of environmental change. However, most studies deal with distribution of single species or taxa and do not take into account the complex of biological interactions of the real world that rule the ecological processes.ResultsThis study focused on analyzing Antarctic marine phytoplankton, mesozooplankton, and microzooplankton, examining their biological interactions and co-existences. Field data yielded 1053 biological interaction values, 762 coexistence values, and 15 zero values. Six phytoplankton assemblages and six copepod species were selected based on their abundance and ecological roles. Using 23 environmental descriptors, we modelled the distribution of taxa to accurately represent their occurrences. Sampling was conducted during the 2016–2017 Italian National Antarctic Programme (PNRA) ‘P-ROSE’ project in the East Ross Sea. Machine learning techniques were applied to the occurrence data to generate 48 predictive species distribution maps (SDMs), producing 3D maps for the entire Ross Sea area. These models quantitatively predicted the occurrences of each copepod and phytoplankton assemblage, providing crucial insights into potential variations in biotic and trophic interactions, with significant implications for the management and conservation of Antarctic marine resources. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) results indicated the highest model efficiency, for Cyanophyta (74%) among phytoplankton assemblages and Paralabidocera antarctica (83%) among copepod communities. The SDMs revealed distinct spatial heterogeneity in the Ross Sea area, with an average Relative Index of Occurrence values of 0.28 (min: 0; max: 0.65) for phytoplankton assemblages and 0.39 (min: 0; max: 0.71) for copepods.ConclusionThe results of this study are essential for a science-based management for one of the world’s most pristine ecosystems and addressing potential climate-induced alterations in species interactions. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering biological interactions in planktonic studies, employing open access and machine learning for measurable and repeatable distribution modelling, and providing crucial ecological insights for informed conservation strategies in the face of environmental change.

Tillandsia tequilana (Tillandsioideae; Bromeliaceae), a new saxicolous species from Jalisco, Mexico

Tillandsia tequilana, a new species from the state of Jalisco, Mexico, is described and illustrated. The proposed species is compared to T. aguascalientensis, T. moronesensis, and T. schusteri, taxa with some morphological similarities. Tillandsia tequilana differs from these species in the shape and size of the leaf sheath, spikes and floral bracts, in the shape of the sepals, and also in the flowering time. Images and a distribution map of the new species are included.

Hechtia marabascoensis (Hechtioideae; Bromeliaceae), a novelty from Colima and Jalisco, Mexico

Recent botanical explorations carried out in the states of Colima and Jalisco, Mexico, led to the discovery of a novelty of Bromeliaceae: Hechtia marabascoensis which is described and illustrated. The proposed taxon is compared to H. chamelensis, H. pacifica, and H. reticulata, species with the most similarities. A morphological description, images, and a distribution map of the new species are included, as well as an identification key and a list of examined specimens of all Hechtia species known to date from the states of Colima and Jalisco.

Seven new species of Rinorea (Violaceae) from the Neotropics.

Over the course of revising the genus Rinorea (Violaceae) from Colombia, field observations and herbarium studies revealed seven new species. Several of the new species described here belong to species complexes that required examination of herbarium material from across the Neotropics. Each of the new species described here have oppositely arranged leaves and belong to Rinoreasect.Pubiflorae, a section restricted to the Neotropics. Two new species are segregated from the R.ovalifolia species complex: Rinoreachiribiquetensis from Chiribiquete National Park in the Colombian Amazon and Rinoreastevensii from the Orinoco River near the border of Colombia and Venezuela. Two new species are segregated from the Rinoreahirsuta species complex: Rinoreagaleanoae-bernalii and Rinoreacogolloi, both from the eastern slopes of the Andean Central Cordillera along the mid-Magdalena River Valley in Colombia. From the widely distributed R.pubiflora species complex, we segregated one new species, Rinoreacallejasii, from southeast Panama and the Chocó in Colombia. In addition to these five new taxa segregated from widely distributed species complexes, we discovered two previously unknown species with affinities to other Neotropical Rinorea. Rinoreaaymardii is described from the Alto Orinoco-Casiquiare Biosphere Reserve in Venezuela and most closely resembles R.melanodonta from Colombia. Rinoreabetancurii is segregated from R.macrocarpa and occurs in the Amazonian Regions of Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela. In this study, we provide descriptions, illustrations and distribution maps of the new species and make preliminary assessments of the risk of extinction using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. We also furnish an identification key to the species of Rinoreasect.Pubiflorae in Colombia.

Revisi Peta Distribusi Ikan Padi (Adrianichthyidae: Oryzias spp.) Berdasarkan Identifikasi Morfologi di Paparan Sunda Indonesia

Members of the Adrianichthyidae family share typical distributions, as does the javanicus group, which inhabits western parts of Southeast Asia. Javanicus group members, specifically Oryzias javanicus and Oryzias hubbsi, is the only Adrianichthyidae species that can be spotted in Sundaland Indonesia. Morphological identification and the species distribution mapping of Oryzias specimens from Sundaland in this study were interpreted using ecoregional and dendogram tree approach. Specimens were collected from 11 areas representing five ecoregions in Sundaland Indonesia. Specimens were collected from islands of Java, Sumatra, Belitung and Kalimantan. Six individuals from each population of Oryzias were sampled for morphological identification. Specimens collected from estuaries were morphologically identified as O. javanicus and specimens from freshwater identified as O. hubbsi. Distribution of O. hubbsi from Salatiga is the first record from Central East Java (CEJ) ecoregion, which was previously only distributed in Southern Sumatra-Western Java (SWJ) ecoregion. Morphology of O. hubbsi from Sundaland Indonesia has mean of Standard Length (SL) 1.56 cm, Total Length (TL) 1.94 cm, Anal rays (A) 16, Pectoral rays (P) 8, and Dorsal rays (D) 6. Meanwhile, morphology of O. javanicus from Sundaland has mean of SL 2.07 cm, TL 2.56 cm, A 22, P 11, and D 6.

NEPETA MARGALLAICA (MENTHEAE: NEPETOIDEAE: LAMIACEAE): A NEW SPECIES FROM THE MARGALLA HILLS, PAKISTAN

A new species of Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae) from the Margalla Hills, in Pakistan, is described and illustrated. It belongs to Nepeta sect. Cataria sensu Bentham and is characterised by tuberous roots up to 3 cm in diameter, the presence of long multicellular flattened eglandular hairs, a spike-like inflorescence, an oblique calyx throat, unequal calyx teeth, and a 9 mm long white corolla. It is closely related to Nepeta cataria L., from which it differs in the root, indumentum, calyx and inflorescence characters. A distribution map of the new species is presented, as is an updated key to Nepeta sect. Cataria.