Ecological Notes Research Articles

New observations on rare and threatened saproxylic hoverflies in North-Western Italy with ecological notes.

The knowledge on the distribution of saproxylic hoverflies in the Piedmont region has always been incomplete, despite the large wooded areas present in the territory. We know of a few scattered specimens collected in the 19th century, often with a generic or incomplete locality on the label such as "surrounding Turin" or "Alps". The recent publication of the first European Red List on hoverflies highlights some threatened species including some saproxylics. To fill this knowledge gap we report here unpublished data and establish new ecological note on threatened or nationally scarce saproxylic species actually present in the region. In this study, we present new findings concerning rare saproxylic hoverflies. These include the rediscovery of Hammerschmidtiaferruginea (Fallen), 1817, marking its first recorded occurrence in the Italian fauna since the middle of 19th century. Additionally, we report novel observations of the "Chimera fly" Dorosdestillatorius Mik, 1885, along with further observations on endangered or vulnerable species such as Callicera spp. and Brachypalpuschrysites Egger 1859. Moreover, we document the rediscovery of Criorhinapachymera Egger, 1858, within the Piedmont region, and the first record of Brachyopagrunewaldensis Kassebeer, 2000, within Italy. Comprehensive data detailing these observations are provided herein.

The African Striped Grunt, Parapristipoma octolineatum (Valenciennes, 1833), in the Mediterranean Sea: The Third Record with Biological and Ecological Notes, and Identification Key for Haemulidae Recorded in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea biodiversity is undergoing a rapid reshaping due to different factors, many of which are directly related to human activities (e.g., pollution, habitat destruction, overfishing and introduction of non-indigenous species). In this context, climate changes, and in particular water warming, are the main factors that favor the arrival and subsequent spread of thermophilic species, regardless of their area of origin (e.g., Red Sea, Atlantic Ocean). In this research, we report the third and eastern-most well-documented record of the thermophilic species Parapristipoma octolineatum (Valenciennes, 1833) in the Mediterranean Sea, providing new morphological, genetic, ecological and biological data on this rare species in the basin. The integrative taxonomical approach was robust and unambiguously identified the species as P. octolineatum. The specimen was a large-sized female in maturation. The first high-quality photographic illustrations of otoliths were provided. Recent direct observations of fishermen in the area suggested a species abundance increase. However, data from the Mediterranean Sea remain scarce and further efforts are needed to better understand the abundance and distribution of this species. Modified keys for a rapid color pattern-based determination of all Haemulidae species recorded in the Mediterranean Sea to date are also provided. Finally, the potential further expansion under the future prediction of climate changes of this Atlantic origin fish in the Mediterranean Sea is discussed.

Ecological Notes and New Records of Sand Flies1 from General Zuazua, Nuevo León, Mexico

Phlebotominae sand flies are the main vectors of several species of Leishmania parasites that are the etiological agents of leishmaniasis. The disease is endemic to southeastern Mexico, and many studies focused on the area. Cases of leishmaniasis also occur in other Mexican states such as Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas in the northeastern region bordering the United States of America (USA). Cutaneous leishmaniasis was reported intermittently in the State of Nuevo León through the years. Few records of sand fly species exist for the State of Nuevo León, and many municipalities have not been sampled despite potential importance of the disease at certain localities. The main objective of the work was to trap sand flies at the Municipality of General Zuazua, Nuevo León where urbanization occurred rapidly in recent years. A semi-urban location was selected to catch sand fly species using CDC light traps from 6 August through 26 September 2020. In total, 137 specimens in four genera and five species were collected during nine sampling events. Lutzomyia diabolica (Hall, 1936) was dominant at 90.5% of the total collected. Abundance of sand fly species peaked at Sampling Event 5 (34.3%) and differed significantly between sampling events and trap locations at six sites. Using Taylor´s power law, spatial distribution of sand flies was aggregated at the study site. Environmental variables such as air temperature, soil temperature, relative humidity, dew point, and wind speed were not significantly related to abundance of sand flies. The five sand fly species in the study -- Dampfomyia anthophora (Addis, 1945), Micropygomyia apache (Young and Perkins, 1984), Micropygomyia californica (Fairchild and Hertig, 1957), Psathyromyia texana (Dampf, 1938), and Lutzomyia diabolica were new records for the Municipality of General Zuazua, Nuevo León. Although the taxonomic status of M. californica is debatable, the species was recorded for the first time in México. The five species can be added to previous records, for a total of 10 species in the State of Nuevo León. Brief discussion of medical importance of each sand fly species to transmit Leishmania spp. is provided for the region.

First Mention of Cannibalism in Salamandra Algira (Caudata, Salamandridae) Larvae in Algeria with Some Ecological Notes.

Animal cannibalism is a practice well known to scientists, it consists of partially or entirely eating a living individual of the same species by necessity or by instinct. Although originally thought to be abnormal behavior, it has now been recorded in over 1300 species across a diverse group of taxa, ranging from protists and invertebrates to humans. This type of behavior exists in amphibians in different forms and it is observed in 12 families of toads, 7 families of salamanders and 1 family of gymnophionas (Lissamphibians) and this phenomenon is known in natural populations of Salamandridae larvae. The only representative of this family and genus Salamandra in North Africa is Salamandra algira with five subspecies, of which only one is reported for Algeria (Salamandra algira algira) and cannibalism among Salamandra algira larvae has been described for Morocco at Jbel Tazzeka in the Middle Atlas where gigantism has also been observed in certain larvae whose size can vary from 25 to 74 mm. In this study we report for the first time the practice of cannibalism in Algeria in S.A. algira and we also observed gigantism in some larvae. Regarding salamanders, there is still a lot to do because their distribution and ecology are not well known.

Redescription of Bactronophorus thoracites Gould (1856) and Bankia gracilis Moll (1935) from Sabah Waters, Malaysia, with Short Ecological Notes and Measurements Metrics

Highlight ResearchRedescription of marine woodborers, Bactronophorus thoracites and Bankia gracilis from the region were illustrated.New records of Bactronophorus thoracites and Bankia gracilis from the region.Addition info on the measurements of pallets was recorded.Certain ecological data on the habitat of marine woodborers Bactronophorus thoracites and Bankia gracilis were documented.AbstractMollusc wood-borers are classified into two groups: pholads and teredinids. While pholads have a limited distribution to temperate and tropical marine waters, teredinids are found worldwide. However, limited info on the taxonomy was documented on the marine wood borer in Sabah, Malaysia. Present study focuses on determining the wood borer species from Sabah waters, Malaysia. Samples were collected from fallen tree debris in the mangrove at Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Penyu and W.P. Labuan during low tide and water quality parameters were taken in-situ from all three sampling sites. Specimen identification was carried out by observing the physical characteristics of the pallets which are unique between genuses. The species Bactronophorus thoracites was identified from the Kota Kinabalu sampling site and species Bankia gracilis were found in both the Kuala Penyu and W.P. Labuan sampling site. The pallet of B. thoracite are of “dagger-and-sheath” shape, it is 26mm in length, with blade measuring 10mm in length, basal cup 4mm in length and stalk 12mm in length. The pallet of B.gracilis is characterized by the dark periostacum covering the 3-lobbed upper margin of the calcareous portion of the inner face of the cone, the pallet is 20mm in length, with the blade and stalk both measuring 10mm in length. The present study described two species of marine wood borers namely B. thoracites and B. gracilis in Sabah and W.P. Labuan with some measurement metrics and ecological parameters that were missing from previous studies that aided the process of species identification in future.

New Distribution Record and Ecological Notes for Iasis Cylindrica (Tunicata: Salpidae) in the Bay of Bengal

New Distribution Record and Ecological Notes for Iasis Cylindrica (Tunicata: Salpidae) in the Bay of Bengal

First Report of the Larva of a Vulnerable Damselfly in Nigeria, With Some Ecological Notes: A Case for Umbrella Species Conservation Approach

Background and Research Lack of information on the distribution of threatened aquatic species impedes their conservation, thus predisposing them to extinction risk before being reported. Hence, this study reports in Nigeria, for the first time, the occurrence and habitat specificity of the larva of Pentaphlebia stahli (Zygoptera: Pentaphlebiidae) a vulnerable damselfly. Methods Samples of P. stahli were collected in July and December 2020 from a rural stream situated at the Ekor Waterfalls in the Cross River State of Nigeria and very close to the Nigeria–Cameroon border. Some water quality parameters were also measured in each sampling period. Results A total of 27 larvae of P. stahli and 1 teneral adult emerging from its exuvia were recorded in the two sampling periods. The habitat was a forested stream characterized by rapids, falls, and dark rock substrata. Water flows at a fast rate of 1 m in 3 or 4 seconds, thus characterizing a rifle and headwater stream. Dissolved oxygen concentration was between 8.05 and 8.09 mg/L, while dissolved oxygen saturation was ∼98%. Biological oxygen demand was between 1.04 and 1.08 mg/L, while pH ranged from 7.28 and 7.56. Conclusion The stream could be described as having high ecological integrity as evidenced in its optimum range of values for the investigated water parameters and the presence of a threatened species. Implications for Conservation Based on habitat specificity, P. stahli is considered an umbrella species required for conserving other co-occurring species in the tropical stream and its riparian forest.

Ecological Notes on Snake Diversity in Tathleeth District, Aseer Region, Southwest of Saudi Arabia

The study was carried out in Tathleeth governorate at Aseer region of southwestern Saudi Arabia which is considered the largest district in the region. It lies between 18o 42' - 20o 00' N and 34o 20' - 44o 30' E. The major habitats of the study area were ecologically described and their snake fauna were surveyed in spring 2015 to summer 2017. The present survey contained a checklist of 92 specimens belonging to 12 species and 6 families. These species were Psammophis schokari, Rhagerhis moilensis, Spalerosophis diadema cliffordi, Platyceps rhodorachis rhodorachis (Colubridae),Cerastes gasperettii, Echis coloratus, Bitis arietanus arietanus (Viperidae), Naja haje arabica,Walterinnesia aegyptia (Elapidae), Eryx jayakari (Boidae), Atractaspis engaddensis (Atractaspididae), and Leptotyphlops macrorhynchus(Leptotyphlopidae). Regarding species richness, Colubridae were represented by 42.8% followed by Viperidae 27.2%, Elapidae (7.7%). Boidae (12%), Atractaspididae (8%) and Leptotyphlopidae (2.2%) and were represented by 3 species with 12 samples in total. This study was suggested to highlight on the diversity of snake’s fauna of Tathleeth District, Aseer region, south west of Saudi Arabia, as an important part of the ecosystem that has to be maintained.

Systematic and Ecological Notes on Some Fishes Collected in the Vicinity of Tortuguero, Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

The fishes listed in this report represent collections made primarily by Ogren and Giovannoli while they were in Costa Rica during the summers of 1956-58 and 1955, respectively, as University of Florida Research A-ssistants engag­ed in a study of the ecology and migrations of sea turtles (National Science Foun­dation Grants G-1684 and G-5479, University of Florida-Principal Investigator, Archie Carr). A few additional specimens, designated in the following annotated list, were taken by others who were at Tortuguero during the months Ogren and Giovannoli were collecting. Since the specimens were taken during only one season of the year, with limited equipment, and only incidental to the turtle work, this list is not intended as a presentation of the entire fish fauna of the area. However, the locality is isolated, and knowledge of some of the fish species augments what is known of the ecology and ranges of fishes known to occur in neighboring or distant countries to the north or south. This is particularly true of the marine species, as practically nothing has been written concerning their actual occurrence in Caribbean Costa Rican waters.

日本産ツヤハナバチ(Ceratina)属の生態 : II.石川県内における分布および医王山における3種の生態

日本産ツヤハナバチ(Ceratina)属の生態 : II.石川県内における分布および医王山における3種の生態

Description of Larval and Pupal Stages of Tipula (Nippotipula) sinica (Diptera, Tipulidae) from South Korea with Ecological Notes

Description of Larval and Pupal Stages of Tipula (Nippotipula) sinica (Diptera, Tipulidae) from South Korea with Ecological Notes

Morphology and Ecological Notes on the Larvae and Pupae of Simulium (Simulium) from Korea

Morphological features of larvae and pupae of twelve species of Simulium (Simulium) from Korea are investigated and redescribed. Detailed descriptions of immature stages of each species are provided with photographs. For the Korean members of subgenus Simulium, combinations of the following characteristics can be used to separate them from other Korean subgenera: larval abdomen without a pair of conical-shaped ventral tubercles; postgenal cleft variously shaped, viz., miter shaped, spearhead, bullet shaped or triangular; rectal papillae 3 simple lobe or compound lobes; pupal gill of 6-16 filaments; cocoon shoe, boot or slipper shaped; and head trichomes 3 pairs (1 facial+2 frontal). Habitat information and other ecological aspects of each species are provided. Updated keys to larvae and pupae of the Korean species of the subgenus Simulium are also provided to facilitate species identification. Taxonomic treatment based on external morphologies of larvae and pupae of Korean species of the subgenus Simulium are focused and included in this study. To understand their interspecific relationships, phylogenetic analyses using multiple data from molecule, morphology, and ecology are warranted in future research. Also continued exploration for new character systems is needed to establish more stable boundaries for subgenus and species delimitations.

Bryophytes of Alpine and Apennine Mountain Streams: Floristic Features and Ecological Notes

Abstract Floristic and ecological features of aquatic bryophytes, and main abiotic factors, were studied in 23 mountain streams located in the Western Alps and Central Apennines (Italy). At 46 stations, a total of 36 taxa were collected. Most species showed both low occurrence (≤ 2 records) and low cover respect to sampled area (< 4%). However, in over 50% of stations, bryophyte communities with at least three species and cover over 10% were recorded. Platyhypnidium riparioides, Fontinalis antipyretica subsp. antipyretica and Hygrohypnum luridum were the most common and abundant species. Other species, more rarely recorded, have limited distribution in the Mediterranean region (Blindia caespiticia) and Italy (Hygrohypnum duriusculum). Some species show specific ecological preferences. In particular, Hygrohypnum luridum and Palustriella falcata are mostly linked to turbulent and cold waters (11.0–16.0°C), neutro-alkaline (7.3–8.4), with low conductivity (< 160 µS) and phosphates (< 0.01 mg/l) values. Brach...

Outbreak ofCulex inatomiiin Disaster Areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, with Ecological Notes on their Larval Habitats, Biting Behavior, and Reproduction

Outbreaks of Culex inatomii occurred widely in disaster areas of the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan earthquake in March 2011. Mosquitoes were collected in southern Miyagi Prefecture and northern Fukushima Prefecture in August and September 2011, respectively. In southern Miyagi Prefecture, the average number of adult Cx. inatomii collected by a suction trap baited with 1 kg of dry ice ranged between 69.3 and 132.8 per day in locations within 2.6 km from the coast in tsunami areas, while no Cx. inatomii individuals were collected 8.3 km from the coast, where seawater did not reach, and which therefore escaped the tsunami disaster. There were many ground pools of brackish water of various sizes, and larvae of Cx. inatomii were collected in 48% and 36% of the pools examined in Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture, respectively. Ecological notes on the larval habitats, biting behavior, seasonal prevalence, and reproduction of Cx. inatomii are presented for reference based on ecological studies conducted in Sakata Wetland, Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, in June and August 2011. Ecological factors relating to the current outbreak and the potential medical importance of Cx. inatomii are discussed.

First Record of Six Marine Ciliate Species of Genus Strombidium (Ciliophora: Spirotricha: Oligotrichia) from Korea with Ecological Notes

To supply the morphological and ecological information of oligotrich ciliates in Korea, water samples were seasonally collected in Gwangyang Bay and Jinhae Bay from August, 2010 to February, 2012 and processed by quantitative protargol staining method. As a result, six species belonging to the genus Strombidium Clapar<TEX>$\grave{e}$</TEX>de and Lachmann, 1859 are identified: Strombidium emergens Kahl, 1932; S. dalum Lynn et al., 1988; S. epidemum Lynn et al., 1988; S. tressum Lynn et al., 1988; S. bilobum Lynn and Gilron, 1993; S. pollostomum Lynn and Gilron, 1993. These six species were newly reported from Korean coastal waters. Strombidium emergens is a middle sized Strombidium (<TEX>$20-50{\mu}m$</TEX> in length) and has open and deep oral groove to girdle portion. Strombidium dalum is a small sized Strombidium (<TEX>${\geq}20{\mu}m$</TEX> in length), that has torch-like spiral anterior membranelles and an inverted triangles-shaped macronucleus on the posterior pole. The small sized S. epidemum has conspicuous trichites surrounding the girdle portion and ventral membranelles distinctly separated from anterior membranelles. The small sized S. tressum has torch-like spiral and extremely long trichites among the cilia of anterior membranelles. The middle sized S. bilobum has a bilobed macronucleus. Strombidium pollostomum is also a small sized Strombidium but its ventral membranelles are continuously connected with anterior membranelles. The five species except S. emergens occurred frequently over the wide range of water temperatures and salinities.

Ecological Notes on the Annulated Treeboa (Corallus annulatus) from a Costa Rican Lowland Tropical Wet Forest

Ecological Notes on the Annulated Treeboa (Corallus annulatus) from a Costa Rican Lowland Tropical Wet Forest

Morphological and Ecological Notes on Large Sized Specimens of the Amago, Oncorhynchus ishikawai and the Yamame, O.masou

Morphological and Ecological Notes on Large Sized Specimens of the Amago, Oncorhynchus ishikawai and the Yamame, O.masou

Contribution to the Knowledge on the Distribution of Malacostraca (Crustacea) Species of Central and Southern Anatolia, with Some Ecological Notes

In order to contribute to the knowledge on the distribution of Malacostraca (Crustacea) species inhabiting freshwaters of central and southern parts of Anatolia, Turkey, sampling was performed at 69 stations between 29 May and 4 June 2006 and between 19 and 25 June 2006. Malacostraca specimens were found at 26 out of the 69 stations and were represented by 11 taxa (Gammarus agrarius, Gammarus argaeus, Gammarus anatoliensis, Gammarus balcanicus, Gammarus mladeni, Gammarus pseudosyriacus, Echinogammarus antalyae, Asellus aquaticus, Palaemonetes antennarius, Atyaepyra desmaresti orientalis, and Astacus leptodactylus). The zoogeographical distribution and ecology of the determined taxa are presented herein.

Ecological Notes on Feral Populations of Trachemys scripta elegans in Bermuda

Red-eared sliders are listed as exotic, naturalized, and invasive in Bermuda; however, there is no published information regarding their ecological status. This paper discusses abundance, distribution, and the potential impact these feral pond turtles have on this remote oceanic island.

A Report on Earthworm Species of Tarakeswar and Adjoining Area of Hooghly District, West Bengal with Some Ecological Notes

A Report on Earthworm Species of Tarakeswar and Adjoining Area of Hooghly District, West Bengal with Some Ecological Notes