Faunal Similarity Research Articles

A preliminary inventory of weevil AssemBlages (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea) in Kharkiv metropolitan area (Ukraine) using pitfall traps

Species composition, the ecological structure and the occurrence characteristics of weevils (Curculionoidea) in the stratobios of the main urban habitats of Kharkiv were studied. 59 species from 41 genera and three families were registered. Curculionoidea comprises 31.5% of the coleopterofauna of stratobios. Approximately 10 species are attributed to dominants (2–3 species are eudominants). 40 species are ranked as random and 9 species are rare. 4 species of Curculionoidea (Cyanapion columbinum, Curculio rubidus, Otiorhynchus albidus, Tropiphorus micans) are recorded for the first time in the Left bank forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. The values of the main indices of species diversity were low, which may indicate a significant oligodominance of Curculionoidea in all urban habitats. Most of species are herba- and dendrobionts (14–17), but almost all of them are registered as random (27) or rare (4) elements. 26 species associated with stratobios (among which most dominants elements are recorded). Species associated with meadows (21) and forests, or eurytopic species (14) are dominants in the samples; by trophic links – oligo- (32) and polyphagous species (24 ) were prevailed. 45 species prefer mesophilic habitats. The number of eurytopic mesophilous polyphagous stratogeobionts were maximal. The largest number of species (25–33) were documented in vegetation of the outskirts and household plots of city compared to the city parks and plantings of the center (18–19), but minimumly (12) in forest. The spectrum of ecological groups was also minimal in a forest, but the maximum is in the plantings of periphery and household plots of the city. Faunistic similarity was slightly more than 0.20, which may indicate specific and significant differences in the species composition of weevils in different urban habitats of Kharkiv.

Ecological and faunistic review of the true bugs of infraorder Cimicomorpha (Heteroptera) of urban cenoses of Kharkiv city (Ukraine)

A total 69 species from 44 genera and 6 families of the infraorder Cimicomorpha was recorded in urban cenoses of Kharkiv. For the first time Xylocoris galactinus is recorded from Mainland Ukraine; Catoplatus nigriceps and Stenodema holsata – from Forest-Steppe zone; Trigonotylus ruficornis – from Left-Bank Ukraine. Five species are new to Kharkiv region. The families Miridae were the most rich in species (46) and individual numbers, Nabidae (9) and Tingidae (8 species) were less represented. The species composition and individual abundance were the highest in the city parks and green areas of the suburbs, where 38 and 46 species were registered. Within the Forest Park, 29 species were recorded, in floodplain meadows – 19, and in the center of Kharkiv – only 6 species, the number of which was an order of magnitude less than in parks and green areas of the suburbs of the city. In terms of habitat preferences, about 40 species are represented by meadow individuals (almost 60% of the total number). 10 species are classified as polytopes (more than 8%). The forest group is represented by 15 species (about 12% out of total collected bugs). Among the trophic groups, herbivorous (most of Miridae, Tingidae) and zoophagous of different specializations (Nabidae, Anthocoridae, Reduviidae, some Miridae) were dominant. Broad mesophilous (48 species) predominated in the hygropreference. 12 species are assigned as mesoxerophilous, and 9 – mesohygrophilous. The main group is represented by hortobionts in habitat layer (49 species). Dendro- and tamnobionts are represented by 11 species, and stratobionts are noted singly. The level of faunal similarity of heteropterofauna of different areas (Jaccard index) was 0.10 to 0.65. The smallest similarity was noted between green areas of the city center and other urban cenoses (0.10–0.12). The maximum indices were observed for parks and forest areas (0.65), and the average for meadows (0.35–0.44).

Ecological-faunistic analysis of ground beetles and tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Cicindelidae) of metropolises of Ukraine

Ground beetles and tiger beetles are the most noticible representatives of predatory invertebrates often used in bioidentificational studies. This article provides quantitative and ecological characteristics of Caraboidea in five metroplises of Ukraine (Dnipro, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Lviv). In total, in these cities, 237 species of Caraboidea were recorded, belonging to 63 genera and two families – Carabidae (231 species, 61 genera) and Cicindelidae (6 species, 2 genera). By abundance of Carabidae in megapolises, 33 species were identified to abundant. Eudominants were represented by three species: Harpalus rufipes, Pterostichus melanarius and P. оblongopunctatus, dominants – five: Amara aenea, Anchomenus dorsalis, Calathus fuscipes, Harpalus distinguendus and Poecilus versicolor. Subdominants were 25 species: Amara similata, Asaphidion flavipes, Badister bullatus, Bembidion lampros, B. properans, Broscus cephalotes, Calathus ambiguus, C. melanocephalus, Carabus cancellatus, C. coriaceus, C. granulatus, Cylindera germanica, Harpalus affinis, H. anxius, H. griseus, H. latus, H. tardus, Limodromus assimilis, Microlestes minutulus, Nebria brevicollis, Notiophilus palustris, Poecilus cupreus, Pterostichus niger, P. ovoideus and P. strenuus. In the studied cities, 53 species are rare, 151 species were identified to the group of accidental species. For separate cities, number of eudominants ranged from 4 (Donetsk, Kyiv) to 6–8 (Kharkiv, Lviv). Ten species discovered: Amara famelica, A. majuscula, Anisodactylus nemorivagus, Asaphidion pallipes, Badister lacertosus, Blemus discus, Harpalus laeviceps, Limodromus krynickii, Pterostichus minor and Tachyta nana were new for the Steppe zone of Ukraine. Chlaenius aeneocephalus and Brachinus brevicollis were recorded for the first time in the Right Bank of the northern subzone of the steppe zone, and Stenolophus abdominalis mentioned earlier for the far south of Ukraine was for the first time reported for the northern Steppe. Microlestes nеgrita was new for the Forest Steppe, and Masoreus wetterhalli and Syntomus foveatus, known earlier for the forest zone and the south of the steppe zone, were for the first time reported for its northern subzone. The levels of faunistic similarity of Caraboidea for different metropolises ranged within 0.20–0.60 for all species and 0.32–0.90 for abundant species. Most similar were carabidofaunas of Kharkiv and Dnipro (similarity index of Jaccard equaled 0.58–0.87), slightly lower in Dnipro and Kyiv (0.50–0.72). Lowest parameters were seen for Lviv compared with the other cities (0.20–0.32). According to the species composition, the most numerous were meadow (119) and forest elements (59 species). To the polytopic group, 25 species are identified, 23 to the steppe group, and 11 species to the litoral group. In numbers in all the metropolises, the polytopic group dominated, among which abundant species comprised almost half. Within the forest group in Dnipro, Donetsk and Kharkiv, 4–6 abundant species were recorded, whereas in Kyiv and Lviv their number was 14–17 species. Within the meadow group, common species were represented by 4–11 species, and in the steppe and litoral groups such species were absent. In relation to moisture, eudominants were mesophiles (165 species), including 31 abundant species. According to the trophic specialization, zoophages dominated (146 species), including 24 abundant species. Among zoophytophages, 60 species (seven abundant) were recorded. Phytozoophages were represented by 30 species (two abundant). According to mechanical composition of soil, the more diverse groups were observed to be made up species preferring loamy and clay-loamy soils (85 species each), but to the abundant species from these groups, 6 and 10 species respectively were identified. The group of ground beetles with non-manifested preferences to mechanical composition of soil was represented by 41 species, though by number of abundant (17 species), the group was dominant. To inhabitants of heavy loamy, sandy and sabulous soils, 4, 6 and 16 species correspondingly were identified, and no abundant species were observed. At the level of abundant species, the ecological structure was more similar than shown by the analysis of all the species of ground beetles. Hypothetically, typical representatives of carabid beetles of Ukrainian metropolises could be considered polytopic or meadow (to a lesser extent forest) mesophile zoophages or zoophytophages which prefer loam-clayey soils without preference to one or the other type of soil.

Arthropod biodiversity patterns point to the Mesovoid Shallow Substratum (MSS) as a climate refugium

The determinants of biodiversity patterns in the subterranean habitat called Mesovoid Shallow Substratum (MSS) are not well-understood. In this study, thirty-three scree slopes at high altitudes were selected across the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park in central Spain to investigate the effect of ten environmental variables on the abundance and species diversity of the spider and springtail assemblages from the colluvial MSS. In each locality, a multiperforated PVC tube with a pitfall trap inside was buried up to 1 m deep, and generalized linear models and Mantel tests were used to analyze the effect of mainly climate- and habitat-related variables on the diversity patterns of both taxa. A total of 1143 individual spiders belonging to 54 species and 40 811 springtail individuals belonging to 62 species were collected. The analyses indicated that cold temperatures and the presence of forest cover on the surface significantly enhance richness and abundance in the two taxa. Environmental similarity also had a small positive effect on faunistic similarity. However, the effects of temperature and habitat detected on spider richness and abundance were stronger than on springtails, whereas the reverse was found regarding faunistic similarity. These results indicate that subterranean dwellers respond differently to the same environmental factors, which in turn, points to a different degree of affinity for the MSS. The MSS plays an important role in the survival of high mountain arthropod species, acting as a climate refuge, so the protection of this habitat should be prioritized.

Staphylinids (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) of Ukrainian metropolises

During hundreds of years, in large cities man has been forming a specific urban environment with original species composition of insect communities, including the most diverse group of predatory beetles – Staphylinidae family. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro are the three most populated cities of Ukraine. In the urban cenoses of these cities, over 140 species from 66 genera of Staphylinidae have been recorded. The total of 69 species (43 genera) were recorded in Kyiv, 67 (39 genera) in Dnipro and 66 (37 genera) in Kharkiv. Among them, , eight species in the catalogue of Palearctic staphylinds had not been previously recorded for Ukraine: Arpedium quadrum Grav., Atheta laticeps Thomson, Medon apicalis Kraatz, Ocalea rivularis Müll., Philonthus salinus Kiesenwetter, Quedius invreae Gridelli, Tasgius pedator Grav. and Xantholinus gallicus Coiffait. By number, common species accounted for 29 in Dnipro, 21 in Kyiv and 19 in Kharkiv. In all the metropolises, two species (Staphylinus caesareus Cederhjelm and Drusilla canaliculata (F.)) were identified as eudominants. Dominants and subdominants comprised 18–25 species. Almost two thirds of the fauna of staphylinids of the cities was classified as rare species. The lowest faunistic similarity was seen between the staphylinids of the urban cenoses of Dnipro and those in Kyiv and Kharkiv (15.3% and 17.5%), similarity was higher for Staphylinidae of Kyiv and Kharkiv (36.0%). Similarity by common species of staphylinids for Kyiv and Kharkiv equaled 73.9%, 28.2% for Dnipro and Kyiv and 37.1% for Dnipro and Kharkiv. The article offers a review of species diversity, number and ecological structure (biotopic confinedness, hygrothermal preference) of typical species of staphylinids in different urban cenoses of Kharkiv. Differences in qualitative-quantitative and ecological structures of staphylinids are related to the diversity of the conditions in a particular urban cenoses. The commonest representatives of the family in the metropolises were polytopic mesophilous carnivorous species.

Ecological interactions and the distribution, abundance, and diversity of ostracod species associated with some coastal brackish karstic springs in southwest Turkey

Ostracod species obtained from five coastal karstic brackish water springs on the Aegean Sea coastline were evaluated using multivariate statistical methods. Information on the diversity and distribution of ostracod fauna associated with coastal brackish karstic springs and on the ecological factors affecting them was obtained. A total of eight ostracod species were identified in five karstic brackish springs (southwest Aegean region, Turkey) in May, July, October, and December 2016. Cyprideis torosa (Jones, 1850) and Loxoconcha elliptica (Brady, 1868) were the most abundant species. The three main clustering groups in an unweighted pair group mean averages (UPGMA) dendrogram created by Jaccard’s coefficient test provided an understanding of the faunal similarity among the sampling stations. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to explain the relationships between the species and environmental variables. Results revealed that salinity, water-flow velocity, and distance to the sea were the most significant factors in species diversity and composition in the five coastal karstic brackish springs. Results of the Spearman correlation analysis showed significant correlations between ostracod species and environmental variables. Protection should be put in place for the five karstic brackish springs for their long-term preservation.

Does size really matter in biogeography? Patterns and drivers of global distribution of marine micro‐ and meiofauna

AbstractAimThis study aims to evaluate the role of various factors in structuring biogeographical distribution of small‐sized organisms. More specifically, we analysed the distribution of three groups of marine benthic organisms differing in body size, both unicellular and metazoans, to assess the relevance of geographical and environmental factors on their taxonomic composition.LocationGlobal.TaxonHeterotrophic flagellates, Ciliophora, Harpacticoida (Copepoda).MethodsThe set of predictors included species richness (a proxy for sampling effort), geographical distance, isolation by geographical or hydrological barriers and three environmental variables (sea surface temperature, its annual variation and salinity). Multiple regression on the distance matrices and null modelling were used to quantify the relative effects of these variables in taxonomic similarity among 21 regions of the Ocean.ResultsEach group showed a unique biogeographical pattern. The smallest‐sized organisms, the flagellates, had high regional but low global diversity and low endemicity and demonstrated worldwide, environmentally driven distribution without any dispersal limitation (only the effects of climatic variables, but neither distance nor isolation effects, were significant). Thus, flagellates basically meet the ‘ubiquity model’ of global distribution. The ciliates showed a moderate level of endemicity, and their distribution depended on both spatial distance and the climatic variables, in accord with the ‘moderate endemicity model’. In contrast, harpacticoids demonstrated high endemicity level, and their distribution was mostly geographically driven, indicating the considerable role of dispersal limitation—the pattern typical of other multicellular taxa with ‘classical biogeography’. Species richness significantly influenced the interregional similarity of each group and explained 26%–65% of the total variance, indicating the strong impact of undersampling on faunistic similarity estimations.Main conclusionsOur results support the hypothesis that body size is the ‘master trait’ that shapes global biogeographical patterns towards higher predictability and increasing role of dispersal limitation for larger organisms.

Stingless bee (Apidae, Meliponini) guilds occurring in the immediate edges of forest fragments of the Baturité Massif, State of Ceará, Brazil.

This study investigated the occurrence of individuals of stingless bees attracted by the trophic resources existing in four edge areas of forest fragments located in the Baturité Massif, State of Ceará. In this sense, the study evaluated the species richness in the areas; the absolute abundance of species; the similarity of species between edges; and the affinity of bees for the same plant species. The sampling of bees compiled a total of 20 species distributed in 12 genera. Seven species stood out for abundance and two (Trigona spinipes and Trigona fulviventris) showed dominance. The results also showed that the fragments present a similar stingless bee fauna and the affinity of the bee species for the same plant species revealed the formation of five distinct bee groups in foraging preferences involving 15 (75%) out of the 20 species of bees studied.

Early Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) Ammonoids from the Miyanohara Formation in the Sakawa Area, Shikoku, Southwestern Japan

Mid-Cretaceous ammonoids, Euhystrichoceras nicaisei, Mantelliceras japonicum, and Hypostlingoceras japonicum were collected from float rocks probably derived from the middle part of the Miyanohara Formation in the Sakawa area, Shikoku, southwestern Japan. Although it has been suggested that the stratigraphic correlation of this formation based mainly on bivalves such as trigoniids needs to be reexamined, the occurrence of these ammonoids confirms that the middle part of the Miyanohara Formation is correlated to the lower Cenomanian. The results of this study support the suggestion that the shallow marine deposits of the mid-Cretaceous that contain similar molluscan faunas are widely distributed throughout the northwestern Pacific region.

Snakes in a seasonally dry tropical forest in northeastern Brazil

Abstract: This study aimed to provide information on composition, abundance, and estimated snakes richness in an area of arboreal Caatinga (seasonally dry tropical forest) and analyze patterns of faunistic similarity between assemblages of snakes in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. The snakes found within the Fazenda Almas Natural Private Reserve (RPPN Fazenda Almas) were sampled during a 10-year period, with monthly monitoring, employing time constrained search, pitfall traps with drift fences, and donations from local collectors. Twenty-two snake species were recorded, with a predominance of terrestrial species with diurnal-nocturnal activity patterns. The species accumulation curves reached its asymptote, indicating that all possible species in the study area had been recorded. Our results indicated that the snake fauna in the study area is similar to other snake assemblages in localities with Caatinga vegetation in the Sertaneja Depression (“Depressão Sertaneja”) drylands, and that those assemblages constitute faunistic units typical of the interior of northeastern Brazil.

ПАВУКИ (ARACHNIDA, ARANEI) ЛАНДШАФТНОГО ЗАКАЗНИКА "ЯХНІВСЬКИЙ" (КИЇВСЬКА ОБЛАСТЬ)

For the first time, the species composition and relative abundance of spiders in pine and alder forests within the Yakhnovsky reserve have been studied; 46 species of spiders which represent 17 families were found. It was found that quantitatively in the pine forest spiders of the families Linyphiidae (43,4 %) and Araneidae (42,9 %) prevail, and in the alder forest – Tetragnathidae (37 %) and Linyphiidae (34 %). In the herbaceous layer of the pine forest, spiders of Araneidae family dominated quantitatively, and in the litter dominated Linyphiidae spiders – 91 %. In the herbaceous layer of the alder forest Tetragnathidae spiders quantitatively dominated – 34 %, and in the litter layer Linyphiidae and Tetragnathidae, are dominants – respectively, 32 % and 43 %. The dominant species for the grass and litter layers were revealed (according to the Tischler scale): in the pine forest, these are Mangora acalypha (48,6 %), Linyphia triangularis (18,85 %) and Leptothrix hardyi (89 %); in the alder forest – Linyphia triangularis (24,1 %), Metellina segmentata (23 %), Tetragnatha pinicola (18,8 %) and Piratula hygrophila (38,5 %) with Pachygnatha listeri (19,2 %), in accordance with indicated tiers. Nine species of spiders were identified, of which five species – Agroeca cuprea (family Liocranidae), Bathyphantes nigrinus, Dicymbium nigrum, Floronia bucculenta and Neriene montana (family Linyphiidae), are indicated for the first time for the territory of Kiev Polesie, and four species, for the first time for Ukrainian Polesie: Cheiracanthuim elegans (family Cheiracanthiidae), Leptothrix hardyi, Sintula spiniger and Walckenaeria alticeps (family Linyphiidae). For these species is given the data on faunal material, places and methods of collection, distribution and ecological features. According to our own research and literary sources, the territory of Kiev Polesie currently includes 150 species of spiders. The indices of faunistic similarity and species diversity of the surveyed biotopes were calculated, an arealogical analysis was performed.

NOTOUNGULATA AND ASTRAPOTHERIA (MAMMALIA, MERIDIUNGULATA) OF THE SANTA CRUZ FORMATION (EARLY-MIDDLE MIOCENE) ALONG THE RÍO SANTA CRUZ, ARGENTINE PATAGONIA

This contribution details new records of Notoungulata and Astrapotheria from the exposures of the Santa Cruz Formation in the Río Santa Cruz (Early–Middle Miocene; Province of Santa Cruz). The astrapothere Astrapotherium sp. Burmeister, the notoungulate toxodonts Homalodotherium sp. Flower, Nesodon sp. Owen and Adinotherium sp. Ameghino, and the typotheres Hegetotherium mirabile Ameghino, Interatherium sp. Ameghino, Protypotherium sp. Ameghino, P. attenuatum Ameghino, P. australe Ameghino and P. praerutilum Ameghino are recognized in the localities Barrancas Blancas and Segundas Barrancas Blancas. Nesodon imbricatus Owen was recorded in the former and Adinotherium ovinum (Owen) in the latter locality. The typothere Pachyrukhos moyani Ameghino was identified only in Segundas Barrancas Blancas, but with numerous specimens. Only the large ungulates Astrapotherium magnum (Owen) and Adinotherium sp. were recorded in Yaten Huageno. At a generic level, Barrancas Blancas and Segundas Barrancas Blancas only differ by the presence of Pachyrukhos Ameghino in the latter; at Yaten Huageno the Typotheria, Homalodotheriidae and Nesodon have not been recorded. The general faunal composition, including the larger samples from Barrancas Blancas and Segundas Barrancas Blancas, matches the record from the better-known Santacrucian localities from the Atlantic coast. This faunal similarity implies that similar environmental conditions prevailed in the two areas, indicating that the localities from Río Santa Cruz, as the Atlantic coastal localities, would have constituted a complex mosaic of open and closed habitats.

Habitat preference of Geometridae species in Western Black Sea region of Turkey (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

In this study, 3399 specimens belonging to 188 species of the Geometridae (Lepidoptera) family were examined. Species composition and abundance rates of Geometridae communities were analyzed with respect to the plant formations of the region as deciduous forests, dry coniferous-oak forests, humid coniferous forests, pseudomaquis and farmlands. The results also indicates that 26 species in deciduous forests, 23 species in coniferous-oak forests, 20 species in humid coniferous forests, 20 in pseudomaquis and 20 species in farmlands have high abundance rate. The highest rates of abundance in deciduous forests and dry coniferous-oak forests belong to Cyclophora linearia (Hübner, [1799]) with 14,7% and Peribatodes rhomboidaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) 13,1%, respectively. Also, the highest rates of abundance in humid coniferous forests and pseudomaquis belong to Scotopteryx moeniata (Scopoli, 1763) with 23,46% and Cyclophora puppillaria (Hübner, [1799]) with 19,83%. Species richness is much higher in deciduous forests than it is in other habitats. Faunal similarities between the Geometridae communities are reported below 50% among all habitats. The highest faunal similarity was found to be between dry coniferous-oak forests followed by the second highest similarity between pseudomaquis and deciduous forests.

All is flux: the predictive power of fluctuating Quaternary mammalian faunal-climate scenarios.

The long-term impact of Middle and Late Pleistocene glacial-interglacial change led to the major reorganization of mammalian faunal communities in northern Europe through species origination, extinction, evolutionary change and distributional shifts. A Bray-Curtis cluster analysis with single linkage to examine relative faunal similarity was performed on mammalian assemblages from five successively older interglacials (MIS 1, 5e, 7c-a, 9 and 11) in Britain, a region with an exceptionally well-resolved faunal record for this time period. The results indicate a degree of continuity in terms of common interglacial elements occurring across all periods but also reveal that the particular climatic and environmental parameters of each interglacial resulted in the generation of very different faunal assemblages, depending on the length, intensity and structure of the interglacial. Of particular note are the comparability of the mammalian assemblages from warm interglacials MIS 5e and 9, and the high species diversity seen in MIS 7c-a, linked to relatively cool temperate conditions and the spread of dry grasslands. Together, these results offer insight into the overall 'predictability' of Quaternary mammalian interglacial community composition and what might be expected in the natural evolution of a Holocene interglacial freed of anthropogenic interference. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'The past is a foreign country: how much can the fossil record actually inform conservation?'

Revisiting the molluscan fauna from the Cambrian (Series 2, stages 3–4) Xinji Formation of North China

AbstractA diverse group of molluscs from the Cambrian Series 2, Stages 3–4 Xinji Formation of the North China Block (NCB) is described, based on more than 4500 specimens from three well‐studied sections in Shaanxi and Henan provinces, along the southern and southwestern margin of theNCB. Twenty molluscan species are identified, including one bivalve, three stem group gastropods, and 16 additional helcionelloids. Among these, six helcionelloid species are reported from theNCBfor the first time, and one new species,Parailsanella luonanensissp. nov. is proposed. This diverse molluscan fauna shares a large number of species with contemporaneous faunas of South Australia (15), Antarctica (7), Laurentia (6), Siberia (3) and South China (1). Faunal similarities are even greater on a generic level. The striking similarities of the molluscan faunas of North China, South Australia and Antarctica strongly support the hypothesis that theNCBwas situated close to Eastern Gondwana, most likely close to South Australia in the Cambrian Epoch 2. In addition, well‐preserved shell attachment muscle scars were observed in the helcionelloidFigurina figurina, with two pairs of symmetrical, continuous, band‐like muscle scars, which are obviously different from the musculature of both gastropods and monoplacophorans. Because of this unique musculature, these characteristic Cambrian cap‐like molluscs are assigned to the Helcionelloida rather than to the Gastropoda or Monoplacophora.

New data on the microvertebrate fauna from the Upper Jurassic or lowest Cretaceous of Ksar Metlili (Anoual Syncline, eastern Morocco)

AbstractThe Middle Jurassic – Early Cretaceous period witnessed the emergence of some major representatives of modern continental vertebrate groups (stem lissamphibians, squamates, therian mammals and birds) and angiosperms, at a time when fragmentation of Pangaea was underway. The successive Moroccan microvertebrate faunas of Ksar Metlili (?Berriasian) and Guelb el Ahmar (Bathonian) from the Anoual Syncline significantly improve our poor knowledge of Gondwanan and especially African palaeobiodiversity at this time. They are among the richest known from the Mesozoic of Gondwana, and are well placed in northwestern Africa to record faunal interchanges with Laurasia. Here we focus on the Ksar Metlili fauna, first documented in the 1980s and most recently resampled in 2010, which produced 24 541 microremains representing 47 species of 8 main groups (Chondrichthyes, Actinopterygii, Sarcopterygii, Lissamphibia, Lepidosauromorpha, Testudinata, Archosauromorpha and Synapsida). It includes remarkable taxa: the oldest stem boreosphenidan mammals from Gondwana, probably some of the last non-mammaliaform cynodonts, a basal ornithischian, possibly freshwater teleosaurid crocodylomorphs, and some of the rare occurrences of choristoderes and albanerpetontids in Gondwana. Comparison of the Ksar Metlili fauna with that of Guimarota (Kimmeridgian, Portugal) further provides evidence of numerous shared taxa of Laurasian affinities, in contrast to the occurrence of few taxa with Gondwanan affinities. This suggests complex palaeobiogeographical relationships – implying both vicariance and dispersal events – of North Africa within Gondwana at the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition. Finally, the faunal similarities with the Guelb el Ahmar fauna question the Cretaceous age of the Ksar Metlili fauna, suggesting an alternative possible Late Jurassic age.

Tanaidacean faunas of the Sea of Okhotsk and northern slope of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench

The Sea of Okhotsk is one of the world’s largest marginal seas; its benthic fauna, especially from deeper parts, remains virtually unexplored. The material for this study was collected in the Sea of Okhotsk, Bussol Strait, and from the northern slope of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, during the Russian-German expedition Sea of Okhotsk Biodiversity Studies (SokhoBio) onboard the RV Akademik M.A. Lavrentyev in 2015. Material was collected using a camera-equipped epibenthic sledge (C-EBS). Forty-six tanaidacean species representing 31 genera and 12 families were found in 19 samples collected at depths from 1696 to 4798 m. All the species were new to science. The highest number of species (44) was recorded in the deepest part of the Sea of Okhotsk (Kuril Basin), followed by the northern slope of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench (16 species) and the Bussol Strait (3 species). Almost one-third of all tanaidaceans (14 species) were common to both sides of the Kuril Island archipelago. Our results reveal a substantial faunal exchange between those two areas, although the small number of samples makes final conclusions about faunal similarity between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean not fully possible. The level of rarity and patchiness of the tanaidacean fauna was high. The large number of species and individuals per sample observed in the Sea of Okhotsk might reflect high food availability in this area.

Myrmecophilous Beetles in the Colonies of the Red Wood Ant Formica aquilonia Yarrow (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

In model anthill complexes of the Verkhnyaya Klyaz’ma Myrmecological Reserve, Moscow oblast, the composition and distribution patterns of beetles (Coleoptera) living inside the colonies of F. aquilonia were monitored in 2004–2009. Altogether, 1822 beetle specimens were collected, belonging to 75 species and 16 families. The most abundant were Ptiliidae (994 inds.) and Staphylinidae (504 inds.). In terms of species richness, Staphylinidae was the leading family: 43 species (57%). Among the myrmecophiles proper, 17 species belonged to Staphylinidae and 15 to other Coleoptera families. The patterns of Coleoptera populations in the nests depend on the condition of the anthill, the topographic position (floodplain, river terrace, slope), and the composition of the nest material. The faunistic similarity of Coleoptera appears to be higher in anthill groups interconnected through individual ant exchanges or retaining kinship after migratory processes in the recent past.

Beetles (Coleoptera) in Stagnant Water Bodies of the Middle Part of the Gydan Peninsula

The fauna of water beetles of the main types of stagnant water bodies in the middle part of the Gydan Peninsula was studied. Altogether, 20 species were found, with 2 to 16 species recorded in diff erent types of water bodies. The family Dytiscidae was represented by the greatest number of species; the most diverse genera were Agabus and Hydroporus, which together accounted for 60% of the total species richness. Most of the recorded species have vast ranges extending both longitudinally and latitudinally. The East Palaearctic species Helophorus niger was recorded within the “penetration area” at its western distribution boundary. The most common species in the material studied were Agabus serricornis and A. arcticus. Beetles were the most abundant in floodplain lakes and temporary water bodies. The highest faunal similarity was recorded between temporary water bodies and swamps.

Historical changes in the fish communities of the Credit River watershed

Watersheds in southern Ontario are of high conservation concern due to their diverse fish communities, productive environments, and threats from numerous anthropogenic stressors. The Credit River watershed, located west of the Greater Toronto Area, has over 60 fish species, and multiple stressors including urbanization, climate change, and aquatic invasive species. This study examines fish community change in the Credit River watershed. Historical fish datasets collected in the watershed from 1954 to 2015 were analyzed to examine richness patterns, temporal trends in species distributions, and faunal similarity at the site and sub-watershed levels. Species richness increased over time at the site and sub-watershed level, displaying predictable richness patterns due to anthropogenic introductions and changes in sampling methods. Species distribution patterns remained largely stable over time with decreases in some species (e.g. Redside Dace) and increases in others (e.g. Largemouth Bass). Faunal similarity also increased over time at the site and sub-watershed level, indicating that the fish communities in the Credit River are homogenizing.