Greatest Number Of Species Research Articles

An illustrated catalog of Disteniidae (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea) type specimens deposited at the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo

The type specimens of the family Disteniidae Thomson, 1861 (Coleoptera) housed at the Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP) are cataloged and illustrated. Photos of dorsal and ventral habitus, labels, and complete label data of all the specimens are provided. There are 147 specimens belonging to 70 names: 33 primary types, 31 holotypes, and two lectotypes; and 114 secondary types, 52 paratypes, and two paralectotypes. Elytrimitatrix (Grossifemora) Santos-Silva & Hovore, 2007 is the genus with the greatest number of species with type material, 21 species, followed by Cometes Lepeletier & Audinet-Serville, 1828 and Novantinoe Santos-Silva & Hovore, 2007 with 15 and 13 species, respectively.

Potential for Use of Species in the Subfamily Erynioideae for Biological Control and Biotechnology.

The fungal order Entomophthorales in the Zoopagomycota includes many fungal pathogens of arthropods. This review explores six genera in the subfamily Erynioideae within the family Entomophthoraceae, namely, Erynia, Furia, Orthomyces, Pandora, Strongwellsea, and Zoophthora. This is the largest subfamily in the Entomophthorales, including 126 described species. The species diversity, global distribution, and host range of this subfamily are summarized. Relatively few taxa are geographically widespread, and few have broad host ranges, which contrasts with many species with single reports from one location and one host species. The insect orders infected by the greatest numbers of species are the Diptera and Hemiptera. Across the subfamily, relatively few species have been cultivated in vitro, and those that have require more specialized media than many other fungi. Given their potential to attack arthropods and their position in the fungal evolutionary tree, we discuss which species might be adopted for biological control purposes or biotechnological innovations. Current challenges in the implementation of these species in biotechnology include the limited ability or difficulty in culturing many in vitro, a correlated paucity of genomic resources, and considerations regarding the host ranges of different species.

Ethnomedicinal uses of plants for various diseases in the remote areas of Changa Manga Forest, Pakistan.

This study aims at reporting the indigenous knowledge of the medicinal flora from the inhabitants of surroundings of the World's largest artificial planted forest "Changa Manga", Pakistan. Data were collected by direct interviews and group meetings from 81 inhabitants including 32 local healers having information regarding the use of indigenous medicinal plants over a period of one year. Different statistical tools were applied to analyze the data including Frequency citation (FC), Relative frequency citation (RFC), Use Value, Factor of informants consensus and fidelity level. This study reported 73 plant species belonging to 37 plant families and 46 genera. The majority of plant species belong to compositae family. The most commonly used medicinal plants were P. hysterophorus L., P. dactylifera L., S. indicum L, P. harmala L., P. emblica L., and A. indica A.Juss. The greatest number of species was used to cure gastrointestinal disorders. The highest fidelity level (68.18%) was of E. helioscopia to cure gastrointestinal disorders. Maximum fresh uses (17) were reported by C. dactylon (L.) Pars. While the highest number of species reporting fresh uses in similar number was 13. In this study, five novel plants are being reported for the first time in Pakistan for their ethnomedicinal worth. Our data reflect unique usage of the medicinal plants in the study area. The statistical tools used in the study proved useful in pointing the most important and disease category specific plants. High use value plant and the new reported medicinal plants might prove an important source of the isolation of pharmacologically active compounds.

Use of pollen assemblages as forensic evidence in non-seasonal high-altitude soils

Forensic palynology is a tool in criminalistics that uses spores and pollen grains to link a certain geographical location with a crime scene. The comparison of the pollen assemblage of a crime-scene soil and that of footwear of suspects and victims proved to be very useful as judicial evidence in multiple environments with marked seasonality. However, its usefulness in non-seasonal high-altitude soils has not been experimentally evaluated to the same extent. For this reason, the present study addressed this information gap by undertaking a palynological study in areas with high crime rates in the city of La Paz, Bolivia. To do this, we carried out multiple experimental samplings in three locations with different types of soil and different degrees of urbanization. Specifically, we compared whether the vegetation present at the time of taking the reference samples, was reflected in the pollen rain. Results showed that the vast majority of the species present in the vegetation were found in the pollen rain, with the exception of some plant species with entomophilous pollination syndrome. We also show that the transfer between assemblages from pollen rain to footwear happened effectively, which helped identify their geographical origin, and unveiled a great number of useful indicator species.

Freshwater fishes of Israel; a revised and updated annotated checklist2023.

The current status of the freshwater fishes of Israel is revised, and an updated checklist is presented. The confirmed freshwater fishes of Israel comprise 55 species belonging to nine orders, 14 families, and 39 genera. Among these, 19 species (34.6%) are alien, and four species (7.3%) are considered endemic to Israel. The orders with the largest numbers of species in the ichthyofauna of Israel are Cypriniformes (19 species), followed by Cichliformes (14 species), Cyprinodontiformes (seven species), Mugiliformes (six species), Siluriformes (four species), Salmoniformes (two species), and the others represent one species in each. At the family level, the Cichlidae have the greatest number of species (14 species; 25.5% of the total species), followed by Cyprinidae (10 species), Leuciscidae and Mugilidae (six species in each), Aphaniidae (four species), Nemacheilidae and Poecilidae (three species in each). According to IUCN Red List criteria, among 36 naturally distributed species (alien species not included), two species are extinct (EX) and nine species (25.0%) are categorized as threatened extinctions, with two (5.6%) CR, four (11.1%) EN, and three (8.3%) VU.

Environmental DNA metabarcoding of water samples as a tool for monitoring Iberian freshwater fish composition.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has been increasingly used to monitor the community assemblages of a wide variety of organisms. Here, we test the efficacy of eDNA metabarcoding to assess the composition of Iberian freshwater fishes, one of the most endangered groups of vertebrates in Spain. For this purpose, we sampled 12 sampling sites throughout one of Spain's largest basins, the Duero, which is home to approximately 70% of the genera and 30% of the primary freshwater fish in Spain. We sampled these sampling sites in the summer by using electrofishing, a traditional sampling method, and eDNA metabarcoding of river water samples using the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene (12S) as a marker. We also resampled four of these sampling sites in autumn by eDNA. We compared the results obtained through eDNA metabarcoding with those of electrofishing surveys (ones conducted for the present study and past ones) and assessed the suitability of 12S as an eDNA metabarcoding marker for this group of freshwater fishes. We found that the 12S fragment, analysed for 25 Iberian species, showed sufficient taxonomic resolution to be useful for eDNA approaches, and even showed population-level differences in the studied populations across the tissue samples for Achondrostoma arcasii. In most cases, a greater number of species was detected through eDNA metabarcoding than through electrofishing. Based on our results, eDNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool to study the freshwater fish composition in the Iberian Peninsula and to unmask cryptic diversity. However, we highlight the need to generate a local genetic database for 12S gene for such studies and to interpret the results with caution when studying only mitochondrial DNA. Finally, our survey shows that the high detection sensitivity of eDNA metabarcoding and the non-invasiveness of this method allows it to act as a detection system for species of low abundance, such as early invasive species or species in population decline, two key aspects of conservation management of Spanish freshwater fishes.

Freshwater fishes of Iraq: a revised and updated annotated checklist2023.

The current status of the freshwater fishes of Iraq is revised, and an updated checklist is presented. The confirmed freshwater fishes of Iraq comprise 98 species belonging to 16 orders, 28 families, and 56 genera. Among these, 21 species (21.4%) are alien, and three species (3.0%) are considered endemic to Iraq. The orders with the largest numbers of species in the ichthyofauna of Iraq are Cypriniformes (57 species), followed by Siluriformes (12 species), Mugiliformes and Cyprinodontiformes (six species in each), Acanthuriformes and Cichliformes (three species in each), Centrarchiformes and Gobiiformes (two species in each), and the others represent only one species. At the family level, the Cyprinidae have the greatest number of species (28; 28.3% of the total species), followed by Nemacheilidae (16 species), Leuciscidae (eight species), Mugilidae (six species), Sisoridae (five species), and Xenocyprididae (four species in each). A total of 20 species that have been previously reported from Iraq have been excluded from the checklist. According to IUCN Red List criteria, among 77 naturally distributed species (alien species not included), 10 species (13.0%) are categorized as threatened extinctions, with three (3.9%) as CR, one (1.3%) as EN, and six (7.8%) as VU. A total of 38 taxa were assessed (49.4%) as LC, 27 species were not assigned NE (35.1%), and two species (2.0%) were classified as DD, i.e., with insufficient knowledge.

Tracing the origin of Lago Mare biota: Ostracods and mollusks from the late Neogene of the Slavonian mountains in the southern Pannonian Basin (NE Croatia)

Lake Pannon was a huge central European, long-lived endorheic lake occupying the Pannonian Basin System during the late Neogene. The benthic fauna of this originally sparsely populated brackish lake went through a spectacular adaptive radiation leading to a great number of autochthonous species. Although largely endemic, some of these species are excellent stratigraphic markers of the Lago Mare interval in the Mediterranean Basin. This situation apparently reflects a short-termed unidirectional migration-wave in the latest Miocene. The latter interval marks the final phase of a major environmental perturbation followed by a massive evaporite deposition termed the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The Section Bozara, located in the southern Pannonian Basin at the southern slopes of Mt. Papuk, bears a well-preserved benthic fauna representative of Lake Pannon. It is embedded into a 25-m-thick succession of alternating mud and sand packages. We detected therein 25 ostracod and 18 mollusk taxa enabling, along with a sedimentary facies analysis, an integrated evaluation of the depositional setting, biostratigraphic position, and paleogeographic distribution pattern. Accordingly, the depositional environment shows a shallowing upward trend from deep-water sublittoral and distal prodelta settings to deltaic high-energy littoral conditions. The biostratigraphic markers, such as the bivalve Rhombocongeria rhomboidea (Hörnes, 1867) and the ostracod Caspiocypris pontica (Sokač, 1972), constrained its stratigraphic position to the Portaferrian interval (8.0–4.5 Ma). Of 16 ostracod taxa determined at the species level, 10 are shared with the Eastern Paratethys, whereas only 3 are present in the Mediterranean Lago Mare deposits as well. In contrast, among 12 corresponding mollusk taxa, only 4 are known from the Eastern Paratethys, all being absent in the Lago Mare interval. Such a paleobiogeographic pattern suggests that the time window of the outflow event from Lake Pannon into the Eastern Paratethys was not synchronous with, but must have preceded, the hypothetic Eastern Paratethys drainage event generating the Lago Mare depositional conditions in the Mediterranean Basin.

Freshwater fishes of Syria: a revised and updated annotated checklist-2023.

The current status of the freshwater fishes of Syria is revised, and an updated checklist is presented. The confirmed freshwater fishes of Syria comprise 108 species belonging to 15 orders, 25 families, and 51 genera. Among these, 11 species (10.2%) are alien, and six species (5.6%) are considered endemic to Syria. The orders with the largest numbers of species in the ichthyofauna of Syria are Cypriniformes (68 species), followed by Siluriformes and (nine species), Cichliformes (eight species), Mugiliformes (seven species), Cyprinodontiformes (six species), and others represent one species in each. At the family level, Cyprinidae has the greatest number of species (30 species; 27.8% of the total species), followed by Leuciscidae (21 species), Nemacheilidae (11 species), Cichlidae (eight species), and Mugilidae (seven species). According to IUCN Red List criteria, among 97 naturally distributed species (alien species not included), Tristramella sacra extinct (EX) and 24 species (26.5%) are categorized as threatened extinctions, CR, EN, and VU (eight species in each). A total of 17 species previously reported from Syria have been excluded from the checklist, either in the present study or in previous studies.

Malacofaunal diversity (Gastropods and Bivalves) along the mangrove forest area of the Gulf of Mannar marine biosphere region, South India

The mangrove ecosystem is one of the most distinctive biospheres, and it is under threat from habitat loss, aquaculture expansion, overharvesting, and pollution, all of which impact the malacofaunal diversity. This study aimed to investigate the malacofaunal diversity along the mangrove region of the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) and Physico-chemical properties of the sediments were measured to correlate the malacofaunal diversity. The diversity of the molluscs along the Thoothukudi coast was investigated from December 2020 to September 2021, documenting 84 mollusc species, represented by 45 gastropods and 39 bivalves. The class Gastropoda represented 7 orders, 15 families, and 30 genera, with Caenogastropoda having the highest species (19), followed by Neogastropoda with 7 species, while in bivalves, Venerida had the most species (14 species), followed by Cardiida (9 species). Palayakayal had the greatest number of species (68), followed by Punnakayal (63), Karapad Bay (32), and Machoda Bridge (33). Palayakayal has the highest Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H’) and Margalef species richness (d) at 4.11 and 10.81, followed by Punnakayal at 4.05 and 10.16; Karapad at 3.39 and 5.65; and Machoda Bridge at 3.55 and 3.55 respectively. The BC (Bray–Curtis)​ similarity index identified the most similarity (86.91%) between Palayakayal and Punnakayal. Palayakayal has the greatest (H’) and (d) values due to its pristine mangrove habitat and low anthropogenic activity. The Physico-chemical results showed that salinity and diversity were positively correlated, while hydrogen sulfide, organic matter, and molluscan diversity were negatively correlated. The malacofaunal diversity has been documented to provide useful baseline data for conservation management. Additionally, the findings showed that salinity is a crucial factor in favoring diversity. The anthropogenic activities in the ecosystem first alter the salinity of the soil, directly impacting malacofaunal diversity. Such studies might increase knowledge among the public and policy-makers, enabling them to develop legislation adequately.

Applications in Biomedicine and Fabrication Using Plasma and Nanomaterials

A comprehensive analysis of the individual plasma characteristics and the physical processes involved in the organization of nanoscale solid-state systems throughout a wide spectrum of elemental composition, structural configuration, and dimensionality is presented here. As a result of these phenomena, it may be possible to localize and regulate matter and energy at the nanoscale and to create self-organized nanosolids with exceptional and unique properties. The introduction of a unified conceptual framework that is based on the regulation of the creation, transport, and self-organization of precursor species is followed by the explanation of a number of plasma-specific nonequilibrium and kinetics-driven phenomena that occur over a wide range of temporal and geographical scales. When the plasma is brought down to dimensions of micrometers and nanometers, new emergent phenomena come into play. Examples include chirality-controlled single-walled carbon nanotubes, semiconducting quantum dots and nanowires, ultra-fine manipulation of graphenes, nanodiamonds, and organic matter, as well as nanoplasma effects and nanoplasmas of various states of matter. Over the last several years, there has been intense research into the use of plasma medicine. Due to the vast range of cancer cell selectivity, treating every form of cancer is still a challenging endeavor for medical professionals. Plasma jets and dielectric barrier discharges are two examples of the many varieties of nonthermal plasma devices that have been developed as a result of research in more sophisticated forms of plasma physics. When nonthermal plasma is brought into contact with biological material, a great number of charged particles and reactive species are produced. The primary components consist of plasma ultra-violets, reactive nitrogen species, and reactive oxygen species. These species may be employed alone or in combination with nanomaterials in a variety of biomedical applications that aim to improve human health. They may also be used in the synthesis of nanomaterials with physiological significance. Several different biomedical applications are described in relation to the synergy that may be achieved between plasma and nanomaterials in this study, along with new developments in plasma-based synthesis of physiologically relevant nanomaterials.

Tibouchino longifoliae-Sticherion bifidi alliance in rainforest on metamorfics rocks

By using Braun Blanquet methodology Tibouchino longifoliae - Sticherion bifidi was studied restricted to the banks made with bulldozer during the build of roads in Sierra del Purial and Maquey geological formations rocks in the more rainy zone of the Cuban archipelago. Generally it is found between 30 to 80 degrees slopes over schists banks of ferralitics soils. They are secondary meadow, composed for the immediate secondary communities generally rich in ferns, the greatest number of species that make up this alliance are heliophilous. Three assocciations were found Nephrolepido biserratae - Bidentetum pilosi, Pitirogrammo calomelani - Rhytidophylletum exserti and Stichero bifidi - Gleichenelletum pectinatae that are subassociations and variants. Weather is tropical with rainfalls between 1200 and 2500 mm.

Wood-Decay Fungi Fructifying in Mediterranean Deciduous Oak Forests: A Community Composition, Richness and Productivity Study

Deadwood is involved in several important ecological roles, being the fundamental habitat of wood-decay fungi. At the same time, this polyphyletic group of fungi is the principal agent of wood decomposition, regulating the carbon cycle and the food resource for many other organisms. It is known that the diversity and community composition of wood-decay fungi are related to the tree species, decay stage and size of the woody debris in which they are living. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information on Mediterranean Quercus cerris L. forests. In response, we explored how wood-decay fungi colonize different woody types and how the productivity, richness and community composition of these fungi is influenced by the decay stage and size of the deadwood. Our results indicate that the studied groups, i.e., Ascomycetes, Corticioids, Polyporoids and Heterobasidiomycetes responded differently to the woody debris classes. Moreover, we note the high importance of smaller and soft-decayed woody debris for community composition and richness, hosting a great number of species, in addition to the positive effect of the heterogeneity of the woody debris size for wood-decay fungi productivity.

Fishes of Afghanistan; a revised and updated annotated checklist.

The current status of the ichthyofauna of Afghanistan is revised, and an updated checklist is presented. The confirmed fishes of Afghanistan comprise 121 species belonging to 11 orders, 22 families, and 68 genera. Among these, 18 species (14.9%) are alien, and 7 species (5.8%) are considered endemic to Afghanistan. The orders with the largest numbers of species in the ichthyofauna of Afghanistan are Cypriniformes (88 species), followed by Siluriformes (14 species), Anabantiformes (4 species), Acipenseriformes, Salmoniformes, and Cyprinodontiformes (3 species in each). At the family level, Cyprinidae have the greatest number of species (36 species; 29.8% of the total species), followed by Nemacheilidae (22 species), Leuciscidae (12 species), Danionidae (8 species), and Sisoridae (6 species). A total of 48 species previously reported from Afghanistan have been excluded from the checklist, either in the present study or in previous studies. According to the IUCN Red List criteria, among 121 listed fish species, 19 (15.7%) are in the threatened categories, with 4 (3.3%) CR, 6 (5.0%) EN, and 9 (7.4%) VU. Of the total number of taxa assessed, 5.0% (6 species) are NT and 51.2% (62 species) are LC. A total of 29 species are (24.0%) Not Evaluated (NE) and 5 species (4.1%) are classified as DD.

Fish Diversity Monitoring Using Environmental DNA Techniques in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean

Marine fish populations have suffered the consequences of overfishing for a long time, leading to a loss in biodiversity. Traditional methods have been historically used to survey fish diversity but are limited to commercial species, particularly on the high seas. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been successfully used to monitor biodiversity in aquatic environments. In this study, we monitored fish diversity in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Eastern Pacific Ocean using eDNA metabarcoding. Our results identified 2 classes, 35 orders, 64 families, and 87 genera. The genera Mugil, Scomberomorus, and Scomber had high relative abundance in the mesopelagic and demersal zone. Fish diversity varied with sampling sites, and the greatest number of species was found at a depth of 2500 m. Environmental changes drove fish aggregation, and our results indicated that Chla was negatively correlated with fish communities, while DO was positively correlated with fish communities. This study released the fish diversity pattern and the effects of the environment in the CCZ, which would provide useful information for biodiversity management and an environmental baseline for the International Seabed Authority.

MACROPHYTES OF THE LITTORAL ZONE IN LAKES OF SPECIALLY PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS OF THE ARKHANGELSK REGION

The article analyzes distribution of 94 species of aquatic plants in 18 lakes, different in size, origin, trophic status, hydrological and hydrochemical conditions. Macrophytes and their communities were studied in 11 large and small lakes in the Kenozersky National Park, in 2 large lakes in the Onezhskoye Pomorye National Park, and in 5 small lakes in the Pinezhsky State Nature Reserve. The eutrophic lake Porzhenskoye in the Kenozersky National Park stands out with the greatest species number, 52 species. Fewer species of macrophytes were identified in oligotrophic lakes. It is shown that the majority of aquatic plants of the Arkhangelsk Region inhabit narrow range from low to medium total dissolved solids – 54 species. Eurybiont species, occurring in a large range of total dissolved solids from 1 to 1020 mg/l, show a great species diversity – 24 species. Only 11 species tend to grow in karst lakes with elevated level of total dissolved solids from 500 to 1020 mg/l – vascular plants: Ranunculus kauffmannii, Eleocharis acicularis, E. quinqueflora, Myriophyllum verticillatum, Potamogeton obtusifolius, Stuckenia pectinata, Sparganium hyperboreum; mosses: Calliergon cordifolium, Scorpidium scorpioides; algae: Chara aspera, C. subspinosa. The majority of species in the lakes of specially protected natural areas of the Arkhangelsk Region, growing in a narrow water pH range, are neutrophytes – 31 and neutro-alkalophytes – 27. Thirteen protected species of macrophytes were discovered in the flora of lakes in the Arkhangelsk Region – Chara aspera, C. strigosa, C. subspinosa, C. virgata, Fissidens fontanus, Fontinalis dalecarlica, F. hypnoides, Isoëtes echinospora, I. lacustris, Lobelia dortmanna, Nymphaea candida, N. tetragona, Sparganium gramineum.

Community-wide correlations between species richness, abundance and population genomic diversity in a freshwater biodiversity hotspot.

Understanding patterns of diversity across macro (e.g. species-level) and micro (e.g. molecular-level) scales can shed light on community function and stability by elucidating the abiotic and biotic drivers of diversity within ecological communities. We examined the relationships among taxonomic and genetic metrics of diversity in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae), an ecologically important and species-rich group in the southeastern United States. Using quantitative community surveys and reduced-representation genome sequencing across 22 sites in seven rivers and two river basins, we surveyed 68 mussel species and sequenced 23 of these species to characterize intrapopulation genetic variation. We tested for the presence of species diversity-abundance correlations (i.e. the more-individuals hypothesis, MIH), species-genetic diversity correlations (SGDCs) and abundance-genetic diversity correlations (AGDCs) across all sites to evaluate relationships between different metrics of diversity. Sites with greater cumulative multispecies density (a standardized metric of abundance) had a greater number of species, consistent with the MIH hypothesis. Intrapopulation genetic diversity was strongly associated with the density of most species, indicating the presence of AGDCs. However, there was no consistent evidence for SGDCs. Although sites with greater overall densities of mussels had greater species richness, sites with higher genetic diversity did not always exhibit positive correlations with species richness, suggesting that there are spatial and evolutionary scales at which the processes influencing community-level diversity and intraspecific diversity differ. Our work reveals the importance of local abundance as indicator (and possibly a driver) of intrapopulation genetic diversity.

Evenness mediates the global relationship between forest productivity and richness

Abstract1. Biodiversity is an important component of natural ecosystems, with higher species richness often correlating with an increase in ecosystem productivity. Yet, this relationship varies substantially across environments, typically becoming less pronounced at high levels of species richness. However, species richness alone cannot reflect all important properties of a community, including community evenness, which may mediate the relationship between biodiversity and productivity. If the evenness of a community correlates negatively with richness across forests globally, then a greater number of species may not always increase overall diversity and productivity of the system. Theoretical work and local empirical studies have shown that the effect of evenness on ecosystem functioning may be especially strong at high richness levels, yet the consistency of this remains untested at a global scale.2. Here, we used a dataset of forests from across the globe, which includes composition, biomass accumulation and net primary productivity, to explore whether productivity correlates with community evenness and richness in a way that evenness appears to buffer the effect of richness. Specifically, we evaluated whether low levels of evenness in speciose communities correlate with the attenuation of the richness–productivity relationship.3. We found that tree species richness and evenness are negatively correlated across forests globally, with highly speciose forests typically comprising a few dominant and many rare species. Furthermore, we found that the correlation between diversity and productivity changes with evenness: at low richness, uneven communities are more productive, while at high richness, even communities are more productive.4. Synthesis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that evenness is an integral component of the relationship between biodiversity and productivity, and that the attenuating effect of richness on forest productivity might be partly explained by low evenness in speciose communities. Productivity generally increases with species richness, until reduced evenness limits the overall increases in community diversity. Our research suggests that evenness is a fundamental component of biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships, and is of critical importance for guiding conservation and sustainable ecosystem management decisions.

Salinity as a Key Factor in Structuring Macrophyte Assemblages in Transitional Water Bodies: The Case of the Apulian Coastal Lagoons (Southern Italy)

Coastal lagoons are dynamic transitional water ecosystems hosting valuable biological communities, including rich and diverse macrophyte assemblages. Aquatic macrophytes must cope with large fluctuations of environmental conditions on a spatial and seasonal scale. Salinity is one of the most variable parameters, changing from nearly freshwater to hypersalinity, and it is known to have a strong influence on the composition and structure of macrophyte assemblages. This study is focused on the effect of salinity on macrophyte communities of the eight most important coastal lagoons of Apulia (south-eastern Mediterranean Sea). A set of eleven transitional water body types (sensu Water Framework Directive) were allocated in a range of meso- to hyperhaline lagoons. Macrophyte sampling was carried out between 2011 and 2019, and a total of 324 samples (18 sampling stations × 2 seasons × 9 years) was analyzed. Then, macrophyte occurrence in each transitional water body (T-WB) was expressed as frequency values (%) and assemblages were compared to assess any similarity in relation to four salinity classes (mesohaline, polyhaline, euhaline and hyperhaline). Species richness varied according to the salinity class, being much higher in polyhaline and euhaline T-WBs and strongly decreasing at the extremes of the salinity range (mesohaline and hyperhaline T-WBs). Moreover, the statistical analysis showed a high resemblance of macrophyte assemblages of T-WBs within the same salinity class, which shared a great number of species. Four distinct macrophyte communities were distinguished, reflecting the salinity conditions of different T-WB types and confirming the effectiveness of a lagoon typology based on this descriptor.

Non-native species in Poyang Lake Basin: status, threats and management

Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and sustains a high level of biodiversity in the mid-reach area of the Yangtze River watershed. Poyang Lake is also one of the most important aquaculture regions in China, and a great number of non-native species have been introduced into it. We present a current and well-documented list of the non-native species of plants, molluscs, crustaceans, fishes, reptiles, and amphibians currently found in Lake. We found that there are 103 non-native species (83 vascular plants, 12 fishes, three crustacea, two molluscs, two reptiles and one amphibian) that have invaded Poyang Lake Basin, of which 96 non-native species were introduced after 2000. The invasion rate of non-native species reached 4.36 species year-1, which is the highest invasion rate recorded in freshwater ecosystems. The primary pathways of introduction are through the ornamental trade and unintentional escapes (30 species each, respectively), followed by food (19), aquaculture (15), forage grass (four), medicinal and oil (two, respectively), and biocontrol (one). The origins of non-native species are North America (29.12%), Asia (25.24%), South America (20.38%), Africa (18.44%), Europe (5.82%) and Oceania (0.97%). Many non-native species provide significant support for the rapid development of the local economy (such as aquaculture). However, many non-native species pose a great threat to local biodiversity and societal development. More studies that include monitoring and the development of strategies for managing and eliminating non-native species in Poyang Lake are needed.