High Species Diversity Research Articles

Colony identity clues for Syntermes grandis (Blattodea: Termitidae) individuals using near-infrared spectroscopy and PLS-DA approach.

Termites are social insects with high species diversity in tropical ecosystems. Multivariate analysis with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and data interpretation can separate social insects belonging to different colonies of the same species. The objective of this study was to propose the use of discriminant analysis by partial least squares (PLS-DA) combined with NIRS to identify the colonial origin of the Syntermes grandis (Rambur, 1842) (Blattodea: Termitidae) in 2 castes. Six ground S. grandis colonies were identified and mapped; 30 workers and 30 soldier termites in each colony were submitted to spectral measurement with NIRS. PLS-DA applied to the termites' spectral absorbance was used to detect a spectral pattern per S. grandis colony by caste. PLS-DA regression with NIRS proved to be an approach with 99.9% accuracy for identifying the colonial origin of S. grandis workers and 98.3% for soldiers. The methodology showed the importance of qualitatively characterizing the colonial phenotypic response of this species. NIRS is a high-precision approach to identifying the colony origin of S. grandis workers and soldiers. The PLS-DA can be used to design ecological field studies to identify colony territorial competition and foraging behavior of subterranean termite species.

Diversity and Abundance of Wetland Birds in Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India

Wetland birds are integral components of wetland ecosystems, providing ecological, economic, cultural, and regulatory benefits. The study conducted from 2021 to 2024 in the Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary of Tiruvarur district aimed to assess year-wise species diversity, richness, relative diversity, evenness, density, and relative abundance of wetland birds employing the total count method to estimate the population of wetland birds. A total of 104 bird species belonging 18 orders and 49 families were recorded. During this study, 17 species were migrant, while the remaining 87 birds were resident. Three bird species were classified as Near Threatened, including the Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanosephalus), and Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster). Additionally, two bird species were classified as Vulnerable, namely the Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) and River Tern (Sterna hirundo), while 99 bird species were classified as Least Concern. Regarding species diversity in the Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary during different years, the highest species diversity was recorded in 2021 (2.75), while the lowest species diversity was observed in 2024 (1.64). In terms of species richness, the maximum richness was observed in 2023 (68), whereas the minimum species richness was recorded in 2022 (29).

Water supply in artificial troughs: a strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the Maya forest

Objective: To verify the functionality of drinking troughs based on fauna record. Design/Methodology/Approach: Most of the approximately 70 artificial drinking troughs were installed inside the core zones of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR). The remaining troughs were installed in communities and left under the protection and supervision of beekeepers. A camera-trap station was associated with each of the drinking troughs installed. Results: Ninety-one wildlife species that drink water from the artificial troughs have been identified, including 30 mammals, 53 birds, 5 reptiles, and three amphibians. Jaguars, tapirs, and other endangered species are some of the most frequent visitors to these sites, especially during the dry season. Study Limitations/Implications: The use of artificial water troughs is an adequate alternative to guarantee water availability in the Calakmul region. The high diversity of species that constantly visit the drinking troughs during the dry season makes evident the functionality of the water supply strategy with artificial drinking troughs. Findings/Conclusions: The drinking troughs can be a tool for various objectives in the region. It arose from the need to respond to emergency climatological events (i.e., droughts), but it has been adapted to the regional needs and other activities. It has been considered a successful management strategy in the face of climate change.

Crop rotational diversity can mitigate climate-induced grain yield losses.

Diversified crop rotations have been suggested to reduce grain yield losses from the adverse climatic conditions increasingly common under climate change. Nevertheless, the potential for climate change adaptation of different crop rotational diversity (CRD) remains undetermined. We quantified how climatic conditions affect small grain and maize yields under different CRDs in 32 long-term (10-63 years) field experiments across Europe and North America. Species-diverse and functionally rich rotations more than compensated yield losses from anomalous warm conditions, long and warm dry spells, as well as from anomalous wet (for small grains) or dry (for maize) conditions. Adding a single functional group or crop species to monocultures counteracted yield losses from substantial changes in climatic conditions. The benefits of a further increase in CRD are comparable with those of improved climatic conditions. For instance, the maize yield benefits of adding three crop species to monocultures under detrimental climatic conditions exceeded the average yield of monocultures by up to 553 kg/ha under non-detrimental climatic conditions. Increased crop functional richness improved yields under high temperature, irrespective of precipitation. Conversely, yield benefits peaked at between two and four crop species in the rotation, depending on climatic conditions and crop, and declined at higher species diversity. Thus, crop species diversity could be adjusted to maximize yield benefits. Diversifying rotations with functionally distinct crops is an adaptation of cropping systems to global warming and changes in precipitation.

Bryophytes of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia

Context Although the vascular flora of Western Australia is renowned for high species diversity and endemism, very little is known about the state’s moss and liverwort flora. Aims In 1984 we conducted surveys of bryophytes in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Methods We searched comprehensively for bryophytes at seven major habitats on the Reserve, collecting voucher specimens subsequently identified with modern literature and with the help of Australian bryophyte experts. We updated the text to reflect modern taxonomy and considering modern literature on phytogeography and hypotheses associated with OCBIL (Old, Climatically Buffered, Infertile Landscapes) theory. Key results A total of 38 species of mosses representing 25 genera from 13 families were identified along with 10 species of liverworts representing nine genera and six families. Two moss species (Distichium inclinatum and Tortella dakinii) were previously unknown from Western Australia. Another represented a new species (Pleurophascum occidentale) in a heretofore monotypic genus, family, and order. The Pottiaceae, with 11 species, was the most diverse family of mosses. The Lepidoziaceae, with three species, was the most diverse family of liverworts. Conclusions Lower levels of endemism in bryophytes versus vascular plants may reflect the bryophytes’ capacity for wide and long-distance dispersal of spores and fragments. Bryophyte diversity and endemism may be less than on extensive OCBILs because much of the Reserve emerged from the ocean as recently as the mid-Pleistocene. Implications This, the first listing published of bryophytes on a Reserve in WA, indicates the potential rewards for further survey of mosses and liverworts.

Spatiotemporal analysis in brown seaweed diversity and abundance at selected coastal locations on the Southern coast of Tamil Nadu, India: A way forward for conservation and sustainable utilization

Tamil Nadu and its southern coast are well-known for seaweed diversity and abundant resources in India. Brown seaweeds are primary habitat producers in reef environments. The objective of this study was to assess the spatiotemporal variation in diversity and abundance of brown seaweed species along the intertidal region at selected coastal locations on the southern coast of Tamil Nadu, India. The sampling was performed monthly at six coastal locations, namely Hare Island (HI), Tuticorin Harbour (TH), Chinna Muttom (CM), Arockiapuram (AP), Vedhalai (VD), and Mandapam (MP), along the intertidal region during low tides between January 2021 and December 2021. A total of 36 brown seaweed species were identified at six locations, namely Sargassum (9 species), followed by Padina (5 species), Turbinaria (3 species), Dictyota (3 species) and 16 species each of others. In the context of different locations, the highest species diversity was observed at HI (35) and the lowest at CM (21) during the study period. The highest abundance was recorded at CM (19.80 kg wt m−2), while the lowest was reported at AP (9.51 kg wt m−2). Sargassum and Turbinaria exhibited the highest prevalence across all the locations. Among different seasons, the maximum species diversity was recorded during PoMoN (26), whereas the minimum species diversity was recorded during PrMoN (11). Similarly, the highest abundance was seen during PoMoN, whereas the lowest abundance was reported during PrMoN. These findings offer crucial foundational data for the preservation and exploitation of brown seaweeds.

Habitat Utilization and Niche Partitioning in Starling Birds at Federal University Dutse, Nigeria

The micro habitat or niche which a species occupies at a particular time in an ecosystem may give some clue to niche partitioning with regards to such species in that ecosystem. This study aimed to assess habitat utilization patterns as cue to niche partitioning in starling birds of Federal University Dutse. Point count bird census technique was used to survey starling bird at sixteen (16), randomly selected points, across various habitat types within the study location. All starling birds seen or heard were identified, counted and recorded. The habitat or niche where they were sited was also noted. The R Statistical software, version 3.3 was used for data analysis. The result showed that starling birds species diversity differed significantly by study area points (p < 0.001), habitat types (p < 0.05) and marginally by occurring niche (p = 0.06). Point 13 had the highest species diversity, habitat types consisting farmlands and buildings had the highest species diversity and the highest starling diversity was observed on trees. Starling bird abundance on the other hand, differed significantly across study points (p = 0.05) and marginally across occurring niches (p = 0.06). Starling bird abundance was highest at study area point 5 and on trees.

Habitat connectivity of threatened ungulate species in a native savanna landscape of northern South America

AbstractThe native savanna ecosystem of the Orinoquia region is the habitat of 50% of the wild ungulate species reported for Colombia. Over the last 20 years, this high species diversity has been strongly threatened by the human transformation of the natural land cover causing connectivity loss of the habitats. The Orinoquia region lacks a biological connectivity analysis with a multi-species approach involving species groups that are representative of the savanna ecosystem such as the ungulates. Understanding the spatial distributions of suitable areas and the main habitats that act as primary habitats for ungulate species in these landscapes is fundamental for the design of conservation strategies. We use an occurrence dataset for lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) in the development of species’ potential distribution models, binarization process, and morphological spatial pattern analysis. This information was used for the modeling of dispersal corridors connecting the core habitats of the ungulate focal species using the randomized shortest path algorithm and quantifying the weighted global connectivity metrics. Our results suggest an integral corridor with potential least-cost dispersal routes between the native savanna landscape on the middle basins of the savanna rivers and the Meta River. These areas associated with the fluvial dendritic systems are connected, while the core habitats in the eastern part of the savanna landscape are disconnected. We discuss how the application of such knowledge on the spatial ecology of ungulate focal species might improve the management of the metapopulations in the Orinoquia region.

Phylogenetic Trends in the Dissymmetrisation of Genitalia in Hadenini (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

The external genital appendages of Noctuidae represent correlated–coevolved elements of a complex structure. The pathways of changes are delimited by some constraints, and they are parallelly evolved in different phyletic lines. Asymmetrical male external genitalia were found in Hadenini, in Polia and its closely related genera, but also in Anarta (s. l.). In Poliina, the asymmetry of the genital capsule is mostly expressed in the Holarctic Polia nebulosa species group, forming the basal split within Polia (s. str.). Higher species diversity, as a consequence of asymmetry connected with the split of functions between the right and left sides, was observed in Polia (s. str.) and in Anarta (s. l.). The highest level of expansivity was observed in the Holarctic Anarta, where some species are migrating and becoming invasive ones, while a bulk of species populates the steppic and mountainous habitats of North America and Central Asia. Parallelly, while some genera/subgenera of the subtribe Poliina are oligotypic and/or consist of strictly localised species, the sensu stricto Polia species with asymmetrical genital capsules are widely distributed. The diversification of the Hadulina phylogenetic line should have been initiated by the Messinian aridisation crisis. The core area of diversification of Poliina was connected with the Sino-Himalayan region, followed by expansion into the Holarctic boreo-nemoral zone.

Pleistocene glaciation advances the cryptic speciation of Stellera chamaejasme L. in a major biodiversity hotspot.

The mountains of Southwest China comprise a significant large mountain range and biodiversity hotspot imperiled by global climate change. The high species diversity in this mountain system has long been attributed to a complex set of factors, and recent large-scale macroevolutionary investigations have placed a broad timeline on plant diversification that stretches from 10 million years ago (Mya) to the present. Despite our increasing understanding of the temporal mode of speciation, finer-scale population-level investigations are lacking to better refine these temporal trends and illuminate the abiotic and biotic influences of cryptic speciation. This is largely due to the dearth of organismal sampling among closely related species and populations, spanning the incredible size and topological heterogeneity of this region. Our study dives into these evolutionary dynamics of speciation using genomic and eco-morphological data of Stellera chamaejasme L. We identified four previously unrecognized cryptic species having indistinct morphological traits and large metapopulation of evolving lineages, suggesting a more recent diversification (~2.67-0.90 Mya), largely influenced by Pleistocene glaciation and biotic factors. These factors likely influenced allopatric speciation and advocated cyclical warming-cooling episodes along elevational gradients during the Pleistocene. The study refines the evolutionary timeline to be much younger than previously implicated and raises the concern that projected future warming may influence the alpine species diversity, necessitating increased conservation efforts.

Coexistence, resource partitioning, and fisheries management: A tale of two mesopredators in equatorial waters.

Rock hind (Epinephelus adscensionis) and spotted moray (Gymnothorax moringa) are ubiquitous mesopredators that co-occur in the nearshore waters of Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, where they have significant cultural and subsistence value, but management of their non-commercial take is limited. This isolated volcanic system is home to high biomass and low species diversity, which poses two key questions: How can two mesopredators that perform similar ecological roles coexist? And if these two species are so ecologically similar, can they be managed using the same approach? Here, we combined acoustic telemetry, stomach content analysis, and stable isotope analysis to (i) explore space use and diet choices within and between these two species and (ii) to assess appropriate species-specific management options. Although rock hind had high residency and small calculated home ranges (0.0001-0.3114 km2), spotted moray exhibited shorter periods of residency (<3 months) before exiting the array. Vertical space use differed significantly across the 20-month tracking period, with individual differences in vertical space observed for both species. A hierarchical generalized additive model using 12-h averaged depth data identified that rock hind occurred lower in the water column than spotted moray, with both species occupying moderately deeper depths at night versus day (+1.6% relative depth). Spotted moray depth was also significantly predicted by lunar illumination. Aggregating samples by species and tissue type, Bayesian ecological niche modeling identified a 53.14%-54.15% and 78.02%-97.08% probability of niche overlap from fin clip and white muscle, respectively, whereas limited stomach content data indicated a preference for piscivorous prey. Variability in niche breadth between years suggests these species may exploit a range of prey items over time. These findings indicate that although these two species perform a similar ecological role by feeding on prey occupying the same trophic levels, subtle differences in movement behaviors between them suggest a one-rule-fits-all management approach is not likely the most effective option.

Comparative genomics on chloroplasts of Rubus (Rosaceae)

Rubus, the largest genus in Rosaceae, contains over 1400 species that distributed in multiple habitats across the world, with high species diversity in the temperate regions of Northern Hemisphere. Multiple Rubus species are cultivated for their valuable fruits. However, the intrageneric classification and phylogenetic relationships are still poorly understood. In this study, we sequenced, assembled, and characterized 17 plastomes of Rubus, and conducted comparative genomics integrating with 47 previously issued plastomes of this genus. The 64 plastomes of Rubus exhibited typical quadripartite structure with sizes ranging from 155,144 to 156,700 bp, and contained 132 genes including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and eight rRNA genes. All plastomes are conservative in the gene order, the frequency of different types of long repeats and simple sequence repeats (SSRs), the codon usage, and the selection pressure of protein-coding genes. However, there are also some differences in the Rubus plastomes, including slight contraction and expansion of the IRs, a variation in the numbers of SSRs and long repeats, and some genes in certain clades undergoing intensified or relaxed purifying selection. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole plastomes showed that the monophyly of Rubus was strongly supported and resolved it into six clades corresponding to six subgenera. Moreover, we identified 12 highly variable regions that could be potential molecular markers for phylogenetic, population genetic, and barcoding studies. Overall, our study provided insight into plastomic structure and sequence diversification of Rubus, which could be beneficial for future studies on identification, evolution, and phylogeny in this genus.

Differential response of the components of functional diversity in Orestias fishes (Cyprinodontidae) of the High Andean Plateau

Orestias (Cyprinodontiformes, Cyprinodontidae) is a diverse genus of freshwater fish endemic to the high Andean plateau (Altiplano) of the Andes Mountains, South America. Within the Altiplano, Orestias species form assemblages of varying taxonomic richness, exhibiting considerable diversity in morphological forms and sizes, and occupying different habitat types. Here, we investigate the functional diversity of Orestias assemblages in two basins within the Altiplano: Titicaca Lake and the southwestern Altiplano basins. Titicaca Lake is characterized by high species diversity that evolved sympatrically, while the southwestern Altiplano has lower species diversity that evolved allopatrically. Given that taxonomic diversity under sympatric conditions can promote greater functional diversity, we hypothesize that the Titicaca assemblage should display higher indicators of functional diversity. By using traits related to locomotion, food acquisition, and habitat type to quantify functional diversity we used four functional diversity indicators (functional richness, divergence, specialization, and originality) to compare the Orestias assemblages in two basins. We found no difference in functional divergence and originality between the Orestias from two basins. However, functional specialization was higher in the southwestern Altiplano, contrary to our hypothesis. Only functional richness was higher Titicaca assemblage; supporting our hypothesis. The differentiation between assemblages arises primarily from traits associated with locomotion and food acquisition. Several Orestias species are considered endangered and the extinction of any these taxa could impact the functional diversity of these basins.

TAXONOMIC DIVERSITY OF BENTHIC ALGOFLORA OFF THE WESTERN COAST OF THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA

The article presents the results of the study of benthic flora along the western coast of the Crimean Peninsula (Sevastopol region, Black Sea) in the summer of 2020. Hydrobotanical studies covered the water areas of Cape Tyubek, Lukull, VaiVai, Margopulo, Nemetskaya and Yazykovaya Balka. The flora included macroalgae of 74 species from the departments Chlorophyta, Heterokontophyta and Rhodophyta. The identified taxonomic composition was characterized by high species saturation of suprageneric taxa and low genus coefficient (1.1–2.0), coincidence of the proportion “order/family” in the divisions and in the whole algoflora, as well as “order/family/genus” in Heterokontophyta and Rhodophyta. The basis of taxonomic diversity was the following Rhodophyta (Ceramiales, Corallinaceae, Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiaceae), Chlorophyta (Cladophorales, Ulvales, Cladophoraceae, Ulvaceae), Heterokontophyta (Ectocarpales, Chordariaceae). Multispecies orders and families united from 55 to 88% of the total number of species found. High species diversity was characteristic of the genera Cladophora, Ulva, Polysiphonia and Ceramium. Seventeen species included in the national Red Data Books and international lists were found in the studied areas of the western coastal zone, which indicates the conservation significance of the study area. The large proportion of permanent species, their high joint contribution with additional species, the presence of maximum occurrence in a quarter of species (100%), and the average value of Jaccard’s coefficient (60%) testified to the spatial homogeneity of the species composition in the studied water area, which corresponded to relatively uniform habitat conditions of hydrobionts along the open sea coasts. Spatial changes in taxonomic composition were moderate (Cv = 9–26%). The difference in the extreme values of the absolute number of taxa was insignificant (by 30-50%). Among the departments, Chlorophyta was characterized by the lowest variation in the number of taxa, and Rhodophyta – by the highest. The increase in the difference between the extreme values of the absolute number of taxa was realized in the direction of orders &lt; families &lt; genera &lt; species. The results of phytoindication indicate the warm-water character of the flora and the emerging trend of increasing trophicity of algal habitat in the study area.

Species diversity and conservation status of ornamental fish traded in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract. Usman Z, Hariyadi DR, Serihollo LGG. 2024. Species diversity and conservation status of ornamental fish traded in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 1116-1126. The high demand for ornamental fish native to Indonesia has the potential to be used as a source of foreign exchange income. In addition to increasing the national income, the ornamental fish trade must also be considered to preserve the population of the fish species being sold. The study aimed to determine ornamental fish diversity and conservation status in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara. This research was conducted in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, from August to September 2023. The research was conducted using survey (non-experiment) and observation methods. The survey method was carried out using a form to conduct interviews with sellers in 11 ornamental fish shops. At the same time, the observation method was used to identify the types of fish being traded. The study's results recorded 18 families, 39 genera, and 46 fish species (Include 1 species is hybrid fish). The highest species diversity came from the Cichlidae family with 9 species (1 species (Amphilophus citrinellus x Cichlasoma trimaculatum) is hybrid fish), followed by Cyprinidae with 7 species, whereas each species of the Characidae and Poecilidae families were 5 species. Conservation status shows 4 status groupings, namely Least Concern (LC), Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), and Not Evaluated (NE). Based on these groupings, there were 32 species in the Least Concern (LC) category, 3 species in the Endangered (EN) category, 2 species in the Vulnerable (VU) category, and 8 species in the Not Evaluated (NE) and 1 unclassified category. There is only 1 species that is included in the Appendix I category, namely Scleropages formosus, and other species are Not evaluated. This is the first study conducted in Kupang City to reveal the types of ornamental fish species sold and their conservation status. The study will be useful information to the government, researchers, and other stakeholders on the potential extinction risk of each type of fish being traded.

Shifting mammal communities and declining species richness along an elevational gradient on Mount Kenya.

Conservation areas encompassing elevation gradients are biodiversity hotspots because they contain a wide range of habitat types in a relatively small space. Studies of biodiversity patterns along elevation gradients, mostly on small mammal or bird species, have documented a peak in diversity at mid elevations. Here, we report on a field study of medium and large mammals to examine the impact of elevation, habitat type, and gross primary productivity on community structure. Species richness was observed using a camera trap transect with 219 sites situated across different habitat types from 2329 to 4657 m above the sea level on the western slope of Mt Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa. We found that the lowest elevation natural habitats had the highest species richness and relative abundance and that both metrics decreased steadily as elevation increased, paralleling changes in gross primary productivity, and supporting the energy richness hypothesis. We found no evidence for the mid-domain effect on species diversity. The lowest elevation degraded Agro-Forestry lands adjacent to the National Park had high activity of domestic animals and reduced diversity and abundance of native species. The biggest difference in community structure was between protected and unprotected areas, followed by more subtle stepwise differences between habitats at different elevations. Large carnivore species remained relatively consistent but dominant herbivore species shifted along the elevation gradient. There was some habitat specialization and turnover in species, such that the elevation gradient predicts a high diversity of species, demonstrating the high conservation return for protecting mountain ecosystems for biodiversity conservation.

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Abstract Rhodolith beds, including maerl, are structurally complex perennial habitats that support a high species diversity but are threatened by numerous human activities, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite their global ecological importance, increased research efforts are needed to facilitate development of effective measures to conserve these habitats. Two areas hosting rhodolith beds are known to occur off the coast of Malta (central Mediterranean), but only one has been previously studied. Through analysis of video footage collected from 56 different stations coupled with a desk study on human activities, the present study characterized the rhodolith bed located off the southeastern coast of Malta, including its extent, rhodolith morphotype composition, associated megabiota and impacts of anthropogenic activities thereon. The bed occurred at depths of 60–95 m and covered an area of approximately 200 km2, making it the second most extensive rhodolith area reported for the Mediterranean to date. It was dominated by spherical and branched rhodoliths whose cover reached a maximum of 74% but was more often &lt;50%, similar to other Mediterranean rhodolith beds. A total of 84 different megafaunal species were recorded, suggesting that the diversity of megafauna associated with rhodolith bed habitats has been previously underestimated. A number of human activities, including extensive vessel anchoring and officially designated areas for aquaculture, bunkering and trawling, overlap with the mapped rhodolith distribution, highlighting the risk of habitat degradation. A holistic approach to the management of all the competing activities and interests relative to the southeastern coast of Malta that gives due consideration to this newly characterized rhodolith bed and the threats it faces is therefore recommended. The legal framework and policy recommendations for better conservation of rhodolith bed habitats in the Mediterranean and European Seas are also discussed.

Moderate-severity silvicultural methods generate better forest reorganization than other silvicultural methods in temperate rainforests four decades after implementation

Silvicultural regeneration methods promote regeneration of new tree cohorts following the harvest of mature trees and include a gradient of options from cutting all (clearcuts) or some (selection cuts) trees resulting in even- or uneven-aged forests. For forest managers and landowners, it is essential to have the best possible information on how forests reorganize following these different methods. Forest development, composition and growth are dependent on site quality and harvest type. In this study we evaluated two even-aged (clearcut (CC), seed-tree cut (STC)), one two-aged cut (extended irregular shelterwood (ISC)), one uneven-aged (single-tree selection cut (SC)), and an unmanaged control (CON), four decades after harvest implementation in old-growth Evergreen temperate rainforests above 500 m a.s.l. in the Coastal Range of south-central Chile. These forests grow on poor-quality sites due to old and shallow soil conditions and were dominated by late-successional species and a thick understory with the bamboo Chusquea machrostachya at the time of harvest implementation. Compositional and structural conditions reflected the type of harvests, with even- and two-aged methods largely similar to one another and the SC and the OG having very similar characteristics, which is likely a consequence of the very light severity of the SC. Tree species composition in even-aged harvests was dominated by shade midtolerant species of high timber value, although short-lived pioneer species of the Proteaceae family were also abundant, especially in ISC. The ISC had the greatest homogeneity in all stand variables (tree density, basal area, volume, and quadratic stand diameter), and since it was a two-layered forest, had basal areas and volumes close to the SC and OG, and a rotated-sigmoid diameter distribution (different to all other treatments). Height of the new cohort in the ISC was significantly taller than in the CC and the STC for most species’ groups, suggesting that the cut plus the residual canopy of ISC diminished the initial cover of the bamboo C. macrostachya and competition for regeneration. Only diameter growth of trees of all shade tolerances was lower in ISC, but diameter growth patterns were similar to CC and STC, with increasing growth during the first two-three decades followed by a decline. Based on these findings, we conclude that silvicultural methods of intermediate harvesting severity, especially ISC, provide the best ecological and economic option in these poor-quality sites given rapid reorganization following their implementation, while maintaining a relatively complex vertical structure, high tree species diversity, and a growing stock dominated by tree species of high timber value.

Spider diversity (Arachnida: Araneae) at Saurashtra University Campus, Rajkot, Gujarat during the monsoon

The present work deals with the diversity of spiders during the monsoon within the Saurashtra University Campus, Rajkot, Gujarat. A total of 38 species of spiders belonging to 32 genera and 14 families were recorded. Araneidae (25.81%) was found to be the most dominant family, with nine species from five genera. Guild structure analysis revealed seven feeding guilds, among all 31% most dominant feeding guilds represented by orb-web builders and stalkers, followed by ground runners (13%), irregular webs (10%), ambushers (7%), foliage hunters (6%), and space-web builders (2%). Ecological indices reveal high species richness (Margalef’s d = 8.97) and diversity (Shannon Index H’ = 3.526, Fisher alpha diversity α = 41.73). It concludes that the abundance of spider species at this study site was high and the evenness index was also high (e &gt;0, e = 0.8944). These findings suggest the absence of stress elements in the study area.

Fungal and Fungal-like Diseases of Halophytes in the Mediterranean Basin: A State-of-the-Art Review

Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants growing in saline ecosystems and are spread throughout the Mediterranean area. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in agricultural exploitation of halophytes, but poor attention has been given to pest and disease management of these species. The objective of this review is to assess the extent and distribution of pathogenic fungal and fungal-like (Oomycota) organisms on major Mediterranean halophytes. We retrieved 92 references spanning over 100 years, with more than half published since 2000. Ascomycota is the best-represented phylum, and the order Pleosporales has the highest species diversity. The order Pucciniales prevails in Basidiomycota, whereas Peronosporales is the richest order within Oomycota. Most of the pathogenic species have been isolated from aboveground organs, especially from leaves. Portulaca oleracea is the species with the most associated pathogens (16) and records (28). Leveillula powdery mildew, caused by Leveillula taurica, is the most common disease among the selected species. Cakile maritima was found to be vulnerable to different mycotoxigenic Alternaria species. Strengthening the research on diseases of halophytes is essential to successfully grow these species and to evaluate the risks related to the presence of mycotoxigenic species, which is crucial for the effective exploitation of halophytes as crops.