High Species Diversity Research Articles

Diversidad de mosquitos (Diptera, Culicidae) en áreas de importancia epidemiológica en el Bosque Atlántico del Alto Paraná de Misiones, Argentina

Mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) are a very diverse taxonomic group, which mainly inhabits tropical-subtropical zones, with many species of public health significance considered vectors of different pathogens, such as the yellow fever virus (YFV) (Flavivirus, Flaviviridae). Our aim is to know the diversity of mosquito species in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest and determine the presence of vector of YFV. The study was carried out in April and November 2021 in three Provincial Parks: Piñalito, Cruce Caballero and Moconá. We used CDC-light traps and net/manual aspirator as collection techniques. Overall, across the three sites we collected 536 female adult mosquitoes and identified 13 genera and 33 species. Considering all study sites, we obtained a high Margalef diversity index (DMG=5.8). Considering all study sites together, the species with the highest relative abundance (RA) were Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Dyar and Shannon) (RA=15.3%, N=37) and Psorophora ferox (von Humboldt) (RA=16.1%, N=39). In relation to species involved in the sylvatic YF cycle, we collected Hg. leucocelaenus (a main vectors) in the three study areas and nine other species considered potential vectors (7 species in Piñalito, 5 in Cruce Caballero and 2 in Moconá). Although all of the species we found have been previously reported in Misiones, none had been documented in the studied areas; so, we expanded the distribution of all of them. We found a high diversity of species reported for Misiones (33 of 194 species), which could be related to the variety of habitats present in this portion of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest. In addition, many of these species are of sanitary importance, which makes these areas of special interest for developing plans to monitor insects and their associated viruses.

An Initiatory Review on Bryophytes Diversity

Abstract: The varied group of terrestrial plants known as bryophytes is tiny in stature but has significant ecological effects. The biggest group of terrestrial plants, excluding flowering plants, they have over 23,000 known species worldwide. Mosses, hornworts, and liverworts are among the three phylogenetically separate lineages that make up the category. Mosses are typically regarded as a "key group" in our comprehension of the phylogenetically relatedness and origin of contemporary land plants (embryophytes). Bryophytes are able to live in a wide range of settings and have various growth habits. Although, mosses exhibit high species diversity, a major limitation in using mosses as study organisms has been the lack of basic floristic, ecological, and alpha-taxonomical knowledge of plants in many regions

Review on Homegarden Agroforestry and Its Contribution in Ethiopia

Agroforestry is an ancient practice and also the farmers are too much familiarized with it in Ethiopia. It contributes incredible benefits via socio-economic and environment. The main idea of this paper is to review Homegarden agroforestry practice and its contribution on woody species biodiversity conservation and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. The literature concludes that the high species diversity, multi-strata structures and complexity of structure are found in homegarden agroforestry. The presence diverse woody species of homegardens that serve different to fulfill a diversity of social, economic, cultural need, while providing a number of ecosystem services / environmental services (reduce soil erosion, increase soil moisture and fertility, coffee shade, and keep micro climate balance) and play a great role of biodiversity conservation. These could contribute to the sustainability of agricultural system. Homegarden agroforestry practice is highly recommended and acceptable than mono-cropping consequently it provides a socio-economic benefits like tree products (Timber, firewood, construction materials and fruit for food) and income. As result farmers were accounted it as a mainstay for maximizing their land productive capacity then improve the smallholder’s livelihoods. Therefore, the government should encourage Home garden agroforestry practice for improving the livelihoods of farmer and smoothly to tolerate the variable of climate change.

Woody species diversity, composition, structure and carbon storage of a dry evergreen montane forest of Essimingor Nature Forest Reserve in Tanzania

Abstract. Mwakalukwa EE, Mwakisu A, Maliondo SMS. 2023. Woody species diversity, composition, structure and carbon storage of a dry evergreen montane forest of Essimingor Nature Forest Reserve in Tanzania. Intl J Trop Drylands 7: 26-36. The biodiversity status of flora and fauna of many forests found on small protruding and isolated hills in most parts of dry areas in Tanzania is largely less studied. Their contribution to climate mitigation options also remains largely unknown. This study assessed the woody species diversity, composition, structure and carbon stocks potential of a dry evergreen montane forest of Essimingor Nature Forest Reserve in Tanzania. The vegetation data were collected from 23 concentric sample plots of 5m, 15m, and 20m radius laid systematically across the entire forest area of 6,100 ha. A total of 54 trees and shrubs species belonging to 29 families were identified. Diversity indices indicated the forest to have a high diversity of woody species. The most important species were Cassipourea malosana, Diospyros abyssinica and Drypetes natalensis. Stand structure comprised 288±173 stems ha-1, basal area of 11.47±7.23 m2ha-1 and standing volume of 27.3±16.3 m3ha-1. The mean above-ground and below-ground carbon stocks were 56.93±34.60 Mg C ha-1 and 34.71±19.72 Mg C ha-1, respectively. The observed high species diversity and carbon density signify the importance of conservation efforts bestowed in this reserve. Quantification of other carbon pools for estimation of the total carbon stock potential of this forest is recommended.

Performance and microbial community features of tidal-flow biochar-amended constructed wetlands treating sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing greywater

A large quantity of surfactants (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)) are discharged along with greywater especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, while information on the treatment of surfactant-containing greywater using eco-friendly constructed wetlands (CWs) and the impact of surfactants on CW systems has rarely been reported. In the present study, lab-scale CWs amended with a biochar substrate and operated in tidal flow (TF) mode were used to treat SDS-containing greywater. The results showed that the biochar-amended CWs removed NH4+-N significantly better (18.2–37.9%) than the gravel-only CWs (2.5–24.6%) but removed phosphorus (P) and COD less efficiently, and the feeding of SDS at 50 and 100 mg/L led to a notable decrease in N removal. TF not only notably improved the pollutant removal performance but also effectively eliminated SDS stress in the CWs (NH4+-N removal of 67.1–72.1%). Mean SDS removal efficiencies of 75.3–79.3% were obtained in the CWs. TF mode altered the microbial community structure and metabolic pattern and enhanced the abundance of functional bacteria related to N and P removal in the CWs. The bacterial community shifted considerably with SDS feeding, resulting in higher species diversity and more intensive co-occurrence network relationships. TF-CWs filled with composite substrates are highly feasible and promising for the treatment of SDS-containing greywater.

Moss from Sumbawa District, Indonesia

Abstract. Windadri FI. 2023. Moss from Sumbawa District, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 661-669. Plant diversity in the Lesser Sunda Islands has been widely studied, but it still needs to be carried out on Sumbawa Island. The study aimed to determine the diversity of moss species from the island, especially in the Sumbawa District. The exploration method was used in this research activity, that is conducting exploration, taking research samples and observing habitats at the research site. The distribution tracking was conducted to determine the status of each moss species from the research site. The results recorded 41 species of mosses from the research site in 24 genera and 14 families. Fissidentaceae is one of the moss families, had the highest species diversity in the study site, and was previously never reported from Sumbawa Island. In contrast, the common species was Tortula muralis. The study of moss species from the study site revealed that four species had been found in previous moss collections, namely Anoectangium aestivum, Neckeropsis lepineana, Pinnatella alopecuroides, and Octoblepharum albidum. Several mosses from the study site contributed to the moss diversity of Sumbawa Island as new records. The number of moss from the study site and as new records status is 37 species for Sumbawa Island, 18 species for Lesser Sunda Islands, and six species for Indonesia, respectively.

Bajocian–Bathonian dinoflagellate cyst assemblages from the Middle Atlas, Morocco: Palynostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental implications

The Bajocian–Bathonian transition has been identified for the first time in the Skoura syncline of the folded Middle Atlas of Morocco based on dinoflagellate cyst and palynofacies analysis of the Ich Timellaline/Bou Akrabene Formation carbonates. This palynological study involved 109 samples of marls and limestones whose organic content yielded diverse and well-preserved dinoflagellate cyst assemblages comprising 68 taxa including stratigraphic marker taxa. Two association biozones have been defined for the late Bajocian–early Bathonian interval. The Cribroperidinium crispum-Ctenidodinium cornigerum (CC/CC) biozone is defined between the base of the Recifa Formation (Upper Bajocian) and the Ich-Timellaline / Bou Akrabene Formation (Upper Bajocian–Lower Bathonian). The second association biozone of Ctenidodinium combazii and Dichadogonyaulax sellwoodii (CC/DS) corresponds to the upper interval of the FD section (top of the Ich-Timellaline / Bou Akrabene Formation and the base of the El Mers I Formation). These two biozones were correlated with the late Bajocian–early Bathonian biozones defined in the Sub-Boreal (northwest Europe), Tethyan, and Australian domains. Close similarity between the Moroccan Middle Atlas, the Tethyan, and the Sub-Boreal domain associations has been noted. Quantitative analysis of organic matter constituents has allowed the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the late Bajocian–early Bathonian. The organic residues of the studied samples recorded an increased land-derived phytoclasts dominance compared to amorphous organic matter and palynomorphs, indicating a proximal oxic shelf depositional environment with high terrestrial and freshwater influx during the late Bajocian–early Bathonian. During the Late Bajocian, the depositional environment corresponds to a proximal continental shelf with fluctuations from a distal to a marginal/stagnant environment.Below the Upper Bajocian–Lower Bathonian boundary, a significant marine incursion, or rather a transgression, is recorded in the studied sediments attested by an important marine fraction and dinoflagellate cysts abundance, which probably corresponds to the last Bajocian Maximum flooding surface (MFS).During the early Bathonian, the depositional environment evolved towards a distal continental shelf with an increasing marine fraction including dinoflagellate cysts and high species diversity. This may be related to the rising sea level which corresponds to the first Bathonian eustatic elevation. The proximal /marginal conditions are restored at the uppermost part of the section.

Geographic distribution and climatic niche comparison between diploid and polyploid cytotypes of a South American genus Lessingianthus H.Rob. (Vernonieae, Asteraceae)

The distribution of ploidy levels and their ecological associations were studied using the genus Lessingianthus (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) as a model system. This genus is very complex from a cytogenetic point of view, with high cytotype diversity at the interspecific and intraspecific levels and with a continuous distribution throughout South America. So far, no previous studies have summarized chromosome count data for Lessingianthus or addressed the cytogeography of the genus. In this study, the ploidy levels of Lessingianthus species were determined by chromosome counts during mitosis and ecological niche modelling (ENM) was used to compare the environmental associations of the diploid and polyploid cytotypes. In total, 28 chromosome counts and six ploidy levels (2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 10x, and 11x) were recorded. Among these counts, the chromosome numbers for three hexaploids with 2 n = 96 (L. parvifolius, L. vepretorum and L. “bolivianensis” sp. ined.) and one decaploid taxon with 2 n = 160 (L. roseus) were reported for the first time. In addition, a new cytotype for L. laniferus (2 n = 6x = 96) was also reported. The cytogeographic analysis resulted in detecting two geographic zones with high diversity of cytotypes and species. The ENMs showed that the areas of climatic suitability of diploids and polyploids are similar in extent, as well as the climatic requirements, showing high values of niche overlap within the environmental space. Our findings suggested that polyploidization in Lessingianthus has not caused expansion to novel environmental conditions and phylogenetic niche conservatism (PNC) may explain the lack of niche differentiation between diploids and polyploids.

Genetic diversity and population histories of two species of Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae) from northwestern Mexico

The northwestern Mexican Baja California state is an ecologically unique area being the only part of the country with a Mediterranean ecosystem and a high species diversity and endemism for many groups. Studies on the biodiversity of the region are scarce, especially regarding ecologically important groups such as terrestrial arthropods. Even scarcer are studies on another important aspect of diversity, namely genetic diversity. Due to the paucity of information, the genetic diversity and population histories of the 2 most abundant species of Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae) of the region are presented, based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA data. Phidippus johnsoni, the more widespread of the 2, belonged to 1 large, panmictic population in Baja California, while P. phoenix was divided into 2 populations. Both species have high genetic diversity and estimated large population sizes, which increased during the last 150,000 years for P. johnsoni, and the last 30,000 years, after the Last Glacial Maximum for P. phoenix. This study, therefore, reinforces the importance of this area, not only for its species diversity but also for the genetic diversity found within the populations, which reflects ecological stability during the Pleistocene, allowing for the accumulation of genetic diversity through time.

Quantification of ferry traffic in the Canary Islands (Spain) and its implications for collisions with cetaceans

The Canary Islands, known for their high cetacean species diversity, have witnessed a rapid expansion of fast ferry traffic during the past few years. At the same time, ship strikes have been repeatedly documented. In this paper an overview of the inter-island ferry traffic in the archipelago is given. Ferry types in use (normal, fast and high speed vessels) are described, and the transects on which they operate are identified. To quantify the extent of the inter-island ferry traffic, three parameters were determined: (1) the actual transects from the different ports on the islands; (2) the number of journeys made per week on each transect; and (3) the length of each transect. Resulting numbers indicate that normal ferries travel approx. 66,000km, fast ferries travel approx. 570,000km and high speed ferries travel approx. 845,000km between islands each year. Fast and high speed ferry traffic is concentrated in the western islands. Areas of high risk for ship strikes within the archipelago are identified by comparing the location of transects with known areas of high cetacean abundance. It is argued that the Canary Islands are a hot spot for vessel-whale collisions and that a policy to counteract this situation is urgently needed.

Increasing numbers of ship strikes in the Canary Islands: proposals for immediate action to reduce risk of vessel-whale collisions

The Canary Islands, known for their extraordinarily high cetacean species diversity, have witnessed a rapid expansion in fast and high speed ferry traffic during the past few years. At the same time, ship strikes have been increasingly reported. 556 cetacean carcasses, found ashore, or reported, in the Canary Islands between 1991 and 2007, were examined. 59 strandings (10.6%) were found to involve vessel-whale collisions, the great majority of strandings (58%) occurred on Tenerife. Species most affected were sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus, n = 24, 41%), pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps, n = 10, 17%), Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris, n = 7, 12%), short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus, n = 6, 10%) and at least three baleen whale species (n = 9, 15%). Twenty six animals (44%, n = 42) were either calves or juveniles, and one was a newborn. The temporal distribution of strandings indicates that lethal strikes have increased in recent years. Most ship strikes, assumingly by large and fast moving vessels, probably resulted in the death of the animals, as indicated by severe injuries such as huge slashes, cuts, broken vertebrae or animals separated into halves. Given these numbers and the widely accepted fact that only a portion of ship strikes will be recorded due to under-reporting and carcasses drifting away or sinking, ship strikes appear to be a major threat to cetaceans in the Canary Islands, especially to sperm whales. Moreover, the issue is a matter of human safety, as crew and passengers are at risk of being harmed, too. In this situation, a number of measures to mitigate the risk of ship strikes are recommended as a matter of high priority. These include the placement of dedicated look-outs on fast moving vessels, the shift of ferry transects where feasible, a speed limitation for local high-risk areas where cetacean abundance is notably high, the introduction of an obligatory reporting system of vessel-whale collisions and the conduction of detailed studies dealing with this pressing issue.

Effects of the Density of Invasive Lantana camara Plants on the Biodiversity of Large and Small Mammals in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve (GNR) in South Africa

Multi-scale approaches have been used to determine scales at which mammal species are responding to habitat destruction due to invasion, but the impacts of weeds on mammals have not been extensively studied, especially in Africa. Inside the Groenkloof Nature Reserve (GNR), we assessed how mammals are affected by an invasive weed Lantana camara. A series of models were applied to determine the differences in species abundance as well as richness, separated for large and small mammals. When diversity indices were used, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed no statistically significant difference between treatments (F5 = 0.233, p = 0.945) for large mammals. The results of a Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) showed that vegetation type (Wald χ22 = 120.156; p < 0.01) and foraging guilds (Wald χ23 = 76.771; p < 0.01) were significant predictors of large mammal species richness. However, for small mammals, the results of a GLMM showed that only treatment type (Wald χ25 = 10.62; p = 0.050) was a significant predictor of the number of small mammals trapped. In addition, the ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in species diversity between treatments (F5 = 0.934; p < 0.001) and by season (F1 = 9.122 p = 0.003) for small mammals. The presence of L. camara coupled with other predictors was associated with differences in large mammal abundances and diversity, and differences in how these large mammals were distributed across the landscape. Furthermore, the highest species diversity was found in the spring for small mammals. Therefore, for all the mammals studied, the presence of L. camara negatively affected species abundance, richness, and diversity, as well as how these species were distributed across the invaded and cleared areas.

Plant Species Composition and Conservation Values at Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden, Dilla, Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a diverse topography with higher plant species composition and estimated to the higher proportion of endemic plant species. Currently, several factors drive natural forest destruction in the country, extensive agricultural land expansion triggered by increasing human population is probably the dominant force. The Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden was established targeting to rescue threatened flora from extinction, contribute towards conservation, and research on biodiversity and sustainable education as well as ecotourism development. The study was aimed to generate basic scientific information by identifying and documenting the formerly available plant species in to the garden and provide information for farther plant collection planning and research. Systematic sampling method was used to collect the vegetation data from 52 plots of 20 m × 20 m (400 m2) quadrats. To collect data for herbaceous plants, five 1 m × 1 m subplots were laid in each of the main plot, where four were at the corners and one at the centre. Vegetation classification was performed using R-programme version 3.6.1 software packages. Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index was used to calculate species diversity, richness, and evenness. A total of 408 plant species, including trees (30%), shrubs (25%), herb (30%), grass (6%), and 9% of other species, were collected. The identified species belong to 287 genera and 105 families. Out of this, 27 species of plants are endemic to Ethiopia and 72 plant species were screened as a medicinal plant used for the treatment of human diseases. Based on IUCN Red Data List, among the endemic plant species nineteen species were least concern; two were near threatened; two were endangered while four were vulnerable. Three vegetation community types were identified from the hierarchical clustering analysis. The result designates that Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden has high plant species composition and diversity with a good distribution. The higher composition of this ecologically, economically, and socially important plant species at its early stage makes the garden a unique garden in the country and realize to be a centre for research, education, and tourist destination.

Zoo studies in primate physiology, health, and welfare.

Researchers have been studying primates in zoos for more than half a century. There are numerous benefits to conducting research with zoo collections, such as access to a variety of species, ease of sample collection, and the potential to manipulate some research variables. While much of the primate research conducted in zoos is behavioral, there also is a tradition of research focused on reproduction and endocrinology, especially in North America. The contributions to this special issue exemplify how this tradition continues today through a collection of articles on basic and applied research on reproduction and using physiological measures of health and welfare that could be beneficial across primate taxa. As is the case for primatological research in zoos more broadly, the articles in this special issue reflect a taxonomic bias for great apes despite the high species diversity found across zoo collections. Given this bias as well as the threat of extinction faced by many species, there remains a pressing need to increase primatology in zoos through research dedicated to both conservation in the wild and wellbeing in human care.

The Effectiveness of Molecular, Karyotype and Morphological Methods in the Identification of Morphologically Conservative Sibling Species: An Integrative Taxonomic Case of the Crocidura attenuata Species Complex in Mainland China

The conservation of morphology has resulted in considerable issues in the taxonomy of small mammals, especially for the identification of sibling species. Moreover, it is often difficult to completely solve such taxonomic problems by relying only on a single research method. The genus Crocidura is one of the genera with a conservative morphology and high species diversity. Among them, Crocidura attenuata has been considered in the field as the most widely distributed and common species. In fact, it is a species complex containing multiple species, and the classification and distribution of this species is controversial. In this study, the species and distribution of the Crocidura attenuata species complex experienced an integrated revision using three different levels of research methods: molecular, karyotype and morphology. The results show that (1) the C. attenuata species complex contains four known species (C. attenuata, C. tanakae, C. anhuiensis and C. dongyangjiangensis) and a cryptic species distributed in Guangxi, which may be the same undescribed species as the "C. attenuata" distributed in Vietnam. (2) C. attenuata is only distributed around the Sichuan Basin, C. tanakae is the most widely distributed throughout Southern China, and C. anhuiensis and C. dongyangjiangensis are almost sympatric in Southeast China. Furthermore, (3) although the molecular method lacks a unified threshold for species classification, it can rapidly and effectively identify the species of the C. attenuata species complex. Although karyotype and morphology methods cannot completely solve the species classification issues in respect of the C. attenuata species complex, they can provide supplemental information for taxonomic purposes. Therefore, the integrated taxonomic method can present the advantages of different methodological levels, and will provide further evidence for the taxonomy of sibling species with a conservative morphology.

Diverse DNA virus genomes identified in fecal samples of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) captured in Chiricahua Mountains of southeast Arizona (USA)

Bats (order Chiroptera) are some of the most abundant mammals on earth and their species ecology strongly influences zoonotic potential. While substantial research has been conducted on bat-associated viruses, particularly on those that can cause disease in humans and/or livestock, globally, limited research has focused on endemic bats in the USA. The southwest region of the US is of particular interest because of its high diversity of bat species. We identified 39 single-stranded DNA virus genomes in the feces of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) sampled in the Rucker Canyon (Chiricahua Mountains) of southeast Arizona (USA). Twenty-eight of these belong to the virus families Circoviridae (n = 6), Genomoviridae (n = 17), and Microviridae (n = 5). Eleven viruses cluster with other unclassified cressdnaviruses. Most of the viruses identified represent new species. Further research on identification of novel bat-associated cressdnaviruses and microviruses is needed to provide greater insights regarding their co-evolution and ecology relative to bats.

Vegetation composition, diversity, stand structure and carbon stock of a dry evergreen montane forest of Lendikinya forest reserve in Tanzania

Abstract. Mwaluseke ML, Mwakalukwa EE, Maliondo SMS. 2023. Vegetation composition, diversity, stand structure and carbon stock of a dry evergreen montane forest of Lendikinya forest reserve in Tanzania. Biodiversitas 24: 551-562. There is limited information on woody plant diversity and vegetation patterns in African dry forests, particularly in East Africa, and hence increasing the interests in understanding species composition, diversity, and structural attributes of catchment forest reserves found in Tanzania. Moreover, tree species composition, species richness, and carbon stock are not well documented in most montane forests in the region, apart from Ethiopia. Their potential in terms of carbon storage is also important for understanding their productivity and the extent to which they can be used in mitigating the effects of climate change. This study assessed vegetation composition and diversity, stand structure and potential carbon stocks of Lendikinya Forest Reserve, a dry evergreen montane forest located in Monduli District in Tanzania. A total of 56 concentric circular plots with subplots of 2 m, 5 m, 10 m, 15 m and 20 m radii were used to collect woody species data on standing trees and stumps across the entire forest of 3,689 ha. A total of 79 species belonging to 36 families were identified. Drypetes natalensis (9.2%), Diospyros abyssinica (7.1%) and Dombeya rotundifolia (6.5%) were the most important species as per the Importance Value Index (IVI). The diversity indices have indicated the forest reserve to have a high diversity of woody species. Stand structure comprises 1,398 ± 679 stems ha-1, basal area of 11.42 ± 5.41 m2ha-1and standing volume of 54.47 ± 24.1 m3ha-1 while the mean carbon stocks were 16.04 ± 7.7 t C ha-1. The alarming disturbances stress the urgent need for increased conservation efforts in order to protect the existing biodiversity and increase carbon storage and enhance water conservation in the reserve.

Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Dalbergia melanoxylon Dominated Zones in Mitarure Forest Reserve in Kilwa District

The study was designed to assess the plant species composition and diversity in the Dalbergia melanoxylon dominated zone in Mitarure Forest Reserve and the nearby community forests particularly Ngea and Nambawala in Kilwa District, Tanzania. Thirty (30) circular concentric plots were established in the forest reserve and fifteen (15) plots in each of the two-community forest and used to collect vegetation data. The plant species diversity was determined using Shannon-Wiener diversity index, evenness, richness and Simpson and their indices were compared using ANOVA. Plant species diversity and evenness assessed in Mitarure Forest Reserve did not differ significantly from those from community forests. However, the plant species diversity based on Simpson index and richness were significantly higher in the Mitarure Forest Reserve compared to those in community forests. A total of 56 plant species were recorded in Mitarure forest reserve, 39 plant species in Ngea forest and 36 plant species in Nambawala forest. Mitarure forest reserve and the nearby community forests have high plant species diversity with a good stand characteristic of a typical natural forest. However, with an intensive human disturbance, the tree species composition decreases that needs an intervention through local community involvement. This strategy may contribute in the future survival of species and the natural forests in Kilwa District. Data from this study stand as baseline information for the future monitoring of the performance of stands in the natural forest ecosystem in the Dalbergia melanoxylon-dominated zones in Kilwa District.

Three new species in Tetrastemma Ehrenberg, 1828 (Nemertea, Monostilifera) from sublittoral to upper bathyal zones of the northwestern Pacific.

Monostiliferous nemerteans in the genus Tetrastemma Ehrenberg, 1828 are generally characterized as having four eyes, and they occur worldwide, from the intertidal zone to the deep-sea bottom. Recent extensive sampling of Tetrastemma has explored the high species diversity, including many undescribed forms, but phylogenic analysis has revealed non-monophyly of the genus. We herein describe three new species of the genus (T.albumsp. nov., T.personasp. nov., and T.shohoensesp. nov.) from northwestern Pacific waters based on specimens collected by dredging or by use of a remotely operated vehicle at depths of 116-455 m. Since anatomical and histological characters traditionally used in systematics of the genus are sometimes interspecifically uniform, a histology-free approach is applied for the species descriptions in this study. To confirm the generic affiliation of the new species, a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and histone H3 genes was performed. Our result shows that all three new species are nested in a subclade formed by species from the North Pacific and American Atlantic, inferring that geographic distribution does not reflect the cladogenesis of Tetrastemma. Furthermore, two Tetrastemma species with a cylindrical stylet basis, T.freyaeChernyshev et al., 2020 from off the coast of India and Hawaii and T.shohoensesp. nov. from Shoho Seamount, Japan, constitute a clade in the resulting tree.

Distribution pattern of macroalgae community in Pecaron Beach, Kebumen Regency

Macroalgae have a high species diversity but are very susceptible to environmental changes or ecological pressures that can affect their existence. Pecaron Beach conditions have a substrate type of sand and coral fragments. This study aims to determine the pattern of macroalgae distribution in the waters of Pecaron Beach Kebumen. The research method uses a survey method with a purposive random sampling technique. Variables observed in this study are macroalgae distribution patterns. The observed parameters consist of the main parameters and supporting parameters. The main parameters consist of macroalgae biomass, while the supporting parameter consists of depth values at low tide, salinity, temperature, acidity degree (pH), wave height, phosphate levels, and nitrates of water. The data obtained were then analyzed for distribution patterns using calculated of the Morisita index. The results of the study on Pecaron Beach found 12 species, i. e. Valoniopsis pachynema, Chaetomorpha antenina, C. crassa, Ulva lactuca, U. rigida, U. fasciata, Chondracanthus harveyanus, Tricleocarpa fragilis, Gelidium rigidum, Palmaria palmata, Eucheuma spinosum, Callophyllis crispata, and Sargassum crassifolium, with distribution patterns at clustered species, with the highest distribution pattern values in Ulva lactuca, U. rigida, and U. fasciata species (12,000), and the lowest distribution pattern in Chondracanthus harveyanus (2,121).