Larvae Coleoptera Research Articles

An evaluation of the Tersilochinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) Fauna of Türkiye and the New Record of Aneuclis incidens (Thomson, 1889) for the Province of Bingöl (Karlıova)

The present study was undertaken to examine of the subfamily Tersilochinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in Türkiye. The Tersilochinae, one of the 47 subfamilies are a worldwide subfamily of the parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae. This subfamily, are koinobiont endoparasitoids of Coleoptera larvae, (although Symphyta larvae are recorded as hosts of one genus). Hosts include Curculionidae and Chrysomelidae so Tersilochinae are used for biological control. Tersilochinae species constituting the study were collected from parts of Türkiye between 1995-2022. At the same time, the study also added before 1995 literature information. 42 species from genera of Aneuclis, Barycnemis, Diaparsis (Diaparsis), Diaparsis (Nanodiaparsis), Gelanes, Heterocola (Heterocola), Heterocola (Heterocoloides), Phradis, Probles (Euporizon), Probles (Microdiaparpis), Probles (Probles), Tersilochus (Gonolochus) and Tersilochus (Tersilochus) have been identified from Türkiye so far. The study consist of 217 samples. Among these species, Heterocola (Heterocola) longipalpis Kolarov & Beyarslan is endemic for Türkiye at now. With this, Heterocola (Heterocola) nigrotibialis Horstmann and Kolarov, Tersilochus (Gonolochus) rugulosus Horstmann, Tersilochus (Gonolochus) nitens Horstmann & Kolarov and Tersilochus (Tersilochus) cognatus Holmgren are rare species for Türkiye. Again, Probles (Microdiaparpis) Horstmann is dense in terms of number samples, Phradis Förster and Tersilochus (Tersilochus) Holmgren are dense in terms of number species. Among the species determined, Probles (Microdiaparpis) anatolicus Horstmann, Aneuclis incidens (Thomson) and Barycnemis harpura (Schrank) were recorded the most abundant species in research areas. In addition to all this, species composition has created for each species and new location information of this subfamily has been added. Bingöl (Karlıova) provinces is the new locality for this subfamily.

Goal-directed behavior in Tenebrio molitor larvae

Can signs of intentional behavior be traced in an insect larva, traditionally thought to be driven only by mere reflexes? We trained Tenebrio molitor coleoptera larvae in a uniform Y-maze to prefer one target branch to get access to food, observing their ability to learn and retain access to the reward-associated side for up to 24 h. During reward devaluation, the reward food (experimental group) and a different food (control group) were paired with an aversive stimulus in a new environment. When tested again in the Y-maze, mealworms of the experimental group significantly reduced their visits to the target branch, whereas mealworms of the control group did not. Importantly, we found that the larvae did not have to experience the unpleasant consequences directly in the target branch to halt their behavior, as the exposure to the aversive taste occurred in a separate unfamiliar context. This is evidence that the mealworms formed a mental representation of action-consequence relationships, demonstrating flexible control of their actions to achieve desired outcomes at an early stage of their development.

How to store a beetle larva? Comparing temporal effects of common fluid preservation methods on color, shape, and DNA quality.

Proper fixing and long-term preservation of entomological evidence are essential in collections and research and crucial in applied fields such as forensic entomology. Incorrectly stored samples may lose important morphological features over time, rendering molecular analyses exceedingly difficult. The most effective method for preserving soft samples such as larvae is fluid preservation. It uses a combination of a wide range of fixatives and storage fluids. However, very little comparative work has been done to determine the effects of long-term storage on sample quality in terms of color, shape, and DNA stability. Moreover, the current golden standard in forensic entomology has been tailored for age estimation of larvae of Diptera, which differ from larvae of Coleoptera in morphology and subsequently in applied methods. We compared the effects of combinations of 6 commonly used fixatives and 6 commonly used storage fluids on midsized larvae of the forensically important beetle, Necrodes littoralis (Linnaeus, 1758), in terms of color, shape, and suitability for DNA analyses over a 2-yr period. We were looking for combinations that can preserve specimens in a satisfactory state, can be used on a regular basis, do not require advanced protection or skills of the personnel, and are not toxic or too harmful to the environment. We found not only several methods that scored significantly better in the tested parameters compared with the golden standard but also several common methods that should be avoided. The effects of agents on each tested category are discussed in detail.

Invasion of farmland hedgerows by non-native small mammals is associated with lower soil surface invertebrate diversity, abundance, body size and biomass

Small mammals in farmland hedgerows feed on soil surface invertebrates with non-native invasive species potentially affecting prey species and populations. We investigated terrestrial invertebrates using pitfall traps and leaf litter samples across four zones of invasion in Ireland: (1) native species only (wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus and pygmy shrew Sorex minutus), (2) natives plus the non-native bank vole (Myodes glareolus), (3) natives plus the non-native greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) and (4) natives plus both. After accounting for regional and local environmental variation, small mammal invasion was associated with lower invertebrate species richness (9–39% lower than uninvaded zones), reduced abundance (18–56% lower), shorter arthropod body length (24–52% shorter) and lower arthropod biomass (63–89% lower). Negative effects were observed on a wide range of disparate functional groups spanning phytophagous, detritivorus, zoophagous and omnivorous taxa including: the Staphylinidae, Carabidae and Coleoptera larvae, Isopoda, Diplopoda, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Pulmonata and Acari. The greater white-toothed shrew had greater negative effects than the bank vole with presence of both having greater effects than either alone though the majority of their combined effects were largely attributable to the former. The bank vole may mitigate some of the negative effects of the greater white-toothed shrew on invertebrate abundance perhaps indicating of some form of trophic interaction. Predation of detritivores and large invertebrate predators may impact farmland ecosystem service delivery i.e. nutrient cycling and pest biocontrol. Hedgerow biodiversity loss may induce indirect trophic cascades negatively impacting other taxa including farmland birds.

Presence of the European bone-skipper fly Thyreophora cynophila (Panzer, 1798) (Diptera: Piophilidae) larvae in the cerebral cavity of large mammals and report of different insect larvae living inside mammal bones

Summary The iconic fly Thyreophora cynophila has long attracted the interest of entomologists but, despite its re-discovery in Spain and France, its biology is still poorly known. The larvae and puparium have been described in detail but their feeding habits on large carcasses remain largely unknown. Here, we took advantage of a carrion pile containing the remains of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) as well as of two cow (Bos taurus) carcasses to search for T. cynophila larvae inside the bones and skulls. We document the occurrence of T. cynophila inside the cerebral cavity of dead animals, containing the brain. From the carrion pile, out of seven skulls, T. cynophila larvae could be found in five of them, and identified on the basis of their size, the shape and arrangement of the ventral tubercles, prothoracic spiracle and cephalopharyngeal skeleton. In contrast, no T. cynophila larvae could be found inside the nine bones we inspected. From the cow carcasses, no T. cynophila larvae could be found in the bones but one larva was found inside the cerebral cavity of one cow. In addition, other Diptera and Coleoptera larvae were found inside the bones.

Residues of pesticides in dairy cow rations and fly treatments reduce the number of Coleoptera in dung

There is a global pattern of a decline in insect abundance and diversity. The presence of residues of pesticides in animal feed and fly treatments results in polluted animal dung, which may hamper the survival of insects feeding and breeding in and on dung. To study the route from pesticide contamination in the feed and the dung to insect survival in dung pats, two experiments were performed. In Experiment 1, the feed and dung of dairy cows were collected on eight Dutch dairy farms (six conventional, two organic). All the feeds in the ration as well as the dung were analysed for the presence of pesticides. In Experiment 2, dung was collected from a herd of dairy cows and was spiked with four concentrations of deltamethrin. In both experiments, a field experiment was implemented with artificial dung pats of 2 kg of fresh dung. The dung pats were retrieved after 7 and 14 days (Experiment 1), or 7, 14, 21, and 35 days (Experiment 2), and invertebrates in the dung were counted. A total of 70 pesticides were detected in the different types of feed of the eight farms. The concentration of pesticides in the dung was on average 423 µg kg−1 DM (range of 112–1980 µg kg−1 DM). In Experiment 1, the number of Coleoptera present in dung was negatively correlated with the pesticide concentration, and more Coleoptera were present in the dung of organic farms (23.7 on organic farms vs. 11.4 Coleoptera on conventional farms, per 500 g freshly deposited dung). In Experiment 2, the dung which was not spiked with deltamethrin contained more than twice as many Coleoptera larvae and adults (5.6 Coleoptera per 500 g freshly deposited dung on treatment without deltamethrin vs. 2.2 with highest concentration of deltamethrin). We conclude that pesticides are widely present in feed for dairy cows and that a number of these pesticides are transferred to dung. The pesticides have a negative effect on the number of Coleoptera and as a consequence may also affect ecosystem services such as the disappearance of dung pats and the presence of insects in dung pats as feed for farm birds or bats.

Description of the Diapriidae Family (Insecta: Diptera)

Diapriidae are commonly found in moist and shady habitats, where they can be very diverse; despite its abundance, little is known about its biology. The basal diapriids, Belytinae and Ambositrinae are probably parasitoids of larvae or pupae of Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae (Diptera). Diapriinae are mostly Diptera parasitoids (Brachycera and Cyclorrhapha), some species parasitize staphylinid and scarab (Coleoptera) larvae others are associated with Formicidae (or with dipterans associated with ants. Some species of Diapriidae were used in biological control programs for dipterans. The purpose of this article is to obtain description of the Family (Insecta: Hymenoptera). In this article, the bionomy of the Diapriidae Family will be studied. To this end, a bibliographic survey of Ichneumonidae was carried out in the years 1940 to 2021. Only complete articles published in scientific journals and expanded abstracts presented at national and international scientific events, Doctoral Thesis and Master's Dissertation were considered. Data were also obtained from platforms such as: Academia.edu, Frontiers, Qeios, Pubmed, Biological Abstract, Publons, Dialnet, World, Wide Science, Springer, RefSeek, Microsoft Academic, Science and ERIC.

The Ecotoxicity Approach as a Tool for Assessing Vermiremediation Effectiveness in Polychlorobiphenyls, Polychlorodibenzo-p-Dioxins and Furans Contaminated Soils

Chemical analyses are inadequate for assessing soil biological quality. Instead, the soil living community can be used both for monitoring and restoring soil health. The aim of this research was to verify vermiremediation efficiency in PCDD/F and PCB contaminated soils from Brescia-Caffaro (Italy), using an ecotoxicity approach. To gauge whether Caffaro soil could sustain a living community, a characterization of the arthropod community was conducted. Earthworms’ suitability for soil bioremediation was assessed applying ecotoxicity tests. Five treatments were set up: 1) contaminated soil; 2) contaminated soil + Eisenia fetida; 3) contaminated soil + Lepidium sativum; 4) contaminated soil + E. fetida + L. sativum, 5) uncontaminated soil + E. fetida. The ecotoxicity tests were: L. sativum germination index and root elongation inhibition, and Folsomia candida survival and reproduction, applied on soil and elutriate on: starter soil (T0), after 56 and 112 days (T56 and T112), the last after water percolation. Soil arthropod community was dominated by Hypogastruridae, Oribatida and, to a lesser degree, Formicidae and Coleoptera larvae. Ecotoxicity tests showed that F. candida reproduction and L. sativum root elongation were more adversely affected by pollutants than survival and germination. The higher soil ecotoxicity at T112 than at T56, suggested higher contaminant bioavailability after water addition. F. candida showed more variability between soil and elutriate than L. sativum. Both bioassays suggested earthworm treatment as the most promising. The importance of selecting different organisms in soil ecotoxicity monitoring, and the role of elutriate like a solid phase complement, was highlighted.

Effects of Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Cysteine on the Structure of Sip Proteins.

Bacillus thuringiensis, a gram-positive bacteria, has three insecticidal proteins: Vip (vegetative insecticidal protein), Cry (crystal), and Sip (secreted insecticidal protein). Of the three, Sip proteins have insecticidal activity against larvae of Coleoptera. However, the Sip1Aa protein has little solubility in the supernatant because of inclusion bodies. This makes it more difficult to study, and thus research on Sip proteins is limited, which hinders the study of their mechanistic functions and insecticidal mechanisms. This highlights the importance of further investigation of the Sip1Aa protein. Disulfide bonds play an important role in the stability and function of proteins. Here, we successfully constructed mutant proteins with high insecticidal activity. The tertiary structure of the Sip1Aa protein was analyzed with homologous modeling and bioinformatics to predict the conserved domain of the protein. Cysteine was used to replace amino acids via site-directed mutagenesis. We successfully constructed Sip149-251, Sip153-248, Sip158-243, and Sip178-314 mutant proteins with higher solubility than Sip1Aa. Sip153-248 and Sip158-243 were the most stable compared to Sip1Aa, followed by Sip149-251 and Sip178-314. The insecticidal activity of Sip153-248 (Sip158-243) was 2.76 (2.26) times higher than that of Sip1Aa. The insecticidal activity of Sip149-251 and Sip178-314 did not differ significantly from that of Sip1Aa. Basic structural properties, physicochemical properties, and the spatial structure of the mutation site of Sip1Aa and the mutant proteins were analyzed. These results provide a molecular basis for using Sip1Aa to control Coleopteran insects and contribute to the study of the Sip1Aa insecticidal mechanism.

Metabarcoding of canopy arthropods reveals negative impacts of forestry insecticides on community structure across multiple taxa

Abstract Insecticides used to combat outbreaks of forest defoliators can adversely affect non‐target arthropods. Forestry insecticides typically suppress Lepidoptera larvae which are the cornerstone of the canopy community of deciduous oak forests. The abrupt removal of this dominant component of the food web could have far‐reaching implications for forest ecosystems, yet it is rarely investigated in practice owing to several methodological shortcomings. The taxonomic impediment and the biased nature of arthropod sampling techniques particularly impede the assessment of insecticide impacts on diverse communities. To tackle this issue, we propose an experimental approach combining sampling by pyrethrum knockdown and species determination via DNA metabarcoding, using community subsampling to derive estimates of species abundances. We applied this protocol to investigate the short‐term effects of the insecticides diflubenzuron (DFB) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (BTK) on canopy‐dwelling arthropod communities in German oak woodlands. Our approach allowed us to detect most of the diversity and integrate species abundances in our analyses. By classifying arthropod species into assemblages based on their expected sensitivity rather than coarse taxonomic groupings, we could unveil substantial effects of DFB across multiple taxa 5 weeks after application. Although strong effects on single species appear related to direct toxicity, substantial impacts of DFB on parasitoids and xylophagous beetles suggest that anti‐defoliator treatments can have previously unsuspected indirect effects on some components of forest arthropod communities. The impacts of BTK on community structure were consistent with that of DFB though much weaker. Synthesis and applications. Comparing diversity patterns in the arthropod communities of sprayed and unsprayed oak canopies, our results show that selective insecticides can alter species diversity in presumably non‐sensitive taxa. Even though the ecological significance of these impacts has yet to be assessed in an operational setting, their existence calls for increased regulatory scrutiny on indirect effects. As community approaches become more attainable with the rapid development of DNA metabarcoding, we suggest the inclusion of community‐level end points as regulatory requirements for the approval of forest‐use insecticides.

The eggs and nymphs of predatory stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae): what do we know?

The Asopinae are known for their predatory behavior, differing from the phytophagous habits of most pentatomoids, feeding mostly on soft body insects such as larvae of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. For this reason, asopines have been studied as biological controllers in integrated pest management programs. Notwithstanding their clear relevance, the general knowledge about Asopinae has important gaps, especially regarding immature. Thus, the importance of studying eggs and nymphs of true bugs (Heteroptera) is evident, contributing to understand their classification, biology, and evolution. In this perspective, we conducted a research about immature of predatory stink bugs, highlighting critical features for identification. We present: (1) a literature overview about eggs and nymphs of predatory stink bugs guided by selected categories; (2) images of females laying eggs of ten species and nymphs of thirty-four species, obtained on websites with a citizen science approach; (3) a comparative morphology of immature of six species reared under laboratory conditions, which we examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. We found a remarkable morphological diversity of both eggs and nymphs of Asopinae, revealing key features to establish diagnoses for identification and potential characters to phylogenetics, such as the aero-micropylar processes and chorion scultpturing of the eggs; and the coloration, labium and abdominal plates morphology of nymphs. The results show that little is known about Asopinae immature considering the diversity of the group; however, information obtained by citizen science initiatives, for instance, can improve this knowledge.

Effects of soil meso- and micro-fauna on litter decomposition under nitrogen deposition and rainfall changes

Soil fauna are important regulators of litter decomposition and nutrient transformation. Nitrogen deposition and rainfall changes driven by global changes could affect litter decomposition by changing environment and soil faunal community. Different mesh size (2 mm and 0.01 mm) litter bags were used to explore how soil meso- and micro-fauna contribute to decomposition of Stipa breviflora litter under nitrogen deposition and rainfall changes. The experiment followed split-plot design, with rainfall change (natural rainfall, CK; rainfall addition 30%, W; rainfall reduction 30%, R) as the main trement and nitrogen addition (0, N0; 30, N30; 50, N50; 100 kg·hm-2·a-1, N100) as the sub-treatment. The results showed that: 1) Rainfall change significantly affected litter decomposition rate, which was increased by rainfall addition. Moreover, litter decomposition rate was accelerated with increasing nitrogen addition rates. Litter residual rate decreased gradually with increasing N addition, and got to the highest in N100. Litter decomposition rate decreased first and then increased, and peaked in N50 in rain reduction and natural rainfall treatment. There was no significant interactions between rainfall change and nitrogen addition in affecting litter decomposition. 2) During the whole decomposition process, a total of 1577 soil meso- and micro-fauna were captured, belonged to 1 phyla, 3 classes, 13 orders (including suborders) and 49 families. The dominant groups were Acarina, Coleoptera larvae, and Collembola. Nitrogen addition significantly increased abundance and group numbers of soil meso- and micro-fauna. 3) The litter mass residue rate was significantly negatively correlated with abundance and group numbers of soil meso- and micro-fauna. The contribution rate of soil meso- and micro-fauna to litter decomposition increased with increasing rainfall. In summary, soil meso- and micro-fauna had a positive effect on decomposition of Stipa breviflora litter in desert steppe. Their contribution to litter was promoted by the enhancement of soil mesofauna abundance and group under rainfall and nitrogen addition. Excessive nitrogen would inhibit soil meso- and micro-fauna community and group density when water was insufficient, and would thus weaken the function of soil mesofauna to litter decomposition.

Blister beetle bites: a case report

Contacts with insects of the order coleoptera of the families Meloidae and Oedemeridae, in particular the bites of the abscess beetle, lead to acantholysis and the formation of intraepidermal blisters, as well as nonspecific skin damage. The family Meloidae (true abscess beetles) are distributed almost everywhere, with the exception of the territories of New Zealand, Antarctica and the Polynesian islands.
 Insect species of the Meloidea family have a unique life cycle. Meloidae females lay eggs not only on coleoptera larvae, but also on any other insects, such as crickets, mantises, wasps, bees, on which their metamorphosis continues in the future. Populations of abscess beetles number a large number of individuals, which increases the risk of their meeting with humans. These species have a highly toxic colorless and odorless poison of non-protein nature ― cantharidin.
 There is a rare clinical case of an abscess beetle bite. The debut of the disease occurred at the time of the patients trip to the island of Goa (India), where he noted insect bites with the appearance of the first blistering rashes and further progression of the skin process. The primary diagnosis was complicated by nonspecific changes detected during the pathomorphological examination of the skin, in the form of subacute dermatitis without classical manifestations of acantholysis with intradermal blisters due to delayed biopsy appointment. Against the background of ongoing treatment (prednisone; corrective therapy with potassium, magnesium, calcium, gastroprotectors; antibiotics; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antimycotic drugs; combined topical glucocorticoids; a course of systemic autohemoozonotherapy) from the skin process, positive dynamics was noted in the form of relief of inflammatory phenomena, partial epithelization of wound defects.
 Secondary infection of rashes, accompanied, as in this case, by abscessing, is often found with bites of various insect families: cases up to the development of necrotic fasciitis with a fatal outcome are described.
 The described case is of clinical, scientific and epidemiological interest due to the isolated publications on this nosology and the complexity of diagnosis. Knowledge of the clinical picture of the disease will allow practitioners to develop tactics for managing patients with timely selection of effective therapy.

Food resource partitioning between juvenile and mature weatherfish Misgurnus fossilis.

This study represents a description of the diet composition of one of the largest European cobitids, the weatherfish Misgurnus fossilis. Specimens were collected in a drainage canal, representing a typical habitat for weatherfish, and with gut content analysis conducted with regard to individual total length and maturity stage. Overall, the weatherfish diet mainly consisted of Copepoda, Cladocera, Ostracoda, Oligochaeta, Asellus aquaticus, Chironomidae and Coleoptera larvae, Gastropoda, and detritus. To evaluate size‐related patterns of resource use, fish were assigned to two size classes, defined according to size at first maturation. ANOSIM analyses revealed major ontogenetic shifts in feeding strategy, which were related to size and maturity, with a significant ontogenetic shift in feeding pattern, marked by differences in the proportions of the main taxonomic groups of prey consumed. Copepoda and Cladocera dominated in the diet of small and immature individuals, while large weatherfish primarily fed on detritus. Similarly, cluster analysis of diet classified into these food types showed distinct two groups comprising juvenile and mature fish. The weatherfish is a food opportunist using all available resources, but spatially showed a change in feeding sites. Smaller and sexually immature individuals more often use prey caught in the water column and among macrophytes, while larger (sexually mature) individuals occupying the bottom, much more often use detritus as a food base.

ĐẶC ĐIỂM HÌNH THÁI VÀ SINH HỌC PHÂN TỬ CÁC CHỦNG NẤM ISARIA TẠI VƯỜN QUỐC GIA XUÂN SƠN VÀ KHU BẢO TỒN THIÊN NHIÊN COPIA

The fungal genus Isaria includes important entomopathogenic species, which account for a large number of species of the Cordycipitaceae. Currently, Isaria species have been found in all continents of the Earth with 284 species described but 72 species were widely accepted, and with many applications in pharmacy and agriculture. There have been 11 Isaria species recorded in Vietnam. In our study at Copia Nature Reserve, Son La province and Xuan Son National Park, Phu Tho province, 51 fungal samples were collected on Lepidoptera and Coleoptera larvae, of which 5 fungal samples belonged to the Isaria genus. Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, the samples were identified to Isaria cicadae, I. fumosorosea, I. tenuipes and I. amoene-rosea. Further studies are needed to clarify Isaria sp. XS97 identification.

Responses of soil insect communities to alpine wetland degradation on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China

The wetlands on Earth are under different levels of degradation, and over half of them have even been lost during the 20th century. However, the response of soil insect communities to alpine wetland degradation is unknown, particularly in the Zoigê wetland, which spanning northern Sichuan, southern Gansu and Qinghai Provinces of China. Four habitats, including wet meadows, grassland meadows, moderately degraded meadows and severely degraded meadows, were selected in the Zoigê wetland, and the soil insect communities, plant communities and soil properties were investigated from April 2009 to October 2011. Diptera larvae and Coleoptera were the most abundant taxa. The soil insect taxonomic composition in the severely degraded meadows was clearly different from these of the others. The soil insect abundance significantly increased in the grassland meadows and declined in the severely degraded meadows. Similar response was found for the abundance of the Diptera larvae. The taxonomic richness and diversity of the soil insect community declined significantly in the severely degraded meadows, as well as the abundances of Coleoptera larvae and adults. The plant community and soil physicochemical properties together determined the spatial distributions of the soil insect communities, and the available soil P and K and vegetation height were the main factors that determined the abundances and diversities of the soil insect communities. Our observations demonstrated that the soil insect communities were sensitive to alpine wetland degradation, which suggests that there are drastic changes in ecological function during wetland degradation.

Community characteristics and distribution patterns of soil fauna after vegetation restoration in the northern Loess Plateau

The relationship between soil fauna and vegetation diversity has been of continuous concern. The effects of the “Grain-for-Green” program on the Loess Plateau in maintaining the abundance and diversity of soil fauna are poorly understood. This study assessed the spatial influence of five common artificial restoration habitats, Populus simonii, Pinus tabulaeformis, Caragana korshinskii, Medicago sativa, and Stipa bungeana, and one farmland habitat on the characteristics of soil fauna communities. Results showed that six soil fauna groups (Araneae, Acarina, Collembola, Isoptera, Coleoptera larvae, and Coleoptera adults) were shared among these habitats, accounting for 37.5% of the total number of groups. Acarina was the dominant group in each habitat. The soil fauna abundance in the P. tabulaeformis habitat was the highest among the habitats, reaching 7656 ind m−2. S. bungeana had the highest diversity, richness, and evenness indices of soil fauna among the habitats. Furthermore, a remarkable correlation among main soil properties (water content, organic carbon, and available potassium), litter properties (vegetation coverage, vegetation density, and litter thickness), and soil fauna were observed. The differences in microenvironment among the six habitats had a strong influence on the composition of soil fauna communities. Compared with other habitats, the S. bungeana habitat is more conducive to the protection of biodiversity. Vegetation restoration increases the diversity of soil fauna by improving their living environment, and soil fauna communities can be used as assessment indicators for “vegetation restoration benefits.” These findings help reveal the developmental tendencies of soil fauna during vegetation restoration in the Loess Plateau, and provide important support for evaluating environmental quality by soil fauna.

Soil Macroinvertebrate Distribution Along a Subalpine Land Use Transect

Little is known about the complex processes within the soil ecosystem and especially about soil animals and their role in supporting and sustaining ecosystem functioning in alpine soils. Currently, environmental and socioeconomic changes, such as climate change and the cessation of traditional cultivation, are influencing mountain ecosystems. Epi- and endogeic animals play an essential role in litter decomposition, humus formation, and pedogenesis and in improving resistance to natural hazards. Therefore, knowledge about the diversity of soil macroinvertebrates is of immediate importance. To test the effect of different management techniques on soil macroinvertebrates, we took 144 soil monoliths from 4 different land use types (with 3 replicates each) in a subalpine area. The land use types were (1) extensively grazed dry pastures, (2) intensively used hay meadows, (3) larch forests, and (4) spruce forests. All sites were comparable in terms of bedrock and exposition. Additionally, we measured pH, organic matter content, and C and N content, as well as soil temperature and soil moisture. We found the highest abundances of macroinvertebrates on the intensively used hay meadows, followed by larch forests, spruce forests, and dry pastures. Diptera larvae and Lumbricidae were predominant in hay meadows, while we found the highest number of Coleoptera larvae, Araneae, and Symphyla in larch forests. In comparison to the other land use types, the dry pastures harbored the most Gastropoda individuals. No unique taxa were observed in the spruce forests. At species level, larch forests had the highest number of species (73), followed by hay meadows (44), spruce forests (42), and dry pasture (36). Despite showing lower biodiversity, we found more rare and specialist species in the extensive dry pastures compared to the more generalist species assemblages in the other habitats, supporting the high conservation value of extensively managed alpine landscapes.

Determination of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Fauna and Some Physicochemical Properties of Kanak Dam Lake (Şarkışla–Sivas)

This paper aims to identify the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna and some physicochemical characteristics of Kanak Dam Lake located in Sarkisla, Sivas. For this, water and sediment samples were taken from 4 stations of the lake between August 2016 to July 2017 at monthly intervals, and a detailed physicochemical analysis was carried out on these samples. While the identification of benthic macroinvertebrates was made to the lowest possible taxa (species, genus or families), some physicochemical characteristics of the lake water such as temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, SO4 , PO4 , NO3 -N, NO2 -N, Mg, Ca, total hardness, salinity and Cl levels were determined using various titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods. As a result, a total of 30 taxa were identified and were classified as Oligochaeta, Chironomidae, Gastropoda and other Insecta (Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Hemiptera (adult), Odonata, Plecoptera and larval Coleoptera). All the identified taxa were determined as the first records for the lake. While the temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chloride and sulfate levels were found to have the first class quality according to Turkey’s water control regulations the NO3 -N and NO2 -N levels in the lake were found to have the second and third class water quality, respectively. The total hardness of the lake water was found to be at lighthard water quality The Shannon Weiner diversity index for macrobenthic fauna of the dam lake was found to be 0.64 on average. The sampling stations and months were evaluated also statistically by using the Bray-Curtis Cluster Index in terms of the distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrates and physicochemical parameters.

Differences in ecomorphology and trophic niche segregation of two sympatric heptapterids (Teleostei: Siluriformes)

Morphological similarity, resource sharing, and differences in habitat use by species are factors that favor their coexistence. The objective of this study was to test possible differences in ecomorphology and diet composition of two Heptapterids (Imparfinis mirini and Cetopsorhamdia iherengi) to identify patterns related to resource use. Samplings were carried out in ten streams in Southern Brazil and 123 individuals were caught. A total of 21 ecomorphological indices were calculated for each individual and the volumetric and occurrence methods were used to quantify stomach contents. Both species presented significant differences in some ecomorphological traits, mainly related to foraging behavior. Even though both species were considered insectivorous, the consumed feeding resources differed between them. Cetopsorhamdia iheringi diet was dominated by Simuliidae and terrestrial Coleoptera larvae, while Imparfinis mirini, presented a diet dominated mainly by Trichoptera larvae, Ephemeroptera nymph, and Annelida. Although ecomorphological patterns cannot be used as an absolute factor to explain diet variations, they provide relevant information about how species share resources. These mechanisms allow us to obtain important subsidies for the conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems since they provide an effective understanding on the interactions that occur between the species.