Low Number Of Species Research Articles

First data on DNA barcoding of representatives of the genus Cеntaurea s.l. (Asteraceae) from Bulgaria

The genus Centaurea s.l. is one of the richest and most taxonomically complex of the Asteraceae family. It includes between 400 and 700 species, of which more than 70 are found in Bulgaria – a territory considered as one of the secondary centers of speciation of the genus. There is a large number of endemics (Bulgarian and Balkan) with endemism reaching up to 50% in some groups, such as Cyanus gr. Due to the ongoing active speciation in the Balkans, the boundaries between closely related taxa cannot be easily established based entirely on morphological features. DNA barcoding is cost-efficient and reliable approach for identifying and retrieving previously known species with the potential to accelerate the discovery of new plant species. Despite the huge potential of the method, no any Bulgarian population from this genus has been barcoded so far. The present study presents the first DNA barcoding data of 11 species of the genus Centaurea s.l. from 12 populations based on four regions – ITS, matK, rbcL and trnH-psbA. The first three DNA barcodes are promising whereas the trnH-psbA has somewhat lower resolution. The preliminary results suggest that the ‘Cyanus’ group is well separated from the ‘Centaurea s.str.’ group which corresponds well to their treatment as different subgenera or genera. Within ‘Cyanus’, grouping of taxa corresponds well to the morphology of the species. Within ‘Centaurea s.str.’, although a relatively low number of species has been included, grouping of taxa in most cases is congruent with the morphological characters. However, there are some incongruent tree topologies which should be investigated further both by repeating the extraction and sequencing of the samples, and by addition of new, presumably closely related species in the study.

Plant biodiversity, value, and distribution of Rubiaceae at Hon Ba Nature Reserve, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam

Rubiaceae is the most prominent plant family after Orchidaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae. It is important for all vegetation, especially tropical rainforests. Moreover, they also have uses and conservation values: food, timber, medicinal, and species threatened to varying degrees. This article presents the study outcomes of the Rubiaceae family in Hon Ba Nature Reserve Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam. The methods of transect surveys and sample plots were utilized in this investigation to collect data. Of 94 species, 42 genera were recorded; Lisianthus was the most diverse genus. Twelve species were listed in Viet Nam Red Data Book (2007), Viet Nam Red List of Medicinal Plants (2019), and IUCN Red List (2021). The phytogeographical factor highest were endemic to Vietnam (38.30%), the Indochina-India (20.21%), and the Asian tropical element (12.77%); the remaining factor was deficient. The Spectrum of Biology (SB) of Rubiaceae family was summarized as follows: SB = 94.68Ph + 4.26Ch + 1.06Th. There were five use-value groups identified, and the medicinal plants were the highest number of species (25.53%), followed by timber (6.38%), edible plants (4.26%), dyes, and other groups was the lowest number of species (5.32%). The species plant distributed was from below 200 m to above 1400 m, the number of species highest at 200 m - 400 m, and the lowest above 1400 m. The medium forest was the most diverse species and genera; the lowest was a vibrant forest. These were important results underpinning strategies and solutions for sustainable conservation of this natural resource.

Species Diversity, Biomass and Carbon Stock Assessment of Kanhlyashay Natural Mangrove Forest

Mangrove ecosystems sequester and store large amounts of carbon in both biomass and soil. In this study, species diversity, the above and below-ground biomass as well as carbon stock by the mangroves in Kanhlyashay natural mangrove forest were estimated. Six true mangrove species from four families were recorded in the sample plots of the study area. Among them, Avicennia officinalis L. from the Acanthaceae family was the abundance of species with an importance value of 218.69%. Shannon–Wiener’s diversity index value (H′ = 0.71) of the mangrove community was very low compared to other natural mangrove forests since the mangrove stands in the study site possessed a low number of mangrove species and were dominated by a few species. Estimated mean biomass was 335.55 ± 181.41 Mg ha−1 (AGB = 241.37 ± 132.73 Mg ha−1, BGB = 94.17 ± 48.73 Mg ha−1). The mean overall C-stock of the mangrove stand was 150.25 ± 81.35 Mg C ha−1 and is equivalent to 551.10 ± 298.64 Mg CO2 eq. The role of forests in climate change is two-fold as a cause and a solution for greenhouse gas emissions. The result of the study demonstrated that the mangroves in Letkhutkon village have high carbon storage potential, therefore it is necessary to be sustainably managed to maintain and increase carbon storage. Climate change mitigation may be achieved not only by reducing the carbon emission levels but also by maintaining the mangrove ecosystem services as carbon sinks and sequestration.

Effect of anthropogenicity on the temporal diversity and abundance of macro-invertebrates in Calabar River, Okomita, Cross River State, Nigeria

The influence of anthropogenicity on the abundance and diversity of macro-invertebrates was investigated in Calabar River, Okomita, Cross River State for a period of 24 months (August, 2014-September, 2016) in six sampling stations. Bank root macro-invertebrates were collected by kick sampling while substrata macro-invertebrate samples were collected with a van-Veen grab. Seasonal variations in the values of the macro-invertebrates abundance were determined by pooling together the values for the wet and dry seasons. The difference in values in the six stations in each season was tested for significant difference (p < 0.05) while the pooled differences in the two seasons were tested using unpaired (independent) student’s t-test. Spcies diversity was estimated using the Shannon-Wiener index (H’), species richness (d) and evenness (J) of individual distribution among species. All macro-invertebrate groups had highest percentage abundance in the dry season months. Seasonal percentage abundance of insects was significantly different (p˂0.05). Higher seasonal abundance of the total macro-invertebrates was recorded in the dry season and the seasonal variation was significant (p˂0.05). Lower number of pollution intolerant species of macro-invertebrates (Sudanonautes africanus, Orectochilus orbisonorum, Dineutus discolour, Phaon iridipennis, Pila ovata, Natica flammulata and Eulima fischeri) recorded during the rainy season was an indication that the river was more perturbed during the rainy season as a result of influx of pollutants from refuse dumps, farmlands, Okomita Market, abattoir and mechanic workshop. The results of the PCA revealed that DO, hardness, alkalinity, magnesium and cadmium were the most important parameters influencing the abundance of macro-invertebrates in Calabar River, Okomita. Intermediate values and values less than one of Shannon-Weiner diversity index were observed, indicating that Calabar River, Okomita is moving from moderately polluted state to severely polluted condition.

Composition and structure of the parasitic fauna of Hypostomus spp. (Loricariidae: Hypostominae) from a Neotropical river in Brazil.

Hypostomus are abundant in Brazilian rivers and streams. In the Ivaí River, the loricariids represent 20.3% of the total species of the basin. Of these 13 species belong to Hypostomus. However, to date, there are no studies on these fish parasitic fauna. Thus, this research aimed to analyze the distribution of the parasitic infracommunity of six species of Hypostomus from the Ivaí River and investigate how the infracommunity is structured in these hosts. One hundred and twenty-eight fish were analyzed, belonging to six sympatric species of Hypostomus (Hypostomus hermanni, H. cochliodon, H. albopunctatus, H. regani, Hypostomus sp.1, and Hypostomus sp.2); of these, 92.9% were parasitized with at least one taxon, totaling 1478 specimens of parasites. The parasitic fauna was composed of the ectoparasites Trinigyrus anthus, T. carvalhoi, Unilatus unilatus (monogeneans), and Placobdella spp. (hirudinea), and the endoparasites Austrodiplostomum compactum (digenean) and Procamallanus annipetterae (nematode). The parasites exhibited similar patterns of infection in all hosts, including a low number of species, low diversity, and numerical dominance of a group of parasites. However, permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) showed different parasite species compositions among the hosts. Hypostomus cochliodon and H. regani had the highest parasite richness, while Hypostomus sp.1 and Hypostomus sp.2 showed low abundance and intensity of parasitic infections. However, Hypostomus sp.1 showed the highest values of evenness, although the parasite composition in both species did not differ. The results presented herein contribute to increasing the knowledge about the parasitic fauna of Hypostomus spp. from the Ivaí River by presenting new hosts and locality records.

First report of molecular taxonomic analyses of European beaver metazoan parasites from Hungary

European beaver (Castor fiber L. 1758) is the biggest rodent species living in Europe. Beavers are semi-aquatic animals; they are defecating directly into the water; thus, they have an important role in spreading parasites related to water (e.g., protozoa and flukes). The first specimens of this once extinct rodent species in Hungary turned up in Szigetköz (upper flow of the Hungarian Danube) in 1991 dispersed from Austria. The reintroduction to Hungary started in 1996, and the population slowly increased in number up to around 4000 individuals, but the knowledge about their parasites is lacking. This is the first report on the metazoan parasites of beavers in Hungary and their molecular taxonomy. In the 5-year study, 47 beavers were trapped in four locations and euthanized with permission. Three different metazoan parasites were collected: larvae and adults of Platypsyllus castoris beetles, nymphs and adults of Schizocarpus sp. mites and eggs and adults of Stichorchis subtriquetrus flukes. From these three parasite species, molecular taxonomic studies were also carried out. The low number of metazoan parasites species detected in Hungarian beavers compared to other European countries (e.g., Poland) might be attributed to host population bottleneck effect during reintroduction. As parasites represent a significant component of the biodiversity and ecosystem, the conservation efforts should focus not only on host species but also on their parasites.

Does urbanization impact terrestrial vertebrate ectotherms across a biodiversity hotspot?

Urbanization is increasing at an alarming rate altering biodiversity. As urban areas sprawl, it is vital to understand the effects of urbanization on biodiversity. Florida is ideal for this research; it has many reptile species and has experienced multiple anthropogenic impacts. Herein, we aim to evaluate human impacts on registered reptile richness across an urbanization gradient in Florida. The expectation is that highly urbanized areas would harbor a lower number of species. To represent urbanization, we used Venter et al. (2016) human footprint index. We downloaded georeferenced occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to collate species richness. We ran generalized linear regressions controlling for spatial autocorrelation structure to test the association between urbanization and reptile records across Florida. We found a positive association between urbanization and registered reptiles across Florida for total and non-native species richness; however, a lack of association occurred for native species. We performed rarefaction curves due to an inherent bias of citizen science data. The positive association was supported for non-native reptile species richness with greater species richness located at urban centers. Interestingly, total and native species richness were largest at low as well as moderate levels of urbanization. Thus, moderately urbanized areas may have the potential to harbor a similar number of reptile species compared to areas with low urbanization. Nevertheless, a difference exists in sample completeness between the urbanization categories. Thus, a more systematic monitoring of reptile species across an urbanization gradient, not only focusing on urban and wild areas but also including moderate levels of urbanization, is needed to provide informed conservation strategies for urban development planning. Advances in environmental sensors, environmental DNA, and citizen science outreach are necessary to implement if we are to effectively monitor biodiversity at the accelerated rate of urbanization.

Preliminary assessment of water quality post-the first phase of the development plans in Lake Burullus, Deltaic coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt

Lake Burullus is the second largest lake in Egypt and a Ramsar site located north of the Nile Delta. The lake is connected to the Mediterranean Sea through the Burullus inlet and the River Nile through Brimbal Canal. Lake Burullus receives a large amount of agricultural drainage water (about 97% of its water balance), which affects its water quality. The national plan, launched in 2017, aimed to improve the condition, water quality, and fish production of Lake Burullus. The current study provides an effective protocol to monitor the water quality of Lake Burullus post the first phase of the national plan. Aglydopting the proposed protocol would enable researchers and managers to evaluate the effectiveness of the development plans in resolving the environmental problem facing Lake Burullus and similar lakes. Intensive sampling was carried out in December 2019 and October 2020 to collect ecological parameters. The results showed a general improvement in the lake water indicated by the phytoplankton composition and diversity. Compared to previous research, the current study recorded a lower number of species belonging to Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae and new records of marine species belonging to Dinophyceae. The changes in phytoplankton community structure were mainly due to the deepening of the seawater inlet which has resulted in a better exchange between seawater and the lake and a subsequent increase in salinity. Based on TSIChl-a, the lake has shifted from being predominantly hypereutrophic to eutrophic. Nutrient-load reduction strategies for Lake Burullus may result in measurable changes in trophic state parameters.

A global indicator of utilized wildlife populations: Regional trends and the impact of management

A global indicator of utilized wildlife populations: Regional trends and the impact of management

Grassland restoration on former arable land: Fine‐scale grass accumulation and damaged soil conditions limit species establishment

AbstractQuestionWhich vegetation and soil parameters limit species establishment in restored grasslands? Do these parameters operate predominantly on a fine or a community scale?LocationWhite Carpathian Mountains, SE Czech Republic.MethodsWe compared 16 grasslands restored on former arable land with 9 well‐preserved reference grasslands. We sampled cover of plant species in plots of 2 m × 2 m (community scale) in which four 20 cm × 20 cm subplots (fine scale) were nested. We quantified fine‐scale heterogeneity as the mean Sørensen dissimilarity index among the species composition of the subplots. To characterize site conditions, we analyzed soil properties, above‐ground plant biomass and its nutrient content.ResultsRestored grasslands had a lower number of plant species at both the community and fine scales. Species number at the community scale was positively associated with the species number at the fine scale (irrespective of grassland type), but was not associated with fine‐scale heterogeneity. This indicates the importance of fine‐scale biotic interactions for overall species diversity. In support of this, in both grassland types, the species number was negatively associated with the cover of grasses, but only at the fine scale. Total cover (but not the biomass) was lower in restored grasslands, and was positively related with species number, particularly in restored grasslands. This indicates that the lower species number in the restored grasslands mainly resulted from deteriorated abiotic conditions. Such deterioration of the plant environment can be attributed particularly to the soil of the restored, formerly plowed grasslands. They had a lower soil organic matter content and a higher proportion of fine soil particles (silt and clay), indicating reduced soil water availability. The lower soil N content of restored grasslands was also reflected in the nutrient content of plant biomass, where lower N:P and N:K ratios indicated a limitation of plant growth by N‐supply.ConclusionThe species number was generally driven by fine‐scale biotic interactions, which operated similarly in both grassland types. The reduced number of plant species in restored grasslands is the result of several factors among which altered soil conditions in the former arable land appears to be highly important.

Wild Fruit Trees in Kuala Keniam at Taman Negara, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the composition of wild fruit tree in Kuala Keniam, Taman Negara (National Park) Pahang. A method of field specimen collection was used in this study. Five plots of 0.05ha (25 m x 20 m) were established. Trees of ≥ 1 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) were measured within the plot. Additional data was also obtained from a general survey around the forest trails. A total of 41 species from 19 genera and 11 families of wild fruit trees were recorded. Guttiferae was listed the highest with 10 species (24.4%). It was followed by Euphorbiaceae and Sapindaceae with seven species (17.1%). Genus-wise, Garcinia has recorded the highest total number of species with 10 species followed by Baccaurea (six species), and Artocarpus (four species). The low total number of species in this study is due to the limitation time for sampling. A detailed study on the composition of fruit trees in the plot is needed in the future to get more information on the importance of wild fruit trees in Kuala Keniam in Taman Negara Pahang.

Demographic correction—A tool for inference from individuals to populations

Abstract Estimation of responses of organisms to their environment using experimental manipulations, and comparison of such responses across sets of species, is one of the primary tools in ecology research. The most common approach is to compare the response of a single life stage of species to an environmental factor and use this information to draw conclusions about population dynamics of these species. Such approach ignores the fact that interspecific fitness differences measured at a single life stage are not directly comparable and cannot be extrapolated to lifetime fitness of individuals and thus species’ population dynamics. Comparison of one life stage only while omitting demographic information can strongly bias conclusions, both in experimental studies with a few species and in large comparative studies. We illustrate the effect of this omission using both an exaggerated fictitious example and biological data on congeneric species differing in their demography. We are showing, taking simple assumptions, that different demography can completely revert conclusions reached by a comparison based on an experiment focusing on a single life stage. We show that a ‘demographic correction’, namely translating observed effects into differences in outcomes of demographic models, is a solution to this problem. It requires turning the detected effects from the experiment into changes of transition probabilities of projection matrix models. Although such solution is limited by the low number of species with demographic data available, we believe that existing data (and data likely to be collected in the near future) permit at least approximate handling of this problem. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Gamma, alpha, and beta diversity of ant assemblages response to a gradient of forest cover in human‐modified landscape in Brazilian Amazon

AbstractThe partitioning of gamma diversity into its alpha and beta components has been used to quantify the effects of natural habitat reduction on species diversity and distribution. Ant assemblages respond to anthropogenic changes, allowing their use as an indicator of biodiversity conservation in human‐modified landscapes. We investigated the responses of gamma, alpha, and beta diversity of ant assemblages to a forest cover gradient in southwestern Brazilian Amazon. Our prediction was that increasing forest cover would increase gamma diversity, which in turn is driven more by increasing beta diversity than alpha diversity along the forest cover gradient. Additionally, we expected that increasing beta diversity would be mainly driven by species replacement. We sampled ants within 12 circular areas (radius: 500 m) with different forest cover percentages in Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve, state of Acre, southwestern Brazilian Amazon. Gamma and beta diversity, but not alpha diversity, responded positively to the forest cover gradient. Additionally, species replacement was the main driver of beta diversity along the forest cover gradient. Areas with low levels of forest cover probably offer limited variation in habitats, resources, and conditions and, thus, harbor a low number of ant species that can easily disperse spatially and leading to species composition simplification. We recommend the use of diversity partitioning for indicator groups as an efficient way to monitor biodiversity and control the process of biota simplification at the human‐modified landscapes, showing the response of species diversity and distribution to human impacts.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

Evaluation of Methods to Collect Diurnal Culicidae (Diptera) at Canopy and Ground Strata, in the Atlantic Forest Biome.

Simple SummaryAutomatic traps employing CO2 chemical attractants and BG-Lure® (Biogents AG, Regensburg, Germany) were evaluated as an alternative to insect nets, which is the standard method in Brazil for capturing mosquitoes that transmit sylvatic arboviruses. The collections were conducted during the day, in the forest canopy and ground strata, at an environmental reserve in the Atlantic Forest. From the 18 collections conducted, 3570 specimens from 52 taxa were obtained. Nets were the best way to capture insects. The yield was similar in traps with CO2 and traps using CO2 combined with BG-Lure®. CO2 traps can complement collections with nets; however, for species of epidemiological interest in the genera Haemagogus and Sabethes, insect nets are still the best method, especially in the canopy.Hand-held insect nets are the standard method for capturing vector mosquitoes of sylvatic arboviruses; however, occupational risks and biases due to individual skill and attractiveness are important limitations. The use of chemical attractants and automatic traps could be an alternative to resolve these limitations. This study compares the yields achieved using nets with those employing electrical traps with CO2 and BG-Lure®, near the ground and in the canopy strata (6.0 and 8.0 m high). The study was conducted at the Cantareira State Park, which is in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome. In the 18 collections performed, 3570 specimens of 52 taxa were obtained. The most frequent species captured near the ground were Wyeomyia confusa and Limatus durhamii, whereas Sabethes albiprivus, Sabethes purpureus, and Haemagogus leucocelaenus were the most frequent in the canopy. The nets resulted in greater species richness and abundance, followed by the trap employing CO2. The combination of CO2 traps with BG-Lure® did not improve performance. The use of BG-Lure® alone resulted in low abundance and a low number of species. Our results demonstrate that the use of traps with CO2 can be complementary to collections with nets; however, for species of epidemiological interest such as those of the genera Haemagogus and Sabethes, especially in the canopy, the net remains the method of choice.

Vegetation and water of lowland spring-wells in Po Plain (Northern Italy): ecological features and management proposals

Spring-wells (lowland springs, “fontanili”) are elements of Po Plain (Northern Italy) with ecological and historical importance. There, spring-water flows naturally and rises to the surface at a relatively constant temperature, generating unique ecosystems dependent on the groundwater outflow. Despite their importance, they are endangered by degradation processes as the expansion of urban areas and/or the intensification of agriculture, very marked in Po Plain. This research describes four spring-wells of Po Plain from a botanical and ecological perspective through phytosociological relevés and different ecological indexes. Water chemical-physical features are also considered (pH, temperature and ammonium ion, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate, chloride and organic matters contents). Plant communities of the spring-well beds show a low number of species (5.8 ± 2.9) but also no exotic species while the vegetation of the banks has a high number of species (32.4 ± 9.8) but several of them are exotic/ornamental. The low value of the Ecological Index of Maturity of the vegetation of the banks (EIM = 4.4 ± 1.5) indicate disturbances, however moderate compared to the surrounding corn fields (EIM ~ 0). All the water samples has high ammonium content (> 0.50 ppm), the water of the spring-well B results the most polluted and both algae and Callitriche obtusangula (rare native species) grow largely in it, while spring-well C has less phosphates and more nitrite and is marked by Equisetum telmateia. Management proposals to protect and enhance the studied spring-wells, as the gradual removal of exotic species and the planting of native species, are discussed.

An introduced pine shapes gastropod assemblages in the Central European broadleaved forest

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the introduction of Pinus sylvestris on the mesofauna of the forest floor in the Central European oak-hornbeam forest, using gastropods as a model group. Data on terrestrial gastropods and environmental variables were collected in 2012–2014 from 25 study plots (14 without pine and 11 with pine) at 14 localities scattered across Wielkopolska province in mid-western Poland. Forty-two species (34 of snails and 8 of slugs) were recorded, with significantly lower numbers of individuals and species in plots with pine. The negative effect of the presence of pine trees was most evident at the level of gastropod abundance. The species composition of gastropod assemblage was also significantly different between plots with and without pine. The symptoms of the assemblage’s reduction, impoverishment and trivialization thus suggested a long-term effect of the introduced pine on natural mesofauna. However, gastropod assemblage was shaped not by one dominating factor, but by a multifactorial combination of interacting variables, particularly related to herbaceous vegetation and to the tree- and shrub layer. Herb layer cover, moisture (reflected in the herbs), fertility (reflected in the herbs), and locally also the amount of calcium in the soil and insolation were found to be significant for the structure of gastropod assemblages. More environmental variables were significant at the sample level (i.e. within forest) than at the plot level (i.e. between forests), which is likely to be due to greater variation in the conditions within a rich forest as opposed to lower variation between forests. This highlighted the importance of using a two-scale approach to understand the conditions affecting gastropod assemblage structure in a habitat that is seemingly homogenous on the macro scale, but diversified and mosaic in the micro scale. The negative effects of pine introduction and the positive significance of the multifactorial combination of habitat factors at the macro- and micro level appear as important guidelines for favourable biodiversity management in the Central European oak-hornbeam forest and in other broadleaved forests.

Identification of Cuticular and Web Lipids of the Spider Argiope bruennichi

Emerging evidence shows that the cuticular and silk lipids of spiders are structurally more diverse than those of insects, although only a relatively low number of species have been investigated so far. As in insects, such lipids might play a role as signals in various contexts. The wasp spider Argiope bruennichi has probably the best investigated chemical communication system within spiders, including the known structure of the female sex pheromone. Recently we showed that kin-recognition in A. bruennichi could be mediated through the cuticular compounds consisting of hydrocarbons and, to a much larger proportion, of wax esters. By use of mass spectrometry and various derivatization methods, these were identified as esters of 2,4-dimethylalkanoic acids and 1-alkanols of varying chain lengths, such as tetradecyl 2,4-dimethylheptadecanoate. A representative enantioselective synthesis of this compound was performed which proved the identifications and allowed us to postulate that the natural enantiomer likely has the (2R,4R)-configuration. Chemical profiles of the silk and cuticular lipids of females were similar, while male cuticular profiles differed from those of females. Major components of the male cuticular lipids were tridecyl 2,4-dimethyl-C17-19 alkanoates, whereas those of females were slightly longer, comprising tridecyl 2,4-dimethyl-C19-21 alkanoates. In addition, minor female-specific 4-methylalkyl esters were detected.

Vertebrate wildlife diversity of Sreepur upazila, Magura, Bangladesh

The species diversity and abundance of wildlife are the important indicators of a healthy ecosystem. A survey-based scientific study on species diversity, abundance and status of vertebrate wildlife was conducted from May 2015 to April 2016 at Sreepur upazila, Magura, Bangladesh. A total of 123 species of vertebrate wildlife was recorded during the 12 months of study period. Among them, eight species (6.5%) were amphibians, 13 (10.57%) reptiles, 84 (68.29%) birds and 18 species (14.64%) were mammals. Out of 84 species of birds, 45 (53.57%) were passerines and 39 (46.43%) non-passerines. Most of the observed birds (72 species, 85.72%) were resident and the rest 12 species (14.28%) were migratory. The highest number of wildlife species was observed in winter (108 species, 87.80%), particularly in December (62 species, 50.40%). The lowest number of species was recorded in June (33 species, 26.83%). Out of 123 species of vertebrate wildlife, three (2.44%) were very common, nine (7.32%) common, 26 (21.14%) fairly common and 85 (69.1%) were common. Of the total species, 117 (95.12%) species were least concern, five (4.06%) near threatened and one (0.81%) was endangered according to IUCN Bangladesh 2015. Implementation of conservation and management plan is required to save the wildlife in the study area. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 51-62

Myxomycetes associated with three different types of Neotropical urban landscapes

Urban ecology is a research field gaining momentum due to contextual pressures to study macroecological effects on biodiversity. Herein, we evaluated the occurrence of myxomycetes in three urban Neotropical environments representing different levels of conurbation within different life zones. We used the moist chamber technique set up with ground litter collected by public roads for such evaluation. Results showed that 79% of the 420 moist chambers yielded myxomycetes and the same number of samples generated 570 records. The highest number of records and species were found in the cornurbated widespread city of the premontane moist forest life zone; and fewer records and species were recorded in the two non-conurbated compact cities. The lowest number of records was associated with the lowland dry forest life zone, whereas the lowest number of species was recorded in the desertic context. In general, more records and more species were observed in the outer zones relative to the urban centre but no significant differences were observed in either case. It is unlikely that the life zone characteristics could have primarily determined the results and highly likely played a secondary role. Also, previous geographical analyses in cities have reported no differences in myxomycete abundance or species richness in relation to the central parts of the urban landscape. The results presented herein support the latter idea, but also suggest that the presence of inter-conurbated green spaces and availability of substrates might play a role in the occurrence of sporocarps of myxomycetes in urban environments.

The Impact of Lantana camara on Invertebrates and Plant Species of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa.

Invasive plant species have negative ecological impacts such as displacing indigenous plants and invertebrates. These invasive plant species affect biodiversity by impacting indigenous vegetation and the food webs associated with this vegetation. We assessed how Lantana camara affects indigenous plant species richness and invertebrates and their feeding guilds in riparian habitats inside the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in South Africa. We showed: (1) A lower abundance and morphospecies richness of invertebrates as well as lower numbers of plant species in lantana-invaded habitat as compared to indigenous bush and grass-dominated habitats. (2) A Negative association between plant species richness and L. camara above ground mass and shoot density, but no association was found between plant species richness and the size of L. camara invaded areas. This finding suggests a link between the reduction in overall invertebrate abundance and morphospecies richness and the replacement of native plant species by invasive lantana. (3). This increased biomass in natural vegetation was even more evident for detrivores as compared to other feeding guilds. Extensive invasion by L. camara is affecting the quality of riparian ecosystems especially for invertebrates that rely on decaying plants and animals as food and this will affect overall biodiversity.