Occurrence Of Species Research Articles

What is left in miombo woodlands? Rarity and commonness of woody species, commercial timber species, and lawful harvestable diameter classes.

Mozambican miombo woodlands (MWs) have been experiencing severe anthropogenic threats, recognized to have an impact on plant species distribution, occurrence, diversity, and rarity patterns. Based on 3725 0.1ha plots distributed across the country's MWs, this study aimed to assess the species rarity and commonness, protection status, and availability of commercial timber in MWs under varied environmental conditions. Results show that, out of the 515 tree and shrub species found, 45% were rare, while just 10% were highly protected. Nine of the 112 commercial miombo species were not observed, and 15 were rare. Commercial-sized trees of the top nine desired species were extremely rare, some species had only 1 tree per 20ha and stem forms unsuitable for sawmilling. Selective overharvesting has also affected trees with no minimum felling diameter. Brachystegia spiciformis, B. boehmii, and Julbernardia globiflora stood out among the few timber species with commercially viable populations. MWs in the semi-arid ecoregion have lower species richness, fewer commercially viable populations, and a higher number of poorly protected species (51%). The rainy ecoregion has the highest percentage of poorly protected species (61%). Based on the results obtained, it was recommended that (1) timber harvesting should be restricted to the humid ecoregion, prohibited for the timber species that were either absent or rare, and halted for the top nine desired species; (2) except B. spiciformis, B. boehmii, and J. globiflora, MWs should preferably undergo a forest closure period corresponding to at least one cutting cycle; (3) to ensure long-term viability, a minimum harvestable density for commercial-sized trees should be determined for each species.

Impacts of climate change on the suitable habitat of Angelica sinensis and analysis of its drivers in China

Climate change is shifting optimal habitats for medicinal plants, potentially compromising the efficacy and therapeutic value of herbal remedies. Global warming and increased extreme weather events threaten the sustainability and pharmaceutical integrity of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (A. sinensis). Despite its importance in traditional herbal medicine, there is limited research on adaptation of A. sinensis to climate challenges. This study systematically collected occurrence data of A. sinensis through field expeditions and online databases, using the Maxent ecological niche modeling tool and ArcGIS software to forecast suitable habitats. A total of 402 species occurrence points and 21 environmental variables were selected for modeling, resulting in 1,160 distribution models, of which only one met the stringent 5% odds ratio (OR) standard. The optimal model exhibited a pROC value of 0, an OR of 0.0196, and an AICc score of 9,287.133. The model, run ten times for robustness, showed an average AUC of 0.980, indicating high accuracy and reliability. Under current climate conditions, suitable habitats for A. sinensis cover approximately 13% of mainland China, primarily in Gansu (73.77%), Qinghai (14.73%), and Sichuan (11.18%) provinces. Environmental factors such as altitude, humidity, and temperature significantly influence the geographical distribution of A. sinensis. The future climate scenario predictions suggest that suitable habitats will generally shift towards higher latitudes, with areas of moderate to high suitability primarily distributed across the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai. The interactions between environmental factors, characterized by mutual and nonlinear enhancement, further influence the spatial differentiation of suitability zones. Overlay analysis with 2020 land cover data indicated that 861,437 km² of arable and forest land are suitable for A. sinensis cultivation. Future predictions under four SSP scenarios show varying changes in suitable habitat areas, with the most significant expansion under SSP370 between 2080 and 2100, covering 14.54% of mainland China. These findings provide critical insights for optimizing A. sinensis cultivation regions and quality assessments in response to climate change.

METTL1 coordinates cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression via the m7G modification of the ATF4 mRNA

Methyltransferase-like 1 (METTL1)-mediated m7G modification is a common occurrence in various RNA species, including mRNAs, tRNAs, rRNAs, and miRNAs. Recent evidence suggests that this modification is linked to the development of several cancers, making it a promising target for cancer therapy. However, the specific role of m7G modification in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is not well understood. In this study, we observed conspicuously elevated levels of METTL1 in cSCC tumors and cell lines. Inhibiting METTL1 led to reduced survival, migration, invasion, and xenograft tumor growth in cSCC cells. Mechanistically, through a combination of RNA sequencing, m7G methylated immunoprecipitation (MeRIP)-qPCR, and mRNA stability assays, we discovered that METTL1 is responsible for the m7G modification of ATF4 mRNA, leading to increased expression of ATF4. Importantly, we demonstrated that this modification is dependent on the methyltransferase activity of METTL1. Additionally, we observed a positive association between ATF4 expression and METTL1 levels in cSCC tumors. Intriguingly, restoring ATF4 expression in cSCC cells not only promoted glycolysis but also reversed the anti-tumor effects of METTL1 knockdown. In conclusion, our results underscore the critical role of METTL1 and m7G modification in cSCC tumorigenesis, suggesting a promising target for future cSCC therapies.

Flora of Forest Reserves and Riparian Areas in Benin

Benin government is committed to the overall strategy for the sacred forests and protected areas conservation through their integration into the national system of protected areas. This is due to the value of biodiversity and the considerable ethno-cultural and religious importance of the forests and protected areas. The project entitled “Project for the Integration of Sacred Forests into the System of Protected Areas of Benin (PIFSAP)” was initiated to preserve the biodiversity of the country by protecting and sustainably managing forest resources, biological and cultural heritage of local populations. Thus, all the sacred forests of Benin have been inventoried. The dataset published on GBIF website contains 8,488 occurrences of species collected in the forests and protected areas of Benin. After cleaning, the dataset was made accessible to the whole world via GBIF website: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/0740c09f-5cf6-48f0-8e94-abaa46f4b87b. This dataset is one of the largest databases published on “Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur les Forêts (CERF)” account and can be used for any purpose. The data collected are unique and provides information on species diversity found in the forest reserves of Benin.

An Updated Checklist of Fish Species in the Sultan Idris Shah Forestry Education Centre, Puchong, Selangor, with Notes on the Occurrence of Invasive Species

This study presents an updated fish checklist of the Sultan Idris Shah Forestry Education Centre (SISFEC), Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia. Fish samples were collected using gill nets, cast nets, scoop nets, baited lines, and electrofishers at eight sites within SISFEC, including Rasau River, Bohol River, and several lentic water bodies. There are 29 fish species, representing 13 families of freshwater fish, with the family Danionidae (six species) dominating the list. Of the 29 species recorded, six were non-native, including Oreochromis niloticus, Barbonymus gonionotus, Puntigrus tetrazona, Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus, Oreochromis sp. (red), and Poecilia reticulata. In addition to the non-native species recorded, the Australian red claw crayfish, a non-native invasive invertebrate, was also encountered. Despite the increase in recorded native species compared to past reports, potential threats from invasive species remain a concern. Regular monitoring and strict regulation are recommended to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of SISFEC’s aquatic biodiversity.

The invasive indo-asiatic horntail snail ARIOPHANTIDAE Tanychlamys indica (Godwin-Austen, 1883) in Santa Catarina State/ SC, Brazil: general status of its knowledge seven (7) years after the first report of their discovery in the Brazilian territory and the earth’s American ecozones

Introduction: Seven (7) full years have passed since the initial report of its occurrence in the Neotropical continental territory of Brazil (discovered/ detected its introduction on “September 16, 2017” in the geopolitical state of Santa Catarina/ SC). Tanychlamys indica (Godwin-Auster, 1833), alien indo-Asiatic pulmonate terrestrial gastropod representative of the family Ariophantidae, is confirmed for the first time in the Americas and the Caribbean basin, presumably introduced unnoticed through the international trade of citrus fruit seedlings. Objective: Updated general rеᴠiеw of the geographical occurrence situation of this introduced species in the Santa Catarina State/ SC, the Brazilian territory and the Earth’s American Ecozones. Methodology: Extensive review of general available information (field encounters, reports obtained directly from collaborators, data contained in the "Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna - Mollusca", journalistic informations & records on the international citizen science platform "íNaturalist") up to December 2024. Results and Conclusions: Today, the regional known of the occurrence of this alien species is restricted to Brazil, the only country in South America where its presence has been reported/ confirmed, verified in the Federal District (D.F.) and seventeen (17) of its twenty-sixth (26) geopolitical states, present in their every one six (6) terrestrial epicontinental biogeographic domains/ biomes: Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Pampa or Southern Fields & Chaco-Pantanal. Additional information available about its recent presence in the rest of the Earth's American Ecozones (Neotropical & Nearctic territories) is also presented, obtained through so-called citizen science.

The Response Patterns of Non-Native Rotifer Species Kellicottia bostoniensis (Rousselet, 1908) to Environmental Factors and Its Relationship with Potential Competitors and Predators

Kellicottia bostoniensis is a rotifer species originating from North America, with numerous reports documenting its spread to Europe and South America. Meanwhile, in Asia, the occurrence of this non-native species has been scarcely documented, but its presence was recently reported in Korea in 2020. In Korea, the close geographic proximity of artificial reservoirs within a small area is expected to make the region vulnerable to the spread of K. bostoniensis. Therefore, it is deemed necessary to study the spatio-temporal distribution of K. bostoniensis, which appears to have extensively proliferated across the region, and its relationship with environmental factors. We analyzed the response of K. bostoniensis occurrence to environmental factors and aimed to compare its response patterns with those of potential competitor and predator groups, which were classified based on a functional group approach. This study, conducted on 12 small lakes located under similar climatic conditions, revealed that the response of K. bostoniensis to variables representing the trophic state of the lakes differed from those of the potential competitor and predator groups. The study sites, encompassing a wide range of trophic states from oligotrophic to hypereutrophic, across various lakes and survey periods, were well-suited for examining these relationships. Furthermore, when TSI was calculated to compare the abundance of K. bostoniensis and potential competitors across trophic conditions, the abundance of potential competitors was proportional to TSI. In contrast, K. bostoniensis exhibited higher abundances in mesotrophic and lower eutrophic environments, which distinguished it from its competitors. Our results indicate that the impact of introduced K. bostoniensis on native communities is minimal, while the resistance of native communities through the biological filter based on biological interactions is ineffective against this non-native rotifer species. This provides key evidence for explaining the widespread distribution of K. bostoniensis across continents.

Environmental influence and species occurrence of yellowjacket drones in an invaded area

During the mating season, reproductive individuals of numerous insect species gather in rendezvous areas, which increases mating opportunities. Male hymenopterans often have to move considerable distances during a particular season, searching or waiting for receptive females. Such behavior is likely driven by a complex combination of individual and species-specific traits, environmental influence, and landscape cues. Our field study aimed to determine factors affecting the occurrence of Vespula spp. drones, focusing on the influence of vegetation traits, atmospheric factors and diel effects, and the species occurrence proportion in an invaded area in Patagonia. Our results indicate that the probability of drone presence over different types of vegetation is affected both by plant species and height. Also, weather and time of day influence the number of individuals simultaneously gathering, as higher abundances of flying drones are found in early hours, warmer days and at low cloud cover. Lastly, through mid-flight drone captures, we determined that both V. germanica and V. vulgaris drones are found concurrently in the same rendezvous areas. This constitutes the first exploratory field study reporting the heterospecific occurrence of Vespula spp. drones and overall, our results contribute to the understanding of yellowjackets mating systems.

Exploring the Pollinator Community: Diversity and Abundance of Flower-Visiting Insects on Cowpea in Bilone, Obala, Cameroon

Aims: Investigations in cowpea fields allowed the characterization of the community structure of flower-visiting insects. Study Design: Seeds were sown in 15 plots (6x5.5 m each). Place and Duration of Study: Campus of Obala Higher Institute of Agriculture and Management (OHIAM), Bilone agroecological farm (Obala-Cameroon), from May to June 2016 and 2017. Methodology: Insects were identified in-situ or captured and stored in papillotes (Lepidoptera adults) or labelled vials containing 70° ethanol (other insects). Abundances allowed the determination of 11 alpha diversity indices. Beta diversity was tested using Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index and the correlation between species occurrences. Results: A total of 929 specimens belonged to five orders, 10 families, 13 species were recorded. Hymenoptera was the most family-rich and abundant (four families, 94.3% of the collection) followed by Diptera and Lepidoptera (two families each). Neuroptera and Orthoptera (one family each). Apidae was the most species-rich and abundant (three species; 72.9%), then Formicidae (one, 10.1%), Megachilidae (two; 9.8%). Apis mellifera (Apidae) was the most abundant (35.5%), then Xylocopa olivacea (Apidae) (22.3%), Amegilla calens (Apidae) (15.1%), Myrmicaria opaciventris (Formicidae) (10.1%), and Megachile (Chalicodoma) cincta (Megachilidae) (8.2%). The afrotropical useful predator Ascalaphus africanus (Ascalapidae) and the phytophagous pest Pteropera carnapi (Acrididae) were recorded. Exotic myasigenic species Calliphora vicina (Calliphoridae) and Musca domestica (Muscidae) were recorded. Acrididae, Nymphalidae and Pieridae cumulatively represented 3.1% pest species in the collection. Assemblages showed low species richness, high species diversity, and highly even community. Numbers of simply abundant species were close to that co-dominants. A negative correlation was noted between Acraea acerata (Nymphalidae) and Apis mellifera adansonii (Apidae), Ap. mellifera and Calliphora vicina (Calliphoridae), Ap. mellifera and Synagris conuta (Vespidae). Several positive correlations were recorded. Conclusion: In Bilone, results highlighted the importance of flower-visiting insects for the cowpea pollination and crop yield. Species were moderately abundant and assemblages functioned on the base of niche partitioning nomocenosis (log-linear model) of more or less disturbed environments with strong competition between pioneer species for the available resources.

Mammals in urban centers: a dataset from the perspective of the media in Brazil.

The continuous growth of the urban population, coupled with habitat loss, has resulted in unanticipated interactions between animals and humans in urban centers. In this study, we investigated the presence of mammals in urban centers through newspaper reports on websites. Specifically, we examined: i) the frequency of photographic records, ii) the temporal trends (2001 to 2021) and spatial trends (Brazilian Federative regions and states) of the records, and iii) the orders, families, and species most frequently reported in urban centers. On the Google platform (http://www.google.com.br), we used combinations of the keywords "mammals in urban centers," "mammals found in the city", and "mammals found in the municipality" to survey mammal records. We excluded repeated news items, sites that experienced technical problems during the search period, and those that did not cover the topic. We compiled a total of 733 websites. The records spanned from 2002 to 2021, with 73% occurring in the last four years. The Southeast, South, and Midwest regions stood out. The animals recorded belonged to 55 mammal species (16 vulnerable and 3 endangered), distributed in 22 families and 10 orders. The data indicate that the majority of mammal sightings in urban areas occur on streets, with some conflictual interactions. This is the first study that utilizes websites for diagnosing the mammal fauna present in urban centers in Brazil. The dataset generated here could aid in understanding the occurrence of mammal species in the urban environment.

Apparent timescaling of fossil diversification rates is caused by sampling bias.

Negative scaling relationships between both speciation and extinction rates, on the one hand, and the age or duration of organismal groups on the other, are pervasive and recovered in both molecular phylogenetic and fossil time series.1,2,3,4 The agreement between molecular and fossil data hints at a universal cause and potentially at incongruence between micro- and macroevolution. However, the existence of negative rate scaling in fossil time series has not undergone the same level of scrutiny as in molecular data. Here, we analyze the marine animal fossil record across the last ∼538.8 Ma of the Phanerozoic to investigate the presence and strength of negative rate scaling. We find that negative rate scaling arises under commonly applied age range-based per capita rates, which do not control for sampling bias, but are severely reduced or absent when metrics are used that do correct for sampling. We further show by simulation that even moderately incomplete sampling of species occurrences through time may induce rate scaling. We thus conclude that there are no significant scaling relationships present in these fossil clades and that any apparent trend is caused by sampling artefacts and taxonomic practices. If rate scaling in molecular phylogenies is genuine, the absence of such a relationship in the fossil record will provide a valuable benchmark and constraint on what processes can cause it.

Effects of aluminum on metabolism of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in root tips of different Eucalyptus species

On acidified soil, the growth of Eucalyptus is seriously restricted by aluminum (Al) stress. Therefore, breeding Eucalyptus species with excellent Al tolerance, developing the genetic potential of species, and improving tolerance to Al stress are important for the sustainable development of artificial Eucalyptus forests. By observing the occurrence and distribution of the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in root tips of Eucalyptus seedlings under Al stress, this study analyzed change in the growth and physiological indexes of Eucalyptus seedlings under Al stress. The antioxidant enzymes activities of the root tips of different Eucalyptus species induced by Al stress resulted in different ROS and RNS contents, ultimately resulting in differing degrees of membrane lipid peroxidation. In addition to suppressions of root relative elongation and root activity, the accumulations of soluble sugar, soluble protein, and proline can be used as indicators of Al sensitivity in Eucalyptus species. This may be an important determinant of the differences in Al tolerance among Eucalyptus species. The accumulation of ROS and RNS in the roots of E. grandis and E. tereticornis resulted in severe oxidative and nitrification stress. The tolerance of E. urophylla and E. urophylla × E. grandis to Al stress was stronger than that of E. grandis and E. tereticornis. Differences in Al toxicity tolerance were related to long-term selection of the original habitat of the species; moreover, the Al tolerance was hereditary. Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis had stronger Al tolerance than its parents, which is indicative of heterosis. These results provide theoretical support for the breeding of tree species in areas with acidic soil.

Tree-volume and forest age increase bat species diversity in boreal urban landscape

ContextGiven the rate at which humankind is changing habitats, it is essential to understand its impact on the surrounding nature and biota. The intensification of human activities and the fragmentation of forested habitats now affect many taxonomic groups, such as bats, which are largely dependent on forests (e.g. roosting sites and feeding areas). Northern Europe is generally considered very forested but intensive land-use changes, caused by urbanization and forestry, contribute to forest fragmentation and loss of biodiversity. Land-use changes are classified as the biggest threats for bats, but especially in the boreal zone, the impact of these environmental changes is not yet known at a sufficient level.ObjectivesWe explored how bats (species occurrences and activity) were influenced by forestry and urbanization, and by landscape variables (tree volume, percentage of deciduous trees, vicinity of water bodies and built areas).MethodsWe used a bioacoustic dataset on bats from Finnish capital area (20 × 20 km, 51 sites) recorded during the summer season (May – September) to evaluate how different habitat classes (old forest, young economical forest, rural area, suburban and urban) and landscape variables influence activity and species richness of bats across this region. We used Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities (HMSC) approach to characterize the responses of species. We investigated with two different models: one focusing on species occurrences and the second one focusing on relative activity.ResultsOur findings indicate a distinct pattern, with the highest species richness in old forests, followed by a gradual decline with increased land-use intensity. Species-specific responses to habitat classes were evident in both presence and activity. Most of the species showed negative responses to built area, either by their presence or activity. Key landscape variables further underscored species-specific variations in different environmental conditions. Additionally, our study observed temporal dynamics, revealing species-specific variations in occurrences across the bats’ active season.ConclusionOur study sheds light on the complex dynamics of bats in diverse landscapes, emphasizing the crucial role of both habitats and specific environmental factors in conservation. Old natural forests emerge as vital for bats, while land-use changes, especially urbanization, pose challenges highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and strategic conservation actions.

Nineteenth-century land use shapes the current occurrence of some plant species, but weakly affects the richness and total composition of Central European grasslands

ContextHistorical land use is thought to have influenced plant community diversity, composition and function through the local persistence of taxa that reflect ecological conditions of the past.ObjectivesWe tested for the effects of historical land use on contemporary plant species richness, composition, and ecological preferences in the grassland vegetation of Central Europe.MethodsWe analyzed 6975 vegetation plots sampled between 1946 and 2021 in dry, mesic, and wet grasslands in the borderland between Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Using 1819–1853 military maps, we assigned each plot to a historical land-use category (arable land, forest, grassland, settlement, permanent crop, and water body). We modeled the response of species richness, composition, and plant ecological preferences to the historical land use including contemporary covariates.ResultsNineteenth-century land use explained little overall variation in species richness and composition, whereas more variation was explained by contemporary environmental conditions. However, we found that ecological preferences of some species were associated with specific historical land uses. Specifically, species more frequently occurring in historically forested grasslands showed lower light and disturbance frequency indicator values, while those associated with former settlements displayed higher disturbance severity indicator values.ConclusionsWe conclude that signatures of specific land-use conversions, including the restoration of grasslands in human-impacted areas, may still be detectable in grasslands even 200 years into the future. However, while local historical land use influences the occurrence of some species based on their ecological preferences, these effects do not significantly influence community species richness and total composition.

How the fish community structure change with seasons in Zhoushan Fishing Ground, China?

Understanding seasonal variations in fish communities is important for fishery resources conservation and management in fishery economic zones. However, there are still knowledge gaps regarding to the differential responses of fish functional traits to various disturbances. Here, we sampled fish communities of 20 sites during autumn (November 2023) and spring (April 2024) in Zhoushan Fishing Ground. Taxonomic diversity (TD), functional diversity (FD), and functional redundancy (FR) were calculated to investigate the state of the fish communities and their seasonal changes. Beta diversity was calculated based on the pairwise communities of spring and autumn and decomposed into turnover and nestedness proportions, to investigate the dissimilarities of the fish communities between the two seasons and their drive mechanisms. We also applied R-mode linked to Q-mode (RLQ) and fourth-corner methods to test the relationships between fish functional traits and environmental variables (trait-environment relationships). These results showed that the mean values of taxonomic and functional beta diversities were 0.852 and 0.769, respectively, which indicate that taxonomic and functional structures of the fish communities have high dissimilarities between spring and autumn. However, the taxonomic and functional structures showed different ecological processes of seasonal changes with the former were mainly driven by species turnover (occupied 89.9% of the total dissimilarity) and the latter were driven by both functional turnover and nestedness (occupied 57.9% and 42.1% of the total dissimilarity, respectively). Species occurrence, environmental variables, and functional traits matrices were closely correlated, which mainly result from the significant trait-environmental relationships. Combining with TD, FD, and FR, we concluded that the fish communities in autumn had higher resistance to environmental changes than in spring. Our findings are accepted to serve as a basis for fishery management.

Arsenic in Slovakia: Pollution Issues and the Potential of Magnetic Carbon Biomaterials for Wastewater Treatment.

In Slovakia, there are a number of contaminated sites that have occurred due to intensive mining, mineral processing, metallurgical activities, chemical industry, fossil fuel combustion, and industrial agriculture in the past. This paper summarizes the occurrence, chemistry, toxicity, and mineralogy of arsenic species related to soil and water contamination in Slovakia. Four main localities with arsenic exposure were identified. Additionally, magnetically modified carbon biochar (MWchar-Mag) was tested for arsenic removal from a model solution alongside real mine water discharged from the abandoned Hauser adit. For the model aqueous solution, the maximum adsorption capacity was established at 6.2 mg of As per g of MWchar-Mag at natural pH. In the case of mine water with a concentration of arsenic at around 0.2 mg/L, adsorbent dosage, pH influence experiments, and kinetic tests were realized. The results confirmed 100% arsenic removal efficiency at pH~3-7 and extremely fast kinetics.

Forest‐Water Ecotones: Flooding Impacts on Ant Species Distribution

ABSTRACTNatural ecotones between forest and lake‐swamp succession impose severe environmental filters for ant fauna, compared to adjacent forest habitats. This filter effect may be more severe for soil than canopy fauna. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the patterns of species occurrence, richness and composition of soil and canopy ants in forest and lake‐swamp ecotones in a tropical river basin. We established two transects (250 m) at each site, one placed in the ecotone (i.e., flood zone) and the other inside the adjacent forest. Although upper and lower river basin had totally different ant species composition, the species occurrence, richness and composition distribution between habitats followed a similar pattern for both altitudes. Occurrence of soil ants and species richness was similar between interior and ecotone. The occurrence and species richness of canopy ants were both higher in the ecotones than in the forest interior. Ant species composition was similar between the ecotone and adjacent forest, for both soil and canopy fauna, and the ant species composition was different between seasons (dry and rainy) and between canopy and soil fauna. Most importantly, the environmental filter imposed by the ecotone and its unpredictable habitat conditions favoured fewer but opportunistic species, which drove the higher occurrence in these habitats. The years we studied were particularly dry and had a substantial decrease in lake depth. Hence, the abilities of species to best use unpredictable resources from the natural succession on the new dry grounds might have been defined by omnivorous, opportunistic and numerically dominant ants. The abiotic particularities of forest‐water ecotones are important in the temporal dynamics of ant species assemblages. Fluctuations in water dynamics can restrict soil assemblages, but subtle changes in soil flooding also affect canopy fauna and can have unpredictable effects due to intensified variations in seasonal dynamics.

The araneopathogenic genus Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) in the British Isles, including a new zombie species on orb-weaving cave spiders (Metainae: Tetragnathidae)

The genus Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) comprises species pathogenic on and specific to spider hosts. Here, we report on the occurrence of a novel species infecting cave-dwelling, orb-weaving spiders of the sub-family Metainae (Tetragnathidae) in the British Isles. The new species, Gibellula attenboroughii is described and illustrated and its ecology is discussed; leading to the conclusion that infected spiders exhibit behavioural changes similar to those reported for zombie ants. The hidden diversity of the genus Gibellula in the British Isles is further highlighted based on fungarium records and literature searches. Two spider pathogens, previously assigned to the genus Torrubiella, are now transferred to the genus Gibellula, based on their Granulomanus synasexual morphs, in accordance with the one fungus-one name initiative: Gibellula albolanata comb. nov. and G. aranicida comb. nov.

First report of a major management target species, chironomid Paratanytarsus grimmii (Diptera: Chironomidae) larvae, in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in South Korea.

Ensuring the supply of safe and high-quality drinking water can be compromised by the presence of chironomid larvae in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), which may contaminate municipal water systems through freshwater resources. Chironomids are dominant species known for their resilience to a broad range of extreme aquatic environments. This study aimed to identify the morphological characteristics and obtain genetic information of the chironomid Paratanytarsus grimmii found in the water intake source and freshwater resource of DWTPs in Korea, highlighting the potential possibility of a parthenogenetic chironomid outbreak within DWTP networks. The distribution of chironomid larvae at the water intake source site (DY) of the Danyang DWTP and the freshwater resource (ND) of the Nakdong River was investigated. A total of 180 chironomid individuals, encompassing three subfamilies and six species from six 6 genera were identified at the DY site, with Procladius nigriventris being the dominant species. At the ND site, fifty chironomid individuals, encompassing two subfamilies and six species from six genera, were identified, with Cricotopus sylvestris being the dominant species. The morphological characteristics of the head capsule, mentum, mandible, and antennae of six P. grimmii larvae collected from the DY and ND sites were characterized. DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct mitochondrial diversities between the P. grimmii larvae from DY and those from ND. These results provide crucial information for the morphological identification and DNA barcoding of the key management target chironomid P. grimmii larvae, which can be used to detect the occurrence of this chironomid species in DWTPs.

Hiking Trails Facilitate the Spread of a Native High-Arctic Species.

High-Arctic environments are facing an elevated pace of warming and increasing human activities, making them more susceptible to the introduction and spread of alien species. We investigated the role of human disturbance in facilitating the spread of a native plant (Papaver dahlianum) in a high-Arctic natural environment close to Isfjord Radio station and along adjacent hiking trails at Kapp Linné, Svalbard. We reconstructed the spatial pattern of the arrival and spread of P. dahlianum at Kapp Linné by combining historical records of the species occurrence (1928-2018) with a contemporary survey of the plant abundance along the main hiking trail (2023 survey) and tested the relative effects of altitude and proximity to hiking trails on the species density via a generalised linear model (GLM). We then compared historical records with the simulated annual spread of the species by assuming either only local spread or local spread plus spread from hiking trails. Finally, we used a fine-scale UAV-derived brightness index to test for terrain preference by applying a randomisation test. Distance from the station (56% explained variation) and minimum distance from the trail (28%) significantly explained the species density across the research area (best GLM R 2 = 0.755). The modelled species spread including the trail effect (fitted spread ~30 m yr.-1) managed to capture the maximum extent of the occupied area, whereas simulations assuming only local spread (~2 m yr.-1) underestimated the historical extent. A randomisation test showed that P. dahlianum has a significant preference for gravel soils with low vegetation cover due to either trail trampling and/or natural processes. Along with climate warming, human activities can increase the rate of species range shift by providing hot spots of introduction (human settlements) and spreading corridors (hiking trails). Our results show that spatially explicit models can be applied to accurately predict the potential spread of species, leading to a more efficient monitoring plan. Systematic monitoring of alien species and sanitisation measures should be prioritised in polar habitats with a high incidence of human disturbances.