Permanent Ponds Research Articles

Mapping Italian high-altitude ponds.

Permanent and temporary ponds are considered peculiar ecosystems which provide important ecosystem functions, services, supporting biodiversity on small and large scales. Pond's conservation status is globally critical. Moreover, their ecological functioning and conservation status is frequently overlooked, because of the habitat small size, their seasonal occurrence and their unique appearance. While a certain attention is given to Mediterranean Temporary Ponds and, in general, to low altitude ponds, the ecological importance of high-altitude ponds is critically unrecognized, especially in the Italian peninsula. The main aim of this research is to create the first georeferenced checklist of Italian high-altitude ponds. In order to achieve this goal, we integrated spectral, spatial characteristics, and morphological operations based on Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 image data using the Google Earth Engine (GEE). Overall, 2156 ponds were identified: 62% (n = 1343) in the Alps and 38% (n = 813) in the Apennines. The highest number of ponds was detected in Central Alps (n = 642), followed by Western Alps (n = 479), Central Apennines (n = 412), Eastern Alps (n = 222), Southern Apennines (n = 216) and Northern Apennines (n = 185). For what concerns the Alps, the average altitude was estimated in 2428 m a.s.l., while in the Apennines the average altitude was estimated in 784 m a.s.l. The total area covered from ponds has been estimated in 4.258.640 m2, with a mean of 1716 m2. Ponds were described as 20% temporary (n = 445) and 80% permanent (n = 1711). Considering the land use, 83% (n = 1797) of ponds were described as "natural" and 17% (n = 359) as "anthropized". Identification and georeferentiation of high-altitude ponds are primary actions to the application of management plans and this research could be considered the first step towards the safeguard of these threatened ecosystems.

Food web collapse and regime shift following goldfish introduction in permanent ponds.

In a global context of invasive alien species (IAS), native predators are often eradicated by functionally different IAS, which may induce complex cascading consequences on ecosystem functioning because of the key role predators play in structuring communities and stabilizing food webs. In permanent ponds, the most abundant freshwater systems on Earth, global human-mediated introductions of alien omnivores such as the pet trade goldfish are driving broad-scale patterns of native predators' exclusion, but cascading consequences on food web structure and functioning are critically understudied. We compared food webs of naturally fishless ponds versus ponds where dominant native predators (newts) had been extirpated by invasive goldfish within the last decade. Integrating community-wide isotopic, taxonomic and functional traits approaches, our study reveals that pond food webs collapsed in both vertical and horizontal dimensions following goldfish introduction and the associated exclusion of native predators. Consumer taxonomic diversity was drastically reduced, essentially deprived of amphibians as well as predatory and mobile macroinvertebrates to the profit of burrowing, lower trophic level consumers (detritivores). Changes in community structure and function underlined a regime shift from a macrophyte-dominated system mainly characterized by benthic primary production (periphyton), to a macrophyte-depleted state of ponds hosting communities mainly associated with phytoplankton primary production and detritus accumulation, with higher tolerance to eutrophication and low dissolved oxygen concentration. Results underline major impacts of widely introduced omnivores such as the goldfish on the functioning of pond ecosystems with potentially dramatic consequences on the key ecosystem services they deliver, such as global biodiversity support or water quality improvement. They also shed light on the key role of submerged aquatic vegetation in supporting diverse communities and complex food webs in shallow lentic systems and call for urgent consideration of threats posed by IAS on ponds' ecosystems by managers and policymakers.

Physiological thermal niches, elevational ranges and thermal stress in dendrobatid frogs: An integrated approach

AbstractAimWe investigated the relationship between thermal physiology, elevational distribution and thermal stress among nine closely related dendrobatid frogs during their aquatic stage by employing an integrated approach, combining thermal physiology, environmental temperature modelling and predictive assessments of current and future exposure to thermal variation.LocationEcuador.TaxonAmphibians; Anura, Dendrobatidae, Epipedobates, Hyloxalus.MethodsWe determined the thermal performance curves (TPCs) of larval growth for each species and modelled the thermal variation in contrasting aquatic larval environments for both present and future times. This allowed us to estimate the expected elevational distributions and forecast periods of exposure to stressful temperatures that inhibit larval growth due to elevation and global warming.ResultsWe found significant correlations between optimum temperature (Topt), 50% maximum performance temperature (maxB50), 50% minimum performance temperature (minB50) and cold resistance (survival at 9°C) with the current elevational distributions. However, thermal physiology predicted lower than observed distributions for high‐elevation dendrobatids and higher than observed maximum elevations for lowland species. Nonetheless, our models predicted that low thermal variability habitats (i.e. streams and deep permanent ponds) can buffer the future temperature increase for all taxa, even when considering the most extreme scenario. In contrast, all species within high thermal variation habitats (open forest temporary ponds) are expected to experience stressful temperatures under present conditions.Main ConclusionsThe findings indicate that thermal physiology may not be a limiting factor for dendrobatid frog species' ranges in this equatorial mountain gradient. Highland species may need to adapt to suboptimal performance, while some lowland species could occupy higher elevations. This study emphasizes the importance of habitat buffering to mitigate thermal stress in the face of climate change for amphibians in tropical mountains.

Assessing biodiversity and regulatory ecosystem services in urban water bodies which serve as aqua-Nature-based Solutions

In sight of a growing urban population and intensified extreme weather events, cities must integrate in their urban planning elements to both reduce their impact (i.e., air and water pollution, degradation of habitats, loss of biodiversity) and increase their resilience to climate change. In contrast to engineering solutions, which normally not only fail to adequately address these issues but often also exacerbate them, Nature-based Solutions are an efficient strategy which can help cities become more sustainable. Aqua-Nature-based Solutions (aNBS) tackle water-related hazards by enhancing water regulation and mitigating flood and drought impacts. However, under a warming climate, aNBS are expected to often dry-out, changing biodiversity and the ecosystem services they support. The aim of this study is to compare the biodiversity of temporarily and permanently wet urban waterbodies which function as aNBS. We selected two pond complexes with different hydroperiod (i.e., different duration, amplitude and frequency of inundation) and studied the riparian vegetation and aquatic macroinvertebrate biodiversity. The Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index of Flanders was used to determine the macroinvertebrate biodiversity and to assess water quality of the ponds. Using water stable isotopes and piezometers, the hydrological dynamics were studied in order to identify the water regulating ecosystem services these ponds deliver. The results showed that the selected pond complexes have a high plant biodiversity, particularly in temporary ponds. Water quality ranged from moderate to poor and macroinvertebrate biodiversity tended to be greater in permanent ponds. Plant and macroinvertebrate alien species were also found in the aNBS. Regarding water regulating ecosystem services, the pond complexes enhanced infiltration and groundwater recharge, providing resilience to both flooding and drought. Our findings corroborate previous studies on the need of diversifying urban ponds’ hydroperiod to support biodiversity. Thus, integrating well-designed aNBS into urban planning might be a way to make cities more resilient to water climate-related hazards while enhancing biodiversity.

Macroinvertebrate Spatial Diversity Patterns of Shore Habitats in Italian High-Altitude Natural and Permanent Lakes and Ponds

A comparative analysis of environmental conditions between Alpine and Apennine lakes/ponds which represent different faces of European mountain regions was conducted. The data set was created on the basis of previous works carried out by national and international institutions including biological, physical–chemical, geographic, and precipitation data from 27 lakes/ponds placed at altitudes ranging from 2334 ± 294 m a.s.l. (in the Alps) and 1541 ± 154 m a.s.l. (in the Apennines), with mean maximum depths of about 5.5 ± 4.6 m. A specific focus was dedicated to chironomids as outstanding sentinels for local and global changes in habitat conditions. Species richness and Taxonomic Distinctness Indices were applied to lakes/ponds macroinvertebrates to highlight differences in the biodiversity of the two areas. Subsequently, associations between descriptors of the mountain region climate, lithology, water chemistry, lake morphology, geography, macroinvertebrate assemblage richness, and distinctness were examined through Principal Component Analysis, Analysis of Variance, and Non-metric Multi-dimensional Scaling. Results showed strong positive correlations between mean annual precipitation and temperature with lake macroinvertebrate biodiversity as a whole and with chironomid in particular. Thus, these shore habitats face a threat under climate change conditions (impacting thermal and precipitation regimes). These results are also central in showing that even small ecosystems are important sources of biodiversity for the lower altitudes, stressing the urgency of including them within targeted monitoring and action plans to preserve their peculiar habitat, flora, and fauna.

Bioprospecting for Isoetes cangae Endophytes with Potential to Promote Plant Growth.

Isoetes cangae is a native plant found only in a permanent pond in Serra dos Carajás in the Amazon region. Plant-associated microbial communities are recognized to be responsible for biological processes essential for the health, growth, and even adaptation of plants to environmental stresses. In this sense, the aims of this work were to isolate, identify, and evaluate the properties of endophytic bacteria isolated from I. cangae. The bioprospecting of potentially growth-promoting endophytes required the following steps to be taken: isolation of endophytic colonies, molecular identification by 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and evaluation of the bacterial potential for nitrogen fixation, production of indole acetic acid and siderophores, as well as phosphate solubilization and mineralization. Bacillus sp., Rhizobium sp., Priestia sp., Acinetobacter sp., Rossellomorea sp., Herbaspirillum sp., Heyndrickxia sp., and Metabacillus sp., among other bacterial species, were identified. The isolates showed to be highly promising, evidencing the physiological importance for the plant and having the potential to promote plant growth.

NURSERY OF WHITE SHRIMP (LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI) WITH BIOFLOC SYSTEM

White shrimp culture (Litopenaeus vannamei) has very good prospects to be developed so that the availability of quality juveniles with a sustainable quantity is very necessary for aquaculture activities. White shrimp nursery has several constraints because in the implementation process it uses high stocking density so the amount of feed needed is higher. The condition of using high feed can have an impact on the quality of aquaculture used. Waste products from metabolism and uneaten feed residues, especially nitrogen waste can be toxic to shrimp. To reduce the risk of toxic waste in shrimp there are several technologies that can be used, one of which is biofloc technology. This study aims to determine the growth and survival rate (SR) of white shrimp nursery using biofloc technology. The study was conducted using a permanent ponds container coated with a tarpaulin with a size of 3m x 5m x 1.2m as much as 2 pieces. Each pond filled with seawater with a salinity of 30 ppt as much as 12,000 liters is equipped with 24 aeration points and a microbubble. White shrimp juvenile used Post Larva size 10 with an average weight of 0.01 grams with a stocking density of 1,500 ind/m3(18,000 ind/pond). Maintenance time for 28 days. During maintenance, commercial feed is given at a dose of 100% -5% of the total weight of biomass per day. The results showed an average final length and weight are 5.15 cm and 2.32 gram/ind with a Survival rate (SR) of 89.7%.
 

Early Brood Development of Carp Fishes Utilizing Greenhouse Technology in Winter Seasons

Carp aquaculture is very popular in both seasonal and permanent ponds. Carp seeds are available for stocking in culture in late May and the ideal water temperature for carp gonad development is 28°C–32°C. The aim of this study was to develop the species’ broods in winter season by raising water temperature, utilizing the greenhouse concept. Two identical ponds, T1 (Greenhouse Pond, GHP) and T2 (Non-greenhouse pond, NGHP) each with three replications were used. Transparent polyethylene-sheet to a bamboo frame covered the T1, whereas no covering for T2. On December 1, 2020, 20 broods/pond stocked equally in the two ponds and reared until February 28, 2021. The mean water temperature of T1 was 28.67±0.49, 28.67±0.78, and 28.83±0.39°C in December, January, and February, respectively compared with T2 found to be 18.25±0.62, 18.58±0.52, and 18.92±0.51°C in December, January, and February, respectively. The average water temperature was 28.75°C and 18.58°C in T1 and T2, respectively. The statistical t-test revealed that the temperature in T1 notably increased in the winter than T2. About 90% of the broods matured within February in T1 while only 15% in T2. The growth of fish gonad was benefited from the usage of greenhouse technology in this study.

Invasion of a non‐native anuran likely disrupts pond ecosystems

Abstract Freshwater ecosystems worldwide are under increasing pressure from multiple threats, including invasive species and climate change, with ponds being particularly vulnerable because of their shallow depth and dynamic hydrology. Australian brown tree frogs Litoria ewingii, introduced to New Zealand in 1875, have spread across both main islands, breeding in a large range of shallow fishless ponds. Since native frogs do not produce aquatic tadpoles, any tadpole influence will be novel, so these ecosystems may be especially vulnerable to such influences. To determine the functional role of L. ewingii tadpoles and to uncover potential effects on pond community structure and function, we conducted two 3‐week‐long mesocosm experiments. The first crossed tadpole presence with predatory invertebrate presence. Mesocosms containing tadpoles had a lower biomass of periphyton and macrophytes, and lower abundance of two families of small‐sized invertebrates (Culicidae and Chironomidae) compared to mesocosms without tadpoles, possibly as a consequence of grazing, predation or reduced dipteran oviposition. However, predatory invertebrates did not affect tadpoles except at their smallest stage, so L. ewingii probably are not subject to strong top‐down control by invertebrates in fishless ponds. We evaluated the effects of tadpole density on ecosystem processes in the second experiment where half the mesocosms also were shaded to simulate permanent pond hydrological status; shading stabilised the temperature fluctuations typical of temporary ponds. In shaded mesocosms tadpole density did not change phytoplankton, whereas in unshaded mesocosms, phytoplankton biomass increased with tadpole density, possibly because tadpole excretion enhanced algal growth in high light conditions. Higher densities of tadpoles also decreased dissolved oxygen concentration regardless of shading during the day—potentially an indirect effect of grazing on macrophytes and periphyton reducing photosynthesis. Overall, these non‐native tadpoles are likely to be having large influences on ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling in small ponds, especially when at high densities. In light of these potential effects on pond ecosystems, and the generalist traits of these frogs which could see them spread to even remote alpine ponds, control measures to prevent further range expansion should be considered in New Zealand.

Community assembly of prairie farm ponds: build it and they will come, stock it and they won't

Dam construction affects freshwater ecosystems worldwide. While there is much focus on large impoundments, farm ponds are overlooked despite their near-ubiquity across human-altered landscapes. Within the Great Plains of North America, there are millions of farm ponds, yet little is known about the fish communities and factors structuring them. We propose a conceptual model where fish, amphibian, and crayfish abundances differ along a pond size and water permanency gradient and are further influenced by interactions among species. In the summer of 2021, we sampled 100 farm ponds across central Kansas, primarily on private land. Pond size and permanency explained community structure with smaller and less permanent ponds being dominated by amphibians and crayfish while larger ponds were dominated by stocked sportfish. Distribution modeling revealed a negative correlation between stocked fish and other community components indicating potential interactions. If we are to conserve headwater stream species, especially those that are threatened or endangered, strategies that integrate farm ponds seem necessary given their prevalence on the landscape.

Hydrodynamic Characterization of the Water Table of the Upper Dallol Maouri Basin (Niger)

The Dallol Maouri is a valley of an ancient tributary of the Niger River. The groundwater in this area of the upper Dallol Maouri is little known because of the weakness of the data. The purpose of this study is to make a hydrodynamic characterization of the water table of the upper dallol Maouri by piezometric approach. A piezometric monitoring network made up of 65 points (54 wells and 11 piezometers) was set up. Six (6) piezometric measurement campaigns were carried out from June 2018 to June 2021. The piezometric survey is carried out once every six months: in January and June corresponding respectively to the high and low water period. The results show that the water table is multi-layered in places with a combination of alluvial and Continental Terminal 3 (CT3) aquifers, or perched aquifers and inferoflux aquifers around permanent ponds. The flow direction of the Continental Terminal 3 (CT3) aquifer is mainly North-East/South-West. The piezometric levels are around 219 m (in the South-West part) and 281 m (in the North-East part). The hydraulic gradient varies from 0.018‰ to 1.83‰. The recharge zones are located in the outcrop zone of the aquifer and in the valleys. A lack of recharge is observed on the plateaus despite the presence of numerous permanent ponds. The recharge coefficient in 2020 is estimated at 25% of the total rainfall recorded.

The Effect of Physico-Chemical Stress on the Population of Chlamydomonas Species in a permanent pond of Kanpur, (U.P.) India

In permanent lentic water bodies, the chemical picture completely depends on the surroundings from where these bodies receive effluents. Planktons play an important role as primary producers of the system. The limnological study is important for water quality monitoring by which correlation has been established among different physical, chemical, and biological parameters. This statistical analysis easily represented the presence /absence of Planktons on the basis of seasonal variations. Regarding the seasonal variations, the values of pH, magnesium & calcium (Mg, Ca), dissolved oxygen & dissolved oxygen matter (DO, DOM) indicate variation in water quality which directly or indirectly influence the population of Chlamydomonas elliptica, Chlamydomonas globosa, Chlamydomonas intermedia, and Chlamydomonas orbicularis. On the basis of chemical analysis in terms of DO & DOM, the shallow water system was moderately polluted. Chlamydomonas intermedia showed dominant species which occurred most of the months in a year. The fluctuation in the population densities of Chlamydomonas elliptica, Chlamydomonas globosa, and Chlamydomonas orbicularis was observed greatly as they occurred in a few months in a year. Chlamydomonas intermedia showed positive co-relation with DO and significant negative co-relation with DOM. Mg and pH showed significant negative values. Apart from this, biological populations also showed various co-relation among other known species.

American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) distribution, impact on native amphibians and management priorities in San Carlos, Uruguay

Biological invasions are a major cause of biodiversity and ecosystem services loss. However, information on distribution and impacts is limited for many alien species, restricting the development of local management measures. The aim of this study is: to identify the current situation of the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) invasion focus in San Carlos (Maldonado, Uruguay); to evaluate its impacts on native anurans; and to provide management tools. Between 2017 and 2019, 75 permanent ponds were sampled, finding an expanding bullfrog population (occupying 32 ponds, in 16.5 km2). Results show that native anuran richness was lower in the invaded ponds. Observed impacts were greater for the aquatic frogPseudis minuta, probably due to greater encounter rates with the invader. The abundance of tadpoles was also lower in the invaded ponds. The local pond network was explored using graph theory, evaluating its topological role and centrality. In this network, a list of priority ponds was generated to prevent local bullfrog expansion. Given the relatively small size of this population, eradication seems feasible. Focusing on the key nodes could prevent further expansion, by using spatial prioritization to organize the recommended management of the pond network.

The structure of zooplankton community in different biotopes of small rivers in the Kologrivsky cluster of the Natural State Reserve “Kologrivsky Forest”

Structure of zooplankton community was studied in different biotopes of streams and beaver ponds in the Kologrivsky cluster of the State Nature Reserve “Kologrivsky Forest” named after M.G. Sinitsyn. Forty-five zooplankton species were recorded, namely, Cladocera (20), Rotifera (17), and Copepoda (8). Zooplankton was represented mostly by phytophilic ecological group (46-61% of the total number of species). Species composition of zooplankton, trophic group ratio, zooplankton abundance and biomass differed in the medium-small river, the smallest and most insignificant watercourses. In near-shore river area (ripal) and beaver ponds, overgrown by macrophytes, higher quantitative indicators of zooplankton were registered comparing to central area of the river. In addition, high zooplankton abundance and biomass were observed in permanent beaver ponds at streams.

The ecological role of permanent ponds in Europe: a review of dietary linkages to terrestrial ecosystems via emerging insects

ABSTRACT Permanent ponds are valuable freshwater systems and biodiversity hotspots. They provide diverse ecosystem services (ESs), including water quality improvement and supply, food provisioning, and biodiversity support, despite significant pressure from multiple anthropogenic stressors and the impacts of ongoing global change. However, ponds are largely overlooked in management plans and legislation, and ecological research has focused on large freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers or lakes. Protection of ponds is often insufficient or indirectly provided via associated habitats such as wetlands. This situation is likely exacerbated by the lack of a full-scale understanding of the importance of ponds. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of permanent ponds across Europe, including their usages and the biodiversity they support. By discussing the concepts of pondscape and metacommunity theory, we highlight the importance of connectivity among and between ponds and identified fluxes of emerging insects as another ES of ponds. Those insects are rich in essential nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), delivered through them to the terrestrial environment; however, the extent and impact of this ES remains largely unexplored. Several potential stressors, especially related to ongoing global change, that influence pond diversity and integrity are discussed. We provide our insights on future pond management. Adaptive measures, taking into account the pond system per se within the pondscape, are the most promising to mitigate the loss of natural ponds and restore and conserve natural small waterbodies as refuges and diversity hotspots in increasingly urbanized landscapes.

High habitat invasibility unveils the invasiveness potential of water frogs

Determining the invasibility of habitats by alien species is crucial for understanding their spread potential, the habitats the most at risk and to implement adequate management actions. This is urgent for introduced taxa that show high invasion potential across broad geographical scales. We here assess these processes in invasive Pelophylax water frogs which are widespread colonizers across Western Europe and for which the invasibility of habitats remains to be quantified. Specifically, we used hierarchical occupancy models in a Bayesian framework to identify local- and landscape-scale features that can enhance occupancy of the most common invasive water frog, the marsh frog (P. ridibundus), in southern France. Water frogs were highly detectable and showed high occupancy across the invaded landscape. The invaders expressed a very broad habitat tolerance for both local- and landscape-scale variables while their invasion was facilitated by the occurrence of deep, permanent ponds with abundant aquatic vegetation and high sun exposure. Cross-validation showed a good transferability of models across space. The high invasibility of a wide range of habitats by Pelophylax water frogs is alarming and unveils their invasiveness, contributing therefore to explain their success of invasion over broad geographic scales.

Ecologically-oriented business strategy for a small-size rice farm: Integrated wetland management for the improvement of environmental benefits and economic feasibility

The Italian rice agroecosystem plays a key role in the European production and provides a unique range of rice varieties. As productive man-made wetlands, rice paddies are strategic and economic components in the habitat provision for migratory wildlife at the European scale. However, the characteristic of being a “temporary wetland” causes the creation of an ecological trap for a number of living organisms. For this reason, agricultural practices adopted for the management of rice paddies are essential to move towards more sustainable cultivations capable of promoting biodiversity and to minimising negative environmental impacts. This study proposes an ecologically-oriented strategy to implement a circular and self-regulating farming system designed considering the role of constructed wetlands in providing ecosystem services in rice agroecosystems. It demonstrates the economic feasibility and benefits provided by a self-regulating biosystem based on an integrated wetland for a small-size rice farm of the Vercelli province (Piedmont Region, Italy). The study was conducted in collaboration with the rice farm, which already experiments with organic farming techniques. The investigation focuses on the current management structure of the farm and develops an ecologically-oriented business strategy to sustain local biodiversity. This strategy rediscovers and improves the traditional co-culture technique through the development of a permanent pond. It explores the potential benefits generated by the approach, in terms of biodiversity conservation, biological control of pests and weeds and habitat provision for wildlife. The study presents a real case study of economic sustainability of the business strategy through financial analysis. The findings highlight promising economic outcomes compared to the conventional rice cultivation systems. The diversification of marketing strategy and the reduction of operating costs are key factors in the success of the strategy. The ecologically-oriented design methodology presented in this article can easily be applied to other small-scale farms in the agrifood sector.

Elevational and local climate variability predicts thermal breadth of mountain tropical tadpoles

The climate variability hypothesis posits that increased environmental thermal variation should select for thermal generalists, while stable environments should favor thermal specialists. This hypothesis has been tested on large spatial scales, such as latitude and elevation, but less so on smaller scales reflective of the experienced microclimate. Here, we estimated thermal tolerance limits of 75 species of amphibian tadpoles from an aseasonal tropical mountain range of the Ecuadorian Andes, distributed along a 3500 m elevational range, to test the climatic variability hypothesis at a large (elevation) and a small (microhabitat) scale. We show how species from less variable thermal habitats, such as lowlands and those restricted to streams, exhibit narrower thermal tolerance breadths than highland and pond‐dwelling species respectively. Interestingly, while broader thermal tolerance breadths at large scales are driven by higher cold tolerance variation (heat‐invariant hypothesis), at local scales they are driven by higher heat tolerance variation. This contrasting pattern may result from divergent selection on both thermal limits to face environmental thermal extremes at different scales. Specifically, within the same elevational window, exposure to extreme maximum temperatures could be avoided through habitat shifts from temporary ponds to permanent ponds or streams, while minimum peak temperatures remained invariable between habitats but steadily decreased with elevation. Therefore an understanding of the effects of habitat conversion is crucial for future research on resilience to climate change.

Biología reproductiva de la rana esmeralda Hylorina sylvatica (Anura: Batrachylidae) en el noroeste de la Patagonia Argentina

Abstract Hylorina sylvatica (Anura: Batrachyidae), or the emerald frog, is a pond-breeding anuran endemic to the austral temperate forests of Chile and Argentina. It is considered a vulnerable species in Argentina, where it has a narrow distribution; records and biological information relating to the frog in this area are scarce. In this study, conducted in 2016, the reproductive parameters of the emerald frog were investigated in detail in a semi-temporary wetland of Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. During the spring, the wetland was visited weekly in search of calling males, adults and individuals in amplexus. When amplexus was observed, eggs and larvae were collected from among the aquatic vegetation using dip-nets. Egg size and larval stage at hatching were registered. Calling males were registered during the second week of October, and the first couples were observed on 26 October. Three pairs of emerald frogs were captured and placed in enclosures within the wetlands in the afternoon. The males were smaller than the females. After 24 h the number of eggs laid in each enclosure was counted, and the males and females were released. The eggs were kept in each enclosure until hatching. Hatching occurred after 10–14 days in the enclosures. This information contributes to our knowledge of the biology of the emerald frog in Patagonia, Argentina, and is the only information currently available on this species in Nahuel Huapi National Park, where the species breeds in various aquatic environments, from semi-temporary wet meadows to large permanent ponds.

First Report of Culicoides Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Attacking People in Italy, With the Description of Extreme Larval Breeding Sites and Diurnal Activity of Culicoides riethi.

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) play a paramount role in medical and veterinary entomology worldwide, particularly as vectors of pathogens which cause animal diseases. Biting midges are also infamous for the nuisance they provoke to people involved in outdoor activities. Nonetheless, attacks to man by midges from any Culicoides species have not been reported in Italy. An entomological investigation was performed following repeated attacks to man in a nature park near Rome (central Italy). The study area is a natural degassing zone, characterized by widespread hazardous gas emissions of CO2 and H2S, with several water bodies including permanent lakes, ponds, and pools. The biting midge C. riethi Kieffer, 1914 was very active during daytime in the period April–June. The species has been identified as responsible for attacks on people in the area. An in-depth analysis of the extreme environmental conditions revealed the ability of larvae to thrive in several water bodies, characterized by an extremely low pH and a high concentration of sulfates.