Southern Species Research Articles

Effects of social information on life history and mating tactics of males in the orb-web spider Argiope bruennichi.

Informed mating decisions are often based on social cues providing information about prospective mating opportunities. Social information early in life can trigger developmental modifications and influence later mating decisions. A high adaptive value of such adjustments is particularly obvious in systems where potential mating rates are extremely limited and have to be carried out in a short time window. Males of the sexually cannibalistic spider Argiope bruennichi can achieve maximally two copulations which they can use for one (monogyny) or two females (bigyny). The choice between these male mating tactics should rely on female availability that males might assess through volatile sex pheromones emitted by virgin females. We predict that in response to those female cues, males of A. bruennichi should mature earlier and at a smaller body size and favor a bigynous mating tactic in comparison with controls. We sampled spiders from two areas close to the Southern and Northern species range to account for differences in mate quality and seasonality. In a fully factorial design, half of the subadult males from both areas obtained silk cues of females, while the other half remained without female exposure. Adult males were subjected to no‐choice mating tests and could either monopolize the female or leave her (bigyny). We found that Southern males matured later and at a larger size than Northern males. Regardless of their origin, males also shortened the subadult stage in response to female cues, which, however, had no effects on male body mass. Contrary to our prediction, the frequencies of mating tactics were unaffected by the treatment. We conclude that while social cues during late development elicit adaptive life history adjustments, they are less important for the adjustment of mating decisions. We suggest that male tactics mostly rely on local information at the time of mate search.

Integral Phylogenomic Approach over Ilex L. Species from Southern South America.

The use of molecular markers with inadequate variation levels has resulted in poorly resolved phylogenetic relationships within Ilex. Focusing on southern South American and Asian species, we aimed at contributing informative plastid markers. Also, we intended to gain insights into the nature of morphological and physiological characters used to identify species. We obtained the chloroplast genomes of I. paraguariensis and I. dumosa, and combined these with all the congeneric plastomes currently available to accomplish interspecific comparisons and multilocus analyses. We selected seven introns and nine IGSs as variable non-coding markers that were used in phylogenomic analyses. Eight extra IGSs were proposed as candidate markers. Southern South American species formed one lineage, except for I. paraguariensis, I. dumosa and I. argentina, which occupied intermediate positions among sampled taxa; Euroasiatic species formed two lineages. Some concordant relationships were retrieved from nuclear sequence data. We also conducted integral analyses, involving a supernetwork of molecular data, and a simultaneous analysis of quantitative and qualitative morphological and phytochemical characters, together with molecular data. The total evidence tree was used to study the evolution of non-molecular data, evidencing fifteen non-ambiguous synapomorphic character states and consolidating the relationships among southern South American species. More South American representatives should be incorporated to elucidate their origin.

Phenological and distributional shifts in ichthyoplankton associated with recent warming in the northeast Pacific Ocean.

Understanding changes in the migratory and reproductive phenology of fish stocks in relation to climate change is critical for accurate ecosystem-based fisheries management. Relocation and changes in timing of reproduction can have dramatic effects upon the success of fish populations and throughout the food web. During anomalously warm conditions (1-4°C above normal) in the northeast Pacific Ocean during 2015-2016, we documented shifts in timing and spawning location of several pelagic fish stocks based on larval fish samples. Total larval concentrations in the northern California Current (NCC) during winter (January-March) 2015 and 2016 were the highest observed since annual collections first occurred in 1998, primarily due to increased abundances of Engraulis mordax (northern anchovy) and Sardinops sagax (Pacific sardine) larvae, which are normally summer spawning species in this region. Sardinops sagax and Merluccius productus (Pacific hake) exhibited an unprecedented early and northward spawning expansion during 2015-16. In addition, spawning duration was greatly increased for E.mordax, as the presence of larvae was observed throughout the majority of 2015-16, indicating prolonged and nearly continuous spawning of adults throughout the warm period. Larvae from all three of these species have never before been collected in the NCC as early in the year. In addition, other southern species were collected in the NCC during this period. This suggests that the spawning phenology and distribution of several ecologically and commercially important fish species dramatically and rapidly changed in response to the warming conditions occurring in 2014-2016, and could be an indication of future conditions under projected climate change. Changes in spawning timing and poleward migration of fish populations due to warmer ocean conditions or global climate change will negatively impact areas that were historically dependent on these fish, and change the food web structure of the areas that the fish move into with unforeseen consequences.

Birds on the move in the face of climate change: High species turnover in northern Europe

Species richness is predicted to increase in the northern latitudes in the warming climate due to ranges of many southern species expanding northwards. We studied changes in the composition of the whole avifauna and in bird species richness in a period of already warming climate in Finland (in northern Europe) covering 1,100 km in south–north gradient across the boreal zone (over 300,000 km2). We compared bird species richness and species‐specific changes (for all 235 bird species that occur in Finland) in range size (number of squares occupied) and range shifts (measured as median of area of occupancy) based on bird atlas studies between 1974–1989 and 2006–2010. In addition, we tested how the habitat preference and migration strategy of species explain species‐specific variation in the change of the range size. The study was carried out in 10 km squares with similar research intensity in both time periods. The species richness did not change significantly between the two time periods. The composition of the bird fauna, however, changed considerably with 37.0% of species showing an increase and 34.9% a decrease in the numbers of occupied squares, that is, about equal number of species gained and lost their range. Altogether 95.7% of all species (225/235) showed changes either in the numbers of occupied squares or they experienced a range shift (or both). The range size of archipelago birds increased and long‐distance migrants declined significantly. Range loss observed in long‐distance migrants is in line with the observed population declines of long‐distance migrants in the whole Europe. The results show that there is an ongoing considerable species turnover due to climate change and due to land use and other direct human influence. High bird species turnover observed in northern Europe may also affect the functional diversity of species communities.

Iron sources alter the response of Southern Ocean phytoplankton to ocean acidification

The rise in anthropogenic CO2 and the associated ocean acidification (OA) will change trace metal solubility and speciation, potentially altering Southern Ocean (SO) phytoplankton productivity and species composition. As iron (Fe) sources are important determinants of Fe bioavailability, we assessed the effect of Fe-laden dust versus inorganic Fe (FeCl3) enrichment under ambient and high pCO2 levels (390 and 900 μatm) in a naturally Fe-limited SO phytoplankton community. Despite similar Fe chemical speciation and net particulate organic carbon (POC) production rates, CO2-dependent species shifts were controlled by Fe sources. Final phytoplankton communities of both control and dust treatments were dominated by the same species, with an OA-dependent shift from the diatom Pseudo nitzschia prolongatoides towards the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis antarctica. Addition of FeCl3 resulted in high abundances of Nitzschia lecointei and Chaetoceros neogracilis under ambient and high pCO2, respectively. These findings reveal that both the characterization of the phytoplankton community at the species level and the use of natural Fe sources are essential for a realistic projection of the biological carbon pump in the Fe-limited pelagic SO under OA. As dust deposition represents a more realistic scenario for the Fe-limited pelagic SO under OA, unaffected net POC production and dominance of P. antarctica can potentially weaken the export of carbon and silica in the future.

The Moravian Gate as route of migration of thermophilous bee species to Poland: fact or myth? A case study in the “Góra Gipsowa” steppe reserve and other habitats near Kietrz

AbstractThis study complements earlier research on wild bees (Apiformes) in the “Góra Gipsowa” steppe reserve and other habitats near the town of Kietrz (SW Poland), close to the Czech border. It also attempts to reassess the opinion of some researchers about the Moravian Gate as a migration route of southern species to Poland. 109 bee species were recorded at the study sites, including 10 red-listed ones; southern species accounted for 16.5% of this number. The hypothetical route of migration of thermophilous bees through the Moravian Gate to Poland was analysed and the species composition of southern species at either side of the Moravian Gate compared. The results of this study indicate that at present the Moravian Gate plays no part in the migration of southern bee species to Poland.

Range extension of the sesarmid crab Clistocoeloma villosum along the eastern Pacific coast of the Izu Peninsula, Japan

BackgroundThe Pacific coastline along the southern Izu Peninsula, Japan, is strongly influenced by warm tropical waters of the Kuroshio Current. A new easternmost record of the near-threatened sesarmid crab Clistocoeloma villosum is reported from the southern part of Izu Peninsula.MethodsThe present study was conducted in August 2014 and February 2015, on tidal flats in the mouth of the Aono River, draining the southern part of Izu Peninsula. Crabs were collected by hand on the tidal flat substrate, under cobble stones and on the periphery of associated mangrove forests.Results and conclusionBody sizes and morphological characteristics closely matched existing descriptions of C. villosum, the distribution range having been extended ca. 350 km eastward from the Kii Peninsula (traditional eastern boundary of the species), suggesting broad northeastwardly directed planktonic larval transport by the warm Kuroshio Current along the Pacific coast of Japan. The survival and settlement of larvae of this southern species along the southern coast of the Izu Peninsula, is evidence of the suitability of the small gravel dominated tidal flats in the region as habitat for the species.

Complementary Network-Based Approaches for Exploring Genetic Structure and Functional Connectivity in Two Vulnerable, Endemic Ground Squirrels.

The persistence of small populations is influenced by genetic structure and functional connectivity. We used two network-based approaches to understand the persistence of the northern Idaho ground squirrel (Urocitellus brunneus) and the southern Idaho ground squirrel (U. endemicus), two congeners of conservation concern. These graph theoretic approaches are conventionally applied to social or transportation networks, but here are used to study population persistence and connectivity. Population graph analyses revealed that local extinction rapidly reduced connectivity for the southern species, while connectivity for the northern species could be maintained following local extinction. Results from gravity models complemented those of population graph analyses, and indicated that potential vegetation productivity and topography drove connectivity in the northern species. For the southern species, development (roads) and small-scale topography reduced connectivity, while greater potential vegetation productivity increased connectivity. Taken together, the results of the two network-based methods (population graph analyses and gravity models) suggest the need for increased conservation action for the southern species, and that management efforts have been effective at maintaining habitat quality throughout the current range of the northern species. To prevent further declines, we encourage the continuation of management efforts for the northern species, whereas conservation of the southern species requires active management and additional measures to curtail habitat fragmentation. Our combination of population graph analyses and gravity models can inform conservation strategies of other species exhibiting patchy distributions.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROTECTED AREAS IN NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN FOREST STEPPE IN THE SITUATION OF FULL COVERAGE BY AGRICULTURE

The entire territory of Northern Kazakhstan has been used for agriculture, causing deep transformation of landscapes, especially forest steppe, and degradation of animal biotopes. It is therefore necessary to comprehensively elucidate the consequences of this process. The development of virgin land and subsequent intensification of agricultural land use, eventually resulting in universal replacement of natural ecosystems with agrolandscapes have reduced habitat availability for many animals, wherefore establishment of game reserves, later on transformed into zoological reserves, was initiated. On the basis of studies carried out in the region in the 18 th -20 th cc. and the analysis of an extensive pool of zoogeographical data, we demonstrate stages in the loss of the zoological diversity of the forest steppe zone, and analyze quantitative and qualitative changes in the fauna of Mamlyutsky, Smirnovsky and Sogrovsky forest steppe zoological reserves in the North Kazakhstan region. The key factors behind the spatio-temporal decline in the number of animal species and their abundances since the foundation of the protected areas were identified. Systematization and analytical treatment of the results of long-term zoogeographical surveys of the above-listed nature reserves coupled with official statistical data and the findings of the authors' own field surveys (animals and birds counts; assessment of human impact on biotopes) in 2010-2016 allowed to reveal a downward population trend for a majority of species of southern and atypical kolok-type (with groves) forest steppe. The role of other negative factors - fires, poaching, fisheries (in addition to the dominating agriculture-related factors), has also increased. A number of actions to reverse the situation and stabilize the abundances of protected species are proposed for each of the nature reserves. An assumption is made that the only environment-friendly scenario allowing to preserve the representativeness of the nature reserves' fauna would be to reduce the excessive agriculture-related pressure both within the protected areas and in buffer zones.

Seawater warming at the northern reach for southern species: Gulf of Genoa, NW Mediterranean

Global warming is facilitating the poleward range expansion of plant and animal species. In the Mediterranean Sea, the concurrent temperature increase and abundance of (sub)tropical non-indigenous species (NIS) is leading to the so-called ‘tropicalization’ of the Mediterranean Sea, which is dramatically evident in the south-eastern sectors of the basin. At the same time, the colder north-western sectors of the basin have been said to undergo a process of ‘meridionalization’, that is the establishment of warm-water native species (WWN) previously restricted to the southern sectors. The Gulf of Genoa (Ligurian Sea) is the north-western reach for southern species of whatever origin in the Mediterranean. Recent (up to 2015) observations of NIS and WWN by diving have been collated to update previous similar inventories. In addition, the relative occurrences of both groups of southern species have been monitored by snorkelling between 2009 and 2015 in shallow rocky reefs at Genoa, and compared with the trend in air and sea surface temperatures. A total of 20 southern species (11 NIS and 9 WWN) was found. Two WWN (the zebra seabream Diplodus cervinus and the parrotfish Sparisoma cretense) and three NIS (the SW Atlantic sponge Paraleucilla magna, the Red Sea polychaete Branchiomma luctuosum, and the amphi-American and amphi-Atlantic crab Percnon gibbesi) are new records for the Ligurian Sea, whereas juveniles of the Indo-Pacific bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii have been found for the first time. While temperature has kept on increasing for the whole period, with 2014 and 2015 being the warmest years since at least 1950, the number of WWN increased linearly, that of NIS increased exponentially, contradicting the idea of meridionalization and supporting that of tropicalization even in the northern sectors of the Mediterranean basin.

ADDITIONS TO THE LICHEN FLORA OF THE PASVIK STRICT NATURE RESERVE (MURMANSK REGION) BASED ON RECORDS FROM 2015-2016

Although there are many published articles about the lichen flora of the Pasvik Strict Nature Reserve, the diversity of lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi of this protected area is not completely known. In 2016, the Reserve's administration organized a new hepatic-lichenological field trip to the southern part of the Reserve. One of the main goals of this trip was to study the lichen diversity of old pine and aspen forests. As a result, sixteen species of lichens have been added to the total number of lichens ever found in the Pasvik Reserve (NW Murmansk Region), viz. Anzina carneonivea, Bacidina chloroticula, Blastenia ammiospila, Bryoria implexa, Cetraria nigricans, Cladonia cariosa, C. stricta, Diploschistes muscorum, Leimonis erratica, Multiclavula corynoides, Nephroma resupinatum, Phaeophyscia endococcina, Protomicarea limosa, Strangospora moriformis, Tephromela atra, Trapeliopsis flexuosa. The total lichen flora of the Pasvik Reserve now comprises 504 species. A rare southern species Bacidina chloroticula is new to the Murmansk Region. This species was found in the southern part of the reserve in an old aspen forest, growing on moss-covered rock. A rare species Peltigera occidentalis was found for the second time in the Murmansk Region, in an area adjacent to the Reserve. Anzina carneonivea, Bryoria implexa, Nephroma resupinatum, Peltigera occidentalis, and Trapeliopsis flexuosa are newly reported for the biogeographic province Lapponia petsamoensis. Six genera are new for the lichen flora of the Reserve - Anzina, Leimonis, Multiclavula, Protomicarea, Strangospora, and Tephromela. In addition, nineteen rarely collected species are also reported. Brief characteristics of the localities and notes on regional distribution of the species are given. New localities for three species from the Red Data Books of the Murmansk Region and Russia, Bryoria fremontii, Lichenomphalia hudsoniana and Melanohalea exasperata, are reported. It is recommended to exclude the species Melanohalea exasperata from the Red Data Book of the Murmansk Region as non-threatened.

Temperature and ant assemblages: Biased values of community temperature index

The community temperature index (CTI) is increasingly used to identify the impacts of global warming on local biotic communities such as birds, butterflies, and plants. Temperature is one of the main determinants of global ant diversity and local ant assemblages. Therefore, the CTI can be used to identify the relationship between temperature and ant assemblages or to estimate the influence of global warming. This study aimed at finding the relationship between temperature and CTI values of ant assemblages. Ants were surveyed using baits and pitfall traps at six forest sites in South Korea, differing in mean annual temperature (MAT) from 7.4°C to 12°C. The national ant data was used to calculate the species temperature index (STI) of each species that was then used to estimate CTI. The CTI values were significantly positively correlated to MAT values, but the slopes of regression models were lower than one (0.43–0.62). The low slope might be partly caused by the bias of local occurrence data: Overestimation of STI of northern species and underestimation of southern species. The slope values varied according to data types (abundance-individuals, abundance-trap, and occurrence).

Marine species distribution shifts on the U.S. Northeast Continental Shelf under continued ocean warming

The U.S. Northeast Continental Shelf marine ecosystem has warmed much faster than the global ocean and it is expected that this enhanced warming will continue through this century. Complex bathymetry and ocean circulation in this region have contributed to biases in global climate model simulations of the Shelf waters. Increasing the resolution of these models results in reductions in the bias of future climate change projections and indicates greater warming than suggested by coarse resolution climate projections. Here, we used a high-resolution global climate model and historical observations of species distributions from a trawl survey to examine changes in the future distribution of suitable thermal habitat for various demersal and pelagic species on the Shelf. Along the southern portion of the shelf (Mid-Atlantic Bight and Georges Bank), a projected 4.1°C (surface) to 5.0°C (bottom) warming of ocean temperature from current conditions results in a northward shift of the thermal habitat for the majority of species. While some southern species like butterfish and black sea bass are projected to have moderate losses in suitable thermal habitat, there are potentially significant increases for many species including summer flounder, striped bass, and Atlantic croaker. In the north, in the Gulf of Maine, a projected 3.7°C (surface) to 3.9°C (bottom) warming from current conditions results in substantial reductions in suitable thermal habitat such that species currently inhabiting this region may not remain in these waters under continued warming. We project a loss in suitable thermal habitat for key northern species including Acadian redfish, American plaice, Atlantic cod, haddock, and thorney skate, but potential gains for some species including spiny dogfish and American lobster. We illustrate how changes in suitable thermal habitat of important commercially fished species may impact local fishing communities and potentially impact major fishing ports along the U.S. Northeast Shelf. Given the complications of multiple drivers including species interactions and fishing pressure, it is difficult to predict exactly how species will shift. However, observations of species distribution shifts in the historical record under ocean warming suggest that temperature will play a primary role in influencing how species fare. Our results provide critical information on the potential for suitable thermal habitat on the U.S. Northeast Shelf for demersal species in the region, and may contribute to the development of ecosystem-based fisheries management strategies in response to climate change.

Chemical Composition and Evaluation Preliminary of Antileishmanial Activity in vitro of Essential Oil from Leaves of Eugenia pitanga, A Native Species of Southern of Brazil

Eugenia pitanga (O.Berg) Nied., Myrtaceae, popularly known as pitanga-do-campo, is a species native from Pampa biome, in southern of Brazil and is popularly used as antidiarrheal, anti-rheumatic, stimulant and febrifuge. The aim of this work was to determine the chemical composition of essential oil from fresh leaves of Eugenia pitanga (O.Berg) Nied. Preliminaries data about antileishmanial activity in vitro of essential oil against promastigotes forms of Leishmania amazonensis are presented. The method to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil from fresh leaves of E. pitanga (EoEp) was gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. EoEp was assayed in vitro for antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. The EoEp comprised 57 components and was rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes (72.97 %) with spathulenol (15.34 %), globulol (10.93 %) and (2E,6E) methyl farnesoate (7.40 %) as the major constituents. EoEp was effective against L. amazonensis promastigotes with IC50 value of 6.10 ± 1.80 μg/mL. This work reports for the first time the composition of essential oil from leaves of E. pitanga from Pampa Biome, and it suggests the importance of continuing the studies in order to explain the antileishmanial activity.

Relation between extinction and assisted colonization of plants in the arctic-alpine and boreal regions.

Assisted colonization of vascular plants is considered by many ecologists an important tool to preserve biodiversity threatened by climate change. I argue that assisted colonization may have negative consequences in arctic-alpine and boreal regions. The observed slow movement of plants toward the north has been an argument for assisted colonization. However, these range shifts may be slow because for many plants microclimatic warming (ignored by advocates of assisted colonization) has been smaller than macroclimatic warming. Arctic-alpine and boreal plants may have limited possibilities to disperse farther north or to higher elevations. I suggest that arctic-alpine species are more likely to be driven to extinction because of competitive exclusion by southern species than by increasing temperatures. If so, the future existence of arctic-alpine and boreal flora may depend on delaying or preventing the migration of plants toward the north to allow northern species to evolve to survive in a warmer climate. In the arctic-alpine region, preventing the dispersal of trees and shrubs may be the most important method to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. The purported conservation benefits of assisted colonization should not be used to promote the migration of invasive species by forestry.

Critical catchments for freshwater biodiversity conservation in Europe: identification, prioritisation and gap analysis

SummaryThe conservation of freshwater ecosystems has lagged behind that of marine and terrestrial ecosystems and often requires the integration of large‐scale approaches and transboundary considerations. This study aims to set the foundations of a spatial conservation strategy by identifying the most important catchments for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity in Europe.Using data on 1296 species of fish, mollusc, odonate and aquatic plant, and the key biodiversity area criteria (species Red List status, range restriction and uniqueness of species assemblages), we identified a network of Critical Catchments for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity. Applying spatial prioritisation, we show how the prioritised network differs from the ideal case of protecting all Critical Catchments and how it changes when protected areas are included, and we also identify gaps between the prioritised network and existing protected areas.Critical Catchments (n = 8423) covered 45% of the area of Europe, with 766 qualifying (‘trigger’) species located primarily in southern Europe. The prioritised network, limited to 17% of the area of Europe, comprised 3492 catchments mostly in southern and eastern Europe and species targets were met for at least 96% of the trigger species.We found the majority of Critical Catchments to be inadequately covered by protected areas. However, our prioritised network presents a possible solution to augment protected areas to meet policy targets while also achieving good species coverage.Policy implications. While Critical Catchments cover almost half of Europe, priority catchments are mostly in southern and eastern Europe where the current level of protection is not sufficient. This study presents a foundation for a Europe‐wide systematic conservation plan to ensure the persistence of freshwater biodiversity. Our study provides a powerful new tool for optimising investment on the conservation of freshwater biodiversity and for meeting targets set forth in international biodiversity policies, conventions and strategies.

Modelling present and future global distributions of razor clams (Bivalvia: Solenidae)

Razor clams (Pharidae and Solenidae) are deep-burrowing bivalves that inhabit shallow waters of the tropical, subtropical, and temperate seas. Using ‘maximum entropy’, a species distribution modelling software, we predicted the most suitable environments for the entire family and 14 Solen species to indicate their present and future geographic distributions. Distance to land, depth, and sea surface temperature (SST) were the most important environmental variables in training and creating the present and future distribution models both at the family and species level. In the present distribution models at the family level, the most suitable environment was where distance to land was between 0 and 100 km, a depth of 0–150 m, wave height of 5–7 m, a mean chlorophyll-a concentration about 0.7 mg m−3, and mean SST between 12 and 28 °C. Comparison with the future distribution models at the species level, found that most species were predicted to shift their distribution ranges poleward under the future environmental scenarios; i.e. species in the northern hemisphere would shift northward and southern species southward. Models also predicted that half of the species would expand their distribution ranges, 29% of species would not change their distribution, and 21% of species would shrink their distribution ranges under future climate change. Expanding geographic ranges would result in overlap in species ranges and thus greater species richness at regional scales. Model results predict that the mid-latitude peaks of species richness will move further apart, increasing the dip in richness near the equator, due to global climate change.

BretonversusBritish Spiders: Are They So Different?

In this paper, we compare the spider faunas of two close geographical entities: Brittany (western France, 634 species) and Great Britain (UK, 639 species). There was a high percentage of shared species (67%, 513 species) and differences among families and genera were attributed to biogeography and geological history (i.e. glaciation), much less by rarity and possible under-recording. Some northern species are absent from Brittany and many southern species from Great Britain. Further surveys, mainly targeting winter maturing species, are needed.

Description of a new microphthalmous species ofPterostichusBonelli, 1810 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from southwestern Oregon and key to species of the subgenusLeptoferoniaCasey, 1918

Abstract. Pterostichus (Leptoferonia) hackerae sp. nov. is described based on a single male specimen with its type locality No Name Cave, Josephine Co., Oregon. This is the seventh species of microphthalmous Leptoferonia Casey, 1918 to be described, and based on the analysis of DNA data, it is found to be most closely related to another microphthalmous species, P. rothi (Hatch, 1951). A second specimen and location for P. (Leptoferonia) enyo Will, 2007, also a microphthalmous species, is reported. Analysis of DNA sequence data (28S rDNA and COI mtDNA) places P. enyo as sister to the more southern microphthalmous species P. (Leptoferonia) caligans Horn, 1891. A modified version of the key by Hacker (1968) is presented, allowing for identification of all known species of Leptoferonia.

Benthic foraminiferal biogeography in NW European fjords: A baseline for assessing future change

The seaboard extending from northern Svalbard to Scotland is the only region of the world where fjords have been comprehensively studied for their live (stained) benthic foraminiferal faunas. These modern faunas provide essential baseline data for the interpretation of the postglacial and continuing environmental changes in those fjords and this is the first biogeographic synthesis. The data come from the surface sediment assemblages (mainly sampled in the 1990's) from all the available literature. Due to limited information of shallow water assemblages in the north, only the species occurrences in deeper water from below the halocline are considered. Amongst these, only “common species” species occurring in more than one fjord are included. There is a clear pattern of distribution with five groups of taxa: 5 widespread species found throughout the region; 53 species reaching their northern limit; 13 species reaching their southern limit; 11 deep-sea species; 1 recently introduced species. Although there is an abrupt change in temperature from Tanafjorden in northern Norway to Hornsund in southern Svalbard, the faunal change from N to S is progressive throughout the investigated region. The area of overlap of the northern and southern species corresponds with the previously recognised boundary between the Barents Sea Province and the Norwegian Coast Province based on shelf and upper slope invertebrate macrofaunal benthos and plankton. Temperature is the main abiotic control on the distributions. For the fjords which have shallow sills separating them from the open shelf it is likely that most of the foraminiferal colonisers of the deeper fjord basins are sourced from the shelf or slope via propagules. One species has recently been introduced from further south into the southern region probably through the discharge of ballast water from ships. The biodiversity of the pristine Svalbard fjords extends below what is considered to reflect acceptable ecological status for mainland Norway, illustrating the need to introduce new methods to determine possible deviations from the reference conditions as defined in the EU's Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2000/60/EC). Altogether 347 species have so far been recorded in Norwegian waters: 214 in fjords (60 above and 180 below the halocline of which 26 occur both above and below the halocline) and 266 on the shelf and slope (133 of which also occur in fjords).