Species Distribution Patterns Research Articles

Global pattern of conodont similarity and faunal constraints during the highstand of the Evae eustatic event (late Floian, Lower Ordovician)

One of the largest Ordovician sea-level rises is the Evae transgression, which occurs in the lower part of the Oepikodus evae Biozone, indicative of a late Floian age. Specifically, the characteristics associated with the highstand of this event included: a higher proportion of specimens of the index species O. evae than other species, a diversity acme in the evae Biozone, and a reduction of biogeographic barriers that resulted in a high proportion of species with cosmopolitan distribution. In the present contribution, the pattern of species similarity among Laurentia, Argentine Precordillera, Baltica, Kazakhstania, South China, and Australia is evaluated with a multiple coefficient analysis including only the sections that recorded the highstand of the Evae transgression. Moreover, the effect of possible terrestrial, latitudinal, physicochemical barriers and palaeogeographic distance on the species distribution is analysed using the Raup-Crick index. Our results show a global pattern of conodont species distribution that is highly constrained by the tested palaeoenvironmental factors. This suggests that contrary to what was expected for a prominent transgression, faunal barriers did not decrease significantly during the Evae drowning peak.

Ocean weather, biological rates, and unexplained global ecological patterns.

As on land, oceans exhibit high temporal and spatial temperature variation. This "ocean weather" contributes to the physiological and ecological processes that ultimately determine the patterns of species distribution and abundance, yet is often unrecognized, especially in tropical oceans. Here, we tested the paradigm of temperature stability in shallow waters (<12.5 m) across different zones of latitude. We collated hundreds of in situ, high temporal-frequency ocean temperature time series globally to produce an intuitive measure of temperature variability, ranging in scale from quarter-diurnal to annual time spans. To estimate organismal sensitivity of ectotherms (i.e. microbes, algae, and animals whose body temperatures depend upon ocean temperature), we computed the corresponding range of biological rates (such as metabolic rate or photosynthesis) for each time span, assuming an exponential relationship. We found that subtropical regions had the broadest temperature ranges at time spans equal to or shorter than a month, while temperate and tropical systems both exhibited narrow (i.e. stable) short-term temperature range estimates. However, temperature-dependent biological rates in tropical regions displayed greater ranges than in temperate systems. Hence, our results suggest that tropical ectotherms may be relatively more sensitive to short-term thermal variability. We also highlight previously unexplained macroecological patterns that may be underpinned by short-term temperature variability.

Fungal keratitis among inpatients with corneal ulcers in Thai Binh, Vietnam: A retrospective observational study

Background: Infectious keratitis can be caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Fungi are a common pathogen, especially in developing countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh where the prevalence ranges from 20% to 60%. In Vietnam, fungal keratitis accounted for the highest number of keratitis cases in a study conducted at the central eye hospital over a 5-year period (57%). Therefore, it is necessary to collect specific background information connected to the types of fungal keratitis in corneal ulcer cases in this region. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fungal keratitis and the epidemiological features in 216 cases of fungal keratitis out of a total of 240 cases of infectious keratitis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study collected secondary data from medical records of 240 inpatients with infectious keratitis who were treated at the ophthalmology hospital in Thai Binh, Vietnam, from January 01st, 2021 to June 30th, 2022. Patients with a positive fungal-directed smear were analyzed in detail for the type of fungus isolated, sociodemographic data, predisposing risk factors, prior treatment modalities, and laboratory results for the distribution pattern of fungus species. Results: Among the 240 cases, 126 (52.5%) were diagnosed with fungal keratitis by direct microscopic examination. Culture results showed the highest rate of Fusarium spp. (43.3%). The age group of 41–60 years was most commonly involved (40.5%). Males were more affected by fungal keratitis than females, (53.2% compared to 46.8%), with farmers being the most common occupation correlated with fungal keratitis (55.6%). The rate of fungal keratitis patients due to agricultural injuries was the highest compared to other risks (47.6%) and most patients self-medicated before going to the hospital, with many not knowing or remembering what medications they had taken (52.4%). Conclusion: The study revealed a high rate of fungal keratitis among the total of infectious keratitis cases in Thai Binh, Vietnam. Fusarium spp. was the most commonly isolated fungi. The study also highlighted the impact of agricultural injuries on fungal keratitis, especially in regions like Thai Binh.

Exploring the phylogeny and depth evolution of cusk eels and their relatives (Ophidiiformes: Ophidioidei)

With 289 known species in 51 genera, the ophidiiform family Ophidiidae together with their relatives from the Carapidae (36 species in eight genera) of the same suborder Ophidioidei dominate the deep sea, but some occur also in shallow water habitats. Despite their high species diversity in the deep sea and wide bathymetric distributions, their phylogenetic relationships and evolution remain unexplored due in part to sampling difficulties. Thanks to the biodiversity exploratory program entitled “Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos” and joint efforts between Taiwan and French teams for sampling from different localities across the Indo-West Pacific over the last two decades, we are able to compile comprehensive datasets for investigations. In this study, 59 samples representing 36 of 59 known ophidioid genera are selected and used to construct a multi-gene dataset to infer the phylogenetic relationships of ophidioid fishes and their relatives. Our results reveal that the Ophidiidae forms a paraphyletic group with respect to the Carapidae. The four main clades of Ophidioidei resolved are the (1) clade comprising species from the subfamily Brotulinae; (2) clade that includes species in the genera Acanthonus and Xyelacyba; (3) clade grouping Hypopleuron caninum with species from the family Carapidae; and (4) clade containing the species in the subfamily Brotulotaenilinae, Neobythitinae (in part), and Ophidiinae. Accordingly, we suggest the following new revisions based on our results and proposed morphological diagnoses. The subfamily Brotulinae should be elevated to the family level. The genera Xyelacyba and probably Tauredophidium (unsampled in this study) should be included in the newly established family Acanthonidae with Acanthonus. The families Carapidae and Ophidiidae are re-defined. Our time-calibrated phylogenetic and ancestral depth reconstructions enable us to clarify the evolutionary history of ophidiiform fishes and infer past patterns of species distributions at different depths. While Ophidiiformes is inferred to have originated in shallow waters around 96.25 million years ago (Mya), the common ancestor to the Ophidioidei is inferred to have invaded the deep sea around 90.22 Mya, the dates coinciding with the global anoxic event of the OAE2. The observed bathymetric distribution patterns in Ophidioidei most likely point to the mesopelagic zone as the center of origin and diversification. This was followed by multiple events of depth transitions or range expansions towards either shallower waters or greater depth zones, which were likely triggered by past climate changes during the Paleogene-Neogene.

Species distribution and antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida isolated from critically ill patients with candidemia

Species distribution and antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida isolated from critically ill patients with candidemia

THE BUXA TIGER RESERVE AS A ‘HOT SPOT’ OF ANT DIVERSITY IN WEST BENGAL STATE (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

Totally 126 species from 43 genera and 7 subfamilies of ants have been found in the Buxa Tiger Reserve. Of them Tetramorium curtulum Emery, 1895, Calyptomyrmex friederikae Kutter, 1976 and Dolichoderus brevis Santschi, 1920 are recorded from India for the first time. Six rare species are also found here, viz. Gesomyrmex spatulatus Cole, 1949, Rhopalomastix rothneyi Forel, 1900, Colobopsis cotesii (Forel, 1893), Colobopsis vitrea angustula (Emery, 1925), and Camponotus selene (Emery, 1889). The diversity and distribution pattern of different species opens avenue for considering this protected area as a gene pool for ant diversity in West Bengal.

Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Urinary Tract Infection in Iran: Candida Species Distribution and Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns.

Candida species, typically part of the human skin and mucous membrane flora, can cause opportunistic fungal infections, notably urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are on the rise among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The lack of understanding of UTIs in this population, coupled with the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, poses significant challenges for effective treatment and further investigations. In this study, urine samples were collected from 70 COVID-19 patients with UTIs in sterile containers for microbiology examination. After microscopic observation, the isolates were identified both by phenotypic and molecular techniques such as multiplex PCR. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) against fluconazole (Flu), itraconazole (Itr), and amphotericin B (AMB) was performed according to CLSI M27/S4 standard methods, with the frequency of isolates including Candida albicans (n = 20, 51.3%), Candida tropicalis (n = 15, 38.4%), Nakaseomyces glabrata (previously Candida glabrata) (n = 2, 5.1%), Pichia kudriavzevii (previously Candida krusei), and Candida parapsilosis (n = 1, 2.5%). All isolates of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis were sensitive to amphotericin B, while C. kruzei was resistant to AMB. Around 70% of C. albicans isolates were sensitive to Flu; 20% of C. tropicalis were resistant to itraconazole, while 33% were resistant to fluconazole. C. albicans and C. tropicalis were the main causes of candiduria in infected cases and both Flu and AMB showed good results in AFST in these species. Performing drug susceptibility testing for clinical isolates of Candida spp. provided guidance for appropriate management and control, and timely antifungal treatment.

The current knowledge about the distribution of Portulaca species (Portulacaceae) within the Balkan Peninsula

AbstractThis study addresses the complex taxonomy and distribution of the genus Portulaca L. (Portulacaceae) within the Balkans, focusing on the often-debated species composition and distribution patterns in the P. oleracea aggregate. Our research aims to resolve this ambiguity by addressing two key questions: 1) Which Portulaca taxa are present in the Balkans, and 2) What is the current distribution of these taxa here? To achieve this, we conducted literature reviews, seed collection, species identification using micromorphological characteristics, and distribution analysis. Our findings reveal the presence of four distinct species in the Balkans: P. oleracea agg., P. grandiflora, P. pilosa and P. umbraticola. Additionally, within the P. oleracea complex, twelve microspecies have been identified, primarily differentiated based on seed micromorphology. Besides, five species (P. daninii, P. granulato-stellulata, P. rausii, P. sardoa, and P. trituberculata) have been documented in Montenegro, and one species (P. nitida) – in Slovenia for the first time. This study provides a valuable contribution to the botanical knowledge of the Balkan Peninsula, offering the recommendations for future studies of the P. oleracea complex for the solution of the taxonomic puzzle in this aggregate.

Distribution Status of Invasive Alien Species in the Estuarine Wetlands in East and South Coast, Korea

Based on the results of survey on estuarine ecosystem conducted from 2021 to 2023, this study analyzed the distribution pattern of invasive alien species. A total of six invasive alien species (&lt;i&gt;Micropterus salmoides&lt;/i&gt; [&lt;i&gt;M. salmoides&lt;/i&gt;], &lt;i&gt;Lepomis macrochirus&lt;/i&gt; [&lt;i&gt;L. macrochirus&lt;/i&gt;], &lt;i&gt;Lithobates catesbeianus&lt;/i&gt; [&lt;i&gt;L. catesbeianus&lt;/i&gt;], &lt;i&gt;Trachemys scripta&lt;/i&gt; [&lt;i&gt;T. scripta&lt;/i&gt;], &lt;i&gt;Pseudemys concinna&lt;/i&gt; [&lt;i&gt;P. concinna&lt;/i&gt;], and &lt;i&gt;Pseudemys nelsoni&lt;/i&gt; [&lt;i&gt;P. nelsoni&lt;/i&gt;]) were identified across 118 estuarine wetlands. The survey revealed 960 individuals of &lt;i&gt;M. salmoides&lt;/i&gt;, 2,596 individuals of &lt;i&gt;L. macrochirus&lt;/i&gt;, 1,088 individuals of &lt;i&gt;L. catesbeianus&lt;/i&gt;, and 44 individuals of &lt;i&gt;T. scripta&lt;/i&gt;, while 1 individual of &lt;i&gt;P. concinna&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;P. nelsoni&lt;/i&gt; were found. These invasive species were found to be densely distributed in estuarine wetlands in the Haenam and Goheung regions of the southern coast. Furthermore, the distribution density varied depending on the characteristics and locations of the estuarine wetlands. It was observed that the distribution density was higher in closed type than in open type, in riverine than in lacustrine, and in the south coast than in the east coast. Once the basic survey of estuarine wetlands located on the west coast is completed, a clearer understanding of the nationwide distribution characteristics of invasive alien species in estuarine wetlands can be achieved. This information will be crucial for formulating appropriate management strategies tailored to the characteristics of wetlands or coastal areas in the future.

Fleas (Siphonaptera) of Gerbils in the Caucasus

Representatives of the gerbil subfamily (Gerbillinae) are the main components of biocenoses in deserts and semi-deserts. They are the hosts of many flea species and the main vectors of the causative plague agent in a number of natural plague foci. The taxonomic diversity, distribution pattern and host-parasite relationships of flea species noted as parasites of gerbils in the Caucasus are analyzed. Gerbils and their fleas entered the Caucasus from southwest Asia in the Pliocene in parallel to the migration of floral psammophilic complexes. In the Holocene, semi-desert and desert Turanian plants were introduced from the northeast to the Pre-Caucasus, and the fauna of gerbils and their fleas was replenished with several species and subspecies. In accordance with the settlement of carriers and vectors, sandy natural plague foci in Transcaucasia could have existed already in the Pliocene, and in the Pre-Caucasus they were formed no earlier than the Holocene.

Global patterns and drivers of buzzing bees and poricidal plants

Foraging behavior frequently plays a major role in driving the geographic distribution of animals. Buzzing to extract protein-rich pollen from flowers is a key foraging behavior used by bee species across at least 83 genera (these genera comprise ∼58% of all bee species). Although buzzing is widely recognized to affect the ecology and evolution of bees and flowering plants (e.g., buzz-pollinated flowers), global patterns and drivers of buzzing bee biogeography remain unexplored. Here, we investigate the global species distribution patterns within each bee family and how patterns and drivers differ with respect to buzzing bee species. We found that both distributional patterns and drivers of richness typically differed for buzzing species compared with hotspots for all bee species and when grouped by family. A major predictor of the distribution, but not species richness overall for buzzing members of four of the five major bee families included in analyses (Andrenidae, Halictidae, Colletidae, and to a lesser extent, Apidae), was the richness of poricidal flowering plant species, which depend on buzzing bees for pollination. Because poricidal plant richness was highest in areas with low wind and high aridity, we discuss how global hotspots of buzzing bee biodiversity are likely influenced by both biogeographic factors and plant host availability. Although we explored global patterns with state-level data, higher-resolution work is needed to explore local-level drivers of patterns. From a global perspective, buzz-pollinated plants clearly play a greater role in the ecology and evolution of buzzing bees than previously predicted.

Distribution and extent of suitable habitats of Ruspoli’s Turaco (Tauraco ruspolii) and White-cheeked Turaco (Tauraco leucotis) under a changing climate in Ethiopia

BackgroundUnderstanding the distribution pattern of species and their suitable habitat is key to focus conservation efforts. Climate change has had notable impact on the distribution and extent of suitable habitats, and the long-term survival of various species. We aim to determine the distribution and extent of suitable habitats for Tauraco ruspolii and T. leucotis in Ethiopia and predict their range in the 2050s and 2070s using MaxEnt algorithm. We used 25 and 29 rarified occurrence points for T. ruspolii and T. leucotis, respectively, and 13 environmental variables. Three regularization multipliers and two cut-off thresholds were used to map the potential suitable habitats for each species under current and future climates. Maps were assembled from these techniques to produce final composite tertiary maps and investigated the habitat suitability overlap between the two species using the UNION tool in the geographical information system.ResultAll model run performances were highly accurate for both species. Precipitation of the driest month and vegetation cover are the most influential variables for the habitat suitability of T. ruspolii. The habitat suitability of T. leucotis is also mainly influenced by mean temperature of the driest quarter and vegetation cover. Under the current climate, the suitable habitat predicted for T. ruspolii covered about 24,639.19 km2, but its range size change shows a gain and increase by 156.00% and 142.68% in 2050 and 2070, respectively. The T. leucotis‘s current suitable habitat ranges about 204,397.62 km², but this is reduced by 40.84% and 68.67% in 2050 and 2070, respectively. Our modeling also showed that there was suitable habitat overlap between them at the margin of their respective habitat types in time series.ConclusionWe concluded that there is a direct or indirect impact of climate change on the suitable habitat range expansion for T. ruspolii and contraction for T. leucotis as well as overlapping of these turaco species in different regions of Ethiopia. Therefore, understanding the distribution of current and future suitable habitats of the two turaco species can provide valuable information to implement conservation practices for the species and the regions as well.

The impact of anthropogenic disturbance and climate change on the distribution of Dekay’s brown snake (Storeria dekayi)

Abstract Human activities in the Anthropocene contribute to natural resource and climatic pattern shifts, which in turn affect the distributions of organisms. Currently, research efforts to understand organismal distribution patterns mainly focus on rare species, leaving common taxa to receive less attention. We constructed ecological niche models using MaxEnt to evaluate the distributions of a common urban reptile, Dekay’s brown snake (Storeria dekayi). We investigate the importance of human disturbance for the current S. dekayi distribution, the niche differentiation of the two genetic lineages of S. dekayi separated by the Mississippi River, and the potential future range shift of S. dekayi. We found no significant effect of human disturbance on current S. dekayi distribution. There was no significant evidence of niche differentiation between two lineages (eastern and western), which can possibly be attributed to their shallow genetic divergence. We also predicted a range expansion for S. dekayi in the future with anthropogenic climate change. Understanding the distribution patterns of common species is important because of the pivotal role they play in ecosystem functioning and services. We encourage more work to be conducted in the future on common and urban-dwelling species’ distributions to conserve and promote urban biodiversity and biodiversity overall.

Assessing Reptile Conservation Status under Global Climate Change

Global climate change drives variations in species distribution patterns and affects biodiversity, potentially increasing the risk of species extinction. Investigating the potential distribution range of species under future global climate change is crucial for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. In this study, we collected distributional data for 5282 reptile species to assess their conservation status based on distributional ranges using species distribution models. Our predictions indicate that the potential distribution ranges for over half of these species are projected to decrease under different scenarios. Under future scenarios with relatively low carbon emissions, the increase in the number of threatened reptiles is significantly lower, highlighting the importance of human efforts. Surprisingly, we identified some endangered species that are projected to expand their distribution ranges, underscoring the potential positive effects of climate change on some special species. Our findings emphasize the increased extinction risk faced by reptile species due to climate change and highlight the urgent need to mitigate the effects of habitat degradation and human activities on their potential distribution in the future.

Plant community formation and species distribution pattern in relation to environmental variables in Endiras Natural Forest, northwest Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Endiras Forest, northwest Ethiopia, to evaluate the effects of environmental variables on the patterns of plant community formation. A systematic random sampling technique was used to collect vegetation data from 56 (20 m × 20 m) plots laid at 100 m intervals on ten transects. In each plot, the species encountered and its percent cover abundance were recorded, which was later transformed into a modified Braun-Blanquet scale. The composite soil samples collected from 15 cm × 15 cm subplots were examined for 13 soil parameters. Communities were determined using cluster analysis. The Shannon-Wiener index was employed to quantify species diversity. The relationships between species and environmental variables were evaluated using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Seventy-three woody plant species, distributed in 40 families, were documented. Fabaceae was found to be the most species-rich family (20.55%). Five communities were generated from the cluster analyses that vary in diversity. Nine environmental variables were found to be significant in determining patterns of community formation (P < 0.05). Organic matter, pH, and altitude, highly correlated with CCA axis 1, largely shaped the community formation patterns. Various patterns of community formation demonstrate the need to design different conservation measures.

Anthropogenic Disturbances Influenced the Island Effect on Both Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Diversity on Subtropical Islands, Pingtan, China.

The investigation of taxonomic diversity within island plant communities stands as a central focus in the field of island biogeography. Phylogenetic diversity is crucial for unraveling the evolutionary history, ecological functions, and species combinations within island plant communities. Island effects (area and isolation effect) may shape species distribution patterns, habitat heterogeneity affects habitat diversity, and anthropogenic disturbances can lead to species extinction and habitat destruction, thus impacting both species diversity and phylogenetic diversity. To investigate how taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity in island natural plant communities respond to island effects, habitat heterogeneity, and anthropogenic disturbances, we took the main island of Haitan (a land-bridge island) and nine surrounding islands (oceanic islands) of varying sizes as the subjects of our study on the Pingtan islands. We aim to elucidate the influence of island effects, habitat heterogeneity, and anthropogenic disturbances on taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. The results showed that, (1) Both the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of plants on the Pingtan islands followed the island area effect, indicating that as the island area increases, both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity also increase. (2) Island effects and habitat heterogeneity were found to enhance taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, whereas anthropogenic disturbances were associated with a decrease in both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. Furthermore, the synergistic influence of island effects, habitat heterogeneity, and anthropogenic disturbances collectively exerted a negative impact on both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. (3) The contribution of explanatory variables of anthropogenic disturbances for taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity was higher than that of island effects and habitat heterogeneity. Additionally, the contribution of the explanatory variables under the combined influence of island effects, habitat heterogeneity, and anthropogenic disturbances is higher than that of the individual variables for island effects and habitat heterogeneity. These findings suggest that anthropogenic disturbances emerged as the dominant factors influencing both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. These findings demonstrate the intricate interplay between island effects, habitat heterogeneity, and anthropogenic disturbances, highlighting their combined influence on both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity on island.

Expected potential hemipteran vectors of Xylella fastidiosa bacterium in olive and vineyard groves of the Egyptian northwestern coast

Xylella fastidiosa was recently added to the list of threatening pathogens affecting more than 300 plant hosts. Hemipteran hoppers that feed on xylem have been documented as potential transmitters. Hemipteran hoppers, known vectors for plant pathogens via xylem feeding, pose significant risks to agriculture. Despite their role in transmitting diseases, comprehensive data on their species diversity, distribution, and seasonal patterns, particularly in critical agricultural zones, remain sparse. Hence, the current study was carried out at 14 sites (eight olive farms and six vineyards) during the 2021/2022 season to develop a comprehensive checklist of hopper species present on the Egyptian Northwestern Coast, including their seasonal and location distribution, to serve as a real roadmap supporting control strategies if the pathogen breaches Egyptian borders. Utilizing 560 yellow sticky traps, we collected data seasonally, resulting in the identification of 21 hopper species belonging to 14 genera within four families. Olive orchards harbored a higher number of hoppers compared to vineyards, with Empoasca decipiens being the most dominant species. Our findings provide a foundational checklist and highlight the importance of continued monitoring and detailed studies to support proactive control strategies against potential X. fastidiosa outbreaks. We used 560 yellow sticky traps at 10 traps per site (80 traps for olive orchards and 60 traps for the vineyard per season) throughout the study period. Traps were installed at two levels to catch hopper species harboring tree canopies and ground vegetation. Each trap was replaced every 7 days, and the collected trap sheets were sent to the laboratory for segregation and identification. The data revealed 21 hopper species belonging to 14 genera and 4 families, with cicadellid species being the most represented (14 species). Olive orchards harbored a higher number of hoppers than vineyards. Empoasca decipiens exhibited the highest dominance among the remaining species. Although summer sampling yielded the highest number of hopper species and trapped specimens, seasonal variation in the distribution pattern exhibited non-significant differences (F = 1.7 and P = 0.173). Ras El-Hekma had the highest species representation (21 species), whereas El-Negala had the highest species richness. The lowest species representation at the Barrani location had the highest abundance of caught specimens. Although there were fluctuations in the trapped specimens among the examined locations, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences (F = 0.67, P = 0.58). Cluster analysis revealed distinct groupings with different degrees of similarity for both seasonal and location distributions. The impact of trap height on the hopper capture pattern showed a biased tendency towards low traps. Diversity indices showed no significant differences between the examined locations. Although our results offer a foundation for potential control strategies against X. fastidiosa, further detailed studies are required to fill the knowledge gap regarding its suspected vectors. Such research will guide management strategies that can be applied in cases where this infectious bacterium crosses Egyptian borders.

Multiple events determine the distribution of fishes’ early life stages in the Abrolhos Bank, Southwestern Atlantic

Fluctuations in reef fish settlement and recruitment significantly impact local population dynamics and adult population size. We use light traps to evaluate reef fish settlement in inshore and offshore reefs in the Abrolhos Bank, in addition to the spatio-temporal distribution patterns, and environmental variables' influence. Data were collected from inshore and offshore reefs, and statistical analyses, including GLMs, PERMANOVA and nMDS, aimed to understand spatial-temporal species distribution patterns and the relationship between environmental variables. Results indicate greater species abundance and diversity offshore, influenced by winds, tides, and distance from shore, explaining 50% of larval patterns and highlighting the importance of spatial-temporal variations in early-life reef fish assemblages. However, several factors, including habitat type, quality, complexity, seascape configuration, and MPA location, may influence these patterns. Additionally, we provide evidence that commercially important species like Lutjanids use Abrolhos reef areas as nursery grounds.

New distributional records for Khamul Gates, 2008 (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) from Brazil

Khamul Gates, 2008 (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a small genus poorly represented in entomological collections, is widely distributed in the Neotropical region, occurring mainly in tropical forests. This study reports the expansion of the geographic distribution of Khamul erwini Gates, 2008 to the state of Amazonas and Khamul lanceolatus Gates, 2008 to the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais, Brazil. These new records are an important contribution to understanding the distribution patterns of Khamul species in Brazil. In addition, illustrations and maps of geographic distribution of the studied species are provided based on new records and data from the literature.

Guiding conservation strategies for China’s Corybas species through species distribution modeling

Corybas Salisb. is a widespread plant genus in the family Orchidaceae, known for its small, beautiful flowers. Most species in this genus are narrow endemics. China is home to six Corybas species, five of which are endangered, covering southern China from Taiwan to the western Himalayas. Niche overlap analysis was conducted on global Corybas species to assess the conservation value of Chinese Corybas species from evolutionary, adaptive, and niche diversity perspectives. The results revealed that Chinese Corybas species have formed a unique niche lineage, warranting conservation efforts. Due to challenges in field investigations, the potential distribution patterns of Chinese Corybas species remain unclear. The Species Distribution Model (SDM) using MaxEnt and Ensembles of Small Models (ESMs) was employed to analyze the potential distributions of five Corybas species in southern China and guide genus conservation. Both MaxEnt and ESMs analyses indicated that Chinese Corybas species may face significant environmental challenges in the future. This study identified gaps in fieldwork, highlighting the need to explore new populations of Corybas species in these areas. Conservation recommendations considering future climate change were proposed to aid programs aimed at preserving Chinese Corybas species.