Survey Of Fauna Research Articles

Discovery of a new Pseudalomya Telenga, 1930 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae) species from Taiwan and its implications for the systematic position of this genus

The rare genus Pseudalomya Telenga comprises two species, which are found only in the Eastern Palaearctic region and high mountains of the Oriental region. The phylogenetic position of Pseudalomya remains unclear because of its intermediate morphology between two ichneumonine tribes, Alomyini and Phaeogenini. This article reports the discovery of a new species of Pseudalomya: Pseudalomya truncaticornissp. nov. Specimens were collected during a survey of insect fauna in the Dasyueshan area of Shei-Pa National Park, one of the high-altitude regions in Taiwan. The new species can be diagnosed by its body coloration, frontal horn shape, facial punctures, metasomal tergite sculpture, and wing venation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of Pseudalomya in Taiwan. This article also presents a diagnostic key to the global species of Pseudalomya. In this study, molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed using one mitochondrial and two nuclear gene sequences from P. truncaticornissp. nov. and other members of the Ichneumoniformes group. The results indicate that Pseudalomya should be classified within Phaeogenini, distinct from Alomyini, but more comprehensive phylogenomic studies are needed to confirm this placement.

Unveiling the Heaven: First Sighting of Four Avian Species in Kibber Wildlife Santuary, Trans Himalayan Ecosystem, Himachal Pradesh, India

Globally all mountains including the Himalaya are highly susceptible ecosystems due to the given climatic conditions and land-use changes. Field observations play crucial role in grasping the birds distribution species in biologically and evolutionary important regions particularly in Trans Himalayan ecosystem like the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary with abundant avian species diversity among all vertebrates found in sanctuary. Present research paper deals with significant bird species sightings in this hard-to-access sanctuary. These bird sightings show how conducting biological surveys and continuous monitoring work help to enhance our understanding using various methods. The stratified random sampling technique was employed for avian fauna survey. Earlier, there were almost negligible efforts made on comprehensive studies of vertebrate diversity in the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary which makes this study more significant as it will be the baseline information for the forest department and scientific research. The records of four documented birds species are valuable especially since these all are first sightings in the KWS and their IUCN status was also evaluated. Listing of bird’s species will contribute to a better understanding of birds distribution and will be helpful for future research and conservation plans.

Corrigendum to: Compliance is not necessarily good science. The Environmental Protection Authority’s vertebrate fauna survey guidelines should be revised

Corrigendum to: Compliance is not necessarily good science. The Environmental Protection Authority’s vertebrate fauna survey guidelines should be revised

Faunal Diversity and Biodiversity Conservation within Homagama Mahinda Rajapaksha College, Sri Lanka

A faunal diversity survey was carried out to analyze the faunal diversity in Homagama Mahinda Rajapaksha College in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. The survey site is located in a suburban area that is surrounded by disturbed properties. The aim of the survey was to analyze the faunal diversity and recognize the special habitat types in the school premises for conservation purposes. It could recognize five major zones which have different types of microhabitats and rich in faunal diversity. The survey was done as a visual encounter survey, and smartphones, digital cameras and binoculars were used to collect data of the fauna species for documenting and identifying purposes. Also, pitfalls traps, light traps and beating were used as survey methods. The study was done for three days including three random sampling events during both day and night. Standard guides were used for identifying and photographs, notes on observations were sent to experts on each taxon for further confirmation. A total of 188 fauna species were recorded during the survey including 55 species of vertebrates including five classes (Aves, Amphibia, Mammalia, Reptilia, Actinopterygii) and 133 species of invertebrates including six classes (Insecta, Gastropoda, Diplopoda, Clitellata, Chilopoda, Arachnida). The study could document 30 bird, 14 reptile, 6 mammals, 4 amphibian and 1 ray-finned fish species as vertebrates and 95 insect, 5 mollusks, 3 millipede, 2 clitellate, 2 centipede, 26 arachnid species as invertebrate fauna species in the school premises. Based on the results of the survey, the fauna diversity of the studied site is stable and depends on the microhabitat types in the different zones. As a suburban area, the species richness of the site is in well conditions. To keep stable and increase the fauna diversity of the site, doing regular surveys and recording data, generating microhabitats, and conserving highly diverse habitat types are suggested. Unique species like Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis), Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) were observed and as the only venomous snake species, Merrem‘s hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) was recorded. The faunal diversity of the studied site helps to keep the unique surroundings there and keeping frequent records and data on the site will help to maintain the biodiversity with constructions in and around the school premises. 
 Keywords: Faunal diversity, Suburban, Citizen Science, Conservation, Visual encounter

Following the trail of the grey brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) in Argentina: new locality records, activity patterns and habitat use

The brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) is a species of neotropical ungulate that inhabits several countries in South America. In Argentina, it is distributed in the northern portion of the country, while historical records do not mention it in the province of Mendoza. However, in the Categorization of Mammals of Argentina (2019), the NE of Mendoza is proposed as a potential distribution area of the species. In this work we confirm the presence of the brown brocket deer in the province of Mendoza (locality of Desaguadero - RAMSAR Site), and we also evaluate its activity patterns and habitat preferences. We established 1 km2 grids in three environments: salt flats, shrublands, and forests. A camera trap (n = 38) was placed in each grid, active for 55 days between October 2022 and April 2023 for fauna survey. In addition, NDVI values (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) were calculated from LANDSAT-8 images as an estimator of vegetation cover for each grid. We obtained 25 independent records of 11 individuals (5 males and 6 females) from a sampling effort of 51,072 hours of camera operation (2,090 night/trap = 55 night * 38 camera). The males were individually identified based on the presence of antlers, their size, dimension and texture, while the females by their body size and gestation condition. In terms of activity patterns, we observed that these animals are most active in the afternoon (16 to 19 hs) and morning (8 to 9 hs), avoiding the moments of greatest solar radiation (Rayleigh-test r = 0.99, p < 0.001). NDVI was significantly different among the three environments (Chisq = 32.98; p < 0.001), with the forest having the highest vegetation cover. Finally, generalized linear models with binomial distribution were used to evaluate the effect of vegetation on the presence of brown brocket deer. We found that the higher the NDVI value, the higher the probability of presence of the deer (z = 2.27; p < 0.05). These results expand the distribution of the species and increase the diversity of mammals for Mendoza province, which generates added value to the planning of the proposed protected area for Desaguadero in the RAMSAR site Lagunas de Guanacache, Desaguadero y del Bebedero.

Selective logging intensity and time since logging drive tropical bird and dung beetle diversity: a case study from Amazonia

SummaryUnderstanding how selective logging affects biodiversity is crucial to planning cost-effective conservation strategies in tropical forests, yet there is limited understanding of its impacts on fauna functional diversity in the tropical Americas. We assessed how selective logging intensification and time since logging influence multiple metrics of fauna functional integrity in the Brazilian Amazon by collecting bird and dung beetle data within 48 logging management units that had experienced varying exploitation intensities between 1.5–2.0 and 5.0–6.0 years before the faunal surveys. We investigated assemblage responses and used functional attributes to assess changes in functional diversity, specialization, originality and species rarity. Using point counts and pitfall traps, we collected 5081 records of 182 bird species and 7892 dung beetles from 45 species. Logging intensification led to significant declines in most dung beetle responses and bird body mass, whereas time since logging was a key driver of dung beetle and bird functional and taxonomic diversity. Our study presents novel empirical evidence of how logging intensification effects vary across taxa, ecological metrics and time since logging, which is key to informing forest conservation and further investigating environmental degradation impacts on tropical biodiversity.

The faunistic diversity of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of the South African Cape Floristic Kingdom

Spider species distribution in the Cape Floristic Kingdom (CFK) was compiled as part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA), whose main aim was to create a relational database for the country’s arachnid fauna. Data from the CFK was extracted from taxonomic and faunistic published papers, as well as unpublished faunistic survey data in national collections. A total of 11 500 records from 130 localities were recorded in the CFK until the end of 2023, representing 62 families, 334 genera and 960 species, with two further families (Synotaxidae and Theridiosomatidae) only known from undescribed species. This represents 42.4% of the total spider fauna of South Africa. For each species, the global and CFK distribution, as well as the level of endemicity and a conservation assessment using the IUCN Red List criteria, are provided. A total of 269 spp. (28.0%) are endemic to the CFK, 49 spp. (5.1%) are of special concern, and 229 spp. (23.9%) are Data Deficient. However, most of the species (682 spp., 71.0%) have a wide distribution with no known threats and are categorised as Least Concern. Salticidae is the most species-rich family (128 spp.), with 30 spp. endemic to the CFK, followed by the Gnaphosidae (107 spp.), Thomisidae (86 spp.) and Lycosidae (49 spp.), while six families are represented by a single species. The last decade has seen an exponential growth in the knowledge of spiders in South Africa, and there are certainly many more species that must still be discovered and described.

The jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) in Urban Green Spaces of Bogotá (Colombia), with descriptions of two new species and redescription of Mastigimascolombianus Burckhardt, Queiroz and Drohojowska.

In a survey of the arthropod fauna of 33 Urban Green Spaces (UGS) in Bogotá, Colombia, between 2017 and 2019, 21 species (3,825 specimens) of Psylloidea were collected. These represent all seven recognised families of jumping plant-lice and include seven species identified only to genus. The specimens, all adults, were collected on 30 plant species used for arborization in the UGS. Two species are described as new (Mastigimaslongicaudatus Rendón-Mera, Burckhardt & Vargas-Fonseca, sp. nov. and Leuronotaalbilinea Rendón-Mera, Burckhardt & Vargas-Fonseca, sp. nov.), one species is redescribed (Mastigimascolombianus Burckhardt, Queiroz & Drohojowska) and one species is recorded for the first time from Colombia (Calindatrinervis Olivares & Burckhardt). Among the seven species identified only to genus is an undescribed species of Melanastera, representing a genus not previously known from Colombia. Fourteen species found during the survey are probably native (66%) and seven (33%) adventive. Our findings highlight the significance of UGS for preservation of biological diversity and stress the importance of using native plants in urban landscape planning for the conservation of the native entomofauna.

A survey of tube spiders (Araneae, Anyphaenidae) from Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China.

Although there have been many recent taxonomic revisions and large-scale faunistic surveys focusing on spiders from Jiangxi Province, many taxa still remain unknown, such as the Anyphaenidae spiders. Therefore, none of the anyphaenid species has been recorded from this Province. Anyphaenidae spiders were collected from Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China, during the past ten years. A new tube spider species, Anyphaenaleidashi Yao & Liu, sp. nov. is diagnosed, described and illustrated. Moreover, three species including A.mogan Song & Chen, 1987, A.wuyi Zhang, Zhu & Song, 2005 and Rathalosxiushanensis (Song & Zhu, 1991) are recorded from Jiangxi Province for the first time. Distributions records are given for all investigated species.

Note and photographs of a roosting White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus from New South Wales

White-throated Needletails Hirundapus caudacutus are very rarely recorded landing in Australia. Here we report on the circumstances of a roosting White-throated Needletail, from the Pilliga Forest, New South Wales. It was detected while we were undertaking targeted nocturnal fauna surveys. We describe the habitat type and provide photographs of the posture and context of a wild White-throated Needletail roosting. We speculate briefly about a potential failed attempt at predation of the Needletail by a Brown Falcon Falco berigora.

Survey of the fish fauna of the water bodies of the city of Kharkiv

The study of the biodiversity of urbanized landscapes, in the context of their permanent expansion, is becoming increasingly important as part of environmental management. The proposed review considers the history of the study and the results of modern research on the ichthyofauna of water bodies in and around the city of Kharkiv. The study includes data obtained during archeological excavations. The existing water fund is estimated as a habitat for fish in the city. We compiled a modern systematic list of the fish fauna, determined its place in the general zoogeographical zonation of the Palearctic, and analyzed the ecological and faunistic characteristics of the fish assemblages, which created a basis for a general assessment of the current state and prospects for changes in the fish community within the city. The state of recreational fishing in the waters of Kharkiv as the main type of utilization of fish resources on its territory is analyzed. The current fish fauna of the water bodies of Kharkiv and its environs consists of 32 species belonging to 31 genera, 11 families, 7 orders, and 4 superorders of bony fish, as well as one hybrid form of silver and bighead carps, whose abundance is maintained only by artificial introduction into water bodies outside Kharkiv with subsequent occasional migration to the city, and two diploid-polyploid hybridogenic complexes of fish of the genera Carassius and Cobitis, whose reproductive characteristics require further study. Five species have disappeared from the local fish fauna, i.e. four species of bony fish (common crucian carp Carassius carassius, Black Sea roach Rutilus frisii, asp Leuciscus aspius, Danilevsky's dace Leuciscus danilewskii) and the Ukrainian lamprey Eudontomyzon mariae, which used to live in the city or water bodies and watercourses of the adjacent territories. Thirteen fish species (41% of the total species composition) have a conservation status and require special measures for their protection according to national and international regulations. The share of non-native species in the ichthyofauna of Kharkiv is quite significant – eight species (22% of the total number of registered species and forms). The fish fauna of the city is dominated by freshwater fishes, limnophilic or indifferent to the current speed, with phytophilic or psammolithophilic portion spring and summer spawning, not belonging to any particular habitat.

An updated checklist of non-marine molluscs of the western Himalaya

This paper presents the first comprehensive checklist of the non-marine molluscs from the western Himalaya, a region of high biodiversity and endemism. Based on faunistic surveys during 2019-2023 and published records, the paper reports 242 species belonging to 101 genera and 45 families of gastropods and bivalves, of which 168 species are endemic to the region. The paper also provides new distribution records and taxonomic notes for some species. Among the notable findings are the first records of Limax mayae, Oxyloma sp., Odhneripisidium kuiperi, Thiara aspera from India, and Bensonies jamuensis, Euaustenia cassida, Stagnicola sp. from the western Himalaya. The paper presents some species with substitutional illustrations and literature from the region for the past two centuries. Additionally, the paper also discusses the threats that non-marine molluscs face in the western Himalaya and suggests some conservation measures to protect them. The authors hope this paper will serve as a baseline for future studies on the diversity, distribution, ecology, and conservation of non-marine molluscs in the western Himalaya.

Cecidophyinae (Acari: Acariformes) from Serbia: description of a new species, supplementary description of six species and four new records for the fauna

During the faunistic survey of Cecidophyinae mites in Serbia, a new species, Achaetocoptes dragicae sp. nov., found on Erica carnea L. is described and illustrated. Additionally, supplementary descriptions of six species (Cecidophyes glaber (Nal.), Cecidophyes nudus Nal., Cecidophyes psilonotus (Nal.), Cecidophyes gymnaspis (Nal.), Cecidophyopsis rosmarinusis Wang et al., and Chrecidus quercipodus Manson) are provided. Moreover, Achaetocoptes cerrifoliae (Labanowski & Soika) and Bariella bakonyense Ripka & Csóka, represent new records for the Serbian fauna, while Ce. rosmarinusis and Ch. quercipodus are recorded for the first time in Europe. Sequences of mtCOI barcode region are provided for all species.

New Geographical Distribution of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from Indian States

Dung beetles, belonging to the subfamily Scarabaeinae, represent a globally distributed group of insects known for their scavenging behaviour, feeding primarily on animal excrement. Their ecological importance lies in their central role in recycling organic matter, with a particular focus on manure. A total of 6,886 species of this subfamily have been discovered, of which over 450 species are reported from India. In the present work, a total of 27 dung beetle species belonging to 8 genera from different Indian states are examined. These results are based on recent collections carried out as part of faunal surveys at various sites. The state distribution of the dung beetle is revised based on the material and literature records. This study documented the current status of some of the dung beetles in peninsular India and is intended to help properly discuss the scarab beetle diversity in the future. Through intensive investigations into unexplored areas, more Scarabaeinae species are expected in the future.

A faunistic survey of the aquatic and semi-aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) of the Tiger Reserves in Telangana, India

A faunistic survey of the aquatic and semi-aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) of the Tiger Reserves in Telangana, India

Annotated checklist of the Swiss bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Anthophila): hotspots of diversity in the xeric inner Alpine valleys

We present a checklist of the Swiss bees and provide information on the distribution of every bee species in all 26 Swiss cantons. 632 species are reported, including the European honeybee Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 and the exotic species Megachile sculpturalis Smith, 1853. Species richness in each canton was correlated with the canton area, with the four largest cantons hosting the highest number of species. Bee diversity hotspots were located in some Alpine inner valleys characterized by a dry and warm climate due to the rain shadow effects of surrounding mountains. These hotspots are mostly located in the steppe-like habitats of the Valais and Graubünden cantons. They host diverse wild bee communities which include a unique assemblage of submediterranean faunal elements and subalpine species. In addition, these habitats host rare species with strongly disjunct distributions in Europe, further stressing the conservation priority of these habitats for wild bee conservation. Intensive faunistic surveys performed in the last 20 years have revealed that about 20 bee species, either previously unknown for Switzerland or which had disappeared from the country for several decades, have colonised areas close to the borders of France and Italy. Most of these new or reappeared species were observed in the warmest area of the country and presumably colonized or recolonized the country from neighbouring regions following global warming. Lastly, DNA barcodes are presented for 394 specimens, including for many species so far not represented in the BOLD database. The taxonomic status of numerous unclear taxa is briefly discussed based on combined genetic and morphological analyses.

Sarcophagidae (Diptera) do Cerrado Sul Maranhense: expansão na distribuição geográfica de Sarcophaga (Neobelleria) libera Aldrich, 1916

Sarcophagidae represents a widely diverse group of dipterans and occupy a variety of ecological niches. However, the flesh flies’ taxonomy is still a challenge, as it primarily uses the analysis of the male genitalia to identify specimens, which is an obstacle to identifying the group in faunal surveys. This research aimed to report the first record of Sarcophaga (Neobellieria) libera Aldrich, 1916 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in the Neotropical Region and present a checklist of flesh flies collected in the south of the Maranhão state. The specimens were collected in a native Cerrado biome in the municipality of São Raimundo das Mangabeiras, in the south of the state of Maranhão, using suspended traps with rotting chicken viscera, fish, and bovine liver as bait. This research presents a list of 28 species and 11 (Eleven) genera, including the first occurrence of the species S. (N.) libera for the Neotropical region. In addition, this study raises the need for more research on trophic and behavioral ecology, since these species were collected with ephemeral baits and they are not directly associated with the use of animal carcasses in their life cycle.

Establishment of an integrated island species inventory for insects (Arthropoda: Insecta) in Korea

This study aimed to establish a systematic plan for an integrated inventory of insects based on long-term faunistic research of Korean islands. Preparing the plan involved the following processes: 1) examination of 6,117 species belonging to 402 families and 29 orders occurring on 541 islands, based on a survey of the status of insect species on Korean islands; 2) identification of 498 species belonging to 110 families and 14 orders, based on preliminary faunistic surveys of 10 human-inhabited islands in 2021 for efficient research of island insects; and 3) a list of species, voucher specimen, habitat information, and image data for each species, in addition to the generation of 135 Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I sequences of 70 species for DNA barcode analysis to resolve the identity of taxa that are challenging to identify morphologically. The results of this study may be used for establishing a long-term systematic plan for faunistic research and acquisition of comprehensive biological information on the insects native to Korean islands, while the results may also contribute to the establishment of criteria for the sustainable utilization of bioresources and the conservation of species.

Discovering the fish fauna of a lagoon from the southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, using DNA barcodes

Background Aquatic ecosystems in the tropics are typically environments with a high species richness of fishes. These systems are also among the most vulnerable in the world, threatening the overall biodiversity of tropical regions. As a first step, it is important to enumerate the species in any ecosystem to promote its conservation. This study aims to inventory the ichthyofauna in the Chile Verde Lagoon, Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula, a system fortunately well protected in Mexico, based on faunal surveys backed up with mtDNA barcodes. Methods We collected larvae, juveniles, and adults of fishes in the lagoon with a variety of sampling gear targeting various life stages. Species were identified using both morphology and DNA barcodes. The abundance of species and ichthyoplankton biomass (wet weight, suction technique) were calculated from 43 samples. Results We collected 197 adult and juvenile fishes and 3,722 larvae, of which 306 specimens were DNA-sequenced with a success rate of 96.7%. We identified 13 families, 24 genera, and 27 species in our inventory. The species number was estimated to comprise 75% of the potential total richness using the Chao 1 richness estimator. Clupeids and gobiids accounted for 87.9% of the total abundance of fishes, and, together with cyprinodontids, also accounted for the highest ichthyoplankton biomass. Conclusion Adult and juvenile fishes were identified by morphology and meristic values, however larvae required DNA barcoding to identify species. The high biomass and abundance of larvae of clupeids, gobiids and cyprinodontids suggests that the Chile Verde Lagoon may be important for reproduction of these species in the region. Microgobius microlepis, a marine goby species, is reported for the first time in an inland oligohaline system. This study provides a basis for future environmental assessment and biomonitoring of the Chile Verde Lagoon in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

Rapid detection of subterranean fauna from passive sampling of groundwater eDNA

AbstractGroundwater is an essential source of freshwater that supports surface ecosystems as well as organisms adapted to living underground. The impacts of anthropogenic climate change, extraction, and pollution pose major threats to groundwater ecosystem health, prompting a need for efficient and reliable means to detect and monitor subterranean faunal communities. Conventional survey of subterranean fauna relies on the collection of organisms for morphological identification, which can be biased, labor intensive, and often indeterminate at lower taxonomic levels. Environmental DNA (eDNA)‐based methods can dramatically improve on stygofaunal surveys, but currently rely on time consuming active water filtration that limits the number of samples that can be processed. Passive eDNA sampling, which involves submersion of absorbent material (e.g. filter membrane, sponge etc.) into the sampled environment for a fixed period, has shown promise as a viable alternative to active filtration in aquatic ecosystems and may be applicable to groundwater systems. Here, we compared groundwater eDNA collected from active pump filtered water samples, membranes submerged in water for 10 min and 24 h, and haul‐net samples morphologically identified from bores at two geographically distinct locations in Western Australia. Our results show that while the relative abundance of eDNA in groundwater (measured through qPCR) is 100–800 times lower in passive samples, the species richness detected is comparable between passive and active eDNA collection. Additionally, standard metabarcoding assays (18S and COI) of passive eDNA samples detected most subterranean orders identified morphologically (12/17), and this proportion may be improved with increased sampling and application of DNA extraction methods that increase DNA yield. Our findings demonstrate that passive eDNA sample collection is a non‐invasive survey method with the potential to improve the efficiency and replication level of stygofaunal surveys but will benefit from further development.