Temporary Water Bodies Research Articles

Larvae of cryptic species of Anopheles gambiae respond differently to cues of predation risk

Summary Predation is a major evolutionary force driving speciation. Identifying the stimuli prompting anti‐predator responses is essential for unravelling the proximate mechanisms of anti‐predator adaptations and for understanding how predation impacts species diversification. Here, we explore for the first time the divergence in the use of cues of predation risk by different incipient species of mosquitoes within the Anopheles gambiae complex. We examined the anti‐predator responses to various predation cues by the aquatic larvae of Anopheles arabiensis and the two molecular forms, M and S, of Anopheles gambiae s.s. sampled from wild populations in Burkina Faso naturally exposed to different predator densities. The larvae altered their behaviour in response to various predation cues, shifting from the surface of the water to a less exposed location on the walls of the experimental arena. There were important differences in the use of predation cues between populations sharing the same larval development sites and, within the M form, related to predation pressure at their site of origin. Anopheles arabiensis larvae, which develop in small temporary waterbodies, relied only on physical cues signalling the presence of a predator to mount a vigilance response, whereas the sympatric larvae of the M and S forms of An. gambiae used both physical and chemical cues to fine‐tune their response. M‐form larvae, developing in permanent aquatic habitats with high densities of predators, responded chiefly to chemical stimuli ensuing from acute predation. Our results suggest that predation might play a role as a disruptive selective force promoting ecological divergence within the An. gambiae complex and, more recently, between the M and S molecular forms. Notably, beyond interspecific differences in the use of predation cues, our study also documented phenotypic differences within the M form based on predation pressure at their site of origin, suggesting that a process of ecological divergence is generating species ‘forerunners’ within the An. gambiae complex in the wild.

Zooplankton diversity and its relationship with environmental changes after the filling of a temporary saline lake in the semi-arid region of La Pampa Argentina

Temporary water bodies can remain active as such for varying periods. However, they are reservoirs (as banks) of species adapted to these special conditions. In central Argentina, there are numerous temporary lakes, which have only recently begun to be studied. The aim of this work was to describe the succession of changes in diversity, abundance and biomass of zooplankton as well as in the environment, over a period of eleven months, as from the filling of a temporary saline lake, and test the hypothesis that i) salinity affects negatively the richness and abundance but positively the biomass, and ii) due to changes in environmental conditions produced by advancing the hydroperiod, different species emerge from the egg bank at different times. At the beginning, when salinity was reduced and the concentration of chlorophyll-a was higher, we recorded the highest diversity, due mainly by less tolerance species. Later, as salinity increased, the macrophyta Ruppia cirrhosa developed and covered 90% of the surface of the lake, the concentration of chlorophyll-a decreased and the water transparency increased. The zooplankton richness decreased and the community was integrated only by halotolerant species. In the first two months, there was an increased replacement of species, indicated by the high value of Whittaker's beta diversity index (0.63), the density was high, with a predominance of microzooplankton, so the registered biomass was relatively reduced. Then, abundance decreased markedly, and was mostly dominated by macrozooplankton, so the biomass increased. When salinity exceeded 11 g L -1 , there was a predominance of the halophilic cladoceran Daphnia menucoensis, a species of ecological importance because it's high grazing pressure on phytoplankton. In this study, in addition to the modulating effect of salinity on the richness, abundance and zooplankton biomass, it was verified that the diversity present in the egg bank of temporary saline lakes is higher than that recorded in the water column at any time during hydrophases.

Seasonal dynamics of larvae and adults of two Enochrus Thomson (Coleóptera: Hydrophilidae) species in temporary and permanent water bodies of an urban park in Buenos Aires

Se estudio la dinamica de Enochrus variegatus (Steinheil) y Enochrus vulgaris (Steinheil) en ambientes acuaticos temporarios y permanentes de un parque de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Las muestras fueron colectadas semanalmente a lo largo de un ano en ambos tipos de ambiente, y se registraron variables como la superficie anegada y la cobertura vegetal. En los ambientes permanentes se capturaron ejemplares adultos de ambas especies a lo largo de todo el periodo de estudio, mientras que en temporarios su presencia vario de acuerdo con la disponibilidad de agua. Se observaron diferencias en la epoca reproductiva y sitios de cria de ambas especies. Enochrus vulgaris mostro una estrategia mas oportunista, y sus larvas fueron detectadas en los dos tipos de ambiente asociadas principalmente con temperaturas de la primavera y el verano. En cambio las larvas de E. variegatus fueron registradas casi exclusivamente en cuerpos de agua temporarios durante el invierno y la primavera. En ambientes permanentes, ambas especies estuvieron asociadas con una mayor cobertura vegetal, lo cual podria estar relacionado con la disponibilidad de refugios de peces predadores. Para ambas especies el primer estadio larval fue colectado en mayor abundancia y frecuencia que los restantes. Las larvas de este estadio fueron registradas en semanas consecutivas y simultaneamente con larvas del tercer estadio, indicando que la oviposicion o el desarrollo de los estadios inmaduros no estaban sincronizados dentro de cada una de las dos poblaciones estudiadas. En varias ocasiones se capturaron larvas del segundo estadio de ambas especies en charcos que estuvieron secos la fecha de muestreo anterior, sugiriendo que no eclosionaron de huevos recientemente puestos. Nuestros resultados muestran que los adultos de estas especies son capaces de dispersarse desde y hacia charcos temporarios para evitar la sequia, y que sus larvas podrian resistir la sequia en los ambientes temporarios enterrandose en el sustrato.

Are patterns in the taxonomic, biological and ecological traits of water beetles congruent in Mediterranean ecosystems?

Summary1. Coleoptera species show considerable diversity in life histories and ecological strategies, which makes possible their wide distribution in freshwater habitats, including highly stressed ones such as saline or temporary waterbodies. Explaining how particular combinations of traits allow species to occupy distinctive habitats is a central question in ecology.2. A total of 212 sites, sampled over a wide range of inland aquatic habitats in the south‐eastern Iberian Peninsula, yielded 272 species belonging to 68 genera and 11 families. The affinities of genera for 11 biological and 11 ecological traits, gathered from literature and the authors’ own expertise, were used to assess the degree of congruence between taxonomic, biological and ecological traits.3. Taxonomic richness was significantly related to the number of both biological and ecological trait categories, with the richest families also showing the highest functional and ecological diversity. A fuzzy correspondence analysis performed on the abundance‐weighed array of biological traits separated genera according to categories of diet, feeding habits, respiration, reproduction and locomotion. A similar analysis of ecological traits revealed that preferences related to longitudinal distribution (headwater to mouth), local habitat and current velocity best discriminated genera. At the family level, there was a distinctive functional grouping of genera based on biological traits. Only Elmidae showed noticeable homogeneity across genera for both biological and ecological traits.4. Co‐inertia analysis demonstrated a significant match between biological and ecological traits (Rv‐correlation = 0.35, P < 0.001). Elmidae genera displayed the highest concordance, whereas Hydraenidae demonstrated the lowest.5. These results indicate that the predominance of habitat filtering processes in headwater streams yields biological trait conservatism (as shown by Elmidae genera), as well as trait convergence for some specific traits (for instance, respiration) among certain Dytiscidae genera and other typical rheophilic taxa, whereas other biotic factors, such as competition among species, appear more prominent in less stressed habitats. Further knowledge of traits, especially regarding physiological capabilities, is needed to better understand water beetle life history strategies.

Physalaemus cicada Bokermann, 1966 (Anura: Leiuperidae): distribution extension

The genus Physalaemus is widely distributed over South America, east of Andes. Physalaemus cicada belongs to the Physalaemus cuvieri group, is widely distributed over the Caatinga and is usually found in lentic and/or temporary water bodies. Herein, we extend its geographical distribution providing the first record of Physalaemus cicada for Piauí state, in the municipality of Picos.

Adaptation, phenology and disturbance of macroinvertebrates in temporary water bodies

The temporal transition of species dominance following disturbances is strongly influenced by taxon life histories. In temporary water bodies, seasonal progression can be rapid. The community response of aquatic littoral invertebrate communities to disturbance was measured across four temporary water bodies (turloughs) representing a hydroperiod gradient in the karst landscape of western Ireland. Three distinct turlough wet-phases were identified based on macroinvertebrate taxon richness and community composition: filling, aquatic and drying phase. Invertebrates able to recolonise the turlough environment quickly upon flooding from refugia (e.g. sink-holes or little puddles) or resting stages within the turlough basin demonstrated highest proportion in abundances during the initial filling phase. Over time, the number of actively dispersing invertebrates, generally occupying turloughs only for a part of their life-cycle, increased. Hydroperiod had a significant effect on macroinvertebrate taxon richness, with short hydroperiods supporting low faunal diversity. Influence of hydrological disturbance generally decreased with progression of the annual wet phase, indicated by a decrease in taxon richness variation and an increase of biodiversity with time. Our study highlights the importance of life-cycle strategies of species for the occurrence of fairly predictable and periodically occurring seasonal patterns, and emphasizes the importance of ecological disturbances for colonisation cycles.

Flying with the birds? Recent large‐area dispersal of four Australian Limnadopsis species (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata)

Temporary water bodies are important freshwater habitats in the arid zone of Australia. They harbor a distinct fauna and provide important feeding and breeding grounds for water birds. This paper assesses, on the basis of haplotype networks, analyses of molecular variation and relaxed molecular clock divergence time estimates, the phylogeographic history, and population structure of four common temporary water species of the Australian endemic clam shrimp taxon Limnadopsis in eastern and central Australia (an area of >1,350,000 km2). Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences of 413 individuals and a subset of 63 nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 sequences were analyzed. Genetic differentiation was observed between populations inhabiting southeastern and central Australia and those inhabiting the northern Lake Eyre Basin and Western Australia. However, over large parts of the study area and across river drainage systems in southeastern and central Australia (the Murray–Darling Basin, Bulloo River, and southern Lake Eyre Basin), no evidence of population subdivision was observed in any of the four Limnadopsis species. This indicates recent gene flow across an area of ∼800,000 km2. This finding contrasts with patterns observed in other Australian arid zone taxa, particularly freshwater species, whose populations are often structured according to drainage systems. The lack of genetic differentiation within the area in question may be linked to the huge number of highly nomadic water birds that potentially disperse the resting eggs of Limnadopsis among temporary water bodies. Genetically undifferentiated populations on a large geographic scale contrast starkly with findings for many other large branchiopods in other parts of the world, where pronounced genetic structure is often observed even in populations inhabiting pools separated by a few kilometers. Due to its divergent genetic lineages (up to 5.6% uncorrected p-distance) and the relaxed molecular clock divergence time estimates obtained, Limnadopsis parvispinus is assumed to have inhabited the Murray–Darling Basin continuously since the mid-Pliocene (∼4 million years ago). This means that suitable temporary water bodies would have existed in this area throughout the wet–dry cycles of the Pleistocene.

Territorial or wandering: how males of Protodiscelis palpalis (Colletidae, Paracolletinae) behave in searching for mates

Females of Protodiscelis palpalis are oligolectic on flowers of the aquatic herb Hydrocleys martii (Limnocharitaceae), commonly found in Northeast Brazil. Each morning, 1 h before anthesis, males fight to guard small patches of flowers, which will compose their territories. Non-territorial males are not bound to certain areas on their patrol flights, roam between different territories and do not engage in conflicts with conspecific males. Territorial males aggressively defend flowers only in a restricted, intensely patrolled part of the territory. This core area was never shared with other territorial males. The intensive patrolling of a territory sector may be a response to abundant territorial invasions by conspecific males. Being territorial seems to confer reproductive advantages to the males. However, the severe male competition and the extreme spatio-temporal aggregation of resource flowers observed in the temporary water bodies of the Caatinga obscure which mating strategy provides higher male reproductive success.

Mitochondrial DNA Regionalism and Historical Demography in the Extant Populations of Chirocephalus kerkyrensis (Branchiopoda: Anostraca)

BackgroundMediterranean temporary water bodies are important reservoirs of biodiversity and host a unique assemblage of diapausing aquatic invertebrates. These environments are currently vanishing because of increasing human pressure. Chirocephalus kerkyrensis is a fairy shrimp typical of temporary water bodies in Mediterranean plain forests and has undergone a substantial decline in number of populations in recent years due to habitat loss. We assessed patterns of genetic connectivity and phylogeographic history in the seven extant populations of the species from Albania, Corfu Is. (Greece), Southern and Central Italy.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe analyzed sequence variation at two mitochondrial DNA genes (Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16s rRNA) in all the known populations of C. kerkyrensis. We used multiple phylogenetic, phylogeographic and coalescence-based approaches to assess connectivity and historical demography across the whole distribution range of the species. C. kerkyrensis is genetically subdivided into three main mitochondrial lineages; two of them are geographically localized (Corfu Is. and Central Italy) and one encompasses a wide geographic area (Albania and Southern Italy). Most of the detected genetic variation (≈81%) is apportioned among the aforementioned lineages.Conclusions/SignificanceMultiple analyses of mismatch distributions consistently supported both past demographic and spatial expansions with the former predating the latter; demographic expansions were consistently placed during interglacial warm phases of the Pleistocene while spatial expansions were restricted to cold periods. Coalescence methods revealed a scenario of past isolation with low levels of gene flow in line with what is already known for other co-distributed fairy shrimps and suggest drift as the prevailing force in promoting local divergence. We recommend that these evolutionary trajectories should be taken in proper consideration in any effort aimed at protecting Mediterranean temporary water bodies.

Studies on breeding habitats and density of postembryonic immature filarial vector in a filarial endemic area

ObjectiveTo obtain a complete and systematic data about the breeding habitats and density of immature vector (larvae and pupae) in a filaria endemic area. MethodsAll the possible permanent and temporary water bodies were surveyed systematically. Four hundred samples were taken in each season from each type of habitats. Sampling was done with a 250 mL dipper and immature mosquito was identified following sdandered keys. ResultsIn summer, rainy and winter seasons, overall 49.64%, 44.64% and 28.57% of the habitats were positive for immature vector Culex quinquefasciatus respectively; 36.93%, 35.11% and 21.18% of the samples were positive respectively. In the study year overall PDD were much higher in open cesspits (19.53) and drains (17.24) than in other habitats. Peak PDD of mosquito immature in Dobas (ditches), open cesspits and drains were in March; whereas in paddy fields and temporary water bodies peak PPD were in September and overall per dip densities (PDD) of immature were 10.29, 10.18 and 4.40 respectively. ConclusionsDobas, paddy fields, open cesspits, drains and temporary water bodies were found to be the main breeding sites of the vector in different months. Open cesspits and drains were most suitable almost throughout the year with peak in summer. Dobas also act as a steady breeding site throughout the year, whereas temporary water bodies immerge as strong breeding site during pre-monsoon to monsoon season. Information about the breeding habitats will be helpful to formulate filarial vector, Cx. quinquefasciatus control strategy and in turn to control the filarial diseases in the study area.

Anuran amphibians' diversity in a northwestern area of the Brazilian Pantanal

In the Pantanal, the largest continuous floodplain in the world, the diversity and distribution of anuran amphibians vary in and across distinct subregions and distinct habitats occurring along inundation gradients. Permanent and natural aquatic habitats are relatively scarce in the Pantanal, and occurrence of temporary aquatic habitats varies seasonally, depending on rains. We here present results of evaluations of anuran's species richness and abundance in a seasonally flooded area in the northwestern section of the Pantanal (Fazenda Baía de Pedra, Cáceres municipality, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil), comparing values obtained in 10 plots systematically distributed over 5 km² with those obtained in additional aquatic plots in the study area. Data were obtained in five field trips, from February 2008 to March 2009. In addition to the plots, 36 water bodies (20 permanent and 16 temporary) were also sampled for the presence of anurans. In total, 3,983 individuals from 34 anuran species distributed in five families were recorded: Hylidae (14 species), Leptodactylidae (8), Leiuperidae (6), Microhylidae (4), and Bufonidae (2). Local richness represents 77.3% of the anuran diversity already recorded for the Brazilian Pantanal. The number of species recorded exclusively in systematically distributed terrestrial plots and in water bodies was 28 and 32, respectively. Sampling methods used at Fazenda Baía da Pedra were efficient in determining anuran richness, abundance, composition and distribution. Evaluations of anuran richness and abundance by using permanent sampling plots in the Pantanal may benefit from additional sampling sites, particularly permanent and temporary water bodies.

Defining Nutrient and Biochemical Oxygen Demand Baselines for Tropical Rivers and Streams in São Paulo State (Brazil): A Comparison Between Reference and Impacted Sites

Determining reference concentrations in rivers and streams is an important tool for environmental management. Reference conditions for eutrophication-related water variables are unavailable for Brazilian freshwaters. We aimed to establish reference baselines for São Paulo State tropical rivers and streams for total phosphorus (TP) and nitrogen (TN), nitrogen-ammonia (NH(4) (+)) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) through the best professional judgment and the trisection methods. Data from 319 sites monitored by the São Paulo State Environmental Company (2005 to 2009) and from the 22 Water Resources Management Units in São Paulo State were assessed (N=27,131). We verified that data from different management units dominated by similar land cover could be analyzed together (Analysis of Variance, P=0.504). Cumulative frequency diagrams showed that industrialized management units were characterized by the worst water quality (e.g. average TP of 0.51mg/L), followed by agricultural watersheds. TN and NH(4) (+) were associated with urban percentages and population density (Spearman Rank Correlation Test, P<0.05). Best professional judgment and trisection (median of lower third of all sites) methods for determining reference concentrations showed agreement: 0.03 & 0.04mg/L (TP), 0.31 & 0.34mg/L (TN), 0.06 & 0.10mg-N/L (NH(4) (+)) and 2 & 2mg/L (BOD), respectively. Our reference concentrations were similar to TP and TN reference values proposed for temperate water bodies. These baselines can help with water management in São Paulo State, as well as providing some of the first such information for tropical ecosystems.

Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Reproductive Activity inRhinella hoogmoedi(Anura: Bufonidae) from a Tropical Rainforest in Northeastern Brazil, with the Description of It's Advertisement Call

The study of ecological and behavioral aspects of anuran reproduction is fundamental for the understanding of the evolution of life history traits. In this study we present the temporal and spatial patterns of reproductive activity in Rhinella hoogmoedi, as well as the description of its advertisement call, in a population from a remnant of tropical rainforest in Northeastern Brazil. Calling activity began before the start of the rainy season and lasted from November to April; vocalization activity was not correlated with the amount of rainfall. Reproductive males called on a variety of substrates close to or in permanent or temporary water bodies, during both day and night. Male behavior at high and low densities, calling sites occupancy and reproductive period indicate an unusual explosive breeding pattern for the species. Rhinella hoogmoedi presented a multi-pulsed call, composed of pulse group calls, similar to Rhinella paraguayensis, Rhinella castaneotica, Rhinella martyi, populations of Rhinella gr. margaritifera from Bolivia, Rhinella margaritifera from French Guyana, and Rhinella gr. margaritifera from Cusco, Peru. Acoustic parameters such as call duration, number of pulse groups per call, number of calls per minute, note duration, number of notes per minute, pulse rate, dominant frequency, and amplitude modulation types of call, were good parameters to discriminate among the species of the Rhinella margaritifera group, as in the members of the Bufonidae family. New descriptions of complete advertisement calls and molecular studies will help elucidate taxonomic, biogeographic, and phylogenic patterns for this complex of species.

Spatial and temporal variability of aquatic habitat use by amphibians in a hydrologically modified landscape

SUMMARY 1. Habitat loss is a major driver of biodiversity decline worldwide. Temporary waterbodies are especially vulnerable because they are sensitive both to human impact and to climatic variations. Pond-breeding amphibians are often dependent on temporary waterbodies for their reproduction, and hence are sensitive to loss of temporary ponds. 2. Here we present the results of a 5-year study regarding the use of temporary aquatic habitats by amphibians in a hydrologically modified area of Eastern Europe (Romania). The annual number of aquatic habitats varied between 30 and �120. Each aquatic habitat was characterised by a number of variables such as: ‘type’ (pond, drainage ditch and archaeological ditch), ‘hydroperiod’ (number of weeks the ponds were filled in a given year), ‘depth’ (cm), ‘area’ (m 2 ) and the density of predatory insects (‘predation’). The turnover rate for each amphibian species for each wetland was calculated based on the pond occupancy. 3. Eight amphibian species were recorded from the aquatic habitats. Hydroperiod was the most important variable, positively influencing wetland use by amphibians and their reproductive success. Most species preferred drainage ditches for reproduction, and the reproductive success was highest in this habitat type every year. For most of the species, the local extinction rate was higher than the colonisation rate in the first 4 years, but the situation reversed in the last year of the study when wetland use by amphibians sharply increased because of high rainfall. 4. This study confirms the importance for amphibians of maintaining and managing aquatic habitat diversity at small spatial scales. Man-made aquatic habitats such as drainage ditches may be important habitats for amphibians, and this should be considered in restoration activities.

Impacts of artificial drainage on amphibian breeding sites in hemiboreal forests

Artificial drainage is widely used to increase timber production and improve its quality in northern boreal and temperate forests, but its impact on biodiversity remains largely unexplored. Amphibians are particularly dependent on forest wetland qualities to complete their complex life cycles. We explored the supply of water bodies, their occupancy by amphibians, and persistence during the larval period comparatively in drained and natural forest plots in two years in Estonia. The water bodies in drained plots were more abundant but less diverse and of generally lower quality than in natural plots; however, the drainage ditches were favoured by newts. In the dry spring of 2009, water bodies were used more frequently in natural than in drained plots, while in the typical spring of 2010, several natural depressions appeared in drained plots and the frequency of use of water bodies did not differ between natural and drained plots. However, most natural depressions used for breeding in drained plots dried out before tadpole metamorphosis; such drying was not observed in natural plots. Thus, by profoundly changing natural hydrology, intensive large-scale forest drainage reduces the variety of water bodies and the quantity and quality of amphibian breeding sites. Moreover, we suspect that, at least in some years, temporary water bodies in drained areas function as ecological traps for amphibians. We suggest that, where possible, intact wet-forest areas with remaining natural hydrology should stay undrained. In areas already drained, breeding sites for amphibians can be provided by creating depression-like enlargements to some ditches.

Mollusca, Gastropoda, Heterobranchia, Ancylidae, Gundlachia radiata (Guilding, 1828): first record of occurrence for the northwestern region of Argentina

In the present paper we report for the first time the presence of Gundlachia radiata (Guilding, 1828), in northwestern region (Jujuy province), Argentina. Adult and juveniles specimens of this freshwater limpet were collected in two temporary water bodies. This record represents the first report of this species in Argentina but also is the southernmost point of occurrence of G. radiata in South America. As a result, the distributional range of this species is increased and the species richness of Ancylidae in Argentina is incremented to a total of seven species classified in four genera.

Distributional Changes of Landbird Species in Agroecosystems of Central Argentina

Abstract. We present the first quantitative comparative study between current (2006–2008) distributions of landbird and those recorded prior to the massive planting of transgenic soy beans in the Pampas of central Argentina (Narosky and Di Giacomo 1993). We surveyed landbirds along transects covering 23 counties of Buenos Aires province. To allow a comparison between our observations and those of Narosky and Di Giacomo, we used the number of counties in which each species was recorded as an estimate of current and past distributions. We found grassland and wetland specialists in significantly fewer counties than did Narosky and Di Giacomo (P < 0.05), while habitat generalists and woodland specialists showed no significant change. The earlier study, however, covered a longer period of time, which could explain the reduction of wetland dwellers as a result of variation in the supply of temporary water bodies. The decreased area of occupancy of grassland specialists, on the other hand, may reflect the reduct...

Diversity of aquatic malacofauna of temporary water bodies within the lower Bug River floodplain

ABSTRACT: This study analyses the composition, species richness and diversity (H’) of aquatic molluscan communities in temporary water bodies within the valley of the lower Bug River in eastern Poland. The investigations were carried out in 2007–2009 within the section of the valley located between 190th and 50th km of the river course in 50 water bodies. Relatively rich and diverse malacofauna was found in the investigated habitats: 32 snail species and 6 bivalve species. Species diversity (H’) in individual water bodies ranged from 0.44 to 3.48. About 40% of all mollusc species showed frequencies of 10%. Dominance patterns varied much among the water bodies. Mollusc abundance ranged from 20 to over 1,800 indiv./m. Considerable species richness and diversity were found both within the active floodplain and the former one. This was probably related to the long duration of many of the investigated water bodies, as well as their periodical hydrological connectivity with permanent ones or river channel. From 9 to 12 samples should be enough to compile representative species list of molluscs inhabiting temporary water bodies, but as many as 28–40 samples would be necessary to obtain complete dataset.

Calanoida (Crustacea Copepoda) from the inland waters of Apulia (south-eastern Italy)

The currently available knowledge on biodiversity and species distribution of Italian fauna still presents some gaps to be filled, in particular in the southern part of the country. This study represents the first survey aimed at assessing the presence and distribution of Calanoida in inland waters of Apulia (south-eastern Italy). The research lasted five years and led to the mapping of 121 inland water bodies, most of which are characterized by temporary hydroperiods. Fifty-five of the sampled sites hosted at least one calanoid species, and 48 sites (among the 55 sites hosting Calanoida) are temporary water bodies. Thirteen calanoid species were detected in total; several of these are first records for Apulia and three species are new records for mainland Italy. The efficiency of the sampling effort was tested for both the entire Apulian territory and its main subareas, namely Gargano (in northern Apulia), and Salento (southern Apulia). Central Apulia showed the lowest species richness among the three sampled subareas. This is probably due to the scarcity of inland water bodies. Species composition of Apulian calanoid fauna was compared to the ones of the geographically close areas for which data are available: the other Italian faunal provinces (Alpine, Apennine, Padanian, Sardinian and Sicilian provinces) and the Balkans (Albania, Corfu, Croatia, Greece and Turkish Trace, Macedonia, Slovenia). Gargano and Salento showed a different assemblage of vicariant species but both the areas showed a remarkable presence of Mediterranean elements that, in fact, characterize the whole Apulian faunal province. The highest similarities for inland water calanoid fauna, which were observed between Gargano and the Apennine province, and between Salento and Sicily, are discussed, along with the total assessment of the whole Apulian calanoid fauna.

River regulation influences the composition and distribution of inland frog communities

AbstractFrogs are widespread through inland rivers and floodplains and are an important component of floodplain food chains. Despite this, studies of frog communities in inland river systems are limited and the impacts of river regulation on frog communities have received very little attention. Surveys for frogs, tadpoles and egg masses along with assessment of vegetation, hydrology and water chemistry were conducted along 10 km reaches of three creek systems in the Lachlan River catchment, a major regulated river in Australia's Murray–Darling Basin. A total of 23 sample sites were surveyed at locations above and below in‐stream weirs as well as adjacent floodplain depressions. The hydrological regimes of sample sites were classified according to the length of time that they were known to hold water (water permanence). The sample sites fell into two distinct categories, 14 were classified as permanent and occurred upstream of weirs while nine were classified as temporary and were located downstream of weirs and in depressions adjacent to the weir pool. Permanent sample sites had a significantly higher percentage of dead standing timber and were deeper with less aquatic vegetation cover than temporary sample sites. Seven frog species were identified; there were no significant differences in species richness between permanent and the temporary waterbodies but the composition of frog assemblages differed significantly between them. This suggests that alteration to the hydrology of inland creek systems can lead to changes in the distribution frog species, with some becoming more common due to increases in the availably of permanent waterbodies while others decline due to reductions in the availability of seasonally flooded waterbodies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.