Zoogeographical Research Articles

Subspecies‐level distribution maps for birds of the Amazon basin and adjacent areas

AbstractAimDistribution maps for Amazonian birds are often limited to species‐level taxonomy even though many subspecies represent biological species. We provide digital maps depicting subspecies‐level distributions of Neotropical birds in the Amazonas River basin and adjoining areas.LocationAmazon region, which includes the entire Amazon basin, the east slope of the tropical Andes, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, south Venezuela (Bolivar and Amazonas departments), parts of the Brazilian Cerrado and the Araguaia‐Tocantins basin.TaxonBirds (Class Aves).MethodsTo build the distribution maps, we compiled a point‐locality database of 620,000 records, 90% of which represent specimens vouchered in research collections. After manually cleaning and optimising the quality of the point localities, we generated extent‐of‐occurrence polygons at the subspecies level using a concave hull function. We corrected each polygon based on the literature and expert knowledge. We used this data set to define zoogeographical regions based on multidimensional scaling and clustering analyses, and then compared subspecies‐defined regions to zoogeographic regions inferred from species‐level data.ResultsWe inferred range polygons for 3990 subspecies, representing 2043 species from 65 families. The average distribution size was 955,739 km2, with half of the taxa having range sizes smaller than 230,484 km2 (median value) and nearly one‐quarter of all subspecies having ranges smaller than 50,000 km2. We identified 10 zoogeographical regions from the subspecies data set in comparison with four areas based on a species‐level analysis of the same data. The 10 zoogeographical regions are largely congruent with previously identified areas of endemism.Main ConclusionsThe new maps of Amazonian bird subspecies distributions allow biodiversity studies (e.g. macroecology, evolution, and conservation) to be conducted at the subspecies level, and facilitate biogeographic, ecological, evolutionary and conservation research on birds in the most biologically diverse region in the world.

Isospora juruviarae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from chivi vireos Vireo chivi (Vieillot, 1817) (Passeriformes: Vireonidae) in South America

Chivi vireos Vireo chivi (Vieillot, 1817) are passerine birds widely distributed throughout Brazil, but mainly observed in the Atlantic Forest of the South and Southeast regions of the country. In this context, the current study identifies a new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 from V. chivi captured in the Marambaia Island, on the coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. The oocysts of Isospora juruviarae Andrade & Berto n. sp. are subspheroidal to ovoidal, measuring on average 26 by 24 μm. Micropyle is absent or inconspicuous. Oocyst residuum absent, but polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal with pointed posterior end, measuring on average 17 by × 11 μm. Stieda and Sub-Stieda bodies are present. Sporocyst residuum is present among the vermiform sporozoites, which have refractile bodies and nucleus. This morphology was different from the other Isospora spp. recorded in the same family, superfamily and parvorder as the host. Molecular identification was targeted by the amplification and sequencing of two different loci of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene and one locus of the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S) gene. Phylogenetic analyses were not very efficient in forming monophyletic groups associated with host taxon, zoogeographical region or taxonomic character; however, they confirmed the identification as a new species through comparison with sequences from Isospora spp. of wild passerines. Finally, based on the morphological and molecular analyses of the oocysts recovered from the chivi vireo V. chivi in the current work, I. juruviarae is considered new to science, being the second species recorded in the host family Vireonidae and the first to have a supplementation by molecular identification.

Paleoecology of the mammoth fauna of Southern Siberia during the last glacial period based on stable isotope data

Composition of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes of bone collagen of large mammals who inhabited Southern Siberia during MIS2 have been analysed. The results suggest significant isotopic differences of those animals from the fauna of other regions. Notably, the differences between animals from neighbouring regions may be more significant than between those from more distant areas. A summary description of the isotopic signatures of the LGP mammoth fauna from the Minusinsk depression has been presented, showing a general pattern of lower δ15N and higher δ13C values as compared to species from other regions. Variations in δ15N values may be explained by strong influence of landscape and climatic factors, in particular, the highly mosaic nature of local landscapes due to its ruggedness and altitudinal zonation. One of the possible mechanisms that could explain the observed δ13C signatures in bone collagen of the mammals is regional geochemistry, namely, the presence of developed system of mineral lakes and saline soils in the area. On saline soils, halophytic plants using the C4 type of photosynthesis and characterized by higher δ13C values, are more common. Furthermore, some halophytes, being C3 plants, are able to adapt to salinity stress and fix carbon in a way similar to C4 plants.

Diversity, distribution and intrinsic extinction vulnerability of exploited marine bivalves

Marine bivalves are important components of ecosystems and exploited by humans for food across the world, but the intrinsic vulnerability of exploited bivalve species to global changes is poorly known. Here, we expand the list of shallow-marine bivalves known to be exploited worldwide, with 720 exploited bivalve species added beyond the 81 in the United Nations FAO Production Database, and investigate their diversity, distribution and extinction vulnerability using a metric based on ecological traits and evolutionary history. The added species shift the richness hotspot of exploited species from the northeast Atlantic to the west Pacific, with 55% of bivalve families being exploited, concentrated mostly in two major clades but all major body plans. We find that exploited species tend to be larger in size, occur in shallower waters, and have larger geographic and thermal ranges—the last two traits are known to confer extinction-resistance in marine bivalves. However, exploited bivalve species in certain regions such as the tropical east Atlantic and the temperate northeast and southeast Pacific, are among those with high intrinsic vulnerability and are a large fraction of regional faunal diversity. Our results pinpoint regional faunas and specific taxa of likely concern for management and conservation.

Host associations of the Asian monitor lizard tick Amblyomma varanense (Supino, 1897) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), with a new host record from the Philippines

Amblyomma varanense (Supino) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) is a reptile-associated bont tick native to the Oriental and Australasian zoogeographic regions. This species is primarily ectoparasitic on monitor lizards (Varanidae) and snakes but has been reported to occasionally occur on turtles and mammals. Prior to the research described here, only one collection of A. varanense had been reported from the Philippines. Herein, we present a second Philippines collection of A. varanense as well as updated host records across this tick’s geographic range and an overview of associated microbes with zoonotic potential.

Insights into the systematics of Afrotropical Laelius (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae): combining molecular and morphological data to associate dimorphic species

The epyrine genus Laelius Ashmead, consists of a total of 63 valid species recorded from all zoogeographic regions. Two of them, namely L. firmipennis (Cameron) and L. glossinae (Turner & Waterston), have been recorded from the Afrotropical region. In the present study, we revise all species of Laelius from the Afrotropical region by newly collected specimens, based on an integrative taxonomy approach, combining morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses. We recognize seven species, one previously described, Laelius firmipennis, and six as new species, which are described and illustrated: Laelius pumbaaisp. nov., Laelius sarabiaesp. nov., Laelius scarisp. nov., Laelius simbaisp. nov., Laelius timonisp. nov. and Laelius ziraesp. nov. Additionally, we propose Laelius glossinae as a junior synonym of Laelius firmipennis based on the morphological characters. Male–female associations of L. firmipennis and L. pumbaai are supported by molecular data, while L. scari by morphological data. We also provide a synopsis of how male–female associations were established in the other species of Laelius. Finally, we present a taxonomic key for all Afrotropical species of Laelius.

Leaping Forward or Crawling Backward? Efforts and Biases in Amphibian and Reptile Research on a Megadiverse Faunal Region in the Philippines

Research efforts to protect Philippine biodiversity have increased significantly. However, there is an imbalance in the distribution of published studies, with specific territories receiving more attention than others. Mindanao, a southern Philippine group of islands, is known for its high levels of endemism for amphibians and reptiles. Despite this, research on these groups remains scattered. To address this gap, we conducted a literature review focusing on amphibians and reptiles in the Mindanao faunal region. We found an increasing effort towards herpetofauna over the two decades, yet there is a clear bias in the effort towards amphibians compared to reptiles. Furthermore, we found that amphibians have a significantly higher species threat index than reptiles and all other vertebrate groups, regardless of species endemism and conservation status. Yet, threatened herpetofauna species and those facing greater threats are poorly studied in general. Understanding the factors driving research biases in Mindanao and the Philippines is essential to allow us to redirect research efforts to the most needed areas, particularly understudied and neglected taxa in Mindanao. This is especially urgent in the face of a changing climate, where diverse herpetofauna communities are at an increased risk of extinction. Consequently, by bridging these gaps in biodiversity information, we can effectively contribute to the conservation and understanding of biodiversity in the region.

New data on the fungus gnats (Diptera: Keroplatidae, Mycetophilidae) of Yakutia with description of three new species

New data on the fauna of the fungus gnats families Keroplatidae and Mycetophilidae of Yakutia is given. Thirty six species have been registered, including 20 species new to the region, bringing the total number of Yakut species to 86. Three species are reported for the first time from the Asian part of the Palaearctic region, and one species is new for Russia and Eurasia. Three species, Macrorrhyncha nocticolor sp. n., Docosia fasciculata sp. n. and Pseudexechia endybalensis sp. n. are described from Yakutia. Species diversity in the republic and relative knowledge on the fauna of different regions are briefly discussed.

Phylogenetic relationships of a novel bat fly species infesting the geographically widespread Old World fruit bat, Rousettus leschenaultii, in Southern Asia.

The global epidemiological significance of bats and their blood-sucking ectoparasites is increasingly recognized. However, relevant data are scarce from Pakistan where the Palearctic and Oriental zoogeographic regions meet. In this study, 200 bats belonging to five species were examined for the presence of ectoparasites in Pakistan. Bat flies were found only on Leschenault's fruit bat (Rousettus leschenaultii). The prevalence of infestation did not correlate with habitat type and host traits including age, reproductive status, and sex. All bat flies represented the same Eucampsipoda species which was shown to be morphologically different from all species of its genus with known south Asian distribution and belonged to a separate phylogenetic group. These results highlight the existence of a hitherto undescribed bat fly species in southern Asia, which is not shared by the fruit bat species (R. leschenaultii) and insectivorous ones (e.g., Rhinopomamicrophyllum) thus probably playing a role only in intraspecific transmission of pathogens.

On Pseudocypretta franki n. sp. (Ostracoda, Cyprididae) from Lake Sibaya, South Africa

Abstract Pseudocypretta franki n. sp. is described from Lake Sibaya in South Africa. This is the first African species of the genus, which has two further Asian and one South American species. Clearly, the genus has a much wider distribution than originally thought and it is postulated that further species could be found in zoogeographical regions from where it is presently unknown. Pseudocypretta franki n. sp. differs from its congeners in the much larger overlap of the right valve by the left valve along anterior, ventral and posterior sides, and by the shape of the valves both in dorsal and in lateral views. The new species lacks the caudal rami, just as in the South American P. amor, whereas both Asian species do have Cypridopsinae-type reduced caudal rami.

Insights on the taxonomy of Haemoproteus parasites infecting cracid birds.

The Haemosporida order is a well-supported clade of heteroxenous parasites transmitted by dipteran insects and frequently found parasitizing wild birds. These parasites have already been reported in all zoogeographic regions of the world, except for Antarctica. One of the potential hosts of haemosporidians is the Cracidae family, which includes approximately 50 species, 22 of which are present in Brazil, classified within nine genera. Data on haemosporidian infecting individuals of the Cracidae family is scarce, with only three Haemoproteus species being recorded in this group of birds. We found Haemoproteus spp. infection in all Penelope obscura bronzina analyzed. Among the parasites found, we observed two lineages of Haemoproteus (PENOBS02 and PENOBS03), which were characterized by morphological, molecular and phylogenetic approaches. The morphological data on cracid haemosporidian parasites, together with our phylogenetic results, allows discussions on the taxonomy of the Haemoproteus parasites that infect birds of the Cracidae family.

Estimation of biomass of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) from the Russian Far East

Data on dry biomass and body length are given for 47 species of dung beetles from the southern part of the Russian Far East. The length-to-body weight relation in specimens of 47 species of dung-beetles was calculated, to enable biomass to be estimated from information about body length. Shown, the selection of optimal models of length-weight relationship of dung-beetles depends on the types of trophodynamic relationships of beetles and its size classes. When conducting ecological studies using such an indicator as dry biomass, it is necessary to determine the biomass of individual species from regional faunas, and to determine the biomass along the length of the body of beetles, it is necessary to use exclusively models built also for regional faunas.

Who Lives in the Hot Heart of the Cold Sea? A New Species of Provanna (Caenogastropoda: Provannidae) from the Hydrothermal Zone of Piip Volcano, Northwestern Pacific

The benthic macrofauna of Arctic and subarctic seas is mainly represented by widespread species and is generally devoid of endemics. The exceptions are reduced habitats, such as cold seeps, hydrothermal areas, and wood falls, which include endemics of at least the species level. A detailed study and analysis of such endemics allows us to understand the mechanisms of colonization and to assess the age of the fauna of high-latitude marine regions. Here, the new species Provanna annae sp. nov. is described from the geothermal zone of the Piip volcano in the Bering Sea (subarctic Pacific) based on the morphological and molecular phylogenetic data. The new species appears to be the northernmost and one of the most shallow-water species among the known representatives of the family and is suggested to be endemic to the region. The new species is related to a group of Provanna species from reducing habitats off Japan. Composition of the gut content indicates that the new species bottom sediments. Bacteria are found on the gills of the mollusc and are probably symbionts that also provide nutrition. This type of mixotrophic feeding is rare in gastropods and may be a unique feature among Caenogastropoda.

Orthoptera of Northeast Asia and Northwest America.

An annotated list of 42 species in 26 genera and four families of Orthoptera recorded from Beringia (Northeast Yakutia, Chukotka, Magadan region, and Kamchatka in Russia, Alaska in USA, Yukon and the Northwestern Territories in Canada) is given. The distribution of species is clarified. The exchange of orthopteran faunas between Asia and America by the Bering Land Bridge in Pleistocene was strongly limited. The only three species, Tetrix subulata (Linnaeus, 1761), Melanoplus frigidus (Boheman, 1846), and Stethophyma grossum (Linnaeus, 1758), are recorded from both Asian and American parts. The orthopteran fauna of Beringia is not original. Majority of Beringian species are widespread throughout either Asia or North America. There are only four endemic grasshoppers, namely two Asian subspesies, Melanoplus frigidus kamtchatkae (Sjosted, 1935) and Aeropedellus variegatus gelidus Mistshenko, 1951, and two American species, A. arcticus Hebard, 1935 and Bruneria yukonensis Vickery, 1969. Composition of the regional faunas is briefly discussed. The monotypic genus Bohemanella Ramme, 1951 is again considered as a synonym of Melanoplus Stål, 1873, where a type species of the former genus, Melanoplus frigidus (Boheman, 1846) comb. resurr., forming its own species group.

Mammals of Yakutia: Changes in the understanding of the composition of the mammal fauna over the past 50 years and an Annotated List. Part 2. Carnivorous, Cetaceans, and Artiodactyls

This study presents data on the mammal fauna including Carnivora (5 families, 12 genera, and 17 species), Cetacea (2 families, 3 genera, and 3 species), and Artiodactyla (3 families, 8 genera, and 3 species). A total number of 28 species demonstarted an increase in the richness of these taxa over the past 50 years due to the introduction of one carnivorous species and two ungulate species. Among the latter, only the introduction of musk ox can be considered successful. In addition, sporadic occurrences of four species that were not part of the original fauna in Yakutia have been registered. The northern sea lion and bowhead whale can colonize marine regions of Yakutia, whereas the Asian badger can colonize its terrestrial regions if the current climate trend stays unchanged. The tiger is unlikely to survive the Yakutian conditions, due to both low temperatures and low density of the ungulates, which constitute the major part of its food supply. At present, the complete list of species that inhabit the terrestrial and marine areas of Yakutia includes 70 representatives of the Mammalia class. The major part of the mammalian fauna of the region consists of indigenous species, whereas the share of non-native species was only approximately 10%. The changes in the composition of the mammalian fauna over the last 50 years are connected with a better current knowledge of the regional fauna, introduction, and changes in the taxonomic rank of species and subspecies. Moreover, four new species were identified: Chiroptera (2), Insectivora (1), and Rodentia (1). Some clarifications have been made to the taxonomic rank of species and subspecies belonging to the genera Ochotona, Urocitellus, and Alexandromys (Microtus). The use of genetic approach can clarify the taxonomic rank of a number of species. More complete and precise data on the composition of the faunistic list, geographic ranges of these species can be obtained by covering the territorial gaps in the previous studies and additional research on understudied taxa, in particular chiropterans and marine mammals.

Xenarthrans of the collection of Santiago Roth from the Pampean Region of Argentina (Pleistocene), in Zurich, Switzerland

The present work concerns xenarthrans from the collection of Santiago (Kaspar Jakob) Roth (1850–1924) housed at the Palaeontological Institute and Museum of the University of Zurich, one of the most important collections of Pleistocene mammals from Argentina in Europe. Roth was a paleontologist originally from Switzerland who prospected and collected a large amount of Pleistocene megafauna of the Pampean Region of Argentina. The xenarthrans are the main representatives of this collection in Zurich, with 150 specimens. Since 1920, this material has not been revised and is under studied. The present investigation corresponds to a taxonomic revision resulting in 114 reassignments, leading to document xenarthran diversity and discuss their paleoecologies. The high diversity reflects the paleoecology of the Pampean Region during the Pleistocene, with the various abiotic events that impacted the paleoenvironment of this region. Within the Cingulata, the Pampean Region fauna was probably dominated by glyptodonts with a high representation of Glyptodontinae and Neosclerocalyptinae while within the sloths the highest diversity and abundance is found in the Mylodontinae and Scelidotheriinae. These four clades represent both species with high ecological tolerance (e.g., Glyptodon munizi; Catonyx tarijensis) and ecologically highly specialized species (e.g., Neosclerocalyptus paskoensis; Scelidotherium leptocephalum). The presence of such ecological diversity underlines the status of the Pampean Region as a major interest for paleoecological and paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

Evolution and Biogeography, and the Systems Measurement of Mammalian Biotas.

Biological evolution is generally regarded as a stochastic or probabilistic process, per the ideas of Darwin in the nineteenth century. Even if this is true at the meso-scale, it still may, however, be impacted by overarching constraints that we have not yet identified. In this paper, we revisit the subject of mammal faunal regions with a mind to explore a potential kind of macroevolutionary influence. We first identify an optimum seven-region mammal faunal classification system based on spatial and phylogenetic data from a comprehensive 2013 review, and then examine the possibility that this classification provides supporting evidence for a Spinoza-influenced philosophical/theoretical model of the "natural system" concept developed by one of the authors in the 1980s. The hierarchical pattern of regional affinities revealed does do this.

Loss of functionally important and regionally endemic species from streams forced into intermittency by global warming.

Climate change is altering hydrological cycles globally, and in Mediterranean (med-) climate regions it is causing the drying of river flow regimes, including the loss of perennial flows. Water regime exerts a strong influence over stream assemblages, which have developed over geological timeframes with the extant flow regime. Consequently, sudden drying in formerly perennial streams is expected to have large, negative impacts on stream fauna. We compared contemporary (2016/17) macroinvertebrate assemblages of formerly perennial streams that became intermittently flowing (since the early 2000s) to assemblages recorded in the same streams by a study conducted pre-drying (1981/82) in the med-climate region of southwestern Australia (the Wungong Brook catchment, SWA), using a multiple before-after, control-impact design. Assemblage composition in the stream reaches that remained perennial changed very little between the studies. In contrast, recent intermittency had a profound effect on species composition in streams impacted by drying, including the extirpation of nearly all Gondwanan relictual insect species. New species arriving at intermittent streams tended to be widespread, resilient species including desert-adapted taxa. Intermittent streams also had distinct species assemblages, due in part to differences in their hydroperiods, allowing the establishment of distinct winter and summer assemblages in streams with longer-lived pools. The remaining perennial stream is the only refuge for ancient Gondwanan relict species and the only place in the Wungong Brook catchment where many of these species still persist. The fauna of SWA upland streams is becoming homogenised with that of the wider Western Australian landscape, as drought-tolerant, widespread species replace local endemics. Flow regime drying caused large, in situ alterations to stream assemblage composition and demonstrates the threat posed to relictual stream faunas in regions where climates are drying.

Geographic distribution of the hard ticks (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae) of the world by countries and territories

The hard tick family Ixodidae currently comprises 762 species worldwide, but an analysis of the occurrence of these species in the world´s countries, territories, zoogeographic regions (Afrotropical, Australasian, Nearctic, Neotropical, Oriental, Palearctic) and remote islands has not been attempted since 2009. Here, we present and critically discuss distributional data for all currently accepted ixodid species known from 226 countries and territories in six zoogeographic realms. This summary of ixodid tick biogeography should prove to be a valuable reference for biologists interested in ticks as organisms as well as specialists focusing on tick-borne diseases. Data for all species treated here were derived from a literature search that ended on March 31, 2022.

Early pleistocene ruminants (Artiodactyla, Mammalia) from the Dacian Basin (South Romania) before and after the Pachycrocuta event: implications for hominin dispersals in Western Eurasia

ABSTRACT The palaeontological material from the Dacian Basin provides a complete and well-represented record of faunal succession during the important faunal turnover called the Pachycrocuta event. The present study describes fossil remains of ruminants (Cervidae, Bovidae, Giraffidae) from the Early Pleistocene of Valea Grăunceanului, Fântâna lui Mitilan and other smaller sites from the Olteț River Valley. The article discuss the taxonomic context, eco-morphology and functional morphology of the described taxa and dynamics of biogeographic distribution. The commutity of ruminant species from the Dacian Basin before the Pachycrocuta event is dominated by Pliocene holdovers: Pliotragus ardeus, Gazellospira torticornis, Rucervus radulescui, Metacervocerus rhenanus and Mitilanotherium inexspectatum. This assemblage also contains new forms for Western Eurasia as Dama eurygonos, Eucladoceros dicranios, Eucladoceros ctenoides, Alces sp. and Bison (Eobison) sp. This specific regional fauna of ruminants became extinct during the Pachycrocuta faunal turnover and was replaced by a more cold-adapted assemblage of ruminants (Megalovis latifrons, Eucladoceros sp., Dama sp., Praemegaceros obscurus and its specialised diminished form Praemegaceros cf. mosbachensis) that show a greater affinity with coeval Levant faunas. The revealed dynamics of paleobiogeographic zones from the Early Pleistocene of southeastern Europe supports the hypothesis of early hominin dispersals in Western Eurasia via Balkan-Anatolia path.