Journal Description
Diversity
Diversity
is a peer-reviewed, open access journal on the science of biodiversity from molecules, genes, populations, and species, to ecosystems and is published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, GEOBASE, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Biodiversity Conservation) / CiteScore - Q2 (Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 15.4 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.5 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
2.1 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.3 (2023)
Latest Articles
Diversity and Conservation of Rodents in Saudi Arabia
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070398 - 11 Jul 2024
Abstract
The rodents of Saudi Arabia consist of twenty species and twelve genera within four families (Gliridae, Dipodidae, Muridae, and Hystricidae). Details on the past and present distribution of the rodents were included, along with available data on their habitat preference and biology. The
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The rodents of Saudi Arabia consist of twenty species and twelve genera within four families (Gliridae, Dipodidae, Muridae, and Hystricidae). Details on the past and present distribution of the rodents were included, along with available data on their habitat preference and biology. The eastern central part of Saudi Arabia, covering the Tuwiq mountains plateau, including the vicinity of Riyadh, hosts the highest number of rodent species. An analysis of the rodent fauna of Saudi Arabia revealed that they have four major zoogeographical affinities: Palaearctic–Oriental (one species), Afrotropical–Palaearctic (six species), Palaearctic (four species), endemic to Saudi Arabia and Yemen (three species), Afrotropical–Palaearctic–Oriental (three species), and three cosmopolitan species. According to the National Red List, the Euphrates Jerboa, Scarturus euphraticus, is listed as endangered, the Indian Crested Porcupine, Hystrix indica, as near threatened, three further species as data-deficient, while the rest are considered least concern.
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(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)
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Open AccessArticle
An Updated Taxonomic Appraisal of Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae) in the Maltese Islands
by
Stephen Mifsud and Sandro Lanfranco
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070397 - 11 Jul 2024
Abstract
A previous study of Narcissus species on the Maltese Islands had suggested the existence of a natural hybridogenous species. A fresh study on Narcissus in Malta was conducted in 2021 and 2023 with the primary aim of studying the previously reported populations of
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A previous study of Narcissus species on the Maltese Islands had suggested the existence of a natural hybridogenous species. A fresh study on Narcissus in Malta was conducted in 2021 and 2023 with the primary aim of studying the previously reported populations of intermediate forms and to update the taxonomy of Narcissus in Malta. Four main taxa of native species were identified: N. deficiens, two distinct morphotypes of N. tazetta, and a new hybrid species. The species identified as N. deficiens replaces records of N. serotinus and N. obsoletus. One of the two morphotypes (“autumn-flowering”) is now combined as subsp. aequilimbus (previously described from Maltese material as Hermione aequilimba) and the other one (“spring-flowering”) corresponds to subsp. tazetta. The new hybrid is derived from N. deficiens and N. tazetta and is named N × briffae. This hybrid was previously incorrectly reported as N. elegans. Detailed morphometric analysis and ecological data justify these new taxonomic appraisals. A dichotomous identification key for eight Narcissus taxa (including non-native ones) is provided to facilitate the identification of the occurring and doubtful species recorded on the Maltese Islands.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Diversity on Islands)
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Open AccessInteresting Images
Recovery of Intertidal Mussel Stands Three Years after the Severe 2021 Heatwave in British Columbia, Canada
by
Ricardo A. Scrosati
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070396 - 11 Jul 2024
Abstract
In the early summer of 2021, an intense heatwave killed millions of intertidal mussels in British Columbia, Canada. Using photographs taken three years later (June 2024), this article provides visual evidence of active recovery of intertidal mussel stands in the Vancouver region, revealing
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In the early summer of 2021, an intense heatwave killed millions of intertidal mussels in British Columbia, Canada. Using photographs taken three years later (June 2024), this article provides visual evidence of active recovery of intertidal mussel stands in the Vancouver region, revealing the resilience of these intertidal systems. Future monitoring should evaluate their ability for long-term persistence in light of the ongoing climate change, which is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Interesting Images from the Sea)
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Open AccessArticle
Age and Growth of Mitre Squid (Uroteuthis chinensis) in the Northwestern South China Sea Based on Statolith Microstructure Analysis
by
Dan Liu, Chi Zhang, Jianzhong Guo, Haozhan Wang, Yumeng Pang and Yongjun Tian
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070395 - 11 Jul 2024
Abstract
The mitre squid Uroteuthis chinensis is distributed widely in the Chinese coastal areas and contributes to the majority of the Chinese neritic squid fishery, especially in the South China Sea. However, little has been investigated about its life history traits, despite its commercial
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The mitre squid Uroteuthis chinensis is distributed widely in the Chinese coastal areas and contributes to the majority of the Chinese neritic squid fishery, especially in the South China Sea. However, little has been investigated about its life history traits, despite its commercial importance. In this study, using samples of U. chinensis collected through bottom trawlers from December 2019 to March 2021 in the northwestern South China Sea, biological traits including hatching date, growth pattern and dorsal mantle length at maturity of male individuals were explored by age determination based on statolith microstructure analysis. The results indicated that the U. chinensis showed a year-round spawning pattern with three main cohorts (spring, summer and autumn) that can be identified according to their hatching season. The range of the dorsal mantle length (DML) was 117–259 mm for females and 70–312 for males, and the body weight ranged from 55.1 to 480.5 g for females and from 19.3 to 560.2 g for males; the age ranges were estimated between 82 and 173 days for females and between 76 and 175 days for males. As for the length–weight relationship, males possessed a larger mantle length than females, while the body weight of females increased more compared to males at the same mantle length. The population recruits to the fishing ground, with individuals reaching sexual maturity at around 3 months, and the lifespan is less than 200 days. The growth model is well described by the exponential equation, which revealed that spring and autumn cohorts showed a higher growth rate than summer cohorts. As for male individuals, the smallest dorsal mantle length at maturity (DML50%) was recorded in the spring cohort (DML50% = 116 mm) compared with the summer (DML50% = 129 mm) and autumn cohorts (DML50% = 149 mm). This study provides key and updated fishery biological information of U. chinensis in the South China Sea and contributes to the understanding of U. chinensis resources.
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(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)
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Open AccessArticle
Taxonomic and Functional Diversity of Reptiles in a Heterogeneous Landscape of Jalisco State, West-Central Mexico
by
Verónica Carolina Rosas-Espinoza, Fabián Alejandro Rodríguez-Zaragoza, Eliza Álvarez-Grzybowska, Karen Elizabeth Peña-Joya, Ana Luisa Santiago-Pérez, Arquímedes Alfredo Godoy-González and Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070394 - 10 Jul 2024
Abstract
Reptiles are threatened by anthropogenic landscape transformation, largely due to agriculture. However, ecosystems nowadays constitute a matrix of fragmented landscapes. We analyzed a heterogeneous landscape’s reptile taxonomic and functional diversity patterns across ten land cover/use types in Jalisco state, in west-central Mexico. At
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Reptiles are threatened by anthropogenic landscape transformation, largely due to agriculture. However, ecosystems nowadays constitute a matrix of fragmented landscapes. We analyzed a heterogeneous landscape’s reptile taxonomic and functional diversity patterns across ten land cover/use types in Jalisco state, in west-central Mexico. At the alpha diversity level, we assessed the taxonomic diversity using q-order indices, and functional diversity with multidimensional indices (FRic, FDiv, and FEve) by land cover/use. We evaluated the differences in species composition among land cover/use types (beta diversity). We utilized multidimensional distance-based analyses (dbRDA) to evaluate the association between reptile diversity, habitat structure, and environmental variables. Species richness did not correlate with functional richness across land cover types overall, except for riparian habitat surrounded by crops (RH-C), which exhibited higher species richness and functional diversity. Secondary vegetation surrounded by temperate forest (SV-TF), riparian habitat surrounded by tropical dry forest (RH-TDF), and RH-C were the land cover/use types with the most functional groups. Herbaceous cover is crucial for preserving both reptile diversity facets in this landscape. These findings suggest that the availability of resources (e.g., riparian habitat and herbaceous cover) regardless of perturbation level could be more relevant for reptile diversity than the condition (tropical vs. temperate) due to the high plasticity and adaptation of the group. It is essential to recognize the ecological value of these habitats by adopting a holistic approach that values the intrinsic and ecological importance of reptile diversity.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Land-Use Change, Rural Practices and Animal Diversity)
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Open AccessArticle
Invasiveness of Impatiens parviflora in Carpathian Beech Forests: Insights from Soil Nematode Communities
by
Marek Renčo, Jana Jurová and Andrea Čerevková
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070393 - 10 Jul 2024
Abstract
Invasive plants are capable of homogenizing both aboveground and belowground biota and, along with climate change, are recognized as one of the biggest threats to global biodiversity. Soil nematode communities reflect the surroundings they inhabit and are therefore frequently employed as biological indicators
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Invasive plants are capable of homogenizing both aboveground and belowground biota and, along with climate change, are recognized as one of the biggest threats to global biodiversity. Soil nematode communities reflect the surroundings they inhabit and are therefore frequently employed as biological indicators of soil condition. In this study, soil properties and nematode communities in Carpathian beech forest floor covered by dense vegetation of invasive Impatiens parviflora (small balsam) were investigated over two vegetation seasons. We assumed that the spread of invasive I. parviflora could influence soil fauna through litter accumulation when established and could also change several soil properties, consequently altering soil nematode communities. A total of 52 nematode species were found in the soil samples. The mean number of species varied from 18 to 31, but did not significantly differ between invaded and uninvaded plots across all sampling dates. However, redundancy analysis indicated that the nematode community in plots with small balsam differed significantly from that in uninvaded plots, reflecting different proportions of genera in the two communities. Invasion by small balsam significantly enhanced the relative abundance of bacterivores, whereas it decreased the abundance of plant parasites and root-fungal feeders, mainly in the spring and summer season. Ordination of nematode species along the structure index and enrichment index trajectories revealed a maturing food web, low to moderately disturbed in the I. parviflora invaded soils as well as in uninvaded forest plots. Decomposition channels of soil food webs in both plots were balanced and fungal–bacterial mediated, although low values of the channel index suggested prevailing bacterial decomposition. Our study reveals that the expansion of I. parviflora moderately influenced the composition of nematode communities and the soil food web, increased soil nitrogen, carbon and C/N ratio, but did not modify soil acidity.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Evolution of Invasive Plant Species)
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Open AccessCommunication
Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of the Leptocircini Species Iphiclides podalirius and I. podalirinus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
by
Yue Pan, Xin Zhang, Adam M. Cotton and Shao-Ji Hu
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070392 - 9 Jul 2024
Abstract
The complete mitochondrial genomes of two Iphiclides species, namely I. podalirius and I. podalirinus, were sequenced, assembled, and reported in this article. Both genomes comprise 37 genes, with 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes.
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The complete mitochondrial genomes of two Iphiclides species, namely I. podalirius and I. podalirinus, were sequenced, assembled, and reported in this article. Both genomes comprise 37 genes, with 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The gene orders and alignments agree with the reported mitogenomes of Leptocircini butterflies, while the start codon for the COX1 gene in I. podalirinus is CGA instead of the commonly seen ATN type. Codon preference shows that methionine and tryptophan are the poorest, while arginine, leucine, and serine are the richest. Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian Inference shows both Iphiclides species are sister to the genus Lamproptera and are basal to all remaining Leptocircini species. The Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) distances of I. podalirinus from I. podalirius exceed 5%, demonstrating its solid species status. The K2P distance between the North African feisthamelii and podalirius exceeds 2%, indicating the reasonable elevation of I. feisthamelii to the full specific level as its type locality is Algeria. Future research is required to tackle the relationship between the Iberian feisthamelii and podalirius using more evidence.
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(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)
Open AccessArticle
Seasonal Variability in Non-Structural Carbohydrate Content of Warm-Adapted Zostera noltei and Zostera marina Populations
by
Tomás Azcárate-García, Pedro Beca-Carretero, Ignacio Hernández and Fernando G. Brun
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070391 - 9 Jul 2024
Abstract
Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are energetic compounds that can be accumulated in tissues and mobilized during periods of unfavorable conditions to maintain the biological functions of plants. The balance of these biochemical compounds is controlled by environmental factors such as temperature and irradiance. Zostera
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Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are energetic compounds that can be accumulated in tissues and mobilized during periods of unfavorable conditions to maintain the biological functions of plants. The balance of these biochemical compounds is controlled by environmental factors such as temperature and irradiance. Zostera noltei and Zostera marina find one of their southern distribution limits in southern Spain, where relatively high seawater temperatures are reached during summer (23–24 °C). To better understand the effects of elevated temperatures on the concentration of NSCs, we conducted a seasonal study at Cadiz Bay, representing warm-adapted populations of these species. Our results showed a bimodal pattern in both species, with the highest NSC content observed in December and June, followed by a depletion in March and August. In addition, the NSC content observed in the leaves of Z. noltei (71.26 ± 30.77 mg g−1 dry weight) was higher than in the rhizomes and roots (52.14 ± 38.86 mg g−1 DW). The observed patterns suggest that these species accumulated NSCs to cope with periods of unfavorable environmental conditions. We also suggest that the limited concentration of NSCs in Z. noltei rhizomes and roots indicates that this population may be suffering physiological stress.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Ecosystem Functioning and Food Webs under Climate Change)
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Open AccessCommunication
Stratigraphic Reassessment of the Mexican Chasmosaurine Coahuilaceratops magnacuerna as the First Diagnostic Dinosaur Remains from the Cerro Huerta Formation (Lower Maastrichtian) Supporting the Southern Origin of the Triceratopsini
by
Daniela Barrera Guevara, Belinda Espinosa Chávez, Claudia Inés Serrano Brañas, Claudio de León Dávila, Daniel Posada Martinez, Elizabeth Freedman Fowler and Denver Fowler
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070390 - 8 Jul 2024
Abstract
Very few remains of ceratopsid dinosaurs have been recovered so far from the Difunta Group of Coahuila, Mexico. The enigmatic chasmosaurine Coahuilaceratops magnacuerna was previously described on the basis of two partial skulls purportedly derived from the Cerro del Pueblo Formation (~73–72.5
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Very few remains of ceratopsid dinosaurs have been recovered so far from the Difunta Group of Coahuila, Mexico. The enigmatic chasmosaurine Coahuilaceratops magnacuerna was previously described on the basis of two partial skulls purportedly derived from the Cerro del Pueblo Formation (~73–72.5 Ma?). On the basis of a new measured section and lithological identification of the host rock, we reassign Coahuilaceratops to the overlying Cerro Huerta Formation (~71.5–70.5 Ma?). Thus, we formally assign the first dinosaur taxon to the Cerro Huerta Formation. This reassignment is more consistent with the relatively derived phylogenetic position of Coahuilaceratops, with implications for the southern Laramidia hypothesis concerning the origin of the Triceratopsini.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Phylogeny and Evolution)
Open AccessArticle
Genetic Diversity and Profile of Red Algae Pterocladiella capillacea (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) along the Coast of China
by
Jianning Li, Zepan Chen, Zhongmin Sun and Weizhou Chen
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070389 - 8 Jul 2024
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Red algae Pterocladiella capillacea off the coast of China were investigated for genetic diversity. With 176 samples categorized into six populations based on concatenated rbcL and cox1 sequences, the results rang warning bells for the genetic diversity of Pterocladiella capillacea along
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Red algae Pterocladiella capillacea off the coast of China were investigated for genetic diversity. With 176 samples categorized into six populations based on concatenated rbcL and cox1 sequences, the results rang warning bells for the genetic diversity of Pterocladiella capillacea along the Chinese coastline: (1) a good diversity of haplotype (Hd > 0.5) in Naozhou and Hui’an populations situated along the southern coast of China, but highest in the former; (2) less nucleotide diversity in each of the six populations (Pi < 0.005); (3) genetic differentiation occurred between the north population in Changdao and the two southern grown populations in Nan’ao, and Naozhou. To identify molecular markers, an MP phylogenetic tree was used to illustrate genetic profiles in detail, with 161 concatenated sequences clustered into four branches: Changdao (north), Nan’ao (south), Naozhou (south), and the remaining regions (middle). The Fst value for each of Changdao, Nan’ao, and Naozhou was greater than 0.5, which denotes that these three populations are genetically different to those growing in the middle coast. Moreover, a 30-haplotype-based median-joining network corroborated this genetic differentiation, though variations between all the investigated populations were not very high due to the relatively smaller values of genetic distance between the six (Dxy < 0.01). Overall, red algae P. capillacea in Chinese coastal seawater showed a higher haplotype diversity and lower nucleotide diversity. Such a genetic profile indicates that both natural random genetic drift and interference from human activities have possibly affected the distribution of gene frequencies in red algae P. capillacea along the Chinese coastline.
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Open AccessArticle
Genetic Differentiation and Population Structure of Two Bulgarian Local Goat Breeds Using Microsatellite Markers
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Georgi Yordanov, Georgi Kalaydzhiev, Nadezhda Palova, Delka Salkova, Lyudmila Lozanova, Heliana Dundarova, Tsonka Odjakova, Pavel Todorov, Georgi Radoslavov and Peter Hristov
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070388 - 7 Jul 2024
Abstract
Establishing genetic diversity in the population is an essential first step for the sustainable conservation of valuable genetic resources under threat of extinction. Two local goat breeds, Kalofer long-haired (KLH) and Bulgarian screw-horned long-haired (BSHL), were genotyped using a panel of 14 microsatellite
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Establishing genetic diversity in the population is an essential first step for the sustainable conservation of valuable genetic resources under threat of extinction. Two local goat breeds, Kalofer long-haired (KLH) and Bulgarian screw-horned long-haired (BSHL), were genotyped using a panel of 14 microsatellite markers to determine their population structure and differentiation. The overall mean number of alleles was 8.82, higher in BSHL (9.71) as compared with KLH (7.92). The Ho and He values were almost equal for BSHL (0.75; 0.76, respectively) and KLH goats (0.74; 0.76, respectively). The value of the coefficient of population differentiation (FST) was very low (0.024), indicating only 2% genetic differentiation between the two goat breeds. The structure and PCoA analyses revealed considerable overlap between the two breeds, although some flocks of each breed differentiated from the common genetic pool. The results obtained in the present study can serve to differentiate purebred animals that are the basis of a selection process and a breeding strategy with a view to the conservation of these two local goat breeds.
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Open AccessArticle
Szulczewski’s Fungarium—A Collection of Fungi on Their Host Plants in the POZ Herbarium, Poznań, Poland
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Elżbieta Zenkteler, Zbigniew Celka, Piotr Szkudlarz and Joanna Nita
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070387 - 6 Jul 2024
Abstract
The fungarium was collected by Jerzy Wojciech Szulczewski in the Wielkopolska region in Western Poland in 1909–1911, 1928, and 1960–1966 (nine volumes). It includes dried plant specimens with disease symptoms of fungal origin and is currently located in the POZ Herbarium (Adam Mickiewicz
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The fungarium was collected by Jerzy Wojciech Szulczewski in the Wielkopolska region in Western Poland in 1909–1911, 1928, and 1960–1966 (nine volumes). It includes dried plant specimens with disease symptoms of fungal origin and is currently located in the POZ Herbarium (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland). It is one of the oldest and richest Polish collections of this category although some parts were destroyed or lost after the Second World War. Many of the sheets have original annotations by the author and hand-written labels with both plant and fungus names. A checklist of all species is presented in the appendix. The whole collection was digitized in 2023 and is available on the website of the AMUNATCOLL project.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digitization of Natural History Collections for Biodiversity Science and Conservation)
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Open AccessArticle
Severe Disturbance of Chinese Pangolins Caused by Free-Ranging Domestic Dogs in Unprotected Areas
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Yulin Zhang, Haiyang Gao, Hongliang Dou, Jinzhen Yang, Jingxin Wang, Zuofu Xiang and Yan Hua
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070386 - 5 Jul 2024
Abstract
Unprotected areas with endangered species generally face severe human disturbance. Domestic dogs are a special form of human disturbance and are sympatrically distributed with critically endangered Chinese pangolins in remote mountainous regions of Guangdong, China. Conflicts in habitat utilization between domestic dogs and
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Unprotected areas with endangered species generally face severe human disturbance. Domestic dogs are a special form of human disturbance and are sympatrically distributed with critically endangered Chinese pangolins in remote mountainous regions of Guangdong, China. Conflicts in habitat utilization between domestic dogs and Chinese pangolins have rarely been evaluated, yet these conflicts might result in a decline in population viability in the wild. To address how domestic dogs affect Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) in spatiotemporal niches, we used camera traps to obtain information on the distribution and activity of Chinese pangolins and GPS collars to track free-ranging domestic dog activity in the Wuqinzhang and Pengzhai forest areas of Guangdong, China. Combined with environmental variables, we used individual and cave locations to predict a potentially suitable habitat for Chinese pangolins with Maxent. We used the minimum convex polygon method (MCP) to obtain the home ranges of the domestic dogs. Then, we calculated the overlap between the potentially suitable habitat for Chinese pangolins and the home ranges of free-ranging domestic dogs. In the temporal niche, we compared the daily activity rhythms between domestic dogs and Chinese pangolins and assessed the influences of domestic dogs on Chinese pangolins through avoidance–attraction ratios (AARs). Our results show that the potentially suitable habitat of the Chinese pangolin comprises only approximately 24% of the Wuqinzhang forest area and 12% of the Pengzhai forest area. The percentages of habitat overlap were approximately 48% and 71% in the Wuqinzhang and Pengzhai forest areas, respectively. There was less overlap in the temporal niche between Chinese pangolins and free-ranging domestic dogs, but their AAR was significant. Our results reveal that the Chinese pangolin is facing severe disturbances from free-ranging domestic dogs in spatial niches in unprotected areas. We suggest that assessments of Chinese pangolins’ survival status should be conducted as soon as possible, especially in unprotected areas. To expand and optimize established nature reserves for the Chinese pangolin, further strengthening of domestic dog management is necessary.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Wildlife Conflicts)
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Open AccessArticle
Distribution Profile of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Some Rivers of Yaoundé City and Its Surroundings Using Self Organizing Map and Indicator value methods
by
Marie Anita Temgoua Zemo, Samuel Foto Menbohan, Bernard Tossou Atchrimi, Delagnon Assou, Belmond Eric Biram à Ngon, Noel Christiane Wilfreid Betsi, Serge Gwos Nhiomock, Harissou, Nathaniel Larry Lactio, Bolivar Far Ndourwe, Mathias Nwaha, Donald l’or Nyame Mbia, Laure Yvonne Tchouapi, Ghislain Ulric Tchouta, Blaise Rollinat Mboye and Jean Dzavi
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070385 - 2 Jul 2024
Abstract
Urban sprawl leads to the degradation of aquatic environments and, consequently, to the destruction of biodiversity. With the aim of highlighting the distribution profile of benthic macroinvertebrates in the city of Yaoundé and its surroundings according to the level of degradation, this study
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Urban sprawl leads to the degradation of aquatic environments and, consequently, to the destruction of biodiversity. With the aim of highlighting the distribution profile of benthic macroinvertebrates in the city of Yaoundé and its surroundings according to the level of degradation, this study was carried out in seven rivers. A total of 144 taxa of benthic macroinvertebrates, belonging to 74 families, 15 orders, five classes, and three phyla, were collected from seven rivers in urban, peri-urban, and forest environments on Yaoundé and its surroundings. The self-organizing map (SOM) analysis tool was used to group the collected taxa from all stations into three clusters or affinity cores. The indicator value analysis (IndVal) method was employed to determine, based on their ecological preferences, which organisms were most likely to belong to each group. Out of the 144 collected taxa, only 44 were indicated to represent the three different groups. Thus, three communities were defined: the Hydropsyche community, with Hydropsyche sp. as the predominant taxon in Group III, characterizing well-oxygenated and low-mineralized stations; the Hydrocyrius community, where the species Hydrocyrius sp. predominates in Group I, describing stations with low oxygenation and moderate mineralization; and the Lumbriculidae community, where Lumbriculidae is the taxon associated with environments with high mineralization and critical oxygenation. These two methods contribute to the biomonitoring of tropical aquatic environments, firstly by grouping organisms by affinity and then identifying those that reflect the environment conditions. This facilitates the detection of changes in the quality of hydrosystems and guides management and conservation efforts.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Zoobenthos Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology)
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Open AccessArticle
Colonial Ascidian Populations at Inshore Coral Reefs of Norfolk Island, South Pacific
by
Shannon Eckhardt, Tracy D. Ainsworth, William Leggat and Charlotte E. Page
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070384 - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
Subtropical coral reefs such as the lagoonal reefs of Norfolk Island in the remote South Pacific are vastly understudied, with many benthic species unrecorded in the scientific literature. Here we report on ascidian populations from 2021 to 2023 at Norfolk Islands inshore reefs.
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Subtropical coral reefs such as the lagoonal reefs of Norfolk Island in the remote South Pacific are vastly understudied, with many benthic species unrecorded in the scientific literature. Here we report on ascidian populations from 2021 to 2023 at Norfolk Islands inshore reefs. Quantitative assessments spanning that period were conducted to assess ascidian presence, cover, and benthic interactions. We show ascidian cover remained persistently low and stable across the lagoonal reefs during the study period. We find adjacent reef site, Cemetery Bay showed variation in ascidian cover over time, where we measure a 3.2-fold increase in cover over 2 years. Ascidians were associated primarily with sand and sediment substrates at all reef locations. Recorded interactions between hard corals and ascidians were low. This study provides valuable insights into the population dynamics of ascidians within subtropical reef ecosystems. Ongoing ascidian population monitoring can provide a comprehensive understanding of ascidian dynamics whilst also providing insight of theimpact of anthropogenic stressors on benthic communities. Together, this can aid in informing management and conservation strategies for subtropical reefs.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Patterns Of Marine Benthic Biodiversity)
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Open AccessArticle
Public Attitudes towards Insect Pollinators in Morocco: Insights from a Pilot Study with Broader Applications
by
Rachid Sabbahi, Insafe El Abdouni, Patrick Lhomme, Omar Boubker, Khalil Azzaoui, Belkheir Hammouti, Mounsef Neffa and Virginia Hock
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070383 - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
This pilot study provides insights into the Moroccan public’s understanding and willingness to engage in insect pollinator preservation, highlighting widespread awareness alongside significant knowledge gaps. The success of biodiversity conservation efforts, especially those aimed at insect pollinators, is greatly enhanced by an informed
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This pilot study provides insights into the Moroccan public’s understanding and willingness to engage in insect pollinator preservation, highlighting widespread awareness alongside significant knowledge gaps. The success of biodiversity conservation efforts, especially those aimed at insect pollinators, is greatly enhanced by an informed and committed populace. Understanding public perceptions of insect pollinators is important as it shapes the effectiveness of conservation strategies and their implementation. Although our pilot study does not include every demographic of Moroccan society, it does include an important portion of the populace: educated urban youth. This is a key portion of the population that will be crucial in developing future conservation strategies, especially given the tendency towards increasing urbanization putting cities at the forefront of sustainable development. Our study aimed to assess opinions on insect pollinators, their services, and their declining population numbers in Morocco. We conducted a survey distributed mainly through the media over four months, receiving responses from 301 individuals. The results indicate that the public is aware of decreasing insect pollinator populations and their main threats, and shows a willingness to participate in conservation strategies. However, gaps persist in understanding the roles and ecology of pollinators. While honey bees and bumble bees are well-recognized for their role in pollinating agricultural and wild plants, there is less awareness about other common pollinators such as solitary bees and flies. Additionally, the essential contributions of non-bee pollinators remain widely overlooked. To address these findings, we recommend implementing specialized educational initiatives to increase public understanding of the vital functions of non-bee pollinators in supporting ecosystem services. In order to adopt a more encompassing strategy for the conservation of insect pollinators, upcoming outreach efforts within the national biodiversity strategy should emphasize the contributions made by lesser-known non-bee insect pollinators and strive to engage sectors of the population currently less involved in pollinator conservation. However, while this pilot study provides valuable insights, the sample size limits the generalizability of these conclusions. Future research with larger and more diverse samples would be beneficial to validate and expand upon these findings in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of all areas of public perception and engagement in pollinator conservation in Morocco. Expanding sampling to include older, less educated, and less urban demographics would strengthen these initial insights and broaden their application, especially beyond urban attitudes.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Effects of Pollinator Loss on Biodiversity)
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Open AccessArticle
Remote Coastal Weed Infestation Management Using Bayesian Networks
by
Stuart Kininmonth, Kerry Spencer, Amie Hill, Eric Sjerp and Jethro Bangay
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070382 - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of species that are detrimental to biodiversity is a major concern, particularly for managers of national parks. To develop effective programmes for controlling weeds, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the extent and severity of infestations, as
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The increasing prevalence of species that are detrimental to biodiversity is a major concern, particularly for managers of national parks. To develop effective programmes for controlling weeds, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the extent and severity of infestations, as well as the contributing factors such as temperature, rainfall, and disturbance. Predicting these factors on a regional scale requires models that can incorporate a wide range of variables in a quantifiable manner, while also assisting with on-ground operations. In this study, we present two Bayesian Network models specifically designed for six significant weed species found along the southern coast of Australia. Our models are based on empirical data collected during a coastal weed survey conducted in 2015 and repeated in 2016. We applied these models to the coastal national parks in the isolated and pristine East Gippsland region. Importantly, the prediction models were developed at two different spatial scales that directly corresponded to the scale of the observations. Our findings indicate that coastal habitats, with their vulnerable environments and prevalence of open dune systems, are particularly susceptible to weed infestations. Moreover, adjacent regions also have the potential for colonization if these infestations are not effectively controlled. Climate-related factors play a role in moderating the potential for colonization, which is a significant concern for weed control efforts in the context of global climate change.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2024 Feature Papers by Diversity’s Editorial Board Members)
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Open AccessReview
The State of the Art of the Global Distribution of the Invasive Mytilid Species Brachidontes pharaonis (P. Fischer, 1870)
by
Matteo Battiata, Tiziana Curatolo, Murtada D. Naser, Gianluca Sarà and Sabrina Lo Brutto
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070381 - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of a species, while scattered literature is addressed to a correct systematic assessment and an updated geographical distribution on the whole. It is noteworthy that non-indigenous species should be
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The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of a species, while scattered literature is addressed to a correct systematic assessment and an updated geographical distribution on the whole. It is noteworthy that non-indigenous species should be monitored on both sides of their range, i.e., towards the front of dispersal and beyond the original range. The backside range boundaries are not often monitored or well delimited; thus, the novel global distribution of an invasive taxon is not often accurately delimitated. A model species for highlighting criticisms about the scarce knowledge on the novel range was chosen. Brachidontes pharaonis is a mussel that has successfully colonised the Mediterranean Sea, following an immigration pathway through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, presumably from a wider Indo-Pacific area. In this case, the Indo-Pacific boundaries have been overlooked and are still misunderstood due to diverse causes, principally as the synonymy with the congeneric B. variabilis has created confusion in the taxonomic identification. The present review demonstrates that the borders of the B. pharaonis range are still unclear and that the species should be analysed in a wider geographical area. Records of B. pharaonis from Southeast Asia should be treated with caution as this area is out of its range. The Indian and Pacific Oceans host the taxon B. variabilis, composed of two potential cryptic species. Data from the literature highlight the importance of the integrative taxonomic approach to solving various issues concerning the species group complex, morphological variations and cosmopolitan claims of species.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2024 Feature Papers by Diversity’s Editorial Board Members)
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Open AccessArticle
Comparative Genomics of Limosilactobacillus pontis Strains: Niche-Specific Variations and Adaptations
by
Xueyan Lei, Qing Liu, Weicheng Li, Yu Li, Lixia Zhao and Wenjun Liu
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070380 - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
Limosilactobacillus pontis (L. pontis) is a species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) found in various products, including fermented milk, sourdough, and broiler chickens’ gastrointestinal tracts. However, the evolutionary strategies and genomic features of the species remain unknown, which limits its application.
[...] Read more.
Limosilactobacillus pontis (L. pontis) is a species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) found in various products, including fermented milk, sourdough, and broiler chickens’ gastrointestinal tracts. However, the evolutionary strategies and genomic features of the species remain unknown, which limits its application. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was carried out to investigate the genomic characteristics and evolutionary strategies of L. pontis, combined with a comparative genomic approach, providing the necessary theoretical basis for its application. The genomic sequences in this study included three published genomic sequences and two strains isolated from fermented milk in our lab in Inner Mongolia, China. The mean genome size of the five L. pontis strains was 1.70 Mb, and the mean DNA G + C content was 53.06%. L. pontis was a species with higher G + C content in LAB. The phylogenetic evolutionary tree for the core genes showed that the strains from the same sources were aggregated into a cluster. There were some differences in the genomic information and phylogenetic relationships amongst L. pontis from different sources. An analysis of the annotation results identified differences in the functional genes, carbohydrate-active enzymes, and bacteriocins amongst different isolated strains, which were related to the environment. L. pontis was rich in glycosyltransferases, especially in strains isolated from fermented milk, indicating that they had higher sugar synthesis abilities. It is worth mentioning that only the L. pontis strains isolated in our laboratory identified the bacteriocin operon, which may increase its application potential. The genomic characteristics and evolutionary process of L. pontis were analyzed by comparative genomics, and this study explored the differences in the functional genes amongst the strains, aiming to provide new insights into the genetic characteristics and niche adaptations of L. pontis.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Phylogeny and Evolution)
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Open AccessArticle
Red Sea Coral Reef Monitoring Site in Sudan after 39 Years Reveals Stagnant Reef Growth, Continuity and Change
by
Sarah Abdelhamid, Götz B. Reinicke, Rebecca Klaus, Johannes Höhn, Osama S. Saad and Görres Grenzdörffer
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070379 - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
Coral reefs off the coast of the Republic of Sudan are still considered to be among the most pristine reefs in the central Red Sea. The complex coastal fringing reefs, offshore banks, and shoals of Dungonab Bay in the north and Sanganeb atoll
[...] Read more.
Coral reefs off the coast of the Republic of Sudan are still considered to be among the most pristine reefs in the central Red Sea. The complex coastal fringing reefs, offshore banks, and shoals of Dungonab Bay in the north and Sanganeb atoll situated further to the south, about 23 km off the Sudanese mainland coast, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. Due to their remote location and limited access, monitoring of the status of the reefs has been sporadic. Here, we present the results of a repeated large area photomosaic survey (5 m × 5 m plots) on the Sanganeb atoll, first established and surveyed in 1980, and revisited in 1991 and most recently in 2019. The 2019 survey recovered and reinstated the four original monitoring plots. Evaluation of photographic and video records from one photomosaic plot on the seaward slope of the atoll revealed general continuity of the overall community structure and composition over 39 years. Individual colonies of Echinopora gemmacea and Lobophyllia erythraea were recorded in the exact same positions as in the 1980 and 1991 plots. The genera Acropora and Pocillopora remain dominant, although in altered proportions. Shifts in composition were detected at the species level (e.g., increase in Pocillopora verrucosa, Stylophora pistillata, Acropora hemprichii, Dipsastraea pallida, and Echinopora gemmacea, decrease in Acropora cytherea and A. superba), in addition to changes in the extent of uncolonized substrate (e.g., increase from 43.9% in 1980 to 52.2% in 2019), and other scleractinian, hydrozoan, and soft coral living cover. While the temporal resolution only includes three sampling events over 39 years (1980, 1991, 2019), this study presents one of the longest time series of benthic community surveys available for the entire Red Sea. A semi-quantitative estimate of vertical reef growth in the studied test plot indicates a reduction in net accretion rates of more than 80%, from 2.27 to 2.72 cm/yr between 1980 and 1991 to 0.28–0.42 cm/yr between 1991 and 2019. We carefully conclude that the changes observed in the coral community in the plot in 2019 (Acropora–Pocillopora shift, increase in Montipora and calcareous algae) are representative of impacts at the community level, including rising sea surface temperatures and recent bleaching events.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coral Reef Biogeography, Ecology and Conservation under Climate Change and Human Disturbance)
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