Diversity

23 pages, 5187 KB

Open AccessArticle

Epibenthic Dinoflagellates in the Southern Gulf of California: Species Composition and Abundance

by Yuri B. Okolodkov, Ismael Gárate-Lizárraga, Victor A. Cervantes-Urieta, Manuel E. Martínez-Cruz and Citlalli Galicia-García

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100674 - 26 Sep 2025

Abstract

Bahía de La Paz is the largest bay in the southern Gulf of California. This bay is an important area with a variety of commercial fish species and other natural resources and recreational activities. Epibenthic dinoflagellates are common inhabitants of harbors, inlets and [...] Read more.

Bahía de La Paz is the largest bay in the southern Gulf of California. This bay is an important area with a variety of commercial fish species and other natural resources and recreational activities. Epibenthic dinoflagellates are common inhabitants of harbors, inlets and semi-enclosed coastal lagoons; they produce potent toxins that may negatively affect human health and marine biota. The purpose of the present study was to identify potentially harmful epibenthic dinoflagellates growing on macroalgae from different coastal sites of the bay to determine their species composition, abundances, seasonal distributions, interannual and spatial variations. A total of 153 quantitative samples were collected in 2015–2019 (at 10 sites during four samplings in May, June and December) mainly from macroalgae. About 23 dinoflagellate species from the genera Prorocentrum, Ostreopsis, Sinophysis, Gambierdiscus, Fukuyoa, Amphidinium, Blixaea, Bysmatrum, Cabra, Coolia, Durinskia and Plagiodinium were found as epiphytes on at least 58 macroalgal species of 42 genera. Toxigenic genera, such as Gambierdiscus, Ostreopsis, Coolia and Prorocentrum, were widespread throughout the study area. Playa El Tecolote and Playa Costa Baja were the best habitats for dinoflagellates; therefore, the two locations can be considered the beaches with the greatest risk to human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Marine Microorganisms)

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14 pages, 8013 KB

Open AccessArticle

Differences in Habitat Use, Thermal Ecology, and Behavior of the Semiaquatic Lizard Anolis aquaticus at a High- and Low-Elevation Site

by Douglas A. Eifler, Drew E. Dittmer, Leann Dick, Barbara Rowe, Jesse James Johnson, Dahtiya R. Stanley and Maria A. Eifler

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100673 - 26 Sep 2025

Abstract

For small ectotherms, thermal conditions and habitat structure can drive local adaptations in behavior and habitat use. The water anole, Anolis aquaticus, is a semiaquatic lizard occurring along streams in lowland tropical sites, as well as at higher elevations with greater thermal [...] Read more.

For small ectotherms, thermal conditions and habitat structure can drive local adaptations in behavior and habitat use. The water anole, Anolis aquaticus, is a semiaquatic lizard occurring along streams in lowland tropical sites, as well as at higher elevations with greater thermal variability. We studied their thermal ecology, habitat use, and behavior at a high- (~1100 m) and low-elevation (~sea level) site in Costa Rica to assess the relationship between thermal environment and behavioral ecology. We measured behavior through focal observations (rates of movement, head turns, and feeding) and recorded the range of environmental temperatures, body temperatures, air and substrate temperatures of perches, and habitat use (perch location relative to water’s edge and current, substrate, cover, and visibility). The low-elevation site had higher minimum temperatures and a smaller range of available temperatures. Body temperature and size varied with site and sex: low-elevation males had the highest body temperatures, and high-elevation males were largest. Individuals at the high-elevation site were less active, perched closer to the water’s edge (shorter horizontal perch distance), and more often used the ground or rocks near an eddy as a substrate than individuals at the low-elevation site. The temperature and habitat structure of water courses can manifest phenotypic differences in ecology and behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeography, Ecology and Conservation of Reptiles)

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21 pages, 1922 KB

Open AccessArticle

Forest Stand Changes Drive Conservation of Understory Composition and Biomass in the Boreal Forest of the Southern Urals

by Natalya Ivanova

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100672 - 25 Sep 2025

Abstract

The health of ecosystems, their functionality and the fulfilment of ecosystem functions are all dependent on biodiversity and productivity. The ongoing transformation of forests is intensifying the need for conservation. At the same time, the herbaceous layer has not yet been studied enough [...] Read more.

The health of ecosystems, their functionality and the fulfilment of ecosystem functions are all dependent on biodiversity and productivity. The ongoing transformation of forests is intensifying the need for conservation. At the same time, the herbaceous layer has not yet been studied enough by researchers. The aim of the study is to ascertain the impact of the composition and age of the stand of primary and secondary forests on the biomass and species diversity of the herbaceous layer in the most prevalent forest type of the Western Macroscline of the Southern Urals: moss spruce forests. The methodological basis was chosen to be genetic forest typology and generally accepted methods of studying forest vegetation. We studied primary dark coniferous forests, as well as secondary birch and aspen forests of different compositions and ages. Positive correlations with the age of the stand were found to be most pronounced for Oxalis acetosella L. and Lycopodium clavatum L., while negative correlations were found to be most pronounced for Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P. Beauv., Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) Beauv., and Dactylis glomerata L. The positive correlations with the proportion of birch and aspen in the stand composition are most pronounced for Dactylis glomerata L., Geum rivale L., Aegopodium podagraria L., Aconitum septentrionale Koelle, and Prunella vulgaris L. The research results clearly demonstrate the length of time that changes in species composition and productivity of the herbaceous layer of mountain forests take place over. This must be considered when planning forest management and nature conservation in mountain forests in the Urals. On the one hand, our study is certainly regional, but on the other, similar forests, forest degradation, regenerative succession and the plant species studied are widespread in the boreal zone. Therefore, the research results will be of interest to many researchers whose work relates to forest resources, biodiversity conservation and forest succession. To expand the scope of the research, further studies are planned in other types of forest in the Ural Mountains. Full article

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23 pages, 4387 KB

Open AccessArticle

Early Metabarcoding Detection of Eukaryotic Putative Pathogens Nearby Wastewater Effluents of Ría de Vigo (NW Spain)

by Raquel Ríos-Castro, Andrea Ramilo, Santiago Pascual and Elvira Abollo

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100671 - 25 Sep 2025

Abstract

From a One Health perspective, the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain) represents a complex socio-ecological system where urban, industrial, and aquaculture activities converge, creating vulnerabilities due to the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. This study evaluates the utility of a multi-marker [...] Read more.

From a One Health perspective, the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain) represents a complex socio-ecological system where urban, industrial, and aquaculture activities converge, creating vulnerabilities due to the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. This study evaluates the utility of a multi-marker environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding approach as an early warning tool to detect potentially harmful eukaryotic pathogens near wastewater discharge points in three distinct municipalities of the Ría de Vigo. Water and sediment samples were analyzed using the V4 and V9 regions of the 18S rRNA gene and the ITS-2 region for fungi. Bioinformatics analysis was performed with DADA2 and taxonomic assignments were based on SILVA and UNITE databases. Eukaryotic diversity varied by site and marker, with the highest richness found in inner estuary sediments. The V9 region provided broader taxonomic coverage, while V4 produced higher read abundances. Putative pathogens, including human, zoonotic, and aquaculture-related taxa, were more prevalent in inner estuarine zones. Pathogens such as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Acanthamoeba sp., Cryptosporidium sp., and harmful algae (HA) were detected. The findings emphasize the importance of a multi-marker strategy, sediment inclusion, and landscape-scale variables to improve early pathogen detection, contributing to effective eDNA-based surveillance systems for coastal health management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications on Environmental DNA in Aquatic Ecology and Biodiversity)

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30 pages, 11489 KB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Responses of Crustacean Zooplankton to Hydrological Alterations in the Danube Inland Delta: Patterns of Biotic Homogenization and Differentiation

by Pavel Beracko, Igor Kokavec and Igor Matečný

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100670 - 25 Sep 2025

Abstract

Our study addresses how large-scale hydrological alterations shape zooplankton biodiversity in floodplain ecosystems, which are highly sensitive to changes in river connectivity. Following the operation of the Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power plant in the Danube inland delta, we examined the long-term responses of crustacean [...] Read more.

Our study addresses how large-scale hydrological alterations shape zooplankton biodiversity in floodplain ecosystems, which are highly sensitive to changes in river connectivity. Following the operation of the Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power plant in the Danube inland delta, we examined the long-term responses of crustacean zooplankton communities, as these organisms are key indicators of hydromorphological disturbance. Based on previous evidence that river regulation often reduces habitat heterogeneity, we hypothesized that hydrological alterations in the Danube riverscape would promote increasing taxonomic and functional homogenization within sites, while simultaneously enhancing differentiation between sites over the past three decades. A total of 121 planktonic crustacean species were recorded across six monitored sites between 1991 and 2020, comprising 49 copepods and 72 cladocerans. Communities showed rising species richness, especially during the first decade of the hydropower plant’s operation. While overall richness increased, dam-induced hydromorphological changes triggered habitat-specific community shifts. In the main channel and adjacent parapotamal arm, taxonomic and functional homogenization occurred, dominated by resilient tychoplanktonic species with a gathering or secondary filter-feeding strategy. In contrast, isolated side arms experienced gradual eutrophication, favoring euplanktonic and primary filter-feeding taxa. The observed taxonomic and functional convergence within both habitat groups reflects the loss of connectivity and the cessation of artificial flooding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Biodiversity and Habitat Restoration)

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16 pages, 2488 KB

Open AccessArticle

Biodiversity and Seasonal Dynamics of Waterbirds in the Danube Wetland North of Kopački Rit

by Zlatko Nedić, Raluca Nicolae, Stefan Popescu, Vlatko Rožac and Vera Nikolić

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100669 - 25 Sep 2025

Abstract

Wetlands play a vital role in conserving waterbirds, particularly along major European river systems such as the Danube River and its tributaries. To promote the importance of wetlands and address the lack of data on bird biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems, this study was [...] Read more.

Wetlands play a vital role in conserving waterbirds, particularly along major European river systems such as the Danube River and its tributaries. To promote the importance of wetlands and address the lack of data on bird biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems, this study was conducted to assess the baseline status of a demonstration site within the European project DaWetRest. The research focused on a lesser-studied pilot area, the Danube North of Kopački rit, near the village of Draž, located in the tri-border region of Croatia, Hungary, and Serbia. Systematic ornithological monitoring was carried out monthly from January to December 2024 across three monitoring areas (total transect length: 4200 m). A total of 26 bird taxa were recorded, comprising 2148 individual observations. The most dominant species were the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), and Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). Conversely, the species that were the least present were White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides), Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca), and Black Stork (Ciconia nigra). This study also examines the seasonal dynamics of waterbirds, providing essential baseline data for evaluating the effectiveness of upcoming restoration measures planned for the area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation)

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30 pages, 5712 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Genetic Diversity in the Pale Grass Blue Butterfly After the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

by Mariko Toki, Wataru Taira, Ko Sakauchi and Joji M. Otaki

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100668 - 24 Sep 2025

Abstract

The Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 caused adverse phenotypic changes in wild organisms in radioactively polluted areas. However, few studies have investigated genetic changes after the accident. Here, we analyzed the nuclear DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) from [...] Read more.

The Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 caused adverse phenotypic changes in wild organisms in radioactively polluted areas. However, few studies have investigated genetic changes after the accident. Here, we analyzed the nuclear DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) from the pale grass blue butterfly Zizeeria maha collected in 2011–2014 (n = 389). We detected 29 haplotypes, but the most frequent haplotype (H1) represented 86% of alleles examined. The haplotype H22 from Takahagi phylogenetically had the latest sequence, suggesting that it may be a novel mutant produced by the accident or just a minor existing haplotype. In Fukushima Prefecture, the H1 percentage oscillated; it peaked in Fall 2011 and decreased in Spring 2012 but peaked again in Fall 2012. Haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were low in Spring 2012 and Fall 2012 and then increased. The ratio of H1 to nonH1 was significantly different between the early and late periods of our field surveys. These results suggest that genetic diversity in Fukushima Prefecture initially decreased through a selection process in response to the Fukushima nuclear accident but was recovered by Fall 2014, probably due to immigrants and emerging mutants, which is consistent with previous morphological abnormality data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation of Lepidoptera)

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19 pages, 2757 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Pampas to Patagonia: Human-Modified Environments Drive the Spread of the Argentine Ant Beyond Its Climatic Limits

by Luis A. Calcaterra, Lucila Chifflet, María B. Fernández, Gabriela I. Pirk, Victoria Werenkraut and Andrés F. Sánchez-Restrepo

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100667 - 24 Sep 2025

Abstract

The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is a highly invasive species with a widespread global distribution. However, the dynamics of its recent expansion into southwestern Argentina remain unclear. We evaluated its spread, niche shifts, and genetic diversity using field surveys, distribution models, [...] Read more.

The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is a highly invasive species with a widespread global distribution. However, the dynamics of its recent expansion into southwestern Argentina remain unclear. We evaluated its spread, niche shifts, and genetic diversity using field surveys, distribution models, and mitochondrial DNA analyses. Our results revealed a strong expansion from Pampas into anthropogenic habitats (multiple urban and rural sites) in the Monte Desert, but not into natural habitats. The Argentine ant’s presence declined westward along the Río Negro Valley in the Monte Desert, and was virtually absent from the Patagonian Steppe, where it was found only in urban sites in Bariloche (ecotone with the Patagonian Forest). The distribution models identified isothermality and water balance as the key drivers of suitability. Thus, urbanization and irrigated agriculture seem to have facilitated its establishment in the Río Negro Valley by buffering climate extremes. Genetic analyses revealed widespread and novel haplotypes, which are consistent with multiple introductions and potential regional differentiation. This southward expansion underscores the critical role of urban areas and irrigated agriculture as refuges and stepping stones that facilitate Argentine ant survival in otherwise inhospitable environments. Continued monitoring of transitional zones in northern Patagonia is crucial to determining whether this front will remain stable or shift further south. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systematics, Evolution and Diversity in Ants)

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18 pages, 1741 KB

Open AccessArticle

Recruitment and Controlled Growth of Juveniles of the Critically Endangered Fan Mussel Pinna nobilis in the Northern Adriatic

by Valentina Pitacco, Domen Trkov, Daniela Caracciolo, Saul Ciriaco, Marco Segarich, Edoardo Batistini, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Lovrenc Lipej, Borut Mavrič, Manja Rogelja, Ilenia Azzena, Chiara Locci, Fabio Scarpa, Daria Sanna, Marco Casu, Chiara Manfrin, Alberto Pallavicini and Ana Fortič

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 666; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100666 - 23 Sep 2025

Abstract

The fan mussel Pinna nobilis is the largest bivalve species in the Mediterranean Sea and provides numerous ecosystem services. It is classified as critically endangered by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) due to severe mass mortality events throughout the Mediterranean. The [...] Read more.

The fan mussel Pinna nobilis is the largest bivalve species in the Mediterranean Sea and provides numerous ecosystem services. It is classified as critically endangered by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) due to severe mass mortality events throughout the Mediterranean. The aims of this work are as follows: (i) to assess the current recruitment potential of the species, (ii) to enhance recruitment by keeping juveniles in controlled conditions before releasing them back into the sea, and (iii) to assess the health status of recruits. In the period 2022–2023, larval collectors were set up in the Gulf of Trieste as part of the LIFE Pinna project. The collected individuals were kept in aquaria in two different facilities under different conditions: (a) a closed system with constant water temperature, live phytoplankton, and commercial food and (b) an open system with ambient seawater temperature and commercial food. A clear temporal and spatial variability in recruitment was observed: 13 recruits were found in 2022 and 50 recruits in 2023. The live specimens were between 0.5 and 8 cm in size upon collection and larger in 2023. The growth and survival rate did not differ significantly between the two systems, but the average monthly growth and survival rate were related to the initial size of the juveniles. Full article

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10 pages, 828 KB

Open AccessArticle

Armadillos May Be an Underexploited Source of Food Security for Rural Communities in the Peruvian Amazon

by Brian M. Griffiths and Gabriela Pajuelo Chávez

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100665 - 23 Sep 2025

Abstract

Subsistence hunting remains vital for food security and cultural identity in the Amazon, but its sustainability is uncertain. In Loreto, Peru, hunters often target commercially valuable species such as paca (Cuniculus paca), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), and red brocket [...] Read more.

Subsistence hunting remains vital for food security and cultural identity in the Amazon, but its sustainability is uncertain. In Loreto, Peru, hunters often target commercially valuable species such as paca (Cuniculus paca), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), and red brocket deer (Mazama americana). Other species, including the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), are commonly eaten but rarely sold, suggesting potential as “subsistence-only” game. We conducted weekly interviews with 19 hunters in the Indigenous Maijuna community of Sucusari from 2018 to 2019, recording 671 hunting events. Market-preferred species dominated sales, while armadillos accounted for 14 kills (58 kg) and only 0.22% of sales. Complementary camera trap surveys in 2023 (7259 trap nights) recorded 410 independent detections of armadillos. A multiseason occupancy model indicated high occupancy (98.0%, 95% CI: 91.2–99.7%) across the basin, with positive associations with palm density and elevation, and no evidence of reduced occupancy under hunting pressure. These results suggest armadillos are both widespread and resilient, supported by their unique reproductive strategy of producing four genetically identical offspring per pregnancy. Promoting subsistence use of resilient species like armadillos could enhance local food security while reducing pressure on vulnerable taxa, aligning conservation and livelihood goals in Amazonian communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation of Armadillos)

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21 pages, 6852 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phenotypic and Genetic Diversity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Accessions from Kazakhstan

by Alibek Zatybekov, Yuliya Genievskaya, Shynar Anuarbek, Mukhtar Kudaibergenov, Yerlan Turuspekov and Saule Abugalieva

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090664 - 22 Sep 2025

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a key legume crop of global economic and nutritional importance, yet its cultivation in Kazakhstan is constrained by a narrow genetic base and exposure to stress-prone environments. To characterize the diversity available for breeding and conservation, 27 [...] Read more.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a key legume crop of global economic and nutritional importance, yet its cultivation in Kazakhstan is constrained by a narrow genetic base and exposure to stress-prone environments. To characterize the diversity available for breeding and conservation, 27 accessions (22 kabuli and 5 desi) were evaluated for phenotypic and molecular diversity to assess its potential for use in breeding programs. Seven agronomic traits were assessed, including plant height, the first pod’s height, the number of main stems per plant, and seed yield components. The collection showed considerable variability across traits, with the plant height ranging from 37 to 75 cm and hundred-seed weight ranging from 21 to 42 g. Strong positive correlations between the number of fertile nodes, number of seeds per plant, and yield per plant (r > 0.83) highlighted their utility as indirect selection criteria. Genotyping with 28 SSR markers revealed 110 alleles (mean 3.9 ± 0.4 per locus) with moderate polymorphism (PIC = 0.493 ± 0.089). Loci CaM00495 and TAI71 were highly informative (PIC > 0.804), while two accessions showed low polymorphism, indicating genetic uniformity. Population structure analysis grouped accessions into four highly admixed clusters. Overall, Kazakh chickpea germplasm exhibits substantial phenotypic and genetic diversity under optimal conditions, providing valuable preliminary data for selecting parental lines for future breeding programs, which should include targeted stress screening to evaluate resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Plant Diversity in the Anthropocene)

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14 pages, 2662 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multidimensional Scaling Analysis of Morphological Spike Traits in Local Wheat Genotypes from the Van Lake Basin

by Fevzi Altuner, Sana Jamal-Salih, Burak Özdemir, Erol Oral, Mehmet Mendes, Mehmet Ulker, Solmaz Najafi, Beatrice Farda and Loretta Pace

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090663 - 22 Sep 2025

Abstract

Wheat landraces are considered a valuable resource of potential phenotypic variation that could be used in germplasm improvement. Here, we examined 588 local wheat genotypes collected from farmers’ fields at 127 locations around Van Lake Basin and evaluated the morphological diversity and trait [...] Read more.

Wheat landraces are considered a valuable resource of potential phenotypic variation that could be used in germplasm improvement. Here, we examined 588 local wheat genotypes collected from farmers’ fields at 127 locations around Van Lake Basin and evaluated the morphological diversity and trait associations using Multidimensional Scaling Analysis. Spike and yield traits were measured and scored according to the UPOV and ICARDA phenotypic characterization criteria. Multidimensional Scaling Analysis divided the wheat samples into four main groups based on the number of spikelets (NOS), number of fertile spikelets (NFS), thousand-grain weight (TGW), and number of seeds per spike (NSS) and indicated a strong correlation between NOS and NFS. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the glume and awn color of most of the genotypes was black, and they were within the locally known Karakılçık group. Only two genotypes were excluded from the Karakılçık group; No. 231 was within the Geverik local wheat group, and genotype No. 579 was found to be Tir. The Hevidik and Kirik groups had the same spike color, but the Hevidik group had spikes similar to compactum wheat, whereas the Kirik group had larger spikes. Finally, genotype No. 57 varied from all other genotypes when all the measured traits were taken into consideration. Overall, the Van Lake Basin landraces combine broad similarity with meaningful phenotypic heterogeneity shaped by local environments and traditional on-farm selection. These findings provide practical cues for conservation efforts and for the use of landraces as valuable resources in future wheat breeding programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Adaptation and Survival Under Global Environmental Change)

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27 pages, 4993 KB

Open AccessReview

The Ecophysiological Role of Trees in Dryland Agroecosystems: Implications for Natural Resource Conservation and Sustainable Food Production in Sub-Saharan Africa

by K. V. R. Priyadarshini, Herbert H. T. Prins and Steven de Bie

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090662 - 21 Sep 2025

Abstract

Agroforestry involves maintaining trees alongside crops and is widely recognised to provide multiple benefits, including improving food security, production efficiency, and soil quality and mitigating climate change. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, a predominantly dry landscape, various pressures are leading to the removal of [...] Read more.

Agroforestry involves maintaining trees alongside crops and is widely recognised to provide multiple benefits, including improving food security, production efficiency, and soil quality and mitigating climate change. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, a predominantly dry landscape, various pressures are leading to the removal of trees from farmlands. Evidence from natural dryland systems shows that trees play a central role in regulating the key ecological processes of nutrient and water redistribution, an aspect also invoked in dryland agroecology. In this paper, we synthesise the ecophysiological functioning of trees, focusing on two key processes: water and nutrient redistribution. Additionally, we synthesise the influence of these functions on soil biotic interactions, detailing their ecological significance. Based on available evidence from both natural and agroecosystems, we review the role of tree ecophysiology in sustainable food production in dryland agroecosystems of Sub-Saharan Africa. We provide caveats related to prevalent interpretations and the current understanding of plant resource use in agroecology. Trees in agroforestry systems of Sub-Saharan Africa play a potentially critical role in the ecological intensification of food production. However, there is a lack of data on the roles of tree functions in enhancing crop yields and conserving resources in this region. Although evidence from natural drylands and indirect evidence from dryland agroforests indicate that tree ecophysiological functions may be crucial for ecological intensification of food production in Sub-Saharan Africa, many claims related to agroecosystems are overstated, underscoring the urgent need for focused research. Importantly, large trees on farms need to be conserved. To effectively exploit ecosystem services provided by trees, a key feature of ecological intensification, research tailored to local farm conditions is needed, with a focus on maintaining soil quality, securing long-term productivity, and conserving resources. Balancing agricultural intensification with ecological sustainability remains a challenge, yet it is vital for addressing food security, land degradation, and climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2025)

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14 pages, 2404 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of UV-B Radiation on the Growth of Alien Myriophyllum aquaticum

by Zhi Huang, Mingkai Leng, Xiaodong Wu, Xuguang Ge, Mengting Gong, Haoran Liu, Xing Wang, Haoyue Li and Xin Mou

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090661 - 21 Sep 2025

Abstract

Myriophyllum aquaticum is an invasive plant that poses a threat to native plants and industries in China. Therefore, this study aimed to specifically investigate the effects of varying UV-B radiation intensities on the growth and physiological traits of M. aquaticum. We established [...] Read more.

Myriophyllum aquaticum is an invasive plant that poses a threat to native plants and industries in China. Therefore, this study aimed to specifically investigate the effects of varying UV-B radiation intensities on the growth and physiological traits of M. aquaticum. We established three treatment groups: (1) a control group exposed to natural UV-B radiation (~20.0 μW·cm⁻²), (2) a +25% group exposed to UV-B irradiance increased by 25% (~25.0 μW·cm⁻²), and (3) a +50% group exposed to UV-B irradiance increased by 50% (~30.0 μW·cm⁻²). In the +50% group, the growth indices decreased but were still slightly higher than those in the control group, and the plants survived and maintained normal physiology throughout the experimental period. This suggests that M. aquaticum is tolerant of UV-B radiation. However, there may be a threshold beyond which negative effects are exacerbated. As the UV-B irradiance increased, the number of meristems and tillers, as well as the flavonoid content, increased, whereas the malondialdehyde (MDA) content initially decreased and then increased. Thus, M. aquaticum may respond to increased UV-B radiation stress by up-regulating the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids. This species adapts to environments with different levels of UV-B radiation by adjusting its morphological characteristics and physiological metabolism, thereby enabling successful invasion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Plant Diversity, Conservation, and Restoration)

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16 pages, 2535 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial and Seasonal Variations in Invertebrate Communities in the Chai River Based on eDNA Biomonitoring

by Yuanyuan Lin, Jingge Xu, Xuexiu Chang, Shan Xu, Liang Shen and Zheng Zhao

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090660 - 20 Sep 2025

Abstract

As environmental indicators, invertebrate communities are closely related to changes in the water environment. Efficient and accurate monitoring of invertebrates is of great significance for providing references for water environment conservation. However, environmental DNA metabarcoding has rarely been used in invertebrate research at [...] Read more.

As environmental indicators, invertebrate communities are closely related to changes in the water environment. Efficient and accurate monitoring of invertebrates is of great significance for providing references for water environment conservation. However, environmental DNA metabarcoding has rarely been used in invertebrate research at the Chai River in Kunming, Yunnan, China, and the current characteristics of invertebrate communities are unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the spatial and seasonal patterns of invertebrates and the environmental stressors of the Chai River. Based on eDNA metabarcoding, 873 ASVs of invertebrates belonging to Annelida, Arthropoda, Cnidaria, Gastrotricha, Mollusca, Nematoda, Platyhelminthes, Protozoa, and Rotifera were identified, with Arthropoda being the absolute dominant phylum. Distinct spatial and seasonal variations in the invertebrate communities (e.g., ASV number, dominant genera, relative abundances) were observed. Macrothrix and Acanthamoeba were the first and second most dominant genera, both in dry and wet periods. A spatial–seasonal heterogeneity of the relation between the invertebrate communities and environmental factors was observed in the Chai River. The water temperature (WT), chemical oxygen demand (COD), conductivity (C), and Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) levels were deemed to be the crucial environmental factors influencing the distributions of invertebrate communities in the Chai River, which was consistent with the spatial and seasonal differences in pollution characteristics around the Chai River. This study provides insights into conserving the diversity of invertebrate communities and the management of the Chai River and similar agricultural rivers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)

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16 pages, 4816 KB

Open AccessArticle

Demographic Differences in Behavior, Movement, and Habitat Use in the Toad-Headed Agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) of the Gobi Desert (Dornogovi, Mongolia)

by Kaera Utsumi, Alicia Pham, Batdelger Erdenetsetseg, Maria Eifler and Douglas Eifler

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090659 - 20 Sep 2025

Abstract

Demographic constraints can have a profound effect on behavioral ecology. Yet examinations of intraspecific variation considering both sex and age are rare. We assess age and sex-specific habitat use, movement, and behavior in variegated toad-headed agamas (Phrynocephalus versicolor) in the Gobi [...] Read more.

Demographic constraints can have a profound effect on behavioral ecology. Yet examinations of intraspecific variation considering both sex and age are rare. We assess age and sex-specific habitat use, movement, and behavior in variegated toad-headed agamas (Phrynocephalus versicolor) in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. We predicted that juveniles would move and forage more than either adult sex and would engage in more random movement paths (i.e., higher entropy) than adults. We conducted 15 min focal observations, marking locations every 30 s to delineate the movement path of individuals. We recorded foraging and tail displays throughout the observation and habitat data at each marker. We found no sex-specific variation in behavior, number of moves, or entropy, but did record sex-specific variation in habitat use and movement paths. Age-specific variation in behavior, movement, entropy, and habitat use was prevalent and nuanced. Juveniles ate, dug, moved, and tail displayed more than adults, and they had movement paths with higher entropy than either adult sex. Sex and age-based variation in behavior, movement, and habitat use could arise from differential body size, experience, or reproductive status. Future work is needed to understand the function of tail displays and the relationship of entropy in movement paths to behavioral ecology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeography, Ecology and Conservation of Reptiles)

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34 pages, 28285 KB

Open AccessArticle

Tachinid Flies (Diptera), Caterpillar Hosts (Lepidoptera) and Their Food Plants, Reared in Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Northwestern Costa Rica: Documenting Community Structure with the Aid of DNA Barcodes

by Donald L. J. Quicke, Alan J. Fleming, D. Monty Wood, Norman E. Woodley, Ramya Manjunath, Suresh Naik, M. Alex Smith, Michael J. Sharkey, Winnie Hallwachs, Daniel H. Janzen, José Fernández-Triana, James B. Whitfield, Paul D. N. Hebert and Buntika A. Butcher

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090658 - 20 Sep 2025

Abstract

We describe the trophic relationships of tachinid parasitoid flies that attack exophagous, leaf-eating Lepidoptera caterpillars in Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), northwestern Costa Rica over approximately forty years beginning in 1984. The dataset contains more than 34,000 individual tachinid rearings from individual wild-caught [...] Read more.

We describe the trophic relationships of tachinid parasitoid flies that attack exophagous, leaf-eating Lepidoptera caterpillars in Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), northwestern Costa Rica over approximately forty years beginning in 1984. The dataset contains more than 34,000 individual tachinid rearings from individual wild-caught caterpillars. Identification of parasitoids and caterpillars up until 2004 was based entirely on morphology. From 2004 onwards most reared specimens were DNA-barcoded and some retroactive barcoding was also carried out with varying degrees of success. Generally, for older specimens, generating good quality-barcodes requires more expensive protocols. Barcoding of reared specimens led to the recognition that many morpho-species were made up of multiple species of flies but those reared from an individual caterpillar were 99.95% a single species. Consequently, estimates of diet breadth of caterpillars and tachinids changed considerably after 2003. The data analysed here were pruned to include only rearings with complete host and food plant data and excluded potentially duplicated rearings and ones whose identification could not be confidently assigned. The cleaned dataset includes 13,735 independent rearings. Chao1 estimates of numbers of tachinid, caterpillar and food plant species suggest that species sampling is 86, 70 and 91 percent complete, respectively. However, this was not the case for bi- and tritrophic interactions which increased linearly with effort. We show that while the tachinids of ACG are more host-specialised than was expected prior to the combined efforts of rearing and barcoding, they have broader host ranges and higher host Shannon diversity indices than either Braconidae or Ichneumonidae. This may be attributable to the effects of the induced host-derived sac enclosing the larvae and their posterior spiracles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Barcodes for Evolution and Biodiversity—2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 5826 KB

Open AccessArticle

Will They Still Be Together? Distribution Modeling of Six Co-Occurring Species of Swertia (Gentianaceae) in Asia

by Min-Xue Deng, Shi-Jia Wen, Ding Wu, Zhiyong Wang and Zong-Xin Ren

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090657 - 19 Sep 2025

Abstract

Investigating the factors determining the co-existence of closely related species is key to understanding how biodiversity is structured and maintained. To this end, we seek to comprehend the geographical distribution of species, their range overlap, and the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms that promote [...] Read more.

Investigating the factors determining the co-existence of closely related species is key to understanding how biodiversity is structured and maintained. To this end, we seek to comprehend the geographical distribution of species, their range overlap, and the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms that promote co-existence in ecological communities. In the Anthropocene, climate change dramatically shapes ecosystems along with species distributions. Here, we focus on six co-occurring species of Swertia (Gentianaceae). For instance, all of them grow within an area of 2 km² in the north of Kunming city, occupying different microhabitats. We employed the maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) and a geographic information system (ArcGIS) to predict how future climate change will impact their distribution. We also tested the relationship between ecological niche overlap and phylogenetic distance among these species. We found that these six species co-occur in the mountains of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou provinces. Precipitation in the warmest quarter, mean temperature of driest quarter, solar radiation, annual temperature range, and elevation influence their distribution. In the predicted future climate, four outcrossing species, S. bimaculata, S. kouitchensis, S. punicea, and S. cincta, will expand their distribution range. The other two self-pollinating species, S. macrosperma and S. nervosa, will experience range contractions. We found no significant correlation between ecological niches and the phylogenetic distances of these species. Under the future climate scenarios, the six species of Swertia plants will tend to grow in clusters, suggesting a higher likelihood of co-occurrence in the future, and creating a potentially high level of habitat and resource competition among them. These findings hold significant implications for the conservation of Swertia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Conservation)

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59 pages, 16204 KB

Open AccessArticle

Taxonomic Revision of Pasiphaea (Pasiphaeidae: Crustacea) of the Southwest Tropical Pacific with a Description of Eight New Species

by Anton M. Tikhomirov, Dmitrii N. Kulagin, Anastasiia A. Lunina, Elodie Vourey and Alexander L. Vereshchaka

Diversity 2025, 17(9), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090656 - 19 Sep 2025

Abstract

The genus Pasiphaea Savigny, 1816, comprises a diverse assemblage of meso- to bathypelagic shrimps, currently including 69 valid species. Taxonomic investigations have long been hampered by numerous synonymies and by species known only from their original, overly brief descriptions. Here, we address these [...] Read more.

The genus Pasiphaea Savigny, 1816, comprises a diverse assemblage of meso- to bathypelagic shrimps, currently including 69 valid species. Taxonomic investigations have long been hampered by numerous synonymies and by species known only from their original, overly brief descriptions. Here, we address these deficiencies by examining Pasiphaea specimens collected in the Western and Central Pacific during multiple research cruises using mid-water trawls. Integrating traditional morphological characters (carapace carination, pleonal relief, telson end morphology, and pereopodal dentition) with a novel morphometric framework, we standardized terminology and defined a suite of quantitative measurements across the carapace, pleon, telson, and chelae. In order to corroborate species boundaries, we sequenced three mitochondrial gene markers (COI, 16S rDNA, and 12S rDNA) and calculated genetic distances under the Kimura two-parameter model. This combined approach extended or confirmed the geographic ranges of five described taxa, facilitated the formal description of eight new species, and demonstrated the synonymy of P. gracilis Hayashi, 1999, and P. fragilis Hayashi, 1999. Phylogenetic reconstructions further highlighted cases of pseudocryptic speciation in neighboring bathyal habitats. Our results expose substantial lacunae in the Southwest Pacific Pasiphaea fauna and substantiate the necessity for a comprehensive, genus-level revision. This study thereby contributes to both refining species diagnoses and advancing our understanding of deep-sea crustacean biodiversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2025 Feature Papers by Diversity’s Editorial Board Members)

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