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Pierpaolo Rapuzzi

Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 037-040
Contribution to the knowledge of the Iraqi fauna of Longhorn beetles (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.37.40

ABSTRACT
The Iraqi fauna of Cerambycidae is still under-researched. This article contributes to the knowledge of the Cerambycidae fauna of Iraq by reviewing the updated literature, and reporting Phytoecia (Paracoptosia) urartica Kasatkin, 2015, as a new record for the Iraqi fauna. Furthermore, this article also includes an additional Southern distributional range and interesting localities of the recently described species, Dorcadion (Cribridorcadion) ringenbachi Rapuzzi et Sama, 2018, and the Middle East widespread Purpuricenus wachanrui Levrat, 1858.

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Farhad A. Khudhur

Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 037-040
Contribution to the knowledge of the Iraqi fauna of Longhorn beetles (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.37.40

ABSTRACT
The Iraqi fauna of Cerambycidae is still under-researched. This article contributes to the knowledge of the Cerambycidae fauna of Iraq by reviewing the updated literature, and reporting Phytoecia (Paracoptosia) urartica Kasatkin, 2015, as a new record for the Iraqi fauna. Furthermore, this article also includes an additional Southern distributional range and interesting localities of the recently described species, Dorcadion (Cribridorcadion) ringenbachi Rapuzzi et Sama, 2018, and the Middle East widespread Purpuricenus wachanrui Levrat, 1858.

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Divya Pangtey

Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 033-036
Spiders Assemblage (Arachnida Araneae) in Apple Orchard, Mukteshwar, District Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.33.36

ABSTRACT
A preliminary investigation was carried out to determine the variety of spiders (Arachnida Araneae) in an apple orchard selected randomly in the area of Mukteshwar, District Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. The spider sampling was accomplished by using visual searching and handpicking methods. They were also released back into their natural environments after being classified and photographed. A total of 21 spider species from 9 different spider families were identified from the research area. The Araneidae family held the most dominance over the other families i.e. Linyphiidae, Lycosidae, Oxyopidae, Philodromidae, Pholcidae, Salticidae, Sparassidae, Theridiidae, Thomisidae. Six feeding guilds, comprising Orb Weavers, Sheet Web, Wandering-Ambush, Wandering-Active, Web-Matrix, and Jumping Spiders, were found during guild structure analysis of the collected spiders.

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Himanshu Pande

Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 033-036
Spiders Assemblage (Arachnida Araneae) in Apple Orchard, Mukteshwar, District Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.33.36

ABSTRACT
A preliminary investigation was carried out to determine the variety of spiders (Arachnida Araneae) in an apple orchard selected randomly in the area of Mukteshwar, District Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. The spider sampling was accomplished by using visual searching and handpicking methods. They were also released back into their natural environments after being classified and photographed. A total of 21 spider species from 9 different spider families were identified from the research area. The Araneidae family held the most dominance over the other families i.e. Linyphiidae, Lycosidae, Oxyopidae, Philodromidae, Pholcidae, Salticidae, Sparassidae, Theridiidae, Thomisidae. Six feeding guilds, comprising Orb Weavers, Sheet Web, Wandering-Ambush, Wandering-Active, Web-Matrix, and Jumping Spiders, were found during guild structure analysis of the collected spiders.

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Bruno Amati

Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 027-032
A new species of Alvania Risso, 1826 from the Western Indian Ocean (Gastropoda Rissoidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.27.32
https://www.zoobank.org/B11BE582-5147-47F2-B20F-58B7A874A4F6

ABSTRACT
A new species of the rissoid genus Alvania Risso, 1826 (Gastropoda Rissoidae) is described based on shells sorted out of a bioclastic sand sample collected with a trap box for Marginella species in Manda Toto Island (Lamu Archipelago, Kenya). It is compared with the most similar congeners.

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Biodiversity Journal, 11 (2): 541-551
Description of Alvania rominae n. sp. from the Mediterranean Sea (Mollusca Gastropoda Rissoidae)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.2.541.551
https://www.zoobank.org/References/88aa29da-1c42-44e3-9e30-e3e251a02396

ABSTRACT
A new Mediterranean species of the genus Alvania Risso, 1826 (Gastropoda Rissoidae) is described: A. rominae n. sp. All examined specimens are from the Ionian Sea. It is compared with the most similar congeners from the Mediterranean Sea: A. lineata Risso, 1826 and A. settepassii Amati et Nofroni, 1985, with which it is sympatric, and A. schwartziana Brusina, 1866, A. elisae Margelli, 2001, A. bartolinorum Amati et Smriglio, 2019 and A. zaraensis Amati et Appolloni, 2019.

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Biodiversity Journal, 8 (3): 839-850
Description of Alvania oetyliaca n. sp. from the Mediterranean Sea (Mollusca Gastropoda Rissoidae)

ABSTRACT
A new Mediterranean species of the genus Alvania Risso, 1826 (Rissooidea Rissoidae) is described: Alvania oetyliaca n. sp. All known specimens come from the type locality: Itilo Bay, Peloponnese, Greece. It is compared with the most similar congeners from the Mediterranean Sea: A. subcrenulata (Bucquoy, Dautzenberg et Dollfus, 1884), A. amatii Oliverio, 1986, A. nestaresi Oliverio et Amati, 1990, A. balearica Oliver et Templado, 2009, A. aliceae Amati, 2014, A. hirta Monterosato, 1884 and A. cancellata (Da Costa, 1778). It is also compared with Alvania sleursi (Amati, 1987) from the Atlantic and A. laurae Brunetti et Vecchi, 2012 from the Pleistocene of Italy.

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Biodiversity Journal, 7 (1): 055-057
First record of Callistochiton pachylasmae (Monterosato, 1879) for the Adriatic Sea (Polyplacophora Callistoplacidae)

ABSTRACT
It is reported the first record of Callistochiton pachylasmae (Monterosato, 1879) for the Adriatic Sea. It a very rare and peculiar polyplacophoran species (Callistoplacidae Pilsbry, 1893). Actually, The few known records span a wide Mediterranean range and extend to the neighbouring Atlantic.

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Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 467-480 - MONOGRAPH
The Recent Rissoidae of the Mediterranean Sea. Notes on the genus Onoba s.s. H. Adams et A. Adams, 1852 (Gastropoda Prosobranchia)
Proceedings of the Eighth Malacological Pontine Meeting, October 4th- 5th, 2014 - San Felice Circeo, Italy

ABSTRACT
The Mediterranean species belonging to the genus Onoba H. Adams et A. Adams, 1852 as currently conceived, are reviewed. With the exception of O. semicostata (Montagu, 1803) and O. aculeus (Gould, 1841) that range mostly in the European North-Eastern Atlantic and are rarely found in the Western Mediterranean, this genus is represented by six species with rather limited ranges: O. dimassai Amati et Nofroni, 1991; O. josae Moolenbeek et Hoenselaar, 1987; O. guzmani Hoenselaar et Moolenbeek, 1987; O. tarifensis Hoenselaar et Moolenbeek, 1987; O. gianninii (Nordsieck, 1974) and O. oliverioi Smriglio et Mariottini, 2000. A further possibly undescribed species is figured. For all species comparative morphometrics are provided. Onoba josae Moolenbeek et Hoenselaar, 1987 is here recorded for the first time in Italy, with the easternmost locality in this range.

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Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 511- 520
Rediscovery and re-evaluation of a “ghost” taxon: the case of Rissoa galvagni Aradas et Maggiore, 1844 (Caenogastropoda Rissoidae)

ABSTRACT
The taxonomy of species of the family Rissoidae has always been source of debate and only a few of rissoid genera have been recently comprehensively revised. The need of revisional work is particularly obvious in the case of the genus Crisilla Monterosato, 1917, taxon showing open nomenclatural issues along with uncertainty and difficulty in delimitation of its species. In this study we revise the status of Crisilla pseudocingulata (Nordsiek, 1972) in the light of the recent rediscovery of type material of Rissoa galvagni (Aradas et Maggiore, 1844), to which the former is here compared. Based on observations on dimensions, colour and sculpture of the teleoconch and on the distinctive protoconch characters, C. pseudocingulata is here regarded as junior synonym of C. galvagni. Additional data on the morphology and colouration of the head-foot as well as on and the variability of shell features are provided, contributing to an updated description of the taxon.

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Mauro Grano

Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 019-026
The non-indigenous freshwater molluscs of Lake Monterosi (Latium, central Italy)
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.19.26

ABSTRACT
In this work, the freshwater molluscs of Lake Monterosi (Latium, central Italy) are examined with the first report of the allochthonous bivalve Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) from the province of Viterbo (Latium, central Italy). Particular attention is paid to the problem of the introduction of alien organisms due to fish restocking for sporting purposes.

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Biodiversity Journal, 8 (3): 851-854
The Balkan Terrapin Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes in Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1833) (Testudines Geoemydidae) in the Aegean island of Chalki: native or introduced?

ABSTRACT
The presence of the Balkan Terrapin Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes in Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1833) (Testudines Geoemydidae) for the Aegean island of Chalki (Dodecanese, Greece), is here recorded for the first time. Mauremys rivulata is common in continental Greece and quite widespread in many Aegean islands, however, its presence in Chalki, extremely dry island and poor of water resources, leads to important thoughts and questions.

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Biodiversity Journal, 8 (1): 211-238 - MONOGRAPH
Land mollusks of Chalki and Alimia (Dodecanese Archipelago, Greece)

ABSTRACT
A check list of land snails of the island of Chalki and the nearby islet of Alimia (South Aegean Greece, Dodecanese Archipelago) is given. The literature concerning the non-marine mollusks living on the two islands is critically reviewed. New data on morphology of some snails species are presented, with particular account to the genus Rhabdoena Kobelt et Mollendorff, 1902, Zebrina Held, 1838 and Albinaria Vest, 1864.

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Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 803-804
A new record of the red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied, 1838) (Testudines Emydidae), in Latium (Italy)

ABSTRACT
In this work we report for the first time the presence of non-native invasive turtle Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied, 1838) (Testudines Emydidae) in the lake of Nemi in the province of Rome (central Latium, Italy).

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Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 073-078
First observations on the herpetological and theriological fauna of Alimia Island (Rhodes Archipelago, Aegean Sea)

ABSTRACT
This note is a preliminary study on the herpetological and theriological fauna of Alimia Island (Rhodes Archipelago, Aegean Sea). Are described seven species of reptiles and three of micromammals. Is also provided a short botanical characterization of the island.

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Biodiversity Journal, 5 (2): 213-216
A new record for the American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802) (Amphibia Anura Ranidae), near Rome (Latium, Italy)

ABSTRACT
The American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802) (Amphibia Anura Ranidae) is native to North America. In Italy the introduction of this species dates back to the thirties of last century and in few years the bullfrog expanded to the point that, at the end of the eighties the species was known in more than 160 sites. In this paper, a new site of presence in Italy of the L. catesbeianus is recorded in some ponds at Monterotondo Scalo, a locality near Rome.

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Biodiversity Journal, 4 (4): 553-556
First record of Hierophis gemonensis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia Serpentes Colubridae) in the Aegean island of Tsougriá, Northern Sporades, Greece

ABSTRACT
The presence of Hierophis gemonensis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia Serpentes Colubridae) in Tsougriá, a small island of the Northern Sporades, Greece, is here recorded for the first time.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2 (3): 151-152
A case of cannibalism in Podarcis siculus campestris De Betta, 1857 (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

ABSTRACT
A case-report of cannibalistic behaviour in Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus campestris De Betta, 1857 is described here along with the first photographic record.

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Ceren Nur Özgül

Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 003-018
Mapping of Amphibian and Reptile species living in Bozcaada (Tenedos) Island, Türkiye, according to habitat and environmental changes
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.3.18

ABSTRACT
Bozcaada (Tenedos) Island, Türkiye, is a naturalistic biotope very important in terms of biological diversity as it has an isolated ecosystem. A total of 14 amphibian and reptile species were identified in previous studies in Bozcaada. In this study, two amphibians (Lissotriton schmidtleri, Bufotes sitibundus) and 10 reptiles (Mauremys rivulata, Testudo graeca, Hemidactylus turcicus, Mediodactylus kotschyi, Ophisops elegans, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Dolichophis caspius, Malpolon insignitus, Natrix natrix, Xerotyphlops vermicularis) species were observed. Distribution maps of amphibian and reptile species in Bozcaada were created using ArcGIS 10.8 package program according to seven different habitat types (agricultural habitat, shrubby area, settlements area, stony-hilly area, wetland habitat, dune habitat, woodland habitat). Consequently, with previous studies and current field surveys, distribution maps of amphibian and reptile species in Bozcaada according to environmental variables such as habitat, density, temperature, and elevation were created for the first time and the distribution of herpetofauna were compared between ten years ago and present. According to the data, it was determined that the distribution of amphibian and reptile species was limited in certain areas and the species preferred to live especially in the high elevation areas of the island. The dryness of seasonal puddles due to higher temperatures and climate change in Bozcaada, poses a threat especially to aquatic amphibians and reptile species on the island.

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Çiğdem Gül

Biodiversity Journal, 15 (1): 003-018
Mapping of Amphibian and Reptile species living in Bozcaada (Tenedos) Island, Türkiye, according to habitat and environmental changes
https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.1.3.18

ABSTRACT
Bozcaada (Tenedos) Island, Türkiye, is a naturalistic biotope very important in terms of biological diversity as it has an isolated ecosystem. A total of 14 amphibian and reptile species were identified in previous studies in Bozcaada. In this study, two amphibians (Lissotriton schmidtleri, Bufotes sitibundus) and 10 reptiles (Mauremys rivulata, Testudo graeca, Hemidactylus turcicus, Mediodactylus kotschyi, Ophisops elegans, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Dolichophis caspius, Malpolon insignitus, Natrix natrix, Xerotyphlops vermicularis) species were observed. Distribution maps of amphibian and reptile species in Bozcaada were created using ArcGIS 10.8 package program according to seven different habitat types (agricultural habitat, shrubby area, settlements area, stony-hilly area, wetland habitat, dune habitat, woodland habitat). Consequently, with previous studies and current field surveys, distribution maps of amphibian and reptile species in Bozcaada according to environmental variables such as habitat, density, temperature, and elevation were created for the first time and the distribution of herpetofauna were compared between ten years ago and present. According to the data, it was determined that the distribution of amphibian and reptile species was limited in certain areas and the species preferred to live especially in the high elevation areas of the island. The dryness of seasonal puddles due to higher temperatures and climate change in Bozcaada, poses a threat especially to aquatic amphibians and reptile species on the island.

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