Skip to main content

Biodiversity Journal 2012, 3 (3): 156-258

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 157-158
    Maurizio Gigli
    The genus Julodis Eschscholtz, 1829 (Coleoptera Buprestidae)
  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 159-164

    Sitthi Kulabtong, Siriwan Suksri & Chirachai Nonpayom
    New data of the freshwater fish genera Laubuca Bleeker, 1860 (Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) and Phenacostethus Myers, 1928 (Atheriniformes Phallostethidae) in Thailand

    ABSTRACT
    In the present paper are reported, for Thailand, additional records of the cyprinid fish Laubuca siamensis Fowler, 1939 and priapium fish Phenacostethus smithi Myers, 1928 respectively from Mekong Basin, Meklong Basin, Southeast Basin and from upstream of Bangpakong Basin and Yom Basin. Description and distribution data of the two freshwater fishes are also provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 165-172

    Saliha Dermeche, Fayçal Chahrour & Zitouni Boutiba
    Evaluation of the toxicity of metal pollutants on embryonic development of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinodermata Echinoidea)

    ABSTRACT
    Bioassays are frequently used to evaluate biological effects of pollutants on marine organisms. The objective of such tests is the detection of toxic effects on populations that are representative of a given ecosystem. Sea urchin is a model organism employed in the field of environmental toxicology due to its sensitivity towards various pollutants, particularly heavy metals. Preliminary bioassay tests on embryos and/or larvae of Paracentrotus lividus (Lamark, 1816) from Madagh (Oran, Algeria) were used to assess the potential toxicity and determine the LC50 of four metal pollutants, Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Zinc.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 173-178

    Maya Meriem Hassani, S. Ahmed Kerfouf & Nawel Amel Brahim Tazi
    Metoncholaimus sp. (Nematoda Oncholaimidae) pseudoparasite of Mullus surmuletus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Perciniformes Mullidae) in the western Algerian Sea

    ABSTRACT
    This study was carried out between October 2009 and July 2010 to determine nematode parasites of the red stripped mullet, Mullus surmuletus (Linnaeus, 1758), in the gulf of Oran (western Algeria), located at 35°43’ N - 0°37’ W. A total of 100 fishes caught from the local fishermen by gill-net were investigated. Our investigation revealed the presence of three nematodes (one female and two males) located in the intestine of two infected fishes, these nematodes were alive and not attached to the mucosa of the fish host. The examination of the nematodes recovered showed that they belong to the genus Metoncholaimus Filipjew 1918 (Oncholaimidae Oncholaiminae). These nematodes are free living mostly in the coastal marine sediment; Mullus surmuletus might acquire them accidentally while either feeding on them or along with other food items taken from the bottom.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 179-188

    Hanan Al-Khalifa, Afaf Al-Nasser, Mohammad Safar Abbas & Jamal Dashti
    Biodiversity and conservation of Wildlife at the Wafra area in Kuwait

    ABSTRACT
    In response to the increasing needs to conserve wildlife and to enhance biodiversity, the Joint Operations-Wafra (JO-Wafra) protected their natural environment by fencing and dedicating areas for conservation of biological diversity. The main objective of this study is to conduct a wildlife baseline assessment in the oilfields of JO-Wafra and to identify potential habitats of endangered or threatened species that could occur on site. The wildlife survey covered the winter and early spring seasons. Although short and insufficient to provide a detailed assessment, the field data collected indicated significant differences in the number of individuals and wildlife fauna species within the fenced and unfenced oilfields. It also showed that the fenced JO-Wafra has rich and diverse wildlife fauna species, an indication of ecological health. In addition to JO-Wafra oilfield, it is recommended to protect the South Umm Guddair (SUG) oilfields from livestock grazing and wildlife hunters. The protected area could, therefore, increase wildlife habitats and might harbor some endangered wildlife species. It is also recommended to connect the two oilfields with native shrubs and trees planted along the road, to serve as “green corridor”, shelter and additional source of food for the animals of both oilfields.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 189-190

    Nidsaraporn Petsut, Sitthi Kulabtong & Patinya Sreesamran
    On the presence of Caddisflie Stenopsyche siamensis Martynov, 1931 from Central Thailand (Trichoptera Stenopsychidae)

    ABSTRACT
    In the present paper, caddisflie larvae and pupae of Stenopsyche siamensis Martynov, 1931 (Trichoptera Stenopsychidae) are recorded from upstream of Maewong Basin, Central Thailand.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 191-200

    Arnold Sciberras, Jeffrey Sciberras, Michael Sammut & Gaetano Aloise
    A contribution to the knowledge of the terrestrial Mammalian fauna of Comino and its satellite islets (Maltese Archipelago)

    ABSTRACT
    The present work aims to contribute to existing knowledge on Mammalia species occurring on Comino and its satellite islets and to provide additional records collected between the years 1998-2012. At the present state of knowledge, on the islands of the Maltese Archipelago there are 19 different species of terrestrial mammals (Erinaceomorpha: Atelerix algirus. Soricomorpha: Suncus etruscus, Crocidura sicula. Chiroptera: Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum, R. hipposideros, Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis punicus, Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, P. kulii, Plecotus austriacus, Tadarida teniotis. Lagomorpha: Orictolagus cuniculus. Rodentia: Apodemus sylvaticus, Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Mus musculus. Carnivora: Mustela nivalis), more than half of which are bats. Out of 13 species listed here, 8 species are represented as new to the islands while 3 species are confirmed and 2 species are listed as unlikely occurring.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 201-228

    Fabio Liberto, Salvatore Giglio, Maria Stella Colomba & Ignazio Sparacio
    New and little known land snails from Sicily (Mollusca Gastropoda)

    ABSTRACT
    In the present paper are reported new and little known land snails from Sicily (Mollusca Gastropoda). Particularly, Platyla similis (Reinhardt, 1880) (Aciculidae) and Rumina saharica Pallary, 1901 (Subulinidae) are first recorded in the island; new taxonomic data, useful for a better systematic classification, are provided on two little-known taxa, Lampedusa lopadusae nodulosa Monterosato, 1892 (Clausiliidae) and Cernuella (Cernuella) tineana (Benoit, 1862) (Hygromiidae); and finally, a new species of slug, Tandonia marinellii n. sp. (Milacidae), currently known from North-Western Sicily, is described.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 229-236

    Nidsaraporn Petsut, Anong Chirapart & Methee Keawnern
    A stability assessment on seasonal variation of seaweed beds in the Trat peninsula of Thailand

    ABSTRACT
    Species diversity, biomass and distribution pattern of seaweed beds in the Trat peninsula, east coast of Thailand, were investigated in relation to environmental conditions from January to December 2011. The macroalgal samples and environmental factors were collected monthly; covering cool-dry (January-February, November-December), hot-dry (March-April) and rainy (May-October) seasons at four sampling stations; Ao Cho, Ao Lane, Laem Tien and Laem Sok. A total of 26 taxa of marine benthic algae were recorded, of which 16 species of red marine algae were the most diverse group. It was found that Catenella nipae, Gracilaria salicornia, Gelidium pusillum, Hydropuntia changii, Hypnea hamulosa, Kyrtutrix maculans, Laurencia decumbents, Lyngbya majuscula, Peyssonnelia rubra and Ulva clathrata were the most abundant throughout the sampling period. The highest number of marine flora species was obtained in March (25 species), whereas the lowest in June (12 species). Algal biomass had a maximum value in April (59.50 g/m2 dry weight) and minimum value in July (20.14 g/m2 dry weight).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 237-242

    Igor P. Bondarev
    Freshwater and brackish “oasis” fauna in the deep Black Sea

    ABSTRACT
    Present paper reports on the possible existence of recent freshwater fauna in the Black Sea. Based on information available from malacology, ecology, paleontology, stratigraphy, hydrogeology and observations in situ, the presence of freshwater biota on the shelf and continental slope is discussed, including the existence of aerobic life forms in the Black sea deep-water cavity.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 243-246

    Ivan Rapuzzi
    Description of two new species of Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 from China (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

    ABSTRACT
    in the present paper two new species of Carabus linnaeus, 1758, subgenus Apotomopterus Hope, 1838, are described and figured: Carabus (Apotomopterus) francottei n. sp. and Carabus (Apotomopterus) eccoptopteroides n. sp., comparative notes with the related taxa are provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 247-250

    Narongrit Muangmai, Sinchai Maneekat, Nidsaraporn Petsut & Chatcharee Keawsuralikhit
    Newly reported marine red alga, Neosiphonia savatieri (Hariot) M.S. Kim et I.K. Lee, 1999 (Rhodophyta Rhodomelaceae) from Thailand

    ABSTRACT
    Neosiphonia savatieri (Hariot) Myung Sook Kim et In Kyu Lee, 1999 is reported for the first time from Thailand based on specimens collected from the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman sea. We herein describe the vegetative and reproductive morphology of the specimens. Important features for species identification include the thallus configuration, number of pericentral cells, cortication, branching pattern, origin of rhizoids, origin of branches, occurrence of trichoblasts and reproductive characteristics. Our results expand the known geographic distribution of this species and confirm its taxonomic features.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 251-258

    Maria Stella Colomba, Agatino Reitano, Fabio Liberto, Salvatore Giglio, Armando Gregorini & Ignazio Sparacio
    Additional data on the genus Muticaria Lindholm, 1925 with description of a new species (Gastropoda Pulmonata Clausiliidae)

    ABSTRACT
    Morphological analysis and molecular genetic studies conducted on the genus Muticaria Lindholm, 1925 (Pulmonata Clausiliidae) in Sicily allowed to identify a new species which is described in the present paper.