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Biodiversity Journal 2015, 6 (3): 671-770

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 671-672
    Nicola Maio
    The Cetacean biodiversity in the Italian seas (Mammalia Cetacea)
  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 673–682

    Lamis Eid, Ahmad Haj & Mohammad S. Abido
    The effects of afforestation and vegetation conversion on plant diversity: a case study in S-W Syrian Mountains

    ABSTRACT
    The effect of afforestation and conversion of natural vegetation on plant diversity was investigated in 4 sites in the South-Western Syrian Mountains. Plot and plotless sampling techniques were used to assess vegetation parameters within and outside afforested sites. The results of the survey indicated the presence of 80 species belonging to 70 genera and 24 families in the study area. Seventy five percent of the species were of medicinal and forage values where the remaining were of wild relatives of fruit trees. Therophytes and hemicryptophytes dominated plant communities in the all sites. Average species richness was 12.6 in open areas compared to 6.7 in forest tracts. Nine species were limited to forest plantations only. Shannon-Weiner diversity index was 63% greater in open than in afforested areas. Species similarity between open and afforested areas was 47%. Significant differences existed between afforested and open area sites with regard to the number of species and diversity index, however, no significant differences were observed among afforested sites nor among open area sites for measured parameters. It is concluded that afforestation and land conversion effect on the composition and structure of natural vegetation is obvious, however this effect is highly variable. It is recommended that afforestation and land conversion operations be integrated into national strategies for biodiversity conservation in the country to maintain habitats and minimize loss of native species.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 683–686

    Ed J. McGinley, Matthew T. Brown & Terri J. Seron
    Occurrence of a nine-armed sea star larvae, Luidia senegalensis (Lamark, 1816) (Asteroidea Luidiidae), further north along Florida’s east coast

    ABSTRACT
    The nine-armed sea star, Luidia senegalensis (Lamark, 1816) (Asteroidea Luidiidae), typically ranges from South American marine waters into Florida. Previous reports have documented this species collected as far north as latitude 28°N. This observation at 29.89°N represents the farthest north this species has been collected.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 687–694

    Sitthi Kulabtong, Yananan Soonthornkit & Nipaporn Churaroum
    Catalogue of inland fishes of Chanthaburi Province, Eastern Gulf of Thailand Drainages

    ABSTRACT
    The present paper reports on a catalogue of inland fishes in Chanthaburi Province, Eastern Gulf of Thailand Drainages. All the species encountered in this region, belonging to 18 orders, 73 families and 229 species, are listed. In particular, Crossocheilus reticulatus (Fowler, 1934) (Cypriniformes Cyprinidae), Pangio anguillaris (Vaillant, 1902) and P. oblonga (Valenciennes, 1846) (Cypriniformes Cobitidae) are new records for Chanthaburi Province, entered in December 2007 and February 2012; description and distribution data of the three new records are provided here.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 695–698

    Sitthi Kulabtong & Rujira Mahaprom
    Observation on food items of Asian water monitor, Varanus salvator (Laurenti, 1768) (Squamata Varanidae), in urban ecosystem, Central Thailand

    ABSTRACT
    Feeding habit of Asian water monitor, Varanus salvator (Laurenti, 1768) (Squamata Varanidae) in urban areas of Central Thailand indicated that this species is carnivorous and scavenger according to the observations data.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 699–702

    Jibankumar Singh Khuraijam & Rup Kumar Roy
    A new species of Luisia Gaud. (Orchidaceae) from northwestern Bihar, India

    ABSTRACT
    In this paper, a new species of genus Luisia Gaud. (Orchidaceae) is described and illustrated. L. indica n. sp. is morphologically similar to L. trichorhiza (Hook.) Bl., but it is distinguished from L. trichorhiza by its smaller flowers and smooth surfaced greenish lip with purple spots together with five veined sepals and petals.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 703–708

    Pasquale Micali & Daniel L. Geiger
    Additions and corrections to the Scissurellidae and Anatomidae (Gastropoda: Vetigastropoda) of the Mediterranean Sea, with first record of Sinezona semicostata Burnay & Rolán, 1990

    ABSTRACT
    New information on the scissurellids fauna, Scissurellidae and Anatomidae (Gastropoda Vetigastropoda), in the Mediterranean Sea is presented. Scissurella azorensis Nolt, 2008, is confirmed from several localities in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Sinezona semicostata Burnay et Rolán, 1990, a species until now known from Cape Verde and Canary Islands, is reported for the first time in the Mediterranean, based on the record of 12 specimens at Linosa island (Sicily Channel), 35 m. Anatoma crispata (Fleming, 1828) does not occur in the Mediterranean; earlier misidentified records are corrected. Anatoma eximia Seguenza, 1880, appears to be a cold water guest species at the type locality Gallina, Reggio Calabria.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 709–718

    Roberto Battiston & Adriana Marzotto
    Evaluating and measuring biodiversity in a subterranean light-gradient

    ABSTRACT
    The structure and composition of the biodiversity have been analysed in a light gradient of a case-study cave in Northern Italy to evaluate the influence of light in promoting, limiting, or altering it. Minor quantitative variations have been found along the gradient but remarkable qualitative differences have been recorded and discussed on the composition of the biodiversity proceeding from the full light of the entrance toward the darkness of the deep cave. Light intensity proved to be the main limit for many troglobiont an troglophilic species migration from or to the inner part of the cave. The subterranean environment is here discussed as a model for assessing also the epigean biodiversity considering the ecological limits in conservation problems of vulnerable environments.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 719–722

    Tamer Mahmoud, Sanjay Gairola, Hatem Shabana & Ali El-Keblawy
    Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W. Wight and Trifolium repens L. (Fabales Fabaceae) two new legume records for natural flora of the United Arab Emirates

    ABSTRACT
    In this report, we have recorded for the first time the presence of Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W. Wight and Trifolium repens L. (Fabales Fabaceae) in natural flora of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Based on extensive field surveys and literature review, it was apparent that these species have not been recorded before in the UAE flora.It might be important to mention that the two new records have great economic and agricultural importance. Both species are spontaneously occurring in the natural habitat and considered as good forage and can adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions. Specimens of both newly recoded species are deposited in the Sharjah Seed Bank and Herbarium (SSBH), UAE. Descriptions and photographs of these species are provided. The new records of vascular plants in UAE flora would help ecologists and conservation biologists in more potential scientific research and natural resources exploitations.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 723–748

    Ivan Rapuzzi
    New and interesting Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera Carabidae) from Korean Peninsula

    ABSTRACT
    An extensive contribution to the genus Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera Carabidae) from Korean Peninsula is provided. One new species and 14 new subspecies are described and figured: Carabus (Acoptolabrus) planicranion n. sp., C. (Carabus) szeli obong n. ssp., C. (Carabus) angustus dopyeong n. ssp., C. (Carabus) sternbergi gimhwa n. ssp., C. (Carabus) sternbergi goheungicus n. ssp., C. (Carabus) sternbergi jindoensis n. ssp., C. (Carabus) sternbergi deogyusan n. ssp., C. (Carabus) cartereti peacedam n. ssp., C. (Carabus) fraterculus yongwangicus n. ssp., C. (Acoptolabrus) constricticollis microcolasellus n. ssp., C. (Acoptolabrus) leechi viniciosalamii n. ssp., C. (Acoptolabrus) leechi drouini n. ssp., C. (Coptolabrus) jankowskii byeoksanensis n. ssp., C. (Coptolabrus) smaragdinus buangun n. ssp., C. (Coptolabrus) smaragdinus euaureus n. ssp. A new natural hybrid is described and figured: C. (Leptocarabus) seishinensis seishinensis Lapouge, 1931 x C. (Leptocarabus) semiopacus Reitter, 1895. Two taxonomic changes are proposed: C. (Isiocarabus) kirinicus Csiki, 1927 bona species and C. (Isiocarabus) saishutoicus Csiki, 1927 bona species and additional information are provided for several little known taxa.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 749–752

    Pierpaolo Rapuzzi & Ivo Jeniš
    Two new species of Pseudosphegesthes Reitter, 1913 from Greece and Turkey (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)

    ABSTRACT
    Two new species of Pseudosphegesthes Reitter, 1913 are described. One is from Peloponnese (Greece), the second one is from Southern Turkey. They are close to Pseudosphegesthes bergeri Sláma, 1982 from Crete (Greece).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 753–756

    Pierpaolo Rapuzzi
    Kabatekiipsebium yemenensis new genus and new species from Arabic Peninsula (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)

    ABSTRACT
    Kabatekiipsebium yemenensis new genus and new species is described from Yemen and Oman. The new genus belongs to Psebiini Lacordaire, 1869 tribe and it is close to Pectinopsebium Adlbauer, 2012 and Bostrychopsebium Quentin et Villiers, 1971 but it is strictly related to Pectinopsebium by the shape of the antennae in both sexes. The new genus is easy to distinguish from all other genera of Psebiini by its particular shape of antennae, the length of the elytra and legs, and for the very small size of its body.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 757–760

    Ignazio Sparacio
    On the presence of Buprestis (Buprestis) magica Laporte et Gory, 1837 (Coleoptera Buprestidae) in Italy

    ABSTRACT
    The present study confirmed the presence of Buprestis (Buprestis) magica Laporte et Gory, 1837 (Coleoptera Buprestidae) in Italy based on a male specimen preserved at the Museum of Natural History of Genoa (Italy), which, for some peculiar morphological characteristics, is described as a new subspecies: B. magica doderoi n. ssp. from Sardinia. The new subspecies is illustrated and compared with related taxa.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 761–766

    Amina Mostefai, Hassiba Stambouli-Meziane & Mohamed Bouazza
    Therapeutic use of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiales Lamiaceae) and description of its medicinal flora cortege in Algeria

    ABSTRACT
    Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiales Lamiaceae), Rosemary, is an aromatic and medicinal plant distributed throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the rest of Europe. It is typically Mediterranean and in Algeria is widespread in different regions. Rosmarinus officinalis is known and used since ancient times for its culinary, medicinal and aromatic (in perfumery) virtues. It is widely used as a condiment in the Mediterranean basin and in England; also there are honey specially produced from the nectar of the flowers of Rosemary called "Honey of Narbonne" or "Rosemary honey". It is very used in agri-food as conservative and antioxidant, for the conservation of meat and fats. The essential oil used in doses greater than 2 to 3 drops/day would cause risk of nephritis and gastroenteritis. The leaves and flowering tops would have the same effect at excessive doses. Our work is focused on the study of the diversity of the floristic cortege of R. officinalis species taking into account two geographically different stations: Sidi Djilali and Beni Saf.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 767–769

    Pierpaolo Rapuzzi & Ivo Jeniš
    A new species of Clytus Laicharting, 1784 from Greece (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)

    ABSTRACT
    A new species of Clytus Laicharting, 1784 (Coleoptera Cerambycidae Cerambycinae Clytini) is described from Peloponnese, Greece. The new species is close to Clytus tropicus (Panzer, 1795) which is also reported as a new species for Italy.