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Biodiversity Journal 2015, 6 (4): 771-996

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 771-772
    Dmitry Telnov
    The genus Enopholus Boisduval, 1835 (Coleoptera Curculionidae)
  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 773-788

    Cristina Cattaneo & Mauro Grano
    New contribution on the vascular flora of the Aegean Island of Chalki (Archipelago of Rhodes, Aegean Sea)

    ABSTRACT
    This note is an integration to the study, started in August 2014, of the vascular flora of the Island of Chalki. Special emphasis has been done on the chasmophytic flora which has shown a remarkable richness in terms of endemic species, common to the island and to the SE Aegean Sea, including the west coast of Turkey. Some limestone north-facing cliffs, located on the northern and southern sides of Chalki, have been investigated. It has been tried to develop a reasoned reading on the micro-distribution of the chasmophytic flora of Chalki, taking into account parameters such as morphology of the cliffs, altitude, solar radiance, grazing. Grazing has especially proved a substantial factor, that has affected on confinement of some species in inaccessible sites such Erica manipuliflora Salisb. (Ericaceae) and Medicago arborea L. (Fabaceae), which are not necessarily chasmophytic species. The almost exclusive finding of chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes in these types of habitats characterized by extreme edaphoclimatic conditions, showed the remarkable specialization as well as the rarity of these species.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 789-794

    Mariyappan Muruganantham & P.M. Mohan
    The first report of three benthic foraminifera from the waters of Andaman Islands, India

    ABSTRACT
    The living benthic foraminifera Nevillina coronata (Millet, 1898), Sigmoihauerina involuta (Cushman, 1946) and Loxostomina limbata (Brady, 1881) are reported for the first time from the inner shelf regions of Andaman Islands, India. Nevillina coronata, very common in the north east, was observed to favorably flourish in the low temperature of rainy season, during monsoon period, whereas the remaining two species were abundant in the non rainy months. Although, in Andaman and Nicobar islands, the mega diversity for Foraminifera has not been studied in details yet, our findings suggest that the three species may be considered as indicators of monsoon and non monsoon periods.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 795-802

    Daniela Cataldo & Pietro Minissale
    The lichens in a relic wood of Juniperus turbinata Guss. (Pinales Cupressaceae) with a new record for Sicily

    ABSTRACT
    This paper regards a research conducted on terrestrial and epiphytic lichen flora growing in an extensive juniper bush, Juniperus turbinata Guss. (Pinales Cupressaceae), in southeast Sicily. The flora recorded, although small in number, 29 species in all, includes several species quite rare in Italy or Sicily. One in particular, Heppia adglutinata (Kremp.) A. Massal. is new for Sicily and it is however rather rare in the Mediterranean area. Some considerations about the distribution and ecology of the found species are done.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 803-804

    Mauro Grano & Cristina Cattaneo
    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).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 805-816

    Claudia Padovesi-Fonseca, Maria Júlia Martins-Silva & Carolina Teixeira Puppin-Gonçalves
    Cerrado’s areas as a reference analysis for aquatic conservation in Brazil

    ABSTRACT
    The Cerrado is recognized as a relevant hotspot, being biologically the richest one in the world, with a significant degree of endemism. The central region of Cerrado Domain is considered the “water cradle” of Brazil, with important springs from South American watersheds. Human activities caused several impacts on drainage-basins, as water pollution and silting of running waters, affecting riparian and aquatic biota. The aquatic biodiversity of this region is yet poorly known, despite studies on terrestrial fauna and flora showed an estimate of 160 thousand species. In this review, the aquatic biodiversity of the Cerrado Domain was evaluated on literature survey from 2004 to 2012. Data obtained until now are sparse and focused in some few organism groups, and the aquatic species richness is estimated to 9,580 species. At least 22.8% of fish species in Brazil are expected to occur in Cerrado, as well as 25.2% of bivalve mollusks, and 41.9% of the diatom algae. The endemism is relevant for some groups, reaching 25% for fishes and more than 10% for bivalves and diatoms. Based on the potential of environmental heterogeneity of the aquatic systems located in high and protected areas, their permanent preservation has been a challenge for shelter of endemic and endangered species, revealing a huge genetic patrimony, as grounded by this study for the Cerrado Domain in central Brazil.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 817-826

    Hoda A. Abd El-Hamid & Hassan Mansour
    Genetic diversity of Typha domingensis Pers. (Poales Typhaceae) and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Stued (Poales Poaceae) populations in lake Manzala coast and inland salines at Suez Canal region (Egypt) in relation to some ecological variables

    ABSTRACT
    Typha domingensis Pers. (Poales Typhaceae) and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Stued (Poales Poaceae) are important wetland plants, valuable in remediation of wetland environment from heavy metals; moreover they can be used in biofuel production. Determination of genetic diversity in their natural populations is important for species conservation and ecological restoration. The present study compared the genetic variability of four populations of T. domingensis and P. australis growing in Manzala lake coast and inland swamps in Ismailia and Sinai by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Nine primers generated a total of 175 RAPD bands (loci) of which 127 (72.57%) were polymorphic across all individuals of the two species. At Manzala lake coast (i.e. sites 3 and 4, contaminated sites), the genetic diversity measures (PPL%, I, h, Na, Ne) observed in the populations of the two species showed higher diversity in comparison to the less contaminated sites 1 and 2 (Ismailia and Sinai). Gene diversity within populations (hs) and total gene diversity (hT) at species level were lower in P. australis (0.0104, 0.0579) than in T. domingensis (0.0825, 0.1284). This study revealed also the presence of a significant correlation between genetic diversity measures of T. domingensis and P. australis with some edaphic variables and heavy metal concentration in soil of the studied sites and leaves of the two species. The previous correlation indicated that populations from sites 3 and 4 respond with increased genetic variation, resulting possibly from new mutations affecting allele frequencies, as a consequence of adaptation to changes or disturbances in the environment. This may indicate that increased diversity levels may act as a buffer to severe heavy metal stress, which explains the importance of monitoring the genetic diversity of T. domingensis and P. australis populations in detecting trends that should alert ecologists to potential problems.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 827-830

    Manoj Kumar & Ramesh Chandra
    A brief note on the aphidiphagous Endaphis aphidimyza Shivpuje et Raodeo, 1985 (Diptera Cecidomyiidae) in Chitrakoot Dham region and Parbhani district (India)

    ABSTRACT
    Endaphis aphidimyza Shivpuje et Raodeo, 1985 (Diptera Cecidomyiidae) is an endoparasitoid gall midge, feeding within the body of the aphids Uroleucon (Uroleucon) sonchi (Linnaeus, 1767) (Hemiptera Aphididae); U. (Uromelan) compositae compositae (Theobald, 1915) and U. (Uromelan) gobonis (Matsumura, 1917). Aphids are one of the major insect pests of many crops including mustard, safflower, ground nut, cabbage, cauliflower, knol-khol, radish, bean, soybean, wheat, sorghum, peas, potato, cotton and maize. In the present work four districts of Chitrakoot Dham region, as well as nearby villages of Parbhani district (Maharashtra), were surveyed for the above endoparasitoid gall midge. None E. aphidimyza, at any stage, was found in Chitrakoot Dham, while other natural enemies of aphids such as syrphids, coccinellids and lacewings were recorded.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 831-836

    Luchman Hakim & Hideki Miyakawa
    Exotic plant species in the restoration project area in Ranupani recreation forest, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (Indonesia)

    ABSTRACT
    Exotic plant species invasiveness is the crucial issue in mountain forest ecosystems restoration programs. The aim of this research was identifying the diversity of exotic species in Tengger highlands. There are some important exotic plant species in Ranupani restoration area, including Salvinia molesta D. S. Mitch., Acacia decurrens Willd., A. mangium Willd., Eupatorium inulifolium Kunth., E. riparium Regel, Solanum pseudocapsicum Medik., Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng., Lantana camara L., and Fuchsia magellanica Lam. Actually, among factors most favorable to exotic plants species invasion there are forest and habitat degradation. Clearing exotic plant species in restoration areas, building community awareness about exotic species and enhancing the capacity of national park management to control and monitor the existence of exotic plant species is extremely important.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 837-842

    Sawika Kunlapapuk, Sitthi Kulabtong & Patcharin Saipattana
    Updated checklist of freshwater and brackish fishes of Phetchaburi Basin, Northwest Gulf of Thailand Drainages

    ABSTRACT
    The present paper reports on an updated checklist of freshwater and brackish fishes of Phetchaburi Basin, Northwest Gulf of Thailand Drainages, resulting from a study carried out in the period April 2012 – September 2013. All the species encountered in this region belonging to 11 orders, 41 families and 126 species, are listed. In particular, 39 species are new records for Phetchaburi Basin: Parachela siamensis (Günther, 1868); Barbonymus schwanefeldii (Bleeker, 1854); Puntioplites proctozystron (Bleeker, 1865); Acanthopsoides gracilentus (Smith, 1945); Homaloptera smithi Hora, 1932; Mystus mysticetus Roberts, 1992; Plotosus canius Hamilton, 1822; Macrognathus semiocellatus Roberts, 1986; M. siamensis (Günther, 1861); Doryichthys boaja (Bleeker, 1850); Ichthyocampus carce (Hamilton, 1822); Hyporhamphus limbatus (Valenciennes, 1846); Dermogenys siamensis Fowler, 1934; Oryzias javanicus (Bleeker, 1854); O. minutillus Smith, 1945; Phenacostethus smithi Myers, 1928; Poecilia latipinna (Lesueur, 1821); Ambassis vachellii Richardson, 1846; Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852); Sillago sihama (Forsskål, 1775); Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766); Gerres filamentosus Cuvier, 1829; Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy et Gaimard 1825); Moolgarda cunnesius (Valenciennes 1836); Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775); Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790); Lutjanus monostigma (Cuvier, 1828); Siganus javus (Linnaeus, 1766); Butis butis (Hamilton, 1822); B. koilomatodon (Bleeker, 1849); Pseudogobius javanicus (Bleeker, 1856); Gobiopterus chuno (Hamilton, 1822); Pseudapocryptes elongatus (Cuvier, 1816); Acentrogobius kranjiensis (Herre, 1940); Rhinogobius sp.; Istiblennius lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836); Trichopsis pumila (Arnold, 1936); Trichopodus pectoralis Regan, 1910; Cynoglossus puncticeps (Richardson, 1846).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 843-850

    Luigi Romani & Danilo Scuderi
    A new species of Setia H. Adams et A. Adams,1852 (Prosobranchia Caenogastropoda Rissoidae) from the Mediterranean Sea

    ABSTRACT
    A new species of Setia H. Adams et A. Adams, 1852 (Prosobranchia Caenogastropoda Rissoidae) is here described as new for science. Specimens were found in samples collected in two localities of the Ionic Sea. Here the description and figures of the new species follow, which is compared to the most similar congeners and to species of different genera, which share the cylindrical shape, smooth shell and rounded top-whorl. Biological notes of the environment where the new species was found are added to complete its profile.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 851-854

    Josep Quintana Cardona, Guillem X. Pons & Jesús Santana Benítez
    Reconciling the molecular clock and biogeography: an alternative view of the divergence process between Allognathus Pilsbry, 1888 and Hemicycla Swainson, 1840 (Pulmonata Helicidae)

    ABSTRACT
    The fragmentation of the Hercynian shield, which occurred between the Oligocene and Miocene explains satisfactorily the process of divergence between the Helicoidea genus Allognathus (endemic to the Balearic Islands) and Hemicycla Swainson, 1840 (endemic to the Canary Islands). The process of divergence of the common ancestor of Allognathus Pilsbry, 1888 and Hemicycla began with the separation of the Balearic islands and Kabylias. Our alternative biogeographic hypotheses suggest that the ancestor of Hemicycla colonized the Canary Islands from North Africa, once the Kabylias joined the African continent.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 855-900 - MONOGRAPH

    Ricardo Cordeiro, José P. Borges, António M.F. Martins & Sérgio P. Ávila
    Checklist of the littoral gastropods (Mollusca Gastropoda) from the Archipelago of the Azores (NE Atlantic)

    ABSTRACT
    The littoral gastropods (Mollusca Gastropoda) are probably the best known marine invertebrates in the Azores. Recently, this fauna has been studied by several authors, resulting in a regular increase of the knowledge of its biodiversity. However, the data are scattered by numerous publications, making it clear the need of an updated checklist of the littoral gastropods from the Azores. Our study presents a checklist of the littoral gastropods from the Azores, based on data from the literature and from new material examined. The occurrence of Caecum gofasi, Cerithiopsis cf. nana, Curveulima dautzenbergi, Liostomia mamoi, Mangelia scabrida, and Rissoella contrerasi is reported for the first time. Our findings expand the known regional biodiversity of littoral gastropods to 281 species. A list of dubious records and misidentifications is also presented, as well as the reasons for the exclusion of these species from the checklist.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (4): 901-905 - MONOGRAPH

    Marco Arculeo
    Biodiversity in the era of the market globalization: some cases from the marine realm

    ABSTRACT
    The globalization of markets and te growing scarcity of te mediterranea fishery products caused by the over-exploitation of the most consumed species has determined an increase in demand of frozen or trasformed fishery products importated from different countries. This caused an increase of food fraud represented by the substitution of a species with another with less economical value but which presents similar morphological characeristics. The use of modern tools as the DNA barcoding is crucial for traceability of such products and provides the consumer the necessary information about the exact identification of the species and their origin. The Italia and European Union food stuff are controlled thanks to laws, while for many non UE products are not expected any control inspection.