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Biodiversity Journal 2017, 8 (4): 869-962

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 869-870
    Gabriele Sercia
    Coral Reefs
  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 871-874

    Mauro M. Brunetti
    Mactra pecchiolii Lawley, 1869 (Bivalvia Mactridae), a “forgotten pliocenic” taxon

    ABSTRACT
    A fossil bivalve belonging to the Pliocene has been recorded in southern Tuscany. Following bibliographic researches, it has been classified as a previously studied taxon that has never been cited afterwards: Mactra pecchiolii Lawley, 1869 (Bivalvia Mactridae). A lagoon environment of salt water has been speculated for this species.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 875-880

    Harisha M. Nijjavalli & Basaling B. Hosetti
    Preliminary observations on Odonata fauna of Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Ballari District, North Karnataka, India

    ABSTRACT
    The preliminary study was conducted from February 2011 to January 2012 at Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Hosept. The study revealed the occurrence of a total of 22 species of Odonates in 19 genera belonging to 5 families from the study area. Among them the order Anisoptera which includes dragonflies was predominated with 17 (76%) species, followed by the order Zygoptera which includes damselflies with 5 (24%) species. The family Libellulidae was found to be the most dominant by 13 species with high percentage composition i.e., 76%, followed by the family Coenagrionidae by 3 species with 40% of total odonates species recorded from the study area. The status based on the frequency of occurrence of shows that 8 (36%) were common, 5 (23%) were very common, 3 (14%) were occasional, 4 (18%) were rare and 2 (9%) were very rare. The study highlights the importance and also provides the baseline information on status and composition of Odonates at Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Ballari District of North Karnataka for research on their biology and the conservation.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 881-884

    Roberto Toffoli
    Elevation record for Myotis daubentonii in the Italian Western Alps (Mammalia Chiroptera Vespertilionidae)

    ABSTRACT
    Five captures of Myotis daubentonii (Kühl, 1817) (Mammalia Chiroptera Vespertilionidae) are here reported at an altitudes between 1828 and 2050 meters on the Italian Western Alps in foraging and swarming sites. An immature male was captured at 2050 meters of altitude while looking for food on an alpine wetland, resulting in the altitude record for this species in Italy. Data also confirm the presence of females of the species at an altitudes greater than 2000 meters in swarming sites, raising the recorded altitude limit for the females of this species in Italy.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 885-887

    Mauro Grano & Francesco M. Angelici
    Discovery of some white quills of the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia Rodentia)

    ABSTRACT
    In this note, we report the discovery of some white quills belonging to the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia Rodentia) from Sabini Mountains (Central Italy). We hypothesize the leucism of the individual.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 889-894

    Zakia Hadjou, Zouhir Ramdane, Naouel Amel Brahim Tazi, Amel Bellal & Mustapha Charane
    Effect of parasitism on the length/weight relationship and the condition index in two groups of Pagellus acarne (Risso, 1826) (Perciformes Sparidae), parasitized and unparasitized specimens, from the Eastern Coast of Algeria

    ABSTRACT
    In the present study, the relationship between parasitism and some host biological parameters is studied for the first time in Pagellus acarne (Risso, 1826) (Perciformes Sparidae) from the eastern coast of Algeria. This study is carried out on 111 specimens, examined between April 2013 and March 2014. Parasitofauna of P. acarne is rich and various; 373 parasites belonging to different parasite groups are reported. Eleven parasite species are identified: 3 Digenea, 1 Isopoda, 3 Monogenea and 4 Nematoda, with the predominance of Nematoda (more than 50%). Our results reveal that mean intensity increases with the length of the host and varies from 4 to 8 parasites by infested host. The comparison of some biological parameters (length/weight relationship and the Fulton condition index K) does not show significant differences between parasitized and unparasitized specimens. These results allow us to deduct that P. acarne from the eastern cost of Algeria is not affected by parasitism despite the important parasite infestation.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 895-906

    Edmund Gittenberger, Pema Leda, Karma Wangdi & Sherub Sherub
    Bhutan freshwater gastropods and trematodes, with a warning

    ABSTRACT
    The freshwater gastropod species that have been recorded in Bhutan are listed in this work. Distributional data for the country are presented and references are given to the original descriptions and to illustrations of the species that may be useful for identification. An identification key is added and shells of all gastropod species are illustrated. We emphasize that some of the freshwater gastropods occurring in Bhutan may act as hosts for trematodes, as is known to be the case in other countries in Asia. These species may cause trematodiases in livestock and humans. Introductory references to the literature on snails and their parasitic trematodes are cited.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 907-914

    Danilo Scuderi, Frank Swinnen & Josè Templado
    A new Vermetidae from the Eastern Atlantic: Vermetus bieleri n. sp. (Gastropoda Caenogastropoda)

    ABSTRACT
    A new species of the worm-snail Vermetus Daudin, 1800, V. bieleri n. sp. (Gastropoda Caenogastropoda), is here described as new for Madeira and the Canary Islands. The species morphologically resembles the Mediterranean congener V. triquetrus Bivona, 1832, from which it is here distinguished on the basis of morphological characters of the shell, the protoconch and the external soft parts. Comparisons of the new vermetid with other similar species are hereafter reported.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 915-922

    Anxo Conde & Pilar Solís-Coello
    From the estuary to the Amazon basin: Corbicula fluminea (O.F. Müller, 1774) (Bivalvia Venerida Cyrenidae) in Ecuador

    ABSTRACT
    The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (O.F. Müller, 1774) (Bivalvia Venerida Cyrenidae) is a non-indigenous invasive species with a vast record of new occurrences worldwide. The salinity and thermal tolerance of the clam led us to look for evidences on the presence of C. fluminea in the Guayas Estuary, Ecuador. The inspection of the upper estuary confirmed our hypothesis. Fresh remains of the clam, along with degraded shells and different shell class sizes (14.62±2.67 mm, mean shell length) were observed. It was concluded that this estuary corresponds most likely to the introduction of C. fluminea in Ecuador. Its occurrence at the upper Amazon basin is attributed to a human mediated introduction linked to the trading use of the clam.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 923-926

    Maria A. D’Souza
    Report on first record on the occurrence of Geastrum Pers. (Geastrales Geastraceae) in Western Ghats forests in Goa, India

    ABSTRACT
    The species of genus Geastrum Pers. belonging to Basidiomycotina (Geastrales Geastraceae) is observed and reported in this paper for the first time. The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in Western Ghat forest, Goa (India) has been examined by the author thoroughly on a monthly basis to collect samples of microfungi. This is the first instance wherein the earthstars have showed their presence by formation of minute fruiting bodies. Hence it is reported for the first time as new records to this part of the Western Ghats forest as one of the hotspots in the world.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 927-936

    Fabio Liberto, Andrea Corso, Roberto Viviano, Maria Stella Colomba & Ignazio Sparacio
    A new species of the genus Milax Ellis, 1926 (Gastropoda Pulmonata Milacidae) from Lampedusa Island (Sicilian Channel, Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    Milax lopadusanus n. sp. (Gastropoda Pulmonata Milacidae) is described from Lampedusa Island, the biggest of the islands of the Pelagie Archipelago (Sicilian Channel, Italy). The new species is characterized by: greyish-brown body, with distinct yellowish keel; conical, smooth stimulator, with a raised crest along one side and spermatophore characterized by conic anterior part, covered on one side by bifurcated spines with the two apexes thorny; posterior part cylindrical, covered by smaller and most dense spines on all sides. Additional faunistic, biological and taxonomical notes are provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 937-942

    Alberto Villari
    A new remarkable species of the Alvania scabra (Philippi, 1844) group from the Ionian Sea: A. scuderii n. sp.(Gastropoda Rissoidae)

    ABSTRACT
    A new species of Alvania Risso, 1826 (Gastropoda Rissoidae) is described, based on 80 living specimens and shells found in Eastern Sicily, Ionian Sea, between Messina and Catania. This new species belongs to the A. scabra (Philippi, 1844) group. The description, pictures, and drawing of the soft parts are presented in this paper. There are also comparisons with other Mediterranean and Atlantic similar species briefly reported towards the end.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 943-946

    Carlo Smriglio, Paolo Mariottini & Massimo Appolloni
    First record of fossil Jujubinus curinii Bogi et Campani, 2006 (Gastropoda Trochidae) in north-eastern Sicily (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The discovery of a fossil specimen of Jujubinus curinii Bogi et Campani, 2006 (Gastropoda Trochidae) is reported from the geologic stage of “Milazziano” (Tyrrhenian, Pleistocene) located at Capo Milazzo, North-Eastern Sicily. The specimen has been found during a study on the Jujubinus Monterosato, 1884 material stored in the Monterosato’s collection at the Museo Civico di Zoologia of Rome, Italy.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 947-950

    Nicola Maio, Francesco Pollaro, Angelo Gasparro, Agnese Petraccioli, Marcello Mezzasalma, Mario Guariglia, Giorgio Galiero, Fabio Di Nocera, Doriana Iaccarino, Mario Santoro, Gianni Insacco & Fabio Maria Guarino
    New record of Dwarf Sperm Whale Kogia sima (Owen, 1866) from the Mediterranean Sea (Cetacea Kogiidae)

    ABSTRACT
    We report a new record of the Dwarf Sperm Whale Kogia sima (Owen, 1866) (Cetacea Kogiidae) in the Mediterranean Sea, following the stranding of a dead female of this species occurred on 4th February 2017. The specimen was found at the Trentova seaside near Agropoli (Salerno Province, Southern Italy) within the area of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The molecular analysis of a partial sequence of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA confirmed the species identification based on anatomical and morphological characters. This stranding is the third on the Mediterranean and Italian coasts.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 951-956

    Claudio Di Russo, Claudio Chimenti, Chiara Calcari, Daniele Druella, Mauro Rampini, Valerio Cenni & Arianna Martini
    The allochthonous crayfish Procambarus clarkii Girard, 1852 (Crustacea Cambaridae) from the subterranean stream of the Ausi cave (Latium, Italy): the second documented case of cave invasion

    ABSTRACT
    In this paper, data on the second case in Europe of hypogean environment invasion by the crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Crustacea Cambaridae) are reported. Sixteen specimens were collected and measured during spring and late summer 2017 and other numerous specimens were observed from the entrance until 500 meters inside the cave. The presence of at least two shelter tunnels dug on the clayey stream bank suggests a stable colonization of the cave. Many individuals collected were characterized by bluish chaele indicating sexual activity. The omnivorous diet of this crayfish, its resistance to adverse environmental conditions, its high reproduction rate and dispersal capability allow us to predict that this species could have a strong and negative impact on the aquatic and terrestrial cave communities.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (4): 957-961

    Pierpaolo Rapuzzi & Ignazio Sparacio
    A new species of genus Agapanthia Serville, 1835 (Coleoptera Cerambycidae) from Lampedusa Island (Sicily Channel, Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    In this paper, a new species of Agapanthia Audinet-Serville, 1835, subgenus Epoptes Gistel, 1857 (Coleoptera Cerambycidae) from Lampedusa Island (Sicily Channel, Italy) is described. This new species belongs to the A. asphodeli (Latreille, 1804) species group. Taxonomic, biological and geonemic notes on A. lopadusae n. sp. are provided.