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Biodiversity Journal 2023, 14 (3): 393-534

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0393-0394
    Vincenzo Genna & Salvatore Surdo
    Orgyia (Clethrogyna) dubia arcerii Ragusa, 1923 (Lepidoptera Erebidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.I.II
  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0395-0404

    John Mulder
    New distributional data on the Orthoptera of Montenegro with new records for the country
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.395.404

    ABSTRACT
    In this paper I present records of 105 species of grasshoppers and (bush) crickets observed in July-August 2022 at 69 localities throughout the country of Montenegro. With this a contribution to the biogeographical knowledge of the Orthoptera in Montenegro is aimed. Derived from the large dataset, species-richness is discussed based on the amount of species found at each locality and remarks are made on biodiversity hotspots. Commonness is treated and measured by the amount of localities each species is found. The most common species I order of presence are Pseudochorthippus parallellus, Euthystira brachyptera, Oedipoda caerulescens, Pachytrachis gracilis and Stenobothrus lineatus. Micropodisma salamandra is recorded for the first time in Montenegro and an undescribed species of Miramella was detected.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0405-0413

    Ndakara Ofudjaye Emmanuel & Ohwo Odafivwotu
    Seasonality Assessment of Abattoir Waste Impact on Water Quality of Anwai River in Nigeria
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.405.413

    ABSTRACT
    Water is a very important environmental resource to all organisms. Therefore, guiding against the influx of pollutants into it is necessary. This study assesses the environmental and seasonality impact of abattoir waste on water quality of Anwai River in Nigeria. Experimental design was adopted, while systematic sampling technique was employed to divide the river into downstream (DS) and upstream (US) for samples collection. 24 samples were collected for 6 different months and analysed for physico-chemical properties (PCP) using standard laboratory procedures. Statistical analyses of data involved graphs, mean (μ), standard deviation (S2), standard error of mean (SEM) and t-test statistics. Findings show that PCP of water varied across months and seasons, as well as between the DS (with μ, S2, SEM =16.21, 26.58, ±6.10; and 18.40, 26.80, ±6.15 for rainy and dry seasons) and US (with μ, S2, SEM =10.69, 13.59, ±3.12; and 13.61, 18.39, ±4.22 for rainy and dry seasons). In both rainy and dry months, DS recorded higher temperature, acidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolve solid (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate, phosphate, calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), ammonia (NH3), potassium (K) and total coliform (TC). There is no significant difference in the water quality between the rainy and dry seasons for both DS and US sections at 5% confidence level. Therefore, abattoir waste should be properly treated before disposal into rivers, while river waters should not be consumed directly without treatment.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0415-0419

    Tahar-Chaouche Souad, Bengouga Khalila & Tahar-Chaouche Imen
    First record and description of Capparimyia savastani (Martelli, 1911) (Diptera Tephritidae) on wild Capparis spinosa (L.) (Brassicales Capparaceae) in Biskra province (Algeria)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.415.419

    ABSTRACT
    During biodiversity plant investigations in Biskra localities (Algeria) conducted in autumn 2020 for the detection of specific arid meliferous plants, insect attacks were observed on wild caper plants Capparis spinosa L. (Brassicales Capparaceae). Infested caper fruits were taken and kept in laboratory conditions until adults ‘emergence. Adults were identified as Capparimyia savastani (Martelli, 1911) (Diptera Tephritidae). This record is the first one in Biskra region. Larvae of C. savastani feed on the edible flower buds and fruits of Capparis spinosa. This species seems to be able to cause significant damages to the fruit of wild caper.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0421-0429

    Chabet dis Chalabia, Ferhani Khadra, Laababsa Leila, El Houatti Habiba, Zouaoui Karima, Boucena Mohamed Amine, Itchir Rachida, Chelif Halim, Belhouchet Ismail, Redjemi Momahed Aimen & Didani Amira
    Eco-biological study of the Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides Lacépède, 1802 (Perciformes Centrarchidae), from Keddara Dam (Boumerdes, Algeria)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.421.429

    ABSTRACT
    The aim of this work is to provide necessary information on the eco-biology of Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides Lacépède, 1802 (Perciformes Centrarchidae) in Keddara Dam Lake, located in northern part of Algeria. A total of 67 specimens (22 females and 45 males) were collected during December 2019 and September 2020. The sex ratio was M:F = 2.33:1 and M:F = 2:1 for December 2019 and September 2020, respectively. The length-weight relationship was estimated for each period, with W = 0.1672xL2.291 for December 2019 and W = 0.0039xL3.405 for September 2020. The condition factor K estimated for December 2019 was K = 15.51±0.49, for September 2020 was K = 13.92±2.22. Macroscopic observation of the gonads showed that the spawning period begins in December. Micropterus salmoides feeding activity was high in December 2019, mostly eating fish (60% and 24.56% for fish part for December 2019 and September 2020, respectively, and 10% and 26.31% for full fish for December 2019 and September 2020, respectively). Largemouth bass display biological adaptation and trophic plasticity possibly facilitating its success in Keddara Dam as invasive species.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0431-0435

    Valeriano Spadini
    The scleractinian fauna of the Pliocene of Estepona basin (southwestern Spain): new findings
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.431.435

    ABSTRACT
    Four species of Pliocene scleractinians from the Estepona Basin (Spain) are examined. One species of Caryophyllia Lamarck, 1801 (Caryophyliidae) and one of Dendrophyllia Blainville, 1830 (Dendrophylliidae) from El Lobillo are reported for the first time from this basin and from the Pliocene of the Mediterranean Sea. A species of Phyllangia Milne Edwards et Haime, 1848 (Caryophyliidae) from Arroyo Vaquero, already reported from the Pliocene of Siena (Italy), is also reported for the first time from Estepona basin. Finally, the report of Flabellum vaticani Ponzi, 1876 (Flabellidae) from Valerin Carretera is confirmed.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0437-0439

    Mauro M. Brunetti
    On Archimediella dicosmema (Fontannes, 1881) (Gastropoda Turritellidae) from the Lower Pliocene of Catalonia (Spain)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.437.439

    ABSTRACT
    The discovery of a rare species of the family Turritellidae Lovén, 1847 (Gastropoda), described by Fontannes in 1881 and of which there are very few subsequent reports or illustrations, is reported. Due to the particular sculpture of the shell, this taxon is ascribed to the genus Archimediella Sacco, 1895.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0441-0448

    Souddi Mohammed, Bendidjelloul-Ghezlaoui-Baha-Eddine & Nouar Belgacem
    Floristic diversity and therapeutic proprieties of medicinal plants in the region of Tlemcen (Western Algeria)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.441.448

    ABSTRACT
    This study is devoted to assessing the floristic diversity (systematic, biology, chorology) and therapeutic properties of medicinal plants in the region of Tlemcen (Western Algeria); a survey was conducted over four successive study years (2014–2015–2016–2017) in the study area. The objective of this study was to contribute to the knowledge and description of these plant groups through an inventory of vegetation. The floristic inventory showed us to identify 71 medicinal plants belonging to 34 families; including the dominance of Asteraceae (15.5%) followed by Lamiaceae (11.3%) and Poaceae (8.5%). The biological spectrum of these species is characterized by a high presence of Therophytes (26.8%) followed by Chamaephytes (23.9%). In biogeographical terms, Mediterranean species are the most represented and constitute more than half of the medicinal flora (54.9%). These plants are principally used in order of importance in the treatment of digestive pathologies (15.3%), dermal diseases (13.8%), and diuretics (9.4%). The results obtained are a very valuable source of information for the region studied and for the national medicinal flora.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0449-0458

    Sayyara Jamsid Ibadullayeva, Elman Farhad Yusifov & Arzu Bahadur Mustafayev
    Rare and endangered species of Shahdag National Park (Azerbaijan) with special status
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.449.458

    ABSTRACT
    This work presents information about the geographical ranges of the vegetation of the Shahdag National Park (NP) belonging to the Greater Caucasus (within the borders of Azerbaijan) range, the current status of endemic, relict and rare species. The geographic-areological analysis of the region shows that the flora of the Shahdag area is formed by the predominance of Boreal and Xerophile types. From the studies, it was found that the spread of endemic taxa in NP to neighboring areas reduced them to the subendemic level. In total, 7 species of Azerbaijan endemic and 88 subendemic species are distributed in the territory of Shahdag NP, of which 69 are described only from the Caucasus and are considered endemic to the Caucasus, while others are distributed as far as the borders of Dagestan, Turkey and Iran. In terms of determining the development history of the local flora, 24 relict species have been determined. In general, 14 species were evaluated as vulnerable (VU), 10 species as Near Threatened (NT), and 5 species as endangered (EN) in the Shahdag area.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0459-0480

    Esmail Shakman, Aisha Siafenasar, Khaled Etayeb, Ali Shefern, Abdalaha Elmgwashi, Mohamed Al Hajaji, Nauroz bek Benghazi, Abdalha ben Abdalha, Mehdi Aissi & Fabrizio Serena
    National Inventory and status of Chondrichthyes in the South Mediterranean Sea (Libyan Coast)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.459.480

    ABSTRACT
    Libya has the longest coastline in the southern Mediterranean Sea, which is distinguished by the diversity of habitats and marine species; chondrichthyans are one component of this diversity. They are vulnerable to overexploitation due to their reproduction pattern and are generally regarded as a few resilient species. A total of 59 Elasmobranchs belonging to 24 families have been recorded along the Libyan coast out of about 88 documented species (FAO, 2018a; FAO, 2018b; Serena and Barone, 2023). Most of these species breed in the central part of Libya (Gulf of Sirt). A total of 8 elasmobranchs species were identified as by-catch in the Libyan tuna longline fishery (Prionace glauca, Isurus oxyrinchus, Odontaspis ferox, Alopias superciliosus, Heptranchias perlo, Mustelus mustelus, Pteroplatytrygon violacea and Carcharhinus plumbeus). The Tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, is the most recently documented species on the western coast of Libya. This study provides some important information on elasmobranchs in Libyan waters to fill the gap of knowledge about these species in Libya and the southern Mediterranean regions.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0481-0483

    Runa Schwabe & Thomas Ziegle
    Evidence of natural cannibalism in the slow worm, Anguis fragilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Squamata Anguidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.481.483

    ABSTRACT
    Cannibalistic behavior in the slow worm, Anguis fragilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Squamata Anguidae), has only been documented in a few cases. The oldest report dates back more than a century, but all detailed observations available to us refer to cases under captive conditions. Herein we report about a natural case of cannibalism in the slow worm from Germany. An adult individual was observed regurgitating a previously ingested juvenile headfirst in cultural landscape east of Cologne.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0485-0489

    Ivan Rapuzzi
    New taxa of Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera Carabidae) from Mongolia and North China (Inner Mongolia Province)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.485.489
    https://www.zoobank.org/AFB820C0-8520-4E26-915F-1A021EBB2552

    ABSTRACT
    Three new Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera Carabidae) are described and figured: C. (Tomocarabus) filippovi n. sp. from Mongolia, C. (Morphocarabus) latreillei mengguicus n. ssp. from North China (Inner Mongolia Province), and C. (Cychrostomus) anchocephalus farinosus from North China (Inner Mongolia Province). Comparative notes with the closest taxa are provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0491-0504

    Mohamed Lemgharbi, Badredune Belhadi, Rachid Souilah, Djaafar Djabali & Boubakeur Nadjemi
    Biodiversity of pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br. (Poales Poaceae) in southern Algeria (Tidikelt region)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.491.504

    ABSTRACT
    The study aims to identify the Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br. (Poales Poaceae) phenotypes cultivated in Tidikelt region. We conducted field visits during the plant maturity stage, to evaluate these patterns, based on the descriptive study of the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. The results showed significant differences between plant height, the number of nodes and leaves, seed color, and main stem length. Whereas, we recorded only slight differences for the dimensions of the third upper leaf and panicle. It was also found that the best groups of locally cultivated millet were pearly and yellow millet, due to the morphological characteristics of their panicles, unlike wild millet (MLT.VN, MLT.VNP) and domesticated (MDT.Sepl, MDT.Sepc, and MDT.Smix) which are used as feed. On this basis, this type of cereal culture could play a leading role in promoting the cultivation of local millet groups in this region.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0505-0512

    Danilo Scuderi, Alberto Villari & Agatino Reitano
    Another new eulimid (Gastropoda Eulimidae) from the Mediterranean Sea: Vitreolina micalii n. sp.
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.505.512
    https://www.zoobank.org/E82BBB63-BF8B-4B25-B6B3-27C4DACBF0E8

    ABSTRACT
    Vitreolina micalii n. sp. (Gastropoda Eulimidae) is here described on materials found in shallow waters along the Northern coast of Catania (Eastern Sicily, Ionian Sea). Findings include both live-taken and empty specimens, whose shell and soft parts have been observed and documented. Further specimens have been found in few other localities of Sicily and Corsica. The new species is morphologically distinguishable by a spiny, smooth shell, similar to some other congeners except for some details, and a sculptured protoconch. The different external chromatism of the soft parts is similar only to V. perminima, but it is different in some aspect hereafter discussed. Differences from similar species from Eastern Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific are useful to discard the alien origin of this species in the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (3): 0513-0532

    Franck Boyer
    About some marginelliform gastropods (Marginellidae Cystiscidae and Granulinidae) from French Guyana
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.3.513.532
    https://www.zoobank.org/406298CA-CAA4-459D-BD8D-BC870A56642A

    ABSTRACT
    The study of a small collection of millimetric marginelliform gastropods sampled off French Guyana allows to recognize the occurrence of three species previously described, namely Eratoidea margarita (Kiener, 1834), E. sulcata (d’Orbigny, 1842), and E. acutulla McCleery, 2011, and of 13 new species described as Hyalina oblongata n. sp., Volvarina similis n. sp., V. vitrea n. sp., V. cornea n. sp., Prunum guyanensis n. sp., Eratoidea mccleeryi n. sp., E. strangulata n. sp., E. inflata n. sp., E. angulosa n. sp., E. serratula n. sp., E. flavida n. sp., Gibberrula contracta n. sp. and Granulina ampla n. sp. The phenotypic variability and the geographic distribution are documented mainly with the help of data obtained from the O.C.P.S. collection (Leiden Museum), and more incidentally with the help of the 2011 McCleery’s revision of the Caribbean fauna of the genus Eratoidea Weinkauff, 1879.