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Biodiversity Journal 2023, 14 (4): 535-920

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0535-0536
    Aldo Boglia
    Monoplex parthenopeus (Salis Marschlins, 1793) (Gastropoda Cymatiidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.I.II
  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0537-0546

    Ulrich Kutschera
    The taxonomic status of the San Francisco Bay area Leech Helobdella triserialis (SF) (Annelida Hirudinida Glossiphoniidae) with notes on its ecology
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.537.546
    https://www.zoobank.org/89109D15-BF7A-47AD-B509-B875D6A981EC

    ABSTRACT
    Over the past decades, freshwater leeches of the genus Helobdella Blanchard, 1896 (Annelida: Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) have been used as model organisms for developmental studies. Notably, the species ”Helobdella triserialis US”, discovered during the 1970s in ponds in San Francisco (California , USA) was kept in lab-populations and served as representative of the genus, as documented in numerous publications. Here, I show that this enigmatic “San Francisco Bay area leech” has been misclassified and confused with the South American species H. triserialis (E. Blanchard, 1849), and later with H. papillata (Moore, 1952). Using specimens collected in Matadero Creek, Palo Alto (California , USA), novel morphological, anatomical, behavioral and molecular data (novel mitochondrial 618 bp-COI gene sequence) were generated. Based on these results, it is shown that this taxon represents a new North American species, described here as Helobdella farmeri n. sp. In addition, the occurrence of extant and extinct populations of Helobdella sp. in natural habitats of Northern California is documented over the past three decades.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0547-0570

    Dario I. Ojeda, Max John, Robert L. Hammond, Riitta Savolainen, Kari Vepsäläinen & Torstein Kvamme
    Phylogeny of the Formicoxenus genus-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) reveals isolated lineages of Leptothorax acervorum in the Iberian Peninsula predating the Last Glacial Maximum
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.547.570

    ABSTRACT
    The Formicoxenus genus-group comprises six genera within the tribe Crematogastrini. The group is well known for repeated evolution of social parasitism among closely related taxa and cold-adapted species with large distribution ranges in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. Previous analyses based on nuclear markers (ultraconserved elements, UCEs) and mitochondrial genes suggest close relationship between Formicoxenus Mayr, 1855, Leptothorax Mayr, 1855 and Harpagoxenus Forel, 1893. However, scant sampling has limited phylogenetic assessment of these genera. Also, previous phylogeographic analyses of L. acervorum (Fabricius, 1793) have been limited to its West-Palearctic range of distribution, which has provided a narrow view on recolonization, population structure and existing refugia of the species. Here, we inferred the phylogenenetic history of genera within the Formicoxenus genus-group and reconstructed the phylogeography of L. acervorum with more extensive sampling. We employed three datasets, one data set consisting of whole mitochondrial genomes, and two data sets of sequences of the COI-5P (658 bp) with different number of specimens. The topologies of previous nuclear and our inferences based on mitochondrial genomes were overall congruent. Further, Formicoxenus may not be monophyletic. We found several monophyletic lineages that do not correspond to the current species described within Leptothorax, especially in the Nearctic region. We identified a monophyletic L. acervorum lineage that comprises both Nearctic and Palearctic locations. The most recent expansion within L. acervorum probably occurred within the last 0.5 Ma with isolated populations predating the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), which are localized in at least two refugial areas (Pyrenean and Northern plateau) in the Iberian Peninsula. The patterns recovered suggest a shared glacial refugium in the Iberian Peninsula with cold-adapted trees that currently share high-altitude environments in this region.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0571-0584

    Sabrina Dookie, Sirpaul Jaikishun & Abdullah Adil Ansari
    Morphological traits and chlorophyll content of Laguncularia racemosa leaves in two ecosystem types along the coastline of Guyana
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.571.584

    ABSTRACT
    Coastline ecosystems are resilient, and the mangrove species that inhabit them are well-suited to deal with harsh environmental stresses. Mangrove leaves are specialised plant structures that enable them to preserve their photosynthetic capability and functionality despite frequent changes in their habitats. Along the coastline of Guyana, we studied the morphological characteristics and chlorophyll content of 400 leaves taken from Laguncularia racemosa (L.) C.F. Gaertn., 1807 (Myrtales Combretaceae) trees found in Number 6 Village and Wellington Park mangrove ecosystems. The nearest individual sampling method was utilised to sample leaves throughout the wet and dry seasons. Our results demonstrate that Laguncularia racemosa leaves are mesophyllous, and leaf characteristics such as length, width, area, perimeter, mass, leaf specific area, and relative water content differed between the two ecosystem types, in both seasons. Significant correlations between leaf parameters were documented (p < 0.05, R > 0.75), with the Number 6 Village ecosystem during the dry season and the Wellington Park ecosystem during the wet season having greater values. Differences in chlorophyll content were also seen in the two types of ecosystems, but not seasonally. The results of our study suggest, to some extent, that plant structures can exhibit site-specific characteristics to preserve their survivability in different ecosystem types.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0585-0613

    Mauro Grano
    The Unionidae (Bivalvia) of Latium (Italy), past and present in a historical survey
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.585.613

    ABSTRACT
    The recent Checklist of the Fauna of Italy reports for Latium only five species of bivalve molluscs belonging to the Unionidae family. In this work we take into considerations the current species and all the taxa reported in the historical bibliography, no longer present or no longer recognized as valid at the taxonomic level.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0615-0622

    Salvatore Pasta
    Cistus ×skanbergii Lojac., the ‘phoenix’ hybrid that became extinct in its type locality to revive in the global plant web market
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.615.622

    ABSTRACT
    This paper is focused on the emblematic case story of Cistus ×skanbergii Lojac., a hybrid rockrose issuing from the breeding between C. parviflorus Lam. and C. monspeliensis L. To this purpose, a bibliographic research has been carried out to trace the available knowledge about the past and current distribution of this hybrid within its primary distribution range. Extinct in its type locality (Lampedusa Island) and very rare in the Mediterranean Basin, this hybrid proves to be intensely traded worldwide instead. The case of C. ×skanbergii shows that the international greening network vehiculated by websites may transform naturally rare plants into cosmopolitan aliens which could become invasive in the near future in several countries subject to Mediterranean or temperate climates. The indiscriminate spread of this rockrose outside its primary distribution range should be discouraged – if not forbidden – also because C. ×skanbergii possesses many of the traits (e.g., tolerance to drought and thermal stress, allelopathy, adaptation to fire disturbance) typical to many well-known invasive plants. Additionally, the use of this hybrid rockrose is troublesome because most of the currently traded material has been obtained by crossing several provenances of both parent species under non-natural conditions to obtain the hardiest, hence even more dangerous, breeds.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0623-0631

    Ananingtyas S. Darmarini, Yusli Wardiatno & Siti Nursiyamah
    New Distribution Record of Mud Owls (Polychaeta Sternaspidae) in Mangrove Ecosystem at Lubuk Damar, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Province, Indonesia
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.623.631

    ABSTRACT
    The uniqueness of the Sternaspidae family was discovered in the intertidal area of the mangrove ecosystem, Lubuk Damar, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Province. This study reports the occurrence of the mud owl Polychaete in the mangrove ecosystem as a new record in Indonesia. Samples were obtained at low tide (0–500 m) using cores with a diameter of 12.7 cm and a depth of 0–20 cm. The Sternaspidae family had morphological character differences from other Polychaeta in the form of a short and puffy body. The genus Sternaspis Otto, 1821 Lubuk Damar has two types of caudal shields, outward and deep grooves. The specimen was collected from a substrate with a percentage range of 26.67%–43.33% (sand), 46.67–56.00% (silt), and 8.00–15.33% (clay). The total 54 individual samples showed an average body length, width, and weight of 1.8–18 mm, 1–1.4 mm, 0.0009-0.1462 g, correspondingly. This research confirms that the genus Sternaspis is a cosmopolitan macrozoobenthos across the broad.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0633-0636

    Ivan Rapuzzi
    Description of two new species of Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 subgenus Apotomopterus Hope, 1838 (Coleoptera Carabidae) from Ha Giang Province, Vietnam
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.633.636
    https://www.zoobank.org/A8BAC904-534A-481F-B6D6-AEBC02937767

    ABSTRACT
    Two new Apotomopterus Hope, 1838 (genus Carabus Linnaeus, 1758) from Ha Giang Province, Northeast Vietnam are described and figured: C. (Apotomopterus) narcissus n. sp. and C. (Apotomopterus) vietnamicus n. sp.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0637-0642

    Franck Boyer & Walter Renda
    Description of two new species of Prunum Herrmannsen, 1852 (Gastropoda Marginellidae) from Callao, Peru
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.637.642
    https://www.zoobank.org/938E4262-A9ED-4D98-85C7-D86B2247CB0F

    ABSTRACT
    Two new Marginellidae species are described from Callao, Peru, and placed into the genus Prunum Herrmannsen, 1852, as P. sigmoides n. sp. and P. lamellosum n. sp. The reliability of the locality attributed to these new species is discussed, and the two species are considered to come with high probability from Western South America, due to their original features not matching Prunum morphs known from the rest of the Panamic Province, Caribbean or West Africa.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0643-0647

    Sawika Kunlapapuk, Pawapol Kongchum, Patcharin Saipattana, Panutda Yodsang, Sutep Kaitep & Sitthi Kulabtong
    On the presence of the Hill stream garra, Garra surinbinnani Page, Ray, Tongnunui, Boyd et Randall 2019 from the Royal Initiative Natural Science Park Project Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi Province, Western Thailand (Teleostei Cyprinidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.643.647

    ABSTRACT
    In the present paper, Hill stream garra, Garra surinbinnani Page, Ray, Tongnunui, Boyd et Randall 2019 (Teleostei Cyprinidae) is newly recorded from hill stream of Pachi Basin, in the Royal Initiative Natural Science Park Project Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi Province, Western Thailand.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0649-0664

    Rinaldo Nicoli Aldini
    A significant novelty for the Palaearctic entomofauna: Sphaeropsocopsis (Italopsocopsis n. subgen.) utriusquemariaechristinae n. sp. (Insecta Psocodea Troctomorpha, Sphaeropsocidae), a new synanthropic psocid living in northern Italy
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.649.664
    https://www.zoobank.org/478ECFCE-7BF9-4A43-B89B-DBF793984208

    ABSTRACT
    Based on specimens of both sexes, Sphaeropsocopsis (Italopsocopsis n. subgen.) utriusquemariaechristinae n. sp. (Insecta Psocodea Troctomorpha Sphaeropsocidae), a new tiny sphaeropsocid found in buildings in two towns in northern Italy - Piacenza and Cremona - is described. The new taxon, collected by means of sticky traps, was found relatively frequently in the rooms of institutions preserving items of cultural heritage. At a global level, this is the second sphaeropsocid which has been found living in an indoor environment; the first, Badonnelia titei Pearman, 1953, is also the only recent previous species of the same family known for the Palaearctic region (B. titei occurs in northern and central Europe), but it is not believed to be autochthonous, because the other congeneric species have a Neotropical distribution. In the case of the new species here described (perhaps also of Neotropical origin), there is not sure evidence that it is an introduced alien taxon; its discovery is, in any case, of clear zoogeographic interest. Some bio-ecological observations on the new sphaeropsocid are provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0665-0672

    Ina Nasto, Denada Sota, Brunilda Veshaj, Geolind Çobaj, Encora Çelohoxhaj, Marsel Javori, Nexhip Hysolakoj & Emirjeta Adhami
    Diversity of the land snail fauna of Llogara National Park (Albania) focusing on the distribution areal of Chondrula lugorensis A.J. Wagner, 1914 (Gastropoda Enidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.665.672

    ABSTRACT
    Regular surveys of biodiversity are important for monitoring changes in the richness and species composition of mollusk fauna, especially in mountainous areas and fragmented and isolated habitats that are biodiversity hotspots, characterized by endemic species with isolated spread. This paper presents a list of the terrestrial mollusk fauna of Llogara National Park (Albania) and includes data on the distribution area of the endemic mollusk Chondrula (Chondrula) lugorensis Wagner, 1914. Snails and slugs were collected using visual searches and leaf litter collections during the spring and autumn seasons of 2020 and 2021. A total of 52 terrestrial gastropods were identified, representing 13 species from nine families. The study also sampled 24 individuals, both alive and deceased, of the endemic species Chondrula (Chondrula) lugorensis (Gastropoda Enidae), which allowed for creating a distribution map and identifying its habitat.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0673-0687

    Marco Bodon, Simone Cianfanelli, Mariaelena Fedi, Serena Barone, Lucia Liccioli & Alberto Girod
    Further records and dating of Pseudunio auricularius (Spengler, 1793) (Bivalvia Margaritiferidae), from Cagnola Canal (Veneto, Italy)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.673.687

    ABSTRACT
    Pseudunio auricularius (Spengler, 1793) (Bivalvia Margaritiferidae) is one of the largest European freshwater bivalves; it is considered critically endangered worldwide, and it is extinct in Italy. A large number of damaged ancient shells have been collected in 1991 from Cagnola Canal (Province of Padua, Veneto, Italy) and radiocarbon dated. The results indicate that the extinction of the local P. auricularius population in Veneto occurred in the second half of 1800. The direct anthropic impact may have been the source of significant disturbance to the local extinction of P. auricularius.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0689-0691

    Pierpaolo Rapuzzi & Sadreddin Tusun
    First record of Prinobius samai Drumont et Rejzek, 2008 for Turkish Fauna, Mardin province (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.689.691

    ABSTRACT
    This paper is based on a project carried on for the purpose of studying the Coleoptera Cerambycidae Fauna of Mardin province (South East Turkey) in 2021 and 2022. Among the samples, we found a specimen of Prinobius Mulsant, 1842 that belongs to the species P. samai Drumont et Rejzek, 2008. The record is new for the Turkish Fauna and enlarges the range of this species on the North-West. This is not surprising because several species widespred in West Iran have recently been added to the South-East Turkey Fauna, especially from Mardin province.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0693-0706

    Antonino Dentici, Antonino Barbera, Angelo Ditta, Vincenzo Genna & Salvatore Surdo
    First Italian reports of Nemoscolus laurae (Simon, 1868) and Zodarion isabellinum (Simon, 1870) (Arachnida Araneae) in Sicily and remarkable additions to the Sicilian Araneofauna
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.693.706

    ABSTRACT
    This paper reports some new data obtained in recent years during surveys on arachnids (Arachnida Araneae) present in Sicily (Italy). Particularly, fifteen new species of spiders are reported for the first time in Sicily: Nemoscolus laurae (Simon, 1868); Emblyna brevidens (Kulczyński, 1897); Dysdera lata Reuss, 1834; Drassodes luteomicans (Simon, 1878); Ceratinella scabrosa (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1871); Entelecara erythropus (Westring, 1851); Hilaira excisa (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1871); Parapelecopsis nemoralis (Blackwall, 1841); Trichoncus helveticus Denis, 1965; Alopecosa cuneata (Clerck, 1757); Tibellus macellus Simon, 1875; Scytodes univittata Simon, 1882; Rhomphaea nasica (Simon, 1873); Zodarion isabellinum (Simon, 1870): Zodarion pusio Simon, 1914. Six genera are reported for the first time for Sicily while Nemoscolus laurae and Zodarion isabellinum are new also for Italian fauna. Additional biological and taxonomic notes are also provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0707-0711

    Carlo Smriglio, Paolo Mariottini & Marco Oliverio
    Report of Coralliophila guancha Smriglio, Mariottini et Engl, 2003 in the Mediterranean Sea (Gastropoda Muricidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.707.711

    ABSTRACT
    With this note the status and distribution of Coralliophila guancha Smriglio, Mariottini et Engl, 2003 (Gastropoda Muricidae) are assessed, based on published and unpublished records. The range of the species is extended to the Mediterranean Sea, where it had previously been recorded as a distinct species, Coralliophila ahuiri Cossignani, 2009, which is here regarded as a synonym.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0713-0730

    Jesús Gómez-Zurita & Anabela Cardoso
    Inclusive phylogenetic concept of Thasycles Chapuis, 1874 with synonymisation of Atrichatus Sharp, 1886 (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) from New Zealand and description of new species from New Caledonia
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.713.730
    https://www.zoobank.org/E6F95966-6681-4B9F-AFA5-77F7A32204E1

    ABSTRACT
    The discovery of an evolutionary lineage of New Caledonian Eumolpinae (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) with intermediate characteristics between the New Caledonia endemic Thasycles Chapuis, 1874 and the New Zealand endemic Atrichatus Sharp, 1886, and monophyletic with both genera in an mtDNA phylogeny, is used as an argument to propose the synonymy of both genera, Thasycles Chapuis, 1874 = Atrichatus Sharp, 1886 syn. nov. Moreover, the morphological and genetic diversity within this new lineage allows distinguishing three new species of New Caledonian Eumolpinae in the genus Thasycles, which are described in this work: T. modestus n. sp., T. purpureus n. sp. and T. quadraticulus n. sp. The last two species, particularly T. quadraticulus, only found above 400 m in Aoupinié, have to be considered narrow endemics at present. A pragmatic key for the identification of these species and the diagnosis of all genera of South Pacific Eumolpinae with hairy dorsum is presented.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0731-0740

    Maha Atig Alsubhi, Lina Ahmed Bahamdain & Magda Mohammed Aly
    Marine bacteria and their uses as a source of antimicrobial metabolites to control multidrug-resistant bacteria
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.731.740

    ABSTRACT
    Marine bacteria are considered to be an excellent source of new therapeutics. About 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water and it comprises 500,000 live species divided into 30 different phyla. Many researchers carried out the isolation and exploitation of bacteria from the marine environment to study the ability of strains to produce antimicrobial agents against pathogens to manage the problem of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial species. Examples of marine bacterial genera that have been isolated are Bacillus, Enterobacter, Nocardiopsis, Pseudomonas, and phylum Actinobacteria which are the richest sources of natural products. Moreover, these bacteria are commonly used in bioremediation processes and had an excellent role in the removal of different environmental pollutions due to their vital environmental conditions and reduction capability and adaptability. In conclusion, marine bacteria have an advantage over terrestrial bacteria and are used in extreme environmental conditions to provide a useful source for new antimicrobial agents or can be used in the bioremediation process.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0741-0747

    Ignazio Sparacio, Pietro Lo Cascio, Calogero Muscarella, Salvatore Surdo, Amedeo Falci & Francesco Allegrino
    A new subspecies of Cicindela (Cicindela) campestris Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera Cicindelidae) from the Aeolian Islands (Italy)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.741.747
    https://www.zoobank.org/A5E8037D-E05E-4513-9C98-59636F5C7C11

    ABSTRACT
    Cicindela (Cicindela) campestris didyme n. ssp. from the islands of Salina and Lipari (Aeolian Archipelago, Sicily, Italy) is here described. The new subspecies differs from other Italian populations of C. campestris, in particular from the closest ones of Sicily (C. campestris siculorum Schilder, 1953) and Calabria (C. campestris calabrica Mandl, 1944) for some morphological characters such as the shape of the clypeus, the granules of the elytra less elevated and more sparse and the different aedeagus. It is immediately recognizable by more or less extensively green-brown color of the dorsal surface often entirely red-brown.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0749-0764

    Radoslav Biskupič
    New records and paleoecology of the Middle Miocene (Badenian) Costellariidae MacDonald, 1860 (Gastropoda Neogastropoda) from Devínska Nová Ves (Vienna Basin, Slovakia)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.749.764

    ABSTRACT
    New Middle Miocene Costellariidae gastropods recorded from the eastern marginal part of the Vienna Basin (Central Paratethys) are reported. The conchological material was retrieved from the marine sediments of the Upper Badenian (Early Serravallian) Studienka Formation exposed at three localities situated in the vicinity of Devínska Nová Ves, a borough of the city of Bratislava, Slovakia, namely from Brickyard, Bačnegovice, and Útočnice. A total of six species ascribed to the genera Bellardithala Harzhauser et Landau, 2021, Ebenomitra Monterosato, 1917, and Pusia Swainson, 1840 are recognised, of which Ebenomitra pseudopyramidella (Boettger, 1906) is recorded for the first time from Slovakia. An enigmatic Bellardithala, originating from the locality Brickyard, is re-examined and more comprehensively discussed but is left in open nomenclature. Paleoecological evaluation of the studied Costellariidae assemblages and complex geographic and stratigraphic distribution of presented species in Slovakia are given.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0765-0773

    Gianni Insacco, Bruno Zava & Marco Masseti
    Two late 1800s wolves, Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia Canidae), from the Hyblean Mountains, in eastern Sicily
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.765.773

    ABSTRACT
    The wolf, Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia Canidae), became extinct in Sicily in the past century, between 1930 and 1960. The present paper describes the unpublished remains of two wolves, killed in the late 1800s in the Hyblean Mountains and preserved within the vertebrate collection of the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale of Comiso, Ragusa, (Italy), that is an important asset for biodiversity research as well as for morphological and genetic studies. The two specimens constitute the only finds of the species that are known so far for eastern Sicily. Their measurements and the restoration carried out for museum display are presented. A morphological description of these two specimens is provided and the taxonomic problems of the Italian and Sicilian populations are discussed.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0775-0789

    Sabrina Dookie, Sirpaul Jaikishun & Abdullah Adil Ansari
    Mangrove tree growth, diversity, and distribution in tropical coastline ecosystems
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.775.789

    ABSTRACT
    Mangrove trees are subject to several environmental stresses, often associated with the prevailing conditions of their ecosystems. We analysed the density, diversity, distribution, and biophysical measurements of more than 900 trees throughout nine natural, degraded, and restored tropical coastline ecosystems in Guyana. A one-year period of systematic sampling was carried out using the point-centred quarter method (PCQM) throughout two clearly defined wet and dry seasons. Significant variations in the distribution, diversity, and spatial arrangement of trees were observed within both the restored and degraded mangrove habitats. The study revealed notable discrepancies in the biophysical measurements of trees [df = 8, p < 2.2e-16], which were further found to have positive correlations [p < 0.05, rs < 0.5] and relationships with their corresponding ecosystem types. The presence of substantial tree species with larger growth measurements in both natural and restored ecosystems indicate a heightened capacity for ecological resistance and resilience in the face of environmental stresses, in contrast to the degraded ecosystems that now exhibit states of vulnerability due to low ecological resistance and resilience attributed to prevailing anthropogenic disturbances.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0791-0849 - MONOGRAPH

    Ignazio Sparacio, Calogero Muscarella, Amedeo Falci & Salvatore Surdo
    Tiger beetles of Sicily (Coleoptera Cicindelidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.791.849

    ABSTRACT
    Tiger beetles (Coleoptera Cicindelidae) are predators, both in the larval and adult state and each species tends to be specialized within a narrow habitat. For this reason, tiger beetles are excellent indicators of the quality of the biotopes in which they live and of the possible degradation of said biotopes due to anthropic actions. Currently, the populations of Cicindelidae are declining almost all over the world due to the destruction of the environments in which they live. In the Euro-Mediterranean area, including Italy, Cicindelidae mainly live in sandy environments like beaches, river mouths, the edges of lagoons and dune, and backdune ponds. Few species live on rocky coasts, in inland locations or in environments far from water such as paths and forest clearings. From what has been said, the coastal environments generally preferred by Cicindelidae are precisely those which in Italy, and also in Sicily, have undergone the greatest alteration and, often, destruction by man and his activities. In Sicily the Cicindelidae have always been studied since the first regional catalogs of the 19th century and other works were carried out in the following years, up to the present day. In the last decade, numerous reports have spread on the web, in numerous online chats, nature forums, etc. The aim of this work is to summarize and improve in a catalog what is known so far about the Sicilian Cicindelidae to highlight their peculiar systematic, ecological and geographical characteristics also in relation to the environment in which they live.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0851-0865

    Salvatore Surdo & Domenico Verducci
    Update of the Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761) and Green turtle Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) observations in Italy (Reptilia Testudines)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.851.865

    ABSTRACT
    In this work, we collected records since 2002 of Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761) and since 2009 of Green turtle Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758). These observations have been made using scientific literature, citizen science programs, and social networks as data sources (Reptilia Testudines: Dermochelyidae and Cheloniidae). The aim of this work is to create a complete and up-to-date dataset. About one fifth of these new records comes from Facebook groups dedicated to biodiversity, thus underlining the usefulness of unconventional sources to gather data on species with poorly known distributions.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0867-0881

    Zago Hugues Martial, Kouadio Kouakou Pierre, Koué Bi Tih Mathieu & Yaokokoré-Béibro K. Hilaire
    Specific composition, abundances and phenology of migratory landbirds of the Comoé National Park, north-east of Ivory Coast
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.867.881

    ABSTRACT
    The migratory landbirds of the Comoé National Park (CNP), Ivory Coast, was inventoried from September 2017 to August 2019 in four habitat types (savannahs; forest islands; gallery forests and ponds) with two monthly visits per habitat. The listening point method was used on a total of 63 points located in all habitats. In the predefined habitats, the sampling of migratory landbirds was conducted from 06:30 to 12:30 in the morning and from 14:30 to 18:30 in the afternoon. On all listening points a species richness of 72 migratory landbirds was obtained. A total number of 17713 individuals with a monthly average number of 1476.77±99.70 individuals of migratory landbirds were obtained. These birds visited the CNP most during the months of March and April with 3592 and 3911 individuals respectively. The phenology of intra-African and mixed migratory species shows that some species are present throughout the year in the CNP. In contrast to the previous ones, those originating from the Palearctic region frequent the park during nine months of the year (September to early May).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0883-0895

    Rüdiger M. Schmelz, Daniele Pagli, Mårten J. Klinth, Dino Scaravelli, Laura Tagliaferro & Luana Papett
    Enchytraeus andrasiformis Nagy, Dózsa-Farkas et Felföldi, 2023 (Oligochaeta Enchytraeidae) from Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) (Testudines Cheloniidae) nests in Tuscany, Italy
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.883.895

    ABSTRACT
    Invertebrates infesting sea turtle nests are rarely identified to species. Here we report on the enchytraeid oligochaete worm Enchytraeus andrasiformis Nagy, Dózsa-Farkas et Felföldi, 2023 from a nest of the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) (Testudines Cheloniidae), on a beach in Tuscany, Italy. Enchytraeus andrasiformis belongs to the Enchytraeus albidus species complex, a taxonomically difficult group of closely related species that live as decomposers in organically enriched habitats of the marine littoral. Detailed morphological investigations and DNA sequencing of the COI barcode gene was carried out to assure a correct identification. The species diagnosis is revised and the biogeography of species of the E. albidus complex in the Mediterranean Sea is discussed. We hypothesize that the worms of E. andrasiformis were attracted to the nest by previously damaged and decaying eggs.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0897-0910

    Mohamed Lemgharbi, Djaafar Djabali & Boubakeur Nadjemi
    Biodiversity of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor L. Moench (Poales Poaceae) in southern Algeria (Tidikelt region)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.897.910

    ABSTRACT
    This study aims to identify the Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poales Poaceae) phenotypes grown in southern of Algeria (Tidikelt region). We organized several field visits to sorghum cultivation sites during the plant’s maturity period to inventory and evaluate the phenotypes of this crop, based on the descriptive study of the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The results of plant parameters measurements demonstrated, that plant height (HP), the number of nodes (NN) and leaves (LN), and panicle color (PC) showed significant differences, while we recorded very slight differences for the dimensions of the third leaf: Length (L.3L) width (W.3L) and panicle (PL and PW). The results also showed that there is a phenotypic diversity of local white and red sorghum, in addition to mixed and domesticated sorghum, which are commonly used as fodder. On this basis, this type of cereal cultivation can play a leading role in promoting the cultivation of millet groups local to the region.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (4): 0911-0917

    Hariharan Abirami, Gurusamy Chelladurai, Vikrant V. Deshmukh & Hitesh U. Shingadia
    Biodiversity of Marine Molluscs Assemblage in Selected Coastal Area of Gulf of Mannar, South East Coast of India
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.4.911.917

    ABSTRACT
    The present study is an attempt to know the diversity of Molluscan species, particularly Gastropods and Bivalves at the selected location of Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu. India. Gastropods and Bivalves species were collected by hand picking method. A total sum of 560 molluscs were collected, among them 42 species of gastropods and 11 species of bivalves were recorded in the selected study area. The maximum density of molluscs was observed in the Tuticorin group of coasts at Therespuram, while in the Rameswaram group of coasts the maximum density was observed in Pamban. Among the two coasts, the gastropods Xancus pyrum, Babylonia zeylanica, Babylonia spirata, Lambis lambis, and Donax faba, Meretrix meretrix were found dominant during the study period.