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Biodiversity Journal 2024, 15 (4): 763-966

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 763-764

    Walter Renda & Aldo Boglia
    Lamprohaminoea ovalis (Pease, 1868) (Gastropoda Cephalaspidea Haminoeidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.I.II

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 765-771

    Esmail Shakman, Abdalaha Elmgwashi, Mohamed Hajaji, Abdalaha Karmous, Nairuz Bek Benghazi, Abdulfattah Elfituri, Yassine Sghaier & Khaled Etayeb
    Ecological importance of Al-Gara Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the eastern part of Sirte Gulf, Libya
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.765.771

    ABSTRACT
    Islands are important ecosystems for biodiversity and also represent a refuge area for many species, often threatened, that live on them. The Libyan coastline is characterized by the presence of many islands. In term of biodiversity hotspots, eight important sites have been identified in Libya. Al-Gara is one of these sites as important island ecosystem; it was declared as Marine Protected Area (MPA) according to the resolution of the Minister of Environment No. 272 of 2021, which includes the area surrounding the island. This island is annually hosting the biggest colony of the Lesser crested tern Thalasseus bengalensis (Lesson, 1831), the main breeding site for this species in the Mediterranean, and it is also a breeding ground for the European shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Linnaeus, 1761). Fieldwork was conducted on February and May 2023. Eleven (11) species of Macrophytes have been collected during this study, 17 species of Molluscs, four Crustaceans and 16 Fish species including five non indigenous species. Illegal fishing and illegal fishing gears, fishing in critical ecosystems, invasive species, overfishing and oil pollution are the most important threats to Al-Gara MPA.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 773-776

    Spartaco Gippoliti
    Lost African paradises and biodiversity conservation: do not forget history!
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.773.776

    ABSTRACT
    The lack of a historical perspective may hinder awareness of an existing bias in our knowledge of the world’s mammalian diversity and conservation status. Sudan and South Sudan are here utilised as case-study of a huge region that was among the first to be explored by westerners and also saw the first steps of the international conservation movement. Post-colonialism instability exacerbated political and ethnical conflicts, slowing biodiversity research and moving Sudan away from the attention of international ecological research. Today there is a shy regrowth of interest for wildlife conservation in Sudan and South Sudan, and hidden historical data and natural history collections may furnish precious biodiversity information.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 777-786

    Gianfranco Curletti & Uitsiann Ong
    Contribution to knowledge of the genus Agrilus Curtis, 1825 (Coleoptera Buprestidae) of Taiwan. Part 4.
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.777.786
    https://www.zoobank.org/CE56C5BE-3EE1-413F-A26A-41130570AD11

    ABSTRACT
    In this fourth contribution seven further new species of Agrilus Curtis, 1825 (Coleoptera Buprestidae) from Taiwan are described: Agrilus albicans n. sp., A. chientai n. sp., A. lidao n. sp., A. pespilosus n. sp., A. sanguinolentus n. sp., A. volubilis n. sp., A. yamadai n. sp.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 787-802

    Tadu Zephirin, Kwuidja Ngajeu Marey-Marvell, Yede, Edoa Stephanie, Guibaï Jean-Pierre, Lekeufack Nguefack Gustave, Fomekong-Lontchi Judicaël, Alene Desiree Chantal & Djieto-Lordon Champlain
    Diversity and functional structure in ant community in a forest savannah transitional zone in Obala (Centre Region of Cameroon)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.787.802

    ABSTRACT
    We study ant community in Obala (Cameroon), a forest-savannah ecotone to determine diversity and functional structure. Ants were sampled using pitfall, bait and hand-collecting in four habitats. Ant community was characterized using genera and species richness per subfamily, species richness and Pielou index for diversity, Venn diagrams for the distribution of species richness, multinomial model and Individual value to determine habitat specialization, and Multiple Correspondence Analysis to identify functional structure. We identified 104 ant species belonging to 34 genera and six subfamilies; 90, 31, 35 and 17 ant species were collected respectively in cocoa farms, food crops plantations, teak forests and savannahs. Myrmicinae, Ponerinae and Formicinae were the richest subfamilies at genera and species levels. Cocoa farms were richer and more diverse (S = 90; E = 0.68) than other habitats. Eight species were shared amongst the four habitats and the high number of generalist species occurred between cocoa farms and teak forests. Indicator species were mainly ground-dwelling ant species, confirming the high level of environmental threat in Obala. Four functional structures were identified: non-dominant ground foraging species with low ability for space control; tree foraging species with low ability for food control found in cocoa farm; subdominant species that exert medium level of food and space control; and ubiquist numerically dominant ant species with high aptitude for food and space control. In a functional structure involving ant species that plays the same or complementary roles in the ecosystem functioning and determine network of species assemblages.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 803-812

    Mohsin Madlol Mohmmed, Ansam Saad Al-Khafaji & Maha Saad Shareef
    The Effect of Drought on the Biodiversity of Sawa Lake (Iraq)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.803.812

    ABSTRACT
    The research was performed in the Sawa Lake region, situated in the southwestern part of Samawa City, in the central portion of Muthanna Province (Iraq). Because of its shallow nature, the lake was deemed a favorable environment for the development of biodiversity before the drought. Biodiversity is a crucial natural asset of the lake, and the loss of any form of biodiversity would result in the ecosystem’s inability to recover and disrupt its natural equilibrium, Sawa Lake was designated as an international wetland by the Central Committee of the International Ramsar Convention on September 15, 2015, after satisfying all necessary environmental and hydrological standards. However, it has been severely impacted by rapid changes and a substantial decrease in water levels, resulting in the loss of large biodiversity species. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of drought on the lake’s biological ecosystem. This was achieved by field observations conducted by the researchers in the study region, as well as by analyzing data from previously published studies and research on this topic. Before the drought, the lake and its surrounding areas included the following living organisms: 1 fish, 4 mammals, 2 reptiles, 16 birds, 9 plants, and 63 phytoplankton belonging to five different categories. Most of these organisms have now disappeared due to changed environmental conditions.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 813-827

    Audu Habu & Nik Fadzly N Rosely
    People and wildlife: prevention strategies and farmers’ perspectives on human-wildlife conflict management around Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi State, Nigeria
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.813.827

    ABSTRACT
    Protected areas are universally acknowledged as being crucial to the conservation of biodiversity. However, through cross-border contacts, protected areas can also be the source of conflict between people and wildlife. As wild animals migrate or move in and out of protected areas for feeding, they may encroach upon adjacent human settlements or agricultural lands, resulting in social-ecological interactions such as crop raiding, wildlife depredation, and retaliatory killings which can significantly affect both humans and the survival of wildlife. This study investigates the type, extent, mitigation strategies by locals and the perceptions of the villagers on what should be done by the management of Yankari game reserve toward addressing human-wildlife conflict around the protected area. A total of 255 households from 17 villages around Yankari game reserve, were interviewed. Results showed that maize (60%), and millet (31%) were the most affected crops. Fox (78.4%) was the common species related to livestock depredation. Guarding mitigation strategy was the most frequently used method (60.6%) by villagers. Results showed that patas monkey (42%), baboon (34%) elephant (27%), were the most frequently reported animals involved in conflict. Monitor lizard (29.4), African hedgehog (19.2), and feral cat (15.3%) were the most frequently killed animals.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 829-844

    Franck Boyer, Walter Renda & Frank Swinnen
    Revision of the cystiscid fauna (Neogastropoda Volutoidea) from Ascension and St. Helena Islands, Southern Atlantic
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.829.844
    https://www.zoobank.org/BA944BA4-613C-42D7-917C-A0EA215A2608

    ABSTRACT
    The cystiscid fauna from Ascension and St. Helena is studied on the ground of semi-intensive samplings worked during the years 2014–2019 by the Shallow Marine Surveys Group (Falklands, United Kingdom). The study of the shell morphology and of its variability allows to describe as new three Gibberula species in Ascension Island: G. monticola n. sp., G. oceanica n. sp. and G. gemella n. sp. The three Volvarina species reported from Ascension by E.A. Smith (1890b) look to result from wrong records in the literature. Marginella (Volvaria) consanguinea E.A. Smith, 1890 is recognized in the fauna from St. Helena and provisionally replaced in the genus Plesiocystiscus, together with a new species described as P. meridionalis n. sp. and wrongly recognized by E.A. Smith (1890a) as corresponding to Granula cinerea Jousseaume, 1875. A lectotype is appointed among the syntypes of Marginella consanguinea. The species Marginella (Volvaria) atomus E.A.Smith, 1890 described from St. Helena was not found in the samplings under study. Due to the similarities observed between the cystiscid fauna from St. Helena and that from South Africa, the occurrence of transportation of live specimens or of empty shells in seaweeds from South Africa to St. Helena deserves to be verified. The documentation of live animals of cystiscid species of St. Helena is required for a verification of the generic status of the considered species, of the possible occurrence of sibling species, and for possible comparison with the fauna of South Africa.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 845-880

    Djazia Toutah, Mohammed Bouzouina, Amine Ghelamallah & José Serrano
    Seasonal changes in carabid assemblages of Mostaganem, Algeria (Coleoptera Carabidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.845.880

    ABSTRACT
    Seasonal changes in carabid assemblages (Coleoptera Carabidae) inhabiting four sites near Mostaganem (NW Algeria) were investigated from April 2019 to March 2020 by means of pitfall trapping. Notable changes were found in all sites. In a citrus orchard (31 species, 710 specimens) spring breeders were more frequent. An olive grove (34 species, 1219 specimens) was dominated by Orthomus abacoides (974 specimens). Activity-density was concentrated in spring and autumn. An Eucalyptus forest (21 species, 292 specimens) showed unexpected species diversity and is a secondary habitat for large predators and forest taxa. In a fallow humid zone, a high number of species (80) and specimens (4366) were captured. Activity-density peaked in spring but was intense in all seasons. Hygrophilous and generalist taxa were dominant throughout all seasons. Seasonal changes are thought to be due to varying phenology and life cycle of species. Diversity was influenced by a few dominant species in all sites, but it was high in the fallow humid zone and decreased in cultivated areas. Comparison between sites was difficult because of the heterogeneity of species composition, which also applies to other Algerian cultivated lands, forests, and wetlands. Fine ecological tunning to environmental factors and random dispersal of taxa are likely causing seasonal faunal heterogeneity.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 881-884

    Abdullah Hasbenli, Turgay Üstüner & Üzeyir Çağlar
    First record of Sargus flavipes Meigen, 1822 (Diptera Stratiomyidae) from Türkiye
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.881.884

    ABSTRACT
    This study presents Sargus flavipes Meigen, 1822 (Diptera Stratiomyidae) as a new record for the Turkish fauna. We provide details on the species’ distribution and habitat, along with a zoogeographic distribution analysis. Photographs of the species and its habitat are included.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 885-896

    Melvin H. Madroñal & Richel E. Relox
    Species-Habitat Relationship of Bats and Mangroves in the Selected Coastal Areas in Northern Mindanao, Philippines
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.885.896

    ABSTRACT
    In the Philippines, mangrove coverage has been declining in Misamis Oriental, impacting bat populations due to coastal and aquaculture development. This study evaluated the relationship between bats and mangroves. Mist netting was used to capture bat species, while quadrat sampling was used to sample mangrove species. Six different bat species have been identified and classified as least concern (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Cynopterus brachyotis was the most common bat species in all sampling locations, while Ptenochirus jagori, Eonycteris spelaea, and Harpyionycteris whiteheadi were first recorded in mangrove forests, adding to existing bat fauna literature in Mindanao. Cynopterus brachyotis is strongly associated with taller mangroves with larger diameter at breast height (DBH) and denser canopy cover based on canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). All the mangrove species found were classified as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN, except for Ceriops decandra, which were classified as ‘Near Threatened.’

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 897-912

    Danilo Scuderi & Pasquale Micali
    The Mediterranean Pusillina philippi (Aradas et Maggiore, 1844) complex (Gastropoda Rissoidae) with the description of Pusillina terlizziorum n. sp.
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.897.912
    https://www.zoobank.org/38CCAFEF-27B8-458C-BDD2-07A916F326BD

    ABSTRACT
    The complicated nomenclatural history of Pusillina philippi (Aradas et Maggiore, 1844) complex (Gastropoda Rissoidae) and its taxonomy are here traced after the study of large amount of shells and living specimens. A lectotype and two paralectotypes among a group of syntypes in Senckenberg Naturmuseum Frankfurt (Germany) are here designated to stabilize the taxon for further researches. The morphological variability of the shell of this species is reconstructed after comparisons with the typical materials, and a morpho restricted to the Ionian localities has been separated. Another close related form, taller and with a very different external soft parts colour pattern, is instead here described as a new species at all: P. terlizziorum n. sp.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 913-916

    Alessandro Paterna
    A new population of the Italian cave salamander Speleomantes italicus Dunn, 1923 (Caudata Plethodontidae) in the Monti della Laga National Park, Abruzzo (Italy)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.913.916

    ABSTRACT
    Abruzzo (Italy) represents the southern limit of the distribution area of the Italian cave salamander Speleomantes italicus Dunn, 1923 (Caudata Plethodontidae). A new population of this species has been identified in the northern portion of the province of Teramo with the discovery of two specimens in an epigean environment. The new site, located along the southern borders of the municipality of Valle Castellana, distant from the other known sites in the same province, represents an important report for the protection and conservation of the species.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 917-921

    Francesco Giusti & Pasquale Micali
    Cima verae n. sp. from the Mediterranean Sea (Gastropoda Cimidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.917.921
    https://www.zoobank.org/0DD75D78-B2E7-47BA-AD5A-C1F02A6A8205

    ABSTRACT
    A new Mediterranean species of the genus Cima Chaster, 1896 (Gastropoda Cimidae) is described: Cima verae n. sp. The new species has been collected in the deep waters of Tuscan Archipelago and littoral waters at Scilla (Strait of Messina) in Italy. The new species is characterised by the apex with only weak growth lines and of ogival outline. The general shell outline is similar to C. minima (Jeffreys, 1858), a species not rare in the same shell grit, that may be easily separated for the globose apex and more convex initial whorls. The new species is also similar to Cima mingoranceae Rolán et Swinnen, 2014, described from Senegal and Mauritania, from which it mainly differs in that it lacks the particular sculpture on the apex, consisting of spiral cords that curve and become axial.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 923-926

    Gianfranco Curletti & Ignazio Sparacio
    Agrilus verres Théry, 1930 (Coleoptera Buprestidae) bona subspecies of Agrilus (Agrilus) albomarginatus Fiori, 1906
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.923.926

    ABSTRACT
    Agrilus (Agrilus) verres Théry, 1930 placed until now as junior synonym of Agrilus (Agrilus) albomarginatus Fiori 1906, is considered with this paper a valid taxon as subspecies of A. albomarginatus. A new redescription is proposed to highlight the morphological characters that differentiate it. Genista aetnensis (Raf. ex Biv.) DC. is reported as probable host plant.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 927-933

    Carlo Smriglio, Jakov Prkić & Paolo Mariottini
    Rare Atlantic Epitoniidae S.S. Berry, 1910 (1812) (Gastropoda) from the Mediterranean Sea with notes of their biocoenosis
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.927.933

    ABSTRACT
    Three rare species of Epitoniidae S.S. Berry, 1910 (1812) (Gastropoda) with a predominant Atlantic distribution are reported from the Mediterranean Sea: Epitonium nanum (Jeffreys, 1884), collected from the coralligenous bottoms of the Alboran Sea; Claviscala richardi (Dautzenberg et de Boury, 1897) dredged on a white coral biocoenosis located off the coast of Lazio, Central Tyrrhenian Sea; Cylindriscala mirifica (P. Fischer, 1886) from the bathyal water off Dubrovnik, Croatia, Southern Adriatic Sea. Updated data on the distribution of these epitoniids are provided together with the description of their biocoenosis.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 935-955

    Giovanni Pilato
    Discussion on the morphological and molecular data used in the study of tardigrade systematics
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.935.955

    ABSTRACT
    The tardigrade taxonomy is recently based on morphological and molecular data. Some cases are here discussed starting from the reasons that lead to consider the family Hexapodibiidae a valid taxon together with an evaluation on its position within the superfamily Isohypsibioidea. The matters that support the institution of the family Hexapodibiidae also offer the occasion to discuss not only this particular case but, in general, the use of molecular and morphological data in systematic and phylogenetic studies of Tardigrada. In particular, I try to warn against errors of diagnosis of the material used to obtain the molecular sequences, or the use of a low number of data, which could lead to even considerable errors in the construction of the phylogenetic trees.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 957-962

    Stamatios Kalogiannis & Platon Stefanopoulos
    Like pieces in a puzzle: first record of Hierophis gemonensis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia Colubridae) on Skiathos island (Northern Sporades, Greece)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.957.962

    ABSTRACT
    The Balkan racer, Hierophis gemonensis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia Colubridae) is a widespread colubrid snake in mainland Greece, with a rather irregular distribution across the Greek islands. Previous records from the Northern Sporades were limited to the islands of Tsougrias, Aspronisi, and Skopelos. In this note, we document the first recorded occurrence of H. gemonensis on Skiathos island and provide an updated assessment of its distribution within the Northern Sporades archipelago. We discuss the implications of this new record for understanding the species’ biogeography in the region and the potential factors influencing its island distribution.