Maria Therese Vogel, Richard C. Moore, Vivian Negrón-Ortiz
Hymenocallis henryae is a rare, charismatic spider lily endemic to the Florida panhandle. Currently under review to determine if listing under the Endangered Species Act is warranted, this species has undescribed genetic diversity, information crucial to the listing process. We conducted field observations of 21 historic populations across the species’ geographical range and performed genomic analyses of 279 individuals from 19 extant populations. Most populations had fewer than 40 individuals, while populations with >100 individuals were found exclusively on managed lands. Genetic diversity was uniformly low within populations (HE: 0.074–0.093), with low to moderate inbreeding coefficients (FIS: 0.068–0.431). Genetic differentiation was relatively low among most populations (FST: 0–0.098), although there was statistical support for isolation by distance. In addition, we found high genetic similarity and lack of population structure across the species range. Clonal propagation through fused bulbs is a common reproductive strategy. We confirmed current threats (habitat change, residential development, fire suppression) and identified several coastal populations threatened by sea level rise. It is recommended to continue with in situ protection and management as well as the establishment of ex situ living collections to preserve populations most at risk of extirpation from habitat loss and degradation.
{"title":"Genetic Variation among Rare Florida Endemic Hymenocallis henryae Populations and the Implication for Conservation and Management","authors":"Maria Therese Vogel, Richard C. Moore, Vivian Negrón-Ortiz","doi":"10.3390/d16080465","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080465","url":null,"abstract":"Hymenocallis henryae is a rare, charismatic spider lily endemic to the Florida panhandle. Currently under review to determine if listing under the Endangered Species Act is warranted, this species has undescribed genetic diversity, information crucial to the listing process. We conducted field observations of 21 historic populations across the species’ geographical range and performed genomic analyses of 279 individuals from 19 extant populations. Most populations had fewer than 40 individuals, while populations with >100 individuals were found exclusively on managed lands. Genetic diversity was uniformly low within populations (HE: 0.074–0.093), with low to moderate inbreeding coefficients (FIS: 0.068–0.431). Genetic differentiation was relatively low among most populations (FST: 0–0.098), although there was statistical support for isolation by distance. In addition, we found high genetic similarity and lack of population structure across the species range. Clonal propagation through fused bulbs is a common reproductive strategy. We confirmed current threats (habitat change, residential development, fire suppression) and identified several coastal populations threatened by sea level rise. It is recommended to continue with in situ protection and management as well as the establishment of ex situ living collections to preserve populations most at risk of extirpation from habitat loss and degradation.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dung beetles are important ecosystem engineers as they bury manure produced by animals and contribute to nutrient cycling. This study assessed the impact of four dung beetle species, a roller (Gymnopleurus sturmi) and three tunnelers (Onthophagus vacca, Onthophagus marginalis subsp. andalusicus and Euonthophagus crocatus), on manure removal and soil fertility by using microcosms in a greenhouse setting. The four species contributed significantly to the removal of manure from the soil surface and increased the nutrient content of the soil, notably potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, but the amount varied depending on the species. These results highlight the importance of dung beetles in facilitating soil organic matter and nutrient flows and the need to preserve their populations to support the sustainability of grazing systems.
{"title":"Contribution of Dung Beetles to the Enrichment of Soil with Organic Matter and Nutrients under Controlled Conditions","authors":"Hasnae Hajji, Abdellatif Janati-Idrissi, Abdelkhaleq Fouzi Taybi, Jean-Pierre Lumaret, Youness Mabrouki","doi":"10.3390/d16080462","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080462","url":null,"abstract":"Dung beetles are important ecosystem engineers as they bury manure produced by animals and contribute to nutrient cycling. This study assessed the impact of four dung beetle species, a roller (Gymnopleurus sturmi) and three tunnelers (Onthophagus vacca, Onthophagus marginalis subsp. andalusicus and Euonthophagus crocatus), on manure removal and soil fertility by using microcosms in a greenhouse setting. The four species contributed significantly to the removal of manure from the soil surface and increased the nutrient content of the soil, notably potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, but the amount varied depending on the species. These results highlight the importance of dung beetles in facilitating soil organic matter and nutrient flows and the need to preserve their populations to support the sustainability of grazing systems.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fritillaria spp., comprising perennial bulbous plants of significant medicinal and ornamental value, face high endangerment in their natural habitats. Despite their importance, the reproductive characteristics and adaptive evolution mechanisms of these species remain incompletely understood. This study focused on the pollination strategies and reproductive biology of Fritillaria imperialis L. The research was conducted at the Erzincan Horticultural Research Institute in Türkiye. Our investigation categorized the flowering process of F. imperialis into nine distinct phases. Through comprehensive assessments of the pollen/ovule ratio, self-incompatibility index (SII), and ex situ pollination experiments, we observed high levels of self-incompatibility and allogamy in F. imperialis. Our findings revealed that pollination of F. imperialis primarily relied on pollen vectors, with Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris identified as the most effective pollinators. Furthermore, average seed set rate, seed production, and seed viability were quantified at 80.5%, 228 seeds, and 86.3%, respectively. The average numbers of pollen viability and pollen grains were measured at 93% and 702,000, respectively. This comprehensive analysis of the reproductive biology of F. imperialis provides crucial insights for the conservation and genetic management of this highly valuable species. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the reproductive strategies employed by Fritillaria spp., which may inform future conservation efforts and breeding programs for these endangered plants.
{"title":"Pollination Strategies and Reproductive Biology of Fritillaria imperialis L. (Liliaceae): Insights from Erzincan, Türkiye","authors":"Faruk Yildiz, Meral Aslay, Ozkan Kaya","doi":"10.3390/d16080455","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080455","url":null,"abstract":"Fritillaria spp., comprising perennial bulbous plants of significant medicinal and ornamental value, face high endangerment in their natural habitats. Despite their importance, the reproductive characteristics and adaptive evolution mechanisms of these species remain incompletely understood. This study focused on the pollination strategies and reproductive biology of Fritillaria imperialis L. The research was conducted at the Erzincan Horticultural Research Institute in Türkiye. Our investigation categorized the flowering process of F. imperialis into nine distinct phases. Through comprehensive assessments of the pollen/ovule ratio, self-incompatibility index (SII), and ex situ pollination experiments, we observed high levels of self-incompatibility and allogamy in F. imperialis. Our findings revealed that pollination of F. imperialis primarily relied on pollen vectors, with Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris identified as the most effective pollinators. Furthermore, average seed set rate, seed production, and seed viability were quantified at 80.5%, 228 seeds, and 86.3%, respectively. The average numbers of pollen viability and pollen grains were measured at 93% and 702,000, respectively. This comprehensive analysis of the reproductive biology of F. imperialis provides crucial insights for the conservation and genetic management of this highly valuable species. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the reproductive strategies employed by Fritillaria spp., which may inform future conservation efforts and breeding programs for these endangered plants.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Takalani Nelufule, Tshifhiwa C. Thenga, Tinyiko C. Shivambu, Ndivhuwo Shivambu, Moleseng C. Moshobane, Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai, Tshifhiwa C. Nangammbi
Urban protected biodiversity areas conserve some of the world’s critically endangered and isolated biodiversity while providing essential ecosystem services. However, these urban habitats are threatened by the presence of alien and invasive plants. We studied alien plant species richness and identified the potential predictors in urban protected biodiversity areas in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. Data on alien plant species were collected through surveys and consultations with protected area managers. We determined the relationship between the observed species richness and potential alien plant species predictors, such as area size, number of visitors, proximity to residential areas, and the year the reserve was proclaimed. We documented 574 records of 189 alien plant species from 60 families across 14 protected areas. Phanerophytes were the most common (46.5%), with many species native to South America, North America, and Africa. Most species have formed naturalised populations (67.7%), followed by invasive populations (20.6%) and casual populations (12%), posing future invasion threats. Most species (55.5%) were introduced as ornamental plants, with many of these species forming invasive populations. Half the recorded species were listed under the NEM:BA A&IS regulations, mostly categorized as 1b. Our findings indicate that the annual number of visitors strongly predicted alien plant species richness in urban protected areas. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was observed between species richness and the proximity to residential areas and years since the proclamation. Understanding the distribution patterns and predictors of species richness is crucial in monitoring invasive alien species and conserving biodiversity in urban environments.
{"title":"Alien Plant Species Richness in Urban Protected Biodiversity Areas: A Case Study of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa","authors":"Takalani Nelufule, Tshifhiwa C. Thenga, Tinyiko C. Shivambu, Ndivhuwo Shivambu, Moleseng C. Moshobane, Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai, Tshifhiwa C. Nangammbi","doi":"10.3390/d16080461","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080461","url":null,"abstract":"Urban protected biodiversity areas conserve some of the world’s critically endangered and isolated biodiversity while providing essential ecosystem services. However, these urban habitats are threatened by the presence of alien and invasive plants. We studied alien plant species richness and identified the potential predictors in urban protected biodiversity areas in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. Data on alien plant species were collected through surveys and consultations with protected area managers. We determined the relationship between the observed species richness and potential alien plant species predictors, such as area size, number of visitors, proximity to residential areas, and the year the reserve was proclaimed. We documented 574 records of 189 alien plant species from 60 families across 14 protected areas. Phanerophytes were the most common (46.5%), with many species native to South America, North America, and Africa. Most species have formed naturalised populations (67.7%), followed by invasive populations (20.6%) and casual populations (12%), posing future invasion threats. Most species (55.5%) were introduced as ornamental plants, with many of these species forming invasive populations. Half the recorded species were listed under the NEM:BA A&IS regulations, mostly categorized as 1b. Our findings indicate that the annual number of visitors strongly predicted alien plant species richness in urban protected areas. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was observed between species richness and the proximity to residential areas and years since the proclamation. Understanding the distribution patterns and predictors of species richness is crucial in monitoring invasive alien species and conserving biodiversity in urban environments.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jesús Palacios, Carlos Sánchez-García, Pablo Santos, Mariano Rodríguez, José L. Gutiérrez, Ana Martínez, José Á. Arranz, David Cubero, Víctor Salvador, María C. Belver, José F. Carreño, Hipólito Hernández, María J. Rodríguez, Raúl E. Tizado-Núñez, E. Jorge Tizado
The Pyrenean grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) is an endangered and insufficiently studied galliform occurring in upland habitats dominated by shrublands in Spain, France, and Andorra. Aiming to develop tailored management to favour the species, we studied the effect of habitat management on a partridge population located in Zamora province within the Galician–Duero mountains as part of a long-term project promoted by the regional government (Junta Castilla y León). Management was based on carrying out conservation and recovery of optimal habitats through clearing shrublands (either plots or linear) distributed in a “core area” of 45 km2, conducting tracks with beaters and pointing dogs during autumn in three areas, and comparing the partridge abundance before (2000–2006) and after (2007–2023) management. Habitat management increased partridge abundance values in two areas (1.46 and 1.68 times higher) and had no effect on the remaining one. The pattern of grey partridge abundance during the study was irregular and not influenced by the weather, and the highest abundance values were reached 8–10 years after habitat measures were implemented for the first time. Habitat management allowed high autumn abundance to be reached (mean kilometre abundance values of 2.94 and 3.74 birds/km in two areas), while the mean number of birds per family group was not affected by management (nine birds/group). When aiming to recover Pyrenean grey partridge populations, habitat management should be based on the conservation and management of shrublands to provide mixed habitats in the medium and long term, ensuring regular partridge monitoring.
{"title":"Population Response to Habitat Management from an Endangered Galliform: The Pyrenean Grey Partridge Recovery Project in Lago de Sanabria (2000–2023)","authors":"Jesús Palacios, Carlos Sánchez-García, Pablo Santos, Mariano Rodríguez, José L. Gutiérrez, Ana Martínez, José Á. Arranz, David Cubero, Víctor Salvador, María C. Belver, José F. Carreño, Hipólito Hernández, María J. Rodríguez, Raúl E. Tizado-Núñez, E. Jorge Tizado","doi":"10.3390/d16080459","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080459","url":null,"abstract":"The Pyrenean grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) is an endangered and insufficiently studied galliform occurring in upland habitats dominated by shrublands in Spain, France, and Andorra. Aiming to develop tailored management to favour the species, we studied the effect of habitat management on a partridge population located in Zamora province within the Galician–Duero mountains as part of a long-term project promoted by the regional government (Junta Castilla y León). Management was based on carrying out conservation and recovery of optimal habitats through clearing shrublands (either plots or linear) distributed in a “core area” of 45 km2, conducting tracks with beaters and pointing dogs during autumn in three areas, and comparing the partridge abundance before (2000–2006) and after (2007–2023) management. Habitat management increased partridge abundance values in two areas (1.46 and 1.68 times higher) and had no effect on the remaining one. The pattern of grey partridge abundance during the study was irregular and not influenced by the weather, and the highest abundance values were reached 8–10 years after habitat measures were implemented for the first time. Habitat management allowed high autumn abundance to be reached (mean kilometre abundance values of 2.94 and 3.74 birds/km in two areas), while the mean number of birds per family group was not affected by management (nine birds/group). When aiming to recover Pyrenean grey partridge populations, habitat management should be based on the conservation and management of shrublands to provide mixed habitats in the medium and long term, ensuring regular partridge monitoring.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Loving Musubaho, Léon Iyongo, Jean-Claude Mukinzi, Alain Mukiranya, Jasmin Mutahinga, Gabriel Badjedjea, Luc Lango, Jan Bogaert
This article provides the first data on amphibian diversity in the Yoko Forest Reserve, located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During twenty-four field sampling campaigns organized over a period of twelve months, amphibians were collected from nocturnal surveys supported by three techniques: visual spotting using a headlamp, systematic searching of habitats and acoustic hearing of vocalizations. A total of 5707 amphibians in 10 families, 17 genera and 33 species were recorded throughout the study area. The Hyperoliidae and Arthroleptidae families were the most diverse, with Amnirana albolabris (Ranidae) the most abundant species, followed by Phrynobatrachus auritus (Phrynobatrachidae). By contrast, Afrixalus quadrivittatus, A. equatorialis, Arthroleptis tuberosus, A. variabilis, Cryptothylax greshoffi, Hyperolius langi, H. ocellatus, H. parallelus, Hyperolius sp., Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Kassina maculosa, Leptopelis calcaratus, Nectophryne batesii, Phrynobatrachus perpalmatus, Sclerophrys gracilipes and S. gutturalis were less frequent. For the first time, Amietia nutti and Kassina maculosa have been reported in Congolese forests. Amphibian species known from the YFRE are widely distributed in Central African forests, and particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where A. equatorialis, H. langi, H. parallelus and Ptychadena christyi are endemic.
{"title":"Diversity and Endemism of Amphibian Fauna in the Yoko Forest Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo","authors":"Loving Musubaho, Léon Iyongo, Jean-Claude Mukinzi, Alain Mukiranya, Jasmin Mutahinga, Gabriel Badjedjea, Luc Lango, Jan Bogaert","doi":"10.3390/d16080457","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080457","url":null,"abstract":"This article provides the first data on amphibian diversity in the Yoko Forest Reserve, located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During twenty-four field sampling campaigns organized over a period of twelve months, amphibians were collected from nocturnal surveys supported by three techniques: visual spotting using a headlamp, systematic searching of habitats and acoustic hearing of vocalizations. A total of 5707 amphibians in 10 families, 17 genera and 33 species were recorded throughout the study area. The Hyperoliidae and Arthroleptidae families were the most diverse, with Amnirana albolabris (Ranidae) the most abundant species, followed by Phrynobatrachus auritus (Phrynobatrachidae). By contrast, Afrixalus quadrivittatus, A. equatorialis, Arthroleptis tuberosus, A. variabilis, Cryptothylax greshoffi, Hyperolius langi, H. ocellatus, H. parallelus, Hyperolius sp., Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Kassina maculosa, Leptopelis calcaratus, Nectophryne batesii, Phrynobatrachus perpalmatus, Sclerophrys gracilipes and S. gutturalis were less frequent. For the first time, Amietia nutti and Kassina maculosa have been reported in Congolese forests. Amphibian species known from the YFRE are widely distributed in Central African forests, and particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where A. equatorialis, H. langi, H. parallelus and Ptychadena christyi are endemic.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amy K. Summersgill, Şerban Procheş, Syd Ramdhani, Sandun J. Perera
Beetles represent the most diverse group of living organisms on Earth, yet there has been very little in the way of using beetle distributions in bioregionalization exercises. Here, we combine several small data sets for beetle distributions in South Africa to produce a list of morphospecies and to analyze their presence within twenty geographic units spanning the entire country. We find a diversity of fine scale assemblages in the east, but also a disjunction between the western arid/winter-rainfall and eastern summer-rainfall half of the country, which is in line with several previous studies based on diverse groups of animals and plants. We recommend the use of the increasing citizen science data sets in studying biogeographic patterns in groups such as beetles, which have so far received limited attention.
{"title":"A Bioregionalization of South Africa Based on Beetles (Coleoptera)","authors":"Amy K. Summersgill, Şerban Procheş, Syd Ramdhani, Sandun J. Perera","doi":"10.3390/d16080454","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080454","url":null,"abstract":"Beetles represent the most diverse group of living organisms on Earth, yet there has been very little in the way of using beetle distributions in bioregionalization exercises. Here, we combine several small data sets for beetle distributions in South Africa to produce a list of morphospecies and to analyze their presence within twenty geographic units spanning the entire country. We find a diversity of fine scale assemblages in the east, but also a disjunction between the western arid/winter-rainfall and eastern summer-rainfall half of the country, which is in line with several previous studies based on diverse groups of animals and plants. We recommend the use of the increasing citizen science data sets in studying biogeographic patterns in groups such as beetles, which have so far received limited attention.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In this study, we conducted a field survey in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, to clarify whether rodent activity is affected by the presence or absence of dead culms of the dwarf bamboo Sasa borealis, a species characterized by a 120-year cycle of large-scale flowering, seeding, and dying. We found that a relatively larger number of wood mice, Apodemus speciosus and Apodemus argenteus, were caught using Sherman live traps in areas with dead S. borealis culms than in areas lacking the culms, thereby indicating that S. borealis culms, even if dead and leafless, can function as shelters in which the mice can evade predation. However, in the years when A. speciosus was abundant, A. argenteus avoided areas inhabited by A. speciosus and was restricted to areas lacking dead culms, which were devoid of shelter. A feeding experiment using Castanea crenata acorns clearly revealed that a larger number of acorns were foraged by mice in areas containing dead culms. Moreover, in the area with dead culms, the mice preferentially removed sound acorns prior to taking acorns that had been vacated by infesting moth larvae. These findings indicate that the shelter function of dead culms enables mice to carefully select sound acorns, which are nutritionally more beneficial than those that have been infested by moth larvae.
{"title":"Wood Mice Utilize Understory Vegetation of Leafless Dead Dwarf Bamboo Culms as a Habitat and Foraging Site","authors":"Rui Kajita, Hisashi Kajimura","doi":"10.3390/d16080458","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080458","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, we conducted a field survey in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, to clarify whether rodent activity is affected by the presence or absence of dead culms of the dwarf bamboo Sasa borealis, a species characterized by a 120-year cycle of large-scale flowering, seeding, and dying. We found that a relatively larger number of wood mice, Apodemus speciosus and Apodemus argenteus, were caught using Sherman live traps in areas with dead S. borealis culms than in areas lacking the culms, thereby indicating that S. borealis culms, even if dead and leafless, can function as shelters in which the mice can evade predation. However, in the years when A. speciosus was abundant, A. argenteus avoided areas inhabited by A. speciosus and was restricted to areas lacking dead culms, which were devoid of shelter. A feeding experiment using Castanea crenata acorns clearly revealed that a larger number of acorns were foraged by mice in areas containing dead culms. Moreover, in the area with dead culms, the mice preferentially removed sound acorns prior to taking acorns that had been vacated by infesting moth larvae. These findings indicate that the shelter function of dead culms enables mice to carefully select sound acorns, which are nutritionally more beneficial than those that have been infested by moth larvae.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dakyum Roh, Seongjun Kim, Hyung-Sub Kim, Seung Hyun Han, Gaeun Kim, Yowhan Son
The effect of invertebrates like termites and beetle larvae on dead wood could be time-dependent due to changes in wood traits and invertebrate species composition over time. This study assessed changes in the impact of termites and beetle larvae on dead wood decomposition in two tree species, Pinus densiflora and Quercus acutissima, in South Korea over a 6-year period (2016–2022). Wood samples were prepared, with half of them encased in a stainless-steel mesh to prevent access by invertebrates larger than 0.26 mm. These samples were placed in three regions representative of different environments in South Korea (southern, eastern, and western). Significant variations in the mass loss of dead wood were observed based on the tree species, region, and time (p < 0.05). The mean standardized invertebrate effect, assessed with Hedges’ d and a 95% confidence interval, was 0.83 ± 2.19 for P. densiflora and 1.08 ± 2.26 for Q. acutissima. Termites were found in the southern and western regions, with the highest invertebrate effect after two years. Our results indicate that the influence of invertebrates, especially termites, on dead wood decomposition could be most significant during the initial decomposition stages, as noted in the southern region of this research.
{"title":"The Effects of Termites and Beetle Larvae on the Decomposition of Pinus densiflora and Quercus acutissima in South Korea over a 6-Year Period","authors":"Dakyum Roh, Seongjun Kim, Hyung-Sub Kim, Seung Hyun Han, Gaeun Kim, Yowhan Son","doi":"10.3390/d16080452","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080452","url":null,"abstract":"The effect of invertebrates like termites and beetle larvae on dead wood could be time-dependent due to changes in wood traits and invertebrate species composition over time. This study assessed changes in the impact of termites and beetle larvae on dead wood decomposition in two tree species, Pinus densiflora and Quercus acutissima, in South Korea over a 6-year period (2016–2022). Wood samples were prepared, with half of them encased in a stainless-steel mesh to prevent access by invertebrates larger than 0.26 mm. These samples were placed in three regions representative of different environments in South Korea (southern, eastern, and western). Significant variations in the mass loss of dead wood were observed based on the tree species, region, and time (p < 0.05). The mean standardized invertebrate effect, assessed with Hedges’ d and a 95% confidence interval, was 0.83 ± 2.19 for P. densiflora and 1.08 ± 2.26 for Q. acutissima. Termites were found in the southern and western regions, with the highest invertebrate effect after two years. Our results indicate that the influence of invertebrates, especially termites, on dead wood decomposition could be most significant during the initial decomposition stages, as noted in the southern region of this research.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anna Rose, Marie Tuchtfeldt, Robin Lammers, Johanna Rode-White, Matthias Markolf, Theo Pagel, Dennis Rödder, Thomas Ziegler
Madagascar, as one of the global biodiversity hotspots, hosts numerous unique terrestrial mammal species that need urgent protection. To identify priority species for conservation, an updated list of terrestrial Malagasy mammal species was compiled, including their threat status, distribution, endemism level, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listing, and Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) score. An overview of these species kept in zoos worldwide was created using the Zoological Information Management System and Zootierliste to assess ex situ conservation efforts. Nearly 60% of the 212 native terrestrial mammal species are threatened with extinction, with 18% being regional endemics, 39% microendemics, and 42% endemics. The majority of these species (92%) occur within protected areas. About half of Madagascar’s mammals are listed under CITES, and less than half have an EDGE score. Only 34 species are kept in zoos globally, with 26 Red-Listed as threatened. Nine out of seventeen families are not represented in zoos. A total of 1545 institutions, primarily in Europe and North America, keep Malagasy mammal species, with successful reproduction reported for 28 species in the last 12 months, 23 of them listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. To maximize conservation, we recommend reallocating resources towards priority species and implementing concerted ex situ and in situ actions as proposed by the IUCN’s One Plan Approach.
{"title":"Prioritising Ex Situ Conservation for Malagasy Mammal Species in Line with IUCN’s ‘One Plan Approach to Conservation’","authors":"Anna Rose, Marie Tuchtfeldt, Robin Lammers, Johanna Rode-White, Matthias Markolf, Theo Pagel, Dennis Rödder, Thomas Ziegler","doi":"10.3390/d16080456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080456","url":null,"abstract":"Madagascar, as one of the global biodiversity hotspots, hosts numerous unique terrestrial mammal species that need urgent protection. To identify priority species for conservation, an updated list of terrestrial Malagasy mammal species was compiled, including their threat status, distribution, endemism level, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listing, and Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) score. An overview of these species kept in zoos worldwide was created using the Zoological Information Management System and Zootierliste to assess ex situ conservation efforts. Nearly 60% of the 212 native terrestrial mammal species are threatened with extinction, with 18% being regional endemics, 39% microendemics, and 42% endemics. The majority of these species (92%) occur within protected areas. About half of Madagascar’s mammals are listed under CITES, and less than half have an EDGE score. Only 34 species are kept in zoos globally, with 26 Red-Listed as threatened. Nine out of seventeen families are not represented in zoos. A total of 1545 institutions, primarily in Europe and North America, keep Malagasy mammal species, with successful reproduction reported for 28 species in the last 12 months, 23 of them listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. To maximize conservation, we recommend reallocating resources towards priority species and implementing concerted ex situ and in situ actions as proposed by the IUCN’s One Plan Approach.","PeriodicalId":501149,"journal":{"name":"Diversity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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