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A New Species of Elpidium (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from Bromeliad and Non-bromeliad Phytotelmata in the Northeast of Argentina
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A new species of the ostracod genus Elpidium (Timiriaseviinae), a group almost exclusively known from Neotropical bromeliad phytotelmata, is here described and illustrated from the northeast of Argentina. Elpidium chacoense n. sp. represents the first record of the genus in this country and brings the total of described Elpidium species to 19. In view of the recently increased knowledge on the distribution of the species in this Neotropical genus, we discuss potential drivers of speciation that might have led to the high (endemic) diversity of the group: allopatry in bromeliad islands, sexual selection and putative co-evolution between ostracod and bromeliad species. We also point out the biogeographical relevance of the present records, which are amongst the most southern of the genus. Finally, also the fact that species of Elpidium can now also be found in non-bromeliad phytotelmata is of relevance.
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Accounting for interspecies and intraspecies variation in swimming performance for fish passage solutions
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Across the globe, there are millions of in-stream structures that fragment the world'’s river networks, acting as barriers that can impede the movements of fish. Designing effective solutions to accommodate fish communities requires information about the swimming abilities and behaviours of all species. This should account for different swimming modes, abilities, behaviours, and niches. We investigated the swimming speeds of nine migratory New Zealand species to assess both inter- and intraspecies variation. We then calculated maximum traversable speeds for culverts of a given length, based on the endurance abilities of our lowest performing species (Galaxias maculatus). Our findings reveal significant inter- and intraspecies variation in swimming speeds. Among the species studied, Galaxias brevipinnis, Galaxias argenteus, and Galaxias postvectis were the strongest swimmers. In contrast, Galaxias maculatus was one of the weakest swimmers. Body length positively correlated with Umax indicating that fish passage barriers select against the weakest swimming species, as well as smaller individuals within a species. Maximum water speeds in a culvert must be lower than 0.3 m s−-1, the previously assumed standard rule-of-thumb for New Zealand, to provide adequate passage for a high proportion of a weak-swimming indicator species (Galaxias maculatus). Synthesis and applications: . Previous maximum traversable water speeds for fish passage designs have been based on average swimming ability, but this approach only enables fish that are better than the average swimmers of their species to overcome barriers. This study highlights the importance of evidence-based designs for successful fish passage solutions to account for the ability of all fish. By considering differences between and within species, rather than assuming a “‘one-size-fits-all” ’ approach we can develop more effective passage solutions that better preserve fish communities.
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A process-based approach to assess the health of the marine environment
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Ocean sustainability entails the management of marine ecosystems and their services. Monitoring and evaluation of the health of the sea is challenged by the complexity of the marine environment, whose multitude and interconnected aspects, together with the lack of comprehensive models, make the understanding of its functioning a very arduous endeavour. Observations are costly and time-consuming. For this reason, a European joint action, named Science for Good Environmental Status, tested a new approach to monitor and evaluate effectively the state of health of the sea. This approach is based on the identification of driving physical processes that are present in the sea basins and directing the observation strategy to be designed on the basis of preliminary space–time information and patterns. The proof-of-concept of this approach has been implemented offshore of the Belgian coast in an attempt to achieve ecosystem assessments with targeted data collection methods requiring a reduced combination of variables. The proposed approach can impact monitoring activities implemented by those countries aiming to fulfil the requests of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive. A map of EU marine areas to further test this process-based approach is also provided.
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Implications of extensive addition of new sea star mitogenomes for sea star phylogenetics and evolution (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)
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Despite their ecological and evolutionary interests, the phylogeny of Asteroidea (sea stars) is still subject to debate at several taxonomic levels. In the present study, we assemble new mitochondrial genomes for 15 species, including three newly characterized families (Odontasteridae, Poraniidae, and Stichasteridae) and representing an important addition for two orders (Velatida and Spinulosida). By analysing them alongside the 31 previously available mitogenomes, we evaluate mitogenomic variation (mitogenome organization and phylogenetic relationships) within the class. Gene order and sizes were concordant with previous studies. However, an alternative initiation codon (ATT for NAD1) was found in two Pterasteridae species. Evolutionary patterns between orders provided some interesting insights (e.g. Spinulosida as the sister-group to the Valvatida + Paxillosida), but the most novel patterns were observed among families (e.g. close relationships of Stichasteridae and Paulasteriidae; close relationships of Odontasteridae and Poraniidae; Brisingidae and Freyellidae as sister-group to the Asteriidae, Paulasteridae, and Stichasteridae). Finally, we found Pterasteridae to be paraphyletic, which could lead to the incorporation of Myxasteridae within Pterasteridae. Altogether, this study confirms that mitogenomes provide valuable and cost-effective markers to complement evolutionary patterns derived from nuclear data.
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Role of windbreaks on ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) conservation in a cotton-growing agroecosystem of the humid savannah in Togo
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Intensive agriculture and monoculture lead to significant reduction, or loss, of the initial biodiversity. This reduction or loss of biodiversity, can be mitigated by the presence of windbreaks around the fields that serve not only as natural barrier against adverse weather conditions but also as refuge for critical organisms. The aim of this study was to determine the role of natural windbreaks in the conservation of ants at the Experimental Station of the Centre de Recherche Agronomique de la Savane Humide in Kolokop´e (Togo). Ants’ diversity was assessed in two cotton fields and their surrounding natural windbreaks using pitfall traps and monolith method in 100 m x 2 m transects. In total, 58 ant species belonging to 22 genera in six subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Dorylinae, For- micinae, Myrmicinae, Ponerinae and Proceratinae) were identified. The species richness of ants was higher in the windbreaks (43 and 36 species) than the cotton fields (15 and 19). The occurrence of ants was also higher in the windbreaks (35.65 % and 36.24 %) than the cotton fields (11.69 % and 16.42 %). Thirty-four out of the 58 species were sampled exclusively in the windbreaks, compared to only two species exclusively sampled in the cotton fields (Crematogaster sp.3 and Lepisiota sp.3), while only three species were common for all the habitats (Camponotus flavomarginatus Mayr, 1862, Tetramorium sp.1 and Tetramorium simillimum (Smith, 1851)). The study shows that ants were more diversified and active in the windbreaks than the cotton fields. Windbreaks, characterized by less anthropic disturbance, could function as refuge for ants within this agroecosystem.
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Familie-indeling en diversiteit van wespen (Hymenoptera) in de Lage Landen
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De classificatie van de families van de orde Hymenoptera is de afgelopen vijf jaar aanzienlijk veranderd, onder meer door meer moleculair onderzoek. De evolutionaire geschiedenis van de orde wordt ook steeds duidelijker. Op basis van onderzoek uit recente literatuur en in lijn met nieuwe inzichten presenteren wij een nieuw familieoverzicht voor Nederland en België. In Nederland en België zijn vertegenwoordigers gevonden van 88 families. Om een idee te krijgen van de diversiteit van de verschillende families wordt een overzicht gegeven van het aantal genera en het (geschatte) aantal soorten voor elke familie. Deze cijfers zijn gebaseerd op literatuuronderzoek, websites of deskundig oordeel van specialisten. Een groot aantal foto’s toont de enorme soortendiversiteit van de wespen. Er valt echter ook in beide landen nog veel te ontdekken, vooral in de Parasitica-groep.
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107 Ants in the clouds: A preliminary checklist of the ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) fauna of a Honduran cloud forest ecosystem, featuring a key to country genera
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Ant diversity in tropical montane rainforests is globally understudied. This is true for Cusuco National Park (CNP), a cloud forest ecosystem in northwestern Honduras that supports geographically isolated and threatened habitats. The current study presents the first comprehensive ant species checklist for CNP, which is also the first ant check- list for Honduras in over a century. Species records from several projects are also com- bined and presented. Sampling occurred along an elevational range (mainly between 1170 and 2030 m a.s.l.), with methodologies and intensities varying among projects and dates. Overall, 162 ant species belonging to nine subfamilies and 60 genera are reported from the CNP. Five species are recorded for the first time in Honduras (Pheidole natalie Longino, 2019; Strumigenys cf. calamita; Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972; Solenopsis tex- ana/carolinensis; Pseudomyrmex pallens Mayr, 1870). For the first time, male individuals are reported in Pheidole balatro Longino, 2019. For each species, we provide informa- tion on observed habitat preference, elevational range, and sampling technique. Species accumulation curves are provided for each sample technique, representing sampling intensity and community sample coverage. We also provide a key to the ant genera of Honduras to aid future taxonomic efforts in the country. Our research demonstrates that CNP harbours a surprisingly rich diversity of ant species, despite its small area, similar to many other taxa in the park. The information provided here represents baseline infor- mation for future work on ants in CNP and other Honduran cloud forests and will help guide research in these otherwise poorly explored yet highly threatened ecosystems.
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Estimation of Mud and Sand Fractions and Total Concentration From Coupled Optical‐Acoustic Sensors
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L’occupation humaine du Grognon à Namur au Mésolithique : résultats préliminaires des études archéobotaniques et archéozoologiques
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Rediscovery of Camponotus herculeanus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Belgium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
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Camponotus herculeanus (Linnaeus, 1758) was rediscovered in Belgium near Ouren. Throughout the spring and summer of 2023, workers were collected on multiple occasions in a Picea abies stand near the Belgian-German boarder.
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