Site prioritisation for the protection of rare subterranean species – the cases of two ostracods from south-western France

1. Delineation of protected areas for rare subterranean species is a key problem for groundwater biodiversity conservation, because of practical difficulties in implementation. Criteria for site selection are presented that are derived from studies on two remarkable Ostracoda, Dolekiella europaea Gidó, Artheau, Colin, Danielopol & Marmonier (Limnocytheridae) and Vestalenula carveli Artheau (Darwinulidae) discovered in south-western France.
2. Arguments for natural heritage value and protection of subterranean species are proposed and illustrated by using information on these two ostracod species. The proposed criteria are: (i) local and/or regional endemism; (ii) known occurrence of the species at a few localities only; (iii) representativeness for ancient phylogenetic lineages with wider geographical distributions in the past; and (iv) suitability for scientific study because of unique morphological or biological traits.
3. It is also proposed to prioritise the protection of subsurface sites using the following criteria: (i) type locality for newly described species; (ii) presence of other rare stygobiotic taxa; and (iii) high population densities of the primary target species.
4. Development and implementation of protection strategies at local scale are likely to benefit from collaboration between scientists, policy makers and stakeholders. The measures taken should complement existing national and/or international attempts at large-scale protection of groundwater biodiversity.     

Biodiversity and distribution of water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) in spring habitats

1. The distribution, species richness and ecology of spring‐dwelling water mites in Italy were investigated with the aim to better elucidate the role of spring habitats to sustain high levels of biodiversity and their contribution to freshwater biodiversity at a local and regional scale. 2. More than 300 springs in different geographic areas (Alps, Central and Southern Apennines, Sicily and Sardinia), were examined with a total of 163 water mite species recorded. 3. Species richness in each area ranged from 33 species on Sardinia to 77 on Sicily. The highest diversity was found in the Gran Sasso (Central Apennines). The proportion of crenobionts (species strictly bound to this type of habitat) exceeded 50% in almost all the areas investigated. 4. A diverse (up to 20 species per spring) and highly specialised mite fauna was observed in undisturbed rheocrenes and in natural springs of intermediate typology (rheohelocrenes and rheopsammocrenes). In springs subjected to human impacts (pasture, deforestation, alteration and transformation of spring sources) species richness declined and crenobionts were replaced by unspecialised crenoxenes. 5. The zoogeographic importance of spring habitats is confirmed by the presence of 18 endemic species and by members of genera with an interesting disjunct and relict distribution. 6. A comparison with other geographic areas suggests that springs contain a significant fraction of the total number of species found in freshwater habitats and may contribute almost one third of regional freshwater biodiversity. The presence of endemic crenobionts and rare taxa highlights the importance of these habitats in maintaining high levels of biodiversity as well as their contribution to a better understanding of biodiversity patterns in freshwaters.     

药用柴胡属植物产地与化学成分相关性研究

从柴胡属植物品种入手,着重介绍药用柴胡属植物的生境分布、不同产地环境因子与柴胡化学成分研究进展,并为将来控制柴胡质量,解决柴胡资源有效途径提供方案.     

Life history, life table, habitat, and conservation of Byasa impediens (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

This article investigates the biology of Byasa impediens, presenting its life-table data and analyzing its habitat requirements and the key factors threatening the survival of this species. This study also aims to detect specific protection methods to guarantee the long-term survival of Byasa impediens in Baishuijiang Reserve. Byasa impediens is bivoltine in Baishuijiang Reserve. The pupae overwinter on shrubs or on branches of trees. The eclosion of the first generation starts in mid-April. The adults of the first generation emerge in large numbers in mid-late May, and the second generation emerges from late June to mid-July. The two generations overlap. The adult males emerge 7–10 days earlier than the adult females. Their flight behavior is determined by factors such as perching along small rivers and gullies, and visiting flowers. The males are strong fliers. On the contrary, the flying ability of the females is weak; therefore, they just visit flowers, mate, and lay eggs near the natal area. The ratio of female to male is 1:4.1. The maximum lifespan of the males is 26 days, with an average of 6.9 days, whereas the maximum lifespan of the females is 21 days, with an average of 7.6 days. The pregnant eggs per female are 31.5 on average. The incubation period of the first generation is 12–14 days, whereas that of the second generation is 7–9 days. The larvae feed mainly on Aristolochia heterophylla. The larval period of the first generation lasts for 30 days with five instars and that of the second generation lasts for 30–40 days with five or six instars. The pupal period of the first generation begins in early June and lasts for 20–26 days whereas for the second generation, it begins between late July and late September. The adults prefer the following nectar plants: Albizzia julibrissin, Bauhinia glauca, Clerodendrum bungei, and Sambucus chinensis. The plant Aristolochia heterophylla is distributed at an altitude of 900–1680 m, and the most suitable range is 1200–1500 m. The host plants grow mainly along the paths and along the borders of forests where the canopy is rather open and shrubby undergrowth is found. The plant can hardly be found when the canopy density of the forest is greater than 80%. The elevation range most suitable for the larvae is 1200–1500 m. The ideal habitat of host plants also seems to be the ideal habitat of Byasa impediens. The key factors that adversely affect the population of Byasa impediens are loss and deterioration of habitats. The loss and deterioration of the habitats result in a decrease in the numbers of host plants and a more restricted distribution of the potential habitats. The habitat is easily influenced by anthropogenic activities, such as herding, cultivating, and using pesticides, which in turn influences the growth of the host plant Aristolochia heterophylla and the larvae of butterflies. Abnormal climatic conditions and natural enemies are the key factors affecting population density. The hot and dry weather in summer and the heavy rain in autumn considerably reduce the survival rate of eggs and larvae. The ichneumon parasitoids reduce the survival rate of the over-wintering pupae. The primary natural enemies of the larvae include spiders, earwigs, wasps, bugs, and ichneumon parasitoids. Other natural enemies of pupae and adults are birds. The most important conservation measures are preservation and reconstruction of the natural habitat, which includes rebuilding forests, enhancing management, enforcing existing laws, and developing eco-tourism. Creating a core-patch near all patches at a central area is also an important measure for conservation. In the most ideal habitat, appropriate shrub cutting can increase the growth of host plants, thereby promoting expansion of the Byasa impediens population.     

Conservation value of degraded habitats for forest birds in southern Peninsular Malaysia

Clearance of tropical forest for agricultural purposes is generally assumed to seriously threaten the survival of forest species. In this study, we quantified the conservation value, for forest bird species, of three degraded habitat types in Peninsular Malaysia, namely rubber tree plantations, oil palm plantations, and open areas. We surveyed these degraded habitats using point counts to estimate their forest bird species richness and abundance. We assessed whether richness, abundance, and activities of different avian dietary groups (i.e. insectivores and frugivores) varied among the habitats. We identified the critical habitat elements that accounted for the distribution of forest avifauna in these degraded habitats. Our results showed that these habitats harboured a moderate fraction of forest avifauna (approximately 46–76 species) and their functions were complementary (i.e. rubber tree plantations for moving; open habitats for perching; shrubs in oil palm plantations for foraging). In terms of species richness and abundance, rubber tree plantations were more important than oil palm plantations and open habitats. The relatively high species richness of this agricultural landscape was partly due to the contiguity of our study areas with extensive forest areas. Forecasts of forest-species presence under various canopy cover scenarios suggest that leaving isolated trees among non-arboreal crops could greatly attract relatively tolerant species that require tree canopy. The conservation value of degraded habitats in agricultural landscapes seems to depend on factors such as the type of crops planted and distance to primary forest remnants.     

条纹短攀鲈的交配习性和筑巢生境

条纹短攀鲈栖息于静止、植被茂密、靠近稻田和池塘边缘的浅水中。本文研究了它在泰国稻田和小池塘两种生境中的繁殖特征。与池塘相比,稻田筑巢地的pH值、溶解氧的含量和温度较高,而电导、溶解的固体物浓度较低,水也较浅。稻田中的种群密度低于池塘。雄性个体的体重和体长均大于雌性个体,且其体重与体长和体宽正相关,但雌性个体的体重仅与体长正相关;泡巢的面积与雄性个体的体长和重量均不相关。繁殖期间,条纹短攀鲈雌、雄个体交尾多次。每次交尾产卵3.74±1.02(Mean±SD)粒,每个繁殖季节交尾84±12.97次;在一个持续178±51.17min的产卵时段里,条纹短攀鲈平均产卵314±109.77粒。鱼苗孵化需30.75±0.55h,2日龄个体的大小平均为3.21±0.29mm。     

Comparing Relative Model Fit of Several Species-Accumulation Functions to Local Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea Butterfly Inventories of Mediterranean Habitats

When compiling an inventory of hyperdiverse taxa, it is impossible to record the total number of species during fieldwork. To ensure the accuracy of species-richness data it is necessary to assess the reliability of inventories. Accumulation curves are an easy method for doing this and are extensively described in the literature. In this study, we compare the relative fit of various models of species-accumulation functions for six local butterfly inventories, evaluating them by a consideration of the values of the fit, coefficient of determination and sum-of-squares, and the residual patterns and Akaike’s Information Criterion. In general, complex functions, such as the Weibull or Chapman-Richards, performed better than simpler and more widely used models (e.g., the Clench and negative exponential models). The performance of models varied among sampling plots, indicating the influence of factors such as land use and community structure. Thus, although the application of more complex models should replace the use of simple ones, further research into the factors affecting model fit of accumulation functions is necessary.     

Photosynthetic and morphological functional types for native species from mixed prairie in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada

Photosynthetic pathways (e.g. C₃, C₄) and morphological functional types (e.g. trees, shrubs, high perennial grasses, perennial forbs) were identified for the native species from the Saskatchewan mixed prairie, using the data from references published between 1950 and 2003. Of the total 219 identified species in 145 genera and 45 families, 208 species in 137 genera and 44 families were found with C₃ photosynthesis, and most of these species are dominants (e.g. Agropyron dasystachyum Hook. and Stipa spartea var. curtiseta Hitchc.). 11 species in 10 genera and 3 families were identified with C₄ photosynthesis (e.g. Atriplex argentea Nutt., Andropogon scoparius Michx., Boutelou gracilis Lag., Calamovilfa longifolia Hook.). The amount of total identified C₄ species in the region is much less than that from the South Dakota mixed prairie (27 species). Gramineae is the leading family with C₄ photosynthesis (8 species), Chenopodiaceae ranks the second (2 species). Relatively less forb types [50 % perennial forbs (PEF) and 12 % annual forbs (ANF)] and more graminoid types (25 %) composition suggested that the rangelands in the region are relatively stable. Lacking of the knowledge on the optimal traits for PFTs classification in the region, further studies (e.g. C₃ and C₄ plant identification and optimal trait selection) are needed to explore the relationships between PFTs and vegetation variations, as well as land-use and climate changes.     

The occurrence of C4 plants and their morphological functional types in the vegetation of Xinjiang, China

Floristic composition, morphological functional types and habitat distributions for C₄ species were studied in Xinjiang, North-western China. 89 species, in 9 families and 41 genera, were identified with C₄ photosynthesis. 48 % of these C₄ species were found in Monocotyledoneae, e.g. Cyperaceae (5 species), Gramineae (38 species), the other 52 % was in Dicotyledoneae, e.g. Chenopodiaceae (29 species), Amaranthaceae (7 species), and Polygonaceae (5 species). Compared with those in semi-arid grasslands in North China and tropical forests in South China, more plant families were found with the occurrence of C₄ plants in this arid region. Relatively higher annual species (63 %), shrubs (18 %), and Chenopodiaceae C₄ species (33 %) compositions were the primary characteristics for the C₄ species occurring in Xinjiang, and this was remarkably related with its arid environment. More Chenopodiaceae C₄ species occurring in the region suggested that this type of C₄ species may have higher capacity to fit the air and soil droughts. There was a strong relationship between C₄ occurrence and habitat distributions, more than half of the total 89 C₄ species were found in disturbed and cultivated lands and early stages of vegetation successions, indicating C₄ occurrence was not only related with climate changes, but also with land uses and vegetation dynamics.     

Gap analysis revealed a low efficiency of Natura 2000 network for the conservation of endemic species in Mediterranean temporary freshwater habitats

Listed and rare species are abundant in temporary freshwater habitats. Among them, the endemic contingent represents a crucial conservation target particularly in the areas characterized by abundant endemic flora for which the local administrations have a high level of responsibility. The aim of this research was to test how the endemic plants found in Mediterranean temporary ponds were represented in Natura 2000 network in a biodiversity hotspot of the Mediterranean region. The results of our research at regional scale pointed out that the existing Nature 2000 sites provide a limited degree of protection and that the gap analysis should be taken into account when conservation priorities are set.