Reproductive strategies and early development of three freshwater gobies

Three species of gobiid fish inhabit the freshwater Lake Trichonis of western Greece. Two of these species, Economidichthys pygmaeus and E. trichonis are endemic, and the third is the widespread Knipowitschia caucasica . There are habitat separations between the three species, E. pygmaeus and E. trichonis prefer vegetated areas, the first being fully demersal at all stages of development and the second being semi-demersal. Knipowitschia caucasica prefers sandy bottoms and is distributed in shallower waters. Female E. pygmaeus and E. trichonis spawn in nests prepared by the males in the cavities of broken reeds. The males subsequently guard the eggs until they hatch, with females playing no role in parental care. Economidichthys trichonis is probably the smallest freshwater European species. Its eggs are ovoid, measuring about 0.64 × 0.58 mm, from which tiny, unpigmented and incompletely developed pelagic larvae hatch out after an incubation period lasting less than 1 day at a water temperature of 19.5° C. The eggs of E. pygmaeus are cylindrical and larger, measuring about 2.38 × 0.89 mm, from which relatively large, strongly pigmented and ontogenetically more advanced larvae hatch out after a longer incubation period. Both species reproduce only once in their lifetime, at the age of 1 year, and die shortly after spawning, but the breeding season involves several spawnings by each individual fish. These biological, developmental and reproductive characteristics are discussed in relation to current theories on evolution of life-historics.     

Ancient introductions of mammals in the Mediterranean Basin and their implications for conservation

• 1 The importance of taxonomy to the determination of conservation priorities and actions is widely accepted. It should be not surprising therefore that the taxonomic treatment of mammal species that have been subject to human actions in antiquity may well influence the contemporary assessment of conservation priorities at various levels.
• 2 As a result of early extinctions caused by humans and protohistoric and historic introductions, we suggest that the Mediterranean Basin and its islands are particularly prone to misdirection of efforts towards biodiversity conservation.
• 3 The two main risks associated with the failure to use an evolutionary and palaeoecological approach to conservation efforts are (i) an underestimation of the conservation importance of distinctive continental taxa vs. the apparent endemicity of island taxa; and (ii) a serious risk for native and endemic island species when anthropochorous mammals, especially ungulates, misguidedly become the focus of conservation actions, particularly inside protected areas.
• 4 Urgent measures, including refinement of mammal taxonomy, the exclusion of known anthropochorous taxa from conservation lists and implementation of protective legislation, are necessary to maintain the uniqueness and richness of the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot.

     

Have your cake and eat it too: male sand gobies show more parental care in the presence of female partners

Traditionally, male parental effort and mate attraction effortare expected to be in conflict as they compete for the sameresource budget. However, the quality of care provided by themale may be of a direct benefit to females and may provide animportant mate choice cue. In a laboratory experiment, we examinedhow males modified their parental behavior with respect to matingopportunity by allowing male sand gobies to mate with a singlefemale either in a big or small nest (a constraint on futuremating potential). We then exposed half of these males to thevisual stimulus from additional females and recorded male eggfanning and nest building (two components of care), courtshipbehavior, and reproductive success through out the brood cycle.We found that males fanned longer and more frequently and didmore nest construction in the presence of females and in bignests. Males guarding large nests courted females more thandid males guarding small nests. All males consumed eggs duringthe brood cycle, but complete clutch cannibalism was most frequentwhen males were guarding small nests in the absence of females.The pattern of filial cannibalism that we observed suggeststhat males prematurely terminated care when their reproductivepotential was low, that is, when there was little nest spacefor additional mating and no mates present. We found no supportfor a trade-off between mate attraction and parental care. Indeed,taken together our results suggest that males may use parentalcare as a courtship strategy and that males who invest in mateattraction also have higher parental effort.     

Phylogenetic analysis of freshwater sponges provide evidence for endemism and radiation in ancient lakes

Morphologic and phylogenetic analysis of freshwater sponges endemic to lakes in Central Sulawesi, Siberia and South-East Europe is presented. We also analyzed several cosmopolitan sponge species from Eurasia and North America and included sponge sequences from public databases. In agreement with previous reports [Addis, J.S., Peterson, K.J., 2005. Phylogenetic relationships of freshwater sponges (Porifera, Spongillina) inferred from analyses of 18S rDNA, COI mtDNA, and ITS2 rDNA sequences. Zool. Scr. 34, 549-557], the metaniid sponge Corvomeyenia sp. was the most deeply branching species within a monophyletic lineage of the suborder Spongillina. Pachydictyum globosum (Malawispongiidae) and Nudospongilla vasta (Spongillidae), two morphologically quite distinct species from Sulawesi were found in a joint clade with Trochospongilla (Spongillidae) rendering Trochospongilla paraphyletic. Furthermore, Ochridaspongia sp., another Malawispongiidae, clustered far away from that clade, together with Ephydatia fluviatilis, making the latter family polyphyletic. The Lubomirskiidae endemic to Lake Baikal, Lubomirskia abietina, Baikalospongia bacillifera, B. intermedia, and Swartschewskia papyracea formed a well-supported clade that was most closely linked to the genus Ephydatia (99.9% identity over a total length of 2169 concatenated nucleotide positions). Our study indicates the frequent and independent origin of sponge species endemic to different freshwater ecosystems from a few cosmopolitan founder species. The highly specific primer sets newly developed here facilitate work on the molecular phylogeny and DNA barcoding of sponges.     

The grasshoppers of Costa Rica: a survey of the parameters influencing their conservation and survival

Seventy-five per cent of the acridomorph fauna of Costa Rica is confined to the wet forest environment. This habitat also has a disproportionately large proportion of species which are of restricted distribution within the country or are endemic to Costa Rica or are flightless. The grasshoppers of dry forest, grassland and swamp habitats have in general the reverse properties: they include relatively few species and most of these are capable of flight and are widely distributed both within and outside of Costa Rica. The major factor influencing the long-term survival (or, conversely, the extinction) of the major part of the grasshopper fauna of Costa Rica is likely to be the preservation (or destruction) of the wet forest habitat.     

Phylogeography and local endemism of the native Mediterranean brine shrimp Artemia salina (Branchiopoda: Anostraca)

There has been a recent appreciation of the ecological impacts of zooplanktonic species invasions. The North American brine shrimp Artemia franciscana is one such alien invader in hyper-saline water ecosystems at a global scale. It has been shown to outcompete native Artemia species, leading to their local extinction. We used partial sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit 1 (COI or cox1) gene to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogeography of A. salina, an extreme halophilic sexual brine shrimp, over its known distribution range (Mediterranean Basin and South Africa) and to assess the extent of local endemism, the degree of population structure and the potential impact of traditional human saltpan management on this species. We also examined the phylogenetic relationships in the genus Artemia using COI sequences. Our results show extensive regional endemism and indicate an early Pleistocene expansion of A. salina in the Mediterranean Basin. Subsequent population isolation in a mosaic of Pleistocene refugia is suggested, with two or three refugia located in the Iberian Peninsula. Two instances of long-distance colonization were also observed. Surprisingly, given its strong phylogeographical structure, A. salina showed a signature of correlation between geographical and genetic distance. Owing to strong 'priority effects', extensive population differentiation is retained, despite dispersal via migrant birds and human management of saltpans. The foreseeable expansion of A. franciscana is likely to be followed by substantial loss of genetic diversity in Mediterranean A. salina. Large genetic divergences between Mediterranean and South African A. salina suggest that the latter deserves species status.     

Ecological diversity of the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey and its conservation

The Taurus Mountain range separates the central Anatolian steppe and the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The Amanos Mountains lie to the east, playing a significant role in forming this region which is strongly influenced by the Mediterranean Sea. Between the Taurus Mountains and the sea, there is a diversity of terrestrial, limnic and marine ecosystems. These contain a number of differing biotopes such as grassland above the timberline, evergreen and deciduous forests, scrubland, river beds, lagoons, coastal saltmarshes, coastal woodlands and sand dunes. Due to intensive land use, the ecological diversity is threatened, and so governmental and scientific bodies have combined resources to implement conservation measures. This paper emphasizes the importance of these conservation activities and discusses realistic proposals for conservation in the region.     

Mediterranean pines and their history

The assembly of Mediterranean pines in the sense ofMirov is inhomogeneous in respect to morphological, geographical and evolutionary affinities. Considering new or neglected characters (vegetative and particularly reproductive, cone scales, apophyses, mucros, seeds: Figs. 1–3) in extant populations and fossils, three groups are recognized. The group of coast and island pines extends from the Canary islands to the Himalaya region and is closely related to Caribbean and C. American taxa. This complex evidently has originated from haploxyl ancestors of sect.Parrya during the Mesozoic (Upper Jurassic/Lower Cretaceous) in the NW. Tethys area (Fig. 13).P. rzedowskii can be regarded as an extant survivor of this first phase of differentiation. The extremely variableP. canariensis (together withP. roxburghii in sect.Sula) marks a transitional phase towards the more advanced diploxyl species of sect.Pinea (withP. pinea, P. halepensis &P. brutia, and subsect.Oocarpae) and sect.Pinaster (withP. pinaster, etc.) (Figs. 4–12).—The second group consists of diploxyl mountain pines from the areas surrounding the Mediterranean. They are classified as members of the Eurasiatic sect.Pinus subsect.Sylvestres, have differentiated along the northern Parathetys area, and exhibit close links with E. Asiatic taxa. The third group includes the haploxyl mountain pinesP. cembra andP. peuce which can be regarded as western outposts of the circumpacific centred sect.Strobus with a pre-Tertiary origin.—As an appendix, an improved classification scheme is presented for the pine groups discussed.     

Lotharella reticulosa sp. nov.: a highly reticulated network forming chlorarachniophyte from the Mediterranean Sea

A new chlorarachniophyte Lotharella reticulosa sp. nov. is described from a culture isolated from the Mediterranean Sea. This strain is maintained as strain RCC375 at the Roscoff Culture Collection, France. This species presents a multiphasic life cycle: vegetative cells of this species were observed to be coccoid, but amoeboid cells with filopodia and globular suspended cells were also present in the life cycle, both of which were not dominant phases. Flagellate cells were also observed but remained very rare in culture. The vegetative cells were 9-16 μm in diameter and highly vacuolated, containing several green chloroplasts with a projecting pyrenoid, mitochondria, and a nucleus. The chloroplast was surrounded by four membranes possessing a nucleomorph in the periplastidial compartment near the pyrenoid base. According to ultrastructural observations of the pyrenoid and nucleomorph, the present species belongs to the genus Lotharella in the phylum Chlorarachniophyta. This taxonomic placement is consistent with the molecular phylogenetic trees of the 18S rRNA gene and ITS sequences. This species showed a unique colonization pattern. Clusters of cells extended cytoplasmic strands radially. Then, amoeboid cells being born proximately moved distally along the cytoplasmic strand like on a "railway track". Subsequently the amoeboid cell became coccoid near the strand. In this way, daughter cells were dispersed evenly on the substratum. We also observed that the present species regularly formed a structure of filopodial nodes in mid-stage and later-stage cultures, which is a novel phenotype in chlorarachniophytes. The unique colonization pattern and other unique features demonstrate that RCC375 is a new chlorarachniophyte belonging to genus Lotharella, which we describe as Lotharella reticulosa sp. nov.     

The taxonomic impediment in orthopteran research and conservation

It is estimated that only 10–15% of the world's insect fauna has been described and named. Efforts to inventory insect biodiversity are hampered by this taxonomic impediment, which is compounded by the logistical problems of an insufficient taxonomic workforce and their remote location in museums thousands of miles from the areas of highest biodiversity. Compared to most other invertebrate groups however, the taxonomic impediment is relatively benign in the order Orthoptera. This is a small to medium-sized order (approximately 20 000 described species) which is well known taxonomically, owing to the group's agricultural importance worldwide. Furthermore, orthopteran taxonomists are now fortunate to have a published up-to-date catalogue of all known species, which has just become accessible as a regularly updated database on the World Wide Web. Whilst new information technology, in the form of e-mail networks, World Wide Web sites and CD-ROM information archives, is already enhancing communication between specialists and helping to reduce the logistical problems of documenting orthopteran biodiversity, a major reinvestment in basic taxonomic research is needed if we are to reduce the existing taxonomic impediment significantly. There is general agreement that an internationally coordinated approach will be necessary and priorities must be set to tackle the biodiversity/systematics crisis. In the future, the Orthoptera can make an important contribution to invertebrate faunal surveys and have potential as an indicator taxon. Furthermore, the Orthoptera Species File establishes a taxonomic framework which could be readily enlarged to include geographic data and phenology of species from existing museum specimens.     

Factors influencing red deer occurrence at the southern edge of their range: A Mediterranean ecosystem

The red deer is in the Iberian Peninsula at the southwestern edge of its European range and although widespread, red deer ecology in Portugal remains poorly understood. By using pellet group counts, we investigate how habitat structure, vegetation composition and human disturbance affect red deer occurrence. Red deer distribution was positively associated with areas with high density of heather, Leguminosae plants and patches with high cover of shrubs, ground cover and tree cover. Red deer occupied areas further away from roads and from villages. Red deer distribution was negatively associated with agricultural fields and areas with high canopy cover.In the perspective of the current climatic changes, continue research on red deer in these so-called edge populations represents an opportunity to assess the ecological responses within an evolutionary perspective and to provide important conservation suggestions for other countries located on the edge of its distribution range. The present results have implications for the conservation of red deer, emphasizing the need for wide range ecological studies. Red deer variation seems to be related to local factors rather than proximity to the edge of its range.     

New examples of holococcolith–heterococcolith combination coccospheres and their implications for coccolithophorid biology

Recently discovered coccospheres with combinations of coccoliths normally considered to belong to different taxa are presented here. By analogy with other coccolithophorids especially Coccolithus pelagicus we can hypothesize that these associations probably represent moments of phase change in a complex, possibly haplo-diplontic, life-cycle. Seven of these associations are composed of heterococcoliths with holococcoliths; five of them are presented here for the first time: Helicosphaera carteri with Syracolithus catilliferus, Syracosphaera pulchra with Calyptrosphaera oblonga, Syracosphaera anthos with Periphyllophora mirabilis, Acanthoica quattrospina with holococcolithophorid sp. and Syracosphaera sp. with Corisphaera sp. type A (see Kleijne, A., 1991. Holococcolithophorids from the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean. Mar. Micropaleontol. 17, 1–76); the other two are Coronosphaera mediterranea with Calyptrolithina wettsteinii, found previously by Kamptner (Kamptner, E., 1941. Die Coccolithineen der Südwestküste von Istrien. Naturhistorischen Museum in Wien. Annalen 51, 54–149), and Syracosphaera nana with undescribed holococcoliths, figured previously by Kleijne (1991) as Syracosphaera sp. type A. In addition the association of Neosphaera coccolithomorpha and Ceratolithus cristatus, recently presented by Alcober and Jordan (Alcober, J., Jordan, R.W., 1997. An interesting association between Neosphaera coccolithomorpha and Ceratolithus cristatus (Haptophyta). Eur. J. Phycol. 32, 91–93) is verified by discovery of a further example. A further five combinations of heterococcoliths and holococcoliths are shown, these probably mostly represent life-cycle combinations but the evidence in each case is insufficient to consider these as definite associations although in these collapsed coccospheres the association of different species is less certain. Two examples of holococcolith–holococcolith associations are presented: S. catilliferus with Syracolithus confusus, and Zygosphaera bannockii with Corisphaera sp. type A. These are probably examples of intra-specific variation.A new species, Syracosphaera delicata sp. nov., is described.     

Isozyme genetics and the phytogeny of Italian freshwater gobies (Teleostei: Gobioidei)

Although predominantly a marine group in the Atlantic/Mediterranean fish fauna, three species of exclusively freshwater gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae) occur in Italy. These are Padogobius marltmsii of north Italy and parts of Croatia, P. nigricans from the Tyrrhenian catchment area of Tuscany and Lazio, and Knipowitschia punctatissima from north-eastern Italy. Using horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis, isozyme polymorphism in 12 enzymes encoded at 18 loci was investigated in these species and related euryhaline forms. Genetic distance, and morphological cladistic analysis, indicates that the Italian freshwater gobies do not form a monophyletic group, with the Padogobius species well separated from other taxa, and K. punctalissima closest to its morphological congener, the lagoonal K. panizzae . No close correlation was found between genetic variation and environmental heterogeneity.     

Stucture and reproduction of Cordylecladia guiryi sp. nov. (Rhodophyta,Rhodymeniales) from the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Cordylecladia guiryi sp. nov. is described from the Mediterranean Sea, after a comparison of habit, morphology and reproduction with C. erecta, the only species of the genus. The species is characterized by the small dimension of its axes which arise single from the basal crust and by its habitat, growing epiphytically on Posidonia oceanica Delile leaves. Tetrasporangial and gametangial plants as well as the development of the carposporophyte have been studied in detail. The carpogonial branch is 4-celled and it is formed on a supporting cell that also bears a 3-celled auxiliary branch. Tetrasporangia are cruciately divided. The reproductive details confirm Sparling's view about the great variation existing in the organization of the procarp in members of this order.     

Apigenin and amentoflavone glycosides in the psilotaceae and their phylogenetic significance

Documentation of amentoflavone O-glucosides as the predominant flavonoid glycosides in both genera of the Psilotaceae clearly distinguishes this family from all other families of vascular plants. Psilotum and Tmesipteris also possess apigenin C- and O-glycosides as common flavonoid types. Apigenin 7-O-rhamnoglucoside occurs in both genera and the previously undocumented apigenin 7-O-rhamnoglucoside-4′-O-glucoside, although identified only in Tmesipteris, may also be present in Psilotum. The existence of flavone C-glycosides in both genera may provide a phytochemical relationship between the Psilotaceae and some ferns. The phylogenetic significance of these results is discussed.     

Description of a new species of Wormaldia from Sardinia and a new Drusus species from the Western Balkans (Trichoptera,Philopotamidae, Limnephilidae)

New species are described in the genera Wormaldia (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae) and Drusus (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae, Drusinae). Additionally, the larva of the new species Drusus crenophylax sp. n. is described, and a key provided to larval Drusus species of the bosnicus-group, in which the new species belongs. Observations on the threats to regional freshwater biodiversity and caddisfly endemism are discussed.The new species Wormaldia sarda sp. n. is an endemic of the Tyrrhenian island of Sardinia and differs most conspicuously from its congeners in the shape of segment X, which is trilobate in lateral view. The new species Drusus crenophylax sp. n. is a micro-endemic of the Western Balkans, and increases the endemism rate of Balkan Drusinae to 79% of 39 species. Compared to other Western Balkan Drusus, males of the new species are morphologically most similar to Drusus discophorus Radovanovic and Drusus vernonensis Malicky, but differ in the shape of superior and intermediate appendages. The females of Drusus crenophylax sp. n. are most similar to those of Drusus vernonensis, but differ distinctly in the outline of segment X. Larvae of Drusus crenophylax sp. n. exhibit toothless mandibles, indicating a scraping grazing-feeding ecology.     

Threats to the indigenous freshwater fishes of Sri Lanka and remarks on their conservation

Sixty-two freshwater dispersant (26 endemic), 26 saltwater dispersant and 20 exotic fishes have been recorded from Sri Lanka's inland waters. The discovery of nine new species of freshwater fish during the past decade suggests that Sri Lanka's fish fauna is not yet well known and that further discoveries can be expected. All the new species, and almost all the endemic ones, have been recorded from forested areas in the foothills of the southwestern wet zone and the Knuckles hills. The known ranges of many species are exceedingly small; almost all of them are habitat specialists. 25 species have at least two strong habitat preferences (in almost all case, shade being one), though a majority (32 species) have none. Habitat alteration is therefore the greatest threat to their survival.Eight freshwater fish species are considered endangered and a further five, vulnerable. Three species are rare, 18 common and 13 abundant. All but two of the endangered species and all the vulnerable species are endemic in Sri Lanka. Nine species are each restricted to only one drainage basin, and seven have a known range < 50 km². Three species of diadromous gobies known only from small populations are considered vulnerable.Examination of the existing threats suggest that deforestation, the widespread dispersion of exotics, pollution caused by agricultural chemicals and increasing pressure from the food fishery present the greatest threats to fish populations. While the endemic fishes are restricted to or most abundant in the wet zone, the overwhelming extent (> 95%) of Sri Lanka's nature reserve areas are in the dry zone. A programme to maintain self-sustaining captive populations of the endangered species is urgently necessary.