Freshwater molluscs of Yemen Arab Republic

A list is provided of the extant freshwater molluscan fauna of Yemen Arab Republic, based on collections made in wadis, brooks, and wells. A total of 12 freshwater snail species is recorded, some of which serve as intermediate hosts for Trematodes of the genera Schistosoma and Fasciola.     

576. HELICHRYSUM ARWAE

Summary.  Helichrysum arwae J.R.I.Wood, a narrow endemic from the Yemen Arab Republic, is described and illustrated, along with its cultivation requirements. Its position within Helichrysum is discussed, and comparisons made with H. sessile and H. sessilioides , two similar species from southern Africa.     

An altitudinal comparison of caterpillar (Lepidoptera) assemblages on Ficus trees in Papua New Guinea

Aim This analysis of caterpillar (Lepidoptera) beta‐diversity between tropical lowlands and highlands attempts to separate the effects of between‐site (1) turnover of herbivore species on particular host plants, (2) changes in host use by herbivores, and (3) turnover of plant species on changes in herbivore assemblages. Location Two rain forest areas 130 km and 1700 altitudinal metres apart were studied in Papua New Guinea: one in the lowlands (100 m a.s.l.) on the northern coast of the island and one in the central New Guinean cordillera at 1800 m a.s.l. Methods The analysis is based on caterpillar feeding records obtained by quantitative sampling and rearing of caterpillars from four Ficus species studied in the mountains and 21 Ficus species and 62 plant species from other genera and families studied in the lowlands, including three Ficus species studied in both areas. Results Only 17% of species feeding on Ficus in the highlands also occurred in the lowlands. These species represented 1–46% of individuals in caterpillar assemblages on particular Ficus hosts. Widespread species included both Ficus specialists and generalists feeding on numerous plant families. Some of the Ficus specialists changed their preferred host species with altitude. High species turnover was not explained by changes in the species composition of host plants with altitude as lowland and montane assemblages feeding on the same Ficus species showed high turnover. Despite the rarity of widespread caterpillars, the lowland and montane Ficus assemblages were remarkably similar in their dominance structure, species richness, host specificity, generic composition and familial composition. Main conclusions Ficus‐feeding Lepidoptera assemblages between tropical lowlands and highlands are characterized by substantial species turnover not explained by altitudinal changes in the composition of the vegetation. Further, species‐rich plant genera can support caterpillar assemblages with relatively low beta‐diversity compared with species‐poor genera as caterpillars can switch their host preferences from one congeneric host species to another along an altitudinal gradient. Closely related plant species can thus represent a broad, continuously distributed resource along such gradients.     

Climatic adaptations in the Drosophila immigrans species group: seasonal migration and thermal tolerance

Abstract. 1. In central Japan, Drosophila curviceps Okada and Kurokawa was collected in spring and autumn but not in summer at lowlands (alt. 500–1200 m), while it was collected only in summer at highlands (1500–2000 m). Experiments on its thermal tolerance suggested that summer heat at the lowlands and winter low temperatures at the highlands were adverse to this species. It is considered that this species escapes from these extreme temperatures by undergoing seasonal migration between the lowlands and the highlands. This species had no photo-periodic diapause and bred at both lowlands and highlands.
2. D.immigrans Sturtevant was less cold-hardy but more heat-tolerant than D.curviceps. It is considered that this species is unable to overwinter outdoors at least in the study areas (i.e. alt. 500m or higher in central Japan) and its populations in these areas originate with migrants from warmer areas.
3. D.albomicans Duda, a subtropical species, was less cold-hardy but more heat-tolerant than the above two species.
4. Climatic adaptations and distributions of these species are discussed with reference to their thermal tolerance.     

First record of the Leatherback Turtle,Dermochelys coriacea,from Jordan

Abstract

The present study provides information on the ecology of four species of land snail which are distributed in the north region of the Republic of Yemen (NY). These are Eurypryxis labiosa, Euryptyxis fragosa, Zebrinops albata and Macroptychia sumarana. In addition, Revoilia bentianum and the slug Laevicaulis alte are recorded for the first time from northern Yemen and from Yemen as a whole respectively.     

Essai de mise au point de la prévision des dégâts pour la lutte contre la pyrale du maïs<Emphasis Type="Italic">(Ostrinia nubilalis)</Emphasis> en Alsace (Est de la France)

Four parasitoid species on 10 aphid pests have been established in the Yemen Arab Republic. Aphidius colemani Viereck is the key species that includes most of the pest aphid species in its host range. The parasitoid fauna resembles closely that of the Ethiopian region, with some penetration of the Mediterranean elements.     

Distribution,relative importance,and agro-climatic preferences of cereal stem borers in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

The distribution and relative importance of lepidopteran stem borers attacking maize and sorghum were investigated in farmers’ fields during the main cropping seasons of 2015 and 2016 across three main agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of eastern Ethiopia. Three stem borer species, namely Busseola fusca Fuller, Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Sesamia calamistis Hampson were found attacking these crops with different levels of distribution and abundance among ACZs. Busseola fusca was the only borer species in the highlands and dominant (67%) in the midhighland zones, while C. partellus was predominant (75%) in the lowlands. The abundance of S. calamistis was low across its distribution range. Across both years, mean plant infestation by B. fusca ranged from 20.38 in lowlands to 42.97% in highlands. Chilo partellus resulted in a mean infestation of 27.38% in the midaltitude to 68.24% in lowlands. Mean density of larvae per plant was higher for C. partellus (2.85), followed by B. fusca (1.41) and S. calamistis (0.46). Moreover, within each ACZs, variation in plant damage variables was observed between the study periods. These spatio-temporal differences in community structures of stem borers are discussed particularly in relation to agro-climatic requirements.     

Genetic divergence and speciation in lowland and montane peruvian poison frogs

Amazonia is famous for high biodiversity, and the highlands of the transition zone between the Andes and the lowlands of the Amazon basin show particularly high species diversity. Hypotheses proposed to explain the high levels of diversity in the highlands include repeated parapatric speciation across ecological gradients spanning the transition zone, repeated allopatric speciation across geographic barriers between the highlands and lowlands, divergence across geographic barriers within the transition zone, and simple lineage accumulation over long periods of time. In this study, we investigated patterns of divergence in frogs of the genus Epipedobates (family Dendrobatidae) using phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses of divergence in mitochondrial DNA (1778 aligned positions from genes encoding cyt b, 12S and 16S rRNA for 60 Epipedobates and 11 outgroup specimens) and coloration (measured for 18 specimens representing nine species in Epipedobates). The majority of phenotypic and species diversity in the poison frog genus Epipedobates occurs in the transition zone, although two morphologically conserved members of the genus are distributed across the lowlands of the Amazon basin. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that there is a single highland clade derived from an ancestral colonization event in northern Peru by a population of lowland ancestry. Epipedobates trivittatus, a widespread Amazonian species, is a member of the highland clade that reinvaded the lowlands. Comparative analyses of divergence in coloration and mtDNA reveals that divergence in coloration among populations and species in the highlands has been accelerated relative to the lowlands. This suggests a role for selection in the divergence of coloration among populations and species.     

Investigations into outdoor tomato production and storage in the United Kingdom

A fruit spot of young bananas has recently become prevalent in the Yemen Arab Republic. The spots appear initially on fruit soon after they emerge from the bract, first as small water-soaked lesions which subsequently become necrotic; the pericarp then splits and the whole fruit rots before maturity. The symptoms are unlike those of previously recorded banana diseases and pathogenic organisms were not consistently associated with the lesions. Possible etiology is discussed.     

Distribution and Flowering Ecology of Bromeliads along Two Climatically Contrasting Elevational Transects in the Bolivian Andes1

We compared the diversity, taxonomic composition, and pollination syndromes of bromeliad assemblages and the diversity and abundance of hummingbirds along two climatically contrasting elevational gradients in Bolivia. Elevational patterns of bromeliad species richness differed noticeably between transects. Along the continuously wet Carrasco transect, species richness peaked at mid‐elevations, whereas at Masicurí most species were found in the hot, semiarid lowlands. Bromeliad assemblages were dominated by large epiphytic tank bromeliads at Carrasco and by small epiphytic, atmospheric tillandsias at Masicurí. In contrast to the epiphytic taxa, terrestrial bromeliads showed similar distributions across both transects. At Carrasco, hummingbird‐pollination was the most common pollination mode, whereas at Masicurí most species were entomophilous. The proportion of ornithophilous species increased with elevation on both transects, whereas entomophily showed the opposite pattern. At Carrasco, the percentage of ornithophilous bromeliad species was significantly correlated with hummingbird abundance but not with hummingbird species richness. Bat‐pollination was linked to humid, tropical conditions in accordance with the high species richness of bats in tropical lowlands. At Carrasco, mixed hummingbird/bat‐pollination was found especially at mid‐elevations, i.e., on the transition between preferential bat‐pollination in the lowlands and preferential hummingbird‐pollination in the highlands. In conclusion, both richness patterns and pollination syndromes of bromeliad assemblages varied in distinct and readily interpretable ways in relation to environmental humidity and temperature, and bromeliad pollination syndromes appear to follow the elevational gradients exhibited by their pollinators.     

Uphill distributional shift of an endangered habitat specialist

The rove beetle Emus hirtus (Linnaeus, 1758) is an endangered habitat specialist, which occurs in long-term cattle pastures where it forages on cattle dung. We studied this species’ historical and recent altitudinal distribution and habitat requirements in the centre of its distributional range in the Czech Republic. The species had experienced a sharp decline and was for nearly 20 years considered as regionally extinct within the Czech Republic. Nowadays, Emus hirtus is present and occurs in relatively high population densities. However, the beetle has shown an uphill shift and is distributed at significantly higher altitudes in sun-exposed localities in foothills and mountains compared to its historical distribution in the lowlands. Emus hirtus is one of many organisms that seem to indicate the openness of the pastured woodland landscape in the past. The main reason for its uphill shift could be habitat loss in densely populated and intensively managed lowlands and restoration of grazing at higher elevations due to agricultural subsidies.     

GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC DIVERGENCE BETWEEN LOW‐ AND HIGH‐ALTITUDE POPULATIONS OF TWO RECENTLY DIVERGED CINNAMON TEAL SUBSPECIES

Spatial variation in the environment can lead to divergent selection between populations occupying different parts of a species’ range, and ultimately lead to population divergence. The colonization of new areas can thus facilitate divergence in beneficial traits, yet with little differentiation at neutral genetic markers. We investigated genetic and phenotypic patterns of divergence between low‐ and high‐altitude populations of cinnamon teal inhabiting normoxic and hypoxic regions in the Andes and adjacent lowlands of South America. Cinnamon teal showed strong divergence in body size (PC1; P_ST= 0.56) and exhibited significant frequency differences in a single nonsynonymous α‐hemoglobin amino acid polymorphism (Asn/Ser‐α9; F_ST= 0.60) between environmental extremes, despite considerable admixture of mtDNA and intron loci (F_ST= 0.004–0.168). Inferences of strong population segregation were further supported by the observation of few mismatched individuals in either environmental extreme. Coalescent analyses indicated that the highlands were most likely colonized from lowland regions but following divergence, gene flow has been asymmetric from the highlands into the lowlands. Multiple selection pressures associated with high‐altitude habitats, including cold and hypoxia, have likely shaped morphological and genetic divergence within South American cinnamon teal populations.     

Insect pests of Norway spruce cones: incidences and altitude preferences with emphasis on Cydia strobilella (L.)

Pest species infesting spruce cones were identified from 109 locations approved for the collection of seed material in the Czech Republic. Four (occasionally five) cones were studied from each location, and 448 cones were examined in total. Each cone was assessed for external damage and was then cut open along the spine. The predominant pest species, Cydia strobilella, was detected in 65% of the cones, while the next most common species, Dioryctria abietella, was detected in 13% of the cones. Ernobius abietis, Eupithecia sp., and Thekopsora areolata were less numerous. Kaltenbachiola strobi and Megastigmus sp. were recorded sporadically. Most cones (68%) were infested with only one species. The maximum number of C. strobilella larvae detected in one cone was 13. Cone damage resulting from C. strobilella declined markedly with increasing elevation. Thus, cone infestation by C. strobilella was greater in those forest vegetation zones located in lowlands and uplands rather than in highlands and at lower mountain elevations. The number of cones without damage tended to increase with elevation, but infestation by D. abietella was unrelated to elevation. In some cases, C. strobilella damage to cones was severe. External markings on the cone (resin and deformation) cannot by themselves serve as reliable criteria for predicting C. strobilella infestation, although cones with such signs should be preferentially assessed when seed material is inspected.     

Aquatic plants of Peru: diversity, distribution and conservation

Currently 177 vascular plant species are known or presumed to be obligately associated with water in Peru. Their composition and diversity were surveyed in relationship to their distributions among the natural regions of Peru. Despite considerable aridity, the coastal plains of Peru have important aquatic ecosystems, including marshes in river deltas and mangroves in the far north, near the border with Ecuador; 70 species of aquatic plants are found in this coastal region. The Andean highlands include a great variety of wetlands, plus lakes and rivers; 62 species are found, including eight species of Isoetes, some of which are potentially threatened by extinction. The Amazon region of Peru includes both steep montane rivers in the headwaters and wide floodplains formed by meandering rivers in the lowlands; 102 species are found distributed among these ecosystems, although many additional species are semi-aquatic. Research and conservation strategies for Peru's aquatic plants need to take into account these important regional differences.     

Behavioral and environmental determinants of reproductive success in traditional Moroccan Berber groups

The reproductive histories of women aged 45–70 years from a homogeneous Berber population of South Morocco were sampled from three contrasting environments: a small town (n = 75), villages in the lowlands (n = 217), and villages in the highlands (n = 128). The main reproductive variables oppose the relatively better conditions of fertile life in the lowlands to the more hostile ones in the highlands. Path analysis confirms this difference through reproductive behaviors and suggests the existence of mechanisms for controlling family size in town and in the rural lowlands, but not in the highlands. The estimates of survival function show significant differences among the three groups, the conditions for survival in the highlands being clearly less favorable. Rank tests of the association of survival data with several covariates indicate the association of survival data with vaccinations and with conditions of delivery. In spite of the lower rate of offspring survival, the highlander group would demonstrate a higher overall number of children reaching reproductive maturity, thanks to an extended reproductive span. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Highlighting declines of cold‐demanding plant species in lowlands under climate warming

High rates of species extinction have been predicted for the next century as a consequence of climate change. Although species range shifts have been widely reported, evidence of changes in species frequency linked to recent climate change is scarce. Moreover, studies have mainly focused on mountainous ecosystems and species. There is thus a clear lack of understanding of the recent changes in species frequencies linked to climate change across their whole range. Using a large forest vegetation‐plot database, we investigated changes in cold and warm‐demanding forest plant species frequencies between the periods 1914–1987 and 1997–2013 in French lowlands and highlands. Changes in frequencies were assessed for 185 lowland (warm‐demanding), 135 sub‐montane (intermediate) and 104 montane (cold‐demanding) forest plant species. Observed changes were compared to predicted changes derived from species distribution model predictions. The frequency of montane and sub‐montane species strongly declined, whereas the frequency of lowland species remained steady in lowland areas. In highlands, the frequency of lowland, sub‐montane and montane species increased, remained steady and decreased, respectively. Predicted and observed trends of changes in the frequency of forest plant species were in agreement. These results clearly show that cold‐demanding species are currently declining in lowlands that correspond to their warm range margins, whereas warm‐demanding species are expanding in highlands that correspond to their cold range margins. These trends can be seen as early signs of future regional extinction and reshuffling of the spatial presence of species due to climate warming.     

Analysis of factors that influence energy expenditure in honeyeaters (Meliphagidae)

The energy expenditure of the tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), a meliphagid endemic to New Zealand, was measured and compared with 20 species of honeyeaters (family Meliphagidae) to determine whether its expenditure is influenced either by life in a moist, temperate climate or an island residence. Body mass in the honeyeaters accounted for 91.5% of the variation in basal rate. The combination of body mass, climate and the maximal limit to an altitudinal distribution explained 98.6% of the variation in basal rate with tropical, low-altitude species having the highest mass-independent rate. The basal rates of meliphagids in tropical highlands are similar to those in temperate lowlands, which may reflect similar food supplies. The tūī mass-independent expenditure appears to reflect an active lifestyle in a temperate climate with no evidence that an island residence influenced its rate, whereas sedentary birds on New Zealand have responded to island life with a depressed basal rate. An effective analysis of the variation in energy expenditure requires the inclusion of the ecological and behavioural characteristics that distinguish species.     

Freshwater leeches from Yemen

The occurrence of freshwater leeches in ten different wadis in Yemen was determined. Four species were recorded for the first time: Batracobdelloides tricarinatus, Helobdella conifera, Limnatis nilotica and Placobdelloides multistriatus. These species, typically found in Africa, are recorded in Yemen on the border of two biogeographical regions.     

Coalescent analyses show isolation without migration in two closely related tropical orioles: the case of Icterus graduacauda and Icterus chrysater

The Isthmus of Tehuantepec has played an important role in shaping the avian diversity of Mexico, as well as the rest of the Western Hemisphere. It has been both a barrier and a land connector between North and South America for many groups of birds. Furthermore, climatic change over the Pleistocene has resulted in ecological fluctuations that led to periods of connection and isolation of the highlands in this area. Here we studied the divergence of two species of orioles whose distribution in the highlands is separated by the lowlands of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec: Icterus graduacauda (west of the Isthmus) and Icterus chrysater (east of the Isthmus). We sequenced multiple loci (one mitochondrial gene and six nuclear introns) and performed coalescent analyses (Isolation with Migration) to test whether their divergence resulted from prior occupancy of the ancestral area followed by a vicariant event or recent dispersal from one side or the other of this Isthmus. Results strongly indicate a vicariant event roughly 300,000 years ago in the Pleistocene followed by little or no gene flow. Both mitochondrial and nuclear genes show that the Isthmus of Tehuantepec is a strong barrier to gene flow. Thus, these two species appear to not exchange genes despite their recent divergence and the close geographic proximity of their ranges.     

Breeding requirements of Nahan’s Francolin,Francolinus nahan,in Budongo forest reserve,Uganda

The Nahan’s Francolin Francolinus nahani is a globally threatened species associated with remnant forests of the eastern equatorial lowlands of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. We studied the species in the Budongo Forest Reserve during March 1998 to January 2000 in an attempt to document some aspects of breeding requirements. We located nests by physically searching the forest and through following radio‐tagged adults. We measured demographical and habitat parameters associated with each nest. Our data suggest that trees of large diameter at breast height with appropriate buttress formation are important for long‐time survival of Nahan’s Francolins.