Distribution, density, diet and productivity of the Scops Owl Otus scops in the Italian Alps

The Scops Owl Otus scops is probably the least known European owl. We surveyed Scops Owls in the Trento region (6200 km²) of the central–eastern Italian Alps between 1995 and 2003 and we intensively monitored a subpopulation in a 50‐km² plot between 2000 and 2003. In the whole region, we found 81 territories concentrated in 21, low‐elevation 100‐km² quadrats. Most territories were associated with villages surrounded by extensively managed grassland (79%), arid areas with rocky outcrops and xerophytic vegetation (12%) and/or large urban areas and parks (6%). In the 50‐km² plot, density varied between 52 and 64 territories/100 km² annually. Territories were either solitary or clumped in loose colonies of 2–7 pairs. In contrast to previous studies, most nests used for laying were in holes and cracks of buildings (95%, n = 20). This may have been favoured by thermal and foraging advantages, but also involved some costs, such as predation by domestic cats and collision with cars. Median laying date was 29 May (n = 16) and the mean number of fledged young was 1.37 (n = 30), 1.95 (n = 21) and 2.00 (n = 20) per territorial, breeding and successful pair, respectively. The diet was dominated by grasshoppers of the family Tettigoniidae. Compared to previous studies, this population showed medium to high density and low productivity. The species seems to be dependent on traditional, extensive agro‐pastoralism and the main conservation threats include habitat loss through land abandonment and consequent forest expansion, which are probably best halted through subsidy schemes. From our results and published data, we estimate the population of the Scops Owl in the Italian Alps at 230–500 territories. There is an urgent need for further data on this largely overlooked species, especially from its Mediterranean strongholds.     

Reproductive features and gonad development cycle of the soft bottom-gravel gorgonian Leptogorgia sarmentosa (Esper, 1791) in the NW Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Leptogorgia sarmentosa (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) is a common soft bottom-gravel gorgonian in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. This study examined the annual reproductive cycle of a L. sarmentosa. population at a depth of 30 m, and further determined the sex ratio, the intra-colonial gonadal output variability and the age at first reproduction. L. sarmentosa was gonochoric and the population studied was characterized by a sex ratio slightly biased towards female colonies (1 male:1.6 female). Secondary branches had higher polyp fertility (number of gonads per polyp) compared to primary branches, but because of the number of polyps on the former, most of the sexual effort was actually contributed by the primary branches, as in other gorgonian species. Male colonies became fertile above a height of 21 cm, but female colonies had gonads even in the 1–10 cm height class. Spawning occurred between late August and early September, although there was no direct observation of broadcast spawning or surface brooder strategy. The maximum gonad size was 550 μm in males and 500 μm in females, with a mean diameter of 270 μm for spermaries, and 190 μm for eggs. The number of gonads per polyp prior to spawning reached 4–5 spermaries polyp!1 in male colonies, and 3–4 eggs polyp!1 in female colonies. Spawning did not appear to be synchronized with the full moon. L. sarmentosa appeared to have a different reproductive strategy to other Mediterranean gorgonians (living on hard bottom substrata), probably because of its different habitat preferences and biological (morphology, diet, prey capture rates, growth, biochemical levels) features.     

Spread and impact of introduced conifers in South America: Lessons from other southern hemisphere regions

The history of conifers introduced earlier elsewhere in the southern hemisphere suggests that recent invasions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay are likely to increase in number and size. In South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, early ornamental introductions and small forestry plantations did not lead to large‐scale invasions, while subsequent large plantations were followed with a lag of about 20–30 years by troublesome invasions. Large‐scale conifer plantation forestry in South America began about 50–80 years later than in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, while reports of invasions in South America lagged behind those in the latter nations by a century. Impacts of invading non‐native conifers outside South America are varied and include replacement of grassland and shrubland by conifer forest, alteration of fire and hydrological regimes, modification of soil nutrients, and changes in aboveground and belowground biotic communities. Several of these effects have already been detected in various parts of South America undergoing conifer invasion. The sheer amount of area planted in conifers is already very large in Chile and growing rapidly in Argentina and Brazil. This mass of reproductive trees, in turn, produces an enormous propagule pressure that may accelerate ongoing invasions and spark new ones at an increasing rate. Regulations to control conifer invasions, including measures to mitigate spread, were belatedly implemented in New Zealand and South Africa, as well as in certain Australian states, inspired by observations on invasions in those nations. Regulations in South America are weaker and piecemeal, but the existing research base on conifer invasions elsewhere could be useful in fashioning effective regulations in South America. Pressure from foreign customers in South Africa has led most companies there to seek certification through the Forestry Stewardship Council; a similar programme operates in Australia. Such an approach may be promising in South America.     

Systematics and cladistics of Megalostomis Chevrolat,and the biogeography of Clytrini (Coleoptera: Cryptocephalinae)

We present a cladistic analysis of the subtribe Megalostomina, a Neotropical group of ‘case‐bearer’ leaf beetles. A comparative study of the external and internal adult morphology of Clytrini was undertaken. New characters are described for the subtribe Megalostomina, from the internal sac of aedeagus, which provide a useful phylogenetic signal. More than 180 photographs illustrating the most important characters (74 characters and their respective states) used in the cladistic analysis are provided. The cladistic analysis of 57 terminal taxa and 95 characters was undertaken, under equal weights, and also using implied weights as a means to down‐weight homoplasious characters. We test the monophyly and explore intergeneric relationships of the subtribe Megalostomina, and reconstruct the relationships among the species of Megalostomis Chevrolat. The 42 species recognized can be assigned either to a group mostly containing species of North and Central America, or to a larger one of mostly South American species. Support is low, and the formal naming of groups is deferred pending a revision of all Megalostomina. We confirm the subgenera of Megalostomis of previous classifications are unnatural, and the following changes in the generic classification of the subtribe Megalostomina are proposed: Coleorozena Moldenke syn.n. of Coscinoptera Lacordaire; Coleothorpa Moldenke syn.n. of Coscinoptera Lacordaire; and Euryscopa (Coleoguerina) Moldenke syn.n. of Coscinoptera Lacordaire. Furthermore, six formerly recognized subgenera of Megalostomis are considered junior synonyms of Megalostomis Chevrolat: Megalostomis (Minturnia) Lacordaire syn.n. ; Megalostomis (Heterostomis) Lacordaire syn.n. ; Megalostomis (Scaphigenia) Lacordaire syn.n. ; Megalostomis (Snellingia) Moldenke syn.n. ; Megalostomis (Coleobyersa) Moldenke syn.n. ; and Megalostomis (Pygidiocarina) Moldenke syn.n. Thus, no subgenera are recognized within Megalostomis. Previous hypotheses on Clytrini biogeography were revisited in the light of new biogeographic and phylogenetic knowledge. We hypothesize an origin of Clytrini in tropical/subtropical Gondwana, when South America, Africa, Madagascar and India were connected. Changes in the configuration of the tectonic plates in the Cenozoic allowed the dispersal of Clytrina to the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions, and dispersion of Babiina and Megalostomina through the Nearctic region.     

A new Silurian graptolite,Reticuloplectograptus, and its bearing on retiolitid evolution

Abstract: The retiolitid graptolite Reticuloplectograptus serpaglii gen. et sp. nov. from the Gorstian, lower Ludlow, has been found in two localities: the Bartoszyce borehole of Poland (Baltica), and the Bykoš section, Barrandian, Czech Republic (PeriGondwanan Europe). The Polish material is isolated and was studied under the SEM. The main characters of Reticuloplectograptus are similar to those of Plectograptus: an asymmetrical ancora, simple ancora umbrella with an incompletely developed rim and parallel ventral walls with mid‐ventral lists. The paired genicular processes of the new species are similar to but much wider than those of Plectograptus trijunctus and Plectograptus robustus. The main differences between the new genus and Plectograptus are the dense ancora sleeve wall and small proximal lateral orifices of the former. These primitive characters suggest that Reticuloplectograptus might be ancestral to genera with strong reduction in the proximal end, such as Plectograptus, Valentinagraptus and Kirkigraptus. However, Reticuloplectograptus appeared stratigraphically later than Plectograptus, indicating that this aspect of retiolitid evolution is more complicated, needing further study.     

Proportions and function of the limbs of glyptodonts

Vizcaíno, S.F., Blanco, R.E., Bender, J.B. & Milne, N. 2010: Proportions and function of the limbs of glyptodonts. Lethaia, Vol. 44, pp. 93–101. This study examines the limb bone proportions and strength of glyptodonts (Xenarthra, Cingulata). Two methods are used to estimate the body mass and location of the centre of gravity of the articulated specimens. These estimates, together with measurements of the femur and humerus, are used to calculate strength indicators (SI). The other long bones of the limbs are used to calculate limb proportion indices that give an indication of digging ability, speed, and limb dominance in armadillos, the glyptodonts’ living closest relatives. The results show that regardless of how the body mass and centre of gravity are calculated, the majority of the glyptodont’s weight is borne by the hindlimbs. The SI calculations show that femora are sturdy enough to bear these loads. The fact that the femora have higher SI than the humerii indicates that sometimes the hindlimbs are required to bear an even greater proportion of the body weight, possibly when rising to a bipedal posture or pivoting on their hindlimbs to deliver a blow with their armoured tail. The analysis of limb proportions indicates that both the hindlimb and the forelimb have proportions that correlate strongly with body mass. This outcome supports the other results, but also shows that forelimbs must be also involved in manoeuvring the glyptodont body. □Glyptodonts, Mammalia, Xenarthra, limbs, strength indicators.     

Unexpected panmixia in a long-lived, deep-sea fish with well-defined spawning habitat and relatively low fecundity

The marine environment presents particular challenges for our understanding of the factors that determine gene flow and consequent population structure. For marine fish, various aspects of life history have been considered important in an environment with few physical barriers, but dominated by current patterns, often varying with depth. These factors include the abundance and longevity of larval stages, typically more susceptible to movement along current paths. It also includes adult body size, fecundity and longevity with ' r -selected' species typically thought capable of greater gene flow and consequent panmixia. Here we investigate the population genetics of the orange roughy ( Hoplostethus atlanticus ), a clearly ' K -selected' species with habitat dependence on sea mounts for spawning, relatively large body size, a brief larval stage and relatively low fecundity. We used 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci to test the hypothesis that these characteristics will result in philopatry and genetic structure in the Atlantic Ocean. We discuss possible evolutionary mechanisms that could explain the results, which show the opposite pattern, with effective panmixia across thousands of kilometres in the North Atlantic.     

A new species of Ceratozamia (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) from Veracruz, Mexico

Ceratozamia huastecorum sp. nov. is from an isolated meseta or tepui-like mountain in the Huasteca region of northern Veracruz State, Mexico. It has affinity to C. morettii Vázq.Torres & Vovides from the Mexican transvolcanic mountain range, which lies over 200 km to the south. The most notable differences are in female cone colour, leaf and leaflet morphology and length. The specific epithet is chosen in honour of the Huasteca ethnic region of great cultural importance to northern Veracruz.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 395–398.