Notes on two species of the subgenus Lyrothorax Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae; genus Pterostichus), Pterostichus amagisanus Tanaka and Ishida and Pterostichus fujitai Tanaka and Ishida

Two species of the subgenus Lyrothorax Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae; genus Pterostichus ), Pterostichus amagisanus Tanaka and Ishida and Pterostichus fujitai Tanaka and Ishida, were revised based on the male endophallus (inner sac everted from aedeagus). P. amagisanus was newly recorded based on a single male from Kyushu, southwest Japan, far from its known distribution (Honshu; the Fuji-Hakone-Izu volcano area), although additional materials are necessary to confirm this record. Despite a highly disjunct distribution, no conspicuous difference was recognized in either external or genital characters between the materials from Honshu and Kyushu. The nominal species P. fujitai was separated into two species, P. fujitai (Honshu) and Pterostichus eoyoritomus sp. nov. (Shikoku; type locality: Mount Jingayama); these two species have some significant differences in the endophallic structures. Character states in male genitalia suggest a sister relationship between P. eoyoritomus sp. nov. and Pterostichus yoritomus Bates.     

Vascular plant species richness in relation to habitat diversity and island area in the Finnish Archipelago

Aim The aim of this study is to explore the interrelationships between island area, species number and habitat diversity in two archipelago areas. Location The study areas, Brunskär and Getskär, are located in an archipelago in south‐western Finland. Methods The study areas, 82 islands in Brunskär and 78 in Getskär, were classified into nine habitat types based on land cover. In the Brunskär area, the flora (351 species) was surveyed separately for each individual habitat on the islands. In the Getskär area, the flora (302 species) was surveyed on a whole‐island basis. We used standard techniques to analyse the species–area relationship on a whole‐island and a habitat level. We also tested our data for the small island effect (SIE) using breakpoint and path analysis models. Results Species richness was significantly associated with both island area and habitat diversity. Vegetated area in particular, defined as island area with the rock habitat subtracted, proved to be a strong predictor of species richness. Species number had a greater association with island area multiplied by the number of habitats than with island area or habitat number separately. The tests for a SIE in the species–area relationship showed the existence of a SIE in one of the island groups. No SIE could be detected for the species–vegetated area relationship in either of the island groups. The strength of the species–area relationship differed considerably between the habitats. Main conclusions The general principles of island biogeography apply well to the 160 islands in this study. Vascular plant diversity for small islands is strongly influenced by physiographic factors. For the small islands with thin and varying soil cover, vegetated area was the most powerful predictor of species richness. The species–area curves of various habitats showed large variations, suggesting that the measurement of habitat areas and establishment of habitat‐based species lists are needed to better understand species richness on islands. We found some evidence of a SIE, but it is debatable whether this is a ‘true’ SIE or a soil cover/habitat characteristics feature.     

The relationships between cuticular hydrocarbon composition, faunal assemblages, inter-island distance, and population genetic variation in Tuscan Archipelago wasps

Until recently, studies examining the geographical distribution of insects in the Tuscan Archipelago have focused on paleogeography as the primary influence on species distributions. However, for flying insects such as Hymenoptera that may be able to disperse over water, current geographical location is likely to be more important in determining present distributions within the Archipelago. Here we compare mainland and island wasp populations using genetic variation and cuticular hydrocarbon composition of the vespid wasp Polistes dominulus, and species composition of wasps in the family Pompilidae. Both chemical and genetic data result in similar clustering of P. dominulus populations that reflect present geographical location. Moreover, we found current geographical distance to be significantly correlated with P. dominulus population genetic differentiation and Pompilidae faunal composition. These data suggest that dispersal over present sea distances is more important in determining population differentiation and species distribution in the Tuscan Archipelago than paleogeography.     

Geospatially structured biodiversity information as a component of a regional biodiversity clearing house

To function effectively, the international biodiversity Clearing HouseMechanism (CHM), based on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), needs tobe rooted at the regional and local levels. This article presents an example ofhow stakeholders of regional data and information can be encouraged to formnetworks linked to national biodiversity focal points (NFPs). We pay specialattention to exploiting the geospatial properties of biodiversity data andinformation, and demonstrate how data and information can best be filtered,classified and labelled to facilitate geographically based information retrievalon the Internet. The geocodability of bibliographic reports proved to be poor,indicating an urgent need to reconsider the geographical properties ofbiodiversity information under production. Also, it is useful to utilisenetworking processes with information from fields other than biodiversity wheninitiating the network. Finally, we present and discuss problems of integrityand interoperability of data, and also the process of biodiversity informationproduction from the point of view of general information theory and innovationsoffered by modern information technology.     

Interpopulation variation of a saurian malaria, Plasmodium sasai telford & ball, 1969, in three host species distributed within a range of 24° north latitude

Telford S. R., jr. 1982. Interpopulation variation of a saurian malaria. Plasmodium sasai Telford & Ball, 1969, in three host species distributed within a range of 24° north latitude. International Journal for Parasitology12: 17–22. The saurian parasite P. sasai has been found in four populations of three host species which range from Niigata Prefecture, Honshu to Bangkok, Thailand, a distance exceeding 4600 km and 24° north latitude. Variation of P. sasai within samples from the type population exceeds that found among samples from all three hosts, Takydromus tachydromoides (Honshu), T. smaragdinus (Amami Island, Ryukyus) and T. sexlineatus (Thailand). Plasmodium sasai was associated with Trypanosoma sp., Schellackia sp. and Pirhemocyton in two or more host species in ricefield-margin habitat bordered by shrub-like or heavier vegetation. This association possibly represents persistence of a host-parasite complex which evolved with an ancestral lacertid stock that later diversified into the present Takydromus species.     

The geographic distribution of pubescence in the sea daisy, Borrichia aborescens, on Bahamian Islands

Borrichia aborescens (L.) DC. is a salt‐tolerant perennial herb that is common on small islands in the central Bahamas. Two morphotypes are present: one with densely pubescent leaves and one with glabrous leaves. I conducted surveys in three archipelagos to document the geographical distribution of pubescence in this species and to infer the underlying mechanisms. B. aborescens was also grown from seed in a greenhouse. The pubescent form of B. aborescens was relatively more abundant on small islands than on nearby large ‘mainland’ islands. In two of the three archipelagoes, pubescence increased with distance on small islands. The pubescent form was relatively more abundant on small islands exposed to the open ocean compared to small islands that were protected by mainland islands or reefs on all sides. On a large mainland island, the pubescent form decreased in relative abundance inland from the coast. B. aborescens cultivated in a greenhouse revealed the effect of a genetic factor on the expression of pubescence. The observed patterns of variation are consistent with a physiological explanation for the adaptive benefit of pubescence. Trichomes may prevent physical blockage of the stomata by accumulation of salt in areas near breaking waves and salt spray.     

Coloration and ontogenetic features of fluviatile species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhinogobius</Emphasis> (Gobioidei: Gobiidae) in Amami-oshima Island,Ryukyu Islands,Japan

 The fluviatile Rhinogobius sp. 1 (hereinafter R. sp. 1) (Japanese name kibara-yoshinobori or English name yellow belly medium-egg type) is broadly distributed in the Ryukyu Islands ranging from Amami-oshima Island to Iriomote Island. However, based on the molecular evidence, this species has probably had multiple origins from amphidromous species. We compared the coloration of specimens at Amami-oshima I. with that of the other specimens (islands) in the Ryukyu Is. Amami-oshima I. specimens of R. sp. 1 were different from the specimens of other populations in having five to six cross lines on the caudal fin. We examined the early life history of fluviatile Rhinogobius at Amami-oshima I., based on rearing experiments, and estimated the age of wild specimens by counting otolith increments. Spawned egg capsules of “Rhinogobius sp. 1” at Amami-oshima I. were larger than those of amphidromous species. Their developmental stage in newly hatched larvae was similar to that of Okinawan R. sp. 1 in having a straight notochord; however, it had a flexed notochord earlier than that of Rhinogobius sp. 2 (hereinafter R. sp. 2) (aobara-yoshinobori or blue belly medium-egg type). The ontogenetic trajectory of “Rhinogobius sp. 1” in Amami-oshima I. was similar to Okinawan R. sp. 1 (30 days in larval duration) but different from R. sp. 2 (15 days). In amphidromous relatives of R. sp. 2, developmental timing during larval period was earlier than in the amphidromous relatives of R. sp. 1. It has been suggested that the phenomenon of fluvial landlocking has been accompanied somewhat by egg size increase (on the basis of a few examples). However, the ontogenetic trajectories of fluviatile Rhinogobius species may be a reflection of those of ancestral amphidromous species. Received: March 18, 2002 / Revised: November 7, 2002 / Accepted: December 10, 2002