Indicator species for avian biodiversity hotspots: Combination of specialists and generalists is necessary in less natural environments

In this work, I tested the premise that the distribution of a group of few common bird species can be used to predict bird species hotspots in Central Italy. The data on bird observations were collected on 530 sampled sites (150 in cultivated, 150 in forest, 150 in grassland and 80 in urban and peri-urban environments). In each environment, sampled sites with values of bird species richness in the upper than third quartile were classified as high species richness spots (HSRS), while sites with lower bird species richness were classified as non-HSRS (binary classification system).Generalized Linear Models (GLM) were applied using HSRS or non-HSRS as binomial response variable and bird species occurrence was used as the predictor variable. All selected models showed “fair” or “good” capacities to predict the avian hotspots, using only few common birds (4–6) species. However, bird species selected as predictors were different on each environment. In more natural environments (grassland, forest), specialist species were selected, while in most disturbed environments (cultivated and urban) both generalist and specialist species were selected. The results are in agreement with other studies which show how homogenization of bird communities is strongly correlated to landscape disturbance. The findings supports the hypothesis that indicators have to incorporate both specialists and generalist’s species simultaneously. Furthermore, the groups of birds selected as surrogates are easy to detect and this makes it possible to involve citizen-science programmes in obtain data. This approach can be a cheap and efficient and can help to significantly speed up the process of assessing ecosystems that might be under threat.     

Revision of the Chinese Cleptes (Hymenoptera,Chrysididae) with description of new species

The genus Cleptes Latreille, 1802 from China is revised and illustrated for the first time. Seventeen species of Cleptes are recorded. Nine species are new to science, Cleptes albonotatus sp. n., Cleptes eburnecoxis sp. n., Cleptes flavolineatus sp. n., Cleptes helanshanus sp. n., Cleptes niger sp. n., Cleptes shengi sp. n., Cleptes sinensis sp. n., Cleptes tibetensis sp. n., and Cleptes villosus sp. n.,and two species are reported as new to China, Cleptes metallicorpus Ha, Lee & Kim, 2011, and Cleptes seoulensis Tsuneki, 1959.     

石蝴蝶属(苦苣苔科)第二次校订

一、分类简史 Petrocosmea是由D.Oliver于1887年根据自湖北西部描述的P.sinensis Oliv.(花冠的上唇与下唇近等长)建立的。接着W.B.Hemsley分别于1895年和1899年根据云南东南部的标本描述了三个种,并根据P.iodioides Hemsl.及P.minorHemsl.的花冠下唇远长于上唇的特征建立了新组sect.Anisochilus Hemsl.。W.G.Craib于1919年发表了本属的第一篇校订,记载了当时已描述的15种,其中包括H.     

Taxonomical history and revision of Paeonia sect. Moutan (Paeoniaceae)

The taxonomical history of the woody group(peonies) in the genus Paeonia is reviewed in the present paper. The group is endemic to China, but Paeonia suffruticosa is commonly cultivated throughout the north temperate region and has long been known as “the King of Flowers” in China. However, the taxonomy of the group had been neglected before the 1990' s. Since 1990, a number of new species and subspecies have been published. With the support from the National Geographic Society, the senior author of the present paper and his coworkers have made expeditions to all parts of the distribution area of the group, visited all the type localities and sampled a total of 64 populations. Based on the character analysis and examination of the type specimens or photos, each taxon is reviewed with its name checked nomenclaturally, and finally the taxonomy of the whole group is revised. As a result, eight species, three of which each contains two subspecies, are recognized. They are Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews subsp. suffruticosa and subsp. yinpingmudan D. Y. Hong, K. Y. Pan et Z. W. Xie, P. jishanensis T. Hong et W. Z. Zhao, P. qiui Y. L. Pei et D. Y. Hong, P. ostii T. Hong et J. X. Zhang, P. rockii (S. G. Haw et L. A. Lauener )T. Hong et J. J. Li subsp. rockii and subsp. taibaishanica D. Y. Hong, P. decomposita Hand.-Mazz. Subsp. decomposita and subsp. rotundiloba D. Y. Hong, P. delavayi Franeh. and P. ludlowii (Stern et Taylor)D. Y. Hong. P. baokangensis Z. L. Dai et T. Hong and P. yananensis T. Hong et M. R. Li are considered as hybrids between P. rockii and P. qiui and between P. rockii and P. jishanensis respectively. In addition, the reduction of a number of names recently published to synonyms is explained.     

The Genus Neottianthe Schltr. (Orchidaceae) in China

Neottianthe is a genus of about 12 species in Orchidaceae, mainly distributed in the temperate and subtropical mountainous regions of Asia, with its distribution and differentiation center in Sichuan and Yunnan of China. In the present paper, all taxa of Neottianthe hitherto recorded in China are discussed from taxonomy, phytogeography, palynology and anatomy. As a result of taxonomical revision, 12 species are recognized, of which nine are endemic to China, including four new species, N. luteola K. Y. Lang et S. C. Chen, N. angustifolia K. Y. Lang, N. oblonga K. Y. Lang and N. ovata K. Y. Lang, and one new combination, N. gymnadenioides(Hand.-Mazz. )K. Y. Lang et S. C. Chen. A key to 12 species is provided.     

The perennial taxa ofCrucianella (Rubiaceae) in SW. Asia and their eco-geographical differentiation

The perennial taxa ofCrucianella in Asia form a coherent group, apparently diploid (x = 11) and outbreeding throughout, and should be placed into sect.Roseae. This Irano-Turanian group has its centre of diversity in the mountain systems south of the Caspian Sea and reaches with outposts NE. and E. Anatolia, NE. Iraq, S. Iran and C. Asia. Four species and 13 subspecies (within the polymorphicC. gilanica) are recognized, described (partly as new), and illustrated (Figs. 1–6). Conspectus, keys and distribution maps (Figs. 7 and 8) as well as plesio- and apomorphic character states and data on size of areas are provided (Table 1). There is an obvious correlation between more plesiomorphic taxa with smaller areas in the distribution centre of the group, and more apomorphic taxa with larger areas towards its periphery (Fig. 9). These findings are linked to a working hypothesis on the evolution of the group.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

中国翠雀花属修订(一)

该文对中国毛茛科(Ranunculaceae)翠雀花属(Delphinium)进行了修订,收载了该属232种和55变种,并写出了检索表;同时对每个种写出了形态描述,绘出了多幅墨线图,并将全部种划分为2亚属、5组、11亚组和26系,其中包括4新亚组、11新系、15新种和5新变种。此外,还给出了此属的分类学研究简史、地理分布和经济用途。