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On July 2018, one specimen of Ichthyococcus ovatus (Cocco, 1838) was caught in the Strait of Sicily during the International Bottom Trawl Survey in the Mediterranean (MEDITS). The adult I. ovatus measured 49 mm in total length and weighed 1.44 g. In this context, the presently reported study constitutes the first and deepest record of an adult of I. ovatus as well as the morphometric description of its sagittal otoliths. In addition, we provide an age estimation as well as an update of the geographical distribution of this bathypelagic species around the Mediterranean Sea. Based on the growth increments of sagittal otoliths, the estimated age was five years. Specifically, the otolith from the presently reported specimen of I. ovatus tended to be elliptic in shape related to aspect ratio and high rectangularity while circularity showed high complexity of otolith contour complexity. The absence of economic value of rarely reported species may underestimate their abundance. Therefore, more studies and research surveys would be necessary to fill the information gap on the biology of these deep-water species.

On July 7th 2018 a specimen of Mediterranean dealfish (Trachipterus trachypterus Gmelin 1789) was caught in the shallow waters of Selinunte (in the South-Western coast of Sicily) by trammel net. It was a female in maturing phase and the gonadosomatic index resulted as 1.1%. The specimen measured 1638 mm in total length and weighed about 2480 g. The estimated age through growth increments in vertebra was of 41 years. The finding of the Mediterranean dealfish in the Strait of Sicily might be linked to its spawning period during which it approaches the shallow waters. The present specimen represents the first record in the Strait of Sicily.

Aim. To identify the modern phytocenotic and floristic diversity of the Western Caucasus and to present the specifics of its florocenocomplexes. Material and Methods . The article is written on the basis of many years of expeditionary and stationary research using classical geobotanical methods. Results. According to research the flora of the region comprises about 3,500 species of vascular plants from 178 families and 936 genera, indicating a high level of floristic diversity. The spectrum of the leading families of the Western Caucasus is close to the Mediterranean type. The region’s flora has a high index of endemism. The vegetation cover is characterized by latitudinal and altitudinal zonation. The sozological significance of ceno‐complexes is shown. The principal vegetation types of the region are considered: the ancient flood‐littoral landscapes of the river Kuban delta, the psammophilic littoral vegetation with specific rare species of the Azov Sea and the Black Sea, steppe communities, mountain forests, ecotone zone of crooked and subalpine forests, subalpine and alpine meadows and carpets. A petrophytic flora complex (Petrophyton) is represented in each altitudinal zone. For high mountain petrophytic cenoses, the cenotic structure and endemic species are given. The floristic and cenotic differentiation of the forests of the Western Caucasus is conidered. Conclusions. The Western Caucasus is one of the centres of floristic and cenotic diversity of the Caucasian ecoregion. It is characterized by a high population and species diversity, a large number of endemic species and ceno‐complexes. The Western Caucasus is a refugium of ancient ecosystems with Colchidic and Mediterranean roots.

The geographic range of Piseinotecus soussi Tamsouri, Carmona, Moukrim & Cervera, 2014 is here updated, since it was found in two new localities along the Tyrrhenian coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This species was previously recorded in Mediterranean basin only from the Ionian Sea (Apulia). With this paper, the range of distribution of this aeolid sea slug is considerably extended. Furthermore, to confirm the identity of specimens recorded, a DNA Barcoding approach was carried out using the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) as it is the mostly used barcoder marker in Nudibranchs.

Climate change is threatening species and habitats. Altitudinal shifts uphill and negative population trends are commonly observed in altitude-related taxa. The bumblebee Bombus alpinus (Linnaeus, 1758) has a disjoint distribution restricted to Fennoscandia and the Alps, and is considered threatened. We studied the ecology and distribution of B. alpinus in the Alps, where the endemic subspecies Bombus alpinus helleri Dalla Torre 1882 is found, as a case-model because of its rarity, habitat, and mutual dependence with the ecosystem for pollination and resources. We developed species distribution models including both climatic and habitat variables to obtain the surface suitable for this subspecies and quantified its protected portion. Our analyses indicate that this bumblebee is restricted to the upper altitudes and has a narrow niche mainly related to the presence of glaciers, the cool temperature, a low temperature variation, and a specific range of precipitation. A strong altitudinal shift is also taking place probably due to climate change. After years of no changes in altitudinal distribution, its lowest altitudinal limit has moved up 479m since the year 1984, while its upper altitudinal limit has remained unchanged. Over half of the suitable area in the Alps is included within protected areas, but conservation has not been planned yet. However, rare species with narrow niche, such as B. alpinus, are highly threatened by climate change. Potential short-term mitigation actions are discussed, including exchange of males between locations and integral protection of prairies in the vicinity of glaciers.

Results of the first documented reintroduction of the endangered endemic quillwort Isoetes malinverniana are presented 1 year after transplanting. This represents the most complete report of a quillwort translocation globally. A new population of I. malinverniana was established in a protected area in Lombardy (northern Italy) after several years of investigation of the ecology, biology and genetics of this species. The selected site was restored before the trial release in March 2016 of 20 individuals of the target species. Although modelling for the selection of suitable release sites for the target species indicated that the selected site was not suitable for the species, I. malinverniana exhibited a survival of 60% 1 year after reintroduction. This trial indicates that with very rare species, experimental trialling of a few individuals can test the feasibility of translocation at a larger scale. Although the model was constructed using a wide variety of ecological and phenological parameters, it was unreliable because of intrinsically low statistical power, which is a limitation of modelling associated with very rare species. Although mature spores were dispersed in autumn 2016, sporelings have not yet been observed. Ultimately, reintroduction of I. malinverniana will rely on the evidence of self-recruitment; however, this translocation effort promoted understanding of ecological tolerance and facilitated focused conservation management. For instance, a protocol for in vitro reproduction of the species was successfully developed, resulting in long-term survival of ex situ collections that exist in two botanical gardens in Pavia and Turin. Considering that many isoetid species are threatened worldwide, the techniques applied here may have broad applicability to other endangered species.

Phenological relationships among entomophilous species for pollination may play an important role in structuring natural plant communities. The main aim of this work was to test whether in dry grassland communities there is a non-random flowering pattern and if the pattern influences the species richness, and the richness of subordinate and common species. Field sampling was carried out in temperate dry grasslands in NE Italy. Species composition and the flowering phenology were monitored in 45 2 m × 2 m plots randomly placed over dry grasslands. To quantify the degree to which insect-pollinated species overlap in their flowering time we developed a “co-flowering index” (CF-index). The significance of the observed flowering pattern was tested using a null model. A positive correlation was found between the synchronic flowering and the number of subordinate species. Subordinate species showed shorter flowering length than the common species and a mostly specialized pollination system. Our findings suggest that flowering synchrony might be a key characteristic which may contribute to shape dry grassland composition by favouring the long lasting maintenance of rare species populations within the community. The comprehension of such functional relationships between species of different trophic levels is of great importance for the conservation of dry grasslands and the maintenance of the ecosystem services that pollination provides.

In the last decades, a large body of literature has grown to evaluate the impact of forest management on epiphytic lichens in boreal coniferous forests. However, information is still lacking on coniferous forests of the Alps. This study compares lichen diversity between spruce forest stands of four successional stages: (1) young, (2) intermediate, (3) mature forests managed for timber production with a rotation cycle of 120-180 years, and (4) old-growth protected forests. The emphasis was placed on the occurrence of nationally rare and calicioid species (lichens and fungi traditionally referred to as Caliciales, known to be indicative of forest age and continuity). For each forest successional stage, four plots were selected. In each plot, 7 spruce individuals were surveyed for epiphytic lichens according to a standardised sampling method. Species richness increased from young to mature stands, while no difference was detected between mature and old-growth stands. This pattern was also confirmed for rare and calicioid species which are, however, more frequent in old-growth stands. Differences in species composition were also found between the different forest successional stages. Mature and old-growth plots slightly overlap, indicating that to some extent comparable lichen assemblages could be found in these stands. A nested pattern of species assemblages was found, old-growth stands hosting most of the species which were also found in stands belonging to the previous forest successional stages. Our results support the hypothesis that the management regime applied to spruce forests of the Italian Alps renders mature stands managed for timber production somewhat similar to old-growth stands as lichen habitat. However, we found a higher complexity in old-growth forests, and many species of conservation concern clearly preferred old-growth stands. In this perspective, a further prolongation of the normal cycle it is likely to be a most favourable conservation-oriented management to be recommended at least within protected areas and Natura 2000 sites, where conservation purposes should receive a high priority. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

In the last two centuries, native European oak forests have undergone a dramatic decline related to increasing human pressure for agriculture and urbanization. Oak forests were either completely eradicated and transformed into agricultural landscapes or replaced by second-growth formations. Intensive forest management and the replacement of native forests with production forests or arable lands are recognized amongst the main threats to many lichens in Europe. In this study, we used historical information on the epiphytic lichen biota which was hosted in a native oak-dominated forest of Northern Italy to identify shifts of lichen communities due to the changes in land use which occurred during the last two centuries. We also compared the epiphytic lichen communities inhabiting remnant oak forests with those found in the habitats that have replaced native forests: black-locust forests and agrarian landscapes. Almost all the species sampled during the 19th century are now extinct. The loss of native habitat and the subsequent invasion by black locust were probably the most influential factors which affected the composition of lichen communities, causing the local extinction of most of the species historically recorded. Despite the fact that oak remnants host only a few species which were historically recorded, and that they currently are the lichen poorest habitat in the study region, they host lichen assemblages differing from those of black-locust forests and agrarian stands. In these habitats lichen assemblages are mainly composed of species adapted to well-lit, dry conditions and tolerating air pollution and eutrophication. This pattern is likely to be common also in other lowland and hilly regions throughout Northern Italy where oak forests are targeted among the habitats of conservation concern at the European level. For this reason, a national strategy for biodiversity conservation and monitoring of lowlands forests should provide the framework for local restoration projects. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Dorstenia (Dorstenieae: Moraceae) includes herbaceous representatives from sub-forests of various Brazilian biomes, like Atlantic Forest, the main distribution area. Most species showed restricted distribution and constitute small populations being considered rare. Many of them are threatened of extinction due to the loss of their habitats. In the period from 2004 to 2007, in Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais, the reproductive biology of two species was studied: Dorstenia arifolia Lamarck, a vulnerable species, in danger of local extinction, and Dorstenia bonijesu Carauta & Valente, a rare and threatened of extinction specie. It was studied the morphology and biology of inflorescences (called "cenantos") and flowers (Chapter 1), the distribution (Chapter 2), the phenology (Chapter 3) and the reproductive system (Chapter 4) of these two species. Moreover, it was studied the pollination mechanism of D. arifolia (Chapter 5). The species did not show any morphological variation in the inflorescence tissues. D. arifolia showed two types of cenantos (inflorescences), unprecedented in species of Dorstenia: bisexual cenantos, with pistillate and staminate flowers, and unisexual with staminate flowers. D. bonijesu showed bisexual cenantos. The flowers were similar; the pistillate ones stay immersed in deep cavities and the staminate ones, have two stamens, and stay immersed in shallow cavities. Both species are protoginics, but an overlapping of female and male phases can occur. Flowers opening is centrifuge with a long receptivity period (two weeks) and the pollinic viability is high (> 80%). The morphological variations observed in cenantos of these two species are related to the dispersion type (pollen and seeds). The dispersion of seeds is autochorous (autochory). D. bonijesu showed hydrochory dispersion, unprecedented for this genus. The species showed an aggregated distribution pattern, confirmed by Morisita`s dispersion index (Id) and standardized Morisita index (Ip). D. arifolia produced, continuously, leaves and cenantos with only flowers, there was no significant correlation between these phenophases with precipitation levels and temperature. Due to human action, changes occurred in their phenology. D. bonijesu showed a unique phenological pattern: the species lost leaves in the dry and cold season; the emission of leaves and cenantos have a significant correlation with precipitation levels and temperature. The fruiting in both species occurred in the rainy season and showed a positive correlation with abiotic factors. The data showed high values for flowering synchrony between individuals and between populations of D. arifolia and D. bonijesu. These species showed similar habits (are herbaceous) and habitat (sub-woods shaded and wet) and troubles (fragmentation of their habitat). It was considered the hypothesis that these species could also have similar reproductive strategies. However, it was different: D. arifolia is sexual and produces clones (modular units) and D. bonijesu produces seeds without fertilization (Apomixis or agamospermy) and does not produce clones. This paper reported the pollination by flies in Dorstenia arifolia (Myophily). It was found two species of pollinators: one of them is from Lauxaniidae family (Diptera). The pollination was passive and the main resources used were the pollen and cenantos (as oviposition site). The fly, morph-specie 2, oviposits in pistillate flowers and its larvae parasitize the ovule. The fly morph-specie 1 (Lauxaniidae: Diptera) oviposits in the cenantos and its larvae feeds the cenanto tissues. This is the first proven report about phytophagy of Lauxaniidae larvae. Despite of the similar habitat and habits, the answers to the risks related to the permanence of the D. arifolia and D. bonijesu populations are specific to each specie, due to peculiarities related to reproductive biology. Projects for conservation of rare species should consider these peculiarities. Furthermore, many aspects of plants population biology (and pollinators, when applicable) must be taken into account to ensure gene flow and survival of the remaining species. Dorstenia (Moraceae) inclui representantes herbáceos que habitam os subbosques de diversos biomas brasileiros, como a Floresta Atlântica, principal área de distribuição. A maioria das espécies apresenta distribuição restrita e são consideradas raras. Inúmeras estão ameaçadas de extinção devido à perda de seus hábitats. No período de 2004 a 2007, foi estudada a biologia reprodutiva de duas espécies na Zona da Mata mineira: Dorstenia arifolia Lamarck, espécie vulnerável, mas em risco de extinção local, e Dorstenia bonijesu Carauta & Valente, espécierara e ameaçada. Estudaram-se a morfologia e biologia dos cenantos e das flores (Capítulo 1), a distribuição espacial (Capítulo 2), a fenologia (Capítulo 3) e o sistema reprodutivo (Capítulo 4) das duas espécies. Estudou-se o mecanismo de polinização de D. arifolia (Capítulo 5). As espécies não apresentaram variações morfológicas nos tecidos que compõem a inflorescência (ou cenanto). D. arifolia apresentou dois tipos de cenantos, inéditos em espécies de Dorstenia: cenantos bissexuais, com flores pistiladas e estaminadas, e unissexuais, com flores estaminadas. D. bonijesu apresentou cenantos bissexuais. As flores foram similares; as pistiladas são sésseis e ficam imersas em alvéolos profundos e as estaminadas possuem dois estames e ficam imersas em alvéolos rasos. As duas espécies são protogínicas, mas pode ocorrer sobreposição das fases feminina e masculina. A abertura das flores é centrífuga com período de receptividade de duas semanas; a viabilidade polínica é alta (>80%). As variações morfológicas observadas nos cenantos das espécies estudadas estão relacionadas à dispersão (pólen e diásporos). A dispersão dos diásporos é autocórica. D. bonijesu apresentou dispersão hidrocórica, inédita para o gênero. As espécies apresentaram padrão de distribuição agregado; índices de Morisita (Id>1) e Morisita padronizado (Ip=0,5). D. arifolia produziu, continuamente, folhas e cenantos com apenas flores; não houve correlação significativa destas fenofases com a pluviosidade e a temperatura. Devido à ação antrópica, ocorreram alterações na sua fenologia. D. bonijesu apresentou um único padrão fenológico: a espécie perdeu as folhas na estação seca e fria; a emissão foliar e de cenantos apresentaram correlações significativas com a pluviosidade e temperatura. A frutificação, nas duas espécies, ocorreu na estação chuvosa e apresentou correlação positiva com os fatores abióticos. Os dados apontaram altos valores para a sincronia de floração entre os indivíduos e entre as populações de D. arifolia e D. bonijesu. Estas espécies apresentam similaridades de hábito (são herbáceas), de hábitat (sub-bosque sombreado e úmido) e de distúrbios (fragmentação do seu hábitat). Considerou-se a hipótese de que estas espécies poderiam apresentar estratégias reprodutivas também similares. Entretanto, foram diferenciadas: D. arifolia é sexuada e produz clones (unidades modulares) e D. bonijesu produz sementes não fecundadas (apomixia ou agamospermia) e não produz clones. Este trabalho reportou a miiofilia (polinização por moscas) em Dorstenia arifolia. Foram encontradas duas espécies polinizadoras, uma delas pertencente à família Lauxaniidae (Diptera). A polinização foi passiva e os recursos utilizados foram, principalmente, o pólen e os cenantos, como local de oviposição. A mosca, morfoespécie 2, ovipõe nas flores pistiladas e suas larvas parasitam os óvulos. A mosca morfo-espécie 1 (Lauxaniidae: Diptera) ovipõe nos cenantos e suas larvas se alimentam dos tecidos do cenanto. Este é o primeiro relato comprovado de fitofagia de larvas de Lauxaniidae. Apesar das similaridades de hábitat e hábito, as respostas aos riscos relacionados à permanência das populações de D. arifolia e D. bonijesu são particulares para cada espécie, em decorrência das especificidades da biologia reprodutiva. Projetos para a conservação de espécies raras deverão considerar essas particularidades. Além disso, múltiplos aspectos da biologia da população das plantas (e dos polinizadores, quando for o caso) devem ser levados em conta para garantir o fluxo gênico e a sobrevivência das espécies nos remanescentes.

In the European Alps, subalpine forests are important for lichen diversity conservation at multiple levels. However, the potential role of coarse woody debris (CWD) has been only marginally considered in the previous literature. The aims of this case study are (i) to provide a first evaluation of the effects of different types of CWD (stumps, logs, and snags) and wood decay on lichen diversity in Pinus-Larix forests in the Italian Alps, and (ii) to increase the knowledge of the lichen biota on CWD in Italy. Seventy-eight species were found, including 12 nationally rare and 10 calicioid species; Placynthiella hyporhoda is new to Italy. Different types of CWD in different decay stages had significantly different lichen communities. Snags seem to be particularly effective for conservation, since they host the highest number of nationally rare species. Our survey suggests that CWD could be an important substratum for several nationally rare species, indicating that further surveys at a regional scale are urgently required in order to evaluate the role of CWD for lichen diversity conservation in the Alps.