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Termites are considered as important pests of maize plantations in Republic of Benin. However, very little information is available on their assemblage composition, abundance, damages, and on the sensitivity of common maize varieties in Benin. This study aims to fill these gaps and provide baseline for the development of an integrated termite management in maize plantations. Therefore, 60 maize fields across 30 villages located in four agro-ecological zones of southern Benin were prospected using the standardized method of belt transects. In addition, the resistance of five maize varieties to termite attacks was evaluated on-farm during two consecutive seasons (2018 and 2019). Fifteen termite species belonging to 11 genera, 6 subfamilies and 3 families were collected in the prospected maize fields. Four species (Macrotermes subhyalinus Rambur, Coptotermes sjostedti Holmgren, Amitermes evuncifer Silvestri, and Trinevitermes germinatus Wasmann) were found in all agro-ecological zones with A. evuncifer as the most abundant species. High similarity indices of termite assemblages were found between the four agro-ecological zones. Wood-feeders group and species nesting in hypogeal nests were the mostly abundant in all agro-ecological zones. The attack rate of termites in maize fields was 16.9% and did not vary significantly between agro-ecological zones. A. evuncifer and C. sjostedti were significantly the most destructive species on the five evaluated varieties, although Trinevitermes oeconomus Trägardh was most abundant in leaf sheaths; M. subhyalinus and Macrotermes bellicossus Smeathman in the stem; Pseudacanthotermes militaris Hagen and Odontotermes sp. in the roots. Termite damage level to maize depended of the variety. Korga variety was classified as highly resistant to termite attacks; Agbadé kouin winiwini variety as resistant; Igbado tchakpa variety as moderately resistant. While, Elèkpèrè and Forkui varieties were classified as highly susceptible. The three maize varieties identified as resistant to termite attack should be included in the development of an integrated termite management program and in future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Ecological Observation Network (NEON) is a thirty-year, open-source, continental-scale ecological observation platform. The objective of the NEON project is to provide data to facilitate the understanding and forecasting of the ecological impacts of anthropogenic change at a continental scale. Fish are sentinel taxa in freshwater systems, and the NEON has been sampling and collecting fish assemblage data at wadable stream sites for six years. One to two NEON wadable stream sites are located in sixteen domains from Alaska to Puerto Rico. The goal of site selection was that sites represent local conditions but with the intention that site data be analyzed at a continental observatory level. Site selection did not include fish assemblage criteria. Without using fish assemblage criteria, anomalies in fish assemblages at the site level may skew the expected spatial patterns of North American stream fish assemblages, thereby hindering change detection in subsequent years. However, if NEON stream sites are representative of the current spatial distributions of North American stream fish assemblages, we could expect to find the most diverse sites in Atlantic drainages and the most depauperate sites in Pacific drainages. Therefore, we calculated the alpha and regional (beta) diversities of wadable stream sites to highlight spatial patterns. As expected, NEON sites followed predictable spatial diversity patterns, which could facilitate future change detection and attribution to changes in environmental drivers, if any. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The National Ecological Observation Network (NEON) is a thirty-year, open-source, continental-scale ecological observation platform. The objective of the NEON project is to provide data to facilitate the understanding and forecasting of the ecological impacts of anthropogenic change at a continental scale. Fish are sentinel taxa in freshwater systems, and the NEON has been sampling and collecting fish assemblage data at wadable stream sites for six years. One to two NEON wadable stream sites are located in sixteen domains from Alaska to Puerto Rico. The goal of site selection was that sites represent local conditions but with the intention that site data be analyzed at a continental observatory level. Site selection did not include fish assemblage criteria. Without using fish assemblage criteria, anomalies in fish assemblages at the site level may skew the expected spatial patterns of North American stream fish assemblages, thereby hindering change detection in subsequent years. However, if NEON stream sites are representative of the current spatial distributions of North American stream fish assemblages, we could expect to find the most diverse sites in Atlantic drainages and the most depauperate sites in Pacific drainages. Therefore, we calculated the alpha and regional (beta) diversities of wadable stream sites to highlight spatial patterns. As expected, NEON sites followed predictable spatial diversity patterns, which could facilitate future change detection and attribution to changes in environmental drivers, if any.

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Peat bogs of Europe are ecosystems with very specific extremely environmental conditions. Among peat bog water bodies are lakes, streams and hollows, which are characterized by strongly acidic and mineral poor water. However, the diversity of the inhabitants of the peat water environment is very poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the water beetle diversity and species composition in the peat bog of Belarus. In total, 45 species of water beetles belonging to 3 families (Gyrinidae, Dytiscidae, Hydrophilidae) were sampled by entomological net. Among them specialised tyrphophilous species were Hydroporus erythrocephalus, H. incognitus, H. melanarius, H. obscurus, H. tristis, Ilybius aenescens, Rhantus sututellus, Enochrus affinis, E. ochropterus. A rather high diversity was recorded (Shannon index H’= 2.037–2.912). The highest diversity for water beetles was in lakes.

The diversity and species composition of the water beetles in peat bog lakes, streams and hollows in Belarus were studied. In total, 45 species of water beetles belonging to 3 families (Gyrinidae, Dytiscidae, Hydrophilidae) were sampled by entomological net. Hydroporus tristis, Ilybius aenescens, Enochrus affi nis, and E. ochropterus are the most abundant species A rather high diversity was recorded (Shannon-Wienner diversity index H' = 2.037-2.912). Shannon-Wienner indexes indicated higher values in the lakes, whereas the lowest values in the hollows were recorded. In addition, in hollows water beetle species composition was the most different from the other peat bog water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pristine peat bogs have a large area in Belarus compared to other Central European countries. Accordingly, ancient and almost intact Belarusian peatlands are valuable for the synecological investigations. The goal of this study was to assess the diversity of leaf beetles in seven main peat bog habitats and to examine environmental factors affecting them. In total, 44 leaf beetles' species were recorded. The results showed a low diversity, evenness and species' richness of Chrysomelidae. The lagg zone and sites covered by scrubs, excluding dome, support higher alpha diversity. Beta diversity analysis revealed a clear separation among the leaf beetles' assemblages of the seven habitats. The primary differences in the assemblages reflect the presence of species trophically associated with sedges (Plateumaris discolor) and ericaceous dwarf scrubs (Lochmaea suturalis, Altica longicollis, Cryptocephalus labiatus). Moreover, the modelling results (GLM) indicated that a scrub cover strongly influenced leaf beetle species' richness and abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiders, natural enemies of several insects of economical and sanitary relevance, are sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances. Urban habitats, home to nearly half of the world's human population, are growing in number and size. Consequently, natural habitats are lost and impervious surfaces increase. We compared the overall spider species and guilds assemblage characteristics associated with vegetation, between sites located within different urbanisation levels (urban and suburban) and in relation to local and landscape traits. The most abundant guilds were sheet web weavers and ambush hunters. The overall richness of spiders and richness and abundance of two guilds (space web weavers and stalker hunters) were higher in suburban than urban sites. The overall spider abundance, Shannon-Weaver diversity and the Shannon evenness index did not change between urban and suburban sites. While the species composition differed between urban and suburban sites, comprising the urban spider species a subset of those found in the suburban pool. Species abundances were negatively related with the percentage of bare ground, canopy cover, and urban level. Richness was positively related to low vegetation. Guilds' responses differed concerning their life histories. At a landscape level, high consolidation (impervious surface) degree surrounding the green patches had negative effects while medium values had positive effects. Higher diversity was associated with intermediate mixtures of vegetation and impervious cover. In conclusion, the spider's community and guild characteristics were associated with environmental, landscape and local factors through the urbanised landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisheries catch data is important for monitoring and assessing anthropogenic and natural impacts on fish communities. Information on fish assemblages and diversity in the Western Indian Ocean region is limited complicating management of the fisheries. In this study, we determined longline catch rates, species diversity indices, species richness, and species evenness for fish assemblages of Kenya's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through experimental surveys conducted using a commercial Fishing Vessel (FV) between April and October 2020. A total of 110 sets were conducted where 4217 specimens of 50 species and 23 families were caught. The catches were mainly composed of Xiphias gladius (70.2%), Prionace glauca (7.8%) , and Thunnus obesus (4.4%). About 15.0% of the catches were discarded of which 11.3% comprised of fish no commercial value. High levels of endangered, threatened and protected species forming 5.5% of the catches were observed. Catch rates were high for the dominant species in the three zones and differed significantly between months. Species abundance, richness, Shannon-Weiner diversity, and Simpson's diversity indices were highest at the nearshore zone and during August. However, the diversity indices were not statistically different both for the zones and months. The nearshore zone exhibited higher species assemblages and greater species richness compared to other zones. This suggests the importance of prioritizing conservation efforts in the nearshore zone, as it serves as a critical habitat for diverse fish populations. Implementing protective measures can help preserve the biodiversity and sustainability of fish assemblages in the nearshore zone. • Xiphias gladius , Prionace glauca , and Thunnus obesus dominate the Kenya EEZ longline catches. • Assemblages and species diversity are highest in the shallower nearshore zone. • The abundance of X. gladius decreases from the nearshore to the deeper offshore zones. • The abundance of P. glauca increases from the nearshore to the deeper offshore zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elements of the ancient periglacial flora such as peat bog shrubs provide a paleorefugium in Central Europe for survival of glacial biota and other cold-adapted species during recent climate change. This study provides evidence that diversity of one of the most numerous consumers in peat bogs, beetles, was higher in mid-successional stages characterized by the highest degree of shrub encroachment, compared with early and old stages. The main autogenic factor driving successional changes of herb-shrub layer coleopteran assemblages were shrub cover and bog water level. Younger successional stages contained the highest abundance of herb dwellers (chortobionts) and polyphagous species, whereas middle and old stages contained shrub inhabitants (chamebionts), which are oligophagous species specializing on ericaceous dwarf shrubs. Species richness and abundance of cold-adapted inhabitants of peat bogs (tyrphobiontic and tyrphophilous) increased from young to old successional stages along with increased shrub cover. Herb dwellers and polyphagous species are among the first primary consumers to colonize peat bogs. With changes in late-successional habitats, in particular the invasion of ericaceous dwarf shrubs, chamebiontic and oligophagous species start colonizing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author responds to the contributions to this symposium, highlighting her ideas about diversity management regimes, the urban cultural armature, global museum assemblages, the cosmopolitan-nationalism continuum, and new methods for studying the global and for engaging in constructive critique. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The structure and composition of the deep-sea fish community living on the slope off the Canary Islands (eastern-central Atlantic) were investigated. Data were collected by means of eight research cruises (165 stations) at depths between 150 and 2050 m. A total of 4475 fish specimens belonging to 43 families and 78 species (21 Elasmobranchii, 1 Holocephali, and 56 Actinopterygii) were collected with longlines. In the number of individuals, the deep-sea demersal fish fauna was dominated by fishes of the family Synaphobranchidae, followed by Sparidae, Somniosidae, Centrophoridae, and Trichiuridae. The main abundant species were Synaphobranchus affinis , Dentex macrophthalmus , Pagellus acarne , Zameus squamulosus , Aphanopus carbo, Squalus megalops, Centroscymnus coelolepis , and Centroscymnus owstonii. Elasmobranchs, with 1519 individuals, showed a high abundance (33.94%) on the longlines, although their importance increased when the data were analysed by weight, reaching 54.07% (4588 kg), with Zameus squamulosus being the fourth most important species. • Depth was the main structuring factor of deep-sea fish assemblages. • The pattern of assemblages with depth is influenced by the different water masses. • Drastic reduction in species diversity with depth was observed. • The peak in elasmobranch biomass and abundance was observed at approximately 1000 m depth. • Deania calceus , Centroscymnus crepidater or Etmopterus princeps , show a high affinity with colder seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succession has a strong influence on species diversity and composition of terrestrial ecosystems. Peat bogs are among them. They have a large area in Belarus compared to other Central European countries. While in several studies have analyzed the effects of succession on vegetation in peat bog ecosystems, the response of peatland insects to succession has not been investigated yet. To address this issue were sampled Auchenorrhyncha abundance and environmental parameters on the ancient and one of the largest natural peat bog along a successional gradient from the margin to the bog dome. The results provide evidence that succession of peat bogs has influence on planthoppers and leafhoppers abundance, diversity and species composition. Along the successional gradient from younger towards older successional stages an increase abundance of specialized peat bog species, chamebionts, oligophagous and monophagous was observed. On the contrary, the younger stages of natural peat bog succession offer favorable conditions to eurytopic, polyphagous and chortobiont planthoppers and leafhoppers. The highest abundance and species richness of Auchenorrhyncha were in the lagg zone followed by early stages of natural peat bog succession. The highest diversity was in the middle stages of succession. A determinant of Auchenorrhyncha diversity was the cover of ericaceous dwarf shrubs. Linear models shrub cover and number of plants species had a positive effect on planthoppers and leafhoppers diversity and a negative effect on their abundance. Amount of ericaceous dwarf shrubs within the peat bog could be as a measure of heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure and composition of deep-sea fish assemblages living on the middle slope off NW Africa (26–33° N) were investigated. Data were collected by six commercial trawlers during experimental fishing (1027 hauls) at depths between 800 and 1515 m. A total of 1,115,727 fish specimens, belonging to 37 families and 96 species (24 Elasmobranchii, 5 Holocephali, and 67 Actinopteri) were collected with bottom trawls. The deep-sea demersal fish fauna off NW Africa is dominated by fishes of the family Macrouridae, followed by the Moridae and Alepocephalidae families. The main abundant species were Trachyrincus scabrus , Bathygadus favosus , Mora moro , Alepocephalus productus , Nezumia aequalis and Bathygadus melanobranchus. PERMANOVA analysis showed differences in demersal fish assemblages among bottom types, depth strata and between areas (north and south of parallel 30° N), with the area being the most influential factor followed by the type of substrate. PERMANOVAs computed separately for each area showed significant differences among the bottom types and depths in both areas. SIMPER analysis revealed that B. melanobranchus and B. favosus , which occurred at higher abundances in the area ≥30° N, were the species that were best discriminated between areas; whilst T. scabrus and M. moro occurred at higher abundances in the area <30° N. N. aequalis , B. favosus , B. melanobranchus , Deania hystricosa , Aphanopus intermedius , Coelorinchus labiatus and Halosaurus johnsonianus were restricted or more abundant in the area ≥30° N, and functioned as the discriminating species that most contributed to the average dissimilarity between areas. T. scabrus , M. moro , Alepocephalus productus and Alepocephalus bairdii were more abundant in the area <30° N. The standardized mean abundance (in number of individuals/km 2 ) showed a decreasing pattern: i) with depth in both areas, north and south of parallel 30° N, and ii) with depth on each type of substrate, except on cold coral bottoms. Hydrolagus mirabilis , Gadomus dispar , Nettastoma melanurum , Halosaurus ovenii , Chimaera opalescens , A. productus , Hoplostethus mediterraneus , Apristurus laurussonii and Trachyscorpia cristulata echinata showed a deeper Center of Gravity at latitudes ≥30° N, with differences in depths from 299 to 110 m compared to the area at latitudes <30° N. T. scabrus , Anoplogaster cornuta , B. favosus , Centrophorus squamosus , B. melanobranchus and A. bairdii showed a similar depth Center of Gravity, with differences in depths lower than 21 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peat bogs in the temperate zone form isolated and discrete patches of 'tundra' and so are azonal ecosystems relative to the surroundings. The aim of the current work is to investigate the species composition and diversity of the true bugs of pristine natural peat bog in Belarus. In total, 75 true bugs species belonging to 13 families in Belarusian peat bog were sampled by sweep net along transects. A specific complex of Heteroptera species were found. The results showed a low diversity and species richness of true bugs and a high abundance of a small number of species. Among these species, the primary peat bog specialist is Stephanitis oberti (Kolenati). Rare in Central Europe tyrphobiontic and tyrphophilous species were recorded. Abundance and species richness of Heteroptera were the highest in the shrub habitat. The modeling results (GLM) indicated that vegetation characteristics strong influenced true bugs abundances and species richness in peat bogs habitats, which I interpreted the as a measure of heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species composition, abundance and diversity patterns of the epibenthic megafauna and fish community from the tropical Brazilian continental margin were analysed based on 42 bottom trawls from the Campos Basin continental shelf and slope. Trawls were collected aboard R/VGyreduring autumn 2008 from depths of 13 to 2030 m. Overall, 452 species belonging to five main taxa were identified: teleosts (Actinopterygii) were represented by 196 species, crustaceans by 113 species and echinoderms by 108 species. These three groups contributed 92% to the 452 taxa. Several species (289) were recorded only once or twice, and the species accumulation curves showed no signs of being close to reaching asymptotic values. A tendency of increasing diversity and richness with depth was observed. Analysis of the trawls showed the existence of megafaunal assemblages significantly associated with depth and water mass. The shelf group (13–100 m) had subgroups associated with Coastal Water (CW) and South Atlantic Central Water (SACW). The upper-slope group (376–501 m) was found exclusively under the influence of SACW. The mid- and lower-slope group (978–2030 m) had two subgroups associated with the presence of Antarctic Intermediate Water and North Atlantic Deep Water. The 39 typifying species contributed 90% to the global similarity. Teleosts and squids greatly contributed to the within-group similarity over the shelf, while decapods, echinoids and galatheids contributed to the upper-slope assemblage. Deep-sea isopods and decapods mostly contributed to the mid- and lower-slope assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The community structure and faunal composition of deep-sea decapod crustaceans in submarine canyons on the slope off Gran Canaria Island (Canary Islands, central-eastern Atlantic) were investigated. Samples were collected during five research cruises (115 stations) at depths between 175 and 2554 m. A total of 26387 decapod specimens, belonging to 24 families and 38 species, were collected with traps. A cluster analysis of the stations showed four distinct assemblages: (i) in the transition area between shelf and slope (175–302 m); (ii) on the upper slope (361–789 m); (iii) on the middle slope (803–1973 m); and iv) on the lower slope (2011–2554 m). The deep-sea decapod fauna of the Canary Islands is dominated by shrimp of the family Pandalidae, which make up more than 23% of the species. Within the Pandalidae, species of the genus Plesionika stand out as those of greatest abundance on the island slope. The greatest diversity of species was located on the upper slope. The standardized mean abundance and mean biomass for the transition zone between the shelf and slope and for the upper slope were nearly 5 times greater in abundance and 4 times greater in biomass than those estimated for the middle slope, and nearly 53 and 29 times greater for the lower slope, indicating a lower abundance and biomass at the shallower part of the insular slope. The mean weight per individual showed an increasing pattern with depth and an inverse pattern with the bottom temperature and salinity. The existence of depth boundaries around the Canary Islands is known to be closely linked to oceanographic conditions, determined by the water masses present in this archipelago explaining the discontinuities observed at depths of 800 and 2000 m. The boundary observed inside the bathymetric region of the Eastern North Atlantic Central Water can be related with the transition zone between the shelf and the slope of the island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study at a local scale of the fauna in a natural mountain landscape provides insights regarding the patterns and the factors influencing distribution. We test if each type of natural forest and some open habitats in the Muniellos Biosphere Reserve have their own unique harvestmen assemblages. We further investigate the presence of groups of sites sharing harvestmen assemblages and the factors and indicator species involved. Nineteen sites with well-known phytosociological association were sampled during nine surveys from late 2001 to 2002 by means of three sampling protocols. The quality of the inventories was assessed via the corresponding species accumulation curves. The cluster analysis using the Bray Curtis similarity index showed the presence of two main distinct groups of sites. One group consisted of seven lower forest sites, while the second group contained samples from more open sites and lighter forests. IndVal analyses show the first group has six characteristic species and the second group has one. ANOSIM analyses revealed that the harvestmen community composition was significantly different between the two clusters. Orientation appears to be one main driver of harvestmen assemblages on Mount Muniellos: a clear distinction between the two clusters appears along the boundary of shady to sunny habitats. The vegetal associations that house the higher harvestmen species richness have the higher soil richness. Seven rare and infrequent species were found in forests with richer soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation in private gardens contributes significantly to plant species richness and vegetation volume across urban areas. Drivers of garden diversity and structure are complex, reflecting the diversity of social, cultural, and socioeconomic characteristics of the householders who manage their gardens, as well as their predecessors. Here we investigate the woodiness of gardens, and focus on (1) the prevalence of native versus exotic woody plants and (2) the influence of characteristics of garden owners, the gardens, and their proximity to neighborhood green spaces to identify the degree to which these factors explain patterns in native and exotic woody species communities in entire (back and front) gardens in southern temperate New Zealand. We found few consistent patterns in structure in woody species community composition. Outlying gardens were characterized by low species richness and abundance. Thirty-seven species commonly occurred across most gardens: most of these were exotic. Twelve native species were common throughout most gardens. There was significant but weak matching to social and environmental variables: vegetated area, species knowledge, and education explained pattern in native communities, whereas vegetated area, species knowledge, and householder age explained variation in exotic communities. Native trees > 5 m tall occurred in only 58% of gardens. Tall tree density was 10/ha, and 29% of gardens lacked any trees > 5 m. Tree presence was weakly (positively) associated with extent and proximity of neighborhood green space. We suggest that the legacy of previous owners' gardening practices is important to consider when identifying drivers of garden plant community structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on the distribution of Recent Ostracoda in offshore sediment was carried out around the South China Sea. A total of 30 sediment samples were taken from the sampling stations between latitude 1°48' and 7°25'N and longitude 102°09'and 105°16'E. From this study, 79 species of ostracods belonging to 16 families and 44 genera were identified. The dominant species was Foveoleberis cypraeoides with 93 7 individuals obtained. There were 13 to 43 species in total. Diversity Index, H(s), was in the range of 2.1 to 3.3, whereas the dominance values were between 4.4 and 14.7%. Several environmental parameters were measured including depth, temperature and salinity. The range values for each of these parameters are 13-72 m, 25.24-30.06°C and27.74-34.91 ppt, respectively. The sediment texture in this study area can be categorized as sand, sandy mud, clayey mud, silty mud, silty clay, clayey sand, clayey silt and silty sand. The observations revealed that abundance and diversity of ostracod appeared to be principally controlled by depth. Two faunal assemblages were identified in terms of faunal composition, namely, shallow water (Hemikrithe orientalis, Neomonoceratina iniqua, Stigmatocythere indica, Cytherelloidea leroyi and Neocytheretta snellii) and deep water (Paracypris sp., Alataconchapterogona, Bythocytheropteron alatum, Keijella paucipunctata and Actinocythereis scutigera). A comparative analysis showed a high degree resemblance between the study area and south-eastern Malay Peninsula (the South China Sea). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molluscan assemblages inhabiting subtidal soft bottoms in the northwestern Alboran Sea were studied to analyse temporal changes in structure and composition. A total of 117 samples were collected seasonally using a small rock dredge at 10 sampling stations, yielding 210 mollucan species. The assemblages occurring on the different soft bottoms were well-sorted fine sands assemblage (SFBC), mixed coarse sands assemblage (MX), muddy bioclastic sands assemblage (DE) and coastal bioclastic sands assemblage (DC), and all displayed high species richness values throughout the year. Different seasonal dynamics were observed and ecological indices were influenced by dominant species, especially the bivalveSpisula subtruncataat the shallow stations and the gastropodsCalyptraea chinensisandNassarius reticulatusat the deeper stations. SFBC displayed maximum abundance (N), species richness (S) and Shannon–Wiener diversity (H′) in autumn, DE and MX displayed maximum N and S in spring but maximum H′ in autumn (DE) and winter (MX), and finally DC displayed stable values of ecological indices throughout the year with minima in spring. Seasonal changes in the deep assemblages (25 m) were not significant and therefore less acute than those of shallower ones (5, 15 m), probably due to a lower influence of the environmental conditions and a higher habitat complexity. Seasonal patterns were somewhat different from those observed in more northern areas of Europe, where maximum abundance and species richness is usually concentrated at the end of summer. This original information will provide a baseline to understand the dynamics of benthic communities in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study is to analyze the community structure, ecology and distribution of deep Weddell Sea sponge faunas. Analysis was performed on the basis of sponges sampled during ANDEEP I-III and SYSTCO I expeditions (2002-2008) by RV Polarstern. The material obtained comprises about 800 sponge specimens, representing 129 species, within these are 95 species of demosponges (including 15 new to science), 25 hexactinellid species (7 new) and 9 calcarean species (5 new). Sponges were sampled at 51 stations in depths between 500 and 5,500 m. At most stations, sponge densities were very low, and many species are represented by one or two specimens only. Community structure by Bray-Curtis similarity was analyzed as well as depth range and spatial distribution of the most common species. Zoogeographic affinities of sampled faunas are analyzed. Three associations of sponges are found in the deep Weddell Sea: (1) The Polymastia/ Tentorium community, (including Rossella associations) distributed on the lower shelf and continental slope. (2) The Bathydorus community, distributed on the continental slope and upper abyssal. (3) The Caulophacus community, associated with Cladorhizidae, is characteristic for the abyssal plains. The associations follow each other successively both bathymetrically and geographically, from shallow to deep, from shelf and ridge structures into the open abyssal. A distinct faunistic boundary between shelf and deep sea is not present. In general, the sponge fauna of the deep Weddell Sea is regionally restricted and shows stronger affinities only to the sponge fauna of the subantarctic islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation in private gardens contributes significantly to plant species richness and vegetation volume across urban areas. Drivers of garden diversity and structure are complex, reflecting the diversity of social, cultural, and socioeconomic characteristics of the householders who manage their gardens, as well as their predecessors. Here we investigate the woodiness of gardens, and focus on (1) the prevalence of native versus exotic woody plants and (2) the influence of characteristics of garden owners, the gardens, and their proximity to neighborhood green spaces to identify the degree to which these factors explain patterns in native and exotic woody species communities in entire (back and front) gardens in southern temperate New Zealand. We found few consistent patterns in structure in woody species community composition. Outlying gardens were characterized by low species richness and abundance. Thirty-seven species commonly occurred across most gardens: most of these were exotic. Twelve native species were common throughout most gardens. There was significant but weak matching to social and environmental variables: vegetated area, species knowledge, and education explained pattern in native communities, whereas vegetated area, species knowledge, and householder age explained variation in exotic communities. Native trees > 5 m tall occurred in only 58% of gardens. Tall tree density was 10/ha, and 29% of gardens lacked any trees > 5 m. Tree presence was weakly (positively) associated with extent and proximity of neighborhood green space. We suggest that the legacy of previous owners' gardening practices is important to consider when identifying drivers of garden plant community structure.

Abstract: In the present study, I described the organization of a Neotropical bat assemblage, and tested whether this organization was variable in time. In an Atlantic Forest reserve in southeastern Brazil bats were captured monthly with mist nets over 4years, and individuals were classified into guilds. I analyzed only leaf-nosed bats, and observed that guilds of fruit-eating bats dominated the assemblage. This pattern was repeated across months and years. However, among frugivores, canopy and understory guilds peaked during different months, but in both cases during the rainy season, while variation among habitat-opportunistic species was not explained by rainfall. The most reliable ecological service delivered by phyllostomid bats in the area is seed dispersal, although other services may be also important in particular seasons. My results suggest that the observed patterns of temporal species turnover are related to the abundance of preferred food items. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although frequent studies have been made on the benthos assemblages living in the Southern Ocean, few studies have dealt with molluscan assemblages and ecology. During the research programmes BENTART carried out in austral summers of 2003 and 2006 in a study area including Low Island, West Antarctic Peninsula, Bellingshausen Sea and Peter I Island, 45 stations were sampled using quantitative box-corer, Agassiz trawl, epibenthic sledge and rock dredge, at depths of 53–3,304 m. These data were used to search and analyse the malacological assemblages. A total of 2,889 living specimens of molluscs belonging to 139 species of shelled Gastropoda, Bivalvia and Scaphopoda were recoded. Gastropods were the best-represented in species richness, but the bivalves accounted the major abundance and Cyamiocardium denticulatum (460 individuals) was the most abundant species. Species richness varied from 1 to 37 species and diversity showed great variations at different stations. Four groups of stations of low similarities and some differences in faunistic composition were observed: one that gathers the Antarctic Peninsula and Peter I Island, one that also includes the Low Island, and two composed by stations of Bellingshausen Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High diversity of fish along the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula is a consequence of strong climatic contrasts between the cool California Current and the warm subtropical California Countercurrent. This favors the distribution of biotas of temperate and tropical affinities belonging to the San Diegan and Panamic Provinces. This work analyzes the specific composition and abundance of fish larvae to characterize their assemblage and seasonal changes in Bahía Magdalena, Baja California Sur, during the first 10 months of the 1997–1998 El Niño event. For 46,229 fish larvae, 105 taxa were grouped into 84 genera of 45 families. During the study period, more than a twofold increase in the number of species with respect to other studies represents the largest collection to date. Species composition suggests that at least 40% of the 260 taxa reported as adults had reproductive activity. Two temporally distinct larval fish assemblages were characterized by dominant species with massive spawning, such as Pacific sardine in winter, and mojarras and thread herring in summer. The SST annual cycle, as an indicator of environmental variability, is consistent with the taxonomic change between cool and warm periods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Information from artisanal marine fisheries inColima, Mexico is analyzed to find evidence ofchange in the composition of fish assemblagesresulting from fishing pressure. Catchcomposition from up to 20 boats per day, during2 to 6 days a month, were recorded from 1983 to1998. Stability of the species composition wasanalyzed using rank correlation methods, andmeasures of diversity (specific richness,Shannon-Wiener index, evenness) were estimatedfrom data. The resulting time-series wereanalyzed to detect trends. No significantdifferences were found in the number of speciescaught by month nor were significant trends indiversity detected. The composition of the fishassemblages is dynamic. The presence ofpersistent and resilient species that definedthe values obtained of diversity and evennesswas detected, but did not determine thestructure of the community, which is apparentlydefined by other factors. The changes incomposition of the catch probably are aconsequence of environmental fluctuations andrandom events, and not a direct consequence offishing pressures on the fish community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]