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Seagrass beds are composed of foundation species, providing essential nursery grounds, feeding areas, and refuge for various marine life. Several species of fish and invertebrates utilize seagrasses as essential habitat. The Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) is an understudied species in Texas, and little is known about its density, distribution, and habitat associations in this area of their range. Physicochemical water parameters, nekton community data, habitat data, and Dwarf Seahorse catch data were collected at 80 sites in Texas. The highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) of the target species was in Aransas Bay (0.038/m2). There was a positive relationship between the presence and percent cover of turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) and the presence and CPUE of Dwarf Seahorses. Dwarf Seahorses were detected more often and at a higher CPUE in locations with a higher seagrass community diversity and richness. The nekton community at sites where Dwarf Seahorses were detected was also more abundant, diverse, and species rich. This is the first comprehensive study of the distribution of the Dwarf Seahorse along the Texas coast. Dwarf Seahorses were generally found in higher abundances in association with mature, stable, and diverse seagrass beds. Recommended conservation strategy to protect Dwarf Seahorses should prioritize the protection of established and mature seagrass beds. Continued directed monitoring of this species is recommended to better understand their distribution and population status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herpetofauna of the Iberian Peninsula is relatively well-researched, yet detailed studies, at least in part relying on molecular genetic data, continue to reveal taxa new to science, mostly species and subspecies. Newts of the genus Triturus are one such group with undiscovered yet taxonomically relevant variation, as shown by the recent description of new (sub)species of pygmy newts (T. pygmaeus, T. rudolfi). The marbled newt, Triturus marmoratus, shows an equally deep and geographically coherent spatial-genetic diversification. It is here shown that a northern and a southern group are characterized by different mitochondrial dna profiles and are also differentiated in morphometry and colouration pattern. With no firm evidence for selection against intermediate genotypes, the southern group is described at the subspecies level, as T. marmoratus harmannis ssp. nov. The subspecies' contact zone is situated at ca. 41.5 northern latitude and stretches from the Atlantic coast near Porto, Portugal to the northeast of Madrid, Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological and genetic variation of organisms is generally lower in northern than in southern regions of the Palearctic. This ubiquitous geographical pattern has been associated with extinction and recolonization processes in the north versus persistence in the Mediterranean area, as governed by climate change in the Pleistocene. One area of differentiation and complexity is the Iberian Peninsula where two distinct sister-species of marbled newts possess adjoining and geographically sharply delimited ranges over the north (Triturus marmoratus) and the south of the peninsula (T. pygmaeus). Within the latter species two forms are here documented, with different colouration patterns and non-overlapping ranges. The southern form is striped, much as in T. marmoratus, and occurs to the south of the Guadalquivir River. The northern form, here described as a new subspecies, has a reticulated dorsal colouration. It occurs only north of the Guadalquivir and is thus sandwiched in between two striped marbled newt taxa. Both T. pygmaeus subspecies engage inside the Doñana National Park in a ca. 2,500 m narrow contact zone. Although an inferred substantial selection against hybrids goes a long way to support species status, a reanalysis of published genetic data is required to solve this issue, along with the wider investigation of the same type of (microsatelite) data for the southern, nominotypical subspecies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verbascum and Rhabdotosperma are members of the family Scrophulariaceae. The first genus comprises approximately 360 species from almost all parts of the world, while the second contains a total of 8 species from tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Since 1977, the relationships between Verbascum and Rhabdotosperma continue to be contested. The present study aims to present the phylogenetic relationships and status among Verbascum species in the Arabian Peninsula. For phylogenetic analyses, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference were performed. In total, 236 DNA sequences from 59 specimens of Arabian Verbascum were analysed. The phylogenetic analysis of one nuclear (ITS) and three chloroplastic (rbcL, matK, trnL) markers confirmed the monophyly of Verbascum, including the genus Rhabdotosperma. In addition to presenting novel phylogenetic relationships among the different Verbascum species in the Arabian Peninsula, our study reduced the species count of Arabian Verbascum to 16. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the reinstatement of the genus Rhabdotosperma into Verbascum based on the Bayesian and maximum parsimony analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The golden jackal continues to slowly inhabit the north of Central Polissia and to disperse. Mostly single individuals are found. The social structure of the jackal is flexible and groups of more than two individuals are found in places of food concentration. A similar situation occurred in the Ubort River valley near the Ukrainian–Belarusian border, when visual encounters of jackal family consisting of probably 3–4 animals were very frequent near the burial place of livestock corpses. In the north of Central Polissia of Ukraine, the jackal has been recorded since 2014. The species is rare here. According to the registration of tracks, this predator is found on a less forested forest ridge between the settlements of Ovruch–Velidnyky–Slovechno–Levkovychi and in the valley of the Uborti River, which is a natural corridor of the species’ northward dispersal. Given Ukraine’s course towards EU membership and the position of the Baltic countries on the jackal, our country will obviously have to take into account the special status of the jackal as a species that has expanded its range on its own. Accordingly, this predator should not be considered an invasive species. Obviously, the problem with the jackal in forested regions of north of Ukraine will be much less severe than in the south in the floodplains of large rivers. In the Polissia, in trophically rich broadleaf forests with mosaic forest cover, the jackal is likely to coexist successfully with the wolf. Interspecific relations between wolves and jackals do not take the form of direct pursuit, but rather by marking territory. It has been found that jackals respond to chemical and visual markings of wolves during dispersal and try to quickly leave areas with high wolf population density. Unlike solitary wolves in the wild, solitary jackals are able to forage for food much more efficiently and therefore have a higher chance of survival in the wild. The preconceived notion of the jackal as a problematic species may not allow for an unbiased assessment of its impact on ecosystems. In its relations with humans, the jackal in the Polissia is a less problematic species compared to wolves, foxes, or American minks. It is necessary to inform the Ukrainian public, authorities and politicians about existing international legal instruments and European experience in managing populations of carnivorous mammals, including the golden jackal.

Herein, we present an updated list of the species of amphibians and reptiles that inhabit Nayarit, Mexico. In the years since the publication of a previous list in 2016, threats to amphibians and reptiles in Nayarit have continued unabated and efforts to more fully catalogue the richness of Nayarit's herpetofauna have continued. Nayarit harbours 162 native species of amphibians and reptiles, representing 35 families and 85 genera. These include 37 species of amphibians (35 anurans and two salamanders) and 125 species of reptiles (one crocodile, 44 lizards, 69 snakes and 11 turtles). Of the amphibian and reptile species in Nayarit, 102 are endemic to Mexico and two endemic to Nayarit. The ecoregion with the highest richness of amphibians and reptiles in Nayarit is the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt followed closely by the Sierra Madre Occidental and then the Sierra Madre del Sur, the Pacific Lowlands and the Nayarit Islands. Just 5.8% of the species of amphibians and reptiles in Nayarit is IUCN-listed as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered, 11.1% are placed in a protected category by SEMARNAT and nearly a third are categorised as high risk by the Environmental Vulnerability Score. The herpetofauna of Nayarit overlaps the most with Jalisco (88.9%). One of the main conclusions of our updated list of the amphibian and reptile species of Nayarit is that our understanding of the full complement of species is not complete, especially the reptiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement Summary Clarifying species status for closely related taxa with similar and overlapping morphology is important for planning conservation efforts. Conservation of Rafflesia goes beyond merely saving species from extinction. It has far‐reaching societal impacts that touch on scientific discovery, cultural heritage, economic development, education, and more. Rafflesia interests many nature lovers, and so protected areas that preserve Rafflesia can become tourism hotspots, contributing to local economies and livelihoods. By conserving biodiversity, we acknowledge and value the interdependence of all living organisms, promoting a holistic understanding of nature. Biodiversity conservation is an investment in the health and well‐being of both ecosystems and human societies. Species ambiguity could hinder conservation activities. Rafflesia is an endangered, holoparasitic, and endophytic plant genus that grows exclusively on Tetrastigma (Vitaceae) host plants. Overlapping morphological characters make their species delimitation difficult. Therefore, the number of Rafflesia species has been a major debate until now. On the island of Java, Indonesia, two or three species have been variously recognized. Here, we aim to illuminate the species status using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) marker obtained via a multiplexed ISSR genotyping by sequencing (MIG‐seq) approach. Clustering analysis with STRUCTURE indicates three different groups. Furthermore, the delimitation of the Javanese Rafflesia into three species is the favored model based on SNAPPER analysis. Phylogenetic analysis using Randomized Axelerated Maximum Likelihood (RAxML) also supports the distinction of the three groups. Although a SplitsTree4 analysis confirms the abovementioned results, it also highlights that Rafflesia patma shows broader gene flow compared to the other two species R. rochusenii and R. zollingeriana. We conclude that there are likely three species of Rafflesia on Java. Our study highlights the ability of using SNPs markers, in this case derived from a MIG‐seq approach, in approaching species uncertainty. The importance of clarifying the Rafflesia species status on Java Island for conservation planning is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study depicts the results from the extensive monitoring of the invertebrate fauna of Belchishta Wetland, which is the largest preserved wetland in North Macedonia with an area of 137 hectares, including flooded forests and wet habitats. A total of thirty taxa belonging to eight systematic groups were registered, three of them being endemic species. Among the three endemic species, two are on the national list of endangered species. The thirty registered taxa of the invertebrate fauna of Belchishta Wetland point to a pronounced biodiversity, the framework of which includes endemic species with a narrow area of distribution and low abundance. These are justified arguments for the immediate adoption of conservation and protection measures through integral management of the whole Belchishta Wetland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Questions about the invasive flora of the Caucasus regions are a most important issue under discussion. The aim of the research is to identify the species composition of the family Poaceae, which are alien to the Western Caucasus, and their distribution over the floristic regions of the Caucasus.Material and Methods. Material: Disturbed communities. Methods: analysis of herbarium collections, route reconnaissance studies of the territory of the Western and Eastern Caucasus, detailed geobotanical route studies with photography, population mapping and analysis of literary sources.Results. 96 invasive cereal species in the territory of the Western Caucasus and the Ciscaucasia were identified and their current geographical distribution shown. 5 levels of danger have been established in terms of the amount of invasive cereal flora in the floristic regions of the Caucasus. An ecological analysis is given for 96 species of cereals in the Caucasus.Conclusion. 96 invasive cereal species were identified and their current geographical distribution in the territory of the Western Caucasus and the Ciscaucasia shown. 5 levels of danger have been established in terms of the amount of such invasive flora in the Caucasus’ floristic regions. An ecological analysis is given for these 96 invasive species of cereals.

Interspecific hybridization is common and has often been viewed as a driving force of plant diversity. However, it raises taxonomic problems and thus impacts biodiversity estimation and biological conservation. Although previous molecular phylogenetic studies suggested that interspecific hybridization may be rather common in Clematis, and artificial hybridization has been widely applied to produce new Clematis cultivars for nearly two centuries, the issue of natural hybridization of Clematis has never been addressed in detail. In this study, we tested the hybrid origin of a mesophytic and cold-adapted vine species, Clematis pinnata, which is a rare and taxonomically controversial taxon endemic to northern China. Using field investigations, flow cytometry (FCM), phylogenomic analysis, morphological statistics, and niche modeling, we tested hybrid origin and species status of C. pinnata. The FCM results showed that all the tested species were homoploid (2n = 16). Phylonet and HyDe analyses based on transcriptome data showed the hybrid origins of C. × pinnata from either C. brevicaudata × C. heracleifolia or C. brevicaudata × C. tubulosa. The plastome phylogeny depicted that C. × pinnata in different sampling sites originated by different hybridization events. Morphological analysis showed intermediacy of C. × pinnata between its putative parental species in many qualitative and quantitative characters. Niche modeling results suggested that C. × pinnata had not been adapted to a novel ecological niche independent of its putative parents. These findings demonstrated that plants of C. × pinnata did not formed a self-evolved clade and should not be treated as a species. The present study also suggests that interspecific hybridization is a common mechanism in Clematis to generate diversity and variation, and it may play an important role in the evolution and diversification of this genus. Our study implies that morphological diversity caused by natural hybridization may overstate the real species diversity in Clematis.

Interspecific hybridization is common and has often been viewed as a driving force of plant diversity. However, it raises taxonomic problems and thus impacts biodiversity estimation and biological conservation. Although previous molecular phylogenetic studies suggested that interspecific hybridization may be rather common in Clematis , and artificial hybridization has been widely applied to produce new Clematis cultivars for nearly two centuries, the issue of natural hybridization of Clematis has never been addressed in detail. In this study, we tested the hybrid origin of a mesophytic and cold-adapted vine species, Clematis pinnata , which is a rare and taxonomically controversial taxon endemic to northern China. Using field investigations, flow cytometry (FCM), phylogenomic analysis, morphological statistics, and niche modeling, we tested hybrid origin and species status of C. pinnata. The FCM results showed that all the tested species were homoploid (2n = 16). Phylonet and HyDe analyses based on transcriptome data showed the hybrid origins of C. × pinnata from either C. brevicaudata × C. heracleifolia or C. brevicaudata × C. tubulosa. The plastome phylogeny depicted that C. × pinnata in different sampling sites originated by different hybridization events. Morphological analysis showed intermediacy of C. × pinnata between its putative parental species in many qualitative and quantitative characters. Niche modeling results suggested that C. × pinnata had not been adapted to a novel ecological niche independent of its putative parents. These findings demonstrated that plants of C. × pinnata did not formed a self-evolved clade and should not be treated as a species. The present study also suggests that interspecific hybridization is a common mechanism in Clematis to generate diversity and variation, and it may play an important role in the evolution and diversification of this genus. Our study implies that morphological diversity caused by natural hybridization may overstate the real species diversity in Clematis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variability of craniological characters has been studied for anadromous and lacustrine forms of whitefish Coregonus lavaretus (Linnaeus, 1758) from waterbodies of the Karelian coast of the White Sea. The significant phenotypic plasticity of craniological characters of the whitefish depends on the environmental conditions. Moreover, there is a correlation between indexes of the craniological traits (except for the index of the snout length) and the body and/or head length (allometric effect). These results suggest that it is unreasonable to separate anadromous and lacustrine forms of C. lavaretus as distinct taxonomical units and argues for the invalidity of C. pidschian and C. oxyrinchus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tiger beetles of the southern Levant (Egypt: Sinai, Israel, Jordan) and adjacent regions of the neighboring countries Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are reviewed in terms of species taxonomy, ecological and distributional traits and conservation biology. An illustrated dichotomous identification key from the species of this region is provided. Based on the classical identification key, we developed a digital identification application for smartphones and tablets. The species status of Calomera aulicoides (J.R. Sahlberg, 1913) is (re-) established (stat. rest.) as this taxon can be found sympatrically and parapatrically together with Calomera littoralis winkleri (Mandl, 1934). Morphological character states are discussed to identify Cicindela javetii Chaudoir, 1861 and C. herbacea Klug, 1832. Calomera aphrodisia (Baudi di Selve, 1864) is recorded for the first time from Israel. The presence of Calomera aulica (Dejean, 1831) and Grammognatha euphratica (Dejean, 1822) is confirmed by new records. At least five taxa are. threatened or extinct in Israel. For one of these species, Israel has a national responsibility for the conservation as the main part of the distribution range is within this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae) is a Drosophila parasitoid that has often been misidentified as G. xanthopoda (Ashmead) in recent studies. This study aims to clarify genetic differentiation of G. brasiliensis based on the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 ( CO1) gene and three nuclear DNA regions, the inter-transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2) and putative 60S ribosomal protein L37 ( RpL37), as well as crossing experiments. Four lineages are recognized in individuals assigned as G. basiliensis by morphology, (1) individuals occurring in Japan and probably South Korea, (2) individuals from a small subtropical island of Japan, Iriomote-jima, (3) individuals from temperate lowlands of Japan and high altitude areas of Southeast Asia, and (4) individuals occurring widely in Asia, America, Hawaii and Africa. The first lineage is a specialist of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), a pest of fresh fruit, and also the fourth lineage has a capacity to parasitize this pest species. The first, third and fourth lineages occur sympatrically at least in Tokyo. The third and fourth lineages differed in mate choice and host use to some extent, but post-mating isolation between them was almost absent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propomacrus cypriacusa saproxylic beetle endemic to Cyprus, was described as a species distinct fromP. bimucronatuson the basis of a few morphological characters and has been evaluated as Critically Endangered by IUCN, as it depends on veteran trees and has a restricted distribution. Herein we explored the distribution, ecology, morphology and genetic variation of the populations from Cyprus, and we attempted a phylogenetic analysis including related species based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear DNA markers. We also used published mtDNA divergence rates to date cladogenetic events. Despite extensive sampling, we found only a small number of individuals, adding a few additional localities to the known distribution of the species, and we identified two more host species to those previously reported. Morphological examination showed that only the form of male protibiae differs consistently in Cyprus populations compared to those ofP. bimucronatusfrom Turkey and the Lebanon. Nevertheless, genetic analyses do not support a distinct species status for populations from Cyprus, which should instead be considered as a subspecies ofP. bimucronatus. Morphological and ecological data further support this conclusion. Cyprus populations have diverged from nearby continental ones in mid to late Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was petitioned to list the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Research into stressors that may be negatively affecting walruses is incomplete. We developed a Bayesian belief network model structured around the ESA 5‐factor analysis during a workshop attended by walrus and ESA experts to 1) elicit expert opinion on important stressors and their effects, 2) develop the model, and 3) develop and analyze plausible future scenarios. The listing factors and associated stressors were organized as sub‐models, capturing the cumulative effects of the factors through model output, which was the probability of negative, neutral, or positive effects. We found that in a time‐constrained workshop, the graphical display of Bayesian belief networks allowed for rapid development, assessment, and revision of model structure and parameters. We modeled up to 3 scenarios (most likely‐, worst‐, and best‐case) for each of 4 time periods (recent past, contemporary, mid‐century, and late‐century). Model output for the recent past (reference condition) was consistent with observations and provided a baseline for comparison of the outcomes of other periods and scenarios; stressor effects became increasingly negative with time. However, scenario analyses indicated that mitigation of relatively few stressors could reduce the cumulative effects of the listing factors. Uncertainty in model output was lowest for the past but differed by only 7% among the other time periods. We used 4 types of sensitivity analyses to identify explanatory variables that had the greatest influence on model outcomes. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Assessing the scale of ecological changes that have occurred since the onset of the Anthropocene is challenging. One major problem is that of shifting baselines, whereby the norms we set for judging the state of species, populations, or ecosystems change over time due to incomplete information. Here we show how data mining can be used to fill some of the information gaps fueling shifting baselines. We used as example an elusive species, the wolverine ( Gulo gulo), given that information gaps are so prevailing for such species. We applied the concept of data mining to search documents hosted on publicly accessible online repositories and found information about the historical occurrence of wolverines that allowed us to revise their historical range in eastern North America. We found 12 historical accounts attesting the presence of wolverines in various parts of the Maritime Provinces of Canada, of which 11 were new to contemporary science. According to our results, the eastern limit of the historical range of the wolverine should be extended to include the current jurisdictions of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Biological change is the central paradigm of species status assessments. We show that online repositories of public domain literature can now be critical sources of information to assess biological change, including in the case of elusive species. Data mining constitutes a productive tool to uncover useful knowledge hidden in a sea of digitized historical information, and should thus allow researchers and conservationists to more effectively mitigate the problem of shifting baselines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercontinental introductions are widespread in the genus Spartina, with important ecological and evolutionary consequences. The native or introduced status of Spartina species is then critical with regard to biodiversity assessment, especially for vulnerable Mediterranean coastline ecosystems. Spartina versicolor was first recorded in southern France in 1849, then successively in various places on the European and North-African Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. This species is considered to be either a European native or an invasive species introduced from North America which has a high morphological similarity to the Atlantic American species Spartina patens. We performed extensive sampling of S. versicolor in Europe and North Africa (from natural populations and herbarium collections) and compared these samples to other European and American Spartina species (including S. patens). Chromosome counts were reported for the first time and revealed that S. versicolor is tetraploid (2 n = 4 x = 40). Phylogenetic analyses based on chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences did not reveal any molecular variation within S. versicolor. In this species, a single haplotype, that is identical to one haplotype of S. patens, was found in the four chloroplast and the nuclear ribosomal ITS regions investigated. In addition, simple sequence repeat markers were used and revealed a low level of genetic diversity within S. versicolor, suggesting that the introduction of S. versicolor occurred from a narrow genetic pool of S. patens from North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Egyptian weasel ( Mustela subpalmata) is a small mustelid with a distribution restricted to the lower Nile Valley and the Nile Delta. Traditionally considered a subspecies of the least weasel ( M. nivalis), it is currently recognized as a separate species based on morphology. Here we present the first genetic assessment of the taxonomic status of the Egyptian weasel by comparing mitochondrial DNA (Cytochrome b gene and control region) sequences to those of least weasels from the western Palearctic, with a focus on the Mediterranean region. Our results provide no evidence to support the view that the Egyptian weasel is genetically distinct from the least weasel, as we found that, for both Cytochrome b and control region, haplotypes were shared between the two taxa. Specifically, the Cytochrome b and control region haplotypes detected in the Egyptian weasel were also present in M. nivalis from Turkey and Malta, two populations genetically analysed here for the first time. Our results suggest that the Egyptian weasel is distinct from the least weasel populations currently living in the Maghreb, which were inferred to be the result of an earlier colonization of North Africa, but the genetic data alone do not allow us to determine whether the Egyptian weasel is native or introduced. Nevertheless, the observed genetic patterns, together with the weasel fossil record in Israel and the unique commensal lifestyle of the Egyptian weasel, are consistent with the hypothesis that the Egyptian population is a relict of past range expansion from the Levant into Egypt. We suggest that the large size and characteristic sexual dimorphism of the Egyptian weasel are likely to represent ecotypic variation, but genomic studies are required to clarify the extent of its functional genetic divergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of the genus Steganacarus are soil-living oribatid mites (Acari, Phthiracaridae) with a ptychoid body. The phylogeny and species status of the species of Steganacarus are not resolved, some authors group all ten German species of Steganacarus within the genus Steganacarus whereas others split them into three subgenera, Steganacarus, Tropacarus and Atropacarus. Additionally, two species, S. magnus and T. carinatus, comprise morphotypes of questionable species status. We investigated the phylogeny and species status of ten European Steganacarus species, i.e. S. applicatus, S. herculeanus, S. magnus forma magna, S. magnus forma anomala, S. spinosus, Tropacarus brevipilus, T. carinatus forma carinata, T. carinatus forma pulcherrima, Atropacarus striculus and Rhacaplacarus ortizi. We used two molecular markers, a 251 bp fragment of the nuclear gene 28S rDNA (D3) and a 477 bp fragment of the mitochondrial COI region. The phylogeny based on a combined analysis of D3 and COI separated four subgenera ( Steganacarus, Tropacarus and Atropacarus, Rhacaplacarus) indicating that they form monophyletic groups. The COI region separated all ten species of the genus Steganacarus and showed variation within some species often correlating with the geographic origin of the species. Resolution of the more conserved D3 region was limited, indicating that radiation events are rather recent. Overall, our results indicate that both genes alone cannot be used for phylogeny and barcoding since variation is too low in D3 and too high in COI. However, when used in combination these genes provide reliable insight into the phylogeny, radiation and species status of taxa of the genus Steganacarus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian vulnerability was studied in three habitats of the National Park Los Cardones (Salta, Argentina): Valle Encantado, Valle Tin Tin and Laguna Cachipampa. These habitats differ in plant abundance and composition, altitude and climate. Vulnerability of avian species was estimated taking into account an index built considering geographic distribution, abundance and habitat specificity. It varies between a maximal of one and a minimal of eight. 40 % of species have the higher vulnerability index (restricted geographic distribution, restricted habitat specificity and low abundance).

Debate over the taxonomic status of the Neanderthals has been incessant since the initial discovery of the type specimens, with some arguing they should be included within our species (i.e. Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) and others believing them to be different enough to constitute their own species (Homo neanderthalensis). This synthesis addresses the process of speciation as well as incorporating information on the differences between species and subspecies, and the criteria used for discriminating between the two. It also analyses the evidence for Neanderthal-AMH hybrids, and their relevance to the species debate, before discussing morphological and genetic evidence relevant to the Neanderthal taxonomic debate. The main conclusion is that Neanderthals fulfil all major requirements for species status. The extent of interbreeding between the two populations is still highly debated, and is irrelevant to the issue at hand, as the Biological Species Concept allows for an expected amount of interbreeding between species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chars of the genus Salvelinus (Salmonidae) are characterized by high phenotypic diversity within lake or river basins, which creates some difficulties for determining the taxonomic (species) status of their forms and populations. The lack of the commonly accepted species concept complicates the situation. Based on the dominant biological species concept the reveal of the reproduction isolation of such forms or populations under conditions of sympatry can be the foundation for establishing the species status. The use of molecular genetic markers is a key approach to determining the degree of reproductive isolation and genetic divergence of populations. The paper compares and summarizes our and literary data on genetic studies of several species of the chars in the Russian Far East and northeast with regard to controversial issues of their species status. Using various molecular genetic markers, the validity of the species status of white char ( S. albus) compared to the sympatric northern Dolly Varden ( S. malma malma) was analyzed. The absence of the complete reproductive isolation between these chars makes it possible to consider S. albus as an ecotype or a form of S. m. malma, but not as a separate species. In pairs of sympatric S. m. malma- S. taranetzi and S. m. malma- S. levanidovi, the genetically well-expressed reproductive isolation was determined, which confirms their supposed status as separate species. The character of genetic differences for allozyme markers in the Asian allopatric population of S. m. malma and S. alpinus and the evidence of the reproductive isolation by microsatellite loci in sympatric Alaskan populations of these chars correspond to their status of separate species. The results of an analysis of mitochondrial genomes are evidence of their relatively recent divergence and possible hybridization between these species during their evolution. Significant genetic differences, including karyological differences between allopatric forms of northern and southern forms of Dolly Varden ( S. m. malma- S. m. krascheninnikivi) correspond to the level of the species differentiation. However, the degree of their reproductive isolation in sympatry remains unknown. The data on mtDNA make it possible to suggest hybridization between these forms of Dolly Varden in their evolutionary past. The possibilities of using different molecular markers to identify the contemporary and historical isolation, and the evolution of contemporary char species and forms, which complicate the determination of their taxonomic status, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was petitioned to list the Pacific walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens) under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Research into stressors that may be negatively affecting walruses is incomplete. We developed a Bayesian belief network model structured around the ESA 5-factor analysis during a workshop attended by walrus and ESA experts to 1) elicit expert opinion on important stressors and their effects, 2) develop the model, and 3) develop and analyze plausible future scenarios. The listing factors and associated stressors were organized as sub-models, capturing the cumulative effects of the factors through model output, which was the probability of negative, neutral, or positive effects. We found that in a time-constrained workshop, the graphical display of Bayesian belief networks allowed for rapid development, assessment, and revision of model structure and parameters. We modeled up to 3 scenarios (most likely-, worst-, and best-case) for each of 4 time periods (recent past, contemporary, mid-century, and late-century). Model output for the recent past (reference condition) was consistent with observations and provided a baseline for comparison of the outcomes of other periods and scenarios; stressor effects became increasingly negative with time. However, scenario analyses indicated that mitigation of relatively few stressors could reduce the cumulative effects of the listing factors. Uncertainty in model output was lowest for the past but differed by only 7% among the other time periods. We used 4 types of sensitivity analyses to identify explanatory variables that had the greatest influence on model outcomes. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unusually developed eyes of a Liposcelis silvarum strain from Croatia were discovered using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Such a morphologically unique type of eye was previously unknown in the genus Liposcelis. The typical morphological characteristics of females and males, important for species diagnosis, were also described and visualised using SEM micrographs. This paper includes details of male genitalia and egg morphology not previously published for L. silvarum. Species status of this geographic strain is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The genus Procellaria traditionally consists of four species, two restricted to New Zealand and two widespread in the Southern Ocean. All four are threatened because of incidental mortality on longlines and other fishing gear. The White-chinned Petrel P. aequinoctialis is the seabird killed in largest numbers by fisheries in the Southern Ocean. A spectacled form recently has been elevated to species status, Spectacled Petrel P. conspicillata, based on differences in morphometrics, vocalisations and breeding phenology. Cytochrome b sequences support species status for the Spectacled Petrel and show that the White-chinned Petrel has two regional populations, one around New Zealand and one throughout the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. White-chinned and Spectacled Petrels segregated approximately 0.90 million years ago by allopatric fragmentation, and the two populations within White-chinned Petrels diverged approximately 0.35 million years ago. Climate changes and corresponding changes in ocean currents are most likely responsible for these patterns. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study that deals with Pterostichus macrogenys Bates and its allied species of northern Japan. The authors provided descriptions of seven additional species including P. shirakamisan sp. nov., P. takadateyamanus sp. nov., P. chokaisanus sp. nov., P. gassanus sp. nov., P. eboshiyamanus sp. nov., P. yahikosanus sp. nov., and P. iwakiensis sp. nov. Based on their collection data and body-size differences, the authors highlighted the occurrence of large and small species in some localities.

A macrocephalic pterostichine carabid, Pterostichus ishikawai Nemoto, endemic to the Korean Peninsula, is taxonomically revised based mainly on the membranous parts of the genitalia (male endophallus and female vagina). Two species are separated from P. ishikawai (type locality: Mount Taebaegsan) and newly described: P. ishikawaioides (type locality: Mount Sobaeksan) and P. jiricola (type locality: Mount Jirisan). Since comparative male genital morphology does not support monophyly for these three species, the two novel species should be treated as distinct species, not subspecies of P. ishikawai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To elucidate the species status of Pinctada fucata in China, P. fucata martensii in Japan and P. imbricata in Australia, one population of each taxon was studied using internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 (ITS1, and ITS2) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. ITS1 and ITS2 were 401–405 and 229–237 bp long, respectively. Twenty-nine ITS1 and 15 ITS2 unique genotypes were obtained from 44 and 34 individuals, respectively, with some genotypes shared by two or three populations. In AFLP analysis, each individual exhibited a distinct phenotype. No population had diagnostic markers. Mean genetic divergences within and among the three populations were very low and overlapped (between-population: 0.7–0.9% for ITS1, 0.9–1.3% for ITS2, and 53.3–55.6% for AFLP; within-population: 0.5–0.9% for ITS1, 0.8–1.2% for ITS2, and 50.4–53.6% for AFLP). Low levels of genetic differentiation were observed among the three populations while the Australian population is partially genetically isolated. Under an infinite allele model, genetic differentiation among populations was not significant based on a permutation test. Under an infinite site model, most FST values were not significant for ITS data although they were significant for AFLP data. Network analysis using ITS data indicated that individuals from the same population did not cluster together. Analysis of molecular variance (amova) demonstrated that > 94% variation was contributed by within-population variation. These findings suggest that the three taxa are conspecific and Pinctada fucata is the correct name. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A status assessment for wildlife species is necessary for many states in the United States with the authority to list species as endangered and threatened. Status may confer legal protection or conservation priority within a state. The methods used to define species status vary across states, but most rely on subjective determinations made by a group of experts. We adapted the Delphi Technique, a systematic method of reaching consensus, to achieve greater objectivity in determining the relative endangerment or stability of a species' population. We used the method to determine the status of birds native to New Jersey by having experts choose a status, enumerate their confidence in it and justify their choice, on forms via mail. We compiled results and sent them back to all participants to review the information anonymously provided by others and vote again on each status based on this information, as well as their own experience and opinion. We continued this process for 4 rounds, reaching consensus on the status of 91% of 283 species in breeding and nonbreeding seasons. We used the results to assign legal status of bird species in the state. We present this as an appropriate technique to attain greater objectivity in species status assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the species status and intraspecific phylogeography in South Korea of two ground beetle species, Coptolabrus jankowskii and Coptolabrus smaragdinus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), using statistical parsimony networks and nested clade analyses based on sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PepCK) and wingless (Wg) genes. Although traditional parsimony tree construction generally failed to resolve interspecific relationships and construct biologically meaningful genealogies, analysis using statistical parsimony networks yielded statistically significant inter- and intraspecific genealogical structures. We found that although these two species represent a notable case of trans-species polymorphisms in both mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, their status as separate species was evidenced by the nonrandom association between species and nested clades at various nesting levels. The exceptional occurrence of shared identical or very similar COI sequences was considered to be the result of introgressive hybridization. In addition, range expansion and fragmentation events across the Korean Peninsula and adjacent islands were inferred from nested clade phylogeographical analyses. The COI gene revealed the geographical divergence of major eastern and western clades and historical biogeographical events within each major clade, whereas the nuclear PepCK gene, which did not reveal corresponding east–west clades, indicated past fragmentation and range expansion across wide areas that may have been the result of older biogeographical events. Thus, phylogeographical inferences drawn from analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genes can reveal different and potentially complementary information about phylogeographical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: A flightless carabid beetle, Pterostichus bellatrix (Tschitschérine, 1895), which is endemic to the Korean Peninsula, had been thought to comprise two subspecies: the nominotypical subspecies distributed in northern and central parts of the peninsula, and the subspecies P. bellatrix togyusanusPark and Kwon, 1996, distributed in the southern part of the peninsula. A recent study upgraded these two subspecies to species level, but no convincing evidence was provided for this taxonomic change. Our comparative morphology of external and male genital characters revealed that these two species are paraphyletic with respect to Pterostichus syleusKirschenhofer, 1997, which was described from Liaoning Province, China. Thus, separate species status of P. bellatrix and P. togyusanus was confirmed phylogenetically. Although P. togyusanus has only been known from the type locality, Mt. Deogyusan, we newly record this species from Mt. Jirisan, a mountain located south of the known locality. A revised key to species of the Pterostichus opacipennis species group (=the subgenus Koreonialoe (s. str.) Park and Kwon, 1996), which now includes 14 species, is also provided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]