Diversity

24 pages, 2800 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological, Historical, Economic, and Political Factors Shaping the Human–Gorilla Interface in the Mone-Oku Forest, Cameroon

by Alison H. Wade and Nicholas Malone

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040175 - 19 Apr 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3294

Abstract

Cross River gorillas are the least numerous of the African ape taxa. Since their rediscovery, several organisations have sought to conserve these critically endangered apes, resulting in a “crisis conservation narrative” focused on the threats posed by local human activities. However, landscapes are [...] Read more.

Cross River gorillas are the least numerous of the African ape taxa. Since their rediscovery, several organisations have sought to conserve these critically endangered apes, resulting in a “crisis conservation narrative” focused on the threats posed by local human activities. However, landscapes are not just ecological, they are also social, shaped by political and economic processes. This study examines the interconnections between humans and gorillas by approaching the Mone-Oku forest as a combination of ecological, social, and political systems. Through a combined use of botanical surveys, analyses of nesting sites, participant observation, and semistructured interviews, we obtained nuanced ecological and ethnographic insights into the human–gorilla interface. The results illustrate a history of alterations within the Mone-Oku forest, some of which are human-induced. These alterations have had both positive and negative outcomes for the gorillas and continue to the present day, where political history has shaped limited livelihood alternatives, increasing the reliance on a forest that has remained a constant in the more recent history of “developmental” neglect and isolation. However, this situation is not static, with future alterations to the forest also subject to regional and international political and economic influences, such as the increased worldwide demand for cacao. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Humans and Wild Animals: Interactions in Deep Time, Recent History, and Now)

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16 pages, 1493 KiB

Open AccessReview

Population Structures and Levels of Connectivity for Scyphozoan and Cubozoan Jellyfish

by Michael J. Kingsford, Jodie A. Schlaefer and Scott J. Morrissey

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040174 - 19 Apr 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5511

Abstract

Understanding the hierarchy of populations from the scale of metapopulations to mesopopulations and member local populations is fundamental to understanding the population dynamics of any species. Jellyfish by definition are planktonic and it would be assumed that connectivity would be high among local [...] Read more.

Understanding the hierarchy of populations from the scale of metapopulations to mesopopulations and member local populations is fundamental to understanding the population dynamics of any species. Jellyfish by definition are planktonic and it would be assumed that connectivity would be high among local populations, and that populations would minimally vary in both ecological and genetic clade-level differences over broad spatial scales (i.e., hundreds to thousands of km). Although data exists on the connectivity of scyphozoan jellyfish, there are few data on cubozoans. Cubozoans are capable swimmers and have more complex and sophisticated visual abilities than scyphozoans. We predict, therefore, that cubozoans have the potential to have finer spatial scale differences in population structure than their relatives, the scyphozoans. Here we review the data available on the population structures of scyphozoans and what is known about cubozoans. The evidence from realized connectivity and estimates of potential connectivity for scyphozoans indicates the following. Some jellyfish taxa have a large metapopulation and very large stocks (>1000 s of km), while others have clade-level differences on the scale of tens of km. Data on distributions, genetics of medusa and polyps, statolith shape, elemental chemistry of statoliths and biophysical modelling of connectivity suggest that some of the ~50 species of cubozoans have populations of surprisingly small spatial scales and low levels of connectivity. Despite their classification as plankton, therefore, some scyphozoans and cubozoans have stocks of small spatial scales. Causal factors that influence the population structure in many taxa include the distribution of polyps, behavior of medusa, local geomorphology and hydrodynamics. Finally, the resolution of patterns of connectivity and population structures will be greatest when multiple methods are used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Patterns and Ecology of Jellyfish in Marine Environment)

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13 pages, 821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Roads Alter the Trophic Behavior of the Mesocarnivore Community Living Close to Them?

by Pablo Ruiz-Capillas, Cristina Mata, Beatriz Fernández, Carlos Fernandes and Juan E. Malo

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040173 - 18 Apr 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2082

Abstract

Roads have impacts on the fauna arising from habitat fragmentation, roadkill and the barrier effect. Furthermore, roads lead species to change their activity with repercussions on predator–prey interactions and trigger indirect effects that are currently unknown. This study analyzes the effect of a [...] Read more.

Roads have impacts on the fauna arising from habitat fragmentation, roadkill and the barrier effect. Furthermore, roads lead species to change their activity with repercussions on predator–prey interactions and trigger indirect effects that are currently unknown. This study analyzes the effect of a motorway on the trophic behavior of the terrestrial carnivore community of its surroundings. Monthly scat sampling was conducted over a year at three distances from a motorway (0–50 m, 500–550 m and 1000–1050 m). We collected 498 scats, these originating from red fox (39.16%), cat (24.50%), stone marten (24.09%) and badger (12.25%). The relative abundance of the trophic resources in them was estimated together with the trophic diversity and niche overlap of the carnivore species. The results showed a distinct effect of distance from the road on trophic behavior of carnivores, as well as differences between species and seasons. The scats nearest the road had 10–20% more biomass of small mammals, equivalent in relative terms to a 21–48% increase in small mammals’ biomass when compared with scats collected further from the road. This finding indicates changes in predator–prey interactions near the road and shows that the human-generated structural and functional changes to ecosystems spread throughout trophic networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Predator–Prey Ecology and Conservation in ‘Novel’ Environments)

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14 pages, 2846 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Divergence and Polyphyly in the Octocoral Genus Swiftia [Cnidaria: Octocorallia], Including a Species Impacted by the DWH Oil Spill

by Janessy Frometa, Peter J. Etnoyer, Andrea M. Quattrini, Santiago Herrera and Thomas W. Greig

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040172 - 17 Apr 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3344

Abstract

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are recognized around the world as diverse and ecologically important habitats. In the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoMx), MCEs are rocky reefs with abundant black corals and octocorals, including the species Swiftia exserta. Surveys following the Deepwater Horizon [...] Read more.

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are recognized around the world as diverse and ecologically important habitats. In the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoMx), MCEs are rocky reefs with abundant black corals and octocorals, including the species Swiftia exserta. Surveys following the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill in 2010 revealed significant injury to these and other species, the restoration of which requires an in-depth understanding of the biology, ecology, and genetic diversity of each species. To support a larger population connectivity study of impacted octocorals in the GoMx, this study combined sequences of mtMutS and nuclear 28S rDNA to confirm the identity of Swiftia sea fans in the GoMx, compare these markers for different polyp colors in the GoMx and Atlantic, and examine the phylogeny of the genus. Two mtMutS haplotypes were identified, one seemingly endemic to the northern GoMx. Compared to other North Atlantic Swiftia, S. exserta, the type of the genus was found to be extremely divergent and distinct from the two other Swiftia at both loci, with strong evidence of polyphyly in the genus. This information refines our understanding of the geographical distribution of injured coral and highlights how little is known about MCEs. Substantial taxonomic revisions may be needed for several taxa injured by the DWH oil spill. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biodiversity of Marine Invertebrates)

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14 pages, 6740 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Habitat Suitability Assessment of Wintering Herbivorous Anseriformes in Poyang Lake, China

by Megersa Tsegaye Debela, Qingming Wu, Zhe Li, Xueying Sun, Opelele Omeno and Yibin Li

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040171 - 16 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2758

Abstract

To design a good conservation strategy for herbivorous Anseriformes wintering in Poyang Lake, knowledge of habitat suitability is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the habitat suitability of herbivorous Anseriformes of China’s Poyang Lake. Landsat images with a resolution of 30 m [...] Read more.

To design a good conservation strategy for herbivorous Anseriformes wintering in Poyang Lake, knowledge of habitat suitability is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the habitat suitability of herbivorous Anseriformes of China’s Poyang Lake. Landsat images with a resolution of 30 m downloaded from the United States Geological Survey, and other ancillary data were used. The ENVI 5.3 software and ArcGIS 10.2 software were used for preprocessing, classifying the satellite image, and mapping habitat suitability. The study reveals that land cover types were divided into vegetation, mudflats, water, and sand. Similarly, the study area’s habitats were also divided into unsuitable, fair, good, and best grades. However, the distribution of the habitat suitability for each grade reveals significant spatial variations. For instance, vegetation indicated the areas with the best habitat grade, followed by mudflats, and these areas cover (47.93%, 2015 and 55.78%, 2019) the majority of the study area. The unsuitable grades cover the smallest areas (0.48%) of the lake. Similarly, this study results showed a slight change in habitat suitability areas. Therefore, this study highlighted that Poyang Lake has valuable importance for the conservation of herbivorous Anseriformes. Extending the years of study and including some ecological variables from different stopovers could improve the results. Full article

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15 pages, 7752 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution of Lichens in Metrosideros excelsa in Northern New Zealand Urban Forests

by Gladys N. Benitez, Glenn D. Aguilar and Dan Blanchon

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040170 - 16 Apr 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2519

Abstract

The spatial distribution of corticolous lichens on the iconic New Zealand pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) tree was investigated from a survey of urban parks and forests across the city of Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand. Lichens were identified from [...] Read more.

The spatial distribution of corticolous lichens on the iconic New Zealand pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) tree was investigated from a survey of urban parks and forests across the city of Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand. Lichens were identified from ten randomly selected trees at 20 sampling sites, with 10 sites classified as coastal and another 10 as inland sites. Lichen data were correlated with distance from sea, distance from major roads, distance from native forests, mean tree DBH (diameter at breast height) and the seven-year average of measured NO₂ over the area. A total of 33 lichen species were found with coastal sites harboring significantly higher average lichen species per tree as well as higher site species richness. We found mild hotspots in two sites for average lichen species per tree and another two separate sites for species richness, with all hotspots at the coast. A positive correlation between lichen species richness and DBH was found. Sites in coastal locations were more similar to each other in terms of lichen community composition than they were to adjacent inland sites and some species were only found at coastal sites. The average number of lichen species per tree was negatively correlated with distance from the coast, suggesting that the characteristic lichen flora found on pōhutukawa may be reliant on coastal microclimates. There were no correlations with distance from major roads, and a slight positive correlation between NO₂ levels and average lichen species per tree. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biogeography and Macroecology)

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16 pages, 2178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temperature and Prey Species Richness Drive the Broad-Scale Distribution of a Generalist Predator

by Danai-Eleni Michailidou, Maria Lazarina and Stefanos P. Sgardelis

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040169 - 15 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2538

Abstract

The ongoing climate change and the unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss render the need to accurately project future species distributional patterns more critical than ever. Mounting evidence suggests that not only abiotic factors, but also biotic interactions drive broad-scale distributional patterns. Here, we [...] Read more.

The ongoing climate change and the unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss render the need to accurately project future species distributional patterns more critical than ever. Mounting evidence suggests that not only abiotic factors, but also biotic interactions drive broad-scale distributional patterns. Here, we explored the effect of predator-prey interaction on the predator distribution, using as target species the widespread and generalist grass snake (Natrix natrix). We used ensemble Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) to build a model only with abiotic variables (abiotic model) and a biotic one including prey species richness. Then we projected the future grass snake distribution using a modest emission scenario assuming an unhindered and no dispersal scenario. The two models performed equally well, with temperature and prey species richness emerging as the top drivers of species distribution in the abiotic and biotic models, respectively. In the future, a severe range contraction is anticipated in the case of no dispersal, a likely possibility as reptiles are poor dispersers. If the species can disperse freely, an improbable scenario due to habitat loss and fragmentation, it will lose part of its contemporary distribution, but it will expand northwards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biogeography and Macroecology)

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9 pages, 250 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Progress on Research Regarding Ecology and Biodiversity of Coastal Fisheries and Nektonic Species and Their Habitats within Coastal Landscapes

by Mark S. Peterson and Michael J. Andres

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040168 - 15 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2684

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight the new research and significant advances in our understanding of links between coastal habitat quality/quantity/diversity and the diversity of fisheries species and other mobile aquatic species (hereafter nekton) that use them within coastal landscapes. This topic is quite [...] Read more.

This paper aims to highlight the new research and significant advances in our understanding of links between coastal habitat quality/quantity/diversity and the diversity of fisheries species and other mobile aquatic species (hereafter nekton) that use them within coastal landscapes. This topic is quite diverse owing to the myriad of habitat types found in coastal marine waters and the variety of life history strategies fisheries species and nekton use in these environments. Thus, we focus our review on five selective but relevant topics, habitat templates, essential fish habitat, habitat mosaics/habitat connectivity, transitory/ephemeral habitat, and the emerging/maturing approaches to the study of fish-habitat systems as a roadmap to its development. We have highlighted selected important contributions in the progress made on each topic to better identify and quantify landscape scale interactions between living biota and structured habitats set within a dynamic landscape. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Biodiversity of Coastal Marine Fisheries Species and Their Habitats)

17 pages, 3343 KiB

Open AccessReview

Disturbance Effects on Spatial Autocorrelation in Biodiversity: An Overview and a Call for Study

by Shekhar R. Biswas, Jingyin Xiang and Hui Li

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040167 - 12 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2548

Abstract

The spatially autocorrelated patterns of biodiversity can be an important determinant of ecological processes, functions and delivery of services across spatial scales. Therefore, understanding disturbance effects on spatial autocorrelation in biodiversity is crucial for conservation and restoration planning but remains unclear. In a [...] Read more.

The spatially autocorrelated patterns of biodiversity can be an important determinant of ecological processes, functions and delivery of services across spatial scales. Therefore, understanding disturbance effects on spatial autocorrelation in biodiversity is crucial for conservation and restoration planning but remains unclear. In a survey of disturbance versus spatial patterns of biodiversity literature from forests, grasslands and savannah ecosystems, we found that habitat disturbances generally reduce the spatial autocorrelation in species diversity on average by 15.5% and reduce its range (the distance up to which autocorrelation prevails) by 21.4%, in part, due to disturbance-driven changes in environmental conditions, dispersal, species interactions, or a combination of these processes. The observed effect of disturbance, however, varied markedly among the scale of disturbance (patch-scale versus habitat-scale). Surprisingly, few studies have examined disturbance effects on the spatial patterns of functional diversity, and the overall effect was non-significant. Despite major knowledge gaps in certain areas, our analysis offers a much-needed initial insights into the disturbance-driven changes in the spatial patterns of biodiversity, thereby setting the ground for informed discussion on conservation and promotion of spatial heterogeneity in managing natural systems under a changing world. Full article

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23 pages, 11037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bivalve Diversity on the Continental Shelf and Deep Sea of the Perdido Fold Belt, Northwest Gulf of Mexico, Mexico

by Nancy Yolimar Suárez-Mozo, Victor Manuel Vidal-Martínez, M. Leopoldina Aguirre-Macedo, Daniel Pech, Edlin Guerra-Castro and Nuno Simões

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040166 - 12 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3796

Abstract

Mollusk diversity in coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has been studied extensively, but this is not the case for deep-water habitats. We present the first quantitative characterization of mollusks in shallow and deep waters of the Perdido Fold Belt. The [...] Read more.

Mollusk diversity in coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has been studied extensively, but this is not the case for deep-water habitats. We present the first quantitative characterization of mollusks in shallow and deep waters of the Perdido Fold Belt. The data came from two research cruises completed in 2017. Sediment samples were collected from 56 sites using a 0.25-m² box corer. We tested hypotheses about spatial patterns of α, β, and γ-diversity of bivalves in two water-depth zones, the continental shelf (43–200 m) and bathyal zone (375–3563 m). A total of 301 bivalves belonging to 39 species were identified. The two zones display similar levels of γ-diversity, but host different bivalve assemblages. In general, α-diversity was higher on the continental shelf, whereas β-diversity was higher in the bathyal zone. These patterns can be explained by the higher input of carbon (energy) to the near-coast shelf zone, as well as by the greater topographic complexity of habitats in the bathyal zone. These results enabled us to propose redirection of sampling efforts for environmental characterization from continental zones to the deep-water zone, especially in the context of environmental assessments during oil and gas exploration and production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Atlantic Biodiversity)

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12 pages, 2721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Analysis of the Diets of a Genus of Freshwater Turtles across Africa

by Luca Luiselli, Gift Simon Demaya, John Sebit Benansio, Fabio Petrozzi, Godfrey C. Akani, Edem A. Eniang, Stephanie N. Ajong, Massimiliano Di Vittorio, NioKing Amadi and Daniele Dendi

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040165 - 12 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2464

Abstract

Pelusios (Testudines: Pleurodira) is an Afrotropical endemic genus of freshwater turtles that have adapted to a variety of habitats, with savannahs and forests being their two main habitat types. Although considered generally carnivorous, these turtles have rarely been subjected to detailed field surveys [...] Read more.

Pelusios (Testudines: Pleurodira) is an Afrotropical endemic genus of freshwater turtles that have adapted to a variety of habitats, with savannahs and forests being their two main habitat types. Although considered generally carnivorous, these turtles have rarely been subjected to detailed field surveys for determining their quantitative diet. In this paper, by using both the literature and original data, we analyze the diet of several Pelusios populations: three P. adansonii populations from South Sudan, one P. nanus from Zambia, seven P. castaneus from Nigeria, Benin and Togo, and four P. niger from Nigeria. All species were omnivorous but with a clear preponderance of the prey items being of animal origin (e.g., amphibians, fish, arthropods and annelids). Saturation curves revealed that the diet composition of all the surveyed populations was adequately assessed, and the diversity profiles indicated that all the populations were relatively similar in terms of overall dietary diversity. General Linear Models (GLM) showed a negative effect of vegetation cover on Anura adult consumption by turtles, and showed that the frequencies of Anura tadpoles, fish, reptiles and birds on Pelusios diets increased with the increase in vegetation cover. The GLM model also showed positive effects of individual body size on algae, Bivalvia, reptiles, birds and small mammal consumption by turtles, and underlined that the predation on Arachnida decreased with the increase in turtle body size. In all species, there were no significant intersexual dietary differences, whereas there were substantial ontogenetic dietary changes in three out of four species. Small-sized individuals of P. castaneus, P. niger and P. adansonii tended to feed mainly upon insects, with the adults also taking many fish and adult frogs, and in the case of P. niger, also birds and small mammals. Conversely, in P. nanus, the diet composition did not vary substantially from the juvenile to the adult age. All species appeared substantially generalist in terms of their diet composition, although the effects of season (wet versus dry) were not adequately assessed by our study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 1st International Electronic Conference on Biological Diversity, Ecology, and Evolution (BDEE 2021))

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23 pages, 26720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Basaltic Outcrops as Centers of Diversity for Xerothermic Plants in the Sudetes Mountains (Central Europe)

by Paweł Kwiatkowski

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040164 - 09 Apr 2021

Viewed by 2413

Abstract

Rock outcrops have promoted a high level of species diversity and provided a stable microclimate for long time periods. The present study is devoted to plant diversity of natural Quaternary outcrops of basaltic rocks. Chorological and ecological investigations were carried out at 35 [...] Read more.

Rock outcrops have promoted a high level of species diversity and provided a stable microclimate for long time periods. The present study is devoted to plant diversity of natural Quaternary outcrops of basaltic rocks. Chorological and ecological investigations were carried out at 35 such outcrops, located within five physiogeographic units of the Sudetes Mountains. The focus was on 120 xerothermic taxa of vascular plants: 62 strictly xerothermic (steppe) taxa of the Festuco valesiacae-Brometea erecti class, and 58 thermophilous taxa representing classes Trifolio medii-Geranietea sanguinei and Quercetea pubescentis. Limited geographical ranges of these plants are manifested by variable frequency of their occurrence. Species distribution is determined by natural factors, like surface area of the outcrop, the type of basaltic rock and the type of plant communities developed. Basaltic outcrops in the Sudetes meet the criterion of habitat islands (inselbergs), serve as regional centers of vascular flora, and are refugia for marginal populations of relict species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vascular Plant Diversity at Different Scales)

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2 pages, 757 KiB

Open AccessInteresting Images

Observations on the Feeding of Drymonema dalmatinum in the Gulf of Trieste

by Saul Ciriaco, Lisa Faresi and Marco Segarich

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040163 - 08 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3888

Abstract

The largest scyphozoan jellyfish of the Mediterranean Sea, Drymonema dalmatinum was first described by Haeckel [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Patterns and Ecology of Jellyfish in Marine Environment)

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32 pages, 5416 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bryophyte Diversity along an Elevational Gradient on Pico Island (Azores, Portugal)

by Márcia C. M. Coelho, Rosalina Gabriel, Helena Hespanhol, Paulo A. V. Borges and Claudine Ah-Peng

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040162 - 08 Apr 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3873

Abstract

The study of elevational patterns is a valuable method for inferring the influence of the climate and other variables in the regional distributions of species. Bryophytes are ideal for revealing different environmental patterns in elevational studies, since they occur from sea level to [...] Read more.

The study of elevational patterns is a valuable method for inferring the influence of the climate and other variables in the regional distributions of species. Bryophytes are ideal for revealing different environmental patterns in elevational studies, since they occur from sea level to above the tree line. Taking advantage of the long elevational transect of Pico Island and the use of standardized survey methods, our main aims were: (1) to identify and characterize the alpha and beta diversities of bryophytes across the full elevational gradient (12 sites of native vegetation, ranging from 10 to 2200 m above sea level [a.s.l.]); (2) to detect the ecological factors driving bryophyte composition; (3) to identify bryophytes’ substrate specificity; and (4) to check the presence of rare and endemic species. The identification of 878 microplots yielded 141 species (71 liverworts and 70 mosses), almost half of those known to occur on Pico Island. The bryophyte species richness followed a parabolic unimodal pattern with a mid-elevation peak, where the richest native forests occur. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of the bryophyte composition and explanatory variables revealed the effect of the elevation, precipitation, disturbance, richness of vascular plants and bark pH in explaining bryophyte compositions at regional levels. Very few species of bryophytes showed substrate specificity. Pico Island’s elevational gradient could be an asset for studying long-term changes in bryophyte species composition and alpha diversity under global change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Diversity on Islands)

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11 pages, 9770 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Differing Life-History Strategies of Two Mycoheterotrophic Orchid Species Associated with Leaf Litter- and Wood-Decaying Fungi

by Yuki Ogura-Tsujita, Kenshi Tetsuka, Shuichiro Tagane, Miho Kubota, Shuichiro Anan, Yumi Yamashita, Koichi Tone and Tomohisa Yukawa

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040161 - 08 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3051

Abstract

Mycoheterotrophic orchids depend completely on mycorrhizal fungi for their supply of carbon. The life-history traits of mycoheterotrophic plants (MHPs) can differ according to the characteristics of the associated mycorrhizal fungi. We compared the life-history strategies of two mycoheterotrophic orchids associated with wood- and [...] Read more.

Mycoheterotrophic orchids depend completely on mycorrhizal fungi for their supply of carbon. The life-history traits of mycoheterotrophic plants (MHPs) can differ according to the characteristics of the associated mycorrhizal fungi. We compared the life-history strategies of two mycoheterotrophic orchids associated with wood- and leaf litter-decaying fungi over a maximum of six years of field monitoring. Seventy percent of the aboveground stems of Erythrorchis altissima, associated with wood-decaying fungi, disappeared from the host wood within two years after tagging, likely due to nutrient depletion. In contrast, Gastrodia confusa, associated with leaf litter-decaying fungi, occurred continuously (18 to 108 fruiting stalks) every year within a small-scale plot (12 × 45 m) for six years through seed and clonal propagation. Our results support the idea that mycoheterotrophic orchids associated with wood-decaying fungi disappear from their habitats due to nutrient depletion after their host wood has mostly decayed, while mycoheterotrophic orchids associated with leaf litter-decaying fungi can survive in small-scale habitats where substantial leaf fall regularly occurs to sustain the associated fungi. Our study provides basic information about a unique life-history strategy in MHPs associated with saprotrophic fungi and an understanding of the variation in life-history strategies among MHPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Ecology and Diversity of Orchids)

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12 pages, 3304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity of Campomanesia adamantium and Its Correlation with Land Use and Land Cover

by Bruno do Amaral Crispim, Juliana dos Santos Fernandes, Miklos Maximiliano Bajay, Maria Imaculada Zucchi, Carlos Eduardo de Araújo Batista, Maria do Carmo Vieira and Alexeia Barufatti

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040160 - 08 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2552

Abstract

(1) Background: Campomanesia adamantium is an endemic species of the Cerrado and this biome has been under threat by its constant degradation. The genetic diversity of C. adamantium was characterized using species-specific microsatellites in two different time periods and correlations of these parameters [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Campomanesia adamantium is an endemic species of the Cerrado and this biome has been under threat by its constant degradation. The genetic diversity of C. adamantium was characterized using species-specific microsatellites in two different time periods and correlations of these parameters of genetic diversity with the land use and land cover data. (2) Methods: We used 10 microsatellite loci to analyze C. adamantium from five populations, collected in 2011 and 2017. Maps of land use and land cover of the collection sites in both years were generated and subsequently correlated with genetic diversity. (3) Results: No significant loss of genetic diversity was observed in the analyzed period and a positive inbreeding coefficient was observed in all populations. AMOVA and STRUCTURE showed that there is no population structure between years and populations. Significant Pearson correlations were observed in 2017 between parameters of genetic diversity and land use and land cover, with a positive correlation between expected heterozygosity and secondary vegetation, and a negative correlation between inbreeding coefficient and exposed soil. (4) Conclusions: There was no decline in genetic diversity from 2011 to 2017. The high rates of the inbreeding coefficient could lead, for the species, in the long run, to an inbreeding depression as the Cerrado fragmentation might cause a population bottleneck. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)

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17 pages, 7381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Differentiation among Populations of Green Foxtail, Setaria viridis, in Taiwan and Adjacent Islands Revealed by Microsatellite Markers

by Wei-Hsun Hsieh, Yen-Chiun Chen, Hsien-Chun Liao, Yann-Rong Lin and Chih-Hui Chen

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040159 - 07 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2381

Abstract

Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv., or green foxtail, is native to Eurasia and is the putative ancestor of foxtail millet. Due to the advantageous genetic characteristics of S. viridis, it is a model species for C4 plants. However, S. viridis has seriously spread [...] Read more.

Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv., or green foxtail, is native to Eurasia and is the putative ancestor of foxtail millet. Due to the advantageous genetic characteristics of S. viridis, it is a model species for C4 plants. However, S. viridis has seriously spread to the agricultural system around the world because of its wide adaptability. This study is aimed to understand the distribution of S. viridis in Taiwan, and also to investigate the genetic diversity and relationships among different wild populations. A total of 141 S. viridis collected at 10 sites with sampling sizes ranging from 8 to 24 plants in Taiwan were analyzed by 13 highly polymorphic SSR markers, and 6.1 alleles per locus were detected in our study. The relationships of collected S. viridis mostly corresponded to its distribution in different parts of Taiwan revealed by PCoA and phylogenetic tree. Similarly, the results for population structure showed the significance of collecting site or geographical factors. Finally, the extent of gene flow was studied with the genetic differentiation (F_ST) and Nm values, and two S. viridis populations were found to significantly contain the existence of gene-flow events. In conclusion, S. viridis showed a pattern of low diversity and heterozygosity within a population, but high differentiation among populations because of its selfing attribute and the barriers of sea and mountain range for gene flow. In addition, the founder effect may be the other reason for this pattern of population genetic structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Weed Ecology and Diversity)

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18 pages, 3469 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Inter-Individual Differences in Ornamental Colouration in a Mediterranean Lizard in Relation to Altitude, Season, Sex, Age, and Body Traits

by Gregorio Moreno-Rueda, Senda Reguera, Francisco J. Zamora-Camacho and Mar Comas

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040158 - 06 Apr 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2159

Abstract

Animals frequently show complex colour patterns involved in social communication, which attracts great interest in evolutionary and behavioural ecology. Most researchers interpret that each colour in animals with multiple patches may either signal a different bearer’s trait or redundantly convey the same information. [...] Read more.

Animals frequently show complex colour patterns involved in social communication, which attracts great interest in evolutionary and behavioural ecology. Most researchers interpret that each colour in animals with multiple patches may either signal a different bearer’s trait or redundantly convey the same information. Colour signals, moreover, may vary geographically and according to bearer qualities. In this study, we analyse different sources of colour variation in the eastern clade of the lizard Psammodromus algirus. Sexual dichromatism markedly differs between clades; both possess lateral blue eyespots, but whereas males in the western populations display strikingly colourful orange-red throats during the breeding season, eastern lizards only show some commissure pigmentation and light yellow throats. We analyse how different colour traits (commissure and throat colouration, and the number of blue eyespots) vary according to body size, head size (an indicator of fighting ability), and sex along an elevational gradient. Our findings show that blue eyespots function independently from colour patches in the commissure and throat, which were interrelated. Males had more eyespots and orange commissures (which were yellow or colourless in females). Throat colour saturation and the presence of coloured commissures increased in older lizards. The number of eyespots, presence of a coloured commissure, and throat colour saturation positively related to head size. However, while the number of eyespots was maximal at lowlands, throat colour saturation increased with altitude. Overall, our results suggest that this lizard harbours several colour signals, which altitudinally differ in their importance, but generally provide redundant information. The relevance of each signal may depend on the context. For example, all signals indicate head size, but commissure colouration may work well at a short distance and when the lizard opens the mouth, while both throat and eyespots might work better at long distance. Meanwhile, throat colouration and eyespots probably work better in different light conditions, which might explain the altitudinal variation in the relative importance of each colour component. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolutionary Ecology of Lizards)

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23 pages, 2815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Anthropogenic Activities Affect Floristic Diversity and Vegetation Structure More Than Natural Soil Properties in Hyper-Arid Desert Environments?

by Ethar A. Hussein, Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Rim S. Hamdy and Lamiaa F. Shalabi

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040157 - 06 Apr 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4357

Abstract

Egypt is characterized by its hyper-arid desert environment with high temperature, scanty rainfall, high evapotranspiration rate, and patchy scattered precipitation-dependent vegetation. Located in this peculiar ecosystem, the northeastern part of the eastern desert occupies vast areas where this study was conducted. Despite some [...] Read more.

Egypt is characterized by its hyper-arid desert environment with high temperature, scanty rainfall, high evapotranspiration rate, and patchy scattered precipitation-dependent vegetation. Located in this peculiar ecosystem, the northeastern part of the eastern desert occupies vast areas where this study was conducted. Despite some protection in this area, destruction of plant cover, soil erosion, and degradation of natural habitat are still occurring. Among the complex array of anthropogenic disturbances that directly affect species diversity, over-grazing, road construction, over-collection of plants, salinization, over-cutting, military activities, urbanization, and industrialization were encountered. The aim of this study was to assess the effect on long-lasting anthropopressure on the current floristic and ecological status of the unprotected area in comparison to the protected one. Two areas were chosen for detailed studies: protected (Wadi Degla; WD) and unprotected (Cairo-Suez road, SR). Fourteen soil variables were used to assess the soil–vegetation relationships in the two areas. An assessment of seven human activities (over-grazing, over-collection, introduced species, land degradation, urbanization, solid wastes, and military activities) was carried out at four levels of disturbance intensities. A floristic presence/absence data set of 25 plots × 56 species, including 14 plots for SR and 11 plots for WD, was employed in the analyses. The application of multivariate analysis techniques such as cluster analysis (for classification), indicator species analysis (ISA) and the multi-response permutation procedure (MRPP), canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and redundancy analysis (RDA) for ordination were performed in the data analysis. Generally, a total of 85 plant species belonging to 68 genera and 30 families was recorded. Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Fabaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, and Geraniaceae were the largest families, constituting more than 50% of the total flora. Chamaephytes, therophytes, hemicryptophytes, and phanerophytes prevail in the life form spectrum. Chorological analysis showed that the Saharo-Arabian element, whether pure or combined with other chorotypes, dominated the current flora, whereas the Mediterranean chorotype was very poorly represented. Application of cluster analysis yielded eight vegetation groups: I–IV for the Cairo-Suez road, and V–VIII for Wadi Degla. This study indicated the disappearance of several plant communities that were previously of common occurrence such as Retama raetam, Anabasis articulata, Ephedra alata, Artemisia monosperma, Zygophyllum decumbens, Lasiurus hirsutus, and Panicum turgidum. Partial CCA (pCCA) for the unprotected area revealed that most of the variance (45.7%) was attributed to the anthropogenic variables more than soil factors (14.5%). Like what was revealed in other unprotected areas, a clear relationship between anthropogenic pressure and habitat fragmentation was observed. Long-term, intensive human activities caused vegetation degradation, species loss, and a decline in plant richness. Hence, the highest species richness value was recorded in the protected area. Over-grazing, land degradation, and military activities were not correlated with the diversity indices, whereas over-collection of plant species, urbanization, and solid wastes were significantly negatively correlated with both α-diversity and the Shannon–Wiener index. Suitable protection measures should be taken to reduce the anthropogenic pressures in this ecosystem as well as some conservation programs and management plans should be implemented to save biodiversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Diversity)

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3 pages, 186 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Historical and Current Diversity Patterns of Mediterranean Marine Species

by Sabrina Lo Brutto

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040156 - 06 Apr 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1663

Abstract

The Mediterranean is a sea which, despite its peculiar geomorphological history and ecological–oceanographic features, still receives less attention than it ought to [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Historical and Current Diversity Patterns of Mediterranean Marine Species)

11 pages, 1874 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Habitat Partitioning and Overlap by Large Lacertid Lizards in Southern Europe

by Daniel Escoriza and Félix Amat

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040155 - 04 Apr 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2966

Abstract

South-western Europe has a rich diversity of lacertid lizards. In this study, we evaluated the occupancy patterns and niche segregation of five species of lacertids, focusing on large-bodied species (i.e., adults having >75 mm snout-vent length) that occur in south-western Europe (Italian to [...] Read more.

South-western Europe has a rich diversity of lacertid lizards. In this study, we evaluated the occupancy patterns and niche segregation of five species of lacertids, focusing on large-bodied species (i.e., adults having >75 mm snout-vent length) that occur in south-western Europe (Italian to the Iberian Peninsula). We characterized the niches occupied by these species based on climate and vegetation cover properties. We expected some commonality among phylogenetically related species, but also patterns of habitat segregation mitigating competition between ecologically equivalent species. We used multivariate ordination and probabilistic methods to describe the occupancy patterns and evaluated niche evolution through phylogenetic analyses. Our results showed climate niche partitioning, but with a wide overlap in transitional zones, where segregation is maintained by species-specific responses to the vegetation cover. The analyses also showed that phylogenetically related species tend to share large parts of their habitat niches. The occurrence of independent evolutionary lineages contributed to the regional species richness favored by a long history of niche divergence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolutionary Ecology of Lizards)

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17 pages, 2034 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Updated Distribution of the Mysid Antromysis cenotensis (Crustacea: Peracarida), a Protected Key Species in Yucatan Peninsula Cenotes

by Luis Arturo Liévano-Beltrán and Nuno Simões

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040154 - 31 Mar 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3701

Abstract

We present 52 new geographic location records for the peracarid crustacean Antromysis cenotensis Creaser, 1936, endemic in cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. This species is currently considered threatened and, therefore, is protected by Mexican law. These results arise from several expeditions carried [...] Read more.

We present 52 new geographic location records for the peracarid crustacean Antromysis cenotensis Creaser, 1936, endemic in cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. This species is currently considered threatened and, therefore, is protected by Mexican law. These results arise from several expeditions carried out between 2017 and 2020 in 75 locations within the cenote-ring, the interior, and coastal plains of the peninsula. A comprehensive literature review provided 84 geographic location records since the species was described in 1936. A map with 136 geographic location records that better describe the current species distribution is also included. With this information, plus some notes on the ecology of the species, a comprehensive literature and data review, and a brief analysis regarding the possible factors associated with the confirmed absence of the species in some locations in the state of Yucatan, we provide a brief and condensed summary of the actual knowledge on this particular species. The data in Darwin Core format can be retrieved in Zenodo. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cave Communities: From the Surface Border to the Deep Darkness)

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6 pages, 224 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Evolutionary Genetics and Biogeography of Galaxiid Fishes (Teleostei: Galaxiiformes: Galaxiidae)

by Graham P. Wallis

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040153 - 31 Mar 2021

Viewed by 1961

Abstract

Since the dawn of the discipline, biogeographers have wondered at the widespread distribution of galaxiid fishes throughout temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolutionary Genetics and Biogeography of Galaxiid Fishes)

24 pages, 4376 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Conservation Genetics of Four Critically Endangered Greek Endemic Plants: A Preliminary Assessment

by Konstantinos Kougioumoutzis, Panayiota Kotsakiozi, Efthalia Stathi, Panayiotis Trigas and Aristeidis Parmakelis

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040152 - 31 Mar 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3797

Abstract

The Mediterranean basin constitutes one of the largest global biodiversity hotspots, hosting more than 11,000 endemic plants, and it is recognised as an area with a high proportion of threatened taxa. Nevertheless, only a tiny fraction of the threatened Mediterranean endemics have their [...] Read more.

The Mediterranean basin constitutes one of the largest global biodiversity hotspots, hosting more than 11,000 endemic plants, and it is recognised as an area with a high proportion of threatened taxa. Nevertheless, only a tiny fraction of the threatened Mediterranean endemics have their genetic diversity assessed, and we are unaware if and how climate change might impact their conservation status. This is even more pronounced in Eastern Mediterranean countries with a rich endemic flora, such as Greece, which hosts a large portion of the plant taxa assessed at the European level under the IUCN criteria. Using inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers and species distribution models, we analysed the genetic diversity and investigated the impacts of climate change on four critically endangered and extremely narrow and rare Greek island endemic plants, namely Aethionema retsina, Allium iatrouinum, Convolvulus argyrothamnos, and Saponaria jagelii. All four species are facing intense anthropogenic threats and display moderate genetic diversity (uHe: 0.254–0.322), while climate change is expected to have a profound impact on their range size during the coming decades. A combination of in- and ex-situ measures, such as population reinforcement and seed bank conservation, are urgently needed in order to preserve these highly threatened and rare Greek endemics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Genetics and Biogeography of Seed Plant Species)

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7 pages, 587 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Revised and Improved Version of the Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) Transcriptome

by Roberto Carlos Frias-Soler, Lilian Villarín Pildaín, Michael Wink and Franz Bairlein

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040151 - 31 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1721

Abstract

This work presents an updated and more complete version of the transcriptome of a long-distance migrant, the Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). The improved transcriptome was produced from the independent mRNA sequencing of adipose tissue, brain, intestines, liver, skin, and muscle tissues [...] Read more.

This work presents an updated and more complete version of the transcriptome of a long-distance migrant, the Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). The improved transcriptome was produced from the independent mRNA sequencing of adipose tissue, brain, intestines, liver, skin, and muscle tissues sampled during the autumnal migratory season. This new transcriptome has better sequencing coverage and is more representative of the species’ migratory phenotype. We assembled 20,248 transcripts grouped into 16,430 genes, from which 78% were successfully annotated. All the standard assembly quality parameters were improved in the second transcriptome version. Full article

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13 pages, 4727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bacterial Community Composition and Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter Differs with Culture Time of Skeletonema dohrnii

by Yang Liu, Jinjun Kan, Jing Yang, Md Abu Noman and Jun Sun

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040150 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2954

Abstract

Skeletonema dohrnii is a common red tide microalgae occurring in the coastal waters and throughout the world. The associated heterotrophic or autotrophic bacteria play vital roles in regulating algal growth, production, and physiology. In this study, we investigated the detailed bacterial community structure [...] Read more.

Skeletonema dohrnii is a common red tide microalgae occurring in the coastal waters and throughout the world. The associated heterotrophic or autotrophic bacteria play vital roles in regulating algal growth, production, and physiology. In this study, we investigated the detailed bacterial community structure associated with the growth of S. dohrnii’s using high-throughput sequencing-based on 16S rDNA. Our results demonstrated that Bacteroidetes (48.04%) and Proteobacteria (40.66%) in all samples accounted for the majority of bacterial populations. There was a significant linear regression relationship between the abundance of bacterial phyla and culture time. Notable shifts in bacterial community composition were observed during algal growth: Flavobacteriales accounted for the vast majority of sequences at the order level. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Rhodobacterales was gradually reduced during the whole growth process of S. dohrnii (0–12 days). However, beyond that, the relative abundance of Marinobacter was slowly increasing. It is noteworthy that five fluorophores (Peaks T₁, T₂, I, M, and A) were detected during the growth stage of S. dohrnii. The characteristic indexes (fluorescence index, humification index, and biological index) of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) also varied with the culture time. In addition, the taxa of bacteria had certain effects on CDOM and they were inextricably linked to each other. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Diversity)

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22 pages, 13476 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Land Use and Pollution Loadings on Ecotoxicological Assays and Bacterial Taxonomical Diversity in Constructed Wetlands

by Subhomita Ghosh Roy, Charles F. Wimpee, Stephen A. McGuire and Timothy J. Ehlinger

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040149 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2612

Abstract

Freshwater ecosystems are affected by anthropogenic alterations. Different studies have extensively studied the concentrations of metals, nutrients, and water quality as measurements of pollution in freshwater ecosystems. However, few studies have been able to link these pollutants to bioindicators as a risk assessment [...] Read more.

Freshwater ecosystems are affected by anthropogenic alterations. Different studies have extensively studied the concentrations of metals, nutrients, and water quality as measurements of pollution in freshwater ecosystems. However, few studies have been able to link these pollutants to bioindicators as a risk assessment tool. This study aimed to examine the potential of two bioindicators, plant ecotoxicological assays and sediment bacterial taxonomic diversity, in ecological risk assessment for six freshwater constructed wetlands in a rapidly urbanizing watershed with diverse land uses. Sediment samples were collected summer, 2015 and 2017, and late summer and early fall in 2016 to conduct plant ecotoxicological assays based on plant (Lepidium, Sinapis and Sorghum) growth inhibition and identify bacterial taxonomical diversity by the 16S rRNA gene sequences. Concentrations of metals such as lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) (using XRF), and nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate (using HACH DR 2800^TM spectrophotometer) were measured in sediment and water samples respectively. Analyses of response patterns revealed that plant and bacterial bioindicators were highly responsive to variation in the concentrations of these pollutants. Hence, this opens up the scope of using these bioindicators for ecological risk assessment in constructed freshwater wetland ecosystems within urbanizing watersheds. Full article

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14 pages, 1963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insects in the City: Does Remnant Native Habitat Influence Insect Order Distributions?

by Mani Shrestha, Jair E. Garcia, Freya Thomas, Scarlett R. Howard, Justin H. J. Chua, Thomas Tscheulin, Alan Dorin, Anders Nielsen and Adrian G. Dyer

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040148 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3712

Abstract

There is increasing interest in developing urban design principles that incorporate good ecological management. Research on understanding the distribution and role of beneficial pollinating insects, in particular, is changing our view of the ecological value of cities. With the rapid expansion of the [...] Read more.

There is increasing interest in developing urban design principles that incorporate good ecological management. Research on understanding the distribution and role of beneficial pollinating insects, in particular, is changing our view of the ecological value of cities. With the rapid expansion of the built environment comes a need to understand how insects may be affected in extensive urban areas. We therefore investigated insect pollinator capture rates in a rapidly growing and densely urbanized city (Melbourne, Australia). We identified a remnant native habitat contained within the expansive urban boundary, and established study sites at two nearby populated urban areas. We employed standard pan trap sampling techniques to passively sample insect orders in the different environments. Our results show that, even though the types of taxonomic groups of insects captured are comparable between locations, important pollinators like bees and hoverflies were more frequently captured in the remnant native habitat. By contrast, beetles (Coleoptera) and butterflies/moths (Lepidoptera) were more frequently observed in the urban residential regions. Our results suggest that the maintenance of native habitat zones within cities is likely to be valuable for the conservation of bees and the ecosystem services they provide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Disturbance Ecology: A New Emerging Field in Basic/Applied Ecology and Conservation)

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14 pages, 1919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Isotopic Niche Segregation among Darwin’s Finches on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos

by Mariana Villegas, Catherine Soos, Gustavo Jiménez-Uzcátegui, Shukri Matan and Keith A. Hobson

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040147 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3131

Abstract

Darwin’s finches are a classic example of adaptive radiation involving differential use of dietary resources among sympatric species. Here, we apply stable isotope (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ²H) analyses of feathers to examine ecological segregation among eight Darwin’s [...] Read more.

Darwin’s finches are a classic example of adaptive radiation involving differential use of dietary resources among sympatric species. Here, we apply stable isotope (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ²H) analyses of feathers to examine ecological segregation among eight Darwin’s finch species in Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos collected from live birds and museum specimens (1962–2019). We found that δ¹³C values were higher for the granivorous and herbivorous foraging guilds, and lower for the insectivorous finches. Values of δ¹⁵N were similar among foraging guilds but values of δ²H were higher for insectivores, followed by granivores, and lowest for herbivores. The herbivorous guild generally occupied the largest isotopic standard ellipse areas for all isotopic combinations and the insectivorous guild the smallest. Values of δ²H provided better trophic discrimination than those of δ¹⁵N possibly due to confounding influences of agricultural inputs of nitrogen. Segregation among guilds was enhanced by portraying guilds in three-dimensional isotope (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ²H) space. Values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N were higher for feathers of museum specimens than for live birds. We provide evidence that Darwin’s finches on Santa Cruz Island tend to be generalists with overlapping isotopic niches and suggest that dietary overlap may also be more considerable than previously thought. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Stable Isotope Ecology)

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16 pages, 1961 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

The Evolutionary History, Diversity, and Ecology of Willows (Salix L.) in the European Alps

by Natascha D. Wagner, Li He and Elvira Hörandl

Diversity 2021, 13(4), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040146 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4328

Abstract

The genus Salix (willows), with 33 species, represents the most diverse genus of woody plants in the European Alps. Many species dominate subalpine and alpine types of vegetation. Despite a long history of research on willows, the evolutionary and ecological factors for this [...] Read more.

The genus Salix (willows), with 33 species, represents the most diverse genus of woody plants in the European Alps. Many species dominate subalpine and alpine types of vegetation. Despite a long history of research on willows, the evolutionary and ecological factors for this species richness are poorly known. Here we will review recent progress in research on phylogenetic relationships, evolution, ecology, and speciation in alpine willows. Phylogenomic reconstructions suggest multiple colonization of the Alps, probably from the late Miocene onward, and reject hypotheses of a single radiation. Relatives occur in the Arctic and in temperate Eurasia. Most species are widespread in the European mountain systems or in the European lowlands. Within the Alps, species differ ecologically according to different elevational zones and habitat preferences. Homoploid hybridization is a frequent process in willows and happens mostly after climatic fluctuations and secondary contact. Breakdown of the ecological crossing barriers of species is followed by introgressive hybridization. Polyploidy is an important speciation mechanism, as 40% of species are polyploid, including the four endemic species of the Alps. Phylogenomic data suggest an allopolyploid origin for all taxa analyzed so far. Further studies are needed to specifically analyze biogeographical history, character evolution, and genome evolution of polyploids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Ecology and Conservation of Alpine Plants)

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Diversity, Volume 13, Issue 4 (April 2021) – 38 articles

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