Journal Description
Diversity
Diversity
is a peer-reviewed, open access journal on the science of biodiversity from molecules, genes, populations, and species, to ecosystems and is published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, GEOBASE, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Biodiversity Conservation) / CiteScore - Q2 (Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 15.4 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.5 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Diversity is a companion journal of Fossil Studies.
Impact Factor:
2.1 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.3 (2023)
Latest Articles
Novel Aspects in Freshwater Fauna Conservation
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110663 - 28 Oct 2024
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems, which include rivers, lakes, wetlands, springs, streams, and ponds, harbor a rich diversity of life, making them some of the most biologically productive environments on Earth. [...]
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Aspects in Freshwater Fauna Conservation)
Open AccessInteresting Images
The Box Crab Calappa hepatica as a Nuclear Species for the Opportunistic Foraging Behaviour of the Flowery Flounder, Bothus mancus, in the Indo-Pacific
by
Federico Betti and Bert W. Hoeksema
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110662 - 28 Oct 2024
Abstract
Some predatory fishes may exhibit opportunistic feeding behaviour by exploiting potential prey that is distracted, displaced, or exposed by the activities of a third party that acts as a ‘nuclear’ species. Other fishes mostly perform the role of ‘nuclear’ species, but benthic invertebrates,
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Some predatory fishes may exhibit opportunistic feeding behaviour by exploiting potential prey that is distracted, displaced, or exposed by the activities of a third party that acts as a ‘nuclear’ species. Other fishes mostly perform the role of ‘nuclear’ species, but benthic invertebrates, such as octopuses, have also been reported. Crabs are rarely observed in this role, with only a few records from the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Here, we report the temporary association between two specimens of the flowery flounder, Bothus mancus (family Bothidae), and a box crab, Calappa hepatica (family Calappidae), from the Philippines, representing the first record of a crab–fish feeding association in the Indo-Pacific region.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Interesting Images from the Sea)
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Open AccessArticle
The Vulnerability of Malagasy Protected Areas in the Face of Climate Change
by
Qi Lai and Carl Beierkuhnlein
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110661 - 27 Oct 2024
Abstract
This study examines the vulnerability of Madagascar’s protected areas (PAs) to climate change, focusing on climate change velocity, and its impact on biodiversity. We analyzed current and near future climate data using principal component analysis (PCA) and climate change velocity metrics to predict
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This study examines the vulnerability of Madagascar’s protected areas (PAs) to climate change, focusing on climate change velocity, and its impact on biodiversity. We analyzed current and near future climate data using principal component analysis (PCA) and climate change velocity metrics to predict shifts in climatic conditions from the present to the near future, while under the mild and extreme emission scenarios (SSP 126, SSP 585). Forward velocities, which are characterized by the minimum distances that must be overcome by species to keep in track with their appropriate comparative climate, are most pronounced in western and southern Madagascar. In contrast, the backward velocity, which uses future climatic conditions in grid cells in comparison to current conditions, is more common in the eastern regions of the island, and hints at the minimum distance that organisms would have to overcome in colonizing a new habitat. Even though the correlations between PA size and climate change velocity are weak, there is a tendency for larger PAs to exhibit more stable climatic conditions. Conservation strategies must prioritize enhancing the resilience of PAs through adaptive management to mitigate climate impacts. Our findings provide crucial insights for policymakers and conservation planners to develop climate-smart strategies that ensure the long-term efficacy of Madagascar’s PA network.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2024 Feature Papers by Diversity’s Editorial Board Members)
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Open AccessArticle
Potential Distribution and Carbon Sequestration of Rhizophora mangle L. in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, Baja California Sur, Mexico
by
Israel Estrada-Contreras, Alfredo Bermúdez, Rodrigo Serrano Castro and Antonina Ivanova
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110660 - 27 Oct 2024
Abstract
Mangroves are a type of vegetation distributed in warm areas of the planet. Despite their importance, this flora is seriously threatened by both human activities and climate change. One of the main benefits provided by mangroves is carbon capture and storage, which is
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Mangroves are a type of vegetation distributed in warm areas of the planet. Despite their importance, this flora is seriously threatened by both human activities and climate change. One of the main benefits provided by mangroves is carbon capture and storage, which is key for climate change mitigation. The main objective of this study was to identify the potential distribution and carbon sequestration potential of Rhizophora mangle L. in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve. Potential distribution models were obtained for Baja California Sur, Mexico, using the MaxLike algorithm. For each projection, we used bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim project for current and future conditions (2050 and 2070), two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) and three General Circulation Models (ACCESS-CM2, EC-Earth3-Veg and MPI-ESM1-2-HR). The potential distribution models were developed within the perimeter of El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve as a case study to establish the potential for carbon sequestration under different climate change scenarios. Our results show a possible future carbon sequestration from 10,177,174 Mg of CO2 and up to 14,022,367 Mg of CO2 for the ACCESS-CM2 SSP5-8.5 to 2070 and MPI-ESM1-2-HR SSP2-4.5 to 2070 projections, respectively. Mangrove species such as Rhizophora mangle can be an important part of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)
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Open AccessArticle
Benthic Community Metrics Track Hydrologically Stressed Mangrove Systems
by
Amanda W. J. Demopoulos, Jill R. Bourque, Jennifer P. McClain-Counts, Nicole Cormier and Ken W. Krauss
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110659 - 25 Oct 2024
Abstract
Mangrove restoration efforts have increased in order to help combat their decline globally. While restoration efforts often focus on planting seedlings, underlying chronic issues, including disrupted hydrological regimes, can hinder restoration success. While improving hydrology may be more cost-effective and have higher success
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Mangrove restoration efforts have increased in order to help combat their decline globally. While restoration efforts often focus on planting seedlings, underlying chronic issues, including disrupted hydrological regimes, can hinder restoration success. While improving hydrology may be more cost-effective and have higher success rates than planting seedlings alone, hydrological restoration success in this form is poorly understood. Restoration assessments can employ a functional equivalency approach, comparing restoration areas over time with natural, reference forests in order to quantify the relative effectiveness of different restoration approaches. Here, we employ the use of baseline community ecology metrics along with stable isotopes to track changes in the community and trophic structure and enable time estimates for establishing mangrove functional equivalency. We examined a mangrove system impacted by road construction and recently targeted for hydrological restoration within the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Florida, USA. Samples were collected along a gradient of degradation, from a heavily degraded zone, with mostly dead trees, to a transition zone, with a high number of saplings, to a full canopy zone, with mature trees, and into a reference zone with dense, mature mangrove trees. The transition, full canopy, and reference zones were dominated by annelids, gastropods, isopods, and fiddler crabs. Diversity was lower in the dead zone; these taxa were enriched in 13C relative to those found in all the other zones, indicating a shift in the dominant carbon source from mangrove detritus (reference zone) to algae (dead zone). Community-wide isotope niche metrics also distinguished zones, likely reflecting dominant primary food resources (baseline organic matter) present. Our results suggest that stable isotope niche metrics provide a useful tool for tracking mangrove degradation gradients. These baseline data provide critical information on the ecosystem functioning in mangrove habitats following hydrological restoration.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mangrove Regeneration and Restoration)
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Open AccessArticle
Habitat Fragmentation Affects Richness—A View Through a Metacommunity Lens
by
Jessica Marchesan and Jurek Kolasa
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110658 - 25 Oct 2024
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Habitat fragmentation is often assumed to negatively impact species diversity because smaller, more isolated populations on smaller habitat patches are at a higher extinction risk. However, some empirical and theoretical studies suggest that landscapes with numerous small habitat patches may support higher species
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Habitat fragmentation is often assumed to negatively impact species diversity because smaller, more isolated populations on smaller habitat patches are at a higher extinction risk. However, some empirical and theoretical studies suggest that landscapes with numerous small habitat patches may support higher species richness, although the circumstances remain elusive. We used an agent-based metacommunity model to investigate this and simulate landscapes of the same total area but diverse patch sizes. Our model, as generic and unbiased by specific assumptions as possible, aimed to explore which circumstances may be more conducive to supporting higher biodiversity. To this end, most parameters and behaviors were random. The model included generalized species traits, dispersal, and interactions to explore species richness dynamics in fragmented landscapes of distinct patch sizes. Our results show that landscapes with many small patches maintain higher species richness than those with fewer large patches. Moreover, the relationship between patch connectivity and species richness is more pronounced in landscapes with smaller patches. High connectivity in these landscapes may support species diversity by preventing local extinctions and facilitating recolonization. In contrast, connectivity is less significant in large-patch landscapes, where generalist species dominate. The findings highlight the complex interplay between patch size quality, connectivity, species traits, and diverse interactions among species in determining species richness. We suggest the patterns produced by the model represent null predictions and may be useful as a reference for a diversity of more specialized questions and predictions. These insights may also have specific implications for conservation strategies, suggesting that maintaining a mosaic of small, well-connected patches could enhance biodiversity in fragmented landscapes.
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Open AccessArticle
Age Difference, Not Food Scarcity or Sibling Interactions, May Drive Brood Reduction in Wild Scarlet Macaws in Southeastern Peru
by
Gabriela Vigo-Trauco, Gustavo Martínez-Sovero and Donald J. Brightsmith
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110657 - 24 Oct 2024
Abstract
Avian brood reduction was initially thought to be driven by insufficient food supply. Now it is more commonly considered a consequence of asynchronous hatching and resulting siblicide, direct filial infanticide (where parents kill specific chicks) or indirect filial infanticide (where parents starve specific
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Avian brood reduction was initially thought to be driven by insufficient food supply. Now it is more commonly considered a consequence of asynchronous hatching and resulting siblicide, direct filial infanticide (where parents kill specific chicks) or indirect filial infanticide (where parents starve specific chicks). In psittacines, brood reduction has been reported, but the mechanisms and causes remain unexplored. In this paper, we test the hypotheses that Scarlet Macaw chick starvation is driven by (1) sibling aggression, (2) food scarcity, and (3) parental food allocation based on (a) chick hatch weight and (b) chick age differences. We documented wild Scarlet Macaw behavior in lowland Peru in 37 nests over 19 seasons using morphological measurements and nest videos. Chick starvation was the leading cause of chick mortality (27% of all second-hatched chicks starve, and nearly all third- and fourth-hatched chicks starve). We found no evidence that starvation was caused by (1) sibling conflicts or (2) food availability. We did find parental food distribution favors first-hatched chicks, with larger age differences increasing the chances of second chick starvation. This study offers insights into brood reduction among Neotropical cavity-nesting birds and enhances our capacity to develop scientifically informed management strategies to support endangered psittacines.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Parrots)
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Open AccessArticle
Spatiotemporal Distribution of nirS-Type Denitrifiers in Cascade Reservoir Sediments of the Qinghai Plateau
by
Yi Wu, Xufeng Mao, Hongyan Yu, Hongyan Li, Feng Xiao, Yuhua Mo, Haichuan Ji and Yuanjie Ma
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110656 - 24 Oct 2024
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Compared to single damming, the impact of cascade damming on nitrogen-related microorganisms in river ecosystems exhibits greater complexity. However, there is still a lack of research on the response of denitrifiers to the construction of cascade reservoirs. A study was conducted on 10
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Compared to single damming, the impact of cascade damming on nitrogen-related microorganisms in river ecosystems exhibits greater complexity. However, there is still a lack of research on the response of denitrifiers to the construction of cascade reservoirs. A study was conducted on 10 cascade reservoirs in the upper reaches of the Yellow River to investigate the impact of cascade reservoir construction on nirS-type denitrifying bacteria in sediments. Sediment samples were collected in May (dry season) and August (wet season) of 2023. The spatiotemporal characteristics of the nirS-type denitrifying bacterial community and gene abundance were analyzed using Illumina high-throughput sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantification PCR (qPCR). Redundancy analysis (RDA) and variation partitioning (VP) were utilized to assess the impact of environmental factors on these communities. The results showed the following: (1) Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria in cascade reservoir sediments. At the genus level, unclassified Proteobacteria (69.51–95.64%) showed the highest relative abundance, followed by Paracoccus, Rhodanobacter, and Pseudomonas, indicating that unclassified Proteobacteria may dominate denitrification in these reservoir sediments. (2) The α and β diversity indices of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria were higher in the dry season than in the wet season, and also higher in young reservoirs compared to old reservoirs (p < 0.05). (3) Temporally, the abundance of the nirS gene was significantly higher in the wet season (12.71 × 107 copies/g dry sediment) compared to the dry season (66.35 × 105 copies/g dry sediment). Spatially, the abundance of the nirS gene was higher in the central region, while relatively lower at both ends. (4) RDA and VP analysis indicated that the community structure and abundance of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria were significantly influenced by the total nitrogen in sediments (19.31%) and water temperature (14.13%). Spearman correlation analysis showed that organic carbon significantly affected the diversity of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria (p < 0.05). The results contribute to a better understanding of the nitrogen-related microbial community in cascade reservoir sediments of the Yellow River, providing a scientific basis for reservoir management.
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Open AccessBrief Report
Epiphytic Lichens in Salt Flats as Biodiversity Refuges in Reserva Ecológica Arenillas
by
Ángel Benítez, Darío Cruz, Fausto López, Nixon Cumbicus, Carlos Naranjo, María Riofrío, Teddy Ochoa-Pérez and Marlon Vega
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110655 - 24 Oct 2024
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The mangrove biome is a highly productive system globally, with flora and fauna adapted to significant saline influence, where salt flats coexist alongside these systems, emerging over sands and muds with high salinity and sparse vegetation. The objective of this research is to
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The mangrove biome is a highly productive system globally, with flora and fauna adapted to significant saline influence, where salt flats coexist alongside these systems, emerging over sands and muds with high salinity and sparse vegetation. The objective of this research is to describe, for the first time in Ecuador, the diversity of epiphytic lichens in salt flats in the southern region of Ecuador. Two salt flats were selected where Avicennia germinans and Laguncularia racemosa were the dominant trees with the shrub Batis maritima. A total of 30 species of epiphytic lichens were recorded, with the families Arthoniaceae, Graphidaceae, and Ramalinaceae having the highest number of species, and crustose lichens with photobiont type Trentepohlia showed high richness. The salt flats in the southern region of Ecuador have a high richness of epiphytic lichen species, and the species composition is similar to mangroves, highlighting the importance of their conservation as biodiversity refuges for lichens and consequently other flora and fauna groups. Therefore, epiphytic lichens in salt flats can be used as model organisms to assess their conservation in tropical areas.
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Open AccessArticle
Local Ecological Knowledge Informs Nocturnal Mammal Conservation in Ba’Aka Culture in the Central African Republic
by
Annette S. Gunn, Terence Fuh Neba and K. A. I. Nekaris
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110654 - 24 Oct 2024
Abstract
Local ecological knowledge has been shown to convey key information about elusive mammal species. Many of Africa’s nocturnal mammals are not yet considered globally threatened, yet behavioural ecology and population trends across their diverse ranges remain effectively unknown. We conducted semi-structured oral and
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Local ecological knowledge has been shown to convey key information about elusive mammal species. Many of Africa’s nocturnal mammals are not yet considered globally threatened, yet behavioural ecology and population trends across their diverse ranges remain effectively unknown. We conducted semi-structured oral and visual interviews with eight groups of Ba’Aka in three villages (n = 53 males; n = 17 females) using trigger cards, to gain insights into beliefs about nocturnal mammals in the Central African Republic (CAR). We aimed to (1) explore the presence and local knowledge of nocturnal mammals; (2) determine cultural attitudes regarding nocturnal species; and (3) report on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in the CAR. Using trigger cards, interviewees identified nine nocturnal mammals. Frequency of key words was measured and presented in word clouds, depicting that angwantibos (Arctocebus aureus) (n = 14), genets (Genetta spp.) (n = 11) and tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis) (n = 6) were strongly associated with the supernatural (witchcraft; spiritual protection). The traditional uses of cryptic nocturnal mammals in Ba’Aka culture, including as meat and medicine, may affect the conservation of these species. We suggest a need to protect and include nocturnal mammals with unknown or decreasing populations in wildlife management strategies and community conservation programmes.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Conservation)
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Open AccessArticle
Genetic Characterization and Breeding Habitats of Black Fly (Diptera, Simuliidae) Vector Species in Laos
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Isara Thanee, Bhuvadol Gomontean, Waraporn Jumpato, San Namtaku, Komgrit Wongpakam, Wannachai Wannasingha, Khamla Inkhavilay, Banchai Malavong and Pairot Pramual
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110653 - 23 Oct 2024
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Genetic diversity and ecology are two important aspects of vector species crucial to a full understanding of disease epidemiology. In this study, we examined genetic diversity, genetic structure and the physiochemical parameters of the breeding habitats of the two significant black fly vector
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Genetic diversity and ecology are two important aspects of vector species crucial to a full understanding of disease epidemiology. In this study, we examined genetic diversity, genetic structure and the physiochemical parameters of the breeding habitats of the two significant black fly vector species, Simulium chumpornense Takaoka and Kuvangkadilok and S. nodosum Puri, from Laos. Genetic diversity of S. chumpornense in Laos was relatively high with maximum genetic divergence of 3.05% but no significant genetic differentiation between populations. Comparisons with conspecific populations from Thailand also found no genetic differentiation between the two countries. This possibly related to the recent history of this species, as a very recent (31,000 years ago) historical population expansion was detected. Physicochemical parameters of the breeding habitats suggest the ability to utilize diverse stream sizes from small flows (1 m wide) to huge rivers (290 m or more wide). Populations of S. nodosum from Laos had low genetic diversity with maximum genetic divergence of 2.56% and no genetic structuring among populations. Comparisons with those reported from other countries revealed five genetically divergent lineages (I–V) with minimum genetic divergence of 1.36%. The majority (42 of 52) of specimens from Laos belonged to lineage I and the remaining (10) comprised lineage II. Lineage I is the largest and representative of specimens from Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Taiwan and Laos. Population history analysis revealed that lineage I had undergone recent demographic expansion dating back to 7000 years ago. This very recent population expansion resembles others reported from Thailand and possibly indicates a response to increasing human and domestic animals following the agricultural revolution. Breeding sites of S. nodosum are diverse in respect to elevation, velocity, water conductivity and streambed particle size. The ability to utilize a wide variety of breeding sites could promote the production of a large adult population, which can be a pest for humans and other animals.
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Open AccessInteresting Images
White Rot Disease Occurs on Wild Individuals of the Economically Important Red Seaweed Halymenia durvillei (Rhodophyta)
by
Wilfred John E. Santiañez
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110652 - 23 Oct 2024
Abstract
Seaweed diseases have been reported in both wild and cultivated seaweed species worldwide. However, reports on tropical seaweed diseases are uncommon and are often focused on farmed species. In the Philippines, seaweed diseases have been reported in economically important species such as Eucheuma
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Seaweed diseases have been reported in both wild and cultivated seaweed species worldwide. However, reports on tropical seaweed diseases are uncommon and are often focused on farmed species. In the Philippines, seaweed diseases have been reported in economically important species such as Eucheuma, Kappaphycus, and Halymenia. Regarding Halymenia, the occurrence of white rot disease has been reported on laboratory-reared and open sea-outplanted individuals. Here, I report for the first time the occurrence of white rot disease on Halymenia durvillei as observed in the wild. While the disease may have detrimental effects, I hypothesize that the disease and the subsequent breaking of branches may play a role in the dispersal and reproductive success of H. durvillei. Nonetheless, studies on the bio-ecology of its pathogen and the impacts of the disease should be conducted considering the commercial potential of H. durvillei farming.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Interesting Images from the Sea)
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Open AccessComment
Comment on Krüger, L. Decreasing Trends of Chinstrap Penguin Breeding Colonies in a Region of Major and Ongoing Rapid Environmental Changes Suggest Population Level Vulnerability. Diversity 2023, 15, 327
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W. Chris Oosthuizen, Murray Christian and Mzabalazo Ngwenya
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110651 - 22 Oct 2024
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Historical data on chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) breeding population sizes are sparse and sometimes highly uncertain, making it hard to estimate true population trajectories. Yet, information on population trends is desirable as changes in population size can help inform conservation assessments.
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Historical data on chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) breeding population sizes are sparse and sometimes highly uncertain, making it hard to estimate true population trajectories. Yet, information on population trends is desirable as changes in population size can help inform conservation assessments. Recently, Krüger (2023) (Diversity 2023, 15, 327) used chinstrap penguin nest count data to predict breeding colony size trends between 1960 and 2020, to estimate whether the level of population change within three generations exceeded IUCN Red List Criteria for “Vulnerable” populations. Chinstrap penguin population trends are an important research topic, but we caution that Krüger (2023)’s statistical analyses (intended to form the foundation for drawing valid, evidence-based inferences from sparse data) contain fundamental errors that invalidate that paper’s findings. We discuss oversights in several key steps (data processing, exploratory data analysis, model fitting, model evaluation, and prediction) of that paper’s analysis to help others detect and avoid some of the pitfalls associated with estimating population trends via mixed models. We also show through reanalysis that improved statistical modelling can yield better predictions of chinstrap penguin population trends, at least within the range of observed data. This case study highlights (1) the profound influence that seemingly minor differences in modelling procedures (both unintentional errors and other decisions) can have on predictions of population trends, and (2) the substantial inherent uncertainty in population trend predictions derived from sparse, heterogenous data.
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Open AccessArticle
Diversity and Distribution of Australian Stygobiont and Other Groundwater-Associated Amphipods (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Peracarida)
by
Rachael A. King, Steven J. B. Cooper, Benjamin Schwartz, Remko Leijs, Danielle N. Stringer, William F. Humphreys, Jake Thornhill and Michelle T. Guzik
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 650; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100650 - 21 Oct 2024
Abstract
Numerous and diverse groundwater habitats suitable for sustaining aquatic invertebrate communities exist across Australia. These habitats include enclosed subterranean aquifer systems, fractured rock, alluvial aquifers, perched aquifers, artesian springs, and spring-fed seeps and marshes. Crustaceans are a dominant member of these groundwater-associated invertebrate
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Numerous and diverse groundwater habitats suitable for sustaining aquatic invertebrate communities exist across Australia. These habitats include enclosed subterranean aquifer systems, fractured rock, alluvial aquifers, perched aquifers, artesian springs, and spring-fed seeps and marshes. Crustaceans are a dominant member of these groundwater-associated invertebrate communities, and amphipods, both stygobiont and associated epigean species, are particularly diverse yet are still relatively poorly known. We review both the diversity and distributions of Australian amphipods associated with groundwater habitats, describing hotspots of diversity, providing notes on the unique Australian habitats, and examining the extraordinary species diversity and endemism of the Australian species. Our review highlights the significance of Australian groundwater ecosystems, their associated biodiversity, and the importance in considering these ecosystems in groundwater conservation management plans.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution within the Amphipoda)
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Open AccessArticle
Asymmetric Effects of Temperature Change on Herbaceous Seed Germination: Implications for Climate Warming
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Kai Chen, Zi-Hong Chen and Zhong-Hua Jiang
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100649 - 21 Oct 2024
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Seed germination is a critical ecological process that governs both the establishment and maintenance of plant diversity and is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. As climate change accelerates, particularly through increasing temperatures, the disruption to seed germination could pose significant risks to plant
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Seed germination is a critical ecological process that governs both the establishment and maintenance of plant diversity and is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. As climate change accelerates, particularly through increasing temperatures, the disruption to seed germination could pose significant risks to plant diversity. Therefore, understanding how temperature fluctuations affect seed germination is essential for predicting the future recruitment of mountain plants and for conserving biodiversity in the context of ongoing climate warming scenarios. In this study, we collected seeds from 14 Impatiens species (Balsaminaceae) in the Gaoligong Mountains (Southwest China) at an elevation of approximately 2000 m. Germination tests were conducted on seeds subjected to cold stratification (42 days at 4 °C) across a range of alternating temperatures (6/1, 11/6, 16/11, 21/16, 26/21, and 31/26 °C). We used generalized linear mixed-effects models (random intercept) with temperature and its higher-order terms as the fix-effect terms to construct four models describing the relationship between germination percentage and temperature. Results indicated that (1) the germination percentage varied significantly among species and temperature treatments; (2) the nonlinear and asymmetrical model, incorporating temperature and its quadratic and cubic terms, best fit the germination data; and (3) the decline in germination percentage above the optimum temperature (To) was significantly steeper than the increase below based on the best model. Overall, these findings suggest that seed plants at low elevations in mountain ecosystems may be particularly vulnerable to future climate warming due to the sharp decline in germination percentage at temperatures above To. Thus, protecting low-elevation plants should be a key priority in biodiversity conservation efforts as global temperatures continue to rise.
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Open AccessArticle
Tricoma (Tricoma) disparseta sp. nov. (Nematoda: Desmoscolecidae), a New Free-Living Marine Nematode from a Seamount in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, with a New Record of T. (T.) longirostris (Southern, 1914)
by
Hyo Jin Lee, Heegab Lee, Ji-Hoon Kihm and Hyun Soo Rho
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100648 - 20 Oct 2024
Abstract
During a survey of marine biodiversity in the deep sea off northeastern Guam, two marine desmoscolecid nematodes belonging to the subgenus Tricoma were discovered. Tricoma (Tricoma) disparseta sp. nov. was described based on specimens collected from sponge and starfish habitats on
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During a survey of marine biodiversity in the deep sea off northeastern Guam, two marine desmoscolecid nematodes belonging to the subgenus Tricoma were discovered. Tricoma (Tricoma) disparseta sp. nov. was described based on specimens collected from sponge and starfish habitats on a seamount at depths ranging from 1300 to 1500 m. Tricoma (Tricoma) disparseta sp. nov. is distinguished by having 59 to 62 main rings, 9 to 10 subdorsal setae, and 14 to 18 subventral setae on each side. Notable features include the differentiation in length and insertion between the subdorsal and subventral setae, as well as the amphid extending to the second or third main ring. Additionally, the spicules have a relatively small capitulum at the proximal end, while the gubernaculum is bent into a hooked shape. The specimen of T. (T.) longirostris observed in this study closely resembles previously reported specimens, characterized by 78 main rings, a long and narrow head shape, eight to nine subdorsal setae, 14 to 15 subventral setae, and a gubernaculum with a knobbed apophysis. Two Tricoma species from the Northwest Pacific Ocean are described in detail, and pictorial keys and comparative tables for species identification are provided for groups with 50 to 64 main rings.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics of Marine Communities)
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Open AccessArticle
Early Molecular Detection of Invasive Alien Plants in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas
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Jessica Frigerio, Malika Ouled Larbi, Werther Guidi Nissim, Fabrizio Grassi, Pierluigi Cortis and Massimo Labra
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100647 - 19 Oct 2024
Abstract
Invasive alien plants represent one of the five major threats to biodiversity and the disruption of ecosystems. They are introduced through various routes, starting with commercial trade. Preventing their introduction is essential to avoid the spread of new invasive plants. In this paper,
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Invasive alien plants represent one of the five major threats to biodiversity and the disruption of ecosystems. They are introduced through various routes, starting with commercial trade. Preventing their introduction is essential to avoid the spread of new invasive plants. In this paper, we propose a new early warning DNA barcoding tool for invasive plant detection. Eight invasive alien species of European Union concern (i.e., Ludwigia grandiflora, Elodea nuttallii, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Pontederia crassipes, Ailanthus altissima, Heracleum mantegazzianum, Impatiens glandulifera, Pueraria montana) were selected and analysed. A unique DNA marker for each species was identified and amplified using species-specific primers capable of identifying the presence of alien species. To verify whether the approach could detect the presence of alien plants in urban areas from lawn clippings, mixes with typical urban spontaneous plants and invasive species were tested. In all mixes, only the invasive species was identified. This rapid detection capability will enable environmental operators to intervene promptly to contain the spread of invasive plants before they can cause significant damage to the local ecosystem. This tool could have a significant impact on the protection of local biodiversity and the integrity of urban habitats.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Barcoding for Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration)
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Open AccessCorrection
Correction: Slišković et al. A Systematic Analysis of the Mediterranean Sea (IHO Sea Area) in the WRiMS Database. Diversity 2024, 16, 358
by
Merica Slišković, Anita Gudelj and Marina Piria
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100646 - 17 Oct 2024
Abstract
In the published article [...]
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Open AccessArticle
Dragonfly Functional Diversity in Dinaric Karst Tufa-Depositing Lotic Habitats in a Biodiversity Hotspot
by
Marina Vilenica, Vlatka Mičetić Stanković and Mladen Kučinić
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100645 - 17 Oct 2024
Abstract
Functional diversity is a key component of biodiversity that reflects various dimensions of ecosystem functioning and the roles organisms play within communities and ecosystems. It is widely used to understand how ecological processes influence biotic assemblages. With an aim to increase our knowledge
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Functional diversity is a key component of biodiversity that reflects various dimensions of ecosystem functioning and the roles organisms play within communities and ecosystems. It is widely used to understand how ecological processes influence biotic assemblages. With an aim to increase our knowledge about dragonfly ecological requirements in tufa-depositing karst habitats, we assessed functional diversity of their assemblages, various life history traits (e.g., stream zonation preference, substrate preference, reproduction type), and relationship between functional diversity and physico-chemical water properties in three types of karst lotic habitats (springs, streams, and tufa barriers) in a biodiversity hotspot in the western Balkan Peninsula. Dragonfly functional diversity was mainly characterized by traits typical for lotic rheophile species with medium dispersal capacity. Among the investigated habitats, tufa barriers, characterized by higher (micro)habitat heterogeneity, higher water velocity, as well as lower conductivity and concentration of nitrates, can be considered as dragonfly functional diversity hotspots. Functional diversity and most of the life history traits were comparable among different substrate types in the studied habitats, indicating higher importance of habitat type in shaping dragonfly functional diversity patterns in karst lotic habitats. Our results should be considered in the management and conservation activities of vulnerable karst freshwater ecosystems and their dragonfly assemblages.
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(This article belongs to the Section Freshwater Biodiversity)
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Open AccessArticle
Variation in the Biomass of Phragmites australis Across Community Types in the Aquatic Habitats of the Middle Volga Valley
by
Vladimir Papchenkov and Hana Čížková
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100644 - 17 Oct 2024
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Species composition and biomass are key indicators of vegetation performance. While Phragmites australis is extensively studied worldwide, data on its communities and biomass in natural habitats are limited in the European part of the Russian Federation. This study examines P. australis-dominated communities
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Species composition and biomass are key indicators of vegetation performance. While Phragmites australis is extensively studied worldwide, data on its communities and biomass in natural habitats are limited in the European part of the Russian Federation. This study examines P. australis-dominated communities and their biomass in wetlands along the Middle Volga River. P. australis was either the dominant or co-dominant species in seven community types. Their seasonal maximum aboveground biomass correlated with plant projective cover, being highest in Schoenoplecteto lacustris-Phragmitetum australis (mean 1.7 kg m−2), with nearly 100% cover, and lowest (0.5 kg m−2) in Spirodelo-Phragmitetum australis, with 50% cover. Compared with communities dominated by Glyceria maxima, Schoenoplectus lacustris, and Typha latifolia, those of P. australis had the highest seasonal maximum aboveground biomass in running waters (mean 1.32 kg m−2) but the lowest in standing waters of the Kuibyshev Reservoir (mean 0.70 kg m−2), likely reflecting nutrient availability. A similar pattern was observed for the dominant species alone. The mean belowground biomass of P. australis was 1.9 kg m−2, with a belowground/aboveground ratio of 1.5. Similar values were found for S. lacustris and T. latifolia. The community types and biomass values align with those found in other European regions with warm temperate climates.
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