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Towards a better knowledge and conservation of cryptic macrolichens in Italy: a revision of the genus Cetrelia (Parmeliaceae, Lecanorales, lichenized Ascomycota)
No full textCryptic species are a challenge for conservation since their ambiguous recognition can hinder a reliable evaluation of their distribution and ecology, thus affecting the assessment of their conservation status. Cetrelia W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb. is a foliose chlorolichen genus with four species in Europe, which represents a good case-study on this issue. All four sorediate Cetrelia species are morphologically very similar and also show a similar ecology. They can be identified by chemical characters related to their distinctive secondary metabolites, whose diagnostic value is also supported by molecular data. In addition, they are overall rare, and therefore virtually endangered, although in previous assessments they were evaluated as “data deficient” due to the scarcity of available data. The few, old literature records in Italy refer almost exclusively to one species (C. olivetorum), which, however, has been shown to be quite rare in other European countries. To better elucidate the actual distribution of the four species in Italy, we carried out a revision of all the available herbarium specimens and checked several new collections from the main centres of distribution. We analysed 320 specimens from 59 sites, confirming the occurrence of all the four species reported from Europe. Cetrelia monachorum is the most widespread, ranging from the Alps to the Apennines and Sardegna. Cetrelia cetrarioides is less widespread, occurring across the Italian Alps. Cetrelia olivetorum is confined to the Eastern Alps and northern Apennines. Cetrelia chicitae is the rarest, being found only in five sites in the Central and Eastern Alps. All the four species dwell in old, moist montane forests dominated by beech and/or conifers and with long ecological continuity, but they show different biogeographical patterns, which should be considered for planning conservation actions. All the sites hosting Cetrelia species, especially those in which more than one species occur, would deserve protection
First record of the non-native Chinese stripe-necked turtle (Mauremys sinensis Gray, 1834) from the island of Lesvos, Greece
No full textThe number of alien freshwater turtle records has increased in Greece in recent years. These species happen to be high in demand by the aquatic pet trade, and thus anthropogenic mediation has facilitated their dispersal beyond any natural barriers. The deleterious effects of these species on native biodiversity have long been documented. Here, we report for the first time the presence of the Chinese stripe-necked turtle (Mauremys sinensis) on the island of Lesvos, Greece. Lesvos Island has been heavily monitored in the past, revealing the presence of Trachemys scripta. Mauremys sinensis is now the second invasive species on an island, where the population of Emys orbicularis is decreasing faster than previously expected. We urge swift action to assess the population status of the newly discovered invasive species as well as the added effects it may have along with T. scripta on the two native species, Emys orbicularis and Mauremys rivulata
From seagrass roots to saline soils: discovery of two new genera in Lulworthiales (Sordariomycetes) from osmotically stressed habitats
No full textAs part of an ongoing study of marine fungi associated with seagrasses, we discovered a novel root-fungus symbiosis in the Indo-Pacific species Thalassodendron ciliatum from Mauritius. Culturing its mycobionts yielded dozens of morphologically and genetically uniform isolates, all representing a previously unknown fungus. A second undescribed fungus was isolated from saline soils in Czechia. Phylogenetic analyses based on three rDNA markers confirmed both taxa as distinct, hitherto unknown lineages within the Lulworthiales, which are introduced here as Thalassodendromyces purpureus gen. et sp. nov. and Halomyrma pluriseptata gen. et sp. nov., respectively. Both species developed characteristic structures under culture conditions that enabled their morphological characterisation: T. purpureus forms distinctive clusters of dark brown monilioid hyphae, while H. pluriseptata is characterised by holoblastic conidiogenesis and solitary, dark brown, multicellular conidia. Thalassodendromyces clustered in a strongly supported clade with Spathulospora, a parasitic genus of the red macroalga Ballia, while the closest relatives of Halomyrma were identified as the asexual genera Halazoon and Halophilomyces (nom. inval. Art. 40.7). An analysis of published metabarcoding ITS rDNA data from environmental samples in the GlobalFungi database indicated that H. pluriseptata is widely distributed across temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The species exhibits a strong preference for aquatic biomes, particularly marine and estuarine, with a few records in terrestrial ecosystems. In contrast, no record of T. purpureus was retrieved from GlobalFungi, suggesting narrower ecological specialisation, a close association with its seagrass host, and/or a restricted geographical range. Our findings expand the ecological and phylogenetic scope of the Lulworthiales, bridging marine and terrestrial fungal communities, and highlight seagrass roots as an important source of novel symbiotic marine fungi. Recent discoveries of the Lulworthiales in saline inland soils challenge their marine exclusivity and raise important questions about their ecological plasticity, dispersal mechanisms, and adaptive strategies. In light of current observations, we discuss the taxonomic challenges of the Spathulosporales and the lulworthialean fungi, integrating molecular and morphological perspectives. We address the importance of combining morphological and molecular approaches to accurately delineate new fungal taxa, as well as the value of environmental DNA metabarcoding for uncovering cryptic fungal diversity and enhancing our understanding of fungal distribution and ecological functions
Congenital bronchial atresia: a case report
No full textWe present the case of a 12-year-old boy with congenital bronchial atresia exacerbated by recurrent pulmonary infections. Born prematurely at seven months, the patient experienced recurring respiratory symptoms and persistent chest pain. Despite a month of broad-spectrum antibiotics, his symptoms persisted, and imaging tests, including computed tomography, revealed bronchial atresia. Reviewing the patient’s imaging results and clinical course underscores the importance of considering congenital abnormalities when treating patients with chronic pulmonary symptoms that do not respond to traditional treatment. Early recognition of congenital bronchial atresia is vital for implementing timely therapeutic interventions. This proactive approach can help patients avoid complications, improve respiratory function, and achieve better long-term health outcomes
An integrative analysis and account of two new species of Dugesia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from the Hengduan Mountains, southwest China, with reflections on the historical biogeography of Eastern Palearctic/Oriental lineages
No full textTwo new species of the genus Dugesia from southwest China are described using an integrative approach based on morphological, histological, and molecular data. Dugesia patula Chen & Dong, sp. nov. is characterized by the following features: symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal; vasa deferentia opening symmetrically into the mid-lateral portion of the seminal vesicle; a large and pointed diaphragm; a short duct between the seminal vesicle and diaphragm; and a very broad, short ejaculatory duct with a very wide opening at the tip of the penis papilla. Dugesia postica Chen & Dong, sp. nov., is characterized by the following features: symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal; a small penis bulb; a large and long penis papilla with a slightly larger dorsal lip and a small ventral lip; a long connecting duct between the seminal vesicle and diaphragm; a small diaphragm located near the tip of the penis papilla; and an extremely short ejaculatory duct. In the molecular phylogenetic tree, the two new species share a sister-group relationship and fall within an eastern Palearctic/Oriental clade of conspecifics. The distinct specific status of these two new species is also supported by their genetic distances. Through a multi-gene concatenated phylogenetic analysis, this study, for the first time, elucidates the evolutionary relationships among the Oriental, eastern Palearctic, and Australasian groups, enabling the development of a hypothesis on the potential dispersal routes of Dugesia into the eastern Palearctic region
DNA barcoding of the endemic Polish populations of the genus Reisseronia Sieder, 1956 (Lepidoptera, Psychidae)
No full textThe genus Reisseronia Sieder, 1956 (Lepidoptera, Psychidae, Epichnopteriginae) comprises 18 species, which are usually distributed in a limited number of very small areas in Europe and the Middle East. The genus Reisseronia was first reported in Poland in 2005; after detailed investigations, the Polish populations were described as separate species, namely R. imielinella Malkiewicz, Sobczyk & Larysz, 2013 and R. annae Larysz, 2017. Later, another population of bagworm moths belonging to the genus Reisseronia was found in Komańcza (Bieszczady Mountains). We carried out the first genetic studies of these parthenogenetic species from Poland. Sequence analysis of the DNA barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) revealed slight differences between three Polish populations of the genus Reisseronia
Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial activity of Ni(II) complex bearing salen ligand
No full textA new nickel(II) complex, (Ni(L)), based on the Schiff base ligand cis-N,N-bis-(2’,4’-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (H₂Salen), was synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis. The ligand also formed Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes with distinct geometries: distorted octahedral for Ni(II) and Co(II) and distorted square planar for Cu(II). This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the ligand and its complexes against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative). Using CLSI protocols, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. All metal–salen complexes exhibited bacteriostatic activity, with Ni(II) being the most effective. Chelation increased lipophilicity and acidity–enhancing bacterial inhibition by disrupting cellular processes. Differences in activity between strains were attributed to variations in cell wall composition. The findings demonstrate that metal complexation significantly improves antimicrobial potency compared to the free ligand and support further investigation of these compounds for pharmaceutical and industrial antimicrobial applications
A revision of the Wood wasp genus Sirex Linnaeus, 1760 [1761] (Hymenoptera: Siricoidea: Siricidae) in China
No full textAbstract Sirex wood wasps (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) constitute a group of economically significant xylophagous pests that cause substantial damage to forestry globally. Herein, we present a systematic revision of the Chinese Sirex species. Through phylogenetic analyses, some taxonomic ambiguities were resolved. Sirex chimera sp. nov. is described (type locality: Chifeng, Inner Mongolia). Two new synonyms are proposed: S. rufiabdominis Xiao & Wu, 1983 and S. sinicus Maa, 1949 are synonymized with S. nitobei. S. dux (Semenov, 1921) stat. rev. is confirmed as a distinct species rather than a subspecies of S. juvencus or S. cyaneus, with the male described for the first time. Re-examination confirms that previous Chinese records of S. imperialis represent misidentifications of S. nitobei. The Chinese Sirex fauna is revised to comprise nine valid species: S. chimera sp. nov., S. dux, S. ermak, S. juvencus, S. nitobei, S. noctilio, S. piceus, S. tianshanicus, and S. vates. Comprehensive re-descriptions and a key to species are provided
Navigating hydrological extremes: SARIMA forecasting of minimum Danube River discharges
No full textAccurate forecasting of river discharge is critical for the sustainable management of water resources, influencing applications such as irrigation planning, flood and drought mitigation, and infrastructure development. This study investigates the application of the Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model to forecast minimum monthly discharges of the Danube River, addressing challenges posed by nonlinear and time-dependent hydrological processes. The study utilizes an extensive dataset comprising daily discharge records from ten stations across seven countries, spanning over a century. Monthly minimum discharges were computed and analyzed to identify long-term trends and seasonal patterns. The SARIMA model was selected for its proven ability to capture seasonal variations and optimize forecasting accuracy in da-ta-limited environments. Model performance was evaluated using statistical measures such as mean absolute error and root mean square error with results indicating robust predictive capabilities across the studied stations. The findings reveal significant vari-ability in discharge trends, with notable decreasing trends in minimum flows at several upstream and midstream stations, highlighting potential impacts of climate change and anthropogenic influences. In contrast, downstream stations exhibited relatively stable discharge patterns. These insights underscore the need for adaptive water manage-ment strategies to mitigate the risks associated with decreasing low flows. The study demonstrates the utility of SARIMA models in hydrological forecasting and provides a foundation for future research exploring hybrid modeling approaches incorporating climate variables. The results offer valuable inputs for policymakers and stakeholders in managing water resources under evolving climatic conditions
Evaluation of seizures of live wild animals in Mexico
No full textIn Mexico, the illegal use of wildlife includes any activity related to wildlife that does not comply with current regulations. Seizure is an administrative sanction imposed by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) as a result of non-compliance with established regulations. There is a lack of official and accessible data on the number and species used and traded illegally in the country. This study aims to identify the species and the number of live wild animals seized by PROFEPA from 2012 to 2023, based on data requested by the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information, and Personal Data Protection (INAI). During this period, a total of 17,662 live individuals belonging to 579 identified species were seized by PROFEPA. The taxonomic groups seized included mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mollusks, crustaceans, insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates. Birds were the group with the highest number of species seized. The 32 states in the country have records of seizure. A total of 60.3% of the species native to Mexico are included in some category of national risk. Over a nine-year period, animal seizures decreased by 97%. A total of 25 different domestic destinations were reported for the animals after seizure. The number of wildlife seized does not accurately reflect the total number of animals used and trafficked illegally. The use and illegal trade of wildlife in Mexico represents a highly relevant issue that demands strengthening the actions taken so far to eradicate it