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A Case Study of the European Mudminnow Conservation Pilot Programme (2008-): Creation of surrogate habitats and self-sustaining populations, risks of climate change
No full textThe European Mudminnow Conservation Pilot Programme, initiated in 2008, is a long-term, complex, adaptive project designed to respond to changing ecological conditions. The programme's primary aim is to conserve and enhance populations of the European mudminnow (Umbra krameri). The number of mudminnow habitats and the size of their populations have decreased significantly in Hungary over the past few decades. The small, isolated, and shallow waters, as well as the small fish populations, are susceptible to environmental change and human impact. Mudminnows face their most significant threats from habitat loss (e.g., drying caused by climate change), disturbance (e.g., dredging), and the spread of the invasive Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii). Between 2008 and 2017, we created 10 surrogate habitats (ponds) in the Szada Pilot Area, where we introduced aquatic vegetation and mudminnows rescued from 7 endangered habitats/populations in Hungary. Depending on ecological conditions, clear, turbid, shaded, and oxygen-poor alternative stable states developed in the ponds. Five habitats became excellent for the European mudminnow. Two of our artificially created ponds have established self-sustaining populations of mudminnows. Our monitoring results highlighted that extreme weather events driven by climate change (e.g., droughts, severe spring coolings) could rapidly degrade both natural and artificial shallow aquatic ecosystems, potentially driving them into an oxygen-poor state and significantly reducing the survival and reproductive success of the European mudminnow (Suppl. material 1). To mitigate the harmful effects of climate change, the main priorities are regular monitoring, habitat management (enhancement), rehabilitation, and ensuring the ecological water demands of habitats are met. We have recently developed the comprehensive Umbra Habitat Qualification System (UHQS), which is currently under validation. This system aims to reduce stocking risks by pre-assessing newly created surrogate habitats. UHQS will also be suitable for identifying and evaluating potential and current mudminnow habitats
Citizen science to complement professional data: towards conservation of declining native freshwater fish, the crucian carp
No full textThe citizen science approach enables the collection of extensive ecological data while reducing time and cost, offering a valuable tool to address complex conservation challenges. However, its precision in monitoring morphologically similar freshwater fish species remains insufficiently explored. This study evaluates the effectiveness of citizen science in distinguishing between the critically endangered crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and the invasive gibel carp (Carassius gibelio), two closely related species often confused due to their similar appearance. The native crucian carp has experienced a sharp population decline in Central Europe and is currently classified as critically endangered in the Czech Republic. In response, the citizen science initiative, save the crucian carp was launched to map the species’ distribution and support its conservation and restoration. We assessed the project’s effectiveness using data submitted by 953 participants, which included current and historical occurrence records for both crucian and gibel carp. The analysis focused on species identification accuracy, public engagement, and the influence of media outreach on participation. Field verification of reported sightings revealed a 35% accuracy rate for crucian carp identification. A positive correlation was observed between respondents’ species identification quiz scores and the number of valid occurrence tips submitted. Participants aged 31–50 showed the highest engagement in conservation efforts. Notably, media campaigns significantly boosted public involvement, highlighting the importance of awareness-building in fostering biodiversity stewardship. Data collected through citizen science exhibited broader coverage and greater reporting regularity compared to records from the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, underscoring the value of citizen contributions in shaping conservation strategies. Overall, this study illustrates the promise of citizen science as a scalable and impactful approach for monitoring and conserving threatened freshwater fish species
Diversity and distribution of ectoparasites infesting Podiceps cristatus and Tachybaptus ruficollis (Aves, Podicipediformes) at a Ramsar site in northeast Algeria: new records.
No full textAlgeria hosts 55 Ramsar sites of international significance, serving as crucial habitats for a wide range of migratory, wintering, and breeding waterbird species. Despite this, research on the ectoparasites of aquatic avifauna in Algeria remains limited. This study aims to investigate the ectoparasite diversity infesting the Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis Pallas, 1764) and the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus Linnaeus, 1758) in northeastern Algeria. To do so, we examined grebes of both species at Lake Tonga between 2022 and 2023.A total of 8,057 ectoparasites were collected, 24 of which belonged to Phthiraptera and 8,033 to Acari. Two lice species were identified: Aquanirmus podicipis Denny, 1842, belonging to the suborder Ischnocera, infesting the Great Crested Grebe and Pseudomenopon dolium Rudow, 1869, from the suborder Amblycera, infesting the Little Grebe. As for Acari, we identified two mite species belonging to the suborder Astigmata (Pterolichoidea; Ptiloxenidae): Ptiloxenus major Mégnin & Trouessart, 1884, and Ptiloxenus colymbi Canestrini, 1878 the latter of which had not been reported since its original description. This study reports a new host-parasite association in the global mite fauna (Great Crested Grebe - Ptiloxenus colymbi Canestrini, 1878). All the identified ectoparasite species are reported for the first time in Algeria.Feather mite infestation did not differ significantly between breeding and wintering seasons and showed only a weak correlation with host morphometric parameters. These findings suggest that neither season nor body size strongly influence feather mite dynamics in the studied grebes, while still providing valuable insights into their host–parasite relationships
A new species of Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 (Squamata, Agamidae) discovered in the upper Dadu River valley of the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan, China
No full textA new species of the genus Diploderma is described from the upper Dadu River Valley in the Hengduan mountains of Sichuan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial ND2 gene revealed that the new species, Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov., forms a distinct lineage within the Diploderma flaviceps group with an uncorrected genetic distance of ≥3.88%. Morphologically, the new species differs from its congeners by a combination of characters, including a shorter snout-vent length (SVL 62.51–72.55 mm), a shorter tail (TAL/SVL ratio 1.37–1.56), concealed tympanum, absence of a gular spot, and lemon-chiffon dorsolateral stripes with serrated edges in males. Additionally, Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov. exhibits unique coloration traits such as a wheat-colored tongue and the fourth toe with claw reaching either the tympanum or the area between shoulder and tympanum when hind limbs adpressed forward. The species inhabits semi-arid shrublands in warm-dry valleys at elevations of 2,187–2,525 m – a habitat that is distinct from those of its closest relatives. This discovery highlights the understudied biodiversity of the upper Dadu River. Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov. represents the 49th species of the genus and expands our understanding of morphological and ecological diversity within the D. flaviceps group
Community-driven enhancement of information ecosystems for the discovery and use of palaeontological specimen data: Cyberinfrastructure alignment workshop
No full textA two day cyberinfrastructure alignment workshop was held in May 2025 as part of the "Community-driven enhancement of information ecosystems for the discovery and use of paleontological specimen data" project, which is funded under the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) Geosciences Open Science Ecosystem (GEO OSE) programme. Participants with expertise in informatics, technical cyberinfrastructure development and management and geo- and biological sciences were invited to foster a shared and increased understanding across this broad-community of the needs for palaeontological specimen data. This report describes the activities and outcomes of the workshop and how they will contribute to final deliverables for the grant funded project
Sinosenecio yaanensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from western Sichuan, China
No full textSinosenecio yaanensis K.Huang & Z.X.Fu (Asteraceae) is described as a new species from Tianquan County, western Sichuan, China. It resembles S. chienii and S. homogyniphyllus in its scapigerous habit and palmately veined ovate to ovate-cordate radical leaves, but differs in several stable traits. Its leaves are subcoriaceous with whitish blotches adaxially and a purplish red abaxial surface, whereas S. chienii has submembranous blades that are pale green on the abaxial surface, while S. homogyniphyllus has smaller membranous leaves. Sinosenecio yaanensis produces 3–10 (vs. 2–9 in S. chienii and mostly solitary in S. homogyniphyllus) capitula, ca. 8 (vs. 10–12 and 8–17) ray florets, and lacks a pappus (vs. absent or rarely with short hairs). Phylogenetic analyses based on chloroplast genomes and ITS sequences place S. yaanensis within the Sinosenecio–tussilaginoid assemblage corresponding to the Tussilagininae subtribe, clustering with S. chienii and S. homogyniphyllus
Lateglacial to Early Holocene glacier fluctuations in the northern Valaisian Alps
No full textThe northern Valaisian Alps represents a glacially overprinted landscape, characterized by abundant glacial deposits and landforms. Well-preserved moraine systems, commonly found in the region, were deposited by glacier fluctuations after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). In this study, we focus on the glacial evolution of the tributary valleys of Belalp and Luesgenalp, west of the Great Aletsch glacier, during the Lateglacial and Early Holocene. To reconstruct the glacier advances, a combination of geomorphological mapping, surface exposure dating with cosmogenic 10Be, and glacier reconstruction were used. Our results indicate that glacier fluctuations occurred at 12.0 ± 0.9 ka in the Belalp valley and 12.0 ± 1.0 ka in the Luesgenalp valley during the Younger Dryas cold phase. Based on the glacier reconstruction, an equilibrium line altitude (ELA) of 2700 m asl was estimated for the maximal extent of these paleoglaciers. ELA depressions of 330 m to 430 m relative to the Little Ice Age for the Unnerbaech paleoglacier in the Belalp valley and 400 m for the Hostock paleoglacier in the Luesgenalp valley were calculated, corresponding to annual temperature decreases of 2.1 to 2.8 °C and 2.6 °C, respectively. The precipitation pattern shows no significant change in the amount of precipitation between YD and today. Our findings are consistent with the YD paleoglaciers documented throughout the Alps and provide insights into the climate dynamics during the Egesen stadial in the Alps. Additionally, our findings contribute to the broader understanding of glacial responses to climatic fluctuations
Rice blast in the Indo-Pacific Region impacting food security highlights the need for better biosecurity
No full textPlant pests significantly reduce crop yield, which impacts access, availability and food utilisation. Rice is a staple crop for almost half of the world’s population. Asia (including the Indo-Pacific Region, IPR) contributes 90% and consumes 86% of global rice production, but is among the most food-insecure regions in the world, with an increase of 16 million (to 113 million) moderately/severely food-insecure people in the region in the last 5 years. Outbreaks of the rice blast pathogen Pyricularia oryzae in the IPR could significantly affect global food security. Modelling indicates that an extreme case of 80% loss of rice crops across the IPR could increase global rice prices by 50–95%, increasing food insecurity for net exporter countries while creating price shocks in importing countries. This study used the four pillars of food security as a framework to evaluate the impact of rice blast on food availability, access, utilisation, and stability. The objective was to determine if biosecurity measures might be easily implemented to reduce the risk of the disease and increase food security in the region. Biosecurity was claimed as essential for managing rice blast across the pre-border/border/post-border continuum to reduce the risk to food security. Australia and New Zealand may be able to assist with the implementation of biosecurity measures as they are the most significant leaders in this field in the IPR. Regional agencies such as the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission might assist the IPR in identifying threats through intelligence gathering and pathway modelling for pre-border activities. To be effective, the biosecurity system needs all stakeholders to work together
Insights from the Dalberto Teixeira Pombo (DTP) Arthropod Collection – I. Revealing the Hidden Diversity of Terrestrial Cave Arthropods in the Azores
No full textHosted at the University of the Azores, the “Dalberto Teixeira Pombo” Collection (DTP) is an invaluable repository showcasing the diversity of arthropods from the Azores Archipelago, Portugal. This collection not only preserves a vital record of the region’s arthropological heritage but also underpins ongoing biodiversity research and conservation efforts. In this context, we are inaugurating a new series of Data Papers under the AZORES BIOTA Biodiversity Data Journal Collection. These papers will systematically document and analyze previously unidentified specimens derived from multiple past expeditions aimed at surveying and monitoring a range of habitats across the Azores Islands. By integrating historical collections with modern research methodologies, this initiative aspires to reveal previously hidden facets of the archipelago’s biodiversity and to inform future ecological, biogeographical and evolutionary studies, as well as conservation endeavours.This first manuscript targets the subterranean arthropod fauna. Collected primarily during intensive field expeditions between 1991 and 2010, subterranean samples from the archipelago’s diverse cave systems and mesovoid habitats form a vast assemblage of specimens — most of which remain unidentified — that illuminate the region’s hidden and understudied biodiversity. Notably, the only taxonomically resolved subset comprises the cave-adapted ground‐beetles of the genus Trechus, a group of paramount importance to the understanding of the evolution of Azorean subterranean adapted fauna.This study significantly contributes to addressing the Wallacean shortfall within the Azorean subterranean ecosystem by documenting novel range extensions for key endemic cave-adapted arthropods. Among the taxa recorded in previously uncharted locations are the centipede Lithobius obscurus azoreae Eason & Ashmole, 1992, the pseudoscorpion Pseudoblothrus vulcanus Mahnert, 1990, and several single-island endemic ground beetles of the genus Trechus, including Trechus terceiranus Machado, 1988 and Trechus picoensis Machado, 1988. These new distributional records enhance our understanding of species biogeography in the unique subterranean volcanic systems of the Azores and provide valuable insights into the connectivity and dispersal potential of troglobitic species in oceanic island settings.Furthermore, this research plays a crucial role in defining new priority areas for the conservation of Azorean cave-adapted arthropods. By refining knowledge on species distributions, it supports the development of targeted spatial conservation strategies aimed at mitigating habitat degradation and preserving the fragile subterranean biodiversity of the archipelago. The findings of this study contribute directly to future conservation planning, ensuring that appropriate protective measures are implemented to safeguard these highly specialized and often vulnerable cave ecosystems
New records of Nototriche hartwegii A.W.Hill (Malvaceae, Malvoideae) in Ecuador: updated distribution and range extension
No full textWe report a new record of Nototriche hartwegii A.W.Hill, an Ecuadorian endemic species originally described from the southern Andes. For decades, its known distribution was restricted to this region. However, recent publications from the past four years have expanded its range into the central Andes of Ecuador. In this study, we document the presence of N. hartwegii in two additional sites of the central Andes and, for the first time, in the northern part of Ecuador near the Colombian border, significantly extending the known range of this endemic species