1,721,092 research outputs found
Le acque sotterranee del sistema territoriale ambientale di Castelporziano. Caratterizzazione preliminare e primi dati sulla "biodiversità nascosta"
No full textLe acque sotterranee del Sistema Territoriale Ambientale di Castelporziano: caratterizzazione preliminare e primi dati sulla “biodiversità nascosta”. Lo studio si propone di colmare il vuoto di conoscenza esistente sulla fauna delle acque sotterranee del Sistema Territoriale Ambientale di Castelporziano, mai indagata precedentemente, individuando e identificando le specie presenti nelle acque ipogee della Tenuta con particolare riguardo ai gruppi tassonomici dominanti e definirne la distribuzione sul territorio e nelle diverse tipologie di acquiferi (subsuperficiali e profondi, in rocce e sabbie di diversa origine e granulometria). A tale scopo nel corso degli anni 2012-2013 sono state individuate 45 stazioni (delle quali 13 poi risultate non campionabili), comprendenti cisterne presso fontanili (7), pozzi di emungimento (6) e piezometri (19). Nella scelta degli strumenti di campionamento si è preferito l'uso di metodi non distruttivi, in grado di consentire la raccolta delle specie ipogee senza creare interferenze con i regimi idrologici dell’acquifero: 1) retino da drift, con apertura di maglia di 100 μm; 2) retino da plancton immanicato con apertura di maglia di 100 μm; 3) microretino per piezometri con struttura in PVC e rete da 100 μm; 4) trappole a caduta in plastica autocostruite, con esca di carne e grasso animale. L’analisi dei dati raccolti, per quanto parziale e preliminare, ha prodotto un elenco faunistico costituito da 30 taxa, appartenenti a gruppi molto diversi quali Platelminti, Nematodi, Gasteropodi, Anellidi Oligocheti e diversi ordini di Crostacei. Per quest’ultimo gruppo, predominante tanto negli acquiferi di Castelporziano quanto in quelli di tutta Europa, si segnalano alcune interessanti presenze, soprattutto tra i Copepodi e gli Anfipodi. Rilevanti difficoltà di identificazione a livello morfologico per la frequente occorrenza di specie criptiche e pseudocriptiche hanno reso necessario un completamento di indagine a livello molecolare. Le biocenosi studiate rivelano una discreta diversità specifica costituita da specie in parte esclusive delle acque sotterranee (ben 15 i taxa stigobi). Alla maggiore eterogeneità geomorfologica delle piccole falde sospese nell'area tufacea (nella parte nord della Tenuta) corrisponde una maggiore diversità faunistica, risultato da poter leggere come un primo indicatore di buona qualità ambientale e di bassa vulnerabilità intrinseca degli acquiferi sinora indagati. Tutte le specie stigobie rinvenute sono nuove per la Tenuta di Castelporziano.Groundwater of the Environmental System of Castelporziano: preliminary characterization and first records of "hidden biodiversity" . The present study aims at contributing to fill a knowledge gap about groundwater fauna of the environmental system of Castelporziano Estate, never investigated up to now. We collected and identified the groundwater fauna of the Estate, to determine the link of collected taxa to groundwater environment and their distribution in different type of aquifers (subsurface or deep aquifers, within rocks or sands of various origin and granulometry). During 2012-2013 we identified 45 sampling sites (13 of which resulted unusable for sampling), including collecting tanks close to troughs (7), wells (6) and piezometers (19). Sampling methods and instruments were chosen to be less invasive and perturbating as possible: 1) a drift net, with a 100 μm mesh size; 2) a handled plankton net, with 100 μm mesh size; 3) a tubular net for piezometers, built in PVC (outer structure) and 100 micrometer mesh size net; 4) self-made plastic traps, baited with animal meat and fat. The preliminary data analysis produced a whole faunistic assemblage composed by 30 taxa, belonging to different taxonomic groups such as platyhelminthes, nematods, gastropods, oligochaetes and several orders of crustaceans. This last group was the richest one in the groundwater of Castelporziano as well as in the European aquifers, showed some interesting occurrences, especially among copepods and amphipods. Due to the frequent occurrence of cryptic and pseudocryptic species, which makes difficult or impossible the morphology-based identification, a supplementary investigation at a molecular level was performed. The studied assemblages showed a fairly high biodiversity, mainly made up by stygobitic species (15 species). Higher biodiversity was found in the geomorphological heterogeneous perched aquifers in tufa in the northern part of the Estate. This richness suggests a good environmental quality and a low intrinsic vulnerability of these aquifers. All the stygobitic species collected so far are new for the Castelporziano Estate
Figure 3 in Dissecting copepod diversity at different spatial scales in southern European groundwater
No full textFigure 3. (A) Multidimensional Scaling plots of centroids of the habitats (region acronyms as in Figure 1; K, karstic aquifers; P, porous aquifers); (B) Magnitude of the different spatial scale contributions to α-diversity and β -diversity variation.Published as part of Galassi, Diana M.P., Stoch, Fabio & Brancelj, Anton, 2013, Dissecting copepod diversity at different spatial scales in southern European groundwater, pp. 821-840 in Journal of Natural History 47 (5-12) on page 829, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2012.738834, http://zenodo.org/record/519866
Figure 5 in Dissecting copepod diversity at different spatial scales in southern European groundwater
No full textFigure 5. Plots of γ -diversity (regional species richness) versus (A) mean α-diversity (mean species richness of local units: black dots; mean species richness of habitats: grey dots; standard error bars shown), and (B) β -diversity (average dissimilarity of local units: black dots; average dissimilarity of habitats: grey dots).Published as part of Galassi, Diana M.P., Stoch, Fabio & Brancelj, Anton, 2013, Dissecting copepod diversity at different spatial scales in southern European groundwater, pp. 821-840 in Journal of Natural History 47 (5-12) on page 830, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2012.738834, http://zenodo.org/record/519866
A comparison of Cladocera and Copepoda as indicators of hydroperiod length in mediterranean temporary ponds
No full textYearly variation in water availability patterns has a remarkable effect on the presence of freshwater microcrustacean species. We hypothesize that, based on their different reproductive strategy, Cladocera and Copepoda may show differences in their association with ponds of different hydroperiod, i.e. in their indicator value. In order to test our hypothesis, cladoceran and copepod assemblages from ponds and pools of Mediterranean woodlands in Latium (Italy) were analysed to evaluate their role as indicators of ponds attributed to four hydroperiod categories. Twenty-five cladocerans and sixteen copepods were collected. Correspondence analysis performed on the copepod species matrix clearly arranged the sites along a hydroperiod gradient; conversely, the same analysis carried out on cladocerans failed to distinguish between the hydroperiod categories. An indicator species analysis confirmed that copepods have a higher fidelity to the target site group. The high ability of copepods in discriminating ponds with different wet phase duration suggests their use as indicators of hydroperiod variation due to land use and climate change
A comparison of Cladocera and Copepoda as indicators of hydroperiod length in Mediterranean ponds
No full textYearly variation in water availability patterns has a remarkable effect in the presence of freshwater microcrustacean species. We hypothesize that, based on their different reproductive strategies, Cladocera and Copepoda may show differences in their association with ponds of different hydroperiods, i.e. in their indicator value. In order to test our hypothesis, cladoceran and copepod assemblages from ponds in Mediterranean woodlands in Latium (Italy) were analysed to evaluate their role as indicators of ponds attributed to four hydroperiod categories. Twenty-five cladocerans and sixteen copepods were collected. Correspondence analysis performed on the copepod species matrix clearly arranged the sites along a hydroperiod gradient; conversely, the same analysis carried out on cladocerans failed to distinguish between the hydroperiod categories. An indicator species analysis confirmed that copepods have a higher fidelity to the target site group. The high ability of copepods in discriminating ponds with different wet phase durations suggests their use as indicators of hydroperiod variation due to land use and climate change
Monitoraggio a lungo termine e conservazione delle acque astatiche: i microcrostacei come bioindicatori funzionali dei cambiamenti del regime idrologico.
No full textMicrocrustacean communities (cladocerans and copepods) from astatic ponds of Castelporziano Presidential Estate were analysed to evaluate their role as group/species monitors of functional variations related to the wet phase duration, and to test their effectiveness in long term monitoring of hydrological modification of these biotopes possibly linked to climate changes. Samples from a set of 22 biotopes classified as permanent, semi-permanent and temporary ponds (based on the authors observations over a > 20 years time span, on the long term experienced Estate personnel, as well as on the results achieved by the wetland census performed during the years 1999-2001), allowed us to build an occurrence/absence data matrix of the species of cladocerans, calanoid and cyclopoid copepods occurring in Castelporziano, which was successively elaborated by adequate statistics. As a whole, 36 species of microcrustaceans (22 cladocerans and 14 copepods) were collected in the 22 ponds sampled. Cladocerans number of species per pond showed a higher variability (1 to 16 species) with respect to copepods (1 to 6 species). The Correspondence Analysis provided a good separation of two major hydrological groups , with permanent ponds more variable than the others. The separation, tested by means of ANOSIM, showed to be highly significant, while no correlation emerged among CA axes and species richness. The percent of similarity analysis (SIMPER) emphasizes the more responsible species for the similarity among biotopes of the same hydrological category: Eudiaptomus padanus etruscus and Simocephalus vetulus in permanent ponds; Alona nuragica, Megacyclops viridis, Simocephalus vetulus and Scapholeberis ramneri in semi-permanent ponds; Cyclops divergens, Daphnia chevreuxi and Diaptomus serbicus in temporary ponds. Our results highlight as: 1) long term data series are essential in providing an adequate knowledge of the species hosted in a certain area; 2) cladocerans and copepods possess a high power in discriminating ponds with different wet phase duration, showing to be very good functional biomonitors; 3) small astatic biotopes play an important role in biodiversity conservation, as they host high percentages of the species diffused in wider areas, besides of species exclusive for these habitats; 4) hydroperiod appears to be the main driving force in characterizing entomostracan assemblages in astatic pondsMicrocrustacean communities (cladocerans and copepods) from astatic ponds of Castelporziano Presidential Estate were analysed to evaluate their role as group/species monitors of functional variations related to the wet phase duration, and to test their effectiveness in long term monitoring of hydrological modification of these biotopes possibly linked to climate changes. Samples from a set of 22 biotopes classified as permanent, semi-permanent and temporary ponds (based on the authors observations over a > 20 years time span, on the long term experienced Estate personnel, as well as on the results achieved by the wetland census performed during the years 1999-2001), allowed us to build an occurrence/absence data matrix of the species of cladocerans, calanoid and cyclopoid copepods occurring in Castelporziano, which was successively elaborated by adequate statistics. As a whole, 36 species of microcrustaceans (22 cladocerans and 14 copepods) were collected in the 22 ponds sampled. Cladocerans number of species per pond showed a higher variability (1 to 16 species) with respect to copepods (1 to 6 species). The Correspondence Analysis provided a good separation of two major hydrological groups , with permanent ponds more variable than the others. The separation, tested by means of ANOSIM, showed to be highly significant, while no correlation emerged among CA axes and species richness. The percent of similarity analysis (SIMPER) emphasizes the more responsible species for the similarity among biotopes of the same hydrological category: Eudiaptomus padanus etruscus and Simocephalus vetulus in permanent ponds; Alona nuragica, Megacyclops viridis, Simocephalus vetulus and Scapholeberis ramneri in semi-permanent ponds; Cyclops divergens, Daphnia chevreuxi and Diaptomus serbicus in temporary ponds. Our results highlight as: 1) long term data series are essential in providing an adequate knowledge of the species hosted in a certain area; 2) cladocerans and copepods possess a high power in discriminating ponds with different wet phase duration, showing to be very good functional biomonitors; 3) small astatic biotopes play an important role in biodiversity conservation, as they host high percentages of the species diffused in wider areas, besides of species exclusive for these habitats; 4) hydroperiod appears to be the main driving force in characterizing entomostracan assemblages in astatic pond
Niphargus lourensis Fiser, Trontelj & Sket 2006
No full text<i>Niphargus lourensis</i> Fišer, Trontelj & Sket 2006 <p>The species is represented by two subspecies.</p>Published as part of <i>Ntakis, Alexandros, Karaouzas, Ioannis, Fišer, Cene & Stoch, Fabio, 2020, An annotated checklist of the Niphargidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) of Greece, pp. 517-544 in Zootaxa 4772 (3)</i> on page 531, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4772.3.5, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3856611">http://zenodo.org/record/3856611</a>
The Diaptomidae (Copepoda, Calanoida) of Tunisia and the role of spatial and environmental factors as drivers of their distribution patterns
Full text linkEven in a biodiversity hotspot such as the Mediterranean basin, aspects relating to the distribution of some groups of microcrustaceans still need clarification. In this paper, we critically analyse the available information on diaptomid copepods in Tunisian inland waters and, based on the largest sampling campaign to date carried out in the country, report new data on their distribution. In the frame of this study, 248 crustacean samples were collected from 190 sites, and 10 diaptomid species belonging to 7 genera and 2 subfamilies were found in the samples. Their distribution follows a climate gradient determined by precipitation, and ecological variables mainly affect diaptomid distribution in the study area, while pure spatial factors are of negligible importance. Diaptomid biodiversity is therefore strongly linked to the diversity of inland waters that characterise the country. This is especially true in the wetlands of the Medjerda alluvial plain, where six diaptomid species co-occurred sympatrically, with up to four or five species coexisting syntopically and synchronically in some sites. Unfortunately, the natural water bodies of this plain are currently strongly threatened by urban expansion and agricultural reclamation, and the risk of local extinction for the species they host is increasingly high
Recommended from our members
On the non-malacostracan crustaceans (Crustacea: Branchiopoda, Copepoda, Ostracoda) from the inland waters of Fthiotida (Greece)
Full text linkIn the frame of the activities of the LIFE11 NAT/GR/1014 ForOpenForests, some water bodies occurring in the "Ethnikos Drymos Oitis” (GR2440004) and “Oros Kallidromo” (GR2440006) (Sterea Ellada) were investigated with the aim of providing a first census of the composition and diversity of their crustacean fauna. Overall, the sampling of 15 water bodies (7 of them listed as “Mediterranean temporary ponds” sensu EU “Habitats Directive”) led to the finding of 13 branchiopod, 11 copepod, and 7 ostracod taxa, including 4 species new for mainland Greece, i.e. the copepods Arctodiaptomus alpinus (Imhoff, 1885) and Diaptomus cf. serbicus, and the branchiopods Leptestheria dahalacensis (Rüppel, 1837) and Wlassicsia pannonica Daday, 1904. The comparative analysis of the observed species assemblages and richness suggests that the protection of those ponds identified as “priority habitats” according to the “Habitats Directive” is effective for the specialized and peculiar crustacean biota of these ecosystems, but it is not sufficient in order to preserve efficiently the whole diversity of temporary pond-dwelling crustaceans occurring in the study area. Therefore, the implementation of synergistic conservation measures dedicated to both “priority” and “non-priority” habitats is desirable
Niphargus denarius Karaman G. S. 2017
No full textNiphargus denarius Karaman G.S., 2017 Taxonomy: Published records: Karaman G.S. (2017b). Distribution: Endemic to Greece: Kefalonia Island (IO). Type material: Holotype: male 15 mm, G-2 (G-61), Cephalonia, loc. Efimia (Crini), 08.05.1977, 15exp. (leg. G. Pesce),. Paratype: female 9.5 mm, data same as for holotype, (leg. G. Pesce). Holotype and paratype are deposited temporarily in KCPM. Remarks: Known so far from Kefalonia Island and its ecology is unknown. Etymology: The specific name denarius should allude to the shape of old Roman money “denarius”, according to the subrounded epimeral plates of the species.Published as part of Ntakis, Alexandros, Karaouzas, Ioannis, Fišer, Cene & Stoch, Fabio, 2020, An annotated checklist of the Niphargidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) of Greece, pp. 517-544 in Zootaxa 4772 (3) on page 528, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4772.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/385661
- …
