Avian mortality due to power lines in the Canary Islands with special reference to the steppe-land birds

Biodiversity is being lost worldwide at an increased rate particularly as the result of human activities and infrastructure. Avian mortality through collision with power lines has been an important topic in animal ecology research, but studies of this kind have never been undertaken in the Canary Islands, a volcanic archipelago located near the northwest African coast that has important seabird colonies, several endemic bird species and endemic races of steppe-land birds of conservation concern. During two contrasting periods in 2008 (breeding vs post-breeding), a total of 366 km of power lines were surveyed on this archipelago covering the entire distributional range of the most important steppe-land bird species (i.e. 232 km, Fuerteventura; 134 km, Lanzarote). In all, 310 carcasses representing 23 families and 26 species were detected. We estimated with distance Sampling that 25.5% and 6.3% of individuals of the total population of Houbara bustards, Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae, and Eurasian stone curlews, Burhinus oedicnemus insularum, respectively, were killed in a year. We encourage the Canary Islands authorities (Consejería de Medio Ambiente del Gobierno de Canarias) to try to minimize the Houbara bustard collision rate, particularly in the northern plains of Lanzarote (i.e. Jables de Famara), as a means to reduce mortality of this emblematic species in this insular environment.     

Patterns of insect flower visitation in Lavandula buchii Webb (Lamiaceae), an endemic shrub of Tenerife (Canary Islands)

The foraging ecology of insect visitors of the endemic lavender Lavandula buchii (Lamiaceae) was studied in a relict population of the plant in north-west Tenerife (Canary Islands). Timed observations were used to describe this pollination system in terms of the structure of the visitor assemblage, foraging patterns and efficiencies of the main insect species. The visitor pool was dominated by anthophorid solitary bees. Furthermore, it was characterized by a high level of endemicity and a small number of species compared with continental relatives of Lavandula. The main visitors, two anthophorids and a bombyliid fly, clearly differed in their foraging behaviour, i.e. visitation frequency, visit duration, rate of flower probing, and in anatomical traits (body size and proboscis length). In these terms, the bees were by far more efficient foragers than the fly. These results are discussed in the context of insect-flower interactions in insular pollination systems.     

A synopsis of present knowledge of the Simuliidae (Diptera) of the Canary Islands,including keys to the larval and pupal stages

As human demands for water have become more intense in modern times, the Canary Islands have become a difficult environment for all the macroinvertebrate fauna dependent upon running water for their survival; few permanent streams remain. Investigations on the simuliid (blackfly) fauna have shown, however, that at least six species exist in the archipelago, but that one, the endemic Simulium paraloutetense, known only from one site now destroyed, is possibly extinct. The paper presents cumulated data on distribution and material obtained over the past 33 years (since aquatic-stage specimens from breeding sites were first collected) with the aim of providing a baseline against which future studies of the Canarian simuliid fauna can be assessed. Revised identification keys for larvae and pupae are given to aid such monitoring. Remarks concerning each species include notes on chromosomal data when these are available. Comments are included on some aspects of the lotic habitats and island colonization.     

Diplecogaster tonstricula,a new species of cleaning clingfish (Teleostei: Gobiesocidae) from the Canary Islands and Senegal,eastern Atlantic Ocean,with a review of the Diplecogaster-ctenocrypta species-group

The Diplecogaster-ctenocrypta species-group is reviewed; it comprises two species. The clingfish Diplecogaster ctenocrypta from the Canary Islands is redescribed. The new species Diplecogaster tonstricula, a facultative cleaner of other teleosts, is described on the basis of eight specimens and colour photos from Senegal and the Canary Islands, eastern Atlantic Ocean. The species is small, apparently not exceeding 23 mm total length; it is characterised by having nine dorsal-fin rays, eight anal-fin rays, 24–25 pectoral-fin rays, 14–15 principal caudal-fin rays, 13–16 rakers on third gill arch, pelvic disc without lateral papillae in region A, disc region B with two rows of weak papillae, interorbital distance 4.1–4.6 in head length, distance between disc and anus 14–17% of SL, head and body with 10–13 narrow vertical brownish bars, cheek with a white ocellus surrounded by black, and with a small black spot in the middle. The new species is compared with other species of the genus; a key to the six known species of the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea and South African genus Diplecogaster is presented. A checklist is provided for the species of Diplecogaster and their synonyms.     

Haematozoans,mites and body condition in the oceanic island lizard Gallotia atlantica (Peters and Doria, 1882) (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

We studied relationships among blood haemogregarines (Apicomplexa), ectoparasitic mites (Ophyonissus; Acari: Trombiculidae) and an endemic lizard host (Gallotia atlantica, Lacertidae) on an oceanic islet (Alegranza, Canary Islands). We asked whether blood infection, mite load and body condition were related in lizard subpopulations at two contrasting habitats. Both haemogregarine prevalence (100%) and intensity of parasitism (>1) were strikingly higher than values found for congeneric lizards from the other Canary Islands. There were few differences between habitats in infection levels, suggesting low influence of habitat on parasite performance. Both mite prevalence and intensity were very high, though only prevalence differed between habitats (higher in the richest and climatically more sheltered site). Body condition in lizards did not differ significantly between habitats. We found no association among blood parasite load, mite infection and lizard body condition. Results are discussed in the context of parasite‐host relationships on small islands as compared to larger areas such as continents.     

Taxonomy and geography of the blackflies of the Canary Islands (Diptera: Simuliidae)

The Canary Islands provide a difficult habitat for Simuliidae because of the scarcity of running water for the early stages, but the archipelago currently supports a fauna of six species (one other species formerly present is considered extinct). Breeding is confined to three of the seven islands (Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife), but once occurred also in Gran Canaria, an island that now lacks flowing streams. The taxonomic and faunal conclusions are based on a study of all available specimens, including material of early stages and reared adult flies collected by the author and aided by cytological data from the larval polytene chromosomes of several species. Twenty-one nominal species have at some time or another been reported from the Canaries, but, following this revision, only seven are recognized in the fauna (most past records being erroneous and based on misidentifications or false assumptions of endemicity); full synonymies clarify the old records in relation to modern nomenclature. All species belong to Simulium Latreille s.l., and keys are given to them in adult, pupal and larval stages. Three species are endemic (two newly described) and the other four common to the Palaearctic mainland. Some remarks are included on simuliid colonization and extinction in the islands.     

Three new endogean species of Laparocerus Schönherr, 1834 from the Canary Islands (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

Three new species of the weevil genus Laparocerus Schönherr (1834) adapted to the edaphic environment of the Canary Islands are described: L. edaphicus n. sp., L. oromii n. sp. and L. lopezi n. sp. They live in the humid laurel forests of Tenerife (Anaga Mountains), La Gomera (Garajonay National Park) and Gran Canaria (Valsendero), respectively. The small size and somewhat tubular body shape is a common character among them, as is the reduction of the eyes, which are totally absent in L. oromii n. sp. Despite these common adaptive traits, the three species seem not to be directly related. A key for the identification of all the known cryptozoic (edaphic and troglobitic) species of Laparocerus is provided.     

Redescription of the Cephalaspidea gastropod Atys jeffreysi (Weinkauff, 1866) (Haminoeidae), with a discussion on the phylogenetic affinities of the Mediterranean species of the genus

Atys jeffreysi is a heterobranch Cephalaspidea gastropod belonging to the family Haminoeidae occurring in the Mediterranean Sea, Madeira and Canary archipelagos. Nearly nothing is known about the internal anatomical features of this species. In this paper we redescribe the species A. jeffreysi based on fine anatomical work and scanning electron microscopy. DNA barcodes are provided for the first time for A. jeffreysi and A. macandrewii, the only two species of the genus native in the Mediterranean Sea. The genetic distance (COI uncorrected p-distance) between them is estimate at 21.6%. A Bayesian molecular phylogeny based on the gene marker cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) including all sequences available of the genera Aliculastrum, Liloa and Atys species did not support a sister relationship between the two Mediterranean species and suggests that they are more closely related to distinct Indo-West Pacific lineages. The complex systematics of the genus Atys is briefly discussed.     

Recent species of the Family Candonidae (Ostracoda,Crustacea) from the ancient Lake Biwa,Central Japan

Sampling of Lake Biwa between November 1997 and February 2007 has revealed a diverse Candonidae fauna consisting of 18 species. Eleven are previously undescribed species, belonging to the genera Fabaeformiscandona (nine species), Pseudocandona (one species) and Cypria (one species), and 10 of these are potentially endemic to the lake. In total there are 12 Fabaeformiscandona species in the lake belonging to two sub‐groups based on the number of setae on the mandible palp, the fabaeformis‐group (10 species) and the acuminata‐group (two species). Including the new Fabaeformiscandona species described herein, Lake Biwa is home to 19% of the approximately 62 described living species of this genus known globally. Although, the new Fabaeformiscandona species are potentially endemic, they do not show a microevolutionary pattern similar to that suggested for the Tanganyikan Cyprideis species flock.     

A new species of Josephiella (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae) forming leaf galls on Ficus microcarpa L. (Moraceae)

A second species of Josephiella Narendran, J. microcarpae, is described and figured, based on specimens reared in Hawaii, California and the Canary Islands. This wasp develops in galls on the leaves of Ficus microcarpa L., a widely cultivated ornamental banyan tree that is native to South-East Asia and adjacent islands. It has not been found on any other hosts. Both sexes are described, and males, which are apparently all fully winged, are relatively rare. We postulate that this wasp is a recent introduction into Hawaii, California and the Canary Islands, from an unknown location in South-East Asia, where Ficus microcarpa is native.     

Acerophagus artelles sp. nov. (Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea Encyrtidae), a biocontrol agent of Dysmicoccus grassii (Leonardi) (Hemiptera Coccoidea Pseudococcidae) on banana in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Acerophagus artelles sp. nov., an effective parasitoid of Dysmicoccus grassii on banana in the Canary Islands, is described, illustrated and compared with related species. A concise diagnosis and relevant taxonomic notes on the genus Acerophagus are also reported.     

News from a small island – first record of a freshwater shrimp (Decapoda,Atyidae, Caridina) from Peleng,Banggai Islands,Indonesia

The Indonesian island Sulawesi is well known for its fascinating fauna. Among the atyid and palaemonid freshwater shrimps described from Sulawesi are also a number of endemic species. In contrast, freshwater shrimps have never been reported from the nearby and smaller Peleng Island. Here we describe Caridina thomasi sp. nov. as a first record of an atyid freshwater shrimp from Peleng and compare it with atyids from Sulawesi and other localities. The new species is probably endemic to the island and shows some characters never described in the genus Caridina before. However, a molecular phylogeny of atyid shrimps from the Indo‐West Pacific based on mitochondrial DNA (16S) places C. thomasi within a clade of typical species of Caridina. We tentatively assign the new species to the genus Caridina and discuss the possibility of future changes in the classification of species in this genus.     

Zoogeography and evolutionary ecology of the genus Platorchestia (Crustacea,Amphipoda, Talitridae)

ABSTRACT

Species of the genus Platorchestia occur both in the northern hemisphere (18 species) and southern hemisphere (three species plus a synanthropically introduced species in South America and South Africa). The greater number of endemic Platorchestia species in the North Pacific Ocean suggests that it could be the epicentre of evolution for this genus. North-western Pacific Platorchestia includes 15 species which occupy five ecotopes: wrack (seven species), terrestrial leaf litter (five species), freshwater (one species), marsh (one species) and tentatively present in caves (one species). North-eastern Pacific Platorchestia includes only one putative driftwood specialist, with no other species found in North American coastal habitats. This compares with three good endemic Platorchestia species (plus two putative additional species) and only two ecotopes: wrack (three species) and freshwater (two species) from the North Atlantic Ocean, inclusive of the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean Sea. Insufficient data is available to consider Platorchestia zoogeography for the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Synanthropic dispersal involving Platorchestia in Polynesian outrigger canoes, or in solid ballast carried in the holds of wooden sailing ships has been identified as a potential complicating factor in the zoogeography of this genus. Platorchestia is proposed to have arisen on Laurasia and is therefore basically a northern hemisphere genus. Questions concerning Platorchestia zoogeography and evolutionary ecology are posed and two methods (more intensive field sampling and molecular genetics) are suggested to be the way to solve them.     

Two new Tarphius species from Macaronesia (Coleoptera,Zopheridae)

Two new species of Tarphius are described: Tarphius desertaensis n. sp. sifted from saxicole lichens on the small islet of Deserta Grande, east of Madeira, and Tarphius jandiensis n. sp. from Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands, where it lives in the upper parts of the massif of Jandía as a relict of the once more hygrophilous fauna that inhabited the island. Both species are of small size and have a fairly convex body.     

The persistence of an ancient marine fauna in Mediterranean waters: new evidence from misophrioid copepods living in anchihaline caves

Two new species of misophrioid copepods are described from anchihaline cave habitats. Both sexes of Speleophriopsis canariensis are described from material collected on Lanzarote, Canary Is. Expansophria sarda is described from a single male collected on Sardinia. Both genera have widely disjunct distributions which are broadly Tethyan in character. Species of both genera are stenotopic and appear to be restricted to hypogean habitats of near-marine salinities. The presence of species of both genera on Mediterranean islands is interpreted as evidence of the persistence of marine fauna throughout the Messinian Salinity Crisis.     

A revision of the Labiidae (Dermaptera) of the Neo-tropical and Nearctic Regions

A new genus, Helenolius (Cixiidae, Pentastirini), is described to accommodate the species H. dividens (Walker) comb. nov. and H. insulicola sp. nov. Both species are described and illustrated; they are endemic on the island St Helena.     

Integrative taxonomy at the nexus of population divergence and speciation in insular speckled rattlesnakes

ABSTRACT

We describe two diminutive species of rattlesnakes (genus Crotalus) from small nearshore islands off the coast of Baja California in the western Gulf of California, Mexico. In order to test the hypothesis that some island populations represent cohesive species entities, we applied linear discriminant analysis and uniform validation procedures to multiple classes of intrinsic trait data. By using previously recognised species to establish a threshold for species recognition, we found that assignment of specimens to either new species was as probable as with other established rattlesnake species within the speckled rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) complex. We also found that assignment of specimens from other island populations was not as probable as for the established species, and these populations are referable to C. pyrrhus. The species endemic to Piojo Island is most closely related to other island and mainland populations of C. pyrrhus whereas the species endemic to Cabeza de Caballo Island is apparently most closely related to C. angelensis, a nearby island endemic of large body size. However, patterns from both mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenies, and phenotypic variation, indicate that evolutionary trajectories of both of these species have been influenced by introgression from C. angelensis. We speculate that collective evidence based on contrasting patterns of nuclear and mitochondrial evolution supports a hybrid origin of the species from Cabeza de Caballo Island followed by exceptionally rapid mitochondrial evolution. Consistent with small body size, both species show a reduction in various scale counts relative to other species of the C. mitchellii species complex, suggesting that dwarfism is not simply a plastic response to insular conditions.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn.lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FBC8A11B-04A3-4231-85CA-3972DF5A42FF     

The genus Monacha in the Western Caucasus (Gastropoda: Hygromiidae)

Seven Monacha species have been found in the Western Caucasus region. Six of these species are endemic there. They all belong to the subgenera Paratheba and Metatheba. Three species are new to science. M. (Paratheba) claussi, sp. n. and M. (Metatheba) subcarthusiana (Lindholm) are the only Monacha species, in which the right ommatophoral retractor sometimes crosses with the penis. This might be due to an ancestral polymorphism, atavism or a basal position of the two species within Monacha, which would mean that Paratheba is paraphyletic and Metatheba is polyphyletic. Monacha (Monacha) cartusiana (O. F. Muller), the only Monacha sensu stricto species in the Caucasus region, has probably been introduced by man. The shell and the genitalia of every species are described and illustrated. The synonyms and all Caucasian locality records are listed. The distributions of the species are illustrated on UTM-grid maps.