New records of fishes from the Bonaparte Seamount and Saint Helena Island,South Atlantic

A small collection of fishes from the Bonaparte Seamount (15°40′S, 6°55′W, 130 km west of Saint Helena Island, least depth 105 m), comprising 14 specimens from nine species in eight families, is described. This appears to be the first collection of fishes reported from the seamount. In addition, seven new records for St Helena (15°58′S, 5°43′W) are reported as well as additional specimens of several rarely caught endemics. The scorpaenid Pontinus nigropunctatus, previously known only from St Helena, is now also reported from Bonaparte Seamount while the serranid Holanthias fronticinctus, also considered a St Helena endemic, has been found to comprise 20% of the diet of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) at the Seamount. The carangid Decapterus muroadsi which was previously recorded in the Atlantic only at St Helena is now also recorded from the Bonaparte Seamount. A second specimen of the primarily Indo-Pacific carangid Uraspis helvola is recorded from St Helena (third record for the Atlantic). Particularly interesting new records at St Helena, which represents significant range extensions, are of Corniger spinosus (Holocentridae), and of Carangoides ruber and Seriola fasciata (Carangidae). The potential role of shallow seamounts around Ascension and St Helena as ‘stepping stones’ between the two islands is discussed.     

Two new species of terrestrial Isopoda (Crustacea,Oniscidea) from Ascension Island

A collection of eight species of terrestrial isopods from lava and cave sites on Ascension Island is described. Two species, Niambia longiantennata (Platyarthridae) and Elumoides coecus (Eubelidae), are described as new. Atlantoscia alceui Ferrara and Taiti (Philosciidae) is considered to be a junior synonym of A. floridana (Van Name) and the genus Ocelloscia Schultz and Johnson of Atlantoscia Ferrara and Taiti. At present the oniscidean fauna known from Ascension Island consists of 13 species.     

Biogeography of coastal and anchialine amphipods of Ascension Island,South Atlantic Ocean

Over 8000 amphipods were examined from coastal (primarily intertidal) and anchialine pool habitats of Ascension Is. Twenty-seven species, of which 14 are undescribed, were identified. Comparison of species from Ascension with amphipods found in possible source areas suggests that most colonization of the island by these animals has been via the Benguela Current. Possible western Atlantic faunal contributions are significantly lower than for other marine taxa that have been studied at Ascension, all of which are generally characterized by having dispersive larval stages. The high proportion of apparently endemic species, which exceeds that described for amphipods of other oceanic islands, is probably due to both the island's isolation and incomplete faunal surveys in possible source areas. Amphipod species diversity is low, a probable consequence of the size, isolation, youth and low habitat variability of Ascension Is. Consistent with other Atlantic islands that have been studied, nestlers predominate (56% of the species), with tubicolous species (33%) of secondary importance and inquilines (11%) making only a minor contribution. Three species occur in the anchialine pool habitat. Rather unexpectedly, caprellid amphipods are absent.     

Tardigrades from Signy Island,South Orkney Islands,with particular reference to freshwater species

Seventeen species of Tardigrada from lakes and catchments on Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, are described. Two species, Echiniscus punctus and Isohypsibius laevis are new to science, and two, Oreella minor and Pseudechiniscus suillus, are new to the Signy Is. records.     

Genetic and morphometric variation of the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) on the Azores Archipelago reveals a recent range expansion

ABSTRACT

The Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla, is one of the few passerine species that breeds in all the Macaronesian archipelagos. The sedentary habits of these populations contrast with the migratory populations from the Western Europe. However, little is known for Azorean populations. We assessed the phylogeography of populations from the Azores based on sequences of two mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene in the Z-chromosome. We also analysed differences in eight morphometric characters from a total of 282 Blackcaps from all the Azores islands. Our results suggest the occurrence of historical and/or current gene flow among birds from all the islands. Blackcaps from the Azores are close relatives of those from Madeira and Portugal, indicating a recent range expansion to the Azores in the last 0.1 million years. The analysis of morphometric data showed a high morphological diversity among and within the islands, probably related to ecological traits.     

The amphibians and reptiles of Nosy Be (NW Madagascar) and nearby islands: a case study of diversity and conservation of an insular fauna

Surveys of the amphibians and reptiles on Nosy Be (an island off north-west Madagascar) and nearby islands were undertaken between 1991 and 2001 and are discussed here in view of biodiversity considerations and conservation efforts. Since Nosy Be is the type locality of several amphibian and reptile taxa, their exact status is of crucial importance for the nomenclatural stability of many groups of the Madagascan herpetofauna. A total of 20 amphibian and 61 reptile species (excluding marine reptiles) was confirmed for this archipelago. Other species (Mantidactylus horridus, Androngo elongatus, Typhlops madagascariensis, T. reuteri, Micropisthodon ochraceus and Pararhadinea melanogaster) were not found during these inventories, but are quoted in the literature or housed in herpetological collections, and are considered as likely to be present at Nosy Be. A further 18 taxa are tentatively excluded from its fauna, due to biogeographic incongruence and/or lack of reliable voucher specimens. Few taxa are so far only known from the island; they may represent endemics or may have been overlooked on the adjacent mainland. They are respectively Stumpffia pygmaea, Mabuya lavarambo, Lygodactylus h. heterurus, Lycodryas granuliceps and Typhlops reuteri. Heterixalus tricolor too is likely to be present on Nosy Be only, but the difference with respect to taxa present on the mainland needs to be confirmed. Several species are known from nearby islands and islets surveyed (11 amphibians and 26 reptiles). A few of them (Heterixalus 'variabilis', Kinixys belliana, Furcifer oustaleti, Mabuya comorensis, Paracontias milloti) are present on some of these islands but have not yet been found on Nosy Be. Much of the field research was conducted at Lokobe, a strict nature reserve still characterized by good forest coverage (typical of the Sambirano Domain), and an important area of biodiversity. With 15 amphibian and 45 reptile species, Lokobe hosts 81% of the overall Nosy Be herpetofauna: of the species found during our surveys, only Heterixalus tricolor, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Gehyra mutilata, Phelsuma dubia and Crocodylus niloticus were only found outside the reserve. In view of this, the protection of Lokobe should be assured and reinforced. Except for Lokobe, habitats on Nosy Be are largely anthropogenic, and have a lower species diversity, especially where there is intensive agriculture. At other sites (e.g. ylang-ylang and coffee plantations) and in forested bands along roads, species diversity is still high: careful management of these anthropogenic habitats might also assure the survivorship and conservation of a diverse herpetofauna outside the protected area.     

Population structure and breeding biology of the hairy crab Pilumnus vespertilio (Fabricius, 1793) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pilumnidae) in southern Mozambique

The population structure and reproduction of Pilumnus vespertilio were studied for the first time in Mozambique. Random samples of crabs were taken monthly from January to December 2002 from a pebble area of Inhaca Island, southern Mozambique. A clear sexual dimorphism was observed in the present population with males reaching greater sizes than females. Sex ratio was female‐biased, and the monthly size–frequency distributions were often bimodal. The annual reproductive cycle of Pilumnus vespertilio was continuous with peaks of breeding in summer. Results suggest that embryonic development may be synchronized within the population as a result of the very high reproductive activity observed in summer. Juveniles are recruited mostly in winter in the study area.     

涠洲岛湿地对鸻鹬类水鸟的承载力评估

【目的】评估候鸟迁徙季节涠洲岛湿地对鸻鹬类水鸟的承载力。【方法】调查监测候鸟迁徙季节涠洲岛湿地生物量和鸻鹬类水鸟群落,由水生生物热量和鸻鹬类群落的综合代谢率估算涠洲岛湿地食物量对鸻鹬类水鸟的承载力。【结果】鸻鹬类水鸟在涠洲岛的觅食地面积为158.54hm~2,包括库塘面积40.58hm~2,沼泽面积69.56hm~2以及涠洲岛东岸潮间带面积48.40hm~2。鸻鹬类群落由35种鸟类组成,涠洲岛湿地对鸻鹬鸟类春秋季承载力分别为874~1 236只和1 001~1 302只。觅食地承载力密度(只/hm~2)春季库塘10.7沼泽5.6潮间带4.8,秋季沼泽6.8库塘4.3潮间带3.6。淡水湿地密度高于潮间带密度。1990年以来潮间带觅食地面积损失了86%,单位面积平均生物量下降了55%。【结论】湿地面积、水生生物丰度影响涠洲岛湿地对鸻鹬类的承载力,修复湿地可提高承载力。     

旅游目的地的居民地方依恋差异研究——以鼓浪屿为例

地方依恋近年来成为旅游研究热点.目前国内对旅游地的规划研究与经营管理上,大多还重视实质环境上的经营管理,或是对于旅游设施的投入,并未对居民与游憩地点之间的地方依恋关系进行研究.本研究以鼓浪屿旅游区为例,通过问卷调查,利用相关统计软件和数理分析,了解旅游区的当地居民对特定地方所产生的地方意识,揭示居民的个人背景、旅游活动...