Journal Description
Diversity
Diversity
is a peer-reviewed, open access journal on the science of biodiversity from molecules, genes, populations, and species, to ecosystems and is published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, GEOBASE, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Biodiversity Conservation) / CiteScore - Q2 (Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 17.8 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
2.4 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.5 (2022)
Latest Articles
Roseateles agri sp. nov., a New Species Isolated from Fresh Soil in Uiwang, South Korea
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 279; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050279 - 07 May 2024
Abstract
Two isolates of Roseateles were discovered in soil samples collected from Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. These isolates exhibited rod-shaped morphology and were facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, and tested positive for oxidase and catalase. Designated as strains R3-3T and R3-11, their growth was
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Two isolates of Roseateles were discovered in soil samples collected from Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. These isolates exhibited rod-shaped morphology and were facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, and tested positive for oxidase and catalase. Designated as strains R3-3T and R3-11, their growth was hindered by NaCl concentrations exceeding 0.5%, while their optimal growth conditions were observed at temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 30 °C and pH levels between 7.0 and 9.0. Both strains exhibited positive results for the hydrolysis of Tween 80 and DNA, but tested negative for starch, casein, chitin, and gelatin hydrolysis. Additionally, they assimilated L-Arabinose, D-mannitol, and D-Maltose, while exhibiting negative results for the fermentation of D-glucose, esculin ferric citrate, D-mannose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, potassium gluconate, capric acid, adipic acid, trisodium citrate, and phenylacetic acid. The DNA G+C content of strain R3-3T was measured at 67.5 mol%. Comparative analysis revealed that the average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between R3-3T and the Roseateles type strains ranged from 75.14% to 78.30% while the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values ranged from 20.70% to 22.70%. Consequently, based on comprehensive genomic, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic, and phylogenomic evaluations, the isolated strains have been designated as a new species within the genus Roseateles, named Roseateles agri sp. nov. (with type strain R3-3T = KACC 23678T = NBRC 116681T).
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Diversity and Culture Collections Hotspots in 2024)
Open AccessArticle
Conflict Governance between Protected Areas and Surrounding Communities: Willingness and Behaviors of Communities—Empirical Evidence from Tanzania
by
Li Ma, Jiayang Wu, Han Zhang, Alex Lobora, Yilei Hou and Yali Wen
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 278; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050278 - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Under the dual pressures of climate change and human activities, the restrictions imposed by conservation policies, along with the increasing overlap between wildlife protected areas (PAs) and community living areas, have intensified the contradictions and conflicts between PAs and surrounding communities. Effective governance
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Under the dual pressures of climate change and human activities, the restrictions imposed by conservation policies, along with the increasing overlap between wildlife protected areas (PAs) and community living areas, have intensified the contradictions and conflicts between PAs and surrounding communities. Effective governance of such conflicts is particularly crucial to reconciling the contradictions between conservation and development. This study takes the Mikumi–Selous region in Tanzania, Africa, as a case study. Through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, it explores the current state of conflicts between PAs and communities in the region and summarizes conflict governance measures. Moreover, this research focuses on identifying various factors that influence the conservation willingness and action of community residents, further validating the relationships between residents’ household characteristics, conservation costs and benefits, conservation cognition, willingness, and behaviors through empirical analysis methods. The results indicate that residents’ conservation cognition significantly positively impacts their conservation willingness and behaviors, while conservation willingness also positively affects their conservation behaviors. Additionally, it was found that conservation costs inhibit residents’ conservation willingness and behaviors. This study primarily explores, from a community governance perspective, the participation willingness and behaviors of core stakeholders in conflict governance, emphasizing the critical role of community involvement in achieving biodiversity conservation and coordinated community development and providing a new perspective for alleviating conservation and development issues.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Dimension of Forest and Wildlife Protection: Second Edition)
Open AccessCommunication
Benthic Biodiversity by Baited Camera Observations on the Cosmonaut Sea Shelf of East Antarctica
by
Jianfeng Mou, Xuebao He, Kun Liu, Yaqin Huang, Shuyi Zhang, Yongcan Zu, Yanan Liu, Shunan Cao, Musheng Lan, Xing Miao, Heshan Lin and Wenhua Liu
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 277; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050277 - 06 May 2024
Abstract
A free-fall baited camera lander was launched for the first time on the Cosmonaut Sea shelf of East Antarctica at a depth of 694 m during the 38th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) in 2022. We identified 31 unique taxa (23 were
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A free-fall baited camera lander was launched for the first time on the Cosmonaut Sea shelf of East Antarctica at a depth of 694 m during the 38th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) in 2022. We identified 31 unique taxa (23 were invertebrates and eight were fish) belonging to eight phyla from 2403 pictures and 40 videos. The Antarctic jonasfish (Notolepis coatsi) was the most frequently observed fish taxa. Ten species of vulnerable marine ecosystem (VME) taxa were observed, accounting for 32% of all species. The maximum number (MaxN) of Natatolana meridionalis individuals per image frame was ten, and they were attracted to the bait. The macrobenthic community type were sessile suspension feeders with associated fauna (SSFA), which was shaped by the muddy substrata with scattered rocks. Rocks served as the best habitats for sessile fauna. The study reveals the megafauna community and their habitat by image survey in the Cosmonaut Sea for the first time. It helped us obtain Antarctic biodiversity baselines and monitoring data for future ecosystem health assessment and better protection.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Biogeography of Marine Benthos)
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Open AccessArticle
A Description of the New Hybodont Shark Genus, Columnaodus, from the Burlington and Keokuk Limestones (Carboniferous, Mississippian, Osagean) of Illinois and Iowa, USA
by
David Cicimurri, Charles Ciampaglio, Matthew Hoenig, Ryan Shell, Lauren Fuelling, David Peterman, Daniel A. Cline and Stephen Jacquemin
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 276; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050276 - 06 May 2024
Abstract
Bonebeds occurring in exposures of the Burlington and Keokuk Limestones (Mississippian/Osagean) along the Iowa and Illinois border (USA) contain an abundant and diverse collection of chondrichthyan remains that includes teeth, spines, denticles, and coprolites. These remains represent cochliodont, hybodont, petalodont, ctenacanthid, symmoriid, and
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Bonebeds occurring in exposures of the Burlington and Keokuk Limestones (Mississippian/Osagean) along the Iowa and Illinois border (USA) contain an abundant and diverse collection of chondrichthyan remains that includes teeth, spines, denticles, and coprolites. These remains represent cochliodont, hybodont, petalodont, ctenacanthid, symmoriid, and acanthodian (stem chondrichthyan) taxa. The thickest of these beds, herein referred to as the Burlington–Keokuk bonebed, occurs at the top of the Burlington Limestone and presents a remarkable opportunity to study the assemblage of mid-continent, Middle Mississippian chondrichthyans. Bulk matrix samples of this bonebed were collected from two quarries (Biggsville Quarry, Biggsville, IL, USA, and Nelson Quarry, Mediapolis, IA, USA) and disaggregated. Among the multitude of previously known taxa, several teeth represented a new genus and species of hybodont shark. Herein, we describe these teeth as Columnaodus witzkei (gen. et sp. nov.), a hybodontiform with dental features comparable to unnamed specimens reported from elsewhere.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Paleoecology, Diversity, Taphonomy, Phylogeny, and Evolution of Paleozoic Fishes)
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Open AccessArticle
Land Use Impact on Water Quality and Phytoplankton Community Structure in Danjiangkou Reservoir
by
Yanrong Zhu, Jing Gao, Hongbing Zhao, Shijiang Deng, Mengran Lin, Nenghan Wang, Minxuan Liu, Sheng Hu and Laibo Luo
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 275; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050275 - 06 May 2024
Abstract
The composition and intensity of land use significantly influence the aquatic ecological environment, further affecting the physicochemical attributes of the water body, and indirectly modulating the phytoplankton community structure. This study centers around the Danjiangkou Reservoir, investigating the correlation between land use, water
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The composition and intensity of land use significantly influence the aquatic ecological environment, further affecting the physicochemical attributes of the water body, and indirectly modulating the phytoplankton community structure. This study centers around the Danjiangkou Reservoir, investigating the correlation between land use, water environment, and phytoplankton alongside varying intensities of anthropogenic activities, based on the review of land use, phytoplankton, and water quality data of 2021. Firstly, an analysis was conducted over five circular buffer zones generated around sampling points with radii set at 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 2000 m, and 2500 m, wherein the intensity of human activity was categorized into low, medium, and high, in accordance with the human activity intensity level score (HAILS). This study proceeded to explore the correlation between land use and the water environment across different scales, compared phytoplankton density and community structure differences across varied levels of human activity, and analyzed the association between phytoplankton communities in the Danjiangkou Reservoir and environmental variables under various intensities. The findings showed: The land use within the 500 m circular buffer zone has the greatest impact on the water quality of the Danjiangkou Reservoir, especially with the increase in human activities leading to elevated nutrient levels in the water, thereby promoting the growth and reproduction of algae, and increasing the risk of algal blooms. This research scrutinizes the relationship between land use, water environment, and plankton under varying human activity intensities, serving as a foundation for environmental management sectors to make informed decisions and promote the sustainable development of the catchment water environment.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity of Phytoplankton and Their Associated Microbiomes in the Changing Marine Environment)
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Open AccessArticle
Genetic Evidence for the Presence of Wild-Caught Sturgeons in Commercial Markets in Georgia
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Tamar Beridze, Shannon L. White, David C. Kazyak, Levan Ninua, Dewayne Fox, Arun Sethuraman, Tamari Edisherashvili, Bianca Roberts, Mikheil Potskhishvili, Michelle Klailova and Cort Anderson
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 274; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050274 - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Sturgeons (Family: Acipenseridae) are among the most endangered taxa worldwide. Significant resources have been invested into the conservation of global sturgeon populations, including the development of commercial aquaculture programs. These programs are intended to improve conservation outcomes by reducing the harvest of wild
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Sturgeons (Family: Acipenseridae) are among the most endangered taxa worldwide. Significant resources have been invested into the conservation of global sturgeon populations, including the development of commercial aquaculture programs. These programs are intended to improve conservation outcomes by reducing the harvest of wild populations while still meeting commercial demand for sturgeon products. However, there is growing concern that commercial aquaculture programs may contribute to wild population declines through continued, illegal harvest and the escape and/or release of captive individuals into wild environments. These concerns may be particularly acute in the country of Georgia which, despite its small territory and altered landscape, is a globally significant hotspot for sturgeon diversity. In order to understand the potential threat of captive culture on wild sturgeon populations in Georgia, we used mitochondrial DNA sequencing and microsatellite analyses to identify the species and origin of sturgeons encountered in commercial settings. Microsatellite analyses showed significant differentiation between wild and commercial Russian sturgeon populations and highlighted the potential for wild-caught individuals to be present in coastal markets in Georgia. The analyses of mitochondrial haplotypes also suggested that commercial markets may contain sturgeon species that are not native to the region. Overall, our results suggest that wild sturgeon populations may still be exploited to support captive aquaculture programs and commercial sales.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Ecology, Management and Conservation of Vertebrates)
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Open AccessArticle
Impact of Silver Nanoparticles on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Glomalin-Related Soil Proteins in the Rhizosphere of Maize Seedlings
by
Haiying Zhao, Zhiyuan Liu, Yu Han and Jiling Cao
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 273; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050273 - 02 May 2024
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Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), an important arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal by-product, plays a key role in preserving or sequestrating soil organic carbon (C). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have become an emerging contaminant and their impacts on soil ecosystems attract increasing concerns. The dynamics of
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Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), an important arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal by-product, plays a key role in preserving or sequestrating soil organic carbon (C). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have become an emerging contaminant and their impacts on soil ecosystems attract increasing concerns. The dynamics of AM fungi and GRSP could therefore form the basis for an in-depth exploration of the influences of AgNPs on soil ecosystems. This study investigated the effects of AgNPs on mycorrhizal growth and AM fungal communities, as well as the GRSP contents in maize (Zea mays L.) soils, with a pot experiment. The contributions of GRSP to soil organic C and the correlations of GRSP with soil organic C were also evaluated. The results indicated that AgNPs decreased the mycorrhizal colonization, AM fungal biomass, and diversity indices, and strongly shifted the community composition of AM fungi with a reduction in Acaulosporaceae and an enrichment in Glomeraceae. Additionally, AgNPs also decreased the soil’s easily extractable (EE) GRSP and total (T) GRSP contents, resulting in lower contributions of EE-GRSP-C and T-GRSP-C to the soil organic C. Linkage analyses revealed that AM fungal abundances have positive correlations with EE- and T-GRSP, and EE- and T-GRSP also positively correlated with soil organic C, indicating that the negative effects of AgNPs on AM fungal abundances and communities were extended to AM-fungal-associated C processes. Altogether, our study found that AgNPs decreased the AM fungal abundances shaped AM fungal communities, and reduced the soil GRSP content, which might subsequently be unfavorable for soil C storage.
Full article
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Open AccessArticle
Low Genetic and Parasite Diversity of Invasive Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Centrarchidae) Expanding in Türkiye
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Yuriy Kvach, Maria Yu. Tkachenko, Daniela Giannetto, Robert Míč, Veronika Bartáková, Sevan Ağdamar, Gülşah Saç, Müfit Özuluğ, Ali Serhan Tarkan and Markéta Ondračková
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 272; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050272 - 01 May 2024
Abstract
Multiple factors can facilitate invasion success, with the absence of natural enemies, such as predators and parasites, recognised as conferring a significant advantage on invasive over native species. Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Centrarchidae) represents one of the most successful freshwater fish invaders in Europe.
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Multiple factors can facilitate invasion success, with the absence of natural enemies, such as predators and parasites, recognised as conferring a significant advantage on invasive over native species. Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Centrarchidae) represents one of the most successful freshwater fish invaders in Europe. Previous research has highlighted genetic differences between pumpkinseed populations in Türkiye and those in other European regions, attributed to rapid adaptation to new environmental conditions. This study aimed to investigate whether these highly adapted pumpkinseed populations in Türkiye benefit from a potential release from parasites, as proposed by the enemy-release hypothesis. Genetic characterisation of pumpkinseed populations from both European and Asian parts of Türkiye revealed that they share the same cytochrome c oxidase I haplotype as European populations. Microsatellite analysis indicated low genetic diversity, with STRUCTURE analysis confirming the clustering of all Turkish populations, suggesting a common source. Consistent with the low genetic diversity indicative of a small founding population, we observed a limited number of co-introduced parasite species, including the myxozoan Myxobolus dechtiari, the monogenean Onchocleidus dispar, and the digenean Posthodiplostomum centrarchi. Parasite infection by local parasites acquired in Türkiye was rare. Parasite diversity, species richness, and equitability were low, with only nine parasite taxa identified in all four pumpkinseed populations. The most diverse parasite community was found in Değirmenköy Reservoir, located in the European part of Türkiye, where seven parasite taxa were identified. While our study did not uncover genetically distinct pumpkinseed populations in Türkiye, the fish demonstrated resilience against most local parasite species, potentially providing them with an advantage over native species, aligning with the enemy-release hypothesis.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Taxonomy and Systematics of Fish Parasites)
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Age Readings and Assessment in Coastal Batoid Elasmobranchs from Small-Scale Size-Selective Fishery: The Importance of Data Comparability in Multi-Specific Assemblages
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Umberto Scacco, Fabiana Zanardi, Silvio Kroha, Emanuele Mancini, Francesco Tiralongo and Giuseppe Nascetti
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 271; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050271 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The large variation in vertebral shape and calcification observed among elasmobranch species prevents using a single method for enhancing growth bands and reading age. Further, estimating age and growth parameters can be difficult or impractical when samples are incomplete due to the
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The large variation in vertebral shape and calcification observed among elasmobranch species prevents using a single method for enhancing growth bands and reading age. Further, estimating age and growth parameters can be difficult or impractical when samples are incomplete due to the bycatch of a size-selective fishery. Using a single and rapid method, age readings were obtained on the vertebrae of four batoid species, namely 53 individuals of Dasyatis pastinaca, 51 of Raja asterias, 15 of Torpedo marmorata, and 55 specimens of Torpedo torpedo, from the local small-scale trammel net fishery in the coastal waters (5–20 m depth) of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea during 2019–2021. Based on these data, a statistical routine was developed to obtain multiple estimates of age and growth parameters for incomplete samples due to size-selective fishing. The acceptable agreement between and within readers (intra and inter-reader disagreement < 5%) and the rate of increase in vertebral size with body size (differently ranked across species) demonstrated the consistency of the enhancing method. The parameters estimated by the Von Bertalanffy and Gompertz growth models matched the data available in the Mediterranean Sea for the species studied, with D. pastinaca, T. torpedo, and R. asterias showing the lowest (k = 0.05–0.12), intermediate (k = 0.112–0.19), and highest (k = 0.18–0.23) growth rates, respectively, in line with the life history traits of these species. Overall, the method proved effective both in delineating band pairs in vertebrae of different species and in reliably estimating the age and growth parameters of problematic samples due to size-selective fishing. The proposed method supports the collection of comparable demographic data from other areas where similar multi-specific assemblages are bycatch of size-selective fisheries impacting potential nursery areas and other essential habitats for elasmobranchs.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2024)
Open AccessArticle
The Potential of Artificial Snags to Promote Endangered Saproxylic Beetle Species in Bavarian Forests
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Tomáš Lackner, Birgit Reger, Cynthia Tobisch and Volker Zahner
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 270; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050270 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The creation of artificial snags, so-called high stumps, within forest management operations is a recently established tool to enrich standing deadwood as a habitat for saproxylic species. In this study, we analysed the impact of active high stump management on saproxylic beetle species.
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The creation of artificial snags, so-called high stumps, within forest management operations is a recently established tool to enrich standing deadwood as a habitat for saproxylic species. In this study, we analysed the impact of active high stump management on saproxylic beetle species. We selected 63 high stumps in six Bavarian forest districts (Germany), which were felled and subjected to close examination, focusing on beetle (Coleoptera) colonization. We identified 63 emerged coleopteran species belonging to 29 families; a further 10 taxa were identified only at the genus or family level, respectively. Moreover, 17% of the obtained taxa are listed in the German Red List of Coleoptera. Furthermore, 32% of the examined high stump trunks, predominantly broad-leaved tree species, harboured Red List beetle taxa. In particular, trembling aspen (Populus tremula) showed a disproportionately high number of Red List beetle species. The total species richness of beetles was independent of the height, diameter and decay stage of the snags. High stumps (snags) containing Red List beetle species tended to have higher amounts of deadwood in their surroundings, but the difference was not significant. According to the results of our study, actively creating high stumps proved to be a suitable method for creating habitats and serve as stepping-stones for endangered saproxylic species. Proactive high stump management during harvest can be a valuable component of deadwood management and biodiversity protection in forests.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Forest Insects in the Anthropocene)
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Improving Aquatic Biodiversity Estimates in Africa: Rotifers of Angola and Ghana
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Radoslav Smolak, Patrick D. Brown, Robert N. Walsmith, Judith V. Ríos-Arana, Peter Sanful, Lukáš Kalous and Elizabeth J. Walsh
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 269; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050269 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Afrotropical inland waters are highly diverse ecosystems; however, they remain poorly studied, especially for rotifers. Here, we contributed to the knowledge of the rotifer species richness in the largely understudied African countries of Angola and Ghana. We assessed the roles of habitat type
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Afrotropical inland waters are highly diverse ecosystems; however, they remain poorly studied, especially for rotifers. Here, we contributed to the knowledge of the rotifer species richness in the largely understudied African countries of Angola and Ghana. We assessed the roles of habitat type and a suite of abiotic environmental factors in determining rotifer species richness of Ghana. A total of 37 sites (Ghana 32, Angola 5) in 19 water bodies from a variety of aquatic habitat types were sampled. In Ghana, we identified 118 taxa (105 species or subspecies level, 13 identified to genus). We identified 15 taxa (13 species) in the Angola samples. For Ghana, 100 of 118 (~85%) taxa were new records for the country, of which 13 species (~11%) were also new records for Africa. Nearly all the species (~93%) were new records for Angola. Species richness was positively correlated with conductivity and reservoir habitat type and negatively with pH. Redundancy analysis (RDA), conducted at the species level for the Ghana dataset, indicated suites of species associated with latitude, longitude, temperature, TDS, or pH. We also evaluated the effect of climate on species distribution in 27 African countries by conducting a review of all reports from Africa to determine factors associated with species richness. A Spearman’s correlation confirmed a significant positive correlation between the number of rotifer species and the number of climatic regions (R = 0.53, p < 0.001) for certain countries, based on species distributions in relation to Köppen–Geiger climate regions. This fact validates the environmental heterogeneity hypothesis for African rotifers. Lastly, we predicted that rotifer species richness in Ghana, as a country with a tropical climate, could approach ~190 taxa, while in climatically heterogeneous Angola we predict ~200 taxa. This study contributes to our knowledge of rotifer biogeography and species richness patterns in Africa.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Rotifers-2nd Edition)
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Growth and Genome Features of Non-O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae Isolated from Three Species of Common Freshwater Fish
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Xinchi Qin, Lianzhi Yang, Yingwei Xu, Lu Xie, Yongjie Wang and Lanming Chen
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 268; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050268 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae is the etiological agent of cholera in humans. The bacterium is frequently detected in aquatic products worldwide. However, the current literature on the genome evolution of V. cholerae of aquatic animal origins is limited. Here, we firstly characterized the growth and
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Vibrio cholerae is the etiological agent of cholera in humans. The bacterium is frequently detected in aquatic products worldwide. However, the current literature on the genome evolution of V. cholerae of aquatic animal origins is limited. Here, we firstly characterized the growth and genome features of V. cholerae isolates with different resistance phenotypes from three species of common freshwater fish. The results revealed that the non-O1/O139 V. cholerae isolates (n = 4) were halophilic and grew optimally at 2% NaCl and pH 8.0. Their draft genome sequences were 3.89 Mb–4.15 Mb with an average GC content of 47.35–47.63%. Approximately 3366–3561 genes were predicted to encode proteins, but 14.9–17.3% of them were of an unknown function. A number of strain-specific genes (n = 221–311) were found in the four V. cholerae isolates, 3 of which belonged to none of any of the known sequence types (STs). Several putative mobile genetic elements (MGEs) existed in the V. cholerae isolates, including genomic islands (n = 4–9), prophages (n = 0–3), integrons (n = 1–1), and insertion sequences (n = 0–3). Notably, CRISPR-Cas system arrays (n = 2–10) were found in the V. cholerae genomes, whereby the potential immunity defense system could be active. Comparative genomic analyses also revealed many putative virulence-associated genes (n = 106–122) and antibiotic resistance-related genes (n = 6–9). Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the bacterial broader-spectrum growth traits and fill prior gaps in the genomes of V. cholerae originating from freshwater fish.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Occurrence and Distribution of Foodborne Pathogens)
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The Taurus Mountains, the Hotspot of Western Palearctic Biodiversity, Is in Danger: Marble Quarries Affect Wildlife
by
Tamer Albayrak and Tamer Yılmaz
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 267; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050267 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The Taurus Mountains in the Mediterranean Coastal Basin, considered a biodiversity hotspot, have a rich biodiversity in the Western Palearctic. The number of marble quarries in the Taurus Mountains has dramatically expanded over the past ten years. The objectives of this study are
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The Taurus Mountains in the Mediterranean Coastal Basin, considered a biodiversity hotspot, have a rich biodiversity in the Western Palearctic. The number of marble quarries in the Taurus Mountains has dramatically expanded over the past ten years. The objectives of this study are to (i) determine the impacts of quarrying on wildlife and (ii) determine the potential impacts of quarrying on the future of Taurus. A total of 57,547 photos and video images were analyzed on 5447 photo-trap days in two areas, the marble quarries and the control areas. Using 97 randomly selected marble quarries, the area they cover and their annual growth rates were determined. The most commonly seen animals were the wolf (Canis lupus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), lynx (Lynx lynx), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the control area, and the jackal (Canis aureus) and hare (Lepus europaeus) in the marble quarries (p < 0.001). Additionally, we found a significant positive correlation between the distance from the geographical center of the marble quarries and the number of dates of wolf, fox and wild boar sightings, with a significant negative correlation for hares (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the area of marble quarries and the duration of operation (R = 0.89, p < 0.00). The waste from quarries, which makes up 79.7% of the total land used for this purpose, is the greatest cause of habitat degradation. According to calculations, even if no new marble quarries are built as of right now, 7.14% of the Taurus Mountains may have disappeared by the year 2027, and by the year 2032, 8.25% of the Taurus ecosystems may have disappeared completely. The Taurus Mountains, a center of Western Palearctic biodiversity, are being threatened by marble quarries. This study advances our knowledge of how marble quarries may affect wildlife. New strategies must be developed as soon as possible to protect the Taurus Mountains, the hotspot of the Mediterranean basin.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2024 Feature Papers by Diversity’s Editorial Board Members)
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Beyond the Beach: Multi-Parameter Interpretation of Shore Deterioration in a Caribbean Reef System
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Laura R. de Almeida, S. Valery Ávila-Mosqueda, Edgar Mendoza, Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek and Rodolfo Silva
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 266; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050266 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Throughout the Caribbean region, coastal areas are of vital importance for national incomes from the tourism industry. However, accelerated coastal development has impacted the coastal ecosystems, including the beaches, and deterioration of the shore results from cumulative impacts on both marine and coastal
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Throughout the Caribbean region, coastal areas are of vital importance for national incomes from the tourism industry. However, accelerated coastal development has impacted the coastal ecosystems, including the beaches, and deterioration of the shore results from cumulative impacts on both marine and coastal ecosystems. It is essential to identify the areas that need special attention for targeted management plans and actions, especially in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. This research proposes an integrated assessment of the conservation state of shore and coastal ecosystems in the Puerto Morelos National Reef Park (PNAPM) in the Mexican Caribbean, through the spatial monitoring of key parameters. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was employed to analyze the land use on the shore, foredune condition, morphological characteristics of the beaches, shoreline evolution, and the condition of coral reefs and seagrass meadows. The analysis identified the most critical areas in relation to shore deterioration and priority areas for the preservation of ecosystems. The spatial data obtained for the PNAPM can serve as a basis for ongoing shore monitoring, and targeted management actions through the designation of areas that require either preservation or ecosystem restoration practices. This methodology can be applied to other reef systems in the Caribbean.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Temporal Studies in Marine Protected Areas: Mexican Chapter)
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Gradient Analysis of Spatial-Temporal Change and Conservation Effectiveness in Different Ecological Protected Areas
by
Peng Hou, Hanshou Zhu, Jun Zhai, Yan Chen, Diandian Jin, Yisheng Liu, Jiajun Zhao and Xifei Wang
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 265; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050265 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The protection of ecological systems is currently a trending topic. Numerous countries have implemented various measures to safeguard ecosystems. Evaluating the effectiveness of regional ecological protection and cooperative conservation is of paramount importance. In this paper, Hainan Island, China, was taken as an
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The protection of ecological systems is currently a trending topic. Numerous countries have implemented various measures to safeguard ecosystems. Evaluating the effectiveness of regional ecological protection and cooperative conservation is of paramount importance. In this paper, Hainan Island, China, was taken as an example to construct an evaluation framework of the ecosystem change characteristics and conservation effects of different types of protected areas. In this way, the study evaluated the ecological status of important protected areas and the effects of collaborative management and control, and it discussed the changes in ecological status and protection effects. The results revealed the following. (1) Important protected areas occupy a large proportion of natural ecological space, reaching 76.33%, more than twice the proportion of ecological space on Hainan Island. In the past 20 years, the ecological space retention rate has increased by 0.57%. (2) The contribution of excellent-quality and good-quality ecosystems is the greatest, accounting for 82.65% of the whole island. In the past 20 years, the ec7osystem quality has improved in more than 80% of the areas. The proportion of excellent-quality and good-quality ecosystems is as high as 96.75% in these conservation areas, and their contribution to Hainan Island is 44.29%, while conservation areas only account for about 38%. (3) The ecosystem services of Hainan Island have improved and become stable in the past 20 years. The contribution of all types of protected areas to the ecosystem services of Hainan Island is more than 53.22%. In general, the ecological quality and service function has increased in Hainan Island, and the ecological space tends to be stable. Different types of protected areas have effectively protected various ecosystems on Hainan Island with different protection and management mechanisms.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Conservation)
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Diversity of Cryptofaunal Nematode Assemblages along the Jardines de La Reina Coral Reef, Southern Cuba
by
Diana Marzo-Pérez, Jose Andrés Pérez-García, Amy Apprill and Maickel Armenteros
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 264; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050264 - 29 Apr 2024
Abstract
Cryptofaunal nematodes, those living on the hard substrate of the coral reefs, are largely unknown in terms of diversity and assemblage structure. We described nematode assemblages at seven sites spanning about 200 km along Jardines de La Reina, a well-preserved reef system in
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Cryptofaunal nematodes, those living on the hard substrate of the coral reefs, are largely unknown in terms of diversity and assemblage structure. We described nematode assemblages at seven sites spanning about 200 km along Jardines de La Reina, a well-preserved reef system in the Greater Antilles. We identified about 3000 nematodes, mostly of the families Desmodoridae and Chromadoridae; the most abundant species were Croconema cinctum, Desmodora communis, and Euchromadora vulgaris. The regional richness was moderate with 70 observed species (0.95 confidence interval: 65–75 species) and 75 extrapolated species (0.95 CI: 68–83 species). This richness was lower than in other reef biotopes, maybe reflecting evolutionary constraints due to interactions with stony corals. The local expected richness at 100 individuals was similar among sites, with a median of 26 species (0.95 CI: 20–34 species), and likely caused by diversification rate and evolutionary time acting at the same pace on populations. The taxonomic β-diversity was high and without differences among sites (median: 0.85; 0.95 CI: 0.33–1), probably due to significant substrate heterogeneity at 10-cm scale. The prevalence of replacement over richness difference suggests that local processes (e.g., environmental filtering and competition) contribute more to β-diversity than niche availability, which would be largely similar across the reef terraces. Contrary to our expectations, no gradient of assemblage structure occurred, nor significant effect of benthic cover on nematodes. However, nematode functional structure showed a conservative set of biological traits reflecting adaptations to hydrodynamic regime: armed oral cavity/intermediate colonizing capability/ornamented cuticles/conical tail. Our results provide insights about the taxonomic and functional diversity of nematodes and highlight the vast knowledge gaps about the processes ruling the meiofauna community structure in coral reefs.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Paleoecology of Atlantic and Caribbean Coral Reefs)
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Soil Moisture and Litter Coverage Drive the Altitude Gradient Pattern of Soil Arthropods in a Low-Elevation Mountain
by
Haiming Qin, Jingwen Shang, Qin Qi, Bo Cao, Yong Kong, Yujian Li, Junfeng Chen and Xianfeng Yi
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 263; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050263 - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study sought to investigate the vertical distribution pattern of the soil faunal community in a low-altitude mountain area. On 8 July 2022, a low hill was selected as the study area, and soil arthropods were collected through traps. The leaf litter, vegetation
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This study sought to investigate the vertical distribution pattern of the soil faunal community in a low-altitude mountain area. On 8 July 2022, a low hill was selected as the study area, and soil arthropods were collected through traps. The leaf litter, vegetation type, and distribution quantity of each sampling site were investigated while the soil faunae were collected. In addition, the soil’s physical and chemical parameters were measured. The results of a one-way ANOVA showed that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the soil properties, leaf litter, and plant quantities at different altitudes within the research area. A total of 1086 soil arthropods, belonging to five classes and ten orders, were collected during the study period. The dominant species of soil arthropods at different altitudes were significantly different. The dominant species in low-altitude areas were Armadillidium sp. and Aethus nigritus. However, Eupolyphaga sinensis and Philodromidae were the dominant species in high-altitude areas. The results of a non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis showed that the soil faunae at different altitudes were clustered into two communities: a high-altitude community and a low-altitude community. With the increase in altitude, the species richness of the soil arthropods gradually decreased, and their abundance showed a decreasing trend. A redundancy analysis (RDA) of the soil arthropods and environmental factors showed that soil moisture (p < 0.01), pH (p < 0.01) and defoliation (p < 0.05) had significant effects on the distribution of the soil fauna. The results of a Pearson correlation analysis indicated that different environmental factors had interactive effects on the distribution of the soil arthropods. The quantity and species richness of the soil arthropods in different sample lines were tested using a variance analysis. The results showed that there were significantly smaller quantities of soil arthropods in the sampling line closer to the trekking ladder. This indicates that human tourism, namely mountaineering activities, had a direct impact on the soil fauna. This study can provide a reference for and data support in the development of biodiversity conservation measures for forest parks in low mountain areas.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphology, Ecology and Biogeography of Soil and Arboreal Microarthropods)
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Species Composition and Distribution of Terrestrial Herbs in a High Montane Forest in Ecuador
by
Catalina Quintana, Henrik Balslev and Renato Valencia
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 262; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050262 - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
In mountain tropical forests, understory herbs have received little attention compared to trees, and their commonness and rarity are virtually unknown. We studied ground herbs to explore how they are assembled in a full one-hectare plot and to test the influence of light
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In mountain tropical forests, understory herbs have received little attention compared to trees, and their commonness and rarity are virtually unknown. We studied ground herbs to explore how they are assembled in a full one-hectare plot and to test the influence of light intensity (LI) and topographic habitats in species composition. The plot is a humid montane forest located in the Pasochoa Volcano, at 3300 m. We found 43 genera and 50 perennial species (30 angiosperms in 17 families, and 20 ferns). Interestingly, herbs are 64% richer in species than trees in the same study plot (50 vs. 32). Herbs were mostly obligately terrestrial (70% of the species), while 30% were fallen climbers and epiphytes rooted in the ground. Across the forest, there were 31,119 individuals that covered 8.5% of the ground. We concluded that both LI and topography shaped the species distribution, the floristic composition, and the community structure of ground herbs. For instance, 12% of the species were exclusively found in places with high LI; the rest of species grew in medium- to low-LI environments. Concerning rarity, we found that 39% of the species are rare (judging by botanical collections; <100), which stresses the need of conservation strategies for this group of plants.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity Hotspots)
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The Mosquitoes of Morelos, Mexico: DNA Barcodes, Distribution, Ecology and the Resurrection of the Name Culiseta dugesi Dyar and Knab (Diptera: Culicidae)
by
Aldo I. Ortega-Morales, Luis M. Hernández-Triana, Javier A. Garza-Hernández, Carlos M. Ramírez-Huicochea, Andrés J. Martínez-Gaona, J. Manuel Quijano-Barraza, Cassandra González-Acosta and Fabián Correa-Morales
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 261; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050261 - 26 Apr 2024
Abstract
To update the record of mosquito diversity in the state of Morelos, Mexico, mosquito collections were conducted in both physiographical regions of Morelos: the Neo-volcanic Axis and the South Mountain Range. Immature stages were collected from aquatic habitats, while adult mosquitoes were collected
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To update the record of mosquito diversity in the state of Morelos, Mexico, mosquito collections were conducted in both physiographical regions of Morelos: the Neo-volcanic Axis and the South Mountain Range. Immature stages were collected from aquatic habitats, while adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps, Shannon traps and approaching/landing on the collecting personnel. All specimens were identified using taxonomic keys and the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (COI). Following Mexico State, this is the second study of mosquito taxonomy of a complete Mexican state using COI barcoding. In Morelos, a total of 58 species of mosquito occurs, of which we report 12 for first time (Aedes vexans, Ae. euplocamus, Ae. vargasi, Psorophora cilipes, Ps. lineata, Culex restrictor, Cx. interrogator, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. tarsalis, Cx. sandrae, Cx. lactator and Toxorhynchites moctezuma). Morelos now ranks sixth in mosquito diversity among Mexican states. Phylogenetic trees were constructed for 32 species, including Ae. shannoni, which is a new record for GenBank databases. Additionally, we report COI barcode sequences of Culiseta dugesi Dyar and Knab, which is resurrected from the synonymy of Cs. particeps (Adams). Fourth-instar larvae and adult females of Cs. dugesi were redescribed. This brings the number of mosquito species in Mexico to 248. Ecological and distributional notes for the new records, the medical importance of mosquito species in Morelos, and an identification key for larvae and females of the known Culiseta species occurring in Mexico are also included.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diptera in Aquatic and Semiaquatic Environments: Diversity and Adaptations)
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Biodiversity Conservation in Xishuangbanna, China: Diversity Analysis of Traditional Knowledge Related to Biodiversity and Conservation Progress and Achievement Evaluation
by
Qing Huang, Yinzhi Kuang, Hao Zhou, Xunqi Li and Lun Yin
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 260; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/d16050260 - 26 Apr 2024
Abstract
Biodiversity plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the earth. The study of traditional knowledge related to biological resources is a hot issue in the field of international biodiversity conservation. Xishuangbanna is a key area of biodiversity and a cultural
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Biodiversity plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the earth. The study of traditional knowledge related to biological resources is a hot issue in the field of international biodiversity conservation. Xishuangbanna is a key area of biodiversity and a cultural hotspot of international significance. According to the Technical Regulation for Classification, Investigation, and Inventory of Traditional Knowledge Relating to Biological Diversity issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, we investigated and catalogued the traditional knowledge related to biodiversity of the Jino people who have lived in Xishuangbanna for generations, and collected 490 entries of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity of the Jino people. Drawing on the traditional knowledge diversity index calculation method proposed by Wang Guoping, the overall traditional knowledge α-diversity index of the Jino people is 0.63, indicating that the richness of the traditional knowledge of the Jinuo people is relatively high. The traditional culture related to biodiversity, the traditional knowledge related to agricultural genetic resources, and the traditional technology related to the sustainable utilization of biological resources are relatively rich and diverse. The diversity index is 0.86, 0.82 and 0.79, respectively. In addition, Xishuangbanna has invested a lot of energy in biodiversity protection, including the establishment of nature reserves, botanical gardens, zoos, ecological tea gardens and other species reserves, and the promulgation of laws and policies related to biodiversity protection, and has achieved remarkable results in in situ protection and ex situ protection. On the basis of analyzing the progress and achievements of biodiversity conservation in Xishuangbanna, this study points out that Xishuangbanna faces challenges such as the loss of traditional knowledge, insufficient conservation efforts, and great changes in land use, and puts forward corresponding suggestions.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Conservation Planning and Assessment)
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