Cover. Asparagopsis armata, Malta, Sliema, 7 m

depth, 30.V11I.201 1. 1) Siganus luridus, Gozo,

Xlendi, 6 m depth, 30/07/2011. 2) Melibe viridis,

Comino, Stanley, 12 m depth, IX. 2011. 3)

Rhopilema nomadica, Malta, Sikka 1-Bajda, 4 m

depth, XI.2004.

ALIEN SPECIES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA. Allochthonous or alien

species are those organisms introduced outside their natural distribution, present or

past, across a direct action (intentional or unintentional) by man. The Mediterranean

Sea is particularly susceptible to alien species invasion. In addition to the Strait of

Gibraltar which is a well-known access route to the Mediterranean, the opening of the

Suez Canal in 1869 has fostered, over the years, the introduction of tropical or

subtropical species from the Red Sea, a phenomenon which was named, by the engineer

F. M. De Lesseps who designed the canal, lessepsian migration. Other principal vectors

of the alien species introduction are the mariculture, shipping and or the increase in

average water temperature occurred in recent years. Alien species, often invasive

species, have out-competed or replaced native species, and are considered pests or

cause nuisance.

The Mediterranean sea is a veritable hotspot for such introductions in view of its

geographical position and vessel traffic which traverses it. In recent decades, more than

950 new alien species have been encountered in the coastal environments of the eastern

Mediterranean Sea.

The influx of marine allochthonous species within the Mediterranean is inexorable

indeed, with some benthic invasive alien species (IAS), including the green alga

Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskal) J. Agardh, 1873 (Caulerpaceae) and the red alga

Asparagopsis armata Harvey, 1855 (Bonnemaisoniaceae) now having colonised large

swathes of the basin. Even the fish, with a number of pelagic species, most notably

Fistularia commersonii Riippell, 1838, bluespotted cornetfish (Fistulariidae),

Sphyraena viridensis Cuvier, 1829, the yellowmouth barracuda (Sphyraenidae) and

Siganus luridus Riippell, 1829, dusky spinefoot (Siganidae), are regularly caught by

fishermen through most of the Mediterranean. Other invasive species are the

nudibranch Melibe viridis (Kelaart, 1858) (Tethydidae), the marine gastropod mollusk

Bursatella leachii (Blainville, 1817), the ragged sea hare or shaggy sea hare

(Aplysiidae), the crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) (Plagusiidae), and the

scyphozoan jellyfish Rhopilema nomadica Galil, 1990 (Rhizostomatidae), a real trouble

for fishermen, bathers and power station operators in the eastern part of the

Mediterranean sea.

Alan Deidun, Senior Lecturer Physical Oceanography Unit, Room 315, Chemistry Building 3rd Floor,

University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta - alan.deidun@gmail.com.

Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 107-114

Some aspects on the reproductive cycle of European conger eel, Conger

conger (Linnaeus, 1758) (Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes, Congridae)

captured from Western Algerian coasts: a histological description of

spermatogenesis.

Abi-ayad Sidi-Mohammed El-Amine* 1 , BensahlaTalet Ahmed 2 , Ali Mehidi Small 3 , Dalouche Fatiha 4 , & Meliani Fethia Meriem 5

Laboratoire Aquaculture & Bioremediation (AQUABIOR). Department of Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology Faculty of Sciences

(I.G.M.O.), Oran University, Oran; Algeria. 1 a.abi-ayad@hotmai I .com, 2 ahmedbensahla@yahoo.ff, 3 alimehidis@gmail.com, 4 fdalouchc@yahoo.fr,

5 mimi3s5@hotmail.com - Corresponding author

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to study the annual reproductive cycle of European conger eel ( Conger conger,

Linnaeus, 1758) through analysis and description of spermatogenesis. A sample of 168 males was captured

between September 2008 and August 2009 from the Western coast of Algeria, from Beni Saf. Fish length and

weight varied between 26.20-112 cm and 0.45-3.44 kg, respectively.

Condition factors (K), gonadosomatic index (G.S.I.) and hepatosomatic index (H.S.I.) were calculated

monthly. Factor K reached the minimum in August/September (0.10%) corresponding to reproductive period

and a maximum in January (0.18%). Although G.S.I. values revealed to be statistically not significant, there

were two peaks for G.S.I., the first in March, denoting the beginning of spermatogenesis, and the second in

August/September, indicating the reproduction period. H.S.I. reached a peak in December (1.90%), then the

value decreased to a minimum in April.

Histological analysis of testis allowed us to distinguish 5 stages summarized as follows: Stage 1:

Spermatogonia A; Stage 2: Spermatogonia B; Stage 3: Spermatocytes and spermatids; Stage 4: Spermatocytes,

spermatids and spermatozoa (cytodifferentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa); Stage 5: Spermatozoa

(spermiogenesis or cytodifferentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa).

KEY WORDS Condition factor, Conger conger , G.S.I., H.S.I., reproduction, spermatogenesis.

Received 16.05.2011; accepted 05.07.2011; printed 30.09.2011

INTRODUCTION

The European conger eel ( Conger conger ) is

distributed in the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean

from Norway to Senegal (including the Canary

Islands, Azores and Madeira), in Mediterranean

and western Black Sea (F.A.O., 2011). Specimens

spawn, probably once in lifetime in summer (Cau

& Manconi, 1984), in the Mediterranean and in

the eastern North Atlantic around Azores

(McCleave & Miller, 1994; Vallisneri et al.,

2007). In Mediterranean Sea, males are usually

smaller than females, with males rarely exceeding

100 cm in length and females reaching over 200

cm (Cau & Manconi, 1984). Since a decade,

European conger eels (C. conger ) constitute an

important and valuable fishery resource

(Figueiredo et ah, 1996; Morato et ah, 1999;

O’Sullivan et ah, 2003) in Mediterranean

countries (Relini et ah, 1999) and, particularly, in

Algeria. However and to our knowledge, no

studies on eco-biology of this important benthic

species (Vallisneri et ah, 2007) from South shore

of Mediterranean Sea have been published.

Moreover, there is evidence of declining stocks of

the species (Menezes & Silva, 1999; O’Sullivan

108

Abi-ayad S.-M. E.-A., Bensahla Talet A., Ali Mehidi S., Dalouche F. & Meliani F. M.

et al., 2003) and there has been no detailed

published study on its reproductive biology and

especially on the dynamics of spermatogenesis.

According to F.A.O. (2011), total world catch of

C. conger was estimated in 2009 to 17,229 tons.

It is clear that conger species are subject to

overfishing (Menezes & Silva, 1999; Mochioka

& Tokai, 2001), which caused a drastic fall in its

capture. Moreover, C. conger is very sensitive to

exploitation and constitutes an important species

in fish biodiversity and in biodiversity’s balance

(Correia et al., 2006).

The objective of the present study was to

elucidate the process of male maturation of

European conger eel (C. conger ) by examination

of annual changes in condition factor K,

gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indexes

(G.S.I. and H.S.I., respectively) and gonadal

histology. This latter constitutes the first detailed

information on the species in Mediterranean.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fish samples: Conger conger employed for

this study were captured from the Western coast

of Algeria, from Beni-Saf, at a depth ranging

between 100 and 150 meters. Total of 168 males

were sampled, 60 in autumn, 33 in winter, 35 in

spring and 40 in summer. Fresh specimens,

collected by fishermen, were examined in

laboratory. Total length (cm) and weight (g) and

liver and gonad weight were measured for all

individuals. Total length varied between 26.20

and 1 12 cm and total weight varied between 0.45

and 3.44 kg. Note that in May and June 2009,

samples contained only female specimens.

Indices of fish condition : In this study, we

calculated, monthly, values of:

• Condition factor K [K = (total weight / total

length 3 ) x 100],

• Gonadosomatic index [G.S.I. = (gonad

weight / total weight) x 100],

• Hepatosomatic index [H.S.I. = (liver weight /

total weight) x 100].

Histological study: A 1 cm fragment from the

gonad of each fish was removed and fixed in

Bouin’s solution, then dehydrated and embedded

in paraplast. For histological examination, the

tissues were cut into sections of 5 microns and

stained with a trichrome method according to

Langeron (1942): Regaud’s haematoxyline at 57

°C, phloxine and green light. Histological

descriptions of gonadal developmental stages

were based on the criteria reported by Yamamoto

et al. (1972) and Grier (1981).

Statistical Analysis: All data were expressed

as mean ± standard deviation and were

statistically compared by one-way variance

analysis or ANOVA 1 (for condition factor K and

Gonadosomatic index or G.S.I.) and by non

parametric variance analysis of Kruskal-Wallis

and Mann-Withney U - test (for hepatosomatic

index or H.S.I.) (d’Hainaut, 1975a, b).

RESULTS

Indices of fish condition

Condition factor K: Condition factor K (Fig. 1)

remained stable between September and Decem-

ber 2008, then increased significantly (p<0.05)

and reached a maximum (0.18% ± 0.03%) in

January 2009. Between February and August

2009, K factor decreased significantly (p<0.05).

Gonadosomatic (G.S.I.) and hepatosomatic

(H.S.I.) indexes: Statistical comparison by

ANOVA 1 of G.S.I. showed no significant

differences among data obtained. As a

description of G.S.I. results, in terms of absolute

value, G.S.I. decreased not significantly (p>0.05)

steadily and continuously between October 2008

and February 2009. In March 2009, G.S.I.

reached a high value (2.92% ± 3.36%), then

decreased not significantly (p>0.05) between

April and July. Note that in May and June, only

female specimens were caught. In September

2008 and August 2009, G.S.I. increased not

significantly (p>0.05) again and reached a high

value 3.97% ± 4.10% and 3.37% ± 5.23%,

respectively (Fig. 2). Because of important

differences between the raw values, standard

deviation was high and in some cases higher than

mean. Indeed, in September 2008, March and

August 2009 G.S.I. raw values varied between

0.34%- 12.29%, 0.24%- 10.02% and 0.15%-14.16%,

respectively. This can explain the results

Some aspects on the reproductive cycle of European conger eel, Conger conger ( Linnaeus , 1758) 109

(Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes, Congridae) captured from Western Algerian coasts: a histological description of spermatogenesis

K Factor (%)

0,05

Months

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug

4 2008 ^ <4 2009 ^

Figure 1: Time evolution of the condition factor K (mean ± standard deviation expressed in %) in male European conger eel (Conger conger).

Figure 2: Time evolution of G.S.l. (mean ± standard deviation expressed in %) in male European conger eel (Conger conger).

obtained which, however, were not significant at

all from a statistical point of view.

The value of H.S.I. increased to a maximum

in December 2008 (p<0.05), then decreased

significantly and continuously (p<0.05) until

February 2009. Between February and August

2009 (Fig. 3), H.S.I. value remained stable and

the data revealed no significant variations

(p>0.05). Similarly, data on H.S.I. were not

available in May and June 2009 because of lack

of male specimens during this period.

Histological parameters

Histological stages of sperm cells varied

significantly according to period of sampling.

Stage 1: This stage was observed between

November and December 2008 and was

characterized by the presence of spermatogonia

A (Fig. 4). The nucleus presented a clear

appearance after staining and cytoplasm

presented a patch of dense granular and fibrillar

material called “cloud”, usually near the nuclear

membrane.

110

Abi-ayad S.-M. E.-A., Bensahla Talet A., Ali Mehidi S., Dalouche F. & Meliani F. M.

Figure 3: Time evolution of H.S.l. (mean ± standard deviation expressed in %) in male European conger eel (Conger conger).

Figure 4: Flistological section

representative of spermatogonia A

(800x) during early sperma-

togenesis (November-December) in

European conger eel (C. conger).

G.S.I. = 0.93%.

Figure 5: Histological section

representative of spermatogonia

B (800x) during spermatogenesis

initiation (December-February) in

European conger eel C. conger).

G.S.I. = 1.05%.

Some aspects on the reproductive cycle of European conger eel, Conger conger ( Linnaeus , 1758) HI

(Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes, Congridae) captured from Western Algerian coasts: a histological description of spermatogenesis

Stage 2: This stage was observed from

December until February and indicated the

beginning of spermatogenesis, with the

occurrence of spermatogonia B. These cells were

smaller and more intensely colored than

spermatogonia A (Fig. 5).

Stage 3: This stage was observed in March

2009 and was characterized by the occurence of

spermatocytes (Fig. 6) at various stages

(spermatocytes I and II). Spermatocytes have a

great round or oval nucleus. During this stage,

we observed the meiotic phase characterized by

the occurrence of spermatids.

Stage 4: This stage was observed between

July and October 2009 and indicated the

occurrence of spermiogenesis. Because of lack

of male specimens in samples of May and June

2009 we were unable to determine at what

month this stage exactly begins. The testes

contained spermatocytes, spermatids and the

maturing cells representative of the

differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa

(Fig. 7). These curved-shaped cells (average

length: 3.84 pm) were strongly stained with

haematoxyline.

Stage 5: This stage was observed in

September 2008 and only in one specimen. The

testis showed only the maturing cells repre-

sentative of the differentiation of spermatids into

spermatozoa (Fig. 8).

Figure 6: Histological section

representative of spermatocytes

and spermatids (800x) at the end

of spermatogenesis (March-

April) in European conger eel

(C. conger). G.S.l. = 5.84%.

Figure 7: Histological section

representative of spermatocytes,

spermatids and spermatozoa in

differentiation (800x) during

spermiogenesis (August) in

European conger eel (C. conger).

G.S.l. = 13.30%.

112

Abi-ayad S.-M. E.-A., Bensahla Talet A., Ali Mehidi S., Dalouche F. & Meliani F. M.

Figure 8: Histological section

showing spermatozoa in diffe-

rentiation (800x) during sper-

miogenesis (September) in

European conger eel (C. conger).

G.S.I. = 4.60%.

DISCUSSION

Little data exist on reproductive biology of

conger species and especially C. conger (Relini

et al., 1999; Sbaihi et al., 2001), so comparisons

are difficult to make. The condition factor K of

Conger conger was highest in winter, in January

2009, and lowest in summer, during September

2008 and August 2009. The decrease in the value

of this factor in summer probably resulted in a

weight loss for the fish, indicating that fishes

used most of somatic energy reserves during

migration and reproductive development. In Irish

coastal waters, O’Sullivan et al. (2003) showed,

in female C. conger , the highest and the lowest

values of condition factor, in autumn and winter,

respectively. The difference resulted probably

from the coldest temperature observed in

Oceanic waters (Irish waters) compared to south

Mediterranean waters (present study).

In this study, gonadosomatic index (G.S.I.)

presented two peaks, the first in summer and the

second in spring. Although these data were not

statistically significant, nevertheless, the first

peak could be explained by prespawning and

spawning period. Indeed, many studies showed

that European conger eel spawn in summer

(Relini et al., 1999; Vallisneri et al., 2007; Abi-

ayad et al ., personal unpublished data). In

addition, Utoh et al. (2004) showed that captive

Japanese conger eels (C. myriaster ) had a

spermiation period from May to September with

G.S.I. peak mean value of 5.3% ± 3.0% and a

highest G.S.I. value of 9.3% measured in a

specimen in June. In this study, the highest mean

value of G.S.I. was measured in September 2008

(3.97% ± 4.10%) and August 2009 (3.37% ±

5.23%) and the highest and lowest G.S.I. raw

values, 14.16% and 0.15%, were measured in

August 2009. These latter results can explain that

in many cases standard deviation values were

higher than means values. After breeding, we

measured a decrease in testicular weight

justifying the reduction in value of the G.S.I.

(Abi-ayad et al., 2004; Utoh et al., 2004).

However, in coldest waters, Hood et al., (1988)

and O’Sullivan et al., (2003) showed lowest and

highest G.S.I. during autumn and late

winter/spring in C. oceanicus and C. conger ,

respectively. In this study, a second high G.S.I.

was obtained in spring (March 2009). This was

probably due to the presence of males in

advanced stages of spermatogenesis. The decline

of G.S.I. in April and July 2009 may be due to

the migration of males, by that time ready for

breeding, to spawning area at great depths.

The H.S.I. was highest in early winter

(December 2008). This coincided with hepatic fats

deposits due to intense feeding activity during

summer period and, probably, useful for fish

gonad maturation. In April 2009, H.S.I. was at its

lowest level. This could indicate that the reserves

stored in the liver during summer/autumn were

invested in the development of sexual products,

but also used as energy source when fish reduce

their feeding during migration to the breeding

area. This is confirmed by microscopic

examination of gonads which showed that

Some aspects on the reproductive cycle of European conger eel, Conger conger ( Linnaeus , 1758) 113

(Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes, Congridae) captured from Western Algerian coasts: a histological description of spermatogenesis

spermatogenesis of European conger eel started in

March. Histological study of testis confirmed

lobular structure in the European conger eel, also

observed in the European eel ( Anguilla anguilla )

and in many teleosts species (Todd, 1980). In this

study, we classified the process of

spermatogenesis into five stages. The testicular

structure showed that spermatogonia A (stage 1)

occurred in November and December 2008 and

spermatogonia B (stage 2) from December 2008

to February 2009, when G.S.I. was lowest and K

factor was highest. This may be related to trophic

phase which is completed before maturation (Cau

& Manconi, 1984; Utoh et al., 2004). Meiotic

divisions of spermatocytes started in March (stage

3) and corresponded to the first peak of G.S.I. In

wild winter flounder ( Pleuronectes americanus )

G.S.I. was high before appearance of spermatozoa

(Harmin et al., 1995). In the present study we do

not know when this stage ends, because of lack of

male specimens in samples of May and June 2009.

Histological examinations performed between

August and October, when G.S.I. was at its second

highest level, showed spermatocytes, spermatids

and spermatozoa in final maturation (stages 4 and

5). This corresponded to the phase of late

spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. Indeed,

Utoh et al., (2004) showed that G.S.I. remained at

high levels in the late phase of spermatogenesis,

during spermiation in reared Japanese conger

(C. myriaster).

In conclusion, the rational management of fish

biodiversity and fishery necessitates understanding

on eco-biology of target species. This study

showed a (although statistically weak) relation

between biometrics parameters and spermatoge-

nesis’s dynamics in European conger eel.

Furthermore, these results provide the first

information on reproductive biology of C. conger

captured in Western Algerian coasts (North African

area) and report observations on cytodifferentiation

of spermatids into spermatozoa (spermiogenesis) in

male wild European conger eel (C. conger).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank the Algerian Ministry of

Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS)

which funded this experimental study within the

framework of CNEPRU project No F0 18200900 18.

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O’Sullivan S., Moriarty C., Fitzgerald R.D., Davenport J. &

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Abi-ayad S.-M. E.-A., Bensahla Talet A., Ali Mehidi S., Dalouche F. & Meliani F. M.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 115-120

Exploring the vegetation dynamics and community assemblage in

Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, using CCA

Sheikh Saeed Ahmad* & Qurat Ul Ann

Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

* corresponding author: drsaeed@fjwu.edu.pk, 00 92 321 5167726.

ABSTRACT The relationship between species diversity and overall community assemblage was identified in two different

zones in Ayubia National Park (Rawalpindi, NE-Pakistan) which is recognized as protected area. Canonical

Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to find con-elation of environmental variables with species

abundance/richness. Results showed that in Zone 1 species were rather scattered due to the less availability of

organic matter and soil moisture as they occupy the less dense forest cover. Whereas Zone 2 showed the

opposite trends. Finally the overall zones showed that maximum number of quadrats included Zone 2 species

due to a great forest cover with excess amount of organic matter and soil moisture. The study highlighted the

importance of dynamic nature and composition of vegetation and stressed the need of conservation of native

flora for future generations.

KEY WORDS Canonical Correspondence Analysis, Species richness, Soil moisture, Ayubia National Park, Pakistan.

Received 27.05.2011; accepted 10.08.2011; printed 30.09.2011

INTRODUCTION

A National park is an area set aside by a

national government for the preservation of the

natural environment. The World Conservation

Union defines a National park as a natural area

designated to protect the ecological integrity of

one or more ecosystems for present and future

generations. In Pakistan, the earlier ecological

studies were generally observational. The earlier

studies, generally appeared in 1950’s, were

confined to visual description of the vegetation,

and no attempts were made to recognize

community types and to correlate them with the

relevant environmental factors. On the contrary,

advanced multivariate techniques of ordination

and cluster analysis had been routinely used in

Europe and other parts of the world. There are

numerous ordination methods accessible in plant

bionetwork, some of which have been extensively

used, e.g. Principal Component Analysis (PCA)

and Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA)

(Hill & Gauch, 1980), whereas some others only

sporadically used (Zhang, 2004). A series of

studies using different ordination techniques were

carried out in Pakistan by Ahmad et al., 2009;

Ahmad, 2009; Jabeen & Ahmad, 2009; Pirzada et

al., 2009; Ahmad et al., 2010a, b; Ahmad, 2011.

In Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) the

floristic statistics and the environmental variables

can be assimilated within the ordination (Kashian

et al., 2003). Within the Ayubia National Park, the

study area was the moist temperate forest in

Rawalpindi, NE-Pakistan (Fig. 1), showing a high

diversity of susceptible plant and animal species.

The geographical location of the park is 330° 52'

N and 730° 90' E (Farooque, 2002).

The aim of this research was to quantify the

vegetation in Ayubia National Park using

ordination techniques and to determine the soil-

vegetation relationship to provide basic awareness

for preservation of nationally significant native

flora.

A list of plant species present in the study area

is provided in Table 1. Apart from their

importance from ecological point of view few

species are used as medicinal herbs by local

inhabitants. Observed biodiversity of occuring

species indicate that this area can be used for

conservation of native flora.

116

Sheikh Saeed Ahmad & Qurat ul ann

Figure 1. The geographical location of the Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, NE-Pakistan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For the clear communities demarcation study

area was divided into two zones. Zone 1 was

located about 1 m from the walking track. 60

quadrats were laid down along both sides (30

quadrats on each side). Quadrat method was used

for the collection of vegetation data. Quadrat size

of 1 x 1 m was selected because a high number of

herbs and shrubs were present in the area. Within

each quadrat, cover values of plants were

recorded by visual estimation according to

Domin Cover Scale (Kent & Coker, 1995).

Nomenclature was as in Nasir & Rafiq (1995).

Soil variables include pH, organic matter

(Nikolskii, 1963) and soil moisture (Allen, 1974).

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and

Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA)

ordination methods were applied for data

quantification and analysis.

RESULTS

The most important way of exploring the

multivariate data sets is based on the ordination

results. In fact, the first ordination axis is frequently

correlated with one environmental variable, thus

helping in identifying the abundance and

occurrence of individual species related to

environmental factors. Different or multiple

approaches can depict such a relation including the

response curve of species along the moisture

gradient. In Zone 1 classification of species was

based upon soil moisture content within 30

Quadrats. Biplot of species and environmental

variables against soil moisture divided it into four

classes i.e. Class Moisture 1 included 13 Quadrats,

Class Moisture 2 included 4 Quadrats, Class

Moisture 3 included 10 Quadrats and Class

Moisture 4 included 3 Quadrats. The results showed

that Zone 1 species mostly fall into class moisture 1

due to availability of thick forest cover and high

contents of organic matter. The distance between

the symbols in the diagram approximates the

different distribution of relative abundance of the

species across the area.

Points resulting very close to each other

correspond to species often occurring together.

Segmentation of these symbols into slices was

based on currently active classification of

samples. Relative size of particular pie-slice

corresponds to relative importance (measured

either by number of presences or sum of

Exploring the vegetation dynamics and community assemblage in Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, using CCA 117

Species name

Families

Vinca major Linnaeus (1789)

Apocynaceae

Hedera nepalensis K.Koch (1753)

Araliaceae

Polygonatum verticillatum All. (1754)

Aspargaceae

Cichorium intybus Linnaeus (1753)

Asteraceae

Taraxacum officinale Wigg. (1881 )

Asteraceae

Asparagus gracilis Royle (1753)

Asteraceae

Thlaspi griffithianum (Boiss.) Boiss (1753)

Brassicaceae

Cardamine impatiens Linnaeus (1753)

Brassicaceae

Sisymbrium decomposita Linnaeus (1753)

Brassicaceae

Cannabis sativa (Linnaeus) (1753)

Canabinaceae

Viburnum foetens Decaisne ( 1753 )

Caprifoliaceae

Cerastrium fontanum Baumg. (1753)

Caryophullaceae

Dipsacus strictus D. Don (1754)

Dipasaceae

Euphorbia wallichii Hook.f. (1753 )

Euphorbiaceae

Indigofera heterantha Wall ex. Brand. (1753)

Fabaceae

Erodium cicutarium (Linnaeus) L, Herit ex Ait. (1789)

Geraniaceae

Mentha longifolia (Linnaeus) All. (1753)

Lamiaceae

Calamintha vulgaris Linnaeus (1754)

Lamiaceae

Nepeta connata Linnaeus (1753)

Lamiaceae

Lonicera quinquelocularis Hardw. (1753 )

Linaceae

Oxalis corniculata Linnaeus (1753 )

Oxalidaceae

Plantago major Linnaeus (1753)

Plantaginaceae

Poa pratensis Linnaeus (1753)

Poaceae

Cynodon dactylon (Linnaeus) Pers. ( 1753 )

Poaceae

Polyphyllum hexandrum I. (1753 )

Podophyllaceae

Rumex nepalensis Spreng. ( 1753)

Polygonaceae

Adiantum caudatum Forsk ( 1753)

Pteridaceae

Dryopteris ramose (Hope) C.Chr. (1753)

Pteridaceae

Adiantum capillus-veneris Linnaeus (1753)

Pteridaceae

Clematis grata Wall. (1754 )

Ranunculaceae

Aquilegia pubi flora Wall ex Royle (1754 )

Ranunculaceae

Fragaria vesca Lindley ex Lacaita (1753 )

Rosaceae

Fragaria nubicola Lindley ex Lacaita (1753)

Rosaceae

Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke ( 1811 )

Rosaceae

Potentilla gerardiana Lindley ex Lehm. (1753 )

Rosaceae

Galium aparine Linnaeus (1753 )

Rubiaceae

Bergenia himalaica Boriss. (1974)

Saxifragaceae

Bergenia ciliate (Haw.) (1831 )

Saxifragaceae

Scrophularia decomposita Royle ex Benth (1753 )

Scrophulariaceae

Urtica dioica Linnaeus ( 1753 )

Urticaceae

Valeriana jatamansi Jane ( 1 805)

Valerianaceae

Valerianella dentatam (L.) Poll. (1754)

Valerianae eae

Viola canescens Wall. ex Roxb. ( 1753 )

Violaceae

Table 1 : List of plant species in Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

118

Sheikh Saeed Ahmad & Qurat ul ann

abundances) of the current species in the particular

class of samples (Fig. 2).

Similarly, figure 3 explains the classification

of species of Zone 2 in relation to soil moisture

content. Soil moisture was separated into four

classes i.e. Class moisture 1 included 8

Quadrats, Class moisture 2 included 7 Quadrats,

Class moisture 3 included 9 Quadrats and Class

moisture 4 included 6 Quadrats, the maximum

number of samples occurring in Class moisture

3. This analysis depicts that Zone 2 species fall

in class moisture 3 because of more availability

of organic matter and maximum forest cover in

that area. Overall species of both zones

classification respect to soil moisture was

analyzed. It showed that Class moisture 1

included 18 Quadrats, Class moisture 2 included

24 Quadrats, Class moisture 3 included 5

Quadrats and Class moisture 4 included 13

Quadrats. The analysis of these results showed

that a high number of Quadrats comprised Zone

2-species due to dense forest canopy resulting in

more availability of raw material for the

formation of organic matter (Fig. 4).

Plan.maj

- 0.8

Cich.int

Poa.prat

Cann.sat Mention

Bern. him.

Gall, apa

Cala.vul

Frag, nub

Poll. hex

Frag.ves

Scro.dec

Urti. dio

Dryo.ram

Poly.ver

Pote. ger

SPECIES PIES CLASSES

□

Moisture-1

□

Moisture-2

□

Moisture-3

■

Moisture-4

Figure 2: Pie symbols plot of (Zone 1)

species over classes of samples with

different soil moisture.

Duch. ind

Loni.qui

Berg.cif

Clenrgra Erod.cic f inc.maj

Dips djtr J ale.jatcyno, ,dac

Thal.gri

Vioi . i

Pot .,

Rume.nep

n.maj

SPECIES PIES CLASSES

□

Moisture-1

■

Moisture-2

■

Moisture-3

■

Moisture-4

- 0.6

0.6

Figure 3: Pie symbols plot (Zone 2) of

species over classes of samples with

different soil moisture.

Exploring the vegetation dynamics and community assemblage in Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, using CCA 119

Scro.dec

SPECIES PIES CLASSES

Moisture-1

■

Moisture-2

■

Moisture-3

□

Moisture-4

-0.4 0.8

Figure 4: Pie symbols plot (Both Zones) of

species over classes of samples with

different soil moisture.

DISCUSSIONS

Multivariate analysis technique called Canonical

Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used in this

study in Ayubia National Park to identify the

correlation between species occurrence/abundance

and environmental variables. This ordination

technique assumed that species abundance was

unimodally distributed along environmental

gradients. Species richness is mostly correlated

with soil moisture and pH. Organic matter was the

factor strongly correlated with species richness in

dense vegetation (Welle et al., 2003). Soil pH can

also be correlated with species richness, high

species richness results in declining as pH declines

(Gough et al., 2000; Roem & Berendse, 2000). The

study area was divided in different zones i.e. Zone

1 and Zone 2, CCA was applied to classify the

species richness. Results of Zone 1 were

completely different from Zone 2 as the soil

moisture and organic matter were highest in Zone 2

due to dense vegetation. Same results were revealed

when overall species data were employed for CCA

analysis. The most of the researches revealed that

high temperature as well as irrigation manipulations

exhibit unusual level of impact on diverse taxa

moreover, they may influence species abundance

and species richness in a complementary way. Soil

is the most species rich component in many

terrestrial ecosystems (Adams & Wall, 2000; Andre

et al., 2002) and also plays significant function

within ecosystem, affecting processes including

plant growth as well as decomposition (Coleman &

Hendrix, 2000). Results of present study stress the

need of conservation and preservation of native

flora.

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Adams G.A. & Wall D.H., 2000. Biodiversity above and

below the surface of soils and sediments: linkages and

implications for global change. Bioscience, 50:

1043-1048.

Ahmad S.S., 2009. Ordination and classification of

herbaceous vegetation in Margalla Hills National Park

Islamabad Pakistan. Biolological Diversity and

Conservation, 2: 38-44.

Ahmad S.S., 2011. Canonical Correspondence Analysis of

the relationships of roadside vegetation to its edaphic

factors: a case study of Lahore-Islamabad motorway

(M-2). Pakistan Journal of Botany, 43: 1673-1677.

Ahmad S.S., Fazal S., Valeem E.E., Khan Z.I., Sarwar G. &

Iqbal Z., 2009. Evaluation of ecological aspects of roadside

vegetation around Havalian city using Multivariate

techniques. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 41: 53-60.

Ahmad S.S., Wahid A. & Alcbar K. F., 2010a. Multivariate

classification and data analysis of vegetation along

Motorway (M-2), Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany,

42: 1173-1185.

Ahmad I., Ahmad M.S.A., Hussain M., Ashraf M. &

Hameed M.Y. & Hameed M., 2010b. Spatiotemporal

Aspects of plant community structure in Open Scrub

Rangelands of Sub-Mountainous Himalayan Plateaus.

Pakistan Journal of Botany, 42: 3431-3440.

Allen S.E., 1974. Chemical analysis of ecological

materials. Blackwell scientific publications, Oxford.

London, 565 pp.

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Andre H.M., Ducarme X. & Lebrun P., 2002. Soil

biodiversity: Myth, reality or conning? Oikos, 96: 3-24.

Coleman D.C. & Hendrix P.F., 2000. Invertebrates as

Webmasters in Ecosystems. Institute of Ecology, CABI

Publishing, New York, 352 pp.

Farooque M., 2002. Management Plan of Ayubia National

Park 2002-2007. Natural resource conservation project,

Galiat, Abbotabad, 11-12.

Gough L., Shaver G.R., Carrol J., Royer D.L. & Laundre

J.A., 2000.Vascular plant species richness in Alaskan

arctic tundra: The importance of soil pH. Journal of

Ecology, 88: 54-66.

Hill M.O. & Gauch H.G., 1980. Detrended correspondence

analysis, an improved ordination technique. Vegetatio,

42: 47-58.

Jabeen T. & Ahmad S.S., 2009. Multivariate analysis of

environmental and vegetation data of Ayub National

Park, Rawalpindi. Soil and Environment, 28: 106-112.

Kashian D.M., Barnes B.V. & Walker W.S., 2003.

Ecological species groups of landform-level ecosystems

dominated by jack pine in northern Lower Michigan,

USA. Plant Ecology, 166: 75-91.

Kent M. & Coker P., 1995. Vegetation Description and

Analysis: a practical approach. Belhaven Press, London,

363 pp.

Nasir Y J. & Rafiq R A., 1995. Wild Flowers of Pakistan.

Oxford University Press., Karachi, 298 pp.

Nikolskii N.N., 1963. Practical soil sciences. Tech Services,

U.S., Department of Commerce, Washington, 240 pp.

Pirzada H. Ahmad S.S. & Audil R., 2009. Monitoring of

soil lead pollution using roadside plants ( Dalbergia

sissoo and Cannabis sativa) utilizing multivariate

analysis. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 41: 1729-1736.

Roem W.J. & Berendse F., 2000. Soil acidity and

nutrient supply ratio as possible factors determining

changes in plant species diversity in grassland and

healthland communities. Biological conservation,

92: 151-161.

Welle V., Marlies E.W., Peter V., Gaius R. & Frank B., 2003.

Factors determining the species richness in Alaska

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720.

Zhang J.T., 2004. Quantitative Ecology. Science Press,

Beijing, China: 516-522.

Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 121-144

A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West

Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae (exclusive of Bacillariophyceae)

Silvia Alfinito

Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; e-mail: silvia.alfinito@uniromal.it

ABSTRACT Up to present, this is the first check list of the non marine algal flora of Sierra Leone. In this first part 468 taxa,

exclusive of diatoms, are reported. For each taxa, the updated nomenclature and the finding localities with refe-

rences are given.

KEY WORDS Check list, freshwater algae, Sierra Leone, Tropical Africa.

Received 27.05.2011; accepted 10.08.2011; printed 30.09.2011

INTRODUCTION

The first publication on the freshwater algal

flora of Sierra Leone (Tropical West Africa)

dates back to O’Meara (1876) who, during a

meeting of the Dublin Microscopical Club,

reported the finding of some Coscinodiscus (cen-

tric diatoms) in samples from Rockett River.

After that only in 1958 Woodhead & Tweed in a

check list of the algal flora of the West Africa

reported some algae themselves collected in

Sierra Leone, Sula Hills (Woodhead & Tweed,

1958); in subsequent papers these authors (1959;

1960) described several new species, that for the

extremely poor quality of iconography were con-

sidered suspected and in any case invalidly pub-

lished (Gronblad et al., 1968; Gerrath & Denny,

1979). All the records of Woodhead & Tweed

(loc. cit.) except for the newly but invalid

described taxa, were not substantiated by any

illustration. For all these reasons in this check list

the species reported in their papers will not be

taken into account.

The first data that can be considered valid for

the compilation of this check list are those

reported in Molder (1962) who listed several

diatoms collected in Kangari and Sula. Brand-

ham (1967) described a new species of Micros te-

rms from the samples in the collection of Wood-

ehead & Tweed; Gronblad et al. (1968) pub-

lished the desmid flora of Njala and Kabala, with

several species new to science and Whitton

(1968) a list of Cyanophyceae from the North

and North West Area.

From 1979 to 1994 several researches were

carried out on the freshwater algal flora of Sierra

Leone: Alfinito & Mazzoni (1986); Alfinito et al.

(1989; 1990; 1994); Carter & Denny (1982;

1987; 1992); Gerrath & Denny (1979; 1980;

1980a; 1988; 1989); Fumanti (1994); Fumanti et

al. (1990); Mazzoni (1986); Ricci & Alfinito

(1994) and Ricci et al. (1990).

Altogether 14 taxa were described as new:

Cystodinium sonfonense Gerrath et Denny, 1980

Actinotaenium wollei (Gronbl.) Teiling v.

latius Croasdale in Gronblad et al. 1968

Cosmarium exiguum Archer f. ocellatum

Gronblad et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968

Cosmarium rossi Ricci in Ricci & Alfinito, 1994

Cosmarium wenmanae Croasdale in Gron-

blad et al., 1968

Docidium lomaense Alfinito et Mazzoni, 1986

Euastrum divaricatum Lundell v. ugandanum

Gronblad in Gronblad et al., 1968

Micrasterias echinata Brandham, 1967

Micrasterias mahabuleshwarensis Hobson v.

comperei Coute et Rousselin v. semireducta

Scott et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968

122

Silvia Alfinito

1 3° W

12° W

11°W

10° N

+ 9° N

8° N

+ 7°N

Figure 1. Map of Sierra Leone showing the investigated sites.

A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae

123

Penium cylindraceum Forster f. majus Croas-

dale in Gronblad et al., 1968

Staurastrum contectum Turner f. concavum

Scott et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968

Staurastrum histrix Ralfs v. granulatum Ricci

in Ricci et al., 1990

Staurastrum setigerum Cleve v. pectinatum

West et West f. paucispiniferum Croasdale in

Gronblad et al., 1968.

Staurastrum spiculiferum Borge v. glabrum

Gerrath et Denny, 1988

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This first part of the check list, concerning 25

localities, lists all the algal groups, exclusive of

diatoms, for a total of 468 taxa, distributed as

follows in the different algal classes: Cyano-

phyceae: 38; Chrysophyceae: 2; Xanthophyceae:

1, Raphidophyceae: 1; Cryptophyceae: 2; Dino-

phyceae: 7; Euglenophyceae: 73; Prasinophy-

ceae: 1; Chlorophyceae: 55; Conjugatophyceae:

288.

All the taxa reported only as “sp.” or with

“cfr.” but with an iconographic documentation,

were taken into account. Those genera cited only

as “spp.” were counted only as genera.

In the check list, the classification of the

algae, given in van den Hoek et al. (1995), was

followed at classes level.

For taxa nomenclature checking references

used were:

Cyanophyceae: Anagnostidis & Komarek,

1989, 1990; Komarek & Anagnostidis, 1999;

2005; Komarek & Hauer, 2011.

Chrysophyceae: Starmach, 1985.

Xanthophyceae: Ettl, 1978.

Raphidophyceae and Cryptophyceae: Huber-

Pestalozzi, 1950.

Dinophyceae: Popovsky & Pfiester, 1990.

Euglenophyceae: Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955.

Prasinophyceae: Ettl, 1983.

Chlorophyceae, Volvocales: Ettl, 1983.

Chlorophyceae, Tetrasporales: Ettl & Gartner,

1988.

Chlorophyceae, Chlorococcales: Komarek &

Fott, 1983.

Chlorophyceae, Chaetophorales: Printz, 1964.

Chlorophyceae, Oedogoniales: Mrozinska,

1985.

Chlorophyceae, Conjugatophyceae: Coesel &

Meester, 2007; Croasdale et al., 1983; Forster,

1982; Prescott et al., 1972; 1975; 1977; 1981;

1982; Ruzicka, 1977; 1981.

Investigated localities

Bambawo, stream at

Bathurst Falls (Fig. 2)

Freetown

Fourah Bay College, Freetown.

Guma Dam (Fig. 3)

Kabala, river at

Kambia

Kania, pools near (Fig. 4)

Kenema, swamp at

Lake Gambia

Lake Mabesi

Lake Malen

Lake Mape

Lake Popei

Lake Sonfon

Lake Tibi

Loma Mnts, Peak Bintimani (Figs. 5-7)

Njala

River Jong

River Malen

River Sewa

River Waanje

Rokupr

Waterloo

York, swamp at (Fig. 8)

References for Sierra Leone freshwater algae

(numbers in bracket after each locality)

1: Brandham, 1967.

2: Gronblad et al., 1968.

3: Whitton, 1968.

4 : Gerrath & Denny, 1979.

5: Gerrath & Denny, 1980.

6: Gerrath & Denny, 1980a.

7: Alfinito & Mazzoni, 1986.

8 : Gerrath & Denny, 1988.

9 : Alfmito et al., 1989.

10 : Gerrath & Denny, 1989.

11 : Alfmito et al., 1990.

12 : Ricci et al., 1990.

13: Ricci & Alfinito, 1994.

124

Silvia Alfinito

Fig-2

Fig.3

Fig.4

Fig.5

Fig. 6

Fig.7

Figure 2. Bathurst Falls (photo W. Rossi).

Figure 3. Gurna Dam, pool on lateritic soil (photo W. Rossi).

Figure 4. Little pools near Kania (photo W. Rossi).

Figure 5. Loma Mountains, Peak Bintimani (photo W. Rossi).

Figure 6. Loma Mountains, NE slope of Peak Bintimani, sampling area (photo W. Rossi).

Figure 7. Loma Mountains, NE slope of Peak Bintimani, 1650 m a.s.l., small pools on granitic rock (photo W. Rossi).

Figure 8. Swamp near York (photo W. Rossi).

A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae

125

CHECKLIST

CYANOPHYCEAE

CHROOCOCCALES

Aphanocapsa Nageli, 1849

A. elachista West et West, 1894

- Lake Tibi, Lake Sonfon (6)

Aphanothece Nageli, 1849

A. stagnina (Sprengel) A. Braun, 1863

- Kambia (3); Lake Sonfon (6)

Chroococcus Nageli, 1849

C. turgidus (Kiitz.) Nageli, 1849

- Without localities (6)

Eucapsis Clements et Shantz, 1909

E. alpina Clements et Shantz, 1909

- Lake Sonfon (6)

Gloeocapsa Kiitzing, 1843

G. aeruginosa Kiitzing, 1843

- Waterloo (3)

Merismopedia Meyen, 1839

M. punctata Meyen, 1839

- Lake Mape, River Jong, River Sewa, Lake

Popei, Lake Sonfon (6)

NOSTOCALES

Anabaena Bory ex Bomet et Flahault, 1886

A. fuellebornii Schmidle, 1902 - GumaDam(3)

A. promecespora Fremy, 1930 forma - Lake Popei (6)

A. torulosa (Carm.) Lagerheim ex Bomet et Flahault, 1888 - Rokupr (3)

Anabaena spp. - Lake Mape, River Jong, Lake Popei, Lake

Sonfon (6)

Calothrix Agardh ex Bomet et Flahault, 1886

C. stagnalis Gomont, 1895 - River Jong, Bambawo, Lake Sonfon (6)

Cylindrospermum Kiitzing ex Bomet et Flahault, 1888

C. majus Kiitzing ex Bornet et Flahault, 1888 - Freetown (3)

C. licheniforme (Bory) Kiitzing ex Bomet et Flahault, 1888 - Freetown (3)

Nodularia Mertens ex Bomet et Flahault, 1886

126

Silvia Alfinito

N. harveyana Thuret ex Bomet et Flahault, 1888

Scytonema Agardh ex Bomet et Flahault, 1886

S. hyalinum Gardner, 1927

Tolypothrix Kiitzing ex Bornet et Flahault, 1886

T. byssoidea (Hassal) Kirchner, 1878

T. distorta Kiitz. ex Bom. et Flah., 1888

v. symplocoides Hansgirg, 1892

T. fragilis (Gardner) Geitler, 1932

T. mangini (Fremy) Geitler, 1932

OSCILLATORIALES

Arthrospira Stitzenberger ex Gomont, 1892

A. gigantea (Schmidle) Anagnostidis, 1998

= Spirulina gigantea Schmidle, 1902

A.jenneri Stitzenb. ex Gomont, 1892

= Spirulina jenneri (Stizenb.) Geitler, 1925

Geitlerinema (Anagn. et Komarek) Anagnostidis, 1989

G. calcuttense ( Bis w.) Anagnostidis, 1989

= Oscillatoria calcuttensis Biswas, 1932

G. splendidum (Grev. ex Gom.) Anagnostidis, 1989

= Oscillatoria splendida Greville ex Gomont, 1892

Lyngbya Agardh ex Gomont, 1892

L. birgei G.M. Smith, 1916

L. corticicola Briihl et Biswas, 1923

L. martensiana Meneghini ex Gomont, 1892

L. nigra Agardh ex Gomont, 1892

L. spiralis Geitler, 1932

Oscillatoria Vaucher ex Gomont, 1892

O. variabilis Rao, 1936

= 0. raoi De Toni, 1939

NOTE: 0. variabilis is one of the unrevised species

of Phormidium in Komarek & Anagnostidis (2005).

0. princeps Vaucher ex Gomont, 1892

0. subbrevis Schmidle, 1901

0. tenuis Agardh ex Gomont, 1892

Phormidium Kiitzing ex Gomont, 1 892

- Lake Tibi (6)

- Freetown (3)

- Fourah Bay College (3)

- Rokupr (3)

- Guma Dam (3)

- Lake Gambia, Lake Popei, Lake Mabesi (6)

- Lake Sonfon (6)

- Guma Dam (3)

- Freetown (3); Lake Sonfon (6).

- Lake Mape, River Jong (6)

- Kambia (3)

- Lake Mape, Bambawo, Lake Sonfon (6)

- Kambia (3)

- Rokupr (3)

- Kambia (3)

- Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (6)

- Lake Mape, Lake Mabesi, River Jong, River

Sewa, Lake Sonfon (6)

- Lake Popei, River Jong, Lake Sonfon (5)

P. digueti (Gom.) Anagnostidis et Komarek, 1988 - Lake Sonfon (6)

= Lyngbya digueti Gomont, 1895

P. kuetzingianum (Kirchn.) Anagnostidis et Komarek, 1988 - Kambia (3)

= Lyngbya kuetzingiana Kirchner, 1878

A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae

127

P. okeni (Agardh ex Gom.) Anagnostidis et Komarek, 1988

= Oscillatoria okeni Agardh ex Gomont, 1892

Spirulina Turpin ex Gomont, 1892

- Freetown (3)

S. major Kiitzing ex Gomont, 1892

Symplocastrum (Gomont) Kirchner, 1898

- York (3); Lake Mape, Lake Popei (6).

S. muelleri (Nageli ex Gomont.) Anagnostidis, 2001

=Schizothrix muelleri Nagel i ex Gomont, 1892

- Kambia(3)

STIGONEMATALES

Hapalosiphon Nageli in Kiitzing ex Bornet et Flahault, 1886

H. arboreus West et West, 1894

H. flexuosus Borzi, 1892

- Lake Sonfon (6)

- Lake Popei (6)

CHRYSOPHYCEAE

OCHROMONADALES

Dinobryon Ehrenberg, 1835

D. sertularia Ehrenberg, 1838

D. sertularia v. protuberans (Lemm.) Krieger, 1930

- Lake Tibi (6)

- Lake Gambia, River Waanje, Lake Tibi,

Lake Mape (6)

XANTHOPHYCEAE

MISHOCOCCALES

Ophiocytium Nageli, 1849

0. majus Nageli, 1849

- Lake Sonfon (6)

RAPHIDOPHYCEAE

VACUOLARIALES

Gonyostomum Diesing, 1866

G. semen (Ehr.) Diesing, 1866

- Lake Sonfon (6)

128

Silvia Alfinito

CRYPTOPHYCEAE

CRYPTOMONADALES

Cryptomonas Ehrenberg, 1831

River Malen, Lake Sonfon (6)

Lake Mape, River Waanje, Lake Popei, Lake

Tibi, River-Jong, Lake Sonfon (6)

C. marssonii Skuja, 1848

C. ovata Ehrenberg, 1832

DINOPHYCEAE

PERIDINIALES

Ceratium Schrank, 1793

C. brachyceros Daday, 1907

C. hirundinella (0. F. Muller) Dujardin, 1841 forma

Gymnodinium Stein, 1878

G. fuscum (Ehr.) Stein, 1878

Peridinium Ehrenberg, 1832

P. umbonatum Stein, 1883

= P. inconspicuum Lemmermann, 1899

- Lake Sonfon (6)

- Lake Mape, River Waanje, River Jong (6)

- Lake Tibi, Lake Gambia (6)

- Lake Mape, River Waanje, Lake Gambia (6)

DINOCOCCALES

Cystodinium Klebs, 1912

C. sonfonense Gerrath et Denny, 1980

Stylodinium Klebs, 1912

S. globosum Klebs, 1912

= S. cerasiforme Pascher, 1927

Tetradinium Klebs, 1912

T. javanicum Klebs, 1912

- Lake Sonfon (6)

EUGLENOPHYCEAE

EUGLENALES

Astasia Dujardin, 1841

A. torta Pringsheim, 1942

Entosiphon Stein, 1878

- Lake Sonfon (4)

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E. sulcatum (Dujardin) Stein, 1878

Entosiphon sp.

Euglena Ehrenberg, 1838

- Lake Sonfon (4)

E. acus Ehrenberg, 1838

E. charkowiensis Swirenko, 1913

E. geniculata Dujardin, 1841

E. gracilis Klebs, 1 883

E. limnophila Lemm., 1898 v. lemmermannii Drezelpolsky, 1925

E. oblonga Schmitz, 1884

E. spirogyra Ehrenberg, 1838 v. suprema Skuja, 1932

E. viridis Ehrenberg, 1830

Euglena sp. 1

Euglena sp. 2

- Lake Tibi, Lake Mabesi, Lake Sonfon (4)

- River Waanje, Lake Gambia, Lake Tibi,

Lake Sonfon (4)

- Lake Sonfon (4)

- Lake Malen (4)

Gyropaigne Skuja, 1939

G. lefevrei Bourrelly et Georges, 1951 - Lake Sonfon (4)

Lepocinclis Perty, 1849

L. acuta Prescott, 1949

L.fusiformis (Carter) Lemm. em. Conrad, 1934

v. fusiformh f. fusiformis

L. fusiformis v. fusiformis f. lemmermannii (Conrad)

Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955

= L. fusiformis (Carter) Lemm., 1901 v. lemmermanni Conrad, 1935

L. fusiformis v. amphirltynchus Nygaard, 1949

L. marssonii Lemmermami em. Conrad, 1935

L. ovum (Ehr.) Lemmermann, 1910 v. ovum

L. ovum v. angustata (Defl.) Conrad, 1935

L. ovum v. globula (Perty) Lemmermann, 1910

L. texta (Dujardin) Lemmermann em. Conrad, 1935

Lepocinclis sp.

- Lake Sonfon (4)

- Lake Tibi (4)

- Lake Sonfon (4)

Menoidium Perty, 1852

M. gracile Playfair, 1921 - Lake Sonfon (4)

Notosolenus Stokes, 1884

Notosolenus sp.

Phacus Dujardin, 1841

P. acuminatus Stokes, 1885 forma

P. atraktoides Pochmann, 1942

P. brachykentron Pochmann, 1942 forma

P. brevicaudatus (Klebs) Lemmermann, 1910

P. contortus Bourrelly, 1952 v. complicatus Bourrelly, 1952

P. ephippion Pochmann, 1942

P. glaber (Defl.) Pochmann, 1942

P. hamatus Pochmann, 1942

- Lake Sonfon (4)

- Lake Gambia (4)

- Lake Sonfon (4)

- Lake Mape (4)

- Lake Sonfon (4)

130

Silvia Alfinito

P. inflexus (Kisselew) Pochmann, 1942

P. longicauda (Ehr.) Dujardin, 1841 v. longicauda

P. longicauda v. major Swirenko, 1915

P. longicauda v. rotunda (Pochm.) Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955

P. meson Pochmann, 1942

P. onyx Pochmann, 1942

P. orbicularis Hiibner, 1896

P. pleuronectes (Muller) Dujardin, 1841 forma

P. polytrophos Pochmann, 1942

P. pseudonordstedtii Pochmann, 1942

v. minuscola (Conrad) Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955

- Lake Sonfon (4)

- Lake Mabesi (4)

- Lake Sonfon (4)

- River Waanje, Lake Sonfon (4)

- Lake Mabesi, Lake Sonfon (4).

- Lake Sonfon (4)

P. stokesii Lemmermann, 1910

- Lake Sonfon (4)

P. tortus (Lemm.) Skvortzow, 1928

- Lake Malen, Lake Sonfon (4)

P. undulatus (Skvortz.) Pochmann, 1942

- Lake Sonfon (4)

P. viguieri Allorge et Lefevre, 1930

- Lake Sonfon (4)

Phacus sp. 1

- Lake Sonfon (4)

Phacus sp. 2

- Lake Sonfon (4)

Strombomonas Deflandre, 1930

S. fluviatilis (Lemm.) Deflandre, 1930

- Lake Mabesi (4)

S. schauinslandii (Lemm.) Deflandre, 1930

- Lake Mabesi, Lake Malen (4)

S. tambowika (Swir.) Deflandre, 1930

- Lake Mabesi (4)

S. tetraptera Balech et Dastugue, 1937

- Lake Mabesi (4)

S. verrucosa (Daday) Deflandre, 1930

v. zntiewika (Swir.) Deflandre, 1930

- Lake Mabesi (4)

Trachelomonas Ehrenberg, 1833

T. abrupta Swirenko em. Defl., 1926

- River Waanje, River Jong, Lai

T. armata (Ehr.) Stein, 1833

- Lake Mabesi, Lake Sonfon (4'

T. crispa Balech, 1944

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T. dubia Swirenko em. Deflandre, 1926

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T. globularis (Awer.) Lemmermann, 1910

v. punctata Skvortzow, 1917

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T hispida (Perty) Stein, 1883 v. hispida

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T. hispida v. crenulatocollis (Masked) Lemmermann, 1910

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T. hispida v. duplex Deflandre, 1926

- River Jong (4)

T. intermedia Dangeard, 1902

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T. janczewskii Drezelp., 1921 var. minor Drezelpolski, 1925

- Lake Sonfon (4)

I naviculiformis Defl., 1926 v. bourrelyi Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T oblonga Lemmermann, 1899

- Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (4)

T scabra Playfair, 1915 forma

- Lake Mabesi (4)

T. speciosa Deflandre, 1926

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T superba Swirenko em. Deflandre, 1926

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T. volvocinopsis Swirenko, 1914

- Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (4)

T. woycickii Koczwara, 1915

- Lake Sonfon (4)

T. zinger i Roll, 1925

- Lake Sonfon (4)

PRASINOPHYCEAE

POLYBLEPHARIDALES

Pyramimonas Schmarda, 1 849

P. tetrarynchus Schmarda, 1849

- Lake Sonfon (5)

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CHLOROPHYCEAE

VOLVOCALES

Chlamydomonas Ehrenberg, 1833

C. pseudotarda Bourrelly, 1951

Chlamydomonas sp.

Eudorina Ehrenberg, 1831

E. elegans Ehrenberg, 1831

Pandorina Bory, 1824

P. morum (0. F. Miiller) Bory, 1824

- Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Malen, River Jong (5)

- River Jong, Lake Sonfon (5)

TETRASPORALES

Chlamydocapsa Fott, 1972

C. ampla (Kiitz.) Fott, 1972 - Lake Sonfon (5)

= Gloeocystis ampla (Kiitz.) Lagerheim, 1883

Stylosphaeridium Geitler et Gimesi, 1925

Stylosphaeridium stipitatum (Bachm.) Geitler et Gimesi, 1925 - Lake Sonfon (5)

= Characium stipitatum (Bachm.) Wille, 1911

CHLOROCOCCALES

Ankistrodesmus Corda, 1838

A. bibraianus (Reinsch) Korsikov, 1953

A. fusiformis Corda, 1838

A. gracilis (Reinsch) Korsikov, 1953

Bo tryo co ecus Kritzing, 1849

B. braunii Kiitzing, 1849

Characium A. Braun in Kiitzing, 1849

C. ensiforme Hermann, 1863

= C. ambiguum Hermann, 1863

C. rostratum Reinhard ex Printz, 1914

Coelastrum Nageli, 1849

C. cambricum Archer, 1868

- Lake Mape, Lake Gambia, Lake Tibi, Lake

Popei, Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Sonfon (5)

- River Jong, Lake Gambia, Lake Popei, Lake

Sonfon (5)

- Lake Gambia (5)

- Lake Sonfon (5)

- River Waanje, River Malen, Lake Gambia,

Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Mabesi, Lake

Mape, Lake Sonfon (5)

132

Silvia Alfinito

C. sphaericum Nageli, 1849

Coenochloris Korsikov, 1953

C. pyrenoidosa Korsikov, 1953

Crucigenia Morren, 1830

C. quadrata Morren, 1830

Dictyosphaerium N ageli , 1849

D. pulchellum Wood, 1872

- Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, River Jong, Lake

Sonfon (5)

- Lake Tibi (5)

- Lake Gambia, Lake Popei, Lake Tibi, River

Jong, River Malen, Lake Sonfon (5)

Dimorphococcus A. Braun, 1855

D. lunatus A. Braun, 1855

Gloeocystis Nageli, 1849

G. major Gemeck ex Lemmermann, 1915

Gloeocystis sp.

Kirchneriella Schmidle, 1893

K. lunaris (Kirchner) Mobius, 1894

Micractinium Fresenius, 1858

M. pusillum Fresenius, 1858

Monoraphidium Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969

M. contortum (Thuret) Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969

M. convolutum (Corda) Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969

M. griffithii (Berkeley) Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969

M. irregulare (G. M. Smith) Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969

Oocystis A. Braun, 1855

O. borgei Snow, 1903

O. solitaria Wittrock, 1879

= 0. crass a Wittrock, 1880

Palmodictyon Kiitzing, 1845

P. lobatum Korsikov, 1953

- Lake Tibi, Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Gambia (5)

- Lake Tibi, Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Tibi (5)

- Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Gambia, Lake Sonfon (5).

- Lake Sonfon (5).

- Lake Sonfon (5)

Pediastrum Meyen, 1829

P. angulosum (Ehr.) Meneghini, 1840 v. asperum Sulek, 1969 - River Waanje, River Jong, River Malen,

Lake Mape, Lake Popei, Lake Tibi (5)

P. biradiatum Meyen, 1829 - River Waanje, Lake Sonfon (5)

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P. boryanum (Turpin) Meneghini, 1840

P. duplex Meyen, 1829

P. tetras (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1844

Scenedesmus Meyen, 1829

- River Waanje, River Malen, Lake Mape,

Lake Sonfon (5)

- River Waanje, River Jong, River Malen,

Lake Mape (5)

- River Waanje, River Jong, River Sewa,

Lake Tibi, Lake Gambia, Lake Popei, Lake

Sonfon (5)

S. acuminatus (Lagerh.) Chodat, 1902

S. armatus Chodat, 1913

S. brasiliensis Bohlin, 1897

S. ecornis (Ehr.) Chodat, 1926

S. gutwinskii Chodat, 1926 v. heterospina Bodrogskozy, 1950

S. kissii Hortobagy, 1975

= S. quadricauda (Turp.) Brebisson, 1835 v. biornatus Kiss, 1939

S. quadricauda (Turpin) Brebisson, 1835

- River Jong, River Malen, Lake Mape, Lake

Sonfon (5)

- River Malen, Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, River Jong (5)

- River Waanje, Lake Mape, Lake Tibi, Lake

Gambia, River Jong, Lake Popei (5)

Sphaerocystis Chodat, 1897

S. schroeteri Chodat, 1897

- River Jong , Lake Mape, Lake Mabesi, Lake

Sonfon (5)

Tetraedron Kiitzing, 1845

T. regular e Kiitzing, 1845

Tetrallantos Teiling, 1916

T. lagerheimii Teiling, 1916

Westella de Wildeman, 1897

- Lake Sonfon (5)

- Lake Tibi, Lake Sonfon (5)

W. botryoides (W. West) de Wildeman, 1897

- Lake Sonfon (5)

CHAETOPHORALES

Chaetosphaeridium Klebahn, 1892

C. pringsheimii Klebahn, 1893 - Lake Tibi, Lake Popei (5)

Microspora Thuret, 1850

M. aequabilis Wichmann, 1937 v. minor Wichmann, 1937 - Lake Sonfon (5)

Microthamnion Nageli, 1849

M. strictissimum Rabenhorst, 1863 - Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (5)

Oligochaetophora G. S. West, 1911

134

Silvia Alfinito

0. simplex G. S. West, 1911

- Lake Sonfon (5)

Ulothrix Kiitzing, 1836

U. amphigranulata Skuja, 1948

U. subtilis Kiitzing, 1845

- Lake Sonfon (5)

Uronema Lagerheim, 1887

U. confervicolum Lagerheim, 1887 v. africanum (Borge) Printz, 1964

= U. africanum Borge, 1928

- Lake Sonfon (5)

OEDOGONIALES

Bulbochaete Agardh, 1817

Bulbochaete spp.

- Lake Mape, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake

Sonfon (5)

Oedogonium Link, 1 820

0. mammiferum Wittrock, 1874

O.patulum Tiffany, 1934

0. reinschii Roy ex Cook, 1884

Oedogonium spp.

- Lake Sonfon (5)

- River Jong, River Sewa, Lake Mape, Lake

Gambia, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake

Sonfon (5)

CONJUGATOPHYCEAE

ZYGNEMATALES

Cylindrocystis Meneghini ex de Bary, 1858

C. brebissonii Menegh. ex de Bary, 1858 v. brebissonii

C. brebissonii v. minor West et West, 1902

C. cr asset de Bary, 1858

Mougeotia Agardh, 1824

- Lake Sonfon (5); Kania (9); Bathurst

Falls (11); Guma Dam (12); York (13)

- Lake Tibi (5)

- Lake Sonfon (5)

Mougeotia spp.

- Lake Mape, River Jong, Bambawo, Lake

Gambia, River Sewa, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei,

River Malen, Lake Sonfon (5)

Netrium (Nag.) Itzsigson et Rothe em. Liitkemiiller, 1902

N. digitus Itzsigson et Rothe, 1856 v. digitus

N. digitus v. lamellosum (Breb.) Gronblad, 1920

N. digitus v. rhomboideum Gronblad, 1920

N. oblongum (de Bary) Lutkemiiller, 1902 v. oblongum

N. oblongum v. cylindricum West et West, 1903

- Kabala (2); Njala (2); River Sewa (5); Loma

Mnts (7); Kania (9); Bathurst Falls (11)

- Njala (2)

- Njala (2); York (13)

- Loma Mnts (7)

- Kabala (2)

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Spirogyra Link in Nees, 1820

Spirogyra spp.

DESMIDIALES

Actinotaenium Teiling, 1954

A. capax (Joshua) Teiling, 1954 v. minus (Schmidle) Teiling, 1954

A. clevei (Lundell) Teiling, 1954

A. crassiusculum (de Bary) Teiling, 1954

A. cucurbita (Breb.) Teiling, 1954 v. cucurbita

A. cucurbita v. cucurbita f. rotundatum (Krieger) Teiling, 1954

A. cucurbita (Breb.) Teiling, 1954 forma

A. cfr. cucurbita (Breb.) Teiling, 1954

A. cucurbitinum (Bisset) Teiling, 1954 v. cucurbitinum

A. cucurbitinum v. truncatum (Krieger) Teiling, 1954

Actinotaenium sp. ad A. phymatosporum (Nordst.)

= Penium sp. Kouwets et Coesel, 1984 acced.

ad 72 phymatosporum Nordstedt, 1876 acced.)

A. subglobosum (Nordst.) Teiling, 1954

A. wollei (West et West) Teiling, 1954 v. wollei

A. wollei v. latius Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968

Bambusina Kiitzing ex Kiitzing, 1849

B. borreri (Ralfs) Cleve, 1864

Closterium Nitzsch ex Ralfs, 1848

C. abruptum W. West, 1892 v. angustissimum (Schmidle) Roll, 1915

C. abruptum v. brevius (West et West) West et West, 1904

C. acerosum (Schrank) Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848

C. cfr. attenuatum Ralfs, 1848

C. baillyanum (Breb.) Brebisson, 1856

C. closterioides (Ralfs) Louis et Peeters, 1967 v. closterioides

= C. libellula Focke, 1847 v. libellula, invalidly published

according Ruzicka (1977) art. 13 ICBN

C. closterioides v. intermedium (Roy et Bisset.) Ruzicka, 1973

= C. libellula Focke, 1847 v. intermedium (Roy et Bisset)

G. S. West, 1914

C. cornu Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848

C. costatum Corda ex Ralfs, 1848 forma

C. cynthia De Notaris, 1867

C. cynthia De Notaris, 1867 forma

C. dianae Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 v. dianae

C. dianae v. minus Hieronymus, 1895

C. dianae v. pseudodianae (Roy) Krieger, 1932

- Lake Mape, River Jong, River Waanje, Lake

Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (5)

- Loma Mnts (7)

- York (13)

- Guma Dam (12); York (13)

- Njala (2); Loma Mnts (7); Lake Sonfon (8);

Kania (9); Bathurst Falls (11); York (13)

- Njala (2); York (13)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- York (13)

- Njala (2)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2); Guma Dam (12).

- York (13)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Sonfon (8);

Guma Dam (12)

- Guma Dam (12)

- Lake Mabesi (10)

- Loma Mnts (7); Lake Sonfon (8); York (13)

- River Waanje (10)

- Njala (2)

- Njala (2); Kania (9)

- Njala (2); Kania (9); River Jong,

Lake Tibi (10); Bathurst Falls (11)

- Kania (9)

- Lake Mabesi (10)

- Njala (2); Lake Sonfon (8); Kania (9); River

Jong, Lake Popei (10); Bathurst Falls (11);

Guma Dam (12); York (13)

- Njala (2)

- Njala (2); Lake Sonfon (8); River Waanje,

Lake Gambia, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei (10);

Guma Dam (12); York (13)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2)

136

Silvia Alfinito

C. directum Archer, 1862 - Bathurst Falls (11)

= C. ulna Focke, 1847, invalidly published according Ruzicka

(1977) art 13 ICBN

C. ehrenbergii Menegh. ex Ralfs, 1848 v. ehrenbergi

C. ehrenbergii v. ehrenbergii forma

C. ehrenbergii v. malinvernianum (De Notaris) Rabenhorst,

C. gracile Breb. ex Ralfs, 1 848

C. incurvum Brebisson, 1856

C. infractum Messikommer, 1929 v. rotundatum Gronblad,

C. kuetzingii Brebisson, 1856

C. moniliferum (Bory) Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848

C. navicula (Breb.) Lutkemiiller, 1902

C. nematodes Joshua, 1886

C. parvulum Nageli, 1849 v. parvulum

C. parvulum v. angustum West et West, 1900

C. praelongum Brebisson, 1856

C. psudolunula Borge, 1909

C. pusillum Hantzsch in Rabenhorst, 1861 v. laticeps Gronblad.

C. ralfsii Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 v. hybridum Rabenhorst,

C. rostratum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848

C. setaceum Ehr. ex Ralfs, 1 848

C. striolatum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848

C. subulatum (Kutz.) Brebisson, 1856

C. tumidum Johnson, 1895

Closterium sp.

Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs, 1848

- Lake Sonfon (8); River Jong (10)

- Njala(2)

1868 - Njala(2)

- Lake Sonfon (8); River Jong, Lake Mabesi

(10)

- River Jong (10)

1947 - Njala(2)

- Lake Sonfon (8); River Waanje, Lake

Mabesi (10)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2); Bambawo (10)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2)

- Njala (2); Lake Popei, River Jong (10)

- Lake Sonfon (8); Lake Mape, Lake Gambia,

Lake Malen (10)

- Njala (2)

1942 - Loma Mnts (7)

1863 - Lake Sonfon (8); Guma Dam (12)

- Njala (2)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Mape, River Jong

(10)

- River Sewa (10); Bathurst Falls (11); Guma

Dam (12)

- River Jong (10)

- Lake Popei (10)

- Njala (2)

C. amoenum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848

C. anceps Lundell, 1871

C. angulosum Brebisson, 1856 v. angulosum

C. angulosum v. concinnum (Rabenh.) West et West, 1901

C. cfr. asphaerosporum Nordstedt, 1879

C. binum Nordstedt, 1880

C. bioculatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848

C. bioculatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 forma

C. bipunctatum Borgesen, 1890

C. boeckii Wille, 1880

C. capense (Nordst.) De Toni, 1889 v. nyassae Schmidle, 1902

C. candianum Delponte, 1877

= C. circulare Reinsch, 1867

C. commissurale Breb. ex Ralfs, 1848 v. crassum Nordstedt, 1870

C. connatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 v. connatum

C. connatum v. constrictum Bourrelly, 1961

C. conspersum Ralfs, 1848 v. latum (Breb.) West et West, 1892

C. contractu m Kirchner, 1872 forma

C. decoratum West et West, 1895

C. decoratum West et West, 1895 forma

C. emarginatum West et West, 1895 forma

- Njala (2)

- Kania (9)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Sonfon (8);

Bathurst Falls (11)

- Kania (9)

- Njala (2)

- Kabala (2)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Bathurst Falls (11)

- York (13)

- Njala (2)

- Njala (2); Guma Dam (12); York (13)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

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C. exiguum Archer, 1864 v. exiguum f. ocellatum Gronblad

et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968

C. exiguum v. subrectangulum West et West, 1908

C. exiguum Archer, 1864 forma 1

C. exiguum Archer, 1864 forma 2

C. cfr. exiguum Archer, 1864

C. freemanii West et West, 1902 v. ocellatum Krieger, 1932 forma

C. geminatum Lundell, 1871 forma

C. hammeri Reinsch, 1867 forma

C. humile (Gay) Nordstedt, 1889 forma

C. javanicum Nordstedt, 1880

C. laeve Rabenhorst, 1868 v. leave

C. laeve v. messikommeri Croasdale in Prescott et al., 1981

= C. laeve Rabenhorst, 1868 v. rotundatum Messikommer, 1935

C. laeve v. westii Krieger et Gerloff, 1969

= C. laeve Rabenhorst, 1868 v. septentrionale Wille in Taylor, 1934

C. loefgvenii Borge, 1918 forma

C. mansangense West et West, 1907 v. africanum Fritsch et Rich, 1924

C. meneghini Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848

C. minimum West et West, 1895

C. moniliforme Turpin ex Ralfs, 1848

C. nitidulum De Notaris, 1867

C. obsoletum (Hantzsch) Reinsch, 1867

C. orthostichum Lundell, 1871 v. pumilum Lundell, 1871

C. polymorphum Nordst., 1870 v. africanum Bourrelly, 1957

C. polymorphum v. africanum Bourrelly, 1957 forma

C. porrectum Nordstedt, 1870

C. portianum Archer, 1860 v. nephroideum Wittrock, 1872

C. pseudamoenum Wille, 1884 v. inornatum (Joshua)

Croasdale in Gronblad et al, 1968

C. pseu dobroomei Wo 1 1 e , 1884

C. pseudoconnatum Nordstedt, 1870

C. pseudopyramidatum Lundell, 1871 v. pseudopyramidatum

C. pseudopyramidatum v. oculatum Krieger, 1932

C. pseudoretusum Ducellier, 1918 v. africanum (Fritsch)

Krieger et Gerloff, 1962

C. punctulatum Breb., 1856 v. subpunctulatum (Nordst.)

Borgesen, 1894

C. pyramidatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1948 v. pyramidatum

C. pyramidatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1948 v. pyramidatum forma

C. pyramidatum v. stephani (Irenee-Marie) Krieger et Gerloff, 1965

C. quadratum Ralfs, 1848 v. africanum Fritsch et Stephens, 1921

C. quadrum Lundell, 1871 v. quadrum

C. quadrum v. minus Nordstedt, 1873

C. ralfsii Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 v. montanum Raciborski, 1885

C. regnelli Wille, 1884 v. regnelli

C. regnelli v. minimum Eichler et Gutwinski, 1894

C. rossii Ricci in Ricci & Alfmito, 1994

C. salisburii Fritsch et Rich, 1937 forma

C. sexangulare Lundell, 1871 v. minus Roy et Bisset, 1886

= C. sexangulare Lundell, 1871 f. minima Nordstedt, 1887

C. subconstrictum Schmidle, 1902

C. subcostatum Nordstedt, 1876

C. subcostatum Nordstedt, 1876 forma

C. subprotumidum Nordstedt, 1876

- Njala (2)

- York (13)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2)

- Njala (2)

- Loma Mnts (7)

- Njala (2); Bathurst Falls (11)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Loma Mnts (7); Bathurst Falls (11)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Kania (9)

- Njala (2); Loma Mnts (7)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- York (13)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Bathurst Falls (11); York (13)

- Bathurst Falls (11)

- Njala (2); Kania (9)

- York (13)

- Lake Sonfon (8); Bathurst Falls (11); York (13)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Loma Mnts (7)

- Kania (9)

- Kabala (2)

- York (13)

- Loma Mnts (7)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Kania (9)

- York (13)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Kania (9)

138

Silvia Alfinito

C. succisum G. S. West, 1992 f. jaoi Krieger et Gerloff, 1962

C. tenue Archer, 1868

C. venustum (Breb.) Archer ex Pritchard, 1862

C. wenmanae Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968

C. westii Bernard, 1908

C. zonatum Lundell, 1871 v. subcylindricum Gronblad et

Scott in Gronblad et al, 1958

Cosmarium sp. 1

Cosmarium sp. 2

Cosmocladium Brebisson, 1856

C. tuberculatum Prescott, 1935

Desmidium Agardh ex Ralfs, 1848

D. aequale West et West, 1896 f. elliptica West et West, 1896

D. cfr. aptogonum Brebisson ex Kiitzing, 1849 forma

D. gracilipes (Nordst.) Lagerheim, 1886

D. gracilipes (Nordst.) Lagerheim, 1886 forma

Docidium Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848

D. baculum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848

D. lomaense Alfinito etMazzoni, 1986

Euastrum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848

E. abruptum Nordstedt, 1869 v. lagoense (Nordst.) Krieger, 1937

E. ansatum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 v. ansatum

E. ansatum v. dideltiforme Ducellier, 1918

E. ansatum v. javanicum (Gutw.) Krieger, 1937

E. bidcntatum Nageli, 1 849 forma

E. binale (Turp.) Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848

v. cosmarioides (West et West) Krieger, 1937 forma 1

E. binale v. cosmarioides (West et West) Krieger, 1937 forma 2

E. binale v. groenbladii (Messik.) Krieger, 1937

E. binale v. groenbladii (Messik.) Krieger, 1937 forma

E. binale v. pseudopapilliferum Forster, 1963

E. bombayense Brandham, 1967 v. gracile Brandham, 1967

E. brasiliense Borge, 1903 v. simplicius Borge, 1903

E. denticulatum (Kirchner) Gay, 1884 v. denticulatum

E. denticulatum v. quadrifarium Krieger, 1937

E. cfr. denticulatum (Kirchner) Gay, 1884

E. didelta Ralfs ex Ralfs, 1 848 v. didelta

E. didelta v. bengalicum Lagerheim, 1888

E. divaricatum Lund., 1871 v. uguandanum Gronblad in

Gronblad et al., 1968

E. gemmatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1 848 v. gemmatum

E. gemmatum v. tenuius Krieger, 1937

E. germanicum (Schmidle) Krieger, 1937

E. humbertii Bourrelly et Leboime, 1946

E. inerme (Ralfs) Lundell, 1871

E. ivoirensis Bourrelly, 1961

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2); Bathurst Falls (11)

- Loma Mnts (7)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8); Lake Tibi (10)

- Njala (2)

- Guma Dam (12)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Loma Mnts (7)

- River Jong (10)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Loma Mnts (7)

- Njala (2)

- Loma Mnts (7)

- River Sewa (10)

- Loma Mnt (7)

- Lake Sonfon (8); River

Waanje, River Jong (10), Bathurst Falls (11)

- Lake Tibi, Lake Mabesi, Lake Mape (10)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8); Bathurst Falls (11)

- Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Mabesi (10)

- Njala (2)

- Guma Dam (12)

- Kania (9)

- Njala (2)

- Bathurst Falls (11); Guma Dam (12)

A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae

139

E. ivoirensis Bourrelly, 1961 forma

E. luetkem uelleri D ucel . , 1918 v. carniolicum (Liitkem.) Krieger, 1937

E. luetkemuelleri v. carniolicum (Liitkem.) Krieger, 1937 forma

E. platycerum Reinsch, 1875 v. exintium Gronblad, 1958

f. clausum Gronbl. et Scott in Gronblad et al., 1958

NOTE: this taxon is invalidly published, art. 37 ICBN,

according Ruzicka (1981)

E. pulchellum Brebisson, 1856 v. retusum West et West, 1905

E. pseudosinuosum Forster, 1964

E. serratum Joshua, 1886 v. crenulatum Hirano, 1967 forma

E. sibiricum Boldt, 1885 v. exsectum (Gronbl.) Krieger, 1937

E. sinuosum Lenormand 1861 v. scrobiculatum (Nordst.) Krieger, 1937

E. sinuosum v. subjenneri West et West, 1902

E. spinulosum Delponte, 1876 var. aequilobium (West et West)

Krieger, 1937

E. subbinalc Messikoramer, 1956

E. subhexalobum West et West, 1898 v. subhexalobum

E. subhexalobum v. scrobiculatum Gronblad, 1945

E. sublobatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 v. incrassatum Scott et

Prescott, 1961

E. sublobatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1 848 variety?

E. triggiberum West et West, 1895

E. truncatiforme G.S. West, 1907 v. africanum Bourrelly, 1957

E. truncatiforme v. africanum Bourrelly, 1957 forma

E. truncatum Joshua, 1886 v. trifolium (Cohn) Krieger, 1937 forma

E. validum West et West, 1896 v. validum

E. validum West et West, 1896 v. validum forma

E. validum v. subvalidum (Behre) Bourrelly, 1961 forma

NOTE: this taxon is invalidly published, art. 33 ICBN, according

Ruzicka (1981)

Euastrum sp.

Gonatozygon de Bary, 1856

G. aculeatum Hastings, 1892

G. kinahani (Arch.) Rabenhorst, 1868

G. monotaenium de Bary, 1856

Groenbladia Teiling, 1952

G. fennica (Gronbl.) Teiling, 1952

G. inflata Scott et Gronblad, 1957

G. neglecta (Racib.) Teiling, 1952

cfr. v. elongata Scott et Gronblad, 1957

Haplotaenium Bando, 1988

H. minutum (Ralfs) Bando, 1988 v. gracile (Wille) Bando, 1988

= Pleurotaenium minutum (Ralfs) Delp., 1877 v. gracile (Wille)

Krieger, 1932

Hyalotheca Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848

H. dissiliens (Sm.) Breb. ex Ralfs, 1848 v. tatrica Racib., 1885

Lake Sonfon (8)

York (13)

Njala (2)

River Sewa, River Jong (10)

Njala (2)

Kania (8); York (13)

York (13)

Lake Sonfon (9)

York (13)

Bathurst Falls (11); York (13)

River Sewa (10)

Kania (9)

Lake Sonfon (8)

Njala (2)

Lake Tibi, Lake Popei (10)

York (13)

Lake Sonfon (8)

York (13)

Njala (2)

Lake Mape, River Waanje, River Jong (10)

Lake Sonfon (8); Lake Mape, Lake Tibi (10)

Kabala (2); River Sewa (10)

Njala (2)

Bathurst Falls (11); York (13)

Njala (2); York (13)

S S ^ ^ S s S ^ s S S S S: S S s s s

140

Silvia Alfinito

Micrasterias Agardh ex Ralfs, 1848

ambadiensis (Gronbl. et Scott) Thomasson, 1960

americana Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 v. americana forma

americana v. bimamillata Bourrelly et Coute in Coute &

Rousselin, 1975 forma

americana v. hybrida Woodhead et Tweed, 1959

NOTE: this taxon has been validated by Gerrath &

Denny (1998) designating as neotype their fig. 49 (Gerrath &

Denny, loc. cit., pag. 47)

crux-melitensis (Ehr.) Hassall ex Ralfs, 1848

decemdentata (Nag.) Archer, 1861

echinata Brandham, 1967

foliacea Bailey ex Ralfs, 1848

furcata Ralfs, 1848

= M radiata Hassall, 1845

jenneri Ralfs, 1848 v. simplex W. West, 1890 forma

mahabuleshwarensis Hobson, 1863 v. comperei Coute et

Rousselin, 1975

mahabuleshwarensis v. semireducta Scott et Croasdale in

Gronblad et al., 1968

pinnatifida Kiitz. ex Ralfs, 1848 v. poly morph a Bourrelly in

Bourrelly & Manguin, 1949

radians Turner, 1892

thomasiana Archer, 1892 v. notata (Nordst.) Gronblad, 1920

tropica Nordstedt, 1870 v. elongata Schmidle, 1898

truncata (Corda) Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1 848 v. truncata

truncata v. crenata (Breb.) Reinsch, 1 867

River Waanje, River Jong (10)

Njala (2)

River Jong (10)

Lake Sonfon (8); River Jong (10)

Lake Sonfon (8); River Jong (10).

Lake Sonfon (8)

Kenema (1); River Jong, River Sewa (10);

York (13)

River Jong, Lake Gambia, Lake Popei,

River Sewa, Lake Tibi (10)

Njala (2); River Jong (10)

River Jong (10)

River Waanje, River Jong, Lake Popei,

River Sewa, (10)

Njala (2)

River Jong (10)

River Waanje, River Jong (10)

River Jong (10)

Lake Sonfon (8)

Njala (2)

Loma Mnts (7)

Penium Brebisson ex Ralfs 1848 em. Kouwets et Coesel, 1984

P. cylindraceum Porster, 1965 v. cylindraceum f. majus Croasdale

in Gronblad et al., 1968

P. cylindrus (Ehr.) Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848

P. margaritaceum (Ehr.) Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848

P. multicostatum Scott et Gronblad, 1957

P. polymorphum (Perty) Perty, 1 852

Njala (2)

Bathurst Palls (11); Guma Dam (12); York (13)

Njala (2)

Kania (9)

Njala (2)

Pleurotaenium Nageli, 1849

P. coronatum (Breb.) Rabenhorst, 1868 v. fluctuatum W. West, 1892

P. ehrenbergii (Breb.) de Bary, 1858 v. ehrenbergii

P. ehrenbergii v. curtum Krieger, 1937

P. ehrenbergii v. undulatum Schaarschmidt, 1883

P. moniliferum West et West, 1895

P. nodulosum (Breb.) de Bary, 1858

P. ovatum Nordstedt, 1877

P. sintplicissimum Gronblad, 1920

P. subcoronulatum (Turn.) West et West, 1895 v. subcoronulatum

Guma Dam (12)

Njala (2); Loma Mnts (7); Lake Popei, River

Jong (10); Bathurst Palls (11); Guma Dam (12)

Njala (2)

Njala (2); York (13)

Lake Sonfon (8)

York (13)

Njala (2); River Jong (10)

Lake Sonfon (8)

Njala (2); Lake Mape, Lake Popei, River

Sewa, Lake Tibi (10)

A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae

141

P. subcoronulatum (Turn.) West et West, 1895 v. subcoronulatum forma

P. subcoronulatum v. africanum (Schmidle) Krieger, 1937

P. subcoronulatum v. detum West et West, 1896

P. subcoronulatum v. detum West et West, 1896 forma

P. trabecula Nageli, 1 849 v. trabecula

P. trabecula v. crassum Wittrock, 1872

P. truncatum (Breb.) Nageli, 1849

Staurastrum Meyen em. Ralfs, 1848

S. avicula Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848

S. brachiatum Ralfs, 1848

S. brebissonii Archer ex Pritchard, 1861

S. cerastes Lundell, 1871 v. pulchrum Scott et Gronblad, 1957 forma

S. contectum Turner, 1892 f. concavum Scott et Croasdale in

Gronblad et al., 1968

S. dilatatum (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1 848 v. dilatatum

S. dilatatum v. hibernicum West et West, 1912

S. disputatum West et West, 1912 v. sinense (Liitkm.) West et West, 1912

S. distentum Wolle, 1892 forma

S. forficulatum Lundell, 1871 v. minus (Fritch et Rich) Gronblad

et Scott in Gronblad et al., 1958 forma

S. furcatum (Ehr.) Brebisson, 1856 v. furcatum

S. furcatum v. asymmetricum Gronblad et Scott in Gronblad et al., 1958

S. gladiosum Turner, 1885

S. hystrix Ralfs, 1848 v. granulatum Ricci in Ricci et al., 1990

S. inconspicuum N ordstedt, 1873

S. leptopus Krieger, 1932 forma

S. longibrachiatum (Borge) Gutwinski, 1902 v. africanum

Bourrelly, 1961

S. margaritaceum (Ehr.) Meneghini ex Ralfs, 1848 forma

S. manfeldtii Delponte, 1876 v. africanum Hodgett, 1926

S. micron West et West, 1896

S. orbiculare (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1848 v. depressum Roy et Bisset, 1886

S. pelagicum West et West, 1902

S. pinnatum Turner, 1892 v. hydra Krieger, 1932

S. pseudotetracerum (Nordst.) West et West, 1895

S. quadrangulare (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848

S. quadrangulare (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 forma

S. quadricornutum Roy et Bisset, 1886

S. setigerum Cleve, 1864 v. pectinatum West et West, 1896

f. paucispiniferum Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968

S. setigerum v. pectinatum West et West, 1896 forma

S. spiculiferum Borge, 1918 v. glabrum Gerrath et Denny, 1988

S. subindentatum West et West, 1907 v. ornatum Bourrelly, 1961 forma

S. teliferum Ralfs, 1848 v. ordinatum Borgesen, 1894

S. tetracerum Ralfs, 1 848

S. wildemanii Gutwinski, 1902 v. wildemanii f. quadrispinum

Thomasson, 1966

S. wildemanii v. horizontal Scott et Prescott, 1956

S. wildemanii v. majus (West et West) Scott et Prescott, 1956

Njala (2); Kabala (2)

River Sewa (10)

Njala (2)

Lake Sonfon (7); River Waanje (10)

York (13)

Loma Mnts (7)

Lake Sonfon (8)

Njala (2)

Njala (2); Kabala (2)

Njala (2)

Lake Sonfon (8)

Njala (2)

Bathurst Falls (11); Guma Dam (12)

Njala (2)

Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Sonfon (8)

Guma Dam (12)

Lake Sonfon (8)

Njala (2)

Kabala (2)

York (13)

Kabala (2)

Njala (2); Lake Sonfon (8)

Guma Dam (12)

Njala (2)

Lake Sonfon (8); York (13)

Njala (2)

Kabala (2)

Lake Sonfon (8)

Njala (2)

Lake Sonfon (8)

Njala (2)

Guma Dam (12)

Njala (2); Kabala (2); Kania (9); Bathurst

Falls (11)

Njala (2)

142

Silvia Alfinito

Staurodesmus Teiling, 1948

S. cuspidatus (Breb.) Teiling, 1967

= Staurastrum cuspidatum (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848

S. glaber (Ehr.) Teiling, 1967

= Staurastrum glabrum (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1848

S. incus (Breb.) Teiling, 1967 formal

= Arthrodesmus incus (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 forma 1

S. incus (Breb.) Teiling, 1967 forma 2

= Arthrodesmus incus (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 forma 2

S. incus (Breb.) Teiling, 1967 forma 3

= Arthrodesmus incus (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 forma 3

S. omearii (Arch.) Teiling, 1948 forma

= Staurastrum o’mearii Archer, 1858 forma

S. patens (Nordstedt) Croasdale, 1957 v. patens f. inflatus

(W. West) Teiling, 1967

Teilingia Bourrelly, 1964

T. excavata (Ralfs) Bourrelly, 1964

= Sphaerozosma excavatum Ralfs, 1848

T. granulata (Roy et Bisset) Bourrelly, 1964

= Sphaerozosma gram latum Roy et Bisset, 1886

Tetmemorus Ralfs ex Ralfs, 1 848

- Njala(2)

- Njala (2)

- Kabala(2)

- Njala (2); Kabala (2)

- Lake Sonfon (8)

- Njala (2)

- Njala (2); Lake Sonfon (8)

T. granulatus (Breb.) Ralfs ex Ralfs, 1848

T. laevis (Kiitz.) ex Ralfs, 1848 v. laevis

T. laevis v. borgei Forster, 1965

- Loma Mnts (7)

- Kania (8): Guma Dam (12); York (13)

- Kania (9)

Xanthidium Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848

X. octocome (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1848 - Njala (2)

= Arthrodesmus octocornis (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1848

X. urniforme (West et West) Scott et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 - Njala (2); Guma Dam (12); York (13)

A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae

143

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author wishes to thank prof. Walter Rossi

(Department of Environmental Sciences, Univer-

sity of L'Aquila) for providing the photos of

some of the sampling sites.

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Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 145-148

Crocidura sicula Miller, 1900 (Mammalia, Soricidae): a possible

new record from Comino island (Maltese Islands)

Gaetano Aloise 1 , Alfred E. Baldacchino 2 & Giovanni Amori 3

1 Museo di Storia Naturale della Calabria e Orto Botanico, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, s.n., 1-87036 Rende, Italy. 2 Kestrel in Melita

House, Notaiy Zarb Street, Attard, Malta. 3 CNR - Institute of Ecosystem Studies, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin",

Sapienza University - Zoology, Viale dell'Universita 32, 1-00185 Rome - Italy

ABSTRACT The presence of Crocidura sicula Miller, 1900 is reported for the first time from the Comino island. Two spe-

cimens were obtained from the analysis of Long-eared Owl Asio otus (Linnaeus, 1758) pellets.

KEY WORDS Crocidura sicula; Comino; Maltese islands.

Received 02.09.2011; accepted 16.09.2011; printed 30.09.2011

INTRODUCTION

The Sicilian shrew Crocidura sicula Miller,

1900 is a Mediterranean species, endemic to the

Siculo-Maltese archipelago. This species is

widely distributed in the island of Sicily and it

also occurs in the neighbouring Egadi islands

(Marettimo, Favignana and Levanzo) and in

Ustica island. In the Maltese archipelago this

species is recorded only from the island of Gozo.

Though fossilized bones have been discovered

on the island of Malta, confirming its past pres-

ence, it seems that it has now become extinct

from the main island for unknown reasons (Hut-

terer, 2005).

Taxonomy and distribution of shrews of Mal-

tese islands have been debated for a long time. In

the past Suncus etruscus (Savi, 1 822) was known

as the only species occurring in Malta and Gozo,

while Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811) and

C. russula (Hermann, 1780) were recorded only

in Gozo. On the basis of current knowledge S.

etruscus occurs in Malta and Crocidura in Gozo

(Schembri & Schembri, 1979). During the last

decades a number of authors agreed to classify

the Gozo populations as C. suaveolens (Schem-

bri & Schembri, 1979; Hutterer, 1991). During

the same time, the Crocidura spp. populations of

Sicily were debated, often controversially, on

their taxonomic status and also on the number of

species occurring in the island (Sara, 2008). Cur-

rently all the populations occurring in the Siculo-

Maltese archipelago belong to the endemic

species C. sicula (Vogel, 1988; Vogel et al.,

1990; Contoli et al., 1989; Sara et al., 1990).

Hutterer (1991) identified a distinct taxon for

Gozo: C. sicula calypso , which is different from

those of Egadi Islands (C. sicula aegatensis Hut-

terer, 1991) and from those of Sicily (C. sicula

sicula). Such subspecific subdivision has not

been recognized by Sara (1995) and Sara & Vit-

turi (1996).

RESULTS

Some pellets (n = 3) and other pellet frag-

ments have been collected during April 2005 on

the small island of Comino from beneath the nest

of a Long-eared OsnXAsw otus (Linnaeus, 1758),

(J. Azzopardi and M. Sammut leg.), although the

nest was occupied and used the previous year

(Baldacchino & Azzopardi, 2007).

The species identified from the analysis of

this material were Oryctolagus cuniculus (Lin-

naeus, 1758) (n = 2), Mus mus cuius Linnaeus,

1758 (n =3) and Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758)

(n =1), already known from the island, and also

146

G. Aloise, A.E. Baldacchino & G. Amori

two specimens of C. sicula. The record of C. sic-

ula is the first record of the occurrence of this

species from Comino.

Table 1 gives some cranial measurements of

two specimens from Comino. The two specimens

from Comino showed values similar to those

reported in Sara (2008) from Gozo.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The Maltese islands are located in the centre

of the Mediterranean, just 96 km south of Sicily,

290 km from North Africa, 1836 km from

Gibraltar, and 1519 km from Alexandria Egypt,

making them Europe’s southernmost outpost

(Schembri, P.J., 1993). The Maltese archipelago

is made up of three major inhabited islands:

Malta, the largest; Gozo (Ghawdex) and

Comino, the smallest (Kemmuna). Besides,

around these, there are other scattered uninhab-

ited islets and rocks. The total surface area of the

Maltese islands is 316 km 2 . This geographical

location of the Maltese islands gives them unique

ecological characteristics (Fig. 1).

Comino has a smaller islet adjacent to it:

Cominotto (Kemmunett). The surface area of

Comino is 2.8 km 2 , while that of Cominotto is

only 9.9 ha. These two islands are entirely made

up of upper coralline limestone, one of the five

sedimentary layers which form the archipelago.

This layer reaches its maximum thickness at

Comino.

Like most of the northern and north-eastern

coastline of the island of Malta and that of the

east coast of Gozo, the north and the south facing

m,-m 3

COH

Comino, specimen 1

5.82

7.37

3.65

0.92

4.27

Comino, specimen 2

—

7.23

3.68

—

4.26

Gozo (Sara, 2008)

5.71 ±0.11

7.36 ±0.24

3.73 ±0.12

0.90 ± 0.05

4.36 ±0.11

Table 1. Some cranial measurements expressed in cm of Crocidura sicula from the Maltese islands.

ZW = zygomatic width, PL = palate length, Mj-M 3 = mandibular molar row length, E = width of articular condylum, COH = Coronoid height.

Figure 1 . Map of Maltese Archi-

pelago (latitude 35° 48' 28" - 36°

05’ 00" North, longitude 14° IE

04" - 14° 34’ 37" East). Surface

area of each island: Malta 245.7

km 2 , Gozo 67.1 km 2 , Comino 2.8

kni 2 , St. Paul’s Islands 10.1 ha,

Cominotto 9.9 ha, Filfla 2.0 ha,

Fungus Rock 0.7 ha, Maltese

islands 316 km 2 .

Crocidura siculci Miller, 1900 (Mammalia, Soricidae): a possible new record from Comino island (Maltese Islands )

147

coasts of Comino are gently sloping rock. About

a century ago, there were approximately 100

inhabitants cultivating small-scale scattered

patches, even on the smaller island of Cominotto.

Today there are only two inhabitants living on

Comino, but there is also a hotel which is very

active during the peak touristic season, and a pig

farm which is slowly being phased out.

The vegetation of the island of Comino con-

sists predominantly of coastal steppes and

garigue. The latter is the most common, charac-

terized by such species as Thymbra capitata (L.)

Cavanilles, Anthyllis hermanniae L., Teucrium

fructicans L., and the endemic Euphorbia

melitens Parlatore. Despite the smallness of the

island, in one of the small bays on Comino, there

is a sand dune which has been almost obliterated

by mismanagement, including a very degraded

saline marshland. There are also two very small

tree reserves, one at the area known as Il-Hazina

which is c. 5,000 m 2 , and the other at Il-Qala ta’

Santa Marija c. 11,000 m 2 (Ministry for the Envi-

ronment, 1999).

The terrestrial mammals occurring in the

Maltese islands, and also recorded from Comino

are: Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769), R.

rattus , M. musculus, Apodemus sylvaticus (Lin-

naeus, 1758), O. cuniculus and the bat Pipistrel-

lus kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817) though not excluding

other migratory bat species.

Terrestrial mammals occurring in the Maltese

islands but not yet recorded from Comino are:

Atelerix algirus fallax (Dobson, 1882), C. sicula,

S. etruscus and Chiroptera which are not consid-

ered to be migratory such as Rhinolophus hip-

posideros minimus (Bechstein, 1800), R. fer-

rumequinum (Schreber, 1774), Myotis blythi

punicus (Tomes, 1857), Plecotus austriacus (J.B.

Fischer, 1829) and Pipistrellus pygmaeus

(Leach, 1825). The Mustela nivalis (Linnaeus,

1766) is not recorded on Comino either (Bal-

dacchino & Schembri, 2002).

Comino is also rich in endemics or suben-

demics of both flora and fauna. Amongst these is

the subendemic (Malta, Comino and Lampe-

dusa) flora Daucus lopadusanus Tineo, the

Pelago-Maltese endemic Linaria pseudolaxiflora

Lojac. in Lojac., a still undescribed Limonium

Miller, 1754 species, the rare Darniella meliten-

sis (Botschantzev) Brullo, two Hybleo-Maltese

endemics: Senecio pygmaeus DC. and the grass

Desmazeria pignattii Brullo & Pavone and the

last population of Althea hirsuta L. Furthermore,

Comino supports a population of two species of

land snails endemic to the Maltese islands,

namely Trochoidea spratti perplanata Pilsbry

1893 and Trochoidea schembrii (L. Pfeiffer,

1846). The Maltese Wall Lizard Podarcis fil-

folensis maltensis Mertens, 1921, is also

recorded on Comino (Ministry for the Environ-

ment, 1999).

Because of its ecological importance, Comino

is a legally protected Bird Sanctuary, a Special

Area of Conservation, and an EU Natura 2000 site.

The size of Comino (2.8 km 2 ), is smaller than

the territory of Asio otus in non-insular habitat

(Galeotti et al., 1997; Henrioux, 2000), but the

hunting area of the Long-eared Owl can vary sub-

stantially depending on food supply. Birds with

young can hunt up to 2.5 km from nest. However,

when food is abundant, territory can be as small

as 50 to 100 ha (Oxford CD-Rom, 1998).

Thus the short distance from the island of

Gozo (approximately 840 meters) does not

exclude the possibility that C. sicula were preyed

upon in the latter island. The easy availability of

prey on Comino could reduce the territory of A.

otus (Henrioux, 2000). During the nesting season

these owls use the territory in the vicinity of the

nest (Craig et al., 1988). The abundance of prey,

even of large mammals like rabbit O. cuniculus ,

and rats M. musculus and R. rattus on Comino,

species identified from pellets collected from the

immediate surroundings of the nest, could sup-

port the hypothesis that the Sicilian Shrew (C.

sicula) has been caught on the island itself.

Further investigations on the presence and

abundance of the population of C. sicula on

Comino island are required also for the conserva-

tion of the species in the Maltese Archipelago.

REFERENCES

Baldacchino A.E. & Azzopardi J., 2007. L-Ghasafar li jbejtu

fl-ambjent naturali tal-gzejjer Maltin. Malta University

Publishers Ltd., Msida, Malta.

Baldacchino A.E. & Schembri P.J., 2002. Amfibji, rettili u

mammiferi tal-gzejjer Maltin. Sensiela Kullana Kulturali,

Nru. 39. Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza: Pieta, Malta.

Contoli L., Benincasa-Stagni B. & Marenzi A.R., 1989.

Morfometria e morfologia di Crocidura Wagler 1832

(Mammalia, Soricidae) in Italia, Sardegna e Sicilia, con

148

G. Aloise, A.E. Baldacchino & G. Amori

il metodo dei descrittori di Fourier: primi dati. Hystrix

(n.s.), 1: 113-129.

Craig E.H., Craig T.H. & Powers L.R. 1988. Activity pat-

terns and home-range use of nesting long-eared owls.

The Wilson Bulletin, 100: 204-213.

Galeotti P., Tavecchia G. & Bonetti A., 1997. Home-range

and habitat use of Long-eared owls in open farmland

(Po Plain, Northern Italy), in relation to prey availabil-

ity. Journal of Wildlife Research, 2: 137-145.

Henrioux F., 2000. Home range and habitat use by the

Long-Eared Owl in northwestern Switzerland. Journal

of Raptor Research, 34: 93-101.

Hutterer R., 1991. Variation and evolution of the Sicilian

shrew: Taxonomic conclusions and description of a pos-

sibly related species from the Pleistocene of Morocco

(Mammalia: Soricidae). Bonner zoologische Beitrage,

42: 241-251.

Hutterer R., 2005. Order Soricomorpha. In: Wilson D.E. &

Reeder D.A.M.. Mammal Species of the World. A taxo-

nomic and geographic reference (third edition). Johns

Hopkins University Press. Vol. 1, 220-311.

Oxford CD-Rom, 1998. Cramp’s The Complete Birds of the

Western Palearctic. Oxford University Press.

Sara M., 1995. The Sicilian ( Crocidura sicula) and the

Canary (C. canariensis ) shrew (Mammalia, Soricidae):

peripheral isolate formation and geographic variation.

Bollettino di Zoologia, 62: 173-182.

Sara M., 2008. Crocidura sicula Miller, 1900. In: Amori G.,

Contoli L., Nappi A., Fauna d’ltalia II. Mammalia: Eri-

naceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Rodentia, Lagomorpha.

Calderini ed., Bologna, 210-218.

Sara M. & Vitturi R., 1996. Crocidura (Mammalia, Sorici-

dae) populations from the Sicilian-Maltese insular area.

Hystrix, 8: 121-133.

Sara M., Lo Valvo M. & Zanca L., 1990. Insular variation in

central Mediterranean Crocidura Wagler, 1832 (Mam-

malia, Soricidae). Bollettino di Zoologia, 57: 283-293.

Schembri P.J., 1993. Physical geography and ecology of the

Maltee Islands: a brief overview. Options Mediter-

raneennes, Ser. B/n°7 - Malta: Food, Agrilculture, Fish-

eries and The Environment: 27-39.

Schembri P.J. & Schembri S.P., 1979. On the occurrence of

Crocidura suaveolens Pallas (Mammalia, Insectivora)

in the Maltese Islands with notes on other Maltese

shrews. Central Mediterranean Naturalist, 1: 18-21.

Ministry for the Environment, 1999. State of the environ-

ment report for Malta 1998. Floriana, Malta: Environ-

ment Protection Department, 448 pp.

Vogel P., 1988. Taxonomical and biogeo graphical problems

in Mediterranean shrews of the genus Crocidura (Mam-

malia, Insectivora) with reference to a new karyotype

from Sicily (Italy). Societe Vaudoise des Sciences

Naturelles. Bulletin., 79 (1): 39-48.

Vogel P., Schembri P.J., Borg M. & Sultana J., 1990. The

shrew ( Crocidura sp.) of Gozo, a probable survivor of

the Pleistocene fauna of Mediterranean islands.

Zeitschrift fur Saugetierkunde, 55: 357-359.

Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 149-150

Notes on the distribution of Castnia invaria penelope Schaufuss,

1 870 (Lepidoptera, Castniidae)

Roberto Vinciguerra

Via XX settembre, 64 - 90141 Palermo, Italy; e-mail: rob.vinciguerra@tiscali.it

ABSTRACT The finding of Castnia invaria penelope Schaufuss, 1870 in Ecuador (Rio Napo) is highlighted, thus exten-

ding the body of knowledge on the distribution of the ssp. Additional information on the genus and the conge-

neric species is also provided.

KEY WORDS Lepidoptera, Castniidae, Castnia.

Received 18.09.2011; accepted 24.09.2011; printed 30.09.2011

INTRODUCTION

The Castnids are nocturnal lepidoptera with

diurnal (or crepuscular) habits. They are distrib-

uted mainly in the Neotropical region. Data con-

cerning their distribution are fragmentary at best,

and they are under-represented in institutional and

private collections (Gonzalez, 2004; Lamas, 1995;

Vinciguerra & Racheli, 2006; Vinciguerra, 2011).

Several recent studies have extended the taxo-

nomic body of knowledge on the family with the

description of a new taxon ( Athis pirrelloi Vin-

ciguerra, 2011), the male of this interesting species

was located twelve years after the capture of the

holotype and it is also currently being described.

Three species have shown a more extensive

geographical distribution than previously

thought Divana diva hoppi (Hering, 1923), pre-

viously known to exist only in Colombia and

now discovered also in Ecuador (Esmeraldas)

(Vinciguerra, 2010); Athis palatinus staudingeri

(Druce, 1896) described in Panama and captured

in Costa Rica (Corcovado) (Vinciguerra &

Gonzalez, 2011) and, lastly, Amauta hodeei

kruegeri (Niepelt, 1927) also considered

endemic to Colombia and now located in

Ecuador (personal data).

Castnia invaria Walker, 1854 is a widely stud-

ied species mainly because of its pest status on

pineapple ( Ananas spp., Bromeliaceae) planta-

tions. This is a widely distributed species in South

America and four sub-specific entities are recog-

nized: C. invaria invaria Walker, 1854, C. i.

penelope Schaufuss, 1870, C. i. trinitatis Lathy,

1925, C. i. volitans Lamas, 1995 (Lamas, 1995).

Castnia invaria penelope Schaufuss, 1870

The distribution of Castnia invaria penelope

(Figs. 1-2) includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil

and Paraguay. The taxonomic rank of the afore-

mentioned subspecies requires further research

because their status could be considered unclear

due to a significant polymorphism. As all the ssp.

known, the larvae feed on several Bromeliaceae,

including pineapples ( Ananas spp., Bromeli-

aceae). The imago has diurnal habits and the

adults of Castnia invaria penelope have been

observed flying (Paraguay) between 11 am and

noon (Rios & Gonzalez, 2011).

We point out the presence of this species also

in Ecuador (Rio Napo) on the basis of two spec-

imens, collected in this region in 1974.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to extend a special thanks to J. M.

Gonzalez (Texas A & M University) for com-

ments given during the drafting stage of this

short note.

150

Roberto Vinciguerra

Figure 1. Castnia invaria penelope female, Ecuador, Rio Napo, 04.1974, width 80 mm.

Figure 2. Castnia invaria penelope male, Ecuador, Rio Napo, 04.1974, width 120 mm.

REFERENCES

Gonzalez J.M., 2004. Castniinae (Lepidoptera: Castniidae)

from Venezuela. VI. The genus A this. Diagnosis and

comments. Caribbean Journal of Science, 40: 408-413.

Lamas G., 1995. A critical review of J.Y. Miller’s Checklist

of the Neotropical Castniidae (Lepidoptera). Re vista

Peruana de Entomologia, 37: 73-87.

Rios S. & Gonzalez J.M., 2011. Synopsis of the Castniidae

(Lepidoptera) of Paraguay. Zootaxa (in press).

Vinciguerra R. & Gonzalez J.M., 2011. Observations on

distribution of Athis palatinus staudingeri (Druce,

1896) (Lepidoptera: Castniidae). Shilap Revista de

Lepidopterologia, 39: 155-159.

Vinciguerra R. & Racheli L., 2006. Note sulla distribuzione

di alcuni Castnidi in Peru (Lepidoptera, Castniidae),

Berichte des Kreises Numberger Entomologen V, 22:

27-39.

Vinciguerra R., 2010. Osservazioni sulla distribuzione di

Divana diva hoppi (Hering, 1923), (Lepidoptera:

Castniidae). Shilap Revista de Lepidopterologia, 38:

379-383.

Vinciguerra R., 2011. Observations on the genus Athis Hiibner,

[1819] and description of a new species from Pem (Lepi-

doptera, Castniidae), Biodiversity Journal, 2: 97-102.

Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 151-152

A case of cannibalism in Podarcis siculus campestris De Betta,

1 857 (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

Mauro Grano 1 , Cristina Cattaneo 2 & Augusto Cattaneo 3

1 Via Valcenischia 24 - 00141 Roma, Italy; e-mail: elaphe58@yahoo.it - 2 Via Eleonora d’Arborea 12 - 00162 Roma, Italy; e-mail: cristina.

cattaneo76@libero.it - 3 Via Cola di Rienzo 162 - 00192 Roma, Italy; e-mail: augustocattaneo@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT A case-report of cannibalistic behaviour in Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus campestris De Betta, 1857 is

described here along with the first photographic record

KEY WORDS Cannibalism, food spectrum, Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, predation.

Received 25.09.2011; accepted 29.09.2011; printed 30.09.2011

INTRODUCTION

Podarcis siculus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz,

1810) s.l. is considered among the Mediterranean

Lacertid lizards the species more adapted to

inhabit a wide variety of habitats (Corti et ah,

2011). The distribution area of P. siculus includes

Italy, Corsica and the coastal regions of Croatia,

Slovenia and Montenegro.

Naturalized populations have been found in

Spain and Balearic Islands, Portugal, France,

Turkey, Tunisia, Libia and United States. This

highly polytypic species is represented in Lazio

by ssp. campestris De Betta, 1857 (Capula &

Ceccarelli, 2003).

In Italy, this lizard generally occurs in low-

land and coastal areas, and also in anthropized

areas such as urban park of large towns. It is

found from sea level up to 1000 m and excep-

tionally up to 2200 m (Mount Etna, Sicily) (Tur-

risi & Vaccaro, 2001; Corti et ah, 2011).

This species is often sympatric with Podar-

cis muralis (Laurenti, 1768), occupying sunny

and more exposed microhabitats respect to this

latter; also, no interspecific competition seems

to occur between these species (Bologna et ah,

2007). However, in some urban environments

has been observed as the communities of

Podarcis muralis e P. siculus are organized

through specific ecological needs of each

species rather than by species interactions

(Capula et ah, 1993).

Many studies have focused the feeding

habits of P. siculus; the results showed that its

preys spectrum can be interested by significant

variations in relation to the different environ-

mental contexts (Corti & Lo Cascio, 2002). It

preys upon invertebrates and mainly insects,

but occasionally vegetal matter and small ver-

tebrates can complete the diet. Some studies

have showed that most of Italian Lacertids eat

really all the occurring invertebrates in their

habitats in proportion on their availability

(Scali et ah, 2008).

Other studies (Lo Cascio & Capula, 2011) on

Podarcis raffonei (Mertens, 1952) from

Scoglio Faraglione (Aeolian Archipelago, NE

Sicily) indicate that diet composition is not

directly influenced by prey availability and tem-

poral prey abundance and that this species can

operate a hierarchical choice within the range of

prey items constituting its prey spectrum.

Several cases of partial and/or true cannibal-

ism have been reported in literature for this

species (see e.g. Mertens, 1934; Kramer, 1946;

Ouboter, 1981; Burke & Mercurio, 2002).

152

M. Grano, C. Cattaneo & A. Cattaneo

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONS

On 17 th July 2011, at 10.46 a.m. on Tolfa’s

Mountains, Lazio (Italy), two of the Authors have

surprised and photographed an adult male of Ital-

ian wall lizard during predation against a young

conspecific. After attacking the small lizard on

hind legs, limiting its mobility and preventing its

escape, the predator carried away the prey in

order to consume it hidden in a near bush (Fig. 1).

Recently, Cattaneo (2005) stated adult Podar-

cis siculus feed on the eggs and young of the

same species and also the congener Podarcis

muralis nigriventris Bonaparte, 1836; Capula &

Aloise (2011) reported two unusual cases of pre-

dation, respectively, of a young conspecific and

of a small-sized gecko Hemidactylus turcicus

(Linnaeus, 1758); in the same paper is also given

the photo of a P. siculus retaining in the mouth a

dead specimen of Suncus etruscus (Savi, 1822)

(Mammalia, Soricidae).

The observation contained in this work is a

further contribution to the knowledge of canni-

balism in Podarcis siculus and allows to confirm

both the reports by Cattaneo (2005) and also by

Capula & Aloise (2011).

Figure 1 . Specimen of Podarcis siculus campestris (adult male) to prey a

young of the same species (Tolfa’s Mountains, Lazio, Italy, July 2011).

REFERENCES

Bologna M.A., Salvi D. & Pitzalis M., 2007. Atlante degli

Anfibi e dei Rettili della Provincia di Roma. Provincia

di Roma, Gangemi Editore, Roma, 192 pp.

Burke R.L. & Mercurio R.J., 2002. Food habits of a New

York population of Italian Wall Lizard, Podarcis sicula

(Reptilia, Lacertidae). American Midland Naturalist,

147: 368-375.

Capula M. & Aloise G., 2011. Extreme feeding behaviors in

the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus. Acta Herpeto-

logica, Firenze University Press, 6: 11-14.

Capula M. & Ceccarelli A., 2003. Distribution of genetic

variation and taxonomy of insular and mainland popula-

tions of the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis sicula.

Amphibia-Reptilia, 24: 483-495.

Capula M., Luiselli L. & Rugiero L., 1993. Comparative

ecology in sympatric Podarcis muralis and P. sicula

(Reptilia: Lacertidae) from the historical centre of

Rome: what about competition and niche segregation in

an urban habitat? Bollettino di Zoologia, 60: 287-291.

Cattaneo A., 2005. L’Erpetofauna della Tenuta Presiden-

ziale di Castelporziano (Roma). Atti del Museo di Sto-

ria Naturale della Maremma, 21: 49-77.

Corti C. & Lo Cascio P., 2002. The Lizards of Italy and

Adjacent Areas. Chimaira Verlag, Frankfurt am Main,

165 pp.

Corti C., Biaggini M. & Capula M., 2011. Podarcis sicu-

lus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810). In: Capula M.,

Luiselli L., Razzetti E., Sindaco R. (eds.), Fauna

d’ltalia: Reptilia, Vol. XLV. Edizioni Calderini de II

Sole 24 ORE, Editoria Specializzata S.r.l., Bologna:

407-417.

Lo Cascio P. & M. Capula, 2011. Does diet in lacertid

lizards reflect prey availability? Evidence for selective

predation in the Aeolian wall lizard, Podarcis raffonei

(Mertens, 1952) (Reptilia, Lacertidae). Biodiversity

Journal, 2011, 2: 89-96.

Kramer G., 1946. Veranderungen von Nachkommenziffer

und achlommengrossen sowie der Alters-verteilung

con Inseleidechsen. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung, 1 :

700-710.

Mertens R.,1934. Die Inselreptilien, ihre Ausbreitung,

Variation und Artbildung. Zoologica, 32: 1-209.

Ouboter P.E., 1980. The ecology of the island lizard Podar-

cis sicula salfir. correlation of microdistribution with

vegetation coverage, thermal environment and food

size. Amphibia-Reptilia, 2: 243-257.

Scali S., Spadola F., Di Toro F., Gentili A., Mangiacotti M.,

Tettamanti S. & Cavigioli L., 2008. Plasticita trofica di

due Lacertidi italiani: casi di predazione anomala in

Lacerta bilineata e Podarcis muralis. In: Corti C. (ed.),

Herpetologia Sardiniae. Societas Herpetologica Italica,

Edizioni Belvedere, Latina: 435-438.

Turrisi G. F. & Vaccaro A., 2001. Distribuzione altitudinale

di Anfibi e Rettili sul Monte Etna (Sicilia orientale).

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13: 335-338.

Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 153-159

A new subspecies of Perotis lugubris Fabricius, 1 777 from Southern Italy

(Coleoptera, Buprestidae).

Francesco Izzillo 1 & Ignazio Sparacio 2

'Via O. Buccini, 10 - 81030 Orta di Atella, Caserta, (I); e-mail: franco.izzillo@gmail.com. 2 Via E. Notarbartolo, 54 int. 13 - 90145 Palermo, (I);

e-mail: isparacio@inwind.it.

ABSTRACT A new subspecies of Coleoptera Buprestidae, Perotis lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. from Southern Italy, is

described, illustrated and compared with related taxa.

KEY WORDS Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Perotis lugubris meridionalis n. ssp., Southern Italy.

Received 14.06.2011; accepted 20.08.2011; printed 30.09.2011

INTRODUCTION

Perotis lugubris Fabricius, 1777 s.l. is a

Coleoptera Buprestidae of the subfamily

Chrysochroinae Laporte, 1835 tribe Dicercini

Gistel, 1848 widely distributed in Central Asia

(Turan)-SE Europe (Kuban, 2006).

The nominal subspecies (locus typicus:

Austria) is widespread in many Central and

Eastern European states, Balkan Peninsula and

Turkey; the ssp. mutabilis Abeille, 1896 is

known for Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and

Turkey; the ssp. longicollis Kraatz, 1880 from

Azerbaijan, Armenia, southern Russia, Iran,

Iraq, Turkmenistan and the ssp. transcaspica

Semenov, 1891 is reported for Iran and

Turkmenistan (cfr. Kuban, 2006).

In Italy there is the nominal subspecies in

Friuli Venezia Giulia, Marches, Liguria,

Tuscany, Latium, Campania and Apulia (Lecce)

(Luigioni, 1929, Porta, 1929; Curletti, 1985;

Platia & Gobbi, 1995). An old report from

Sardinia (Porta, 1929) was never confirmed

(Curletti, 1985; Gobbi & Platia, 1995); a citation

for Sicily was made by Romano (1849), although

remained unknown or at least never reported by

other authors.

Bertolini (1899) and Reitter (1906) signalized

in southern Italy Perotis xerses v. viriditarsis

Schaufuss, 1879; Luigioni (1929) and Porta

(1929) reported this quote but Obenberger (1926)

considered this variety a synonymous of P.

xerses Marseul, 1865 from Asia Minor and

excluded it from italian Coleoptera; moreover,

Obenberger himself (1924-1932) acknowledged

this quote was wrong.

The examination of material collected from

Southern Italy, Basilicata in particular, has

allowed us to highlight some morphological

peculiarities in these populations that can be

described as a new subspecies.

ACRONYMS. The materials used for this study

are deposited in the following Museums and

private collections: F. Angelini, Francavilla

Fontana (Brindisi), Italy (CA); M. Bollino, Lecce,

Italy (CB); P. Crovato, Naples, Italy (CC); D.

Gianasso, Castelnuovo Don Bosco (Asti), Italy

(CG); M. Gigli, Rome, Italy (CMG); Istituto

Nazionale di Entomologia, Rome, Italy (INER);

F. Izzillo, Orta di Atella (Caserta), Italy (Cl); A.

Liberto, Rome, Italy (CL); G. Magnani, Cesena,

Italy (CM); C.O. Manci, Iasi (Romania) (CCM);

E. Migliaccio, Rome, Italy (CEM); Museo

154

Francesco Izzillo & Ignazio Sparacio

Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova, Italy

(MSNG); Museo Civico di Zoologia, Rome,

Italy (MCZR); D. Sechi, Quartu Sant’Elena

(Cagliari), Italy (CS); I. Sparacio, Palermo, Italy

(CIS).

Where not specified, the collector is the same

owner of the collection.

Perotis lugubris meridionalis n. ssp.

Examined material. Holotypus male: Italy,

Basilicata (Matera): Policoro, 26.VI.1989, legit F.

Izzillo (Cl). Allotypus female: same data as

holotypus (CIS); Paratypi: Italy, Basilicata

(Matera): Policoro, 27.VI.1991, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex

(CIS); idem, 8.VII.1989, legit F. Izzillo, 2 exx

(CIS); idem, 8.VII.1989, legit P. Crovato, 2 exx

(CIS); idem, 18.VII.1990, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex

(CIS); idem, 5.VI.1989, legit N. Fiantonio, 1 ex

(CIS); idem, 10.VII.1989, legit P. Crovato, 1 ex

(CIS); idem, 5.VII.1989, 1 ex (Cl); idem,

6.VII.1989, 2 exx (MSNG); idem, 6.VII.1989, 1 ex

(Cl); idem, 6.VII.1989, legit N. Fiantonio, 1 ex

(Cl); idem, 8.VII.1989, legit N. Fiantonio, 1 ex

(Cl); idem, 10.VII.1989, 1 ex (Cl); idem,

23 .VI. 1990, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 10.VII.1990, legit I.

Izzillo, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 11. VII. 1990, 1 ex (Cl);

idem, 2 l.VII. 1990, legit F. Angelini, 1 ex (Cl);

idem, 23.VII.1991, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 25.VII.1991, 3

exx (Cl); idem, 25.VII.1991, legit N. Fiantonio, 1

ex (Cl); idem, 27.VII.1991, 1 ex (Cl); idem,

27. VII.1991, legit N. Fiantonio, 1 ex (Cl); idem,

AVI. 1992, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 6.VI.1993, 2 exx (Cl);

idem, 26.VI.1994, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 3. VII. 1994, 2

exx (Cl); idem, 10.VII.1994, 1 ex (Cl); idem,

23 .VII. 1994, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 4.VI.1995, 2 exx

(Cl); idem, 16.VI.1996, 1 ex (Cl); idem,

13. VII. 1996, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 26.IV. 1999, 1 ex (Cl);

idem, 10.VII.1989, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CA); idem,

28. VII.1990, lex (CA); idem, 24.VII.1994, 1 ex

(CA); idem, 26.VI.1989, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CG);

idem, 23 .VII. 1991, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CM); idem,

25.VII.1991, legit F. Izzillo, 3 exx (CM); idem,

27.VII.1991, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CM); idem, 4-

5.VII.1992, 2 exx (CM); idem, 23 .VII. 1994, legit F.

Izzillo, 1 ex (CS); idem, 10.VII.1989, legit F.

Izzillo, 1 ex (CF); idem, 3.VII.1994, legit F. Izzillo,

1 ex (CF); idem, 18-20.VI.1996, legit A. Fiberto, 2

exx (CF); idem, 6.VII.1989, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex

(CC); idem, 8.VII.1989, 1 ex (CC); idem,

23 .VI. 1990, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CC); idem,

23.VI.1990, 1 ex (CC); idem, 6.VI.1993, legit F.

Izzillo, 1 ex (CC); idem, 5.VII.1994, 2 exx (CC);

idem, 23 .VII. 1994, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CC).

Apulia (Fecce): Ugento, Fido Marini

(Macchia Rottacapozza), 8-10.V.1993, legit M.

Portalatina, 2 exx (CB).

Holotypus, allotypus and paratypi are

deposited in the cited collections.

Description of holotypus male. Fength 19

mm; width (near elytral base) 7 mm; body ovoid,

large, convex; bronze-green. Frons, antennae,

legs and ventral surface with short, sparse and

white pubescence.

Epistome concave. Frons large, slightly

convex, with big and irregular puncture; intervals

are microreticulated and irregularly raised. Eyes

big, protruding, converging dorsally.

Antennal cavities large, oblique and deep.

Antennae short, serrate from fifth segment;

first antennomere short and rounded, a little

dilated anteriorly, second one little and short,

about half as long as the first; third

antennomere is about twice as long as the

second; fourth little longer than the third,

slightly denticulate anteriorly; fifth denticulate;

segments 6-10 widely sub-squared with obtuse

outer angles; terminal antennomere rounded,

little elongated.

Pronotum convex, trasverse, 1.7 times as

wide as long, lateral margins converging

anteriorly, maximum pronotal width at basal

third, posterior angles straight and protruding,

anterior angles slightly protruding; anterior

pronotal margin slightly bisinuate, posterior

margin bisinuate and distinctly lobate in the

middle. Pronotal sculpture consisting of rounded,

deep and little dense punctures that are gathered

and irregular at the sides of pronotum; interspace

between punctures is microreticulated.

Scutellum small and transverse. Elytra 1.8

times as long as wide, slightly wider than

pronotum at humeral part, wide and arched at

basal third, narrowed at elytral apices; humeral

swellings small but well-developed; apex of

elytra obliquely truncate, not tighten.

Elytral sculpture consisting of irregular striae

of deep punctures, interspace between punctures

is microreticulated; intervals represented by

some remarks smooth, irregular, fragmented and

absent on the sides of the elytra and at the apex.

A new subspecies of Perotis lugubris Fcibricius, 1777 from Southern Italy (Coleoptera, Buprestidae)

155

Fig. 1

Fig. 3

Fig. 2

Fig. 4

Figure 1. P. lugubris meridionals n. ssp. from Italy, Matera, Policoro (length 20 mm).

Figure 2. P. lugubris lugubris from Slovakia, Hegy Farok (length 20 mm).

Figure 3. P. lugubris lugubris from Italy, Rome, Castelfusano (length 21 mm).

Figure 4. P. lugubris lugubris from Greece, Attica, Legrena (length 22 mm;).

156

Francesco Izzillo & Ignazio Sparacio

Large and distinct elytral epipleura, reaching

apex of elytra.

Legs relatively long, protibiae with a tooth

anteriorly, metatibiae curved on the outside; 1-4

segments of tarsi dilated, the first one narrower

than the other three, fifth flat and rectangular.

Prosternum with big and dense punctuation,

prosternal process with a median and smooth

prominence and with big and sparse punctures;

the sides of prosternal process are dilated and

angled, apex truncate and rounded.

Metasternum with punctures and a deep

median furrow; between posterior coxae there

are two prominences close and slightly divergent

posteriorly, extending up the 1 st sternite without

reaching the back edge.

Sternites microreticulated with big and

irregular punctures, sometimes thickened; anal

sternite truncated at apex.

Aegeagus little enlarged at apical third with

parameres narrow and elongated anteriorly;

median lobe pointed apically.

Variability. The length of the specimens

examined varied from 14 to 25 mm; the width

from 5.5 to 11 mm. The dorsal surface is always

green, sometimes very notable. Anal sternite of

the males sometimes more or less concave. The

females have the same characteristics of the

males but are usually larger and more convex

dorsally.

Etimology. From southern Italy, particularly

Basilicata and Apulia (Salento) where this new

taxon was collected.

Biology and distribution. P. lugubris s.l. is

a quite rare species in Italy. Its findings are

sporadic, generally discontinuous and

occasional. This species seems to prefer the

Mediterranean maquis as elective habitat,

although occurring, at very low frequencies and

at low altitudes, in the most exposed areas of

mesophilic forests and cultivated areas, given

certain conditions. In particular, it is present in

cultivated fields where intensive farming

techniques are not employed, where agricultural

cultivation is followed by relatively long

periods of stasis, and that are interspersed with

areas of natural vegetation (Authors’ personal

observations).

The forest Pantano-Sottano di Policoro, the

main site of collection of the new subspecies, in

the last two decades has undergone a profound

transformation due to altered environmental

conditions occurred as a result of the barrage

with dams upstream of some rivers (particularly

of Sinni river); these works have gradually led

primarily to a drastic reduction of water intake

and, subsequently, to depletion of groundwater

beneath the forest. This situation has greatly

affected vegetation of the area and actually has

impoverished the rich population of arthropods

occurring therein.

Over the years, starting from the peripheral

areas of the forest, there has been a gradual

regression of hygrophilous plants such as ash,

poplar (white and black), willow, alder, as well as

the elm trees [these latter also because of Dutch

elm disease (DED)]. At the same time, several

species peculiar of the Mediterranean maquis or,

however, of xeric areas such as mastic, myrtle,

Phyllirea and Crataegus gradually moved

forward and, as a further sign of a progressive

drying up of the area, it is now possible to come

across a few plants of maritime pine and Quercus

sp (= xerophytes), recently settled. In such an

environment and in the most exposed areas at the

edge of the forest we found, quite frequent,

Perotis specimens.

In line with what already reported in other

countries (Lebanon, Greece and Crete), we

observed specimens of the subspecies

meridionalis often in flight from bush to bush or,

more or less hidden, clinging to small diameter

branches, behaving similarly as congeneric

beetles. At Policoro, in particular, P. lugubris

meridionalis seem to be present at all the shrubs

of the Mediterranean maquis, without any

particular preference (but we never observed it

on Juniper). We have seen a few couplings on

Quercus sp. and Crataegus sp.; during mating

animals stood motionless on twigs, half-

concealed, with no detectable activities, just like

other taxa of the family.

Only once we observed it gnawing the apical

part of a small branch of a young oak tree. If it

feels in danger, P. lugubris meridionalis tends to

turn around the branch or drop down, and, more

rarely, it can fly away quickly. As all taxa

belonging to the family Buprestidae, it is a

phytophagous species the larva of which is

A new subspecies of Perotis lugubris Fcibricius, 1777 from Southern Italy (Coleoptera, Buprestidae)

157

polyphagous and radicicolous on trees and

shrubs; Curletti et al. (2003) reported it as host of

Arbutus unedo, Malus sp. and Pistacia lentiscus,

but, within broad-leaved trees, the taxon

certainly feeds on a broader spectrum of plants

than established so far.

At present, P. lugubris meridionalis is known

for some coastal places of Basilicata and Apulia

(Salento).

Comparative notes. P. lugubris meridionalis

n. ssp. appears to be well differentiated from

neighboring populations attributable to the

nominal subspecies, by many characters as

follows: the body is narrower and greenish in

colour (Fig. 1), pronotum with lateral margins

narrowed anteriorly and with the punctures

smaller and little dense, the shape of the antennae

(Fig. 5) with 4 th and 5 th articles less denticulate, a

minor extension of residual elytral intervals, the

shape of the prostemal process (Fig. 9), the

punctuation of abdominal sternites and aedeagus

(Fig. 13). In P. lugubris lugubris , the body is

wider, more convex, bronze, rarely with green

tinge (Fig. 2), pronotum is wider and convex

with maximum width in the middle and

punctures bigger and dense; antennae (Fig. 6)

with 4 th and 5 th articles more denticulate, 7 th - 10 th

larger, straight or slightly rounded at comers, 11 th

more elongated; elytra wider and curved at the

sides with the greater extent of residual elytral

intervals; prostemal process wider at the base

and rounded at the sides (Fig. 10), sternites with

punctuation bigger, dense, irregular and

confluent; aedeagus (Fig. 14) more dilated

anteriorly with curved sides.

These morphological characters have been

observed in the populations from Central and

Eastern Europe (locus typycus: Austria) and,

with some minor variations, even in the Italian

populations of Latium and N-Apulia (Figs. 3, 7,

11, 15). For Campania we observed only one

small male specimen that seems similar to the

nominal subspecies.

The populations from Greece, however, show

major differences from the nominal subspecies

(Figs. 4, 8, 12, 16), especially in shape of prostemal

process and aedeagus. The ssp. prolongata

described by Obenberger (1918) from Greece,

without precise location, is considered just a form

of no taxonomic validity by Muhle et al. (2000).

Examined material. Perotis lugubris

lugubris Fabricius, 1777.

SLOVAKIA. Hegy Farok, 27. VI. 1972, legit O.

Marek, 2 exx (CIS); Plast’ovce 12- 1 5. V. 1999,

legit V. Krivan, 3 exx (CS); Kamenica n. Hronom,

legit L. Klima, 5.VI.1983, 3 exx (CS); Kamenica

n. Hronom, 30. IV. 1994, legit S. Baron, 1 ex (CS);

Sturovo, 20.VI.1993, legit S. Baron, 1 ex (CS);

Slovacchia, 30.V.1988, legit V. Mikes, 1 ex (CS);

Sturovo, 9.V.1977, legit J. Hala, 1 ex (CM);

Sturovo, 15.V.1976, legit J. Hala, 1 ex (CM).

ROMANIA. Oltenia-Mehedinti Gura Vaii (near)

clearing, 44.675421/22.539392, 120 m, 16.VI.2003,

1 ex (CCM); Dobrogea-Tulcea, Babadag (near),

Babadag forest, 44.817756/28.750953, 100 m,

17. VII.2008, 1 ex (CCM).

BULGARIA. Volcanic Hill “Kozhuh” (Petrich),

11.IV.2004, 1 ex (CEM).

GREECE. Attica, dintomi Legrena, 25/30.

IV. 1991, legit A. Liberto, 3 exx (CIS); idem, 1 ex

(CG); Legrena littoral, 26.IV. 1991, legit A.

Liberto, 5 exx (CIS); Ahaia (Peloponnesos),

Halandritsa, 3. VII. 1993, 1 ex (CEM); Etolia,

Lessini, 1-3 .VII. 1993, 2 exx (CEM); Attica,

dintomi Lavrio, 10.V.1991, legit A. Liberto, 1 ex

(CG); Attica, dintomi Kalivia, 22.IV. 1988, legit A.

Liberto, 1 ex (CG); Trikala, Meteora, 18.V.1977, 1

ex (CG); Ahaia, Kalavrita, 1-3 .VII. 1996, 2 exx

(CM); Thessalia, Stomion, VI. 1984, legit J. & M.

Slama, 1 ex (CM); Argolida, Epidauros, 2.V.1999,

2 exx (CA); Ahaia, Kalavrita, 17-21. VI. 1998, 2

exx (CA); Limnos Island, Thanos Beach, 28-

29.VII.2006, 1 ex (CS); Attica, Legrena, 16.V.

1995, 4 exx (Cl); idem, 17.V.1995, 3 exx (Cl);

idem, 18.V.1995, 14 exx (Cl); Attica, Capo Sounio,

16.V.1995, 13 exx (Cl); Attica, Mandra,

19.V.1995, 1 ex (Cl); Ahaia, Kalavrita, 3. VII. 1996,

3 exx (Cl); idem, 18.VI.1998, 3 exx (Cl); idem,

24.VI.1998, 1 ex (Cl); Korinthia, Killini Oros,

23.V.2004, 1 ex (Cl); Argolida, Asini, 24.V.2004, 1

ex (Cl).

TURKEY. Akhisar, 28.V.1974 (CEM); idem,

18. VI.1974 (CEM).

ITALY. Marches. Pesaro, VIII. 1951, legit

Berardi, 1 ex (INER).

Tuscany. Grosseto, Follonica dintorni,

VI. 1962, legit Bianciardi, 2 exx, coll. G. Gobbi

(MCZR); Livorno, VI. 1938, 1 ex coll. Cermti

(INER).

Latium. Roma, Castelfusano, 7.VII.1955,

legit G. Montelli, 2 exx (CEM); idem, 1 ex,

Francesco Izzillo & Ignazio Sparacio

158

Fig. 5

Fig. 9

Fig. 13

Fig. 6

Fig. 10

Fig. 14

Fig. 7

Fig. 11

Fig. 15

5 mm

Fig. 8

Fig. 16

Figures 5-8. Antennae of P. lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. from Italy, Matera, Policoro (5), P. lugubris lugubris from Slovakia, Hegy Farok

(6), P. lugubris lugubris from Italy, Rome, Castelfusano (7), P. lugubris lugubris from Greece, Attica, Legrena (8).

Figures 9-12. Prostemal process of P. lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. from Italy, Matera, Policoro (9), P. lugubris lugubris from Slovakia, Hegy

Farok (10), P. lugubris lugubris from Italy, Rome, Castelfusano (11), P. lugubris lugubris from Greece, Attica, Legrena (12).

Figures 13-16. Aedeagus of P. lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. from Italy, Matera, Policoro (13), P. lugubris lugubris from Slovakia, Hegy Farok

(14), P. lugubris lugubris from Italy, Rome, Castelfusano (15), P. lugubris lugubris from Greece, Attica, Legrena (16).

A new subspecies of Perotis lugubris Fcibricius, 1777 from Southern Italy (Coleoptera, Buprestidae)

159

Perotis lugubris Fabr., det. F. Tassi, 1961; idem,

VII. 1955, legit C. Saraceni, ex coll. S. Cafaro, 1

ex (CEM); idem, VII. 1955, 1 ex (CEM); idem,

VI. 1956, legit S. Cafaro (CEM); Castelfusano,

VII. 1962, legit Ramaccini, 1 ex, coll. G. Gobbi

(MCZR); idem, VII. 1963, 1 ex, coll. G. Gobbi

(MCZR); idem, 22.VI.1969, 1 ex, coll. G. Gobbi

(MCZR); idem, VI.1955, legit G. Montelli, 1 ex,

coll. G. Gobbi (MCZR); idem, VII.1965, legit D.

Ruggiu, 1 ex, coll. G. Gobbi (MCZR); idem,

6.VII.1954, legit E. De Maggi, 2 exx (MCZR);

idem, 24.VII.1954, legit E. De Maggi, 1 ex

(MCZR).

Roma, Maccarese, 4.VI.2009, 1 ex (CMG).

Porto Anzio, VII. 191 8, 1 ex, legit Straneo,

Perotis lugubris F., det. Obenberger.

Campania. Napoli, Villa Comunale, VIII. 1911,

legit Anguis (MCZR).

Apulia. Apricena dintomi (Foggia), 1.VI.2001,

legit W. Pagliacci, 5 exx (CM).

CONCLUSION

Although Perotis lugubris s.l. is a polytypic

species with a certain degree of intraspecific

variability, nevertheless P. lugubris meridionalis

ssp. is clearly differentiated and morphologically

distinguishable from all other known

populations, particularly those geographically

close. Future research should be aimed at a

reassessment of all taxonomic populations of

Perotis lugubris s.l. and at a better definition of

the presence of P lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. in

Southern Italy.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank all the friends and colleagues who

have provided data and/or material in their

possession facilitating the preparation of this

work, particularly: Ferdinando Angelini

(Francavilla Fontana, Brindisi, Italy), Maurizio

Bollino (Lecce, Italy), Paolo Crovato (Naples,

Italy), Domenico Gianasso (Castelnuovo Don

Bosco, Asti, Italy), Maurizio Gigli (Rome, Italy),

Andrea Liberto (Rome, Italy), Gianluca Magnani

(Cesena, Italy), Cosmin Ovidiu Manci (Iasi,

Romania), Enrico Migliaccio (Rome, Italy), and

Daniele Sechi (Quartu Sant’Elena, Cagliari,

Italy).

A special thanks to Marcello Romano

(Capaci, Palermo, Italy) for photographs and to

Gianluca Magnani for helpful suggestions.

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