New distributional record of Anthrenus dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868 (Coleoptera, Dermestidae), Thessaloniki, Greece

Anthrenus dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868 has been recorded from North Africa, Malta, and Iberia. During a recent visit to Thessaloniki, Greece, several Anthrenus species were collected, including A. dorsatus. The previously known distribution of A. dorsatus suggested that this species was restricted to the western Mediterranean basin, possibly with a coastal bias. This record extends the known range of A. dorsatus farther east and providing more evidence of range expansion in the pimpinellae species group across Europe, possibly driven by global climate change

A morphometric examination of Anthrenus flavipes flavipes LeConte 1854 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Anthrenini)

A morphometric examination of Anthrenus flavipes flavipes LeConte 1854 from Central Macedonia, Greece is carried out and compared with data from previous publications. Size ranges for both sexes are generated. Males are significantly smaller than females. The body width/body length ratio is calculated. Images of body size range, antennal club and aedeagus are provided. Elements of the elytral colour pattern are considered in the light of LeConte’s original descriptio

Colour pattern plasticity in Anthrenus isabellinus (Coleoptera Dermestidae)

Twenty-three species belong to the Palaearctic Anthrenus pimpinellae complex. All Anthrenus spp. have intricate dorsal colour patterns. They can do this courtesy of the many small, coloured scales that coat their bodies, rather like Lepidoptera. All species within the complex are generally black/orange with an obvious trans-elytral wide band. One species, A. isabellinus, differs from most other species from the complex in that it displays a wide range of colour patterns, from the typical dark with white elytral fascia to almost pure white individuals. In the current study, we demonstrate that a continuous range of colour patterns exists within a population of A. isabellinus from Greece, negating the necessity to name variants as subspecies to account for the pattern variation. It is more likely that the pattern variation is an example of phenotypic plasticity. There is no evidence for sexual dimorphism in colour pattern variation. The range in colour pattern adopts a ‘broken stick’ pattern, which is discussed in relation to variation in numbers of individuals falling into different pattern categories, and the possibility that the broken stick appearance of the pattern range is an example of canalization. The white fascia across a dark background is consistent with a pattern that has evolved to disrupt the outline of the beetle (anti-predator). Most A. isabellinus, indeed most species within the A. pimpinellae complex, display this colour pattern so it is possible that canalization occurs to produce this colour pattern

Essential oils: a potential addition to integrated pest management strategies against adult varied carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci, in natural science collections

The varied carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci (L.), is a major pest in museums containing artifacts or specimens of animal origin, e.g., natural science collections. Integrated pest management techniques are deployed to prevent A. verbasci access and controlling the pest should they be found on valuable artifacts. Several synthetic chemicals have been used in the past in the fight against A. verbasci and other insect pest species but the use of these chemicals (such as naphthalene and dichlorvos) is now banned following health concerns. Attention is turning towards natural compounds in the search for natural, safe alternatives. As well as having active ingredients against adult A. verbasci, it is also essential that any useful products found fall within museum budgets. Here we examine the repellent properties of four ‘off-the-shelf’ essential oils: clove, lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus. All four essential oils exhibited some repellent property, but A. verbasci found lavender and eucalyptus oils the most repellent, offering the possibility that some easy to obtain and inexpensive natural products might have a role to play in museum IPM

Population viability and conservation strategies for the Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Southeast Europe

The Eurasian Black Vulture is a globally threatened raptor that in Southeast Europe only occurs in an isolated population in Greece. We examined the population viability for the species under demographic fluctuations and conservation scenarios. The current population showed no possibility of extinction for the next 100 years. However, simulated scenarios showed that the most important factor affecting the viability of the species was medium and high poisoning, leading to 94.8% and 100% probability of extinction, respectively. Furthermore, high reduction of supplementary feeding highlighted an 18.6% extinction possibility. Also, a high increase of wind farms in the area may result in 17.4% extinction possibility. Additionally, the non-establishment of the feeding station in 1987 in the study area would have resulted in an extinction risk of 7%. The species can be translocated to the Olympus National Park by releasing 80 juveniles over 10 years. The implementation of the conservation scenarios concerning the establishment of a supplementary feeding site network, and the reintroduction of the Eurasian Black Vulture in its historic range, along with the elimination of threats posed by poisoning, low food availability, and wind farms would increase the probability of the species persistence and allow the population to become a source for dispersal across Southeast Europe

Proposing a Governance model for environmental crises

During August 2021, a wildfire outbreak in Evia, Greece's second largest island, resulted in a major environmental and economic crisis. Apart from biodiversity and habitat loss, the disaster triggered a financial crisis because it wiped out wood-productive forests and outdoor areas that attract visitors. This crisis highlighted the need for a new governance model in order to respond to environmental crises more effectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance and attitudes of relevant stakeholders towards establishing a Hub a proposed governance model responsible for monitoring and restoring the natural capital and biodiversity after environmental crises. Results based on quantitative data collected via questionnaires showed that most respondents were positive to the Hub and perceived that its main functions should be to recommend measures after environmental crises and to facilitate cooperation among involved stakeholders. Moreover, results pointed to preferred funding sources, stakeholder groups that should participate in the Hub and key performance indicators (KPIs) for monitoring Hub's performance. The applied methodology could guide the establishment of governance models both in the study area and other countries facing environmental crises

Revision of taxonomic status of Anthrenus pimpinellae isabellinus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

For 160 years, Anthrenus pimpinellae isabellinus Küster, 1848 has been considered a subspecies of A. pimpinellae Fabricius, 1775. However, habitus shape differs between the subspecies with A. p. isabellinus being broader than A. p. pimpinellae and resembling more closely A. dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868. Here A. p. pimpinellae and A. p. isabellinus, are examined to look for evidence that they comprise a single taxonomic unit. Habitus and genital structures are considered, and the universal animal barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene is sequenced. The results of the morphological, morphometric, and genetic analyses mirror each other perfectly and suggest that A. p. isabellinus is the same species as A. dorsatus rather than being a subspecies of A. pimpinellae. The very small intraspecific DNA sequence variation supports the view that A. dorsatus and A. p. isabellinus belong to a single species that diverges considerably from A. p. pimpinellae. Morphology, including genital structure, is congruent with the genetic data and provides a powerful way of resolving species organisation in these widespread beetles. In view of these findings, Anthrenus isabellinus Küster, 1848 is restored to full species status and Anthrenus dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868 becomes its new junior subjective synonym

New distributional record of Anthrenus dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868 (Coleoptera, Dermestidae), Thessaloniki, Greece

Anthrenus dorsatus Mulsant & Rey, 1868 has been recorded from North Africa, Malta, and Iberia. During a recent visit to Thessaloniki, Greece, several Anthrenus species were collected, including A. dorsatus. The previously known distribution of A. dorsatus suggested that this species was restricted to the western Mediterranean basin, possibly with a coastal bias. This record extends the known range of A. dorsatus farther east and providing more evidence of range expansion in the pimpinellae species group across Europe, possibly driven by global climate change

Climate Change, Wildfires and Fir Forests in Greece: Perceptions of Forest Managers

Background and Purpose: The potential impact that climate change may have on fire regime in ecosystems that are not fire-dependent emerges from fires that are nowadays spreading over higher altitudes and northern latitudes. The effects of fire occurrence in high elevation forests of Greece became apparent during the last few years when a number of large forest fires burned a significant number of high altitude fir ecosystems. This paper describes a study that investigated perceptions of wildfire risk to fir ecosystems of Greece in the context of climate change among a sample of Greek forestry experts by conducting personal interviews. Materials and Methods: A total of 63 forest experts answered the developed survey from 43 different forest management units covering all forestry agencies which manage fir forests in the country. The perceived fire risk and management to fir forest ecosystems was assessed by means of a subset of scales previously identified as relevant to climate change and to all fire management aspects, such as fire prevention, fire suppression and post fire treatments. Results: Increased fire risk was rated as a quite important issue in fir forests during the last few years, while the adapting options to climate change are not implemented mainly due to budget and personnel constrains. According to forest experts, fire prevention in fir forests under climate change should be focused on public awareness and fuel management. Nevertheless, the survey results indicate that there is also a need for specific fire prevention measures such as the type of logging activities and other technical measures. The result of this survey highlighted the need for the establishment of a new firefighting organization and for the better coordination of all involved parties during fire suppression. Conclusions: The findings of the current study can be critically important in determining how forest fire management considerations are incorporated into forest management plans and policies under climate change

A comparative morphological study of Anthrenus pimpinellae pimpinellae (Fabricius, 1775) and Anthrenus amandae Holloway, 2019 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Recent research has shown that Anthrenus pimpinellae (Fabricius, 1775) is a complex of species numbering at least 21 in the Palearctic region. No work has been published illustrating what A. pimpinellae pimpinellae looks like relative to any other species in the complex, which interferes with accurate recording. Two species are considered here: A. pimpinellae pimpinellae and Anthrenus amandaeHolloway, 2019. Identification of both species is confirmed by examination of the male genitalia. There are consistent differences between the species and relatively little intraspecific variation, offering routes to identification under field conditions. In addition, the validity of A. amandae as a distinct species is clarified