A new scorpion species of the genus \u3ci\u3eButhus\u3c/i\u3e Leach, 1815 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Morocco

A new species belonging to the genus Buthus Leach (Scorpiones, Buthidae) is described from northeast of Tarfaya in the extreme southwest of Morocco. The new species does not belong to the “Buthus occitanus species complex”, but is rather associated with Buthus atlantis Pocock, species also known from the southern of Morocco. With the description of Buthus bonito sp. n., t Morocco is raised to 12. A checklist of these species is provided

Modelling the distribution of the Ocellated Lizard in France : implications for conservation

The Ocellated Lizard, Timon lepidus (Daudin 1802) occupies the Mediterranean regions of southwestern Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, and the extreme northwest of Italy). Over the last decades, a marked decline in its population has been observed, particularly on the northern edge of its distribution. As a result, it is currently considered a threatened species, especially in France and Italy. In France, a national action plan for its conservation has been put in place. In this study, ecological niche modelling (ENM) was carried out over the entire area of France in order to evaluate the species' potential distribution, more accurately define its ecological niche, guide future surveys, and inform land use planning so this species can be better taken into consideration. The modelling used data representing 2,757 observation points spread over the known range of the species, and 34 ecogeographical variables (climate, topography, and vegetation cover) were evaluated. After removing correlated variables, models were fitted with several combinations of variables using eight species distribution model (SDM) algorithms, and then their performance was assessed using three model accuracy metrics. Iterative trials changing the input variables were used to obtain the best model. The optimized model included nine determining variables. The results indicate the presence of this species is linked primarily to three climate variables: precipitation in the driest month, precipitation seasonality, and mean temperature in the driest quarter. The model was checked by a sample dataset that was not used to fit the model, and this validation dataset represented 25% of the overall field observations. Of the known occurrence locations kept aside to check the results, 94% fell within the presence area predicted by the modelled map with a presence probability greater than 0.7, and 90% fell within the area with a presence probability ranging from 0.8 to 1, which represents a very high predictive value. These results indicate that the models closely matched the observed distribution, suggesting a low impact of either geographical factors (barriers to dispersal), historical factors (dispersal process), or ecological factors (e.g., competition, trophic resources). The overlap between the predicted distribution and protected areas for this species reveals that less than 1% of the potential distribution area is protected by strong regulatory measures (e.g., national parks and natural reserves). The knowledge obtained in this study allows us to recommend some guidelines that would favor the conservation of this species.Peer reviewe

Mitochondrial ghost lineages blur phylogeography and taxonomy of Natrix helvetica and N. natrix in Italy and Corsica

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Upward Altitudinal Shifts in Habitat Suitability of Mountain Vipers since the Last Glacial Maximum

We determined the effects of past and future climate changes on the distribution of the Montivipera raddei species complex (MRC) that contains rare and endangered viper species limited to Iran, Turkey and Armenia. We also investigated the current distribution of MRC to locate unidentified isolated populations as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the current network of protected areas for their conservation. Present distribution of MRC was modeled based on ecological variables and model performance was evaluated by field visits. Some individuals at the newly identified populations showed uncommon morphological characteristics. The distribution map of MRC derived through modeling was then compared with the distribution of protected areas in the region. We estimated the effectiveness of the current protected area network to be 10%, which would be sufficient for conserving this group of species, provided adequate management policies and practices are employed. We further modeled the distribution of MRC in the past (21,000 years ago) and under two scenarios in the future (to 2070). These models indicated that climatic changes probably have been responsible for an upward shift in suitable habitats of MRC since the Last Glacial Maximum, leading to isolation of allopatric populations. Distribution will probably become much more restricted in the future as a result of the current rate of global warming. We conclude that climate change most likely played a major role in determining the distribution pattern of MRC, restricting allopatric populations to mountaintops due to habitat alterations. This long-term isolation has facilitated unique local adaptations among MRC populations, which requires further investigation. The suitable habitat patches identified through modeling constitute optimized solutions for inclusion in the network of protected areas in the region

Un nouvel Acanthodactyle en Alg\ue9rie : Acanthodactylus taghitensis n. sp. (Reptilia, Sauria, Lacertidae)

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Les fourmis (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) introduites de France métropolitaine et en Belgique, avec un focus sur les serres

International audienceThe monitoring of introduced species is becoming more important as global trade intensifies. Although ants make up a larger proportion of species on the list of the most invasive species in the world compared with other groups, little is known about the occurrence of those introduced in France, especially inside heated buildings. Here we review the literature available for mainland France and Belgium and report the results of a survey conducted with the help of tropical building managers between 2014 and 2016. We report for the first time in France the presence of Technomyrmex vitiensis and Plagiolepis alluaudi in multiple greenhouses. Technomyrmex difficilis was also found in one greenhouse for the first time in Europe. The diversity of introduced ants in greenhouses is very low, and these buildings are most often dominated by one or two species. We compared the most recent data and those collected throughout the twentieth century and showed that ant communities have changed substantially. Greenhouses could be responsible for the introduction of invasive species because they regularly import exotic plants, but we found no evidence that the three species of invasive ants present outdoors in France were introduced from greenhouses, where they rarely occur. We also report that introduced ants are pests in greenhouses because they disperse scale insects and kill biological control agents. The suppression of these ants could ease the maintenance of plants inside greenhouses.l’intensification des échanges internationaux, la veille sur les espèces introduites devient de plus en plus pertinente. Les Fourmis représentent une proportion importante des espèces considérées comme les plus envahissantes, et pourtant la littérature sur l’occurrence de Fourmis introduites en France est peu abondante et peu détaillée, en particulier en ce qui concerne les bâtiments chauffés. Cet article dresse le bilan des connaissances sur ce sujet pour la France métropolitaine et la Belgique, en se basant sur les données de la littérature et d’une enquête menée auprès des gestionnaires d’espaces tropicalisés entre 2014 et 2016. Technomyrmex vitiensis et Plagiolepis alluaudi ont été détectées pour la première fois dans plusieurs serres de France. De même, Technomyrmex difficilis a été trouvée dans une serre pour la première fois en Europe. Le cortège d’espèces introduites présentes dans les serres tropicales est peu diversifié, et souvent dominé par une ou deux espèces. En comparant les données actuelles avec celles du début du xxe siècle, il apparaît que la composition de ce cortège s’est modifiée. Les espaces tropicalisés pourraient être responsables de l’introduction d’espèces envahissantes car ils importent régulièrement des plantes exotiques, mais les trois espèces de Fourmis introduites et envahissantes présentes en extérieur n’ont visiblement pas été introduites par ce biais et sont peu représentées dans les serres. Cependant, les Fourmis introduites nuisent aux plantes des serres tropicales en protégeant et propageant les Cochenilles, et parfois en détruisant les auxiliaires de lutte biologique. La mise en place de moyens de lutte contre ces Fourmis pourrait faciliter le maintien de certaines espèces de plantes tropicales en serre

A new endemic species of Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from São Nicolau Island, Cabo Verde

[EN] A new species of gecko of the genus Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) is described from São Nicolau Island, Cabo Verde Archipelago, and the Sal and Boavista island populations of Hemidactylus boavistensis (i.e., Hemidactylus boavistensis boavistensis comb. nov. and Hemidactylus boavistensis chevalieri comb. nov.) are recognized as subspecies. Hemidactylus nicolauensis sp. nov. is genetically distinct from H. bouvieri, to which it has previously been referred, and from all other closely related endemic Hemidactylus from Cabo Verde Islands in mitochondrial (12S & cyt b) and nuclear (RAG2, MC1R) markers. It is characterized morphologically by its distinct colouration and a diagnostically different arrangement of digital lamellae. With the description of this new species, São Nicolau is now known to harbour three single-island endemic gecko species, and the documented reptile diversity in Cabo Verde is raised to 23 endemic species. As a result of our taxonomic changes, existing conservation regulations should be updated and the conservation status of these taxa should be re-evaluated.[PT] Uma nova espécie de osga do género Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) da ilha de São Nicolau, arquipélago de Cabo Verde, é descrita, e as populações de Hemidactylus boavistensis das ilhas do Sal e da Boavista (Hemidactylus boavistensis boavistensis comb. nov. e Hemidactylus boavistensis chevalieri comb. nov.) são reconhecidas como subespécies. A espécie Hemidactylus nicolauensis sp. nov. é geneticamente distinta de H. bouvieri, à qual foi anteriormente associada, e de todos os outros Hemidactylus endémicos muito aparentados das ilhas de Cabo Verde nos marcadores mitocondriais (12S & cyt b) e nucleares (RAG2, MC1R). Caracteriza-se morfologicamente pela coloração distinta e por um arranjo diferente e diagnóstico das lamelas digitais. Com a descrição desta nova espécie, São Nicolau alberga agora três espécies de osga endémicas de uma única ilha e a diversidade de répteis documentada em Cabo Verde aumenta para 23 espécies endémicas. Como resultado das nossas mudanças taxonómicas, os regulamentos de conservação existentes deverão ser actualizados e os estatutos de conservação desses taxa deverão ser reavaliados.RV was supported by a post-doctoral grant (SFRH⁄BPD⁄79913/2012) from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), I.P. under the ‘Programa Operacional Potencial Humano—Quadro de Referência Estratégico (POPH–QREN)’ and National funds from the European Social Fund and Portuguese ‘Ministério da Educação e Ciência’ and contract from FCT national funds from ‘Norma transitória’ (DL57/2016/CP1440/CT0002). Cabeólica S.A. financed the trip to Desertas, logistics and arranged permits with Direcção Nacional do Ambiente for São Vicente. Biosfera I arranged permits for Desertas and Isildo Gomes from INIDA for collecting the animals on São Nicolau

Quelle est la plus belle orchidée de France métropolitaine ?

International audienc