Alien Registration- Pupins, Margaret M. (Guilford, Piscataquis County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/8525/thumbnail.jp

Phenotypic Study of Population and Distribution of the Poecilia reticulata (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae) from Kyiv Sewage System (Ukraine)

This paper presents the original data on studies of populations of guppies on the territory of Ukraine on the example of those of them surviving for many years in the drainage system of Kyiv. For 10 years, wild populations of guppies and their morphological features were studied in the warm water flows of the Bortnychi aeration station in Kyiv (2011–2020). During this period, the original “key” was developed to describe the morphology of their coloration peculiarities, which includes: total length, the number of pattern and coloration elements (4 types, 9 elements), pigmented area (light — orange, dark, pigmentation index), the shape and pigmentation of the tail (6 types) and its asymmetry At present, in the countries of Eastern Europe, the species is not adapted to any waters in the wild due to low winter temperatures, but these fish have become well established in sewage and other warm water bodies in urbanized areas (cities, towns, factories, etc.). We described the places where this invasive species had been found for many years, highlighting its key features. Thanks to GIS modelling, it was revealed that the existence of wild populations of guppies in Ukraine and Latvia is possible only in warm waters (currently mainly sewage systems of big cities) within anthropogenic territories. Such a key and study of relatively isolated populations of invasive species will provide a deeper understanding of micro-evolution of their morphological features (coloration) in isolation, help to track distribution of invasive species in a changing climate and provide material for comparison with possible similar invasions in areas heavily affected by military actions

Extensive sampling sheds light on species-level diversity in Palearctic Placobdella (Annelida: Clitellata: Glossiphoniiformes)

The bloodfeeding leech genus Placobdella is dominated by North American diversity, with only a single nominal species known from Central America and one from the Palearctic region. This is likely due to considerable underestimation of Palearctic biodiversity, but investigations into potential hidden diversity are lacking. To shed light on this, the present study introduces new data for specimens initially identified as Placobdella costata from Ukraine (close to the type locality), Italy, Germany, Latvia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Tunisia, and Algeria, and uses both nuclear (Internal Transcribed Spacer [ITS] region) and mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI]) sequence data in phylogenetic and DNA barcoding frameworks, in order to better understand species-level diversity. Seven independent lineages are present in the trees, five of which show adequate separation at the COI locus to suggest their unique species-level status (COI distances between these clades range from 4.86 to 8.10%). However, the ITS data suggest that speciation is recent or incipient in these clades, and that not enough time has passed for clear separation at this locus. We discuss the evolutionary and taxonomic implications of our findings and speculate on dispersal events that may have contributed to shaping this pattern of geographic distribution

Alien Registration- Pupins, Margaret M. (Guilford, Piscataquis County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/8525/thumbnail.jp

Assessment and prospects for the impact of invasive fish on native European amphibians

International audienceThe emergence of invasive species presents significant threats to native biodiversity, aggravatedby climate change and human activities. Particularly concerning is the transcontinental spread ofinvasive predatory fish species like Perccottus glenii and Lepomis gibbosus into Europeanwetlands, local freshwater biodiversity. To assess the potential impacts by 2050 and 2090 of thesepredatory fish on European newts, we conducted GIS modeling based on standard SpeciesDistribution Models (SDMs). Our models forecast: 1) an increase in the range of the twothermophilic invasive fish species; 2) significant declines in most native amphibians' naturalranges by 2090, influenced by invasive predatory fish; 3) more specifically for native Europeannewts (Triturus cristatus & Lissotriton vulgaris), higher loss in their breeding habitat whencoexisting with the invasive fish, due to an increase in habitat overlap with invasive P. glenii inEastern Europe (44% to 66% by 2090, respectively). Field observations reveal that thesepredators injure adult newts and consume their eggs and larvae, contributing to populationdeclines of protected amphibian species. Consistent with our findings, field monitoring in Latviaand Ukraine confirms decreased newt occurrences where these alien fishes expand. CreatingGeographically Isolated Wetlands (GIW) is crucial for amphibian conservation, as they harborgreater diversity and abundance while preventing predatory fish expansion. Urgent action isneeded to protect amphibians, particularly newts, through reconstruction of GIW andsimultaneous control of invasive predators. We thank for their support the projects EMYS-R (https://emysr.cnrs.fr) under the BiodivRestore ERA-NET Cofund (GA N°10100377), PAUSE (ANR-23-PAUK-0074), Mobile complex 16-00-F02201-000002 and Nr.lzp-2021/1-024

Priority areas for biodiversity conservation in the context of global change

International audienceHuman-driven habitat degradation, climate change and biological invasions are major causes of current species mass extinction. In Europe where wetlandsurface area has declined by 90% since 1700s, the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis is considered as the reptile that suffered the most dramaticdecline. Recently alien turtle species originated from America, Asia and Africa have been widely spread in Europe with high invasion potential threateningnative biodiversity. Using field data, open databases and GIS modelling, we mapped present and future distributions, in relation to habitat and climateconditions, of the native European pond turtle and seven alien turtle species, including the red slider painted turtle Trachemys scripta sp. which is listed asone of the 100 worst invasive species in the world. We show that presently T. scripta and Graptemys pseudogeographica exhibit highest ecologicalflexibility, occupying most habitats suitable for native E. orbicularis with ~45% overlap at the scale of (mainly Western) Europe. By 2050, this overlap willincrease, except in Northern and Eastern Europe where E. orbicularis is predicted to expand its range by 700 km, while exotic turtles spread only up toSouthwestern Ukraine. We conclude that priority conservation areas for the endangered European pond turtle are Eastern and Northern Europe, wherecompetition risk of invasive turtles are limited. We thank the projects EMYS-R (www.emysr.cnrs.fr), Nr.lzp-2021/1-0247 and PAUSE

Unveiling Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis distribution in Europe: Identifying threats and potential refuges for amphibians

International audienceAmphibians face significant threats due to climate change but also the widespread ofthe agent of the chytridiomycosis fungal disease Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd),posing severe risks to amphibians’ survival. This study was aimed to uncover theinfluencing factors driving the geographic spread of Bd (Tytar et al., 2023) usingspecies distribution models (SDM, BART algorithm). Our vital goals were to identifypotential areas vulnerable to Bd outbreaks and to discover environmental refuges("coldspots") from infection. Analyzing 42 diverse environmental layers comprisingclimate, soil, and human impact data, revealed that 'Continentality' and 'Cultivated andManaged Vegetation' were the prominent predictors of Bd distribution, especiallyimpacting Western European amphibians’ populations. Importantly, our modelsidentified Eastern Europe (including Central and Eastern Ukraine, Belarus, and Latvia)as potential environmental refuges. Furthermore, our analysis indicated that suitableareas in Ukraine for Bd are predominantly situated in the western parts of the country,particularly within and around the Carpathian region and the marshy forest area of thePolissia zone lining the Pripyat River and its tributaries in Northern Ukraine. Given thatthe Carpathians and forest regions harbor the highest amphibian species diversity inUkraine, these findings underscore the significance of protecting these regions foramphibian conservation efforts. This research serves as a foundation for futurechytridiomycosis investigations and, also, underscores the urgent need forcollaborative efforts among scientists, policymakers, conservationists, and the public toprotect amphibian populations, especially from fungal diseases through preventivemeasures. This research is supported by the projects EMYS-R https://emysr.cnrs.frand Nr.lzp-2021/1-0247

Benefits and adverse impacts of wetland restoration for species reintroduction

International audienceWetlands belong to the richest ecosystems in terms of biodiversity and biomass, and to the most valuable socio-ecosystems thanks to the ecosystemservices they offer. Yet, globally freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened: wetland surface area has decreased by 90% since the 1700s,bringing freshwater biodiversity to dramatic decline while being increasingly threatened by invasive species. Habitat restoration is considered as naturebased solution for limiting biodiversity erosion. Yet its actual efficiency is poorly assessed. In our project Emys-R (www.emysr.cnrs.fr) we assess therelevance of wetland restoration in favour of the endangered European pond turtle reintroduction and associated biodiversity in Europe. Here we comparedthe management of two wetlands (French-German Neu Woerr and Latvian Sitas Lake area) restored and/or newly created prior the turtle reintroductions.We show that recreating connectivity between ponds benefits the settlement and dispersion of the European pond turtle, but also non-targeted speciessuch as alien invasive turtles and crayfish (FR-DE) and predatory fish (LV), with adverse impacts on the ecosystems. We also show that maintaininggeographically isolated ponds limits the negative impacts of invasive species on native biodiversity. Our study highlights the prime importance of a globalassessment of both the ecological context and the long-term conservation goals prior any, highly expensive and time-consuming, wetland restoration