Land snail diversity in a threatened limestone district near Istanbul, Turkey

The limestone meadows located to the north­-northwest of Istanbul, Turkey, are in danger of being overrun by the rapidly expanding city. Past surveys showed that these habitats harbor rare plant species, including endemics to Turkey. To further evaluate the conservation value of these habitats, especially in terms of the often neglected invertebrates, one limestone area to the north of Küçükçekmece Lake and surrounding Sazlidere Dam was surveyed for land snails. Our findings strengthen the case for the protection of these unique habitats. Twenty­-four species of land snails were identified in the survey area. Of these, 21 are native to Turkey, including three whose type location is Istanbul. In addition, two species that are at or near the limits of their ranges are considered to represent peripheral populations that may be especially worth conserving. Although the area surrounding Sazlidere Dam is under protection, the other limestone habitats are severely threatened by ongoing development

Diversidad de los caracoles terrestres en una zona caliza amenazada cercana a Estambul, Turquía

The limestone meadows located to the north–northwest of Istanbul, Turkey, are in danger of being overrun by the rapidly expanding city. Past surveys showed that these habitats harbor rare plant species, including endemics to Turkey. To further evaluate the conservation value of these habitats, especially in terms of the often neglected invertebrates, one limestone area to the north of Küçükçekmece Lake and surrounding Sazlidere Dam was surveyed for land snails. Our findings strengthen the case for the protection of these unique habitats. Twenty–four species of land snails were identified in the survey area. Of these, 21 are native to Turkey, including three whose type location is Istanbul. In addition, two species that are at or near the limits of their ranges are considered to represent peripheral populations that may be especially worth conserving. Although the area surrounding Sazlidere Dam is under protection, the other limestone habitats are severely threatened by ongoing development.Las praderas calcáreas situadas al NNO de Estambul están en peligro de ser rápidamente invadidas por la ciudad en expansión. Estudios anteriores demostraron que estos hábitats albergan especies vegetales raras, incluyendo algunos endemismos turcos. Con objeto de seguir evaluando el valor conservativo de dichos hábitats, en especial en cuanto a los invertebrados, a menudo ignorados, se han estudiado los caracoles terrestres de una zona calcárea al norte del lago Küçükçekmece y alrededor de la presa Sazlidere. Nuestros descubrimientos enfatizan la necesidad de una política de protección de estos hábitats únicos. En el área estudiada se identificaron 24 especies de caracoles terrestres. De ellas, 21 son nativas de Turquía, incluyendo tres cuya localización tipo es Estambul. Además, se considera que dos especies que se hallan en o cerca de los límites de su zona de distribución representan poblaciones periféricas especialmente merecedoras de conservación. A pesar de que la zona que rodea a la presa Sazlidere está protegida, el resto de los hábitats calcáreos está muy amenazado por el creciente desarrollo

Environmental conditions at the Last Interglacial (Eemian) site Neumark‐Nord 2, Germany inferred from stable isotope analysis of freshwater mollusc opercula

Mollusc biogenic carbonates are valuable records of past environmental conditions. In particular, carbonate oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) stable isotopes can be used to reconstruct different physical and chemical parameters, according to the different genera used (marine, freshwater or terrestrial). The Last Interglacial (early Eemian) palaeolake of Neumark-Nord 2 (NN2), Germany provides an excellent example of a Neanderthal archaeological site with abundant freshwater carbonate remains. As in other European contexts, one of the most abundant species is Bithynia tentaculata. In order to provide a robust regional baseline for the interpretation of the archaeological data, this study includes a calibration phase on modern B. tentaculata opercula. The results indicate that these calcitic structures are likely to be subjected to a growth slowdown/cessation during summer, which influences their geochemistry, reflecting mainly the water properties of the rest of the year. This modern calibration, together with the existing palaeoenvironmental reconstructions developed for NN2 (e.g. pollen data), represents a valuable opportunity to establish B. tentaculata opercula as reliable environmental proxies applicable to several other freshwater contexts. The isotope data of the NN2 opercula, in agreement with the pollen record, indicate that the major archaeological horizon was formed during a rather wet period and potentially in a semi-forested environment. However, human occupation occurred also during drier phases at the site and within a wide temperature range, indicating the absence of restricted environmental preferences by the local Neanderthal groups

Bufo Garsault 1764

Bufo Bufo Garsault, 1764, was established for a group of species containing Rana bufo Linnaeus, 1758 or one of its synonyms. First species added by Laurenti 1768 (use of the name was in accordance with Garsault's use of the name, it contained Bufo vulgaris Laurenti, 1768, a junior subjective synonym of Rana bufo Linnaeus, 1758), type species Bufo viridis Laurenti, 1768 fixed by Fitzinger 1843. The fact that Garsault 1764 had used the name for a French animal, while Laurenti 1768 had used the synonymous name for presumably Austrian (his own material) and German animals (Rösel's material), has no influence because in these times the French populations were not classified as a different taxon, there is no expressed evidence to support the assumption that Laurenti 1768 would have used the name Bufo in a much different sense than Garsault 1764 had done it. We agree that Tschudi 1828 was not an unambiguous type designation (Art. 67.5). The fact that Bufo vulgaris and Bufo viridis have recently been classified in different genera or subgenera, has no influence on the nomenclatural act of type fixation. The present-day taxonomy has no influence on the nomenclature. We reject the names used in the subgeneric classification proposed by Dubois & Bour (2010), because their use was based on incorrect nomenclatural assumptions, following which Fitzinger's 1843 type designation was ignored for the present-day classification. The names used in that classification at subgeneric level should be revised and brought in line with the ICZN Code. In our interpretation Rana bufo will not be classified in the (sub)genus Bufo. If researchers think that it would be more convenient to have Rana bufo as the type for Bufo, and Fitzinger's type fixation should be set aside, this needs to be addressed to the Commission.Published as part of Welter-Schultes, F. W. & Klug, R., 2011, Comments on new names and nomenclatural acts of amphibians and non-avian sauropsids established by Garsault 1764 and Laurenti 1768 (response to Dubois & Bour 2010), pp. 50-58 in Zootaxa 2814 on page 5

Plicuteria Lubomirski (Slosarski, 1881) (Gastropoda: pulmonata: hygromiidae), a forgotten element of the romanian mollusc fauna, with notes on the correct spelling of its name

In this paper two new localities of the hygromiid land snail Plicuteria lubomirski (Ślósarski, 1881) are reported from Romania (Suceava and Harghita Counties). Its presence at the Lacu Roou (Gyilkos-tó) area represents the southeasternmost occurrence of the species. The only sample of P. lubomirski hitherto reported from Romania (leg. JICKELI in 1888 at Borsec Bai) seems to be lost from museum collections. The northern Carpathian distributional type is suggested for the species. The nomenclatural problem regarding the spelling of the specific name (i.e. lubomirskii or lubomirski) is discussed. The original, but less frequently used spelling (lubomirski) is suggested based on our understanding of the regulations of the ICZN