Thirty years of invasion: the distribution of the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Italy

The presence of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Italy is documented since 1989, but no comprehensive data are available on its spread through time at the national scale. New confirmed records for Procambarus clarkii are continuously arising in recent years across the country. By reviewing the scientific and grey literature, we obtained an up-to-date map of the species invasion in Italy. This information can help to monitor and understand the spread of this highly invasive crayfish and to implement more effective management measures.

Applications and limitations of measuring environmental DNA as indicators of the presence of aquatic animals

1. In Rees et al. (2014b), we reviewed the current status of environmental DNA (eDN A) tomonitor aquatic populations. Our aim was to focus on discus sion of methodologies used,application of eDNA analysis as a survey tool in ecology, and to include some innovativeideas for using eDNA in conservation and management. 2. Roussel et al. (2015) claim that analysis of Rees et al. (2014b) and other publicationshighlights the downsides of the method, and they suggest that some conclusions should betoned down. Many of their arguments were covered in our original paper (Rees et al. ,2014b); however, they make the point that modelling approaches should be encouraged, andwe fully agree with this suggestion. 3. Roussel et al. (2015) also claim that we neglected to recognize that there are two sourcesof imperfect detection (at the field level and at the laboratory level). We feel that our reviewpaper implies this point. 4. Synthesis and applications. Roussel et al. (2015) reiterate many of the points made in theoriginal paper but do cover some additional areas that improve the debate on the use of envi-ronmental DNA (eDNA). Both the comment (Roussel et al., 2015) and our rebuttal clearlyhighlight that detailed laboratory protocols and rigorous field sampling design are crucial fac-tors which require sufficient reporting in the literature to allow for experimenta l comparisonand replication. Any development of a new method for eDNA detection should be compareddirectly with established ‘gold standard’ methods for the detection of the species or habitatunder investigation. None of the issues raised in Roussel et al. (2015) would alter our mainconclusions

Variabilidad temporal en la elección de los lugares de freza de la rana ágil Rana dalmantina: consecuencias para la gestión del hábitat

We evaluated whether R. dalmatina females laid their eggs randomly within a pond or preferred particular microhabitats. The same measures were performed in the same area in two consecutive years to determine whether the pattern remained constant over time. In 2003, we observed a significant selection for areas with more submerged deadwood and vegetation, presence of emergent ground and low water depth. However, these results were not confirmed in the subsequent year when none of the microhabitat features measured had a significant effect. Although microhabitat features can strongly influence tadpoles, the temporal variability of habitat at this spatial scale suggests that habitat management could be more effective if focused on a a wider spatial scale.Evaluamos si las hembras de R. dalmantina ponían sus huevos al azar en una charca o preferían microhábitats particulares. Durante dos años consecutivos se realizaron las mismas mediciones en la misma área, para determinar si el patrón era constante a través del tiempo. En el año 2003 observamos una selección significativa de áreas con mayor cantidad de ramas muertas y otra vegetación sumergidas, con zonas del fondo emergentes y aguas más someras. Sin embargo, estos resultados no fueron confirmados al año siguiente, en el cual ninguna de las características del microhábitat medidas tuvo un efecto significativo. A pesar de que las características del microhábitat pueden tener gran influencia sobre los renacuajos, la variabilidad temporal del hábitat a esta escala espacial sugiere que la gestión del hábitat podría ser más efectiva si fuera proyectada según una escala espacial mayor

Temporal variability of spawning site selection in the frog Rana dalmatina: consequences for habitat management

We evaluated whether R. dalmatina females laid their eggs randomly within a pond or preferred particular microhabitats. The same measures were performed in the same area in two consecutive years to determine whether the pattern remained constant over time. In 2003, we observed a significant selection for areas with more submerged deadwood and vegetation, presence of emergent ground and low water depth. However, these results were not confirmed in the subsequent year when none of the microhabitat features measured had a significant effect. Although microhabitat features can strongly influence tadpoles, the temporal variability of habitat at this spatial scale suggests that habitat management could be more effective if focused on a a wider spatial scale

Gone with the forest: Assessing global woodpecker conservation from land use patterns

As a result of their ecological traits, woodpeckers (Picidae, Aves) are highly sensitive to forest cover change. We explored the current land cover in areas of high species richness of woodpeckers to determinate regions where urgent conservation actions are needed. In addition, we identified woodpecker species that are sensitive to forest loss and that have high levels of human habitat modification and low levels of protection (through protected areas) in their distribution ranges. Location: Global. Methods: We joined available range maps for all extant 254 woodpecker species with information of their conservation status and tolerances to human habitat modifications and generated a richness map of woodpecker species worldwide. Then, we associated this information (the richness pattern and individual species’ maps) with land cover and protected areas (PAs) maps. We found that the foremost woodpecker species richness hotspot is in Southeast Asia and is highly modified. At the second species richness hotspot in the eastern Andes, we observed a front of deforestation at its southern extreme and a greater deforested area in its northern extreme but most of its area remains with forest coverage. At the species level, 17 species that are sensitive to forest modification experience extensive deforestation and have low extents of PAs in their ranges.The most diverse woodpecker hotspots are mostly occupied by human-modified landscapes, and a large portion of the species there avoids anthropogenic environments. The level of representation of woodpecker species in PAs is low as a global general pattern, although slightly better in Asia. Our global analysis of threats to woodpecker from land use patterns reiterates the urgent conservation needs for Southeast Asian forests. Finally, based on our results, we recommend a re-evaluation for inclusion in the Red List of five woodpecker species.Fil: Vergara Tabares, David Lautaro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Lammertink, J. Martjan. Cornell University; Estados Unidos. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; ArgentinaFil: Verga, Ernesto Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Schaaf, Alejandro Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Jujuy. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Jujuy; ArgentinaFil: Nori, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentin

The detection of aquatic animal species using environmental DNA – a review of eDNA as a survey tool in ecology

1. Knowledge of species distribution is critical to ecological management and conservation biology. Effective management requires the detection of populations, which can sometimes be at low densities and is usually based on visual detection and counting. 2. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the detection of short species-specific environmental DNA (eDNA) fragments to allow aquatic species monitoring within different environments due to the potential of greater sensitivity over traditional survey methods which can be time-consuming and costly. 3. Environmental DNA analysis is increasingly being used in the detection of rare or invasive species and has also been applied to eDNA persistence studies and estimations of species biomass and distribution. When combined with next-generation sequencing methods, it has been demonstrated that entire faunas can be identified. 4. Different environments require different sampling methodologies, but there remain areas where laboratory methodologies could be standardized to allow results to be compared across studies. 5. Synthesis and applications. We review recently published studies that use eDNA to moni- tor aquatic populations, discuss the methodologies used and the application of eDNA analysis as a survey tool in ecology. We include innovative ideas for how eDNA can be used for conservation and management citing test cases, for instance, the potential for on-site analyses, including the application of eDNA analysis to carbon nanotube platforms or laser transmission spectroscopy to facilitate rapid on-site detections. The use of eDNA monitoring is already being adopted in the UK for ecological surveys

Making more with standard ecotoxicological tests: Using sets of behavioural markers to test the effect of endosulfan on amphibian tadpoles

peer reviewe

Five thousand years of tropical lake sediment DNA records from Benin

Until now, sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) studies have only focused on cold and temperate regions were DNA is relatively well preserved. Consequently, the tropics, where vegetation is hyperdiverse and natural archives are rare, have been neglected and deserve attention. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing to barcode sedDNA from Lake Sele, localized in the tropical lowlands of Benin (Africa), and compared the taxonomic diversity detected by DNA analyses with pollen assemblages. Plant sedDNA was successfully amplified from 33 of the 34 successfully extracted samples. In total, 43 taxa were identified along the 5,000 years spanned by the sediment: 22 taxa were identified at the family level and 21 at the genus level. The plant diversity recovered through sedDNA from Lake Sele showed a specific local signal and limited overlapping with pollen. Introduced plants, grown and cultivated close to the water, such as sweet potato, were also well recorded by sedDNA. It appears, therefore, to be a promising approach to studying past diversity in tropical regions, and could help in tracking the introduction and history of agriculture. This is the first time this method has been used in the field of domestication and dissemination of several specific crops, and the results are very encouraging

A multi-scale approach to facultative paedomorphosis of European newts (Salamandridae) in the Montenegrin karst: Distribution pattern, environmental variables, and conservation

peer reviewedFacultative paedomorphosis, a process in which newt larvae can opt for reproduction before or after metamorphosis, is geographically heterogeneous. Despite numerous ecological studies and recent evidence of declines in paedomorphic populations, however, no attempt to model environmental variables that explain the presence of paedomorphs has been made at a multi-scale level. Our aim was to fill this gap in studying three newt species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Mesotriton alpestris, and Triturus macedonicus) of the Montenegrin karst as model species. To this end, we used multivariate analysis on three scales of habitat: the breeding pond, the land use and the climatologic features. Results show that the study area is both an important hotspot for paedomorphosis and where intraspecific diversity is quickly disappearing (20-47% extirpation) because of fish introductions. Other habitat variables (water permanency, PH or the habitat origin) were shown to act on paedomorphosis but not consistently across species, confirming complexity of the evolutionary and ecological processes. This study appeals for more long-term and detailed landscape studies of polyphenisms, a neglected but promising topic, to better understand and protect alternative modes of development. Particularly, measures should be taken to identify hotspots of intraspecific diversity at a global scale and stop fish introductions before we reach a point of no-return. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved