Island hoppers : Integrative taxonomic revision of Hogna wolf spiders (Araneae, Lycosidae) endemic to the Madeira islands with description of a new species

Because of their ability for aerial dispersal using silk and preference for open habitats, many wolf spiders are formidable colonisers. Pioneering arachnologists were already aware of the large and colourful wolf spiders in the Madeira archipelago, currently included in the genus Hogna Simon, 1885. The origins were investigated and species boundaries of Madeiran Hogna examined by integrating target-gene and mor-phological information. A multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of a thorough sampling across wolf-spider diversity suggested a single origin of Madeiran endemics, albeit with low support. Divergence time estima-tion traced back their origin to the late Miocene, a time of major global cooling that drove the expansion of grasslands and the associated fauna. Morphological examination of types and newly collected material revealed a new species, hereby described as H. isambertoi Crespo, sp. nov. Additionally, H. blackwalli is revalidated and three new synonymies are proposed, namely H. biscoitoi Wunderlich, 1992, junior syno-nym of H. insularum Kulczynski, 1899, H. schmitzi Wunderlich, 1992, junior synonym of H. maderiana (Walckenaer, 1837), and Arctosa maderana Roewer, 1960 junior synonym of H. ferox (Lucas, 1838). Spe-cies delimitation analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear markers provided additional support for morpho-logical delineations. The species pair H. insularum and H. maderiana, however, constituted an exception: the lack of exclusive haplotypes in the examined markers, along with the discovery of intermediate forms, pointed to hybridisation between these two species as reported in other congeneric species on islands. Finally, the conservation status of the species is discussed and candidates for immediate conservation efforts are identified.Peer reviewe

Allochrony is shaped by foraging niche segregation rather than adaptation to the windscape in long-ranging seabirds

Background Ecological segregation allows populations to reduce competition and coexist in sympatry. Using as model organisms two closely related gadfly petrels endemic to the Madeira archipelago and breeding with a two month allochrony, we investigated how movement and foraging preferences shape ecological segregation in sympatric species. We tested the hypothesis that the breeding allochrony is underpinned by foraging niche segregation. Additionally, we investigated whether our data supported the hypothesis that allochrony is driven by species-specific adaptations to different windscapes. Methods We present contemporaneous tracking and stable isotopes datasets for Zino’s (Pterodroma madeira) and Desertas (Pterodroma deserta) petrels. We quantified the year-round distribution of the petrels, characterised their isotopic niches and quantified their habitat preferences using machine learning (boosted regression trees). Hidden- Markov-models were used to investigate the effect of wind on the central-place movement speed, and a simulation framework was developed to investigate whether each species breeds at times when the windscape is most favourable to sustain their trips. Results Despite substantial spatial overlap throughout the year, the petrels exhibited diverging isotopic niches and habitat preferences during breeding. Both species used a vast pelagic region in the North Atlantic, but targeted two different mesopelagic ecoregions and showed a preference for habitats mostly differing in sea surface temperature values. Based on our simulation framework, we found that both species would perform trips of similar speed during the other species’ breeding season. Conclusions The different breeding schedules between the species are underpinned by differences in foraging habitat preferences and adaptation to the local environment, rather than to the windscape. Nevertheless, the larger Desertas petrels exploited significantly windier conditions, potentially unsustainable for the smaller Zino’s petrels. Furthermore, due to larger mass and likely higher fasting endurance, Desertas petrels engaged in central-placeforaging movements that covered more ground and lasted longer than those of Zino’s petrels. Ultimately, patterns of ecological segregation in sympatric seabirds are shaped by a complex interplay between foraging and movementARNET,SESAM e Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

New data on the fruit flies (Drosophilidae) of Madeira archipelago with notes on the ecology of the endemic Drosophila madeirensis Monclús

The first findings of drosophilids from Desertas and Porto Santo islands (Madeira archipelago) are reported and the knowledge on the abundance and distribution of the endemic Drosophila madeirensis Monclús is updated. This Madeiran endemic was found associated with forest habitats, but was not exclusive of Laurisilva. Furthermore, the finding of widespread populations with moderate abundance indicates that presently this species is not endangered. Finally, we provide an updated checklist of the family Drosophilidae occurring in the Madeira archipelago.Oma – Observatório do Mar dos Açores ; MARE – Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente ; IMAR – Instituto do Mar ; DOP – Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas ; Universidade dos Açoresinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Widespread population of invasive ferrets Mustela furo (Carnivora: Mustelidae) on the island of Madeira, Macaronesia

Invasive mammalian predators are arguably the most damaging group of alien animals for global biodiversity and their impacts are particularly damaging in endemic-rich insular ecosystems. Ferrets (Mustela furo) are well-known for their potential to establish self-sustaining feral populations. Yet, knowledge about their distribution and trophic interactions is scarce. Here, we provide ample evidence of a well-established and widespread population of ferrets on the subtropical island of Madeira (Portugal). Ferrets are using natural and human-dominated habitats, where they are preying on both native (e.g., Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) and the endemic and IUCN Endangered Zino’s petrel (Pterodroma madeira)) and non-native vertebrates

The blowflies of the Madeira Archipelago: species diversity, distribution and identification (Diptera, Calliphoridae s. l.)

Knowledge on the taxonomic diversity and distribution of blowflies from the Madeira Archipelago is updated. New and interesting findings are reported for poorly studied islands and islets of this archipelago, together with a brief analysis of the diversity of Macaronesian Calliphoridae s. l. Seven blowfly species were collected during this study, including the first records of Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826), Pollenia rudis (Fabricius, 1794) and Stomorhina lunata (Fabricius, 1805) from Porto Santo, and of C. vicina, L. sericata and S. lunata from Desertas Islands. The presence of Calliphora loewi Enderlein, 1903 in Madeira Laurisilva forest is discussed and its first instar larva is redescribed, revealing important differences in relation to its original description. An identification key to the adult Madeiran blowflies is provided for the first time.This study was financed by Portuguese National Funds, through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, within the projects PTDC/BIABEC/99138/2008, UID/BIA/00329/2013 and also by FCT/MEC through national funds and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement, and COMPETE 2020, within the project UID/BIA/04004/2013. KS was supported by a project of the Polish National Science Centre (2012/07/B/NZ8/00158), while CR and MB were supported by FCT grants (SFRH/BPD/91357/2012 and SFRH/BPD/86215/2012, respectively)

Standardised inventories of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Macaronesia II: The native forests and dry habitats of Madeira archipelago (Madeira and Porto Santo islands)

Here we present the data obtained from the samples collected as part of a large research project (MACDIV) which aims at understanding the drivers of spider (Araneae) community assembly in Macaronesian islands. To obtain the data, we applied the sampling protocol COBRA (Conservation Oriented Biodiversity Rapid Assessment), in twelve 50 m x 50 m native forest plots and five dry habitat plots on the island of Madeiraand in 5 dry habitat plots on the island of Porto Santo. Through this publication, we contribute to the knowledge of the arachnofauna of the Madeiran archipelago.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A comparative analysis of terrestrial arthropod assemblages from a relict forest unveils historical extinctions and colonization differences between two oceanic islands

During the last few centuries oceanic island biodiversity has been drastically modified by human-mediated activities. These changes have led to the increased homogenization of island biota and to a high number of extinctions lending support to the recognition of oceanic islands as major threatspots worldwide. Here, we investigate the impact of habitat changes on the spider and ground beetle assemblages of the native forests of Madeira (Madeira archipelago) and Terceira (Azores archipelago) and evaluate its effects on the relative contribution of rare endemics and introduced species to island biodiversity patterns. We found that the native laurel forest of Madeira supported higher species richness of spiders and ground beetles compared with Terceira, including a much larger proportion of indigenous species, particularly endemics. In Terceira, introduced species are well-represented in both terrestrial arthropod taxa and seem to thrive in native forests as shown by the analysis of species abundance distributions (SAD) and occupancy frequency distributions (OFD). Low abundance range-restricted species in Terceira are mostly introduced species dispersing from neighbouring man-made habitats while in Madeira a large number of true rare endemic species can still be found in the native laurel forest. Further, our comparative analysis shows striking differences in species richness and composition that are due to the geographical and geological particularities of the two islands, but also seem to reflect the differences in the severity of human-mediated impacts between them. The high proportion of introduced species, the virtual absence of rare native species and the finding that the SADs and OFDs of introduced species match the pattern of native species in Terceira suggest the role of man as an important driver of species diversity in oceanic islands and add evidence for an extensive and severe human-induced species loss in the native forests of Terceira.Peer reviewe

On the aphid fauna (Homoptera, Aphidoidea)of the Salvage Islands, with new records to Selvagem Grande

Volume: 18Start Page: 111End Page: 11

Assessing the conservation status of the strict endemic Desertas wolf spider, Hogna ingens (Araneae, Lycosidae)

The Desertas Islands (Madeira, Portugal) are the sole home of one of the largest and rarest wolf spiderspecies, Hogna ingens (Blackwall 1857) (Araneae, Lycosidae). Despite its size, it inhabits a single valleyin the North of the Deserta Grande Island, Vale da Castanheira, currently invaded by the herb Phalarisaquatica. This invasive species competes with the native flora and was subject to several eradicationexperiments, namely through fire and chemicals. The objectives of this work were to: (1) estimate thecurrent distribution and abundance of H. ingens and respective trends; (2) evaluate the impact of theinvasive plant and eradication methods on the spider population; (3) suggest future measures for therecovery of the species; and (4) evaluate its conservation status according to the IUCN criteria. The current distribution of H. ingens covers 23 ha, a recent reduction from its original 83 ha, correspond-ing to the entire Vale da Castanheira. A total of 4447 and 4086 adults and 71,832 and 24,635 juvenileswere estimated to live in the valley during 2011 and 2012, respectively. We found a significant negativeimpact of P. aquatica cover on the presence and abundance of H. ingens and that chemical treatmentspecifically directed towards the invasive plant species may be the only way to effectively recover thespider's habitat. We suggest (1) regular monitoring; (2) extend chemical treatments; (3) ex-situ conserva-tion with future reintroduction of adults. Based on the current area of occupancy (AOO) of H. ingens and itsrecent decline in both AOO and number of individuals, it was recently classified as Critically Endangeredby IUCN and we suggest its urgent inclusion in the Habitats Directive species lists

Rapid biodiversity assessment, faunistics and description of a new spider species (Araneae) from Desertas Islands and Madeira (Portugal)

Copyright © 2013 Grupo Ibérico de Aracnología (S.E.A.).El conocimiento actual de la araneofauna de las Islas Desertas (Madeira) se puede considerar como deficiente, con sólo 11 especies registradas. Con la finalidad de cubrir este vacío se efectuaron diversas expediciones durante 2011 y 2012, en las cuales se realizaron muestreos estandarizados y capturas manuales. Como era de esperar para islas pequeñas y aisladas, las estimas de la riqueza de especies por hectárea son relativamente bajas, oscilando entre 19 a 23 especies. La lista de especies local se há incrementado hasta 57 especies, de las cuales 11 podrían ser nuevas para la ciencia, incluyendo una especie nueva de Typhochrestus Simon, 1884, endémica del archipiélago de Madeira, aquí descrita. También se describe el macho, hasta ahora desconocido, de Zimirina lepida (Blackwall, 1859). La familia Ochyroceratidae Fage, 1912 es citada por primera vez de un hábitat nativo en Europa.ABSTRACT: The spider fauna of the Desertas Islands (Madeira) has been largely neglected until now, with only 11 species recorded. Both standardized and ad-hoc sampling was performed on organized expeditions to Desertas in the years 2011 and 2012. As expected for small, isolated islands, species richness estimates per sampled hectare are relatively low, ranging from 19 to 23 species. The updated local checklist now includes 57 species, of which 11 are thought to be new for science, including a new species of Typhochrestus Simon, 1884, endemic to the Madeira archipelago, here described. The previously unknown male of Zimirina lepida (Blackwall, 1859) is also described. The family Ochyroceratidae Fage, 1912 is recorded for the first time from a native habitat in Europe