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FIGURE 3 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 3. Map of South Africa showing sampling localities for sponges over the period 2010–2017: A. Shallow-water sampling localities (1–40 m), including the mesophotic reefs on the Agulhas Bank; B. Deep-water sampling localities (50–500 m) by trawl surveys and dredging (black dots) and locations were sponges were collected (red dots); C & D. Locations on the southeast coast, between Tsitsikamma and Amathole region, where Tsitsikamma and Cyclacanthia species co-occur, Tsitsikamma being endemic to the southeast coast (shown in C), Cyclacanthia also occurring further north in the Natal ecoregion (not shown here).

FIGURE 6 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 6. Phylogram constructed from COI sequences showing family Latrunculiidae, as represented by Tsitsikamma, Latrunculia, Cyclacanthia and Sceptrella specimens, as monophyletic and resolved as separate to Tsitsikamma.

FIGURE 15 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 15. Cyclacanthia bellae (Samaai & Kelly, 2003), holotype NHMUK2003.1.10.1: A. In situ specimen; B. Isospinodiscorhabd; C. Skeletal architecture showing thin ectosome and ill-formed choanosomal architecture. Cyclacanthia rethahofmeyri sp. nov., holotype SAMC-A090895: D. Preserved specimen; E, F. Isospinodiscorhabds; G. Large isospinodiscorhabd; H. Skeletal architecture showing thick ectosome and and ill-formed choanosomal architecture.

FIGURE 5 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 5. Microsclere morphology in Tsitsikamma (Tsitsikamma) and T. (Clavicaulis subgen. nov.) species (not to scale): A. T. (T.) favus Samaai & Kelly, 2002; B. T. (T.) scurra Samaai & Kelly 2003; C. T. (T.) amatholensis sp. nov.; D. T. (T.) nguni Parker-Nance, 2019; E. T. (Clavicaulis) pedunculata Samaai & Kelly, 2003; F. T. (C.) madiba subgen. et sp. nov.; G. T. (C.) michaeli Parker-Nance, 2019; H. T. (C.) beukesi subgen. et sp. nov.

FIGURE 4 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 4. Two-dimensional ordination plot for the two-morphometric parameters based on the raw data from the present study. The ellipses drawn represent distribution spaces for each species.

FIGURE 14 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 14. Isospinodiscorhabd microsclere morphology in Cyclacanthia Samaai & Kelly, 2004: A. Type species, C. bellae (Samaai and Kelly, 2003), specimen NHMUK2003.1.10.1; B. C. mzimayiensis Samaai & Kelly, 2004, holotype SAM H-5082; C. C. cloverlyae Samaai & Kelly, 2004, holotype SAM H-5080; D. C. rethahofmeyri sp. nov., holotype SAMC-A090895, small isoconicorhabds; E. C. rethahofmeyri sp. nov., holotype SAMC-A090895, large isoconicorhabds.

FIGURE 2 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 2. Distribution of the two major ocean currents that sweep the coastal regions of South Africa; the warm Agulhas current on the south and east coasts, and the cold Benguela current on the west coast. Green circles indicate areas of coastal upwelling.

FIGURE 10 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 10. Tsitsikamma (T.) scurra Samaai & Kelly, 2003, holotype NHMUK2003.1.10.3: A. Preserved holotype; B, C. Isospinodiscorhabds from holotype; D. Skeletal architecture from holotype showing the ectosome (dark band) and choanosome of Tsitsikamma (T.) scurra. Tsitsikamma (T.) amatholensis sp. nov.: E. Preserved paratype SAMC-A090877; F–H. Isochiadiscorhabds from paratype; I. Preserved holotype SAMC-A090878; J–L. Isochiadiscorhabds from holotype; M. Skeletal architecture of holotype showing ill-formed, irregular reticulation of anisostyles and a single layer of erect isochiadiscorhabds lines the surface of the ectosome.

FIGURE 1 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 1. Six marine ecoregions in the South African marine environment (Fig. 4, Sink et al. 2012), with 22 ecozones incorporating biogeographic and depth divisions. Permission granted by K. Sink to modify figure.

FIGURE 9 in New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa

FIGURE 9. Variation in the isochiadiscorhabd of Tsitsikamma (T.) favus Samaai & Kelly, 2002: A, B. Isochiadiscorhabd, holotype NHMUK 1997.7.3.2; C. Skeletal architecture, holotype NHMUK 1997.7.3.2, showing thick ectosome (dark band) and honeycomb-like chambers and convoluted layers of very thick reinforced tracts of anisostyles, forming meshes that are elliptical in shape; D, E. Isochiadiscorhabd, specimen SAMC-A090903; F, G. Isochiadiscorhabd, specimen SAMC-A091421; H–J. Isochiadiscorhabd, specimen SAMC-A091442.

opencc-zeroDec 2015View details →

Data from: Local and landscape metrics identify opportunities for conserving cavity-nesting birds in a rapidly urbanizing ecoregion

Urban centers are rapidly expanding globally, resulting in regional forest-cover transformations that shift from temperate forest biomes to a heterogeneous mix of urban development, forest patches, and agriculture. Data on habitat use within remaining forest patches embedded across land use types, particularly in urban land use, are needed to optimize conservation strategies as urban growth continues. In the rapidly urbanizing southern Piedmont, USA, small pine patches have become more frequent across the landscape and are found embedded within second-growth forest, agricultural, and urban land use matrices. We used point-count surveys and N-mixture models to determine the effect of patch- and landscape-scale drivers on cavity-nesting bird abundance, including the threatened Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla), in pine forest patches. Model-averaged estimates suggest Brown-headed Nuthatches are more abundant in large patches in a heterogeneous matrix that includes urban residential development. Three other cavity-nesting species declined in abundance as a function of reduced canopy cover. White-breasted Nuthatches increased and Tufted Titmice decreased in abundance in response to patch area. By identifying factors that predict abundance at local and landscape scales for ecologically sensitive and generalist species, we can more effectively contribute to regional conservation efforts in urban ecosystems, extending conservation in practice beyond protected areas.

opencc-zeroDec 2018View details →

Data from: Hierarchical distance sampling to estimate population sizes of common lizards across a desert ecoregion

1) Multi-species wildlife monitoring across large geographical regions is important for effective conservation planning in response to expected impacts from climate change and land use. Unlike many species of birds, mammals, and amphibians which can be efficiently sampled using automated sensors including cameras and sound recorders, reptiles are often much more challenging to detect, in part because of their typically cryptic behavior and generally small body sizes. Although many lizard species are more active during the day which makes them easier to detect using visual encounter surveys, they may be unavailable for sampling during certain periods of the day or year due to their sensitivity to temperature. 2) In recognition of these sampling challenges, we demonstrate application of a recent innovation in distance sampling that adjusts for temporary emigration between repeat survey visits. We used transect surveys to survey lizards at 229 sites throughout the Mojave Desert in California, USA, 2016. 3) We estimated a total population size of 80 million (90% CI: 64–97 million) for the three most common species of lizards across this 66,830 km2 ecoregion. We mapped how density at the 1-km2 scale was predicted to vary with vegetation cover and human development. We validated these results against independent surveys from the southern portion of our study area. 4) Our methods and results demonstrate how multi-species monitoring programs spanning arid ecoregions can better incorporate information about reptiles.

opencc-zeroDec 2012View details →

Data from: Delimiting tropical mountain ecoregions for conservation

Ecological regions aggregate habitats with similar biophysical characteristics within well-defined boundaries, providing spatially consistent platforms for monitoring, managing and forecasting the health of interrelated ecosystems. A major obstacle to the implementation of this approach is imprecise and inconsistent boundary placement. For globally important mountain regions such as the Eastern Arc (Tanzania and Kenya), where qualitative definitions of biophysical affinity are well established, rule-based methods for landform classification provide a straightforward solution to ambiguities in region extent. The method presented in this paper encompasses the majority of both contemporary and estimated preclearance forest cover within strict topographical limits. Many of the species here tentatively considered 'near-endemic' could be reclassified as strictly endemic according to the derived boundaries. LandScan and census data show population density inside the ecoregion to be higher than in rural lowlands, and lowland settlement to be most probable within 30 km. This definition should help to align landscape scale conservation strategies in the Eastern Arc and promote new research in areas of predicted, but as yet undocumented, biological importance. Similar methods could work well in other regions where mountain extent is poorly resolved. Spatial data accompany the online version of this article.

opencc-zeroDec 2013View details →

Data from: Do freshwater ecoregions and continental shelf width predict patterns of historical gene flow in the freshwater fish Poecilia butleri?

We examined historical patterns of gene flow in the freshwater fish Poecilia butleri in western Mexico. We tested the hypothesis that the boundaries between four freshwater ecological communities (ecoregions) might have limited the movement of P. butleri because changes in species compositions might restrict establishment between adjacent ecoregions, even in situations where a physical barrier is absent. Hence, we predicted that boundaries between ecoregions should correspond to phylogeographical breaks in P. butleri. We also tested the hypothesis that the width of the continental shelf affected historical gene flow in P. butleri because a broad continental shelf provides a greater opportunity for rivers to coalesce during historical episodes of low sea levels as opposed to a narrow continental shelf that should restrict the potential for gene flow among adjacent rivers. Hence, we predicted greater amounts of historical gene flow among neighbouring river basins in the region of western Mexico where the continental shelf is wider, whereas, in the region where the continental shelf is narrower, we expected to detect limited levels of historical gene flow. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequence data (cytochrome b) taken from 264 individuals of P. butleri collected from 34 locations distributed across four different ecoregions in western Mexico. To examine patterns of phylogenetic diversification and historical gene flow in P. butleri, we employed several analytical approaches, including traditional tree-based phylogenetic analyses (likelihood and parsimony), haplotype network reconstruction, analyses of molecular variance, and spatial analysis of molecular variance. We found genetic breaks coinciding with two out of three different ecoregion boundaries, suggesting limited historical gene flow. In addition to different species compositions between these adjacent ecoregions, geological features such as the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the mountainous topography in south-western Mexico, likely contributed to these observed genetic breaks. By contrast, no genetic break was evident between two other ecoregions, a result that partially rejects our first hypothesis. Several results were consistent with our second hypothesis. Changes in the width of the continental shelf in western Mexico are associated with the observed patterns of historical gene flow. Our results indicate that the interactions among multiple geological and biological factors affect the spatial patterns of genetic diversity of widespread freshwater species.

opennotspecifiedDec 2014View details →

FIGURES 6–10 in Description of two new genera and two new species of Metarbelidae (Lepidoptera, Cossoidea) from the Northeastern Congolian Lowland Forests Ecoregion (Central Africa)

FIGURES 6–10. Janegoodallia davenporti sp. nov. 6, male, holotype with simple wing pattern and largely transparent wings; 7, Wing venation; 8, Genitalia in lateral view with the simple phallus below; 9, Genitalia in ventral view with processes. The processes are transtilla-like and appear to originate from the tegumen; 10, Enlargement of the processes.

opennotspecifiedDec 2014View details →

FIGURES 1–5 in Description of two new genera and two new species of Metarbelidae (Lepidoptera, Cossoidea) from the Northeastern Congolian Lowland Forests Ecoregion (Central Africa)

FIGURES 1–5. Dianfosseya leakeyi sp. nov. 1, male, holotype with wing pattern; 2, Wing venation; 3, Genitalia in lateral view with the simple phallus below; 4, Genitalia in ventral view with a large gnathos-like structure, probably once an appendage of the gnathos, and the broad, triangular-shaped uncus above; 5, Enlargement of the former appendage of the gnathos.

FIGURE 4 in A new species of Ituglanis Costa & Bockmann, 1993 (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) endemic to the Tramandaí – Mampituba ecoregion, southern Brazil

FIGURE 4. Ventral view of head of Ituglanis boitata (a), holotype, UFRGS 18455, 102.9 mm SL and I. proops (b), MZUSP 60255, 63.6 mm SL showing the remarkable difference in the size of the interopercle patch of odontodes (arrows).

FIGURE 6 in A new species of Ituglanis Costa & Bockmann, 1993 (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) endemic to the Tramandaí – Mampituba ecoregion, southern Brazil

FIGURE 6. Geographic distribution of Ituglanis boitata in the Tramandaí–Mampituba ecoregion (TM) sensu Abell et al. (2008). Some symbols represent more than one collection locality. Red circle represents the type-locality.

FIGURE 3 in A new species of Ituglanis Costa & Bockmann, 1993 (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) endemic to the Tramandaí – Mampituba ecoregion, southern Brazil

FIGURE 3. Lateral view, anterior to left, of caudal skeleton of of Ituglanis boitata, paratype, UFRGS 17617 (66.2 mm SL). Arrows indicate the hypural 3 (hu3) and the complex plates formed by co-ossification of hypurals 4 and 5 (hu4+hu5) and of hypurals 1 and 2 plus the parhypural (ph+hu1+hu2). Scale bar = 2 mm.

FIGURE 1 in A new species of Ituglanis Costa & Bockmann, 1993 (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) endemic to the Tramandaí – Mampituba ecoregion, southern Brazil

FIGURE 1. Ituglanis boitata, holotype, UFRGS 18455, 102.9 mm SL, Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul State, Município de Maquiné, rio Maquiné at road RS–484 between Maquiné and São Francisco de Paula, rio Tramandaí basin.