Detection of biodiversity local centers and gradients of change of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) in East Asia

2021-06-07T08:00:32+12:00

The dolichopodid fauna of continental Chinese and Russian regions belonging to the East Palaearctic have been selected for a comparative diversity investigation. We gathered information about 654 species of long-legged flies in the studied areas. Regarding the total species number, Primorsky Kray and Republic of Sakha in Russia, Henan and Shaanxi in China, as well as Mongolia are the top five regions, each with more than 100 species known. Cluster analysis of the dolichopodid genera composition allows us to divide all studied territories into two groups: Group A is mixed, since it includes both the Russian regions and the Chinese provinces; Group B includes only Russian regions. Generally, the mathematical analysis of the dolichopodid species supports the uniqueness of Primorsky Kray as the biodiversity center in East Asian Palaearctic. A decrease in the number of known species and biodiversity indices is observed northward, southward and westward of Primorsky Kray. One more possible center is located closely to the Oriental provinces of China (Henan and Shaanxi provinces).

Using occurrence data to evaluate extinction reveals a strong resilience of butterflies in a National Park of Southern Europe (Alta Murgia National Park)

2021-07-14T21:09:35+12:00

Butterflies from southernmost European regions encompass a large fraction of faunistic and genetic diversity but are also at the forefront of extinction risk for climate change. Nevertheless, monitoring schemes aimed at detecting their population trends were only recently established. In this study, we gathered all occurrence records of the 81 species of butterflies recorded for the Alta Murgia National Park (Italy, Apulia), a prime conservation area for butterflies. By using literature, citizen science, and unpublished sample data, we traced potential extinctions since 1966. We also provided a dedicated index to evaluate the potential extinction at the whole community level. We found that among the 29 species recorded before 2009, three were not recovered from 2009 to 2021. Another group of nine species was not recorded in the last five years. However, given the not standardized sampling methodology and the possibility that apparently disappeared species were due to inaccurate identification, we conclude that the butterfly community of the Park is showing a strong resilience. We hypothesize that such resilience may be attributed to the existence of the protected area and the presence of heterogeneous environments, which allow to buffer climatic changes and any other negative anthropic effects. The objective recognition of rare species in the surrounding region of 200 km ray also allowed identifying which species should be considered as prime targets for the conservation of local and regional diversity.

Journal of Insect Biodiversity

Detection of biodiversity local centers and gradients of change of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) in East Asia

Using occurrence data to evaluate extinction reveals a strong resilience of butterflies in a National Park of Southern Europe (Alta Murgia National Park)