Assessment of plant diversity of endemic species of the Saharo-Arabian region in Egypt

Savanna, semi-deserts, and hot deserts characterize the Saharo-Arabian region, which includes Morocco, Mauretania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Palestine, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, southern Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. Its neighboring regions, the Sudano-Zambezian region belonging to the Paleotropical Kingdom and the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions included in the Holarctic Kingdom, share a large portion of their flora with the Saharo-Arabian region. Despite the widespread acknowledgment of the region's global importance for plant diversity, an up to date list of the Saharo-Arabian endemics is still unavailable. The available data are frequently insufficient or out of date at both the whole global and the national scales. Therefore, the present study aims at screening and verifying the Saharo-Arabian endemic plants and determining the phytogeographical distribution of these taxa in the Egyptian flora. Hence, a preliminary list of 429 Saharo-Arabian endemic plants in Egypt was compiled from the available literature. Indeed, by excluding the species that were recorded in any countries or regions outside the Saharo-Arabian region based on different literature, database reviews, and websites, the present study has reduced this number to 126 taxa belonging to 87 genera and 37 families. Regarding the national geographic distribution, South Sinai is the richest region with 83 endemic species compared with other eight phytogeographic regions in Egypt, followed by the Isthmic Desert(the middle of Sinai Peninsula, 53 taxa). Sahara regional subzone(SS1) distributes all the 126 endemic species, Arabian regional subzone(SS2) owns 79 taxa, and Nubo-Sindian subzone(SS3) distributes only 14 endemics. Seven groups were recognized at the fourth level of classification as a result of the application of the two-way indicator species analysis(TWINSPAN) to the Saharo-Arabian endemic species in Egypt, i.e., Ⅰ Asphodelus refractus group, Ⅱ Agathophora alopecuroides var. papillosa group, Ⅲ Anvillea garcinii group, Ⅳ Reseda muricata group, V Agathophora alopecuroides var. alopecuroides group, Ⅵ Scrophularia deserti group, and Ⅶ Astragalus schimperi group. It's crucial to clearly define the Saharo-Arabian endemics and illustrate an updated verified database of these taxa for a given territory for providing future management plans that support the conservation and sustainable use of these valuable species under current thought-provoking devastating impacts of rapid anthropogenic and climate change in this region.

Community structure and species diversity dynamics of a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China:2005 to 2020

Here,we characterize the temporal and spatial dynamics of forest community structure and species diversity in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China.We found that community structure in this forest changed over a 15-year period.Specifically,renewal and death of common species was large,with the renewal of individuals mainly concentrated within a few populations,especially those of Aidia canthioides and Cryptocarya concinna.The numbers of individual deaths for common species were concentrated in the small and mid-diameter level.The spatial distribution of community species diversity fluctuated in each monitoring period,showing a more dispersed diversity after the 15-year study period,and the coefficient of variation on quadrats increased.In 2010,the death and renewal of the community and the spatial variation of species diversity were different compared to other survey years.Extreme weather may have affected species regeneration and community stability in our subtropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests.Our findings suggest that strengthening the monitoring and management of the forest community will help better understand the long-and short-term causes of dynamic fluctuations of community structure and species diversity,and reveal the factors that drive changes in community structure.

Impacts of Aggregation Methods and Trophospecies Number on the Structure and Function of Marine Food Webs

Aggregation of species with similar ecological properties is one of the effective methods to simplify food web researches.However,species aggregation will affect not only the complexity of modeling process but also the accuracy of models’outputs.Selection of aggregation methods and the number of trophospecies are the keys to study the simplification of food web.In this study,three aggregation methods,including taxonomic aggregation(TA),structural equivalence aggregation(SEA),and self-organizing maps(SOM),were analyzed and compared with the linear inverse model–Markov Chain Monte Carlo(LIM-MCMC)model.Impacts of aggregation methods and trophospecies number on food webs were evaluated based on the robustness and unitless of ecological net-work indices.Results showed that aggregation method of SEA performed better than the other two methods in estimating food web structure and function indices.The effects of aggregation methods were driven by the differences in species aggregation principles,which will alter food web structure and function through the redistribution of energy flow.According to the results of mean absolute percentage error(MAPE)which can be applied to evaluate the accuracy of the model,we found that MAPE in food web indices will increase with the reducing trophospecies number,and MAPE in food web function indices were smaller and more stable than those in food web structure indices.Therefore,trade-off between simplifying food webs and reflecting the status of ecosystem should be con-sidered in food web studies.These findings highlight the importance of aggregation methods and trophospecies number in the analy-sis of food web simplification.This study provided a framework to explore the extent to which food web models are affected by dif-ferent species aggregation,and will provide scientific basis for the construction of food webs.

Soil functional indicators in mixed beech forests are clearly species-specifi c

Beech stands are considered part of the ancient forest ecosystems in the northern hemisphere.In mixed stands in beach forest ecosystems,the type of associated tree species can signifi cantly aff ect soil functions,but their infl uence on microbial activity,nutrient cycling and belowground properties is unknown.Here,we considered forest patches in northern Iran that are dominated by diff erent tree species:Fagus orientalis Lipsky,Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey.,Pterocarya fraxinifolia(Lam.),Tilia begonifolia Stev.,Zelkova carpinifolia Dippe,Acer cappadocicum Gled,Acer velutinum Boiss.,Fraxinus excelsior L.,Carpinus betulus L.,and Alnus subcordata C.A.Mey.For each forest patch–tree species,litter and soil samples(25×25×10 cm,100 of each)were analyzed for determine soil and litter properties and their relationship with tree species.The litter decomposition rate during a 1-year experiment was also determined.A PCA showed a clear diff erence between selected litter and soil characteristics among tree species.F.orientalis,Q.castaneifolia,P.fraxinifolia,T.begonifolia,Z.carpinifolia,A.cappadocicum,and A.velutinum enhanced soil microbial biomass of carbon,whereas patches with F.excelsior,C.betulus and A.subcordata had faster litter decomposition and enhanced biotic activities and C and N dynamics.Thus,soil function indicators were species-specifi c in the mixed beech forest.A.subcordata(a N-fi xing species),C.betulus and F.excelsior were main drivers of microbial activities related to nutrient cycling in the old-growth beech forest.

Seedling potential of trees species along the elevational gradient in temperate hill forest of central Nepal

Regeneration status of tree species along elevation gradient in temperate hill forest was not understood greatly.Present research examined the tree diversity and its regeneration patterns along an elevation gradient in temperate hill forest,central Nepal.Data were collected from 300 sample plots within vertical elevation bands of 10,ranging from 1365 to 2450 m asl.A random sampling method was used for data collection in three seasons,winter,pre-monsoon and post monsoon seasons.Diameter at breast height(DBH)was used to broadly categorize the plant individual into trees,saplings and seedlings.The tree species richness ranged from 12 to 25 with density of 350 to 1200 individuals per hectare.Species richness of tree and sapling showed statistically significant unimodal pattern,which peaked at mid-elevation.Elevation showed a strong and positive linear correlation with the seedling density(Deviance=0.99,p<0.001)and a significant hump-shaped relationship with sapling density(Deviance=0.95,p<0.001).Similarly,elevations showed a statistically significant negative hump-shaped relationship with all trees,saplings and seedling stages(Deviances=0.89,0.87 and 0.57).The highest values of the Shannon-Wiener index and the lowest value of the Simpson index were found at mid-elevation for all growth forms.Nearly 92%of tree species were found at regenerating stage;49%in a good renewal regeneration status,32%in fair renewal regeneration,and 11%at a poor regenerating condition.Nevertheless,4%of tree species were reported as non-regenerating stages and 4%were newly introduced species.Hence,the regeneration status of the study area was considered fairly well since sapling(78.5%)>seedling(10.6%)≤mature(10.9%).Among tested environmental variables,elevation and annual mean rainfall were the most influential factors in the regeneration of tree species.

Climate-change habitat shifts for the vulnerable endemic oak species(Quercus arkansana Sarg.)

Quercus arkansana(Arkansas oak)is at risk of becoming endangered,as the total known population size is represented by a few isolated populations.The potential impact of climate change on this species in the near future is high,yet knowledge of its predicted effects is limited.Our study utilized the biomod2 R package to develop habi-tat suitability ensemble models based on bioclimatic and topographic environmental variables and the known loca-tions of current distribution of Q.arkansana.We predicted suitable habitats across three climate change scenarios(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP5-8.5)for 2050,2070,and 2090.Our findings reveal that the current suitable habitat for Q.arkansana is approximately 127,881 km^(2) across seven states(Texas,Arkansas,Alabama,Louisiana,Mississippi,Georgia,and Florida);approximately 9.5%is encompassed within state and federally managed protected areas.Our models predict that all current suitable habitats will disap-pear by 2050 due to climate change,resulting in a northward shift into new regions such as Tennessee and Kentucky.The large extent of suitable habitat outside protected areas sug-gests that a species-specific action plan incorporating pro-tected areas and other areas may be crucial for its conserva-tion.Moreover,protection of Q.arkansana habitat against climate change may require locally and regionally focused conservation policies,adaptive management strategies,and educational outreach among local people.

An unprotected vulnerable relict subtropical conifer-Keteleeria evelyniana: Its forests, populations, growth and endangerment by invasive alien plant species in China

Relict subtropical coniferous forests in China face severe fragmentation,resulting in declining populations,and some are under significant threat from invasive alien species.Despite the crucial importance of understanding forest dynamics,knowledge gaps persist,particularly regarding the impact of invasive plants on vulnerable natives like Keteleeria evelyniana.In this study,we investigated the impact of invasive plants on the regeneration of forests dominated by K.evelyniana,a subtropical relict species in southwestern China.For this purpose,we characterized forest dynamics of 160 forest plots featuring K.evelyniana as the primary dominant species and determined whether the presence of invasive plants was correlated with regeneration of K.evelyniana.We identified four distinct forest types in which K.evelyniana was dominant.We found that radial growth of K.evelyniana trees is faster in younger ageclasses today than it was for older trees at the same age.The population structure of K.evelyniana in each forest type exhibited a multimodal age-class distribution.However,three forest types lacked established saplings younger than 10 years old,a situation attributed to the dense coverage of the invasive alien Ageratina adenophora.This invasive species resulted in a reduction of understory species diversity.Additionally,our analysis uncovered a significant negative correlation in phylogenetic relatedness(net relatedness index)between native and invasive alien plant species in eastern Yunnan.This suggests closely related invasive species face heightened competition,hindering successful invasion.Taken together,our findings indicate that successful establishment and habitat restoration of K.evelyniana seedling/saplings require effective measures to control invasive plants.

Detecting the distribution of and public attitudes to charismatic alien species based on media coverage

Charismatic species are often reported by the media,providing information for detecting population status and public perception.To identify the number and distribution of free-living Black Swan(Cygnus atratus),a charismatic alien species in Chinese mainland and to detect the public and the media attitudes to the species,we analyzed the reports and emotional tendency from media coverage in 2000-2022 using manual reading,crawler extraction and latent Dirichlet allocation.A total of 6654 Black Swans were reported at 711 sites,including 147 individuals at 30 nature reserves.Successful breeding was reported at one-fourth of the total sites,including five nature reserves.The proportion of positive emotional tendency to Black Swans was overwhelming in the reports and was higher than that to alien species in general,suggesting that the public and the media are unaware of the risk of biological invasion.Effective management of invasive species requires the media clarifies the invasion risk of charismatic alien species.Promoting the unity between the harmfulness of abstract concept of alien species and the charisma of a specific alien species among the public help effective management.

Species’ geographical range, environmental range and traits lead to specimen collection preference of dominant plant species of grasslands in Northern China

Many different factors,such as species traits,socio-economic factors,geographical and environmental factors,can lead to specimen collection preference.This study aims to determine whether grassland specimen collection in China is preferred by species traits(i.e.,plant height,flowering and fruiting period),environmental range(i.e.,the temperature and precipitation range)and geographical range(i.e.,distribution range and altitudinal range).Ordinary least squares models and phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the relationships between specimen number and the explanatory variables.Random Forest models were then used to find the most parsimonious multivariate model.The results showed that interannual variation in specimen number between 1900 and 2020 was considerable.Specimen number of these species in southeast China was notably lower than that in northwest China.Environmental range and geographical range of species had significant positive correlations with specimen number.In addition,there were relatively weak but significant associations between specimen number and species trait(i.e.,plant height and flowering and fruiting period).Random Forest models indicated that distribution range was the most important variable,followed by flowering and fruiting period,and altitudinal range.These findings suggest that future floristic surveys should pay more attention to species with small geographical range,narrow environmental range,short plant height,and short flowering and fruiting period.The correction of specimen collection preference will also make the results of species distribution model,species evolution and other works based on specimen data more accurate.

N-fixing tree species promote the chemical stability of soil organic carbon in subtropical plantations through increasing the relative contribution of plant-derived lipids

Biodiversity experiments have shown that soil organic carbon(SOC)is not only a function of plant diversity,but is also closely related to the nitrogen(N)-fixing plants.However,the effect of N-fixing trees on SOC chemical stability is still little known,especially with the compounding effects of tree species diversity.An experimental field manipulation was established in subtropical plantations of southern China to explore the impacts of tree species richness(i.e.,one,two,four and six tree species)and with/without N-fixing trees on SOC chemical stability,as indicated by the ratio of easily oxidized organic carbon to SOC(EOC/SOC).Plant-derived C components in terms of hydrolysable plant lipids and lignin phenols were isolated from soils for evaluating their relative contributions to SOC chemical stability.The results showed that N-fixing tree species rather than tree species richness had a significant effect on EOC/SOC.Hydrolysable plant lipids and lignin phenols were negatively correlated with EOC/SOC,while hydrolysable plant lipids contributed more to EOC/SOC than lignin phenols,especially in the occurrence of N-fixing trees.The presence of N-fixing tree species led to an increase in soil N availability and a decrease in fungal abundance,promoting the selective retention of certain key components of hydrolysable plant lipids,thus enhancing SOC chemical stability.These findings underpin the crucial role of N-fixing trees in shaping SOC chemical stability,and therefore,preferential selection of N-fixing tree species in mixed plantations is an appropriate silvicultural strategy to improve SOC chemical stability in subtropical plantations.

Biology of Flowering of Some Species of the Genus Phlomoides Moench

The article presents the biology of flowering and the daily dynamics of flowering of two species from the Lamiaceae family: ph. anisochila va ph. sogdiana of the distribution out in the Nuratau Mountains range.

Caulerpa J. V. Lamouroux (1809) (Chlorophyta: Bryopsidales) Species and Sites in Eastern Samar, Central Philippines

A descriptive survey was conducted in Eastern Samar to identify the Caulerpa species, sites where these species exhibit massive populations, and the most preferred edible species. Results revealed that only four of the eleven species, C. racemosa, C. lentillifera, C. chemnitzia var. peltata, and C. cylindracea, have massive populations;The four Caulerpa sites are the municipalities of Arteche, Guiuan, Salcedo (Matarinao Bay) and Quinapondan, and species C. racemosa, C. lentillifera, and C. chemnitzia var. peltata are most preferred edible species which are considered in the local diet. The study concludes that the distribution of Caulerpa in Eastern Samar is area-specific and should therefore be considered in resource planning and management, particularly in relation to aquaculture.

Shells in the cabinet:four new species of Tellinidae(Mollusca:Bivalvia:Tellinoidea)identified from existing South China Sea collections

Four species new to science were identified in the Tellinidae museum collections in the Marine Biological Museum of Chinese Academy of Sciences.Pinguitellina triquetra sp.nov.,collected in 1981,has not previously been described or reported.It differs from other Pinguitellina species by its trigonal shape,rose-colored valve interior,and deep and wide pallial sinus,which is confluent with the pallial line.Pinguitellina protuberangla sp.nov.has a broad and deep dorsal corner,short and straight posterodorsal margin,comparatively large adductor scars,depressed and fragile shells,and deep socket at the anterior edge of the right valve.Pinguitellina minuta sp.nov.was previously misidentified as Arcopella casta in China.It is a new species based on its unique characteristics,which include small,fragile,inflated,translucent,and triangularly ovate-shaped shells with acuminated and convex umboes.As the first species described in China within the genus Abranda Iredale,1924,Abranda xui sp.nov.has internal ligaments and thin,fragile,and translucent elliptical shells with fine radials on the surface.In this study,we reorganized the species currently contained in the two genera Pinguitellina and Abranda and created keys to the known species.We believe that numerous collected bivalve specimens have been overlooked in the South China Sea,and to date,mollusk has not been adequately sampled.Thus,further exploration and analysis are required to understand species diversity in this area.

Polypore funga and species diversity in tropical forest ecosystems of Africa,America and Asia,and a comparison with temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere

Polypores play a cru cial role in energy recycling and forest regeneration in forest ecosystems.The majority of them are wood degraders;some are forest pathogens and others are ectomycorrhizal symbionts.The basidiocarps provide food and shelter for many organisms,mostly invertebrates,but also some vertebrates,as well as food and medicine for humans.Despite extensive research on the species diversity and phylogenetic relationships of polypores in recent years,there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding of their distribution patterns and species composition at the large scale.Checklists of polypores from the tropical zone,including tropical Africa,tropical America,and tropical Asia,were analyzed for species diversity,distribution patterns,major taxa,and nutritional modes.A total of 1,902 polypore species was found in the three regions,representing 8 orders,46families,and 250 genera of Agaricomycetes.The orders Polyporales(especially the family Polyporaceae)and Hymenochaetales(especially the family Hymenochaetaceae)had the most prolific taxa,with their species accounting for 93.4%of the total polypores listed.Each of 1,565(or 82.3%)of the total 1,902 species were found in only one of the three regions studied,and we treat them temporarily as"regional endemic species".Only 141species were shared among all three regions,accounting for a mere 7.4%.Tropical Africa and tropical America had the greatest number of shared species and the highest S?rensen similarity index(SC)value.Tropical forests had a higher species richness compared with temperate to boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere,and in addition,also a higher proportion of white rot polypores compared to brown rot and ectomycorrhizal species.This study outlines the distribution patterns and species diversity of polypores in the world,shedding light on their ecological significance in diverse ecosystems.

Progress in the Study of Laboratory Indicators Related to Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the more common gastrointestinal diseases in clinics and is characterized by rapid progression, many complications, and high mortality. When it develops into severe pancreatitis, its prognosis is poor. Therefore, early assessment of the degree of inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the treatment plan and prognosis of patients. More and more studies have shown that the levels of D-dimer (D-D), angiotensin-2 (Ang-2), phosphate, heparin-binding protein (HBP), retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4), and osteoblastic protein (OPN) are closely related to the severity of acute pan-creatitis and can be used as effective indicators for early assessment of AP. In this paper, the research progress of the above indicators in assessing the severity of AP is summarized.

Contribution to the knowledge of the ladybird beetle genus Diomus Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with description of a new species from China

The genus Diomus Mulsant,1850(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae:Diomini)from China is herein revised.Five species of Diomus are occurring in the Chinese fauna to date,including a new species from the Dafushan Mountains Forest Park,Guangzhou,Guangdong,namely D.dafushanensis Bi,Peng&Chen,sp.nov.Nomenclatural history,diagnosis,illustrations and distribution were provided for each species.A key to the native species of Diomus from China is also presented.

Morphological and Molecular Data Revealed One New Species of the Short-legged Toads Brachytarsophrys Tian and Hu,1983(Anura,Megophryidae)from Yunnan,China

A new species of the genus Brachytarsophrys,named Brachytarsophrys wenshanensis sp.nov.,has been identified in southeastern Yunnan,China.This new species can be readily distinguished from other known congeners by both morphological criterion and molecular analysis of three mitochondrial gene segments:16S,COI,and Cytb.This classification is based on the following morphological characters:(1)medium body size(SVL 83.8–85.1 mm in two adult males);(2)enormous head,with head width nearly 1.2 times the length;(3)tongue pyriform,feebly notched;(4)non-meeting heels;(5)male lacking nuptial pad;(6)tibiotarsal articulation reaching angle of mouth when hindlimbs are extended forward alongside the body;(7)absence of outer metatarsal tubercle,inner metatarsal tubercle elliptic and approximately equal to first toe;(8)rudimentary toe webbing,webbing formula:Ⅰ(2–)–(2^(++))Ⅱ(2^(–))–(3^(++))Ⅲ(2^(½))–(4)Ⅳ(4^(+))–(2^(⅔))V;(9)lateral fringes narrow;(10)dermal ridge or glandular fold on dorsum absent;(11)pectoral glands distinct and irregular,femoral gland small.Our work increases the number of species within the genus Brachytarsophrys to 9.

A new species of Discostella guiyangensis sp.nov.(Bacillariophyta,Stephanodiscales)from Guiyang,China:morphology and phylogeny

We describe a new species of Discostella from Guiyang based on light and scanning electron microscopic observations,as well as molecular analysis.This species is morphologically distinguished from other species by a relatively smooth and slightly recessed central area with marginal striae of unequal lengths forked near the margin.Marginal fultoportulae and a single rimoportula are situated between every two costae or on the costae.Both morphological characters and the concatenated data of rbc L and SSU rDNA indicate that Discostella guiyangensis is a unique and new species.According to divergence time estimation analysis,Discostella guiyangensis is the oldest species among the Discostella species sequenced currently.In addition,we complement molecular data of Discostella asterocostata and Discostella stelligera.

Review of the Rheotanytarsus acerbus species group from China (Diptera: Chironomidae)

In this study,we review the Rheotanytarsus acerbus species group based on adult males from China.Two new species,R.cangshanensis Lin&Yao,sp.nov.and R.yamamotoi Lin&Yao,sp.nov.,are described.R.adjectus(Johannsen,1932)is re-described for its new record from China.A world key to adult males of acerbus species group is provided for the first time.

Phoenix Species in Asia:A Systematic Review on Research Trends,Status,Distribution,Ethnobotany and Pharmacological Activities

Phoenix species,recognized for their profound ecological,economic,and cultural significance,have garnered substantial attention in research across Asia.However,limited studies exist on research trends,status,distribution,ethnobotany,and pharmacological activities of Phoenix species in the region.The objective of this study is to compile pertinent information on these aspects for Phoenix species in Asia.We employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)approach to systematically examine the literature pertaining to Phoenix species in the Asian region.This comprehensive review analyzes research trends on Phoenix species in Asia from year 2000 to 2023.A total of 42 studies were identified,showcasing a growing interest,with a notable peak in publications in 2019.The temporal distribution suggests fluctuating attention over the years.Geographically,the concentration of studies is limited to 12 out of 48 Asian countries,emphasizing the need for more extensive exploration given the widespread availability of Phoenix species.The research primarily focuses on pharmacology,followed by ethnobotany,morphology,taxonomy,material science,environmental engineering,and ecology.Notably,studies disproportionately concentrate on Phoenix dactylifera,leaving other species underexplored.The analysis of research focus,species distribution,and geographical representation underscores the importance of diversifying research themes and exploring the ecological,economic,and cultural significance of lesser-studied Phoenix species across Asia.The findings highlight both the growing interest and existing gaps in our knowledge,urging for a more comprehensive exploration of the entire genus to unravel its full potential and significance across Asian landscapes.