world biodiversity association o n n u s www biodiversityjoiirnaLcom ISSN 2039-0394 (Print Edition) ISSN 2039-0408 (Online Edition) SEPTEMBER 2011, 2 (3): 105-160 intb thfl support n£ FOR NATURALISTIC RESEARCH AND ENVIRONMENTAL. STUDIES Asp arago p sis armata Harvey, 1855 - S Hem a (M a ila) 3 Cover. Asparagopsis armata, Malta, Sliema, 7 m depth, 30.V11I.201 1. 1) Siganus luridus, Gozo, Xlendi, 6 m depth, 30/07/2011. 2) Melibe viridis, Comino, Stanley, 12 m depth, IX. 2011. 3) Rhopilema nomadica, Malta, Sikka 1-Bajda, 4 m depth, XI.2004. ALIEN SPECIES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA. Allochthonous or alien species are those organisms introduced outside their natural distribution, present or past, across a direct action (intentional or unintentional) by man. The Mediterranean Sea is particularly susceptible to alien species invasion. In addition to the Strait of Gibraltar which is a well-known access route to the Mediterranean, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 has fostered, over the years, the introduction of tropical or subtropical species from the Red Sea, a phenomenon which was named, by the engineer F. M. De Lesseps who designed the canal, lessepsian migration. Other principal vectors of the alien species introduction are the mariculture, shipping and or the increase in average water temperature occurred in recent years. Alien species, often invasive species, have out-competed or replaced native species, and are considered pests or cause nuisance. The Mediterranean sea is a veritable hotspot for such introductions in view of its geographical position and vessel traffic which traverses it. In recent decades, more than 950 new alien species have been encountered in the coastal environments of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The influx of marine allochthonous species within the Mediterranean is inexorable indeed, with some benthic invasive alien species (IAS), including the green alga Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskal) J. Agardh, 1873 (Caulerpaceae) and the red alga Asparagopsis armata Harvey, 1855 (Bonnemaisoniaceae) now having colonised large swathes of the basin. Even the fish, with a number of pelagic species, most notably Fistularia commersonii Riippell, 1838, bluespotted cornetfish (Fistulariidae), Sphyraena viridensis Cuvier, 1829, the yellowmouth barracuda (Sphyraenidae) and Siganus luridus Riippell, 1829, dusky spinefoot (Siganidae), are regularly caught by fishermen through most of the Mediterranean. Other invasive species are the nudibranch Melibe viridis (Kelaart, 1858) (Tethydidae), the marine gastropod mollusk Bursatella leachii (Blainville, 1817), the ragged sea hare or shaggy sea hare (Aplysiidae), the crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) (Plagusiidae), and the scyphozoan jellyfish Rhopilema nomadica Galil, 1990 (Rhizostomatidae), a real trouble for fishermen, bathers and power station operators in the eastern part of the Mediterranean sea. Alan Deidun, Senior Lecturer Physical Oceanography Unit, Room 315, Chemistry Building 3rd Floor, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta - alan.deidun@gmail.com. Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 107-114 Some aspects on the reproductive cycle of European conger eel, Conger conger (Linnaeus, 1758) (Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes, Congridae) captured from Western Algerian coasts: a histological description of spermatogenesis. Abi-ayad Sidi-Mohammed El-Amine* 1 , BensahlaTalet Ahmed 2 , Ali Mehidi Small 3 , Dalouche Fatiha 4 , & Meliani Fethia Meriem 5 Laboratoire Aquaculture & Bioremediation (AQUABIOR). Department of Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology Faculty of Sciences (I.G.M.O.), Oran University, Oran; Algeria. 1 a.abi-ayad@hotmai I .com, 2 ahmedbensahla@yahoo.ff, 3 alimehidis@gmail.com, 4 fdalouchc@yahoo.fr, 5 mimi3s5@hotmail.com - Corresponding author ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to study the annual reproductive cycle of European conger eel ( Conger conger, Linnaeus, 1758) through analysis and description of spermatogenesis. A sample of 168 males was captured between September 2008 and August 2009 from the Western coast of Algeria, from Beni Saf. Fish length and weight varied between 26.20-112 cm and 0.45-3.44 kg, respectively. Condition factors (K), gonadosomatic index (G.S.I.) and hepatosomatic index (H.S.I.) were calculated monthly. Factor K reached the minimum in August/September (0.10%) corresponding to reproductive period and a maximum in January (0.18%). Although G.S.I. values revealed to be statistically not significant, there were two peaks for G.S.I., the first in March, denoting the beginning of spermatogenesis, and the second in August/September, indicating the reproduction period. H.S.I. reached a peak in December (1.90%), then the value decreased to a minimum in April. Histological analysis of testis allowed us to distinguish 5 stages summarized as follows: Stage 1: Spermatogonia A; Stage 2: Spermatogonia B; Stage 3: Spermatocytes and spermatids; Stage 4: Spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa (cytodifferentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa); Stage 5: Spermatozoa (spermiogenesis or cytodifferentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa). KEY WORDS Condition factor, Conger conger , G.S.I., H.S.I., reproduction, spermatogenesis. Received 16.05.2011; accepted 05.07.2011; printed 30.09.2011 INTRODUCTION The European conger eel ( Conger conger ) is distributed in the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Senegal (including the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira), in Mediterranean and western Black Sea (F.A.O., 2011). Specimens spawn, probably once in lifetime in summer (Cau & Manconi, 1984), in the Mediterranean and in the eastern North Atlantic around Azores (McCleave & Miller, 1994; Vallisneri et al., 2007). In Mediterranean Sea, males are usually smaller than females, with males rarely exceeding 100 cm in length and females reaching over 200 cm (Cau & Manconi, 1984). Since a decade, European conger eels (C. conger ) constitute an important and valuable fishery resource (Figueiredo et ah, 1996; Morato et ah, 1999; O’Sullivan et ah, 2003) in Mediterranean countries (Relini et ah, 1999) and, particularly, in Algeria. However and to our knowledge, no studies on eco-biology of this important benthic species (Vallisneri et ah, 2007) from South shore of Mediterranean Sea have been published. Moreover, there is evidence of declining stocks of the species (Menezes & Silva, 1999; O’Sullivan 108 Abi-ayad S.-M. E.-A., Bensahla Talet A., Ali Mehidi S., Dalouche F. & Meliani F. M. et al., 2003) and there has been no detailed published study on its reproductive biology and especially on the dynamics of spermatogenesis. According to F.A.O. (2011), total world catch of C. conger was estimated in 2009 to 17,229 tons. It is clear that conger species are subject to overfishing (Menezes & Silva, 1999; Mochioka & Tokai, 2001), which caused a drastic fall in its capture. Moreover, C. conger is very sensitive to exploitation and constitutes an important species in fish biodiversity and in biodiversity’s balance (Correia et al., 2006). The objective of the present study was to elucidate the process of male maturation of European conger eel (C. conger ) by examination of annual changes in condition factor K, gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indexes (G.S.I. and H.S.I., respectively) and gonadal histology. This latter constitutes the first detailed information on the species in Mediterranean. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fish samples: Conger conger employed for this study were captured from the Western coast of Algeria, from Beni-Saf, at a depth ranging between 100 and 150 meters. Total of 168 males were sampled, 60 in autumn, 33 in winter, 35 in spring and 40 in summer. Fresh specimens, collected by fishermen, were examined in laboratory. Total length (cm) and weight (g) and liver and gonad weight were measured for all individuals. Total length varied between 26.20 and 1 12 cm and total weight varied between 0.45 and 3.44 kg. Note that in May and June 2009, samples contained only female specimens. Indices of fish condition : In this study, we calculated, monthly, values of: • Condition factor K [K = (total weight / total length 3 ) x 100], • Gonadosomatic index [G.S.I. = (gonad weight / total weight) x 100], • Hepatosomatic index [H.S.I. = (liver weight / total weight) x 100]. Histological study: A 1 cm fragment from the gonad of each fish was removed and fixed in Bouin’s solution, then dehydrated and embedded in paraplast. For histological examination, the tissues were cut into sections of 5 microns and stained with a trichrome method according to Langeron (1942): Regaud’s haematoxyline at 57 °C, phloxine and green light. Histological descriptions of gonadal developmental stages were based on the criteria reported by Yamamoto et al. (1972) and Grier (1981). Statistical Analysis: All data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and were statistically compared by one-way variance analysis or ANOVA 1 (for condition factor K and Gonadosomatic index or G.S.I.) and by non parametric variance analysis of Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Withney U - test (for hepatosomatic index or H.S.I.) (d’Hainaut, 1975a, b). RESULTS Indices of fish condition Condition factor K: Condition factor K (Fig. 1) remained stable between September and Decem- ber 2008, then increased significantly (p<0.05) and reached a maximum (0.18% ± 0.03%) in January 2009. Between February and August 2009, K factor decreased significantly (p<0.05). Gonadosomatic (G.S.I.) and hepatosomatic (H.S.I.) indexes: Statistical comparison by ANOVA 1 of G.S.I. showed no significant differences among data obtained. As a description of G.S.I. results, in terms of absolute value, G.S.I. decreased not significantly (p>0.05) steadily and continuously between October 2008 and February 2009. In March 2009, G.S.I. reached a high value (2.92% ± 3.36%), then decreased not significantly (p>0.05) between April and July. Note that in May and June, only female specimens were caught. In September 2008 and August 2009, G.S.I. increased not significantly (p>0.05) again and reached a high value 3.97% ± 4.10% and 3.37% ± 5.23%, respectively (Fig. 2). Because of important differences between the raw values, standard deviation was high and in some cases higher than mean. Indeed, in September 2008, March and August 2009 G.S.I. raw values varied between 0.34%- 12.29%, 0.24%- 10.02% and 0.15%-14.16%, respectively. This can explain the results Some aspects on the reproductive cycle of European conger eel, Conger conger ( Linnaeus , 1758) 109 (Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes, Congridae) captured from Western Algerian coasts: a histological description of spermatogenesis K Factor (%) 0,05 0 i Months Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug 4 2008 ^ <4 2009 ^ Figure 1: Time evolution of the condition factor K (mean ± standard deviation expressed in %) in male European conger eel (Conger conger). Figure 2: Time evolution of G.S.l. (mean ± standard deviation expressed in %) in male European conger eel (Conger conger). obtained which, however, were not significant at all from a statistical point of view. The value of H.S.I. increased to a maximum in December 2008 (p<0.05), then decreased significantly and continuously (p<0.05) until February 2009. Between February and August 2009 (Fig. 3), H.S.I. value remained stable and the data revealed no significant variations (p>0.05). Similarly, data on H.S.I. were not available in May and June 2009 because of lack of male specimens during this period. Histological parameters Histological stages of sperm cells varied significantly according to period of sampling. Stage 1: This stage was observed between November and December 2008 and was characterized by the presence of spermatogonia A (Fig. 4). The nucleus presented a clear appearance after staining and cytoplasm presented a patch of dense granular and fibrillar material called “cloud”, usually near the nuclear membrane. 110 Abi-ayad S.-M. E.-A., Bensahla Talet A., Ali Mehidi S., Dalouche F. & Meliani F. M. Figure 3: Time evolution of H.S.l. (mean ± standard deviation expressed in %) in male European conger eel (Conger conger). Figure 4: Flistological section representative of spermatogonia A (800x) during early sperma- togenesis (November-December) in European conger eel (C. conger). G.S.I. = 0.93%. Figure 5: Histological section representative of spermatogonia B (800x) during spermatogenesis initiation (December-February) in European conger eel C. conger). G.S.I. = 1.05%. Some aspects on the reproductive cycle of European conger eel, Conger conger ( Linnaeus , 1758) HI (Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes, Congridae) captured from Western Algerian coasts: a histological description of spermatogenesis Stage 2: This stage was observed from December until February and indicated the beginning of spermatogenesis, with the occurrence of spermatogonia B. These cells were smaller and more intensely colored than spermatogonia A (Fig. 5). Stage 3: This stage was observed in March 2009 and was characterized by the occurence of spermatocytes (Fig. 6) at various stages (spermatocytes I and II). Spermatocytes have a great round or oval nucleus. During this stage, we observed the meiotic phase characterized by the occurrence of spermatids. Stage 4: This stage was observed between July and October 2009 and indicated the occurrence of spermiogenesis. Because of lack of male specimens in samples of May and June 2009 we were unable to determine at what month this stage exactly begins. The testes contained spermatocytes, spermatids and the maturing cells representative of the differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa (Fig. 7). These curved-shaped cells (average length: 3.84 pm) were strongly stained with haematoxyline. Stage 5: This stage was observed in September 2008 and only in one specimen. The testis showed only the maturing cells repre- sentative of the differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa (Fig. 8). Figure 6: Histological section representative of spermatocytes and spermatids (800x) at the end of spermatogenesis (March- April) in European conger eel (C. conger). G.S.l. = 5.84%. Figure 7: Histological section representative of spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa in differentiation (800x) during spermiogenesis (August) in European conger eel (C. conger). G.S.l. = 13.30%. 112 Abi-ayad S.-M. E.-A., Bensahla Talet A., Ali Mehidi S., Dalouche F. & Meliani F. M. Figure 8: Histological section showing spermatozoa in diffe- rentiation (800x) during sper- miogenesis (September) in European conger eel (C. conger). G.S.I. = 4.60%. DISCUSSION Little data exist on reproductive biology of conger species and especially C. conger (Relini et al., 1999; Sbaihi et al., 2001), so comparisons are difficult to make. The condition factor K of Conger conger was highest in winter, in January 2009, and lowest in summer, during September 2008 and August 2009. The decrease in the value of this factor in summer probably resulted in a weight loss for the fish, indicating that fishes used most of somatic energy reserves during migration and reproductive development. In Irish coastal waters, O’Sullivan et al. (2003) showed, in female C. conger , the highest and the lowest values of condition factor, in autumn and winter, respectively. The difference resulted probably from the coldest temperature observed in Oceanic waters (Irish waters) compared to south Mediterranean waters (present study). In this study, gonadosomatic index (G.S.I.) presented two peaks, the first in summer and the second in spring. Although these data were not statistically significant, nevertheless, the first peak could be explained by prespawning and spawning period. Indeed, many studies showed that European conger eel spawn in summer (Relini et al., 1999; Vallisneri et al., 2007; Abi- ayad et al ., personal unpublished data). In addition, Utoh et al. (2004) showed that captive Japanese conger eels (C. myriaster ) had a spermiation period from May to September with G.S.I. peak mean value of 5.3% ± 3.0% and a highest G.S.I. value of 9.3% measured in a specimen in June. In this study, the highest mean value of G.S.I. was measured in September 2008 (3.97% ± 4.10%) and August 2009 (3.37% ± 5.23%) and the highest and lowest G.S.I. raw values, 14.16% and 0.15%, were measured in August 2009. These latter results can explain that in many cases standard deviation values were higher than means values. After breeding, we measured a decrease in testicular weight justifying the reduction in value of the G.S.I. (Abi-ayad et al., 2004; Utoh et al., 2004). However, in coldest waters, Hood et al., (1988) and O’Sullivan et al., (2003) showed lowest and highest G.S.I. during autumn and late winter/spring in C. oceanicus and C. conger , respectively. In this study, a second high G.S.I. was obtained in spring (March 2009). This was probably due to the presence of males in advanced stages of spermatogenesis. The decline of G.S.I. in April and July 2009 may be due to the migration of males, by that time ready for breeding, to spawning area at great depths. The H.S.I. was highest in early winter (December 2008). This coincided with hepatic fats deposits due to intense feeding activity during summer period and, probably, useful for fish gonad maturation. In April 2009, H.S.I. was at its lowest level. This could indicate that the reserves stored in the liver during summer/autumn were invested in the development of sexual products, but also used as energy source when fish reduce their feeding during migration to the breeding area. This is confirmed by microscopic examination of gonads which showed that Some aspects on the reproductive cycle of European conger eel, Conger conger ( Linnaeus , 1758) 113 (Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes, Congridae) captured from Western Algerian coasts: a histological description of spermatogenesis spermatogenesis of European conger eel started in March. Histological study of testis confirmed lobular structure in the European conger eel, also observed in the European eel ( Anguilla anguilla ) and in many teleosts species (Todd, 1980). In this study, we classified the process of spermatogenesis into five stages. The testicular structure showed that spermatogonia A (stage 1) occurred in November and December 2008 and spermatogonia B (stage 2) from December 2008 to February 2009, when G.S.I. was lowest and K factor was highest. This may be related to trophic phase which is completed before maturation (Cau & Manconi, 1984; Utoh et al., 2004). Meiotic divisions of spermatocytes started in March (stage 3) and corresponded to the first peak of G.S.I. In wild winter flounder ( Pleuronectes americanus ) G.S.I. was high before appearance of spermatozoa (Harmin et al., 1995). In the present study we do not know when this stage ends, because of lack of male specimens in samples of May and June 2009. Histological examinations performed between August and October, when G.S.I. was at its second highest level, showed spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa in final maturation (stages 4 and 5). This corresponded to the phase of late spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. Indeed, Utoh et al., (2004) showed that G.S.I. remained at high levels in the late phase of spermatogenesis, during spermiation in reared Japanese conger (C. myriaster). In conclusion, the rational management of fish biodiversity and fishery necessitates understanding on eco-biology of target species. This study showed a (although statistically weak) relation between biometrics parameters and spermatoge- nesis’s dynamics in European conger eel. Furthermore, these results provide the first information on reproductive biology of C. conger captured in Western Algerian coasts (North African area) and report observations on cytodifferentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa (spermiogenesis) in male wild European conger eel (C. conger). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors thank the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) which funded this experimental study within the framework of CNEPRU project No F0 18200900 18. REFERENCES Abi-ayad S.-M. E.-A., Kestemont P. & Melard C., 2004. Variations saisonnieres des lipides et des acides gras chez les geniteurs de perche ( Perea fluviatilis ) maintenus en captivite. Sciences et Technologies, 21: 53-59. Cau A. & Manconi P., 1984. Relationship of feeding, reproductive cycle and bathymetric distrubution in Conger conger. Marine Biology, 81: 147-151. Correia A., Faria T. R., Alexandrino P., Antunes C., Isidro E. J. & Coimbra J., 2006. 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Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 115-120 Exploring the vegetation dynamics and community assemblage in Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, using CCA Sheikh Saeed Ahmad* & Qurat Ul Ann Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. * corresponding author: drsaeed@fjwu.edu.pk, 00 92 321 5167726. ABSTRACT The relationship between species diversity and overall community assemblage was identified in two different zones in Ayubia National Park (Rawalpindi, NE-Pakistan) which is recognized as protected area. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to find con-elation of environmental variables with species abundance/richness. Results showed that in Zone 1 species were rather scattered due to the less availability of organic matter and soil moisture as they occupy the less dense forest cover. Whereas Zone 2 showed the opposite trends. Finally the overall zones showed that maximum number of quadrats included Zone 2 species due to a great forest cover with excess amount of organic matter and soil moisture. The study highlighted the importance of dynamic nature and composition of vegetation and stressed the need of conservation of native flora for future generations. KEY WORDS Canonical Correspondence Analysis, Species richness, Soil moisture, Ayubia National Park, Pakistan. Received 27.05.2011; accepted 10.08.2011; printed 30.09.2011 INTRODUCTION A National park is an area set aside by a national government for the preservation of the natural environment. The World Conservation Union defines a National park as a natural area designated to protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations. In Pakistan, the earlier ecological studies were generally observational. The earlier studies, generally appeared in 1950’s, were confined to visual description of the vegetation, and no attempts were made to recognize community types and to correlate them with the relevant environmental factors. On the contrary, advanced multivariate techniques of ordination and cluster analysis had been routinely used in Europe and other parts of the world. There are numerous ordination methods accessible in plant bionetwork, some of which have been extensively used, e.g. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) (Hill & Gauch, 1980), whereas some others only sporadically used (Zhang, 2004). A series of studies using different ordination techniques were carried out in Pakistan by Ahmad et al., 2009; Ahmad, 2009; Jabeen & Ahmad, 2009; Pirzada et al., 2009; Ahmad et al., 2010a, b; Ahmad, 2011. In Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) the floristic statistics and the environmental variables can be assimilated within the ordination (Kashian et al., 2003). Within the Ayubia National Park, the study area was the moist temperate forest in Rawalpindi, NE-Pakistan (Fig. 1), showing a high diversity of susceptible plant and animal species. The geographical location of the park is 330° 52' N and 730° 90' E (Farooque, 2002). The aim of this research was to quantify the vegetation in Ayubia National Park using ordination techniques and to determine the soil- vegetation relationship to provide basic awareness for preservation of nationally significant native flora. A list of plant species present in the study area is provided in Table 1. Apart from their importance from ecological point of view few species are used as medicinal herbs by local inhabitants. Observed biodiversity of occuring species indicate that this area can be used for conservation of native flora. 116 Sheikh Saeed Ahmad & Qurat ul ann Figure 1. The geographical location of the Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, NE-Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS For the clear communities demarcation study area was divided into two zones. Zone 1 was located about 1 m from the walking track. 60 quadrats were laid down along both sides (30 quadrats on each side). Quadrat method was used for the collection of vegetation data. Quadrat size of 1 x 1 m was selected because a high number of herbs and shrubs were present in the area. Within each quadrat, cover values of plants were recorded by visual estimation according to Domin Cover Scale (Kent & Coker, 1995). Nomenclature was as in Nasir & Rafiq (1995). Soil variables include pH, organic matter (Nikolskii, 1963) and soil moisture (Allen, 1974). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) ordination methods were applied for data quantification and analysis. RESULTS The most important way of exploring the multivariate data sets is based on the ordination results. In fact, the first ordination axis is frequently correlated with one environmental variable, thus helping in identifying the abundance and occurrence of individual species related to environmental factors. Different or multiple approaches can depict such a relation including the response curve of species along the moisture gradient. In Zone 1 classification of species was based upon soil moisture content within 30 Quadrats. Biplot of species and environmental variables against soil moisture divided it into four classes i.e. Class Moisture 1 included 13 Quadrats, Class Moisture 2 included 4 Quadrats, Class Moisture 3 included 10 Quadrats and Class Moisture 4 included 3 Quadrats. The results showed that Zone 1 species mostly fall into class moisture 1 due to availability of thick forest cover and high contents of organic matter. The distance between the symbols in the diagram approximates the different distribution of relative abundance of the species across the area. Points resulting very close to each other correspond to species often occurring together. Segmentation of these symbols into slices was based on currently active classification of samples. Relative size of particular pie-slice corresponds to relative importance (measured either by number of presences or sum of Exploring the vegetation dynamics and community assemblage in Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, using CCA 117 Species name Families Vinca major Linnaeus (1789) Apocynaceae Hedera nepalensis K.Koch (1753) Araliaceae Polygonatum verticillatum All. (1754) Aspargaceae Cichorium intybus Linnaeus (1753) Asteraceae Taraxacum officinale Wigg. (1881 ) Asteraceae Asparagus gracilis Royle (1753) Asteraceae Thlaspi griffithianum (Boiss.) Boiss (1753) Brassicaceae Cardamine impatiens Linnaeus (1753) Brassicaceae Sisymbrium decomposita Linnaeus (1753) Brassicaceae Cannabis sativa (Linnaeus) (1753) Canabinaceae Viburnum foetens Decaisne ( 1753 ) Caprifoliaceae Cerastrium fontanum Baumg. (1753) Caryophullaceae Dipsacus strictus D. Don (1754) Dipasaceae Euphorbia wallichii Hook.f. (1753 ) Euphorbiaceae Indigofera heterantha Wall ex. Brand. (1753) Fabaceae Erodium cicutarium (Linnaeus) L, Herit ex Ait. (1789) Geraniaceae Mentha longifolia (Linnaeus) All. (1753) Lamiaceae Calamintha vulgaris Linnaeus (1754) Lamiaceae Nepeta connata Linnaeus (1753) Lamiaceae Lonicera quinquelocularis Hardw. (1753 ) Linaceae Oxalis corniculata Linnaeus (1753 ) Oxalidaceae Plantago major Linnaeus (1753) Plantaginaceae Poa pratensis Linnaeus (1753) Poaceae Cynodon dactylon (Linnaeus) Pers. ( 1753 ) Poaceae Polyphyllum hexandrum I. (1753 ) Podophyllaceae Rumex nepalensis Spreng. ( 1753) Polygonaceae Adiantum caudatum Forsk ( 1753) Pteridaceae Dryopteris ramose (Hope) C.Chr. (1753) Pteridaceae Adiantum capillus-veneris Linnaeus (1753) Pteridaceae Clematis grata Wall. (1754 ) Ranunculaceae Aquilegia pubi flora Wall ex Royle (1754 ) Ranunculaceae Fragaria vesca Lindley ex Lacaita (1753 ) Rosaceae Fragaria nubicola Lindley ex Lacaita (1753) Rosaceae Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke ( 1811 ) Rosaceae Potentilla gerardiana Lindley ex Lehm. (1753 ) Rosaceae Galium aparine Linnaeus (1753 ) Rubiaceae Bergenia himalaica Boriss. (1974) Saxifragaceae Bergenia ciliate (Haw.) (1831 ) Saxifragaceae Scrophularia decomposita Royle ex Benth (1753 ) Scrophulariaceae Urtica dioica Linnaeus ( 1753 ) Urticaceae Valeriana jatamansi Jane ( 1 805) Valerianaceae Valerianella dentatam (L.) Poll. (1754) Valerianae eae Viola canescens Wall. ex Roxb. ( 1753 ) Violaceae Table 1 : List of plant species in Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. 118 Sheikh Saeed Ahmad & Qurat ul ann abundances) of the current species in the particular class of samples (Fig. 2). Similarly, figure 3 explains the classification of species of Zone 2 in relation to soil moisture content. Soil moisture was separated into four classes i.e. Class moisture 1 included 8 Quadrats, Class moisture 2 included 7 Quadrats, Class moisture 3 included 9 Quadrats and Class moisture 4 included 6 Quadrats, the maximum number of samples occurring in Class moisture 3. This analysis depicts that Zone 2 species fall in class moisture 3 because of more availability of organic matter and maximum forest cover in that area. Overall species of both zones classification respect to soil moisture was analyzed. It showed that Class moisture 1 included 18 Quadrats, Class moisture 2 included 24 Quadrats, Class moisture 3 included 5 Quadrats and Class moisture 4 included 13 Quadrats. The analysis of these results showed that a high number of Quadrats comprised Zone 2-species due to dense forest canopy resulting in more availability of raw material for the formation of organic matter (Fig. 4). CO o Plan.maj o - 0.8 Cich.int Poa.prat Cann.sat Mention Bern. him. Gall, apa Cala.vul Frag, nub Poll. hex Frag.ves Scro.dec Urti. dio Dryo.ram Poly.ver Pote. ger SPECIES PIES CLASSES □ Moisture-1 □ Moisture-2 □ Moisture-3 ■ Moisture-4 Figure 2: Pie symbols plot of (Zone 1) species over classes of samples with different soil moisture. © Duch. ind Loni.qui Berg.cif Clenrgra Erod.cic f inc.maj Dips djtr J ale.jatcyno, ,dac Thal.gri Vioi . i Pot ., Rume.nep n.maj SPECIES PIES CLASSES □ Moisture-1 ■ Moisture-2 ■ Moisture-3 ■ Moisture-4 - 0.6 0.6 Figure 3: Pie symbols plot (Zone 2) of species over classes of samples with different soil moisture. Exploring the vegetation dynamics and community assemblage in Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, using CCA 119 Scro.dec SPECIES PIES CLASSES EJ Moisture-1 ■ Moisture-2 ■ Moisture-3 □ Moisture-4 -0.4 0.8 Figure 4: Pie symbols plot (Both Zones) of species over classes of samples with different soil moisture. DISCUSSIONS Multivariate analysis technique called Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used in this study in Ayubia National Park to identify the correlation between species occurrence/abundance and environmental variables. This ordination technique assumed that species abundance was unimodally distributed along environmental gradients. Species richness is mostly correlated with soil moisture and pH. Organic matter was the factor strongly correlated with species richness in dense vegetation (Welle et al., 2003). Soil pH can also be correlated with species richness, high species richness results in declining as pH declines (Gough et al., 2000; Roem & Berendse, 2000). The study area was divided in different zones i.e. Zone 1 and Zone 2, CCA was applied to classify the species richness. Results of Zone 1 were completely different from Zone 2 as the soil moisture and organic matter were highest in Zone 2 due to dense vegetation. Same results were revealed when overall species data were employed for CCA analysis. The most of the researches revealed that high temperature as well as irrigation manipulations exhibit unusual level of impact on diverse taxa moreover, they may influence species abundance and species richness in a complementary way. Soil is the most species rich component in many terrestrial ecosystems (Adams & Wall, 2000; Andre et al., 2002) and also plays significant function within ecosystem, affecting processes including plant growth as well as decomposition (Coleman & Hendrix, 2000). Results of present study stress the need of conservation and preservation of native flora. REFERENCES Adams G.A. & Wall D.H., 2000. Biodiversity above and below the surface of soils and sediments: linkages and implications for global change. Bioscience, 50: 1043-1048. Ahmad S.S., 2009. Ordination and classification of herbaceous vegetation in Margalla Hills National Park Islamabad Pakistan. Biolological Diversity and Conservation, 2: 38-44. Ahmad S.S., 2011. Canonical Correspondence Analysis of the relationships of roadside vegetation to its edaphic factors: a case study of Lahore-Islamabad motorway (M-2). Pakistan Journal of Botany, 43: 1673-1677. Ahmad S.S., Fazal S., Valeem E.E., Khan Z.I., Sarwar G. & Iqbal Z., 2009. Evaluation of ecological aspects of roadside vegetation around Havalian city using Multivariate techniques. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 41: 53-60. Ahmad S.S., Wahid A. & Alcbar K. F., 2010a. Multivariate classification and data analysis of vegetation along Motorway (M-2), Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 42: 1173-1185. Ahmad I., Ahmad M.S.A., Hussain M., Ashraf M. & Hameed M.Y. & Hameed M., 2010b. Spatiotemporal Aspects of plant community structure in Open Scrub Rangelands of Sub-Mountainous Himalayan Plateaus. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 42: 3431-3440. Allen S.E., 1974. Chemical analysis of ecological materials. Blackwell scientific publications, Oxford. London, 565 pp. 120 Sheikh Saeed Ahmad & Qurat ul ann Andre H.M., Ducarme X. & Lebrun P., 2002. Soil biodiversity: Myth, reality or conning? Oikos, 96: 3-24. Coleman D.C. & Hendrix P.F., 2000. Invertebrates as Webmasters in Ecosystems. Institute of Ecology, CABI Publishing, New York, 352 pp. Farooque M., 2002. Management Plan of Ayubia National Park 2002-2007. Natural resource conservation project, Galiat, Abbotabad, 11-12. Gough L., Shaver G.R., Carrol J., Royer D.L. & Laundre J.A., 2000.Vascular plant species richness in Alaskan arctic tundra: The importance of soil pH. Journal of Ecology, 88: 54-66. Hill M.O. & Gauch H.G., 1980. Detrended correspondence analysis, an improved ordination technique. Vegetatio, 42: 47-58. Jabeen T. & Ahmad S.S., 2009. Multivariate analysis of environmental and vegetation data of Ayub National Park, Rawalpindi. Soil and Environment, 28: 106-112. Kashian D.M., Barnes B.V. & Walker W.S., 2003. Ecological species groups of landform-level ecosystems dominated by jack pine in northern Lower Michigan, USA. Plant Ecology, 166: 75-91. Kent M. & Coker P., 1995. Vegetation Description and Analysis: a practical approach. Belhaven Press, London, 363 pp. Nasir Y J. & Rafiq R A., 1995. Wild Flowers of Pakistan. Oxford University Press., Karachi, 298 pp. Nikolskii N.N., 1963. Practical soil sciences. Tech Services, U.S., Department of Commerce, Washington, 240 pp. Pirzada H. Ahmad S.S. & Audil R., 2009. Monitoring of soil lead pollution using roadside plants ( Dalbergia sissoo and Cannabis sativa) utilizing multivariate analysis. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 41: 1729-1736. Roem W.J. & Berendse F., 2000. Soil acidity and nutrient supply ratio as possible factors determining changes in plant species diversity in grassland and healthland communities. Biological conservation, 92: 151-161. Welle V., Marlies E.W., Peter V., Gaius R. & Frank B., 2003. Factors determining the species richness in Alaska arctic tundra. Journal of Vegetation Science, 14: 711- 720. Zhang J.T., 2004. Quantitative Ecology. Science Press, Beijing, China: 516-522. Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 121-144 A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae (exclusive of Bacillariophyceae) Silvia Alfinito Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; e-mail: silvia.alfinito@uniromal.it ABSTRACT Up to present, this is the first check list of the non marine algal flora of Sierra Leone. In this first part 468 taxa, exclusive of diatoms, are reported. For each taxa, the updated nomenclature and the finding localities with refe- rences are given. KEY WORDS Check list, freshwater algae, Sierra Leone, Tropical Africa. Received 27.05.2011; accepted 10.08.2011; printed 30.09.2011 INTRODUCTION The first publication on the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone (Tropical West Africa) dates back to O’Meara (1876) who, during a meeting of the Dublin Microscopical Club, reported the finding of some Coscinodiscus (cen- tric diatoms) in samples from Rockett River. After that only in 1958 Woodhead & Tweed in a check list of the algal flora of the West Africa reported some algae themselves collected in Sierra Leone, Sula Hills (Woodhead & Tweed, 1958); in subsequent papers these authors (1959; 1960) described several new species, that for the extremely poor quality of iconography were con- sidered suspected and in any case invalidly pub- lished (Gronblad et al., 1968; Gerrath & Denny, 1979). All the records of Woodhead & Tweed (loc. cit.) except for the newly but invalid described taxa, were not substantiated by any illustration. For all these reasons in this check list the species reported in their papers will not be taken into account. The first data that can be considered valid for the compilation of this check list are those reported in Molder (1962) who listed several diatoms collected in Kangari and Sula. Brand- ham (1967) described a new species of Micros te- rms from the samples in the collection of Wood- ehead & Tweed; Gronblad et al. (1968) pub- lished the desmid flora of Njala and Kabala, with several species new to science and Whitton (1968) a list of Cyanophyceae from the North and North West Area. From 1979 to 1994 several researches were carried out on the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone: Alfinito & Mazzoni (1986); Alfinito et al. (1989; 1990; 1994); Carter & Denny (1982; 1987; 1992); Gerrath & Denny (1979; 1980; 1980a; 1988; 1989); Fumanti (1994); Fumanti et al. (1990); Mazzoni (1986); Ricci & Alfinito (1994) and Ricci et al. (1990). Altogether 14 taxa were described as new: Cystodinium sonfonense Gerrath et Denny, 1980 Actinotaenium wollei (Gronbl.) Teiling v. latius Croasdale in Gronblad et al. 1968 Cosmarium exiguum Archer f. ocellatum Gronblad et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 Cosmarium rossi Ricci in Ricci & Alfinito, 1994 Cosmarium wenmanae Croasdale in Gron- blad et al., 1968 Docidium lomaense Alfinito et Mazzoni, 1986 Euastrum divaricatum Lundell v. ugandanum Gronblad in Gronblad et al., 1968 Micrasterias echinata Brandham, 1967 Micrasterias mahabuleshwarensis Hobson v. comperei Coute et Rousselin v. semireducta Scott et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 122 Silvia Alfinito 1 3° W + 12° W + 11°W + 10° N + 9° N 8° N + 7°N Figure 1. Map of Sierra Leone showing the investigated sites. A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 123 Penium cylindraceum Forster f. majus Croas- dale in Gronblad et al., 1968 Staurastrum contectum Turner f. concavum Scott et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 Staurastrum histrix Ralfs v. granulatum Ricci in Ricci et al., 1990 Staurastrum setigerum Cleve v. pectinatum West et West f. paucispiniferum Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968. Staurastrum spiculiferum Borge v. glabrum Gerrath et Denny, 1988 MATERIAL AND METHODS This first part of the check list, concerning 25 localities, lists all the algal groups, exclusive of diatoms, for a total of 468 taxa, distributed as follows in the different algal classes: Cyano- phyceae: 38; Chrysophyceae: 2; Xanthophyceae: 1, Raphidophyceae: 1; Cryptophyceae: 2; Dino- phyceae: 7; Euglenophyceae: 73; Prasinophy- ceae: 1; Chlorophyceae: 55; Conjugatophyceae: 288. All the taxa reported only as “sp.” or with “cfr.” but with an iconographic documentation, were taken into account. Those genera cited only as “spp.” were counted only as genera. In the check list, the classification of the algae, given in van den Hoek et al. (1995), was followed at classes level. For taxa nomenclature checking references used were: Cyanophyceae: Anagnostidis & Komarek, 1989, 1990; Komarek & Anagnostidis, 1999; 2005; Komarek & Hauer, 2011. Chrysophyceae: Starmach, 1985. Xanthophyceae: Ettl, 1978. Raphidophyceae and Cryptophyceae: Huber- Pestalozzi, 1950. Dinophyceae: Popovsky & Pfiester, 1990. Euglenophyceae: Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955. Prasinophyceae: Ettl, 1983. Chlorophyceae, Volvocales: Ettl, 1983. Chlorophyceae, Tetrasporales: Ettl & Gartner, 1988. Chlorophyceae, Chlorococcales: Komarek & Fott, 1983. Chlorophyceae, Chaetophorales: Printz, 1964. Chlorophyceae, Oedogoniales: Mrozinska, 1985. Chlorophyceae, Conjugatophyceae: Coesel & Meester, 2007; Croasdale et al., 1983; Forster, 1982; Prescott et al., 1972; 1975; 1977; 1981; 1982; Ruzicka, 1977; 1981. Investigated localities Bambawo, stream at Bathurst Falls (Fig. 2) Freetown Fourah Bay College, Freetown. Guma Dam (Fig. 3) Kabala, river at Kambia Kania, pools near (Fig. 4) Kenema, swamp at Lake Gambia Lake Mabesi Lake Malen Lake Mape Lake Popei Lake Sonfon Lake Tibi Loma Mnts, Peak Bintimani (Figs. 5-7) Njala River Jong River Malen River Sewa River Waanje Rokupr Waterloo York, swamp at (Fig. 8) References for Sierra Leone freshwater algae (numbers in bracket after each locality) 1: Brandham, 1967. 2: Gronblad et al., 1968. 3: Whitton, 1968. 4 : Gerrath & Denny, 1979. 5: Gerrath & Denny, 1980. 6: Gerrath & Denny, 1980a. 7: Alfinito & Mazzoni, 1986. 8 : Gerrath & Denny, 1988. 9 : Alfmito et al., 1989. 10 : Gerrath & Denny, 1989. 11 : Alfmito et al., 1990. 12 : Ricci et al., 1990. 13: Ricci & Alfinito, 1994. 124 Silvia Alfinito Fig-2 Fig.3 Fig.4 Fig.5 Fig. 6 Fig.7 Figure 2. Bathurst Falls (photo W. Rossi). Figure 3. Gurna Dam, pool on lateritic soil (photo W. Rossi). Figure 4. Little pools near Kania (photo W. Rossi). Figure 5. Loma Mountains, Peak Bintimani (photo W. Rossi). Figure 6. Loma Mountains, NE slope of Peak Bintimani, sampling area (photo W. Rossi). Figure 7. Loma Mountains, NE slope of Peak Bintimani, 1650 m a.s.l., small pools on granitic rock (photo W. Rossi). Figure 8. Swamp near York (photo W. Rossi). A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 125 CHECKLIST CYANOPHYCEAE CHROOCOCCALES Aphanocapsa Nageli, 1849 A. elachista West et West, 1894 - Lake Tibi, Lake Sonfon (6) Aphanothece Nageli, 1849 A. stagnina (Sprengel) A. Braun, 1863 - Kambia (3); Lake Sonfon (6) Chroococcus Nageli, 1849 C. turgidus (Kiitz.) Nageli, 1849 - Without localities (6) Eucapsis Clements et Shantz, 1909 E. alpina Clements et Shantz, 1909 - Lake Sonfon (6) Gloeocapsa Kiitzing, 1843 G. aeruginosa Kiitzing, 1843 - Waterloo (3) Merismopedia Meyen, 1839 M. punctata Meyen, 1839 - Lake Mape, River Jong, River Sewa, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (6) NOSTOCALES Anabaena Bory ex Bomet et Flahault, 1886 A. fuellebornii Schmidle, 1902 - GumaDam(3) A. promecespora Fremy, 1930 forma - Lake Popei (6) A. torulosa (Carm.) Lagerheim ex Bomet et Flahault, 1888 - Rokupr (3) Anabaena spp. - Lake Mape, River Jong, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (6) Calothrix Agardh ex Bomet et Flahault, 1886 C. stagnalis Gomont, 1895 - River Jong, Bambawo, Lake Sonfon (6) Cylindrospermum Kiitzing ex Bomet et Flahault, 1888 C. majus Kiitzing ex Bornet et Flahault, 1888 - Freetown (3) C. licheniforme (Bory) Kiitzing ex Bomet et Flahault, 1888 - Freetown (3) Nodularia Mertens ex Bomet et Flahault, 1886 126 Silvia Alfinito N. harveyana Thuret ex Bomet et Flahault, 1888 Scytonema Agardh ex Bomet et Flahault, 1886 S. hyalinum Gardner, 1927 Tolypothrix Kiitzing ex Bornet et Flahault, 1886 T. byssoidea (Hassal) Kirchner, 1878 T. distorta Kiitz. ex Bom. et Flah., 1888 v. symplocoides Hansgirg, 1892 T. fragilis (Gardner) Geitler, 1932 T. mangini (Fremy) Geitler, 1932 OSCILLATORIALES Arthrospira Stitzenberger ex Gomont, 1892 A. gigantea (Schmidle) Anagnostidis, 1998 = Spirulina gigantea Schmidle, 1902 A.jenneri Stitzenb. ex Gomont, 1892 = Spirulina jenneri (Stizenb.) Geitler, 1925 Geitlerinema (Anagn. et Komarek) Anagnostidis, 1989 G. calcuttense ( Bis w.) Anagnostidis, 1989 = Oscillatoria calcuttensis Biswas, 1932 G. splendidum (Grev. ex Gom.) Anagnostidis, 1989 = Oscillatoria splendida Greville ex Gomont, 1892 Lyngbya Agardh ex Gomont, 1892 L. birgei G.M. Smith, 1916 L. corticicola Briihl et Biswas, 1923 L. martensiana Meneghini ex Gomont, 1892 L. nigra Agardh ex Gomont, 1892 L. spiralis Geitler, 1932 Oscillatoria Vaucher ex Gomont, 1892 O. variabilis Rao, 1936 = 0. raoi De Toni, 1939 NOTE: 0. variabilis is one of the unrevised species of Phormidium in Komarek & Anagnostidis (2005). 0. princeps Vaucher ex Gomont, 1892 0. subbrevis Schmidle, 1901 0. tenuis Agardh ex Gomont, 1892 Phormidium Kiitzing ex Gomont, 1 892 - Lake Tibi (6) - Freetown (3) - Fourah Bay College (3) - Fourah Bay College (3) - Rokupr (3) - Guma Dam (3) - Lake Gambia, Lake Popei, Lake Mabesi (6) - Lake Sonfon (6) - Guma Dam (3) - Freetown (3); Lake Sonfon (6). - Lake Mape, River Jong (6) - Kambia (3) - Lake Mape, Bambawo, Lake Sonfon (6) - Kambia (3) - Rokupr (3) - Kambia (3) - Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (6) - Lake Mape, Lake Mabesi, River Jong, River Sewa, Lake Sonfon (6) - Lake Popei, River Jong, Lake Sonfon (5) P. digueti (Gom.) Anagnostidis et Komarek, 1988 - Lake Sonfon (6) = Lyngbya digueti Gomont, 1895 P. kuetzingianum (Kirchn.) Anagnostidis et Komarek, 1988 - Kambia (3) = Lyngbya kuetzingiana Kirchner, 1878 A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 127 P. okeni (Agardh ex Gom.) Anagnostidis et Komarek, 1988 = Oscillatoria okeni Agardh ex Gomont, 1892 Spirulina Turpin ex Gomont, 1892 - Freetown (3) S. major Kiitzing ex Gomont, 1892 Symplocastrum (Gomont) Kirchner, 1898 - York (3); Lake Mape, Lake Popei (6). S. muelleri (Nageli ex Gomont.) Anagnostidis, 2001 =Schizothrix muelleri Nagel i ex Gomont, 1892 - Kambia(3) STIGONEMATALES Hapalosiphon Nageli in Kiitzing ex Bornet et Flahault, 1886 H. arboreus West et West, 1894 H. flexuosus Borzi, 1892 - Lake Sonfon (6) - Lake Popei (6) CHRYSOPHYCEAE OCHROMONADALES Dinobryon Ehrenberg, 1835 D. sertularia Ehrenberg, 1838 D. sertularia v. protuberans (Lemm.) Krieger, 1930 - Lake Tibi (6) - Lake Gambia, River Waanje, Lake Tibi, Lake Mape (6) XANTHOPHYCEAE MISHOCOCCALES Ophiocytium Nageli, 1849 0. majus Nageli, 1849 - Lake Sonfon (6) RAPHIDOPHYCEAE VACUOLARIALES Gonyostomum Diesing, 1866 G. semen (Ehr.) Diesing, 1866 - Lake Sonfon (6) 128 Silvia Alfinito CRYPTOPHYCEAE CRYPTOMONADALES Cryptomonas Ehrenberg, 1831 River Malen, Lake Sonfon (6) Lake Mape, River Waanje, Lake Popei, Lake Tibi, River-Jong, Lake Sonfon (6) C. marssonii Skuja, 1848 C. ovata Ehrenberg, 1832 DINOPHYCEAE PERIDINIALES Ceratium Schrank, 1793 C. brachyceros Daday, 1907 C. hirundinella (0. F. Muller) Dujardin, 1841 forma Gymnodinium Stein, 1878 G. fuscum (Ehr.) Stein, 1878 Peridinium Ehrenberg, 1832 P. umbonatum Stein, 1883 = P. inconspicuum Lemmermann, 1899 - Lake Sonfon (6) - Lake Mape, River Waanje, River Jong (6) - Lake Tibi, Lake Gambia (6) - Lake Mape, River Waanje, Lake Gambia (6) DINOCOCCALES Cystodinium Klebs, 1912 C. sonfonense Gerrath et Denny, 1980 Stylodinium Klebs, 1912 S. globosum Klebs, 1912 = S. cerasiforme Pascher, 1927 Tetradinium Klebs, 1912 T. javanicum Klebs, 1912 - Lake Sonfon (6) - Lake Sonfon (6) - Lake Sonfon (6) EUGLENOPHYCEAE EUGLENALES Astasia Dujardin, 1841 A. torta Pringsheim, 1942 Entosiphon Stein, 1878 - Lake Sonfon (4) A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 129 E. sulcatum (Dujardin) Stein, 1878 Entosiphon sp. Euglena Ehrenberg, 1838 - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) E. acus Ehrenberg, 1838 E. charkowiensis Swirenko, 1913 E. geniculata Dujardin, 1841 E. gracilis Klebs, 1 883 E. limnophila Lemm., 1898 v. lemmermannii Drezelpolsky, 1925 E. oblonga Schmitz, 1884 E. spirogyra Ehrenberg, 1838 v. suprema Skuja, 1932 E. viridis Ehrenberg, 1830 Euglena sp. 1 Euglena sp. 2 - Lake Tibi, Lake Mabesi, Lake Sonfon (4) - River Waanje, Lake Gambia, Lake Tibi, Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Malen (4) Gyropaigne Skuja, 1939 G. lefevrei Bourrelly et Georges, 1951 - Lake Sonfon (4) Lepocinclis Perty, 1849 L. acuta Prescott, 1949 L.fusiformis (Carter) Lemm. em. Conrad, 1934 v. fusiformh f. fusiformis L. fusiformis v. fusiformis f. lemmermannii (Conrad) Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955 = L. fusiformis (Carter) Lemm., 1901 v. lemmermanni Conrad, 1935 L. fusiformis v. amphirltynchus Nygaard, 1949 L. marssonii Lemmermami em. Conrad, 1935 L. ovum (Ehr.) Lemmermann, 1910 v. ovum L. ovum v. angustata (Defl.) Conrad, 1935 L. ovum v. globula (Perty) Lemmermann, 1910 L. texta (Dujardin) Lemmermann em. Conrad, 1935 Lepocinclis sp. - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Tibi (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) Menoidium Perty, 1852 M. gracile Playfair, 1921 - Lake Sonfon (4) Notosolenus Stokes, 1884 Notosolenus sp. Phacus Dujardin, 1841 P. acuminatus Stokes, 1885 forma P. atraktoides Pochmann, 1942 P. brachykentron Pochmann, 1942 forma P. brevicaudatus (Klebs) Lemmermann, 1910 P. contortus Bourrelly, 1952 v. complicatus Bourrelly, 1952 P. ephippion Pochmann, 1942 P. glaber (Defl.) Pochmann, 1942 P. hamatus Pochmann, 1942 - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Gambia (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Mape (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) 130 Silvia Alfinito P. inflexus (Kisselew) Pochmann, 1942 P. longicauda (Ehr.) Dujardin, 1841 v. longicauda P. longicauda v. major Swirenko, 1915 P. longicauda v. rotunda (Pochm.) Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955 P. meson Pochmann, 1942 P. onyx Pochmann, 1942 P. orbicularis Hiibner, 1896 P. pleuronectes (Muller) Dujardin, 1841 forma P. polytrophos Pochmann, 1942 P. pseudonordstedtii Pochmann, 1942 v. minuscola (Conrad) Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955 - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Mabesi (4) - Lake Mabesi (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) - River Waanje, Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Mabesi, Lake Sonfon (4). - Lake Sonfon (4) - Lake Sonfon (4) P. stokesii Lemmermann, 1910 - Lake Sonfon (4) P. tortus (Lemm.) Skvortzow, 1928 - Lake Malen, Lake Sonfon (4) P. undulatus (Skvortz.) Pochmann, 1942 - Lake Sonfon (4) P. viguieri Allorge et Lefevre, 1930 - Lake Sonfon (4) Phacus sp. 1 - Lake Sonfon (4) Phacus sp. 2 - Lake Sonfon (4) Strombomonas Deflandre, 1930 S. fluviatilis (Lemm.) Deflandre, 1930 - Lake Mabesi (4) S. schauinslandii (Lemm.) Deflandre, 1930 - Lake Mabesi, Lake Malen (4) S. tambowika (Swir.) Deflandre, 1930 - Lake Mabesi (4) S. tetraptera Balech et Dastugue, 1937 - Lake Mabesi (4) S. verrucosa (Daday) Deflandre, 1930 v. zntiewika (Swir.) Deflandre, 1930 - Lake Mabesi (4) Trachelomonas Ehrenberg, 1833 T. abrupta Swirenko em. Defl., 1926 - River Waanje, River Jong, Lai T. armata (Ehr.) Stein, 1833 - Lake Mabesi, Lake Sonfon (4' T. crispa Balech, 1944 - Lake Sonfon (4) T. dubia Swirenko em. Deflandre, 1926 - Lake Sonfon (4) T. globularis (Awer.) Lemmermann, 1910 v. punctata Skvortzow, 1917 - Lake Sonfon (4) T hispida (Perty) Stein, 1883 v. hispida - Lake Sonfon (4) T. hispida v. crenulatocollis (Masked) Lemmermann, 1910 - Lake Sonfon (4) T. hispida v. duplex Deflandre, 1926 - River Jong (4) T. intermedia Dangeard, 1902 - Lake Sonfon (4) T. janczewskii Drezelp., 1921 var. minor Drezelpolski, 1925 - Lake Sonfon (4) I naviculiformis Defl., 1926 v. bourrelyi Huber-Pestalozzi, 1955 - Lake Sonfon (4) T oblonga Lemmermann, 1899 - Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (4) T scabra Playfair, 1915 forma - Lake Mabesi (4) T. speciosa Deflandre, 1926 - Lake Sonfon (4) T superba Swirenko em. Deflandre, 1926 - Lake Sonfon (4) T. volvocinopsis Swirenko, 1914 - Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (4) T. woycickii Koczwara, 1915 - Lake Sonfon (4) T. zinger i Roll, 1925 - Lake Sonfon (4) PRASINOPHYCEAE POLYBLEPHARIDALES Pyramimonas Schmarda, 1 849 P. tetrarynchus Schmarda, 1849 - Lake Sonfon (5) A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 131 CHLOROPHYCEAE VOLVOCALES Chlamydomonas Ehrenberg, 1833 C. pseudotarda Bourrelly, 1951 Chlamydomonas sp. Eudorina Ehrenberg, 1831 E. elegans Ehrenberg, 1831 Pandorina Bory, 1824 P. morum (0. F. Miiller) Bory, 1824 - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Malen, River Jong (5) - River Jong, Lake Sonfon (5) TETRASPORALES Chlamydocapsa Fott, 1972 C. ampla (Kiitz.) Fott, 1972 - Lake Sonfon (5) = Gloeocystis ampla (Kiitz.) Lagerheim, 1883 Stylosphaeridium Geitler et Gimesi, 1925 Stylosphaeridium stipitatum (Bachm.) Geitler et Gimesi, 1925 - Lake Sonfon (5) = Characium stipitatum (Bachm.) Wille, 1911 CHLOROCOCCALES Ankistrodesmus Corda, 1838 A. bibraianus (Reinsch) Korsikov, 1953 A. fusiformis Corda, 1838 A. gracilis (Reinsch) Korsikov, 1953 Bo tryo co ecus Kritzing, 1849 B. braunii Kiitzing, 1849 Characium A. Braun in Kiitzing, 1849 C. ensiforme Hermann, 1863 = C. ambiguum Hermann, 1863 C. rostratum Reinhard ex Printz, 1914 Coelastrum Nageli, 1849 C. cambricum Archer, 1868 - Lake Mape, Lake Gambia, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - River Jong, Lake Gambia, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Gambia (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - River Waanje, River Malen, Lake Gambia, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Mabesi, Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (5) 132 Silvia Alfinito C. sphaericum Nageli, 1849 Coenochloris Korsikov, 1953 C. pyrenoidosa Korsikov, 1953 Crucigenia Morren, 1830 C. quadrata Morren, 1830 Dictyosphaerium N ageli , 1849 D. pulchellum Wood, 1872 - Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, River Jong, Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Tibi (5) - Lake Tibi (5) - Lake Gambia, Lake Popei, Lake Tibi, River Jong, River Malen, Lake Sonfon (5) Dimorphococcus A. Braun, 1855 D. lunatus A. Braun, 1855 Gloeocystis Nageli, 1849 G. major Gemeck ex Lemmermann, 1915 Gloeocystis sp. Kirchneriella Schmidle, 1893 K. lunaris (Kirchner) Mobius, 1894 Micractinium Fresenius, 1858 M. pusillum Fresenius, 1858 Monoraphidium Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969 M. contortum (Thuret) Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969 M. convolutum (Corda) Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969 M. griffithii (Berkeley) Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969 M. irregulare (G. M. Smith) Komarkova-Legnerova, 1969 Oocystis A. Braun, 1855 O. borgei Snow, 1903 O. solitaria Wittrock, 1879 = 0. crass a Wittrock, 1880 Palmodictyon Kiitzing, 1845 P. lobatum Korsikov, 1953 - Lake Tibi, Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Gambia (5) - Lake Tibi, Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Tibi (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Gambia, Lake Sonfon (5). - Lake Sonfon (5). - Lake Sonfon (5) Pediastrum Meyen, 1829 P. angulosum (Ehr.) Meneghini, 1840 v. asperum Sulek, 1969 - River Waanje, River Jong, River Malen, Lake Mape, Lake Popei, Lake Tibi (5) P. biradiatum Meyen, 1829 - River Waanje, Lake Sonfon (5) A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 133 P. boryanum (Turpin) Meneghini, 1840 P. duplex Meyen, 1829 P. tetras (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1844 Scenedesmus Meyen, 1829 - River Waanje, River Malen, Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (5) - River Waanje, River Jong, River Malen, Lake Mape (5) - River Waanje, River Jong, River Sewa, Lake Tibi, Lake Gambia, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (5) S. acuminatus (Lagerh.) Chodat, 1902 S. armatus Chodat, 1913 S. brasiliensis Bohlin, 1897 S. ecornis (Ehr.) Chodat, 1926 S. gutwinskii Chodat, 1926 v. heterospina Bodrogskozy, 1950 S. kissii Hortobagy, 1975 = S. quadricauda (Turp.) Brebisson, 1835 v. biornatus Kiss, 1939 S. quadricauda (Turpin) Brebisson, 1835 - River Jong, River Malen, Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (5) - River Malen, Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, River Jong (5) - River Waanje, Lake Mape, Lake Tibi, Lake Gambia, River Jong, Lake Popei (5) Sphaerocystis Chodat, 1897 S. schroeteri Chodat, 1897 - River Jong , Lake Mape, Lake Mabesi, Lake Sonfon (5) Tetraedron Kiitzing, 1845 T. regular e Kiitzing, 1845 Tetrallantos Teiling, 1916 T. lagerheimii Teiling, 1916 Westella de Wildeman, 1897 - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Tibi, Lake Sonfon (5) W. botryoides (W. West) de Wildeman, 1897 - Lake Sonfon (5) CHAETOPHORALES Chaetosphaeridium Klebahn, 1892 C. pringsheimii Klebahn, 1893 - Lake Tibi, Lake Popei (5) Microspora Thuret, 1850 M. aequabilis Wichmann, 1937 v. minor Wichmann, 1937 - Lake Sonfon (5) Microthamnion Nageli, 1849 M. strictissimum Rabenhorst, 1863 - Lake Mape, Lake Sonfon (5) Oligochaetophora G. S. West, 1911 134 Silvia Alfinito 0. simplex G. S. West, 1911 - Lake Sonfon (5) Ulothrix Kiitzing, 1836 U. amphigranulata Skuja, 1948 U. subtilis Kiitzing, 1845 - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) Uronema Lagerheim, 1887 U. confervicolum Lagerheim, 1887 v. africanum (Borge) Printz, 1964 = U. africanum Borge, 1928 - Lake Sonfon (5) OEDOGONIALES Bulbochaete Agardh, 1817 Bulbochaete spp. - Lake Mape, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (5) Oedogonium Link, 1 820 0. mammiferum Wittrock, 1874 O.patulum Tiffany, 1934 0. reinschii Roy ex Cook, 1884 Oedogonium spp. - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) - River Jong, River Sewa, Lake Mape, Lake Gambia, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (5) CONJUGATOPHYCEAE ZYGNEMATALES Cylindrocystis Meneghini ex de Bary, 1858 C. brebissonii Menegh. ex de Bary, 1858 v. brebissonii C. brebissonii v. minor West et West, 1902 C. cr asset de Bary, 1858 Mougeotia Agardh, 1824 - Lake Sonfon (5); Kania (9); Bathurst Falls (11); Guma Dam (12); York (13) - Lake Tibi (5) - Lake Sonfon (5) Mougeotia spp. - Lake Mape, River Jong, Bambawo, Lake Gambia, River Sewa, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, River Malen, Lake Sonfon (5) Netrium (Nag.) Itzsigson et Rothe em. Liitkemiiller, 1902 N. digitus Itzsigson et Rothe, 1856 v. digitus N. digitus v. lamellosum (Breb.) Gronblad, 1920 N. digitus v. rhomboideum Gronblad, 1920 N. oblongum (de Bary) Lutkemiiller, 1902 v. oblongum N. oblongum v. cylindricum West et West, 1903 - Kabala (2); Njala (2); River Sewa (5); Loma Mnts (7); Kania (9); Bathurst Falls (11) - Njala (2) - Njala (2); York (13) - Loma Mnts (7) - Kabala (2) A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 135 Spirogyra Link in Nees, 1820 Spirogyra spp. DESMIDIALES Actinotaenium Teiling, 1954 A. capax (Joshua) Teiling, 1954 v. minus (Schmidle) Teiling, 1954 A. clevei (Lundell) Teiling, 1954 A. crassiusculum (de Bary) Teiling, 1954 A. cucurbita (Breb.) Teiling, 1954 v. cucurbita A. cucurbita v. cucurbita f. rotundatum (Krieger) Teiling, 1954 A. cucurbita (Breb.) Teiling, 1954 forma A. cfr. cucurbita (Breb.) Teiling, 1954 A. cucurbitinum (Bisset) Teiling, 1954 v. cucurbitinum A. cucurbitinum v. truncatum (Krieger) Teiling, 1954 Actinotaenium sp. ad A. phymatosporum (Nordst.) = Penium sp. Kouwets et Coesel, 1984 acced. ad 72 phymatosporum Nordstedt, 1876 acced.) A. subglobosum (Nordst.) Teiling, 1954 A. wollei (West et West) Teiling, 1954 v. wollei A. wollei v. latius Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 Bambusina Kiitzing ex Kiitzing, 1849 B. borreri (Ralfs) Cleve, 1864 Closterium Nitzsch ex Ralfs, 1848 C. abruptum W. West, 1892 v. angustissimum (Schmidle) Roll, 1915 C. abruptum v. brevius (West et West) West et West, 1904 C. acerosum (Schrank) Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 C. cfr. attenuatum Ralfs, 1848 C. baillyanum (Breb.) Brebisson, 1856 C. closterioides (Ralfs) Louis et Peeters, 1967 v. closterioides = C. libellula Focke, 1847 v. libellula, invalidly published according Ruzicka (1977) art. 13 ICBN C. closterioides v. intermedium (Roy et Bisset.) Ruzicka, 1973 = C. libellula Focke, 1847 v. intermedium (Roy et Bisset) G. S. West, 1914 C. cornu Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 C. costatum Corda ex Ralfs, 1848 forma C. cynthia De Notaris, 1867 C. cynthia De Notaris, 1867 forma C. dianae Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 v. dianae C. dianae v. minus Hieronymus, 1895 C. dianae v. pseudodianae (Roy) Krieger, 1932 - Lake Mape, River Jong, River Waanje, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Sonfon (5) - Loma Mnts (7) - York (13) - Guma Dam (12); York (13) - Njala (2); Loma Mnts (7); Lake Sonfon (8); Kania (9); Bathurst Falls (11); York (13) - Njala (2); York (13) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - York (13) - Njala (2) - Njala (2); Kabala (2); Guma Dam (12). - York (13) - Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Sonfon (8); Guma Dam (12) - Guma Dam (12) - Lake Mabesi (10) - Loma Mnts (7); Lake Sonfon (8); York (13) - River Waanje (10) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2); Kania (9) - Njala (2); Kania (9); River Jong, Lake Tibi (10); Bathurst Falls (11) - Kania (9) - Lake Mabesi (10) - Njala (2); Lake Sonfon (8); Kania (9); River Jong, Lake Popei (10); Bathurst Falls (11); Guma Dam (12); York (13) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2); Lake Sonfon (8); River Waanje, Lake Gambia, Lake Tibi, Lake Popei (10); Guma Dam (12); York (13) - Njala (2); Kabala (2) 136 Silvia Alfinito C. directum Archer, 1862 - Bathurst Falls (11) = C. ulna Focke, 1847, invalidly published according Ruzicka (1977) art 13 ICBN C. ehrenbergii Menegh. ex Ralfs, 1848 v. ehrenbergi C. ehrenbergii v. ehrenbergii forma C. ehrenbergii v. malinvernianum (De Notaris) Rabenhorst, C. gracile Breb. ex Ralfs, 1 848 C. incurvum Brebisson, 1856 C. infractum Messikommer, 1929 v. rotundatum Gronblad, C. kuetzingii Brebisson, 1856 C. moniliferum (Bory) Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 C. navicula (Breb.) Lutkemiiller, 1902 C. nematodes Joshua, 1886 C. parvulum Nageli, 1849 v. parvulum C. parvulum v. angustum West et West, 1900 C. praelongum Brebisson, 1856 C. psudolunula Borge, 1909 C. pusillum Hantzsch in Rabenhorst, 1861 v. laticeps Gronblad. C. ralfsii Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 v. hybridum Rabenhorst, C. rostratum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 C. setaceum Ehr. ex Ralfs, 1 848 C. striolatum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 C. subulatum (Kutz.) Brebisson, 1856 C. tumidum Johnson, 1895 Closterium sp. Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs, 1848 - Lake Sonfon (8); River Jong (10) - Njala(2) 1868 - Njala(2) - Lake Sonfon (8); River Jong, Lake Mabesi (10) - River Jong (10) 1947 - Njala(2) - Lake Sonfon (8); River Waanje, Lake Mabesi (10) - Njala (2); Kabala (2); Bambawo (10) - Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Njala (2); Kabala (2) - Njala (2); Lake Popei, River Jong (10) - Lake Sonfon (8); Lake Mape, Lake Gambia, Lake Malen (10) - Njala (2) 1942 - Loma Mnts (7) 1863 - Lake Sonfon (8); Guma Dam (12) - Njala (2) - Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Mape, River Jong (10) - River Sewa (10); Bathurst Falls (11); Guma Dam (12) - River Jong (10) - Lake Popei (10) - Njala (2) C. amoenum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 C. anceps Lundell, 1871 C. angulosum Brebisson, 1856 v. angulosum C. angulosum v. concinnum (Rabenh.) West et West, 1901 C. cfr. asphaerosporum Nordstedt, 1879 C. binum Nordstedt, 1880 C. bioculatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 C. bioculatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 forma C. bipunctatum Borgesen, 1890 C. boeckii Wille, 1880 C. capense (Nordst.) De Toni, 1889 v. nyassae Schmidle, 1902 C. candianum Delponte, 1877 = C. circulare Reinsch, 1867 C. commissurale Breb. ex Ralfs, 1848 v. crassum Nordstedt, 1870 C. connatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 v. connatum C. connatum v. constrictum Bourrelly, 1961 C. conspersum Ralfs, 1848 v. latum (Breb.) West et West, 1892 C. contractu m Kirchner, 1872 forma C. decoratum West et West, 1895 C. decoratum West et West, 1895 forma C. emarginatum West et West, 1895 forma - Njala (2) - Kania (9) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Sonfon (8); Bathurst Falls (11) - Kania (9) - Njala (2) - Kabala (2) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Bathurst Falls (11) - York (13) - York (13) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2); Guma Dam (12); York (13) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 137 C. exiguum Archer, 1864 v. exiguum f. ocellatum Gronblad et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 C. exiguum v. subrectangulum West et West, 1908 C. exiguum Archer, 1864 forma 1 C. exiguum Archer, 1864 forma 2 C. cfr. exiguum Archer, 1864 C. freemanii West et West, 1902 v. ocellatum Krieger, 1932 forma C. geminatum Lundell, 1871 forma C. hammeri Reinsch, 1867 forma C. humile (Gay) Nordstedt, 1889 forma C. javanicum Nordstedt, 1880 C. laeve Rabenhorst, 1868 v. leave C. laeve v. messikommeri Croasdale in Prescott et al., 1981 = C. laeve Rabenhorst, 1868 v. rotundatum Messikommer, 1935 C. laeve v. westii Krieger et Gerloff, 1969 = C. laeve Rabenhorst, 1868 v. septentrionale Wille in Taylor, 1934 C. loefgvenii Borge, 1918 forma C. mansangense West et West, 1907 v. africanum Fritsch et Rich, 1924 C. meneghini Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 C. minimum West et West, 1895 C. moniliforme Turpin ex Ralfs, 1848 C. nitidulum De Notaris, 1867 C. obsoletum (Hantzsch) Reinsch, 1867 C. orthostichum Lundell, 1871 v. pumilum Lundell, 1871 C. polymorphum Nordst., 1870 v. africanum Bourrelly, 1957 C. polymorphum v. africanum Bourrelly, 1957 forma C. porrectum Nordstedt, 1870 C. portianum Archer, 1860 v. nephroideum Wittrock, 1872 C. pseudamoenum Wille, 1884 v. inornatum (Joshua) Croasdale in Gronblad et al, 1968 C. pseu dobroomei Wo 1 1 e , 1884 C. pseudoconnatum Nordstedt, 1870 C. pseudopyramidatum Lundell, 1871 v. pseudopyramidatum C. pseudopyramidatum v. oculatum Krieger, 1932 C. pseudoretusum Ducellier, 1918 v. africanum (Fritsch) Krieger et Gerloff, 1962 C. punctulatum Breb., 1856 v. subpunctulatum (Nordst.) Borgesen, 1894 C. pyramidatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1948 v. pyramidatum C. pyramidatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1948 v. pyramidatum forma C. pyramidatum v. stephani (Irenee-Marie) Krieger et Gerloff, 1965 C. quadratum Ralfs, 1848 v. africanum Fritsch et Stephens, 1921 C. quadrum Lundell, 1871 v. quadrum C. quadrum v. minus Nordstedt, 1873 C. ralfsii Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 v. montanum Raciborski, 1885 C. regnelli Wille, 1884 v. regnelli C. regnelli v. minimum Eichler et Gutwinski, 1894 C. rossii Ricci in Ricci & Alfmito, 1994 C. salisburii Fritsch et Rich, 1937 forma C. sexangulare Lundell, 1871 v. minus Roy et Bisset, 1886 = C. sexangulare Lundell, 1871 f. minima Nordstedt, 1887 C. subconstrictum Schmidle, 1902 C. subcostatum Nordstedt, 1876 C. subcostatum Nordstedt, 1876 forma C. subprotumidum Nordstedt, 1876 - Njala (2) - York (13) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2); Kabala (2) - Njala (2) - Loma Mnts (7) - Njala (2); Bathurst Falls (11) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Loma Mnts (7); Bathurst Falls (11) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Kania (9) - Njala (2); Loma Mnts (7) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - York (13) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Bathurst Falls (11); York (13) - Bathurst Falls (11) - Njala (2); Kania (9) - York (13) - Lake Sonfon (8); Bathurst Falls (11); York (13) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Loma Mnts (7) - Kania (9) - Kabala (2) - York (13) - Loma Mnts (7) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Kania (9) - York (13) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Kania (9) 138 Silvia Alfinito C. succisum G. S. West, 1992 f. jaoi Krieger et Gerloff, 1962 C. tenue Archer, 1868 C. venustum (Breb.) Archer ex Pritchard, 1862 C. wenmanae Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 C. westii Bernard, 1908 C. zonatum Lundell, 1871 v. subcylindricum Gronblad et Scott in Gronblad et al, 1958 Cosmarium sp. 1 Cosmarium sp. 2 Cosmocladium Brebisson, 1856 C. tuberculatum Prescott, 1935 Desmidium Agardh ex Ralfs, 1848 D. aequale West et West, 1896 f. elliptica West et West, 1896 D. cfr. aptogonum Brebisson ex Kiitzing, 1849 forma D. gracilipes (Nordst.) Lagerheim, 1886 D. gracilipes (Nordst.) Lagerheim, 1886 forma Docidium Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 D. baculum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 D. lomaense Alfinito etMazzoni, 1986 Euastrum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 E. abruptum Nordstedt, 1869 v. lagoense (Nordst.) Krieger, 1937 E. ansatum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 v. ansatum E. ansatum v. dideltiforme Ducellier, 1918 E. ansatum v. javanicum (Gutw.) Krieger, 1937 E. bidcntatum Nageli, 1 849 forma E. binale (Turp.) Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 v. cosmarioides (West et West) Krieger, 1937 forma 1 E. binale v. cosmarioides (West et West) Krieger, 1937 forma 2 E. binale v. groenbladii (Messik.) Krieger, 1937 E. binale v. groenbladii (Messik.) Krieger, 1937 forma E. binale v. pseudopapilliferum Forster, 1963 E. bombayense Brandham, 1967 v. gracile Brandham, 1967 E. brasiliense Borge, 1903 v. simplicius Borge, 1903 E. denticulatum (Kirchner) Gay, 1884 v. denticulatum E. denticulatum v. quadrifarium Krieger, 1937 E. cfr. denticulatum (Kirchner) Gay, 1884 E. didelta Ralfs ex Ralfs, 1 848 v. didelta E. didelta v. bengalicum Lagerheim, 1888 E. divaricatum Lund., 1871 v. uguandanum Gronblad in Gronblad et al., 1968 E. gemmatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1 848 v. gemmatum E. gemmatum v. tenuius Krieger, 1937 E. germanicum (Schmidle) Krieger, 1937 E. humbertii Bourrelly et Leboime, 1946 E. inerme (Ralfs) Lundell, 1871 E. ivoirensis Bourrelly, 1961 - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2); Bathurst Falls (11) - Loma Mnts (7) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8); Lake Tibi (10) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Guma Dam (12) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Loma Mnts (7) - River Jong (10) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Loma Mnts (7) - Njala (2) - Loma Mnts (7) - River Sewa (10) - Loma Mnt (7) - Lake Sonfon (8); River Waanje, River Jong (10), Bathurst Falls (11) - Lake Tibi, Lake Mabesi, Lake Mape (10) - Njala (2); Kabala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8); Bathurst Falls (11) - Lake Tibi, Lake Popei, Lake Mabesi (10) - Njala (2) - Guma Dam (12) - Kania (9) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Bathurst Falls (11); Guma Dam (12) A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 139 E. ivoirensis Bourrelly, 1961 forma E. luetkem uelleri D ucel . , 1918 v. carniolicum (Liitkem.) Krieger, 1937 E. luetkemuelleri v. carniolicum (Liitkem.) Krieger, 1937 forma E. platycerum Reinsch, 1875 v. exintium Gronblad, 1958 f. clausum Gronbl. et Scott in Gronblad et al., 1958 NOTE: this taxon is invalidly published, art. 37 ICBN, according Ruzicka (1981) E. pulchellum Brebisson, 1856 v. retusum West et West, 1905 E. pseudosinuosum Forster, 1964 E. serratum Joshua, 1886 v. crenulatum Hirano, 1967 forma E. sibiricum Boldt, 1885 v. exsectum (Gronbl.) Krieger, 1937 E. sinuosum Lenormand 1861 v. scrobiculatum (Nordst.) Krieger, 1937 E. sinuosum v. subjenneri West et West, 1902 E. spinulosum Delponte, 1876 var. aequilobium (West et West) Krieger, 1937 E. subbinalc Messikoramer, 1956 E. subhexalobum West et West, 1898 v. subhexalobum E. subhexalobum v. scrobiculatum Gronblad, 1945 E. sublobatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 v. incrassatum Scott et Prescott, 1961 E. sublobatum Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1 848 variety? E. triggiberum West et West, 1895 E. truncatiforme G.S. West, 1907 v. africanum Bourrelly, 1957 E. truncatiforme v. africanum Bourrelly, 1957 forma E. truncatum Joshua, 1886 v. trifolium (Cohn) Krieger, 1937 forma E. validum West et West, 1896 v. validum E. validum West et West, 1896 v. validum forma E. validum v. subvalidum (Behre) Bourrelly, 1961 forma NOTE: this taxon is invalidly published, art. 33 ICBN, according Ruzicka (1981) Euastrum sp. Gonatozygon de Bary, 1856 G. aculeatum Hastings, 1892 G. kinahani (Arch.) Rabenhorst, 1868 G. monotaenium de Bary, 1856 Groenbladia Teiling, 1952 G. fennica (Gronbl.) Teiling, 1952 G. inflata Scott et Gronblad, 1957 G. neglecta (Racib.) Teiling, 1952 cfr. v. elongata Scott et Gronblad, 1957 Haplotaenium Bando, 1988 H. minutum (Ralfs) Bando, 1988 v. gracile (Wille) Bando, 1988 = Pleurotaenium minutum (Ralfs) Delp., 1877 v. gracile (Wille) Krieger, 1932 Hyalotheca Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 H. dissiliens (Sm.) Breb. ex Ralfs, 1848 v. tatrica Racib., 1885 Lake Sonfon (8) York (13) Njala (2) River Sewa, River Jong (10) Njala (2) Kania (8); York (13) York (13) Lake Sonfon (9) York (13) Bathurst Falls (11); York (13) River Sewa (10) Kania (9) Lake Sonfon (8) Njala (2) Njala (2) Njala (2) Lake Tibi, Lake Popei (10) York (13) Lake Sonfon (8) York (13) Njala (2) Njala (2) Njala (2) Njala (2) Lake Mape, River Waanje, River Jong (10) Lake Sonfon (8); Lake Mape, Lake Tibi (10) Kabala (2); River Sewa (10) Njala (2) Njala (2) Njala (2) Bathurst Falls (11); York (13) Njala (2); York (13) S S ^ ^ S s S ^ s S S S S: S S s s s 140 Silvia Alfinito Micrasterias Agardh ex Ralfs, 1848 ambadiensis (Gronbl. et Scott) Thomasson, 1960 americana Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 v. americana forma americana v. bimamillata Bourrelly et Coute in Coute & Rousselin, 1975 forma americana v. hybrida Woodhead et Tweed, 1959 NOTE: this taxon has been validated by Gerrath & Denny (1998) designating as neotype their fig. 49 (Gerrath & Denny, loc. cit., pag. 47) crux-melitensis (Ehr.) Hassall ex Ralfs, 1848 decemdentata (Nag.) Archer, 1861 echinata Brandham, 1967 foliacea Bailey ex Ralfs, 1848 furcata Ralfs, 1848 = M radiata Hassall, 1845 jenneri Ralfs, 1848 v. simplex W. West, 1890 forma mahabuleshwarensis Hobson, 1863 v. comperei Coute et Rousselin, 1975 mahabuleshwarensis v. semireducta Scott et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 pinnatifida Kiitz. ex Ralfs, 1848 v. poly morph a Bourrelly in Bourrelly & Manguin, 1949 radians Turner, 1892 thomasiana Archer, 1892 v. notata (Nordst.) Gronblad, 1920 tropica Nordstedt, 1870 v. elongata Schmidle, 1898 truncata (Corda) Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1 848 v. truncata truncata v. crenata (Breb.) Reinsch, 1 867 River Waanje, River Jong (10) Njala (2) River Jong (10) Lake Sonfon (8); River Jong (10) Lake Sonfon (8); River Jong (10). Lake Sonfon (8) Kenema (1); River Jong, River Sewa (10); York (13) River Jong, Lake Gambia, Lake Popei, River Sewa, Lake Tibi (10) Njala (2); River Jong (10) River Jong (10) River Waanje, River Jong, Lake Popei, River Sewa, (10) Njala (2) River Jong (10) River Waanje, River Jong (10) River Jong (10) Lake Sonfon (8) Njala (2) Loma Mnts (7) Penium Brebisson ex Ralfs 1848 em. Kouwets et Coesel, 1984 P. cylindraceum Porster, 1965 v. cylindraceum f. majus Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 P. cylindrus (Ehr.) Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 P. margaritaceum (Ehr.) Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 P. multicostatum Scott et Gronblad, 1957 P. polymorphum (Perty) Perty, 1 852 Njala (2) Bathurst Palls (11); Guma Dam (12); York (13) Njala (2) Kania (9) Njala (2) Pleurotaenium Nageli, 1849 P. coronatum (Breb.) Rabenhorst, 1868 v. fluctuatum W. West, 1892 P. ehrenbergii (Breb.) de Bary, 1858 v. ehrenbergii P. ehrenbergii v. curtum Krieger, 1937 P. ehrenbergii v. undulatum Schaarschmidt, 1883 P. moniliferum West et West, 1895 P. nodulosum (Breb.) de Bary, 1858 P. ovatum Nordstedt, 1877 P. sintplicissimum Gronblad, 1920 P. subcoronulatum (Turn.) West et West, 1895 v. subcoronulatum Guma Dam (12) Njala (2); Loma Mnts (7); Lake Popei, River Jong (10); Bathurst Palls (11); Guma Dam (12) Njala (2) Njala (2); York (13) Lake Sonfon (8) York (13) Njala (2); River Jong (10) Lake Sonfon (8) Njala (2); Lake Mape, Lake Popei, River Sewa, Lake Tibi (10) A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 141 P. subcoronulatum (Turn.) West et West, 1895 v. subcoronulatum forma P. subcoronulatum v. africanum (Schmidle) Krieger, 1937 P. subcoronulatum v. detum West et West, 1896 P. subcoronulatum v. detum West et West, 1896 forma P. trabecula Nageli, 1 849 v. trabecula P. trabecula v. crassum Wittrock, 1872 P. truncatum (Breb.) Nageli, 1849 Staurastrum Meyen em. Ralfs, 1848 S. avicula Brebisson ex Ralfs, 1848 S. brachiatum Ralfs, 1848 S. brebissonii Archer ex Pritchard, 1861 S. cerastes Lundell, 1871 v. pulchrum Scott et Gronblad, 1957 forma S. contectum Turner, 1892 f. concavum Scott et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 S. dilatatum (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1 848 v. dilatatum S. dilatatum v. hibernicum West et West, 1912 S. disputatum West et West, 1912 v. sinense (Liitkm.) West et West, 1912 S. distentum Wolle, 1892 forma S. forficulatum Lundell, 1871 v. minus (Fritch et Rich) Gronblad et Scott in Gronblad et al., 1958 forma S. furcatum (Ehr.) Brebisson, 1856 v. furcatum S. furcatum v. asymmetricum Gronblad et Scott in Gronblad et al., 1958 S. gladiosum Turner, 1885 S. hystrix Ralfs, 1848 v. granulatum Ricci in Ricci et al., 1990 S. inconspicuum N ordstedt, 1873 S. leptopus Krieger, 1932 forma S. longibrachiatum (Borge) Gutwinski, 1902 v. africanum Bourrelly, 1961 S. margaritaceum (Ehr.) Meneghini ex Ralfs, 1848 forma S. manfeldtii Delponte, 1876 v. africanum Hodgett, 1926 S. micron West et West, 1896 S. orbiculare (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1848 v. depressum Roy et Bisset, 1886 S. pelagicum West et West, 1902 S. pinnatum Turner, 1892 v. hydra Krieger, 1932 S. pseudotetracerum (Nordst.) West et West, 1895 S. quadrangulare (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 S. quadrangulare (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 forma S. quadricornutum Roy et Bisset, 1886 S. setigerum Cleve, 1864 v. pectinatum West et West, 1896 f. paucispiniferum Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 S. setigerum v. pectinatum West et West, 1896 forma S. spiculiferum Borge, 1918 v. glabrum Gerrath et Denny, 1988 S. subindentatum West et West, 1907 v. ornatum Bourrelly, 1961 forma S. teliferum Ralfs, 1848 v. ordinatum Borgesen, 1894 S. tetracerum Ralfs, 1 848 S. wildemanii Gutwinski, 1902 v. wildemanii f. quadrispinum Thomasson, 1966 S. wildemanii v. horizontal Scott et Prescott, 1956 S. wildemanii v. majus (West et West) Scott et Prescott, 1956 Njala (2); Kabala (2) River Sewa (10) Njala (2) Njala (2) Lake Sonfon (7); River Waanje (10) York (13) York (13) Loma Mnts (7) Lake Sonfon (8) Lake Sonfon (8) Njala (2) Njala (2) Njala (2); Kabala (2) Njala (2) Njala (2) Lake Sonfon (8) Njala (2) Bathurst Falls (11); Guma Dam (12) Njala (2) Njala (2); Kabala (2); Lake Sonfon (8) Guma Dam (12) Lake Sonfon (8) Njala (2) Njala (2) Kabala (2) York (13) Kabala (2) Njala (2); Lake Sonfon (8) Guma Dam (12) Njala (2) Lake Sonfon (8); York (13) Njala (2) Kabala (2) Lake Sonfon (8) Njala (2) Njala (2) Lake Sonfon (8) Njala (2) Guma Dam (12) Njala (2); Kabala (2); Kania (9); Bathurst Falls (11) Njala (2) Njala (2) Njala (2) 142 Silvia Alfinito Staurodesmus Teiling, 1948 S. cuspidatus (Breb.) Teiling, 1967 = Staurastrum cuspidatum (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 S. glaber (Ehr.) Teiling, 1967 = Staurastrum glabrum (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1848 S. incus (Breb.) Teiling, 1967 formal = Arthrodesmus incus (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 forma 1 S. incus (Breb.) Teiling, 1967 forma 2 = Arthrodesmus incus (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 forma 2 S. incus (Breb.) Teiling, 1967 forma 3 = Arthrodesmus incus (Breb.) Ralfs, 1848 forma 3 S. omearii (Arch.) Teiling, 1948 forma = Staurastrum o’mearii Archer, 1858 forma S. patens (Nordstedt) Croasdale, 1957 v. patens f. inflatus (W. West) Teiling, 1967 Teilingia Bourrelly, 1964 T. excavata (Ralfs) Bourrelly, 1964 = Sphaerozosma excavatum Ralfs, 1848 T. granulata (Roy et Bisset) Bourrelly, 1964 = Sphaerozosma gram latum Roy et Bisset, 1886 Tetmemorus Ralfs ex Ralfs, 1 848 - Njala(2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Njala (2) - Kabala(2) - Njala (2); Kabala (2) - Lake Sonfon (8) - Njala (2) - Njala (2); Lake Sonfon (8) T. granulatus (Breb.) Ralfs ex Ralfs, 1848 T. laevis (Kiitz.) ex Ralfs, 1848 v. laevis T. laevis v. borgei Forster, 1965 - Loma Mnts (7) - Kania (8): Guma Dam (12); York (13) - Kania (9) Xanthidium Ehrenberg ex Ralfs, 1848 X. octocome (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1848 - Njala (2) = Arthrodesmus octocornis (Ehr.) Ralfs, 1848 X. urniforme (West et West) Scott et Croasdale in Gronblad et al., 1968 - Njala (2); Guma Dam (12); York (13) A check list of the freshwater algal flora of Sierra Leone, Tropical West Africa. I. Cyanophyceae to Conjugatophyceae 143 AKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author wishes to thank prof. Walter Rossi (Department of Environmental Sciences, Univer- sity of L'Aquila) for providing the photos of some of the sampling sites. REFERENCES Alfinito S. & Mazzoni A., 1986. Some desmids (Chloro- phyta) from Sierra Leone. Quademi Accademia Nazio- nale dei Lincei, 260: 97-104. Alfinito S., Fumanti B. & Ricci S., 1989. Freshwater algae from Kania (Sierra Leone, West Tropical Africa). Rivista di Idrobiologia, 28: 167-178. 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Freswater algae of Sierra Leone. I. New and unusual algae from the Sula Hill. Hydrobiologia, 12: 181-225. Woodhead N. & Tweed R. D., 1960. Freswater algae of Sierra Leone. 3 . The algae of Rokupr and great Searcies River. Revue Algologique, 5: 116-150. Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 145-148 Crocidura sicula Miller, 1900 (Mammalia, Soricidae): a possible new record from Comino island (Maltese Islands) Gaetano Aloise 1 , Alfred E. Baldacchino 2 & Giovanni Amori 3 1 Museo di Storia Naturale della Calabria e Orto Botanico, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, s.n., 1-87036 Rende, Italy. 2 Kestrel in Melita House, Notaiy Zarb Street, Attard, Malta. 3 CNR - Institute of Ecosystem Studies, c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University - Zoology, Viale dell'Universita 32, 1-00185 Rome - Italy ABSTRACT The presence of Crocidura sicula Miller, 1900 is reported for the first time from the Comino island. Two spe- cimens were obtained from the analysis of Long-eared Owl Asio otus (Linnaeus, 1758) pellets. KEY WORDS Crocidura sicula; Comino; Maltese islands. Received 02.09.2011; accepted 16.09.2011; printed 30.09.2011 INTRODUCTION The Sicilian shrew Crocidura sicula Miller, 1900 is a Mediterranean species, endemic to the Siculo-Maltese archipelago. This species is widely distributed in the island of Sicily and it also occurs in the neighbouring Egadi islands (Marettimo, Favignana and Levanzo) and in Ustica island. In the Maltese archipelago this species is recorded only from the island of Gozo. Though fossilized bones have been discovered on the island of Malta, confirming its past pres- ence, it seems that it has now become extinct from the main island for unknown reasons (Hut- terer, 2005). Taxonomy and distribution of shrews of Mal- tese islands have been debated for a long time. In the past Suncus etruscus (Savi, 1 822) was known as the only species occurring in Malta and Gozo, while Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811) and C. russula (Hermann, 1780) were recorded only in Gozo. On the basis of current knowledge S. etruscus occurs in Malta and Crocidura in Gozo (Schembri & Schembri, 1979). During the last decades a number of authors agreed to classify the Gozo populations as C. suaveolens (Schem- bri & Schembri, 1979; Hutterer, 1991). During the same time, the Crocidura spp. populations of Sicily were debated, often controversially, on their taxonomic status and also on the number of species occurring in the island (Sara, 2008). Cur- rently all the populations occurring in the Siculo- Maltese archipelago belong to the endemic species C. sicula (Vogel, 1988; Vogel et al., 1990; Contoli et al., 1989; Sara et al., 1990). Hutterer (1991) identified a distinct taxon for Gozo: C. sicula calypso , which is different from those of Egadi Islands (C. sicula aegatensis Hut- terer, 1991) and from those of Sicily (C. sicula sicula). Such subspecific subdivision has not been recognized by Sara (1995) and Sara & Vit- turi (1996). RESULTS Some pellets (n = 3) and other pellet frag- ments have been collected during April 2005 on the small island of Comino from beneath the nest of a Long-eared OsnXAsw otus (Linnaeus, 1758), (J. Azzopardi and M. Sammut leg.), although the nest was occupied and used the previous year (Baldacchino & Azzopardi, 2007). The species identified from the analysis of this material were Oryctolagus cuniculus (Lin- naeus, 1758) (n = 2), Mus mus cuius Linnaeus, 1758 (n =3) and Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) (n =1), already known from the island, and also 146 G. Aloise, A.E. Baldacchino & G. Amori two specimens of C. sicula. The record of C. sic- ula is the first record of the occurrence of this species from Comino. Table 1 gives some cranial measurements of two specimens from Comino. The two specimens from Comino showed values similar to those reported in Sara (2008) from Gozo. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The Maltese islands are located in the centre of the Mediterranean, just 96 km south of Sicily, 290 km from North Africa, 1836 km from Gibraltar, and 1519 km from Alexandria Egypt, making them Europe’s southernmost outpost (Schembri, P.J., 1993). The Maltese archipelago is made up of three major inhabited islands: Malta, the largest; Gozo (Ghawdex) and Comino, the smallest (Kemmuna). Besides, around these, there are other scattered uninhab- ited islets and rocks. The total surface area of the Maltese islands is 316 km 2 . This geographical location of the Maltese islands gives them unique ecological characteristics (Fig. 1). Comino has a smaller islet adjacent to it: Cominotto (Kemmunett). The surface area of Comino is 2.8 km 2 , while that of Cominotto is only 9.9 ha. These two islands are entirely made up of upper coralline limestone, one of the five sedimentary layers which form the archipelago. This layer reaches its maximum thickness at Comino. Like most of the northern and north-eastern coastline of the island of Malta and that of the east coast of Gozo, the north and the south facing ZW PL m,-m 3 E COH Comino, specimen 1 5.82 7.37 3.65 0.92 4.27 Comino, specimen 2 — 7.23 3.68 — 4.26 Gozo (Sara, 2008) 5.71 ±0.11 7.36 ±0.24 3.73 ±0.12 0.90 ± 0.05 4.36 ±0.11 Table 1. Some cranial measurements expressed in cm of Crocidura sicula from the Maltese islands. ZW = zygomatic width, PL = palate length, Mj-M 3 = mandibular molar row length, E = width of articular condylum, COH = Coronoid height. Figure 1 . Map of Maltese Archi- pelago (latitude 35° 48' 28" - 36° 05’ 00" North, longitude 14° IE 04" - 14° 34’ 37" East). Surface area of each island: Malta 245.7 km 2 , Gozo 67.1 km 2 , Comino 2.8 kni 2 , St. Paul’s Islands 10.1 ha, Cominotto 9.9 ha, Filfla 2.0 ha, Fungus Rock 0.7 ha, Maltese islands 316 km 2 . Crocidura siculci Miller, 1900 (Mammalia, Soricidae): a possible new record from Comino island (Maltese Islands ) 147 coasts of Comino are gently sloping rock. About a century ago, there were approximately 100 inhabitants cultivating small-scale scattered patches, even on the smaller island of Cominotto. Today there are only two inhabitants living on Comino, but there is also a hotel which is very active during the peak touristic season, and a pig farm which is slowly being phased out. The vegetation of the island of Comino con- sists predominantly of coastal steppes and garigue. The latter is the most common, charac- terized by such species as Thymbra capitata (L.) Cavanilles, Anthyllis hermanniae L., Teucrium fructicans L., and the endemic Euphorbia melitens Parlatore. Despite the smallness of the island, in one of the small bays on Comino, there is a sand dune which has been almost obliterated by mismanagement, including a very degraded saline marshland. There are also two very small tree reserves, one at the area known as Il-Hazina which is c. 5,000 m 2 , and the other at Il-Qala ta’ Santa Marija c. 11,000 m 2 (Ministry for the Envi- ronment, 1999). The terrestrial mammals occurring in the Maltese islands, and also recorded from Comino are: Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769), R. rattus , M. musculus, Apodemus sylvaticus (Lin- naeus, 1758), O. cuniculus and the bat Pipistrel- lus kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817) though not excluding other migratory bat species. Terrestrial mammals occurring in the Maltese islands but not yet recorded from Comino are: Atelerix algirus fallax (Dobson, 1882), C. sicula, S. etruscus and Chiroptera which are not consid- ered to be migratory such as Rhinolophus hip- posideros minimus (Bechstein, 1800), R. fer- rumequinum (Schreber, 1774), Myotis blythi punicus (Tomes, 1857), Plecotus austriacus (J.B. Fischer, 1829) and Pipistrellus pygmaeus (Leach, 1825). The Mustela nivalis (Linnaeus, 1766) is not recorded on Comino either (Bal- dacchino & Schembri, 2002). Comino is also rich in endemics or suben- demics of both flora and fauna. Amongst these is the subendemic (Malta, Comino and Lampe- dusa) flora Daucus lopadusanus Tineo, the Pelago-Maltese endemic Linaria pseudolaxiflora Lojac. in Lojac., a still undescribed Limonium Miller, 1754 species, the rare Darniella meliten- sis (Botschantzev) Brullo, two Hybleo-Maltese endemics: Senecio pygmaeus DC. and the grass Desmazeria pignattii Brullo & Pavone and the last population of Althea hirsuta L. Furthermore, Comino supports a population of two species of land snails endemic to the Maltese islands, namely Trochoidea spratti perplanata Pilsbry 1893 and Trochoidea schembrii (L. Pfeiffer, 1846). The Maltese Wall Lizard Podarcis fil- folensis maltensis Mertens, 1921, is also recorded on Comino (Ministry for the Environ- ment, 1999). Because of its ecological importance, Comino is a legally protected Bird Sanctuary, a Special Area of Conservation, and an EU Natura 2000 site. The size of Comino (2.8 km 2 ), is smaller than the territory of Asio otus in non-insular habitat (Galeotti et al., 1997; Henrioux, 2000), but the hunting area of the Long-eared Owl can vary sub- stantially depending on food supply. Birds with young can hunt up to 2.5 km from nest. However, when food is abundant, territory can be as small as 50 to 100 ha (Oxford CD-Rom, 1998). Thus the short distance from the island of Gozo (approximately 840 meters) does not exclude the possibility that C. sicula were preyed upon in the latter island. The easy availability of prey on Comino could reduce the territory of A. otus (Henrioux, 2000). During the nesting season these owls use the territory in the vicinity of the nest (Craig et al., 1988). The abundance of prey, even of large mammals like rabbit O. cuniculus , and rats M. musculus and R. rattus on Comino, species identified from pellets collected from the immediate surroundings of the nest, could sup- port the hypothesis that the Sicilian Shrew (C. sicula) has been caught on the island itself. Further investigations on the presence and abundance of the population of C. sicula on Comino island are required also for the conserva- tion of the species in the Maltese Archipelago. REFERENCES Baldacchino A.E. & Azzopardi J., 2007. L-Ghasafar li jbejtu fl-ambjent naturali tal-gzejjer Maltin. Malta University Publishers Ltd., Msida, Malta. Baldacchino A.E. & Schembri P.J., 2002. Amfibji, rettili u mammiferi tal-gzejjer Maltin. Sensiela Kullana Kulturali, Nru. 39. Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza: Pieta, Malta. Contoli L., Benincasa-Stagni B. & Marenzi A.R., 1989. Morfometria e morfologia di Crocidura Wagler 1832 (Mammalia, Soricidae) in Italia, Sardegna e Sicilia, con 148 G. Aloise, A.E. Baldacchino & G. Amori il metodo dei descrittori di Fourier: primi dati. Hystrix (n.s.), 1: 113-129. Craig E.H., Craig T.H. & Powers L.R. 1988. Activity pat- terns and home-range use of nesting long-eared owls. The Wilson Bulletin, 100: 204-213. Galeotti P., Tavecchia G. & Bonetti A., 1997. Home-range and habitat use of Long-eared owls in open farmland (Po Plain, Northern Italy), in relation to prey availabil- ity. Journal of Wildlife Research, 2: 137-145. Henrioux F., 2000. Home range and habitat use by the Long-Eared Owl in northwestern Switzerland. Journal of Raptor Research, 34: 93-101. Hutterer R., 1991. Variation and evolution of the Sicilian shrew: Taxonomic conclusions and description of a pos- sibly related species from the Pleistocene of Morocco (Mammalia: Soricidae). Bonner zoologische Beitrage, 42: 241-251. Hutterer R., 2005. Order Soricomorpha. In: Wilson D.E. & Reeder D.A.M.. Mammal Species of the World. A taxo- nomic and geographic reference (third edition). Johns Hopkins University Press. Vol. 1, 220-311. Oxford CD-Rom, 1998. Cramp’s The Complete Birds of the Western Palearctic. Oxford University Press. Sara M., 1995. The Sicilian ( Crocidura sicula) and the Canary (C. canariensis ) shrew (Mammalia, Soricidae): peripheral isolate formation and geographic variation. Bollettino di Zoologia, 62: 173-182. Sara M., 2008. Crocidura sicula Miller, 1900. In: Amori G., Contoli L., Nappi A., Fauna d’ltalia II. Mammalia: Eri- naceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Rodentia, Lagomorpha. Calderini ed., Bologna, 210-218. Sara M. & Vitturi R., 1996. Crocidura (Mammalia, Sorici- dae) populations from the Sicilian-Maltese insular area. Hystrix, 8: 121-133. Sara M., Lo Valvo M. & Zanca L., 1990. Insular variation in central Mediterranean Crocidura Wagler, 1832 (Mam- malia, Soricidae). Bollettino di Zoologia, 57: 283-293. Schembri P.J., 1993. Physical geography and ecology of the Maltee Islands: a brief overview. Options Mediter- raneennes, Ser. B/n°7 - Malta: Food, Agrilculture, Fish- eries and The Environment: 27-39. Schembri P.J. & Schembri S.P., 1979. On the occurrence of Crocidura suaveolens Pallas (Mammalia, Insectivora) in the Maltese Islands with notes on other Maltese shrews. Central Mediterranean Naturalist, 1: 18-21. Ministry for the Environment, 1999. State of the environ- ment report for Malta 1998. Floriana, Malta: Environ- ment Protection Department, 448 pp. Vogel P., 1988. Taxonomical and biogeo graphical problems in Mediterranean shrews of the genus Crocidura (Mam- malia, Insectivora) with reference to a new karyotype from Sicily (Italy). Societe Vaudoise des Sciences Naturelles. Bulletin., 79 (1): 39-48. Vogel P., Schembri P.J., Borg M. & Sultana J., 1990. The shrew ( Crocidura sp.) of Gozo, a probable survivor of the Pleistocene fauna of Mediterranean islands. Zeitschrift fur Saugetierkunde, 55: 357-359. Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 149-150 Notes on the distribution of Castnia invaria penelope Schaufuss, 1 870 (Lepidoptera, Castniidae) Roberto Vinciguerra Via XX settembre, 64 - 90141 Palermo, Italy; e-mail: rob.vinciguerra@tiscali.it ABSTRACT The finding of Castnia invaria penelope Schaufuss, 1870 in Ecuador (Rio Napo) is highlighted, thus exten- ding the body of knowledge on the distribution of the ssp. Additional information on the genus and the conge- neric species is also provided. KEY WORDS Lepidoptera, Castniidae, Castnia. Received 18.09.2011; accepted 24.09.2011; printed 30.09.2011 INTRODUCTION The Castnids are nocturnal lepidoptera with diurnal (or crepuscular) habits. They are distrib- uted mainly in the Neotropical region. Data con- cerning their distribution are fragmentary at best, and they are under-represented in institutional and private collections (Gonzalez, 2004; Lamas, 1995; Vinciguerra & Racheli, 2006; Vinciguerra, 2011). Several recent studies have extended the taxo- nomic body of knowledge on the family with the description of a new taxon ( Athis pirrelloi Vin- ciguerra, 2011), the male of this interesting species was located twelve years after the capture of the holotype and it is also currently being described. Three species have shown a more extensive geographical distribution than previously thought Divana diva hoppi (Hering, 1923), pre- viously known to exist only in Colombia and now discovered also in Ecuador (Esmeraldas) (Vinciguerra, 2010); Athis palatinus staudingeri (Druce, 1896) described in Panama and captured in Costa Rica (Corcovado) (Vinciguerra & Gonzalez, 2011) and, lastly, Amauta hodeei kruegeri (Niepelt, 1927) also considered endemic to Colombia and now located in Ecuador (personal data). Castnia invaria Walker, 1854 is a widely stud- ied species mainly because of its pest status on pineapple ( Ananas spp., Bromeliaceae) planta- tions. This is a widely distributed species in South America and four sub-specific entities are recog- nized: C. invaria invaria Walker, 1854, C. i. penelope Schaufuss, 1870, C. i. trinitatis Lathy, 1925, C. i. volitans Lamas, 1995 (Lamas, 1995). Castnia invaria penelope Schaufuss, 1870 The distribution of Castnia invaria penelope (Figs. 1-2) includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. The taxonomic rank of the afore- mentioned subspecies requires further research because their status could be considered unclear due to a significant polymorphism. As all the ssp. known, the larvae feed on several Bromeliaceae, including pineapples ( Ananas spp., Bromeli- aceae). The imago has diurnal habits and the adults of Castnia invaria penelope have been observed flying (Paraguay) between 11 am and noon (Rios & Gonzalez, 2011). We point out the presence of this species also in Ecuador (Rio Napo) on the basis of two spec- imens, collected in this region in 1974. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend a special thanks to J. M. Gonzalez (Texas A & M University) for com- ments given during the drafting stage of this short note. 150 Roberto Vinciguerra Figure 1. Castnia invaria penelope female, Ecuador, Rio Napo, 04.1974, width 80 mm. Figure 2. Castnia invaria penelope male, Ecuador, Rio Napo, 04.1974, width 120 mm. REFERENCES Gonzalez J.M., 2004. Castniinae (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) from Venezuela. VI. The genus A this. Diagnosis and comments. Caribbean Journal of Science, 40: 408-413. Lamas G., 1995. A critical review of J.Y. Miller’s Checklist of the Neotropical Castniidae (Lepidoptera). Re vista Peruana de Entomologia, 37: 73-87. Rios S. & Gonzalez J.M., 2011. Synopsis of the Castniidae (Lepidoptera) of Paraguay. Zootaxa (in press). Vinciguerra R. & Gonzalez J.M., 2011. Observations on distribution of Athis palatinus staudingeri (Druce, 1896) (Lepidoptera: Castniidae). Shilap Revista de Lepidopterologia, 39: 155-159. Vinciguerra R. & Racheli L., 2006. Note sulla distribuzione di alcuni Castnidi in Peru (Lepidoptera, Castniidae), Berichte des Kreises Numberger Entomologen V, 22: 27-39. Vinciguerra R., 2010. Osservazioni sulla distribuzione di Divana diva hoppi (Hering, 1923), (Lepidoptera: Castniidae). Shilap Revista de Lepidopterologia, 38: 379-383. Vinciguerra R., 2011. Observations on the genus Athis Hiibner, [1819] and description of a new species from Pem (Lepi- doptera, Castniidae), Biodiversity Journal, 2: 97-102. Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 151-152 A case of cannibalism in Podarcis siculus campestris De Betta, 1 857 (Reptilia, Lacertidae) Mauro Grano 1 , Cristina Cattaneo 2 & Augusto Cattaneo 3 1 Via Valcenischia 24 - 00141 Roma, Italy; e-mail: elaphe58@yahoo.it - 2 Via Eleonora d’Arborea 12 - 00162 Roma, Italy; e-mail: cristina. cattaneo76@libero.it - 3 Via Cola di Rienzo 162 - 00192 Roma, Italy; e-mail: augustocattaneo@hotmail.com ABSTRACT A case-report of cannibalistic behaviour in Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus campestris De Betta, 1857 is described here along with the first photographic record KEY WORDS Cannibalism, food spectrum, Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, predation. Received 25.09.2011; accepted 29.09.2011; printed 30.09.2011 INTRODUCTION Podarcis siculus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810) s.l. is considered among the Mediterranean Lacertid lizards the species more adapted to inhabit a wide variety of habitats (Corti et ah, 2011). The distribution area of P. siculus includes Italy, Corsica and the coastal regions of Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro. Naturalized populations have been found in Spain and Balearic Islands, Portugal, France, Turkey, Tunisia, Libia and United States. This highly polytypic species is represented in Lazio by ssp. campestris De Betta, 1857 (Capula & Ceccarelli, 2003). In Italy, this lizard generally occurs in low- land and coastal areas, and also in anthropized areas such as urban park of large towns. It is found from sea level up to 1000 m and excep- tionally up to 2200 m (Mount Etna, Sicily) (Tur- risi & Vaccaro, 2001; Corti et ah, 2011). This species is often sympatric with Podar- cis muralis (Laurenti, 1768), occupying sunny and more exposed microhabitats respect to this latter; also, no interspecific competition seems to occur between these species (Bologna et ah, 2007). However, in some urban environments has been observed as the communities of Podarcis muralis e P. siculus are organized through specific ecological needs of each species rather than by species interactions (Capula et ah, 1993). Many studies have focused the feeding habits of P. siculus; the results showed that its preys spectrum can be interested by significant variations in relation to the different environ- mental contexts (Corti & Lo Cascio, 2002). It preys upon invertebrates and mainly insects, but occasionally vegetal matter and small ver- tebrates can complete the diet. Some studies have showed that most of Italian Lacertids eat really all the occurring invertebrates in their habitats in proportion on their availability (Scali et ah, 2008). Other studies (Lo Cascio & Capula, 2011) on Podarcis raffonei (Mertens, 1952) from Scoglio Faraglione (Aeolian Archipelago, NE Sicily) indicate that diet composition is not directly influenced by prey availability and tem- poral prey abundance and that this species can operate a hierarchical choice within the range of prey items constituting its prey spectrum. Several cases of partial and/or true cannibal- ism have been reported in literature for this species (see e.g. Mertens, 1934; Kramer, 1946; Ouboter, 1981; Burke & Mercurio, 2002). 152 M. Grano, C. Cattaneo & A. Cattaneo RESULT AND CONCLUSIONS On 17 th July 2011, at 10.46 a.m. on Tolfa’s Mountains, Lazio (Italy), two of the Authors have surprised and photographed an adult male of Ital- ian wall lizard during predation against a young conspecific. After attacking the small lizard on hind legs, limiting its mobility and preventing its escape, the predator carried away the prey in order to consume it hidden in a near bush (Fig. 1). Recently, Cattaneo (2005) stated adult Podar- cis siculus feed on the eggs and young of the same species and also the congener Podarcis muralis nigriventris Bonaparte, 1836; Capula & Aloise (2011) reported two unusual cases of pre- dation, respectively, of a young conspecific and of a small-sized gecko Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758); in the same paper is also given the photo of a P. siculus retaining in the mouth a dead specimen of Suncus etruscus (Savi, 1822) (Mammalia, Soricidae). The observation contained in this work is a further contribution to the knowledge of canni- balism in Podarcis siculus and allows to confirm both the reports by Cattaneo (2005) and also by Capula & Aloise (2011). Figure 1 . Specimen of Podarcis siculus campestris (adult male) to prey a young of the same species (Tolfa’s Mountains, Lazio, Italy, July 2011). REFERENCES Bologna M.A., Salvi D. & Pitzalis M., 2007. Atlante degli Anfibi e dei Rettili della Provincia di Roma. Provincia di Roma, Gangemi Editore, Roma, 192 pp. Burke R.L. & Mercurio R.J., 2002. Food habits of a New York population of Italian Wall Lizard, Podarcis sicula (Reptilia, Lacertidae). American Midland Naturalist, 147: 368-375. Capula M. & Aloise G., 2011. Extreme feeding behaviors in the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus. Acta Herpeto- logica, Firenze University Press, 6: 11-14. Capula M. & Ceccarelli A., 2003. Distribution of genetic variation and taxonomy of insular and mainland popula- tions of the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis sicula. Amphibia-Reptilia, 24: 483-495. Capula M., Luiselli L. & Rugiero L., 1993. Comparative ecology in sympatric Podarcis muralis and P. sicula (Reptilia: Lacertidae) from the historical centre of Rome: what about competition and niche segregation in an urban habitat? Bollettino di Zoologia, 60: 287-291. Cattaneo A., 2005. L’Erpetofauna della Tenuta Presiden- ziale di Castelporziano (Roma). Atti del Museo di Sto- ria Naturale della Maremma, 21: 49-77. Corti C. & Lo Cascio P., 2002. The Lizards of Italy and Adjacent Areas. Chimaira Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, 165 pp. Corti C., Biaggini M. & Capula M., 2011. Podarcis sicu- lus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810). In: Capula M., Luiselli L., Razzetti E., Sindaco R. (eds.), Fauna d’ltalia: Reptilia, Vol. XLV. Edizioni Calderini de II Sole 24 ORE, Editoria Specializzata S.r.l., Bologna: 407-417. Lo Cascio P. & M. Capula, 2011. Does diet in lacertid lizards reflect prey availability? Evidence for selective predation in the Aeolian wall lizard, Podarcis raffonei (Mertens, 1952) (Reptilia, Lacertidae). Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2: 89-96. Kramer G., 1946. Veranderungen von Nachkommenziffer und achlommengrossen sowie der Alters-verteilung con Inseleidechsen. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung, 1 : 700-710. Mertens R.,1934. Die Inselreptilien, ihre Ausbreitung, Variation und Artbildung. Zoologica, 32: 1-209. Ouboter P.E., 1980. The ecology of the island lizard Podar- cis sicula salfir. correlation of microdistribution with vegetation coverage, thermal environment and food size. Amphibia-Reptilia, 2: 243-257. Scali S., Spadola F., Di Toro F., Gentili A., Mangiacotti M., Tettamanti S. & Cavigioli L., 2008. Plasticita trofica di due Lacertidi italiani: casi di predazione anomala in Lacerta bilineata e Podarcis muralis. In: Corti C. (ed.), Herpetologia Sardiniae. Societas Herpetologica Italica, Edizioni Belvedere, Latina: 435-438. Turrisi G. F. & Vaccaro A., 2001. Distribuzione altitudinale di Anfibi e Rettili sul Monte Etna (Sicilia orientale). Atti 3° Congresso Nazionale di Erpetologia. Pianura, 13: 335-338. Biodiversity Journal, 2011, 2 (3): 153-159 A new subspecies of Perotis lugubris Fabricius, 1 777 from Southern Italy (Coleoptera, Buprestidae). Francesco Izzillo 1 & Ignazio Sparacio 2 'Via O. Buccini, 10 - 81030 Orta di Atella, Caserta, (I); e-mail: franco.izzillo@gmail.com. 2 Via E. Notarbartolo, 54 int. 13 - 90145 Palermo, (I); e-mail: isparacio@inwind.it. ABSTRACT A new subspecies of Coleoptera Buprestidae, Perotis lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. from Southern Italy, is described, illustrated and compared with related taxa. KEY WORDS Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Perotis lugubris meridionalis n. ssp., Southern Italy. Received 14.06.2011; accepted 20.08.2011; printed 30.09.2011 INTRODUCTION Perotis lugubris Fabricius, 1777 s.l. is a Coleoptera Buprestidae of the subfamily Chrysochroinae Laporte, 1835 tribe Dicercini Gistel, 1848 widely distributed in Central Asia (Turan)-SE Europe (Kuban, 2006). The nominal subspecies (locus typicus: Austria) is widespread in many Central and Eastern European states, Balkan Peninsula and Turkey; the ssp. mutabilis Abeille, 1896 is known for Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey; the ssp. longicollis Kraatz, 1880 from Azerbaijan, Armenia, southern Russia, Iran, Iraq, Turkmenistan and the ssp. transcaspica Semenov, 1891 is reported for Iran and Turkmenistan (cfr. Kuban, 2006). In Italy there is the nominal subspecies in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Marches, Liguria, Tuscany, Latium, Campania and Apulia (Lecce) (Luigioni, 1929, Porta, 1929; Curletti, 1985; Platia & Gobbi, 1995). An old report from Sardinia (Porta, 1929) was never confirmed (Curletti, 1985; Gobbi & Platia, 1995); a citation for Sicily was made by Romano (1849), although remained unknown or at least never reported by other authors. Bertolini (1899) and Reitter (1906) signalized in southern Italy Perotis xerses v. viriditarsis Schaufuss, 1879; Luigioni (1929) and Porta (1929) reported this quote but Obenberger (1926) considered this variety a synonymous of P. xerses Marseul, 1865 from Asia Minor and excluded it from italian Coleoptera; moreover, Obenberger himself (1924-1932) acknowledged this quote was wrong. The examination of material collected from Southern Italy, Basilicata in particular, has allowed us to highlight some morphological peculiarities in these populations that can be described as a new subspecies. ACRONYMS. The materials used for this study are deposited in the following Museums and private collections: F. Angelini, Francavilla Fontana (Brindisi), Italy (CA); M. Bollino, Lecce, Italy (CB); P. Crovato, Naples, Italy (CC); D. Gianasso, Castelnuovo Don Bosco (Asti), Italy (CG); M. Gigli, Rome, Italy (CMG); Istituto Nazionale di Entomologia, Rome, Italy (INER); F. Izzillo, Orta di Atella (Caserta), Italy (Cl); A. Liberto, Rome, Italy (CL); G. Magnani, Cesena, Italy (CM); C.O. Manci, Iasi (Romania) (CCM); E. Migliaccio, Rome, Italy (CEM); Museo 154 Francesco Izzillo & Ignazio Sparacio Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova, Italy (MSNG); Museo Civico di Zoologia, Rome, Italy (MCZR); D. Sechi, Quartu Sant’Elena (Cagliari), Italy (CS); I. Sparacio, Palermo, Italy (CIS). Where not specified, the collector is the same owner of the collection. Perotis lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. Examined material. Holotypus male: Italy, Basilicata (Matera): Policoro, 26.VI.1989, legit F. Izzillo (Cl). Allotypus female: same data as holotypus (CIS); Paratypi: Italy, Basilicata (Matera): Policoro, 27.VI.1991, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CIS); idem, 8.VII.1989, legit F. Izzillo, 2 exx (CIS); idem, 8.VII.1989, legit P. Crovato, 2 exx (CIS); idem, 18.VII.1990, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CIS); idem, 5.VI.1989, legit N. Fiantonio, 1 ex (CIS); idem, 10.VII.1989, legit P. Crovato, 1 ex (CIS); idem, 5.VII.1989, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 6.VII.1989, 2 exx (MSNG); idem, 6.VII.1989, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 6.VII.1989, legit N. Fiantonio, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 8.VII.1989, legit N. Fiantonio, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 10.VII.1989, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 23 .VI. 1990, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 10.VII.1990, legit I. Izzillo, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 11. VII. 1990, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 2 l.VII. 1990, legit F. Angelini, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 23.VII.1991, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 25.VII.1991, 3 exx (Cl); idem, 25.VII.1991, legit N. Fiantonio, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 27.VII.1991, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 27. VII.1991, legit N. Fiantonio, 1 ex (Cl); idem, AVI. 1992, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 6.VI.1993, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 26.VI.1994, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 3. VII. 1994, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 10.VII.1994, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 23 .VII. 1994, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 4.VI.1995, 2 exx (Cl); idem, 16.VI.1996, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 13. VII. 1996, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 26.IV. 1999, 1 ex (Cl); idem, 10.VII.1989, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CA); idem, 28. VII.1990, lex (CA); idem, 24.VII.1994, 1 ex (CA); idem, 26.VI.1989, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CG); idem, 23 .VII. 1991, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CM); idem, 25.VII.1991, legit F. Izzillo, 3 exx (CM); idem, 27.VII.1991, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CM); idem, 4- 5.VII.1992, 2 exx (CM); idem, 23 .VII. 1994, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CS); idem, 10.VII.1989, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CF); idem, 3.VII.1994, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CF); idem, 18-20.VI.1996, legit A. Fiberto, 2 exx (CF); idem, 6.VII.1989, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CC); idem, 8.VII.1989, 1 ex (CC); idem, 23 .VI. 1990, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CC); idem, 23.VI.1990, 1 ex (CC); idem, 6.VI.1993, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CC); idem, 5.VII.1994, 2 exx (CC); idem, 23 .VII. 1994, legit F. Izzillo, 1 ex (CC). Apulia (Fecce): Ugento, Fido Marini (Macchia Rottacapozza), 8-10.V.1993, legit M. Portalatina, 2 exx (CB). Holotypus, allotypus and paratypi are deposited in the cited collections. Description of holotypus male. Fength 19 mm; width (near elytral base) 7 mm; body ovoid, large, convex; bronze-green. Frons, antennae, legs and ventral surface with short, sparse and white pubescence. Epistome concave. Frons large, slightly convex, with big and irregular puncture; intervals are microreticulated and irregularly raised. Eyes big, protruding, converging dorsally. Antennal cavities large, oblique and deep. Antennae short, serrate from fifth segment; first antennomere short and rounded, a little dilated anteriorly, second one little and short, about half as long as the first; third antennomere is about twice as long as the second; fourth little longer than the third, slightly denticulate anteriorly; fifth denticulate; segments 6-10 widely sub-squared with obtuse outer angles; terminal antennomere rounded, little elongated. Pronotum convex, trasverse, 1.7 times as wide as long, lateral margins converging anteriorly, maximum pronotal width at basal third, posterior angles straight and protruding, anterior angles slightly protruding; anterior pronotal margin slightly bisinuate, posterior margin bisinuate and distinctly lobate in the middle. Pronotal sculpture consisting of rounded, deep and little dense punctures that are gathered and irregular at the sides of pronotum; interspace between punctures is microreticulated. Scutellum small and transverse. Elytra 1.8 times as long as wide, slightly wider than pronotum at humeral part, wide and arched at basal third, narrowed at elytral apices; humeral swellings small but well-developed; apex of elytra obliquely truncate, not tighten. Elytral sculpture consisting of irregular striae of deep punctures, interspace between punctures is microreticulated; intervals represented by some remarks smooth, irregular, fragmented and absent on the sides of the elytra and at the apex. A new subspecies of Perotis lugubris Fcibricius, 1777 from Southern Italy (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) 155 Fig. 1 Fig. 3 Fig. 2 Fig. 4 Figure 1. P. lugubris meridionals n. ssp. from Italy, Matera, Policoro (length 20 mm). Figure 2. P. lugubris lugubris from Slovakia, Hegy Farok (length 20 mm). Figure 3. P. lugubris lugubris from Italy, Rome, Castelfusano (length 21 mm). Figure 4. P. lugubris lugubris from Greece, Attica, Legrena (length 22 mm;). 156 Francesco Izzillo & Ignazio Sparacio Large and distinct elytral epipleura, reaching apex of elytra. Legs relatively long, protibiae with a tooth anteriorly, metatibiae curved on the outside; 1-4 segments of tarsi dilated, the first one narrower than the other three, fifth flat and rectangular. Prosternum with big and dense punctuation, prosternal process with a median and smooth prominence and with big and sparse punctures; the sides of prosternal process are dilated and angled, apex truncate and rounded. Metasternum with punctures and a deep median furrow; between posterior coxae there are two prominences close and slightly divergent posteriorly, extending up the 1 st sternite without reaching the back edge. Sternites microreticulated with big and irregular punctures, sometimes thickened; anal sternite truncated at apex. Aegeagus little enlarged at apical third with parameres narrow and elongated anteriorly; median lobe pointed apically. Variability. The length of the specimens examined varied from 14 to 25 mm; the width from 5.5 to 11 mm. The dorsal surface is always green, sometimes very notable. Anal sternite of the males sometimes more or less concave. The females have the same characteristics of the males but are usually larger and more convex dorsally. Etimology. From southern Italy, particularly Basilicata and Apulia (Salento) where this new taxon was collected. Biology and distribution. P. lugubris s.l. is a quite rare species in Italy. Its findings are sporadic, generally discontinuous and occasional. This species seems to prefer the Mediterranean maquis as elective habitat, although occurring, at very low frequencies and at low altitudes, in the most exposed areas of mesophilic forests and cultivated areas, given certain conditions. In particular, it is present in cultivated fields where intensive farming techniques are not employed, where agricultural cultivation is followed by relatively long periods of stasis, and that are interspersed with areas of natural vegetation (Authors’ personal observations). The forest Pantano-Sottano di Policoro, the main site of collection of the new subspecies, in the last two decades has undergone a profound transformation due to altered environmental conditions occurred as a result of the barrage with dams upstream of some rivers (particularly of Sinni river); these works have gradually led primarily to a drastic reduction of water intake and, subsequently, to depletion of groundwater beneath the forest. This situation has greatly affected vegetation of the area and actually has impoverished the rich population of arthropods occurring therein. Over the years, starting from the peripheral areas of the forest, there has been a gradual regression of hygrophilous plants such as ash, poplar (white and black), willow, alder, as well as the elm trees [these latter also because of Dutch elm disease (DED)]. At the same time, several species peculiar of the Mediterranean maquis or, however, of xeric areas such as mastic, myrtle, Phyllirea and Crataegus gradually moved forward and, as a further sign of a progressive drying up of the area, it is now possible to come across a few plants of maritime pine and Quercus sp (= xerophytes), recently settled. In such an environment and in the most exposed areas at the edge of the forest we found, quite frequent, Perotis specimens. In line with what already reported in other countries (Lebanon, Greece and Crete), we observed specimens of the subspecies meridionalis often in flight from bush to bush or, more or less hidden, clinging to small diameter branches, behaving similarly as congeneric beetles. At Policoro, in particular, P. lugubris meridionalis seem to be present at all the shrubs of the Mediterranean maquis, without any particular preference (but we never observed it on Juniper). We have seen a few couplings on Quercus sp. and Crataegus sp.; during mating animals stood motionless on twigs, half- concealed, with no detectable activities, just like other taxa of the family. Only once we observed it gnawing the apical part of a small branch of a young oak tree. If it feels in danger, P. lugubris meridionalis tends to turn around the branch or drop down, and, more rarely, it can fly away quickly. As all taxa belonging to the family Buprestidae, it is a phytophagous species the larva of which is A new subspecies of Perotis lugubris Fcibricius, 1777 from Southern Italy (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) 157 polyphagous and radicicolous on trees and shrubs; Curletti et al. (2003) reported it as host of Arbutus unedo, Malus sp. and Pistacia lentiscus, but, within broad-leaved trees, the taxon certainly feeds on a broader spectrum of plants than established so far. At present, P. lugubris meridionalis is known for some coastal places of Basilicata and Apulia (Salento). Comparative notes. P. lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. appears to be well differentiated from neighboring populations attributable to the nominal subspecies, by many characters as follows: the body is narrower and greenish in colour (Fig. 1), pronotum with lateral margins narrowed anteriorly and with the punctures smaller and little dense, the shape of the antennae (Fig. 5) with 4 th and 5 th articles less denticulate, a minor extension of residual elytral intervals, the shape of the prostemal process (Fig. 9), the punctuation of abdominal sternites and aedeagus (Fig. 13). In P. lugubris lugubris , the body is wider, more convex, bronze, rarely with green tinge (Fig. 2), pronotum is wider and convex with maximum width in the middle and punctures bigger and dense; antennae (Fig. 6) with 4 th and 5 th articles more denticulate, 7 th - 10 th larger, straight or slightly rounded at comers, 11 th more elongated; elytra wider and curved at the sides with the greater extent of residual elytral intervals; prostemal process wider at the base and rounded at the sides (Fig. 10), sternites with punctuation bigger, dense, irregular and confluent; aedeagus (Fig. 14) more dilated anteriorly with curved sides. These morphological characters have been observed in the populations from Central and Eastern Europe (locus typycus: Austria) and, with some minor variations, even in the Italian populations of Latium and N-Apulia (Figs. 3, 7, 11, 15). For Campania we observed only one small male specimen that seems similar to the nominal subspecies. The populations from Greece, however, show major differences from the nominal subspecies (Figs. 4, 8, 12, 16), especially in shape of prostemal process and aedeagus. The ssp. prolongata described by Obenberger (1918) from Greece, without precise location, is considered just a form of no taxonomic validity by Muhle et al. (2000). Examined material. Perotis lugubris lugubris Fabricius, 1777. SLOVAKIA. Hegy Farok, 27. VI. 1972, legit O. Marek, 2 exx (CIS); Plast’ovce 12- 1 5. V. 1999, legit V. Krivan, 3 exx (CS); Kamenica n. Hronom, legit L. Klima, 5.VI.1983, 3 exx (CS); Kamenica n. Hronom, 30. IV. 1994, legit S. Baron, 1 ex (CS); Sturovo, 20.VI.1993, legit S. Baron, 1 ex (CS); Slovacchia, 30.V.1988, legit V. Mikes, 1 ex (CS); Sturovo, 9.V.1977, legit J. Hala, 1 ex (CM); Sturovo, 15.V.1976, legit J. Hala, 1 ex (CM). ROMANIA. Oltenia-Mehedinti Gura Vaii (near) clearing, 44.675421/22.539392, 120 m, 16.VI.2003, 1 ex (CCM); Dobrogea-Tulcea, Babadag (near), Babadag forest, 44.817756/28.750953, 100 m, 17. VII.2008, 1 ex (CCM). BULGARIA. Volcanic Hill “Kozhuh” (Petrich), 11.IV.2004, 1 ex (CEM). GREECE. Attica, dintomi Legrena, 25/30. IV. 1991, legit A. Liberto, 3 exx (CIS); idem, 1 ex (CG); Legrena littoral, 26.IV. 1991, legit A. Liberto, 5 exx (CIS); Ahaia (Peloponnesos), Halandritsa, 3. VII. 1993, 1 ex (CEM); Etolia, Lessini, 1-3 .VII. 1993, 2 exx (CEM); Attica, dintomi Lavrio, 10.V.1991, legit A. Liberto, 1 ex (CG); Attica, dintomi Kalivia, 22.IV. 1988, legit A. Liberto, 1 ex (CG); Trikala, Meteora, 18.V.1977, 1 ex (CG); Ahaia, Kalavrita, 1-3 .VII. 1996, 2 exx (CM); Thessalia, Stomion, VI. 1984, legit J. & M. Slama, 1 ex (CM); Argolida, Epidauros, 2.V.1999, 2 exx (CA); Ahaia, Kalavrita, 17-21. VI. 1998, 2 exx (CA); Limnos Island, Thanos Beach, 28- 29.VII.2006, 1 ex (CS); Attica, Legrena, 16.V. 1995, 4 exx (Cl); idem, 17.V.1995, 3 exx (Cl); idem, 18.V.1995, 14 exx (Cl); Attica, Capo Sounio, 16.V.1995, 13 exx (Cl); Attica, Mandra, 19.V.1995, 1 ex (Cl); Ahaia, Kalavrita, 3. VII. 1996, 3 exx (Cl); idem, 18.VI.1998, 3 exx (Cl); idem, 24.VI.1998, 1 ex (Cl); Korinthia, Killini Oros, 23.V.2004, 1 ex (Cl); Argolida, Asini, 24.V.2004, 1 ex (Cl). TURKEY. Akhisar, 28.V.1974 (CEM); idem, 18. VI.1974 (CEM). ITALY. Marches. Pesaro, VIII. 1951, legit Berardi, 1 ex (INER). Tuscany. Grosseto, Follonica dintorni, VI. 1962, legit Bianciardi, 2 exx, coll. G. Gobbi (MCZR); Livorno, VI. 1938, 1 ex coll. Cermti (INER). Latium. Roma, Castelfusano, 7.VII.1955, legit G. Montelli, 2 exx (CEM); idem, 1 ex, Francesco Izzillo & Ignazio Sparacio 158 Fig. 5 Fig. 9 Fig. 13 Fig. 6 Fig. 10 Fig. 14 Fig. 7 Fig. 11 Fig. 15 5 mm Fig. 8 Fig. 16 Figures 5-8. Antennae of P. lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. from Italy, Matera, Policoro (5), P. lugubris lugubris from Slovakia, Hegy Farok (6), P. lugubris lugubris from Italy, Rome, Castelfusano (7), P. lugubris lugubris from Greece, Attica, Legrena (8). Figures 9-12. Prostemal process of P. lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. from Italy, Matera, Policoro (9), P. lugubris lugubris from Slovakia, Hegy Farok (10), P. lugubris lugubris from Italy, Rome, Castelfusano (11), P. lugubris lugubris from Greece, Attica, Legrena (12). Figures 13-16. Aedeagus of P. lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. from Italy, Matera, Policoro (13), P. lugubris lugubris from Slovakia, Hegy Farok (14), P. lugubris lugubris from Italy, Rome, Castelfusano (15), P. lugubris lugubris from Greece, Attica, Legrena (16). A new subspecies of Perotis lugubris Fcibricius, 1777 from Southern Italy (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) 159 Perotis lugubris Fabr., det. F. Tassi, 1961; idem, VII. 1955, legit C. Saraceni, ex coll. S. Cafaro, 1 ex (CEM); idem, VII. 1955, 1 ex (CEM); idem, VI. 1956, legit S. Cafaro (CEM); Castelfusano, VII. 1962, legit Ramaccini, 1 ex, coll. G. Gobbi (MCZR); idem, VII. 1963, 1 ex, coll. G. Gobbi (MCZR); idem, 22.VI.1969, 1 ex, coll. G. Gobbi (MCZR); idem, VI.1955, legit G. Montelli, 1 ex, coll. G. Gobbi (MCZR); idem, VII.1965, legit D. Ruggiu, 1 ex, coll. G. Gobbi (MCZR); idem, 6.VII.1954, legit E. De Maggi, 2 exx (MCZR); idem, 24.VII.1954, legit E. De Maggi, 1 ex (MCZR). Roma, Maccarese, 4.VI.2009, 1 ex (CMG). Porto Anzio, VII. 191 8, 1 ex, legit Straneo, Perotis lugubris F., det. Obenberger. Campania. Napoli, Villa Comunale, VIII. 1911, legit Anguis (MCZR). Apulia. Apricena dintomi (Foggia), 1.VI.2001, legit W. Pagliacci, 5 exx (CM). CONCLUSION Although Perotis lugubris s.l. is a polytypic species with a certain degree of intraspecific variability, nevertheless P. lugubris meridionalis ssp. is clearly differentiated and morphologically distinguishable from all other known populations, particularly those geographically close. Future research should be aimed at a reassessment of all taxonomic populations of Perotis lugubris s.l. and at a better definition of the presence of P lugubris meridionalis n. ssp. in Southern Italy. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank all the friends and colleagues who have provided data and/or material in their possession facilitating the preparation of this work, particularly: Ferdinando Angelini (Francavilla Fontana, Brindisi, Italy), Maurizio Bollino (Lecce, Italy), Paolo Crovato (Naples, Italy), Domenico Gianasso (Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Asti, Italy), Maurizio Gigli (Rome, Italy), Andrea Liberto (Rome, Italy), Gianluca Magnani (Cesena, Italy), Cosmin Ovidiu Manci (Iasi, Romania), Enrico Migliaccio (Rome, Italy), and Daniele Sechi (Quartu Sant’Elena, Cagliari, Italy). A special thanks to Marcello Romano (Capaci, Palermo, Italy) for photographs and to Gianluca Magnani for helpful suggestions. REFERENCES Bertolini S., 1899. Catalogo dei Coleotteri d’ltalia. Ed. Rivista Italiana di Scienze Naturali, Siena, 144 pp. Curletti G., 1985. I Buprestidi d’ltalia. Catalogo Tassonomico, Sinonimico, Biologico, Geonemico. Monografie di Natura Bresciana, 19, Ed. 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