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Szabolcs M, Mizsei E, Golemaj A, Jablonski D. The Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica Linnaeus, 1758 (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae), in Albania. HERPETOZOA 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e69381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We summarised the records of Tarentola mauritanica in Albania. The first record for the country was published in 1989 from Sazan Island; however, it was never confirmed again. Another population was found recently in an urban habitat of Vlorë City near the main city port, probably of human-mediated origin.
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Jablonski D, Gkontas I, Poursanidis D, Lymberakis P, Poulakakis N. Stability in the Balkans: phylogeography of the endemic Greek stream frog, Rana graeca. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We still have little knowledge concerning the phylogeography of amphibians and reptiles from the Balkan Peninsula compared with the other two Mediterranean peninsulas. This raises concerns for endemic taxa from these peninsulas, because it might interfere with further conservation efforts. Here we focus on the endemic Greek stream frog (Rana graeca) and reconstruct its biogeography and evolutionary history. Using four genetic markers (Cytb, 16S, COI and BDNF) in > 350 sequences covering the whole distribution range, we conducted phylogenetic, demographic and ecological niche analyses, which revealed the phylogeography of this species. Surprisingly, this examination of R. graeca reveals a very shallow level of intraspecific genetic variability through the Balkans, with two main, statistically supported lineages having a partly sympatric distribution. The most variable marker was Cytb, which showed 19 haplotypes in 123 analysed sequences in the whole species distribution area. Here presented genetic data, together with the environmental niche projection and demographic analyses suggest that R. graeca was probably affected only marginally by climatic oscillations, with the Hellenides as the most suitable area for the occurrence of the species in different geological periods. This is consistent with the observed genetic diversity, which is mostly related to these mountains. Although the species shows a certain level of phenotypic variability and ecological preferences, this might be related to species plasticity affected by the micro-climatic conditions in small areas, which merits further research. Comparing phylogeography of other amphibian and reptile species in the Balkans, we showed that the observed pattern represents a new view on the phylogeography of the Balkan herpetofauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jablonski
- Department of Zoology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ioannis Gkontas
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, Irakleio, Greece
- Natural History Museum of Crete, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete, Knosos Avenue, Irakleio, Greece
| | - Dimitris Poursanidis
- Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics, The Remote Sensing Lab, Vassilika Vouton, Irakleio, Greece
| | - Petros Lymberakis
- Natural History Museum of Crete, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete, Knosos Avenue, Irakleio, Greece
| | - Nikos Poulakakis
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, Irakleio, Greece
- Natural History Museum of Crete, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete, Knosos Avenue, Irakleio, Greece
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Turani B, Aliko V, Faggio C. Allurin and egg jelly coat impact on in-vitro fertilization success of endangered Albanian water frog, Pelophylax shqipericus. Nat Prod Res 2018; 34:830-837. [PMID: 30445855 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2018.1508147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian egg-jelly coat plays an important role in successful fertilization and development. Here, we ask whether proteins like allurin in the jelly coats of frog eggs might influence fertilization rate success. Using in vitro fertilization of Albanian water frog, Pelophylax shqipericus, we found that body cavity eggs or eggs deprived of jelly coat were not fertilized, compromising the success of in vitro fertilization procedure. When de-jellied eggs were inseminated with sperm suspension, the fertilization efficiency is dramatically decreased even inhibited, suggesting that the gel structure is one of the major factors in the achievement of fertilization in the frogs. Fertilization of de-jellied eggs with sperm pre-treated with egg jelly coat, restored the fertilization competency. Such a result suggests that egg jelly coat probably guides the sperm to the egg surface while maintaining the fertilization ability, contributing to a successful in vitro fertilization of Pelophylax shqipericus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blerta Turani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Valbona Aliko
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Caterina Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Keresztes L, Menéndez JM, Martin L, Török E, Kolcsár LP. Description of a new species of Mediotipula from Albania, with consideration of the eastern Mediterranean as a diversity hotspot (Diptera, Tipulidae). Zookeys 2018:99-115. [PMID: 30386162 PMCID: PMC6207631 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.792.25683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A new species of the TipulasubgenusMediotipula is described from the south-eastern part of Albania, south-eastern Europe. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to T. (M.) stigmatella Schummel, 1833, but differs mainly with respect to males, having a distinctly shaped posterior margin of tergite 9–10, a widened outer gonostylus and a series of details of the inner gonostylus (anterior end of the anterior arm, shape of the posterior arm), as well as having more bulbous and rounded hypogynal valves in the females. Further morphological differences of the male terminalia between allopatric populations of T. (M.) stigmatella in the Carpathians and Balkans, south-eastern Europe, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujza Keresztes
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Centre of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, University of Babeș-Bolyai Cluj-Napoca, Clinicilor 5-7, Romania University of Babeș-Bolyai Cluj-Napoca Romania
| | - Jesús Martínez Menéndez
- Department Zoología, Antropología Física & Genética, Faculty of Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, R/Lope Gómez de Marzoa, s/n. Campus Vida. 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain University of Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Luis Martin
- Department Zoología, Antropología Física & Genética, Faculty of Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, R/Lope Gómez de Marzoa, s/n. Campus Vida. 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain University of Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Edina Török
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Centre of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, University of Babeș-Bolyai Cluj-Napoca, Clinicilor 5-7, Romania University of Babeș-Bolyai Cluj-Napoca Romania.,Romanian Academy Institute of Biology, Splaiul Independenţei 296, 060031 Bucureşti, Romania Romanian Academy Institute of Biology Bucureşti Romania
| | - Levente-Péter Kolcsár
- Romanian Academy Institute of Biology, Splaiul Independenţei 296, 060031 Bucureşti, Romania Romanian Academy Institute of Biology Bucureşti Romania
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Bego F, Saçdanaku E, Pacifici M, Rondinini C. Small terrestrial mammals of Albania: distribution and diversity (Mammalia, Eulipotyphla, Rodentia). Zookeys 2018:127-163. [PMID: 29670434 PMCID: PMC5904422 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.742.22364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper new records are reported for 23 species of small terrestrial mammals (STM) of Albania collected during the field work campaigns organised in the framework of the project “Strengthening capacity in National Nature Protection – preparation for Natura 2000 network” (NaturAL) in Albania during the summer and autumn of 2016 and 2017 Data on small mammals were primarily collected through Sherman live-trapping campaigns in six high priority protected areas of Albania: Korab-Koritnik, Bredhi i Hotovës, Tomorri, Llogara-Karaburun, Divjakë-Karavasta, Liqeni i Shkodrës (Skadar lake), Lëpushë-Vermosh. Other data were obtained by analysis of owl pellets or by direct observation of individuals (dead or alive) in the field. For 21 species Erinaceusroumanicus, Neomysanomalus, Crocidurasuaveolens, Crociduraleucodon, Suncusetruscus, Talpastankovici/caeca, Myocastorcoypus, Sciurusvulgaris, Glisglis, Dryomysnitedula, Muscardinusavellanarius, Microtuslevis/arvalis, Microtussubterraneus, Microtusthomasi, Microtusfelteni, Myodesglareolus, Apodemussylvaticus, Apodemusflavicollis, Apodemusepimelas, Musmusculus, and Musmacedonicus additional records are provide and their distributions reviewed, while the presence of two new species of shrews (Sorexaraneus and Sorexminutus) for Albania is reported for the first time. A comprehensive review of the published and unpublished distribution records of STM species of the country is made, together with an updated checklist and distribution maps of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Bego
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Albania
| | - Enerit Saçdanaku
- Research Centre for Flora and Fauna, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Albania
| | - Michela Pacifici
- Global Mammal Assessment programme, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Rondinini
- Global Mammal Assessment programme, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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Pacifici M, Attorre F, Martellos S, Bego F, De Sanctis M, Hoda P, Meço M, Rondinini C, Saçdanaku E, Salihaj E, Scepi E, Shuka L, Ghiurghi A. BioNNA: the Biodiversity National Network of Albania. NATURE CONSERVATION 2018. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.25.22387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the Albanian Government started the process to join the European Union. This process also involves matching the EU parameters in protecting its biodiversity. In order to support the Albanian authorities, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Directorate for Development Cooperation (DGCS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) joined efforts in the project “Institutional Support to the Albanian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation and Use in Protected Areas”. This project aims at identifying priority needs in safeguarding ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. Another project funded by the EU – “Strengthening capacity in National Nature Protection – preparation for Natura 2000 network” – started in 2015 with the aim to raise awareness for assisting local and national Albanian institutions to better exploit the potential of protected areas. One of the main issues encountered during these projects was the need for a national biodiversity data repository. The Biodiversity National Network of Albania (BioNNA) has been created to aggregate occurrence records of plants and animals and aims at becoming the most relevant source of information for biodiversity data as far as Albania is concerned. In this paper, the authors detail structure and data of BioNNA, including the process of data gathering and aggregation, taxonomic coverage, software details and WebGIS development. BioNNA is a milestone on the path towards Albania’s inclusion in the EU and has also a relevant potential social relevance for improving people’s awareness on the importance of biodiversity in the country.
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