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Biodiversity Journal 2026, 17 (1): 1-90

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 01-02

    Pietro Lo Cascio
    Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, 1912 (Squamata Varanidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.I.II

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 03-16

    Davíð Pierre Milesi Gaches & Alexandre Lhériau-Nice
    Assessing tourism disturbance to seals at an open-access wildlife watching site in Iceland
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.3.16

    ABSTRACT
    Increasing wildlife tourism raises concerns about anthropogenic disturbances to pinnipeds. This study investigates the impact of tourist presence on the resting behaviour of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758) at Hvítanes, a 24/7 open-access haul-out site in Iceland. Over 40 hours of observation between July and September 2021, we documented tourist behaviours and seal responses. Data were analysed using Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD) and Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components (HCPC), followed by a Bayesian Logistic Regression to assess the effects of disturbance on resting behaviour. Results show that active tourist behaviours, such as close approaches or shouting, trigger strong negative seal responses, while even passive presence reduces resting probability. Our findings underline the need for improved site management and visitor guidance to mitigate human impact. We advocate for the recognition and protection of haul-out zones as distinct and vulnerable habitats at the interface of land and sea.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 17-23

    Anitha Saji, Mark G. Volkovitsh, Zamzam Salem Al Rashdi Ahmed Ali & Shaikha Al Dhaheri
    First record of Sphenoptera (Chrysoblemma) tamarisci tamarisci Gory et Laporte, 1839 and new record of S. (C.) scovitzii alfierii Obenberger, 1923 in UAE (Coleoptera Buprestidae Sphenopterini)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.17.23

    ABSTRACT
    Collecting data on the jewel beetle Sphenoptera (Chrysoblemma) tamarisci tamarisci Gory et Laporte, 1839 (Coleoptera Buprestidae) - the first record for the Coleopteran fauna of the United Arab Emirates and confirmation of the occurring of this species in Arabian Peninsula are presented. This record represents a new addition to the insect fauna of the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Peninsula. A single specimen of S. (C.) tamarisci tamarisci was obtained during the Urban Biodiversity Survey in May 2025. Single specimen of S. (C.) scovitzii alfierii (Obenberger, 1923) was collected for the first time in the malaise trap in the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve location during July 2025. Previous records of this species in the UAE have been reported only from Umm Al-Quwain and the Ajman industrial area. The present record from an Abu Dhabi Protected Area represents the first record of this subspecies in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, thereby extending its known distribution within the country.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 25-35

    Ivan Rapuzzi
    One new species and three new subspecies of Carabus Linnaeus, 1758, subgenus Coptolabrus Solier, 1848 (Coleoptera Carabidae) from Hunan, central China
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.25.35
    https://zoobank.org/ECB6DA02-E12F-4FF9-A519-03FA5E62FC57

    ABSTRACT
    One new species and three new subspecies of Carabus Linnaeus, 1758, subgenus Coptolabrus Solier, 1848 (Coleoptera Carabidae), from Hunan, central China are described based on comparative morphological analysis and geographic evidence. The new species C. (Copt.) evidens n. sp., discovered in the Zhangjiajie area, exhibits a distinctive combination of characters that partially recalls C. (Copt.) pustulifer Lucas, 1869 and C. (Copt.) ignigena Hauser, 1914, while being unequivocally separable from both. In addition, a new subspecies of C. (Copt.) pustulifer, C. (Copt.) pustulifer jiucailingensis n. ssp., closely related to C. (C.) pustulifer qiannanicus Deuve et Tian, 2000, is described from Jiucai Ling. Two further new subspecies of C. (Copt.) ignigena are also proposed: C. (Copt.) ignigena rautenstrauchianus n. ssp., from the Xuefeng Shan massif (Huaihua area), and C. (Copt.) ignigena tenellus n. ssp., from the Chengbu region. The present contribution does not aim to revise the subgenus but formalizes a limited number of well-supported taxa based on consistent morphological differentiation and coherent geographic isolation.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 37-48

    Florent Kambasu Kasula & Bernard Kikumbi Kase
    Operationalizing the Fodder Market in Livestock Production Systems in South Kivu and Tanganyika Provinces (DR Congo): lessons from the PICAGL Project
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.37.48

    ABSTRACT
    Transhumance remains one of the main drivers of conflicts between farmers and livestock keepers in South Kivu and Tanganyika provinces. The lack of available grazing land, livestock instability, and the frequent movement of herds result in crop destruction and declining yields. Since 2019, an integrated system for fodder production, processing, conservation and marketing has been established with the support of the PICAGL project and the technical expertise of Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium (VSF-B). The present study analyses the operationalization of the fodder market and assesses its role within livestock production systems. The results reveal the establishment of 787 hectares of fodder fields, the construction of 32 silos and 25 feed-banks, the production of 26,657 tons of leafy biomass and 757.5 tons of seeds and grains, as well as 4,564.66 tons of compounded feed. In total, 9,933 Tropical Livestock Units (TLU) were supplied over a five-year period. Once considered a utopian concept, the fodder market is now emerging as a structural alternative that contributes to reducing agropastoral conflicts while generating income for agropastoral households.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 49-53

    Pierpaolo Rapuzzi
    Description of Hylotrupes hoskoveci n. sp. from Cyprus (Coleoptera Cerambycidae Hylotrupini)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.49.53
    https://zoobank.org/61E9F042-3D5F-4498-A8F3-489ABF63F1BC

    ABSTRACT
    A new species of the genus Hylotrupes Audinet-Serville, 1834 (Coleoptera Cerambycidae Cerambycinae Hylotrupini) is described from Cyprus. Hylotrupes hoskoveci n. sp. was discovered among material collected in the Lemesos District and reared under laboratory conditions from branches of Juglans regia Linnaeus, 1753 (Juglandaceae). The genus Hylotrupes has hitherto been considered monotypic, with H. bajulus (Linnaeus, 1758) as its only representative. The new species is clearly distinguishable from H. bajulus by a combination of stable morphological characters, including a distinctly transverse pronotum with strongly expanded and sinuate lateral margins, deeper and denser pronotal punctation, narrower and more elongate pronotal callosities, broader elytra with coarse and confluent punctures forming a vermiculate sculpture, and more slender legs with less robust femoral clubs. Sexual dimorphism is evident in body size, antennal length, and the shape of the median pronotal callosity. The association with a broadleaf host plant (Juglans regia) represents an unusual biological trait within the genus and suggests a wider ecological amplitude for Hylotrupes than previously recognized. A detailed morphological description, differential diagnosis, and biological notes are provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 55-57

    Ala Nuwayji, Malak Altikbali, Abdulnasser Eisa & Khaled Etayeb
    Occurrence of Black Swan Cygnus atratus (Latham, 1790) (Aves Anatidae) in Libya, with notes on origin and status
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.55.57

    ABSTRACT
    The Black Swan Cygnus atratus (Latham, 1790) (Aves Anatidae) is native to Australasia and is widely kept in captivity outside its natural range. In recent decades, feral and escaped individuals have been increasingly recorded in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Here we report the observation of a Black Swan at Assaraya Alhamra Lake, Tripoli, Libya, on 2 February 2026. This constitutes a rare documented occurrence of the species in the country. The circumstances of the observation, behavior of the bird, and regional context are discussed, with particular attention to the likelihood of captive origin.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 59-64

    Bruno Amati
    A new species of the genus Alvania Risso, 1826 (Caenogastropoda Rissooidea Rissoidae) from Sri Lanka
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.59.64
    https://zoobank.org/7C77C842-D6EC-40D4-8124-502EAD07DFAD

    ABSTRACT
    A new shallow-water species of the genus Alvania Risso, 1826 (Caenogastropoda Rissooidea Rissoidae) from Sri Lanka is described and illustrated. Alvania perugia n. sp. is compared with some similar congeners, especially the sister species Alvania taprobana Amati et Perugia, 2026, which differs from the new species almost exclusively in the protoconch morphology (and larval development). Further taxonomic and biological informations on this group are provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 65-69

    Gianfranco Curletti & Letizia J. Migliore
    Agrilus butantan n. sp. and Agrilus ciliaris n. sp. two jewel beetles from Brazil (Coleoptera Buprestidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.65.69
    https://zoobank.org/ED857A6D-DFBB-4DDE-9B7D-009B189CEBCB

    ABSTRACT
    Two new species of the genus Agrilus Curtis, 1825 (Coleoptera Buprestidae) found in Brazil are described: Agrilus butantan n. sp. e Agrilus ciliaris n. sp. A morphological description, differential diagnosis, and biological notes are provided.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 71-77

    Silvia Scibetta, Maria La Giglia, Delia Gambino, Pietro Riolo, Davide Pepe, Eugenia Oliveri, Samira Cacciatore, Carmelo Bongiorno & Stefano Reale
    Total DNA extraction from beehive bottom debris for NGS analysis and innovative management purpose
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.71.77

    ABSTRACT
    The hive can be considered a complex and adaptive biological system in which a variety of living species coexist. Within it, there is a precise spatial organization of bees with different roles, as well as areas where unwanted guests accumulate and where waste products and their associated microbiota are concentrated. In the hive, the microbiome is mainly found in the debris at the bottom of the beehive, which is representative of the entire colony. Collecting these samples is easy and requires only the recovery of the material from the bottom collector. The total DNA extracted from this waste reflects all living species present in the hive, including environmental parasites. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of total DNA can provide profiles that yield information relevant to hive health, such as the presence of known bee symbionts and pathogens. For this reason, we optimized material collection, homogenization, and DNA extraction procedures by comparing various methods, with the goal of obtaining high quality DNA suitable for shotgun sequencing.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 17 (1): 79-86

    Daniela Stojković Jovanović
    Safeguarding Biodiversity and Drinking Water Sources in Novi Sad’s Floodplains
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2026.17.1.79.86

    ABSTRACT
    The floodplain areas of Novi Sad (Serbia) - Šodroš, Dunavac, and Kamenička Ada - are not only ecological sanctuaries hosting rich biodiversity but living shields against floods and serving as natural defense zones. To the south, the sanitary protection zones of Petrovaradinska Ada and Ratno Ostrvo safeguard drinking water for more than 300,000 residents. This study exposes how planned infrastructure projects threaten both wetland integrity and public health through the identification of endangered species, and spatial overlaps between construction zones and protected water sources within strict sanitary protection zones. To dismantle retention zones is to strip the city of its natural flood defense and to compromise sanitary zones is to gamble with the safety of every glass of water consumed daily. This study therefore calls for urgent international support, transparent governance, and the integration of hydrological and ecological data into regional planning. Safeguarding water and biodiversity is not merely a technical obligation - it is a matter of survival and collective responsibility.