In this study, we revise the taxonomy of the endemic Mexican genus Ceratotrupes Jekel, 1865. It c... more In this study, we revise the taxonomy of the endemic Mexican genus Ceratotrupes Jekel, 1865. It comprises three species, distributed in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Ceratotrupes fronticornis (Erichson, 1847) and Ceratotrupes bolivari Halffter & Martínez, 1962), and the Sierra Madre del Sur (Ceratotrupes sturmi (Jekel, 1865)). We confirm C. mniszechi (Jekel, 1865) as a junior subjective synonym of C. sturmi. The examination of the holotype of C. sturmi and specimens recently collected in the Sierra Sur de Oaxaca (Oaxaca) and Omiltemi (Guerrero) allowed us to identify and describe a new species, Ceratotrupes gonzaloi sp. nov. from Omiltemi, Guerrero. We redescribe the morphology of C. sturmi and provide a diagnostic key to the four members of the genus Ceratotrupes. Photographs of the habitus and male genitalia of the four species, a distribution map, and observations on their ecology and biogeography are provided.
On the ground of a recently published book, a short review of the history of the Instituto de Ecl... more On the ground of a recently published book, a short review of the history of the Instituto de Eclogía is provided, as well as an appraisal of its main scientific and academic achievements
FIGURE 21. Distribution of the O. cyanellus species line, which hypothetically represents oldest ... more FIGURE 21. Distribution of the O. cyanellus species line, which hypothetically represents oldest stage of evolution of the O. chevrolati species group.
Se presentan algunas reflexiones acerca del INECOL (Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, México) a... more Se presentan algunas reflexiones acerca del INECOL (Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, México) a cuarenta años de su fundación en la Ciudad de México, su sucesivo traslado a Xalapa y, algunos meses después de la publicación de un libro sobre su historia. Un breve sumario de algunos acontecimientos de especial importancia en la vida y el desarrollo del Instituto, está acompañado de una evaluación de la importancia internacional de las actividades de investigación y formación académica realizadas por la misma institución, así como de sus nuevas perspectivas ante el futuro. Al mismo tiempo, se resalta la importancia para todo investigador y científico, de conocer no solamente las obras y las ideas de quienes lo han precedido en el campo en donde desarrolla su actividad, sino también su historia y la del ambiente y de las instituciones en donde se han formado y han trabajado. Los que conocen su pasado, son los que pueden trabajar para el futuro.
Dung beetles are an ecologically important group of insect species inhabiting semi-natural grassl... more Dung beetles are an ecologically important group of insect species inhabiting semi-natural grasslands in Europe. Despite their ecological importance, several dung beetle species are currently facing local threats mainly stemming from changes in land use practices, including the abandonment of pasturelands. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the progressive abandonment of grazing lands on dung beetle alpha diversity, abundance, biomass and body size classes. Areas representing a range of trophic resource availability were compared: (i) abandoned, (ii) low and (iii) moderate grazing intensity. A total of 136,884 specimens belonging to 56 species (3 Geotrupinae; 16 Scarabaeinae; 37 Aphodiinae) of dung beetle were collected. Pastureland abandonment was shown to lead to a decrease in alpha diversity and biomass density, a reduction of 22 and 78% respectively in abandoned areas. From a biomass standpoint, the effects of pastureland abandonment varied according to the body size classes of the dung beetles, with larger species proving more susceptible to local extinction. Such body-size dependent variations led us to propose the use of both biomass and abundance data in making assessments since they are differentially sensitive to trophic resource availability. Hence, from a conservationist standpoint, the obtained results suggest that traditional pastureland management with low-moderate grazing intensity should be maintained.
Through examples referring to Mexican Transition Zone and Euromediterranean area faunas, the phen... more Through examples referring to Mexican Transition Zone and Euromediterranean area faunas, the phenomenon of biogeographical transition, in its spatial and temporal dimensions, is discussed. In conclusion, we propose the following definition of biogeographical transition: the transition among biogeographical regions is a phenomenon that starts when a possibility of biotic exchange among different regions is established. It evolves in relation to the phisiographic evolution of the interested area and of the interactions among the biotic elements and involves modifications of biotic composition in the interested regions. It finishes when an effective barrier among the regions is re-established
Giovanni Onore, Pedro Reyes-Castillo & Mario Zunino (compiladores) ... Título: Escarabeidos de La... more Giovanni Onore, Pedro Reyes-Castillo & Mario Zunino (compiladores) ... Título: Escarabeidos de Latinoamérica: Estado del conocimiento ... Compiladores: GIOVANNI ONORE, PEDRO REYES-CASTILLO & MARIO ZUNINO ... Editor del volumen: A. Melic SEA Sociedad ...
Grazing extensification and intensification are among the main problems affecting European grassl... more Grazing extensification and intensification are among the main problems affecting European grasslands. We analyze the impact of grazing intensity (low and moderate) and the use of veterinary medical products (VMPs) on the dung beetle community in the province of Pesaro-Urbino (Italy). Grazing intensity is a key factor in explaining the diversity of dung beetles. In the case of the alpha diversity component, sites with a low level of grazing activity—related in a previous step to the subsequent abandonment of traditional farming—is characterized by a loss of species richness (q = 0) and a reduction in alpha diversity at the levels q = 1 and q = 2. In the case of beta diversity, sites with a different grazing intensity show remarkable differences in terms of the composition of their species assemblages. The use of VMPs is another important factor in explaining changes in dung beetle diversity. In sites with a traditional use of VMPs, a significant loss of species richness and biomass ...
In this study, we revise the taxonomy of the endemic Mexican genus Ceratotrupes Jekel, 1865. It c... more In this study, we revise the taxonomy of the endemic Mexican genus Ceratotrupes Jekel, 1865. It comprises three species, distributed in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Ceratotrupes fronticornis (Erichson, 1847) and Ceratotrupes bolivari Halffter & Martínez, 1962), and the Sierra Madre del Sur (Ceratotrupes sturmi (Jekel, 1865)). We confirm C. mniszechi (Jekel, 1865) as a junior subjective synonym of C. sturmi. The examination of the holotype of C. sturmi and specimens recently collected in the Sierra Sur de Oaxaca (Oaxaca) and Omiltemi (Guerrero) allowed us to identify and describe a new species, Ceratotrupes gonzaloi sp. nov. from Omiltemi, Guerrero. We redescribe the morphology of C. sturmi and provide a diagnostic key to the four members of the genus Ceratotrupes. Photographs of the habitus and male genitalia of the four species, a distribution map, and observations on their ecology and biogeography are provided.
On the ground of a recently published book, a short review of the history of the Instituto de Ecl... more On the ground of a recently published book, a short review of the history of the Instituto de Eclogía is provided, as well as an appraisal of its main scientific and academic achievements
FIGURE 21. Distribution of the O. cyanellus species line, which hypothetically represents oldest ... more FIGURE 21. Distribution of the O. cyanellus species line, which hypothetically represents oldest stage of evolution of the O. chevrolati species group.
Se presentan algunas reflexiones acerca del INECOL (Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, México) a... more Se presentan algunas reflexiones acerca del INECOL (Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, México) a cuarenta años de su fundación en la Ciudad de México, su sucesivo traslado a Xalapa y, algunos meses después de la publicación de un libro sobre su historia. Un breve sumario de algunos acontecimientos de especial importancia en la vida y el desarrollo del Instituto, está acompañado de una evaluación de la importancia internacional de las actividades de investigación y formación académica realizadas por la misma institución, así como de sus nuevas perspectivas ante el futuro. Al mismo tiempo, se resalta la importancia para todo investigador y científico, de conocer no solamente las obras y las ideas de quienes lo han precedido en el campo en donde desarrolla su actividad, sino también su historia y la del ambiente y de las instituciones en donde se han formado y han trabajado. Los que conocen su pasado, son los que pueden trabajar para el futuro.
Dung beetles are an ecologically important group of insect species inhabiting semi-natural grassl... more Dung beetles are an ecologically important group of insect species inhabiting semi-natural grasslands in Europe. Despite their ecological importance, several dung beetle species are currently facing local threats mainly stemming from changes in land use practices, including the abandonment of pasturelands. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the progressive abandonment of grazing lands on dung beetle alpha diversity, abundance, biomass and body size classes. Areas representing a range of trophic resource availability were compared: (i) abandoned, (ii) low and (iii) moderate grazing intensity. A total of 136,884 specimens belonging to 56 species (3 Geotrupinae; 16 Scarabaeinae; 37 Aphodiinae) of dung beetle were collected. Pastureland abandonment was shown to lead to a decrease in alpha diversity and biomass density, a reduction of 22 and 78% respectively in abandoned areas. From a biomass standpoint, the effects of pastureland abandonment varied according to the body size classes of the dung beetles, with larger species proving more susceptible to local extinction. Such body-size dependent variations led us to propose the use of both biomass and abundance data in making assessments since they are differentially sensitive to trophic resource availability. Hence, from a conservationist standpoint, the obtained results suggest that traditional pastureland management with low-moderate grazing intensity should be maintained.
Through examples referring to Mexican Transition Zone and Euromediterranean area faunas, the phen... more Through examples referring to Mexican Transition Zone and Euromediterranean area faunas, the phenomenon of biogeographical transition, in its spatial and temporal dimensions, is discussed. In conclusion, we propose the following definition of biogeographical transition: the transition among biogeographical regions is a phenomenon that starts when a possibility of biotic exchange among different regions is established. It evolves in relation to the phisiographic evolution of the interested area and of the interactions among the biotic elements and involves modifications of biotic composition in the interested regions. It finishes when an effective barrier among the regions is re-established
Giovanni Onore, Pedro Reyes-Castillo & Mario Zunino (compiladores) ... Título: Escarabeidos de La... more Giovanni Onore, Pedro Reyes-Castillo & Mario Zunino (compiladores) ... Título: Escarabeidos de Latinoamérica: Estado del conocimiento ... Compiladores: GIOVANNI ONORE, PEDRO REYES-CASTILLO & MARIO ZUNINO ... Editor del volumen: A. Melic SEA Sociedad ...
Grazing extensification and intensification are among the main problems affecting European grassl... more Grazing extensification and intensification are among the main problems affecting European grasslands. We analyze the impact of grazing intensity (low and moderate) and the use of veterinary medical products (VMPs) on the dung beetle community in the province of Pesaro-Urbino (Italy). Grazing intensity is a key factor in explaining the diversity of dung beetles. In the case of the alpha diversity component, sites with a low level of grazing activity—related in a previous step to the subsequent abandonment of traditional farming—is characterized by a loss of species richness (q = 0) and a reduction in alpha diversity at the levels q = 1 and q = 2. In the case of beta diversity, sites with a different grazing intensity show remarkable differences in terms of the composition of their species assemblages. The use of VMPs is another important factor in explaining changes in dung beetle diversity. In sites with a traditional use of VMPs, a significant loss of species richness and biomass ...
An overview of the Dung Beetles (Scarabaeinae) fauna of the Cordoba Province (Argentina) is provi... more An overview of the Dung Beetles (Scarabaeinae) fauna of the Cordoba Province (Argentina) is provided, based on different data sets. 70 species are recorded, representing 29 genere and 5 tribes. Distributional data are briefly discussed, taking into account the main geographical pattern of genera and higher groups. By considering both distributional and eco-ethological features of involved species, the importance of the studied area for analyzing the organization of biodiversity in the Southern Cone of South America and its history is also outlined
The book treats different aspects ov biogeography, starting from a brief synthesis of history of ... more The book treats different aspects ov biogeography, starting from a brief synthesis of history of thought. Eight chapters follows, dealing with both theoretical and practical aspects of contemporary biogeography. Russian edition of a book, firstly published in Italian. Following new editions, in Spanish end in Italian, were revised and aumented. This edition was revised by E. G. Myalo, Lomo nosov University, who also written the preface
On the ground of a recently published book, a short review of the history of the Instituto de Ecl... more On the ground of a recently published book, a short review of the history of the Instituto de Eclogía is provided, as well as an appraisal of its main scientific and academic achievements
Amerini R. & R. Battiston (2014): a few comments to a recent paper paper Recently uploaded to Aca... more Amerini R. & R. Battiston (2014): a few comments to a recent paper paper Recently uploaded to Academia.edu, the paper " La sottile linea di confine tra lo scoiattolo rosso Sciurus vulgaris e lo scoiattolo grigio Sciurus carolinensis " is very interesting for all people committed with conservation, ecology, and biogeography. However, in my opinion, the paper shows a great shallowness as regards the bibliographical information. In particular, it was not taken into account any of the papers published on the subject by Currado from 1987 to 2004. I suggest that authors consult the works of the late Prof. Italo Currado about the gray squirrel, and another species of squirrel introduced in Europe, including Italy, according to a process defined by the writer as "biogeographical Pollution". Italo Currado (1936 – 2005), Professor at the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Turin,was among the most important experts of North American gray squirrel, at world level. He sounded the alarm against illegal import of these rodents, demonstrating the danger for the native species (red squirrel), so that is facing extinction, and the harmfulness to hazelnut crops in the Roero, Langhe and Monferrato. Follows a series of references to the work of Currado.
A preliminary account about the history of use og fenital anatomy for taxonomic purposes in Scara... more A preliminary account about the history of use og fenital anatomy for taxonomic purposes in Scarab beetles is provided
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