Latitudinal species diversity gradients (LSDGs) in the Northern Hemisphere are the most well established biogeographic patterns on Earth. Despite long-standing interest in LSDGs as a central problem in ecology, their explanation remains uncertain. In terrestrial as well as coastal and pelagic marine ecosystems, these poleward declines in diversity typically have been represented and interpreted...

Bergmann's rule-an increase in body size with latitude-correlates with latitudinal declines in ambient temperature and predation risk, but relatively few studies simultaneously explore the relative importance of these factors. Along temperate Atlantic shorelines, the isopod Idotea balthica from high latitudes are 53% longer on average than isopods from low latitudes. When reared at 6°-24°C, juv...

In a patchy environment, how social animals manage conspecific and environmental cues in their choice of habitat is a leading issue for understanding their spatial distribution and their exploitation of resources. Here, we experimentally tested the effects of environmental heterogeneities (artificial shelters) and some of their characteristics (size and fragmentation) on the aggregation process...

Taiti S., Gardini P. – The family Olibrinidae in Italy (Malacostraca Isopoda Oniscidea). Among the Oniscidea, is still poorly known and was not yet recorded from Italy. genus Castellanethes Brian, 1952, previously included Trichoniscidae, transferred to Olibrinidae, representing first record of this for sanfilippoi 1952 redescribed specimens collected a cave Apulia, Italy, close type locality. ...

A new species, Gnathia nkulu sp. n. is described from material collected off the South African coast at 80-200m depth. It differs from the intertidal species Gnathia africana Barnard, 1914 in that the mediofrontal process is not deeply divided into two lobes, article 2 of the pylopod is rounded and small wart-like tubercles and long simple setae are present on both the cephalosome and pereon.

Despite Wolbachia being widespread among terrestrial isopods, studies on this symbiotic relationship are still incipient in the Neotropical region. The aims of the present study were to investigate the presence and prevalence of Wolbachia in natural populations of terrestrial isopod species in South America, and to analyze the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Wolbachia strains. A tot...

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A redescription of the female of the temporary fish parasite, Gnathia africana Barnard, 1914 is provided from specimens reared from final-stage G. africana praniza larvae collected from their intertidal fish hosts along the south coast of southern Africa. It differs from other known gnathiid females in the shape of the frontal border and the number and basic form of pylopod articles. This redes...

Four new species of terrestrial isopods from Sardinia are described: Alpioniscus thanit sp. nov. (Trichoniscidae), Halophiloscia cristagalli sp. nov. (Halophilosciidae), Alloschizidium maymon sp. nov. and Alloschizidium magrinii sp. nov. (Armadillidiidae). Alpioniscus thanit and Alloschizidium magrinii were collected in endogean environments, Halophiloscia cristagalli on granitic beaches of sma...

This study has investigated the taxon-specific responses of fauna to patch edges, and how these relate to patch attributes (patch size, seagrass biomass and water depth), and hydrodynamics in the seagrass habitat. Faunal abundances were sampled at the edge, 2 m in from the edge, and in the middle of 10 seagrass patches of variable size in Port Phillip Bay, Australia. Five of nine taxa showed ed...