Arxius de Miscel·lània Zoològica

We report the occurrence of the little known stomatopod Parasquilla ferussaci on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of the Iberian peninsula. Documentation is based on three specimens captured off Isla Cristina (Huelva) in the Gulf of Cadiz, off Fuengirola (Málaga) in the Alboran Sea and off Gavà (Barcelona) in the North–Western Mediterranean. These reports fill the distribution gap between Eastern Central Atlantic reports and previous Mediterranean reports east of the Balearic Islands.

On the presence of Catops subfuscus Kellner, 1846 in the Pyrenees (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Cholevinae, Catopini) We provide new distribution data for Catops subfuscus Kellner, 1846. We update the geonemy of the species and, based on recent data, we confirm its presence in the subterranean environment on both sides of the Pyrenean massif. Illustrations of the aedeagus and a distribution map are provided.

Hydrovatus caraibus Sharp, 1882 (Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Hydrovatini) new for the fauna of South America.— The species Hydrovatus caraibus Sharp, 1882 is registered for the first time for South America, after the captures in the municipality of Gramado, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Of this form the rank of distribution of the specie, before restrict of the Caribbean, is extended up to the latitude 29º 26' South, approximately. Resumen Hydrovatus caraibus Sharp, 1882 (Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Hydrovatini) nuevo para la fauna de Sudamérica.— Se registra por primera vez para América del Sur la especie Hydrovatus caraibus Sharp, 1882, tras las capturas en el municipio de Gramado, estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. De esta forma se amplía el rango de distribución de la especie, antes restricta al Caribe, hasta la latitud de 29º 26' sur, aproximadamente.

The species Hydrovatus caraibus Sharp, 1882 is registered for the first time for South America, after the captures in the municipality of Gramado, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Of this form the rank of distribution of the specie, before restrict of the Caribbean,is extended up to the latitude 29º 26’ South, approximately.

Estimate of the abundance of pigeons (Columba livia var.) in the city of Barcelona and evaluation of effectiveness of elimination measures Culling is one of the most commonly used methods to control urban pigeon populations. The Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) eliminated a total of 227,479 pigeons using this technique between 1991 and 2006. We compared the estimate of abundance of pigeons in Barcelona city in 1991 (183.667 ± 14.914) with that in 2006 ( 256.663 ± 26.210) (CI 95%). While pigeon density did not increase in the city centre during this period, density in a ring around the city increased significantly, leading to a general increase in the urban population of these birds. The number of complaints regarding pigeons received per district did not correlate with abundance. ASPB culling per district correlated with abundance and not with numbers of complaints received, indicating interventions generally followed a technical protocol. Pigeon density per district correlated significantly with the human population density but not with the total number of inhabitants. Findings indicate the effectiveness of culling is low in this setting and suggest greater emphasis should be placed on control measures centered on limiting factors, particularly reduction of food availability and nest removal.

The Lepidoptera of the Alinyà valley (Alt Urgell, NE Iberian peninsula): some remarks about altitude and biogeographical classification Results from the census on Lepidoptera fauna carried out in Alinyà valley during years 2000 and 2001 (see annex) show few significant differences in the altitudinal range between Mediterranean and Eurasiatic species.

Fauna of molluscs from Planes de Son and Mata de València (Alt Àneu, Pallars Sobirà, Catalan Pyrenees): bibliographic survey and new data The survey of bibliograpic information on the presence of molluscs at the Planes de Son and Mata de València (municipality of Alt Àneu, county of Pallars Sobirà, Catalan Pyrenees) has accounted for a list of 33 species of molluscs (seven of them are slugs) inhabiting historically this area. A current field survey (2006-2007) has detected 50 species of molluscs not slugs, two of these species are splitted in two subspecies. Detailed data from both faunistic inventories are provided.

Influence of elevation on the species richness in molluscs: variations in the Alinyà valley, Lleida (Northeast Spain).- The species richness of land molluscs is negatively correlated with altitude, while the altitudinal range of the species inhabiting at higher elevations is greater than in low levels. At the low scale of this study factors other than elevation may better account for the species richness.

Bees visiting the blossoms of fruit trees were surveyed for the first time in Jordan. A transect was determined in Ebbin village in Ajlun (32° 22' N, 35° 49' E) where the bees were collected from blossoms of stone fruit trees. Most of the specimens were identified up to the species level and few specimens were identified up to the genus level only. A total of 1,461 specimens were collected during the study period and 53 bee species were identified and recorded for the first time in Jordan. The collected species represented five families: Apidae, Megachilidae, Halictidae, Andrenidae and Colletidae. The results showed that Apidae and Megachilidae were the largest in terms of diversity, while Halictidae showed the highest abundance.

The Spanish mountain range of Gredos was included in the studies conducted on the Iberian peninsula to investigate helminth fauna of small mammals. The helminth community of the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus (Rodentia, Muridae), was analysed. Qualitatively, 13 helminth species were detected: Plagiorchis sp. I and Plagiorchis sp. II (Trematoda); Taenia parva larvae, T. martis larvae, T. taeniaeformis larvae, Rodentolepis straminea and R. fraterna (Cestoda); and Trichuris muris, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Syphacia stroma, S. frederici, Aspiculuris tetraptera and Rictularia proni (Nematoda). Quantitatively, the highest prevalence (65.0%) and the mean abundance (36.9%) of H. polygyrus stand out. In comparison with the other mountain ranges studied, analysis of the global results demonstrates that the helminth fauna of the host species studied is diverse despite the adverse climatic conditions. This could be related to both the particular ecological characteristics and the appropriate state of preservation of this ecosystem.

Miscel·lània Zoològica: some remarks for the history of this journal In a little over four decades the journal Miscel·lània Zoològica published some 900 papers. A simple review of the contents of these articles reveals several characteristics: the issues most commonly dealt with were faunistics and taxonomy, with insects making up the most frequently analyzed group. The geographical range was centred on the Iberian peninsula, mainly Catalonia. The intellectual heritage of Miscel·lània Zoològica has been continued since 2001 by the journal Animal Biodiversity and Conservation and by Arxius de Miscel·lània Zoològica as of this current volume. It is now time to start writing the history of Miscel·lània Zoològica.

Ichthyoplankton associated with P. oceanica meadows during the summer season in the Tabarca marine reserveHabitat complexity plays a key role in survival in early stages of fish larvae. We investigated fish larvae assemblage and its relation with P. oceanicaseagrass at the Tabarca Island Marine Reserve. Samples were taken using moored plankton nets at two depths (0 and 2 m from P. oceanica meadow) over five consecutive days in July 2000. Three hundred and fifty¿three larvae were captured. The mostabundant families were Clupeidae (31%), Sparidae (27%), Engraulidae (11%) and Gobiidae (6%). We observed that small fish larvae were able to select nursery areas. We conclude that the P. oceanica leaf canopy is a major factor in structuring the larval fish assemblages of some demersal species.

In the present study the fish assemblages in the rocky-bottom habitat of the Sierra Helada Natural Park (Alicante, Spain) were recorded to provide data for future evaluation of any changes induced by long-term management. Visual censuses were carried out along strip transects by Scuba diving on rocky bottoms at depths between 1 and 32 m. In the seven localities sampled, 44 species were recorded. Number of species, abundance, biomass and size structure values recorded did not show differences between high and low protection areas. Species composition was similar to other marine protected areas of the western-Mediterranean. The main differences found between localities can be attributed to the high heterogeneity and complexity of the habitat at smaller spatial scales.

New distribution data for the hypogean Cholevinae from the Moroccan Atlas (Coleoptera, Leiodidae) The authors report new findings on the distribution of Speonemadus maroccanus (Jeannel, 1936), Nargus (Demochrus) rufipennis (Lucas, 1846), Choleva (Choleva) kocheri Henrot, 1962 and Catops fuscus fuscoides Reitter, 1909. The geonemy of these species is updated and the research is illustrated with maps of their distribution.

Although the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature has recommended publishing catalogues on biological type specimens, the main reason for publishing this catalogue in our case is the practical result of assuming responsibility for our museum collections. When the arduous work of so many past and present researchers results in their entrusting our museums with these type specimens, we cannot disregard the obligation to ensure the information on these types is published in the most practical way possible.

Molluscan type specimens in the Natural Science Museum of Barcelona and the Natural History Museum of Valencia Although the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature has recommended publishing catalogues on biological type specimens, the main reason for publishing this catalogue in our case is the practical result of assuming responsibility for our museum collections. When the arduous work of so many past and present researchers results in their entrusting our museums with these type specimens, we cannot disregard the obligation to ensure the information on these types is published in the most practical way possible.

Land and freshwater molluscs of the Collserola mountains (Barcelona, NE Iberian Peninsula).— A malacological survey was made taking into account all the 91 1x1 km UTM grid squares that cover the area of the Collserola mountains, Barcelona (north-eastern Iberian peninsula). From 108 sampled localities, 1,261 records of molluscs were obtained. A total of 73 species were identified: seven freshwater species, 11 slugs, and 55 land molluscs. The first discussions on the results and a draft of the initial conclusions are shown. Information on dominant gastropod habitat preference in the ecosystems of Collserola is also provided.

Land snails (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora) in the Natural Park of Montserrat (Barcelona, NE Iberian peninsula).-The inventory of 73 land snails in the Natural Park of Montserrat was updated following the review of 130 publications. Planned field study was also conducted in areas of different habitats on the Montserrat mountain to provide a preliminary description of the communities of land snails in the study area. A total of 342 samples of land snails were studied and 50 species were identified. The most frequent were Pomatias elegans, Helicigona lapicida, Pseudotachea splendida, Abida polyodon and Otala punctata. In this region of the prelittoral Catalan mountain range, the level of endemism was high for Abida secale bofilli, Montserratina bofilliana and Xerocrassa montserratensis.The results of the field work extend the faunistic catalogue of the Natural Park of Montserrat to include references to Hygromia cinctella, Microxeromagna lowei, Paralaoma servilis and Punctum pygmaeum in the area. Finally, investigation and conservation programmes are suggested for the endemic species Xerocrassa montserratensis, protected by the Plan for Areas of Natural Interest (PEIN) approved by Decree 328/1992.

Faunistic inventary of continental molluscs from the Collserola mountains (Barcelona, NE Iberian peninsula): results from a bibliographic review.- Following the bibliographic review of articles published between 1868 and 2004 a preliminary inventary of 99 species of the malacologic fauna on the Collserola mountains was compiled. The geographic area studied is one of the natural Iberian spaces with the most bibliographic references for land and fresh water molluscs. However, much remains to be resolved concerning some of the taxa. In particular, recent locations of several species have to be verified in the Collserola Park. These include several catalogued species of great interest, such as Xerocrassa betulonensis (Bofill, 1879), Zonitoides jaccetanicus (Bourguignat, 1870) and Montserratina martorelli (Bourguignat, 1870). This bibliographic review shows the significant contribution of the malacofauna to the biodiversity of the Collserola mountains and also demonstrates its value as a useful tool for their management.

Although the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature has recommended publishing catalogues on biological type specimens, the main reason for publishing this catalogue in our case is the practical result of assuming responsibility for our museum collections. When the arduous work of so many past and present researchers results in their entrusting our museums with these type specimens, we cannot disregard the obligation to ensure the information on these types is published in the most practical way possible.

The Natural Science Museum of Barcelona (MCNB) houses a total of 309 specimens of non–human primates. The collection comprises 102 stuffed animals, 33 skins, 73 skeletons, 24 postcranial skeletons, eight mounted skeletons, 54 skulls, three whole animals in alcohol, and 31 other samples (bones and other). Over the last two years the collection has been completely reviewed and reorganized. The collection contains 39 genera and includes a wide range of extant non–human primates. It houses specimens from Africa, Asia and South and Central America, with 10.26% of samples being Strepsirrhines, 26.92% New World monkeys and 62.18% Old World monkeys. The Museum houses some endangered or rare species. In this work we present the contents of the recent review with new and updated taxonomic attributions together with a complete list of samples that includes information on age, class and preservation status for each specimen.

New records of species of the carabid genus Dolichoctis Schmidt-Göbel from New Guinea and several surrounding islands are dealt with. Apart from two new species that were described in another recent paper (Baehr, 2003), records of the following species from New Guinea are annotated: D. aculeata Chaudoir, D. biak Baehr, D. dentata Darlington, D. laticollis Baehr, D. striata Schmidt-Göbel, D. subquadrata Darlington, D. subrotunda Darlington, and D. suturalis Darlington. D. aculeata Chaudoir is also recorded for the first time from the island of New Britain. Additional material of D. spinipennis Chaudoir corroborates its status as a separate species, being particular for the Moluccas.

Introduction to the study of gastropods (Mollusca) on the Montcortés lake (Pallars Sobirà, Catalonia, NE of the Iberian peninsula)The check-list of 50 species of terrestrial gastro­pod and freshwater molluscs in the Montcortès lake (Catalonia, Spain) and its environs, pertaining to 24 different families, is shown. Thirty-three species are cited for the first time in the area of study. The unpublished data on their distribution and ecological requirements are contributed. The preliminary results indicate us that the communities of molluscs that accompany to the helofitic vegetation and the higrofits well are formed with elements of high faunistic and ecological interest. Simultaneously, some recommendations for the protection of the malacological fauna of the lake are commented.

Vertebrate fauna of the protected semiarid zones in the south west of CataloniaThis work describes fauna and habitats within the semiarid zones in the south west of Catalonia, bordering with Monegros. The fauna in the Peins area is studied and an approximation of the vertebrate species therein is given. As parts of the area surveyed are legally protected, their future is considered stable. The eight areas studied include steppe zones, chalky mountain ranges bordering the pre-Pyrenean region, Pinus halepensis forest and a dam.

A population of feral pigeons, Columba livia var. was conducted in the city of Jena, Germany, from July to December 2007. Daily censuses were conducted by walking ten transects in a selected area of the city, five transects in built up areas and five in the suburbs. Pigeon population density was higher in urban areas than in suburbs but differences were not significant. Main behavioural activities recorded were resting, preening, flying, eating, sunning and roosting. Regular locations of activities were rooftops and roof edges in urban areas, and rooftops, eaves on balconies in suburban areas. The plumage phenotype most frequently recorded in both areas was Blue bar.