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The Mediterrane an Sea is a biodiversity hotspot, being home to a vast array of marine species. Furthermore, seawater warming is facilitating the arrival and spread of new thermophilic species, posing a severe threat to biodiversity. Among the species currently extending their range and increasing in abundance in Mediterranean waters, sea chubs (genus Kyphosus) are one of the most enigmatic. One challenge arises from the high phenotypic similarity between the two congeneric species documented in the basin: Kyphosus vaigiensis and Kyphosus sectatrix. Their resemblance has often led to identification challenges, resulting in incorrect or omitted species-level classifications. Therefore, despite the growing presence of these fish in the Mediterranean, it remains unclear whether only one or both species are experiencing a demographic increase and range extension. To date, there have been 26 reports of Kyphosus individuals in the Mediterranean Sea, documented in 24 separate papers. Here, we reviewed the history of the genus in the basin and provided 13 new records of these fish from multiple localities along Mediterranean coasts. In addition, we sequenced the entire mitogenomes of two specimens, assessed their phylogenetic relationships with published Kyphosus mitochondrial DNAs from around the world, and conducted detailed morphological and meristic analyses on one of them, allowing us to provide accurate species-level identifications. Our results indicate that K. vaigiensis is the species currently expanding its range in the Mediterranean Sea, while K. sectatrix is still very rare and only sporadically reported. Notably, our mitogenome data indicate that Mediterranean K. vaigiensis individuals most likely came from Atlantic waters, while there is no evidence to support an entrance through the Red Sea or any other anthropogenic vector. Finally, the potential ecological and fishing impacts associated with the proliferation of these fish in the region are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Sea is a biodiversity hotspot, being home to a vast array of marine species. Furthermore, seawater warming is facilitating the arrival and spread of new thermophilic species, posing a severe threat to biodiversity. Among the species currently extending their range and increasing in abundance in Mediterranean waters, sea chubs (genus Kyphosus) are one of the most enigmatic. One challenge arises from the high phenotypic similarity between the two congeneric species documented in the basin: Kyphosus vaigiensis and Kyphosus sectatrix. Their resemblance has often led to identification challenges, resulting in incorrect or omitted species-level classifications. Therefore, despite the growing presence of these fish in the Mediterranean, it remains unclear whether only one or both species are experiencing a demographic increase and range extension. To date, there have been 26 reports of Kyphosus individuals in the Mediterranean Sea, documented in 24 separate papers. Here, we reviewed the history of the genus in the basin and provided 13 new records of these fish from multiple localities along Mediterranean coasts. In addition, we sequenced the entire mitogenomes of two specimens, assessed their phylogenetic relationships with published Kyphosus mitochondrial DNAs from around the world, and conducted detailed morphological and meristic analyses on one of them, allowing us to provide accurate species-level identifications. Our results indicate that K. vaigiensis is the species currently expanding its range in the Mediterranean Sea, while K. sectatrix is still very rare and only sporadically reported. Notably, our mitogenome data indicate that Mediterranean K. vaigiensis individuals most likely came from Atlantic waters, while there is no evidence to support an entrance through the Red Sea or any other anthropogenic vector. Finally, the potential ecological and fishing impacts associated with the proliferation of these fish in the region are discussed.

The effect of thermophilic species invasion in the eastern Mediterranean is well-noted in the literature. During the last decade in western Greek waters, small-scale fisheries (SSF) catches exhibit increased relative contribution of rabbitfishes, which have originated from the Red Sea and inhabited the country's southeastern part since the Second World War. This study has used quantitative and qualitative information to assess the short-term economic effect of the rabbitfishes' expansion in the SSF métier targeting the indigenous thermophilic parrotfish in the South Ionian Sea. The short-term micro-level negative economic effects of the rabbitfishes' invasion and the corresponding adverse effects on fishers' economic wealth have been estimated. The results indicate attitudinal differences among fishers, although their local ecological knowledge may enable them to avoid rabbitfishes' hot spots and mitigate the respective economic losses, that particularly for smaller SSF vessels already seem to be quite important. As climate warming may further facilitate the expansion of rabbitfishes, outcompeting parrotfish, the latter métier may eventually become economically unsustainable. Fine-scale analysis at the métier level enables addressing the specificities of social-ecological systems and can contribute to informed and more effective decision making related to SSF, which is an important building block of Mediterranean coastal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Sea biodiversity is undergoing a rapid reshaping due to different factors, many of which are directly related to human activities (e.g., pollution, habitat destruction, overfishing and introduction of non-indigenous species). In this context, climate changes, and in particular water warming, are the main factors that favor the arrival and subsequent spread of thermophilic species, regardless of their area of origin (e.g., Red Sea, Atlantic Ocean). In this research, we report the third and eastern-most well-documented record of the thermophilic species Parapristipoma octolineatum (Valenciennes, 1833) in the Mediterranean Sea, providing new morphological, genetic, ecological and biological data on this rare species in the basin. The integrative taxonomical approach was robust and unambiguously identified the species as P. octolineatum. The specimen was a large-sized female in maturation. The first high-quality photographic illustrations of otoliths were provided. Recent direct observations of fishermen in the area suggested a species abundance increase. However, data from the Mediterranean Sea remain scarce and further efforts are needed to better understand the abundance and distribution of this species. Modified keys for a rapid color pattern-based determination of all Haemulidae species recorded in the Mediterranean Sea to date are also provided. Finally, the potential further expansion under the future prediction of climate changes of this Atlantic origin fish in the Mediterranean Sea is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of thermophilic species invasion in the eastern Mediterranean is well-noted in the literature. During the last decade in western Greek waters, small-scale fisheries (SSF) catches exhibit increased relative contribution of rabbitfishes, which have originated from the Red Sea and inhabited the country’s southeastern part since the Second World War. This study has used quantitative and qualitative information to assess the short-term economic effect of the rabbitfishes’ expansion in the SSF métier targeting the indigenous thermophilic parrotfish in the South Ionian Sea. The short-term micro-level negative economic effects of the rabbitfishes’ invasion and the corresponding adverse effects on fishers’ economic wealth have been estimated. The results indicate attitudinal differences among fishers, although their local ecological knowledge may enable them to avoid rabbitfishes’ hot spots and mitigate the respective economic losses, that particularly for smaller SSF vessels already seem to be quite important. As climate warming may further facilitate the expansion of rabbitfishes, outcompeting parrotfish, the latter métier may eventually become economically unsustainable. Fine-scale analysis at the métier level enables addressing the specificities of social-ecological systems and can contribute to informed and more effective decision making related to SSF, which is an important building block of Mediterranean coastal communities.

The Mediterranean Sea biodiversity is undergoing a rapid reshaping due to different factors, many of which are directly related to human activities (e.g., pollution, habitat destruction, overfishing and introduction of non-indigenous species). In this context, climate changes, and in particular water warming, are the main factors that favor the arrival and subsequent spread of thermophilic species, regardless of their area of origin (e.g., Red Sea, Atlantic Ocean). In this research, we report the third and eastern-most well-documented record of the thermophilic species Parapristipoma octolineatum (Valenciennes, 1833) in the Mediterranean Sea, providing new morphological, genetic, ecological and biological data on this rare species in the basin. The integrative taxonomical approach was robust and unambiguously identified the species as P. octolineatum. The specimen was a large-sized female in maturation. The first high-quality photographic illustrations of otoliths were provided. Recent direct observations of fishermen in the area suggested a species abundance increase. However, data from the Mediterranean Sea remain scarce and further efforts are needed to better understand the abundance and distribution of this species. Modified keys for a rapid color pattern-based determination of all Haemulidae species recorded in the Mediterranean Sea to date are also provided. Finally, the potential further expansion under the future prediction of climate changes of this Atlantic origin fish in the Mediterranean Sea is discussed.

The population of Scorpaenidae was investigated in the Nature Reserve of Scàndula (Corsica, France, NW Mediterranean). While absent from Corsica a few decades ago, the Madeira rockfish Scorpaena maderensis is now the most abundant scorpaenid species in shallow rocky reef areas, far outnumbering Scorpaena notata and Scorpaena porcus. Considered as a subtropical species of Atlantic origin, the northward progression of the thermophilic S. maderensis and its dominance in Corsican waters is further evidence of the ongoing warming of the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is focused on distribution of the spider Brigittea civica (Lucas, 1850). It is probably a non‑native species in the Czech Republic, which occurs synanthropically in central European conditions. It is well adapted to coexistence with humans, and since there is no natural enemy, it may freely redistribute. The aim of this study was to supplement the knowledge of distribution of this species in South Moravia. The present occurrence data were recorded from a total of 92 towns and villages via observing typical cobwebs. In 86 cases, the incidence was observed, in only six cases, there was not found even a single cobweb of the spider. Based on our records, we can suggest that B. civica is much more common than was previously mapped and the presence of this species in the Czech Republic was underestimated.

Modern production forests in Europe have closed canopies. As a consequence, the biodiversity associated with open woodland is declining. Forest grazing that created open conditions was once widespread. It was largely abandoned during the 20th century but is currently receiving increasing attention as a tool in nature conservation. In order to elucidate the value of newly created wood pastures for the conservation of birds and grasshoppers we selected nine wood pastures (WP) in southern Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany). In most of them part of the trees had been removed to create more open conditions. We selected adjacent ungrazed forests (F) and open pastures (OP) for comparison. Birds were recorded via territory mapping, grasshoppers via standardised transect surveys. We found higher bird species richness in WP compared to F and OP and more breeding pairs per area compared to open pastures. Target species for conservation like European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) were only recorded in WP. Grasshopper species richness in WP and OP was similar but low in F. Species with conservation relevance only occurred in WP and OP. Community composition of both taxa differed between habitat types and β-diversity of birds was significantly higher among WP than among F and OP. We conclude that even in recently established sites, canopy opening in connection with grazing is a very effective tool in nature conservation, especially in order to promote species that favour open, structurally diverse forest habitats. • Forest grazing is increasingly used for nature conservation. • New wood pastures quickly develop distinct bird and grasshopper communities. • Wood pastures and pastures had higher conservation value than forests. • Wood pastures are a valuable addition to pastures and ungrazed forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two individuals of pompano, Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus, 1758), were captured in Filburnu Bay (İstanbul Strait), representing a new record for the fish fauna of the Turkısh Straıts System. Occurrence of this thermophilic species is presumably related to the increased seawater temperatures in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is focused on distribution of the spider Brigittea civica (Lucas, 1850). It is probably a non-native species in the Czech Republic, which occurs synanthropically in central European conditions. It is well adapted to coexistence with humans, and since there is no natural enemy, it may freely redistribute. The aim of this study was to supplement the knowledge of distribution of this species in South Moravia. The present occurrence data were recorded from a total of 92 towns and villages via observing typical cobwebs. In 86 cases, the incidence was observed, in only six cases, there was not found even a single cobweb of the spider. Based on our records, we can suggest that B. civica is much more common than was previously mapped and the presence of this species in the Czech Republic was underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The first record of Psenes pellucidus Lütken, 1880, (Nomeidae) in Sardinian waters (Central western Mediterranean) is reported. The present finding appears to be an interesting stage of transformation from the juvenile to the more elongate form of an adult.

In 2010, 16 macrofungi species were found in greenhouses of the Botanical Garden in Warsaw-Powsin. These included 8 species of lepiotaceous fungi and a few species known from warmer areas. For 3 species identified, which are new to Poland ( Agaricus subrufescens, Leucocoprinus heinemannii, Marasmius teplicensis), a description is given, with drawings of their microscopic features and photographs. Species composition of macrofungi is compared in 5 complexes of greenhouses (Bayreuth, Graz, Jena, Paskov, Warsaw) in 4 countries from Central Europe. The total number of species in these 5 studies is 206, including 27 (13.2%) lepiotaceous fungi. The smallest number of species identified was in Warsaw (16). More than twice this number was recorded in Jena (33) and Graz (34), while the richest fungal biotas were in Bayreuth (79) and Paskov (88). Of the 16 species found in Warsaw, 8 were also found in other greenhouses. In the group of 33 species recorded in at least two complexes of greenhouses, the most abundant were the lepiotaceous fungi (39.4%) and mycenaceous fungi (15.1%). Leucocoprinus cepistipes and L. straminellus were recorded most often, in 4 of the 5 studied greenhouse complexes. CCA analysis demonstrated that the highest impact on species diversity is the area of greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaetomiaceae comprises phenotypically diverse species, which impact biotechnology, the indoor environment and human health. Recent studies showed that most of the traditionally defined genera in Chaetomiaceae are highly polyphyletic. Many of these morphology-based genera, such as Chaetomium , Thielavia and Humicola , have been redefined using multigene phylogenetic analysis combined with morphology; however, a comprehensive taxonomic overview of the family is lacking. In addition, the phylogenetic relationship of thermophilic Chaetomiaceae species with non-thermophilic taxa in the family is largely unclear due to limited taxon sampling in previous studies. In this study, we provide an up-to-date overview on the taxonomy and phylogeny of genera and species belonging to Chaetomiaceae , including an extensive taxon sampling of thermophiles. A multigene phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS (internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 including the 5.8S nrDNA), LSU (D1/D2 domains of the 28S nrDNA), rpb2 (partial RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene) and tub2 (β-tubulin gene) sequences was performed on 345 strains representing Chaetomiaceae and 58 strains of other families in Sordariales . Divergence times based on the multi-gene phylogeny were estimated as aid to determine the genera in the family. Genera were delimited following the criteria that a genus must be a statistically well-supported monophyletic clade in both the multigene phylogeny and molecular dating analysis, fall within a divergence time of over 27 million years ago, and be supported by ecological preference or phenotypic traits. Based on the results of the phylogeny and molecular dating analyses, combined with morphological characters and temperature-growth characteristics, 50 genera and 275 species are accepted in Chaetomiaceae . Among them, six new genera, six new species, 45 new combinations and three new names are proposed. The results demonstrate that the thermophilic species fall into seven genera ( Melanocarpus , Mycothermus , Remersonia , Thermocarpiscus gen. nov ., Thermochaetoides gen. nov ., Thermothelomyces and Thermothielavioides ). These genera cluster in six separate lineages, suggesting that thermophiles independently evolved at least six times within the family. A list of accepted genera and species in Chaetomiaceae , together with information on their MycoBank numbers, living ex-type strains and GenBank accession numbers to ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2 sequences is provided. Furthermore, we provide suggestions how to describe and identify Chaetomiaceae species. Taxonomic novelties: new genera: Parvomelanocarpus X.Wei Wang & Houbraken , Pseudohumicola X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Tengochaeta X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermocarpiscus X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermochaetoides X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Xanthiomyces X.Wei Wang & Houbraken; New species: Botryotrichum geniculatum X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai, Chaetomium subaffine Sergejeva ex X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Humicola hirsuta X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai, Subramaniula latifusispora X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai, Tengochaeta nigropilosa X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Trichocladium tomentosum X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai; New combinations: Achaetomiella gracilis (Udagawa) Houbraken, X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai , Allocanariomyces americanus (Cañete-Gibas et al. ) Cañete-Gibas, Wiederhold, X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Amesia dreyfussii (Arx) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Amesia raii (G. Malhotra & Mukerji) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arcopilus macrostiolatus (Stchigel et al. ) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arcopilus megasporus (Sörgel ex Seth) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arcopilus purpurascens (Udagawa & Y. Sugiy.) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum deceptivum (Malloch & Benny) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum gangligerum (L.M. Ames) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum officinarum (M. Raza & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum piluliferoides (Udagawa & Y. Horie) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum repens (Guarro & Figueras) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum sinense (K.T. Chen) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Botryotrichum inquinatum (Udagawa & S. Ueda) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Botryotrichum retardatum (A. Carter & R.S. Khan) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Botryotrichum trichorobustum (Seth) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Botryotrichum vitellinum (A. Carter) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Collariella anguipilia (L.M. Ames) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Collariella hexagonospora (A. Carter & Malloch) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Collariella pachypodioides (L.M. Ames) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Ovatospora amygdalispora (Udagawa & T. Muroi) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Ovatospora angularis (Yu Zhang & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium biporatum (Cano & Guarro) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium hispanicum (Guarro & Arx) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium inaequale (Pidopl. et al. ) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium longiciliatum (Yu Zhang & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium mareoticum (Besada & Yusef) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium muelleri (Arx) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken , Parachaetomium multispirale (A. Carter et al .) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium perlucidum (Sergejeva) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium subspirilliferum (Sergejeva) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parathielavia coactilis (Nicot) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parvomelanocarpus tardus (X.Wei Wang & Samson) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parvomelanocarpus thermophilus (Abdullah & Al-Bader) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Pseudohumicola atrobrunnea (X.Wei Wang et al .) X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Pseudohumicola pulvericola (X.Wei Wang et al. ) X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Pseudohumicola semispiralis (Udagawa & Cain) X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Pseudohumicola subspiralis (Chivers) X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Staphylotrichum koreanum (Hyang B. Lee & T.T.T. Nguyen) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Staphylotrichum limonisporum (Z.F. Zhang & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Subramaniula lateralis (Yu Zhang & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermocarpiscus australiensis (Tansey & M.A. Jack) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermochaetoides dissita (Cooney & R. Emers.) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermochaetoides thermophila (La Touche) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken , Xanthiomyces spinosus (Chivers) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken; New names: Chaetomium neoglobosporum X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermothelomyces fergusii with emphasis on thermophilic species. Thermothelomyces myriococcoides X.Wei Wang & Houbraken; Lecto- and / or epi-typifications (basionyms) : Botryoderma rostratum Papendorf & H.P. Upadhyay, Botryotrichum piluliferum Sacc. & Marchal, Chaetomium carinthiacum Sörgel, Thielavia heterothallica Klopotek. Citation: Wang XW, Han PJ, Bai FY, Luo A, Bensch K, Meijer M, Kraak B, Han DY, Sun BD, Crous PW, Houbraken J (2022). Taxonomy, phylogeny and identification of Chaetomiaceae with emphasis on thermophilic species. Studies in Mycology 101 : 121-243. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.101.03., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© 2022 Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute.)

The blue runner Caranx crysos is a thermophilic species poorly investigated in the Mediterranean Sea. Although considered a typical inhabitant of the southern regions, it has recently established in northwest Sicily and, according to the data presented in this study, is now regularly caught in the central-southern Tyrrhenian Sea up to the Gulf of Naples. Some occurrences of the species were also documented in the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea) and in more northerly localities of the Tyrrhenian Sea, such as Gaeta and Civitavecchia. These recent distributional records are in contrast with historical literature and museum collections which depict this species as very rare in the Italian seas and only sporadically occurring above the Strait of Sicily. In this paper, literature and museum collections were thoroughly investigated in order to obtain a satisfactory understanding of the species distribution in the Mediterranean. In addition, the hypothesis of a recent displacement of the northern limit of this species distributional range in the Mediterranean is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmission of Campylobacter to humans has been prominently associated with mishandling or improperly preparing contaminated poultry carcasses. The number of organisms per carcass represents an important measure of human exposure to the agent. Therefore, we wished to estimate this public exposure over 1 yr among Italian broiler carcasses. We sampled 213 broiler carcasses from rinse water samples collected from a single slaughterhouse. Groups of carcasses had mean processed weights ranging from 1.2 to 2.7 kg. These were produced from 22 commercial broiler chicken flocks collected from 12 different farms, 3 of which were seasonally tested. Carcasses were rinsed with sterile water, and the rinse suspension was then serially diluted and spread-plated directly onto Campy­Cefex agar plates. One to 5 typical Campylobacter colonies per plate were identified by polymerase chain reaction as Campylobacter thermo-tolerant species. The overall estimated mean count per carcass in our study was 5.16 ± 0.80 log10 cfu. This value increased in summer and autumn, as well as on carcasses collected from farms located >100 km far from the slaughterhouse. A total of 678 Cam pylobacter colonies were identified by polymerase chain reaction. The majority of isolates were classified as Campylobacter jejuni (49.2%) or Campylobacter coli (47.5%). The overall number of C. jejuni was significantly higher on 1) carcasses weighing >2 kg, 2) carcasses belonging to flocks with >10,000 birds, and 3) carcasses collected from farms located >100 km from the slaughterhouse. Moreover, among farms tested seasonally, C. jejuni was significantly greater than C. coli in winter. These data provide the first results of a continuing survey on Cam pylobacter loads and species identification from Italian broiler carcasses and represents an important baseline to estimate the human exposure to Cam pylobacter in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermopsis thermophila n. gen. n. sp., a new freshwater ostracod species is described from hot springs in Nevada, U.S.A. The animals were collected within a temperature range of 40–55 °C. The new genus belongs to the Ostracoda Podocopida Cypridoidea Cyprididae Cypridopsinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper a specimen of the blue runner Caranx crysos, a thermophilic species commonly found in subtropical Atlantic waters, was newly reported from the Mar del Plata coast. The presence of the blue runner in Argentine waters could be explained by the warm drift theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]