cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825726.v1
title: Individual variation in the contact calls of the monomorphic Peach-fronted Conure, <i>Aratinga aurea</i>, and its potential role in communication

description: In several avian and mammal social species, contact calls are hypothesized to function in maintaining group cohesion, coordinating activities between group members and negotiating fissions and fusions of multiple groups during foraging and roosting. They are therefore expected to exhibit acoustic features that make them suitable for communication of identity information. We investigated this in the monomorphic Peach-fronted Conure, a tropical parakeet living in open forest and scrubland habitats. The species is highly social outside the breeding season where it is assumed to live in a fission–fusion social system. In this study, contact calls from 10 visually isolated male and female Peach-fronted Conures were recorded outside the breeding season. Results from the multivariate analysis of variance and spectrographic cross-correlation with principal coordinates analysis procedure showed that contact calls varied highly between individuals and indicated that caller identity could be encoded in the duration, peak frequency, max frequency and 25%, 50% and 75% frequency energy quartiles of contact calls. The 50% frequency and 75% energy quartile was also significantly higher for females than for males. Furthermore, the results showed an inverse relationship between two morphometric measures and two spectral parameters, suggesting that variation in call parameters could also allow receivers to obtain information about the body size of the caller. Discriminant function analysis showed that contact calls could be correctly classified to individuals in 100% and to sexes in 91% of the cases, suggesting that there is sufficient variation in contact call parameters to enable vocal recognition of individuals and sex.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825727.v2
title: Sexual reproductive biology of a colonial rotifer <i>Sinantherina socialis</i> (Rotifera: Monogononta): do mating strategies vary between colonial and solitary rotifer species?

description: In many aquatic invertebrates including monogonont rotifers, sex provides genetic variation and dormant stages that allow for dispersal in time and space. While the reproductive biology of some solitary monogonont rotifer species is known, little is known concerning mating behaviors in colonial rotifers. Coloniality poses unique challenges to the typical mating behavior of solitary rotifers. For instance, most species engage in circling behavior, where the male swims in close proximity to the female. In colonial forms, access to a particular female may be hindered by nearby colony mates. Here, we provide descriptions of (1) male morphology, (2) mating behavior, and (3) types of eggs of the widespread colonial rotifer <i>Sinantherina socialis,</i> and discuss modifications in mating strategies as a consequence of coloniality. Two important differences from mating patterns documented in solitary rotifers were found in <i>S. socialis</i>. First, duration of circling phase of mating is protracted for males encountering small colonies of females as compared to solitary females. Males encountering single females removed from their colonies behave similarly to those of solitary species. Second, duration of copulation in <i>S. socialis</i> is the shortest reported for any rotifer species. Endogamy might occur in this species as sons copulate with their sisters and mothers, at least under laboratory conditions. Examples of behaviors are available in linked video clips.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825725.v1
title: Vocal repertoire of Asiatic Black Bear (<i>Ursus</i><i>thibetanus</i>) cubs

description: The vocal repertoire of the Asiatic Black Bear (<i>Ursus thibetanus</i>) has been poorly studied and until recently only two call types (chuffing and humming) have been described. Here I investigate the vocalizations of three wild orphaned cubs (two males and one female) reared by two observers in natural conditions in the Russian Far East. I grouped the calls into structural types, and then compared them with existing literature data on vocalizations of the same, as well as other species of the Ursidae family. In total, 1302 calls were classified visually from spectrograms into seven call types: <i>whine</i>, <i>moan</i>, <i>yelp</i>, <i>grunt</i>, <i>snort</i>, <i>chuffing</i> and <i>humming.</i> Classification results were verified with discriminant function analysis and randomization. I also fixed the presence of nonlinear phenomena (NLP) and articulation effects in calls. <i>Whine</i> was the most frequently recorded, as well as the most structurally variable call type due to a high rate of NLP. These results indicate that the vocal repertoire of the Asiatic Black Bear cubs is graded, but includes at least two discrete sound types. This work needs to be continued with further studies of vocalizations of cubs and adults of this species to verify the results of this preliminary study.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825727.v1
title: Sexual reproductive biology of a colonial rotifer <i>Sinantherina socialis</i> (Rotifera: Monogononta): do mating strategies vary between colonial and solitary rotifer species?

description: In many aquatic invertebrates including monogonont rotifers, sex provides genetic variation and dormant stages that allow for dispersal in time and space. While the reproductive biology of some solitary monogonont rotifer species is known, little is known concerning mating behaviors in colonial rotifers. Coloniality poses unique challenges to the typical mating behavior of solitary rotifers. For instance, most species engage in circling behavior, where the male swims in close proximity to the female. In colonial forms, access to a particular female may be hindered by nearby colony mates. Here, we provide descriptions of (1) male morphology, (2) mating behavior, and (3) types of eggs of the widespread colonial rotifer <i>Sinantherina socialis,</i> and discuss modifications in mating strategies as a consequence of coloniality. Two important differences from mating patterns documented in solitary rotifers were found in <i>S. socialis</i>. First, duration of circling phase of mating is protracted for males encountering small colonies of females as compared to solitary females. Males encountering single females removed from their colonies behave similarly to those of solitary species. Second, duration of copulation in <i>S. socialis</i> is the shortest reported for any rotifer species. Endogamy might occur in this species as sons copulate with their sisters and mothers, at least under laboratory conditions. Examples of behaviors are available in linked video clips.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825719
title: Does sociality imply a complex vocal communication system? A case study for <i>Fukomys micklemi</i> (Bathyergidae, Rodentia)

description: African mole-rats (Bathyergidae) display different levels of sociality, ranging from solitary to eusocial. To integrate individuals into a social group, communication is necessary. In this study, we examined vocalizations of a social bathyergid, <i>Fukomys micklemi</i>, in order to investigate the relationship between sociality and communication. Because of its social organization and subterranean lifestyle, we expected this species to have an extensive vocal repertoire. Fifteen different adult specific call-types and four juvenile specific call-types could be recognized, similar to those in other social species. A new call-category, linked to submissive behaviour, is described. These submissive calls were exclusively observed in males, indicating their subordinance. The vocal repertoire of <i>F. micklemi</i> was compared with published results on vocalizations in other subterranean rodents, both in social and solitary species. This comparison confirmed the observation that the vocal repertoire of social species is not only more extensive, but also more diverse than that of solitary species.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825721
title: High spots for diversity of soil and litter microfungi in Italy

description: Soil fungal diversity plays a fundamental role in delivering key ecosystem goods and services. This article assesses diversity of saprobic soil and litter microfungi, as taxonomical and functional components which affect above- and below-ground relationships within Alpine and Mediterranean regions of Italy. We highlighted biodiversity high spots focusing on four research topics that have been developed over time and are currently in progress in Italy. Preliminary quantitative data concerning soil microfungi in the Raethian Alps showed a strong reduction of Colony Forming Unit (CFU)s with altitude. Keratinophilic microfungi in natural and anthropogenic environments were widespread among filamentous fungi and 121 species have been isolated in Italy since 1960. Heat stimulated microfungi in Mediterranean region soils showed high values both in abundance and species density even two years after the experimental fire, with <i>Neosartorya</i> spp. playing a pivotal role. The diversity of microfungi of <i>Quercus ilex</i> (150 species), in the Mediterranean region, higher than that in leaf litter of other species, was explained mainly by different forms of growth and the phytoclimatic characters of the areas under study.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825722
title: Biodiversity of wood-decay fungi in Italy

description: Current knowledge about Italian wood-decay fungi (<i>Basidiomycota</i> and <i>Ascomycota</i>) is surveyed: 1582 taxa belonging to <i>Ascomycota</i> (341) and <i>Basidiomycota</i> (1241) have been reported, including 23 species new to science of <i>Basidiomycota</i> described from Italy within the last five years. Evaluating diversity of wood-decay fungi can provide a more accurate estimation of species richness for fungi which are an important functional component of ecosystems. Aphyllophoroid and <i>Ascomycota</i> species play an important role in habitat conservation and management. Sardinia, Sicily, the Alps and the Apennines are “hot spots” for wood-decay <i>Basidiomycota</i> in Italy.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825720
title: Biodiversity of rock, beach and water fungi in Italy

description: The fungal biodiversity in its overall is mostly still unknown and the ecological role of these organisms, particularly in some border ecosystems, is often underestimated. This study aims to give both an overview of the state of the art and to present new data on the mycodiversity in some peculiar environments as rocks, beach sand, and water in Italy. Particularly, rock fungi are here reported from high mountain peaks, sea cliffs, and monuments; sand associated fungi from beach ecosystems in Puglia and Ligurian coasts; marine fungi associated with the endemic seagrass of the Mediterranean <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> L.; aquatic hyphomycetes (Ingoldian fungi) from both streams in the Ticino Natural Park and lentic water in Lago Maggiore; fungi from the water distribution system in Turin. Ecological and evolutive considerations are put forward.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825718
title: Long-term high-density occupation of a site by <i>Octopus tetricus</i> and possible site modification due to foraging behavior

description: We report observations of wild octopuses (Octopus tetricus) living in close proximity at a site centered on a single den that has been occupied since at least November 2009. Numbers observed on survey dives range from 2 to 11 (average of 5.48). We hypothesize that long-term occupation of the site has led to its physical modification through the accumulation of shells brought in during foraging, and that this “ecosystem engineering” has in turn resulted in higher densities being viable at the site.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825720.v1
title: Biodiversity of rock, beach and water fungi in Italy

description: The fungal biodiversity in its overall is mostly still unknown and the ecological role of these organisms, particularly in some border ecosystems, is often underestimated. This study aims to give both an overview of the state of the art and to present new data on the mycodiversity in some peculiar environments as rocks, beach sand, and water in Italy. Particularly, rock fungi are here reported from high mountain peaks, sea cliffs, and monuments; sand associated fungi from beach ecosystems in Puglia and Ligurian coasts; marine fungi associated with the endemic seagrass of the Mediterranean <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> L.; aquatic hyphomycetes (Ingoldian fungi) from both streams in the Ticino Natural Park and lentic water in Lago Maggiore; fungi from the water distribution system in Turin. Ecological and evolutive considerations are put forward.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825721.v1
title: High spots for diversity of soil and litter microfungi in Italy

description: Soil fungal diversity plays a fundamental role in delivering key ecosystem goods and services. This article assesses diversity of saprobic soil and litter microfungi, as taxonomical and functional components which affect above- and below-ground relationships within Alpine and Mediterranean regions of Italy. We highlighted biodiversity high spots focusing on four research topics that have been developed over time and are currently in progress in Italy. Preliminary quantitative data concerning soil microfungi in the Raethian Alps showed a strong reduction of Colony Forming Unit (CFU)s with altitude. Keratinophilic microfungi in natural and anthropogenic environments were widespread among filamentous fungi and 121 species have been isolated in Italy since 1960. Heat stimulated microfungi in Mediterranean region soils showed high values both in abundance and species density even two years after the experimental fire, with <i>Neosartorya</i> spp. playing a pivotal role. The diversity of microfungi of <i>Quercus ilex</i> (150 species), in the Mediterranean region, higher than that in leaf litter of other species, was explained mainly by different forms of growth and the phytoclimatic characters of the areas under study.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825722.v1
title: Biodiversity of wood-decay fungi in Italy

description: Current knowledge about Italian wood-decay fungi (<i>Basidiomycota</i> and <i>Ascomycota</i>) is surveyed: 1582 taxa belonging to <i>Ascomycota</i> (341) and <i>Basidiomycota</i> (1241) have been reported, including 23 species new to science of <i>Basidiomycota</i> described from Italy within the last five years. Evaluating diversity of wood-decay fungi can provide a more accurate estimation of species richness for fungi which are an important functional component of ecosystems. Aphyllophoroid and <i>Ascomycota</i> species play an important role in habitat conservation and management. Sardinia, Sicily, the Alps and the Apennines are “hot spots” for wood-decay <i>Basidiomycota</i> in Italy.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825718.v1
title: Long-term high-density occupation of a site by <i>Octopus tetricus</i> and possible site modification due to foraging behavior

description: We report observations of wild octopuses (Octopus tetricus) living in close proximity at a site centered on a single den that has been occupied since at least November 2009. Numbers observed on survey dives range from 2 to 11 (average of 5.48). We hypothesize that long-term occupation of the site has led to its physical modification through the accumulation of shells brought in during foraging, and that this “ecosystem engineering” has in turn resulted in higher densities being viable at the site.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825719.v2
title: Does sociality imply a complex vocal communication system? A case study for <i>Fukomys micklemi</i> (Bathyergidae, Rodentia)

description: African mole-rats (Bathyergidae) display different levels of sociality, ranging from solitary to eusocial. To integrate individuals into a social group, communication is necessary. In this study, we examined vocalizations of a social bathyergid, <i>Fukomys micklemi</i>, in order to investigate the relationship between sociality and communication. Because of its social organization and subterranean lifestyle, we expected this species to have an extensive vocal repertoire. Fifteen different adult specific call-types and four juvenile specific call-types could be recognized, similar to those in other social species. A new call-category, linked to submissive behaviour, is described. These submissive calls were exclusively observed in males, indicating their subordinance. The vocal repertoire of <i>F. micklemi</i> was compared with published results on vocalizations in other subterranean rodents, both in social and solitary species. This comparison confirmed the observation that the vocal repertoire of social species is not only more extensive, but also more diverse than that of solitary species.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825711
title: Do National Parks play an active role in conserving the natural capital of Italy?

description: The aims of this paper are to describe the state of the environmental knowledge of the terrestrial National Parks (NPs) in Italy and to assess their conservation status and their efficacy to deal with the pressures of land changes. We collected and analysed data regarding land units, vegetation series, old-growth forests, Important Plant Areas (IPAs) and changes in landscape conservation status, to provide a systemic overview of the condition of the NPs and to verify their effectiveness against pressures and impacts induced by human activities. Moreover, NPs were organised according to the ecoregional setting for a multi-scale interpretation of biodiversity baselines and indicators. The results highlight the essential role of NP system for biodiversity conservation in Italy. The long-term protection regime proved to be particularly effective as a means of conserving ageing forest communities, threatened vascular plants and contrasting threats posed by human-induced changes. However, this work points out the need for more detailed scientific data for a comprehensive assessment of the representativeness and effectiveness of the NP system.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825712
title: Vocal stereotypy in the rodent genera <i>Peromyscus</i> and <i>Onychomys</i> (Neotominae): taxonomic signature and call design

description: Stereotypic behaviour, such as territorial calls and songs, is thought to be evolutionarily conserved, and therefore useful in discerning systematic relationships. We examined vocalizations of several species of <i>Peromyscus</i> and <i>Onychomys</i>, a monophyletic group of rodents (Peromyscini). We report stereotypic vocal signals occurring in both sexes of the deer mice <i>Peromyscus californicus</i>, <i>P. eremicus</i>, <i>P. leucopus</i>, <i>P. melanophrys</i>, <i>P. polionotus</i>, and the grasshopper mice <i>Onychomys arenicola</i> and <i>O. leucogaster</i>. The stereotypic vocalizations of <i>P. eremicus</i>, <i>P. leucopus</i>, and <i>P. polionotus</i> are confined to frequencies greater than 20 kHz, unlike those of <i>Onychomys</i>, which are clearly audible, or <i>P. californicus</i> and <i>P. melanophrys</i>, which generate lower frequency vocalizations than the other <i>Peromyscus</i>. We did not observe stereotypic vocalizations in <i>P. aztecus</i>. Intensity, context and consistency suggest that these vocalizations serve an announcement function. Distribution of spectral energy distinguishes genera and most species, and some use of frequency is correlated to body size. There is a dichotomy between <i>Onychomys</i> and <i>Peromyscus</i> in the use of frequency, a genus-specific pattern identified previously among other peromyscine lineages.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825719.v1
title: Does sociality imply a complex vocal communication system? A case study for <i>Fukomys micklemi</i> (Bathyergidae, Rodentia)

description: African mole-rats (Bathyergidae) display different levels of sociality, ranging from solitary to eusocial. To integrate individuals into a social group, communication is necessary. In this study, we examined vocalizations of a social bathyergid, <i>Fukomys micklemi</i>, in order to investigate the relationship between sociality and communication. Because of its social organization and subterranean lifestyle, we expected this species to have an extensive vocal repertoire. Fifteen different adult specific call-types and four juvenile specific call-types could be recognized, similar to those in other social species. A new call-category, linked to submissive behaviour, is described. These submissive calls were exclusively observed in males, indicating their subordinance. The vocal repertoire of <i>F. micklemi</i> was compared with published results on vocalizations in other subterranean rodents, both in social and solitary species. This comparison confirmed the observation that the vocal repertoire of social species is not only more extensive, but also more diverse than that of solitary species.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825709
title: Toward an inclusive semantic interoperability: the case of Cree hydrographic features

description: There has been ample work in GIScience on the formalization of ontologies but a relatively neglected area is the influence of language and culture on ontologies of geography. Although this subject has been investigated for conceptual ontologies using indigenous words denoting geographic features, this article represents the first attempt to develop a logical ontology with an indigenous group. The process of developing logical ontologies is here referred to as formalization. A methodology for formalizing ontologies with indigenous peoples is presented. A conceptual (human readable) ontology and a logical (axioms specified in mathematical logic) ontology were developed using this methodology. Research was conducted with the Cree, the largest indigenous language grouping in Canada. Results show that the geospatial ontology developed from Cree geographic concepts possesses unique design considerations: no superordinate classes were found from archival sources or Cree speakers so ontologies are structurally flat; the ontology contains some unique classes of water bodies; and the ontology challenges our notions of the generalizability of ontologies within indigenous groups. Whereas these difficulties are not insurmountable to the establishment of a cross-cultural Geospatial Semantic Web, the current plans of the World Wide Web Consortium do not adequately address them. We suggest future directions toward an inclusive semantic interoperability.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825711.v1
title: Do National Parks play an active role in conserving the natural capital of Italy?

description: The aims of this paper are to describe the state of the environmental knowledge of the terrestrial National Parks (NPs) in Italy and to assess their conservation status and their efficacy to deal with the pressures of land changes. We collected and analysed data regarding land units, vegetation series, old-growth forests, Important Plant Areas (IPAs) and changes in landscape conservation status, to provide a systemic overview of the condition of the NPs and to verify their effectiveness against pressures and impacts induced by human activities. Moreover, NPs were organised according to the ecoregional setting for a multi-scale interpretation of biodiversity baselines and indicators. The results highlight the essential role of NP system for biodiversity conservation in Italy. The long-term protection regime proved to be particularly effective as a means of conserving ageing forest communities, threatened vascular plants and contrasting threats posed by human-induced changes. However, this work points out the need for more detailed scientific data for a comprehensive assessment of the representativeness and effectiveness of the NP system.