José Carlos Brito

Identifying phylogeographic breaks and deciphering the relative contributions of environmental extrinsic (e.g., geological barriers, ecological gradients) and organismal intrinsic (e.g., limited dispersal, reproductive incompatibilities) factors to their persistence remain challenging, especially in the absence of genomic data. Here, we address this issue using parapatric lineages of the lizard Acanthodactylus erythrurus in south‐western Morocco. A previous study based on nine nuclear loci identified two phylogeographic units (coastal vs. inland) whose separation did not align with landscape features preventing migration. The coastal lineage was inferred to evolve under isolation by distance (IBD, the regular increase of genetic differentiation with geographic distance), despite the presence of large rivers across its range. This suggests either that phylogeographic breaks do not align with landscape features, or that the restricted marker set prevented an accurate inference of phylogeographic breaks. We tested these hypotheses using RADseq data and recovered three lineages, each separated by phylogeographic breaks and narrow contact zones with restricted admixture. Coastal populations that had been previously identified to evolve under IBD actually included two lineages separated by a major, permanent river, reducing migration. The inland phylogeographic break, correctly identified by the previous study, is located in a continuously distributed habitat. Neither of the breaks aligned with steep changes in bioclimatic variables, suggesting a negligible contribution of local adaptation. We conclude that intrinsic reproductive barriers, as evidenced by narrow clines in allele frequencies at multiple loci spread over the genome, play a major role in maintaining these phylogeographic breaks. Our results also highlight the difficulty of identifying phylogeographic breaks from pre‐genomic molecular data.

Land-use changes in West Africa are threatening wildlife viability, yet their impacts on species’ genetic diversity and connectivity remain poorly understood. We investigated the environmental drivers of genetic diversity and functional connectivity in the Near Threatened Guinea baboon ( Papio papio ) by genotyping 243 non-invasively collected faecal samples across its range and applying a landscape genetics framework. We identified distinct genetic clusters, with Gambian populations exhibiting the lowest genetic diversity and highest inbreeding. Genetic diversity was positively associated with shrublands and forest-savannah mosaics, highlighting the importance of these habitats for maintaining viable populations. Rivers, grasslands, and shrublands facilitate functional connectivity and act as dispersal corridors, whereas large waterbodies and intensive croplands serve as strong barriers. Notably, habitats constituted by mosaics of forest and croplands provide more permeable barriers to movement than strict monocultures. Our results suggest that intensive agricultural land use can reduce functional connectivity, whereas heterogeneous natural habitats and riverine networks sustain it. To ensure the long-term survival of Guinea baboons, conservation strategies must prioritize preserving riverine corridors and habitat heterogeneity. Furthermore, replacing monoculture farming with agroecological practices like agroforestry is crucial to support landscape connectivity and mitigate the adverse effects of agricultural expansion.

Many large African mammals show distinct population structures between northern, west-central and east-southern Africa, yet few studies have examined whether smaller mammals with limited dispersal capacity exhibit similar phylogeographic patterns. The Saharan striped polecat ( Poecilictis libyca Ehrenberg, 1833) and the zorilla ( Ictonyx striatus Perry, 1810) are mustelid mesocarnivores endemic to the edges of the Sahara Desert and most of sub-Saharan Africa, respectively. Despite their broad distributions, little is known about their genetics or population structure. We sequenced and assembled 19 novel mitochondrial genomes (7 polecat, 12 zorilla) and combined these with three previously published mitogenomes (1 polecat, 2 zorilla) to provide the first phylogeographic assessment of both species, using haplotype and phylogenetic analyses. The Saharan striped polecat exhibited distinct haplogroups corresponding to the Palearctic and Afrotropical biogeographic realms, although there are substantial geographic sampling gaps. The zorilla showed a deep divergence between central and southern African populations, mirroring a phylogeographic pattern well documented in mammal species with larger body sizes. These first mitogenomic insights reveal previously unrecognized population structure in two understudied mustelids, underscoring the value of phylogeographic data for guiding the taxonomy of Africa’s neglected smaller carnivores.

Reliable rodent monitoring underpins biodiversity assessment and conservation planning, yet sampling protocols in arid and hyper-arid ecosystems remain poorly evaluated, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula, where rapidly expanding conservation and development projects demand robust baseline data. We provide the first systematic evaluation of how trap type, bait composition, deployment time, inter-trap spacing, and environmental conditions influence rodent trapping success and community-level inferences in north-western Saudi Arabia. Across five sampling missions, we deployed 2,644 one-night live traps at 117 sites, using five trap models (Sherman Small, Medium and Large, Longworth, and Cage) and three bait mixes, and captured 843 individuals of 12 species (overall trapping success of 31.9%). We analysed capture success using generalised linear mixed-effects models, tested for size-related bias with linear mixed models on morphometric traits, and evaluated community-level effects. Sherman Medium and Large traps consistently outperformed Longworth and cage traps for the dominant species (Acomys dimidiatus and Gerbillus dasyurus), while a seed-enriched diversified bait (greens, peanut butter, oats, and millet) yielded the highest capture rates for most granivorous species. Inter-trap distance was positively associated with capture success for species combined and Sekeetamys calurus, indicating that spacing well above the 10–15 m recommended for temperate and tropical systems is needed in these low-density communities. Trap deployment time relative to sunset affected capture success in a species-specific manner, reflecting a combination of species' innate temporal activity patterns and methodological biases, while climatic variables, such as moonlight and seasonality, strongly shaped captures overall. Despite these species-specific differences, trap type did not significantly influence morphometrics, assemblage composition, species richness, or beta diversity. We recommend Sherman Medium and Large traps with seed-based diversified baits and 30–100 m spacing as the backbone of standardised rodent monitoring in Arabian and other hyper-arid environments, complemented by Longworth or cage traps to broaden taxonomic coverage.

Aquila verreauxii es considerada un depredador altamente especializado que se alimenta principalmente de damanes y ocupa hábitats montañosos escarpados a lo largo de su distribución en África y la Península Arábiga. A pesar de su gran tamaño y de sus similitudes morfológicas con rapaces carroñeras, el consumo de carroña ha sido raramente documentado y no se había registrado previamente en la Península Arábiga. En este estudio reportamos el primer caso confirmado de uso sostenido de carroña por Aquila verreauxii en Arabia Saudita, documentado mediante cámaras activadas por movimiento en una estación de cebo en la Reserva de la Biosfera Harrat Uwayrid, en la región de AlUla, al noroeste de Arabia Saudita. Dos individuos de Aquila verreauxii visitaron un cadáver de cabra en la estación de cebo durante cuatro días consecutivos en diciembre de 2024, con una presencia combinada que superó las 11 horas. Las águilas mostraron alimentación repetida y prolongada, sin aparente reticencia en la explotación de la carroña ni competencia interespecífica. No se registraron buitres ni otras grandes rapaces en el sitio durante el período de cuatro días. Nuestras observaciones sugieren que la carroña puede representar una oportunidad de alimentación de bajo costo para Aquila verreauxii en este entorno árido, donde las presas tradicionales pueden ser menos abundantes. Nuestras observaciones también aportan evidencia adicional de flexibilidad conductual en una rapaz típicamente considerada un depredador obligado. Este estudio resalta el valor del seguimiento sistemático para detectar comportamientos poco frecuentes y mejorar el conocimiento de la ecología trófica de las rapaces en regiones poco estudiadas. [Traducción de Bruno Herlander Martins]

This study presents the first faunistic records of blister beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae) from north-western Saudi Arabia, specifically Hejaz mountains and north Tihama, expanding the known distribution range of the species within the country. Field surveys were conducted between 2022 and 2024, aiming to cover different seasons. These observations contribute to the knowledge of the diversity of meloid fauna of the country and underscoring the importance of continued faunistic exploration in north-western Saudi Arabia, a region that remains relatively under-surveyed in terms of meloid diversity. Three species ( Hycleus borchmannianus , Hycleus trizonatus , Mylabris filicornis ) and one genus ( Sitaris ) are recorded for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Besides that, this work also provides the first description of the male morphology and genitalia of Mylabris desertica Bologna, 2007.

This study presents the first comprehensive atlas of the distribution of amphibians and reptiles within the Moroccan section of the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean (IBRM). Data were gathered from literature reviews, museum collections, and extensive field surveys conducted between 2008 and 2019. A Geographical Information System (GIS) was utilized to generate updated distribution maps, assess species richness within a 10x10 km UTM grid, and analyse associations of species with habitat categories. A total of eight amphibian and 25 reptile species, representing five and 17 families, respectively, were recorded. Three distinct distribution patterns emerged for both taxonomic groups: widespread species, species restricted to specific environments, such as high-altitude areas or coastal environments, and species with limited and / or fragmented ranges. Seventeen areas of high species richness (N > 10 species) were identified across the study area. These areas consistently overlapped across both taxonomic groups and were primarily associated with Mediterranean-type habitats. While amphibians exhibited relatively homogeneous habitat preferences, reptiles demonstrated four distinct assemblages: species prefer mixed vegetation mosaics; species occupy forest-agriculture edges; species adaptable to diverse habitats and environments and species privilege open grasslands-rocky areas. The IBRM’s complex topography likely contributes to high levels of environmental diversity, supporting a remarkable proportion of Morocco’s herpetofauna: 60% of amphibian species and 25% of reptile species. These findings underscore the critical importance of the Moroccan IBRM for herpetofaunal conservation at the national and international levels.

During recent botanical expeditions in the northwestern Saudi Arabia, Sarga purpureosericea Spangler was recorded and collected for the first time in the country. This finding enriches Saudi Arabia’s grass flora and highlights the importance of further botanical exploration. We formally include this species in the national flora, supported by a voucher specimen deposited at the University of Porto Herbarium (PO). This record bridges a significant biogeographical gap between eastern Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Additionally, we provide a second-step lectotypification of the name. The original lectotypification, based on specimens housed at the Kew Herbarium (K) and the Missouri Botanical Garden Herbarium (MO), constitutes a first-step designation under Article 9.17 of the ICN. We now designate a second-step lectotype that aligns more precisely with Spangler’s original intent.