Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2020"
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- Um mundo único e ameaçado : redutos de diversidade de artrópodes raros nos AçoresPublication . Borges, Paulo A. V.Na altura da sua descoberta pelos navegadores portugueses no século XV, estas ilhas estavam cobertas por densas florestas. Infelizmente, nos nossos dias já pouco resta desse habitat. A necessidade de sustentar uma população crescente viu a vegetação na ilha ser substituída por diversas culturas agrícolas e pastagens, sendo estas últimas as grandes dominantes da atualidade. Igualmente, as plantações de exóticas como a criptoméria (Cryptomeria japonica) ou os matos de espécies invasoras como o incenso (Pittosporum undulatum) contribuíram para a perda de uma fração assinalável dos habitats nativos. Foi em terrenos mais acidentados, inacessíveis ou inférteis, onde o eventual aproveitamento humano não compensa o esforço, que subsistiram fragmentos da floresta original. Estes fragmentos de floresta são dominados por árvores e arbustos endémicos, exclusivos dos Açores, como o cedro-do-mato (Juniperus brevifolia), o louro (Laurus azorica), o azevinho (Ilex perado subsp. azorica), a uva-da-serra (Vaccinium cylindraceum) e a urze (Erica azorica), entre outras. Os tipos de floresta ainda presentes foram recentemente caracterizados por Elias et al. (2016), sendo as manchas mais importantes denominadas por "Juniperus-llex Montane Forests" e "Juniperus Montane Woodlands", localizadas acima dos 500 m de altitude. Estas florestas estão recobertas por extensos mantos de musgos em todos os seus substratos, simulando as florestas tropicais luxuriantes (Gabriel & Bates, 2005).
- Polydesmus ribeiraensisPublication . Nunes, Rui; Borges, Paulo A. V.JUSTIFICATION: Polydesmus ribeiraensis is endemic to São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). It has a very small Extent of Occurrence (EOO = 16 km²) and Area of Occupancy (AOO = 16 km²). There is a continuing decline in the EOO, AOO, extent and quality of habitat as well as the number of mature individuals as a result of the invasions of non-native plants and displacement by exotic millipedes. Increasing tourism in the island might also impact its habitat, being a scenic destination. The species occurs only at one location, and so it is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). We suggest as future measures of conservation: (1) regular monitoring of the species; (2) control of invasive species namely Hedychium gardnerianum, and (3) measures to mitigate possible impacts from increasing tourism.
- Chirothrips azoricusPublication . Nunes, Rui; Borges, Paulo A. V.JUSTIFICATION: Chirothrips azoricus is endemic to São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). It has a very small Extent of Occurrence (EOO = 8 km²) and Area of Occupancy (AOO = 8 km²). There is a continuing decline in the EOO, AOO, extent and quality of habitat as well as the number of mature individuals as a result of the invasions of non-native plants; and, based on this threat, the species occurs only at one location. Therefore, the species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). We suggest as future conservation measures: (1) regular monitoring of the species; and (2) control of invasive species, namely Hedychium gardnerianum and Clethra arborea.
- Dolichopus simillimusPublication . Nunes, Rui; Borges, Paulo A. V.JUSTIFICATION: Dolichopus simillimus is an endemic species of the Azores (Portugal), being present, at least historically, at a single site in Pico island. From the historical data, this species would have a very small Extent of Occurrence (8 km² ) and Area of Occupancy (8 km² ), and it is possible that this species has declined in the past as a result of human activity. The present situation of this species needs to be further assessed, and further research is needed into its population, distribution, threats, ecology and life history. Conservation of native wet and boggy areas and natural streams and other water bodies could potentially aid this species conservation. Based upon the lack of data regarding this species population, distribution, threats and ecology, this species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD).
- On the first South American species of the genus Anasaitis Bryant, 1950 (Aranei: Salticidae: Salticinae: Euophryini) from Cartagena, ColombiaPublication . Galvis, William; Zapata-M, Wilder; Malumbres-Olarte, JagobaA new species - Anasaitis champetera sp.n. (Salticidae: Salticinae: Euophryini), the first species of the genus Anasaitis Bryant, 1950 from South America - is described of the basis of both sexes collected from Cano del Oro, Tierra Bomba island, Cartagena (Bolivar), Colombia.
- Recent geospatial dynamics of Terceira (Azores, Portugal) and the theoretical implications for the biogeography of active volcanic islandsPublication . Rijsdijk, Kenneth F.; Buijs, Simon; Quartau, Rui; Aguilée, Robin; Norder, Sietze; Ávila, Sérgio P.; Medeiros, Sara Maria Teixeira; Nunes, João Carlos Carreiro; Elias, Rui B.; Melo, Carlos S.; Stocchi, Paulo; Koene, Erik F. M.; Seijmonsbergen, A. C. (Harry); De Boer, W. M. (Thijs); Borges, Paulo A. V.Ongoing work shows that species richness patterns on volcanic oceanic islands are shaped by surface area changes driven by longer time scale (>1 ka) geological processes and natural sea level fluctuations. A key question is: what are the rates and magnitudes of the forces driving spatial changes on volcanic oceanic islands which in turn affect evolutionary and biogeographic processes? We quantified the rates of surface-area changes of a whole island resulting from both volcanogenic flows and sea level change over the last glacial-interglacial (GI) cycle (120 ka) for the volcanically active island of Terceira, (Azores, Macaronesia, Portugal). Volcanogenic activity led to incidental but long-lasting surface area expansions by the formation of a new volcanic cone and lava-deltas, whereas sea level changes led to both contractions and expansions of area. The total surface area of Terceira decreased by as much as 24% per time step due to changing sea levels and increased by 37% per time step due to volcanism per time step of 10 ka. However, while sea levels nearly continuously changed the total surface area, volcanic activity only impacted total surface area during two time steps over the past 120 ka. The surface area of the coastal and lowland region (here defined as area <300 m) was affected by sea level change (average change of 11% / 10 ka for 120–0 ka) and intra-volcanic change (average change of 17% / 10 ka for 120–0 ka). We discuss the biogeographic implications of the quantified dynamics, and we argue that surface area change is mainly driven by volcanic processes in the early stages of the island’s life cycle, while during the later stages, area change becomes increasingly affected by sea level dynamics. Both environmental processes may therefore affect biota differently during the life cycle of volcanic oceanic islands.
- Tourists’ Characteristics, Travel Motivation and SatisfactionPublication . Silva, Osvaldo Dias Lopes da; Medeiros, Maria Teresa Pires de; Moniz, Ana; Tomás, Licínio Manuel Vicente; Furtado, Sheila; Ferreira, Joaquim A.Our society is growing older and it is important to develop the senior tourism market. Consumers aged 55 and older are a fastest growing market segment and a major business opportunity. The purpose of this research is to develop and test a model to investigate the characteristics of the senior tourists that affect the factors of travel motivation and travel satisfaction. We intent to explore the existence of statistically significant differences in satisfaction between groups of senior tourists using the same categories. A path analysis is carried out in order to describe direct dependencies among a set of variables. In this study (n=537 senior tourists visiting the Azores islands) a model is proposed to identify the senior tourists’ characteristics which significantly affect each of the dependent variables (motivation factors and satisfaction) and which types of effects explain the association among variables. Travel satisfaction depends both on age group and perception of health status by the senior tourists. New opportunities can be found for both public and private sectors to develop and marketing new tourism products that can attract the right senior market segments.
- Macarorchestia martiniPublication . Nunes, Rui; Borges, Paulo A. V.JUSTIFICATION: Macarorchestia martini is a cave-adapted species from a single island, Terceira (Azores, Portugal). It has a very small Extent of Occurrence (EOO = 4 km²) and Area of Occupancy (AOO = 4 km²). The species is rare and only known from a single subpopulation in the coastal lava tube of Gruta das Agulhas. The area surrounding the cave is heavily impacted by human activities. Further research is needed into its population, ecology and life history; and a habitat management plan is needed and one is anticipated to be developed during the coming years. We also suggest the regular monitoring of the species (every ten years), and restricting access to the cave. The species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) based on the single location and current and future possible cave degradation.
- The ecology, biogeography and speciation of the butterflies of the Azores, by Mark Payne. Hardback. World Natural History Publications, “The Lake District”, 2019, 370 pp.Publication . Tennent, JohnThis is the second book in a planned series of numerous books covering all of the world’s butterflies. It opens with a detailed and lengthy account of the author, his supposed achievements and future plans. A prominent acknowledgement to Martin Wiemers, a highly respected European entomologist, is out of date. Martin has disassociated himself from the books and withdrawn co-authorship of a proposed volume on Macaronesian endemic butterflies advertised in the book. […].
- Entrada no ensino superior e envolvimento do estudantePublication . Caldeira, Suzana Nunes; Sousa, Áurea; Mendes, Maria; Silva, Osvaldo Dias Lopes da; Martins, Maria José D.No Ensino Superior, algumas experiências iniciais podem dificultar o envolvimento no novo ambiente académico. Este estudo analisa a relação entre a perceção sobre a entrada no Ensino Superior e o envolvimento do estudante. 784 estudantes do Ensino Superior responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico, a uma subescala do BES e à EAE-E4D. Os itens da subescala do BES foram organizados em três categorias: “Integração e acolhimento”, “Nível de participação” e “Praxe”. Os resultados indicam: diferenças significativas (teste t) entre os estudantes em função da idade, com os mais velhos mais envolvidos; correlações (Pearson) positivas e estatisticamente significativas entre as categorias do BES e a EAE-E4D; modelos ajustados (regressão linear múltipla) globalmente significativos e os coeficientes das variáveis “Integração e acolhimento” e “Nível de participação” estatisticamente significativos para a EAE-E4D global e dimensão afetiva. O processo de entrada tem efeito preditivo no envolvimento.