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Madeira is bryologically insofar very interesting, as it harbours (like the other Macaronesian Islands) relics of the bryoflora of the Tertiary of continental Europe. Originated in the Tertiary at various times, these volcanic islands were mainly colonized from Europe. Whereas many species got extinct in Europe during the glaciations of the Quaternary, these elements were able to survive in these islands. So we are faced there with an ancient bryoflora, especially in the laurel forests, amongst other phytogeographic elements, mainly mediterranean species.
In 2005 we started a study of the ecology and evolutionary history of damselflies of the genus Nesobasis, endemic to Fiji. In addition we made account of the species of Zygoptera present at our study sites, and made notes on the Anisoptera. In general, the odonate fauna of the Fiji archipelago is poorly studied. Here, we provide an historical overview of the knowledge on this fauna and give details of the species we encountered in August - September 2005. We made observations and collected voucher specimens for 2 species of the genus Ischnura, 2 of the genus Agriocnemis, 1 of the genus Austrolestes, 7 of the genus Melanesobasis and 25 of the genus Nesobasis. For Melanesobasis we also made account of an additional subspecies. Further, we discovered 2 species of damselfly new to science, 1 on Viti Levu and 1 on Vanua Levu, both belonging to the genus Nesobasis. Our results indicate that further exploration within the Fiji archipelago will be rewarding and that more species new to science are to be discovered. We hope our work will spur further interest in the Pacific, which will be essential if we are to conserve the unique community of damselflies encountered in this region.
Again, this issue is a bit late
(September instead of August) but I hope
the diverse and exciting contents will
make up for the delay. As per usual, the
Australian Arachnological Society is
grateful to all who contributed to this
issue! More excitingly, I already have
articles for the December issue. Stay
tuned for an update on the taxonomy of
Australian jumping spiders by Marek
Zabka.
short @nd sweet news : Nr. 6
(2006)
short @nd sweet news : Nr. 5
(2006)