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A comprehensive overview of plant, fungus and animal species of Austria revealed a total of 748 endemic and subendemic species, including, 11 harvestman and 46 spider species. Altogether two endemic harvestmen (Nemastoma bidentatum relictum, Nemastoma schuelleri) and 8 endemic spiders (Abacoproeces molestus, Collinsia (caliginosa) nemenziana, Mughiphantes severus, Mughiphantes styriacus, Pelecopsis alpica, Scotophaeus nanus, Troglohyphantes novicordis, Troglohyphantes tauriscus), beside 9 subendemic harvestman and 38 subendemic spider species have been recorded from Austria. Hot-spots of endemism in the Eastern Alps are the north-eastern (Ennstaler Alps) and southern Calcareous Alps (Karawanken, Karnische Alps) and the Central Alps (Hohe Tauern, Gurktaler Alps, Ötztaler and Stubaier Alps). Most of the endemic arachnid species occur from the nival down to the montane zone. Important habitats are rocky areas, caves and woodlands. High absolute numbers and percentages of endemics can be found within the harvestman families Cladonychiidae, Ischyropsalididae and Nemastomatidae and in the spider genera Lepthyphantes s. l. and Troglohyphantes. The conservation status of these highly endangered taxa – 85 % of the spider species and 100 % of the harvestman taxa are endangered in Austria – is poor.
We first report from the 7th European Dry Grassland Meeting held 27 May to 1 June 2010 in Smolenice, Slovakia, devoted to the main topic "Succession, restoration and management of dry grasslands". Apart from the scientific programme and the excursions, we also summarise the outcomes of the General Assembly of the EDGG and present the Smolenice Grassland Declaration. Then we take stock of the dynamic development of the European Dry Grassland Group (EDGG), report on its activities during the past year, and announce its future plans. Finally, we give a short introduction to the four articles of this Special Feature, which deal with biodiversity patterns, vegetation classification, and dynamics of dry grassland habitats. One presents a detailed phytosociological study of the xeric and mesic grasslands of the Slovak part of the Biele Karpaty Mts. The second provides a new numeric approach to the assignment of relevés to syntaxa and exemplifies this in a case study for the delimitation of the classes Festuco-Brometea against Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei in Austria. The third article investigates the septennial impact of mouflon grazing and weather on dry grassland plant communities in dry grassland patches of the Czech Republic. The fourth article deals with long-term abandonment of grasslands in Central Slovakia and shows the importance of vegetation structure, ecological stability, and low-disturbance regime for specific ant assemblages.
The shores of Cape Verde hosts one of the most important nesting populations of the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in the world, as well as important feeding grounds for hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and green turtles Chelonia mydas. In the past few years, a number of scientific studies have demonstrated the relevance of the waters and beaches of this archipelago for the conservation of these endangered marine megavertebrates. This article aims to bring together the most relevant scientific information published on the subject so far. In addition, we will provide an overview of the current situation of sea turtles in Cape Verde, their conservation status and their importance in an international context.