The lack of information about the distribution of threatened species inhibits the development of strategies for their conservation. This is a particularly important problem when considering invertebrates. Here we evaluate the effects of species’ traits and data characteristics on the accuracy of species distribution models (SDM) of 20 threatened Iberian invertebrates. We found that the accuracy of the predictions was mostly affected by the characteristics of the data. Species whose distributions were most accurately modelled were those with a greater sample size or smaller relative occurrence area (ROA). Species in habitats that were difficult to detect using GIS data, such as riparian species, tended to be more difficult to predict.

Ecological traits --- Geographical distribution range --- Iberian peninsula --- Predictive accuracy --- Sample size --- Species distribution modelling

Agapanthia dahli (Richter, 1821) have a stridulatory organ consisting of a grooved plate or pars strindens at the dorsal side of mesonotum and a scraper or plectrum in the internal posterior margin of the pronotum. Sound is produced when the insect moves the pronotum, sliding the plectrum against the pars stridens. The structure of the signal is typically disyllabic, reflecting the bi–directional movement of pars strindens with respect to the plectrum. We describe the stridulatory organ and acoustic signals for the first time, and discuss the possible role of stridulation in this species.

Acoustic communication --- Stridulation --- Coleoptera --- Cerambycidae --- Agapanthia dahli

The effectiveness of protected areas to conserve freshwater fishes is limited because these areas are not usually congruent with regional patterns of fish species richness and distribution. We compared the richness, distribution and abundance of coastal freshwater fishes in a biogeographic province of Venezuela to determine their conservation status. We also estimated the relevance of existing protected areas in conserving fishes in different physiographic units and tributaries by evaluating species richness and distribution. The ichthyofauna (72 spp., ~30% endemic, ~10% threatened) was distributed according to orography, drainage and physiographic units. Most protected areas had limited effectiveness for fish conservation, mainly because they were too small or included only fragments of tributaries or drainages, or because they were located only in highland drainages where species diversity was minimal. To adequately protect freshwater fishes in this province the existing protected areas should be modified and expanded.

Aquatic biodiversity --- Biogeographic province --- National parks --- Coastal rivers

Four new species of Blennidus subgenus Agraphoderus are described from the Andes of Southern Peru: B. (A.) procerus n. sp., B. (A.) abramalagae n. sp., B. (A.) etontii n. sp. and B. (A.) straneoi n. sp. Together with B. (A.) jelskii (Tschitschérine, 1897), they form a very homogeneous group of probably closely related species (the jelskii group), which is distinguished from other members of the subgenus by the distinctive morphology of the aedeagus. A redescription of B. (A.) jelskii is given based on the lectotype and paralectotype designated by Straneo & Vereshagina (1991), supplementing Tschitschérine’s brief original description. The distribution pattern of the species presently included in the jelskii species–group is discussed, emphasizing distinctive traits of stenoendemic species inhabiting restricted geographical areas, and discussing their possible origin by allopatric speciation.

Blennidus --- Agraphoderus --- Peru --- Taxonomy --- New species

Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) is a threatened giant patellid limpet found on the North African coast from Namibia to Algeria. The objective of this study was to estimate the total number of individuals present in Ceuta (Strait of Gibraltar) and to determine the effect of certain physical parameters on population structure and abundance. Between 2006 and 2010 we conducted an exhaustive census in the area. Results indicate that Ceuta could be home to 48,473 individuals. The most important populations were recorded on the North Bay, characterized by its Atlantic influence. While for other similar species, such as Patella ferruginea, human accessibility to the area plays an important role in determining the structure of populations, we found that substrate roughness (small scale topographic heterogeneity) is the main determining factor in this species. Populations located on medium to low topographic heterogeneity substrates showed higher percentages of medium and large size individuals. However, recruitment rates did not differ between substrata of different roughness. Finally, and through the analysis of the C. nigra populations located on some recently constructed jetties, we obtained interesting new data regarding individual growth rates, thus contributing to our knowledge of the population structure of the species.

Limpet --- Endangered species --- Cymbula nigra --- Substrate heterogeneity --- Strait of Gibraltar --- Ceuta

In this paper I provide an overview of conservation genetics and describe the management actions in the wild that can benefit from conservation genetic studies. I describe the genetic factors of risk for the survival of wild species, the consequences of loss of genetic diversity, inbreeding and outbreeding depression, and the use of genetic tools to delimitate units of conservation. Then I introduce the most common applications of conservation genetics in the management of wild populations. In a second part of the paper I review the conservation genetic studies carried on the Iberian raptors. I introduce several studies on the Spanish imperial eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture and the red kite that were carried out using autosomal microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing. I describe studies on the lesser kestrel and Egyptian vulture that additionally applied major histocompatibility complex (MHC) markers, with the purpose of incorporating the study of non–neutral variation. For every species I explain how these studies can be and/or are applied in the strategy of conservation in the wild.

Conservation genetics --- Conservation genomics --- Molecular markers --- Iberian raptors --- Management of threatened populations

The First International Little Owl Symposium took place in Champ–sur–Marne (France) in November 2000, organized by the International little owl Working Group (ILOWG). It was the first international meeting regarding a sole owl species in Europe. Since then, efforts have been made to improve our knowledge and develop management plans for little owl conservation, and every new advance has been shared among all of us, owl researchers and owl friends, at regular international meetings.The Fifth Symposium gave continuity to the series of previous meetings held in France, England and Belgium. The most recent meeting was held in Herzele, Flanders, and the highlight was the presentation of the latest little owl monograph (Van Nieuwenhuyse et al., 2008). This meeting demonstrated the need to promote future gatherings of researchers. This year´s symposium therefore aimed to serve a dual purpose. On one hand, it was a call to stimulate studies of the species from consolidated groups from central and northern Europe, and on the other, it aimed to promote the less known initiatives from southern European countries where there is less tradition in the study of little owl. Researchers from Poland, The Netherlands, England, France, Belgium, Canada and Spain attended the call and offered 14 presentations to an audience of 60 little owl enthusiasts. It was an opportunity to catch up with recently completed studies as well as ongoing projects. Topics ranged from population studies and citizen science to the use of technology in tracking owl movements, measuring the effectiveness of broadcast surveys and reviewing results from rehabilitation centers. This issue of the journal includes five peer reviewed papers from among these presentations, and others are expected in future publications. The recent publication of an owl conservation book in Catalonia (Baucells, 2010) favoured this symposium being held in Vic, and the support of several sponsors contributed greatly to the meeting becoming a reality. We are extremely thankful to the Departament de Medi Ambient de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Grup Naturalista d’Osona, Institut Català d’Ornitologia (ICO), Patronat d’Estudis Osonencs, Escola Sant Miquel, Grup d’Anellament Calldetenes Osona (GACO), Caty Lorton, and last but not least to the Institut de Cultura: Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona for their readiness to publish the papers presented at the Fifth Symposium.As the organizing committee, we hope that these proceedings provide a valuable step towards advancing our knowledge of the little owl and contribute to its conservation. References Baucells, J., 2010. Els rapinyaires nocturns de Catalunya. Biologia, gestió i conservación de les vuit espècies de rapinyaires nocturns catalans i els seus hàbitats. I. G. Sta. Eulàlia–Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana, Barcelona.Van Nieuwenhuyse, D., Génot, J.–C. & Johnson, D. H., 2008. The little owl: conservation, ecology and behavior of Athene noctua. Cambridge University Press, U.K.

Interntional Little Owl Symposium --- Vic --- Catalonia --- Sapin

Migration and dispersal are important ecological and evolutionary processes and understanding them is a requirement for species conservation efforts. Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia, the North American equivalent of little owl, A. noctua, is migratory in the northern parts of its range. In Canada their populations have declined dramatically and are classified as endangered. Movements of burrowing owls have been studied using banding (ringing), VHF telemetry, stable isotopes, genetics (DNA), geolocators and satellite transmitters. Geolocators and satellite transmitters provide the most reliable information about migrations but to operate successfully they are both dependent upon exposure to sunlight, which can be limited for nocturnal owls. Ringing encounters and winter influxes of little owls into Spain, including the Balearic Islands, indicate that some migration movement may be occurring. A stable isotope study could determine if wintering owls in southern Europe includes owls originating in northern Europe

Athene --- Movements --- Migration --- Dispersal --- Techniques

To test the efficiency of playback methods to survey little owl (Athene noctua) populations we carried out two studies: (1) we recorded the replies of radio–tagged little owls to calls in a small area; (2) we recorded call broadcasts to estimate the effectiveness of the method to detect the presence of little owl. In the first study, we detected an average of 8.12 owls in the 30' survey period, a number that is close to the real population; we also detected significant little owl movements from the initial location (before the playback) to the next locations during the survey period. However, we only detected an average of 2.25 and 5.37 little owls in the first 5' and 10', respectively, of the survey time. In the second study, we detected 137 little owl territories in 105 positive sample units. The occupation rate was 0.35, the estimated occupancy was 0.393, and the probability of detection was 0.439. The estimated cumulative probability of detection suggests that a minimum of four sampling times would be needed in an extensive survey to detect 95% of the areas occupied by little owls.

Little owl --- Survey methods --- Presence Program --- Detection efficiency --- Vocal activity