Institutional Repository of Nature Research Centre
Not a member yet
1487 research outputs found
Sort by
Enhancing in situ conservation of crop wild relatives for food and agriculture in Lithuania /
No full textThe crop and crop wild relative (CWR) checklist of Lithuania was created containing 2630 taxa. The checklist comprises 1384 native taxa including archaeophytes and 1246 neophytes. In total, 699 taxa (26.6%) are defined for food and forage use. A list of 144 CWR priority species with 135 native species and archaeophytes and 9 naturalized species was generated. In total, 53 genera of food and forage species belonging to 15 families are represented by the priority CWR. Two approaches for CWR genetic reserve selection have been employed in this study: (1) CWR-targeted evaluation of preselected sites, including Natura 2000 sites, national protected areas, and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), such as ancient hillfort sites and ecological protection zones of water bodies; (2) analysis of large georeferenced plant databases. Forty-five potential genetic reserve sites have been selected by the first approach covering 83 species or 57.6% of the national CWR priority list. With the second approach, the in situ CWR National Inventory database has been created by combining data from the Database of EU habitat mapping in Lithuania (BIGIS), Herbarium Database of the Nature Research Centre (BILAS), Lithuanian Vegetation Database (EU-LT-001), and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Hotspot analysis of CWR species richness and number of observations suggested that higher CWR diversity is more likely to be found in protected areas. However, Shannon diversity and Shannon equitability indices showed that the areas outside of the protected areas are also suitable for CWR genetic reserve establishment
The population of the Glacial relict Betula nana surviving anthropogenic pressure (the case of Šepeta peatland in Northeastern Lithuania) /
No full textThe main objective of the study was to evaluate the population characteristics of Betula nana under different anthropogenic influences. The study was conducted in the vicinity of the exploited Šepeta peatland (northeastern Lithuania). The population status of B. nana was determined by comparing the ramet density and morphology (height, branching, and leaf size), the age structure, the number of generative ramets, and their flowering characteristics in four study areas at different distances from the exploited peatlands and in different habitats. Around 20 environmental factors were included in the analysis, covering water levels, peat, and vegetation characteristics. Shading, drainage and increased amounts of nitrogen in the habitats are the main factors contributing to the differences and structure of B. nana cenopopulations. Although taller ramets with larger leaves are observed under the changed conditions as an adaptation to shading, the negative anthropogenic effects in the most affected habitats are reflected in a reduction in the number of flowering ramets, lower vegetative regeneration, and an increase in the number of dead twigs on mature ramets
Parasites diversity, abundance, prevalence, and richness infecting Didelphis aurita (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) in the Atlantic rainforest, Brazil /
No full textParasites are key players in ecosystems, influencing population sizes and food webs, yet the impact of environmental factors on their diversity is not well understood. The Atlantic rainforest in Brazil, particularly the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI), exemplifies a biodiversity hotspot facing significant deforestation, housing diverse animal species such as the synanthropic Brazilian common opossum (Didelphis aurita), which serves as a reservoir for multiple zoonotic pathogens. In this study, we investigated parasite diversity, abundance, prevalence, and richness in free-living D. aurita in the PEFI, São Paulo, Brazil. From January 2015 to January 2017, 101 fecal samples of D. aurita were collected in two areas of PEFI, at the Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais (IPA) and the Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia (Cientec), and analyzed using three different parasitological methods. In total, 99% of the samples were positive for at least one parasite. The most prevalent parasite belonged to the order Strongylida (82%), followed by Cruzia sp. (77%), the latter having a significantly higher prevalence at IPA. In contrast, Acanthocephala showed greater prevalence at Cientec. Co-infections were common, with some individuals harboring up to seven different parasites. Our findings reveal significant parasite diversity in the D. aurita population at PEFI, including both helminths and protozoan trophozoites, some of which are reported for the first time in this host species. Further research is essential for accurate species identification of the observed parasites
Description and circadian rhythms of Chandlerella sinensis Li, 1933 (Nematoda; Onchocercidae), with remarks of microfilariae effects on the host health /
No full textDuring investigation of common linnet (Linaria cannabina) blood using the buffy coat method one bird with microfilariae in the blood was found. The morphometric description of adult worms corresponded to the Chandlerella sinensis. This species was found for the first time in common linnets. DNA sequences of cox1 and 28S gene fragments of adult worm recovered during necropsy was identical to that from the microfilariae in the bird blood. Phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 gene fragment clustered this parasite with Chandlerella quiscali. Histological examination revealed the presence of microfilariae in the lumen of small capillaries and other blood vessels in different organs, but no inflammations were notice. The greatest number of microfilariae was in the lungs. Even if there was no inflammation, but vessels associated with the lungs were markedly distended with blood, parabronchial walls were thickened and, in some cases, almost completely obstructing the lumen. The large number of microfilariae in lungs indicates possible disturbance of gas exchange in the lungs adversely affected the ability of the bird to exercise and made breathing difficult at rest. The investigation of circadian rhythm of the microfilariae showed that C. sinensis microfilariae in blood of common linnet were more numerous at night and morning and less numerous at midday. The survival rate of mosquitoes infected with C. sinensis microfilariae was significantly lower than that of uninfected mosquitoes
Four new Afrotropic Hapsimachogonia (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae, Argudini) /
No full textFour new species of the genus Hapsimachogonia Prozorov & Zolotuhin, 2016 are described: 1) Hapsimachogonia graham sp. n. from Uganda; 2) Hapsimachogonia margit sp. n. from Angola and Namibia; 3) Hapsimachogonia max sp. n. from West African Sahel; and 4) Hapsimachogonia michael sp. n. predominantly occurring in West African forests but also recorded in a few locations northwards in the Sahel. Hapsimachogonia cavuata Prozorov & Zolotuhin, 2016 is recorded for the first time in the Central African Republic. Adults of both sexes, their genitalia, map with collecting localities, and phylogenetic tree with p-distances are analyzed and illustrated
Striped field mouse invading human-modified environments of Lithuania during last five decades /
No full textThe striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) is expanding in several European countries, but the details of this process are not always documented due to a lack of long-term studies. We conducted an analysis of changes in relative abundances and proportions of A. agrarius in small mammal communities in nine different habitat groups in Lithuania during 1975–2023. We found an increase in the abundance and proportion of A. agrarius, increasing synanthropization of the species, and tolerance to anthropogenization of habitats. Temporal variations in the relative abundance and proportion of species were observed, with lower values in February–July and higher values in September–January. The main finding is a remarkable increase in species presence in the country after the 1990s, with a peak observed in the 2010s–2020s, confirmed by eight local studies. During these decades, it was the third most abundant species, representing 19.8–20.0% of the individuals caught. It is also important to note that A. agrarius has recently been most abundant in commensal habitats (0.029 ± 0.006 individuals/trap day), with the highest species proportion in agricultural areas (24.8 ± 1.8%). There are many indications that the expansion of A. agrarius in Lithuania is becoming invasive
Nested patterns of commensals and endosymbionts in microbial communities of mosquito vectors /
No full textBackground: Mosquitoes serve as vectors for numerous pathogens, posing significant health risks to humans and animals. Understanding the complex interactions within mosquito microbiota is crucial for deciphering vector-pathogen dynamics and developing effective disease management strategies. Here, we investigated the nested patterns of Wolbachia endosymbionts and Escherichia-Shigella within the microbiota of laboratory-reared Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. We hypothesized that Wolbachia would exhibit a structured pattern reflective of its co-evolved relationship with both mosquito species, while Escherichia-Shigella would display a more dynamic pattern influenced by environmental factors. Results: Our analysis revealed different microbial compositions between the two mosquito species, although some microorganisms were common to both. Network analysis revealed distinct community structures and interaction patterns for these bacteria in the microbiota of each mosquito species. Escherichia-Shigella appeared prominently within major network modules in both mosquito species, particularly in module P4 of Cx. pipiens f. molestus, interacting with 93 nodes, and in module Q3 of Cx. quinquefasciatus, interacting with 161 nodes, sharing 55 nodes across both species. On the other hand, Wolbachia appeared in disparate modules: module P3 in Cx. pipiens f. molestus and a distinct module with a single additional taxon in Cx. quinquefasciatus, showing species-specific interactions and no shared taxa. Through computer simulations, we evaluated how the removal of Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella affects network robustness. In Cx. pipiens f. molestus, removal of Wolbachia led to a decrease in network connectivity, while Escherichia-Shigella removal had a minimal impact. Conversely, in Cx. quinquefasciatus, removal of Escherichia-Shigella resulted in decreased network stability, whereas Wolbachia removal had minimal effect. Conclusions: Contrary to our hypothesis, the findings indicate that Wolbachia displays a more dynamic pattern of associations within the microbiota of Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, than Escherichia-Shigella. The differential effects on network robustness upon Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella removal suggest that these bacteria play distinct roles in maintaining community stability within the microbiota of the two mosquito species
Integrative review of Xylomoia strix, X. retinax and X. stangelmaieri (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Xyleninae, Apameini) /
No full textThe relationship of Xylomoia strix Mikkola, 1980; Xylomoia retinax Mikkola, 1998; and Xylomoia stangelmaieri Mikkola, 1998 is reconsidered based on 59 genitalia slides (37 males and 22 females) and 40 barcodes of adults collected from the type localities and areas in-between. Due to lack of stable morphologic differences, apart from the wing coloration of X. retinax, and low genetic distance between the three, they are considered as three subspecies of X. strix: the nominotypical one X. strix stangelmaieri stat. nov. and X. strix retinax stat. nov. Included are photographs of all specimens covering 37 adults, and 28 male and 18 female genitalia, as well as a phylogenetic tree and a map showing collecting localities
Historical overview of the Šepeta raised bog investigations in the first half of the 20th century.
No full textUntil the Second World War, the Šepeta peatland was basically known as a 1,398.9-ha raised bog located in the northeastern part of Lithuania. However, since 1939, it has been exploited for peat extraction. At present, the entire bog massif is destroyed, and the only extant elements of its former landscape are the forests that previously surrounded the bog. T hus, the information about the natural world of the former Šepeta bog can be retrieved only from the published sources available. It was before the beginning of the 20th century already that the Šepeta mire was mentioned in several geographic directories. In 1921, the naturalist T. Ivanauskas undertook an endeavour to designate the Šepeta mire as a nature reserve. At the beginning of the 20th century, studies of the mire vegetation were conducted by both Lithuanian and Polish scientists (A. Minkevičius, K. Regelis, H. Wojtusiakowa). A comprehensive survey of the bog was carried out in 1940, and, based on the research material collected, there was a monograph prepared and published in the same year. In this paper, the historical overview of the Šepeta bog research is presented in the context of historical circumstances as well as economic and scientific potential of the country at that time