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Variability in pine pitch canker susceptibility among Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) provenances in Eastern Europe /
No full textPine pitch canker, caused by the ascomycete Fusarium circinatum, poses a substantial threat to pine trees and Douglas firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and has been identified as a pervasive issue in forests and nurseries worldwide, particularly in regions where susceptible conifers are cultivated. Given its prevalence in the Iberian Peninsula, assessments of the susceptibility of diverse European provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)—specifically those from Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine-have been conducted. Preliminary evaluations of Polish provenances have raised concerns about the potential threat to Scots pine stands in Poland posed by pitch canker. Under controlled conditions, we examined the impact of F. circinatum inoculation on the survival of seeds and seedlings from ten provenances of Scots pine. In response, the initial assessment of F. circinatum pathogenicity was undertaken in a controlled greenhouse environment. This evaluation uncovered a heightened susceptibility of pine seedlings to pitch canker among the tested provenances. Notably, one Lithuanian provenance demonstrated superior resistance to pitch canker, while two Polish provenances exhibited a higher prevalence of symptomless seedlings. These findings underscore the need for further exploration and identification of resilient individuals within these provenances, offering valuable insights for developing strategies to mitigate the impact of pitch canker on Scots pine in Europe
Differential symptomology, susceptibility, and titer dynamics manifested by phytoplasma-infected periwinkle and tomato plants /
No full textPhytoplasmas are intracellular pathogenic bacteria that infect a wide range of plant species, including agriculturally important crops and ornamental trees. However, our understanding of the relationship between symptom severity, disease progression, and phytoplasma concentration remains limited due to the inability to inoculate phytoplasmas mechanically into new plant hosts. The present study investigated phytoplasma titer dynamics and symptom development in periwinkle and tomato, both infected with the same potato purple top (PPT) phytoplasma strain using a small seedling grafting approach. Virescence, phyllody, and witches’-broom (WB) symptoms sequentially developed in periwinkle, while in tomato plants, big bud (BB, a form of phyllody), cauliflower-like inflorescence (CLI), and WB appeared in order. Results from quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting the PPT phytoplasma’s 16S rRNA gene revealed that in both host species, phytoplasma titers differed significantly at different infection stages. Notably, the highest phytoplasma concentration in periwinkles was observed in samples displaying phyllody symptoms, whereas in tomatoes, the titer peaked at the BB stage. Western blot analysis, utilizing an antibody specific to PPT phytoplasma, confirmed substantial phytoplasma presence in samples displaying phyllody and BB symptoms, consistent with the qPCR results. These findings challenge the conventional understanding that phytoplasma infection dynamics result in a higher titer at later stages, such as WB (excessive vegetative growth), rather than in the early stage, such as phyllody (abnormal reproductive growth). Furthermore, the PPT phytoplasma titer was markedly higher in periwinkles than in tomato plants, indicating differing susceptibilities between the hosts. This study reveals distinct host responses to PPT phytoplasma infection, providing valuable insights into phytoplasma titer dynamics and symptom development, with implications for the future management of agricultural disease
Preparation and characterization of handsheet using cellulose based agri-weed: a sustainable utilization of Urena lobata fiber /
No full textThe increasing depletion of reserves of natural resources has led to a growing worldwide focus on the exploitation of available waste in new domains. The presence of weedy plants is pervasive on a global scale and has detrimental effects on several aspects of the environment, agriculture, and people's health. Therefore, repurposing these Agri-weed plants for beneficial purposes would be a significant achievement. Furthermore, since raw materials constitute a substantial portion of manufacturing costs, using weeds as a feasible substitute for raw materials might potentially provide considerable advantages for manufacturers. In this study, an endeavor has been made to the utilization of agricultural waste “Urena Lobata”, for the purpose of paper production. In the interim, the utilization of Urena Lobata as an alternative and sustainable raw material for pulp and paper industry could potentially offer a beneficial approach to mitigation of deforestation. The effective production of handsheets with weights of 70 g/m2 and 80 g/m2 was achieved using Urena Lobata fiber, Bleached Urena Lobata Fiber, and hardwood kraft pulp. Mechanical characteristics of handsheet's were comprehensively examined by the bursting index, tensile strength, tear index, brightness percentage and scanning electron microscope for handsheet's morphology. The results show that the handsheets produced by Urena Lobata fiber exhibit a much lower brightness percentage, high tensile strength and bursting index. Alongside, handsheets by bleached Urena Lobata fiber indicate higher brightness percentage, satisfactory values for tensile strength, bursting index, and tear index. The prepared materials are suitable for a broad spectrum of prospective applications, encompassing newsprint, tissue paper, filtration paper as well as high-quality writing and printing paper
Novel insights into the genetics, morphology, distribution and hosts of the global fish parasitic digenean Proctoeces maculatus (Looss, 1901) (Digenea: Fellodistomidae) – CORRIGENDUM /
No full textIn the original publication, the affiliation for Mohamed A. Habib “Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University of Science & Technology, Abu Dhabi 27788, UAE” should be obsolete. The correct affiliations are as follows: Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; K.A. CARE Energy Research & Innovation Center at Dhahran, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Two new sister species of Gastroplakaeis: G. lidia and G. alena (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae, Selenepherini) /
No full textTwo new peculiar Gastroplakaeis Möschler, 1887 are described: Gastroplakaeis lidia sp. n. from Ivory Coast and Gastroplakaeis alena sp. n. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Both are similar in appearance but separated by the Dahomey Gap. Adults of both sexes and their genitalia are figured
Carassius gibelio hematologinių ir biocheminių streso biožymenų bei fiziologinių rodiklių įvertinimas Kuršių marių pakrantės zonose.
No full textThis study aimed to assess the health status of Carassius gibelio, a comparatively tolerant fish species, in the largest coastal lagoon in Europe – the Curonian Lagoon. Haematocrit and glucose levels were evaluated as reliable biomarkers of stress responses in fish. Additionally, non-specific physiological biomarkers, including hepatosomatic index and condition factor, were utilized to assess the environmental quality of the Curonian Lagoon. Fish samples were collected from two sites: the southern part of Klaipėda port, known as Kiaulės Nugara Island, and the central part of the Curonian Lagoon near Ventė Cape. Based on the multi-biomarker responses of C. gibelio, differences were observed between the two sampling sites, but not statistically significant. Consequently, C. gibelio cannot be recommended as a suitable bioindicator of environmental pollution and is not recommended for biomonitoring surveys of the Curonian Lagoon
Low variability of authigenic 10Be/9Be across the Holocene Po plain parasequences reveals suitability of dating method for highstand deltaic deposits /
No full textThe authigenic 10Be/9Be dating method presents a valuable tool for reconstructing depositional chronologies in sedimentary environments, requiring only ubiquitous mud for sampling. Nevertheless, studies elucidating the variability of the 10Be/9Be record preserved in epicontinental successions are lacking, despite the essential nature of such knowledge for the application of authigenic 10Be/9Be in geochronology. In this study, we investigate the variability of measured natural 10Be/9Be ratios in sediment cores recovered from the Holocene Po River delta plain in Northern Italy, aiming to unveil the influence of changing sedimentary environments and provenance on the beryllium isotopic signature. We identified significant variations in the authigenic 10Be/9Be ratios across parasequences, which correlates with a provenance change from the Eastern Alps to the Po River. The observed variation would cause an age offset of ∼1 Myr if unrecognized in a dated succession. Our analysis revealed consistent ratios between the delta plain (primarily represented by swamp) and delta front consisting of proximal prodelta facies, suggesting a prevalent riverine signature in the proximal prodelta, likely maintained by hyperpycnal flow deposition. Statistical assessments based on random sampling and bootstrapping highlighted the importance of a sample size of n > 10. Furthermore, a standard deviation of the observed variability indicates a necessity of an additional 9% uncertainty in authigenic 10Be/9Be dating studies if the sample size is smaller. Overall, our findings emphasize that the normal regressive highstand settings of a deltaic system maintain relatively stable beryllium isotopic fluxes, which are favourable for the authigenic 10Be/9Be dating application, if provenance changes are known
Holocene environmental changes inferred from palaeobotanical data of Curonian Lagoon sediments /
No full textEnvironmental development and water level changes in the south-western part of the Curonian Lagoon are reconstructed based on the results of bottom sediment investigations, including data on lithology, diatoms, pollen, and radiocarbon dating. Three stages have been identified in the ~ 10000-year history of the lagoon’s development. The diatoms suggest that in the Early Holocene, the southern part of the Curonian Lagoon was a shallow freshwater basin, mainly fed by run-off from the continent. During the Middle Holocene, the study area was a marshy coastal zone. Due to a change in hydrological conditions at the beginning of the Late Holocene, it became an open-water part of the lagoon
Habitat and body condition of small mammals in a country at mid-latitude /
No full textThe relationship between the body condition of different small mammal species and the habitat they occupy is poorly analyzed. We analyzed the body condition index, BCI, of 18 small mammal species trapped in forest, shrub, wetland, meadow, riparian, mixed and fragmented, disturbed, agricultural, and commensal habitats of Lithuania during the span of 1980–2023. The composition of small mammal communities was habitat-dependent, being richest in meadows, with eighteen species, and poorest in riparian habitats, with nine species. A significant variation in the BCI with respect to habitat was observed in eight small mammal species (Sorex araneus, S. minutus, Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, Clethrionomys glareolus, Alexandromys oeconomus, Microtus agrestis, and M. arvalis). The highest average BCI for most of these species was found in disturbed habitats, with S. minutus and M. arvalis showing the highest BCI in agricultural habitats. The lowest average BCI for most species was found in mixed habitats, while C. glareolus and M. arvalis exhibited the lowest BCI in shrub habitats. In general, species dominating certain habitats did not have the highest BCI. This is the first multi-species, multi-habitat study of body condition in small mammals at mid-latitudes
Unexpected absence of exo-erythrocytic merogony during high gametocytaemia in two species of Haemoproteus (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae), including description of Haemoproteus angustus n. sp. (lineage hCWT7) and a report of previously unknown residual bodies during in vitro gametogenesis /
No full textNeglected avian blood parasites of the genus Haemoproteus (Haemoproteidae) have recently attracted attention due to the application of molecular diagnostic tools, which unravelled remarkable diversity of their exo-erythrocytic (or tissue) stages both regarding morphology and organ tropism levels. The development of haemoproteids might result in pathologies of internal organs, however the exo-erythrocytic development (EED) of most Haemoproteus species remains unknown. Seven individual birds - Curruca communis (1) and Phylloscopus trochilus (6) – with high gametocytaemia (between 1% and 24%) of Haemoproteus angustus n. sp. (hCWT7) and Haemoproteus palloris (lineage hWW1) were sampled in Lithuania, and their internal organs were examined extensively by parallel application of histology and chromogenic in situ hybridization methods. Tissue stages were apparently absent, suggesting that the parasitaemia was not accompanied by detectable tissue merogony. Haemoproteus angustus n. sp. was described and characterized morphologically and molecularly. Sexual process and ookinete development of the new species readily occurred in vitro, and a unique character for Haemoproteus parasites was discovered – the obligatory development of several tiny residual bodies, which were associated with intracellular transformation of both macrogametocytes and microgametocytes before their escape from the host cells and formation of gametes. A DNA haplotype network was constructed with lineages that cluster in one clade with the lineage hCWT7. This clade consists of lineages mostly found in Curruca birds, indicating specificity for birds of this genus. The lineage hCWT7 is mainly a parasite of C. communis. Most reports of this lineage came from Turkey, with only a few records in Europe, mostly in birds wintering in Africa where transmission probably occurs. This study highlights unexpected difficulties in the research of EED even when using sensitive molecular diagnostic tools and extends information about transformation in early stages of gametogenesis in haemosporidian parasites