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Prevalence and local transmission of haemosporidian (Haemosporida) parasites in nestlings of birds of prey (Aves, Accipitriformes) in the temperate forests in Lithuania /
No full textWild birds of prey (Accipitriformes) are infected with haemosporidian (Haemosporida) parasites worldwide, and it is known that these parasites can negatively affect their health. These birds are less studied due to their low densities in ecosystems, conservation status, and difficulty of accessing them in the wild. Therefore, in this study, we focused on nestlings of birds of prey that are accessible in their nests during late breeding stages in temperate forests in Lithuania. Investigating haemosporidian parasites in nestlings is crucial for understanding local parasite transmission. To identify the haemosporidian parasite species transmitted in Lithuania, we sampled nestlings of the white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla), lesser spotted eagles (Clanga pomarina), and common buzzards (Buteo buteo) in 2019–2022. Blood samples were collected from the nestlings, and molecular methods were employed to sequence a fragment of the parasite's cytochrome b (cyt b) gene using specific primers (Plas1F/HaemNR3 and 3760F/HaemJR4). In addition to molecular techniques, microscopy was used to examine blood smears for the presence of parasites. Our results revealed that nestlings of birds of prey were infected only with Leucocytozoon spp., with an overall prevalence of 30.5%. The prevalence was similar between years, but it was significantly species-dependent. The common buzzard nestlings had the highest prevalence (80%), followed by the lesser spotted eagle (29.2%) and the white-tailed eagle (13.2%). A total of nine genetic lineages were identified, with five of them being novel. Our study demonstrates that Leucocytozoon parasites are actively transmitted to nestlings of birds of prey in Lithuania, with a high prevalence
Toxicity and sublethal effect of Chlorantraniliprole on multiple generations of Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) /
No full textMosquitoes are vectors of various diseases in humans. Due to the quick development of insecticide resistance, it is crucial to optimize management programs by understanding the sublethal effects of effective insecticides like chlorantraniliprole on Aedes aegypti L. populations. For this purpose, a population of Ae. aegypti was reared in the laboratory for 15 generations then exposed to chlorantraniliprole and sublethal effects were studied on F1 and F2 generations. The following life history parameters were decreased significantly in exposed F1 and F2 generations compared to the control: larval duration, male longevity, female longevity, and oviposition days. The adult preoviposition and total preoviposition period did not differ significantly. The fecundity of Ae. aegypti in F1 generation decreased from 61 eggs/female in the control to 34 eggs/female in LC50. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that sublethal doses of chlorantraniliprole have significant transgenerational effects on Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. The cautious usage of chlorantraniliprole is recommended for the effective management of mosquitoes and to lessen long-term influence on human health and the environment
Cephalanthera longifolia and Cephalanthera rubra (Orchidaceae) in Lithuania. Analysis of distribution, population dynamics and conservation issues /
No full textAccurate assessment of conservation strategy and management actions for threatened plant species requires comprehensive quantitative information on population status and trends. This study aimed to analyse, evaluate and summarise all available information on Cephalanthera longifolia and Cephalanthera rubra in Lithuania. All known literature sources, published from the end of the 18th century to the present, mentioning species of the genus Cephalanthera in the present and historical territory of Lithuania were analysed, and herbarium specimens were examined. Data on the area occupied by populations of Cephalanthera longifolia and Cephalanthera rubra were collected during field surveys in 2021–2024. The number of localities of Cephalanthera longifolia in Lithuania has increased during the last two decades, and it was estimated that they occupy a total of 22.98 ha. Currently, there are four localities of Cephalanthera rubra in Lithuania, whose status and size are regularly assessed, occupying a total of 2.10 ha. Most localities of Cephalanthera rubra occur in protected areas, while almost half of the localities of Cephalanthera longifolia occur outside protected areas. Two case studies showed that Cephalanthera longifolia can colonise abandoned arable land and thrive in early successional tree stands and tree plantations. Objective knowledge of rare species populations is necessary for decision-makers to design an effective conservation system and implement the measures required for their protection
Prisitaikymas ir atsparumas: žemdirbystės praktikos Lietuvoje romėniškuoju laikotarpiu.
No full textThis paper integrates archaeological, environmental and isotopic data from Roman Iron Age (1–400 AD) settlements in Lithuania to present an updated framework for understanding the development of farming and agricultural landscapes during this period. The study dates the introduction of new crop species, such as rye and oats, to around 100–200 cal AD. Notably, rye quickly became one of the most economically important crops, coinciding with the adoption of the infield-outfield cultivation system. This system combined intensively farmed fields in open, well-irrigated areas near settlements with more distant swiddens used for extensive farming. Archaeobotanical analysis, along with δ15N and δ13C isotopic measurements of charred crop assemblages, reveals a high level of diversification in both species composition and cultivation strategies. These findings suggest that Roman Iron Age farmers employed complex farming methods aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and expansion while maintaining adaptability and resilience in response to environmental challenges
The lost vegetation complexes of the Šepeta mire.
No full textThe paper focuses on the current state of the Šepeta mire vegetation complexes and changes it has undergone compared to the 1940 survey data reported in the monograph. Changes in the Šepeta mire vegetation were evaluated using the descriptions of plant communities and the vegetation map authored by K. Brundza as reference points. Based on these historical sources, plant communities of the mire were grouped according to its acidity zones as follows: meso-acidic, acidic) and the hyper-acidic one, which, being the largest, included plant communities of bog margins and slopes, quaking areas with numerous pools and complexes of hollows and flarks. As a result of the peat mining carried out in the Šepeta peatland, almost all vegetation complexes typical of the hyper-acidic zone have been destroyed. The relatively natural bog, still extant amidst the exploited peat f ields, has undergone extensive changes: it is getting overgrown with pine trees, its former area of pools has shrunk. Although not destroyed by peat mining directly, mire margin communities of plants have also changed significantly. Almost everywhere, the former diversity of mire plant communities has been replaced by pine forests with Rhododendron tomentosum
Stratigraphy of Late Mid-Pleistocene in Lithuania: the current status and issues /
No full textThe principal aim of this paper is to present a critical overview of the stratigraphical subdivision and correlation of the Late Mid-Pleistocene (LMP) sediments in Lithuania. In recent decades, a number of studies of LMP sediments have been carried out, allowing clarification of the stratigraphical position of individual sedimentary sections. Particular efforts have been made to determine the age of sediments using a variety of absolute age determination methods. However, there are still several outstanding questions. It is still unclear how many warm periods occurred during the Saalian in Lithuania and of what magnitude. The least problematic issue is identification of the Butėnai (Holsteinian) Interglacial as it correlates well biostratigraphically with the contemporaneous sections of adjacent areas. The most controversial unit is the Snaigupėlė Interglacial, the age of which continues to be a subject of debate. Recently, more evidence has emerged that the sediments considered to be of the Snaigupėlė Interglacial are contemporaneous with the Merkinė (Eemian) Interglacial. The chronological placement of these sediments closely hinges on the unresolved stratigraphical classification of the Medininkai deposits (MIS 6 or MIS 8?) and the Žemaitija tills (MIS 8 or MIS 10?). The debate is centred on whether these two tills were formed during two entirely different glaciations or represent different phases of a single major glaciation event. Traditionally, these two tills were attributed to distinct glaciation events separated by the Snaigupėlė Interglacial. However, no sedimentary sections have been discovered that contain both these tills and the interglacial sediments that separate them. Given the similar lithological, geochemical and petrographic composition of the Medininkai and Žemaitija tills some research has supported their possible stadial rank. The clarification of these stratigraphical issues in the future may be facilitated by the application of new proxies and re-examination of the existing LMP key sections
Vertical distribution of Culicoides biting midges in temperate forests /
No full textCulicoides biting midges are small dipterous insects known as biological vectors of arboviruses, protozoa, and filaria parasites worldwide. Many studies on Culicoides focus on trapping them at ground level, without considering the best trap heights for different vector species. This implies that we might overlook insects positioned higher in the canopy. From June to August, we used UV traps to catch Culicoides biting midges at three different heights in three temperate mature forest areas in east Lithuania, Baltic region of Europe. We conducted this study to test the differences in midge numbers, male and female proportions, and female parity at each height. We caught the majority of biting midges (80.6%) at the mid-canopy and high-canopy. A higher number of female Culicoides midges than males was caught, with the proportion of males varying based on height and reaching its lowest point at ground level. No significant difference between the proportion of nulliparous and parous females caught at different height was detected. Culicoides pictipennis and C. festivipennis were the most common species of biting midge we found. They were found in the mid-canopy (86.8%) and the high-canopy (50.0%), respectively. Culicoides kibunensis was next, found at ground level (66.2%), and C. punctatus was found at the high canopy strata (63.0%). Each species’ abundance was seasonal dependent. Information on the vertical distribution of vector species in the temperate forest ecosystem is an important step in understanding patterns of vector borne disease transmission in wildlife
Lemonia huerrem – a new species from Turkey (Lepidoptera, Brahmaeidae) /
No full textA new species, Lemonia huerrem sp. n. is described from the Bitlis and Hakkâri provinces in Turkey. It is compared with its closely related species, Lemonia tamara Antoshin & Zolotuhin, 2013 from Iran and Lemonia ponticus Aurivillius, 1894 from Armenia and Turkey. Adult males, their genitalia, results of the phylogenic analysis and map with the collecting sites are illustrated
Endeminės genties Dishkeya (Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae) atradimas Hondūre: kokias unikalias morfologijos ir biologijos ypatybes atskleidė D. gouaniae tyrimai.
No full textThis publication records the endemic genus Dishkeya Stonis in Honduras and, for the first time, documents the female genitalia and leaf mines of D. gouaniae (Stonis & Diškus). Additionally, it provides the first barcodes and molecular considerations regarding the genus Dishkeya. The article is illustrated with 34 figures, including photographs of male and female genitalia, leaf mines, exuviae, and a molecular tree based on mtDNA COI sequences
Molecular detection of Babesia vesperuginis in bats from Lithuania /
No full textBabesia vesperuginis is an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite that circulates among bats and ticks in many countries worldwide. However, the distribution of B. vesperuginis in the Baltic region has not been studied. A total of 86 dead bats from eight different species were collected and screened for Babesia spp. using real-time PCR. Overall, 52.3% (45/86) of the bats were found positive for Babesia spp. The prevalence of Babesia spp. in different organs varied, with the highest prevalence observed in heart tissues (37.0%) and the lowest in liver tissues (22.2%). However, the observed differences in prevalence among organs were not statistically significant. Blood samples from 125 bats of nine different species were also analyzed for Babesia spp. prevalence using real-time PCR and nested PCR. The results showed a prevalence of 35.2% and 22.4%, respectively. Moreover, 28.3% (17/60) of the examined blood samples were confirmed positive for Babesia spp. through blood smear analysis. The total of 32 partial sequences of the 18S rRNA gene derived in this study were 100% identical to B. vesperuginis sequences from GenBank. In eight species of bats, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Vespertilio murinus, Eptesicus nilssonii, Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis daubentonii and Nyctalus noctula, Babesia parasites were identified. In E. nilssonii, Babesia spp. was identified for the first time