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Nesting biology of Mimumesa littoralis (Bondroit, 1934) (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) in Poland /
No full textThe biology of Mimumesa littoralis was studied on sandy soil (Sierakowo) and wasteland with hard substrate (Kowalewo Pomorskie) in northern Poland. The study presents information on the bionomics of the rare digger wasp Mimumesa littoralis (Bondroit,1934). Females of Mimumesa littoralis nested both on sandy soil and wasteland with hard substrate. Their nests consisted of 2-3 cells. One cell contained up to 11 prey items belonging to species from five genera: Megadelphax spp., Dicranotropis hamata, Javesella spp., Laodelphax striatella, Javesella pellucida (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), and Streptanus sp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), which had not been previously reported in the literature. The frequency with which the female brought prey to the nest varied from 12 to 21 min. In addition, the kleptoparasite Senotainia conica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) was found in the nest. Adult individuals were observed feeding on the flowers of Pimpinella sp
Insights into the biology of Leucocytozoon species (Haemosporida, Leucocytozoidae): Why is there slow research progress on agents of Leucocytozoonosis? /
No full textBlood parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon (Leucocytozoidae) only inhabit birds and represent a readily distinct evolutionary branch of the haemosporidians (Haemosporida, Apicomplexa). Some species cause pathology and even severe leucocytozoonosis in avian hosts, including poultry. The diversity of Leucocytozoon pathogens is remarkable, with over 1400 genetic lineages detected, most of which, however, have not been identified to the species level. At most, approximately 45 morphologically distinct species of Leucocytozoon have been described, but only a few have associated molecular data. This is unfortunate because basic information about named and morphologically recognized Leucocytozoon species is essential for a better understanding of phylogenetically closely related leucocytozoids that are known only by DNA sequence. Despite much research on haemosporidian parasites during the past 30 years, there has not been much progress in taxonomy, vectors, patterns of transmission, pathogenicity, and other aspects of the biology of these cosmopolitan bird pathogens. This study reviewed the available basic information on avian Leucocytozoon species, with particular attention to some obstacles that prevent progress to better understanding the biology of leucocytozoids. Major gaps in current Leucocytozoon species research are discussed, and possible approaches are suggested to resolve some issues that have limited practical parasitological studies of these pathogens
Genera of Tischeriidae (Lepidoptera): a review of the global fauna, with descriptions of new taxa /
No full textFor the first time, genera of leaf mining Tischeriidae of the global fauna are reviewed and four new genera are described: Coptotrichoides Diškus & Stonis, gen. nov., trophically associated with Sapindaceae from Central and South America; Rytietia Diškus, Xu & Dai, gen. nov., trophically associated with Annonaceae from East and South East Asia; Pafazaria Diškus & Stonis, gen. nov., trophically associated with Fabaceae and Malvaceae from East and South East Asia; and Gnathitischeria Diškus, gen. nov., trophically associated with Malvaceae and Asteraceae from Central America. In addition to the descriptions of new genera, all previously described genera (Coptotriche Walsingham, 1890; Dishkeya Stonis, 2020; Tischeria Zeller, 1839; Manitischeria Diškus & Stonis, 2021; Neotischeria Diškus & Stonis, 2021; Paratischeria Diškus & Stonis, 2017; and Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diškus, 2003) are characterized and a pictorial identification key for all 11 genera is provided. Morphological and biological characteristics of all genera are supplemented with some molecular data. We described 12 new species: South East Asian Coptotriche sapaensis Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov.; Central American Coptotrichoides sapindoidum Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. and Tischeria neokristenseni Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov.; South East Asian Rytietia uncinata Diškus, Xu & Dai, sp. nov., East Asian R. chongyiensis Xu & Dai, sp. nov.; South East Asian Pafazaria capitata Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. and P. faboidica Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov.; Central American Neotischeria antigua Diškus & Remeikis, sp. nov. and N. subantigua Diškus & Remeikis, sp. nov.; South American Astrotischeria incae Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov.; and Central American Gnathitischeria atitlani Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. and G. arcana Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. The taxonomic rank of the East Asian subspecies Tischeria decidua siorkionla Kozlov, 1986 is elevated to species rank: T. siorkionla Kozlov (stat. nov.). The male genitalia of holotypes, paratypes, lectotypes or paralectotypes, or non-type specimens of some little-known species are examined for the first time. We provide the first morphological documentation for the following: Tischeria ceanothi lectotype and paralectotype; T. immaculata (stat. restored) paratype; Coptotrichoides deliquescens (Meyrick) lectotype and paralectotype; lectotypes of Coptotriche aenea (Frey & Boll), Astrotischeria plagifera (Meyrick), A. helianthi (Frey & Boll), and A. ephaptis (Meyrick); Coptotriche berberella (De Prins) paratype; and the first photographic documentation of Tischeria lvoskyi Kozlov holotype. Some non-type specimens deposited at NHMUK, including a few previously neglected species, are also examined and documented, including the American Astrotischeria solidagonifoliella (Clemens) and A. omissa (Braun). Nine new combinations are provided: Coptotrichoides deliquescens (Meyrick, 1915), comb. nov.; C. singularis (Stonis & Diškus) comb. nov.; C. suprafasciata (Diškus & Stonis) comb. nov., C. serjaniphaga (Remeikis & Stonis) comb. nov.; C. braziliensis (Diškus & Stonis) comb. nov.; Pafazaria jingdongensis (Xu & Dai), comb. nov.; Neotischeria explosa (Braun) comb. nov.; N. pallidipennella (Braun) comb. nov.; and Astrotischeria heteroterae (Frey & Boll) comb. nov. The synonymization of Tischeria longeciliata Frey & Boll, 1878 with Astrotischeria helianthi (Frey & Boll, 1878) is confirmed. One new species group, the Tischeria ceanothi group, is established. We also report a new distribution record of T. dodonaea Stainton from the Caucasus, Armenia. Three tables and 569 figures of adult external morphology, male and female genitalia, leaf mines, and cladograms based on molecular characters are provided.
Effects on hematological and morphological parameters in fish after chronic exposure to microplastics /
No full textKuršių nerijos jūros priekrantės sėklių migracijos statmenai kranto ypatumų vertinimas, remiantis palydovinių vaizdų informacija /
No full textCossus ramoni – a new species from northeastern Iran (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Cossinae) /
No full textNew species Cossus ramoni sp. n. is described from northeastern Iran. It is compared with closely distributed Iranian subspecies of Cossus cossus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Cossus afghanistana Daniel, 1953
A new genus and species for Afrotropic Lasiocampinae: Khayapacha danieli (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae) /
No full textA new genus and species Khayapacha gen. n. danieli sp. n. from Kenya are described and compared with closely related Gonotrichidia Berio, 1937 with the type species Gonotrichidia modestissima Berio, 1937 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Henometa Aurivillius, 1927 with the type species Henometa clarki (Aurivillius, 1909) from the Republic of South Africa
Isolation, selection, and use of oil-degrading microorganisms for biological treatment of contaminated soil /
No full textThe intensive use of oil products is one of the most significant problems of environmental pollution. They pollute water, soil, and air. For these reasons, the search for effective methods of oil biodegradation is very important for solving environmental problems. The research aimed to isolate and select oildegrading microorganisms and to investigate their effectiveness in oil-contaminated soil “ex-situ”. Using microorganisms isolated from the contaminated soil, a biopreparation was developed consisting of bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi. Microorganism isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (Bruker, USA). The biopreparation was tested in the soil treatment sites of GVT LT, Ltd (Kiškėnai village, Dovilai eldership, Klaipėda district) in two test variants. The count of microorganisms (CFU/g) in the soil was determined at the beginning of the research, after two weeks and every month thereafter until the end of the cleaning season by serial dilution method in media with 1% of diesel. The content of oil products (g/kg) was determined with the same periodicity according to LST EN ISO 16703. An effective biopreparation for the degradation of oil hydrocarbons has been developed. Within 5 months, it reduced the amount of oil products to 61,7% in variant No. 1 and 58,7% in variant No. 2
Abundance and population structure of small rodents in fruit and berry farms /
No full textFruit and berry farms are anthropogenic habitats still inhabited by small mammals, though their presence is constantly affected by agricultural activities. Based on trapping data from 2018–2022, we analyzed the abundance and population structure of the dominant rodent species to assess changes in gender and age ratios by year and habitat, the annual and seasonal dynamics of relative abundance, and the relationship between breeding parameters and abundance. The relative abundance of the dominant species, common vole, yellow-necked mouse, striped field mouse, and bank vole, and their proportion in the investigated community varied according to year, season, and habitat. No outbreaks were recorded during the study period. The abundance of the striped field mouse exhibited a downward trend independently of habitat, while the abundance and proportions of the other three species were habitat-dependent. There was no consistent pattern between litter size and relative abundance in the same or following years. Given the ongoing conflict between biodiversity conservation in Europe and agriculture, the results contribute to a better understanding of the functioning and viability of rodent populations in fruit farms and may be used in agroecology and sustainable farming
A pan-Baltic assessment of temporal trends in coastal pike populations /
No full textThe northern pike (Esox lucius) is an iconic predatory fish species of significant recreational value and ecological role in the Baltic Sea. Some earlier studies indicate local declines of pike in the region, but a thorough spatial evaluation of regional population trends of pike in the Baltic Sea is lacking. In this study, we collate data from 59 unique time-series from fisheries landings and fishery-independent monitoring programs to address temporal trends in pike populations since the mid-2000′s in eight countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. In a common analysis considering all time-series in concert, we found indications of an overall regional temporal decline of pike in the Baltic Sea, but trends differed among countries. Individual negative trends in time-series were moreover found in several regions of the Baltic Sea, but predominantly so in the central and southern parts, while positive trends were only found in Estonia and northern Finland. The mix of data used in this study is inherently noisy and to some extent of uncertain quality, but as a result of the overall negative trends, together with the socioeconomic and ecological importance of pike in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea, we suggest that actions should be taken to protect and restore pike populations. Management measures should be performed in combination with improved fishery-independent monitoring programs to provide data of better quality and development of citizen-science approaches as a data source for population estimates. Possible measures that could strengthen pike populations include harvest regulations (including size limits, no-take areas and spawning closures), habitat protection and restoration, and an ecosystem-based approach to management considering also the impact of natural predators