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Refining the concept of the enigmatic genus Dishkeya Stonis (Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae) upon discovery of a new species with remarkably branched leaf mines on Gouania Jacq. (Rhamnaceae) from the Amazon Basin /
No full textA global synthesis of naturalised and invasive plants in aquatic habitats /
No full textGlobal databases have contributed to our understanding of alien, naturalised and invasive plant species distributions. Still, the role of species invasions in habitats, specifically in aquatic habitats, remains under-explored at the global scale. Accordingly, a comprehensive global synthesis of the status of plant invasions in aquatic habitats has been missing. Here, we focus on macroecological patterns of naturalised non-invasive and invasive plants in aquatic habitats using the recently built SynHab database. Amongst all the plant records compiled in SynHab, 592 are assigned to aquatic habitats, of which 183 are unique plant taxa (further termed 'species') belonging to 49 families. Of the total number of records, 462 refer to taxa with naturalised non-invasive occurrences and 130 to invasive occurrences. The species pool analysed here refers to 78 regions distributed across all botanical continents as defined by the World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions. The number of naturalised non-invasive aquatic species is similar across different continents and biomes, but Tropical Asia had more and the Mediterranean zonobiome had fewer invasive species than expected. Tropical Asia, Temperate Asia and Africa have the highest proportions of naturalised species that have become invasive, while across continents, invasive proportions were highest for tropical and subtropical zonobiomes. New Zealand, Italy and California contained disproportionately more naturalised species than expected, given the area covered by aquatic habitat in those regions, whereas South Sudan, Papua New Guinea and Kyrgyzstan had disproportionately fewer species. In pairwise dissimilarity comparisons, all continents had distinct species compositions (from 0.73 to 0.92 of the Jaccard dissimilarity index) and so did zonobiomes (0.69 to 1.00). The high proportion of invasive species in Tropical Asia in comparison with terrestrial invasions in this region, indicates a greater susceptibility of warmer regions to aquatic plant invasions. This may be exacerbated by further naturalisations in the future, as data from temperate regions suggest a larger pool of available species
Wildlife-vehicle collision liability in Europe: A review of existing approaches and their implications /
No full textWe present an overview of wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) liability covering 36 European countries. We reviewed approaches to WVC liability which are currently in effect across Europe and their potential consequences for WVC reporting. To obtain relevant information, we conducted a survey, including a web-based questionnaire. We retrieved answers to questions related to human fatalities from WVC, the existence of WVC databases, roadkill data systems and recommendation for drivers in the event of WVC. In 19 countries, no one is liable when a motorized vehicle collides with a wild animal. In the remaining countries, road managers or road owners may be liable as well as drivers or hunters, either consistently or under certain conditions. Liability can, in some countries, be changed after a legal assessment. Human fatalities due to WVCs have been reported in 27 countries, with approximately 90 deaths annually across European roads. The number of injured people and estimates of socio-economic losses were not possible to obtain at a European level as many countries lack reliable databases. We discuss how existing WVC liability across countries provoke some actors to transfer liability to another actor or avoid reporting these incidents altogether. WVC underreporting in certain national databases is one of the consequences of the existing WVC liability rules in the given countries. This fact reduces the potential to identify hotspots and define appropriate mitigation measures. In conclusion, we propose several procedures for modifying WVC liability that could enhance wildlife protection and road safety
Effect of simulated autogamy and allogamy on the success of Cephalanthera longifolia and Cephalanthera rubra (Orchidaceae) fruit set /
No full textDetailed knowledge of reproductive traits and success is essential for the effective conservation of rare and endangered species. It has been reported that Cephalanthera longifolia and C. rubra (Orchidaceae) were abundantly fruiting in some regions several decades ago, but recent studies have shown a low natural fruit set rate for both species. The aim of this study was to experimentally test the fruit set of C. longifolia and C. rubra after simulated self-pollination and cross-pollination, and to investigate the mating system of both species. Simulated self-pollination and cross-pollination experiments were conducted on two populations of C. longifolia and one population of C. rubra in Lithuania in 2022. The results of the experiment showed that the fruit set rate of C. longifolia after simulated cross-pollination was 68.9%, and after simulated self-pollination, it was 70.4%, while in the control group (free pollination), the fruit set rate was 5.1%. The fruit set rate of C. rubra was 88.2% after simulated cross-pollination, 96.5% after simulated self-pollination and 17.8% in the control group (free pollination). No significant differences in fruit set rate were found between simulated cross-pollination and self-pollination, but significant differences were found compared to the control group (free pollination) in both study species. We conclude that both study species are self-compatible, can set fruit after self-pollination, and that natural low fruit set is not related to limited energy resources of the individual, but is caused by the inefficient pollination of flowers due to a lack of pollinators during the flowering period. The artificial pollination of flowers can be used to increase fruit set in rare species of the Orchidaceae family and improve their natural recruitment by seed
Zika virus modulates human fibroblasts to enhance transmission success in a controlled lab-setting /
No full textTransmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) has been reported in 92 countries and the geographical spread of invasive virus-borne vectors has increased in recent years. Arboviruses naturally survive between vertebrate hosts and arthropod vectors. Transmission success requires the mosquito to feed on viraemic hosts. There is little specific understanding of factors that may promote ZIKV transmission-success. Here we show that mosquito host-seeking behaviour is impacted by viral infection of the vertebrae host and may be essential for the effective transmission of arboviruses like ZIKV. Human skin fibroblasts produce a variety of metabolites, and we show that ZIKV immediately alters gene/protein expression patterns in infected-dermal fibroblasts, altering their metabolism to increase the release of mosquito-attractive volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which improves its transmission success. We demonstrate that at the invasion stage, ZIKV differentially altered the emission of VOCs by significantly increasing or decreasing their amounts, while at the transmission stage of the virus, all VOCs are significantly increased. The findings are complemented by an extensive meta-proteome analysis. Overall, we demonstrate a multifaceted role of virus-host interaction and shed light on how arboviruses may influence the behaviour of their vectors as an evolved means of improving transmission-success
The amphipod Amathillina cristata Sars, 1894 is an overlooked native species in the Black Sea basin: insights from molecular data, historical records and SEM imaging /
No full textPonto-Caspian gammarids comprise dozens of endemic taxa. Many are invasive throughout the world, being exceptionally adaptable thanks to the dynamic geological history of the region where they have evolved. Many species described from the Caspian basin were found in the Pontic (Black Sea) basin only in the last century. It remains unclear whether they are native or non-native in this region. Herein, we investigate whether Amathillina cristata, originally described from the Caspian Sea and occasionally listed as an invasive species in the Black Sea, is in fact native to the Black Sea basin. To achieve this goal, we analyse molecular data from Ukraine and–for the first time ever–from Turkey; we also review the entire geographical distribution of the species. For descriptive purposes, we document for the first time the cuticle ultrastructure throughout the body, appendages and mouthparts using scanning electron microscopy. Our results show that A. cristata is distributed in the NW-W part of the Black Sea basin and all investigated Black Sea drainages contain unique haplotypes that appear to have been isolated since the Late Pleistocene, demonstrating that this species is native throughout this basin. Ultrastructure investigation revealed a uniform pattern of pores and sensilla throughout all body regions except the urosome. At least two colour morphs were observed in living specimens. We consider that this species is vulnerable, in particular the Ukrainian populations, due to the high anthropogenic pressure in the region. The destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir in June 2023 most likely affected the known populations in the lower reaches of the Dnieper and Southern Bug rivers
Karst geohazard and climate change: observations and assumptions for prediction /
No full textKarst phenomena occurring on land surface create sinkholes, ground fissures and other hazardous events. Dissolution of gypsum of Upper Devonian formations in North Lithuania, that occur under thin Quaternary cover results with rapid occurrence of hazardous sinkholes. Monitoring of karst phenomena in Lithuania includes measurements of volumes of karst sinkholes (cubic meters) and amount of dissolved underground gypsum – named chemical gypsum denudation measured by amount cubic meters of gypsum dissolved from 1 square kilometer of karst terrain during one year. This study revealed that during the past nearly 100 years average annual gypsum chemical denudation was 232 m³ km-² year-1 and during this period the denudation was changing dependent of hydroclimatic conditions. In the area of investigations during period 2014 - 2023 sinkholes with generalized volume of 2.82 m³ occurred in 1 km² annually. Also, dissolution of gypsum caused land surface subsidence. Predicted climate change by the end of XXI century will intensify gypsum denudation with formation more hazardous sinkholes
Revision of Isoglaridacris (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), parasites of suckers (Catostomidae) in North America: molecular phylogeny and description of four new species /
No full textThe caryophyllidean tapeworms (Cestoda) of the genus Isoglaridacris Mackiewicz, 1965 are revised on the basis of the study of type specimens and newly collected material from suckers (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) in North America. Molecular data reveal the presence of 14 lineages, each representing a separate species. An overview of all nominal species is provided, with updated information on their hosts, distribution and phylogenetic relationships. Isoglaridacris multivitellaria Amin, 1976 is excluded from Isoglaridacris, but its generic affiliation remains unclear, and it is considered incertae sedis. Homeomorpha mackiewiczi Dutton et Barger, 2014 from Minytrema melanops is transferred to Isoglaridacris as I. mackiewiczi (Dutton et Barger, 2014) new combination. Based on molecular and morphological data, four new species are described: Isoglaricris mattisi n. sp. from Moxostoma collapsum in South Carolina, USA, I. mcallisteri n. sp. from Erimyzon claviformis in Arkansas and Oklahoma, USA, I. mexicanus n. sp. from Moxostoma cf. austrinum in Chihuahua, Mexico, and I. floriani n. sp. from M. macrolepidotum in South Carolina. A key to the identification of all 16 valid species is provided. Isoglaridacris species exhibit strict host specificity, with most species parasitising only a single host species (strict specialists), while a few species occur in more than one species within the same host genus (congeneric specialists). The distribution range of Isoglaridacris species includes southern Canada, the United States and northwestern (nearctic) Mexico
Can artificial rearing benefit the natural breeding of European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in its northern distribution range? /
No full textThe European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is a protected and endangered species in Europe experiencing a drastic demographic decrease over most of its range. In Lithuania, at its northern distribution range, E. orbicularis populations are small and fragmented, making them highly vulnerable to decline and deserving of active protection measures. The main reasons for the decrease in E. orbicularis populations are habitat loss due to changes in land use and the destruction of nesting sites. The survival of healthy E. orbicularis populations depends on the survival of eggs and the first overwintering of hatchlings. The aim of this study was to compare the hatching success of naturally vs artificially incubated E. orbicularis eggs and further artificially reared hatchling survival during their first year. We also provided an overview of the main nesting measurements, including clutch size and depth, from the small E. orbicularis populations in Lithuania. Finally, we furnished detailed descriptions of the artificial egg incubation and subsequent hatchling-rearing methodologies that can be used to preserve and increase the size of local small E. orbicularis populations in their northern distribution range
Peltate glandular trichomes in relation to their parameters, essential oil amount, chemotype, plant sex and habitat characteristics in Thymus pulegioides /
No full textThe parameters and plant habitat characteristics of glandular trichomes could allow for faster and cheaper identification and selection of more essential oil-rich wild aromatic plants for further cultivation. This study aimed to establish relationships between the parameters of peltate glandular trichomes and essential oil content in commercially potential Thymus pulegioides in relation to plant sex, chemotype, and habitat characteristics. In total, 124 T. pulegioides plants belonging to different chemotypes and sexes and collected from 23 natural habitats were analysed. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation, and a light microscope was used to investigate parameters of peltate glandular trichomes in upper and lower leaf epidermises. For investigation of the dynamics of the parameters of peltate glandular trichomes, T. pulegioides were growing in open ground under the same environmental conditions. Results demonstrated that the essential oil percentage in phenolic chemotype plants was higher than in plants of a non-phenolic chemotype. Females and hermaphrodites did not significantly differ according to essential oil percentage. Cover abundance of T. pulegioides negatively affects the density and diameter of peltate glandular trichomes and the essential oil percentage in T. pulegioides. The parameters of peltate trichomes in the upper leaf epidermis could be anatomical markers, helping to select T. pulegioides with higher essential oil contents from natural habitats as promising candidates as new crops