Electronic Library of Scientific Literature


Biologia - Section Zoology



Volume 57/5, 2002

Contents

Faunistical Notes 

Saboori, A., Two new species of larval mites (Acari: Microtrombidiidae, Erythraeidae) from Iran.

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 547-553, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088.

Trichotrombidium rafieiae sp. n. (Acari, Microtrombidiidae) and Leptus eslamizadehi sp. n. (Acari, Erythraeidae) are described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on adults of house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera, Muscidae) from Arak and from a larva off host on apple (host unknown) from Uromieh, Iran, respectively. A key to species of Trichotrombidium Kobulej of the world (larva) is presented. The genus Trichotrombidium Kobulej is recorded from Iran for the first time.
Key words: Acari, Microtrombidiidae, Erythraeidae, Trichotrombidium, Leptus, new species, larva, Iran.

Bocák, L., Pendola, a new lycid genus (Coleoptera, Lycidae) from the Australian Region. 

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 557-561, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088.

Pendola gen. n., a new genus of Lyropaeini (Coleoptera, Lycidae) is described from Sulawesi. Two species, Pendola flava sp. n. and P. lombokiensis sp. n. are classified in the genus. Pendola flava sp. n. was collected in a lower stratum of mountainous forest south of the Poso Lake. P. lombokiensis occurs in the similar habitat in mountains of east Lombok. Pendola gen. n. is the first representative of Lyropaeini in the Australian Region. It shows close relationships with the Oriental genera Lyropaeus Waterhouse, 1878 and Microlyropaeus Pic, 1929.
Key words: Coleoptera, Lycidae, new genus, new species, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Inanç, F., A new species of Microplitis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from Turkey. 

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 563-566, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088. 

Microplitis beyarslani sp. n. from Turkey is described and illustrated. The new species is related to M. lugubris Ruthe and M. tunetensis Marshall in mesonotum subshine and densely rugose-rugulose; and differs from them. First tergite 2.5 times as long as its basal breadth, surface of first tergite rugulose, subshiny; scutellum rugulose medially weakly rugulose.
Key words: Microplitis, Microgastrinae, Braconidae, new species, parasitoids, Turkey.

Olejníček, J., New records of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) species of Korea, including the description of a new species. 

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 567-571, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088. 

Nine genera and 13 species including the following new species are recorded from the Korean Peninsula for the first time. Hercostomus (Gymnopternus) klowdeni sp. n. is described from Northern Korea. 
Key words: taxonomy, Dolichopodidae, new records, new species, Hercostomus, Korea. 

Renčo, M. & Valocká, B., Communities of soil and plant nematodes in sugar beet growing areas of Slovakia. 

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 573-577, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088. 

Soil and plant nematode community structure was studied at 63 sites in sugar beet growing areas of Slovakia. 51 genera of nematodes were found in sugar beet fields. Bacterial feeders were the dominant trophic group (mean 36.9%), followed by plant feeders (33.8%), omnivores (16.7%), fungal feeders (9.4%) and predators (3.07%). The most frequently occurring plant parasitic nematodes were Pratylenchus spp. (95.2% of sites) with the highest mean population density (36.3 ind./500 g of soil). Mean value of MI reached from 2.43 ± 0.41. Various other indices were used to evaluate nematode communities in sugar beet growing areas.
Key words: nematodes, community, sugar beet, Slovakia.

Tomec, M., Ternjej, I., Kerovec, M., Teskeredžić, E. & Meštrov, M., Plankton in the oligotrophic Lake Vrana (Croatia). 

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 579-588, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088. 

Lake Vrana represents one of the largest freshwater lakes on a relatively small and entirely karstified island. According to its physical and chemical factors, this lake is oligotrophic, has a monomictic temperate with winter circulation and thermal stratification in summer. Transparency is high (11-17 m, Secchi disk). The main nutrients were low and vertically homogeneous in both years of the study. The mean concentration of nitrate was 0.212 mg L-1, phosphate 0.019 mg L-1 and the mean concentration of total phosphorus was 0.137 mg L-1. Mean chlorophyll-a concentration was low (0.246 mg L-1 in 1996 and 0.363 mg L-1 in 1997). The availability of these nutrients correlated to abundance in phytoplankton biomass. The Lake Vrana phytoplankton showed a wide biomass range, from 0.55 to 172.61 mg L-1. The cell number showed late autumnal and early spring maxima (9,834 cells L-1 in November 1997 and 9,983 cells L-1 in May 1996). The species Ceratium hirundinella (Dinophyceae) was dominant in the phytoplankton community. The other important species were Chroococcus limneticus (Cyanobacteria), Dinobryon sociale (Chrysophyceae), Cyclotella comta (Bacillariophyceae), Cosmarium abbreviatum, Oocystis lacustris, Schizochlamis gelatinosa, and Sphaerocystis schroeteri (Chlorophyceae). Zooplankton of wet weight biomass varied: 1078.57 µg L-1 (1996) and 126.24 µg L-1 (1997). Four species of copepods and three species of cladocerans were observed in the plankton of the Lake Vrana: Cyclops abyssorum ”divulsus”, Macrocyclops albidus, Macrocyclops distinctus, Megacyclops viridis, Daphnia longispina, Diaphanosoma brachyurum and Bosmina longirostris. Temporal distribution is characterised with maxima in May and June (1996) and February and June (1997). The abundance of zooplankton coincided with those of the phytoplankton. 
Key words: phytoplankton, crustacea plankton, oligotrophic lake, Croatia.

Špitalská, E., Kocianová, E. & Výrosteková, V., Natural focus of Coxiella burnetii and rickettsiae of spotted fever group in southwestern Slovakia. 

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 589-595, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088. 

Coxiellosis (Q fever) caused by Coxiella burnetii and other tick-borne rickettsioses caused by different species of Rickettsia represent already known or newly emerging tick-borne diseases in Europe. In this paper two different methods, i.e. haemocyte test and polymerase chain reaction, were used for the detection of rickettsial organisms in ticks and small mammals collected in the locality Martinský forest in SW Slovakia. A total of 1988 adult ticks were collected from vegetation during February to December 2000. The tick population was principally represented by the dominant species Ixodes ricinus (81.3%). Haemaphysalis concinna and Dermacentor reticulatus were found in 15.1% and 3.5% of samples, respectively. One hundred and thirty three ticks were tested by both methods. In 10 cases the results were controversial. In two I. ricinus and one H. concinna ticks the PCR did not confirm positive haemocyte test results, and the PCR was positive but the haemocyte test negative in six I. ricinus and one H. concinna ticks. Rickettsia sp. prevailed in our positive findings. Out of 45 small mammals of four species: Apodemus flavicollis, Clethrionomys glareolus, Sorex minutus, and Mustela nivalis trapped and examined for rickettsial organisms in October 2000 we found three spleen specimens to be positive by PCR for C. burnetii or Rickettsia sp. 
Key words: Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia sp., tick, host, seasonal dynamics, haemocyte test, polymerase chain reaction. 

Adamski, P. & Witkowski, Z. J., Increase in fluctuating asymmetry during a population extinction: the case of the apollo butterfly Parnassius apollo frankenbergeri in the Pieniny Mts. 

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 597-601, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088. 

The population of Parnassius apollo in the Polish part of the Pieniny Mts has been investigated since the latter part of the 19th century. During this period gradual population decline and increasing isolation have been documented. Based on specimens from private and museum collections built up in the forties, fifties and nineties, we have analyzed selected characteristics of wing shape. We found a significant increase in wing shape asymmetry in the course of the population decline from the forties to nineties. This increase in fluctuating asymmetry is probably an effect of the population bottleneck from the early sixties. 
Key words: Parnassius apollo, fluctuating asymmetry, population decline, genetic degradation, Poland.

Krištofík, J., Šustek, Z. & Mašán, P., Arthropods (Pseudoscorpionida, Acari, Coleoptera, Siphonaptera) in the nests of red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) and lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor). 

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 603-613, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088. 

A total of 79 nests of red-backed shrike and 68 nests of lesser grey shrike were examined. Among four pseudoscorpion species found, Dactilochelifer latreillei and Dinocheirus panzeri were found in great numbers in the nests of both shrike species. In the nests of red-backed shrike and lesser grey shrike, 20 species of mesostigmatic mites were recorded, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, a haematophagous species was highly predominant (82.7%). Other mite species occurred in low numbers. A large difference between the nests of the two bird species was found in their beetle fauna. Of a total of 52 species, 44 occurred in the nest of red-backed shrike, and only 21 species in the nests of lesser grey shrike. Most beetle species were found singly, except for the mycetophagous Corticarina similata in the nests of lesser grey shrike, in which it represented 91.3% and occurred in 54.4% of nests examined. In the nests of red-backed shrike, four flea species were also found. Among them, Ceratophyllus garei and C. borealis were regular parasites of red-backed shrike, while Nosopsyllus fasciatus and Ceratophyllus hirundinis were occasional parasites. In contrast, in the nests of lesser grey shrike, only one individual of Ceratophyllus gallinae was found. 
Key words: pseudoscorpions, mesostigmatic mites, beetles, fleas, bird nests, Slovakia. 

Nemes, S., Morphometry of metamorphosed smooth newts Triturus vulgaris (Amphibia: Salamandridae) with notes on limb, toe and tail injury frequency.

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 615-619, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088.

Morphometry and injury rate (missing legs, toes and injured tails) were recorded for 49 newly metamorphosed smooth newts from Transylvania, Romania. Metamorphosed smooth newts had an average body length of 35.17 ± 3.33 mm, and there was a strong relationship between different morphometric traits. Newts suffered injuries due to predation encounters. Four specimens out of 49 smooth newts showed missing toes, 7 specimens had injured tails and one individual was missing the greater part of its right front limb. Missing toes occurred on both front and hind limbs, and there was always more than one toe per limb was missing. Therefore, naturally caused toe loss might be easily recognised to avoid confusion with toe-clipped marked specimens in ecological studies. The occurrence of injured tails was relatively high (14.2%). The snout vent length did not differ between injured and uninjured smooth newts. No other amphibian malformation that is typically caused by pollution or parasites was recorded during this study, which suggests that the recorded injuries were the result of predation encounters.
Key words: Salamandiridae, Triturus vulgaris, morphometry, toe loss, tail injury, predation encounters.

Król, W., Solarz, W. & Zając, T., Breeding biology of the sedge warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus in the river Nida wetlands (Poland). 

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 621-629, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088.

Breeding biology of the sedge warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus in wetlands on the Nida river (Poland) was studied in an area of ca 37 ha of extensive sedge beds, reed beds, reedmace and wet meadows. Breeding density was low and variable (ca. 5–16 pairs/10 ha). Territory size ranged from 0.11 ha to 0.57 ha. Only 45% of territorial males were mated. Most of the first clutches hatched around 10 June, whereas replaced clutches were usually laid in late June (25 June on average), and accounted for only 9% of all breeding attempts (n = 140). Only two second brood attempts (both unsuccessful) were recorded. Most nests (46%) were concealed in sedge tussocks. Mean clutch size was 5.1 eggs, while mean fledging success (calculated for successful clutches) was 4.8. On the 10th day after hatching, nestlings had a fully-grown tarsus and reached final weight. In total, 44% of breeding attempts failed, mainly due to predation (26%) and flood (10%). Late broods were particularly affected by flooding. From 244 ringed nestlings, only 10 returned to the study area in subsequent years. Only one female was among those recruits.
Key words: sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, breeding success, predation, territory, nestlings growth, flood, Poland.

Kubatka, P., Ahlers, I., Ahlersová, E., Bojková, B., Marková, M., Adámeková, E., Kalická, K. & Čermáková, M., Raloxifene and melatonin in prevention of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats.

Biologia, Bratislava, 57: 631-638, 2002; ISSN 0006-3088.

The tumour suppressive effects of the selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM) raloxifene (RAL), pineal hormone melatonin (MEL) and their combination in prevention of 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated. RAL was administered subcutaneously twice a week at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w. MEL was administered diluted in drinking water in a concentration of 4 mg/ml daily from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. Application of RAL started 10 days and MEL 12 days before administration of DMBA and continued until the end of the experiment (24 weeks after carcinogen administration). Incidence, frequency, latency and tumour volume as parameters of mammary carcinogenesis were evaluated. In addition, the effects of chemopreventives on body and uterine weight, food and water intake were recorded. In the RAL-treated group a decrease in tumour incidence by 80% (P < 0.01) and tumour frequency per group by 84% (P < 0.01) was found in comparison with the control group. After MEL treatment tumour incidence was decreased by 39% and tumour frequency per group by 47%. The effect of RAL+MEL caused a decrease in incidence by 91% (P < 0.001), latency period lengthened (one tumour per group) by 7 weeks in comparison with the control group. In the groups with RAL a significant decrease in weight gain (P < 0.0001) and a decrease in the absolute and relative uterine weight (P < 0.0001) was found at the end of the experiment. RAL caused a decreased water intake (P < 0.0001), but food intake was not influenced. RAL and a combination of RAL+MEL proved to be very effective in prevention of DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats. MEL alone displayed a lower oncostatic activity in comparison with raloxifene.
Key words: chemoprevention, rat, mammary carcinogenesis, raloxifene, melatonin.

Electronic Library of Scientific Literature - © Academic Electronic Press