Ploidy variation in the group ofMyosotis palustris andM. laxa in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

In 74 natural populations of theMyosotis palustris andM. laxa groups from former Czechoslovakia three euploid and one aneuploid cytotypes were found that belong to the following species:M. nemorosa Besser, 2n=22,M. palustris (L.)Nath. em.Reichenb. inSturm, 2n=66,M. laxiflora Reichenb., 2n=66,M. radicans Opiz, 2n=66(64),M. brevisetacea (Schuster) Holub, 2n=66(64), andM. caespitosa C.F. Schultz, 2n=88. With the exception ofM. nemorosa, the chromosome numbers are published for the first time for the Czech Republic. The chromsome numbers, 2n=66, 2n=64 are found inM. brevisetacea, are new for the literature. The correlation between pollen size and ploidy level has been studied as well, and statistically significant differences were found between cytotypes belonging to different ploidy levels.     

Cytogeography of Pilosella officinarum (Compositae): altitudinal and longitudinal differences in ploidy level distribution in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and the general pattern in Europe

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pilosella officinarum (syn. Hieracium pilosella) is a highly structured species with respect to the ploidy level, with obvious cytogeographic trends. Previous non-collated data indicated a possible differentiation in the frequency of particular ploidy levels in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Therefore, detailed sampling and ploidy level analyses were assessed to reveal a boundary of common occurrence of tetraploids on one hand and higher ploids on the other. For a better understanding of cytogeographic differentiation of P. officinarum in central Europe, a search was made for a general cytogeographic pattern in Europe based on published data. METHODS: DNA-ploidy level and/or chromosome number were identified for 1059 plants using flow cytometry and/or chromosome counting on root meristem preparations. Samples were collected from 336 localities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and north-eastern Hungary. In addition, ploidy levels were determined for plants from 18 localities in Bulgaria, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Romania and Ukraine. KEY RESULTS: Four ploidy levels were found in the studied area with a contrasting pattern of distribution. The most widespread cytotype in the western part of the Czech Republic is tetraploid (4x) reproducing sexually, while the apomictic pentaploids and mostly apomictic hexaploids (5x and 6x, respectively) clearly prevail in Slovakia and the eastern part of the Czech Republic. The boundary between common occurrence of tetraploids and higher ploids is very obvious and represents the geomorphologic boundary between the Bohemian Massif and the Western Carpathians with the adjacent part of Pannonia. Mixed populations consisting of two different ploidy levels were recorded in nearly 11% of localities. A statistically significant difference in a vertical distribution of penta- and hexaploids was observed in the Western Carpathians and the adjacent Pannonian Plain. Hexaploid populations tend to occur at lower elevations (usually below 500 m), while the pentaploid level is more or less evenly distributed up to 1000 m a.s.l. For the first time the heptaploid level (7x) was found on one site in Slovakia. In Europe, the sexual tetraploid level has clearly a sub-Atlantic character of distribution. The plants of higher ploidy level (penta- and hexa-) with mostly apomictic reproduction prevail in the northern part of Scandinavia and the British Isles, the Alps and the Western Carpathians with the adjacent part of Pannonia. A detailed overview of published data shows that extremely rare records on existence of diploid populations in the south-west Alps are with high probability erroneous and most probably refer to the closely related diploid species P. peleteriana. CONCLUSIONS: The recent distribution of P. officinarum in Europe is complex and probably reflects the climatic changes during the Pleistocene and consequent postglacial migrations. Probably both penta- and hexaploids arose independently in central Europe (Alps and Carpathian Mountains) and in northern Europe (Scandinavia, Great Britain, Ireland), where the apomictic plants colonized deglaciated areas. We suggest that P. officinarum is in fact an amphidiploid species with a basic tetraploid level, which probably originated from hybridizations of diploid taxa from the section Pilosellina.     

Testing theories of secularization and religious belief in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Several theoretical approaches have been proposed to explain variation in religiosity, including versions of secularization hypotheses, evolved cognitive biases, and cultural transmission. In this paper we test several theories that aim to explain variation in religiosity and compare them in a representative sample collected in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (N = 2022). These two countries represent a natural experiment in religiosity; despite their high level of historical, institutional and cultural similarity, their populations differ markedly in the rate of religious belief. We examine the predictive power of cognitive biases (anthropomorphism, dualism, teleology, mentalizing, and analytic thinking); institutional insecurity; and exposure to credibility displays of belief in childhood on various factors of religious belief. We find that individual differences in cognitive biases predicted 8% of the variance belief in God, but predicted 21% of the variance in paranormal beliefs and almost no variance in religious participation. Perceived institutional insecurity explains little variance in any of these variables, but cultural transmission, measured as exposure to credibility enhancing displays (CREDs) and church attendance in childhood, predicted 17% of the variance in belief in God and 30% of religious participation, and mediated 70% of the difference between these two countries in belief in God and 80% of the difference in religious practice. These findings suggest cognitive biases may explain the existence of belief in the supernatural generally, but cultural transmission through credible belief displays is a more plausible explanation for why people adopt and maintain a specific set of religious beliefs and practices.     

Classification of weed vegetation of arable land in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Numerical classification of 2653 geographically stratified relevés of weed vegetation from the Czech and Slovak Republics was performed with cluster analysis. Diagnostic species were determined for each of the seven main clusters using statistical measures of fidelity. The classification reflected clear distinctions between lowland (mostly calcicole) and highland (mostly calcifuge) sites, spring and summer phenological stages, and cereals and root crops. The results of the cluster analysis were compared with traditional phytosociological units. Two clusters corresponded to calcifuge weed vegetation of theScleranthion annui alliance; one cluster represented the vegetation of root crops on moist soils of theOxalidion europaeae alliance; one cluster contained thermophilous weed vegetation of theCaucalidion lappulae alliance; two clusters included weed vegetation of root crops and of stubble fields, which can be assigned to theCaucalidion, Panico-Setarion,Veronico-Euphorbion andEragrostion alliances; one cluster included vernal weed vegetation in little disturbed habitats of theCaucalidion lappulae andScleranthion annui alliances. Our analysis did not support the concept of theSherardion andVeronico-Taraxacion alliances, which were included in earlier overviews of the vegetation units of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.     

The updated check list of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) of the Czech Republic and Slovakia: Background information,data and considerations

The 1997 check list of Dolichopodidae of the Czech Republic and Slovakia has recently been reviewed and updated. The new species list includes 346 species with 22 species added as new to the fauna of the Czech Republic. While the check list itself is published elsewhere, largely unpublished new records of Hercostomus argentifrons, H. nigrilamellatus, Medetera adjaniae, M. melancholica and M. setiventris are presented here, together with data on their distribution in Europe and their biology and ecology. The status of the newly added Sympycnus desoutteri is discussed. H. argentifrons is recorded here for the first time from the Czech Republic (Bohemia; Moravia) and background information is given on its discovery. While the Czech fauna with 324 species can be considered well known, the fauna of Slovakia is definitely much richer than its current national list of 217 species suggests. In the latter country, in particular surveys of sandy habitats with heathland or peatmoor, saltmarshes, reedmarshes, humid forests on loamy soils, and of rothole and saprun microhabitats on trees might quickly yield new species records.     

Increasing incidence of Geomyces destructans fungus in bats from the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Background

White-nose syndrome is a disease of hibernating insectivorous bats associated with the fungus Geomyces destructans. It first appeared in North America in 2006, where over a million bats died since then. In Europe, G. destructans was first identified in France in 2009. Its distribution, infection dynamics, and effects on hibernating bats in Europe are largely unknown.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We screened hibernacula in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for the presence of the fungus during the winter seasons of 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. In winter 2009/2010, we found infected bats in 76 out of 98 surveyed sites, in which the majority had been previously negative. A photographic record of over 6000 hibernating bats, taken since 1994, revealed bats with fungal growths since 1995; however, the incidence of such bats increased in Myotis myotis from 2% in 2007 to 14% by 2010. Microscopic, cultivation and molecular genetic evaluations confirmed the identity of the recently sampled fungus as G. destructans, and demonstrated its continuous distribution in the studied area. At the end of the hibernation season we recorded pathologic changes in the skin of the affected bats, from which the fungus was isolated. We registered no mass mortality caused by the fungus, and the recorded population decline in the last two years of the most affected species, M. myotis, is within the population trend prediction interval.

Conclusions/Significance

G. destructans was found to be widespread in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with an epizootic incidence in bats during the most recent years. Further development of the situation urgently requires a detailed pan-European monitoring scheme.     

Clinical and Economic Burden of Community-Acquired Pneumonia among Adults in the Czech Republic,Hungary, Poland and Slovakia

We estimate and describe the incidence rates, mortality, and cost of CAP (community-acquired pneumonia), in both inpatient and outpatient settings, in the Czech Republic (CZ), Slovakia (SK), Poland (PL), and Hungary (HU). A retrospective analysis was conducted on administrative data from the health ministry and insurance reimbursement claims with a primary diagnosis of pneumonia in 2009 to determine hospitalization rates, costs, and mortality in adults ≥50 years of age. Patient chart reviews were conducted to estimate the number of outpatient cases. Among all adults ≥50 years, the incidence of hospitalized CAP per 100,000 person years was: 456.6 (CZ), 504.6 (SK), 363.9 (PL), and 845.3 (HU). The average fatality rate for all adults ≥50 is 19.1%, and for each country; 21.7% (CZ), 20.9% (SK), 18.6% (PL), 17.8% (HU). Incidence, fatality, and likelihood of hospitalization increased with advancing age. Total healthcare costs of CAP in EUR was 12,579,543 (CZ); 9,160,774 (SK); 22,409,085 (PL); and 18,298,449 (HU); with hospitalization representing over 90% of the direct costs of treatment. The burden of CAP increases with advancing age in four CEE countries, with hospitalizations driving the costs of CAP upwards in the elderly population. Mortality rates are generally higher than reported in Western EU countries.     

Morphological and anatomical characteristics and taxonomical significance of achene micromorphology of Achillea phrygia and A. gypsicola (Asteraceae), endemic to Turkey

Micromorphological and anatomical characters of two Achillea L. species, A . phrygia Boiss. & Bal. and A. gypsicola Hub-Mor., which are endemic to Turkey, were investigated. It was observed that stem length, corymb width, number of capitula and median phyllary shape were diagnostic characters. In the anatomical studies, cross sections were taken from roots, stem and leaves. It was observed that roots of the investigated taxa had a secondary thickening. Endodermis and collenchyma layers were prominent in the stem of both taxa and they had a bifacial mesophyll while the layers of the mesophyll varied. Stomata were anomocytic in both species. We found that there was a significant difference in terms of width of epidermis cells and length of cortex cells in the root, epidermis width and length, collenchyma and parenchyma cells, endodermis length, diameter of trachea of stem, length of upper epidermis cells, width of lower epidermis cells, length of palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma cells, diameter of trachea and stomata length of leaf between the two taxa (p<0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to describe the micromorphology of trichomes and achenes. In A. phrygia , long and eglandular trichomes were more dense on the stem and leaf epidermis. Achene micromorphological characteristics such as size, shape and achene coat were considered to be useful in separating the investigated species.     

Chromosome numbers in Tripleurospermum Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae) and closely related genera: relationships between ploidy level and stomatal length

This study includes 24 reports of chromosome counts in Tripleurospermum Sch. Bip. (20 taxa), Anthemis L. (1 species) and Matricaria L. (3 taxa) belonging to the tribe Anthemideae of the family Asteraceae from Turkey. Chromosome numbers of these taxa are 2n = 2x = 18, 3x = 27 and 4x = 36. Nine counts are new reports, one is not consistent with previous report, and the remainder confirm earlier information. Statistically significant differences depending on ploidy level, stomatal length or environmental factors such as altitude were determined in Tripleurospermum. Several systematic and evolutionary aspects of the genera are discussed in the light of chromosomal data.     

Ploidy level analysis of apomictic Hieracium (Asteraceae) reveal unexpected patterns and variation

The DNA ploidy level of 673 accessions belonging to 238 species of Hieracium have been analyzed by flow cytometry. 222 of the species were of Scandinavian origin as members of the exclusively apomictic H. sectt. Bifida, Hieracium, Oreadea, Tridentata and Vulgata. For the overwhelming majority of the species, the ploidy level (or chromosme number) has never been investigated before. Approximately 50% of the Scandinavian species, previously believed to be exclusively triploid, were found to be tetraploid. In addition, two pentaploid samples, viz. H. intermarginatum Johanss. & Sam. from Sweden and H. cf. plumbeum Blytt & Fr. from Germany, were found. Although two or more accessions from geographically remote sites were analyzed for approximately 50% of the Scandinavian species, only 2 (<2%) taxonomically undisputed species were found to consist of plants with more than one ploidy level. An intriguing pattern was revealed among Scandinavian members of H. sectt. Bifida and Vulgata when ploidy level and morphometric variation was compared, viz. the most typical or extreme representatives of these sections were found to be exclusively triploid whereas tetraploids dominate among species with intermediate morphology and among species morphologically intermediate between these sections and H. sect. Hieracium. This pattern may indicate that the tetraploids, which tend to have mainly northern distributions, have originated as the result of rare sexual hybridizations between triploid members of different sections, plausibly during or after the northward migration of the parental linages after the last glaciation. The results are believed to be highly relevant for understanding the processes of evolution and speciation within the predominantly apomictic genus Hieracium, but it is emphazised that additional data from e.g. molecular markers and pollen viability analysis are needed before any trustworthy conclusions can be made as far as evolutionary processes are concerned.     

Life-history variation in Crepis tectorum (Asteraceae)

Summary Populations of the monocarpic plant Crepis tectorum were grown in a series of uniform environments to test the hypothesis that weedy populations are more r-selected than populations from a more natural habitat. Weedy populations exhibited a combination of r- and K-selected traits. The relatively rapid growth, the potential for a summer annual habit, and the relatively high fecundity that characterized at least one of the two weed populations studied were considered as r-selected traits favored in habitats of unpredictable duration. However, high levels of competition from other weedy species or from the crop in arable fields may explain at least some presumably K-selected traits observed in the weedy populations, e.g. relatively large seeds and late flowering in the summer. Results indicated that stress due to abiotic factors (strong winds, desiccation and nutrient deficiency) has been a more important selective factor than r- or K-selection, in non-weedy populations from calcareous grasslands (alvars) on the Baltic islands.     

Genome size variation in the Artemisia arborescens complex (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) and its cultivars.

Different wild Mediterranean populations of Artemisia arborescens from diverse locations representing its geographical distribution, as well as some of its well-known cultivars and some specimens cultivated as ornamentals in gardens, streets, roads and nurseries, were analysed for genome size. Other closely related species endemic to Macaronesia, Artemisia canariensis, Artemisia argentea, and Artemisia gorgonum, were also analysed, and their nuclear DNA amount has been related to the biogeography of this group of species. Additionally, 5 populations of the closely related Artemisia absinthium were analysed to establish comparisons. Measurements acquired by flow cytometry ranged from 8.29 to 11.61 pg for 2C values. Statistically significant differences of 2C nuclear DNA amounts with respect to factors such as insularity or domestication have been detected. However, quite a low intraspecific genome size variation has been found in these species. Furthermore, the study also addressed the possible hybrid origins and possible misidentifications of some of the supposed cultivars of A. arborescens.     

Ethnic minority identity and movement politics: The case of the Roma in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

The level of political mobilization among ethnic minorities in Central and Eastern Europe has often been regarded as directly dependent on the strong or weak ethnic identity of the groups involved. Less attention has gone to the role of ethnic leaders in creating ethnic group identities for political purposes. This article explores the influence of political mobilization on ethnic group formation in the case of the Roma (Gypsies) in the contemporary Czech and Slovak Republics. It examines the various ways in which Romani activists in these two countries have “framed” Romani identity. The article suggests that activists’ conceptions of Romani identity are closely tied to their political strategies. At the same time, Romani activists have not been able to gain complete control over the production of Romani identity. They have had to deal with powerful schemes of ethnic categorization promulgated by the media, public officials and policy documents.     

Genotypic variation in agamospermous Erigeron compositus (Asteraceae)

Few integrative analyses of the structure of agamospermous plant populations have been conducted. Erigeron compositus occurs in montane western North America and comprises both sexual and agamospermous populations. Sexual E. compositus has previously been characterized as outcrossing and predominantly diploid (2n = 18). Agamic E. compositus is usually hexaploid (2n = 54), though counts herein range from 2n = 36 to 2n = 80. Starch-gel electrophoresis, cytology, and analysis of pollen production were used to evaluate variation within and among agamospermous populations. Fifteen enzyme loci were used to identify 24 unique multilocus genotypes in seven populations, an average of 3.4 genotypes per population. Proportion of distinct genotypes per population sample size (GIN) and measures of genetic diversity (D) and evenness (E) are 0.10, 0.48, and 0.61, respectively, which indicate that E. compositus maintains levels of diversity similar to other agamospermous taxa. Most agamospermous populations are mosaics comprising groups of genetically distinct individuals that are frequently distinguished by cytotype and capacity for pollen production. The geographical and ecological separation of sexual and agamospermous populations make it unlikely that gene flow from sexual populations is a direct source of genetic variation in agamospermous populations. Instead, crossing between genetically distinct facultative agamosperms probably accounts for most variation. Genetic and morphological evidence document one such putative crossing event. Agamospermous E. compositus is very similar genetically to sexual E. compositus. Allozyme analysis further shows that genetic variation in agamospermous populations is partitioned among a few highly heterozygous genotypes, whereas sexual populations maintain numerous genotypes of relatively low heterozygosity.     

Chromosome numbers and DNA ploidy levels of selected species ofHieracium s.str. (Asteraceae)

Chromosome numbers and /or ploidy levels are reported for 44 species and subspecies ofHieracium s.str. from the following European countries: Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine. The chromosome numbers/DNA ploidy levels ofH. bocconei (2n ～ 4x),H. bupleuroides subsp.leviceps (2n = 27),H. caesioides subsp.caesioides (2n = 27),H. basifolium (H. caesium agg., 2n = 36),H. plumbeum (H. caesium agg., 2n = 36),H. glaucum subsp.nipholepium (2n= 27),H.gouanii (2n = 18),H. gymnocerinthe (2n = 27),H. ramondii (2n = 27),H. recoderi (2n = 18),H. stelligerum (2n = 18), andH. tomentosum (2n = 18, 2n ～ 2x, 2n ～ 3x) were determined for the first time. New ploidy levels are reported forH. cerinthoides s.str. (2n = 27),H. humile (2n = 36), andH. tommasinianum (2n = 27).