A new taxonomic treatment of the Festuca ovina L. aggregate (Poaceae) in the British Isles

A new taxonomic treatment of the Festuca ovina L. aggregate (Poaceae) in the British Isles. A wide range of morphological, anatomical and cytological characters was collected and analysed by a variety of methods, some taxometric. As a result nine species are recognized in the British Isles, one (F. glauca Vill.) only as a garden plant and two (F. huonii Auquier and F. armoricana Kerguélen) only in the Channel Isles. Two other species sometimes claimed for the British Isles (F. guestfalica Boenn. ex Reichb. and F. indigesta Boiss.) are excluded for various reasons given. One species (F. ovina L.) is divided into three subspecies: the diploid subsp. ovina (commonest in the north); and the tetraploid subsp. hirtula (Hackel ex Travis) M. Wilkinson (the commonest taxon of the aggregate in the British Isles) and subsp. ophioliticola (Kerguélen) M. Wilkinson (scattered throughout the British Isles, but commonest on chalk and limestone and not restricted to serpentine soils as once thought).     

AN ATLANTIC POPULATION OF PIKEA CALIFORNICA (DUMONTIACEAE,RHODOPHYTA)1

The marine red alga Pikea californica Harvey, previously known only from the east coast of Japan and the west coast of North America, was found in 1983 to be abundant in the surge zone throughout the Isles of Scilly archipelago, off SW England. Examination of herbarium material showed that the population was present in 1967. All plants observed in July 1983 and September 1984 were sterile, but reproductive male and female plants were collected in November 1983. The habitat and phenology of P. californica in the Isles of Scilly closely resemble those of Paczfic populations. English plants are vegetatively and reproductively identical to the type and other California specimens. They can easily be distinguished from Sphaerococcus coronopifolius Stackhouse (Sphaerococcaceae, Gigartinales), the most similar species in the flora of the British Isles, by the presence in transverse section of several lacunae, representing axial and whorlbranchletjilaments, in contrast to the single axial filament of S. coronopifolius. It is possible that the Isles of Scilly population of P. californica is a relict of a species once more widespread, but it seems more likely that it is another example of the well-established pattern of marine introductions into the British Isles from the North Paczfic. The range of temperature regimes occupied by P. californica in the Pacific suggests that the species could become more widespread in Europe, but at present it appears to be confined to the Isles of Scilly.     

The effects of sulphur dioxide pollution on bark epiphytes

Abstract

Sematophyllum substrumulosum (Hampe) Broth. was found in 1995 on a decaying trunk of Pinus in Tresco, Isles of Scilly, the first report of the species in the British Isles.     

AN ATLANTIC POPULATION OF PIKEA CALIFORNICA (DUMONTIACEAE,RHODOPHYTA)1

The marine red alga Pikea californica Harvey, previously known only from the east coast of Japan and the west coast of North America, was found in 1983 to be abundant in the surge zone throughout the Isles of Scilly archipelago, off SW England. Examination of herbarium material showed that the population was present in 1967. All plants observed in July 1983 and September 1984 were sterile, but reproductive male and female plants were collected in November 1983. The habitat and phenology of P. californica in the Isles of Scilly closely resemble those of Pacific populations. English plants are vegetatively and reproductively identical to the type and other California specimens. They can easily be distinguished from Sphaerococcus coronopifolius Stackhouse (Sphaerococcaceae, Gigartinales), the most similar species in the flora of the British Isles, by the presence in transverse sections of several lacunae, representing axial and whorl-branchlet filaments, in contrast to the single axial filament of S. coronopifolius. It is possible that the Isles of Scilly population of P. californica is a relict of a species once more widespread, but it seems more likely that it is another example of the well-established pattern of marine introductions into the British Isles from the North Pacific. The range of temperature regimes occupied by P. Californica in the Pacific suggests that the species could become more widespread in Europe, but at present it appears to be confined to the Isles of Scilly.     

A Y chromosome census of the British Isles

The degree of population replacement in the British Isles associated with cultural changes has been extensively debated. Recent work has demonstrated that comparisons of genetic variation in the British Isles and on the European Continent can illuminate specific demographic processes in the history of the British Isles. For example, Wilson et al. used the similarity of Basque and Celtic Y chromosomes to argue for genetic continuity from the Upper Palaeolithic to the present in the paternal history of these populations (see also ). Differences in the Y chromosome composition of these groups also suggested genetic signatures of Norwegian influence in the Orkney Islands north of the Scottish mainland, an important center of Viking activities between 800 and 1300 A.D. More recently, Weale et al. argued for substantial Anglo-Saxon male migration into central England based on the analysis of eight British sample sets collected on an east-west transect across England and Wales. To provide a more complete assessment of the paternal genetic history of the British Isles, we have compared the Y chromosome composition of multiple geographically distant British sample sets with collections from Norway (two sites), Denmark, and Germany and with collections from central Ireland, representing, respectively, the putative invading and the indigenous populations. By analyzing 1772 Y chromosomes from 25 predominantly small urban locations, we found that different parts of the British Isles have sharply different paternal histories; the degree of population replacement and genetic continuity shows systematic variation across the sampled areas.     

A review of the occurrence in British mammals of the major organisms of zoonotic importance

The occurrence of the major zoonoses in British mammals is discussed. The distribution of leptospiral serotypes across the British Isles and North–West Europe, together with the current absence of rabies, plague and other pathogenic organisms in Britain suggests conditions inimical to their maintenance in the British Isles. It is suggested that this region may represent the end of a geographical line of success for these organisms and the term 'pathocline' is proposed.     

The scarcer freshwater fishes of the British Isles

This, the first of two papers on the scarcer freshwater fishes of the British Isles, gives an account of the introduced species. Nineteen species are included. The natural distribution of these fishes, the history of their introduction, their success in acclimatization, and their present distribution in the British Isles are given. A brief discussion on the introduction of exotic fishes to aquatic ecosystems follows.     

Potential transmission of West Nile virus in the British Isles: an ecological review of candidate mosquito bridge vectors

West Nile virus (WNV) transmitted by mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) infects various vertebrates, being pathogenic for birds, horses and humans. After its discovery in tropical Africa, sporadic outbreaks of WNV occurred during recent decades in Eurasia, but not the British Isles. WNV reached New York in 1999 and spread to California by 2003, causing widespread outbreaks of West Nile encephalitis across North America, transmitted by many species of mosquitoes, mainly Culex spp. The periodic reappearance of WNV in parts of continental Europe (from southern France to Romania) gives rise to concern over the possibility of WNV invading the British Isles. The British Isles have about 30 endemic mosquito species, several with seasonal abundance and other eco-behavioural characteristics predisposing them to serve as potential WNV bridge vectors from birds to humans. These include: the predominantly ornithophilic Culex pipiens L. and its anthropophilic biotype molestus Forskal; tree-hole adapted Anopheles plumbeus Stephens; saltmarsh-adapted Ochlerotatus caspius Pallas, Oc. detritus Haliday and Oc. dorsalis (Meigen); Coquillettidia richiardii Ficalbi, Culiseta annulata Schrank and Cs. morsitans (Theobald) from vegetated freshwater pools; Aedes cinereus Meigen, Oc. cantans Meigen and Oc. punctor Kirby from seasonal woodland pools. Those underlined have been found carrying WNV in other countries (12 species), including the rarer British species Aedes vexans (Meigen), Culex europaeus Ramos et al., Cx. modestus Ficalbi and Oc. sticticus (Meigen) as well as the Anopheles maculipennis Meigen complex (mainly An. atroparvus van Thiel and An. messeae Falleroni in Britain). Those implicated as key vectors of WNV in Europe are printed bold (four species). So far there is no proof of any arbovirus transmission by mosquitoes in the British Isles, although antibodies to Sindbis, Tahyna, Usutu and West Nile viruses have been detected in British birds. Neighbouring European countries have enzootic WNV and human infections transmitted by mosquito species that are present in the British Isles. However, except for localized urban infestations of Cx. pipiens biotype molestus that can be readily eliminated, there appear to be few situations in the British Isles where humans and livestock are exposed to sustained risks of exposure to potential WNV vectors. Monitoring of mosquitoes and arbovirus surveillance are required to guard the British Isles against WNV outbreaks and introduction of more anthropophilic mosquitoes such as Stegomyia albopicta (Skuse) and Ochlerotatus japonicus (Theobald) that have recently invaded Europe, since they transmit arboviruses elsewhere.     

African Hepatics

Abstract

Lophocolea bispinosa, new to the British Isles, is described in detail. This small dioecious species, which may have been introduced from New Zealand, is well established in the Isles of Scilly, especially in and around the Abbey Gardens in Tresco.     

Progress in the study of the lichen flora of the British Isles

SEAWARD, M. R. D., 1987. Progress in the study of the lichen flora of the British Isles. Advances in our taxonomic, ecological and geographical knowledge of the lichen flora of the British Isles over the past three centuries are assessed. The growth of literature and the development of field recording are critically surveyed, complemented by numerical and cartographical analyses. The evolution of a comprehensive programme of network recording is described and evaluated. The present and future use of technological advances, particularly in respect of computer databases, is examined.     

Body concentration of caesium-137 in patients from Western Isles of Scotland.

OBJECTIVES--To compare caesium-137 concentrations in patients from the Western Isles Health Board, Glasgow area, and other parts of the Scottish mainland, and to investigate the source of 137Cs in patients from the Western Isles. DESIGN--Study of hypertensive patients having electrolyte concentrations measured, including 137Cs. Interview by questionnaire of island subjects about intake of foods likely to contain radiocaesium and the source of these foods. Measurement of 137Cs and 134Cs in food, urine, and vegetation. SETTING--Scottish mainland and Western Isles, 1979-86. All measurements before Chernobyl nuclear accident. PATIENTS--413 consecutive patients referred to the blood pressure unit for investigation of hypertension. 60 from the Western Isles, including 44 from North Uist; 32 from North Uist participated in the dietary analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Concentration of radiocaesium in the body, urine, food, and vegetation. Islanders'' consumption of local produce. RESULTS--Patients from the Western Isles had five times higher body concentrations of 137Cs (median 2.54 (interquartile range 1.25-3.73)) Bq/gK) than did patients from around Glasgow (0.47 (0.26-0.66) Bq/gK) and other parts of the Scottish mainland (0.42 (0.24-0.71) Bq/gK). Islanders often consumed local milk and mutton, but ate local fish rarely. 137Cs and 134Cs were present in coastal (21.6 Bq/kg 137Cs, 0.25 Bq/kg 134Cs) and moorland (135.9, 0.65 Bq/kg) grasses and in islanders'' urine (2.01, 0.013 Bq/l). Lower concentrations (0.336, 0.004 Bq/l), were found in the urine of Glasgow controls (p less than 0.001 for both isotopes). CONCLUSIONS--Islanders have excess body 137Cs concentrations, most of which probably comes from local milk and lamb. The radioactivity is not above the recommended safety limit. The presence of 134Cs suggests that nuclear reprocessing is the source of some of the radiocaesium.     

The distribution and reproduction of Pterosiphonia complanata

The geographical distribution of the red alga Pterosiphonia complanata (Clem.) Falkenb. is described. New records confirm that it is restricted to the warmer waters of the North Atlantic and extend its known distribution in the British Isles where it is at the northern limits of its range. The apparent scarcity and restricted distribution of the species in the British Isles and the absence of sexual plants throughout its range are discussed in relation to the habitat and possible life history of the species.     

Relationships among given names in the Scilly Isles

The pseudo-genetic analysis of given names shows that, in the Scilly Isles, coefficients of relationship of first names are similar on St Mary's, the Outer Isles, and in the total sample of 5666 individuals married there in two and a half centuries. Comparable coefficients of relationship of a sample of 1658 given names in marriages in England and Wales in 1975 are considerably smaller, but similar within and between districts. The coefficients of relationship of given names on the Scilly Isles decreases during the 19th and especially the 20th centuries in parallel with decreases in random relationship from surnames. The genetic versus cultural-linguistic factors cannot be distinguished in the temporal variation in names, but the geographic differentiation virtually always reported in surnames is not present in these examples of given names and the geographic pattern in the surnames thus seems to result from the hereditary aspect of surnames. This result supports the validity of use of surnames in models of human genetic geography.     

The metazoan parasites of freshwater fishes in the Corrib catchment area, Ireland

A survey of the parasites of 243 fish belonging to 13 species, from the Corrib catchment area, western Ireland, was undertaken. At least 32 species of metazoan parasites were shown to be present. Diplostomum gasterostei, Tylodelphys clavata, Eubothrium salvelini, Cucullanus truttae, Raphidascaris acus, Ergasilus gibbus and Salmincola gordoni appear to be first records for Ireland and Phyllodistomum conostomum has not previously been reported from the British Isles. New host records involving Lamptera planeri, Salvelinus alpinus, Abramis brama, Noemacheilus barbatulus, Anguilla anguilla and Pungitius pungitius for the British Isles are given.     

Fungal Parasites of the Phytoplankton. II (Studies on British Chytrids, XII)

This paper brings together the species of Chytrid fungi recordedfrom large bodies of water in the British Isles. Four new speciesare described.     

Shigella dysenteriae and Shigella boydii in England and Wales during 1972 and 1973

During 1972 and 1973 the Salmonella and Shigella Reference Laboratory examined 133 strains of Shigella dysenteriae and Shigella boydii isolated from patients in England and Wales. Of those infected 89 had recently travelled abroad and a further seven had been in close contact with travellers recently returned to this country. Though these subgroups were of little numerical significance they are of considerable epidemiological interest. The increase in tourism from the British Isles to North Africa and Asia is likely to lead to an increased incidence of infections due to these organisms, both in travellers infected abroad and in their contacts within the British Isles.     

Phylogeography and recent historical biogeography of Hydroporus glabriusculus Aubé (Goleoptera: Dytiscidae) in the British Isles and Scandinavia

The genetic relationships of populations of the diving beetle Hydroporus glabriusculus in the British Isles and Sweden were examined using allozyme electrophoresis. H. glabriusculus is widespread in the far north of Eurasia, and occurs further south in western and central Europe as isolated relict colonies in fens whose development dates back to the early Postglacial. Study of genetic distance data reveals that the relict colonies of this insect in the British Isles do not form a distinct phylogeographic lineage, but instead belong to a number of separate groups, one of which also occurs in Sweden. Beetles from Ireland, Scotland and Norfolk appear to have diverged from each other during the Pleistocene, and colonized the British Isles in the early Postglacial in separate waves. Populations in the Norfolk Breck are closely related to the Swedish population studied, these two groups apparently having diverged during the Windermere Interstadial. All Norfolk colonies show remarkably similar depauperate levels of genetic variability, which is considered to have resulted from bottlenecking of an ancestral populaton in the Late Glacial. This study demonstrates that the recent historical biogeography of the biota of north-west Europe may be more complex than would appear from a simple consideraton of Holocene events.     

Cystocarpic plants of Gigartina teedii—A new record for the British Isles

Cystocarps are recorded for the first time on plants of Gigartina teedii (Roth) Lamour., collected in the British Isles.     

Mapping of earthworm distribution for the British Isles and Eire highlights the under-recording of an ecologically important group

Earthworms are important soil organisms yet we have limited knowledge on the geographical distribution of species. Using data from a variety of sources representing a total of 3,941 locality records we have produced the first distribution maps of earthworm species in the British Isles The maps highlight the paucity of knowledge on this ecologically important group. A systematic approach needs to be taken to bring earthworm species data to a level comparable with other important invertebrate groups such as nematodes and isopods. Through the recent establishment of an earthworm recording scheme, the Earthworm Society of Britain, working with the Biological Records Centre and earthworm researchers across the British Isles, aim to build comprehensive distribution information for future monitoring and research purposes.     

Allozyme variation in Atlantic salmon from the British Isles: associations with geography and the environment

Data on geographical variation in allele frequencies at enzyme coding loci in Atlantic salmon from the British Isles were collated from published and unpublished sources. Statistically significant differences in allele frequencies were found among samples both within and among river systems, suggesting that the Atlantic salmon in the British Isles is not a panmictic population and that even within major river systems it cannot be treated as a single genetic stock for fisheries management purposes. Although there was some evidence of regional differences in the frequency of some rare alleles, most single‐locus variation did not show strong geographic patterns, with the exception of the AAT‐4 * locus at which allele frequencies had a significant latitudinal cline. There was some evidence for the existence of genetically‐distinct celtic and boreal races of Atlantic salmon in the British Isles as previously has been suggested. Multiple regression analyses revealed associations between genetic variation and local environmental conditions ( i.e . between variation at MEP‐2 * and both temperature and local river gradient), providing additional evidence for adaptive population divergence in the species.