Feeding preferences of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gomphotherium subtapiroideum</Emphasis> (Proboscidea,Mammalia) from the Miocene of Sandelzhausen (Northern Alpine Foreland Basin,southern Germany) through life and geological time: evidence from dental microwear analysis

The objective of this study is to estimate changes in feeding preferences of the proboscidean species Gomphotherium subtapiroideum (Schlesinger 1917) by means of dental microwear analyses. The dietary changes are first evaluated through the ontogeny of this species, between juveniles and adults, and are then studied through geological time, from early Middle Miocene (MN5) to middle Late Miocene (MN8–9) localities of the German Molasse Basin. The microwear patterns of juvenile and adult individuals of G. subtapiroideum from Sandelzhausen (MN5) differ merely by the variable “length of scratches”, emphasizing longer jaw movements during mastication in adults. The microwear signatures of G. subtapiroideum do not vary significantly between the two geological time periods studied, but reflect mixed feeding preferences in both cases. These results imply that, despite an important environmental change at that time (drying and opening), the ecology of G. subtapiroideum and, especially, its feeding habits were not affected. Its dental microwear pattern is then compared with those of other species of Proboscidea from the Middle-Late Miocene of Germany, namely Deinotherium giganteum and Gomphotherium steinheimense.     

New Proboscideans (Mammalia) from the middle Miocene of Thailand

The proboscidean fauna of the middle Miocene of Thailand consists of five taxa, including four elephantoids and one deinothere. The Thai association is dominated by the genera Stegolophodon and Gomphotherium. Stegolophodon is represented by S. nasaiensis and S. praelatidens. The latter species, considered invalid and possibly conspecific with S. latidens, is re‐erected. Its phylogenetic relationships are discussed. The Thai Gomphotherium matches with G. browni from the middle Miocene of Indo‐Pakistan. However, the open nomenclature is employed for the Thai material because it differs from G. browni in terms of curvature of the upper tusk. Intraspecific molar size variation observed in G. cf. browni and Stegolophodon praelatidens is attributed to sexual dimorphism. The Thai proboscidean asssemblage is mainly endemic compared with other contemporaneous Asian faunas although the recognition of Gomphotherium cf. browni denotes faunal affinities with Pakistan. The biostratigraphical implications of the taxa are examined in a regional context. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 703–721.     

Proboscideans from the upper Miocene localities of Thermopigi,Neokaisareia and Platania (Northern Greece)

In the present article, we study the proboscidean remains from three upper Miocene localities of Northern Greece: Thermopigi (Serres), Neokaisareia (Pieria) and Platania (Drama). The material from the Turolian locality of Thermopigi includes only postcranial specimens. The morphological features of the scapula indicate the presence of the deinotheriid Deinotherium sp., whereas the rest of the specimens are morphologically distinct from Deinotherium and can be referred to Elephantimorpha indet. The material from Neokaisareia consists of a partial skeleton of a single individual and is attributed to the mammutid Mammut sp. (M. obliquelophus?). This taxon is known in Greece from the early–middle Turolian. The Platania proboscidean belongs to the tetralophodont amebelodontid Konobelodon cf. atticus. The genus Konobelodon was already present during the Vallesian of the wider area, but the lower tusk of the Platania shovel-tusker presents some morphological and metrical differences from the Vallesian representative, yet it has also smaller dimensions in its deciduous dentition than the morphologically similar Turolian specimens. The type locality of K. atticus is Pikermi (Attica, Greece), correlated to the middle Turolian, but the known biostratigraphic range of this species covers the entire Turolian. Platania is possibly correlated close to the Vallesian/Turolian boundary and the possible record of this species could document one of its earliest occurrences.     

New finds of the Neogene lizard and snake fauna (Squamata: Lacertilia; Serpentes) from the Slovak Republic

This paper deals with the squamate fauna from three Neogene localities in Slovakia. Neogene lizards and snakes have rarely been reported from this region and many aspects of their evolution and palaeodiversity are still poorly understood. Squamate remains from the Upper Miocene (MN 9) locality of Borsky Sv?ty Jur belong to at least five different taxa: Lacerta sp., Pseudopus sp., Colubroidea indet. (? Elapidae), Natricinae indet. and Colubridae indet. The ophidian assemblage from Ivanovce (Lower Pliocene; MN 15b) is dominated by colubrids, mainly Zamenis longissimus. The remainder is comprised of the species Natrix natrix. Squamate material from this locality also includes Lacerta cf. agilis, Pseudopus sp. and Ophisaurus sp., while that from Hajnáčka (Upper Pliocene; MN 16a) is extremely poor, comprising just one taxon - Natrix natrix. The Ivanovce material represents the oldest proof of the former existence of the species Zamenis longissimus and Natrix natrix in the Slovak Republic. The composition of this snake fauna indicates faunistic and palaeoecological changes at the end of the Miocene, although this was not as rapid as at similar localities in Europe. The squamate fauna of Slovakia has changed very little since the beginning of the Pliocene, and the majority of taxa are represented by species that currently occur in this region.     

Late Miocene Proboscidea (Mammalia) from Macedonia and Samos Island, Greece: preliminary results

The abundant Late Miocene proboscidean remains of Greece have never been studied in detail and compared with those of Eurasia in order to determine their taxonomy and their biostratigraphical and palaeoecological significance. The first results of such study are given in this article. During the past decades, several new proboscidean specimens have been added to the old collections, significantly enriching the available material. The Axios Valley (Macedonia, Greece) proboscidean fossils belong mainly to two species of Choerolophodon: C. anatolicus of early Vallesian age and C. pentelici of late Vallesian–Turolian age. Deinotherium giganteum is rare and recognized only in the late Vallesian locality Ravin de la Pluie of Axios Valley. A zygodont form has also been identified in the Turolian of Axios Valley, attributed to “Mammut” sp. The Late Miocene localities of Nikiti (Macedonia, Greece) revealed several remains of C. pentelici, which are similar to the Turolian ones of Axios Valley. The Samos proboscidean collection includes C. pentelici, “Tetralophodon” atticus, “Mammut” sp. and Deinotherium gigantissimum. The taxonomy of the Late Miocene peri-Mediterranean Choerolophodon is given, and the biostratigraphy and palaeoecology of the Greek Late Miocene proboscideans are discussed.     

The diet of Eneolithic (Copper Age, Fourth millennium cal b.c.) pile dwellers and the early formation of the cultural landscape south of the Alps: a case study from Slovenia

Analyses were performed of plant remains from the Late Neolithic (in Slovenian terminology corresponding to Eneolithic or Copper Age, ca. 4300–2300 b.c.) pile dwelling Hočevarica in the Ljubljansko barje (Ljubljana Moor), Slovenia. This settlement existed between ca. 3650 and 3550 cal b.c. Seeds, fruits, wooden piles, macroscopic charcoal and pollen from the cultural layers were analysed. The remains of domestic plants such as charred grains of Hordeum vulgare (barley), Triticum monococcum, T. dicoccum (einkorn and emmer wheat) and Papaver somniferum (poppy seeds), as well as seeds of weeds such as Chenopodium album-type indicate early cultivation in the area. In addition, numerous remains of nuts and berries, especially of Quercus sp., Cornus mas, Rubus fruticosus and Corylus avellana demonstrate that the gathering of wild plants was an important part of subsistence. Palaeoecological and archaeobotanical data from Hočevarica further suggest that cleared land was used for agriculture and pastures during the Neolithic, and that different wood was cut for construction and for fuel. The species assemblage from Hočevarica is very similar to those recovered from northern Alpine lake dwelling sites, however, several new taxa (e.g. Lathyrus sativus, Vicia sp.) appear in the assemblage. One of the most surprising finds is the seed of wild grape (Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris), which are the oldest on-site remains of grapevine from Slovenia.     

Optimal assay conditions for aspartate transcarbamylase (ATCase) activity in mesozooplankton

The optimal conditions for storing and assaying mesozooplanktonaspartate transcarb amylase (ATCase) (EC 2.1.3.1 [EC] .) are definedin order to enable the specific activity of this enzyme to beused as an index of mesozooplankton productivity. ATCase activitywas found to be stable for more than 2 weeks when stored inliquid nitrogen, with a negligible loss of activity, whateverthe state of frozen material (cell-free homogenate or wholecells). As an alternative, –20C, –90C freezersand dry ice (–80C) can give more flexibility for storingand transporting material, provided initial freezing has beencarried out at –196C. ATCase specific activity was stableover a large range of total protein concentrations (2–55mg ml^–1) for most mesozooplankton samples, and the enzymeactivity was linear between 0.8 and 80 nmol carbamyl aspartatemin^–1 mg^–1 of total protein. The optimal incubationtime (30 min), temperature (35C) and pH range (9–9.5)for assay of ATCase were similar forCalanus helgolondicus (Crustacea:Copepoda) (G.O.Sars) and three mesozooplankton assemblages sampledoff Plymouth (UK) in May, August and November. However, theKm values for both substrateswere variable: from 3.9 to 79.1for aspartate, and from 0.83 to 3.46 for carbamyl phosphate.Such variations arelikely to be due to the presence of differentATCase catalytic potential, rather than changes in ATCase assemblage.     

Sarmatian (Late Middle Miocene) gastropod assemblages of the Central Paratethys

Summary A rather diverse gastropod fauna from Sarmatian deposits of the Austrian/Hungarian Eisenstadt-Sopron Basin was studied. The fauna derives from two layers of clay and silt within a siliciclastic section at St. Margarethen in Burgenland (Austria). These layers are interpreted as littoral mudflats which formed during the Sarmatian (Late Middle Miocene) along the western coast of the Central Paratethys. Strong shifts in the composition of the gastropod fauna, dominated by Potamididae (Cenogastropoda: Cerithioidea), within each layer indicate successions of limnic-fluvial to oligohaline, brackish-littoral, and marine-littoral environments. These shifts in facies are reflected by an alternational of thePotamides hartbergensis assemblage,Granulolabium bicinctum assemblage, and thePotamides disjunctus assemblage. The speciesJujubinus turriculus (Eichwald, 1850),Gibbula buchi (Dubois, 1831), andCylichnina elongata (Eichwald, 1830) are reported for the first time from the Sarmatian of the Paratethys.Mitrella agenta nov. sp. (Neogastropoda: Columbellidae) is introduced as a new species. These species might represent relics of the diverse Badenian fauna but could also prove a minor ingression of marine species from an adjacent bioprovince in the Late SarmatianMactra “Zone”.     

Anatomy and phylogenetic value of the mandibular and coronoid canals and their associated foramina in proboscideans (Mammalia)

Characters associated with the mandibular canal are differently distributed amongst proboscidean lineages and provide useful information on the systematics and relationships of proboscideans. The aim of this paper is to describe the pattern of the mandibular canal and its associated foramina in proboscideans in order to fully appreciate the extent of interspecific variation of these structures within the group and to discuss its systematic and phylogenetic value. Outgroup comparison indicates that the condition presented by the basal proboscidean Phosphatherium is morphotypic for proboscideans. Primitive proboscidean characters are: the low position of the mandibular foramen, and its crescent‐shaped outline, the occurrence of a coronoid foramen (canal), the occurrence of two lateral mental foramina, the posterior one at the level of (or slightly behind) the posterior margin of the symphysis, the anterior one in a more distal position, the absence of a medial mental foramen (MMF), the mandibular canal set just below the tooth row. The occurrence of a single lateral mental foramen may represent a shared derived character of Daouitherium, Numidotherium, and Barytherium. A unique derived feature of the Elephantinae mandible is the occurrence of a medial mental foramen on the medial side of the incisive part of the mandible. MMFs have never been observed in other proboscideans excluding elephantines. The very high frequency of MMFs observed in Mammuthus meridionalis–Mammuthus trogontherii–Mammuthus primigenius (>93 per cent of the studied specimens) could be considered a synapomorphy of this group. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161 , 391–413.     

Terrestrial soil diatom assemblages from different vegetation types in Zackenberg (Northeast Greenland)

A total of 81 taxa were observed from 30 soil samples taken from 5 different vegetation types in Northeast Greenland. Most of the dominant diatoms are well-known cosmopolitan aerophilic taxa; only Caloneis aerophila and Pinnularia lagerstedtii are less widespread species. The valve lengths of P. borealis and Hantzschia amphioxys are correlated with the moisture content of the soils. Average cell number/g dry weight of soil amounts to 1,120,000 ± 740,000. In a TWINSPAN classification, the soils of the different vegetation types are separated, with the exception of the Vaccinium soils, which are grouped partly with the Cassiope samples and partly with the Salix soils. In a CCA ordination diagram, the Navicula atomus–Fragilaria elliptica assemblage shows a positive correlation with organic content and pH and a negative one with permafrost depth. The Pinnularia divergentissima var. martinii–P. obscura assemblage is positively correlated with moisture. The Pinnularia lagerstedtii–Caloneis aerophila assemblage is positively correlated with permafrost depth and negatively with pH and moisture. Accepted: 27 November 1999     

Ecology of testate amoebae communities from aquatic habitats in the Zackenberg area (Northeast Greenland)

A total of 67 taxa, belonging to 15 genera, were recorded from aquatic samples collected in Zackenberg (Northeast Greenland). Most taxa belong to the genera Difflugia, Centropyxis, Nebela and Euglypha. Trinema lineare showed the highest relative abundance. Seven taxa were recorded for the first time in the Arctic. A TWINSPAN classification reveals two groups, reflecting a local geographical distinction. In the ponds of the old Zackenberg delta area (group 1), two assemblages were found: the Paraquadrula globulosa-Cyphoderia perlucidus assemblage and the Difflugiella crenulata-Cryptodifflugia compressa assemblage. The lakes, the pools and ponds east of the Zackenberg river (group 2) also harbour two assemblages: the Trinema enchelys-Euglypha sp.1 assemblage and the Centropyxis aerophila-Difflugia globulosa assemblage. Although the lakes are chemically unique, having extremely low values for turbidity, colour, SiO²⁻ ₂, Cl⁻ and hardness, this is not reflected in the characteristic testacean communities. Accepted: 24 April 1999     

Conformational preferences of modified nucleoside N(2)-methylguanosine (m(2)G) and its derivative N(2), N(2)-dimethylguanosine (m(2)(2)G) occur at 26th position (hinge region) in tRNA

Conformational preferences of the modified nucleosides N²-methylguanosine (m²G) and N², N²-dimethylguanosine (m₂²G) have been studied theoretically by using quantum chemical perturbative configuration interaction with localized orbitals (PCILO) method. Automated complete geometry optimization using semiempirical quantum chemical RM1, along with ab initio molecular orbital Hartree–Fock (HF-SCF), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations has also been made to compare the salient features. Single-point energy calculation studies have been made on various models of m²G26:C/A/U44 and m₂²G26:C/A/U44. The glycosyl torsion angle prefers “syn” (χ = 286°) conformation for m²G and m₂²G molecules. These conformations are stabilized by N(3)–HC2′ and N(3)–HC3′ by replacing weak interaction between O5′–HC(8). The N²-methyl substituent of (m²G26) prefers “proximal” or s-trans conformation. It may also prefer “distal” or s-cis conformation that allows base pairing with A/U44 instead of C at the hinge region. Thus, N²-methyl group of m²G may have energetically two stable s-trans m²G:C/A/U or s-cis m²G:A/U rotamers. This could be because of free rotations around C–N bond. Similarly, N², N²-dimethyl substituent of (m₂²G) prefers “distal” conformation that may allow base pairing with A/U instead of C at 44th position. Such orientations of m²G and m₂²G could play an important role in base-stacking interactions at the hinge region of tRNA during protein biosynthesis process.     

Schistocephalus cotti n. sp. (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) plerocercoids from bullheads Cottus gobio L. in an Arctic river in Finland, with a key to the plerocercoids of the Palaearctic species of the genus

We compared plerocercoids of Schistocephalus Creplin, 1829 from Cottus gobio (n = 57) and Gasterosteus aculeatus f. semiarmatus (n = 45) from the River Utsjoki, Finland, taken only from single worm infections. Segment numbers in the two populations were distinct (G. aculeatus range 55–107, average 74 (SE 1.66), median 73; C. gobio range 122–189, average 146 (SE 1.78); median 144). The mean difference between populations, 71.47, t = 28.76 with 100 degrees of freedom, two-tailed p value <0.001, was considered extremely significant. Amplification of microsatellite loci that were originally designed for Schistocephalus from G. aculeatus was positive for all larvae from G.␣aculeatus (n = 20), whereas in no plerocercoids from C. gobio (n = 20) were any of the six microsatellites amplified, indicating that plerocercoids from G. aculeatus and C. gobio were two distinct genetic populations of Schistocephalus. The material from C. gobio is described as S. cotti n. sp. Plerocercoids of the Palaearctic species of Schistocephalus are identified as follows: S. nemachili Dubinina, 1959 with 228–235 or more segments, specific to Barbatula spp. (Balitoridae); S. pungitii Dubinina, 1959 with 62–92 (usually 70–80) segments, specific to Pungitius pungitius; S. solidus (Müller, 1776) in two forms, one in G. aculeatus f. leiurus and f.␣semiarmatus, with 48–100 (usually 65–75) segments, and the other in G. aculeatus f. trachurus, with 99–138 (usually 112–122) segments; and S. cotti n. sp. with 103–189 (usually 130–159) segments, probably specific to cottids. Nearctic Schistocephalus were not considered owing to the uncertain status of some North American records. Some other species of Schistocephalus of highly doubtful status were briefly noted. Cross-infection experiments and molecular studies are recommended to further elucidate the interrelationships between the various species of Schistocephalus.     

Haemoglobin components and oxygen transport in relation to habitat distribution in triplefin fishes (Tripterygiidae)

Haemoglobin components were analysed for nine species of New Zealand triplefins and their isoelectric points (pI) ranged from 5.1 to 7.0. The number of well-expressed isohaemoglobins was larger in shallow-water and tidal pool species, ranging from four in Grahamina signata to eight in Grahamina capito, and were relatively cathodal. Two strongly anodal isohaemoglobins were expressed in the mid-depth species Ruanoho decemdigitatus and Ruanoho whero, and one in the deeper water species Karalepis stewarti and Forsterygion malcolmi. The red blood cell oxygen-binding properties were determined at 15 °C and 25 °C in the pH range 6.7–7.9 for the shallow-water species G. capito, the shallow to mid-depth species Forsterygion varium, and the deep-water species F. malcolmi. Oxygen affinity was highest for G. capito and the magnitude of the Bohr effect lower (Δlog P ₅₀/ΔpH = −0.37 at 25 °C, where P ₅₀ is the half-saturation coefficient) compared to the two Forsterygion species (Δlog P ₅₀/ΔpH = −0.52 to −0.59). Further, the cooperativity factor, n ₅₀, was lower in G. capito thus maintaining oxygen transport over a wide range of environmental oxygen pressures. Oxygen binding was similarly influenced by temperature in both G. capito and F. malcolmi (maximum heat of oxygenation ΔH_max = −27 kJ mol⁻¹ and −37 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively). Thus, triplefin fishes living in shallow, thermally unstable habitats possess a greater number of cathodally migrating isohaemoglobins, and their red blood cells have a higher oxygen affinity and reduced cooperativity which is less sensitive to changes in pH than do species occurring in more stable, deeper water habitats. Our analysis of an assemblage of closely related species circumvents some of the difficulties inherent in studies where interpretation of experimental results is confounded by phylogeny. Accepted: 18 March 1999     

Cladocera assemblages from the surface sediments of south-central Ontario (Canada) lakes and their relationships to measured environmental variables

Fossil cladoceran remains preserved in surface sediment samples from 44 oligotrophic lakes in south-central Ontario were examined to evaluate the relationships between species assemblages and measured environmental variables. Differences in cladoceran assemblages were related to physical and chemical variables using multivariate techniques. Redundancy Analysis (RDA) identified five environmental variables as significantly influencing assemblage composition: sulphate (SO₄²⁻), calcium (Ca²⁺), pH, maximum lake depth (Z _max) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). There was a distinct separation of lakes and taxa along the ion gradient based on SO₄, Ca and pH. Additionally, cladoceran communities in coloured, shallow lakes had relatively higher abundances of littoral chydorid species and the pelagic taxa Holopedium spp., and the Daphnia pulex complex. Deep, clear lakes had relatively higher abundances of other pelagic taxa. Predation by fish (measured as presence–absence) and Chaoborus (measured as density) were less significant than some of the physico-chemical variables in influencing cladoceran assemblage structure. However, this could be due to the limited resolution of the predation data that was available at the time of this study. The distribution of cladocerans in the surface sediment, and their relation to these important environmental variables, suggests that there is considerable potential for the use of sedimentary cladoceran remains as environmental indicators in south-central Ontario lakes. Handling editor: J. Saros     

A modern soft-bottom, shallow-water crinoid fauna (Echinodermata) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

A recent preliminary survey revealed that 12 species of unstalked crinoids occur on a gentle sandy slope (12–18 m depth) at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia; five of which are also found on coral reefs. The other seven appear to constitute a unique assemblage restricted to unconsolidated substrates, where most cling to algae or hide beneath rubble or sponges. Members of this assemblage exhibit all of the basic feeding postures found among reef-dwelling species. However, Comatula rotalaria, which lacks anchoring cirri and bears uniquely differentiated short and long arms, exhibits a posture different from other living crinoids. Quantitative transects reveal apparent depth-related differences in species composition: C. rotalaria dominated the 12 transects in 12–13 m (84% of 82 specimens), while Comatella nigra, Comatula cf. purpurea, Amphimetra cf. tessellata and Zygometra microdiscus accounted for 96% of 54 specimens observed along 12 transects in 16–17 m.     

Ammotragus europaeus : une nouvelle espèce de Caprini (Bovidae, Mammalia) du Pléistocène inférieur à la grotte du Vallonnet (France)

Ammotragus europaeus: a new species of Caprini (Bovidae, Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene site of Vallonnet (France). A new species of the genus Ammotragus is described from the assemblage III of Vallonnet cave (Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes, France). These remains were interpreted as Ovis, but the re-study of the dental collection from the site and a first study of a partial braincase with the basal internal region of the horn-core pedicels, the parietals, the temporals, and the basisphenoid bones, show anatomical differences with the Caprini genera Ovis, Capra, and Hemitragus and the Ovibovini genus Soergelia. At the opposite, anatomical similarities of the Vallonnet material to the extant North-African Caprini genus Ammotragus are observed. The age of Vallonnet cave is dated by palaeomagnetic techniques at about 1.0 Ma. Teeth remains similar to the Vallonnet species have been found at Fuente Nueva-3 (Orce, Andalusia, Spain). To cite this article: P.-É. Moullé et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).     

A new record of Gobius jarosi (Teleostei,Gobiidae) from the Early Miocene of Poland with inference to paleogeography and palaeoecology of the Carpathian Basin

Abstract

Gobies (family Gobiidae) were in the past and now important components of marine ecosystems as an essential part of the food chain. However, the early fossil record of this group is relatively meager, with only scarce skeletal remains. The oldest known representative of the genus Gobius has been recently described from the Early Miocene of Czech Republic as Gobius jarosi P?ikryl & Reichenbacher, 2018. Here we present a detailed study of a well-preserved goby skeleton of the same age from the Harta locality (Poland). This specimen is assumed as belonging to Gobius jarosi based on its almost complete morphological and meristic identity with the type material from the Vá?any nad Litavou locality. Some aspects of the paleogeography and paleoecology of the Early Miocene fish assemblage from Harta with special reference to the Carpathian Basin are also discussed in this paper.     

Observations on Flattened Species of Gracilaria (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) from Taiwan

Four flattened Gracilaria species have been reported from Taiwan: G. spinulosa, G. vieillardii, G. textorii and G. punctata, identified based on branching pattern, the presence or absence of spines, and characters that often vary seasonally. Gracilaria spinulosa was originally described from the type locality, Tainan. Species with toothed margins are usually referred to G. “vieillardii”; those with smooth margins to G. “textorii”, and those with smooth margins and dark spots scattered over the blade to G. “punctata”. Molecular analyses show that specimens with marginal teeth cluster in three different groups: a G. “vieillardii” clade, a G. spinulosa clade, and a clade sister to G. spinulosa. An undescribed species comprises the third clade, which is distinguished by its relatively large gonimoblast cells and weakly developed tubular nutritive cells. The three clades can be separated by the character of the tubular nutritive cells, the size of gonimoblast cells and certain vegetative features. Plants with entire margins form a single clade characterized by cystocarps with basal tubular nutritive cells and their absence in the cystocarp cavity. They are nested in the Hydropuntia complex and are referred to as Gracilaria “punctata” here. The records of G. textorii and G. punctata from Taiwan require reinvestigation in comparison with the Japanese species.     

Effects of land use on black fly assemblages (Diptera: Simuliidae) in submontane rivers (West Carpathians, Slovakia)

The effects of land use on black fly assemblages were investigated in submontane rivers (the Ľubochnianka River, the Revúca River, upper Váh River catchment) in the Carpathians. We recorded 11 black fly species in the Ľubochnianka River and 10 species in the Revúca River. Land use differs between the catchments; the Ľubochnianka is a primarily forested catchment, and the Revúca is markedly deforested catchment. Fifteen environmental variables were analysed. Based on the results provided by CANOCO, phosphorus level and stream slope are the most important variables and have significant influences on the variability of black fly assemblages. In spring, Prosimulium rufipes occurred along the entire lengths of the streams. The black fly assemblage of the Revúca River differs from the assemblage of the Ľubochnianka River mainly by its higher abundances of Simulium variegatum and Simulium ornatum, by the presence of Simulium carthusiense, and by the absence of Prosimulium hirtipes.