Supernumerary (B) chromosomes in populations of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. from Western Rhodopes (Bulgaria)

Investigations on B chromosomes found for the first time for Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. have been conducted. Seeds of Picea abies from two populations of Western Rhodopes (Bulgaria) located at the southern border of species range, and protected according to Bern Convention and EC Habitat Directive were collected for this study. Mixoploidy was detected in some germinating seeds of Picea abies. It was found that metaphase cells of germinating seeds contain 0–4 B chromosomes of both metacentric and submetacentric types. The variability of B chromosomes number and their occurrence was observed. Along with B chromosomes, some chromosome aberrations such as fragments and ring chromosomes were revealed in metaphase cells of Picea abies from studied populations. The possible adaptive role of B chromosomes presence for Picea spp. is discussed.     

Dermatoglyphic analysis of Habans (Hutterites) from Slovakia

Dermatoglyphic traits have been used to assess population structure and affinities of the 91 Habans (Hutterites) and 162 Non-Haban Slovaks. In addition a comparison has been made with other Slovak population samples. Biological distances between individual populations were assessed by means of the Hiernaux distance coefficient. The results show a clear separation of the Habans from the Non-Habans in the same villages as well as from the other Slovak groups. Dermatoglyphic analysis is regarded as noncompatible with the interpretation of the genetic structure.     

From research to implementation: Nature conservation in the Eastern Rhodopes mountains (Greece and Bulgaria), European Green Belt

Nature conservation should ideally build on the scientific recommendations that are concluded from applied conservation research, as well as on monitoring schemes that evaluate the effectiveness of recommendations. We considered as a case study a system of six protected areas located in the Eastern Rhodopes mountains in the southern part of the European Green Belt (EGB). To investigate nature conservation effectiveness, we reviewed 196 articles from scientific journals and books, eight doctoral and master theses, and 39 scientific reports regarding the Greek (one protected area, 428 km²) and the Bulgarian (five protected areas, 904 km²) part of the study area. We extracted 743 conservation recommendations, and through questionnaires completed by 10 local experts, we found that 74% of the recommendations were familiar for the experts. In the Greek (GR) and the Bulgarian part (BG) only 52% and 16%, respectively, of the recommendations were implemented, and only 15% (GR) and 3.1% (BG) were implemented and evaluated regarding their effectiveness. According to the experts, the main reasons for non-implementation and non-evaluation were absence or incompetence of the responsible authorities. Some recommendations obtained a remarkable low rate of implementation, such as those regarding agriculture and livestock rearing practices (GR: 29%, BG: 16%) or mammal conservation (GR: 0%, BG: 16%). Some other recommendations obtained rather high rates at least for Greece, such as tourism and environmental education (GR: 57%, BG: 42%) and bird conservation (GR: 57%, BG: 11%). We found that researchers and conservation managers at both sides of the Greek-Bulgarian border face similar implementation problems, related often to the lack of political will for nature conservation and establishment of competent authorities. The role of the EGB is crucial in enhancing the established cross-border collaborations between stakeholders involved in nature conservation.     

Limnological characteristics of a subtropical constructed wetland in south Florida (USA)

The Everglades Nutrient Removal Project (ENRP) was a 1544 ha constructed wetland built by the South Florida Water Management District as part of Everglades restoration efforts. The limnology of this wetland is characterized over its 60-month operational history. The ENRP received agricultural runoff containing high levels of C, N, P and other dissolved constituents; had moderately high alkalinity with a circumneutral pH; and had low to moderate DO. The ENRP provided substantial treatment (concentration reduction from inflow to outflow) for Al, Fe, NH₄, NO_x, SRP, TP, TSS and turbidity (high-treatment variables), while Secchi depth increased markedly. These changes were judged biologically significant. Dissolved oxygen, and water temperature had well defined annual cycles, while some level of seasonality was noted for Al, alkalinity, Ca, conductivity, DOC, Fe, hardness, K, Mg, Mn, Na, NH₄, pH, Secchi depth, SiO₂, TOC, TN, turbidity, and TSS. The ENRP was P limited based on TN:TP molar ratios. Dissolved ions were dominated by Ca, Cl, Na, and HCO₃; the stoichiometric balance of both major and minor ions was similar throughout the wetland. The downstream settling of TSS was associated with increased light penetration, but did not appear important in sediment accretion. The adsorption of P to Ca, and perhaps Al and Fe, precipitates is thought to have been an important nutrient removal mechanism. Although there was little net reduction in DOC, we speculate that some incoming material was degraded and replaced by new DOC produced within the wetland.     

Bryozoa from the Surmaq Formation (Permian) of the Hambast Mountains,south of Abadeh,central Iran

The Permian bryozoan fauna of the Surmaq Formation exposed in a section near Kuh-e Hambast (Hambast Mountains, central Iran) includes ten species. Four species (Fistulipora sawatai Sakagami 1999, Fistulipora takauchiensis Sakagami 1961, Fistulipora monticulosa Nikiforova 1933, and Eridopora parasitica, Waagen and Wentzel 1886) indicate a Middle Permian (Murgabian) age of the formation. Six additional taxa, three cystoporates Fistulipora sp. 1, Fistulipora sp. 2, and Fistuliporidae gen. et sp. indet., as well as three trepostomes Dyscritella sp., Trepostomata gen. et sp. indet. 1 and Trepostomata gen. et sp. indet. 2 could not be identified at the genus and species level. The investigated fauna refers to the Middle Permian of Thailand, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Japan.     

Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota) from Bulgaria and other countries

Fifty-two species of the Laboulbeniales are reported for the first time from Bulgaria. One new species of Diphymyces, parasitic on Hexaurus schipkaensis is also described. The total number of species from Bulgaria is thus raised from 15 to 68. The first records of any of the Laboulbeniales are reported from Armenia, Eritrea, Georgia and Kazakhstan; more new records are reported also from Albania, China, Cyprus, Hungary, Italy, Mongolia, Namibia, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Yemen. The antheridia of Misgomyces dyschirii are described and illustrated.     

Alkaloid chemotypes of Glaucium flavum (Papaveraceae) from Bulgaria

The alkaloid pattern of Glaucium flavum Crantz. from four natural populations in Bulgaria were investigated and six aporphine, two protopine and one morphinane alkaloids were determined. In accordance with the particular content and composition of alkaloids and the different localities of the species three alkaloid chemotypes were suggested. The first one contains aporphines and protopines with a main alkaloid glaucine. The second chemotype contains again aporphine and protopine alkaloids but the main alkaloid is isocorydine and the third chemotype contains besides these two types of alkaloids and the morphinane alkaloid salutaridine.     

湖南会同杉木人工林林冠截留特征

林冠对降水的截留是森林生态系统水分平衡的一个重要组成部分,在水分循环和水资源管理方面起着非常重要的作用。杉木是我国特有的速生商品材树种,研究杉木人工林各生长阶段的林冠截留,能更好的了解杉木各生长阶段的水循环过程以及涵养水源的能力。以湖南会同杉木林生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站第Ⅲ集水区杉木人工林为研究对象,采用小集水区径流场综合试验法对1983年至2007年杉木人工林幼龄阶段、中龄阶段及近熟阶段3个不同生长阶段的林冠截留进行分析。结果表明:(1)杉木人工林不同生长阶段年均截留率分别为:幼龄阶段26%、中龄阶段27.86%和近熟阶段29.47%,3个阶段的截留率季节变化规律相似,但在降雨量较小的月份,近熟阶段的截留率明显高于幼龄阶段。(2)在雨量级小于1.0 mm时,3个阶段林冠截留率都较高且无明显差别,均在86%以上;在1.0—2.0mm雨量级时,3个阶段截留率与雨量级小于1.0 mm时均大幅降低,但3个阶段截留率物显著差异,幼龄阶段48.1%、中龄阶段48.7%和近熟阶段47.1%;在进入2.0—4.0 mm雨量级时,3个阶段截留率差异较大,幼龄阶段30.5%、中龄阶段38.4%和近熟阶段44.1%,近熟阶段的林冠能截留住更多的降雨;当降雨量大于100 mm时,3个阶段林冠截留率又无明显差异截留率均低于10%。(3)Fan模型对各阶段杉木人工林林冠截留的模拟较为理想。     

Identification of Reticulitermes spp. (Isoptera: Reticulitermatidae) from south central United States by PCR-RFLP

Because of morphological ambiguity, traditional identification of Reticulitermes Holmgren termites has always been difficult and unreliable. A molecular diagnostic method is presented for differentiating Reticulitermes species occurring in the south central United States, which are economically important urban pests. A 379-bp region of the mtDNA COII gene and a 415-bp region of the mtDNA 16S rRNA gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced from Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), Reticulitermes hageni Banks, and Reticulitermes tibialis (Banks). Applying DNA sequence data, the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of two restriction enzymes each for the COII amplicon and the 16S amplicon, were diagnostic for all of the Reticulitermes species analyzed. Based on putative mutation rates, >87% and 97% of the samples should be successfully identified to species with PCR-RFLP of COII and 16S, respectively. To verify the accuracy of our predictions, we examined unclassified Reticultermes populations from Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia using PCR-RFLP. Applying PCR-RFLP, 97 samples were correctly classified to species. This technique allows the use of field-collected specimens preserved in alcohol and can identify termite specimens regardless of caste. PCR-RFLP, resolved with agarose or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, provided an efficient method for identification of Reticulitermes species from the south central United States for diagnostic purposes.     

ProcessingMetroxylon sagu Rottboell (Arecaceae) as a technological complex: A Case study from south central seram, Indonesia

Presented here is an examination of the technological process whereby the stem pith ofMetroxylon sagu Rottboell is transformed into edible starch by the Nuaulu people of south central Seram, Maluku, Indonesia. The analysis seeks to describe the underlying local knowledge and practices involved, with a view to refuting the assertion that sago extractionis an intuitively and technically simple solution to food provision for those reluctant to adopt ‘proper’ agriculture. In the light of this demonstration, I reconsider how palm starch dependency works as an adaptive strategy.     

Centaurea serpentinica sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from the central and south Anatolia transition zone, Turkey

A new species, Centaurea serpentinica A. Duran & B. Doğan (Asteraceae) in sect. Acrolophus (Cass.) DC., is described and illustrated from Anatolia, Turkey. The species grows on eroded serpentine stony slopes and in open Pinus brutia Ten. forest in the Yahyalı district (C5 Kayseri Province) in the central and south Anatolia transition zone. It is morphologically similar to Centaurea kilaea Boiss. Diagnostic morphological characters from closely similar taxa are discussed and arranged in a key. Ecology, conservation status and biogeography of the species is also presented. In addition, the geographical distribution of the new species and other related species is mapped.     

Seahorse (Hippocampinae) population fluctuations in the Ria Formosa Lagoon,south Portugal

Comparisons of three sets of surveys in the Ria Formosa Lagoon, Portugal, over a 13 year period (2001–2002, 2008–2009 and 2010–2013) revealed significant population fluctuations in at least one of the two seahorse (Hippocampinae) species living there, and that those fluctuations were potentially associated with habitat changes in the lagoon. After a significant decline between the first two survey periods (2001–2002 v. 2008–2009), long‐snouted seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus populations increased significantly between 2008–2009 surveys and new 2010–2013 surveys. There were no significant differences in H. guttulatus populations between the 2001–2002 and 2010–2013 surveys. In contrast, there were no significant differences in short‐snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus densities among the 16 sites surveyed throughout the three sampling periods, although the ability to detect any change was hampered by the low densities of this species in all time periods. Fluctuations in H. guttulatus densities were positively correlated with the percentage of holdfast coverage, but with none of the other environmental variables tested. These results highlight the importance of holdfast availability in maintaining stable seahorse populations. While population fluctuations are certainly more promising than a consistent downward decline, such extreme fluctuations observed for seahorses in the Ria Formosa Lagoon could still leave these two species vulnerable to any additional stressors, particularly during low density periods.     

Early Cretaceous calcareous algae from central Iran (Taft Formation, south of Aliabad, near Yazd)

A rich association of calcareous algae is described from the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian–? Lower Aptian) deposits of the Taft Formation, located south of Aliabad (in the vicinity of Yazd, central Iran). The association mainly consists of dasycladaleans and bryopsidales (udoteaceans and gymnocodiaceans); additionally, rare “solenoporaceans” and cyanophyceans are present. Three new species are described: two are dasycladaleans (Pseudoactinoporella? iranica and Holosporella farsica) and one is an udoteacean (Boueina minima). Many of the described and illustrated algae are mentioned for the first time from Iran.     

Dermatoglyphic changes during the population admixture between Kam and Han Chinese

Genetic studies and gene localization for human dermatoglyphs are currently ongoing. However, the inheritance modes of various genetic traits are not well understood because of the complexity of dermatoglyph genetics. The study of admixed populations can contribute to the understanding of population genetic traits of dermatoglyphs. Here, we present the dermatoglyphic characteristics of Kam and Liujia Han, and the admixed population consisting of these two parent populations.The characteristics of the admixed population do not always fall in the same ranges as the parent population characters but do seem to be biased to Kam or Liujia parent populations, depending on sex and ethnicity of parents. The total frequencies of different fingerprint types do not differ among these populations, but several of the quantitative traits and the palm true pattern frequencies do significantly differ between admixed and parent populations. The simple arch fingerprint frequency decreases significantly in the admixed population in comparison with parent populations while both simple whorl fingerprint frequency and finger ridge counts increase significantly. True pattern frequency of the span area of interdigital III and IV areas on right hands and the radial-loop frequency of the right index fingers in the admixed populations are consistent with their matrilineal population. These dermatoglyphic changes may result from increased heterozygosity in the admixed population. The genetic modes of these changes may be relatively simple and will be useful for future dermatoglyph genetic studies.      

A new diploid Hieracium (Asteraceae: Lactuceae) from Bulgaria

Hieracium kittanae Vladimirov, a new diploid (2 n  = 18) species restricted to a few gorges in the Central Rhodope Mountains, south Bulgaria, is described and illustrated. It occurs in crevices of limestone rock in shady to sunny places with high atmospheric humidity. Morphologically, it to some extent resembles taxa from the H. glaucinum and H. schmidtii groups, but is otherwise very distinct, without close relatives in the Rhodope and neighbouring mountains.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003 , 143 , 213−218.     

Latest Cretaceous hadrosauroid (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) remains from Bulgaria

Disarticulated dinosaur bones have been discovered in a fossiliferous lens in the Labirinta Cave, southwest of the town of Cherven Bryag, in NW Bulgaria. This cave is formed within marine limestones belonging to the Kajlâka Formation of Latest Cretaceous age. Associated fossils and Sr isotopy suggest that the fossiliferous sediments belong to the uppermost part of the Upper Maastrichtian. The dinosaur bones discovered in this lens include the distal portion of a left femur, a right tibia, the proximal part of a right fibula, a left metatarsal II, the second or third phalanx of a left pedal digit IV, the proximal end of a second metacarpal, and a caudal centrum. All the bones undoubtedly belong to ornithopod dinosaurs and more accurately to representatives of the hadrosauroid clade. All belong to small-sized individuals, although it cannot be assessed whether they belong to juveniles or small-sized adults, pending histological analyses. Hadrosauroid remains have already been discovered in Late Maastrichtian marine sediments from western, central and eastern Europe, reflecting the abundance of these dinosaurs in correlative continental deposits. Indeed, hadrosauroids were apparently the dominating herbivorous dinosaurs in Eurasia by Late Maastrichtian time.