Influence of environmental factors on the occurrence of Ixodes ricinus ticks in the urban locality of Brno - Pisárky, Czech Republic.

The occurrence of Ixodes ricinus ticks was observed in the suburban locality of Brno-Pisárky (South Moravia, Czech Republic) from March to November, 1996 to 2002. A total of 2,813 ticks was collected. Statistical tests divided the activity of ticks into three periods during the year. The curve of seasonality had two peaks with a maximum in May and August, with a significantly larger number of specimens collected during this period compared to other months. The abundance of ticks during Spring and Autumn months was comparable. All developmental stadia of ticks were found in this locality. The number of larvae, males, and females was not significantly different, but the occurrence of nymphs was significantly greater. Except for the year 2000, there were no statistically significant differences in tick abundance. Tick activity was not dependent on humidity but did vary directly with temperature. This relation had a linear character and could be described by the equation y = 8.3 + 1.8x.     

Use of human buildings by Eurasian badgers in the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mountains,Czech Republic

An inspection of human buildings used by Eurasian badgersMeles meles (Linnaeus, 1758) in 28 sites in the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mountains, Czech Republic, was carried out in 2001. The buildings inhabited or visited by badgers were as follows: wooden barns (18 cases), masonry buildings used for residential purposes (4), abandoned buildings (1), wooden sheds (2), wooden beehouses (2) and a non-residential part of a house (1). In three sites, female badgers with their cubs inhabited buildings. Badgers use the buildings more frequently in winter than in summer. Use of human buildings and the occurrence of badgers in setts in the wild in these mountains was observed in detail on a study area of 950 ha around the village of Lubno. In total, 12 setts were discovered. Eight of them were in the wild: two setts were located closer than 50 m, five between 100 m and 300 m, and one 700 m from human buildings. In four sites badgers inhabited human buildings.     

Long-term vegetation dynamics and the infilling process of a former lake (Švarcenberk, Czech Republic)

Natural lakes are a rare phenomena within extraglacial areas of Central Europe. Almost all have been completely terrestrialized during the Holocene. This paper deals with one such former lake, located in southern Bohemia. Its extensive lacustrine and peat deposits were subjected to a multidisciplinary study that resulted in high-resolution pollen, macrofossil, algal and sediment-chemistry data interpreted in terms of past climate, geomorphology, soil, and regional vegetation development over the last 16,000 years. Against the background of these large-scale processes, local development took place, comprising the lake’s ontogeny from an arctic-type ecosystem hosting pioneer aquatic communities, through a highly diversified mosaic of eutrophic hydrosere habitats (shallow pools,Phragmites andCarex fen, alder carr), towards an oligotrophic mire that started to dome over the terrestrialized lake. At every individual development stage, specific processes characterized ecosystem function and composition: during the Late-Glacial with its rapid climatic changes, external forces induced the major stresses; while during the Holocene, autogenic changes of the wetland ecosystem played the most important role.     

Late-Glacial and Holocene Environmental History of an Oxbow Wetland in the Polabí Lowland (River Elbe,Czech Republic); a Context-Dependent Interpretation of a Multi-Proxy Analysis

This study presents a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of an oxbow wetland covering the past 11,500 years. The origin of the oxbow lake and development of the floodplain wetland and changes of the surrounding vegetation are reconstructed using palaeobotanical analyses, radiocarbon dating, detailed sediment stratigraphy and micromorphology of samples taken from a former palaeomeander of the river Elbe in the Czech Republic. The sedimentary record of the section Chrast was chosen due to its exceptional position within the area of former oxbow lakes. Using a multi-proxy approach, we investigated how this environment reflected climatic changes during the Holocene. Our results show that the Chrast section covers the Late-Glacial to the Middle Holocene period, which is climatically very unstable and characterized by extensive vegetation and sedimentological changes. The macrofossil record provides detailed evidence of Allerød vegetation. The sedimentological record reflects changes in fluvial activity (meandering-braided transition in the channel pattern) during Late-Glacial/Holocene and postsedimentological changes (occurrence of a doplerite layer) in the middle Holocene. We follow three independent lines of interpretation: (a) a local autogenic environmental-succession process, (b) a regional process driven by climate change, and (c) the role of stochastic and indeterministic processes.     

Long-term changes in numbers and distribution of wintering waterbirds in the Czech Republic, 1966–2008

Capsule?Of 26 species of wintering waterbirds, 18 showed an increase in numbers, five showed a decrease and two showed no change.

Aim?To assess long-term trends in the numbers and distribution of the 26 most abundant wintering waterbird species in the Czech Republic.

Methods?We used International Waterbird Census data from between 48 and 639 wetland sites which had been counted annually in the Czech Republic from 1966 to 2008. From these data long-term changes in numbers and distributions were determined. Log-linear Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate missing data using trim software. The distribution of each species was described as the ratio of the number of sites occupied by that species to the total number of sites investigated.

Results?Increasing trends were found for 18 species, five species were found to be declining, one species was stable and two species were found with uncertain trends. Wintering distributions (the ratio of sites occupied by a given species to the total number of sites counted) increased in 16 species and decreased in two species, broadly correlated with the species changes in numbers.

Conclusion?In most species changes in numbers as well as changes in distribution followed the Western Palearctic population trends. Those species which increased were mainly piscivores and included geese, ducks and gulls. Scarcer species also exhibited an increase in numbers. The changes in numbers (both positive and negative) were more frequent among species associated with running water, whereas species which showed uncertain trends were more frequently recorded on standing water, which is more affected by variable weather conditions.     

Improving results of the surgical treatment of rectal cancer in the Surgical Department of County Hospital, Szekszárd

The authors present that 247 elective rectal operations were performed between 1 January, 1996 and 31 December, 2001 in their surgical department. The examined 6 years were divided into a 4-year and a 2-year period. 148 operations were performed in the first and 99 in the second period. Beside personal changes, methodical and technical modifications were introduced in the second period. Distribution of age and sex was similar, and the groups were comparable. The early postoperative mortality rate decreased from 9% to 4% during the examined time. Due to the double stapling technique, the rate of anterior rectal resections has increased from 40% to 69%, and the rate of abdomino-perineal rectal extirpation has decreased from 43% to 23%. Considerable difference was found in the rate of palliative stoma-creation operations, since the 16% decreased to 8% in the second period, so the quality of life of patients has improved. The operative time, the hospital stay of the patients and the rate of operations with blood transfusion decreased. The different types of postoperative infections decreased due to the new methods.     

Family Dibrachicystidae (Echinodermata: Rhombifera) from the “Middle” Cambrian of the Barrandian area,Czech Republic

A slightly crushed but otherwise nearly complete specimen of the recently described rhombiferan echinoderm genus Vizcainoia Zamora and Smith, 2012 is documented from the “Middle” Cambrian Jince Formation of the P?íbram–Jince Basin of the Czech Republic. Isolated thecal plates, earlier determined as calyx plates of the eocrinoid Acanthocystites briareus Barrande, 1887 and/or as eocrinoid sp., occurring in diverse levels of the Jince Formation are reassigned to Dibrachicystidae gen. et sp. indet. Similarly, isolated thecal plates collected from the Buchava Formation of the Skryje–Tý?ovice Basin could be classified as Dibrachicystidae gen. et sp. indet. Specimens from the Barrandian area are the first records of the family Dibrachicystidae outside of southwestern Europe, of the family otherwise known only from the Languedocian of Montagne Noire of France and from the Caesaraugustian and Languedocian of Iberian Chains of northern Spain.     

Vegetation of beech forests in the Rychlebské Mountains,Czech Republic,re-inspected after 60 years with assessment of environmental changes

From 1941–;1944 nearly 30 phytosociological relevés were completed by F. K. Hartmann in the Rychlebské Mountains, a typical mountainous area in northeastern Czech Republic. Of the original plots still covered with adult grown beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest, 22 were resampled in 1998 and 1999. In order to describe the recent vegetation variability of the sites 57 relevés were recorded. Changes in vegetation were estimated using relative changes in species density and ordinations (PCA, RDA). Environmental changes were assessed using Ellenberg indicator values when no direct measurements were available. A decline in species diversity has been documented, particularly, many species occurring frequently in deciduous forests with nutrient and moisture well-supplied soils around neutral have decreased. In contrast, several light-demanding, acid- and soil desiccation-tolerant species have increased. Natural succession, quantified as forest age, contributed slightly to these changes. In Ellenberg indicator values, a decline in F (soil moisture), R (soil calcium) and N (ecosystem productivity), and an increase in L (understorey light) were shown. This is interpreted as the influence of modified forestry management and of airborne pollutants. Intensified logging caused the canopy to open and soil conditions to worsen. The latter is most likely also due to acid leaching of soil cations (Ca, K, Na). This caused a decline in soil productivity, thus the effect of nitrification could not be detected. The original relevés may have differed in size influencing the results. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Late Ludlovian Chitinozoa from the locality “Na Požárech” (Silurian,Prague Basin,Barrandian area,Czech Republic)

Ludlow (Silurian) Chitinozoa are described from the lower part of GSSP “Na Po?árech” (Prague Basin, Barrandian area, Czech Republic). Two chitinozoan biozones — Angochitina elongata and Eisenackitina barrandei are established.     

Flora and dispersed cuticles from the coal seams in the Jan pit of the Šverma coal mine in Žacléř (Bashkirian,Intrasudetic Basin,Czech Republic)

The Lampertice Member in the ?aclé? coalfield represents the long-term coal-bearing deposition of nearly all Upper Bashkitian (Namurian to Ducmantian). Nearly the whole thickness, more than 600 m was revealed during the construction of the Jan pit of the Jan ?verma coal mine during 1958–1962. Z. Rieger collected stratigraphically determined plant remains for later evaluation and he also sampled individual coal seams. The plant material was evaluated again and four coal samples were macerated for cuticles to expand our knowledge of ?aclé? flora. The following local biozones are valid for the Lampertice Member. The Namutian (Yeadonian) Mariopteris glabra Zone lasts from the basal coal-barren rocks till lower coal seam 17 (there are 24 lower coal seams). The Langsettian is crowed by the LAD of Neuralethopteris schlehanii (Stur) Laveine at upper coal seam 20 (there are 32 upper coal seams). The Langsettian can be divided into the upper and lower parts by FAD of Lonchopteris Brongniart at about lower coal seam 8. The Upper Duckmantian is defined by the FAD of Linopteris neuropteroides Gutbier forma major Potonié from about upper coal seam 11 upwards. The results of cuticular analysis are as follows: Undeterminable cuticles with polygonal or tetragonal, randomly or parallel oriented cells dominate. Such cuticles predominantly belong to seeds. Cordaitalean cuticles are common in three of four samples. They are assigned to the genera Cordaites Unger, Cordaadaxicutis ?im?nek et Florjan, and Cordaabaxicutis ?im?nek et Florjan. Pteridosperm cuticles are very rare—Silesiacutis prosenchymatica Roselt et Schneider and undetermined cuticles with probably neuropterid cyclopterid affinity.     

The Gracilariaceae Germplasm Bank of the University of São Paulo,Brazil—a DNA barcoding approach

The University of São Paulo Gracilariaceae Germplasm Bank has 50 strains collected mostly in Brazil, but also elsewhere in the world. This bank has been used as a source of material for research developed locally and abroad. With over 200 species, some of which have high economic value, the family Gracilariaceae has been extensively studied. Nonetheless, taxonomic problems still persist by the existence of cryptic species, phenotypic plasticity, and broad geographic distribution. In the case of algae kept in culture for long periods of time, the identification is even more problematic as a consequence of considerable morphological modification. Thus, the use of molecular markers has been shown to be an efficient tool to elucidate taxonomic issues in the group. In this work, we sequenced the 5′-end of the cox1 gene for 41 strains and the universal plastid amplicon (UPA) plastid region for 45 strains, covering all 50 strains in the bank. In addition, the rbcL for representatives of the cox1/UPA clusters was sequenced for 14 strains. The original species identification based on morphology was compared with the molecular data obtained in this work, resulting in the identification of 13 different species. Our analyses indicate that cox1 and UPA are suitable markers for the delineation of species of Gracilariales in the germplasm bank. The addition of DNA barcode tags to the samples in the Gracilariaceae germplasm bank and the molecular identification of the species will make this bank even more useful for future research as the species can be easily traced and confirmed.     

The Goldwyn diary of November and December 1960, at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon

Through unexpected circumstances, I went to Lambaréné, in Gabon, to be Dr. Albert Schweitzer's surgeon for 2 months, November and December of 1960.This diary I can honestly say I never thought would become public. The years have passed; I am now 77. I realize that not many of those who served in a medical capacity at his hospital are still alive and not everyone will share his or her experiences.I want to make clear that I was with Dr. Schweitzer only 2 months. I would not want anyone to think that I played a strategic role at the hospital. I did not, but I helped as best I could.Although I have traveled throughout the world and have been a surgeon in many out-of-the-way places, I have not returned to Lambaréné. The reason, I confess, is that I wanted it to remain in my mind as it was. For Dr. Schweitzer and those who served there, his hospital was a way of life. It was a world of its own and, though small, it came into being because of the arching ideals and unflagging dedication of a remarkable man. His example should inspire us to enlarge our personal horizons, not just to recognize the less fortunate but to act without delay on their behalf. For each of us, there is an Ogowe waiting to be crossed.     

Integration of the saprobic system into the European Union Water Framework Directive – Case studies in Austria,Germany and Czech Republic

The use of saprobic systems has long traditions in the water management in Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. Within the context of water quality assessment they are applied to indicate the effects of anthropogenic caused organic impact leading to a decrease in the dissolved oxygen content of running waters. In December 2000 the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force. It demands homogeneous procedures and methods for assessing inland surface waters as well as groundwater, coastal and transitional waters. The WFD focuses on the assessment of biotic elements and the ecological status has to be defined based on type specific approaches and reference conditions. To incorporate the saprobic approach into the new integrative methodology of the European assessment of the ecological status of water bodies, the national saprobic systems need to be adjusted. This paper describes the according methodological developments and adaptations of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany required to harmonise the traditional procedure with the guidelines of the WFD. In the three countries national databases were established to provide species lists from largely undisturbed stream sites. Such reference sites build the basis for calculating stream type specific reference values. The calculation has been done in slightly different ways dependent on the country. In addition to that boundaries were defined to characterise the 5 saprobic quality classes.     

From birds to hydroids: Charles Cleveland Nutting (1858–1927) of the University of Iowa,USA

Charles Cleveland Nutting (1858–1927) began his academic career at the University of Iowa, and at the Natural History Museum of the university, in 1886. A naturalist with a bent for ornithology, he became interested in cnidarians, and especially hydroids and alcyonarians, as an outcome of expeditions to the Bahamas in 1888 and 1893. Most noteworthy among his works on Cnidaria were three classic volumes on American hydroids, dealing respectively with Plumulariidae (1900), Sertulariidae (1904), and Campanulariidae and Bonneviellidae (1915). Other papers dealt with hydroids from Britain, Alaska and Puget Sound, Woods Hole and vicinity, Hawaii, and the Philippine region. He founded two new families, seven new genera, and 175 new species of Hydrozoa, ranking him among the top three authors of species names in the group. Nutting also described 206 new nominal species of Alcyonaria. Important among his works on alcyonarians were monographs on Indonesian material from the Siboga expedition, and on ’Albatross’ collections from Hawaii, Japan, and elsewhere in the northwest Pacific. While birds and later hydroids were Nutting’s primary research interests, much of his 41-year professional career was devoted to academic duties at the University of Iowa and to advancement of its Natural History Museum. As museum Director, he significantly expanded the collections, organized exhibits and public programs, and petitioned for satisfactory facilities and funding. Under his leadership, in whole or in part, expeditions to collect specimens for research, teaching, and exhibition were carried out to the Bay of Fundy (1890), Manitoba (1891), the Bahamas and vicinity (1893), Barbados and Antigua (1918), and Fiji and New Zealand (1922). In tribute to Nutting and his contributions to biology, one genus and more than 30 species are named in his honor.     

Survival of cold-adapted species in isolated mountains: the population genetics of the Sudeten ringlet,Erebia sudetica sudetica,in the Jeseník Mts., Czech Republic

Relic populations of cold-adapted species, trapped in isolated mountain pockets within the temperate zone, are predicted to suffer considerably due to ongoing climate warming. The butterfly Erebia sudetica sudetica is an example restricted to the Eastern Sudety Mts. Here, the butterfly forms permanent populations on subalpine tall-herb grasslands, but also occupies woodland clearings and hay meadows at lower altitudes. We assume differences among the genetic diversities of the populations due to differences in the temporal continuity of these habitats. Therefore, 17 allozyme loci were analysed for 276 individuals from 13 different localities (six tall-herb stands, two meadows, five forest clearings) in the Jeseník Mts. with a maximum distance of 20 km among them. We obtained a significantly higher genetic diversity for the subalpine populations than for the forest clearing populations. The genetic differentiation among the forest clearing populations was higher than among the subalpine ones. They also showed a significant isolation-by-distance system. These findings support the idea that the lower-elevation populations might have been founded by more than one dispersal event from the subalpine sites, but also secondary colonisations and gene flow in the forest belt. Due to founder effects and possibly further subsequent bottlenecks, these forest clearing populations did not harbour the entire genetic diversity of the taxon. Therefore, conservation actions should focus on the subalpine tall-herb formation.     

The perception of students on the use of animals in higher education at the Federal University of Paraná, Southern Brazil

The use of animals in education and research is a controversial issue that involves ethical considerations. In Brazil, Act 11,794, which was approved in 2008, established the National Council on the Control of Animal Experimentation (CONCEA) and a database of institutions that use animals for research and education (CIUCA). This legislation also set out the regulations for the use of animals. In this study, we have evaluated the ethical issues involved in the use of animals for educational purposes at the Federal University of Paraná, through a qualitative-quantitative analysis that relied on written questionnaires. Our objective was to find out the opinions of students and staff from different academic fields, and at different stages in their professional development, on the use of animals for educational purposes. The study involved 101 students and 20 lecturers (i.e. tenure-track professors and all those who teach the students) in Biology, Pharmacology, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Approximately half of the students (45.5%) did not know the legislation that regulates the use of animals in education, and most of the lecturers believed that learning goals could not be achieved with alternative methods. Only 38.9% of the lecturers and 31.9% of the students trusted the usefulness of alternative methods. Furthermore, recent graduates were as unaware of the legislation, as were students in the first two years of their university courses. These results suggest that it is necessary to considerably expand the discussion on alternatives to animal use in the academic environment.