Biochemical (fatty acid profile) diversity in anostracan species of the genus Chirocephalus Prévost

Wild populations of five Chirocephalus species from Italy were tested for their fatty acid profiles, particularly essential fatty acids (EFA) in order to obtain information on species differences. Chirocephalus diaphanus, C. kerkyrensis and C. salinus were from temporary plain pools, whereas C. ruffoi and C. marchesonii came from a mountain pool and an astatic high altitude lake. Statistical comparisons of the results obtained revealed significant (P < 0.05) qualitative and quantitative differences among the species studied. Besides genetic make-up, other factors are presumably involved in these differences. Among these, environmental stability, and hence food quality and quantity, may play a major role, an hypothesis supported by previous findings regarding the possibility of manipulating fairy shrimp fatty acid patterns by using different diets. Further investigation is needed, however, on the fatty acid composition of the food resources from different habitats in relation to the fairy shrimp inhabitants. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The anostraca of the republic of Belarus

A survey of temporary freshwaters in the Republic of Belarus revealed the presence of two anostracan species (Chirocephalus josephinae and Drepanosurus hankoi). The two species co-occur in a majority of pools. Their life cycle partly overlaps, with D. hankoi the first to disappear. Morphological variability in Bielorussian populations is briefly discussed and compared with existing information. Two further species were found in Museum collections (Chirocephalus shadini and Streptocephalus torvicornis). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The status of Anostraca,Notostraca and Conchostraca (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in Yugoslavia

The investigations of Anostraca, Notostraca and Conchostraca in Yugoslavia began after a great delay compared with other European countries. Intensive systematic investigations date back only to the 1970s.To date, 19 species have been recorded. All species, with the exception of Artemia salina, are faunal elements of the Pannonian region. Seven species, including Artemia salina, Branchinecta orientalis, Branchipus serbicus, Leptestheria dahalacensis, Limnadia lenticularis, Imnadia cristata and Imnadia panonica are known from single localities. Six species including Branchinecta ferox, Chirocephalus brevipalpis, Chirocephalus carnuntanus, Lepidurus apus, Eoleptestheria spinosa and Imnadia banatica have restricted distributions. Streptocephalus torvicornis and Cyzicus tetracerus are known from several localities, while Branchipus schaefferi, Chirocephalus diaphanus, Triops cancriformis and Leptestheria saetosaare common. Large branchiopods are mainly confined to anthropogenic landscapes, especially in the northern part of the country. Rare species inhabiting a single pond, or those with rather restricted distributions, are the most endangered and such species account for about 70% of the fauna. Limnadia lenticularis, Imnadia cristata and I. panonica have not been found for more than 20 years and they are probably extinct in Yugoslavia. Branchipus serbicus, Imnadia cristata and panonica have not been documented since being originally described. Eoleptestheria spinosa is currently the most endangered species since it only appears irregularly in small populations. At present, Branchinecta ferox, Chirocephalus carnuntanus and Imnadia banatica are the safest of the rare species as they regularly appear in large numbers. There are no large branchiopods on the List of protected animals in Yugoslavia. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Morphological studies on the nutlet of Turkish Cyclotrichium Manden. & Scheng. (Lamiaceae)

Morphological characters of the nutlets of Cyclotrichium Manden. & Scheng. in Turkey were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The genus Cyclotrichium is represented by six species in Turkey, of which two are endemic for Turkey. Nutlet morphology of the species was studied using stereoscopic microscopy and SEM, and the features were described and illustrated. Nutlet morphology of the examined specimens exhibits some variation in size, shape and sculpture. Nutlets range from 1.1 to 2.0 mm in length and 0.5 to 1.0 mm in width and are elliptic, oblong to ovoid and trigonous in shape. Nutlet sculpture can be divided into two main types: distinctly or weakly reticulate pattern in C. niveum, C. origanifolium, C. longiflorum and rounded cell arrangement in the remaining species. Micromorphological characters could be useful in solving taxonomic problems of Cyclotrichium.     

Fatty acid and amino acid composition of two fairy shrimp species (Crustacea,Anostraca) from Italy: Chirocephalus diaphanus and Chirocephalus kerkyrensis

The fairy shrimps Chirocephalus kerkyrensis and C. diaphanus show a high EFA concentration as compared with other marine and freshwater organisms. Based on its 18:3w3 and 20:5w3 FA pattern, C. kerkyrensis is comparable with marine-type Artemia; C. diaphanus, on the contrary, is rich in both these essential fatty acids. Both species contain 22:6w3, a fatty acid seldom found in Artemia.     

Checklist of the springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola) of Turkey

A checklist of the species of springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola) hitherto recorded from Turkey is presented. This list contains 53 species belonging to 39 genera in 13 families. The diversity of Collembola in Turkey is poorly known and it is clear that numerous species wait to be discovered.     

A new species of the genus Vulda Jacquelin du Val from Turkey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Xantholinini)

Vulda assingi sp. n. from Bozda?lar, Manisa province, western Anatolia, is de-scribed, illustrated and distinguished from congeners recorded from Turkey. Additional records are reported for two species. A total of six species is now known from Turkey.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B3E6C251-50D4-4985-9655-2EAC57869F18     

Distribution and phenology of large branchiopods in Austria

In Austria, the distribution of Anostraca, Notostraca, and Conchostraca is mainly confined to the floodplains of the rivers Morava and Danube, and the shallow alkaline pans of the Seewinkel region in Burgenland province. Occasionally, large branchiopods can also be found in rain pools of the eastern and central Austrian lowlands, where topography and climate favour the existence of astatic water bodies. Differences in hydrology, temperature and water chemistry requirements may be reflected in local species compositions and species seasonal appearance. A survey conducted from 1994 through 1996 found that Chirocephalus shadini, Eubranchipusgrubii, and Lepidurus apus occurred in late winter and spring, while Branchinecta ferox, Branchinecta orientalis, Cyzicus tetracerus and Chirocephalus carnuntanus were found exclusively in spring. Streptocephalus torvicornis, Tanymastixstagnalis, and Eoleptestheria ticinensis were present in spring and summer. Branchipus schaefferi was found in summer and fall, whereas Imnadia yeyetta, Leptestheria dahalacensis, Limnadialenticularis, and Triops cancriformis occurred throughout spring, summer and fall. Streptocephalus torvicornis was documented for Austria for the first time since 1965. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nonea dumanii sp. nov. (Boraginaceae) from the Taurus mountains (south Turkey)

The new species Nonea dumanii, endemic to the mountains of the western Taurus in south Turkey (C4 Antalya), is described an illustrated based on original collections by the authors. Karyological observations and analysis of ITS1 DNA sequences showed that the species is probably hexaploid with 2n = 6x = 60 and has phylogenetic affinity to the diploid N. monticola from the Paphlagonian mountains as well as to the tetraploid N. anchusoides from northwest Iran and southeast Turkey. From these allopatric species it is morphologically distinct in characters of the indumentum, flower and fruit. Polyploidy is supported as a major driving force for speciation in Nonea, especially in the group of Anatolian mountain species with primary base number x = 10.     

Mitochondrial gene trees support persistence of cold tolerant fairy shrimp throughout the Pleistocene glaciations in both southern and more northerly refugia

Fairy shrimp (Crustacea: Anostraca) are specialist inhabitants of temporary aquatic habitats. In many parts of the world and particularly in Western Europe, however, populations are declining while the development of adequate conservation strategies is impeded by a poor knowledge of the genetic structure and taxonomic status of remaining lineages. We reconstructed a phylogeography of the species Chirocephalus diaphanus Prévost, 1803 using partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene and discuss the importance of different Pleistocene refugia to explain current diversity patterns. In addition to 20 C. diaphanus populations, we also included populations of six presumably closely related chirocephalids to evaluate their taxonomic status. Based on molecular data, the Eastern European subspecies C. diaphanus romanicus deserves species status while the species status of two Italian chirocephalids, C. salinus and C. ruffoi is questionable. Results indicate European C. diaphanus lineages diverged well before the last glacial maximum and survived the Pleistocene glaciations in multiple (sub)refugia along the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan peninsula. Northern Europe was subsequently recolonized from Southern France, resulting in high levels of cryptic diversity around glacial refugia but also in more widespread haplotypes in mainland Europe.     

Intra- and inter-specific relationships in the six Italian species of the fairy shrimp genus Chirocephalus: combining allozyme and mtDNA data

This study analysed the levels of genetic differentiation within and among the six Italian species of the fairy shrimp genus Chirocephalus by analysing electrophoretic polymorphisms at 22 enzymatic loci and by sequencing a 665‐bp fragment of the mitochondrial gene encoding for subunit I of cytochrome oxidase. The allozyme data revealed different levels of intra‐specific differentiation; mean θ estimates were low in Chirocephalus salinus, higher and comparable in C. diaphanus and C. kerkyrensis, while C. ruffoi was the most genetically structured species. At the inter‐specific level, C. marchesonii was the most differentiated species, both for allozymes and mtDNA. Phylogenetic relationships deduced from allozymes and mtDNA were not always consistent with each other. This highlights the differences in performance of the two classes of molecular markers and the need of different independent strategies of data analysis to search for possible incongruence. Neither allozymes nor mtDNA supported monophyly of the diaphanus‐group, previously recognized on the basis of the morphology of appendages (antennae and penes). In contrast the molecular results were consistent with the great heterogeneity in resting egg morphology among representatives of the diaphanus‐group.     

On the genus SuniusStephens, 1829 of Turkey. VI. A new micropterous species and distribution of the genus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae)

A new species of the genus Sunius Stephens, 1829 is described from Konya province in Anatolia and illustrated: Sunius yamani sp. n. Additional records of six species of Sunius from Turkey are reported. A total of 39 species are now known from Turkey, 35 of them are endemic. Distribution maps are given for all Turkish members of the genus Sunius.     

Muscari vuralii sp. nov. (Liliaceae/Hyacinthaceae) from south Anatolia, Turkey

Muscari vuralii Y. Bağcı & Doğu sp. nov. (Liliaceae/Hyacinthaceae) from the Karaman (C4 Karaman–Turkey) is described and illustrated. It is closely related to M. coeleste Fomin and M. macbeathianum Kit Tan. Diagnostic morphological characters are discussed and a key to related Muscari species in Turkey is given. The geographical distribution of the new species is mapped. Notes are also presented on its ecology, biogeography and conservation status.     

Pseudobithynia guldeni sp. n., a new gastropod species from the Mediterranean region of Turkey (Gastropoda: Truncatelloidea)

A new Bithyniidae species Pseudobithynia guldeni sp.n. is described from the Mediter-ranean region of Turkey based on shell and male genitalia morphology. An identification key for the species of Pseudobithynia of Turkey is given.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FA659D77-5B02-4C2F-9A6D-D61E676778E1     

Bufonia yildirimhanii sp. nov. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey

Bufonia yildirimhanii?lçim & Behçet sp. nov. (Caryophyllaceae) is described and illustrated from Turkey. This new species is confined to C7 Sanl?urfa‐Birecik where it grows on calcarous slopes. The species is compared with the closely related Bufonia calyculata and B. kotschyana subsp. kotschyana. Notes on its ecology and conservation status are provided. A distribution map of the new and related species is also included.     

Larval densities and field hosts of Ceratapion basicorne (Coleoptera: Apionidae) and an illustrated key to the adults of Ceratapion spp. that feed on thistles in the eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions

Many members of the tribe Cardueae are invasive weeds, including yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.), one of the most important weeds in the Western United States. We examined the root crowns and stems of yellow starthistle and related plants growing in five countries (Armenia, Republic of Georgia, Greece, Russia, and Turkey) where yellow starthistle is native. In its native range, the root crowns and lower stems of yellow starthistle are frequently attacked by the internal feeding larvae of apionid weevils. We present illustrations and a key to the adults of the six apionid species that we reared from yellow starthistle and its relatives: Ceratapion basicorne (Illiger), C. carduorum (Kirby), C. gibbirostre (Gyllenhal), C. onopodri (Kirby), C. orientale (Gerstaecker), and C. penetrans (Germar). The only apionid we reared from yellow starthistle was C. basicorne. In Turkey, where we collected most intensively, 58% of the yellow starthistle at 20 sites had larvae of this weevil, and at sites where C. basicorne was present, there were an average of 1.8 immatures per yellow starthistle plant. This apionid is currently being further researched for its potential as a biological control agent for yellow starthistle.     

A new species of Centaurea L. (Cardueae: Asteraceae) from Turkey

A new species of Centaurea L., C. kizildaghensis (Cardueae: Asteraceae), is described and illustrated from south Anatolia. It is restricted to the serpentine rocky slopes of Kızıl Dağ (C3 Konya–Derebucak, Çamlık), and is closely related to C. pseudokotschyi Wagenitz and C. drabifolioides Hub.-Mor., from which it differs in stem, leaf, and phyllary appendage characters. The diagnostic morphological characters are discussed. A new key is produced for Group G species for the flora of Turkey.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 61–66.