Vocal types in crossbill populations (Loxia spp.) of Southwest Europe

The evolution of crossbills is one of the most fascinating topics in evolutionary ecology. Recent studies have shown an astonishing divergence in terms of vocalisation between morphologically quite similar crossbill populations in the Red/Common Crossbill complex (Loxia curvirostra) of North America and Europe. Some evidence even indicates the existence of “cryptic” species with different vocal types and bill sizes, which are adapted to different conifer species. However, there is so far no strong genetic evidence for the existence of separate species, although assortative mating occurs with respect to bill size. To understand the role of vocalisation in the speciation process of crossbill taxa, basic studies that assess the distribution of vocal types of crossbills and the use of different habitats and resources are needed. In our study, we investigated the occurrence of crossbill vocal types in Southwest Europe. In addition to the well-known vocal types described first by Robb (Dutch Birding 22:61–107, 2000) for the Benelux and Great Britain, we discovered at least six more vocal types in the Mediterranean area. Some vocal types were found exclusively in rather small areas, e.g. in the Pyrenees, the Sierra de Cazorla, Sierra de Javalambre and on Corsica, and appeared to be tightly linked to certain habitat types and pine species. Overall, vocal types in the Mediterranean had a more local occurrence than vocal types from northern populations, which were more widely distributed. This might reflect the nomadic behaviour of northern European crossbills, which feed, in contrast to Mediterranean crossbills, mostly on rather unstable food sources, especially spruce seeds. Furthermore, the vocal types of Mediterranean crossbills show at least some similarities to the vocal types of the rather sedentary crossbills of North Europe (L. pytyopsittacus, L. scotica), which are as well adapted to pine seeds. This might reflect a common ancestry of crossbills adapted for pines. We therefore suggest the existence of two main groups of crossbills in Europe: one group that is rather sedentary and feeds mainly on pine seeds (L. pytyopsittacus, L. scotica and the Mediterranean forms), and another group in Central, Northern and Eastern Europe that is highly nomadic and mostly feeds on spruce seeds (L. curvirostra). Further studies are needed to unravel the consistency of vocal types and the genetic relationship between the different forms, and to provide more evidence for the degree of assortative mating of crossbills with distinct vocalisation breeding in sympatry.     

Harmonia axyridis in Great Britain: analysis of the spread and distribution of a non-native coccinellid

Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is native to Asia, and was widely introduced as a biocontrol agent of aphids and coccids in Europe and North America. In Europe H. axyridis is considered to be an invasive alien species. Although not known to have been deliberately introduced to Great Britain, it was first recorded there in 2004, in south-east England. Harmonia axyridis arrived in Great Britain by various means, primarily from mainland Europe, but also from Canada. Extensive national and local media coverage, and a dedicated website (), facilitated public involvement in recording H. axyridis in Great Britain; in excess of 4,000 verified records of the species were received between 2004 and 2006. Through detailed mapping, the objective of our study was to quantify and analyse the spread of H. axyridis in its early stages of invasion in Great Britain. Our data shows that between 2004 and 2006, the species spread north through Great Britain at the rate of 58 km year^-1 and west at the rate of 144.5 km year^-1. In England H. axyridis spread north to Yorkshire and west to Cornwall by the end of 2006, and also reached Wales. Recorded occurrence (of one or more H. axyridis individuals at larval, pupal and/or adult stage) in 10 km squares in Great Britain was: 2004—51; 2005—149; 2006—447. Records of juvenile H. axyridis extend through most of the recorded British range of the species, and we present evidence of bi-voltinism in the population in 2006.     

Restoring ponds for amphibians: a success story

Large-scale restoration of quality habitats is often considered essential for the recovery of threatened pond-breeding amphibians but only a few successful cases are documented, so far. We describe a landscape-scale restoration project targeted at two declining species—the crested newt (Triturus cristatus Laur.) and the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus Wagler)—in six protected areas in southern and southeastern Estonia. The ponds were restored or created in clusters to (i) increase the density and number of breeding sites at local and landscape levels; (ii) provide adjacent ponds with differing depths, hydroperiods and littoral zones and (iii) restore an array of wetlands connected to appropriate terrestrial habitat. In only 3 years, where 22 of the 405 existing ponds (5%) were restored and 208 new ponds (51%) created, the number of ponds occupied by the common spadefoot toad increased 6.5 times. Concerning the crested newt and the moor frog (Rana arvalis Nilsson), the increase was 2.3 and 2.5 times, respectively. The target species had breeding attempts in most of the colonised ponds—even more frequently than common species. Also, the amphibian species richness was higher in the restored than in the untreated ponds. The crested newt preferably colonised ponds that had some submerged vegetation and were surrounded by forest or a mosaic of forest and open habitats. The common spadefoot toad favoured ponds having clear and transparent water. Our study reveals that habitat restoration for threatened pond-breeding amphibians can rapidly increase their numbers if the restoration is implemented at the landscape scale, taking into account the habitat requirements of target species and the ecological connectivity of populations. When the remnant populations are strong enough, translocation of individuals may not be necessary. Guest editors: B. Oertli, R. Cereghino, A. Hull & R. Miracle Pond Conservation: From Science to Practice. 3rd Conference of the European Pond Conservation Network, Valencia, Spain, 14–16 May 2008     

Silica-scaled chrysophytes (Synurophyceae) from some rivers and shallow lakes in Hungary

Silica-scaled chrysophytes are a special group in the phytoplankton of rivers and shallow lakes. They are present the whole year at low density, but sometimes — mainly during autumn and spring — some species can become frequent and very numerous to form real water blooms.In this study, seven species of silica-scaled chrysophytes have been recorded and identified by electron microscopy of phytoplankton samples from some rivers and shallow lakes in Hungary. Most of these silica-scaled chrysophytes have previously been found in eutrophic and hypertrophic localities, and almost all of them are common and widely distributed, even cosmopolitan. Only Synura echinulata Korshikov has not previously been recorded from Hungary. Some of them as Synura curtispina (Petersen & Hansen) Asmund, S. petersenii Korshikov, Mallomonas acaroides Perty emend. Ivanov, M. tonsurata Teiling were frequently found in the phytoplankton samples. Sometimes in autumn and winter Synura petersenii was the most abundant species in the phytoplankton and formed blooms.     

Colonization routes of Pinus sylvestris inferred from distribution of mitochondrial DNA variation

Understanding the present-day distribution of molecular variation requires knowledge about the history of the species. Past colonization routes and locations of refugia of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were inferred from variation in mitochondrial DNA in material collected from 37 populations located in countries within, and immediately adjacent to the continent of Europe. Two mitochondrial regions, nad1 intron (exon B/C) and nad7 intron 1, were included in the study. Differentiation in maternally inherited mitochondria was high (G _ST′ = 0.824). Two new haplotypes were found at the nad7 intron 1. The occurrence of a 5-bp indel variant was restricted to the Turkish Kalabak population and a 32 bp only found in Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe. The complete absence of the 32-bp indel from the Mediterranean peninsulas supports the view that coniferous forests existed outside these areas during the last glacial maximum, and these populations contributed to the subsequent colonization of the northern parts of Europe. P. sylvestris shares features of its glacial and postglacial history with two other northern, cold-tolerant tree species, Picea abies and Betula sp. These three species differ from many other European trees for which pollen core and molecular evidence indicate colonization from southern refugia after the last glacial period.     

Revised treatment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Memecylon</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Afzeliana</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melastomataceae: Olisbeoideae</Emphasis>), including three new species from Cameroon

Summary  Seven new names at species rank are proposed in Memecylon sect. Afzeliana Jacq.-Fél., a group of forest shrubs and small trees confined to Guineo-Congolian Africa. The group is centred in Cameroon, where 17 of the 20 species occur. A new flower type, the “star-flower” in Memecylon is revealed, and its taxonomic and ecological importance discussed. Three new, locally endemic species from the South West Province of Cameroon are described, mapped and illustrated: M. kupeanum R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek, M. bakossiense R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek, and M. rheophyticum R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek. Two new names, M. accedens R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek and M. hyleastrum R. D. Stone & Ghogue and one new combination, M. mamfeanum (Jacq.-Fél.) R. D. Stone, Ghogue & Cheek are provided at species level for three taxa originally proposed as varieties of M. afzelii G. Don. The taxon M. arcuatomarginatum var. simulans Jacq.-Fél. is also elevated to species status, as M. simulans (Jacq.-Fél.) R. D. Stone & Ghogue. Conservation assessments are provided for all the newly named taxa. A key is provided to the species of Memecylon sect. Afzeliana.     

Mandibular morphometrics among macaques: The case ofmacaca thibetana

Recent field studies suggest that Macaca thibetana,a large endemic Chinese macaque, may be quite folivorous, distinguishing it from most other macaque species, which tend to be primarily frugivorous. To understand how this diet affects its masticatory system, we conducted a comparative morphometric study of mandibular dimensions. We took linear measurements from male and female mandibles of this species as well as four other macaques—M. fascicularis, M. nemestrina, M. arctoides,and M. assamensis—and four species of Presbytis—P. obscura, P. rubicunda, P. cristata,and P. phayrei—and subjected to them to a variety of analyses. Based on analyses of variances and discriminant analyses on each sex individually, the mandible of M. thibetanacorresponds to expected patterns for folivorous primates with respect to its wide condyles and thick corpora. However, the height of the corpus and symphysis are lower, and the anteroposterior length of the condyle is longer than predicted for a folivore. In addition to interpretations specifically relating to M. thibetana,we also discuss the functional morphology of the other species in light of what is published about their diets.     

A cross-continental test of the Enemy Release Hypothesis: leaf herbivory on Acer platanoides (L.) is three times lower in North America than in its native Europe

Acer platanoides (Norway maple) is a widespread native tree species in Europe. It has been introduced to North America where it has often established dense stands in both secondary woodlands and relatively undisturbed mature woodlands. In Europe A. platanoides is also extending its original range, but generally seems to exist at much lower densities. One explanation for the ‘aggressiveness’ of invasive plants such as A. platanoides is that they have left behind pests and diseases which limit their population densities in their native lands (the enemy release hypothesis or ERH). To assess the ERH for Norway maple, a large network of collaborators assessed leaf herbivory rates in populations throughout Europe and North America. We found significantly lower total leaf herbivory (1.6% ± 0.19, n = 21 vs. 7.4% ± 1.94, n = 34) and lower fungal damage (1.0% ± 0.35, n = 13 vs. 3.7% ± 0.85, n = 34) in North America than in Europe over a 2 year period, which is consistent with the predictions of the Enemy Release Hypothesis. Across years, the average total leaf herbivory was significantly correlated with average annual temperature of the site (P < 0.05), although this was mostly due to sites in Europe (P < 0.001), and not sites in North America (P > 0.05). Furthermore, only populations in Europe showed very high levels of herbivory (e.g., nine sites had total leaf herbivory ranging from 10.0 to 51.2% in at least 1 year) or leaf fungal damage (only one site in North America showed high levels of fungal damage in 1 year), suggesting the possibility of more frequent episodic outbreaks in the native range. Leaf herbivory and fungal damage are only two aspects of consumer pressure and we do not know whether the differences reported here are enough to actually elicit release from top-down population control, but such large scale biogeographic differences in herbivory contribute towards understanding exotic invasions. Jonathan M. Adams and Wei Fang—equally contributed as first authors. A list of the participating members of the Transatlantic Acer platanoides Invasion Network is given in the Appendix 3.     

Invasion Genetics of Ponto-Caspian Gobies in the Great Lakes: A ‘Cryptic’ Species, Absence of Founder Effects, and Comparative Risk Analysis

Genetic variability and structure of nonindigenous vs native populations are compared for the Eurasian round goby Neogobius melanostomus and the tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus, which both invaded Lake St. Clair of the North American Great Lakes about 1990. The round goby spread rapidly to all of the Great Lakes and the tubenose goby largely has been restricted to Lake St. Clair, with some recent range extension into western Lake Erie. Risk analyses may indicate whether genetic variability of colonizers is predictive of their relative invasive and establishment successes. The present investigation examined DNA sequence variation across the left domain of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene in round and tubenose gobies from Eurasian and Great Lakes locations. We also sequenced six additional Neogobius species (including the monkey N.␣fluviatilis, racer N. gymnotrachelus, and bigheadN. kessleri gobies that have been ‘on the move’ in Europe) and the knout goby Mesogobius batrachocephalus from the Black Sea in order to develop diagnostic genetic characters to identify them in case of future and/or undetected invasions and to delineate their phylogenetic relationships. Results show that a diverse number of haplotypes characterize round and tubenose goby populations from both North America and Eurasian sites, fitting a risk analysis prediction of high genetic variability in their successful introductions. Phylogenetic results indicate that the current genus Neogobius is paraphyletic and that the subgenusApollonia thus should be elevated to the level of genus, containingApollonia (N.) melanostomus (the round goby) andA. (N.) fluviatilis (the monkey goby). In addition, there appear to be two separate species of Proterorhinus marmoratus, a marine P. marmoratus Pallas 1814 in the Black Sea (matching the original type locality), and a ‘cryptic’ freshwater species in the Danube and Dnieper Rivers and probably other Eurasian freshwater habitats, as well as invasive in the Great Lakes. We suggest resurrecting the name P. semilunaris Heckel 1837 for the freshwater species (a taxon that was originally described from rivers draining into the Aegean Sea and the Danube River, but was later placed in synonymy with P. marmoratus). An erratum to this article is available at .     

Lumbricid earthworm invasion in the Carpathian Mountains and some other sites in Romania

Recent field research shows that the ubiquitous Lumbricus terrestris and Octolasion lacteum (the large parthenogenetic form) have invaded new habitats in Romania, replacing mostly endemic or rare species of the former earthworm communities which were recorded 20–30 years ago. Seven different cases of earthworm invasion are currently described. Invader species have larger ecological tolerances as compared with the endemic species.     

Craniodental Characters in the Taxonomy of Propithecus

The indriid genus Propithecus comprises the sifakas, medium-sized lemurs endemic to the forests of Madagascar. Traditionally, scientists divided the genus into only 2 or 3 species —Propithecus diadema, P. verreauxi, and, since 1988, P. tattersalli— with 4 or 5 subspecies in each of the first 2 taxa, but recent authors have suggested that many more distinct species should be recognized. We draw from quantitative and qualitative studies of craniodental traits to evaluate further the phenetic distinctiveness and taxonomic status of each named form of Propithecus. We recognize 9–10 species in the genus. The 4 or 5 species of the Propithecus diadema group —P. diadema, P. candidus, P. perrieri, P. edwardsi, and perhaps P. holomelas, if distinct— share several derived features, including large average body size and a mandible specialized for rotational chewing, and clearly comprise a closely related complex. The 5 species of the Propithecus verreauxi group —P. verreauxi, P. coquereli, P. deckenii, P. coronatus, P. tattersalli— are each highly distinctive morphologically and likely do not comprise a monophyletic group. In particular, we point out the highly distinctive cranial features of Propithecus coronatus, which researchers have traditionally largely overlooked.     

Occurrence of ochratoxin A and ochratoxigenic mycoflora in corn and corn based foods and feeds in some South American countries

Cereals and cereal- derived products constitute the base of human and animal feeding in South American countries. This review attempts to give an overview of the ochratoxin A (OTA) occurrence and potential sources of OTA contamination in those products. The environmental conditions as humidity and temperature in the colonization of the substrates by Aspergillus section Nigri isolated from corn kernels were also discussed. The available information on the ochratoxigenic mycoflora and OTA presence in corn, corn based food and feed is limited. Only few surveys have been carried out in Argentina, Ecuador and Brazil; which showed that Aspergillus niger aggregate and A. ochraceus species would be the main source of OTA. It’s possible to emphasize that, the species A. carbonarius has not been isolated from these substrates and Penicillium verrucosum was isolated only from pig feeds of Argentinean samples in low percentage. Studies about the ecophysiology of ochratoxigenic fungi and OTA occurrence are in progress in Latin America to reduce the impact of this toxin in the food chain. Carina E. Magnoli, Stella M. Chiacchiera, Ana M. Dalcero—Members of the Research Career Andrea L. Astoreca—Fellowship of CONICET     

Response of reed community to the environment gradient-water depth in the Yellow River Delta, China

We investigated and monitored a reed community in the fields. Data on the bio-ecological characteristics and β-diversity of reed communities in different environmental gradients (mainly based on water depth) of the Yellow River Delta were collected through multianalysis, extremum analysis and β-diversity index analysis. In accordance with the square sum of deviations (Ward) cluster analysis, 10 sampling plots were divided into six types with the dominant plants in different plots varying according to the change in environmental gradients. The dominant plants in these plots varied from aquatic plants to xerophytes and salt tolerant plants as water depth decreased. The average height and diameter of the reeds at breast level were significantly correlated with the average water depth. The fitness curves of average density and coverage with average water depth were nonlinear. When the average water depth was 0.3 m, the average density and coverage of reeds reached the apex value, while the height and diameter of the reeds at breast level increased with the water depth. There were obvious changes to the environmental gradient in the Yellow River Delta. The transitional communities were also found to exist in the Yellow River Delta by β-diversity analysis. Vicarious species appeared with the change in water depth. The occurrence of substitute species is determined by the function of common species between adjacent belts. The different functions of common species led to differences in community structure and function and differences in dominant plants. The result reflects the variations of species present in different habitats and directly reflects environmental heterogeneity. The values of β-diversity indices of adjacent plots were higher than those of nonadjacent plots. There are transition zones between the xerophytes and aquatic plants in the Yellow River Delta. In an aquatic environment, the similarity of reed community is higher than that of xeromorphic plants. The β-diversity index can reflect plant succession trends caused by the change in environmental gradients in the Yellow River Delta. The β-diversity index reveals plant responses to changes in environmental gradient and is helpful in observing changes in patterns of species diversity in relation to environmental gradient change and evolving trends in the future, which in turn plays a prominent role when environmental water requirements of wetland are discussed. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2006, 26(5): 1533–1541 [译自: 生态学报]     

Feeding interactions and diet of carnivorous fishes in the Shelikhov Bay of the Sea of Okhotsk

The food spectra, trophic statuses, and feeding interrelations of three most abundant benthic carnivorous fish species inhabiting the Shelikhov Bay—the Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus, the great sculpin Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus, and the Okhotsk sculpin M. ochotensis—are considered based on materials collected during the complex survey of the RV Professor Kaganovsky of the TINRO-Center, in September 2004. It was found that these species were facultative predators with wide food spectra. The significance of prey objects in the diet of the Okhotsk sculpin was as follows: crustaceans, fish, and mollusks. Great sculpin and Pacific cod preyed mostly on fish, then on crustaceans, and mollusks. Pacific cod ate equal proportions of fish and decapods. All the species had age-related variability of diet. The potential competition of great sculpin and Okhotsk sculpin for food was mitigated by the difference in the depths of their ranges, as well as by morphological (body size) and behavioral peculiarities in the areas where their habitats overlapped, and in microecosystems. The most probable competition was among Pacific cod 30–60 cm long and Okhotsk sculpin 20–50 cm in length, as well as among cod and great sculpins of all sizes.     

Zooplankton in a Danube River Arm near Rusovce (Slovakia)

Poor quantity of zooplankton was recorded in a Danube arm situated on the right side of the Danube River in Slovakia (river km 1857) in 2002 and 2003. All over the year the arm is significantly influenced by groundwater by reason of seepage. Because of low mean water temperature (12°C) and poorly developed macrovegetation in particular, the arm reminds gravel pit-like. The annual average of zooplankton biomass was low and ranged from 0.35 g m⁻³ (2002) to 1.28 g m⁻³ (2003), because of low crustacean abundance. Total cladoceran abundance was excessively low in both years and ranged from 3.5 N L⁻¹ (2002) to 16.6 N L⁻¹ (2003). Small species, Bosmina longirostris and Chydorus sphaericus were dominant. Only four adult Copepoda — Cyclops vicinus, Thermocyclops crassus, Eurytemora velox and Eudiaptomus gracilis — were recorded in quantitative samples of both years. In the zooplankton assemblage dominated rotifers (Synchaeta pectinata, Synchaeta oblonga, Polyarthra dolichoptera and Keratella cochlearis) which represented 78% and 67% of total abundance respectively. The total of 19 species of rotifers, 34 Cladocera species and 16 taxa of Copepoda were found.     

Evidence of Invasive Felis silvestris Predation on Propithecus verreauxi at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar

Increasing evidence supports the idea that endemic avian and mammalian predators have profoundly impacted primate populations in Madagascar (Goodman, S. M. Predation on lemurs. In S. M. Goodman, & J. P. Benstead (Eds.), The natural history of Madagascar (pp. 1221–1228). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, (2003).). The role in regulating lemur populations of the 3 introduced mammalian carnivorans —small Indian civets (Viverricula indica, Desmarest 1804), domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris, Linnaeus 1758), and invasive wildcats (Felis silvestris, Schreber 1775)— is less clear, but recent evidence suggests that the latter 2 are becoming important predators of diurnal lemurs. We report evidence for invasive wildcat predation on sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi) in Parcel 1 at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar, including skeletal remains of apparent Propithecus sifaka victims, observations of wildcat predatory behavior, and behavioral responses of the lemurs in the presence of wildcats.     

Birds from the Far East in Central Europe: some side-notes to Pfeifer et al. (2007)

The “reverse migration hypothesis” as the explanation for the vagrancy of Far Eastern birds in Europe is commented on. It is concluded that, as the postulated switch of 180° along a great circle line would lead the eastern or even central Siberian birds to North America rather than to Europe, the application of the “reverse migration hypothesis” to them seems untenable (which, however, does not preclude its plausibility in case of transatlantic, southern European, or even southwestern Siberian vagrants). On the other hand, patterns of appearance of the Turdus [naumanni] superspecies (Machalska et al. 1967) suggest the relationship of the phenomenon of vagrancy to post-breeding nomadic movements and/or periodical invasions of non-migrating species.     

The role of Orii’s flying-fox (Pteropus dasymallus inopinatus) as a pollinator and a seed disperser on Okinawa-jima Island, the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

The role of the Orii’s flying-fox (Pteropus dasymallus inopinatus) as a pollinator and a seed disperser on Okinawa-jima Island was investigated by direct observations and radio-tracking from October 2001 until January 2006. We found that Orii’s flying-fox potentially pollinated seven native plant species. Its feeding behavior and plant morphological traits suggested that this species is an important pollinator of Schima wallichii liukiuensis and Mucuna macrocarpa. The flying-fox also dispersed the seeds of 20 native plant species. The seeds of all plants eaten by the flying-fox were usually dropped beneath the parent tree, although large fruits of four plant species were occasionally brought to the feeding roosts in the mouth, with the maximum dispersal distance—for Terminalia catappa—estimated to be 126 m. Small seeds of 11 species (mostly Ficus species) were dispersed around other trees, during the subsequent feeding session, through the digestive tracts, with the mean dispersal distance for ingested seeds estimated at 150 ± 230.3 m (±SD); the maximum dispersal distance was 1833 m. A comparison of the seed dispersal of available fruits according to the size of flying-foxes and other frugivores suggested that the seed dispersal of eight plant species producing large fruits mostly depended on Orii’s flying-fox. On Okinawa-jima Island, the Orii’s flying-fox plays an important role as a pollinator of two native plants and as a long-distance seed disperser of Ficus species, and it functions as a limited agent of seed dispersal for plants producing large fruits on Okinawa-jima Island.     

Freezing and desiccation injury resistance in the filamentous green alga Klebsormidium from the Antarctic, Arctic and Slovakia

The freezing and desiccation tolerance of 12 Klebsormidium strains, isolated from various habitats (aeroterrestrial, terrestrial, and hydro-terrestrial) from distinct geographical regions (Antarctic — South Shetlands, King George Island, Arctic — Ellesmere Island, Svalbard, Central Europe — Slovakia) were studied. Each strain was exposed to several freezing (−4°C, −40°C, −196°C) and desiccation (+4°C and + 20°C) regimes, simulating both natural and semi-natural freeze-thaw and desiccation cycles. The level of resistance (or the survival capacity) was evaluated by chlorophyll a content, viability, and chlorophyll fluorescence evaluations. No statistical differences (Kruskal-Wallis tests) between strains originating from different regions were observed. All strains tested were highly resistant to both freezing and desiccation injuries. Freezing down to −196°C was the most harmful regime for all studied strains. Freezing at −4°C did not influence the survival of studied strains. Further, freezing down to −40°C (at a speed of 4°C/min) was not fatal for most of the strains. RDA analysis showed that certain Antarctic and Arctic strains did not survive desiccation at +4°C; however, freezing at −40°C, as well as desiccation at +20°C was not fatal to them. On the other hand, other strains from the Antarctic, the Arctic, and Central Europe (Slovakia) survived desiccation at temperatures of +4°C, and freezing down to −40°C. It appears that species of Klebsormidium which occupy an environment where both seasonal and diurnal variations of water availability prevail, are well adapted to freezing and desiccation injuries. Freezing and desiccation tolerance is not species-specific nor is the resilience only found in polar strains as it is also a feature of temperate strains. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia. This paper is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Bohuslav Fott (1908–1976), Professor of Botany at the Charles University in Prague, to mark the centenary of his birth.     

Altitudinal distribution of bats in the Pol’ana Mts area (Central Slovakia)

In May — August, bats were mist-netted along an altitudinal gradient of 350–1350 m a.s.l. in the Pol’ana Mts area, to verify the correlation of species number decrease and the increase in elevation, to find which species could be predictors of certain altitude levels and to compare the sexual occurrence of species in various altitudes. Seventeen bat species were recorded. The most abundant mist-netted species were Myotis daubentonii (16%), M. myotis (13%) and M. mystacinus (12%). Otherwise, the most frequently caught species were M. mystacinus (40%), Eptesicus serotinus, M. myotis (26%) and Nyctalus leisleri (23%). In this study at a local scale, from oak to spruce vegetation stages, decreasing number of species with increasing altitude was found. Species dominance of the individual altitudinal levels was significantly different (15 species up to 600 m a.s.l., six species over 1100 m a.s.l.). The results indicated that the occurrence of some bat species, due to their ecological adaptations, is more or less characteristic for higher or lower altitudes of the Western Carphathians. The “lowland” species were considered to be mainly E. serotinus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, N. noctula, N. leisleri and M. daubentonii. In higher elevations (more than 850 m), the presence of reproductive females was not found, of all but one, N. noctula, of the “lowland” species which are breeding in the area. The “mountain” species were considered to be E. nilssonii and Plecotus auritus. The general occurrence and reproduction of M. mystacinus and Barbastella barbastellus, was not limited by elevation.