Chorological phenomena of the Molinietalia communities in Czechoslovakia

Forty Molinietalia communities were analyzed from the phytogeographical point of view in order to establish their distribution tendencies in Czechoslovakia in relation to the floristic regions of Hercynicum, Pannonicum and Carpaticum. Only few moist meadow communities of the Molinietalia order are found in the whole area under study; most of them have their distribution center in one of the floristic regions mentioned above. Eleven Calthion and two Molinion associations are confined to the Hercynicum, eight of them strictly. It is only in the Moravian and Slovak Pannonicum that all associations of the alliances Cnidion venosi and Veronico longifoliae-Lysimachion occur; they appear there together with two Molinion communities, the distribution of which is, however, a little wider. Three Calthenion communities show a still wider distribution, extending into the adjoining areas. One Calthenion community occurs in the Bohemian Pannonicum and its surroundings, two Calthenion associations have their distribution center in the Carpaticum, but they are not strictly confined to it.The author wants to express her thanks to Doc. Dr Miroslav Smejkal, CSc., for critical revision of the text.     

Species boundaries,phylogenetic relationships,and ecological differentiation inAnthriscus (Apiaceae)

Species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships of 17 taxa ofAnthriscus (Apiaceae), with special emphasis on the critical sect.Cacosciadium, were explored using morphological data with principal component analysis, phenetics, and phylogenetics. The analyses did not provide satisfactory resolution of taxa from sect.Cacosciadium and only four species were retained. The total number of species was reduced to nine. Sect.Cacosciadium is distinguished by only two synapomorphies while sects.Anthriscus andCaroides are better supported. Present geographic and ecological variation suggests that the radiation ofAnthriscus occurred through divergence of peripheral isolated populations adapting to different habitats: high montane meadows and screes, shady climax forests, and seasonally dry habitats at lower altitudes. The adaptive significance of particular morphological traits is discussed.     

Genetic structure,allozyme-habitat associations and reproductive fitness in Gypsophila fastigiata (Caryophyllaceae)

Relationships between allozyme differentiation, habitat variation and individual reproductive success were examined in local populations of a perennial herb, Gypsophila fastigiata, on the Baltic island of Öland (Sweden). Relatively little (c. 2%) of the total allozyme diversity in this largely outcrossing species is explained by differentiation between sites tens of kilometres apart. The low level of geographic differentiation suggests that gene flow between sites is, or has recently been, extensive. Yet the component of allozyme diversity due to differentiation between plots (only tens of meters apart) within sites is 3 times larger than the between-site component of diversity. Allozyme variation, especially at the Pgi-2 locus, is significantly associated with habitat variation within sites. Different allele x habitat combinations for the Pgi-2 locus are associated with differences in individual reproductive fitness. Differential selection in different local habitats may thus contribute to the fine-scale structuring of genetic diversity within sites.     

Genetic differentiation among populations ofArabis serrata (Brassicaceae) along its geographic distribution

Levels and distribution of genetic variation were investigated in ten populations of the perennialArabis serrata distributed along a latitudinal gradient throughout Japan. Populations of this endemic species occupy predominantly three types of habitats: limestone and derived soils, volcanic and disturbed sites. Previous studies showed that plants ofA. serrata are differentiated in morphological and ecological traits under both natural conditions and common garden experiments suggesting genetic differentiation among populations. To assess the degree of genetic differentiation under different habitats ofA. serrata populations, we analyzed the isozyme genetic structure. Ten populations, located in mountains of central and northern Honshu and Hokkaido, were analyzed by starch gel enzyme electrophoresis. Fourteen loci of eight enzymes were resolved and six loci were monomorphic for all the populations. Populations sampled maintain low levels of genetic variation (P=0.16;H=0.05;A=1.16) compared to that maintained by other outcrossing seed plants. In some cases, few or no heterozygous individuals were detected, and consequently, mean observed heterozygosity was zero or near zero. Six (29%) of the fixation indices,F, estimated deviated significantly from Hardy Weinberg genotypic expectations indicating a deficiency of heterozygotes in most of the cases. The mean genetic identity (Nei'sI) between population pairs was 0.852 and indicates a moderate level of genetic differentiation among populations.Arabis serrata has most of its genetic variation distributed among rather than within populations. The among-population component of the total genetic diversity (G _ST mean value) was 0.416, indicating genetic differentiation between populations. There groups of populations were recognized in an unrooted tree generated by the Neighbor-Joining method. These results suggest groups of populations differentiated regionally. Estimates of interpopulational gene flow (Nm) were very variable (range 0.049–3.718) with a meanNm=1.203 for all populations.     

Changes in abundance of water birds species in southern Bohemia (Czech Republic) in the last 10 years

In 1981–1992, the breeding fauna of 153 fishponds was studies in three fishpond regions in south Bohemia (Czechoslovakia). On each pond, all water and wetland birds were censused by the Two-check method, which consists of adult birds counts during each breeding season (the first in the second part of May, and the second in the second part of June). We assessed the numbers of all species living in water and wetland habitats in the breeding season.The decline in abundances (expressed as number of individuals) of ducks (Anatinae), grebes (Podicipediformes), Coot (Fulica atra), Moorhen (Galinulla chloropus), Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) were the most marked changes recorded. Marked increase in abundances was found in Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) during the whole decade, whereas in Graylag Goose (Anser anser) the increase was restricted to the first half of the period under study. Numbers of charadriform and passeriform birds fluctuated in the dependence of water level variation.     

Evolution of the Sacoglossa (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia) and the ecological associations with their food plants

Evolution in the opisthobranch order Sacoglossa has been closely linked to their specialized suctorial herbivorous habits. All shelled Sacoglossa (about 20% of the species) feed on one algal genus, Caulerpa. The non-shelled Sacoglossa have 'radiated' to other diets, mainly siphonalean or septate green algae (Class Ulvophyceae). Comparing the phylogeny of sacoglossan genera with the phylogeny of the Ulvophyceae indicates that co-speciation may have taken place at the basal node of the Sacoglossa, and that host switching has taken place several times in the two non-shelled clades. It is suggested that the most important evolutionary process has been speciation by 'resource-tracking'; the resource tracked is most probably cell wall composition of the algal prey. The fossil record of extant sacoglossan genera dates back to the Eocene and, based on the fossil record of siphonalean green algae, the Sacoglossa most likely appeared in the Cretaceous. It is hypothesized that the ancestral sacoglossan was epifaunal, suctorial and herbivorous, and the 'ancestral' food plant was not Caulerpa, but filamentous, calcified, now extinct, Udoteaceae.     

Revision of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cheliderpeton vranyi</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">Fritsch</Emphasis>, 1877 (Amphibia,Temnospondyli) from the Lower Permian of Bohemia (Czech Republic)

The temnospondylCheliderpeton vranyi Fritsch, 1877 from the Lower Permian Ruprechtice horizon (Rotliegend) of the Intrasudetic Basin (Bohemia, Czech Republic) is redescribed. Many features of the skeleton permit a new understanding of the type species and consequently of the genus. Diagnostic characters are the narrow and round-tipped snout, straight to convex outline of the skull roof, narrow and long otic notch, posteriorly expanded quadratojugal, and the relatively wide and short rhombic interclavicle. The ilium with a short, expanded dorsal branch and the missing contact of nasal/maxilla are features shared with the related Upper PermianIntasuchus from Russia and the Eryopidae.Actinodon germanicus is a junior synonym ofCheliderpeton vranyi.      

Ecogeographical distribution and differential adaptedness of multilocus allelic associations in Spanish Avena sativa L.

We determined the nine-locus isozyme genotype of 267 landrace accessions of Avena sativa from 31 provinces of Spain. Our results establish that level of genetic variability is usually high both within and among accessions of this heavily self-fertilizing hexaploid grass and that multilocus genetic structure differs in various ecogeographical regions of Spain. We concluded that selection favoring different multilocus genotypes in different environments was the main integrating force that shaped the internal genetic structure of local populations as well as the overall adaptive landscape of A. sativa in Spain. Implications in genetic resource conservation and utilization are discussed.     

Geographic distribution of the bathypelagic genus paraeuchaeta (Copepoda,Calanoida)

The geographic distribution of the bathypelagic calanoid genus Paraeuchaeta was investigated by examining midwater trawl and plankton net samples collected mostly from depths exceeding 1000 m throughout the world's oceans. Of the 81 species referred to Paraeuchaeta, the geographic ranges of about 50 species could be defined with reasonable certainty. Contrary to early authors, the number of species having a worldwide distribution was surprisingly small (12 species or 15% of the 81 species of the genus) as compared to common species endemic to various geographic regions (34 species or 42% of the total of 81). Almost twice as many species were found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean as in either the Atlantic or the Southern Ocean. Faunistically, the northern Atlantic, mid-Atlantic, northern Pacific, East Pacific, Indo-West Pacific, and Southern Ocean were distinct in terms of endemic species. A number of species were found to be endemic to highly productive areas, where they were usually very abundant. Rare species, on the other hand, were generally found to be widely distributed, although some were too rare for their range to be determined with certainty. To explain these findings, the following hypothesis is proposed: Bathypelagic calanoids endemic to and abundant in eutrophic areas are those adapted to eutrophic conditions of their habitats and therefore cannot expand their ranges into contiguous oligotrophic waters even if the other environmental conditions are favorable. Other species, on the other hand, generally have extensive geographic ranges because of their survival ability in widely expanding oligotrophic conditions and the absence of physicochemical barriers at bathypelagic depths of the world's oceans.     

Taxonomy and distribution of Sargassum (Phaeophyceae) in the Gulf of Thailand

Ten species of Sargassum (Sargassaceae, Phaeophyceae) were found along the Gulf of Thailand. Morphological characteristics of Sargassum baccularia (Mertens) C.A. Agardh, S. binderi Sonder, S. cinereum J.G. Agardh, S.crassifolium J.G. Agardh, S. longifructum Tseng et Lu, S. oligocystum Montagne, S. polycystum C.A. Agardh, S. siliquosum J.G. Agardh, S. swartzii (Turner) C.A. Agardh and one unidentified species were examined and are described in detail. The most common species were S. polycystum distributed widely in almost all the study sites, S. crassifolium restricted to Prachuap Khirikhan Province, S. longifructum restricted to Chumphon Province, S. siliquosum restricted to Surat Thani Province and one unidentified species restricted to Songkhla Province. Three species (S. cinereum, S. longifructum and S. swartzii) are new records for the algal flora of Thailand. Five species (S. baccularia, S. cinereum, S. longifructum, S. polycystum and the unidentified species) belong to the section Zygocarpicae (J.G. Agardh) Setchell.     

The cytogeographical distribution pattern ofAllium (Alliaceae) in the Greek Peninsula and Islands

Greece is considered as a secondary centre of evolution for the genusAllium since it possesses about 50% of the species known from the whole Flora Europaea area. In the present investigation 44 GreekAllium spp. have been studied and new chromosome counts are reported from 40 populations and 17 species. The distribution of the different cytotypes (x = 7, x = 8, x = 11 and 2n = 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x) in Greece is discussed. From the four phytogeographical subdivisions recognized, South continental Greece shows the greatest species and karyotype diversity. This phenomenon is probably due to the geographical position and to the geological history of this area which has received species and populations from different directions. Subsequently, hybridization apparently has been of evolutionary importance.The genusAllium in Greece I.     

Traditional and diversified crops in South Moravia (Czech Republic): Habitat preferences of common vole and mice species

Substantial changes in the composition of crops in Central Europe during the last two decades (increasing areas of maize, rape and sunflower fields) have significantly influenced the structure and dynamics of animal communities, though there is a lack of data available for small rodents. In this study, we assessed the importance of these three crops for rodents and compared it with traditional crops (alfalfa, barley, wheat). We observed that herbivorous species (especially the common vole) do not live in crops which do not have green leaves near the ground (e.g. sunflower, maize), while mobile granivorous species can inhabit all types of crop. We confirmed the presumed differences in habitat preferences; however we rejected the hypothesis of a general increase of rodent abundance during the vegetative season in managed fields. We found that (1) maize and sunflower had no importance for common voles, but they were favored habitats for wood mice; (2) numbers of wood mice in rape decreased during the season, while abundances of common voles increased; (3) common vole populations tended to increase during the season in all suitable crops (alfalfa, barley, wheat, tendency in maize and rape); (4) wood mice populations seemed stable in all crops; i.e. without a seasonal increase. It can be concluded that even if the new crop fields are an important part of the agricultural landscape, they are only a temporal habitat for small mammals, especially granivorous species.     

Communities of Berteroa incana in Europe and their geographical differentiation

Two geographical races have been established within the Berteroetum incanae in Europe. The Galium mollugo race of the Berteroetum incanae is characteristic of the western part of the distribution area of the association whereas the relevés from the eastern part of Europe are classified as the Acosta rhenana race of the Berteroetum incanae. Adventitious Berteroetum incanae from the Netherlands has been shown to be a separate subunit within the Galium mollugo race of the Berteroetum incanae.     

Morphological and anatomical differentiation ofVellozia hirsuta populations (Velloziaceae)

The morphological and leaf anatomical differentiation ofVellozia hirsuta is analysed and classified into several types (A1, A2, A4, B3, B5, C3). The species has a relatively wide distribution in the campos rupestres of Minas Gerais in Brazil. The variation of the isolated populations on different mountain ranges is complex, does not follow a clear geographical pattern, and defies taxonomic classification.     

Polyploidy and habitat differentiation in Dactylis glomerata L. from Galicia (Spain)

Summary The microdistribution of diploid and tetraploid plants of Dactylis glomerata L. was examined and related to their immediate environment in several sites in central Galicia, where morphologically indistinguishable individuals of both ploidies grow in sympatry. The two related cytotypes differed in habitat preference. Diploids were mainly confined to the low-density forest-floor habitat in woodlands of mostly ancient origin, whereas tetraploids were widespread in varied habitats but clearly predominant in open areas, particularly in disturbed anthropic sites. The in situ comparison of plant performance showed that where plants of each ploidy were more common they produced more tillers, panicles and seeds. This habitat preference closely reflected differences in life-history characteristics. The tetraploids had an early and short flowering time almost always completed before the aestival drought, whereas the diploids began to flower several weeks later and flowered throughout the drought. Comparisons along artificial gradients of soil water availability and light transmittance indicated that the cytotypes had distinct physiological requirements which probably originated in metabolic and more general genetic differentiation and could be directly attributable to ploidy. Habitat differentiation increases the species' colonizing ability. It also amplifies divergence in reproductive strategy between diploids and tetraploids, which reduces ineffective crossing between cytotypes and thereby permits them to coexist in sympatry. The effect of hybridization at the polyploid level on the differentiation between cytotypes was assessed from the recent introduction of a foreign tetraploid entity into the study area. Hybridization between the two distinct tetraploids was found to increase habitat differentiation between the diploids and the tetraploids, but the major part of this differentiation is probably attributable to ploidy itself.     

Chromosomal differentiation withinCrocus vernus agg. (Iridaceae) in the Carpathian Mts.

Western and eastern Carpathian populations ofCrocus heuffelianus s. lat. (incl.C. scepusiensis) have 2n = 18 but differ in karyotype. While western populations are chromosomally monomorphic, eastern populations exhibit geographical karyotypic differentiation.     

Further evidence for geographic differentiation in R. appendiculatus (Acari: Ixodidae) from Eastern and Southern provinces of Zambia

Studies in the biology, ecology and behaviour of R. appendiculatus in Zambia have shown considerable variation within and between populations often associated with their geographical origin. We studied variation in the mitochondrial COI (mtCOI) gene of adult R. appendiculatus ticks originating from the Eastern and Southern provinces of Zambia. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks from the two provinces were placed into two groups on the mtCOI sequence data tree. One group comprised all haplotypes of specimens from the Eastern province plateau districts of Chipata and Petauke. The second group consisted of a single haplotype of specimens from the Southern province districts and Nyimba, an Eastern province district on the fringes of the valley. This variation provides additional evidence to the earlier observations in the 12S rDNA and ITS2 data for the geographic subdivision of R. appendiculatus from Southern province and Eastern province plateau. The geographic subdivision further corresponds with differences in body size and diapause between R. appendiculatus from these geographic areas. The possible implications of these findings on the epidemiology of East Coast fever (ECF) the disease for which R. appendiculatus is one of the vectors are discussed. Nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper are available in the GenBank^TM under the Accession Numbers DQ859259–DQ859266     

Abundance, distribution and conservation of Chinese White Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in Xiamen, China

In recent years, human activities appear to present the greatest threat to the Chinese white dolphin (Sousa chinensis). Increasing death records of this species in Xiamen have already become a focus of attention among the local government, the public, and the media. A comprehensive understanding about the status of Xiamen population is important not only to evaluate the conservation measures taken previously, but to design adaptive measures appropriate to this population. In this study, a survey using line-transect methodology was carried out to cover an area of about 700 km² in Xiamen waters. A total of 102 separate sightings were made on 6157 km of transect line. The abundance estimate ranged from 67 (CV=41.6%) to 93 (CV=26.34%), with an average of 86 (CV=20.16%). Overall, Xigang (West harbor) and Jiyu represented the major area of distribution in Xiamen. Significant seasonal changes in distribution were found. In spring, significant numbers of dolphins occurred in Xigang and few in other areas, while in other seasons, the sighting rate in Xigang decreased relatively with sightings in Jiyu, Dapan, and Dadeng increasing obviously, suggesting an outward movement pattern of Chinese white dolphins from the inside harbor to outside waters after spring. Some suggestions for redesigning the Xiamen Nature Reserve and other management measures are put forward.     

Report on the distribution,population, and ecology of the yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti)

The Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti), an endangered species in China, has received more protection in theory than in practice. Therefore it is on the very verge of extinction. The population of the species was estimated less than 2,000 individuals spread in 19 distinct groups. It was confirmed that the monkey was confined to the Yunling Mountain System, the area between the Yangtze River (Changjiang, aka Jinshajiang) to the east and the Mekong River (Lancangjiang) to the west. We further concluded that a lowland belt to the east, about 100 km long and 20 – 30 km wide was not suitable habitat for the monkeys, and appeared to serve as the natural ecogeologic barrier for the species. Our results indicated that the southern limit of the distribution was at Longma (26°14′N), and that the northern limit of the distribution was at Xiaochangdu (29°20′N). The distribution area of the species was substantially smaller than previously estimated. There were substantial ecological differences between the southern and northern parts of the species range. The monkey was found only in fir-larch forest.     

Pathways of karyological differentiation in palms (Arecaceae)

Karyological data are given for 56 palm taxa coming from all 6 palm subfamilies. In 11 genera and 17 species, chromosome numbers are reported for the first time. Most chromosome numbers in palms range between 2n = 36 and 2n = 26 in dysploid series. Species of the same genus usually exhibit identical chromosome numbers which additionally may be constant in larger groups of closely related genera (Coryphoideae trib.Corypheae with nearly always 2n = 36,Arecoideae subtribesEuterpeinae andRoystoneinae with 2n = 36,Arecoideae subtrib.Butiinae with mostly 2n = 32). Polyploidy among palms is of minor significance but the endemic Madagascan genusVoanioala (2n = 606 ± 3) is the most striking exception. — With respect to structure of interphase nuclei and longitudinal differentiation of prophase and metaphase chromosomes, the palm family is highly differentiated. Euchromatin types with different prophase condensation properties and fluorochrome and C-banding patterns of heterochromatin permit a discrimination of several subfamilies on the nuclear level (Arecoideae, Ceroxyloideae, Nypoideae, Phytelephantoideae, Calamoideae).Arecoideae andCeroxyloideae, andNypoideae andPhytelephantoideae have some features in common. Subfam.Coryphoideae s. l. is a non-uniform group. — Nuclear characters among palms exclusively found in recentCoryphoideae subtrib.Thrinacinae link palms with other monocotyledons. Most probably, such a nuclear condition represents an ancestral state in the evolution of palm genomes within subfam.Coryphoideae s. l., but also the conspicuous nuclear characters of the other modern palm subfamilies appear to be derived from a similar starting point, since transitional character states are still present in subfam.Calamoideae and some taxa of subfam.Arecoideae. Early karyoevolution in palms obviously did not involve numerical change of the ancient chromosome number of 2n = 36 which started subsequently, as a dysploid reduction in numerous parallel series, independent in subfam.Coryphoideae (2n = 36 to 2n = 28),Calamoideae (2n = 36 to 2n = 26),Ceroxyloideae (2n = 34 to 2n = 26), andArecoideae (2n = 36 to 2n = 28). Possible mechanisms of karyological change are discussed. — Karyological characters are compared to morphological, ecological, taxonomical, and chorological features, and give some new insight into older and more recent phases of palm evolution. (1) Strong deviations in vegetative or floral morphology are often accompanied by major karyological differences, and sometimes the direction of advancement can be traced through intermediate stages. (2) Apart fromCoryphoideae subtrib.Thrinacinae, the strongest concentration of apparently original karyological traits is found in the more basal members of each subfamily. (3) The most successful and actively radiating colonizers of the forest floors in evergreen tropical forests which belong to completely different subfamilies (Old WorldLicuala, New WorldChamaedorea andGeonoma), appear to be very advanced karyologically.