The termites of Early Eocene Cambay amber, with the earliest record of the Termitidae (Isoptera)

The fauna of termites (Isoptera) preserved in Early Eocene amber from the Cambay Basin (Gujarat, India) are described and figured. Three new genera and four new species are recognized, all of them Neoisoptera – Parastylotermes krishnai Engel & Grimaldi, sp. n. (Stylotermitidae); Prostylotermes kamboja Engel & Grimaldi, gen. et sp. n. (Stylotermitidae?); Zophotermes Engel, gen. n., with Zophotermes ashoki Engel & Singh, sp. n. (Rhinotermitidae: Prorhinotermitinae); and Nanotermes isaacae Engel & Grimaldi, gen. et sp. n. (Termitidae: Termitinae?). Together these species represent the earliest Tertiary records of the Neoisoptera and the oldest definitive record of Termitidae, a family that comprises >75% of the living species of Isoptera. Interestingly, the affinities of the Cambay amber termites are with largely Laurasian lineages, in this regard paralleling relationships seen between the fauna of bees and some flies. Diversity of Neoisoptera in Indian amber may reflect origin of the amber deposit in Dipterocarpaceae forests formed at or near the paleoequator.     

Spatial structure, rock type, and local environmental conditions drive moss and lichen distribution on calcareous boulders

Although mosses and lichens are a relevant component of the biota of rock habitats targeted for biodiversity conservation in Europe, the ecological factors driving their distribution are still poorly known. In this work, we examined the epilithic moss and lichen assemblages colonizing boulders of different types of calcareous rocks co-occurring in the same area in the Italian Alps. The goals were: (1) to evaluate if and to what extent different calcareous rocks host different assemblages; (2) to identify species associated to each rock type; (3) to quantify the relative importance of rock type, local environmental factors, and habitat spatial structure in explaining species distribution. Our results demonstrated that different calcareous rocks host different moss and lichen assemblages with some typical species, indicating that each rock type contributes to the total diversity of both mosses and lichens. Local environmental conditions influenced mosses and not lichens whose distribution is mainly associated to rock type. The patterns of both organism groups were also significantly related to habitat spatial structure, species assemblages tending to have a patchy distribution, which may reflect dispersal dynamics. Our results have implications for conservation: (1) each rock type may play a relevant role in maintaining the overall diversity contributing with unique assemblages and typical species; (2) the patchy distribution of both moss and lichen assemblages should warn from considering rock patches as a monotonous repetition of the same habitat across space.     

Adrenocortical responsiveness to the synthetic ACTH 1-17 analogue given at different circadian stages

The study concerns the adrenocortical glucocorticoid responsiveness to the ACTH 1-17 analogue given at different times of the day, namely near to the zenith and the nadir of the circadian curve of plasma cortisol. Two schedules of administration of the heptadecapeptide have been performed: a pulse i.v. injection of 4 microgram; b. i.m. injection of 100 microgram. Both the doses were given to the same subject in the morning and in the evening of different days. The chrono-sensitivity of the adrenal cortex to ACTH 1.17 analogue is well evident after pulse stimulation by a micro-dose of the heptadecapeptide; in fact the plasma cortisol increase from basal values is significantly higher in evening than in the morning (p less than 0.001). The cortico-stimulatory effect of the higher dose of ACTH 1.17 analogue lasts about 12 h. and then plasma and urinary glucocorticoids take the usual circadian pattern again.     

Factors influencing epiphytic bryophyte and lichen species richness at different spatial scales in managed temperate forests

The effect of management related factors on species richness of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens was studied in managed deciduous-coniferous mixed forests in Western-Hungary. At the stand level, the potential explanatory variables were tree species composition, stand structure, microclimate and light conditions, landscape and historical variables; while at tree level host tree species, tree size and light were studied. Species richness of the two epiphyte groups was positively correlated. Both for lichen and bryophyte plot level richness, the composition and diversity of tree species and the abundance of shrub layer were the most influential positive factors. Besides, for bryophytes the presence of large trees, while for lichens amount and heterogeneity of light were important. Tree level richness was mainly determined by host tree species for both groups. For bryophytes oaks, while for lichens oaks and hornbeam turned out the most favourable hosts. Tree size generally increased tree level species richness, except on pine for bryophytes and on hornbeam for lichens. The key variables for epiphytic diversity of the region were directly influenced by recent forest management; historical and landscape variables were not influential. Forest management oriented to the conservation of epiphytes should focus on: (i) the maintenance of tree species diversity in mixed stands; (ii) increment the proportion of deciduous trees (mainly oaks); (iii) conserving large trees within the stands; (iv) providing the presence of shrub and regeneration layer; (v) creating heterogeneous light conditions. For these purposes tree selection and selective cutting management seem more appropriate than shelterwood system.     

Epiphytic lichen vegetation on Larix in the Italian Alps

Abstract

A synthesis of the epiphytic lichen vegetation on larch in the Italian Alps is presented. Vegetation types are described on the basis of a numerical classification of 291 relevés. They can be compared to a few well-known phytosociological unions found in other parts of the Alps. Some communities are restricted to subalpine areas with continental climate. Despite the homogeneity of the substrate, the flora is rich, with 98 species, several of which are rare, and hence of interest from a conservational point of view.