Documentation of the presence of Gmelinoides fasciatus (Stebbing, 1899) and the native benthic fauna in the Volga River at Tver (Tver Region,Russia)

In the Volga Basin, the small Baikalian amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus was introduced in 1965 into the Gorky reservoir in order to enhance fish production; it appeared in 1986 in the Rybinsk reservoir and we recorded it during monitoring activities in 2006 at Tver. In total, at the monitoring site Tver/Migalovo 69 benthic invertebrate taxa were identified. We compared data from three summer seasons. During summer low flow period Gmelinoides fasciatus did not exceed a share of 12.6% considering individual (ind) densities (mean abundance 165 ± 104 ind m^?2) and 14.2% considering biomass (mean biomass 0.39 ± 0.44 g m^?2). Abundances and biomass of G. fasciatus were shown to be stable over three years and no increase was observed. The monthly dataset (March–November 2008) revealed dynamics in relation to the native benthic communities and it was shown that the maximal densities of Gmelinoides did not exceed 587 ind m^–2. Understanding the effects on benthic communities caused by the invasive amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus is crucial in order to predict further developments in European inland waters and to establish management strategies.     

Ribosomal DNA non-transcribed spacer polymorphism in subterranean mole rats: genetic differentiation,environmental correlates and phylogenetic relationships

Summary An analysis is presented of genetic differentiation in the non-transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA (NTS rDNA). Diversity, environmental correlates and the phylogenetic relationships are examined within and between species of the actively speciating subterranean mole rat, superspeciesSpalax ehrenbergi (2n=52, 54, 58, 60) in Israel. This analysis is based on a previous study of the geographic distribution of restriction fragment length polymorphisms of NTS rDNA. Here we present results indicating that NTS rDNA diversity exists mostly (66%) within populations, while 20% is between populations within species, and 14% between species. Multivariate discriminant analysis succeeded in separating 10 of the 13 populations (77%) into their correct chromosomal species, on the basis of the combination of three NTS rDNA repetypes. The phylogenetic relationships suggest that the complex involves two pairs of closely related species (2n=52–54 and 2n=58–60). NTS rDNA diversity, as well as the decrease southward in frequency of repetype C, are correlated with climatic factors of humidity and temperature. These data are discussed in terms of the evolutionary forces of migration and selection which may cause NTS rDNA differentiation. Climatic selection appears to be the major differentiating factor of NTS rDNA.     

Screening Subterranean Clover (Trifolium spp.) Germplasm for Resistance to Meloidogyne species

This study was conducted to identify lines of subterranean clover (Trifolium spp.) with resistance to Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal, 1989) Chitwood, 1949, race 1; M. incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949, race 3; and M. javanica (Treub, 1885) Chitwood, 1949. A collection of 134 subterranean clover lines was evaluated and all had intermediate to high susceptibility. Root galling was negatively correlated with both seed and dry matter yields. Soil fumigation significantly reduced the nematode population in the field. Results indicate there is limited genetic resistance to root-knot nematodes among subterranean clover lines. Alternative sources of variation for this trait should be investigated.     

Germination, seedling morphology and establishment of Cotnbretum bauchiense Hutch. & Dalz. (Combretaceae)

ONYEKWELU, S. S. C, 1990. Germination, seedling morphology and establishment of Cotnbretum bauchiense Hutch. & Dalz. (Combretaceae). Cotnbretum bauchiense is a suffrutex with short, erect, usually herbaceous stems arising from a woody root stock. It appears in savanna soon after fire and (lowers within a few weeks. The fruits germinate in 5–6 days. The germination is cryptogeal. On germination the true radicle and the apparent radicle formed by fused cotyledon stalks push down into the soil, carrying the plumule with them. The cotyledon lamina and part of the fused cotyledon stalks remain above the soil. Both the apparent radicle and the true radicle produce roots. Below the soil at the joint of the apparent radicle and the true radicle the plumule produces 1–3 shoots which grow out to the surface of the soil. The underground portion of the shoot bears scale leaves, from which the plant regenerates when the aerial shoot is damaged by fire. This type of germination is an adaptation that ensures successful establishment in an environment that is subjected to fire.     

Distribution patterns of some subterranean Crustacea in the territory of the former Yugoslavia

A selection of the most representative distribution patterns of stygobiont animals is presented. The range of a genus may extend beyond the Dinaride karst, while some species exhibit a holo-Dinaric distribution. The mero-Dinaric distribution is organised in two vicarious centres (in the NW and SE) as well as an epilittoral and a paralittoral belt. The paralittoral distribution is a result of paleogeographic rather than present-day ecological conditions. Important differences between the interstitial faunas of Slovenia (and NE Italy) and Macedonia are probably the result of their different sources. Some other distribution patterns are discussed or summarized from the existing literature. The distribution patterns of this stygobiont fauna are extremely diverse, and are influenced by the geological complexity of the territory as well as by the richness of the fauna concerned. New distribution data for some Copepoda, Thermosbaenacea, and Amphipoda are appended.     

Populations and production of bacteria in the plankton of two shallow lakes

The troglobitic amphipod crustacean Crangonyx antennatus populates two distinct habitats in southern Appalachian caves, mud-bottom pools and gravel-bottom streams. An investigation was conducted to determine if stream populations possess behavioral adaptations to lotic conditions. Observations on the thigmotactic behavior of C. antennatus were made seasonally in six Lee Co., Virginia caves, three containing pool habitats and three with stream habitats. Stream-dwelling amphipods were found to exhibit more cryptic behavior than those inhabiting pools under natural conditions and when disturbed. Artificial stream experiments indicate that stream-dwelling C. antennatus are better adapted behaviorally to lotic conditions than pool-dwelling amphipods.