scholarly journals First Calibration and Application of Leaf Wax n-Alkane Biomarkers in Loess-Paleosol Sequences and Modern Plants and Soils in Armenia

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yesmine Trigui ◽  
Daniel Wolf ◽  
Lilit Sahakyan ◽  
Hayk Hovakimyan ◽  
Kristina Sahakyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Discrimination Power ◽  
Desert Shrubs ◽  
Leaf Wax ◽  
Alkane Chain ◽  
Lesser Caucasus ◽  
Glacial Periods ◽  
First Time ◽  
Forest Habitats

Interpreting paleoenvironmental conditions by means of n-alkane biomarker analyses is challenging because results depend on different influencing factors. Thus, regional calibration of n-alkane patterns is needed because of different plant chemo-taxonomic behavior. We investigated for the first-time leaf wax-derived n-alkane biomarkers from modern plants, litter, top soils, and two recently discovered loess-paleosol sequences (LPSs) in Armenia (Lesser Caucasus). Our results on modern samples show a promising discrimination power based on n-alkane chain length nC33 (probably nC31)) for grasses and herbs versus nC29 for deciduous trees, despite the large interplant variability within vegetation groups. In contrast with other Loess records in Europe, where Late Pleistocene environments are ranging from tundra-like (glacial) to deciduous forest habitats (interglacial), our results from two Armenian LPSs suggest a transition from humid-steppe biome or forest-steppe vegetation dominating during interglacial periods, to semi-desert shrubs species more adapted to the enhanced aridity during glacial periods.

On remarkable Pachylaelaps species with unusual sperm induction system in females (Acari, Mesostigmata, Pachylaelapidae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Masan ◽  
Samaneh Mojahed ◽  
Jalil Hajizadeh ◽  
Reza Hosseini ◽  
Ali Ahadiyat
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Tubular Structures ◽  
Induction System ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Forest Habitats

In our study of the pachylaelapid mites from Iran, a new remarkable species, Pachylaelaps (Pachylaelaps) prodigiosus sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on adult stages found in soil detritus of broadleaved deciduous forest habitats. The sperm induction system detected in females of the new species is unusual in having its tubular structures exclusively associated with coxae III instead of coxae IV, as found in all other members of the genus. An adult male of P. (P.) grandis Koroleva, 1977, a similar species with analogous sperm induction system in female, is described for the first time. A new species group in the subgenus Pachylaelaps, represented by P. (P.) grandis, P. (P.) kirghizorum Koroleva, 1977 and P. (P.) prodigiosus sp. nov., is newly constituted, and its specific characters of insemination apparatus discussed. 

scholarly journals Zoogeography of the Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Southeastern Iberian Peninsula

Sociobiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chema Catarineu ◽  
Gonzalo G. Barberá ◽  
Joaquín Luis Reyes-López
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Biological Material ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Habitat Diversity ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Humid Forest ◽  
First Time

The work submitted in this paper presents the first checklist of the ant species of the Segura River Basin based on a review of specific literature and biological material collected during field work conducted from 2012 to 2017. Our findings recorded 110 species belonging to 30 genera of ants and twenty two of these species were recorded for the first time in this area. The zoogeographical composition is dominated by the species of the Mediterranean zone (75.2%), followed by the mixed and deciduous forest zone (19.1%). The most important zoogeographic elements are: Iberian (20%), Holomediterranean (17.1%) and West-Mediterranean (13.3%). There are only six cosmopolitan species (5.71%). There is a greater proportion of species from the mixed and deciduous forest zone in the high-mid altitudes in the Segura River Basin, where the climate is cooler, and more humid. The Euro-Caucasian and Euro-West Siberian elements seems to be more associated to the more humid forest, whilst the Euro-Caucasian elements seem to be more associated to ecosystems more similar to the forest-steppe zone. The existence of these different zoogeographic origins in this area is probably linked with: the position between Africa and Europe; the complex geotectonic, paleogeographic, and paleoclimatic history during the last 7 My; the complex geomorphology; and the high climate and habitat diversity. Based on ant studies and other taxa, possible explanations of the zoogeographic origin of these ant chorotypes are proposed.

The first finding of a Greek amphora in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylwester Czopek ◽  
Katarzyna Trybała-Zawiślak ◽  
Joanna Trąbska ◽  
Barbara Trybalska ◽  
Joanna Adamik-Proksa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Iron Compounds ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Tof Sims ◽  
First Finding ◽  
High Calcium ◽  
The University ◽  
First Time ◽  
North Western

Abstract In 2017, an expedition of the Institute of Archeology of the University of Rzeszów (Poland) carried out excavations on a hillfort belonging to the Scythian cultural circle (its forest-steppe variant) in Chotyniec, in south-eastern Poland. The hillfort is the central and most important point of a large settlement cluster, which is the furthest north-western enclave of this cultural circle. In an excavated cult object – the so-called ‘zolnik’ – we made an interesting discovery. Here we show this unique finding for the first time: a Greek wine amphora, from the beginning of the sixth century BC. We were able to explore and reconstruct it almost entirely. Amphora is the only artefact of this type found in the present Polish borders. The amphora was subjected to archaeometric research with the use of PLM, SEM/EDS, TXRF and ToF SIMS. The massive fabric was made of high calcium clay enriched in quartz and volcanic lithoclasts. The lack of chromium and nickel among trace elements makes the vessel different from the amphoras from the Eastern Meditteranean analysed so far, suggesting a specific workshop. Red painting was executed with very fine grained iron compounds predominantly based on aluminosilicates, enriched in phosphorus. Obviously, since it is associated with the presence of Scythians in Eastern Europe, it simultaneously delimits (geography-wise) the borders of Greek influence.

Archaeological Materials of Eneolithic Settlements in Forest-Steppe Zone of the Volga Region: A Source for Diet and Chronology

Radiocarbon ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1587-1596
Author(s):  
A Korolev ◽  
M Kulkova M ◽  
V Platonov ◽  
N Roslyakova ◽  
A Shalapinin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Area ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Volga Region ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Domestic Species ◽  
Animal Bones ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Settlement Site ◽  
First Time ◽  
Comprehensive Studies

ABSTRACTThe study the diet of Eneolithic populations is of great interest to archaeologists. However, the studies undertaken in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Volga region in Russia have left many issues unsolved. Data collected recently through the comprehensive studies of Lebyazhinka VI settlement enable us to change this situation. Of particular importance at this settlement site is good preservation of animal bones, bone fishing tools, and ceramics of the same type with food crusts and connected to a large house pit. For the first time in this geographical area, bones of domestic animals were found in the fill of a dwelling. The aim of this paper is to present the results obtained through comprehensive studies of diet and economy in the Eneolithic based on the materials from Lebyazhinka III and Lebyazhinka VI settlement sites. The main results of the archaeozoological analysis— determinations of species, age and size of the animals—provide the necessary data for studying the diet. We conclude that there are differences between Lebyazhinka III and Lebyazhinka VI settlements. Lebyazhinka III settlement included bones of only wild species, however, Lebyazhinka VI settlement consists of wild and domestic species.

scholarly journals Flowers of Campanula species as a source of biologically active substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 00033
Author(s):  
Tatiana Fomina ◽  
Tatiana Kukushkina
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Western Siberia ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Biologically Active Substances ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
First Time ◽  
Active Substances

The content of the major groups of biologically active substances in flowers of 7 Campanula species, cultivated in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia, were investigated for the first time. Freshly collected flowers were found to contain 0.06-0.15 % of catechins, 0.31-3.17 % of flavonols, 3.31-6.47 % of tannins, 3.10-15.57 % of pectic substances, and 0.66-16.4 mg% of carotenoids calculated per absolute dre weight of raw material. The amount of ascorbic acid was 36.9-114.0 mg% per wet weight. The data indicate that Campanula flowers are promising for the production of phenolic compounds, the development of food additives and fresh consumptions a seasoning.

Too many floristic inventories? New records in seasonal semi-deciduous forest in the Serra da Mantiqueira in Minas Gerais state answer this question

Rodriguésia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Elias Ferreira Barbosa ◽  
Geicilaine Alves Basilio ◽  
Luciana Carvalho Pereira ◽  
Diego Rafael Gonzaga ◽  
Alain Chautems ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Records ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
The State ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Minas Gerais State ◽  
Great Relevance ◽  
Brazilian Flora ◽  
Floristic Data ◽  
First Time

Abstract The importance of continuously conducting botanical inventories has been questioned in recent decades, generating a lack of investment and interest in this area. However, several applied studies are only possible after obtaining the primary data from such surveys. Despite having the greatest richness of plants known in Brazil, several areas with knowledge gaps remain in Minas Gerais (MG) state. This is the case for the Serra da Mantiqueira, an important area for biodiversity conservation in the country. In this scenario, the phytophysiognomy of Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest (SSF) deserves attention, as it is broadly distributed and has great relevance in the state, although subsampled. Therefore, this study aimed to present records of species for the flora of MG and discuss the need for floristic surveys in Brazil. These species were recorded in three of 10 studied remnants along expeditions performed between the years of 2012 and 2019 as part of a wide study performed in SSF remnants in the Serra da Mantiqueira which have a deficit of floristic data. Three species are recorded for the first time in MG, one species was rediscovered after more than two centuries from the last collection (which represents its nomenclatural type), in addition to nine other species which must be considered rare in the state. This study contributed to filling gaps in knowledge on Brazilian flora and also demonstrated the relevance of continuing new collections, mainly in specific subsampled areas in the interior of the country such as in SSF remnants.

Description of new apterous winter species of Leuctra (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) based morphology and DNA barcoding and further records to stonefly fauna of the Caucasus, Georgia 

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4585 (3) ◽  
pp. 547
Author(s):  
VALENTINA A. TESLENKO ◽  
DMITRY M. PALATOV ◽  
ALEXANDER A. SEMENCHENKO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Diagnostic Characters ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Lesser Caucasus ◽  
First Time

Leuctra adjariae sp. n. and Leuctra georgiae sp. n. (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) are described as two new apterous stonefly species from the Meskheti Range (Lesser Caucasus) in southwestern Georgia. Descriptions and illustrations are provided for both sexes and diagnostic characters are discussed. Males and females of the two species are associated by DNA barcodes. Comparisons with corresponding regions of COI between L. adjariae sp. n. and L. georgiae sp. n. produced K2P genetic distances of 8.38%, values well associated with interspecific variation. The well-supported monophyly as well as results of an ABGD analysis confirms the validity of both new species. Capnioneura gouanerae Vinçon & Sivec, 2011, previously described and known only from Turkey, is reported for the first time for the Caucasus. 

Dung longevity influences the fate of endozoochorically dispersed seeds in forest ecosystems

Botany ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (11) ◽  
pp. 779-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogdan Jaroszewicz ◽  
Ewa Pirożnikow
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Plant Establishment ◽  
Seed Content ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
Seedling Germination ◽  
Forest Habitats

Many studies show large discrepancies between the potential (studied in the greenhouse) and realized (studied in the field) effects of endozoochory. The influence of environmental conditions on the fate of endozoochorically dispersed seeds and subsequent plant establishment is still not well understood. We addressed this issue by studying the viable seed content of the dung of European bison ( Bison bonasus L.) by means of seedling germination in the greenhouse and in two forest habitats in Białowieża Primeval Forest. The number of seedlings and the number of plant species that emerged from 1 L of feces were positively correlated with dung longevity. Generative shoots were produced by plants only in coniferous forest. Their number was positively correlated with dung longevity and with light availability. Germination of seeds from bison feces was higher in coniferous forest than in deciduous forest but did not differ between open- and closed-canopy plots within the same habitat. We conclude that (i) seed germination and plant establishment after endozoochorous dispersal is influenced by dung longevity; (ii) the number of generative shoots produced by endozoochorously dispersed plants is influenced by dung longevity and light availability; (iii) seeds of some plant species, present in dung, stay viable for at least 3 years.

Scarce population of malacofauna from MIS8/L3, at Titel loess plateau, Serbia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milica Radaković ◽  
Bojan Gavrilović ◽  
Luka Bosnić ◽  
Milivoj Gavrilov ◽  
Pal Sümegi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Southern Central ◽  
Exposed Part ◽  
Glacial Periods ◽  
First Time ◽  
Continental Climate ◽  
Vojvodina Province

<p>We present our preliminary findings from the survey of malacofauna of the Titel loess plateau – Mošorin site (Serbia), conducted during 2018/2019. Titel loess plateau is situated near the confluence of Tisa and Danube rivers, in the southern central part of the Vojvodina province, the region known for having valuable continental climate record for the past million years. The study aims to gather palaeoenvironmental data and discern patterns of environmental changes during the Pleistocene in the loess domain. Previous surveys were done at the loess sites in Batajnica, Zemun, Crvenka and Irig. The exposed part of the Mošorin loess-paleosol section is 30 m high and covers the last three glacial periods. It is the first time we carried out a malacological analysis on the L3 segment of the profile. A total of 26 samples were collected from 5.2 m long cleaned profile section (ending of S3 to the beginning of S2). Nine species of snails were present in this horizon, including <em>Chondrula tridens</em>, <em>Granaria frumentum</em>, <em>Helicopsis striata</em>, <em>Pupilla muscorum</em>, <em>Pupilla triplicata</em>, <em>Punctum pygmaeum</em>, <em>Succinella oblonga</em>, <em>Vallonia costata</em>, <em>Vitrina pellucida,</em> and certain as-yet-unidentified slug taxa (Limacidae, Agriolimacidae, Milacidae). Greatest diversity and abundance was found near the S3 paleosol. Samples with no snail shells are continuous, and they are situated in the middle and upper part of the studied profile section. The first three samples that are closest to S3 include 65% of all snails shells found in the profile. The number of snail taxa and their abundance gradually increases again toward the S2 paleosol. Based on ecological preferences of discovered species (mostly thermophilous and xerophilous) we deduced that the environment during the L3 time period was an opened grassland, while the climate was mild and mostly dry.</p>

Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) from Slovenia, with descrip-tion of a new Aphidius species

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3456 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATARINA KOS ◽  
STANISLAV TRDAN ◽  
ANDJELJKO PETROVIĆ ◽  
PETR STARÝ ◽  
NICKOLAS G. KAVALLIERATOS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Mediterranean Species ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Eastern Deciduous Forest ◽  
Aphid Parasitoid ◽  
Faunal Complexes ◽  
Far Eastern ◽  
First Time ◽  
Tamarix Gallica

Over the period 2006–2010, 40 species of primary parasitoids belonging to eleven genera were found and reared from 50 species of host aphids, from a total of 106 host plants collected from 62 localities all around Slovenia. Over 230 tritrophic associations have been reviewed, including four associations which are reported for the first time; Ephedrus plagiator/ Staticobium limonii/ Limonium angustifolium, Praon necans/ Staticobium limonii/ Limonium angustifolium, Aphidius sussi/Delphinobium sp./Aconitum maximum and Ephedrus persicae/Brachyunguis tamaricis/ Tamarix gallica. The parasitoid species from Slovenia have been grouped in seven faunal complexes according to their origin, e.g. 11 species from European deciduous forest, 3 species from Far Eastern deciduous forest, 20 species from Eurasian Steppes, 1 Mediterranean species, 2 species from Holarctic Forest Tundra, 2 species from Boreal Europe, and 1 Nearctic species. Also, a new aphid parasitoid species Aphidius staticobii sp.n. Tomanović and Petrović has been described from the association Staticobium limonii/ Limonium angustifolium.

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