Bats from the Pedra Branca Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Pedra Branca Forest is located in a highly-urbanised region of the central portion of Rio de Janeiro City, comprises the largest urban forest on the continent and is isolated from other Atlantic Forest remnants. The local flora and fauna are protected by three conservation units (Pedra Branca State Park, Prainha Municipal Natural Park and Guaratiba State Biological Reserve) and one biological station (Fiocruz Atlantic Forest Biological Station—EFMA). Here, we provide an updated list of the bat fauna for the remnant. The results are based on samplings at EFMA and literature data from Pedra Branca State Park and Prainha Natural Park. The three sampling sites combined resulted in 31 species, 23 genera and four families. Phyllostomidae was the richest family with 24 species, followed by Vespertilionidae with five species (3%) and Molossidae and Noctilionidae with one species. The local bat fauna was predominantly composed of species with a broad geographic distribution.

Soil Pollen Indicators of Historical Arable Horizons from the Zvenigorod Biological Station of the Moscow State University

In this work we present the results of spore and pollen analysis of forest soils from the Zvenigorod biological station of Moscow State University (Moscow Region, Russia). A comparative analysis of forest soils formed on the site of historical fields of the XVIII–XIX centuries and beyond showed that a specific complex of pollen and spores remains in the residual arable horizons, characteristic only of soils that have passed through the stages of plowing and fallow. It includes pollen from cultivated cereals and arable weeds (buckwheat, cornflower blue), spores of the mace-shaped plaunus (Lycopodium clavatum), as well as spores of the mosses Riccia glauca and Anthoceros spp. The latter are exclusive indicators of fallows, since they are practically not found in other habitats. The identified pollen indicators can be used in landscape and archaeological research to interpret the data of spore-pollen analysis of cultural layers, buried soils, gully-ravine sediments. They can also be used to define the boundaries of ancient fields under modern vegetation.

Geastrum chamelense (Geastraceae, Agaricomycetes), a new species with setose endoperidium from the tropical dry forest in Jalisco, Mexico

Background and Aims: Geastrum is characterized by stelliform basidiomata, exoperidium with three layers, sessile or stalked endoperidium, and sulcate, plicate, folded or fibrillose peristome, distinctly or indistinctly delimited, sometimes with mycosclereids. The objective of this study is to describe and illustrate Geastrum chamelense with morphological, ecological and molecular data as a new species from the Chamela Biological Station, Jalisco, Mexico. Methods: Basidiomata collections with different degrees of maturity gathered in 2010 and 2011 from tropical dry forest at the Chamela Biological Station in Jalisco state are described macro- and microscopically. The type material is deposited in the fungal collections of the herbaria ENCB and MEXU. The extraction of DNA, as well as the phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, atp6 and rpb1 sequences, are based on the holotype. Key results: Geastrum chamelense is distinguished by its greyish brown basidiomata, pseudofornicate, fleshy exoperidium, not hygroscopic, sessile endoperidium, subglobose to depressed with peristome plicate, not delimited, and setae present. The latter character is shared with Geastrum setiferum from Brazil, but that species has shorter and wider setae (95-215 × 20-47 µm) than G. chamelense (102-330 × 10.2-15.3 µm). From a phylogenetic perspective, G. chamelense is sister to G. hieronymi and G. cf. calceum, while G. setiferum is not related, as it appears in a separate clade. Conclusions: Geastrum chamelense is recognized as a new species based on morphological, ecological and molecular data.

TRACES OF IRON AGE SLASH-AND-BURN AGRICULTURE UNDER THE SLAVIC KURGANS AT THE MSU ZVENIGOROD BIOLOGICAL STATION

В работе представлены результаты анализа почв, погребенных под курганами XII-XIII вв. Волковской курганной группы на территории Звенигородской биостанции МГУ. На основе разработанной авторами диагностики слоев, связанных с подсечным земледелием, были проанализированы погребенные почвы и угленасыщенные горизонты под двумя курганными насыпями. Выявлены следы нескольких эпизодов подсечно-огневого земледелия; они датированы радиоуглеродным методом I, II и X веками н. э. The paper reports on the analysis of soils buried under the kurgans of the 12th - 13th centuries from the Volkovo kurgan group situated within the compound of the MSU Zvenigorod biological station. Based on the diagnostic assessment of the layers associated with slash-and-burn agriculture developed by the authors, the buried soils and the carbonaceous horizons under two kurgan mounds were examined. Traces of several instances of slash-and-burn agriculture use were identified, the radiocarbon dating puts them to the 1st, the 2nd and the 10th centuries.

The biodiversity of production traits as the basis for selection of Chaenomeles Lindl. in Tambov region

The purpose of this study was to analyze the biodiversity of morphological and biochemical traits that are important for the breeding process. We used 14 varieties of Chaenomeles Lindl. (Rosaceae) tested at the biological station of the Michurinsk State Agrarian University in the Tambov Region. The data on the decorative qualities of flowers are presented. The presence of various colors of the corolla, simple and semi-double flowers are shown. The analysis of the ranges of variability of such traits as the length and weight of fruits, the content of dry matter, sugars, titratable acids, ascorbic acid and catechins was carried out. The conclusion is made about the presence of biodiversity in the Chaenomeles gene pool, which makes it possible to continue the selection of universal varieties used for decorative purposes and as a high-vitamin fruit crop.

Herpetofauna found at Caño Palma Biological Station, Cerro Mountain and Tortuguero area

Caño Palma Biological Station herpetofauna and Cerro Mountain lists revised 2011, Tortuguero area herpetofauna list, revised 2008.

Biodiversity in tropical rainforests: Calleida Dejean, 1825 at the BIOLAT Biological Station, Rio Manu, Peru, with descriptions of seven new species (Coleoptera Carabidae, Lebiini). Part 1

A monographic contribution is presented on the species of the genus Calleida Dejean, 1825 at the BIOLAT Biological Station, Rio Manu, Pakitza, Peru, sampled by Terry Erwin and his co-workers. The following seven new species are described: C. solitariasp. nov., C. manuensissp. nov., C. anomalasp. nov., C. demathanisp. nov. (type locality: Peru, Tarapoto, but sampled also at Rio Manu), C. erwinisp. nov., C. marginithoraxsp. nov., and C. maximasp. nov. Relationships of each species are discussed, and a preliminary survey is presented of the genus Calleida in Peru.

A striking new species of Dolichomitus Smith, 1877 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae; Pimplinae) from South America

Dolichomitus Smith, 1877 is a genus of Darwin wasps characterised by their large bodies and long ovipositors, that includes more than 75 species worldwide, 20 of which occur in the Neotropical Region. Due to recent efforts, the number of species of this genus continues to increase in South America. A new iridescent species of Pimplinae, Dolichomitus meii sp. nov., is described and illustrated. It was discovered from the biological station of Yanayacu located in the north-eastern slopes of the tropical Andes. It may be separated from all other species of Dolichomitus Smith by the striking colour pattern and apically strongly decurved ovipositor.