New occurrences of the ragweed leaf beetle (Ophraella communa LeSage, 1986) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in Hungary

Fifteen new occurrences of ragweed leaf beetle (Ophraella communa LeSage, 1986) are presented from Hungary based on targeted faunistic investigations and the results of our call for citizen scientists. All records are concentrated on the nearby regions of Budapest, suggesting that the species was introduced to this northern central region of the country by human activity. The high number of new occurrences indicates that the species is steadily established in this region. In contrast, the natural dispersal from the neighbouring southern countries seems not to cross the Hungarian borders yet.

Assessment of dispersal and population structure of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a seaport setting

Seaports are introduction hotspots for invasive alien species (IAS). This is especially true for rodents, which have accompanied humans around the globe since the earliest days of ocean-going voyages. The rapid spread of IAS soon after arrival in a new environment is facilitated by further human-mediated transport or landscape features, like roads. By measuring genetic diversity and structure to investigate dispersal pathways, we gained insight into the transport, spread and establishment stages of a biological invasion, leveraging the most common rodent species (R. norvegicus) in this setting. We characterized the genetic structure of three Norway rat populations along a busy industrial road used by trucks to access the Port area in Paranaguá city (Brazil). A total of 71 rats were genotyped using 11 microsatellite markers. The results revealed a pattern of gene flow contrary to the expected stepping-stone model along the linear transect, with the two furthest apart populations being clustered together. We hypothesize that the observed outcome is explained by natural dispersal along the corridor being lower than human-mediated transport. The sampled area furthest from the port is a gas station frequented by trucks which are considered the most likely mode of transportation. In terms of management strategies, we suggest more emphasis should be put on cargo surveillance to lower the risk of Norway rat dispersal, not only for biosecurity, but also for sanitary reasons, as this port is a major grain trading point.

Results of the First Herpetological Survey of Israel’s Mediterranean Coastal Islets

Small islets in the Mediterranean Sea are often home to reptiles, typically representing an impoverished sample of the continental fauna, yet with high population densities and signs of rapid morphological and behavioral evolution. In this paper, we present the first herpetofaunal survey of several small islet clusters in close proximity to the Mediterranean coast of Israel, only recently geologically separated from the mainland. We performed surveys of five islets during March of 2017 – 2018 and recorded the presence of five different species of reptiles on four of the surveyed islets. Species richness varied between 1 and 4 species, and appeared to be correlated with island area, with a distinct nested structure. Reptile species may have colonized the islets by natural dispersal from nearby coastal populations, or by hitch-hiking on fishing boats and similar methods of human-assisted dispersal. Alternatively, the recorded reptiles may represent relictual populations from earlier geologic periods, when lower sea-levels supported continuous land-bridges between the islets and the mainland. These insular reptile populations require further study to establish the exact means of colonization and describe if and how they differ from mainland populations. We stress the importance of such small Mediterranean islets such as these as centers of unique biodiversity and encourage future study and conservation action aimed at them and similar islets.

Xylophilus ampelinus (canker of grapevine).

The causative agent of bacterial blight of grapevine, X. ampelinus, is a slow-growing bacterium. It is thought that only European grapevines (Vitis vinifera) are susceptible (Panagopoulos, 1988b). Natural dispersal from infected plants is limited to the vineyard and the immediately surrounding area and is mostly associated with pruning. Dispersal over large distances is expected to occur only associated with host plants, most likely during trading of planting material. It is difficult to control as outbreaks are sporadic and infections are often latent thus hindering detection.

Dispersal and mating patterns determine the fate of naturally dispersed populations: evidence from Bombina orientalis

Background In contrast to the explosive increase of a population following biological invasion, natural dispersal, i.e., when a population disperses from its original range into a new range, is a passive process that is affected by resources, the environment, and other factors. Natural dispersal is also negatively impacted by genetic drift and the founder effect. Although the fates of naturally dispersed populations are unknown, they can adapt evolutionarily over time to the new environment. Can naturally dispersed populations evolve beneficial adaptive strategies to offset these negative effects to maintain their population in a stable state? Results The current study addressed this question by focusing on the toad Bombina orientalis, the population of which underwent natural dispersal following the Last Glacial Maximum in Northeast Asia. Population genetic approaches were used to determine the genetic structure, dispersal pattern, and mating system of the population of B. orientalis in northeast China (Northern population). The results showed that this northern population of B. orientalis is a typical naturally dispersed population, in which the stable genetic structure and high level of genetic diversity of the population have been maintained through the long-distance biased dispersal behavior of males and the pattern of promiscuity within the population. Conclusions Our findings suggest that naturally dispersed populations can evolve effective adaptive strategies to maintain a stable population. Different species may have different strategies. The relevance of these maintenance mechanisms for naturally dispersed populations provide a new perspective for further understanding the processes of speciation and evolution.

Germination ecology of Trachycarpus fortunei (Arecaceae), a species with morphophysiological and shoot dormancy

Beyond strong inference that most of the 2600 known species of Arecaceae produce diaspores with an underdeveloped embryo and therefore have morphological (MD) or morphophysiological dormancy (MPD), little is known about the specific dormancy class or sub-class, and how dormancy-break occurs under ecological conditions. Here, we found that mature seeds of Trachycarpus fortunei collected at the time of natural dispersal had an underdeveloped embryo that was 10% of total seed length. No diaspores germinated over a wide range of temperatures in either light or darkness. Cold-stratification at 4 °C for 1, 2, and 3 months or treatment with 100, 500, and 1000 ppm gibberellic acid (GA3) improved germination percentages, with 3 months cold-stratification or 1000 ppm GA3 resulting in highest germination. The embryo grew inside the seeds during cold-stratification. However, warm stratification did not improve germination. Therefore, seeds of T. fortunei have intermediate complex MPD. Cold stratified seeds moved to spring conditions (15/20 °C) had cotyledonary petiole (CP) elongated, but leaves developed only when the CP elongated seeds were moved to summer temperatures (25/30 °C), suggesting the presence of shoot dormancy. The seedlings are remote-tubular type. This is the first report for Arecaceae indicating the presence of complex MPD.

Cocos nucifera (coconut).

C. nucifera is believed to have originated in the Indo-Malayan to Western Pacific region (Parrotta, 1993) and is now of pan-tropical distribution, mainly the result of cultivation for its nuts and by natural dispersal by the oceans. It can be cultivated up to an elevation of 1200 m near the equator or 900 m at higher latitudes (Moistero, 1978), with annual rainfall of 700-5000 mm but growth and fruit production are reduced at the extremes (Parrotta, 1993). Commercial production of coconuts is mainly concentrated in low coastal lands. It prefers deep, fertile and adequately drained soils at pH 5.5-6.5, with either a high water-table or continually replenished surface soil moisture (Francis and Liogier, 1991; PCARRD, 1993). Generally, C. nucifera is propagated from seeds (the nuts), which take 8-10 weeks to germinate and 30 weeks to reach planting-out size. It is intolerant of shade, self-pruning, highly resistant to wind damage and may tolerate some salinity (Parrotta, 1993). Besides its nuts, C. nucifera trees are of enormous general utility. The timber is used for poles, construction, furniture, boxes, fixtures, particle board, paper pulp, charcoal, and occasionally veneers. The wood is difficult to saw, requiring tungsten carbide teeth. Coconut milk may be drunk or used as a medium for tissue culture; the copra (dried endosperm) is used for extraction of oils for use in foods, cosmetics, and medicines; the cori (mesocarp fibres) is used to construct mats, ropes, carpets, brushes, brooms, and bags, packaging, and potting media; the shell is used to make bowels, cups, spoons, ladles, smoking pipes, ashtrays, vases, boxes, and toys. The leaves are used in thatching, and the terminal bud may be eaten as a vegetable. The roots have medicinal properties, and provide a sweet sucrose-rich liquid known as toddy (Westphal and Jansen, 1989).

Horticultural biosecurity.

Horticultural biosecurity is a term used to describe regulations and processes set in place to protect countries, regions or individual production properties against the introduction and spread of new pests and diseases. A further objective of biosecurity measures is to effectively identify and prevent the spread (preferably eliminate) of any outbreak of alien pests and diseases before they become widely established in a new environment. Effective biosecurity aims to protect the economy, environment and community from the negative impacts of inadvertent or deliberate introductions of new plant pests and diseases. FAO has determined that biosecurity is a term that encompasses policy and regulation to protect agriculture, food and the environment from biological risk (FAO, 2003). Plant pests are organisms that can cause considerable damage to horticultural crops, reduce yields and quality, affect trade and market access and significantly increase production costs. Biosecurity has become an increasingly important topic at both a grower and at a national and international level. As globalisation and world trade has rapidly increased, fresh produce is routinely shipped from the production site large distances to distant markets. Furthermore, new pest and pathogens may be spread through natural dispersal (such as wind or water), or through everyday activities including travel and tourism, imports and exports of non-horticultural goods, mail and freight systems, on machinery, as seed contaminants, and via many other forms of introduction. This opens numerous avenues for the transfer of crop pests and pathogens to new regions and into new environments where native and other local species as well as horticultural plants can be negatively affected.

Ixora finlaysoniana (white jungle flame).

Ixora finlaysoniana is native to China, India and parts of Indochina. Across the tropics it is also commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree or shrub, mainly restricted to gardens and urban areas. It has the potential to spread long distances through trade as an ornamental, however natural dispersal is thought to occur only over short distances. Currently, I. finlaysoniana is only reported as invasive in Cuba and no information is available regarding its impact there.