In search of the unexpected: the first finding of an islandic population of the noble crayfish Astacus astacus in Greece redefines its distribution

This contribution presents the first record of the noble crayfish Astacus astacus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Euboea (Evia) Island, Greece. The crayfish was found during a fish monitoring expedition in the upper Mesapios River, in a reach that maintains flow throughout the year, while most of the river length desiccates completely during the dry season. The finding of A. astacus in an intermittent river of Euboea Island expands the species geographical range and calls for immediate conservation actions to protect its habitat and preserve this vulnerable population.

Features of municipal-level election campaigns in the capitals of the Tver, Belgorod and Kostroma regions

The article deals with the peculiarities of the course of election campaigns in the municipal representative bodies of the cities of Tver and Kostroma. The article is part of a larger study on the peculiarities of the course of election campaigns in the capitals or administrative centers of the subjects of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District, which focuses on the problems of three subjects and compares the research material from these subjects with general district trends and features. Tver, Belgorod and Kostroma represent a wide geographical range and three peculiar examples of the course of election campaigns in large municipalities. The study revealed such common features as low turnout, rather weak competitiveness, the use of black PR and other shadow technologies, the traditional representation of lobbying structures in municipal parliaments, as well as the mobilization of "parliamentary opposition parties" and small parties at the last election campaigns in the elections of the type we study. The article acquires particular importance within the framework of the work of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (and subsequent legislative instances) on Draft Law No. 1256381-7 «On general principles of the organization of public power in the subjects of the Russian Federation», where special attention is supposed to be attributed to the order of election and aspects of regulation of the work of municipal parliaments of the capitals of the subjects of the Russian Federation.

Chemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng. at the Southern Border of the Geographical Range of the Species in Europe

The bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng.) is a source of herbal material—bearberry leaf (Uvae ursi folium), which is highly valued and sought by pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. For many years, leaves of this plant have been used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agent for various diseases of the urogenital tract. The bearberry has also been proposed as a natural antioxidant additive due to the high contents of phenolic compounds in its leaves. The study was focused on characterization of the basic phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of extracts derived from bearberry leaves collected from plants located at the southern border of the geographical range of the species in Europe. The investigated herbal material is characterized by a different chemical profile compared to the chemical profiles of bearberry found in other parts of the continent. Bearberry extracts from plants growing in two different habitat types—heathlands and pine forests showed a wide range of variation, especially in the concentration of hyperoside, corilagin, and methylartutin and the total flavonoid contents. In addition to arbutin, bearberry can be a valuable source of phenolic compounds, which are mainly responsible for the antioxidant properties of extracts. The high content of phenols and high values of antioxidant parameters indicate a high potential of bearberry leaves to be used as a powerful natural source of antioxidants in herbal preparations. Therefore, the A. uva-ursi populations can be a source of plant material for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

Visitors to Leuke Island

This article is the publication of the plates compiled by N.N. Murzakevich, secretary of the Odessa Society for History and Antiquities. It contains tracings of 241 Classical coins and lists of coin finds from the island of Fidonisi (known as Leuke in antiquity), which had been excavated in the 1840s and early 1850s. Recent data have led to a doubling of the list of Greek centres (up to 202) and the rulers of a number of states and peoples, whose coins made their way to the island. Details of these finds and the dates of the emissions illustrate clearly the development and chronological framework of the religious and economic ties between the northern coast of Pontus with the various regions of the Classical oikumene. The geographical range of the coin finds (from Magna Graecia, Sicily and the Levant to the Aegean, the Balkans, the Pontic region and Asia and as far away as Mesopotamia) demonstrates that the sanctuary of Achilles on the island of Leuke situated at a meeting point of Black Sea trade routes, enjoyed enormous popularity in the Classical world. The publication of these plates compiled by N.N. Murzakevich makes available new information on the maritime trade in the Pontus area between the 5th century BC and the 5th century AD.

Fifty years without a name: a new species of Splendeuptychia Forster (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)

A new satyrine butterfly species, Splendeuptychia tupinamba Freitas, Huertas & Rosa, sp. nov. (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae), is described. This species is found throughout a large geographical range in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, predominantly in the Cerrado domain, with some records in neighboring Amazonia and Atlantic Forest. Morphology and molecular data indicate that this species is part of a clade that includes Splendeuptychia ashna (the type species of the genus Splendeuptychia), and several species placed in the recently described genus Nubila Viloria, Andrade & Henao, 2019.

Range extension of the Melogale personata I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831 (Mustelidae) in Nepal

Melogale personata I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831, Large-toothed Ferret Badger (Mustelidae), is distributed from Nepal to Vietnam with very few records. It historically is known by only one recent sighting record from an unspeci-fied area of Nepal. The IUCN species distribution map shows this species in the Okhaldhunga District. We confirm the presence of M. personata in Nepal based on a sighting of a juvenile individual. This is the first record of this species from Syangja District, Nepal. The geographical range of this species is extended farther west in Nepal.

The Silent Forest: Impact of Bird Hunting by Prehistoric Polynesians on the Decline and Disappearance of Native Avifauna in Hawai’i

This research focuses on the historical demise of Hawaiian avifauna due to hunting by ancient Polynesians. Numerous documents, published since the early 1800s, were scrutinized and evaluated; these provided information on bird hunting and traditional Hawaiian practices. Hawaiians used birds as sources of feathers and food. Feathers were important symbols of power for Polynesians; in Hawai’i, feathers were more highly prized than other types of property. Feathers used for crafts were obtained from at least 24 bird species, however, the golden feathers of ‘ō‘ō and mamo birds made them primary targets for birdhunters; both birds became extinct by the late 1800s. Feathers were utilized for many items, including ‘ahu‘ula [cloaks], mahiole [war helmets], and kāhili [standards]. Most garments utilized a considerable number of feathers; a cloak for Kamehameha consumed the golden feathers of 80,000 mamo birds. Bird meat was an important food item for native Hawaiians. It is believed that most birds were killed after being plucked; historical sources mention ~30 bird species were consumed. The ‘ua‘u (Pterodroma sandwichensis), a currently endangered seabird, was ruthlessly hunted and avidly eaten. Its current geographical range is just a minute fraction of its former one; now, ‘ua‘us are largely restricted to inaccessible cliffs at Haleakalā Crater (Maui).

The southernmost occurrence of <i>Ichthyosaurus</i> from the Sinemurian of Portugal

The ichthyosaur fossil record of Portugal is composed of specimens from the localities of São Pedro de Moel, Alhadas, Cadima, Murtede, Casal do Combo, Condeixa, Alvaiázere and Tomar, within the confines of the Lusitanian Basin, ranging in age from the Sinemurian to the Aalenian. We reviewed the historical ichthyosaur finds in Portugal, and in this work we focus on the specimen IST-MDT 85, from the Sinemurian of Praia de Nossa Senhora da Vitória, central west coast of Portugal. The specimen was herein ascribed to Ichthyosaurus cf. communis, based on characters of the humerus in comparison with other specimens. This is the southernmost documented occurrence of Ichthyosaurus, widening the geographical range of the genus.

Neotropical Ostracode Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Signatures - Implications for Calcification Conditions

Calcitic valves of non-marine ostracodes are important geochemical archives. Investigations of the relationship between the isotopic ranges of modern ostracode populations and their host water provide important information on local or regional conditions and influences. Here we present the first δ18Oostracode and δ13Costracode dataset of the freshwater ostracode species Cytheridella ilosvayi along with characterization of the precipitating water - chemical composition, δDwater, δ18Owater, δ13CDIC values - covering a large geographical range (Florida to Brazil). With this data we extended a newly developed approach based on the estimation of δ18O values of monthly equilibrium calcites as references for the interpretation of δ18Oostracode values.The expected apparent oxygen isotope fractionation between CaCO3 - and H2O is correlated with temperature with smaller values occurring at higher temperatures as valid at isotope equilibrium (δ18Ocalcite_eq). Additional to a species-specific offset, unusual high deviations of δ18Oostracode vs. δ18Owater values most likely reflect the time lag between valve calcification and sampling. Coincidence between δ18Oostracode and δ18Ocalcite_eq is restricted to few months indicating a seasonal calcification of Cytheridella. There is a characteristic pattern in its difference between mean δ18Oostracode and δ18Ocalcite_eq which implies that Cytheridella provides a synchronous life cycle in its geographical range with two calcification periods in spring (May, June) and autumn (October). This ubiquitous life cycle of Cytheridella in the entire study area is considered to be phylogenetically inherited. It might have originally been adapted to environmental conditions but has been conserved during the migration and radiation of the group over the Neotropical realm.