Connectivity of Fennoscandian Shield terrestrial deep biosphere microbiomes with surface communities

The deep biosphere is an energy constrained ecosystem yet fosters diverse microbial communities that are key in biogeochemical cycling. Whether microbial communities in deep biosphere groundwaters are shaped by infiltration of allochthonous surface microorganisms or the evolution of autochthonous species remains unresolved. In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon analyses showed that few groups of surface microbes infiltrated deep biosphere groundwaters at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden, but that such populations constituted up to 49% of the microbial abundance. The dominant persisting phyla included Patescibacteria, Proteobacteria, and Epsilonbacteraeota. Despite the hydrological connection of the Baltic Sea with the studied groundwaters, infiltrating microbes predominantly originated from deep soil groundwater. Most deep biosphere groundwater populations lacked surface representatives, suggesting that they have evolved from ancient autochthonous populations. We propose that deep biosphere groundwater communities in the Fennoscandian Shield consist of selected infiltrated and indigenous populations adapted to the prevailing conditions.

Effectiveness of Multifunctional Margins in Insect Biodiversity Enhancement and RTE Species Conservation in Intensive Agricultural Landscapes

Starting in the 1950s, agricultural production has been remarkably intensified, resulting in modern management systems where a severe increase in field size led to an elimination of edges and other ecologically valuable structural elements. The resulting habitat loss caused dramatic changes in natural communities. The aim of this work is to test whether there are statistically significant differences in insect abundance over time by using multifunctional margins that are seed mixtures of autochthonous species planted in combined strips, which are the fastest way to provide significant biodiversity benefits within farmed landscapes, enhancing the diversity and abundance of insects, birds, and small mammals, offering resources and reservoirs. This study was carried out in three intensive fruit farms in Spain over a three-year period (2013–2015). Each field was divided into two zones: the margin where a multifunctional margin was planted, and another that remained unchanged in the field. A clear trend to increase RTE species throughout the years in all farms was observed. Moreover, the margin showed a significant difference with respect to the field in the average number of insect species and individuals. The use of margins improves the appearance of RTE species in mean percentages ranging between 12.06 and 25.26% according to the sampling area. Margins also favour the increase in species (148.83–232.84%) and individuals (207.24–586.70%) in agricultural landscapes. These results clearly show that margins are an essential tool to fight insect decline in intensive farming areas.

Yeast dynamics in the black table olives processing using fermented brine as starter

Spontaneous fermentation with autochthonous yeasts is the most traditional method used for the production of black table olives, which requires minimal intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding a brine starter, developed from one-year spontaneously fermented black table olives, on the microbiological, chemical, and sensory characteristics of naturally fermented Taggiasca table olives. The olives were fermented in brine containing 12% (w/v) NaCl with 0.6% (w/v) citric acid and inoculated with a selected brine starter containing primarily Pichia manshurica (87% predominance) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (10% predominance). Brine and olives samples were analysed at the start of the experiment and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of fermentation. The P. manshurica and S. cerevisiae present in the brine starter drove the entire fermentation process, along with other autochthonous species that were not included in the starter, including Zygosaccharomyces mrakii. Spoilage microorganisms and undesired off-odours and off-flavours were not present at the end of fermentation. When compared to the control, the use of the brine starter increased the total yeast population in the brine during the first 6 months of fermentation, thus shortening the debittering time of the fruits and improving the taste complexity of the final product.

Evaluation of ElecTIS bioreactor for the micropropagation of Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill., an important autochthonous species of Albania

Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill., an economically-important fruit tree, is native to Albania and in many parts of Europe. It is cultivated as an ornamental tree, while its fruits are collected for food and a source of antioxidant substances. It is included in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. For these reasons, it is very important to optimise a micropropagation protocol, in order to obtain great numbers of clonal plantlets for ex situ conservation and production purposes. A liquid culture in a temporary immersion system (TIS) is a recently-proposed system for large-scale in vitro plant propagation. In this study, lateral buds of M. sylvestris were inoculated in MS medium with BAP (1 mg/L) and NAA (0.1 mg/L). In order to avoid oxidative stress, different antioxidants were previously tested with the culture in a gelled medium, and the combination of ascorbic acid and citric acid (both at 100 mg/L) was selected for the following culture in TIS. Stabilised explants were then cultivated in ElecTIS, an innovative TIS bioreactor, and in a semisolid medium, after which the two culture systems were evaluated. Overall, the ElecTIS showed to be more effective for all the tested parameters.

Records and descriptions of caddisflies from Natma Taung National Park and adjacent localities in the Chin Hills of Myanmar (Insecta, Trichoptera)

During several excursions to the Chin Hills of Myanmar from 2001 to 2015, rich collections of caddisflies were made which form the basis of the present taxonomic and biogeographic study. A total of 106 species were identified including seven new species. They are described as Arctopsyche subflavasp. nov., Hydromanicus abdominalissp. nov., Cheumatopsyche janosolahisp. nov., Lepidostoma subpanaitossp. nov., Aplatyphylax pumilussp. nov., Adicella natmataungensissp. nov. and Triaenodes mindatensissp. nov. Illustrations of the male genitalia and images of the adults are provided. Two species names were recognised as junior synonyms: Hydropsyche athamas Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 2000, = Hydropsyche januha Oláh & Barnard, 2008, syn. nov.; Hydropsyche khasigiri Oláh & Barnard, 2008, = Hydropsyche kiogupa Oláh & Schefter, 2008, syn. nov. In an attempt to determine the biogeographic character of the fauna, the known ranges of all resident species were plotted into three longitudinal transects from 85°–95°E, 95–98°E and 98°–108°E, ranging from the eastern Himalayas to northern Vietnam. About half of the species have ranges extending over all three transects. The fauna is equally composed of western and eastern species qualifying the Chin Hills as part of a transition zone including palearctic elements. Most of the species, which are widely distributed in south-east Asia, are members of the suborder Annulipalpia. The investigations of the authors yielded 77 autochthonous species, which have been unrecorded from the country including the newly-described taxa. This brings the number of species records from Mynamar to 304.

Self-restoration of woody plants in the conditions of the Botanical Garden of Dnipro National University

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of parks in large industrial cities. The problem of preservation of local flora together with cultivation of introduced species is more actual. The species composition of seed self-restoration of woody plants in the forest park and park parts of the Botanical Garden of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University was analyzed in order to determine the ratio of introduced and autochthonous species and whether the introduced species pose a threat to aboriginal flora. Quantitative and qualitative state of seed self-restoration determined. As a result of the research it was established that in the forest-park and park zones of the Botanical Garden artificial stands are capable of forming a sufficient number of viable undergrowth of autochthonous and introduced species, among which mainly aboriginal species dominate. The ratio of indigenous species to introduced ones in different parts of the park and forest park is 57–76 % and 24–43 %, respectively. There is no special competition between indigenous and introduced species. Each species of woody species has adapted well to the conditions of the ecotope and to the conditions of its place of growth. Bioecological features of wood species in the plantations are not an obstacle to the development of the internal space of the ecotope, but 43 % of self-regenerating woody plants in trial area 1 are introduced species, so further observation is needed.

Spatial differentiation of land mollusc fauna in plain territories of Ukraine

The taxonomic and ecological composition of the autochthonous land mollusc fauna in different parts of the plain Ukraine was analyzed on the basis of the personal data, collection materials of the State Museum of Natural History of the NAS of Ukraine in Lviv as well as numerous literature sources. Excluding representatives of the genus Helicopsis, the taxonomy and species composition of which in the territory of Ukraine still require clarification, and the steppe part of the Crimean peninsula, in four landscape zones of Ukraine, currently, a total of 109 species of land molluscs, which are autochthonous for at least part of the analyzed territory, are registered. The maximum species diversity (103 species and 2 representatives of the genus Helicopsis) is recorded in the zone of deciduous forests, followed by the right-bank part of the forest-steppe zone. The smallest number of the autochthonous species of land molluscs was noted for the right-bank part of the steppe zone. Within the Ukrainian Polesie and the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine, the taxonomic diversity of land molluscs decreases from west to east. The number of the registered autochthonous species decreases, respectively, by 1.5 and 1.7 times, and the generic diversity by 1.3 and 1.5 times. In the steppe zone, the main centre of the species diversity is the Donetsk Upland, located in the east of the country. In taxonomic and ecological composition, land mollusc complexes of the right-bank part of the forest-steppe zone are closer to the zone of deciduous forests, in its left-bank part – to the left-bank steppe. In general, the spatial differentiation of land mollusc fauna in the plain territories of Ukraine is more strongly associated not with the boundaries of landscaped zones, but with the location of these territories with respect to the Dnieper bed and with some uplands, where the species diversity of land molluscs of the zone of deciduous forests and forest-steppe zone (Podolian Upland) and the steppe zone (Donetsk Upland) is concentrated.

Biological parameters of Luciobarbus callensis populates Beni-Haroun dam, north-eastern Algeria

The fish age and growth data mainly assist many ichthyologists to understand the life history features of species and population. The growth is a major process of fish biology, and considered as one of the key processes of length-structured models of fishes. Thus, the present study was devoted to studying the growth of an autochthonous species (Luciobarbus callensis), populating the dam of Beni-Haroun (Mila city, northeast Algeria), and is known by its socio-economic value and aquaculture interest. The study was conducted on a sampling of 257 fish individuals during the year 2015 – 2016. The age of Luciobarbus callensis was determined by using the described method or the scalimetry method, providing an easier sampling and reading procedures, and also a high precision. Fish sexes were identified via the observation of gonads, by naked eye based on gonad shape and color, where the number of females was higher (165) than males (92). The obtained results revealed a maximum longevity as seven years of Luciobarbus callensis, and the determined growth parameters of the separated and combined fish sexes were found to be as follow: L∞= 47,37 cm ; K= 0,29 ; t0= -0,51 ; Ø’= 2,813 (females); L∞= 42,11 cm ; K =0,26 ; t0= -0,58 ; Ø’= 2,663 (males); and L∞= 47 37 cm ; K= 0,20 ; t0= -0,75 ; Ø’ =2,652 (combined sex). Moreover, the evolution of the total weight of fishes with respect to their size presents a minor allometry (b<3), (with or without sex distinction).

Exotic Species and Autochthonous Parasites: Trichostrongylus Retortaeformis in Eastern Cottontail

Introduction: A parasite community is usually well adapted and specific to the host species they co-evolved with. Although exotic pathogens infecting autochthonous species have been documented, the infection of an alien species with native parasites is rare in lagomorphs. Trichostrongylus retortaeformis is a nematode parasite infecting the small intestine of domestic and wild lagomorphs in Europe. Methods: Thirty-two Eastern cottontails from a naturalized population in Italy were processed to describe the gastrointestinal parasite community. Results and discussions: T. retortaeformis is reported for the first time in the Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus introduced to Europe. The Eastern cottontail is an invasive lagomorph, living in sympatry with the autochthonous European brown hare in certain areas of Italy. This study provides new insights into the dynamics of parasite communities of native and alien lagomorph species in sympatric areas.

Screening of phytopathogens and phytopathoges on Chenomeles (CHAENOMELES LINDL.) cultivars

The pathogenic microflora and entomofauna were studied on the Chaenomeles Lindl. cutivars (Maloideae, Rosaceae). In central Russia, the multi-year systematic monitoring of pathogens and phytophages was carried out on plants Ch. japonica, Ch. cathayensis, Ch. ×superba. Among the identified pathogens, the micromycetes belonging to genera Botrytis, Cytospora, Diplocarpon, Entomosporium, Gloeosporium, Monilia, Neonectria, Penicillium, Pestalotia, Phomopsis, Phyllosticta, Septoria and Sphaeropsis were found to be injurious. With age, the accumulation of infectious background, including viral diseases and the damaging entomofauna was noted in the plantings of fruit crop Chaenomeles. The species composition of phytophages is mainly represented by autochthonous species (polyphages and oligophages), preferring the plants of Rosaceae family. Despite the abundance of species in the phytophage complex, it has a little effect on the decorativeness of Ch. japonica, Ch. cathayensis and Ch. × superba.