Meisterfeldia bitsevi—new testate amoeba of the family Cryptodifflugiidae Jung, 1942 (Amoebozoa: Arcellinida) from the tree hollow in the urban park (Moscow, Russia) with a key to species of the genus Meisterfeldia

The new testate amoeba species Meisterfeldia bitsevi is described from the linden-tree trunk hollow in the urban park in Moscow (Russia). New species is characterized by elongated ovoid bilaterally symmetrical shell, which is laterally not compressed. The shell is composed of proteinaceous material without mineral particles. Almost circular subterminal aperture is placed on ventral side. The key to the species of the genus Meisterfeldia is developed.

Roosting behaviour of radio-tracked Tasmanian Masked Owls Tyto novaehollandiae castanops

Roost-sites and roosting behaviour are described for a juvenile female, an adult female and an adult male Tasmanian Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae castanops in a forest–farmland landscape. The two female Owls were radiotracked, and frequently used roost-sites in the core area of use. Roost-sites were typically associated with small watercourses, on the edges of large contiguous forest patches within a complex mosaic of forest and pasture. The juvenile Owl used many different vegetation roost-sites after dispersing from her presumed natal territory. In contrast, the adult female used few roosts, including two vegetation roosts and one tree-hollow, and only one roost (a tree-hollow) was located for the adult male. The primary tree-hollow roost-sites of the male and female Owls were <400 m apart and were both <1200 m from a suspected nest-tree. This strongly suggests that the spatial proximity of nest- and roost-sites may be critical to facilitate territorial, foraging and reproductive behaviours of breeding pairs. Increased knowledge of spatial ecology and utilisation of tree-hollows by adult Tasmanian Masked Owls is crucial for their conservation.

Saproxylic Cetoniidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea): A ‘Females’ World’ or a Question of Dependence on Deadwood?

We explored the dependence of some Cetoniidae species on saproxylic environments and microhabitats in a Mediterranean oak forest by analyzing species collected using different kinds of traps—log emergence, hollow emergence, and interception traps—and the sex ratio of the species in each trap. Comparing the sex ratio of the species collected via emergence versus interception was useful to unravel the degree of dependence on saproxylic microhabitats. Among the species studied, Cetonia aurataeformis Curti, 1913 (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) was the only obligate tree hollow inhabitant. Special attention should thus be paid to the maintenance of tree hollows for the species’ conservation in Mediterranean forests. A gradient of dependence on tree hollows was established from the more dependent Protaetia (Potosia) cuprea (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Protaetia (Potosia) opaca (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) to the less dependent Protaetia (Netocia) morio (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae). All the latter species can be considered facultatively dependent, to varying degrees, on tree hollows. By contrast, the saproxylic affinity of Protaetia (Netocia) oblonga (Gory and Percheron, 1833) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae), Tropinota squalida (Scopoli, 1783) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) was doubtful. Generally, the sex ratio of the studied species was female-biased. A possible explanation may be local male competition for females, suggesting the Cetoniinae is a female world. However, the range of difference in the female-biased sex ratio among species suggests it is important to explore other possible causes, such as differences in dispersal abilities.

Hollow Is a Home

Do you know what a tree hollow is? To you and me, a tree hollow is just a hole, cavity or tunnel in a tree or branch. But to an animal, that hollow may be a bedroom, hiding place, nursery or shelter. It is the ultimate tree house! Come and take a peek inside the amazing world of tree hollows and discover more than 340 species of incredible Australian animals that call hollows home. With colour photos of glorious gliders, darting dunnarts, minute microbats and many more, this book is full of fun facts about animals that use tree hollows as places for resting, nesting or hiding. Find out how hollows are created, why they are threatened, and meet scientists who spend their time hollow-hunting. There are also plenty of tips on how you can spot hollows yourself, help to protect the environment and encourage habitat for hollow-dependent animals. Perfect for primary-aged readers.