Faunal features of caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera) in Konavle region (Croatia) with notes on DNA barcoding and conservation biology

Throughout this research, 230 Trichoptera specimens were collected in the area of Konavle area, the southernmost region of Croatia. Altogether 21 species, 15 genera and 11 families were identified. DNA barcoding covered 41 specimens represented with 15 species collected in the Konavle region. The highest number of species was recorded at two localities: the spring of the River Ljuta (13) and a spring in the village Vodovađa (8). The highest number of taxa (4) was recorded within the following two families: Hydroptilidae and Hydropsychidae. From a faunistic point of view, the most interesting species in Konavle region are: Agapetus cf. kampos Oláh (the first record for Croatia), Hydroptila martini Marshall (the first record for the Mediterranean part of Croatia), Oxyethira falcata Morton (the first record for Croatia), Tinodes andrasi Oláh (type locality of the species is River Ljuta), Diplectrona cf. afra McLachlan (the first record from the Mediterranean part of Croatia) and Micropterna wageneri Malicky (the second record for Croatia). The first DNA barcoding data for the species Agapetus cf. kampos Oláh and Tinodes andrasi Oláh were entered into the BOLD database. The area of Konavle represents one of the most interesting regions for the fauna of Trichoptera and can be considered as a ”hotspot” for caddisflies in Croatia. Thus, it is necessary to install high standards for their protection.

New and interesting species of Agaricomycetes from Panama

Panama forms part of the Central American biodiversity hotspot, one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world. While plants are relatively well studied in Panama, the documentation of fungal diversity is still in a pioneer phase. In this publication, four species of Agaricomycetes recently collected in Panama are described as new to science, two in Agaricales, namely Gliophorus roseus and Humidicutis roseorubra, a lichenised species in Cantharellales, called Multiclavula caput-serpentis, and a species in Gomphales, called Gloeocantharellus salmonicolor. These species are described and illustrated. Their phylogenetic affinities are discussed based on morphological characters and molecular phylogenies. Further six species of Agaricales, which have not been reported from Panama before, are presented as new records for the country, along with data on their morphology, ecology and taxonomy.

Electrochemical, Electrocatalytic, and Magnetic Properties of Vanadium-Containing Polyoxometalates

Mono-substituted vanadium-containing Dawson-type polyoxometalates having the general formula α1-[VIVW17X2O62]8− and α2-[VIVW17X2O62]8−, with X = As or P, were synthesised and subject to a comprehensive electrochemical study comprising the pH dependency. These POMs exhibit an electrocatalytic behaviour towards the oxidation of thiols (namely cysteine), rendering them interesting species for mimicking oxidative stress situations, at physiological pH values. The efficiency of the electro-oxidation was assessed with thiols of different nature, and the substrate that responded best was used to compare the electrocatalytic capabilities of the POM series. The magnetic behaviour of these POMs was also evaluated and compared to their analogues, α1- and α2-[VVW17X2O62]7− (X = As or P), at low temperatures and showed, as expected, a paramagnetic behaviour of VIV based compounds.

A contribution to the knowledge of Agromyzidae (Diptera) of Zlaté Hory and its vicinity (Czech Republic)

Results of a biodiversity investigation of Agromyzidae (Diptera) in the cadastre of Zlaté Hory town (Silesia, Czech Republic) in June 2017 are presented. In the area under study a total of 43 species of 12 genera have been recorded including 29 species representing new additions to the fauna of Czech Silesia. Agromyza seticercus, Cerodontha (Poemyza) beigerae, Galiomyza galiivora, Liriomyza europaea, L. puella, Phytomyza aurei, Ph. cirsii, Ph. vilnensis and Pseudonapomyza palliditarsis being to most interesting species found in the area. The importance of these species from a faunistic point of view is discussed.

Flexible boundary layer using exchange for embedding theories. II. QM/MM dynamics of the hydrated electron

The FlexiBLE embedding method introduced in the preceding companion paper [Z. Shen and W. J. Glover, J. Chem. Phys. X, X (2021)] is applied to explore the structure and dynamics of the aqueous solvated electron at an all-electron density functional theory QM/MM level. Compared to a one-electron mixed quantum/classical description, we find the dynamics of the many-electron model of the hydrated electron exhibits enhanced coupling to water OH stretch modes. Natural Bond Orbital analysis reveals this coupling is due to significant population of water OH σ* orbitals, reaching 20%. Based on this, we develop a minimal frontier orbital picture of the hydrated electron involving a cavity orbital and important coupling to 4-5 coordinating OH σ* orbitals. Implications for the interpretation of the spectroscopy of this interesting species are discussed.

Annotated Checklist of the Lichenicolous Fungi of Hungary

Knowledge of lichenicolous fungi is limited at a worldwide level and needs further basic information, as in the case of Central and Southern Europe. The literature sources for “Revised checklist of the Hungarian lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi” by Lőkös and Farkas in 2009 contained 54 lichenicolous and other microfungi species of 38 genera. Due to recent field studies and microscopic work, the number of known species has increased to 104 lichenicolous species in 64 genera during the last decade, including 53 new species for the country. Old records of five species were confirmed by new collections. Key characteristics of some of the most interesting species are illustrated by microscopic views and two distribution maps are provided. Recent biodiversity estimates suggest that the number of currently known species could be 1.5 (–2) times higher with more detailed work on field collections. Although lichenicolous fungi have been less well studied in Hungary in the past, the relative diversity of lichenicolous fungi there, as indicated by Zhurbenko’s lichenicolous index, was found to be slightly higher than the mean value calculated for the world.

Flexible boundary layer using exchange for embedding theories. II. QM/MM dynamics of the hydrated electron

The FlexiBLE embedding method introduced in the preceding companion paper [Z. Shen and W. J. Glover, J. Chem. Phys. X, X (2021)] is applied to explore the structure and dynamics of the aqueous solvated electron at an all-electron density functional theory QM/MM level. Compared to a one-electron mixed quantum/classical description, we find the dynamics of the many-electron model of the hydrated electron exhibits enhanced coupling to water OH stretch modes. Natural Bond Orbital analysis reveals this coupling is due to significant population of water OH σ* orbitals, reaching 20%. Based on this, we develop a minimal frontier orbital picture of the hydrated electron involving a cavity orbital and important coupling to 4-5 coordinating OH σ* orbitals. Implications for the interpretation of the spectroscopy of this interesting species are discussed.

Rediscovery, resurrection and lectotypification of endemic Isoetes sampathkumarnii L. N. Rao from India

An interesting species of Isoetes was collected from Jambughoda, Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat. After a review of literature and comparison of the morphological characters with type specimens, it was identified as I. sampathkumarnii L. N. Rao. It is endemic species of south India and rediscovered after a lapse of 63 years. The species shows several features that make it unique in the genus. Earlier, I. sampathkumarnii was also treated as synonym of I. coromandelina L.f. and I. sahyadrii Mahabala. However, it has an idiosyncratic velum character and spore ornamentation that makes it different from other species. Hence, the authors resurrected it as a distinct species. The original material is ambiguous hence, a lectotype of I. sampathkumarnii has been designated here.

Flexible boundary layer using exchange for embedding theories. II. QM/MM dynamics of the hydrated electron

The FlexiBLE embedding method introduced in the preceding companion paper [Z. Shen and W. J. Glover, J. Chem. Phys. X, X (2021)] is applied to explore the structure and dynamics of the aqueous solvated electron at an all-electron density functional theory QM/MM level. Compared to a one-electron mixed quantum/classical description, we find the dynamics of the many-electron model of the hydrated electron exhibits enhanced coupling to water OH stretch modes. Natural Bond Orbital analysis reveals this coupling is due to significant population of water OH σ* orbitals, reaching 20%. Based on this, we develop a minimal frontier orbital picture of the hydrated electron involving a cavity orbital and important coupling to 4-5 coordinating OH σ* orbitals. Implications for the interpretation of the spectroscopy of this interesting species are discussed.