B.S. Ilic

Composition of the Defensive Secretion in Three Species of European Millipedes

Three European julid species, Cylindroiulus boleti, Leptoiulus trilineatus, and Megaphyllum bosniense, secrete mixtures of up to 12 different quinones. The major components in these species are 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone and 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone. 2-Methoxy-5-methylhydroquinone is detected for the first time in the Class Diplopoda. 2-Hydroxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 2,3-dimethoxyhydroquinone, 2-methyl-3,4-methylendioxyphenol, and 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylhydroquinone are registered for the first time in representatives of the family Julidae. The similar chemical composition of defense secretions in all analyzed European julids and Pacific spirobolids supports the idea of the chemical consistency of defensive compounds in juliform millipedes.

PARENTAL CARE IN CLINOPODES FLAVIDUS KOCH (CHILOPODA: GEOPHILOMORPHA: GEOPHILIDAE)

Abstract. Parental care in the centipede Clinopodes flavidus Koch (Chilopoda: Geophilomorpha: Geophilidae) is described for the first time: the female coils round the brood with the sterna outwards, as do the females of most geophilomorphs. Also the variation in body length and major external morphological characters of the early post-embryonic stadia are described. The peripatoid and foetus stadium are easily distinguished by the degree of segmentation of the trunk and the appendages, and by the capability of making ‘writhing’ movements. The variation in the number of leg-bearing segments in mother—offspring broods is analyzed and discussed.

Millipedes vs. pathogens: Defensive secretions of some julids (Diplopoda: Julida) as potential antimicrobial agents

In the light of growing interest in discovering new sources of natural antimicrobial agents, we extracted and tested the efficiency of julid defensive secretions in comparison with commercially used antibiotic and antimycotics. This work involved chemical characterization of the defensive secretions of Cylindroiulus boleti (C. L. Koch, 1847), Megaphyllum bosniense (Verhoeff, 1897) and M. unilineatum (C. L. Koch, 1838), as well as in vitro evaluation of their antimicrobial activity against 11 bacteria, one yeast and eight filamentous fungi. Compounds of the analysed defensive secretions included p‐benzoquinones, alkyl esters of fatty acids and ketones. Ketones were recorded for the first time in the order Julida, and they were detected in secretions of both Megaphyllum species. All three analysed defensive secretions showed antibacterial and antifungal potential against all of the tested pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus proved to be the most sensitive bacterial strain to all analysed secretions. Also, defensive secretion of M. unilineatum showed significant antibacterial potential against Bacillus subtilis. The most resistant bacterial strains in this study were Escherichia coli, Erwinia persicina and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. Analysed defensive secretions achieved the strongest antifungal activity against Aspergillus parasiticus (secretions of all three millipede species), Penicillium griseofulvum (secretions of C. boleti and M. bosniense) and Cladosporium oxysporum (secretion of M. unilineatum). The most resistant mycromycetes were A. niger (to all tested defensive secretions), A. flavus (to secretion of M. unilineatum) and P. lanosum (to secretions of C. boleti and M. bosniense). Our results showed a generally lower level of activity compared to antibiotic and a significantly higher level compared to antimycotics. The results of this study elucidate and open opportunities for further research in the field of millipede chemical ecology.

Bioaccumulation of metallic trace elements and antioxidant enzyme activities in Apfelbeckia insculpta (L. Koch, 1867) (Diplopoda: Callipodida) from the cave Hadži-Prodanova Pećina (Serbia)

*jeca.s@ibiss.bg.ac.rs Citation:

MANAGERIAL DECISION MAKING AND COST REDUCTION FOR WIND DEPLOYMENT AS AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

This paper analyses the modern aspect and framework of business decision making related to investments and cost reduction in wind energy companies. It describes different strategies of measuring the efficiency level of installed wind capacities. The research is presented with consideration to the methodology approach specific for wind energy. Special attention is given to the cost-effective business operations of contemporary systems of energy accumulation and the process of optimal decision making in the course of energy distribution. The focus is on the framework for sustainable business in compliance with complex external environment. The impact of unpredictable market and climate circumstances show the importance of the strategy mix and its role in creating value for the end-users of electrical energy. The dynamics of exploitation of the preferential conditions for wind energy companies is also important in the context of return on investment. The perspective of investing in wind energy projects is also given, along with the specificities of their implementation according to the principle of creating positive energy balance. The paper also points out the significance of government incentives and their variations. It also provides useful guidelines for successful business decision making for managers in wind energy.

Maternal care in epimorphic centipedes (Chilopoda: Phylactometria: Epimorpha) from the Balkan Peninsula

Abstract Observation of the brooding behaviour of seven epimorphic centipedes (Cryptops anomalans ; Cryptops parisi ; Henia illyrica; Pleurogeophilus herzegowinensis; Stenotaenia linearis; Strigamia herzegowinensis; and Schendyla carniolensis ) in situ reveals that the mothers guard their eggs and hatchlings with either the dorsal or the ventral surface outward. The change in brooding posture coincides with the evolution of sternal gland secretion in most geophilomorphs (united as Adesmata). Furthermore, Pleurogeophilus, Stenotaenia , and Schendyla , represent genera for which no previous data were available on brooding

Chthonius (Globochthonius) daorsoni n.sp. (Chthoniidae, Pseudoscorpiones): A new cave false scorpion from Bosnia and Herzegovina

A new endemic pseudoscorpion species from the Jama Pit nr. Daorson, Stolac, Southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, is presented, thoroughly described and illustrated. It is named Chthonius (Globochthonius) daorsoni n. sp. Its main morphometric characters and important diagnostic features are analyzed and compared to those of its phenetically and phylogenetically closest congeners.