Peter Degma

Freezing and desiccation injury resistance in the filamentous green alga Klebsormidium from the Antarctic, Arctic and Slovakia

The freezing and desiccation tolerance of 12 Klebsormidium strains, isolated from various habitats (aeroterrestrial, terrestrial, and hydro-terrestrial) from distinct geographical regions (Antarctic — South Shetlands, King George Island, Arctic — Ellesmere Island, Svalbard, Central Europe — Slovakia) were studied. Each strain was exposed to several freezing (−4°C, −40°C, −196°C) and desiccation (+4°C and + 20°C) regimes, simulating both natural and semi-natural freeze-thaw and desiccation cycles. The level of resistance (or the survival capacity) was evaluated by chlorophyll a content, viability, and chlorophyll fluorescence evaluations. No statistical differences (Kruskal-Wallis tests) between strains originating from different regions were observed. All strains tested were highly resistant to both freezing and desiccation injuries. Freezing down to −196°C was the most harmful regime for all studied strains. Freezing at −4°C did not influence the survival of studied strains. Further, freezing down to −40°C (at a speed of 4°C/min) was not fatal for most of the strains. RDA analysis showed that certain Antarctic and Arctic strains did not survive desiccation at +4°C; however, freezing at −40°C, as well as desiccation at +20°C was not fatal to them. On the other hand, other strains from the Antarctic, the Arctic, and Central Europe (Slovakia) survived desiccation at temperatures of +4°C, and freezing down to −40°C. It appears that species of Klebsormidium which occupy an environment where both seasonal and diurnal variations of water availability prevail, are well adapted to freezing and desiccation injuries. Freezing and desiccation tolerance is not species-specific nor is the resilience only found in polar strains as it is also a feature of temperate strains.

Variability in nestling diet of European hoopoes: annual and sampling effect

Abstract. The aim of the study is to get a representative picture of the diet composition of hoopoes in vineyards as specific man made habitats in Central Europe. Therefore diet composition and its interannual variability and the representativeness of two sampling techniques have been studied in hoopoe nestlings, Upupa epops during two breeding periods. Altogether, 1081 prey items were identified and classified into ca. 90 species, 32 families and 11 orders of invertebrates. Regarding interannual variation, the number of prey items per nestbox did not differ between years in the same nestboxes. A within-nest comparison between the two sampling methods revealed a significant difference in the number of prey items for four categories, namely orthopterans, “other beetles”, arachnids and lepidopterans. Comparing the two sampling methods, revealed reversed results regarding the proportion of the main prey categories; e.g. scarabaeid larvae, abundant in the camera samples, were less frequent in faeces, whereas “other beetles” were common in faeces, but were only occasionally detected in the camera recordings. The occurrence of the earthworms in the hoopoes food is novel. We finally discuss advantages as well as the drawbacks of both methods and the possibility to use both these contrasting, but non-invasive techniques.

First records of two Heterotardigrada (Tardigrada) species in Slovakia

Currently, ninety-five species and subspecies of Tardigrada are known in Slovakia (DEGMA et al., 2004). During sampling of moss-dwelling tardigrades in various regions of Slovakia, two additional species have been found on this territory for the first time. This brings the current number of Tardigrada species and subspecies reported in Slovakia to 97. All specimens were identified using keys and descriptions by PETERSEN (1951), RAMAZZOTTI & MAUCCI (1983) (and the English translation by BEASLEY, 1995), DASTYCH (1988) and BINDA & PILATO (1993). Specimens were mounted in Hoyer’s medium and deposited in the author’s collection (Department of Zoology, Comenius University, Bratislava). Distribution data for each species are given as continents only. Nomenclature of mosses is assumed according to KUBINSKA & MISIKOVA (1998).

A clarification for the subgenera of Paramacrobiotus Guidetti, Schill, Bertolani, Dandekar and Wolf, 2009, with respect to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature

The recent re-description of Paramacrobiotus Guidetti, Schill, Bertolani, Dandekar and Wolf, 2009 has inadvertently led to the description of an objective synonym within its subgenera nominal taxa. To resolve this issue, we have re-described both subgenera, and proposed a new substitute name for one subgenus, in line with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Additionally we have confirmed the placement of two recently published Paramacrobiotus species, not included in the last revision, within the respective subgenera established herein.

Three Echiniscidae species (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada) new to the Polish fauna, with the description of a new gonochoristic Bryodelphax Thulin, 1928

During a faunistic survey in the Pieniny and Tatra Mountains three species of Echiniscidae new to Poland, including one new to science, were found. Bryodelphax instabilis sp. nov. is characterised by an instable number of ventral plates, deep faceting of the scapular plate, having dorsal plates covered either with pseudopores or pores, and striking sexual dimorphism. Two first records, namely Echiniscus militaris and E. spiniger, are rare taxa of upland-mountain character, which have already been reported from a few European countries since the original description at the beginning of the XXth century. The interspecific appendage length variability and development of pedal plates in the spinulosus group, to which E. spiniger belongs, and their taxonomic importance is discussed. Notes relating to sexual dimorphism within the newly recorded Pseudechiniscus facettalis, are also presented. Echiniscus testudo is reported from the Polish part of the Tatra Mountains for the first time. Succeeding findings confirm the high tardigrade α-diversity in the Polish mountain ranges. An amended key for Polish Heterotardigrada is provided.

Echiniscus pardalis n. sp., a new species of Tardigrada (Heterotardigrada, Echiniscidae, arctomys group) from the Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime (NW Italy)

ABSTRACT A new species of Tardigrada Doyère, 1840, Echiniscus pardalis n. sp., is described from two moss samples collected in the Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime (NW Italy). It belongs to the Echiniscus arctomys species-group, but differs from other 49 known members of the group mainly by the irregularly and distantly scattered deep pores on the plates and by a unique subsurface cuticular pattern on the plates, resembling that of a leopards fur. The new species is most similar to eight species from the arctomys group: E. barbarae Kaczmarek & Michalczyk, 2002, E. crebraclava Sun, Li & Feng, 2014, E. dearmatus Bartoš, 1935, E. mosaicus Grigarick, Schuster & Nelson, 1983, E. nigripustulus Horning, Schuster & Grigarick, 1978, E. nobilis Mihelčič, 1967, E. tardus Mihelčič, 1951 and E. vinculus Horning, Schuster & Grigarick, 1978. The differences between the new species and these eight species are thoroughly discussed. They mainly concern the presence/absence and relative size of shallow dimples surrounding individual tubercles, the relative length of cirrus A, the presence/absence of a spine on the first pair of legs, the presence/absence of a spur on the internal/external claws and the number of teeth on the collar of the hind legs. This paper is the first result published on Tardigrada collected during the European Distributed Institute of Taxonomys in All Taxa Biodiversity Inventories+Monitoring programme.