Variety Of Biotopes Research Articles

АНТИКРИЗИСНОЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЕ ПАСТБИЩНЫМИ ТЕРРИТОРИЯМИ КАЗАХСТАНА НА ОСНОВЕ АВТОМАТИЗИРОВАННОЙ ИНФОРМАЦИОННОЙ СИСТЕМЫ

The purpose of the studyis to study the problems of stopping and preventing the process of desertification of pasture lands in Kazakhstan and development of measures for anticrisis management of cattle grazing territories by introducing a model of automated information management system (AIMS). The authors provide data on the considered issue as part of the implementation of the Program on Combating Desertification in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2005-2015. Based on the analysis of the influence of anthropogenic factors on vegetation and soil surface of deserted zone of the republic, it was revealed that its total area is more than 50 mln ha, which has conditioned the relevance and timeliness of the system of measures aimed to overcome desertification of the republic's pasture lands. The results of the implementation of AIMS are shown on the example of a pilot innovation-active territory of administrative district using the public information system (GIS) and cooperation of agribusiness objects based on Smart technologies. Managing the diversity and differentiation of agricultural landscape determines the stability of its balance, self-restoration of potential and resistance to anthropogenic loads. Therefore, when managing pastures, it is necessary to preserve diversity of biotopes, primarily regeneration centers, swampy meadows and pastures, nodal thickening of biota; avoid uniform agricultural relief to maintain the balance of many biotic and abiotic factors in landscape; strive to create interconnected elements of ecological frame of the area, for which the development of appropriate automated information management system is required.

Prokaryotic Diversity in the Biotopes of the Gudzhirganskoe Saline Lake (Barguzin Valley, Russia)

The hydrochemical water composition and the mineralogical composition of microbial mats and bottom sediments were determined for the ephemeral saline soda lake Gudzhirganskoe (Barguzin Valley, Baikal Rift zone). Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene amplicons was applied to investigation of microbial diversity in several biotopes: brine (1 sample), sediments (3), and microbial mats (3). During sampling in October 2017, the lake was almost dry, with the residual brine (salinity 100 g/dm3) occurring occasionally, and microbial formations at two sampling points existing as dry crusts. A total of 38636 nucleotide sequences were analyzed and assigned to 193 OTUs. Bacteria predominated in all biotopes, while archaea constituted 0.013 to 4.5%. The biotopes exhibited differences in their taxonomic composition. Members of the Gammaproteobacteria (36.5%), Bacteroidetes (25.4%), and Alphaproteobacteria (18.3%) were predominant in the brine. The Gammaproteobacteria predominated (52%) in the dense dry crust (Gudzh 1-mat), while Cyanobacteria constituted only 3.4%. In the dry crust (Gudzh 2-mat), the Gammaproteobacteria also were the main component of the community (80%), primarily members of the genus Aliidiomarina (68%). In the bottom microbial mat below the residual brine, the community contained mainly Gammaproteobacteria (37.4%) and Cyanobacteria (27.8%). Firmicutes prevailed in the bottom sediments (30‒32%), while Actinobacteria (14.56%) and Deinococcus‒Thermus (15.4%) were subdominant at sampling point 1. These data made it possible to assess the present state of the lake and the taxonomic diversity of microbial communities in Lake Gudzhirganskoe biotopes.

Diversity of soils, vegetation and biotopes of the regional landscape park “Balka Kobylna”

The article considers the patterns of spatial organization of vegetation and soil cover and the biotopic diversity of the regional landscape park, the territory of which has recently become part of the Emerald Network.The aim of the study is to find out the current state of the diversity of soils, plant communities and biotopes of the territory of the regional landscape park “Balka Kobylna”.Materials and methods. When conducting the geobotanical work, generally accepted methods were used. The soil diagnostics was carried out using soil genetic, morphological and laboratory experimental methods. Biotopes are identified in accordance with the developments, presented in the National Habitat Catalogue of Ukraine; the lower levels of the biotopic hierarchy correspond to the syntaxa of the latest “Prodrome of the vegetation of Ukraine”.Results. The composition of the typological units of the soil cover and the features of their spatial differentiation were ascertained, the diversity of plant communities was evaluated, and the patterns of the mutual arrangement of soil and plant territorial units were revealed. It was shown, that the communities of the true steppes are confined to southern chernozems with different degrees of development; on sod-steppe soils, the vegetation of the true steppes is replaced by petrophytogenic one. A classification scheme of biotopes of the territory of the RLP was compiled, represented by six types of the highest classification units; lower levels of the biotopic hierarchy represent the syntaxonomical division of vegetation.Conclusions. As a result of studying the soil cover of RLP “Balka Kobylna”, 23 soil varieties, included in eight soil types, were identified. 30 formations and 8 cenostructures of communities with the dominance of a certain species that did not receive the status of formations in the dominant classification were identified. In addition to the six natural types, we noted some synanthropic phytocoenoses in RLP. The typological scheme of biotopes of RLP “Balka Kobylna”, compiled on the basis of the “National Habitat Catalogue of Ukraine”, includes 6 types of the highest hierarchical level, 8 units of biotopes of the second level, 11 – of the third one, 6 – of the fourth one (including three more subtypes). The results of the studies indicate the high sozological value of the investigated territory and are the basis for the management activity on the lands of the protected object and the development of measures for the biodiversity restoration

Features of ecological differentiation of halophytic, steppe and petrophytic vegetation in the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik (Odesa Oblast)

Assessment of key environmental factors that influence vegetation distribution and formation of plant communities is one of the most important challenges in modern phytocenology. Nowadays, several bioindication systems are applied to determine ecological specificity of plant communities and to establish the leading factors for their environmental differentiation. The system most widely used in Europe, that of H. Ellenberg, contains a numerical score on 6 ecological factors. On the example of vegetation of the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik, Y. Didukh developed the synphytoindication method based on evaluation of phytocenoses with respect to 12 ecological factors: 7 edaphic factors and 5 climatic factors; the method determines a more accurate and complete presentation of the analysis. In the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik (Odesa Oblast) the largest area is covered with halophytic and steppe vegetation. Halophytic vegetation (Therosalicornietea, Festuco-Puccinellietea classes, Juncetea maritimi, Bolboschoenetea maritimi) predominated in the shoreline areas of the valley, whereas steppe (Festuco-Brometea) and petrophytic (Sedo-Scleranthetea) vegetation dominated on the slope sites. With the application of DCA-ordination and synphytoindication methods it was established that distribution of plant communities in the hyper-space of the environmental conditions was most strongly correlated with edaphic factors, whereas microclimatic (light intensity) and climatic (thermo-regime) conditions had somewhat less influence on their differentiation. Water regime and level of soil salinity served as key factors for syntaxa of halophytic vegetation; moisture variability and salt regime, as well as soil moisture and carbonate content were key factors for the steppe vegetation, and thermo-regime was the main factor for petrophytic-steppe and petrophytic vegetation. The "eco-spaces" of these groups largely overlap. Halophytic cenoses are characterized by quite wide ecological ranges by most ecological factors. Steppe communities show much less ecological diversity. In the valley of the liman, all the steppe communities were characterized by stenotopicity in relation to most ecological factors; these factors complexly determine the specificity and diversity of biotopes within the valley, which are unique and require protection and the taking of appropriate measures, depending on the changes in activity of one or another limiting factor. Nowadays, the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik is in a state of environmental disaster. The established relationships in ecological differentiation of plant communities will be applied to further monitoring of biodiversity state, preservation and possible restoration of vegetation types that were native for this unique territory.

Grandisol as an attractant for the sugar beet pest Bothynoderes affinis and data on other Lixinae species

AbstractAs a result of field tests in Bulgaria and Hungary, cis‐2‐isopropenyl‐l‐methylcyclobutane ethanol (racemic grandisol) is reported for the first time as an attractant for Bothynoderes affinis (Schrank) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Lixinae), a member of the pest weevil complex of sugar beet. Dose–response experiments in the field using Csalomon TAL (modified pitfall) traps (Plant Protection Institute, CAR HAS, Budapest, Hungary) showed that catches of B. affinis adults increased with increasing attractant dose. In a subsequent experiment studying the effect of trap color (white, blue, yellow, fluorescent yellow, and transparent) all traps with the lure caught more than non‐baited control traps, and the highest number of adults was recorded in transparent and yellow baited traps. Trap color had a significant effect on the number of B. affinis females captured. Transparent TAL traps baited with 1–10 mg grandisol applied on rubber dispensers are recommended for the detection and monitoring of B. affinis. In addition to the target species, 17 other Lixinae species were captured during the field experiments, demonstrating for the first time the possible role of grandisol in the chemical communication systems of some of these species. A second locality of Lixus punctiventris Boheman (Lixinae, Lixini) in Bulgaria is reported. TAL traps baited with grandisol might be a useful tool for surveying Lixinae diversity in different biotopes.

The qPCR analysis of vaginal microflora for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis

The correct information about of the vaginal microflora plays an important role in preventing the occurrence of urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections among women. Disbalance of obligate and facultative microflora causes disbacteriosis, a risk factor for emergence of infectious diseases. It is known that the cause of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is not a single pathogen but a impairments in of the general balance of the vaginal microflora, which manifests a decrease of the normal microflora (Lactobacillus spp) and intense increase of pathogenic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The development of molecular genetic analysis methods, in particular, approaches based on the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), significantly expanded understanding of the diversity of microbial biotopes, including identification of the key and new «players» in the development of BV. The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of real-time PCR kit «Femoscreen» («Lytech», Russia) for comprehensive BV diagnosis.

Microphytes of different types of locations from Bunger Hills (Eastern Antarctica)

Oases of Antarctica are unique landscape compositions located within the continent and, at a considerable distance from the coast. These are areas of glacier-free rocks and lakes that are free from snow in the summer and are characterized by a high peculiarity of conditions for the formation of communities of living organisms. Our studies performed on a wide variety of biotopes of Bunger Hills revealed the composition and structure of algocenoses of these habitats, as well as to establish their common features and characteristic differences.

Wildlife corridors under water: an approach to preserve marine biodiversity in heavily modified water bodies

Coastal areas commonly consist of an environment of intense economic uses and are thus exposed to conflicts between anthropogenic activities and biodiversity. While several approaches of nature protection have been applied to the terrestrial domain, aquatic biotopes frequently still lack a good ecological state as required by EU policies (WFD and MSFD). For numerous years, the underwater world has been considered as one sphere and was neglected in the development of distinctive concepts of conservation for its variety of biotopes. This paper’s objective is the enhancement of ecological connectivity within the study area through the design of benthic wildlife corridors and a consequent sublittoral biotope network. A step-by-step approach is presented for the optimization of ecological potential in heavily modified coastal water bodies, using Kiel Fjord (Western Baltic Sea) as a case study. The procedure for the development of wildlife corridors includes defining and mapping of existing biotope types, the identification of key species for each biotope type and delineating their mobility range, the reconstruction of near-natural / pre-industrial conditions and deriving the protection priorities by comparing past with current / modified conditions. By harmonizing these scientific insights with the local land use of human society, proposals for biotope restoration and improvements can be made. In Kiel Fjord, compensation measures, obligatory for human interventions, such as construction work in the marine environment in this case, have been implemented and present an opportunity to enhance the connectivity of biotopes, thus creating wildlife corridors for their inhabitants. The composition of benthic wildlife corridors, forming a sublittoral biotope network in accordance with the present anthropogenic uses, holds potential for implementation in comparably altered coastal water bodies and integration into national and international frameworks, in anticipation of its functionality.

Plant diversity and dynamics in chalk quarries on the islands of Rügen and Wolin (Western Pomerania/Germany and Poland)

Abstract Chalk mining industry in Western Pomerania reflects a history of almost 300 years, and has left behind a typical post-mining landscape. Thus, more than 50 formerly exploited areas are known on the islands of Rügen and Wolin. Historical quarry sizes range from 0.1 to 42 hectares, the median is 1.3. Chalk quarries are recolonised by a wide range of species and develop attractive and species-rich communities. To the extent that recolonisation progresses, they act as refugia for rare or local species. Currently, a total of 543 vascular plant species are found in these chalk quarries. Species number ranges from 97 to 218 in thoroughly studied sites, with a median of 138. Of the total floristic inventory, 67% are indigenous species, 18% are archaeophytes and 12% neophytes. Quarries abandoned long ago and remotely situated are home to nearly 90% indigenophytes, whereas those quarries close to settlements or with easy access are tendentially characterised by numerous synanthropic plants. 100 species overall (= 18.4%) belong to Red List categories of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In 22 quarries studied in more detail, Red List percentages show a spectrum from 3.7 to 23.5%, and higher values are found in sites with open habitats and considerable biotope diversity. Among vegetation types, the anthropo-zoogenic heathland and grassland harbours 40% Red List species and occupies the first place concerning nature conservation aspects. A noteworthy percentage of endangered plants is found in fresh-water and bog vegetation, as some quarries are in contact with the aquifer. Succession was and is the impetus for vegetation development. A transect exemplarily demonstrates the vegetation zonation within a chalk quarry and distinguishes headslope, backslope, and footslope and the quarry floor. The respective plant communities are classified into Cornus sanguinea bush stage, Picris hieracioides-Daucus carota community, and basiphilous mesoxerophytic grassland.

Some results of molecular phylogenetic studies of Baikal endemic invertebrates

Baikal and the fauna inhabiting it became an object of systematic evolutionary studies more than a century ago. With the development of the methodical arsenal of biology, almost all approaches were also used to clarify the origin of Baikal’s population. The current review is mainly devoted to the results of using the molecular phylogenetics methods. The exceptional taxonomic wealth of the lake, colossal diversity of biotopes, and wide range of knowledge about different aspects of Baikal’s ecosystem functioning allow us to study such details of speciation mechanisms that are much less accessible in other circumstances. The main common features of modern evolutionary processes in the groups of invertebrates that are rich in species consist in the fact that, at first, most of them are young relative to Baikal and, second, in the fact that the speciation occurs sympatrically, since in spite of its size, the geological history of Baikal lacks episodes of its subdivision long-term enough for allopatric speciation. The reproductive barriers were most likely generated according to the rather complex scenarios developed under the effect of global climatic processes. This resulted in nuclear and mitochondrial introgressions. As a result of this, it is possible that intermediate forms of the organisms are widely distributed in Baikal, and it is very difficult to determine the taxonomic status of many of them. The almost complete absence of experimental evidence of the coevolution of species that are ecologically closely related to each other was also an interesting peculiarity. The results of evolutionary studies mainly devoted to bouquets of species (monophyletic groups of organisms that ensure the exclusively high species diversity of Baikal and the mechanisms of whose development remain largely mysterious) were considered in the review.

Butterfly Diversity in Lateritic Biotope of Kavvayi River Basin, Kerala, India

A study on butterfly diversity of lateritic biotopes of Kavvayi River Basin was conducted during February 2013 to January 2015. The study area represents diverse habitats that include sacred groves, laterite hills, riparian ecosystem, and kanams. A total of 140 species butterflies were recorded from the study area, among which the highest number of butterfly species were from the family Nymphalidae (48 species), followed by Hesperiidae (32 species), Lycaenidae (27 species), Papilionidae and Pieridae with 16 species each and 1 from the family Riodinidae. The present study revealed the faunal richness of the unique ecosystems and microhabitats in lateritic biotopes in terms of butterfly diversity. The study also highlights conservation significance of the area which is under severe human pressure including mining, habitat fragmentation and change in the land-use system.

Application of Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard to organize island ecosystem: the Abu Musa Island, Persian Gulf case study

Abstract. Zare R, SinaeiM, ShakouriA, KourandehMB, GeramiMH. 2017. Application of Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard to organize island ecosystem: the Abu Musa Island, Persian Gulf case study. Biodiversitas 18: 153-159. A first step in marine conservation plans is to identify and classify habitat types. These classifications should be scientificallyrigorous with high application. The Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) is a nested, hierarchical framework that applies a uniform set of rules that have a high capacity in marine habitats classifications. In this study, this capacity was tested for the Abu Musa Island ecosystem, Persian Gulf. The Surface Geology Component and the Biotic CoverComponent were analyzed and encoded with the given instructions. In total, 21 codes were determined for benthic communities and 19 codes for geoform component, which showed high diversity of habitats and variety of biotopes in this island.Finally, results indicated that the CMECS approach was successful in Abu Musa habitat classification. In addition, results were very useful for sustainable development especially for ecotourism plans.
 Keywords: Abu Musa Island, CMECS, ecotourism, habitat classification

Remarkable results of recent field explorations in the Kőszeg Mts

The Kőszeg Mts are among the best studied areas of Hungary with respect to bryophytes. Nearly 400 species were reported from the Hungarian part of the mountains, which is partly due to favourable conditions of climate, bedrock, soil, and biotope diversity. However, a large part of the data was collected at the end of the 19th or the beginning of the 20th centuries, whereas there was no extensive bryofloristic research in the past 40 years. The authors began their field work in the Hungarian part of the mountains in 2015, and since then recorded nearly 40 species new to the area. In the course of our explorations, we succeeded in finding three species new to Hungary: Heterocladium heteropterum (Brid.) Schimp. and Rhabdoweisia crispata (Dicks.) Lindb. were collected from shaded rock in the valley of ’Harmas-patak’, whereas Plagiothecium latebricola Schimp. was detected on the partly rotting bases of alder trees (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.). Further remarkable records concern species which were rated data-deficient, without recent occurrences, in the red-list of 2010: Heterocladium dimorphum (Brid.) Schimp., Bryum mildeanum Jur., Leiocolea badensis (Gottsche) Jorg., Pellia epiphylla (L.) Corda, and Pohlia annotina (Hedw.) Lindb. We also succeeded in finding new occurrences of the critically endangered Warnstorfia exannulata (Schimp.) Loeske, and of 9 more endangered and vulnerable species: Buxbaumia viridis (Moug. ex Lam. & DC.) Brid. ex Moug. & Nestl., Diplophyllum obtusifolium (Hook.) Dumort., Isothecium myosuroides Brid., Leptodon smithii (Hedw.) F. Weber & D. Mohr, Dicranum spurium Hedw., Brachythecium reflexum (Starke) Schimp., Leiocolea collaris (Nees) Schljakov, Taxiphyllum densifolium (Broth.) Reimers, Ulota bruchii Hornsch. ex Brid

Macrozoobenthos of small lowland lakes of Sakhalin Island

Species composition, structure and seasonal dynamics of macrozoobenthos in small lakes of Sakhalin Island are considered on the data of benthic surveys conducted in 1994-2012. Features of the bottom fauna are determined by the lakes origin, their connection with other water bodies, biotic and abiotic conditions. The faunas of the lakes of northern Sakhalin are distinguished by the highest similarity. Generally, variety of benthic communities in small lakes corresponds to their biotope diversity and reduces with the size of lakes decreasing. The most typical benthic communities are those ones of the coastal belt of rigid plants, of the belt of pondweed, and profundal community of the open water area; the latter only is observed in very small lakes. Seasonal dynamics of the benthic communities is defined by biology of a few key species which dominate the whole year round. For example, seasonal dynamics of the profundal community in small floodplain lakes is determined mainly by generative dynamics of one species of chironomid: Chironomus gr. plumosus . Three phases could be traced in the seasonal succession: i) winter; ii) spring and early summer; iii) late summer and autumn. They change under influence of seasonal events as spring flood, summer low water, ice formation, or mass fish migration (reaction of benthic communities on fish migration is adaptive, not catastrophic). Food web of the benthic communities in small lakes is based on autochthonous organic matter of phytoperiphyton, phytobenthos and phytoplankton settled to the bottom. Benthic communities of floodplain lakes play important role in preserving of rheophilic fauna during catastrophic floods.

Overview of the gene regulation network and the bacteria biotope tasks in BioNLP'13 shared task.

BackgroundWe present the two Bacteria Track tasks of BioNLP 2013 Shared Task (ST): Gene Regulation Network (GRN) and Bacteria Biotope (BB). These tasks were previously introduced in the 2011 BioNLP-ST Bacteria Track as Bacteria Gene Interaction (BI) and Bacteria Biotope (BB). The Bacteria Track was motivated by a need to develop specific BioNLP tools for fine-grained event extraction in bacteria biology. The 2013 tasks expand on the 2011 version by better addressing the biological knowledge modeling needs. New evaluation metrics were designed for the new goals. Moving beyond a list of gene interactions, the goal of the GRN task is to build a gene regulation network from the extracted gene interactions. BB'13 is dedicated to the extraction of bacteria biotopes, i.e. bacterial environmental information, as was BB'11. BB'13 extends the typology of BB'11 to a large diversity of biotopes, as defined by the OntoBiotope ontology. The detection of entities and events is tackled by distinct subtasks in order to measure the progress achieved by the participant systems since 2011.ResultsThis paper details the corpus preparations and the evaluation metrics, as well as summarizing and discussing the participant results. Five groups participated in each of the two tasks. The high diversity of the participant methods reflects the dynamism of the BioNLP research community.The highest scores for the GRN and BB'13 tasks are similar to those obtained by the participants in 2011, despite of the increase in difficulty. The high density of events in short text segments (multi-event extraction) was a difficult issue for the participating systems for both tasks. The analysis of the BB'13 results also shows that co-reference resolution and entity boundary detection remain major hindrances.ConclusionThe evaluation results suggest new research directions for the improvement and development of Information Extraction for molecular and environmental biology. The Bacteria Track tasks remain publicly open; the BioNLP-ST website provides an online evaluation service, the reference corpora and the evaluation tools.

Are Perceived Sensory Dimensions a Reliable Tool for Urban Green Space Assessment and Planning?

Environmental psychologists have developed varying methods for landscape assessment according to how it is perceived and experienced. In the Nordic countries, eight perceived sensory dimensions are increasingly being used as a methodological framework for expert assessments. These are serene, nature, rich in species, space, prospect, refuge, social and culture. Using an onsite questionnaire distributed to green space visitors in Helsingborg, Sweden, this study is the first to examine the representation of the eight sensory dimensions in different types of urban green spaces as experienced by lay people and their relationships with green space attributes. The results showed that (1) prospect then serene and space were the most common, and culture and social the least; (2) the experience of the sensory dimensions varied across the six study sites and was related to their diversity of biotopes and overall size; and (3) respondent experience of the sensory dimensions was consistent across gender, age and frequency and type of recreational use. These results grant legitimacy to the method in assessment and mapping of recreational experience of urban green space.

Habitat Use and Selection of the Marsh HarrierCircus aeruginosusin an Agricultural-Wetland Mosaic

Studying various aspects of the biology of a species of conservation concern allows us to improve our understanding of, for example, how the particularities of the landscape matrix influence its occurrence. The Lower Vouga Lagoon in central-western Portugal offers an unusual diversity of natural and humanised biotopes in an agricultural-wetland complex mosaic. This study aimed to identify the factors that may influence the occurrence and abundance of a diurnal raptor, the marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus, in this kind of landscape. The marsh harrier is a top predator that is considered as an umbrella species, i.e. one whose conservation may also help preserve and promote biodiversity in general in its community. This study provides potentially valuable information on management and conservation strategies in both natural and agricultural areas. We found that natural habitats, such as reedbeds, are a key habitat for this predator, providing shelter, food and suitable nesting sites. Despite the general negative effect of human pressure on the occurrence of marsh harriers, the species seems to tolerate and even benefit from humanised environments, such as rice fields, which constituted the preferred foraging habitat during the non-breeding period. Nevertheless, the degree of disturbance should be carefully considered, since road density and agricultural machinery negatively influenced the presence of the species in the landscape, particularly during the breeding period. The preservation of the distinctive features of the studied mosaic is very important. It is also necessary to establish a conservation programme involving the local human community.

Molecular and morphological criteria for revision of the genus Microcoleus (Oscillatoriales, Cyanobacteria).

Ninety-two strains of Microcoleus vaginatus (=nomenclatural-type species of the genus Microcoleus Desmazières ex Gomont) and Phormidium autumnale Trevisan ex Gomont from a wide diversity of regions and biotopes were examined using a combination of morphological and molecular methods. Phylogenies based on the 16S rDNA and 16S-23S ITS (partial) demonstrated that the 92 strains, together with a number of strains in GenBank, were members of a highly supported monophyletic clade of strains (Bayesian posterior probability = 1.0) distant from the species-cluster containing the generitype of Phormidium. Similarity of the 16S rRNA gene exceeded 95.5% among all members of the Microcoleus clade, but was less than 95% between any Microcoleus strains and species outside of the clade (e.g., Phormidium sensu stricto). These findings, which are in agreement with earlier studies on these taxa, necessitate the revision of Microcoleus to include P.autumnale. Furthermore, the cluster of Phormidium species in the P.autumnale group (known as Group VII) must be moved into Microcoleus as well, and these nomenclatural transfers are included in this study. The main diacritical characters defining Microcoleus are related to the cytomorphology of trichomes, including: narrowed trichome ends, calyptra, cells shorter than wide up to more or less isodiametric, and facultative presence of sheaths. The majority of species are 4-10μm in diameter. The possession of multiple trichomes in a common sheath is present facultatively in many but not all species.

Species of the subgenus Minuspio (Polychaeta: Spionidae: Prionospio) from the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean), with the description of two new species

Three species belonging to the subgenus Minuspio are described from the southern coast of Turkey. Prionospio (Minuspio) anatolica sp. nov., and Prionospio (Minuspio) maciolekae sp. nov. are new to science and P. (M.) pulchra is a new report for the marine fauna of the Levantine and Black Sea coasts of Turkey. Prionospio (M.) anatolica sp. nov., differs from all other Prionospio (M.) species by the shape of the prostomium, branchiae, and the absence of eyes. This species has 7 pairs of long, apinnate branchiae on chaetigers 2 to 8. Prionospio (M.) maciolekae sp. nov., differs from other Prionospio (M.) species in having short, densely ciliated branchiae and distinct dorsal crests on chaetigers 10–28. The examination of older materials deposited at the Museum of Ege University (ESFM) revealed that Prionospio (M.) pulchra, an alien invasive species, also occurred in the Aegean and Black Seas since 2000. In the Mediterranean, this species seems to be first noticed from the Italian waters (Tyrrhenian Sea, Lago di Sabaudia) and misidentified as Prionospio cirrifera. These species were encountered on a variety of biotopes in the region. In addition, two specimens of P. (M.) multibranchiata collected near the type locality (Bazan Bay, Pacific coast of Canada) were examined and a redescription of this species was made. The morphology, ecology and distribution of these species are given together with a taxonomic key to all valid species of the subgenus Minuspio.

Low cyanobacterial diversity in biotopes of the Transantarctic Mountains and Shackleton Range (80-82°S), Antarctica

The evolutionary history and geographical isolation of the Antarctic continent have produced a unique environment rich in endemic organisms. In many regions of Antarctica, cyanobacteria are the dominant phototrophs in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We have used microscopic and molecular approaches to examine the cyanobacterial diversity of biotopes at two inland continental Antarctic sites (80-82°S). These are among the most southerly locations where freshwater-related ecosystems are present. The results showed a low cyanobacterial diversity, with only 3-7 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) per sample obtained by a combination of strain isolations, clone libraries and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis based on 16S rRNA genes. One OTU was potentially endemic to Antarctica and is present in several regions of the continent. Four OTUs were shared by the samples from Forlidas Pond and the surrounding terrestrial mats. Only one OTU, but no internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, was common to Forlidas Pond and Lundström Lake. The ITS sequences were shown to further discriminate different genotypes within the OTUs. ITS sequences from Antarctic locations appear to be more closely related to each other than to non-Antarctic sequences. Future research in inland continental Antarctica will shed more light on the geographical distribution and evolutionary isolation of cyanobacteria in these extreme habitats.