Solitary Specimens Research Articles

Epipactis albensis (Orchidaceae) species new to the flora of Lithuania. Data from the northeastern limit of the species distribution area

Epipactis albensis Nováková & Rydlo (Orchidaceae), a species new to the flora of Lithuania, was found in the southwestern part of the country, in the Bukta Forest (the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve, Marijampolė district) in 2020, and the nearby Dalginė Forest (the Dalginės Botanical Reserve) in 2021. The closest isolated population is located ca. 340 km southwest, and newly recorded populations form an island outside the main distribution area. Species populations occur primarily in the Tilio-Carpinetum betuli plant community showing ecological plasticity. A part of the population occurs in habitats with anthropogenic influence. Epipactis albensis is the only obligate autogamous Epipactis species known in Lithuania until now. Although its flowering season starts at the end of July or the beginning of August, solitary flowering specimens can be found in September or even later. According to the assessment applying the IUCN criteria, species should be treated as endangered (EN) [B2a,b(ii)c(iv) D] in Lithuania.

Dawn of complex animal food webs: A new predatory anthozoan (Cnidaria) from Cambrian

Cnidarians diverged very early in animal evolution; therefore, investigations of the morphology and trophic levels of early fossil cnidarians may provide critical insights into the evolution of metazoans and the origin of modern marine food webs. However, there has been a lack of unambiguous anthozoan cnidarians from Ediacaran assemblages, and undoubted anthozoans from the Cambrian radiation of metazoans are very rare and lacking in ecological evidence. Here, we report a new polypoid cnidarian, Nailiana elegans gen. et sp. nov., represented by multiple solitary specimens from the early Cambrian Chengjiang biota (∼520 Ma) of South China. These specimens show eight unbranched tentacles surrounding a single opening into the gastric cavity, which may have born multiple mesenteries. Thus, N. elegans displays a level of organization similar to that of extant cnidarians. Phylogenetic analyses place N. elegans in the stem lineage of Anthozoa and suggest that the ancestral anthozoan was a soft-bodied, solitary polyp showing octoradial symmetry. Moreover, one specimen of the new polyp preserves evidence of predation on an epifaunal lingulid brachiopod. This case provides the oldest direct evidence of macrophagous predation, the advent of which may have triggered the emergence of complex trophic/ecological relationships in Cambrian marine communities and spurred the explosive radiation of animal body plans.

Histopathological spectrum of ovarian tumors: A study of 53 cases

Background: Ovarian malignancies are one of the most common malignancies affecting women. Worldwide, it is the sixth most common cancer overall and second most common among gynecological cancers. It consists of 4% of all female cancers and 23% of all gynecological cancers. In India, it comprises 8.7% of cancers in different parts of the country. About 80% are benign and occur in younger age group and malignant tumors occur in older age group. The purpose of the study was to study the frequency of ovarian tumors in relation of age distribution, laterality, histological subtypes and histomorphological spectrum. Methods: This one year retrospective study included fifty-three (53) cases of ovarian tumors. All the resected specimens received either as solitary specimens or as a part of pan hysterectomy in the laboratory were included in the study. After detailed study of sections under the light microscope the final diagnosis was arrived and were classified according to the WHO classification of ovarian tumors. Results: Of the 53 cases majority were malignant tumors 71.70% (38 cases) with serous carcinomas being more common. Majority of the malignant tumors were seen bilaterally and more common in older age groups. Benign tumors were more common in younger age groups. Conclusion: The ovarian tumors being one of the major gynecological challenge to medical fraternity. However, benign tumors are more common in the younger age group and malignant tumors in older age group. Hence early detection of ovarian tumors is very crucial in reducing the morbidity and mortality of the patients.

Histomorphological study of ovarian neoplasms

Background: Among women of India ovaries are the third most common site for cancer after cervix and breast. Ovarian neoplasms have insidious onset and are diagnosed usually at advanced stage. They are not detected in early stage as there is large space available in pelvis and abdominal cavity for expansion, hence they come to notice once they have achieved large size. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on consecutive ovarian specimens received in the Department of Pathology at a tertiary care center. All the resected specimens were received either as solitary specimens or as a part of pan hysterectomy in the laboratory; these were included in the study. The normal ovaries and ovaries with non-neoplastic lesions were excluded from the study. Results: A total of thirty five (35) cases were studied with age ranging from as young as 17 years to as old as 75 years. Majority of the tumors were benign 27 (77.14%) followed by malignant 7 (20%) and borderline 1 (2.86%). Conclusion: Among benign neoplasms serous cystadenomas were the commonest neoplasms. Serous carcinomas comprised majority of malignant neoplasms. The bulk of ovarian neoplasms were seen in 4th and 5th decade.

Histopathological pattern of ovarian lesions: a Hospital based study in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka

Ovarian tumors are one of the most common neoplasms encountered in females. Material and methods; A five and half year of retrospective study of ovarian tumors was carried out in a tertiary care hospital-Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, to find out the different histological types of ovarian tumors. Results; 537 ovarian mass specimens were sent for histopathological evaluation from January 2012 to June 2017, either as solitary specimens or as part of total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) specimens. 20-39 years constituted the majority. Benign neoplastic lesions constituted the majority of lesions diagnosed (49%).Among neoplastic ovarian lesions 80.1% cases were benign, 3.7% case was at borderline and 16.2% cases were malignant. Among benign ovarian neoplasms, 43.3% were serous cystadenoma; 30.0% benign cystic teratoma ; 22.4% mucinous cystadenoma. Majority of malignant (58.5%) were serous cystadenocarcinoma followed by mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, dysgerminoma and germ cell tumour shares 5 cases per each

The Behavior of Climbing Perch, Anabas testudineus, with Novel Food in Individual and Social Conditions

Results of investigation of how social context affects responses to, and consumption of the novel food in climbing perch, Anabas testudineus, are presented. The fish living in group fed better from the first day of the experiment. The quantity of consumed pellets always exceeded that in solitary specimens. Their rate of habituation to the novel food was always significantly higher.

Additions to the orchidaceous part of the «Catalogues of the type specimens of the vascular plants» from Central and East Asia, Siberia and the Russian Far East kept in the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute (LE)

The article represents a description of 23 taxa of orchidaceous plants, which are absent from the «Catalogues of the type specimens of the vascular plants, kept in the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute» in the sector of Central and East Asia and in the sector of Siberia and the Russian Far East. For one more taxon (Listera savatieri Maxim. ex Kom.), which is mentioned in the published catalogues, we cite missing specimens, which are important for the understanding of this critical taxon. For every name, we give a nomenclatural citation, full data from the herbarium labels of type specimens in LE, and the provenance data from the protologue. The majority of the taxa were described from China and Japan, three taxa were described from Russia, and solitary type specimens originate from North Korea, South Korea. Lectotypes of 2 names are designated: Herminium alaschanicum Maxim., and H. alaschanicum var. tanguticum Maxim.

Spatial distribution of Salpa thompsoni in the high Antarctic area off Adélie Land, East Antarctica during the austral summer 2008

The salp Salpa thompsoni has the potential to alter the Southern Ocean ecosystem through competition with krill Euphausia superba. Information on the reproductive status of S. thompsoni in the high Southern Ocean is thus essential to understanding salp population growth and predicting changes in the Southern Ocean ecosystem. We carried out stratified and quantitative sampling from the surface to a depth of 2000 m during the austral summer of 2008 to determine the spatial distribution and population structure of S. thompsoni in the Southern Ocean off Adélie Land. We found two salp species, S. thompsoni and Ihlea racovitzai, with the former being dominant. S. thompsoni was distributed north of the continental slope area, while I. racovitzai was observed in the neritic zone. Mature aggregates and solitary specimens of S. thompsoni were found south of the Southern Boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, suggesting that S. thompsoni is able to complete its life cycle in high Antarctic waters during the austral summer. However, S. thompsoni was sparsely distributed in the continental slope area, and absent south of the Antarctic Slope Front, suggesting that it is less competitive with krill for food in the slope area off Adélie Land, where krill is densely distributed during the austral summer.

Análisis de la disponibilidad de hábitat adecuado para el lobo (<em>Canis lupus</em>) en Cataluña y en los Pirineos orientales

After decades of absence of the wolf (Canis lupus) in the Pyrenees, since the end of the decade of the nineties some solitary specimens were detected in the eastern half of the mountains. Wolf establishment will depend on several factors, among which it is worth mentioning specie conservation measures, habitat availability and landscape’s ecological connectivity. The present study analyzes the availability of suitable habitat for wolf in Catalonia and the French side of oriental Pyrenees, by means of a map of resistance surfaces for the predator based on seven territorial and environmental parameters. Afterwards, the most suitable zones have been selected and have been delimited those geographic areas which could be home for wolves in a near future. The results of the analysis confirm that one-third of the studied area constitutes an optimal habitat for wolf and around 90% of these spaces are provided with enough dimensions to hold stable wolves’ populations.

Towards an Integrative Morpho-molecular Classification of the Collodaria (Polycystinea, Radiolaria)

Collodaria are ubiquitous and abundant marine radiolarian (Rhizaria) protists. They occur as either large colonies or solitary specimens, and, unlike most radiolarians, some taxa lack silicified structures. Collodarians are known to play an important role in oceanic food webs as both active predators and hosts of symbiotic microalgae, yet very little is known about their diversity and evolution. Taxonomic delineation of collodarians is challenging and only a few species have been genetically characterized. Here we investigated collodarian diversity using phylogenetic analyses of both nuclear small (18S) and large (28S) subunits of the ribosomal DNA, including 124 new sequences from 75 collodarians sampled worldwide. The resulting molecular phylogeny was compared to morphology-based classification. Our analyses distinguished the monophyletic clade of skeleton-less and spicule-bearing Sphaerozoidae from the sister clades Collosphaeridae (skeleton-bearing) and Collophidiidae (skeleton-less), while the Thalassicollidae was not retrieved as a monophyletic clade. Detailed morphological examination with electron microscopy combined with molecular analyses revealed many discrepancies, such as a mix between solitary and colonial species, co-existence of skeleton-less and skeleton-bearing specimens within the Collosphaeridae, as well as complex intraspecific variability in silicified structures. Such observations challenge a morphology-based classification and highlight the pertinence of an integrative taxonomic approach to study collodarian diversity.

Forgotten in the taxonomic literature: resurrection of the scleractinian coral genus Sclerophyllia (Scleractinia, Lobophylliidae) from the Arabian Peninsula and its phylogenetic relationships

The monospecific scleractinian coral genus Sclerophyllia Klunzinger, 1879 was originally described from Al-Qusayr (Egypt) in the Red Sea based on a series of solitary specimens. Thenceforth, it has been considered a junior synonym of Symphyllia and Cynarina based on corallum macromorphology. In this study, several specimens of Sclerophyllia margariticola were collected on the coasts of Saudi Arabia in the northern and central Red Sea. Four molecular markers were sequenced, COI and the intergenic spacer between COI and l-rRNA from mitochondrial DNA and Histone H3 and ribosomal ITS2 from nuclear DNA. Phylogenetic trees and haplotype network analyses show that S. margariticola belongs to the family Lobophylliidae and that it is closely related to Acanthastrea maxima, an uncommon species from waters around the Arabian peninsula (the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf). Sclerophyllia margariticola and A. maxima share several macro- and micromorphological characters, such as the presence of free septa, high elliptical septal teeth perpendicular to the septal margin, irregular lobate tips, very wide tooth spacing, a very strong granulation with granules scattered all along the septal sides, and a palisade interarea structure, and their micromorphology differs substantially from that of Acanthastrea echinata, the type species of Acanthastrea. Therefore, we formally resurrect Sclerophyllia, provide a revised diagnosis for the genus, and move A. maxima into Sclerophyllia.

Faunistic revision of alien fish species in the Black Sea

According to original and published data for the period from 1998 to 2013, the findings of 25 alien marine species of fish in the Black Sea were reliably established, 16 of which were recorded for the first time, and nine species which were previously known as solitary specimens were detected in new areas of the coastal zone of the sea. The largest number of new species (21) was recorded near the Black Sea coast of Crimea. The naturalization of 13 species is suggested; six species are assigned to the group of facultative, occasionally occurring fish and six species are considered as random species. The main vectors of introduction and causes of a significant increase in cases of registration of allochthonous fish for a 15-year period are considered.

Phenology of ixodid ticks of the genus Dermacentor in the Central Ciscaucasia

In Stavropol Territory, ixodid ticks of the genus Dermacentor are represented by three species: D. marginatus, D. reticulatus, and D. niveus. D. marginatus is the most widespread species, constituting 14.8% of all the ticks in the region; D. reticulatus and D. niveus are found less frequently, constituting 2.8% and 0.01%, respectively. D. marginatus and D. reticulatus are spread mostly in the forest-steppe and steppe zones of Stavropol Territory. D. niveus is represented by solitary specimens in arid and semidesert zones. The main hosts of adult D. marginatus in Stavropol Territory are cattle (88.4%) and sheep and goats (5.3%). The hosts of D. reticulatus are also cattle (72.3%) and sheep and goats (4%). D. marginatus activates at an average monthly temperature of +2.07°C and average monthly rainfall of 47.2 mm. The peak of parasitizing on hosts was observed at an average monthly temperature of +7.8°C and average monthly rainfall of 56.2 mm. The autumnal activation was recorded at an average monthly temperature of +15.3°C and average monthly rainfall of 58.2 mm.

Long-term dynamics of population density and species composition of pasture ixodid ticks (Parasitiformes, Ixodidae) in anthropogenic and natural areas

Long-term monitoring of population density and species composition of ixodid ticks inhabiting the territory of Tomsk and its outskirts has demonstrated that at least two species (Ixodes persulcatus and I. pavlovskyi) simultaneously inhabit all the biotopes examined. It was found that the fraction of I. pavlovskyi increased in biotopes adjacent to city buildings. I. persulcatus dominated in natural control biotopes, whereas I. pavlovskyi were found in these biotopes as solitary specimens. It was demonstrated that during 15 years of observation (1996–2011), the population density of ticks in the outskirts significantly increased. The combination of ecological and chemical methods of tick control in limited territories can result in a noticeable decrease of tick population density. Two tick species non-typical of the region (Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis concinna) were revealed in one biotope.

The hydrodynamic disturbances of two species of krill: implications for aggregation structure

Krill aggregations vary in size, krill density and uniformity depending on the species of krill. These aggregations may be structured to allow individuals to sense the hydrodynamic cues of neighboring krill or to avoid the flow fields of neighboring krill, which may increase drag forces on an individual krill. To determine the strength and location of the flow disturbance generated by krill, we used infrared particle image velocimetry measurements to analyze the flow field of free-swimming solitary specimens (Euphausia superba and Euphausia pacifica) and small, coordinated groups of three to six E. superba. Euphausia pacifica individuals possessed shorter body lengths, steeper body orientations relative to horizontal, slower swimming speeds and faster pleopod beat frequencies compared with E. superba. The downward-directed flow produced by E. pacifica has a smaller maximum velocity and smaller horizontal extent of the flow pattern compared with the flow produced by E. superba, which suggests that the flow disturbance is less persistent as a potential hydrodynamic cue for E. pacifica. Time record analysis reveals that the hydrodynamic disturbance is very weak beyond two body lengths for E. pacifica, whereas the hydrodynamic disturbance is observable above background level at four body lengths for E. superba. Because the nearest neighbor separation distance of E. superba within a school is less than two body lengths, hydrodynamic disturbances are a viable cue for intraspecies communication. The orientation of the position of the nearest neighbor is not coincident with the orientation of the flow disturbance, however, which indicates that E. superba are avoiding the region of strongest flow.

The growth of the distribution area and the population of the golden jackal in hungary in the last decade

The golden jackal (Canis aureus Linneaus, 1758) is one of the indigenious predators in Hungary. As a consequence of transformation and destruction of its habitat, the jackal disappeared from the Hungarian fauna by the middle of the 20th century. The first solitary specimens reappeared from the direction of the Balkan peninsula in the early 1980s, and sightings became frequent in the early 1990s. Breeding pairs were noticed in the middle of the last decade of the 20th century, and huge populations were established within a short time, mainly in the southern counties. More and more articles were published about the jackal’s simultaneous reappearance and increasing population in Europe (Slovakia, Romania, Transylvania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Austria, and Italy). Monitoring of population status and of the spreading of the golden jackal started right after the probable settling of the species in Hungary. Three independent methods were used in the present project: (1) analysis of the hunting bag data based on the National Game Management Database; (2) mail questionnaire survey among Hungarian Game Management Units (GMU); and (3) field work (collecting proof of specimens, acoustic

New records of rare insects in western Transbaikalia

Marumba gaschkewitschii Bremer et Grey, 1852 (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) is found in western Transbaikalia for the first time. Populations of the following rare insects previously known in the region from solitary specimens are found and described: Niphanda fusca Bremer et Grey, 1853, Plebejidea cyane Eversmann, 1837 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae), and Mantispa lobata Navas, 1912 (Neuroptera, Mantispidae). These populations are associated with climatic and microclimatic conditions of dense shrubs with almond trees.

Trees and landscape of a suburban residential neighbourhood in Hong Kong

The gardens of suburban homes in a low-density housing estate in Hong Kong, Fairview Park, provided opportunities for the cultivation of private trees. The hypothesis that residential tree populations are different from public ones in terms of composition, structure, spatial pattern, and tree-habitat relationship was explored. A study was initiated to evaluate the nature of this tree population, and its resulting landscape and planning implications. Data on habitat conditions, species composition, tree structure and performance were collected through a field survey of front gardens. Some 1087 houses scattered throughout 18 streets at a sampling intensity of 22% with 2345 trees were studied in detail. The data were analyzed with the help of microcomputer database and statistical programs, and a number of tree and habitat indices, correlation and chi-squared association computations were performed. Some results were compared with those of a previous local street-tree survey. Most species were introduced rather than indigenous. The biotic diversity suprisingly high, totalling 65 species, and was strongly represented by conifers, fruit trees and palms, but weakly by shade, foliage and flowering trees. Ten dominant species were accompanied by many minor ones, mainly of exotic origin, seldom planted elsewhere in urban Hong Kong. At present, most trees are small and comfortably accomodated by the plantable spaces, but a number of potentially large species may in time overtax the small garden niches. The majority were well cared for and showed little signs of arboricultural maladies. Most gardens held less than five trees. There is a tendency to adopt a variety of species within individual households. Gardens with less trees had a relatively higher species diversity, and half of the species occurred as solitary specimens (one tree per garden). Species planted as multiples (over one tree per garden) were of two contrasting groups, namely a few popular and many uncommon. Such a spatial pattern could possibly be explained by the operation of two opposing determinants, namely, conformity versus individualism, within the overriding confines of restricted growing spaces. Tree distribution by streets indicated a clear pattern of spatial congregation. Propinquity of homes (in the same street) could lead to the adoption of similar species. More species in a street resulted in higher inter-house but not intra-house variability. Analysis of tree-habitat association confirmed that the major controlling factor was garden size, and the ill effects of cramping too much biomass within the limited niches. The long-term prospects of the trees and the treescape were assessed in the light of the findings. Implications for landscape planning and management of the estate, and of similar suburban developments locally and in the region, were discussed.

First Report of Periclimenes Yuca Tanicus (Ives) (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) in Association With a Corallimorpharian Anemone

The spotted cleaner shrimp, Periclimenes yucatanicus (Ives), is known to associate with 3 species of anemones in the Order Actiniaria: Bartholomea an nulata (Lesueur) (Aiptasiidae), Condylactis gigantea (Weinland) (Actiniidae), and Lebrunia danae (Duchassaing & Michelotti) (Aliciidae) (Chace, 1972; Limbaugh, Pederson & Chace, 1961; Mahnken, 1972). This shrimp was observed and photographed in association with solitary specimens of Rhodactis sanctithomae (Duchassaing & Michelotti) (Corallimorpharia, Actinodiscidae) occurring along the 15 m depth contour on the eastern wall of the Salt River Submarine Canyon, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, 15 to 26 September 1979; shrimp were not observed with this host when the latter occurred in groups. The wall possessed a 15? to 20? slope and was covered by scattered rock and coral rub ble. No shrimp have previously been reported to associate with this anemone. Only one specimen of R. sanctithomae was found on 28 April 1981 in the area of the east wall which had been examined in 1979. Two P. yucatanicus were associated with this anemone. The anemone was in the same location as the specimen photographed 19 months before, and appeared (size, shape, and associated budding small anemones) to be the same specimen. One specimen of P. yucatanicus was collected from this anemone in a plastic bag, preserved in 70% ethanol, and deposited in the U.S. National Museum Crustacean Collec tion (USNM 184663). A second specimen of the shrimp was allowed to remain in the anemone. This apparently unusual association cannot be explained by lack of the possibly more favorable hosts (all 3 previously reported host anemones were present), rarity of potential hosts (B. annulata was much more abundant than R. sanctithomae), nor overcrowding or associate saturation of the possibly more favorable hosts (P. yucatanicus and P. pedersoni Chace did not occur on all of the B. annulata present). The association was not rare in the Salt River Canyon, but was not noted in St. Thomas by Mahnken (1972) and did not occur in a study of cleaner organisms in Puerto Rico (Williams & Williams, 1978). Subse quent observation in southwestern Puerto Rico by the present authors have failed to confirm the occurrence of this association.

Persistent tidal and diurnal rhythms of locomotory activity and oxygen consumption in Emerita asiatica (M.-EDW.)

1. The oxygen consumption of the sand crab, Emerita asiatica, when estimated employing solitary specimens showed an unmistakable persistent tidal rhythm. 2. Numbers of 4 and 5 crabs even when huddled together in the respiration chambers showed the rhythmicity in their metabolic rates indicating mutual synchronisation of individual oscillations. 3. In newly moult crabs, in spite of the intensified level of metabolism accompanying the process of moulting, the tidal rhythms were displayed in the metabolic rates. 4. Simultaneous estimations of the swimming activity employing a vertically moving cage device and the oxygen consumption of individual crabs further confirmed the persistence of rhythms. 5. The activity of Emerita coinciding with the high tide at night was considerably enhanced. It was clear that this exaggerated nightly activity was due to the superimposition of a diurnal rhythm an a tidal rhythm. 6. The rhythms in the locomotory activity waned after the crabs had been in the laboratory for 3–4 days. 7. The behaviour of Emerita, as seen in the activity records and oxygen consumption estimations made in the present study, is reminiscent of its behaviour in nature relative to the tide. 8. The adaptive significance of such rhythmic behaviour to the continued existence of littoral animals is evident.