Species In Romania Research Articles

Invasive fish species in Romanian freshwater. A review of over 100 years of occurrence reports

Effective management of invasive alien species requires location-specific strategies involving the regular update of distribution maps to identify spatial patterns, trends, and pathways of entry and the spread and hotspots of those invasions. However, a comprehensive overview of invasive alien fish species in Romania is lacking. To fill this gap, we compiled a database with occurrences of alien fish species in Romania from diverse sources, including published literature, our own field data, online databases, social media, and online questionnaires. Occurrence data covers the 1910–2022 period. From a total of 52 alien fish species reported as present in Romania’s waterways, we assigned an invasive status to 11 species, of which Pseudorasbora parva, Lepomis gibbosus, Carassius gibelio, and Ameiurus spp. are widespread. Based on the currently available occurrence records, we evaluated the presence and distribution of invasive alien fish species at the watershed level, concluding that invasive alien fish species are present in all Romanian watersheds. We identified several hotspots consistent with the main points of entry and spread of invasive alien fish species, principally located in western, central, and eastern Romania, i.e., Mures, Crisuri, and Siret watersheds.

Alien plant species distribution in Romania: a nationwide survey following the implementation of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species.

Biological invasions pose an increasing risk to nature, social security and the economy, being ranked amongst the top five threats to biodiversity. Managing alien and invasive species is a priority for the European Union, as outlined in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Alien plant species are acknowledged to impact the economy and biodiversity; thus, analysing the distribution of such species provides valuable inputs for the management and decision-making processes. The database presented in the current study is the first consolidated checklist of alien plant species that are present in Romania, both of European Union concern and of national interest. This database complements a prior published distribution, based only on records from literature, bringing new information regarding the occurrence of alien plants in Romania, as revealed by a nationwide field survey. We consider this database a valuable instrument for managing biological invasions at both national and regional levels, as it can be utilised in further research studies and in drafting management and action plans, assisting stakeholders in making informed decisions and implementing management actions. We present the results of the first nationwide survey of alien plant species in Romania, conducted between 2019 and 2022, in the framework of a national project coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests and the University of Bucharest. The present database complements and updates the database published by Sirbu et. al (2022), which included occurrence records published until 2019. The new database includes 98323 occurrence records for 396 alien plant species in 77 families, with most species belonging to the Asteraceae family. One alien plant species in our database, the black locust Robiniapseudoacacia L., had more than 10,000 occurrence records. The distribution database also includes information on newly-reported invasive alien plant species of European Union concern in Romania (i.e. the floating primrose-willow Ludwigiapeploides (Kunth) P.H.Raven) and documents the presence of plants in 44 additional families compared to Sirbu et al. (2022). Each entry includes information on species taxonomy, location, year, person who recorded and identified the alien plant, geographical coordinates and taxon rank.

The Role of Wood Density Variation and Biomass Allocation in Accurate Forest Carbon Stock Estimation of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Mountain Forests

The European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the most common tree species in Romania, with importance both economically and environmentally. Accurate methods of biomass assessment at the tree compartment level (i.e., stump, stem, branches, and leaves) are necessary for carbon stock estimation. Wood density (WD) is an important factor in determining biomass and, ultimately, the tree’s carbon content. The average tree density was found to be 578.6 kg/m3. For this study, WD was evaluated by the weighting method related to tree volume. Also, to investigate a practical approach to determining the weighted wood density (WWDst), models were run using density at the base of the tree (WDBase), density at breast height level using discs (WDDBH), the wood core density (WDic), and the diameter at breast height (DBH) as predictors. The biomass assessment was conducted using different model evaluations for WWDst as well as allometric equations using the destructive method. From the results, it was noted that using the WWDst, the total biomass was underestimated by −0.7% compared to the biomass measured in the field. For allometric equations that included DBH and tree height as independent variables, the explained variability was around 99.3% for total aboveground biomass (AGBtotal), while it was 97.9% for allometric function using just the DBH. Overall, the distribution of biomass across different compartments was as follows: 73.5% in stems, 23.8% in branches, 1.9% in stumps, and 1.3% in leaves. The study findings offer valuable insights into WD, biomass distribution among different components, and biomass allometric quantification in natural beech forest environments in mountainous areas.

A NEW REGISTRATION IN THE VASCULAR FLORA OF MOLDOVA (EASTERN ROMANIA): ALLIUM INAEQUALE

The presence of species Allium inaequale in the flora of Moldova (eastern Romania), has been reported in this paper, based on specimens collected by authors on the field, as well as on specimens stored in public herbaria. The species has been identified in arid grasslands of two nature reserves from the Central Moldavian Plateau (Vaslui County), namely: “Coasta Rupturile” Tanacu and “Movila lui Burcel” Miclești. This is a very rare plant species in Romania, found at the most western limit of its general range, and should be included, as vulnerable, in the Romanian Red List of Vascular Plants. We have also found that the registration of the species A. moschatum in the flora of Moldova was due to misidentification. Based on the current data, A. moschatum, should be replaced in the flora of this historical province by A. inaequale.

Mitigation measures for the impact of hydrotechnical works in Răstoliţa River, Romania on Hucho hucho species

Hucho hucho habitats in the Răstoliţa River, Romania are under the pressure of anthropic activities, the most significant impact coming from hydrotechnical works implemented in the river started in the ‘80s. In the context of further development of the hydropower system, mitigation measures must be taken in order to ensure the conservation of ichthyofauna habitats, especially for Hucho hucho, a critically endangered species in Romania. Based on available data regarding the fish specimens’ presence and specific local hydromorphological and hydrodynamic conditions, a scientific-based tailored impact mitigation measures set for the conservation of Hucho hucho habitats is proposed for the Răstoliţa dam downstream area. By using hydraulic modelling and hydrological statistics, 12 monthly discharge values ranging from 1.00 to 1.80 m3/s have been determined as echohydrograph minimum values to be spilled by the Răstoliţa dam, with an additional 0.5 m3/s to be provided for April and May in order to ensure the conditions for the spring-cleaning phenomena. The proposed set of measures aims to mitigate the negative impact of the planned hydrotechnical works on the conservation of species of community interest, especially Hucho hucho.

The phytocoenology, distribution, and habitat preferences of the species Aldrovanda vesiculosa (Droseraceae) in Romania

Aldrovanda vesiculosa is an endangered aquatic species in Romania which grows in shallow waters where competition with other aquatic species is limited or absent. A comprehensive overview of the species? distribution and habitat preferences in Romania is currently lacking. In this context, this study aimed to update the distribution and habitat preferences of the species. Localities from Dobrogea, Oltenia, Muntenia, Transylvania, and Cri?ana represented the study areas. For the vegetation classification, 71 releves with A. vesiculosa were analysed. The size of the sample areas ranged from 4 m2 to 25 m2. Vegetation syntaxonomic assignment was performed by agglomerative hierarchical clustering. The optimal number of clusters was chosen using the corrected Rand and Silhouette indices. Diagnostic species were identified for each cluster based on the indicator value index (IndVal). The study results showed that the dominant majority of the previous populations of A. vesiculosa (89%) were no longer identified from Romania in the 2008?2021 period. Recently (2021?2023), they were found only in six localities in the Dobrogea, Transylvania, and Oltenia regions. The causes of the disappearance of the species are eutrophication and the lowering of the water level. From a phytocoenological point of view, 11 plant communities were identified where A. vesiculosa is found. According to the EUNIS classification, this species inhabits wetlands (Q) and inland surface waters (C). In conclusion, translocation is suggested as the primary conservation measure for protecting the species.

On the checkered beetle species (Coleoptera: Cleridae) in the collections of “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, Bucharest (Romania)

The paper deals with twenty-five species of checkered beetles of the Palaearctic Region preserved in the collections of “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History. All species have been revised. Within these species, Trichodes apiarius has been found to be the most common and widespread species in Romania.

First record for Zodarion morosum (araneae, zodariidae), Lessertinella kulczynskii (Araneae, Linyphiidae) and reconfirmation of Palliduphantes milleri (Araneae, Linyphiidae) in the Romanian fauna

Zodarion morosum and Lessertinella kulczynskii are recorded for the first time in Romanian fauna. The species Palliduphantes milleri is reconfirmed. The new illustrations contribute to a better knowledge regarding morphological characterization of the species. The currently known distribution of this species in Romania is also given.

First Identification and Molecular Characterization of Trichinella britovi (Nematoda: Trichinellidae) from the Pine Marten (Martes martes Linnaeus, 1758) in Romania.

Trichinella spp. are etiological zoonotic agents spread throughout the world and affect mammals, birds, and reptiles; they evolve via two cycles: domestic and sylvatic. Martes martes is a carnivorous nocturnal mammal from the family Mustelidae. In Romania, this host is widespread in all forests of the country. Martes martes has an extremely voracious appetite, feeding on fruit and also on a variety of small animals, including rodents such as mice and rats. The aim of this study was the identification and molecular characterization of Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscle tissue of Martes martes collected in different counties of Romania. The muscle samples were examined via artificial digestion, and the larvae were identified at the species level via multiplex PCR. The presence of larvae belonging to Trichinella britovi, a species frequently identified in wild carnivores in temperate zones, was observed. Although T. britovi has been already reported in several host species in Romania, this is the first time this species has been observed in a Martes martes specimen. This finding contributes to our knowledge about the host species involved in the maintenance of the Trichinella sylvatic cycle in Romania, and it confirms that this parasite is consistently present in the wild fauna of this country.

Small flies with high conservation value: first reliable record of Hyperoscelis veternosa (Diptera, Canthyloscelidae) from Romania supported by DNA barcode data

Here we present the first reliable record of the rare Hyperoscelis veternosa Mamaev and Krivosheina, 1969 from the headwaters area of the Someșul River, Apuseni Natural Park, Romania. Species level identification was made by detailed examination of the single female genitalia, supported by DNA barcode data. The new finding confirms the presence of the species in Romania, whereas a very old, single and doubtful record from the Bucharest area dates back to 1900 needs further confirmation. The presence of the second species of genus Hyperoscelis from Romania is of high conservation value, and confirm the persistence of a relict biodiversity of an old-growth forests-spot in the Carpathians.

Genetic diversity of the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus (Insecta, Coleoptera) in Romania based on ND1 mitochondrial sequences

Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the largest Coleoptera species in Europe and one of the most recognizable. It is a saproxylic species living in woodlands and wooded urban habitats and spending its larval stages inside tree trunks below or near soil level, feeding on decaying wood. The stag beetle has a wide distribution covering the entire Europe up to the Ural Mountains. In this paper, we attempted to describe the diversity and genetic structure of L. cervus populations in Romania using the NADH mitochondrial molecular marker. We identified 36 haplotypes arranged in a star-shaped structure with a central haplotype shared by many samples and linked by one or two mutational steps with other 35, represented by 1–3 samples. This pattern is frequently attributed to populations that have undergone recent range expansion, a phenomenon which is also sustained by the mismatch analysis. The analyzed populations revealed various degrees of genetic diversity. Many populations with relatively high levels of genetic diversity were found outside the Natura 2000 Network Special Areas of Conservation, while some populations included in protected areas proved to have low values of genetic variability. This underlines the need to review the designated protection sites for this species in Romania.

The Influences of Genotype and Year on Some Biologically Active Compounds in Honeysuckle Berries

Berries of three Romanian Lonicera caerulea cultivars ‘Cera’, ‘Kami’, and ‘Loni’, grown at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing, Pitesti, Romania, were analyzed between 2020 and 2022 in terms of chemical composition. The study aimed to determine the concentrations of some compounds with antioxidant activity, highlight the most valuable cultivar, encourage the consumption of honeysuckle berries, and indirectly stimulate growers’ interest in this little-known species in Romania. Some phenolic compounds—lycopene, β-carotene, and vitamin C—were quantified. As a result of the study, the ‘Loni’ cultivar’s high total phenolic content, flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamin C, lycopene, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids, catechin, and rutin are to be noted. ‘Cera’ cultivar had the highest cryptochlorogenic acid content, and ‘Kami’ summarized the highest carotenoid level. These characteristics indicated that the three honeysuckle cultivars’ berries could have multiple uses, from fresh consumption, as part of a diet focused on maintaining human health, to being used as raw materials in the para-pharmaceutical industry, to obtain food supplements. The novelty characteristics and the nutritional value of its berries highlighted by this study have indicated that honeysuckle can become a crop of interest and profitability.

Wood Colour Variations of Quercus Species in Romania

Wood colour metrics are increasingly being used in wood technology and ecology studies. Researchers usually determine the colours of the wood after treatment or in different habitats. There is very little research dedicated to the problem of colour variations among one specific species harvested in different forests or regions. The main purpose of the current research is to reveal and estimate the colour variability of oak species. For this study, a total of 89 samples were taken from the heartwood of seven oak species (Quercus robur L., Quercus cerris L., Quercus rubra L., Quercus pedunculiflora K. Koch., Quercus pubescens Willd., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., and Quercus palustris Muenchh.). The CIELAB system was used for the assessment of the colour differences. To determine the colour groups and variations, K-means clustering was used. The results show that colour variations do exist. According to the cluster analysis, at least five types of oak wood can be distinguished (because in some clusters, very few samples were present) in the investigated forests. The differences are mainly observed in terms of the lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*). Redness is not a feature by which oak wood differs, but the wood can be brighter or more yellow in some of the samples. The density of the Romanian oaks in the sample does not influence the colour coordinates. The only coordinate affected is a*, but with a very small probability.

THE CHOROLOGY OF PLANTAGO MAXIMA (PLANTAGINACEAE) IN ROMANIA

Plantago maxima belongs to the genus Plantago, which comprises herbaceous species, rarely of woody consistency (P. sempervirens).The plant analyzed in the present study represents a native and relict taxon that is present in several settlements in Romania: Turnişor, Şura Mică, Ocna Sibiului, Şesul Măcelarilor, Drechea (Sibiu County), and Coţofenii din Faţă (Dolj County).The present paper brings important information about the chorology of this species in Romania. It was identified within the following villages: Cârcea, Lișteava, Radomir, and Poiana Mare from Dolj county. The number of individuals identified in the new settlements is comprised between four and twenty-two. Almost all specimens have reached the fruiting stage, which proves that the populations are characterized by viability and stability. The main causes that could trigger the reduction of the populations of this species are the decrease in the water regime and the influence of the zoo-anthropogenic factor.

Distribution and pathways of introduction of invasive alien plant species in Romania

Biological invasions are one of the main drivers of modern human-induced species losses. Research on the distribution of alien species and their pathways of introduction is essential for understanding and tackling the invasion process. A comprehensive overview on invasive alien plant (IAP) species in Romania is lacking. With this paper, we aim to contribute to filling this gap and to provide a visualization of national patterns regarding plant species invasions, geographical origins and pathways of introductions. Based on plant species occurrence records in the published literature and herbaria we compiled a national database of 102 invasive and potentially invasive alien plant species. We georeferenced 42776 IAP species occurrences and performed an analysis of their spatial patterns. The spatial analyses revealed a biased sampling, with clear hotspots of increased sampling efforts around urban areas. We used chord diagrams to visualize the pathway of introduction and geographical origins of the IAP species, which revealed that species in Romania originate mainly in North and Central America, while the dominant pathway of plant introduction was horticulture. Our results provide an important baseline in drafting management and action plans, as invasive alien plant species represent a priority for the European Union through the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and a good starting point for various analyses as the database is further developed and regularly updated.

The ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from the René Jeannel collection of the Babeș-Bolyai University Zoological Museum, Romania

This paper reviews the ground beetles from René Jeannel collection which is preserved in Zoological Museum of Babeș-Bolyai University. The illustrious coleopterologist, René Jeannel was a French entomologist, who worked between 1920-1930 as Deputy Director of the Institute of Speleology founded by Emil Racovitza, the first institute of its kind in the world. He was also a professor of general biology at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Cluj Napoca. As well, in that period he published numerous articles on the systematics, phylogeny, biogeography and evolution of cave and endogenous beetles. In 1931, R. Jeannel left Romania to start working at the Muséum National d'histoire naturelle, whose director he was between 1945 -1951. During the 10 years of activity in Romania, he created and organized an important collection of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae). The total number of prepared and labeled specimens is 1672. The material was collected between 1921-1927, mostly in Transylvania, Romania. The collection includes 182 species from 56 genera and contains rare or endemic species. Among the endemic species we list: Pterostichus bielzii (Fuss, 1858), endemic to the Apuseni mountains, is present in the collection from 13 different locations; Nebria (Nebria) transsylvanica Germar, 1823, an endemic species in the Romanian Carpathians and in the southern part of the Carpathians in Ukraine; Platynus (Batenus) banaticus (I.Frivaldszky von Frivald, 1865) present in the collection from 3 locations. For the genus Carabus, representative species are Carabus (Megodontus) planicollis Küster, 1846, endemic species in Romania, and the Natura 2000 species Carabus variolosus Fabricius, 1787 and Carabus (Procerus) gigas (Creutzer, 1799). Among the Trechinae the most representative are the genus Duvalius, with four species: Duvalius cognatus subsp. longicollis Jeannel, 1928, D. laevigatus (Bokor, 1913), D. budae subsp. dioszeghyi Mallasz, 1928 and D. hegeduesii subsp. jonescoi (Jeannel, 1919), and the genus Trechus with 7 species, of which 3 are endemic in Romania: T. bannaticus Dejean, 1831, T. biharicus Meixner, 1912, and T. marginalis Schaum, 1862. The collection is a very valuable one, both from a historical and scientific point of view, because it offers an overview of the diversity and distribution of carabids in the karst areas of Romania, at the beginning of the 20th century.

Geographical Distribution of Three Forest Invasive Beetle Species in Romania.

Simple SummaryBiological invasions in the forests of Europe are becoming more frequent, and bark- and wood-boring insects are increasingly important invasive forest pests. Global trade intensification facilitates the introduction and spread of these species across new areas, while climate change and humans contribute to their establishment and spread. If such species enter new territories, the application of appropriate management measures requires—among other things—a better knowledge of their distribution. Using traps with different attractants, we attempted to establish the current distribution in Romania of three of the beetle species that are predicted to be important forest pests: Ips duplicatus, Xylosandrus germanus and Neoclytus acuminatus.Ips duplicatus (Sahlberg, 1836), Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford, 1894) and Neoclytus acuminatus (Fabricius, 1775) are invasive species reported in Romania, but their current distribution is poorly known. The research aim was to provide new information on this issue. A survey was conducted over the period 2015–2017 in 82 locations, using flight-interception traps and bottle traps, baited with different attractants. Data obtained in our other unpublished studies were also taken into account. A total of 35,136 I. duplicatus beetles were collected in 30 survey locations. The highest captures were in the log yards of some factories processing logs of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.). Considering all known records so far, most of these are in the eastern part of Romania, where an outbreak took place during the years 2005–2014, mainly in spruce stands growing outside their natural range. During the survey, 4259 specimens of X. germanus were collected in 35 locations, but in our other studies the species was found in 13 additional places. It was collected at altitudes of 18–1200 m, and the largest catches were from beech stands, growing at 450–950 m. N. acuminatus was found in only six locations, in the western and southern parts of the country, at low altitudes, in tree stands composed of Fraxinus excelsior L., Quercus spp. and other broadleaf species, as well as in broadleaf log yards. The results suggest that I. duplicatus is established in most parts of the Norway spruce’s range, X. germanus is still spreading in the country, with some areas having quite high populations, while N. acuminatus is present only in the warmest regions of the country.

In Vivo Bioconcentration, Distribution and Metabolization of Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) by Cyprinus carpio (European Carp).

Organic UV-filters, such as oxybenzone (BP-3), have attracted researcher attention in recent years due to its capacity to interfere with the proper functioning of the endocrine system and its widespread presence in the aquatic environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioconcentration, distribution and metabolization of BP-3 in one of the most common fish species in Romania, namely Cyprinus carp (European carp). Exposure experiments were performed for 11 weeks using a BP-3 nominal concentration level of 100 µg/L. The BP-3 concentration level decreased over time and needed to be re-established daily. Biological samples (fish organs and tissues) from control and test were taken at t0 (before contamination) and at t3, t5, t8 and t11 weeks from the beginning of the experiment. From the third week, BP-3 was identified and quantified, in all organs, in concentration values ranging between 3.2 and 782 ng/g d.w., the highest concentration being detected in the intestinal content, followed by gonads (up to 468 ng/g d.w.) and skin (up to 453 ng/g d.w.). In the case of gill and liver, the BP-3 concentration increased in the first five weeks, and then decreased to 15 and 6 ng/g d.w., respectively, which could be explained by a fast BP-3 metabolization. During the exposure period, six metabolites were identified through LC-MS/MS, all of them known for their endocrine disruptor and toxic properties being higher than those of the parent compound. The study is important from an ecological perspective and also in view of human health concerns involving food quality.

First records of Eresus moravicus Řezáč, 2008 (Araneae: Eresidae) from Romania

In this paper, we report the first records of Eresus moravicus Řezáč, 2008 from Romania. The collected specimens from the new localities are described with phenological and ecological data. The new records are also confirmed by the first molecular data (mitochondrial gene fragments COI and ND1) for E. moravicus from Romania and compared with other European congeners. The distribution and possible occurrence of other Eresus species in Romania is discussed on the basis of sampling bias, past taxonomic confusion and habitat suitability. This work highlights the need for revision of this cryptic spider family in the light of new data on its taxonomy and for the preservation of fragile rocky steppes in southern Romania, which constitute an important refuge for invertebrate biodiversity.

Low Population Structure and Genetic Diversity in Rhinolophus blasii at the Northern Limit of Its European Range: Are there Undiscovered Colonies?

The Blasius's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus blasii) shows a fragmented distribution in the European part of its range, and its populations are threatened by many human-induced factors. The status and distribution of the species in Romania are largely unknown. In recent years, regular bat surveys and monitoring have confirmed the presence of the species in north-western Romania, in Gălăşeni Cave, Pădurea Craiului Mountains, representing the northernmost distribution point of R. blasii in Europe. In our study we investigated whether this northernmost colony is genetically isolated from, or related to, larger populations in south-western Romania. A combined analysis of two mitochondrial (12S, HVII) and two nuclear (RAG2, DBY7) genetic markers was used in order to reveal possible relationships between these populations. The small number of haplotypes, the presence of shared haplotypes and overall low population structure suggest that the south-western and north-western Romanian populations are related through yet unidentified colonies of R. blasii, with continuous migration between them. Our results also indicate that the R. blasii colony from Gălăşeni Cave was established by female individuals migrating not far from their birthplace. To preserve this marginal population in a long term, conservation measures need to be strengthened and properly enforced, in parallel with the search for new R. blasii colonies in the region. To our knowledge, the present work represents the only molecular study of R. blasii in Europe.