West European Species Research Articles

Similar songs, but different mate localization strategies of the three species of Phaneroptera occurring in Western Europe (Orthoptera: Phaneropteridae)

In bush-crickets, males produce a calling song to announce their presence to females. Females ready to mate respond either by a phonotactic approach or signal their presence acoustically by establishing a kind of duet. This duetting behaviour is typical of phaneropterid bush-crickets, of which many species in Europe are flightless. In the long-winged genus Phaneroptera, the females also respond acoustically to the male calling song, which is quite similar in the three west European species in this genus. After acoustical contact, however, the behaviour of males and females of the three species differ markedly. In P. nana, males and females engage in a duet in which the female responds to each syllable of the male song (and he approaches her). In P. falcata, the female only responds to certain elements of the male song that are produced at long intervals. However, after her response the male does not change its song or its position, but often increases its singing activity (and the female approaches him). In P. sparsa the female only responds to particular, very complicated and soft elements of the male song, which are typically repeated at intervals of several to many minutes. After hearing the response, the male drastically changes its song by producing only the soft elements. These parts of the song contain syllables with a unique spectral composition and others that may threaten eavesdropping rivals. In this species both sexes probably move towards each other during mate localization. At present, we can only speculate about the adaptive nature of the different strategies.

A re-examination of the West European species of Boreonectes Angus, 2010, with particular reference to B. multilineatus (Falkenström, 1922) (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae).

The West European species of Boreonectes Angus, 2010 are reviewed. B. multilineatus (Falkenström, 1922) is shown to be widely distributed in the Pyrenees, where it is the only species known to occur. The chromosomes of all five west European species are found to have, in addition their different numbers of chromosomes, differences in the number and locations of secondary constrictions, and in some cases, the number of chromosomes with clear centromeric C-bands. The level of differences between the chromosomes of the species is in stark contrast with the very slight genetic (DNA) differences between them and this suggests that chromosome differentiation may have been a driver of speciation. Two of the species, B. griseostriatus (De Geer, 1774) and B. multilineatus, have distributions extending northwards as far as Arctic Scandinavia. It is pointed out that, while these northern areas now constitute the major portions of their ranges, they must be of fairly recent origins as most of the area would have been covered by ice sheets and therefore not habitable during the glacial maximum of the Last Glaciation. This contrasts with the situation in the area of the Central European mountains where fossil faunas, including Boreonectes, are known. B. griseostriatus, identifiable to species by its parameres, was present in the Woolly Rhinoceros site at Starunia in the Western Ukraine, and this fauna is discussed as well as an English fauna of similar age.

LANDSCAPES OF THE BELARUSIAN POLESIE EASTERN AREA DURING THE CLIMATIC OPTIMUM OF THE MURAVIAN INTERGLACIAL

The paleolandscapes existed in the eastern area of the Belarusian Polesie region during the climatic optimum of the Muravian Interglacial were reconstructed.
 This work was based on the paleogeomorphological chart compiled with the core data of boreholes located in the investigation area, the composition of sediments, an approximate depth to the groundwater table, as well as on the evidences of the flora and vegetation in the warmest phase of the Muravian Interglacial obtained as a result of the palynological studies of the relevant sediments.
 The data available suggest that the flat landscapes of the temperate continental broad-leaved forest type existed in the investigation area at that time. This type landscapes are divided into 6 groups including 14 kinds and 10 varieties.
 The represented chart of the paleolandscapes reflects an absolute predominance of the broad-leaved forests, but in contrast to the western part of the Belarusian Polesie with a lesser participation of the West European species peculiar to the areas with the warmer oceanic climate.
 The completed reconstructions can be used to forecast the possible future landscape changes on the Belarusian
 Polesie region under the global warming conditions, which can exceed the parameters of the Holocene climatic optimum and reach the climax of the Muravian interglacial.

Morphometric and Molecular Diversity of the Holarctic Meromyza saltatrix (L., 1761) (Diptera, Chloropidae) in Eurasia

The population diversity of the frit fly Meromyza saltatrix from Poland, Mongolia, and several regions of the Russian Federation was analyzed by morphometric and molecular data on the mtDNA locus COI. Two phenotypes that correspond to two haplogroups (19 haplotypes) were identified by the absence or presence of black setae on the lower surface of the genae. A remarkable clinal variability among populations was demonstrated by the total area and area of the projecting part of the anterior processes of postgonites (APP), which play a critical role in the success of male copulation. Each parameter analyzed divided populations into four groups. Close populations with a natural barrier vary in the total area of the anterior process of the postgonite. We found an increased number of mutations including transversions in frit flies from Mongolia. Populations from Zvenigorod, South Ural Nature Reserve, and Mongolia might be of a later origin. The presence of particular haplogroup in the West European population of M. saltatrix with black setae, which is a unique feature of West European species of Meromyza, and their similarity to the Crimean population by the morphometrics of the APP is an indication of the possible isolation of this population in southern Europe during Quaternary glaciations with subsequent expansion to the northern part of the geographical area.

Terminal-instar larval systematics and biology of west European species of Ormyridae associated with insect galls (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea).

A systematic study of the genus Ormyrus (Chalcidoidea, Ormyridae) was conducted based on the morphology and biology of the terminal-instar larvae of ten west European species that are parasitoids of gall wasps and gallflies of the families Cynipidae, Eurytomidae and Tephritidae. The first detailed descriptions are provided of the terminal-instar larvae of these ten species using SEM images to illustrate diagnostic characters with systematic values. A key is provided for the identification of ormyrid larvae associated with galls in Europe, which is based particularly on characters of the head, mouthparts and mandibles. Although only limited informative variation in body shape was found, the setation of the head provided several characters of potential taxonomic value. The larval biology of the ten ormyrid species inhabiting different galls is also summarised. Although Ormyrus larvae are usually solitary idiobiont ectoparasitoids of the host larva of various gall-inhabiting insects, evidence of secondary phytophagy was observed in some species.

Germination capacity and viability of threatened species collections in seed banks

Facing the current biodiversity crisis, the value of ex situ conservation has been increasingly acknowledged in international treaties and legislations. Seed banks are a good way of conserving biodiversity, providing that seeds are of high quality and at maximum viability. However, despite the number of established ex situ facilities, there is little information on seed viability in botanic garden seed banks. This paper analyses the status of the seed collection of the National Botanic Garden of Belgium by determining the germination capacity and viability of seeds that have been stored for 1–26 years. It aims at: (1) ensuring that existing storage conditions provide effective ex situ conservation of threatened species; (2) providing viability data on threatened species; (3) planning future collection and storage efforts for seeds of West European species of conservation value. Results from this study showed that the germination and viability percentages of the 250 tested species reached on average 59 and 79% respectively. Some families typically performed better than others. Within a species, consistent results were not always obtained. Over a quarter of accessions exhibited some degree of dormancy. Considering the current lack of knowledge in seed germination and dormancy of many rare and threatened species, we believe that the quality of a seed collection should be estimated by its viability and not by its germination percentage. This study calls for further research in order to better understand the biology of a range of threatened native species.

A new record of Oxychilus alliarius (Gastropoda: Zonitidae) with the species distribution in the Czech Republic

A new finding of the land snail species Oxychilus alliarius was recorded in the Czech Republic. This West European species was found in the six isolated sites during the last thirteen years always in western part of Bohemia. This paper brings new information on the distribution of Oxychilus alliarius in the Czech Republic.

An electrophoretic characterisation of three paratypes of Arion fagophilus De Winter, 1986, with notes on the subgeneric division of the genus Arion Férussac, 1819 (Mollusca, Pulmonata)

Three paratypes of Arion fagophilus were electrophoretically compared with nine other West European species of the genus Arion. Esterases, glutamate-oxaloacetate-transaminase, a-amylase, superoxide dismutase, phosphoglucomutase, fumarase, α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were screened in the hepatopancreas and general proteins in the albumen gland. A. fagophilus appears to be a very well defined species, which may be assigned to the subgenus Kobeltia. The subgeneric division of the genus Arion is preliminary discussed with respect to electrophoretic and chromosomal data. It is concluded to retain four subgenera, which may be grouped two by two: Mesarion and Arion s. s. on one hand, and Kobeltia and Carinarion on the other. It is remarked that the electrophoretic differences between Norwegian and Belgian A. ater suggest a separation into two taxa.

Early Miocene Amphibians (Caudata, Salientia) from the Mokrá-Western Quarry (Czech Republic) with comments on the evolution of Early Miocene amphibian assemblages in Central Europe

The Mokrá-Western Quarry exhibits the rare occurrence of Early Miocene (MN 4) vertebrate fauna within the area of the eastern part of Central Europe. In addition to a rich fauna of reptiles and mammals, two fossiliferous karst joints (Mokrá-Western Quarry, 1/2001 Turtle Joint and Mokrá-Western Quarry, 2/2003 Reptile Joint) yielded a rich fauna of amphibians including 13 amphibian taxa: Salamandridae: Mioproteus sp., Chelotriton sp., type I, Chelotriton sp., type II, Triturus aff. roehrsi, Triturus cf. marmoratus, Triturus sp. ( T. cristatus species group), Chioglossa meini, Mertensiella mera, Salamandridae gen. and sp. indet.; Pelobatidae: Pelobates sanchizi; Ranidae: Rana sp. (synklepton Rana esculenta); Bufonidae: Bufo sp. The first records of the West European species Triturus cf. marmoratus and Chioglossa meini are reported from the eastern part of Central Europe indicating the wide distribution of those taxa throughout the whole of Europe as early as MN 4. The oldest known record of Pelobates sanchizi documents the Early Miocene presence of representatives closely related to the extinct Late Oligocene representatives of Pelobates. The slow evolution of amphibian species is documented by the presence of Triturus cf. marmoratus and the oldest known occurrence of the extinct salamander Mertensiella mera.

Pollen and Isotope Investigations of an Ice Core from Vavilov Ice Cap, October Revolution Island, Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago, Russia

The Vavilov Ice Cap (79°27'N, 95° 21'E) was cored during February and March of 1988. The corer passed through 457.18 m of glacier ice, 2.15 m of moraine-containing ice, and 2.28 m of underlying rocks. Structural-stratigraphical and isotope analysis show the glacier ice is of Holocene in age; the ice layer covered by frozen deposits is Pleistocene glacier ice; and the ground (ice wedge?) ice from underlying sediments was formed during the Last Interglacial. Palynological studies of this core, carried out for the first time in the Russian Arctic demonstrate that the pollen spectra have a unique pattern. It reduces the possibility of correlation between the Vavilov Ice Cape spectra and pollen spectra from other surficial deposits, because the ice retains pollen and spores brought from enormous distances. Only the upper 65 m of the core is easily dated, to the last millennium, by the presence of cereals, Plantago lanceolata, Centaurea cyanus, Cannabis pollen. That is in good agreement with the model of age distribution based upon depth. The presence of considerable amounts of Tilia cordifolia pollen, a West-European species in the upper layers suggests that summer air masses have been dominantly from the southwest during the last 500 years. The pollen data do not contradict the conclusion the Vavilov ice core is composed of a section of Holocene ice, moraine-containing ice representing the Pleistocene episode, and a ground ice formed during an earlier warm period (Last Interglacial?).

A Chromosomal Investigation of the West European Species of Corixa Geoffroy (Heteroptera: Corixidae)

C-banded karyotypes are provided for the five west European species of Corixa Geoffroy. All have 2n = 22 autosomes + sex chromosomes which are XY (male symbol), XX (female symbol). Some specimens of C. punctata have a small B-chromosome, while some C. panzeri have a fairly large one. The karyotypes of C. punctata, C. dentipes, C. affinis and C. panzeri are all distinctive, but the karyotypes of C. punctata and C. iberica appear indistinguishable. The Scottish material of C. punctata and C. iberica used in this study shows morphological intergradation between the two, suggesting that they hybridise where their ranges overlap. Meiosis shows very fine even pachytene bands in C. punctata, and that the autosomes form true bivalents during diplotene in C. affinis and C. panzeri, while the sex chromosomes appear closely associated. At first metaphase the sex chromosomes may appear either closely associated or may have separated. There is no evidence of the presence of m-chromosomes.

Phylogenetic Relationships Inferred from Ribosomal ITS Sequences and Biogeographic Patterns in Representatives of the Genus Calopteryx (Insecta: Odonata) of the West Mediterranean and Adjacent West European Zone

Western Europe is a reinvasion zone for the riverine dragonfly genus Calopteryx (Insecta: Odonata). Reinvasion may have been from central West Asia or from the West Mediterranean refugium. Phylogenetic relationships of West Mediterranean and West European taxa of the genus Calopteryx from different localities were inferred from sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal RNA genes. Twenty-six taxa belonging to the species groups C. splendens, C. meridionalis, C. haemorrhoidalis, C. virgo, C. xanthostoma, and C. exul were analyzed, with two North American species, C. amata and C. aequabilis, as outgroup. Sequence data and phylogenetic analyses were used to infer biogeographical patterns. The ribosomal spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and the intervening 5.8S rDNA gene were amplified by PCR and sequenced. The ITS2 sequences of the West Mediterranean and West European calopterygids show no length variation but the ITS1 region was slightly variable in length. The sequence variation for ITS1 and ITS2 regions between different West Mediterranean and West European calopterygids was 14.5 and 6.1%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from ITS sequences only partly confirm morphological data. A monophyletic origin of all West Mediterranean and West European species emerged. They are separated into two main clades; the splendens-like forms and the virgo/meridionalis/haemorrhoidalis group. Intraspecific variability, indicating different stages of speciation, was detected only in West Mediterranean representatives (e.g., C. xanthostoma) but not in invasive representatives in West Europe. The North African endemic C. exul is more closely related to the Italian C. s. caprai than to C. splendens sensu strictu. Based on the present information, Cretan populations are the only splendens-like taxa in addition to C. s. caprai that deserve subspecies status.

IDENTIFICATION OF FOSSIL SEEDS OF ERICA AND CALLUNA BY SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

SummaryA study of the surfaces of Erica and Calluna seeds by S.E.M. reveals a range of morphological characteristics, which can be used in conjunction with features more readily visible by conventional light microscopy to separate contemporary reference material of all the West European species. These fine morphological characteristics have also been detected on well‐preserved Pleistocene material from south‐west France and used to identify eight separate Erica species in the fossil record. Where the surface of fossil seeds has been sufficiently degraded an underlying regularly pitted layer is revealed which seems to be present in all the species recorded and has frequently been observed and used in identification by previous workers using transmitted light microscopy.

POLLEN MORPHOLOGY OF SOME EUROPEAN ROSACEAE

In this preliminary investigation attention was paid to pollen morphology of West-European species of the Rosaceae. Some new terms were used like fastigium, endocingulus etc. The terminology of Iversen and Troels-Smith has been followed in addition to improvements by Erdtman. A key is given to the types and subtypes for the use of pollen analytical investigators. Sanguisorba officinalis appeared to be always 3-colporate and not G-colporate.

The habits and feeding organs of Dentalium entalis

The Scaphopoda or tusk-shells are the smallest and most uniform class of molluscs. They burrow in sand of medium to coarse shelly grade, and specialize on a diet of hard-shelled microbenthos, particularly Foraminifera. Dentalium entalis L. is the commonest West European species, and may become locally dominant. Le Danois (1948) has described a ‘Dentalietum’ in deeper water sandy ground at about 100 fathoms in the southern Celtic Sea. Stephen (1933) discusses the distribution of D. entalis in the northern North Sea, where it is largely restricted to the ‘Offshore zone’, the southern limit being marked by the 60 m line. Low salinity is probably responsible for its absence from the southern North Sea; and in general it seems limited more by hydrographic conditions than by the relative abundance of foraminiferan food. For example, in Stephen's Thyasira+ Foraminifera Zone, it is no more than sparsely present. Holme (1953) finds Dentalium entalis rare or absent near Plymouth, though it was relatively common at the Eddystone Grounds at the end of last century (Allen, 1899). It has today receded to the mouth of the Channel, in coarse deposits resulting from fairly strong scour, and Holme suspects it to be one of the list of species sensitive to recent hydrographic changes in the area.For the living material used in this study I am greatly indebted to Mr N. A. Holme, who collected it in deeper water in the Celtic Sea on a 1953 cruise of the R.R.S. ‘Discovery II’. With it were collected Chlamys opercularis, Caryophyllia and in places Astropecten irregularis; there were also many of the tusk-shaped serpulid tube worm Ditrupa arietina which as I found can impose a neat deception on the uncritical hunter for scaphopods.