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32. Book review: Smith D.A.S. 2014: African Queens and their Kin. A Darwinian Odyssey
- Creator:
- Zdeněk Fric
- Format:
- print, počítač, and online zdroj
- Type:
- article, recenze, recensions, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Zoologie, entomologie, entomology, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- [autor recenze] Z. Faltýnek Fric.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ and policy:public
33. Bumblebee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) sample storage for a posteriori molecular studies: interactions between sample storage and DNA-extraction techniques
- Creator:
- Moreira, António S., Horgan, Finbarr G., Murray, Tomás E., and Kakouli-Duarte, Thomas
- Type:
- article, články, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Zoologie, zoologie, entomologie, Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombus terrestris, acetone, commercial kit, DNA quality, entomological pins, freezing, phenol-extraction, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- A global decline in pollinator abundance and diversity has demanded increased research attention to the ecology and genetics of bumblebees. However, as progressively more restrictions are placed on sampling for insects, researchers are increasingly obliged to use archival specimens collected for purposes other than genetic analyses. In this study we assessed the suitability, for population genetic studies, of popular, low-cost methods for preservation and storage of bumblebee specimens. Specimens of Bombus terrestris L. were held under six storage regimes for up to two years. DNA was extracted from the samples using three extraction protocols and the quality of the DNA was examined using PCR amplification of a mitochondrial and a nuclear gene. All extraction and storage methods provided sufficient DNA for successful PCR amplification. However, samples preserved in acetone or at freezing temperatures yielded the highest DNA concentrations. DNA yields from pinned specimens at room temperature declined over time, particularly when using standard extraction techniques. DNA concentrations were significantly lower from specimens preserved in 70% ethanol compared to all other extraction techniques and declined linearly over the two years of storage. These results indicate that two of the most popular insect storage methods (pinning and storage in ethanol) should be avoided for the long-term preservation of genetic material for future studies. We suggest that optimal insect preservation methods should be incorporated into research protocols in order to best capitalise on limited collection opportunities., António S. Moreira ... []., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
34. Butterflies (Lepidoptera) highlight the ecological value of shrubland and grassland mosaics in Cypriot garrigue ecosystems
- Creator:
- Özden, Özge and Hodgson, David J.
- Type:
- article, články, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Zoologie, entomologie, Kypr, Cyprus, Butterflies, Lepidoptera, garrigue, habitat, conservation, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- We used butterfly assemblages to evaluate the ecological value of habitat mosaics within garrigue ecosystems in Cyprus. To understand the importance of the local plant communities for Cypriot butterflies, five plots in each of two habitat types (grass-dominated or shrub-dominated) were surveyed weekly for a period of five months in order to assess the abundance, species richness and diversity of butterflies. A total of 810 butterflies of 16 species were recorded. Indices of butterfly diversity, calculated across the whole season, were similar between grassland and shrubland dominated mosaics. However, species richness of all butterflies was consistently higher in grassland dominated mosaics throughout the whole season. The peak abundance of all butterfly species occurred during mid-season (late April - early May), with similar numbers observed in both habitat types. However, a greater abundance was observed during early and late season in grassland patches. The abundance of endemic species (Maniola cypricola, Hipparchia cypriensis, Glaucopsyche paphos) peaked earlier in the season in shrubland patches, but was higher in grassland patches in late season. This difference in seasonal timing of endemic abundance was dominated by the seasonal dynamics of M. cypricola. These results suggest that, while garrigue is characterised by its shrub flora, management to maintain a mosaic of grassland and shrubland could act to maximise the abundance and richness of indicator species groups of conservation importance. and Özge Özden, David J. Hodgson.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
35. Butterfly diversity and biogeography on the Croatian karst mountain Biokovo: Vertical distribution and preference for altitude and aspect?
- Creator:
- Mihoci, Iva, Hršak, Vladimir, Kučinić, Mladen, Mičetić Stanković, Vlatka, Delić, Antun, and Tvrtković, Nikola
- Type:
- article, články, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Zoologie, entomologie, Dinárský kras, Dinaric Karst, Lepidoptera, butterflies, aspect, altitude, indicators, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Geographic isolation, altitude, climate, landscape and habitat are significant predictors of butterfly diversity in mountain ecosystems. Their diversity and its dependence on altitude, aspect (compass bearing) and biogeographic characteristics of the butterflies were surveyed on the karst mountain Biokovo in southern Croatia. The results affirm that there is a high diversity of butterflies in the study area and the species composition and biogeographic elements are more dependent on altitude than aspect of the mountain. The present study indicates that climate, relief and habitat preferences strongly influence the biogeographic features of species and the relationship between species richness per site and altitude, aspect and the altitude-aspect interaction. and Iva Mihoci, Vladimir Hršak, Mladen Kučinić, Vlatka Mičetić Stanković, Antun Delić, Nikola Tvrtković.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
36. Causes of polymorphic melanism and its thermoregulatory function in a parasitoid wasp Meteorus pulchricornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
- Creator:
- Abe, Yosuke, Nishimura, Takuma, and Maeto, Kaoru
- Type:
- article, články, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Zoologie, entomologie, entomology, Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Meteorus pulchricornis, parasitic wasp, body colour variation, thermal melanism hypothesis, reaction norm, solar radiation, body temperature, flight activity, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- We investigated the variation in body colour and its thermoregulatory function in Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid wasp of Spodoptera and other free-living lepidopteran larvae. We show that the body colour of adult wasps darkens when cocoons are kept at low temperatures. The range in the variation in colour, however, differs for different parts of the body and among uniparental (thelytokous) strains. This melanism enables these wasps to attain a body temperature in sunshine up to 2°C. Moreover, this small gain in body temperature can markedly increase the flight activity of wasps at low ambient temperatures. We conclude that the variation in body colour that resulted from rearing the cocoons at different temperatures enable the wasps to adapt to changing thermal environments. The ecological significance of the difference in the degree of melanism of the different strains is discussed., Yosuke Abe, Takuma Nishimura, Kaoru Maeto., and Seznam literatury
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
37. Challenges of microsatellite development in Lepidoptera: Euphydryas aurinia (Nymphalidae) as a case study
- Creator:
- Sinama, Melthide, Dubut, Vincent, Costedoat, Caroline, Gilles, André, Junker, Marius, Malausa, Thibaut, Martin, Jean-François, Nève, Gabriel, Pech, Nicolas, Schmitt, Thomas, Zimmermann, Marie, and Meglécz, Emese
- Type:
- article, články, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Zoologie, entomologie, Lepidoptera, microsatellite, null allele, 454 sequencing, QDD, Euphydryas aurinia, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Currently it remains difficult to obtain robust microsatellite markers for Lepidoptera. In an attempt to overcome the problems associated with developing microsatellite markers for this insect order we combined (i) biotin-enrichment protocol, (ii) next generation pyrosequencing (through 454 GS-FLX Titanium technology) and (iii) the use of individuals collected from eight geographically distant European populations representing three subspecies of Euphydryas aurinia. Out of 96 stringently designed primer pairs, 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci amplified without obvious evidence of null alleles in eight individuals from different subspecies. Between five and seven of these loci showed full within population applicability and three revealed to be robust and transferable between populations and sub-species, providing a first step towards the development of a valuable and robust tool for studying conservation issues and evolution in E. aurinia populations. Nevertheless, as in most studies dealing with Lepidoptera microsatellites, null alleles were detected in most of the developed markers. Our results emphasize the need for further research in order to better understand the complex evolution and organization of Lepidopteran genomes. and Melthide Sinama, Vincent Dubut, Caroline Costedoat, André Gilles, Marius Junker, Thibaut Malausa, Jean-François Martin, Gabriel Nève, Nicolas Pech, Thomas Schmitt, Marie Zimmermann, Emese Meglécz.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
38. Changes in the calling behaviour of female Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as a function of body weight and adult feeding
- Creator:
- Sadek, Medhat M.
- Type:
- article, články, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Zoologie, zoologie, entomologie, Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Spodoptera littoralis, body weight, calling behaviour, adult food, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Because nutrients accrued during larval stages represent the major limiting factor for egg production, the use of adult feeding to enhance the reproductive output in moths is considered to be largely weight-dependent. It is hypothesized, however, that feeding by adults could be adaptive and an effective means of increasing their reproductive success. In order to test this, the calling behaviour of Spodoptera littoralis females that differed in body weight and whether they had fed or not were recorded. Two experiments were carried out. In the first, the calling behaviour of food-deprived females of different body weights was recorded. A strong positive correlation was found between body weight at emergence and the total duration of calling of females on the second to the fifth night after emergence. In the second experiment, groups of female moths that varied in body weight were given access to water or sucrose. Feeding on sucrose significantly reduced the pre-calling period and increased the total time spent calling on the six nights after emergence. The increase in time spent calling associated with ingesting sucrose were proportionately similar for both small and large females, implying that feeding by adults can result in an increase in the time spent calling by moths irrespective of larval nutritional status. Female longevity was also correlated with moth weight at emergence and/or sucrose availability. It is concluded that it is advantageous for female S. littoralis to be large and/or have access to sucrose-rich food in the adult stage as they can spend more time attracting a mate, which increases their chances of mating in early adult life, and their longer adult life may indirectly result in an increase in fecundity., Medhat M. Sadek., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
39. Changes in the life history traits of the European Map butterfly, Araschnia levana (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with increase in altitude
- Creator:
- Wagner, Kathrin D., Krauss, Jochen, and Steffan-Dewenter, Ingolf
- Type:
- article, články, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Zoologie, entomologie, Nymphalidae, Araschnia levana, global change, altitudinal gradients, trophic interactions, geographical synchronisation, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Climatic conditions can modify the life history traits, population dynamics and biotic interactions of species. Therefore, adaptations to environmental factors such as temperature are crucial for species survival at different altitudes. These adaptive responses, genetically fixed or plastic (phenotypic plasticity), can be determined by physiological thresholds and might vary between sexes. The objective of this study was to determine whether the life history traits of the European Map butterfly (Araschnia levana) differ at different altitudes. A field experiment was carried out along an altitudinal gradient from 350 to 1010 m a.s.l. in a low mountainous region (Bavaria, Germany). 540 butterfly larvae were placed at different altitudes in 18 planted plots of their larval host plant, the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). After three weeks the larvae were collected and reared under laboratory conditions. Developmental traits of the butterflies, mortality and percentage parasitism were measured. Larval development was generally slower at higher altitudes and lower temperatures and larval weight decreased with increasing altitude and decreasing temperature. However, there were no significant differences in pupation, adult lifespan and percentage mortality at the different altitudes and temperatures. Female larvae were heavier than those of males, and the pupal and adult lifespans were longer in females than in males. However, male and female butterflies reacted similarly to altitude and temperature (no significant interactions). None of the 188 larvae collected were parasitized. In conclusion, the phenotypic plasticity of European Map butterfly has enabled it to adapt to different temperatures, but the strategies of the sexes did not differ. and Kathrin D. Wagner, Jochen Krauss, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
40. Changes in the numbers of chromosomes and sex determination system in bushcrickets of the genus Odontura (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae)
- Creator:
- Warchałowska-Śliwa, Elżbieta, Maryańska-Nadachowska, Anna, Grzywacz, Beata, Karamysheva, Tatjana, Lehmann, Arne W., Lehmann, Gerlind U. C., and Heller, Klaus-Gerhard
- Type:
- article, články, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Zoologie, entomologie, Orthoptera, Odontura, karyotype evolution, neo-XY, neo-X1X2Y, FISH, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Chromosomes of the males of five species of Odontura, belonging to the subgenera Odontura and Odonturella, were analyzed. Intensive evolution of the karyotype was recorded, both in terms of changes in the numbers of chromosomes (from 2n = 31 to 27) and the sex chromosome system (from X0 to neo-XY and X0 to neo-X1X2Y). Karyotype evolution was accompanied by tandem autosome fusions and interspecific autosomal and sex chromosome differentiation involving changes in the locations of nucleolar organizer regions, NORs, which were revealed by silver impregnation and confirmed by FISH using an 18S rDNA probe. O. (Odonturella) aspericauda is a polytypic species with X0 and neo-X1X2Y sex determination. The latter system is not common in tettigoniids. It possibly originated by a translocation of a distal segment of the original X chromosome onto a medium sized autosome, resulting in a shortened neo-X1 and a metacentric neo-Y. The remaining autosome homologue became the neo-X2 chromosome. This shift from X0 to neo-X1X2Y is supported by the length of the X chromosome and location of the NOR/rDNA. and Elżbieta Warchałowska-Śliwa, Anna Maryańska-Nadachowska, Beata Grzywacz, Tatjana Karamysheva, Arne W. Lehmann, Gerlind U.C. Lehmann, Klaus-Gerhard Heller.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public