During the last 12 years, 23 mollusc species were recorded in the Czech Republic for the first time. With the exception of several introduced and invasive species, some of these molluscs are native, rare and even endangered, including Pagodulina pagodula. This rare woodland snail of Alpine origin was found in spring 2012 in the Mutenská obora Nature Reserve, which includes the forested slopes above the Moravská Dyje River in South Moravia. This is another occurrence of the species outside its Alpine range, in addition to one site in Poland, two in Slovakia, and a few sites in Hungary and the Balkan Peninsula. The species was also recorded in the Czech Republic in several interglacial sediments of the Pleistocene and also in one profile of Holocene origin (Atlantic period), not far away from the recent site. and Adam Lacina, Michal Horsák.
The Yellow Sack Spider (Cheiracanthium punctorium) is a well-known species native to the Czech Republic. Several reports of its painful bite have gained much publicity. The species was considered to be very rare until the end of the 20th century. We provide information on the distribution, spread and ecology of this spider in the Czech Republic. Several cases of biting and its subsequent symptoms are described, and the toxicity of the spider is discussed. and Ondřej Košulič, Jan Korba, Jan Dolanský.
The order grebes (Podicipediformes) is an archaic group of birds, morphologically and ecologically well adapted to the aquatic life style, including breeding in floating nests in the littoral zone of water bodies. Four grebe species are breeding in fishponds in the Czech republic. Annually during the breeding season, these birds have to overcome many problems to successfully breed. In the incubation period, the most important mission for parents is to protect the eggs from predation. and Jan Sychra.
Successful rearing of a grebe (Podicipediformes) brood depends on several environ - mental factors, such as climatic conditions and food supply at the breeding site. In connection with their insufficient thermoregulation in the first days of their life grebe chicks are brooded, warmed and fed, under the wings on the back of their pa - rents. Although grebes are very adaptable birds, fishpond degradation is currently inducing a decrease of these waterbirds. and Jan Sychra.