In 2008, a call to map out the Cartusian Snail’s (Monacha cartusiana) recent distribution in the Czech Republic was published (Živa 2008, 2: 73). Due to the useful help of experts and the general public, the intensive spread of this non-indigenous species was observed and described. In this short report, we discuss inter alia the changes in distribution of several non-native land snails species. and Alena Peltanová, Lucie Juřičková.
Patogeny lýkožroutů (kůrovců) zahrnují široké spektrum druhů z různých skupin od prvoků, mikrosporidií a hub až po zelené řasy. Napadené jedince lze poznat až na základě pitvy a analýzy pod mikroskopem, nevykazují žádné vnější projevy onemocnění. U většiny druhů patogenů navíc neznáme konkrétní vlivy na napadené jedince, snad s výjimkou nemocí rozkládajících tukové těleso, kdy dochází k úhynu hostitele během přezimování nebo v požerku. Často se uvádí možný význam patogenů pro využití v biologickém boji proti kůrovcům, praktická aplikace je však stále problematická vzhledem ke kryptickému způsobu života brouků pod kůrou a obtížné (i nákladné) kultivaci., Pathogens of bark beetles (Scolytinae) include a broad spectrum of species from different groups of protozoa, microsporidia and fungi to green algae. Individuals with infection can only be recognized after dissection and microscopic analysis; they show no external signs of disease. In addition, we don't know the effects of most pathogen species on the infested individuals, perhaps with the exception of diseased decomposing fat body, which leads to the death of the host during hibernation or in the breeding system. Potential use of pathogens in biological control against bark beetles is often discussed in the literature, but practical application is still problematic due to the cryptic nature of beetles' life under the bark and difficult (and expensive) cultivation of pathogens., and Karolina Lukášová, Jaroslav Holuša.
Cuckoos parasitize many rare and inconspicuous host species but avoid other common and conspicuous ones. In this article, results of a study that solved this long-standing ecological conundrum are described. I use this work to illustrate va - rious weaknesses of typical ecological studies (sample size, data representativeness, reification) and give suggestions for a better research practice in the future. and Tomáš Grim.
Někteří zástupci třídy hmyzu patří k chladově nejodolnějším organismům na Zemi. Přežijí podchlazení až pod -50°C nebo kompletní zmrznutí (přeměnu tělní vody na led). Dokonce je dokážeme, jako celé komplexní organismy, téměř neomezeně dlouho skladovat v kapalném dusíku. Výzkum principiální podstaty této výjimečné schopnosti hmyzu může přinést poznatky využitelné pro praktické technologie kryokonzervace biologického materiálu., Some insects are to the most cold-tolerant organisms on Earth. They survive supercooling down to -50°C or complete freezing (transition of body water to ice). Moreover, we can store the insect organism in its whole complexity in liquid nitrogen almost indefinitely. Research on the principles behind this exceptional ability of insects can provide knowledge that will be useful for the development of practical protocols for the cryopreservation of biological material., and Vladimír Košťál.
Progeny of the flesh fly Sarcophaga bullata exposed to short day length show a maternal effect that prevents the expression of pupal diapause. Although ecological aspects of this effect are well studied, not enough is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this maternal effect. In this study, two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed to detect differences of the abundance of certain proteins in the ovaries of this fly kept under long day and short day conditions for 2 days after eclosion. Eleven proteins that were abundant and showed significant changes were selected for mass spectrometric identification. Ovary proteins that increased in abundance under short-day conditions were similar to twinstar CG4254-PA, muscle protein 20-like protein, GA13413-PA, gene analogous to small peritrophins (Gasp CG10287-PA) and Ribosomal protein LP1 CG4087-PA. Ovary proteins that decreased in abundance under short-day conditions were similar to the ATP synthase beta subunit, fk506-binding protein and storage protein-binding protein. The 2-D proteome maps included 2 additional unknown proteins that were more abundant and 1 that was less abundant in the ovaries of 2-day old short-day females. Twinstar CG4254-PA, muscle protein 20-like protein and GA13413-PA harbour an actin-binding domain. That the 3 actin-binding proteins increase in abundance suggests that it is likely that an alteration in the actin cytoskeleton is involved in this maternal effect in the flesh fly., Aiqing Li ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The importance of stream corridors and flood deposits for the spreading of molluscs is demonstrated using some examples from the Czech territory. Three types of floodplain debris, which contain shell accumulation, are distinguished: allochtonous debris accumulated by river flow on riversides, autochtonous accumulation in quiet parts of alluvium far from the main flow, and accumulation caused by strong turbulence during flooding. and Vojen Ložek, Lucie Juřičková.