This paper describes previously unreported lateral cuticle splits occurring during the moulting of larvae of the leaf-miners Pachyschelus laevigatus (Say, 1839) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Cameraria sp. (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). In these species the cuticle does not split dorsally during the larval/larval moults as in most insects, but laterally, thus permitting the larva to leave its exuviae sideways rather than vertically. This previously overlooked phenomenon is hypothesized to have evolved independently in both taxa and is an adaptation to life in the vertically limited space of their mines and, therefore, might be found in other organisms confined to similar conditions. The exuvial split in the larva to pupa moult of Cameraria sp. taking place inside a relatively tick and firm cocoon is, however, of the regular dorso-medial type, and, therefore, two different successive types of moult occur within a single ontogenesis. For comparative purposes the common dorsal exuvial split is described and illustrated for the leaf-mining larvae of Profenusa alumna (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), Sumitrosis rosea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and the free-living Satonius fui (Coleoptera: Torridincolidae)., Vasily V. Grebennikov., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Accurate Batesian mimicry is known to impose constraints on some traits of the mimic, such as foraging or reproductive behaviour. It is not known whether life-history traits of inaccurate Batesian mimics are constrained as well. We studied selected life-history traits of three spider species, Liophrurillus flavitarsis, Phrurolithus festivus (both Corinnidae), and Micaria sociabilis (Gnaphosidae), that are inaccurate mimics of ants. Namely, we were interested in how myrmecomorphy (ant-like resemblance) constrains their circadian activity, trophic niche and reproductive behaviour. The spiders were found to have diurnal activity like their models, whereas their close relatives have nocturnal activity. The three mimics do not catch ants, nor do they use food resources of ants, but catch various tiny invertebrates that occur in the vicinity of their models. Their trophic niche seems to be constrained by occurrence among ants. Absence of courtship and long lasting copulation, in a position that does not provide protective resemblance, do not seem to be constrained by mimicry in the three species. Comparative analysis of fecundity in mimetic and non-mimetic spiders showed that clutch size is also not constrained. Unlike in accurate mimics, life-history traits of inaccurate myrmecomorphs appear not to be constrained. and Stano Pekár, Martin Jarab.
Competition is a major force organizing ant communities and results in co-occurring species evolving different strategies for foraging and use of space. Territorial species, as top dominants exclude each other, while shaping the local ant communities both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this study we examined how two territorial species, Formica polyctena and Lasius fuliginosus, can coexist in adjacent territories over long periods of time, and whether they affect co-occurring species of ants in different ways. Field observations in the absence and in the presence of baits were carried out around a L. fuliginosus nest complex surrounded by a polydomous F. polyctena colony in S Finland in 2007–2009. Both species controlled their territories, but were affected by changes in the abundance of the other species and the distance from L. fuliginosus’ main nest. They did not have the same effect on the subordinate species in the absence of baits, but the abundance of Myrmica spp. recorded at baits was negatively affected by both of the territorial species. The preferences of the different species for the artificial food sources differed: L. fuliginosus and F. polyctena preferred tuna to honey and Myrmica spp. honey to tuna. More individuals of the subordinate species were recorded in the territory of F. polyctena than of L. fuliginosus, although conflicts with this territorial species were also recorded. During the three years of the study almost no overlaps in the territories of the two territorial species were recorded, and there were mostly minor shifts in the boundaries of the territories. Differences between the two territorial species in their use of space and competitive effects ensured their coexistence at this particular site in Finland., Wojciech Czechowski ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Luňáci rodu Milvus jsou v současné době objektem studia ornitologických taxonomů (v současnosti se rozlišují čtyři druhy), věnuje se jim pozornost z hlediska evoluční historie, udivováni jsme poznatky z jejich sociálního života a velké úsilí je zaměřeno na jejich ochranu. Překvapivě početné jsou případy mezidruhové hybridizace mezi sympatricky (na stejném území) se vyskytujícími luňáky červenými (M. milvus) a luňáky hnědými (M. migrans). V článku je přiblížen aktuální pohled na taxonomii luňáků v globálním kontextu a detailně popíšeme průběh hnízdění smíšených párů luňáka červeného a luňáka hnědého, které se nám poprvé v přírodě podařilo zaznamenat v letech 1995 a 1996 na Slovensku a r. 2013 také v České republice., At present, four valid species are recognized within the genus Milvus. Red Kites (M. milvus) and Black Kites (M. migrans migrans) occur sympatrically in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. One mixed pair of kites (a Red Kite female and Black Kite male) nested successfully in Slovakia in 1995 and 1996 (with three and two young, respectively). Another mixed pair of kites (a Red Kite female and Black Kite male) nested successfully in the Czech Republic in 2013. Two young fledged from the nest, the third one was killed by a Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) during the nesting period. These reports represent the first cases of inter-specific hybridization of kites in these two countries. Moreover, an indication of cooperative nesting was observed in the Czech Republic., Ivan Literát, Hynek Matušík, Peter Rác., and Obsahuje seznam literatury