Volume 71, Issue 8

Evolution of early eukaryotes in the primitive Earth relied heavily on the origin and evolution of mitochondria. Understanding the structure and origin of mitochondria has a germane relation to understanding origin and evolution of eukaryotes. In light of the extreme conditions and the then existing Proterozoic ocean chemistry, eukaryotic cells developed adaptive adjustments for energy management. Apart from mitochondria, more reduced homologues like hydrogenosomes and mitosomes facilitated the metabolic activities of such eukaryotic life. In this short review, I highlight the importance of mitochondria in pushing eukaryotes to the peak of the evolutionary pyramid. Our knowledge has expanded but studying recent eukaryotic extremophiles and mitochondrial genomics in more details will enable us to estimate the position of the mitochondrial clock, understand its role better, and possibly find new eukaryotic lineages.

Interest in reproductively sterile fish in aquaculture has prompted research into their production. Several methods are available for inducing sterility and optimizing its application in the global fishery industry. Sterilization can potentially be accomplished through irradiation, surgery, or chemical and hormonal treatment. Alternative approaches include triploidization, hybridization, and generation of new lines via advanced biotechnological techniques. Triploids of many commercially important species have been studied extensively and have been produced on a large scale for many years. Novel approaches, including disruption of gonadotropin releasing hormone signalling and genetic ablation of germ cells, have been developed that are effective in producing infertile fish but have the disadvantage of not being 100% reliable or are impractical for large-scale aquaculture. We review currently used technologies and recent advances in induction of sterility in fish, especially those intended for use in germ cell transplantation. Knowledge of the implications of these approaches remains incomplete, imposing considerable limitations.

We compared the zonation of vegetation and connectivity of coastal plant communities between two distinct areas, one in Montenegro and another in Albania, that differ in terms of human impact, mainly through tourism activities. Transect plots were used to gather data about plant cover and communities, their zonation and connectivity. For description of communities multivariate methods were used and for distribution zonation we used gamma connectivity and richness of boundaries. We found that the transects of vegetation zonation from Albania, with better preserved sites, were richer in the number of boundaries, with more varied combinations of boundaries and the pattern of zonation was also more diverse. On the other hand, there were two plant communities found only in Montenegro. The more impacted transects on the disturbed beaches from Montenegro were also more unidirectional from sea to hinterland but with less ideal zonation. Plant communities from Albania were distributed more straightforwardly but contacts between them were in both directions. The less disturbed beach had zonation very similar to potential vegetation, while plant communities of the touristic beach were fragmented or even substituted by replacement communities. Coastal dune systems in Albania are still well preserved, therefore monitoring and protection measures are recommended.

The temporal dynamics of the genetic diversity of the Norway spruce population provide valuable information on the conservation and management of its genetic resources. The relationships between genetic and demographic parameters are of fundamental importance for understanding the adaptability of forest tree populations. The study was aimed at determining the genetic differentiation of five age classes of a naturally regenerating Picea abies population from the Białowieża Primeval Forest (BPF) in Poland. Using mitochondrial DNA markers (nad1 intron b/c; mt15-D02) and nuclear DNA microsatellites (EAC2C08; EATC2B02; EATC2G05; SpAGD1) we determined the genetic structure between and within the age classes of the P. abies population. The significant subdivision of genetic variation (F st ) detected across the age classes is comparable to those found between different populations of this species. Two microsatellite loci behaved as “outlier loci,” exhibiting directional selection as revealed in the LOSITAN analysis. The significant deficit of heterozygosity may be a consequence of a temporal Wahlund effect and selective processes favoring homozygotes in the specific environment of the BPF. Population genetic structure can vary among life stages as a result of multiple factors, such as pollen and seed dispersal patterns, density of trees, past reproductive episodes, site conditions, and selective processes.

Three ecotypes [foot hill (700 m), mid hill (1571 m) and top hill (2804 m)] of a Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. from Pir Chinasi Hill in Western Himalaya were evaluated for their degree of tolerance to altitudinal stress. Differential response of all ecotypes in terms of adequate structural modifications to different elevation levels was an evident to confirm the hypothesis that plants inhabiting different altitudes show variation in structure (internal modifications) and strategic (response) due to heterogeneity in environmental gradients. Soil at top hill site was more acidic and displayed significant increase in ionic content and total nitrogen. High elevation had severe impact on morphoanatomical and physiological attributes. A significant decline in shoot fresh weight and total leaf area was observed in top hill ecotype. With exception of Ca 2 + and carotenoid, other ionic and chlorophyll content were significantly declined at high elevations. Anatomical alterations such as, increased leaf thickness, intensive sclerification around the vascular bundle and pith area, reduced metaxylem vessel area, high number of silica bodies, high pubescence (increased microhair and trichome density) were some of the promising anatomical adaptations in top hill ecotype which played an important role in high degree of tolerance of this grass to cope with altitudinal stresses. Increased leaf thickness might be a response to lower temperature that protects mesophyll cells and high density of trichomes may be involved in blocking transpiration water and internal heat. The pattern of constant variation suggests that differential response of these ecotypes is highly related to air temperature, pattern of rainfall, availability of nutrients.

Studies were carried out to investigate the effect of zinc sulfide nanoparticles on growth and anti-oxidant markers in Brassica juncea . Growth of Brassica juncea seedlings was positively affected by zinc sulfide nanoparticle treatment, with a maximum increase of 49% in shoot dry weight, being recorded at 15 ppm concentration. Increased chlorophyll content and maximal sugar accumulation was also recorded at 15 ppm zinc sulfide nanoparticle treatment. The seedlings treated with 15 ppm and higher concentrations of zinc sulfide nanoparticles recorded increased reduced-glutathione levels as compared to the untreated seedlings. Higher growth indices of the treated seedlings were associated with improved antioxidant marker levels, recorded in terms of lower proline accumulation, and reduced hydrogen peroxide & lipid peroxidation levels. No significant change in total ascorbate content was recorded up to 15 ppm, while a 15% increase was recorded at 100 ppm zinc sulfide nanoparticle treatment. The reduced ascorbate content decreased by just 4.44% at 15 ppm zinc sulfide nanoparticle treatment, while the maximum reduced ascorbate level was recorded at 100 ppm. These observations indicate an alteration in the antioxidant status of the treated seedlings, which is responsible for improved growth profile of the seedlings treated with 15 ppm zinc sulfide nanoparticles, as compared to the seedlings treated with 100 ppm zinc sulfide nanoparticles. The results clearly indicate that zinc sulfide nanoparticles can be used to augment the growth of Brassica juncea seedlings, and this growth stimulatory effect is associated with alterations in antioxidant status of the treated seedlings.

Most land snails in order to ensure their survival under adverse environmental conditions interrupt their activity entering a state of dormancy. The transition from activity to dormancy is accompanied by several changes in the animals’ physiology. To identify these changes we examined the seasonal patterns in the biochemical composition and the LDH activity of three different tissues in four endangered land snail species. Additionally, within a phylogenetic framework we investigated the correlation of the measured parameters with the spatial and climatic variables of the sampling sites. Our results indicate that there are both differences and similarities in the pattern exhibited by the four species, depending on the physiological parameter investigated and the climatic conditions of the sampling sites, which sometimes have a significant effect on the seasonal pattern exhibited. Snails can successfully deal with the winter dormancy by maintaining high metabolite concentrations and stable water content whereas there is no indication of anaerobic pathways’ activation. At the same time, they deal successfully with the low humidity and high temperatures during the summer, but they are forced to maintain low metabolite concentrations and seem to activate anaerobic pathways to meet their energy demands. Therefore, from a biochemical perspective, it seems that winter is a less stressful period for snails compared to summer. According to the prevailing climate change scenarios, the Mediterranean region is going to exhibit a sudden transition towards a dryer and longer summer. This transition will exert a very high adaptation pressure on the already vulnerable Codringtonia species. Thus, it could be that this endemic Greek genus is truly on the verge of extinction.

In this study, a new species, Austrophthiracarus parabah sp. n., from New Zealand, is illustrated and described. Some new data, new sites and notes are provided for the species Microtritia novazealandiensis Niedbała, 2006 and Oribotritia parachichijimensis Niedbała & Penttinen, 2007. A key to known species of Oribotritia from the Australasian Region is provided to facilitate the further study on this group.

Radio telemetry is an advanced method for studying movement behaviour which is one of the keys to understanding species ecology and biology. Using this method we studied the movement of Carabus ullrichii Germar, 1824, a large and apterous ground beetle species. Four individuals (one male, three females) were equipped with 0.28 g transmitters and radio-tracked for 10 days in three hour intervals in mosaic rural area; meadow and orchard. We found that maximum distance covered by an individual during this period was 120.9 m and C. ullrichii travelling speed in such habitat ranged from 1.69 to 13.43 m per day. Our preliminary results indicate that diurnal activity of this species is not affected by light conditions but by temperature. Beetles were most active at temperatures 15.0–17.4°C. Here we provide the first study of the movement ability of this species.

Predation is an exceptionally important interaction observed in the natural environment. It regulates the population size of potential prey and at the same time decreases competitiveness between them. Among predators inhabiting water environments, especially notable predators are water beetles, particularly adults of Dytiscidae. The results presented herein are an attempt to learn the trophic relations between adult Dytiscidae and non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae). The studies were conducted in one-month intervals from April to September 2012–2013. In the diet structure of adult Dytiscidae of two size categories, the genus Glyptotendipes was found to be prevalent. The largest beetles tended to choose Chironomidae larvae significantly larger than those selected by medium-sized beetles. The diet was mainly composed of Chironomidae larvae related to aquatic vegetation, while larvae inherently connected with detritus were fewer. Statistically significant correlations were confirmed between the population size of Chironomidae larvae and adult insects consumed by beetles of medium body size. No such correlation was found in case of the largest beetles. The study revealed that despite the unquestionable influence of body size and the predation environment on the dietary selectivity of predatory Dytiscidae, the structure of consumed food is subject to noticeable seasonal variations, occurring from spring to autumn.

The present study analyzed the distribution routes of the invasive Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877) and its parasites, focusing on the Carpathian region of Europe. The invasive Chinese sleeper was sampled using beach seines from two rivers in Ukraine, then assessed for parasites. Published data about its parasites in Central and Eastern Europe were analysed and compared to these current data. Six parasite taxa were found in the studied sites, of which just two – the ciliates Trichodina spp. and the cestode Amurotaenia perccotti – were relatively numerous. All other parasites occurred sporadically in just single specimens. Samples of the invasive Chinese sleeper in Ukraine were infested by primarily just one species, with most individuals entirely lacking parasites. Comprehensive examination of the comparative literature for Chinese sleeper parasitism identified 77 parasitic taxa from the Carpathian region. Three species of parasites likely were introduced to Carpathian region of Europe together with the Chinese sleeper, with all being specialists: the coccidian Goussia obstinata , the monogenean Gyrodactylus perccotti , and the cestode A. perccotti . The occurrence of A. perccotti in Transcarpathian Ukraine reveals the Chinese sleeper’s introduction pathway from the Dniester River basin into the Danube River basin. Findings of G. perccotti on specimens of the Chinese sleeper from the Dnieper River show dispersal through the Vistula River basin, where this parasite was previously recorded. These data thus support the ‘enemy release hypothesis’, exemplified by low parasite load, in combination with host-parasite co-invasion.

About 160 exotic fish species are documented from the Mediterranean Sea (MED). A relatively small but rapidly increasing percentage of these non-indigenous species is represented by tropical or subtropical fishes which are naturally not distributed in a sea adjacent to the MED. The occurrence of these species is mainly ascribed to shipping traffic and aquarium trade as they are not able to actively arrive at the MED via the Suez Canal or the Strait of Gibraltar. During a survey of siganid fishes at the Natural History Museum in Vienna, a single specimen of the Barhead spinefoot, Siganus virgatus that had been captured in 1975 in the Adriatic Sea was found. It represents the first record of this species for the MED. It is also one of the earliest confirmed records of the introduction of a tropical fish species into the MED and an example of a drastically translocated species (DTS). Nearly all records of drastically translocated fish species (DTFS) were just published this century, although one record dates back to the 19 th century. A rapid increase of such translocations into the MED has been observed since 2010. The rising water temperatures caused by climate change increases the probability that such species will establish self-sustaining populations in the MED. A first compilation of DTFS into the MED is presented. Characters distinguishing S. virgatus from the closely related sister species S. doliatus , as well as from the Lessepsian migrants S. luridus and S. rivulatus , are given.

Lithuania is situated in the north-western corner of the large distributional range of the herb field mouse, Apodemus uralensis. Apodemus uralensis is distributed mainly in the north-western part of Lithuania, where the majority of specimens were captured in the ecotones of mixed forests and open habitats (natural meadows, cornfields and fallow fields) and in open habitats bordering forests or situated close to them. Apodemus uralensis is rare in Lithuania: the average relative abundance was only 2.2 ind. per 100 trap-days and it accounted for up to 8.5% of all small mammals trapped. Avoidance of forest habitats and preference of ecotonic habitats, as well as the comparatively low abundance, are the main peculiarities of A. uralensis in the north-western corner of the range.