The subgenus Dasymolophilus of the genus Tasiocera from the Western Palaearctic with the description of a new species (Diptera: Limoniidae: Chioneinae) /

In this paper, we describe a new species of Tasiocera of the subgenus Dasymolophilus, collected in southern Italy. This discovery brings the number of Western Palaearctic Dasymolophilus species to nine. In addition, we compile taxonomic information on the known species. We provide an identification key based primarily on male genitalia, avoiding the use of macrotrichia patterns on the wing membrane as a distinguishing feature due to the difficulty of assessing this character. Tasiocera are among the smallest crane flies, and little is known about their biology. Where data are available, we include brief information on the species’ biology and ecology. Additionally, we present the known distribution based on data from the Catalogue of the Craneflies of the World

A long-term ecosystem monitoring dataset from the ICP Integrated Monitoring network: biogeochemical data from 1977-2020 across 14 European countries /

The International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems (ICP IM) presents a comprehensive long-term dataset of ongoing integrated ecosystem monitoring from European forested catchments. The dataset encompasses measurements from 46 monitoring stations across 14 European countries, with temporal coverage mostly extending from the early 1990s to 2020 (48 sites are currently active). The integrated monitoring approach applies over 20 monitoring subprogrammes to simultaneously measure physical, chemical, and biological properties across multiple ecosystem compartments including atmosphere, precipitation, throughfall, soil water, groundwater, runoff water, soil, vegetation, and biota. All measurements follow standardised protocols detailed in the ICP IM Manual, ensuring data quality and comparability across sites and time periods. The dataset supports research on ecosystem responses to air pollution, climate change impacts, and biogeochemical cycling. Data are available under a Creative Commons By Attribution (CC BY) licence, providing valuable long-term environmental monitoring data for the scientific community

Before the winter came: The Early Pleistocene pre-glacial history of the Baltics illuminated by facies analysis and cosmogenic nuclide dating of borehole cores from Lithuania (NE Europe) /

Understanding the evolution of past ice sheets is essential for comprehending Earth's climate and improving its prediction. However, information about the oldest Quaternary continental glaciations is scarce due to preservation limitations and methodological challenges in dating. This study focuses on the Lower Pleistocene succession underlying the oldest preserved tills in the Baltic region, NE Europe, providing a unique opportunity to reconstruct environmental conditions prior to the first advance of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet (FIS) into the area. As the succession occurs mostly in subsurface, we analyzed borehole cores using polished specimens and thin sections to identify depositional processes, and applied a combination of 26Al/10Be burial and authigenic 10Be/9Be dating to establish a chronostratigraphic framework. Our results reveal a complex depositional history preceding the first FIS advance. The lowermost Daumantai Formation represents alluvial sedimentation, later disrupted by a mass-wasting event that produced the Kalviai diamicton. Previously misinterpreted as glacial till, the Kalviai diamicton is redefined here as a cohesive debris-flow deposit, likely reflecting increased hydrological instability associated with climatic perturbations during the Middle Pleistocene Transition. Overlying the pre-Elsterian interdiamicton beds indicate renewed alluvial sedimentation within the same basin. 26Al/10Be burial dating evaluated using an inverse modeling approach yields a weighted mean age of 973 ± 62 ka for the pre-Elsterian interdiamicton alluvial succession, indicating deposition during the Early Pleistocene and predating the Elsterian glaciation in the Baltic region. In contrast, the authigenic 10Be/9Be ratios point to a discernible variability across the Pleistocene. Assuming the inverse model burial age, the temporal change of ratios could be estimated by back-calculation from 10.19 to 11.69 × 10−9 (Daumantai Formation), decreasing to 5.56–8.35 × 10−9 (pre-Elsterian interdiamicton beds), and further declining to the present-day range of 4.47–6.45 × 10−9. The contrasting performance of burial 26Al/10Be and authigenic 10Be/9Be dating highlights the sensitivity of meteoric 10Be systems to sediment recycling and variable initial ratios in low-accommodation alluvial settings. The documented paleoenvironmental changes provide a significant refinement of the regional Quaternary stratigraphy

Biological consequences of single and combined exposure to magnetite–chitosan nanocomposite with adsorbed cobalt (II) in Danio rerio /

Magnetic nanocomposite sorbents are increasingly explored for the remediation of metal-contaminated waters; however, high abiotic removal efficiency may not always translate into biological safety. The present study evaluated the single and combined effects of dissolved cobalt (II) ions and magnetite–chitosan nanocomposites (MCN) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae. MCN (30 wt.% Fe3O4) were synthesized via co-precipitation and crosslinking and physiochemically characterized. Adsorption experiments conducted in fish incubation medium demonstrated the efficacy of divalent Co removal and were well described by the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum experimental capacity of 20.08 mg g−1. The biological endpoints encompassed survival, hatching, heart rate, locomotor behavior, and oxidative stress biomarkers in early-stage zebrafish. The presence of cobalt (II) was found to result in a reduced hatching success rate, the induction of persistent bradycardia, and the occurrence of oxidative stress, as evidenced by a decline in SOD activity and an increase in H2O2 and MDA levels. The study found that MCN alone did not lead to mortality or increase peroxide levels or lipid peroxidation, although a modest decrease in SOD activity was observed. In contrast, combined exposure to cobalt and MCN resulted in significant delayed mortality (>85% at 96 h) and early neuromotor impairment. These findings indicate that high abiotic sorption efficiency alone does not guarantee reduced biological toxicity when nanomaterial–metal interactions occur. Consequently, safety assessments of remediation nanomaterials should explicitly consider nanomaterial–metal interactions and developmental stage-specific biological responses

Coexistence of Calliergonella cuspidata and Hamatocaulis vernicosus under different fen topography types and microhabitat conditions /

Hamatocaulis vernicosus and Calliergonella cuspidata commonly co-occur in base-rich fens, reflecting overlapping ecological niches. While C. cuspidata is a widespread and ecologically plastic fen species often associated with eutrophicated wetlands, H. vernicosus is a habitat-specialist species of conservation concern. This study investigated the competitive interactions between these two moss species and the role of microhabitat conditions in their coexistence. A reciprocal transplant experiment was conducted in a natural, rich fen in southeastern Lithuania using replicated experimental plots across different microtopographic and hydrological conditions. Species cover and spread were monitored to assess competitive performance following transplantation. The results showed that under wet conditions, H. vernicosus was able to expand into surrounding areas and successfully compete with C. cuspidata. In contrast, C. cuspidata showed limited spread within H. vernicosus patches under wet conditions and was gradually displaced. An advantage of C. cuspidata was observed only in hummocky microtopographic settings. These findings indicate that stable hydrological conditions maintaining microhabitat heterogeneity promote the coexistence of both species. Alterations in the water regime may reduce the competitive ability and long-term persistence of H. vernicosus, highlighting the importance of hydrology-focused management for its conservation

First report of Atriotaenia tapeworms and Sarcocystis protists in invasive raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Lithuania /

Background The raccoon (Procyon lotor), an introduced species in Europe, has exhibited significant population growth and successful adaptation to synanthropic environments over recent decades. In newly colonised areas, knowledge gaps remain regarding various aspects of raccoon ecology, including its behaviour, as well as associated parasites. The majority of pathogens identified in European raccoon populations to date possess documented epizootic and zoonotic potential. The objective of this study was to detect muscle parasites (Alaria spp., Sarcocystis spp., and Trichinella spp.) and to characterize Sarcocystis protists in intestinal scrapings of raccoons, as well as to visually inspect helminth species in six fecal samples. Methods During the 2018-2022 period, muscle, fecal and intestinal samples of 13 animals were examined. Sarcocysts of Sarcocystis protists and Cyclophyllidea tapeworms were morphologically characterized using light microscope (LM). Sarcocystis species were identified by means of 28 S rRNA, ITS1, and cox1 sequence analysis. Cyclophyllidea tapeworms were confirmed by 12 S rRNA sequence analysis. Results Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of Sarcocystis parasites and Cyclophyllidea tapeworms in seven (53.8%) of the raccoons examined. No Trichinella nematodes or Alaria trematodes were detected in the muscle samples by using an active artificial digestion method. In the small intestine, oocysts and/or sporocysts of Sarcocystis spp. were observed by LM in five of the samples. One species of Atriotaenia cestode was detected in fecal samples of two raccoons. Based on DNA sequence results, Sarcocystis lutrae was identified in the muscles of a single raccoon from Lithuania. The present study provides the first report of seven distinct Sarcocystis taxa identified in raccoon intestines by molecular analyses, including Sarcocystis rileyi, which forms macroscopic sarcocysts in ducks, and Sarcocystis bovifelis, which infects cattle muscles. Based on 12 S rRNA sequencing, Atriotaenia incisa was identified in two of the examined animals. Conclusions Our findings expand current knowledge on the Sarcocystis species richness in carnivores. This study also reports the first identification of A. incisa in the feces of raccoons from Lithuania. This study demonstrates that broader sampling and detailed parasitological investigations are essential for a more complete characterization of raccoon parasite diversity

Trace metals in Twaite shad (Alosa fallax): Patterns across two Northern European populations /

Heavy metal contamination poses concerns for managing Twaite shad (Alosa fallax) populations, yet data remain sparse. Intermittent capture as bycatch, with negligible prospects for post-release survival and IUCN Red listing, provides a compelling case for investigation. Concentrations of six trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) in the dorsal muscle tissue of A. fallax from the Curonian Lagoon (Lithuania) and the Elbe Estuary (Germany) were analyzed to evaluate size-related patterns and compliance with international safety standards. Overall, metal levels were uniformly low, with Cd and Pb below EU limits. Cu exhibited a weak negative correlation with fish weight (ρ = −0.35; p < 0.05), while Zn tended to increase in larger individuals, reflecting its essential physiological role. Comparing both adult populations, Cr and Zn, which provide nutritional benefits, were higher in the Curonian Lagoon, whereas toxic As and Pb were higher in the Elbe Estuary. All concentrations complied with EU and FAO thresholds, indicating acceptable risk for human consumption. The findings provide baseline information for A. fallax as a potential bioindicator. Constraints on the number of A. fallax sampled, given its IUCN status, exclusion of Hg and lack of environmental parameters, limit conclusions, but would be mostly remediable by future research

Chemical composition of essential oils and solvent extracts of Artemisia scoparia, Seriphidium brevifolium, and Salvia yangii and their comparative fumigant toxicity against stored-grain pests Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus oryzae /

Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus oryzae are listed among the most destructive pests of stored grains. Although synthetic insecticides and fumigants are commonly employed for their control, plant-based formulations offer safer, and eco-friendly alternatives. The aim of the current study was to explore the insecticidal potential of three aromatic plants against stored grain pests. Artemisia scoparia, Seriphidium brevifolium, and Salvia yangii were extracted using steam distillation and macerated in hexane and methanol, and their chemical compositions were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The insecticidal activity of plant essential oils (EOs) and solvent extracts was evaluated against laboratory-reared T. castaneum and S. oryzae using a fumigation bioassay. A. scoparia EO showed the highest insecticidal activity with LC50 of 7.4 mg/L and 5.3 mg/L against T. castaneum and S. oryzae, respectively, after 12 h exposure. The LC50 of S. brevifolium was 21.1 mg/L and 2.9 mg/L against T. castaneum and S. oryzae, respectively, after 12 h exposure. Compared to their respective EOs, plant solvent extracts exhibited lower bioactivity; however, the methanolic extract of S. brevifolium showed notable insecticidal activity against T. castaneum and S. oryzae. The major constituents found in A. scoparia EO were capillene (38.3%), γ-terpinene (19.3%), and β-myrcene (17.2%). The EO of S. brevifolium comprised camphor (31.6%), eucalyptol (29.3%), and thujone (9.9%). EOs and methanolic extracts of A. scoparia and S. brevifolium demonstrated the highest fumigant toxicity against T. castaneum and S. oryzae, highlighting their potential as botanical pest control agents to protect stored grains

Comparative In vitro evaluation of selected essential oils and commercial blends against skin-associated pathogens /

Essential oils are widely used in cosmetic products and are valued for their antimicro- bial properties. In this study, the in vitro antimicrobial activity of five pure essential oils (EOs) and five commercially available EO blends was comparatively evaluated against six skin-associated pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida lusitaniae and Candida guilliermondii. Chemical profiling of volatile constituents was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; an- timicrobial activity was assessed by broth microdilution to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), as well as spot-inoculation to determine minimum bactericidal con- centration (MBC). Results revealed microorganism-dependent inhibitory and bactericidal activity of the tested essential oils. Candida spp. and E. coli were the most susceptible microorganisms, whereas P. aeruginosa exhibited the lowest susceptibility to essential oils. Pinus sylvestris showed comparatively lower MIC and MBC values across most tested microorganisms. Commercial EO blends showed comparable antimicrobial activity to individual essential oils. Overall, this study provides a comparative in vitro screening of selected essential oils and commercial blends relevant to cosmetic applications, indicating that EO blends do not exhibit superior antimicrobial activity over pure oils under the tested conditions

Microscopic and molecular identification of Sarcocystis spp. in intestines of canids and mustelids associated with Sarcocyst-forming species in rodent muscles /

Sarcocystis, a diverse and species-rich protist genus infecting reptiles, birds, and mammals, remains poorly understood in terms of true diversity and their lifecycles. Typically, sarcocysts are found in the muscle tissue of the intermediate host (IH), while oocysts undergo sporulation in the intestines of the definitive host (DH). Rodent-associated Sarcocystis species often form cryptic species complexes with strong specificity to their DHs; however, their presence in the intestines of wild carnivores, whose IHs are rodents, is understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of rodent-associated Sarcocystis species in the intestines of wild Mustelidae and Canidae from Lithuania using light microscopy (LM) and nested PCR targeting 28S rRNA. LM analysis of intestinal scraping revealed Sarcocystis spp. in 56.3% of canids and mustelids, while DNA sequence analysis identified 41.0% of mustelids and 11.6% of canids as positive. Three Sarcocystis species, S. arvalis, S. myodes, and S. ratti, and the genetic lineage Sarcocystis sp. Rod8, which belong to the same cryptic species complex, were identified in mustelids, while S. arvalis and S. myodes were detected in canids. Thus, mustelids contribute more than canids to the natural transmission of Sarcocystis spp. from rodents in Lithuania