Exploring the canthariphilous species of the Tolfa Mountains (Latium, Central Italy): taxonomic diversity, phenology, and putative sources of cantharidin

Canthariphilous species are those arthropods attracted to cantharidin (CTD), a defensive compound produced by two beetle families (Meloidae and Oedemeridae). Although several species are known to be attracted to CTD, canthariphily was recently discovered in new species, suggesting that the list of canthariphilous species is still far from being complete. A systematic sampling focused to detect canthariphilous species has never been performed in Italy. The present research provides a list of seven canthariphilous species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae, Anthomyiidae; Coleoptera: Anthicidae) from the Tolfa Mountains (Latium, Central Italy) resulting from a one-year sampling with CTD-baited and control traps. New species (Atrichopogon atriscapulus and A. tolfensis) were found to be attracted to CTD, and other species, already known as canthariphilous, were recorded for the first time in the Italian fauna (A. atriscapulus and A. meloesugans). A new scenario about the ecological significance of CTD in the sexual selection of canthariphilous species was speculated in A. meloesugans. Finally, a list of CTD-producing species occurring in the sample area was provided to suggest putative natural CTD sources

Long‐term care facilities' response to the COVID ‐19 pandemic: An international, cross‐sectional survey

Aims To (i) assess the adherence of long‐term care (LTC) facilities to the COVID‐19 prevention and control recommendations, (ii) identify predictors of this adherence and (iii) examine the association between the adherence level and the impact of the pandemic on selected unfavourable conditions. Design Cross‐sectional survey. Methods Managers (n = 212) and staff (n = 2143) of LTC facilities (n = 223) in 13 countries/regions (Brazil, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and Turkey) evaluated the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID‐19 prevention and control recommendations and the impact of the pandemic on unfavourable conditions related to staff, residents and residents' families. The characteristics of participants and LTC facilities were also gathered. Data were collected from April to October 2021. The study was reported following the STROBE guidelines. Results The adherence was significantly higher among facilities with more pre‐pandemic in‐service education on infection control and easier access to information early in the pandemic. Residents' feelings of loneliness and feeling down were the most affected conditions by the pandemic. More psychological support to residents was associated with fewer residents' aggressive behaviours, and more psychological support to staff was associated with less work–life imbalance. Conclusions Pre‐pandemic preparedness significantly shaped LTC facilities' response to the pandemic. Adequate psychological support to residents and staff might help mitigate the negative impacts of infection outbreaks. Impact This is the first study to comprehensively examine the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID‐19 prevention and control recommendations. The results demonstrated that the adherence level was significantly related to pre‐pandemic preparedness and that adequate psychological support to staff and residents was significantly associated with less negative impacts of the pandemic on LTC facilities' staff and residents. The results would help LTC facilities prepare for and respond to future infection outbreaks. Patient or public contribution No Patient or Public Contribution

Zmiany jakości wód dolnej Wisły w latach 1986–2009

The results of more than twenty years of own research and state environmental protection authority reports show that from 1986–2009 the quality of water in the lower Vistula, representative of the eastern (right bank) part of Poland, continuously and significantly improved. This improvement was the result of changes in water and sewage management in the Vistula basin. Earlier, in the 1970s, the Vistula was quite heavily polluted, but it has never been the dirtiest river in Europe. It has been shown that Włocławek Reservoir has improved the water quality in the Vistula, substantially reducing all the indicators examined (Tab. 2). The only exception is concentration of oxygen, lower in the reservoir than in the undammed Vistula, but not to such an extent that it would threaten the development of its biocoenosis, which is richer than in the undammed Vistula. Reduction in the nitrogen (by 12.4%) and phosphorus (by 21.5%) load carried by the Vistula in the reservoir is particularly important for protection of the Baltic Sea against excessive eutrophication. This way, Włocławek Reservoir contrutes to fulfilment of Poland’s obligations under the Helsinki Convention in 1999.Na podstawie wyników ponad dwudziestoletnich badań własnych i raportów państwowych służb ochrony środowiska stwierdzono, że w latach 1986–2009 jakość wody dolnej Wisły, reprezentatywna dla wschodniej (prawobrzeżnej) połowy terytorium Polski, podlegała stałej, znaczącej poprawie. Poprawa ta była efektem porządkowania gospodarki wodno-ściekowej w dorzeczu Wisły. Wcześniej, w latach 70. XX wieku, Wisła była dość silnie zanieczyszczona, ale nigdy nie była najbrudniejszą rzeką Europy. Wykazano, że zbiornik włocławski poprawia jakość wody Wisły, redukując znacząco wszystkie badane wskaźniki (tab. 2). Wyjątkiem jest stężenie tlenu, które w zbiorniku jest niższe niż w niepodpiętrzonej Wiśle, ale w stopniu niezagrażającym rozwojowi jego biocenozy, bogatszej niż w niepodpiętrzonej Wiśle. Szczególnie ważna dla ochrony Bałtyku przed nadmierną eutrofizacją jest redukcja w zbiorniku niesionego Wisłą ładunku azotu (o 12,4%) i fosforu (o 21,5%). W ten sposób zbiornik włocławski przyczynia się do realizacji zobowiązań Polski, wynikających z ratyfikowanej w 1999 roku konwencji helsińskiej

A new canthariphilous species of the genus Atrichopogon Kieffer, 1906 from Central Italy (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

The new species Atrichopogon (Atrichopogon) tolfensis n. sp. from Tolfa Mountains (Italy, Latium, and Rome) is described and illustrated. Both sexes of the species were collected using cantharidin-baited traps from June 2020 to January 2021. The new species is an atypical member of the genus Atrichopogon

Exploring the canthariphilous species of the Tolfa Mountains (Latium, Central Italy): taxonomic diversity, phenology, and putative sources of cantharidin

AbstractCanthariphilous species are those arthropods attracted to cantharidin (CTD), a defensive compound produced by two beetle families (Meloidae and Oedemeridae). Although several species are known to be attracted to CTD, canthariphily was recently discovered in new species, suggesting that the list of canthariphilous species is still far from being complete. A systematic sampling focused to detect canthariphilous species has never been performed in Italy. The present research provides a list of seven canthariphilous species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae, Anthomyiidae; Coleoptera: Anthicidae) from the Tolfa Mountains (Latium, Central Italy) resulting from a one-year sampling with CTD-baited and control traps. New species (Atrichopogon atriscapulus and A. tolfensis) were found to be attracted to CTD, and other species, already known as canthariphilous, were recorded for the first time in the Italian fauna (A. atriscapulus and A. meloesugans). A new scenario about the ecological significance of CTD in the sexual selection of canthariphilous species was speculated in A. meloesugans. Finally, a list of CTD-producing species occurring in the sample area was provided to suggest putative natural CTD sources