A remarkable teratological case in Carabus violaceus L. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Poland

Background and purpose: Teratological cases in insects can be of different characteristic, quite often they are bifurcations, for example of antennal segments or parts of the legs. The aim of this paper is to report a remarkable case of leg duplication in Carabus violaceus L.   Materials and methods: In the context of an interdisciplinary monitoring in the frame of a conservation project on the European bison (Bison bonasus (L.)) in Poland the carabid fauna (Carabidae) on areas grazed by this species was studied using pitfall traps in the Pszczyna forest, located in Silesia Province, to the south of the town Tychy. The traps were located inside a mixed fresh coniferous forest, with domination of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.).   Results: Among the carabids gathered a remarkable teratological female specimen of the species Carabus violaceus L. with repeated anatomical duplications on the right front leg was collected.   Conclusions: The repeated incident of bifurcation suggest a genetic base of the teratology. An increased rate of teratological cases may have potential as bioindicator

Physicochemical and biological activity analysis of low-density polyethylene substrate modified by multi-layer coatings based on DLC structures, obtained using RF CVD method

In this paper, the surface properties and selected mechanical and biological properties of various multi-layer systems based on diamond-like carbon structure deposited on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) substrate were studied. Plasma etching and layers deposition (incl. DLC, N-DLC, Si-DLC) were carried out using the RF CVD (radio frequency chemical vapor deposition) method. In particular, polyethylene with deposited N-DLC and DLC layers in one process was characterized by a surface hardness ca. seven times (up to ca. 2.3 GPa) higher than the unmodified substrate. Additionally, its surface roughness was determined to be almost two times higher than the respective plasma-untreated polymer. It is noteworthy that plasma-modified LDPE showed no significant cytotoxicity in vitro. Thus, based on the current research results, it is concluded that a multilayer system (based on DLC coatings) obtained using plasma treatment of the LDPE surface can be proposed as a prospective solution for improving mechanical properties while maintaining biocompatibility

Distribution of large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) in free-roaming populations of red deer Cervus elaphus (L.) with the description of Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp.

Lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in domestic and wild ungulates. This study investigates the distribution, morphology and genetic diversity of D. cervi and a new lungworm species, Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. infecting red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama and moose Alces alces in Poland and Sweden. The study was conducted on 167 red deer from Poland and on the DNA of lungworms derived from 7 fallow deer, 4 red deer and 2 moose collected in Sweden. The prevalence of D. cervi and D. skrjabini n. sp. in dissected red deer in Poland was 31.1% and 7.2%, respectively. Moreover, D. skrjabini n. sp. was confirmed molecularly in 7 isolates of fallow deer lungworms and 1 isolate of red deer lungworms from Sweden. Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. was established based on combination of their distinct molecular and morphological features; these included the length of cephalic vesicle, buccal capsule (BC), buccal capsule wall (BCW), distance from anterior extremity to the nerve ring, the width of head, oesophagus, cephalic vesicle, BC and BCW, as well as the dimensions of reproductive organs of male and female. Additionally, molecular analyses revealed 0.9% nucleotide sequence divergence for 1,605 bp SSU rDNA, and 16.5–17.3% nucleotide sequence divergence for 642 bp mitochondrial cytB between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. cervi, respectively, and 18.7–19% between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. eckerti, which translates into 18.2–18.7% amino acid sequence divergence between D. skrjabini n. sp. and both lungworms

Comparison of carabid assemblages in European bison grazed and non-grazed areas – first results

The European bison (Bison bonasus (L.)) is the biggest living wild terrestrial animal in Europe. Because of its grazing feeding type, it has a strong impact on the flora and fauna. In 2017 a study was started with the aim to analyze the impact of European bison grazing on carabid beetle assemblages over the years 2017-2020 in Poland using pitfall traps. The study consists of basically two main experimental parts: a study on five meadow sites located in Augustowska forest complex (northeastern Poland), and a study on ten sites (two meadows, eight forests) in two enclosures (southern Poland). The plots in Augustowska forest complex were studied in 2017, before release of new population (reintroduced in 2018), and will be studied again in 2019 (after two year presence of the new population). The plots in enclosures were studied in 2018. In the present paper the results from two enclosures will be presented. In the enclosure “Jankowice”, situated in Kobiór forest District (south of Katowice), two meadow sites (one grazed, one non-grazed) and four forest sites (two grazed, two non-grazed) were located. Grazing intensity was about 0.06 individuals per ha. The enclosure “Niepołomice”, situated in Niepołomice Forest District (east of Kraków), had four forest sites (two grazed, two non-grazed). Grazing intensity was about 0.4 individuals per ha. Altogether, 9615 individuals belonging to 61 species were collected. Correspondence analysis (CA) and Cluster analyses showed that, independently from bison grazing, the meadow sites significantly differed from the forest sites. Regarding the forest sites the enclosures were separated from each other. Bison grazed sites were not separated from non-grazed sites in the enclosure “Jankowice”, but they were separated in the enclosure “Niepołomice”. Even if habitat type seems to be of major importance, depending on grazing intensity (individuals per ha) bison grazing may have an impact on formation of carabid assemblages, too. However, the preliminary results presented here have to be verified and complemented during the next years of the study

Alien or Native? How to Distinguish Feces of Fallow and Roe Deer Using Central Poland as a Case Study

The method of pellet group count is commonly used for estimating population trends of ungulates; however, in the case of species of similar body size, the misidentification rate can be high. Our aim was to find a metrical threshold between pellet groups of roe deer (native species) and fallow deer (alien species) to be applied during fieldwork. The study was conducted in spring 2020 and 2021 in central Poland (lowlands) in areas were only roe or fallow deer occurred. We measured the number of feces in the group, the length and width of five randomly selected feces from each pellet group and the length/width ratio. Roe deer pellets were shorter, narrower and less elongated than those of fallow deer; yet, length was found to be the best discriminant. The most accurate threshold was 1.2 cm, i.e., 12–15% of pellets were over/below this value. The mean number of pellets in a group was lower for roe deer (39.6, SE = 1.6) than for fallow deer (64.5, SE = 1.5). A value of 50–52 pellets best differentiated between the two species. To conclude, combining these two measurements could be an objective method to distinguish between pellet groups of the two species

Exploration Behaviour of European Bison (<i>Bison bonasus</i>) after Its Reintroduction to Żednia Forest District in North-Eastern Poland

Reintroduction of European bison into the natural environment is one of the most important conservation measures applied for this species. After creating a free herd of European bison, spatial monitoring is crucial. It allows for observation of the population, as well as the detection of potential threats and needs for intervention. In 2016, a new free herd of European bison was introduced to the Żednia District in Knyszyńska Forest. After a few months spent in the acclimation enclosure, the animals were released. The course of their acclimatisation was observed with GPS collars during the next 7 years. Thanks to telemetry monitoring, we could determine the moment when the herd stabilised its home range within available habitats. Monitoring performed for 7 years after the release of the herd confirmed the previously established home range. The fact that the animals remain close to the release site and that there is no damage to the winter crops confirms that the reintroduction site was well chosen

Project of acoustic adaptation of the church with a long reverberation time

Long reverberation times are a problem in modern churches. General methods of solving the problem are given in the literature. The basic approach is to increase the acoustic absorption of the church, and this can be achieved by placing sound-absorbing materials on the walls. Due to the price, materials with a high absorption coefficient are not used. They are replaced with sound-absorbing plasters. For the known coefficient of sound absorption by plaster, the problem is to calculate the surface of the plaster coverage and its distribution on the surface. This problem was solved for the Academic Church in Rzeszow, the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Jadwiga Queen. The reverberation time before adaptation is equal to 6.78 s, while the predicted time after adaptation is 1.98 s

Body Condition and Breeding of Urban Red Squirrels: Comparison of Two Populations Affected by Different Levels of Urbanization

The red squirrel is among the mammals that have adjusted well to urban habitats. Here, we focused on the two populations inhabiting Warsaw: in a park (with year-round supplemental feeding) and in an urban forest. We hypothesised that park squirrels would have higher body mass (and better body condition), being more stable over the year, and would have a higher breeding rate (i.e., the share of breeding females). Contrary to our hypothesis, forest squirrels were heavier and had better body condition than park squirrels. The body masses of squirrels from both areas were quite stable (with the highest values obtained in spring). Females in better body conditions were more likely to breed. More breeding females and sub-adults were trapped in the park. Regardless of the study site, the highest share of breeding females was in spring, but they also bred in winter and in the remaining seasons. The lower body mass/condition of park squirrels may be possibly explained by high intraspecific competition, or by stable food (and thermal as typical for the city) conditions, in which accumulating fat was not crucial. Mild winter conditions may have also enabled squirrels to breed early. This study showed the high plasticity of red squirrels living in human-transformed habitats