Environmental factors affecting mayfly assemblages in tufa-depositing habitats of the Dinaric Karst

Remarkably, unlike other parts of Europe, the ecology of mayflies in the southeastern regions is still poorly known. Here we present the first comprehensive study of Ephemeroptera in the tufa-depositing habitats of the Dinaric Karst. The study was conducted in Plitvice Lakes National Park monthly during a one-year period (2007–2008) in different types of habitats (springs, streams, mountainous rivers, tufa barriers). The aims of the study were to determine mayfly composition, abundance, spatial distribution and habitat preferences, and to examine the environmental factors important for the structuring of mayfly assemblages in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The mayfly fauna of tufa-depositing habitats was composed of 14 species (20 taxa). Water temperature, pH and ammonium concentration were the most important environmental variables explaining mayfly assemblages. Mayfly assemblages grouped according to habitat type. Generally, the most favourable habitat type was mountainous stream, tufa barriers were less favourable, and the least favourable were springs. Our results confirmed that mayflies are a powerful tool as descriptors of their environment, as the presence or absence of certain mayflies was strongly influenced by physico-chemical water properties

Microhabitat selection and distribution of functional feeding groups of mayfly larvae (Ephemeroptera) in lotic karst habitats

Research examining mayfly ecology in karst streams and rivers has increased in recent years, though microhabitat preferences remain poorly characterized. We examined mayfly assemblage taxonomy, functional feeding groups and microhabitat preferences in two contrasting lotic Dinaric karst catchments, one pristine and one anthropogenically impacted. At monthly intervals over a one-year period, all major microhabitats (i.e. dominated by boulders, cobbles, sand, silt, mosses, or angiosperms) were sampled at sites spanning springs, upper, middle and lower river reaches, and tufa barriers. In both catchments, mayfly species richness was comparable among microhabitats, while mayfly abundance was highest on mosses and lowest on silt. NMDS ordination did not group assemblages according to microhabitat type, which may reflect the greater influence of physical and chemical water properties. In both catchments and all microhabitats, mayfly assemblages were dominated by grazers/scrapers at upstream sites and by detritivores at downstream sites. Active filter feeders were more abundant in microhabitats with silt substrates and lower current velocities. This study demonstrated that certain mayfly species strongly preferred a specific microhabitat type, reflecting their water current preferences and feeding strategies, while other species shifted between microhabitats, likely in search of food resources and shelter. The results emphasize the importance of habitat heterogeneity in supporting diverse communities in karst rivers

Ampelographic and genetic characterization of Croatian grapevine varieties

Before the Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) crisis in Croatia more than 400 grape varieties were under cultivation. Today their number is drastically decreased. Recently, many efforts in the preservation of grapevine biodiversity were undertaken: detailed inventory of varieties in different wine-growing regions, establishing of national and regional collections and their systematic ampelographic and genetic characterisation. This paper shows results of multiannual ampelographic and genetic research concerning Croatian grapevines considered as autochthonous varieties. After identification, many synonyms and homonyms were detected and unique genotypes were selected. Basic data of them are shown: description (according to OIV descriptors) and genetic profiles (9 SSR loci), growing area and status of vulnerability. Also, genetic relationship based on the shared allele distance is computed from SSR data. Results show certain level of similarity among varieties, and classify Croatia as important gene-pool in Europe. Some additional accessions which were detected and introduced into collections recently are still being investigated and characterized so that the here presented list of Croatian native grapevine cultivars is not final

Association of GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases: A preliminary study

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are chronic conditions initiated by the loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens. The aim of this study was to detrmine how polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases T1 and M1 (GSTT1 and GSTM1) genes influences on the occurrence of two autoimmune diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS) and Hashimoto's thyroditis (HT). A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the deletions in GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes. Our results showed that patients with ADs had significantly higher (p 0.05). This study suggests the potential role of GSTM1 deletion on ADs susceptibility, but on the other hand this study should be repeated in other patients with the same or similar diagnosis of ADs

Motivation of UK school pupils towards foreign languages: a large-scale survey at Key Stage 3

Motivation is one of the most significant predictors of success in foreign language learning. While individual and governmental commitment to the learning of foreign languages is growing throughout most of Europe and across the globe, it is stuttering in the United Kingdom. An entitlement to language learning in primary school is not yet fully in place, whilst the removal of language from the core curriculum at Key Stage 4 (ages 14 to 16) has led to a dramatic fall in numbers of language learners. Among national initiatives seeking to enhance learners’ interest in languages among school pupils are Specialist Language Colleges and the Languages Ladder. The latter, by certifying achievement through its associated accreditation scheme Asset Languages, seeks to engender a sense of success and motivate continuation of language study. This article reports on a study conducted in 2005-06 of the language learning motivation of over ten thousand school pupils at Key Stage 3 – the only group currently obliged to study a foreign language. The study analyses the nature of learner motivation and its relationship with gender, level of study (Years 7, 8 and 9) and type of school, and thus provides evidence for possible measures to increase numbers of teenagers studying a foreign language, and a baseline against which the success of policy initiatives can be measured in the future

Fauna tulara (Insecta: Trichoptera) čovjekom utjecanih i umjetnih staništa rijeke Drave, SZ Hrvatska

Adult caddisflies were collected in altered and man-made habitats of the hydro-electric power plant system in the Drava River in spring and autumn 2006. All sampled habitats (reservoir, drainage ditches, tailrace canals and old river channel) are greatly influenced by hydro-technical management. Altogether 24 species were recorded. Five species, Hydroptila sparsa, Hydroptila vectis, Tinodes pallidulus, Mystacides longicornis and Oecetis ochracea are new to the caddisfly fauna of Croatia. For five species, Hydropsyche angustipennis, Hydropsyche contubernalis, Psychomyia pusilla, Ecnomus tenellus and Silo nigricornis adult specimens are recorded for the first time in Croatia. Thus, the current study represents an important contribution to the knowledge of caddisfly fauna of Croatia.Prikupljanje odraslih tulara u promijenjenim i umjetnim staništima hidroenergetskog sustava na rijeci Dravi provedeno je u proljeće i jesen 2006. godine. Sva su istraživana staništa (akumulacija, obodni jarci, odvodni derivacijski kanali i stari riječni tok) pod vrlo jakim utjecajem hidrotehničkih mjera i zahvata. Tijekom istraživanja zabilježene su ukupno 24 vrste, a od toga je pet vrsta, Hydroptila sparsa, Hydroptila vectis, Tinodes pallidulus, Mystacides longicornis i Oecetis ochracea novih za faunu Hrvatske. Osim toga, za pet vrsta, Hydropsyche angustipennis, Hydropsyche contubernalis, Psychomyia pusilla, Ecnomus tenellus i Silo nigricornis, po prvi puta je u Hrvatskoj ulovljen imago. Stoga ovo istraživanje predstavlja važan doprinos poznavanju faune tulara Hrvatske

Photosynthetic responses of heat-stressed apple leaves to foliar application of salicylic and ascorbic acid

High temperatures have significant impacts on fruit tree production. Foliar spraying application of promoting agents can be a sustainable approach to managing high-temperature stress in orchards. The mechanism of certain improving agents on photosynthesis is not yet well understood, particularly in fruit trees. Photosynthesis, as a vital and very sensitive process in plants, is a pivotal component in fruit production. Therefore, in this study, we explored the potential of two different promoting agents, salicylic acid (SA) and ascorbic acid (AsA), to alleviate oxidative stress caused by high temperature in controlled conditions (37°C for 1 h) at the photosynthetic level. For studying photosynthetic responses, we used chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. According to our findings, foliar application of promoting agents effectively increased the high-temperature tolerance of apple leaves, when compared to sole heat stress treatment. Both promoting agents significantly increased photosynthetic efficiency under stress, while the maximum was observed with AsA. In general, AsA and SA applications had a positive effect on the photosynthesis of apple leaves at high temperatures

First description of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Croatia and phylogenetic analysis of partial PCV2 sequences

This report describes the first case of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in wild boar in Croatia. During the winter season of 2004, eight wild young piglets (of approximately 2 to 5 months of age) were found dead in a fenced hunting area. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out on measenteric lymph nodes and all animals yielded positive results. In one of these animals diagnosis of PMWS was established based on the three key diagnostic criteria including the clinical manifestation, moderate lymphoid lesions consisting of lymphocyte depletion and granulomatous inflammation, and detection of the presence of PCV2 genome within the lymphoid lesions by in situ hybridisation (ISH). Three additional wild piglets had also mild PMWS-like lesions and a low amount of PCV2 was also found. No PMWS-like lesions or PCV2 genome were detected in the rest of the wild piglets studied. Three PCR-positive isolates were partially sequenced, which confirmed the diagnosis of PCV2 and demonstrated that the three sequences were genetically identical. The phylogenetic analysis of a representative PCV2 isolate indicated that its sequence (DQ875444) is grouped in a separate branch with Hungarian isolate (AY256460) and differs from any of the annotated sequences