A POSSIBLE CASE OF LEK DEMES IN SOME TROGLOPHILIC BATS AND INTERSPECIFIC RELATIONS IN BAT COLONIES FROM SOME ROMANIAN CAVES ?

Five bat species from the Romanian fauna shelterand hibernate in caves: Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat – Rhinolophus euryale Blasius, 1853; Mehely’s horseshoe bat – Rhinolophus mehelyi Matschie, 1901; the common bent-wing bat/Schreibers’ long-fingered bat/Schreibers’ bat – Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1917); the long-fingered bat – Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte 1837) and the pond bat – Myotis dasycneme (Boie, 1825).The latter species is probably on the way to become troglophilic. Rhinolophus euryale presents the highest degree of stress to the the anthropic disturbances and with preferences for warmer (11–12°C) and higher RH (95–99%) in shelters is. Its colonies can be up to 1000 individuals, usually hanging by caves’ walls and ceilings. The Cloşani Cave (Mehedinţi Co.) contains the Ghica and the Laboratory galleries. In the first gallery, one of us (V. Gheorghiu) found a colony of R. euryale with approx. 1800 individuals. A part of the individuals were fixed on the extremity of a stalactite. Later, both of us observed for years this phenomena and we regarded it as a possible lek process – a sexual behavior, possibly a kind of survival strategy – to mentain genetically heterogeneity for an endangered bat species population. These family groups or demes on the tip of stalactites are mainly in October – November, when bats still have occasionally foraging flights, before retreating for hibernation. Analysing a sample of one deme, there were 96 individuals of R. euryale – 39 males and 57 females. Visiting other caves (Topolniţa – Mehedinţi Co.; Avenul lui Adam – Caraş-Severin Co. – a tropical cave in temperate region, with 31°C–45°C) we found small colonies of R. euryale, but without clear lek phenomena. Exploring other caves (Peştera cu Apă de la Moară and Peştera Câmpenească) – Moneasa locality – Bihor Co., some amateur speleologists reported bat demes on the tip of different stalactites. Some cases of simbiotic and altruism realationships between different bat species we recorded in Fuşteica Cave (Vâlcan Mountain – Gorj Co.), M. capaccinii and M. dasycneme – use to hiden under Rhinolophus ferumequinum’s wings to be protected against predators and to use the host’s body warm. In Lazului Cave (Gorj Co.) a specimen of M. dasycneme was also protected under R. ferrumequinum’s wings. In Izverna Cave (Mehedinţi Co.) a specimen of Miniopterus schreibersii dissimulated between three close together individuals of M. myotis. Some examples of caves are referring to those with mixed colonies of bats in nursery colonies

Isolation and Characterization of the First Microsatellite Markers for the Endangered Relict Mussel Hypanis colorata (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Cardiidae)

Hypanis colorata (Eichwald, 1829) (Cardiidae: Lymnocardiinae) is a bivalve relict species with a Ponto-Caspian distribution and is under strict protection in Romania, according to national regulations. While the species is depressed in the western Black Sea lagoons from Romania and Ukraine, it is also a successful invader in the middle Dniepr and Volga regions. Establishing a conservation strategy for this species or studying its invasion process requires knowledge about the genetic structure of the species populations. We have isolated and characterized nine polymorphic microsatellite markers in H. colorata. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 28 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.613 to 1.000. The microsatellites developed in the present study are highly polymorphic and they should be useful for the assessment of genetic variation within this species

REVISED AND COMMENTED CHECKLIST OF MAMMAL SPECIES OF THE ROMANIAN FAUNA

Due to the permanent influences of different factors (habitat degradation and fragmentation, deforestation, infrastructure and urbanization, natural extension or decreasing of some species’ distribution, increasing number of alien species etc.), from time to time the faunistic structure of a certain area is changing. As a result of the permanent and increasing anthropic and invasive species’ pressure, our previous checklist of recent mammals from Romania (since 1984) became out of date. A number of 108 taxa are mentioned in this checklist, representing 7 orders of mammals: Insectivora (10 species), Chiroptera (30 sp.), Lagomorpha (2 sp.), Rodentia (35 sp.), Cetacea (3 sp.), Carnivora (19 sp.), Artiodactyla (8 sp.). In this list are mentioned the scientific and vernacular names (in Romanian and English languages), species distribution and conservation status, according to the Romanian regulations. Thus, only 21 species have stable populations while 76 have populations in decline or in drastic decline. Other categories are not evaluated or even present an increase in their population

MAMMAL FAUNA (MAMMALIA) OF THE BUZĂU AND TELEAJEN VALLEYS (EASTERN CARPATHIANS – ROMANIA)

A number of 54 mammal species were identified from the two studied areas (Buzău and Teleajen Valleys), 40 species being common in both sites. Eleven species were recorded only in the Buzău Valley and in addition other three species only in the Teleajen Valley. Information about the home range as well as about the approximately density is given for most of the presented species. Altitudinal distribution, preferred habitat and their place in ecosystems are mentioned for all the reported species. Considering the protection statute, 18 species are vulnerable, 7 are endangered and 18 species of mammals are with not enough evaluated populations to confer a certain statute. However, two of the species (Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus) need to be controlled because of the risk to diseminate pathogenic agents (viruses and bacteria) of severe diseases both for animals and for humans

Sowing density and fertilization influence on faba bean seed production (Vicia faba L. var. major. harz) under ecological condition from Bucovina Obcines

In the researches conducted in the period 2012-2014, it noticed the influence of sowing density and fertilization influence on grain production of faba bean seed (Vicia faba L. var. major. Harz) under the mountain area conditions of the county Suceava. The researches were conducted at the Agricultural Research Center of Pojorâta (which it focused foothill and mountain areas of Bucovina Obcine), on lytic alluvial soil pH (water) 5.1, 2.9 humus content, phosphorus (PAL) 45 ppm potassium (KAL) 80.5 ppm, the degree of base saturation (V) 57.1 and nitrogen index (IN) 2.18. It followed in a bifactorial experience of type 2 x 7, the influence of sowing density with two graduations (20 grains germinable/m2 and 40 bg/m2 ) and fertilization with seven graduations (unfertilized, 40N, 60P2O5, 40N60P2O5, 40N60P2O560K2O, 40t/ha manure 40t/ha manure + 40P2O5). Analyzing the average for the three research years it showed that at the faba bean from major variety, the most effective sowing density is 40 g.s. /m2 , when it could achieve, productions up to 4000 kg/ha, that combined administration of fertilizers with nitrogen and phosphorus achieved yield increases distinct significantly and through applying of manure at a dose of 40 t/ha and at the density of 40 g.s. / m2 it could be achieved yield increases, very substantial

Some researches concerning the resistance mechanism determination of potato to wart produced by Synchytrium endobioticum through biochemical analyses

The paper presents results concerning the resistance mechanism determination of potato to wart, caused by Synchytrium endobioticum, through biochemical analysis, in 10 potato resistant and susceptible genotypes to above pathogen, relating to: dry matter and moisture contents, ash, total nitrogen, total crude protein and starch contents , titratable acidity, catalase and polifenoloxidaze activities, ascorbic acid and total free amino acids contents. Following the analysis carried out on resistant and susceptible potato genotypes to the pathogen was found that indicators refering to dry matter and moisture content, ash, ascorbic acid, titratable acidity and starch contents no guarantee expression of the resistance degree or susceptibility level to pathogens. It is interesting the analyzes of total nitrogen and crude protein contents from tubers, catalase and polifenoloxidaze activities and total free amino acids contents. Thus we can say, after the first analyzes conducted in this direction, the potato genotypes resistant to pathogens, contain over 0.9g nitrogen/100g tissue tuber crude protein over 5.6% total free amino acids content, over 0.40% from d.s., catalase units less than 110 and below 1.70 micromoles of ascorbic acid oxidized by enzyme in 1 gram of tuber tissue for one minute. It is necessary to continue this type of research on a much larger number of resistant and sensitive potato genotypes and take into account other analyzes to those mentioned in this paper, regarding to quality of the protein content, the essential amino acids content, alkaloids, amides, the study of albuminoidal substances compozition etc., which would prevent the cellular system development of the fungus in potato tubers

Some researches concerning the resistance mechanism determination of potato to wart produced by Synchytrium endobioticum through biochemical analyses

The paper presents results concerning the resistance mechanism determination of potato to wart, caused by Synchytrium endobioticum, through biochemical analysis, in 10 potato resistant and susceptible genotypes to above pathogen, relating to: dry matter and moisture contents, ash, total nitrogen, total crude protein and starch contents , titratable acidity, catalase and polifenoloxidaze activities, ascorbic acid and total free amino acids contents. Following the analysis carried out on resistant and susceptible potato genotypes to the pathogen was found that indicators refering to dry matter and moisture content, ash, ascorbic acid, titratable acidity and starch contents no guarantee expression of the resistance degree or susceptibility level to pathogens. It is interesting the analyzes of total nitrogen and crude protein contents from tubers, catalase and polifenoloxidaze activities and total free amino acids contents. Thus we can say, after the first analyzes conducted in this direction, the potato genotypes resistant to pathogens, contain over 0.9g nitrogen/100g tissue tuber crude protein over 5.6% total free amino acids content, over 0.40% from d.s., catalase units less than 110 and below 1.70 micromoles of ascorbic acid oxidized by enzyme in 1 gram of tuber tissue for one minute. It is necessary to continue this type of research on a much larger number of resistant and sensitive potato genotypes and take into account other analyzes to those mentioned in this paper, regarding to quality of the protein content, the essential amino acids content, alkaloids, amides, the study of albuminoidal substances compozition etc., which would prevent the cellular system development of the fungus in potato tubers

Novel in-situ observations on the diel surface activity of the Romanian hamster, Mesocricetus newtoni (Rodentia, Cricetidae), during pup rearing

The Romanian hamster Mesocricetus newtoni is a threatened and cryptic species, with a distribution limited to North-eastern Bulgaria and South-eastern Romania (Dobruja region). Current literature does not provide sufficient data regarding diel activities and behavior of this species, especially under field conditions. In this context, one female M. newtoni, during the rearing period of her four pups, was monitored for ten days using camera traps. For each documented activity, the date, time, age of the individual, type of activity, and duration were recorded. In total, from the 26140 media files, 72968 seconds were recorded as active behaviors. Data analysis revealed that diurnal activity was predominant and documented for all monitored days; however, the animals spent more time per each activity during the night. The nocturnal activity was present but erratic, without significant patterns. No significant differences were observed in the median duration of activities of the adult compared to the immature individuals. Both the adult female and pups spent time exploring the burrow entrance, especially during the day, but immatures were more reserved to leave the burrow than the female. The female used four burrows for rearing the pups. During this time, food storage behaviors and transferring of immatures between burrows, as well as the weaning of the pups were documented. This study demonstrates that M. newtoni exhibits significant diurnal activity, at least in certain ecological and physiological conditions

Preliminary data on the diet composition and nesting behaviour of the Long‑legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) in south‑western Romania

The study of a nest of Long‑legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus was carried out using a trail camera and is one piece of a completely unknown jigsaw puzzle of diet and nesting behaviour in Romania. With a hatching success of 75%, we identified 3 hatched chicks from the 4 eggs. During the 10 days of monitoring, 34 preys brought to the nest were identified, with a peak of activity between 11:00–17:00 and a preference for the European Ground Squirrel Spermophilus citellus (61.76%). This was followed by the Domestic Pigeon Columba livia f. domestica and the Common Wood Pigeon C. palumbus (5.88%), and amphibians were represented by the European Green Toad Bufotes viridis (2.94%). There were 10 unidentified prey species (29.41%). We identified the presence of plastic and textile fibres in the nest and the risk of chick suffocation. We also improved our understanding of interspecific interactions and our observations highlighted the mutualism between the three species in the nest: Spanish Sparrow, House Sparrow and LLB. The removal of solitary trees from the agricultural landscape is a major threat in south‑western Romania, affecting the breeding population of the LLB, which, as in our case, nests on this type of support