Orchestina pavesii (Simon, 1873), an oonopid spider new to Slovakia (Araneae: Oonopidae)

Representatives of Oonopidae are tiny spiders, usually of a pale colour, with 6 oval eyes. Systematically, they belong to Dysderoidea, which include about 120 genera (CODDINGTON & LEVI 1991), but Oonopidae, alone, include 51 genera and more than 70 species (PLATNICK 1989). They are distributed all over the world, except for Antarctica, but most of the species come from the tropics. In Europe, there are 6 genera of oonopid spiders, represented by about 20 species (PLATNICK 1989). But only 6 species have been known from the Central Europe until recently (NENTWIG 1991). In Slovakia, only 2 species of oonopid spiders, Oonops domesticus Dalmas, 1916 and Triaeris stenaspis Simon, 1891, have been recorded so far (GAJDOS et al. 1999)

Neutrophils in chronic lymphocytic leukemia are permanently activated and have functional defects

A growing body of studies highlights involvement of neutrophils in cancer development and progression. Our aim was to assess the phenotypic and functional properties of circulating neutrophils from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The percentage of CD54+ and CD64+ neutrophils as well as CD54 expression on these cells were higher in CLL patients than in age-matched healthy controls. Neutrophils from CLL produced more reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to controls in both resting and activated conditions. Lipopolysaccharide-induced production of IL-1 beta and TNF-a as well as reduced TLR2 expression in neutrophils from CLL than in neutrophils from controls suggesting their tolerant state. Finally, phenotypic alterations of neutrophils, particularly elevation of CD64 and CD54 markers, correlated with disease activity and treatment, and low percentage of neutrophils. Taken together, the alterations in percentage and functional characteristics of neutrophils reflect the clinical course of CLL. Our data provide first evidence that neutrophils in CLL are permanently primed and have functional defects.Web of Science849849018488

Study of surface roughness of machined polymer composite material

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of selected cutting parameters (speed of rotation and feed rate) on the surface topography of drilled WPC material. Objective of the study is to establish dependence of the surface roughness of borehole walls (parameter —average maximum height) on the speed of rotation and feed rate of a drill bit. Technological parameters of experimental drilling were feed rate of 100–300 mm·min−1 and speed of rotation of 2000–6000 rpm.Web of Scienceart. no. 30351

Elevation gradient affects the distribution and host utilisation of Zatypota anomala (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) associated with mesh web weaving spiders (Araneae, Dictynidae)

The spatial distribution of parasitoids is closely linked to the distribution and ecological requirements of their hosts. Several studies have documented changes in the fauna composition of parasitoids in response to elevation, but data on parasitoids associated with spiders are missing. The koinobiont ichneumonid wasp Zatypota anomala is strictly specialised on spiders of the genus Dictyna (Dictynidae) in Europe. We examined the distribution of spiders of the family Dictynidae in forest ecotones in central Europe across a broad elevation gradient (110–1466 m a.s.l.). We checked the spiders for parasitism by Z. anomala. It was most abundant at the mid-elevations (median 712 m a.s.l., range 179–870 m a.s.l.). We identified four dictynid spider species as Z. anomala hosts. These were Dictyna arundinacea, Dictyna uncinata, Nigma flavescens, and Nigma walckenaeri. All four species and the genus Nigma were recorded as hosts for the first time. The parasitoids strongly preferred juvenile instars of their hosts. The body length differed between parasitised Dictyna and Nigma spiders (medians: 1.95 mm and 2.55 mm, respectively). The distribution of Dictyna and Nigma spiders overlapped along the elevation gradient, but parasitism incidence significantly differed between spider genera along the elevation gradient. Nigma was parasitized at lower elevations between 179–254 m a.s.l. and Dictyna at higher elevations between 361–870 m a.s.l. The phenology of Z. anomala is closely tied to the univoltine life strategy of its host spiders. The parasitoid female oviposits in autumn, and its offspring overwinter as larvae on the host, reach adulthood during spring, and pass the summer as an adult

Spider conservation in Europe : a review

Despite their ecological importance and diversity, spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) are underrepresented in conservation policies in comparison to other groups. We review all extant conservation tools focusing on spiders in Europe, highlighting general patterns, limitations, gaps, and future directions. We assembled a comprehensive online database reporting all available information concerning the legal protection and conservation status of 4,154 spider species. Existing international legislation has limited coverage, with only one species listed in the Bern Convention and EU Habitats Directive. At the national and subnational levels, 178 species are formally mentioned in the legislation of 19 European countries. Moreover, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) includes assessments for 301 species worldwide, 164 of these threatened and eight native to Europe. In addition, spiders are mentioned in Regional Red Lists and Red Books in 28 out of 42 European countries considered in this review. Northern and Central European countries have the highest percentage of species assessed at the regional level in Red Lists and Red Books. The Mediterranean basin has the highest spider diversities in Europe but conservation efforts are lacking, both in terms of assessments and national or subnational legislation. Among European species, Dolomedes plantarius, Argyroneta aquatica and Eresus kollari are the most frequently mentioned in European conservation measures, possibly due to their ecological traits and their strict association with declining habitats. Considering the current threats to spiders in Europe, the protection of large areas of suitable habitat should be considered as the most effective approach to spider conservation.Peer reviewe

18th European Colloquium of Arachnology, July 12-17, 1999, High Tatras, Slovakia

congress invitatio

New Conjugated Benzothiazole-N-oxides: Synthesis and Biological Activity

molecule

Diplotemnus balcanicus (Redikorzev, 1928) (Pseudoscorpiones, Atemnidae) rediscovered in Slovakia after 65 years

Diplotemnus balcanicus (Redikorzev, 1928) is reported for the second time from Slovakia. The species was first recorded from Slovakia in 1955 when two specimens were found in bat guano on the loft inside a church. After 65 years, one male was discovered inside a private family home 8 km from the 1955 record. The original 1955 material of D. balcanicus, from a private collection, has been revised. Additionally, a short description of the male of D. balcanicus and some identification notes on Eurasian diplotemnids are provided

Two subterranean-dwelling spiders new to Slovakia (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

Studies of subterranean habitats in Slovakia revealed two rare linyphiid spider species new to the country, Pseudomaro aenigmaticus Denis, 1966 and Pseudocarorita thaleri (Saaristo, 1971). Pseudomaro aenigmaticus was recorded in the Malé Karpaty Mountains in western Slovakia. A male was captured in the limestone Plavecká Cave and a female was found in a granitoid mesovoid shallow substratum (MSS) in the Jajcajov jarok Valley. One pair of Pseudocarorita thaleri was found in the MSS in the Belinské skaly Nature Monument in the Cerová vrchovina Highland in southern Slovakia. This study also presents the characteristic habitus and habitats of the recorded spiders