Pollinator behaviour and prevalence of the anther smut Antherospora vindobonensis in its host, the Hungarian two-leaf squill (Scilla vindobonensis).

Anther smuts are fungal diseases that have detrimental effects on the biology of their host plants. We investigated the transmission of Anther smut Antherospora vindobonensis to its host, Scilla vindobonensis under natural and laboratory conditions. Plants flowering early in spring were less vulnerable to disease (∼ 20-30% of plants which appeared early in the season were diseased) than flowers that bloom at the end of the season (∼ 60% of plants which appeared late in the season were diseased) which contradicts the patterns observed for other anther smuts species.

Environmental gradients and optimal fixation time revealed with DNA metabarcoding of benthic sample fixative.

Assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem status can benefit from DNA metabarcoding as a means to streamline sample processing and specimen identification. Moreover, processing the fixation medium instead of the precious material introduces straightforward protocols that allow subsequent focus on certain organisms detected among the preserved specimens. In this study, we present a proof of concept via the analysis of freshwater invertebrate samples from the Tatra Mountain lakes (Slovakia).

The expansion of invasive species to the East: new sites of the bullheads (genus Ameiurus Rafinesque 1820) in Ukraine with morphological and genetic identification.

This study confirms the extended distribution of two invasive species of the genus Ameiurus in Ukraine. Specifically, A. melas is recorded for the first time in the Southern Buh basin and A.

Detailed DNA barcoding of mayflies in a small European country proved how far we are from having comprehensive barcode reference libraries.

Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) are among the crucial water and habitat quality bioindicators. However, despite their intensive long-term use in various studies, more reliable mayfly DNA barcode data have been produced in a negligible number of countries, and only ~40% of European species had been barcoded with less than 50% of families covered. Despite being carried out in a small area, our study presents the second-most species-rich DNA reference library of mayflies from Europe and the first comprehensive view from an important biodiversity hotspot such as the Western Carpathians.

Potamophilus acuminatus (Fabricius, 1792): distribution update in North Africa confirmed by COI barcoding sequencing (Coleoptera, Elmidae).

Potamophilus acuminatus (Fabricius, 1792) is here recorded for the first time from Morocco and the recent distribution in Slovakia is updated. The North African distribution was hitherto based only on two larvae from Tunisia. DNA-barcoding confirmed the identification of specimens from Morocco after comparing ten sequences of P.

50%, not great, not terrible: Pan-European gap-analysis shows the real status of the DNA barcode reference libraries in two aquatic invertebrate groups and points the way ahead.

The essential key to routine molecular species identification (DNA barcoding/metabarcoding) is the existence of an error-free DNA barcode reference library providing full coverage of all species. Published studies generally state the need to produce more barcodes, and control their quality, but unfortunately, the number of barcoded species is still low. However, to initiate real progress, we need to know where the gaps lie, how big they are and why they persist.

DNA barcodes evidence the contact zone of eastern and western caddisfly lineages in the Western Carpathians.

The region of the Western Carpathians is, among other aspects, very important for survival and diversity of European freshwater fauna due to the presence of a large number of (sub)mountain springs and streams. However, these ecologically and faunistically diversified habitats are still understudied in the context of genetic diversity and population structure of their inhabitants. This study focuses on genetic diversity and distribution patterns of the caddisfly Rhyacophila tristis, common and widespread representative of mountain freshwater fauna.

Fuzzy species borders of glacial survivalists in the Carpathian biodiversity hotspot revealed using a multimarker approach.

The Carpathians are one of the key biodiversity hotspots in Europe. The mountain chain uplifted during Alpine orogenesis and is characterised by a complex geological history. Its current biodiversity was highly influenced by Pleistocene glaciations.

Disersus otongachi/ a new species of Larainae riffle beetles from Ecuador (Coleoptera: Elmidae).

We describe here a new species in the genus Disersus Sharp, 1882 from the Otongachi Reserve in Ecuador. Disersus otongachi sp.nov.

The tale of springs and streams: how different aquatic ecosystems impacted the mtDNA population structure of two riffle beetles in the Western Carpathians.

The Western Carpathians are a particularly interesting part of the Carpathian Arc. According to recent molecular data upon aquatic and terrestrial taxa, this mountain area is an important biodiversity hotspot of Europe. Moreover, the W Carpathians include rich systems of karst springs inhabited by specific fauna, where molecular diversity and phylogeographic patterns are yet to be fully explored.

Ictelmis, a new riffle beetle genus from Ecuador (Coleoptera: Elmidae).

A new minute riffle beetle genus Ictelmis gen. nov. and the type species Ictelmis martae sp.

Validation of Heterocerus heydeni Kuwert, 1890 based on morphology and DNA barcoding, with notes on the problems of classification of the Heteroceridae (Coleoptera).

New taxonomic data on mud-loving beetles are provided based on morphological characters and DNA barcoding. Heterocerus heydeni Kuwert, 1890 was previously considered a junior synonym of H. flexuosus Stephens, 1828, but we support the validity of the species and restore the name.

Enderleina preclara Jewett, 1960 (Plecoptera, Perlidae), from the Venezuelan Guayana-A description of a putative female, nymph and egg.

The putative female, nymph and egg of Enderleina preclara are described from specimens collected in the Kukenán-tepui foothills and Acopán-tepui foothills and plateau of Venezuela. Morphological and molecular approaches were employed to characterize these stages. Diagnostic keys for males and females of the described Enderleina species are also presented.

DNA barcode reference libraries for the monitoring of aquatic biota in Europe: Gap-analysis and recommendations for future work.

Effective identification of species using short DNA fragments (DNA barcoding and DNA metabarcoding) requires reliable sequence reference libraries of known taxa. Both taxonomically comprehensive coverage and content quality are important for sufficient accuracy. For aquatic ecosystems in Europe, reliable barcode reference libraries are particularly important if molecular identification tools are to be implemented in biomonitoring and reports in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

Four new species of Sharp from Ecuador (Coleoptera, Elmidae) with DNA barcoding and notes on the distribution of the genus.

The riffle beetle genus Sharp, 1882 is distributed from Mexico to Argentina, forming an important component of the freshwater invertebrate fauna of Latin America. With 21 described species, represents one of the most speciose Larainae genera, but its real diversity is likely much higher. We analysed material from a relatively small area in Ecuador, resulting in the first record of for Ecuador and discovery of four new species and one subspecies: , , , and For delimiting and characterizing species, both morphological and molecular (mtCOI DNA barcodes) data were used.

Catchment land use as a predictor of the macroinvertebrate community changes between inlet and outlet of small water dams.

Changes in land use practices have affected the integrity and the quality of stream water worldwide. Effective catchment management, in terms of land use alteration, depends on our ability to quantify ecologically significant changes and to discriminate among varying levels of impact. In this study, we assessed the structural and functional changes upstream and downstream of eight small water reservoirs in western Slovakia and the relationship between these changes and shifts in physicochemical parameters as a consequence of stream damming and catchment land use.

Phanoceroides Hinton, 1939: description of new species, morphology of larvae, and revised taxonomic position of the genus (Coleoptera: Elmidae) based on molecular evidence.

The monotypic genus Phanoceroides was initially classified within the subfamily Elminae, based solely on the distribution and type of pubescence on the body surface. Although a close relationship with Larainae was suggested (Hinton 1939, Maier 2013), its taxonomic position and phylogeny remained unresolved. Based on newly collected material, we describe here P.

Functionalized porous silica&maghemite core-shell nanoparticles for applications in medicine: design, synthesis, and immunotoxicity.

Aim: To determine cytotoxicity and effect of silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on immune response, in particular lymphocyte proliferative activity, phagocytic activity, and leukocyte respiratory burst and in vitro production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Methods: Maghemite was prepared by coprecipitation of iron salts with ammonia, oxidation with NaOCl and modified by tetramethyl orthosilicate and aminosilanes. Particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Delayed adverse effects of neonatal exposure to polymeric nanoparticle poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polylactide methyl ether on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis development and function in Wistar rats.

We studied delayed effects of neonatal exposure to polymeric nanoparticle poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polylactide methyl ether (PEG-b-PLA) on the endpoints related to pubertal development and reproductive function in female Wistar rats from postnatal day 4 (PND4) to PND 176. Female pups were injected intraperitoneally, daily, from PND4 to PND7 with PEG-b-PLA (20 or 40mg/kg b.w.

Two new Larainae species from Guayana region, Venezuela (Coleoptera: Elmidae).

Two new species of the subfamily Larainae (Insecta: Coleoptera: Elmidae), Hexanchorus angeli n. sp. and Hypsilara autanai n.

Ancyronyx reticulatus and A. pulcherrimus, two new riffle beetle species from Borneo, and discussion about elmid plastron structures (Coleoptera: Elmidae).

Two new species of Ancyronyx Erichson, 1847 (Coleoptera: Elmidae) are described from Borneo: A. pulcherrimus (Brunei) and A. reticulatus (Sabah).

Coating-dependent induction of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles.

Surface coatings of nanoparticles (NPs) are known to influence advantageous features of NPs as well as potential toxicity. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) NPs are applied for both medical diagnostics and targeted drug delivery. We investigated the potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of uncoated iron oxide (U-Fe3O4) NPs in comparison with oleate-coated iron oxide (OC-Fe3O4) NPs.