Rapid detection of volatile organic compounds emitted from plants by multicapillary column-ion mobility spectrometry.

This study presents a novel rapid analytical method for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from blueberry leaves using the Tenax adsorbent followed by separation using a multicapillary column (MCC) and Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) detection. The emitted VOCs including caryophyllene, benzene acetonitrile, linalool, ocimene, and methyl salicylate initiated by different stress factors including mechanical damage (punching), herbivore attack (aphids) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) spraying were detected and quantified. Limits of Detection (LODs) for the VOCs were determined in the range of 8 to 33 ng.

Greater traditionalism predicts COVID-19 precautionary behaviors across 27 societies.

People vary both in their embrace of their society's traditions, and in their perception of hazards as salient and necessitating a response. Over evolutionary time, traditions have offered avenues for addressing hazards, plausibly resulting in linkages between orientations toward tradition and orientations toward danger. Emerging research documents connections between traditionalism and threat responsivity, including pathogen-avoidance motivations.

Flower angle favors pollen export efficiency in the snowdrop (Linnaeus, 1753) but not in the lesser celandine (Huds, 1762).

Flower angle is crucially important for accurate pollination and flower protection against abiotic factors. Evolutionary factors shaping floral traits are particularly strong for bilaterally symmetric flowers because these flowers require more pollination accuracy than radially symmetrical flowers. We experimentally investigated the flower angle in the snowdrop's () radially symmetrical, early-blooming downward flowers.

Changes in Diversity and Structure of Thrips (Thysanoptera) Assemblages in the Spruce Forest Stands of High Tatra Mts. after a Windthrow Calamity.

Strong winds, fire, and subsequent forest management impact arthropod communities. We monitored the diversity and changes in the community structure of forest thrips assemblages in the context of secondary succession and anthropogenic impact. There were eight study plots that were affected to varying degrees by the mentioned disturbances that were selected in the Central European spruce ( (L.

Functional significance of flower orientation and green marks on tepals in the snowdrop (Linnaeus, 1753).

Flower shapes, colors, sizes and fragrances are shaped mostly for pollinator attraction. Flower phenotypes are, however, subjected to conflicting selection directed by both pollinators and non-pollinating agents. We investigated flower attractiveness to a model pollinator in the snowdrop ( L.

Hydrolutos piaroa sp.n. (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae), a new semiaquatic Lutosini species from south-western Venezuelan lowland streams.

Hydrolutos piaroa, a new species of Lutosini (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) from Tobogán de la Selva (Puerto Ayacucho region, SW Venezuela) is described and figured. Inhabiting aquatic environment it represents an unusual orthopteran with sternal and pleural area covered by fine microtrichia, forming a plastron. This is the first known Hydrolutos species sampled in lowland streams of Venezuelan Guayana.

Parasites enhance self-grooming behaviour and information retention in humans.

Self-grooming is a common behavioural strategy used by various animals to reduce parasite loads. We experimentally tested the adaptive significance of self-grooming model in a sample of Slovak participants. Propensity to self-grooming was activated by visual presence of parasites with verbal information about health risks caused by parasites suggesting that the programmed grooming model works in humans.

Associations between body morphology, mating success and mate preferences among Slovak males and females.

Human body morphology is thought to be correlated with sexual behaviour and sociosexuality (defined as an increased willingness to engage in sex without commitment) influences the perception of certain cues of physical attractiveness. Based on a sample of Slovak university students, we investigated relationships between 1) male and female mating success and reported body morphology (body mass index, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio, WHR) and 2) mate preference characteristics and mating success. Both males and females reported a similar number of long-term sexual partners and frequency of engaging in extra-pair copulation (EPC).

Hydrolutos gransabanensis sp.n. (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae), a new semi-aquatic Lutosini species from Gran Sabana (Venezuela).

Hydrolutos gransabanensis, a new species of Lutosini (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) from the cave Cueva El Tigre (Santa Elena de Uairén, SE Venezuela) is described and figured for both sexes. This is the first record of Hydrolutos species out of tepui systems. The genus is recently known by 6 apterous species from Venezuelan Guayana region.