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This paper presents the first record of Luticola vanheurckii Van de Vijver & Levkov, outside of the type locality (second record in the Europe). Authors present habitat characteristic of the species, with LM and SEM micrographs. Luticola vanheurckii was found in a small outflow of water from storm sewers in Stalowa Wola (SE Poland). Luticola vanheurckii occurred only rarely (0-5 valves per slide), in a small, shallow puddle which was supplied by the water from the outflow. This species was recorded in sediments and on plants submerged in water with a wide range of conductivity (347-22,100 μS cm−1), chloride content (64.56-6195.0 mg l−1) and sodium ions (43.04-3789.1 mg l−1). The cells observed in the examined material were slightly longer and wider than those from type locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytosociological research of the vegetation of Kyiv railways has been completed. Based on the analysis of 379 relevés using modified TWINSPAN and PC-ORD algorithms, it was found that the syntaxonomical structure of the study area includes 7 classes (Artemisietea vulgaris, Festucetea vaginatae, Galio-Urticetea, Plantaginetea majoris, Polygono-Poetea annuae, Robinietea, Stellarietea mediae), 12 orders, 18 alliances, 35 associations, 13 derivate and basal communities. The development of vegetation in man-made habitats leads to its significant complexity. It is manifested by changes in plant associations, their fragmentation and the formation of overgrowth type coenoses dominated by individual plant species. A significant degree of synanthropization, and in particular adventization, of the studied phytocoenoses was established. The participation of highly invasive species reduces local plant diversity and destroys their floristical and phytocoenotic structure. On the other hand, fragmented railway landscapes can function as new habitats or distribution corridors for local natural species. Trends of anthropogenic changes in the vegetation of the railways of Kyiv are the transformation and reduction of areas of natural vegetation, a decrease in its productivity, as well as an increase in the number of derivate plant communities, which are the successive stages of ecosystem development. The ecological features of the vegetation of the railways of the Kyiv urban area are discussed in comparison with the ruderal vegetation outside the railways. Comparative ordination analysis of these phytocoenoses shows that communities on the railways develop in extreme conditions of ecotopes poor on soil moisture and nitrogen content. The results of our research can be used for effective management of biodiversity on railways, and for the monitoring and development of control measures for the spread of non-native species. They can also be useful for sustainable planning and management of urban landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our understanding of the ecological drivers that control community structure of benthic rotifers is poorly known. By reviewing 21 papers on freshwater benthic rotifers we compiled an inventory of an additional 258 species, 27 genera, and six families not previously listed in the review of benthic, lotic rotifers by Ricci and Balsamo (Freshw Biol 44:15–28, 2000). This raises the number of reported benthic species to 416, ~ 23% of all rotifers. Using selected papers within our dataset we tested two hypotheses: (1) Within lakes of different trophic state benthic rotifer communities differ in their species composition and (2) because rotifer trophi types reflect strong specificity for certain foods, there is a difference in the distribution of trophi types in lakes of different trophic state. We found that the trophic state of water bodies influences species composition of benthic rotifers, but there was no significant difference in the distribution of their trophi types. To aid in understanding community assembly of benthic rotifers, we provide a list of knowledge gaps that future studies could address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European mountain forests are unique ecosystems, and they harbour specific saproxylic beetle fauna, including relict species such as the longhorn beetle Ropalopus ungaricus (Herbst, 1784). This endangered species is endemic to European mountain forests and is considered to be monophagous on living sycamore trees (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). Insufficient knowledge of the species ecology limits its effective conservation. Hence, to investigate its habitat requirements, 175 sycamore trees (87 occupied and 88 unoccupied by the species) were surveyed in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. and Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts. in northern Moravia (Czech Republic) in 2016. The species strongly preferred trees with reduced vitality, including variously damaged trees. The species was also documented to be much more abundant on sun-exposed trees, and the parts of the trunk mantle (south- and east-facing quarters) with the warmest microclimates were preferred. Surprisingly, trunk diameter seems to be an unimportant characteristic for this species (the diameters of occupied trees varied between 5 and 72 cm). In conclusion, R. ungaricus is a specialised species whose survival depends upon a continuous supply of sun-exposed declining and damaged sycamores in mountain forests. Based on the results of the present study, we suggest concrete conservation measures to support the species, and these will benefit other saproxylic species associated with the same habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]