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Soft-bottom macrobenthic invertebrates are sensitive to natural or anthropogenic changes in aquatic ecosystems. The distribution patterns of sublittoral macrobenthic species in Guanabara Bay were studied from 2005 to 2007. Samples were collected at ten stations during six surveys throughout the rainfall regime (dry, early and late rainy). Ten replicates were collected at each station by Gravity corer or skin diving. Van Dorn bottles (bottom water) and by Ekman sediment sampler (granulometry) provided material for abiotic data. Stations were grouped into sectors (Entrance, Intermediary and Inner) based on abiotic data and location. The Redundancy Analysis (RDA) and Parsimonious RDA for all years and each annual cycle showed indicator taxa with high dominance in each sector. PERMANOVA indicated a regular seasonality between the surveys for the first annual cycle (p 0.05), possibly due the low rainfall observed during this period. The mosaic of soft-bottom substrates infers structural variables, and patterns of temporal distribution were basically influenced by parameters those indicating pollution and the SACW (South Atlantic Central Water) intrusion, as well as ecological attributes among species, such as: predation, competition. The Ervilia concentrica and Cypridinidae could be used as indicators for anthropic and natural impacts in the Guanabara Bay for the Entrance sector, while Cyprideis salebrosa and Cyprideis sp. for the Intermediary sector and Heleobia australis for the Inner sector. Resumo Os invertebrados macrobentônicos são sensíveis as alterações naturais e antrópicas nos ecossistemas aquáticos. O padrão de distribuição das espécies macrobentônicas do infralitoral da Baía de Guanabara foram estudados de 2005 até 2007. Amostras foram coletadas em dez estações durante seis campanhas em todo o regime pluviométrico (seco, pré e pós chuvoso). Dez réplicas foram coletadas em cada estação por meio do amostrador Gravity corer ou por mergulho livre. Os dados abióticos foram coletados por meio de garrafa oceanográfica do tipo van Dorn (água de fundo) e por busca fundo do tipo Ekman (granulometria). As estações foram agrupadas em setores (Entrada, Intermediária e Interna) baseada nos dados abióticos e localização. A Análise de Redundância (RDA) e RDA Parcimoniosa para todos os anos e em cada ano evidenciou taxa indicadores como elevada dominância em cada setor. A PERMANOVA indicou sazonalidade regular entre as campanhas para o primeiro ciclo anual (p 0.05), possivelmente por causa da baixa pluviosidade observada durante esse período. O mosaico do substrato não consolidado infere que as variáveis estruturais, e os padrões de distribuição temporal foram basicamente influenciadas por parâmetros que indicam poluição e intrusão de ACAS (Água Central do Atlântico Sul), bem como atributos ecológicos entre espécies, tais como: predação, competição, entre outros. Ervilia concentrica e Cypridinidae podem ser utilizados como indicadores de alterações naturais e antrópicos no setor da Entrada da Baía de Guanabara, enquanto Cyprideis salebrosa e Cyprideis sp. para o setor Intermediário e Heleobia australis para o setor Interno.

Burrowers such as thalassinideans remobilize sediment in benthic ecosystems, altering granulometry, enhancing organic matter cycling and oxygenation. We characterized the distribution of the mud shrimp Upogebia noronhensis and the associated macroinfauna along a depth and granulometric gradient in a shallow subtidal area in the southern Brazilian coast. Mud shrimp densities were estimated by burrow opening count using 0.25 m2 quadrats in three sediment zones: sand, sand-mud transition and mud. Macroinfaunal community descriptors and sediment granulometric characteristics were assessed. U. noronhensis average density varied from 0.6 to 145 individuals m&minus, 2 and was highest in the transition zone and lowest in the sand zone. Macrofauna in the sand zone was at least three times more abundant and 1.2 times richer, averaging 436.3 organisms and 39 species, while the transition and mud zones were more even in species distribution (species evenness &gt, 0.7). The shrimp presence seems to be linked to a coarse sand content &lt, 80% and clay and silt &lt, 40% in the sediment, a compromise between gallery construction ability and filter-feeding suitability. High densities and aggregated distribution of mud shrimp, combined with alteration of sediment grain composition and organic matter, are likely to affect macroinfaunal abundance nearby the burrows.

Financial support for this study was received from SNH through the SNH‐COSPIDS grant. This study received additional funding from the SIORC (Sharks, skates and rays In the Offshore Region and Coastal Zone of Scotland community project) from the MASTS (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland) pooling initiative, and their support is gratefully acknowledged. MASTS is funded by the Scottish Funding Council (grant reference HR09011) and contributing institutions. 1. Flapper skates (Dipturus intermedius) were once widespread in European shelf waters but are currently classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to historical overexploitation. Novel monitoring approaches are needed to assess the efficacy of management measures, such as dedicated marine protected areas, for the conservation of relict skate populations. 2. Flapper skates possess distinctive dorsal spot patterns, which could potentially be used for individual recognition using photo‐identification (photo‐ID) approaches. This study assessed the potential of photo‐ID as a method for individual recognition of a relict population of skates within a dedicated marine protected area in western Scotland (UK), which has long been targeted by directed recreational angling. A collection of 486 photographs of 373 separate skate capture events from 2011 to 2016, taken with standard mobile phones and compact cameras, was studied using visual pairwise comparison methods to determine number of individuals and recapture rates. 3. Results indicated that adult flapper skates were individually recognizable with a high degree of certainty through comparison of spot patterns, assuming appropriate lighting conditions. A total of 226 individuals were identified, of which 77 (34%) were recaptured at least once. The average recapture interval was 308 days (SE: 29.4 days), with the longest recapture interval to date being 4.4 years. Spot patterns among recaptured tagged or otherwise uniquely identifiable skates were found to remain stable over timescales of months to >1 year. 4. Results indicate that photo‐ID, based on photographs sourced through citizen science approaches, can provide a low‐cost alternative means of monitoring flapper skate presence and distribution for the purposes of underpinning management decisions. Publisher PDF

The main characteristics of the population of Dreissena polymor­pha (Pallas, 1771) in Lake Pleshcheyevo in 2014–2016 are dis- cussed, and two different sampling methods for D. polymorpha are compared. The lack of mass reproduction of D. polymorpha in 2015 is possibly related, among other causes, to climate change and alterations in the temperature regime of the lake. Dreissena is shown to be one of the main benthic suspension feeders in Lake Pleshcheyevo.

A new marine arthrotardigrade, Ligiarctus alatus sp. nov. found in sediments of the Brazilian continental shelf (100–150 m depth) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, is described in this study. This new species was recorded from sites located in the major oil extraction basins in Brazil (Campos and Potiguar basins). Within the subfamily Floractinae, the genus Ligiarctus characteristically presents primary clavae bent backwards, occupying the reduced lateral edges of the head. The new species is clearly distinguishable from L. eastwardi, the only known species of the genus, by the presence of internal distal notches on all claws, and six aliform cuticular expansions (frontal ala, two anterolateral alae, two posterolateral alae and caudal ala) with continuous digitiform procuticular supports (caesti). Ligiarctus eastwardi has only a caudal ala without caesti and internal notches are present on external claws only. The same pattern of cuticular expansions and caesti exhibited by the new species also occurs in the genus Florarctus, increasing the difficulty of defining the taxonomy of the subfamily Florarctinae, and forcing the emendment of the generic diagnosis of Ligiarctus. Petrobras S/A; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT); FACEPE (Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco); Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

© Ronald Vonk, Damia Jaume. A new species of marine interstitial wormshrimp, Ingolfiella maldivensis, is described from coral sand on the inner and outer reef off Magoodhoo island, Faafu atoll, Maldives. Six females were found and compared to other species from the Maldives and those bordering the Indian Ocean and beyond. Morphological resemblance ties it to a species from the Caribbean island of Curaęao. Both species are found in shallow sublittoral interstitial spaces., The Dutch Society for the advancement of research in the tropics (Treub-Maatschappij) is gratefully acknowledged for its financial support

A new species of Lepidodasys is described from sublittoral sandy sediments off the Atlantic coast of Florida. Lepidodasys ligni sp. n. is a small species (≤ 450 µm) with a crossed-helical pattern of small, non-keeled, non-imbricated scales on the dorsal and lateral body surfaces, two columns of ventral, interciliary scales that form a herringbone pattern, and a series of anterior, lateral, dorsal and posterior adhesive tubes. Similar to L. castoroides from the Faroe Islands, the new species possesses a caudal constriction that demarcates the posterior end containing the caudal organ. The frontal organ lies within the posterior constriction, which is heavily invested with somatic circular muscles. These muscles are also present throughout the trunk and represent a novel condition for species of Lepidodasys, which were previously considered to lack somatic circular muscles. Posterior of the caudal constriction is a large, barrel-shaped caudal organ that is wrapped in a series of interdigitating, spindle-shaped, incomplete circular muscle fibers. The caudal organ contains a sclerotized central canal, but the absence of distal cuticular endpieces distinguishes the new species from its morphologically similar congener, L. castoroides.

The protocols available for sampling and monitoring shallow subtidal rhodolith beds (RBs) are inadequate for the deep Mediterranean analogues, and need calibration in order to attain comparable results. After reviewing the present knowledge of the specificities of Mediterranean RBs, and in the framework of the ongoing international effort for their conservation, a two-step approach is suggested for their definition, identification, delimitation, description, and monitoring. Regional mapping should be improved, and RBs should be identified and delimited as those areas of the sea floor with >10% cover of live rhodoliths over a minimum surface of 500 m2, on 1:10000 scale. More detailed scales (at least 1:1000) should be used for monitoring selected RBs, in order to detect significant changes through time. Beside location and areal extent, the description of RBs should include the occurrence of macroscopic sedimentary structures of the sea floor, thickness of live cover, mean percentage cover of live thalli and surface live/dead ratio, cover of dominant morphologies of rhodoliths (simplified on a ternary diagram), and volumetrically important calcareous algal species. For the purpose of assessment of the ecological status and the evaluation of human-induced impacts, quantitative data about community composition are required. The comparative assessment of ecological status and the identification of RBs of high conservation value for special protection should consider the natural geographic and seasonal/annual variability of RBs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Recent results of field studies on the exposed coast of Lithuania were used to model the area occupied by the red alga Furcellaria lumbricalis using the Natural Neighbor interpolation technique, while linear regression was applied to estimate the species' standing stock. The area covered by F. lumbricalis extended for 26 km along the coast between depths of 1 and 15 m. The maximum species cover in the study area ranged between 4 and 10 m depth, which is one of the widest in the Baltic Sea. The modelled area of F. lumbricalis covered 35 ± 11 km2 with a total biomass of 7554 ± 3813 t.

Population structure of the lancelet Branchiostoma caribaeum Sandevall, 1853 was studied in four surveys, corresponding to austral seasons, in a tropical bay, southeast of Brazil. Abundance was higher in the spring and was positively correlated to coarse sediments, limiting its occurrence to some sectors of the sampling area. Body length and biomass differed seasonally but not between sexes. Sexually mature individuals occurred in all seasons, suggesting continuous breeding that is typical of tropical species. Variation in the frequency of small specimens indicates temporal differences in the intensity of breeding. The body length of recruits differed from other population of lancelets and the small length which B. caribaeum attained sexual maturity in Guanabara Bay may be related to local environmental stress or the great availability of food. A estrutura populacional do anfioxo Branchiostoma caribaeum Sandevall, 1853 foi analisada em quatro campanhas abrangendo todas as estações do ano, na Baía de Guanabara, sudeste do Brasil. A abundância de indivíduos foi maior na primavera e positivamente correlacionada com sedimentos grossos, tendo sua distribuição limitada a alguns setores da área amostral. O tamanho corpóreo e a biomassa diferiram sazonalmente, mas não entre os sexos. Indivíduos sexualmente maduros ocorreram em todas as estações do ano, sugerindo uma reprodução contínua, típica de espécies tropicais. Variações na freqüência de ocorrência de espécimes pequenos indicaram diferenças temporais na intensidade da reprodução. O tamanho corpóreo dos recrutas diferiu de populações de anfioxos de outros locais. O menor tamanho em que B. caribaeum atinge a maturidade sexual na Baía da Guanabara pode estar relacionada ao estresse ambiental ou à grande disponibilidade de alimento do local.

Long-term monitoring (1990 to 2004) at four stations (50 to 60 m depth) off Punta Coloso, Antofagasta, northern Chile, has allowed us to study temporal changes in the sublittoral macrobenthic polychaete infauna composition and abundance. The numerical contribution of the polychaete fraction to the total fauna was high (65 to 93%), whereas biomass was smaller and variable (20 to 85%). The number of invertebrate species collected per cruise was relatively low (40 to 90 species) and the number of polychaete species ranged from 18 to 37 per cruise (mean = 29.9), with a cumulative number of 56 polychaete species. The most abundant species collected included the small-sized Aricidea pigmentata Carrasco (26.5%), Magelona phyllisae Jones (22.7%), Paraprionospio pinnata (Ehlers) (13.5%), Tharyx longisetosa Hartmann-Schröder (12.1%), and Prionospio peruana Hartmann-Schröder (11.8%). Clear general patterns or tendencies are not seen in temporal variations of polychaete fauna nor when analyzing the seasons individually. P. pinnata was the only dominant species to show a general tendency in abundance fluctuations. Although the study period included two El Niño events (1991-1992 and 1997-1998), a clear dynamic was not seen in either abundance or dominant species. The analyzed data validate or corroborate high stability or persistence over time that has been suggested for polychaete fauna in the study area. Such stability or persistence exists in spite of high seasonal variability and interannual fluctuations in the region’s oceanographic conditions. La vigilancia de largo plazo (1990 a 2004), de la infauna de poliquetos de cuatro estaciones sublitorales (50 a 60 m de profundidad) frente a Punta Coloso, Antofagasta, norte de Chile, ha permitido estudiar sus cambios en composición y abundancia. La contribución numérica de la fracción poliquetos a la fauna total fue alta (entre 65% y 93%), mientras a la biomasa total fue menor y variable (20% - 85%). El número de especies de invertebrados por crucero fue relativamente bajo (40 a 90 especies) y el número de especies de poliquetos varió entre 18 y 37 por crucero (media = 29,9) y un número acumulativo de especies igual a 56. Las especies mas abundantes fueron Aricidea pigmentata Carrasco (26,5%), Magelona phyllisae Jones (22,7%), Paraprionospio pinnata (Ehlers) (13,5%), Tharyx longisetosa Hartmann-Schröder (12,1%) y Prionospio peruana Hartmann-Schröder (11,8%). Las variaciones temporales de la fauna de poliquetos, no muestra patrones o tendencias claras, como tampoco cuando se analizan cada una de las estaciones por separado. De las fluctuaciones de la abundancia de las especies dominantes, tampoco es posible apreciar tendencias, a excepción de la conducta de los números de P. pinnata. La presencia de dos eventos El Niño (1991-1992 y 1997-1998) tampoco se reflejan con alguna claridad en la dinámica de la abundancia de las diferentes estaciones como de las especies dominantes. Los datos aquí analizados validan la persistencia y alta estabilidad temporal sugerida para la fauna de poliquetos del área de estudio, a pesar de la alta variabilidad ambiental señalada para la región. &nbsp

Invasion by marine species, often considered a grave threat to marine ecosystems, occurs throughout the world as a consequence of many anthropogenic activities. In coastal Paraná, many factors including shipping, aquaculture and the use of artificial substrates provide suitable environments for the establishment and rapid spread of introduced marine species. To better understand this process, the encrusting community was studied on polyethylene plates (n = 120, 10 x 10 cm) that were placed seasonally at fixed locations on the inner continental shelf to detect non-native species. Of the 62 taxa found, 40 were identified to species, 14 of which were native, 9 introduced and 17 cryptogenic. We found a new introduction while most introduced species were previously reported at a nearby estuary with an international port. Possible complementary explanations for these detections are 1) estuaries influence ecological processes on the inner continental shelf, 2) the study area is near the route of cargo and other ships entering the port, 3) other local vectors, such as hulls of fishing and recreational boats, and artificial reefs link the estuary to the offshore areas. Thus, not only are estuaries invaded by exotic species, but also non-indigenous marine species may be present in the open sea where they are likely to colonize artificial substrates.

8 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, [EN] The sublittoral megabenthic assemblages of a northwestern Mediterranean coarse sandy beach exploited for the bivalve Callista chione were studied. The spatial and bathymetric variability of its distinctive faunal assemblages was characterised by quantitative sampling performed with a clam dredge. The taxa studied were Mollusca Bivalvia and Gastropoda, Crustacea Decapoda, Echinodermata and Pisces, which accounted for over 99% of the total biomass. Three well-differentiated species assemblages were identified: (1) assemblage MSS (Medium Sand Shallow) in medium sand (D50=0.37 mm) and shallow waters (mean depth =6.5 m), (2) assemblage CSS (Coarse Sand Shallow) in coarse sand (D50=0.62 mm) in shallow waters (mean depth =6.7 m), and (3) assemblage CSD (Coarse Sand Deep) in coarse sand (D50=0.64 mm) in deeper waters (mean depth =16.2 m). Assemblage MSS was characterised by the codominance of the bivalves Mactra stultorum and Acanthocardia tuberculata. C. chione was dominant in both density and biomass in assemblages CSS and CSD. The occurrence of the crab Thia scutellata also characterised assemblage CSS, whereas the occurrence of the sea urchin Echinocardium mediterraneum characterised assemblage CSD. A depth breaking point of around 10 m determined the discontinuity between assemblages CSS and CSD, which was related to the closure depth of the beaches in the study area. Species richness was highest in the coarse sand communities; however, Shannon-Wiener diversity and Pielou equitability indexes were higher in the shallow fine sand community, [ES] Se han estudiado las comunidades megabentónicas sublitorales de playas de arena gruesa afectadas por la pesquería del bivalvo Callista chione en el Mediterráneo noroccidental (Maresme). Se ha caracterizado la variabilidad espacial y batimétrica de las comunidades faunísticas presentes mediante un muestreo cuantitativo utilizando un rastrillo de bivalvos. Los taxones estudiados fueron Mollusca Bivalvia y Gastropoda, Crustacea Decapoda, Echinodermata y Pisces, los cuales representaron más del 99% de la biomasa total. Se identificaron tres comunidades bien diferenciadas: (1) comunidad MSS en arenas medias (D50=0.37 mm) y poco profundas (profundidad media =6.5 m), (2) comunidad CSS en arena gruesa (D50=0.62 mm) en aguas someras (6.7 m), y (3) comunidad CSD en arenas gruesas (D50=0.64 mm) en aguas más profundas (16.2 m). La comunidad MSS se caracterizó por la codominancia de los bivalvos Mactra stultorum y Acanthocardia tuberculata. C. chione dominó en densidad y biomasa en las comunidades CSS y CSD. La presencia del braquiuro Thia scutellata también caracterizó la comunidad CSS, mientras que la presencia del erizo Echinocardium mediterraneum caracterizó la comunidad CSD. Se detectó una discontinuidad entre las comunidades CSS y CSD a una profundidad de unos 10 m, la cual está relacionada con la profundidad de cierre de las playas del área de estudio. La riqueza específica fue mayor en las comunidades de arena gruesa, no obstante los índices de diversidad de Shannon-Wiener y de equitabilidad fueron superiores en la comunidad de arenas finas, This paper is a result of the research project "Avaluació de l'estat del banc natural de petxina lluenta del Maresme" funded by the Departament d'Agricultura, Ramaderia i Pesca - Generalitat de Catalunya. PA and MR are part of the research group 2009_SGR_1364 of the Generalitat de Catalunya

Bivalve mollusks of the continental shelf of Cabo Frio upwelling ecosystem were sampled monthly from February 1986 to February 1987 along a 30 to 60 m depth gradient. Mactra petiti Orbigny, 1846, and Tellina gibber Ihering, 1907 were constant species in 30 m; Nucula puelcha Orbigny, 1846, Adrana patagonica Orbigny, 1846, T. petitiana, T. gibber, and Corbula patagonica Orbigny, 1846 in 45 m; and N. puelcha, T. gibber, C. patagonica, and C. caribaea in 60 m. The number of rare species was similar along the depth gradient, ranging from six to ten species. The number of common species was higher in 60 m than in 30 m. Some species showed a continuous distribution but changed the frequency and abundance along the bathymetric gradient. The mean density was higher in 45-60 m than in 30 m, ranging from 15.6 ind.m-2, in 30 m, to 68.1 ind.m-2, in 60 m. There was no seasonal change in density nor in the taxocene structure during the studied period. On the other hand, the bivalve assemblage was spatially structured along the depth gradient, showing consistent changes from 30 to 60 m depths. Diversity and richness also follow this distribution pattern. Os moluscos bivalves da plataforma continental do ecossistema da ressurgência do Cabo Frio foram amostrados mensalmente de fevereiro de 1986 a fevereiro de 1987, entre 30 a 60 m de profundidade. Mactra petiti e Tellina gibber Ihering, 1907 foram espécies constantes a 30 m; Nucula puelcha Orbigny, 1846, Adrana patagonica Orbigny, 1846, T. petitiana, T. gibber e Corbula patagonica Orbigny, 1846 a 45 m; e N. puelcha, T. gibber, C. patagonica e C. caribaea a 60 m. O número de espécies raras foi similar nas diferentes profundidades, variando entre seis a dez espécies. O número de espécies comuns foi maior a 60 m que a 30 m. Algumas espécies apresentaram distribuição contínua porém, com variação na freqüência e abundância ao longo do gradiente batimétrico. A densidde média foi maior a 45-60 m do que a 30 m., variando entre 15,6 ind.m-2 (30 m) a 68,1 ind.m-2 (60 m). Não foram observadas mudanças sazonais na densidade ou na estrutura da associação de bivalves durante o período estudado. Por outro lado, a taxocenose mostrou-se estruturada ao longo do gradiente batimétrico, mostrando mudanças consistentes de 30 para 60 m de profundidade.

Soft bottom bivalve mollusc assemblages were sampled along a depth gradient (10 to 100 m) on the northern São Paulo shelf during the austral summer and winter. A one-way analysis of similarity permutation test revealed there was no seasonal difference in the structure of the bivalve assemblages in the area. A clustering analysis indicated 3 groups of stations corresponding to the bathymetric gradient. Both K-dominance curves and Shannon and Pielou indexes showed higher biological diversity and higher evenness for the shallower area. Most of the bivalves found were classified as suspension-feeders, co-occurring with deposit-feeder species, suggesting an absence of negative interactions between these trophic groups. Differences in the frequency of disturbance along the depth gradient caused by wave storms - more common in winter - and also by predation and anthropogenic activities, such as dredging of fishing boats and input of gross sewage, likely explain the higher diversity found on the inner shelf of Ubatuba.

Bryozoans are among the most important groups of the Southern Ocean benthic macrofauna, both in terms of species richness and abundance. However, there is a considerable lack of ecological research focused on their distribution patterns and species richness on smaller scale, especially in the soft bottom habitats of Antarctic glacial fjords. The aim of this study was to describe those patterns in the Admiralty Bay. Forty-nine Van Veen grab samples were collected at the depth range from 15 to 265 m, in the summer season of 1979/1980, at three sites distributed along the main axis of the fjord. Among 53 identified species of bryozoans, 32 were recorded in the Admiralty Bay for the first time. The most common and abundant species were Himantozoum antarcticum, Inversiula nutrix and Nematoflustra flagellata. Genera such as Arachnopusia, Cellarinella and Osthimosia were the most speciose taxa. It was demonstrated that depth was important for the distribution of the bryozoans. More than half of the recorded species were found only below 70 m. An influence of glacial disturbance was reflected in the dominance structure of colony growth-forms. The inner region of the fjord was dominated almost entirely by encrusting species, while the diversity of bryozoan growth-forms in less disturbed areas was much higher. In those sites the highest percentage of branched, tuft like species represented by buguliform and flustriform zoaria was observed. The study was supported by a grant of Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education No. 51/N-IPY/2007/0 as well as Census of Antarctic Marine Life Project. Krzysztof Pabis was also partially supported by University of Lodz internal funds. This research was also supported by the Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute during the realization of the project numbered 40.2900.0903.18.0 titled “Bryozoan assemblage of Admiralty Bay—richness, diversity and abundance.” Urszula Hara is deeply grateful to Leszek Giro (Micro-area Analyses Laboratory at the Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute, Warsaw), for providing SEM assistance during the project. We also want to thank two anonymous reviewers for their suggestions that helped us improve this article. Thanks are also due to Magdalena Błażewicz-Paszkowycz for language correction and polishing the final version of the manuscript.