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A Pannonhalmi Főapátsági Könyvtár régi természettudományi könyveinek szaktudományos áttekintése eddig még nem történt meg. Ebben a dolgozatban arra teszünk kísérletet, hogy a 16–18. századból származó zoológiai könyveket zoológiai szakmai szempontból mutassuk be.

Soil invertebrates have an essential role in decomposition, nutrient turnover and soil structure formation, all of which are strongly threatened by urbanization. Sealing, compaction by trampling and pollution destroy and degrade city soils and potentially damage soil-living invertebrates. The existing literature on how urbanization affects soil invertebrates is inconsistent, presenting both negative and positive effects. Therefore, here we aimed to synthesize the effects of urbanization on soil invertebrates considering their taxonomic (Acari, Annelida, Carabidae, Collembola, Gastropoda, Isopoda, Myriapoda, Nematoda) and functional (soil living vs. soil-related; mobility) identities, as well as to examine how the overall effect is modulated by climatic conditions (total annual precipitation, annual mean ambient temperature), urban heat island effect (based on ambient temperature differences between urban and rural areas) and city population. In a systematic review using hierarchical and categorical meta-analyses, we extracted 158 effect sizes from 75 studies on abundance and 125 effect sizes from 84 studies on species richness. Invertebrate abundance showed an increase (r = 0.085), whereas species richness significantly decreased with increasing urbanization (r = −0.168). The reason behind this could be that a few generalist species can adapt well to the urban environment and achieve strongly elevated densities. The species richness of annelids (r = −0.301), springtails (r = −0.579), and snails (r = −0.233) decreased with advancing urbanization, most probably because these animals are sensitive to soil compaction and pollution, both of which are common consequences of urbanization. The temperature did not modify the effects of urbanization, but precipitation modified the effects on abundance (r = −0.457). Abundance increased with advancing urbanization in drier climates, probably because irrigation increased soil moisture, whereas it decreased in wet climates, as urban areas were drier than their surroundings. Making future cities more climate-neutral could better sustain soil biodiversity.

2020-ban elhunyt kedves barátunk és munkatársunk, akihez sok személyes és szakmai kapcsolatunk kötött. Őt már nem hozza vissza semmi, de emlékét szeretnénk megőrizni a hazai zoológus-társadalom számára az alábbi írással.

As water pollution poses an increasing risk worldwide, it is timely to assess the achievements of the aquatic macroinvertebrate ecotoxicology to provide a sound basis for the discipline’s future and support the development of biomonitoring. Aquatic and semi-aquatic bugs (Hemiptera: Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha) are ubiquitous in almost all water types, sometimes in high densities, and play a significant role in organic material turnover and energy flow. Nevertheless, they are ignored in the water pollution biomonitoring schemes. Here, based on 300 papers, we review and evaluate the effects of chemical pesticides, microorganism-derived pesticides, insecticides of plant origin, heavy metals, eutrophication, salinisation and light pollution which are summarised for the first time. Our review encompasses the results of 100 laboratory and 39 semi-field/field experiments with 47 pesticides and 70 active ingredients. Pyrethroids were found to be more toxic than organochlorine, organophosphate and neonicotinoid insecticides to water bugs, like other macroinvertebrate groups. Additionally, in 10 out of 17 cases, the recommended field concentration of the pesticide was higher than the LC50 values, indicating potential hazards to water bugs. The recommended field concentrations of pesticides used in mosquito larvae control were found non-toxic to water bugs. As very few replicated studies are available, other findings on the effects of pesticides cannot be generalised. The microorganism-derived pesticide Bti appears to be safe when used at the recommended field concentration. Data indicates that plant-derived pesticides are safe with a high degree of certainty. We have identified three research areas where water bugs could be better involved in water biomonitoring. First, someHalobatesspp. are excellent, andGerrisspp. are promising sentinels for Cd contamination. Second, Micronecta and, to a certain extent, Corixidae species composition is connected to and the indicator of eutrophication. Third, the species composition of the Corixidae is related to salinisation, and a preliminary method to quantify the relationship is already available. Our review highlights the potential of water bugs in water pollution monitoring.

The hypothesis that the inter-individual parameter variability is an unexploited area of ecotoxicology was proposed several decades ago. Although some illustrative examples were presented to support this hypothesis in the last decades, it has never been tested on an extensive, coherent database. In this study, variance changes of 105 dose-response curves were analysed. All data originated from the same experiment, where the effects of the insecticide Trebon EC were investigated in a dose-response manner on 15 traits of the collembolan Folsomia candida in four subsequent generations and two types of insecticide treatments. A consistent relationship between inter-individual variance and insecticide application was found in 2 (first clutch size and growth-reproduction trade-off) out of the 15 of the parameters. Contrary to the mean, the variance of the first clutch size showed consistent differences compared to the control. Furthermore, the variance of the growth-reproduction trade-off was consistently different from the control except in one case (F3 generation of the transgenerational treatment). Higher first clutch size variances were found in F1 and a lower one in the F2 and F3 generations than in that of the control. This overall pattern of the variance changes of the first clutch size and the trade-off seems to be a quick response to the insecticide application. In the short term, we have found that variance increased with insecticide treatment (P and F1 generation), because phenotypic variance generally increases due to environmental stress. Disruptive selection could be another mechanism between the more detoxification less reproduction strategy and the more reproduction less detoxification strategy. However, in the later generations (F2-F3) the variance decreases compared to the control, which could be because on short term selection stronger on the viability parameters and in long-term selection on reproduction becomes stronger. According to our results, analysis of the variance changes of some parameters may give information about the effects of the pesticide even when the mean does not predict any impact. Testing variance changes are important in ecotoxicology because variance change can signalise toxicant impact even when the mean does not change in certain cases.

The great reed warbler has two genetically distinguishable haplogroups: "Clade A" occurs in higher proportions in Western Europe and Kazakhstan, and colonised Europe and Asia from a refugium in South-West Europe; and "Clade B", which is more common in Eastern Europe, and colonised parts of Europe from a refugium in the Middle East. Our aims were (i) to analyse the rate of differentiation in Hungarian breeding populations in order to see whether European-scale pattern is visible or not on as a small scale as the territory of Hungary and (ii) to compare the results obtained with mtDNA sequencing and microsatellite markers. To analyse the genetic differentiation, the mtDNA control region II was sequenced in 68 adult breeding birds, and 51 were fingerprinted at 11 microsatellite loci, while both analyses were performed on 36 birds (a total of 83 birds). The microsatellite data gave a better resolution and represented the fine-scale pattern of the suspected recolonisation. The lack of genetic differentiation among the breeding populations based on mitochondrial data seems to support this finding, because the admixture of the clades in this particular geographic region obliterates differentiation. Accordingly, the F

The standard OECD tests for Folsomia candida should be performed on the standard OECD soil. However, if it is necessary to measure more parameters than the juvenile number and mortality, the use of different substrates is necessary. But these substrates can modify the results of the experiments comparing to the standard OECD soil, resulting in different toxicity values. In our research, we tested the toxicity of an insecticide, Trebon® 10F to F. candida (Collembola). We tested the dose-dependent effect of Trebon® 10F on the egg number and the egg size on the substrates of (i) plaster of Paris mixed with activated charcoal and (ii) in standard OECD soil on two generation of collembolas. Similarly to our previous study, the insecticide had a dose-dependent negative effect on the parent’s egg size in the OECD soil, but on plaster of Paris, no response was found. The egg number did not show any response to the treatments. On the contrary, in the offspring generation, the egg size increased both in OECD and plaster of Paris tests. In the soil test, parent collembolas laid significantly more eggs, while the offspring laid much fewer, compared to the plaster of Paris test. Similar results were found in the case of egg size. In the soil test parent collembolas laid larger, while the offspring laid smaller eggs, compared to the plaster of Paris test. In multigenerational tests (i) Trebon 10F could affect the different generations in the opposite way. The experiment performed on the plaster of Paris (ii) could underestimate toxicity compared to the OECD soil test. This should be taken into account when Ecotoxicologists interpret their data.

Environmental toxicants such as insecticides are able to provoke epigenetic alterations which can be inherited to future generations. The aim of the current study was to assess whether the insecticide Trebon 10F (containing the active ingredient etofenprox) causes multigenerational and/or transgenerational effects on the egg traits of the collembolan Folsomia candida. The parent generation was kept in soil treated with three concentrations of the insecticide. The hatched offspring from each treatment were divided into two groups and were treated in the same manner as their parents (multigenerational effect), or remained untreated (transgenerational effect). The parents reacted with smaller eggs to the insecticide in a concentration dependent manner. Both multigenerational and transgenerational effects were detected in the offspring generations. While neither the number of eggs nor the ratios of the egg diameters (shortest/longest diameter) changed, the egg size increased as the Trebon 10F concent...

Chronic exposure of soil animals with insecticides over multiple generations can induce modifications to their life-history. Moreover, insecticide effects over generations may be substantially different if subsequent generations get direct exposure repeatedly (multigenerational effect), or direct exposure affects only the parent generation, but the subsequent ones not (transgenerational effect). These are essential but understudied aspects of the environmental risk assessment. The present study assessed the multi- and transgenerational effects of the insecticide Trebon® 30 EC (active ingredient etofenprox) on 15 life-history traits (initial length, final length, absolute growth, total number of eggs, number of clutches, time of maturation, ratio of egg diameters, egg volume, unhatched ratio, reproduction investment, mortality, food consumption, velocity, movement energy, growth-reproduction trade-off) of the collembolan Folsomia candida Willem, 1902 in a four-generation long laboratory study. In the multigenerational treatment, all four generations were treated by the insecticide, while in the transgenerational one, only the parent generation was treated, but the consecutive three generations were not. When a generation was treated with the insecticide, six sublethal concentrations of the Trebon® 30 EC (0, 0.766, 1.303, 2.215, 3.765, and 6.4 ml insecticide L−1 water) were applied to see dose-response effects. In the multigenerational treatment, dose-dependent effects of the insecticide were pronounced from the parent to the F2 generation, with high mortality, especially in the highest concentration. Conversely, in the transgenerational treatment the most effects on life-history traits were found in the F3 generation. The results show that in the multigenerational treatment, either the population becomes resistant, or it could compensate for the effects of the insecticide in the long term. In the F1 generation, the number of eggs and clutches decreased, the mortality increased, and the growth-reproduction trade-off shifted in the direction of growth. Rather similar results were found in the F2 generation, with the difference that all animals died in that case if the insecticide was applied for consecutive generations repeatedly, and five to eight times higher than the recommended field concentration (0.766–1.303 ml L−1). Furthermore, our experiment detected evidence of an apparent transgenerational effect. While in the F1 and F2 generation of the transgenerational treatment, few effects were found, in the F3 generation, 10 out of the 15 traits showed a dose-response relationship. This finding indicates the long-term transgenerational effects of the Trebon® 30 EC insecticide on several F. candida life-history traits. We concluded that the influence of both treatment methods on life-history traits is strong but appreciably distinct. Our results support the view that transgenerational epigenetic heritability should be taken into account in environmental risk assessment.

Morphological variation can enable species to successfully survive and reproduce in distinct habitats. Water scorpion (Nepa cinerea Linnaeus, 1758) occurs in different aquatic habitats from lentic to lotic conditions. We examined the morphology of N. cinerea collected from a diverse array of habitat types (creeks, canals, ponds) in order to explore possible morphological adaptations to the habitat. We addressed the following specific questions: (i) is there any morphological differences between specimens collected from distinct habitats, and if so, (ii) is it possible to relate differences in morphology of the N. cinerea to characteristics of the habitat structure? Altogether 121 individuals (69 males and 52 females) were sampled from 17 sampling sites in the catchment area of Lake Balaton (Hungary). 54 body parameters were determined on all individuals. According to five habitat parameters (bottom quality, current velocity of the water, water depth, submerse plant density, shading) sampling sites were clustered into two distinct groups. Submerse plant density proved to be the most important discriminating factor between the two groups. The morphology of the N. cinerea (both males and females) sampled from the two contrasting habitat types were different. No relationship was found between geographical position of the habitat type and body morphology of N. cinerea. Leg morphology, especially claws on the third leg and some body shape parameters showed relationships with habitat characteristics. These morphological variations, which may be the result of phenotypic plasticity, could contribute to an opportunistic habitat choice of the species.

Despite the fact that, on average, approximately 5-6 metric tons/ha of Bt maize stubble enter the soil on more than 170 million of hectares worldwide, the environmental impact of genetically modified maize plants on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is poorly known. In this study, the mycorrhizal colonisation on the roots of Bt maize (DAS-59122-7) and its near isogenic line was examined during the whole vegetation period. Cry3 toxin-producing Bt maize and its near isogenic line were grown in an experimental field in Julianna-major, Nagykovacsi, Hungary. DAS-59122-7 maize produces Cry34Ab1 , Cry35Ab1 toxins and pat proteins for herbicide tolerance. The study assessed whether similar arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation can be observed on the root of the Bt and near isogenic maize line and whether there are any differences in the temporal dynamics of AMF development. The arbuscular, hyphal and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonisation were higher in the near isogenic line as compared to its Bt counterpart, but no significant effect of the maize line was found as regards vesicle colonisation. The intensity of the arbuscular infection increased over time during plant maturation. DAS-59122-7 Bt maize had a negative effect on the initial development of AMF under field conditions, but no difference was seen in the case of the last two sampling dates (day 82 and 135). The reason of the latter is still not known.

Predatory invertebrates play a significant role in the organisation of aquatic communities. However, their ecology is poorly known even for many common taxa. We examined the meso-habitat use and aspects of movement activity of two common predatory water bug species Ilyocoris cimicoides (L., 1758) and Nepa cinerea L., 1758 under field and laboratory conditions in order to assess the effect of the patchiness on habitat choice. Ilyocoris cimicoides preferred open habitats, rich in submerged vegetation, without submerged terrestrial materials. Shaded habitats such as under trees, with moderately dense vegetation and submerged branches, were favoured by N. cinerea. Both laboratory and field data indicated differences in the short-term and similarity in the long-term movement behaviour of the two species. In the short-term, I. cimicoides moved frequently, while N. cinerea moved rarely, but the distance visited over the course of a longer time span is comparable.

Selenium soil chemistry is complex. It is dominated by selenates, selenites and selenides. Selenate seems to be more toxic for soil animals than selenite. However, bioavailability of different selenium forms as selenate and selenite on soil animals is poorly known. In order to investigate whether higher toxicity of selenate over selenite is a stable phenomenon to the potworm Enchytraeus albidus , standard laboratory tests were conducted on a chernozem brown forest soil and on a meadow chernozem. Toxicity was expressed in terms of adult mortality (LC 50 ) and juvenile production (EC 50 ). Selenate toxicity, expressed on adult mortality and juvenile production, was more substantial than that of selenite if total (conc. HNO 3 + conc. H 2 O 2 soluble) concentrations were considered. No such difference was observed in the case of available (NH 4 -acetate + EDTA soluble) concentrations. E. albidus proved to be more sensitive to selenate and selenite status of the soil than any other animal species tested before. Soil pH between 5.8 and 7.6 did not influence toxicity. The toxicity of selenate and selenite is reverse in aquatic and soil environment in most cases. The reason for this needs further investigations.

Ringing databases of the EURING Data Bank and the Hungarian Bird Ringing Centre were analysed in order to investigate the philopatry of the great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) in three European regions. The aim of the study was to find out if there are continent-scale geographic trends in philopatry with respect to the age of the birds. Three clusters were assigned according to their geographic positions: (i) southern part of Europe (Region 1: between 36°–43° latitudes), (ii) middle part of Europe (Region 2: between 43°–49° latitudes) and (iii) northern part of Europe, (Region 3: between 49°–56° latitudes). No significant differences were found between the natal and breeding philopatry in any Regions, except Region 3. The birds ringed as adults in Region 3 were less faithful to their breeding site than those of the other two regions. Natal philopatry of juveniles did not differ between Region 1 and Region 2, but both of them differed in this respect from Region 3. A method for choosing appropriate breeding periods in philopatry studies is also proposed.

Detailed faunistic data originating from four sampling series of aquatic Heteroptera (Nepomorpha) in the Lake Balaton (the largest shallow lake of Central Europe) between 1928 and 2002 were analysed. A comparative analysis confirmed that the aquatic bug fauna of this great lake can be established with suitable accuracy if it is sampled by different but devoted collectors. So far 26 species of aquatic bugs have been reported from here. The fauna changed considerably during the seven decades. Species lists of the four basins of the lake established during the four sampling periods show characteristic differences. Not only the frequency of four Micronecta species (Micronecta griseola, M. pusilla, M. scholzi, M. minutissima) changed characteristically but there has been a distinct change in the ratio of rare species too. Rare species were present in significantly higher proportion in the period 1928–1930 than in any of the later samplings between 1984 and 2002. All these changes run parallel with the directio...

Former studies have shown that the Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) has two genetically distinguishable haplogroups (a “western” and an “eastern” clade). The species occurs in South Africa from January to late March, yet, in the whole database of EURING, there are no recoveries to the south of the Congo. There are at least three hypotheses concerning which birds are seen wintering in South Africa: (1) the European breeders reach South Africa, but there are no ringing recoveries; (2) a mixed population of birds originating from Turkey, Iran and Kazakhstan (Near and Middle East) winters in South Africa; and (3) birds from Europe and the Near and Middle Eastern populations both reach South Africa. We have sequenced a 492-bp part of the mtDNA control region II in 146 samples from five European breeding and one South African wintering population of Great Reed Warblers. The results show that over 60% of the wintering birds in South Africa carry European haplotypes, belonging to both “eastern” and “western” clades. Since the exact haplotypic constitution of the Near and Middle Eastern populations are not known to us, we cannot exclude that a mixed wintering population is formed from birds originating from these regions, but it seems more likely that the European breeders reach South Africa.

Nematodes are key agents in important soil processes, such as decomposition, mineralization and nutrient cycling. Therefore, alterations of the nematode community structure induced by global change may have a considerable influence on ecosystem functioning. However, it is not clear whether minor changes in soil temperature and/or moisture have any significant effect on nematode community structure. A field experiment was performed in a mosaic of open sand grassland and Juniper–Poplar woodland (VULCAN Project). Soil temperature and moisture were modified to the extent expected for the near future due to global changes. Community diversity and multivariate structure of the nematode community proved to be more sensitive to minute changes in soil temperature and moisture than different indices, such as specific richness (SR), maturity index (MI), plant parasite index (PPI), enrichment index (EI), channel index (CI), fungal feeder to bacterial feeder ratio (F/B) and nematode channel ratio (NCR). Nematode genera with high densities (>0.1 individual g−1 soil) were better indicators of the temperature and moisture changes than those of low density (

In 2003, 26 Heteroptera species (16 aquatic and 10 semiaquatic) were collected from 53 sampling sites in the Szigetkoz region in Hungary. Hyocoris cimicoides and Gerris argentatus were the most frequent aquatic and semiaquatic species, respectively. Large differences both in the species number and species composition were observed among the different flood-prevention areas, arm systems and habitats. Strong negative correlation was found between the average number of aquatic species and current velocity, and a strong positive correlation between the average number of aquatic and semiaquatic species and macrophyte density. From a faunistic point of view, the marsh at Arak is the most interesting and valuable site.

Little information is available about the toxicity of inorganic selenium forms in soil animals. Therefore, the effects of selenate and selenite on the mortality and reproduction of Enchytraeus albidus were examined in standard laboratory tests with chronic exposure. Total and available amount of selenate and selenite were tested in a calcareous loamy chernozem soil. The LC(50) of selenate was 5.69 (2.7-8.12) mg kg(-1) dry wt. for total Se and 4.74 (2.14-6.98) mg kg(-1) dry wt. for available Se. Selenite LC(50) was as high as 22.5 (19.6-25.7) mg kg(-1) dry wt. for total Se and 8.10 (6.8-9.6) mg kg(-1) dry wt. for available Se. The EC(50) of selenate was 0.41 (0.35-0.48) mg kg(-1) dry wt. for total Se and 0.28 (0.24-0.34) mg kg(-1) dry wt. for available Se. Selenite EC(50) was as high as 7.3 (6.2-8.5) mg kg(-1) dry wt. for total Se and 2.46 (2.05-2.91) mg kg(-1) dry wt. for available Se. The response in reproduction was more sensitive to Se toxicity than the response in mortality. Selenate proved to be more toxic than selenite. Available data show that E. albidus may function as a biological indicator for some inorganic selenium forms in the soil.

Collembolas are important members of belowground food webs. There is little information available on the effects of the plant residues of transgenic maize expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin on soil animals, including collembola. This is why two questions were addressed in laboratory feeding experiments with three collembolan species: (i) Are collembola equally distributed on residues of isogenic and Bt-maize? and (ii) Do collembola show feeding preference to either of the maize types? Bt-maize (producing Cry1Ab toxin) proved to be a less preferred food source for Folsomia candida than the isogenic one. No similar phenomenon was found in the case of Heteromurus nitidus and Sinella coeca . F. candida reacted to as low as 3.45 (± 0.8 mg g −1 ) Bt-toxin content of the maize. Our results show that the effect of the Bt-toxin producing maize on the collembolan is species specific.

The effects of heavy metal pollutants on aquatic birds have been widely studied in ecotoxicological investigations; however, the predominant focus has been on the postnatal period of life. Limited information on the adverse effects of metals to bird eggs is available. The possible toxic effects of lead and copper were studied in mallard eggs. After the accidental severe heavy metal pollution of the Tisa river (Hungary) in March 2000, these metals were detected in the highest concentration in both the water and the sediment, reaching far beyond acceptable concentrations. Pb treatment (2.9 mg/L) significantly increased the rate of mortality after a single immersion of the eggs into polluted water for 30 min. The rate of dead embryos significantly increased after the combined exposure to Cu and Pb (0.86 and 2.9 mg/L, respectively) both in the single- (once for 30 min) and in the multiple- (10s daily during first trimester of incubation) immersion groups. It was concluded that elevated metal concentrations similar to those found in the Tisa river after the tailing dam failure may cause toxic effects (mortality and teratogenicity) upon exposure of mallard eggs.

Zn uptake by maize plants may be affected by the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Collembola often play an important controlling role in the inter-relationship between AMF and host plants. The objective of this experiment was to examine whether the presence of Collembola at different densities (0.4 and 1 individuals g−1 dry soil) and their activity have any effect on Zn uptake by maize through the plant–AMF system. The presence of the AMF (Glomus intraradices) and of the Collembola species Folsomia candida was studied in a laboratory microcosm experiment, applying a Zn exposure level of 250 mg kg−1 dry soil. Biomass and water content of the plants were no different when only AMF or when both AMF and Collembola were present. In the presence of AMF the Zn content of the plant shoots and roots was significantly higher than without AMF. This effect was reduced by Collembola at both low and high density. High densities of Collembola reduced the extent of AMF colonization of the plant roots and hyphal length in the soil, but low densities had no effect on either. The results of this experiment reveal that the F. candida–G. intraradices interaction affects Zn uptake by maize, but the mechanisms are still unknown.

Az Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta, Annelida) családba tartozó kistestű televényférgek, fontos szerepet töltenek be sok ökoszisztémában. Rendkívül érzékenyek az antropogén stresszfaktorokra, mégis sokáig elhanyagolták őket, mint tesztállatokat. Az Enchytraeus Reprodukciós Teszt (ERT) különböző kémiai anyagok hatásvizsgálatára, valamint talajminőség megállapításához fejlesztették ki. A kidolgozott új módszer révén lehetőség nyílt a korábbi, különböző tesztek eredményeiben megfigyelhető nagy változatosság csökkentésére, valamint tanulmányozhatóvá vált a televényférgek különböző antropo­gén stressz­faktorokkal szemben mutatott érzékenysége. Az ERT alapján dolgoztak ki és fogadtak el több szabványosított teszteljárást (ASTM E 1676-97; ISO 16387; OECD 220). Mindezek mellett folyamatban van új eljárások kidolgozása is, melyek egyrészt a televényférgek magatartás vizsgálatán, másrészt a bioakkumulációs hatásokon alapulnak. A számos különböző kísérlet, a már elfogadott és a még folyamatban lévő nemzetközi szabványok mind-mind megerősítik, hogy ez az állatcsoport (Enchytraeidae) és ezen belül is alapvetően három faj ( E. albidus, E. crypticus és E. luxuriosus ) különösen alkalmas talajokon végzett ökotoxikológiai tesztekre.

Az ökotoxikológiai tesztek a talaj össz-toxicitását, a hatások eredojét mutatják meg, és általuk ismeretlen összetételu anyagok hatása is mérheto. Az ún. direkt tesztek során a tesztszervezet közvetlen kontaktusba kerül a talajjal, míg a kivonatot alkalmazó tesztek elsosorban arra alkalmasak, hogy csapadékvíz vagy felszín alatti víz hatására bekövetkezo kimosódást és terjedést vizsgáljunk. A direkt tesztek, egyértelmu reprezentativitásuk mellett, rendelkeznek egy jelentos hátránnyal: jelentos expozíciós idovel dolgoznak (4-8 hét). Éppen ezért elsodleges célunk az volt, hogy megvizsgáljuk egy vizes oldattal dolgozó teszt, a ToxAlert mennyire alkalmas talajszennyezettség minosítésére. Mintaterületként egy alumíniumipari veszélyeshulladék-lerakó környezetét jelöltük ki, a területrol feltételeztük, hogy a lerakó fennállása alatt elszennyezodött. A ToxAlert teszt alapelve a biolumineszcencia, az alkalmazott tesztszervezet a Vibrio fischeri (biolumineszcens baktérium). Toxikus hatásra bioluminesz-cencia-gátlás következik be. A ToxAlert teszt megbízhatóságának ellenorzésére alkalmazott vizsgálatok a Folsomia candida és Enchytraeus albidus tesztek, ill. talajzoológiai vizsgálatok voltak. A fonálféreg-együttesek jellemzésére az abundancia és genusszám értékek, valamint a Maturity Index szolgált. Az eredmények értékelésébol kitunik, hogy a Folsomia candida, ill. az Enchytraeus albidus laboratóriumi reprodukciós tesztjeiben mért paraméterei alapján nem sikerült távolsághatást kimutatni. A fonálféreg-közösségek elemzése során sem sikerült szennyezettséget egyértelmuen megállapítani, az abun-dancia értékek és a taxonszámok egyaránt megfelelnek a hasonló agrárterületeken mért adatoknak. A ToxAlert teszt eredményei alapján a lerakó szomszédságában két összefüggo szennyezett területet is sikerült lehatárolni, amely a lerakó jelentette környezeti kockázatra enged következtetni. Végso megállapításként elmondható, hogy a ToxAlert teszt alkalmasnak bizonyult veszélyeshulladék-lerakók környezetterhelésének minosítésére, így a kármentesítés elso, diagnosztikai fázisában ez a teszt fontos szerepet kaphat.

Krónikus toxicitási vizsgálatokat végeztünk laboratóriumban a közönséges televényféreg (Enchytraeus albidus) faj segítségével egy 1991 tavaszán beállított mikroelem-terhelési szabadföldi tartamkísérlet szántott rétegébol származó talajokon. Hét elem - a Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn és a Se - hosszú távú hatásait teszteltük a faj mortalitásán és reprodukciós képességén. A kísérletben alkalmazott elemeknek (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn, Se) a talajba kerülésüket követoen 7 évvel is van kimutatható hatása a toxicitási tesztekben vizsgált paraméterekre. Megállapítottuk, hogy a szelén növekvo koncentrációi a mortalitást és a reprodukciós képességet is szignifikánsan csökkentik. A vizsgált talajtípuson a LOEC érték 2 mg/kg NH4-acetát + EDTA-oldható Se volt. A legmagasabb koncentrációban (810 kg/ha) kijuttatott hat nehézfém (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn) hét évvel a kezelés után a közönséges televényféreg mortalitására nincs statisztikailag igazolható hatással, ugyanakkor a reprodukciós képességet szignifikánsan csökkentik. Alacsonyabb koncentrációban (270 kg/ha) statisztikailag kimutatható hatása már csak a cinknek van, amely a reprodukciós képességet csökkenti.

Long-term effects of Cd, Cr, Cu, Se and Zn were studied 7 years after artificially contaminating plots of an agricultural field on a calcareous chernozem soil. Effects of three to four different contamination levels (originally 10, 30, 90 and 270 mg kg(-1)) were studied. Nematode density was significantly reduced by 90 and 270 mg kg(-1) Se as well as by 270 mg g(-1) Cr, while 90 and 270 mg kg(-1) Se also reduced nematode generic richness. Maturity Index values (calculated for c-p 2-5 nematodes) consistently decreased with increasing Cr and Se concentration and to a lesser extent in Zn plots as well. Structure Index showed decreasing trends in increasing Cr, Se and (to a lesser extent) in Zn treatments, while in Cd it shows a moderate increase. Distribution of c-p groups was negatively affected by the increasing Cr and Se concentration, while in Zn plots, this decrease was not significant. Response of feeding groups to pollutions was similar to other parameters: Cr and Se caused significant changes toward the loss of variability. The proportion of the most sensitive omnivorous and predatory nematodes decreased clearly as a consequence of Cr and Se treatments. Zn pollution also resulted in a slight decrease in this group, while Cd caused an increase. Nematode diversity profiles showed a significant decrease in the plots of increased Cr and Se concentrations, while increased concentrations of Cu and Zn resulted in ambiguous effects. Besides providing evidence on the harmful effects of Cr and Se on a soil nematode assemblage, our results suggest that simultaneous analysis of Maturity Index, Structure Index and diversity profiles provide a promising tool in nemtological indication of soil pollution. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Consensus nematode 185 ribosomal DNA primers were designed by aligning available 185 sequences and identifying a variable region flanked by highly conserved regions. These primers were then used to amplify nematode 18S rDNA from whole soil community DNA extracted from a range of European grassland types. Cloning of the PCR amplicons (778 bp) followed by restriction digest analysis (RFLP) resulted in the recovery of 34 unique nematode sequences from the four grasslands studied. Comparison of these data with the limited number of 18S rDNA nematode sequences currently held in on-line databases revealed that all of the sequences could be assigned to known nematode taxa albeit tentatively in some cases. Two of the sequences recovered from the site in the Netherlands (wet, hay-grassland) were recovered in a clade that included a sequence of the genus Trichodorus whilst other sequences from this site showed similarity with 185 rDNA sequences of the genus Prismatolaimus (five sequences), Xiphinema (one sequence) and Enoplus (one sequence). Of the remaining sequences, two showed some affinity with Mylonchulus (UK, upland peat), four with Steinernema (UK) and one sequence with Mesorhabditis (Hungary, east European Steppe). Three sequences from the Netherlands and one from Hungary were recovered in a clade that included a sequence of the genus Pratylenchoides whilst three further sequences from the Netherlands and two from Hungary were recovered in a clade encompassing the genus Globodera. Of the remaining nine sequences, two (NL6, NL62) formed a distinct lineage within the Adenophorea with 90% bootstrap recovery in a paraphyletic clade that included sequences of Prismatolaimus and Trichodorus. Seven sequences (three from the Netherlands, three from the UK and one from Greece) were left unassigned though the tree topology suggested some relationship (58% bootstrap recovery) with the genus Cephalobus. To assess whether primers used to amplify 185 rDNA might be used to fingerprint genetic diversity in nematode communities in soil, the environmental sequence data were used to design a second set of primers carrying a GC-clamp. These primers amplified a 469 by fragment internal to the region flanked by the primer set used to derive the nematode trees and were used to amplify 185 rDNA for subsequent analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). DGGE analysis of six major European grassland types revealed considerable genetic diversity between sites. However, the relationships seen with the DGGE data were inconsistent with previous studies where the same soils had been characterized with respect to functional and morphological diversity. To confine that this second set of primers was amplifying nematode sequences, selected bands on the DGGE gels were extracted, PCR amplified and sequenced. The final alignment was 337 bases. These analyses revealed the presence of sequence signatures from the genera Paratrichodorus, Plectus, Steinernema, Globodera, Cephalobus and Pratylenchoides. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A dolgozatban áttekintjük a talajban élő állatok és az arbuszkuláris mikorrhizagombák (AM-gomba) közötti sokféle kapcsolatrendszert. Várható, hogy a klímaváltozások következtében növekszik a száraz időszakok gyakorisága. Ilyen körülmények között a mikorrhiza-gombák jelentősége a növények tápanyag- és vízfelvételében a jelenlegi állapothoz képest növekedni fog. Célunk, hogy bemutassuk az állatok hatását az AM-gombákra és ezen keresztül a növényi tápanyagfelvételre, valamint a növények növekedésére. A különböző talajlakó állatfajok hatása az AM-gombákra egyidejűleg lehet pozitív és negatív is, ezért a hatások eredőjeként tapasztalt jelenségek magyarázata sokszor igen bonyolult.

In a field microcosm experiment, we tested the hypothesis that adult collembola, depending on their density, may enhance or decrease mycorrhizal development and growth of maize ( Zea mays L.) or red fescue ( Festuca rubra L.). Collembola decreased mycorrhizal spore number in the soil. A significant decrease in the spore number, compared to the treatment without collembola, was recorded and ranged from 0.2 to 1.6 individuals g −1 soil in both experiments. Highest AM fungi colonization was found at 0.2 and 0.4 collembola g −1 soil density in the maize and red fescue treatments, respectively. This finding may explain why about 0.1 individuals g −1 soil was reported as optimum for plant growth by some authors.

A basic knowledge of regional faunas is necessary to follow the changes in macroinvertebrate communities caused by environmental influences and climatic trends in the future. We collected all the available data on water bugs in Hungary using an inventory method, a UTM grid based database was built, and Jackknife richness estimates and species accumulation curves were calculated. Fauna compositions were compared among Central-European states. As a result, an updated and annotated checklist for Hungary is provided, containing 58 species in 21 genera and 12 families. A total 66.8% of the total UTM 10 × 10 km squares in Hungary possess faunistic data for water bugs. The species number in grid cells numbered from 0 to 42, and their diversity patterns showed heterogeneity. The estimated species number of 58 is equal to the actual number of species known from the country. The asymptotic shape of the accumulative species curve predicts that additional sampling efforts will not increase the number of species currently known from Hungary. These results suggest that the number of species in the country was estimated correctly and that the species accumulation curve levels off at an asymptotic value. Thus a considerable increase in species richness is not expected in the future. Even with the species composition changing the chance of species turn-over does exist. Overall, 36.7% of the European water bug species were found in Hungary. The differences in faunal composition between Hungary and its surrounding countries were caused by the rare or unique species, whereas 33 species are common in the faunas of the eight countries. Species richness does show a correlation with latitude, and similar species compositions were observed in the countries along the same latitude. The species list and the UTM-based database are now up-to-date for Hungary, and it will provide a basis for future studies of distributional and biodiversity patterns, biogeography, relative abundance and frequency of occurrences important in community ecology, or the determination of conservation status.

Summary A field experiment was established to examine the effects of temperature and moisture modifications on the nematode fauna of a semiarid grassland. Several combinations of drying, wetting, warming and cooling were applied to plots and compared with untreated control plots. The experiment was performed from July to October 1996. A significant shift was observed in the structure of the nematode fauna between late summer and early autumn. This shift was manifested in the disappearance of four rare genera; Ecumenicus, Eucephalobus, Paraphelenchus and Pungentus. A significant decrease was found in the density of Acrobeles, Aphelenchoides, Ditylenchus and Prismatolaimus; in addition there was a significant increase in the density of Cephalobus, Helicotylenchus, Paratylenchus and Tylenchorhynchus. Community structural change was represented by an initial decrease in nematode generic richness of 30–50%, and in a statistically significant decrease of nematode diversity in the control and all treated plots. Thereafter, emergence of a new community was demonstrated. Data show that temperature manipulation was the main factor to influence nematode diversity, Maturity Index, and Plant Parasite Index. However, nematode population density was influenced predominantly by the soil moisture content. Coenological analysis of soil nematode fauna appears to be a useful tool for the biological monitoring of the effects of global change on semiarid grasslands.

The effect of the nematofauna on the microbiology and soil nitrogen status was studied in 6 major European grassland types (Northern tundra (Abisko, Sweden), Atlantic heath (Otterburn, UK), wet grassland (Wageningen, Netherlands), semi-natural temperate grassland (Linden, Germany), East European steppe (Pusztaszer, Hungary) and Mediterranean garigue (Mt. Vermion, Greece). To extend the range of temperature and humidity experienced locally during the investigation period, soil microclimates were manipulated, and at each site 14 plots were established representing selected combinations of 6 temperature and 6 moisture levels. The investigated soils divided into two groups: mineral grassland soils that were precipitation fed (garigue, wet grassland, seminatural grassland, steppe), and wet organic soils that were groundwater fed (heath, tundra). Effects of the nematofauna on the microflora were found in the mineral soils, where correlations among nematode metabolic activity as calculated from a metabolic model, and microbial activity parameters as indicated by Biolog and ergosterol measurements, were significantly positive. Correlations with bacterial activity were stronger and more consistent. Microbial parameters, in turn, were significantly correlated with the size of the soil nitrogen pools NH4, NO3, and Norganic. Furthermore, model results suggested that there were remarkable direct effects of nematodes on soil nitrogen status. Calculated monthly nematode excretion contributed temporarily up to 27% of soluble soil nitrogen, depending on the site and the microclimate. No significant correlation among nematodes and microbial parameters, or nitrogen pools, were found in the wet organic soils. The data show that the nematofauna can under favourable conditions affect soil nitrogen status in mineral grassland soils both directly by excretion of N, and indirectly by regulating microbial activity. This suggests that the differences in nitrogen availability observed in such natural grasslands partly reflect differences in the activity of their indigenous nematofauna.

The paper describes a mesocosm (pot) experiment which provides the possibility for multiparametric evaluation of N-flows required for an ecological approach to N-cycIing in a soil/plant/atmosphere system. The quantitative distribution of nitrogen between different pools is presented and particular emphasis is given to the contribution of soil mesofauna. The determination of a wide spectrum of cumulative N-flows (soil-N in NO3 −, NH4 + and active organic pools, plant uptake, mesofaunal N-content, gaseous N-losses) indicates the change of N- transformation dynamics which may be studied by supplementary testing of microbiological and mesofaunal activity joint to the basic experimental model.

The effect of long-term feeding on Bt-maize by collembolans in the laboratory is virtually unestablished. That is why the aim of the present study was to test whether the reproduction, fecal pellet production or food preference of the collembolan F. candida is affected when fed on Bt-maize for several consecutive generations. The collembolans were fed with Bt-maize for 0, 6, 16 and 22 months and the number of eggs and fecal pellets were determined. The experiment was repeated seven months later with the same populations. Food preference tests were additionally performed. Significant differences were found in food consumption, egg production and food preference between populations in some cases, but no time-response effect was observed. In conclusion, several generations feeding of F. candida on Cry1Ab toxin containing Bt-maize seems not to be harmful to this collembolan species.

Effects of Cd, Cr, Se and Zn at a maximum rate of 270 mg kg(-1) were studied on a nematode assemblage after 6-10 years of application. Winter wheat, sunflower, sorrel, barley and rape were grown on the experimental field. Cd had a moderate effect on nematodes in spite of the fact that this element significantly decreased plant biomass. Cr was harmful to plants only in the first year of the study. However, Cr decreased Aporcelaimellus density and maturity index, increased Pratylenchus density and bacterial-fungal ratio, changed the c-p structure and feeding type composition. Se proved to be very toxic at a concentration of 11 mg kg(-1) (NH(4)-acetate+EDTA soluble form). Some advantageous effects of Zn were found in the first year. These disappeared later on. Remarkable between-year fluctuations of the nematode assemblage composition were observed.

The effects of the presence of Folsomia candida on substrate-induced respiration, CO2-C evolution, bacterial count and NH 4 + -N were investigated in a grassland soil. Differences in these parameters, with the exception of NH 4 + , were correlated with the age of the collembolan Folsomia candida. In the presence of juvenile animals total CO2-C evolution was enhanced, but substrate-induced respiration and the bacterial count were unchanged. In fumigated soil with imagos, substrate-induced respiration and the number of bacteria were increased, but total CO2-C evolution was unaltered. Different food selection strategies between adults and juvenile animals may explain the results.