Search

Ixodes ticks play an important role in the spread of various infectious diseases. Representatives of the Ixodes family carry a large number of pathogens. Zoonotic infections, such as tick-borne borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, etc., are especially dangerous. Areas of distribution of Ixodes ticks are quite diverse: forests, meadows, shrubs, city parks and various types of green spaces in cities. The study of the quantitative and species composition of ticks in natural foci of infectious diseases is an important component of assessing the epizootiological biopotential and forecasting the risks of infectious diseases in certain areas. In the studies, we studied and compared the distribution of Ixodes ticks based on the population density index of Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus in two different habitats: anthropogenically transformed semi-natural forest environment and meadow-type with pastures. The first – the forest area is located in the forest park tract "Golendernya" in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region. The second – a natural meadow area is located in the Cherkasy region, Lysyansk United Territorial Community (OTG), village Zhabianka. Collection of Ixodes was performed by the usual method on the flag. The population density index is expressed in relation to the number of ticks per 1 m2 of the surveyed area with a correction factor of 1.2. A total of 12,000 m2 of total habitat area was surveyed, 572 specimens of Ixodes ticks were collected, including 393 Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus 179, respectively. 356 Ixodes ticks were collected in the Golendernia tract, of which 339 were Ixodes ricinus and only 17 were Dermacentor reticulatus. Accordingly, in Golendernia tract the population density index of the surveyed area of 6 thousand m2 Ixodes ricinus is 0.07 specimens/m2 (95.9%) and Dermacentor reticulatus – 0.003 specimens/m2 (4.1%). 216 specimens of Ixodes ticks were collected in the natural meadow biotope, of which 162 – Dermacentor reticulatus and 54 – Ixodes ricinus. The population density index of the surveyed area of 6 thousand m2 in the meadow biotope with mites of the species Dermacentor reticulatus is 0.03 specimens/m2 (75.0%), and with mites of the species Ixodes ricinus – 0.01 specimens/m2. (25.0%). Population density indices between Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus have a statistically significant difference (p

The classifications of the grouping of the birds reflect the faunistic or the ecological position of the species in certain habitats and landscapes. Most of them consider the species diversity of the birds of the studied regions in general, including synanthropic, invasive and widespread species. This approach prevents singling out the habitats which are important for supporting the existence of native (or autochtonous) species and their groupings. Native groupings of the birds in the dry steppe zone of Ukraine are almost not studied despite the rapid contraction in the range and population of most component species, especially Anthropoides virgo, Otis tarda, Tetrax tetrax and Burhinus oedicnemus. The definition of the taxonomic and the ecological composition of these grouping will help in understanding the strategy of the reproduction and the protection of native avifauna. In connection with this, the faunistic-topomorphic classification of native birds in the dry steppes zone of Ukraine according to the following scheme is proposed: ornithofaunistic complex (by priority landscapes and habitats) – the place of the feeding (by priority substrate on/in which a species’ diet is extracted) – the nesting place (by the priority substrate of the location of the nest for nesting individuals) – the place of rest (the priority substrate where non-nesting individuals rest). The classification is aimed at the definition of the general requirements of native birds and their groupings in terms of the landscapes and the habitats which provide the conditions for their preservation and the protection in the researched region. It has been determined that in the south of Ukraine 33 nesting species are dry-steppe autochthons (18.3% of nesting species of the region), of which 18 species form the ornithofaunistic complex of dry steppes (Buteo rufinus, Perdix perdix, Anthropoides virgo, Otis tarda, Tetrax tetrax, Burhinus oedicnemus, Glareola nordmanni, Galerida cristata, Calandrella cinerea, C. rufescens, Melanocorypha calandra, Anthus campestris, Motacilla feldegg, Saxicola rubetra, S. torquata, Oenanthe oenanthe, Oe. isabellina, Emberiza melanocephala), and 15 species form the complex of the sea coast (Phalacrocoraх aristotelis, Phoenicopterus roseus, Tadorna ferruginea, T. tadorna, Mergus serrator, Charadrius alexandrinus, Recurvirostra avosetta, Larus ichthyaetus, L. melanocephalus, L. genei, L. cachinnans, L. michahellis, Gelochelidon nilotica, Hydroprogne caspia, Thalasseus sandvicensis). The above-mentioned species are mainly xerophiles (54.6% of species) and hygrophils (24.2% of species), and they are in the most threatened position because they feed, nest and rest mainly or exclusively on the soil surface. According to the proposed classification, native birds of dry steppes require: for xerophiles – areas of soil without vegetation or with rarefied low grass, which does not prevent birds from moving freely, searching and obtaining food, leading their chicks, looking over their territories; for hygrophiles – shallow water bodies with islands, surface vegetation, shallows, adjacent meadows and salt-marshes; for dendrophiles – single shrubs and trees or small groves; for most xerophiles and dendrophiles – fresh or slightly saline water bodies for drinking. Unfortunately, in the protected natural territories of the researched region, most native birds do not have this combination of the above-mentioned habitats, which are simultaneously suitable for feeding, nesting and resting.

The diversity of insects is considered a key element in the ecosystem. Climatic conditions affect the distributional patterns of insects such as change in weather influence population dynamics and insect abundance. The present study was designed to ascertain the faunal diversity and abundance in two districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Insects were collected monthly for one year using light traps. Data were collected measuring the environmental variables, viz. temperature, humidity, and wind speed. Samples were then brought to the laboratory and shifted to vials. After that, the specimens were identified using taxonomic keys and literature. The maximum population recorded from the Hafizabad was 75.66% (N=14509), and the lowest population from the Faisalabad was 24.34% (N=4667). Insects belonging to 11 orders, 68 families, 123 genera, and 140 species were recorded from Hafizabad, while ten orders, 77 families, 145 genera, and 177 species were recorded from Faisalabad. Tanytarsus sp. was the most abundant taxon from both localities. The Shannon diversity (H') index was recorded as 3.60 and 2.747 from Faisalabad and Hafizabad, respectively. Evenness was recorded highest from Faisalabad (0.6955), and dominance was maximum from Hafizabad (0.4440). The diversity of species was determined to be significantly different from both areas, while abundance from Faisalabad was less due to environmental variable influence. Since insect biomass reduction is critical in the contemporary world and, in-depth studies on insect diversity patterns are helpful for insect conservation plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is to identify and locate some species related to habitats from Pricop-Huta-Certeze and Upper Tisa Natura 2000 Protected Areas (PHCTS) and to determine if they are vulnerable to risks induced by maximum flow phases. In the first chapter are mentioned few references about the morphometric parameters of the hydrographic networks within the study area, as well as some references related to the maximum flow phases frequency. After the second chapter, where methods and databases used in the study are described, we proceed to the identification of the areas that are covered by water during flood, as well as determining the risk level related to these areas. The GIS modeling reveals small extent of the flood high risk for natural environment related to protected areas and greater extent for the anthropic environment. The last chapter refers to several species of fish and batrachia, as well as to those amphibious mammals identified in the study area that are vulnerable to floods (high turbidity effect, reduction of dissolved oxygen quantity, habitats destruction etc.).

Este estudo discute a relevante interação entre os aspectos morfológicos do relevo (Geomorfologia) correlacionados com os aspectos de distribuição da biota (Biogeografia). A região aqui discutida, esta inserida dentro do domínio morfoclimático amazônico, no Estado de Roraima. As interpretações geomorfológicas dos hábitats foram baseadas em técnicas de sensoriamento remoto, utilizando imagens Landsat 7 (produto Geocover, 2000) para descrever processos agradacionais e o modelo de elevação da SRTM, para os processos denudacionais, processadas pelo Lab. de Métricas da Paisagem (Geografia/UFRR). O Estado de Roraima, representando ~3% da Amazônia, insere-se como uma região que representa as mais variadas tipologias morfológicas do relevo e vegetação, distribuídos neste domínio morfoclimático. Abrange desde relevos baixos, arrasados por intemperismo químico profundo (etchplanação), com planícies fluviais bem desenvolvidas, das quais destacam-se os principais rios com pelo menos 17.500 km² de área úmida, o rio Branco sendo o principal com 3.400 km² de planície fluvial. Ocorrem formações de sistemas lacustres fluviais e desconexos destes, formando áreas periodicamente alagáveis, no lavrado e campinaranas, por exemplo, no lavrado ocupam cerca de 832,627 km², formando um sistema hidrogeoecológico interconectado por campos e veredas com 11.340 km² de extensão, constituindo morfologias típicas de sistemas agradacionais (deposicionais). Estas áreas úmidas em Roraima, levando em consideração somente rios com planícies fluviais desenvolvidas, campos com sistemas lacustres, e áreas de influência de buritizais, estão em torno de 20.750 km² de extensão. Estes aspectos são de fundamental importância para se compreender a dinâmica hidrogeomorfológica dos hábitats de Roraima, com base em técnicas das quais é possível analisar parâmetros geomorfométricos, metodologia empregada para dar mais subsídios na descrição da paisagem.