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INSTYTUT ARCHEOLOGII I ETNOLOGII POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
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INSTYTUT BADAŃ LITERACKICH POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
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INSTYTUT BADAWCZY LEŚNICTWA
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INSTYTUT BIOLOGII DOŚWIADCZALNEJ IM. MARCELEGO NENCKIEGO POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
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INSTYTUT BIOLOGII SSAKÓW POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
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INSTYTUT CHEMII FIZYCZNEJ PAN
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INSTYTUT CHEMII ORGANICZNEJ PAN
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INSTYTUT FILOZOFII I SOCJOLOGII PAN
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INSTYTUT GEOGRAFII I PRZESTRZENNEGO ZAGOSPODAROWANIA PAN
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INSTYTUT HISTORII im. TADEUSZA MANTEUFFLA POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
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INSTYTUT JĘZYKA POLSKIEGO POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
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INSTYTUT MATEMATYCZNY PAN
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INSTYTUT MEDYCYNY DOŚWIADCZALNEJ I KLINICZNEJ IM.MIROSŁAWA MOSSAKOWSKIEGO POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
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INSTYTUT PODSTAWOWYCH PROBLEMÓW TECHNIKI PAN
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INSTYTUT SLAWISTYKI PAN
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SIEĆ BADAWCZA ŁUKASIEWICZ - INSTYTUT TECHNOLOGII MATERIAŁÓW ELEKTRONICZNYCH
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MUZEUM I INSTYTUT ZOOLOGII POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
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INSTYTUT BADAŃ SYSTEMOWYCH PAN
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INSTYTUT BOTANIKI IM. WŁADYSŁAWA SZAFERA POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
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- 1. Contacting North Sea, tha t is euhaline one, characteristic for great oscillationof the water lev l at the coasts by the tides and situated in the same climaticzone with the Baltic Coastal waters (the brackish waters of the mounth of Elberiver).2. Contacting Mediterranean Sea, the sea of high salinity of waters whichis like Baltic actually deprived of tides and situated in a more dry and warmerclimate (tide waters of the Rhóne river: Camargue, the lakes of de Thau and deBerre), with periodically reduced delivery of river waters.3. Situated in the tropical and subtropical zones with strongly marked seasonalchanges in the supply of fresh waters (river and rainy waters) which contactthe ocean, that is euhaline environment, and are situated in the region where thedifference in the water level connected with tides is great (brackish and mangrove waters of the west coast of Madagascar ).In spite of basic differences between Baltic Coastal brackish waters and otherCoastal waters on Earth which are mainly concerned with hydrologic and productiveprocesses, the degree of stability, the species composition of communities etc. —Baltic Coastal lakes and bays reveal all the features characteristic for Coastalbrackish waters which are the following : a) the lack of stability in hydrologicconditions caused by reversible delta, this being however less prominent thanin some waters of other types, b) the restricted number of species with simultaneous mass development of individuals, c) interrelation between ranges of seaspecies and freshwat r ones, d) great productiyity, particularly that of fish.
- 104 species of Rhopalocera (families: Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidaeand Nymphalidae) have been recorded in Warsaw to date. Of these, 98 species were recorded in historical times. Recent records from Warsaw are not available for 30 of them, but they still occur in Poland. This group consists of: P. ser-ratulae, A. crataegi, C. palaeno, C. argiades, G. alexis, P. baton, M.arion, P. optilete, B. daphne, N. xanthomelas, E. aurinia, M. phoebe,M. aurelia, and the migratoryN. vaualbum, which is the only species not recorded from Poland since 1922. Contemporary records (1961 –onwards) list 75 species. Most of them (e.g. P. brassicae, P. napi. P. rapae, A. cardamines, C. hyale, L.sinapis, I. io, G. rhamni, L. phlaeas, L. tityrus) are common throughout the country, but some are regarded as rare (I. podalirius, M. teleius). Three species: C. croceus, V. atalanta and V. cardui,are more or less frequent visitors.
- 117 nests of Red-breasted Flycatchers in Białowieża primeval forest (NE Poland) are characterised. Most nests (79%) were built in Hornbeam Carpinus betulus and Lime Tilia cordata. Three types of nest sites were distinguished: chimney shaped (26.4%), half-cavities (46.4%), or shelves — the nest is wedged under a piece of bark against the main trunk (27.3%). Most cavity entrances were exposed to the south. Compared to other species of secondary cavity nesters in Białowieża National Park, Red-breasted Flycatchers used cavities of a different shape, with a smaller bottom area, and at a relatively low height above the ground (>>= 4.9 ą 3.12 m). Nesting trees had a smaller diameter (>>= 31.2 ą 21.4 cm) and were more often dead (27%) than trees used by other secondary cavity nesting species. Only four nest sites were used in consecutive seasons.
- The 12 genera of the Thalycra complex are reviewed, diagnosed, and keyed. The group is related to the Pocadius complex (based on larval and adult morphology) and is characterized by the following adult characters in combination: body form elongate and convex, pronotaland elytral margins narrowly explanate, vestiture of setae relatively sparse, length of antennomere 11 smaller than 9 and 10 combined, and metacoxae approximate with a moderately narrow intercoxal process. Three genera are described as new: Pocadiolycra Kirejtshuk and Leschen, gen. nov. (type species: Pocadiolycra peruensis Kirejtshuk and Leschen, sp. nov.; P. guyanaensis Kirejtshuk, sp. nov.), Tagmalycra Kirejtshuk and Leschen, gen. nov. (type species: Tagmalycraashei Kirejtshuk and Leschen, sp. nov.) and Thalycrinella Kirejtshuk, gen. nov. (type species: Neothalycra latitibialis Audisio and Kirejtshuk, 1983), The species Quadrifrons castaneus Blatchley, 1916 (= Cychramus zimmermani Horn 1879, new synonymy), Pocadionta dentipes (Grouvelle, 1898), and Pleuroneces montanus Olliff, 1891 are redescribed. Biological informationis summarized for each genus while fungal host relationships are emphasized. Members of Thalycra Erichson, and possibly Quadrifrons Blatchley, are specialists on hypogean fungi whilethe related genera Pocadiolycra and Tagmalycra are specialists on Agaricaceae. New New Zealand records for the species Thalycrodes australis (Blackburn) are provided.
- The 12 New World species of Leptopsilopa are reviewed, including the following new species (type localities noted parenthetically): L. andiana (Peru. Huánuco: Espensa, [11 km N Huánuco]), L. flavicoxa (Belize. Stann Creek: Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary [16°47'N, 88°30'W]), L. martharum (United States. Texas. Jim Wells: Mathis(7.5 km S; Nueces River; 28°02.2'N, 97°52.2'W; 15 m), and L. placentia (Belize. Stann Creek:Placentia Lagoon, Rum Point; 16°32'N, 88°21'W). Lectotypes are designated for Psilopasimilis Coquillett, Psilopa varipes Coquillett, and Psilopa metallina Becker. The monophyly of Leptopsilopa is established, but only if the Old World species are excluded. The genus is most closely related to a lineage of species currently included in the genus Psilopa (thedupla group, including P. metallina), which is rendered paraphyletic by the recognition of Leptopsilopa as an included, monophyletic lineage. The New World species are arranged into two monophyletic species groups, the atrimana and the similis groups. Of the 12 species now recognized, 10 occur in the neotropics, where other undescribed species will probably be discovered.
- 137 species of water mites were collected in the middle flow region of the Neman River. The most numerous species were: Lebertiainsignis, Hygrobatescalliger, Limnesiaundulata, Hydrodromadespiciensand Sperchonclupeifer. The most frequently occurring species, both in samples and in sites, was Hydrachnaglobosa. 34 species were found in the Neman River, 36 in small tributaries, 68 in large tributaries, 77 in oxbow lakes and 15 in temporary reservoirs. It is believed that the abundance and species diversity of water mites in the Neman River is low because of the low pH value of the water. The water mites are concentrated in the Neman tributaries and oxbow lakes.
- 150 years have passed since the expedition to Algeria. This scientific expedition toAlgeria was a fully private initiative and was made possible thanks to the sponsorship ofthe Branicki family, more particularly the one of Konstanty Branicki (1824–1884). Thisgenerous sponsorship enabled two remarkable naturalists, Władysław Taczanowski (1819–1890) and Antoni Waga (1799–1890), to take part in the expedition. The expedition turnedout to be an important event for the international scientific community. Zoological specimenscollected during the expedition enriched the Warsaw Zoological Cabinet, along withcollections sent by Konstanty Jelski (1837–1896) from South America and specimens sentfrom Siberia by Polish deportees, such as Benedykt Dybowski (1833–1930). This initiateda golden era in Polish ornithology. It also participated in the development of zoologicalmuseography in Warsaw, transforming a provincial museum into one of the most importantzoological collections in the world. Observations on 210 different species of birds werepublished by W. Taczanowski in the Journal für Ornithologie and in The Zoologist: A PopularMiscellany of Natural History. They constitute a considerable contribution to the recognitionof the North African fauna.This volume includes all known materials in relation to the expedition to Algeria, whichwere published or stored in the form of manuscripts and typescripts. Popular science articlespublished by W. Taczanowski in the Illustrated Weekly, Warsaw Library, Józef Unger IllustratedPopular Science Warsaw Calendar, Journal für Ornithologie and The Zoologist:A Popular Miscellany of Natural History were included as a facsimilé. Also analysed andincluded are three letters from W. Taczanowski to K. Jelski, on the Algerian Expedition,stored in the Archives of Congregation of the Missionary Priests in Cracow. In addition,a chapter entitled “Diary from the journey of Antoni Waga” includes Waga’s notes concerningthe expedition to Algeria. It is a part of the original document archived in the PAS(Polish Academy of Sciences) and PAAS (Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences) ScientificArchive in Cracow.In accordance with tendencies prevailing in modern natural sciences, the authors didnot limit their research to written sources, but also considered specimens from Algeria andtheir original labels. The Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS in Warsaw owns a collectionof animals collected during this expedition. Despite losses due to fire and war damages,the Warsaw collection currently includes: 174 spider specimens representing 16 species,10 insect specimens from 8 species, 7 fish specimens from 7 species, 8 reptile specimensfrom 4 species, 154 bird specimens from 77 species, and 20 mammal specimens from14 species.All the original material is analyzed in terms of natural features, museography andhistory of science. Scientific results of the expedition are presented in their historical context,including analyses carried by the French colonial administration or results of English,German and Russian zoologists. These publication of original materials constitute an interestingmaterial for the History of Algeria in 19th century, as they are rare documentsabout this country, which are not related to the French colonial administration. They arealso a valuable testimony for the history of Polish scientific institution during times ofannexation and post-upraising repression.
- 150th Anniversary of the Zoological Cabinet in Warsaw (1818–1968)This paper was prepared by Zygmunt Fedorowicz and Stanisław Feliksiak, most probablyin 1968/1969 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Zoological Cabinet [Gabinet Zoologiczny] at the Royal University of Warsaw [Królewski UniwersytetWarszawski]. The authors present the history of the Cabinet from its beginning throughmodern times. The year 1818 was significant in the Zoological Cabinet’s history, for it wasthen that the Commission of Religion and Public Education of the Kingdom of Poland[Komisja Wyznań Religijnych i Oświecenia Publicznego Królestwa Polskiego] purchasedthe first zoological collection of over 20 thousand specimens for the Cabinet. The naturalobjects bought from the heirs of Sylwiusz Münkwitz, a Silesian baron, would later startone of Europe’s biggest zoological collections. The history of the Zoological Cabinet has been divided into several periods. The firstperiod lasted from 1818 to 1862, when a zoologist Feliks Paweł Jarocki (1790–1865) wasthe Head of the Cabinet and the collections were located at the Kazimierz Palace [PałacKazimierzowski], where they were systematically organized and studied. Due to the outbreak of the November Uprising (1830–1831), the Royal University of Warsaw was closed.However, thanks to Jarocki’s efforts, the Cabinet retained the collections. In the second period, 1862–1890, the Zoological Cabinet was managed by the ornithologist Władysław Taczanowski (1819–1890). From 1862 the Cabinet was subordinate to the authorities of the newly established Main School in Warsaw [Szkoła Głównaw Warszawie]. Seven years later, the Main School was replaced by the Imperial Universityof Warsaw [Cesarski Uniwersytet Warszawski]. Despite the administrative changes the period marked the Cabinet’s heyday, during which it gained prestige as a scientific unit ofEuropean calibre. The patronage of the Branicki family, especially Konstanty (1824–1884)and Aleksander (1821–1877), ensured financial means for the Cabinet, which allowed forthe expansion of the collections, financing of scientific expeditions (e.g. to Africa, Asia, andSouth America), and publishing of scientific works. Many Polish exiles to Siberia and emigrants became correspondents for the Cabinet and donors of zoological collections fromall over the world. During that time Władysław Taczanowski was also able to create anddevelop through correspondence and exchange of scientific materials a network of connections with natural scientists and scientific institutions from almost all countries of Europe. An important event in this period was the establishment of the Branicki Museum[Muzeum Branickich] in Warsaw in 1887, a private zoological collection that remainedclosely connected to the Cabinet.The third period in the history of the Zoological Cabinet went from 1890–1915. AfterWładysław Taczanowski’s death in 1890, Russian zoologists Nikolai Nasonov (1855–1939)and Jakub Shchelkancev (?–1930) took over the management of the Cabinet. The Cabinetunderwent gradual changes and was adjusted to the scientific and didactic needs of the University’s chairs. The collections were progressively expanded with new species of insects anda collection of Russian birds and reptiles. World War I (1914–1918) drastically changedthe state of affairs. The Russian authorities withdrew and in 1915 the reestablished PolishUniversity of Warsaw took over the management of the Zoological Cabinet. The next period of the Zoological Cabinet began and lasted until 1939. In 1919 theCabinet was merged with the Branicki Museum to become the National Museum of NaturalHistory [Narodowe Muzeum Przyrodnicze] (1919–1921), which was renamed the PolishState Museum of Natural History – Zoological Department [Polskie Państwowe MuzeumPrzyrodnicze – Dział Zoologiczny] (1921–1928), and later the State Zoological Museum [Państwowe Muzeum Zoologiczne] (1928–1953) [...]
- 158 species of Collembola, among them species rare in Europe are recorded from Roztocze – an upland region in south-eastern Poland and in Western Ukraine. Coexistence of boreal-montane, montane, South-European, North-European and endemic species is the most characteristic feature of the fauna of the region.
- The 1995-1999 results of the mapping technique censuses carried out in permanent plots situated in three types of old-growth primeval BNP stands (ash-alder riverine, oak-hornbeam, mixed coniferous) are presented and contrasted with the data gathered in the same plots in the late 1970s. Most community parameters, such as composition of breeding avifauna, species richness, make-up and cumulative share of dominants, remained basically unchanged. Only the overall bird density has increased considerably, by 13-38% in different plots. This was due to parallel increases in numbers of several species, widely differing in their nesting places, food requirements and migratory habits. As numbers increased simultaneously in all the plots, the density differences across habitats remained the same, from highest densities in riverine stands at the forest edge (up to 124 p/10 ha), through oak-hornbeam stands, to lowest in the coniferous stands (48-50 p/10 ha). Despite this differentiation the breeding avifauna in individual plots was quite similar (density similarity index exceeding 50%), indicating that their breeding assemblages constituted samples from a single bird community. In most cases the numerical increases could not be attributed to changes in local environmental factors, such as food resources, weather conditions or changes in habitat structure. Only in the coniferous stands, habitat changes leading to diversification of their structure (gap formation, increasing number of deciduous trees) could be responsible for increasing species richness and abundance there. The apparent lack of relationship between changes in bird numbers and local situation suggests that the factors acting on a larger scale (outside the study area) could have been involved. Despite the directional changes in bird abundance observed in the Białowieża Forest, its breeding bird assemblage, when compared with amplitude of changes recorded over the same period in other areas and habitats, stands out as an example of remarkable stability.
- 2,229 water mites representing 56 species were collected in seven Mazurian lakes. Six faunal elements were distinguished: lacustrine, eurytopic typical of small water bodies, tyrphophilic, rheobiontic, rheophilic and astatic spring fauna. The species structure was dominated by the lacustrine element, and the numerical structure – by eurytopic species occurring in small water bodies. Six species indicatory of moderate lake eutrophy were recorded, i.e. Atractides ovalis, Limnesia polonica, Unionicola mionor, Piona stjoerdalensis, P. rotundoides, Forelia spatulifera and Atractides lacustris, indicating mesotrophy, was trapped in Lake Mokre only. The lakes examined are characterized byrather low faunal similarity. The highest degree of similarity was noted between two dystrophic lakes, Klimunt and Skarp, whereas Lake Majcz Wielki showed the greatest faunal distinctness.
- The 2000–2004 results of the mapping technique censuses carried out in permanent plots situated in three types of old-growth primeval BNP stands (ash-alder riverine, oak-hornbeam, mixed coniferous) are presented and compared with data gathered in the same plots in the late 1990s. These data supplement earlier observations in the BNP and extend the long-term set of data on the breeding bird numbers there to a 30-year uninterrupted series (1975–2004). Most community parameters, such as the composition of breeding avifauna, the species richness, and the make-up and cumulative share of dominants, have remained basically unchanged. The overall bird density has increased by 8–20% in different plots; in 2001 it reached the highest level within the 30-year study period. The increase was due to parallel increases in numbers of several species, widely differing in their nesting sites, food requirements and migratory habits — during this period 14 of the 26 most numerous species attained their highest numbers in the 30-year study period. Since numbers increased simultaneously in all the plots, the density differences across habitats remained the same, from the highest densities in riverine stands at the forest edge (up to 149 p/10 ha), through oak-hornbeam stands, to the lowest densities in the coniferous stands (54–56 p/10 ha). In most cases the numerical increases could not be attributed to changes in local environmental factors, such as food resources, or to detectable changes in habitat structure. The apparent lack of a relationship between the changes in bird numbers and the local situation suggests that factors acting on a larger scale (beyond the study area) could have been involved. Despite the directional changes in bird abundance observed in the Białowieża Forest, its breeding bird assemblage, when compared with the amplitude of changes recorded over the same period in other areas and habitats, stands out as an example of remarkable stability.
- The 21 holotypes and 207 paratypes of the subfamilies Alysiinae and Opiinae (Braconidae). housed in the Museum and Institute of Zoology Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw are presented with complete label information.
- 24 named species of scuttle fly were reared from rotholes in the trees Fraxinus excelsior, Populus nigra, Salix alba. 15 species are additions to the list for France, including the new species M. deltofemoralis Disney, M. lavoursensis Disney and M. putescavi Disney, which are described along with the hitherto unknown females of M. hartfordensis Disney and M. subcarpalis (Lundbeck). Three species are represented by females and can only be named when linked to their males.
- 24 potworm specles have been found in the forest habitats studied in Puszcza Kampinoska. Species diversitv of Enchytraeidae decreases with deteriorating trophic and moisture conditions. Potworm communities in alder swamps and mixed forests have a characteristic species cornposition and structure. Linden-oak-hornbeam forests with a variety of habitats present accomrnodate a number ofdistinct potworm communities.
- 289 species of 53 families of beetles were found in the years 1995–2006 in the vicinity of Malta Lake in Poznań. Information about the most interesting species with respect to their faunistics, zoogeography and sozology was provided. The importance of the study area for the beetle protection and the threats for the beetle fauna were analysed <br>
- (3) Several examples 3 were found indicating that individual differences in respect to home range size (Fig. 1), to its localization (Fig. 3), and to trappability (Fig. 2) -usually assigned to the rank in social hierarchy -are simultaneously the differences between individuals of different age (belonging to different cohorts Ko-K4). Additionally the example is given (Fig. 4) showing that home range size differences based upon age structure are much more pronounced under norma! food conditions (natural food supply) than under the surplus of food (supplementary food added). At the same time indirect evidence was found of more tolerant social relationships between individuals in the period of experimentally increased food supply.(4) The hypothesis of age-based social organization is helpful for explaining the ability of the population to maintain its stability in fluctuating environment.When the population is in the state of balance with its resources for some time, the age structure of the population is stable and so is its social hierarchy governing the unequal partitioning of the resources among individuals. But under critical (suddenly worsened) conditions the best chance for survival is given to the old individuals -holding the highest social position, having largest home ranges and occupying the richest patches of habitat -not to the ones best genetically suited to the new situation. This results in retardation of genetic and demographic response of population known from field and laboratory observations and named ''population inertia". But it also makes possible for a population to rebuild itself according to the mode from before the crash. It is possible to achieve as surviving the crash old individuals maitain their highest ranks preserving both the former organization and the "conservative'' gene pool. (If we assume that the strongest selection occurs during the highest early mortality period, then those old individuals were selected long time ago, probably under different to present environmental conditions.) So, those old, long-living thanks to such social organization individuals preserve specific population "memory'' which helps to keep the stability of population organization and processes despite environment fluctuations.
- 302 moth species of the families Noctuidae, Pantheidae and Nolidaehave been recorded in Warsaw to date. Of these, in historical times were recorded 286 species (86 of them only then, including one – M. acetosellae, which can no longer be found in Poland). Most of these species are now regarded as very rare and occurring only locally in Central Europe (e.g. I. calvaria, S. taenialis, C. pacta, P. moneta, P. cheiranthi, H. ononis, A. caliginosa, D. oo, T. ludifica). Contemporary records list 212 species, most of which are widely distributed in Poland and classified as abundant (e.g. D. trifolii, M. pallens, X. c-nigrum, A. exclamationis). 7 species: M. confusa, A. gamma, S. scutosa, H. peltigera, S. exigua, L. zollikoferi and A. ipsilon are migrant visitors.
- 31 species in seven genera are listed for Madeira. The possible hitherto unknown female of Chonocephalus bentacaisei (Santos Abreu) is described. Illustrated keys to the species are provided.
- 327 species of Carabidaefrom Roztocze were recorded: 288 species from the Ukrainian and 247 from the Polish part of the region.
- 39 dragonfly species were recorded in the vicinities of Siemień (southem Podlasie, middle- eastem Poland) in the years 1941-44 by W. Bazyluk (2002) with Sympecma fusca (Vander L.) in it. The species is rare in the Middle- and Northeastem Poland and the northem border of its distribution area runs through the region. Basing on original materials deposed in the Museum and Institute of Zoology Polish Academy of Sciences it can be stated that the specimen determi- ned as S. fusca belongs to another species - Eurosiberian S. paedisca (Brau.). The smali collection of larvae which was collected in the same area by W. Bazyluk in 1950 is described in the paper too. The two of 8 species were not recorded as imagines: Coenagrion hastulatum and C. pulchellum <br>
- 4166 measurements of the wing length of Reed Warblers were collected during 9 breeding and pre-migratory periods in Central Poland. In the studied population significant differentiation in the wing length among seasons was shown in adult and juvenile birds. Multiple regression and path analysis showed that weather factors (temperature and precipitation) during breeding period determine the long-term variation in the wing length in both adult and young birds. Changes in wing length were explained by natural selection and habitat selection. In breeding and pre-migratory periods, temperature and precipitation influence changes in food availability, and thus affect optimisation of energetic expenses on feeding. It was revealed that long-winged individuals are best adapted to cold and rainy conditions, while the short-winged ones - to warm and dry summers. Weather conditions in the period of birds arrival to the breeding grounds may be connected with differentiation in availability of optimal places for establishing territories. In that way they influence intraspecific competition for breeding territories and the effectiveness of their occupation by morphometrically different birds.
- 44 samples taken in two different months (July 1952 - 31 samples, September 1952 - 13 samples) from various species of plants growing in the water of one of the old branches of the Vistula, now cut off from the river, confirmed the occurrence of the following species of Rotatoria:Collotheca gracilipes (Edmondson 1939)Collotheca ornata cornuta (Dobie 1849)Floscularia ringens (Linneus 1758)Lacinularia flosculosa (Müller 1773)Limnias ceratophylli (Schrank 1803)Ptygura sp.Sinantherina socialis (Linneus 1758)Stephanocereos fimbriatus (Goldfus 1820)One of the above species, Collotheca gracilipes, found by Edmondson in similar environments in the United States, is new to Polish fauna. The wide differences in the numbers of individuals obtained from consecutive samples indicates both the sporadic character of the occurrence of Rotatoria in this plant environment, and the tendency to form groups.Several groups were distinguished of the following species: Collotheca ornate cornuta and Limnias ceratophylli, which are the most common and most numerous specimens of Rotatoria in the environment examined. They form about 93% of the entire material collected. The remaining species occur rarely and in very small numbers.The following plants are the ones chiefly settled by the Rotatoria: Ceratophyllum demersum, Elodea canadensis, Myriophyllum spicatum, Najas minor and Ranunculus spicatus. About 97% of the entire Rotatoria fauna occurs on these plants.
- 445 eggs of the Collared Flycatcher from 82 clutches were measured during three breeding seasons (1997-1999). The mean length was 17.82 ą 0.80 mm, breadth - 3.45 ą 0.37 mm and volume - 1.65 ą 0.14 cm3. Egg dimensions were positively correlated. No significant differences in egg sizes during the three seasons were found. This suggests that the environmental conditions in the Białowieża Forest during the study period did not change or had no influence on egg size. Laying sequence had no influence on egg dimensions; only egg length depended on clutch size. Some characteristics of the females did affect the size of eggs: heavier birds and those with longer tarsi laid larger eggs. Older females did not lay significantly larger eggs than younger females. In conclusion, egg size in the Collared Flycatcher from the Białowieża Forest appears to be influenced more by the characteristics of the female than by environmental conditions.
- 52 chrysomelid species was recorded at two sites in linden-oak-hornbeam forests in the Wierzbanówka valley (Pogórze Wielickie, S Poland) during a two-year study, including 46 species in the ground cover and 28 species in the understorey (on hornbeam and on bird cherry). The chrysomelid communities of both sites have been described in terms of species composition, abundance, the structure of dominance and zoogeography. At both sites, Oulema gallaeciana was the dominant species in the ground cover. Of the species recorded from the understorey only Gonioctena quinquepunctata was associated with bird cherry. The results obtained were compared with the data from the literature referring to other regions in Poland. It was found that, in Poland, the chrysomelid fauna of linden-oak-hornbeam forests was richer in upland and mountainous areas than that in lowland areas (this was true both in respect of the number of species and the abundance of particular species).
- 52 dragonfly species were recorded in the years 1993–2005 in the middle part of the valley of the River Bug, the biggest non-regulated river of Poland, as well as one of the largest rivers in the Middle-Eastern Europe. Faunistical, zoogeographical and sozological aspects of the fauna are discussed <br>
- 63 specles of water mites recorded in three Lobelia-typelakes. Three species: Eylais relicta, Lobertia saxonica, Arrenurus vietsi were new for Poland. The fauna of investigated lakes is strongly individualized. The water mites fauna of Lake Łąkie were dominated by acidophilic species. In the Lake Głęboczko the indicators of oligo-mesotrophy and moderate eutrophy are the most numerous. The species of small water bodies and eurytopic were the most numerous in the Lakes Cechyńskie Małe and Głęboczko. This situatlon is results of growing eutrophy.
- 68 species of Notodontidae, Lymantriidae and Arctiidaehave been recorded in Warsaw to date. These include 67 species recorded in historical times, one of which, namely, Parocneria detrita, is now regarded as extinct in Poland. Contemporary records from Warsaw are not available for 19 of them. Most of these species still occur in Poland, but are often classified as rare or even critically threatened with extinction. The biggest richness and diversity of Notodontidae, Lymantriidae and Arctiidae species can be found in urban parks and reserves.
- 82 species of Heteroptera belonging to 13 families have been found in flood-plain forests Alno-Padion in 4 sites. including 35 species in the ground cover and 47 in the canopy layer (39 on alder, 15 on ash). Species composition of the Heteropteracommunities under study has been investigated and an ecological analysis carried out. Heteroptera communities from the various areas and sites studied have been shown to differ both in species composition and in the structure of dominance. A group of species characteristic of the ash-alder flood-plain forests under study has been identified.
- A 6-day in situ water exposure in open 40-l polyethylene bags did not show physico-chemical deformations of the lake habitat. Phytoplankton production in bags was almost 50% lower in comparison with open lake water. Phytoplankton biomass and contribution of algal groups examined approximated in both environments. Six-hour (100 ml bottles, 40-l bags) and 6-day (40 l bags) enrichment experiments (in P, N or P and N together) were conducted. The 14C assimilation by phytoplankton in variously enriched water depended on the duration of exposure in situ and the kind of enrichment.
- A brief description of main relief forms, climatic conditions and river network of Suwałki Landscape Park. The development of river-lake systems (Szeszupa, Szelmentka, Czarna Hańcza) is characterized, morphometric characters of lakes in each system are given.
- A brief history, evolution of approaches and research problems, and organization structure of the Institute of Ecology are given. The Institute (at first — the Department) was established within the Polish Academy of Sciences in 1952 under the direction of Prof. Dr. Kazimierz Tarwid. Prof. Dr Kazimierz Petrusewicz was appointed next (1956—1973) and he contributed greatly to the development of the Institute and its significance in the scientific world. Since 1973 Prof. Dr. Romauald Z. Klekowski is in charge of the Institute. The first years of scientific activity of the Institute were mainly population and biocenotic studies (1952—1962). In 1963 the research on biological productivity (carried out at first in the field of hydrobiology) began. Since 1964 the Institute of Ecology has participated in the activities of the International Biological Programme and became a leading centre as regards studies on productivity in the country. This research at first only on productivity of populations and com- muni ties evolved into the research on ecosystem productivity. During the International Biological Programme the Institute carried out the researches within the key project (No. 09.1.7) “The increase of production of biomass through investigations of the productivity of ecosystems’’ (1971—1975). This was a natural continuation of IBP with special attention to the protection and rational management of the environment. In 1976 w’orks within the key subproject (No. 10.2.19) “Ecological basis for environmental management” began. The Institute coordinates the researches of about 90 Polish scientific institutes. The problem deals mainly with landscape ecology (physiocenoses) in order to create ecological basis for rational management, protection and utilization of natural environment. The international cooperation of socialist countries, the Programme “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB), and direct cooperation with various foreign research centres are partly included in the key subproject. In the period 1952—1976 the Institute of Ecology published about 2200 works, of which 70% are original papers, monographs and scientific articles. The majority of them was published in “Ekologia Polska” (Polish Journal of Ecology), and also in “Polskie Archiwum Hydrobiologii” (Polish Archives of Hydrobiology) and in “Polish Ecological Studies”. The organization structure of the Institute (head office: Dziekanów Leśny near Warsaw, 05-150 Łomianki) is as follows: I. Department of Biocenology. Head: Docent Dr. Tadeusz Traczyk, 19 scientists. II. Department of Agroconology. Head: Dr. Cecylia Bajan, 18 scientists. III. Department of Hydrobiology. Head: Docent Dr. Anna Hillbricht-Ilkowska, 9 scientists. IV. Department of Populations. Head: Dr. Stefan Mirosław Janion, 19 scientists. V. Department of Ecological Bioenergetics. Head: Prof. Dr. Romuald Z. Klekowski, 22; scientists. VI. Department of Agrobiology (60-809 Poznań, Świerczewskiego 19) and Field Station at Turew (64-003 Turew). Head: Prof. Dr. Lech Ryszkowski. 18 scientists. VII. Department of Polar Research. Head: Docent Dr. Stanisław Rakusa- -Suszczewski, 5 scientists. VIII. Arctowski Antarctic Station on the King George Island. Head: Docent Dr. Stanisław Rakusa-Suszczewski. IX. Biogeochemical Laboratory. Head: Dr. Włodzimierz Ławacz, 3 scientists. X. Wetland Research Laboratory (11-30 Mikołajki). Head: Docent Dr. Andrzej Szczepański, 8 scientists. XI. Laboratory of Statistics and Modelling. Head: vacancy, 2 scientists. XII. Section of Planning and Coordination of Scientific Research. Head: Dr. Alina Scibor-Marchocka. XIII. Section of Publications and the Library. Head: Docent Dr. Eligiusz Pieczyński. XIV. Field Station at Mikołajki (11-730 Mikołajki). Head: Grzegorz Kwiatkowski.
- A characteristics is given of water chemistry in 41 lakes differing in their trophic state and mixis (di-and polymictic). Increasing trophic state of the lakes under study was accompanied by changes in the concent ration of the following chemical components of water: an increase in the summer and spring content of total phosphorus and of its mineral and organic form, of total and organic nitrogen, an increase in the concentration of ammonia in spring, a summer increase of content of ammonia nearthe bottom in dimictic lakes, a growth of the content of calcium, sodium, potassium and bicarbonates, as well as an increase of oxidability and electrolytic conductivity of water in both mictic types and the layers studied, and a growth of the content of magnesium in dimictic lakes.
- A collection of 16,005 fish and suckers collected at 117 fishing sites from the River Nida drainage basin was arranged with the help of cenological methods. Similar river zones were distinguished on the basis of dominating and other fish species. These zones are different from the zones or reaches distinguished on the basis of river fall or on other morphological elements used to characterize the rivers and streams. The problems of combined or separated occurrence of fish species and the degree of their ecological relations were also investigated. An attempt was made to distinguish the characteristic, transistory and eurytopic fish species in the studied area.
- A collection of Diplopoda from North Korea appears to contain 14 identifiable species, of which three are described as new to science: Angarozonium munsunum, Megalotyla glabra, and Orientyla kjongsonica, and further three are new to the Korean fauna: Diplomaragna kedrovaya, Levizonus variabilis, and Epanerchodus polymorphus. Remarks are provided for all the species encountered, including notes on the variation of both Diplomaragna kedrovayaand Levizonus variabilis.
- A comparative analysis was made as regards the consumption of eight species of spiders. The regression functions determining the relation between the body weight and daily consumption of an individual allow to state that there may be significant differences in the food demand of particular species. The consumption under laboratory and field conditions (on a meadow Stellario-Deschampsietum medioeuropaeum) was compared. The changes in the consumption range were examined when the number of prey supplied increased. Under laboratory conditions the food was most effectively consumed under conditions of food shortage. In the field, the consumption depended on the number of emerging dipterans and not on their mean density.
- A comparative study was undertaken to assess the effects of the vocal activity of a target species on its density estimates made using line transect counts and point counts. In Kayan Mentarang National Park (Indonesian Borneo) the Great Argus Pheasant Argusianus argus displayed different levels of calling activity. The study was conducted at a period when the birds were highly vocal, and again, at the same site, when the birds were significantly less vocal. Transect counts during periods of low vocal activity resulted in 13–20% lower density estimates compared to periods of high vocal activity, but these differences were not significant. Estimates derived from five-minute point counts during periods of low vocal activity, however, were 52% lower than those from periods of high vocal activity. Comparison of the two methods shows that density estimates derived from the point count method were consistently lower than those from the line transects. The lack of a fixed calling season in Argus Pheasants makes year-round censuses possible, yet the distinct temporal differences in calling rates necessitates that caution be exercised when results obtained in different years or at different times of the year are compared. It is concluded that there is an increased need for understanding the behavioural plasticity of species if census methods are to be improved.
- A comparison of leafhopper (Homoptera – Auchenorrhyncha) communities in two meadows differing in the degree of their diversification showed that the more diversified habitat was richer in species, and the number of individuals in it was doubled. However, as a result of the strong pression of the predators (numerous in all layers of the diversified habitat) the average life span of the leafhoppers was several times shorter, and their population density was less than a half of that in the meadow with simpler trophic relationship.
- A comparison of the primary production (14c), its PHAR efficiency, daily P : B ratio, and the composition, biomass and dynamics of the phytoplankton, zooplankton and bacterioplankton, of the littoral and profundal benthos, as well as of the emergent and submerged vegetation of five lakes connected by the Jorka river indicates a consistent pattern of mesotrophic status in L. Majcz Wielki (deep, dimictic), of eutrophic status in L. Inulec and L. Jorzec (shallow, with a high internal and external loading), and of „mixotrophic” status in Głębokie L. (deep, dimictic) – originally mesotrophic, but at present enriched and polluted by an aquaculture (Salmo gairdneri Richardson).
- A computer program was constructed that simulates large species assemblages (28 to 997 species) with various species-rank order distributions and degrees of aggregation of the species. From these model assemblages random samples were taken to study the performance of 14 estimators of species diversity. For 6 of the estimators correction factors are developed. In sufficiently large samples (more than 2/3 of the true species number (TS) sampled) a corrected second order jackknife estimator gave the best results. 18% of the estimates ranged outside TS ± 10%. If fewer species are represented in the sample (but more than 1/3 TS) two newly developed data analytical estimators performed better. Between 23 and 24%, respectively, of their estimates ranged outside TS ± 20%. Crucial to the performance of all of the estimators is the sample size. The minimum sample size for an estimator to work has to contain at least 1/3 of the total species number.
- A description is given in this study of research on the effect of mineral fertilizers and cow manure on the state of microflora in peat soil under meadow. The results obtained show that basic fertilization and micro-elements act chiefly on the preservation of the proper structure of the soil, and the slight variations in the abundance of microflora were caused by the intensified development of the plant cover.
- A description is given of protective habitat concentrations of one or several species of spiders giving examples of winter and summer concentrations (in the inflorescences of grasses, in clumps of sedge, in shells of molluscs etc.) and an examlple of what is known as web parasitization; within such concentrations the spiders exhibit tolerance towards each other. In author's opinion these populational phenomena are the primary basis on which in some spider species social relations developed. The tendency existing in spiders to congregate in groups althou1gh not in itself yet a social character, may lead to the formation of true societies in certain species. Social phenomena in several species of tropical and subtropical spiders which have been studied are given. The opinions held by Kullmann and Shear on social phenomena in spiders and their attempts at classification of these phenomena are given. Among species inhabiting temperate climates a social relations is formed inthose spider species in which the females actively feed their progeny (Kullmann). Among a certain small numer of species from eigth families of web spiders living in tropical climates „societies” developed and the individuals of such”societies” live, catch their prey and feed together. It would appear that social characters have formed among spiders irrespective of the different stages of evolutional development of the web forms and that the main basis of their formation is the existence of webs as an element facilitating more lasting congregation of spiders and reciprocal contacts between individuals.
- A description is given of the method used for field experiments which made it possible to examine the food composition and feeding rate of a whole natural zooplankton community in situ. The principle of this method is comparison of the abundance of nannoplankton, bacteriaplankton and detritus in lake water with active zooplankton and in lake water with anaesthetized zooplankton, after exposing this water for a definite period in transparent organic glass apparatus. Initial results are given to illustrate this method.
- A description is presented of the water cycle in four lakes of the r. Jorka watershed: Majcz Wielki, Inulec, Głębokie and Jorzec. Particular attention is given to seasonal variation of water cycle components, such as: inflow to lakes (including inflow by the r. Jorka, inflow by secondary streams and inflow from the immediate lake basin), river outflow from the lakes, magnitude of underground feeding of the lakes and changes in the volume of water retained in lake hollows. A summary of detailed water budgets of the lakes made it possible to assess the water exchange rate during the year and to follow its seasonal variations.
- A description is provided of Longidorus balticussp. nov., a bisexual species recovered from the rhizosphere of Elymus arenariusL. growing in coastal sand dunes in northeast Poland. The species is characterized by having a long (L=6.7–9.2 mm) and slender (a=119–175) body; expanded labial region, flattened anteriorly; assymetrically bilobed amphids; anteriorly sit-uated guide ring (23–29 μm); odontostyle of medium length (91–105 μm); and a short, rounded tail. Males having spicules of medium size (58–69 μm), and a row of 9–15 supplements. Longidorus balticus sp. nov. has four juvenile developmental stages. Longidorus balticus sp. nov. resembles L. vineacola, L. belloi, L. lusitanicus, L. moesicus, L. profundorum and L. apulus.
- A detailed redescription of Trombidium holosericeum (L.), based on female is given. Characteristics of larvae, deutonymphs and adults as well as the data on their biology areprovided. The selected neotype is a female, from which larvae have been obtained by experimental rearing. Teresothrombiumis regarded as a new synonym of Trombidium. T. latum Koch, 1837 is a synonym of T. holosericeum, whereas T. latums. Oudemans (1910, 1937), André (1926), Thor and Willmann (1947) – a synonym of T. rimosum Koch, 1837. T. holosericeum displays analmost edaphic life style except during mating and the parasitic phase of larvae. The life cycle isuni- to semivoltine, females may be iteroparous. Data on host range of larvae and physiological properties of eggs and protonymphs are given.
- A discussion is given different methods of examining the primary production of associations in inland waters, taking into consideration plankton, periphyton, macrophytes and mixed associations. The following groups of methods were distinguished:1) Analysis of increases in the biomass of producers and calculation of actual production based on known or assumed characteristics of the association of producers.a) calculation of production from biomass and turnover;b) ca1culation of production from measurements of increase in biomass in time (one particular case in this group of methods is calculation of the production of macrophytes on the basis of maximum yearly biomass).2) Analysis of environmental changes taking place under the influence of photosynthesis processes and calculation on this basis of the photosynthesis value.a) measurements of variations in the amount of oxygen in an environment;b) measurements of variations in the amount of carbon dioxide direct analyses by chemical or physical methods and indirect analyses of variations in the amount of C02 reflected in variations in pH or conductivity);c) measurements of variations in the amounts of certain biogens.3) Analysis of the amount of carbon assimilated by plants during the process of photosynthesis (method of calculation of primary production using 14C).4) Analysis in indices of producers biomass and ca1culation of their production on the basis of a knowledge of factors limiting this production (e.g. calculation of production on the basis of information of the amount of chlorophyll and amount of solar energy per unit of surface of the water body).The paper discusses in greater detail several methods chosen from the point of view of the possibility of their application on a wider scale in the investigations carried out in Poland under the International Biological Programme. For mass comparati1e studies in eutrophic environments the application of the oxygen method of light and dark bottles for plankton and periphyton was proposed (in the case periphyton the necessity of analysing the amount of substrate suitable for colonisation was emphasised) and methods of investigating production on the basis of estimation of maximum biomass in the case of macrophytes.In discussing the oxygen method atention was drawn to the possible sources of error limiting the range of its application and stress laid on the necessity for a large number of repeats to eliminate non-directional deviations (accidental deviations) caused by the lack of uniformity of the material.
- A discussion is given of methods of studying the food of predatory birds and mammals. The review made of methods used, from the aspect of their suitability for investigating food links in the predator-prey system, led to the conclusion that the majority of them are only of an indicatory character.Results of analysis of pellets and excrements presented from the aspect of frequency of occurrence may be of assistance in tracing seasonal changes in diet, but it is difficult to reach conclusions on the basis of this method as to the real proportions of any one food, since degree of assimilation of the various components of food is different. There must be considerable error in defining diet from connections of remains of food left near nests or burrows of predators, or from analysis of their food stores, on account of the difference in the degree to which prey is utilized. It is also impossible to obtain a reliable picture of predators' diet from studies made by winter tracking, since not all the animals caught can be identified. Visual observations of food obtained give only an approximate idea of predators diet. In yiew of the above objections the following methods are the most suitable, from among many others, for evaluating the food of predtory birds: the percentage by weight, compared on the basis of pellets and direct data on the diet of nestlings, obtained by hooding young birds or by covering nests with a net. In the case of predatory mammals it is essential, when examining their diet on the basis of analysis of excrements, to introduce calculations describing the degree of assimilation of a given food component. The method of percentage by weight cannot be applied on account of difficulty in defining the number of prey consumed when examining the food of predatory mammals. Analysis of the contents of alimentary tracts in both winged and four footed predators can form a basis for listing, diets if there is no likelihood that some of the components may be over -or under -estimated on account of the time at which the predator was shot or the rate of passage of the food through the alimentary. It is only possible to define the role of predators in ecosystems and their effects on the population of their victims after the correct method for esitimating their food has been found. The author therefore suggests that breeding experiments should be undertaken on a wider scale, permitting of working out and perfecting methods, with parallel studies on the food requirements of predators.
- A distinct thermal stratification and metalimnetic oxygen deficits were observed in the tropical dam Madden Lake throughout the year as a result of cool river influents. The role of the steep density gradient in metalimnion is discussed as a factor slowing down the rate of sinking of organic matter. As a result, the thermocline layer, which is in most cases immediately below the lowest extents of the euphotic layer, prevents a substantial part of the nutrients from falling out of the cycling in epilimnion and provides for the nonfluctuating and high standing crop and production of phytoplankton in the limnetic zone.
- A dozen or so limnological problems have been distinguished (Figs. 1—4) as described in previous articles of the series (Hillbricht-Ilkowska 1984a, 1984b, 1985a) as contemporary, more common trends in world limnology. The interest in these problems among Polish limnologists has been analysed by reviewing 445 literature items (papers published and reports at conferences) for years 1979—1982 and 397 items for years 1982—1985 as a result of reviewing several Polish hydrobiological, ecological and fishery journals as well as a score of sets of non-periodical publications (see literature references) and report summaries for meetings and congresses. These data were compared with contents of 600 reports at XXIInd International Congress of Limnology (SIL) in Lyon (August 1983). According to problems distinguished and to the article aim analysis was restricted only to papers on inland waters ecology (limnology) written by Polisih scientists, with each paper being ascribed to one problem in accordance with its main content or aim. Distribution of interests among the problems distinguished was characterised in each group by percentage. It was observed that consequently along the last decade about half of all meeting reports or publications (Fig. 1) is devoted to problems of all kinds of anthropopressure or changes in aquatic ecosystems connected with impact of human activity. In this fundamental problem, most of interest is focussed on eutrophication phenomena, and most frequent studies concerned effects, monitoring and bioindication. The monitoring approach in fundamental problem “anthropopressure”, eutrophication included, is in national limnology more common than in the world data set (reports for the SIL Congress). This pertains also to the effect of heated waters and changes caused by hydrotechnics. The interest in the sphere beyond the registering of the effects of eutrophication, i.e. in experimenting, prognosis, modelling, problem of hypertrophy, watershed and airshed impact as well as investigations of cycling and retention of nutrients in ecosystems and recultivation is represented in the manner similar to the world situation (periodically somewhat weaker) (Fig. 2). However, there is a lack in national limnology of significant interest in effects of acidification and anthropogenie mineralization of surface waters. Besides eutrophication (and anthropopressure in generał) large and constant share of interest by national limnologists (always larger than in world scale) is focussed on comparative description of communities and occurrence of species in various habitats as well as the problem of fish effect (herbivorous fish and the impact of aquaculture) on aquatic ecosystems considered from the point of view of pollution and eutrophication (Fig. 3). Permanently lower attention of the national limnology is paid to problems of “water-bottom sediment system”, of heterogeneity of aquatic habitats (temporal-spatial phenomena of meso- and microscale), structuring impact of predators and consumers on communities they prey upon and life strategies of organisms and communities under altered food conditions, competitive tension, predators’ pressure and habitat variability (Figs. 3, 4). In national limnology there is no new methodological approach in studies of running waters as connected with the concept of river continuum and nutrient spiralling. One can be afraid that the progress in the national limnology in these lines will be quite mediocre and not catching up with the development of world ecology. […]
- A field experiment was designed to estimate the effect of soil surface patrolling by macroarthropods on organic matter content in soil. One of the components of this experiment was the soil nematode community – density, trophic and dominance structure, the diversity and maturity indices. These parameters were compared between two types of mesocosms: accessible and inaccessible to macroarthropods. The experiment was performend under natural environmental conditions and did not reduce the diversity of the biota characteristic of the ecosystem. Most parameters of nematodes did not vary significantly between mesocosms. Differences betwecn mesocosms observed over the 5-month period of each of the two experiments (1992 and 1993) concerned mainly, bacterivorous nematodes and, within this trophic group, colonizers. The densities of the taxon Rhabditis s.l. were statistically higher in the mesocosms accessible to macroarthropods, and the proportion of colonizers (r-strategists s.l.) among bacterivorous nematodes was also higher.
- A fish population (carp fry) increases the abundance and the duration of occurrence of plankton rotifers during the four months growing season of the ponds. This is due to the increase in the abundance of detritus and bacterioplankton due to transformation of the pond habitat by fish. Within the Rotifera fauna, the fish population increases the abundance of two small species of Rotifera: Keratella cochkaris (Gosse) and K. quadrata (O. F. Müller). Fish culture in the ponds results in the littoral species of Rotifera disappearing as the result of the elimination of mosaic character of the littoral habitat.
- A FORTRAN program is developed that generates model assemblages on the basis of three basic features of animal communities: the species weight relationship, the density-weight relationship, and the minimal density. Samplings from random placed individuals of such assemblages revealed the influence of the sampling method (sequential adding, nested and non-nested), the scale, and the underlying relative abundance distribution on resulting species-area relationships (SPARs). It is concluded that the type of the species-area relationship is not an intrinsic factor of an assemblage but depends especially on the sampling method and the unit of area. The fraction of species found only once in the sample (singletons) was the major factor influencing the model that fitted the SPAR best (at low fractions the exponential, at higher fractions the power function model). All sampling and structural factors that influence the fraction of singletons also influence the fit of the SPAR model. A mathematical derivation showed that at a certain fraction of singletons in the sample a shift from the power function to the exponential model is expected independent of assemblage type. This shift will occur between 20 and 30% singletons.
- A Great Grey Shrike population was studied in two large plots (220 km2 and 176 km2) in western Poland in 1999 - 2003. During the study period densities varied from 11.4 to 14.1 breeding pairs/100 km2 but numbers were stable. In all, 180 Great Grey Shrike nests were found - 114 (63.3%) in conifers, 66 (36.7%) in deciduous trees. This population’s reproductive parameters were relatively high in comparison to those of other European populations: mean clutch size - 6.6, hatching success - 92.5%, mean brood size - 5.72, mean number of fledglings per pair - 4.1, mean number of fledged young per successful pair - 5.25. Eggs (mean 27.1 x 19.9 mm) were found to be larger than reported in the literature. Nesting success was similar in both study plots, but there was slight seasonal variability: 52.6% - 41.0% from 99 nesting attempts in the first plot, 43.7% - 42.1% from 37 nests in the second. Predation was the main cause of nest losses. Plastic string used as nesting material appeared to be the most important cause of partial failures: 13 (8.2%) of a total of 147 nestlings surviving to fledging perished as a result of becoming tangled up in it. Nestlings rarely starved. Nests in linear habitats suffered significantly higher breeding losses (78.6%, N = 28) than those in non-linear habitats (50%, N = 90). The high fitness values obtained from this population were probably due to traditional farming practices, the sparing use of pesticides and the good potential food base.
- A heterogeneous character of bIV strain of Tribolium confusum was found by determining changes in body weight and duration of developmental stages in individual cultures. The population consisted of 6-larval instar and 7-larval instar groups. The 6-instar group had shorter development and reached lower maximum weight than the 7-instar group. Six-instar females developed faster than 6-instar males.
- A hidden assumption that plants in generał, and trees in particular, are not significantly limited by their dispersal abilities persisted for a long time in ecological literaturę, and especially in papers concerning plant succession. The older models of forest dynamics (like JABOWA or FORET) usually assumed, that all species present in a regional species pool are also present in each simulated forest patch. However, in recent years there has been an increasing evidence which supports the opposite view - that dispersal abilities of trees strongly influence their population dynamics. A commonly observed trade-off between the competitive ability and mean dispersal distance can be considered one of the main mechanisms preventing exclusion of competitively weaker species and maintaining tree species diversity in forest stands. The morę recent models of forest dynamics (like SORTIE) tend to include the dispersal limitations into their theoretical framework. However, quantitative analysis and modelling of spatial distribution of seeds is a complicated task. The spatial distribution of seed densities around the stem of a parent tree - so- -called ”seed shadows” - used to be modelled by employing several dispersal functions (like log-normal, exponential, etc.). However, these functions were unable to simulate the dispersal of a smali fraction of seeds at very large distances. Recently, the so-called ”fat-tailed” distributions are being used for a morę realistic modelling of seed dispersal. They allow a smali fraction of seeds to be transported at very large distances, despite the fact, that majority of seeds fali close to the stem of the parent tree. The ”fat-tailed” distributions has been also employed in analyzing the patterns of tree migrations during the Holocene. Using the fat-tailed distributions allows to simulate tree migration in a morę realistic way and to overcome the so-called Reid*s paradox; that the actual rates of tree migration were several times higher than the estimates based upon the so-called ”ecological step”. The results of employing "fat-tailed” distributions for modelling tree migrations are intriguing: among them are the exponential increase of the ratę of population spread, and the fact, that species distributions are in most cases not uniform, but consist of several larger or smaller patches, as well as "islands" located far beyond the limits of the main area of a given species.
- A historical outline of the Physiographical Commission [Komisja Fizjograficzna] of the Academic Society of Cracow [TNK, 1865-1872] and (after 1872) Academy of Sciences and Letters [AU] and (after 1918) Polish Academy of Sciences and Letters [PAU] is given. Its annual scientific reports [Sprawozdanie Komisji Fizjograficznej] edited sińce 1866 to 1939 are presented and critically commented <br>
- A large number of studies have demonstrated that habitat characteristics have a huge impact on all aspects of animal life history. This hypothesis predicts a relationship between habitat structure and the main components of fitness and, consequently, also predicts a relationship between habitat structure and other traits indirectly related to fitness, such as condition or health. We tested whether there was any relationship between the characteristics of a pine forest in the Iberian Peninsula and the condition of Great Tit nestlings reared in that forest. The parameters used to estimate nestling condition were weight, haematocrit and the presence of haemoparasites. The results suggest that mature forests produced nestlings in better condition but with a higher prevalence of haemoparasites than young forest, possibly because mature forests are a good habitat for both the bird and the parasite vector.
- A large population of Trissonchulus benepapillosus (Schulz, 1935) has been collected from Polish coast, hi this study additional information about morphology and morphometric data are provided. Drawings and SEM photographs are also included.
- A larva of Paratrombium insulare (Berlese, 1910), obtained by experimental rearing and a deutonymph collected in the field are described for the first time. The characteristics of adults, completed with biometrical data on females and males, is given. Current problems concerning the taxonomy within Paratrombium Bruyant, 1919 with special reference to larval instars are discussed. A key to larvae of Paratrombiumis provided.
