Volume 69 (2020): Edition 1 (March 2020)

Records of 18 species of the families Micropezidae (1 species), Lonchaeidae (1 species), Lauxaniidae (1 species), Chamaemyiidae (6 species), Agromyzidae (6 species) and Chloropidae (3 species) from glacial sand deposits in the Czech Silesia (NE Czech Republic) are presented and their association with sandy habitats is discussed. All of them are recorded from the Czech Silesia for the first time, 4 are new additions to the fauna of Moravia and 9 for the whole Czech Republic. None of the recorded species is psammobiont but five of them are classified as psammophilous, viz. Micropeza lateralis Meigen, 1826 (Micropezidae), Calliopum geniculatum (Fabricius, 1805) (Lauxaniidae), Cerodontha (Xenophytomyza) leptophallus L. Papp, 2016, Ophiomyia disordens Pakalniškis, 1998 (both Agromyzidae), Aphanotrigonum parahastatum Dely-Draskovits, 1981 (Chloropidae), and Leucopis celsa Tanasijtshuk, 1979 as probably psammophilous. A new easternmost record of M. lateralis (from S. Poland: Godów) is presented and the association of this species and C. geniculatum with growths of Cytisus scoparius is confirmed. Leucopis monticola Tanasijtshuk, 1961, L. celsa and A. parahastatum are recorded from northernmost known localities. These species, and also C. (X.) leptophallus seem to be thermophilous and/or xerophilous and can be considered southern elements in the Silesian fauna of Diptera.

There is a large number of organisms in nature that are hard to find in the field, and one of these is also a rare bryophyte species, Buxbaumia viridis, which can also only be found in a certain part of the year in the production of sporophytes. Using distribution models, however, it is possible to predict the locations which this species is likely to be present at and to focus the field research directly on such sites. Thanks to the presented model, we have succeeded in identifying areas within the Czech Republic with an increased likelihood of its occurrence, even in some areas where no collection of B. viridis has so far been recorded. With the help of the maps created these locations can be identified with the accuracy of approximately 1 km², making it easier for terrain research and resulting time and often financial expenses. We have also focused on the study of ecological factors that influence the occurrence of the species, and by testing variables from different categories we have come to some agreement with previously published studies. Whilst we have managed to exclude that air pollution has a major role to its occurrence, which has not yet been the subject of any study.

Earwigs are amongst the most misunderstood animals in the world. A widespread belief accuses them of entering human ears and causing severe damages to ear and brain. Although there is no evidence for any asscociation between earwigs and (human) ears, the common names of these insects in nearly every European language refer to that fact. The myth is probably originating in the scriptures of Pliny the Elder. References in old Germanic indicate the origin of the naming as far back as the beginning of the first millenium.

The devastation of natural components and the appearance of the landscape in connection with mining activities does not necessarily have only a negative impact. Post-mining landscape happens an important and recently the only place to live many species of organisms, plants and animals. In this context, the importance of these sites is mainly associated with Invertebrata including insects, which can replace their natural habitats. The author presents the results of his research on Hymenoptera: Aculeata on heaps created as unused waste after clay slate mining in the region of Nízký Jeseník Mts. This two-year research (2018–2019) focused on wasps, bumble bees and solitary bees was carried out at ten selected sites mainly in the cadastral area of the municipality of Jakartovice (Opava district).

Records of 16 species of the family Dolichopodidae from Azerbaijan and Georgia are given. Four species Campsicnemus armeniacus Negrobov, Manko, Hrivniak & Obona, 2017, Chrysotus pennatus Lichtwardt, 1902, Medetera kowarzi Negrobov, 1974, Rhaphium brevicorne Curtis, 1835 represent new records for Azerbaijan and increase species richness to 90 taxa. The completed checklist of long-legged flies of Georgia is presented. With five new country records, namely: Campsicnemus umbripennis Loew, 1856, Medetera murina Becker, 1917, Medetera truncorum Meigen, 1824, Sybistroma crinipes Stæger, 1842, Sympycnus pulicarius (Fallén, 1823), the checklist covers 71 taxa now.

Microbial communities are known to be sensitive indicators for water pollution and biomonitoring assessment. In this study, we aimed at observation of microbial abundance and community composition in the mountain river Morávka. The results showed temporal and spatial changes in total cell abundance (TCA). TCA reached 10⁵–10⁶ cells/ml, increasing values were detected towards the mouth with maxima in summer and autumn months. Out of Eubacteria Betaproteobacteria and Cytophaga-Flavobacterium were found to predominate, while Archaea represented only 4.8 % of TCA. Along the flow three distinct patterns of phylogenetic groups' share were revealed related to increasing pollution. Microbial community composition was found to be most significantly dependent on the elevation and the sampling date. Moreover, environmental variables like O₂ saturation, water temperature, trophic potential and pH influenced microbial community as well. Statistical analyses showed significant seasonal (23.5 %) and spatial (4.7 %) changes in microbial community composition.

During the field investigations in Germany, a new epiphytic moss, Orthotrichum affine var. bohemicum, was repeatedly found in 2015 in the Lands of Hessen and Bavaria. Distribution of this variety in Germany is mapped and its ecology is described in detail. Because the traditionally understood genus Orthotrichum was recently split into some segregates and this variety was not given a name in the genus Lewinskya to which it actually belongs, it is transferred to this genus and the relevant new combination Lewinskya affinis var. bohemica is effected.

The paper provides information about 7 species of liverworts and 51 species and 1 variety of mosses collected within the ‘Retno’ Nature Reserve. The diversity of the flora of the reserve is low without any particular bryological values. The most interesting species are Bryum rubens and Orthodicranum tauricum. There are 9 species partially protected in Poland and 1 endangered, however, most of them are common bryophytes throughout the country.