Volume 63 (2014): Issue 1 (March 2014)

Several species of the genus Cryptomonas EHRENB. are characterized by the sigmoid (S-shaped) form of their cells under natural conditions. Such species were sampled and studied by the author for decades from the plankton of freshwater lakes, dam reservoirs, fishponds, and peat pools, from among littoral vegetation, as well as in small water bodies overgrown with vegetation. After application of optical microscopes on live or chemically treated specimens, they were measured and depicted. Four species known from literature are demonstrated to be easily determinable, namely Cryptomonas curvata, C. reflexa, C. marssonii, C. gracilis. Two new varieties are described. Cryptomonas borealis is shown as a transient species between straight and sigmoid cells. A special attention is given to the occurrence of pyrenoids and Maupas corpuscles within the cells. The new forma of C. cylindrica is pictured and described, with the antapex of the cells deformed differently from sigmoid species.

Orthotrichum affine var. bohemicum is a variety of epiphytic moss described in 2011 on the basis of findings in the Czech Republic. During the research in the Zlatohorská vrchovina highlands situated in Silesia (NE part of the Czech Republic) five new localities of the taxa were found in 2013. In Silesia there has not been any record of this moss till the present. Descriptions of the new localities together with ecological characteristics are given.

This study was aimed to determine whether freezing of cadaver prior to the free exposure affects the species composition and the rate of its initial colonization with necrophagous organisms. Two experiments were realized in Smečno town, the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, in which carcasses of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. domestica L.) weighing about 1.5 kg were obtained and treated the same way, only half of them were frozen before exposure in June and July 2013. Pre-frozen and fresh carcasses colonized the same kinds of blowflies (Diptera, Calliphoridae): Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826), Lucilia illustris (Meigen, 1826), Lucilia ampullacea Villeneuve, 1922, Phormia regina (Meigen, 1826), and Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830). Percentage rate of each species was almost the same in both versions but we found differences in the total number of individuals (larvae) decomposing carcasses and differences in the process of decomposition of carcasses: fresh carcass decomposition was predominantly anaerobic (putrefaction) and started from the digestive system to the outside of the body (inside-out). Pre-frozen carcasses decomposed predominantly aerobic (decay) and started from the surface of body inwards (outside-in). Utilization of our results in forensic practice is discussed.

The present study focuses on the summary of recent and subrecent diatom flora within Sudeten mountain wetlands - the Jizerské Mts and the Jeseníky Mts Recent samples were taken during the years 2003 and 2006 - 2010. Herbarized bryophytes and fixed samples deposited in museums from the period 1898 - 1995 were used as a source of subrecent diatom flora. A total of 163 diatom species occurred at 70 microsites within 26 mires along the Czech-Polish-German border areas. Recent diatom flora of both areas seems to be comparable in terms of species richness and dominant species. Subrecent samples (herbarized bryophytes) contain some less frequent species (representation < 1%), which do not belong to mire flora and can represent a contamination (e.g. planktic genera). Frustulia saxonica and Eunotia paludosa were the most frequent species. E. exigua related in Western Europe to acidification caused by acid rains, was less frequent in both historic and modern samples. Unfortunately, we have few historical herbarium specimens from the 70-ies and 80- ies to trace changes associated with air pollution.

The paper compares recent and known literature records of mosses from genera Orthotrichum and Nyholmiella in Crimean Peninsula (Ukraine). Field survey was carried out during botanical expedition to Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine in 2012. Total 11 species of the genus Orthotrichum and 1 of Nyholmiella were recorded. Among the most interesting taxa, O. lyellii as new species for Crimean Peninsula and O. affine var. bohemicum as new species for Ukraine, could be considered.

Warble fly Hypoderma diana is known to be a parasite not only of roe deer and other species of Cervidae but also of non-specific hosts from among other orders of ungulates. First-instar larvae of Hypoderma diana, a specific parasite of Cervidae, have been found in a new non-specific host, i.e. the wild boar (Sus scrofa). This finding is further evidence of the exceptional adaptability of this species of subcutaneous warble fly of the family Hypodermatidae. It corroborates the validity of the proposition that the host range of a host-specific parasite can only be ext

Philonotis calcarea (Bruch & Schimp.) Schimp. in Poland is a montane species, very rarely occurring in lowland, strictly protected by law. In the Opole Province till this time it has been known from four localities, reported from the 19th and first half of the 20th century. The paper presents description of the new locality and list of stations of P. calcarea in the Opole Province. Current distribution of this species is presented on the map.

Records of species of the families Limoniidae and Pediciidae are listed from Portugal and Spain within the political borders of these countries, i.e. including Azores, Madeira and Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, respectively. A total of 56 species of Limoniidae and two species of Pediciidae are registered. Of these 43 species of Limoniidae and one species of Pediciidae are new to Portugal and/or Spain, or some of their overseas areas.