New record of invertebrates associated with decomposed wood from the Plaiul Fagului reserve

The paper presents new data about the diversity of invertebrates associated with decomposed wood from the Plaiul Fagului Reserve. A total of 60 invertebrate species belonging to 45 genera, 20 families and two classes Collembola and Insecta (Coleoptera and Hymenoptera) were identified. A rare species - Carabus intricatus and C. ullrichi included in the third edition of the Red Book were highlighted. Four new species of Coleoptera are recorded for the first time for the reserve

Enzymatic activity of mycorrhizal fungi. II

An attempt bas been made to evaluate the participation of mycorrhizal fungi in the process of degradation of some aromatic compounds. 24 strains of ectomycorrhizal fungi, l ectendomycorrhizal stram and 11 nonmycorrhizal strains which decomposed wood were investigated. The observations were aimed at showing the synthesis by these fungi of laccase, peroxidase and tyrosinase. None of these fungi synthetized peroxidase.

A new large and colorful skink of the genus Amphiglossus from Madagascar revealed by morphology and multilocus molecular study

We describe a new species of Amphiglossus skink from the western edge of the Central Highlands of Madagascar in the Reserve of Makira, and also found in the Réserve Spéciale of Ambohijanahary and in the Réserve Spéciale of Marotandrano. Amphiglossus meva n. sp. is characterized and differentiated from other species of the genus by a combination of morphological, chromatic and molecular characters: 1) a relatively large size (SVL of adults from 126 to 150 mm); 2) a characteristic pattern of coloration, Amphiglossus meva being the only skink in Madagascar together with Amphiglossus crenni with dark grey dorsum contrasting with orange flanks and ventrum; 3) the absence of a postnasal scale; 4) the presubocular frequently absent, 5) the presence of single elongated tertiary temporal bordering lower secondary temporal and 6) pentadactyl limbs. In addition to the morphological approach, a multi-locus genetic analysis based on eight mitochondrial and nuclear genes clearly supports the distinctiveness of A. meva. This new species was found in areas of rainforest, sometimes containing transitional deciduous forest elements. It was typically observed under large rotten logs associated with dense layers of decomposed wood retaining certain humidity and providing habitat for invertebrate larvae and termites.

Chemical Composition and Sample Preparation of Archaeological Wood for Radiocarbon Dating

The chemical composition of wood from archaeological sites differs from that of modern wood. The chemical changes depend on the microenvironment of the surrounding matrix more than the time of preservation. Chemical treatment of decomposed wood results in a great loss of initial material. The degree of wood decomposition should be taken into account in the preparation of samples for 14C dating. The main fraction of archaeological decomposed wood is a degraded lignin, with most cellulose totally decomposed. Nevertheless, decomposed wood can be a reliable material for 14C dating archaeological sites. Loss of material through sample preparation can be reduced by using fairly weak concentrations of chemical reagents without influencing the reliability of the dates.

MANDIBULAR STRUCTURE AND FEEDING HABITS OF THREE MORPHOLOGICALLY SIMILAR COLEOPTEROUS LARVAE: CUCUJUS CLAVIPES (CUCUJIDAE), DENDROIDES CANADENSIS (PYROCHROIDAE), AND PYTHO DEPRESSUS (SALPINGIDAE)

Larvae of Cucujus clavipes (Fabricius) and Dendroides canadensis (Latreille) are frequently found under bark of decaying hardwood logs and those of Pytho depressus (Linnaeus) under that of dead conifers, especially pine (Pinus spp.) (Anderson and Nilssen 1978). Larvae of all three species have a dorsoventrally depressed, orthosomatic body and are well adapted for activity in the cambial layer. In dead trees, this area contains partially decomposed wood and bark resulting from the activity of phytophagous insects and other small invertebrates. According to textbooks of general entomology and other entomological literature, species within the genera Cucujus, Dendroides, and Pytho are predacious on other insects found in the cambial layer (Arnett 1968; Borrer et al. 1976; Borror and White 1970; Essig 1926; Peterson 1951; Swan and Papp 1972). However, no specific references to original studies demonstrating this type of feeding behaviour could be found. The purpose of this study was to determine the type of food consumed by larvae of these species and to determine if the structure of their mandibles and other mouthparts were indicative of such food consumption.