Scientiae biologicae

A survey is made of the major features of the abdominal arrangement within Buprestidae, as well as comparison with representatives from families Byrrhidae, Dryopidae, Elateridae, Eucnemidae and Heteroceridae. Evolutionary trends in development of particular abdominal parts are reviewed and the polarities are indicated. The systematic position and phylogenetic relationships of taxa are discussed. All significant structures and evolutionary schemes are illustrated.

The results of comparative morphological study of antennal structures in Buprestidae Leach, 1815 are presented and illustrated with scanning electron microphotographs. In total, the antennae of 412 species from 316 genera of all the subfamilies of Buprestidae and 6 genera of other Elateriformia were studied using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the antennae of many species from other buprestid genera were examined using optic dissecting and compound microscopes. The general structures of antennae, individual sensillae and sensory organs in Buprestidae are described with particular attention given to the structure and arrangement of antennal sensory organs as key taxonomic characters. It is established that the structure of entire antennae and antennomeres separately, the structure, composition, placing, and quantitative characteristics of antennal sensillae and sensory organs, as well as their sexual dimorphism, may serve as reliable taxonomic characters. A review of antennal structures in subfamilies Schizopodinae Le Conte, 1861, Julodinae Lacordaire, 1857, Polycestinae Lacordaire, 1857, Chalcophorinae Lacordaire, 1857, Buprestinae, and Galbellinae Reitter, 1911 is followed by a discussion of their genesis, evolutionary trends, and taxonomical and phylogenetic implications. Each main phyletic stock (complex) of Buprestidae is characterised by certain evolutionary trends and particular pathways of genesis of antennal structures. The smaller phyletic lineages demonstrate their own morphoclines although the separate states can appear to be quite similar in the representatives of different lineages or even stocks. The most primitive states are found in Schizopodinae and Julodinae, although the latter demonstrate a rather high level of specialisation. Polycestinae and Bupretinae show quite similar (buprestoid) pathways of antennal structure genesis, whereas the taxa attributed to the Chalcophoroid complex exibit a particular (chalcophoroid) pathway. The evolutionary trends of antennal structures in Galbellinae are somewhat unclear. Based on peculiarities of antennal structure genesis, the main phylogenetic stocks, lineages, branches and groups are recognised in Buprestidae. The systematic position, taxonomic status and relationships of many other buprestid higher taxa are discussed. Taxonomical changes and suggestions are listed in the Summary. A list is provided of the buprestid taxa examined using a scanning electron microscope, arranged with respect to their antennal structure.

A new genus and species of the family Phlaeothripidae (Thysanoptera) is described from Northern Laos. Its remarkable horn-like projections on the first antennal segment have not been previously found in Thysanoptera. They testify the aggressive potential of this thrips in competing for access to food resources or in protecting its eggs. The new genus belongs in the Elaphrothrips group of species, but it is not easy to state the exact relationship at present.

Remarks on the distribution and bionomy of species of the Aradidae and Pyrrhocoridae. Aradus ribauti E. Wagner is new for Slovakia. The subfamily Aradinae is represented by 18 species, Aneurinae by 2, Mezirinae by 1 species. The family Pyrrhocoridae is represented by 2 species.

Bryophytes growing close to lamps in regular use were studied in the northern part of the Moravian Karst (Czech Republic). Data were collected in four caves that are open to the public and extensively lit to display geological phenomena. Previous investigations of the lamp flora were carried out in the 1960s-70s. Since that time, both the equipment and the maintenance of these caves (illumination, chemical removal of plants) have changed. This paper compares the bryophyte lamp flora of the 1960s-70s with that of the present. In the 1960s-70s studies, 46 bryophyte species were recorded, as against 34 bryophyte species recorded in 1999-2000. Two liverworts and 10 moss species were not confirmed and 2 mosses were newly recorded. No liverworts were recorded in 1999-2000. Overall, 34 % of the bryophyte flora remains the same as in the past and 46 % is different.