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Aim The aim of the study was to assess the effect of changes in population size and migration on variation in functional immunity genes in the previously bottlenecked population of the grey wolf, Canis lupus. Location Eastern/Central Europe: Poland, Czechia, Slovakia. Methods We genotyped 7 immunity genes: three MHC‐DLA genes (dog leukocyte antigen) and four Toll‐like receptor (TLR) genes among 130 wolves originating from three populations: two lowland (Baltic and Central European), and highland Carpathian. We contrasted the population structure in immunity genes with a neutral structure based on 13 microsatellites, and we analysed signatures of selection in the immunity loci. Results We found high overall genetic variance in immunity genes and no evidence for decreased diversity in the recently established populations. The population structure in immunity loci was weak, with pairwise FST lower than for neutral markers. Although the results of neutrality tests were not significant, we identified codons under selection, both positive and negative. Main Conclusions We demonstrated that despite recent population expansion which is expected to result in decreased genetic diversity, the diversity of immunity genes in the newly established wolf population is similar to those in the source population. This suggests that migrations do not cause allele loss in grey wolf. Signatures of selection on codon level, but not in tests using allele frequencies, suggest the contrasting effects of demography and selection.

Aim: Population fragmentation represents a leitmotif of conservation biology, but the impact of population reconnection is less well studied. The recent recolonization of large carnivores in Europe is a good model for studying this phenomenon. We aim to show novel data regarding distribution and population genetic structure of the grey wolf in Central Europe, a region considered a frequent crossroad and contact zone of different phylogeographic lineages, in a biogeographic context. Location: Western Carpathians, Central Europe. Methods: In concordance with the presumption of a highly mobile mammal, individualbased Bayesian clustering and a posteriori definition of populations were used. Integrating the frameworks of landscape genetics and biogeography enabled the identification of transitions in population architecture. These patterns could be ascribed to isolating factors based on historical knowledge about species demography. Results: Genetic differentiation mirrors population isolation and recognized environmental clusters, suggesting ecotypic variation. The east-west split in the Western Carpathians likely represents the signature of range fragmentation during bottlenecks in the 20th century. Mitochondrial variability is more depleted than nuclear variability, indicating founder-flush demography. Microsatellites show finer-scale differentiation in the Carpathians compared to the European plain, corresponding to topographic heterogeneity. Long-range dispersal of a Carpathian wolf (ca. 300 km), the establishment of enclaves originated from the lowland population and admixture with mountain wolves were ascertained, indicating a population fraction producing large-scale gene flow. Main conclusion: Carpathian wolves are characterized by periods of population and range decline due to eradication, facilitating réfugiai role of alpine habitats and peripatric effects, followed by expansions and fusions probably caused by forest transition, population adaptation and efforts in conservation management. New occurrence and hybridization events predict further contacts between formerly isolated populations, with potential opposing effects of heterosis and outbreeding depression. Population recovery might be hindered due to isolation by environment and anthropogenic impacts.

The only autochthonous population of Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) occurs in the Tatra Mountains (northern Slovakia and southern Poland). Another population has been introduced to the Low Tatra Mts., while Alpine chamois (R. r. rupicapra) has been introduced to the neighbouring mountain ranges, Vel'ká Fatra and Slovenský raj. All these populations have undergone intensive bottlenecks. Any resulting low genetic variability would mean that only few genetic markers could be used for population genetic studies due to prevailing monomorphism. We tested 65 markers previously used in chamois or other Caprinae species, from which 20 most suitable loci for noninvasive genetic study of the Tatra chamois were selected. These polymorphic loci were used for optimisation of three multiplex sets and revealed a mean number of alleles of 2.1 and mean expected heterozygosity of 0.331 for the Tatra population. Low genetic diversity was also observed in the Low Tatra population while slightly higher values were obtained for Alpine chamois population in Slovenský raj. We subsequently assessed the amplification success rate for noninvasively obtained samples (faeces), which ranged from 85.1% to 92.7% for particular loci. The developed polymorphic microsatellite sets provide a unique tool for population genetic study of the endangered Tatra chamois, even when using noninvasive sampling, and is also suitable for Alpine chamois.

Electrochemical behavior of genotoxic 2-aminofluoren-9-one (2-AFN) was investigated by DC tast polarography (DCTP) and differential pulse polarography (DPP), both at a classical dropping mercury electrode (DME), and by DC voltammetry (DCV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetry (AdSDPV), all at a miniaturized hanging mercury drop minielectrode (HMDmE), in buffered aqueous-methanolic solutions. Optimum conditions were found for the determination of 2-AFN by DCTP at DME in the concentration range from 1 × 10 –6 to 1 × 10 –4 mol l –1 (with a limit of quantification ( L Q) of 5 × 10 –7 mol l –1 ), by DPP at DME (from 1 × 10 –7 to 1 × 10 –4 mol l –1 ; L Q ≈ 1 × 10 –7 mol l –1 ), by DCV and DPV at HMDmE (both from 1 × 10 –7 to 1 × 10 –4 mol l –1 ; L Qs ≈ 2 × 10 –7 and 1 × 10 –7 mol l –1 for DCV and DPV, respectively), and by AdSDPV at HMDmE (from 2 × 10 –9 to 1 × 10 –7 mol l –1 ; L Q ≈ 4 × 10 –9 mol l –1 ). Practical applicability of the developed methods was verified on the direct determination of 2-AFN in model samples of drinking and river water in nanomolar to micromolar concentrations.

The cover image, by Pavel Hulva et al., is based on the Biodiversity Research Wolves at the crossroad: Fission-fusion range biogeography in the Western Carpathians and Central Europe, DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12676. Photo Credit: Stanislav Harvancík.

Plant macro-remains provide valuable environmental information of the past, but reconstruction of past vegetation is challenging, because a macrofossil sample may include material from various habitats and also because its species composition is biased and incomplete. Therefore, we aimed to propose, test and evaluate an objective tool for data reconstruction in archaeobotany and palaeoecology. Our Fossil assEmblage VEgetation Reconstruction Index (FEVER Index) indicates relative probabilities that particular taxa in a fossil assemblage come from respective vegetation types. In contrast to the Frequency Positive Fidelity Index (FPFI) used for modern vegetation classification, the FEVER Index emphasises the importance of diagnostic species. The comparison between the FEVER and FPFI indices, when they are applied to a large dataset of modern vegetation plots, has shown that the FEVER Index has greater classification accuracy. In the case where taxonomic data were reduced to genera only, the efficiency of the FEVER Index was even higher than FPFI. This shows that the FEVER Index is more accurate when applied to incomplete fossil data, but only when there are some diagnostic species still present. We also examined the similarity between modern vegetation and corresponding seed bank data. Wetland habitats, such as calcareous fens and periodically exposed riverbeds showed high similarity between the vegetation and the seed banks because of the local origin of the seed bank material. Lower similarity was, however, detected in the case of small pools in the upper reaches of the river Lužnice, the seed bank of which included not only aquatic vegetation but also plants from terrestrial habitats nearby, transported by flowing water. Finally, we provide two examples of applying the FEVER Index to fossil data.

Fluctuations in intensity of human impact and corresponding vegetation changes have been reported from different parts of Europe for the period from the beginning of the 1st millennium ad to the high Middle Ages. In the Bílé Karpaty mountains (White Carpathians), a region well-known for its biologically valuable ancient grasslands, an extensive spread of woodland could have occurred in the Migration period (4th–6th century) and especially in the Confinium period (11th–12th century), when settling of this border region was legally prohibited. However, Holocene continuity of non-woodland vegetation was suggested as an explanation for the unique species richness of the local grasslands. If this explanation is true, then the turbulent times in medieval history could not have led to complete re-establishment of woodland. To test this idea palaeoecologically, we analysed four new profiles from wetland deposits for pollen, macrofossils and abiotic proxies, and re-dated some old profiles from the area. The results show the continual presence of human impact indicators since the Migration period in the southwest of the Bílé Karpaty, where these unique grasslands occur. Agricultural activities were indicated by pollen of crops, ruderals, weeds and grassland taxa and by macrofossils of fen-grassland plants. Grazing and burning seem to have been the main disturbances during the older period, while mowing of meadows by scythe became more important since the 17th century. Fossil records differed among the sites as a consequence of differences in altitude and disturbance regimes, but converged gradually with time. Despite intensification of human activities, the landscape remained mosaic-like. Indicators of undisturbed woodlands have been detected only in the northeast. Continuous yet perhaps never too intensive disturbances might therefore have maintained the ancient grassland species pool in the long term.

Purpose – This paper aims to synthesise anticorrosion pigments containing molybdenum for paints intended for corrosion protection of metals. Design/methodology/approach – The anticorrosion pigments were prepared by high-temperature solid-state synthesis from the appropriate oxides, carbonates and calcium metasilicate. Stoichiometric molybdates and core-shell molybdates with a non-isometric particle shape containing Ca, Sr, Zn, Mg and Fe were synthesised. The pigments were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Paints based on an epoxy resin and containing the substances at a pigment volume concentration of 10 volume per cent were prepared. The paints were subjected to physico-mechanical tests and to tests in corrosion atmospheres. The corrosion test results were compared to those of the paint with a commercial pigment, which is used in many industrial applications. Findings – The molybdate structure of each pigment prepared was elucidated. The core-shell molybdates exhibit a non-isometric particle shape. The pigments prepared were found to impart a very good anticorrosion efficiency to the paints. A high anticorrosion efficiency was found with the pigments Fe2(MoO4)3 and Fe2(MoO4)3/CaSiO3 and with Mg and Zn molybdates. Practical implications – The pigments can be used for the formulation of paints intended for the corrosion protection of metals. The pigments also improve the paints’ physical properties. Originality/value – The use of the pigments in anticorrosion paints for the protection of metals is new. The benefits include the use and the procedure of synthesis of the anticorrosion pigments which are free from heavy metals and are acceptable from the aspect of environmental protection. Moreover, the core-shell molybdates, whose high efficiency is comparable to that of the stoichiometric molybdates, have lower molybdenum contents.

There is still not enough palaeoecological data from the southwestern part of the Western Carpathians, where mountain ridges steeply rise from the dry and warm Pannonian basin. The reason is a low availability of sites with sediments harbouring fossil remains. In the Považský Inovec Mts, two small protected calcareous wetlands occur in different geographical position and contain suitable sediments. One represents a foothill site (initiated ca 13,000 cal. BP) whereas the other a low-mountain site (initiated ca 7,400 cal. BP). We investigated fossil pollen, spores, and macroscopic remains of plants and molluscs from their sediments. We further reviewed archaeological data, constructed a macrophysical climate model (MCM) and confronted it with other palaeoclimatic proxies. Temperate deciduous trees (Quercus, Corylus and Ulmus) occurred since the Allerød, but their expansion was blocked by a harsh climate in Younger Dryas, when Larix, Pinus and Betula nana still occurred. The climate firstly moistened at ca 9,500 cal. BP and more distinctly at ca 8,500 cal. BP, which was reflected by a strong calcium carbonate precipitation and expansion of Tilia cordata t., Hedera helix, and Ustulina. Although the MCM predicted a rather stable climate since 8,000 cal. BP, certain changes in aquatic mollusc abundances may indicate hydrological fluctuations, as they are paralleled by changes in climate humidity indicated by other evidence from the Western Carpathians. Younger hydrological fluctuations may be alternatively explained by human activities as they correspond with macro-charcoal abundance and indicators of wetland openness. During their existence, both fens harboured only few fen plant and mollusc species specialized to low-productive sedge-moss fens. In the Middle Holocene both sites were encroached by woody plants (Alnus, Picea and Salix), as most other spring fens in the Western Carpathians. Contrary to some other spring fens with similar site conditions in the Western Carpathians, few fen specialists established in the study sites since deforestation, presumably because of severe disturbances caused by grazing and/or hemp retting instead of the usual mowing.