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Developmental stability (DS) and canalization are key determinants of phenotypic variation. To provide a better understanding of how postnatal growth is involved in determining the effects of DS and canalization on phenotypic variation, we studied within- and among-individual variation in head shape in ontogenetic series of lizards inhabiting urban and rural environments. Urban lizards exhibited increased fluctuating asymmetry during the early postnatal stages, but asymmetry levels decreased during growth. By contrast, asymmetry remained constant across the investigated size range in the rural population. In addition, urban juveniles were more variable for symmetric shape and deviated more from the group shape-size allometric trajectory, but both indices declined across ontogeny. Congruent patterns of within- and among-individual variation suggest that both DS and canalization may rely on similar underlying mechanisms. Further, the ontogenetic reduction of variation in the urban population suggests that compensatory growth may aid in buffering phenotypic variation and correcting deviances from the established developmental path. Alternatively, passive mechanisms and population dynamics may also explain the decrease of phenodeviants in urban populations. Significant correlations between symmetric and asymmetric shape, as well as similar integration patterns between the two populations, suggest that similar developmental mechanisms regulate head shape in both environments. Overall, these results highlight the relevance of both pre- and post-natal dynamics in determining levels of phenotypic variation, enhancing our understanding of how organisms respond to perturbations to DS and canalization under stressful conditions. FA_ontogenyThis is a tps file containing 2-D digitized landmarks of dorsal head view of adult and juvenile Podarcis muralis individuals. 28 landmarks were taken on each specimen. Landmark recording was repeated twice for each animal.classifierThis is a text file containing identifier variables associated with the individuals in the companion tps file. ID numbers corresponding to ID numbers in the tps file. Ind number refers to individual animals, Age_Class indicates whether individual is adult or juvenile (A=adult, J=juvenile), Pop indicates location where the animals were collected (P or S, p=urban population, s=rural population). Landmark recording was repeated twice for each animal and is indicated by Image (1 or 2).

Abstract The species of Adialytus Förster in Iran are taxonomically studied and new data on distribution and host associations are presented. The existence of a species complex, in the case of Adialytus ambiguus (Haliday), and the morphological variability in commonly used taxonomic characters has been discussed. In total, four valid species belonging to the genus Adialytus including Adialytus ambiguus (Haliday), Adialytus salicaphis (Fitch), Adialytus thelaxis (Starý) and Adialytus veronicaecola (Starý) have been identified and recorded from Iran. Also, we recognized two additional phenotypes: “Adialytus arvicola” (Starý) and “Adialytus cf. ambiguus” (Haliday). These phenotypes and Adialytus veronicaecola are newly recorded from Iran in association with Sipha and Aphis species, respectively. An illustrated key for identification of the species and two variable phenotypes is presented.

Background: Hybridization between incipient species is expected to become progressively limited as their genetic divergence increases and reproductive isolation proceeds. Amphibian radiations and their secondary contact zones are useful models to infer the timeframes of speciation, but empirical data from natural systems remains extremely scarce. Here we follow this approach in the European radiation of tree frogs (Hyla arborea group). We investigated a natural hybrid zone between two lineages (Hyla arborea and Hyla orientalis) of Mio-Pliocene divergence (~5 My) for comparison with other hybrid systems from this group. Results: We found concordant geographic distributions of nuclear and mitochondrial gene pools, and replicated narrow transitions (~30 km) across two independent transects, indicating an advanced state of reproductive isolation and potential local barriers to dispersal. This result parallels the situation between H. arborea and H. intermedia, which share the same amount of divergence with H. orientalis. In contrast, younger lineages show much stronger admixture at secondary contacts. Conclusions: Our findings corroborate the negative relationship between hybridizability and divergence time in European tree frogs, where 5 My are necessary to achieve almost complete reproductive isolation. Speciation seems to progress homogeneously in this radiation, and might thus be driven by gradual genome-wide changes rather than single speciation genes. However, the timescale differs greatly from that of other well-studied amphibians. General assumptions on the time necessary for speciation based on evidence from unrelated taxa may thus be unreliable. In contrast, comparative hybrid zone analyses within single radiations such as our case study are useful to appreciate the advance of speciation in space and time. Individual mitotypes and microsatellite genotypesGenetic data of the H. arborea/H. orientalis contact zones in southern Europe. Mitochondrial haplotypes (cyt-b) and genotypes of microsatellite genotypes (23 loci) for each individual. NA: missing data. Information on localities are available in supporting information of the publication.Data.xlsx

Summary. Lake Ludaš is a protected nature reserve in Serbia that has been the focus of scientific interest, due to perpetual water quality deterioration that has led to consistent cyanobacterial blooms for almost five decades. To describe the possible effects of cyanotoxins on fish (Carrasius gibelio) inhabiting Lake Ludaš, several examinations were performed in November of 2018, including: assessment of water quality (physical and chemical parameters, as well as water microbiology), and assessment of several tissues of C. gibelio (micronucleus test, comet assay, and histopathological analyses). The water quality of Lake Ludaš has been categorized as class III, indicating moderate pollution. Physical and chemical parameters from November of 2018 seemed to be within acceptable levels. Examined fish tissues showed signs of DNA damage (highest in the blood, followed by the liver and gills), and histological alterations (in the liver and gills). Although other xenobiotics can induce similar changes, cyanotoxins could be the most likely cause of the observed alterations in C. gibelio tissues. The present study demonstrates the need to monitor this important wetland of international significance, since the living organisms in Lake Ludaš are showing signs of environmental stress suggesting that the preservation and natural balance of this ecosystem could be in danger.

Combined AS-ISK report including the 68 screenings for the 17 salmonid species screened for the Danube and Adriatic basins of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia (including Kosovo)

Summary. Accelerated eutrophication and climate change has led to more frequent blooming of cyanobacteria and the appearance of cyanotoxins worldwide. Because they are at the top of the aquatic food chain, fish can be exposed to cyanobacteria and their toxic metabolites. Thus, as one of the most complex organisms that inhabit aquatic ecosystems, fish can be good bioindicators of water pollution. The objective of this study was to assess several biomarkers in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L. 1758) from Hídvégi Pond (Hungary) sampled in June 2019: including histopathological changes of individual fish organs, biotransformation enzymes and oxidative stress parameters. An attempt was made to verify whether findings could be associated with previously reported cyanotoxin exposure. The results showed that DNA fragmentation was not observed; cytochrome P450 1A enzyme activity was higher in the testes, glutathione-S-transferase was significantly lower in the liver and ovaries, lipid peroxidation levels were high in all organs except the testes (with the highest level in the liver and gills); catalase and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly lower in the liver; total and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly lower in the liver, while significantly higher activity was measured in the testes; glutathione reductase activity was increased in the liver and testes of C. carpio caught from Hídvégi Pond. Intense lipid peroxidation and changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes indicate that fish from Hídvégi Pond were exposed to oxidative stress, potentially induced by cyanobacteria and/or their metabolites. Additionally, histopathological alterations were observed in the liver, kidneys and gills of fish, and specific damage to these organs could be directly linked to the action of hepatotoxic cyanotoxins. Therefore, it is likely that cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins have a detrimental effect on fish, as well as on other organisms including humans. Hence it is necessary to monitor cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins, and their effects on other organisms, and develop biomarkers capable of directly monitoring toxicity and pollution in the environment.

The morphometric and meristic data for different characters of Adialytus species (Female) in IranMeasurement of the length and aspect ratio of diagnostic characters for separation of Adialytus specesDataFile_Adialytus.docFigure 02 AntennaeFigure 2. Antenna of Adialytus species A Adialytus ambiguus B Adialytus cf. ambiguus C Adialytus arvicola D Adialytus salicaphis E Adialytus thelaxis F Adialytus veronicaecola.Figure 03 ForewingsFigure 3. Fore wing of Adialytus species A Adialytus ambiguus B Adialytus cf. ambiguus C Adialytus arvicola D Adialytus salicaphis E Adialytus thelaxis F Adialytus veronicaecola.Figure 03 Foreiwngs.jpgFigure 04 Hind LegsFigure 4. Hind leg of Adialytus species, excluding tarsomeres A Adialytus ambiguus B Adialytus cf. ambiguus C Adialytus arvicola D Adialytus salicaphis E Adialytus thelaxis F Adialytus veronicaecola.Figure 04 Legs-Plate.jpgFigure 05 PetiolFigure 5. Petiole or first metasomal tergite of Adialytus species A Adialytus ambiguus B Adialytus cf. ambiguus C Adialytus arvicola D Adialytus salicaphis E Adialytus thelaxis F Adialytus veronicaecola.Figure 06 Female genitaliaFigure 6. Female genitalia of Adialytus species A Adialytus ambiguus B Adialytus cf. ambiguus C Adialytus arvicola D Adialytus salicaphis E Adialytus thelaxis F Adialytus veronicaecola.Figure 06 Female Genitalia.jpg The species of Adialytus Förster in Iran are taxonomically studied and new data on distribution and host associations are presented. The existence of a species complex, in the case of Adialytus ambiguus (Haliday), and the morphological variability in commonly used taxonomic characters has been discussed. In total, four valid species belonging to the genus Adialytus including Adialytus ambiguus (Haliday), Adialytus salicaphis (Fitch), Adialytus thelaxis (Starý) and Adialytus veronicaecola (Starý) have been identified and recorded from Iran. Also, we recognized two additional phenotypes: “Adialytus arvicola” (Starý) and “Adialytus cf. ambiguus” (Haliday). These phenotypes and Adialytus veronicaecola are newly recorded from Iran in association with Sipha and Aphis species, respectively. An illustrated key for identification of the species and two variable phenotypes is presented.

Professional and scientific networks built around the production of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) led to the collection of phenology data for a wide range of cultivars grown in experimental sites characterized by highly contrasted climatic conditions. We present a dataset of flowering and maturity dates, recorded each year for one tree when available, or the average of several trees for each cultivar, over a period of 37 years (1978 - 2015). Such dataset is extremely valuable for characterizing the phenology response to climate change, but also the plasticity of the different cultivars’ behaviour under various environmental conditions. In addition, these records can support the development of predictive models exploitable at the continental scale to be used by growers and breeders, but also to anticipate breeding strategies in order to maintain and improve sweet cherry production in Europe. Sweet cherry phenology data 1978-2015Sweet cherry phenological data were collected from two networks: flowering and maturity dates for up to 191 reference cultivars, and from 10 sites, were extracted from the French database, coordinated by a French national network of experimentation Centre technique interprofessionnel des fruits et legumes - CTIFL). At the European scale, in the context of the COST Action 1104 (2012-2016; https://www.bordeaux.inra.fr/cherry/), flowering and maturity dates were collected from 14 sites. Recorded years span is 1978 - 2015. Metadata are included in the dataset as a separate spreadsheet.Sweet_cherry_phenology_data_1978-2015.xlsx