Biologija

Title

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

First confirmed record of Anthonomus ulmi in Lithuania (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Aurelija Mikalčiūtė, Romas Ferenca, Gintarė Stankevičė — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

Based on available faunistic data, Anthonomus ulmi DeGeer, 1775 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has not been previously confirmed in Lithuania. During a beetle survey conducted in the Lithuanian Zoological Garden between June and August 2025, a total of 583 beetle specimens were collected, including a single individual of A. ulmi. This represents the first documented and verified record of the species in Lithuania. Although A. ulmi has been reported from several European countries, its distribution remains poorly documented and is likely underestimated. The confirmed presence of the species in the neighbouring Kaliningrad region (Russia) supports the possibility of its occurrence in Lithuania. As the specimen was collected in a zoological garden, i.e., a human-influenced environment, the possibility of accidental introduction cannot be excluded. Further studies are required to determine whether the species is established in the country or occurs only sporadically.

Dynamics of detection and utilisation of large mammal carcasses by scavengers

Daivaras Rybakovas, Artūras Kibiša — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

Carrion is a short-lived but nutrient-rich resource in terrestrial ecosystems. After an animal dies, its body becomes a carcass that can be utilised by scavengers, detritivores, and other microorganisms. Carrion represents a spatially heterogeneous resource, creating localised hotspots of biological and chemical activity, which become particularly pronounced in the case of large vertebrates. Although numerous studies worldwide have investigated carrion use and consumption, considerable gaps remain in understanding carcass detection, utilisation and their ecological impacts. No such studies have previously been conducted in Lithuania. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the utilisation of large mammal carcasses by scavengers in Varnaitinė Forest located in Jurbarkas district. Four study sites were selected within the forest where carcasses were placed approximately twice per month and monitored using camera traps. We recorded scavenger species composition, carcass detection time, visitation duration, and time to complete consumption. The results showed that red foxes, raccoon dogs, and ravens were the dominant scavengers in Varnaitinė Forest. In more open habitats, ravens most frequently detected carcasses first. The mean carcass detection time was 30 hours, while the average time to complete consumption was 81 hours. These findings suggest that in temperate forest ecosystems, carrion functions as a short-lived but ecologically significant source of food and energy.

Refining the Neotropical genus Coptotrichoides (Tischeriidae): discovery of three Serjania-feeding species, including C. criminalis sp. nov., collected under hazardous circumstances

Jonas R. Stonis, Arūnas Diškus, Svetlana Orlovskytė — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

This study describes three distinctive new Serjania-feeding species of the enigmatic Neotropical genus Coptotrichoides Diškus & Stonis (Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae), which is trophically associated with host plants of the family Sapindaceae. In addition, new mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences are provided, together with molecular considerations relevant to the generic distinctiveness and phylogenetic placement of Coptotrichoides. Newly generated molecular data from additional material also resulted in the discovery of previously unreported distribution records of several species of the genera Neotischeria Diškus & Stonis and Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diškus in South America. Molecular analyses incorporating the newly obtained Coptotrichoides sequences further confirm the distinctiveness of the genus and again suggest that Coptotrichoides is more closely related to the genus Dishkeya Stonis than to Coptotriche Walsingham and especially to Tischeria Zeller, although this relationship remains insufficiently resolved. The article is illustrated with photographs of male and female genitalia, leaf mines and exuviae as well as a molecular phylogenetic tree and a mitotype network based on mtDNA CO1-5’ sequences.

Effect of a foliar-applied biostimulant mixture on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) under drought stress conditions

Ugnė Diliūnaitė, Irena Januškaitienė — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

Drought is one of the most common problems that can induce stress on crop production. Due to the rising temperatures caused by climate change, drought has become more frequent in many areas. It is crucial for the agricultural sector to look for more solutions on how to protect and increase plant productivity while using fewer chemical fertilisers. Studies show that biostimulants can act as anti-stress solutions, helping plants to mitigate drought stress while being an environmentally friendly option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different biostimulants on the morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during stress and recovery periods. In this study, the biostimulants Terra-Sorb, Millerplex, and their mixture were used. Parameters were measured on the last day of the stress period and the last day of the recovery period. The results showed that drought significantly reduced the morphological parameters of winter wheat. Fresh biomass during drought decreased by approximately 39–53% compared with control (p < 0.05). Winter wheat sprayed with the mixture of biostimulants showed the smallest losses, with fresh biomass reduced by 38.85% and the net photosynthetic rate by 75.72% compared with control, indicating the highest tolerance to drought among all treatments. The mixture also maintained higher transpiration than the other treatments. During plant recovery period, biostimulants did not improve plant performance, and the biochemical parameters were not affected (p > 0.05). This study showed the effect of drought on morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters of winter wheat as well as the efficiency of different biostimulants during drought stress period, especially when biostimulants with two different active components were are used in combination.

Zoonotic pathogens in the ectoparasites of European bats: a review

Paulina Maceinaitė, Povilas Sakalauskas — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

Bats are an important group of mammals that perform significant ecological functions, such as regulating insect populations, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. However, these animals also host a wide range of ectoparasites, which may harbour microorganisms of public health importance. This review summarises data on potentially zoonotic and vector-borne microorganisms detected in the ectoparasites of European bats between 2010 and 2025. The review is based on 17 scientific publications investigating bat-associated ectoparasites, including ticks, bat flies, fleas, mites and bat bugs, from twelve European countries. The reviewed studies reported microorganisms belonging to the genera Bartonella, Rickettsia, Borrelia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Mycoplasma and Neoehrlichia. Bartonella spp. were the most frequently detected microorganisms and were reported in several ectoparasite groups, particularly bat flies, fleas, and mites. In contrast, Rickettsia, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Babesia were most commonly associated with bat ticks. Most studies were conducted in Central and Eastern Europe, whereas some European regions remain poorly investigated. The detection of microbial DNA in bat ectoparasites suggests that these ectoparasites may be involved in pathogen circulation; however, molecular evidence alone does not prove their ability to transmit pathogens to humans. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of bat ectoparasites in the circulation of microorganisms within bat populations.