The Rhyacophila fasciata Species Complex (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) in Central Europe with description of a new species, Rhyacophila loeffleri Valladolid & Waringer, n. sp., based on morphological, genetic and ecological evidence.

The morphology of the larva, pupa, male, and female of Rhyacophila loeffleri Valladolid & Waringer, n. sp., from Austria, Czech Republic, France, and Italy is described. Data from molecular analysis are also provided, based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI), including sequences from German and Swiss specimens, and compared with those of samples of the nominate species R. fasciata Hagen 1859, as well as with other species and subspecies in the Rhyacophila fasciata Species Complex: R. septentrionis McLachlan 1865, R. denticulata McLachlan 1879, R. sociata Navs 1916, R. kykladica Malicky & Sipahiler 1993, R. delici Kuini & Valladolid 2020, R. fasciata viteceki Valladolid & Kuini 2020 and R. macedonica Karaouzas, Valladolid & Ibrahimi 2022. Our study revealed morphological differences between R. fasciata and R. loeffleri, as well as genetic differences among the other taxa of the R. fasciata Complex, supporting the recognition of R. loeffleri as a new species. Also, Rhyacophila fasciata viteceki is recognized as a distinct species, R. viteceki (status promotus), based on results of the molecular analysis.

The Rhyacophila fasciata Group in Europe: Rhyacophila macedonica Karaouzas, Valladolid amp; Ibrahimi (n. sp.) from Greece, Kosovo, Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae).

The morphology of all postembryonic stages (larva, pupa, male, and female) of Rhyacophila macedonica Karaouzas, Valladolid, Ibrahimi n. sp. from Greece, Republic of North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia was examined. Morphological data were supplemented by a molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) and compared with samples of the nominate species Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859, as well as with other species and subspecies in this group: Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865, Rhyacophila denticulata McLachlan 1879, Rhyacophila sociata Navs 1916, Rhyacophila kykladica Malicky Sipahiler 1993, Rhyacophila fasciata delici Kucinic Valladolid 2020, and Rhyacophila fasciata viteceki Valladolid Kucinic 2020. Our results revealed morphological differences between the nominate species and R. macedonica, as well as genetic differences among the taxa in the Rhyacophila fasciata Group, so we propose R. macedonica as a new species of the Group. Based on the new molecular data, we also elevate R. f. delici to the status of a distinct species, R. delici (status promotus).

Estudio del comportamiento sedentario analizado mediante autocuestionario y acelerometría y su asociación con factores de riesgo cardiovascular en población adulta de un centro de salud / Study of sedentary behavior analyzed by self-questionnaire and accelerometry, and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in the adult population of a health center

Introducción: En la actualidad, el sedentarismo ha ido ganando protagonismo en el día a día de las personas adultas aumentando el tiempo que pasan en sedestación, existiendo una relación entre tiempo sedentario y el aumento de la mortalidad por cualquier causa, mayor incidencia en enfermedades cardiovasculares, cáncer y diabetes tipo 2. Objetivo: Los objetivos de este estudio son valorar la aplicabilidad de métodos de registro subjetivos y objetivos en el ámbito de la actividad física y la salud, y determinar las posibles relaciones entre el comportamiento sedentario y sus variables y el nivel de actividad física diaria con la prevalencia de uno o más factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Material y método: Se estudió a un grupo de 64 adultos de un Centro de atención primaria a los que se les administró el Autocuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física (IPAQ) y se les aplicó un acelerómetro triaxial ActivPal durante 72h. Resultados: Se obtuvieron diferencias significativas entre el tiempo sentado reportado mediante auto-cuestionario y los valores de acelerometría, IPAQ (265.45±129.67 min/día) y ActivPal (387.78±215.06 min/día). También se observaron diferencias significativas entre las variables de acelerometría relativas al comportamiento sedentario y la presencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV), tiempo sedentario (H=8.42; df=3; p=.03), número de transiciones (H=10.41; df=3; p=.01) y número de pasos totales (H=13.4; df=3; p=.004). Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio demuestran la subestimación del tiempo sentado por parte de la población mediante el IPAQ, la relación entre las variables del comportamiento sedentario y la presencia de FRCV y la necesidad de adoptar medidas de promoción para el cambio hacia un estilo de vida activo utilizando estrategias que puedan generar consciencia de la importancia en la adquisición de hábitos que generen transiciones de sedestación a bipedestación.(AU)

Introduction: Currently, sedentary lifestyle has been gaining prominence in the daily life of adults, increasing the time they spend seated, with a relationship between sedentary time and increased mortality from any cause, higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Purpose: The aim of this study are to assess the applicability of subjective and objective recording methods in the field of physical activity and health, and to determine the possible relationships between sedentary behavior and its variables and the level of daily physical activity with the prevalence of one or more cardiovascular risk factors. Material and method: A group of 64 adults from a Primary Care Center were studied, who were administered the International Physical Activity Self-Questionnaire (IPAQ) and an ActivPal triaxial accelerometer was applied for 72h. Results: Significant differences were observed between self-reported sitting time and accelerometry values, IPAQ (265.45±129.67 min/day) and ActivPal (387.78±215.06 min/day). Significant differences were also observed between the accelerometry variables related to sedentary behavior and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), sedentary time (H=8.42; df=3; p=.03), number of transitions (H=10.41 ; df=3; p=.01) and number of total steps (H=13.4; df=3; p=.004). Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate the underestimation of sitting time by the population using the IPAQ, the relationship between sedentary behavior variables and the presence of CVRF, and the need to adopt promotional measures for the change towards an active lifestyle using strategies that can generate awareness of the importance in the acquisition of habits that generate transitions from sitting to standing.(AU)

Would delineation of nitrate vulnerable zones be improved by introducing a new parameter representing the risk associated with soil permeability in the Land Use-Intrinsic Vulnerability Procedure?

Most methods for mapping groundwater vulnerability are based on the excessively simplistic approach that aquifer recharge is produced by vertical infiltration. The novel Land Use-Intrinsic Vulnerability (LU-IV) procedure assesses groundwater vulnerability to nitrate pollution over the entire territory, including aquifers catchment areas. In this research, it was analysed if the delineation of nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs) would be improved by introducing a new parameter representing the risk associated with soil permeability (parameter S) in the procedure. Different versions of parameter S were tested: S_HC (risk associated with soil hydraulic conductivity), S_St+G+S (risk associated with the stone, gravel and sand fraction of the soil) and S_C (risk associated with the clay fraction). The study was undertaken in the catchment areas of the Oja and Tirón alluvial aquifers (Spain). The efficacy of the following six models was compared: Model 1 (original LU-IV procedure), Model 2 (LU-IV' procedure using parameter S_HC), Model 3 (LU-IV' procedure using parameter S_St+G+S), Model 4 (LU-IV' procedure using parameter S_C), Model 5 (LU-DRASTIC-COP procedure, based on DRASTIC-COP method), and Model 6 (designated NVZ). Catchment scale validations of the six models showed similar, highly significant correlations between the percent coverages of the estimated NVZs and those of the alluvial areas polluted by nitrate for Models 1 to 4. Models 5 and 6 did not show any significant results. In light of these results, Models 1 to 4 were considered the best predictors of nitrate pollution and the best methods for NVZ delineation. Results support the idea that including a parameter S in the LU-IV' procedure is not essential since equivalent results were obtained from the original LU-IV procedure. So, the LU-IV procedure should be considered the best and simplest method of those tested for accurately delineating NVZs.

Genetic study with 21 autosomal STRs in five Peruvian macro regions for human identification purposes.

In this population study 1541 samples in total were collected and analyzed. The samples were collected from five jurisdictions: North macro region (n = 272), Central macro region (n = 404), South macro region (n = 272), East macro region (n = 197), and the Lima macro region (n = 396). The samples were analyzed using the Investigator 24 plex GO and Investigator 24 plex QS kits which enable typing of 21 autosomal STR loci and an amelogenin marker for sex determination. The combined power of discrimination and the combined probability of exclusion for the total population were 0.9999999999 and 0.99999978, respectively. These population geographic subgroupings are similar, supporting that the combined Peruvian data or individual subgroupings could be used for generating statistics in forensic casework.

N and P behaviour in alluvial aquifers and in the soil solution of their catchment areas: How land use and the physical environment contribute to diffuse pollution.

The role of land use and the physical environment in N and P pollution of alluvial aquifers was analysed at three levels of information: (1) aquifer (N and P in groundwater), (2) soil transect (potentially leachable N and P in the soil solution) and (3) aquifer's catchment area. The study was carried out in the Oja and Tirón alluvial aquifers and their catchment areas (northern Spain). Nitrate was the dominant N form, both in groundwater and the soil solution of aquifers' catchment areas. Orthophosphate and organic-P were the codominant P forms in the aquifers. Orthophosphate was the main form in the soil solution. During the period 2005-2017 no significant decrease in nitrate pollution was observed, suggesting the need to review current Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) designations. Since nitrate is highly mobile, it tended to accumulate in stagnation zones at the lower reaches of the aquifers. P did not accumulate in the same zones due to its low solubility. Principal component analyses (PCAs) of the aquifers, soil transects and aquifers' catchment areas revealed that the observation scale influences the environmental factors that can be detected as intervening in groundwater pollution. At the aquifer scale, links were found between nitrates and land use, topographic, hydrogeological and climatic factors. The protective effect of natural areas against nitrate pollution was noteworthy, while agriculture was associated with pollution. At the soil transect scale, an altitudinal gradient governed soil particle size distribution and land use, separating mountain forest soils from agricultural soils. The negative relationship between clay contents vs. nitrate and orthophosphate in the soil solution pointed to a regulatory role of clay. At the catchment scale, the size and physical characteristics of the catchments and land use distribution determined macronutrient availability in the soil solution and, in turn, N and P groundwater distribution.

The Rhyacophila fasciata Group in Europe: Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 and formerly synonymized species (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae), with new description of Rhyacophila fasciata and Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865 (stat. prom.).

The presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 in Europe were revised, based on bibliographic study, collection specimens, and new material collected in different countries. The status of formerly synonymized species, Rhyacophila ferruginea (Scopoli 1763) and Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865 was also assessed. The type of R. ferruginea is missing, the taxon is still unidentified, and thus we propose Rhyacophila ferruginea as a nomen dubium. Morphological features and genetic evidence revealed that R. septentrionis differs from R. fasciata, so we propose to change its status to status resurrectus. We therefore include new descriptions of the different stages (larva, pupa, male, and female) of R. fasciata and of R. septentrionis, together with a molecular analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) and ecological notes. The species R. coppai Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM and R. soreda Coppa Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM are synonyms of R. sociata Navás 1916; the species R. kopasa Oláh Coppa 2020 NEW SYNONYM and R. rova Oláh Coppa 2020 NEW SYNONYM are synonyms of R. denticulata McLachlan 1879; the species R. matrensis Oláh Szczesny 2020 is probably a synonym of R. fasciata, so more study of this species is needed in order to confirm or deny that it is a valid species.

The Rhyacophila fasciata Group in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina: Rhyacophila f. fasciata Hagen 1859 and the description of two new subspecies, Rhyacophila fasciata delici Kucinic Valladolid (ssp. nov.) from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Rhyacophila fasciata viteceki Valladolid Kucinic (ssp. nov.) from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae).

We present the description of two new subspecies of the Rhyacophila fasciata Group: Rhyacophila fasciata delici Kucinic Valladolid (ssp. nov.), broadly distributed in Croatia and present also in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and R. fasciata viteceki Valladolid Kucinic (ssp. nov.), found in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our study of the morphology of adults, as well as our analysis of the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene and geographical distribution confirm the differences of the two new subspecies with the nominal species R. f. fasciata, also found in both countries.

The Rhyacophila fasciata Group in Greece: Rhyacophila kykladica Malicky amp; Sipahiler 1993 (stat. prom.) (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae). Morphological description, genetic and ecological features.

The morphology of the different stages (larva, pupa, male, and female) of Rhyacophila fasciata kykladica Malicky Sipahiler 1993 was examined as a basis for the description of the taxon. Morphological data were supplemented by molecular analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (mtCOI), which were compared with samples of the nominate subspecies Rhyacophila fasciata fasciata Hagen 1859, as well as with other new species in this group, Rhyacophila denticulata McLachlan 1879 and Rhyacophila sociata Navás 1916. Our results revealed genetic differences between all the taxa; therefore, a change of taxonomic status of R. fasciata kykladica to R. kykladica (stat. prom.) is proposed.

Assessment of the risks of N-loss to groundwater from data on N-balance surplus in Spanish crops: An empirical basis to identify Nitrate Vulnerable Zones.

The aim of this research was to conduct an empirical assessment of the risks of N-loss to groundwater associated with land use (LU), based on annual data on the net N-balance surplus in Spanish crops. These data were used to generate a detailed risk rating system reflecting the potential risks of N-loss from agriculture. The new LU ratings were used to assess the specific vulnerability of groundwater to nitrate pollution, by using the LU-IV procedure (Arauzo 2017). The study area included the catchment areas of 12 alluvial aquifers associated to tributaries of the Ebro River (Spain). Most of the alluvial aquifers were chronically polluted by nitrate, with only a few remaining unaffected by pollution. The LU maps from two different base maps (MCAE 2000-09; SIOSE 2011) were used to generate the respective versions of the map of vulnerability to nitrate pollution using the LU-IV procedure. Potential nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZ) were extracted from different models of vulnerability for comparison with the map of groundwater nitrate content. The models compared were the following: model A (LU-IV procedure, based on MCAE 2000-09 and using LU ratings from N-surpluses in Spanish crops), model B (LU-IV procedure, based on SIOSE 2011 and using LU ratings from N-surpluses in Spanish crops), model C (LU-IV procedure, based on MCAE 2000-09 and using LU ratings from bibliographical references; Arauzo, 2017), model D (IV index), model E (DRASTIC index), and model F (GOD index). Results confirmed, as expected, that models A and B proved to be the best risk predictors, both for polluted groundwater areas and for areas at risk of being polluted. These results support the high level of reliability of the LU-IV procedure, when applying the LU ratings obtained empirically from the N-surpluses.

The Rhyacophila fasciata Group in Western Europe: Confirmation of Rhyacophila denticulata McLachlan 1879 (stat. prom.) and Rhyacophila sociata Navás 1916 (stat. res.), based on morphological and molecular genetic evidence (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae).

In order to check the presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata fasciata Hagen 1859 (species described from Austria) and R. fasciata denticulata McLachlan 1879 in the Iberian Peninsula, we studied the morphology of Spanish, French, and Austrian specimens, together with their mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (mtCOI). We observed that the individuals considered to date as R. fasciata denticulata are in fact two different species: R. denticulata, presently known from France and possibly in some rivers of the Basque Country (Spain), and R. sociata Navás 1916 distributed in Spain and France. These two species are also different from the reference species (R. fasciata) from Austria, so we propose a change in the taxonomic status of R. fasciata denticulata to R. denticulata (stat. prom.) and the restoration of R. sociata (stat. res.), with the designation of a neotype, due to the loss of the holotype.

Feeding ecology of Cobitis paludica and Cobitis calderoni in Central Spain.

In total, 253 specimens of Cobitis paludica and 163 Cobitis calderoni were collected in the Lozoya River (Madrid, Spain) in April, May, July, September and December 1990. Both species showed high percentages of empty guts in all months. C. paludica fed mainly on detritus and invertebrates while Cobitis calderoni fed on invertebrates and unicellular algae. Preferred prey items were the larvae of Dipterans (Chironomidae, Simuliidae) and micro crustaceans, with Ephemeroptera (Caenis) in summer. Cobitis calderoni fed on the most abundant prey except in April and July, when it selected invertebrates. C. paludica selected invertebrates throughout all the months. Diet overlapping (Horn's Index) was complete except in September, when the abundance of invertebrates in both diets was similar. For the remaining months, food type (invertebrates, unicellular algae and detritus) abundance differed, minimizing the interspecific competition.

Feeding activity of spined loach Cobitis sp. in Lake Lucien, Poland.

The feeding activity of spined loach Cobitis sp. was studied in post-glacial ribbon Lake Lucien, Central Poland, during three 24 hrs periods in May, August and September. Samples were taken every 4 hrs and 8 to 18 (mode 10) specimens were caught on each sampling occasion. A total of 233 fish (37.3-107.6 mm TL) gut contents were examined. Six main food components (Cladocera, Chironomidae (larvae and pupae), Copepoda, Ostracoda, other macroinvertebrates and detritus) were used by the fish. Precise identification of gut contents showed that spined loach consumed large numbers of food items (from 31 to 39). Nevertheless standardised form of Levin's and Shannon-Wiener's indices revealed a rather narrow food niche, which was a result of unequal proportions of food items in gut contents and domination of few prey categories. Spined loach fed mostly from post-dusk to dawn and achieved maximum gut fullness in the morning (4.00-8.00). This nocturnal feeding pattern was consistent throughout all sampling occasions, but there was some discrepancy concerning 12.00 hours in spring and summer. Due to this, early morning activity can not be excluded. Prey selection indices indicated that spined loach preferentially consumed some small size chironomids: Tanytarsus, Cladotanytarsus, Dicrotendipes and avoided larger ones (Glyptotendipes, Stictochironomus).

Growth and reproductive biology of loaches Cobitis sp. in Lake Lucien, Poland.

Five age-classes and their corresponding average body lengths of loaches from Lake Lucien were determined by the Bhattacharya method. The maximum observed length was 112 mm for females and 91 mm for males. The von Bertalanffy equation defining growth pattern was L(T) = 116 (1-exp (-0.401(t+0.02. Body length distribution of females and males differed significantly (chi2 = 91.295; df=9; P<0.00). Sex ratio showed the dominance of females in the studied population (M:F = 1:1.75; chi2 =18.00; P<0.01). Females were sexually mature at 56 mm TL and males at 52 mm TL. Female gonad weight increased with body size. The frequency distribution of egg diameters revealed 3 groups of oocytes. The average absolute fecundity was 2180 eggs and ranged from 418 to 6800 per gonad. The number of the largest oocytes (>0.6 mm in diameter) ranged from 208 to 975 (average 501) and was used to estimate fecundity at the moment of spawning. Both fecundity measures are related to body length of females their regression lines were parallel and did not differ in the coefficient of slope. The gonadosomatic index value, as an approximate measure of reproductive effort, was rather small (average IGS = 10.44 ranged from 5.12 to 17.88).