Scolus secretions and hemolymph of caterpillars of Saturnia pyri fed with two different foodplants (Crataegis monogyna, Prunus spinosa) were chemically analyzed and their chemical similarities determined. The secondary-compound patterns obtained for the two body fluids showed no significant differences when compared between the two groups of alternatively fed last-instar larvae. Thus, the compo...

A new species of Phallocryptus Biraben 1951 (Branchiopoda, Anostraca) from Mongolia is described. Phallocryptus tserensodnomi sp. nov. is close to P. spinosa (Milne-Edwards 1840), but both morphological and molecular analyses (Cytochrome Oxidase I, COI) indicate that they represent separate species. Most relevant differential features of the new species include: (1) frontal appendage provided w...

In this local-scale synecological study, we investigated the changes in plant community composition throughout secondary succession occurring after cessation of agricultural land use (i.e. grassland abandonment). The successional sequence studied had following pathway: Avenula pubescens (Huds.) Dumort. haypastures → Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P.Beauv. Cornus sanguinea L. scrubs late-successiona...

Methanol and aqueous extracts from fi ve plant species, used in traditional medicine in Guatemala for the treatment of microbial infections, were tested in vitro for their ability to scavenge DPPH, OH(.) and O(2) (-) radicals and to inhibit lipoperoxidation (LPO) in order to establish a relationship between their antioxidant activities and their effects against infectious agents. Acalypha guate...

The use of Argania spinosa press cake for livestock feed is limited due to the presence of saponins, which give it a very bitter flavor and make it unpalatable to livestock. The present study aims to evaluate whether a detoxification method reduces saponin levels of press cake and how that affects its nutrient contents. The response surface methodology was used in this study involved g...