The theories for the predominance of sexual reproduction predict that parthenogens should have no long-term evolutionary potential due to the lack of genetic recombination, despite short term advantages. Although parthenogenesis is rare among high order animals, true parthenogens can be found in various taxa. The intriguing question of the proliferation and persistence of parthenogenetic species needs investigation. An ideal species for such research is a parthenogenetic moth Dahlica fennicella that appears to be as equally successful as other coexisting sexual species. We investigated whether high ploidy level of D. fennicella is due to hybridization between closely related sexual species. The results from flow cytometry measurements confirmed that D. fennicella is exclusively tetraploid whereas all sexual species of the genera Dahlica and Siederia are diploid. Our phylogenetic results showed the non-hybrid origin of the parthenogenetic D. fennicella in this group of Lepidoptera. Most likely, the parthenogenetic D. fennicella originated by autopolyploidization of D. lazuri, which is one of its closely related sexual species. We suggest that the apparent evolutionary success of D. fennicella might be due to polyploidy that could mask deleterious mutations and provide greater levels of genetic variation.

Energetically demanding life-history stages in birds (reproduction, migration) might be associated with sex- and age-specific physiological changes expressed in suppressed immune function or declined body mass. Here, we examined the numbers of red and white blood cells (RBC and WBC), the ratio of heterophils and lymphocytes (H/L)], and body mass of reed warblers (Acrocephalus sirpaceus) and sedge warblers (A. schoenobaenus) during the breeding and migration periods. Higher WBC counts and H/L ratio in adults (both warblers) and lower RBC counts (only the reed warbler) during the prelaying/laying period as compared with those during the incubation/ chick-rearing period suggest greater energetic demands during the latter period. In adults, higher H/L ratio and WBC counts in males of both species as compared with those in females during the prelaying/laying period indicate higher energy expenditures of males, probably associated with mate guarding and chasing intruders. Lower HL ratio and WBC counts in adults of both species as compared with those in immatures during the migration period suggest lower stress level of adults, possibly due to their greater experience and/or higher social status.

Amphibian declines have been reported worldwide during the last decades. In this study, we focused on the endangered great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), which has suffered from intensive forestry and past mire ditching in the northern verge of its distribution. We collected data from 46 breeding ponds in eastern Finland during 2005–2011 using dip-netting. We modeled breeding success with cost-effective methods by using site-level forest data. The results highlight the importance of herb-rich forests in the vicinity of breeding ponds. Based on the results possible new breeding sites can now be located based on the presence and size of types of nutrient-rich forest, proportion of deciduous trees, young stands, shading and unfavorable habitats in the vicinity of ponds. Also practical conservation measures, like creating new ponds within a certain area, can now be allocated more accurately using the same variables.

Human disturbance is thought to be a major source of stress for animals but breeding status, social interactions and food availability are also potential sources. Long-lasting stress may adversely affect the fitness of animals and for that reason the evaluation of stressors is important for conservation of threatened species. The aim of our study was therefore to assess which factors cause stress in wolves (Canis lupus). We evaluated the stress levels of wolves from six packs by measuring the concentration of glucocorticoid metabolites in 59 faecal samples with a Cortisol enzyme-immunoassay. During the breeding season, stress hormone concentration was higher than during the rest of the year, with two peaks around mating and begin of denning, respectively. Multiple regressions ranked by AIC showed that breeding had the highest impact on the wolves' stress levels, followed by human activity, pack size, and prey density. We conclude that human activity is only one of several factors contributing to stress in wolves and that intraspecific competition during breeding is likely to cause elevated levels of glucocorticoids.

This study focused on life strategies of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera species found in a karstic spring stream at the Malé Karpaty Mts. (West Carpathians, Slovakia), which is characterized by low thermal fluctuations throughout the year (6–10 °C). We examined the life cycle and secondary production of three mayfly species (Baetis alpinus, Baetis rhodani and Rhithrogena semicolorata) and three stonefly species (Protonemura nitida, Protonemura hrabei and Nemurella pictetii). We found an unusually slow univoltine cycle for P. nitida and an asynchronous life cycle for B. alpinus, with first-stage nymphs occurring almost all year round. Uncommonly low abundances of B. rhodani were found, which indicates that the population lives at its ecological limit. Moreover, for the first time we acquired and analysed the data on secondary production of P. nitida, which reached the highest values (3335 mg DW m^-2 y^-1) among all investigated species. In summary, the total annual secondary production of the mayfly community (889 mg DW m^-2 y^-1) was seven times lower than the annual secondary production of the stonefly community (6233 mg DW m^-2 y^-1).