Abstract: During a 25-year long research period 3 forms of parasitism on ciliates have been recorded in Slovakia – ectoparasitism by Colpodella gonderi (Foissner et Foissner, 1984), a parasite with 2 fla-gella, and by suctorian Podophrya sp., as well as endoparasitism by suctorian Podophrya stylonychiae (Kent, 1881-82). Species Colpodella gonderi was recorded in three investigated samples (in fallen leaves and decaying wood). Except for attacking the species of Colpoda genus (preference of one species was always observed), parasitism on Pseudocohnilembus pusillus (Quennerstedt, 1869) was recorded as well. The parasitic suctorians Podophrya stylonychiae and Podophrya sp. were found once at one site and with low abundance.

Keywords: parasitism, ciliates, Colpodella gonderi, Podophrya stylonychiae

Abstract: Hercostomus oxanae sp. n., Hercostomus cuspidicercus sp. n. and Hercostomus saigusai sp. n. from China are described as new to science.

Keywords: Dolichopodidae, Hercostomus, new species, China

Abstract: During a three year investigation in fast flowing streams of the north-eastern regions of the Himalaya (India: State Himachal Pradesh, Kullu-Valley) phoretic associations of blackflies with Hep-tageniidae were studied. Simulium rashidi Lewis, 1973 and Simulium ephemerophilum Rubtsov, 1947 were recorded to develop on Epeorus bispinosus Braasch, 1980, Electrogena eatoni (Kimmins, 1937), Iron martensi Braasch, 1981, Iron psi (Eaton, 1883) and Rhithrogena tianshanica Brodsky, 1930. Further small blackfly larvae were found on a not identified species of Rhithrogena. Field observation proofed that at least in S. rashidi the attachment to a carrier is not species specific. Nevertheless, labo-ratory experiments revealed clear preferences for Heptageniidae, especially for E. bispinosus. Al-though larvae of phoretic blackflies proofed to be able to reattach on another individual, this seems to be done only in case the carrier died. Moreover preferences for special body regions of the Heptage-niidae were evident. While larvae preferentially localised on the thorax, most of the pupae were found on the wing area of the carriers. The development of phoretics and carriers seemed to be well syn-chronised, because blackfly development had been finished right before the mayfly carrier emerged.

Keywords: phoretic blackflies, carrier preferences, Simulium rashidi, Simulium ephemerophilum, Heptageniidae

Abstract: The Simuliidae fauna of 79 sampling points (54 spring outflows, 25 river sections) were evaluated. Hitherto 21 species and 1 undetermined taxon could be found. According to the hypocrenal character of most sampling sites, the taxa with the highest constancy belong to the spring species known from the literature. The frequency of the remaining 15 species in the samples decreases quickly resulting in single findings, the source of which being the small number of samples per bio-tope (e.g. hyporhithral) and the general rarity of some of these species. Regarding 6 altitudinal ranges with altitude classes of 250 m each, the frequency of findings were sorted in 4 frequency groups. In 3 springs and their outflows researched within 7 years the following longitudinal zonation was ob-served. The occurrence of Simulium (N.) crenobium (Knoz, 1961) is confined to the immediate spring outflow. S. (N.) carpathicum (Knoz, 1961) shows the widest ecological range, being found in the spring outflow as well as the whole spring brook, in which S. (N.) brevidens (Rubtsov, 1956) is found too and further downstream S. (N.) bertrandi Grenier & Dorier, 1959 and Prosimulium rufipes (Mei-gen, 1830). The comparison with the upper Austrian National Park Kalkalpen shows a species iden-tity of 53%; in total 32 taxa were found. The differences of the species composition are discussed.

Keywords: Simuliidae, species composition, altitudinal zonation, longitudinal zonation, hypocrenal, National Park Berchtesgaden, National Park Kalkalpen

Abstract: Investigations dealing with the blackfly fauna of the National Park Kalkalpen in Upper Austria have been carried out since August 2000. As a result of continuing research three additional species can be appended to the previously published taxa list, finally comprising 27 of the 45 Austrian blackfly species (i. e. 60% of the country’s total number of species). In addition to its remarkable spe-cies richness, the area offers habitat to a wide range of particularly rare blackfly species, among them Simulium (Obuchovia) auricoma Meigen, 1818 and Simulium (Simulium) degrangei Grenier et Do-rier, 1960, that were recorded for the first time in Upper Austria.

Keywords: blackflies, Simuliidae, rare species, National Park Kalkalpen, Austria

Abstract: The program “Biological Indicators” consists of a series of digital keys for freshwater bi-ologists, which enables an easy comparison of taxonomic items using microscopic images with a high depth of focus. As part 1 a key to 65 species of Simuliidae of Central and Western Europe is pre-sented. It consists of a set of Determination Programs, which exceed the possible applications of printed keys. Opening the Key the user finds a number of pages on which two images of each relevant taxonomic item are compared and explained in a text field below. For each step 2-4 taxonomic fea-tures can be compared to enable a correct decision. The Morphological Atlas shows the morphologi-cal characteristics of larvae and pupae in numerous photos. In the Gallery a database of more than 2000 photographs is available and enables the comparison of a set of pictures. In the menu Ecology the user can find ecological and saprobiological data for each species. Furthermore their distribution and a list of synonyms and their authors are given. In regularly updates the latest data will be added.

Keywords: Simuliidae, digital key, taxonomy, ecology, blackflies

Abstract: A checklist of 43 epigean, endogean and cave Opilionid species recorded from the S-W part of Romania is presented, based on own investigations (1996-2002), as well as on bibliographical data. Nemastoma transsylvanicum Gruber et Martens, 1968 and Platybunus pallidus Šilhavý, 1938 are recorded for the first time in this region. A short presentation of the distribution is also given.

Keywords: checklist, Opilionid species, Carpathians

Abstract: A new opilionid species (Arachnida, Opiliones, Phalangiidae), Platybunus banarescui n. sp. is described from the Meridional Romanian Carpathians, the Parâng Mountains.

Keywords: new species, holotype, paratype, taxonomic characters, the Parâng Mountains, Romania

Abstract: The knowledge on biodiversity on Thysanoptera in the Carpathians is relatively large. The paper presents the up-to-date results on Romanian Carpathian thrips. The general analysis of the Thysanoptera shows 145 species, which account 66.21 % from the total country fauna. The thrips specific spectrum is higher in the secondary meadows than in the forest ecosystems. An altitudinal distribution is to be mention from Bucegi and Gârbova Massifs (from Southern Carpathians). The study includes an ecological research of the monitoring type of the thrips communities on the Gârbova Massif. The species and individuals decrease during the draughty period 1982-1994 with the tendency to come back to normal values during 1967-1970, beginning with 1995. The thrips fauna from the Eastern and Western Carpathians is also presented. Aeolothrips verbasci and Hoplothrips absimilis are Romanian Carpathians endemits, the Bucegi Massif being an important endemogen center. Apterothrips secticornis is the only glacial relict. Conservation measures for Romanian Carpathians endemits include habitats protection; some of them have been declared natural reservations.

Keywords: Romanian Carpathian Thysanoptera, altitudinal distribution, monitoring