andrei giurginca
Romanian Academy of Science, "Emil Racoviţă" Institute of Speleology, Department Member
This paper provides larger and more detailed drawings and an extended re-description of the species C. borutzkyi.
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Subterranean habitats of anthropic origin (e.g. tunnels, mines, rupestrian settlements) have similar characteristics of natural voids, such as caves. These anthropic habitats have been shown to provide habitats for wildlife and harbor... more
Subterranean habitats of anthropic origin (e.g. tunnels, mines, rupestrian settlements) have similar characteristics of natural voids, such as caves. These anthropic habitats have been shown to provide habitats for wildlife and harbor high species richness. In particular, rupestrian underground shelters have both natural and cultural importance. However, their assessment assumes the cultural value as significant whilst the natural importance is often ignored. Despite the contribution of subterranean anthropic habitats to underground biodiversity, few studies investigated invertebrate fauna of these habitats. We studied invertebrate communities structure and composition and the environmental factors that affect them using transects, following light intensity in the underground shelters, and in the surrounding surface habitats, in the rupestrian settlement Alunis-Bozioru, from Buzau County, Romania. The diversity of the rupestrian settlement was studied both at community-level and spe...
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Understanding the drivers of diversity patterns in ecological communities remains a major challenge in ecology. Moreover, few studies have considered invertebrate or subterranean communities and little is known about which factors are... more
Understanding the drivers of diversity patterns in ecological communities remains a major challenge in ecology. Moreover, few studies have considered invertebrate or subterranean communities and little is known about which factors are responsible for structuring arthropod communities in caves. In this study we: assessed the abundance, richness, and composition of arthropod communities from eight caves located in Banat and Mehedinti region, Romania; and determined whether altitude, cave physical characteristics (temperature, relative humidity, light intensity) and features (cave extension, hight, width, heterogeneity, substrate (wall versus floor)) influence cave arthropod communities along the horizontal development of the cave (i.e. from the cave entrance, through the intermediate zone, to the aphotic zone). assessed the abundance, richness, and composition of arthropod communities from eight caves located in Banat and Mehedinti region, Romania; and determined whether altitude, cav...
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The authors analyze the families Trachysphaeridae, Trichopolydesmidae and the tribe Typhloiulini and provide an identification key for the cavernicolous Diplopoda recorded from the caves of Romania.
In this first note, we present the taxonomic position and the differential diagnosis of the family Trichoniscidae. In our opinion from the common ancestor of Oniscidea two lineages evolved: a lineage evolved toward the complete... more
In this first note, we present the taxonomic position and the differential diagnosis of the family Trichoniscidae. In our opinion from the common ancestor of Oniscidea two lineages evolved: a lineage evolved toward the complete disappearance of the genital apophyses leaving only two separated male genital openings (Infraorder Tylomorpha) while the other lineage evolved toward merging the two genital apophyses up to the fusion of the ejaculatory ducts and a single genital opening (Infraorder Ligiamorpha). Within Ligiamorpha, the family Trichoniscidae is included in Suprasection Orthogonopoda, Section Synocheta. We argue for the sister group relationship of Section Synocheta with Microcheta (Mesoniscidae) and not with Crinocheta, the most evolved group among the terrestrial Isopods.
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Located in central Greece, Melissotrypa Cave is a hypogenic cave that contains a sulfidic lake. Biological investigations in this cave led to the discovery of several endemic troglobitic invertebrates, some of which occur in high... more
Located in central Greece, Melissotrypa Cave is a hypogenic cave that contains a sulfidic lake. Biological investigations in this cave led to the discovery of several endemic troglobitic invertebrates, some of which occur in high densities of up to 200 specimens per square meter. The subterranean aquatic community appears to rely on a rich autochthonous food-base provided by chemoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms that form microbial biofilms floating on the surface of the sulfidic lake. Several terrestrial species inhabiting the upper sections of the cave rely on allochthonous food brought in from the surface such as vegetal detritus falling into the cave's entrance shaft, and bat guano. Melissotrypa Cave allows the comparative study of chemoautotrophically and photoautotrophically based subterranean communities thriving within the same cave.
The authors present the Collembola species collected from the Buzău Land Geopark (Buzău Mountains, Romania). The uniqueness of the Buzău Land Geopark is illustrated by the presence of very rare collembolan species such as Friesea afurcata... more
The authors present the Collembola species collected from the Buzău Land Geopark (Buzău Mountains, Romania). The uniqueness of the Buzău Land Geopark is illustrated by the presence of very rare collembolan species such as Friesea afurcata (Denis, 1926), Deutonura phlegraea (Caroli, 1910), Xenylla welchi Folsom, 1916, Desoria tigrina Nicolet, 1842, Tetracanthella transylvanica Cassagnau, 1959 and Neanura parva (Stach, 1951). We also mention here Orchesella maculosa Ionescu, 1915, an endemic species for the Carpathian Mountains (Romania and Ukraine).
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The authors provide an identification key for the 35 species of cavernicolous Oniscidea recorded from the caves of Romania.
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In the following paper, we present the checklist of Symphyla species found in Romania: 11 species belonging to 8 genera. We provide an identification key for these species and their distribution. Considering the species S. microcolpa... more
In the following paper, we present the checklist of Symphyla species found in Romania: 11 species belonging to 8 genera. We provide an identification key for these species and their distribution. Considering the species S. microcolpa (Muhr, 1881) as the type species for the genus Scolopendrellopsis Bagnal, 1913 and the presence of pubescent setae on the antennae as the main character of this species, we regard Scolopendrellopsis and Symphylellopsis Ribaut 1931 as distinct genera. As such, the genus Scolopendrellopsis comprises two species: S. microcolpa and S. pretneri. The second species was described from Postojna Cave (Slovenia) subsequently found also in Romania.
Our study is a brief biodiversity evaluation of a less investigated community of Oniscidea, Diplopoda and Chilopoda from a plains location situated in South-Eastern Romania (Bărăganului Plain). The study targeted three types of habitat... more
Our study is a brief biodiversity evaluation of a less investigated community of Oniscidea, Diplopoda and Chilopoda from a plains location situated in South-Eastern Romania (Bărăganului Plain). The study targeted three types of habitat (two natural habitats and one semi-natural habitat) from Pădurea Călugărească: we can record the presence of 7 families of Oniscidea, 4 families of Diplopoda and 6 families of Chilopoda. Our study confirms the presence in Romania of Propolyxenus trivittatus and Lophoproctus lucidus, also, we can record new distribution data for Schendyla mediterranea (second location from Romania), Lithobius burzenlandicus euxinicus and Lithobius aeruginosus luciae (first record in the Romanian Plain). Although using only qualitative collecting methods, our data underline the significance of forest plains in one of the most arid regions in Romania in supporting the biodiversity of soil-dwelling arthropods and, also, show the potential of this region of Romania for sub...
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The majority of the previous studies on the faunal structure and dynamic were carried out on calcareous scree slopes, and a few descriptive studies were conducted on fauna inhabiting the MSS on other geological substrates. Here, we... more
The majority of the previous studies on the faunal structure and dynamic were carried out on calcareous scree slopes, and a few descriptive studies were conducted on fauna inhabiting the MSS on other geological substrates. Here, we analyzed the invertebrate communities from the MSS developed in calcareous substrate and in crystalline schists. We investigated how the environmental conditions in two different geological substrates influence the spatial distribution of invertebrate communities over time. We sampled invertebrate species, monthly, in both geological substrates, at different altitudes, depths and types of scree slopes (covered and nude screes). We identified a total of 99 invertebrate species. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated a strong correlation of the calcareous geological substratum with an invertebrate species assemblage. Calcareous substratum, altitude, exterior temperature, relative humidity and the type of gravel were identified as the main factors influencing community structure. The crystalline schists are inhabited by a heterogeneous community of species (cryphilous species or opportunistic species) and are mainly influenced by altitude and exterior relative humidity. The complex environmental conditions of Leaota Mountains emphasized that the calcareous geological substratum is an important abiotic factor that influence the structure of the invertebrate community of MSS.
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ABSTRACT Karst geosystems, such as Zăton-Bulba (Ponoarele), are among the most vulnerable to contamination with potentially toxic metals (PTM) that affect soils, epikarst network and springs. PTM are related both to the natural background... more
ABSTRACT Karst geosystems, such as Zăton-Bulba (Ponoarele), are among the most vulnerable to contamination with potentially toxic metals (PTM) that affect soils, epikarst network and springs. PTM are related both to the natural background and to the anthropogenic input. Assessing the PTM levels in soils and cave sediments, we studied the Ponoarele area and extended our research to the Lupşa Valley and the southwestern part of the Vâlcan Mountains. Grain size, rock magnetic properties and organic matter content (LOI) were determined on cave sediments only, while AAS and XRF analyses were performed both on cave sediments (mainly arenites, with high organic content) and soils (districambosoil and erodosoil). The rock magnetic analyses revealed a pedogenesis-related provenance for certain cave sediment samples. We identified 9 PTM (by AAS) and, respectively, 15 elements (by XRF), but the measured levels are often moderate or even low (for Hg), excepting several higher values recorded for Cd, Pb, Zn, V, S, Ni, Rb and Zr. Along with Cu, all these elements are mainly related to the Cyprus-type copper-pyrite ores from the Ponoarele area (to the natural background); the human impact is chiefly a result of mining activities. The data showed different bioaccumulation/biosorption degrees, higher for Cu and Zn, lower for Mn and Hg. Despite the considerable anthropogenic pressure on the Ponoarele area, there are no proofs of a significant road-or residentially-induced PTM contamination.
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The authors provide a list of 213 caves and of the species of Oniscidea known to inhabit them, presenting their altitudinal distribution across major physical-geographic units of Romania.
The authors provide the centralized data about the Romanian caves with endemic fauna, based on all reliable bibliographic sources (as quoted in text and cited in the chapter references) and based on their research activity. The complete... more
The authors provide the centralized data about the Romanian caves with endemic fauna, based on all reliable bibliographic sources (as quoted in text and cited in the chapter references) and based on their research activity. The complete list of the Romanian caves with endemic cave-dwelling arthropod species identified up to the subspecies level is presented. The aim of the present paper is to provide an easy way to consult the aforementioned species list and reliable information for future actions to protect the caves, based on biospeleological data in Romania.
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Research Interests: Systematics (Taxonomy), Zoology, Geography, Geology, Conservation Biology, and 15 moreCommunity Ecology, Environment and natural resources conservation, Ecology, Environmental Monitoring, Endemism, Environmental Sustainability, Protected areas, Speleology, Cave, Arthropoda, Cave and Karst Studies, Karst, Zoogeography, Protected Areas, and Conservation Priorities
The body surface of the terrestrial isopod Mesoniscusgraniger (Frivaldsky, 1863) showed blue autofluorescence under UV light (330-385 nm), using epifluorescence microscopy and also in living individuals under a UV lamp with excitation... more
The body surface of the terrestrial isopod Mesoniscusgraniger (Frivaldsky, 1863) showed blue autofluorescence under UV light (330-385 nm), using epifluorescence microscopy and also in living individuals under a UV lamp with excitation light of 365 nm. Some morphological cuticular structures expressed a more intense autofluorescence than other body parts. For this reason, only the cuticle was analyzed. The parameters of autofluorescence were investigated using spectroscopic methods (molecular spectroscopy in infrared, ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy) in samples of two subspecies of Mesoniscusgraniger preserved in ethanol. Samples excited by UV light (from 350 to 380 nm) emitted blue light of wavelengths 419, 420, 441, 470 and 505 nm (solid phase) and 420, 435 and 463 (ethanol extract). The results showed that the autofluorescence observed from living individuals may be due to some β-carboline or coumarin derivatives, some crosslinking structures, dityrosine, or due to other compounds showing similar excitation-emission characteristics.
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Nine potentially toxic metals were found in samples of soil and three species of Oniscidea (Trachelipus arcuatus, Cylisticus convexus, and Armadillidium vulgare) and one of Diplopoda (Megaphyllum unilineatum) from three urban parks of... more
Nine potentially toxic metals were found in samples of soil and three species of Oniscidea (Trachelipus arcuatus, Cylisticus convexus, and Armadillidium vulgare) and one of Diplopoda (Megaphyllum unilineatum) from three urban parks of Bucharest: Fe, Cu, Co, Cr, Mn, Zn, Hg, Pb, and Cd.
During the biological practice developed in Predeluţ-Bran region (Brasov County) in the summer of 2009 by second-year students of Faculty of Agriculture, Biology Specialization from UASVM Bucharest, were collected specimens of terrestrial... more
During the biological practice developed in Predeluţ-Bran region (Brasov County) in the summer of 2009 by second-year students of Faculty of Agriculture, Biology Specialization from UASVM Bucharest, were collected specimens of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, belonging to the macro-taxa: Gastropoda, Arachnida, Crustacea, Myriapoda and Insecta. Some of the samples were sorted and identified directly in the Predeluţ Practice Centre, the rest of the material being properly preserved and transported to laboratories in Bucharest in order to examine it. Collection, preservation and identification of invertebrates species, were due to sustained work of a team composed of 23 students, three teachers and three researchers with experience. At some stages of future practice, we whole picture on local invertebrate biodiversity potential, completing concomitantly the collections of invertebrate zoology laboratories from UASVM Bucharest.