We investigated the effects of plant density on reproductive success for two insect-pollinated plant species—the native North American wildflower Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove-leaved Penstemon), and the showy introduced weed Hesperis matronalis (Dame's Rocket). We found no indication that local density (within 3.0 m) affected reproductive success (seeds per fruit, proportion fruit set, total se...

Plant communities in the verges of major roadways (roadsides) are similar to those of abandoned farm fields undergoing succession (oldfields). However, roadsides are subject to distinctive stresses. Here, we look at local adaptation in Hesperis matronalis L. to salinity and manganese (Mn). Plants collected from three roadside and three oldfield populations were grown in a greenhouse under contr...

Movement uses resources that may otherwise be allocated to somatic maintenance or reproduction. How does increased energy expenditure affect resource allocation? Using the butterfly Speyeria mormonia, we tested whether experimentally increased flight affects fecundity, lifespan or flight capacity. We measured body mass (storage), resting metabolic rate and lifespan (repair and maintenance), fli...

The cryptic arboreal castianeirine genus Echinax Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 (Araneae: Corinnidae), previously known only from South-East Asia, is recorded from the Afrotropical Region for the first time. The female of Copa longespina Simon, 1909 is redescribed, the male is described for the first time, and the species is transferred to Echinax as E. longespina (Simon, 1909) comb. nov. It occurs wi...

Hesperis isatidea (Brassicaceae) is a perennial herbaceous endemic plant known as “Allıgelin”. It has traditional use concerning the cough, wound, cold and vulnerary in form of decoction poultice Eastern Turkey. In this study, vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, metal chelating) enzyme inhibitory activities (anticholinesterase, anti-tyrosinase) H. isatideae were evaluated. Besides, tr...

We describe here the first fossil otoliths from the Middle Miocene (Badenian and Sarmatian) of Belgrade, Serbia. They were obtained from Lower Badenian outcrops at Slanci and from upper Badenian and Sarmatian sediments recovered from four shallow wells near the village of Barajevo. The otoliths from the Lower Badenian of Slanci represent fishes typical for an open marine environment, characteri...