Degraded rivers and streams caused by disturbances have created a need for reliable tools to assess the ecological status of such ecosystems. Numerous methods and programs have been developed to assess ecological status using biological indicators, benthic macroinvertebrates are the most commonly used biotic indicator. The Hester-Dendy multi-plate sampler is a commonly used tool for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates, but its effectiveness under different environmental conditions has not been adequately tested. The aim of this study was to investigate if HD samplers assess the benthic macroinvertebrate community equally under different flow conditions. I investigated if the colonization of BMI in a constant flow differed from that of a variable flow (simulating a hydropeaking flow regime). This was studied using six aquariums, three as control with constant flows and three with variable flow conditions. One Hester-Dendy sampler and 50 benthic macro invertebrates from five different taxonomic orders were place in each aquarium. After five days of colonization the Hester-Dendy samplers were retrieved and benthic macroinvertebrates colonizing the Hester-Dendy samplers and still remaining in the aquariums were collected, preserved and analysed. Results showed that the mean sampling efficiency did not differ between the two treatments. On the other hand species diversity calculated from Shannon-Wiener index was significantly higher in the control treatment than in the variable flow treatment. The lower species diversity in the variable flow treatment is consistent with previous research on benthic macroinvertebrates affected by hydropeaking powerplants. These results can be seen as an indication of how a variable flow regime might affect the samples collected by HD samplers in a natural environment. As the artificial environments created are greatly different from a natural environment, this result might not therefore be representative in a natural environment. / Vattendrag kraftigt påverkade av antropogena störningarna har skapat ett behov av tillförlitliga verktyg för att kunna bedöma dessa vattendrags ekologiska status. Många olika metoder och program har utvecklats genom att använda olika biologiska indikatorer. Bentiska makroevertebrater är en av de vanligaste biotiska indikatorerna. En vanlig metod för att prov ta bentiska makroevertebrater är Hester-Dendy provtagaren. Syftet med denna studie var således att testa om provtagningseffektiviteten för Hester-Dendy provtagare påverkas olika av ett variabelt vattenflöde jämfört med ett jämnt vattenflöde. Detta studerades i sex akvarium, där tre akvarium agerade kontroll och utsattes för ett jämt flöde samt tre akvarium med variabelt flöde. En Hester-Dendy provtagare och 50 bentiska makroevertebrater från fem olika taxonomiska ordningar placerades i varje akvarium. Efter fem dagars koloniserings tid hämtades Hester-Dendy provtagarna och de bentiska makroevertebrater som koloniserade provtagaren såväl som akvariet bevarades i etanol och analyserades i labbet. Resultaten visade att den genomsnittliga provtagningseffektiviteten inte skilde sig åt mellan de två behandlingarna. Däremot var artdiversiteten beräknad med Shannon-Wiener-index signifikant högre i kontrollbehandlingen. Den lägre artdiversiteten i behandlingen med variabelt flöde stämmer överens med tidigare forskning om bentiska makroevertebrater påverkade av korttidsreglerande vattenkraftverk. Resultaten i denna studie bör ses som en indikation av hur ett varierande flöde kan påverka provtagnings effektiviteten hos en Hester-Dendy-provtagare. Detta med anledning av att den konstgjorda miljön som försöket utfördes i är vitt skilt från organismernas naturliga miljö vilket kan ha påverkat resultatet.

The growth in perch (Perca fluviatilis) is generally slow but varies depending on living conditions. For instance, growth is more rapid in warmer water temperature and when there is reduced intra- and interspecific competition for food. The cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) was established in Lake Tåkern in 1994 and could possibly have an effect on the growth of perch due to predation of small perch and competition for food with larger perch. The aim of this study was to examine whether the growth of perch had changed from year 1978, when a previous study on perch was preformed, to a recent fish survey in 2019 in lake Tåkern. The aim of the study was to assess if any changes in growth could be explained by predation and competition from cormorants. The aim of the study was also to examine whether there was a difference in growth between females and males. The age was determined by using the opercular bone and an age analysis was done to compare the growth between year 1978 and 2019. The results showed that the growth of 1-3-year-old perch was higher in year 1978 than in 2019. This was contrary to the expected outcome, that the predation from cormorants should had decreased competition for young perch in 2019. Previous studies on perch have shown a difference between males and females with an age over 2 years old. However, by the results there is no support that differences between males and females have affected the difference in growth at ages 1-3 years old between 1978 and 2019. As there was no difference between the sexes, any difference in growth between 1978 and 2019 could not be explained by an altered sex ratio. Since there were only a few older individuals 2019 comparison of growth for individuals over 4 years old were not possible to do. The conclusion is that there was no support that cormorants reduced the competition for smaller perch. Cormorants could possibly have contributed to low number of older individuals in 2019.

A growing world population means an increase in crop demand. At the same time climate change threatens food security as crops may become maladapted to a new environment. We need to adapt crops to increase crop yield and become resistant to a changed environment to meet this. Crop wild relatives (CWR), which have a genetic relatedness with our crops, will be of importance as a genetic resource for crop adaption and needs to be protected. Vaccinium myrtillus is one of the prioritized species on the Nordic countries CWR priority list. Here I report PCR protocols that can be used for amplifying microsatellites, or SSRs, within V. myrtillus for use in analyses of genetic diversity within and between populations. PCRs with varying annealing temperatures (Ta) were performed. An optimal Ta for the primer pair was found for four SSR loci, and for four SSR loci, an approved Ta was found. These eight primer pairs can be used to amplify SSRs for analyses of the genetic diversity between V. myrtillus populations. This is needed to evaluate which populations to focus on in conservation programmes to ensure a broad genetic diversity usable in crop adaptation to meet increasing crop demand and climate change.

Bacterial cultivation from patient samples is the foundation of proper antibiotic treatment. A frequently used cultivation medium is agar with an additive of blood, so-called blood agar. The recommended additive of blood is horse blood while human blood is currently used as an additive at the microbiological laboratory Ryhov, Jönköping. The study aimed to evaluate horse blood in blood agar prior to a change in blood from human to horse blood according to a regulation from the European Union. The method consisted of cultivation from reference strains, clinical isolations and clinical patient samples on both blood agar with human blood and blood agar with horse blood. The comparison included a visual assessment for both blood agar based on the criteria of haemolysis, colony size and bacterial growth. In the assessment of clinical patient samples, in addition to the previously mentioned criteria, mixed flora was also assessed. The study resulted in a more distinct demonstration of haemolysis on blood agar with horse blood than on blood agar with human blood for haemolytic bacteria. An equivalence for both blood agar was presented regarding the remaining criteria. Based on these results a change can be made according to the regulation without negative impact.

Neurogenesis primarily occurs during embryonic development in decapod crustaceans, ending when the embryonic precursor cells die. However, areas in the central olfactory pathway are exceptions to this. Here, neurons are produced throughout the animal’s life from precursor cells in the neurogenic niche. Cells within the niche divide and migrate to clusters in the olfactory pathway where they eventually differentiate into neurons. The number of cells in the niche correlates with the total number of hemocytes, which have been suggested to be a source of adult-born neurons. Hemocytes are further an important part of the innate immunity since containing the compounds of the proPO-system needed for the melanization reaction. The purpose of this study was to find out whether the melanization reaction matters when it comes to neural injuries. Neural injury was induced by cutting of the first pair of antennae, where neurons are connected to the olfactory pathway. Hemocytes in the hemolymph were counted and characterized and phenoloxidase activity in the brain was measured before and after neural injury. mRNA expression was measured for prophenoloxidase, the neurogenic niche marker glutamine synthetase 2 as well as for astakine 1. Astakine 1 protein had been found in increased levels after neural injury in previous studies. Significant differences were detected for number of hemocytes in injured crayfish and for glutamine synthetase 2 and prophenoloxidase in control crayfish. However, these findings did not provide strong enough evidence to suggest that the melanization reaction plays a role after neural injury. More research is still needed, perhaps by studying the distribution of hemocytes in the brain at different times post-injury by histological sectioning.

The partnerships, or symbioses, between diatom hosts and cyanobacteria are widespread in the tropical and subtropical oceans. Many populate low nutrient waters where the heterocystous cyanobacteria fix N2 and provide reduced nitrogen (N) to the host. These types of symbioses are believed to be important in the global ocean biogeochemical cycle of N and carbon (C). The cyanobacteria morphology, cellular locations differ as well as genome size and content. The genome size and content are related to the cellular location: internal symbionts have smaller more eroded genomes, while external symbionts have larger genomes more similar to free-living cyanobacteria. Based on previously identified characteristics the aim of this report is to classify taxonomically, unidentified environmental metagenomic assembled genomes (MAGs) to the heterocystous symbionts of diatoms: Richelia and Calothrix. A select number of targeted gene sequences will be compared. MAGs and four draft genomes of Richelia and Calothrix were collected from public repositories (GTDB, NCBI and Tara project) and an initial comparison of GC-content and genome size was made. Based on this comparison, seven of the MAGs were determined as similar as the draft genomes of the known symbionts. After, a heatmap was created based on 27 targeted genes, some of which are highly conserved, to further characterize the phylogeny of the MAGs (Appendix 2). Results from the GC-content and genome size graph and the heatmap indicated similar trends which could connect one of the MAGs being most similar to the RintRC01 draft genome whereas the other five MAGs resembled the RintHH01 draft genome. Based on these results, conclusions can be drawn that the unknown MAGs are likely derived from symbionts of diatoms and could also possess similar characteristics, such as their cellular location, function and role in the N and C cycles.

Semi-natural grasslands are valuable ecosystems that have a high biodiversity. Unfortunately, a lot of this biodiversity is being lost as semi-natural grasslands are declining in both size and number. Restoration to reestablish semi-natural grasslands is often done by removing shrubs and trees and planting seeds. After this reinstalment of management such as mowing, and grazing is done to keep woody plants away. Grassland management and restoration have a proven positive effect on species richness and abundance regarding vascular plants. Yet little is known about the effects on insects and spiders. By reviewing scientific publications, I explored how insects and spiders are affected by management, as well as how local and landscape factors affect restoration. Grassland history and timing of restoration, as well as insect and spider’s dispersal ability, affects the possibility of a successful restoration. Larger habitats with good connectivity and surrounding supporting habitats are positive factors for viable insect and spider communities. By comparing different publications, some species benefit from intensive grazing and mowing, and some show a negative response. Long-term low to medium intensive management will favor a higher biodiversity compared to short-term intensive management. In conclusion, balancing conflicts and trade-offs is the real challenge when it comes to semi-natural grassland restoration. In general, to benefit as many insect and spider species as possible management should focus on variation in grass height and flower abundance. However, more research on how insect and spiders are affected by grassland restoration is something I believe would benefit future conservation projects.

Försvarsmekanismer är vanligt förekommande svar på predation och aggression bland djur. Till exempel uppvisar många terrestra sniglar en högre aktivitet och förändrat rörelsemönster när de identifierar kemiska signaler från predatorer. I denna studie undersökte jag hur kemiska signaler från en attackerad artfrände påverkade försvarsbeteenden hos trädgårdssnigel (Arion distinctus), där pantersnigel (Limax maximus) representerade aggressor. Ett laboratorieexperiment utfördes med fyra behandlingar (totalt 48 replikat): med slemspår av en trädgårdssnigel, med spår av en pantersnigel, med spår av båda arter tillsammans, samt utan spår. Jag förutspådde att spår av en attackerad artfrände (det vill säga spår från båda arter tillsammans) skulle medföra högre aktivitet och undvikande beteende hos trädgårdssnigeln, samt att båda arter under förberedelsen för behandlingarna skulle uppvisa en högre aktivitet vid närvaro av den andra arten än ensamma. Resultaten visade ingen signifikant effekt av behandling på trädgårdssniglarnas aktivitet eller rörelsemönster, eller på någon av arternas aktivitet vid närvaro av varandra. Eftersom sniglars försvarsbeteenden är kostsamma, är det möjligt att pantersnigeln inte utgjorde ett tillräckligt stort hot för att det skulle vara fördelaktigt för trädgårdssnigeln att utföra dessa beteenden. / Defence mechanisms are a common response to predation and aggression in animals. For example, many terrestrial slugs exhibit a higher activity and change their movement patterns when identifying chemical signals from predators. In this study, I examined how chemical signals from an attacked conspecific affected the defence mechanisms of the common garden slug (Arion distinctus), where the leopard slug (Limax maximus) represented the aggressor. A laboratory experiment was conducted with four treatments (48 replicas in total): with mucus trails from a common garden slug, with trails from a leopard slug, with trails from both species together, and without trails. I predicted that trails from an attacked conspecific (i.e. trails from both species together) would result in increased activity and an avoiding behaviour in the common garden slug, and that both species during the preparation for the treatments would exhibit an increased activity in presence with the other species than alone. The results showed no significant effect of treatment on the common garden slug’s activity or movement pattern, or on both species’ presence of each other. Because slugs’ defence mechanisms are costly, it is possible that the leopard slug did not pose a threat big enough to be beneficial for the common garden slug to execute these behaviours.

I denna studie undersöks högstadieelevers kunskap om och intresse av biologisk mångfaldoch naturvård. Undersökningen utfördes genom en digital enkät som skickades ut till totalt 44elever i två sjätteklasser på skolor i Halmstad kommun. En av klasserna har under 2020deltagit i projektet LIFE-Goodstream med fältexkursion där eleverna fick prova på håvningsom inventeringsmetod samt samtala om nyttan med anlagda våtmarker för biologiskmångfald. Enkäten bestod av dels slutna frågor som besvarades med ett eller flera alternativ,dels öppna frågor där eleverna gavs möjlighet till egna kommentarer. De fick också graderasin inställning till biologi som skolämne. Frågorna berörde både elevernas teoretiskakunskaper om och relation till biologisk mångfald. Eleverna som deltagit i LIFE-Goodstreamfick även kommentera sin upplevelse av det. Utifrån svaren kunde sedan slutsatser omkunskap och intresse dras. Eleverna hade generellt svårt att definiera begreppet biologiskmångfald och var osäkra på vad naturvård innebär. De flesta svarade dock att det var viktigtoch att de själva var intresserade av att få mer kunskap om naturvård. Undersökningenpåvisade inget signifikant samband mellan deltagande i fältexkursionen och intresse, däremottenderade eleverna med regelbundna fritidsaktiviteter utomhus uppskatta naturen mer ochvara mer nyfikna på vidare studier. Studien indikerar ett behov av mer utbildning med fokus på biologisk mångfald och merlättillgänglig information om enkla naturvårdande åtgärder. Nuvarande läroplan böreventuellt kompletteras mer fler praktiska moment för att sätta enskilda fakta i ettsammanhang, skapa en djupare förståelse och motivera eleverna till ytterligare inlärning såatt de själva kan verka för en hållbar framtid. / This study aims to investigate the knowledge and interest in biodiversity and conservationamong sixth graders. The inquiry was made through a digital survey that was sent out to 44pupils in total from two different schools in the muncipality of Halmstad. One of theresponding classes participated in the project LIFE-Goodstream with a field excursion,inventory of aquatic organisms by heaving and discussion about the ecological benefits ofartificial wetlands during 2020. The survey consisted partly of questions with one or severalalternatives, partly of open questions with possibility to write own answers. Additionally, thestudents were asked to grade their attitudes towards biology as a school subject. Thequestions concerned both the students’ theoretical knowledge and their relation tobiodiversity. Participants in LIFE-Goodstream did also comment on their experiences of theexcursion. From these answers, conclusions about knowledge and interest could be drawn.The students generally found it difficult to define biodiversity and were unsure of themeaning of conservation. Nevertheless, the majority consider it as important and want toknow more about conservation biology. The study shows no significant correlation betweenparticipation in the field excursion and knowledge or interest. However, the students with more regular outdoor activities tend to appreciate nature more and be more interested infurther education. The study indicates a need for more education in biodiversity and more information aboutfeasible measures for conservation. The current curriculum should possibly involve morepractical moments and put the education of single concepts in a context, which could create adeeper understanding and a motivation to learn more about how they can act forsustainability.

Significant heart and liver increase in hatching and neonates has been found evident in multiple different species such as the emu, Peking Duck, and pigs. The relative mechanism behind heart growth could be tied to closing of the ductus arteriosus, however there is still a debate whether it’s significant impact in avian species. Liver and heart mass were measured at four different transition stages before and after hatching on Red junglefowls (Gallus gallus). Heart mass was found to vary between 83-170mg, with the lowest values most often found in pre pipped chickens while higher values found more often in hatchlings. The relative heart mass was found to be significant (P<0,05) across all groups except between internally pipped and externally pipped chickens. Therefore, the results can conclude that an increase in relative heart mass was found to be directly tied to age. Liver mass was found to be significant (P<0,05) but changes in mass was found to occur only between EP and hatchling stage. Further analysis on absolute heart and liver mass showed in both cases hatchlings having a higher mean mass compared to the other three stages. Both absolute liver and heart mass was found to be statistically significant (P<0,05) which indicates there are no major differences between analysis on relative or absolute mass. These findings suggest that red junglefowls follow the same growth pattern found in other precocial birds such as emu or Peking duck.