No abstract

In this research, (-)-usnic acid and (+)-usnic acid, commonly encountered lichen secondary metabolites, were evaluated for their insecticidal effects against the larvae of Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory conditions. Both compounds showed strong larvicidal activity and caused 100% mortality on third-fourth larval stages of the species at 24 h at the doses of 5 and 10 ppm. Bioassays with (-)- and (+)-usnic acids against larvae of C. pipiens revealed that the LC50 values were 0.8 and 0.9 ppm, respectively. The results suggest that lichen compounds could be useful in the search of new insecticides.

In this study rock surfaces of archaeological sites in Antalya were investigated with a focus on black fungi for the first time. Black, meristematic fungi were isolated from surfaces of antique marble monuments in Antalya (Side, Perge, Termessos). Their morphology was characterized, their diversity was documented and the taxonomy and phylogeny of new isolates was clarified based on molecular methods, that is, by sequencing parts of the small ribosomal subunit (18S) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. From a total of around 250 samples 99 different fungal strains were isolated. In most of 99 strains the rDNA sequencing data and the lack of homologies in "Genbank" gave strong evidence that these strains have to be described as new species/subspecies and/or genera. All of them, however, clustered within the ascomycete orders of Dothideales, Chaetothyriales, and Pleosporales. Field studies show that these organisms cause color changes, black spots, crater shaped lesions as well as chipping and exfoliation of the rock surfaces in Antalya and thus they have to be regarded as a serious threat to the antique cultural heritage in Turkey.

The name of Cephalaria Schrad. ex Roem. & Schult. originates from the Greek word kephale (head). Its species have flowers densely arranged on the floral receptacle in the form of a head. The genus Cephalaria is distributed worldwide, particularly in 2 different regions. The main centres of distribution of Cephalaria are in South Africa and in the Holarctic Kingdom

No abstract