Peter Gajdoš

• Slovak Academy of Sciences

The evolutionary processes that shape host‐parasitoid coexistence in a changing environment are poorly understood. We examined the large‐scale distribution of highly specialised polysphinctine Darwin wasps associated with spiders along an elevational gradient and tested the hypothesis that distribution and parasitism rates depend on elevation, habi...

PURGAT, P., MAJZLAN, O. & GAJDOŠ, P. 2024. Epigeic spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the National Nature Reserve Parížske močiare. Entomofauna carpathica, 36(1): 45-58. Abstract: In 2019-2020, we conducted research in the National Nature Reserve (NNR) Parížske močiare in southern Slovakia. The research was carried out on five different wetland sites-...

We studied the spatial structure of spiders and beetles in 4 types of habitats in the Poloniny National Park. Between the years 2020 and 2021, we recorded 1,597 beetle specimens and 3,765 spider specimens using the pitfall trap method. The most represented beetles were Poecilus versicolor (53.4%), Nebria brevicollis (10.3%), Staphylinus caesareus (...

Three species of spiders (Araneae), Altella aussereri Thaler, 1990, Mimetus laevigatus (Keyserling, 1863), and Trichoncyboides simoni (Lessert, 1904), are reported from Slovakia for the first time. These new records originate from southern Slovakia. The record of A. aussereri provides new data on the distribution and natural history of this range-re...

Arthropod faunas have become impoverished in recent years in abundance as well as in diversity, but so far little evidence exists concerning spiders. In 2022, we repeated pitfall trap collections of spider assemblages completed 25 years previously in coastal dune habitats of the Hanstholm Reserve of National Park Thy, Denmark. Traps were placed app...

Three years of study (2016–2019) of endangered habitats of inland salt marshes and salt steppes have yielded several interest- ing and novel data about the araneofauna of Slovakia. Ground-active spider communities were studied at nine localities belonging to Natura 2000 sites in the Pannonian region. A total of 220 species were recorded, of which 2...

GAJDOŠ, P., MAJZLAN, O. & PURGAT, P. 2023. Ground-living spider communities (Araneae) of xerorothermic glassland and vineyards of Drieňová hora hill near Nová Vieska. Entomofauna carpathica, 35(1): 8-18. Abstract: Research in 2019-2020 was focused on determining the diversity of spiders between two different habitat types, namely between semi-natur...

Holarctic species offer great opportunities to study biogeography, phylogenetics, taxonomy, and local adaptation. Species that are considered conspecific between the Palearctic and the Nearctic realms are often split into 2 or more species when denser sampling and molecular markers are applied. Similar in complexity but at a finer geographical scal...

We studied the beetle (Coleoptera) communities and their activity in epigeon of high altitudes of Západné Tatry Mts. (2004 – 2022) and Nízke Tatry Mts. (2018-2022). Sampling was performed by the soil trap method and yielded a total of 243 species. In the beetle communities species Carabus sylvestris, Calathus etallicus, Cychrus caraboides,Pterostic...

A direct, positive correlation between biodiversity and the traditional agricultural landscape is evident on the national or regional scale. It is mostly conditioned by higher landscape diversity and less intensive farming. We have carried out research on a detailed scale at plot level (productive plots of arable lands, grasslands, vineyards, orcha...

The world's economic prosperity and the quality of life of its inhabitants are conditioned by the existence of natural capital - biodiversity and ecosystems that provide important goods and services for humanity. Assessing and mapping these services is crucial for understanding how ecosystems contribute to the quality of human life and for supporti...

The number of findings of harvestmen at 48 sites in 21 orographic units of Slovakia from 2008 to 2022 is summarized. Most individuals were found in the following species: Zachaeus crista (283 individuals), Phalangium opilio (117), Nelima sempronii (84), Lacinius ephippiatus (48), Leiobunum gracile (27), Egaenus convexus and Lophopilio palpinalis (2...

MIHÁL, I. & GAJDOŠ, P. 2023. Harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) on salt marshes in southwestern Slovakia. Entomofauna carpathica, 35(1): 31-38. Abstract: The diversity of harvestmen (Opiliones) found in 2017 and 2018 in five salt marshes in southwest of Slovakia. A total of 104 individuals were found, belonging to 11 species of harvestmen. Eudomin...

This research was conducted to study assemblages of selected ground-living arachnids of the chemical waste dump in Vrakuňa (Bratislava, Slovakia). Arachnids were sampled between October 2018 and October 2019 at three study sites using pitfall traps. In total 3,261 spider individuals, belonging to 92 species and to 24 families, and 1,284 harvestman...

The spatial distribution of parasitoids is closely linked to the distribution and ecological requirements of their hosts. Several studies have documented changes in the fauna composition of parasitoids in response to elevation, but data on parasitoids associated with spiders are missing. The koinobiont ichneumonid wasp Zatypota anomala is strictly...

This paper provides an analysis of the rare and important Natura 2000 species Carabus zawadzkii in terms of its ecological niche, conservation status and relationship with other Carabus species in carabid assemblages. Published sources are inconsistent in defi ning the habitats in which this species occurs. Therefore, a large part of this paper is...

The ichneumonid parasitoid Sinarachna nigricornis (Holmgren, 1860) was associated only with Araneus sturmi (Hahn, 1831) in the studied locality. The normal capturing orb web of A. sturmi was always vertical and had a median of 18 radii and 9 spirals in laboratory conditions. When spiders did not build capture webs, they built resting and molting we...

The spiders Walckenaeria stylifrons (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875) and Spiracme mongolica (Schenkel, 1963) are reported from Slovakia for the first time. These new records are based on adult males found in Western Slovakia in xerothermic habitats. The occurrence of W. stylifrons in Slovakia fills the gap in its distribution in Pannonian Basin and bet...

The article provides information on the importance of spiders in agricultural landscape from several points of view. We describe the role of spiders in maintaining the biological stability of ecosystems and their practical significance for humans in terms of the predation of crop pests or their bioindicative significance. We point out the importanc...

Tegenaria hasperi Chyzer, 1897 (Agelenidae) and Zoropsis spinimana (Dufour, 1820) (Zoropsidae) are recorded in Slovakia for the first time. Both species were collected in synanthropic habitats in Western Slovakia. Two males of T. hasperi were collected in the garden of a family house, and both sexes of Z. spinimana were recorded from the interiors...

Despite their ecological importance and diversity, spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) are underrepresented in conservation policies in comparison to other groups. We review all extant conservation tools focusing on spiders in Europe, highlighting general patterns, limitations, gaps, and future directions. We assembled a comprehensive online database repo...

We studied the diversity of the ground living spider communities (Araneae) in area of former Roman fortress Kelemantia near Iža village (south Slovakia) from 14 February 2018 to 28 March 2019. Research was realised by pitfall trap method on two studied sites which represent characteristic habitat of this National cultural heritage (study site I1- c...

Diplotemnus balcanicus (Redikorzev, 1928) is reported for the second time from Slovakia. The species was first recorded from Slovakia in 1955 when two specimens were found in bat guano on the loft inside a church. After 65 years, one male was discovered inside a private family home 8 km from the 1955 record. The original 1955 material of D. balcani...

Two spider species, Clubiona pseudoneglecta Wunderlich, 1994 and Paratrachelas maculatus (Thorell, 1875), have been recorded for the first time in Slovakia. One male and five females of C. pseudoneglecta were collected at three sites in the Danube Plain. Two females of P. maculatus were found in the parks of the town of Galanta. Photos of the habit...

This paper reviews the scientific literature published on synanthropic spiders in three Carpathian Basin countries—Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. A total number of 204 spider species have been reported from human constructions. Most of the 204 spider species (165 species) found in buildings were only occasional visitors, so-called asynanthropic spe...

The composition of spider communities in forests is affected by habitat characteristics, such as canopy openness, vegetation cover or tree species diversity; therefore, we assume that the effect of canopy will differ among tree species. As research in European beech forests has not been conducted, we studied the effect of understory environmental c...

MIHÁL, I., PURKART, A. & GAJDOŠ, P. 2020. Harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) of selected localities in Slovakia with focus to the Borská nížina Lowland. Entomofauna carpathica, 32(1): 196-210. Abstract: In this paper we present a summary list of harvestmen fauna from 24 localities (four orographic units) of west, central and east Slovakia of several...

The authors have prepared a detailed map of Slovakia’s ecosystems, which identifies individual ecosystems and their spatial distribution, status, and selected properties. The impetus for the production of this map is the need of various stakeholders, especially nature protection bodies, forestry management, agricultural management and public admini...

Burrowing mammals through their digging activities are important ecosystem engineers and bioturbators in grassland ecosystems. Through habitat formation, they can have significant effects on other species in an ecosystem, structuring their abundance and diversity. We analysed the effect of the European ground squirrel ( Spermophilus citellus ) on s...

In the past, historical rural Europe possessed a broad range of biological and cultural values due to landscape diversity and the use of low-impact agricultural practices. It's typical feature was the presence of varied semi-natural habitats. The massive socioeconomic changes of the 20th caused significant loss of these habitats. The term tradition...

The authors have prepared a pilot nationwide assessment of ES in Slovakia using detailed data from different areas, including a detailed map, monetary assessment for ES as well as summaries and statistics for those areas at national level. The basis was the preparation of a detailed map of ecosystems - more than 1,000,000 polygons associated with h...

In 2019 from 14 February to 8 November we studied the ground living spider communities of the extracted sand dune (former sand pit) located in intensive used agricultural landscape near Tomášikovo (designated as Tomášikovský presyp Nature Monument in 1973). Research was realised by pitfall trap method on two studied sites which represent characteri...

Inland salt marshes and salt steppes are among the most endangered types of habitats listed in the Habitats Directive. The understanding of this fauna is poor although many rare species live here. From 2016 to 2018 we studied the spider communities of five salt marsh localities in the Slovak part of the Pannonian region belonging to Natura 2000 sit...

Tanks to the mosaic of extensively farmed non-forest habitats, preserved forest habitats and various ecotones, Slovakia is a suitable area for more than 120 Orthoptera spe - cies. However the changes in land use and management practices in last decades caused that the populations of several orthopterans in some regions come to the decline. Approval...

Studies of subterranean habitats in Slovakia revealed two rare linyphiid spider species new to the country, Pseudomaro aenigmaticus Denis, 1966 and Pseudocarorita thaleri (Saaristo, 1971). Pseudomaro aenigmaticus was recorded in the Malé Karpaty Mountains in western Slovakia. A male was captured in the limestone Plavecká Cave and a female was found...

Pavúky odjakživa fascinovali ľudí. Sú populárnou, prekrásnou a veľmi významnou skupinou živočíchov. Odmietavý postoj, alebo dokonca až fóbia u časti verejnosti je spôsobená najmä nedostatkom poznatkov a túto medzeru sa snažia autori knihy zaplniť. Viete koľko druhov pavúkov žije na Slovenku? A akú úlohu majú v prírode? Aj tieto informácie sa dočíta...

Authors prepared the information regarding 169 new sites of community importance (SCIs) in the Slovak Republic, the process of the preparation, negotiation with stakeholders and present the map and the list of the newly approved protected sites. The total area of new SCIs is 31 656 hectares. In addition in the article there is actual information re...

Changes in the landscape and biodiversity result from the past and current socio-ecological interactions. Socio-ecological research must bridge mismatches in various scales: spatial (from local to national), temporal (different time horizons) or disciplinary (number of disciplines) and harmonisation of results of each scale is inevitable to conside...

The paper provides information about experimental research on consequences of increased nitrogen deposition to the ecosystem of alpine meadows in Jalovecká dolina (Western Tatra Mts., Slovakia). In this ILTER site we established 25 experimental permanent plots in 2002. The experiment consists of three treatments with addition of nitrogen (20, 60, a...

The traditional agricultural landscape in Slovakia reflects the history and long-term mutual relationship between the landscape and generations of farmers, resulting in the occurrence of specific agricultural features. The ecological and cultural diversity of traditional agricultural landscape is evaluated using the example of the area around Lipto...

The ecosystem research in the site Báb (SouthWestern Slovakia) was re-established in 2007 as continuation of research done in International Biological Programme and Programme Man and Biosphere in years 1967–1977. The inventory of shrub and trees as well as study of the herb vegetation was performed on the permanent plot of size 1 ha. Also the inven...

The ecosystem research in the site Báb (SouthWestern Slovakia) was re-established in 2007 as continuation of research done in International Biological Programme and Programme Man and Biosphere in years 1967–1977. The inventory of shrub and trees as well as study of the herb vegetation was performed on the permanent plot of size 1 ha. Also the inven...

The ecosystem research in the site Báb (South-Western Slovakia) was re-established in 2007 as continuation of research done in International Biological Programme and Programme Man and Biosphere in years 1967–1977. The inventory of shrub and trees as well as study of the herb vegetation was performed on the permanent plot of size 1 ha. Also the inve...

This research was conducted to study assemblages of ground living spider of a peatland and their surrounding habitats (margin of dry pine forest and meadows) in the Šuja peat bog (in northern part of Slovakia) in 2013. The aim of study was to classify assemblages of ground living spider into different habitat types, compare their composition and an...

The data derived from long-term ecological studies are highly valuable for understanding, assessment and detection of environmental changes and their causes. The study site Báb National Nature Reserve has a long history of detailed ecological research despite the intensity and continuity of the research activities changed during time. From 2007 the...

In this paper we presented a summary list of harvestmen fauna from 16 localities (nine orographic units) of Central and East Slovakia of several unpublished researches in the period 2007 – 2014. Totally 24 species were recorded of which there are some new records for several orographic units. The species Astrobunus laevipes, Platybunus pallidus and...

Opiliofauna of open biotopes in the Poloniny National Park (NP) is presented. The biotopes include the variably utilized or successively overgrowing grasslands. During the period 2011–2013, we found 21 species of harvestmen which represent 60% of the Slovak opiliofauna. The highly eudominant species was Phalangium opilio. The open and sunny biotope...

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to determine whether the expression of active caspase-3 in neoplastic Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells correlates with the treatment response and provides prognostic information on treatment outcome. In this retrospective study, we included 56 patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated at the Depar...

Abstract: In the period from August 2009 to July 2011 research on harvestmen communities was carried out in traditionally used vineyard landscape in Svätý Jur area in the Malé Karpaty Mts. This model area represents landscape with occurrence of historical structures of agricultural landscape (HSAL), that create a species rich of unique islands that...

The European Union's (EU's) Habitats Directive includes annexes listing the habitats and species requiring protection. As new countries join the EU these lists need to be amended to remain pertinent. In 2004 and 2007, 12 countries, mostly in central Europe, joined the EU and were asked to propose native species or habitats that required protection;...

Forest use and management are dominant anthropogenic activities and causing very often disturbances. The forest management is maintained on 69% of forest areae in Slovakia. Dominant tree species is beech Fagus sylvatica L. Study of the influence of forest management (fragmentation, loss of coarse woody debris, higher solar radius, diversity differe...

Altogether, we recorded 156 spider species. Several of them are rare in Slovakia. Our data suggests high biological value of this territory, specifically high value of the Žihľavník Natural Reserve. Diversity of spider species living in the territory of Žihľavník – Baske (Strážovské Vrchy Mts., Slovakia, Europe) was investigated at 7 study sites. M...

An invasive alien species Parasteatoda tabulata Levi, 1980 was found in Slovakia, thus representing a new species for the Slovak spider fauna. The species was found in the urban residential areas in different parts of Slovakia. Its characteristic features and photos of male and female habitus and genitalia are presented

PURPOSE: Treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was unified in the year 1986 in the Czech Republic using BFM protocols. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children were treated in 10 and later on in 8 centers localized at the pediatric departments of the biggest hospitals. More than 1.000 children and adolescents up to the age of 18 years wer...

Authors present a summary of hitherto published as well as non-published data about occurrence of harvestmen in the Tatra Mts., proposing to fi ll information gaps about the species diversity of Opiliones in the Slovak part of the Tatra Mts. Total 18 harvestmen species were identifi ed in the Tatra Mts. representing 54.5 % of the species richness o...

In some areas of Central Slovakia, the occurrence of harvestmen (Opiliones) species has been investigated fairly well; however, the data from other parts of the country are both scarce and out of-date, or they have not been published yet. This work presents a summary of harvestmen species identified in the material sampled over the period 2003–2009...

Using pitfall trap method we have collected valuable study material of harvestmen from 3 study plots (R- clearcut, O- edge of oak-hornbeam forest and clearcut and L- oak-hornbeam forest) of the research area Báb near Nitra during April 2007 to December 2009. Focusing on harvestmen the diversity consists of 16 species belonging to four families. The...

Leukemia is one of the leading journals in hematology and oncology. It is published monthly and covers all aspects of the research and treatment of leukemia and allied diseases. Studies of normal hemopoiesis are covered because of their comparative relevance.

A higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) achieved by norepinephrine up-titration may improve organ blood flow in critically ill, whereas norepinephrine-induced afterload rise might worsen myocardial function. Our aim was to assess the effects of norepinephrine dose titration on global hemodynamics in cardiogenic shock. We prospectively evaluated 12 me...

Sudden circulatory arrest is most often of cardiac origin. Our aim was to evaluate circulatory arrest etiology and treatment strategies in patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with persistent impairment of consciousness in relation to survival and the subsequent quality of life. Retrospective analysis of patients after CPR treated acc...

The same epigeic spider communities of North-west Jutland coastal heath habitats (Denmark, region Thy) initially surveyed by pitfall traps from 1977–79 were examined 20 years later (1997–98). The heath plots were open sandy areas growing into Calluna heath, and the more stable Erica, Calluna/Empetrum, Molinia vegetation types. They have changed veg...

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) affecting infants is a rare malignancy with the biological behavior different from the leukemia of older children. About 80% infants have a rearrangement of the MLL gene at the chromo-somal locus 11q23. The most frequent abnormality is the t(4;11)(q21;q23) translocation producing the MLL-AF4 fusion gene. The MLL+...

Blown sands are natural pecularities of Slovakia. Present data about eolic sands document the features of the primary geological substratum as well as soil types, plant and animal communities in these special natural sites. Similarly as in Slovakia these habitats are endangered in the whole Pannonian region, so they require European protection.

Treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) according to the protocol ALL-BFM 95 was performed at 8 departments of pediatrics between 1996-2002 in the Czech Republic. Patients were stratified into 3 risk groups (standard risk-SR, medium risk-MR and high risk-HR) according to the early treatment response, age, initial WBC and the findi...

Between 1998 and 2004 the Czech Republic participated with Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the international AML-BFM 98 study on the treatment of children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Both standard risk and high risk patients received 5 blocks of intensive chemotherapy including 2 blocks of high-dose cytosine arabinoside, prophylactic cra...

Roztoče (Acarina) tvoria druhovo najbohatšiu skupinou pavúkovcov (Arachnida). Na rozdiel od ostatných pavúkovcov sa veľa skupín roztočov vzdialilo od dravého spôsobu života. Niektoré skupiny sú výlučne fytofágne, zatiaľ čo iné žijú v parazitických vzťahoch so stavovcami alebo bezstavovcami. Mnohé roztoče sú považované za užitočné pre človeka, preto...

The primary factor of the origin and occurrence of xerothermic biotopes in Slovakia is the position of the landscape on the border of two biogeographical regions (mountaineous Carpathian region and floodplain Pannonian region (Eupannonicum – edges of the Eupannonian xerothermic flora). Substratum-geomorphological conditions are the second factor. T...

Treatment of highest risk neuroblastoma is problematic. 5 years overall survival is about 20%. Prognosis can be improved by administration of 131I MIBG. The advantage of this targeted tumour specific radiotherapy is the possibility of achievement 5-10 fold higher dose in comparison with external irradiation with less organ toxicity. 14 131I MIBG tr...

Changes in structure of an epigaeon were studied in alpine meadows of the Tarry Mts influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus additions. Five sites were compared according to their epigeal beetle fauna. In total we recorded 65 species, including dominant Carabus sylvestris, Otiorhynchus arcticus, Calathus metallicus and Aphodius abdominalis. Communitie...

Introduction to the checklists of arachnids by the AraGes (Arachnida: Araneae, Opiliones, Pseudoscorpiones, Scorpiones, Palpigradi). Ed. Arachnologische Gesellschaft (AraGes). The Internet lists provide an opportunity for everyone to easily inform themselves about the current status of the checklists of Germany, Switzerland and Austria and to get...

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children is rare. Although more resistant to chemotherapy than acute lymphoblastic leukemia, its responsiveness and survival rates have considerably improved during the last 15 years by virtue of intensification of chemotherapy and due to the better supportive care. Relapses still remain the main cause of treatment f...

Prognosis of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)--the most common cancer in childhood, has improved remarkably over the last 40 years. The authors report the treatment outcome in children with ALL cured according to ALL-BFM 90 Study protocol in the Czech Republic during the first half of nineties. Children aged 0-18 years were include...

Landscape-ecological documentation - an example of practical methodology for environmental analyses, evaluation and proposals as a basis for urban planning process at local level (scale 1:10.000). Book was compiled as an abridged version of compresensive and detailed documentation supplemented by several map outputs. Book contains some figures, gr...

Successful treatment of relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the biggest challenges in pediatric hematooncology at the beginning of the 21st century. The authors analyze a group of 85 children suffering first relapse of ALL in the Czech Republic between 1990-2000. The probability of 4-year event-free survival (EFS) was 16.7% (SE 5%...

The Czech Working Group for Paediatric Haematology participated in the international prospective study for the diagnosis and therapy of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in childhood organized by the European Working Group for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (EWOG-MDS) in 1998-2002. The aim of the study was to improve the accuracy of diagnosis in children an...

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a rare, clonal abnormality of the pluripotent haematopoietic stem cell. Stem cell transplantation (SCT) is the only curative treatment modality which has been for a long time connected with high transplant related mortality and relapse. The Czech Republic participates in the international study EWOG-MDS. In this st...

Amifostine (WR-2721, Ethyol) is a chemoprotective agent. There is little experiences with amifostine application in megachemotherapy in children. We evaluated amifostine effect on the reduction of the acute toxicity. Retrospective comparison of patients who received amifostine with the control group (72 vs. 72). Amifostine 750 mg/m2 was given 15 mi...

The therapeutic results in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are improving continuously with modern treatment protocols of combined chemotherapy. Approximately 75 % children and adolescents can be cured from their leukaemia. Among infants younger than one year ALL is a rare disease. Typical infant ALL originates from very early prec...

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) derived from mature B-cells is in fact generalized Burkitt's lymphoma. Leukemic blasts are classified as L3 according to the FAB morphological classification. They are characterized by the presence of the surface immunoglobulins, most often IgM, and by a high proliferative rate. Current treatment comprising short...

Orchestina pavesii (Simon, 1873) was recently discovered in Slovakia. Description of a male is presented.

A questionnaire was published in the bulletin of the Czech Paediatric Society and in the journal Vox Paediatriae asking for information about the incidence and management of immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in children in the Czech Republic. The incidence of ITP is 4.6/100 000 children/year and is highest among children 2 - 6 year...

Background: There are about 10% of all newly diagnosed neuroblastoma patients with intraspinal tumor extension. Long-term event free survival (EFS) of these children is good. Neurosurgical decompression has been used as a standard therapeutical approach but is often connected with development of late spinal deformity. The published data give eviden...

Two directives - Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) represent the most important instruments in the nature conservation legislation of the European Union. They are aimed at protecting the species and habitat types that arc considered as Community interest within the EU ecological network of protected areas - NATURA 2000...

More than 90% of Ewing's sarcomas (ES) contain a fusion of the EWS and FLI-1 genes, due to the t(11;22)(q23;q12) translocation. At the molecular level, the EWS-FLI-1 rearrangement shows great diversity. Specifically, many different combinations of exons from EWS-FLI-1 encode in-frame fusion transcripts and result in differences in length and compos...