We tested 24 microsatellite markers for the red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva, using the primers for the PCR reaction described for other species from genus Ficedula. The amplification efficiency, specificity of the products, and polymorphism of cross-amplified microsatellites were determined based on the genotypes of 65 adult males from a natural population breeding in Bialowieza Forest (Eastern Poland). Based on obtained results, we identified 9 highly polymorphic microsatellites, consistently amplifying in majority of individuals. Among those markers between 4 and 26 alleles per locus (mean 15.4) were found and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.393 to 0.939. The majority of loci (except for Fhy350 and Fhy458) were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Accordingly, the values of F_IS did not significantly differ from zero 0, except for the locus Fhy350. We suggest that this locus could be loaded with high frequency of null alleles. The polymorphic information content (PIC) for the selected loci set was high and in all cases exceeded 0.82. In addition, we calculated, for each locus, the probability of excluding an improper parent. In majority of loci this parameter distinctly exceeded 0.5. These results demonstrate that tested microsatellite markers can be used to estimate the genetic variability within- and between populations and to establish paternity and parenthood in red-breasted flycatcher populations.

Neomicrozercon nearcticus gen. et sp. nov., a new genus and species of zerconid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae) are described based on material of both sexes collected in the United States of America (Oregon).

The study of Collembola communities of banks of the Dniester River revealed 54 species of Collembola belonging to 35 genera and 13 families. Five species were common for all studied sites: Mesaphorura critica, Metaphorura affinis, Hemisotoma thermophila, Isotomodes productus and Parisotoma notabilis. The whole list of Collembola is included, three species are new for Moldova. The study revealed three new species for the science of the genera Micraphorura, Agraphorura and Mesaphorura. Description of Micraphorura gamae sp. nov. the most similar to Micraphorura pieninesis Weiner, 1988 is provided.

A new species of the genus Cheilotrichia Rossi, 1848 (Diptera: Limoniidae) from Bitterfeld amber is described. Bitterfeld amber (Saxonian amber) is contemporaneous with the Baltic amber deposited in Gdańsk Amber Bay area. The representatives of the same species are often found among inclusions of Bitterfeld and Baltic amber but the species described herein Cheiliotrichia (Empeda) weitschati sp. nov. have been found only in Bitterfeld amber.

Atopomychus gen. nov. along with A. longicornis sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Endomychidae) from Ecuador is described and illustrated. Its placement within the subfamily Lycoperdininae is discussed. A key to genera of the Neotropical Lycoperdininae is updated.

Phylogenetic relationships within the Dascillinae were investigated. Eighteen ingroup taxa and two outgroups were included in cladistic analysis, based on 30 characters derived from adult morphology. Six genera are recognised in Dascillinae: Coptocera Murray, Dascillus Latreille, Metallidascillus Pic, Notodascillus Carter, Petalon Schoenherr and Sinocaulus Farimaire. Pseudolichas Fairmaire, 1878 (TS: P. sulcifrons Fairmaire, 1878) is recognised as a junior synonym of Petalon Schoenherr, 1833 (TS: Bruchus fulvulus Wiedemann, 1819) syn. nov. All valid genera of Dascillinae are thoroughly described, illustrated and key to their identification is provided. Species level keys are provided for Old Wold Dascillus, Petalon and Sinocaulus.

Eighteen new species are described: Dascillus acutus (China: Shanxi), D. chifengi (China: Taiwan), D. compressus (Nepal), D. formosanus (China: Taiwan), D. lanceus (China: Taiwan), D. largus (China: Hubei), D. montanus (China: Sichuan), D. planus (China: Yunnan), D. russus (India: Arunachal Pradesh), D. tibetensis (China: Tibet), D. transversus (China: Yunnan), Petalon acerbus (China-Yunnan), P. allochroides (Malaysia, Sabah), P. annamensis (Vietnam), P. digitatus (China: Yunnan), P. iviei (China: Yunnan), Sinocaulus clypeatus (China: Guizhou) and S. omiensis (China: Sichuan).

The following species level new synonyms are proposed (senior synonym listed first): Dascillus congruus Pascoe, 1860 (= Dascillus perroudi Pic, 1939, D. klapperichi, Pic, 1955, D. taiwanus Nakane, 1995 and D. fortunei Pic, 1913); Dascillus calvescens Bourgeois, 1892 (= D. holzi Pic, 1911, D. rufocinctus Pic, 1913, D. brevesulcatus Pic, 1933 and D. rubropubens Pic, 1934); Dascillus renardi Bourgeois, 1891(= D. rufovillosus Bourgeois, 1892); Dascillus fulvulus (Wiedemann, 1819) (= D. striatus Pic, 1911, D. corporaali Pic, 1923 and D. obscuricolor Pic, 1933); D. obscuripes Pic, 1912 (= D. rufus Pic, 1923); Pseudolichas nivipictus Fairmaire, 1904 (= Pseudolichas ruficornis Pic, 1914) and Sinocaulus rubrovelutinus Fairmaire, 1878 (= Haematoides atriceps Pic, 1910: 45).

Four taxa are transferred to Dascillus Latreille (Cladotoma vittata Pic, 1914; Pseudolichas nigronotatus Pic, 1914; Pseudolichas nivipictus Fairmaire, 1904; Pseudolichas superbus Pic, 1907 and Therius jaspideus Fairmaire, 1878) comb. nov.

Fifeteen species are transferred to Petalon Schonherr (Dascillus bengalensis Pic, 1911; D. birmani