Summary :An entomological survey was carried out in two districts of central (Kruje) and northern (Lezhe) Albania. Six collecting sites, showing a variety of diurnal resting sites, were monitored for adult sandflies from June through October 2002. Flies were collected with CDC miniature light traps, sticky traps and mechanical or hand aspirators in peridomestic sites, in bedrooms and inside cow barns, chicken coops and pigpens. All collecting sites monitored were found positive for sandflies. A total of 849 specimens were caught (29.2 % males) belonging to five Phlebotomus species. Phlebotomus neglectus (75.6 %) was the most abundant species followed by P. perfiliewi (14.4 %), P. papatasi (4.6 %), P. tobbi (3.6 %) and P. similis (1.8 %). The first adult of P. neglectus appeared on June 11 and the last one was collected on October 16. The highest density for this species was observed at the end of July. A total of 111 blood-fed females were caught from the two areas studied. P. neglectus was the only species found blood fed in Lezhe and the same species was prevalent (56.1 %) in Kruje followed by P. perfiliewi (30.3 %), P. tobbi (10.6 %) ; P. papatasi was represented by only two specimens. Blood meal origin was determined in 45/66 (68.2 %) of the females tested from Kruje district. P. neglectus was found fed on four hosts, showing the following feeding patterns: cow (71.4 %), dog (17.1 %), chicken (5.7 %) and human (5.7 %) ; P. perfiliewi was found fed on cow (80.0 %) and chicken (20.0 %), P. tobbi on cow (50.0 %), chicken (25.0 %) and dog (25.0 %). One specimen of P. papatasi was found fed on cow. When such prevalences were analysed by the available biomass for each host present at the collecting site, P. neglectus resulted to be an opportunistic feeder rather than exhibiting preferences for any specific animal. PCR analysis of 39 P. neglectus from the Lezhe district gave negative results for the presence of Leishmania DNA. Résumé : ENQUÊTE ENTOMOLOGIQUE SUR LES PHLÉBOTOMES DANS DEUX DISTRICTS ALBANAIS

Environmental monitoring of river water quality in Albania, using biological and chemical parameters, is a fast and effective way to assess the quality of water bodies.The aim of this study was to investigate Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT), Biotic index-Richness using macroinvertebrates to assess the water quality, with special reference to nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) levels in the Devolli, Shkumbini and Osumi rivers. Our objective was to investigate the relationships between the measures of benthic macroinvertebrate communities and nutrient concentrations to assess water quality. The rivers' benthic macroinvertebrates were collected during different seasons in 2012. The biological and chemical parameters used in the current study identified them as quick indicators of water quality assessment. The total number of macroinvertebrate individuals (n = 15,006) (Osumi river: n = 5,546 organisms; Devolli river: n = 3,469 organisms; and Shkumbini river: n = 5,991 organisms), together with the EPT group (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera), showed that the water quality at the river stations during the above-mentioned period belonged to Classes II and III (fair water quality and good water quality, respectively). The classification of the water quality was also based on the nitrogen and total phosphorus contents. The pollution tolerance levels of macroinvertebrate taxa varied from the non-tolerating forms encountered in environments with low pollution levels to the tolerating forms that are typical of environments with considerable pollution levels.

Reviewing historical and recently collected material of family Aciculidae from Albania and the neighbouring region, we synonymized two species and one subspecies, namely Platyla corpulenta Subai, 2009 under Platyla procax Boeters, E. Gittenberger & Subai, 1989; Platyla ceraunorum A. Reischütz, N. Steiner-Reischütz & P. L. Reischütz, 2016 under Platyla similis (Reinhardt, 1880) and Renea kobelti albanica Boeters, E. Gittenberger & Subai, 1989 under Renea kobelti (A. J. Wagner,1910). Four aciculid species are first mentioned for Albania: Platyla similis and Platyla procax that replace their junior synonyms; and Platyla feheri Subai, 2009 and Platyla gracilis (Clessin, 1877) that are new to the country. Furthermore, new distribution data are provided for Platyla albanica Subai, 2012, Platyla banatica (Rossmässler, 1842), Platyla wilhelmi (A. J. Wagner, 1910) and Renea kobelti (A. J. Wagner, 1910). In the light of new distribution data, their conservation statuses according to IUCN criteria are assessed at the national level and, when necessary, are re-assessed at global level.

This study provides taxonomic and ecological data on Hemiptera (Insecta) order prevalence in Berati region habitats in Southern Albania. Diverse natural environments, fields, and hilly and mountainous habitats characterize this region. The expeditions for the biological material collection were organized during 2018-2020 in six stations from May to September. Our study refers to 38 species, representing 28 genera and 10 families of the order Hemiptera. Taxonomical results on the family distribution indicate that the highest belonged to Pentatomidae, with 12 species or 31.5%, followed by Miridae, with 9 species and 23.6%. Regarding species diversity, the Lybesha station had the highest diversity, with 16 species or 41.1%, while the Lapardha station had the lowest diversity, with six species or 15.7%. Estimating species similarity by the Jaccard coefficient indicates the Lybesha and Peshtani stations, with four common species and a species similarity coefficient of 16.6%, reflecting the ecological factors' similarity between these stations.

The student transition from high school to university is a complex process in which various factors operate. One of these factors is the degree of the students’ academic preparation in certain subjects. This article analyzes the impact of this factor on the students’ success in the first year of university studies, in the conditions when the subject program in high school has been reformed. This impact on the students’ success, which is expressed both in the degree of academic preparation and in the students’ attitude in the relevant subject, has been assessed employing statistical analysis. The analysis covers a period of 3 years (2017-2020), and is based on a sample of first year students of the Bachelor degree in Biology. The results of the questionnaire, conducted with first year university students, show the impact of their high school academic preparation on the success they have in the first year of university. This success is measured by assessing the change in average grade and their pass rates. Evidence of the impact of this factor in teaching has helped to know in detail these intermediate phases of this process. The built model makes it possible to analyze the impact of the high school curriculum reform on the students’ success, creating the opportunity for further improvements. Despite the fact that the object of the study is the Biology curriculum and the evaluation of the impact in academic success of students who graduated from high schools where a competence based curriculum was implemented, this methodology can be used for the study in other subjects, especially life sciences.

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