Journal articles on the topic 'Groupe des lacets'

AbstractThe diet of Lacerta lepida in the province of León (NW Spain) was studied through the analysis of 286 faecal pellets collected during May-August. Insecta were the numerically most important prey group, and always represented more than 85 % of prey numbers. Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were the dominant orders. Other important prey groups were Heteroptera and Arachnida. The number of Orthoptera consumed increased gradually from May to August. With respect to the occurrence frequency of prey in the faecal pellets, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera occurred in more than 75% at all times. The lowest trophic diversity was detected in june-july. Seasonal changes in the diet were noteworthy within short-terms and augmented in the long-term. The average length of the invertebrate prey was within the interval 9-14 mm. In terms of energy content, Vertebrata (43.82%), Coleoptera (15.77%), Orthoptera (14.40%) and Hymenoptera (13.95%) were the principal groups. L. lepida is considered to be an opportunistic feeder, although some prey groups are apparently selected.

Although Ablepharus kitaibelii and its subspecies are wide-spread, being distributed from the Carpathian Basin through the Balkans to Iraq, their habitat and environmental niche is poorly known. Ablepharus kitaibelii fitzingeri is almost entirely limited to the Carpathian Basin, and is amongst the most strictly protected and least known reptiles of Central and Eastern Europe. The main aim of our study was to determine habitat use preferences of different age groups of A. kitaibelii fitzingeri and Lacerta viridis. The occurrence of green lizard was determined by the abundance of refugia rather than by the naturalness of grasslands. The snake-eyed skink prefers semi-natural grasslands with abundant tussock-forming grass or sedge species, avoiding densely shrubby places. For the first time, we show that woodland mosaics lacking shrubs and temporary grasslands next to forest edges are important for the species. Microhabitat use by snake-eyed skink varies with age group; adults preferring shady edge zones rich in leaf litter and shadier grassland spots provided by woodland mosaics, whereas juveniles were found in natural, more open grasslands far from forest edges and in woodland mosaics with dense shrubby understory. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the ecological needs of A. kitaibelii fitzingeri. Our methodology could be adapted to other species and subspecies of Ablepharus. Based on our results, it is important to reconsider habitat management activities, which should not be limited to shrub control: the main goal should be the development of a diverse habitat structure.

We studied diet composition and prey selection in the lizard Lacerta monticola throughout its activity season. The most important prey groups in terms of numbers were Coleoptera, Diptera, Formicidae, and Araneae. Comparison of diet composition in the adult lizards with estimates of prey availability indicated that lizards exhibited precisely defined patterns of prey selection. Electivities were negative for prey < 3 mm in length and generally positive for larger prey, despite the higher relative abundance of the former group in the environment. Electivity scores for individual prey taxa were positively correlated with their length, and lizards preferentially consumed larger individuals belonging to the taxa containing smaller animals. Relative availability of the four major prey taxa fluctuated considerably throughout the year. In spite of these changes, monthly rates of consumption of Araneae and Diptera remained almost constant. Variations in monthly electivity scores were negatively correlated with relative availability of three (Coleoptera, Diptera, and Araneae) of the four major prey taxa. These results fit the predictions of prey-selection models based on nutrient constraints.

The nomenclatural consequences of the recent rediscovery of the works of Garsault (1764, 1765, 1767) in amphibians and reptiles are examined in detail. The 13 new nomina of these two groups created by Garsault (1764) distribute in three categories: (1) three of these nomina (Lacertus, Rana viridis, Testudo marina) cause no problem, being just junior synonyms of senior nomina created by Linnaeus (1758); (2) four of them (Bufo, Salamandra, Scincus, Vipera) become the valid nomina of taxa, in replacement of identical nomina created later by Laurenti (1768), thus entailing no change in the nomina of their included species and subspecies but changes in their complete nominal-complexes (including their authors and dates); (3) six of these nomina are here rejected as invalid senior synonyms (Ranetta, Serpens, Lacertus aquatilis, Lacertus terrestris) or homonyms (Lacertus viridis, Testudo terrestris) of nomina in current use, by virtue of Article 23.9.1 of the Code. A very positive result of the rediscovery of these works is that it allows to solve for the best an old nomenclatural problem, concerning the nucleospecies (type-species) of the genus Bufo: whereas the nucleospecies (type-species) of Bufo Laurenti, 1768 is Bufo viridis Laurenti, 1768, we hereby designate Rana bufo Linnaeus, 1758 as nucleospecies of Bufo Garsault, 1764. This case shows that it is sometimes possible, even in complex nomenclatural situations, to solve them through a proper use of the Rules of the Code, without having to appeal to the ICZN for the use of its Plenary-Powers. From a taxonomic point of view, we think the data published so far do not allow currently to stabilise the generic taxonomy of the BUFONIDAE. Pending additional data, we support a conservative attitude, maintaining in the genus Bufo most species traditionally referred to this genus. In particular, we think all Eurasian species of this family, which include several pairs of species known to be able to produce viable adult hybrids, should be kept in this genus, but in three distinct subgenera: Bufo Garsault, 1764 for the group including Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758); Bufotes Rafinesque, 1815 for the group including Bufo viridis (Laurenti, 1768); and Epidalea Cope, 1864 for the group including Bufo calamita (Laurenti, 1768). This survey also allows to discuss the appropriateness of the current Article 11.9.5 dealing with specific trinomina, especially as they appear in Laurenti (1768), and to point again to the need to implement more drastic Rules regarding the conditions required for a nomen being compliant for protection through Article 23.9.1 of the Code.

DNA sequence indicates the Lacertidae contain two subfamilies, Gallotiinae and Lacertinae, the latter comprising two monophyletic tribes, the Eremiadini of Africa and arid southwest and central Asia, and the Lacertini of Europe, northwest Africa and southwest and east Asia. Relationships within the 108 species of Lacertini are explored using mtDNA (291 bp cytochrome b; 329 bp 12S rRNA for 59 nominal species, and reanalysis of the data of Harris et al. 1998, and Fu 2000). The morphology of the tribe is reviewed and 64 of its characters (equivalent to 83 binary ones) also used to assess relationships. The Lacertini are assigned to 19 monophyletic units of 1 to 27 species, recognised here as the following genera (contents are indicated in brackets): Algyroides, Anatololacerta gen. nov. (L. danfordi group), Apathya (L. cappadocica group), Archaeolacerta (L. bedriagae), Dalmatolacerta gen. nov. (L. oxycephala), Darevskia (L. saxicola group), Dinarolacerta gen. nov. (L. mosorensis), Hellenolacerta gen. nov. (L. graeca), Iberolacerta (L. monticola group), Iranolacerta gen. nov. (L. brandtii and L. zagrosica), Lacerta s. str. (sand and green lizards, L. agilis group), Parvilacerta gen. nov. (L. parva and L. fraasii), Phoenicolacerta gen. nov. (L. laevis group), Podarcis (wall lizards), Scelarcis (L. perspicillata), Takydromus (Asian grass lizards), Teira (L. dugesii), Timon (ocellated lizards, L. lepida group) and Zootoca (L. vivipara). Both mtDNA and morphology indicate that Lacerta and Timon are sister taxa, and DNA suggests further possible relationships among genera (Fig. 1, p. 6). Neither DNA nor morphology indicates that the archaeolacertas (sometimes formalised as Archaeolacerta sens. lat.) form a clade. Instead, they are representatives of an ecomorph associated with living on rock exposures and using the narrow crevices that these contain. The Lacertidae probably arose in the European area, with the Gallotiinae later reaching Northwest Africa and the Canary Islands, and the ancestor of the Eremiadini invading Africa in the mid-Miocene. The Lacertini spread through much of their present European range and diversified, perhaps largely by repeated vicariance, around 12–16 My ago, producing the ancestors of the present mainly small-bodied genera, which then underwent often modest speciation. Three units spread more widely: the Lacerta-Timon clade of large-bodied lizards probably dispersed earliest, followed by Algyroides and then Podarcis. Overall, European Lacertidae show a pattern of repeated spread, often accompanied by restriction of previous groups. Expansion of Lacertini may have displaced earlier lacertid lineages from all or much of Europe; while spread of Podarcis may have restricted many other genera of Lacertini. The earlier expansion of the Lacerta-Timon clade probably did not have this effect, as difference in adult body size restricted competitive interaction with other forms. Several invasions of more distant areas also occurred: of East Asia by Takydromus over 10 My ago, and more recently of northwest Africa by Podarcis, Scelarcis and Timon, and Madeira by Teira. Relationships within the Eremiadini estimated from both mtDNA, and nDNA differ considerably from those based on morphology. They indicate relatively mesic forms may have diversified widely across Africa and given rise to at least three independent invasions of arid habitats. MtDNA also indicates that Lacerta andreanskyi belongs in the Eremiadini and may occupy a basal position there. It is assigned to a further new genus, Atlantolacerta gen. nov.

Abstract Selection of gastropod shells as shelter by hermit crabs in controlled experiments would provide useful information on the utility of these shells in nature. In this study, shell size and species preferences of Diogenes alias from the northeastern Arabian Sea were quantified by free choice experiments. Males of D. alias, prefer Indothais lacera and Tibia curta, when choice was given; no differences were found for other demographic groups. All hermit crabs occupied larger shells than the shells they occupied in nature. The best correlation was observed between internal volume, weight, and aperture width of the shell with the size of the hermit crab. This pattern has also been reported for other species (i.e., Clibanarius albidigitus, Calcinus tibicen, and C. obscurus). Furthermore, the present study highlights the importance of optimal resources in a scarce environment.

AbstractThe consequences of tail loss on the thermal biology of high-altitude rock lizards (Lacerta monticola) were studied by comparing field body temperatures, selected body temperatures in a gradient, and behavioural patterns of thermoregulation of tailed and tailless lizards in the field. Neither field nor selected body temperatures differed significantly between these groups. Time spent basking, mean duration of basking, and basking frequency did not differ between tailed and tailless lizards. Tailless lizards seemingly adjusted for running impairment by using rocks to a greater extent than did tailed lizards, and low morning body temperatures by increasing maximal duration of basking periods and keeping shorter distances to the nearest refuge. Tailless lizards modify thermoregulatory behaviour, but obtain the same thermoregulatory precision as tailed lizards, possibly allowing maximization of physiological processes linked to tail regeneration.

We study the three dimensional arrangement of young stars in the solar neighbourhood using the second release of the Gaia mission (Gaia DR2) and we provide a new, original view of the spatial configuration of the star-forming regions within 500 pc of the Sun. By smoothing the star distribution through a Gaussian filter, we construct three dimensional (3D) density maps for early-type stars (upper-main sequence, UMS) and pre-main sequence (PMS) sources. The PMS and the UMS samples are selected through a combination of photometric and astrometric criteria. A side product of the analysis is a 3D, G-band extinction map, which we use to correct our colour-magnitude diagram for extinction and reddening. Both density maps show three prominent structures, Scorpius-Centaurus, Orion, and Vela. The PMS map shows a plethora of lower-mass star-forming regions, such as Taurus, Perseus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, and Lacerta, which are less visible in the UMS map due to the lack of large numbers of bright, early-type stars. We report the finding of a candidate new open cluster towards l, b ∼ 218.5° , − 2°, which could be related to the Orion star-forming complex. We estimate ages for the PMS sample and we study the distribution of PMS stars as a function of their age. We find that younger stars cluster in dense, compact clumps, and are surrounded by older sources, whose distribution is instead more diffuse. The youngest groups that we find are mainly located in Scorpius-Centaurus, Orion, Vela, and Taurus. Cepheus, Cassiopeia, and Lacerta are instead more evolved and less numerous. Finally, we find that the 3D density maps show no evidence for the existence of the ring-like structure which is usually referred to as the Gould Belt.

Abstract A part of the COI mitochondrial barcoding gene was sequenced from seven species of different taxonomical groups: Ambystoma mexicanum (Amphibia, Ambystomatidae), Darevskia lindholmi, Lacerta agilis exigua (Reptilia, Lacertidae), Erinaceus roumanicus (Mammalia, Erinaceidae), Macrobiotus sp. 1 and 2 (Eutardigrada, Macrobiotidae) and Cameraria ohridella (Insecta, Gracillariidae). The sequences were compared with available sequences from databases and positioned on phylogenetic trees when the taxa had not yet been sequenced. The presence of Mexican axolotls in herpetoculture in Ukraine was confirmed. The partial COI genes of the Crimean rock lizard and an eastern sub-species of the sand lizard were sequenced. We demonstrated the presence of two tardigrade mitochondrial lineages of the Macrobiotus hufelandi group in the same sample from the Zeya Natural Reserve in the Far East: one was nearly identical to the Italian M. macrocalix, and the other one is similar to M. persimilis and M. vladimiri. We also confirmed the presence of the invasive haplotype “A” of the horse chestnut leaf miner in Ukraine, in line with the hypothesized route of invasion from Central Europe.

Many oviparous terrestrial species deposit flexible-shelled eggs into the soil. These eggs are sensitive to the hydration level of the nest environment. Among other factors, water exchange of eggs during incubation may be affected by the soil water potential. To evaluate whether egg aggregation influences embryonic development, we incubated flexible-shelled Schreiber's green lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) eggs under three levels of soil water potential (wet: –150 kPa; intermediate: –650 kPa; dry: –1150 kPa) and under two levels of aggregation (aggregated: in groups of six eggs with physical contact among them; isolated: groups of six eggs each 1 cm apart). The availability of water during egg incubation influenced egg mass and hatchling size. Eggs incubated in dry soils absorbed less water and produced smaller hatchlings. The selected levels of soil water potential did not influence incubation duration or hatching success. When soil was wet or dry, we did not find any effect of egg aggregation in embryonic development. However, when soil water potential was intermediate, aggregated eggs absorbed less water and their embryos hatched at smaller sizes compared with isolated eggs. Moreover, variability and range of egg water absorption and hatchling size were higher among aggregated eggs than among solitary ones when access to water was restricted. In these cases, eggs competed with different success for water, a limited resource in the nest environment.

Differences in the herpetofauna of the shelterbelts, which are located at different distances from the fields treated with pesticides, have been studied. It was found that the herpetofauna of artificial forest plantations on the right bank of the Samara River consists of five species: Bufotes viridis, Pelobates vespertinus, Natrix natrix, Coronella austriaca and Lacerta agilis. The grass snake was only found in forest plantations that remote at a distance of 5 kilometres from agrocenoses and could not be treated with pesticides. In the studied areas, two species of snakes (C. austriaca and N. natrix) had the lowest numbers. Amphibians and the sand lizard are the most numerous animals in both groups of shelterbelts. The highest indicator of relative dominance in the herpetofauna of forest belts was observed for the sand lizard, which reflects the greater ecological plasticity of this species. The Renkonen index (more than 90%) showed the similarity of herpetofauna groups of shelterbelts both remote and adjacent to agrocenoses treated by pesticides. The herpetofauna groups of forest belts of both groups had similar indices of dominancy (0.35–0.46), alignment (0.78–0.97) and diversity according to the Shannon (1.07–1.22) and Simpson indices (0.29– 0.35). The lowest indicator of species richness (0.48) is determined for the forest belts adjacent to agrocenoses. Thus, artificial forest plantations that are directly affected by agricultural activities (pesticide use, reduction in food, etc.) can also act as refugia to maintain biodiversity. Nevertheless, this will depend on the amount and duration of pesticide use, so further research is needed for definitive conclusions. Forest belts, which have existed for half a century or more, are a kind of separate ecosystems that can help in understanding various issues of Zoology (fauna and species distribution), Ecology (population dynamics, population structure) and microevolution (processes in new relatively isolated systems).

Timon, a small genus of lacertid lizards, includes four species distributed in two separate ranges in the western and eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin. Phylogenetic relationships between the two groups have not been resolved, and the taxonomic situation of the two subspecies of the eastern representative of the genus, Timon princeps, is not clear. To address these questions, partial DNA sequences of two nuclear (β-fibrinogen intron 7 and C-mos) and three mitochondrial (cytochrome b, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) genes were analyzed. Based on the high genetic distance between the two subspecies of T. princeps we promote their taxonomic status to full species, Timon princeps and Timon kurdistanicus. Divergence time estimates based on other lacertid species suggest that the separation of the green (Lacerta) and ocellated (Timon) lizards took place around 12 My ago, and that the Eastern group underwent speciation around 4-5 my ago, perhaps associated with the uplifting of the Zagros mountains. As expected given this ancient divergence and complex paleogeography, considerable levels of genetic diversity are recovered within both taxa, with geographically close individuals showing very divergent haplotypes.

Reliable information about the species composition of the fauna, way of life, abundance, distribution, and breeding features is not only the initial data for in-depth zoological, evolutionary and ecological research, but also the source for nature conservation activity based on the analysis of the state of wildlife resources.
 The European green lizard (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768; Reptilia, Squamata) is one of the most vulnerable species of reptiles in the domestic herpetofauna. Therefore, it is the object of ecological research aimed at studying population structure, biotopic distribution, including within the protected natural areas and areas that are undergoing significant anthropogenic transformation.
 The work is based on field studies conducted in April August 2018 and data from the regular phenological observations of the Dniester Canyon National Nature Park.
 The current status of the European green lizard population (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768) within the territory of Dniester Canyon National Nature Park has been investigated. The abundance and spatial distribution of the species populations in different biotopes have been studiedon the basis of long-term phenological observations according to the program of the Chronicle of Nature of the National Nature Park and the authors’ research. The data of the species occurrence on the territory of the Park for the last six years is given. The abundance of the European green lizard populations under different biotopical conditions and the main factors influencing the studied parameters have been analyzed.
 The European green lizard has been found to be a stenotopic species that favors only 2-3 biotopes, so it is highly vulnerable due to distortion of specific stations. Besides, L. viridis is the dominant species of reptiles on the Dniester slopes, its tributaries, streams, gullies and ravines.
 The biotopes inhabited by this species can be grouped into three main types:
 1) slopes of hills and ravines with thick-growing grassand bushes of hawthorn and dog rose (settlement density 30-50 inhabitants/km);
 2) areas related to broad-leaved forests and mixed forests glades, outskirts of forests, forest roads (20-50 inhabitants/km);
 3) steep slopes of gullies, steep bank slopes with limestone outcrops with herbaceous and shrubby vegetation (6-11 inhabitants/km).
 The spatial distribution of L. viridis communities in the region is predominantly aggregative and exists in several different forms, which is related to the configuration of favorable plots, the nutritive base and interspecies relationships.

Kurghalsky Wildlife Sanctuary occupies an extreme western position in the Leningrad Region (with the main city of St. Petersburg). The fauna of the Kurghalsky Wildlife Sanctuary is quite diverse and includes 6 species of amphibians and 5 species of reptiles. The core of herpetofauna is formed by several species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Bufo bufo, Rana arvalis, Rana temporaria, Anguis fragilis, Zootoca vivipara, Vipera berus) widely distributed in the boreal zone of Eurasia. It is enriched by a few subboreal species (Pelobates fuscus, Pelophylax ridibundus, Lacerta agilis, Natrix natrix), regionally rare in the taiga zone. The highest diversity of amphibians and reptiles (8 species) was registered in the boreal and intrazonal groups of plant communities such as the forb-grassy meadows, greenmoss and light pine heath forests. The greatest similarity of herpetofaunas is characteristic for communities of spruce and small-leaved forests (93%), small-leaved forests and meadows (93%), broad-leaved forests and bogs (89%), pine and spruce forests (88%) and small-leaved forests and bogs (83%). Differences in the species composition of the local herpetofaunas are associated with a tendency to depletion of the number of species in boreal communities: from coniferous and mixed forests to bogs, reed communities and beaches. The general depletion of herpetofauna of the north is associated primarily with the loss of subboreal elements. The diversity and relatively high density of amphibian and reptile populations indicate the good preservation of forest and coastal ecosystems.

The Australian species of the water beetle genus Hydraena Kugelann, 1794, are revised, based on the study of 7,654 specimens. The 29 previously named species are redescribed, and 56 new species are described. The species are placed in 24 species groups. High resolution digital images of all primary types are presented (online version in color), and geographic distributions are mapped. Male genitalia, representative female terminal abdominal segments and representative spermathecae are illustrated. Australian Hydraena are typically found in sandy/gravelly stream margins, often in association with streamside litter; some species are primarily pond dwelling, a few species are humicolous, and one species may be subterranean. The areas of endemicity and species richness coincide quite closely with the Bassian, Torresian, and Timorian biogeographic subregions. Eleven species are shared between the Bassian and Torresian subregions, and twelve are shared between the Torresian and Timorian subregions. Only one species, H. impercepta Zwick, is known to be found in both Australia and Papua New Guinea. One Australian species, H. ambiflagellata, is also known from New Zealand. New species of Hydraena are: H. affirmata (Queensland, Palmerston National Park, Learmouth Creek), H. ambiosina (Queensland, 7 km NE of Tolga), H. antaria (New South Wales, Bruxner Flora Reserve), H. appetita (New South Wales, 14 km W Delagate), H. arcta (Western Australia, Synnot Creek), H. ascensa (Queensland, Rocky Creek, Kennedy Hwy.), H. athertonica (Queensland, Davies Creek), H. australula (Western Australia, Synnot Creek), H. bidefensa (New South Wales, Bruxner Flora Reserve), H. biimpressa (Queensland, 19.5 km ESE Mareeba), H. capacis (New South Wales, Unumgar State Forest, near Grevillia), H. capetribensis (Queensland, Cape Tribulation area), H. converga (Northern Territory, Roderick Creek, Gregory National Park), H. cubista (Western Australia, Mining Camp, Mitchell Plateau), H. cultrata (New South Wales, Bruxner Flora Reserve), H. cunninghamensis (Queensland, Main Range National Park, Cunningham's Gap, Gap Creek), H. darwini (Northern Territory, Darwin), H. deliquesca (Queensland, 5 km E Wallaman Falls), H. disparamera (Queensland, Cape Hillsborough), H. dorrigoensis (New South Wales, Dorrigo National Park, Rosewood Creek, upstream from Coachwood Falls), H. ferethula (Northern Territory, Cooper Creek, 19 km E by S of Mt. Borradaile), H. finniganensis (Queensland, Gap Creek, 5 km ESE Mt. Finnigan), H. forticollis (Western Australia, 4 km W of King Cascade), H. fundaequalis (Victoria, Simpson Creek, 12 km SW Orbost), H. fundata (Queensland, Hann Tableland, 13 km WNW Mareeba), H. hypipamee (Queensland, Mt. Hypipamee National Park, 14 km SW Malanda), H. inancala (Queensland, Girraween National Park, Bald Rock Creek at "Under-ground Creek"), H. innuda (Western Australia, Mitchell Plateau, 16 mi. N Amax Camp), H. intraangulata (Queensland, Leo Creek Mine, McIlwrath Range, E of Coen), H. invicta (New South Wales, Sydney), H. kakadu (Northern Territory, Kakadu National Park, Gubara), H. larsoni (Queensland, Windsor Tablelands), H. latisoror (Queensland, Lamington National Park, stream at head of Moran's Falls), H. luminicollis (Queensland, Lamington National Park, stream at head of Moran's Falls), H. metzeni (Queensland, 15 km NE Mareeba), H. millerorum (Victoria, Traralgon Creek, 0.2 km N 'Hogg Bridge', 5.0 km NNW Balook), H. miniretia (Queensland, Mt. Hypipamee National Park, 14 km SW Malanda), H. mitchellensis (Western Australia, 4 km SbyW Mining Camp, Mitchell Plateau), H. monteithi (Queensland, Thornton Peak, 11 km NE Daintree), H. parciplumea (Northern Territory, McArthur River, 80 km SW of Borroloola), H. porchi (Victoria, Kangaroo Creek on Springhill Rd., 5.8 km E Glenlyon), H. pugillista (Queensland, 7 km N Mt. Spurgeon), H. queenslandica (Queensland, Laceys Creek, 10 km SE El Arish), H. reticuloides (Queensland, 3 km ENE of Mt. Tozer), H. reticulositis (Western Australia, Mining Camp, Mitchell Plateau), H. revelovela (Northern Territory, Kakadu National Park, GungurulLookout), H. spinissima (Queensland, Main Range National Park, Cunningham's Gap, Gap Creek), H. storeyi (Queensland, Cow Bay, N of Daintree River), H. tenuisella (Queensland, 3 km W of Batavia Downs), H. tenuisoror (Australian Capital Territory, Wombat Creek, 6 km NE of Piccadilly Circus), H. textila (Queensland, Laceys Creek, 10 km SE El Arish), H. tridisca (Queensland, Mt. Hemmant), H. triloba (Queensland, Mulgrave River, Goldsborough Road Crossing), H. wattsi (Northern Territory, Holmes Jungle, 11 km NE by E of Darwin), H. weiri (Western Australia, 14 km SbyE Kalumburu Mission), H. zwicki (Queensland, Clacherty Road, via Julatten).

International audience Honoring László (Laci) Babai's 60th birthday, the conference "Combinatorics, Groups, Algorithms, and Complexity" (Ohio State University, March 15-25, 2010) explored the links between the areas mentioned in the title. These areas represent Laci's wide interests in mathematics and theoretical computer science; his work has revealed and enriched many of the interconnections between them. The conference had 109 participants from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia (31 of them from overseas), including 3 Nevanlinna prize winners, 32 students, 13 postdocs, 20 females, and 18 former and current students of Laci Babai. The program consisted of 73 talks and a problem session. The full list of talks can be found in the introductory article by the guest editors of this special issue who also served as the organizers of the conference. We thank all participants and speakers for the success of the conference. We wish to express our gratitude to the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, and The Ohio State Mathematical Research Institute for their generous support. This special issue contains papers in the conference topics, but not necessarily coinciding with the authors' talks at the conference. Each paper has been peer-reviewed. Toniann Pitassi, László Pyber, Uwe Schöning, Jiří Sgall, and Aner Shalev served with us as editors of this special issue. We thank for their work as well as for the assistance of the anonymous referees.