Wojciech Czechowski, Alexander Radchenko, Wiesława Czechowska, Kari Vepsäläinen  The ants of Poland with reference to the myrmecofauna of Europe Fauna Poloniae Vol. 4 New series Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Natura optima dux Foundation. Warszawa 2012 173 x 243 mm, hardcover, 496 pages, 201 maps, 55 plates with several hundred SEM photographs of morphological details, 33 figures with drawings, 13 tables. ISBN 978-83-930773-4-2

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This  book  on  ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is an  updated, corrected and expanded version of the previous monograph of the Polish myrmecofauna (Czechowski et al. 2002). It contains 103  ant  species of 25 genera reported in Poland until  2010, the  occurrence of which in the  country are unquestionable or at  least  considered by  the authors probable. The  book  consists of  four  main chapters: (1)  a systematic checklist of the  ant  taxa  (subfamilies, genera, species) of Europe, (2)  a faunistic catalogue of the  ants of Poland, (3) characteristics of the  myrmecofauna of Poland, and  (4)  keys for identification. The checklist is the newest updated list of the European ants, and  it displays recent alterations in the ant  taxonomy. It contains nine subfamilies, 57 genera and  613  valid species; the list is complemented by 10 recognised but not  yet formally  described species. The faunistic catalogue provides a taxonomic survey  of the Polish ant species together with  information about their general distribution in the Palaearctic and  the distribution in Poland, with notes on the biology of each species. For some taxa (species, genera), notes on their taxonomic history are provided. The chapter compiles all faunistic data  published until  the  end  of the  year  2010; published reports are supplemented by confirmed unpublished data available to the  authors. For every species maps  of their ranges in the  Palaearctic and distributions in the  geographical regions in Poland are enclosed. The catalogue is closed  by a list of the species ever  reported in Poland and  later  owing  to a specified reason excluded from  the Polish fauna. The  next  chapter includes zoogeographical and  ecological characteristics of the  Polish myrmecofauna, with  reference to the European myrmecofauna as a whole. The last  chapter includes keys for identification of the  ant taxa (subfamilies, genera and  species), individually for  workers, queens and  males (when distinguishable). The keys for subfamilies and genera involve  all European taxa  of these ranks. The keys for species include all ant  species known in Poland, and  those not  reported from   Poland but  present in adjacent regions of Central Europe, and recognised as possible to be found in the country. The keys are illustrated with  SEM  photographs. The  main chapters are  preceded by the   foreword presenting general trends in myrmecological research in the world  throughout history, and  the introduction, in which the past  and   the present of Polish myrmecology is outlined.

Key words: Ants, biology, checklist, ecology, Europe, faunistics, key, morphology, Poland, systematics, taxonomy, zoogeography.

Wojciech Niedbała  Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Poland  Fauna Poloniae Vol.3 New series Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Natura optima dux Foundation. Warszawa 2008 ca 173 x 243 mm, 242 pages, 42 plates, 35 tables, hardcover ISBN 978-83-918040-6-3

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A monograph of the ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Poland, typical xylophagous soil mites, has been prepared on the basis of 22 654 individuals found in 869 samples. A detailed analysis of morphology of representatives of ptychoid groups has been provided. The species occurring in Poland have been classified into two cohorts of Arthroptyctima and Euptyctima, two superfamilies Phthiracaroidea and Euphthiracaroidea, 5 families: Mesoplophoridae, Oribotritiidae, Euphthiracaridae, Phthiracaridae and Steganacaridae, and 12 genera. Diagnoses of higher taxa have been followed by a review of the species. At present the number of species known from Poland is 40. Compared to the previous studies, the number of species known from Poland was enriched by 20, including six species new to the science. Each species is illustrated and characteristics of morphology as well as metric data are provided; synonyms are listed under specific names. Keys for identification of the species and higher taxa are given.

Key words: Acari, Oribatida, ptyctimous mites, systematic, ecology, Poland

Ewa Barycka Middle and late Pleistocene Felidae and Hyaenidae of Poland  Fauna Poloniae Vol.2 New series Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Natura optima dux Foundation. Warszawa 2008 ca 173 x 243 mm, 228 pages, 101 figures, 59 tables, hardcover ISBN 978-83-918040-5-6

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A revision of middle and late Pleistocene feliform carnivoran remains from the caves in the vicinity of Cracow proved the presence of Crocuta crocuta spelaea, Felis silvestris and Panthera spelaea spelaea and, for the first time, Panthera spelaea fossilis, thus enriching the list of big cats in Polish middle Pleistocene fauna. No Lynx remains were found. Analyses of Crocuta crocuta’s teeth brought about the revision of cave hyaena stratigraphy. Correlations between migration events and the size and shape of teeth were recognized. Different limb proportions are regarded as leading to a reduction of cursoriality but an increase in endurance and stability while carrying large pieces of carcass. Detailed evolutionary changes were determined in cave lion evolution. Additional diagnostic differences were recognized for Panthera spelaea. Mass and sexual dimorphism of cave lion were estimated. A marked narrowing of the lower incisors region and different proportion of limb bones were found. When compared to modern European wildcats, wildcat remains reveal intermediate characteristics between Felis silvestris silvestris and Felis silvestris tatressia.

Key words: Carnivora, Panthera spelaea, Crocuta spelaea, systematics, morphology, Europe