Nanayella gen. n. is proposed to accommodate four new species of dactylogyrid monogeneans found on the gills of two species of pimelodid catfishes (Siluriformes) from the Amazon River basin in Peru and the Upper Paraná River basin in Brazil. Nanayella gen. n. is mainly characterised by the presence of modified hook pairs 5 and 6, which have a slender shank with slightly enlarged base, inconspicuous thumb, and straight point. Nanayella aculeatrium gen. n. et sp. n. (type species) from Sorubim lima (Bloch et Schneider) (type host) differs from its congeners mainly by possessing seven sclerotised spines on one side of circular ornamentation of the vaginal atrium. Nanayella fluctuatrium gen. n. et sp. n. is characterised by the presence of sclerotised undulations surrounding the circular ornamentation of the vaginal atrium. Nanayella amplofalcis gen. n. et sp. n. is typified by possessing hook pairs 1 and 2 with a robust, wide shank and a round, weakly sclerotised subunit at the base. Nanayella processusclavis gen. n. et sp. n. differs from congeners by the presence of a conspicuous posterior medial process on the dorsal bar. Urocleidoides megorchis Mizelle et Kritsky, 1969 described from the gills of S. lima in Brazil is transferred to Nanayella gen. n. as Nanayella megorchis comb. n. based on morphological and molecular evidence. Analyses of partial sequences of the 28S rRNA gene revealed all five species of the new genus to form a monophyletic clade within a bigger clade comprised of dactylogyrids of South American pimelodids., Aline A. Acosta, Carlos A. Mendoza-Palmero, Reinaldo J. da Silva, Tomáš Scholz., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Synbranchiella gen. n. is proposed to accommodate Synbranchiella mabelae sp. n. (Proteocephalidae: Monticelliinae) from the intestine of the marbled swamp eel Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, in the River Colastiné, a tributary of the middle River Paraná in Argentina. The new genus is placed in the Monticelliinae because of the cortical position of the genital organs. It differs from all known monticelliine genera by the following combination of characters: (i) scolex robust, with a conical apex, without metascolex; (ii) biloculate suckers with a conspicuous septum separating unequally-sized loculi and a robust non-adherent area, lacking free posterior margin; (iii) vitelline follicles in two narrow lateral bands, extended throughout the nearly entire proglottid length; (iv) vagina always anterior to the cirrus-sac, with an inconspicuous vaginal sphincter; (v) a genital pore pre-equatorial. Scanning electron microscopy revealed three types of microtriches on the tegument surface: acicular and capiliform filitriches and gladiate spinitriches. A phylogenetic analysis of the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (lsrDNA, D1-D3 domains) confirms that S. mabelae represents an independent lineage within a large clade comprised mainly from Neotropical taxa parasitising catfishes. This is the second proteocephalidean cestode described from a Neotropical synbranchiform fish host., Nathalia J. Arredondo, Philippe Vieira Alves, Alicia A. Gil de Pertierra., and Obsahuje bibliografii
A new lecanicephalidean genus is erected for cestodes previously recognised as "New Genus 12" (Polypocephalidae) in a phylogenetic analysis of the interrelationship of members of this order. Examination of the cestode fauna of the mangrove whipray, Urogymnus granulatus (Macleay) (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from the Solomon Islands and northern Australia revealed the existence of specimens representing two new species, consistent in morphology with "New Genus 12." Corollapex gen. n. is unique among the 24 valid lecanicephalidean genera in its possession of an apical organ in the form of an external retractable central disk surrounded by eight concave muscular, membrane-bound pads and an internal heterogeneous glandular component. The two new species described herein, Corollapex cairae sp. n. (type species) and Corollapex tingoi sp. n., differ from one another in overall size and number of mature and immature proglottids, and are noted to demonstrate a differential distribution between mature and juvenile host individuals. Additional species diversity in the new genus, beyond C. cairae sp. n., C. tingoi sp. n., and "New Genus 12 n. sp. 1" of Jensen et al. (2016) is suggested. Corollapex gen. n. appears to be restricted to dasyatid hosts in the Indo-West Pacific region., Kaylee S. Herzog, Kirsten Jensen., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The abundance and microhabitat use of rodents were investigated in four different habitats: two rain-fed crop fields with differing stone bund density, an irrigated field and bushland. A total of 444 individual small mammals belonging to six rodent and one shrew species were recorded in trapping grids and line transects. Of these, 230 individuals (52%) belonged to three pest rodent species of crop fields in northern Ethiopia: Stenocephalemys albipes (65%), Mastomys awashensis (25%) and Arvicanthis niloticus (10%). Population abundance of the three species was higher in the early dry season compared to the rainy season. While the bushland was significantly (p < 0.05) favoured by S. albipes and M. awashensis in both seasons, the irrigated field was preferred by Arvicanthis niloticus in the early dry season. In the early dry season, the microhabitat use of A. niloticus was strongly associated with the type of ground cover (herb) (R2adj = 0.152, P < 0.01). While M. awashensis was associated with vegetation density (R2adj = 0.13, P < 0.01), S. albipes was associated with vegetation cover (R2adj = 0.102, P < 0.001). The findings indicate that co-occurring pest rodent species prefer different microhabitats. Understanding their co-occurrence particularly in crop fields is vital for crop protection as they are known serious agricultural pests in northern Ethiopia.
Deserts and semi-deserts, such as the Sahara-Sahel region in North Africa, are exposed environments with restricted vegetation coverage. Due to limited physical surface structures, these open areas provide a promising ecosystem to understand selection for crypsis. Here, we review knowledge on camouflage adaptation in the Sahara-Sahel rodent community, which represents one of the best documented cases of phenotype-environment convergence comprising a marked taxonomic diversity. Through their evolutionary history, several rodent species from the Sahara-Sahel have repeatedly evolved an accurate background matching against visually-guided predators. Top-down selection by predators is therefore assumed to drive the evolution of a generalist, or compromise, camouflage strategy in these rodents. Spanning a large biogeographic extent and surviving repeated climatic shifts, the community faces extreme and heterogeneous selective pressures, allowing formulation of testable ecological hypotheses. Consequently, Sahara-Sahel rodents poses an exceptional system to investigate which adaptations facilitate species persistence in a mosaic of habitats undergoing climatic change. Studies of these widely distributed communities permits general conclusions about the processes driving adaptation and can give insights into how diversity evolves.
The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of prospective differences in factors of verbal and figural creativity, like fluency, flexibility and elaboration, between pupils who read books in their free time and those who do not read. The next aim was to determine the extent of influence of reading in free time on verbal and figural creativity. Totally 169 pupils from elementary schools participated in this research. Number of those who read in their free time was 63 (37,28%). In the group there were totally 89 (52,66%) boys and 80 (47,33%) girls. Participants ranged in age from 10 to 15 years (M= 13,08; SD= 0,82). Data were collected with using Torrance Test of Creative Thinking – figural part and some adapted tasks from tests of verbal creativity from Guilford and Torrance. The results show that there are significant differences between readers and non-readers in verbal and figural creativity. Differences were also demonstrated in the most factors of creativity, the only exception was figural fluency. Further analysis of data showed more significant influence of reading on score in verbal than in figural creativity, where the influence is negligible. and V rámci tohoto výskumu bola pozornosť venovaná zisťovaniu rozdielov vo faktoroch verbálnej a neverbálnej tvorivosti, ktorými sú fluencia, flexibilita a elaborácia medzi čítajúcimi adolescentmi a ich rovesníkmi, ktorí sa tejto aktivite nevenujú, ako aj vplyvu čítania na verbálnu a neverbálnu tvorivosť. Výskumný súbor tvorilo 169 respondentov z druhého stupňa základných škôl, z čoho čitateľov bolo 63 (37,28 %). Chlapcov bolo 89 (52,66 %) a dievčat 80 (47,33 %). Vek respondentov sa pohyboval v rozmedzí 10 až 15 rokov (M= 13,08; SD= 0,82). Dáta boli zozbierané prostredníctvom Torranceho figurálneho testu tvorivého myslenia a upravených testov Guilforda a Torranceho určených na meranie verbálnej tvorivosti. Výsledky poukazujú na to, že medzi čítajúcimi a nečítajúcimi žiakmi sa nachádzajú signifikantné rozdiely vo faktoroch verbálnej a neverbálnej tvorivosti, pričom výnimku predstavuje len figurálna fluencia. Ďalšia analýza poukázala na to, že čítanie má významnejší vplyv na verbálnu tvorivosť v porovnaní s neverbálnou, na ktorú je vplyv minimálny.
The research was aimed at examining 230 skulls and mandibles (113 males and 117 females) of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania. The object of the study was macroscopic evaluation of dental and periodontal pathologies, including changes in the structure of the skull and mandible. The most common teeth pathology was indicated to be hypodontia 13.27% in males and 5.98% in females (excluding M3 molar tooth). The hypodontia of the M3 was found to be common in males 6.19% and 7.69% in females. The findings of the research reveal that pathologies such as hyperdontia, dental fractures, enamel hypoplasia, abrasion, periodontitis stage 3 and stage 4 were less common: 1-4% in both males and females. In four skulls and mandibles of females a complex of severe pathologies of teeth and periodontium were found. There were no similar cases observed in males. This was the only significant difference between males and females. Other pathologies, including fractures of the skull or mandible, atypical form of foramen magnum, and changes in bone structure were rare overall, though slightly more common in males but not significantly.
Tracking and sniffer dogs have been employed in a variety of law enforcement roles world-wide and are increasingly utilized to combat wildlife crimes (i.e. poaching and trafficking). I examined the K-9 counter--poaching unit based at Akagera National Park in Rwanda. I discuss motivations and reasoning for the unit's creation, and examine the challenges faced and methods used to overcome these. I also highlight successes and best practices in place at the Park. The major challenge encountered is health issues related to the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma spp. Minor budgetary and facility challenges exist. Developing in-house solutions such as setting up a small clinic and basic veterinary training for handlers have reduced health risks and costs. Crossbreeding the original tracking dogs from Europe with local dogs from the communities around the park has been a success. Puppies bred and trained on-site offer affordable alternatives to purchasing additional dogs from abroad. The cross-bred dogs may also be better suited for working in the Akagera environment but further scientific study is needed to understand this. Additional successes include training dogs to track both on- and off-lead, allowing for a unit with multiple skill sets and more efficient, faster tracking.
The whipworms, i.e. parasitic nematodes of the genus Trichuris Roederer, 1761, infect a variety of mammals. Apparently low diversity of primate-infecting species of Trichuris strongly contrasts with the high number of species described in other mammalian hosts. The present study addresses the diversity of whipworms in captive and free-ranging primates and humans by analysing nuclear (18S rRNA, ITS2) and mitochondrial (cox1) DNA. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that primate whipworms form two independent lineages: (i) the Trichuris trichiura (Linnaeus, 1771) clade comprised of genetically almost identical whipworms from human and other primates, which suggests the ability of T. trichiura to infect a broader range of primates; (ii) a clade containing primarily Trichuris suis Schrank, 1788, where isolates from human and various primates formed a sister group to isolates from pigs; the former isolates thus may represent of more species of Trichuris in primates including humans. The analysis of cox1 has shown the polyphyly of the genera Trichuris and Capillaria, Zeder, 1800. High sequence similarity of the T. trichiura isolates from humans and other primates suggests their zoonotic potential, although the extent of transmission between human and other non-human primates remains questionable and requires further study., Jana Doležalová, Miroslav Oborník, Eva Hajdušková, Milan Jirků, Klára J. Petrželková, Petra Bolechová, Cristina Cutillas, Rocio Callejón, Jozef Jaroš, Zuzana Beránková, David Modrý., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Studie je replikací experimentu, který přinesl podporu pro hypotézu, že lidé představující si konzumaci jídla sní následně méně jídla než lidé, kteří si konzumaci jídla nepředstavovali. Replikace byla provedena na vzorku 77 vysokoškolských studentů, kteří byli náhodně rozděleni do tří skupin podle různých druhů imaginace. V porovnání s replikovanou studií byl pro analýzy použit větší zkoumaný soubor, byla ověřována úspěšnost manipulace s nezávislou proměnnou a zkoumaným osobám za účast ve výzkumu nebyla nabízena žádná odměna. Na rozdíl od replikované studie nebyl zaznamenán statisticky významný vliv druhu imaginace konzumace jídla na jeho pozdější skutečnou konzumaci. Výsledky nepodporují výsledky původního experimentu a ukazují, že původní výsledky mohly být jen důsledkem náhody. Jsou potřeba další replikace, aby bylo zřejmé, zda je efekt imaginace konzumace na zkonzumované množství jídla skutečný. and This study is a replication of an experiment that has supported a hypothesis that people imagining a consumption of food before its real consumption eat less food than without the prior imagination. The sample consisted of 77 university students who were randomly assigned into three groups varying by amount of imagined objects being consumed. A larger sample has been collected, the level of predictor variable manipulation has been controlled and a no compensation has been offered to the participants in comparison to the replicated study. On the contrary to the primary study, no significant effect of the type of imagined consumption on the consecutive consumption has been found. Results do not support results of the original study and suggest the original study’s outcome might have been achieved at random. More replication is necessary to be able to assess whether the effect of imagination on food consumption is real.