Based on light and electron microscopical studies, a new nematode parasite, Echinocephalus inserratus sp. n. (Spirurida: Gnathostomatidae), is described from the spiral valve of the broad cowtail stingray Pastinachus ater (Macleay) (Dasyatidae, Myliobatiformes) from off New Caledonia. The new species is morphologically and biometrically most similar to Echinocephalus overstreeti Deardorff et Ko, 1983, differing from it mainly in the absence of serrations on the posterior parts of pseudolabia and on interlabia, and in having a longer gubernaculum (150-299 µm long). Morphologically unidentifiable, mostly encapsulated larvae of Echinocephalus spp. were recorded from the following six species of teleost fishes collected in New Caledonian waters, serving as paratenic hosts: Perciformes: Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål) (Sparidae) and Nemipterus furcosus (Valenciennes) (Nemipteridae); Tetraodontiformes: Abalistes stellatus (Anonymous), Pseudobalistes fuscus (Bloch et Schneider) (both Balistidae), Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin) (Tetraodontidae) and Aluterus monoceros (Linnaeus) (Monacanthidae). Co-parasitising larvae of Ascarophis sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. were also collected from P. fuscus. All these findings represent new host and geographical records. A key to valid species of Echinocephalus Molin, 1858 is provided.
Problem. A lack of empathy toward victimized students belongs to the key factors that fuel longterm bullying cases. The absence of cognitive empathy toward victims is characterized by inability or unwillingness of classmates to understand the emotions and the situation of victimized students. It relates to moral disengagement processes, including dehumanizing disregard to the harm of the victims. Sample and methods. The study examined the association between victimization by bullying (assessed using self-reports) and cognitive empathy received from classmates (measured by peer nominations for students who do not feel well among others or others treat them unfairly) in seventh graders (n=190). Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association when controlling for effects of peer status, gender, and sympathy of victimized students.Results. Students feel cognitive empathy for approximately half of the victims in their classrooms and cognitive empathy had a weak positive correlation with victimization frequency. Binary logistic regression showed that above-average cognitive empathy received from classmates is more likely in victims, students with low peer status, and male students. Because victimized students whose harm and difficult plight is overlooked by classmates have been considered victims most susceptible to psychological and social maladjustment, intervention efforts could benefit from tracing not only the established diagnostic criteria, but also cognitive empathy received from the side of classmates.Limitations. The findings may be limited by using a cross-sectional design and working with a convenience and relatively small sample (with a limited number of victims). and Problém. Jedním z klíčových prvků přispívajících k dlouhodobému trvání případů šikany je absence empatie k šikanovaným spolužákům. Absence kognitivní složky empatie se vyznačuje neschopností či neochotou spolužáků porozumět emocím a situaci šikanovaných žáků. Pojí se s procesy morálního vyvazování, včetně dehumanizace, při níž přestávají být spolužáci vnímaví k utrpení oběti. Důležitou otázkou je, jak velká část šikanovaných žáků získává empatii od svých spolužáků a zda tato empatie souvisí s charakteristikami šikanovaných žáků. Soubor a metoda. Studie zkoumala u žáků sedmých ročníků (n = 190) vztah mezi viktimizací (na základě sebeposouzení) a kognitivní empatií získanou od spolužáků (vrstevnickou nominací žáků, kteří se mezi ostatními necítí dobře či se k nim ostatní chovají nespravedlivě). Pomocí binární logistické regrese sledovala tento vztah při kontrole skupinového statusu, pohlaví a soucitu šikanovaného žáka. Výsledky. Spolužáci empatizují přibližně s polovinou obětí ve svých třídách. Frekvence viktimizace slabě pozitivně koreluje s mírou získané empatie od spolužáků. Podle výsledků binární logistické regrese predikuje nadprůměrnou míru empatie od spolužáků zkušenost s viktimizací a nízký skupinový status. Nadprůměrnou empatii spolužáků také častěji získávají chlapci. Vzhledem k tomu, že šikanované žáky, jejichž utrpení a obtížnou pozici spolužáci přehlížejí, lze považovat za nejohroženější oběti s potenciálními psychickými a sociálními následky, z intervenčního hlediska se jeví jako užitečné sledovat vedle existujících diagnostických kritérií i empatii spolužáků vůči konkrétním šikanovaným žákům. Limity. Výsledky studie mohou být omezeny příležitostným výběrem, nízkým počtem častěji šikanovaných žáků a průřezovým výzkumným designem.
The mistle thrush is a species that occurs in old-growth forests, especially coniferous forests, in hilly and mountain areas and avoids warm and dry areas and human settlements. Despite this, in recent decades, the mistle thrush has colonised Apulia, southern Italy's lowlands and coasts, in rural and urban contexts. This study investigates the habitat selection of this species in central Apulia, in both the breeding season and winter, by carrying out 301 point counts and 264 linear transects. Data were collected to build a Species Distribution Model (SDM) for each season with the MaxEnt algorithm and the regional land use map, selecting variables through the Akaike Information Criterion. Overlap in the suitability of both seasons was measured using Schoener's D. A total of 133 observations of mistle thrush were noted during the breeding season and 85 observations during winter. During the breeding season, the mistle thrush selected olive orchards, especially those near vineyards and urban areas, where it could find food and safe places to nest. In this period, however, it was also found in coniferous woodlands. The mistle thrush also used vineyards in winter, whereas it avoided urban areas in this period, possibly due to food scarcity. Non-irrigated arable lands were avoided all year round, whereas natural grasslands were only avoided during the winter. Irrigated arable lands positively affected the species. Furthermore, 60% of habitat characteristics were similar between the breeding and winter seasons. It is unclear what makes the mistle thrush shift its range southward and downslope. However, it is likely due to the general increase in forest cover, a positive rainfall trend in Central Italy during summer, and the absence of competition with similar species in central Apulia.
The viviparous gyrodactylid genus Macrogyrodactylus Malmberg, 1957 is endemic to Africa, composed of nine species from hosts of four freshwater fish families, including catfishes (Siluriformes: Clariidae). Three species, Macrogyrodactylus clarii Gussev, 1961; M. congolensis (Prudhoe, 1957) and M. karibae Douëllou et Chishawa, 1995, are primarily known to parasitise the African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) in various African countries. From November 2017 to September 2019, a total of 184 individuals of C. gariepinus were collected from selected localities in southern Africa and their skin, fins and gills were surveyed for monogeneans. Three species of Macrogyrodactylus (M. clarii, M. congolensis and M. karibae) were found parasitising C. gariepinus from five localities in South Africa and Zambia. Overall prevalence was 50% to 100% with intensities of up to 109 parasites per host individual. New locality records in southern Africa, morphological observations and additional molecular data on the complete Internal Transcriber Spacer (ITS-1-5.8S-ITS-2) regions of the rDNA gene for the three gyrodactylid species are presented in this study.
Parasites commonly manipulate host behaviour to increase transmission success between hosts. While most behavioural changes comprise slight alterations to host activity patterns and habitat use, some represent impressive alterations to routine behaviour which, while having direct positive effects on parasite transmission, compromise host survival. Here, we report conspicuous risky behaviour in an African annual killifish, Nothobranchius furzeri, infected by metacercariae of a strigeid trematode, Apatemon sp., residing in their cranial cavity. We demonstrate a striking contrast in the spatial and temporal behavioural responses of fish from populations naturally infected with Apatemon sp. and fish from two control populations with either a similar baseline parasite fauna but lacking Apatemon, or an overall low-level of infection. During routine activity, fish from Apatemon-infected populations positioned themselves just below the water surface, while other fish spent most of their time near the bottom. During a simulated avian attack, killifish from Apatemon-infected populations jumped above the water surface, moved in an uncoordinated manner, and rotated in the upper water layer, while fish from the control populations rapidly escaped into deeper water and ceased moving. The same self-exposing behaviour (jumping out of the water and lying on floating lily pads for extended periods) was also observed under natural conditions. Such behaviour greatly facilitates location of Apatemon-infected host fish by avian definitive hosts, especially in turbid pools. Moreover, the nothobranchiid killifish host's own life history, i.e. an extremely short lifespan limited to several months, may represent an important driver in the evolution of behavioural manipulation.
Following their first appearance, the invasive fishes Pseudorasbora parva and Perccottus glenii have been in Lithuania for several decades. However, until recently, information relating to their distribution and secondary spread was limited. For this reason, suitable habitats for these fish species were surveyed for their presence across the entire country. Additionally, all previously reported records on the presence of these species were summarized. Results revealed P. glenii to be widely distributed within the country with abundant populations in habitats suitable for the species. The recent distribution of P. parva is restricted to only a few water bodies. It was shown that both species are associated with human mediated transfer, while no natural dispersal of these invasive species was observed. The results of this study suggest that the invasion of Lithuanian inland waters by P. parva and P. glenii is still ongoing, and their occurrence in numerous water bodies, which are still devoid of these species, now seems probable. Demonstrated vectors of P. parva and P. glenii introductions in Lithuania highlight the importance of controlling and screening human activities related to aquaculture, recreational angling and the ornamental fish trade in order to restrict further P. glenii and P. parva expansion in this region.
If any issue attracts the attention of the legal public in the area of judicial review of decisions of health insurance companies, it is primarily an inconsistent attitude of administrative courts to decisions on reimbursement of otherwise non-reimbursed health services pursuant to Sec. 16 of Act No. 48/1997 Coll. on Public Health Insurance. On the basis of suggestions arising primarily from the decisions of the Municipal Court in Prague and the Supreme Administrative Court, or possibly the Constitutional Court, this paper notes three areas of problems, namely the term decision of the administrative authority pursuant to Sec. 65 of the Code of Administrative Justice, participation in the proceedings for an action against a decision of an administrative authority, and finally a procedural succession. The purpose is not to give a definitive solution to these problems, but to contribute to the discussion with further arguments, and also to place the problem in the wider context of legislation and case law. and Poutá-li nějaká otázka pozornost právnické veřejnosti v oblasti soudního přezkumu rozhodnutí zdravotních pojišťoven, jde především o nejednotný postoj soudů ve správním soudnictví k rozhodnutím o úhradě jinak nehrazené zdravotní služby podle § 16 zákona č. 48/1997 Sb., o veřejném zdravotním pojištění. Tento příspěvek si na základě podnětů plynoucích především z rozhodnutí Městského soudu v Praze a Nejvyššího správního soudu, popřípadě též soudu Ústavního, všímá tří okruhů problémů, a sice pojmu rozhodnutí správního orgánu ve smyslu § 65 odst. 1 s. ř. s., účastenství v řízení o žalobě proti rozhodnutí správního orgánu, a konečně procesního nástupnictví. Účelem není podat definitivní řešení těchto problémů, ale přispět do diskuse dalšími argumenty, a také zasadit problém do širšího kontextu právní úpravy a rozhodovací praxe.
Specimens of Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) poonchensis sp. n. are described from Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray) in the Poonch River, Jammu and Kashmir. Specimens are thick-walled with dissimilar dorsal and ventral para-receptacle structures, anteriorly manubriated hooks, two giant nuclei in each lemniscus and many subcutaneousy. The lemnisci barely overlap the larger anterior testis, the cement gland has eight giant nuclei, and the seminal vesicle is large with thin walls. The vagina is unremarkable but the long uterus is made up of four specialised regions. Neoechinorhynchus rigidus (Van Cleave, 1928), resembles N. poonchensis sp. n. It is distinguished from N. poonchensis sp. n. by having smaller trunk, proboscis, and male reproductive structures, equal testes, unequal lemnisci with three giant nuclei each, and much larger anterior proboscis hook (130 μm in males) than that originally described by Van Cleave (1928) (70 μm in a female). Anterior hook length alone is sufficient to conclude that the N. rigidus of Datta (1937) is not the same species as the N. rigidus of Van Cleave (1928). Van Cleave's (1928) species remains valid and that of Datta (1937) is considered a different species named Neoechinorhynchus pseudorigidus sp. n., herein. Micropores of N. poonchensis sp. n. have variable distribution in different trunk regions and the Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis demonstrated higher levels of sulfur and lower levels of calcium and phosphorus. Sequences of the 18S rDNA gene from nuclear DNA, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) from mitochondrial DNA of N. poonchensis sp. n. were amplified and aligned with other sequences available on GenBank. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses inferred for 18S rDNA and cox1 showed that N. poonchensis sp. n. was nested in a separate clade.
Two hypogean species of genus Triplophysa are herein described from two subterranean tributaries of the River Yangtze drainage in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China. Triplophysa wudangensis, new species, can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: eye reduced, with diameter 5.1-6.5% HL; interorbital width 33.1-35.8% HL; body scaleless; lateral line complete; posterior chamber of air bladder degenerated; anterior nostril with elongated barbel-like tip; distal margin of dorsal fin truncate; dorsal fin with 7, anal fin with 5, and caudal fin with 14 branched fin rays; vertebrae 4 + 34. Triplophysa qingzhenensis, new species, can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: eye reduced, with diameter 2.1-4.4% HL; interorbital width 25.1-30.4% HL; body scaleless; lateral line complete; posterior chamber of air bladder degenerated; anterior nostril with elongated barbel-like tip; distal margin of dorsal fin truncate; dorsal fin with 7-8, anal fin with 5, and caudal fin with 14 branched fin rays; vertebrae 4 + 36. Molecular phylogenetic analysis supported the validity of these two new species and indicated their close relationship with Triplophysa rosa.