Chicken turtles, Deirochelys reticularia (Latreille in Sonnini et Latreille) (Testudines: Emydidae) from Alabama, USA were infected by Spirorchis collinsi Roberts et Bullard sp. n. and Spirorchis cf. scripta. The new species is most easily differentiated from its congeners by the combination of having caeca that extend far beyond the genitalia, intercaecal genitalia positioned in the middle portion of the body, a testicular column that nearly abuts the caecal bifurcation, a cirrus sac positioned between the testes and ovary, a massive Mehlis' gland, an elongate, longitudinal metraterm that extends anteriad beyond the level of the ovary, a pre-ovarian genital pore, and a prominent, intercaecal Manter's organ. The specimens of S. cf. scripta differed from the holotype and published descriptions of Spirorchis scripta Stunkard, 1923 by several subtle morphological features, perhaps comprising intraspecific variation, but collectively warranted a detailed description herein. Based on examinations of the aforementioned specimens plus the holotype, paratypes and vouchers of morphologically-similar congeners, Spirorchis MacCallum, 1918 is emended to include the presence of oral sucker spines, a pharynx, lateral oesophageal diverticula ('plicate organ') and a median oesophageal diverticulum ('oeseophageal pouch'). Phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear large subunit rDNA (28S) recovered S. collinsi sister to Spirorchis picta Stunkard, 1923, > 99% similarity between S. cf. scripta and S. scripta, and a monophyletic Spirorchis MacCallum, 1918. No blood fluke infection has been reported previously from these drainages, Alabama, or this turtle species. This is the first new species of Spirorchis to be described from North America in 26 years., Jackson R. Roberts, Raphael Orélis-Ribeiro, Kenneth M. Halanych, Cova R. Arias, Stephen A. Bullard., and Obsahuje bibliografii
As apex predators with a regulating effect on interspecific competitors and prey demographics, monitoring of spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) population trends can provide a reliable indicator of ecosystem health. However, the ability of current survey techniques to monitor carnivore densities effectively are increasingly questioned. This has led recent studies to advocate increased application of spatial capture-recapture (SCR) methods to estimate population density for large carnivores. We reviewed the literature regarding methods used to estimate population density for spotted hyaena since 2000. Our review found that SCR methods are underutilised for estimating spotted hyaena density, with only eight published studies (13% of articles assessed) using an SCR approach. Call-in surveys were the most frequently used method, featuring in 47% of studies. However, 63% of studies that used call-in surveys could not estimate a site-specific calibration index. The calibration index estimates the distance and rate at which the focal species responds to audio lures and, as response rates are impacted by site-specific ecological and environmental factors, studies that could not calibrate this index are likely inaccurate. Further application of SCR techniques will allow more robust estimation of spotted hyaena density, reducing uncertainty and potential overestimation that limit inference from existing survey methods.
Hlavným cieľom výskumnej štúdie bolo preskúmanie vzťahov medzi nerozhodnosťou, akademickou prokrastináciou a úzkosťou. Výskumu sa zúčastnilo 296 vysokoškolských študentov (M=21,06; SD=1,52). Údaje boli získané pomocou slovenskej verzie Škály nerozhodnosti, Layovej škály prokrastinácie pre študentov a Beckovho dotazníka úzkosti. Bol potvrdený stredne silný signifikantný vzťah medzi nerozhodnosťou a úzkosťou a silný signifikantný vzťah medzi nerozhodnosťou a akademickou prokrastináciou. Medzi akademickou prokrastináciou a úzkosťou bol zistený signifikantný, ale veľmi slabý vzťah. Na varianciu prokrastinácie pôsobí najmä nerozhodnosť, relatívny vplyv úzkosti je slabší. Nerozhodnosť je predikovaná v porovnateľnej miere prokrastináciou, ako i úzkosťou. Neboli preukázané štatisticky významné rodové rozdiely v miere nerozhodnosti a akademickej prokrastinácie. and The main aim of the research study was to explore the relationships between indecisiveness, academic procrastination and anxiety. The research sample consisted of 296 university students (mean age=21,06; SD=1,52), who completed the Slovak adaptations of the Indecisiveness Scale, the Lay's Procrastination Scale for Students and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. A significant moderate correlation was found between indecisiveness and anxiety, as well as a significant strong correlation between indecisiveness and academic procrastination. A significant but very weak relationship was found between academic procrastination and anxiety. Indecisiveness explained more variance in academic procrastination than anxiety. Indecisiveness was predicted by procrastination and anxiety to a similar degree. No gender differences were detected in the levels of indecisiveness or academic procrastination.
a1_Coeuritrema Mehra, 1933, previously regarded as a junior subjective synonym of Hapalorhynchus Stunkard, 1922, herein is revised to include Coeuritrema lyssimus Mehra, 1933 (type species), Coeuritrema rugatus (Brooks et Sullivan, 1981) comb. n., and Coeuritrema platti Roberts et Bullard sp. n. These genera are morphologically similar by having a ventral sucker, non-fused caeca, two testes, a pre-testicular cirrus sac, an intertesticular ovary, and a common genital pore that opens dorsally and in the sinistral half of the body. Phylogenetic analysis of the D1-D3 domains of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S) suggested that Coeuritrema and Hapalorhynchus share a recent common ancestor. Coeuritrema is morphologically most easily differentiated from Hapalorhynchus by having ventrolateral tegumental papillae and a definitive metraterm that is approximately 3-7× longer than the uterus. Coeuritrema comprises species that reportedly infect Asiatic softshell turtles (Testudines: Trionychidae) only, whereas Hapalorhynchus (as currently defined) comprises blood flukes that reportedly infect those hosts plus North American musk turtles (Sternotherus Bell in Gray) and mud turtles (Kinosternon Spix), both Kinosternidae, North American snapping turtles (Chelydridae), Asiatic hard-shelled turtles (Geoemydidae) and African pleurodirans (Pelomedusidae). Coeuritrema platti sp. n. infects the blood of Chinese softshell turtles, Pelodiscus sinensis (Wiegmann), cultured in the Da Rang River Basin (Phu Yen Province, Vietnam). It differs from C. lyssimus by having a narrow hindbody (< 1.6× forebody width), ventrolateral tegumental papillae restricted to the hindbody, a short cirrus sac (< 10% of corresponding body length), a transverse ovary buttressing the caeca, a short, wholly pre-ovarian metraterm (~ 10% of corresponding body length), and a submarginal genital pore., a2_It differs from C. rugatus by having small ventrolateral tegumental papillae, testes without deep lobes, and a Laurer's canal pore that opens posterior to the vitelline reservoir and dorsal to the oviducal seminal receptacle. The new species is only the second turtle blood fluke reported from Vietnam., Jackson R. Roberts, Raphael Orélis-Ribeiro, Binh T. Dang, Kenneth M. Halanych, Stephen A. Bullard., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Four new species of Acanthobothrium van Beneden, 1850 are described from guitarfish, Rhynchobatus cf. djiddensis (Forsskål), collected from the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. Acanthobothrium janineae sp. n., a category 1 species, differs from all congeners in category 1 by having a long vagina extending into the vas deferens and different, proglottid and testis number except Acanthobothrium hypermekkolpos Fyler et Caira, 2010. Acanthobothrium fylerae sp. n., a category 1 species, can be differentiated by a combination of characters including the total length, proglottid and testis number, cirrus sac shape, and the length of the vagina and ovarian lobes. Both new species are similar to A. hypermekkolpos reported from Rhynchobatus laevis (Bloch et Schneider) from Australia in their scolex proper length, hook size and muscular pad, respectively. Acanthobothrium asrinae sp. n., a category 1 species, differs from other category 1 species by the shape of its hooks and the position of the tubercle at the mid-length of the axial prongs; in this respect it resembles A. bartonae Campbell et Beveridge, 2002 reported from Australia. Acanthobothrium jamesi sp. n. is among six category 1 species with post-ovarian testes. It differs from these species by total length, proglottid and testis number and the extension of the ovarian lobes. Although it is thought that R. djiddensis occurs in the region, the identities of the hosts of the newly described Acanthobothrium species await verification. There are two forms of host in the region and were designated as R. cf. djiddensis 1 and R. cf. djiddensis 2. More taxonomic work and the use of molecular techniques are needed to resolve the true identity of the host species., Loghman Maleki, Masoumeh Malek, Harry W. Palm., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This review updates the information on the actual status and distribution of freshwater gobies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The available literature has been critically reviewed to provide more complete and up-to-date information. Consequently four species are proposed for removal from the national checklist, given the lack of any data to support their presence: Knipowitschia panizzae, Pomatoschistus microps, Proterorhinus marmoratus and Zosterisessor ophiocephalus. Therefore, the freshwater gobiid fauna is confirmed to include seven species from six genera. The Adriatic Sea basin (Neretva River catchment) is inhabited by three endemic species: Knipowitschia radovici, Orsinigobius croaticus and Ninnigobius canestrinii, while the Black Sea basin (Danube River catchment) is inhabited by the invasive species: Babka gymnotrachelus, Neogobius fluviatilis, Neogobius melanostomus and Ponticola kessleri. However, due to the possibility of misidentify the finding of B. gymnotrachelus is questionable and needs confirmation. Distribution of both endemic Knipowitschia and Orsinogobius species is restricted to small areas in the lower Neretva River catchment on both sides of the Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina border. The vulnerability of these species is discussed, and the IUCN conservation and units meriting conservation attention were identified. The invasive character of other species is highlighted. This review indicates that the knowledge on the Bosnia-Herzegovinian freshwater gobiid fauna is still far from complete, hence this up-to-date checklist can serve as a basis for further ecological and zoogeographical studies. For better species inventory, finer scale distribution surveys are needed, followed by detailed morphological, molecular phylogenetic and ecological studies.
Cieľom výskumu bolo popísanie motívov, ktoré adolescentov vedú k, respektíve brzdia v čítaní, ako aj zistenie možných rozdielov v motivácii a preferenciách žánrov z hľadiska veku. Výskumný súbor tvorilo 375 respondentov, z čoho čitateľov bolo 130 (34,66 %). Motivácia k čítaniu bola meraná prostredníctvom dotazníka Motivations for Reading Questionnaire (Wigfield & Guthrie, 1997). Motívy, ktoré vedú respondentov k čítaniu, respektíve ich od čítania odrádzajú, boli zisťované otvorenými otázkami. Výsledky ukázali, že medzi staršími a mladšími adolescentmi sa v rámci motivácie k čítaniu nenachádzajú rozdiely. K najčastejším motívom, ktoré vedú mladších respondentov k čítaniu kníh, patria: získavanie nových informácii z kníh, skutočnosť, že čítanie považujú za zábavnú a zaujímavú aktivitu a súčasne za možnosť na chvíľu uniknúť z reality. U starších dominovalo získavanie nových informácii, možnosť oddychu a únik z reality. V skupine nečítajúcej mládeže mladší respondenti uviedli, že nečítajú hlavne preto, lebo ich táto aktivita nebaví, knihy považujú za nudné a nechce sa im. Starších adolescentov od čítania odrádza presvedčenie, že čítanie je nudná aktivita a ďalším významným dôvodom je nedostatok času. Medzi mladšími čitateľmi sú populárne dobrodružné romány, fantasy a dievčenské romány. U starších čitateľov dominujú žánre podobné, a to žáner dobrodružný, fantasy a detektívny. and The aim of this study was to describe motives that lead adolescents to read, or which make them refuse to read. Furthermore, it aimed to find out potential differences in motivation and reading preferences due to age group. Totally 375 respondents participated in this study from which 130 (34,66%) were readers. Reading motivation was measured by the Motivations for Reading Questionnaire (Wigfield & Guthrie, 1997). Motives that lead adolescents to read or which make them refuse to read were detected with open questions. Results show that there are no differences between younger and older adolescents in reading motivation. The most common reading motives in younger readers were: reaching new information from books, opinion, that reading is a funny and interesting activity and reading represents an opportunity to escape from the reality for a while. In the group of older adolescents were most common motives reaching new information, the way how to relax and escape from the reality. Nonreading younger adolescents refuse to read because they are not interested in reading, they consider the book boring and they do not have the will to read. Older adolescents do not read because they consider reading as a boring activity and they do not have enough time for it. The most popular genres among younger readers are the adventurous genre, fantasy, and novels for girls. Older readers prefer the adventurous genre, fantasy, and detective novels.
The risk screening of non-native species that are likely to be invasive in a defined risk assessment area is crucial for implementing strategies of rapid response and mitigation to protect native biodiversity and socio-economic activities. However, for successful risk-ranking of the screened species, scientifically defensible evidence in support of the screening outcomes must be provided, and computation of a correctly calibrated threshold to distinguish between medium-risk and high-risk species must be achieved. This paper reviews published applications of the “second-generation” Weed Risk Assessment-type decision support tools (i.e. the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit and the Terrestrial Animal Species Invasiveness Screening Kit) and evaluates them in terms of the above two requirements. Several procedural errors were identified that involved: i) lack of provision of the report with details of the species-specific screenings; ii) incomplete justifications for the responses in the toolkit questionnaire; iii) incomplete details of the protocol used for the a priori categorisation of the screened species for threshold computation; iv) unaccepted or non-existent taxonomic names for the screened species (including typographical errors). Guidelines are provided for both assessors and reviewers to ensure that these procedural errors are avoided in future applications of these risk screening toolkits.
A study was conducted in Mabira Central Forest Reserve in Uganda to determine rodent species composition, relative abundance, and habitat association. A total of 1,030 rodents belonging to 14 species were captured on 10,584 trap nights. Rodent species recorded include: Lophuromys stanleyi, Hylomyscus stella, Praomys jacksoni, Mastomys natalensis, Lophuromys ansorgei, Lemniscomys striatus, Aethomys hindei, Mus triton, Mus minutoides, Deomys ferrugineus, Gerbilliscus kempi, Rattus rattus, Grammomys kuru, and Hybomys univittatus. Overall, L. stanleyi (23.7%) was the most dominant species followed by H. stella, P. jacksoni, and M. natalensis. Species richness and evenness was highest in the regenerating forest habitat and least in the intact forest habitat. Rodent abundance was significantly affected by habitat type. The regenerating forest habitat had the highest number of animals, while the lowest numbers were observed in the depleted forest habitat. Species diversity was higher in regenerating forest habitat and lowest in the intact forest. The three habitats appeared distinct in terms of rodent species composition and there was a strong association between the two trapping grids in the same habitat type. All ordination plots showed that different rodent species consistently associated with distinct habitats. Habitat type and seasonal changes influenced rodent composition, relative abundance and habitat association. Composition of rodent community reflected the level of habitat degradation and can be used as a proxy for evaluating the biodiversity of lowland tropical forests.
Předkládaná výzkumná studie se zabývá zmapováním diskurzů o schizofrenii v českém prostředí. V rámci výzkumu byly prováděny polostrukturované rozhovory o schizofrenii s laiky, s lidmi s diagnózou a s odborníky (N = 15). Přepsané rozhovory byly následně analyzovány jedním z přístupů diskurzivní analýzy – kritickou diskurzivní psychologií. Celkem bylo identifikováno 13 odlišných interpretačních repertoárů, které respondenti využívali pro konstruování schizofrenie a člověka s diagnózou. Také byly zmapovány pozice, které tyto repertoáry umožňují zaujmout, důsledky, jaké identifikované repertoáry přináší, a repertoáry byly zasazeny do globálních diskurzů. Respondenti zaujímali větší množství mnohdy protichůdných repertoárů. V diskusi byly následně konfrontovány výsledky s relevantními studiemi. Dále byly popsány limity předkládané studie a návrhy možných navazujících výzkumů a aplikace do praxe. and The presented research study deals with the mapping of discourses on schizophrenia in the Czech environment. The research conducted semi-structured interviews on schizophrenia with lay people, people with diagnosis and experts (N = 15). Those transcribed interviews were subsequently analyzed by one of the discoursive analysis approach – critical discursive psychology. Overall, 13 different interpretative repertoires used by respondents for the construction of schizophrenia and schizophrenic people were identified. Positions that could be hold thanks to these repertoires and consequences of these repertoires were also described. Respondents used a larger number of often conflicting repertoires. Results were confronted with relevant studies in discussion. Further, limits of this study were described as well as suggestions of possible follow-up research and practical application.