Parasitological examination of freshwater fishes of the Phongolo River in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa resulted in the discovery and morphological and molecular characterisation of a new species of Wenyonia Woodland, 1923 (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea). The new species from the plain squeaker, Synodontis zambezensis Peters (Siluriformes: Mochokidae), is morphologically most similar to Wenyonia acuminata Woodland, 1923, a species reported from three species of Synodontis in north-eastern, western and central Africa (Sudan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo). Both these species are markedly different from congeners by having a nematoform body and a digitiform scolex. Wenyonia gracilis sp. n. differs from W. acuminata in its general body size, length and width of main body regions (testicular and uterine regions), a posterior extension of the testes into the uterine region, numerous postovarian vitelline follicles filling the entire medulla, eggs c. 1/3 larger in size, and a scolex with an apical introvert but devoid of longitudinal furrows and a well-defined base. Wenyonia gracilis is the seventh species in the genus and the first autochthonous caryophyllidean ever reported and described from southern Africa (south of the Zambezi River)., Bjoern C. Schaeffner, Divan van Rooyen, Ruan Gerber, Tomáš Scholz, Nico J. Smit., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Starling’s original definition of a hormone from 1905 was “a hormone is a substance produced by glands with internal secretion, which serve to carry signals through the blood to target organs”. Today, this definition is understood to be lacking, but newer definitions also do not encompass the entire meaning of hormones as specific carriers of information. One main problem is that there is no delineation between hormones and other signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth factors or autacoid compounds. It seems that a precise definition is not even possible, since some cytokines and growth factors, such as the cytokines erythropoietin, lipocalin-2 and asprosin or fibroblast growth factor 23, act as hormones under certain conditions., Luboslav Stárka, Michaela Dušková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Optical mapping is a fluorescence-based physiological method to image spreading of action potential in excitable tissues, such as the heart and central nervous system. Because of the requirements for high speed imaging in low light conditions, highly sensitive high-speed cameras together with an optical system with maximum photon efficiency are required. While the optimization of these two components is relatively straightforward, the choice of the perfect light source is less simple; depending on the other (usually fixed) components, various parameters may acquire different weight in decisionmaking process. Here we describe the rationale for building an optical mapping setup and consider the relative advantages and disadvantages of three different commonly available light sources: mercury vapor lamp (HBO), xenon lamp (XBO), and light emitting diode (LED). Using the same optical system (fluorescence macroscope) and high-speed camera (Ultima L), we have tested each of the sources for its ability to provide bright and even illumination of the field of view and measured its temporal fluctuations in intensity. Then we used each in the actual optical mapping experiment using isolated, perfused adult mouse heart or chick embryonic heart to determine the actual signal to noise ratio at various acquisition rates. While the LED sources have undergone significant improvements in the recent past, the other alternatives may still surpass them in some parameters, so LEDs may not be the automatic number one choice for every application., Veronika Olejnickova, David Sedmera., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Large veteran trees are key structures sustaining biodiversity in wooded landscapes. Many organisms associated with
such trees are, however, also able to inhabit suitable trees with smaller diameters or other surrogate habitats. Understanding the
mechanisms behind the importance of veteran trees and the conditions enabling veteran tree specialists to exploit smaller trees
might help conservation efforts targeted at the diverse and highly endangered biota associated with veteran trees. To investigate
this, we studied local patterns in the exploitation of trees by a veteran tree specialist, the great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo),
at three sites with different soil characteristics, namely fl oodplain, dry-sandy and dry-rocky sites, where this beetle exploits oaks
of large (~1.5 m), medium (~0.75 m) and small (~0.25 m) diameters, respectively. We recorded the presence and number of exit
holes made by C. cerdo on each tree and related these to the characteristics of the trees: their diameters, openness of the canopy
around them and their state of health. The probability of occurrence and the number of exit holes increased with tree diameter,
canopy openness, and decreasing tree health, but these relationships differed considerably among the study sites. In dry conditions, trees of small diameters were more likely to be exploited by the beetle than in the fl oodplain. The number of exit holes, on
the other hand, was a function of tree diameter, with large trees sustaining more beetles and thus acting as larger habitat patches.
The species of oak affected the probability of exit hole presence as the sessile oak (Quercus petraea) and pedunculate oak (Q.
robur) were preferred over Turkey oak (Q. cerris). The slope orientation also affected the presence of exit holes as trees on slopes
with either an eastern or northern orientation were not exploited by the beetle. This study revealed a high level of between-site
variability in the tree characteristics relevant to predicting the occurrence of C. cerdo, mainly with respect to diameter. Therefore,
while the general patterns of habitat use and the fundamental niche of this beetle are well known, survival and protection of local
populations is dependent on site-specifi c characteristics. The realized niche of this beetle must therefore be carefully considered
when planning conservation management for a particular site. The results also signify that at some sites, small trees can, at least
temporarily, substitute for scarce large trees if the state of their health is managed using proper conservation measures.
In Thailand, Anopheles (Cellia) epiroticus Linton et Harbach (Diptera: Culicidae) is the secondary vector of human malaria along coastal regions. While there are some studies of phenotypic variability and population structure of A. epiroticus, more information on morphological variation would enhance epidemiological understanding of medically important mosquito vectors. This research examined morphological variation at three different distances from coastlines of Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand, using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. Wing shape of A. epiroticus was significantly different in the area 0.2 km away from the sea compared to areas 2 and 4 km away from the sea (p < 0.05). Phenotypic variability in wing shape is associated with distance from the sea. Morphological variations in the area closest to the sea were most pronounced, showing a relationship between A. epiroticus and the ecosystem that affects wing geometry. These results provide important information to understand morphological variation of A. epiroticus in coastal areas., Tanawat Chaiphongpachara and Sedthapong Laojun., and Obsahuje bibliografii
A detection dog and handler team were used to recover scats in areas newly colonized by wolves outside the Alpine mountains of France between October 2018 and May 2019. Survey areas were classified as occupied by a resident wolf pack (WP) or dispersers (no-WP). The efficiency of monitoring by a targeted dog-handler team was compared to opportunistic monitoring by trained observers. Use of the detection dog allowed up to 99.6% time savings relative to monitoring by trained observers. Wolf scats found by the dog represented 82.1% of genetically confirmed samples in the 12 sample units (each being 10 × 10 km) monitored by both trained observers and the dog-handler team. Occupancy modelling was used to estimate wolf detection probabilities. Ten kilometres of survey with the dog were required to reach a 98% detection probability in WP territories and 20 km to reach 96% in no-WP areas. By contrast, two years of opportunistic monitoring by trained observers were required to obtain a 90% and 76% probability of detecting wolves in WP and no-WP areas, respectively. The use of the detection dog via dog-team surveys greatly increased the collection of viable samples for genetic analysis and individual genotype identification. Our study offers further confirmation that dog-handler teams can be very effective at locating scats from target carnivores, to supplement or complement human search efforts.
Social wasps are often considered as nuisance pests in urban environments and are often controlled by using traps. The majority of commercially produced traps for catching wasps have yellow as the dominant colour around the trap entrance. However, the observations on the function of yellow as an attractant for wasps are controversial. The efficiency of yellow, compared with green striped (N = 15) and yellow and green striped beer traps (N = 15) was evaluated. According to the results, yellow does not have a specific role as an attractant for wasps of the genera Vespula Linnaeus and Dolichovespula (Rohwer). For wasps, it may be the bait that is the major lure and it might be sufficient on its own for both control and monitoring purposes.
Výzkum se zabývá obsahem strachů u dětí v období mezi předškolním a středním školním věkem. V rámci longitudinální studie zjišťuje intenzitu strachů z předem určených objektů, jejich proměnu v čase a rozdíly v závislosti na pohlaví. Výzkum je rozdělen na dvě fáze. V první fázi byly zjišťovány intenzity strachů u 40 dětí z mateřských škol a 39 dětí z druhých tříd základní školy. V druhé fázi bylo šetření replikováno u stejných skupin po dvouletém odstupu. Studie prezentuje základní informace o podobách strachu ve výše uvedeném období, předkládá data o proměnách reprezentací strachů v dětských představách, uvádí přímé intenzity strachů z jednotlivých objektů a zasazuje je do vztahů se současnou tuzemskou i zahraniční literaturou., The research is dealing with content of children‘s fear in the period between pre-school and middle school age. In the scope of a longitudinal study it focuses on the intensity of fears from predetermined objects, their change in time and differences according to the gender. The research is divided in two phases. In the first phase, the intensity of fears was investigated within 40 children from nursery schools and 39 children from second classes of primary school. In the second phase, the investigation was replicated in the same groups after two years. The study presents basic information about the forms of fear in the above-mentioned period, presents data about changes in the representation of fears in the child's mind, mentions direct intensities of fears from the individual objects and sets them into relations between current domestic and foreign literature., Martin Brummer, Hana Valentová., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Contamination of Enterocytozoon bieneusi Desportes, Charpentier, Galian, Bernard, Cochand-Priollet, Laverne, Ravisse, et Modigliani, 1985 in water sources may cause outbreaks of microsporidiosis. To examine the occurrence of E. bieneusi, 108 raw wastewater samples were collected from three wastewater treated plants in Zhengzhou, China. In total, 46 samples were PCR positive for E. bieneusi. A total of 15 ITS genotypes was identified, including ten known genotypes (D, BEB6, I, J, PigEbIX, PigEBITS5, EbpA, Peru6, Peru8, Type IV) and five novel genotypes (HNWW1, HNWW2, HNWW3, HNWW4, HNWW5). Nine genotypes belonged to a known zoonotic group (group 1) and the other genotypes belonged to potential zoonotic group (group 2). Most of the genotypes had been identified in wildlife or domestic animals in former reports in Zhengzhou. The occurrence of E. bieneusi in wastewater was probably related to the rainfall day before sampling. Of 36 sampling days, 20 days had rainfall on the previous day and 16 days had none. As many as 43 of 60 samples were found to be E. bieneusi-positive in the 20 days which had rainfall on the previous day. Only three of 48 samples were found to be E. bieneusi-positive in the 16 days without rainfall the day before. The significant difference of the occurrence of E. bieneusi was observed between wet days and dry days by t-test (43/60 vs 3/48, p < 0.01). This indicates that the occurrence of E. bieneusi in wastewater in Zhengzhou mainly originated from animals and was probably related to rainfall the day before sample collection. Given the zoonotic genotypes detected in wastewater, animal faeces should be treated appropriately before being drained into the water source., Jianbin Ye, Ji Yan, Jia Xu, Ke Ma, Xuepeng Yang., and Obsahuje bibliografii