Hasil untuk "Zoology"

Bartosz Orzechowski, Jan Miciński, Katarzyna Ząbek et al.

With the aim to investigate the immunomodulatory potential of selenitetriglycerides (SeTG), a new lipophilic Se (IV) compound, 30 sheep (15 sheep/treatment) were used in a completely random design to receive the SeGT supplement as follows: (1) no SeGT supplement (Control) and (2) daily dosage of 2 mL of SeGT (equivalent to 1 mg Se/kg BW) during the first 7 days of the evaluation, which lasted 28 d. Individually, blood samples were collected on days 0, 14, and 28 to measure and assess parameters of innate cellular and humoral immunity, including respiratory burst activity (RBA) and potential killing activity (PKA) of monocytes and granulocytes, proliferative response of lymphocytes stimulated with ConA (Concovalin A) and LPS (lipopolisaccharidde), lysozyme activity, ceruloplasmin activity, and gamma globulin levels. From the 14th day, supplemental SeTG saw significant increases (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.001) in RBA and PKA parameters, as well as enhanced proliferative responses of lymphocytes compared with controls. Both innate humoral immunity (elevated lysozyme activity) and adaptive humoral immunity (increased gamma globulin levels) were positively influenced (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01), whereas ceruloplasmin activity remained unchanged. Under the conditions in which the current experiment was carried out, SeGT showed good promise to modulate immunity in a short period (28 d). Further research should explore experiments with a greater number of animals over long-term periods of evaluation under production system conditions.

Sook-Jin Lee, An-Na Lee, Eun-Bin Shin et al.

Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious and often lethal parasitic skin disease caused by the mite <i>Sarcoptes scabiei</i>, which is frequently reported in red foxes (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>). However, there is a lack of documented cases and treatment strategies for sarcoptic mange in reintroduced red fox populations, particularly in South Korea. This study describes 27 cases of sarcoptic mange outbreaks in 26 red foxes reintroduced into South Korea between 2019 and 2024. Of these, 15 foxes were rescued alive, while 12 were found dead. Blood tests of the surviving animals (<i>n</i> = 15) showed significant leukocytosis, anemia, decreased albumin levels, increased globulin levels, elevated blood urea nitrogen levels, and decreased creatinine levels, indicative of a chronic wasting infection. Treatment with ivermectin or fluralaner resulted in complete recovery in 12 of 15 animals, while three animals died during treatment. Necropsy of the deceased animals (<i>n</i> = 12) revealed characteristic skin lesions, such as alopecia, hyperkeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia, and dermatitis. The study findings highlight the importance of long-term monitoring and active, continuous treatment of sarcoptic mange, a major threat, for the stable re-establishment of reintroduced foxes in South Korea.

J. Jugovic, E. Praprotnik, E. V. Buzan et al.

Estimación del tamaño de la población del camarón cavernícola Troglocaris anophthalmus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Caridea) mediante la utilización de datos de marcaje, liberación y recaptura Se desconoce el tamaño de la población de numerosos invertebrados acuáticos cavernícolas que son vulnerables a la contaminación de las aguas subterráneas provocada por las actividades antropogénicas. En este estudio estimamos el tamaño de la población del camarón de agua dulce Troglocaris anophthalmus sontica (Crustacea, Decapoda, Caridea) mediante las técnicas de marcaje, liberación y recaptura. La subespecie se estudió en la Vipavaska jama (cueva de Vipava), en Eslovenia, y se calcularon la proporción de sexos y la distribución por edad. Incluso tras considerar el límite inferior de los intervalos de confianza, se halló un gran abundancia de camarones. No obstante, no se encontraron indicios de que haya diferencias en cuanto a la abundancia de camarón entre verano e invierno. La población estaba formada predominantemente por hembras. La facilidad de la captura y las elevadas cifras de población indican que estos camarones podrían utilizarse como bioindicadores en los ecosistemas cavernícolas.

S. Yüksel, A. Karaçuhalilar, B. Balta et al.

<p>This study was fictionalized as a prototype for other studies. The effects of breed and sex on the slaughter characteristics, carcass traits, meat quality and fatty acid composition of young animals, which were formed based on the enteric emission (<span class="inline-formula">CH₄</span>) level and animal protein production potential of different geographical regions were investigated. The region where the study was conducted consists of plateaus, and 13.7 % of the population lives in this area. A total of 36 animals, consisting of six males and six females from each of the Brown Swiss <span class="inline-formula">×</span> Eastern Anatolian Red (BSEAR), Holstein Friesian <span class="inline-formula">×</span> Eastern Anatolian Red (HFEAR) and Brown Swiss <span class="inline-formula">×</span> Holstein Friesian (BSHF) genotypes, were used to investigate animal protein production in this study. They were dispatched to be slaughtered at the age of 20 months. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and differences between groups were compared with the Duncan test. Enteric <span class="inline-formula">CH₄</span> estimated among regions varied from 30.34 to 36.50 kg head<span class="inline-formula">⁻¹</span> yr<span class="inline-formula">⁻¹</span>. It was 0.215, 0.194, 0.183, 0.195 and 0.198 kg, respectively, per kilogram of edible meat of BSEAR, HFEAR, BSHF, male cattle and female cattle. The results indicated that slaughter traits, carcass characteristics and carcass measurements (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.05</span> to <span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.01</span>) were associated with breed. Slaughter traits, carcass characteristics and carcass measurements were affected by sex (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.05</span> to <span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.01</span>). Breed and sex interaction had no effect on carcass characteristics in subgroups (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.05</span>). DM, CP and ash were significantly affected by breed (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.05</span>). pH and <span class="inline-formula"><i>a</i>^∗</span> were also significantly affected by breed (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.05</span>). Sex influenced pH (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.05</span>), <span class="inline-formula"><i>L</i>^∗</span> (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.001</span>), <span class="inline-formula"><i>a</i>^∗</span> (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.01</span>) and <span class="inline-formula"><i>b</i>^∗</span> (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.001</span>). Monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels were found to be significant in different breeds (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.01</span>), and PUFA levels were significant in different sexes (<span class="inline-formula"><i>P</i>&lt;0.05</span>).</p>

Ruliaty Lisa, Amalia Indrian Rizka, Nur Abidin et al.

This study was aimed to know the effect of hatching and survival rate of milkfish larvae (Chanos chanos) treated with nanosilver. Three concentrations of nanosilver such as 0.25 ppm, 0.5 ppm and 0.75 ppm were applied to culture media at least an hour before stocking. Newly hatched larvae were stocked at the density of 50 pcs l-1, and it was reared for 25 days in 5 m3 of concrete tank. Result of the study found that no significant effect (p>0.05) of the treatments given on hatching rate and survival of milkfish larvae. However, larvae treated with nanosilver tend to gain higher hatching rate (65.5±4.1 86.6±19.0%) compared to control one (65.3±7.2%). Further, larvae survival it was ranged of 24.2±0.9-26.3±0.1% by the end of the trial. Nanosilver treatments has potential to reduce the total bacteria and Vibrio concentration into the media and need further study primarily on dosage and frequency used.

José Felipe Warmling Sprícigo, Ana Luiza Silva Guimarães, Andrielle Thainar Mendes Cunha et al.

The present study aimed to determine whether cumulus cells (CC) biopsy, acquired before or after in vitro maturation (IVM), presents similar gene expression pattern and if would compromises oocyte quality. First, immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were distributed: (1) maturated in groups (control); (2) individually maturated, but not biopsied; (3) subjected to CC biopsy before maturation and individually matured; (4) individually matured and submitted to CC biopsy after maturation; (5) individually matured and CC biopsied before and after maturation. Secondly, candidate genes, described as potential markers of COCs quality, were quantified by RT-qPCR in CCs before and after IVM. After in vitro fertilization (IVF), zygotes were tracked and sorted regarding their developmental potential: fully developed to embryo, cleaved and arrested, and not-cleaved. The COC’s biopsy negatively affects embryo development (<i>p</i> < 0.05), blastocyst cell number (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and apoptotic cell ratio (<i>p</i> < 0.05), both before and after IVM. The PTGS2, LUM, ALCAM, FSHR, PGR, SERPINE2, HAS2, and PDRX3 genes were differentially expressed (<i>p</i> < 0.05) on matured CCs. Only PGR gene (<i>p</i> = 0.04) was under-expressed on matured CCs on Not-Cleaved group. The SERPINE2 gene was overexpressed (<i>p</i> = 0.01) in the Cleaved group on immature CCs. In summary, none of the selected gene studies can accurately predict COC’s fate after fertilization.

M Franquesa-Soler, JF Aristizabal, E Andresen et al.

Translocation is increasingly being used as a conservation tool in wildlife management, but long-term assessments of the animals’ establishment in the new habitat are rarely done. In addition, finding protected areas for translocations can often be a limitation, but habitat patches managed for productive purposes could potentially be used for translocations. Here, we present a translocation case study of the Endangered Mexican howler monkey Alouatta palliata mexicana into a forest fragment managed as an agroforest in the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve (Mexico). We compared the behavior of the translocated focal group 6 yr after translocation with that observed 1 yr after translocation (Year 1 vs. Year 6), and with reference parameters for conserved forest. We also examined the 14 yr trajectory of the translocated population through published data. We found that in Year 6, monkeys spent less time on locomotion and more time consuming fruit than in Year 1. The focal group in Year 6 had doubled its activity area compared to Year 1. All behavioral parameters during Year 6 were similar to those reported for the species in conserved forest. During the first 14 yr, the translocated population increased at a rate of 1.29 ind. yr-1. We conclude that this translocation succeeded in establishing a thriving population and that certain agroforestry systems may be adequate habitat for primate translocations. We also discuss how the translocation of howler monkeys into defaunated habitats might help restore ecological functions associated with these primates, such as the dispersal of large-seeded plants. Long-term information on successful primate translocations has high practical value for designing adequate conservation strategies in anthropogenic landscapes.

Keren E. Dittmer, Anastasia Chernyavtseva, Jonathan C. Marshall et al.

Osteoporosis is a significant public health issue around the world, with post-menopausal osteoporosis due to estrogen deficiency resulting in approximately ¾ of cases. In this study, 18 aged Merino ewes were ovariectomized, and 10 were controls. Three of the ovariectomized ewes were treated weekly with 400 mg of methylprednisolone for 5 months and three were treated weekly for 2 months, followed by a 3-month recovery period. At 2 months, five control animals and six ovariectomized animals were euthanized. At 5 months, all the remaining ewes were euthanized. Kidney samples were collected postmortem for qPCR analysis of <i>NPT1</i>, <i>PTH1R</i>, <i>NPT2a</i>, <i>NPT2c</i>, <i>Klotho</i>, <i>FGFR1IIIc</i>, <i>VDR</i>, <i>CYP24A1</i>, <i>CYP27B1</i>, <i>TRPV5</i>, <i>TRPV6</i>, <i>CalD9k</i>, <i>CalD28k</i>, <i>PMCA</i> and <i>NCX1.</i> Ovariectomized sheep had significantly greater <i>VDR</i> expression compared with other groups. Ovariectomized sheep treated with glucocorticoids for 2 months followed by euthanasia at 5 months showed significant differences in <i>TRPV5</i>, <i>CYP24A1</i> and <i>klotho</i> gene expression compared to other groups. Differences in <i>klotho</i> expression were most marked after adjustment for repeated measures (<i>p</i> = 0.1). <i>Klotho</i> is known as the “anti-aging” hormone and is involved in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. <i>Klotho</i> may be involved in the recovery of bone mineral density in ovariectomized sheep treated with glucocorticoids for 2 months followed by euthanasia at 5 months. Further research on the role of <i>klotho</i> is recommended.

Denis V. Tumanov

A new species of the genus Mesobiotus is described from the Republic of South Africa using a traditional morphological approach (light and scanning electron microscopy) combined with molecular analysis (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2 and COI markers). Mesobiotus anastasiae sp. nov. differs from all known Mesobiotus species by having a unique combination of characters of the adult animals and the eggs. Adults of the new species have an oral cavity armature without elongate teeth in the second band, while the processes of the egg chorion have a basal collar and distinct rows of large pores. An updated key to the species of the genus Mesobiotus, including 66 of 70 currently described species, is given. An aquatic mite species from the Lobohalacarus weberi complex (freshwater Halacaridae) co-occurs with M. anastasiae sp. nov., suggesting that the newly described tardigrade inhabits constantly wet moss cushion habitats.

Juliana H.S. Barros, Luciana Lima, Armando O. Schubach et al.

Molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed the growing diversity of bat trypanosomes. Here, 14 isolates from blood samples of the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus (Phyllostomidae) from Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil, were cultivated, and morphologically and molecularly characterized. All isolates represent a novel species named Trypanosoma madeirae n. sp. positioned in the Neobat lineage of the clade T. cruzi. The Neobat lineage also comprises closely related trypanosomes of clades Neotropic 1, 2 and 3 from diverse phyllostomid species. Trypanosomes of Neotropic 1, found in Trachops cirrhosus and Artibeus jamaicensis (phyllostomids), likely represent a different species or genotype closely related to T. madeirae. Consistent with its phylogenetic positioning, T. madeirae differs from Trypanosoma cruzi in morphology of both epimastigote and trypomastigote culture forms and does not infect Triatoma infestans. Similar to its closest relatives of Neobat lineage, T. madeirae was unable to develop within mammalian cells. To date, PCR-surveys on archived blood/liver samples unveiled T. madeirae exclusively in D. rotundus from Southern to Northern Brazil. The description of a new species of bat trypanosome associated with vampire bats increases the repertoire of trypanosomes infecting D. rotundus, currently comprised of Trypanosoma cruzi, T. cruzi marinkellei, Trypanosoma dionisii, Trypanosoma rangeli, Trypanosoma pessoai, and Trypanosoma madeirae. Keywords: Chiroptera, Vampire bats, Bat trypanosomes, Phylogeny, Taxonomy, T. cruzi clade

A.V. Vertyankin

Для острова Сахалин впервые приводится 18 видов чешуекрылых: Pyrausta porphyralis, Pygospila tyres, Haritalodes basipunctalis, Inurois asahinai (новый вид для фауны России), Cleora insolita, Hypomecis roboraria, Lassaba nikkonis (новый вид для фауны России), Xerodes rufescentaria, Lampropteryx jameza, Trichopteryx ustata, Artaxa subflava, Lymantria mathura, Epodonta lineata, Peridea lativitta, Hagapteryx admirabilis, Sphragifera sigillata, Cucullia elongata, Setina roscida. Подтверждено обитание на Сахалине Alcis pryeraria.

Marcela Pimid, Abu Hassan, Nurita Abu Tahir et al.

The colony structure of Oecophylla smaragdina within the compound of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang Island, Malaysia was determined. The current study involved a total of twelve nests which were taken from two different locations. Each nest was dissected and the specimens were separated according to their caste. Results show that the colony structure of O. smaragdina consisted of a dealate queen, eggs, larvae of female alates, pupae of major and minor workers, pupae of female alates, major workers, minor workers, female alates and male alates. Our present study shows that O. smaragdina had a distinct caste system and the numbers of individuals in each caste reflect their respective functions which contributed to the success of their colony.

Beatríz Lauranzón-Meléndez, David Maceira-Filgueira, Margarita Moran-Zambrano

Fueron revisadas las colecciones malacológicas históricas “Cleto Sánchez Falcón” y “M. L. Jaume”, depositadas en el Museo de Historia Natural “Tomás Romay” y el Museo “Jorge Ramón Cuevas”. De ambas colecciones se copiaron los datos de etiqueta del material tipo. La validez de la información de etiqueta para cada lote fue revisada con las descripciones originales correspondientes a cada especie, revisiones taxonómicas de familias y catálogos actualizados. Se registraron 434 ejemplares, incluidos en 56 subespecies, 34 especies y seis (6) familias; estos se corresponden con 85 localidades y 16 colectores. La colección “Cleto Sánchez Falcón” posee 368 ejemplares de las familias Annulariidae, Cerionidae, Megalomastomidae, Helicinidae, Orthalicidae y Urocoptidae, siendo esta última la más representada. La colección “M. L. Jaume” tiene 66 ejemplares de 36 subespecies de Liguus fasciatus (Müller), Orthalicidae.

Margaret J. Couvillon, Ginny Fitzpatrick, Anna Dornhaus

Bumble bees are important pollinators of crops and other plants. However, many aspects of their basic biology remain relatively unexplored. For example, one important and unusual natural history feature in bumble bees is the massive size variation seen between workers of the same nest. This size polymorphism may be an adaptation for division of labor, colony economics, or be nonadaptive. It was also suggested that perhaps this variation allows for niche specialization in workers foraging at different temperatures: larger bees might be better suited to forage at cooler temperatures and smaller bees might be better suited to forage at warmer temperatures. This we tested here using a large, enclosed growth chamber, where we were able to regulate the ambient temperature. We found no significant effect of ambient or nest temperature on the average size of bees flying to and foraging from a suspended feeder. Instead, bees of all sizes successfully flew and foraged between 16∘C and 36∘C. Thus, large bees foraged even at very hot temperatures, which we thought might cause overheating. Size variation therefore could not be explained in terms of niche specialization for foragers at different temperatures.

George Dimmock

KP Cavalcante, PI Tremarin, TAV Ludwig

Amphoroid taxa have been revised in recent decades. Many species formerly assigned to Amphora have been transferred to other recently proposed genera, as Seminavis (Naviculaceae) and Halamphora (Catenulaceae). In Brazil, there are few studies focused on amphoroid taxonomy. This study presents a taxonomic investigation of five uncommon amphoroid taxa from Brazilian diatom flora: Seminavis pusilla, S. strigosa, Amphora ectorii, Halamphora ghanensis and Halamphora sp. Seminavis strigosa is identical in valve morphology and morphometrical data to Amphora twenteana, and its synonymy is proposed. Seminavis pusilla, poorly found in Brazilian waters, has expanded its distribution. Halamphora ghanensis is a new record to American continent while Amphora ectorii are new to Brazilian aquatic systems. Halamphora sp. has distinct ultrastructural features in relation to similar species and is probably new for science.

F. N. Mendes, R. M. Valente, M. M. C. Rêgo et al.

Abstract The buriti, Mauritia flexuosa, is the most common palm in Brazil, where it has considerable ecological and economic importance. However, few data are available on the phenology of the species, mainly in coastal restinga ecosystems. The present study monitored the reproductive phenology of M. flexuosa in the restinga of Barreirinhas, in the Brazilian Northeast, and investigated the relationship between phenophases and climatic variables. The presence/absence of flowers and fruits was recorded monthly in 25 individuals of each sex between August, 2009, and October, 2012. There was no difference in the phenology of male and female specimens, with flowering and fruiting occurring exclusively in the dry season. We believe that the specific abiotic characteristics of the study environment, such as the intense sunlight and availability of water in the soil, contribute to the reproductive success of M. flexuosa in the dry season, with consequent germination and establishment of seedlings occurring during the subsequent rainy season.

Tania S. Olivares, Andrés O. Angulo

Se describe la ultraestructura de los huevos de las especies gemelas de importancia económica de Copitarsia turbata (Herrich-Schaeffer) y Copitarsia incommoda Walker. Los huevos de dichas especies se distinguen por la forma, disposición y número de costas transversales, celdas primarias, celdas secundarias, micropilas y aeropilas. Se entregan las fotografías al microscopio electrónico de barrido de las diferentes estructuras<br>The ultraestructure of the sibling species of crop importance Copitarsia turbata and Copitarsia incommoda is described. The eggs of those species are characterizing by: transversal ridge, primary cells, secundary cells, micropiles and aeropiles. The pictures of structure at Scanning Electronic Microscopic are given

R. S. Kearns, R. T. Yamamoto