The nematode genus Rhabdochona Railliet, 1916 (Rhabdochonidae) comprises numerous species, mostly intestinal parasites of freshwater fishes in all zoogeographical regions. To identify the nematodes of fish from Shapour River and Seyed Hosein Spring (Fars Province, Iran), 38 fish individuals of four species (Alburnus mossulensis, Cyprinion macrostomum, Paracapoeta trutta and Garra rufa) were examined for the presence of nematode parasites in the digestive tract. The results showed the presence of one nematode species of the genus Rhabdochona from the intestine of the examined fish, with prevalence of 11.11% in C. macrostomum, 80.0% in A. mossulensis and 40.0% for G. rufa. In P. trutta, no nematode infection was found. The samples of Rhabdochona were examined by nucleotide sequence analysis of small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) and showed a similarity of over 98% between our samples and the sample of Rhabdochona (Rhabdochona) hellichi (Śrámek, 1901) Chitwood, 1933 (NCBI GenBank accession number JF803913.1) reported by Moravec & Cernotikova (2011).
Increasing resistance to synthetic insecticides complicates control of Culex pipiens L., a key vector, making plant-derived essential oils a promising eco-friendly alternative. This study aims to investigate the chemical composition, larvicidal activity, and potential molecular mechanisms of Cupressus sempervirens essential oil from Algeria against fourth-instar Culex pipiens larvae. The extraction yield was 0.87 ± 0.21%. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry profiling identified 46 compounds, dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, including α-pinene (21.37%) and 3-carene (18.36%). Larvicidal assays demonstrated potent activity, with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 6.59 ppm (95% CI: 4.65–8.29) and 23.40 ppm (95% CI: 17.74–37.76), respectively, showing a dose dependent mortality. Molecular docking analysis suggested favourable binding affinities of α-pinene and 3-carene toward acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase, with ligand accommodation within the active sites through predominantly hydrophobic interactions. These results suggest possible interference with neurotransmission and detoxification pathways. These findings indicate that Cupressus sempervirens essential oil is a promising natural larvicidal agent and support its potential application in environmentally friendly mosquito management strategies.
Understanding how climate and host plant characteristics drive pest dynamics is essential for sustainable vineyard management. This study investigated the seasonal population dynamics of Frankliniella occidentalis and Jacobiasca lybica across four grapevine cultivars (Dabouki, Muscat, Red Globe, Victoria) in Boumerdès, northern Algeria, during the 2022 growing season. Both species showed distinct seasonal patterns, with F. occidentalis peaking in mid-summer and J. lybica reaching maximum abundance in late August. Jacobiasca lybica was strongly correlated with temperature, whereas F. occidentalis was negatively influenced by rainfall. The generalised linear models highlighted the significant effects of climatic variables on pest abundance. Among the grape cultivars, Dabouki exhibited higher infestation levels by J. lybica compared with the other cultivars, while no significant cultivar-related differences were observed for F. occidentalis. Redundancy analysis identified temperature as the main environmental factor shaping pest population dynamics. These results highlight the combined influence of climate and cultivar susceptibility on pest dynamics and support locally adapted integrated pest management in Mediterranean viticulture.
Venison is gaining popularity, not only among hunters, but also among health-conscious consumers and culinary enthusiasts, due to its health-promoting properties and distinctive flavour. This review aimed to assess the potential health risks associated with deer meat and edible offal consumption through compiling the reported concentrations of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the muscle tissue, liver, and kidneys of red deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758), and fallow deer (Dama dama Linnaeus, 1758). Additionally, we aimed to examine possible differences in heavy metal accumulation with respect to age, sex, and habitat location and to compare the findings with the permissible limits established by European regulations. A review of the existing research published between 2014 and 2024 was conducted. Data on Pb and Cd levels in meat, liver, and kidneys of the three specified Cervidae species, as well as deer age, sex, and habitat proximity to industrial sites, were summarized. The analysis revealed varying levels of Pb and Cd in different organs and deer species. Differences in heavy metal concentrations were observed in relation to both the age of the animals and the proximity of their habitat to polluted areas. Some reported concentrations exceeded permissible limits, indicating a potential health hazard in the case of human consumption. The position in the food chain of the Cervidae family species makes them susceptible to accumulation of various environmental pollutants in their organisms and can be used as bioindicators for monitoring heavy metal contamination. These findings highlight the major issue of Pb and Cd bioaccumulation in deer’s organs, emphasizing the need for effective health risk assessments related to the consumption of game meat and edible offal. Environmental monitoring and the implementation of appropriate strategies against heavy metal pollution are crucial for preserving both wildlife and human health.
Ionising radiation (IR) and radiomimetic compounds (RMCs) induce a wide range of DNA lesions, including single- and double-strand breaks and oxidative DNA base damage. This can lead to genomic instability, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. Small mammals are key in vivo models for studying these processes due to their physiological relevance, well-characterised responses to genotoxic stress, and the availability of a wide range of transgenic strains. This review analyses the latest developments in selecting animal models and the usefulness of small mammals in radiation research. It offers an in-depth overview of radiomimetic compounds, including bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and mitomycin C, and their mechanisms of action in mammalian models. The evidence reviewed demonstrates the value of several established model animal lineages (mouse, rat, vole, hamster, guinea pig) in validating biomarkers of exposure and effect, evaluating radioprotective and radiosensitising agents, and understanding tissue-specific and adverse reactions. A comprehensive analysis of the biological, genetic, and physiological traits that determine each species’ suitability for radiation research was presented, covering aspects such as genome conservation, homology of DNA repair pathways to humans, lifespan, and reproductive characteristics. This highlights the role of small mammals as crucial in vivo models for radiation research, aiding in concept validation, elucidation of mechanisms, and biomarker discovery.
Schistura kalikholaensis, new species, is described from the Brahmaputra River drainage in West Bengal, India. It is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: body with 10-12 black broad bars, the 6-7 contralateral bars before the anal fin arranged alternately and not continuous along the dorsal surface; lateral line incomplete, extending vertically to the tip of the anal fin, with 52-64 pores; a rounded spot on the base of anal fin origin; slightly emarginated caudal fin; maxillary barbel reaching beyond the posterior margin of eye; dorsal adipose crest present and no suborbital flap.
Morphological examination combined with phylogenetic analyses identified the studied Aphelenchoides population as A. bicaudatus, representing the first record of this species from mangrove roots of Excoecaria agallocha in India. The species can be readily distinguished from other “Group 2” Aphelenchoides spp. by the presence of a distinctly bifurcate tail terminus, comparatively smaller body length (564.6±31.9 µm), short stylet with weakly developed basal knob, differences in length of the post-uterine sac (PUS), and the number of lateral lines. Molecular characterization based on partial sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequence and D2–D3 expansion segment of the large subunit 28S rDNA further corroborated the morphological identification of the population as A. bicaudatus. The present study reveals a host association between A. bicaudatus and mangrove vegetation, unreported to date, suggesting that this species is capable of inhabiting mangrove-associated hosts.
We present observations of the sand wasp Bembix rostrata (Linnaeus, 1758) collected between 2023 and 2025 at two sites in Poland (Sierakowo and Toruń). Females nested in loose, sandy soils, forming clusters of several to over 20 nests. Each nest consisted of a single tunnel (15–22 cm long) leading to a solitary cell located about 10 cm below the surface. The prey consisted of representatives of several Diptera families (Bombyliidae, Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Syrphidae, Tachinidae, Tabanidae, Therevidae), whose size was matched to the developmental stage of B. rostrata larvae. Only one nest cell contained more than 30 dipteran larvae. The cuckoo wasp Parnopes grandior (Pallas, 1771), known as a parasite of B. rostrata, was frequently observed in Toruń, but no evidence of parasitism was found during the analysis of the nests. Additionally, we report the first confirmed record of the strepsipteran Paraxenos hungaricus (Székessy, 1955) in Poland, based on a single parasitised female collected in Grabów nad Pilicą (central Poland). These findings provide up-to-date data on the nesting biology, prey selection, and natural enemies of B. rostrata, thus expanding our understanding of its ecological interactions and regional variability.
Scientific information on the abundance and biomass structure of shallow Antarctic coastal macrozoobenthos remains limited for many regions of the Antarctic Peninsula, particularly in shallow nearshore habitats where quantitative data are still scarce. The aim of this study was to characterise macrobenthic communities from shallow coastal habitats around South Bay (Livingston Island) and Marguerite Bay (Dismal and Horseshoe islands), with emphasis on the relative contribution of dominant higher taxa across different substrate types. In both study areas, macrozoobenthic communities were dominated in abundance by mobile crustacean taxa, mainly Amphipoda, while biomass was controlled by a small number of large-bodied taxa. At Livingston Island, biomass was strongly dominated by Bivalvia, while communities from Marguerite Bay exhibited a more even distribution of biomass among major taxa. Differences between the two areas were mainly expressed in the relative contribution of dominant taxa (Amphipoda, Bivalvia, Annelida, and Isopoda) rather than in overall taxonomic composition. In conclusion, the results clearly demonstrate a decoupling between abundance and biomass in shallow Antarctic coastal macrozoobenthic communities, and provide new quantitative data from poorly studied coastal regions of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The experiment was designed to investigate whether tadpoles of the Asian common toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus have an ability to learn and memorise predator’s cues. We exposed D. melanostictus tadpoles to water conditioned with predator cues from tadpoles of Hoplobatrachus tigerinus at different intervals (i.e., on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and after a gap of 3 days i.e. on 7th day). The results showed that, on the first day of exposure, toad tadpoles exhibited antipredator behaviour (i.e., overall reduced swimming activity and high bursts in speed) to conditioned water and they improved their antipredatory responses on subsequent days of exposure to conditioned water. After a gap of 3 days (i.e., on 7th day) they still remembered their earlier encounter and exhibited a strong antipredator behaviour. The present study demonstrates that tadpoles of D. melanostictus are able to learn and remember predator cues.
Understanding how birds respond to human disturbance is essential for predicting behavioural adaptation under environmental change. We assessed fearfulness in riparian bird species during the breeding season in a montane region of north-eastern Algeria using flight initiation distance (FID) as a behavioural proxy. We analysed 479 FID observations from 39 species recorded in the Aurès Highlands and tested the effects of environmental predictors using two phylogenetic generalised least squares (PGLS) models: one including precipitation and the other - including spring temperature, alongside elevation and additional covariates. Mean FID was 22.39 ± 8.75 m (range: 5–53 m), with most values between 10 and 30 m. Species identity strongly influenced FID, explaining 38% of the variance, whereas site effects were weak. Both PGLS models received similar support (ΔAICc = 0.35), indicating that precipitation- and temperature-based climatic formulations explained the data equally well. Starting distance was the strongest predictor of FID, with a very large positive effect (r = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93–0.98). Elevation had a consistent large positive effect in both models (r = 0.49 and 0.47, respectively), showing that birds at higher altitudes initiated escape at greater distances. Climatic conditions also shaped FID: higher precipitation was associated with shorter FID (β = -0.02, p = 0.005), whereas higher spring temperatures were associated with longer FID (β = 0.02, p = 0.006). Together, our results suggest that birds inhabiting warmer and drier environments are generally more fearful than those in cooler or wetter areas. Raptor abundance showed only weak associations with FID, body size had no clear independent effect, while vegetation cover was not retained in the final models, possibly owing to sampling limitations or because its influence was overridden by climatic factors and unmeasured habitat conditions. Phylogenetic analyses detected no signal in FID (Pagel’s λ = 0), indicating that closely related species did not exhibit more similar escape responses than expected by chance.
Scavenging is an opportunistic feeding strategy in snakes, which benefits exceed its associated costs, as carrion provides a safe and relatively easy-to-obtain food source, compared to live prey. In this paper, the authors report on an observation of scavenging feeding by a free-ranging Vipera berus bosniensis. On 01 September 2025, an adult female was found to ingest a dead Clethrionomys glareolus. The vole’s carcass had visible lacerations on both the anterior and posterior sides, indicating that it was not killed by the viper, but by another predator. Such a feeding strategy has rarely been reported in Old World vipers, in contrast to pitvipers, where it appears to be more common. However, as traditional methods for studying snakes’ diets are unreliable to evaluate the frequency of scavenging feeding, this type of behaviour could be highly underestimated.
Many introduced terrestrial invertebrate species pose significant ecological, economic and health challenges worldwide. North Macedonia, due to its geographic position and diverse ecosystems, is vulnerable to their introduction and establishment. This study aims to expand previous research regarding introduced terrestrial invertebrate species in North Macedonia by reviewing literature data, identifying new introduced species and addressing efforts to overcome this problem. Original data collected between 2022 and 2024, combined with a comprehensive review of existing literature, expanded the national list of alien invertebrates to at least 133 species. The paper also highlights policy frameworks, scientific research initiatives taken so far and regional cooperation efforts aimed at preventing introductions of alien species.
We present new data on the diet of the tawny owl (Strix aluco), collected from eight locations over the past 20 years. In total, 759 prey items of 77 taxa were identified, with small mammals comprising approximately 75% of the diet. Field mice (Apodemus spp.) were the most common mammalian prey, representing about 50 % (by frequency, out of 569 mammal items). The second most important prey group was dormice (family Gliridae), represented by three species (out of four found in Bulgaria): fat dormouse (Glis glis), forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula) and common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). Ten bat species were also identified among the prey, with bats being significantly predominant at a single site, which may indicate behavioural specialisation or targeted hunting of bats by the owl. Birds made up 18.97% of the diet, with 32 species identified. Amphibians and reptiles comprised 4.6% of the total prey. A significant shift was observed in the diet of the tawny owl in comparison to previous studies.
This study provides the first site-specific documentation and the first detailed morphometric and reproductive baseline for Luciobarbus biscarensis amguidensis, a poorly known and range-restricted Saharan cyprinid, from the permanent rock pools (gueltates) of the Ramsar site Gueltates Afilal in the Hoggar region (central Algerian Sahara), a crucial aquatic refugium in the hyper-arid Sahara. A total of 50 individuals were sampled in October 2023 and September 2024 to analyze their morphometric and reproductive traits. Females were larger than males (TL = 27.0 f 10.0 cm vs. 19.7 f 10.0 cm). Length-weight relationships showed positive allometric growth in females (b = 3.04) and negative allometric growth in males (b = 2.70). The sex ratio was male-biased (1.38:1.0), with notable variation across size classes. Reproductive analysis revealed a notably higher gonadosomatic index in females (26.4 f 6.8%) compared to males (9.8 f 1.2%), and mean absolute fecundity was 420 f 240.5 eggs. Overall, the observed sex-specific growth patterns and reproductive investment highlight the persistence of this isolated population within a Ramsar-listed Saharan freshwater refugium.
In the context of climate change, the drying up of water bodies is becoming increasingly common. Understanding how aquatic communities respond to changes in the hydrological regime is essential for comprehending the processes influenced by climate change. This study describes the colonisation and development of rotifers in drying-up water bodies, with dynamically changing habitats and unstable hydrological regimes. Rotifers are typical inhabitants of such water bodies. The research includes seasonal karst lakes such as Lilov Vir, the almost permanent karst Aldomirovsko Marsh, the artificial lake Ariana in Sofia and a permanent basin — the non-drying drainage channel of the karst Dragomansko Marsh — for comparison. The unstable hydrological regimes resulted in increased variability of physical and chemical parameters with two peaks in nutrient concentrations with the highest levels of total phosphate phosphorus being recorded during the second peak. The distribution of rotifers aligned with the second peak which occurred after the midpoint of the hydroperiod. Longer hydroperiods resulted in more stable nutrient levels and supported greater abundance and diversity of taxa. Factors such as the higher water temperatures and avoidance of competition with copepods were also essential for the late appearance of rotifers: 4-6 weeks after the filling of the lakes.
We present a checklist of terrestrial slugs of Serbia, a group of gastropods considered poorly studied in the country. For each species, brief remarks are provided with information on the distribution, distinguishing characters and habitats in Serbia. Previously published literature on slugs from Serbia is summarised. Deroceras laeve is reported for the first time from the territory of Serbia. Following the summary of new data and literature, the slug fauna of Serbia comprises 27 species.
This study provides new evidence that microplastic (MP) exposure can alter morphological development in Rana dalmatina tadpoles, with effects most pronounced during early developmental stages. Tadpoles exposed to MPs at Gosner stage 25/26 showed a statistically significant increase in centroid size and greater morphological dispersion, suggesting heightened sensitivity to MP-induced stress during periods of rapid cell division and tissue differentiation. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a consistent trend: MP-exposed tadpoles tended to develop taller bodies and narrower posterior tails compared to controls. While these shape differences were not always statistically significant in later stages, their persistent occurrence points to a subtle but lasting effect of MP exposure. Increased centroid size among exposed tadpoles may indicate disrupted developmental processes or compensatory plasticity. In contrast, the absence of significant differences at stages 32/34 and 37/38 may reflect developmental resilience or a reduced impact of MPs as development stabilizes. The ingestion of MPs was confirmed in all exposed individuals, verifying the effectiveness of experimental treatments and strengthening the causal link between MP exposure and observed effects. The observed morphological variability could carry ecological consequences, potentially impairing swimming performance, predator avoidance, and overall survival. As amphibians are already threatened by multiple stressors, MP contamination represents an additional risk factor that could exacerbate population declines. These findings contribute to the growing recognition that environmental MPs can act as developmental disruptors in vulnerable taxa. Future studies should address the physiological mechanisms behind these effects, assess long-term fitness impacts, and explore interactions with other environmental stressors.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as environmental contaminants with potential impacts on reproductive health. The current study investigated the effects of oral exposure to polystyrene MPs of different sizes for 30 days on the hormonal and ovarian oxidative profile of female Wistar rats. After the 30-day exposure to 1 & micro;m particles, the results showed elevated estradiol (4.51 +/- 0.17 ng/dL) and testosterone levels (3.73 +/- 0.68 ng/dL) compared to the control group (4.35 +/- 0.16 ng/dL and 3.40 +/- 0.20 ng/dL, respectively) and the 5 & micro;m particles group (4.33 +/- 0.23 ng/dL and 3.43 +/- 0.40 ng/dL). Follicle-stimulating hormone decreased in the 1 & micro;m group (2.23 +/- 0.77 ng/dL) relative to the control (2.60 +/- 1.15 ng/dL) and 5 & micro;m (2.70 +/- 1.55 ng/dL), while luteinizing hormone increased in the 5 & micro;m group (3.73 +/- 0.55 ng/dL) compared to the control (2.03 +/- 1.53 ng/dL) and 1 & micro;m (2.10 +/- 1.03 ng/dL). Regarding the oxidative status, lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in the 1 & micro;m group (0.25 +/- 0.07 nmol MDA/mg protein) than in the control (0.16 +/- 0.03; P <= 0.01) and 5 & micro;m group (0.17 +/- 0.02 nmol MDA/mg protein). Compared to the control (157.14 +/- 52.13 ng/mg protein) total glutathione increased in both experimental groups (234.52 +/- 54.53 ng/mg protein; P <= 0.05 for the 1 & micro;m group and 304.70 +/- 57.75 ng/mg protein; P <= 0.001 for the 5 & micro;m group). These findings suggest that particle size can play a critical role in modulating hormonal and oxidative responses, highlighting potential reproductive risks associated with MPs exposure which poses threats to biodiversity by reducing population viability.
This study was carried out to examine the parasitic fauna of four fish species inhabiting the Beni Haroun Dam: Abramis brama, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius carassius and Luciobarbus callensis (family Cyprinidae) and to describe the diversity of the parasite communities. Eleven species of helminth parasites were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of the examined fish specimens. They belonged to two classes, of which nine species were nematodes (Hysterothylacium sp., Contracaecum sp., Contracaecum rudolphii, C. osculatum, Buckleynema buckleyi, Rhabdochona sp., Anisakis sp., Pseudocapillaria tomentosa and Raphidascaris acus) and two species were cestodes (Schyzocotyle acheilognathi and Ligula intestinalis). The diversity indices, including species richness and Shannon-Wiener index, have shown that Carassius carassius has the highest parasite diversity. On the other hand, Luciobarbus callensis has the highest Simpson and evenness indices. The values of these indices vary across seasons. The calculation of the indicator value (IndVal) enables the deduction of a difference in parasite specificity between the host species throughout the year. Parasite diversity fluctuates quite considerably throughout the year in all four fish species acting as hosts. The indicator species method identified seven parasite species with significant indicator values for the "host fish" criterion and three species with significant indicator values for the "seasons" criterion.
