Zoodiversity

Helminth Fauna in Carnivoran Mammals from Uzbekistan

A. Safarov, A. Khan, D. Azimov, F. Akramova, K. Saparov, M. Ben Said — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 11:58:16 +0000

Helminths, or parasitic worms, are a group of organisms that can infect various animal species, including humans. In Uzbekistan, previous studies on the helminth fauna of mammals have mainly focused on domestic animals and some wildlife species, with little attention given to carnivoran mammals. This survey aims to conduct a comprehensive study for the first time in Uzbekistan on the helminth fauna of Carnivora. In this study, helminths were collected from 1002 carnivorans (Canidae, n = 710; Mustelidae, n = 167; and Felidae, n = 125) from five locations in Uzbekistan (Northeastern, Eastern, Central, Southern and Northwestern). A total of 71 species of helminths were identified in domestic and wild carnivores by necropsy and faecal examination, of which 36, 23, 9, and 3 species belonged to the higher taxon Nematoda, Cestoda, Trematoda and Acanthocephala respectively. The highest number of helminth species was recorded in studied Canidae (51 species), followed by Felidae (40 species) and Mustelidae (35 species). The overall infection rate of carnivorans was 79.8 %. Infection intensity ranged from a single to dozens of specimens. The statistical analysis indicated that the diversity of helminth species is significant among members of Canidae, with foxes having 42 species and dogs having 41 species (P < 0.05). Our study proves that the parasitic worm species that inhabit predatory mammals in Uzbekistan are a diverse and complex group that can cause helminthiases, which may be dangerous to livestock and humans.

A New Ant Genus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Late Eocene Rovno Amber

A. G. Radchenko — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Based on workers from the Late Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine), Damzenomyrmex gen. n. (Dlichoderinae) is established to include Damzenomyrmex ribbeckei sp. n., which is described here. I consider Damzenomyrmex to be a relative of Dolichoderus s. l. and assign it to the tribe Dolichoderini. Damzenomyrmex differs well from representatives of the previously established subgenera (genera) of Dolichoderus s. l., such as Dolichoderus s. str., Karawajewella, Acanthoclinea, Monoceratoclinea and Diceratoclinea by the nature of the mesosomal armature. It differs from the species of Hypoclinea in the presence of horn-like projections on the anterolateral corners of the pronotum. Regarding the last character, Damzenomyrmex reminds the species of Monacis, but readily differs from them by the non-concave posterior propodeal margin, a different shape of the petiolar scale, a not laterally marginated mesonotum, and some other characters. Furthermore, Damzenomyrmex differs from all Dolichoderus s. l. species in the cuticular structure and in the serration pattern of the mandibles, with the masticatory margin having 6–7 minor sharp teeth and a much longer apical one, the basal angle distinct and the basal margin lacking teeth or denticles. The comparative composition of Dolichoderinae and representatives of other ant subfamilies in late Eocene European ambers is considered.

Wintering Rooks, Corvus frugilegus (Aves, Corvidae) and Their Helminths in Poltava and Kyiv, Ukraine

O. Greben, V. Dupak, O. Lisitsyna, Y. Kuzmin — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:33:58 +0000

Observations of wintering rook populations were carried out from late October till early March in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 in the cities of Poltava and Kyiv. In Poltava, rooks made up 95 % of the approximately 50,000 wintering corvids, and in Kyiv, more than 93% of the approximately 90,000 corvids. Up to 10 % of the rooks observed in Poltava were juveniles; no juvenile rooks were observed in Kyiv. Forty-six dead rooks (24 in Poltava and 22 in Kiev) collected on the ground at roosting sites were used for parasitological studies. We found 13 helminth species in the two samples of rooks, 10 species were recorded in each sample. In both samples, nematodes predominated by their infection prevalence and abundance. At the levels of helminth populations and infracommunities, the differences between the two samples were mostly influenced by the infection parameters of the nematodes Acuaria anthuris, Baruscapillaria resectum, Diplotriaena tricuspis, Eucoleus frugilegi, Microtetrameres spp., and the cestode Spiniglans affinis. In the helminth component community from Poltava, the evenness and diversity indices were comparatively higher than in the component community from Kyiv; Microtetrameres spp. was the predominat taxon. In the component community from Kyiv, E. frugilegi predominated by its infection prevalence and abundance.

Phenotypic Study of Population and Distribution of the Poecilia reticulata (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae) from Kyiv Sewage System (Ukraine)

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This paper presents the original data on studies of populations of guppies on the territory of Ukraine on the example of those of them surviving for many years in the drainage system of Kyiv. For 10 years, wild populations of guppies and their morphological features were studied in the warm water flows of the Bortnychi aeration station in Kyiv (2011–2020). During this period, the original “key” was developed to describe the morphology of their coloration peculiarities, which includes: total length, the number of pattern and coloration elements (4 types, 9 elements), pigmented area (light — orange, dark, pigmentation index), the shape and pigmentation of the tail (6 types) and its asymmetry At present, in the countries of Eastern Europe, the species is not adapted to any waters in the wild due to low winter temperatures, but these fish have become well established in sewage and other warm water bodies in urbanized areas (cities, towns, factories, etc.). We described the places where this invasive species had been found for many years, highlighting its key features. Thanks to GIS modelling, it was revealed that the existence of wild populations of guppies in Ukraine and Latvia is possible only in warm waters (currently mainly sewage systems of big cities) within anthropogenic territories. Such a key and study of relatively isolated populations of invasive species will provide a deeper understanding of micro-evolution of their morphological features (coloration) in isolation, help to track distribution of invasive species in a changing climate and provide material for comparison with possible similar invasions in areas heavily affected by military actions.

Species Diversity and Distribution of Synanthropic Acarid Mites (Acariformes, Acaridia) in Transcarpathia

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This article presents the results of research on the species composition of acarid mites and their abundance in Transcarpathia. 24 species of acarids were identified in the studied substrates. The maximum number of species was found in the lowlands – 24, in the foothills – 20, and in the mountainous areas — 17. The highest number of mites was collected in the foothills (2031 individuals), and the lowest — in the mountain area (1149). The indices of the species diversity of acarid mites in different altitudinal zones were not characterized by significant fluctuations. A significant correlation (-0.75) was found between altitudinal zonation and the number of mites species. The lowest indicators of species richness and number of acarid mites were identified in haylofts, regardless of their zonal distribution. On the other hand, in the other synanthropic sites we studied, the greatest diversity of mites was found in storehouses and the maximum number of mites in barns.