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Diversité des parasites hémosporidiens chez les grues : description d’Haemoproteus balearicae et sa position phylogénétique au sein du clade H. antigonis Diversity of haemosporidian parasites in cranes: description of Haemoproteus balearicae and its phylogenetic position within the H. antigonis clade /
No full textHaemosporidian parasites from the genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon are significant avian pathogens. This study aimed to identify and characterize these parasites in cranes (family Gruidae), using combined morphological and molecular methods. The results confirmed the presence of Haemoproteus balearicae, redescribed here from Balearica regulorum and associated with cytb lineage hBAREGI210. This lineage, previously assigned to Haemoproteus antigonis, is reassigned to H. balearicae, suggesting possible cryptic speciation within the H. antigonis complex. The findings broaden the known host range and geographic distribution of H. balearicae, detected in captive-born cranes in France and captive cranes housed in conservation facilities in South Africa. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three distinct Haemoproteus clades in Gruidae, corresponding to at least three species, including H. balearicae and lineages representing H. antigonis. These crane-specific parasites may require taxonomic revision as a separate subgenus or genus, pending further studies on their life cycles and vectors. Additionally, several novel cytb lineages of Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon were detected, many unassigned to morphospecies. Notably, the pCATUS05 lineage, a member of the Plasmodium lutzi group previously reported only in the Americas, was detected for the first time in South African cranes, along with Leucocytozoon aff. californicus (lCIAE02), a widespread lineage lacking morphological description. Together, these findings reveal underestimated genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites in cranes and highlight the importance of combining morphological and molecular data to clarify parasite taxonomy and host associations. This study advances our understanding of avian parasite ecology and systematics, with implications for crane conservation and disease management
Haemoproteus syrnii and other haemosporidians infecting owls from North America /
No full textBackground: Haemosporidians (Haemosporida, Apicomplexa), which include malaria parasites, are found in nearly all terrestrial ecosystems. Avian haemosporidians have been extensively studied; however, there is limited information on parasites in owls (order Strigiformes). Here, haemosporidians infecting North American owls were characterized using an integrative methodology. Methods: Taking advantage of injured/dead owls from rehabilitation centres in the central and northeastern USA, 53 individuals of Bubo virginianus, Strix varia, Megascops asio, Bubo scandiacus, Aegolius acadicus, and Tyto furcata were screened using polymerase chain reaction for all samples and microscopy for those with available blood smears. Parasite mitochondrial genomes were obtained using a long-read sequencing method (PacBio HiFi), which efficiently detects multiple infections in a single host. The relationships between parasite lineages were estimated using phylogenetic and haplotype network methods. Results: In total, 21 individuals from three species were positive by PCR: B. virginianus (14/17, 82.4%), M. asio (3/5, 60%), and S. varia (4/8, 50%). Two Plasmodium, three Haemoproteus, and four Leucocytozoon lineages were identified infecting these hosts, with one Haemoproteus and one Leucocytozoon being new to science. All positive individuals were infected with Haemoproteus parasites, and two B. virginianus had a mixed infection with Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus species. The hSTVAR01 cytochrome b (cytb) lineage common in North America is linked for the first time to Haemoproteus syrnii. Haemoproteus syrnii was found in all 14 positive B. virginianus and two S. varia. Notably, all the cytb lineages from previously identified H. syrnii, based on erythrocytic stages, were not monophyletic, indicating the existence of an undescribed species. The pPADOM11 cytb lineage was recognized as an allele of Plasmodium elongatum. Conclusion: Long reads enabled the detection of mixed/co-infections. The link between genetic data and morphospecies was established in two cases. Several Leucocytozoon clades were observed; however, only one morphospecies, Leucocytozoo danilewskyi, has been described in owls. Thus, there is a need for a detailed analysis of blood stages to determine whether different owl Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon parasites exhibit morphological differences or represent cryptic species. Overall, this study underscores the importance of high-quality molecular data in characterizing the biodiversity of haemosporidian parasites
Population-dependent dispersal potential of freshwater invasive amphipods: a case study of Dikerogammarus villosus /
No full textBiological invasions add a novel context to studies on animal dispersion mechanisms. Invasive Ponto-Caspian species are widely distributed in Europe and well known for their fast spreading. Therefore, they can be used as a good model for studying the mechanism of dispersion in disturbed ecosystems. Some invasive species may show similar preferences towards habitats, which leads to competition between them. Consequently, weaker competitors may be displaced and forced to move elsewhere to avoid direct competition. In this study, the dispersal ability of the Ponto-Caspian gammarid, Dikerogammarus villosus, was tested. This species has spread in Europe through two invasion routes (Western and Eastern) from two genetically differentiated source populations (the Danube and Dnieper deltas, respectively). In addition, the spread of gammarids in single- and mixed-group treatments in aquaria was experimentally compared. Whether gammarids stayed in the initial part of the aquarium or moved forward over the course of 22 h depending on their origin and the presence of competitors of particular origin was determined. The individuals remaining in the initial part as stronger competitors and those that emigrated as weaker were also considered. Gammarids from both groups (particularly larger individuals) tended to move slightly more in the presence of competitors from the Eastern group, pointing to the stronger competitive capability of the latter. Moreover, the local sampling site (i.e. local population) had a stronger effect on dispersal than the origin of the invasive group. Our study suggests that the higher competition capacity of the Eastern group may lead to a more intense spread of the weaker Western group in their contact zone, including the colonization of suboptimal habitats, but this correlation will also depend on local population traits. These findings highlight the importance of individual traits such as body size and the significance of involving multiple populations in behavioural studies and research on biological invasions
The first record of taiga shrew in Lithuania /
No full textThe taiga shrew (Sorex isodon), a boreal forest species widely distributed across northern Eurasia, had not previously been recorded in the Baltic states. We report the first occurrence of S. isodon in Lithuania, which extends the species range westward into the Baltic region. The specimen, which was initially misidentified as Sorex araneus, was collected in 2023 near Vilnius during non-systematic snap-trapping. A detailed examination of tail, cranial, and dental characteristics confirmed the identification as S. isodon. The individual was a non-adult male, weighing 5.8 g, and was trapped in a wet mixed forest influenced by beaver activity. This suggests that the microhabitat conditions are similar to those reported in Belarus and Ukraine. This finding extends the western boundary of S. isodon distribution by approximately 200–630 km. This study underscores the potential underreporting of this species in the Baltic region and highlights the importance of revisiting existing skull collections, conducting targeted trapping, and performing genetic analyses. Verifying additional records will clarify the habitat preferences and conservation relevance of S. isodon at the western edge of its range
Early Holocene quantitative summer temperature reconstructions in SE Lithuania inferred from Chironomidae data /
No full textChironomid subfossils were analysed at the Čepkeliai palaeolake in southern Lithuania in order to reconstruct the environmental history of the site during the Early Holocene, paying particular attention to climate change. Mean July air temperatures were inferred using two different chironomid–climate calibration data sets. As currently no chironomid-based climate calibration set is available from Lithuania, calibration data sets from Fennoscandia, Finland, and Poland were used instead. Our reconstructions suggest that mean July temperatures varied between 13.2 °C and 18.5 °C during the Early Holocene, similar to present-day temperatures. Both reconstructions show a series of climatic events that occurred during the Early Holocene, including the Preboreal oscillation and the “10.2”, “9.2”, and “8.2” oscillations. The reconstruction results correlate well with those carried out simultaneously in neighbouring countries, providing valuable information for this period, as such studies are still rare in the Eastern Baltic region
Pheromones in crane flies: Behaviorally active cuticular compounds in Tipula autumnalis Loew (Diptera: Tipulidae) /
No full textThe pheromones of crane flies (Tipulidae), one of the largest families within the order Diptera (over 15,000 species), are unknown. The aim of our study was to identify the chemical compounds involved in communication in Tipula autumnalis, a representative species of the family. Female cuticular washes were found to be attractive to males in a bioassay. GC-EAD analysis revealed nine EAG-active compounds, which were identified as cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). Both males and females contained these CHCs, though in different ratios. The strongest antennal responses in male T. autumnalis were evoked by n-pentacosane, (Z)-9-pentacosene, and (Z, E)-6,9-pentacosadiene, which were the predominant components in females. Each of these compounds were attractive to males in the behavioral assay and are therefore attributed to the female sex pheromone of T. autumnalis. (Z)-9-tricosene and (R)-3-methylheneicosane elicited both EAG and behavioral responses in males and were abundant in washes from same-sex individuals. In addition to the compounds involved in female–male interactions, it is evident that T. autumnalis also employs CHCs in male–male interactions. The exact roles of some compounds remain undetermined. Among the semiochemicals, the established stereostructure of (Z, E)-6,9-pentacosadiene and the olfactory/behavioral effects of (R)- and (S)-3-methylheneicosane were novel findings in insects
Why are hazel dormice common while edible dormice are endangered in Lithuania? The importance of forest management for dormouse conservation /
No full textIn many European countries, the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius is a rare and threatened species, while the edible dormouse Glis glis is common and abundant. In Lithuania, however, the hazel dormouse is widespread and common, but the edible dormouse is rare and endangered. This study aims to review the status of these two dormouse species in Lithuania and the importance of forest management for dormouse conservation in Lithuania and other European countries. Hazel dormice are prospering in Lithuania because forest management practices are favourable for this species. Small-scale clear-felling is a typical technique for harvesting timber in Lithuanian forests. In this way, a mosaic of forest plots is created, consisting of new clear-felled areas, regenerating clearings, young forest stands of different ages, and mature forest stands. Regenerating clearings on fertile soils are attractive to hazel dormice, and dormouse density can be much higher than in surrounding forest areas. However, these forest management practices are harmful to the edible dormouse as they gradually destroy mature oak-dominated forest stands, which are the primary edible dormouse habitat in Lithuania. The conservation status of different dormouse species may directly depend on forest management practices used in particular countries
Bimodal, shape-tunable, Eu3+ -doped GdPO4 nanoparticles and their impact on zooplankton Daphnia Magna /
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