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Morphological and genetic diversity of Sarcocystis species parasitizing gulls (Larus) and corvids (Corvidae) in Lithuania.
No full textMembers of the genus Sarcocystis are parasitic protozoa widespread in reptiles, birds, and mammals distinguished by a two-host prey-predator life cycle. Asexual multiplication with sarcocyst formation occurs in the intermediate host, while sexual stages develop in the small intestine of the definitive host. Previous studies have confirmed two species of Sarcocystis each in the muscles of gulls and corvids, but a greater diversity of these parasites is assumed in these hosts. The objective of this study was to determine the species richness of Sarcocystis parasites in muscle and intestine samples of Lithuanian gulls and corvids using morphological and molecular analysis. DNA sequence analysis revealed four morphologically indistinguishable Sarcocystis species in the muscle of Lithuanian gulls and three species – in the muscles of the investigated corvids. A new species of Sarcocystis, S. kutkienae, was described and confirmed in common raven, common magpie and hooded crow. The prevalence (p < 0.001) and density (p < 0.05) of Sarcocystis infection were reliably higher in the muscles of corvids than in the muscles of guls. During the study, S. columbae was identified for the first time in the muscles of gulls. For the first time, a pathogenic species S. halieti was identified in muscle samples of gulls and corvids. Also, during this study, for the first time, mixed Sarcocystis species infections were detected in the muscles of gulls and corvids. New intermediate hosts confirmed for five Sarcocystis species. For the first time, 11 Sarcocystis species were identified in the intestine mucosal scrapings of corvids
Microbiota of sour and sweet cherries and their biocontrol components.
No full textCherries are important in the food industry, agriculture, and medicine. Microorganisms widespread on these berries can affect the structure and biodiversity of microbiota in the natural environment as well as plant productivity, berry quality, and human health. Microorganisms with biocontrol properties and their bioactive substances are promising for plant disease management, reduction of microbiological contamination, and improvement of food quality. The aim of this work was to evaluate the structure of the sour and sweet cherry microbiota and to study the effects of biocidal substances on the microbiota components to justify their applicability. The work presents new findings on the fungal communities occurring on the surface of sour and sweet cherry berries and a comparative analysis of the mycobiota composition of freshly picked and store-bought berries. Bioinformatic analysis was carried out to characterize the fungal communities and to assess the diversity and relative abundance of individual microorganisms. Cultivable prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms present on the surface of sour and sweet cherries were isolated and identified. The occurrence of killer yeasts on the surface of the berries was studied and their effect on the survival of the microbiota components was analyzed. The profiles and potential for biocontrol of volatile compounds synthesized by yeasts were evaluated. The effect of natural and encapsulated biocide peptide-nisin on the survival of microbiota components was investigated. Modulation of nisin's efficacy by electric and magnetic fields and evaluation of its applicability were performed, and data confirming the efficacy of the nanostructured nisin in a real food system were presented
Natural vector of avian Haemoproteus asymmetricus parasite and factors altering the spread of infection /
No full textAvian haemosporidians (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) are widespread blood protists, often causing severe haemosporidiosis, pathology, or even mortality in their hosts. Migrant birds regularly bring various haemosporidian parasites from wintering grounds to European breeding areas. Some haemosporidian parasites are prevalent in breeding sites and complete their life cycles in temperate climate zones and can be transmitted, but others do not. The factors altering the spread of these haemosporidians are not fully understood. Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) play an important role in the transmission of worldwide distributed avian haemosporidian parasites belonging to the genus Haemoproteus, but this information is particularly scarce and insufficient. The key factors limiting the spread of these pathogens in temperate climate zones, which we suspect and aim to study, are the absence of susceptible vectors and the ecological isolation of birds from vectors during the breeding period when transmission occurs. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate how the habitats of biting midges and bird breeding sites influence parasite transmission while also seeking to expand our understanding of the natural vectors for these parasites. Biting midges were collected using UV traps on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania, in different habitats, such as woodland and reeds, from May to September. Parous Culicoides females were identified, dissected, and investigated for the presence of Haemoproteus parasites using both microscopy and PCR-based tools. Among the dissected 1135 parous Culicoides females, the sporozoites of Haemoproteus asymmetricus (genetic lineage hTUPHI01) have been detected for the first time in the salivary glands of Culicoides festivipennis. The sporozoites of four Haemoproteus lineages were detected in Culicoides segnis, C. festivipennis, and Culicoides kibunensis biting midges. PCR-based screening showed that the females of seven Culicoides species were naturally infected with Haemoproteus parasites. The DNA of the parasite of owls, Haemoproteus syrnii (hSTAL2), was detected for the first time in Culicoides punctatus. The highest abundance of collected Culicoides females was in June, but the highest prevalence of Haemoproteus parasites in biting midges was in July. The abundance of Culicoides was higher in the woodland compared with reeds during the season. The acquired findings indicate the varied abundance and diversity of biting midges throughout the season and across distinct habitats. This variability could potentially impact the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites among birds with diverse breeding site ecologies. These outcomes hold the potential to enhance our understanding of the epizootiology of Haemoproteus infections within temperate climatic zones
Temporal variation of genetic diversity in Rutilus rutilus populations from Lithuania using mtDNA markers in the context of anthropogenic activities /
No full textOne of the most abundant fish species, Rutilus rutilus, is widely distributed in Lithuania and its potential to adapt to environmental changes attracted our interest. Unfortunately, it is not properly understood how anthropogenic activities can affect the genetic diversity within this species. We studied three populations of roaches (samples collected in the Neris and Žeimena rivers, and Lake Drūkšiai) over a period of five years (from 2017 to 2022) to determine genetic diversity using mtDNA D-loop and ATP6 genetic markers. Genetic diversity parameters, AMOVA analysis, haplotype network, and PCoA analysis revealed a greater genetic variability in roach samples collected in 2017, and the greatest differences were noticed in the population inhabiting Lake Drūkšiai, as compared with other samples studied over a five-year period. Differences in genetic diversity detected after a five-year period led us to the assumption that roach populations may be related to the effects of natural (changing climatic conditions) and anthropogenic (operating nuclear power plant) origin
Structure of Equisetum variegatum (Equisetaceae) populations in natural and anthropogenic habitats /
No full textMany native plant species colonise anthropogenic habitats, but relatively little information is available on the status and development of their populations under unusual conditions. The most reliable information on the status and performance of plants in particular habitats is obtained through population studies. The study aimed to determine the characteristics of Equisetum variegatum populations occurring in natural and anthropogenic habitats. Nine coenopopulations of Equisetum variegatum occurring in natural and anthropogenic habitats were studied in four administrative districts (Kelmė, Lazdijai, Trakai and Varėna) of Lithuania. The ramet density, shoot height, total number of shoots and the number of fertile and sterile shoots and buds in a ramet were assessed. The density of Equisetum variegatum ramets was significantly higher in natural habitats than in anthropogenic habitats. The largest mean height of shoots was found in shrubland and shallow water habitats, whereas the largest mean number of all shoots, fertile shoots and buds in a ramet was recorded in dry sands. Old shoots in natural habitats comprised a significantly smaller portion (18.1%) of all shoots than in anthropogenic habitats (42.8%). Thus, all the studied traits can be used to evaluate the status of the populations. Long-term studies of Equisetum variegatum populations should be performed to determine how they change in response to the succession of natural and anthropogenic habitats. As the natural habitats of Equisetum variegatum decline, anthropogenic habitats may be considered the refugia for their populations
The role of CCUS clusters and hubs in reaching carbon neutrality: Case study from the Baltic Sea Region /
No full textThe cross-border case study for the Baltic Sea Region includes the large emission sources from energy production, the cement industry, refineries, waste-to-energy plants and other large bio-emissions, identified in the Baltic States. The need to combine CO2 emission sources from three countries into large CCUS cluster projects is explained by geological and regulatory limitations. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are situated within the common Baltic sedimentary basin. The best geological conditions for CO2 geological storage are available in Latvia. In 2021 three countries produced about 15.9 Mt of large CO2 emissions, including more than 2.2 Mt of bio-CO2 emissions, located not far from the existing gas pipelines, which could connect emitters with storage sites and ports. The average optimistic storage capacity of the Cambrian Deimena Regional stage sandstones in the E6 structure, located 80 km from the Port of Klaipeda, is about 365 Mt CO2. The largest onshore storage sites Dobele, North-Blidene and Blidene have a total average optimistic storage capacity of about 402.6 Mt. CO2 emissions from three countries, including bio-emissions, could be captured, transported, used and stored in geological structures during more than 50 years. The regulatory process to permit CO2 storage in Latvia has been started, initiated by Latvian largest CO2 producers. Considering that 14% of the reported emissions are of biological origin, carbon neutrality could be reached in the Baltic States. Hydrogen production and storage and geothermal energy recovery using CO2 could be combined in the proposed CCUS clusters, using for H2 storage small E6-B compartment of the E6 structure offshore and Blidene structure onshore
Catocala duda, a new species from south-western China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Erebinae) /
No full textA new species of the genus Catocala Schrank, 1802, Catocala duda sp. n. is described from south-western China, Yunnan Province. The diagnostic comparison is made with Catocala lara Bremer, 1861. Adults and male genitalia of both species are illustrated
Two new species of the genus Rhynchobombyx from Central and East Africa (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae) /
No full textTwo new species of the genus Rhynchobombyx Aurivillius, 1909 (type-species Rhynchobombyx nasuta Aurivillius, 1909): Rhynchobombyx levi sp. n. from Tanzania, Malawi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; and Rhynchobombyx maddox sp. n. from Angola are described. Rhynchobombyx nasuta Aurivillius, 1909 is recorded for the first time for Central African Republic. The new species are compared with all known species of the genus
A new genus of Afrotropical Lasiocampini: Mckenziana gen. n. (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae) /
No full textA new genus Mckenziana gen. n. with Mckenziana maighreadae sp. n. (type-species), Mckenziana roganae sp. n. and Mckenziana ciani sp. n. are described. Detailed diagnosis for the new genus is provided and compared with four closely related genera: Ptyssophlebia Berio, 1937; Catalebeda Aurivillius, 1902; Oplometa Aurivillius, 1894; and Muzunguja Zolotuhin & Gurkovich, 2009
Climate, host and geography shape insect and fungal communities of trees /
No full textNon-native pests, climate change, and their interactions are likely to alter relationships between trees and tree-associated organisms with consequences for forest health. To understand and predict such changes, factors structuring tree-associated communities need to be determined. Here, we analysed the data consisting of records of insects and fungi collected from dormant twigs from 155 tree species at 51 botanical gardens or arboreta in 32 countries. Generalized dissimilarity models revealed similar relative importance of studied climatic, host-related and geographic factors on differences in tree-associated communities. Mean annual temperature, phylogenetic distance between hosts and geographic distance between locations were the major drivers of dissimilarities. The increasing importance of high temperatures on differences in studied communities indicate that climate change could affect tree-associated organisms directly and indirectly through host range shifts. Insect and fungal communities were more similar between closely related vs. distant hosts suggesting that host range shifts may facilitate the emergence of new pests. Moreover, dissimilarities among tree-associated communities increased with geographic distance indicating that human-mediated transport may serve as a pathway of the introductions of new pests. The results of this study highlight the need to limit the establishment of tree pests and increase the resilience of forest ecosystems to changes in climate