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Species diversity of Plagiorchis Lühe, 1899 (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) in lymnaeid snails from freshwater ecosystems in central Europe revealed by molecules and morphology
ROHÁČOVÁ, Jana
This study applies molecular and morphological approaches addressing the identification of morphologically similar larval stages (cercariae) of Plagiorchis spp. (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) parasitising lymnaeid snail populations in the freshwater ecosystems of central Europe. Five morphologically homogeneous and genetically distinct lineages of Plagiorchis spp. were identified via matching molecular data for the mitochondrial cox1 gene with detailed morphometric data. Phylogenetic and comparative sequence analyses using partial 28S rDNA and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences allowed molecular identification of three species (P. elegans, P. maculosus and P. koreanus) via matching sequences from larval and adult digenean stages. A key for the identification of the cercariae of Plagiorchis spp. parasitising lymnaeid populations in central Europe is provided.
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Molecular and morphological characterisation of species of \kur{Plagiorchis} Lühe, 1899 (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) in lymnaeid snails from freshwater ecosystems in central Europe
ROHÁČOVÁ, Jana
This study applies molecular and morphological approaches addressing the identification of morphologically similar larval stages (cercariae) of Plagiorchis spp. (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) parasitising lymnaeid snail populations in the freshwater ecosystems of central Europe. Five morphologically homogeneous and genetically distinct lineages of Plagiorchis spp. were identified via matching molecular data for the mitochondrial cox1 gene with detailed morphometric data. Phylogenetic and comparative sequence analyses using partial 28S rDNA and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences allowed molecular identification of three species (P. elegans, P. maculosus and P. koreanus) via matching sequences from larval and adult digenean stages. A key for the identification of the cercariae of Plagiorchis spp. parasitising lymnaeid populations in central Europe is provided.
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Risk of hybridization of threatened P. fruticosa with cultivated Prunus species
Musilová, Lenka ; Vít, Petr (advisor) ; Zahradníček, Jaroslav (referee)
Many agriculturally important fruit trees occur in the genus Prunus, among other also Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) and Sweet cherry (Prunus avium). P. cerasus is considered to be an allopolyploid hybrid originated by hybridization of Prunus fruticosa (2n = 4x = 32) and P. avium (2n = 2x = 16). The world production of sour cherry fruit (P. cerasus) in 2008 is estimated to be more than 1, 15 million tones. Prunus fruticosa is a steppe (forest steppe) relict species, severely endangered in the Czech Republic (C2). The main threat of P. fruticosa are both the direct and indirect human activities, causing, above all the loss of natural biotopes and hybridization with cultivated species that ran wild to the nature. P. fruticosa hybridizes all over its occurrence area with wild P. cerasus (Sour cherry; which is not primary species of the Czech Republic) and originates fertile hybrid Prunus × eminens. The results of existing studies indicate that the hybrids are more common in the central Europe and that the frequency of hybridization rises towards the west. Such phenomenon is related to human activities (cherries cultivation and landscape changes). Many authors consider hybridization to be the main cause of endangerment of this species and noticed that in many habitats the hybrids could totally replace...
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Nesting biology of the Pink Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) in the zoo Ohrada
ŠENKÝŘOVÁ, Marie
Flamingos belong to the Phoenicopteridae family. They are occurred from India, through southern Europe to South Africa, flamingo cover Caribbean and southern half of South America at the Western Hemisphere. They consist mainly monogamous couples and their nesting is highly synchronized. They lay usually one egg, even if there are the records about laying two eggs. Incubation of the Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) takes 26-32 days. The thesis was performed in Zoo Ohrada Hluboká nad Vltavou, where observation of nesting behavior at Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus) was the main focus of observation. It was used the method of the direct observation, add a notes of zoo-keeper. Birds were recognition by color rings with a three-letter code. The main aims were the observation nesting activities which were compared at different times, between males and females and between individuals. Evaluating the parameters of the breeding to improve breeding was other aim. There were determined, that nesting activities were different among individuals, among couples and also among sex of individuals. Display of nesting activities also depended on the situation, in which individuals found, if it had an empty nest, egg or chick, or if the egg were lost and had to lay new one. It was determined, that the nesting activities of individuals varies accord the season. They are too high synchronization in the period of laying eggs and hatching chicks. Observing individuals did more non-nesting activities.
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\kur{Hirudo medicinalis} and CITES
NIEDLOVÁ, Eva
Medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis Linnaeus, 1758) was common species in the Czech Republic and Europe in 18th century. Hirudo medicinalis is used for medicinal purposes for about 2000 years. As a result of disappearing of suitable habitats and thus also host species medicinal leech is an endangered animal species nowadays. Many authors write about its biology, ecology and biogeography, but no one writes about trade with it. This study is focused on the evaluation the trade with Hiurdo medicinalis using CITES Trade Database. Hirudo medicinalis has been protected by CITES (Appendix II) from 1987 and thus the trade with this species was quantified over last 25 years (1987 ? 2011). Trade of medicinal leeches was sorted according to the (1) country of origin, (2) export and (3) import countries, its (4) forms (live, bodies, specimens, extract, derivatives, powders, oils and medicine), (5) purpose of trade (commercial, scientific, personal, medical, educational and breeding in captivity) and (6) its source (animals bred in captivity, animal born in captivity till F1 generation, confiscated specimens, animals taken from the wild and pre-convention specimens). Trade trend was statistically evaluated in (1) live specimens, (2) commercial purposes and (3) Hirudo medicinalis originated from breeding in captivity and (4) from wild (all is for export and import). It was found that the most frequently and the greatest trade is with live medicinal leeches. Turkey, Romania and Germany export the largest number of the medicinal leeches from the wild and trade grows with this species originated from the captive breeding regularly.
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Preparation of clonal populations of \kur{Borrelia} from North American isolates in purpose to detect the presence of \kur{Borrelia} species commonly distributed in Europe.
SMOLENOVÁ, Štěpánka
Up to now, 22 spirochete species from the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex have been described. Three of them are generally known to cause Lyme borreliosis disease in humans in Europe: B. garinii, B. afzelii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. In the USA, only B. burgdorferi sensu stricto has been officially recognized as the LB agent. B. garinii and B. afzelii are currently regarded as species occurring exclusively in Europe. The newly tested method of Borrelia cultivation on hard soil and its separation into individual clones may lead to isolation of spirochete clonal cultures and confirmation of the presence of the European Borrelia species on the territory of the USA, which would confirm the theory of spirochete transfer over the ocean with migrating birds.
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Overview of zoological encyclopedias in Central Europe in the second half of the 15th century and their critical evaluation
ŠAREŠOVÁ, Eva
This work is divided into two parts, theoretical and practical. The main aim is to make art and technology cover of a free copy of the front page of medieval illuminations. The theoretical part focuses on the emergence and development of medieval zoological encyclopedia. There is also an insight into the medieval world in historical and artistic kontext. The practical part deals with the way imaging, color and technology of medieval illuminations. An important part is creation of three zoological illuminations by the earlier procedures. One of them demonstratively shows, how to work and thus the individual layers of illumination.
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Parasitic diseases of Australian parrot species
Rasochová, Karolína ; Jankovská, Ivana (advisor) ; Husák, Tomáš (referee)
Australian parrot species can host many species of parasites. Parasitic diseases affects both parrots kept in captivity and living wild. This work is compiled as a literary review and provides a summary of most parasites with confirmed presence at the Australian species of parrots. Many parasites species have been detected recently. The presence of new species is confirmed also for parrots kept in Central Europe (coccidia Sarcocystis
calchasi) including the Czech Republic (parasitic protozoa Leucocytozoon spp., roundworm Ascaridia platyceri).
Parasitic infections may be detected trough examining samples from living parrots (feces, blood, tissues) or trough necropsy of died individuals (histopatology). In psittacines, protozal infections have been described (phylum Metamonada and Apicomplexa). Giardiasis, coccidiosis, cryptosporidiosis and blood parasites (Plasmodium spp., Leucocytozoon spp., Haemoproteus spp.) are among the most frequent. Australian parrot species are among the most frequent hosts of nematodes roundworms (Ascaridia spp.) and capillaries (Capillaria spp.). Regarding the strain Fungi, presence of Encephalitozoon hellem which causes microsporidiosis which primarily occurs in humans with acquired immunodeficiency has also been identified in psittacines. This makes it a potentially zoonotic disease. As of the ectoparasites, those most important representatives from the variety of species of parasitic mites and insects are mentioned. The life cycle of the parasites, their pathogenicity, ways of transmission, clinical signs in affected individuals, diagnosis and treatment options have been described.
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Breeding of Eastern Rosellas in European Climate Conditions
Baierlová, Nikola ; Ledvinka, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Zita, Lukáš (referee)
Summary
This work is aimed at parrot breeding of genus Rossella in Europe, in different climatic conditions than the conditions in the Southeast and South Australia where the birds come from. Here, you can find overview of their occurrence in nature, evaluation of biotope, feeding and information on breeding in human custody.
Eastern Rosellas (Platycersus eximius) live in pairs and each pair is very protective
of their own nesting teritory. Outside of the nesting season, Rosellas are moving around the land in small groups.
In nature, these parrots eat grain from grass or weeds, seeds from bushes, trees
and of course fruit.
The nesting season starts around february and lasts until august. In nature Rosellas nest in hollow trees, branches, tree stumps, columns, on top of fence post and even in rabbit holes.
The best option when it comes to breeding Rosellas, is an outside aviary, which best represents their natural habitat. European winter causes them little to no trouble, the same goes for severe frost, which allows for year-round stay in the outside aviary.
Rosellas have the similar eating habits as their parrot brethren, meaning sunflower seeds, millet, panic grass, canary and oat. An important supplement in their daily diet is green feed(ing), fresh fruit and vegetable, branches to nibble on, mineral substances, and fresh drinking water. During the nesting season and while with young, it is necessary to feed
the birds an egg mixture, it is an important source of protein.
Breeding of Rosellas is fairly effortless, they can easily nest even in small spaces. Ideal size of their bird house would be 25 x 25 x 60 - 70 cm with a fly-in entrance of 7 - 8 cm. It is necessary to hang the bird houses as high as possible in the protected part of aviary. Female lays 5 - 7 white colored eggs, on which she sits 21 - 22 days. Young birds leave
the nest in age between 28 - 35 days and then, are are partly fed additional 10 - 14 days by
the male.
Among the most frequent diseases of this species of pet birds belong those non contagious, e.g. hypovitaminosis, uricosis and, furthermore parasitical ones and pathogens as well as other contagious diseases or feather abnormalities, such as the so called French defeathering.
Breeding of Rosellas does not require an experienced breeder. With proper care, Rosellas can live up to 25 - 30 years and remain fertile their whole lives.
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