scholarly journals High prevalence of Sarcocystis funereus sp. nov. (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in offspring of Tengmalm’s owls Aegolius funereus (Aves, Strigidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ondrej Máca ◽  
Marek Kouba ◽  
Erkki Korpimäki ◽  
David González-Solis
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Data ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Its1 Region ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Aegolius Funereus ◽  
Strix Varia ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Tengmalm's Owl

Abstract Background Birds act as intermediate or definitive hosts of cyst-forming coccidia parasites of the genus Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882. However, the spectrum of species of Sarcocystis in birds and the role of the latter in the transmission of coccidia are still incomplete for many avian species including Tengmalm’s owl Aegolius funereus (Linnaeus, 1758). During a research of Tengmalm’s owls in Finland some fledglings were found dead and subsequently parasitologically examined. Therefore, this study is focused on the morphological and molecular description of a new Sarcocystis species found in the intestine of the Tengmalm’s owl and its possible role as definitive host. Methods Eleven fledgling owls from the Kauhava region of west-central Finland were found dead and subsequently were submitted for necropsy, parasitologically examined through flotation-centrifugation coprological technique for the presence of oocysts/sporocysts of genus Sarcocystis by light microscopy. Wet mounts were used for the examination of muscle samples (breast, legs, heart). Polymerase chain reaction and nested-PCR were carried out by using primers for 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1 region and cox1 genes. Results All eleven examined birds were parasitized by numerous sporocysts and oocysts in the intestinal mucosa scrapings (prevalence 100%). Sporulated oocysts and sporocysts measured 16.34 − 16.96 × 11.47 − 12.09 µm and 11.85 − 13.52 × 7.77 − 9.25 µm, respectively. Skeletal and heart muscles were negative for sarcocysts. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that Sarcocystis funereus sp. nov. is closely related to Sarcocystis strixi from the barred owl (Strix varia Barton, 1799) from the USA and Sarcocystis sp. isolate 5 from the European shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic, but a valid species. Conclusions This work provided the first and the most comprehensive record on Sarcocystis from owls obtained in Finland, thus highlighting the importance of molecular data in the species identification.

scholarly journals Molecular identification of Sarcocystis funereus sp. nov. (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in offspring of Tengmalm’s owls Aegolius funereus (Aves, Strigidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ondřej Máca ◽  
Marek Kouba ◽  
Erkki Korpimäki ◽  
David González-Solís
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Data ◽  
Sorex Araneus ◽  
Sarcocystis Species ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Aegolius Funereus ◽  
Strix Varia ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Molecular Description ◽  
Tengmalm's Owl

Abstract The spectrum of species of Sarcocystis in birds and the role of the latter in the transmission of coccidia are still incomplete for many avian species including Tengmalm’s owl Aegolius funereus (Linnaeus, 1758). Therefore, this study is focused on the morphological and molecular description of a new Sarcocystis species found in the intestine of the Tengmalm’s owl and its possible role as definitive host. Ten fledgling owls from the Kauhava region of west-central Finland were parasitized by numerous sporocysts and oocysts in the intestinal mucosa scrapings (prevalence 100%). Sporulated oocysts and sporocysts measured 16.34−16.96 × 11.47−12.09 µm and 11.85−13.52 × 7.77−9.25 µm, respectively. Skeletal and heart muscles were negative for sarcocysts. Sarcocystis funereus sp. nov. is closely related to Sarcocystis strixi from the barred owl (Strix varia Barton, 1799) from the USA and Sarcocystis sp. isolate 5 from the European shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. This is the first and most comprehensive record on Sarcocystis from owls obtained in Finland, thus highlighting the importance of molecular data in the species identification.

scholarly journals Molecular Identification of Sarcocystis sp. (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in Offspring of Tengmalm's Owls, Aegolius funereus (Aves, Strigidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ondřej Máca ◽  
Marek Kouba ◽  
Erkki Korpimäki ◽  
David González-Solís
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Data ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Its1 Region ◽  
Aegolius Funereus ◽  
Strix Varia ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Tengmalm's Owl

Background: Birds act as intermediate or definitive hosts of cyst-forming coccidia parasites of the genus Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882. However, the spectrum of species of Sarcocystis in birds and the role of the latter in the transmission of coccidia are still incomplete for many avian species, including the Tengmalm's owl Aegolius funereus (Linnaeus, 1758). During the research on Tengmalm's owls in Finland, some fledglings were found dead and subsequently parasitologically examined. Therefore, this study is focused on the morphological and molecular description of a Sarcocystis species found in the intestine of the Tengmalm's owl and its possible role as a definitive host.Methods: Eleven fledgling owls in the Kauhava region of west-central Finland were found dead and subsequently were submitted for necropsy and parasitologically examined through the flotation–centrifugation coprological technique for the presence of oocysts/sporocysts of the genus Sarcocystis by light microscopy. Wet mounts were used for the examination of muscle samples (breast, legs, and heart). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR were carried out using primers for 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1 region, and CO1 genes.Results: All 11 examined owls were parasitized by numerous sporocysts and oocysts in the intestinal mucosa scrapings (prevalence, 100%). Sporulated oocysts and sporocysts measured 16.34–16.96 × 11.47–12.09 μm and 11.85–13.52 × 7.77–9.25 μm, respectively. The skeletal and heart muscles were negative for sarcocysts. Sarcocystis sp. ex Aegolius funereus (hereafter Sarcocystis sp. Af) is closely related to Sarcocystis strixi in the barred owl (Strix varia Barton, 1799) from the USA and Sarcocystis sp. isolate 5 in the European shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. Phylogenetic analysis allowed determining the relationship of the herein reported Sarcocystis sp. with its congeners.Conclusions: This work provided the first and most comprehensive record on Sarcocystis from owls obtained in Finland, thus highlighting the importance of molecular data in species identification.

scholarly journals Russia and the problem of Kosovo and Metohija

Balcanica ◽  
2007 ◽  
pp. 243-268
Author(s):  
Predrag Simic
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Balance Of Power ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
South Ossetia ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Un Security Council ◽  
The Usa

Nearly ten years since the 1999 NATO military intervention against Serbia and the establishment of UN administration, Kosovo and Metohija has resurfaced as a topical issue in international politics, separating the positions of the USA and Russia, and becoming a precedent in international relations, possibly with far-reaching consequences not only for the future of the western Balkans but also for many territorial disputes worldwide. Russia has only recently pulled herself out of the years-long Chechnya crisis, and facing similar problems in her 'new neighborhood' (Abkhazia, South Ossetia Transdniestria), is among the countries that might be affected by this precedent. Secondly, with her bad experience in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Russia has become sensitive not only to any disturbance in the balance of power in the Balkans but also to any change to the existing international order. Moscow has not forgotten that during the 1990s many Westerners saw Serbia as a 'metaphor for Russia' and that the NATO interventions against the Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1995) and against Serbia (1999) revealed Russia's weakness, sending her the message to give up her interests in the Balkans and Europe. Thirdly, diverging American and Russian policies on Kosovo and Metohija coincide with their strained relations over the deployment of an antimissile 'shield' in Poland and the Czech Republic, the war in Iraq, policy towards Iran and other issues currently at the top of the list of international problems. Fourthly, meanwhile Russia has managed to recover from the disintegration of the USSR and to consolidate her economic and political power in Europe and the world, owing above all to oil and gas exports, but also to the export of industrial products (military in particular). The precedent that an independent Kosovo and Metohija would constitute in international relations is therefore a test of Russia's role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. She has found herself in the role of the defender of the fundamental principles of international law such as the inviolability of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the UN members.

scholarly journals Formation of a new dog population observed by pedigree and mtDNA analyses of the Polish Hovawart

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Głażewska ◽  
S. Zielińska ◽  
B. Prusak
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Gene Pool ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Complete Agreement ◽  
Polish Population ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Limited Size ◽  
New Genes

Abstract. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the gene pool of a dog population during the period of its formation. Pedigree and mtDNA analyses were performed on the Polish population of Hovawart dogs. A total of 192 litters of 93 dams and 115 sires were born between 1988 and 2008. Breeding began using Hovawarts imported mainly from the Czech Republic and Slovakia; however, the role of Western European dogs increased continually throughout the period analysed. No unfavourable effects caused by the limited size of the population were identified because of the constant inflow of new genes from abroad. The continual increase in the gene pool was indicated by all of the pedigree parameters analysed. Two different mtDNA haplotypes were found, and complete agreement between pedigree and molecular data was noted. The results of the analyses permit concluding that the process of formation of the new Hovawart population was also impacted by non-genetic factors that directly influenced the composition of gene pool.

Prague, the Victorious May of 1945

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 80-91
Author(s):  
S. V. Kudryashov
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Political Struggle ◽  
Military Operation ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
German Army ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Group Center

The article deals with complex and controversial issues related to the uprising and liberation of Prague in May 1945. Interpretation of the events became acute and caused lively discussions in connection with the demolition of the monument to Marshal I. V. Konev on April 3, 2020 by the order of the local municipality. The Czech Republic is also discussing the idea of «perpetuating the role of other liberators» of the capital – soldiers of the ROA division, which for two days (May 6-7) provided assistance to the rebels. Using new documents from the Central archive of the Ministry of defense of the Russian Federation, the author draws a conclusion about the limited influence of the Vlasov units. They, indeed, brought confusion to the German ranks, but early in the morning of May 8, they themselves left Prague on a rapid march. After that, fighting and negotiations between the rebels and the German command continued. The article emphasizes that the main goal of the Soviet military operation from 6 to 11 May 1945 was the defeat of the German Army Group Center. The liberation of Prague was only part of a powerful offensive by three Soviet fronts. Heavy battles for Prague did not happen, but the entry of Soviet tanks into the Czech capital and the subsequent jubilation of local residents became a symbol of the end of the war in Europe. The author concludes that the demolition of monuments to Soviet soldiers and commanders is a manifestation of internal political struggle in the countries where it occurs, and the Czech Republic is only one of these examples.

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