Morphological and genomic characterisation of the Schistosoma hybrid infecting humans in Europe reveals admixture between Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis

Schistosomes cause schistosomiasis, the world’s second most important parasitic disease after malaria in terms of public health and social-economic impacts. A peculiar feature of these dioecious parasites is their ability to produce viable and fertile hybrid offspring. Originally only present in the tropics, schistosomiasis is now also endemic in southern Europe. Based on the analysis of two genetic markers the European schistosomes had previously been identified as hybrids between the livestock- and the human-infective species Schistosoma bovis and Schistosoma haematobium, respectively. Here, using PacBio long-read sequencing technology we performed genome assembly improvement and annotation of S. bovis, one of the parental species for which no satisfactory genome assembly was available. We then describe the whole genome introgression levels of the hybrid schistosomes, their morphometric parameters (eggs and adult worms) and their compatibility with two European snail strains used as vectors (Bulinus truncatus and Planorbarius metidjensis). Schistosome-snail compatibility is a key parameter for the parasites life cycle progression, and thus the capability of the parasite to establish in a given area. Our results show that this Schistosoma hybrid is strongly introgressed genetically, composed of 77% S. haematobium and 23% S. bovis origin. This genomic admixture suggests an ancient hybridization event and subsequent backcrosses with the human-specific species, S. haematobium, before its introduction in Corsica. We also show that egg morphology (commonly used as a species diagnostic) does not allow for accurate hybrid identification while genetic tests do.

Holomorphology and neotype designation of Microperla retroloba (Wu, 1937)

Microperla retroloba (Wu, 1937) is a poorly described species from Gansu Province of China and the types of which were apparently lost. Herein, a neotype of M. retroloba is designated based on new material from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region adjacent to Gansu Province. Male, female, larva and egg morphology of M. retroloba are described, illustrated and compared with all congeners.

Hubungan morfologi telur dengan bobot telur dan bobot DOC dengan bobot badan ayam Kampung F1

This study aims to determine the relationship between egg morphology and egg weight and DOC weight with body weight of Kampung F1 chickens. The research material was 174 free-range chickens from hatching 315 eggs. The method used: experimental method. Data collected: egg size, egg weight, body weight, body weight gain, and body size. Data on egg size, egg weight, body weight, body weight gain and body size were analyzed using a t-test. The relationship between variables was analyzed regression and correlation analysis. Characteristics of body size and shape were analyzed principal component analysis. The results showed that egg size, egg weight, body weight, body weight gain and body size of male Kampung chickens were different (P <0.05) higher than females. Egg size affects egg weight, and DOC weight affects body weight at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age. Egg size was positively correlated with male and female egg weights. DOC weight was positively correlated with body weight of Kampung chickens aged 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The closest correlation between egg size and egg weight was egg circumference (0.913), and DOC weight with body weight was weight at 4 weeks of age (0.936). In conclusion, the relationship between egg size and egg weight, DOC weight and body weight were linear and had appositive values.

Aedes aegypti: egg morphology and embryonic development

Background The diseases for which Aedes aegypti is a vector are worrisome. The high vector competence of this mosquito, as well as its anthropophilia and ability to adapt to the urban environment, allows it to exploit many habitats, making its prevention an arduous task. Despite current disease control measures focused on the mosquito, the effectiveness in containing its dispersion still requires improvement; thus greater knowledge about this insect is fundamental. Methods Aedes aegypti egg morphology and embryonic development were analyzed from eggs of the insectary of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo. Optical (light and confocal) and electronic (transmission and scanning) microscopy were used to analyze the morphological and ultrastructural features of the eggs. Embryos were observed in the initial (0–20.5 h after egg-laying), intermediate (20.6–40.1 h after egg-laying), and final (40.2–61.6 h) stages of development, and kept at a temperature of 28 °C ± 1 °C until collection for processing. Results Eggs of Ae. aegypti were whitish at the time of oviposition, and then quickly became black. The egg length was 581.45 ± 39.73 μm and the width was 175.36 ± 11.59. Access to the embryo was difficult due to the egg morphology, point of embryonic development, and difficult permeability of the exochorion (mainly in fixation). Only about 5% of the collected eggs were successfully processed. In the initial stage of embryonic development, characteristics suggestive of intense cellular activity were found. In the intermediate stage, the beginning of the segmentation process was evident. In the final phase, it was possible to differentiate the cephalic region and the thoracic and abdominal segments. Conclusion The chorion was found to be an important protective barrier and a limiting factor for the evaluation of the embryos and mosquito embryonic cells, indicating that further studies need to be carried out to identify the reason that this occurs. Graphical abstract

Aedes Aegypti: Morphology the Egg and Embryonic Development

Background: Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) has great relevance in public health worldwide due to its performance as a vector of arboviruses, which makes the knowledge about its cycle fundamental. It is known that the acquaintance of embryonic kinetics has great potential to assist in the development of new vector control technologies and, consequently, in the control of arboviruses. Methods: This research proposes to analyze the egg morphology and embryonic development of Aedes aegypti. Eggs from the insectary of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo (n = 46) were used. The methodological procedure involved morphological and ultrastructural analyzes using equipment for optical microscopy (light and confocal) and electronic (scanning). Eggs and embryos were observed in initial, intermediate and final thirds of development, kept at a temperature of 28°C, 1°C until collection for processing. Results: The embryos had different morphological characteristics according to the stage of gestation, in the initial and intermediate stages of development. In the initial third, the presence of primordial epithelium and characteristics suggestive of intense cellular activity were found. Conclusion: According to the results obtained in the eggs, it is concluded that the great resistance of the chorion in the embryo is a factor that generates difficulties for microscopic analysis of the embryo (mainly in fixation), with a strong protective barrier.

ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ И МОРФОЛОГО-БИОХИМИЧЕСКИЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ ИНКУБАЦИОННЫХ ЯИЦ ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННЫХ ПОРОД ИНДЕЕК

КЛЮЧЕВЫЕ СЛОВА: ИНДЕЙКИ, ПОРОДЫ, ГЕНОФОНД, ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ, ИНКУБАЦИОННЫЕ ЯЙЦА, МОРФОЛОГИЯ ЯИЦ, БИОХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СОСТАВ ЯИЦ АННОТАЦИЯ: Целью настоящей работы явилось определение продуктивных особенностей, морфологических и биохимических характеристик инкубационных яиц переярых индеек биоресурсной коллекции в начале, середине и конце продуктивного периода при групповом учете. Исследования проводились в производственных условиях СГЦ «СКЗОСП» на индейках биоресурсной коллекции: шести пород основного генофонда и четырех популяций нового генофонда - голубых, красных и групп 602 и 607. Установлено, что средняя живая масса переярых индеек основного генофонда в начале яйцекладки превосходила стандартные значения. Наиболее высокая масса яиц (83,07 г) отмечена у бронзовой северокавказской породы. Индекс формы яиц у индеек генофонда находился в переделах 68,53-72,93%. Единицы Хау во всех породах находились в пределах 92,93-94,73%, соответствуя стандарту. Содержание витамина В2 в белке яиц было в пределах нормы у бронзовой северокавказской и узбекской палевой пород; превышение норматива наблюдалось у белой северокавказской (на 0,43 мкг/г), московской белой (на 0,67 мкг/г) и черной тихорецкой (на 0,75 мкг/г) пород. Лучший показатель по живой массе в 16 недель отмечен у белой северокавказской (5,54 кг) и московской белой (5,63 кг) пород; в этих же породах самцы имели высокую мясную оценку (от 4,47 до 4,55 балла). Живая масса индюшат-самцов в группе 607 составила 5,98 кг. THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL EGG INDICES IN RUSSIAN TURKEY BREEDS OF GENE POOL COLLECTION POGODAEV V.A.1, BURAVTSOVA I.N.2, ROMANENKO I.V.2, KOLOBOVA O.E.2 1 North-Caucasian Federal Scientific Agrarian Center 2 Federal Scientific Center “All-Russian Research and Technological Institute of Poultry” of Russian Academy of Sciences The productive performance, morphological and biochemical egg indices in Russian turkey breeds of gene pool collection of the North-Caucasian Zonal Experimental Station for Poultry were determined in the molted hens in the beginning, middle, and finishing stages of the second season of lay. Six breeds of the gene pool and four new populations (blue, red, group 602, and group 607) were analyzed. Average hen weight at the beginning of lay in all 6 gene pool breeds exceeded the standards for the breeds. The highest average egg weight throughout the second season of lay was found in Bronze North-Caucasian breed (83.07 g). Shape indices of eggs in all 6 breeds fell within the range 68.53-72.93%; Haugh units were 92.93-94.73% and corresponded to the standards. Concentration of vitamin B2 in the albumen was normal in Bronze Nor-Caucasian and Uzbek Fauve breeds; in 3 breeds this parameter was above the normal range (by 0.43 μg/g in White North-Caucasian, by 0.67 μg/g in Moscow White, and by 0.75 μg/g in Black Tikhoretskaya breeds). The highest live bodyweight in males at 16 weeks of age was found in White North-Caucasian (5.54 kg) and Moscow White (5.63 kg) breeds; these breeds also featured the highest average scores of meat quality (4.47-4.55 scores out of 5). Among new populations the highest live bodyweight in males at 16 weeks of age was found in group 607 (5.98 kg). Keywords: TURKEY, BREEDS, GENE POOL COLLECTION, PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, EGGS FOR INCUBATION, EGG MORPHOLOGY, BIOCHEMICAL EGG INDICES

The Effect of Housing Management on Parasite Worm Infection in Gembrong Goats in Two Different Places in Bali Province

The obstacles faced by breeders in maintaining the Gembrong goat in Bali include worm parasites. Gastrointestinal worm infections in goats have an impact in the form of weight loss, anemia, diarrhea, decreased productivity, and economic losses. Research in the villages of Beraban and Abang has been carried out from September to November 2018 with the aim of knowing the effect of housing management on worm infection in gembrong goats in Bali. The study used a fecal sample of 20 gembrong goats aged 7- 15 months, regardless of sex, reared in a staged and postal cage. Samples were checked into BB -Vet Denpasar and tested by the floating concentration method, and egg identification based on morphology. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The results of examination of 20 samples found 9 positive samples in stage cages and 13 positive samples in postal cages infected by 22%. After being identified based on egg morphology, it was found in the stage cage pattern of 1,020 grams / faeces, while the postal cage pattern was 1,560 grains of salt / feces. The rate of gastrointestinal worm infections is in the moderate infection stage.

Morphology of the Eggs of Ornithocoris pallidus (Hemiptera, Cimicidae, Haematosiphoninae)

Morphology of cimicid eggs are scarce, and this is the first record for the genus Ornithocoris Pinto, 1927 (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This genus comprises two species: Ornithocoris toledoi Pinto, 1927 (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) and Ornithocoris pallidus (Usinger, 1959). The eggs of O. pallidus are ellipsoid, and an evident ‘lateral flattening’, which may give clear asymmetry from the longitudinal axis. The exochorion of the body of the egg and operculum of O. pallidus present spherical or polygonal structures in relief, and pseudomicropyles on the border of the operculum, both differing from Cimex lectularius. The internal face of the operculum is smooth and the border also presented three layers. It was not possible to observe micropyles in the egg of O. pallidus. Bed bugs have a great psychological impact on people, and some people can develop a more or less severe allergic reaction against the bite. Successful control of bed bugs needs serious organization. Studies on egg morphology will add more information to assist in taxonomy studies of O. pallidus and can serve as a basis for control studies because eggs are resistant to insecticides.