THE PROPOSAL OF MONITORING OF SLOW-WORM ANGUIS FRAGILIS L. AND EASTERN SLOW-WORM ANGUIS COLCHICA (NORDMANN, 1840) IN POLAND

The paper presents the proposal for monitoring methods of two species from Anguidae family occurring in Poland such as slow-worm A. fragilis and Eastern slow-worm A. c. incerta. Until recently, both species were considered to be the same taxon. Thanks to genetic research the Eastern slow-worm was isolated from the species A. fragilis. In recent years, phenotypic differences between A. fragilis and A. c. incerta have been described, but it has not been noticed whether there are any behavioral or habitat preference differences. Only the approximate boundary of the occurrence of both species in Poland is known. It may be important to distinguish common areas, as there are known cases of hybridization of A. c. incerta with A. fragilis in the Czech Republic and Hungary. Due to the recent isolation of the Eastern slow-worm, it is still not legally protected in Poland, unlike the partially protected slow-worm.

MONITORING PROPOSAL OF THE SPECIES VIOLET CARPENTER BEE XYLOCOPA VIOLACEA IN POLAND

The main purpose of this scientific publication is to present the suggested methods of monitoring the species violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea, which belongs to Hymenoptera of the bee family Apidae. Despite the fact that this insect is only partially protected under Polish national law, there are very few identified localities of these animals in Poland. The main problem related to the uncertainty of the number of the violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea is the lack of monitoring within national borders. The proposed method of population status assessment is based on the field research. These studies include the observations of many elements of the population and the environment and on predicting what are the prospects for protecting the violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea in Poland. The proposed method of population status assessment is based on the analysis of species presence and abundance and the proposed method of habitat status assessment is based on the analysis of area, food base, type of environment, elements of the habitat, the nature of the surroundings and habitat stability. The proposed methods can be also applied for Xylocopa valga, which can be easily confused with the violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea. What is the most important – regular monitoring may contribute to the recognition of other places of occurrence and will enable effective protection of the violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea in Poland.

THE PROPOSAL FOR MONITORING OF STOAT MUSTELA ERMINEA (LINNAEUS, 1758) ON THE EXAMPLE OF POLAND

The ability to monitor species distribution and abundance is essential to detect changes in animal population and implement conservation management programs which can prevent further deterioration of the species’ situation and help assess the progress of these programs. The stoat (Mustela erminea) is a small, extremely difficult to catch, predatory mammal which is under partial species protection in Poland. However, at the moment there are no deliberate actions conducted to protect it, and the strategy for the stoat monitoring has not been developed yet. This is directly related to various components, among which is the difficulty to develop an effective non-invasive method for capturing and identifying a stoat individual. The current state of knowledge regarding the distribution and abundance of the species in Poland is largely based on the observations reported to the coordinator, references in the literature, and photographs available on the Internet. The data, however, has not been confirmed by reliable field studies aimed to assess the current situation of this predator in Poland. This clearly indicates the need to deepen the knowledge about the distribution and abundance of the stoat in this country by starting the monitoring of the species. In this article, the first attempt was made to define the methodology needed to conduct it, which may be the base for further modification and refinement as new data is collected. A detailed description of the adopted methodology has been developed on the basis of methods successfully used in research on mustelids in other countries.

MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE TISSUES OF THE RABBIT KNEE JOINT DUE TO EXPERIMENTAL OSTEOARTHRITIS AFTER THE USE OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

The purpose of the study was to investigate the regenerative processes in the knee joint of rabbits with experimental osteoarthritis after using of allogeneic bone marrow stem cells and a traditional treatment with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Meloxicam. For the experiment were used 27 male California rabbits (males). Three groups of animals were formed: a control group; the first experimental group treated by the traditional method; the second experimental group treated with allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Animals in the three groups were subjected to osteoarthritis of the knee joint by double injection of 3.44% retinol acetate into the joint cavity at a dose of 1 ml at intervals of 7 days. Tissue from the affected site was sampled for histological examination at 7, 14 and 28 days. The histological sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and examined under a microscope. It has been established that intra-articular administration of 3.5 × 106 cells of allogeneic MSCs in experimental osteoarthritis contributes to the restoration of the superficial layer of cartilage, as evidenced by the formation of columns of chondrocytes in the middle layer of articular cartilage and the appearance of isogenic groups of cartilage cells with basophilic cytoplasm in the matrix, uniform articular surface. The use of the traditional method of treating rabbits using the drug Meloxicam is accompanied by incomplete chondrogenesis: part of the chondrocytes is localized in typical chambers, in some cases chondrocyte chambers did not differentiate; articular cartilage had unequal thickness, cell placement was uneven.

THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF HORSES IN THE ASPECT OF NATURAL TRAINING METHODS

As a result of evolution, humanity transitioned from a nomadic to a sedentary way of life, from hunting and gathering to crop production and animal husbandry. Domestication involved capturing wild horses and adapting them to the conditions in which they were raised by humans. This resulted in a change in the treatment of horses and the perception of their emotional needs. The focus shifted to building relationships with the horse, understanding it, and treating it as a rational being. Currently, horses are seen as one of the most intelligent animals ‘cooperating’ with people. In this study, 62 horses at four equestrian centres were examined. The horses included mares, stallions and geldings between the ages of 3 and 26 years, belonging to eight breeds: Arabian, Malopolski, Hucul, Polish Half-Bred, Silesian, Polish Coldblood, Shetland pony, and Haflinger. The analysis of forms of horse training indicated that all centres used classical training methods for 100% of their horses. The trainers declared interest in natural methods, but as support for classical training. Natural methods of working with horses were applied at centres 2 and 3, where horses were ridden both for recreation and for sport. This type of training was not observed at centre 1, where horses were used only for recreational riding, or at centre 4, which dealt mainly in breeding and training of race horses. Horses at centre 3 and most of those at centre 2 took part in in Parelli’s Seven Games, Join-Up, and desensitization to unknown objects, and imprinting of foals was practiced. This indicates that horse trainers are currently applying natural methods, but are not completely giving up classical training. A study was carried out to investigate the approach of contemporary horse breeders to forms of housing and use with respect to their interest in foal imprinting, natural horsemanship, Join-Up, and desensitization to unknown objects.

OPINIONS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EAR CROPPING AND TAIL DOCKING AT DOGS IN STARGARD CITY

Currently, ear cropping and tail docking are practised surgeries at veterinary clinics. These procedures have been around for centuries with first cases already performed in ancient Rome. The purpose of such body modifications is based on editing ear and tail shapes in a Since 1997, ear cropping and the tail docking is prohibited in Poland, with an exception for when animal’s life is endangered and depends upon it. This law also applies to other European countries and the rest of the world, including laws on crossing their boarders with pets recently subjected to this kind of surgery; all of which are regulated by adequate ruling bodies. The aim of this research study was to explode various opinions and level of knowledge on this topic of residents of Stargard city, as well as their personal position with regard to the ear cropping and tail docking at dogs. The research material was collected by direct survey and the selection of respondents was random. Achieved results explicitly pointed at predominating number of negative opinions of performing described surgeries on dogs.

FORMATION OF CORN PRODUCTIVITY IN CROP ROTATION DEPENDING ON LONG-TERM FERTILIZATION AND LIMING

Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the main source of feed and food resources. The importance of this culture in the world economy continues to grow. In Ukraine corn is an export-oriented crop of universal purpose and high potential. Based on the results of research in the ninth rotation of long-term stationary experiment, it was found that in the Western Forest-Steppe in four-field crop rotation on Albic Stagnic Luvisol the highest productivity of corn 73 t . ha–1 is formed by organo-mineral fertilizing system with systematic joint application of 10 t . ha–1 manure, N65Р68К68 on the background of periodic liming with 1.0 n CaCO3 by hydrolytic acidity. It is shown that long-term unilateral application of mineral fertilizer system (more than 50 years) on acidic soil along with the accumulation of nitrogen compounds increases the acidity and content of mobile aluminum compounds, leads to blocking the activity of enzyme systems, reducing absorption and transformation of nutrients and in consequence the formation of low-yield corn at the level of control without fertilizers.

MONITORING PROPOSAL OF THE SPECIES MONTANE GUINEA PIG IN PERU

The work presents a proposal for the monitoring of a species of medium size South American rodent – Montane Guinea Pig. The population of this species is not constantly monitored, so it is impossible to determine exactly how many individuals are in the wild. In recent years, the area of its habitat has been significantly reduced. Therefore, it was necessary to develop methods of its monitoring. Monitoring has been proposed in several areas of its occurrence: the province of the Lima district – Cercado de Lima, the Junín National Reserve, and the province of the city of Ambo. The main aim of the article is to define population status indicators, habitat quality indicators, and to establish examples of dates and frequency of tests.

PROPOSAL OF THE MONITORING METHODOLOGY OF THE GREEN HAWKER Aeshna viridis Eversmann, 1836 (Odonata: Aeshnidae)

Aeshna viridis, a species of dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae, is listed in Appendix II of the Bern Convention as well as Annex IV of the Habitats Directive. The decline in the range and abundance of A. viridis is associated with a strong dependence of this species on the presence of Stratiotes aloides in the water body and results from a decrease in the number of suitable habitats. So far, attempts to develop a monitoring methodology for this species have been made in several European countries, including Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. This article presents a proposal for a monitoring methodology based on the evaluation of indicators of population condition in the form of exuviae density and number of adults, and indicators of habitat condition: the area of the water body covered by S. aloides, the presence of dense and undivided patches of S. aloides, succession in the water body and anthropopressure. The concept of population condition assessment methodology is based on observation of adult specimens and collecting exuviae, avoiding larvae sampling, which is invasive and associated with technical difficulties. The concept of the habitat condition assessment methodology, in turn, is based on strong association between A. viridis and S. aloides. It is proposed to monitoring A. viridis population on a minimum of several research areas within the country, on a two-year cycle. The presented proposal of the monitoring methodology requires pilot studies to be carried out within the A. viridis localities in order to determine the validity of assumptions made in the monitoring methodology.

PROPOSED MONITORING OF LESSER MOUSE-DEER Tragulus kanchil

The lesser mouse-deer Tragulus kanchil Raffles, 1821 is a small, herbivorous mammal inhabiting regions of Southeast Asia. Unlike other species belonging to the same genus, the lesser mouse-deer is not critically endangered, however the biology and population size of the species are not studied well enough. So far no methods of monitoring of the species condition have been developed and for this reason, an exemplary protocol of the monitoring of lesser mouse-deer is presented in the paper below. The main goal of such studies is to estimate the population size and density, as well as to assess the quality of the habitat occupied by the animals. In order to evaluate the species condition, population and habitat indicators were developed. The methodology of studies is mostly based on counting specimens in transects, together with assessing the habitat quality and availability of food supply. Supplementary methods were suggested, such as genetic testing and using camera traps. Conducting such research is believed to aid in better understanding of the environmental requirements and possible threats, which may have a significant impact on the lesser mouse- -deer population. In the future, methods suggested in this paper can be improved or extended, so that the matter is examined as comprehensively as possible and suitable conservation measures can be applied.