Genetic constraints of population expansion of the Carpathian lynx at the western edge of its native distribution range in Central Europe.

Even though populations of many large carnivores are expanding throughout Europe, the Eurasian lynx population in the Western Carpathians seems unable to spread beyond the western boundaries of its current distributional range. Many factors, both extrinsic and intrinsic, can influence the potential for range expansion: landscape fragmentation, natal philopatry, low natural fecundity and high mortality, and low and sex-biased dispersal rates. In this study we used non-invasive genetic sampling to determine population size fluctuation, sub-structuring and social organisation of the peripheral lynx population at the Czech-Slovak border. Even though the population size has been relatively stable over the period studied (2010-2016), the individual inbreeding coefficients of residents at the end of the study were much higher than those of founders at the beginning of the study. While non-resident individuals (predominantly males) occurred regularly in the study population, only resident individuals with well-established home ranges participated in breeding and produced offspring. Almost half the offspring detected in the study (predominantly females) settled in or near the natal area. Subsequent incestuous mating resulted in production of inbred individuals, reduction of effective population size of the population, and sub-structuring of the population through formation of two distinct family lineages. Our study illustrates how social constraints, such as territoriality, breeding of residents and natal philopatry of females, lead to incestuous mating in small-sized populations, especially at the periphery of their distribution. This threat should be taken into account in planning of conservation and population recovery of species with similar social structure.

Ice-age endurance: the effects of cryopreservation on proteins of sperm of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Damage to spermatozoa during cryopreservation is regarded as a major obstacle to the expansion of sperm storage technology. The authors used two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and matrix-associated laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to explore whether the protein profile of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) spermatozoa is affected by cryopreservation. Fourteen protein spots were significantly altered following cryopreservation. Eleven of these were identified: three as specific membrane proteins (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein alpha, cofilin 2, and annexin A4) involved in membrane trafficking, organization, and cell movement; six as cytoplasmic enzymes (S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, Si:dkey-180p18.9 protein, lactate dehydrogenase B, phosphoglycerate kinase 1, transaldolase 1, and esterase D/formylglutathione hydrolase) involved in cell metabolism, oxidoreductase activity, and signal transduction; and two as transferrin variant C and F. Based on these findings, the authors hypothesize that transferrin in cryopreserved sperm may protect spermatozoa against oxidative damage during the freeze-thaw process. Cryopreservation caused changes in spermatozoa protein profiles that may lead to decreased spermatozoa velocity, motility, and fertilization success, and to subsequent ova hatching rate.

The optimization of the protocol for immunofluorescence on fish spermatozoa.

In comparison with mammals, the fertilization of fish occurs predominantly outside the organism in a water environment, where fish spermatozoa require specific conditions to interact with oocytes. It is evident that optimal conditions for fish and mammalian spermatozoa are quite different. This paper describes a special approach to handling fish (common carp and Siberian sturgeon) spermatozoa in comparison with the samples originating from mammals (boar). This approach concerns not only the differences in the composition of the media applied but also primarily emphasizes the concrete parts of the immunofluorescence protocol determining accurate results. Individual parts of the protocol for indirect immunofluorescence of mammalian sperm were changed step by step and modified protocols were applied to immunofluorescence experiments with carp and sturgeon spermatozoa. By evaluating the changes in the integrity of the fish sperm head and flagellum, we selected the steps and corresponding conditions that are crucial for handling the fish spermatozoa. Based on our results, it may be concluded that when working with fish spermatozoa, the cells attached to the microscopic slides must not desiccate prior to the fixation, which is a usual step when working with mammalian sperm. The second crucial step is the necessity to fix the fish spermatozoa, especially when the research is focused on the structure of the flagellum. The impact of the temperature conditions is rather low, but working at low temperatures, except for the period of incubation with antibodies, leads to a higher number of unaffected cells.

Monoclonal antibody FsC-47 against carp sperm creatine kinase.

The enzyme creatine kinase (CK) plays a key role in energy homeostasis of cells with high and fluctuating energy requirements. As for spermatozoa, the activity of phosphocreatine shuttle, which directs energy from the mitochondria to sites of ATP consumption, is dependent on individual species. High activities of CK are observed in spermatozoa of nonvertebrate, fish, and birds, contrary to the low-level CK activity in mammalian spermatozoa. A new monoclonal antibody (MAb) to carp sperm creatine kinase was prepared. This antibody is applicable to large-scale immunochemical techniques. In this study, it was applied to the study of carp sperm motility, and the evaluation of the influence of CK on the quality and fertilization ability of carp spermatozoa.

Presence of Skrjabingylus petrowi (Nematoda) in central Europe.

Examination of the nasolacrimal sinuses of pine marten (Martes martes), stone marten (M. foina) and polecat (Mustela putorius) from 27 localities in the Czech Republic were carried out. In 1 of the 23 stone martens, 6 nematodes (2 males, 4 females) were found and classified as Skrjabingylus petrowi Bageanov (in Petrov 1941). This is the first finding of S. petrowi in central Europe. The morphometry of the specimens in the present study was in agreement with that of the original description. The distribution of this species in Europe is discussed.

Nematoda fauna of some charadriiformes from Czech Republic (region Brno).

Examination of 10 bird species of the family Charadriidae have revealed the following nematode species: Strongyloides turkmenicus, Syngamus palustris, S. trachea, Porrocaecum semiteres, Tetrameres dubia, Eucoleus contortus and Capillaria sp. Three of them: S. turkmenicus, S. palustris and T. dubia parasitizing those hosts were found the first time in Czechoslovakia. Tringa glareola was found a new host for S. palustris.

[Disseminated aspergillosis in a loon]. / Diseminovaná aspergilóza potáplice.

A case is described of generalized mycosis in a diver of the species Gavia arctica, caused by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The organism of the bird was so much damaged that the bird died. There is a detailed description of the mycological characteristics of the invading agent and a description of the histopathological changes in the primarily affected organ -- the lungs. Further, a survey is presented of the orders of freely living birds and birds in captivity in which aspergillosis has been detected.