A Cross-Sectional Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasites in an Ornithological Garden.

Captive birds in collections may be infested with a wide range of parasites. Globally, information on parasitic infections and their health implications in ornithological collections are scarce. In the present study, the prevalence of parasitic infections in an ornithological garden in Tehran was investigated. Samples (n = 109) from various bird species were collected. Direct wet smear, sedimentation, flotation with Sheather's sugar, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen and Giemsa staining were used for parasite screening. Parasites were identified in 57 (52.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 42.9-61.7) samples, with protozoans being the most frequently observed organisms, including Cryptosporidium species, Eimeria species, Isospora species, Trichomonas species, and Histomonas species. Helminths were observed in 29 (26.6%, 95% CI 18.3-34.9) of the samples and included strongyles, Capillaria species, and Raillietina species. Ectoparasites were rarely recovered, but 2 species were identified: the poultry shaft louse (Menopon gallinae) and the fowl tick (Argas persicus). Free-ranging birds were significantly (P < 0.001) more likely to have parasites in their feces than caged birds. Fecal parasitic infections were order dependent and more prevalent in the Anseriformes and Galliformes (P < 0.05). The frequency of gastrointestinal parasites was notable in the investigated collection. In open natural bird gardens, such as in the present study, the probable transmission routes and sources of the parasitic infections are most likely via the free-ranging avian species. It is wise to recommend regular screening of the birds in these gardens to improve preventive control measures. Additionally, parasite genotyping should be considered to clarify our understanding of the epidemiology of zoonotic and nonzoonotic parasites.

Between republicans and freemasons: A lost zoological collection found in a very particular school.

A lost zoological collection was found in an old school in Lisbon, Portugal. Taxidermied animals, fauna preserved in glass jars, skeletons, and fossilized shells were all part of this collection. The research showed that those animals were used by libertarian teachers in science classes in a school created by republicans and freemasons in the transition from the 19th to the 20th century.

The Avian Collection of the Zoological Museum of the University of Athens (ZMUA).

BACKGROUND: The Zoological Museum of the University of Athens (ZMUA) was established in 1858. It is the oldest natural history museum of Greece. The museum began its operation with the acquisition of a core collection and has been expanding ever since. One of the most substantial parts of the museum's collection consists of the avian exhibits, originating from around the world. NEW INFORMATION: Today, the avian collection consists of 2,948 specimens, preserved mostly through taxidermy, along with a significant number of eggs. The birds have been collected from around the world. A substantial part of the collection consists of individuals originating from Greece, Brazil, Canada and Australia. Having this valuable source of biogeographic information and a potential reserve of historical genetic diversity, ZMUA presents here the contents of the avian collection.

Type specimens of centipedes (Myriapoda, Chilopoda) in the National Museum, Prague (Czech Republic).

The centipede collection in the National Museum in Prague contains type material of 16 taxa (14 species and two subspecies), of which 15 were described by Ludek J. Dobroruka and one by Karl W. Verhoeff: Allothereuawilsonae Dobroruka, 1979; Chinobiusalenae Dobroruka, 1980; Lithobiuscorrigendus Dobroruka, 1988; Lithobiuscreticus Dobroruka, 1977; Lithobiuserythrocephalusmohelensis Dobroruka, 1959; Lithobiusevae Dobroruka, 1958; Lithobiusmagurensis Dobroruka, 1971; Lithobiuspurkynei Dobroruka, 1957; Lithobiustatricus Dobroruka, 1958; Lithobiustatricusmonounguis Dobroruka, 1958; Monotarsobiushomolaci Dobroruka, 1971; Monotarsobiuskrali Dobroruka, 1979; Pachymeriumdilottiae Dobroruka, 1976; Pachymeriumhanzaki Dobroruka, 1976; Scolopendraaztecorum Verhoeff, 1934 and Strigamiaolympica Dobroruka, 1977. Of these 16 taxa, five were described from the Czech Republic, three from Slovakia and eight from other countries (Greece, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nepal, Russia and Uzbekistan). The eight taxa described from the Czech and Slovak Republics are now considered as junior synonyms but the eight taxa described from the other countries are still valid.

Evaluation and updating of the Medical Malacology Collection (Fiocruz-CMM) using molecular taxonomy.

BACKGROUND: The Medical Malacology Collection (Coleção de Malacologia Médica, Fiocruz-CMM) is a depository of medically relevant mollusks, especially from the genus Biomphalaria, which includes the hosts of Schistosoma mansoni. Taxonomic studies of these snails have traditionally focused on the morphology of the reproductive system. However, determination of some species is complicated by the similarity shown by these characters. Molecular techniques have been used to try to overcome this problem. DESCRIPTION: The Fiocruz-CMM utilizes morphological and/or molecular method for species' identification. However, part of the collection has not been identified by molecular techniques and some points were unidentified. The present study employs polymerase chain reaction-based analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) to evaluate the identification of Biomphalaria in the Fiocruz-CMM, correct existing errors, assess the suitability of taxonomic synonyms, and identify unknown specimens. The results indicated that 56.7% of the mollusk specimens were correctly identified, 4.0% were wrongly identified, and 0.4% was identified under taxonomic synonyms. Additionally, the PCR-RFLP analysis identified for the first time 17.6% of the specimens in the Collection. However, 3.1% of the specimens could not be identified because the mollusk tissues were degraded, and 18.2% of the specimens were inconclusively identified, demonstrating the need for new taxonomic studies in this group. CONCLUSION: The data was utilized to update data of Environmental Information Reference Center (CRIA). These studies demonstrate the importance of using more than one technique in taxonomic confirmation and the good preservation of specimens' collection.

Species of the subfamily Triatominae Jeannel, 1919 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) present in the Collection of Chagas Disease Vectors (FIOCRUZ-COLVEC), State of Minas Gerais

Introduction Biological collections are depositories of information on different species and contribute to the knowledge, protection, conservation and maintenance of biodiversity. Methods A list of triatomine species currently included in the Collection of Chagas Disease Vectors (FIOCRUZ-COLVEC) was prepared from the database made available by the Reference Center on Environmental Information. Results COLVEC curatorship houses 4,778 specimens of triatomines, of which 811 come from other American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, the United States of America, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) and 3,967 are autochthonous from Brazil. Altogether, 56 species of Chagas disease vectors are represented in the COLVEC: two species of the Tribe Cavernicolini Usinger, 1944; fifteen species of the tribe Rhodniini Pinto, 1926, of which 12 are of the genus Rhodnius and 3 are of the genus Psamolestes; and 39 species of the tribe Triatomini Jeannel, 1919, represented by the genus Dipetalogaster, two species of the genus Eratyrus, two of the genus Meccus, seven of the genus Panstrongylus and 27 of the genus Triatoma. Conclusions This list provides important data on the diversity of triatomines ...