Polymorphism of Selected Regions of Ovar-MHC and the Health Status of the Ovine Mammary Gland

Udder diseases (mastitis) are a serious cause of economic losses in sheep breeding as they have a negative impact on lamb rearing and the quality of dairy products. Thus far, progress in treatment and prevention of these diseases has been insufficient—giving ground for searching possibilities of using natural immunity to combat mastitis. This study aims to assess the relationship between the microsatellite polymorphism of selected Ovar-MHC genes and the health status of the mammary gland of sheep. The research is carried out on sheep of the Polish Heath and Polish Lowland breeds. In ovine milk, the SCC and the percentage of the lymphocyte subpopulation are assessed. Based on genomic DNA, molecular analysis of the Ovar-MHC gene fragments (OLADRB1, OLADRB2, OMHC1) polymorphism is performed. Significant differences are found in SCC level and the percentage of lymphocytes (CD4, CD8, CD19) in the milk depending on the alleles of the Ovar-MHC genes. Alleles of 488 bp (DRB1) and 284 bp (DRB2) are found more frequently in sheep, which milk contained <200 × 103/mL SCC, while in carriers of the 508 bp (DRB1) and 272 bp (DRB2) alleles, SCC level in milk is significantly higher (>200 × 103/mL). The obtained results justify the need for further research to better understand the genetic basis of mastitis, and to search for effective molecular markers that can be used in breeding practice

First report of freshwater atyid shrimp, Caridina formosae (Decapoda: Caridea) as a host of ectosymbiotic branchiobdellidan, Holtodrilus truncatus (Annelida, Citellata)

In recent years, ornamental shrimps gained increasing popularity in the aquarium trade. Unfortunately, they are potential vectors of epibionts, which may be unintentionally introduced to aquaria with imported shrimps. This contribution presents the first report of the occurrence of Holtodrilus truncatus on aquarium freshwater shrimp Caridina formosae. A total of 120 shrimp imported from Taiwan as aquarium pets were examined for the presence of epibionts. Holtodrilus truncatus occurred in 23.3% of shrimps. A total of 29.6% of crustaceans showed signs of damages as a result of H. truncatus activity. The shrimp is not common in the ornamental trade and is not subject to selective breeding. Therefore C. formosae populations available on the market, if not wild-caught, are most likely very similar to those occurring in Taiwanese natural water bodies, where H. truncatus occurs in Neocaridina shrimp. Neocaridina spp. are a known host for this epibiont, and transmission between species might occur in nature as well as in the aquarium trade were densities of animals are often high. The ability of H. truncatus to infect also highly invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii, might also pose concern for regions where this crustacean is widespread. The actual lack of preventive measures for shrimp epibionts as well as confirmed releases of ornamental crustaceans into new aquatic ecosystems may result in further spread of H. truncatus, a potential new threat to native crustaceans and other epibionts

First report of

This contribution presents the first record of ornamental shrimp epibiont, Scutariella japonica (Platyhelminthes: Temnocephalida) in European waters. The species lives on freshwater Atyidae shrimp from temperate, subtropical and tropical zones of South-East Asia. In total, 120 individuals of Neocaridina davidi shrimp were caught in thermally polluted canal of Oder river, near the city of Gryfino, in the northwest part of Poland. In that group, 5.83% were infected with scutariellids. Among shrimp, females were mostly infected (85.71%). Since ornamental shrimp released into thermally polluted water bodies have been also noticed in surrounding waters of natural temperature regime in Europe, S. japonica may spread further following potential expansion of the Neocaridina shrimp in Oder river. It is possible that other crustaceans, both native and alien which are present at this location, may also become vectors of this epibiont

Genetic diversity of native and introduced populations of the invasive house crow (Corvus splendens) in Asia and Africa

The common house crow (Corvus splendens) is one of the best known and most wide spread species of the family Corvidae. It is a successful invasive species able to exploit urban environments, well removed from its natural distribution. It is considered a pest as it attains high population densities, can cause serious economic losses and has many adverse effects on native fauna and flora, including predation, competitive displacement and disease transmission. Little genetic research on the house crow has been undertaken so we have only a limited understanding of its natural genetic population structure and invasion history. In this study, we employ microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers to assess genetic diversity, phylogeography and population structure of C. splendens within its native range represented by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and introduced range represented by Malaysia, Singapore, Kenya and South Africa. We found high levels of genetic diversity in some of the invasive populations for which multiple invasions are proposed. The lowest genetic diversity was found for the intentionally introduced population in Selangor, Malaysia. Sri Lanka is a possible source population for Malaysia Selangor consistent with a documented introduction over 100 years ago, with port cities within the introduced range revealing possible presence of migrants from other unsampled locations. We demonstrate the power of the approach of using multiple molecular markers to untangle patterns of invasion, provide insights into population structure and phylogeographic relationships and illustrate how historical processes may have contributed to making this species such a successful invader