Evoluční historie ježků rodu Erinaceus

Hedgehogs from the genus Erinaceus are extremely interesting and suitable model organisms for studying impacts of climatic changes during Pleistocene on species and speciation processes. Erinaceus europaeus and E. roumanicus, which have diverged in southern refugia, formed a secondary contact zone in Central Europe. The widest part of this zone is situated in Czech Republic. Our work benefits from this position and processes that take place here such as reinforcement, character displacement and hybridization are discussed. Moreover, we addressed several questions about biological invasions and topics connected to peripatric processes. Using combination of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA we detected differences in population structure between the species and also between sexes. E roumanicus is mainly restricted to lowlands. Ranges of both species expand and hybridization may play role during formation of reproductive isolation. We did not observed ecological character displacement when using 3D geometric morphometry approaches. Populations in sympatry are more similar than in allopatry. Our data are enhanced by description of parasite fauna of sympatrical populations and we discuss the role which they may play in evolution of the hedgehogs. Study proceeded in New Zealand was based on comparison of...Ježci rodu Erinaceus jsou velmi zajímavý model pro studium dopadu pleistocénních klimatických změn na procesy spojené se vznikem nových druhů. Erinaceus europaeus a E. roumanicus prošli divergencí v jižních refugiích a vytvořili sekundární kontaktní zónu ve střední Evropě. Nejširší část této zóny je v České republice. Naše práce těží z této výhodné pozice a studuje procesy jako je reinforcement, posun znaků a hybridizace. Dále jsme se zabývali biologickými invazemi a tématy spojenými s procesy v peripatrii. Za využití kombinace jaderné a mitochondriální DNA jsme detekovali odlišnosti v populační struktuře obou druhů i rozdíly mezi pohlavími. E. roumanicus se vyskytuje především v nížinách. Areály obou druhů expandují a hybridizace může hrát určitou roli během vzniku reprodukčních bariér. S použitím 3D geometrické morfometriky jsme nezaznamenali ekologický posun znaků. Populace v sympatrii jsou si podobnější než v allopatrii. Další studie se zabývá odlišnostmi společenstev parazitů u sympatrických populací a diskutuje roli vztahů parazit - hostitel při speciaci. Studie provedená u novozélandských populací byla založena na srovnání historických a genetických dat s použitím Bayesiánského modelování (ABC), metody mimořádně vhodné k řešení složitých populačních historií. Podle genetické struktury byl...Department of ZoologyKatedra zoologieFaculty of SciencePřírodovědecká fakult

Evaluation of Impact of Population Management on Genetic Parameters of Selected Spiral-horned Antelopes

The rapid loss of biodiversity and the associated reduction and fragmentation of habitats means that ex situ populations have become an important part of species conservation. These populations, which are often established from a small number of founders, require careful management to avoid the negative effects of genetic drift and inbreeding. Although the inclusion of molecular data is recommended, their availability for captive breeding management remains limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the levels of genetic diversity in six spiral-horned antelope taxa bred under human care and their respective management strategies, conservation status, demography, and geographic origin, using 10 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci and mitochondrial control region DNA sequences. Our findings include associations between genetic diversity and management intensity but also with the diversity and contribution of wild populations to captive founders, with some populations apparently composed of animals from divergent wild lineages elevating captive genetic diversity. When population sizes are large, the potential advantages of maximizing genetic diversity in widely outcrossed populations may need careful consideration with respect to the potential disruption of adaptive diversity. Genetic data serve as a robust tool for managing captive populations, yet their interpretation necessitates a comprehensive understanding of species biology and history.</p

Genomic and Transcriptomic Characterization of Atypical Recurrent Flank Alopecia in the Cesky Fousek.

Non-inflammatory alopecia is a frequent skin problem in dogs, causing damaged coat integrity and compromised appearance of affected individuals. In this study, we examined the Cesky Fousek breed, which displays atypical recurrent flank alopecia (aRFA) at a high frequency. This type of alopecia can be quite severe and is characterized by seasonal episodes of well demarcated alopecic areas without hyperpigmentation. The genetic component responsible for aRFA remains unknown. Thus, here we aimed to identify variants involved in aRFA using a combination of histological, genomic, and transcriptomic data. We showed that aRFA is histologically similar to recurrent flank alopecia, characterized by a lack of anagen hair follicles and the presence of severely shortened telogen or kenogen hair follicles. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 216 dogs phenotyped for aRFA and identified associations on chromosomes 19, 8, 30, 36, and 21, highlighting 144 candidate genes, which suggests a polygenic basis for aRFA. By comparing the skin cell transcription pattern of six aRFA and five control dogs, we identified 236 strongly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We showed that the GWAS genes associated with aRFA are often predicted to interact with DEGs, suggesting their joint contribution to the development of the disease. Together, these genes affect four major metabolic pathways connected to aRFA: collagen formation, muscle structure/contraction, lipid metabolism, and the immune system

The extinct Sicilian wolf shows a complex history of isolation and admixture with ancient dogs

The Sicilian wolf remained isolated in Sicily from the end of the Pleistocene until its extermination in the 1930s–1960s. Given its long-term isolation on the island and distinctive morphology, the genetic origin of the Sicilian wolf remains debated. We sequenced four nuclear genomes and five mitogenomes from the seven existing museum specimens to investigate the Sicilian wolf ancestry, relationships with extant and extinct wolves and dogs, and diversity. Our results show that the Sicilian wolf is most closely related to the Italian wolf but carries ancestry from a lineage related to European Eneolithic and Bronze Age dogs. The average nucleotide diversity of the Sicilian wolf was half of the Italian wolf, with 37–50% of its genome contained in runs of homozygosity. Overall, we show that, by the time it went extinct, the Sicilian wolf had high inbreeding and low-genetic diversity, consistent with a population in an insular environmen

Emergence of methicillin resistance predates the clinical use of antibiotics.

The discovery of antibiotics more than 80 years ago has led to considerable improvements in human and animal health. Although antibiotic resistance in environmental bacteria is ancient, resistance in human pathogens is thought to be a modern phenomenon that is driven by the clinical use of antibiotics1. Here we show that particular lineages of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-a notorious human pathogen-appeared in European hedgehogs in the pre-antibiotic era. Subsequently, these lineages spread within the local hedgehog populations and between hedgehogs and secondary hosts, including livestock and humans. We also demonstrate that the hedgehog dermatophyte Trichophyton erinacei produces two β-lactam antibiotics that provide a natural selective environment in which methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates have an advantage over susceptible isolates. Together, these results suggest that methicillin resistance emerged in the pre-antibiotic era as a co-evolutionary adaptation of S. aureus to the colonization of dermatophyte-infected hedgehogs. The evolution of clinically relevant antibiotic-resistance genes in wild animals and the connectivity of natural, agricultural and human ecosystems demonstrate that the use of a One Health approach is critical for our understanding and management of antibiotic resistance, which is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development

Evolutionary history of hedgehogs from genus>Erinaceus

Hedgehogs from the genus Erinaceus are extremely interesting and suitable model organisms for studying impacts of climatic changes during Pleistocene on species and speciation processes. Erinaceus europaeus and E. roumanicus, which have diverged in southern refugia, formed a secondary contact zone in Central Europe. The widest part of this zone is situated in Czech Republic. Our work benefits from this position and processes that take place here such as reinforcement, character displacement and hybridization are discussed. Moreover, we addressed several questions about biological invasions and topics connected to peripatric processes. Using combination of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA we detected differences in population structure between the species and also between sexes. E roumanicus is mainly restricted to lowlands. Ranges of both species expand and hybridization may play role during formation of reproductive isolation. We did not observed ecological character displacement when using 3D geometric morphometry approaches. Populations in sympatry are more similar than in allopatry. Our data are enhanced by description of parasite fauna of sympatrical populations and we discuss the role which they may play in evolution of the hedgehogs. Study proceeded in New Zealand was based on comparison of..

Tracing genetic resurrection of pointing dog breeds: Cesky Fousek as both survivor and rescuer.

Cesky Fousek is considered to be one of the oldest pointing dog breeds in Europe and has been appreciated for its versatile working skills. Because it faced extinction in the past, the Cesky Fousek was restored from German Wirehaired and Shorthaired Pointers. Additionally, the breed was recently used in the USA with the initial intent of improvement of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (synonymous with Korthals Griffon) by the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Club of America. This study evaluates genetic diversity parameters of Cesky Fousek and compares them to the other continental pointing dogs that played a role in the formation of its gene pool. DNA from buccal swab and blood samples (n = 405) were analyzed using 18 microsatellite markers. Parameters of genetic polymorphism show that the Cesky Fousek breed has a comparable rate of variation as other hunting breeds despite the low population size and severe historical bottlenecks. Clustering analyses reveal a unique genetic status as a distinct pointing dog breed and the relatedness of the breeds is in good concordance with historical data. The present study demonstrates that despite historical admixture among lineages, separate pointing breeds constitute genetically differentiated units, mirroring unique breeding stocks and pedigree isolation among specific breed clubs, reflecting differences in breeding programs under each association

Independent introductions of hedgehogs to the North and South Island of New Zealand

According to the most recent (2005) compendium on the history of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in New Zealand, this small insectivorous mammal was first brought from Europe to the South Island in the 19th century. This introduction has been presumed to be the source of hedgehogs that subsequently spread to the North Island. This view was informed by the absence of hedgehogs in the North Island throughout the 19th century and no evidence of direct shipments of hedgehogs from overseas to the North Island. Molecular data have challenged this view and suggested that not only was the North Island colonised independently from overseas, but hedgehogs also first became established in the North rather than in the South Island. If true, this finding indicates that the historical record collected by previous researchers might be incomplete. In the present study, based primarily on newspaper articles, we fill this gap by documenting four pre-1900 shipments of hedgehogs to the North Island, thereby confirming the independent colonisation of the North Island. However, we also report on several relocations from established populations in Canterbury (South Island) to regions on the North Island, and none in the opposite direction. We illustrate the importance of linking observational and molecular data with historical records when interpreting the introduction pathways of introduced species

Macroparasite prevalences, abundances and ranges of dissected hedgehogs from the Czech Republic.

<p>Hedgehogs from different sexes and ages are pooled, except for <i>Crenosoma striatum</i>, <i>Brachylaemus erinacei</i> and <i>Hymenolepis erinacei</i> for which age groups were treated separately; <i>EE</i>  =  <i>Erinaceus europaeus</i>, <i>ER</i>  =  <i>Erinaceus roumanicus</i>, j =  juvenile, a =  adult, N =  number of samples, SD  =  standard deviation, hoglets (N = 8) are not represented in the table. Note: developmental stages of ticks were pooled. P =  probability based on χ²-test for differences in prevalence and Mann-Whitney U-test for differences in abundance, p-values represent the differences between the two hedgehog species, ecotparasite prevalence and abundance were not statistically analyzed, because the sampling method might lead to biases.</p><p>Macroparasite prevalences, abundances and ranges of dissected hedgehogs from the Czech Republic.</p

Comparison of the macroparasite fauna of <i>Erinaceus europaeus</i> from Central Europe (without the contact zones of <i>E. europaeus</i> and <i>E. roumanicus</i> in the Czech Republic and Poland) and its' southern European refuges.

<p>Note: ectoparasites were excluded from the comparison.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Pfffle2" target="_blank">[16]</a> Parasitological examination of 133 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Germany.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Timme1" target="_blank">[21]</a>: Parasitological examination of 410 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Germany.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Barutzki2" target="_blank">[23]</a> Coprological examination of 754 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Germany.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Egli1" target="_blank">[33]</a> Coprological examination of 135 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Switzerland.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Feliu1" target="_blank">[40]</a> Parastiological examination of 125 <i>E. europaeus</i> from 26 provinces of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Liesegang1" target="_blank">[41]</a> Coprological and parasitological examination of (numbers not known) <i>E. europaeus</i> from Richterswil, Switzerland.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Giannetto1" target="_blank">[50]</a> Parasitological examination of 39 <i>E. europaeus</i> from the provinces of Messina, Catania, Agrigento and Siracusa, Sicily, Italy.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Poglayen1" target="_blank">[51]</a> Parasitological examination of 126 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Sardinia (n = 34), Sicily (n = 39) and Emilia-Romagna (n = 53), Italy. (including data from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Giannetto1" target="_blank">[50]</a> and <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Scala1" target="_blank">[54]</a>).</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Alvarez1" target="_blank">[53]</a> Parasitological examination of the lungs and hearts of <i>E. europaeus</i> (n =  unknown) from Galicia, Spain.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Scala1" target="_blank">[54]</a> Parasitological examination of 34 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Sardinia, Italy.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Burgisser1" target="_blank">[62]</a> Parasitological examination of 175 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Switzerland (no prevalences available).</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Laubmeier1" target="_blank">[63]</a> Coprological examination of 212 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Pfaffenhoffen, Glonn and Munich, Germany.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Laux1" target="_blank">[64]</a> Parasitological examination of faeces (n = 601), guts (n = 232) and lungs (n = 209) of <i>E. europaeus</i> from East Germany (former GDR).</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Dpke1" target="_blank">[65]</a> Coprological examination of 243 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Germany.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Pantchev1" target="_blank">[66]</a> Coprological examination of 334 <i>E. europaeus</i> from Germany.</p><p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114030#pone.0114030-Ribas1" target="_blank">[67]</a> Parasitological examination of one <i>E. europaeus</i> from Elba, Italy.</p><p>Comparison of the macroparasite fauna of <i>Erinaceus europaeus</i> from Central Europe (without the contact zones of <i>E. europaeus</i> and <i>E. roumanicus</i> in the Czech Republic and Poland) and its' southern European refuges.</p