A Short Note on the Recent Taxonomic Developmentsand Molecular Findings on the Cyprian Mouflon (OvisGmeliniOphion) and the Sardinian Mouflon (OvisGmelini Musimon)

Optic neuromyelitis (NMO) is a demienilizing disease traditionally characterized by optic neuritis and transverse myelitis..

THE INTRODUCTION OF WILD BOAR Sus scrofa L. ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS

ABSTRACT In 1990, five wild boars (Sus scrofa L.) from Greece were introduced to the island of Cyprus for game farming. Examination of the coloration of piglets born in captivity indicated that they were the product of crossbreeding with domestic pig. In 1994, wild boars were illegally released in Lemesos (Limassol) Forest and, in 1996, in Troodos National Forest Park. Quickly, the population increased and dispersed throughout the park. The Troodos National Forest Park has an area of 9,337 ha and, with 72 endemic plants, the highest biodiversity in Cyprus. For that reason, wild boars have the potential to cause considerable damage to the local flora and fauna. On 6 November 1997, the government of Cyprus decided to eradicate wild boar because of the danger of transmitting diseases to livestock and to prevent possible environmental destruction. To control wild boar, hunting was permitted and the game wardens were instructed to eliminate free-ranging animals. The attempt to eradicate wild boar failed. The reasons for the failure are discussed

A Comparative study on the haemoglobin polymorphism of domestic sheep of the islands of Chios, Cyprus and Sardinia

Different alleles at the two linked α-globin loci are present in sheep: Iα113Leu and IIα113Leu, Iα8Ala,113Leu, Iα15Asp,113Leu, and IIα113His. Triplicated α-gene haplotypes are also common. Six different β-globins (A, B, E, G, H, and I) contribute to the Hb polymorphism. A comparative study on the biochemical polymorphism of α- and β-globins in pure sheep breeds of the Mediterranean islands of Chios, Cyprus, and Sardinia is described. Cyprus and Sardinia breeds have the lower frequency of α-globin variants. Chios sheep possess the high 0.40 frequency of the Iα8Ala,113Leu-IIα113His arrangement. No α-gene triplications were observed amongst Chios and Cyprus breeds. None showed the Iα15Asp,113Leu variant. The βB allele largely predominates; the frequency of the βA was lower (f = 0.03) amongst Sarda sheep that also possess the βI variant. A novel βB-globin variant was observed in the Chios breed. Both natural and artificial selection may be the cause for these differences

First mtDNA Sequences and Body Measurements for Rattus norvegicus from the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus

Invasive species are the primary driver of island taxa extinctions and, among them, those belonging to the genus Rattus are considered as the most damaging. The presence of black rat (Rattus rattus) on Cyprus has long been established, while that of brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is dubious. This study is the first to provide molecular and morphological data to document the occurrence of R. norvegicus in the island of Cyprus. A total of 223 black rats and 14 brown rats were collected. Each sample was first taxonomically attributed on the basis of body measurements and cranial observations. Four of the specimens identified as R. norvegicus and one identified as R. rattus were subjected to molecular characterization in order to corroborate species identification. The analyses of the mitochondrial control region were consistent with morphological data, supporting the taxonomic identification of the samples. At least two maternal molecular lineages for R. norvegicus were found in Cyprus. The small number of brown rats collected in the island, as well as the large number of samples of black rats retrieved in the past years might be an indication that the distribution of R. norvegicus is still limited into three out of the six districts of Cyprus

Mouflon Ovis gmelini Blyth, 1841

35 Pág.This comprehensive species-specific chapter covers all aspects of the mammalian biology, including paleontology, physiology, genetics, reproduction and development, ecology, habitat, diet, mortality, and behavior. The economic significance and management of mammals and future challenges for research and conservation are addressed as well. The chapter includes a distribution map, a photograph of the animal, and a list of key literature.We would like also to thank the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus (Dr. Kostas Kadis), the Senior Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development and Environment (Dr. Marina Michaelidou Kadi), and the Director of the Agricultural Research Institute (Dr. Dora Chimonidou) for their support. JSM is supported by grant AGL2017-85753-R (AEI/FEDER, UE).Peer reviewe