Food composition of Ocellated Skink, Chalcides ocellatus (Forskal, 1775) (Squamata: Scincidae), from the Cyprus Island

We examined the food composition of the museum specimens of Chalcides ocellatus (Forskal, 1775) collected from Morphou (= Güzelyurt) and Gönyeli (Nicosia District, Northern Cyprus). The stomach contents of 41 (23 males, 11 females, and 7 juveniles) individuals were analyzed, and totally 86 prey items were detected. The species was found to feed mainly on a variety of insects (94.3%) and particularly on coleopterans (62.1%). No statistically significant sex- or age-dependent difference was observed in the feeding regime. In conclusion, the diet of C.ocellatus was based mainly on insects and other arthropods

Food composition of Ocellated Skink, Chalcides ocellatus (Forskal, 1775) (Squamata: Scincidae), from the Cyprus Island

Abstract. We examined the food composition of the museum specimens of Chalcides ocellatus (Forskal, 1775) collected from Morphou (= Güzelyurt) and Gönyeli (Nicosia District, Northern Cyprus). The stomach contents of 41 (23 males, 11 females, and 7 juveniles) individuals were analyzed, and totally 86 prey items were detected. The species was found to feed mainly on a variety of insects (94.3%) and particularly on coleopterans (62.1%). No statistically significant sex-or age-dependent difference was observed in the feeding regime. In conclusion, the diet of C.ocellatus was based mainly on insects and other arthropods. Keywords. Chalcides ocellatus, Ocellated skink, food analysis, Cyprus The Ocellated Skink, Chalcides ocellatus (Forskal, 1775), is a medium-sized semi-fossorial lizard which is mainly distributed from North Africa, the Middle East, and the most part of the Mediterranean basin Chalcides ocellatus is a predominantly insectivorous lizard which feeds on various terrestrial insects. Data on the food composition of C. ocellatus were investigated in Turkey We examined 41 (23 males, 11 females, and 7 juveniles) preserved specimens of C. ocellatus deposited at the ZMHRU (The Zoology Museum of Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Turkey). They were used to determine the Northern Cypriot Herpetofauna as a continuation of the previous study The food contents were assessed in terms of the numeric proportion (the number of a particular prey item in all prey items, N%) and the frequency of occurrence (the frequency of lizard stomachs containing a particular prey type, F%). The trophic niche overlap was 168 Kerim Çiçek, Bayram Göçmen measured using Pianka's index (O, 1973). This index ranges from 0 (no similarity) to 1 (totally similar). The food-niche breadth was determined using Shannon's index (H, Shannon, 1948). The values of this index typically range from 1.5 (narrow niche breadth) to 3.5 (wide niche breadth) The average SVL of the 41 (23 males, 11 females, and 7 juveniles) individuals of C. ocellatus from Northern Cyprus under examination was 48.0 (SD = 3.75, range = 42.8-52.2) mm for juveniles, 71.9 (6.86, 55.0-83.2) mm for males, and 72.10 (5.46, 64.5-81.3) mm for females. There are no statistical differences in size between the sexes (t-test, t = 0.107, P = 0.916). In the stomach contents of 41 individuals, 86 prey items (9 in juveniles, 49 in males, and 28 in females) were detected, with their sizes varying between 3 and 20 mm, and the median number of prey items was 1 (range = 1-3) in juveniles, 2 (1-6) in males, and 1 (1-6) in females. A rather weak correlation was observed between the SVL and the number of prey items (Kendall τ = 0.31, P = 0.02). No statistical difference in the number of prey items in the stomach contents was present among males, females, and juveniles (Kruskal-Wallis test, χ 2 = 4.678, P = 0.096)

Screening the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and hemolytic effects of skin-parotoid gland secretions of 13 taxa from six species and one hybrid population of Anatolian endemic Lycian salamanders (Genus: Lyciasalamandra)

Background and purpose: The diverse bioactive content in the skin and parotoid glands of amphibians makes them unique and highly potential sources for pharmacological developments. The main aim of the study is to determine the total protein amounts, in vitro cytotoxicities, antimicrobial activities and hemolytic effects of skin-parotoid secretions of these endemic Lycian salamanders (Genus: Lyciasalamandra). Materials and methods: Lycian salamander specimens of 13 taxa from six species and one hybrid population are collected from southwestern Anatolia. Skin-parotoid secretions were obtained, clarified, supernatants snapfrozen then lyophilized. Total protein amounts were determined by BCA assay kit. The cytotoxicity was determined on eight different cell lines (one healthy and seven cancerous) using MTT assay. The antimicrobial activity was assesed using 11 different microorganisms (nine bacteria and two yeast) from six genus by MIC method. Hemolytic effects were measured on rabbit red blood cells. Results: Lycian salamanders’ skin-parotoid gland secretions showed variable cytotoxic effects on all cell lines with IC50 values from 5.41 ± 0.17 μg/ml to ineffective. MIC results of antimicrobial activity tests were also variable and from 3.9 μg/mL to non-effective. Studied skin-parotoid secretions have no hemolytic activities on rabbit red blood cells at concentrations of 0.5, 5 and 50 μg/mL. Conclusions: Skin-parotoid gland secretions of Anatolian endemic Lycian salamanders have sufficient and remarkable therapeutic potential to be candidate sources of natural and biologically active substances for novel drug discoveries

Anadolu'da yayılış gösteren Vipera ammodytes (Burunlu engerek) zehrinin sitotoksik, anti-anjiyogenik, anti-tümör ve antimikrobiyal aktivitelerinin taranması

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to screen the cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorogenic activities of Anatolian Vipera ammodytes (Nose-horned Viper) crude venom. Material and methods: The cytotoxicity was screened against PC3, HeLa, CaCo-2, U-87MG, MCF-7 and Vero cells by using MTT assay. The antimicrobial activity on Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, E. coli 0157: H7, Enterococcus faecalis 29212, Enterococcus faecium DSM 13590, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Salmonella typhimirium CCM 5445, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6957, Bacillus cereus ATCC 7064 and Candida albicans ATCC 10239 was assayed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration using the broth dilution method. Anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorogenic activity was assessed by using chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Results: The IC50 value of V. ammodytes venom on cultured cells varied from 1.8 to 7.0 mu g/mL after 48 h treatment. Venom showed antimicrobial activity on P. vulgaris, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. faecium and C. albicans (the highest activity). The venom exhibited dose-dependent anti-angiogenic activity on CAM model at 2 and 10 mu g/mL doses with scores of 1.1 and 2.0, respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study contributed to the knowledge of the biological activities of Anatolian V. ammodytes venom and showed its potential for further bioactivity guided characterization studies.Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Vipera ammodytes (Burunlu Engerek) ham zehrinin sitotoksik, antimikrobiyal, anti-anjiyojenik ve anti-tümör aktivitelerinin taranmasını amaçlanmıştır. Metod: PC3, HeLa, CaCo-2, U-87MG ve MCF-7 kanser hücre hatları ve bir normal hücre hattı (Vero) kullanılarak MTT testi ile sitotoksite taraması yapılmıştır. Antimikrobiyal aktivite broth seyreltme metodu kullanılarak hesaplanan minimum inhibitör konsantrasyon ile değerlendirilmiştir. Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, E. coli 0157:H7, Enterococcus faecalis 29212, Enterococcus faecium DSM 13590, Staphy- lococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Salmonella typhimirium CCM 5445, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6957, Bacillus cereus ATCC 7064 ve Candida albicans ATCC 10239 türleri kullanılmıştır. Anti-anjiyoge- nik anti-tümör aktivite civciv koryoallantoik membran (CAM) modeli ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: V. ammodytes zehrinin 48 saat sonunda hüc- reler üzerindeki IC 50 değeri, 1.8 ve 7.0 μg/mL arasında değişmiştir. Zehir P. vulgaris, S. aureus, S. epidermidis ve C. albicans (en yüksek etki) üzerinde antimikrobiyal etki göstermiştir. CAM deney modelinde 2 ve 10 μg/mL zehir dozlarında (sırasıyla 1.1 ve 2.0 skorları ile) anjiyogenezde doza bağlı baskılanma görülmüştür. Sonuç: Bu çalışmanın sonuçları Anadolu'da bulunan V. ammodytes zehrinin sahip olduğu biyolojik aktiviteleri ortaya koymuş ve ileride yapılacak biyoaktivite rehberli karakterizasyon çalışmaları için sahip olduğu potansiyeli göstermiştir

Landscape connectivity limits the predicted impact of fungal pathogen invasion

Infectious diseases are major drivers of biodiversity loss. The risk of fungal diseases to the survival of threatened animals in nature is determined by a complex interplay between host, pathogen and environment. We here predict the risk of invasion of populations of threatened Mediterranean salamanders of the genus Lyciasalamandra by the pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans by combining field sampling and lab trials. In 494 samples across all seven species of Lyciasalamandra, B. salamandrivorans was found to be absent. Single exposure to a low (1000) number of fungal zoospores resulted in fast buildup of lethal infections in three L. helverseni. Thermal preference of the salamanders was well within the thermal envelope of the pathogen and body temperatures never exceeded the fungus' thermal critical maximum, limiting the salamanders' defense opportunities. The relatively low thermal host preference largely invalidates macroclimatic based habitat suitability predictions and, combined with current pathogen absence and high host densities, suggests a high probability of local salamander population declines upon invasion by B. salamandrivorans. However, the unfavorable landscape that shaped intraspecific host genetic diversity, lack of known alternative hosts and rapid host mortality after infection present barriers to further, natural pathogen dispersal between populations and thus species extinction. The risk of anthropogenic spread stresses the importance of biosecurity in amphibian habitats

Platyceps collaris (Müller 1878), P. najadum (Eichwald 1831), Zamenis hohenackeri

Abstract. The present study is on the morphologies and sizes of peripheral blood cells (erythrocytes, leucocytes and thrombocytes) of thirty two Turkish snake species from blood smears, stained with Wright's stain

Trichodina reticulata Hirschman & Partesh 1955

<i>Trichodina reticulata</i> Hirschman & Partesh 1955 <p>(Fig 3A, 4A; Table 1)</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> (n=26) Body is big sized. In lateral view, it is disc shaped with a cell diameter of 50.0–74.5 (62.25±7.32) µm. Central area of an adhesive disc arranged with twelve equal shaped and spherical granules containing border membrane measuring 4.0–5.1 (4.5±0.7) µm in width with adhesive disc of 42.3–57.5 (49.9±3.78) µm in diameter. It contains denticlular ring measuring 27.9–36.0 (31.95±5.7) µm in diameter. The number of denticle is 25–31 (28±4.2). Denticle spans measuring 12.5–15.9 (14.2±2.4) µm. Length of denticle is 6.0–8.0 (7.0±1.4) µm. Blade broad and club-shaped. It is 2.5–8.0 (5.25±3.8) in length. Anterior blade surface straight and the lower part of anterior blade slightly curve in some specimens (Figure 3a and 3b). Central part consists of rounded overlapping area measures 2.0–3.0 (2.5±0.7) µm in diameter in width. Apex of the blade is projected towards Y+1 axis. Length of ray measures 5.5–7.0 (6.25±1.0) µm and number of radial pins per denticle is 8–10 (9±1.4). Nuclear apparatus not conspicuous.</p> <p> <b>Taxonomic summary</b></p> <p> <b>Host:</b> <i>Carassius auratus auratus</i> (L.)</p> <p> <b>Fish Family:</b> Cyprinidae</p> <p> <b>Locality:</b> Howrah, West Bengal, India (22°35’N, 88°19'E)</p> <p> <b>Location:</b> Gills</p> <p> <b>Reference material.</b> Lectotype: In slide no. GF-TR-11/2014, deposited in the collection of the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India. <b>Remarks.</b> On analyzing the morphmetric and quantitative data of the present specimen, it was readily identified as <i>Trichodina reticulata</i> Hirschman & Partesh (1955). The species was originally described by Hirschmann (1955). It has been reported from different part of the world (Lom 1960; Lom <i>et al.</i> 1976; Dove & Donoghue 2005; Tang & Zhao 2010; Hu 2012; Martin 2012). <i>Trichodina reticulata</i> is a highly distinctive species, clearly recognizable based on its denticles shape and granules present in the central area. <i>T. reticulata</i> has previously been recorded in India by Mishra and Das in 1993 from the gill of freshwater fish, <i>Catla catla</i> but it has been recorded for the first time as a pathogen of <i>Carassius</i> spp. in India and throws new light on the biodiversity and most importantly revealed a wide range of host preference, as it is the first record from <i>Carassius auratus auratus</i> (L.) which established as a new host for <i>T. reticulata</i> in India. The dimensions of the present material are showing huge similarities to those recorded in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil by Martins <i>et al.</i> (2012). (Table 1)</p>Published as part of <i>Göçmen, Bayram, 2017, First record of ectoparasitic ciliates, of genus Trichodina (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) parasiting cultured Oranda Gold Fish (Carassius auratus auratus L.) in India, pp. 128-142 in Zootaxa 4319 (1)</i> on page 131, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4319.1.6, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/888673">http://zenodo.org/record/888673</a&gt

Trichodina mutabilis Kazubski & Migala 1968

<i>Trichodina mutabilis</i> Kazubski & Migala 1968 <p>(Fig 3B, 4B; Table 2)</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> (n=14) Medium to large sized parasite. Compressed body having a diameter of 75.3–80.5 (77.9±3.6) µm. Distal surface of the denticle is flattened and straight lined simultaneously running equally to border membrane about 3.3–4.5 (3.9±0.8) µm in width and adhesive disc 40.5–55.7 (48.1±7.7) µm in diameter. Denticular ring 24.5–37.0 (30.75±8.8) µm in diameter, having a 22–26 (24±2.8) number of denticles containing 9–10(11±0.7) radial pins in each denticle. The denticle spans are 12.0–19.0 µm (15.5±4.9) in width and 5.4–8.5 µm (6.95±2.1) in length. The blade almost thickened along with posterior borders (Figure 3b and Figure 4b). Denticle blade is oblong with rectangular distal end having a length of 5.0–9.0 µm (7.0±2.8). Apex projected towards the y+1 axis. Blade apophysis is very prominent and with narrow central part having a diameter of about 1.5–3.9 (2.7±1.6) µm, which extends almost halfway to y-1 axis. The denticles were arranged in a tight manner. Narrow ray with blunted tip of 5.2–9 (7.1±2.6) µm long and directed towards y+1 axis. The number of radial pins 11 (9–13) per denticle present. Nuclear apparatus not observed.</p> <p> <b>Taxonomic summary</b></p> <p> <b>Host:</b> <i>Carassius auratus auratus</i> (L.)</p> <p> <b>Locality:</b> Haringhata, Nadia, West Bengal, India (22°53’N – 24°11’N / 88°09’E – 88°48’E)</p> <p> <b>Location:</b> Skin and Gills</p> <p> <b>Reference material.</b> Lectotype: In slide no. GF-TM-10/2014, deposited in the collection of the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> After careful consideration of the morphological characters and quantitative data, the specimen being described here has been clearly identified as <i>Trichodina mutabilis</i> Kazubski and Migala 1968. <i>T. mutabilis</i> was firstly described by Kazubski & Migala from Poland in 1968. Since then, it has been reported from various parts of the world, including India (Lom 1970; Basson & Van 1994; Mitra & Bandyopadhyay 2005; Dove & Donoghue 2005; Hu 2012). This is an important findings since indicated <i>T. mutabilis</i> also prefers ornamental fish as its host and also established as a new host for the parasite and it is the first record of this species from <i>Carassius</i> spp. in India. The population obtained from <i>Carassius auratus auratus</i> (L.) show significant resemblance in denticle structure with those of specimens reported by Lom (1970) found isolated <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> (Table 2).</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> (n=17) Large to medium sized trichodinid, with compressed disc-shaped body having 55.6–71.4 (63.5±5.1) µm in diameter, featured by a central circular space of about 8.0–11.5 (9.75±2.4) µm in diameter, which remains free from silver. The specimen with an adhesive disc of 41.5–60.9 (51.2±3.7) µm in diameter containing denticular ring measuring 25.6–37.5 (31.55±8.4) µm in diameter. It consist of 18–25 (21.5±4.9) number of denticles which is surrounded by a wide broader membrane of about 4.4–5.1 (4.75±0.4) µm diameter in width. The denticle blades are sickle-shaped having a length of 6.5–11.0 (8.75±3.1) µm and with denticle span of about 11.7– 18.9 (15.3±5.0) µm wide. Central part of the blade is triangular in shape and 8–12 (10±2.8) radial pins are found in each denticle of every specimen. The apophysis of the blade is pronouncly pointed with sharp ending having a blade length of 4.3–6.5 (5.4±1.5) since it is extended to the posterior portion of the central part. Ray mostly flattened and evenly from central part to pointed tip measuring 5.5–8.9 (7.2±2.4) long and forming a 2.1–3.5 (2.8±0.9) wide central part. Nuclear apparatus not observed.</p> <p> <b>Taxonomic summary</b></p> <p> <b>Host:</b> <i>Carassius auratus auratus</i> (L.)</p> <p> <b>Locality:</b> Haringhata, Nadia, West Bengal, India (22°53’N – 24°11’N / 88°09’E – 88°48’E)</p> <p> <b>Location:</b> Skin and Gills</p> <p> <b>Reference material:</b> Lectotype: In slide no. GF- TA-15/2014, deposited in the collection of the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> Considering the morphological characters and quantitative data, the specimen seems to be identified as <i>Trichodina acuta</i> Lom (1961). The sp. was first described by Lom in 1961 from various types of freshwater fish of Bohemia. Since the specimen showed a wide range of geographical distribution and biodiversity of hosts from various places of the world (Kazubski & Migala 1968; Lom 1970; Dove & Donoghue 2005; Basson <i>et al.</i> 1983; Van & Basson 1989; Gaze & Wooten 1998). <i>T. acuta</i> has previously been recorded in India by Asmat (2000b) and Mitra (2013) from freshwater fish, but it is recorded for the first time as a pathogen of <i>Carassius</i> spp. from India. <i>Trichodina acuta</i> obtained in the present study apparently shows considerable morphological variability with Lom (1961). (Table 3)</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> (n=8) Large trichodinid with flattened body having a diameter of 52.5–59.6 µm (56.05±5.0) and surrounded by a wide border membrane 3.8–6.0 µm (4.9±1.5) in width. The adhesive disc is 44.1–48.3 (46.2±2.9) µm in diameter with a clear granule at the free center. The denticulate ring measures 27.5–33.5 µm (30.5±4.2) having a number of denticles about 25–31(28±4.24). Number of radial pins per denticle is 8–10 (9±1.4). The blade of denticle is rectangular having 5.0–7.0 µm (6.0±1.4) in length, covering almost half area of the entire spaces between y+1 axis (Figure 6a and Figure 6b). Span of denticle is 14.2–16.5 (15.35±1.6) µm and having a length of 5.1–7.2 (6.15±1.4) µm. The apical ejection is well developed and never impregnated. The blade connection contains well developed smooth surface which mostly parallel to the anterior blade surface. The central part fits tightly into the preceding denticle with rounded point that extends almost halfway to y-1 axis, Width of the central part is 2.5–3.1 (2.8±0.4) µm. Ray relatively narrow and measures 5.8–8.0 (6.9±1.5) µm.</p> <p> <b>Taxonomic summary</b></p> <p> <b>Host:</b> <i>Carassius auratus auratus</i> (L.)</p> <p> <b>Locality:</b> Haringhata, Nadia, West Bengal, India (22°53’N – 24°11’N / 88°09’E – 88°48’E)</p> <p> <b>Location:</b> Gills</p> <p> <b>Reference material.</b> Lectotype: In slide no. GF-TN-11/2014, deposited in the collection of the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> After considering the morphological features and quantitative data of the present material it was very clearly identified as <i>Trichodina ngoma</i> Van & Basson (1992). It was firstly reported from <i>Hemigrammocharax multifasciatus</i> of Lake Lisikili, belonging to the Zambesi River System, which locates in Eastern Caprivi, South Africa by Van & Basson in 1992. After that it was reported from China by Tang & Zhao (2010). Till date it has not been reported again from India. The study will throw light on biodiversity and host preference of the species and also regarding new distribution in Asian subcontinent. The dimensions of the present specimen are showing close similarities to those reported in China by Tang & Zhao (2010) (Table 4).</p> <p> Species <i>Trichodina ngoma</i> <i>Trichodina ngoma</i> Host <i>Carassius auratus auratus Carassius auratus</i></p>Published as part of <i>Göçmen, Bayram, 2017, First record of ectoparasitic ciliates, of genus Trichodina (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) parasiting cultured Oranda Gold Fish (Carassius auratus auratus L.) in India, pp. 128-142 in Zootaxa 4319 (1)</i> on pages 132-137, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4319.1.6, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/888673">http://zenodo.org/record/888673</a&gt