Very low intraspecific sequence variation in selected nuclear and mitochondrial Parascaris univalens genes

45 p.-4 fig.Equines were over decades considered to be infected by two morphologically virtually indistinguishable ascarid species, Parascaris univalens and Parascaris equorum. Reliable species discrimination is only possible using enzyme isoelectric focussing and karyotyping with P. univalens having one and P. equorum two chromosome pairs. However, presumably the complexity of both methods prevented their routine use in nearly all previous studies about prevalence and drug resistance of Parascaris spp. These have barely been performed on the species level although most studies stated presence of one or the other species. Recently, only P. univalens has been identified by karyotyping and the last published study identifying P. equorum dates back to 1989. In order to improve species-specific detection, molecular markers are required. Here, partial 12S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 and - 2 sequences were obtained from 24 karyotyped Parascaris specimens from Poland and 6 German specimens (not karyotyped) and used in phylogenetic analyses with orthologous sequences from GenBank. All karyotyped specimens were identified as P. univalens. In the phylogenetic analysis, they formed very homogenous clusters for all target genes and in a multi-locus analysis. Within this cluster, almost all sequences from GenBank were also included, no matter if they had been assigned to P. univalens or P. equorum. However, a small number of P. univalens ITS and COI sequences originating from donkeys from a single farm in China formed a highly supported sister cluster suggesting that they might represent another Parascaris genotype or species. Our data also strongly suggest that nearly all ITS and COI sequences previously deposited in GenBank and assigned to P. equorum actually represent P. univalens. The fact that significantly different sequences can be found in Parascaris spp. suggests that PCR-based species diagnosis will be possible once molecular markers have been identified for P. equorum from karyotyped specimens.The funding of this study by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, project number 111144555) is thankfully acknowledgedPeer reviewe

Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in proton-proton collisions at s=900\sqrt{s} = 900 GeV with ALICE at the LHC

The inclusive charged particle transverse momentum distribution is measured in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 900$ GeV at the LHC using the ALICE detector. The measurement is performed in the central pseudorapidity region $(|\eta|<0.8)$ over the transverse momentum range $0.15<p_{\rm T}<10$ GeV/$c$. The correlation between transverse momentum and particle multiplicity is also studied. Results are presented for inelastic (INEL) and non-single-diffractive (NSD) events. The average transverse momentum for $|\eta|<0.8$ is $\left<p_{\rm T}\right>_{\rm INEL}=0.483\pm0.001$ (stat.) $\pm0.007$ (syst.) GeV/$c$ and \left_{\rm NSD}=0.489\pm0.001 (stat.) $\pm0.007$ (syst.) GeV/$c$, respectively. The data exhibit a slightly larger $\left<p_{\rm T}\right>$ than measurements in wider pseudorapidity intervals. The results are compared to simulations with the Monte Carlo event generators PYTHIA and PHOJET.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, published version, figures at http://aliceinfo.cern.ch/ArtSubmission/node/390

Annual habit and apomixis as drought adaptations in <i>Selaginella tenerrima</i>

Selaginella tenerrima A. Braun ex Kuhn, widely distributed in the savanna-woodland and savanna zones of tropical Africa, is strictly annual. Dormant megaspores survive the yearly drought. Apomixis has been confirmed through laboratory cultures. Microsporangia are usually absent or very few. and the sporophyte chromosome number is triploid: 2n = 30

The impact of land use on water quality in water reservoirs of the Drawa River catchment

Celem pracy było określenie wpływu użytkowania zlewni na kształtowanie jakości wód jeziornych. Badaniami objęto trzy zbiorniki wraz z ich zlewniami (bezpośrednimi i całkowitymi) położone w zlewni rzeki Drawa. W celu ustalenia tego wpływu oszacowano ładunek związków azotu i fosforu, trafiający do jeziora z terenu zlewni bezpośredniej (jako spływy obszarowe) oraz całkowitej (jako dopływ ciekami). Otrzymane ładunki fosforu porównano z ładunkami dopuszczalnymi i niebezpiecznymi dla badanych zbiorników. Dodatkowo oceniono naturalną odporność jezior na degradację oraz wpływ zlewni na tempo dostawy do nich materii.The aim of this work was to estimate the impact of land use on lake water quality. The study involved three water bodies and their catchments (direct and total) located in the Drawa River catchment basin. The loads of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds were estimated as those delivered from direct catchment (surface runoff) and the loads from total catchment delivered to lakes in the river water input. Phosphorus loads were compared with permissible and excessive loads of phosphorus for analysed lakes. Additionally, the natural vulnerability of lakes to degradation and the effect of lake catchment on matter input to lakes were estimated

The case of the nematode Setaria equina found in the vaginal sac of the stallion's scrotum

The nematode Setaria equina usually reside in body cavities and do not cause clinical symptoms. From time to time, however, these parasites can be located in the scrotum and spermatic cord inflicting pain and edema in these body parts. The aim of the study was to describe the case of the nematode Setaria equina found in the vaginal sac of the stallion’s scrotum. During the study, thorough examination of 50 isolated testicles of 25 stallions was conducted. The horses were obtained post-slaughter from the local slaughterhouse near Krakow. In one of examined stallions, two females of Setaria equina of 80 and 110 mm in length were found attached to the surface of the testicle. A part of one of the nematode was found in the space between the surface of the testicle and the epididymis. During the examination of the testicle sections, chronic inflammation (orchitis chronica) and focal necrosis perivascularis were found

The influence of Taenia taeniaeformis larval infection on morphometrical parameters of muskrat [Ondatra zibethicus]

An investigation aimed to check the influence of Taenia taeniaeformis larvae on morphometrical parameters of muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) was carried. A total of 30 animals were hunted down in upper Vistula river basin in south Poland, then measured, weighed and dissected. Statistical comparison were done using U Mann-Whitney test. T. taeniaeformis larvae – cysticercus fasciolaris was found in the liver of 24 muskrats (80%). Significant differences between infected and non infected animals are reported, as regards their body mass, total length, abdomen circumference (p<0.01) and also in body length (total minus tail length), head length, or chest and neck circumference (p<0.05). The effect of infection on both muskrat condition and the presence of adult cestodes in definitive hosts are discussed