Hantavirus infections in forestry workers

Bjedov, L., Margaletić, J., Vucelja, M., Medved, M.M., Matijević, I., Krajinović, L.C., Markotic, A

SOME HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FAT DORMICE INCISORS IN THE GORSKI KOTAR AREA (CROATIA)

The fat dormouse (Glis glis) is an indigenous game species of Croatia, especially in the area called Gorski Kotar. Morphological and histological characteristics of teeth are determined by both genetic and functional factors but investigations of dormice teeth are extremely rare in the recent literature. Thirty dormice, collected from May to the end of October 2001, in the areas known as Mrkopalj and Delnice, both in the Gorski Kotar, were used to examine some physical and histological characteristics of the incisors. Jaws were separated from the skull, marked and stored in formalin, and then embedded in methylmetachrylat. We then made thin slices on which we measured histological characteristics of the enamel and dentine. The enamel of the incisors is built up in two layers. The basis of the enamel structure is enamel prisms, which differ in their course, direction and inclination, thus giving a striped appearance (diazone and parazone). Our results indicate that the enamel is thicker in the lower than in the upper incisors of these dormice. In the upper incisors the enamel is thickest in the medial layer of the crown, while in the lower incisors it is thickest in the cervical portion of the crown. The results of this study point to some statistically important values in comparison to statements in the literature

Dressed and undressed weight in naturally bred wild boar (Sus scrofa): The possible influence of crossbreeding

The aim of this study was to determine and compare field dressing percentage in free-living wild boars from lowland (Spačva) and hilly (Papuk) habitats in Croatia. The obtained data indicate a better dressing percentage for wild boars from the Papuk region, with mean values of 77.35% for piglets, 79.61% for yearlings, 80.1% for subadults and 81.93% for adults. The dressing percentage for wild boars from the Spačva region was on average 75.10% for piglets, 73.68% for yearlings, 74.85% for subadults and 63.24% for adults. Furthermore, the internal organs were divided into eatable (heart, liver and kidneys) and non-eatable viscera. Of the complete viscera weight, the eatable part represented 17.57% in piglets, 17.97% in yearlings, 13.37% in subadults and 15.69% in adult boars from the Papuk region. The same values for the Spačva region were 19.79% in piglets, 14.06% into yearlings, 12.87% in subadults and 8.67% in adults. The results obtained in this study indicate a better growth rate and dressing percentage for wild boars from the Papuk region. When the similar feeding potential and habitat characteristics of both hunting grounds are taken in consideration, the most possible explanation for the observed differences is crossbreeding of wild boars with domestic pigs. The nomadic keeping of domestic pigs in the area of Spačva remains a huge problem for the preservation of the pure, autochthonous wild boar genome