Helminths of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) (Berkenhout, 1769) in the city of Palermo, Italy

AbstractA helminthological survey was performed on 143 brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the city of Palermo (Italy). The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 98.60 %. The following parasites were found: Brachylaima sp. (prevalence 8.39 %) (Trematoda); Taenia taeniaeformis larvae (11.89 %), Rodentolepis nana (13.29 %), Hymenolepis diminuta (24.48 %) (Cestoda); Gongylonema sp., (4.90 %), Syphacia muris (8.39 %), Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (18.88 %), Eucoleus gastricus (30.07 %), Mastophorus muris (30.77 %), Capillaria hepatica (54.55 %), Heterakis spumosa (82.52 %) (Nematoda) and one acanthocephalan (0.70 %). The species found in males were also present in females, with the exception of the acanthocephalan. No significant differences were found between males and females in prevalence (P%) or mean infection intensity (MI). However, a significant correlation between both P% and MI, as well as host age, was observed in some helminth species. Hosts were infected by one to six helminth species (median = 3). This is the first report from Sicily of helminths in R. norvegicus

Yeasts in amphibians are common: isolation and the first molecular characterization from Thailand

A survey of the presence of yeasts in frogs and toads in Thailand was conducted using standard mycological examination techniques. The results, which were confirmed with molecular techniques, revealed the presence of five yeast species-Cryptococcus liquefaciens, C. heveanensis, Pseudozyma hubeiensis, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and R. minuta-in the bile of these amphibians. Although previous works have isolated yeasts from amphibian gastrointestinal tracts and skin, it is questionable whether these yeasts were acquired by ingestion or were commensals on adult individuals. Frog farms, an urban area and protected natural areas were surveyed and all tested positive for yeasts, which shows their ubiquity in both wild and farm-reared frogs. Additionally, the finding of yeasts in five different species of frogs and toads shows that there is a wide spectrum of hosts in this vertebrate group. Our results thus suggest that yeasts are likely to be widespread among amphibians in different habitat types and in a wide range of host species

Notocotylus Loeiensis n. sp. (Trematoda: Notocotylidae) from Rattus Losea (Rodentia: Muridae) in Thailand

Notocotylus loeiensis n. sp. (Trematoda : Notocotylidae) du caecum du petit rat des rizières (Rattus losea) a été observé chez huit rats sur 88 (9,1 %) dans la province de Loei en Thaïlande. Cette nouvelle espèce diffère de celles de Notocotylus décrites précédemment, principalement par la position prébifurcale extrême du pore génital et par le nombre de papilles ventrales. Il s'agit de la première description du niveau d'espèce Notocotylus chez un mammifère en Asie du Sud-Est. (Résumé d'auteur

Stowaways of a Stowaway: Parasites of Invasive Rodents

Human-induced ecosystem modifications include the introduction of alien species, among which rodents are particularly widespread. The expansion and adaptations of invasive rodents, which can come from distant regions, even different continents, have a wide spectrum of ecological consequences, including the spread of parasites and pathogens. As the title of this Research Topic reflects, the parasites travel to these newly colonized areas as stowaways on a stowaway (1, 2). Studies of parasites of invasive rodents have focused mainly on those carried by the genera Rattus and Mus. The available literature describes the parasites found and their prevalence, with particular attention given to zoonotic species that pose a threat for human health, and analyses of the specific host traits that enable successful invasions. Some recent studies have also investigated the spillover effect, shedding light on how the stowaway parasites are transmitted to native rodent species, and the role played by both invasive and native animals in transmission dynamics and maintenance of the new parasites in colonized environments. Our aim here is to focus on recent work in the field, dealing with previously unexplored Research Topics, and to identify research gaps and new questions to be pursued in the future

Diseño electrónico y mecánico de una turbina eólica de eje horizontal de baja potencia

El presente trabajo de final de grado en Ingeniería en Electrónica Industrial y Automática tiene como aspecto general diseñar la electrónica de una turbina eólica de baja potencia, contando también con en el diseño mecánico utilizando tecnología de impresión en 3D. Este proyecto se verá afectado por las limitaciones de presupuesto y tiempo, por lo que se busca encontrar la solución más eficiente y rentable para construir una turbina eólica funcional, capaz de cargar una batería para así aprovechar la energía producida más adelante. En cuanto a la parte electrónica, se evaluarán diferentes técnicas y estrategias para lograr una optimización en el rendimiento de la turbina. Se investigarán los distintos tipos de controladores, sensores y circuitos que se pueden utilizar para controlar el movimiento y la velocidad de la turbina, así como la generación y almacenamiento de energía eléctrica, teniendo en cuenta la eficiencia energética y el bajo costo. En cuanto al diseño mecánico, se utilizará tecnología de impresión 3D para la fabricación de los componentes mecánicos, lo que permitirá una mayor precisión y control en la fabricación de los mismos. Además, se prestará especial atención a la resistencia y durabilidad de los componentes a través de su diseño, para asegurar un funcionamiento óptimo y una larga vida útil de la turbina. Se llevarán a cabo diferentes pruebas y simulaciones para evaluar el rendimiento de la turbina en diferentes condiciones de viento, y se realizarán ajustes en su diseño en caso de ser necesario, con el fin de maximizar la eficiencia y reducir los costos. En resumen, este proyecto de final de grado en Ingeniería en Electrónica Industrial y Automática se enfoca en el diseño electrónico de una turbina eólica de baja potencia y en el diseño mecánico utilizando tecnología de impresión 3D.El present treball de final de grau en Enginyeria en Electrònica Industrial i Automàtica té com a aspecte general dissenyar l'electrònica d'una turbina eòlica de baixa potència, comptant també en el disseny mecànic utilitzant tecnologia d'impressió en 3D. Aquest projecte es veurà afectat per les limitacions de pressupost i temps, per la qual cosa es busca trobar la solució més eficient i rendible per construir una turbina eòlica funcional, capaç de carregar una bateria per aprofitar l'energia produïda més endavant. Pel que fa a la part electrònica, s'avaluaran diferents tècniques i estratègies per aconseguir una optimització en el rendiment de la turbina. S'investigaran els diferents tipus de controladors, sensors i circuits que es poden utilitzar per controlar el moviment i la velocitat de la turbina, així com la generació i emmagatzematge d'energia elèctrica, tenint en compte l'eficiència energètica i el baix cost. Pel que fa al disseny mecànic, s'utilitzarà tecnologia d'impressió 3D per a la fabricació dels components mecànics, el que permet una major precisió i control en la fabricació dels mateixos. A més, es prestarà especial atenció a la resistència i durabilitat dels components a través del seu disseny, per assegurar un funcionament òptim i una llarga vida útil de la turbina. Es portaran a terme diferents proves i simulacions per avaluar el rendiment de la turbina en diferents condicions de vent, i es realitzaran ajustos en el seu disseny en cas de ser necessari, amb la finalitat de maximitzar l'eficiència i reduir els costos. En resum, aquest projecte de final de grau en Enginyeria en Electrònica Industrial i Automàtica es centra en el disseny electrònic d'una turbina eòlica de baixa potència i en el disseny mecànic utilitzant tecnologia d'impressió 3DThis final degree project in Engineering in Industrial and Automatic Electronics aims to design the electronics of a low-power wind turbine, as well as the mechanical design using 3D printing technology. This project will be affected by budget and time constraints, so the aim is to find the most efficient and cost-effective solution to build a functional wind turbine capable of charging a battery to harness energy produced later. Regarding the electronic part, different techniques and strategies will be evaluated to optimize the turbine's performance. Various types of controllers, sensors, and circuits that can be used to control the movement and speed of the turbine, as well as the generation and storage of electrical energy, will be investigated, taking into account energy efficiency and low cost. In terms of mechanical design, 3D printing technology will be used to manufacture the mechanical components, which will allow for greater precision and control in their production. Additionally, special attention will be paid to the resistance and durability of the components through their design, to ensure optimal operation and a long lifespan of the turbine. Different tests and simulations will be carried out to evaluate the turbine's performance under different wind conditions, and adjustments will be made to its design if necessary, in order to maximize efficiency and reduce costs. In summary, this final degree project in Engineering in Industrial and Automatic Electronics focuses on the electronic design of a low-power wind turbine and mechanical design using 3D printing technology

Spermatological characteristics of the family Glypthelminthidae (Digenea, Plagiorchioidea) inferred from the ultrastructural study of Glypthelmins staffordi Tubangui, 1928

The present study describes the ultrastructural organization of the mature spermatozoon of the digenean Glypthelmins staffordi (Glypthelminthidae) by means of transmission electron microscopy. Live digeneans were collected from the Chinese edible frog (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus) in Udon Thani Province (Thailand). The ultrastructural study reveals that the mature spermatozoon of G. staffordi is a filiform cell, which is tapered at both extremities. It exhibits the Bakhoum et al.'s type IV of spermatozoon of digeneans characterized by the 9+'1' axonemes of trepaxonematan Platyhelminthes, the presence of the association 'external ornamentation-cortical microtubules', the external ornamentation located in the posterior part of the anterior region, the arrangement of parallel cortical microtubules in two bundles and with its maximum number located in the anterior part of the sperm cell, and the presence of two mitochondria. Other characteristics are the presence of spine-like bodies, a posterior extremity containing only the nucleus, and the presence of a large amount of glycogen granules. Results of the present study are particularly compared with the existing data in other families of the Plagiorchioidea, namely the Brachycoeliidae, the Haematoloechidae, the Omphalometridae and the Plagiorchiidae

The diet of the genet (Genetta genetta Linnaeus, 1758) as a source of information on local small mammal communities

Small mammals are the most diverse group of species within mammals. However, sampling the small mammal communities living in a defined area (with a degree of completeness) can be complex, due to the fact that species showed different niche use, behavior, and body size. Traditionally, sampling with traps is one of the most commonly used techniques to investigate the composition of small mammal communities (Fonturbel 2010)

Ultrastructural characters of the spermatozoon of the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini (Poirier, 1886) (Opisthorchiidae)

The present study records the ultrastructural organization of the mature spermatozoon of Opisthorchis viverrini by means of transmission electron microscopy. The spermatozoon of O. viverrini is a filiform cell, tapered at both extremities. It exhibits the characteristics of type IV spermatozoon of digeneans, namely with two axonemes of the 9+'1' trepaxonematan pattern, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane associated with cortical microtubules that are in the posterior part of the anterior region of the sperm cell, and with two mitochondria. The maximal number of cortical microtubules is in the anterior part of the spermatozoon and arranged into two bundles. Other characteristics are spine-like bodies and a posterior extremity with only the second axoneme. Ultrastructural characters of the spermatozoon of O. viverrini are compared with those of other known digeneans belonging to the Opisthorchioidea, with particular emphasis on representatives of the family Opisthorchiidae. The main differences between O. viverrini and its congener Opisthorchis felineus are the spine-like bodies (present and absent, respectively) and the posterior spermatozoon character (axoneme and nucleus, respectively)

Aonchotheca yannickchavali n. sp. (Nematoda: Capillariidae) in Bandicota indica (Bechstein, 1800) and Bandicota savilei (Thomas, 1916) from Thailand

During previous surveys of helminths in rodents from Southeast Asia, an unnamed species ofAoncho-thecawas recovered from the stomach of several rodent species. In the present study, the description ofthe new speciesAonchotheca yannickchavalin. sp. is provided based on both female and male specimenscollected from two bandicoot rat species (Bandicota indicaandBandicota savilei) from Thailand (Buriramand Nan provinces). This nematode can be separated from other knownAonchothecafound in rodents byits microhabitat in the host and by the size of the spicules in males and the vulvar appendage in females