New data on David's myotis, Myotis davidii (Peters, 1869) (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), in Siberia and the Urals

Background: David's myotis, Myotis davidii, is a vespertilionid bat inhabiting the wide spaces of th

Peculiarities of the seasonal biology of ectoparasites of the Genus Spinturnix von Heyden, 1826 (Mesostigmata: Gamasina: Spinturnicidae) in the boreal zone of the Palearctic region

The most complete data on the peculiarities of seasonal biology of gamasid mites of the genus Spinturnix, which are ectoparasites of bats of the boreal zone of the Old World, are presented. Data on the dynamics of the sex and age structure of superpopulations of parasites throughout the year are presented; the infestation of various bat species is analyzed, and the factors affecting it are discussed. The main differences between the life cycles of the boreal and subboreal Spinturnicidae mites were revealed

Some factors behind density dynamics of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) ectoparasites of the boreal chiropterans: omitted predictors and hurdle model identification

We investigated density dynamics of three bat flies species (Diptera, Nycteribiidae): Penicillidia monoceros Speiser, 1900, Nycteribia quasiocellata (Theodor, 1966), Basilia rybini (Hurka, 1969) parasitized on two host species: pond bat, Myotis dasycneme (Boie, 1825), and eastern water bat, Myotis petax Hollister, 1912. Females of M. dasycneme have 3.4 (95 % CI 1.4–8.3) times higher odds of being infested, and in 2.4 (1.5–3.7) times higher average number of P. monoceros than males. Similarly, females of M. petax have 1.7 (1.2–2.4) times higher density of N. quasiocellata and/or B. rybini. We hypothesized an existence of host-sex-recognition mechanism in bat flies, providing it fine “ecological profit” due to sex-biased dispersal among adult host during wintering and the chance to infested a host offspring later (in summer). The decrease (due to mortality or emigration) in density of bat flies can be described as simple harmonic or S-shaped curve, and its “step” apparently corresponds to time of host pairing

Testosterone and occupational burnout in professional male firefighters

Background: Very little is known about the biologic predictors of the occupational burnout in firefighters. The aim of this study was to characterize testosterone profile of active firefighters and quantify its association with three domains of the occupational burnout. Methods: We enrolled 100 firefighters (median age 28 (interquartile range (IQR) 9.8) years with 5 (IQR 9) years in service) of three fire departments in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Demographics, smoking status, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and burnout scores of Maslach Burnout Inventory were assessed using a questionnaire, while total blood testosterone was measured in venous blood. Logistic regression models were used to quantify the association of blood testosterone with each burnout domain in the adjusted for confounders models. Results: The median blood testosterone level was 14 (IQR 3.5) nmol/l and was only predicted by age (beta − 0.14, p < 0.01, 79% power). There were no differences in blood testosterone levels between occupational groups (Group1 (firefighters), 14.6 (IQR 3.4); Group 2 (fire truck drivers), 14.7 (IQR 5.6); Group 3 (shift commanders, division heads,department managers and engineers), 14 (IQR 4.1) nmol/l, Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.32) or departments. Testosterone could not predict EX or CY, but had a negative association with PE score reflecting more burnout (odds ratio 1.18 (95% confidence interval 1.01;1.38)), adjusted for age, mental component of HRQL and education. Conclusions: Firefighters with higher testosterone may develop burnout in PE earlier, and this should be considered for proper work placement within the rescue system

Three new bat ectoparasite species of the genus Macronyssus from Western Siberia (with an identification key for females of the genus Macronyssus from the Palearctic boreal zone)

Three new gamasid mite species belonging to the genus Macronyssus Kolenati, 1858 (Acari: Macronyssidae), namely, Macronyssus sibiricus n. sp., Macronyssus stanyukovichi n. sp., and Macronyssus tigirecus n. sp., are described (females only; males, protonymphs, and larvae remain unknown). All species are known from Western Siberia and belong to the Siberian–Far Eastern bat ectoparasite fauna complex. The parasite hosts are the eastern water bat Myotis petax Hollister, 1912, and Hilgendorf's tube-nosed bat Murina hilgendorfi Peters, 1880 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). An identification key for females of the genus Macronyssus Kolenati, 1858, in the boreal Palearctic region is presented

Three new bat ectoparasite species of the genus Macronyssus from Western Siberia (with an identification key for females of the genus Macronyssus from the Palearctic boreal zone)

Three new gamasid mite species belonging to the genus Macronyssus Kolenati, 1858 (Acari: Macronyssidae), namely, Macronyssus sibiricus n. sp., Macronyssus stanyukovichi n. sp., and Macronyssus tigirecus n. sp., are described (females only; males, protonymphs, and larvae remain unknown). All species are known from Western Siberia and belong to the Siberian–Far Eastern bat ectoparasite fauna complex. The parasite hosts are the eastern water bat Myotis petax Hollister, 1912, and Hilgendorf's tube-nosed bat Murina hilgendorfi Peters, 1880 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). An identification key for females of the genus Macronyssus Kolenati, 1858, in the boreal Palearctic region is presented

Fecundity of the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus L., 1758 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in urban and suburban environments

The impact of the anthropogenic environment on the fecundity of the bat is poorly understood. Therefore, in this study we chose the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus – synanthrope, which is known to produce 1–4 pups, to assess that association. We compared the litter sizes of V. murinus among synanthropous maternity colonies associated with urban and rural habitats. Two colonies were examined from the city and two colonies in suburbs, with a total of 144 individuals. Larger litter size (2.7–2.9 pups per female) was observed in urban colonies, compared to 1.8 in rural colonies. We hypothesise that specific micro- and mesoclimatic conditions along with artificial light could predict that difference, and thus could reduce the time spend in estivation, stimulate higher milk production in lactating females and accelerate juvenile growth. Artificial urban light may secure abundant and affordable food for females, producing larger offspring

Fecundity of the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus L., 1758 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in urban and suburban environments

The impact of the anthropogenic environment on the fecundity of the bat is poorly understood. Therefore, in this study we chose the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus – synanthrope, which is known to produce 1–4 pups, to assess that association. We compared the litter sizes of V. murinus among synanthropous maternity colonies associated with urban and rural habitats. Two colonies were examined from the city and two colonies in suburbs, with a total of 144 individuals. Larger litter size (2.7–2.9 pups per female) was observed in urban colonies, compared to 1.8 in rural colonies. We hypothesise that specific micro- and mesoclimatic conditions along with artificial light could predict that difference, and thus could reduce the time spend in estivation, stimulate higher milk production in lactating females and accelerate juvenile growth. Artificial urban light may secure abundant and affordable food for females, producing larger offspring

Parasitic gamasid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) on Kunashiri Island, with a description of a new species Spinturnix uchikawai sp. nov.

The article presents new data on gamasid mites associated with bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) on Kunashiri Island. Three species (Macronyssus charusnurensis, M. granulosus, M. hosonoi) are described for this area for the first time. A description of a new species Spinturnix uchikawai sp. nov., illustrations, and key to species of the genus Spinturnix for the boreal zone of Eastern Palaearctic region are given