Retrospective of protection methods against smaii rodents in Croatian forests (1980-2015)

Svrha preglednog rada bila je dobiti uvid u dosadašnja iskustva kontrole brojnosti sitnih glodavaca, utvrĊivanja šteta od istih i zaštite od njihova štetnog djelovanja prema struci i znanosti u razdoblju od 1980. do 2015. godine. Kroz rad je napravljena baza podataka za navedeno razdoblje, analizirani su dobiveni podaci i kreirana je smjernica prema kojoj bi se na terenu pratilo sve navedeno

Forest Residue Management Impact on Rodent (Rodentia: Murinae, Arvicolinae) Damage in Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) Forests in Croatia

Small rodents (Rodentia, subfam. Murinae: real mice, Arvicoline voles) greatly affect natural regeneration, stability and dynamics of forest communities worldwide. Every 3–4 years rodent damage in Croatian state forests is the most severe in forest regeneration stands, especially in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.) forests, where rodents can seriously impede natural regeneration by damaging seeds, stems and roots of saplings. These negative interactions are an even bigger challenge nowdays as pedunculate oak and narrow-leaved ash have become more vunerable in the last decades and are known as the most sensitive species of lowland forests in Croatia due to microclimatic and macroclimatic changes and the unfavourable interaction of a whole series of anthropogenic, abiotic and biotic factors. In the last 40 years, in Croatian state forests, rodent management consisted of monitoring and mainly rodenticide use. Trying to implement IPM (Integrated Pest Management) postulates into practice over the years, different prevention methods against small rodents were tested, but not many came to use. The aim of this research was to look into different logging residue management approaches and their effect on the rodent damage in two pedunculate oak forest regeneration stands in central Posavina in Croatia. Rodent damage on stem and root of tree saplings was recorded by visual inspection on three plots (5x5 m) with scattered logging residue, and one plot (5x5 m) with no residue at one micro-depression site (95 m a.s.l.), and on one micro-elevation (99 m a.s.l.) site. Plots with scattered logging residue represented a type of forest residue management in which logging debris (branches) is cut to smaller lengths and distributed evenly at the forest regeneration stand. Plot with no logging debris represented a residue management method in which wood mass is completely removed from the regeneration stand after felling. We counted, determined and inspected tree saplings found at chosen plots for rodent damage (on stem and roots) and also determined the average weight and moisture content of logging residue (branches around 5–7 cm in diameter) found at the site. In spring 2017, 3380 tree saplings (2978; 81% pedunculate oak, 7; 0.2% narrowleaved ash and 395; 11.7% other deciduous species) were inspected for rodent damage. At micro-depression site, on a plot with no logging residue, only 13.4% of the saplings were damaged, while the average share of damaged saplings on three plots with scattered residue was more than six times higher; 87.8%. The average mass of the logging residue weighed at site with scattered residue was 10.14 kg kg/m2 and moisture content was 19.2%. At microelevation site, 25.4% of the saplings were damaged on a plot with no logging residue, while the average share of damaged saplings on three plots with scattered residue was two times higher; 51.4%. The average mass of the logging residue weighed at SRP 1–3 was 5.1 kg/m2. We also determined moderately strong positive correlation (R=0.69133) between the mass of logging residue and rodent damage and strong negative correlation (R=–0.89598) between wood moisture content of the logging residue and rodent damage. In years ahead, with unpredictable climate effects and potentially very variable small rodent dynamics, removing the logging residue after the felling could represent a residue management that contributes to a more effective and ecologically based rodent management. It could also become a usable preventive method within IPM and help prevent sever rodent damage, even during the outbreaks in pedunculate oak regeneration stands

Uzročnik crvene pjegavosti borovih iglica (Dothistroma spp.) u šumskim kulturama običnoga (Pinus sylvestris L.) i crnoga bora (Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold) na području šumarija Pazin i Đurđevac

Crvena pjegavost uzrokovana patogenom Dothistroma spp. smatra se jednom od najvažnijih mikoza borovih iglica u svijetu zbog svoje rasprostranjenosti u različitim područjima i zbog pridolaska na velikom broju vrsta i podvrsta roda Pinus. U Republici Hrvatskoj prvi je put uočena na crnom boru u okolici Slavonskoga Broda 1963. godine, odakle se proširila i u druga kontinentalna i obalna područja te je otkrivena na više vrsta borova (Pinus spp.), ali zasad postoji malo podataka o njezinoj distribuciji te osjetljivosti različitih domaćina. U ovom je istraživanju provedeno skupljanje i analiza simptomatičnih iglica crnoga i običnoga bora na području šumarija Pazin i Đurđevac tijekom 2015. i 2016. godine radi utvrđivanja brojnosti i stupnja zrelosti plodišta Dothistroma spp. te prisutnosti drugih vrsta potencijalno patogenih gljiva. Istraživanje je potvrdilo uzročnika bolesti, patogena Dothistroma spp., kao dominantnoga na istraživanim iglicama. Prema dobivenim rezultatima patogeneza se crvene pjegavosti borovih iglica te biologija uzročnika u Republici Hrvatskoj poklapaju s onima opisanim u drugim zemljama sličnih ili jednakih klimatskih prilika, iako postoje određene razlike između dvaju istraživanih područja i domaćina, pri čemu se crni bor pokazao osjetljivijom vrstom

Uzročnik crvene pjegavosti borovih iglica (Dothistroma spp.) u šumskim kulturama običnoga (Pinus sylvestris L.) i crnoga bora (Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold) na području šumarija Pazin i Đurđevac

Crvena pjegavost uzrokovana patogenom Dothistroma spp. smatra se jednom od najvažnijih mikoza borovih iglica u svijetu zbog svoje rasprostranjenosti u različitim područjima i zbog pridolaska na velikom broju vrsta i podvrsta roda Pinus. U Republici Hrvatskoj prvi je put uočena na crnom boru u okolici Slavonskoga Broda 1963. godine, odakle se proširila i u druga kontinentalna i obalna područja te je otkrivena na više vrsta borova (Pinus spp.), ali zasad postoji malo podataka o njezinoj distribuciji te osjetljivosti različitih domaćina. U ovom je istraživanju provedeno skupljanje i analiza simptomatičnih iglica crnoga i običnoga bora na području šumarija Pazin i Đurđevac tijekom 2015. i 2016. godine radi utvrđivanja brojnosti i stupnja zrelosti plodišta Dothistroma spp. te prisutnosti drugih vrsta potencijalno patogenih gljiva. Istraživanje je potvrdilo uzročnika bolesti, patogena Dothistroma spp., kao dominantnoga na istraživanim iglicama. Prema dobivenim rezultatima patogeneza se crvene pjegavosti borovih iglica te biologija uzročnika u Republici Hrvatskoj poklapaju s onima opisanim u drugim zemljama sličnih ili jednakih klimatskih prilika, iako postoje određene razlike između dvaju istraživanih područja i domaćina, pri čemu se crni bor pokazao osjetljivijom vrstom

Small rodents as reservoirs of leptospirosis

Leptospiroza je (re)emergentna zarazna bolest mnogih domaćih i divljih životinja i čovjeka uzrokovana patogenim bakterijama iz roda Leptospira. Epizootiologija ove bolesti usko je vezana uz različite životinjske vrste koje nose i izlučuju pojedine serovare leptospira u okoliš. Ipak, glavni su rezervoari leptospiroze glodavci koji nakon infekcije ne obolijevaju i ostaju doživotni kliconoše. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi učestalost infekcije u mišolikih glodavaca u endemijskim područjima leptospiroze u Republici Hrvatskoj. Metodom lančane reakcije polimerazom u stvarnom vremenu pretraženi su bubrezi 186 mišolikih glodavaca, a specifičan odsječak DNK patogenih leptospira dokazan je u 20 pretraženih uzoraka, dajući nam prosječan stupanj kliconoštva od 10,75 %. Bakterije iz roda Leptospira utvrđene su u pet od sedam pretraživanih vrsta glodavaca i lokaliteta izlova, što potvrđuje ulogu mišolikih glodavaca u održavanju endemijskih žarišta leptospiroze. Najviši stupanj kliconoštva (30 %) utvrđen je na širem području Velike Gorice. Takav se rezultat može pokušati objasniti činjenicom da to područje pripada u sliv rijeke Save i da ima velik poplavni potencijal, a vlažna područja omogućuju dulji opstanak leptospira u okolišu. Potrebna su daljna longitudinalna istraživanja kako bi se ustvrdili biotički i abiotički čimbenici koji utječu na brojnost populacije mišolikih glodavaca te postotak inficiranosti leptospirama, odnosno kliconoštvo.Leptospirosis is a (re) emerging zoonosis of many domestic and wild animals and humans, caused by pathogenic bacteria from the genus Leptospira. It is a natural foci disease with epizootiology and epidemiology closely linked to reservoir species that excrete certain serovars of Leptospira into the environment. Rats and small rodents are the main reservoirs and lifelong carriers of pathogenic Leptospira. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of infection of small rodents in areas where leptospirosis appears endemic. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to test kidney specimens of 186 animals, that were trapped in seven endemic regions of Croatia. Using this method, we obtained 20 positive samples, giving a Leptospira shedding rate of 10.75%. During this investigation Leptospira spp. were detected in five out of seven small rodent species, with the highest degree of shedding (30%) detected in the Velika Gorica municipality. These findings may be explained by the fact that this area belongs to the River Sava basin. High flooding potential and humid areas allow the longer survival of Leptospira in the environment. Further longitudinal studies are needed in order to identify all the abiotic and biotic factors that can affect the density of rodent population and shedding rates

Monitoring of Hard Ticks at Urban Recreational Sites in the City of Zagreb from 2016 to 2018

Kako se učestalost i rasprostranjenost krpeljnih bolesti širom svijeta povećava, postoji stvarna potreba za boljim razumijevanjem distribucijske ekologije njihovih vektora. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je odrediti raznolikost faune tvrdih krpelja (Acari: Ixodidae) i njihovu sezonsku dinamiku na različitim staništima u tri urbana rekreacijska odredišta u glavnom gradu Hrvatske, Zagrebu, poznatom kao prirodnom žarištu lajmske borelioze i krpeljnog meningoencefalitisa. Tijekom trogodišnjeg razdoblja (2016. - 2018. god.) jedina determinirana vrsta bila je Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus, 1758. Metodom krpeljne zatege, prikupljeno je 506 jedinki tvrdih krpelja, od čega 273 (54%) u razvojnom stadiju nimfe, 166 (33%) u stadiju ličinke i 64 (13%) u odraslom stadiju. Najveći broj krpelja sakupljen je u šumskom staništu. Sezonska aktivnost krpelja dosezala je maksimume sredinom proljeća i sredinom ljeta. Kontinuirano praćenje populacije tvrdih krpelja u urbanim područjima trebalo bi, i moglo bi, postati standardna metoda prevencije bolesti koje prenose krpelji.As tick-borne disease incidence and distribution is increasing worldwide, there is a true need for better understanding of the distributional ecology of their vectors. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of hard ticks fauna (Acari: Ixodidae) and their seasonal dynamics in different habitats at three urban recreational sites in Croatia\u27s capital, the City of Zagreb known as the natural foci of Lyme borreliosis and tick borne encephalitis. Within a three-year period (2016 - 2018), the only species detected was Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus, 1758. Using flag dragging method 506 ticks were sampled; 273 (54%) in their nymphal stage, 166 (33%) as larvae and 64 (13%) as adults. The highest abundance of ticks was recorded at forest habitat. Seasonal activity showed their peaks at midspring and midsummer. Continuous monitoring of hard tick population in urban areas should and could become a standard method of tick-borne diseases prevention

Small rodents as reservoirs of leptospirosis

Leptospiroza je (re)emergentna zarazna bolest mnogih domaćih i divljih životinja i čovjeka uzrokovana patogenim bakterijama iz roda Leptospira. Epizootiologija ove bolesti usko je vezana uz različite životinjske vrste koje nose i izlučuju pojedine serovare leptospira u okoliš. Ipak, glavni su rezervoari leptospiroze glodavci koji nakon infekcije ne obolijevaju i ostaju doživotni kliconoše. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi učestalost infekcije u mišolikih glodavaca u endemijskim područjima leptospiroze u Republici Hrvatskoj. Metodom lančane reakcije polimerazom u stvarnom vremenu pretraženi su bubrezi 186 mišolikih glodavaca, a specifičan odsječak DNK patogenih leptospira dokazan je u 20 pretraženih uzoraka, dajući nam prosječan stupanj kliconoštva od 10,75 %. Bakterije iz roda Leptospira utvrđene su u pet od sedam pretraživanih vrsta glodavaca i lokaliteta izlova, što potvrđuje ulogu mišolikih glodavaca u održavanju endemijskih žarišta leptospiroze. Najviši stupanj kliconoštva (30 %) utvrđen je na širem području Velike Gorice. Takav se rezultat može pokušati objasniti činjenicom da to područje pripada u sliv rijeke Save i da ima velik poplavni potencijal, a vlažna područja omogućuju dulji opstanak leptospira u okolišu. Potrebna su daljna longitudinalna istraživanja kako bi se ustvrdili biotički i abiotički čimbenici koji utječu na brojnost populacije mišolikih glodavaca te postotak inficiranosti leptospirama, odnosno kliconoštvo.Leptospirosis is a (re) emerging zoonosis of many domestic and wild animals and humans, caused by pathogenic bacteria from the genus Leptospira. It is a natural foci disease with epizootiology and epidemiology closely linked to reservoir species that excrete certain serovars of Leptospira into the environment. Rats and small rodents are the main reservoirs and lifelong carriers of pathogenic Leptospira. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of infection of small rodents in areas where leptospirosis appears endemic. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to test kidney specimens of 186 animals, that were trapped in seven endemic regions of Croatia. Using this method, we obtained 20 positive samples, giving a Leptospira shedding rate of 10.75%. During this investigation Leptospira spp. were detected in five out of seven small rodent species, with the highest degree of shedding (30%) detected in the Velika Gorica municipality. These findings may be explained by the fact that this area belongs to the River Sava basin. High flooding potential and humid areas allow the longer survival of Leptospira in the environment. Further longitudinal studies are needed in order to identify all the abiotic and biotic factors that can affect the density of rodent population and shedding rates

Retrospective of protection methods against smaii rodents in Croatian forests (1980-2015)

Svrha preglednog rada bila je dobiti uvid u dosadašnja iskustva kontrole brojnosti sitnih glodavaca, utvrĊivanja šteta od istih i zaštite od njihova štetnog djelovanja prema struci i znanosti u razdoblju od 1980. do 2015. godine. Kroz rad je napravljena baza podataka za navedeno razdoblje, analizirani su dobiveni podaci i kreirana je smjernica prema kojoj bi se na terenu pratilo sve navedeno

Indirect methods to protect forests from small rodents

U radu je obavljeno istraživanje na području Uprave šuma Zagreb, šumarije Lipovljani, gdje su se u odjelu 119b tokom siječnja 2012. god. postavili motorni rastjerivači Motor Mole Chaser. Cilj rada je sa prikupljenim podatcima kontrole brojnosti za siječanj, ožujak, travanj i lipanj 2012.god. prikazati učinkovitost motornih rastjerivača na štetne glodavce u odabranom odjelu

Virome of Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, and Haemaphysalis concinna Ticks from Croatia

Tick-borne diseases are a serious threat to both public and veterinary health. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to characterize the virome of three tick species implicated in the spread of vector-borne disease throughout Croatia. Ten viruses were identified, including seven potential novel species within the viral families Flaviviridae, Nyamiviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Peribunyaviridae, Phenuiviridae, and Nairoviridae