Fasciolosis is a major problem in many parts of the world, including Ukraine. The disease is also a major economic burden, causing an estimated USD 3.2 billion yearly loss to the livestock industry. Today, the spread of fasciolosis is exacerbated by a number of factors, including climate change. For the planning of successful interventions against animal fasciolosis and to target populations living in high-risk areas, it is important to be able to determine the current spatial distribution of infection. In this respect, ecological niche modelling is a popular tool to examine the ecological and spatial limitations of species; however, it is not yet widely applied to parasites due to challenges in obtaining good and meaningful occurrence data. Using a recently compiled dataset (GBIF, https://doi.org/10.15468/dl.vd5r75) consisting of 335 records of Fasciola hepatica of domestic animals in Ukraine, we predicted the nationwide spatial distribution and habitat suitability of the fluke and responses to climate. Climate data were retrieved from the Chelsa project (https://chelsa-climate.org/bioclim). The ‘flexsdm’ R package (https://sjevelazco.github.io/flexsdm) was used for mapping the potential geographic distribution of the parasite across the country. A range of modeling machine learning options were tested. Eventually, an ensemble model was created based on the weighted average of the individual models and using established evaluation metrics showed good performance: AUC=0.82, TSS=0.58, Boyce index=0.86. In terms of high-risk areas, the top five provinces are Ivano-Frankivs'k, Vinnytsya, Ternopil', L'viv, and Chernivtsi. A SHAP library in R (https://github.com/pablo14) was used to understand the importance in the trained model of the climatic variables. SHAP offers advantages over other feature importance methods, including its model-agnostic nature. By calculating the average absolute values for each feature, the strongest influence on predictions had isothermality followed by an intricate balance of temperatures and sufficient precipitation.

From 2005, the The Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU, Germany) has called people in Germany to count birds in their gardens during a defined time (Friday to Sunday) in May. Similar to the Big Garden Birdwatch in Great Britain, which has been performed since 1979, the German “Stunde der Gartenvögel” (hour of the garden birds) aims at obtaining a yearly overview of the birds in villages and towns. While this birdwatching action enables giving a broad overview due to the large number of gardens and parks involved (around 40,000 in the year 2024), several drawbacks have to be mentioned that may impede the comparability of the counted bird numbers from one year to another. The number of people counting changes, and the weather influences the results. General problems in all years are the erroneous identifications of birds, birds not mentioned since they could not be identified, or the typical focus on the daytime, so that nocturnal bird species are mostly ignored. Here, we give an overview of the chronological development of the overall numbers of species and specifically of the most frequent garden birds. We discuss correlations with external factors, such as weather and numbers of participants, and compare the results with ornithological studies in the same period as well as with the results of the yearly Birdrace in Germany, where ornithologically interested people count birds in a defined area on the full first Saturday in May.

Four species of the subgenus Dermanura, genus Artibeus, are known to occur in Brazil (A. anderseni, A. bogotensis, A. cinereus, and A. gnoma), two of them (A. anderseni and A. gnoma) found in sympatry in the central–western region. Artibeus (Dermanura) glaucus is a small frugivorous bat that predominantly inhabits forested areas and has a neotropical distribution, occurring in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. The aim of this study is to characterize the cytogenetics of A. glaucus to understand the chromosomal diversity within the subgenus Dermanura and to observe chromosomal characteristics that may aid in the cytotaxonomy of the group for Brazil. This is important given the overlapping distribution limits of congeneric species and the cryptic nature of the taxon, which make identification a challenging task based solely on morphology. A female specimen of A. glaucus was collected in Parque Estatual Serra Ricardo Franco, municipality of Vila Bela de Santíssima Trindade, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The specimen was identified through teeth and external characteristics based on the literature. Chromosomal preparations were obtained from bone marrow cells after in vivo treatment with colchicine and primary culture of fibroblasts. Metaphase cells were analyzed using Giemsa staining and G- and C-banding. We describe for the first time the karyotype of a Brazilian specimen of A. glaucus as 2n=30 and NFa=56. The karyotype showed 14 meta/submetacentric pairs and a metacentric X chromosome. The literature data confirm the same 2n and NFa for a specimen from Peru. Cytogenetic data on Dermanura indicate chromosomal conservatism; however, molecular cytogenetic analysis using repetitive DNA probes may provide useful characteristics for better comparisons among species of the subgenus. These findings may support conservation guidelines and improve knowledge on its evolutionary history and biodiversity.

The genus Sarcocystis are worldwide distributed unicellular parasites known for their two-host prey-predator life cycle. Sarcocysts mainly develop in the muscles of the intermediate host (IH). Following ingestion of mature sarcocysts, they undergo sexual reproduction in the small intestines of the definitive host (DH), resulting in the formation of sporocysts which are subsequently excreted into the environment in conjunction with faecal matter. Even though sarcocystosis in the DH is usually asymptomatic, it can result in nausea, diarrhoea or weight loss. Globally, research efforts tend to concentrate on domestic dogs, cats, and other carnivores due to the challenges associated with studying grey wolves (Canis lupus), such as their lower population density and legal protections. Understanding the role of grey wolves in parasite transmission is crucial, particularly in regions where they serve as apex predators.

During 2021-2023, 13 intestinal samples from hunted grey wolves were collected in Lithuania and were analysed by the means of microscopy and molecular analysis. Light microscopy revealed that 92.3 % of the samples were positive for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. sporocysts and oocysts. A nested PCR assay targeting the cox1 gene was performed to confirm the presence of Sarcocystis DNA and identify the specific species involved. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of 12 different Sarcocystis species: S. arieticanis and S. tenella (IH: sheep), S. miescheriana (IH: pig and wild boar), S. capracanis (IH: goat), S.alces, S.capreolicanis, S.gracilis, S. hjorti, S. iberica, S. linearis, S. taeniata, and S. venatoria (IH: Cervidae).

Based on the variety of Sarcocystis species and high percentage of infected animals, the grey wolf plays an important role in transmission of these parasites.

The vast majority of methods for insect biodiversity assessment are invasive and require insect specimen collection and fixation. Specifically, current methods are unsuitable for studying insect communities that reside in plant galls, which serve as intricate habitats for various organisms, including hosts, predators, parasitoids, and inquilines. In this research, we propose new non-invasive methods for the quantitative and qualitative determination of insect biodiversity in plant galls. A gall is a mini ecosystem consisting of gall-formers, their parasitoids, predators, and inquilines. The main challenge in the determination of insect species in a gall is the need to dissect a gall, destroying a hidden ecosystem. The development of non-invasive methods will allow for the study of endangered insect species inside galls. Using regression analysis, we established a precise correlation between the volume of Hieracium robustum Fr. galls and the number of its inhabitants, as well as the ratio of hosts to parasitoids. Moreover, we found that each of the nine insect species in these galls has a unique morphological pattern of the juvenile feces. Therefore, the species composition can be determined using these morphological observations. Importantly, this method is non-invasive, as the feces observation inside the galls occurs after the emergence of gall inhabitants into their natural environment and seasonal plant death. Our research can pave the way for new methods in biodiversity measurements, specifically in plant galls.

The sustainable use of bio-based materials is essential as they promote resource efficiency, minimize environmental impact, and ensure the longevity and health of ecosystems and human populations. Mushroom mycelium, known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, and beeswax, known for its water resistance, pleasant odor, and antibacterial properties, are examples of sustainable materials that contribute to the sustainable goals. In this study, the coating of cotton fabrics with a wax mixture containing fungal mycelium is investigated. The aim of the research is to evaluate the improvement in textile properties such as water resistance, abrasion resistance, knitter resistance, and other mechanical properties. Comparative analyses will be carried out on uncoated cotton fabrics, on cotton fabrics coated with wax only, and on cotton fabrics coated with a mixture of wax and mushroom fungus. It is expected that the wax coating will improve the water resistance and durability of the fabric, while the addition of mushroom mycelium may further improve the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory,and skin-friendly properties. This study also examines the potential environmental benefits of using mushroom mycelium as a natural additive that could reduce dependence on synthetic fibers and the use of chemicals for coating in textile manufacturing. The coating has advantages such as biodegradability and can improve the overall environmental footprint. Analytical techniques such as digital microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) will be used to characterize the structure and composition of the coating. Mechanical tests will be performed to evaluate the improved properties of the fabric. The results of this study will indicate whether this coating is suitable for advanced textile applications and will contribute to the development of sustainable and high-performance fabrics, particularly in the textile sector.

Bulgaria is one of the smaller European countries, but it takes the leading place in faunal diversity, including cosmopolitan animal species and many Bulgarian and Balkan endemics. It is known that thermophilic and xerophilic Mediterranean animal species are found in the country's southern regions and along the Black Sea coast, and in the northern and mountainous areas, there are many species characteristic of Central and Northern Europe. No analysis exists for the percentage ratio between thermophilic and other faunal elements. This necessitates the examination of the routes for the penetration of thermophilic fauna. Some of the most significant potential corridors pass through the valleys of the rivers Struma, Mesta, and Maritsa, as well as along the Black Sea coast, and they are the main object of the research project we are presenting here. In 2022, we started to study these regions monthly—from their southernmost point on the Bulgarian territory to the north, where the Mediterranean influence is confirmed.

This project aims to establish the species composition of various animal groups: arachnids (Arachnida: Araneae, Scorpiones, Solifugae), millipedes (Myriapoda), some insects (Insecta), terrestrial snails (Gastropoda), amphibians (Amphibia: Anura, Caudata), reptiles (Reptilia: Testudines, Squamata), and mammals (Mammalia: Rodentia, Eulipotyphla, Chiroptera), which are cosmopolitan, decisive for functioning ecosystems, and have a proven bioindicator role. During the research, indicator species will be identified from the model groups, which can be used to monitor the long-term effects of global climate change. Combining different research approaches and various field methods for collecting material will contribute to achieving the set goal.

The overall completion of this survey, which takes its first steps, will contribute to assessing the impact of anthropogenic pressure on individual species and species complexes. This can help develop strategies for managing the surveyed areas in a manner that is beneficial to humans and biodiversity.

Snow sheep (Ovis nivicola) and muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are Arctic ungulates. Snow sheep are endemic to Russia, while muskoxen were reintroduced from North America in 1974. Helminth fauna of these ungulates in the northern regions are being transformed under anthropogenic influence and this requires additional research, considering helminth prevalence and pathogenicity.

More than 100 faecal samples of the snow sheep were collected during 2016-2024 in the Putorana Plateau (Krasnoyarsk Krai) and Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). More than 150 fecal samples of the muskoxen were collected during 2022 in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Wrangel Island, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Taymyr Peninsula (Krasnoyarsk Krai), and Zavyalov Island (Magadan Oblast).

Faecal samples were examined for the presence of macrohelminths (visible to the naked eye), and then proceed via larvoscopy, flotation, and sedimentation ovoscopy. Diagnoses were made based on the morphology and morphometrics of the obtained eggs and larvae.

The following helminths were detected in snow sheep: Moniezia sp.; small strongylids; Marshallagia sp.; Nematodirus sp.; Protostrongylus spp., (with a longer and a shorter tail spikes); Trichuris sp.; and Capillaria sp. The following helminths were discovered in muskoxen: Moniezia sp.; small strongylids; Nematodirus sp.; Nematodirella sp.; Protostrongylidae sp., (with a dorsal spine); and Trichuris sp.

Capillaria sp. was found in show sheep for the first time. Nematode larvae were sampled for the DNA analyses. This research is to be continued.

The species–area relationship (SAR), which predicts species richness scales positively with increasing area, is among the longest-recognized trends in ecology. Despite its ubiquity, our knowledge of the precise shapes and underlying mechanisms driving SARs remains incomplete, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. I tested theoretical predictions for SAR shapes and best-fit models and evaluated SAR scale dependency across the nested sampling scales of sites (finer scale) and hydrological units (HUs; intermediate scale), while using stream fish communities from the Alabama aquatic biodiversity ‘hotspot’ as my model system. Using data from 599 standardized fish surveys, I conducted model selection and multimodel averaging on 20 SAR models (e.g., logarithmic, power, logistic) and I examined the influence of three main hypotheses influencing SARs—passive sampling effects, disproportionate effects, and heterogeneity. I also used multiple linear regressions to test environmental drivers of SARs. Despite model uncertainty, my results supported scale dependency of stream fish SARs and their best-fit models; however, more flexible nonlinear models generally outperformed other models, and the Monod (i.e., Michaelis–Menten) model provided a plausible fit across scales. Despite partial sampling effects, the null “passive sampling hypothesis” was rejected in favor of disproportionate effects of increasing area, mediated most prominently through additions of common species, rather than rarer species. Multiple regressions revealed that a greater percentage of variation in freshwater fish species diversity at the sampled scales is explained by area than latitude or other environmental factors. Understanding the mechanisms driving SAR results has important implications for conservation and management, including aiding reserve design as well as development of predictions for biodiversity change in response to habitat loss or fragmentation.

The Rudnik mountain region in central Serbia is rich in many habitats, including forests, meadows, pastures, rocky surfaces, and numerous springs and aquatic ecosystems. All of these environments are suitable for the majority of animal species, including amphibians and reptiles. However, there has been insufficient research on the amphibian and reptile species in this region. We conducted a field study on Rudnik Mountain in 2021 to compile a comprehensive inventory of amphibian and reptile species. We determined the presence of species by first-hand observations of adult or larval forms, identifying distinctive markings, and detecting groups of deposited eggs or larvae. A total of 8 species of amphibians and 12 species of reptiles were recorded. The data gathered during this research are preliminary, although they make a substantial contribution to the understanding of the fauna in this region. According to national legislation, three of the recorded species are without any protection, three of them are classified as protected, and the other species are classified as strictly protected. Various factors, principally caused by human activities, contribute to the decline in the number of these species populations. Undoubtedly, there are methods available to safeguard the populations of various animal groupings, such as promoting education, conducting further scientific research, implementing long-term monitoring, and restoring certain habitats.