The role of fat dormouse (Glis glis L.) as reservoir host for spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the region of Gorski Kotar, Croatia

To determine whether some of the B. burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies associate with fat dormouse as a reservoir host, we investigated the prevalence of infection in questing animals. A total of 45 adult fat dormice (30 female and 15 male) were captured by hunters during their hunting season in the region of Gorski Kotar, Croatia. Dead animals were aseptically dissected, and the urinary bladder tissue was used for isolation attempt and for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction. Out of 45 DNA samples extracted from urine bladder tissue, we found four (8.88%) to be polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive. The RFLP analysis of the PCR product after cleavage with DraI and MseI distinguished between the three major genospecies: B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii and B. afzelii. All positive samples were typed as B. afzelii with a unique DraI or MseI pattern. The results of the analysis of urinary bladder tissue samples culture for the presence of Borrelia were negative. Results showed that a prevalence of the Borrelia infection among population of fat dormice indicated their epizootiological involvement as a reservoir of Borrelia spirochetes. Furthermore, this work is an initial step in the investigation of the molecular epidemiology/epizootiology of Lyme borreliosis in Croatia.     

Species’ surrogacy for conservation planning: caveats from comparing the response of three arboreal rodents to habitat loss and fragmentation

The use of surrogate species in conservation planning has been applied with disappointing results on relatively large sets of species. It could still prove useful for optimizing conservation efforts when considering a small set of species with similar ecological requirements, however few field tests of this nature have been carried out. The aim of this research is to compare the response of three arboreal rodent species—the fat dormouse (Glis glis), the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) and the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)—to habitat loss and fragmentation, with the aim of identifying priorities for conservation and evaluating possible optimization of conservation efforts under different scenarios: habitat restoration and selection of focal patches. We studied the distribution of the three species in a sample of patches in a highly fragmented landscape in central Italy, using a patch-landscape scale approach. The distribution was studied by using hair tubes, nestboxes and nocturnal surveys. The three species showed analogous responses to increasing isolation and decreasing size of habitat patches; what differed however, was the magnitude of responses. Our results show possible application of surrogacy within this restricted group of species, however several caveats arise depending on the conservation strategy and available funding. If habitat restoration is the objective, then the fat dormouse should be the target species for guiding size and isolation of patches. On the other hand, the magnitude of the differences and patch requirements for this species, question the feasibility of these conservation actions. If selection of focal patches for conservation is the objective then selecting the fat dormouse as a focal/umbrella species would overlook areas suitable for the other two species. Feasible optimisation of conservation efforts may be possible only between the red squirrel and the hazel dormouse.     

The composition and properties of beaver (Castor fiber) meat

We analyzed the meat composition of ten females and seven males of sexually mature European beavers (Castor fiber L.). Cutting yield, percentage of particular elements, and chemical composition of the meat were determined. On average, a beaver carcass constitutes 48.6% of beaver body mass and contains 62.8% of meat, 14.5% of fat and 22.4% of bones. The thigh was found to be the largest and most valuable element constituting 33.4% of carcass weight and containing 66.7% of meat. Beaver meat has a high concentration of protein (20.9–21.8% wet wt.) and minerals (1.27–1.31%). The fat was characterized by a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (48.0–53.1%).     

The prevalence of American liver fluke Fascioloides magna (Bassi 1875) in red deer from Croatian hunting grounds

From October 2002 till April 2003, 194 feces samples and 28 liver samples of red deer shot in the Republic of Croatia territory were examined to determine the prevalence of Fascioloides magna in this game population. The majority of study samples were obtained from animals originating from the east part of Croatia, and only a minor proportion from animals originating from the central and west parts and littoral of Croatia. F. magna eggs were detected in 67/194 (34.53%) feces samples and F. magna adults in 8/28 (28.57%) liver samples. The majority of invaded red deer originated from the east part of Croatia, Baranya region, where F. magna eggs were found in 64/120 (53.33%) and F. magna adults in 8/15 (53.33%) animals. F. magna eggs were detected in only 3/74 (4.05%) animals originating from the other parts of Croatia.     

Silver in the meat and organs of broiler chickens in case of using colloidal silver as an alternative to antibiotics

The search for new antibacterial products, the mechanisms of action of which differ from conventional antibiotics is a current a topical issue. The objective of our research is to identify the presence of silver in meat and organs of broiler chicks that had been given colloidal silver. The results show that the broiler chick meat contains silver in quantities safe for humans regardless of the use of colloidal silver. Comparison of meat analysis results in experimental and control groups indicate that the ratio of parameters distribution variance for all birds to the mean variance by group for each measured no statistical differences in the chemical composition of bird’s meat of experimental and control groups. The analysis also confirmed the existing difference in chemical composition of leg muscle meat and chest muscle meat (P?<?0.05), whereas leg muscle contains more fat (6.81% vs. 2.85%) and less protein (20.25% vs. 22.81%).     

Voluntary recording scheme reveals ongoing decline in the United Kingdom hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius population

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Dietary assimilation and the digestive strategy of the omnivorous anomuran land crab<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Birgus latro</Emphasis> (Coenobitidae)

On Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, the diet of robber crabs, Birgus latro (Linnaeus) was generally high in fat, storage polysaccharides or protein and largely comprised fruits, seeds, nuts and animal material. The plant items also contained significant amounts of hemicellulose and cellulose. In laboratory feeding trials, crabs had similar intakes of dry matter when fed artificial diets high in either fat or storage polysaccharide, but intake was lower on a high protein diet. Assimilation coefficients of dry matter (69–74%), carbon (72–81%), nitrogen (76–100%), lipid (71–96%) and storage polysaccharide (89–99%) were high on all three diets. B. latro also assimilated significant amounts of the chitin ingested in the high protein diet ( 93%) and hemicellulose (49.6–65%) and cellulose (16–53%) from the high carbohydrate and high fat diets. This is consistent with the presence of chitinase, hemicellulase and cellulase enzymes in the digestive tract of B. latro. The mean retention time (27.2 h) for a dietary particle marker (⁵⁷Co-labelled microspheres) was longer than measured in leaf-eating land crabs. The feeding strategy of B. latro involves the selection of highly digestible and nutrient-rich plant and animal material and retention of the digesta for a period long enough to allow extensive exploitation of storage carbohydrates, lipids, protein and significant amounts of structural carbohydrates (hemicellulose, cellulose and chitin).Communicated by I.D. Hume     

Effect of different protein–energy ratio in pulse by-products and residue based pelleted feeds on growth, rumen fermentation, carcass and sausage quality in Barbari kids

Thirty two Barbari kids (5-month old of 10.62 ± 0.09 kg BW, 16 males and 16 females) were equally divided into four groups to monitor growth, nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, carcass traits, meat and sausage quality on diet based on Cajanus cajan straw (60) and concentrate mixture (40) to have different protein–energy ratio in the diets (Diet 1—CP 12%, TDN 55%, Diet 2—CP 12%, TDN 60%, Diet 3—CP 14%, TDN 55% and Diet 4—CP 14%, TDN 60%). The experimental kids in each group were fed the respective diets at 4% of their body weight and limited quantity (300–400 g/kid/day) of oat fodder. The average DM intake/kg W^0.75 during growth period was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Diet 1 (low protein–low energy) than Diet 4 (high protein–high energy). Kids under Diet 2 (low protein–high energy) and Diet 4 (high protein–high energy) gained 7.2% and 14.5% more weight respectively per day compared to those on Diet 1 (low protein–low energy), however, values of final body weight, average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency (%) were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The pH and total VFA concentration in the rumen liquor were similar (P > 0.05) among the four treatment groups. TCA precipitable-N was insignificantly (P > 0.05) higher in Diet 4 than other diets. Glucose, urea–nitrogen, total protein, albumin and globulin concentration in plasma were unaffected by treatments. TDN intake, DCP and TDN percentages were also similar (P > 0.05) among the four groups. Nitrogen balance (g/day/kid) values also showed no significant variation. Dietary effect was also not significant (P > 0.05) in the values of hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass physical composition, variety meat yield and fat deposition but not breast fat thickness and kidney fat accumulation, which were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Diet 2. Chemical composition values of Longissimus thoracis muscle were similar (P > 0.05) in percentage moisture, fat and ash, while CP was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Diets 2 and 3 than Diets 1 and 4. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the chemical composition of sausages prepared using meat from the kids of different treatments. Therefore, it may be concluded that pelleted feed of Diet 2 responded with better growth rate, quality of carcass traits and meat quality.     

Confirmed association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">FTO</Emphasis> gene and obesity-related traits in heavy pigs

We recently showed that a polymorphism in the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene (AM931150: g.276T > G) is associated with fat deposition traits in pigs. To confirm this result, we genotyped this polymorphism in an Italian Duroc population made up by 313 performance tested pigs with known estimated breeding values (EBVs) for average daily gain, back fat thickness (BFT), feed:gain ratio, lean cuts (LC), and visible intermuscular fat (VIF, a measure of intermuscular fat in the hams). In addition, we genotyped 148 commercial heavy pigs for which several fat deposition traits and lean meat percentage were measured. The results of the association analyses confirmed the effect of the FTO mutation on obesity-related traits (VIF, BFT and LC) in the Italian Duroc pigs (P < 0.01) and in the commercial pigs (intramuscular fat content of different muscles, P < 0.05 or P < 0.10; lean meat content, P < 0.05; BFT, P < 0.05; intermuscular fat content in the hams, P < 0.05).     

Thermal Inactivation of Salmonella Serotypes in Red Meat as Affected by Fat Content

Survival curves of a cocktail of eight serotypes of Salmonella in ground beef and pork meat of different levels of fat (4% to 28%), at temperatures that ranged from 58°C to 65°C, were examined. Asymptotic D-values (D-values for large times) and initial D-values (D-values for small times, near zero) were estimated by identifying regions where the survival curves were linear, and performing linear regressions on data within the identified regions. The initial lag D-values increase with increasing fat levels for both beef and pork. The relationship of the asymptotic D-values with fat levels and temperature is complex, and definitive conclusions could not be made. It appears that, for ground beef, asymptotic D-values increase with increasing fat levels, but this was not the case for ground pork. The shapes of the survival curves were concave, convex, and sigmoidal, and depended upon the temperature, where for the lower temperatures studied (58°C and 60°C) the curves exhibited tailing. The Gompertz function was found to provide a good fit to the data over the range of temperatures and fat levels studied. These results, particularly for beef, suggest the importance of determining the shape of the survival curves (concave, convex or sigmoidal) when estimating times needed to obtain an adequate margin of safety for thermal processes of red meat.     

Diet spectrum of great cormorants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis</Emphasis> L.) at the Donji Miholjac carp fishponds in eastern Croatia

This paper reports the results of a diet analysis from the digestive tracts of 203 great cormorants shot at the Donji Miholjac fishponds in eastern Croatia, in the period 2000–2002. Eight fish species were determined. The dominant species was common carp (Cyprinus carpio) with a relative frequency of 73.4%, followed by grass carp (Ctenopharingodon idella) (11.6%), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) (7.2%), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) (2.0%), wels catfish (Silurus glanis) (1.7%), pike (Esox lucius) (1.5%), topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) (1.5%) and Prussian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) (1.1%). The diet spectrum of the great cormorants from the Donji Miholjac fishponds was in accordance with the structure of the fish population in the fishponds. The average stomach weight per bird was 244 g. When birds shot with an empty stomach were excluded, the average stomach weight increased to 286 g. The length of consumed fish ranged from 40–335 mm, with 47% of the fish belonging to the length category 100–149 mm. The study revealed no significant relationship between the weight of the consumed fish and the body weight of male and female cormorants.     

Diet of Eurasian lynx <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lynx lynx</Emphasis> in the northern Dinaric Mountains (Slovenia and Croatia)

The Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx (Linnaeus 1758) is an opportunistic predator that usually selects the smallest ungulate available. Its diet varies considerably among different regions; therefore it is important to study lynx diet in different parts of the species’ range. We studied the diet of lynx from the endangered Dinaric population in Slovenia and Croatia by analyzing lynx scats, prey remains, and stomach contents. Dinaric lynx mainly killed European roe deer Capreolus capreolus (0.64 frequency of occurrence, 79% of all consumed biomass), which were used more frequently during winter and spring. Ungulates were killed more often by adult males than by lynx of other age and sex groups. In contrast to studies from other regions, lynx in the northern Dinaric Mountains also frequently fed on the edible dormice Glis glis (0.18 frequency of occurrence, 7% of all consumed biomass). This large rodent appears to be an important alternative prey, especially for females and young lynx, and was the reason for the highest use of rodents reported so far for the Eurasian lynx. Edible dormice in Dinaric forests have highly variable numbers of active animals. Seasonal and possibly annual variation in dormouse availability obviously affects lynx diet. This is a rare example where variability in the availability of the alternative prey and not the preferred prey leads to the dietary shift. This study confirms the opportunistic nature of Eurasian lynx and the regional variability of its diet.     

New SNP of the porcine Perilipin 2 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">PLIN2</Emphasis>) gene,association with carcass traits and expression analysis in skeletal muscle

PLIN2 (perilipin 2) is a cytosolic protein that promotes the formation and stabilization of the intracellular lipid droplets, organelles involved in the storage of lipid depots. Porcine PLIN2 gene represents a biological and positional candidate for fat deposition, a polygenic trait that affects carcass and meat quality. The aim of the present study was to screen PLIN2 gene for polymorphisms, to evaluate the association with carcass quality traits, and to investigate the gene expression in skeletal muscle. Six new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were detected by sequencing 32 samples from five pig breeds (Italian Large White, Italian Duroc, Italian Landrace, Belgian Landrace, Pietrain). Two SNP localized in introns, two in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR), and two missense SNP were found in exons. A 3′-UTR mutation (GU461317:g.98G>A), genotyped in 290 Italian Duroc pigs by High Resolution Melting, resulted significantly associated (P < 0.01) with average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, lean cuts and hams weight estimated breeding values. PLIN2 gene expression analysis in skeletal muscle of Italian Large White and Italian Duroc pigs divergent for backfat thickness and visible intermuscular fat showed a trend of higher expression level in pigs with higher intermuscular fat. These results suggest that PLIN2 can be a marker for carcass quality in pigs. Further investigation at both gene and protein level could elucidate its role on fat deposition.     

Chemical and fatty acid composition of male mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon Pal.) meat

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of age on chemical and fatty acid composition of the male mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon Pal.) meat. The male mouflons included in the study originated from the North Adriatic island Rab, Croatia. Three age groups were included (young, sub-adult, adult). An effect of age on chemical composition was not found. However, higher percentage of total fat, dry matter and ash was determined in the meat of young mouflons. Predominating saturated fatty acids in mouflon meat were myristic, palmitic and stearic acids. Age significantly (p < 0.05) affected only the percentage of palmitic acid being the highest in the meat of young mouflons. Percentage of the predominant monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, did not change significantly with age. A higher (p < 0.05) percentage of the predominant polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid, was found in the meat of sub-adult mouflons. The meat of the young mouflons had a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of conjugated linoleic acid. The meat of the sub-adult and adult mouflons was found to have a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of total saturated fatty acids. A lower (p < 0.05) ratio of polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids was found in the meat of young than in the meat of sub-adult mouflons. The ratio of n-6 and n-3 was lower (p < 0.05) in the adult than in the sub-adult mouflons. Higher (p < 0.05) atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices were found in the young rather than in the adult mouflons. Low fat content (<1 %) and favourable ratios of polyunsaturated, saturated, n-6 and n-3 fatty acids make the mouflon meat a good choice for human diet.     

Incidence of leptospiral antibodies in different game species over a 10-year period (1996–2005) in Croatia

During the 10-year survey (1996–2005), a total of 868 blood samples from different game species in Croatia were analyzed for the presence of leptospiral antibodies. The specific antibodies (AB) were detected in 242 samples (27.88%). According to the species in red deer (Cervus elaphus), the antibodies against six different leptospiral serovars were found in 43 of 226 analyzed sera (19.02%). The most frequent antigen serovars in the deer population were Pomona and Ballum (with the same frequency of 23.6%), whereas the highest titer was recorded for serovar Sejroe (1:800). In the analyzed roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) serum samples, a low level of leptospiral antibodies (6.07%) was determined, with just two AB for antigen serovars—Australis and Sejroe. In wild boar (Sus scrofa), leptospiral antibodies were detected in 151 of 431 samples analyzed (35.03%), with AB for nine antigen serovars. The serovars most frequently found were Australis (48.70%) and Pomona (22.70%), and these serovars also recorded the highest titer (1:3,200). Among brown bear (Ursus arctos) samples, leptospiral antibodies were detected in 25.00% of the samples, with four AB for antigen serovars, of which the most frequent was Icterohaemorrhagiae (>40%). This serovar had the highest recorded titer (1:400). From 112 analyzed red fox (Vulpes vulpes) samples, leptospiral antibodies were found in 35 samples (31.25%). The determined antibodies were specific for four antigen serovars, of which the most frequent (46.2%) and with highest titer (1:1600) was serovar Australis. No antibodies (28/0) were recorded in mouflon (Ovis musimon). The most important game species from an epizootiological point of view in the studied area were certainly wild boar and red foxes. With strong serological reactions, these two species could be emphasized as important hosts for Leptospira interrogans sv. Australis in Croatia, but for their declaration as ‘maintaining hosts,’ isolation of sv. Australis is needed. According to aerial distribution, the highest number of positive samples from different game species was recorded in the central and eastern parts of Croatia, known as the ‘historical natural foci’ of leptospirosis—the regions of Posavina, Podravina, Slavonija, and Baranja. In contrast, the areas of Kordun and Gorski Kotar are declared as leptospira low-risk regions for the game species studied.     

Distribution and status of the declining garden dormouse Eliomys quercinus

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Effective lipid lowering diets including lean meat

The plasma lipid and lipoprotein responses to two modified isoenergetic diets including meat were studied in 15 free living men with hyperlipidaemia (mean plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations 8·1 and 3·4 mmol/l). A reference diet (diet A, 42% energy from fat, ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P:S ratio) 0·2) was compared with a fat reduced diet (diet B, 35% energy from fat, P:S ratio 0·5) and with a further fat modified diet supplemented with fibre (diet C, 27% energy from fat, P:S ratio 1·0). Daily intake of meat and meat products (180 g/day) was the same in each dietary period; that in diet A had a fat content typical of the average British diet, whereas that in diets B and C was based on very lean meat and meat products. During consumption of diet B the plasma cholesterol concentration fell by 8·6% and low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 11%. During consumption of diet C plasma cholesterol fell by 18·5% and low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 23·8%. Triglyceride and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and body weight did not change appreciably during the study.A modified diet including a moderate amount of lean meat and meat products is compatible with a reduced lipoprotein mediated risk of atherosclerotic heart disease.     

Carcass and meat quality of finished and non-finished Limousin heifers from alpine livestock systems differing in altitudinal origin of the forage

Effects of the alpine origin of the forage and of finishing on carcass and beef quality were quantified by modelling different alpine livestock system alternatives. Thirty-five Limousin heifers, initially weighing 383 ± 45 kg, were fed fresh grass at 400 or 2000 m above sea level, or a 1:1 mixture of alpine grass and lowland grass hay at 2000 m. After 9 weeks, the six heaviest and oldest animals per group were slaughtered. The remaining animals were finished for 8 weeks on a silage-concentrate diet in the lowlands to similar age and body weight as the first slaughtered group. Carcass and meat quality (M. longissimus thoracis) were assessed in various respects. The average daily gains achieved were of about 600 g/d and similar between forage-type groups. Dressing percentage was 53.5% in the alpine and 57.2% in the lowland group. Carcass conformation and fat cover scores did not differ between forage-type groups. The meat from the alpine groups had greater ultimate pH and smaller redness, yellowness and protein contents. Still, these differences were of minor practical relevance. There was no forage-type effect on water-holding capacity and shear force of the meat. The alpine systems enhanced the proportion of α-linolenic acid in intramuscular fat and decreased the levels of some volatile compounds in perirenal fat. Finishing resulted in compensatory growth, especially in the animals previously fed lowland grass. There was a trend for the finished compared with the non-finished groups towards greater carcass fat cover and intramuscular fat content. Additionally, ultimate pH was smaller and cooking loss was greater with than without finishing. Meat colour differences were also observed. Shear force was not affected by finishing. The finished animals had a smaller α-linolenic acid proportion in the intramuscular fat. In conclusion, the forage type had small effects on carcass and meat quality. Finishing did not substantially improve carcass and meat quality. The (alpine) grass-specific differences in fatty acid profile found in the unfinished cattle were not present in the finished animals.     

The incidence of mistletoe (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Viscum album</Emphasis> ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">abietis</Emphasis>) on silver fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies alba</Emphasis>) in Croatia

The research on incidence of mistletoe (Viscum album ssp. abietis) on silver fir (Abies alba) was carried out in natural fir stands in Croatia. In the area of Gorski Kotar 32.8 % of the examined dominant fir trees were infected with mistletoe. The mistletoe incidence was presented according to the damage degrees of silver fir from 0 (healthy trees) to 4 (dead trees), rated by the crown defoliation and needle discoloration. With the increase of incidence, mistletoe spreads more onto more vital, i.e. less damaged trees. In the Dinaric Alps 28.6% of the examined fir trees were infected, this percentage amounting to 27.1% for the mountainous regions between the Sava and Drava rivers. The site and stand parameters (exposure, elevation, site quality, forest community and crown closure) were analysed in order to establish whether there was a correlation between these parameters and mistletoe incidence. There was a negative correlation between the elevation and mistletoe incidence. Among the compartments with a closed stands there were considerably less compartments with higher mistletoe incidence than among compartments with a sparsely closed and understocked stands. The other analysed site and stand parameters individually had no significant influence on mistletoe incidence. The correlation of silver fir mortality in 2004 and mistletoe incidence in 2002/03 was analysed, and their strong correlation was established. Mistletoe could be considered as a bioindicator of silver fir decline, and probably a significant contributor to that decline. In the areas where mistletoe incidence is great it can be presumed that silver fir is significantly damaged.