The cestode Atractolytocestus huronensis (Caryophyllidea) continues to spread in Europe: new data on the helminth parasite of the common carp

The caryophyllidean tapeworm Atractolytocestus huronensis Anthony, 1958, originally described from the common carp Cyprinus carpio carpio L. from North America, has recently been introduced into Europe (UK, Hungary). In the present study, the dispersion of the tapeworm in other countries of Central Europe (Slovakia and the Czech Republic) is described, including its first observation in the common carp of the Tisa River, southeastern Slovakia. Because of the transboundary location of the river, there are possible consequences of the rapid distribution of the parasite to other regions throughout the Danube River basin. The parasite has also been found in cultured carp from fishponds in South Bohemia, from where the carp are imported to many European countries. Rapid dissemination of this cestode in Europe indicates its ability to colonise new regions, and represents another example of man-made introduction of potential pathogens of carp and other farmed fish. The morphology of the A. huronensis specimens found is compared with that of specimens from Hungary and North America as well as that of Atractolytocestus sagittatus (Kulakovskaya and Akhmerov, 1965) from the same fish host in eastern Asia.     

Cytogeographical survey ofEleocharis subser.Eleocharis in Europe 1:Eleocharis palustris

Chromosome numbers forEleocharis palustris subsp.palustris (based on 70 samples from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden) andEleocharis palustris subsp.vulgaris (based on 74 samples from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden) are given. Also the chromosome number estimates based on relative DNA contents of plants from 8 localitiesE. palustris subsp.palustris from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Israel, and Slovenia, and from 18 localities ofE. palustris subsp.vulgaris from the Czech Republic, Germany and Sweden are included. InE. palustris subsp.palustris, 2n=16 prevailed, the mixoploid 2n=15, 16 was rare and a lone hypoploid 2n=15 was detected. InE. palustris subsp.vulgaris 2n=38 was most frequently detected, the hyperploid 2n=39 and mixoploid 2n=38, 39 were common, and the hypoploid 2n=36 and mixoploids in which 2n ranges from 36 to 42 were rarer. Distribution maps based on plants investigated either by chromosome counting or by flow cytometry, augmented by similar data from published sources are given for both subspecies in Europe.     

Factors influencing fatty acid composition of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) muscle

There is evidence that n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are beneficial for human health, especially for the cardiovascular system. The sources of n-3 HUFA, including EPA and DHA, are scarce in diet consumed by the Czech population. Thus, it would be beneficial to generally increase fish consumption and also to increase the content of the beneficial fatty acids (FA) in locally produced fish and other products. Therefore the overall aim of this paper was to review factors influencing lipid content and composition in common carp, which is the major cultured fish in the Czech Republic, and to identify long term sustainable ways for increasing the beneficial fatty acids in the carp flesh. We conclude that there are several ways to improve the FA composition of common carp in the traditional pond production. High amount of natural food, good supplemental diet containing high level of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and suitable processing and cooking were identified as the most important ones.     

Molecular and Biological Analysis of Potato virus M (PVM) Isolates from the Czech Republic

The sequences of the 3′‐terminal region of four Czech Potato virus M isolates VIRUBRA 4/007, VIRUBRA 4/009, VIRUBRA 4/016 and VIRUBRA 4/035 were determined and compared with sequences of PVM isolates available in GenBank. Among the Czech isolates, VIRUBRA 4/007 and 4/016 as well as VIRUBRA 4/016 and 4/035 showed the highest nucleotide identity (93%). Isolates VIRUBRA 4/007, 4/016 and 4/035 were most similar to the PV0273 isolate from Germany and to the wild isolate from Russia. Interestingly, isolate VIRUBRA 4/009 significantly differed from the other three Czech isolates and was the only European isolate that showed the highest nucleotide identity with American isolates. Moreover, the PVM isolates from the Czech Republic and Germany differed in their host range. Phylogenetic analysis based on ORF5 coding for coat protein showed that the Czech isolates could be classified in two of the three groupings of the phylogenetic tree obtained. This is the first report on molecular and biological analysis of the genome sequences of PVM isolates from the Czech Republic.     

The genetic structure of raccoon introduced in Central Europe reflects multiple invasion pathways

Invasions of non-native species are of great concern as they have a devastating impact on native biodiversity and can also affect the economy of a region. Multiple introductions in several locations of a new range greatly promote the success of non-native species. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an omnivore whose native distribution extends from southern Canada to Panama. It has been successfully introduced in many European countries. We examined the microsatellite and mitochondrial diversity of raccoon populations in Central Europe (Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic) in order to determine their introduction sources and pathways as well as the factors affecting genetic structure in this invasive species. We found low diversity of the mtDNA control region and moderate diversity of microsatellite markers. Raccoon showed three hierarchic levels of genetic structure which separate at different levels sampled from Czech Republic, Germany and raccoon inhabiting two different habitats in Poland. In Poland the raccoon population was established through migration from Germany to Czech Republic. Analysis of the intensity of migration between two different habitat types indicated source-sink dynamics in the Polish populations of raccoons. Our results confirm the high intensity of the raccoon invasion in Central Europe and point to specific measures needed as part of an effective management strategy.     

Cestode systematics and phylogeny move forward

This paper represents a meeting report for the Fifth International Workshop on Cestode Systematics and Phylogeny held at the Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, 18–22 July 2005. The major topics discussed included (i) the progress in cestode systematics during 2002–2005, (ii) the use of the life-cycle data in phylogenetic studies, (iii) the utilisation of new morphological and molecular characters in cestode systematics and phylogeny, and (iv) the ongoing work on the completion of the Global Cestode Database.     

Female morphology and systematic status of Philometroides cyprini (Nematoda: Philometridae), a parasite of carp

Gravid females of Philometroides were found under the scales of stock carp Cyprinus carpio L. imported from Lithuania to the Czech Republic in the spring of 1997 and kept in a quarantine pond. These specimens and those obtained from pond-cultured carp in Russia (Moscow district) were used for detailed morphological studies, including scanning electron microscopy. The results confirm that the valid name of this parasite is Philometroides cyprini (Ishii, 1931), whereas Philometra lusii Vismanis, 1962, Philometra schikhobalowae Belous, 1965, Philometra lusiana Vismanis, 1966 and Philometroides lusiana (Vismanis, 1966) Ivashkin et al., 1971 are its junior synonyms. P. cyprini, the agent of a serious disease of carp, seems to have been originally distributed in east Asia, from where it was introduced into Europe in the early 1960s.     

A comparative study of zygotic twinning and triplet rates in eight countries, 1972-1999

Annual changes in twinning and triplet rates by zygosity were investigated in eight countries during the period 1972-1999 using vital statistics. The monozygotic (MZ) twinning rates in Denmark, Switzerland and the Slovak Republic remained more or less constant throughout this period, whereas those in England and Wales, the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany), the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Japan increased significantly year by year. With the exception of the Slovak Republic, the dizygotic (DZ) twinning rate increased significantly year by year in each country. It was 2.9 times higher in Denmark and 1.5 times higher in Germany in 1999 than in 1972, and within the same range in the other countries. With two exceptions, the MZ triplet rates remained more or less constant in each country. On the other hand, the DZ and trizygotic (TZ) triplet rates increased significantly year by year in each country. The TZ rate increased 30-fold in Germany, 16.6-fold in Japan, 11.7-fold in Switzerland, 9.7-fold in the Czech Republic, 8.7-fold in the Netherlands, 6.4-fold in Denmark, 5.6-fold in England and Wales and 3.5-fold in the Slovak Republic. The higher DZ twinning rate and higher DZ and TZ triplet rates since 1983 have been attributed to the higher proportion of mothers being treated with ovulation-inducing hormones and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Denmark, England and Wales, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Japan. After the introduction of fertility drugs and IVF, variations in the DZ twinning and triplet rates and the TZ triplet rates were not only due to biological factors, but also depended on the popularity of fertility drugs and IVF in each country. In the Slovak Republic, where human fertility might not be affected by some adverse environmental factors, the DZ:MZ ratio remained constant during the period 1972-1999.     

Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni strains occurring in the USSR and the Czech Republic

In 1986-1989 the microbiological laboratory in Prague obtained 100 Campylobacter jejuni strains while its counterpart in Moscow gained 120 such strains. The strains were primarily isolated from humans with diarrheal disease, from domestic and wild animals and from the environment. Most C. jejuni strains were successfully specified and classified using a Czechoslovak serotyping scheme proposed by Kahlich. Serotypes 1, 2, 7, 15, 22 and 24 occurred most frequently in the Czech Republic whereas in the Soviet Union the most common serotypes were 7, 16, 5, 2, 1. The proportion of strains which could not be identified in the serotyping scheme was about 10% in the USSR and 20% in the Czech Republic. Our findings suggest differences between the USSR and the Czech Republic in the prevalence and incidence particular serotypes of C. jejuni strains.     

Metal-binding proteins in bream (Abramis brama L.) caught in the River Elbe

Metal-binding proteins were investigated in livers of bream caught in the River Elbe from Steti (Czech Republic) to Hamburg (Federal Republic of Germany). A major zinc and copper binding protein fraction with a low molecular weight of 10 000 to 12 000 Da and with properties similar to mammalian hepatic metallothionein was isolated from bream livers using gel filtration chromatography. Two protein isoforms could be separated by reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), however, mercury was associated with only one isoform. The possibility of different detoxification potentials of the isoforms is discussed. Maximal concentrations of metal-binding protein were detected in samples from Dresden. If metal-binding proteins are to be included in a biological monitoring study, further investigations are required.     

Metal-binding proteins in bream (Abramis brama L.) caught in the River Elbe

Metal-binding proteins were investigated in livers of bream caught in the River Elbe from Steti (Czech Republic) to Hamburg (Federal Republic of Germany). A major zinc and copper binding protein fraction with a low molecular weight of 10 000 to 12 000 Da and with properties similar to mammalian hepatic metallothionein was isolated from bream livers using gel filtration chromatography. Two protein isoforms could be separated by reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), however, mercury was associated with only one isoform. The possibility of different detoxification potentials of the isoforms is discussed. Maximal concentrations of metal-binding protein were detected in samples from Dresden. If metal-binding proteins are to be included in a biological monitoring study, further investigations are required.     

Oak chronology development in the Czech Republic and its teleconnection on a European scale

A prerequisite for successful dating of wooden archaeological finds and historic wooden constructions in a specific territory is the existence of a chronology. In the Czech Republic the species most frequently dated by dendrochronology is oak (Quercus spp.). There are two territories where oak forests can be found (Bohemia and Moravia/Silesia), which are divided by an area without oak – the Highlands (Vyso?ina). The previous oak chronology for the Czech Republic from 2005 was extended in 2010, and currently we have a discontinuous oak chronology (CZGES 2010) ranging from 4682 bc to 2006 ad with a large sample size between 760 ad and the present. When comparing this chronology with European chronologies, the highest degree of similarity has been observed with chronologies for Eastern Austria, most of Germany and the Polish part of South Silesia. When comparing the chronologies for Moravia/Silesia (MORGES 2010) and Bohemia (CECHGES 2010) separately with chronologies from the Pannonian Basin, the Moravian/Silesian chronology manifests higher degrees of similarity. The Czech oak chronology enlarges the European network of chronologies, which is necessary for dendroarchaeological applications mainly.     

Origin and genetic structure of white-tailed sea eagles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Haliaeetus albicilla</Emphasis>) in the Czech Republic: an analysis of breeding distribution,ringing data and DNA microsatellites

The population of white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Czech Republic declined dramatically during the twentieth century. None were observed in the area for more than 60 years until population recoveries were observed beginning in the 1980s. It is currently estimated that 25–30 breeding pairs of white-tailed sea eagles nest in the Czech Republic. This article analyses surveillance data from three periods between 1973 and 2003 on the occurrence and nesting of white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic. We investigated recolonization of European white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic in terms of migration patterns and population structures. Bird ringing data suggest the Czech population may be recovered from various areas encompassing northern Europe. Using data collected by DNA microsatellite, no population structure was revealed through Bayesian and cluster analyses with an existing Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, which suggests mixed panmictic populations of white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. While analysis of genetic diversity showed no difference between recovered populations in the southeastern Czech Republic and those persisting in Slovakia, there was genetic diversity between eagles of the southeastern subpopulation and eagles in other parts of the Czech Republic. Taken together, these observations on the population structure of white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic imply that other European birds contributed to the recovery of the Czech population, likely through breeding mixture with an identifiable centre in the southeastern Czech Republic.     

Morphological variability of achenes of some European populations of Lactuca serriola L.

This study focuses on the morphological variability of Lactuca serriola achenes in relation to eco-geographic features. Fifty L. serriola populations from four European countries, Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands and United Kingdom, were studied. Five morphological characters of the achenes - length and width of achene, length/width index, length of beak, and number of ribs - were evaluated. Significant differences exist in achene morphology of two leaf forms of L. serriola, forma serriola and forma integrifolia. Achenes of f. serriola are shorter, thinner, shorter beaked, lower length/width index, and higher number of ribs compared to f. integrifolia. There was significant variation in the measured characters. Statistical analysis indicated that achene length and width increased along an east-west transect from 2.95 to 3.35 mm and 0.93 to 1.00 mm, respectively. Mean beak length had a similar trend with the exception of German achenes. They had shorter beaks than achenes originating from the Czech Republic with 4.38 and Germany with 4.33 mm. The same trend was evident for L/W index from Czech with a ratio of 3.21 and Germany with 3.14. The number of ribs increased from east to the west in continental Europe, whereas the lowest number of ribs was recorded in achenes collected in Czech with 10.89 and the UK with 10.59. Achene morphology was significantly correlated with three eco-geographic features; longitude, latitude, soil texture of the habitats. The other eco-geographic factors, altitude and population size, did not significantly correlate with the studied characters of L. serriola achenes.     

Integration of the saprobic system into the European Union Water Framework Directive – Case studies in Austria,Germany and Czech Republic

The use of saprobic systems has long traditions in the water management in Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. Within the context of water quality assessment they are applied to indicate the effects of anthropogenic caused organic impact leading to a decrease in the dissolved oxygen content of running waters. In December 2000 the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force. It demands homogeneous procedures and methods for assessing inland surface waters as well as groundwater, coastal and transitional waters. The WFD focuses on the assessment of biotic elements and the ecological status has to be defined based on type specific approaches and reference conditions. To incorporate the saprobic approach into the new integrative methodology of the European assessment of the ecological status of water bodies, the national saprobic systems need to be adjusted. This paper describes the according methodological developments and adaptations of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany required to harmonise the traditional procedure with the guidelines of the WFD. In the three countries national databases were established to provide species lists from largely undisturbed stream sites. Such reference sites build the basis for calculating stream type specific reference values. The calculation has been done in slightly different ways dependent on the country. In addition to that boundaries were defined to characterise the 5 saprobic quality classes.     

Semi‐dry grasslands along a climatic gradient across Central Europe: Vegetation classification with validation

Question: What is the variation in species composition of Central European semi‐dry grasslands? Can we apply a training‐and‐test validation approach for identifying phytosociological associations which are floristically well defined in a broad geographic comparison; can we separate them from earlier described associations with only a local validity? Location: A 1200 km long transect running along a gradient of increasing continentality from central Germany via Czech Republic, Slovakia, NE Austria, Hungary to NW Romania. Methods: Relevés with > 25% cover of Brachypodium pin‐natum and/or Bromus erectus were geographically selected from a larger database. They were randomly split into two data sets, TRAINING and TEST, each with 422 relevés. Cluster analysis was performed for each data set on scores from significant principal coordinates. Different partitions of the TRAINING data set were validated on the TEST data set, using a new method based on the comparison of % frequencies of species occurrence in clusters. Clusters were characterized by statistically defined groups of diagnostic species and values of climatic variables. Results: Species composition changed along the NW‐SE gradient and valid clusters were geographically well separated. Optimal partition level was at 11 clusters, six being valid: two clusters Germany and the Czech Republic corresponded to the Bromion erecti; two clusters from the Czech Republic and Hungary to the Cirsio‐Brachypodion, and two clusters were transitional between these two alliances. Conclusion: The training‐and‐test validation method used in this paper proved to be efficient for discriminating between robust clusters, which are appropriate candidates for inclusion in the national or regional syntaxonomic overviews, and weak clusters, which are specific to the particular classification of the given data set.     

Spreading to a limit: the time required for a neophyte to reach its maximum range

The average range size of alien plants in Spain reaches a maximum at 143 years. This is consistent with estimates of such a maximum in Ireland, Britain, Germany and the Czech Republic. A round figure of about 150 years on average for neophytes to reach their maximum range in European countries is indicated.     

New mtDNA data reveal a wide distribution of the Japanese ginbuna Carassius langsdorfii in Europe

In this study, records on the occurrence of the Japanese ginbuna Carassius langsdorfii from northern Germany, north‐western Italy and southern Bosnia and Herzegovina are presented. The new findings, in addition to former studies reported in the Czech Republic and Greece, show that C. langsdorfii is much more widespread in Europe than was previously believed.