Finding eggs of the nematode Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782) (Nematoda, Dioctophymidae) in the North of Western Siberia in the late Holocene

A parasitological analysis was carried out with 29 samples of dog coprolites, soil, and manure obtained from the cultural layer of the Mangazeya settlement (66°42´N, 82°16´E), which dates back to 1601-1670 (end of the Late Holocene). Eggs of the nematode Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782), which infests the kidneys of carnivores, were found in coprolites of dogs (Canis familiaris L., 1758) for the first time in Northwestern Siberia. The nematode species has not been detected in the modern helminth fauna of the region. The giant kidney worm could have entered the region with dogs brought by Russian migrants from European Russia during the development of Siberia. However, the introduction of the helminth did not lead to the formation of a new stable natural focus of dioctophymiasis.

A parasitological analysis was performed using 24 dog coprolite, 1 cultural deposit, and 4 dung samples collected during excavations of the Mangazeya settlement (66°42' N, 82°16' E), the first Russian city of the 17th century (Late Holocene) in the north of Western Siberia. Helminth eggs were found in 26 (89.7%) samples. Echinochasmus sp. eggs were found in 48.3% of the samples, including the cultural deposit, 2 dung, and 11 dog coprolite samples. The genus is currently absent in the helminth fauna of the region. Helminths of the genus could have entered the region with infested dogs, pigs, and humans who migrated to the region from European Russia. A new stable natural focus of echinochasmosis did not form after the introduction, probably because of unfavorable climatic conditions of the region.

A parasitological analysis of 24 dog coprolite samples, 1 cultural deposit, and 4 dung samples obtained during excavations of the Mangazeya settlement (66°42’ N, 82°16’ E), the first Russian city of the 17th century (late Holocene) in the north of Western Siberia was performed. Helminth eggs were found in 26 (89.7%) samples. sp. eggs were found in 48.3% of the samples: in the cultural deposit, in 2 dung samples, and in 11 dog coprolite ones. This genus is currently absent in the helminth fauna of the region. It could have entered the region with infected dogs, pigs, and humans who arrived to the region from European Russia. The introduction of the helminth did not lead to the formation of a new stable natural focus of echinochasmosis, which is associated with the unfavorable climatic conditions of the region.

Dogs (Canis familiaris) can transmit pathogens to other domestic animals, humans and wildlife. Both domestic and wild-living dogs are ubiquitous within mainland Australian landscapes, but their interactions are mostly unquantified. Consequently, the probability of pathogen transfer among wild-living and domestic dogs is unknown. To address this knowledge deficit, we established 65 camera trap stations, deployed for 26,151 camera trap nights, to quantify domestic and wild-living dog activity during 2years across eight sites in north-east New South Wales, Australia. Wild-living dogs were detected on camera traps at all sites, and domestic dogs recorded at all but one. No contacts between domestic and wild-living dogs were recorded, and limited temporal overlap in activity was observed (32%); domestic dogs were predominantly active during the day and wild-living dogs mainly during the night. Contact rates between wild-living and between domestic dogs, respectively, varied between sites and over time (range 0.003-0.56 contacts per camera trap night). Contact among wild-living dogs occurred mainly within social groupings, and peaked when young were present. However, pup emergence occurred throughout the year within and between sites and consequently, no overall annual cycle in contact rates could be established. Due to infrequent interactions between domestic and wild-living dogs, there are likely limited opportunities for pathogen transmission that require direct contact. In contrast, extensive spatial overlap of wild and domestic dogs could facilitate the spread of pathogens that do not require direct contact, some of which may be important zoonoses.

The combined application of paleocryological and palynological methods has revealed that the formation of polygonal wedge ice at the end of the Late Pleistocene and in the first half of the Holocene, including the main phase of peat accumulation and of the advance of the treeline into the tundra zone in the north of Western Siberia, occurred under conditions of severe continental climate. Mean annual air temperatures and permafrost temperatures were significantly lower than at present and thus caused an intensification of thermal contraction cracking and of ice wedge formation. Existing concepts of the Holocene Climatic Optimum in the north of Siberia as a period of significantly higher humidities, higher mean summer air temperatures and permafrost temperatures and of widespread degradation of the permafrost do not present a true picture of the reality of the geographical situation at the time.

Background:Carnivore carcasses on the roads can be regarded as study materials in parasitology and eco-epidemiology. Stray carnivores such as dogs and cats are known to harbor so many different pathogens like zoonotic helminthes. The current investigation, apparent the status of the helminthic parasites found in road killed carnivores from different parts of Guilan Province north of Iran.Methods:Fifty road killed carnivores including 27 stray dogs (Canis familiaris), 11 golden jackals (Canis aureus) and 12 stray cats (Felis catus) were collected from 21 locations of Guilan Province, during Apr to Nov 2015. Internal organs of the carcasses, including digestive tract, heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, skin, eyes as well as muscles were carefully inspected and sampled for helminthological investigation.Results:About 80% of the 50 carnivores, (stray dogs 77.77%, golden jackals 81.81%, and stray cats 91.66%) were found naturally infected with helminthic parasites. Dipylidum caninum, Toxocara cati, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonine, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Dirofilaria immitis, Dioctophyma renale, Dipylidum caninum, Echinococcus granulosus, Mesocestoides spp., Taenia hydatigena, Taenia hydatigera, Joyuxiella spp., Spirometra spp. are reported herein.Conclusion:The prevalent occurrence of zoonotic helminthes such as T. canis, T. cati, T. leonina, E. granulosus, D. immitis and D. renale in stray carnivores should be considered as a public health hazard, specifically within a vast tourism area like Guilan Province.

Background: Dioctophymosis is caused by Dioctophyma renale, a parasite known as the giant kidney worm, that can parasitize the kidneys of domestic and wild animals. There are also reports of its occurrence in humans, thus revealing its zoonotic potential. In most cases, parasitized animals are asymptomatic. This parasite can cause atrophy or destroy the renal parenchyma, although ectopic locations may occur. The diagnosis is made through ultrasonography, based on the presence of eggs in the urine, visualization of the parasite, or during necropsy. Therefore, the aim of this work was to report the case of a young dog infected with D. renale and subjected to nephrectomy in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.Case: A 6-month-old bitch with a clinical suspicion of hydronephrosis in the right kidney was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of Anhanguera-Uniderp University in the city of Campo Grande, MS. A physical examination of the patient revealed an alteration in the urinary system. An abdominal ultrasound, urinalysis, complete blood count (CBC) tests and biochemical profile were ordered. The erythrogram indicated erythrocytosis resulting from dehydration and loss of body fluids, while enzyme levels (creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and albumin) were within normal limits. The abdominal ultrasound showed the presence of a cylindrical and rounded structure characteristic of a nematode and in the right kidney, and loss of renal parenchyma typical of D. renale infection. A urinalysis then revealed the presence of helminth eggs, confirming the diagnosis. The owner was informed about the need for nephrectomy of the affected right kidney, which showed destruction of the renal parenchyma. One adult female and one adult male parasite were removed from inside the kidney, measuring approximately 50 cm and 35 cm in length. The patient was successfully treated, kept in hospital for observation, and returned two weeks later for reassessment of her renal function and removal of stitches. Discussion: Dioctophymosis is often diagnosed based on ultrasound and urine tests. These tests proved sufficient to diagnose parasitism by D. renale. However, the infection is usually discovered during necropsy. D. renale is popularly known as the giant kidney worm, as it can reach up to 100 cm in length. In the present case, the female parasite was 50 cm long and the male was 35 cm. The patient presented parasitism very young, at just 6 months of age. The parasitic infection of the animal was attributed to the ingestion of water or food contaminated with an intermediate host, the aquatic annelid Lumbriculus variegatus. It is suggested that the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the infective stage of the parasite may have occurred at 2 months of age or younger, since the prepatent period is approximately 6 months. The parasite was found only in the patient’s right kidney. Hydronephrosis was reported in the patient and was caused by obstruction of the internal urethral ostium by the adult nematode. In this case, the recommended surgical treatment was nephrectomy, to which the patient was subjected, leading to successful recovery. This case occurred in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, where there are no records of parasitism by D. renale in domestic dogs, unlike other states in Brazil. We therefore emphasize the importance of new studies on D. renale, given the lack of clear records describing the parasite’s epidemiological data, biological cycle and diagnosis, which may hinder the prevention and control of this zoonotic disease.Keywords: canine dioctophymosis, helminth, nematoid, giant kidney worm, hydronephrosis.Descritores: dioctofimose canina, helminto, nematoide, verme gigante renal, hidronefrose.

Purpose. The article presents results of new research at one of the most prominent Early Neolithic enclosed settlements in the North of Western Siberia – the stronghold of Kayukovo-2, which is characterized by a regular architectural plan with one central and five surrounding buildings, pottery of a specific shape and type, including flat as well as conical bases and complex ornamentation, and an original complex of stone artefacts. Results. In 2018, the investigation of building structure no. 4 was continued; for the reconstruction of the paleo-landscape, soil samples were investigated in the adjacent peatland, new radiocarbon dates were obtained, and analyses of the material complex represented by fragments of ceramics, products from clay-like raw materials and clay, stone artefacts, and clusters of small bone fragments was carried out. Building no. 4 was identified as a semi-sunken dwelling structure with a hearth in the centre, a small connecting corridor to building no. 7, and a link to the large central building no. 6. In 2019, new trenches confirmed the existence of a ditch circumscribing the settlement complex. Palaeoenvironmental research shows that during the period of use of the site, the closest water body was located c. 100 m from the terrace shore. The radiocarbon dates available up to now indicate a time of functioning of the ancient settlement in the first centuries of the 6th millennium cal BC. The ceramic material belongs to the complex of early flat-based hunter-gatherer pottery of Western Siberia, a tradition which probably spread from the Baraba forest-steppe and the Ishim region to the Northern Trans-Urals around 6000 cal BC. Conclusion. The reasons for the emergence of the northernmost fortified settlements in Eurasia among hunter-gatherer communities with complex architecture and specific ceramics, the role of internal socio-cultural mechanisms and external influences, and environmental factors in their formation continue to be under discussion and require further research.

Berezov is one of the first Russian towns in the north of Western Siberia (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area). This article is aimed at describing the household structure, the commercial activities of the population inhabiting the posad of the town on the basis of animal bone remains, as well as at determining the degree of integration of the Russian and native population in the region. The study was carried out using the osteological collection (ap-proximately 12,000 items) obtained during the excavations on the site in 2008–2018. Having compared the mate-rials belonging to different construction layers, we identified three chronological periods covering the time from the mid-17th (the moment this site was built) up to late 18th centuries. When describing bone remains, species com-position, skeleton element, as well as the degree of fragmentation, were determined. The age structure of domes-tic animals was described. During the period under review, as the urban economy was developing, foraging activi-ties decreased in the town of Berezov, whereas production increased. Cattle and reindeer played a dominant role in the diet of the posad population. Starting from the end of the 17th century and later in the 18th century, the raising of predominantly beef cattle was gradually giving place to the raising of dairy cattle. Simultaneously, the region was witnessing a rapid development of large-scale reindeer herding, with the involvement of the Russian population of northern towns in this process. Thus, the lack of domestic meat was compensated for by domestic reindeer meat. The population of the posad kept a small number of pigs, sheep, horses and hens. Dogs were used for hunting and transportation. Game hunting (especially wild geese, ducks and capercaillies), as well as fishing, played an important role in the economy of the population. The population fished mostly large species of fish (sturgeon, pike, nelma) and hunted for elks, hares, as well as fur-bearing animals. The analysis of archaeo-zoological materials, as well as archaeological data, revealed that mixed Russian and original population resided in the posad of Berezov in the 17th–18th centuries. The economy of the population was typical for Russian towns, exhibiting local natural characteristics and involving the use of all available commercial resources, as well as ac-tive cooperation with the original population of the region.

New morphological features and phylogenetic insights of Dioctophyme renale from wild carnivores and a domestic dog in South America.

Background. A domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is one of the most common do mestic animals, the diversity of their ecological and social status is determined by their re production and reproduction in cities and rural settlements. In populated areas, dogs have a significant impact on the fauna of the ecosystem. The purpose of the study was to analyze the genetic structure of Penza stray dog population based on the study of individual polymor phism by microsatellite loci of nuclear DNA. Materials and methods. The material for the study was hair samples of domestic and stray dogs collected in the period 2021–2024 in shelters and centers for overexposure of stray animals, on the streets of Penza and provided by pet dog owners. To isolate DNA, 23 wool samples were collected, of which 11 were ob tained from stray dogs and 12 from domestic dogs. To amplify microsatellite DNA fragments consisting of tri- and tetra tandem repeats, the primer systems of the Stock Marks Dog Gen otyping Kit identification panel of the American Kennel Association were used. Results. The approbation of 6 microsatellite systems (PEZ3 F/R, PEZ6 F/R, PEZ8 F/R, FHC2010 F/R, FHC2045 F/R, FHC2079 F/R) showed that they are extremely nonspecific for the DNA matrix obtained from dogs living in the territory of the Russian Federation. Apparently, the genetic lines of the domestic dog of the North American continent are quite different from domestic lines. The obtained microsatellite allelic spectra of DNA samples from stray and domestic dogs are mainly represented by heterozygous sets. At the same time, heterozygosity was slightly higher in the population of stray dogs (0.750) compared with the heterozygosity of domestic dogs (0.670). Conclusions. The performed procedure for DNA extraction from hair samples of domestic and stray dogs revealed its low productivity. For a successful study of the genetic structure of the population of stray animals, more productive methods should be used, for example, tissue biopsy. The results of amplification of marker fragments of microsatellite DNA of stray dogs showed poor performance of the tested microsatellite systems of the dog identification panel of the American Kennel Association. It is necessary to start developing its own panel of microsatellite markers suitable for the identification of dogs of domestic cultural breeding.

Part I. Geological and paleoecological events of the late Pleistocene and Holocene in the Northern Eurasia, 1. Geological and paleoecological events of the late Pleistocene along Eurasian coastal areas of the Arctic Ocean, 2. Late Pleistocene geologic-paleoecological events on the North of European part of , 3. Main geologic-paleoecological events of the late Pleistocene on the North of Western Siberia, 4. Geologic-paleoecological events of the late Pleistocene on the territory of Northern-Siberian lowland and Taimyr Peninsula, 5. Late glacial time and Holocene of the Northern Eurasia, 6. Outlines of the Late Pleistocene and Holocene history of the East Arctic seas, 7. The deglaciation time and the Holocene of Northern Eurasia PART II. MARINE SEDIMENTATION IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN AND SUBARCTIC SEAS, 1. The seas of West Subarctic region, 2. The Arctic Ocean, 3. Western Arctic Seas, 4. Eastern Arctic Seas, 5. Seas of the Eastern Subarctic.

In recent years, evidence has been accumulating that domestic dogs (Canis familiaris)havespecializedskills in readinghuman-givencommunicativecues (e.g., pointing gestures). These skills seem to be the result of selection pressures during the process of domestication and therefore an adaptation to the dogs’ environment, namely human societies. Also, current evidence suggests that dogs’ understanding of human gestures is more flexible than was formerly thought. More specifically, dogs distinguish between intended communicative acts and non-intended but targetdirected behaviours, suggesting that dogs’ behaviour in this domain reflects important aspects of the comprehension of human communicative intentions. However, while children also eavesdrop on communicative interactions between third parties, dogs do not. This can be taken as evidence that dogs take human gestures as directives, while children see them as (sometimes) informative. Also dogs’ understanding of gestures seems to be generally more behaviourally based whereas children comprehend gestures in the context of joint attentional interactions. A species’ cognitive adaptations, like its morphological adaptations, reflect the ecological contexts in which it has evolved. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) have evolved in a very special ecological context. Approximately fifteen thousand years ago, wolves (Canis lupus) entered human societies and were domesticated to become one of the most successful species on the planet, the domestic dog (Vila et al. 1997). Since then dogs have been part of human societies and interact with humans in many different ways; they help to hunt, to herd, to protect, etc. (Coppinger and Coppinger 2001). For living in the human world, dogs may have evolved specialized cognitive mechanisms which enable them to interact with human beings and which resemble some of humans’ cognitive skills (Hare and Tomasello 2005), making dogs an interesting model for questions regarding the evolution of cognition. J. Kaminski Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Cambridge, High Street, Madingley, Cambridge CB3 8AA UK e-mail: Kaminski@eva.mpg.de A. Berthoz and Y. Christen (eds.), Neurobiology of “Umwelt”: How Living Beings 103 Perceive the World, Research and Perspectives in Neurosciences, c © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009

Free-living wildlife across Africa is found across expansive rangelands, frequently interacting with pastoral communities, their livestock, and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). African wildlife populations are threatened by development, poaching and disease. Infectious diseases have caused significant declines, sabotaging conservation efforts. Canine distemper virus (CDV) infections have increased in incidence in wildlife over the past four decades. Sympatric domestic dogs have been presumed to be the reservoirs of the virus for wildlife. A systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines was carried out to investigate CDV infections in wildlife in Africa, to 1) analyze the conservation concerns associated with the disease, 2) identify the dynamics of the virus across different ecoregions, and 3) ascertain the source of the virus for free-living wildlife. The database searches identified 65 articles relevant to the study questions and an additional 43 valuable for wider discussion of the topic area. Canine distemper outbreaks were reported to occur in wildlife in six African countries, with mortality rates between 30% and 94% across all species affected. Eleven wildlife species were identified as susceptible, 64% of which (7/11) are classified as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Disease dynamics varied between ecoregions because of differences in land use; virus strains; climate change and concurrent infections; ecotones; domestic and wildlife population densities; wildlife monitoring capacity; and wildlife movement. Nine countries reported outbreaks in domestic dog populations in or near wildlife habitats, but none reported confirmed transmission to wildlife. Of 23 reports investigating the role of domestic dogs as CDV reservoirs, 14 (61%) concluded that domestic dogs acted as either reservoirs or sources of CDV for wildlife, four (17%) did not identify dogs as reservoirs, and five (22%) were not sure of the role played by domestic dogs. This review highlights the importance of integrating active CDV surveillance in wildlife conservation programs.

The paper presents the results of the research on the Middle Ages iron axes found in different years in the north of Western Siberia and the Urals, excluding pole-axe (berdysh Rus.) that appear in large numbers in the study area with the growing of the Russian population. The relevance of such study has matured, since there are enough sources that need to be generalized and critically compiled. Taking into account the morphological features of the archaeological evidence, the authors propose to classify all currently known axes by 2 groups and 13 types. The first group including 3 types of minting axes were made exclusively for combat use. The second group includes 10 types of axes, classified as universal, which served both for the military and for economic purposes. The text with the description of the sites contains also table with the data on the basic parameters of axes (item length, blade width) and the time of their use (existence). For the first time, a new type of battle axe (type 13), accidentally found in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug — Ugra, is published. We present analogues of this subject among the products of Russian blacksmiths of the 13th–14th centuries and explain the position on the dating and on origin of the axe. The paper discusses the evolution of certain types of objects, describes plots concerning the origin of certain items (imports from Volga Bulgaria, Russian lands, etc.) and the special attitude of the local population to this type of weapon, which could be stored for centuries in the holy places of the Ob Ugrians. The authors come to the conclusion that imported axes of the second group were used as a standard for Siberian blacksmiths. But local products, characterized by primitive technology (a multilayer package), low quality welding of iron strips and an abundance of slag inclusions, can be finally identified only after metallographic microstructural analysis. This research should be prolonged, because annual archaeological investigations replenish the source base, and, with no doubt, the typology of axes proposed in the article will be supplemented and adjusted.