Europaea Linnaeus Research Articles

Carolinensis minutus (Dujardin, 1845) Travassos 1937 (Nematoda, Heligmonellidae) in Microtus agrestis in the United Kingdom

The heligmonellid nematode Carolinensis minutus (Dujardin, 1845) Travassos, 1937 is recorded for the first time in Microtus agrestis (Linnaeus, 1761) in the United Kingdom. Small heligmosomoid specimens were recovered from a M. agrestis vole inhabiting mole (Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758) tunnels in mid Wales. The identity of these specimens was confirmed as C. minutus by >99% nucleotide identity with internally transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS 2 sequences in French C. minutus. 

First record for a partial Isabelline colouration in a European mole, Talpa europaea, from Central Italy

Abstract The European mole Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758 is a quite common species in Central Italy. I report the first Isabelline individual of this species recorded in the scientific literature. Actually, this species is quite widespread throughout Europe, but coat-colouration anomalies have never been described in Central Italian mole populations. Further research is therefore needed to determine the percentage of occurrence of anomalous individuals and the evolutionary history of coat anomalies in moles. [Correction added after online publication 16 December 2021: text in the abstract section “Actually, this species is quite widespread throughout Europe, but coat-colouration anomalies have never been described in Italian mole populations.” has been changed]

New data on the distribution of the two mole species Talpa aquitania Nicolas, Matinez-Vargas & Hugot, 2017 and T. europaea Linnaeus, 1758 in France based on museum and newly collected specimens

A new species of mole, Talpa aquitania Nicolas, Martínez-Vargas & Hugot, 2017, was recently described from France. Based on the genetic identification of 270 individuals it was hypothesized that T. aquitania and T. europaea Linnaeus, 1758 are allopatric, being distributed on opposite sides of the Loire River, with the exception of a small area of sympatry in eastern Pyrénées mountains. The aim of the present study is to get a better understanding of the distribution of these two species in France based on the re-identification of museum specimens and extensive field sampling through a citizen science study. 1099 specimens were identified at the specific level (574 T. europaea and 525 T. aquitania) based on external characteristics, molar tooth morphology and/or genetic data. Our results confirm that T. aquitania is mainly distributed south and west of the Loire River, while the reverse is true for T. europaea. However, the Loire River is not a strict biogeographic barrier between these two species: several specimens of T. aquitania were recorded north and east of the Loire River in the Loire-Atlantique, Loiret and Nièvre departments. Moreover, two specimens were captured in the Var department. Several specimens of T. europaea were captured south and west of the Loire River in the Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret and Loire departments. Furthermore, both species were found in sympatry or in close proximity in the Pyrénées Mountains. The role of climate, soil type, food resources abundance (earthworms) and historical factors in explaining the actual distribution of these species is discussed.

European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus L.) as a Reservoir of Dermatophytes in Poland

The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus Linnaeus) frequently colonises areas located close to human life in cities, as these are more suitable nest sites offering an abundance of food and allowing avoidance of predators. However, urbanisation has a significant impact on the epidemiology of infectious diseases, including dermatophytoses, the primary source of which are wild animals. In this study, we determined the spectrum of dermatophytes isolated from the European hedgehog and assessed their susceptibility profile to antifungal drugs. Symptomatic and asymptomatic dermatophyte infections were observed in 7.7% and 8% of the 182 examined free-living hedgehogs, respectively. In the pool of the isolated dermatophyte strains, Trichophyton erinacei was dominant (29.9%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (17.9%), Trichophyton benhamiae (13.4%), Nannizzia gypsea (11.9%), Microsporum canis (10.4%), Nannizzia nana (7.5%), Paraphyton cookei (6.0%), and Nannizzia fulva (3.0%). Susceptibility tests revealed the highest activity of luliconazole and the lowest of activity fluconazole among the azole drugs applied. Although terbinafine generally exhibited high efficacy, two Trichophyton mentagrophytes isolates showed resistance to this drug (MIC = 2 µg/ml) resulting from missense mutations in the SQLE gene corresponding to the amino acid substitution Leu393Phe. Summarising, our study has also revealed that such wildlife animals as hedgehogs can be a reservoir of pathogenic human dermatophytes, including harmful strains resistant to commonly used antifungal drugs.Graphical

Demodex crocidurae, a New Demodecid Mite (Acariformes: Prostigmata) Parasitizing the Lesser White-Toothed Shrew and a Redescription of Demodex talpae from European Mole with Data on Parasitism in Soricomorpha.

Simple SummaryThis paper describes a new species, Demodex crocidurae, inhabiting the hairy skin of Crocidura suaveolens. It also redescribes the most morphologically similar form: Demodex talpae from Talpa europaea, a species known from Hirst’s 1921 description. Following a differential diagnosis, it was concluded that these are separate species with different features important in the taxonomy of Demodecidae, inhabiting analogous microhabitats in different species of hosts.Only six parasitic species of Demodecidae mite have thus far been described from the Soricomorpha, these being associated with the common shrew Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758, and the Mediterranean water shrew Neomys anomalus Cabrera, 1907 (two species from each host), and with the lesser white-toothed shrew Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811) and the European mole Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758 (one from each host species). Presently, Demodex crocidurae, a new species, has been described from the territory of Poland for C. suaveolens; in order to confirm its validity, it was necessary to redescribe D. talpae Hirst, 1921, from T. europaea, a demodecid species first described by Hirst in 1921 from England and then noted only in Poland. Both species colonized the hairy skin of the body in their hosts, where no disease symptoms of infestation were observed. However, D. crocidurae showed higher infection parameters (prevalence 100%, mean intensity 11.7, intensity range 3–26 individuals) than those of D. talpae (30.0%, 4.7, 2.0–8.0), possibly due to different host biology.

Biotopic distribution and abundance of the Altai mole (<i>Talpa altaica</i> Nikolsky, 1883) on the left bank of the Middle Ob

The studies were conducted on the territory of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug Yugra (Surgutskiy District) in 20182020 in the Surgut natural wildlife reserve and in 2020 in the vicinity of the Kamennyi Cape ski resort on the left bank of the middle Ob. The paper notes the poor knowledge of the distribution of the Altai mole in the forest zone of Western Siberia, especially on the northern and western borders of the range. Hence, there is almost complete lack of information on its biology and ecology in the area. The Altai mole was collected while counting other small mammals using trapping grooves and guiding fences made of polyethylene membrane; a total of 43 individuals were counted. As in other parts of the forest zone of Western Siberia, the Altai mole near the northern border of the range the left bank of the Middle Ob is confined to mixed and small-leaved forests with rich undergrowth and grassy layer. During the observation period, the maximum abundance of the Altai mole was in 2019. In 2018 and 2020 its abundance was 26 times lower. One of the reasons for such fluctuations can be abiotic factors, in particular, the difference in winter temperature conditions, the height of the snow cover and others. Information about freezing of both Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758, and Talpa altaica Nikolsky, 1883, moles during little snowy harsh winters is known.

The first record of the trematode Urogonimus certhiae (Trematoda: Leucochloridiidae) in the Eurasian nuthatch Sitta europaea

Adult trematodes of the genus Urogonimus Monticelli, 1888 were found in the cloaca of a male Eurasian nuthatch Sitta europaea Linnaeus, 1758, the carcass of which was found in the Vyritsa Settlm. (Leningrad Prov., Northwest Russia). Based on morphological characters, the worms were identified as U. certhiae McIntosh, 1927. This is the first record of this parasite from the nuthatch and from Northwest Russia. We analysed nucleotide sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA of this species and found important differences with U. macrostomus (Rudolphi, 1803). Genetic and morphological data indicated that U. certhiae and U. macrostomus were two separate species. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Urogonimus and Leucochloridium Carus, 1835 were two distinct genera.

Diversity of insects associated with olive (Oleaceae) groves across a dryland climate gradient in Algeria

AbstractThis study investigated insect diversity of olive (Olea europaea Linnaeus (Oleaceae)) groves grown in arid and semiarid climates in northeastern Algeria. Using several sampling techniques, a total of 1326 insect specimens were collected and identified into 151 species, 124 genera, 65 families, and 10 orders. Hymenoptera and Coleoptera were quantitatively the most abundant, whereas the dominant functional feeding groups were phytophages then predators. The entomofauna included several olive pests such as Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), Parlatoria oleae (Colvée) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Euphyllura olivina (Costa) (Hemiptera: Liviidae), and Liothrips oleae Costa (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae). Although insect diversity parameters recorded for both observed and expected species richness were higher in olive groves grown under semiarid compared with arid climate, the completeness rate of species richness obtained using the nonparametric incidence estimators was higher in arid olive groves. Generalised linear models showed that the number of individuals and species richness varied significantly between climates (P < 0.01), whereas the variation of the rest of diversity parameters was not significant. Diversity traits of insect assemblage of each climatic region were positively correlated. Besides, the Mantel permutation test revealed similar patterns (r = 0.91, P < 0.0001) between correlation matrices of the two climates. When increasing the number of samples, species richness extrapolation revealed that diversity is expected to increase by 130% in olive groves grown under arid climate and 93% in semiarid climate. These increases are related to continuous appearance of rare and scarce insects as demonstrated by species rarefaction curves. Even with high evenness values of insect communities, similarity was low between climate indicating the rarity and scarcity of populations.

The Mercury Content and Antioxidant System in Insectivorous Animals (Insectivora, Mammalia) and Rodents (Rodentia, Mammalia) of Various Ecogenesis Conditions

This study is aimed at analyzing the total mercury in the tissues of mammals adapted to a semiaquatic or subterranean lifestyle and at analyzing the possible role of their antioxidant system in heavy metal detoxication. The water shrew Neomis fodiens Pennant, 1771, European mole Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758, muskrat Ondatra zibethicus Linnaeus, 1766, and water vole Arvicola terrestris Linnaeus, 1758 were the species under study. Our results indicate that mercury accumulation in the tissue depends on the age, tissue type, and diet of the species. The highest mercury content was recorded in water shrew tissues compared to other species. Age-dependent accumulation of the toxicant in the animals is reported. A correlation between mercury accumulation and catalase activity in the kidneys of the animals studied was found.

Phylogenetic relationships of Eurasian Nuthatches (Sitta europaea Linnaeus, 1758) from the Alborz and Zagros Mountains, Iran

The Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea Linnaeus, 1758) is a resident bird in the Alborz and Zagros deciduous forests. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships and the taxonomic position of the Eurasian Nuthatch among other separated lineages of Eurasia with the help of blood samples collected from 19 individuals belonging to four populations in the Eastern and Western Alborz, as well as in the Northern and Southern Zagros forests. Genetic variation was then analysed using complete ND2 gene sequence (1041 bp) and phylogenetic analysis was done using Bayesian and maximum likelihood inference. Additionally, a median-joining algorithm was used to reveal the relationships among haplotypes. The results of the phylogenetic and haplo-type network analyses indicated that Eurasian Nuthatch haplotypes from the Alborz and Zagros Mountains form lineages distinct from the Asian, Caucasian and European haplotypes. Furthermore, an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) detected significant (P<0.001) genetic structure among the lineages. The Asian, European, Caucasian and Alborz lineages diverged from one another by an uncorrected genetic distance ranging from 0.029 to 0.039, while the Zagros lineage showed a slightly lower genetic divergence from the Caucasian lineage (0.006), but it did not share any haplotype with the Caucasian lineage. Thus, we suggest considering five Conservation Significant Units (CSU) for the Eurasian Nuthatches as the result of used dataset.

Anatomy of the Pedal Skeleton of the Hispaniolan Solenodon,Solenodon paradoxusBrandt, 1833 (Mammalia, Lipotyphla, Solenodontidae)

ABSTRACT The osseous elements of the foot and ankle are described and illustrated in detail for the Hispaniolan solenodon, Solenodon paradoxus Brandt, 1833, one of two extant species of the lipotyphlan family Solenodontidae. Comparisons are made with the same elements in representatives of the three remaining extant families of lipotyphlans, the soricid Crocidura luna Dollman, 1910, the talpid Parascalops breweri (Bachman, 1842), and the erinaceid Erinaceus europaeus Linnaeus, 1758. The muscles attaching to the osseous elements of the foot in lipotyphlans are summarized based on the literature. The solenodon foot is generalized but with a unique modification regarding the entocuneiform: it has an elongate medial spur with a sizeable facet for the astragalar head. The other lipotyphlans studied have a medial spur of the entocuneiform, but it is well separated from the astragalus by the navicular. Crocidura luna also has a remarkable modification; the ectal facets on the astragalus and calcaneus have opposi...

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ РТУТИ И АНТИОКСИДАНТНАЯ СИСТЕМА У НАСЕКОМОЯДНЫХ (INSECTIVORA, MAMMALIA) И ГРЫЗУНОВ (RODENTIA, MAMMALIA) РАЗЛИЧНОГО ЭКОГЕНЕЗА

The present study was aimed at analyzing the total mercury in the tissues of mammals adapted to the semi-aquatic or subterranean lifestyle and at analyzing the possible role of their antioxidant system in heavy metal detoxification. The water shrew (Neomys fodiens Pennant, 1771), European mole (Talpa europaea Linnaeus 1758), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus Linnaeus, 1766), and water vole (Arvicola terrestris Linnaeus, 1758) were the species under study. Our results indicate that the tissue mercury accumulation depends on age, the tissue type and diet of the species. The largest mercury deposition occurred in the water shrew tissues as compared with the other species. Age features of toxicant accumulation in the animals were noted. A correlation between the mercury concentration and the catalase activity in the kidneys of the species investigated was revealed.

New species and records of quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acari: Prostigmata) from the passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) from the Russian Far East.

Two new species, Syringophilopisis pari sp. nov. from Poecile palustris Linnaeus (Paridae) and Torotrogla volgini sp. nov. from Emberiza elegans Temminck (Emberizidae) are described. Additionally, new host species are reported for three syringophilid species: Emberiza tristrami Swinhoe and E. rutila Pallas for Betasyringophiloidus schoeniclus (Skoracki); Sitta europaea Linnaeus (Sittidae) for Syringophilopsis sittae Skoracki et al., and Zosterops erythropleurus Swinhoe (Zosteropidae) for Neoaulonastus zosterops Skoracki et al. All avian hosts were captured in the Primorsky Krai, Russia. The syringophilid fauna presently recorded from Russia is summarized.

Intra- and interhabitat differences in hedgehog distribution and potential prey availability

With little previous research on the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus Linnaeus) in Ireland, 22 hedgehogs (16 females and six males) were tagged at a rural Irish site between June 2008 and November 2009. Transect, surveying surface invertebrates were carried out in the centre and hedgerow in arable and pasture lands distributed throughout the site. In both years, hedgehogs selected arable land and this coincided with a rise in invertebrate density. This and the fact that within the arable field hedgehogs concentrated their activity where there was a greater density of potential prey suggest that hedgehogs learn the spatial location of prospective food. Contrary to other research, in most of the hedgehogs’ home range, individuals consistently foraged in the centre of both pasture and arable lands. Potential prey was lower in fields where the hedgerow had no bramble understory, and this suggests that hedgerow with good ground cover acts as an important reserve for invertebrates. Badgers (Meles meles Linnaeus) were seen on 12 occasions within the hedgehogs’ home range and they did not appear to have a negative effect on the hedgehogs’ use of the site. It was concluded that the main factor affecting the hedgehogs’ distribution within each habitat was the availability and accessibility of potential prey.

Genetic Diversity of the European Mole (Talpa europaea) from Lithuania as Revealed by Selected Isoenzyme Polymorphism

The European mole (Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1978) is the only mole species living in Lithuania. Isoenzyme variation and differentiation in T. europaea were studied in 290 individuals from 14 different localities in Lithuania. Genetic variability of liver non-specific proteins (Np) and esterase (Est) was investigated by means of vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Nine polymorphic loci were detected: Est-1, Est-2, Est-3, Np-1, Np-2, Np-3, Np-4, Np-5, Np-6. Genetic differences among subpopulations were evaluated using UPGMA cluster analysis (Nei 1972) and Wright’s F-statistics method. The Mantel test (Mantel 1967) did not reveal any significant correlation between genetic distances and geographical distances among the examined samples. A significant (p < 0.05) genetic differentiation was determined among the majority of studied subpopulations. The possible causes for such differentiation are discussed.

Invasive Mammals in the National Parks System of Argentina

ABSTRACT: The National Parks System of Argentina (NPSA) comprises 33 protected areas (3,546,044 ha) and represents 1.25% of the country's total area. The goal of this work is to provide the first description of the distribution of invasive mammal species within the NPSA based on various information sources in order to assist future decision making concerning management strategies for these species. The occurrence of invasive mammals in different areas of the NPSA was determined from diverse sources: internal reports, mammal collections, survey questionnaires, and literature review. Sixteen invasive species are established within 26 of the 33 (78.7%) protected areas of NPSA. The most widespread species is European hare (Lepus europaeus Linnaeus), followed by wild boar (Sus scrofa Linnaeus). Highest relative invasion indices are recorded in areas within the Patagonian forest, followed by areas in the Patagonian steppe. Two clearly different situations are present in the protected areas of the NPSA: (1) area...

Habitat use and behaviour of European hedgehogErinaceus europaeus in a Danish rural area

HedgehogsErinaceus europaeus Linnaeus, 1758 were radio-tagged and monitored during the summer of 2001 in a Danish rural area with the objective of quantifying home ranges, nightly distances travelled, habitat use, activity patterns, day-nesting habits, and body-weight changes of the five males and five females being recorded. Males had larger home-range sizes and travelled longer nightly distances than females. The two most common habitat types within the home ranges of the hedgehogs were deciduous forest and arable land, whereas the two most frequently used habitat types were deciduous forest and grassland. No differences between the sexes were found in the proportions of different habitat types within the home ranges or in habitat use. Non-random habitat use was found; forested areas and edge habitats seemed preferred to open areas. The most frequently used day-nesting habitat was deciduous forest. Foraging was by far the most time-consuming nightly activity for both sexes. Males lost weight during the study period (May–July), whereas females gained weight. A peak in the frequency of sexual behaviour was found from late-June to mid-July. The high level of male ranging activity and the weight loss of males are interpreted as a consequence of the promiscuous mating system of hedgehogs.

Landscape Resources for the Territorial Nymphalid Butterfly Inachis io: Microsite Landform Selection and Behavioral Responses to Environmental Conditions

We investigate the use of landforms at different scales by males of the territorial nymphalid butterfly Inachis io (Linnaeus, 1758) under different weather conditions. They are known to use landforms at two different scales including macroscale, such as valley sides, tops of slopes and wood edges, and mini-landforms, such as molehills produced by the burrowing animal Talpa europaea Linnaeus (Linnaeus, 1758). Here, we demonstrate that they exploit microscale features on the molehills. The butterfly shifts its position in the landscape in relation to changing conditions by flying, and at the microscale, by walking. The links between thermoregulatory behavior and site selection indicate that perches are adopted to maintain body heat in the cool spring conditions when territories are established. Mini-landforms such as the molehills are adopted for their potential shelter and warmth in relation to ambient conditions; microsite selection typically includes warm niches on molehills, such as sunny slopes, sheltered margins and depressions. Shelter is adopted regardless of reduced visibility for territorial males. The importance of non-consumable (mate location) resources at different spatial scales is discussed in the context of habitat and the matrix.

Gender, age and seasonal dependent self-anointing in the European hedgehogErinaceus europaeus

Various hypotheses have been proposed in order to explain self-anointing in hedgehogs, but until now its function is still poorly understood. In order to obtain a better understanding of self-anointing, we investigated whether this behaviour is gender, age and seasonal dependent in seven European hedgehogErinaceus europaeus Linnaeus, 1758 populations. Signs of self-anointing were observed in more than 11% of all observations. First-year independent young were found to self-anoint more than adults, while male hedgehogs bore more signs of self-anointing than females. Self-anointing in adults displayed a peak in summertime, while no clear pattern was observed for young. We conclude that self-anointing is clearly dependent on gender, age and season.

Ameisenwespen in ethnologischer und angewandter Entomologie (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea: Mutillidae)

Mutillid wasps influence humans only slightly because they rarely occur in large numbers. Many species, however, are conspicuous because of their bright aposematic coloration. In some geographical regions, members of this family are well known for the painful stings of the females. There are many different common names for some species of Mutillidae, and they sometimes feature in myths and in naturopathy. In applied entomology they play a role only in two cases: (a) In the first half of the 20th century, Mutilla europaea Linnaeus 1758 was reported to cause damage in colonies of honeybees. (b) Some species of Mutillidae have been reported to be parasitoids of tsetse flies (Glossina spp).