Northern Hungary Research Articles

Presence and role of miner mentality in settlement development of Recsk

Recsk became central in the non-ferrous metal mining of the Mátra hill. The change of regime in Hungary and shutdown of the ore mine had a lot of negative impacts on social and economic sectors. Unemployment is high in this area and there are only a few profitable companies. The mining had affected significantly on community spirit. Nowadays mining is very uncertain development opportunity in the life of the settlement.
 In my recent study I strive to explore new ways and chances, which clearly point to the complexity of the situation. I used several research methods of social sciences. In my study I compare the concept of miner spirit before deterioration of mining, its presence and role in the settlement development.
 I formulated a few preliminary assumptions. The mining spirit has less prominent force in community shaping. According to changing social environments, future visions of the settlement and community have been transformed.
 Recsk is located at Northern Hungary, Heves County, Pétervására small region. In my study I made practical and complex surveys (individual and focus group interviews, widespread questionnaire examination, calculations, field trips, overview of professional studies)
 Changes generated negative economic and social situations, but Recsk has important role in the neighbourhood. The interviews also confirmed deep social and existensial crisis in the life of people. The mining such as future potential possibility is far from younger age group. The mining spirit still lives by the traditions of the village. Based on my variance and other calculations, experience, binding to the settlement had a positive result, but it is not in relationship with miner spirit in the local community.
 Based on the results, the miner mentality concerned several society groups. It is necessary to stabilize community and social circumstances. Nowadays mining spirit is existing in local population, but mostly in cultural field. Recsk needs to wide community cooperation and develop its partnership interactions

Land use and land cover changes in post-socialist countries: Some observations from Hungary and Poland

This study has analysed changes in land use and land cover (LUCC) in two post-socialist countries – Hungary and Poland, based upon cadastral data, statistical data, and CORINE Land Cover data. This is a new approach aimed to perform a synergy analysis carried out in accordance with the ‘top-down’ principle, i.e. from the level of countries (in the case of land use) to the level of provinces/counties (land cover). This approach facilitates more reliable results. The authors analysed LUCC in northern Hungary (the Pest County) and southern Poland (the Małopolska Province) using GIS and statistical methods. The main aim of the research was to identify and assess the ongoing LUCC changes and compare them in the assumed field of research. The results indicate the existence of a trend in each time series. A downward trend was revealed for agricultural land in Hungary and Poland as well as for uncultivated land in Hungary. An upward trend was found in other variables (uncultivated land in Poland and forest land in both countries). Changes in land cover in the Pest County and the Małopolska Province (in 2000 and 2012) show a decrease in agricultural areas and an increase in artificial surfaces, forest and semi-natural areas with the change in Poland being more intensive than that in Hungary.

Substantial variation across geographic regions in the obesity prevalence among 6\u20138\xa0years old Hungarian children (COSI Hungary 2016)

BackgroundThere have been previous representative nutritional status surveys conducted in Hungary, but this is the first one that examines overweight and obesity prevalence according to the level of urbanization and in different geographic regions among 6–8-year-old children. We also assessed whether these variations were different by sex.MethodsThis survey was part of the fourth data collection round of World Health Organization (WHO) Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative which took place during the academic year 2016/2017. The representative sample was determined by two-stage cluster sampling. A total of 5332 children (48.4% boys; age 7.54 ± 0.64 years) were measured from all seven geographic regions including urban (at least 500 inhabitants per square kilometer; n = 1598), semi-urban (100 to 500 inhabitants per square kilometer; n = 1932) and rural (less than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer; n = 1802) areas.ResultsUsing the WHO reference, prevalence of overweight and obesity within the whole sample were 14.2, and 12.7%, respectively. According to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference, rates were 12.6 and 8.6%. Northern Hungary and Southern Transdanubia were the regions with the highest obesity prevalence of 11.0 and 12.0%, while Central Hungary was the one with the lowest obesity rate (6.1%). The prevalence of overweight and obesity tended to be higher in rural areas (13.0 and 9.8%) than in urban areas (11.9 and 7.0%). Concerning differences in sex, girls had higher obesity risk in rural areas (OR = 2.0) but boys did not. Odds ratios were 2.0–3.4 in different regions for obesity compared to Central Hungary, but only among boys.ConclusionsOverweight and obesity are emerging problems in Hungary. Remarkable differences were observed in the prevalence of obesity by geographic regions. These variations can only be partly explained by geographic characteristics.Trial registrationStudy protocol was approved by the Scientific and Research Ethics Committee of the Medical Research Council (61158–2/2016/EKU).

Examples of historical underground mining sites in northern Hungary (Telkibánya, Salgótarján)

Examples of historical underground mining sites in northern Hungary (Telkibánya, Salgótarján)

Do better socioeconomic features of population mean more competitive regions?

The objective of the case study was to give an overview of differences between Hungarian regions from the aspect of socioeconomic factors. The paper deals with the distinct situations of NUTS 2 regions in order to get a general view of the country from that angle. Although, that approach is not the most detailed one, it makes possible to easily distinguish the competitive parts of the country. Secondary data were provided by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) and National Territorial Development and Spatial Planning Information System (TeIR) were used to present the distribution of population by various expositions. Unemployment rate, distribution of educational attainment, population growth, rate of ageing, vitality index, dependency ratio and GDP per capita were calculated and assembled to present the differences. The results are showing clearly, that Central Hungary (HU10), Central Transdanubia (HU21), Western Transdanubia (HU22) are currently competitive. The population of Southern Transdanubia (HU23) and Southern Great Plain (HU33) are aging, but stable from the view of economy related indexes. Northern Hungary (HU31) and Northern Great Plain (HU32) are considered laggards from that aspect, but have a considerable potential because of the age structure of the population. The paper also introduces some national and EU programmes which are meant to mitigate the effects of unfavourable situations.

Jaszczakite, [(Bi, Pb)3 S3][AuS2], a new mineral species from Nagybörzsöny, Hungary

Jaszczakite, [(Bi,Pb) 3 S 3 ][AuS 2 ], represents another new species from the abandoned Nagyborzsony Au deposit at Also-Rozsa, northern Hungary. The mineral is closely associated with arsenopyrite, pyrite, marcasite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, gold, bismuth, bismuthinite, ikunolite, jonassonite, and cosalite, in a matrix of quartz. It is opaque, tin-white, has a metallic lustre and a black streak. Jaszczakite is brittle, and the fracture is irregular. Neither cleavage nor parting are observable in the section. The VHN 5 value ranges between 115 and 132 (mean 122) kg mm −2 which corresponds to a Mohs hardness of 2½–3. The calculated density is 7.327 g cm −3 . In plane-polarized light jaszczakite is weakly bireflectant and pleochroic from light grey to a slightly bluish grey. Internal reflections are absent. The mineral is distinctly anisotropic with rotation tints very similar to those of jonassonite (shades of green and purple). The reflectance COM values (air, R 1 and R 2 in %) are: 49.4, 50.9 (471.1 nm); 47.1, 48.8 (548.3 nm); 46.5, 47.7 (586.6 nm); 48.8, 49.5 (652.3 nm). The average result of five electron-microprobe analyses is Au 19.90(34), Ag 0.22(3), Bi 46.29(54), Pb 16.50(26), Cd 0.11(3), Sb 0.12(4), As 0.08(3), S 16.17(30), Se 0.16(6), total 99.55 wt%. The empirical formula (based on 9 atoms pfu ) is Au 1.00 Ag 0.02 Bi 2.18 Pb 0.78 Cd 0.01 Sb 0.01 As 0.01 S 4.97 Se 0.02 or, according to the refinement results, [(Bi 2.18 Pb 0.78 Ag 0.02 Cd 0.01 Sb 0.01 As 0.01 ) Σ=3.01 S 3 ][AuS 2 ]. The simplified formula is AuBi 3 S 5 , which requires Au 20.01, Bi 63.70, S 16.29, total 100.00 wt%. Jaszczakite is orthorhombic, space group Pmmn , with unit-cell parameters: a = 3.858(1), b = 12.552(3), c = 9.289(2) A, V = 449.83(8) A 3 , a : b : c = 0.3074:1:0.7400, Z = 2. The five strongest observed X-ray powder-diffraction lines [ d in A ( I / I 0 ) ( hkl )] are: 7.466 (100) (011), 6.2760 (90) (020), 5.2003 (24) (021), 3.0963 (68) (003), 2.7768 (26) (023). The crystal structure showed that jaszczakite is the S–Bi-analogue of buckhornite [Pb 2 BiS 3 ][AuTe 2 ]. Jaszczakite is named in honour of John A. Jaszczak, Professor of Physics at the Michigan Technological University, for his significant contributions on the complexities of natural graphite.

Appraisal of the fossil record ofHomarus(nephropid lobster), with description of a new species from the upper Oligocene of Hungary and remarks on the status ofHoploparia

AbstractThe fossil record of the clawed lobster genus,Homarus, is appraised. The taxonomic history ofHomarusandHoplopariais summarized, and a list of species recognized for each is provided. A tabulation of all fossil species of the family Nephropidae permits assessment of nephropid species diversity through time. A new species ofHomarus,H.hungaricus, is recorded from the upper Oligocene (Chattian) Mány Formation at Mány, northern Hungary. The species is known by a single specimen consisting of a partial cephalothorax, a pleon minus telson, and partial chelipeds.Homarusis now known by two extant species (H.americanusandH.gammarus) and six fossil taxa, one of Early Cretaceous (Albian;H.benedeni) and five of Cenozoic age (H.hungaricusn. sp.,H.klebsi,H.lehmanni,H.morrisi, andH.percyi). The new fossilHomarusdiffers from modern congeners in aspects of carapace and pleon ornamentation and, especially, cutter claw shape. This is the fourth Oligocene occurrence of a nephropid species; all areHomarusand all are from Western Europe.Homarusmakes its appearance in the fossil record in the Early Cretaceous (Albian) and then is not known again until the Paleogene, despite the fact that nephropid lobsters in general are well known from the Late Cretaceous. Nephropid lobsters are better known from the Cretaceous than from the Cenozoic. Both raw species numbers and numbers corrected (normalized) for epicontinental sea coverage show that shelf-dwelling nephropid lobsters were most diverse during the Late Cretaceous.

Microtus (Microtus) nivaloides from the Somssich Hill 2 site (southern Hungary): An Early Pleistocene forerunner of modern ‘true’ Microtus voles revealed by morphometric analyses

Voles are among the most common and abundant rodents in Central Europe, represented by several species of Microtus and other genera. This group is also common in Pleistocene fossil assemblages. However, the taxonomy of fossil finds, largely based on lower first molars, is fraught with problems and opinions of various authors often diverge, hampering phylogenetic inferences and reconstruction of lineages which led to the extant species. To help solve taxonomic incongruence, we carried out morphometric analyses on the abundant late Early Pleistocene finds from the exceptionally rich site of Somssich Hill 2 (Villány Mts., southern Hungary), complemented with less numerous but also well-dated and nearly coeval material from nearby sites Villány 6 and 8, as well as Kövesvárad from northern Hungary. Landmark analysis was performed in the present paper, and in addition, cluster and discriminant analyses were applied on the conventional linear data derived from the landmark coordinates. First lower molars of well-established recent taxa from zoological museum collections were also included in the analyses, both to assess their degree in intraspecific morphological variability to inform delineation of the extinct taxa, and to compare morphologies of fossil and recent taxa to establish phylogenetic relationships. Morphometric analyses revealed that the material from Somssich Hill 2 represents a single species, Microtus nivaloides, whereas specimens from the somewhat younger site Villány 8 belong to M. nivalinus. Paleoecology of the accompanying taxa in the fossil assemblages suggests differences in their habitat: M. nivalinus preferred more open vegetation, whereas M. nivaloides was restricted to forested areas. Geometric morphometric analyses together with modern taxa defined a morphospace where the consensus shape of M. nivaloides is centrally located, supporting the hypothesis that it represents the ancestor of modern Microtus (Microtus) species and forms part of a lineage which led to the M. arvalis-agrestis group. On the other hand, morphological similarities suggest a split lineage and phylogenetic relations of late Early Pleistocene M. nivalinus and the recent M. oeconomus. The emergence of ‘true’ Microtus species stems from the radiation initiated around 1.0–0.9 Ma, an important phase in vole evolution revealed by the rich finds from Somssich Hill 2 and other sites.

A sequence stratigraphic investigation of a Miocene formation supported by coal seam quality parameters – Central Paratethys, N-Hungary

A stratigraphic investigation of the coal-bearing Miocene siliciclastic succession in structurally dissected basins of Northern Hungary was performed based on log correlations and is supported by coal petrology and sulphur data. The succession represents the Karpatian lower order global eustatic cycle of the Paratethys and was dissected into six higher order sedimentary sequences (sq-1 – sq-6). The coal-bearing strata in the Nógrád Basin (sq-1 – sq3) represent a lowstand systems tract (LST) prior to the Karpatian relative sea level rise. The transgressive systems tract (TST) starts with the ‘Oncophora Beds’ (sq-4) accumulated above a regional unconformity and containing coal beds in the Borsod Basin. The TST is superimposed by tectonically-forced higher order lowstand systems tracts (sq-5, sq-6) containing coal beds only in the relatively elevated East Borsod Basin.To support the sequence stratigraphic model, the average maceral and sulphur content of coal seams was also interpreted. The low sulphur (0.47%) content in sq.-1 reflects the lowstand environment determined by continental derived freshwater input. Transitional sulphur contents (0.66%–1.02%) in the late lowstand (sq-2 and sq.-3) indicate occasional saline invasions related to relative sea level rises. High (2.3%–2.6%) sulphur contents in the TST (sq-4) were caused by regular seawater inundations into the lagoon, while decreasing sulphur contents in sq-5 and sq-6 (2.28%–2.09%) reflect the increasing rate of freshwater income in association with the stepwise basinward shifts of the shoreline and the lagoonal facies. Within the Lower to Middle Miocene Salgótarján Lignite Formation, the analysis of coal seams contributed to the interpretation of relative sea level changes, and the sequence stratigraphic context facilitated both the interpretation of sulphur content in coals and the reliable correlation of coal seams.

Entangled traditions: Lengyel and Tisza ceramic technology in a Late Neolithic settlement in northern Hungary

The Late Neolithic period (5000–4500 BCE) of the Carpathian Basin is characterised by two major cultural complexes: the Lengyel culture in western Hungary and the Tisza–Herpály–Csőszhalom complex in eastern Hungary. The occupation area of the two cultural complexes had a ‘common border’ along a large area in recent northern Hungary, from the Danube River to the Upper Tisza River region. Their relationships are indicated in the mixed nature of their material culture, settlement types and mortuary practices. The focus of this paper is the site of Aszód-Papi földek, which was situated in the borderlands. A peculiarity of this site is that a considerable number of the ceramic finds represent typological forms and decorations characteristic of both the Lengyel and Tisza cultures. Lengyel and Tisza ceramics appear together in the settlement features and graves, and no spatial or chronological distinction has been identified between them or the features containing them. The number of Tisza and Lengyel vessels appearing together indicates that this site could have been a meeting point for the cultures. The mixed nature of the ceramic assemblage at Aszód therefore has profound implications concerning the cultural relationships in Late Neolithic Hungary. In order to better understand Lengyel and Tisza relationships at Aszód, ceramic petrographic analyses were carried out on 68 ceramic samples from the site and on seven local sediment samples. The results indicate that both Lengyel and Tisza vessels were made from locally available raw materials, and there was no technological distinction between them. Only stylistic features can be used to distinguish between Lengyel and Tisza vessels. The similarities between Lengyel and Tisza ceramic technologies could only have existed if there was a more complex social relationship and interaction between the people and communities who produced these two pottery styles than has previously been assumed. The results are also compared with other, previously analysed, sites, showing that the ceramic technology at Aszód corresponds well with technological results from other Late Neolithic sites. The Late Neolithic period witnessed considerable changes in ceramic technology, namely a sharp increase in grog tempering and also a sharp decrease in chaff tempering. These changes distinguish this period from the Early and Middle Neolithic in Hungary, which are also represented at Aszód.

Holocene valley incision in the southern Bükk foreland: Climate-human-environment interferences in northern Hungary

Prehistoric human settlement activities in northern Hungary have been well studied for several decades. Recent studies from the Great Hungarian Plain provide evidence of human impact starting as early as in the Neolithic (c. 8200 cal BP). Archaeological records suggest that with establishment of the Baden culture (c. 5500 cal BP), settlements were moved from Tisza River towards the northern mountainous area. Although Quaternary landscape development of the Bükk Mountains is well studied, Holocene human environment interactions in particular, have not been focused on so far. Here, we present Holocene landscape history around Bogács in the southern Bükk mountain foreland. Sediment records were sampled from fans of secondary tributaries in the middle course of the Hór valley. Morphology of the tributary valleys suggests different incision phases with older forms and less human impact in the northern part of the studied valley section (type 1) and younger forms and stronger human impact in the southern part (type 2). However, 14C dates from the fan of a type 2 valley in the southern part suggest initial incision between 9000 and 8000 cal BP, whereas human activity is not reflected in the sediments. In the fan sediments of a type 1 tributary in the northern part of the studied valley section, daub was found in the context of deposits dated to 3000 cal BP. Here, thickness of Holocene sediments suggest significant soil erosion.It can be summarised that post-Pleistocene valley incision was restricted to short periods of extreme climate conditions during the Early-to Mid Holocene. Human activities did not contribute to initial valley incision. Nevertheless, human activities seem to have enhanced soil erosion in the catchments of type 1 tributaries.

Polyphenols in northern Hungarian Mentha longifolia (L.) L. treatedwith ultrasonic extraction for potential oenological uses

The main objective of this study is to investigate three equalized batches of a wild Mentha longifolia (ML) population from northern Hungary for extractability by gentle ultrasonic extraction, antioxidant activity, and phenolic constituents. This is the first analytical investigation in a Hungarian population of this species. Antioxidant properties of ML extracts were evaluated with DPPH, photochemiluminescence-O2-. scavenging assay, FRAP, and total polyphenol measurements. HPLC-DAD determination was performed for the main phenolic constituents. The extracts are medium or strong antioxidants in DPPH and FRAP assays and show strong O2-? scavenging capacity. Rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, naringenin, rosmarinic, vanillic, gallic, syringic, caffeic, and ferulic acids were identified. All batches were unexpectedly rutin-rich (1700-7500 mg/kg dry herb) and also were rich in rosmarinic acid. Further characteristic traits in the polyphenol profile were a lack of naringenin and (previously not reported) the presence of free kaempferol (up to 30 mg/kg dry herb).

The effects of health tourism investments in tourism businesses in the Northern Hungarian Region

In my article I woud like to find answers for the question how frequently and effectively the region’s business leaders in Northern Hungary participated in various development programs, as regards investments in health tourism, what developments have been made mainly in the area, what the positive effects of these developments were in the life of businesses, whether the businesses (leaders) feel successful, and how their success was manifested. I carried out a questionnaire survey among enterprises. From the data I calculated mean, SD and spectrum and examined the crosstab correlations as well, and the Cramer’s V associate coefficient and Contingency coefficient. The results of the correlation tests could be summarised as the following: According to the survey, the number of the medium-sized enterprises being involved utilised a significant proportion of their development funds, compared to the micro and small enterprises. Although the idea of spas winterizing their pools was not considered an important development, both the adventure and wellness elements were important for the construction of thermal baths. In the case of hotels, the expansion of wellness elements and other additional services together with the development of marketing activities played an important role. Besides the positive business publicity, enterprises see the positive effects of the investment in the increase of their income; the success can be the result of the adequate supply of components, the professional management and that of positive image.

Analysis of the cavebath of Miskolctapolca’s brand elements and guests satisfaction

In the region of Northern Hungary the unique Cavebath of Miskolcatapolca is one of the leading health tourism service positioning itself on national and international market with its developing supply items and 4 star qualifications. It has a unique natural background all over in Europe; this uniqueness gives an opportunity to develop brand, which is a determinative item of competitiveness. Because of the competition between destinations and the ever-changing nature of tourists’ expectations and behavior tourism destinations need to be managed as other commercial brands. The aim of our research was to analyze the role and possibilities of product development which is based on the unique natural factors, and to help to expand the domestic health tourism supply. We examined how the possibility of branding and brand equity change based on brand elements; how satisfied are guests with the services; how often guests visit the bath; what kind of period guests arrive in the bath; what kind of services do guests try; how do guests arrive in the bath with. In summer of 2014 we asked 210 Hungarian customers to fill the questionnaire in the Cavebath. The choosing of guests happened randomly. 199 questionnaires were correctly filled.
 JEL CODE: Z32

The Allolobophora sturanyi species group revisited: Integrated taxonomy and new taxa (Clitellata: Megadrili)

The Allolobophora sturanyi Rosa, 1895 species group is revisited using DNA barcoding and morphology. Barcoding results corroborated the previous treatment of the Allolobophora sturanyi subspecies and furthermore proved that the morphologically similar Allolobophora gestroides Zicsi, 1970 species belong to this species group. Elaboration of new samples from the Apuseni Mts resulted in discovery of a new subspecies A. sturanyi biharica ssp. nov. from the summit of the Bihor range, and a new species A. zicsica from the Vladeasa range similar to A. gestroides described from Northern Hungary.

Early Cretaceous cyrtocrinids (Crinoidea) from the Gerecse Mountains, northern Hungary

Early Cretaceous cyrtocrinids (Crinoidea) from the Gerecse Mountains, northern Hungary

Classification of Aerosol over Central Europe by Cluster Analysis of Aerosol Columnar Optical Properties and Backward Trajectory Statistics

AbstractA cluster analysis is applied to the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data obtained at Belsk, Poland, as well as three nearby Central European stations (Leipzig, Minsk and Moldova) for estimation of atmospheric aerosol types. Absorption Ångstrom exponent (AAE), aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and extinction Ångstrom exponent (EAE) parameters are used. Clustering in both 2D (AOT, EAE) and 3D (AOT, EAE, AAE) is investigated. A method of air mass backward trajectory analysis is then proposed, with the receptor site at Belsk, to determine possible source regions for each cluster. Four dominant aerosol source regions are identified. The biomass burning aerosol source is localized in the vicinity of Belarusian-Ukrainian border. Slovakia and northern Hungary are found to be the source of urban/industrial pollutants. Western Poland and eastern Germany are the main sources of polluted continental aerosols. The most differentiated source region of Scandinavia, Baltic Sea and Northern Atlantic, associated with lowest values of AOT, corresponds to clean continental and possibly maritime type aerosols.

Opportunities for Adaptation of the Smart City Concept - A Regional Approach

Smart City applications are becoming more prevalent in the world’s major cities. In this study we briefly introduce the essence of this concept and attempt to examine the basis for introduction of the concept subsystems in Northern Hungary. We found that the region under investigation significantly lags behind the national average in the case of indicators for quantifying Smart City applications. We identify areas with a particularly low score on the newly developed SMART index and propose a possible area for future intervention.

Diversity of Haemaphysalis-associated piroplasms of ruminants in Central-Eastern Europe, Hungary.

BackgroundIncreasing numbers of genetic variants are being recognized among piroplasms, but the precise taxonomical status, the tick vector and the geographical range of several species or genotypes are still unknown. Bovine piroplasmosis was reported to re-emerge in north-east Hungary. Because Theileria-infection was newly diagnosed in one cattle herd in the same region of the country, the aim of this study was to molecularly identify the relevant agent, to find its local vector tick species, and to examine the range of Babesia/Theileria spp. of ruminants in Haemaphysalis sp. ticks collected previously in Hungary.FindingsBlood samples were drawn on two occasions from 90 dairy cattle in northern Hungary, and ticks were collected on their pastures. In addition, questing ticks (315 Haemaphysalis inermis, 259 H. concinna and 22 H. punctata), which originated mainly in the same region of the country from 2007, were included in the study. DNA was extracted from these samples, followed by molecular analysis for piroplasms.In the cattle Theileria orientalis was identified, with 100 % sequence homology to isolates from Japan, China, South-Africa and Australia. Based on GenBank data this genotype has not been previously reported in Europe. The prevalence of infection in the herd remained almost constant in the main tick season, suggesting exposure in previous years.Retrospective analysis of ticks revealed the presence of Babesia crassa in H. inermis, for the first time in Europe and in this tick species. On the other hand, H. concinna carried five different piroplasms, including B. motasi that was also newly detected in Central-Eastern Europe and in this tick species; whereas H. punctata harboured Theileria sp. OT3, hitherto known to occur in the Mediterranean region.ConclusionsResults of this study broaden the range of piroplasms that are infective for ruminants in Central-Eastern Europe. Although bovine babesiosis and theileriosis was known to occur in Hungary, molecular evidence is provided here for the first time on the presence of Babesia and/or Theileria spp. of sheep, goats and cervids in Hungary.

First Record of Bats (Chiroptera, Mammalia) from the Middle Miocene non-karstic site Hasznos (Hungary, Nógrád County)

We record the first fossil bats from the Middle Miocene non-karstic marshy-lagoonal deposits at Hasznos, northern Hungary. The bat material consists of mandible fragments of Miostrellus cf. petersbuchensis and Myotis bavaricus, the vespertilionid species until now recorded only from the Miocene sites of Germany. The discovery suggests an extensive palaeogeographical distribution of these species and connectivity of distribution ranges over the Central Paratethys region during the Late Badenian.