A new nasal mite of the genus Ptilonyssus (Rhinonyssidae) from Parus caeruleus (Passeriformes) from Russia

A new species of nasal mite, Ptilonyssus mininovi wt sp> is described from the Azure Titmice Parus caeruteus Lt (Passeriformes: Paridae) from the Leningrad province, Russia, The new species and four previously known species, P, pinicoia Knee 2008, P. plesiotypicus Knee 2008, Pt pari Fain and Hyland 1963, and P. coccothraustis, Fain and Bafort 1963, are arranged here into a "pari" species complex with the genus Ptilonyssus.

The Analysis of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Eggs of Collared Flycatchers, Ficedula Albicollis (Passeriformes, Muscicapidae), and Tits, Parus Major, Parus Caeruleus (Passeriformes, Paridae), in Different Areas of North-Eastern Ukraine

Collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis Temminck, 1815), have more opportunities to accumulate heavy metals due to migration but they are more resistant to contamination in contrast to tits, (Parus major Linnaeus, 1758, Parus caeruleus Linnaeus, 1758). This research aimed to detect concentrations of some trace elements in eggs of the collared flycatcher, great tit and blue tit in different areas. There were found differences in heavy metal concentrations in the eggs among species and study areas. For collared flycatchers there were not established consistent patterns of changes in element concentrations among areas. The highest heavy metal levels were found in tits in samples of egg contents from a forest park (Pb - 3.1410 ± 0.3249, Cu - 19.3290 ± 1.4840, Zn - 66.9612 ± 17.6665, Fe - 249.5513 ± 40.2800, Mn - 6.9032 ± 0.2946, Ca - 8298.3570 ± 0.1080, Sr - 17.6032 ± 0.7512, Ni - 0.5177 ± 0.0220). The lowest concentrations were found in egg contents of tits in Hetmanskyi National Nature Park (Cu - 4.3492 ± 0.2079, Fe - 44.6647 ± 0.2627, Mn - 1.3194 ± 0.2374, Ca - 998.7001 ± 0.0006, Ni - 0.2443 ± 0.0439, Cr - 0.1466 ± 0.0424). The results indicate that heavy metals accumulated differently in shells and contents of eggs of collared flycatchers and tits in each of the study area. Some of microelements (zinc, mercury, iron, manganese, selenium and iodine) in small amounts are required for normal growth and development of birds. Heavy metal concentrations in egg shells and egg contents of all species did not exceed permissible levels.