Establishing the role of amphibians (Anura) in the prophylaxis of helminths specific to domestic, wild and pet animals

This work is based on helminthological data of amphibians, collected since 2013 until 2020, in the Republic of Moldova. The investigations on anura amphibians were conducted in the laboratory of Parazitology and Helminthology of the Institute of Zoology. One of the most common parasitic diseases in ruminants is fasciolosis, caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica species. The results of parasitological research showed that adult cattle were infected with fascioles in 66.4% of cases, and young cattle - in 46.1% of cases. This is largely due to the grazing of animals of different species and ages in limited areas.The presence of the trematode species Haplometra cylindracea was established in 78% of cases in the amphibians in the Ranidae and Bufonidae families (Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae, Rana temporaria, Bufo viridis). The results of laboratory helminthological investigations have shown that the relationships between the Fasciola hepatica miracidium and the Haplometra cylindracea miracidium are antagonistic. Amphibians of the Ranidae and Bufonidae families (Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae, Rana temporaria, Bufo viridis) infested with Haplometra cylindracea tremateda may play an important role in the prophylaxis of fasciolosis.

Complexul ranidelor verzi – model de formare a unor specii de amfibieni pe cale hibridogena

This article reflects a theoretical - synthetic analysis with systematic, morphological and ecological aspects of frogs (Amphibia: Ranadae): Rana ridibunda Pallas, 1771, Rana lessonae Camerano, 1882 and Rana kl. Esculenta Linnaeus 1785, as well as the representation of a training model for the formation of new hybridized amphibian species. These mentioned species form a complex of frogs (Rana kl.esculenta complex), consisting of the parent species Rana lessonae Cam. and Rana ridibunda Pal. and species resulting from the hybridization process - Rana kl. esculenta L. The hybrid R. kl. esculenta, presents not only a result of the parental species, but its existence is also ensured, by the subsequent hybridization with one of the parental species.

Ultrastructure of digenean trematode eggs (Platyhelminthes: Neoophora): A review emphasizing new comparative data on four European Microphalloidea

Despite their tremendous diversity and their medical and veterinary importance, details of egg ultrastructure among the digenean trematodes has been studied rather little. The available literature is spread over several decades and several species, but has not been adequately reviewed to reveal patterns of similarity and divergence. We present this review to synthesize and analyse what is known from the available literature reporting studies using both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To support our general review of existing literature, we also have synthesized our own previously published descriptions, and present herein our new previously unpublished data. From these new electron micrographs, we provide a comparative analysis of the intrauterine eggs of four digenean species, representing four genera and three families of the superfamily Microphalloidea, collected from four different host wildlife species in four European countries: 1) Mediogonimus jourdanei (Prosthogonimidae) from Myodes glareolus (Mammalia: Rodentia), collected in France; 2) Maritrema feliui (Microphallidae) from Crocidura russula (Mammalia: Soricimorpha), collected in Spain; 3) Brandesia turgida (Pleurogenidae) from Pelophylax ridibundus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae), collected in Russia; and 4) Prosotocus confusus (Pleurogenidae) from Rana lessonae (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae), collected in Belarus. All were studied by preparing whole worms by various techniques for TEM, so that eggs could be studied in situ within the uterus of the parent worm. Based on the literature review and the new data presented here, we describe basic similarities in patterns of embryogenesis and egg formation among all trematode species, but substantial variations in timing of larvigenesis, sculpturing of egg shell surfaces, and some other features, especially including accessory cocoon coverings outside the egg shells of B. turgida and P. confusus. In the future, many more studies are needed to explore egg ultrastructure in other digenean taxa, to explore potential phylogenetic patterns in egg development and structure, and to correlate structure with function in the life cycle.

Intraspecific variation of temperature-induced effects on metamorphosis in the pool frog (Rana lessonae)

Understanding the factors that affect the process of metamorphosis in species with complex life cycles, and in particular their variation within and among populations, has been rarely explored until recently. We examined the effects of temperature environment on several metamorphic characteristics in three populations of the pool frog ( Rana lessonae Camerano, 1882) by rearing individuals at two temperature environments (20 and 25 °C). Higher temperature shortened the metamorphic period and reduced the absolute mass loss, although there was no difference between the temperatures in the percentage of mass lost. No differences among the populations were detected, but there was significant intrapopulation variation both in the mean and in the plasticity for the duration of metamorphosis. These results indicate that several aspects of metamorphosis are plastic in amphibians, these traits may have considerable intrapopulation variation, and that temperature is a strong factor affecting the process of metamorphosis.