Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl
December 2024
The caryophyllidean tapeworm (Janiszewska, 1953) is indigenous to the Lake Blidinje in the west-central part of Bosnia-Herzegovina where it infects chub (Heckel, 1843). Of 22 chubs examined, 45% were infected with and a total of 912 specimens of this worm were counted. Histopathological and ultrastructural investigations were conducted on interface region between chub intestine and cestode scolex.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe endemic chub (Heckel, 1843) was introduced more than 100 years ago to Lake Blidinje (Bosnia-Herzegovina). Only 1 species of enteric helminth was found in a sample of 35 chubs, the tapeworm (Janiszewska, 1953). The paper includes histopathological investigation with identification of innate immune cells involved in host reaction and molecular data allowed correct designation of the cestode species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFish, comprising over 27,000 species, represent the oldest vertebrate group and possess both innate and adaptive immune systems. The susceptibility of most wild fish to parasitic infections and related diseases is well-established. Among all vertebrates, the digestive tract creates a remarkably favorable and nutrient-rich environment, which, in turn, renders it susceptible to microparasites and macroparasites.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) has repeatedly and independently adapted to freshwater habitats from standing genetic variation (SGV) following colonization from the sea. However, in the Mediterranean Sea G. aculeatus is believed to have gone extinct, and thus the spread of locally adapted alleles between different freshwater populations via the sea since then has been highly unlikely.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Genetic introgression with native species is recognized as a detrimental impact resulting from biological invasions involving taxonomically similar invaders. Whilst the underlying genetic mechanisms are increasingly understood, the ecological consequences of introgression are relatively less studied, despite their utility for increasing knowledge on how invasion impacts can manifest. Here, the ecological consequences of genetic introgression from an invasive congener were tested using the endemic barbel populations of central Italy, where the invader was the European barbel .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe swimbladder functions as a hydrostatic organ in most bony fishes, including the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. Infection by the nematode Anguillicoloides crassus impairs swimbladder function, significantly compromising the success of the eel spawning migration. Swimbladders from 32 yellow eels taken from Lake Trasimeno (Central Italy) were analysed by histopathology- and electron microscopy-based techniques.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTwo fluviolacustrine lineages (SI1 Barbus and SI2 Barbus) of the Barbus genus have been recently detected in the Apulia-Campania ichthyogeographic district (southern Italy). The aim of this study was to determine the taxonomic status of these lineages by comparing them with the two already-established Italian fluviolacustrine species Barbus plebejus and Barbus tyberinus through a more in-depth molecular and morphological investigation. Genetic analyses were performed on both mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and nuclear (growth hormone paralog 2) DNA markers, and morphological analyses were carried out on specific age classes and purebred populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOn the basis of trophic behavior, fish are classified as herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, or detritivores. Epithelial mucous cells secrete mucin types specific to diet and digestive function. Mucus secretion is regulated mainly by molecular modulators produced by epithelial endocrine cells in response to luminal or tissue stimuli.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Italian peninsula is a biodiversity hotspot, with its freshwater fish fauna characterized by high levels of local endemism. Two endemic fluvio-lacustrine fishes of the genus (barbel, family Cyprinidae) have allopatric distributions in the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic basins of Italy. inhabits the mid- to northern Adriatic basins, while is widespread in all central-northern basins draining into the Tyrrhenian Sea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The Northern pike, Esox lucius, is a large, long-lived, top-predator fish species and occupies a broad range of aquatic environments. This species is on its way to becoming an important model organism and has the potential to contribute new knowledge and a better understanding of ecology and evolutionary biology. Very few studies have been done on the intestinal pathology of pike infected with helminths.
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