Blastocrithidia nonstop mitochondrial genome and its expression are remarkably insulated from nuclear codon reassignment.

The canonical stop codons of the nuclear genome of the trypanosomatid Blastocrithidia nonstop are recoded. Here, we investigated the effect of this recoding on the mitochondrial genome and gene expression. Trypanosomatids possess a single mitochondrion and protein-coding transcripts of this genome require RNA editing in order to generate open reading frames of many transcripts encoded as 'cryptogenes'.

Occurrence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild foxes, wolves, jackals, and bears in central Europe.

Parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium Tyzzer, 1910 are one of the most common protistan parasites of vertebrates. Faecal samples from 179 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes [Linnaeus]), 100 grey wolves (Canis lupus Linnaeus), 11 golden jackals (Canis aureus Linnaeus), and 63 brown bears (Ursus arctos Linnaeus) were collected in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Samples were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp.

Gastrointestinal parasites of arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and sibling voles (Microtus levis) in Spitsbergen, Svalbard.

The arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), an apex predator with an omnipresent distribution in the Arctic, is a potential source of intestinal parasites that may endanger people and pet animals such as dogs, thus posing a health risk. Non-invasive methods, such as coprology, are often the only option when studying wildlife parasitic fauna. However, the detection and identification of parasites are significantly enhanced when used in combination with methods of molecular biology.

Population co-divergence in common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and its dicyemid parasite in the Mediterranean Sea.

Population structure and biogeography of marine organisms are formed by different drivers than in terrestrial organisms. Yet, very little information is available even for common marine organisms and even less for their associated parasites. Here we report the first analysis of population structure of both a cephalopod host (Sepia officinalis) and its dicyemid parasite, based on a homologous molecular marker (cytochrome oxidase I).

Detection of ancient DNA of Encephalitozoon intestinalis (Microsporidia) in archaeological material.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) of Encephalitozoon intestinalis (Microsporidia, Fungi) was detected in archaeological material originated from New Town of Prague (Czech Republic) with the use of molecular methods. Microsporidial aDNA was found in 3 samples originating from 2 objects, in a well/cesspit (samples from layers from the 18th century) and in a well from the 18th/19th century. The ability to use molecular methods to detect microsporidia extends the range of paleoparasitological inquiry, and could contribute to a better understanding of parasites shared between human and animals.