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AbstractBlack kites of the nominal subspecies Milvus migrans migransbreed in Europe and winter regularly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. As a new phenomenon, black kites with morphological characteristics of the subspecies Milvus migrans lineatusare observed in Europe. Based on observations of black kites in winter 2020/2021 summarized in this paper, based on other recent reports about wintering black kites in Europe and based on juvenile black kite tagged on Crete and tracked for two years, we conclude that hundreds to thousands of black kites are now regularly wintering in south of Europe, and in smaller numbers in other parts of Europe as well as in northern Africa. The growing number of wintering black kites in Europe is apparently caused by members of the population from a hybrid zone between M. m. migransand M. m. lineatusbreeding east of the Urals, i.e. from the area of the European part of Russia. This is consistent with the hypothesis of the spreading of M. m. lineatusand a subsequent hybridization zone between M. m. migransand M. m. lineatusin a westerly direction from Siberia across continental Europe. Moreover, two black kites found dead on Crete were attributed to M. m. lineatusand M. m. migransby cytochrome Bgene sequence analyses. The juvenile black kite with lineatusfeatures tagged on Crete and telemetrically tracked during the next two years moved to the south-western part of Russia during the next two summers, but did not breed. It spent the following two winters at the same landfill in south-western Turkey. It seems that an adaptation to food sources provided by municipal waste landfills is important for black kites wintering in Europe, the Middle East and Morocco.Highlights• Hundreds to thousands of black kites are now regularly wintering in Europe.• The growing number of wintering black kites is caused by birds from a hybrid zone between Milvus migrans migransand M. m. lineatusin eastern Europe.• Municipal waste landfills are important as food sources for black kites wintering in Europe.

AbstractThe winter months are an important part of the year for raptors as survival throughout this period is critical for the succeeding year’s population recruitment. We reveal novel insights into the wintering of kites (Milvusspp.) on the Mediterranean island of Crete, Greece. We use a combination of 1) direct field observations, 2) online photograph searches and 3) analysis of satellite telemetry data from a tagged hybrid Red Kite × Black Kite (Milvus milvus× M. migrans migrans). The number of observations of wintering kites has increased since 1998. The wintering of numerous Black Kites with morphological features of both subspecies (M. migrans migransand M. migrans lineatus) and a hybrid Red Kite × Black Kite is a new phenomenon on Crete.

A permanently high virulence was found in tachyzoites of T. gondiiK24 after serial passage in mice (90 passages during 324 days). Virulence tests revealed that a single tachyzoite of the 50thpassage represented LD100for mice. Analysis of genotype of K24 isolate was done by PCR/RFLP with ROP1/DdeI, SAG1/DdeI, 850/RsaI and IGS/RsaI and by RFLP/DNA with TGR 1E sequence and PstI enzyme. K24 isolate had an atypical genotype, with an association of type II (for ROP1, SAG1 genes and TGR1 E sequence) and type I (for 850 gene) alleles, and a new pattern observed for IGS. All tested PCR/RFLP did not change through 2, 10, 20, 28, 40, 50, 60, 70, 81 and 90 tested passages. In RFLP/DNA with PstI enzyme and TGR1 E probe, K24 isolate produced a pattern with seven fragments of the size ranging from one to 23 kb and did not change through 7, 56, 70 and 83 tested passages. K24 T. gondiiisolate is a hybrid and has the virulence of lineage I isolates.

Wild passerine birds (Passeriformes) from the northeastern part of the Czech Republic were examined for ectoparasites during the pre-breeding period in 2007. Two species of fleas of the genera Ceratophyllusand Dasypsyllus(Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae), and 23 species of chewing lice belonging to the genera Ricinus, Myrsidea, Menacanthus(Phthiraptera: Menoponidae), Brueelia, Penenirmus, and Philopterus(Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) were found on 108 birds of 16 species. Distribution of insect ectoparasites found on wild birds during pre-breeding was compared with previous data from the post-breeding period. There was no difference in total prevalence of chewing lice in prebreeding and post-breeding periods. Higher prevalence of fleas and slightly higher mean intensity of chewing lice were found on birds during the pre-breeding period. There was a significant difference in total prevalence but equal mean intensity of chewing lice on resident and migrating birds.

Wild passerine birds (Passeriformes) from northeastern part of the Czech Republic were examined for ectoparasites. Three species of louse-flies of the genus Ornithomya(Diptera: Hippoboscidae), two species of fleas of the genera Ceratophyllusand Dasypsyllus(Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae), and 15 species of chewing lice belonging to the genera Myrsidea, Menacanthus(Phthiraptera: Menoponidae), Brueelia, Penenirmus, Philopterus(Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) were found on 82 birds of 23 species. New chewing louse-host records are Hippolais icterinafor Menacanthus currucae; Motacilla cinereafor Menacanthus pusillus; Turdus philomelosand Motacilla cinereafor Brueelia merulensis; and Sylvia atricapillafor Menacanthus eurysternus. Brueelia neoatricapillaeis cited for the first time for the Czech Republic. Parasitological parameters such as prevalence, intensity and abundance are also discussed.

Abstract: The population of white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Czech Republic declined dramatically during the twentieth century. None were observed in the area for more than 60 years until population recoveries were observed beginning in the 1980s. It is currently estimated that 25–30 breeding pairs of white-tailed sea eagles nest in the Czech Republic. This article analyses surveillance data from three periods between 1973 and 2003 on the occurrence and nesting of white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic. We investigated recolonization of European white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic in terms of migration patterns and population structures. Bird ringing data suggest the Czech population may be recovered from various areas encompassing northern Europe. Using data collected by DNA microsatellite, no population structure was revealed through Bayesian and cluster analyses with an existing Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, which suggests mixed panmictic populations of white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. While analysis of genetic diversity showed no difference between recovered populations in the southeastern Czech Republic and those persisting in Slovakia, there was genetic diversity between eagles of the southeastern subpopulation and eagles in other parts of the Czech Republic. Taken together, these observations on the population structure of white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic imply that other European birds contributed to the recovery of the Czech population, likely through breeding mixture with an identifiable centre in the southeastern Czech Republic.

Abstract: Salmonella were isolated from black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus) in six locations in the Czech Republic from 1984 to 2005 (Chropyně and Nymburk in 1984–1986; Nové Mlýny, Bartošovice, and Hodonín in 1991–1994; and Nové Mlýny, Bartošovice, and Ostrava in 2005). Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined in 12 antimicrobial drugs using disk diffusion. Although 95% of Salmonella isolates (197 out of 207) were pansusceptible, the prevalences of resistance increased significantly from 1 (2%) out of 59 isolates in 1984–1986 and 3 (3%) out of 100 isolates in 1991–1994 to 6 (13%) out of 48 isolates in 2005. Furthermore, in 2005, two isolates were nalidixic acid-resistant and one isolate was multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT 104. These findings suggest that the occurrence of salmonellae in black-headed gulls depends to a large extent on the contamination where the gulls feed and possibly reflects the dissemination of these strains among farm animals and humans. Black-headed gulls may also become infected with resistant Salmonella and thus pose a potential risk of Salmonella contamination of surface water and animal feeds, and consequently dissemination.

Mesocestoides litteratus (Batsch, 1786) (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Mesocestoidae) is a common parasite of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and other carnivores across Europe. There has been considerable debate as to the validity of M. litteratus and other closely related, often sympatric species of Mesocestoides. We examine isolates of M. litteratus from red foxes in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Spain both morphometrically and by characterization of 18S rDNA. Morphometric ranges of all isolates confirmed their identity as M. litteratus and were usually within the range published formerly. The sequences of 18S rDNA of one or two isolates from each country were analysed. The sequences were the same and distinct from all published Mesocestoides 18S sequences with the exception of tetrathyridia from a lizard in the Czech Republic, which was identical to those of M. litteratus.

Summary: Mesocestoides litteratus (Batsch, 1786) (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Mesocestoidae) is a common parasite of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and other carnivores across Europe. There has been considerable debate as to the validity of M. litteratus and other closely related, often sympatric species of Mesocestoides. We examine isolates of M. litteratus from red foxes in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Spain both morphometrically and by characterization of 18S rDNA. Morphometric ranges of all isolates confirmed their identity as M. litteratus and were usually within the range published formerly. The sequences of 18S rDNA of one or two isolates from each country were analysed. The sequences were the same and distinct from all published Mesocestoides 18S sequences with the exception of tetrathyridia from a lizard in the Czech Republic, which was identical to those of M. litteratus.

Blood sera from 151 dogs from areas of the Czech Republic endemic for human tickborne encephalitis (TBE) were examined for the presence of antibodies to TBE and West Nile (WN) flaviviruses by the haemagglutinationinhibition test. Antibodies to TBE virus at titres equal to or exceeding 40 were found in five dogs. Antibodies to WN virus were detected in only one dog that also had a high antibody titre to TBE, suggesting this was a crossreaction between the two closely related viruses. Three of the dogs (all rottweilers) with a TBE titre of 320 had clinical signs of meningoencephalitis or encephalitis. They all survived after treatment for the clinical signs. It was proved by seroconversion that the disease was caused by the TBE virus in one of these three dogs, and it seems very likely that the virus was responsible for the disease in the other two.

In order to evaluate the role of some synanthropic animals in the spreading of Escherichia coliO157, laboratory rats and domestic pigeons were experimentally infected per oswith E. coliO157. Rats infected with 105colony forming units (cfu) (n= 5) and 109cfu (n= 5) shed E. coliO157 for 2 ± 1·7 d and 9·8 ± 1·3 d, respectively. In the faeces of infected rats stored at 4 °C in a moist environment, at 4 °C in a dry environment or at 20 °C in a moist environment, E. coliO157 survived for 34 weeks. When stored at 20 °C or − 20 °C in a dry environment, E. coliO157 survived for ≥ 36 weeks. Pigeons infected with 105cfu (n= 5) and 109cfu (n= 5) shed the pathogen for 14·8 ± 3·4 d and 20·2 ± 5·2 d, respectively. Both species, rats and pigeons can be important in spreading of the E. coliO157 infection in cattle.

A total of 365 faecal samples from different categories of cattle, 12 samples of untreated slurry, 50 samples of fresh droppings of feral domestic pigeons, 20 samples of fresh droppings of domestic sparrows and stool samples of 19 synanthropic rodents were examined for the presence of Escherichia coliby broth enrichment culture and a subsequent immunomagnetic separation. Escherichia coliO157 was found in 72 (20%) bovine samples, six (50%) samples of untreated slurry and four (40%) of 10 rats (Rattus norvegicus). Significant differences were found in the E. coliO157 shedding frequency between different age categories of bulls. Genes stx2 and eaeAwere detected in all isolates, and the stx1gene in all but 10 isolates.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the domestic fowl was studied in the Strakonice district in southern Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) between 1981 and 1990. The presence of antibodies and T. gondii cysts was ascertained by means of Sabin-Feldman dye tests and isolation assays, respectively.Of 3338 samples of chicken serum from 13 small backyard operations, antibodies were detected in 5.1% of cases. T. gondii cysts were found in two of 10 chickens examined.A total of 1120 chickens from a commercial farm was tested and antibodies were found in 0.01% of them. Isolation assays were made on 1097 chickens and T. gondii cysts were found in 0.36% of them.In small backyard operations, tests for antibodies were made on 28 guinea-fowl (negative), 297 ducks (1.7% positive) and 32 geese (15.6% positive).

In 1995 and 1996, the shedding of Toxoplasma gondiioocysts was monitored in the faeces of Felidae in six zoos in the Czech Republic. In all, 2287 samples of faeces from 19 species of Felidae were examined. In Ostrava Zoo, four episodes of shedding of Toxoplasma-like oocysts were identified, using a flotation examination, in a pair of wild cats (Felis silvestris), six episodes in a wild cat held separately, and three episodes in a pair of Amur leopard cats (F. euptilurus). After the passage of sporulated oocysts through laboratory mice, T. gondiiwas confirmed in the pair of wild cats (three episodes), in the wild cat held separately (three episodes) and in the pair of Amur leopard cats (one episode). In Jihlava Zoo, one episode of shedding of T. gondiioocyst was identified in Geoffroy's cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) using flotation and isolation examination. The possible sources of toxoplasmosis of the Felidae in zoos are discussed.

Blood donors (n=663) from the Nový Jičín district, Czech Republic, were examined for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to simultaneously detect IgM and IgG antibodies. Titres ≥ 20 were considered positive. The seroprevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies was 2.4% and 32.1%, respectively. Periods, for how long the blood donors were infected, are discussed.

Abstract. Nested PCR was used as a diagnostic tool to investigate the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm in protected species of carnivores in Slovakia. Twenty-three faecal samples from wolves, four samples from bears and three samples from lynx from the Muránska Planina mountains and eight samples from wolves from the Bukovské Vrchy mountains were examined. E. multilocularis DNA was detected in two samples of wolves' faeces from the Muránska Planina mountains and one sample from the Bukovské Vrchy mountains. Examination of bears' and lynx faecal samples gave negative results. The detection of E. multilocularis in wolves has extended the range of its known definitive hosts in Europe.