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The aim of this paper is to document the presence of the avian trematode Collyriclum faba in Egypt. During bird migration, parasitological research was carried out along the East European bird migration flyway (Jordan, Palestine, Egypt) in 2012-2014. A total of 1783 birds belonging to 87 species, mainly passerines, were macroscopically examined for the presence of parasites. An adult male individual of the willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus, examined in Aswan, southern Egypt, presented 5 subcutaneous cysts containing parasites identified as C. faba located on its thighs, above the eye, and on the body under the wing. The parasites were probably transported by the migrating bird over the Balkan Peninsula or Turkey. Collyriclum faba had never been recorded from Africa before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (total GSH-Px and Se-GSH-Px) in the liver of wild boars (Sus scrofa) selected from a selenium-deficient area with respect to season of the year, sex, and age. Only season had a significant effect on liver Se content. Liver selenium concentration in the wild boars was highest in spring (0.292 µg/g wet weight) and lowest in winter (0.185 µg/g wet weight) (P < 0.05). The highest mean activity of total GSH-Px, Se-GSH-Px, and CAT (404.0, 309.9, and 1170.0 U/mg protein, respectively) was found in the spring season, and the respective highest mean activity of SOD was found during autumn (31.5 U/mg protein). Females showed markedly higher mean activities of total GSH-Px (388.2 and 314.7 U/mg protein) and CAT (1151.0 and 765.8 U/mg protein) compared to males. In comparison to other groups of animals, those aged between 1 and 1.5 years were characterized by higher mean activity of total GSH-Px and Se-GSH-Px, and those over 2 years of age showed higher activity of CAT and SOD. The analysis showed that the strongest oxidative stress and the greatest risk of peroxidative damage to the liver occurred during the winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work begun in autumn 2013 at a research ringing site near Jericho in the Jordan Valley (Palestine) was continued in spring 2014 (8 March-18 April). Due to a flood, the area was much changed in relation to the autumn habitat distribution. Standard ornithological and ringing work was performed using mist nets. The methods used were in accordance with SEEN (SE European Bird Migration Network) standards, and apart from ringing included some measurements (wing length, tail length, wing formula) and scores (fat determination and body mass), as well as testing of the directional preferences of migrants. The ornithological work was expanded to include parasitological testing, taking into account migrant-helminth relations during migration. Altogether 508 birds from 44 species were ringed and inspected for external signs of infection by Collyriclum faba trematodes (subcutaneous cysts), and an additional 32 dead individuals were collected and dissected. Altogether 168 internal parasites were found. The most common migrants in spring were Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca, Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla and Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida, while the autumn dominants-Masked and Red-backed shrikes (Lanius nubicus and L. collurio) were scarce. In spring a good number of Dead Sea Sparrows Passer moabiticus were caught, but only two introduced Indian Silverbills Lonchura malabarica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new research project near Jericho in the Jordan Valley (Palestine) was launched on 10 September 2013, work continued until October 23rd 2013. Standard ornithological work and bird ringing work was conducted using mist nets situated in an oasis type habitat of Wadi Qelt surrounded by palm plantations. The field methods followed the SEEN (SE European Bird Migration Network) standards that include apart from ringing of captured birds, also several measurements (wing length, tail length, wing formula) and scores (fat load and body mass), as well as the studies on the directional preferences of migrants using round, flat orientation cages. Ornithological research was enhanced by parasitological studies analysing migratory birds (hosts) - helminths relations during migration period of the former. This was a part of complex studies covering the Middle East and north African ringing sites. Altogether 481 individuals of birds representing 59 species were ringed and about 50 were retrapped. The most interesting was relatively high share of Masked and Red-backed shrikes as well as good number of birds of local species as Dead Sea Sparrows and introduced Indian Silverbills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the status of selenium in sea ducks wintering in coastal areas of northwestern Poland. The experimental material included samples of liver, kidney, lung and heart obtained from three species of ducks: Melanitta fusca, Melanitta nigra and Clangula hyemalis. Selenium concentrations in the organs were determined using a spectrofluorometric method. The highest Se concentrations were observed in the liver. The average Se liver concentrations in M. fusca, M. nigra and C. hyemalis were 5.3±0.7, 7.2±0.8 and 6.6±0.7 µg/g dry weight (dw), respectively. In M. fusca Se concentration in the examined organs was observed to occur in the following descending order: liver > kidney > heart > lung, and in M. nigra and C. hyemalis it was liver > lung > kidney > heart. Statistical analysis of the results showed differences in Se concentrations in analogous organs between the investigated species of ducks. In all the organs of M. nigra Se concentration was significantly higher compared to M. fusca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trematode infestation of Mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) varies between northern Poland and the Czech Republic. We determined the trematode fauna of juvenile and adult Mallards from Poland in 2010-16 ( n =79 Mallards) and from the Czech Republic in 1964-2001 ( n =296). Infracommunity diversity of trematodes from juvenile Mallards, defined by the Brillouin index and mean number of species, was significantly greater in Poland than it was in the Czech Republic. There were more species and greater biodiversity in the trematode communities of Mallards from Poland, where the environment is more natural and less altered by human activity than it is in the Czech Republic. In the trematode community of juvenile Mallards, the Simpson's index of biodiversity was higher in the Czech Republic than it was in Poland. The Berger-Parker dominance index was comparable in both countries. In terms of prevalence, the structure of the trematode fauna was hierarchic, and trematode species had different positions in this hierarchy in the two countries. Statistically significant differences in the epidemiologic indices between infection of juvenile Mallards from Poland and the Czech Republic were noted for Bilharziella polonica , Echinostoma miyagawai , Echinostoma revolutum , Prosthogonimus cuneatus , Prosthogonimus ovatus , Notocotylus attenuatus , Echinoparyphium recurvatum , Australapatemon minor , Apatemon gracilis , Cyathocotyle prussica , Hypoderaeum conoideum , Metorchis xanthosomus , Psilochasmus oxyurus , and Cotylurus cornutus .