The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the carnivore with the widest distribution in the world. Not much is known about the visual system of these predominantly forest-dwelling animals. The closely related Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) lives in more open tundra habitats. In search for corresponding adaptations, we examined the photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), using opsin immunohistochemistry, lucifer yellow injections and Nissl staining. Both species possess a majority of middle-to-longwave-sensitive (M/L) and a minority of shortwave-sensitive (S) cones, indicating dichromatic color vision. Area centralis peak cone densities are 22,600/mm2 in the red fox and 44,800/mm2 in the Arctic fox. Both have a centro-peripheral density decrease of M/L cones, and a dorsoventrally increasing density of S cones. Rod densities and rod/cone ratios are higher in the red fox than the Arctic fox. Both species possess the carnivore-typical alpha and beta RGCs. The RGC topography shows a centro-peripheral density gradient with a distinct area centralis (mean peak density 7,900 RGCs/mm2 in the red fox and 10,000 RGCs/mm2 in the Arctic fox), a prominent visual streak of higher RGC densities in the Arctic fox, and a moderate visual streak in the red fox. Visual acuity and estimated sound localization ability were nearly identical between both species. In summary, the red fox retina shows adaptations to nocturnal activity in a forest habitat, while the Arctic fox retina is better adapted to higher light levels in the open tundra.

• MeSH
• čípky retiny fyziologie   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• fotoreceptory obratlovců fyziologie   MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• lišky fyziologie   MeSH
• lokalizace zvuku fyziologie   MeSH
• oči anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• opsiny metabolismus   MeSH
• retinální gangliové buňky fyziologie   MeSH
• tyčinky retiny fyziologie   MeSH
• vidění barevné fyziologie   MeSH
• životní prostředí MeSH
• zraková ostrost fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

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. Using both approaches, we identified unicellular and multicellular parasites in faeces of arctic foxes and carcasses of sibling voles (Microtus levis) in Svalbard, where molecular methods are used for the first time. Six new species were detected in the arctic fox in Svalbard, Eucoleus aerophilus, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Eimeria spp., and Enterocytozoon bieneusi, the latter never found in the arctic fox species before. In addition, only one parasite was found in the sibling vole in Svalbard, the Cryptosporidium alticolis, which has never been detected in Svalbard before.

• MeSH
• Ancylostomatoidea izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Arvicolinae parazitologie   MeSH
• cizopasní červi izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Cryptosporidium izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• divoká zvířata parazitologie   MeSH
• Eimeria izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• hlístice izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• lišky parazitologie   MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev veterinární   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• Toxocara canis izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Trichuris izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Arktida MeSH
• Svalbard MeSH

We determined the absolute hearing sensitivity of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) using an adapted standard psychoacoustic procedure. The animals were tested in a reward-based go/no-go procedure in a semi-anechoic chamber. At 60 dB sound pressure level (SPL) (re 20 μPa) red foxes perceive pure tones between 51 Hz and 48 kHz, spanning 9.84 octaves with a single peak sensitivity of -15 dB at 4 kHz. The red foxes' high-frequency cutoff is comparable to that of the domestic dog while the low-frequency cutoff is comparable to that of the domestic cat and the absolute sensitivity is between both species. The maximal absolute sensitivity of the red fox is among the best found to date in any mammal. The procedure used here allows for assessment of animal auditory thresholds using positive reinforcement outside the laboratory.

• MeSH
• akustická stimulace MeSH
• chování zvířat fyziologie   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• hluk MeSH
• kočky MeSH
• lišky fyziologie   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• sluch fyziologie   MeSH
• sluchová percepce fyziologie   MeSH
• sluchový práh fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• psi MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Satellite DNA is a characteristic component of mammalian centromeric heterochromatin, and a comparative analysis of its evolutionary dynamics can be used for phylogenetic studies. We analysed satellite and satellite-like DNA sequences available in NCBI for 4 species of the family Canidae (red fox, Vulpes vulpes, VVU; domestic dog, Canis familiaris, CFA; arctic fox, Vulpes lagopus, VLA; raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides, NPR) by comparative sequence analysis, which revealed 86-90% intraspecies and 76-79% interspecies similarity. Comparative fluorescence in situ hybridisation in the red fox and dog showed signals of the red fox satellite probe in canine and vulpine autosomal centromeres, on VVUY, B chromosomes, and in the distal parts of VVU9q and VVU10p which were shown to contain nucleolus organiser regions. The CFA satellite probe stained autosomal centromeres only in the dog. The CFA satellite-like DNA did not show any significant sequence similarity with the satellite DNA of any species analysed and was localised to the centromeres of 9 canine chromosome pairs. No significant heterochromatin block was detected on the B chromosomes of the red fox. Our results show extensive heterogeneity of satellite sequences among Canidae and prove close evolutionary relationships between the red and arctic fox.

• MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
• lišky genetika   MeSH
• organizátor jadérka genetika   MeSH
• psi genetika   MeSH
• satelitní DNA genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• psi genetika   MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

This study reports a new case of Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) infection in a fox from the Czech Republic, and provides confirmatory evidence on the occurrence of this newly identified sequence type. However, further studies are needed to investigate the distribution, host range and possible vector(s) for this bacterium, as well as its impact on animals and humans.

• MeSH
• Anaplasmataceae fyziologie   MeSH
• DNA bakterií krev   genetika   MeSH
• lišky krev   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

• MeSH
• finanční podpora výzkumu jako téma MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí farmakokinetika   toxicita   MeSH
• lišky metabolismus   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• sperma metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• spermie patologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• stopové prvky farmakokinetika   toxicita   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH

The study aimed to determine the content of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) in the liver of predominantly plant-eating omnivore wild boar (Sus scrofa), predominantly meat-eating omnivore red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and herbivore red deer (Cervus elaphus), from North-Eastern Poland (Warmia and Mazury), in order to verify the distribution of these elements in the trophic pyramid. Furthermore, the study was used to assess the risk of eating venison. Samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average concentration of Se was 3.9 (p⟨0.001) and 1.8-fold higher (p0.001) in the wild boar and red fox, respectively, in comparison to the red deer, and 2.1-fold higher in the wild boar comparing to the red fox (p⟨0.001). There was no difference in the average concentration of Zn. The average concentration of Cu was 9.3. Concentration of this element was 5.4-fold higher in red deer in comparison to red fox (p⟨0.001) and 9,34-fold higher than in wild boar (p⟨0.001). The average concentration of Cd was 1.9-fold higher in wild boar in comparison to the red fox (p⟨0.029). Correlation between Cu and Cd concentrations was also observed in the case of the red deer and red fox, while no such correlations were observed between the tested elements in the wild boar. In conclusion, the liver concentrations of these heavy metals in selected wild animas species from the hunting areas of Warmia and Mazury, do not exceed standard safe values for consumers. Moreover, the wild red deer population in North-Eastern Poland is significantly Se deficient.

• MeSH
• játra chemie   MeSH
• lišky * MeSH
• Sus scrofa * MeSH
• těžké kovy chemie   MeSH
• vysoká zvěř * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Polsko MeSH

Anatomical middle and inner ear parameters are often used to predict hearing sensitivities of mammalian species. Given that ear morphology is substantially affected both by phylogeny and body size, it is interesting to consider whether the relatively small anatomical differences expected in related species of similar size have a noticeable impact on hearing. We present a detailed anatomical description of the middle and inner ears of the red fox Vulpes vulpes, a widespread, wild carnivore for which a behavioural audiogram is available. We compare fox ears to those of the well-studied and similarly sized domestic dog and cat, taking data for dogs and cats from the literature as well as providing new measurements of basilar membrane (BM) length and hair cell numbers and densities in these animals. Our results show that the middle ear of the red fox is very similar to that of dogs. The most obvious difference from that of the cat is the lack of a fully formed bony septum in the bulla tympanica of the fox. The cochlear structures of the fox, however, are very like those of the cat, whereas dogs have a broader BM in the basal cochlea. We further report that the mass of the middle ear ossicles and the bulla volume increase with age in foxes. Overall, the ear structures of foxes, dogs and cats are anatomically very similar, and their behavioural audiograms overlap. However, the results of several published models and correlations that use middle and inner ear measurements to predict aspects of hearing were not always found to match well with audiogram data, especially when it came to the sharper tuning in the fox audiogram. This highlights that, although there is evidently a broad correspondence between structure and function, it is not always possible to draw direct links when considering more subtle differences between related species.

• MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• kočky MeSH
• lišky anatomie a histologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• střední ucho anatomie a histologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• velikost orgánu fyziologie   MeSH
• velikost těla fyziologie   MeSH
• vláskové buňky fyziologie   MeSH
• vnitřní ucho anatomie a histologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky MeSH
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Calodium hepaticum (Bancroft, 1893) Moravec, 1982 (syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a cosmopolitan capillariid nematode, infecting mainly rodents and occasionally other mammals, including humans. Reports of C. hepaticum in canids are rare and the present one is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus) in Italy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the eggs of C. hepaticum allowed a precise description of the egg morphology, which is one of the most relevant specific characteristics of capillariid nematodes. The egg shell showed a fibrous beam-like network which differs from that of the eggs of closely related trichinelloid species. This characteristic can be useful especially in case of spurious infection, when misdiagnosis among different trichinelloids species can occur.

• MeSH
• Capillaria izolace a purifikace   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• infekce hlísticemi řádu Enoplida parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• játra parazitologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lišky parazitologie   MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací veterinární   MeSH
• ovum ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Itálie MeSH

Bioaccumulation of cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc in 56 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and their parasites Mesocestoides spp. (Cestoda) and Toxascaris leonina (Nematoda) was studied. The levels of heavy metals were determined in the livers and kidneys of the animals depending on parasitism in the following ranges: Pb, 0.029-3.556; Cd, 0.055-9.967; Cr, 0.001-0.304; Cu, 4.15-41.15; Mn, 1.81-19.94; Ni: 0.037-0.831; Zn, 52.0-212.9 microg/g dry weight (dw). Cd in parasites (0.038-3.678 microg/g dw) were comparable with those in the livers of the host and lower than in the kidneys (0.095-6.032 microg/g dw). Contents of Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn in cestodes were predominantly higher than those in the kidney and liver of the host. Median lead levels in Mesocestoides spp. (45.6 microg/g dw) were 52-fold higher than in the kidney and liver of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) infected by both parasites and median Pb values in T. leonina (8.98 microg/g dw) were 8-fold higher than in the tissues of the parasitized red fox. Bioaccumulation factors of copper, zinc, nickel, and manganese are lower than those of lead and mostly range from 1.9 to 24 for Mesocestoides spp. and from 1.5 to 6 for nematode T. leonina depending on the tissue of host and element. A significant decrease in the content of Pb was found in the kidney of animals infected by T. leonina (0.260 microg/g dw) as well as those infected by Mesocestoides spp. (0.457 microg/g dw) in comparison with the lead content (0.878 microg/g dw) in the kidneys of the nonparasitized red fox. Regardless of a bioaccumulation of copper and manganese in the parasites, a significant increase of the concentrations of Mn and Cu was observed in the host's livers infected predominantly by Mesocestoides spp.

• MeSH
• cestodózy metabolismus   veterinární   MeSH
• játra chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• ledviny chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lišky metabolismus   parazitologie   MeSH
• Mesocestoides izolace a purifikace   metabolismus   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• nematodózy metabolismus   veterinární   MeSH
• parazitární nemoci u zvířat metabolismus   parazitologie   MeSH
• těžké kovy analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• Toxascaris izolace a purifikace   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH