Fish (Elasmobranchia and Actinopterygii) inhabit the majority of aquatic habitats globally. They are crucial for human nutrition but they may be negatively affected by parasitic protists and metazoan parasites. Fish parasites are also an extraordinary group of animals because of their ecological and evolutionary importance and unique adaptations to parasitism. They also play a key role in ecosystem functioning. In the present special issue, 13 review and research articles on major groups of fish parasites are provided to document the current advancement in our understanding of different aspects of their biology, ecology and associations with their fish hosts. The existing gaps in our knowledge of these peculiar animals are mapped and future trends in their research outlined.

• Klíčová slova
• Aquaculture, Mollusca, Myxozoa, control, diversity, ecology, elasmobranchs, fish parasites, helminths, host–parasite relationships, molecular data, parasitic crustaceans, ray-finned fish,
• MeSH
• biologická evoluce MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci ryb * parazitologie   MeSH
• paraziti * MeSH
• ryby parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Reptiles are reservoirs of a wide range of pathogens, including many protozoa, helminths, pentastomids, and arthropod parasitic species, some of which may be of public health concern. In this review we discuss the zoonotic risks associated with human-reptile interactions. Increased urbanization and introduction of exotic species of reptile may act as drivers for the transmission of zoonotic parasites through the environment. In addition, being a part of human diet, reptiles can be a source of life-threatening parasitoses, such as pentastomiasis or sparganosis. Finally, reptiles kept as pets may represent a risk to owners given the possibility of parasites transmitted by direct contact or fecal contamination. Awareness of reptile-borne zoonotic parasitoses is important to advocate control, prevention, and surveillance of these neglected diseases.

• Klíčová slova
• food-borne, pentastomiasis, reptile pet trade, sparganosis, vector-borne, zoonotic parasites,
• MeSH
• domácí zvířata parazitologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• parazitární nemoci parazitologie   prevence a kontrola   přenos   MeSH
• paraziti MeSH
• plazi parazitologie   MeSH
• potravinářská parazitologie MeSH
• zoonózy parazitologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

All organisms engage in parasitic relations, as either parasites or hosts. Some species may even play both roles simultaneously. Among flowering plants, the most widespread form of parasitism is characterized by the development of an intrusive organ called the haustorium, which absorbs water and nutrients from the host. Despite this functionally unifying feature of parasitic plants, haustoria are not homologous structures; they have evolved 12 times independently. These plants represent ca. 1% of all extant flowering species and show a wide diversity of life histories. A great variety of plants may also serve as hosts, including other parasitic plants. This phenomenon of parasitic exploitation of another parasite, broadly known as hyper- or epiparasitism, is well described among bacteria, fungi, and animals, but remains poorly understood among plants. Here, we review empirical evidence of plant hyperparasitism, including variations of self-parasitism, discuss the diversity and ecological importance of these interactions, and suggest possible evolutionary mechanisms. Hyperparasitism may provide benefits in terms of improved nutrition and enhanced host-parasite compatibility if partners are related. Different forms of self-parasitism may facilitate nutrient sharing among and within parasitic plant individuals, while also offering potential for the evolution of hyperparasitism. Cases of hyperparasitic interactions between parasitic plants may affect the ecology of individual species and modulate their ecosystem impacts. Parasitic plant phenology and disperser feeding behavior are considered to play a major role in the occurrence of hyperparasitism, especially among mistletoes. There is also potential for hyperparasites to act as biological control agents of invasive primary parasitic host species.

• Klíčová slova
• Cassytha, Cuscuta, Orobanchaceae, Santalales, double parasitism, haustorium, mistletoes, self-parasitism,
• MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• Magnoliopsida * MeSH
• Orobanchaceae * MeSH
• paraziti * MeSH
• rostliny MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH

Many closely related populations are distinguished by variation in sexual signals and this variation is hypothesized to play an important role in reproductive isolation and speciation. Within populations, there is considerable evidence that sexual signals provide information about the incidence and severity of parasite infections, but it remains unclear if variation in parasite communities across space could play a role in initiating or maintaining sexual trait divergence. To test for variation in parasite-associated selection, we compared three barn swallow subspecies with divergent sexual signals. We found that parasite community structure and host tolerance to ecologically similar parasites varied between subspecies. Across subspecies we also found that different parasites were costly in terms of male survival and reproductive success. For each subspecies, the preferred sexual signal(s) were associated with the most costly local parasite(s), indicating that divergent signals are providing relevant information to females about local parasite communities. Across subspecies, the same traits were often associated with different parasites, indicating that parasite-sexual signal links are quite flexible and may evolve relatively quickly. This study provides evidence for (1) variation in parasite communities and (2) different parasite-sexual signal links among three closely related subspecies with divergent sexual signal traits, suggesting that parasites may play an important role in initiating and/or maintaining the divergence of sexual signals among these closely related, yet geographically isolated populations.

• Klíčová slova
• Barn swallow, community, divergence, local adaptation, parasites, sexual selection,
• MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• genetická zdatnost * MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• ocas MeSH
• pigmentace * MeSH
• rozmnožování MeSH
• sexuální výběr u zvířat * MeSH
• vlaštovkovití parazitologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Traditionally, host haem has been recognized as a cytotoxic molecule that parasites need to eliminate or detoxify in order to survive. However, recent evidence indicates that some lineages of parasites have lost genes that encode enzymes involved specifically in endogenous haem biosynthesis. Such lineages thus need to acquire and utilize haem originating from their host animal, making it an indispensable molecule for their survival and reproduction. In multicellular parasites, host haem needs to be systemically distributed throughout their bodies to meet the haem demands in all cell and tissue types. Host haem also gets deposited in parasite eggs, enabling embryogenesis and reproduction. Clearly, a better understanding of haem biology in multicellular parasites should elucidate organismal adaptations to obligatory blood-feeding.

• Klíčová slova
• blood-feeding, haem auxotrophy, iron, metazoan parasites, nematodes, ticks,
• MeSH
• fyziologická adaptace MeSH
• hem biosyntéza   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• hem MeSH

Movement of the embryo is essential for musculoskeletal development in vertebrates, yet little is known about whether, and why, species vary. Avian brood parasites exhibit feats of strength in early life as adaptations to exploit the hosts that rear them. We hypothesized that an increase in embryonic movement could allow brood parasites to develop the required musculature for these demands. We measured embryo movement across incubation for multiple brood-parasitic and non-parasitic bird species. Using a phylogenetically controlled analysis, we found that brood parasites exhibited significantly increased muscular movement during incubation compared to non-parasites. This suggests that increased embryo movement may facilitate the development of the stronger musculoskeletal system required for the demanding tasks undertaken by young brood parasites.

• Klíčová slova
• avian brood parasites, co-evolutionary arms race, embryonic development, muscle development,
• MeSH
• biologická evoluce MeSH
• fyziologická adaptace MeSH
• hnízdění MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• paraziti * MeSH
• ptáci parazitologie   MeSH
• rozmnožování MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Invasive wild mammals are present in all continents, with Europe, North America, and the Asian-Pacific region having the largest number of established species. In particular, Europe has been the continent with the highest number of zoonotic parasites associated with invasive wild mammals. These invasive species may represent a major threat for the conservation of native ecosystems and may enter in the transmission cycle of native parasites, or act as spreaders of exotic parasites. Here, we review the role of invasive wild mammals as spreaders of zoonotic parasites, presenting important examples from Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Finally, we emphasize the need for more research on these mammals and their parasites, especially in areas where their monitoring is scantily performed.

• Klíčová slova
• conservation, invasive wildlife, mammals, zoonotic parasites,
• MeSH
• divoká zvířata * MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• paraziti * MeSH
• savci MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Asie epidemiologie   MeSH

The microaerophilic parasites Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Giardia lamblia jointly cause hundreds of millions of infections in humans every year. Other microaerophilic parasites such as Tritrichomonas foetus and Spironucleus spp. pose a relevant health problem in veterinary medicine. Unfortunately, vaccines against these pathogens are unavailable, but their microaerophilic lifestyle opens opportunities for specifically developed chemotherapeutics. In particular, their high sensitivity towards oxygen can be exploited by targeting redox enzymes. This review focusses on the redox pathways of microaerophilic parasites and on drugs, either already in use or currently in the state of development, which target these pathways.

• Klíčová slova
• chemotherapy, microaerophilic parasites, redox pathways,
• MeSH
• Entamoeba histolytica účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• Giardia lamblia účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• kyslík farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• oxidace-redukce * MeSH
• paraziti účinky léků   enzymologie   MeSH
• systémy cílené aplikace léků trendy   MeSH
• Trichomonas vaginalis účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kyslík MeSH

In the course of the years 1983-1989, 5511 foreigners in the age of 20 to 40 years old from 87 countries were examined for human parasites. Everyone was examined within 1 months of arrival in the Czech Republic in the Active Case Detection (ACD) program. The intensity of infection was measured in those parasites which do not reproduce in the human body. Intensity of infection with geohelmints was express as a number of eggs per gram of feaces (EPG). 1079 foreigners infected with Trichuris trichiura are in 94,8 % suffering of light infection, the cohort of 694 foreigners infected with Ascaris lumbricoides suffered in 49,8 % of light infection, and 349 individuals infected with hookworms suffer in 96,0 % of cases of light infection. Pathology of infection with Schistosoma is founded on immunopathological reaction of the capillary endothelium to antigen excreted by mature eggs resulting in granulomatous inflammation with more than 20 times higher synthesis of collagen type I. Restructuralized tissue of liver, urinary bladder and large intestine with fibrotic scar, persisted 26 months though parasite was cured. 50 individuals from African countries were positive for infection with Plasmodium falciparum. 37/74, % of those were asymptomatic carriers with parasite load less than 10 000 merozoits per 1 µl of peripheric blood. That is the threshold between asymptomatic carrier and carries of the disease. All 37 Africans claimed absence of the disease before departure to the Czech Republic. The presence of RBC in trophozoit of Entamoeba histolytica is undoubtedly related to their virulence. In stool of 235 patients suffering for diarrhea in Cambodian hospital only 11,6 % of them harboured motile trophozoits of Entamoeba histolytica with phagocyte RBC confirming amoebic etiology of diarrhea. Such proportion of pathogenic amoeba is accepted all around the world. Keywords: Foreigners, imported parasites, active case detection, passive case detection, intensity of infection, clinical course of infection, cured parasite, persisting pathology.

• Klíčová slova
• Foreigners, active case detection, clinical course of infection, cured parasite, imported parasites, intensity of infection, passive case detection, persisting pathology,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• emigranti a imigranti * MeSH
• feces MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• parazitární nemoci * epidemiologie   MeSH
• paraziti * MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Trait-based research holds high potential to unveil ecological and evolutionary processes. Functional traits are fitness-related characteristics of individuals, which are measured at individual level and defined without using information external to the individual. Despite the usefulness of the functional approach to understand the performance of individuals in ecosystems, and parasitism being the most common life-history strategy on Earth, studies based on functional traits of parasites are still scarce. Since the choice of functional traits is a critical step for any study, we propose a core list of seven functional traits of metazoan parasites, related to three universal challenges faced by organisms (dispersal, establishment, and persistence), and give guidelines to define appropriate functional traits in future parasite community studies.

• Klíčová slova
• community ecology, dispersal, establishment, functional diversity, functional traits, persistence,
• MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita fyziologie   MeSH
• paraziti fyziologie   MeSH
• parazitologie MeSH
• stadia vývoje MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• zvláštnosti životní historie * MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH