Fish-isolated strains of Hartmannella vermiformis page, 1967: morphology, phylogeny and molecular diagnosis of the species in tissue lesions

Based on morphological and molecular characterisation, four amoeba strains isolated from organs of freshwater fish were identified as Hartmannella vermiformis Page, 1967. Small subunit rRNA gene sequences of these strains expand the set of corresponding complete and almost complete sequences of this species to twelve. A new species-specific oligonucleotide probe inferred from recently available SSU rRNA gene sequences was designed and successfully tested in tissue lesions produced by one strain of H. vermiformis in experimentally infected fish.     

Electrophoretic study of incubated infertile eggs

Albumen and yolk samples from infertile fresh and incubated (7 d) eggs were subjected to starch‐gel electrophoresis. Considerable disintegration of protein fractions occurred as a result of incubation. The changes described offer a reliable method of differentiating incubated infertile from fresh eggs.     

The Modeling of Production and Economic Indicators in Suckler Cows Herds

The aim of this study was to analyse the most important factors affecting the profitability of suckler cows herds in Slovakia in 2010. The economic models were used to verify whether the suckler cows farming is profitable without subsidies in the current production conditions in Slovakia as well as their optimal location in the agricultural natural conditions of Slovakia from the perspective of economic efficiency. The breeding of cattle, mainly for the beef meat production, has long been unprofitable as it is apparent also from the analysis of several studies. In the model without inclusion of subsidies, it was calculated that the suckler cows farming is unprofitable at the current production parameters and realization prices of calves. The losses per cow and year were ranged from -240ε in the model by using a combination of the maximum threshold values of input parameters to -818ε by using a combination of the minimum threshold values of the input parameters. In the models including of subsidies amount of loss and/or profit per cow and year varied depending on the input parameters mainly on natality, average daily gain, the realization price of calves and the level of subsidies provided to breeder as well. The economic results are ranged from -277ε to 724ε per cow and year. From economical as well as production point of view, the most appropriate agricultural natural regions for suckler cows farming in Slovakia are upland and highland regions.     

Population structure and genetic diversity suggest recent introductions of Dothistroma pini in Slovakia

Dothistroma pini is one of two pathogens causing Dothistroma needle blight (DNB), a foliar disease of pines. The species was redefined in 2004 and subsequently recorded in several European countries. In Slovakia, the first report of the pathogen was in 2013. In this study, the population structure, genetic diversity, and reproductive mode of 105 isolates collected from 10 localities and seven hosts were determined in Slovakia. Species-specific mating type markers, ITS haplotype determination, and 16 microsatellite markers were used to characterize and genotype the isolates. Overall, 15 unique multilocus haplotypes (MLHs) based on microsatellite markers and three ITS haplotypes were identified. Three independent methods (DAPC, STRUCTURE, EDENetwork) separated the isolates into two distinct population clusters corresponding with ITS haplotypes. A high level of clonality was recorded suggesting that conidia are the primary source of pathogen dispersal. The low genetic diversity, predominantly asexual reproductive mode of the pathogen, and the fact that most isolates were collected from introduced tree species and native species in artificially planted urban greenery, supports the hypothesis that D. pini has been recently introduced into Slovakia.