Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) conservation in Serbia is under an in situ program, but additional efforts are needed to ensure the development of this animal’s genetic resources biodiversity. This ...research aims to describe challenges and possible strategies for sustainable water buffalo milk production. In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of buffalo milk and buffalo dairy products (cheese, butter, and kajmak) were determined. Furthermore, amino and fatty acids composition and the related health lipid indices (atherogenic and thrombogenic) were assessed. The findings support the fact that buffalo milk is a reliable source of high-quality nutrients (dry matter: 16.10%, fat: 6.02%, protein: 4.61%). Leucine, lysine, and valine content were found to be high in buffalo milk and cheese. A substantial quantity of non-essential glutamic and aspartic amino acids was observed in milk, as well as glutamic acid and tyrosine in cheese. It was established that milk protein of buffalo cheese had a favorable proportion of essential and non-essential amino acids (61.76%/38.24%). The results revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in fatty acid profiles among the three dairy products for saturated short-chain, n-3, and n-6 fatty acids. Conversely, no significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in monounsaturated fatty acids content. Kajmak showed the most favorable anti-atherogenic and anti-thrombogenic properties due to lower saturated and higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content. These results confirmed that buffalo milk could be successfully used in producing high-quality traditional dairy products with added value and beneficial characteristics from the aspect of a healthy diet. Furthermore, it could actively contribute to the promotion of sustainable production of buffaloes and strengthen the agricultural production of rural areas and their heritage.
The high frequency of same-sex sexual behaviors (SSB) in free-ranging animals is an evolutionary puzzle because fitness benefits areoften unclear in an evolutionary context. Moreover, the ...physiological and genetic underpinnings of SSB remain unclear. We exploitedan extraordinary natural experiment to examine the impact of environmental factors (local sex ratio SR) and testosterone (T) levels onSSB in a dense population of Hermann’s tortoises monitored for 7 years. Under the combination of high density and extremely skewedSR (~50 females, >1000 males), males courted and mounted other males more frequently than females. They even exhibited extravagantsexual behaviors, attempting to copulate with dead conspecifics, empty shells, and stones. T levels remained within the species’normal range of variation. SSB was not observed in other populations where SR is not, or less skewed, and where density is lower.This study reports the first natural example of a “prison effect,” whereby a high population density combined with female deprivationtriggered SSB as a mere outlet of sexual stimulation. More generally, it supports the hypothesis that SSB can be a nonadaptive consequenceof unusual proximate factors rather than reflecting physiological disorders.
Aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil in the nutrition of laying hens on table egg production, antioxidant activity and potential as ...a natural anticoccidial drug. A total of 360 Lohmann Brown laying hens aged 54 weeks were divided into 3 different treatment diets, supplemented with 0 (T1), 40 (T2) and 80 mg/kg (T3) tea tree essential oil, respectively. Each treatment was replicated 4 times with 30 birds each. The experiment lasted 56 days in total (55 to 62 weeks of hen age). The 56 day experimental period was divided into 2 periods of 28 days duration each: period 1 (55 to 58 weeks of hens age) and period 2 (59 to 62 weeks of hens age). The hens' blood oxidative status, including glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the anticoccidial effects of tea tree on Eimeria spp. compared to the unsupplemented control treatment, were evaluated. With the diet supplemented with tea tree essential oil, hen-day egg production improved significantly (P<0.05). Dietary addition of tea tree as a natural coccidiostatic in treatments T2 and T3 indicated a statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in SOD and GSHPx activity compared with control treatment T1, while significant changes in MDA concentration were not recorded (P>0.05). The anticoccidial activity of tea tree essential oil caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the output of Eimeria spp. oocysts per hen. Based on the results, it may be concluded that dietary tea tree essential oil was effective in increasing hen-day egg production and reducing coccidia oocysts output, hence it can be used as a prophylactic feed additive. Also tea tree oil showed an important role in the activation of antioxidative protection systems in hens. Key words: hens; tea tree; Melaleuca alternifolia; coccidiosis; eggs; atioxidative protection; nutrition
On May 14th 2013, on the island of Golem Grad (Prespa Lake, FYR of Macedonia) a juvenile female nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes) was found dead, with head of a Scolopendra cingulata protruding ...through the body wall of its lower abdomen. The authors discuss the possibility that the snake had swallowed the centipede alive, and that, paradoxically, the prey has eaten its way through the snake, almost reaching its freedom.
Although the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) has been included in
studies for several decades, the information about its distribution and the
state of populations in Serbia is still ...incomplete. The data collected from
the available literature sources, and those based on the authors? own field
investigations, indicate that E. orbicularis occupies a large part of the
territory of the Republic of Serbia, preferring aquatic biotopes at lower
altitudes. We compiled a list of 287 localities where the presence of the
pond turtle has been recorded. Of those, 14% (40 localities) were known only
from literature sources, localities added during our field investigations
represent 82% (235 sites), 4% (12 localities) confirming literature data. We
also gathered information on the main negative threats to the endurance of
the pond turtle in Serbia. These are habitat pollution, degradation and
destruction, and the spread of allochthonous invasive turtle species. Some
protective and conservation measures are suggested in the conclusion.
Detailed distribution pattern of colubrid snakes in Serbia is still inadequately described, despite the long historical study. In this paper, we provide accurate distribution of seven species, with ...previously published and newly accumulated faunistic records compiled. Comparative analysis of faunas among all Balkan countries showed that Serbian colubrid fauna is among the most distinct (together with faunas of Slovenia and Romania), due to small number of species. Zoogeographic analysis showed high chorotype diversity of Serbian colubrids: seven species belong to six chorotypes. South-eastern Serbia (Pčinja River valley) is characterized by the presence of all colubrid species inhabiting our country, and deserves the highest conservation status at the national level. This study should provide the basis for further, more comprehensive faunistic research, as the data on distribution of colubrid species in our country are far from complete, with large distribution “gaps”, especially in northern and central parts of Serbia.
The distribution of Ablepharus kitaibelii (Snake-eyed skink) in Serbia was reviewed, based on the collection of 183 records comprised of the authors’ unpublished data, observations of colleague ...researchers and of literature data. Roughly 68% of these records have not been published previously. Apparent distribution gaps in western and southern parts of the country were largely filled in by new findings. The absence of the Snake-eyed skink in the northern parts of our country is most likely caused by large-scale alteration and destruction of suitable habitats. Presented data provide the basis for further research and conservation assessments of this species.
In this paper the colour variations in the European tree frog, Hyla arborea (Linnaeus, 1758), from two small adjacent ponds in the Vojvodina province, Serbia are presented.
In this paper new findings of the Greek Frog, Rana graeca Boulenger, 1891 (Anura: Ranidae) from the north-western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina are given.
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