The Y-PLEX™ 6 and Y-PLEX™ 5 systems enable analysis for 11 Y-STR loci. We present here the utility of these systems in forensic casework. A total of 188 samples, including 127 evidence samples, were analyzed using either or both of the systems. The evidence sample types included fingernail scrapings, sperm or seminal fluid, epithelial cells, blood and other tissues. The Y-STR typing systems provided useful probative results in difficult cases. A reference database for Caucasian (n = 517), African American (n = 535), and Hispanic (n = 245) population groups within the United States was generated for estimating the haplotype frequency in forensic casework. Among the individuals profiled, 311 Caucasians, 412 African Americans, and 194 Hispanics provided unique profiles in their respective population datasets. This is the first report describing the haplotype database for the set of 11 Y-STR loci recommended by the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM). Linkage analysis reveals that the frequencies from forensically important autosomal loci can be multiplied with the Y-STR haplotype frequency. The results from Y-PLEX™systems have been accepted in courts in the United States.

SummaryThe helminth fauna of lungs, small intestine, and rectum of 83 female specimens of Pelophylax kl. esculentus was investigated. Three helminth groups, Trematoda, Nematoda, and Acanthocephala were recorded. The sample was dominated by the class Trematoda. This class was represented by 8 adult and 2 larval species. Opisthioglyphe ranae and Pleurogenoides medians were the dominant fluke species. The data show the occurrence of Acanthocephalus ranae in frogs inhabiting Vojvodina Province. The most frequent Nematoda was Oswaldocruzia filiformis. The greatest number of parasitic species and individuals was isolated from the small intestine. Infestation of individual parasitic groups was greater than that of mixed groups. The most frequent combination was T/N while analysed organs were most frequently invaded by a parasitic species only. Antagonism between genus Rhabdias and Haematoloechus and between species Aplectana acuminata and Opisthioglyphe ranae was ascertained.

The Caspian whipsnake (Squamata: Serpentes: Dolichophis caspius) reaches its northwestern distribution limit in Hungary where it is the single representative of its genus. Recently, several new localities of the species were discovered in Hungary. Focusing on these edge populations and on other ones in the western parts of the distribution, a phylogeographic study based on cytochrome b sequences was carried out. Thereby, a clear mitochondrial divergence was observed in Europe, with eastern and western haplotype groups found by analysing a number of specimens and populations. Our haplotype network analysis suggests a rather rapid postglacial (re)colonization of Europe by this snake species. In Hungary, three different haplotypes were detected.

In the Petrovaradinski Rit marsh region, the composition, dynamics and importance of the food components of three syntopic anuran species of the genus Pelophylax were analyzed through all the seasons of their activity in order to determine the vulnerability of each species in the trophic competition. The results of the studies have shown that the trophic niche breadth, according to the importance index of contents, was the smallest for the species Pelophylax kl. esculentus and largest for the species Pelophylax ridibundus, meaning that the species Pelophylax kl. esculentus has the most uniform diet and is therefore most vulnerable to competition by other species.

records (79.8%), followed by V. berus with 145 records (18.8%), and V. ursinii with 11 records (1.4%). Results of the present study showed that in our country there are three areas crucially important for the diversity of vipers, with all three species present: Koritnik Mt. and Žljeb Mt. in Metohija, as well as Mokra Gora Mt. in south-western Serbia. We also found 25 10×10 km UTM squares with sympatry of two species of vipers. The designation of areas of special importance for vipers (e.g. Mokra Gora Mt., Dukat Mt., Besna kobila Mt., Kamena Gora Mt.) should be one of the priority actions for improvement of their conservation statuses in our country.