Investigations were carried out in 2003-04 within a project on trend biomonitoring of macrozoobenthos in the Hron River system. They were focused on blackfly assemblages of the Hron River (Slovakia), using the distribution patterns of blackflies (18 species) from 14 sites, representing a fluent transition from epirithral to epipotamal. Two main ''sister'' groups were distinguished using TWINSPAN analysis. Prosimulium rufipes is an indicator species within the first group. This group typically occurs in the zone representing a part of the river upstream and its tributaries. Simulium lineatum is an indicator species within the second group that occurs in the zone representing the middle and lower part of the river. The Upstream-Downstream gradient represents, in fact, the ecological position (EP) of the studied localities of the Hron River along the River Continuum Concept. The distribution fitting analysis divides the distribution amplitude data of blackfly species into three sets of nonoverlaping intervals: (1) 0.00-0.19 stenotopic (P. rufipes in the upper course of the river, Simulium erythrocephalum in the lower course of the river), (2) 0.20-0.39 mesotopic (Simulium argyreatum, S. equinum-hyporhithral) and (3) 0.40-0.50 eurytopic (Simulium reptans, S. variegatum). According to CCA the most important variables correlated with the first axis, and were linked to the nitrate and maximal water temperature which gradually increase from the upper stretch of the river.
261 SummaryThe aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of toxocariasis in Bratislava and smaller towns in western Slovakia. During 2006 -2011, sand samples collected from 121 sandpits were investigated: 63 sandpits were from Bratislava City and 58 from sandpits in towns outside Bratislava (Malacky, Pezinok Stupava). In Bratislava, 27 % of examined sandpits were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. In smaller towns eggs of Toxocara spp. were found from three sandpits (6.8 %) of Pezinok and Stupava only. In Malacky, no faeces and no eggs were found in any sandpits. Faecal samples of 1436 dogs and 263 cats were investigated. T. canis eggs were found in the faeces of 16.5 % dogs and T. cati in 18.6 % of examined cats. Toxocariasis of dogs was significantly higher in smaller towns such as the city Bratislava (χ2 = 10.88 for P ≤ 0.001). The difference in prevalence of T. cati in cats bred in Bratislava and outside Bratislava was not confirmed (P ≤ 0.05). 382 pregnant women were examined by ELISA. Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 32 women (8.4 %). The difference in seroprevalence of women coming from Bratislava (6.6 %) and smaller towns outside Bratislava (11.0 %) was not statistically significant (χ2 = 1.6; P ≤ 0.05).
Research on the Morava River floodplain mosquito fauna was carried out from April to October in 2009 and 2010. Altogether, 5864 adults were collected and identified from 12 selected sites. The presence of 28 mosquito species belonging to 6 genera were confirmed in the study area. The floodplain of the Morava River is known for its frequent inundation every year. The floods are quite irregular and often followed by the mass production of mosquitoes. The most abundant species were Aedes vexans (41.4%), Ae. cinereus (7.5%), Ae. rossicus (16.7%), Ochlerotatus sticticus (20.5%), and Culex pipiens (3.1%). Ae. vexans and Oc. sticticus are typical outbreak species for the Morava River floodplain. The years 2009 and 2010 differed in the number of floods, which influenced the mosquito faunal composition and abundance during the year.
Abstract:The effects of land use on black fly assemblages were investigated in submontane rivers (the Ľubochnianka River, the Revúca River, upper Váh River catchment) in the Carpathians. We recorded 11 black fly species in the Ľubochnianka River and 10 species in the Revúca River. Land use differs between the catchments; the Ľubochnianka is a primarily forested catchment, and the Revúca is markedly deforested catchment. Fifteen environmental variables were analysed. Based on the results provided by CANOCO, phosphorus level and stream slope are the most important variables and have significant influences on the variability of black fly assemblages. In spring, Prosimulium rufipes occurred along the entire lengths of the streams. The black fly assemblage of the Revúca River differs from the assemblage of the Ľubochnianka River mainly by its higher abundances of Simulium variegatum and Simulium ornatum, by the presence of Simulium carthusiense, and by the absence of Prosimulium hirtipes.
Abstract:The present work gives the result of blackfly fauna research of the Slovenský raj (West Carpathians, Slovakia). Our aim was to describe the composition of blackfly communities, find indicator species for communities, describe environmental factors affecting communities and determine the potential changes in species richness. Research was carried out in 2007 and 2008. The presence of 22 species of blackflies was confirmed at 20 sites in the area of Slovenský raj. 12 species were recorded for the first time in this area. The potential for further increase in diversity was calculated by a nonparametric estimation of species richness. Two main groups of sites with their typical blackflies communities were indentified using a TWINSPAN analysis.
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