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The history of the electron microscope investigations in zoology and parasitology in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and progress in scanning and transmission electron microscope investigations in this field of biology to the moment are briefly accounted.
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In May 1996 the Denver Zoological Gardens obtained two male and two female Pallas' cats (Otocolobus felis manul) that were wild-caught in the Ukraine. These animals were part of a group of 16 wild-caught adults (eight male and eight female) imported to the United States and Canada between 1995 and 1996. The Denver Zoological Gardens cats were quarantined at the zoo hospital for approximately I mo. During the quarantine period they were immobilized for physical examination, and sera were obtained from them to evaluate for exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. All cats were positive for T. gondii antibodies by latex agglutination (titers from 1:512 to 1:1,024). After being paired for breeding, one pair produced two litters, and another pair produced four litters, a total of 17 kittens between 1997 and 2001. Four kittens and two young adults died from a disseminated granulomatous and necrotizing inflammation consistent with toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii infection was confirmed in all six deceased cats by polymerase chain reaction performed on formalin-fixed tissues. An additional five kittens disappeared and were not available for necropsy. The fatality rate from toxoplasmosis was 35.3% (6/17) for cats that were available for necropsy and could have been as high as 64.7% (11/17) if it were assumed that the disappeared kittens were also affected. The Pallas' kitten survival rate at the Denver Zoological Gardens was 35.3%. This article describes the clinical and pathologic features of toxoplasmosis in a group of Pallas' cats at the Denver Zoological Gardens.
The first parasitological division in the Zoological Museum was created in 1924 by the initiative of E. N. Pavlovsky and A. A. Schtakelberg and originally had a named "The permanent commission on the study of malaria mosquitoes". In the process of reorganisation of the Zoological Museum into Zoological Institute in 1930, it was modified into the Department of Parasitology with the E. N. Pavlovsky as a head. In 1934-1935, two laboratories were formed within this department: the Laboratory arachno-entomology and Laboratory of parasitic worms. In subsequent history of ZIN, these parasitological laboratories existed at first as subdivisions of the Department of Parasitology and finally the they were reorganised into independent administrative divisions. The study of parasitic and blood-sucking arthropodes is concentrated in the Laboratory of Parasitology (the head Yu. S. Balashov). A creation of the most important concepts of ecological parasitology was taking place in the Zoological Institute in the middle of 30th. E. N. Pavlovsky for the first time had formulated the principle of an organism as an environment for parasites, the concept of communities of parasitic organisms (concept of parasitocoenosis), and the theory of natural focuses of transmissive diseases. In the process of development of these scientific generalisations, a scientific direction named "Academician E. N. Pavlovsky's school of thought in parasitology" was formed in the USSR in 40-50th. In the frame of this school of thought, the main tusks of the Laboratory of Parasitology ZIN are to work out fundamental problems in ecology, systematics and morphology of parasitic and blood-sucking ticks, mites and insects. Within the ecological parasitology, different aspects of host-parasite relationships are studied at organism and population levels. The main basis of systematics studies of parasitic arthropodes is a scientific collection including over 250,000 samples. Based on this material, 40 key books and monographs on the USSR's fauna were created. Over 20 doctors of science and 50 candidates of science have been prepared within the laboratory or under the promotion of its stuff during 70 years of the existence of the Laboratory of Parasitology.
Three hundred forty-five serum samples from 30 zoological animal species which had been imported into the United States were examined retrospectively for the presence of antibody to bluetongue viruses. Ninety eight (28.4%) were positive for antibody to bluetongue group antigen by the bluetongue agar gel immunodiffusion test. Bluetongue antibodies, most of which were against serotypes exotic to the United States, were detected in 13 animal species from Africa not previously reported to be infected by bluetongue virus. The lack of virus neutralizing antibody to any of the 20 known bluetongue virus types in four of the 28 positive serums studied may indicate the existence of new bluetongue virus serotypes, cross reactions with other orbiviruses or a more rapid decline of neutralizing than precipitating antibody. The possibility of recrudescence of bluetongue virus infection from some inapparently infected zoological animals and existence of a known bluetongue vector (Culicoides variipennis) in the United States would suggest that further assessment of bluetongue in zoological animals be made.
Pain and cognitive dissonance abounds amongst biologists: the plant-animal, botany-zoology wound has nearly healed and the new gash--revealed by department and budget reorganizations--is "molecular" vs. "organismic" biology. Here I contend that resolution of these tensions within zoology requires that an autopoietic-gaian view replace a mechanical-neodarwinian perspective; in the interest of brevity and since many points have been discussed elsewhere, rather than develop detailed arguments I must make staccato statements and refer to a burgeoning literature. The first central concept is that animals, all organisms developing from blastular embryos, evolved from single protist cells that were unable to reproduce their undulipodia. The second points to the usefulness of recognizing the analogy between cyclically established symbioses and meiotic sexuality.
The Zoological Station of Naples was founded in 1872 by Anton Dohrn as a research institute for zoology and comparative anatomy. Although the original fields of interest were the morphology of vertebrates and comparative embryology, a department of physiology was added to the station in 1888. Osmoregulation in marine organisms has been extensively studied, notably by Bottazzi, who investigated chemical composition, electrical conductivity, surface tension, osmotic pressure and extracellular viscosity in circulating fluids in man and lower animals. Bottazzi classified aquatic animals into 2 groups, a distinction that is accepted today. More recent workers at the station include Bern, who made important contributions to the study of the essential role played by prolactin in regulation of hydromineral metabolism in euryhaline teleost fish in a freshwater environment.
Six out of seven cuttlefish acquired by the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in July 1998 died before 1 November 1998. Postmortem examinations showed mantle ulcers, secondary bacterial infections, inanition, and cuttlebone fractures. The surviving cuttlefish developed a progressive focal mantle ulcer, was treated with oral chloramphenicol intermittently for 9 wk, and maintained a normal appetite and growth rate until death at 7 mo of age. The National Zoological Park pathology database showed signalments, histories, and causes of mortality of 186 common cuttlefish, each 1-14 mo old, that received gross and histologic examinations; for example, the largest group of cuttlefish of known sex, age, and body weight at postmortem were 7-9 mo old and weighed an average of 376.2 g (males, n = 18) and 299.0 g (females, n = 15). Many cuttlefish had multiple pathologic diagnoses. Significant diseases included inflammation and secondary bacterial infections, especially gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, and ophthalmic, and septicemia due to Vibrio spp. or other gram-negative bacteria. Mantle lesions, including ulceration/dermatitis, abscess/granuloma, necrosis/fibrosis/cellulitis, and laceration/abrasion/erosion, were also identified, along with inanition, cuttlebone lesions, and trauma. Mantle lesions were associated with secondary bacterial infections and death. On the basis of this information, if captive cuttlefish behavior creates risk for development of mantle lesions, administration of antibiotics effective against gram-negative bacteria may delay or halt disease progression. Cuttlefish exhibits require proper design, husbandry, economic resources, and staffing to minimize disease syndromes and mortality.
A total of 110 sites from five zoological institutions were examined to determine whether fungi associated with sick building syndrome (SBS) were prevalent in the exhibits or night-time holding facilities and to investigate whether the presence of these organisms was associated with declining breeding rates or increases in morbidity and mortality (or both). Each site was sampled with an Andersen two-stage air sampler using Sabourauds dextrose agar media and a Burkard personal volumetric air sampler. Suspect surfaces were also sampled. High levels of airborne Penicillium chrysogenum, a fungal species associated with poor indoor air quality, were recovered from 16 sites out of all five institutions. Five culturable growth sites of Stachybotrys chartarum, a species strongly associated with SBS and commonly known as "black mold," were recovered from surfaces at two institutions. A wide range of other fungal species was recovered in low numbers from all institutions. A Fisher exact test analysis showed a significant nonrandom association between high levels of P. chrysogenum and sites with records of poor animal health. This study indicated that significant numbers of airborne fungi associated with SBS and poor indoor air quality are present in zoological institutions and that they could affect animal health and reproduction rates and zoo staff.
A vast body of botanical and zoological illustrations was produced in Tuscany between the sixteenth and the eighteenth century. This artistic activity was made possible by the humanistic-scientific tradition which had been established in Florence during the late fifteenth century, and was further encouraged by the Medici dynasty. The contributions made by three uniquely talented and original artists are discussed. Jacopo Ligozzi produced paintings of plants and animals whose scientific accuracy and artistic quality far surpassed anything achieved by his predecessors. The miniaturist Giovanna Garzoni produced floral paintings for the Medici family. Bartolomeo Bimbi combined the genre of botanical and zoological illustration with that of the still life to create works of striking originality. The crucial role played by the new scientific institutions created during the Renaissance is also discussed. A permanent artists' studio was set up in the mid-sixteenth century at Pisa Botanic Garden. Members of Accademia del Cimento in Florence engaged in pioneering studies with the microscope, a newly invented instrument which gave scientists and artists an entirely new perspective on the natural world. The scientist Francesco Redi carried out important work with the help of the artist Filizio Pizzichi who prepared stunning microscopic studies of insects.
Almost 1,850 Mallophagen individuals from 95 host species (birds and mammals) most of which from the Zoological Gardens in łódź and Wrocław (both in Poland) have been investigated. As regards bird biting lice Amblyceran species were found to be more frequent than Ischnoceran ones. The great majority of species and individuals of Mallophaga were host-specific. Stragglers were mainly found on relatively big birds. The "populations" of bird biting lice in the two Zoological Gardens were found to be of smaller quantity and poorer quality than in free nature. Differences of that kind could not be observed with biting lice of mammals.
Research in buildings and enclosures of zoological gardens where mammals are accomodated have yielded 159 species of Diptera belonging to 18 families. Among the Diptera species found were all those represented in farming stable buildings as well as species that may be vectors of zoo animal diseases. The Diptera are of potential hygienic significance, which is dealt with in detail. The number of species represented in an area and the density of species depend on the conditions of their development within the zoological gardens and on the quantity of Diptera coming from the surrounding area. The biotopes in which indigenous zoo Diptera develop are described in detail. The occurrence of the species and their density in the stable buildings of the mammals depend on the position and arrangement of the stables and enclosures, on the hygienic conditions and also on the food. The density of Diptera and the possible health risks for the zoo animals can be reduced by creating hygienic conditions and by observing the control measures mentioned in the paper.
Of 438 snakes in a zoologic collection, 35 died during a 3-month period; all were members of the family Viperidae. Clinical signs consisted of gaping of the mouth followed within 1 day by convulsions. All necropsied animals had a mucoid exudate throughout the respiratory tract. Histologic evaluation of lung revealed evidence of interstitial pneumonia, with occasional eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions in epithelial cells. A paramyxo-like virus, isolated in viper heart cells from lung tissue, was observed by electron microscopy to be budding from cell membranes. The virus hemagglutinated chicken red blood cells at 5 C, and antibody titers were assayed by hemagglutination inhibition. In a random survey of 22 snakes from the zoologic collection, antibody titers to the virus ranged from 1/20 to 1/2,560.
The recognition and the assessment of anxiety and fear in animals is discussed regarding zoological, forensic and ethical aspects. Following some definitions it is shown that fear, anxiety and other emotions are generally assessed by analogous reasoning and "Du-Evidenz". This causes scientific and forensic problems which are discussed. Towards a more adequate assessment of emotions in animals a zoological approach based on integrated ethological and stress-physiological theories and methods is proposed.
In the early 1940s, the administration of the College of Arts and Sciences at Washington University, St. Louis was firmly in the hands of classical scholars who were not inclined to promote the development of modern research on scientific subjects. Funds supporting research in biology favored the School of Medicine and the Missouri Botanical Garden. Viktor Hamburger arrived at Washington University in 1935. At about the time he became the Acting Chairman of Zoology in 1942, research work in the biological departments began a dramatic surge that has continued to this day. For 65 years under his counsel and leadership, basic biology has thrived at this fine institution. As an early faculty recruit, I recount here a few personal recollections from those formative years.
Beginning from an undergraduate's perspective and continuing through graduate school, this student's experiences in the Department of Zoology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri was a time of many rewarding experiences. Now, on this occasion of his 100th birthday, I wish to express my appreciation to the Chairman, Dr. Viktor Hamburger, for his teachings, his encouragement, and his friendship that has lasted over the past 56 years.
Eleanor and Byron Wenger were graduate students in the Department of Zoology in the 1940s. Both took several courses with Viktor, and he was thesis advisor for both of us. We have attempted to provide a summary of life in the department from a student perspective as well as our impression of Viktor's style of mentoring and guiding student research and education.