Neospora caninum is a protozoan cyst forming apicomplexan parasite that causes neosporosis, notably in cattle (Bos taurus) and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) [1,2]. It is closely related to Toxoplasma gondii and has emerged as a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle worldwide [2]. The parasite was first described in a dog with encephalomyelitis and myositis [1] and was later described...

The analysis of the early macrophage responses, including bacterial growth within macrophages, represents a powerful tool to characterize the virulence of clinical isolates of Mycobcaterium avium susbp. paratuberculosis (Map). The present study represents the first assessment of the intracellular behaviour in ovine monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) of Map isolates representing distinct genoty...

This report gives preliminary results of the investigation of the vertebrate assemblage from Castagna, Sicily. As the assemblage is so small the results should be treated with due caution. The assemblage yielded little information about the occupation of the site. However, the assemblage contained an unusually high proportion of deer bones, of which three were possibly the first identifications...

We investigated contemporary and historical influences on the pattern of genetic diversity of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The study was conducted in northeastern Poland, a zone where vast areas of primeval forests are conserved and where the European roe deer was never driven to extinction. A total of 319 unique samples collected in three sampling areas were genotyped at 16 microsa...

The rutting behaviour of fallow deer (Dama dama) at Doñana National Park (SW Spain) was studied in order to test the ecological and behavioural factors affecting variation in fallow deer mating strategies. Rutting area attendance was an important determinant of male reproductive success. An increase in population density during the study period did not seem to affect the variables related to th...

Herbivora can play a very important role in spreading trichinellosis, as showed by the massive epidemics in man, caused by the consumption of horse meat in the last years. In this context, the present study has been undertaken to verify, through an experimental infection, the susceptibility, together with other biological parameters, of fallow-deer to Trichinella infection. The four animals, 8-...

This study evaluated the effect of vacuum and modified atmosphere (40% CO2+60% N2, MA) packaging on the chemical composition, physicochemical properties and sensory attributes of chill-stored meat from 10 fallow deer (Dama dama) bucks at 17 to 18 months of age. The animals were hunter-harvested in the forests of north-eastern Poland. During carcass dressing (48 to 54 h post mortem), both muscul...