engleski

Proteus anguinus in Croatia: what we have learned

Proteus anguinus in Croatia – conservation research project is aimed to collect information about the olms, to help protect this very unique and endangered aquatic amphibian living in underground carst. The field research of population density, using novel eccological research methods revealed the largest single population in the Markarova cave, with approx. one individual/m2, the highest density reported so far. Keeping the animals in captivity, in a specially designed „cold room“ which meets all their needs regarding the temperature, water conductivity, aeration and food, showed that they accepted all the offered food, primarily the Lumbricus sp., with the preference of live food over frozen one. Microbiological results of skin, cloacal and oral cavity swabs revealed mostly the presence of soil and water microorganisms such as Aeromonas hydrophila and Aspergillus flavus, alredy described as pathogens in immuncompromised amphibians. Maldi-ToF method allowed identification of the Janchtinobacterium lividum, a bacterium with known anti-fungal properties. Next generation sequencing revealed the incorporation of Methylotenera sp. and Methyloversatilis sp. in the skin and oral cavity. Feces and intestinal scrapings were free of parasites. Real-Time PCR gave negative results for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans and Ranavirus in skin swabs and for Clamydia sp. in oral cavity and cloacal swabs. Scanning of animals with a precise ultrasound machine was helpful in sex determination, general health assessment and early diagnosis and treatment of otherwise fatal Saprolegnia infections in captive animals. To the author's knowledge this is the first information of that kind about the biology of Proteus anguinus.

Field research; health assessment; microbiology; olm; Proteus anguinus; ultrasound

nije evidentirano