Draft Genome of the European Mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon)

Pan-Omics in Sheep: Unveiling Genetic Landscapes

Multi-omics-integrated analysis, known as panomics, represents an advanced methodology that harnesses various high-throughput technologies encompassing genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Sheep, playing a pivotal role in agricultural sectors due to their substantial economic importance, have witnessed remarkable advancements in genetic breeding through the amalgamation of multiomics analyses, particularly with the evolution of high-throughput technologies. This integrative approach has established a robust theoretical foundation, enabling a deeper understanding of sheep genetics and fostering improvements in breeding strategies. The comprehensive insights obtained through this approach shed light on diverse facets of sheep development, including growth, reproduction, disease resistance, and the quality of livestock products. This review primarily focuses on the application of principal omics analysis technologies in sheep, emphasizing correlation studies between multiomics data and specific traits such as meat quality, wool characteristics, and reproductive features. Additionally, this paper anticipates forthcoming trends and potential developments in this field.

A New Species of Demodex (Acariformes: Prostigmata) Observed in the Mouflon, Ovis aries musimon (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) with Data on the Parasitism and Occurrence of Other Ectoparasites

A greater understanding of mite biodiversity and ecology can explain their preference for microhabitats within host bodies, i.e., as ecto-, meso-, and endoparasites. Similarly, learning about the patterns formed by mite communities in wild animals can shed light on the mechanisms of parasitosis development in their domesticated counterparts. Hence, the present study examined the acarofauna of the mouflon, introduced to Poland in the early 20th century from a region of endemic occurrence. Forty-one individuals were examined for the presence of ectoparasites between 2010 and 2013; later, skin fragments were analysed for the presence of skin mites. A new species of Demodecidae, Demodex musimonis sp. nov., was discovered in the skin of the pasterns of 14.6% mouflons, as well as the ectoparasitic tick Ixodes ricinus (prevalence 29.3%) and ungulate-typical fly Lipoptena cervi (34.1%). However, no mites typical for ovine Ovis (Psorergatidae, Psoroptidae) were noted, nor any colonisation of microhabitats by species from local ungulates, resulting from the loss of original parasites during the introduction. A comparison of the acarofauna of the mouflon and domestic sheep Ovis aries aries suggests that a mite community with a complex structure and the co-occurrence of different families may be formed. However, it is not known whether the acarofauna of domestic sheep is derived from wild ancestors or the process of domestication. Even so, the peculiar Demodecidae must have been part of the natural parasitofauna of wild sheep, of which only D. musimonis sp. nov. has been recognised so far.

List of mammals of Ukraine 2020: additions and clarifications

General issues of "taxonomic monitoring" of the mammal fauna of Ukraine are considered, including current changes and clarifications on the species composition of fauna, taxonomic ranks of species and superspecies groups, and current scientific and vernacular (Ukrainian) names. Analytical references and comments on the ranks and names of 24 taxa or taxonomic groups are presented, including 6 on Glires non-Muroidae, 7 on Muroidae, 5 on Chiroptera, 2 on Carnivora, and 4 on Ungulata. Most of the changes concern taxa ranks (especially genus / subgenus or family / subfamily) and, to a lesser extent, scientific and Ukrainian names. All changes are analysed as an update to the checklist approved by the Ukrainian Theriological Society (UTS) and published in 2012 in the Proceedings of the NMNH. In particular, this publication recognises the species status and correct use of scientific species names of Spalax graecus, Spalax arenarius, Apodemus (Sylvaemus) tauricus, and Myotis aurascens, as well as the Ukrainian vernacular names “hipsuh” (for Hypsugo) and “saiga” (for Saiga), scientific generic names Myodes (Ukr. “norytsia”) and Alexandromys (Ukr. “shaparka”), the family rank of long-winged bats (Miniopteridae), and the scientific name Cricetulus migratorius for the grey hamster as valid. The following provisions are adopted based on recent publications and trends in the development of classifications: 1) a new understanding of the volume and species name of Spermophilus planicola (little souslik) and Pipistrellus lepidus (Kuhl's pipistrelle); confirmation of the family status of birch mice, but with a new scientific name Sminthidae; correctness of scientific names Neogale vison (American mink) and Ovis gmelini (mouflon); 2) clarification of the Ukrainian vernacular name “molossovi” for Molossidae; 3) the genus coypu (Myocastor) is considered within the family of spiny rats (Echimyidae), whereas genera of voles (Microtus), red-backed voles (Myodes) and water voles (Arvicola) within the family of hamsters (Cricetidae); 4) lowering the ranks of several taxa, in particular Arvicolidae to subfamily Arvicolinae (within the family Cricetidae), Allactagidae to subfamily Allactaginae (within the family Dipodidae), Terricola to subgenus within the genus Microtus (s. l.), Bison to subgenus within the genus Bos (hence the bison is Bos bonasus), 5) the genus Sylvaemus is preserved at the same rank as the genus Apodemus. Trends in further changes of checklists and the need to align them with basic checklists and to adapt "thematic" lists, such as "red lists" for national or regional levels, game fauna lists, species lists in annexes to various international agreements (e.g. SITES), Bern Convention, EUROBATs, etc.) are considered.