Interspecific hybridization is relatively frequent in nature and numerous cases of hybridization between wild canids and domestic dogs have been recorded. However, hybrids between golden jackals (Canis aureus) and other canids have not been described before. In this study, we combined the use of biparental (15 autosomal microsatellites and three major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci) and uniparental (mtDNA control region and a Y-linkedZfyintron) genetic markers to assess the admixed origin of three wild-living canids showing anomalous phenotypic traits. Results indicated that these canids were hybrids between golden jackals and domestic dogs. One of them was a backcross to jackal and another one was a backcross to dog, confirming that golden jackal–domestic dog hybrids are fertile. The uniparental markers showed that the direction of hybridization, namely females of the wild species hybridizing with male domestic dogs, was common to most cases of canid hybridization. A melanistic 3bp-deletion at theKlocus (β-defensin CDB103 gene), that was absent in reference golden jackal samples, but was found in a backcross to jackal with anomalous black coat, suggested its introgression from dogs via hybridization. Moreover, we demonstrated that MHC sequences, although rarely used as markers of hybridization, can be also suitable for the identification of hybrids, as long as haplotypes are exclusive for the parental species.

The aoudad (Ammotragus lerviaPallas 1777) is an ungulate species, native to the mountain ranges of North Africa. In the second half of the twentieth century, it was successfully introduced in some European countries, mainly for hunting purposes, i.e. in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Spain. We used neutral genetic markers, the mitochondrial DNA control region sequence and microsatellite loci, to characterize and compare genetic diversity and spatial pattern of genetic structure on different timeframes among all European aoudad populations. Four distinct control region haplotypes found in European aoudad populations indicate that the aoudad has been introduced in Europe from multiple genetic sources, with the population in the Sierra Espuña as the only population in which more than one haplotype was detected. The number of detected microsatellite alleles within all populations (< 3.61) and mean proportion of shared alleles within all analysed populations (< 0.55) indicates relatively low genetic variability, as expected for new populations funded by a small number of individuals. In STRUCTURE results with K = 2–4, Croatian and Czech populations cluster in the same genetic cluster, indicating joined origin. Among three populations from Spain, Almeria population shows as genetically distinct from others in results, while other Spanish populations diverge at K = 4. Maintenance of genetic diversity should be included in the management of populations to sustain their viability, specially for small Czech population with high proportion of shared alleles (0.85) and Croatian population that had the smallest estimated effective population size (Ne = 5.4).

In this study the hematological and biochemical parameters in the blood of indigenous Croatian working horse breeds were investigated. The Posavina and Croatian Coldblood horses are adapted to harsh environmental conditions and their blood parameters might differ from other horse breeds. The study was carried out on 100 mares and 12 stallions of ages from 2 to 19 years. Fifteen hematological and 19 biochemical parameters were analysed. Values of 22 parameters showed considerable overlapping with values obtained for other horse breeds, and substantial resemblance is evident with values reported for Pakistani working horses. Several reference values showed statistically significant effect of sex (Hb, ALB, CREA, TBIL and Ca where significantly higher in stallions; EOS, CK, ALP, UREA and Mg were significantly higher in mares). None of the parameters studied showed any differences associated with age. The adaptation of Posavina and Croatian Coldblood horses to the harsh environment of flooded pastures and the way of breeding might be reflected in their specific reference values. The obtained results enabled the establishment of hematological and biochemical reference values in the blood of Posavina and Croatian Coldblood horses that will in turn support clinical diagnosis and further research into horse physiology.