The mugger (Crocodylus palustris) is a medium-sized crocodilian inhabiting South Asia. As a result of intensive hunting, its range declined drastically up till the 1970s. Currently, the world mugger population is fragmented and threatened mainly by habitat loss and the consequences of human–crocodile conflict, being classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The goal of this paper is to comprehensively determine the mugger’s current range, and assess risks in notable habitats of the species across its range. To determine the range and notable habitats, extensive literature covering surveys, monitoring, population studies and reports of human–crocodile conflict was examined. Habitat suitability and risk assessment were performed by evaluating selected habitats using eight factors: the legal status of the area, elevation, surface water availability, water quality, salinity, availability of nesting and basking sites, interaction with humans and interspecific competition. Based on our findings, the chances of the mugger’s survival varies greatly across its range and the threats they face are complex and often site-specific. Defining these threats is the first step for determining suitable risk mitigation efforts, some of which are explored in this review.

The popularity of exotic animals, including turtles, kept as pets, has grown steadily in recent decades. Limited awareness of the biological and ecological requirements of these species, combined with insufficient regulation in the pet trade, has contributed to frequent cases of release into the wild. Consequently, the risk of the introduction of non-native turtle species has increased; while not all introduced species establish viable populations or compete with native fauna, some compete for habitat and food resources, transmit pathogens and parasites, or disrupt ecosystem functioning. This study assessed the availability and prevalence of problematic turtle species in the Polish pet trade. Data were collected in 2024 from three main distribution channels: zoological fairs, pet shops, and online platforms, resulting in 1001 recorded observations. A total of 15 freshwater and 11 terrestrial turtle species were identified. The most frequently offered were members of the genus Pseudemys (49.5%) and Mauremys reevesii (13.84%)—both potentially invasive taxa already recorded in natural environments of several European countries. Additionally, species prohibited from trade in Poland, such as the pond slider Trachemys scripta and the false map turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica, were found among online listings, constituting a total of 3.03% of all observations. These results highlight a significant risk of further introduction of alien turtles into Poland’s natural environments, posing a serious threat to biodiversity, including the endangered native European pond turtle Emys orbicularis. Urgent public education and additional legal regulations are needed for the pet trade to prevent the further spread of invasive turtle species in Poland and across Europe.

The T-box gene belongs to a very large family of genes with the T motif. It encodes transcription factors that control the course of embryogenesis process. It plays a major role in the formation of the mesoderm – the layer from which the axial structures of the body develop. In dogs, its mutation causes a short tail in heterozygotes, often with a kink, while in recessive homozygotes it is lethal. Dominant homozygotes have phenotypically normal, long tails. The aim of this study was to identify carriers of the mutated allele of the T-box gene and to check whether it determines the occurrence of a lack of a tail and a kink in White Swiss Shepherds. Hair, blood, soft tissue and epithelium samples from the inner side of the cheek were collected from 23 individuals of the White Swiss Shepherd breed. Twenty-two individuals had phenotypically long tails and one was tailless. DNA was isolated, amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the product was subjected to electrophoretic separation in agarose gel, and then the obtained product was cut with the restriction enzyme Eco91I (BstEII) to be able to visualize the samples in a polyacrylamide gel. All dogs of the White Swiss Shepherd breed included in the study, whose DNA was analysed for carrying the 259C>G mutation of the T-box gene, turned out to be homozygous recessive with a long tail, which is consistent with the breed standard. The reason for the lack of a tail in one of the examined individuals must have been different mutation of the T-box gene or a mutation in another gene.

Crocodilians, alongside birds, represent the last extant lineage of archosaurs, yet they face significant conservation challenges. Approximately half of the 27 recognized crocodilian species are at least vulnerable to extinction, with past and present overhunting, habitat degradation, and climate change being key threats. We assess the application of genetic markers in crocodilian conservation studies, focusing on their role in addressing population dynamics and population management. A comprehensive review of 149 studies reveals that microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA sequences are the most frequently employed markers, primarily used to explore intrapopulation and interpopulation diversity. Despite the critical importance of genetic diversity for adaptation, many studies concentrate on less endangered species, potentially neglecting the urgent needs of critically endangered populations. Ultimately, we advocate for a more strategic use of conservation genetics to enhance management efforts and mitigate extinction risks in crocodilians, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches based on specific species, research questions and their ecological contexts.

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) are a group of metabolic diseases (7 types in human and 5 types in domestic dog), which result from the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in cells, tissue, organs, causing their abnormal functioning. They are the result of a deficiency or total inactivity of catabolic enzymes responsible for the break down of glycosaminoglycans. MPSs are characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms. Skeletal deformation, organomegaly, delayed growth and corneal opacities are typical symptoms of the disease. This is a group of rare, inherited metabolic diseases that affect the body’s ability to break down mucopolysaccharides. The aim of the literature research was to present information on the mode of inheritance of mucopolysaccharidosis and the genetic basis of individual types, including the breeds of dogs in which a given type of disease was identified. Due to the complexity of symptoms, mucopolysaccharidoses are difficult to treat. The diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidoses uses clinical diagnostic methods based on screening methods and molecular diagnostics, which are characterized by accuracy and sensitivity similar to methods used in humans.