The lizard Lacerta vivipara has both oviparous and viviparous populations. Experimental crossbreedings (oviparous strain × viviparous strain) in the laboratory have previously allowed us to obtain a hybrid strain. Hybrids have also laid eggs in the laboratory. The aim of the present study was to determine the eggshell characteristics of the hybrid and to compare them with the characteristics previously studied in the oviparous and viviparous strains. The mean thickness of the eggshell is 21 μm for the hybrid, 40 μm for oviparous eggshell, and 9 μm for the viviparous eggshell membrane. Mean dry mass of the eggshell is 3 mg for hybrids, 5 mg for the oviparous strain, and 0.6 mg for the viviparous strain. Ash mass of the eggshell is 0.79 mg for hybrids, 1.05 mg for the oviparous strain, and 0.22 mg for the viviparous strain. Fibrils were observed in both oviparous and hybrids' eggshells and in the viviparous eggshell membrane. The outer surface of the hybrids' eggs presents both places with a calcareous layer (61%) and places where fibrils are not covered with a calcareous layer (39%). These incompletely calcified eggshells are intermediate between the oviparous eggshells (complete calcareous layer) and the regressed eggshell membrane (fibrils with minor traces of calcite) observed during the gestation of the viviparous lizards. This situation is of considerable interest for further experimental studies dealing with physiological and genetic aspects of the evolution of viviparity.

Most raptors are flagship and umbrella species acting as ecosystem engineers. Research on avian parasites in raptors is therefore of interest. There is a lack of studies on Sarcocystis in naturally infected raptors. In the present work, we aimed to identify Sarcocystis spp. in intestinal scrapings of the raptors from Spain. Sarcocystis spp. were identified in 82.5% of the intestinal samples studied by nested PCR and sequencing of the partial ITS1 region and 28S rRNA. A total of nine known Sarcocystis species, S. arctica, S. columbae, S. cornixi, S. glareoli, S. halieti, S. kutkienae, S. cf strixi, S. turdusi, and Sarcocystis sp. ex Corvus corax, and three genetically new organisms, Sarcocystis sp. Rod6, Sarcocystis sp. Rod7, and Sarcocystis sp. 22AvEs1, were identified in the intestines of raptors. This study is the first report of Sarcocystis spp. in the intestines of eleven raptor species from Spain. Furthermore, the new potential definitive hosts have been determined for seven Sarcocystis species. Co-infection of Sarcocystis spp. has also been observed, with more than one species found in 72.5% of birds. Nine different Sarcocystis species were identified in the intestinal samples of the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). In conclusion, raptors play an important role in the transmission of Sarcocystis spp.

The European Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur, a long-distance migrant wintering in Africa, is a widespread Palearctic species. This species is classified as vulnerable and is undergoing a long-term demographic decline. The results of the previous study (based on mitochondrial (mtDNA) cytochrome-b (cytb) sequences of birds from Western and Southern Europe) indicated that the species was not genetically structured. We analysed the mtDNA cytb and D-loop of 258 birds collected from Morocco, Spain, and Ukraine. High genetic variability, expressed by haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity, was revealed in both cytb (Hd = 0.905 ± 0.009, π = 0.00628 ± 0.00014) and the D-loop (Hd = 0.937 ± 0.009, π = 0.01502 ± 0.00034). SAMOVA and principal coordinates analysis revealed the birds belonged to two genetically distinct groups. One group included birds collected in Spain, while birds sampled in Morocco and Ukraine formed another group. Furthermore, significant genetic differentiation was identified between Turtle Doves from Morocco and Ukraine, and certain Spanish samples. The present results indicate that specific management and conservation plans relevant for the species in various regions should be applied. However, further nuclear DNA research and new studies (particularly in Eastern Europe) are necessary for the decisive results on genetic structure of this species.

The European turtle dove Streptopelia turtur (hereafter turtle dove), is a widespread species in the Palearctic. Due to a large and rapid decline in its abundance, it was classified as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List in 2015 and is now regarded as a globally threatened species. The objective of this study was to provide new information on the flyways of this turtle dove population by analyzing available ring recoveries and citizen science sightings data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. A new flyway (possibly stretching through the Black and Caspian Seas, Turkey, the Middle East, and Egypt toward the Eastern Sahel) is suggested for turtle doves breeding in Northern and Eastern Europe.