Biologija

Title

Lietuvos mokslų akademija — 2025-04-07

First documentation of Nepticulidae feeding on Gondwanan relict Nothofagus from Andean Patagonia and the unexpected discovery of morphologically similar pygmy moth species from distant Central America

Jonas Rimantas Stonis — 2025-04-07

The trophic association of Nepticulidae with Nothofagus in Andean Patagonia has been speculated about but never conclusively demonstrated. This study provides the first definitive evidence that the species of the Stigmella purpurimaculae group are leaf miners of Nothofagus spp., with documented mines and male genital structure analysis of two species reared from Nothofagus. Additionally, we describe three new Stigmella species from Honduras, which, despite the geographic distance from Andean Patagonia, share key genital traits with the S. purpurimaculae group. While these species exhibit some external differences, their morphological similarities raise intriguing questions about potential evolutionary connections.

Persistent vector-borne infections in free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) during the winter season in Norway

Irma Ražanskė — 2025-04-07

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) are maintenance hosts for different species of vector-borne pathogens. However, there are not many studies reporting the presence of pathogens and their co-infections in live red deer populations during winter season. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence and prevalence of vector-borne infections in red deer during winter to determine the persistence of these infections. Blood samples were analysed from 38 free-ranging adult red deer that had been chemically immobilised during winter season in Norway. Thirty animals (78.9%) were infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., or Bartonella spp. Seven animals were co-infected with two pathogens, and four animals had triple infections. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of A. phagocytophilum, Babesia divergens, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia bovis, and Bartonella schoenbuchensis. This study shows that free-ranging red deer can be considered as a potential host for zoonotic and nonzoonotic pathogens in Norway.

Magneto-electrochemical theory of metabolism: electromagnetic communication of cells and the role of the extracellular matrix

Ganna Nevoit — 2025-04-07

A fragment of the results of a theoretical analytical systematisation of existing scientific data on the electromagnetic mechanisms of cellular signaling is presented. This is a continuation of the theoretical development of the magneto-electrochemical theory of metabolism (2019–2025). The aim of the theoretical research was to create a concept of electromagnetic communication of cells, to deepen fundamental knowledge, and to find new promising approaches to solving the problem of chronic noncommunicable diseases. General scientific methods of system analysis of literature review were applied in the study, which resulted in a working promising model of the concept of electromagnetic cellular communication. The article is focused on biophotonic signaling and the role of the extracellular matrix in its implementation. The research shows that the concept of biophoton signaling is a promising working model for scientific discussion and for further study into the role of electromagnetic fields in the phenomenon of biological cell life in vivo. The state of the extracellular matrix is an important biological aspect for the implementation of the phenomena of life and health and the quantum pathogenesis of noncommunicable diseases.

Abstracts of the section ‘Innovative and Applied Research in Biology’ at the 83rd International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia