Jelena Blagojević | University of Belgrade (original) (raw)
Papers by Jelena Blagojević
Parasites & Vectors
Background Haemosporidian parasites of the genus Polychromophilus infect bats worldwide. They are... more Background Haemosporidian parasites of the genus Polychromophilus infect bats worldwide. They are vectored by obligate ectoparasitic bat flies of the family Nycteribiidae. Despite their global distribution, only five Polychromophilus morphospecies have been described to date. The two predominant species, Polychromophilus melanipherus and Polychromophilus murinus, are broadly distributed and mainly infect miniopterid and vespertilionid bats, respectively. In areas where species from different bat families aggregate together, the infection dynamics and ability of either Polychromophilus species to infect other host families is poorly characterized. Methods We collected 215 bat flies from two bat species, Miniopterus schreibersii and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, which sometimes form mixed clusters in Serbia. Miniopterus schreibersii is known to be frequently infected with P. melanipherus, whereas R. ferrumequinum has been observed to be incidentally infected with both Polychromophilus sp...
Life, 2021
B chromosomes (Bs) are highly polymorphic additional chromosomes in the genomes of many species. ... more B chromosomes (Bs) are highly polymorphic additional chromosomes in the genomes of many species. Due to the dispensability of Bs and the lack of noticeable phenotypic effects in their carriers, they were considered genetically inert for a long time. Recent studies on Bs in Apodemus flavicollis revealed their genetic composition, potential origin, and spatial organization in the interphase nucleus. Surprisingly, the genetic content of Bs in this species is preserved in all studied samples, even in geographically distinct populations, indicating its biological importance. Using RT-PCR we studied the transcription activity of three genes (Rraga, Haus6, and Cenpe) previously identified on Bs in A. flavicollis. We analysed mRNA isolated from spleen tissues of 34 animals harboring different numbers of Bs (0–3).The products of transcriptional activity of the analysed sequences differ in individuals with and without Bs. We recorded B-genes and/or genes from the standard genome in the presen...
Cells, 2021
The gene composition, function and evolution of B-chromosomes (Bs) have been actively discussed i... more The gene composition, function and evolution of B-chromosomes (Bs) have been actively discussed in recent years. However, the additional genomic elements are still enigmatic. One of Bs mysteries is their spatial organization in the interphase nucleus. It is known that heterochromatic compartments are not randomly localized in a nucleus. The purpose of this work was to study the organization and three-dimensional spatial arrangement of Bs in the interphase nucleus. Using microdissection of Bs and autosome centromeric heterochromatic regions of the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) we obtained DNA probes for further two-dimensional (2D)- and three-dimensional (3D)- fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies. Simultaneous in situ hybridization of obtained here B-specific DNA probes and autosomal C-positive pericentromeric region-specific probes further corroborated the previously stated hypothesis about the pseudoautosomal origin of the additional chromosomes of this sp...
Golden jackal is considered a top predator in many human dominated landscapes of South-eastern Eu... more Golden jackal is considered a top predator in many human dominated landscapes of South-eastern Europe. Concentrations of seven trace elements (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ni) in livers of 129 specimens of golden jackals (Canis aureus) from six localities from Serbia were analysed. Both, sex and localities had no significant effects on concentrations of any metals. Lead concentrations, both average (9.59 mg/kg) and maximal values (23.00 mg/kg), were higher than those found in other mammal predator species. Furthermore, concentrations of essential trace elements (copper, iron and manganese) were also significantly higher than those reported by other researchers. Only zinc had significantly lower concentration (66.36 mg/kg), while cadmium was similar (14.89 mg/kg) with those reported in the literature. The jackal, being a wild omnivorous mammal at the top of the food chain with high adaptability and other supportive ecological features, is a good bioindicator of environmental contamina...
Helminthologia, 2018
Summary Fifty-one yellow-necked mice from the Obedska bara locality were analysed for the presenc... more Summary Fifty-one yellow-necked mice from the Obedska bara locality were analysed for the presence of intestinal nematode parasites in order to assert whether there was a host sex bias in infection. Previous research indicated that males would be the more infected sex, either due to the immunosuppressive effect of testosterone or their different allocation of resources towards immune defence. Quantitative infection parameters were compared between host sexes for all nematode species and nematodes in general. In addition, the influence of host sex, age, total body length, body mass and presence of other nematode species on parasite abundance was analysed. No statistically significant differences between males and females were noted for any of the studied quantitative parameters, leading to an absence of sex-biased parasitism in this study.
Acta Theriologica, 1995
Seasonal changes of B-chromosome frequencies within the population of Apodemus flavicollis (Roden... more Seasonal changes of B-chromosome frequencies within the population of Apodemus flavicollis (Rodentia) on Cer mountain in Yugoslavia Mladen VUJOSEVIC and Jelena BLAGOJEVIC Vujosevic M. and Blagojevic J. 1995. Seasonal changes of B-chromosome frequencies within the population of Apodemus flavicollis (Rodentia) on Cer mountain in Yugo slavia. Acta Theriologica 40: 131-137. A change of B-chromosome frequencies in the population of Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) from Cer mountain in Yugoslavia was studied. Five samples were collected during 1989. Specimens with Bs were present in all samples with frequencies ranging from 0.22 to 0.39. Differences between frequencies of animals with Bs in successive samples were not statistically significant. The change in the population size (n) was positively correlated with variation in frequency o f animals with Bs (rp = 0.81), but negatively with frequency of Bs per B carrying animals (rp =-0.65). A analysis of variance of external body measures and some cranial characters showed no significant differences between animals with and without Bs.
Journal of Helminthology, 2014
Up to six nematode species were identified from 86 specimens of the yellow-necked field mouseApod... more Up to six nematode species were identified from 86 specimens of the yellow-necked field mouseApodemus flavicollisfrom three mountainous localities known as Avala, Cer and Liškovac in Serbia. The highest prevalence of infection of 97% was recorded from Mt. Avala. Only one nematode species,Syphacia frederici, occurred in all three localities. There was complete overlap in nematode species from Mts. Avala and Liškovac, whereas the taxonomic distinctness of Mt. Cer was seen in the presence of the insect-transmitted speciesRictularia proni. Locality was a statistically significant factor in all the best-fitted generalized linear models of variation in abundances. The highest level of both species richness and parasite alpha diversity (Shannon'sH= 1.47) was found in the easternmost Mt. Liškovac, whereas the diversity indices were lowest for the westernmost Mt. Cer (Shannon'sH= 0.48). In view of this geographical difference, the beta diversity indices were calculated along a west t...
Genetika, 2013
Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris is distributed in the moist, temperate and cold regions of the N... more Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris is distributed in the moist, temperate and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This species exhibits considerable amount of intraspecific chromosomal diversity involving hybridization, polyploidy, aneuploidy and B chromosomes. Karyotype analyses of three mountain populations from Serbia were done for the first time. All samples were tetraploid (based number x=8) with 2n=32. In population from mountain Tara presence of one B chromosomes was detected. Tetraploid karyotype consists of 17 median-centromeric (m), 8 submedian-centromeric (sm), 7 subterminal-centromeric (st) chromosomes and one terminal-centromeric (t) B chromosome (2n= 17m+8sm+7st+1B). Studied populations in Serbia belong to the most common cytotype for this species in Europe.
6th Congress of the Serbian genetic society; 2019 Oct 13-17; Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, 2019
Microsatellite data input file for Arlequin (Fst, AMOVA, Mantel Test)
Acta Theriologica, 2000
The presence o f B chromosomes in the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) w... more The presence o f B chromosomes in the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) was analyzed in 320 adult animals from four localities in Yugoslavia. Our aim was to assess the effects of B chromosomes on certain morphometric charac teristics. The characters that were chosen are included in the taxonomic discrimination o f this particular species as well as the sibling species Apodemus sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758). B chromosomes were found in all the localities with frequencies ranging from 21.6% to 42.9%. It was ascertained that different frequencies o f animals with B chromo somes change the slope o f the regression curve o f the length o f foramina incisiva (FI) relative to the distance from the 3rd upper molar to the incisor (IM3). This finding questions the validity of use o f this relative value in taxonomy without taking into consideration karyological data. It was also established that the relative length o f the tail (the body/tail ratio) significantly increase in the presence of B chromosomes. As this index demonstrates significant geographic variability the result could be taken as a trend only.
Belg. J. Zool, 2005
Page 1. Belg. J. Zool., 135 (1) : 79-81 January 2005 SHORT NOTES B chromosomes and asymmetry of e... more Page 1. Belg. J. Zool., 135 (1) : 79-81 January 2005 SHORT NOTES B chromosomes and asymmetry of eye lenses in the yel-low-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis (Rodentia, Mammalia) Jelena Blagojević1, Olivera Vukićević-Radić2 and Mladen Vujoević1 ...
Additional file 5. Table S5 Procrustes ANOVAs of shape. % total—percentage of the total shape var... more Additional file 5. Table S5 Procrustes ANOVAs of shape. % total—percentage of the total shape variation. Categories regarding parasitism: P0—non-parasitized animals, P1—animals parasitized by one nematode species, P2—animals parasitized by two nematode species, P3—animals parasitized by three to five nematode species
Programme & Abstract book: 13th European Multicolloquium of Parasitology; 2021 Oct 12-16; Belgrade, Serbia, 2021
Programme & Abstract book: 13th European Multicolloquium of Parasitology; 2021 Oct 12-16; Belgrade, Serbia, 2021
Programme & Abstract book: 13th European Multicolloquium of Parasitology; 2021 Oct 12-16; Belgrade, Serbia, 2021
6th Congress of the Serbian genetic society; 2019 Oct 13-17; Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, 2019
Data about sex ratio (_sr), and total number of parasite species in 197 infected yellow-necked mi... more Data about sex ratio (_sr), and total number of parasite species in 197 infected yellow-necked mice from 14 localities in Serbia. Host data include host sex, presence of B chromosomes, and mass of dry eye lenses (mel).
Parasites & Vectors
Background Haemosporidian parasites of the genus Polychromophilus infect bats worldwide. They are... more Background Haemosporidian parasites of the genus Polychromophilus infect bats worldwide. They are vectored by obligate ectoparasitic bat flies of the family Nycteribiidae. Despite their global distribution, only five Polychromophilus morphospecies have been described to date. The two predominant species, Polychromophilus melanipherus and Polychromophilus murinus, are broadly distributed and mainly infect miniopterid and vespertilionid bats, respectively. In areas where species from different bat families aggregate together, the infection dynamics and ability of either Polychromophilus species to infect other host families is poorly characterized. Methods We collected 215 bat flies from two bat species, Miniopterus schreibersii and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, which sometimes form mixed clusters in Serbia. Miniopterus schreibersii is known to be frequently infected with P. melanipherus, whereas R. ferrumequinum has been observed to be incidentally infected with both Polychromophilus sp...
Life, 2021
B chromosomes (Bs) are highly polymorphic additional chromosomes in the genomes of many species. ... more B chromosomes (Bs) are highly polymorphic additional chromosomes in the genomes of many species. Due to the dispensability of Bs and the lack of noticeable phenotypic effects in their carriers, they were considered genetically inert for a long time. Recent studies on Bs in Apodemus flavicollis revealed their genetic composition, potential origin, and spatial organization in the interphase nucleus. Surprisingly, the genetic content of Bs in this species is preserved in all studied samples, even in geographically distinct populations, indicating its biological importance. Using RT-PCR we studied the transcription activity of three genes (Rraga, Haus6, and Cenpe) previously identified on Bs in A. flavicollis. We analysed mRNA isolated from spleen tissues of 34 animals harboring different numbers of Bs (0–3).The products of transcriptional activity of the analysed sequences differ in individuals with and without Bs. We recorded B-genes and/or genes from the standard genome in the presen...
Cells, 2021
The gene composition, function and evolution of B-chromosomes (Bs) have been actively discussed i... more The gene composition, function and evolution of B-chromosomes (Bs) have been actively discussed in recent years. However, the additional genomic elements are still enigmatic. One of Bs mysteries is their spatial organization in the interphase nucleus. It is known that heterochromatic compartments are not randomly localized in a nucleus. The purpose of this work was to study the organization and three-dimensional spatial arrangement of Bs in the interphase nucleus. Using microdissection of Bs and autosome centromeric heterochromatic regions of the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) we obtained DNA probes for further two-dimensional (2D)- and three-dimensional (3D)- fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies. Simultaneous in situ hybridization of obtained here B-specific DNA probes and autosomal C-positive pericentromeric region-specific probes further corroborated the previously stated hypothesis about the pseudoautosomal origin of the additional chromosomes of this sp...
Golden jackal is considered a top predator in many human dominated landscapes of South-eastern Eu... more Golden jackal is considered a top predator in many human dominated landscapes of South-eastern Europe. Concentrations of seven trace elements (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ni) in livers of 129 specimens of golden jackals (Canis aureus) from six localities from Serbia were analysed. Both, sex and localities had no significant effects on concentrations of any metals. Lead concentrations, both average (9.59 mg/kg) and maximal values (23.00 mg/kg), were higher than those found in other mammal predator species. Furthermore, concentrations of essential trace elements (copper, iron and manganese) were also significantly higher than those reported by other researchers. Only zinc had significantly lower concentration (66.36 mg/kg), while cadmium was similar (14.89 mg/kg) with those reported in the literature. The jackal, being a wild omnivorous mammal at the top of the food chain with high adaptability and other supportive ecological features, is a good bioindicator of environmental contamina...
Helminthologia, 2018
Summary Fifty-one yellow-necked mice from the Obedska bara locality were analysed for the presenc... more Summary Fifty-one yellow-necked mice from the Obedska bara locality were analysed for the presence of intestinal nematode parasites in order to assert whether there was a host sex bias in infection. Previous research indicated that males would be the more infected sex, either due to the immunosuppressive effect of testosterone or their different allocation of resources towards immune defence. Quantitative infection parameters were compared between host sexes for all nematode species and nematodes in general. In addition, the influence of host sex, age, total body length, body mass and presence of other nematode species on parasite abundance was analysed. No statistically significant differences between males and females were noted for any of the studied quantitative parameters, leading to an absence of sex-biased parasitism in this study.
Acta Theriologica, 1995
Seasonal changes of B-chromosome frequencies within the population of Apodemus flavicollis (Roden... more Seasonal changes of B-chromosome frequencies within the population of Apodemus flavicollis (Rodentia) on Cer mountain in Yugoslavia Mladen VUJOSEVIC and Jelena BLAGOJEVIC Vujosevic M. and Blagojevic J. 1995. Seasonal changes of B-chromosome frequencies within the population of Apodemus flavicollis (Rodentia) on Cer mountain in Yugo slavia. Acta Theriologica 40: 131-137. A change of B-chromosome frequencies in the population of Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) from Cer mountain in Yugoslavia was studied. Five samples were collected during 1989. Specimens with Bs were present in all samples with frequencies ranging from 0.22 to 0.39. Differences between frequencies of animals with Bs in successive samples were not statistically significant. The change in the population size (n) was positively correlated with variation in frequency o f animals with Bs (rp = 0.81), but negatively with frequency of Bs per B carrying animals (rp =-0.65). A analysis of variance of external body measures and some cranial characters showed no significant differences between animals with and without Bs.
Journal of Helminthology, 2014
Up to six nematode species were identified from 86 specimens of the yellow-necked field mouseApod... more Up to six nematode species were identified from 86 specimens of the yellow-necked field mouseApodemus flavicollisfrom three mountainous localities known as Avala, Cer and Liškovac in Serbia. The highest prevalence of infection of 97% was recorded from Mt. Avala. Only one nematode species,Syphacia frederici, occurred in all three localities. There was complete overlap in nematode species from Mts. Avala and Liškovac, whereas the taxonomic distinctness of Mt. Cer was seen in the presence of the insect-transmitted speciesRictularia proni. Locality was a statistically significant factor in all the best-fitted generalized linear models of variation in abundances. The highest level of both species richness and parasite alpha diversity (Shannon'sH= 1.47) was found in the easternmost Mt. Liškovac, whereas the diversity indices were lowest for the westernmost Mt. Cer (Shannon'sH= 0.48). In view of this geographical difference, the beta diversity indices were calculated along a west t...
Genetika, 2013
Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris is distributed in the moist, temperate and cold regions of the N... more Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris is distributed in the moist, temperate and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This species exhibits considerable amount of intraspecific chromosomal diversity involving hybridization, polyploidy, aneuploidy and B chromosomes. Karyotype analyses of three mountain populations from Serbia were done for the first time. All samples were tetraploid (based number x=8) with 2n=32. In population from mountain Tara presence of one B chromosomes was detected. Tetraploid karyotype consists of 17 median-centromeric (m), 8 submedian-centromeric (sm), 7 subterminal-centromeric (st) chromosomes and one terminal-centromeric (t) B chromosome (2n= 17m+8sm+7st+1B). Studied populations in Serbia belong to the most common cytotype for this species in Europe.
6th Congress of the Serbian genetic society; 2019 Oct 13-17; Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, 2019
Microsatellite data input file for Arlequin (Fst, AMOVA, Mantel Test)
Acta Theriologica, 2000
The presence o f B chromosomes in the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) w... more The presence o f B chromosomes in the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) was analyzed in 320 adult animals from four localities in Yugoslavia. Our aim was to assess the effects of B chromosomes on certain morphometric charac teristics. The characters that were chosen are included in the taxonomic discrimination o f this particular species as well as the sibling species Apodemus sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758). B chromosomes were found in all the localities with frequencies ranging from 21.6% to 42.9%. It was ascertained that different frequencies o f animals with B chromo somes change the slope o f the regression curve o f the length o f foramina incisiva (FI) relative to the distance from the 3rd upper molar to the incisor (IM3). This finding questions the validity of use o f this relative value in taxonomy without taking into consideration karyological data. It was also established that the relative length o f the tail (the body/tail ratio) significantly increase in the presence of B chromosomes. As this index demonstrates significant geographic variability the result could be taken as a trend only.
Belg. J. Zool, 2005
Page 1. Belg. J. Zool., 135 (1) : 79-81 January 2005 SHORT NOTES B chromosomes and asymmetry of e... more Page 1. Belg. J. Zool., 135 (1) : 79-81 January 2005 SHORT NOTES B chromosomes and asymmetry of eye lenses in the yel-low-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis (Rodentia, Mammalia) Jelena Blagojević1, Olivera Vukićević-Radić2 and Mladen Vujoević1 ...
Additional file 5. Table S5 Procrustes ANOVAs of shape. % total—percentage of the total shape var... more Additional file 5. Table S5 Procrustes ANOVAs of shape. % total—percentage of the total shape variation. Categories regarding parasitism: P0—non-parasitized animals, P1—animals parasitized by one nematode species, P2—animals parasitized by two nematode species, P3—animals parasitized by three to five nematode species
Programme & Abstract book: 13th European Multicolloquium of Parasitology; 2021 Oct 12-16; Belgrade, Serbia, 2021
Programme & Abstract book: 13th European Multicolloquium of Parasitology; 2021 Oct 12-16; Belgrade, Serbia, 2021
Programme & Abstract book: 13th European Multicolloquium of Parasitology; 2021 Oct 12-16; Belgrade, Serbia, 2021
6th Congress of the Serbian genetic society; 2019 Oct 13-17; Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, 2019
Data about sex ratio (_sr), and total number of parasite species in 197 infected yellow-necked mi... more Data about sex ratio (_sr), and total number of parasite species in 197 infected yellow-necked mice from 14 localities in Serbia. Host data include host sex, presence of B chromosomes, and mass of dry eye lenses (mel).