The aim of the present study was focused on analysis of reproductive traits in the painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala). The analysis of partial reproductive traits was intended to complete the knowledge necessary for ensuring reproduction of the painted stork in captivity on the required level. The observation was performed in the Zoo Zlín -Lešná from 2011 to 2014. The eggs were measured and weighed after laying and then in several-day intervals. Other observed traits were hatchability of the eggs, number of raised young birds and their weight after hatching. During whole observation period, a total of 90 eggs of the painted stork were evaluated from 12 parental pairs. The average share of fertilized eggs was 38.9 %. Average length of eggs was 68.57 mm, average width was 46.43 mm and average weight was 79.79 g. Average weight loss of eggs during their incubation was 9.87 g. Average hatchability of all the laid eggs was 27.8 %. Average hatchability of the fertilized eggs was 71.4 %. A total of 23 young painted storks were hatched during the observation period. Their average hatching weight was 57.04 g. The overall number of 11 individuals were raised during the four years of observation.

To cite this article: REČKOVÁ ZUZANA, FILIPČÍK RADEK, MÁCHAL LADISLAV, HORSKÝ ROMAN. 2019. Analysis of Reproduction Indicators of the Yellow-Billed Stork (Mycteria ibis). Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 67(1): 155 - 161. AbstractThe aim of the study was to supplement the original knowledge about the reproduction of one of four species of storks (Mycteria). The storks are classified by IUCN as endangered species with different degrees of extinction and their reproduction in human care is difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously supplement and deepen the knowledge of their reproduction in captivity. The subject of the thesis was the analysis of reproductive indicators of the yellow-billed ibis (Mycteria ibis). By analyzing partial reproduction indicators, we wanted to supplement the knowledge that is needed to ensure the necessary degree of reproduction of the yellow-billed stork in human care. The monitoring was carried out in the ZOO Zlín -Lešná in these years 2011 -2014. After laying, the eggs were measured and weighed, which was repeated in several-day intervals. In addition, hatchability, the number of reared young and the weight of the young after hatching were monitored. During the monitoring period, a total of 46 eggs of the yellow-billed stork by 8 parent pairs were evaluated. The average fertilized eggs ratio was 56.5 %. The average eggs length was 66.07 mm, the average eggs width was 47.02 mm and the average eggs weight was 80.46 g. The average eggs weight loss during their incubation was 5.60 g. The average hatchability was 52.2 % from all laid eggs and 92.3 % from fertilized eggs. Altogether, 24 young of the yellow-billed stork hatched during the monitoring period. The average weight of young yellow-billed stork on the day of hatching was 58.14 g. Throughout to the reference period, were reared 15 individuals of the yellow-billed stork.

HANULÁKOVÁ ŠÁRKA, MÁCHAL LADISLAV, HLOUČALOVÁ PAVLÍNA, HORSKÝ ROMAN, CHLÁDEK GUSTAV: Social relationships existing among gelada (Theropithecus gelada) males in Zoo Zlín. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 2013, LXI, No. 6, pp. 1653-1659 This study was focused on the monitoring of behaviour and complex social relationships existing among gelada (Theropithecus gelada) monkeys. The study involved a group of fi ve males that were raised in captivity in the Zoo Zlín -Lešná. Ethological monitoring was performed by means of photographing of the group behaviour of these animals. Studied were the basic forms of social behaviour, i.e. food collection (foraging), free movement, (locomotion) observing of the neighbourhood (watching), grooming, climbing on trees, playing, aggressive behaviour (fi ghting), and resting. The temporary point of view, foraging was the most important time-consuming activity (55.3 ± 2.0 % of the study time); its maximum frequencies occurred in time intervals of 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.. The second place was occupied by the locomotion (15.3 ± 4.1 % of the study time) and its maximum frequencies were recorded between 9 and 11 a.m. and between 2 and 3 p.m. Grooming was the third most important activity (8.5 ± 4.8 % of the study time). The distribution of periods of rest (7.5 ± 3.1 % of the study time) was relatively uniform and its maxima were observed between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Observing of the neighbourhood and climbing on trees occupied 5.6 ± 3.3 % and 3.6 ± 3.0 % of the time, respectively and playing was the least frequent activity (2.2 ± 9.0 % of the study time), similarly as the aggressive behaviour (2.0 ± 23.0 % of the study time).

In domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. domestica), monitoring of both quantitative and qualitative parameters of ejaculates is an indispensable precondition of successful artificial insemination; on the basis of the obtained results it is then possible to select the individuals that produce sufficient amounts AbstRAct: Ejaculates and blood plasma were sampled from cocks of three laying lines: Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR), Sussex Light (SU), and Rhode Island Red (RIR). Ejaculates and blood plasma were sampled four times during the laying period of hens. The following ejaculate parameters were determined: sperm motility, concentrations of sperm cells, ejaculate volume. Sperm morphology was examined. In the blood samples, concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were analysed. The motility of spermatozoa of the cocks was 47.0% (BPR), 47.7% (RIR), and 48.3% (SU), respectively. The highest volume of ejaculate was found in BPR line (0.66 cm 3 ), the lowest one in SU line (0.46 cm 3 , P ≤ 0.01); the highest sperm concentration was in SU line (2.46 × 10 6 /mm 3 ), the lowest one in RIR line (1.96 × 10 6 /mm 3 , P ≤ 0.01). The number of morphologically abnormal sperm cells was similar in all lines − 47.0% BPR, 47.7% RIR, and 48.3% SU, respectively. In general, the occurrence of defective spermatozoa was high in all three lines; the most frequent were tail defects (from 20.3 to 29.7%), while sperm cells with developmental anomalies were less frequent (only 0.3 to 0.4%). Calculated phenotypic correlation between sperm motility on the one hand and the occurrence of defective sperm cells on the other was negative (r p = −0.28, P ≤ 0.01), as well as the correlation between sperm motility and sperm numbers, and between sperm motility and ejaculate volume (r p = −0.28, P ≤ 0.01 and r p = −0.31, P ≤ 0.01, respectively). Negative correlations were found between the level of magnesium in blood plasma and numbers of morphologically defective spermatozoa in the ejaculate, defective heads and defective connecting pieces (r p = −0.33, P ≤ 0.01; r p = −0.23, P ≤ 0.05; and r p = −0.26, P ≤ 0.05). Level of magnesium was positively correlated to sperm motility (r p = 0.26, P ≤ 0.05). However, positive correlations existed between concentration of glucose in blood plasma of cocks and numbers of morphologically defective spermatozoa in sampled ejaculates (r p = 0.27, P ≤ 0.01). Our finding is in accordance with the results found in mammals and other animals, and it shows an important role of magnesium as a key contributor to the quality of ejaculate in aviary species, in our case in laying lines of domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

The limited range of Milky Stork in its natural habitat, as well as in under captivity, makes it difficult to learn more about it. This paper aimed to examine the breeding biology of Milky Stork raised in captivity in the Zlín-Lešná Zoo in the Czech Republic. By analyzing partial reproduction characteristic, we wanted to supplement the knowledge that is needed to ensure the necessary degree of reproduction of the Milky Stork in human care. The monitoring was carried out in the Zlín-Lešná Zoo and the following reproductive indicators were analysed: annual laying rate, size and weight of eggs laid, monitoring of egg weight loss during incubation, hatchability, and hatching weight. During the four years, a total of 23 eggs of the Milky Stork by one parent pair were evaluated. The average proportion of fertilised eggs over the whole period reached 56.5%. The average eggs length was 65.7 mm, the average eggs width was 47.0 mm and the average eggs weight was 79.7 g. Average weight loss of eggs during their incubation was 8.4 g. Average hatchability of all the laid eggs was 56.5%. A total of 13 young Milky Storks were hatched during the observation period. Their average hatching weight was 55.7 g. A total of five individuals were raised during the four years of observation. Knowledge in the field of reproduction is one of the basic prerequisites to give this species a chance to survive in the future, whether in the natural environment or human care.