Biology subjects

Barta, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Barta, B..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Pond age and agricultural land cover influence the occurrence of Anopheles maculipennis in garden ponds in Hungary

Garden ponds are important elements of urban landscapes and provide numerous ecosystem services, but they may also support mosquito populations that can act as vectors of pathogens. However, mosquito occurrence in garden ponds has so far received limited attention. We engaged citizen scientists to provide data on their garden ponds and collect water samples for eDNA analysis to assess mosquito occurrence in 319 garden ponds across Hungary, with special focus on Anopheles maculipennis, a potential malaria-vector species. We tested the effects of land cover, local pond management activities and environmental factors on the probability of An. maculipennis occurrence in garden ponds. Overall mosquito occurrence was relatively low, with mosquitoes detected in 59 ponds (18%) and An. maculipennis detected in 46 ponds (14%). Agricultural land cover and pond age were associated with the occurrence of An. maculipennis in garden ponds. A higher percentage of agricultural land cover within 1000 m of garden ponds increased the probability of An. maculipennis occurrence, while occurrence was higher in newly created ponds ([≤] 2 years). Our results suggest that landscape context is more important than local pond characteristics in determining the occurrence of An. maculipennis in garden ponds. This study contributes to a better understanding of the landscape context in which a potential malaria-vector species occurs in urban and peri-urban environments and highlights the value of citizen science for large-scale data collection from privately owned ponds that are otherwise inaccessible to researchers.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2026

Drivers of mosquito presence and abundance in urban and garden ponds in a European city

Mosquitoes in urban environments are considered unpleasant by citizens, and they can represent serious health risks as disease vectors. Invasive Aedes species are continuously spreading in Europe and have been increasingly reported from urban settlements. Some of these mosquito species have been associated with small artificial habitats. Therefore, their presence may also be expected in small plastic garden ponds, which are numerous in urban settings across many parts of Europe. Here, we aimed to determine whether urban waters host a high occurrence of mosquitoes and to identify the potential abiotic, biotic and landscape drivers of mosquito presence and abundance in urban ponds. We sampled 53 urban ponds in the city of Budapest (Hungary) of both natural and anthropogenic origin, and 40 garden ponds, which cover both highly urbanised areas and those with high green index in the suburbs. We collected data on macroinvertebrate communities, pond management, physico-chemical parameters, and pond characteristics (mainly morphology and vegetation cover) measured in situ. Two different mosquito detection techniques were used: dip-net sampling and eDNA. While only one invasive species (Aedes koreicus) was detected, occurring in a single pond, several other species were present, including potential malaria vectors increasingly reported from urban environments: the Anopheles maculipennis complex, An. claviger and An. plumbeus. Fish presence was negatively associated with both the presence and abundance of mosquitoes, regardless of pond type. Contrary to expectations, urbanisation did not play a major role in explaining mosquito presence or abundance. These results highlight the importance of local pond characteristics, and particularly the role of fish presence, in regulating mosquito populations in ponds in the urban landscape, although the broader ecological effects of fish on pond communities should also be considered.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Acute anaphylactic and multiorgan inflammatory effects of Comirnaty in pigs: evidence of spike protein mRNA transfection and paralleling inflammatory cytokine upregulation

Background and PurposeRare but serious adverse events (AEs) associated with mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) COVID-19 vaccines, such as Comirnaty and Spikevax, include anaphylaxis and acute multiorgan inflammatory syndrome. The mechanisms of these acute innate immune responses remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate these effects using an amplified porcine model. Experimental ApproachNaive and anti-PEG antibody-sensitized pigs were intravenously injected with Comirnaty. Acute anaphylactic responses were assessed through hemodynamic monitoring, hematological changes, and plasma inflammatory markers. Multiorgan inflammatory effects were evaluated by RT-qPCR detection of spike protein (SP) mRNA uptake and inflammatory cytokine gene expression in seven organs over 6 hours. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were also performed. Key ResultsSevere cardiopulmonary distress developed within minutes of repeated intravenous injections of Comirnaty. RT-qPCR revealed predominant SP mRNA accumulation in liver and PBMCs, with spleen, kidney, lymph nodes, heart, and brain also affected in 40-90% of animals. Repetitive PBMC transfection showed reversible mRNA peaks at 15 minutes, followed by rapid decay. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1RA, CXCL10, TNF-, CCL2) paralleled mRNA uptake, suggesting a causal relationship. Cytokine profiles varied by organ (e.g. IL-1RA in kidney, CCL2 in PBMCs). Histologic abnormalities and SP immunopositivity were noted in kidney, heart, and brain. Booster injections replicated PBMC transfection kinetics observed at first dose. Conclusions and ImplicationsThis porcine model reveals systemic anaphylactic reactivity and multiorgan SP mRNA transfection following intravenous injection of mRNA-LNPs, resulting in organ-specific inflammatory responses. These findings provide mechanistic insights into two rare vaccine-related acute AEs and may support future efforts to improve the safety of the mRNA-LNP platform technology.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Effects of urbanisation, habitat characteristics, and management on garden pond biodiversity: a citizen science approach

The rapid expansion of urban areas often leads to degradation, fragmentation, and loss of natural habitats, threatening biodiversity. While urban ponds might contribute substantially to the biodiversity of urban blue-green infrastructure, the role of garden ponds is still largely unkown. We lack a comprehensive understanding of how local habitat features, different forms of management, and urbanisation might impact the biodiversity of these habitats. This study aimed to reveal the importance of garden ponds via a country-wide online citizen science survey in Hungary, Central Europe. Data from over 800 pond owners revealed the occurrence and local frequency of various native animal taxa (amphibians, odonates, and birds), and introduced animals (e.g., fish). We collected data about pond features and management practices. We tested the effect of pond features, pond management, and landscape-level drivers (urbanisation, surrounding wetland coverage) on the presence of conspicuous animal taxa (adult amphibians and tadpoles, birds, odonates) to identify the potential drivers of the biodiversity of garden ponds. Key pond features including pond age, area, aquatic and shoreline vegetation were the most important factors, while algaecide addition was the most influential management practice negatively affecting amphibian presence. Urbanisation negatively affected the presence of adult amphibians and their tadpoles, but it was not associated negatively with the presence of odonates and birds. Our results indicate the high potential to utilise garden ponds as urban habitats surveyed with the help of the public. Developing effective urban biodiversity monitoring and conservation strategies are necessary for a better functioning blue-green infrastructure. The high level of engagement of pond owners, as in our survey, can create valuable data for achieving these aims.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Patterns and correlates in the distribution, design and management of garden ponds along an urban-rural gradient

Urbanisation results in the loss and alteration of natural wetlands and ponds. However, garden ponds in cities and towns can act as rich reservoirs of aquatic biodiversity and stepping stones for dispersal. Homeowners with a range of different motivations, including biodiversity values, install garden ponds. Here, our main aim was to study whether the design and management choices of garden pond owners was dependent on the location of ponds (capital city vs. countryside), when ponds were installed (pond age), or whether fish were introduced. We surveyed 834 garden pond owners across Hungary using a citizen science questionnaire, asking questions on pond size, location, construction date and materials, vegetation structure, introduction of fish and management practices. From 753 validated responses, we found that the introduction of fish into ponds and high urbanisation were strongly associated with local features and management practices, especially large ponds with a water circulation feature, irrespective of pond age. A typical garden pond in Hungary is [~]20 m2, <10 years old, made of rubber (PVC) lining, contains fish, aquatic vegetation and circulating water, and is actively managed. There was a spatial separation of ponds based on local features between ponds in the capital city (Budapest) and elsewhere. These findings suggest that garden pond owners in cities are likely to make different choices in pond design and management compared to owners in regional areas. Our results also suggest that pond owners may primarily select management practices to improve habitat quality for ornamental fish. Our findings have important implications for maintaining aquatic biodiversity in urban areas, where garden ponds may be the only aquatic habitat available. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSO_LIHungarian garden ponds [≤] 200 m2 occur in both large cities and small villages C_LIO_LIMost garden ponds we sampled in Hungary were built in the last decade C_LIO_LIPond design and management differs between Budapest and regional areas C_LIO_LIPond design and management practices are influenced by ornamental fish stocking C_LIO_LIPond owners frequently drain ponds to remove sediment and leaves and use algaecides C_LI

ecology↗