Population of Follicles and Luteal Structures during the Oestrous Cycle of Mares Detected by Three-Dimensional Internal Structure Microscopy

The structure of the equine ovary is different from that of other mammals in its extremely large size, the presence of ovarian fossa and the inverted location of its cortex and medulla. A three-dimensional internal structure microscopy (3D-ISM), which consists of a computer-controlled slicer, a CCD camera, a laser disc recorder and a PC, is very useful for the observation of the internal structures in equine ovaries. In addition, the three-dimensional images of follicles and corpus luteum (CL) reconstructed by the segmentation technique can clarify the spatial arrangement in the equine ovary. In this study, to understand the changes in the ovarian internal structures of the mare during the oestrous cycle, the size and numbers of follicles and luteal structures were analysed by 3D-ISM in addition to the concentrations of progesterone (P₄) and oestradiol-17β. As a result, many small follicles (<10 mm in diameter) were detected. It was recognized that the luteal structures were distinguished into three types, such as the corpus haemorragicum (CH), which is formed by blood elements at the cavity after ovulation, CL and corpus albican (CA). There were some CHs and CL in the group, which had the concentration of P₄ > 1 ng/ml. CHs were also observed in the group, which had low level of P₄ (P₄ < 1 ng/ml). CAs were found regardless of the P₄ level. In conclusion, 3D-ISM enabled the internal observation of the ovarian structures in detail, and estimation of the stage of the ovarian cycle with complementary physiological information. The findings by 3D-ISM provide basic information for clinical applications.     

Responses of fees used for revegetation of desert areas to iron deficiency stress

We investigated the responses to iron deficiency of four major tree species, Prosopis cineraria (local name: Ghaf), Acacia tortilis (Samar), Zizyphus spina-christi (Sidr), and Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Markh), used for revegetation of desert areas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The responses to iron deficiency differed among the tree species. Ghaf, Samar, and Sidr decreased the nutrient solution pH in response to iron deficiency. Markh and iron-deficient Sidr did not release protons in the CaCl₂ solution. The Fe reducing capacity of the roots of Ghaf, Samar, and Sidr was significantly enhanced by iron deficiency, whereas a smaller increase in the reducing activity of the roots of Markh was observed. In all the tree species, the amount of reductant released from iron-deficient plants was higher than that from iron-sufficient ones. Markh released a small amount of reductant under irondeficient conditions. In the present study, the reductant released by all the trees was caffeic acid. Acidification treatment enhanced the amount of reductant released irrespective of iron treatments in Ghaf, Samar, and Sidr but had no effect on the amount of reductant released in iron-deficient Markh. The activity of p-coumarate hydroxylase was higher in Sidr and Ghaf than in the other trees. This activity decreased in iron-deficient Samar. Ghaf, Samar, and Sidr showed a high capacity to lower the pH of the nutrient solution, and Ghaf markedly enhanced the effectiveness of all the examined mechanisms, while Markh showed a lower ability compared to the other tree species.     

两种疏花剂对苹果授粉受精过程的影响

 利用荧光显微镜对苹果授粉受精过程进行了跟踪观察，从微观解剖学上探讨了两种疏花剂MCPB-ethyl[4-(4-chloro-2．methyl phenoxy)butanoate]和CFA (calcium-formic acid corr~ound)对苹果疏花的机理，证明二者对苹果授粉受精的影响完全不同。MCPB-ethyl不影响花粉萌发以及花粉管在花柱内生长，也不影响花粉管到达胚珠的速度和受精进程，它是通过抑制胚珠组织发育而导致落果。与之相反，CFA是通过杀伤柱头、落在柱头上的花粉及已经长人花柱上部的花粉管，使之不能受精而导致落果，对胚珠发育无明显影响。     

Comparison of behavioral characteristics of hatchery-reared and wild red tilefish Branchiostegus japonicus released in Maizuru Bay by using acoustic biotelemetry

ABSTRACT:   In order to establish techniques for the stock enhancement of red tilefish Branchiostegus japonicus , it is important to understand the behavioral characteristic of both hatchery-reared and wild fish. Four hatchery-reared and six wild fish were released and tracked using acoustic biotelemetry in Maizuru Bay, Kyoto, Japan, from August 2003 to February 2004. Data for the four wild fish released and tracked from January 2003 to May 2003 were also referred to for analysis. The released fish moved around in relatively large areas within about 10 days after the release, and then three hatchery-reared and two wild fish settled and stayed within limited areas. Fish of both origins showed strong site fidelity and diel activity patterns, i.e. they were detectable in the day but not at night, probably due to hiding behavior in their burrows at night. However, some discrepancies between fish of both origins were detected by comparing their track terms and activity patterns in detail. These discrepancies are probably attributable to the differences in environmental conditions that the fish had experienced before release.     

Directed movements and diel burrow fidelity patterns of red tilefish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Branchiostegus japonicus</Emphasis> determined using ultrasonic telemetry

ABSTRACT:   Wild red tilefish Branchiostegus japonicus were tracked and/or monitored for up to nearly 3 months in Western Wakasa Bay and Maizuru Bay, Japan, using ultrasonic telemetry to examine their movements and burrow fidelity patterns. In Western Wakasa Bay, it is guessed that fish released in relatively shallow waters, about 30 m deep, actively moved into more suitable deeper habitats after their release. In Maizuru Bay, the fish did not undertake large-scale movements and showed burrow fidelity about 1 month after their release. That is, the fish primarily remained in the burrow, which was constructed in the sea-bottom, during the night and moved outside the burrow during the day. The marked circadian rhythm from Fourier analysis indicated a clear diel movement pattern of the red tilefish.     

Natural diet of grapsoid crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plagusia dentipes</Emphasis> de Haan (Decapoda: Brachyura: Plagusiidae) in Tateyama Bay,Japan

The natural diet of Plagusia dentipes de Haan was studied in Tateyama Bay, Japan, between June 2004 and May 2005. A total of 389 specimens were collected for analysis of stomach content during the period, with sizes ranging between 7.1 and 63.1 mm in carapace width. The major dietary item was rhodophycean algae (mostly articulated coralline algae), which was ingested by 91.8% of the crabs and accounted on average for 55.6% (points) of the volume of stomach contents. Chlorophycean algae (mostly Ulvaceae, 39.1% and 8.1 points) and crustaceans (mostly amphipods, 38% and 3 points) came next in feeding frequency and volume. Minor dietary items also included other algae such as Phaeophyceae and animals such as mollusks (bivalves, gastropods), annelids (polychaetes), other crustaceans (caprellids, isopods), and echinoids. Significant seasonal dietary differences were observed and, in general, the diet in spring contained more food items, particularly more animals, compared to other seasons. Feeding of Rhodophyceae was highest and lowest in winter and summer, respectively. The total volume of food consumed was also lowest in summer and likely reflected reduced availability of the main food item in this season. There were no differences in dietary items between male and female crabs. In conclusion. P. dentipes is a primarily herbivorous crab with incidental or opportunistic feeding on animal items, and it is suggested that seasonal shifts in consumption may be related to growth, molting, and reproductive activity.     

Growth characteristics, stress-wave velocity, and Pilodyn penetration of 15 clones of 12-year-old Tectona grandis trees planted at two different sites in Indonesia

Tree improvement programs for teak (Tectona grandis) have mainly focused on breeding of trees with superior growth characteristics. However, improvement in wood quality should be included in breeding programs for high yield and high quality timber. In the present study, growth characteristics [stem diameter (D), tree height (H), and bole volume (V)], stress-wave velocity (SWV), and Pilodyn penetration (Py) were measured for 15 clones of 12-year-old teak trees planted at two different sites in Indonesia to clarify the variations in tree growth characteristics, SWV, and Py among clones, their repeatability, interaction between genotype and environment, and correlations between measured characteristics. Significant differences of all measured characteristics were found among 15 clones at both sites. Their repeatability showed relatively moderate to high values in both sites. These results indicate that these characteristics are closely related to genetic factors. Significant interaction between genotype and environment was found in all measured characteristics. In addition, SWV and Py showed lower interaction between genotype and environment than growth characteristics. No significant correlation was found between growth characteristics and SWV. These results suggest that wood properties and growth characteristics of teak trees can be improved by application of an appropriate tree breeding program.     

Wood properties and their among-family variations in 10 open-pollinated families of Picea jezoensis

This study aimed to evaluate radial and among-family variations of wood properties in Picea jezoensis. A total of 174 trees were randomly selected from 10 open-pollinated families in a progeny trial for measuring stem diameter, dynamic Young’s modulus of log (DMOE_log), annual ring width (ARW), air-dry density (AD), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR). Mean values of DMOE_log, AD, MOE, and MOR were 9.60 GPa, 0.41 g/cm³, 9.44 GPa, and 76.6 MPa, respectively. Significant differences among families were observed in all properties. F values obtained by analyzing variance in wood properties were higher than those generally observed in growth traits. In addition, F values in wood properties remained relatively higher from the 1st to 25th annual ring from the pith, although F value in ARW rapidly decreased with each increase in annual ring number. These results indicate that genetic factors largely contributed to the variance in wood properties compared with the growth traits.     

REDD+ initiatives for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services: harmonizing sets of standards for national application

In the context of growing concerns about environmental aspects of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (acronym REDD+), we conducted a comparative analysis of three sets of globally-applicable standards and one instrument of REDD+ initiatives for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services: (1) social and environmental principles and criteria, (2) REDD+ social and environmental standards, (3) climate, community, and biodiversity project design standards, and (4) strategic environmental and social assessment. We found that their projected proximal outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystem service treatments, and approaches to achieve them, are not uniform (e.g., differences in spatial coverage for expecting positive impacts, prioritized REDD+ activities, and expected level of rigor in biodiversity and ecosystem service monitoring). We also found that all four include identification of the priority areas for biodiversity and ecosystem services, plus monitoring and mitigation of the negative impacts of REDD+ activities. These all require substantial time and resources to fully address what the three standards and the instrument actually stipulate. We thus propose options for harmonizing their use to facilitate scaling-up of efforts to strengthen safeguards, from the project level to the national level, while respecting individual national contexts and taking advantage of each standard’s characteristics.