Electrophysiological responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thaumetopoea pityocampa</Emphasis> females to host volatiles: implications for host selection of active and inactive terpenes

Volatiles from newly cut branches with needles of Pinus sylvestris L. were collected with headspace sampling technique, and then identified and quantified by combined gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The response of antennae of the female pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, to these volatiles was recorded by coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). Surprisingly, the most common and major monoterpene hydrocarbons (MT), α-pinene, 3-carene, and β-pinene were antennally inactive. Female antennae responded strongly only to four minor MT components, myrcene, β-phellandrene, trans-β-ocimene, and terpinolene. Weaker, but repeatable responses were also found to limonene, cis-β-ocimene, and γ-terpinene. Further EAD recordings with two synthetic MT mixtures supported our findings from the natural material. When separating the two enantiomers of limonene by running different synthetic MT mixtures, the EAD response was found only to the(?)-enantiomer, but not to the opposite (+)-enantiomer. EAD-responses were also found to some less volatile compounds, such as sesquiterpenes (SqT), active at ng-levels. The sensitivity and specificity of the antenna to a select number of active host MTs and SqTs suggest that these play a role in the host selection process of T. pityocampa females.     

Biodiversity management approaches for stream–riparian areas: Perspectives for Pacific Northwest headwater forests,microclimates, and amphibians

Stream–riparian areas represent a nexus of biodiversity, with disproportionate numbers of species tied to and interacting within this key habitat. New research in Pacific Northwest headwater forests, especially the characterization of microclimates and amphibian distributions, is expanding our perspective of riparian zones, and suggests the need for alternative designs to manage stream–riparian zones and their adjacent uplands. High biodiversity in riparian areas can be attributed to cool moist conditions, high productivity and complex habitat. All 47 northwestern amphibian species have stream–riparian associations, with a third being obligate forms to general stream–riparian areas, and a quarter with life histories reliant on headwater landscapes in particular. Recent recognition that stream-breeding amphibians can disperse hundreds of meters into uplands implies that connectivity among neighboring drainages may be important to their population structures and dynamics. Microclimate studies substantiate a “stream effect” of cool moist conditions permeating upslope into warmer, drier forests. We review forest management approaches relative to headwater riparian areas in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and we propose scenarios designed to retain all habitats used by amphibians with complex life histories. These include a mix of riparian and upslope management approaches to address the breeding, foraging, overwintering, and dispersal functions of these animals. We speculate that the stream microclimate effect can partly counterbalance edge effects imposed by upslope forest disturbances, hence appropriately sized and managed riparian buffers can protect suitable microclimates at streams and within riparian forests. We propose one approach that focuses habitat conservation in headwater areas – where present management allows extensive logging – on sensitive target species, such as tailed frogs and torrent salamanders that often occur patchily. Assuming both high patchiness and some concordance among the distribution of sensitive species, protecting areas with higher abundances of these animals could justify less protection of currently unoccupied or low-density habitats, where more intensive forest management for timber production could occur. Also, we outline an approach that protects juxtaposed headwater patches, retaining connectivity among sub-drainages using a 6th-field watershed spatial scale for assuring well-distributed protected areas across forested landscapes. However, research is needed to test this approach and to determine whether it is sufficient to buffer downstream water quality and habitat from impacts of headwater management. Offering too-sparse protection everywhere is likely insufficient to conserve headwater habitats and biodiversity, while our alternative targeted protection of selected headwaters does not bind the entire forest landscape into a biodiversity reserve.     

Milk production,intake, digestion,blood parameters,and ingestive behavior of cows supplemented with by-products from the biodiesel industry

This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestion, blood parameters, and feeding behavior of crossbred dairy cows (Holstein?×?Gir) managed on Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania-1 and provided supplementation with groundnut cake, sunflower cake, or palm kernel cake (to replace soybean meal). Sixteen cows were randomly assigned in a Latin square design with four treatments and four experimental periods. The consumption of nutrients from the pasture did not vary between experimental treatments. Cows receiving the palm kernel cake supplement had a reduced crude protein, non-fibrous carbohydrate, and total digestible nutrient intake and an increase in the average consumption of ether extract. There was also a reduction in the digestibility of dry matter. The inclusion of supplements in the diet did not influence the average time spent eating, ruminating, or resting. The mean values of respiratory and heart rates showed thermal comfort during the trial period. There was a reduction in blood urea nitrogen with palm kernel cake supplementation, and the values of total protein, albumin, and glucose were also significantly different with this supplement. It is recommended that cakes of groundnut cake and sunflower cake seed be used for a total replacement of soybean meal supplements for lactating cows, but the use of palm kernel cake is not recommended.

     

Cryopreservation of Piau‐Breed Wild Boar Sperm: Assessment of Cooling Curves and Centrifugation Regimes

This study aimed to assess the effects of different cooling curves and centrifugation regimes used in cryopreservation protocols on the post‐thaw viability of Piau‐breed wild boar (Sus scrofa) sperm using in vitro assessment tests. Two centrifugations (800  g for 10 min and 2400  g for 3 min) and two cooling curves (conventional cooling using nitrogen vapour – freezing 1 and automated cooling using a programmed freezing machine – freezing 2) were tested. Therefore, the treatments were divided into M3 – centrifugation at 2400  g for 3 min and freezing 2; M10 – centrifugation at 800  g for 10 min and freezing 2; R3 – centrifugation at 2400  g for 3 min and freezing 1; and R10 – centrifugation at 800  g for 10 min and freezing 1. No significant differences (p > 0.05) between treatments occurred post‐thawing regarding the total sperm motility means recorded. The mean values of the different treatments were not different from each other regarding the supravital staining (SV), hypo‐osmotic test (HO), sperm–egg binding assay or sperm morphology. This study showed that both the cooling curve and the centrifugation regime affected the quality of post‐thaw sperm, and centrifugation for shorter times and cooling curves using automated cooling are the most suitable for minimizing sperm injury.     

Distribution and Diversity of Salmonella Strains in Shipments of Hatchling Poultry,United States, 2013

Multistate outbreaks of salmonellosis associated with live poultry contact have been occurring with increasing frequency. In 2013, multistate outbreaks of salmonellosis were traced back to exposure to live poultry, some of which were purchased at a national chain of farm stores (Farm store chain Y). This study was conducted at 36 stores of Farm store chain Y and was concurrent with the timing of exposure for the human outbreaks of salmonellosis in 2013. We used environmental swabs of arriving shipment boxes of hatchling poultry and shipment tracking information to examine the distribution, diversity and anti‐microbial resistance of non‐typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) across farm stores and hatcheries. Isolates recovered from shipment boxes underwent serotyping, anti‐microbial resistance (AMR) testing and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Postal service tracking codes from the shipment boxes were used to determine the hatchery of origin. The PFGE patterns were compared with the PFGE patterns of NTS causing outbreaks of salmonellosis in 2013. A total of 219 hatchling boxes from 36 stores in 13 states were swabbed between 15 March 2013 and 18 April 2013. NTS were recovered from 59 (27%) of 219 hatchling boxes. Recovery was not significantly associated with species of hatchlings, number of birds in the shipment box, or the presence of dead, injured or sick birds. Four of the 23 PFGE patterns and 23 of 50 isolates were indistinguishable from strains causing human outbreaks in 2013. For serotypes associated with human illnesses, PFGE patterns most frequently recovered from shipment boxes were also more frequent causes of human illness. Boxes positive for the same PFGE pattern most frequently originated from the same mail‐order hatchery. Only one of 59 isolates was resistant to anti‐microbials used to treat Salmonella infections in people. This study provides critical information to address recurrent human outbreaks of salmonellosis associated with mail‐order hatchling poultry.     

Flavonoids of zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) cultivars varying in fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) resistance

Flavonoid profiles of 12 zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) cultivars sampled six times in 1998 were correlated to fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) larval weights and survival on replicated field-grown plant material and analyzed to determine genetic and seasonal variations of flavonoids among zoysiagrass cultivars. From multiple regression analyses and correlations, flavonoid peak 10 (luteolin-glucoside) had the greatest positive association with average fall armyworm weight; however, resistance appeared to be correlated with a number of other flavonoids. The flavonoid profiles of cultivars subjected to clustering procedures showed consistent genetic variability for five of six samplings and was used to genotype 23 cultivars. The dendrogram supported the results of the FASTCLUS procedure in clustering certain genotypes such as fall armyworm-resistant Cavalier and Zeon together, as well as J-36 and Meyer. Flavonoid evaluations measure genetic relatedness among cultivars and could be used for selective breeding of resistance to fall armyworm.     

Main routes of oxygen ingress through different closures into wine bottles

The main routes of oxygen ingress into wine bottles through "technical" cork stoppers (Neutrocork), natural cork stoppers, and synthetic closures (Nomacorc) were investigated. A comparison was made among closures left uncovered (controls), closures with the closure-glass interface covered, and closures completely covered with a polyurethane impermeable varnish. The oxygen ingress into the bottles was measured by a nondestructive colorimetric method. Technical cork stoppers were essentially impermeable to atmospheric oxygen during the first 24 months of storage. Oxygen within natural corks diffused slowly but continuously into the bottles over the first 12 months of storage and in very tiny amounts through the cork-glass interface the 12 months thereafter. Nomacorc synthetic closures were permeable to atmospheric oxygen, mainly after the first month of storage.