Major metacestodes in cattle slaughtered at Wolaita Soddo Municipal abattoir,Southern Ethiopia: Prevalence,cyst viability,organ distribution and socioeconomic implications

A cross sectional study to determine the prevalence and socioeconomic importance of major metacestodes of cattle was conducted from November 2007 to April 2008 at Wolaita Soddo abattoir. Accordingly, of 415 randomly selected slaughtered cattle, 11.3% and 15.4% were infected with Cysticercus bovis and hydatid cysts, respectively. The anatomical distributions of these parasites include various organs. The major risk factors for cysticercosis prevalence were origin of the animals (P < 0.001, OR = 7.3) and breeds (P = 0.004, OR = 4.3), and hydatid cysts prevalence was significantly varied with different origins (P = 0.021, OR = 2.8). The viability of C. bovis was higher (28.3%) than that of hydatid cyst (1.7%). Of 79 interviewed respondents, 50.63% had acquired taeniasis and analysis of the risk factors showed association of religions (P = 0.003, OR = 24.4), occupation (P < 0.001, OR = 6.9), educational background (P = 0.035, OR = 2.7) and age (P < 0.001, OR = 3.9) of the respondents with taeniasis prevalence. Furthermore, the inventory of taeniasis drugs dose and treatment cost were estimated to be 335,772 adult doses and 93,310 USD. In conclusion, the findings of the present study imply the zoonotic and socioeconomic importance of the diseases, which need intervention.     

Investigating maternal effects on production traits in Duroc pigs using animal and sire models

Variance components for production traits were estimated using different models to evaluate maternal effects. Data analysed were records from the South African pig performance testing scheme on 22 224 pigs from 18 herds, tested between 1990 and 2008. The traits analysed were backfat thickness (BFAT), test period weight gain (TPG), lifetime weight gain (LTG), test period feed conversion ratio (FCR) and age at slaughter (AGES). Data analyses were performed by REML procedures in ASREML, where random effects were successively fitted into animal and sire models to produce different models. The first animal model had one random effect, the direct genetic effects, while the additional random effects were maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects. In the sire model, the random effects fitted were sire and maternal grand sire effects. The best model considered the covariance between direct and maternal genetic effects or between sire and maternal grand sire effects. Fitting maternal genetic effects into the animal model reduced total additive variance, while the total additive variance increased when maternal grand sire effects were fitted into the sire model. The correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects were all negative, indicating antagonism between these effects, hence the need to consider both effects in selection programmes. Direct genetic correlations were higher than other correlations, except for maternal genetic correlations of FCR with TPG, LTG and AGES. There has been direct genetic improvement and almost constant maternal ability in production traits as shown by trends for estimated (EBVs) and maternal breeding values (MBVs), while phenotypic trends were similar to those for EBVs. These results suggest that maternal genetic effects should be included in selection programmes for these production traits. Therefore, the animal–maternal model may be the most appropriate model to use when estimating genetic parameters for production traits in this population.     

Diversity,regeneration status and population structure of gum- and resin-bearing woody species in south Omo zone,southern Ethiopia

South Omo Administrative Zone in Ethiopia is home to 18 indigenous ethnic groups whose livelihood is vulnerable due to recurrent drought and degradation. Despite the preliminary observation showing the rich dry-forest resource base that, if sustainably managed could enhance livelihoods and biodiversity conservation, there is lack of empirical data on its current status. We conducted a study aiming at quantifying the population status of gum- and resin-bearing species in two randomly selected districts, Hamer and Bena-Tsemay. Seventy-five quadrats(35 at Hamer and 40 at Bena-Tsemay) each measuring 400 m2 were established along line transects to assess species diversity and equitability, density, frequency, dominance, importance value and population structure. We recorded a total of 27 woody species of 12 families and 14 genera. Fifteen species(9 at Hamer and 14 at Bena-Tsemay) of the genera Acacia, Boswellia, Commiphora and Sterculia, were identified as either major sources of commercial gums and resins or their adulterants. Gum- and resin-bearing species comprised 56% and 57% of species richness, 48% and 50% of total density per ha, 95% and 98% of basal area, and 64% and 56% of importance values at Hamer and Bena-Tsemay, respectively. Diversity of the entire woody species assemblage and of the gum- and resin-bearing species was slightly higher at Bena-Tsemay(H= 2.61, 1.4) than at Hamer(H′= 2.48, 1.28), respectively. The diversity and abundance of the resource base suggest potential for development of value-added commercialization of gum and resins to enhance livelihoods and encourage sustainable management of the forest at these study areas. We recorded, however, declining natural regeneration of most gum- and resin-bearing species, and this calls for integrated and participatory species management and landscape rehabilitation.     

Epidemic and endemic characteristics of trypanosomiasis in cattle: A simulation model

A simulation model was utilized to analyze the infection characteristics of trypanosomiasis in Ethiopian cattle. Epidemic and endemic conditions, the threshold phenomenon, proportional distribution of single, multiple and super infections were examined. The results indicate that at the endemic level the prevalence of trypanosomiasis was 0.27 and the incidence varied from 0.007 to 0.01. A large proportion of the infections were of the single type; multiple and surper infections were rare. The importance of such information lies in its usefulness in evaluating control alternatives.     

Reference intervals for biochemical and haematological parameters in mature domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in the UK

Reference intervals (RIs) for haematology and serum biochemistry for donkeys in a temperate climate have been previously published using blood sample results from the resident population of a large donkey shelter in the UK. Periodic review of reference intervals is recommended to ensure their applicability to the patient population and changes in laboratory methods and technologies. The current study aimed to revise the previously published haematology and serum biochemistry values for the adult domestic donkey (Equus asinus) in the UK in the light of a change in analytical equipment at the Donkey Sanctuary laboratory, but also to refine the demography of the sample population with respect to age, physiology and clinical history. Clinical pathology results from 138 clinically healthy mature (4–24 years inclusive) female and castrated male donkeys selected from the resident population of the Donkey Sanctuary, were analysed retrospectively. The animals were blood sampled during the period February 2008 to June 2011 as part of a routine health screen prior to rehoming. Results for a total of 38 biochemical and haematological parameters were analysed including 3 previously unreferenced parameters in addition to those assessed in the previous study. The new reference intervals and median values show very poor transferability with recently derived reference intervals for non‐Thoroughbred horses and only limited transferability with reference intervals previously published for donkeys in the UK. Of particular note is a marked reduction in the upper reference limit for triglycerides of 2.8 mmol/l (from 4.3 mmol/l) since this parameter is used to decide when donkeys are at risk of developing hyperlipaemia. This study demonstrates the value of intermittent review of reference intervals and refinement of study populations. Notwithstanding the caution with which reference interval data from different laboratories should be compared, the lack of transferability of results between donkeys and horses highlights the importance of use of species‐appropriate reference intervals for clinical decision‐making.     

Bovine trypanosomosis and its vectors in two districts of Bench Maji zone,South Western Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2008 to February 2009 in Guraferda and Sheko districts of Bench Maji Zone, South Western Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and the density of its vectors. An overall prevalence of trypanosome infection in the study area was 4.4%. Trypanosoma congolense (36.36%) was the dominant trypanosome species followed by Trypanosoma vivax (18.18%) and Trypanosoma brucei (9.09%). Mean packed cell volume value of parasitemic animals (21.8%) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of aparasitemic animals (27.7%). Biconical and NGU traps were deployed for 72 h, and the result indicated Glossina pallidipes followed by Glossina fuscipes as the only tsetse fly species caught in the study area along with other biting flies like Stomoxys and Tabanus. The apparent density of tsetse flies was 2.83 flies trap⁻¹ day⁻¹. NGU trap caught more of G. pallidipes while biconical trap caught more G. fuscipes, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Although the current study indicated low prevalence of trypanosomosis in the study area, the impacts of trypanosomosis on cattle production and productivity should not be neglected. Therefore, attention should be given to control the disease and also the vector.     

Model for predicting rainfall by fuzzy set theory using USDA scan data

This paper presents a fuzzy inference model for predicting rainfall using scan data from the USDA Soil Climate Analysis Network Station at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) campus for the year 2004. The model further reflects how an expert would perceive weather conditions and apply this knowledge before inferring a rainfall. Fuzzy variables were selected based on judging patterns in individual monthly graphs for 2003 and 2004 and the influence of different variables that cause rainfall. A decrease in temperature (TP) and an increase in wind speed (WS) when compared between the ith and (i − 1)th day were found to have a positive relation with a rainfall (RF) occurrence in most cases. Therefore, TP and WS were used in the antecedent part of the production rules to predict rainfall (RF). Results of the model showed better performance when threshold values for: (1) relative humidity (RH) of ith day, (2) humidity increase (HI) between the ith and (i − 1)th day, and (3) product (P) of decrease in temperature (TP) and an increase in wind speed (WS) were introduced. The percentage of error was 12.35 when compared the calculated amount of rainfall with actual amount of rainfall.     

Movement,adsorption and mineralization of atrazine in two soils with and without switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) roots

A study was conducted to determine the influence of switchgrass roots on the mobility, adsorption–desorption and mineralization of atrazine in Cullen clay loam and Emporia loamy sand soils. Bromide and atrazine distribution profiles in the leachates indicated greater preferential movement in columns with roots than in columns without roots. Larger concentrations of atrazine were detected at lower depths of Emporia soil with switchgrass roots than without. Adsorption of atrazine was greater in Cullen than in Emporia soil and conformed to Freundlich isotherms. In both Cullen and Emporia soils, adsorption and desorption were not different between soil with or without switchgrass roots. After 84 days of incubation, less than 6% of the applied atrazine was mineralized in the Cullen soil and 2% in Emporia soil. Mineralization was greater in the Cullen soil than in the Emporia soil at 42, 56, 70 and 84 days of sampling. The presence of switchgrass roots did not affect the mineralization of atrazine in Emporia soil. The presence of switchgrass roots caused preferential movement of atrazine, but did not affect its adsorption and mineralization in either soil type.     

Cumulative effects of infrastructure and human disturbance: a case study with reindeer

Landscape Ecology - Within Rangifer ranges, many studies focus on expanding infrastructure and human activity negatively influencing habitat use. Little documentation exists on how disturbances act...