Effects of cattle grazing on ecology and habitat of Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis)

Dramatic declines in the endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, a genetically unique population of small, burrowing rabbits in Northwestern United States, are likely the combined results of habitat degradation and fragmentation, disease, and predation. A critical component of pygmy rabbit habitat includes big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), which constitutes 82-99% of their winter diet and 10-50% of their summer diet. Sagebrush also forms the bulk of hiding cover around burrow sites. Across the range of pygmy rabbits, sagebrush habitat is grazed extensively by cattle. However, grazing has unknown effects on pygmy rabbits inhabiting the remaining, fragmented shrub-steppe habitat. We evaluated the effects of four grazing treatments on the distribution of pygmy rabbit burrows, diets of pygmy rabbits, and quality and quantity of vegetation at Sagebrush Flat in central Washington. Ungrazed areas contained significantly more burrows per unit area than did grazed areas. Vegetation composition and structure differed little among treatments in early summer before annual grazing by cattle. However, cattle grazing in late summer through winter removed about 50% of the grass cover, and reduced the nutritional quality (e.g., increased fiber and decreased protein) of the remaining grass. Although pygmy rabbits ate <2% grasses in winter, grasses and forbs comprised 53% of late summer diets. Because these endangered rabbits avoided grazed areas, removing cattle grazing from key habitat locations may benefit efforts to restore this rabbit in Washington.     

Seasonal fluctuations of starch in root and stem tissues of coppiced Salix viminalis plants grown under two nitrogen regimes

Seasonal changes in starch were studied at the tissue and cellular levels in roots and stems of Salix viminalis L. cuttings. Cuttings were planted in pots containing sand and grown in a controlled environment chamber in which seasons were artificially induced by changes in temperature and photoperiod. Nitrogen was supplied at optimum and low rates, and during dormancy, one-half of the plants were decapitated. Starch concentrations in root and stem tissues were determined regularly during shoot extension growth, dormancy and resprouting after dormancy. We used light microscopy (LM) combined with image analysis (IA) to determine the cellular localization and amount of starch in different cell types of stem and root tissues. Chemical analysis confirmed that starch concentrations were lower in plants receiving a high-N supply rate than in plants receiving a low-N supply rate. In all plants, the highest concentration of starch was in the roots. Light microscopy and IA showed that starch accumulated mainly in the phloem and cortical cells of both root and stem tissues. Starch grains were also regularly found in ray parenchyma cells. The amount of starch as well as the size of the grains showed strong seasonal fluctuations. In both roots and stems, starch concentrations were highest during predormancy and lowest during periods of shoot extension growth. At the time of resprouting, root cells of decapitated plants were more depleted of starch than root cells of intact plants, supporting the hypothesis that starch reserves in roots are important during the early phase of resprouting in coppice systems.     

Damage caused by the American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) to agricultural crops, poplar plantations and semi-natural woodland in Piedmont, Italy

The incidence of damage caused by grey squirrels in the Turinplain was studied to assess the impact this alien species ishaving on the highly fragmented Piedmont environment, in particularon profitable cereals, poplar plantations and semi-natural woodlands.The survey of damage was conducted both by interviews to localfarmers and growers and by direct assessment using the NearestNeighbour Method on plantations and woodlands, studying randomlychosen plots in the Turin plain to gain a general overview ofthe situation. The results show a low incidence of damage causedby grey squirrels in the area: little or none was found in semi-naturalwoodlands and in agricultural crops, apart from maize whereless than 1 per cent of fields showed damage, and poplar plantationswhere 5 per cent had signs of bark stripping. Damage on maizecrops was random across the plain, but debarking damage to poplarswas mostly concentrated on the western side of the plain, andtended to occur only in particular years. Damage was concentratedclose to streams and rivers surrounding fields and plantations.The introduction of the grey squirrel in Italy has already causedecological damage such as the extinction of the red squirrelin some areas. Nevertheless, little or no information is availableon the damage this species is causing on woodlands or agriculturalareas. This study is a preliminary survey in order to fill thisgap.     

蚕沙和稻秸不同比例组合对瘤胃微生物体外发酵的组合效应

本文采用瘤胃微生物体外发酵法研究了不同比例蚕沙(SE)和稻秸(RS)的组合效应。试验将SE:RS设计为100∶0(SE100组)、80∶20(SE80组)、60∶40(SE60组)、40∶60(SE40组)、20∶80(SE20组)、0∶100(SE0组)的比例,分别进行体外发酵批次培养24 h和体外发酵产气培养72 h,测定产气参数和发酵特性指标。结果表明:1)SE100组理论最大产气量显著高于其他各组(P<0.05),SE80组的24和72 h累积产气量显著高于其他组(P<0.05)。2)24 h时培养液总挥发性脂肪酸浓度为SE80组>SE100组>SE60组>SE40组>SE0组>SE20组,乙酸/丙酸为SE80组SE100组>SE60组>SE80组>SE40组>SE0组。4)随着蚕沙比例的升高,底物体外有机物消化率越高。5)SE80组多项指标组合效应指数为0.76,SE80组>SE40组>SE60组>SE20组。蚕沙和稻秸组合改善了体外瘤胃微生物发酵特性和产气参数,且蚕沙和稻秸的最佳比例为80∶20。     

饲粮不同水平蚕沙对绵羊生长性能、屠宰性能、器官发育和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平蚕沙对绵羊生长性能、屠宰性能、器官发育和血清生化指标的影响。试验选用32只90日龄绵羊,随机分成4组,每组8只。各组饲粮中蚕沙水平分别为0(对照)、20%(T20)、30%(T30)、40%(T40)。预试期15 d,正试期60 d。试验结束后每组随机选取3只羊屠宰。结果表明:1)T20和T30组的平均日增重(ADG)高于对照组(P0.05),显著高于T40组(P0.05),日均采食量(ADFI)显著低于对照组(P0.05),料重比(F/G)低于对照组(P0.05),ADFI和F/G显著低于T40组(P0.05)。2)T20和T30组屠宰率与对照组无显著差异(P0.05),而显著大于T40组(P0.05);对照组与T20、T30组胴体重差异不显著(P0.05);T20、T30、T40组的眼肌面积和胴体脂肪含量值均显著大于对照组(P0.05)。3)T20组的心脏重量显著大于对照组(P0.05),T30和T40组的脾脏重量显著大于对照组(P0.05)。4)对照组血清球蛋白(GLO)含量显著小于T40组(P0.05)。试验组血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性显著低于对照组(P0.05)。综合以上,饲粮中添加蚕沙能够增大绵羊ADG,提高屠宰率,降低料重比,蚕沙在饲粮中的适宜比例为20%~30%,最佳比例为20%。     

The use of a nerve stimulation test to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats

ObjectiveTo determine if a nerve stimulation test (NST) could act as a monitoring technique to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats.Study designProspective experimental trial in a clinical setting.AnimalsTwenty-four adult cats, scheduled for a therapeutic procedure where epidural anesthesia was indicated.MethodsUnder general anesthesia, an insulated needle was inserted through the S₃-Cd₁ intervertebral space guided by the application of a fixed electrical current (0.7 mA) until a motor response was obtained. The NST was considered positive when the epidural nerve stimulation produced a motor response of the muscles of the tail, whereas it was considered negative when no motor response was evoked. In the NST positive cases, 0.3 mL kg⁻¹ of 0.5% bupivacaine was administrated before needle withdrawal. Ten minutes after injection, epidural blockade was confirmed by the loss of perineal (anal), and pelvic limbs reflexes (patellar and withdrawal).ResultsThe use of a fixed electrical stimulation current of 0.7 mA resulted in correct prediction of sacrococcygeal epidural injection, corroborated by post bupivacaine loss of perineal and pelvic limb reflexes, in 95.8% of the cases.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThis study demonstrates the feasibility of using, in a clinical setting, an electrical stimulation test as an objective and in real-time method to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats.     

Differences in glutamic acid and 5'-ribonucleotide contents between flesh and pulp of tomatoes and the relationship with umami taste

A difference in taste characteristics between the outer flesh and the inner pulp of tomatoes has been observed; in particular the pulp, which contains the seeds, had more umami taste. Analysis of the free amino acids and 5'-ribonucleotides in the different parts of 13 varieties of tomatoes showed that in all cases the pulp contained higher levels of glutamic acid, 5'-adenosine monophosphate (AMP), 5'-guanosine monophosphate, 5'-uridine monophosphate, and 5'-cytidine monophosphate. The mean concentration of glutamic acid in the flesh was 1.26 g/kg and that in the pulp 4.56 g/kg but in some varieties the difference between pulp and flesh was more than 6-fold. For AMP, the mean concentration in the flesh was 80 mg/kg and that in the pulp was 295 mg/kg with one variety showing an 11-fold difference between pulp and flesh. These differences in concentration of these compounds, which are known to possess umami characteristics, provide an explanation for the perceived difference in umami taste between the flesh and pulp of tomatoes.