Early stages of Margaritifera margaritifera glochidiosis in Atlantic salmon: Morphopathological characterization

Freshwater mussels of the order Unionida encyst into the fish mucosa to metamorphose and complete their life cycle, causing a parasitic disease known as glochidiosis. This parasitic stage represents a bottleneck for the survival of naiads, particularly for critically endangered species as Margaritifera margaritifera; however, little is known about the events occurring during this critical stage. Therefore, this study aimed to histologically characterize the development of M. margaritifera glochidiosis in Atlantic salmon to get insight into the pathogenesis of this interaction. Fish exposed to glochidia were sampled during the first 44 days post-exposure, and organs were observed by stereomicroscopy and light microscopy. Glochidia attached to the gills by pinching the lamellar epithelium, whereupon an acute proliferative branchitis engulfed most of the larvae. However, during the first 14 days, a severe detachment of unviable glochidia occurred, associated with the presence of pleomorphic inflammatory infiltrate and epithelial degeneration. In the cases where larvae remained attached, a chronification of the lesions with none to scarce inflammation was observed. These results provide key information to better understand the complex host–parasite interaction during the early stages of glochidiosis and provide valuable information to optimize artificial rearing of naiads in conservation of threatened freshwater mussel populations.     

天目山－怀玉山区水源涵养与生物多样性保护 重要区生态承载力评价

为了明确近10年天目山－怀玉山区水源涵养与生物多样性保护重要区生态承载力状况，基于社会发展压力、经济发展压力、资源环境支撑力和生态弹力构建评价指标体系，利用投影寻踪模型对2008—2017年天目山－怀玉山区水源涵养与生物多样性保护重要区生态承载力进行评价。研究结果显示，第三产业占GDP比重、人均国内生产总值、一般工业固体废弃物产生量及森林覆盖率对研究区城市生态承载力有较大影响。2008年研究区城市生态承载力评价等级基本安全的城市有6个，较不安全的城市有5个，不安全的城市有2个。2017年研究区城市里生态承载力评价等级较安全的城市有1个，基本安全的城市有1个，较不安全的城市有7个，不安全的城市有4个。2008—2017年5个城市生态承载力呈上升趋势，8个城市生态承载力呈下降趋势。研究区城市生态承载力在空间分布上呈现由中心向南北递减的趋势。     

Effect of Daidzein on Ileum Microflora Biodiversity in Hy-Line Variety Brown Layers

Daidzein is always added into poultry feed to make the production performance and immunity of poultry better. In this study, a total of 600 40-week-old Hy-Line variety brown layers were randomized into five groups and fed with a corn-soybean-mixed basal diet supplement with 0, 10, 50, 100, and 500 mg · kg^-1 daidzein, respectively. Then, two PCR-based typing methods（RAPD-PCR and ERIC-PCR） were combined to analyze the ileum content and explore the changes of ileum microflora biodiversity. The results of RAPD-PCR and ERIC-PCR showed that bands under 10 mg · kg^-1 and 50 mg · kg^-1 were the most, and their similarity was the largest. Bands under 500 mg · kg^-1 were the least and similarity with other groups was the minimum. Ileum microflora biodiversity under 10 mg · kg^-1 or 50 mg · kg^-1 was richer than that under 500 mg · kg^-1. A corn-soybean-mixed basal diet supplement with 10 mg · kg^-1 to 50 mg · kg^-1 of daidzein might be beneficial to Hy-Line variety brown layers intestinal bacteria.     

山东半岛与辽东半岛蚯蚓生物多样性研究

于2009年在我国的山东半岛和辽东半岛地区采用挖掘法对这些地区不同类型生境采集到的蚯蚓的生物多样性进行了系统调查。野外采集到的蚯蚓置于潮湿土壤带回驻地,在采集当日用70%酒精处死,保存于95%酒精以备研究。部分形态分类特征明显的蚯蚓个体作为模式标本保存于10%福尔马林溶液。本研究据此提供了该地区最新的蚯蚓资源名录。在山东半岛发现陆栖蚯蚓3科6属13种,以巨蚓科(占种类总数的39%)、正蚓科(占种类总数的39%)为主;在辽东半岛调查共发现3科7属16种,以正蚓科(占种类总数的44%)、巨蚓科(占种类总数的31%)为主。作为蠕虫养殖业中的赤子爱胜蚓,在野外环境中也有分布。     

Onchocerca sp. in an imported Zangersheide gelding causing suspensory ligament desmitis

A 5-year-old imported Zangersheide gelding was evaluated for SC swellings over both forelimbs and lameness localized to the distal metacarpus. Ultrasound examination of the SC masses was compatible with verminous granulomas. Linear hyperechoic foci were present within the suspensory ligament branches of both forelimbs, suggestive of ligamentous parasitic infiltrates. A diagnosis of onchocerciasis was confirmed on biopsy of a SC mass. The gelding was treated with ivermectin and a tapering course of PO dexamethasone but was eventually euthanized. Necropsy confirmed the presence of SC eosinophilic granulomas and degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis, both with intralesional nematodes. Given the location and appearance of the nematode, a diagnosis of Onchocerca sp., most likely O. reticulata, was made. Onchocerciasis should be included as a differential diagnosis for multifocal suspensory ligament desmitis with these sonographic characteristics when paired with SC masses in imported European Warmbloods.     

Efficacy of condensed tannins against larval Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda) in vitro and in the intermediate host Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) in vivo

Natural anti-parasitic compounds in plants such as condensed tannins (CT) have anthelmintic properties against a range of gastrointestinal nematodes, but for other helminths such effects are unexplored. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of CT from three different plant extracts in a model system employing the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, in its intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor. An in vitro study examined infectivity of H. diminuta cysticercoids (excystation success) isolated from infected beetles exposed to different concentrations of CT extracts from pine bark (PB) (Pinus sps), hazelnut pericarp (HN) (Corylus avellana) or white clover flowers (WC) (Trifolium repens), in comparison with the anthelmintic drug praziquantel (positive control). In the in vitro study, praziquantel and CT from all three plant extracts had dose-dependent inhibitory effects on cysticercoid excystation. The HN extract was most effective at inhibiting excystation, followed by PB and WC. An in vivo study was carried out on infected beetles (measured as cysticercoid establishment) fed different doses of PB, HN and praziquantel. There was a highly significant inhibitory effect of HN on cysticercoid development (p = 0.0002). Overall, CT showed a promising anti-cestodal effect against the metacestode stage of H. diminuta.     

Ecotourist trail-use affects the taxonomic,functional and phylogenetic diversity of mammals in a protected area: lessons for conservation management

Ecotourism, by definition, aims to engage peoples’ interest in wildlife and the environment. The use of tourist roads and trails to access sites within protected areas (PAs) can detrimentally affect the behavior and distribution of species. The way mammals respond to anthropogenic pressures may differ across taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic groups; nevertheless, how ecotourist trail-use affects these different diversity remains under-investigated. Here, we assessed 6 metrics of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity for a mammal community in a PA in central China, recording how Trail use (using Trail type as a proxy) and habitat variables affected sightings and signs of mammals across 60 replicate 0.5 km transects. We then examined how Trail use affected the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity indices of species (>1 kg). Using generalized liner mixed modeling, we identified that more used trail types had a greater adverse effect on all diversity richness indices than did less used trail types. Consequently, tourist pressure was associated with a general tendency to homogenize the site's mammal community. In contrast, the effects of Trail Types on all diversity evenness indices were non-significant. Furthermore, more developed and more heavily used trail types had a greater, significant negative effect on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic richness, whereas these richness indices were unaffected by minor trail types, used less intensively. As a general principle, lower biodiversity indices reduce ecosystem resilience, and so it is vital to better understand these responses to balance public access against biodiversity management in PAs.     

广州市城镇型绿道蝴蝶群落多样性研究

2019年4—11月,采用样线法对广州市城镇型21条绿道的蝴蝶群落结构多样性进行调查,分析了不同月份蝴蝶群落特点。共记录蝴蝶7科27属31种106头,酢浆灰蝶Pseudozizeeria maha和东方菜粉蝶Pieris canidia是优势种。粉蝶科Pieridae物种数最多,灰蝶科Lycaenidae次之;蛱蝶科Nymphalidae属数最多,粉蝶科和灰蝶科次之,蚬蝶科Riodinidae最少。物种丰富度、各科的种属多样性指数以蛱蝶科最高,分别为2.52、1.99和1.99,优势度指数则最低,为0.25。不同月份优势类群和常见类群不同,7月的蝴蝶多样性指数明显高于4月和11月,优势度指数则最低。蝴蝶多样性可为城镇型绿道品质提升提供数据参考。     

食源性寄生虫的风险评估

风险(risk)是由一种或多种危害因子而引发危害事件的一种可能性或概率。危害因子可能属于物理的、化学的、微生物的范畴,病原微生物中的细菌、病毒、寄生虫等都可成为引发危害事件的风险因子。评估某一因子是否对人或其他生物构成威胁以及所危害的程度显得至关重要。事实上,存在于环境中的危险因子及其多种可能的传播途径都会引发多种危害性事件。因此,要想充分了解并揭示由危害因子引发危害的概率,以及其随后对人类健康造成的危害并非易事。风险评估则是对不良结果或不期望事件发生几率进行描述及定量的系统过程,现已被视为一种用于揭示存在于环境中的各种危害及其对人类健康造成的影响的方法。论文主要对食源性寄生虫风险评估的方法进行全面阐述。     

Global parasite and Rattus rodent invasions: The consequences for rodent‐borne diseases

We summarize the current knowledge on parasitism‐related invasion processes of the globally invasive Rattus lineages, originating from Asia, and how these invasions have impacted the local epidemiology of rodent‐borne diseases. Parasites play an important role in the invasion processes and successes of their hosts through multiple biological mechanisms such as “parasite release,” “immunocompetence advantage,” “biotic resistance” and “novel weapon.” Parasites may also greatly increase the impact of invasions by spillover of parasites and other pathogens, introduced with invasive hosts, into new hosts, potentially leading to novel emerging diseases. Another potential impact is the ability of the invader to amplify local parasites by spillback. In both cases, local fauna and humans may be exposed to new health risks, which may decrease biodiversity and potentially cause increases in human morbidity and mortality. Here we review the current knowledge on these processes and propose some research priorities.