Stable isotopes and gut contents indicate differential resource use by coexisting asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

Differential use of habitat and prey resources is an important mechanism that may allow coexistence of sympatric species. Unlike interactions between smaller cyprinid and percid fishes, the resource use by coexisting predatory asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is relatively unknown. Here, gut content and stable isotope analyses were used to study ontogenetic dietary shifts and interspecific trophic niche overlap between asp and pikeperch coexisting in two reservoirs. The hypothesis that both species show an ontogenetic dietary shift from small invertebrates to large fish prey, but at the same time use different prey resources to reduce potential competitive interactions, was validated. The isotopic niches of the two predators showed no, or only a moderate, degree of overlap (0%–65%). The ontogenetic changes in the degree of interspecific isotopic niche overlap were different in the two reservoirs, suggesting that trophic segregation can be dynamic and variable among systems. Gut contents revealed that small (<100 mm standard length) asp consumed mostly terrestrial invertebrates and emerged aquatic insects, whereas small pikeperch foraged on zooplankton, larval and pupal stages of aquatic insects and fish. Larger individuals (>100 mm) of both species were predominantly piscivorous, with asp consuming more cyprinid prey and pikeperch more percid prey. Coexisting asp and pikeperch populations are able to utilise different prey resources, thereby reducing potential negative competitive interactions.     

Variance in leaf spot susceptibility in chestnut trees of different species and hybrids

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Prior to the first occurrence of chestnut blight in 1976, leaf spot caused by Cylindrosporium castaneae was one of the most important diseases of European...     

Detection of enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV) in a sheep flock in southern Brazil

Enzootic nasal tumor (ENT) is a contagious neoplasm associated with enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV), which may induce disease in sheep (ENTV-1) and goats (ENTV-2). This study aimed to describe the occurrence of ENT in two Texel sheep (Ovis aries) from a 75-sheep flock, located in the city of Gravataí, southern Brazil. Animals used to be purchased from different origins, and no specific tests for disease monitoring or quarantine procedure were performed. Affected animals presented respiratory distress, anorexia with severe weight loss, and mucopurulent unilateral nasal discharge. Necropsy was performed in both animals and nasal cavity masses were observed. Histopathological analysis demonstrated an epithelial neoplasm compatible with nasal adenocarcinoma. PCR using a protocol that amplifies a 591 bp sequence of 5’LTR-gag region of ENTV1 was performed followed by DNA sequencing. Both samples were positive, and the sequences obtained presented highest identity (97%) with ENTV strain TN28 (GenBank accession number MH899613) detected in a Texel sheep from Scotland. This is the first report of ENTV-1 leading to enzootic nasal tumor in sheep in Latin America, which confirms the presence of the retrovirus in sheep flocks in the Brazilian territory.

     

Evaluation of serological tests for the diagnosis of Neospora caninum infection in dogs: optimization of cut off titers and inhibition studies of cross-reactivity with Toxoplasma gondii

Diagnosis of Neospora caninum infection in dogs is based on serological assays such as the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). This study evaluated two serological tests (IFAT and ELISA) for the detection of IgG antibodies to N. caninum in 300 serum samples of dogs through the optimization of cut off titers by using the two-graph receiver-operating characteristic (TG-ROC) curve. In addition, the identification of major cross-reactive antigens with Toxoplasma gondii was investigated by inhibition ELISA and immunoblotting (IB) assays. IFAT and ELISA results showed 74% agreement, with a good negative concordance (P(neg)=0.83), but a poor positive concordance (P(pos)=0.42). The great majority (86%) of sera with positive concordant results (IFAT+/ELISA+) recognized at least two out of three N. caninum immunodominant antigens, particularly the 29-32 and 35-37 kDa bands. Optimization of cut off titers in IFAT and ELISA was performed considering the reactivity to at least two out of three N. caninum immunodominant antigens as infection markers, obtaining a titer of 50 for IFAT and 200 for ELISA. Seropositivity to N. caninum was significantly associated with T. gondii-seropositive samples, particularly in ELISA (55.4%). Inhibition ELISA curves for N. caninum showed a partial heterologous inhibition, indicating some degree of cross-reactivity between N. caninum and T. gondii antigens. Inhibition IB assays showed a moderate heterologous inhibition for N. caninum antigens above 45-50 kDa. These results indicate that ELISA should be used critically when crude tachyzoite antigen preparations are employed, due to possible cross-reactivity with other related parasites as T. gondii. Also, the cut off dilution of 1:50 in IFAT showed to be the most appropriated for N. caninum serology in dogs. Therefore, we suggest that N. caninum immunodominant antigens, specially the 17 and 29-32 kDa proteins, should be selected markers in serological assays for canine neosporosis.     

Effects of the Administration of Lactobacilli,Maltodextrins and Fructooligosaccharides upon the Adhesion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> O8:K88 to the Intestinal Mucosa and Organic Acid Levels in the Gut Contents of Piglets

The influence of the administration of Lactobacillus plantarum, maltodextrin Maldex 150 and Raftifeed IPX fructooligosaccharides on the inhibition of adhesion of E. coli O8:K88 to the mucosa of the jejunum, ileum and colon as well as on the organic acid levels was investigated in 33 conventional piglets. The counts of E. coli K88 adhering to the jejunal mucosa were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 and Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 + Raftifeed IPX groups. The counts of E. coli K88 adhering to the colonic mucosa of Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 + Raftifeed IPX and Lact. plantarum + Raftifeed IPX groups were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in Lact. plantarum and Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 animals. The acetic acid levels in the ileum and colon of the Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 + Raftifeed IPX group and Lact. plantarum + Raftifeed IPX group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the Lact. plantarum and Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 group. The combination of Lact. plantarum, maltodextrin Maldex 150 and Raftifeed IPX proved to be the most effective one to inhibit the counts of E. coli O8:K88 adhering to the intestinal mucosa of the jejunum and colon of conventional piglets.     

The effects of osmolality on sperm quality in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jenynsia multidentata</Emphasis> (Cyprinodontiformes: Anablepidae)

Sperm quality tests on fish are classically used for evaluating cryopreservation procedures, and they are also promising to assess aquatic toxicity and biomarkers of xenobiotic effects on reproduction. Osmotic shock from the storage medium is one of the main factors affecting sperm quality during evaluation. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different osmolalities (240–460 mOsm/kg) for at least 4 days on the sperm quality parameters of the viviparous fish Jenynsia multidentata. The level of significance was (P < 0.05). The plasma osmolality of J. multidentata is 326 ± 3.9 mOsm/kg. The motility of fresh semen was higher in osmolalities of 280 and 300 mOsm/kg but did not differ between osmolalities from 240 to 320 mOsm/kg. Above 380 mOsm/kg, the motility observed was 0 %. Over the time period studied motility increased with increasing osmolality, and the most constant and long-lasting rates were between 300 and 320 mOsm/kg. On the 4th day of evaluation, higher membrane integrity rates were observed between 280 and 360 mOsm/kg, higher mitochondrial membrane potential was observed between 300 and 460 mOsm/kg, and higher DNA integrity rates were observed between 260 and 380 mOsm/kg. Moreover, osmolalities ≥460 and ≤240 resulted in the lowest motility and DNA integrity levels. Over 4 days, the plasma membrane integrity was significantly lower at ≤260 and ≥400 mOsm/kg, and the mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly lower only in osmolalities ≤240 mOsm/kg. Therefore, we conclude that for sperm quality preservation in J. multidentata, an osmolality of 300–320 mOsm/kg of the most suitable diluent is necessary. Furthermore, we conclude that the storage of sperm in a hyposmotic (<260 mOsm/kg) or hyperosmotic (>400 mOsm/kg) solution affects not only motility but also other sperm quality parameters.     

α菠菜甾醇对小鼠小肠段药物转运体P-gp和PEPT1表达的影响

以酒石酸泰乐菌素为底药,探讨α 菠菜甾醇对小鼠小肠段药物转运体P gp和PEPT1表达的影响。48只小鼠分为4组：α 菠菜甾醇组,酒石酸泰乐菌素组,α 菠菜甾醇和酒石酸泰乐菌素混合组,生理盐水对照组。每组按0.2 mL·10 g-1体质量的剂量每天灌胃一次,共灌胃5 d,分别在1,3,5 d后处死1批采样。采用免疫组化的方法测定1,3,5 d的小鼠肠道上P gp和PEPT1的表达。试验结果表明,α 菠菜甾醇组和混合组相对于对照组外排性药物转运体P gp表达减少,而摄取性药物转运体PEPT1表达增多;酒石酸泰乐菌素组的外排性药物转运体P gp表达增多,摄取性药物转运体PEPT1表达减少;且都随着用药时间的延长差异增大。表明α 菠菜甾醇具有抑制药物转运体P gp表达和促进药物转运体PEPT1表达的作用。     

不同温度下青海湖裸鲤的耗氧率、耗氧量与呼吸频率的关系

研究了不同温度(5±0.5)℃、(10±0.5)℃、(15±0.5)℃、(20±0.5)℃和(25±0.5)℃)下青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)的耗氧率、耗氧量与呼吸频率的关系。结果表明,耗氧率、耗氧量和呼吸频率均随着温度的升高而升高,且不同温度间差异显著(P<0.01)。呼吸频率在5~10℃较低温度时没有明显差异(P>0.05)。呼吸频率在不同的温度下都存在明显的昼夜差异(P<0.05),白天明显高于夜晚。不同温度下呼吸频率和耗氧率的回归关系为y=63.052e(0.0115x)(R2=0.982 2);呼吸频率和耗氧量的回归关系为y=-1.719 7x2+38.437x-61.914(R2=0.961 8)。在15~20℃间的耗氧率、耗氧量和呼吸频率相对变化较小,为适宜养殖的水温。     

Attraction of Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) beetles by lure-baited insecticide-treated tripod trap logs and trap trees

The numbers of Ips typographus beetles captured by lure-baited insecticide-treated tripod trap logs (TRIPODs) versus classic trap trees (TRAP TREEs) were compared in a spruce forest in northeastern Czech Republic in the year 2012. During the time of I. typographus flight activity (22 April–24 August), TRAP TREEs were periodically deployed and replaced, while TRIPODs were deployed at the start of flight activity, and lure and insecticide were periodically refreshed. The numbers of I. typographus beetles captured was significantly greater on TRAP TREEs than on TRIPODs during the first sampling period (22 April–25 May) but did not differ between the two kinds of traps in the subsequent sampling periods (26 May–29 June, 30 June–27 July, or 28 July–24 August). More females than males were captured by both kinds of trap. Similarly, more beetles were captured in the spring (April–June) than in the summer (July–August) by both trap models. The main advantages of TRIPODs compared to the TRAP TREEs are twofold: first, that pheromone lures will make any spruce timber attractive to I. typographus; and second, that logs need not be decontaminated at a particular time and, consequently, they require significantly less surveillance.