A novel method for rearing the progeny of wild mediterranean fruit flies using artificial fruit

A technique for rearing the progeny of wildCeratitis capitata flies was developed. The method is based on wild captured flies which are allowed to oviposit in artificial fruit containing larval rearing medium. Flies develop in the fruit from eggs to last larval instar, then exit the fruit and pupate within vermiculite. This method was shown to be feasible and efficient, and to increase considerably the number of wild flies for testing purposes. Possible contribution to the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and potential applications of the method are discussed.     

Detection of Bartonella spp. in wild rodents in Israel using HRM real-time PCR

The prevalence of Bartonella spp. in wild rodents was studied in 19 geographical locations in Israel. One hundred and twelve rodents belonging to five species (Mus musculus, Rattus rattus, Microtus socialis, Acomys cahirinus and Apodemus sylvaticus) were included in the survey. In addition, 156 ectoparasites were collected from the rodents. Spleen sample from each rodent and the ectoparasites were examined for the presence of Bartonella DNA using high resolution melt (HRM) real-time PCR. The method was designed for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of eight Bartonella spp. according to the nucleotide variation in each of two gene fragments (rpoB and gltA) and the 16S–23S intergenic spacer (ITS) locus, using the same PCR protocol which allowed the simultaneous amplification of the three different loci. Bartonella DNA was detected in spleen samples of 19 out of 79 (24%) black rats (R. rattus) and in 1 of 4 (25%) Cairo spiny mice (A. cahirinus). In addition, 15 of 34 (44%) flea pools harbored Bartonella DNA. Only rat flea (Xenopsyla cheopis) pools collected from black rats (R. rattus) were positive for Bartonella DNA. The Bartonella sp. detected in spleen samples from black rats (R. rattus) was closely related to both B. tribocorum and B. elizabethae. The species detected in the Cairo spiny mouse (A. cahirinus) spleen sample was closely related to the zoonotic pathogen, B. elizabethae. These results indicate that Bartonella species are highly prevalent in suburban rodent populations and their ectoparasites in Israel. Further investigation of the prevalence and zoonotic potential of the Bartonella species detected in the black rats and the Cairo spiny mouse is warranted.     

Osteoma of the oral and maxillofacial regions in cats: 7 cases (1999-2009)

Objective-To describe clinical features of oral and maxillofacial osteomas in cats. Design-Retrospective case series. Animals-7 cats with oral or maxillofacial osteoma or both. Procedures-Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, history, clinical signs, physical examination findings, diagnostic imaging findings, results of serum biochemical analyses and histologic testing, surgical procedures performed, and perioperative complications. Outcome was determined on the basis of follow-up telephone interviews of owners. Results-Cats ranged from 1 to 23 years of age. Clinical signs were observed in 5 cats and were attributed to the presence of the mass. Diagnostic imaging (radiography and computed tomography) and histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteoma. Three cats were euthanatized; 1 cat was treated by mandibulectomy, 1 was treated by maxillectomy, and 2 were treated by debulking. At the time of follow-up at least 1 year after surgery, all 4 treated cats were alive, with owners reporting an acceptable quality of life. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Osteoma of the oral and maxillofacial regions is an uncommon tumor in cats. Most cats are examined during an advanced stage of the disease, when treatment options may be limited. Although osteoma is a benign tumor, the recommendation is to perform a clinical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, biopsy, and treatment early in the disease process, when less invasive surgical approaches may be feasible.     

Early hominid population densities: new estimates

Proportional faunal representations in excavated fossil occurrences (Shungura Formation, Omo, Ethiopia) are very similar to modern sub-Saharan mammalian faunal proportions in a variety of environments. Early hominids comprise between 0.6 and 1.6 percent of the excavated assemblage, corrected to reflect numbers of individuals. With allochthonous faunal localities for comparison, direct analogies to modern fauna suggest early hominid population densities of between 0.006 to 1.7 individuals per square kilometer. Calculations based on population densities of modern large mammals indicate that population densities of early hominids were between 0.001 and 2.48 individuals per square kilometer.     

Chromosome set manipulations in the black carp

The mollusc-eating black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) has economic and health-care potential for biological control of nuisance aquatic molluscs. The present study investigates the production of gynogenetic-monosex and triploid-sterile populations of black carp. The goal was to provide a method which would eliminate unwanted biological and environmental impacts of introducing this exotic species into areas with nuisance mollusc infestation. Meiotic gynogenesis was induced by inseminating black carp eggs with UV-irradiated (800 Jm⁻²) sperm of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) or Japanese ornamental (koi) carp. Diploidy was restored through retention of the second polar body (2PB), by shocking activated eggs at 1–8 min post-fertilization (embryological age of 0.07–0.57τ₀, a parameter defined by the cell cycle duration) at 1 min intervals, with heat-shocks (41.0±1.0 °C for 1 min) or pressure-shocks (7500–7600 psi for 1.5 min). Highest survival was found when embryos were heat-shocked 1.5–4.5 min post-fertilization (0.10–0.25τ₀). The highest survival of free-swimming larvae from pressure-shocked eggs, was achieved at 7500 psi at 1–2 min post-fertilization (0.08–0.16τ₀). Triploidy was induced by retention of 2PB following normal fertilization. Batches of 30 000 eggs were fertilized with intact sperm and pressure-shocked (6000–8500 psi for 1.5 min) 2 min post-fertilization (0.15–0.16τ₀). The highest survival of triploid swim-up larvae was 5.1% in eggs shocked with 7500 psi. In random samples of individual larvae taken from each treatment, triploidy was analysed by cytofluorometry of the cellular DNA content. In DNA analysis performed in fingerlings (N≥15), 50% of the fish were triploids.