A genetic linkage map in southern‐by‐spring oat identifies multiple quantitative trait loci for adaptation and rust resistance

We developed 178 recombinant inbred lines from a southern‐by‐spring oat population designated as “TxH.” These lines were genotyped to generate a high‐quality linkage map that resolved 6,902 markers into 21 linkage groups that matched closely with the latest hexaploid oat consensus map. Three major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting heading date were found in locations that are consistent with known QTLs and candidate genes, and two other QTLs affecting heading date were found in novel locations. Five QTLs affecting plant height were found. Both sets of QTLs are responsible for transgressive segregation observed for these two traits. Four QTLs affecting resistance to crown rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae, were identified. Two of these QTLs are consistent with known clusters of rust resistance genes, while two may represent new locations of novel rust resistance genes. A complete set of SNP sequences suitable for generating markers for molecular selection is provided.     

泌乳母猪的饲喂:科学和实践的结合

在星际旅行的时代 ,我们怎么能还在争辩怎样饲喂泌乳母猪的问题呢 ?如果我们能够破解动物的遗传编码 ,我们为什么不能理解采食量和泌乳母猪性能之间的相互关系呢 ?但是 ,也许我们确实理解了这些关系 ,不过我们不能将科学转化为良好的猪场实践。也许我们过分地试图将一般原则或指南应用于非常具有个性的具体场合之中 ,无论这些具体场合是指不同的猪种、不同的猪场或者不同的个体。每一头泌乳母猪都是独特的 ,将一般原则应用于独特的动物 ,一般来说结果都是不太令人满意的。但是 ,随着猪场规模的扩大 ,可能就越来越难以将每一头母猪都进行个别…     

提高繁殖猪群效率纵横谈

繁殖猪群的目标是不断地以低成本生产计划数量的优质断奶仔猪。图 1显示了影响断奶仔猪产量的因素。断奶仔猪产量是繁殖群母猪存栏数 (能力 )与每头母猪年产断奶仔猪数 (效率 )的乘积。确定繁殖猪群的适当大小而使其适合于养猪设施的容量 ,同时确定后备母猪群的适当大小而使其适合于每周的配种计划 ,是为实现断奶仔猪产量计划和充分利用产仔栏所必需的。一般来说 ,是否适合于配种计划和分娩率 ,是影响每头存栏母猪年产断奶仔猪数量的最重要的因素(表 1 )。图 1　影响断奶仔猪产量的各种因素之间的相互关系　表 1　每周断奶仔猪产量影响因素…     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS IN SPINAL CORD INFARCTION IN THREE SMALL BREED DOGS

Fibrocartilaginous embolization (FCE) of the spinal cord is a common disease in large breed dogs. There are only a few reports about this entity in small breed dogs and it has never been reported in chondrodystrophic breed. For definitive diagnosis histopathologic examination is necessary. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential diagnostic tool for intravitam diagnosis of FCE has been mentioned before, but results have not been reported so far. This report describes the neurological findings and MRI results in three small breed dogs, including a Pekingese dog, with FCE of the spinal cord. The disease was suspected in two animals based upon clinical and MRI-appearance and confirmed in the third by histopathological examination. In all three cases, similar focal intramedullary lesions, consisting of hyperintensive signals on T2-weighted images, were detected. Based on these findings, high-field MRI may be used as an antemortem tool for the diagnosis of FCE. It is also shown that FCE can occur in chondrodystrophic dogs.     

Does matrix resistance influence Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L. 1758) distribution in an urban landscape?

In determining isolation effects in fragmented populations, the landscape matrix is not often considered. Usually simple distance measures are used to quantify degree of isolation. We tested the effect of the matrix on the presence of red squirrels in 354 wooded patches in the Brussels Region, by comparing several isolation measures. These were 1) distance to the nearest source patch, 2) the Hanski-measure (a combination of distance to and size of all possible sources), 3) effective distances calculated from different least cost models using the ArcView grid extension ‘Cost Distance’ (a combination of distance and resistance of the landscape, with different resistances for different landscape types) and 4) some combinations of the Hanski-measure and the effective distances. Size and quality of the target patches were always included in the tests of the predictive power of different isolation measures on squirrel presence/absence. All variables examined (patch size, quality and isolation) significantly influenced squirrel presence. Models using the effective distances gave the best results. Models including the Hanski-measure improved significantly when Euclidean distance was replaced by effective distance, showing that parameterisation of matrix resistance added significant additional explanatory power when modelling squirrel presence. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Using traffic flow theory to model traffic mortality in mammals

Traffic has a considerable effect on population and community dynamics through the disruption and fragmentation of habitat and traffic mortality. This paper deals with a systematic way to acquire knowledge about the probabilities of successful road crossing by mammals and what characteristics affect this traversability. We derive a model from traffic flow theory to estimate traffic mortality in mammals related to relevant road, traffic and species characteristics. The probability of successful road crossing is determined by the pavement width of the road, traffic volume, traversing speed of the mammals and their body length. We include the traversability model in a simple two-patch population model to explore the effects of these road, traffic and species characteristics on population dynamics. Analysis of the models show that, for our parameter ranges, traffic volume and traversing speed have the largest effect on traffic mortality. The population size is especially negatively affected when roads have to be crossed during the daily movements. These predictions could be useful to determine the expected effectiveness of mitigating measures relative to the current situation. Mitigating measures might alter the road and traffic characteristics. The effects of these changes on traffic mortality and population dynamics could be analysed by calculating the number of traffic victims before and after the mitigating measures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.