Threats to at-risk salmonids of the Canadian Rocky Mountain region

Trout and charr, members of the salmonid family, have high conservation value but are also susceptible to anthropogenic threats in part due to the specificity of their habitat requirements. Understanding historical and future threats facing these species is necessary to promote their recovery. Of freshwater trout and charr in the Canadian Rocky Mountain region, westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi), bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus; a charr species) and Athabasca rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are of conservation concern. And indeed, range contractions and declining populations are evident throughout much of their ranges. Range contraction was most evident in the southern Alberta designatable unit (DU) of westslope cutthroat trout. Diminished populations were also evident in the downstream watersheds of the Alberta bull trout range, and throughout the Athabasca rainbow trout range. We assessed historical and future threats to evaluate the relative importance of individual threats to each DU and compare their impact among species. Individual threats fall into the broad categories of angling, non-native species and genes, habitat loss and alteration, and climate change. Severity of each threat varies by DU and reflects the interaction between species’ biology and the location of the DU. Severity of threats facing each DU has changed over time, reflecting extirpation of native populations, changes in management and industry best practices, expansion of non-native species and progressing climate change. The overall threat impact for each DU indicates a high probability of substantial and continuing declines and calls for immediate action.     

Evaluating the effect of 3D urban form on neighborhood land surface temperature using Google Street View and geographically weighted regression

Landscape Ecology - Land surface temperature (LST) directly responds to incoming solar radiation and is strongly influenced by vertical urban structures, such as trees and buildings that provide...     

The reproductive potential of the root-knot nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis> is affected by selection for virulence against major resistance genes from tomato and pepper

The emergence of virulent root-knot nematode populations, able to overcome the resistance conferred by some of the resistance genes (R-genes) in Solanaceous crops, i.e., Mi(s) in tomato, Me(s) in pepper, may constitute a severe limitation to their use in the field. Research has been conducted to evaluate the durability of these R-genes, by comparing the reproduction of several laboratory-selected and wild virulent Meloidogyne incognita isolates, on both susceptible and resistant tomatoes and peppers. We first show that the Me1 R-gene in pepper behaves as a robust R-gene controlling avirulent and virulent Me3, Me7 or Mi-1 isolates. Although the reproductive potential of the virulent isolates was highly variable on susceptible and resistant plants, we also confirm that virulence is highly specific to a determined R-gene on which selection has occurred. Another significant experimental result is the observation that a reproductive fitness cost is associated with nematode virulence against Mi-1 in tomato and Me3 and Me7 in pepper. The adaptative significance of trade-offs between selected characters and fitness-related traits, suggests that, although the resistance can be broken, it may be preserved in some conditions if the virulent nematodes are counter-selected in susceptible plants. All these results have important consequences for the management of plant resistance in the field.     

Detection of GTP-tubulin conformation in vivo reveals a role for GTP remnants in microtubule rescues

Microtubules display dynamic instability, with alternating phases of growth and shrinkage separated by catastrophe and rescue events. The guanosine triphosphate (GTP) cap at the growing end of microtubules, whose presence is essential to prevent microtubule catastrophes in vitro, has been difficult to observe in vivo. We selected a recombinant antibody that specifically recognizes GTP-bound tubulin in microtubules and found that GTP-tubulin was indeed present at the plus end of growing microtubules. Unexpectedly, GTP-tubulin remnants were also present in older parts of microtubules, which suggests that GTP hydrolysis is sometimes incomplete during polymerization. Observations in living cells suggested that these GTP remnants may be responsible for the rescue events in which microtubules recover from catastrophe.     

Supplementing rumen‐protected methionine to lactating multiparous dairy cows did not improve reproductive performance

There is evidence that supplementing methionine has positive effects on uterine environment, oocyte quality and embryo development in cattle. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate reproductive traits of cows supplemented with rumen‐protected methionine (RPM) during early to mid‐lactation in comparison with an untreated control group (CON). An additional focus was on the effect of puerperal diseases on reproductive performance parameters in RPM‐supplemented group MET and in CON. A total of 1,709 multiparous Holstein‐Friesian cows were enrolled in this field trial conducted on a commercial dairy farm in Slovakia. Cows were allocated at approximately 12 days post‐partum (dpp) to either CON or MET, the latter supplemented with 25.0 g–27.2 g RPM per cow per day incorporated into the total mixed ration (TMR) until leaving the study pen at approximately 140 dpp. The amount of RPM was calculated based on individual feed ingredients analysis and adjusted during the study period when TMR changed. Cows were monitored during the post‐partum period by vaginal examination (day 5 pp), measuring of beta‐hydroxybutyrate in blood (3, 5, and 8 dpp) and by vaginal examination, uterine cytology and measuring of back fat thickness by ultrasound (all at 31 ± 3 dpp). Compared with CON, cows supplemented with RPM did not show better reproduction performance parameters (first service submission rate, days to first service, conception risk, days open 140). Results from binary logistic regression model for the risk of conception showed that metritis had a significant effect, but the supplementation of methionine had not. Results of Cox regression analysis for the odds of conception within 140 dpp revealed only metritis and clinical endometritis as significant factors. In conclusion, supplementation of RPM had no beneficial effect on reproductive performance in this study farm compared with an untreated control group.     

Pemphigus foliaceus-like drug reaction in a 3-month-old crossbreed dog treated for juvenile cellulitis

Two weeks after administration of routine vaccinations, a 3-month-old, male crossbreed dog developed cutaneous lesions that were clinically and histopathologically consistent with a diagnosis of juvenile cellulitis. The patient was treated with systemic antibacterial, antibacterial ophthalmic ointment and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Within 1 week, new skin lesions that were clinically, histopathologically and immunohistochemically consistent with pemphigus foliaceus developed. The latter completely resolved following drug withdrawal, suggesting a pemphigus foliaceus-like drug reaction. However, the initial lesions persisted and required glucocorticoid therapy to effect resolution. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a puppy developing juvenile cellulitis followed by a pemphigus foliaceus-like reaction shortly thereafter, in response to drug therapy.     

On-line gas chromatography combustion/pyrolysis isotope ratio mass spectrometry (HRGC-C/P-IRMS) of pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.) volatiles

By use of extracts prepared by liquid-liquid separation of the volatiles from self-prepared juices of pineapple fruits (Ananas comosus) (n = 14) as well as commercial pineapple recovery aromas/water phases (n = 3), on-line capillary gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry was employed in the combustion (C) and the pyrolysis (P) modes (HRGC-C/P-IRMS) to determine the delta(13)C(VPDB) and delta(2)H(VSMOW) values of selected pineapple flavor constituents. In addition to methyl 2-methylbutanoate 1, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate 2, methyl hexanoate 3, ethyl hexanoate 4, and 2,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-3[2H]-furanone 5, each originating from the fruit, the delta(13)C(VPDB) and delta(2)H(VSMOW) data of commercial synthetic 1-5 and "natural" (biotechnologically derived) 1-4 were determined. With delta(13)C(VPDB) data of pineapple volatiles 1-4 varying from -12.8 to -24.4 per thousand, the range expected for CAM metabolism was observed. Compound 5 showed higher depletion from -20.9 to -28.6 per thousand. A similar situation was given for the delta(2)H(VSMOW) values of 3-5 from pineapple ranging from -118 to -191 per thousand, whereas 1 and 2 showed higher depleted values from -184 to -263 per thousand. In nearly all cases, analytical differentiation of 1-5 from pineapple and natural as well as synthetic origin was possible. In general, natural and synthetic 1-5 exhibited delta(13)C(VPDB) data ranging from -11.8 to -32.2 per thousand and -22.7 to -35.9 per thousand, respectively. Their delta(2)H(VSMOW) data were in the range from -242 to -323 per thousand and -49 to -163 per thousand, respectively.     

Reduced Atmospheric Manganese in Montreal Following Removal of Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT)

Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) was used between 1990 and 2003 as an antiknock agent and as an octane booster in Canadian unleaded gasoline. Its combustion leads to Mn emissions. The objective of this research was to examine the variations in atmospheric Mn in Montreal (Canada) from 2001 to 2007, covering the period prior (2001?C2003) to and following (2005?C2007) MMT use. Three sampling stations were selected because of their proximity to roads with widely differing and well-known traffic patterns. Filters from 2001 to 2007 were obtained from the Montreal Urban Community. The first sample of each month was selected, and Mn analysis was performed by neutron activation analysis. Total suspended particulates (TSP) was calculated by weighing the filters before and after dust collection. Results show a significant decrease of Mn over time at each station, whereas TSP decreased significantly in two stations. Comparing atmospheric Mn during and after the period of use of MMT 2001?C2003 vs 2005?C2007 showed a significant decrease at all stations. For TSP, only one station showed borderline significant decline between these two periods. Overall, between the two periods, Mn and TSP decreased by 39% and 17%, respectively. These data suggest that the combustion of MMT led to an increase of airborne Mn of approximately 22%. These findings should help in decision-making processes concerning the use of MMT in gasoline in other countries.     

Aurantiochytrium sp. meal can replace fish oil in practical diets for the juvenile Pacific white shrimp

This study evaluated the use of microalgae (Aurantiochytrium sp.) meal as a substitute for fish oil in the diet of juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in a clear‐water system. Dietary treatments at five replacement levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) were performed in triplicate. After 46 days, only a slight difference in shrimp final weight was observed among treatments (0.61 g). An increase in final weight was observed with replacement of up to 50% fish oil for microalgae meal, while the optimal percentage of replacement estimated was 44.7%. Feed conversion rate (FCR) of animals fed a diet of Aurantiochytrium sp.meal to replace up to 50% fish oil decreased, and the optimal percentage of replacement estimated was 49.3%. The fatty acids profile in shrimp muscle tissue demonstrated an increase in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from 10.03% to 14.28% with increased replacement of fish oil by microalgae meal in the diet. Therefore, the partial replacement of fish oil by microalgae meal resulted in improved shrimp growth and FCR, and total replacement of dietary fish oil had no negative effects on these parameters. In addition, inclusion of microalgae meal raises the level of DHA in shrimp muscle.