A review of the biology and status of Cape Fold Ecoregion freshwater fishes

1. Mediterranean climate regions are globally recognized as hotspots of endemism in fishes; however, these unique assemblages are increasingly threatened by human mediated impacts including water abstraction, damming and non‐native species introductions.
2. The Cape Fold aquatic ecoregion (CFR) of South Africa supports an assemblage of range‐restricted endemic freshwater fishes, the majority of which are conservation priorities because they are under severe threat of extinction. Effective conservation and management are constrained by the lack of readily available information on this imperilled group of fishes because research efforts over the last century have been temporally disjointed and relatively uncoordinated.
3. This review provides an exhaustive appraisal of published literature on the taxonomy, biogeography, life history, ecology and physiology of freshwater fishes in the CFR, and the human impacts that affect them. Its aim is to direct future research needs for effective management and conservation of this imperilled group.
4. Only 103 peer‐reviewed articles on CFR fishes were recorded and the majority of available research is on taxonomy and biogeography (40.8%), followed by ecological investigations (22.3%), conservation (19.4%) and human impacts (17.5%).
5. Despite a plethora of studies on taxonomy and biogeography, recent genetic evidence suggests that fish diversity in the CFR has been severely underestimated and requires urgent attention. Human impacts severely threaten the existence of many native CFR fishes and require further study. Information on the biology and ecology of CFR fishes is limited to studies on selected species; of particular note is the lack of physiological information which is particularly pertinent given projected climate change scenarios.

     

Role of social structure in establishment of an invasive large mammal after translocation

Background

Data on the movement behavior of translocated wild pigs is needed to develop appropriate response strategies for containing and eliminating new source populations following translocation events. We conducted experimental trials to compare the home range establishment and space-use metrics, including the number of days and distance traveled before becoming range residents, for wild pigs translocated with their social group and individually.

Results

We found wild pigs translocated with their social group made less extensive movements away from the release location and established a stable home range ~5 days faster than those translocated individually. We also examined how habitat quality impacted the home range sizes of translocated wild pigs and found wild pigs maintained larger ranges in areas with higher proportion of low-quality habitat.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings suggest translocations of invasive wild pigs have a greater probability of establishing a viable population near the release site when habitat quality is high and when released with members of their social unit compared to individuals moved independent of their social group or to low-quality habitat. However, all wild pigs translocated in our study made extensive movements from their release location, highlighting the potential for single translocation events of either individuals or groups to have far-reaching consequences within a much broader landscape beyond the location where they are released. These results highlight the challenges associated with containing populations in areas where illegal introduction of wild pigs occurs, and the need for rapid response once releases are identified. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Evaluation of hemostatic derangements associated with canine anaphylaxis and the relationship to syndrome severity

Objective

To describe hemostatic derangements associated with canine anaphylaxis and to assess for association with syndrome severity.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Twenty-seven client-owned dogs, recruited from November 2018 to January 2022, diagnosed with anaphylaxis of varying severity were included. Study inclusion required presentation <6 hours after initiation of clinical signs, no medications or history of illness within the prior 2 weeks, lack of comorbidities expected to affect hemostasis, and lack of a disease state that could alternatively explain the clinical presentation.

Interventions

Blood samples were collected within the first hour of presentation for CBC, serum biochemistry, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and viscoelastic coagulation testing for use with a cartridge-based point-of-care device.

Measurements and main results

Clotting time and clot formation time were prolonged, alpha angle and maximum clot firmness were decreased, PT and aPTT were prolonged, and platelet counts were lower in severe cases compared to mild and moderate cases. There were no differences for any parameter between mild and moderate cases. The presence or absence of abdominal effusion was not associated with hemostatic status.

Conclusions

Global hemostatic derangements consistent with hypocoagulability are a prominent feature of severe anaphylaxis in dogs and should be considered for routine evaluation.     

Bovine congenital erythropoietic protoporphyria in a crossbred limousin heifer in Ireland

An unusual case of an 11-month-old, black Limousin-cross heifer, with an 8-month history of episodic seizures and photosensitisation, was referred by a veterinary practitioner to the Farm Animal Section of the UCD Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland, in August 2014. Following an investigation, a diagnosis of Bovine Congenital Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (BCEPP) was made. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of such a case in Ireland. BCEPP should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young animals displaying periodic seizures and/or photosensitisation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13620-015-0044-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Space use and inferred spawning activity of three exploited gamefish species on a large artificial reef

Intense fishing pressure has led to changes in species composition, demography and the over‐exploitation of many coastal fishes. To restore populations, artificial reefs (ARs) are used with the assumption that new habitat will increase fish productivity. Kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus), barred sand bass (P. nebulifer) and California sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher) are three important recreational gamefish species in southern California. Home ranging behaviour, space use and spawning‐related activity of these three species were quantified on a large AR. Kelp bass used the largest amount of area, but space use was similar among species. While no spawning behaviour could be determined for sheephead, kelp bass exhibited two different activity patterns during spawning months and barred sand bass migrated (indicative of spawning). Results of this study indicate that this large AR is providing suitable habitat for these species, and spawning‐related activity could be a sign that this AR is meeting essential life history demands.     

Disinfection of almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana Valenciennes) eggs: Evaluation of three chemicals

Almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana Valenciennes) is an excellent candidate for aquaculture due to its fast growth rate and high market value. While S. rivoliana have adapted well to captivity, survival at early life stages can be improved to increase profitability during production. A wide range of variables cause larval mortalities but high bacterial loads in rearing tanks are often correlated with these losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of egg disinfection on bacterial load and hatch rate of S. rivoliana. Disinfectants tested included formalin (F100 and F200; 100 and 200 mg/L, respectively, for 60 min), hydrogen peroxide (HPO; 300 mg/L for 10 min) and peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide (PAA/HPO; 15.7 mg/L/39.6 mg/L for 1 min). Concentrations and contact times were determined based on current use in marine aquaculture and preliminary trials. Eggs treated with HPO and F100 had significantly higher hatch rates than the untreated control group. All treatments significantly decreased total Vibrio counts compared to untreated eggs; however, total bacterial counts were only decreased following treatments with PAA/HPO and F200. To prevent egg mortality due to bacterial overgrowth, consideration should be given to the use of surface disinfection using HPO or F100. Future studies should investigate the use of peracetic‐based products at lower doses.