Rumen ciliate faunae of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and goat (Capra hircus) in Nepal

Rumen ciliate composition of river-type water buffalo and goat in Nepal was surveyed. As the result of survey, 13 genera representing 52 species and 20 formae of the ciliates were identified. Of them 13 genera with 44 species and 9 formae were found from the water buffalo and 8 genera with 21 species and 12 formae from the goat. The present paper shows the first report of Hsiungella triciliata, Entodinium brevispinum, E. convexum, E. javanicum, E. rectangulatum f. rectangulatum, E. rectangulatum f. lobosospinosum, Diplodinium nanum, D. psittaceum, D. sinhalicum and Ostracodinium quadrivesiculatum from water buffalo and Epidinium ecaudatum f. parvicaudatum from goat.     

Ciliate protozoa in the forestomach of the Bactrian camel in Inner-Mongolia, China

Ciliate composition in the forestomach was examined in four Bactrian camels, Camelus bactrianus, inhabiting Mongol and Steppes, then 7 genera containing 14 species with 5 formae were identified. One of these formae was a new forma, and described as Entodinium okoppensis f. cameli n.f. Six species containing one new forma were new records in the forestomach of camels. The percentage composition of genera varied with the individuals of host and the collection sites in the stomach but Entodinium was generally predominant. Total ciliate density per milliliter of stomach fluid was 2.1 x 10(5) on average.     

Detection and identification of food‐borne pathogens of the genera Campylobacter,Arcobacter and Helicobacter by multiplex PCR in poultry and poultry products

The objective of this study was to develop a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect and differentiate food‐borne pathogens of the three genera Campylobacter, Arcobacter and Helicobacter in a single step procedure. One common reverse primer and three genus‐specific forward primers were designed by hybridizing to the 16S rRNA of selected reference strains. Besides the species with significance as food‐borne pathogens isolated from poultry meat –Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Arcobacter butzleri and Helicobacter pullorum– several other members of these genera were tested to determine the specificity of the designed multiplex PCR. In total, 20 ATCC and NCTC reference strains of Campyobacter, Arcobacter and Helicobacter were used to evaluate the PCR. Specific amplificates were obtained from all thermophilic species of Campylobacter as well as from species of Arcobacter and Helicobacter. No amplification product was obtained from the non‐thermophilic Campylobacter, C. hyointestinalis and C. fetus. Furthermore, a total of 43 field strains of the three genera isolated from poultry, pigs, cattle and humans were investigated using this PCR. To confirm the classification of 10 H. pullorum strains the 16S rRNAs were sequenced. The developed PCR is a helpful diagnostic tool to detect and differentiate Campylobacter, Arcobacter and Helicobacter isolated from poultry and poultry products.     

A morphological analysis of the skull size and shape of Kerivoulinae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Vietnam

Southeast Asia is a region of high biodiversity, containing species of plants and animals that are yet to be discovered. In this region, bats of the subfamily Kerivoulinae are widespread and diverse with six species recorded in Vietnam. However, the taxonomy of the Kerivoulinae in Asia is complicated. In our study, we used diagnostic characters and multivariate analysis to determine morphological differences between the genera Kerivoula and Phoniscus. We showed that the two genera are distinguishable by the size of second upper incisors, the shape of skull, nasal sinus, canines, second upper and lower premolars. In addition, the two genera can be osteometrically separated by measurements of the braincase height, interorbital width and shape of anterior palatal emargination. Our data clearly revealed the morphological variations in the skull shape of Kerivoula hardwickii in Vietnam. This suggests a possible separation into three morphotypes, representing cryptic species supported by statistical differences with wide variation in skull shape, size and teeth. These results demonstrated Kerivoula hardwickii can be separated three subspecies, and the result will serve as the basis for the future assessment and classification of this group in Southeast Asia.     

Rumen ciliate protozoal fauna of reindeer in Inner Mongolia, China

Rumen ciliate species and composition were surveyed on the reindeer kept in Inner Mongolia, China. As a result of survey, all the reindeer had the same 18 species of 8 genera of the ciliates in their rumen. Appearance of Entodinium parvum is the first record in this host species. Of the species detected, 15 species including Entodinium anteronucleatum, E. bicornutum, Enoploplastron confluens and Epidinium gigas which have been detected only from reindeer were common with those in the reindeer kept in the other areas, such as Alaska, Russia and Finland, indicating that every rumen ciliate faunae in reindeer has high similarity to each other, and suggesting that these hosts have been isolated from the other ruminants for long time and established characteristic ciliate fauna. The ciliate density was estimated as 1.1-2.5 x 10 (6)/ml, which value was fairly higher than those in domestic ruminants. Surface structures of characteristic species were observed by SEM.     

Nutritive defaunation of the rumen in steers with subsequent refaunation using a cryopreserved monoculture of Entodinium caudatum

This study evaluated a technique for the nutritive defaunation of the rumen of cattle with subsequent single species refaunation using a cryopreserved monoculture of Entodinium caudatum (family Ophryoscolecidae). Four mature steers were nutritionally defaunated in two periods using two steers in each period. A diet containing (dry matter basis) 68% ground wheat grain, 7% wheat bran, 8% soybean oil and 17% wheat straw was used to decrease the pH of ruminal contents and to eliminate rumen ciliate protozoa. Protozoa‐free rumens were observed on day 8 and 9 in the first and second period, respectively, after the start of defaunation. A monoculture of E. caudatum (34/89/94) was transported from the Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences in Ko?ice to the University of Kiel (Germany) in liquid nitrogen in October 1996. The inoculation was accomplished on day 15 in the second period by applying 30 ml culture medium with a monoculture of E. caudatum (34/89/94; average concentration of protozoal cells 2 650/ml) into the rumen of a defaunated steer via the ruminal fistula. The mono‐faunated steer was successfully inoculated with an average concentration of E. caudatum cells at 4.1 × 10³/ml (SD = 0.2) on day 2 after the inoculation.     

Least speciose among the most speciose: Natural history correlates of monospecific and bispecific genera of Rodentia and Soricomorpha

Monospecific and bispecific genera are of special concern as they represent unique phylogenetic/evolutionary trajectories within larger clades. In addition, as phylogenetically older taxa are supposed to be exposed to higher rarity and extinction risk, monospecific and bispecific genera may be intrinsically more prone to extinction risks than multispecies genera, although extinction risks also depend on the ecological and biological strategy of the species. Here, the distribution across biogeographical zones and the levels of threat to 2 speciose orders of mammals (monospecific and bispecific genera of Rodentia and Soricomorpha) are investigated in order to highlight major patterns at the worldwide scale. In Rodentia, 39.7% of the genera (n = 490) were monospecific and 17.9% were bispecific. In Soricomorpha, 44.4% of the total genera (n = 45) were monospecific and 15% were bispecific. There was a positive correlation between the number of monospecific genera and the total number of genera per family. Peaks of monospecific and bispecific genera richness were observed in Neotropical, Oriental and Afrotropical regions in rodents and in the Palearctic region in soricomorphs. Range size was significantly uneven across biogeographic region in rodents (with larger ranges in Nearctic and Oriental regions and smaller ranges in the Australian region), but there was no difference across biogeographic regions in terms of range size in soricomorphs. Most of the monospecific and bispecific genera occurred in forest habitat in both taxa. The frequency distribution of the monospecific and bispecific genera across IUCN categories did not differ significantly from the expected pattern using the total rodent genera and the multispecies genera.     

The sclerodactylid holothurians of southern Africa,with the erection of one new subfamily and two new genera (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

The sclerodactylid subfamily Sclerodactylinae is restricted to include only those forms with a short, compact, tubular calcareous ring and a new subfamily Sclerothyoninae is diagnosed to accommodate two new southern African monotypic genera Sclerothyone and Temparena, with compact but non-tubular calcareous rings. The new genera are erected respectively for Ludwig and Heding's (1935) Cucumaria? velligera and C.l chuni, formerly classified in Pentamera. This brings the total number of sclerodactylid holothurians known from southern Africa to six genera and seven species. All taxa are diagnosed and/or described, a key is provided for all southern African species and their local distributions are mapped.     

The phyllophorid holothurians of southern Africa with the erection of a new genus

The southern African dendrochirotid holothurians of the family Phyllophoridae (sensu Pawson & Fell, 1965) are revised and a new genus Thyonina is erected to accommodate Thyone articulata Vaney, 1908, which possesses only slender spectacle-shaped rods as body wall deposits. In addition, Thyone proceracorona Cherbonnier, 1952 and T. turrisolida Cherbonnier, 1954, are declared junior subjective synonyms of T. aurea (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833); Havelockia imperfecta Cherbonnier, 1970 is transferred to the genus Thyone, and T. venusta Selenka, 1868 (synonym T. okeni Bell, 1884) is recorded for the first time from southern Africa. These changes bring the total number of phyllophorid holothurians now known from southern Africa to five genera and 11 species. All species are keyed, briefly described and/or discussed, and their local distributions mapped.     

Multigeneric resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics in four sheep flocks

Clinical parasitism associated with multigeneric resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics was investigated in four sheep flocks during February and March 1989. The genera considered resistant were Haemonchus and Nematodirus spp. on all four farms and Trichostrongylus and Ostertagia spp. on three of the four farms. It is suggested that when investigating cases of suspected drench resistance, postdrenching worm counts are useful to help identify the resistant worm species present.     

A survey of the fish fauna of Transkei estuaries Part Two: The Mbashe Estuary

The species composition, seasonal abundance and spatial distribution of the fish fauna of the Mbashe estuary (8 km long) was determined by means of gill nets. During the 37 month survey period, 2908 fish (2319,8 kg), comprising 27 species, were caught. The family Mugilidae, representing 58,8% of the numbers and 57,4% of the biomass, predominated the catches. In terms of biomass M. cephalus, A. hololepidotus and P. commersonnii were the most important species. Seasonal patterns for 10 of the 27 species were observed. M. cephalus, A. hololepidotus and L. amia were more abundant in spring/summer, E machnata and V. buchanani in spring, P. commersonnii and L. tricuspidens increased numerically in winter and M. capensis in autumn, Johnius dussumieri and Valamugil cunnesius were rare in winter and summer, respectively. Largest catches were made in the middle reaches of the estuary followed by the upper and lower reaches, respectively.     

A check list of the helminths of guineafowls (Numididae) and a host list of these parasites

Published and personal records have been compiled into a reference list of the helminth parasites of guineafowls. Where data on other avian hosts was available these have been included for completeness' sake and to give an indication of host range. The parasite list for the Helmeted guineafowls, Numida meleagris, includes five species of acanthocephalans, all belonging to a single genus, three trematodes belonging to three different genera, 34 cestodes representing 15 genera, and 35 nematodes belonging to 17 genera. The list for the Crested guineafowls, Guttera edouardi, contains a single acanthocephalan together with 10 cestode species belonging to seven genera, and three nematode species belonging to three different genera. Records for two cestode species from genera and two nematode species belonging to a single genus have been found for the guineafowl genus Acryllium. Of the 70 helminths listed for N. meleagris, 29 have been recorded from domestic chickens.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of Glossidium pedatum Looss, 1899 and Orientocreadium batrachoides Tubangui, 1931 from sharptooth catfish,Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

The superfamily Plagiorchioidea has a considerable number of genera and species with great uncertainty of their phylogenetic position. The objectives of the current study were to specifically describe the morphology and determine for the first time the phylogenetic position of Glossidium pedatum and Orientocreadium batrachoides. Examination of G. pedatum using conventional light and scanning microscopy techniques revealed undescribed features related to the digestive system, the presence of papillae-like lateral lappets, and terminal lobes covered with backwardly directed spines. Orientocreadium batrachoides revealed a pharynx that is four lobed anteriorly. Both the large (28S) and small (18S) subunits of the ribosomal genome, analysed through Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood, were used to genetically characterise these species. Phylogenies indicate that G. pedatum does not fit well into any known family within the Plagiorchioidea, as currently indicated in various systematic structures based on morphology. However, G. pedatum was closely related to Haematoloechidae according to analyses of 18S and 28S rDNA. Based on 28S rDNA, O. batrachoides formed a well-supported clade with Orientocreadium pseudobagri within the family Orientocreadiidae. In turn, Orientocreadiidae is closely related to Leptophallidae. The current study provides essential information that could be helpful to assign the family for Glossidium in future studies. Characterisation of life-cycle stages may be necessary to fully elucidate the systematic position of G. pedatum.     

Fermentation characteristics and ruminal ciliate protozoal populations in cattle fed medium- or high-concentrate barley-based diets

Fermentation characteristics were measured and numbers and distribution by genera of ciliate protozoa were determined in ruminal fluid samples collected from 10 ruminally cannulated steers during the first 30 d of their being fed barley-based diets containing 62% (Medium Barley) or 95% (High Barley) barley grain (DM basis). Ruminal samples were collected at 5-d intervals over the 30-d periods beginning after adaptation (i.e., at the first full feeding of each diet). Ruminal pH and ammonia concentrations were lower (P < 0.001) with the High Barley than with the Medium Barley diet. Concentrations of total VFA and propionate and amylase activity of ruminal fluid were higher (P < 0.001) on High Barley than on Medium Barley. Total protozoal numbers in ruminal fluid were 42% lower (P < 0.05) on High Barley (470 x 10(3)/mL) than on Medium Barley (804 x 10(3)/mL). On Medium and High Barley diets, respectively, Entodinium spp. made up 89 and 91% of the ciliate protozoal populations. With the Medium Barley diet, relative proportions of Dasytricha, Ophryoscolex, Ostracodinium, Diplodinium, and Metadinium spp. in the total ciliate population were 4.5, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.3%, respectively. When the High Barley diet was fed, these genera were not detected. In a subsequent survey, ruminal samples were collected from 200 finishing cattle at slaughter. Average protozoal population was 328 x 10(3)/mL, and Entodinium spp. constituted 97% of the total. These data demonstrate that a large population of Entodinium spp. can persist in the rumen of cattle fed high barley grain-based finishing diets.     

Comparative Morphology of Three Native Lernaeids (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from Amazonian Fishes and Descriptions of Two New Genera

Abstract

Morphological studies were carried out on adult postmetamorphic females of three native South American genera of Lernaeidae (Crustacea: Copepoda: Cyclopoida) and these were compared with the imported species Lernaea cyprinacea. Two of the native species represent new genera, which are described as Amazolernaea sannerae gen. et sp. nov. and Bedsylernaea collaris gen. et sp. nov. The third native species had already been described as Perulernaea gamitanae Thatcher and Paredes, 1985. Amazolernaea sannerae from the cichlids Cichla monoculus and speckled pavon C. temensis was characterized as having four similar petal-like anchors, a long slender neck, thoracopods 1 and 2 close together, and a genital pore located equatorially in the well-developed hindbody. Bedsylernaea collaris differs from all known lernaeids in having a large inflated head region with one bulbous anchor on either side, a slender neck, a stout hindbody with a large pregenital prominence, a genital pore that is anterior to the midpoint on the hindbody, and collar-like extensions on the anterior extremity of the hindbody. Perulernaea gamitanae has two large and two small unbranched anchors, a long neck with prominent glands, and an elongate hindbody with a genital pore that is posterior to the midpoint. In contrast, all valid species of Lernaea have four frequently branching anchors, a neck region and hindbody that are not well defined, a short abdomen, and a genital pore at or near the posterior extremity.     

Conjunctival bacterial and fungal flora in healthy horses in the UK

Objectives To describe the bacterial and fungal flora of the normal conjunctiva of horses in the UK; to determine the effect of horse age, sex, geographic location, and housing on this flora; and to determine the most appropriate antimicrobial drug(s) for prophylactic treatment of corneal ulcers. Animal studied A total of 60 adult healthy horses were studied. Procedure Swabs of the conjunctiva were obtained from 60 horses housed in two locations within the UK. Specimens were cultured for aerobic bacteria and fungi, and sensitivity against six ophthalmic antimicrobials assessed. The effect of age, sex, location and housing on the frequency of microbial isolation was evaluated. Results Fifty‐four bacterial isolates, representing thirteen genera of bacteria were cultured from 31 (52%) horses. The most frequently isolated bacterial species was Acinetobacter sp (17/32 horses). The majority of isolates (28/54: 52%) were gram‐positive. Three genera of fungi (Mucor, Absidia and Aspergillus spp) were isolated from eight (13%) horses. There was no significant effect of geographic location, sex, age or housing on frequency of microbial isolation. Horses from which gram‐negative bacteria were isolated were significantly older than horses from which gram‐positive bacteria were isolated. High efficacy (greater than 90% of isolates sensitive in vitro) was displayed by chloramphenicol, gentamicin and tetracycline. Conclusions The microbial species isolated are comparable with studies performed in other countries, although the frequency of Acinetobacter isolation was higher which may reflect a geographic difference. The topical antimicrobials gentamicin and chloramphenicol are appropriate first line antimicrobials for empirical treatment of corneal ulcers in the UK.     

Evolution of Acoustic Behaviour in African Bufo (Anura: Bufonidae)

Mating calls are known for 29 species of African Bufo belonging to 11 species groups. Twenty-five African species, representing eight species groups (including four groups or complexes having 2N=22) have calls which Martin (1972) termed Type I. This call type is also found in Schismaderma carens, Nectophrynoides tornieri and N. occidentalis. It is known in only four species of Bufo outside Africa and in Odontophrynus americanus which is thought to be closely related to leptodactylids that gave rise to the genus Bufo. Four African species of Bufo have Type II calls.

Geographic distribution of three call types indicates large radiations of one or two call types in South America, North America and Africa. The European and Asian Bufo faunas appear to be derived primarily from American radiations.

The radiation of bufonids in Africa appears to be equal to that of South America. An explanation of this may be that Bufo or its progenitor evolved prior to the continental separation of South America and Africa.     

Plant species used in traditional smallholder dairy processing in East Shoa,Ethiopia

Plant species used in traditional dairy processing were studied in three districts (Bosset, Ada, and Gimbichu) in Eastern Shoa, Ethiopia, from October 2007 to March 2008. A total of 300 smallholders were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires, and three focus group discussions were conducted, followed by plants specimen collection and identification. A total of 36 plant species, falling under 24 plant families, were identified. Nearly half of the identified plant species had more than one use types. Eleven plant species were/are used for washing (scrubbing) dairy utensils, ten plant species for smoking dairy utensils, 12 plant species in butter making, 15 plant species in ghee making, and five plant species for packaging (wrapping) butter and cheese. The plant species that had the highest overall citations from each use category were Ocimum hardiense, Olea europaea subspecies africana, Trachyspermum copticum, Curcuma longa, and Croton macrostachyus. The plant species used in the three study districts, representing different agro ecologies, showed some similarities, but levels of uses differed significantly (P < 0.05). Higher informant citations might indicate their better efficacy, however need to be further investigated to determine their effects on milk and milk product quality and to make sure that they are innocuous to human and animal health. Finally, as the present study tried to document natural products used in traditional dairy processing, it could be considered as part of the global efforts aimed at promoting organic food production.