The host status of the striped mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio, in relation to the tick vectors of heartwater in South Africa

Striped mice, Rhabdomys pumilio, were trapped over a 17 month period in the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Captured mice were placed in cages, over water, and naturally detaching ticks were collected. Only 5 larvae and 1 nymph of Amblyomma hebraeum were recovered from the mice. These represented less than 0.1% of the total number of ticks recovered. No Amblyomma marmoreum were recovered. As the vegetation and large mammals and tortoises in the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve abound in larvae of both these vectors of heartwater the low infestation rates of R. pumilio indicate that it is either unsuitable or inaccessible for these ticks. R. pumilio is therefore unlikely to play a role in the epidemiology of heartwater.     

Striped mice, Rhabdomys pumilio, and other murid rodents as hosts for immature ixodid ticks as in the Eastern Cape Province

Striped mice, Rhabdomys pumilio, were trapped over a period of 17 months in the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, and placed in cages, over water, until all the ticks they harboured had detached. The mice were then returned to the reserve. Four ixodid tick species were recovered from the mice of which the larvae and nymphs of Rhipicephalus follis and Rhipicephalus simus were the most numerous. Most larvae of R. follis detached from mice trapped from March to July, and most nymphs in March and from June to September. Most larvae of R. simus detached from mice trapped from December to March, and most nymphs from January to March and during May and June. Seven ixodid tick species were collected from striped mice, house rats, Rattus rattus, vlei rats, Otomys spp. and Praomys sp. captured in the vicinity of human dwellings or animal holding facilities in the Grahamstown district. The striped mice captured in the Thomas Baines Reserve harboured considerably larger numbers of ticks than any of the rodent species in the more urbanized localities.     

Food preferences of the vlei rat (Otomys Irroratus) and the four-striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio)

The food preferences of O. irroratus and R. pumilio have been examined in laboratory tests. O. irroratus prefers green vegetation including herbs, shrubs and grasses whereas R. pumilio prefers fruits and seeds. Both species eat insects in the laboratory, but they are more important in the natural diet of R. pumilio than O. irroratus. O. irroratus readily eats grasses which are not consumed by R. pumilio. Partial dietary overlap occurs in the laboratory which suggests that some degree of competition for fruits and seeds will occur at certain seasons in natural populations.     

Comparison of age determination techniques for known-age Cape fur seals

Known-age teeth were used to validate age determination techniques for the Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus). Thin sectioning and staining of decalcified teeth produced the poorest age estimates. For etched half canines, only upper canines could be used to estimate age with good results, and coating improved the accuracy. Scanning electron microscopy produced poor accuracy in age estimation. External ridges reflected age accurately only in younger age classes and should only be used to verify counts of internal growth layer groups, or when rapid, preliminary estimates of age are necessary. This study has highlighted the importance of comparing different age determination techniques and validating such techniques with known-age animals. The reliability with which age can be estimated for the Cape fur seal has also been improved.     

Suppurative polyarthritis in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) from Cape Cod, Massachusetts: detection of mycoplasma DNA.

Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S.A. were necropsied (n=34; 1995-1997) or clinically evaluated (n=25, 2002-2003) to characterize a lameness and polyarthritis, reported by wildlife veterinarians and rehabilitators, and unsuccessfully treated with antibiotics. Overall, 22 affected skunks had one or multiple swollen joints, swollen paws, and subcutaneous abscesses. Purulent exudate was located in joint spaces, in periarticular connective tissue between muscle fascicles and tendons, and between and along flexor and extensor tendons of the paws. Histologic examination revealed suppurative arthritis, with necrosis and erosion of articular cartilage, and suppurative osteomyelitis. Special stains failed to reveal a causative microorganism within affected joints, and routine bacteriologic cultures failed to isolate a pathogen with any significant frequency or consistency. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments were performed using DNA extracted from archived, formalin-fixed joint samples of 11 affected skunks, and DNA from joints of 7 of 11 affected skunks yielded amplicons with sequences highly similar to sequences of Mycoplasma fermentans within the Mycoplasma bovis cluster, whereas DNA samples from joints of four unaffected skunks were negative by PCR. Skunks from Connecticut, U.S.A. (n=21; 1995-2003) were similarly examined and were found not to have suppurative polyarthritis, suggesting a unique geographic distribution of this condition. Concurrent pathologic conditions in adult skunks from both Cape Cod and Connecticut included verminous pneumonia, gastric nematodiasis, arthropod ectoparasitism, and canine distemper. Amyloidosis was present in skunks with and without suppurative polyarthritis, and the amyloid was immunohistochemically identified as AA-amyloid. This is the first report of suppurative polyarthritis in wild skunks with evidence of a mycoplasmal etiology.     

Kidney structure of a euryhaline mammal,the Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis)

The Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) is one of the few species of mammals that occur in both freshwater and marine habitats, and it therefore must be able to tolerate the high rates of water flux typical of aquatic animals as well as the desiccating effects of seawater. The clawless otter has paired, discrete multirenculate kidneys (total mass = 172 g) comprised of both unipapillary and bipapillary renculi weighing an average of 2.6 and 3.2 g, respectively, The average thickness of the cortex is 2.3 mm, and thicknesses of the outer and inner medulla are 2.4 and 6.4 mm, respectively. These measurements and the overall structure of the kidney of the Cape clawless otter are intermediate between those of freshwater and marine mammals.     

松嫩平原野艾蒿无性系种群根茎的年龄结构分析

将野艾蒿的根茎划分为不同的年龄级,按长度和生物量统计了野艾蒿根茎的年龄结构,分析了各龄级根茎数量特征的变化规律.结果表明,野艾蒿无性系种群根茎的最大存活年龄为4龄,根茎年龄结构为增长型;单位长度根茎的干物质贮量以1龄级最小,并呈现随龄级的增加而不断增大的趋势;2龄级根茎对形成地上茎贡献较大;根茎长度比根茎生物量和干物质贮量具有更大的生态可塑性;生长季后期是野艾蒿根茎生长的重要时期,尤其是1龄级根茎生物量增长明显,对于实现种群更新具有重要的生态学意义.     

Age determination in jackals (Canis adustus Sundevall, 1846, andCanis mesomelas Schreber, 1778; Carnivora: Canidae) with reference to the age structure and breeding patterns of jackal populations in Zimbabwe

Methods for determining the age of individual jackals using canine teeth were assessed as part of a study of the population structure of jackal species (side striped jackal, Canis adustus, and black backed jackal, Canis mesomelas), the main wildlife species maintaining rabies in Zimbabwe. Specimens of both species of jackal were obtained from rabies submissions and culling operations, although the major part of the study involved C. adustus. A method of ageing based on relative pulp cavity width of canine teeth differentiated young adults (one year old) from mature adults, but was of no value in determining the age after one year. A method based on cementum incremental growth layers was of no value as the layers were irregular and did not correspond with pulp cavity width. Canis adustus will breed in their first year but no evidence was found to show that C. mesomelas will normally breed at this age. Up to 60 % of C. adustus were young of year jackals, indicating high population turn over and the potential for rapid population recovery following population crashes.     

松嫩平原假苇拂子茅无性系种群的年龄结构

假苇拂子茅是典型的无性系禾草,分蘖节存活时间最多为４年,根茎存活的时间最多为３年;１龄级分蘖株生产力最高,１龄级 物质贮存能力最大,放牧场和割草场假苇拂子茅无性系种群的分蘖株均为增长型的年龄级蘖的物质生产;放牧扰动对假苇拂子茅无性系种群各龄级要茎的养分贮藏均有不利影响。割草场和放牧场假苇拂子茅潜在无性系种群均属于增长型的年龄结构。     

退耕还林还草地鼠害治理 --大林姬鼠种群年龄结构的研究

对采自青海省退耕还林还草地88只大林姬鼠Apodemus speciosus标本的体重和胴体重等7项生长指标进行了主成分分析,确定了各项指标对鼠体生长的代表性大小。结果表明:体重和胴体重是最具有代表性的生长指标,并根据体重将大林姬鼠划分为5个年龄组,为及时掌握退耕还林还草地鼠类种群动态进而对其进行有效防治提供有力的证据。     

Characterization of sex, age, and breed for a population of canine leishmaniosis diseased dogs

Our study of a large canine population investigated whether the development of symptomatic canine leishmaniosis revealed any predilection for sex, age, or breed. Included in the study were 390 leishmaniosis-affected dogs that had been treated at the Hospital Clínic Veterinari attached to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Of the diseased dogs, 238 were male (61%) and 152 were females (39%), whereas percentages for males and females in the overall reference population of dogs treated at this unit were 53% and 47%, respectively, (P<0.05). Age distribution was bimodal, with the highest prevalence of the disease occurring at 2-4 years of age and a secondary peak occurring at seven years or over. The over represented breeds were the German shepherd (13.6% versus 6.35%, P<0.001), the Rottweiler (13.1% versus 3.0%, P<0.001), and the Boxer (7.9% versus 4.7%, P=0.002), whereas the underrepresented breeds were the Yorkshire terrier (0.5% versus 6.5%, P<0.001), and the Poodle (0.3% versus 3.0%, P<0.001).     

东祁连山山生柳种群年龄结构及其动态分析

以东祁连山高寒地区山生柳种群为研究对象，从山生柳克隆种群在基株和分株2个层次上进行年龄结构的分析。研究结果表明，各样地基株种群中，I龄级的幼苗均较缺乏，Ⅳ龄级向V龄级过渡处为死亡高峰期，Ⅲ、Ⅳ龄级个体所占比重最大；克隆分株种群总体呈增长型；从种群动态方面分析，山生柳克隆种群年龄结构与海拔梯度间有一定相关联系：海拔3050m处，基株种群和分株种群呈衰退型；3100－3250m间，种群表现为增长型；3300－3450m，种群表现为稳定型。     

青海扁茎早熟禾冬眠无性系种群年龄结构特征

通过对青海扁茎早熟禾(Poa pratensis var.anceps cv.Qinghai) 1 年到6年栽培草地各构件龄级的统计分析得出,冬眠芽各生长年限年龄结构分为0龄到4龄5个龄级,均以0龄数量最高,并逐龄递减,冬眠苗和亲株分为1龄到4龄4个龄级,均以1龄数量最高,并逐龄递减。亲株冬眠构件数量以4 年最高,为672.3±37.74,冬眠苗和冬眠芽均以1 年数量最高,分别为（191.8±25.34）和（137.67±28.97）株。冬眠苗符合直线模型,其表达式为S=-35.96t+221.3;冬眠芽最符合的是生长曲线模型,其表达式为S=e5.472-0.374t;亲株的数量生长最符合二次曲线模型,其表达式为S=-86.417t2+547.455t-279.752。冬眠苗和冬眠芽的各龄级数量的曲线的乘幂曲线F值越高,就越有可能是增长型龄级结构,所以1年和2 年为增长龄级结构,3年和4年为稳定龄级结构,5年和6年为衰退龄级结构。     

Small mammals and habitat structure along altitudinal gradients in the southern Cape mountains

Small mammals were sampled along altitudinal gradients in two mountain localities, the Swartberg and Baviaanskloof, in the southern Cape in summer 1977–1978. Species composition varied according to altitude and aspect with a total catch of six rodent and two shrew species. Correlations were found between abundance of rodent species and habitat variables, particularly vegetation structure and the cover of rock and bare soil. Rodent species diversity was negatively correlated with the proportion of total foliage at low to mid heights (40 - 80 cm). Factors controlling apparent habitat preferences are discussed together with modes of rodent niche separation. Extrapolation of the results is limited by the single season and restricted geographical coverage of the survey.     

Maternal origins,population structure and demographic history of ten Chinese indigenous goat breeds from Yunnan

Yunnan as a frontier zone that connects China with South and Southeast Asia, has 11 well‐recognized goat breeds. However, the knowledge about maternal origins, population structure and demographic history of Chinese indigenous goats from Yunnan is limited. In this study, we analysed a 481‐bp fragment of first hypervariable segment (HVSI) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences of 749 individuals from 10 Yunnan indigenous goat breeds, of which 556 sequences were newly determined. There were 110 polymorphic sites that defined 158 haplotypes among all sequences. The haplotype and nucleotide diversity of these breeds ranged from 0.782 ± 0.079 to 0.982 ± 0.015 and from 0.028 ± 0.003 to 0.043 ± 0.005, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis identified two lineages A and B, of which the lineage A had higher frequency (68.1%) and distributed in all Yunnan breeds. We combined previously reported sequences with our sequences belonging to the lineage B and detected two subclades B1 and B2, in which the B1 subclade shared individuals from Eastern Asia, Southeast Asia and Southern Asia. Given higher level of diversity and more unique haplotypes, the B2 subclade probably originated from Southwestern China. The haplotype network, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and a Mantel test revealed no significant phylogeographic structuring among Yunnan goat breeds. This can be explained by high gene flow and genetic admixture among these breeds from different geographic regions in Yunnan. Additionally, both the lineages A and B reflected different demographic histories. This study will provide a scientific basis for the conservation and utilization of Yunnan indigenous goats.     

Evaluation of age, breed, and gender as risk factors for umbilical hernia in horses of a hospital population

Age, breed, and gender distributions of 168 horses with umbilical hernia treated at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine were analyzed to determine risk factors for this disease. For the 3 breeds that constituted the largest proportion of hospital and case populations, Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Quarter Horse, the overall ratio of females to males was 1.63. In a hospital population of the same age group, 0 to 48 months, the female to male ratio was 0.93. Compared with males, females were at significantly higher risk for umbilical hernia after adjustment for breed and age (odds ratio, 2.01; 99% confidence interval, 1.31 to 3.10; P = 0.00002). Of the 2 major breeds, Thoroughbreds were at greater risk than Standardbreds for umbilical hernia, after adjustment for gender and age (odds ratio, 1.80; 99% confidence interval, 1.10 to 2.95; P = 0.0020). The results provide information about a common congenital defect in horses that can be used for future genetic research.     

Survey of the Swedish dog population: age, gender, breed, location and enrollment in animal insurance

A sample of the Swedish population was surveyed by interviewing households by telephone. The number interviewed was 11,762, of which 15.5% owned dogs, and of these, 77.9% had one dog. The estimated total population of dogs in Sweden was just over 800,000. Dog-owning was more common in more rural areas compared to larger cities. The numbers of male and female dogs were similar and few dogs were neutered. Mean age was 5.7 years with median 5 years. Mongrels comprised 13.3% and the most common breed was the dachshund (7.4%). Of dogs with information on insurance status, 68.4% of the dogs were insured for veterinary care and 58.3% were life insured.     

Phylogeography of the African common toad,Amietophrynus regularis,based on mitochondrial DNA sequences: inferences regarding the Cape Verde population and biogeographical patterns

The amphibian Amietophrynus regularis is distributed throughout equatorial Africa, with presumed introduced populations in the Cape Verde archipelago. Portions of the 12S and 16S rRNA mitochondrial regions of 30 specimens from Kenya, Uganda, Niger, Mali, Burkina-Faso, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde were used to assess genetic diversity and to identify the most probable geographic origin for the introduction of this toad on the latter archipelago. Two lineages with 1.4% genetic divergence between them were identified in western and eastern Africa. All sequences from the different Cape Verde Islands were identical to each other and to the Guinea-Bissau samples, indicating, together with other historical evidences, that an anthropogenic introduction event probably occurred, possibly from Guinea-Bissau, but further work is needed to confirm this. As previously noted, several individuals from previous genetic studies seem to have been misidentified.