Media coverage of lethal control: A case study of kangaroo culling in the Australian Capital Territory

Culling kangaroos, Australia’s most abundant marsupial, is a controversial practice in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The ACT government introduced a kangaroo management plan in response to the growing kangaroo population causing damage in grassland ecosystems. Although some groups (e.g., local government, some researchers) support implementation of this plan, critics claim it is inhumane and lacks concrete evidence. To examine media portrayal of this debate, this study conducted a content analysis of newspaper coverage between 2006 and 2016. Although ACT newspapers were impartial in their presentation of the debate, sources that previous studies found were typically considered trustworthy to speak on the scientific validity of the program were found to have conflicting messages and be less represented in the media. Thus, future research should explore if the messenger is more important than the message in determining influences on public perceptions about the use of lethal control.     

Can differences in soil community composition after peat meadow restoration lead to different decomposition and mineralization rates?

Reducing decomposition and mineralization of organic matter by increasing groundwater levels is a common approach to reduce plant nutrient availability in many peat meadow restoration projects. The soil community is the main driver of these processes, but how community composition is affected by peat meadow restoration is largely unknown. Furthermore, it is unclear whether restoration induced changes could lead to altered decomposition and mineralization rates. We determined soil community composition in restored peat meadows with different groundwater levels and soil pH. This composition was subsequently used in food web model calculations of C and N mineralization rates to assess whether differences in soil community composition may have contributed to differences in decomposition and mineralization rates observed between these meadows.Community composition of micro-organisms, Collembola and Enchytraeidae differed considerably between meadows and were correlated with differences in groundwater levels and soil pH. Collembolan and enchytraeid species from wet and neutral environments were more abundant at meadows with higher groundwater levels. Lower fungal to bacterial PLFA ratios and higher numbers of protozoa indicated an increased importance of the bacterial part of the food web at meadows with higher groundwater levels. Food web model calculations suggested that the observed changes in community composition would lead to higher rates of C and N mineralization at meadows with high groundwater levels. Results from modeling were consistent with field measurements of C mineralization, but not with measurements of N mineralization.We conclude that understanding changes in soil community composition in response to specific restoration measures may help us to better understand ecosystem responses to wetland restoration schemes, especially regarding soil biogeochemical processes.     

The ethics of rodent control

Because western societies generally see animals as objects of moral concern, demands have been made on the way they are treated, e.g. during animal experimentation. In the case of rodent pests, however, inhumane control methods are often applied. This inconsistency in the human-animal relationship requires clarification. This paper analyses the criteria that must be met when judging the use of animals during experiments, and investigates whether these can be applied in rodent control. This is important, because, until now, animal welfare has been less of an issue in pest control: effectiveness, hygiene and cost efficiency have been leading principles. Two options are available to solve the inconsistency: the first is to abandon the criteria used in animal experimentation; the second is to apply these criteria to both animal experimentation and rodent control. This latter option implies that rodent control methods should not lead to intense pain or discomfort, and any discomfort should have a short duration and should allow escaped rodents to lead a natural life. Adherence to this option will, however, require a shift in the design of rodent control methods: effectiveness will no longer be the leading principle. It will have to share its position with animal welfare and humaneness.     

Environmental effects on growth and sporulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> spp. causing internal fruit rot in bell pepper

Internal fruit rot in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is mainly caused by members of the Fusarium lactis species complex (FLASC) and to a lesser extent by Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium proliferatum. Despite the importance of the disease, there is hardly no information about growth, sporulation and germination dynamics of FLASC. In order to understand the dominance of FLASC as main pathogen of internal fruit rot, the effects of temperature (5 °C – 35 °C), water activity (a_w 0.76–0.96), pH (pH 3 - pH 9) and oxygen concentration (2.5% - 20%) on growth and sporulation of all three Fusarium species were compared. In addition, germination kinetics were also investigated. FLASC showed optimal mycelium growth and sporulation in the narrow range of 25 °C, while both other strains were also tolerant for higher temperatures to 30 °C. FLASC was also characterized by a broad pH optimum from pH 3–7 while F. oxysporum (pH 4–7) and F. proliferatum (pH 5–8) were more demanding concerning pH. In addition, optimal sporulation occurred in the acid region for FLASC (pH 3) whilst neutral and alkaline pH were more favourable for the other species. Germination kinetics revealed that FLASC did not benefit from an earlier and/or faster germination process. A thorough understanding of the growth characteristics and dominance of FLASC as main pathogen for internal fruit rot is inevitable to develop sustainable control measures for the disease.     

Functional genomics and evolution of tick–Anaplasma interactions and vaccine development

The genus Anaplasma (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) includes several tick-transmitted pathogens that impact veterinary and human health. Tick-borne pathogens cycle between tick vectors and vertebrate hosts and their interaction is mediated by molecular mechanisms at the tick–pathogen interface. These mechanisms have evolved characteristics that involve traits from both the tick vector and the pathogen to insure their mutual survival. Herein, we review the information obtained from functional genomics and genetic studies to characterize the tick–Anaplasma interface and evolution of A. marginale and A. phagocytophilum. Anaplasma and tick genes and proteins involved in tick–pathogen interactions were characterized. The results of these studies demonstrated that common and Anaplasma species-specific molecular mechanism occur by which pathogen and tick cell gene expression mediates or limits Anaplasma developmental cycle and trafficking through ticks. These results have advanced our understanding of the biology of tick–Anaplasma interactions and have opened new avenues for the development of improved methods for the control of tick infestations and the transmission of tick-borne pathogens.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in Boswellia papyrifera (frankincense-tree) dominated dry deciduous woodlands of Northern Ethiopia

This study assessed the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of Boswellia papyrifera (frankincense-tree) dominated dry deciduous woodlands in relation to season, management and soil depth in Ethiopia. We studied 43 woody species in 52 plots in three areas. All woody species were colonized by AM fungi, with average root colonization being relatively low (16.6% – ranging from 0% to 95%). Mean spore abundance ranged from 8 to 69 spores 100 g⁻¹ of dry soil. Glomus was the dominant genus in all study sites. Season had a strong effect on root colonization and spore abundance. While spore abundance was higher (P < 0.001) in the dry season in all three study sites, root colonization showed a more variable response. Root colonization was reduced in the dry season in the site that was least subject to stress, but increased in the dry season in the harshest sites. Management in the form of exclosures (that exclude grazing) had a positive effect on spore abundance in one of the two sites considered. Spore abundance did not significantly differ (P = 0.17) between the two soil depths. Our results show that in this arid region all trees are mycorrhizal. This has profound consequences for rehabilitation efforts of such dry deciduous woodlands: underground processes are vital for understanding species adaptation to pulsed resource availability and deserve increasing attention.     

Development of bio-assays and screening for resistance to beet armyworm (Spodoptera Exigua Hübner) in Allium cepa L. and its wild relatives

The beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua Hübner)is the most important pest in tropical Alliumcultivations. All shallot (Allium cepa L. group Aggregatum) cultivars are susceptible to this pest. Therefore accessions from three wild Alliumspecies, namely A. galanthum Kar. et Kir., A. fistulosum L. and A. royleiStearn, next to A. cepa L. were used to screen for resistance. First of all, a reliable bio-assay had to be developed. To this end transparent plastic cages with in total 5 plants of one accession per cage were placed on per lite in a heated greenhouse. Five 3-day old larvae were inoculated on each plant. Eight days after inoculation the number of surviving larvae per cage and the mean fresh weightper larva was determined. The lowest larval survival (36%) was found on A. roylei. This was not, however, significantly different from other Allium accessions. Significant differences were found in the fresh weight per larva fed on different Allium accessions. The larvae survived on A. roylei had a very low fresh weight (10.3 mg per larva), while those on an accession of A. fistulosum had the highest fresh weight (45.1 mg per larva). The larval fresh weight on A. roylei was lower than all the other accessions except from the tropical shallot cultivar Bawang Bali. To check whether or not a toxic compound was involved in the resistance present in A. roylei, tenaccessions from four Allium species were screened. Five 3-day old larvae were inoculated on regularly replaced leaf material of each accession ofAllium species. No significant differences were found in mean fresh weight per larva and mean survival of larvae among different accessions. There were also no significant differences in pupal weight and developmental time. All larvae became pupae 10 days after inoculation. The data indicate that there is no toxic compound present in A. roylei. These results are underlined by the observation in the greenhouse bio-assay that A. roylei plants were equally damaged by the beet armyworm compared to otherAllium species. The results obtained so far therefore suggest that introduction of resistance to S. exigua via the exploitation of variation for resistance to the beet armyworm in A. roylei is unclear and that genetic engineering using Cry sequences could provide a way forward. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The phenology and population dynamics of Culicoides spp. in different ecosystems in The Netherlands

The Netherlands has enjoyed a relatively free state of vector-borne diseases of economic importance for more than one century. Emerging infectious diseases may change this situation, threatening the health of humans, domestic livestock and wildlife. In order to be prepared for the potential outbreak of vector-borne diseases, a study was undertaken to investigate the distribution and seasonal dynamics of candidate vectors of infectious diseases with emphasis on bluetongue vectors (Culicoides spp.). The study focused primarily on the relationship between characteristic ecosystems suitable for bluetongue vectors and climate, as well as on the phenology and population dynamics of these vectors. Twelve locations were selected, distributed over four distinct habitats: a wetland area, three riverine systems, four peat land areas and four livestock farms. Culicoides populations were sampled continuously using CO(2)-baited counterflow traps from July 2005 until August 2006, with an interruption from November 2005 to March 2006. All vectors were identified to species level. Meteorological and environmental data were collected at each location. Culicoides species were found in all four different habitat types studied. Wetland areas and peat bogs were rich in Culicoides spp. The taxonomic groups Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) and Culicoides pulicaris (Linnaeus) were strongly associated with farms. Eighty-eight percent of all Culicoides consisted of the taxon C. obsoletus/Culicoides scoticus. On the livestock farms, 3% of Culicoides existed of the alleged bluetongue vector Culicoides dewulfi Goetghebuer. Culicoides impunctatus Goetghebuer was strongly associated with wetland and peat bog. Many Culicoides species were found until late in the phenological season and their activity was strongly associated with climate throughout the year. High annual variations in population dynamics were observed within the same study areas, which were probably caused by annual variations in environmental conditions. The study demonstrates that candidate vectors of bluetongue virus are present in natural and livestock-farm habitats in the Netherlands, distributed widely across the country. Under favourable climatic conditions, following virus introduction, bluetongue can spread among livestock (cattle, sheep and goats), depending on the nature of the viral serotype. The question now arises whether the virus can survive the winter conditions in north-western Europe and whether measures can be taken that effectively halt further spread of the disease.