Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) Population Change in Central New Mexico: Implications for Management and Control

This paper examines changes in broom snakeweed populations (Gutierrezia sarothrae [Pursh] Britt. & Rusby) from 1979 to 2014 at three prairie grassland sites in New Mexico. Data gathered each fall were used to study broom snakeweed population dynamics and to estimate the probability that the relatively short-lived subshrub will die off or invade blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis [H.B.K. Lag]) rangelands. Annual broom snakeweed standing crop data were used to categorize populations as None (< 100 kg ha^? 1), Light (< 300), Moderate (< 750), or Heavy (≥ 750). Ordered logit regression was then used to estimate the frequency of transition between these categories over time depending on environmental and site factors. Significant variables found to influence annual variation in broom snakeweed included the broom snakeweed standing crop and density observed the previous period (+ effect for continued broom snakeweed); grass standing crop the previous period (?); rainfall received from April to June (+); and average temperatures during April (+) and June (?). The probability of broom snakeweed invading an area that is currently without the plant ranges from about 1% to > 40% depending on environmental conditions and the amount of grass standing crop present. Transition probability estimates were also used in a Monte Carlo simulation model to evaluate the economics of broom snakeweed control. The economics of chemical broom snakeweed control were most strongly related to the rate of snakeweed reinvasion on treated areas and to the probability of natural die-off if infested areas were not sprayed.     

Scrotal stalk ablation and orchiectomy using electrosurgery in the male sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and histologic anatomy of the testes and associated scrotal structures

This report describes an alternative surgical technique for performing scrotal ablation and orchiectomy in the adult male sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) using electrosurgery. Eight animals from a local small mammal shelter group that presented for routine surgical castration for population control measures were included in this study. Mean surgical time was 4.37 ± 2.13 seconds. Mean anesthesia time was 12.32 ± 5.63 minutes. Mean recovery time was 8.37 ± 3.68 minutes. Mean total procedure time was 22.24 ± 5.69 minutes. No perioperative complications were reported. All animals appeared to have sufficient pain management with an analgesia and anti-inflammatory protocol using butorphanol and meloxicam. No over grooming and or self-injurious behaviors were reported by the local shelter during both the 24-hour and 14-day recheck examinations. Electrosurgery scrotal ablation and orchiectomy therefore offers an alternate route for the practicing veterinarian to perform safe and efficient castrations in male sugar gliders. Histologically, in the epididymis, 3 of the 8 sugar gliders had evidence of a well-defined region in the head, between the efferent ducts and the remaining epididymis. The lining cells differed morphologically from those constituting the remaining epithelial lining. The presence of eosinophilic vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the cells in this region suggests a secretory activity.     

The Effects of Live and Artificial Diets on Feeding Performance of Cultured Winter Flounder,Pseudopleuronectes americanus,in the Wild: Survival,Feeding, Growth,and Nucleic Acid Analyses

This research, which is part of a larger study designed to assess the feasibility of winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, stock enhancement in New Hampshire, identifies hatchery feeds that optimize feeding‐related performance of fish once released in the wild. Fish reared on post‐nauplii of brine shrimp, Artemia sp., white worms, Enchytraeus albidus, common burrower amphipods, Leptocheirus plumulosus, and formulated pellets were evaluated post‐release from in situ cages using survival, growth rate, feeding onset and incidence, stomach fullness, diet composition, and nucleic acid‐based condition as indicators of hatchery diet suitability. Amphipod‐reared fish had the highest mean stomach content index of all feed types, including wild fish. Wild and worm‐reared fish exhibited the most similar survival, overall stomach fullness, and diet composition profiles over time. Amphipod‐reared fish ranked highest in overall performance; however, if wild fish performance is viewed as the ideal for a stocked fish, worm‐reared fish performed optimally. This study describes hatchery feeding strategies that may ease the transition of flatfish released into the wild for stock enhancement.