Antigenic diversity of Theileria annulata macroschizonts

A series of monoclonal antibodies has been produced which reacts with the intracellular macroschizont of Theileria annulata, and this series has been used to examine the level of antigenic diversity between and within stocks of the parasite in addition to species specificity within the genus. The majority of the monoclonal antibodies (six of eight) reacted with all stocks tested and four were species-specific. Two monoclonal antibodies detected variation between stocks and within stocks. The variation within a stock was manifest as only a proportion of the macroschizonts reacting with the monoclonal antibody. This was demonstrated as being due to the strain containing more than one antigenic type of parasite by cloning the infected lymphocyte cell line and showing that the resulting cloned cell lines were antigenically homogeneous. The variation between stocks allowed them to be divided into three groups on the basis of antigenic profile.     

Hematology of free-living marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) from southeast Brazil.

This work reports basic hematologic values of a sample of a population of free-living marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) living by the Paraná River in Southeast Brazil. Hematologic values are presented separately for male, female, and young animals as well as for anesthetized and nonanesthetized cervids. Nonanesthetized deer restrained by physical means had significantly higher erythrocyte indices and total leukocyte counts. Comparisons of blood parameters of anesthetized animals of different ages and gender differed slightly, with only two significant differences observed: young animals had significantly higher red blood cell counts than adult males and a lower blood total protein content when compared to adult females. Results indicate that two main reference ranges for blood values should be considered for marsh deer, for blood obtained from anesthetized or physically restrained individuals.     

The pine reproductive process in temperate and tropical regions

Our knowledge of the pine reproductive process is confined to the developmental stages and time relations in a particular species. Lacking in the literature is a comparative analysis from a broader perspective such as pines from temperate versus tropical regions. Also, important information that may have beneficial implications for pine breeding and management purposes may be missed by going with a single generalized reproductive cycle model which is usually derived from well-studied northern temperate species. Detailed developmental analysis of the reproductive process is necessary, particularly for tropical pines where information is limited. Most pines undergo a reproductive cycle that spans three calendar years with two dormant periods. In temperate pines, many of the stages that are initiated by fall generally come to a halt during the winter and development resumes in spring of the following year. In tropical pines, reproductive development appears to be generally a continuous process characterized by a gradual rate of development with indistinct first dormant period. The distinct first dormant period in north temperate pines serves to synchronize pollen release and seed-cone receptivity which results in higher pollination success and seed production. Tropical pines exhibit asynchrony in pollen release and thus has extended pollination period. Relatively less pollen are available which results in lower pollination success and seed set. Interestingly, since asynchrony may enhance cross-pollination, tropical pines might benefit from this through the capture of genetic diversity. The length of the second dormant period is generally the same in temperate and tropical pines which indicates strong genetic control.     

Novel effects of salinity and water reuse on growth of juvenile New Zealand turbot, Colistium nudipinnis (Waite 1910), a potential aquaculture species

Juvenile New Zealand turbot, Colistium nudipinnis (Waite 1910), produced during the first aquaculture development project for this endemic flatfish, were reared at ambient and reduced salinities to determine the effect of salinity on growth and survival and the possible implications for aquaculture. Juveniles aged from 176 days to 17 months showed a high level of salinity tolerance, with minimal mortality attributable to salinity reduction over the range 33–18 g L^?1. Growth rate was slightly increased at the slightly reduced salinity of 28 g L^?1 (5 g L^?1 below ambient) but was significantly decreased at the markedly reduced salinity of 18 g L^?1. The growth response at 23 g L^?1 was markedly different between ‘new’ water and water that was recycled from a previous set of rearing tanks, with juveniles reared in 23 g L^?1‘new’ having a mean growth rate that was 29% lower than that of the control juveniles (in 33 g L^?1‘new’ water), whereas juveniles in 23 g L^?1‘reused’ water grew 45% faster than the controls. The implications of this novel effect are discussed in relation to the aquaculture potential of the New Zealand turbot.     

Relationships between an Italian Strawberry Ecotype and its Ancestor using RAPD Markers

Random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to evaluate genetic variability among populations of an Italian strawberry ecotype, and to determinate genetic relationships between genotypes and their putative ancestor. A total of 65 selections and one cultivar ‘Madame Moutot’ (MM), were analysed to evaluate genetic variability present in Etna mountain area and to confirm as MM was one of the cultivars that originated the ecotype. A total of 222 RAPD markers was obtained using 16 decamer primers and 6 longer primers, 90.8% of the markers obtained by selected primers resulted polymorphic at least within analysed genotypes. RAPDs were used to calculate genetic similarity coefficients and to generate dendrograms representing genetic relationships among genotypes analysed. Cluster analysis displays as RAPD polymorphisms were able to characterize the genotype variability among closely related groups. The data show as MM could be considered the ancestral genotypes introduced in that area. The results obtained confirm that RAPD markers could be used as reliable markers to perform phylogenetic studies in Fragaria×ananassa Duch. ex Rozier. Giuseppe Bertino and Piero Spada - Coauthor involved in genotype selection and field management