An insight on Octopus vulgaris paralarvae lipid requirements under rearing conditions

In this study, two new alternative preys: Grapsus adscensionis zoeae (as sole prey) and Palaemon elegans zoeae (in cofeeding with Artemia sp.), as well as, Artemia sp. juveniles were used as feed for octopus paralarvae, as a way to understand its lipid requirements. Total lipid (TL) content, lipid class (LC) and fatty acid (FA) profiles of preys, octopus hatchlings and 9‐day‐old paralarvae were analysed. Growth and survival of the paralarvae were also determined. Regardless the prey provided, a notable shift in the lipid profile of paralarvae was registered after 9 days of rearing. The highest index of growth rate (IGR) recorded when decapod crustacean zoeae were supplied might have some relation with levels of 20:4n‐6 (ARA) and DHA/EPA ratio observed. In this sense, Grapsus adscensionis zoeae leaded to a higher content of ARA and a lower content of EPA, which may indicate a possible competition between these two FA. For that a balanced EPA/ARA ratio might be significant in this species nutrition without disconsidering DHA levels as an essential fatty acid. Finally, the changes observed in paralarvae FA profile might not only be related to prey FA profile, but also with changes occurring in the lipid classes contents.     

Assessment of species specificity of moulting accelerating compounds in Lepidoptera: comparison of activity between Bombyx mori and Spodoptera littoralis by in vitro reporter and in vivo toxicity assays

BACKGROUND: Dibenzoylhydrazine analogues have been developed successfully as a new group of insect growth regulators, called ecdysone agonists or moulting accelerating compounds. A notable feature is their high activity against lepidopteran insects, raising the question as to whether species‐specific analogues can be isolated. In this study, the specificity of ecdysone agonists was addressed through a comparative analysis in two important lepidopterans, the silkworm Bombyx mori L. and the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). RESULTS: When collections of non‐steroidal ecdysone agonists containing different mother structures (dibenzoylhydrazine, acylaminoketone, tetrahydroquinoline) were tested, in vitro reporter assays showed minor differences using cell lines derived from both species. However, when compounds with high ecdysone agonist activity were examined in toxicity assays, larvicidal activity differed considerably. Of note was the identification of three dibenzoylhydrazine analogues with > 100‐fold higher activity against Bombyx than against Spodoptera larvae. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that species‐specific ecdysone‐agonist‐based insecticides can be developed, but their species specificity is not based on differences in the activation of the ecdysone receptor but rather on unidentified in vivo parameters such as permeability of the cuticle, uptake/excretion by the gut or metabolic detoxification. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of fruit load on oil yield components and dynamics of fruit growth and oil accumulation in olive (Olea europaea L.)

Olive oil yield and its components (fruit number, average fruit weight and fruit oil concentration) depend on crop load and source–sink ratios as affected by environmental conditions, management and the alternate bearing typical of the species. The aims of this work were to: (i) establish quantitative relationships between oil yield and its components as affected by fruit load in a high-yielding production system, (ii) analyse the dynamics of fruit weight and fruit oil concentration in terms of rates and durations, and (iii) explore the relationships between the dynamics of oil and water in fruit. In a fully irrigated olive orchard in Mendoza (32° S), Argentina, cv. Arbequina trees with similar crown volume and three fruit loads (3-fold range) were monitored during two seasons. Oil yield was positively associated with both fruit number and fruit fresh weight, but not with fruit oil concentration. Across seasons and fruit loads, fruit yield increased linearly with fruit number at ～1.5 kg per thousand fruit and reached a maximum ～60 kg tree^?1 (or 25 t ha^?1) at a fruit load of 32,700 fruit tree^?1. The fruit filling rate was affected by fruit load, while the duration of fruit growth and the dynamics of oil and water concentration were unaffected by fruit load. Fruit water concentration reached a minimum at the onset of Stage III of fruit growth, which was marked by a rapid increase in oil concentration. Fruit fresh weight and oil weight increased with source–sink ratio from ～0.5 up to a threshold ～2 m³ crown per thousand fruit. In contrast, a 8-fold range of source–sink ratio did not affect fruit oil concentration.     

Acuaroid nematodes in the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in the south of Spain

The prevalence, intensity and abundance of acuaroid nematodes were determined in the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Andalusia, Spain. Acuaroid nematodes were present in 26/41 (63.4%) of birds examined. The most common species belonged to the genus Synhimantus subgenus Synhimantus (56%): S. (S.) laticeps (36.5%), S. (S.) robertdollfusi (24.3%) and a single specimen of a third, unknown, Synhimantus (S.) spp., unlike any other described previously (2.4%). Other species identified were Synhimantus (Dispharynx) spp. (2.4%), S. (D.) nasuta (4.8%), Desportesius spinulatus (9.7%) and Skrjabinoclava spp. (2.4%). This is the first record of these three species in F. tinnunculus, but the latter two are considered to be accidental parasites in birds of prey.     

Co-existing squamous cell carcinoma and hemangioma on the ocular surface of a cat

A 14-year-old spayed female domestic short-haired cat was presented for evaluation of a mass in the right eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed a blind right eye and presence of two distinct masses: a pink and a red-to-brown mass, the latter occupying most of the cornea and part of the conjunctiva. Exenteration was performed under general anesthesia, and the ocular tissues were processed routinely for histopathology. Upon microscopic examination, a malignant epithelial neoplasm and a benign vascular neoplasm were present in the cornea. The conjunctiva and the third eyelid were also affected. Upon immunohistochemistry, the epithelial tumor was positive for cytokeratin and negative for vimentin and the endothelial tumor was negative for cytokeratin and positive for vimentin. A diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and hemangioma was made. The SCC was affecting the cornea, bulbar conjunctiva (lateral and inferior) and the base of the third eyelid, whereas the hemangioma was affecting the cornea and medial limbus. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of concomitant SCC and hemangioma affecting the ocular surface in a cat.     

Carbon Stocks and Fluxes in Rangelands of the Río de la Plata Basin

Grasslands are one of the most modified biomes on Earth. Land use changes had a large impact on carbon (C) stocks of grasslands. Understanding the impact of land use/land cover changes on C stocks and fluxes is critical to evaluate the potential of rangeland ecosystem as C sinks. In this article we analyze C stocks and fluxes across the environmental gradients of one of the most extensive temperate rangeland areas: the Río de la Plata Grasslands (RPG) in South America. The analysis summarizes information provided by field studies, remote sensing estimates, and modeling exercises. Average estimates of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) ranged from 240 to 316 g C· m^?2·yr^?1. Estimates of belowground NPP (BNPP) were more variable than ANPP and ranged from 264 to 568 g C· m^?2·yr^?1. Total Carbon ranged from 5 004 to 15 008 g C· m^?2. Plant biomass contribution to Total Carbon averaged 13% and varied from 9.5% to 27% among sites. The largest plant C stock corresponded to belowground biomass. Aboveground green biomass represented less than 7% of the plant C. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was concentrated in the slow and passive compartments of the organic matter. Active soil pool represented only 6.7% of the SOC. The understanding of C dynamics and stocks in the RPG grasslands is still partial and incomplete. Field estimates of ANPP and BNPP are scarce, and they are not based on a common measurement protocol. Remotely sensed techniques have the potential to generate a coherent and spatially explicit database on ANPP. However, more work is needed to improve estimates of the spatial and temporal variability of radiation use efficiency. The absence of a flux tower network restricts the ability to track seasonal changes in C uptake and to understand fine-scale controls of C dynamics.     

Oligodendroglial gliomatosis cerebri in a poodle

Gliomatosis cerebri (GC) is a rare, diffusely infiltrating, glial cell tumour of neuroepithelial origin. This report describes a case of oligodendroglial GC in a 6-year-old male Poodle with central nervous system symptoms. Computed tomography revealed anomalous parenchyma density and ventricular asymmetry. Cerebrospinal fluid showed elevated protein (30 mg dL(-1)) and nucleated cell count (20 μL(-1)). Presumptive diagnosis of necrotizing meningoencephalitis was made. Because of rapid deterioration of the general condition of the animal, the dog was euthanized. Histologically there was an infiltration of round or ovoid neoplastic cells in the white matter of the left cerebral hemisphere and in leptomeninges. Immunohistochemistry showed that 80% of the neoplastic cells expressed Olig2 and some 50% expressed glial fibrilary acidic protein. On the basis of clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features, a diagnosis of oligodendoglial GC was done. This case represents the first report of a case of oligodendroglial GC in the canid.