Morphometric and genetic analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius auratus</Emphasis> complex from an artificial wetland in Morava River floodplain,Czech Republic

A Carassius auratus complex from an artificial wetland in the Morava River basin is composed of triploid females. Based on body depth, sampled females could be divided into two groups: (i) high-dorsal (42.5% of standard length); and (ii) low-dorsal (36.1% of standard length). Both groups differed also in number of gill rakers (50.2 versus 45.4, respectively). In concordance with morphological differences, genetic analysis proved the existence of two haplotypes in examined individuals. The first haplotype is bound to the high-dorsal form with higher number of gill rakers. This is the most frequent haplotype in populations of the C. a gibelio form in the Czech Republic. The second haplotype is characteristic of the low-dorsal form with a lower number of gill rakers. This haplotype is close to haplotypes described in the C. a. langsdorfii form, which is known from Japan. and its occurrence within haplotypes specified in European territory is sporadic.     

Preservation of land-races of cultivated plants in Czechoslovakia

Summary At present, the collection of cultivated plants comprises in Czechoslovakia 40883 cultivars of field, vegetables and fruits, vine grape and ornamental plants. The collection has been located in the Research Institute of Crop Production, Praha-Ruzyn, which also renders the central coordination, and in 17 specialized Research Institutes and Breeding Stations which are responsible for investigation, maintenance, exploration of the collections of special crops. Continual research has assumed since 1951 when former collections of different research stations (amounting only 6000 cultivars) were united.The first efforts to collect cultivars by the different research and breeding stations were started in the SSR already at the beginning of this century. A part of the then collections coming from different research and breeding stations has been conserved up to present time and represents, together with later collected cultivars, a valuable gene pool of 2000 cultivars of Czechoslovak origin. The original Czechoslovak cultivars are represented by selections, lines or clones from land-races (wheat, barley, oat, legumes, flax, hop, self-pollinated fodders and vegetables), or populations (maize, oil plants, fodders vegetables and ornamental plants). The major part of the collection is represented by Czechoslovak cultivars coming from combination crossing.The old cultivars of vine grape, fruits and ornamental plants have been maintained since the beginning of this century in old plantations of the research institutes or they are registred by them. Also cultivars of wheat (Czech red wheats, Czech alternate wheats, South-Moravian awnless and awned wheats, Slovak awned wheats) and of barley (spring malting Haná barley, Haná is territory in middle Moravia) come from the same period. The oldest native as well as foreign cultivars of other agricultural crops originate from thirties being conserved at different degree of breeding intensity at the time of their cultivation.

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Die Erhaltung der Landsorten von Kulturpflanzen in der SSR

Zusammenfassung Gegenwärtig umfaßt die Kollektion in der SSR 40883 Sorten von Feldfrüchten, Gemüse, Obst, Weinreben und Zierpflanzen. Die Kollektion befindet sich im Forschungsinstitut für Pflanzenbau Prag-Ruzyn, das für die zentrale Koordinierung zuständig ist, sowie in 17 spezialisierten Forschungsinstituten und Zuchtstationen, die für die Untersuchung und Erhaltung der Kollektionen spezieller Kulturpflanzen verantwortlich sind. Kontinuierliche wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen begannen im Jahr 1951, als die früheren Kollektionen verschiedener Forschungsstationen (nur etwa 6000 Sorten) vereinigt wurden.In der SSR bemühten sich bereits zu Beginn dieses Jahrhunderts verschiedene Forschungs- und Zuchtstationen um die Sammlung von Sorten. Ein Teil der damaligen, aus verschiedenen Forschungs- und Zuchtstationen stammenden Sammlungen wurde bis zur Gegenwart erhalten und stellt, zusammen mit später gesammelten Sorten, einen wertvollen Genpool von 2000 Sorten tschechoslowakischer Herkunft dar. Die tschechoslowakischen Originalsorten sind durch Linien oder Klone von Landsorten (Weizen, Gerste, Hafer, Leguminosen, Lein, Hopfen, selbstbefruchtende Futterpflanzen und Gemüse) oder Populationen (Mais, Ölfrüchte, Futterpflanzen, Gemüse und Zierpflanzen) vertreten. Den größten Teil der Kollektion bilden tschechoslowakische Sorten, die durch Kombinationszüchtimg entstanden sind.Die alten Sorten von Weinrebe, Obst und Zierpflanzen werden seit Beginn, dieses Jahrhunderts in alten Anpflanzungen von wissenschaftlichen Instituten erhalten und durch diese registriert. Auch Sorten von Weizen (böhmische Rotweizen, böhmische Wechselweizen, südmährische grannenlose und begrannte Weizen, slowakische begrannte Weizen) und Gerste (Sommerbraugerste Hanna; die Hanna ist ein Gebiet in Mittelmähren) stammen aus dem gleichen Zeitraum. Die ältesten einheimischen und ausländischen Sorten anderer landwirtschaftlicher Kulturpflanzen, die aus den dreißiger Jahren stammen, werden entsprechend dem Stand der Züchtung z. Z. ihres Anbaues erhalten.

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Mediterranean cork oak wooded grasslands: synergies and trade-offs between plant diversity,pasture production and soil carbon

Mediterranean wooded grasslands that emerge from silvopastoral activities are multifunctional systems that result in high biodiversity and offer ecosystem services such as forage production and soil carbon sequestration. During 3 years, ten grazed wooded grassland fields were studied in the Berchidda–Monti long-term observatory, located in NE Sardinia, Italy, with the aim of exploring the synergies and trade-offs between biodiversity and selected ecosystem services. Positions below and outside the canopy of three cork oak trees in each field were randomly selected to compare seasonal pasture production, pasture utilization rate by animals, botanical composition, biodiversity indicators (Shannon index and plant species richness) and soil organic carbon. In autumn, dry matter production of pasture was similar in the two positions; in two winters out of three it was greater below the trees than outside, and in spring it was greater outside than below the trees. While plant species richness and Shannon index were not significantly influenced by the position, the overall wooded grassland plant species richness was 31% higher than that outside of the tree crown. The soil organic carbon content in the 0–40-cm soil layer was also higher below the trees. Our findings highlight that if the main purpose of the wooded grasslands is to provide forage for grazing animals rather than conserving and/or enhancing plant diversity and soil fertility, the presence of trees constrains the overall forage productivity, although the greater forage availability in winter under the trees can contribute to improve the seasonal distribution of forage production.     

Embryo Transfer in Anovulatory Recipient Mares Treated with Estradiol Benzoate and Long-Acting Progesterone

This study aimed to prepare anovulatory mares in anestrus or in the transitional period as embryo recipients. Ninety embryo-recipient mares were divided into two groups (G). G1 (n = 45) comprised animals in anestrus or in the transitional period; these animals were treated for 3 days (D) with 5, 3, and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (intramuscular) on D0 (day of the donor's ovulation), D1, and D2 (after ovulation), respectively, followed by weekly application of 400 mg of long-acting progesterone (intramuscular) from D3 after ovulation (donor) until the 120th day of gestation. G2 (n = 45) comprised mares with normal estrous cycles. Plasma levels of progesterone (P₄) were measured on days D1, D2, D8, and D14. Sixty percent of the animals in G1 and 71.1% in G2 (P > .05) completed the pregnancy. On D8, there was no difference in P₄ levels between G1 and G2 animals, but there was a difference in P₄ levels on D14 (P < .05). It was concluded that anovulatory mares in anestrus or in the transitional period could be used as embryo recipients. The protocol was efficient and also considered an appropriate alternative to prepare the uterine environment for embryo transfer; long-acting progesterone administration kept P₄ levels high enough to maintain pregnancy until the 120th day and provided recipients during the time of the year when fewer mares were cycling and ovulating.     

Mineral Deficiency in Passiflora alata Curtis: Vitexin Bioproduction

ABSTRACT

A greenhouse experiment was performed to evaluate macronutrients and boron deficiencies on vitexin bioproduction by sweet passion fruit leaves. Sand irrigated with nutrient solution was used as substrate in a complete randomized design, with eight treatments: 1) complete, 2) nitrogen-deficient(-N), 3) phosphorus-deficient(-P), 4) potassium-deficient(-K), 5) calcium-deficient(-Ca), 6) magnesium-deficient(-Mg), 7) sulfur-deficient(-S), and 8) boron-deficient(-B). After thirty days, the fourth fully expanded leaves were harvested. Under deficiency treatments, leaf dry matter concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and B were 52, 53, 62, 76, 69, 31, and 80% lower than in complete treatment, respectively. Nitrogen, P, and K deficiency increased vitexin leaf concentration by 46, 16, and 18%, although Ca and B deficiencies decreased vitexin concentration by 22 and 33%, respectively, when compared to complete treatment. Magnesium and S deficiencies had no significant effect on vitexin concentration. In complete treatment, the concentration of nutrients and vitexin, in leaf dry matter were: 43.4 g kg^{? 1} of N, 2.47 g kg^{? 1} of P, 27.4 g kg^{? 1} of K, 15.6 g kg^{? 1} of Ca, 3.8 g kg^{? 1} of Mg, 5.28 g kg^{? 1} of S, 64 mg kg^{? 1} of B, and 5.57 mg kg^{? 1} of vitexin.     

Genetic IS901 RFLP diversity among Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium isolates from four pheasant flocks

IS901 RFLP analysis of 36 Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) isolates from 15 pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and two goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from four pheasant farms was performed. Using this method, six different IS901 RFLP types (E, F, G, M, Q, and V) were identified. The distribution of IS901 RFLP profiles was tightly linked to individual flocks. Matching IS901 RFLP profiles observed in the present study indicate MAA transmission between pheasants and goshawks in the same locality. In two flocks, different pheasants within a flock as well as in various organs of five individual pheasants were found to have two distinct IS901 RFLP profiles.     

Cell-mediated immune response in swine infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium

The zoonotic characteristic of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) represents a veterinary and economic problem in infected pigs. In this study, we analysed cell-mediated immunity six months after experimental infection by measuring interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production and by performing lymphocyte transformation tests after in vitro re-stimulation with the MAA-derived antigen. At the same time, IFN-γ-producing cells were characterised by flow cytometry. In MAA-infected animals, the production of IFN-γ increased in response to the MAA antigen in the blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. Similarly, a positive antigen-driven response was detected by the proliferation assay. In contrast, IFN-γ production and proliferation was undetectable after stimulation with the MAA antigen in uninfected control animals. These results indicate that both methods can be used for the identification of individual MAA-infected pigs. Using flow cytometry, we found that double-positive CD4(+)CD8(+) lymphocytes were the major T lymphocyte subset producing IFN-γ after in vitro re-stimulation.     

River bed features affect the riverine distribution of two amphidromous Rhinogobius species

Tamada K. River bed features affect the riverine distribution of two amphidromous Rhinogobius species.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2011: 20: 23–32. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Nest‐use patterns of two amphidromous gobies, Rhinogobius sp. LD (large dark type) and CB (cross‐band type), were studied along the course of the Aizu River, Japan. Males of both species build and defend nests under stones. Adult distributions of the two gobies do not overlap in this river. LD is more predominant in the upper reaches than CB. The stone size on the river bed in the region inhabited by LD was larger than that in the region inhabited by CB. LD was found to have larger body size, larger nest stones, egg clusters and egg numbers than CB. Laboratory nest choice experiments showed that LD selects larger nests than CB. This trend can be explained by a size‐assortative nest preference across these species. The longitudinal distribution of stone size seems to affect upstream migration and reproduction of these species.     

Serological evidence of continuing high Usutu virus (Flaviviridae) activity and establishment of herd immunity in wild birds in Austria

Usutu virus (USUV), family Flaviviridae, has been responsible for avian mortality in Austria from 2001 to 2006. The proportion of USUV-positive individuals among the investigated dead birds decreased dramatically after 2004. To test the hypothesis that establishment of herd immunity might be responsible, serological examinations of susceptible wild birds were performed. Blood samples of 442 wild birds of 55 species were collected in 4 consecutive years (2003--2006). In addition, 86 individuals from a birds of prey rehabilitation centre were bled before, at the peak, and after the 2005 USUV transmission season in order to identify titre dynamics and seroconversions. The haemagglutination inhibition test was used for screening and the plaque reduction neutralization test for confirmation. While in the years 2003 and 2004 the proportion of seropositive wild birds was <10%, the percentage of seroreactors raised to >50% in 2005 and 2006. At the birds of prey centre, almost three quarters of the owls and raptors exhibited antibodies before the 2005 transmission season; this percentage dropped to less than half at the peak of USUV transmission and raised again to almost two thirds after the transmission season. These data show a from year to year continuously increasing proportion of seropositive wild birds. The owl and raptor data indicate significant viral exposure in the previous season(s), but also a number of new infections during the current season, despite the presence of antibodies in some of these birds. Herd immunity is a possible explanation for the significant decrease in USUV-associated bird mortalities in Austria during the recent years.     

A possible role of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris hydrochoeris) in foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) endemicity

The susceptibility of capybaras exposed to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus by the intramuscular route and the rodents' close coexistence with cattle in FMD endemic ecosystems suggested that the species might play an important role in the virus' survival in the field.In the present study 2 capybaras and 2 cattle were exposed by contact to a capybara inoculated intramuscularly with FMD virus. Both pairs of exposed animals were then used as a contact source with another 2 cattle and 2 capybaras, respectively. All the animals became infected prior to the appearance of clinical lesions in the respective donor animals and developed generalized FMD clinical lesions. Specific neutralizing antibodies and antibodies to virus-infection-associated antigen (VIA) were also developed.Virus was isolated from feces and from throat swabs of 1 of the capybaras up to 17, but not at 23 days post-contact. Virus was isolated from the remaining animals up to 7–14 days post-contact.The results indicate that these rodents might transmit virus over long distances due to their migratory movements, but probably do not act as natural virus reservoirs.