Food choice and impact of food sources from farms on blood coagulation in rodenticide resistant Norway rats

Rodents are mostly controlled by using anticoagulant rodenticides to minimise adverse effects along the food production chain. Genetic resistance to anticoagulant compounds occurs in populations of Norway rats (Rattus norvergicus) and other rodents throughout the world. This can be problematic for control operations and put predators and scavengers at risk because resistant prey individuals carry high anticoagulant loads. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin K reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) gene that are associated with rodenticide resistance are related to several pleiotropic effects including increased vitamin K requirement. The uptake of dietary vitamin K available from food sources present on farms including corn silage and garden herbs may mitigate such effects. We tested the preference for food rich in vitamin K1/3 in Norway rats susceptible or resistant to bromadiolone due to the homozygous amino acid variant Tyr139Cys. We also studied the effect of vitamin K consumption from several food sources on blood clotting in bromadiolone resistant and susceptible Norway rats. There was no general preference of rats for food sources rich in vitamin K. Surprisingly, there was no effect of vitamin K uptake on blood clotting times. However, the consumption of 4 of 5 corn silages prevented the rise in blood clotting times that otherwise occurred in vitamin K deficient bromadiolone resistant rats. This seemed to be due to substances with vitamin K activity present in silage and may contribute to the sustaining and spreading SNPs that are related to rodenticide resistance. As corn silage is becoming increasingly available to rats due to the expansion in generating bio-energy from corn silage, there may be a future increase in the occurrence of anticoagulant resistant Norway rats and associated problems in agro-ecosystems.     

Latitudinal gradients in greenhouse seawater δ(18) O: evidence from Eocene sirenian tooth enamel

The Eocene greenhouse climate state has been linked to a more vigorous hydrologic cycle at mid- and high latitudes; similar information on precipitation levels at low latitudes is, however, limited. Oxygen isotopic fluxes track moisture fluxes and, thus, the δ(18)O values of ocean surface waters can provide insight into hydrologic cycle changes. The offset between tropical δ(18)O values from sampled Eocene sirenian tooth enamel and modern surface waters is greater than the expected 1.0 per mil increase due to increased continental ice volume. This increased offset could result from suppression of surface-water δ(18)O values by a tropical, annual moisture balance substantially wetter than that of today. Results from an atmospheric general circulation model support this interpretation and suggest that Eocene low latitudes were extremely wet.     

Stone tools from mid-pleistocene sediments in java

Two stone tools (a chopper and a retouched flake) were found in mid-Pleistocene channel fills at Sambungmachan (Java), which earlier yielded a hominid skull cap with characteristics of Solo man and a Trinil-like fauna. The artifacts are the first discovered in place in deposits on Java that are assigned to the mid-Pleistocene on faunal grounds.     

Rice Germin-Like Proteins: Allelic Diversity and Relationships to Early Stress Responses

Germin-like protein (GLP) markers were associated with quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to the rice blast pathogen, Magnaporthe oryzae in multiple rice (Oryza sativa) mapping populations. Twelve paralogous OsGLP gene family members are located within the physical QTL region on chromosome 8, and gene silencing studies suggest that they contribute collectively to the resistance phenotype. We compared sequence and expression profiles of OsGLP alleles in two resistant and two susceptible parental rice lines to find functional polymorphisms that correlated with the resistant phenotype. Based on coding and promoter sequences, the genes belong to two germin subfamily groups (GER3 and GER4). OsGLP members from both subfamilies were constitutively expressed and developmentally regulated in all cultivars. Transient induction above constitutive levels was observed for some OsGLPs, especially GER4 subfamily members, at early time points after M. oryzae infection and mechanical wounding. Varying 5′ regulatory regions and differential expression of some family members between resistant and susceptible cultivars corresponded with differential hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation after the same stimuli. OsGLP of both GER subfamilies localized to the plant cell wall. The protein location and early gene induction suggest that OsGLPs protect rice leaves at early stages of infection before fungal penetration and subsequent ingress. Our data suggest that regulation of OsGLP genes defines resistant versus susceptible phenotypes.     

Economic impact of Wheat streak mosaic virus in the Texas High Plains

Wheat streak mosaic virus, vectored by the wheat curl mite Aceria tosichella Keifer, is a major limiting factor in wheat production in the Texas Panhandle. It is the most frequently encountered virus in the region, affecting both shoot and root biomass, and consequently it can drastically reduce both forage and grain yield, and water-use efficiency of the plant. In light of the continuing decline of water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer, its effect on water-use efficiency has significant implications for irrigated fields, especially with regard to energy costs for pumping water. This article estimates the potential economic losses from the virus infection. To achieve this objective, partial budgeting techniques, based primarily on data from field experiments, were used. Results indicate that Wheat streak mosaic virus causes grain and forage yield losses that significantly affect profits from wheat production. In addition, irrigated wheat producers are more negatively affected by the disease due to the economic losses from reduced water-use efficiency of infected plants. The economic insights from this article provide important implications for wheat management and research priority-setting.     

A study of water distribution from a branch to distributary canals: A case study of Gugera Branch,Punjab, Pakistan

This study was conducted on Gugera Branch of Lower Chenab Canal, Punjab, Pakistan. Sample distributaries off taking from Gugera Branch were selected for the study. The existing conditions of water distribution among the distributaries were studied. Field data were collected during the whole of 1988. Field observations suggested that the variability at the head of distributaries is much greater than the variability in the Gugera Branch under existing operational practices. The distribution of water among the distributaries is rarely in accordance with design criteria. Some channels get priority over other channels. The annual closure period varied from 17 to 41 days for different channels. The discharge at the head of distributaries remained lower than the standard operational range for 69 to 183 days in a year. The data suggested that a regulating gate at the head of the distributary can reduce discharge variation up to 2.4 times compared with a Karrees System (wooden stop logs used for water regulation). The data indicated that the adjustments in the head gate of a distributary on daily basis can substantially improve discharge conditions at the head of distributary. Rotational schedules are not being followed as per design and need to be improved. Most of the existing head discharge relationships of discharge measuring structures are not reliable. A frequent calibration of these structures is recommended.     

The role of shore crabs and mussel density in mussel losses at a commercial intertidal mussel plot after seeding

Mussel losses peak after relaying seed on culture plots. The present paper is an attempt to examine the role of shore crab predation and initial mussel density on mussel losses in mussel bottom culture using an intertidal culture plot as a case study. Because of their small size and loose attachment, mussels are particularly vulnerable to predation at this stage, as well as to handling stress and intraspecific competition. In the experimental field plots (1 × 1 m) in the intertidal Oosterschelde, three different densities (1, 5 and 10 kg m^?2) of mussel seed are laid, with half of the experimental plots protected from predation by means of exclosures. Duration of the experiment was 5 weeks (August–September 2012) post-seeding. Protection was the major factor accounting for biomass production, followed by mussel density. Loss rates increased with mussel density, both in the exclosures and in the exposed plots. Losses in the exclosures with the lowest density were still 45 %. There are indications that handling stress prior to the start of the experiment played a major role in these losses. At the higher densities in the exclosures, losses increased to 72.1 % and were not significantly different between 5 and 10 kg m^?2. About one-third of the total loss (32.6 %) was attributed to shore crab predation. The number of shore crabs observed on the plots did not differ between treatments. Byssal thread development during the experimental period was followed and was found to be a slow process that was insufficient to protect mussels from crab predation at the sheltered experimental location.     

Exclusion of Vibrio spp. by an antagonistic marine actinomycete Streptomyces rubrolavendulae M56

A marine actinomycete Streptomyces rubrolavendulae M56 isolated from the sediments of Bay of Bengal and displaying biogranulation property was used for the study. The strain showed antagonistic property against vibrios, the opportunistic pathogens in aquaculture. The efficacy of the biogranules of actinomycete M56 in competitive exclusion of Vibrio spp. was tested both in vitro and in vivo. Streptomyces rubrolavendulae M56 biogranules could significantly exclude the pathogenic Vibrio spp. in co‐culture experiments (in vitro). In vivo exclusion of Vibrio spp. in a Penaeus monodon postlarval rearing system was evaluated by treatment of the rearing water with biogranules of S. rubrolavendulae M56. The experiments proved that S. rubrolavendulae M56 biogranules could reduce the pathogenic Vibrio spp., while maintaining total heterotrophic bacterial count. Therefore, the actinomycete biogranules (M56) can be used as a promising alternative to antibiotics in the shrimp larval production system which is often affected by vibriosis.     

Thyroxine-induced alterations in the testis and seminal vesicles of air-breathing catfish, Clarias gariepinus

Effect of experimentally induced thyroxine overdose on the testis and seminal vesicles was studied in the air-breathing catfish, Clarias gariepinus during the preparatory and the pre-spawning phase. The present study revealed a marked reduction in testosterone level in serum, testis and seminal vesicles (SV). Histological examination showed a considerable reduction in the number of spermatozoa/spermatids in the seminiferous tubular lumen as well as depletion of fluid in the loculi of SV. SDS-PAGE analysis of SV fluid proteins demonstrated a significant decrease in the level of a ~27 kDa protein in thyroxine treated fishes. Evidences are presented here to indicate that thyroid hormone plays a role in regulating testis and SV function in catfish. T.N. Jacob and J.P. Pandey contributed equally     

Historical spatial baselines in conservation and management of marine resources

Increased knowledge on the spatial distribution of marine resources is crucial for the implementation of a true ecosystem approach to management and the conservation of marine organisms. For exploited fish species characterized by aggregation behaviour during spawning time, the identification and tracking of spawning areas is essential for a correct assessment of their productivity and population abundance. To elucidate this concept, we reconstructed the spatio‐temporal distribution of adult plaice (Pleuronectes platessa, Pleuronectidae) during spawning time along the 20^th century. Historical data reveal that not only the abundance but also the former population richness was much higher than previously estimated and has declined because of protracted over‐exploitation during the last 30 years. We conclude that forecast of stock recovery to former levels of abundance neglecting spatial reorganizations might be over‐optimistic and shaded by a lost memory of the past population richness. These results reinforce the importance of managing exploited marine resources at a greater spatial resolution than has been carried out in the history of fishery management.