Long-term study of Sarcoptes scabiei infection in Norwegian red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) indicating host/parasite adaptation

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population, in Norway, was na?ve to Sarcoptes scabiei prior to the late 1970s when this parasite was first recorded and a still ongoing epidemic started. During the course of this protracted epidemic some degree of host/parasite adaptation, with the occurrence of healthy antibody positive foxes, might be expected. In the present study the prevalence of sarcoptic mange and serologically identified S. scabiei exposure was investigated in 363 Norwegian red foxes, shot by hunters during two different study periods (1994-1995 and 2002-2005). The sarcoptic mange diagnosis was based upon the presence of clearly visible lesions in the skin of the cadaver with confirmatory demonstration of S. scabiei. The serodiagnosis was based on an indirect-ELISA. There was a significant decrease in prevalence of both mange cases and seropositive animals from the first to the second study period. Whilst the mange prevalence fell more than threefold, from 30.0% to 6.6%, the seroprevalence dropped less dramatically from 53.3% to 19.1%. The smaller decrease in seroprevalence compared to mange cases reflected a significantly higher ratio of seropositive-mange negative versus seropositive-mange positive foxes, during the second study period, 40:18, compared to the first, 14:18. These findings indicate that the red fox population is adapting to live with the parasite and that low-grade or sub-clinical infections, and even recoveries, occur amongst exposed foxes. Mange positive foxes had significantly poorer body condition than those without sarcoptic mange. No significant difference in body condition was seen between seropositive-mange negative versus seronegative-mange negative foxes. The ELISA sensitivity was found to be 95% and proved a useful tool for investigating the exposure to S. scabiei in wild foxes. This study is believed to be the first pointing to a long-term Sarcoptes/fox adaptation, combining long-term prevalence studies of clinical sarcoptic mange and serological evidence of exposure to the parasite in the general fox population.     

Low body fat content prior to declining day length in the autumn significantly increased growth and reduced weight dispersion in farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

Based on the regulatory effects of body fat on appetite and seasonal variations in fat deposition and growth of Atlantic salmon, the present study tested the hypothesis that body fat content prior to declining day length in the autumn can significantly modulate growth rate. The growth rate of salmon (mean initial body weight, BW = 2.3 kg) with different muscle fat content prior to autumn, subjected to natural photoperiod and temperature, during a 7‐month period (mean final BW = 6.6 kg) was studied. In August, three fish groups (HF, LF and 0.5LF group) with significantly different muscle fat content (HF = 16.4%, LF = 13.2% and 0.5LF = 11.3%), individually marked with PIT‐tag, were mixed into the four net‐pens and fed a standard high‐energy diet until March the following year. The muscle fat content prior to the autumn had a highly significant (p < .0001) effect on growth during the 7‐month main‐dietary period, even after identical fat stores among the groups were restored, indicating a more complex explanation than just a lipostatic regulation mechanism. Mean thermal growth coefficients were HF = 2.9, LF = 3.4 and 0.5 LF = 3.9, resulting in increased final weight gain for LF and 0.5LF of 590 g and 980 g, respectively, compared to the HF group. The LF groups obtained a significantly higher homogeneity in BW and shape than HF‐fed fish in March, optimizing automatic gutting and filleting at slaughter. The improved growth response among the LF groups by reducing lipid levels can potentially be utilized in closed and semi‐closed production units where photoperiod can be manipulated.     

The effect of physiological and environmental conditions on smolt migration in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

Hydropower development has negatively influenced Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations. Compensatory hatchery‐rearing programmes exist, but released fish suffer from high mortality that may be related to the lack of experience from natural environments in hatchery‐reared smolts and their large body size and high energetic state. Here, we used acoustic telemetry to test how body size, energetic state, and the environmental conditions of the river affect migration in hatchery‐reared smolts. The study was conducted in three consecutive years between 2011 and 2013 in the lower part of the River Umeälven, Sweden. For individual fish, there was no effect of body size but the energetic state of the fish had a negative effect on sea entry. The most important factor affecting sea entry rate was the water discharge in the old river bed that differed among years. Smolts were more likely to enter the sea in years when the discharge was high or when the discharge increased substantially shortly after release. Hatchery‐reared fish had higher migration speed at a slower flowing section compared with a faster flowing section, which was likely a result of large hesitation to enter the rapid section. The increase in water discharge led to an increase in fish migration speed disproportional to the increase in water velocity. Our results highlight the importance of water discharge for the smolts during smolt migration, and we argue that concern should be given to migrating fish when managing regulated rivers.     

In vitro degradation characteristics of Timothy and Red Clover at different harvest times

The nutritional value of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) were studied over two consecutive growing seasons (1995 and 1996) with an in vitro gas production technique and chemical analysis. The decline in degradability was more pronounced with increasing maturity in timothy than in red clover during spring growth, but similar during summer growth. Red clover contained more components soluble in neutral detergent solution (NDS) at all harvest occasions. The fractional degradation rate for the NDS fraction was lower in red clover compared to timothy. Red clover had slightly higher fractional degradation rate for the whole forage, but the total kinetic release of energy was similar for the two species at the same harvest time. The results indicate that timothy and red clover have different intrinsic characteristics limiting degradation. Effects of the treatments with NDS on the allocation of pectins could partially explain the differences in degradation characteristics.     

Differential impact of chronic ozone exposure on expanding and fully expanded poplar leaves

Populus tremula L. × Populus alba L. (Populus ×c anescens (Aiton) Smith) - clone INRA 717-1-B4 saplings (50 cm apex to base and carrying 19 leaves on average) - were followed for 28 days. Half of the trees were grown in charcoal-filtered air while the other half were exposed to 120 ppb ozone for 11 h a day during the light period. The expanding leaf number 4 was tagged at the beginning of the experiment and finished expansion between 7 and 14 days. These leaves were harvested weekly for biochemical and proteome analyses using quantitative bidimensional electrophoresis (DiGE). Independent of the ozone treatment, all the analyses allowed a distinction between expanding and adult leaves. The results indicate that during the expansion phase (Days 0-7) the enzymatic machinery of the leaves is set up, and remains dynamically stable in the adult leaves (Days 14-28). Although ozone had no apparent effect on expanding leaves, the metabolic stability in fully expanded leaves observed in ozone-free plants was disturbed after 2 weeks of exposure and a stress-induced response became apparent.     

Basal area growth models for individual trees of Norway spruce, Scots pine, birch and other broadleaves in Norway

Distance-independent individual tree growth models based on about 30,000 observations from the National Forest Inventory and the Norwegian Forest Research Institute have been developed for the main tree species in Norway. The models predict 5-year basal area increment over bark for trees larger than 5 cm at breast height. Potential input variables were of four types: size of the tree, competition indices, site conditions, and stand variables including species, mixtures and layers. The squared correlation coefficient (R²) varied from 0.26 to 0.55. The accuracy of the models was tested by comparing the individual tree models with Norwegian diameter increment models. The accuracy is similar, but individual tree models forecast diameter distributions directly. The inclusion of species mixture and layer as variables increases the reliability of the models in mixed and in uneven-aged stands.     

The Potential of High-Oil Oats under Cool Temperate Conditions

Abstract

Genetic and growth temperature effects on the oil content of oats have been studied. A line with high oil content was crossed to a line with low oil content, and the progenies from parental and F₂ plants were studied in two replicated experiments, one in the field, the other combined field/greenhouse. Interactions between greenhouse and field were found for oil content as well as for other characters. High heritability estimates and additive gene action were found for oil content. Insignificant genetic correlations were found between oil content and grain yield. F₃ families which on average had the same oil content as the highest parent were recovered. The results from two independent phytotron experiments indicate that genes conferring high oil content and low temperatures during grain filling seem to work additively towards higher oil content.     

Aluminium impact on respiration of lotic mayflies at low pH

Three species of stream-living mayfly nymphs were exposed to total inorganic (labile) monomeric aluminium levels of 0, 0.5, and 2.0 mg L^?1 at pH 4.0 and 4.8 for 10 days. Oxygen consumption rate of the nymphs was measured, using a closed-cylinder technique and micro-Winkler titration. The animals showed significant increases in respiration with raised Al concentrations. The mayfly species Ephemera danica, which is restricted to the less heavily acidified region of South Sweden, was most affected by Al. The response of the two Heptagenia species to elevated Al was less pronounced. The effect of pH, however, seemed less important. Two possible reasons for the respiration increase at high Al levels are: (1) A “chemical impact route”, consisting of a compensatory mechanism due to decreased O₂ transport efficiency, because of impaired osmoregulation and ion transport; and/or (2) a “mechanical impact route” with Al hydroxide precipitation and mucus formation on the gills, causing lowered respiration efficiency. This stress of the increased respiration rate costs energy. Thus less will be available for growth and reproduction. A model of the proposed impact routes is presented.     

Prevalence of Trichinella larvae and extra-intestinal nematodes in Norwegian red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

A survey of the parasitic fauna of the Norwegian red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population was carried out in 1994/1995 and 2002-2005. All foxes were killed during the licensed hunting season from October to April and, in total, 393 animals from all regions of the country were examined. The present study details the results of extra-intestinal nematode and Trichinella larvae examinations. All individuals were examined for Trichinella, using routine digestion methods. Parasitological examination of the internal organs of some of the foxes also identified a number of different extra-intestinal nematodes. The following prevalences were identified (number positive/number foxes examined): Trichinella larvae 19/393 (4.8%); Capillaria b?hmi (C. b?hmi) 88/174 (51%); Capillaria aerophila (C. aerophila) 160/181 (88%); Crenosoma vulpis (Cr. vulpis) 105/181 (58%) and Capillaria plica (C. plica) 81/154 (53%). No evidence of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection was found. The 19 different Trichinella isolates were species typed by PCR and sequence analysis; 18 isolates were identified as Trichinella nativa and one as Trichinella britovi. A wide geographical distribution of the parasites was seen. The following exceptions were recorded: C. b?hmi, the prevalence of which was significantly lower in northern Norway (6%) compared to other regions (central Norway, eastern Norway and southern and western Norway; 52-57%). There was a significantly higher prevalence of Trichinella infection in eastern Norway (8.1%), when compared with the rest of the country (0.6%). Cr. vulpis prevalence was significantly higher in central Norway (83%) than in other regions (41-56%). There were no significant differences in age and sex distribution of the parasites with the exception of Cr. vulpis where juvenile foxes had a greater likelihood of infection. The data also indicated that adult foxes were more commonly infected with Trichinella larvae (5.8%) than juveniles (3.3%) (no statistical significance).