Epidural myelolipoma in a Husky-cross: a case report

Epidural spinal myelolipoma was diagnosed in an 11.5-year-old castrated male Husky-cross that was evaluated at the veterinary teaching hospital due to progressive thoracolumbar spinal hyperaesthesia and mild proprioceptive pelvic limb ataxia. A focal, ill-defined mildly inhomogenous extradural mass lesion was detected by MRI. The dog was euthanized. At necropsy an extradurally located reddish mass of about 2.5 cm in diameter was present in the vertebral canal. The mass was identified histopathologically as an epidural myelolipoma.     

Über ein Massenauftreten der ZikadeIdiocerus laminatus Flor. anPopulus tremula,mit einigen Bemerkungen zur Biologie und zum Honigtau der Art

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Die ZikadeIdiocerus decimaquartus Schrk. als Pappelschädling

Ohne ZusammenfassungDie Bestimmung der Art übernahm Herr Dr. W. Wagner, Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel, wofür ihm auch an dieser Stelle herzlich gedankt sei. Die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft ermöglichte durch Bereitstellung von Mitteln die Durchführung vorliegender Arbeit, wofür ihr auch an dieser Stelle bestens gedankt sei.     

Qualitative modelling and indicators of exploited ecosystems

Implementing ecosystem-based fisheries management requires indicators and models that address the impacts of fishing across entire ecological communities. However, the complexity of many ecosystems presents a challenge to analysis, especially if reliant on quantification because of the onerous task of precisely measuring or estimating numerous parameters. We present qualitative modelling as a complementary approach to quantitative methods. Qualitative modelling clarifies how community structure alone affects dynamics, here of exploited populations. We build an array of models that describe different ecosystems with different harvesting practices, and analyse them to predict responses to various perturbations. This approach demonstrates the utility of qualitative modelling as a means to identify and interpret community-level indicators for systems that are at or near equilibrium, and for those that are frequently perturbed away from equilibrium. Examining the interaction of ecological and socio-economic variables associated with commercial fisheries provides an understanding of the main feedbacks that drive and regulate exploited ecosystems. The method is particularly useful for systems where the basic relationships between variables are understood but where precise or detailed data are lacking.     

Determining long‐term changes in a skate assemblage with aggregated landings and limited species data

Sustainable fisheries management requires assessment of exploited populations and communities. Traditional fisheries stock assessment methods need species‐specific input data, which for skates have only recently become available in Europe. To overcome this limitation, a Bayesian multispecies biomass production model was developed. In addition to aggregated landings, input data are short time series with species‐specific information (landings and biomass indices). Applying the approach to four main skate species and a group of two skate species, all managed together in the Bay of Biscay (Northeast Atlantic), long‐term changes in the skate assemblage composition were identified. Since the 1990s, Leucoraja naevus became increasingly dominant, while the contributions of the other three species (Raja brachyura, Raja clavata and Raja montagui) declined. The abundance of the grouped Leucoraja fullonica and L. circularis has also strongly decreased, suggesting long‐term overexploitation. All species except this species group are expected to increase over the next decade under current harvest rates. Currently, the species considered here are managed under a single fishing quota making it unlikely that the group of the two most depleted species will recover soon. The multispecies modelling approach bears promise for other harvested assemblages for which only grouped harvest information is available for certain periods.     

Evaluation of four topical preparations for the treatment of cannon hyperkeratosis in a horse

The response to treatment with four topical preparations was evaluated in an 11‐year‐old Morgan horse mare with histologically confirmed quadrilateral cannon hyperkeratosis. Each limb was treated for 30 days with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment, 0.1% adapalene gel, 0.2% phytosphingosine spray or a water‐based emollient. Response to treatment was evaluated both histologically and visually. A water‐based emollient and 0.1% tacrolimus ointment produced encouraging clinical responses. Pre‐treatment histopathology identified marked, mostly compact, hyperkeratosis and follicular hyperkeratosis, most prominent in the infundibular area. Following treatment, histopathology identified a mild reduction in follicular keratin production and stratum corneum thickness.     

A framework for evaluating management plans comprehensively

We present a framework for evaluating fisheries management plans comprehensively, both rebuilding plans and others. The framework includes a first rapid appraisal of the likelihood that the plan will result in management meeting its objectives, and guides subsequent quantitative analyses of potential weaknesses in the proposed plan. The framework includes four steps: (i) evaluating if a set of management objectives, if achieved, would result in a sustainable fishery, (ii) using qualitative analysis of a bio‐economic model to evaluate whether the set of stock management tactics might be capable of achieving the specified fisheries objectives, (iii) using empirical criteria derived from the literature to evaluate if other management measures in the plan related to the ecological, social or economic context of the fishery actually contribute to sustainability, and (iv) carrying out quantitative simulations to compare alternative implementation options. Generally, several management measures have to be combined to increase stock size without sacrificing the economic benefits to the fishers remaining in the fishery. We demonstrate application of the framework for evaluating the stock rebuilding plan for plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and sole (Solea solea) in the North Sea and, the management measures currently in place for the roundnose grenadier (Coryphaenoides rupestris) stock exploited to the west of the British Isles.