不同环境因子对草履虫种群生长的影响

为了研究不同环境因子对草履虫种群生长的影响,培养出优质的草履虫,分别在pH梯度为:6.0、6.5、7.0、7.5、8.0,光照梯度为:0lx、500lx、1 000lx、1 500lx条件下培养草履虫,结果表明,小白菜培养液培养草履虫的最适pH值为7.0,并且相比于弱酸性环境,草履虫更适宜在弱碱性环境中生长。在光照为0lx条件下,草履虫数量在第4天时达到最大值4 073ind/100mL,在光照为500~1 500lx条件下,随着光照度的增加,草履虫的种群数量也随之增加。     

锦江鱼类资源现状与物种多样性分析

2013年8月—2016年8月对沅江水系支流锦江的鱼类资源现状进行了调查。通过向渔民购买、现场捕捞等方式,共调查野生鱼类43种,隶属于5目11科39属,其中鲤科鱼类25种,占总种类数的58.1%。调查到新记录种5种,分别为大鳞副泥鳅(Paramisgurnus dabryanus)、吻(Rhinogobio typus)、洞庭华鲮(Sinilabeo tungting)、云南盘(Discogobio yunnanensis)和大眼鳜(Siniperca kneri)。干、支流均以底层鱼类为主,种类数分别占各自总数的55.8%和71.4%。对比历史资料,G-F多样性指数呈下降趋势。对干流渔获物种类的周年统计发现,出现频率在50%以上的鱼类有8种,其中泥鳅(Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)、鲤(Cyprinus carpio)、鲫(Carassius auratus)和鲇(Silurus asotus)的出现频率均达到97.3%。     

Production of second generation penaeid shrimp,Penaeus stylirostris,from Mexico

The life cycle of the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus stylirostris, was completed in captivity with the production of F₂ generation nauplii. Over one million F₂ generation nauplii were harvested from the F₁ generation represented by laboratory-reared adult shrimp. The studies were completed in a laboratory simulated, tropical environment for maturation and spawning, and in pond systems located in a temperate environment for growout of the F₁ generation.     

Development and application of molecular methods (PCR) for detection of Tasmanian Atlantic salmon reovirus

Molecular (PCR) diagnostic tests for the detection and identification of aquareovirus in general, and Tasmanian Atlantic salmon reovirus (TSRV) specifically, were developed, and their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were determined and compared with virus isolation in cell culture. Intralaboratory and interlaboratory comparison of PCR (conventional hemi‐nested RT‐PCR & RT‐qPCR) and virus isolation in cell culture using finfish cell lines, CHSE‐214 and EPC, was carried out for the detection and identification of TSRV using field samples of farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, L. from various aquaculture sites around Tasmania. The interlaboratory comparison of diagnostic methods was carried out between two laboratories, AAHL‐CSIRO and DPIPWE‐Tasmania. A total of 144 fish from nine sites (12–33 fish per site) were sampled from two regions of Tasmania (Tamar River estuary in the north and Huon River estuary in the south‐east) during late spring to early summer of 2009, and the data were analysed using different statistical approaches. The prevalence of TSRV ranged from 6% to 22% in both regions. All the diagnostic methods (data from both laboratories) had high specificity, while the estimated sensitivity varied between tests with RT‐qPCR being the most sensitive (95.2%) method followed by virus isolation and then conventional hemi‐nested RT‐PCR.     

Effect of dietary copper source (cupric citrate and cupric sulfate) and concentration on growth performance and fecal copper excretion in weanling pigs

In each of two experiments, 924 pigs (4.99 kg BW; 16 to 18 d of age) were assigned to 1 of 42 pens based on BW and gender. Pens were allotted randomly to dietary copper (Cu) treatments that consisted of control (10 ppm Cu as cupric sulfate, CuSO4 x 5H2O) and supplemental dietary Cu concentrations of 15, 31, 62, or 125 ppm as cupric citrate (CuCit), or 62 (Exp. 2 only), 125 (Exp. 1 only), or 250 ppm as CuSO4. Live animal performance was determined at the end of the 45-d nursery phase in each experiment. On d 40 of Exp. 2, blood and fecal samples were collected from two randomly selected pigs per pen for evaluation of plasma and fecal Cu concentrations and fecal odor characteristics. In Exp. 1, ADG, ADFI, and G:F were increased (P < 0.05), relative to controls, when pigs were fed diets containing 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4. Pigs fed diets containing 125 ppm Cu as CuCit had increased (P < 0.05) ADG compared with pigs fed diets supplemented with 15 or 62 ppm Cu as CuCit. The ADG, ADFI, and G:F did not differ among pigs fed diets containing 125 and 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4 or 125 ppm Cu as CuCit. In Exp. 2, pigs fed diets containing 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4 had improved (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and G:F compared with controls. In addition, ADG, ADFI, and G:F were similar when pigs were fed diets containing either 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4 or 125 ppm Cu as CuCit. Pigs fed diets containing 62 ppm Cu as CuSO4 or CuCit had similar ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Plasma Cu concentrations were not affected by dietary Cu source or concentration, but fecal Cu concentrations were increased (P < 0.05) as the dietary concentration of Cu increased. Pigs consuming diets supplemented with 125 ppm Cu as CuCit had fecal Cu concentrations that were lower (P < 0.05) than pigs consuming diets supplemented with 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4. Fecal Cu did not differ in pigs receiving diets supplemented with 62 ppm Cu as CuSO4 or CuCit. Odor characteristics of feces were not affected by Cu supplementation or source. These data indicate that 125 and 250 ppm Cu gave similar responses in growth, and that CuCit and CuSO4 were equally effective at stimulating growth and improving G:F in weanling pigs. Fecal Cu excretion was decreased when 125 ppm Cu as CuCit was fed compared with 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4. Therefore, 125 ppm of dietary Cu, regardless of source, may provide an effective environmental alternative to 250 ppm Cu as CuSO4 in weanling pigs.     

The role of antibody in protection against African swine fever virus

Intraperitoneal immunization of pigs with anti-African swine fever virus (ASFV) antibody protected them against the effects of challenge with ASFV. This protection, which was exemplified by a reduction in pyrexia and viraemia plus an increased survival time, appeared to be mediated through the effects of complement-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxicity (CDAC) or antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Experiments suggested that the reduction in viraemia was associated with complement lysis whereas protection was conferred by ADCC.     

Assessing the efficacy and impact of management of an invasive species in a protected area: Poa annua on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island

Plant eradication is difficult, particularly in remote, protected areas. The Southern Ocean Islands are very isolated and highly protected, but the flora contains many alien plants. Small restricted populations have been eradicated, but eradication of established species has proven difficult. A better understanding of the efficacy of control methods at sub‐Antarctic temperatures and their off‐target impacts may increase eradication success. With interest in controlling non‐native Poa annua in the region, we aimed to determine if physical and chemical methods can control P. annua (the sub‐Antarctic biotype) in sub‐Antarctic conditions and examined their impact on native plants. We quantified the effectiveness of physical control methods on P. annua in situ on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island through field‐based experiments and assessed their selectivity on P. annua compared with native grasses. We also quantified the effectiveness of several herbicides on P. annua at sub‐Antarctic temperatures and assessed their selectivity on native grasses. Of the four physical disturbance methods tested, none effectively reduced P. annua cover as one‐off treatments. Of the herbicide treatments, glyphosate and trifloxysulfuron sodium were effective and were less damaging to native grass species, indicating potential selectivity. Physical control was of limited effectiveness, but did not affect native species richness. An integrated weed management programme utilising the strategic use of selective herbicides with follow‐up chemical and physical intervention may balance control and biodiversity outcomes. This research highlights the importance of site‐specific testing of control methods and understanding off‐target impacts of control when managing alien plant species in protected areas.     

Influence of age,sex, capture technique,and restraint on hematologic measurements and serum chemistries of wild California sea otters

Hematologic and/or serum chemical analyses were done on a total of 27 non-tranquilized adult and juvenile wild sea otters, 66 tranquilized adult and juvenile wild sea otters, and 26 wild sea otter pups. The median and inner 90 percentile range were determined for the adult, juvenile, and pup groups and for the following subgroups: adult male versus adult female, juvenile male versus juvenile female, pup male versus pup female, captured with dip net versus captured with Wilson trap, and tranquilized adults and juveniles versus non-tranquilized adults and juveniles. When values for adults were compared to values for juveniles and pups, hematocrits, red blood cell counts, and hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in pups. This is consistent with documented findings in other species. White cell counts were also somewhat lower in younger animals. Among the subgroups, significantly higher hemoglobin levels, white cell counts and neutrophil counts were found in adult females than in adult males. This is in direct contrast to what is seen in other mammalian species and warrants further documentation. Method of capture and tranquilization did not appear to influence either hematologic or serum biochemical determinations from a clinical perspective.     

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) production by mitogen stimulated bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes and its assay

Culture medium from bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with the mitogens phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or Concanavalin A (Con A) was found to maintain the proliferation of Con A blasts in vitro. The factor responsible for this activity was not absorbable with bovine erythrocytes or fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes but was removed by Con A blasts. Production of this factor was dependent on the dose of mitogen used and was greatest after 24 h culture compared to 48 h. Quantitative determinations of factor activity in supernatants were carried out by regression analysis of logit transformed data from assays measuring the maintenance of Con A blast proliferation by supernatants.