Unrecognized diversity in New Guinean crayfish species (Decapoda,Parastacidae): The evidence from molecular data

The phylogenetic relationships among imported ornamental crayfish belonging to the genus Cherax were inferred from a combined dataset of 3 mitochondrial genes (COI, 16S and 12S) and by comparison with available GenBank sequences of 14 Cherax species. Furthermore, the concordance of previously described species obtained from a wholesaler (Cherax boesemani, C. holthuisi and C. peknyi) with available GenBank sequences was verified based on COI with special respect to comparison with sequences assigned as Cherax species. Recently described species C. gherardiae, C. pulcher and C. subterigneus belong to the northern group of Cherax species. Comparison and analysis with other GenBank COI sequences show previously unreported diversity of New Guinean species, suggesting 5 putative new species. Surprisingly, species assigned to the subgenus Astaconephrops do not form a monophyletic clade; this subgenus should be reappraised relative to the purported typical morphological characteristic of the uncalcified patch on male chelae. Increasing importation of crayfish underscores the importance of accurate species identification. Use of basic molecular methods is a necessary requisite for documenting occurrence, abundance and population trends of target species. Consequently, it helps to support eventual conservation decision‐making by stakeholders.     

Cryptosporidium scrofarum n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) in domestic pigs (Sus scrofa)

We describe the morphological, biological, and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium pig genotype II and propose the species name Cryptosporidium scrofarum n. sp. to reflect its prevalence in adult pigs worldwide. Oocysts of C. scrofarum are morphologically indistinguishable from C. parvum, measuring 4.81–5.96 μm (mean = 5.16) × 4.23–5.29 μm (mean = 4.83) with a length to width ratio of 1.07 ± 0.06 (n = 400). Oocysts of C. scrofarum obtained from a naturally infected pig were infectious for 8-week-old pigs but not 4-week-old pigs. The prepatent period in 8-week-old Cryptosporidium-naive pigs was 4–6 days and the patent period was longer than 30 days. The infection intensity of C. scrofarum in pigs was generally low, in the range 250–4000 oocysts per gram of feces. Infected pigs showed no clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis and no pathology was detected. Cryptosporidium scrofarum was not infectious for adult SCID mice, adult BALB/c mice, Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), southern multimammate mice (Mastomys coucha), yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis), or guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Phylogenetic analyses based on small subunit rRNA, actin, and heat shock protein 70 gene sequences revealed that C. scrofarum is genetically distinct from all known Cryptosporidium species.     

MULTICENTRIC LYMPHOMA WITH INTESTINAL INVOLVEMENT IN A DOG

A 5-year-old, male German shepherd dog was evaluated for a 5-week history of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and weight loss. In abdominal radiographs, there was an unusual corrugated appearance within a loop of intestine. Sonographically, this loop also had a similar corrugated appearance with alternating hyperechoic and hypoechoic bands. Lymph nodes within the abdomen and thorax were enlarged, and a thoracic mass was also detected. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates of the mesenteric lymph nodes were highly suggestive of lymphoma. After postmortem examination, a diagnosis of multicentric lymphoma with involvement of the gastrointestinal tract was made.     

Day length affects feeding behaviour and food intake in adult male emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

1. In south-western Australia, male and female emus decrease their food intake when they start breeding in early winter and increase their intake during spring and summer when the breeding season and egg incubation are finished. 2. This annual feeding cycle seems to be under the influence of several environmental factors. Here, we tested the importance of photoperiod using male emus kept in light-controlled rooms with ad libitum access to food and water. 3. Long days increased food intake whereas short days decreased it. Emus fed only during the light hours. 4. Frequency of meals was similar under the 2-day lengths but meal duration was shorter when the emus were on short days than when they were on long days. Thus, day length seemed to affect appetite but not interest in food. 5. Further investigations are needed to test whether these changes in feeding behaviour are a direct consequence of day length or if they are secondary to photoperiod-driven changes in sexual activity.     

Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis in table egg layer house environments and in mice in U.S. layer houses and associated risk factors

Prevalence was estimated for Salmonella enterica serotype eneritidis (SE) in layer house environments (n = 200 layer houses) and house mice (n = 129 layer houses) in 15 states throughout the United States. Environmental swabs were collected from manure, egg belts, elevators, and walkways. Live-catch rodent traps were placed for 4-7 days. Swabs and house mice were submitted to the laboratory for bacterial culture. Overall, 7.1% of layer houses and 3.7% of mice were culture positive for SE. The highest prevalence was in the Great Lakes region of the United States, and no SE was recovered from houses or mice in the southeast region. Presence of SE in layer houses was associated with age/molting, floor reared pullets, and number of rodents trapped. Cleaning and disinfecting houses between flocks was associated with a reduced risk. The prevalence of SE in mice from environmentally positive houses was nearly four times that of mice from environmentally negative houses.     

Cardiovascular effects following epidural injection of romifidine in isoflurane‐anaesthetized dogs

ObjectiveTo investigate the cardiovascular effects of epidural romifidine in isoflurane-anaesthetized dogs.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded experiment.AnimalsA total of six healthy adult female Beagles aged 1.25 ± 0.08 years and weighing 12.46 ± 1.48 (10.25–14.50) kg.MethodsAnaesthesia was induced with propofol (6–9 mg kg^?1) and maintained with 1.8–1.9% end-tidal isoflurane in oxygen. End-tidal CO₂ was kept between 35 and 45 mmHg (4.7–6.0 kPa) using intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure and cardiac output (CO) were monitored. Cardiac output was determined using a LiDCO monitor and the derived parameters were calculated. After baseline measurements, either 10 μg kg^?1 romifidine or saline (total volume 1 mL 4.5 kg^?1) was injected into the lumbosacral epidural space. Data were recorded for 1 hour after epidural injection. A minimum of 1 week elapsed between treatments.ResultsAfter epidural injection, the overall means (± standard deviation, SD) of HR (95 ± 20 bpm), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (81 ± 19 mmHg), CO (1.63 ± 0.66 L minute^?1), cardiac index (CI) (2.97 ± 1.1 L minute^?1 m^?2) and stroke volume index (SI) (1.38 ± 0.21 mL beat^?1 kg^?1) were significantly lower in the romifidine treatment compared with the overall means in the saline treatment [HR (129 ± 24 bpm), MAP (89 ± 17 mmHg), CO (3.35 ± 0.86 L minute^?1), CI (6.17 ± 1.4 L minute^?1 m^?2) and SI (2.21 ± 0.21 mL beat^?1 kg^?1)]. The overall mean of systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) (7202 ± 2656 dynes seconds cm^?5 m^?2) after epidural romifidine injection was significantly higher than the overall mean of SVRI (3315 ± 1167 dynes seconds cm^?5 m^?2) after epidural saline injection.ConclusionEpidural romifidine in isoflurane-anaesthetized dogs caused significant cardiovascular effects similar to those reportedly produced by systemic romifidine administration.Clinical relevanceSimilar cardiovascular monitoring is required after epidural and systemically administered romifidine. Further studies are required to evaluate the analgesic effects of epidural romifidine.     

Cell Counts and Survival to Vitrification of Bovine In Vitro Produced Blastocysts Subjected to Sublethal High Hydrostatic Pressure

This work analyses the effects of a high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment on in vitro survival of in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos vitrified with the Cryologic Vitrification Method (CVM). Consequences on embryo quality in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation, and levels of embryonic Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp‐70) were also examined. Day 7 and 8 bovine in vitro‐produced blastocysts were submitted to an HHP treatment (60 MPa, at 32°C for 1 h) and allowed to recover for 1 or 2 h in culture medium. The HHP treatment did not improve blastocyst survival rates after vitrification/warming. Survival (24 h post‐warming) and hatching (48 h post‐warming) rates were 79.3 ± 4.9 and 51.8 ± 4.2 vs 73.9 ± 4.2 and 44.7 ± 4.1 for untreated controls and HHP‐treated embryos, respectively. Total cell numbers measured in fresh embryos were reduced after 1 h at 32°C, with or without HHP treatment, indicating that cell proliferation was stopped as a result of stress. Vitrified HHP‐treated embryos that hatched at 48 h after warming showed increased cell numbers in their ICM compared with untreated controls (50.2 ± 3.1 vs 38.8 ± 2.7), indicating higher embryo quality. Treatment of blastocysts with HHP did not alter the level of the Hsp‐70 protein. In our conditions, HHP treatment did not affect the cryoresistance of these embryos. However, combination of HHP treatment and vitrification in fibreplugs resulted in an increase in the ICM cell number of hatched embryos 48 h post‐warming.