Investigation of meteorological drought characteristics in Fars province,Iran

Drought is a lack of moisture in nature, consistent or unnatural. The term consistent refers to a state of shortage, and unnatural refers to the deviation from an index of the regional natural condition. The objective of this research was to examine and forecast the intensity, duration, frequency and extent of droughts in Fars province. For this purpose, and in order to survey droughts in the province, a standard precipitation index (SPI) was determined as a selective index, considering its capacity to facilitate accurate positional analysis between various regions of the drought extent. For this, precipitation data within the same statistical period of 32 years (1968 to 1999) in 5 time scales of 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 months from some 26 stations located within and out of the province were used, and the trends were assessed by using a time series analysis. At the next stage, RUN theory and Markov Chain were combined, on this basis to create transition probability and a steady matrix, and then the conditions of long term droughts in the province in terms of number and duration were forecast for the subsequent 10 years. The characteristics of the extent of drought were determined by using the Geographic Information System (GIS) with the help of geo-statistical methods. The results of the drought station surveys for the mentioned characteristics showed that the highest drought intensity (in terms of % deviation from normal) was at the Gozoon station and the longest duration of drought in months was at the Polkhan station; droughts both of long duration and with the highest frequency during the statistical period were observed at the Jahrom and Darshahy stations. The map of the extent of droughts showed higher intensity in the south and central regions of the province, while northern parts of the province were less sensitive to the effects of droughts. Also, the results of the maps of drought duration in various periods showed that droughts in the south of the province were of higher intensity and longer duration than elsewhere.     

Molecular characterization and genetic relationship among almond cultivars assessed by RAPD and SSR markers

RAPDs and SSRs were used to study the genetic diversity of Iranian almond cultivars and their relationship to important foreign cultivars and three related species. Eight unidentified almond Shahrodi cultivars and three wild almonds (Prunus communis, Prunus orientalis and Prunus scoparia) were also included. Of the primers tested, 42 (out of 80) RAPD and 18 (out of 26) SSR primers were selected for their reproducibility and high polymorphism. A total of 664 polymorphic RAPD bands were detected out of 729 bands. The number of presumed alleles revealed by the SSR analysis ranged from 3 to 10 alleles per locus with a mean value of 6.64 alleles per locus. Both techniques discriminated the genotypes very effectively, but only RAPDs were able to discriminate the cultivars Monagha and Sefied. Results demonstrated an extensive genetic variability within the tested cultivars as well as the value of SSR markers developed in peach for characterization of almond and related species of Prunus. Dice similarity coefficient was calculated for all pair wise comparisons and was used to construct a UPGMA dendrogram. For both markers a high similarity in dendrogram topologies was obtained although some differences were observed. All dendrograms, including that obtained by the combined use of both the marker data, depicted the phenetic relationships among the cultivars and species, depending upon their geographic region and/or pedigree information. Almond cultivars clustered with accession of P. communis showing their close relationship. P. orientalis and P. scoparia were clustered out of the rest of P. dulcis.     

Effects of interferon-γ knockdown on vaccine-induced immunity against Marek’s disease in chickens

Interferon (IFN)-γ has been shown to be associated with immunity to Marek’s disease virus (MDV). The overall objective of this study was to investigate the causal relationship between IFN-γ and vaccine-conferred immunity against MDV in chickens. To this end, 3 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting chicken IFN-γ, which had previously been shown to reduce IFN-γ expression in vitro, and a control siRNA were selected to generate recombinant avian adeno-associated virus (rAAAV) expressing short-hairpin small interfering RNAs (shRNAs). An MDV challenge trial was then conducted: chickens were vaccinated with herpesvirus of turkey (HVT), administered the rAAAV expressing shRNA, and then challenged with MDV. Tumors were observed in 4 out of 10 birds that were vaccinated with HVT and challenged but did not receive any rAAAV, 5 out of 9 birds that were administered the rAAAV containing IFN-γ shRNA, and 2 out of 10 birds that were administered a control enhanced green fluorescent protein siRNA. There was no significant difference in MDV genome load in the feather follicle epithelium of the birds that were cotreated with the vaccine and the rAAAV compared with the vaccinated MDV-infected birds. These results suggest that AAAV-based vectors can be used for the delivery of shRNA into chicken cells. However, administration of the rAAAV expressing shRNA targeting chicken IFN-γ did not seem to fully abrogate vaccine-induced protection.     

Assessment of vitamin C different levels in aquaponic system on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and saffron (Crocus sativus): growth performances,hematology, serum biochemistry,and digestive enzyme activity

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of improving the growth and physiological indices of plant and fish by adding different levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to water in the aquaponic system using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and saffron plant (Crocus sativus). 240# fish (12.5?±?0.21 gr) and 120# saffron corms (2.8?±?0.12 gr) were randomly assigned to 15 experimental units and underwent treatments of adding 0 (control), 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg L^?1 ascorbic acid to water, every 6 days, for 8 weeks. The fish final weight and subsequently other growth performance indices increased in the treatment of 4 mg L^?1 vitamin C compared to other treatments (P?≤?0.05). Some growth performances of saffron plants such as saffron production, in treatment of 6 mg L^?1, were significantly higher than the control group and reached from 17.34?±?0.27 mg flower^?1 in the control group to 25.4?±?1.61 mg flower^?1 in treatment of 6 mg L^?1. Measuring the serum biochemical parameters of the fish showed that, in the treatment of 8 mg/L ascorbic acid, the cortisol content in the blood reached its maximum (21.49?±?2.42 µg dL^?1). The trypsin activity in proximal intestine and mid-intestine significantly increased in treatments of 2, 4, and 6 mg L^?1, respectively. The current experiment showed that, by adding 4–6 mg/L ascorbic acid to the aquaponic system water (every 6 days), the optimal levels of Nile tilapia and saffron plant growth performances would occur.

     

Tailor made plasmin substrates as potential diagnostic tool to test for mastitis

Plasmin is a protease in milk, which concentration is increased during mastitis. The aim of the study was design and characterize short, tailor made fluorogenic substrates for plasmin to see differences in plasmin activity in healthy milk compared to mastitic milk. According to the specificity matrix of plasmin, containing 125 currently known plasmin substrates, six novel plasmin specific substrates were designed and characterized. Eight other substrates were insensitive for plasmin, which was in line with our expectations. The plasmin-sensitive substrates showed no cross-reactivity with proteases from mastitogenic bacteria in vitro. A proof of concept to distinguish healthy milk from mastitic milk is described. Potentially, these substrates present a rapid alternative to the currently established methodologies to detect mastitis in milk.     

Sex differences in population genetics, home range size and habitat use of the parti-colored bat (Vespertilio murinus, Linnaeus 1758) in Switzerland and their consequences for conservation

When habitats are declining, niche segregation by demographic groups, such as the two sexes, can have a profound impact on the extinction risk of a species as a whole. Thus, differences in the requirements of demographic groups are of importance in conservation. We combined behavioural and genetic data to investigate whether the sexually segregated parti-colored bat (Vespertilio murinus) exhibits sex-specific niche partitioning. We use our data to evaluate implications for conservation of this potentially vulnerable species in Switzerland, the western boundary of its range. Using radio-telemetry, we found sex-specific differences in habitat use. Foraging females strongly relied on lakes while foraging males displayed more flexibility in their habitat use. Moreover, males covered significantly larger foraging areas than females. Sequencing 341 base pairs of the mitochondrial D-loop of 247 individuals revealed sex-specific differences in the genetic structure of colonies, but no such difference was observed for three nuclear micro-satellite markers. We found high mtDNA diversity in two Swiss male colonies and one German female colony, but low mtDNA diversity in two Swiss female colonies. Our genetic data suggest that considerable gene flow occurs via male dispersal and mating. At the same time immigration of females into the existing female colonies in Switzerland is rare compared to the immigration of new males into male colonies. Since we found the sexes in Vespertilio murinus to differ markedly in their ecology, population genetics, and behaviour, we conclude that sex-specific conservation plans are required to protect this species efficiently.     

Direct and maternal (co)variance components, genetic parameters, and annual trends for growth traits of Makooei sheep in Iran

Genetic parameters and genetic trends for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6-month weight (6MW), and yearling weight (YW) traits were estimated by using records of 5,634 Makooei lambs, descendants of 289 sires and 1,726 dams, born between 1996 and 2009 at the Makooei sheep breeding station, West Azerbaijan, Iran. The (co)variance components were estimated with different animal models using a restricted maximum likelihood procedure and the most appropriate model for each trait was determined by Akaike’s Information Criterion. Breeding values of animals were predicted with best linear unbiased prediction methodology under multi-trait animal models and genetic trends were estimated by regression mean breeding values on birth year. The most appropriate model for BW was a model including direct and maternal genetic effects, regardless of their covariance. The model for WW and 6MW included direct additive genetic effects. The model for YW included direct genetic effects only. Direct heritabilities based on the best model were estimated 0.15?±?0.04, 0.16?±?0.03, 0.21?±?0.04, and 0.22?±?0.06 for BW, WW, 6MW, and YW, respectively, and maternal heritability obtained 0.08?±?0.02 for BW. Genetic correlations among the traits were positive and varied from 0.28 for BW–YW to 0.66 for BW–WW and phenotypic correlations were generally lower than the genetic correlations. Genetic trends were 8.1?±?2, 67.4?±?5, 38.7?±?4, and 47.6?±?6 g per year for BW, WW, 6MW, and YW, respectively.     

Brenneria spp. and Rahnella victoriana associated with acute oak decline symptoms on oak and hornbeam in Iran

Decline diseases of forest trees are complex syndromes not attributable to single causal factors. In Iran, symptoms of decline disease have been observed in a number of native forest species including Quercus castaneifolia (chestnut‐leaved oak), Q. brantii (Persian oak) and Carpinus betulus (hornbeam). The symptoms are prevalent in the northern forests and the Zagros mountain forests. There are parallels between the disease in Iran and acute oak decline (AOD) reported in the UK, specifically the presence of weeping cankers, which have been attributed to a polybacterial complex wherein Brenneria goodwinii is considered a key necrogen. Based on the AOD symptomatology, and as a first step towards discovering potential causal agents of the stem weeping symptoms of affected trees in Iran, necrotic tissues were tested primarily for the presence of B. goodwinii. Symptomatic Q. castaneifolia and C. betulus from the Mazandaran Province and symptomatic Q. brantii from Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad Province were sampled. Isolation and culture on a selective medium yielded uniform bacterial colonies. Isolates were characterized using phenotypic and genotypic (DNA sequencing) tests. The isolates were phenotypically identical to members of Pectobacteriaceae and Yersiniaceae, specifically Brenneria and Rahnella spp. The nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes gyrB, infB and atpD (MLSA) amplified via PCR demonstrated that the isolates from the trees in Iran were indeed B. goodwinii, B. roseae subsp. roseae, Rahnella victoriana and an unknown species of Brenneria. Most bacteria isolated from non‐symptomatic trees were Gram‐positive, and Pseudomonas spp. were dominant, but bacterial species isolated from the diseased trees were not detected in healthy trees. Hypersensitivity response tests were positive, but inoculation on saplings was more variable with internal necrosis developing only once in the test period. Therefore, further testing is required. This is the first report of the incidence of B. goodwinii, B. roseae subsp. roseae, R. victoriana and Brenneria sp. associated with acute oak decline‐like symptoms on Q. castaneifolia, Q. brantii and C. betulus across the western forests of Iran and in the world.     

Integrating animal movement with habitat suitability for estimating dynamic migratory connectivity

Context

High-resolution animal movement data are becoming increasingly available, yet having a multitude of empirical trajectories alone does not allow us to easily predict animal movement. To answer ecological and evolutionary questions at a population level, quantitative estimates of a species’ potential to link patches or populations are of importance.

Objectives

We introduce an approach that combines movement-informed simulated trajectories with an environment-informed estimate of the trajectories’ plausibility to derive connectivity. Using the example of bar-headed geese we estimated migratory connectivity at a landscape level throughout the annual cycle in their native range.

Methods

We used tracking data of bar-headed geese to develop a multi-state movement model and to estimate temporally explicit habitat suitability within the species’ range. We simulated migratory movements between range fragments, and calculated a measure we called route viability. The results are compared to expectations derived from published literature.

Results

Simulated migrations matched empirical trajectories in key characteristics such as stopover duration. The viability of the simulated trajectories was similar to that of the empirical trajectories. We found that, overall, the migratory connectivity was higher within the breeding than in wintering areas, corroborating previous findings for this species.

Conclusions

We show how empirical tracking data and environmental information can be fused for meaningful predictions of animal movements throughout the year and even outside the spatial range of the available data. Beyond predicting migratory connectivity, our framework will prove useful for modelling ecological processes facilitated by animal movement, such as seed dispersal or disease ecology.