Control of gastrointestinal parasitism with an oxfendazole pulse-release anthelmintic device

The efficacy of a pulse-release oxfendazole bolus (OPRB) against gastrointestinal nematodes was evaluated under field conditions and compared with a sustained release morantel bolus (MSRB). Three groups of 10 calves were grazed from May to September on adjacent, similarly contaminated 3-acre paddocks. One group was dosed at turnout with the OPRB, the second group with the MSRB and the third group left as nontreated controls. Pasture larval counts peaked at greater than 60,000 larvae/kg dry weight of herbage in September on the control paddock, associated with a mean egg count of 1040 eggs/g faeces and clinical symptoms. A low rise in larval counts occurred on the MSRB plot, and also low helminth egg counts. On the OPRB plot, pasture larvae and faecal egg counts were recorded only intermittently; the September egg counts were only 3.5% of those of the controls; serum pepsinogen data showed a similar picture. At the end of the experiment, the OPRB calves had a mean weight advantage of 40 kg over the controls, and 12 kg over the MSRB group. Feed intakes were highest in the OPRB group in July and September.     

Use of sterile maggots to treat panniculitis in an aged donkey.

An aged female donkey developed a severe, localised, suppurative panniculitis secondary to a skin wound. Bacterial culture of swabs taken from the wound gave a profuse growth of multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a profuse growth of Escherichia coli and a moderate growth of beta-haemolytic Streptococcus species. The lesion did not respond to conventional medical and surgical treatment and continued to progress. Six applications of sterile larvae (maggots) of the common greenbottle, Lucilia sericata, were used to debride the wound successfully.     

FUSARIUM-ID v. 1.0: A DNA Sequence Database for Identifying Fusarium

One of the greatest impediments to the study of Fusarium has been the incorrect and confused application of species names to toxigenic and pathogenic isolates, owing in large part to intrinsic limitations of morphological species recognition and its application. To address this problem, we have created FUSARIUM-ID v. 1.0, a publicly available database of partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) DNA sequences, presently representing a selected sample of the diversity of the genus diversity, with excellent representation of Type-B trichothecene toxin producers, and the Gibberella fujikuroi, Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani species complexes. Users can generate sequences using primers that are conserved across the genus, and use the sequence as a query to BLAST the database, which can be accessed at http://fusarium.cbio.psu.edu, or in a phylogenetic analysis. Correct identification of a known species in these groups often can be performed using this gene region alone. This growing database will contain only vouchered sequences attached to publicly available cultures. In the future, FUSARIUM-ID will be expanded to include additional sequences, including multiple sequences from the same species, sequences from new and revised species, and information from additional genes.     

Growth rates and energy intake of hand-reared cheetah cubs (Acinonyx jubatus) in South Africa

Growth rate is an important factor in neonatal survival. The aim of this study was to determine growth rates in hand-reared cheetah cubs in South Africa fed a prescribed energy intake, calculated for growth in the domestic cat. Growth was then compared with previously published data from hand-reared cubs in North America and the relationship between growth and energy intake explored. Daily body weight (BW) gain, feed and energy intake data was collected from 18 hand-reared cheetah cubs up to 120 days of age. The average pre-weaning growth rate was 32 g/day, which is lower than reported in mother-reared cubs and hand-reared cubs in North American facilities. However, post-weaning growth increased to an average of 55 g/day. Growth was approximately linear prior to weaning, but over the entire age range it exhibited a sigmoidal shape with an asymptotic plateau averaging 57 kg. Energy intake associated with pre-weaning growth was 481 kJ ME/kg BW(0.75). Regression analysis described the relationship between metabolic BW, metabolisable energy (ME) intake, and hence daily weight gain. This relationship may be useful in predicting energy intake required to achieve growth rates in hand-reared cheetah cubs similar to those observed for their mother-reared counterparts.     

The sites in the duodenum of receptor areas which affect abomasal emptying in the calf

Calves were prepared with abomasal and duodenal cannulae to assess the effects on abomasal emptying of duodenal infusates at different rates and different sites. In two calves infusions of isotonic NaHCO3 or 60 mM HCl 30 cm distal to the pylorus were as effective in controlling abomasal emptying as infusions of the duodenum from 5 cm distal to the pylorus, and in three other calves they were as effective as perfusing the whole duodenum including the most proximal 5 cm. Reducing the rate of duodenal infusion of 60 mM HCl from 10 to 2.5 ml/min diminished its effect from total inhibition of gastric emptying to slight or negligible inhibition. The stimulation of gastric emptying by duodenal infusion of isotonic NaHCO3 solution was undiminished by reduced rates of infusion. It is proposed that in the calf receptors which activate and inhibit gastric emptying are present throughout the duodenum.     

Spider communities as tools in monitoring reclaimed limestone quarry landforms

Spider communities are sensitive to a wide range of environmental factors and are potential ecological indicators which may be effective in the assessment and monitoring of restored ecosystems. One restoration technique of disused limestone quarry faces, landform replication, attempts to create landforms and ecosystems similar to those found on natural dalesides. Vegetation surveys indicate that communities developing on landform replications are more closely allied to natural dalesides than are those of naturally recolonised disused quarries. Assessment of the spider communities of three landform replication sites, a natural limestone daleside and seven naturally recolonised disused limestone quarries, using DECORANA and TWINSPAN, produced differing patterns of sites than those observed through the assessment of the vegetation communities. DECORANA assessment based on vascular plant species composition highlights the similarities between daleside and reclaimed site communities. The sensitivity of spider communities to vegetation structure and extent of bare ground highlights differences between sites and provides evidence of important differences in vegetation community development particularly in relation to cover and structure. Implications for the assessment of reclamation and restoration techniques are discussed.     

Editorial note for the special issue: ECPA 2017

Precision Agriculture -