Does reintroduction stabilize the population of the critically endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus,Gavialidae) in Chitwan National Park,Nepal?

• 1 Despite conservation programmes (India 1975, Nepal 1978) gharial populations (Gavialis gangeticus) have declined over their entire distribution range. Information about the current status and main threats is needed to implement effective conservation measures.
• 2 This study presents a survey (2003/2004) of the largest Nepalese gharial population in the Chitwan National Park that has benefited from regular re‐introduction of young gharials since 1981.
• 3 Population size estimates fluctuate between 34 (2003) and 38 (2004). The reintroduction programme, although of limited success, has helped to maintain the gharial population.
• 4 Gharials bask preferentially in large sand banks, and these sites must be protected.
• 5 The main threats are from a dam that causes fish depletion and flushes gharials from the protected area, sand mining and grazing that destroy basking sites, fishing that causes food shortage, drift nets that kill gharial, and water pollution.
• 6 Improvement in the survival of reintroduced gharials is needed. Strict protection of preferred basking sites and prohibition of fishing in the main settling zones are the principal conservation measures while in the long term, education and participatory management by local people are also necessary. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Phosphorus fractions in Brazilian Cerrado soils as affected by tillage

No-tillage systems lead to physical, chemical and biological changes in soil. Soil fertility is responsive to changes in tillage as it depends on nutrient status, soil water content and biological characteristics. This work aimed to determine long term changes in phosphorus forms and availability in the profile of two tropical soils under conventional and no-till systems, and to discuss the significance of these changes on plant growth and demand for P fertilizers. Undisturbed soil cores with 20 cm in diameter were collected to a depth of 40 cm, accommodated in PVC tubes and taken to a greenhouse, where the experiment was conducted. Two soils were collected in Central Brazil, in areas under Cerrado. Both soils had been cropped for at least 10 years under conventional tillage and no-till. In the greenhouse, pots received phosphorus fertilization or not at 43.7 kg ha⁻¹, and soybean was grown for 60 days, when soil P fractions were determined. Labile P fractions in the soil profile were not affected by management systems, and there was no accumulation of available P under no-till. A large amount of P added as fertilizer was adsorbed in soil and remained in moderately labile fractions, mainly on uppermost soil layers. Therefore, the phosphate fertilizer has promoted P accumulation on less available fractions in soil, remaining P on the soil after crop harvest. Eventually this phosphorus could migrate to more labile fractions and be available for crops grown in succession.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the growth hormone gene of Oreochromis niloticus and their association with growth performance

Polymorphisms in the growth hormone (GH) gene that is associated with the growth rate of farmed fish have been the target of many breeding programmes. The present study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GH gene regions to evaluate the association of SNP variations with the growth rate of two Nile tilapia: Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) strains. The targeted regions were amplified, sequenced, aligned and screened for the presence of SNPs; thereafter, performance tests were used to check for the association between SNPs and weight. Allele and genotype frequencies were estimated for each SNP and genotype. Genotype blocks or sets of SNP genotypes and frequencies were also estimated. Association between SNPs and growth rate was statistically evaluated using a univariate linear mixed model that included both fixed and random effects. A total of 10 SNPs were identified, nine in the proximal promoter and one located in the 5′ UTR, forming 10 genotype blocks. In all weight recordings, five genotype blocks were significantly associated with the highest weights. Single nucleotide polymorphisms 6‐10 were also found to be significantly associated with growth (p‐value < .05). Genotypes with higher additive genetic values for weight were identified in the Chitralada strain, suggesting a possible impact of these additive effects of the GH SNP genotype on the growth rate of Nile tilapia. These findings may be used as part of marker‐assisted selection in tilapia breeding programmes.     

Tendonitis of branches of the superficial digital flexor tendon in Standardbred racehorses: 15 cases

This case report describes the clinical and ultrasonographic findings and performance outcome of distal tendonitis of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in Standardbred racehorses. Cases with distal tendonitis of the SDFT in isolation (not associated with a metacarpal lesion) were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical and ultrasonographic findings and performance outcome were reviewed. The injury was located on the left forelimb in 67% (10/15) of horses and on the right forelimb in 33% (5/15). None of the horses were affected bilaterally. The lateral branch was involved in 80% of the cases (12/15) and medial branch in 20% (3/15). None of the horses were affected biaxially. Mean time between injury and first start ± s.d. was 302 ± 142 days. Returning to racing was observed in 93% of the horses (14/15), with a reinjury rate of 22% (2/9). For horses which raced after the injury, the number of starts, shows and wins was not significantly different before and after injury, regardless of the location of the lesion. Tendonitis of branches of the SDFT in isolation carries a good prognosis in Standardbred racehorses. A higher return to racing and a lower reinjury rate may be expected compared to lesions in the metacarpal region.     

A bioenergetics model of the entire life cycle of the three‐spined stickleback,gasterosteus aculeatus

A whole life‐cycle bioenergetic model based on the dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory was proposed for the three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). To develop this model, experiments on growth and reproduction were performed: adult and juvenile growth, size at first reproduction and amount of eggs spawned by females were monitored under different feeding levels and temperatures. The DEB parameters were estimated, using Bayesian statistics, based on the data produced during these experiments and on other data found in the literature. The model fitted accurately the different data used for the calibration process and, in addition, predicted accurately the data sets used to assess its predictability. Our bioenergetic model of the whole life cycle of the three‐spined stickleback accounting for environmental variations could contribute in many ways to improved ecological assessment: supporting change of scale from individual to populations; developing new biomarkers of exposure and effect; analysing ecotoxicity tests with biology‐based models.