Goldilocks Revisited: Public Perceptions of Urban Bears in Northern British Columbia

Management of black bears (Ursus americanus) in urban settings is of growing concern because they often recolonize areas from which they had been extirpated. Urban landscapes offer much needed bear habitat, buffer habitat losses in other areas, and offer protection for bear populations, but only if conflicts between bears and humans are managed. In collaboration with the Northern Bear Awareness Society in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, a survey of a sample of Prince George residents was conducted to determine their attitudes toward black bears and bear management, including euthanasia (N = 71). These residents tended to feel positively toward black bears, but were split on the issue of euthanasia, with half being firmly opposed and half recognizing the need under certain conditions. There was a significant preference for non-lethal management tools, suggesting an opportunity for governments to explore options for managing human activities that created bear attractants.     

Assessment of viral presence in semen and reproductive function of frozen-thawed spermatozoa from Pallas' cats (Otocolobus manul) infected with feline herpesvirus.

Although herpesviruses are known to contaminate the semen of several mammalian species, the occurrence of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) in semen of infected cats has not been reported. Our objectives in this study were to investigate the presence of FHV-1 DNA in seminal fluid and frozen-thawed spermatozoa from FHV-1 infected Pallas' cats (Otocolobus manul) and assess the functionality of their frozen-thawed spermatozoa in vitro. Over a 3-yr period, semen (n = 33 ejaculates) was collected periodically via electroejaculation from four Pallas' cats chronically infected with FHV-1. Spermic ejaculates were frozen by pelleting on dry ice and stored in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, sperm motility and acrosome status were assessed over time during in vitro culture. For vitro fertilization (IVF), viable domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) oocytes were inseminated with frozen-thawed Pallas' cat spermatozoa and evaluated for embryo cleavage. For FHV-1 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, DNA was extracted from seminal fluid, frozen-thawed spermatozoa, inseminated oocytes, heterologous IVF embryos, and conjunctival biopsies and analyzed for presence of a 322-base pair region of the FHV-1 thymidine kinase gene. Immediately post-thaw, sperm motility and percentage of intact acrosomes were decreased (P < 0.05) compared to fresh samples, and declined further (P < 0.05) during culture. However, all frozen-thawed IVF samples were capable of fertilizing domestic cat oocytes (overall, 46.1 +/- 6.0% cleavage). PCR analysis did not identify FHV-1 DNA in any reproductive sample despite the repeated detection of FHV-1 DNA in conjunctival biopsies. These results suggest that semen collected from Pallas' cats infected with FHV-1 does not contain cell-associated or non-cell-associated virus and that frozen-thawed spermatozoa exhibit adequate function for potential genetic rescue with minimal risk of FHV-1 transmission.     

Systemic and Local Responses Associated with UV- and Pathogen-Induced Resistance to Botrytis cinerea in Stored Carrot

ABSTRACT The induction of resistance to Botrytis cinerea in carrot roots by UV radiation, a possible means for controlling storage diseases, was compared with systemic resistance induced by inoculation with the pathogen. UV radiation did not have any systemic effect, and disease resistance was induced only in tissues directly exposed to the radiation. Although UV radiation induced a local accumulation of 6-methoxymellein (6-MM), inoculation with B. cinerea caused 6-MM to accumulate systemically, away from the inoculation site. Because of amounts near or higher than the ED(50) (50% effective dose) for inhibiting B. cinerea found in both UV-treated and preinoculated roots at the time of challenge, 6-MM could be involved in both types of resistance. Freshly harvested carrots had a number of constitutive chitinases and beta-1,3-glucanases, which were not affected by UV radiation or inoculation. When challenged with B. cinerea, the induction of a 24-kDa chitinase was enhanced in UV-treated and preinoculated roots. Again, UV radiation had only a local effect in priming this chitinase response. Although UV- and pathogen-induced resistance in carrot may involve the same defenses, the responses are probably mediated differently, because UV radiation has an essentially local effect.     

Combined vaccination of live 1B Chlamydophila abortus and killed phase I Coxiella burnetii vaccine does not destroy protection against chlamydiosis in a mouse model

Q fever and chlamydiosis often affect ovine and caprine flocks simultaneously or successively. Combination vaccines effective against these 2 diseases would be of great value in veterinary medicine. Unfortunately, the current effective vaccines are a live vaccine for chlamydiosis and killed vaccine for Q fever. Vaccination of mice with live chlamydiosis vaccine 1B and killed phase I vaccine against Q fever at 2 points on the back at the same time produced good protection against chlamydial abortion. This suggests that it may be possible to vaccinate ewes and goats against chlamydiosis and Q fever simultaneously.     

Bioassays on Leptographium wingfieldii, a Bark Beetle Associated Fungus, with Phenolic Compounds of Scots Pine Phloem

The fungicidal activity of five phenolic metabolites occurring in Scots pine phloem (Cat, Tax, PS, PC and PSM) and of phenolic extracts from unwounded (fresh) and wounded phloem of Scots pine were measured against Leptographium wingfieldii, a fungus associated with Tomicus piniperda. Bioassays were performed in micro-wells in a standard medium in the absence and presence of Scots pine phloem. In both media, methanol extracts from the unwounded and wounded phloem, PS, PSM and PC inhibited fungal growth. Tax and Cat had no effect or stimulated fungal growth. The presence of Scots pine phloem in the liquid medium reduced the inhibitory effect of phenolic compounds. At low concentrations (10–4–10–5M), the fungus seemed to be able to degrade PS, PSM and PC while, whatever the Cat and Tax concentrations, it did not seem to degrade them. These results suggest that three phenolic compounds have a potential fungitoxicity in vitro and that, in vivo, these phenols could play a role in the efficiency of the induced reaction to stop fungal growth.     

Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging for the differentiation of inflammatory,neoplastic, and vascular intradural spinal cord diseases in the dog

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common test for dogs with suspected intradural spinal cord lesions, however studies on diagnostic performance for this test are lacking. Objectives of this multi‐institutional, retrospective, case‐control study were to estimate sensitivity and specificity of MRI for (1) distinguishing between histopathologically confirmed intradural spinal cord disease versus degenerative myelopathy in dogs, (2) categorizing intradural spinal cord diseases as neoplastic, inflammatory, or vascular; and (3) determining tumor type within the etiologic category of neoplasia. Additional aims were to (1) determine whether knowledge of clinical data affects sensitivity and specificity of MRI diagnoses; and (2) report interrater agreement for MRI classification of intradural spinal lesions. Cases were recruited from participating hospital databases over a 7‐year period. Three reviewers independently evaluated each MRI study prior to and after provision of clinical information. A total of 87 cases were sampled (17 degenerative myelopathy, 53 neoplasia, nine inflammatory, and eight vascular). Magnetic resonance imaging had excellent (>97.6%) sensitivity for diagnosis of intradural spinal cord lesions but specificity varied before and after provision of clinical data (68.6% vs. 82.4%, P = 0.023). Magnetic resonance imaging had good sensitivity (86.8%) and moderate specificity (64.7–72.5%) for diagnosing neoplasia. Sensitivity was lower for classifying inflammatory lesions but improved with provision of clinical data (48.1% vs. 81.5%, P = 0.015). Magnetic resonance imaging was insensitive for diagnosing vascular lesions (25.0%). Interrater agreement was very good for correctly diagnosing dogs with intradural lesions (? = 0.882–0.833), and good (? = 0.726–0.671) for diagnosing dogs with neoplasia.     

Forward selection in a maritime pine polycross progeny trial using pedigree reconstruction

Key message

Molecular markers were used for paternity recovery in a maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster Ait.) polycross trial, facilitating forward selection. Different breeding strategies for seed orchard establishment were evaluated by comparing genetic gains and diversity. This work opens up new perspectives in maritime pine breeding.

Context

Polycross mating designs are widely used in forest tree breeding to evaluate parental breeding values for backward selection. Alternatively, polycross progeny trials may be used to select the best trees on the basis of individual breeding values and molecular pedigree analysis.

Aims

This study aimed to test such a forward selection strategy for the maritime pine breeding program.

Methods

In a maritime pine polycross trial, progeny with higher breeding values for growth and stem straightness was first preselected with or without relatedness constraints. After paternity recovery, the preselected trees were ranked on the basis of their breeding values, estimated from the recovered full pedigree. Finally, the best candidates were selected with three different strategies (forward, backward, mixed) and three levels of coancestry constraints to establish a virtual clonal seed orchard.

Results

Complete pedigrees were successfully recovered for most of the preselected trees. There was no major difference in expected genetic gains between the two preselection strategies which differed for relatedness constraints. Genetic gains were slightly higher for forward selection than for classical backward selection.

Conclusion

This seminal study opens up new perspectives for using forward selection within the French maritime pine breeding program.

     

Use of remnant boreal forest habitats by saproxylic beetle assemblages in even-aged managed landscapes

Saproxylic Coleoptera are diverse insects that depend on dead wood in some or all of their life stages. In even-aged boreal forest management, remnant habitats left as strips and patches contain most of the dead wood available in managed landscapes and are expected to act as refuges for mature forest species during the regeneration phase. However, use of remnant habitats by the saproxylic fauna has rarely been investigated. Our objective was to characterize the saproxylic beetle assemblages using clearcuts and forest remnants in western Québec, Canada, and to explore the effects of forest remnant stand characteristics on saproxylic beetle assemblages. We sampled both beetle adults and larvae, using Lindgren funnels and snag dissection, in five habitat locations (clearcuts, forest interiors of large patches, edges of large patches, small patches and cut-block separators) from three distinct landscapes. Adult saproxylic beetles (all feeding guilds combined) had significantly higher species richness and catch rates in small patches compared to forest interiors of large patches; the phloeophagous/xylophagous group had significantly higher species richness only. Small patches, cut-block separators and edges of large patches also had the highest snag density and basal area, increasing habitat for many saproxylic beetles. No significant differences in density of saproxylic larvae were found between habitat patches, but snag dissection nevertheless suggests that snags in forest remnants are used by comparable densities of insects. Saproxylic beetles appear to readily use habitat remnants in even-aged managed landscapes suggesting that forest remnants can insure the local persistence of these species, at least in the timeframe investigated in our study.     

Planting date and row spacing effects on the agronomic potential of sesame in the southeastern USA

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is being considered for commercial production in the southeastern USA, but very little is known about its potential and the appropriate management practices required to achieve sustainable yield potential in the area. This study thus aims to determine the optimal planting date and row spacing for several sesame cultivars. Traits examined were yield, plant height, number of nodes on the main stem, number of branches, height to first capsule on the main stem, and number of plants per meter. A first trial investigated three planting dates in Citra, FL (May, June, and July); whereas a second one examined several row spacings at two locations: 19 and 38.1 cm in Citra; and 19, 38.1, and 76.2 cm in Live Oak, FL. The May planting date showed higher yields, number of nodes, and taller plants than the other dates. Accumulated air and soil growing degree days (GDDs), rainfall, and solar radiation values were calculated for each planting date in both years. Soil GDDs provided similar results to air GDDs; thus, either model would seem appropriate for predicting crop development in this region. Plant height, number of nodes with capsules, and number of branches were increased at wider row spacings in the Live Oak trials as compared with narrow rows. These two trials illustrated the potential of sesame for attaining economically sustainable yields in the southeastern USA, but further exploration and modeling of agronomic traits will be needed to reach the crop’s full yield potential in these regions.     

Grape powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) risk assessment based on airborne conidium concentration

Atmospheric concentrations of Erysiphe necator conidia were monitored for 2 years in a vineyard planted with cultivars susceptible to powdery mildew in the vine production area of Quebec, Canada. The concentrations of airborne conidia were determined and compared using two types of samplers: a Burkard volumetric sampler and a rotating-arm sampler. The coefficients of correlation between the volumetric and rotating-arm sampler placed at 45 cm from the ground was r = 0.81 and 0.82 in 2000 and 2001, respectively. The relationship between incidence of powdery mildew on the leaves of three cultivars (Chancellor, Geisenheim, and Frontenac) and the cumulative concentration of airborne conidia (based on 3 d of sampling weekly) was then studied. This relationship was similar for the three cultivars, (R² = 0.97, 0.95, 0.97, for cvs Chancellor, Geisenheim, and Frontenac respectively) and was well described using the cumulative form of the Weibull model. Based on this model, it was possible to establish the period of high risk (highest rate of increase in powdery mildew incidence) from 645 to 5614, 2437 to 2951, and 1052 to 3061 conidia m⁻³ of air for the cvs Chancellor, Geisenheim, and Frontenac, respectively. An action threshold, for timing interval between fungicide sprays, of 50 conidia m⁻³ d⁻¹ was evaluated under field conditions with cv Chancellor and was as good as a calendar-based program with fewer fungicide sprays under unfavourable weather conditions. Monitoring airborne inoculum could be used as a component of a risk management system for grape powdery mildew to time intervals between fungicide sprays.