A case of transplacental transmission of Theileria equi in a foal in Trinidad

Equine piroplasmosis due to Theileria equi and Babesia caballi is endemic in Trinidad. A case of equine piroplasmosis due to T. equi was diagnosed in a thoroughbred foal at 10h post-partum. A high parasitaemia (63%) of piroplasms was observed in a Wright-Giemsa(?) stained thin blood smear from the foal. In addition, the 18S rRNA gene for Babesia/Theileria was amplified from DNA extracted from the blood of the foal and the mare. Amplified products were subjected to a reverse line blot hybridization assay (RLB), which confirmed the presence of T. equi DNA in the foal. The mare was negative by RLB but was positive for T. equi using a nested PCR and sequence analysis. In areas where equine piroplasmosis is endemic, severe jaundice in a post-partum foal may be easily misdiagnosed as neonatal isoerythrolysis. Foals with post-partum jaundice should be screened for equine piroplasmosis, which may be confirmed using molecular methods if available.     

The role of bromeliads in rural livelihoods: An experience in Oaxaca,Mexico

ABSTRACT

The aim of this article is to analyze the commercialization of bromeliad plants as an alternative for diversification in Mandimbo Village, Oaxaca, Mexico. We follow the livelihood assets approach to examine natural, social, physical, human, and financial capitals. This study was conducted using surveys of village households, working group sessions with heads of family, and in-depth interviews of participants in the bromeliad initiative. The results show that after 10 yr of work, the bromeliad initiative has not been consolidated. The village has developed abundant natural and social capital, but less human, physical, and financial capital. We conclude that for progress of the initiative to occur, the main objectives need to be clarified and agreements between different parties of interest—the villagers, regional nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and research institutions—need to be established, as these can facilitate a successful financial strategy.     

Seed morphology and cytogenetic characterization of an endangered wild cotton,Gossypium turneri Fryxell,from Mexico

Cotton (genus Gossypium) is an important agricultural crop around the world because of its fiber. Gossypium turneri Fryxell is a wild cotton species endemic to the state of Sonora (northwestern Mexico), whose status has been recently raised to endangered in the IUCN Red List. This species has invaluable characteristics that could be useful in the cultivated cotton gene pool. Despite its importance, G. turneri has been studied very little. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has characterized its seed morphology and cytogenetics. Therefore, in the present study the seed morphology and karyotype of G. turneri were analyzed. Seeds of G. turneri have nonuniform oval shape and brown-gray color. This species produces short fibers attached to its seed surface that are not long enough for commercial use. Our seed sizes were greater than those previously described for G. turneri and other diploid cottons. The length and width of seeds were 8.80 mm and 4.83 mm, respectively. Traits such as embryo and seed coat were measured and carefully observed, and gossypol glands were observed only in the embryo during the evaluation of internal features of seeds. Cytogenetic analysis revealed 26 chromosomes (2n?=?2x?=?26) in mitotic cells of G. turneri. The karyotype analysis showed mainly metacentric (m), submetacentric (sm) and subtelocentric (st) chromosomes. Our results reveal important biological traits of G. turneri that could be considered in future studies to improve cultivated cotton.

     

Does Biofloc Improve the Energy Distribution and Final Muscle Quality of Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1883)?

In a 45‐d experiment, Litopenaeus vannamei was cultured in two treatments, biofloc technology or clear water recirculating aquaculture system, to evaluate the effect on growth and survival, energy balance, and texture of the marketable product. The experimental design consisted of 40 plastic tanks of 54 L (20 tanks per treatment), with a density of 140 organisms/m³ in each culture system. The final body weight, daily growth coefficient, and survival were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in biofloc technology (12.40 g, 5.0%g/d, and 87.1%, respectively) than in the clear water system (7.0 g, 1.4%g/d, and 74.2%). The retained energy and energy content of exuviae were significantly higher for shrimp in the biofloc technology (448.5 ± 36.4 and 22.4 ± 1.8 J/shrimp/d, respectively) than in clear water (246.3 ± 40.9 and 12.3 ± 2.0 J/shrimp/d, respectively). Routine metabolism was significantly higher for the clear water treatment (411.4 ± 123.8 J/shrimp/d). Shear force was higher in the biofloc technology, indicating greater muscle firmness; this matched the gel electrophoresis patterns of the proteins extracted from the muscle tissues. This suggests that biofloc technology could be used not only to improve growth and survival in L. vannamei but also to enhance the final product quality and acceptability in the market.