Effects of a long distance transport and subsequent recovery in recently weaned crossbred beef calves in Southern Chile

In Chile, prolonged transport of cattle is an important issue due to geographical conditions. This study describes the variation of body weight and some blood constituents related to stress response during one long distance transport (63 h) of recently weaned calves for fattening in the Chilean Patagonia. Results concerning blood variables related to stress showed that the whole process of rounding up, weaning and transport was stressful for the calves and that animal welfare was impaired. Cortisol values were significantly lower after unloading (1.0±0.4 μg/dl), as compared to before loading (1.5±0.4 μg/dl). The significant body weight loss from before loading (240±26.9 kg) to after unloading (210±24.2 kg), and the long recovery time, adds economic losses to the producers at destiny. As transport period cannot be shortened due to the typical Chilean geography in the Patagonian region and the scarcity of proper routes, it is recommended that conditions of transported calves should be improved by using specialized livestock vehicles that can provide more comfort, as well as access to water and food during the journey.     

Behavioral switching in Magellanic woodpeckers reveals perception of habitat quality at different spatial scales

Context

The switching pattern between behavioral modes provides a mechanistic basis for understanding how animals perceive and memorize the habitat quality in their home ranges.

Objectives

We assessed if Magellanic woodpeckers (Campephilus magellanicus) move based on habitat quality at local (neighboring trees) and home range scales.

Methods

We used state-space models to examine the relationship between remotely-sensed estimates of habitat quality (tree decay) and movement of adult woodpeckers tracked with GPS telemetry in southern Chile.

Results

Woodpeckers spent most time (>?80%) in the area-restricted search (ARS) mode in contrast to the exploratory transient mode, characterized by frequent directional displacements (>?50 m). The extent to which individuals switched between behavioral modes was related to habitat quality at different scales. Woodpeckers switched to and remained in the ARS mode when encountering moderate levels of heterogeneity in habitat quality. At very low or high heterogeneity levels, however, individuals switched to and remained in the transient mode, respectively. Likewise, as habitat quality declined locally and across home range, woodpeckers were more likely to adopt a transient mode.

Conclusions

Although woodpeckers seemed to easily perceive and memorize habitat quality at different spatial scales, our results suggest that spatial memory will less effective under extreme levels of habitat heterogeneity.

     

Runoff and soil erosion from areas of burnt scrub: comparison of experimental results with those predicted by the WEPP model

The effects of burning on runoff and soil erosion from scrub-bearing hillslopes in northwest Spain were investigated by monitoring of experimental plots over a 4-year period. At the beginning of this period, two plots (BP1 and BP2) were subjected to low-intensity controlled burns, and two plots left as controls; in the year following the controlled burns, however, one of the control plots (plot WF) was burnt in a wildfire of higher intensity than the controlled burns. Runoff and erosion losses from the BP plots were only slightly higher than from the control plot, with the loss in no case exceeding 300 g m⁻² yr⁻¹. Erosion losses from plot WF were considerably higher (1314 g m⁻² over the 1st year post-burning, 8.5 times higher than from the control plot). These results were compared with those predicted using the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) hillslope model (Version 95.7). In general, WEPP predictions of total runoff volume over the study period were acceptable: coefficients of determination for the regression of predicted on observed values were 0.41, 0.68, 0.66 and 0.57 for the control plot and plots BP1, BP2 and WF, respectively. Erosion losses were likewise predicted with reasonable accuracy, though the model showed a consistent tendency to under-estimate, particularly with plot WF.     

Evaluation of colostral immunity in swine with commercial anti-leptospira polyvalent whole-bacteria vaccine

The intensity and duration of passive immunity against swine leptospirosis were investigated by the microscopic agglutination test and in vitro leptospira growth inhibition. Twenty-one females at first parturition were divided into three groups: Group A (n=08): received two doses with 30 days interval of the commercial anti-leptospira bacterin A. Group B (n=06) received two doses with 30 days interval of the commercial anti-leptospira bacterin B and Group C (n=07) was the control. In all groups the colostrums were collected. Blood collection of piglets was performed in four different ages. Agglutinin antibodies were equally detected in sera and colostrums for serovars Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Copenhageni, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pomona (Group A) and Canicola, Copenhageni, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona and Hardjo (Group B). Mean neutralizing antibodies titers were low. Passive immunity was low duration.     

Application of the 3PG forest growth model to a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> plantation in Northwest Spain

This paper presents an assessment of the ability of the 3PG process-based model to simulate height (h) and diameter at breast height (DBH) growth in three plots located in a Eucalyptus globulus plantation on the Atlantic coast of Galicia (Northwest Spain). The obtained results show how this model estimates adequately height (h) and DBH growth, and determination coefficients (R ²) between observed data and data predicted by the model are always higher than 0.97, root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.45–1.05 cm in DBH and 0.46–0.85 in h, and a model efficiency (EF) close to 1 (0.98–0.99). In order to improve the results predicted by the model, we propose modifying the nS and fullCanAge parameter values given by default so as to adjust growth rates in the plantation to the weather conditions in the site. The ability of the model to discriminate growth rates in the three plots must be noted, even when plots are located in the same plantation and they only show differences in aspects related to site factors. Given the obtained results in the three plots used in this study, its simplicity and the small number of parameters needed as input data, the 3PG model stands out as a very useful tool for forest plantation management.     

Active surveillance of pathogens from ticks collected in New York State suburban parks and schoolyards

Schoolyards and suburban parks are two environments where active tick surveillance may inform local management approaches. Even in a state such as New York with a robust active tick surveillance programme operated by the state Department of Health, these settings are not routinely covered. The goal of this study was to highlight the importance of active surveillance for tick‐borne pathogens by describing their prevalence in ticks collected from schoolyards and suburban parks and to guide the use of integrated pest management in these settings. Tick dragging was performed in three regions of New York State: Long Island, the Lower Hudson Valley and the Capital Region. A total of 19 schoolyards and 32 parks were sampled. The location, habitat and weather at the time of tick collection were recorded. Ticks were speciated and tested for the presence of 17 pathogens with a novel application of nanoscale real‐time PCR. The causative agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease were all detected from Ixodes scapularis in various sites throughout the capital region and south‐eastern counties of New York state. The most common agent detected was Borrelia burgdorferi, and coinfection rates were as high as 36%. This surveillance study also captured the first of the invasive Asian longhorned tick species, Haemaphysalis longicornis, in New York state (collected 2 June 2017). Results from this study highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and data sharing for improvement of surveillance for tick‐borne disease agents.     

Improved Broth Microdilution Method for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Francisella Noatunensis Orientalis

In this project we optimized a minimal inhibitory concentration testing protocol for Francisella noatunensis orientalis. Thirty-three F. noatunensis orientalis isolates recovered from different fish species and locations were tested, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 was used as a quality control reference strain. A modified cation-adjusted Mueller Hinton broth supplemented with 2% IsoVitalex and 0.1% glucose (MMH) was tested at a pH of 6.4 ± 0.1, 7.1 ± 0.1, and 7.3 ± 0.1. Growth curves generated for F. noatunensis orientalis indicated that MMH at a pH of 6.4 ± 0.1 provided optimal growth. There were no significant differences in the growth curves obtained from isolates recovered from different fish species or from fresh or marine water. The pH of 6.4 ± 0.1 in the MMH media interfered with the inhibitory properties of the potentiated sulfonamides (ormetoprim-sulfadimethoxine and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) when using the E. coli ATCC reference strain. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of eight antimicrobials (gentamicin, enrofloxacin, ampicillin, oxytetracycline, erythromycin, florfenicol, flumequine, and oxolinic acid) were similar for all F. noatunensis orientalis isolates. The in vitro susceptibility data provided here can provide a baseline for monitoring the development of antimicrobial resistance among F. noatunensis orientalis isolates, as well as provide valuable data in the development of potential therapeutics.

Received October 27, 2015; accepted April 13, 2016 Published online August 2, 2016     

Distribution and Rate of Movement of the Curtovirus Beet mild curly top virus (Family Geminiviridae) in the Beet Leafhopper

ABSTRACT A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for the detection of the curtovirus Beet mild curly top virus (BMCTV, previously named the Worland strain of Beet curly top virus) was developed and used to investigate the BMCTV-beet leafhopper interaction. Using PCR and a BMCTV-specific primer pair, an approximately 1.1-kb BMCTV DNA fragment was amplified from adult leafhoppers and from the organs involved in circulative transmission: the digestive tract, hemolymph, and salivary glands. The temporal distribution of BMCTV in the leafhopper was determined using insects given acquisition access periods (AAPs) ranging from 1 to 48 h on BMCTV-infected shepherd's purse plants. BMCTV was detected in the digestive tract after all AAPs, in the hemolymph after AAPs of 3 h or greater, and in the salivary glands after AAPs of 4 h or greater. The amount of virus detected in the hemolymph and salivary glands increased with AAP length. The virus persisted for up to 30 days in leafhoppers (given a 3-day AAP on BMCTV-infected plants) maintained on corn plants, a nonhost for BMCTV, but transovarial transmission was not detected. These results are consistent with a persistent but nonpropagative mode of circulative transmission.