Reduced effective population size in an overexploited population of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

Unchecked exploitation of wildlife resources is one of the major factors influencing species persistence throughout the world today. A significant consequence of exploitation is the increasing rate at which genetic diversity is lost as populations decline. Recent studies suggest that life history traits affecting population growth, particularly in long-lived species, may act to moderate the impact of population decline on genetic variation and lead to remnant populations that appear genetically diverse despite having passed through substantial demographic bottlenecks. In this study we show that the retention of genetic variation in a partially recovered population of Nile crocodile is deceptive, as it masks the reality of a significant decline in the population’s effective size (N_e). Repeated episodes of unchecked hunting in the mid to late 20th century have today led to a five-fold decrease in the population’s N_e. Using current census data we estimate the contemporary N_e/N ratio as 0.05 and, in light of quotas that permit the ongoing removal of adults, simulated the likely effects of genetic drift on extant levels of variation. Results indicate that even if the current effective size is maintained, both allelic diversity and heterozygosity will decline. Our findings have complex implications for long-lived species; an emphasis on the retention of genetic variation alone, whilst disregarding the effects of population decline on effective size, may ultimately obscure the continued decline and extinction of exploited populations.     

Non-lethal strategies to reduce browse damage in eucalypt plantations

Browsing by mammalian herbivores is a major problem in plantation forestry worldwide. This has traditionally been controlled through a reduction in herbivore numbers achieved by lethal means, namely shooting and poisoning. In recent years, however, there has been increasing social and political pressure to reduce reliance on such lethal controls, and consequently research into non-lethal controls is becoming increasingly important. In order for non-lethal methods to be efficiently incorporated into management, however, we must first identify those that are most effective under operational conditions. Different methods are rarely tested concurrently, and many have only been proven effective with captive animals or in small scale field trials. This study therefore sought to consolidate past research by combining non-lethal methods, which were known to significantly reduce browsing damage, into a single trial to enable their relative effectiveness to be compared under operational conditions.     

Genetic structure of Fusarium pseudograminearum populations from the Australian grain belt

Crown rot, caused by the fungus Fusarium pseudograminearum (teleomorph Gibberella coronicola) is a major disease of wheat in the Australian grain belt. However, there is little information available on the population structure of this pathogen. We measured genetic diversity as assessed with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis within and between populations of F. pseudograminearum from northeastern, south central, and southwestern regions of the Australian grain belt. Amongst the 217 isolates, 176 haplotypes were identified and grouped into two main clusters. One cluster contained isolates from populations in northeastern Australia, and the other cluster contained isolates from populations in south central and southwestern Australia. The southern populations were distinguished from the northeastern populations by higher levels of population differentiation (Gst) between them and genetic identity amongst the regional populations. We hypothesize that the F. pseudograminearum populations from northeastern and southern Australia are independent, which could result from different founding events or from geographic isolation and the accumulation of genetic differences due to genetic drift and/or selection.     

Physiologic response of six plant species grown in two contrasting soils and irrigated with brackish groundwater and RO concentrate

With declining availability of fresh surface water, brackish groundwater is increasingly used for irrigation in the arid and semi-arid southwestern United States. Brackish water can be desalinated by reverse osmosis (RO) but RO results in a highly saline concentrate. Disposal of concentrate is a major problem hindering augmentation of inland desalination in arid areas. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of texture and saline water irrigation on the physiology of six species (Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt., Hordeum vulgare L., Lepidium alyssoides A. Gray, Distichlis stricta (L.) Greene, Panicum virgatum L., and ×Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus [Secale?×?Triticum]). All species were grown in two contrasting soils and irrigated with the same volume of control water (EC 0.9?dS/m), brackish groundwater (4.1?dS/m), RO concentrate (EC 8.0?dS/m). Several plant physiological measurements were made during the growing season including height, number of stem nodes, average internodal length, number of leaves, leaf length, photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance rates, transpiration rates, leaf temperatures, stem water potential, and osmotic potential. P. virgatum was the only species that showed significant decrease in plant height and growth with texture and irrigation water salinity. Except for A. canescens and L. alyssoides, number and length of leaves decreased with increasing salinity for all species. No significant differences were observed for photosynthetic, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates by soil texture or irrigation water salinity. Stem water potential and osmotic potential did show some significant influence by soil texture and irrigation water salinity. Based on the results, RO concentrate can be reused to grow all six species in sand; however, growth of all species showed some limitations in clay. Local reuse of RO concentrate along desert margins with regular soil and environmental quality monitoring can accelerate implementation of inland desalination for sustaining food security.     

Effects of age and allergen exposure on transepidermal water loss in a house dust mite-sensitized beagle model of atopic dermatitis

Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured as assessment of barrier function in house dust mite-sensitized atopic ( n  = 24) and normal ( n  = 21) beagle dogs before and after allergen challenge. Dogs of the two groups were matched for age and housed in the same environment. Ten sites were evaluated including both areas of high and low predisposition to atopic lesion formation. On day 0 (before allergen exposure) and day 3 (3 days after allergen exposure), TEWL measurements were taken using an open-chamber evaporimeter. On day 0, significant differences (one-way ANOVA) were found between normal and atopic dogs in the chin, pinna, periocular region, axilla, antebrachium and thorax. Within the atopic group, a significant increase (one-way ANOVA) in TEWL was found in the axilla on day 3. Such a difference was particularly marked in young dogs (chin, pinna, axilla, antebrachium and groin). Within the normal group, allergen challenge did not change TEWL except for the chin. When atopic and nonatopic sites were compared within the atopic group, a significant difference in TEWL was found on day 0. A two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of site, a significant effect of time but no site × time (i.e. allergen exposure) interaction. It is concluded that the house dust mite-sensitized atopic beagle dogs used in this study have altered barrier function in 'atopic' areas and that such differences are more evident in young individuals and are aggravated by allergen exposure.     

Ericaceous shrubs affect black spruce physiology independently from inherent site fertility

Vegetative layering of black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) is the principal mode of regeneration for over mature, uneven-aged stands subject to long fire cycles (>300 years) in northeastern Québec, Canada. However, growth response of black spruce layers following disturbance by fire or harvest can be slow, due to a lag of morphological acclimation and potential nutrient limitation. This phenomenon can be accentuated if black spruce is associated with ericaceous shrubs such as Kalmia angustifolia and Rhododendron groenlandicum, which are known to interfere with conifer growth through direct and indirect competition. Such interactions can result in productive stands being converted to unproductive heathlands. It is not known whether these effects of ericaceous shrubs on black spruce are accentuated on low fertility sites, or if the impacts are independent of inherent site fertility. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of ericaceous shrubs on both resource availability and on functional traits of black spruce advance regeneration across a gradient of site fertility (as defined by a site classification system). We monitored black spruce advanced regeneration physiology and soil nutrient availability over two growing seasons on a gradient of ecological site types in northeastern Québec (Canada). The eradication of competing vegetation favored higher soil NH₄-N and K availability, with increases of 67% and 28% compared to control conditions, respectively. Black spruce photosynthesis rate (A) and foliar K content were higher in plots where vegetation was eradicated, compared to the control plots, but did not vary among ecological site types. Photosynthesis did not appear to be limited by nitrogen or water relations, but was possibly limited by a deficit of foliar K⁺, probably resulting from reduced availability following sequestration by the ericaceous root systems. The absence of interaction between inherent site fertility and the eradication of ericaceous shrubs suggests that vegetation management of ericaceous shrubs must be planned independently from the ecological site type.     

Commercial development of Trichoderma species for control of soil-borne vegetable diseases and their integration into standard crop management practices

A 10 year research programme at Lincoln University, investigating the use of Trichoderma species for biological control of soil-borne diseases of vegetable crops, has resulted in the development of two commercial products. Trichodry TM. 6S and Trichoflow TM. 6S based upon Trichoderma hamatum isolate 6SR4, are used to control Sclerotinia lettuce drop disease. The Trichodry 6S product is formulated as a dry flake, which is incorporated into nursery seedling mix and the Trichoflow 6…