Sectioned pelvic fin ray ageing of muskellunge Esox masquinongy from a Virginia river: comparisons among readers, with cleithrum estimates, and with tag–recapture growth data

Abstract  The potential utility of pelvic fin rays as ageing structures was evaluated for southern US muskellunge Esox masquinongy Mitchill populations by comparing age estimates among three readers and against cleithrum estimates, and by comparing observed length changes of tagged fish with changes predicted from growth equations based on pelvic fin ray age estimates. Mean coefficient of variation in age estimates among all readers and between the two readers with prior ageing experience was 17.8% and 5.6%, respectively. Exact and within 1-year agreement rates between pelvic fin rays and cleithra were 76% and 100%, respectively. Mean (± 2 SE) estimated absolute error between observed and predicted length changes for 13 tagged muskellunge was 30 ± 14 mm. This evaluation indicated that pelvic fin rays may prove to be a useful, non-lethal method for ageing muskellunge in southern US waters. Validation studies are still needed to ensure that growth rings form consistently throughout fish's life span.     

Periodontal disease. Etiology and pathogenesis

Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of the early loss of teeth in dogs and cats. Some of the factors in the adult animal that play a major role in the development of periodontal diseases are discussed in this article, including overcrowding, malocclusions, diet, developmental defects, and metabolic and systemic disease.     

Crystalluria. Observations, interpretations, and misinterpretations

Crystalluria results from oversaturation of urine with crystallogenic substance. However, oversaturation may occur as a result of in vitro as well as in vivo events. The microscopic appearance of crystals only represents a tentative identification of their composition because variable conditions associated with their formation, growth, and dissolution may alter their appearance. Definitive identification is dependent on physical methods such as optical crystallography, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopic analysis.     

Les insectes nuisibles aux eucalyptus en Italie: importance des dégats et méthodes de lutte1

Des informations sur la biologie et la diffusion des principaux insectes nuisibles aux eucalyptus en Italie sont données, ainsi que sur l'importance de leurs dégats et sur les méthodes de lutte les plus couramment employées. En plus des quelques espèces polyphages, qui peuvent causer des dégats sporadiques, les phytophages vivant exclusivement aux dépens d'Eucalyptus spp. en Italie sont Phoracantha semipunctata, Gonipterus scutellatus et Ctenarytaina eucalypti. La première espèce est nuisible aux eucalyptus cultivès pour la production du bois et est répandue en Italie centrale et méridionale, en Sicile et en Sardaigne, alors que les deux autres espèces endommagent surtout les eucalyptus destinés aux marchés de fleurs (fleurs et rameaux) et ne sont prèsentes qu'en Ligurie occidentale. La lutte contre P. semipunctata est conduite par des interventions d'ordre sylvicultural, consistant essentiellement è recéper des peuplements sérieusement attaqués; le parasite oophage Patasson nitens, importé d'Afrique du Sud, permet de controler G. scutellatus alors que les larves de plusieurs syrphes prédatrices agissent efficacement contre C. eucalypti.