Measured Soil Water Concentrations of Cadmium and Zinc in Plant Pots and Estimated Leaching Outflows from Contaminated Soils

Soil water concentrations of cadmium and zinc were measured in plant pots with 15 contaminated soils which differed in origin, texture, pH (5.1 – 7.8) and concentrations of cadmium (0.2 – 17 mg Cd kg-¹) and zinc (36 – 1300 mg Zn kg-¹). The soil waters contained total concentrations of 0.5 to 17 µg Cd L-¹ and 9 to 3600 µg Zn L-¹, which were dominated by free metal ions as measured by an ion exchange-resin method. Annual leaching outflows were estimated from soil water concentrations to be 0.5 – 17 g Cd ha-¹ y-¹ and 9 – 3600 g Zn ha-¹ y-¹ per 100 mm of net percolation, corresponding to 0.1% per year of the total soil content of cadmium and zinc. The measured soil water concentrations of cadmium and zinc did not correlate linearly with the corresponding soil concentrations but correlated fairly well with concentrations measured in Ca(NO₃)₂ extracts of the soils and with soil water concentrations estimated from soil concentrations and pH. Such concentration estimates may be useful for estimating amounts of cadmium and zinc being leached from soils.     

Impact of a catastrophic hurricane on island populations

Lizard and spider populations were censused immediately before and after Hurricane Lili on islands differentially affected by the storm surge. The results support three general propositions. First, the larger organisms, lizards, are more resistant to the immediate impact of moderate disturbance, whereas the more prolific spiders recover faster. Second, extinction risk is related to population size when disturbance is moderate but not when it is catastrophic. Third, after catastrophic disturbance, the recovery rate among different types of organisms is related to dispersal ability. The absence of the poorer dispersers, lizards, from many suitable islands is probably the result of long-lasting effects of catastrophes.     

Concurrent Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum dentatum infections in pigs.

The aim of this study was to examine interactions between Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum dentatum infections in pigs with regard to population dynamics of the worms such as recovery, location and length; and host reactions such as weight gain, pathological changes in the liver and immune response. Seventy-two helminth-na?ve pigs were allocated into four groups. Group A was inoculated twice weekly with 10000 O. dentatum larvae for 8 weeks and subsequently challenge-infected with 1000 A. suum eggs, while Group B was infected with only 1000 A. suum eggs; Group C was inoculated twice weekly with 500 A. suum eggs for 8 weeks and subsequently challenge-infected with 5000 O. dentatum larvae, whereas Group D was given only 5000 O. dentatum larvae. All trickle infections continued until slaughter. Twelve pigs from Group A and B were slaughtered 10 days post challenge infection (p.c.i.) and the remaining 12 pigs from the each of the four groups were slaughtered 28 days p.c.i.. No clinical signs of parasitism were observed. The total worm burdens and the distributions of the challenge infection species were not influenced by previous primary trickle-infections with the heterologous species. Until day 10 p.c.i. the ELISA response between A. suum antigen and sera from the O. dentatum trickle infected pigs (Group A) pigs were significantly higher compared to the uninfected Group B. This was correlated with a significantly higher number of white spots on the liver surface both on Day 10 and 28 p.c.i. in Group A compared to Group B. The mean length of the adult O. dentatum worms was significantly reduced in the A. suum trickle infected group compared to the control group. These results indicate low level of interaction between the two parasite species investigated.     

Long-term study of growth in the New Zealand flatworm Arthurdendyus triangulatus under laboratory conditions

In a 1-year laboratory study of the New Zealand flatworm Arthurdendyus triangulatus, individual growth, degrowth and regrowth were manipulated via the feeding regime, with the compost worm Eisenia fetida as prey. A mean growth rate of 25 mg live weight wk^—1 was evident, individual rates ranging between 18 and 38 mg wk⁻¹. Degrowth was associated with egg capsule deposition for which the maximum rate was 0.5 capsules wk⁻¹. The more egg capsules produced, the greater the adult weight loss, degrowth rates ranging from 8 to 55 mg wk⁻¹. Change in flatworm body weight (gain/loss) also correlated with the length of the food introduction interval, though weight could be maintained for circa 2 weeks. Weight loss was not simply a function of hunger, voluntary cessation of feeding (possibly related to egg capsule production) being a confounding factor. During the growth phase, individual predation rate ranged from 0.9 to 1.1 earthworms wk⁻¹, rate of tissue consumption ranging from 346 to 485 mg wk⁻¹. Conversion efficiencies of earthworm to flatworm tissue were estimated to range between 3.8% and 10.7%. The impact of this exotic planarian on earthworm populations is discussed.     

Biological Observations on the Mudskipper Pseudapocryptes elongatus in the Mekong Delta,Vietnam

Aspects of the population biology of the mudskipper, Pseudapocryptes elongatus, (Cuvier, 1816) were studied in Bac Lieu Province in the Lower Mekong Delta, Vietnam, including sex ratio, length–frequency distribution, sexual dimorphism, hepatosomatic index (HSI), female gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonad histology, fecundity and some observations on post‐larvae and juveniles. In the population studied the sex ratio was skewed toward males. Females had a shorter mean length and a lower mean growth rate than males. No mature males or females were observed among mudskippers sampled in estuarine canals from February to May 2004 during the dry season. It is suggested that P. elongatus migrates to the sea to spawn later in the year after onset of the wet season. Salinity tolerance was evaluated in a 96‐h experiment. This showed that P. elongatus is remarkably euryhaline and able to survive in salinities ranging from freshwater to 50 ppt. Gut content analysis revealed that P. elongatus is a herbivore, feeding mainly on pennate diatoms (93% of the diet).     

Amplification of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Introduced into an In Vitro Embryo Production System Via Oocytes from Persistently Infected Cattle

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not embryos derived from in vitro fertilization of oocytes from persistently infected (PI) cattle would contain infectious virus. Three in vitro embryo production treatment groups were assessed: 1) oocytes and uterine tubal cells (UTC) free of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) (negative control), 2) oocytes free of BVDV fertilized and cultured in media containing UTC obtained from PI heifers, and 3) oocytes from PI heifers fertilized and cultured in media containing UTC free of BVDV. The developmental media, UTC and embryos (individual or groups of five) were assayed for virus. Virus was not isolated from any samples in treatment group 1. As shown in previous studies, a proportion of embryo samples were positive for BVDV in treatment group 2. In treatment group 3, the virus associated with the oocytes contaminated the developmental media and infected susceptible co-culture cells used during fertilization and culture. In addition, 65% (11/17) of the degenerated ova from treatment group 3 had infectious virus associated with them. While none of the ova developed into transferable embryos, the study did confirm that use of oocytes from PI cows could lead to amplification of BVDV and cross contamination during in vitro embryo production.     

Cytopathological and histopathological diagnosis of canine splenic disorders

Objectives To determine (1) the common types of canine splenic disorders, and the breeds affected, that are diagnosed by cytopathological and histopathological examination in Sydney, Australia and (2) the accuracy of cytopathological examination compared with histopathological examination for the diagnosis of canine splenic disorders. Design 69 cytopathological and 51 histopathological diagnoses of canine splenic disorders presented to the Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, The University of Sydney during 2006 and 2007 were tabulated and analysed; 17 cases examined both cytopathologically and histopathologically during 2001–07 were also analysed. Results The most common cytopathological diagnoses were benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis (29%), followed by no abnormalities detectable (28%), malignant neoplasms (20%), equivocal diagnoses (20%) and inflammatory disorders (3%). The most common breeds were Kelpie crosses and mixed breeds. The most common histopathological diagnoses were benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis (49%), followed by malignant neoplasms (43%) and inflammatory disorders (8%). The most common breeds were German Shepherd Dogs, Boxers and Maltese Terriers. Cytopathological and histopathological diagnoses were in complete agreement in 59% of cases, partial agreement in 29% and disagreement in 12%. Conclusion Benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis were the most commonly diagnosed canine splenic disorders, both cytopathologically and histopathologically. Kelpie crosses presented most frequently for cytopathological examination. German Shepherd Dogs were the most common breed diagnosed histopathologically with haemangiosarcoma. Although cytopathological and histopathological splenic examinations are complementary for diagnosis, this study has shown a high correlation for complete and partial agreement between the two.     

Treatment of a Periarticular Tibial Fracture in a Foal with a Hybrid External Fixator

Objective— To report repair of a right proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fracture in a foal with a hybrid external fixator (HEF).
Study Design— Case report.
Animals— A 5-month-old male foal.
Methods— After open surgical reduction, an HEF built with wires, 2 half-rings, 3 half-threaded connecting rods, and Schanz pins was used to stabilize the fracture.
Results— Immediately after surgery, the foal had relatively good weight bearing. The HEF was removed at 60 days after radiographic confirmation of healing.
Conclusions— HEF can be used to stabilize a proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fracture in a 5-month-old foal.
Clinical Relevance— HEF should be considered as another option for repair of proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fractures in foals.     

旱泉沟流域次生林演替过程中种群格局动态

对旱泉沟流域的植被种类组成、物种多样性和物种重要值进行调查分析,采用TWINSPAN对旱泉沟流域次生植物群落进行数量分类,从植物群系组成、植物群落之间的生态关系方面,研究旱泉沟流域封山禁牧区植被群落的分布格局,初步探讨乔木树种的演替趋势。研究结果表明：1）采用TWINSPAN数量分类方法,将植被划分为7个群落类型;2）从群落Ⅰ到群落Ⅶ, 乔木、灌木、草本的Simpson优势度指数基本持平,Shannon Wiener多样性指数为乔木<灌木<草本,Pielou均匀度指数为乔木>草本>灌木,物种丰富度逐渐升高。群落的物种组成和空间结构逐渐复杂化,并趋于稳定;3）次生林的演替序列为山杨树Populus davidiana→桦树Betula platyphylla→青海云杉Pica crassifolia,其自然演替顶级为青海云杉。     

经营强度对毛竹林植物多样性的影响

对由天然针阔混交林或天然阔叶林经过人为改造和抚育转变成的4类毛竹林(即成林原因相同的4种林型—强度干扰下的毛竹纯林,较强干扰下的竹杉混交林,较弱干扰下的竹阔混交林,弱度干扰下的竹杉阔混交林)的层次结构、物种组成、物种丰富度、α多样性及群落相似性经营强度对毛竹林植物多样性的影响进行了对比分析。结果表明:这4种人工毛竹林随着经营强度的加大,层次结构逐渐简单化,乔木层、灌木层和草本层的物种丰富度迅速下降,且物种组成发生显著变化。乔木层、灌木层和草本层的生物多样性总体也呈下降趋势,但灌木层和草本层的生物多样性竹阔混交林类型反倒略高于经营强度最弱的竹杉阔混交林类型。而且不同经营强度下所形成的这4种类型毛竹林的群落相似性也随着经营强度的增加而降低,其中毛竹纯林与其他3类的相似性最低。