Fishing, trophic cascades, and the process of grazing on coral reefs

Since the mass mortality of the urchin Diadema antillarum in 1983, parrotfishes have become the dominant grazer on Caribbean reefs. The grazing capacity of these fishes could be impaired if marine reserves achieve their long-term goal of restoring large consumers, several of which prey on parrotfishes. Here we compare the negative impacts of enhanced predation with the positive impacts of reduced fishing mortality on parrotfishes inside reserves. Because large-bodied parrotfishes escape the risk of predation from a large piscivore (the Nassau grouper), the predation effect reduced grazing by only 4 to 8%. This impact was overwhelmed by the increase in density of large parrotfishes, resulting in a net doubling of grazing. Increased grazing caused a fourfold reduction in the cover of macroalgae, which, because they are the principal competitors of corals, highlights the potential importance of reserves for coral reef resilience.     

Foliar fungal pathogens of European woody plants in Siberia: an early warning of potential threats?

In this article, we report observations made during thirteen years on foliar fungal pathogens attacking European and Eurasian woody broadleaved species in Siberian arboreta and cities and discuss the possibility of using such data for detecting exotic pathogens that may represent a danger for European tree and shrub species, should these pathogens be introduced into Europe. A total of 102 cases of symptomatic infections (fungus‐host plant associations) involving 67 fungal species were recorded on 50 of the 52 European and Eurasian woody plant species. All but four of the fungi found during the surveys were previously reported in Europe. However, 29 fungus–host plant associations are apparently new to science, suggesting that complexes of cryptic species differing in their host range and geographic range may occur. Seventeen percentage of associations were given a high damage score, that is, more than 50% of plant area was attacked, for at least some localities. In nearly half of the cases, fungus–host plant associations were found to be very frequent, that is, occurring every year and at all locations where the plant was inspected. A list of pathogen–host associations in Siberia deserving further investigation is provided, either because the pathogen is not yet recorded in Europe or because the pathogen–host association has not yet been reported, and the damage is high or, finally, because the damage and infestation level is unusually high in known associations. Further studies should involve molecular characterization of these foliar pathogens and their host range testing.     

Laparoscopic cauterisation of the testicular arteries to manage haemoperitoneum in a gelding

A Thoroughbred gelding had chronic episodic intra‐abdominal haemorrhage following standing castration, presumed to originate from a testicular artery. No coagulopathy could be detected and resolution of haemorrhage was achieved by laparoscopic electrocoagulation of both testicular arteries 6 weeks after castration. Blood drained from the abdomen during surgery was filtered then auto‐transfused. Post operative complications included pigmenturia, incisional pain and large colon impaction.     

A comparison of four dietary assessment methods in materially deprived households in England

OBJECTIVES: Low-income households in the UK concentrate factors associated with poor record-keeping such as lower literacy, numeracy and English language skills. The present study aimed to (1) compare the validity and acceptability of three dietary survey methods against appropriate reference measures and (2) identify a method which was both valid and acceptable in low-income households. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design comparing three 4-day dietary survey methods (multiple-pass 24-hour recall, food checklist and semi-weighed method) against a 4-day weighed inventory and other reference measures within subjects. SETTING: London, UK, 2001. SUBJECTS: Low-income households were selected using a doorstep screening questionnaire in 18 of the 60 most deprived neighbourhoods in London. Results are based on 384 respondents (159 males, 225 females) aged 2-90 years in 240 households. Respondents were mainly White (48%), Black or Black British (31%) or Asian or Asian British (9%). RESULTS: The dietary survey method preferred by interviewers was the 24-hour recall. Most respondents preferred the food checklist. Compared with the weighed inventory, repeat 24-hour recalls and the food checklist yielded higher estimates of energy and nutrient intakes. The semi-weighed method was least liked and yielded the lowest estimates of intake. CONCLUSIONS: Based partly on evidence presented here and partly on evidence to be presented in later publications, four multiple-pass 24-hour recalls were recommended as the most appropriate method for a national study of diet and nutrition in low-income households in the UK.     

Granulocytopenia associated with thymoma in a domestic shorthaired cat

A 5-year-old, spayed female cat was referred because of a mass in the cranial mediastinum noted on thoracic radiographs. A thymoma was diagnosed following ultrasound and biopsy of the mass. Treatment was initiated with coarse-fraction radiation therapy using external-beam therapy (four fractions of 5 Gy). The mass responded, but granulocytopenia developed. Bone marrow examination showed a myeloid to erythroid ratio of approximately 1:1, with a left shift within the myeloid line. These findings, as well as the lack of toxic changes within the peripheral blood neutrophils, suggested immune-mediated destruction of peripheral granulocytes. Immune suppression with prednisone and cyclosporine was instituted. After 7 weeks, the neutrophil count returned to normal. The tumor was removed, and cyclosporine was reduced and eventually discontinued 3 weeks postsurgery.     

A review of the potential impact of increased use of housing on the health and welfare of dairy cattle in New Zealand

AIM: To assess the likely impact on the health and welfare of dairy cattle in New Zealand of increased use of housing. METHODS: Published data on the effect of housing on the welfare of dairy cattle were reviewed to determine whether, under New Zealand conditions, housing was likely to increase or reduce welfare. The focus of this review was on permanent housing, and the welfare outcomes assessed were primarily those associated with biological function rather than behaviour. The five areas of focus were shelter, feeding, calving, lameness, and other diseases, and were based on the welfare concerns expressed by dairy farmers of large herds. RESULTS: The shelter provided by housing dairy cattle would appreciably improve welfare under a relatively small range of conditions. For feeding and calving, both advantages and disadvantages of housing were identified. For lameness and mastitis, published research and comparisons of disease levels in New Zealand with those in other developed dairying countries strongly suggest that increased use of housing will increase the risk of these diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Under New Zealand conditions, housing dairy cattle is likely to have both significant welfare benefits (protection from environmental conditions) and drawbacks (increased risk of mastitis and lameness). New Zealand-based research suggests that in most areas of the country the benefits of protection from extremes of temperature and wind and rain are likely to be apparent on only a few days a year, insufficient to justify the costs associated with housing cattle. Thus, dairy cattle are likely to be housed for longer than required for shelter purposes, increasing the risk of deleterious effects without a balancing welfare advantage from environmental protection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in lameness and mastitis are likely to be associated with the increased use of housing and are likely to be accompanied by changes in the aetiology and presentation of these diseases, requiring better detection techniques, such as measurement of comfort or locomotion score, and new preventive regimes, such as pre-milking teat spray and routine corrective hoof-trimming.     

Macroalgal meadow habitats support fish and fisheries in diverse tropical seascapes

Canopy‐forming macroalgae can construct extensive meadow habitats in tropical seascapes occupied by fishes that span a diversity of taxa, life‐history stages and ecological roles. Our synthesis assessed whether these tropical macroalgal habitats have unique fish assemblages, provide fish nurseries and support local fisheries. We also applied a meta‐analysis of independent surveys across 23 tropical reef locations in 11 countries to examine how macroalgal canopy condition is related to the abundance of macroalgal‐associated fishes. Over 627 fish species were documented in tropical macroalgal meadows, with 218 of these taxa exhibiting higher local abundance within this habitat (cf. nearby coral reef) during at least one life‐history stage. Major overlap (40%–43%) in local fish species richness among macroalgal and seagrass or coral reef habitats suggest macroalgal meadows may provide an important habitat refuge. Moreover, the prominence of juvenile fishes suggests macroalgal meadows facilitate the triphasic life cycle of many fishes occupying diverse tropical seascapes. Correlations between macroalgal canopy structure and juvenile abundance suggests macroalgal habitat condition can influence levels of replenishment in tropical fish populations, including the majority of macroalgal‐associated fishes that are targeted by commercial, subsistence or recreational fisheries. While many macroalgal‐associated fishery species are of minor commercial value, their local importance for food and livelihood security can be substantial (e.g. up to 60% of landings in Kenyan reef fisheries). Given that macroalgal canopy condition can vary substantially with sea temperature, there is a high likelihood that climate change will impact macroalgal‐associated fish and fisheries.     

Association between cervical and intracranial dimensions and syringomyelia in the cavalier King Charles spaniel

O bjectives : To investigate the possible association between caudal fossa area and cervical vertebral dimensions and the presence of syringomyelia in cavalier King Charles spaniels.
M ethods : From magnetic resonance imaging scans of 78 cavalier King Charles spaniels, measurements were made of the widest vertical spinal width at C1/C2, C2, C2/C3 and C3; angulation of the C2/C3 spine; and estimated caudal fossa area. A correlation between these measurements and syringomyelia was sought.
R esults : A total of 59 dogs with and 19 without syringomyelia were compared. Older dogs had a significantly higher incidence of syringo-myelia. No difference in incidence was noted between genders. There was no significant difference in vertebral canal width at C1/C2 and C2, or angulation of C2/C3 between syringomyelia and non-syringomyelia groups. The width of the canal at C2/C3 and C3 was significantly increased in syringomyelia dogs. There was no significant difference in the caudal fossa area between groups.
C linical S ignificance : Although syringomyelia was shown to be more prevalent in older dogs, the age beyond which dogs were considered at greater risk was not deducible from the dataset. The association identified between wider spinal canal at C3, and C2/C3 and syringomyelia presence is of questionable clinical significance, as the difference between syringomyelia and non-syringomyelia groups is too small to be measured in a clinical setting.