The first occurrence of leaf mold of tomato caused by races 4.9 and 4.9.11 of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Passalora fulva</Emphasis> (syn. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fulvia fulva</Emphasis>) in Japan

Tomato leaf mold caused by Passalora fulva was found on two tomato varieties carrying the Cf-9 gene in Japan, in 2007. The isolates obtained from Chiba and Fukushima were identified as race 4.9.11, and those from Gunma were races 4.9 or 4.9.11. This is the first report in Japan of tomato leaf mold caused by P. fulva strains that can overcome the Cf-9 gene.     

Effect of the span length of Granier-type thermal dissipation probes on sap flux density measurements

? Granier-type thermal dissipation sensors measure sap flux density (u) by using the temperature difference between the heater and the reference probe. To detect u correctly, heat must not be transferred to the reference probe by thermal conduction. The distance across which heat can be transferred by conduction is important for the span length of a sensor and spacing of a number of sensors.

? To validate span lengths and spacing of sensors, we used numerical simulations to calculate the potential distance across which heat can be transferred by conduction. We compared measurements with an original and a modified sensor for a Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) from December 2004 to May 2005. The span length of the original and the modified sensor is 15 and 4 cm, respectively.

? Numerical simulations showed that span length and spacing of Granier sensors should be more than 10 cm for trees in which u ceases for a few hours before the predawn period. The modified sensor underestimated u by 18–46% in winter (December–March) because its reference temperature was increased by heat transferred by conduction. The modified sensor measured u correctly in warm seasons, and only underestimated the annual amount of transpiration by 6%.

     

Distribution of the introduced cyprinid herpesvirus 3 in a wild population of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3), which causes a lethal disease in common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., and koi, C. carpio koi , first occurred in Lake Biwa, Japan in 2004. To elucidate distribution of CyHV-3 in a wild common carp population, we conducted a PCR survey of CyHV-3 among such fish in Lake Biwa in 2006. Only 6% (1/18) of the common carp smaller than 300 mm were positive with PCR, whereas 31% (18/58) of fish larger than 300 mm were positive. To evaluate their past exposure to CyHV-3 infection based on the presence of antibodies, we also measured the levels of serum anti-CyHV-3 antibodies in the carp, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. None (0/26) of the fish smaller than 300 mm was positive for the antibodies, whereas 54% (33/61) of fish larger than 300 mm were positive. Of the antibody-positive individuals, 44% (14/32) were also positive by PCR strongly suggesting that wild common carp that survived infection become CyHV-3 carriers. Five individuals were positive by PCR but negative for antibodies indicating that their infection with CyHV-3 had occurred recently. These results suggest that transmission of CyHV-3 from carriers to naïve common carp is still occurring in Lake Biwa.     

Effect of exposure to low salinity water on plasma ion regulation and survival rates in artificially wounded devil stinger <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inimicus japonicus</Emphasis>

We investigated the effect of exposure to low salinity water on plasma ion regulation and survival rates in artificially wounded devil stinger Inimicus japonicus. All fishes survived in 33% seawater (SW), while survival rate in 100% SW was 5.1% at 24 h. In 100% SW, plasma Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ concentrations significantly increased to 238?±?49.9, 9.6?±?2.4, 15.1?±?3.5 and 5.0?±?0.7 mmol/l at 6 h, respectively; the gill Na⁺/K⁺–ATPase (NKA) activity was almost stable, although only one fish survived to 24 h. In 33% SW, plasma Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations remained at the same level, and plasma Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations gradually increased to 16.2?±?0.7 and 4.5?±?0.2 mmol/l until 24 h, respectively. The NKA activity significantly increased to 5.1?±?1.1 µmol ADP/mg protein per h at 6 h. A positive correlation was observed between the wound surface area against body weight and the plasma ion concentrations, although no difference was observed in the restoration rate of the wounded area between 100 and 33% SW. These results indicate that exposure of wounded fish to low salinity water improves survivability by favoring plasma ion regulation without influencing the restoration rate.     

Validation of the sperm quality analyzer and the hypo-osmotic swelling test for frozen-thawed ram and minke whale (Balaenoptera bonarensis) spermatozoa

The object of the present study was to investigate the validation of the sperm quality analyzer (SQA) and the hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test with standard sperm analysis methods in frozen-thawed ram and minke whale spermatozoa. In rams, highly significant correlations were observed in the percentage of motile spermatozoa (P<0.01) and sperm concentration (P<0.01) between the standard and SQA methods. But, the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa did not significantly correlate between the standard and SQA methods. The percentages of swollen spermatozoa at 15 minutes by the HOS test were significantly correlated with the motility by the standard (P<0.05) and by the SQA (P<0.05) methods. For minke whale spermatozoa, the SVI (sperm viability index) values by the standard method were significantly (P<0.001) correlated with the sperm motility index (SMI) values by SQA. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was also significantly correlated (P<0.01) with the motility measured by SQA. Using different hypo-osmotic solutions and incubation times, the HOS test with 25, 100 and 150 mOsM did not show significant variations. Motility observed by the standard method and the percentage of swollen spermatozoa were significantly correlated (P<0.05). These results indicate that the SQA and HOS test can be utilized to assess the post-thawing motility of ram and minke whale spermatozoa, and that the SQA and HOS test values are significantly correlated in ram spermatozoa. However, sperm concentration and morphologically normal spermatozoa are not assessed accurately by SQA in minke whales.     

Age-related changes in bone mineral density, cross-sectional area and the strength of long bones in the hind limbs and first lumbar vertebra in female Wistar rats

Age-related changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and cross-sectional area and bone strength index (SSI) of the femur, tibia, humerus, and first lumbar vertebra in female Wistar (WM/MsNrs) rats were examined by a quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) method. One hundred and sixteen virgin female Wistar (WM/MsNrs) rats aged 2-33 months were used. The data indicate that the total BMD values of metaphyses and diaphyses of long bones increased until 12 months, then decreased to a varying degree depending on the bone after 15-24 months, but the values of cortical and trabecular BMD with age were not always similar to the total BMD value. Nevertheless, the values for cross-sectional area and SSI in the long bones increased regardless of the total BMD decrease with age, indicating that this increase might have been due to a characteristic of the modeling pattern in rats. The total and cortical BMD values in the first lumbar vertebra decreased after 18 months, and SSI did after 15 months. The data obtained in this study were compared with those obtained from males in a previous study. In conclusion, it was indicated that in this strain the rats over 12 months with the highest total BMD values in the femur and tibia, and before the onset of various tumors, are useful as a model animal for osteoporosis experiments and observation of senile bone change.     

Effect of riverbed conditions on survival of planted eyed eggs in chum salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus keta</Emphasis>

Wild stocks of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta are supplemented by hatchery fry enhancement programs in northern Honshu, Japan. To maintain these programs, there is a need to reduce expenses and labor. Eyed egg planting is more cost effective than hatchery production of fry. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of environmental conditions on survival of chum salmon eyed eggs planted using Whitlock–Vibert boxes. We measured the percent cumulative weight of fine sediments, Fredle index (FI) as a measure of permeability, vertical hydraulic gradient, water depth (WD), and flow velocity at planting locations. Egg-to-fry survival averaged 92.7% (range: 57.2–100%) in 2013 (N = 19) and 71.5% (range: 6.4–100%) in 2014 (N = 23). Survival was significantly positively correlated with FI and flow velocity, negatively associated with percent cumulative weight of fine sediments and WD. Vertical hydraulic gradient had no effect on survival. Our results suggest that a higher FI (i.e., low amount of fine material and larger particle size), higher flow velocity, and shallower WD reduce the mortality of planted chum salmon eyed eggs. This is likely a result of increased permeability in the substrate and restriction of fine sediment intrusion into the incubation zone.     

Localization of CO2 source by a hexapod robot equipped with an anemoscope and a gas sensor

A hexapod robot was developed to explore an agricultural field and gather agronomical information such as soil nutrients and plant growth. In addition, a sensor device for the robot to track a gas source was developed. The sensor device consisted of a CO₂ gas sensor and an anemoscope. The gas sensor detected the concentration of CO₂ in the surroundings, and the anemoscope indicated the upwind direction from the robot. An indoor test was conducted during which the hexapod robot tracked windward direction using the sensor device. According to the results, the hexapod robot with the sensor device successfully localized a CO₂ source that was in the upwind direction. The robot paused on the spot under windless conditions, and walked windward as soon as the wind started blowing again.     

Persistence of cyprinid herpesvirus 2 in asymptomatic goldfish Carassius auratus (L.) that survived an experimental infection

Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV‐2) is the causative agent of herpesviral haematopoietic necrosis (HVHN) in goldfish, Carassius auratus, and Prussian carp, C. auratus gibelio. In this study, we investigated virus persistence in goldfish experimentally infected with CyHV‐2. Virus DNA presence in organs was monitored in survivors reared at a virus permissive temperature and also in survivors treated with a non‐permissive temperature for 4 days, initiated at three different time points post‐infection in order to obtain fish with different virus loads. We detected virus DNA in all organs tested at 51 days post‐infection (dpi) and in the spleen, trunk kidney and gills of survivors at 81 dpi, although the virus load in fish influenced the subsequent number of organs that tested positive for virus DNA. In addition, some organs dissected from four out of five asymptomatic survivors tested positive by PCR following incubation in vitro in a medium for 5 days. Following inoculation with the homogenate of PCR‐positive kidney incubated in vitro, one of the three inoculated fish died, showing that the detected virus by PCR produced infectious particles. This study suggests that CyHV‐2 can establish a persistent infection in some organs, especially the spleen and trunk kidney, and that asymptomatic surviving fish can be a source of infection.