Plant and spider communities benefit differently from the presence of planted hedgerows in highway verges

Road verges should play a crucial role as a refuge for native flora and fauna in human dominated landscapes. However, the influence of construction choices, such as plantation of woody species, on the biodiversity supported by roadsides has received little attention, although the presence of hedgerows in roadsides is likely to enhance their role as a refuge, notably for woodland species. Using standardised methods, we assessed the impact of planted hedgerows on two taxonomic groups (plants and spiders) inhabiting highway verges within an intensive agricultural landscape. We examined community richness, taxonomic and functional composition in sites with and without planted hedgerows. At the site level, the response of plant and spider communities to the presence of planted hedgerows differed markedly: hedgerows were associated with significantly higher plant richness (higher α-diversity), but similar spider richness. Plant communities in sites without hedgerows appeared as a subset of communities in sites with hedgerows, whereas spider communities in non-planted sites were complementary to that of planted sites (increased β-diversity). The presence of planted hedgerows was also associated with increased taxonomic and functional trait diversity at the landscape level (γ-diversity), through an increased β-diversity in both plants and spiders. Our results thus suggest that a mosaic of planted hedgerows and grassland habitats is crucial for the maintenance of biodiversity at a landscape scale. By providing information for road practitioners and policy makers regarding their potential impact on biodiversity, these results have important direct implications for the management of road networks.     

免疫系统乃霉菌毒素攻击的目标——霉菌毒素损害猪的健康

霉菌毒素是由生长在动物饲料和人类食品上的真菌所产生的结构各异的二级代谢产物.动物摄入中等至高剂量霉菌毒素引起的临床中毒综合征已有详细描述.     

Congenital orbital cysts of neural tissue in two dogs

A 3-month-old English Cocker Spaniel and a 6-month-old miniature poodle presented with clinical signs related to an abnormal right eye since birth. In both dogs, the right globe could not be identified and was replaced by a fluctuant intraorbital mass covered by a vascularized mucous membrane. Ultrasonography demonstrated that both masses were cystic structures markedly larger in size than the normal contralateral globes. In both cases, surgical excision revealed a multilobular cyst filling the whole orbital cavity. Histopathologic examination and immunostaining for glial fibrillary acid protein and S100 protein supported a diagnosis of neural cysts associated with ocular dysplasia. The definitive diagnosis was congenital cystic eye and microphthalmos with cyst for the Cocker Spaniel and miniature poodle, respectively. Karyotype was normal in both dogs. Congenital cystic eye and microphthalmos with cyst result from defects in early embryonic life that arise following formation of the optic vesicle and prior to closure of the optic fissure. To the authors' knowledge neither has been reported in the canine species. They should be considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital cysts in dogs.     

Cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation following an extradural injection in a normovolemic dog

Objective – To describe general anesthesia and successful resuscitation of a dog developing asystole and apnea during extradural injection of local anesthetic and an opioid. Case Summary – A Beagle with a ruptured cranial cruciate was premedicated with acepromazine and methadone. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and, after endotracheal intubation, maintained using isoflurane in oxygen. During extradural injection of a mixture of lidocaine, bupivacaine, and morphine the dog developed apnea and asystole. Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation was started promptly and the dog was successfully resuscitated. New Information Provided – Asystole and apnea are possible serious side effects of extradural anesthesia in dogs. With adequate monitoring and early detection successful resuscitation is possible.     

A physiological and biochemical approach to selecting the ideal diet for Ostrea edulis (L.) broodstock conditioning (part A)

To select the best microalgae for Ostrea edulis conditioning, four single species diets were fed to batches of broodstock, which were then compared using physiological and biochemical approaches. Ingestion and absorption were first studied, showing that Chaetoceros gracilis and Skeletonema marinoï were efficiently ingested (4.9–5.3 mg g^?1 h^?1) and absorbed (1.9–2.5 mg g^?1 h^?1) while Tetraselmis suecica led to the lowest physiological responses (0.36 and 0.12 mg g^?1 h^?1 respectively). When O. edulis were fed any microalgae except T‐ISO with only 79 mg g^?1, gonads accumulated carbohydrates from 116 to 141 mg g^?1 and the extent of accumulation depended on the species supplied in the order T. suecica<C. gracilis<S. marinoï. When oysters were fed either of the diatoms (C. gracilis or S. marinoï), an efficient transfer of 20:5(n‐3) to all tissues, including the gonads, was recorded while no enrichment in 22:6(n‐3) occurred in all tissues (polar fraction) when oysters were fed T‐ISO. In contrast (22:5(n‐6)), a characteristic fatty acid of T‐ISO accumulated in all tissues, confirming its allocation despite particularly low ingestion (1.66 mg g^?1 h^?1) and absorption (0.32 mg g^?1 h^?1). When oysters were fed C. gracilis or S. marinoï an efficient transfer of cholesterol and campesterol from diatoms to the gonads was observed, while no sterol accumulation occurred in the gonad when fed T. suecica. Because of low ingestion, absorption and poor biochemical compounds' transfer, T. suecica is not recommended for O. edulis conditioning. T‐ISO also exhibited low physiological performances but due to a specific 22:6(n‐3) enrichment in the gonad neutral fraction (16.1%), its potential role in reproduction should be considered. Chaetoceros gracilis is highly recommended for O. edulis broodstock while a source of DHA other than that provided by T‐ISO should be found due to its poor absorption. Because a mixed diet has been shown to be more efficient for O. edulis broodstock conditioning, complementary trials dealing with the effects of other species rich in 22:6(n‐3) such as Rhodomonas salina or Pavlova lutheri should be performed.