Patterns of field layer invertebrates in successional stages of managed boreal forest: Implications for the declining Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus L. population

Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.) populations in Finland have decreased markedly during past decades. One of the assumed reasons is the decreased quality of brood feeding grounds since current forest management transfers mature forests to younger successional stages. We studied how different types of managed Finnish forests offer resources for capercaillie broods by comparing the vegetation and invertebrate fauna of four successional stages in the two most common forest types in Finland, spruce dominated Vaccinium myrtillus (MT) and pine dominated Vaccinium vitis-idaea (VT) type. Forest age class had a significant effect on the cover of bilberry. There was a positive correlation between bilberry cover and the biomass of larvae and of all invertebrates (including all developmental stages) both at the stand and the sample level. Both forest type and age class significantly affected the biomass of larvae. Mature stands and young stands had the highest biomass of larvae in both MT and VT. In both forest site types the sapling stands hosted the smallest biomass of larvae. The results suggest that successional stages that follow clear cutting seriously lowers the food availability for capercaillie chicks and also reduces the shelter that field layer might provide. However, already the young stages that follow sapling phases seem to provide both bilberries and invertebrates so it is quite unlikely that the bilberry abundance alone could explain the dramatic decline of the capercaillie.     

Detecting potato viruses using direct reverse transcription quantitative PCR (DiRT-qPCR) without RNA purification: an alternative to DAS-ELISA

Rubber wood, one of the most preferred plantation timbers in the tropical regions, is easily prone to various moulds, decay and stain fungi. Lasiodiplodia theobromae, the dominant sapstain fungus of rubber wood, causes high economic loss to the industry through its bluish black sap wood discolouration. In our previous laboratory trials, Bacillus subtilis B1 isolated from market available compost was proved as a potent biocontrol agent against the sapstain fungus L. theobromae. The main aim of the present study was to demonstrate the biocontrol potential of B. subtilis B1 against rubber wood sapstain fungus on fresh rubber wood pieces during pre-monsoon, southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon seasons in the field. The visual ratings provided for the wood fungal growth and internal wood stain exhibited the bio-protectant efficiency of B. subtilis B1 even in the southwest monsoon season, which is considered as the most favourable period for the wood fungal growth. Biocontrol agent, B. subtilis B1 demonstrated significant inhibitions of sapstain fungus on open stacked rubber wood pieces in all the seasons. The frequent rainfalls during monsoon periods provide a conducive environment for fungal growth on felled rubber wood. Successful field evaluations of the biocontrol agent during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon periods would guarantee year round protection against rubber wood sapstain. B. subtilis B1 displayed holistic biocontrol efficiency towards other stain (Ceratocystis sp., Fusarium sp.), mould (Aspergillus sp., Penicllium sp.) and decay fungi (Trametes versicolor) as well.     

Biopore history determines the microbial community composition in subsoil hotspots

Biopores are hotspots of nutrient mobilisation and shortcuts for carbon (C) into subsoils. C processing relies on microbial community composition, which remains unexplored in subsoil biopores. Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs; markers for living microbial groups) and amino sugars (microbial necromass markers) were extracted from two subsoil depths (45–75 cm ; 75–105 cm) and three biopore types: (I) drilosphere of Lumbricus terrestris L., (II) 2-year-old root biopores and (III) 1.5-year-old root biopores plus six 6 months of L. terrestris activities. Biopore C contents were at least 2.5 times higher than in bulk soil, causing 26–35 times higher Σ PLFAs g^-1 soil. The highest Σ PLFAs were found in both earthworm biopore types; thus, the highest soil organic matter and nutrient turnover were assumed. Σ PLFAs was 33% lower in root pores than in earthworm pores. The treatment affected the microbial community composition more strongly than soil depth, hinting to similar C quality in biopores: Gram-positives including actinobacteria were more abundant in root pores than in earthworm pores, probably due to lower C bioavailability in the former. Both earthworm pore types featured fresh litter input, promoting growth of Gram-negatives and fungi. Earthworms in root pores shifted the composition of the microbial community heavily and turned root pores into earthworm pores within 6 months. Only recent communities were affected and they reflect a strong heterogeneity of microbial activity and functions in subsoil hotspots, whereas biopore-specific necromass accumulation from different microbial groups was absent.     

Suspected systemic calcinosis and calciphylaxis in 5 horses

Five horses were presented with signs of myopathy along with systemic malaise, hyperfibrinogenemia, hyperphosphatemia, and an elevated calcium phosphorus product (Ca*P). Postmortem findings were consistent with systemic calcinosis, a syndrome of calcium deposition in the tissue of organs including lungs, kidneys, muscle, and heart that has not been previously described in horses.     

An investigation on the presence of Chlamydiaceae in Swedish dogs

Background

Bacteria belonging to the family Chlamydiaceae cause a broad spectrum of diseases in a wide range of hosts, including man, other mammals, and birds. Upper respiratory and genital diseases are common clinical problems caused by Chlamydiaceae. Very little is known about chlamydial infections in dogs. Few clinical reports on natural disease in dogs describe mainly conjunctival and upper respiratory signs, and the role of Chlamydiaceae in genital disease is unclear. The present study aimed at studying the prevalence of Chlamydiaceae in healthy dogs and in dogs with genital or upper respiratory disease, including conjunctivitis.

Methods

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Chlamydiaceae was used to detect any chlamydial species within this family. Swab samples from the conjunctiva and the mucosal membranes of the oropharynx, rectum and genital tract were taken from 79 dogs: 27 clinically healthy dogs, 25 dogs with clinical signs from the genital tract and 28 dogs with conjunctivitis. There were 52 female and 27 male dogs. From 7 of the male dogs, additional semen samples were analysed.

Results

No Chlamydiaceae were detected from any dog.

Conclusions

Although the number of dogs that was included is limited, the results suggest that cases of Chlamydiaceae in dogs probably are related to infection from other species, and that dogs in general do not harbour Chlamydiaceae. Bacteria belonging to the family Chlamydiaceae do not seem to be of major importance for genital or ocular disease in Swedish dogs.     

Effects of ketamine-xylazine intravenous bolus injection on cardiovascular function in rabbits

The direct effects of ketamine-xylazine (KET-XYL) on vascular function have not been investigated in rabbits. The short-term cardiovascular effects of intravenous (IV) KET-XYL bolus injection, therefore, should be investigated using vascular ultrasonography.In this prospective experimental study, KET-XYL anesthesia was induced IV in 9 female New Zealand White rabbits before 3 defined test bolus injections of KET-XYL were given IV. Before and for 10 min after each KET-XYL injection vascular and hemodynamic variables were recorded at the left common carotid artery (ACC) after the 1st injection, and at the abdominal aorta (AA) after the 2nd injection. Echocardiography was performed after the 3rd injection to investigate changes in cardiac parameters.Ketamine-xylazine IV caused a significant increase in vessel diameter at the ACC and AA. Average volumetric flow significantly decreased at the ACC and pulsatility index significantly decreased at the AA. Fractional shortening (FS) and heart rate significantly decreased, while mean arterial blood pressure initially increased.Bolus injections of KET-XYL IV produced a transient vasodilatation at the ACC and AA. Despite central vasodilatation, bradycardia, and decrease of FS and average volumetric flow (VFave), mean arterial blood pressure did not significantly decrease indicating well-preserved cardiovascular compensatory mechanism after the ratio and doses of KET-XYL IV bolus injections used in this study.     

The efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara®) in the treatment of aural plaque in horses: a pilot open‐label clinical trial

Aural plaques affect at least 22% of horses and can be asymptomatic or cause ear sensitivity. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopy studies have shown a strong association between aural plaques and papilloma virus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream, an immune response modifier with potent antiviral activity, in the treatment of equine aural plaques. Twenty‐one horses were enrolled and 16 completed the study. Imiquimod 5% cream was applied three times a week, every other week. When both ears were affected only the worst affected ear was treated. Adverse effects in all horses included marked local inflammation, exudation and thick crust formation at the site of treatment and the adjacent skin. Removal of the crust before treatment was painful and required sedation in most horses. Complete resolution of lesions was noted in all horses immediately post‐treatment and the long‐term resolution rate was 87.5%. Duration of therapy ranged from 1.5 to 8 months (median: 2.9 mean: 3.5). All horses were followed‐up for 12–22 months after treatment was discontinued and only two horses had a recurrence of lesions. Clinical signs related to the aural plaques prior to treatment were reported in 11 of 16 (68.8%) horses and included resistance to touching the ears and bridling. Complete resolution of these signs was reported by the owners in all of the horses followed‐up for at least 12 months. In conclusion, the topical application of imiquimod 5% cream is an efficacious treatment for aural plaques in horses.     

Importance of dose metrics for lethal and sublethal sediment metal toxicity in the oligochaete worm Lumbriculus variegatus

Background, Aims, and Scope  There is an increasing demand for controlled toxicity tests to predict biological effects related to sediment metal contamination. In this context, questions of metal-specific factors, sensitivity of toxicity endpoints, and variability in exposure duration arise. In addition, the choice of the dose metrics for responses is equally important and is related to the applicability of the concept of critical body residue (CBR) in exposure assessments, as well as being the main focus of this study. Methods  Experiments were conducted to assess toxicity of Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb to the oligochaete worm Lumbriculus variegatus with the aim of determining CBRs for two response metrics. Mortality and feeding activity of worms exposed to sediment-spiked metals were used as end-points in connection with residue analyses from both the organisms and the surrounding media. Results  LC50 values were 0.3, 1.4, 5.2, and 6.7 mg/L (from 4.7 μmol/L to 128.0 μmol/L), and the order of toxicity, from most toxic to least toxic, was Cu > Cd > Pb>Cr. By relating toxicity to body residue, variability in toxicity among the metals decreased and the order of toxicity was altered. The highest lethal residue value was obtained for Cu (10.8 mmol/kg) and the lowest was obtained for Cd (2.3 mmol/kg). In the 10-d sublethal test, both time and metal exposure were an important source of variation in the feeding activity of worms. The significant treatment effects were observed from worms exposed to Cd or Pb, with the controls yielding the highest feeding rate. However, quantitative changes in the measured endpoint did not correlate with the exposure concentrations or body residues, which remained an order of magnitude lower than in the acute exposures. Discussion  Both response metrics were able to detect a toxic effect of the metals. However, the ranking of metal toxicity was dependant on the choice of the dose metric used. An attempt to form a causal mortality-mediated link between tissue residues and metal toxicity was successful in water-only exposures. The results also indicated that egestion rate was a sensitive toxicity end point for predicting the effects of sediment contamination. Conclusions  By relating the biological response with the tissue metal residues, toxicity data was comparable to both environmental media as well as different response metrics and time scales. The results also revealed the importance of metal toxicity ranking on a molar basis and, furthermore, a direct link to the CBR concept was established. Recommendations and Perspectives  There is a growing demand for methods to assess the effects of contaminated sediments to benthic fauna and whole aquatic ecosystems. Such information is needed for sediment quality guidelines that are currently being developed in many countries and remediation processes. The use of body residues as a dose metric in metal toxicity studies may help to overcome difficulties related to bioavailability issues commonly faced in sediment toxicity studies. ESS-Submission Editor: Prof. Dr. Henner Hollert (henner.hollert@bio5.rwth-aachen.de)     

Wildfires,responsibility and trust: public understanding of Sweden's largest wildfire

Wildfires present a growing risk to many countries, and climate change is likely to exacerbate this risk. This study analyzes how people directly affected by a wildfire understand its causes and consequences, as well as the future risk of wildfires. The point of departure is that social understanding of wildfires has an important influence on the consequences that emerge in the wake of a wildfire. The empirical case analyzed here is the largest forest fire in modern Swedish history, and the material basis of the study is a postal survey to all individuals directly affected by the fire. The results revealed a complex picture of the respondents’ understanding of the wildfire. Even if the fire was human caused, there was little blame toward forest companies and fire departments. Many positive consequences, such as a long-term increase in biodiversity, were attached to the disaster, and there was a belief that organizations will learn from it and take action to limit wildfires in the future. Simultaneously, the majority of the respondents believed that climate change may lead to an increased risk of forest fires in the future. These findings illustrate the complexity of people's perceptions of the fire and its aftermath.