Identifying declines in waterbirds: The effects of missing data, population variability and count period on the interpretation of long-term survey data

To manage and conserve wildlife populations effectively it is necessary to use methods that identify the often non-linear trends in populations, have an inbuilt assessment of trend quality and can analyse count data from a range of spatial scales. We present a method of trend analysis using generalised additive models. These produce smoothed indices of abundance that can be used to assess population change from one or more sites or time periods, with any number of estimates of abundance per index period. We apply this method to count data collected under the Wetland Bird Survey, a national scheme that monitors waterbirds in the United Kingdom. To highlight declining populations, ‘alerts’ were raised if the population decline was equal to or greater than 50%. Significance was determined using bootstrapped confidence intervals for analyses that included many sites, or a novel Monte-Carlo method for single site analyses. The impact of missing data, species count variability and the number of months used to calculate the population change was greater at individual sites than for national datasets, which were relatively insensitive to changes in the above parameters. For single sites it is essential that three or more counts be made per index period if reliable estimates of population change are required. We propose that the method presented could be applied to a wide range of national or other monitoring schemes for a variety of taxa.     

The Biology of the Larks (Alaudidae) of the Kalahari Sandveld

Pectoral spines from 750 Clarias gariepinus (Pisces:Clariidae) from Lake Sibaya were used for age and growth determinations. The spines have clear rings in the bone matrix. Rings formed on otoliths, vertebrae and opercula were less useful. A close correlation between ages determined from length frequency data and ages obtained by back-calculation of lengths for different ring classes exists. Spine rings are laid down annually, except in the first year. C. gariepinus in Lake Sibaya grow rapidly and remain in good condition to a length of about 500 mm (age 3+ years) but of the larger catfish, few exceed 650 mm (7+ years). Males grow slightly faster than females, and modal sizes are 580 - 590 mm TL, and 540 - 550 mm TL. Over one third of the adult population measures between 500 and 600 mm TL due to the sharp deceleration of growth rate after 500 mm TL. Modal length and growth rate of Sibaya catfish is equal to that of other C. gariepinus populations, but the number and condition of larger individuals is lower, probably because of inadequate food resources in deep water.     

Cephalopod Beaks from the Stomach of a Jackass Penguin

In order to determine the potential of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae as waste processor and protein producer, the life history of this species was studied. The development, growth and reproduction of E. eugeniae were studied. Cattle dung was used as substrate with a moisture content of 70–80% and a temperature of 25°C. Data were gathered over a period of 300 days. It was found that cocoon production started within 24 h after copulation and can be sustained for at least 300 days. Cocoons are produced at an average rate of 1,65 cocoons per worm per day. The mean incubation period of cocoons is 16,6 days with a hatching success of 84% and 2,7 hatchlings per cocoon that hatched. Sexual maturity is attained by the offspring within 40 to 50 days after hatching. E. eugeniae is compared to other vermicomposting species.     

Arid-Zone adaptations of waders (Aves: Charadrii)

Waders (birds of the suborder Charadrii) have radiated into the arid zones of the world through the successful use of adaptations formerly evolved in response to a marine or brackish shoreline, habitat These preadaptations are traced through the rnajor lines of wader radiation, ending in such highly specialized taxa as the sandgrouse (family Pteroclidae), which refined existing adaptations or evolved further adaptations to suit them to a diet of seeds and the need to drink in.an environment poor .in surface water.     

ULTRASOUND APPEARANCE OF AN EQUINE TESTICULAR SEMINOMA

A 16-year-old thoroughbred stallion developed sudden swelling of the left testicle. The stallion had previously been regarded as a unilateral cryptorchid. Ultrasound examination of the left testicle revealed a diffusely heterogeneous parenchyma. The testicle was diffusely hypoechoic with ill defined regions of hyperechogenicity giving the appearance of hypoechoic nodules throughout the testicular parenchyma. No normal testicular tissue was identifiable. An echogenic band, representing a pseudocapsule could be seen surrounding the testicle. Histopathologic diagnosis a seminoma.     

Physicochemical determinants of pH in pectoralis major of three strains of laying hens housed in conventional and furnished cages

1. Post-mortem decline in muscle pH has traditionally been attributed to glycogenolysis-induced lactate accumulation. However, muscle pH ([H⁺]) is controlled by complex physicochemical relationships encapsulated in the Stewart model of acid–base chemistry and is determined by three system-independent variables – strong ion difference ([SID]), total concentration of weak acids ([A_tot]) and partial pressure of CO₂ (PCO₂).

2. This study investigated these system-independent variables in post-mortem pectoralis major muscles of Shaver White, Lohmann Lite and Lohmann Brown laying hens housed in conventional cages (CC) or furnished cages (FC) and evaluated the model by comparing calculated [H⁺] with previously measured [H⁺] values.

3. The model accounted for 99.7% of the variation in muscle [H⁺]. Differences in [SID] accounted for most or all of the variations in [H⁺] between strains. Greater PCO₂ in FC was counteracted by greater sequestration of strong base cations. The results demonstrate the accuracy and utility of the Stewart model for investigating determinants of meat [H⁺].

4. The housing differences identified in this study suggested that hens housed in FC have improved muscle function and overall health due to the increased opportunity for movement. These findings support past studies showing improved animal welfare for hens housed in FC compared to CC. Therefore, the Stewart model has been identified as an accurate method to assess changes in the muscle at a cellular level that affect meat quality that also detect differences in the welfare status of the research subjects.     

大豆有效营养面积研究进展

2001～2004年,运用作物有效营养面积理论,对北方垄作区大豆垄幅的合理性问题进行了试验研究。研究表明大豆主产区黑龙江省中部、南部地区大豆有效营养面积为2210～4500 cm2,有效株行距为47.0～67.1 cm。其中中部地区的有效营养面积在2210～4025 cm2,即有效株行距为47.0～63.0 cm,南部地区的有效营养面积在3838～4500 cm2,即有效株行距为61.9～67.1 cm。南部地区品种有效营养面积较大,中部地区品种有效营养面积较小。据此阐明目前生产上广泛采用67～70 cm的垄作,已超过了大豆的有效株行距,造成了土壤资源等的浪费。尤其是中、北部垄作区采用55 cm左右的垄距种植大豆,将会更有利于大豆群体产量的提高。该理论为目前黑龙江省北部地区栽培面积逐渐增大的大豆窄行垄栽培提供了有力的理论根据。     

从西方国际关系理论看“和谐世界”构建

"和谐世界"得以构建的前提和基础,是主体和谐利益观的形成。"和谐世界"主张以和谐秩序超越现实主义权力冲突状态,以民主、平等、包容性和普适性的行为体互动关系来规范、超越新自由主义强权依附型的国际机制思想,以理性、唯物的国际政治观超越理想主义和建构主义。我们对"和谐世界"的理解,不能仅仅停留在外交政策或文化层面上。应深入挖掘其理论内涵,构建和完善与之相适应的逻辑体系,使之与国际相关理论尤其是西方理论相接轨,并自然融入到国际政治理论体系中,从而拓展民族性理论的世界影响力。     

Post-Partum Involution of the Canine Uterus – Gross Anatomical and Histological Features

We aimed to study the normal puerperium in the bitch. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in nine bitches, each at a different day after normal whelping; their genital tract was subject to gross anatomical examination, as well as to histological examination and electron microscopy scanning. Corpora albicans were evenly distributed in the left and right ovaries and placental sites were evenly distributed among left and right uterine horns. Placental sites were initially of dark green to grey colour, later becoming dark brown; their length and height progressively decreased. Height of the myometrium and diameter of the uterine glands progressively decreased. Trophoblast-like cells were consistently observed at the placental sites and on the surface of the interplacental areas, at all time points where hysterectomy had been performed. It is suggested that involution of the canine genital tract can last up to 3 months and is slow. Continuous (up to D84 post-partum) presence of prominent placental sites should be considered a normal feature of canine uterine post-partum involution.     

Characterization of local and peripheral immune system in pregnant and nonpregnant ewes

Modulation of the immune system is known to be important for successful pregnancy but how immune function might differ between the lymph nodes draining the reproductive tract and peripheral lymph nodes is not well understood. Additionally, if immune system changes in response to the presence of an embryo during early pregnancy, and if this response differs in local versus peripheral immune tissue, has not been well characterized. To address these questions, we examined expression of genes important for immune function using NanoString technology in the ampulla and isthmus of the oviduct, endometrium, lymph nodes draining the reproductive tract (lumbo-aortic and medial iliac) as well as a peripheral lymph node (axillary), the spleen, and circulating immune cells from ewes on day 5 of the estrous cycle or pregnancy. Concentrations of estradiol and progesterone in plasma were also determined. Principal component analysis revealed separation of the local from the peripheral lymph nodes (MANOVA P = 3.245e-08, R² = 0.3) as well as separation of tissues from pregnant and nonpregnant animals [lymph nodes (MANOVA P = 2.337e-09, R² = 0.5), reproductive tissues (MANOVA P = 2.417e-14, R² = 0.47)]. Nine genes were differentially (FDR < 0.10) expressed between lymph node types, with clear difference in expression of these genes between the lumbo-aortic and axillary lymph nodes. Expression of these genes in the medial iliac lymph node was not consistently different to either the axillary or the lumbo-aortic lymph node. Expression of IL10RB was increased (FDR < 0.05) by 24% in the reproductive tissue of the pregnant animals compared to nonpregnant animals. Analysis of gene categories revealed that expression of genes of the T-cell receptor pathway in reproductive tract tissues was associated (P < 0.05) with pregnancy status. In conclusion, assessment of gene expression of reproductive and immune tissue provides evidence for a specialization of the local immune system around the reproductive tract potentially important for successful establishment of pregnancy. Additionally, differences in gene expression patterns in reproductive tissue from pregnant and nonpregnant animals could be discerned as early as day 5 of pregnancy. This was found to be associated with expression of genes important for T-cell function and thus highlights the important role of these cells in early pregnancy.