The importance of integrating landscape ecology in habitat models: isolation-driven occurrence of north island robins in a fragmented landscape

Although the role of habitat fragmentation in species declines is well recognised, the effect of habitat quality on species distributions is often studied using presence–absence models that ignore metapopulation dynamics. We compared three approaches to model the presence–absence of North Island robins in 400 sites among 74 fragments of native forest in a 15,000-ha agricultural landscape in New Zealand. The first approach only considered local habitat characteristics, the second approach only considered metapopulation factors (patch size and isolation), and the third approach combined these two types of factors. The distribution of North Island robins was best predicted by patch isolation, as their probability of occurrence was negatively correlated with isolation from neighbouring patches and from the closest major forests, which probably acted as a source of immigrants. The inclusion of habitat factors gave only a slight increase in predictive power and indicated that robins were more likely to occur in areas with tall canopy, tall understory and low density of young trees. We modelled the effect of isolation using an index of functional patch connectivity based on dispersal behaviour of radio-tracked juveniles, and this functional index greatly improved the models in comparison to classical indices relying on Euclidean distances. This study highlights the need to incorporate functional indices of isolation in presence–absence models in fragmented landscapes, as species occurrence can otherwise be a misleading predictor of habitat quality and lead to wrong interpretations and management recommendations.     

Mottle necrosis of sweet potato caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium scleroteichum</Emphasis> in Japan and varietal difference in susceptibility to the disease

Severe mottle necrosis (Shirogusare-byo in Japanese) was found on mature tubers of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Ibaraki Prefecture in October 2004. The causal organism was identified as Pythium scleroteichum hitherto unknown in Japan. Sweet potato cultivar Purple Sweet Lord was more susceptible than cultivars Beniazuma, Benimasari, Koukei-14, and Tamayutaka to the pathogen at 25°C, while this difference in the susceptibility was not clear at 15°C.     

Do pine plantations provide mycorrhizal inocula for seedlings establishment in grasslands from Patagonia,Argentina?

We investigated if Pinus ponderosa plantations in Patagonia are able to produce viable mycorrhizal inocula towards adjacent grasslands, which only harbor endomycorrhizal vegetation. We hypothesized that these inocula have the potential to contribute to the establishment of naturally disseminated seedlings. Also, we determined the main fungal taxa involved in this process. Seven plantations in the onset of their reproductive phase and located in the Patagonian native forest/steppe ecotone (Argentina) were selected. Soil samplings were obtained at nine points along a 450 m long, W-E transect established in each plantation. Soil bioassays were performed in a greenhouse, with P. ponderosa seedlings acting as hosts for mycorrhizal inocula present in soil samples, during 12 months. Mycorrhization percentage, morphotype richness and morphotype composition was determined through morphological evaluation. Viable ecto- and ectendomycorrhizal inocula were found disseminated outside plantations. The amount of mycorrhizal inoculum followed a decreasing function with distance to plantation edges. Mycorrhizal fungal genus Rhizopogon and “E-strain” mycorrhizal types appeared as pioneering taxa regarding seedlings colonization, being the most persistent and frequent symbionts found. Plantations, thus, facilitate the surrounding terrain for newcoming seedlings through the dispersion of mycorrhizal fungal inocula.     

The chemotaxis regulator <Emphasis Type="Italic">pilG</Emphasis> of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylella fastidiosa</Emphasis> is required for virulence in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> grapevines

Type IV pili of X. fastidiosa are regulated by pilG, a response regulator protein putatively involved in chemotaxis-like operon sensing stimuli through signal transduction pathways. To elucidate the roles of pilG in pathogenicity of X. fastidiosa, the pilG-deletion mutant XfΔpilG and complemented strain XfΔpilG-C were generated. While all strains had similar growth curves in vitro, XfΔpliG showed significant reduction in cell-matrix adherence and biofilm production compared with wild-type X. fastidiosa and XfΔpilG-C. The genes pilE, pilU, pilT, and pilS were down-regulated in XfΔpliG when compared with its complemented strain and wild-type X. fastidiosa. Finally, no Pierce’s disease symptoms were observed in grapevines inoculated with XfΔpilG, whereas grapevines inoculated with the wild-type X. fastidiosa and complemented strain of XfΔpilG-C developed typical Pierce’s Disease (PD) symptoms. The results indicate that pilG has a role in X. fastidiosa virulence in grapevines.     

The development of a PCR-based method for detecting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia striiformis</Emphasis> latent infections in wheat leaves

Stripe rust of wheat caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is one of the most important diseases on wheat worldwide, especially in temperate regions with cool moist weather conditions. A rapid and reliable detection of the pathogen in latent infected wheat leaves during overwintering of the fungus in the dormant stage will contribute to determine the initial inoculum potential and thus to predict early outbreak and to improve effective management of the disease. To achieve this aim, a PCR-based method was developed for specific and sensitive detection of P. striiformis. Specific primers were designed according to a genome-specific sequence of P. striiformis. To evaluate the specificity of the primers, seven different isolates and races of P. striiformis as well as six other pathogens of wheat were tested. All isolates of P. striiformis yielded a distinct band of a fragment of 470 bp, while using DNA of the other wheat pathogens as a template no amplification product was detected. The sensitivity of the primers was tested using serial dilutions of total DNA from P. striiformis; the limit of detection was 10 pg of DNA. Using extracts from P. striiformis-infected wheat leaves, the fungus could be determined in the leaves before symptoms appeared. The stripe rust could also be detected in the dormant stage by the PCR assay in samples of wheat leaves taken during the winter season. The application of the PCR assay may be useful for rapid and reliable detection of P. striiformis in latent infected leaves of overwintering wheat plants.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus granulosus</Emphasis>: Immunoprotection accompanyied by humoral and cytokine response against secondary hydatidosis in mice immunized with r<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eg.</Emphasis>myophilin

Objects:  

This study aimed to investigate the immunoprotection of the recombinant Eg.myophilin (rEg.myophilin) and tentatively analyze mechanism of this protection.     

Note: Pyrethroid resistance and possible involvement of glutathione<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-transferases in<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> from Turkey

An introductory study was conducted to investigate the pyrethroid resistance ofHelicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) strains in Turkey, collected from cotton fields in the Adana and Antalya provinces, through two different synthetic pyrethroid insecticides: lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate. In addition, the roles of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) in this resistance mechanism were analyzed. It was found that whereas resistance ratios for lambda-cyhalothrin (LD₅₀ levels) were 3- and 98-fold increased in the Adana and Antalya strains, respectively, esfenvalerate ratios were 3.3- and 92.3-fold increased in the Adana and Antalya strains, respectively, with respect to the susceptible strain. Furthermore, Adana and Antalya strains showed 2.4- and 2.9-fold higher GST activities than the susceptible strain, respectively. In the Antalya field strain, the minor increase in GST activity compared with the resistance levels implies that GSTs may be not greatly involved in this resistance. It also provides evidence that they could not be the only metabolic mechanism responsible for resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate inH. armigera from Turkey. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 16, 2006.     

Are hedgerows effective corridors between fragments of woodland habitat? An evidence-based approach

Anthropogenic modification of the countryside has resulted in much of the landscape consisting of fragments of once continuous habitat. Increasing habitat connectivity at the landscape-scale has a vital role to play in the conservation of species restricted to such remnant patches, especially as species may attempt to track zones of habitat that satisfy their niche requirements as the climate changes. Conservation policies and management strategies frequently advocate corridor creation as one approach to restore connectivity and to facilitate species movements through the landscape. Here we examine the utility of hedgerows as corridors between woodland habitat patches using rigorous systematic review methodology. Systematic searching yielded 26 studies which satisfied the review inclusion criteria. The empirical evidence currently available is insufficient to evaluate the effectiveness of hedgerow corridors as a conservation tool to promote the population viability of woodland fauna. However, the studies did provide anecdotal evidence of positive local population effects and indicated that some species use hedgerows as movement conduits. More replicated and controlled field investigations or long-term monitoring are required in order to allow practitioners and policy makers to make better informed decisions about hedgerow corridor creation and preservation. The benefits of such corridors in regard to increasing habitat connectivity remain equivocal, and the role of corridors in mitigating the effects of climate change at the landscape-scale is even less well understood.     

Identification of functional corridors with movement characteristics of brown bears on the Kenai Peninsula,Alaska

We identified primary habitat and functional corridors across a landscape using Global Positioning System (GPS) collar locations of brown bears (Ursus arctos). After deriving density, speed, and angular deviation of movement, we classified landscape function for a group of animals with a cluster analysis. We described areas with high amounts of sinuous movement as primary habitat patches and areas with high amounts of very directional, fast movement as highly functional bear corridors. The time between bear locations and scale of analysis influenced the number and size of corridors identified. Bear locations should be collected at intervals ≤6 h to correctly identify travel corridors. Our corridor identification technique will help managers move beyond the theoretical discussion of corridors and linkage zones to active management of landscape features that will preserve connectivity.