Restoring plant cover on high-elevation gravel areas, Sequoia National Park, California

Our objective was to learn whether Carex exserta sod plugs could be successfully transplanted as a technique for restoring plant cover on high-elevation gravel areas of the southern Sierra Nevada. Our study area was Siberian Outpost in Sequoia National Park, California. The plugs (either 1·9 cm or 5·1 cm in diameter and 10-cm deep) were transplanted in September 1981 and 1982 and without papier-mâché pots and fertilizer. The most promising treatment (52% survival after four years) was to transplant large-diameter sod plugs unpotted and unfertilized. Water appears to be the main factor limiting existing plant cover at Siberian Outpost. Nevertheless, plants present in the gravel could not effectively use fertilizer, and some species were reduced by fertilization.     

Application of directly coupled HPLC-NMR-MS/MS to the identification of metabolites of 5-trifluoromethylpyridone (2-hydroxy-5-trifluoromethylpyridine) in hydroponically grown plants

Directly coupled HPLC-NMR-MS was used to characterize two major metabolites of 5-trifluoromethylpyridone (2-hydroxy-5-trifluoromethylpyridine), a model compound for herbicides, after it had been dosed into hydroponically grown maize plants. The combination of NMR and MS data allowed the identification of both of these metabolites, namely, the N-glucoside and O-malonylglucoside conjugates of the parent pyridone. This work demonstrates the efficiency and the potential application of HPLC-NMR-MS to the investigation of the metabolism of agrochemicals. The work also indicates that combination of the use of hydroponically grown plants and directly coupled HPLC-NMR-MS allows rapid identification of metabolites with little sample preparation.     

Gelation of chicken pectoralis major myosin and heat-denatured beta-lactoglobulin

Thermal, rheological, and microstructural properties of myosin (1 and 2% protein) were compared to mixtures of 1% myosin and 1% heat-denatured beta-lactoglobulin aggregates (myosin/HDLG) and 1% myosin and 1% native beta-lactoglobulin (myosin/beta-LG) in 0.6 M NaCl and 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 during heating to 71 degrees C. Thermal denaturation patterns of myosin and myosin/HDLG were similar except for the appearance of an endothermic peak at 54-56 degrees C in the mixed system. At pH 7.0, 2% myosin began to gel at 48 degrees C and had a storage modulus (G') of 500 Pa upon cooling. Myosin/HDLG (2% total protein) had a gel point of 48 degrees C and a G' of 650 Pa, whereas myosin/beta-LG had a gel point of 49 degrees C but the G' was lower (180 Pa). As the pH was decreased, the gel points of myosin and myosin/HDLG decreased and the G' after cooling increased. The HDLG was incorporated within the myosin gel network, whereas beta-LG remained soluble.     

Predicting species occurrence using information-theoretic approaches and significance testing: An example of dormouse distribution in Cumbria, UK

Predicting the occurrence of species is an essential part of conservation biology. The range of techniques used to do this has increased in recent years. This has included wider use of information-theoretic approaches; particularly Akaike’s information criteria (AIC). AIC is often used with regression modelling when predicting species distribution. The traditional method of model selection in regression modelling, stepwise significance testing, is also still widely used. This paper compares the two approaches, using the occurrence of the dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in Cumbria, UK as an example. The dormouse is a protected species whose abundance and range have declined nationally. Knowledge of its occurrence in Cumbria is required in order to increase measures for its conservation in the area. The paper uses the habitat features woodland size, altitude, soil type, tree species present, temperature and rainfall as potential predictors. As only presence data was available for dormice in Cumbria, pseudo-absences were generated to allow logistic regression modelling. The use of pseudo-absences was justified using a false record permutation test. Cross-validation allowed the ability of models to predict the data to be assessed. This was judged using ROC plots. The size of the wood, temperature and whether the soil was wet or dry were the best predictors of dormouse incidence in Cumbria. The two approaches produced different models; those from the information-theoretic approach had a better ability to fit the data. The information-theoretic approach also had the advantage of enabling model averaging and provided greater understanding of the system.     

Significance of allelic diversity and 2n gametes for approaching maximum heterozygosity in 4 x ppotatoes

Summary High level of heterozygosity is directly related to heterosis for yield in polysomic polyploids. Modern breeding schemes in potato (2n=4×=48) involve utilization of wild or cultivated 2 x relatives that provide a source of allelic diversity, and 2n gametes that transfer diversity to the 4 x level. Different levels of allelic diversity and different modes of 2 n egg formation were considered theoretically to determine their significance for the recovery of heterotic 4 x progeny from 2××4× crosses. The support from the experimental data is provided.Decline in parental allelic diversity in 2××4× crosses or 4××4× crosses resulted in significant yield reduction. The average level of homozygosity and loss of intra-locus interactions are equally adequate to predict the trend in yield changes in 4 x potatoes derived from parents of variable allelic diversity utilizing different modes of 2 n egg formation.The differences between the modes of 2 n gamete formation increase when the genetic diversity decreases. The more genetically diverse parents the less pronounced differences between 2 n gametes. Breeding of 4 x cultivars for polygenic traits where nonadditive effects are important should be oriented towards maximizing heterozygosity in terms of allelic diversity. Utilization of 2 n gametes to generate 4 x progeny following 2×–× or 2×–2× crosses upgrades the level of heterozygosity depending on diversity present in parents.     

Norwich terriers possess a greater vertebral heart scale than the canine reference value

Previous studies have demonstrated evidence that normal reference ranges for radiographic vertebral heart scale values can vary among dog breeds. The purpose of this retrospective, observational study was to determine whether the normal vertebral heart scale values published by Buchanan and Bücheler for lateral radiographs are applicable to the Norwich terrier. Secondary objectives were to determine if clinical signs of respiratory disease, age, sex, weight, body condition score, recumbency, or thoracic depth‐to‐width ratio had any influence on vertebral heart scale measurements in this breed. The electronic medical record systems of two universities were reviewed and Norwich terriers were included in the study if they had orthogonal thoracic radiographs performed and no historical or radiographic evidence of cardiopulmonary disease. A vertebral heart scale was calculated for each patient. Sixty‐one client‐owned, Norwich terrier dogs with no clinical signs of cardiovascular disease were evaluated. The vertebral heart scale for Norwich terriers without evidence of cardiac disease (10.6 ± 0.6) was found to be significantly greater than the canine reference value of 9.7 ± 0.5 initially established by Buchanan and Bücheler. No significant correlation was found between clinical signs of respiratory disease, sex, age, thoracic depth‐to‐width ratio or lateral recumbency, and vertebral heart scale. Norwich terriers with a body condition score ≥6 had a significantly higher vertebral heart scale than those with a body condition score ≤5. Breed‐specific ranges and body condition scores need to be considered when interpreting vertebral heart scale values for Norwich terriers.     

A semi-purified test diet for Macrobrachium rosenbergii and the lack of need for supplemental lecithin

Post-larval Macrobrachium rosenbergii were reared for 12 weeks at 27°C in a recirculated aquatic system on semi-purified diet supplemented with between 0 and 10% lecithin. No significant differences were detected in either the weight gain or mortality rates of the prawn reared on the different test diets and no sign of ‘molt death syndrome’ was observed in any of the prawn. It was concluded that supplemental lecithin is not required in the semi-purified diet developed for Macrobrachium rosenbergii when cultured under the experimental conditions of this study. The semi-purified diet formulated in this study would appear to be an adequate test diet to determine many of the qualitative and quantitative nutrient requirements of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. However, the best weight gain of the prawn was on a practical-type diet indicating that further refinement of the test diet formulation may be required.     

Local knowledge surveys with small-scale fishers indicate challenges to sawfish conservation in southern Papua New Guinea

1. Sawfish (Pristidae) are considered to be among the most threatened families of elasmobranch (sharks and rays). There is a need to gather information on the status of poorly known sawfish populations to assist in global recovery initiatives.
2. This study used interviews with local fishers to investigate the presence of sawfish in southern Papua New Guinea (PNG) and their interactions with and uses and values for small-scale fishers.
3. A range of sawfish size classes are still encountered throughout southern PNG, while juvenile largetooth sawfish Pristis pristis were additionally reported in the freshwater reaches of all rivers surveyed. Reports of large size classes in estuarine and marine environments provide an optimistic outlook that sawfish populations persist throughout southern PNG.
4. Most fishers that catch sawfish retain them for various uses including consumption and for the sale of meat, fins and occasionally rostra. Negative population trends including decreases in catch frequency and/or size classes were reported by 66% of interviewees, with the largest declines being reported in the Kikori River. The increasing technical capacity of small-scale fishers, their preference for gillnetting and the emerging market for teleost swim bladder (a high-value fishery product) present a major ongoing threat to sawfish in southern PNG. Furthermore, the tendency of fishers to kill or remove rostra from entangled sawfish results in high fishing mortality regardless of any use by the fisher.
5. This study indicates that considerable community engagement will be necessary to manifest any legislative actions or increased enforcement on international trade regulations for sawfish in PNG. This is due to traditional land and waterway ownership values throughout PNG and the local perception of sawfish as a traditional food resource rather than an animal of intrinsic biodiversity value as perceived by global conservationists. Future research should consider exploring culturally appropriate conservation initiatives that are likely to achieve engagement and participation from local fishers.