Comparison of ecological condition and conservation status of English yew population in two Austrian gene conservation forests

English yew Taxus baccata L. has been catalogued as endangered tree species and prone to extinction in Austria as well as many other parts of Europe. The present work is based on the comparison of the natural population of two gene conservation forests from different geographic locations in Austria where the spatial structure, regeneration status and possible conservation measures are examined. The pole stand distribution varied distinctly in each sites. The total no of individuals per ha （DBH ≥5 cm）, average DBH and average height were 492 n.hm^-2, 8.8 cm and 6.3 m in Stiwollgraben whereas in Leininger Riese 45 n.hm^-2, 16.3 cm and 7.6 m respectively. Over 79% of the Stiwollgraben population were represented the good health condition, while in Leininger Riese it was less then 49 % which means population of Stiwollgraben is in better condition compared to Leininger Riese. The sites differed considerably in the pattern of regeneration but pattern were consistent with the dynamics depicted by the age distribution. Considering the one-year-old seedlings Stiwollgraben contains 13 019 individuals.hm^-2 whereas Leininger Riese only 1 368. Surprisingly there were no any saplings in respect of 51 to 150 cm height classes in both sites and 30 to 50 cm in Stiwollgraben. In that context the conservation of English yew on the forest level may require well-managed reserves and long-term rotations between harvest events, protection from the herbivore and reduction of competition, which will enhance the long-term viability of the species.     

Demodicosis in red-handed tamarins (Saguinus midas).

Two nonrelated but paired red-handed tamarins (Saguinus midas) presented with diffuse, multifocal, raised, nonpruritic, hyperkeratotic lesions on the appendages and face. Skin biopsies identified acarids and skin scrapings confirmed demodex-like mites. The animals were treated with ivermectin, at the endoparasite dose, which initially resulted in resolution of clinical signs; however, signs recurred after numerous treatments. After four treatments with amitraz dips, demodicosis lesions resolved.     

Maximising biodiversity in plantation forests: Insights from long-term changes in clearfell-sensitive beetles in a Pinus radiata plantation

Forest management practices can be detrimental to the long-term persistence of native species in exotic tree plantations. Knowledge of population recovery times post-harvest and dispersal capabilities of native species are critical to the development of spatially-explicit stand management plans that maximise biodiversity opportunities at a landscape scale. To quantify post-harvest recovery patterns we studied the relative capture rates of seven beetle species known to be sensitive to clearfell harvesting. A chronosequence sampling approach was implemented, with sampling along 580-m long edge gradients from the interior of multiple replicated mature stands of 26 years of age into adjacent regenerating stands of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 26 years of age. Beetle capture rates were strongly affected by clearfell harvesting, however, population recovery of all species was possible within the timeframe of a single rotation when adjacent mature or closed-canopy stands were present. Recovery time was closely linked to the development of a closed canopy (8–16 years), with distinct differences in the responses of individual beetle taxa reflecting habitat preferences for open or closed forest. Such time-to-recovery analyses provide insights into temporal aspects of insect–plant–habitat interactions and can give forest managers better guidelines to maximise biodiversity opportunities at the landscape scale. Although the time to canopy closure provides a useful proxy for recolonisation by forest species, specific timeframes will vary biogeographically and are dependent on the original native vegetation context and species assemblages present. In addition, forest managers and public advocacy groups will need to make qualitative decisions about what biodiversity attributes should be conserved.     

Exposure to mercury in Canada: A multimedia analysis

A thorough assessment of Canadian exposure to mercury (Hg) has not been undertaken since 1970. A multimedia approach was used to update estimates of Hg exposure to members of the general population in Canada, based on currently available information. Adult Canadians have an estimated intake of all Hg species via all routes of 7.7μg/day (0.11μg/kg body weight/day), which equated to an absorbed dose of 5.3μg/day (0.076μg/kg bw/day). Fish consumption accounts for much of this exposure (27% of intake, 40% of absorbed dose), in the form of methylmercury. However, dental amalgam appears to account for a greater proportion of total Hg exposure than fish consumption. Exposure from amalgam was estimated for intake and absorbed doses (of Hg⁰) at 2.81 and 2.25μg/day, respectively. This represents 36% of total Hg intake and 42% of absorbed dose. Hg²⁺ arises principally from foods other than fish. Intake of Hg²⁺ by adults was determined to be 1.82μg/day and absorbed dose only 0.18μg/day. Exposures for four other age groups of the population were also evaluated.     

Pathologic lesions in chimpanzees (Pan trogylodytes schweinfurthii) from Gombe National Park, Tanzania, 2004-2010

During a population decline or disease outbreak, the true risk of specific diseases to a wild population is often difficult to determine because of a lack of baseline disease information. To better understand the risk of disease in an endangered and scientifically important population of chimpanzees (Pan trogylodytes schweinfurthii), a health monitoring program was initiated in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. As part of this health monitoring program, comprehensive necropsies with histopathology were conducted on chimpanzees (n = 11; 5 male, 6 female), ranging in age from fetal to 44 yr, that were found dead between August 2004 and January 2010. In contrast to previous reports, respiratory disease was not noted as a cause of morbidity or mortality. Trauma was the most common cause of death in these 11 chimpanzees. All of the chimpanzees greater than 1 yr of age had intestinal and mesenteric parasitic granulomas associated with true strongyles consistent with Oesophagostomum spp. The relative numbers of granulomas increased with age and, in some cases, may have been a cause of weight loss and diarrhea. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)cpz infection was documented in four deceased apes, all of whom exhibited varying amounts of lymphoid depletion including two females with marked CD4+ T cell loss consistent with endstage SIVmac or human immunodeficiency virus infections. Myocardial megalokaryosis was common in chimpanzees greater than 1 mo of age; yet myocardial interstitial fibrosis, a common lesion in captive chimpanzees, was uncommon and only noted in two aged chimpanzees. These findings provide important information on causes of morbidity and mortality in wild chimpanzees, information that can be used to interpret findings during population declines and lead to better management of this population in the context of disease risk.     

Prevalence of Bartonella species DNA and antibodies in cats (Felis catus) submitted to a spay/neuter program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The prevalence of Bartonella species DNA and antibodies for Bartonella henselae were studied in 40 clinically healthy cats (Felis catus, Linnaeus 1758) submitted to a spay/neuter program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Additionally, the prevalence of Bartonella species DNA was investigated in the fleas found parasitizing the subject cats. For this purpose, blood samples were obtained from all cats, and DNA extraction was performed on the blood, and blood clotted samples, as well as on pools of fleas obtained from them. Antibodies for B henselae were detected on serum samples. Bartonella species DNA was detected in 17 cats, whereas serum reactivity for B henselae was found in 19. A total of 20 cats were flea-infested and nine of these 20 had Bartonella species DNA in their blood. In four of the 20 flea-infested cats, Bartonella species DNA was detected in the fleas obtained from those cats, but only one of these four cats had Bartonella species DNA in its blood.     

Comment on "Why are there so many species of herbivorous insects in tropical rainforests?"

Novotny et al. (Reports, 25 August 2006, p. 1115) argued that higher herbivore diversity in tropical forests results from greater phylogenetic diversity of host plants, not from higher host specificity. However, if host specificity is related to host abundance, differences in relative host abundance between tropical and temperate regions may limit any general conclusion that herbivore diversity scales directly with host-plant diversity.