Bird habitat preferences drive hemoparasite infection in the Neotropical region

The role that the environment plays in vector-borne parasite infection is one of the central factors for understanding disease dynamics. We assessed how Neotropical bird foraging strata and habitat preferences determine infection by parasites of the genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma and filarioids, and tested for phylogenetic signal in these host–parasite associations. We performed extensive searches of the scientific literature and created a database of hemoparasite surveys. We collected data on host body mass, foraging strata, habitat preference, and migratory status, and tested if host ecological traits predict each hemoparasite occurrence and prevalence using a phylogenetic Bayesian framework. Species of Plasmodium tend to infect birds from tropical forests while birds from altitudinal environments are likely to be infected by species of Leucocytozoon. The probability of a bird being infected by filarioid or Trypanosoma is higher in lowland forests. Bird species that occur in anthropic environments and dry habitats of tropical latitudes are more susceptible to infection by species of Haemoproteus. Host foraging strata is also influential and bird species that forage in the mid-high and canopy strata are more prone to infection by species of Haemoproteus and filarioids. We also identified phylogenetic signal for host–parasite associations with the probability of infection of Neotropical birds by any hemoparasite being more similar among more closely related species. We provided a useful framework to identify environments that correlate with hemoparasite infection, which is also helpful for detecting areas with potential suitability for hemoparasite infection due to land conversion and climate change.     

Detection of citrus psorosis-ringspot virus using RT-PCR and DAS-ELISA

Psorosis, sometimes also associated with ringspot symptoms, is a widespread and damaging disease of citrus in many parts of the world including South America and the Mediterranean basin. We describe the application of RT-PCR and DAS-ELISA diagnostics to an isolate of citrus ringspot virus (CtRSV-4) and other virus isolates associated with this disease. Fragments of cDNA from bottom-component RNA of CtRSV-4 were cloned and sequenced, and PCR primers were designed, 5'ACAATAAGCAAGACAAC upstream, and 5'CCATGTCACTTCTATTC downstream. RT-PCR experiments using these primers allowed detection of CtRSV-4 in infected citrus leaves down to a tissue dilution of 1/12 800 representing 2 μg of tissue, and less sensitive detection of the related citrus psorosis-associated virus (CPsAV90-1-1) and four other psorosis isolates from Argentina and the USA. In addition, CtRSV-4 particles were partially purified from local lesions in Chenopodium quinoa, and the preparations used to raise a rabbit antiserum. The antiserum was absorbed with extracts of healthy C. quinoa leaves, and a DAS-ELISA kit was prepared and tested for detection of CtRSV-4, CPsAV90–1-1, and other psorosis isolates from Argentina, the USA, Italy and Spain. The ELISA detected CtRSV-4 down to a tissue dilution of 1/1600, and most other psorosis isolates down to dilutions of 1/200–1/800. Three of a total of 20 heterologous isolates were consistently negative. Comparison of the PCR and ELISA results suggests that both methods can be used for detection of a range of psorosis isolates, but that variation of the viruses in the field might cause problems for any one diagnostic test.     

BOOK REVIEW

The 5-MinuteVeterinary Consult: Canine and Feline . 2nd edn. Tilley LP, Smith FWK, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins     

大通牦牛推广十年的回顾与展望

从2003年以来青海省大通种牛场开始了较大面积的推广工作,到今年己有10年的推广历史了。对一个新品种大面积推广10年是一个极为重要的时间节点。2005年农业部批准"大通牦牛"为新品种并决定颁发新品种证书。截止2013年前己向青海省6州1地1市39个县累计推广大通牦牛种公牛14 640余头,据2013年不完全统计,大通牦牛后裔在省内推广区达91万头以上。今后必需加快品系繁育提高大通牦牛整体水平;加强核心育种群管理确保种牛质量;加强种公牛的动态溯源管理;组识种牛场技术人员深入推广区,传授良种良养的配套技术和野外冷配技术。     

青海省海南州高寒草地荒漠化治理技术与对策

总结了海南州高寒干旱草地荒漠化特征和成因,分析出气候变化、毁草开荒、超载过牧、鼠类危害、利用不当、执法不严等是草地荒漠化的主要原因,通过对荒漠化草地实行人工补播优良牧草、灭除毒草、消灭鼠害、禁牧封育、暖棚养畜、营造饲料护牧林等措施,提出了防止草地荒漠化的对策及治理技术.