Buffalo (Bubalus bubali) Late Embryo and Foetus Development: A Morphological Analysis

Many researches describe the embryonic developmental features in domestic animals; however, in farm animals, they are scarce. Most farm animal studies are related to assisted reproduction and embryos transfer techniques. But, morphological features and size measure to estimate the age gestation are rarely reported in literature. Thus, in this study, we described the developmental changes in the bubaline (Bubalus bubali) concepts from 21 to 60 days of gestation. Our results revealed that buffalo embryos similar morphological characteristics similar to other mammalian species. Also, similarities between bovine and bubaline persist; except on foetal stages when buffalos have a faster development than bovine. Therefore, buffalo's gestation period exhibits some varieties and accurate embryo age is more difficult. Yet, when we use a combination of the crown–rump, macroscopic analysis and alizarin red, it is possible to describe better the whole embryogenesis stages of the buffalo and which can contribute for future reproduction researches and applications in veterinary practice.     

内蒙古大兴安岭森林分类区划存在的问题及建议

森林分类区划是为了解决天然林的修养生息和恢复发展而提出的,但禁伐区、限伐区、商品林经营区划分在实施过程中存在一些问题。文章主要针对其存在的问题,提出一些可行性的建议和对策。     

浅谈对森林认证的认识

文章通过对森林认证的特点、体系、机构、过程等方面的论述,阐述了森林认证对全球森林可持续经营的影响。     

Prevalence and characterisation of wounds in sheep attributed to attacks by kea (Nestor notabilis) on high country farms in New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Aims: To characterise and classify wounds in sheep suspected to have been caused by attacks by kea (Nestor notabilis) (kea strike), and to report the prevalence of these wounds on five high country farms in the South Island of New Zealand.

Methods: Data were collected from farms between 28 August 2012 and 20 September 2013. Sheep were examined opportunistically immediately after shearing for signs of wounds caused by kea. The age and sex of sheep were also recorded. Wounds were measured and characterised as recent, healing, or healed, and the estimated true prevalence was calculated for each farm.

Results: Injuries consistent with kea strike wounds were identified in 70/13,978 (0.5%) sheep examined. The estimated true prevalence varied between farms, from 0 (95% CI?=?0–0.16) to 1.25 (95% CI?=?0.97–1.61)%. Of the 76 wounds identified, 61 (80%) were located in the lumbar region, and 74 (97%) consisted of full-thickness ulceration of the skin, one showed evidence of injury to muscle and one to bone. The median length of the 63 wounds measured was 6 (min 1, max?23.5) cm, and 10/63 (13%) were categorised as recently healed, 47/63 (62%) as healing, and 17/63 (22%) as recent wounds.

Conclusions: The results of this study show that kea strike on sheep was occurring at a low prevalence on the high country farms surveyed. The wounds identified were survivable, but the welfare impact of kea strike on sheep should be considered in balance with the conservation status of kea. There was clear variation in the prevalence of wounds attributed to kea strike between the farms but we were not able to identify the risk factors contributing to these differences. Future studies of kea strike should examine variables such as altitude, local kea density and distribution, and differences in kea strike management and husbandry practices, and should include high country farms without a history of kea strike.     

Accuracy and precision of archival tag data: a multiple-tagging study conducted on a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the Indian Ocean

Pop‐up satellite archival tags (PSATs) are now widely used to document the geographic and vertical movements of large pelagic fishes. These instruments record measurements of ambient light, depth and temperature at regular intervals and the light data are used to compute daily estimates of latitude and longitude. Several methods have been developed to improve those estimates, including the application of Kalman filter models and matching sea surface temperatures (SST) from tags with remotely sensed SSTs. Despite their widespread use, few studies have evaluated the accuracy of raw estimates of location from PSATs or quantified the improvements that may result from refinement techniques. To assess the accuracy of raw and refined estimates of locations from PSATs, we attached two PSATs and one Argos satellite‐linked transmitter (SAT tag) to one whale shark (Rhincodon typus) at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. The root mean square error (RMSE) in raw estimates of location provided by the PSATs was 5.16° latitude and 2.00° longitude. Estimates were more accurate after processing the data with a Kalman filter (RMSE = 2.97° latitude and 0.78° longitude) and most accurate after processing with a Kalman filter model that integrates SST measurements (RMSE = 1.84° latitude and 0.78° longitude). We also assessed the precision of the PSAT‐derived locations, and depth and temperature measurements by comparing the data from the two PSATs. Our findings support the use of archival tag data to reconstruct the large‐scale movements of marine animals and demonstrate the significant improvements that may result from two refinement techniques.     

Assessing the long-term genetic impact of historical stocking events on contemporary populations of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

Abstract  Supplementation of wild fish with non-native or domesticated fish is common practice. However, these stocked and native fish differ both ecologically and genetically and, in the wild, they interact in a multitude of ways, often with negative repercussions for the native population. This study assessed the long-term genetic impact of historical stocking activities on a contemporary population of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. During the 1960s salmon from hatcheries in Scotland and Iceland were transplanted to the River Dart, England. Microsatellite loci were used to assess the current level of population admixture between samples taken from the source location of the stocked fish during the 1960s and contemporary Dart populations. After allowances were made for natural genetic relationships between donor and recipient populations, the long-term impact of the historical stocking events on a catchment scale appears minimal. However, one tributary consistently reflected closer genetic relationships with the donor populations, indicating a possible long-term impact on a localised scale.     

Nutrient losses after clearfelling in Beddgelert Forest: a comparison of the effects of conventional and whole-tree harvest on soil water chemistry

The effects of conventional, bole only harvesting (CH) and whole-treeharvesting (WTH) on major inorganic nutrient concentrations(K, NO₃-N, NH₄-N, PO₄-P and Ca) in soil water are describedfrom Beddgelert forest in North Wales. Monitoring of nutrientleaching losses, and the timing thereof, from brash throughthe soil and into streams draining the CH areas allowed assessmentsto be made of the value of brash as a nutrient source for secondrotation crops. Most of the K (around 100 kg ha^–1) and one-third of theP (10 out of 30 kg ha^–1) leached out of the brash lyingon the CH plots within one year of felling. A pulse of K passedthrough the soil profile, but less than half this K reachedthe streams. In contrast, the P was immobilized in the soil.The lack of brash resulted in the absence of K and P pulseson the WTH plots. On the CH plots, brash was a net sink forinorganic-N for 3 years after felling. However, in both CH andWTH, a pulse of nitrate was observed in the soil and also instreams draining CH areas. The source of this nitrate may havebeen death of fine tree roots, followed by rapid mineralizationand nitrification. Calculation of a nutrient budget for a complete crop rotationindicates that P and Ca losses in harvested material are likelyto result in long-term depletion of these elements, and thatthe effects will be significantly more severe if WTH is practised.     

The use of a medetomidine,butorphanol and atropine combination to enable blood sampling in young pigs

AIM: To determine the suitability of a reversible, injectable anaesthetic combination including medetomidine, butorphanol and atropine to produce the degree of immobilisation required to allow blood sampling in young pigs.

METHODS: Twenty 6-week-old crossbred, intact male pigs were sedated with an intramuscular (I/M) injection of 80 µ'g/kg medetomidine, 200 µ'g/kg butorphanol and 25 µ'g/kg atropine. Heart and respiratory rates and rectal temperatures were monitored. Excessive salivation, gagging, laryngeal reflex, presence of pedal reflex and deep and surface analgesia were noted. Time of injection and the time when pigs reached mild and full sedation were also recorded.

RESULTS: Mild sedation was produced in 90% of pigs after 5.6 (SEM 0.96) min (n=18; median 5, range 2–16 min), and full sedation (lateral recumbency and loss of jaw tone) in 60% of pigs after 12.5 (SEM 2.14) min (n=12; median 10, range 5-28 min). The depth and duration of sedation were very variable and most animals were easily aroused. Ninety percent of the animals required the administration of halothane by mask to allow blood sampling, but the amount of halothane required was small. Heart and respiratory rates decreased (p<0.001) but remained within the normal range. Rectal temperature was above normal at the time of sedation and at the time of blood sampling when the ambient temperature was 29° C but not when the ambient temperature was reduced to 25°C.

CONCLUSIONS: The combination of medetomidine, butorphanol and atropine at these doses produced sedation of variable depth and duration that was insufficient on its own to allow blood sampling in the majority of pigs. Hyperthermia can occur in temperature-controlled environments when using medetomidine, butorphanol and atropine in pigs. Reduction of stress and a quieter environment may improve the effects of the anaesthetic combination.