Winter longitudinal variation in the body size of larval fishes in the Seto Inland Sea,Japan

This study revealed the spatial variation in abundance and body size of larval fishes in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, in January 2014 and 2015. Fish larvae were collected by a 1.3-m-diameter ring net towed at the surface and at 10-m depth at 21 stations. The most dominant species was the sandlance Ammodytes japonicus, constituting 82% of total larval fish caught. The body size of A. japonicus was greater [ca. 9 mm total length (TL) in 2014] in eastern areas than in western areas (ca. 5 mm TL in 2014). This trend was also observed in rockfishes (Sebastiscus marmoratus and Sebastes inermis species complex), suggesting a common phenomenon in this region. Because the water temperature was lower in eastern areas, it is likely that the longitudinal differences in larval body size are attributable to earlier spawning in eastern areas caused by different temperature conditions.     

Simultaneous detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Japanese yam mosaic virus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yam mild mosaic virus</Emphasis> from yam leaves using a tube capture reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay

To detect Japanese yam mosaic virus (JYMV) and Yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV) in yam plants in Japan, we developed a duplex RT-PCR assay consisting of a tube-capture procedure followed by one-step RT-PCR with two primer pairs. A 241-bp fragment of the coat protein region of JYMV and a 174-bp fragment of the nuclear inclusion protein b region of YMMV were amplified, thus identifying the two viruses from yam plants cultivated in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 2007. All water yam plants examined were infected with YMMV alone. All the Japanese yam and Chinese yam plants were infected with either JYMV alone or both JYMV and YMMV, suggesting that YMMV and JYMV are prevalent among field-grown yam plants.     

Pathogenicity of Plasmodiophora brassicae populations from small, spheroid, resistant-type clubroot galls on roots of clubroot-resistant cultivars of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis)

A resistant type of small, spheroid clubroot galls (SSGs) containing resting spores formed on the root surface of clubroot-resistant (CR) cultivars of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis) inoculated with an avirulent population of Plasmodiophora  brassicae. Populations isolated from the SSGs severely affected a common (susceptible) cultivar but did not have the typical pathogenicity on CR cultivars, indicating similarity in pathogenicity between SSG and original spore populaions. Populations pathogenic on CR cultivars were not detected from SSGs. Therefore, the ability of the avirulent population among the SSGs to form resting spores may need to be considered to achieve clubroot control in common cultivars of crucifers.     

Semipersistency of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis> Transmission of Cucumoviruses Systemically Infecting Leguminous Plants

Sequential transmission tests of Peanut stunt virus (PSV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) systemically infecting common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, were conducted using Myzus persicae allowed to fast for 2 hr and then to acquisition feed on infected common bean plants or purified virus for 10 min. In the sequential transmission tests using either one or 10 aphids per assay plant, three isolates of PSV (J,S,Y5) and one of CMV (V) were transmitted from and to common bean up to a third or fourth inoculation access. Many aphids transmitted these viruses to two or three plants. Purified viruses of PSV-S and CMV-V were also transmitted up to a third or second inoculation access at low percentage. On tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, aphids transmitted PSV-S and CMV-V only in the first inoculation access, although PSV-S was transmitted to only one plant in the fourth and fifth inoculation access. These viruses may be transmitted in two phases by aphids, depending on the plant species. Received 16 April 1999/ Accepted in revised form 1 September 1999     

瘤胃保护氨基酸和脂肪酸对奶牛瘤胃发酵、产乳量、乳成分和血液成分的影响

选用8头经产荷斯坦泌乳牛分为对照和试验2 组(n=4),以1 期为2 周、共3 期的二乘反转法,研究了瘤胃保护氨基酸和脂肪酸添加物(RPLMF)对奶牛瘤胃发酵、产奶量、乳成分和血液成分的影响。对照组牛饲喂由苏丹草青干草(20%)、苜蓿草块(20%)、意大利黑麦草青贮(17%)和混合精料(43%)组成的典型日粮。试验组牛饲喂上述日粮外,每天另添加160 g/d RPLMF。RPLMF 中主要含有脂肪酸60%、赖氨酸8%、蛋氨酸4%、其他28%。结果表明,RPLMF的添加对瘤胃发酵无明显的影响。2组血浆尿素氮、总游离氨基酸和必需氨基酸浓度以及赖氨酸和蛋氨酸浓度间均无明显差异(P>0.1),而试验组血浆葡萄糖浓度有下降趋势(P<0.1)和组氨酸浓度显著下降(P<0.05)。试验组与对照组比较,干物质采食量无明显差异,分别为20.2和20.4 kg/d;产乳量和4%的标准乳量分别为24.2、22.3和25.6、24.1 kg/d,试验组分别增加了1.4 kg/d和1.8 kg/d(P<0.1);乳脂率有增加趋势(P<0.1),而其他乳成分无显著变化;乳脂肪、乳蛋白质和无脂固形物分别增加9.5%(80 g/d,P<0.05)、6.9%(50 g/d,P<0.1)和6.4%(130 g/d,P<0.1);乳脂脂肪酸组成中C18∶0 比例显著提高(P<0.05)。另外,RPLMF添加后饲料蛋白质向乳蛋白质的转化效率从23.9%提高到25 3%。以上结果显示:在暑热季节泌乳中期的     

Rumen fermentation,milk production and conjugated linoleic acid in the milk of cows fed high fiber diets added with dried distillers grains with solubles

The effects of corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) feeding on rumen fermentation and milk production in cows were evaluated using diets high in neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 45.9–46.6%). The control diet (Control) consisted mainly of hay, corn silage and concentrates. In the experimental diets, the concentrates were replaced with DDGS as 10% dry matter (DM) (10%DDGS) and 20% DM (20%DDGS). Eight cows were used for each 14‐day treatment period. Effect of DDGS feeding on DM intake was not significant. Ruminal volatile fatty acids and ammonia‐N at 5 h after feeding of 20%DDGS were decreased compared to Control, whereas protozoal count at 2 h after feeding of 20%DDGS was higher than that of 10%DDGS. Milk yield of cows fed DDGS diets was greater than that of Control, although percentages of milk protein and solids‐not‐fat were decreased by DDGS diets. The proportions of C10:0, C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0 in the milk fat decreased, and those of C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and cis‐9, trans‐11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) increased markedly with elevated DDGS. Increase in trans‐11 C18:1 was observed in the rumen fluid at 5 h after feeding. These findings suggest that DDGS feeding enhanced milk yield, as well as CLA synthesis under a high dietary NDF condition.     

Novel reovirus isolation from an Ostrich (Struthio camelus) in Japan

An orthoreovirus was isolated from an Ostrich (Struthio camelus) and rapidly identified as orthoreovirus by the rapid determination of viral RNA sequences (RDV) system and electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis of the sigma A protein indicated that the isolate belonged to avian species and was closely related to chicken orthoreovirus strain 138. The results of the present study indicated that an ostrich orthoreovirus is slight different from other chicken orthoreoviruses and provided evidence of diversity among avian orthoreoviruses. To our knowledge, this is the first genetic report of an orthoreovirus isolated from an ostrich.     

Effect of α-cyclodextrin-allyl isothiocyanate on ruminal microbial methane production in vitro

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of α‐cyclodextrin‐allyl isothiocyanate (CD‐AI) on ruminal microbial methane production and rumen fermentation of corn starch, soluble potato starch or hay plus concentrate (1.5:1) by mixed rumen microorganisms. Diluted rumen fluid (30 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38°C for 6 and 24 h with or without CD‐AI (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 g/L). The pH of the medium was unchanged by CD‐AI in all substrates. The molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased with a corresponding decrease in acetate : propionate ratio (P < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acids and butyrate were increased (P < 0.05). Ammonia‐N was decreased (P < 0.05). Except with soluble potato starch, numbers of protozoa were unchanged after 6 h. As concentration of CD‐AI increased from 0 to 3.2 g/L, fermentation of corn starch, soluble potato starch and hay plus concentrate resulted in decreased (P < 0.05) methane production of 49–100% (6 h) and 14–100% (24 h); 39–100% (6 h) and 16–100% (24 h); and 45–100% (6 h) and 17–100% (24 h), respectively. When hay plus concentrate was used as substrate, methanogenic bacteria were decreased (P < 0.05) with 0.8 g/L of CD‐AI after 6 h. Excluding the lower dose level (0.4 g/L) of CD‐AI, digestibility of neutral detergent fiber of hay plus concentrate was decreased (P < 0.05) after 24 h. A suitable level of CD‐AI could therefore be used as a supplement to inhibit methane production and improve rumen fermentation without detrimental effects on fiber digestion.