Case clusters of leproid granulomas in foxhounds in New Zealand and Australia

Background – Canine leproid granuloma (CLG) characteristically presents as single to multiple circumscribed dermal to subcutaneous nodules in haired skin. An unidentified mycobacterium is considered be the aetiological agent of this entity. Animals – Several cases of canine leproid granulomas occurred in dogs in New Zealand during 2010 and 2011. Cases appeared in clusters, affecting multiple closely related foxhounds domiciled in the same kennels. All affected hounds recovered after topical and/or systemic antimicrobial therapy. Two similar outbreaks that occurred in foxhounds near Melbourne, Australia are also reported. Methods – Cases were investigated using cytological, histological, microbiological and several molecular techniques. An environmental epidemiological study was also performed. Results – A diagnosis of CLG was established in 11 dogs. Molecular identification of the causative agent confirmed that it was a mycobacterial species with 100% sequence homology within the amplified regions of the 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) with that found in association with similar infections from the USA, Brazil and Australia. Conclusion and clinical importance – This report details the first occurrence of multiple cases of CLG occurring in in‐contact dogs and the first proven case of CLG in dogs in New Zealand.     

A new diketopiperazine, cyclo-(4-S-hydroxy-R-proline-R-isoleucine), from an Australian specimen of the sponge Stelletta sp

While investigating the cytotoxic activity of the methanol extract of an Australian marine sponge Stelletta sp. (Demospongiae), a new diketopiperazine, cyclo-(4-S-hydroxy-R-proline-R-isoleucine) (1), was isolated together with the known bengamides; A (2), F (3), N (4), Y (5), and bengazoles; Z (6), C(4) (7) and C(6) (8). The isolation and structure elucidation of the diketopiperazine (1), together with the activity of 1-8 against a panel of human and mammalian cell lines are discussed.     

Plant speciation

Like the formation of animal species, plant speciation is characterized by the evolution of barriers to genetic exchange between previously interbreeding populations. Prezygotic barriers, which impede mating or fertilization between species, typically contribute more to total reproductive isolation in plants than do postzygotic barriers, in which hybrid offspring are selected against. Adaptive divergence in response to ecological factors such as pollinators and habitat commonly drives the evolution of prezygotic barriers, but the evolutionary forces responsible for the development of intrinsic postzygotic barriers are virtually unknown and frequently result in polymorphism of incompatibility factors within species. Polyploid speciation, in which the entire genome is duplicated, is particularly frequent in plants, perhaps because polyploid plants often exhibit ecological differentiation, local dispersal, high fecundity, perennial life history, and self-fertilization or asexual reproduction. Finally, species richness in plants is correlated with many biological and geohistorical factors, most of which increase ecological opportunities.     

Herbicides, weeds and endangered species: management of bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata) with glyphosate and impacts on the endangered shrub, Pimelea spicata

Environmental weed invasion threatens the biodiversity of native species. Unfortunately, managing these weeds may also affect biodiversity adversely. A recent example occurred when glyphosate, a herbicide used to control the highly invasive weed, bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata), accidentally drifted over a small population of an endangered shrub, Pimelea spicata. Following concerns that the affected population would not recover and, thereby, cause the local extinction of P. spicata, we conducted a series of glasshouse and field experiments to explore the impacts of glyphosate on this endangered species. Seedlings and young plants of P. spicata, in which the tap root was undeveloped, were killed by a single application of glyphosate. Older plants with a well developed tap root also died back initially, but about 50% of individuals re-sprouted. This re-growth was associated with a significant decrease in tap root diameter, implying that further disturbance, including repeated treatment with glyphosate, would kill plants by impairing their potential for recovery. Unlike some sclerophyllous native shrubs, the tolerance of P. spicata to glyphosate was limited, even when its growth was slowed artificially by limiting water availability. Winter applications of glyphosate to manage infestations of bitou bush will impact adversely on populations of P. spicata and may also affect the other rare and endangered species whose survival is threatened by this species, even though some natives are unaffected by the herbicide. Protecting native biodiversity from bitou bush will involve sustainable weed management that minimises impacts on non-target native species.     

Scanning tunneling spectroscopic evidence for granular metallic conductivity in conducting polymeric polyaniline

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and point-probe electrical conductivity measurements of electrochemically protonated films of the emeraldine-base form of the conducting polymer, polyaniline are reported. The conductivity varies spatially, dependent on the size (L(M) \m=~\ 200 to 300 angstroms) of granular metallic regions which relate directly to the inhomogeneous micromorphology of the electrodeposited films. The normalized conductivity at zero bias is observed to increase with doping, indicating an increase in states at the Fermi level. The STM electronic measurements also show regions of negative differential resistance. Negative differential resistance is observed for all samples, although more frequently on less oxidized samples.     

Prey selection and diets of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus with differing population characteristics in two Nebraska natural lakes

Abstract  Environmental prey samples and stomach contents of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus (Rafinesque) were collected in spring and summer 2000 from two Nebraska Sandhill lakes. Watts Lake contained a low-density bluegill population, whereas Cozad Lake contained a high-density bluegill population. Bluegill diets from both lakes were compared to determine if bluegill prey preference differed between the two populations. The highest median per cent (by calories) of zooplankton in the diet was 1.3%; the remainder was macroinvertebrates. Watts Lake bluegills preferred (based on Manly's alpha) amphipods in spring and chironomids in summer. Cozad Lake bluegills did not show a strong preference (compared with Watts Lake) for any macroinvertebrates, but still utilized amphipods and chironomids during both seasons. Larger bluegills in Watts Lake preferred chironomids in summer, but Cozad Lake bluegills did not exhibit this relationship. The higher density Cozad Lake bluegill population appeared to be more opportunistic than the lower density Watts Lake population, but both preferred macroinvertebrates.