Experimental evidence of the effects of a changed matrix on conserving biodiversity within patches of native forest in an industrial plantation landscape

We implemented a replicated before-after-control-impact (BACI) experiment to quantify vertebrate response in native forest patches to a major change in the surrounding exotic Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata) plantation. We contrasted vertebrate occupancy of patches of native eucalypt forest where the surrounding stands of exotic Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata) were clearfelled (termed “treatment patches”) with matched “control patches” where surrounding pine stands remained unlogged. Different species of arboreal marsupials varied in their response to our experimental treatments. The Common Ringtail Possum was unaffected by cutting of the surrounding pine stands, whereas all sightings of the Mountain Brushtail Possum were in control patches. For birds, species richness was significantly reduced by 4–9 species in treatment patches. Birds with cup and dome nests were those negatively affected by the cutting of the surrounding pine stands. They may be susceptible to altered microclimatic conditions or increasing levels of nest predation when the surrounding pine matrix is clearfelled. Our study emphasized how the biota inhabiting retained patches of native forest within plantation landscapes can be changed when stands of surrounding Radiata Pine are clearfelled. In the case of birds, more species will be maintained within eucalypt patches if logging is scheduled so that not all the surrounding pine plantation is clearfelled at once.     

Rapid dispersion of escaped meagre (Argyrosomus regius) from a coastal Mediterranean fish farm

Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is an emerging species in aquaculture considered a locally absent species in the Western Mediterranean. Little is known about meagre escape incidents from farms. To evaluate escape impacts and develop mitigation measures, knowledge about the behaviour of escaped meagre is necessary. In this study, a rapid dispersion of escaped meagre was observed following a simulated escape incident in a coastal Mediterranean farm, using acoustic telemetry (acoustic tag: AT) and mark‐and‐recapture techniques (external tag: ET). A small proportion of AT meagre (22.7%) remained within the farm boundaries 24 h after the simulated escape. A total of 84 meagre (9.2%) were captured by local trammel netters nearby the farm facility within the first 48 h after escape. Only two AT individuals (15.3%) were detected by acoustic receivers located in coastal areas within 2 days after dispersal from the farm and eight ET meagre (0.8%) were recaptured along the shoreline during the first week. Two AT individuals (15.3%) were considered to be dead by predation few hours after escape. The rest of the AT individuals (N = 6, 46.2%) left the facility alive, and they were never detected by receivers nor reported back by fishermen. Thus, our results highlight the necessity of establishing escape mitigation strategies at Mediterranean fish farms, i.e. recapture programmes 24–48 h after the escape incident in collaboration with local fishermen, to diminish potential impacts related to meagre escapees.     

Spatiotemporal variability in the phenology of the initial intra‐annual molt of American lobster (Homarus americanus Milne Edwards, 1837) and its relationship with bottom temperatures in a changing Gulf of Maine

This study uses the Maine Department of Marine Resources Lobster Sea Sampling data (2000–2016) and logistic models to develop the first time series for the timing and suddenness of onset of the initial intra‐annual molt of American lobster in the Gulf of Maine (GoM), an annual fishery recruitment event crucial to fishermen. Data from three GoM regions (eastern, central, and western coastal Maine) were further divided by sex and estimated maturity of sampled lobsters for analysis. We found differences in the patterns of initial molt timing and suddenness between the regions, sexes, and stages of maturity. Using the Northeast Coastal Ocean Forecasting System hindcast temperatures, seasonal accumulated degrees above 5°C were used to describe the thermal history for each region at ocean depths of about 5 and 110 m. These temperature metrics were used in generalized linear models to investigate the potential effects of seasonal temperatures on the initial molt season. Results showed that initial intra‐annual molting of lobsters was variable from 2000 to 2016, with periods of both earlier and more sudden molts and later and more protracted molts. Warmer temperatures, specifically inshore temperatures, were generally associated with an earlier molt, but without complete uniformity in the direction and magnitude across seasons, regions, and lobster demographics. We also discuss why developing molt time series and quantifying the connection to the bottom temperatures are necessary and emphasized why existing monitoring programs and the applied quantification techniques herein make this relationship difficult to quantify.     

Maxillomandibular Circular External Skeletal Fixation for Repair of Bilateral Fractures of the Caudal Aspect of the Mandible in a Dog

Objective: To describe the novel use of circular external skeletal fixation (CESF) for repair of bilateral fractures of the caudal aspect of the mandibles. Study Design: Clinical report. Animals: A 5‐month‐old female Newfoundland. Methods: A 2‐ring CESF was used to immobilize the mandible relative to the maxillae. Results: Anatomic dental occlusion and reduction of the right hemimandible were achieved with mild malalignment of the left hemimandible. Fracture healing occurred within 20 days. Transient epistaxis and reduced temporomandibular joint range of motion occurred at the time of fixator removal but normal use of the mandible was reported 6 months postoperatively. Conclusions: CESF effectively immobilized the mandible permitting rapid fracture healing with minimal morbidity. Clinical Relevance: Maxillomandibular CESF may represent a simple, effective option for the management of challenging fractures involving the caudal aspect of the mandible.     

Improved approach for analyzing bromophenols in seafood using stable isotope dilution analysis in combination with SPME

An analytical method for the measurement of five naturally occurring bromophenols of sensory relevance in seafood (barramundi and prawns) is presented. The method combines simultaneous distillation-extraction followed by alkaline back extraction of a hexane extract and subsequent acetylation of the bromophenols. Analysis of the bromophenol acetates was accomplished by headspace solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using selected ion monitoring. The addition of (13)C 6 bromophenol stable isotope internal standards for each of the five congeners studied permitted the accurate quantitation of 2-bromophenol, 4-bromophenol, 2,6-dibromophenol, 2,4-dibromophenol, and 2,4,6-tribromophenol down to a limit of quantification of 0.05 ng/g of fish flesh. The method indicated acceptable precision and repeatability and excellent linearity over the typical concentration range of these compounds in seafood (0.5-50 ng/g). The analytical method was applied to determine the concentration of bromophenols in a range of farmed and wild barramundi and prawns and was also used to monitor bromophenol uptake in a pilot feeding trial.     

Association of KASP markers with Hessian fly resistance in wheat of diverse origin

Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor (Say)) is a major pest in wheat producing areas of United States, Canada, Europe, and North Africa but has not been found in Australia. Host plant resistance is thought to involve a similar strategy used against plant pathogen, and in this study, we sought to investigate whether disease-resistance gene markers can also be useful in selecting against Hessian fly attack. The genome-wide association study involved 251 wheat genotypes of diverse origin and 72 SNPs, selected on the basis of significant similarity of their associated contig sequences to putative disease resistance genes. A novel statistical approach for genome-wide scan was applied, which utilised genotype data scored as Null alleles in the mixed model, instead of deleting or treating them as missing alleles. The analyses identified four markers with significant associations at the 5% level, after applying the false discovery rate. These were located on chromosomes 4A, 4B, 5A and 7D, with the 5A locus mapping to the cluster of major genes that confer resistance to multiple Hessian fly biotypes. Amongst the diverse wheat accessions analysed, most of the susceptible phenotypes carried the A–G–C–C haplotype at the BS00064369, BS00007416, BS00077047 and HfrDrd_nt_143 loci, respectively. When heterozygotes were excluded, all the Australian wheat accessions carried this allelic combination. The combination of alleles conferring resistance depended on the origin of the wheat accessions, with ICARDA accessions carrying a preponderance of the C–C–CG–T. Of the 11 USA accessions used for this study, only Lola carried a favourable combination of alleles for resistance at these loci.     

Distribution of Heavy Metals and Minerals in the Various Size Fractions of Soil from Copșa Mică, România

The Cop?a Mic? area is one of the most polluted anthropic sites in Romania. Because higher heavy metal concentrations occur in finer fractions, this research focuses on the size fraction <?500 μm. Two kilograms soil sample was sieved on the 500-μm sieve and was air classified into size fractions down to the low micrometer range. The size fraction’s composition was investigated by ICP-OES IC, XRD, and FTIR spectrometry. Approximately 80 and 62% of the material was smaller than 2 mm and <?500 μm, respectively. The predominant size fraction had a mass median diameter (MMD) of approximately 75 μm. The smallest size fraction with a MMD of 2.2 μm had a share of 3.6% and contained the highest amount of heavy metals. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Sb, and As exceeded the legally regulated values for soils according to Romanian legislation. The respective concentrations were 26,900, 27,600, 415, 2130, 466, and 915 mg·kg^?1. In the coarser size fractions 5, 4, and 3, the predominant minerals were quartz and alkaline feldspar, while in the finer size fractions 1 and 2, the clay minerals and total carbon (TC) were predominant. Illites and montmorillonites in the fine fraction composition retain heavy metals due to the high levels of cation exchange capacity. Black carbon accumulated in soil acts as a heavy metal adsorbent due to its porosity and high specific surface area. The good correlation between heavy metals and TC in the top soil can be an indicator of the level of heavy metal pollution.