Long-term development of fish populations in the Římov Reservoir

Abstract  The inshore fish community of the Římov Reservoir in the Czech Republic was evaluated over 21 years using shore seining at night. The development of the fish community was divided into two separate phases: a highly dynamic and unstable phase dominated by perch, Perca fluviatilis L., was replaced by an extremely stable cyprinid phase dominated by roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), and bream, Abramis brama (L.). The abundance of both these species oscillated during the cyprinid phase, but with decreasing amplitude. The proportion of piscivorous fish species such as asp, Aspius aspius (L.), pike, Esox lucius L., and pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), increased slightly with time but remained low. The biomass of large Cladocera was negatively correlated with fish biomass only during the perch phase. The Shannon–Weaver index of diversity increased during the fish community succession, mainly because of greater evenness amongst the species.     

Effects of stocking on the genetic structure of brown trout,Salmo trutta,in Central Europe inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers

Abstract Stocking has had a considerable effect on wild brown trout, Salmo trutta L., populations throughout Europe. To elucidate this impact and to outline further management strategies, the genetic structure of 25 wild populations and five hatchery stocks from Czech Republic and Slovakia were analysed using mitochondrial (control region) and nuclear DNA (microsatellites, LDH‐C1*) markers. Stocking practices have caused massive hybridisation between the Atlantic and Danube brown trout strains in the central Danube basin and have lead to a loss of among‐population divergence in Slovakia and the eastern part of Czech Republic. Comparison with studies from neighbouring countries revealed substantial differences in haplotype, allele frequencies and genetic diversity across Central Europe. Differences in stocking management and origin of breeding stocks appear to be crucial factors for the spatial variability of the genetic structure of brown trout.     

Analysis of viral load between different tissues and rate of progression of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Penaeus monodon

At present the most common and most devastating disease of shrimp is caused by the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), which has spread throughout the world mainly by different species of crustaceans carrying the virus. After experimental injection of Penaeus monodon with a known copy number of WSSV in the abdominal muscle, the rate of viral progression in different tissues at 12, 24, 36 and 48 hpi (hours post infection) was assessed using quantitative real‐time PCR. At 12 hpi the viral load was highest in haemocytes followed by pleopod, muscle and gills whereas at 48 hpi, the gills, the main target of WSSV, showed the highest viral load followed by pleopod, muscle and haemocytes. Viral copy number in the haemocytes was the lowest beyond 12 hpi indicating a remarkable reduction in the rate of viral replication in haemocytes compared with other tissues. The viral load in haemocytes, though increased again beyond 36 hpi, never surpassed the load in the other tissues. The real‐time PCR assay with its high sensitivity and wide dynamic range make it ideal for detecting low‐level WSSV infections that can occur in apparently healthy P. monodon.     

Gas exchange characteristics of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) leaves

We used the plastochron index to study the relationship between plant age, leaf age and development, and net photosynthesis of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) seedlings. Leaf area and net photosynthesis were measured on all leaves >/= 75 mm of plants ranging in age from 7 to 20 plastochrons. Effects of plant developmental stage on leaf area and net photosynthesis were evaluated for leaves of differing age (horizontal series), leaves on plants of constant age (vertical series), and leaves of constant age (oblique series). Regression techniques were used to estimate leaf area from leaf blade dimensions. The best equations for predicting leaf area had R(2) values of 0.991-0.992 and used linear or logarithmic functions of both leaf length and width. Suitable, but less precise, equations with R(2) values of 0.946-0.962 were developed from either leaf length or leaf width. Leaf area development in black cherry seedlings was similar to that in other indeterminate species. Leaves of young plants reached full expansion at a lower leaf plastochron age than leaves of older plants. Maximum net photosynthesis per unit leaf area occurred 2-3 plastochrons before full leaf expansion. There was strong ontogenetic drift in net photosynthesis with leaf age; net photosynthesis decreased as plant age increased in leaves of the same plastochron age. Plots of the oblique series were particularly useful in providing information about interaction effects.     

Spatial Response of Mammals to Late Quaternary Environmental Fluctuations

Analyses of fossil mammal faunas from 2945 localities in the United States demonstrate that the geographic ranges of individual species shifted at different times, in different directions, and at different rates in response to late Quaternary environmental fluctuations. The geographic pattern of faunal provinces was similar for the late Pleistocene and late Holocene, but differing environmental gradients resulted in dissimilar species composition for these biogeographic regions. Modern community patterns emerged only in the last few thousand years, and many late Pleistocene communities do not have modern analogs. Faunal heterogeneity was greater in the late Pleistocene.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) in culture fluids and tissue homogenates of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Abstract. A double antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is described. The sensitivity of the assay reached 10² TCID₅₀ per 0·1 ml of culture fluid. The specificity of anti-IPNV sera and of the assay was confirmed by agar-gel immunodiffusion, by the direct immunoperoxidase technique for the deletion of IPNV in tissue cultures and by the ELISA inhibition test. High values of specific inhibition (over 90% at serum dilutions 1:40–1:2560) and low values of non-specific inhibition (8·4% at serum dilution 1:160) demonstrated the quality of the rabbit anti-IPNV serum. The results of ELISA agreed well with those of virological examinations. The potential of ELISA for investigations of a large series of field samples is discussed.     

斯洛伐克农田土壤环境学指标的研究

The soil environmental index(SEI),which is a four digit code system,represents relatively homogenous spatial unit with specific soil capacity to provide ecological or non-production functions.This work aimed to present information on rating and economic evaluation of SEI,which is a spatial identifier used for expressing heterogeneity of Slovak agricultural soil to support analysis of soil ecological functions.In this study,SEI index expressed the capacity of soil to accumulate water,immobilise the risk elements and substances and transform risk substances(organic pollutants).Partial evaluations of soil capacity to provide above mentioned functions were used to derive final SEI values.Within the agricultural soils of Slovakia there were 493 combinations of soil environmental index.Each index was expressed through rating(point)value and economic value.Average value of Slovak agricultural land to provide selected ecological soil functions was 55.3 points,which corresponded to 35.946 billionper agricultural land or approximately 1.42per square meter.Spatial identification of SEI codes and relevant database were developed in vector form via geographical information systems of Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute,Bratislava.In addition to using the national soil database system,a strategy was presented for evaluating and pricing of soil ecological function,and the development of an soil environmental index.Assessment and evaluation of vitally important soil functions expressed by SEI can significantly contribute to planning and protection of the soil,and can regulate indiscriminate anthropic interventions in land use decisions.     

Veterinarians' preferences for anticonvulsant drugs for treating seizure disorders in dogs and cats

Objective   To identify veterinarians' approaches and concerns when managing canine and feline patients with acute and chronic seizure disorders.
Design   Cross-sectional survey.
Method   A questionnaire was distributed to veterinarians to determine how many dogs and cats they were actively treating for seizures, their anticonvulsant drug (ACD) preferences for treating acute and chronic seizure disorders and whether serum anticonvulsant concentrations and/or biochemical analytes were routinely measured. Additional questions involved the respondent's year and place of graduation and identified concerns they faced when managing patients with seizure disorders.
Results   Phenobarbitone was the most commonly used ACD for managing chronic seizure disorders in both dogs and cats, with 82% of respondents using a combination of phenobarbitone and potassium bromide to manage refractory seizure disorders in dogs. Most respondents (96%) felt comfortable managing seizures in dogs, but only 63% were comfortable managing affected cats. Routine monitoring of serum ACD concentrations and of liver biochemical analytes was performed routinely by 71% and 45% of respondents, respectively. Of the respondents, 86% graduated from Australian universities and of these 53% had graduated after 1985.
Conclusion   Veterinarians identified when to commence medication, whether regular monitoring of serum ACD concentrations and liver enzyme activity was necessary, and if the cost was justified. Veterinarians also identified the need to balance dose rates and side-effects by using combination therapy, and the importance of providing accurate information to clients about what to expect in terms of seizure control for their pet.