Bat white-nose syndrome: an emerging fungal pathogen?

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a condition associated with an unprecedented bat mortality event in the northeastern United States. Since the winter of 2006*2007, bat declines exceeding 75% have been observed at surveyed hibernacula. Affected bats often present with visually striking white fungal growth on their muzzles, ears, and/or wing membranes. Direct microscopy and culture analyses demonstrated that the skin of WNS-affected bats is colonized by a psychrophilic fungus that is phylogenetically related to Geomyces spp. but with a conidial morphology distinct from characterized members of this genus. This report characterizes the cutaneous fungal infection associated with WNS.     

Repellent and Oviposition-Deterring Effects of Hop Beta-Acids on the Two-Spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae

Colupulone, the main component of the beta-acid fraction of hop extracts, was shown to repel the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch from the surface of plant leaves. The total beta-acid fraction was found more effective in repelling the mites and reducing the number of eggs laid than colupulone at equivalent concentrations, suggesting that other components of the extract have repellent and oviposition-deterring effects.     

Monitoring the Exposure of Barn Owls to Second-Generation Rodenticides in Southern Eire

In an extensive field study conducted over five counties in southern Eire during the winter of 1988–89, 19 Barn Owl (Tyto alba) roosts and/or nests were located. The local farmers and landowners within about a one-mile radius of the Barn Owl sites were surveyed concerning their use of rodenticides and observations of any secondary rodenticide toxicity effects. Regurgitated owl pellets were collected: (a) for dissection and prey analysis, and (b) for chemical analysis to determine residues of the second-generation rodenticides, brodifacoum, difenacoum and flocoumafen. Most farmers interviewed used rodenticide baits (73%), and almost all (92%) stated that they took precautions to protect domestic and wild non-target animals. The four rodent species, brown rat, wood mouse, house mouse and bank vole provided 83% of the Barn Owl diet, and birds contributed another 12%. At least 97% of the 89 pellets analysed contained less than the limit of determination of the three second-generation rodenticides, 0·01–0·02 mg kg⁻¹ of each isomer. Apparent residues in the remainder were likely to be the result of interference from co-extracted material. These results indicated that during the monitoring period, none of the owls studied was exposed to significant residues of these rodenticides in their prey.     

Spatial and seasonal differences in the top predators of Easter Island: Essential data for implementing the new Rapa Nui multiple‐uses marine protected area

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Role of organic fertilizers in walleye (Sander vitreus) production in plastic‐lined culture ponds

This study used six 0.04 ha plastic‐lined ponds to compare the effects of a fertilization regime using a one‐time initial application of an organic fertilizer (alfalfa pellets) with the current regime of weekly applications of organic fertilizers on the abundance and distribution of aquatic invertebrates and walleye, Sander vitreus, fingerling production. Walleye, 3–4 days post hatch, were stocked on 1 May 2002 and harvested on 6–7 June 2002. Throughout the growing season, a ratio of 7:1 total nitrate‐nitrogen to total phosphorus was maintained in all ponds regardless of the treatment. Once fry were stocked, ponds in Treatment #1 were fertilized weekly with organic fertilizer (alfalfa pellets; 112 kg ha^?1 week^?1) for a total of 795 kg ha^?1 pond^?1. Ponds in Treatment #2 only received an initial application of alfalfa pellets (112 kg ha^?1). Ponds in Treatment #1 had significantly higher ammonia and nitrate levels as well as higher chironomid larvae but not zooplankton compared with the other treatment. At harvest, walleye in the Treatment #1 ponds were significantly longer and heavier; however, the survival and relative weight were not significantly different. These results suggest that weekly applications of organics are important for the benthic food base and growth of fingerling walleye reared in plastic‐lined ponds.     

Effects of garlic (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium sativum</Emphasis>) juice containing allicin on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestans</Emphasis> and downy mildew of cucumber caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudoperonospora cubensis</Emphasis>

The volatile antimicrobial substance allicin (diallylthiosulphinate) is produced in garlic when the tissues are damaged and the substrate allicin (S-allyl-l-cysteine sulphoxide) mixes with the enzyme alliin-lyase (E.C.4.4.1.4). Allicin undergoes thiol-disulphide exchange reactions with free thiol groups in proteins and it is thought that this is the basis of its antimicrobial action. At 50 μg ml^-1, allicin in garlic juice inhibited the germination of sporangia and cysts and subsequent germ tube growth by Phytophthora infestans both in vitro and in vivo on the leaf surface. Disease severity in P. infestans-infected tomato seedlings was also reduced by spraying leaves with garlic juice containing allicin over the range tested (55–110 μg ml⁻¹) with an effectiveness ranging from approximately 45–100%. Similarly, in growth room experiments at concentrations from 50–1,000 μg ml⁻¹, allicin in garlic juice reduced the severity of cucumber downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis by approximately 50–100%. These results suggest a potential for developing preparations from garlic for use in specialised aspects of organic farming, e.g. for reducing pathogen inoculum potential and perhaps for use under glass in horticulture.     

Changing usage and value in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) program

An important element in the U.S. management of fisheries in the North Pacific is the existence of Community Development Quotas (CDQs) which grant community corporations the right to fish in many fisheries off the coast of Alaska. The eastern Bering Sea pollock fishery is the largest of these fisheries, with 10 % of the quota allocated to CDQs. The CDQ program evolved from a partial catch share program that existed from 1992 to 1999 within a limited-entry fishery to a full catch share program with separate spatial rights. In this paper I examine the temporal and spatial uses of CDQ rights and how these uses have changed since the implementation of catch shares throughout the fishery. I also discuss the dispersion of CDQ royalties since the program’s inception and examine the prices of CDQ fishing rights from 1992 to 2005 when data on quota value were reported to the government. I compare quota prices to information about walleye pollock fishing and examine the evolving use of CDQ rights. The use of the CDQ right has changed from extending the season to enabling fishing in otherwise closed areas during the season. The number of vessels fishing with CDQ rights has declined substantially, with all pollock CDQ fishing now done by at-sea processors.