Do boating and basking mix? The effect of basking disturbances by motorboats on the body temperature and energy budget of the northern map turtle

1. Basking is the primary mechanism used by many freshwater turtles to maintain their body temperature (T_b) in a range that maximizes physiological performance. Basking turtles are easily disturbed by motorboats, but the consequences of the increasingly popular use of motorboats on turtles is largely unknown.
2. In this work, predictive models built from field and laboratory data were used to assess the effects of the frequency of basking disturbance by motorboats on T_b and metabolic rate (MR) of female northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica), a species of conservation concern.
3. Simulations revealed that the effects of boat disturbance vary seasonally. In early May, a conservative estimate of the disturbance rate (0.15 per hour) resulted in a 0.34°C decrease in mean daily T_b, which translated to a 7.8% reduction in mean MR. In June, July and August, owing to warmer lake temperatures, the effect of disturbance was less marked and the observed disturbance rates (0.32, 0.96 and 1.23 per hour, respectively) reduced the mean MR of an adult female by 2.1%, 0.5%, and 0.4 %, respectively.
4. Reduction in MR decreases the rate of energy assimilation, which could translate into sublethal effects on turtles, such as reduced growth and reproductive output.
5. Motorboat usage is increasing in many areas and is probably affecting other species of freshwater turtles that use aerial basking. This study offers important insights on the implications of disturbances for species that bask.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exposure assessment of professional pesticide users during treatment of potato fields

In this study four different mixing/loading and application practices in potato fields were monitored for exposure of operators to pesticides. Each operation – mixing, loading, and application – was measured individually in order to assess its relative contribution to the total exposure value. Inhalation exposure was measured by trapping the pesticides with a sorbent tube while sampling the air around the operator's face. Dermal deposition, which was measured by means of cotton gloves on the hands and by attaching patches to the operator's clothing, was the main contributor to the total exposure. Dermal deposition on the hands during mixing and loading exceeded all other dermal values. The experimental results are compared with the results obtained by the exposure assessment model PHED V1.1. This model gives an underestimation of the levels of operator exposure during mixing, loading and application. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Community-based alternative breeding plans for indigenous sheep breeds in four agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia

Based on the results of participatory approaches to define traits in the breeding objectives, four scenarios of ram selection and ram use were compared via deterministic modelling of breeding plans for community-based sheep breeding programmes in four diverse agro-ecological regions of Ethiopia. The regions (and production systems) were Afar (pastoral/agro-pastoral), Bonga and Horro (both mixed crop-livestock) and Menz (sheep-barley). The schemes or scenarios differed in terms of selection intensity and duration of ram use. The predicted genetic gains per year in yearling weight (kilograms) were comparable across the schemes but differed among the breeds and ranged from 0.399 to 0.440 in Afar, 0.813 to 0.894 in Bonga, 0.850 to 0.940 in Horro, and 0.616 to 0.699 in Menz. The genetic gains per year in number of lambs born per ewe bred ranged from 0.009 to 0.010 in both Bonga and Horro. The predicted genetic gain in the proportion of lambs weaned per ewe joined was nearly comparable in all breeds ranging from 0.008 to 0.011. The genetic gain per year in milk yield of Afar breed was in the order of 0.018 to 0.020 kg, while the genetic gain per generation for greasy fleece weight (kg) ranged from 0.016 to 0.024 in Menz. Generally, strong selection and shorter duration of ram use for breeding were the preferred options. The expected genetic gains are satisfactory but largely rely on accurate and continuous pedigree and performance recording.     

Reference values of respiratory and peripheral muscle function in rats

Skeletal muscle dysfunction is a common systemic manifestation in several prevalent diseases. Predictive values are useful tools for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. In experimental animals, no reference values of muscle function evaluation have been so far reported. The objective was to obtain predictive values of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and grip strength measurements in healthy rats. In 70 healthy rats, MIP and grip strength were measured in vivo weekly for five consecutive weeks using non‐invasive methodologies. Three ranges of rat body weights (250–299, 300–349 and 350–399 g) and lengths (37.0–41.0, 41.1–42.0 and 42.1–44.0 cm) were established. MIP and grip strength measurements falling within the ranges of weight 350–399 and 300–349 g and length 42.1–44.0 cm were significantly greater than values falling within 250–299 g and 37.0–41.0 cm ranges respectively. Specific weight‐ and length‐percentile distributions for MIP and grip strength measurements were calculated. As significant direct correlations were observed between rat weights and lengths and either MIP or grip strength measurements, regression equations relating all these variables were also determined. Skeletal muscle dysfunction is frequently associated with highly prevalent conditions. The significant predictive equations described for both MIP and grip strength measurements will enable scientists to better estimate the respiratory and peripheral muscle dysfunctions of laboratory animals, especially when conducting follow‐up and/or intervention investigations.