Internal parasites of possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) from Kawau Island,Chatham Island and Stewart Island

As part of a search for pathogens that might be useful agents for biological control of possums, the three largest offshore islands of New Zealand that still have possums were surveyed to determine the pathogens present in these isolated populations. Brushtail possums from Kawau Island (n = 158), Chatham Island (n = 214) and Stewart Island (n = 194) were examined for internal parasites.

Possums from Kawau Island were infected with Eimeria spp. (16.7%), Bertiella trichosuri (5.2%) and Parastrongyloides trichosuri (15.5%). No Paraustrostrongylus trichosuri or Trichostrongylus spp. were found. Possums from Chatham Island were infected with Eimeria spp. (10.9%). Bertiella trichosuri (3.6%), T. colubriformis (6.6%), T. retortaeformis (1%) and T. vitrinus (0.5%). No Parastrongyloides or Paraustrostrongylus spp. were found. Possums from Stewart Island were infected only with Eimeria spp. (4.6%).

Because of their paucity of some parasites, the opportunity exists to use these offshore islands to study the introduction and spread of a parasite into a possum population, and what technology would be required to bring it to hyperendemicity.     

不同农业管理措施对土壤线虫的影响

研究了不同农业管理措施对土壤线虫的影响,结果表明:日光温室中土壤线虫的优势种群为食细菌的小杆线虫(Rhabditis),常规农田中优势种群为食细菌的小杆线虫和植食性的螺旋线虫(Helicotylenchus),休闲地中优势种群为植食性线虫,包括螺旋线虫、盘旋线虫(Rotylenchus)和丝尾垫刃线虫(Filenchus);线虫的多样性、丰富度、ΣMI、EI、SI指数表明日光温室所受到土壤线虫的扰动最强,常规农田次之,休闲地所受干扰最小;PPI/MI、WI、BI、CI指数表明日光温室土壤营养丰富,常规农田和休闲地营养贫瘠.     

Effect of desert plant ecophysiological adaptation on soil nematode communities

Nutrient source limitation in desert ecosystems enhances competition among plant communities, leading to creation of microhabitats beneath the shrubs that can determine composition and abundance of soil organisms. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of plant ecophysiological adaptation on soil nematode communities in the rhizosphere of tightly interweaving shrubby communities. Soil samples were collected monthly under the canopies of three perennial desert shrubs: Artemesia herba-alba, possessing the allelopathic ability to dominate in relationships with other plants; Reaumuria negevensis, a salt-resistant plant; and Noea mucronata, a typical dry desert shrub. An inter-plant area was used as a control. The results demonstrated that soil water content (SWC) and total organic carbon (C_org) were significantly different under different plants and inter-plant areas, with the highest values found under R. negevensis (SWC) and N. mucronata and R. negevensis (C_org). Plant parasite and omnivore-predator nematodes were more sensitive to the ecophysiological individual features of observed plants versus the total number of nematodes and bacteria- and fungi-feeding nematodes. Generally accepted ecological indices such as Wasilewska (WI), trophic diversity (T), maturity (MI, MMI), basal (BI), enrichment (EI), structure (SI), and channel (CI), pointed to specific ecological conditions under canopies of the observed plants.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation of the dog hookworm Ancylostoma caninum in Brazilian populations

The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene was partially sequenced for 164 Ancylostoma caninum individuals, originating from five different localities in Brazil, with the aim of describing the genetic diversity and genetic structure of Brazilian hookworm populations. Allelic and nucleotide diversity were moderate (overall h=0.88 and pi=0.016) and were similar among cities. There was moderate genetic differentiation among the populations sampled (approximately Phi(ST)=0.12) and a weak but nonsignificant correlation between geographical and genetic distance. This genetic structure was similar to that observed among populations of the human hookworm, Necator americanus, but distinct from that typically found in trichostrongylid nematode parasites of livestock. Thus, a pattern of different genetic structures among different groups of nematodes is emerging. We also observed a few individuals that had a highly divergent mtDNA sequence (almost 7% sequence divergence from the other sequences). These results in combination with data from other studies suggest that A. caninum populations worldwide consist of a mix of previously differentiated populations, or perhaps even cryptic species. This study contributes to the knowledge of genetic structure and diversity of hookworms, which in turn will be useful in developing methods for their control.     

前茬作物对番茄根接线虫和枯萎病发生的影响

前茬作物无论种植芹菜还是种植番茄,本茬作物(番茄)根结线虫病发病率无显著差异,但发病程度差异显著,种植芹菜的大棚,根结线虫病发生明显较轻;番茄枯萎病的发生与根结线虫有同样趋势。说明番茄与芹菜轮作,虽然不能根除根结线虫病的发生,但能明显减轻根结线虫和枯萎病的为害。     

Relationships among peripheral eosinophilia, eosinophil peroxidase activity, interleukin-5 concentration and faecal nematode egg count during natural, mixed gastrointestinal nematode infection

A longitudinal study of sheep, naturally infected with gastrointestinal helminths, was carried out to quantify the relationships among eosinophilia, eosinophil peroxidase activity, interleukin-5 level and faecal egg counts. Faecal egg counts, peripheral eosinophilia and peroxidase activity per eosinophil were moderately repeatable but interleukin-5 concentrations had a remarkably high repeatability. Animals with higher concentrations of interleukin-5 had greater peripheral eosinophilia and those animals with higher numbers of eosinophils had lower faecal egg counts. These associations were statistically significant but quite weak. Variation in interleukin-5 levels does not appear to be responsible for most of the variation in eosinophil responses in outbred sheep.     

萝卜抗根线虫基因导入油菜的研究

甘蓝型油菜与萝卜的属间不育杂种（ACR）经0．1％秋水仙素溶液处理杂种小苗,使杂种小苗的染色体加倍产生可育株,获得了31％可育的异源倍性植株。再用甘蓝型油菜与之回交,应用胚胎挽救技术产生了133株回交后代（BC1）的杂种株。从这些杂种株中筛选出部分抗线虫性强的杂交后代,证明通过染色体工程可以将萝卜中抗线虫的基因转移到甘蓝型油菜中。     

Nematode resistance in bananas: screening results on some wild and cultivated accessions of Musa spp.

Bananas cultivated for export all belong to Cavendish cultivars and are all recognized as very susceptible to nematodes, particularly to the burrowing nematode Radopholus similis and the lesion nematode Pratylenchus coffeae. Even if there have been many changes in the management of banana nematodes in large commercial banana plantations, chemical control still remains most often the last resort method to manage the nematodes, although the number of registered products is definitely declining. Therefore, nematode control though genetic improvement is gaining new interest worldwide. In this study, 55 banana accessions mostly diploids from the Musa acuminata genome group (AA) but including some triploid accessions (AAA), some diploids of the Musa balbisiana genome group (BB) and some interspecific hybrids (AAB, AB) were evaluated for resistance to four nematode species R. similis, P. coffeae, Meloidogyne incognita and M. arenaria. These experiments were conducted in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. All banana accessions were susceptible to nematode species, although many different levels of susceptibility were detected. This study confirmed the good resistance status to R. similis of some cultivars from the Pisang jari buaya and Pisang batuau subgroups and the partial resistance of 17 diploid accessions significantly different from the susceptible reference cv. Grande Naine. This study also showed that 12 diploid accessions exhibited a partial resistance to P. coffeae, including some usual or potential genitors belonging to the wild diploids subspecies burmannica (cvs. Long Tavoy 1 and 2) and burmannicoides (cv. Calcutta 4). No source of resistance to Meloidogyne spp. was found. These screening results, combining for the first time four nematode species, are discussed within the scope of banana breeding in order to produce parental diploid lines with single or combined nematode resistances and further develop triploids that can substitute existing susceptible commercial cultivars.     

Suitability of weed species prevailing in Spanish vineyards as hosts for root-knot nematodes

Commercial vineyards in southern Spain were surveyed and sampled during October to December 2004 to determine the extent to which common weeds present were suitable hosts of root-knot nematodes infesting soils of those vineyards. Seven weed species commonly growing in grapevine soils in southern Spain were found infected by either Meloidogyne incognita or M. javanica: Amaranthus retroflexus (redroot pigweed), Anchusa azurea (ox-tongue), Chenopodium album (goosefoot), Erodium moschatum (musk stork’s bill), Malva rotundifolia (low mallow), Sinapis alba (white mustard), and Solanum nigrum (black nightshade). The host suitability of the weeds to root-knot nematodes was evaluated on the basis of root galling severity and nematode population densities in soil and roots. Also, the host–parasite relationship in these naturally Meloidogyne-infected weeds was examined. All the weed species in the study were considered suitable hosts for M. incognita and M. javanica because: (a) high Meloidogyne spp. populations occurred in roots and surrounding soil of the weed species; (b) the severity of root galling was high, and (c) well-established permanent feeding sites were observed in the histopathological studies of infected root tissues. In addition, this study presents the first reports of S. alba and A. azurea as hosts for M. incognita, and of E. moschatum as a new host for M. javanica, thus increasing the list of reported weed hosts for Meloidogyne spp. These results indicate that noticeable population densities of M. incognita and M. javanica can be maintained or increased in these weeds, at population levels higher than those previously reported for the same nematodes infecting grapevine roots. The weeds infesting vineyards thus represent an important source of inoculum of Meloidogyne spp., and furthermore may act as reservoirs of these nematodes which can be disseminated within or among vineyards by agricultural operations.     

Assessment of nematicidal properties and phytochemical screening of neem seed formulations using Radopholus similis, parasitic nematode of plantain in Cameroon

Phytoparasitic nematodes of banana and plantain make one of the major constraints to sustainable banana and plantain production. The burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis, common in Cameroon is of particular importance where most smallholder farmers are unaware of this “hidden enemy”. In intensive plantain plantations, nematicides are often used as a primary means of control. Despite their efficacy, chemical pesticides are harmful to the environment and human health. The objective of this study was to assess the nematicidal properties of four neem seed formulations (raw neem seed powder (NSP); organic, watery and essential oil extracts) and to determine the phytochemical properties of these extracts. Alkaloids, saponins, triterpens and steroids were found in all three extracts, tannins in the organic and essential oils extracts and phenols only in the essential oils extract. Using five different concentrations of each of the three extracts as well as NSP, the nematicidal properties of all four formulations was confirmed. The NSP killed 100% of all nematodes at the lowest concentration tested, 10 μg ml⁻¹, after 48 h. The in vivo test using two plantain varieties, Essong and Big Ebanga showed that all neem seed formulations increased plant growth and reduced nematode populations significantly when compared with the control. Since NSP seems to perform as well or even better than the extracts, it could provide farmers with a simple, low cost alternative for the control of banana and plantain nematodes.