Diversity of the coat protein-coding region among Ilarvirus isolates infecting hop in Australia

Coat protein (CP) sequences of 17 Ilarvirus isolates were obtained from hops at three farms in Tasmania, Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences and additional database sequences indicated several Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) isolate clusters distinct from Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV): one containing isolates from apple; one containing a single isolate from almond; a third containing Australian hop isolates of the 'apple' serotype and a German isolate of unknown origin; and a fourth containing Australian hop isolates of the 'intermediate' serotype. Isolates from hop, pear and prune from the Czech Republic either formed a fifth grouping, or were divergent members of the 'intermediate' serotype group. Deduced amino acid (aa) residue differences between the coat proteins of the two hop isolate serotype groups were highlighted as possible regions of serological differentiation. No evidence for coinfection of plants with both serotypes was found. Tests of ApMV-infected hop buds using the Shirofugen flowering cherry assay revealed a possible differentiation of the two strains based on hypersensitivity. Because of serological similarities to PNRSV, these viruses have commonly been reported as strains of PNRSV. However, this study shows ilarviruses from Australian hops are strains of ApMV, but distinct from those infecting Malus spp.     

Using patch studies to link mesoscale patterns of feeding and growth in larval fish to environmental variability

We present results from a series of three patch studies designed to examine links between environmental variability and mesoscale patterns of feeding and growth of larval radiated shanny ( Ulvaria subbifurcata ). We examine the effects of variability in temperature, turbulence and prey concentration on both the mean (i.e. population level) and the variance (i.e. individual level) of larval feeding and growth rates among the three bays. Although both gut fullness and growth rates differ significantly between bays, our results show only weak environmental influences. When larvae are pooled across bays (i.e. treated as independent observations), environmental factors generally explain <4% of the variability in gut fullness. When treated as daily mean residuals, however, temperature accounts for 41% of the variability in mean gut fullness, while both temperature and prey concentration also explain significant portions of the variance in gut fullness (38 and 43%, respectively). Between-bay differences in larval growth rates are consistent with patterns of temperature variation but not with patterns of prey availability. Studies relying on tracking a single patch of larvae typically suffer from having too few observations to detect significant relationships between feeding or growth and environmental variables. By following three patches we collected a larger number of observations. However, as we encountered only a limited range of environmental conditions it remains difficult to adequately assess the role of environmental factors. In part, this problem stems from the inability of fisheries oceanographers to track the recent environmental history of individual larvae on the same fine scales currently employed to collect biological data (e.g. guts and otoliths) on individuals.     

Australia‘s Lake Eacham rainbow fish: lessons and outlook

Recent DNA comparisons confirm that the endangeredLake Eacham rainbow fish (Melanotaenia eachamensis Allen andCross, 1982) is a separate species, distinct from othermelanotaeniids in the area. Although the large populationformerly in Lake Eacham has not been re-established, other smallnatural populations of M. eachamensis have been identified fromLake Euramoo and Dirran Creek.Commencing with 23 captive individuals (3 14 6 I), representing three original stocks, Project Eachamensis (initiated by the Australia New Guinea Fishes Association in July 1987) has stimulated and actively encouraged the establishment of new captive populations. Approximately 15 captive breeding populations are now reported in eastern Australia -- numbers of individuals are estimated to exceed 1000; additional Bowman and Tappin populations are being maintained in North America and Europe.A recent review of this conservation programme (involving individual aquarists, hobbyist organizations and scientists as well as the aquarium industry and government) has now recommended: an alteration to the conservati on status category from endangered to vulnerable; maintenance of existing captive populations; formulation of a comprehensive recovery plan with the long-term objective of re-establishing and increasing natural populations; and encouraging public education on the risks of translocation.     

Evaluating changes in switchgrass physiology,biomass, and light-use efficiency under artificial shade to estimate yields if intercropped with Pinus taeda L.

There is growing interest in using switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as a biofuel intercrop in forestry systems. However, there are limited data on the longevity of intercropped bioenergy crops, particularly with respect to light availability as the overstory tree canopy matures. Therefore, we conducted a greenhouse study to determine the effects of shading on switchgrass growth. Four treatments, each with different photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels, were investigated inside the greenhouse: control (no shade cloth, 49 % of full sunlight), low (under 36 % shade cloth), medium (under 52 % shade cloth), and heavy shade (under 78 % shade cloth). We determined the effect of shading from March to October 2011 on individually potted, multi-tillered switchgrass transplants cut to a stubble height of 10 cm. In the greenhouse, there was a reduction in tiller number, tiller height, gas exchange rates (photosynthesis and stomatal conductance), leaf area, above- and belowground biomass and light-use efficiency with increasing shade. Total (above- and belowground) biomass in the control measured 374 ± 22 compared to 9 ± 2 g pot^?1 under heavy shade (11 % of full sunlight). Corresponding light-use efficiencies were 3.7 ± 0.2 and 1.4 ± 0.2 g MJ^?1, respectively. We also compared PAR levels and associated aboveground switchgrass biomass from inside the greenhouse to PAR levels in the inter-row regions of a range of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands from across the southeastern United States (U.S.) to estimate when light may limit the growth of intercropped species under field conditions. Results from the light environment of loblolly pine plantations in the field suggest that switchgrass biomass will be significantly reduced at a loblolly pine leaf area index between 1.95 and 2.25, which occurs on average between ages 6 and 8 years across the U.S. Southeast in intensively managed pine plantations. These leaf area indices correspond to a 60–65 % reduction in PAR from open sky.     

Isozyme polymorphism and genetic differentiation in natural populations of an endemic tetraploid species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avena maroccana</Emphasis> in Morocco

A wild tetraploid oat Avena maroccana Gdgr. was collected from the 11 populations in the periphery of Rommani and Casablanca geographic groups of Morocco. Genetic diversity of the species was investigated using six allozyme systems. Allelic frequencies were scored representing eight polymorphic and five monomorphic loci. Coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) was 0.3019, which indicated great genetic differentiation. The number of alleles per locus was 2.6154, the percentage of polymorphic loci was 61.54, and the expected heterozygosity was 0.2462 in all populations. Genetic diversity in A. maroccana was high in comparison to self-pollinated species. In total, nine heterozygotes resulting from outcrossing were found in the progeny from M1, M3, M4, M22 and M26. The population of M7 had peculiar alleles Pgd–2SS and Pgd-1SS in high frequency. M9 had the lowest level of diversity out of the 11 populations. Geographic and genetic distances between all the populations were not significantly correlated with each other (r = 0.0996). Cluster analysis showed that two groups, (M1, M22, M2 and M4) and (M3, M23, M8, M5 and M26) were apparently differentiated. Two populations of the Casablanca group, M7 and M9 were independent from each other, and were separated distinctly from the other populations. Genetic diversity of the Rommani and Casablanca groups was almost the same in all the parameters. This was due to the similar man-made habitat such as roadside or rich fertile soil and brown clay soils. The population size of A. maroccana was small and restricted to the narrow central Morocco with great genetic differentiation so that genetic diversity may be reflected from the results of genetic drift and outcrossing heterozygote segregation.     

Effects of in vitro brevetoxin exposure on apoptosis and cellular metabolism in a leukemic T cell line (Jurkat)

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) of the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, produce red tide toxins, or brevetoxins. Significant health effects associated with red tide toxin exposure have been reported in sea life and in humans, with brevetoxins documented within immune cells from many species. The objective of this research was to investigate potential immunotoxic effects of brevetoxins using a leukemic T cell line (Jurkat) as an in vitro model system. Viability, cell proliferation, and apoptosis assays were conducted using brevetoxin congeners PbTx-2, PbTx-3, and PbTx-6. The effects of in vitro brevetoxin exposure on cell viability and cellular metabolism or proliferation were determined using trypan blue and MTT (1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan), respectively. Using MTT, cellular metabolic activity was decreased in Jurkat cells exposed to 5 – 10 μg/ml PbTx-2 or PbTx-6. After 3 h, no significant effects on cell viability were observed with any toxin congener in concentrations up to 10 μg/ml. Viability decreased dramatically after 24 h in cells treated with PbTx-2 or -6. Apoptosis, as measured by caspase-3 activity, was significantly increased in cells exposed to PbTx-2 or PbTx-6. In summary, brevetoxin congeners varied in effects on Jurkat cells, with PbTx-2 and PbTx-6 eliciting greater cellular effects compared to PbTx-3.     

Hatching success of walleye embryos in relation to maternal and ova characteristics

Abstract – Understanding how maternal and ova traits influence offspring quality is a key issue in both ecological research and fish culture. We examined the survival and size at hatch of walleye embryos in relation to a suite of maternal and ova traits in laboratory incubation trials involving two native walleye populations. Ova were analysed for size, lipid content, fatty acid composition, soluble protein content and size composition, and mineral (Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn) content. Embryonic survival (egg hatching success) varied most consistently with respect to spawning date and maternal age. Embryonic survival increased with maternal age, but other indices of maternal health, such as condition (residual mass at length) or somatic lipid content, did not account for significant amounts of variation. Indices of ova total lipid content, fatty acid composition and mineral composition explained significant variation in embryonic survival not accounted for by maternal age and spawning date, whereas indices of protein content and composition generally explained less variance. Both larval mass and length at hatch were primarily determined by ovum size, but length at hatch was also related to some aspects of ova fatty acid and mineral composition.     

The addition of a pair of chromosomes of the wild oat Avena barbata (2n=28) to the cultivated oat A. sativa L. (2n=42)

Summary The chromosome of A. barbata on which the gene controlling mildew resistance is located, has been added to the complement of the cultivated oat A. sativa. The breeding behaviour of the chromosome addition line is not sufficiently stable to allow the development of cultivars based on these aneuploid lines. However, the monotelocentric addition line involving only the appropriate arm of the barbata chromosome offers distinct possibilities for the development of oat cultivars incorporating the mildew resistance of A. barbata.