Quarantine requirements for the importation of black rhinoceros from Zimbabwe into Australia

SUMMARY The proposal by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales to import 10 southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe as part of an international project for conservation of the species presented the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) with a unique challenge. This importation is, at least in the modern era, the first importation of live herbivores from the African continent. Many of the serious animal diseases in the world are endemic in parts of Africa. Knowledge of which of these diseases infect wild species and may be transmitted from the wild species to domesticated species, is limited. This paper describes the strategies adopted by AQIS to facilitate the importation of rhinoceros while maintaining protection of Australian consumers, rural industries, domestic livestock and fauna against the entry and spread of unwanted pests and diseases.     

Review: The strobilurin fungicides

The original article to which this Correction refers was published in Pest Management Science 58 (7): 649–662 (2002).Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The conservation of the endangered Mediterranean common dolphin (Delphinus delphis): Current knowledge and research priorities

1. Preservation of endangered species is now recognized as a relevant component of regional and global conservation actions achieved through the maintenance of the remaining populations in a favourable conservation status. The Mediterranean common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is listed as an Endangered subpopulation in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, with declining numbers in some of the areas where it has been studied for numerous years. Prey depletion, fisheries bycatch, pollution, health risks, and climate change are among the recognized threats that the species is facing in the region.
2. The existing national, regional, and international legislation pertinent to Mediterranean countries should aid greater science–policy–management integration and support innovative research and monitoring towards effective conservation. The challenges inherent in studying the pelagic D. delphis should not preclude the use of long-term, year-round, multiplatform surveys, side by side with the latest molecular tools, which aid our understanding of its populations' genetic diversity, resistance to diseases, and resilience in a semi-enclosed fast-changing sea.
3. Addressing the multiplicity of problems confronting the species requires collaborative effort at all levels to share and merge resources, data, and expertise more efficiently. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the Mediterranean common dolphin, the main threats, and knowledge gaps that are priorities for addressing its conservation, while providing clear recommendations for effectively safeguarding the species and its habitat at both local and regional levels.

     

Morphological changes in carp epithelial cells infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

The in vitro interaction of Aeromonas hydrophila with epithehoma papillosum cells of carp (EPC) was studied. All the virulent and type strains invaded and multiplied inside EPC cells. Morphological changes were induced by the virulent and type strains during the processes of invasion and intracellular replication. Among the virulent group, strain PPD134/91 required the shortest time (30 min post-infection) to induce cytopathic effects in the EPC monolayers. The EPC cells infected with PPD 134/91 became retracted and condensed, lost their attachment abilities, and eventually disintegrated. Confocal microscopy revealed that tubular structures measuring 0.77 ± 0.19 μm appeared to connect the retracted EPC cells. The cytopathic effect was attributed to the growing and metabolically active bacteria. Avirulent strains such as L37 did not multiply nor induce cytopathic effects in the EPC monolayers.     

Monitoring distances travelled by horses using GPS tracking collars

Objective The aims of this work were to (1) develop a low-cost equine movement tracking collar based on readily available components, (2) conduct preliminary studies assessing the effects of both paddock size and internal fence design on the movements of domestic horses, with and without foals at foot, and (3) describe distances moved by mares and their foals. Additional monitoring of free-ranging feral horses was conducted to allow preliminary comparisons with the movement of confined domestic horses. Procedures A lightweight global positioning system (GPS) data logger modified from a personal/vehicle tracker and mounted on a collar was used to monitor the movement of domestic horses in a range of paddock sizes and internal fence designs for 6.5-day periods. Results In the paddocks used (0.8–16 ha), groups of domestic horses exhibited a logarithmic response in mean daily distance travelled as a function of increasing paddock size, tending asymptotically towards approximately 7.5 km/day. The distance moved by newborn foals was similar to their dams, with total distance travelled also dependent on paddock size. Without altering available paddock area, paddock design, with the exception of a spiral design, did not significantly affect mean daily distance travelled. Feral horses (17.9 km/day) travelled substantially greater mean daily distances than domestic horses (7.2 km/day in 16-ha paddock), even when allowing for larger paddock size. Conclusions Horses kept in stables or small yards and paddocks are quite sedentary in comparison with their feral relatives. For a given paddock area, most designs did not significantly affect mean daily distance travelled.     

含气率对小流量下混流式混输泵轴系振动的影响

振动是反映混输泵运行稳定性的关键指标,液体含气率对混输泵的振动强度有重要影响.为探究小流量工况下含气率变化对混输泵轴系振动的影响规律,该研究以某3级混流式气液混输泵为研究对象,采用建立的多通道振动测试系统采集小流量工况下混输泵输送不同含气率的水时主轴和轴承座的振动信号,然后分析水中含气率对主轴和轴承座振动特性的影响规律...     

The theropod ancestry of birds: new evidence from the late cretaceous of madagascar

A partial skeleton of a primitive bird, Rahona ostromi, gen. et sp. nov., has been discovered from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. This specimen, although exhibiting avian features such as a reversed hallux and ulnar papillae, retains characteristics that indicate a theropod ancestry, including a pubic foot and hyposphene-hypantra vertebral articulations. Rahona has a robust, hyperextendible second digit on the hind foot that terminates in a sicklelike claw, a unique characteristic of the theropod groups Troodontidae and Dromaeosauridae. A phylogenetic analysis places Rahona with Archaeopteryx, making Rahona one of the most primitive birds yet discovered.     

In vitro inhibition of epithelial cell invasion by Aeromonashydrophila Vibrio species by fish Aeromonas hydrophila major adhesin

A virulent strain of Aeromonas hydrophila (PPD 134/91) was obtained from the Primary Production Department, Singapore. Its major adhesin was isolated and purified by potassium thiocyanate extraction and Bio-Gel P-100 gel filtration. The ability of the protein in peak 1, termed major adhesin, to inhibit bacteria from adhering to and invading host cells was studied in vitro using epithelioma papillosum cells of carp (EPC). Results showed that a concentration of 10 μg ml^–1 of this major adhesin could competitively inhibit 28% of A. hydrophila PPD 134/91 from invading EPC cells in vitro. When the concentration was increased to 40 μg ml^–1, the major adhesin significantly cross-inhibited nine other virulent or weakly virulent strains of A. hydrophila. In addition, the major adhesin significantly inhibited not only another bacterial strain from the same family, Aeromonas sobria, but also strains of Vibrio spp. tested. Therefore, we suggest that the major adhesin of this virulent A. hydrophila strain has the potential to be used as a vaccine against the heterogeneous Aeromonas and Vibrio species.