Hematology and serum chemistry values of the European brown hare

Background: Hematology and serum biochemistry values can be useful for evaluating the health of populations of captive and free-living European brown hares ( Lepus europaeus ). However, current information is fragmented and incomplete.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine normal hematology and serum chemistry values for a population of captive European brown hares and to investigate differences related to sex and age.
Methods: Routine hematology and serum chemistry values were determined for 48 captive European brown hares in Catalonia (northeastern Spain): 21 young (6 males and 15 females) and 27 adult (14 males and 13 females) hares. Blood was obtained by auricular venipuncture while animals were physically restrained. Results were expressed as the mean ± SD, and reference intervals were calculated as the mean ± 2SD.
Results: RBC count, PCV, concentrations of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, gamma globulin, urea nitrogen, and creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase activity were significantly higher in adults than in young hares, and alkaline phosphatase activity and total bilirubin concentration were lower. Sex differences were not observed.
Conclusions: Hematology and serum chemistry results obtained in this study are considered representative for healthy captive European brown hares. A single reference interval can be used for values from male and female hares, however, age-specific intervals are needed for some analytes.     

Radiographic features of the limbs of juvenile and subadult loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)

This study aimed to provide the normal radiographic anatomic appearance of the limbs of the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta. Dorsopalmar and dorsoplantar radiographs were taken of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of 15 juvenile and 15 subadult loggerhead sea turtles, 17 alive and 13 dead. For comparison, computed tomographic, gross anatomic, osteologic, and histologic studies were performed on the limbs of 5 of the sea turtles. Bones from the distal part of the fore and hind flippers were seen in detail with a mammographic film-screen combination. The pectoral and pelvic girdles, superimposed by the carapace, were better seen on standard radiographs with the use of rare-earth intensifying screens. Mammographic radiographs of the manus of 5 small juvenile turtles showed active growth zones. Visualization of bone contours in the distal part of the limbs was clearer than in mammals owing to the very few superimpositions. The presence of a substantial amount of cartilage in the epiphyses produced better visibility of limb ends. We conclude that use of a mammography film-screen combination is the best way to evaluate the bony and joint structures of the limbs of sea turtles. Radiography provides reliable images for clinical purposes. Considering the low cost and logistics of this technique, it is a practical ancillary test for marine animal rehabilitation centers to use.     

self-(in)compatibility almond genotypes: A review

To compile self-(in)compatibility almond genotypes, a review of 133 commercial cultivars of wide geographical origin was made. The information gathered from own and mainly published work will be useful for both grower's cultivar choice when planting and for breeder's cross design when planning. The almond S genotypes compiled were identified using five different methods: biological (pollination tests in the field and in the laboratory) and molecular (RNases, PCR and sequencing). In most cases, genotypes were assigned after combining more than one technique. Cultivars were classified into three categories: self-incompatible (99), self-compatible (16) and doubtful self-incompatible (18). The database is divided in 9 fields (name, origin, parentage, obtention year (crossing, selection or release), S genotype, technique used, reference, consensus genotype, and cross incompatibility group). A study of the 27 S alleles already identified and their geographical distribution within the cultivated almond is also presented. The study was divided into cultivars of known and unknown parentage and the distribution of S alleles frequencies was uneven among the 133 cultivars. S allele frequencies are related to geographical origin. Some alleles (S ₁, S ₅, S ₇ and S ₈) are more frequently observed than the others among cultivars of both known and unknown parentage. In the cultivated almond, the S f allele is only found in the Puglia region, Italy. The S _f frequency is three times higher in cultivars released from breeding programmes than in cultivars selected by growers. From the 351 resulting possible genotypes by combination of the 27 S alleles identified only 20 CIG (0-XIX) have been established, which represents a small fraction of the whole genetic diversity of this polymorphic gene in almond.     

Utilization of genetic resources for the introduction and adaptation of exotic vegetable crops: The case of pepino (Solanum muricatum)

Summary Pepino (Solanum muricatum), a vegetatively propagated plant from the Andean region used for its edible fruits, has been identified as a potential crop for greenhouse cultivation in Mediterranean regions. However, attempts for introducing it have been unsuccessful, either because of the low yield, poor fruit quality, or both. Screening of germplasm under Mediterranean conditions showed that sources of variation for high yield existed in the cultivated genepool and that wild species S. caripense and S. tabanoense could contribute to a considerable improvement of soluble solids content (SSC) of pepino. Progenies obtained after crossing genetically distant (AFLP-based) parental clones were heterotic for yield, and allowed the selection of clones with an improved combination of yield and SSC. As a result of this intraspecific programme, two new improved cultivars (‘Turia’ and ‘Valencia’), which outperform the rest of cultivars available, have been selected for cultivation in Mediterranean conditions. The interspecific programme involved the selection of clones with high yield and SSC in backcross generations. The results show that introgression of genes from the wild species can contribute to improve the SSC of pepino. The backcross programme is in an advanced stage and new cultivars derived from the interspecific crosses are expected to be released in a near future. New prospects for the future in pepino breeding include the genetic transformation, the establishment of a genetic map, and the use of the genomic information from related Solanaceae important crops. All the information obtained is illustrative for the breeding for adaptation of vegetatively propagated crops.     

Genetic diversity of some accessions of Cucurbita maxima from Spain using RAPD and SBAP markers

Increasing the knowledge of the molecular diversity of a crop is essential for extending its genetic base, identifying cultivars and selecting parental varieties for breeding programs. In this sense, Cucurbita maxima Duch. is poorly characterised. Nineteen accessions of this species and 8 related Cucurbita accessions were included in a genetic diversity analysis. For this purpose, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers (RAPDs), which analyse neutral variability, and Sequence-Based Amplified Polymorphism (SBAPs), which preferentially amplify coding regions of the genome, were used. While the UPGMA cluster and the principal coordinates analysis obtained using RAPDs did not group the different accessions according either to fruit morphological criteria or to passport data (origin and agro-climatic conditions), the principal coordinates analysis obtained using SBAPs grouped the different pumpkin accessions fundamentally according to the type of use (human consumption, animal fodder or ornamental). This passport trait is reported to be associated with agronomic breeding characters of interest. The usefulness of both types of markers for discriminating accessions of breeding interest is discussed.     

Unraveling the life history of successful invaders

Despite considerable current interest in biological invasions, the common life-history characteristics of successful invaders remain elusive. The widely held hypothesis that successful invaders have high reproductive rates has received little empirical support; however, alternative possibilities are seldom considered. Combining a global comparative analysis of avian introductions (>2700 events) with demographic models and phylogenetic comparative methods, we show that although rapid population growth may be advantageous during invasions under certain circumstances, more generally successful invaders are characterized by life-history strategies in which they give priority to future rather than current reproduction. High future breeding expectations reduce the costs of reproductive failure under uncertain conditions and increase opportunities to explore the environment and respond to novel ecological pressures.     

KIT-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumours in two Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica)

Gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours from two Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) were examined grossly, histologically and immunohistochemically. One neoplasm was a 1.5 kg tan multinodular cavitated mass in the forestomach. The other tumour was a firm mural mass 1.2 cm in diameter in the colon. Microscopically, both tumours were formed mainly by spindle shaped cells arranged in closely packed interlacing fascicles. Neoplastic cells in both tumours labelled positively for KIT (CD117), vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin. These findings suggest that both neoplasms were gastrointestinal stromal tumours and most likely to be derived from the interstitial cells of Cajal or their progenitor cells.     

Genetics of Melon Yellows Virus Resistance Derived from Cucumis melo ssp. agrestis

The Melon yellows virus (MYV), a whitefly-transmitted closterovirus, is one of the major pathogens causing crop losses in protected melons in southeastern Spain. An accession of the wild Asiatic Cucumis melo ssp. agrestis (Cma) shows resistance to MYV infection. Results indicate the participation of two resistance mechanisms in this source: firstly, an antixenotic reaction against Trialeurodes vaporariorum, the disease vector, and secondly, resistance to the virus. The combined effect of these two mechanisms confers Cma a higher level of resistance, expressed as a delayed and milder infection.The genetics of resistance to the Melon yellows closterovirus have been studied in two families derived from Cma. As under natural infection conditions, the effect of antixenosis and virus resistance cannot be distinguished, a biometrical model that permits separation of the two resistance mechanisms operating in the same resistant source, has been proposed to determine genetic control of MYV resistance.The genetic analysis has been conducted by fitting the disease progress curves of each generation to the biometrical model instead of fitting the final disease ratios. The scoring of disease incidence over time allows for the comparison of data from assays conducted in different conditions (2 years/4 transplanting dates), thus reinforcing the analysis.The results agree with a simple control of the resistance to MYV derived from Cma, with incomplete penetrance of the gene and partial dominance of resistance. The effect of antixenosis on the spread of this plant virus is highly significant in Cma, but not in segregant generations.Since there do not exist crossability barriers between this accession and the cultivated melon, Cma could be readily used in breeding programmes to obtain melon varieties resistant to MYV.     

Classification and phylogenetic relationships in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycopersicon</Emphasis> based on AFLP and two nuclear gene sequences

The classification and phylogeny of the species belonging to Solanum section Lycopersicon is a complex issue that has not yet reached a widely accepted consensus. These species diverged recently, are still closely related and, in some cases, are still even capable of interspecific hybridization, thereby blurring the difference between intra- and interspecific variation. To help resolve these issues, in the present study, several accessions covering the natural range for each species were used. In addition, to avoid biases due to the molecular method employed, both AFLP markers and two nuclear-gene sequences, CT179 and CT66, were used to characterize the plant materials. The data obtained suggest a classification similar to those previously proposed by other authors, although with some significant changes. Twelve species were recognized as distinct based on this dataset. According to the data presented, the recently proposed species, S. corneliomulleri, is indistinguishable from S. peruvianum s.str. In addition, both the sequence and the AFLP trees suggest that S. arcanum could represent a complex of populations composed of two cryptic species. With regard to phylogenetic relationships among these species, some clear groups were found: the Lycopersicon group formed by S. pimpinellifolium, S. lycopersicum, S. cheesmaniae and S. galapagense; the Arcanum group constituted by S. chmielewskii, S. neorickii, S. arcanum and S. huaylasense; and the Eriopersicon group made up of S. peruvianum and S. chilense. Solanum pennellii and S. habrochaites are not included in any group, but are the closest to the S. lycopersicoides outgroup. Jose Blanca and Fernando Nuez have contributed equally to this work and should be regarded as co-second authors.