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.     

Material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance imaging for investigation of neurologic signs

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential significance of finding material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Of 466 MR studies reviewed, an increased signal was identified in the tympanic bulla in 32 (7%) dogs. Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Cocker spaniels, Bulldogs, and Boxers were over-represented compared to the population of dogs having MR imaging. Five (16%) dogs had definite otitis media and one (3%) had a meningioma invading the middle ear. Of the remaining dogs, 13 (41%) had possible otitis media and 13 (41%) had neurologic conditions apparently unrelated to otitis media. The most common appearance of material in the middle ear was isointense in T1-weighted images and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. There was no apparent correlation between the signal characteristics of the material and the diagnosis. Enhanced signal after gadolinium administration was observed affecting the lining of the bulla in dogs with otitis media and in dogs with unrelated neurologic conditions. In dogs without clinical signs of otitis media, finding an increased signal in the middle ear during MR imaging may reflect subclinical otitis media or fluid accumulation unrelated to inflammation. Brachycephalic dogs may be predisposed to this condition.     

纳他霉素处理对火龙果贮藏品质的影响

研究不同浓度的纳他霉素对火龙果采后贮藏保鲜效果的影响。以火龙果为试验材料,研究不同浓度(0、400、800、1200 mg/L)纳他霉素对火龙果贮藏期生理、营养指标及果实表面微生物菌落情况的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,不同浓度的纳他霉素处理均可显著降低火龙果呼吸强度,抑制腐烂指数、鳞片黄化率、质量损失率、丙二醛含量的增加,延缓鳞片叶绿素、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、维生素C含量的降低,提高果实SOD、POD、CAT等抗氧化相关酶活性,在贮藏末期时仍能保持较低的细菌菌落总数、酵母菌和霉菌总数。综合认为,纳他霉素处理可以明显延缓火龙果果实衰老,有效保持果实的贮藏品质,其中以800 mg/L纳他霉素处理效果最佳。     

The genetic diversity and structure of 18 sheep breeds exposed to isolation and selection

The phylogenetic layout of the genotyped (30 microsatellite) 18 sheep breeds in this study demands and provides the opportunity to evaluate both neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity in a naturally and artificially selected and subdivided sheep population. Seven Pramenka strains from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia characterized by a very low intensity of artificial selection, preserved the highest neutral genetic variability. Eight central and north‐western European breeds under considerable artificial isolation and selection preserved the lowest genetic variability. Only combinations of various phylogenetic parameters offer a reasonable explanation for underlying evolutionary forces working in the investigated island and mainland sheep breeds under variable natural and artificial selection. More than 60% of total genetic, diversity was allocated to virtually unselected Pramenka strains, and an additional 25% to native moderately selected Graue Gehoernte Heidschnucke and intensively selected Ostfriesische Milchschafe. Some economically very important breeds and strains did not contribute to a pool with maximal genetic diversity, while they play an important role in the cultural heritage of respective countries.     

羊踯躅嫩叶离体培养和植株高效再生技术研究

【目的】建立羊踯躅嫩叶离体培养及植株高效再生体系。【方法】以羊踯躅新生嫩叶为外植体,筛选嫩叶愈伤组织诱导、再分化及生根培养基,并以再生植株茎节为试材,建立高效植株再生体系。【结果】最适合羊踯躅嫩叶愈伤组织诱导的培养基为1/2 DR+2.40 mg/L 2ip+0.80 mg/L NAA,诱导率为99.5%;愈伤组织再分化的最佳培养基为1/2 DR+2.90 mg/L 2ip+0.01 mg/L NAA+1.75 mg/L KT,分化率为99.7%;适宜生根的培养基为1/4 DR+0.06 mg/L ZT+0.02 mg/L NAA,生根率达99.0%。利用再生植株茎节的快繁结果表明,在28 d的培养周期内,每节段平均增殖达5倍以上。【结论】成功建立了羊踯躅嫩叶愈伤组织诱导、再分化芽苗和植株高效再生体系,可以满足羊踯躅工厂化育苗的需要。     

Sedimentary records of the Zrmanja River estuary,eastern Adriatic coast—natural vs. anthropogenic impacts

Purpose

Investigations of geochemical characteristics of sediments of the Zrmanja River estuary were done in order to determine the natural and anthropogenic factors influencing sediment composition in this area. For that purpose, spatial and temporal distribution of major and trace elements in the sediments and surrounding soils was studied.

Materials and methods

Sediment and soil samples, including one marl sample, were collected at 28 locations. All samples were subjected to total digestion and subsequently analysed by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) for total concentration of 20 elements (Ag, Al, As, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Ti and Y). Obtained concentrations and their normalized counterparts were used for assessment of factors influencing sedimentation in the study area.

Results and discussion

The results of the analysis showed that the composition of sediments of the Zrmanja River estuary is primarily determined by the composition of bedrock, existing hydrodynamic conditions and the relative isolation of the studied basin. Nevertheless, anthropogenic influences were observed as well. The composition of the Zrmanja River sediments reflects the impact of the ex-alumina factory “Jadral” and transfer by wind of the material from its immediate surroundings to the water system of the Zrmanja River. In addition, sedimentation in the Zrmanja River was found to be influenced by the construction of reservoirs and the HE “Velebit”, hydroelectric power plant located in the Zrmanja watershed.

Conclusions

The geochemical composition of recent sediments of the Zrmanja River estuary is controlled primarily by natural factors, although the influence of anthropogenic activities is also evident.

     

Landscape effect for the Cervidaes Cervidae in human-dominated fragmented forests

We analyse the relationships between the main Cervidae [moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)] species and a complex of environmental factors in an extensive fragmented landscape of Central Lithuania. The highest determining positive influence on moose density was the proportions of wet forest sites. In forest complexes with fewer proportions of wet sites, the most important factor was the total forest area. The proportion of shrub cover, upland and dense undergrowth area, and road density also has significant effect on moose density. The total area of forest complexes has the highest determining positive influence on red deer density. The highest density of red deer was calculated in large forest complexes (>2,745 ha) with a <17.6 % proportion of pine and <36.5 % of deciduous forests. Other significant factors were core area, road density and urbanization level. Forest edge density has the highest influence on the roe deer populations. The highest density of roe deer was recorded on forest areas with >51 m ha^?1 of edges in wet forest (>25.4 %) dominating areas. The proportion of deciduous, coniferous mixed and pine forest, also shrub and density of edges also had significant effect.     

铜、镉污染对小麦种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

以小麦种子为试材,通过水培试验研究了铜、镉污染对小麦种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,在实验所选的胁迫浓度范围内,单一铜污染时,对小麦种子萌发初期有短暂的促进作用,小麦种子发芽率随着Cu2+浓度的升高,呈先升后降。在20 mg/L Cu2+处理时出现了毒性兴奋效应现象。铜、镉污染对小麦幼苗的苗长和根长的抑制作用较为显著。根据综合效应指标,铜、镉复合污染对小麦种子萌发的影响表现形式为铜、镉的协同作用。     

丹江口库区麦套稻适宜施肥量及养分利用率研究

为探讨丹江口库区麦套稻新型耕作方式的适宜施肥量,采用“3414”肥效试验方案研究了氮、磷、钾施肥对水稻产量、生产效益和养分利用的影响.结果表明,麦套稻系统水稻产量的形成主要决定于单位面积穗数和穗总粒数;氮磷钾合理施肥可显著提高产量,在N、P2O5和K2O施用量分别为168.0、75.0、90.0 kg/hm2时产量最高...     

绿洲膜下滴灌调亏对马铃薯土壤环境及产量的影响

为测定膜下滴灌调亏马铃薯全生育期内不同调亏水平土壤养分、土壤水热动态、生长动态、产量效应和水分利用效率,于2016年在河西荒漠绿洲灌区民乐县益民灌溉试验站开展了马铃薯不同生育阶段水分调亏灌溉的试验研究,结果表明,马铃薯膜下滴灌调亏土壤水热变化均匀且利用率高,有利于马铃薯对土壤养分的充分吸收和利用;土壤养分是土壤肥力的核心,是植物在生长发育过程中不可或缺的重要因素,膜下滴灌调亏栽培能有效减少土壤速效养分的流失,并提高马铃薯对土壤速效养分的利用效率;不同生育阶段马铃薯耗水量受水分调亏程度影响较大,其耗水量随调亏程度增大而显著减少(P0.05),水分调亏处理马铃薯全生育期总耗水量均低于全生育期充分灌水CK处理。块茎形成期轻度水分亏缺马铃薯水分利用效率、灌溉水利用效率、生物量均达到最大,较全生育期充分灌水显著提高29.04%,35.61%。因此,块茎形成期轻度水分亏缺灌溉方式能使马铃薯根区土壤始终保持湿润状态,有效减少渗漏损失和植株间无效蒸发损失,改善土壤水、肥和热量状况,有利于提高作物水分利用效率,且不显著降低马铃薯最终产量。