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     

云南大叶种茶树老桩套袋嫁接及管理技术

从多年茶树嫁接实践中研究得出了一套云南大叶种老桩套袋嫁接及管理技术,解决了传统嫁接中因接穗易失水或渍水导致成活率低的问题。文章详细介绍了嫁接工具和材料、嫁接时间、品种选择与接穗留养、砧木选择与接口处理、接穗制备与保存、接合操作与套袋、遮荫与维护管理等技术措施,以提供种植者参考。     

新疆果树多毛小蠹生物学特性及防治

多毛小蠹是新疆果树重要害虫，危害杏树甚为严重。在库尔勒一年发生2～3代，主要以幼虫和少数成虫、卵在树皮内越冬，世代重叠。在自然变温下，卵历期4～11天，幼虫20～31天；蛹期6～9天；成虫10～35天。完成一世代需40～86天，主要以幼虫在寄主树表面活动。采用农业和药剂防治相结合效果显著。     

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.     

典型植烟区烤烟焦油与氢氰酸释放量差异分析

为了分析我国典型区域烤烟不同部位烤烟烟叶氢氰酸和焦油释放量的差异,采集了我国典型植烟区域的60个烤烟样品,运用数理统计方差分析的方法对区域、部位和基因型间的氢氰酸和焦油释放量进行了分析。结果表明,烤烟烟叶焦油和氢氰酸释放量在部位间存在显著差异,且表现为上部叶中部叶下部叶的部位特征;区域、基因型对氢氰酸释放量影响不显著,但是焦油释放量在区域间差异显著,其中以黄淮烟区焦油释放量最高,区域、部位和基因型三因素的相互作用对焦油和氢氰酸释放量的影响不显著。因此,工业企业在原料选择、叶组配方或库存优化等方面兼顾产地和品种因素,可着重考虑原料部位特征。     

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.