Effects of different angling practices on post-release behaviour of nest-guarding male black bass, Micropterus spp.

Abstract  This study evaluated how different angling practices affect the short-term post-release behaviour of nest-guarding male black bass, Micropterus spp. Male largemouth bass, M. salmoides (Lacepède), and smallmouth bass, M. dolomieu (Lacepède), were angled from their nests and subjected to treatments designed to simulate a variety of common angling practices associated with catch-and-release angling, including fishing tournaments. In addition, some nests had broods reduced (removal of the majority of the eggs or fry from the nest) during the angling treatments to simulate predation of offspring during the angling event. Fish subjected to procedures simulating fishing tournaments (including a 1-h livewell confinement and release 100 m from the nest) exhibited significantly longer rest periods prior to returning to their nest than did other treatment groups. This rest period was longer for largemouth bass than smallmouth bass. Brood removal and air exposure increased abandonment rates compared with controls. These results show that sublethal stressors inherent in some angling practices (such as air exposure and livewell confinement) may delay the return of male black bass to their nest. In the presence of nest predators, the delay in return time could result in increased nest abandonment.     

有机生产系统对甜瓜产量和果实品质的影响

[目的]为合理调控甜瓜有机施肥提供参考依据。[方法]以甜瓜品种"春丽"为研究材料,设5个施肥处理,随机区组排列,研究有机肥对甜瓜农艺性状、生物产量、经济产量与品质的影响。[结果]甜瓜的伸蔓期、果实发育中期和果实成熟期,常规生产甜瓜的平均生物量比有机生产的分别高43.21%、15.99%和8.74%,在伸蔓期常规生产甜瓜的株高和生物量显著高于有机生产的。甜瓜有机和常规生产的小区平均产量分别为108.0 kg和119.7 kg,各处理间没有明显差异。在有机和常规生产条件下,甜瓜果实中葡萄糖、果糖、蔗糖和总糖含量无显著差异。[结论]有机和常规2种生产系统对甜瓜的产量和品质的影响没有显著差异。     

A Novel Pin Distraction Device for Arthroscopic Assessment of the Medial Meniscus in Dogs

Objective— To describe an extra-articular joint distractor for meniscal examination and treatment during canine stifle arthroscopy.
Study Design— Case series.
Animals— Dogs ≥20 kg with suspected cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficiency.
Methods— A custom designed linear side bar was constructed to allow invasive pin distraction of the stifle joint. Its design efficacy for distraction of the medial joint compartment, observation and probing of the medial meniscus, and value during meniscal surgery was evaluated by clinical use.
Results— Application of the stifle distractor medial to the stifle joint using 2 negative threaded pins was easily performed percutaneously without the need of power equipment; however, unintended intra-articular placement of 1 threaded pin occurred in 2 stifles, without appreciable consequence to joint function. Observation as well as thorough probing of the caudal horn of the medial meniscus, even in the presence of a prominent remnant of the CrCL or severe periarticular fibrosis, was possible. Partial meniscectomy was effectively performed as needed without apparent damage to the associated articular surfaces.
Conclusions— Distraction and translation of the medial compartment of the stifle joint using invasive pin distraction allowed observation and palpation of the caudal horn of the medial meniscus so that assessment and treatment were readily accomplished without apparent morbidity.
Clinical Relevance— With careful attention to accurate pin placement, invasive pin distraction of the medial compartment of the canine stifle joint may improve arthroscopic evaluation and treatment of meniscal pathology.     

有机和常规生产系统中甜瓜的生长发育和产量分析

在有机和常规两种生产系统中,研究了不同施肥水平对春秋两季甜瓜生长发育和产量的影响。结果表明:在施肥水平较高的春季,甜瓜伸蔓期至果实发育中期,两种系统对甜瓜生物量没有显著影响;在果实成熟期,有机生产系统中甜瓜的生物量较高,但经济产量与常规系统差异不显著。秋季生产试验降低了施肥量,在发育前期,有机生产的甜瓜生物量显著小于常规生产,果实成熟期差异不显著,但经济产量降低了9.8%。在同一生产系统内,施肥量对植株生物量和产量均无影响。不同生产季节对甜瓜的生长发育影响显著,春季甜瓜的生育前期生长缓慢,后期迅速,秋季相反;春季植株的总生物量和经济产量大于秋季。甜瓜干物质分配在伸蔓期以叶片为主,中后期以果实为主,不同生产系统和施肥水平不影响干物质在各器官的分配比例。     

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Management of Uncomplicated Gall Bladder Mucocele in Six Dogs

Objectives— To describe a technique for, and outcome after, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for management of uncomplicated gall bladder mucocele (GBM) in dogs. Study Design— Case series. Animals— Dogs (n=6) with uncomplicated GBM. Methods— Dogs with ultrasonographic evidence of GBM but without imaging or laboratory signs of gall bladder rupture, peritonitis, or extra‐hepatic biliary tract rupture that had LC were included. A 4 portal technique was used. A fan retractor was used to retract the gall bladder to allow dissection around the cystic duct with 5 or 10 mm right‐angle dissecting forceps. The cystic duct was ligated using extracorporeally tied ligatures supplemented sometimes with hemostatic clips. A harmonic scalpel was used to dissect the gall bladder from its fossa. The gall bladder was placed into a specimen retrieval bag and after bile aspiration the bag was withdrawn through the 11 mm portal incision. Results— Five dogs had mild intermittent clinical signs including vomiting, inappetence, and lethargy. All dogs had successful LC without conversion to an open approach. All dogs with clinical signs had improvement or resolution of signs postoperatively. No important perioperative complications occurred and all dogs were alive at a median of 8 months postoperatively (range, 3–14 months). Conclusions— LC can be accomplished safely and effectively in dogs with uncomplicated GBM. Clinical Relevance— A minimally invasive approach for cholecystectomy can be used for the treatment of GBM in dogs.     

Effects of meloxicam on reproduction parameters in dairy cattle

This study was carried out in dairy cattle with the NSAID meloxicam to investigate possible drug effects on different reproductive parameters as well as on the progeny. Forty-one cows received intravenous injection of either meloxicam (Metacam^® 20 mg/mL solution for injection) or placebo at a dose volume of 7.5 mL/100 kg, corresponding to a dose of 1.5 mg meloxicam/kg, i.e. three times the recommended therapeutic dose. Treatment was performed in each phase of reproduction, i.e. once prior to breeding, twice shortly after breeding, once at the beginning of the second and third trimester of gestation and once at the end of the third trimester of gestation. Offspring of the cows were weighed and clinically examined for vitality at birth and after 28 days. No relevant difference between the meloxicam and control group was found in the reproductive performance of the cows or in the body weight development or vitality of the calves.     

Prospective Evaluation of Two Intracorporeally Sutured Prophylactic Laparoscopic Gastropexy Techniques Compared with Laparoscopic-Assisted Gastropexy in Dogs

Objective— To report technique, surgical time, complication rate, and postoperative activity in dogs undergoing 2 intracorporeally-sutured total laparoscopic gastropexy (TLG) techniques compared with a laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy (LAG) technique.
Study Design— Randomized clinical trial.
Animals— Dogs (n=30) weighing >25 kg.
Methods— Dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Two TLG techniques were performed using a median 3 portal technique. One of 2 suturing techniques was used to approximate corresponding incisions made in the stomach and body wall; using intracorporeal hand-suturing or a suture-assist device (Endostitch^™). In a 3rd group, a previously reported LAG technique was used. All dogs had an activity monitor placed for 7 days pre- and postoperatively. Linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of surgical procedure on gastropexy time and the percentage change in activity counts.
Results— Median gastropexy time was 28 minutes (range, 20–41 minutes) for LAG, 48 minutes (range, 39–61 minutes) for the hand suture TLG technique, and 56 minutes (range, 30–90 minutes) for the Endostitch^™ TLG technique. LAG was performed faster than TLG ( P <.05). LAG dogs had a greater decrease in postoperative activity than TLG dogs ( P =.005); however there was no difference in surgical time or postoperative activity between TLG techniques.
Conclusions— TLG can be performed safely and effectively in dogs and although it takes longer, it has less impact on postoperative activity compared with LAG.
Clinical Relevance— TLG techniques may have advantages over LAG as measured by a greater willingness of dogs to move around postoperatively.     

Behaviour of walleye, Sander vitreus, and largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, exposed to different wave intensities and boat operating conditions during livewell confinement

Abstract  During live-release angling tournaments in North America, fish are typically retained in livewells onboard boats during the angling day. Mortality of fish occurs at some tournaments, and wave intensities and livewell conditions may influence mortality levels. This study used two species of fish targeted in live-release angling tournaments in North America (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides L. and walleye Sander vitreus L.) to quantify the response(s) of fish in livewells to different wave treatments. Video analyses revealed that largemouth bass were active during low intensity disturbances, but during violent boat movements tended to settle to the bottom of the livewell and orient to face the direction of the disturbance. Walleye were less active than bass for all treatments, and additionally did not orient to face the direction of disturbance, consequently contacting the side of the livewell during boat rocking. These results are considered in the context of mortality at live-release tournaments.     

Influence of water flow velocity, water depth and colony distance on distribution and foraging patterns of terns in the Wadden Sea

Surface-feeding seabirds, such as Common ( Sterna hirundo ) and Arctic Terns ( Sterna paradisaea ) in the German Wadden Sea, are dependent on biological and physical processes that affect prey availability close to the water surface. We proposed the following four hypotheses: (i) relationships should exist between high water flow velocity and foraging activity of terns, as turbulence should enhance prey availability at the surface; (ii) the areas of highest foraging success should be located within areas of low water depth, due to enhanced biological productivity; (iii) as terns are known to have small foraging radii, the location of their breeding grounds should be related to the location of their foraging grounds; (iv) terns should forage intensely in river estuaries, as these should hold ample food supplies. The time between terns leaving the colony and their first foraging attempt differed significantly among different tidal stages: the time was shortest during flood and ebb tides (i.e., highest water flow velocities). Modelling of a long-term data set revealed the highest probability of foraging activity in conditions of high water currents, in both shallow areas and in areas of around 15–20 m depth. Foraging activity was negatively correlated with distance from colony. The distance to the closest estuary had no significant effect on foraging behaviour. Our findings emphasize the physical–biological coupling in the Wadden Sea and highlight the overall importance of small-scale physical processes in directly influencing prey availability for surface-feeding seabirds.     

A review of the effects of catch-and-release angling on black bass, Micropterus spp.: implications for conservation and management of populations

Abstract  This paper summarises recent peer-reviewed literature addressing the effects of catch-and-release angling on black bass, Micropterus spp., to facilitate management and conservation of these fish. Traditionally, the effects of catch and release have been evaluated by measuring mortality. Many recent studies have measured sublethal effects on physiology and behaviour. There is also greater emphasis on adding more realism to sublethal catch-and-release experiments through angler involvement in research activities and by conducting studies in the field rather than in laboratory environments. Owing to these advances, there have been a number of recent findings, which are summarised here, related to air exposure, gear (e.g. circle hooks) and the weigh-in procedure that are particularly relevant to black bass anglers, tournament organisers and fishery managers. Additional research is particularly needed for: (1) population-level effects of angling for nesting fish; (2) population-level effects of tournament-associated mortality; (3) effectiveness of livewell additives for enhancing survival; (4) consequences of fish displacement in competitive events; (5) effects of weigh-in procedures and other organisational issues on fish condition and survival; and (6) reducing barotrauma.