Bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Northern Ireland: epidemiological observations 1988-1990.

This study describes the epidemiological features of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Northern Ireland where the first case occurred in November 1988. They were very similar to those observed in Great Britain except that the annual incidence of BSE in 1990 in Northern Ireland, 2.3 confirmed cases per 10,000 adult cows, was approximately one 10th of that in Great Britain. The findings were also consistent with the current hypothesis that affected cattle had been exposed to a scrapie-like agent via cattle feedstuffs containing ruminant-derived protein. However, a preliminary investigation of the potential sources of infection for cattle in Northern Ireland did not provide any conclusive evidence.     

The effects of azadirachtin and nucleopolyhedrovirus on midgut enzymatic profile of Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effects of azadirachtin (AZA) and nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) on midgut enzyme activity in Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Tobacco cutworm) were evaluated. Gut enzyme activities were decreased by AZA and NPV individually and in combination. When S. litura larvae were fed a diet of castor leaves treated with AZA and NPV in bioassays, gut enzyme—acid phosphatases, alkaline phosphatases, adenosine triphosphatases, and lactate dehydrogenase—activities were decreased. There were statistically significant differences (P ? 0.05) in enzyme activities between combined and individual treatment. A synergistic effect of botanical insecticides and virus was found when combined in low doses. These effects are most pronounced in early instars. Maximum weight loss (59-72%) occurred, when AZA and NPV were combined.     

Laparoscopic esophagopexy,fundopexy, and hiatal herniorrhaphy for refractory regurgitation in a racing Alaskan husky sled dog

A 2-year-old intact female Alaskan husky sled dog was presented with a history of chronic exercise-induced regurgitation refractory to medical management. Previous diagnostics were unremarkable except for an endoscopic examination and histopathologic evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract that revealed the presence of Helicobacter spp. and mild non-specific inflammation of the proximal duodenum. A laparoscopic hiatal herniorrhaphy, esophagopexy, fundopexy, and ovariectomy were performed without complications in anesthesia or surgery and clinical improvement was observed with continued follow-up for 8 months after surgery.Key clinical message:Surgical treatment for hiatal hernia may be considered in racing Alaskan sled dogs with regurgitation refractory to gastric protectant therapy.     

Environmental heterogeneity and biotic interactions as potential drivers of spatial patterning of shorebird nests

Context

Species distributions are driven by a wide variety of abiotic and biotic factors, including nest placement for breeding individuals. As such, the spatial distribution of nests within a landscape can reflect environmental heterogeneity, habitat preferences, or even interactions with predators and other species.

Objectives

We determined the extent to which environmental heterogeneity and predation risk accounted for the observed spatial distribution of nests.

Methods

We assessed the spatial distribution of 112 nests of a migratory shorebird, the Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica), at Beluga River, Alaska, from 2009 to 2012, and explicitly tested for the relative influence of habitat characteristics and predation risk on nest locations. We also evaluated the effect of nest location, distance to conspecific nests, and proximity to roads on nest fate using 64 nests that were monitored through completion.

Results

Hudsonian Godwit nests were clustered across the landscape despite a lack of significant spatial autocorrelation (i.e., patchiness) in vegetation characteristics at either the micro- or landscape scale. Nest fate also was not predicted by either the distance to the nearest conspecific neighbor or proximity to roads. Thus, neither habitat characteristics nor predation risk explained the clustering of godwit nests.

Conclusions

These results suggest that godwits may select nest locations based more on social cues than underlying heterogeneity in vegetation or predation risk. As such, intra- and inter-specific interactions should be considered when developing management plans for species of conservation concern.

     

Site‐specific management is crucial to managing Mikania micrantha

Increasingly, weeds have been taking on global distributions. With the proliferation of invasive weeds has come the challenge of managing these species over broad geographical regions, with diverse habitats and political jurisdictions. Here, we review the management of Mikania micrantha Kunth (Asteraceae; mile‐a‐minute) throughout its invaded range, extending through most of the Pacific islands and southern and south‐east Asia. Context matters when determining the best course of action for managing M. micrantha, as it has invaded a large variety of agricultural and natural systems. In Queensland, Australia and Florida, USA, M. micrantha has been targeted in relatively successful eradication campaigns, highlighting the importance of early detection and rapid response methods, while elsewhere in its invaded range, populations are either still increasing or showing limited signs of decline. An inter‐regional approach to research and management should incorporate successful management strategies employed throughout the invaded range including, but not limited to, chemical and cultural control practices, manual and mechanical control, classical biological control using the rust fungus Puccinia spegazzinii, plant–plant competition and integrated approaches utilising two or more control methods concurrently. Additional knowledge of M. micrantha genetics is required to determine if management approaches could be fine‐tuned for particular populations. Countries bordering the Mekong River formed a network in 2011 to co‐ordinate the management of invasive species such as M. micrantha. Expanding such a collaborative approach to other regions could further reduce populations of M. micrantha and limit its spread.     

Temperate zone coastal seascapes: seascape patterning and adjacent seagrass habitat shape the distribution of rocky reef fish assemblages

Landscape Ecology - Whilst the composition and arrangement of habitats within landscape mosaics are known to be important determinants of biodiversity patterns, the influence of seascape patterning...     

Correction to: Individual based modelling of fish migration in a 2-D river system: model description and case study

Landscape Ecology - In the original publication of the article, the third author name has been misspelt. The correct name is given in this Correction. The original version of this article was revised.     

Molecular evidence for cosmopolitan distribution of platyhelminth parasites of tunas (Thunnus spp.)

Global distribution of platyhelminth parasites and their host specificities are not well known. Our hypothesis was that platyhelminth parasites of large pelagic fishes are common around the world. We analysed molecular variation in three different taxa of platyhelminth parasites infecting four species of tunas: yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares, Scombridae) from Western Australia, southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii, Scombridae) from South Australia, Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis, Scombridae) from Pacific Mexico and northern bluefin tuna (T. thynnus, Scombridae) from two localities in the Mediterranean (Spain and Croatia). Comparisons of ITS2 and partial 28S rDNA demonstrated two congeneric species of blood flukes (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from multiple hosts and localities: Cardicola forsteri from southern bluefin and northern bluefin tunas, and Cardicola sp. from Pacific bluefin and northern bluefin tunas; and a gill fluke, Hexostoma thynni (Polyopisthocotylea: Hexostomatidae), from yellowfin, southern bluefin and northern bluefin tunas. Partial 28S rDNA indicates that a second type of fluke on the gills, Capsala sp. (Monopisthocotylea: Capsalidae), occurs on both southern bluefin and Pacific bluefin tunas. This appears to be the first report of conspecific platyhelminth parasites of teleosts with a wide‐ranging geographical distribution that has been confirmed through molecular approaches. Given the brevity of the free‐living larval stage of both taxa of flukes on the gills (H. thynni and Capsala sp.), we conclude that the only feasible hypothesis for the cosmopolitan distribution of these flatworms is migrations of host tunas. Host migration also seems likely to be responsible for the widespread occurrence of the two species of blood flukes (Cardicola spp.), although it is also possible that these were translocated recently by the spread of infected intermediate hosts.     

THE EFFECT OF PESTICIDES ON THE YIELD AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF A NEWLY-SOWN RYEGRASS LEY AND OF AN OLD MIXED PASTURE

Newly-sown S24 perennial ryegrass at Hurley and old established ryegrass-dominant mixed pasture at Rothamsted were treated with several pesticides, singly and in combination, over the period 1969–73. Yields were either unaffected or increased by up to 30% in any one year, depending on the treatment, the newly-sown sward giving the more consistent response from year to year.     

In vitro antimicrobial inhibition profiles of Mycoplasma bovis isolates recovered from various regions of the United States from 2002 to 2003.

Antimicrobial therapy continues to be important in reducing losses due to pneumonic forms of Mycoplasma bovis disease in beef and dairy calves. Although M. bovis diseases have been documented as frequent and economically important in the United States, there are no published reports on the antimicrobial activity of approved compounds against US strains. In this study, the authors report on the activity of 9 different antimicrobials against 223 recently recovered isolates of M. bovis. These isolates represent accessions from 5 geographic regions of the United States and were grouped by 4 tissues of origin (milk, respiratory, joint, or ear and eye). A broth microdilution test was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by reading redox changes detected in broth with alamarBlue (resazurin) indicator. For each antimicrobial, the median, MIC50, MIC90, mode, and range were calculated, and the values used for comparisons. In the absence of accepted breakpoint values, published MIC cutoff values for animal mycoplasmas as well as Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute interpretive criteria were used as a reference to define in vitro activity. The MIC values from active antimicrobials were found to distribute independently of region of origin of the isolates or of tissue of origin. Enrofloxacin, florfenicol, and spectinomycin were found to be active compounds in vitro. Oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline were active against more than half of the isolates. Very few isolates were inhibited by tilmicosin and none by erythromycin, ampicillin, or ceftiofur. The antimicrobial profiles determined for these US strains were remarkably similar to those reported for European isolates. However, unlike in Europe, there appears to be no diversity of profiles when US isolates are grouped by region or tissue of origin.