Inhibition patterns and seasonal availability of nematodes for beef cattle grazing on argentina''s western pampas

The seasonal population trends of cattle nematodes in tracer calves are described from 1981 to 1987. Successive worm-free calves were grazed with growing beef cattle for 20–30 days at 6 week intervals and then slaughtered for nematode counts 2 weeks after their removal from pasture. Ostertagia, Cooperia, Trichostrongylus and Haemonchus were the main genera recovered. O.ostertagi was the most often found and acquisition of inhibition-prone larvae began in late winter and reached a peak in spring, while maximum larval availability was in autumn. The seasonal inhibition and larval availability pattern for T. axei was similar to that of Ostertagia. Cooperia showed greatest inhibition during winter with maximum larval availability in autumn and spring. Haemonchus was more prevalent during summer to early autumn and no inhibition was observed. It was concluded that infective larval availability for tracer calves was highest during autumn, and most reduced in summer. All predominant species were able to survive over summer on pasture,     

Studies on the epidemiology of Strongylus vulgaris infection of the horse.

Observations are reported on the size and age structure of Stronglyus vulgaris populations recovered from the anterior mesenteric artery and its main branches of horses slaughtered at regular intervals throughout a year. Marked seasonal variations were found in the mean monthly numbers of worms present. During spring/early summer the numbers were relatively low and a large proportion of the arteries had no worms in them at all. Thereafter, the arterial worm burdens quite rapidly increased and the highest levels were reached during the winter months. During summer, small, newly-arrived larvae were quite abundant but by the end of the year well-developed (fifth-stage and late fourth-stage) worms predominated. These observations support the view that S. vulgaris is in Britain an annual species completing its development mainly during the winter months of the year.     

Nouvelles données sur les estérases des trichogrammes (hym. trichogrammatidae)

New electrophoretic analysis allowed us to show that the two fastest esterases of T. brassicae are derived from the Est 5′ locus and not from the Est 5 and Est 6 locus. This result changes only slightly the evanescens group place in the phylogenetic tree previously suggested. Esterases have been studied in several other species. Those of T. lacustre and T. piceum are not against the classification of these species in the perkinsi and fasciatum groups, respectively. Those of T. leptoparameron lead us to place this species in the pretiosum group, near T. daumalae. Those of a population of T. dendrolimi reveal a polymorphism clearly higher than what was known in bisexual forms of this species. Lastly, esterases analysed by other authors tend to show that T. chilonis and T. closterae belong to the nubilale group (the appellation of which has to be changed) and that T. ostriniae belongs to the minutum group.     

Seasonal abundance, reproduction and development of four key copepod species on the Faroe shelf

The copepod community on the Faroe shelf is dominated by Calanus finmarchicus, Temora longicornis, Acartia longiremis and Pseudocalanus spp. The species composition, abundance and development of the copepod community varied considerably during the season 2004. These variations reflected to a large extent the different life strategies of the copepods. Both nauplii and copepodites of C. finmarchicus were most abundant during spring and early summer. The two neritic copepods T. longicornis and A. longiremis were present in low numbers during spring but dominated the copepod community later during the productive period. Pseudocalanus spp., on the other hand, occurred throughout the year, but showed no clear numerical response in abundance to the spring bloom. The egg production measurements of C. finmarchicus and T. longicornis showed some pre-bloom egg production, but as the spring bloom started the egg production rate increased significantly, especially for C. finmarchicus. There seemed to be a substantial loss of nauplii and copepods from the shelf ecosystem during the productive season. It was, however, not possible to determine whether this was mainly due to mortality or advective loss.     

Trichinella zimbabwensis n.sp. (Nematoda), a new non-encapsulated species from crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zimbabwe also infecting mammals

Since 1995, Trichinella larvae have been detected in 39.5% of farmed crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zimbabwe. Morphological, biological, biochemical and molecular studies carried out on one isolate from a farmed crocodile in 2001 support the conclusion that this parasite belongs to a new species, which has been named Trichinella zimbabwensis n.sp. This species, whose larvae are non-encapsulated in host muscles, infects both reptiles and mammals. The morphology of adults and larvae is similar to that of Trichinella papuae. Adults of T. zimbabwensis cross in both directions with adults of T. papuae (i.e. male of T. zimbabwensis per female of T. papuae and male of T. papuae per female of T. zimbabwensis), producing F1 offspring which produce very few and less viable F2 larvae. Muscle larvae of T. zimbabwensis, like those of T. papuae, do not infect birds. Three allozymes (of a total of 10) are diagnostic between T. zimbabwensis and T. papuae, and five are diagnostic between T. zimbabwensis and Trichinella pseudospiralis, the third non-encapsulated species. The percentage of the pairwise alignment identity between T. zimbabwensis and the other Trichinella species for the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, the large subunit ribosomal-DNA (mt-lsrDNA) gene and the expansion segment five, shows that T. zimbabwensis is more similar to the two non-encapsulated species T. papuae (91% for cytochrome oxidase I; 96% for mt-lsrDNA; and 88% for expansion segment five) and T. pseudospiralis (88% for cytochrome oxidase I; 90% for mt-lsrDNA; and 66–73% for expansion segment five) than to any of the encapsulated species (85–86% for cytochrome oxidase I; 88–89% for mt-lsrDNA; and 71–79% for expansion segment five). This is the first non-encapsulated species discovered in Africa. The finding of a new Trichinella species that infects both reptiles and mammals suggests that the origin of Trichinella parasites dates back further than previously believed and can contribute to understanding the phylogeny and the epidemiology of the genus Trichinella.     

The adult body size variation of Dryas iulia (Lepidoptera,Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae) in different populations is more influenced by temperature variation than by host‐plant availability during the seasons

The body size of insects is affected by environmental conditions during development and can present considerable intraspecific variations, which can be seen as an ultimate consequence/adaptation to environmental conditions. This paper evaluated whether the body size of the butterfly Dryas iulia from subtropical populations was influenced by changing climate conditions and food source availability during the seasons. The likely reasons behind body size variation were also investigated. First, field data on body size variation, host‐plant availability and climate fluctuation throughout the seasons were recorded. Then, the effects of host‐plant species and temperature on body size were analyzed by controlled experiments. Field data revealed that body size and host‐plant availability varied significantly through the seasons. Populations had the smallest body size during the spring and the biggest size during summer, whereas host‐plant availability was lower during winter and higher during spring. The controlled experiments revealed that both temperature and host‐plant had significant effect on the plasticity of body size. Larvae subjected to winter temperature treatment led to smaller butterflies when compared to immatures reared under summer temperature treatment, and larvae fed with Passiflora misera produced bigger adults when compared to larvae reared on Passiflora suberosa. The combination of data gathered in the field and in the laboratory suggests that seasonal body size variation in D. iulia is related mainly to differences in the temperatures to which larvae are subjected during development, while host‐plant shifts caused by differential availability of food through the seasons had slightly effects on the variation observed.     

Seasonal variations in serotonin immunoreactivity and ultrastructure in the pineal organ of the Japanese grass lizard, with special reference to environmental temperature.

The seasonal variations in serotonin immunoreactivity and ultrastructure of the secretory rudimentary photoreceptor cells (SRPC) were studied in the pineal organ of the Japanese grass lizard, Takydromus tachydromoides in relation to the environmental temperature. Our results clearly demonstrated that serotonin immunoreactivity in the lizard pineal organ displayed seasonal variations under an artificial photoperiod of LD 12:12 and natural temperature in the laboratory. Immunoreactivity became intense with increase in temperature from spring to summer, showing the strongest reaction in the summer, and subsequently became weak with the drop in temperature to winter. Also, the SRPC of the lizard showed distinct seasonal variations in number and size of the dense-cored vesicles correlated to the serotonin immunoreactivity. In contrast, the changes in size of the lysosomes and nucleoli of the SRPC were inversely proportional to that of the dense-cored vesicles. Furthermore, the lysosomes ingested some dense-cored vesicles after the autumn, and they coalesced to form huge autophagosomes or residual bodies during the winter. The present study provided serotonin-immunohistochemical and ultrastructural evidence for seasonal variations in the secretory activity of the lizard pineal organ in accordance with changes in the environmental temperature. However, there may be few functional relationships between the pineal gland and the reproductive organs in the male Japanese lizard in relation to environmental temperature.     

Seasonal life cycle and autogeny in the mosquitoAedes togoi in northern Kyushu,Japan, with experimental analysis of the effects of temperature,photoperiod and food on life-history traits

We studied seasonal changes in the larval population structure, adult size, and autogeny (egg production without a bloodmeal) of the mosquitoAedes togoi on the seacoast of northern Kyushu, Japan. The effects of temperature, photoperiod and food conditions on larval development, adult size and autogeny were studied in the laboratory.Aedes togoi overwintered in both the egg and larval stages and was multivoltine. Adult size was greater in spring and autumn and smaller in summer. Autogeny occurred in spring and autumn but not in summer. Autogenous females were larger than anautogenous females, and larger autogenous females produced more eggs. Laboratory experiments showed that autogeny was promoted under low temperature and short-day conditions which corresponded with spring/autumn conditions in the field. Experimental food limitation in the larval stage greatly reduced adult size and autogenous egg production. In the field, large inter-pool variations in adult size and autogeny rate probably resulted from variations in nutrient and crowding conditions. Seasonal autogeny ofAedes togoi was discussed in terms of life-history strategy under fluctuating environmental conditions where relative advantages of autogenous and anautogenous reproduction alternate seasonally.     

Observations on egg production rates and seasonal changes in the internal morphology of Mediterranean populations of Acartia clausi and Centropages typicus

Egg production rates in wild populations of Acartia clausi and Centropages typicus, sampled biweekly in the Gulf of Naples from October 1985 to July 1987, showed marked seasonal fluctuations with maximum values in early spring that proceeded the annual maxima for adult female densities in summer. A positive correlation between chlorophyll a concentrations and egg production was evident only during the early spring phytoplankton bloom. A strong diminution in egg deposition occurred later in spring and continued throughout the summer notwithstanding high chlorophyll concentrations. In winter, when population abundances for adult females were lowest, egg production rates were always higher than in summer. Differences in egg production rates coincided with pronounced morphological changes between summer and winter populations of both species. The most striking of these changes consisted, in winter, in the presence of a dark brown fluid-like mass of granular material that seemed to freely bathe the gonads. The presence of this substance only during periods of elevated egg production suggests that it may enhance egg production rates when the adult population reaches minimum annual levels. Such a mechanism of self-regulation may operate to dampen the effects of environmental variability thereby contributing to maintain a conservative structure in coastal copepod communities.     

Feeding of an Iberian stream cyprinid assemblage: seasonality of resource use in a highly variable environment

Food resource use by seven cyprinids from an Iberian stream was analysed over 9 months. Differences in food resource use were found both between species and within species between seasons. Plant material was a more important food for carp, nase, goldfish and barbel than for gudgeon, roach and chub, irrespective of the season. Chironomid larvae were the staple animal food for the former five species throughout the year. Roach and chub, especially the latter, displayed large seasonal variations in prey use, with chironomid larvae only being important during autumn. Ephemerellid nymphs and ephemeropteran imagos dominated the animal diet of chub during spring and summer, respectively. Dipteran adults and Formicidae were the most important prey for roach during spring and summer, with other common prey being ephemerellid nymphs and hydropsychid larvae. Food resource overlap among the three dominant species (roach, barbel and chub) displayed a large seasonal variation. High overlaps were observed during autumn when these species used the same resources. During summer overlaps were much lower with each species specialising on different prey. The remaining less abundant species had large diet overlaps amongst themselves and with barbel, over all seasons. It is suggested that morphological constraints, habitat partitioning and temporal changes in food resource limitation may be involved in producing these patterns of food resource use.     

小菜蛾有机磷抗性季节性变化及毒理机制研究

1998～ 2 0 0 3年期间的田间监测结果显示 ,福州地区小菜蛾 Plutella xylostella对甲胺磷和敌敌畏的抗性水平呈季节性变化 ,每年春秋季的抗性水平显著高于夏季 7月期间的抗性水平。与 2 5℃ 2 d的饲养条件相比 ,35℃ 2 d和 5℃ 30 d可使小菜蛾羧酸酯酶 (Car E)和谷胱甘肽 - S-转移酶 (GST)活力显著抑制 ,35℃ 2 d还可使小菜蛾乙酰胆碱酯酶 (ACh E)活力显著抑制 ,但 5℃4 d对小菜蛾 ACh E、Car E和 GST活力影响差异不显著。当反应温度均为 2 5℃时 ,在 35℃ 2 d、2 5℃ 2 d和 5℃ 30 d下饲养的小菜蛾 ACh E对甲胺磷和克百威的敏感性 (K i值 )没有明显变化 ,但酶与杀虫剂在 37℃的反应温度下 ,甲胺磷、敌敌畏和克百威对在 2 5℃下饲养的小菜蛾 ACh E的抑制作用显著增高。上述结果表明环境温度会影响小菜蛾的解毒代谢及杀虫剂对 ACh E的抑制作用。探讨了环境温度的季节性变化对田间小菜蛾有机磷抗性水平影响的毒理学机制。     

新疆干旱环境中褐家鼠消化道长度和重量的季节变化及其适应意义

动物消化道的形态与食性、食物质量以及动物对能量的需求密切关系。本文对新疆干旱环境中生存的褐家鼠在自然环境中消化道长度及重量进行了测定,结果表明,家栖的褐家鼠只有总消化道、小肠和大肠的长度有季节差异,冬、春季高于夏、秋季。同时发现捕自阿拉山口的褐家鼠胃长度和干重有季节差异。     

Seasonal changes of gastrointestinal nematode populations in yearling beef cattle in Louisiana with emphasis on prevalence of inhibition in Ostertagia ostertagi

Investigation of seasonal changes in the composition of nematode populations, principally Ostertagia oslertagi, was conducted over 3 years at three locations in Louisiana. This is the most commonly occurring parasite of cattle in the state. Naturally infected yearling cattle were killed monthly over extended periods and tracer calves were grazed for monthly intervals from late autumn to summer at two locations in 1978–1979. Major objectives were to determine seasonal incidence of common gastrointestinal nematodes and for O. ostertagi, in particular, the time period during which larval inhibition was prevalent, circumstances under which larvae were conditioned to inhibition, and the duration of inhibition. Small numbers of inhibited O. ostertagi were recovered between November and February. Large numbers were found initially in March and increased numbers in April and May. Both normally developing and inhibition prone larvae were acquired during late winter-early spring, with the proportion of the latter being more prevalent in April and May. Evidence from tracer calves indicated that few O. ostertagi larvae were acquired after early June. Large burdens of inhibited larvae persisted in yearling cattle through summer; numbers of developing larvae and adults were minimal. Maturation of inhibited larvae occurs from August to October and in one instance was associated with cases of clinical parasitism. Factors responsible for inhibition were not defined, but increasing temperatures of late winter-early spring, host resistance, and density-dependence of populations were considered. Other abomasal genera were most prevalent in spring while intestinal genera were most common during autumn through spring.     

Seasonal cycles in the output of first stage larvae of the nematode Elaphostrongylus rangiferi from reindeer,Rangifer tarandus tarandus

Summary The output of first stage larvae of the neurotrophic nematode Elaphostrongylus rangiferi was studied both in a herd of reindeer in the field and in reindeer held in captivity. There was a marked seasonal cycle in the output of larvae from infected reindeer. This seasonal cycle is dependent on host sex. After an initial phase of logarithmic increase from the onset of patency in late winter/spring, the larval output declines to a minimum in summer in both female and male reindeer. From then onwards a yearly cycle is repeated with a maximum density of larvae in autumn/early winter from male reindeer, and in late winter/spring from female reindeer. E. rangiferi has an adult longevity of several years in the reindeer, and it is probable that the seasonal cycle of parasite output is linked to seasonal changes in the degree of host stress.     

中国猪尾鼠(Typhlomys cinereus Milne-Edwards)一新亚种

在云南景东亚热带山地常绿阔叶林中捕获了一组猪尾鼠,经鉴定为一新亚种,特予报道。     

Environmental Influences on Mass Dynamics of the Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) Thymus Gland

The influence of season on thymus gland mass was examined relative to captivity, gender, and age in 921 cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) from free-ranging and laboratory populations. Age-related involution of the thymus gland was evident in free-ranging males and females and captive females. A distinct seasonal cycle in thymus mass dynamics was apparent among adult cotton rats. Mass of the thymus gland was greatest from late fall to early winter before declining 2-4 fold during spring. Thymus gland mass remained low through spring and summer in adult cotton rats when reproductive activity was maximum. No seasonal cycle in thymus mass was apparent among juveniles. Possible involvement of sex hormones in regulating thymus size is discussed.     

Seroprevalence of equine babesiosis in the Black Sea region of Turkey

The prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi was determined in equid blood samples in five provinces of the Black Sea region of Turkey by using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Of 153 samples, 53 (34.6%) and 33 (21.5%) were seropositive to B. caballi and T. equi, respectively. In addition, 8 (5.2%) of samples were seropositive to both T. equi and B. caballi. Anti T. equi and B. caballi antibodies were detected in all five regions. The prevalence of B. caballi was higher than T. equi in all counties. Antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in horses of all ages, and there were no significant differences among age groups. Out of 84 horses, 32 (38.0%) were positive for B. caballi infection and 20 (23.8%) were positive for T. equi infection. Five horses (5.6%) were found to be seropositive to both B. caballi and T. equi. Of 38 donkeys, 14 (36.8%) were found to be positive for B. caballi infection and 5 (13.1%) positive for T. equi infection. In addition, 2 (5.2%) samples were seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi infections. Out of 31 mules, 8 (25.8%) were positive for B. caballi infection and 8 (25 8%) positive for T. equi infection. One (3.2%) sample was seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi infections. Of all the animals in this study, only 3 horses were infected by Rhipicephalus turanicus and Hyalomma detritum, and no haemoparasites were detected by microscopic examination.     

Effect of host egg viability on reproduction and development of Trichogramma cacoeciae and T. principium (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

A combination of a sterile insect technique, resulting in infertile eggs, and of an egg parasitoid, should provide better control of codling moth than either alone. Non-choice laboratory experiments were conducted with infertile and fertile codling moth eggs to evaluate the potential parasitism and reproduction of Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal and T. principium Sug. et Sor. The tendency of T. cacoeciae females to attack infertile eggs was similar to that for fertile eggs, whereas T. principium showed a greater preference for infertile eggs than fertile eggs. The fertility status of the host did not affect the number of eggs that were parasitized but fewer F₁ progeny emerged from infertile eggs when parasitized than from fertile eggs. When T. cacoeciae and T. principium parasitized infertile host eggs their mean developmental time was prolonged but the viability and quality of parasitoid progeny was not influenced by the fertility status of the host eggs. The study demonstrates the compatibility of use of T. cacoeciae and T. principium in an integrated program employing the sterile insect technique for codling moth management.     

Potential vectors of West Nile virus following an equine disease outbreak in Italy

In the late summer of 1998, an outbreak of equine encephalomyelitis due to West Nile virus (WNV) occurred in the Tuscany region of central Italy. The disease was detected in 14 race horses from nine localities in four Provinces: Firenze, Lucca, Pisa and Pistoia. The outbreak area included Fucecchio wetlands (1800 ha), the largest inland marsh in Italy, and the adjacent hilly Cerbaie woodlands with farms breeding horses. To detect potential vectors of WNV, entomological surveys of Fucecchio and Cerbaie were undertaken during 1999-2002 by collecting mosquito larvae from breeding sites and adult mosquitoes by several methods of sampling. Among 6023 mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) collected, 11 species were identified: Aedes albopictus (Skuse), Ae. vexans (Meigen), Anopheles atroparvus Van Thiel, An. maculipennis Meigen s.s., An. plumbeus Stephens, Culex impudicus Ficalbi, Cx. pipiens L., Culiseta longiareolata Macquart), Ochlerotatus caspius (Pallas), Oc. detritus (Haliday) and Oc. geniculatus (Olivier). In Fucecchio marshes, Cx. impudicus predominated with seasonal peak densities in spring and autumn: its greatest abundance during early spring coincides with arrival of migratory birds from Africa. In Cerbaie hills, Cx. pipiens predominated with peak population density in late summer. No viruses were isolated from 665 mosquitoes processed. These findings, plus other data on Italian mosquito bionomics, suggest a possible mode of WNV transmission involving the most abundant Culex in the Fucecchio-Cerbaie areas. Culex impudicus, being partly ornithophilic, might transmit WNV from migratory to non-migratory birds during springtime; Cx. pipiens, having a broader host range, would be more likely to transmit WNV from birds to horses and, perhaps, to humans by late summer.     

Immunohistochemical evidence of seasonal changes of gonadotropes in male ruin lizard (Podarcis sicula campestris De Betta)

The pars distalis from the pituitary gland of adult male ruin lizards (Podarcis sicula campestris De Betta), captured during the five periods of the annual sexual cycle (emergence from hibernation, reproductive period, summer regression, autumnal recrudescence, winter arrest), was studied immunohistochemically using specific antibodies against hFSHbeta, hLHbeta, oFSHbeta, and oLHbeta with the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) procedure to monitor the seasonal changes in shape, size and percentage area taken up from gonadotropes. FSH containing cells were specifically identified with anti-hFSHbeta and anti-oFSHbeta sera, whereas the LH cells were localized by anti-hLHbeta. The anti-oLHbeta serum showed cross-reactivity with the cells immunostained by the three above antisera (anti-hFSHbeta, anti-oFSHbeta, and anti-hLHbeta). None of the cells contained both gonadotropic hormones as shown by the double-immunostaining procedure. Generally, FSH cells were larger and more numerous than LH cells. FSH cells were elongated or pyriform in shape from spring to autumn, whereas they were round or oval during the winter stasis and until the emergence from hibernation. The size and the percentage area occupied by FSH cells showed an annual pattern with two distinct peaks in the reproductive and in the autumnal recrudescence periods. LH cells did not show seasonal changes in shape, being round or oval throughout the reproductive cycle, whereas their size and the area they occupied underwent seasonal variations. The LH cells reached the largest size during the reproductive period and the smallest size during the summer regression. The percentage area occupied by LH cells in the pars distalis peaked at the emergence from hibernation and during the summer refractory period, when FSH cells displayed their lowest values.