Comparison of two introduction methods for African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

Managers must consider an animal's potential for aggression when they decide to change or form a captive social group formation. In this study we compared two introduction methods (termed “sequential” and “nonsequential” introductions) in African elephants to assess their effectiveness in managing aggression and minimizing stress. Both introduction methods included four phases: baseline, visual contact, limited tactile contact, and physical introduction. In the sequential introduction, these steps were followed sequentially, and empirical data were considered during decision‐making. In the nonsequential introduction, these steps were not followed sequentially, and decision‐making was based primarily on intuitive assessments by animal managers. Behavioral data and fecal corticoid concentrations were measured throughout both types of introduction. The behavior categories measured included active aggression, passive aggression, submissive behavior, undesirable/stress‐related behavior, and affiliative behavior. While the role of affiliative behavior was surprising, general behavior patterns were characterized by increases in behavior as animals progressed to the next phase of introduction regardless of introduction type. These increases then attenuated over time during each phase. Overall, less behavior was observed during the sequential introduction, as predicted. The data suggest that the sequential introduction managed aggression more effectively. Similar patterns were predicted for undesirable/stress‐related behavior and fecal corticoid concentration. Undesirable/stress‐related behavior was a poor predictor of observed behavior patterns. Although the patterns differed from those predicted, higher concentrations of fecal corticoids were measured during the nonsequential introduction and correlated significantly only with submissive behavior. While more investigation is warranted, the data indicate that the nonsequential introduction brought about an increased physiological response. Overall, the sequential introduction method appeared to manage aggression and stress better than the nonsequential technique. Every introduction is subject to factors that can influence success, such as staff experience, the design of the facility, and the animals' social histories. It is hoped that the rigorous sequential protocol will be a useful tool in the animal manager's “toolbox” for planning and implementing introductions. Applications of this introduction method are also discussed. Zoo Biol 23:109–126, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Vagrant Subantarctic fur seal at Cape Shirreff,Livingston Island,Antarctica

A vagrant adult male Subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis was observed among Antarctic fur seals A. gazella at Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, Antarctica, which is located to ~4,190 and ~5,939 km from the nearest breeding colonies of Subantarctic fur seals. Although the colony of origin of this animal and the reason for its movement outside its distribution range are unknown, this sighting shows the high dispersal capacity of this species and provides an insight into possible changes in its distribution. Although this vagrant was not observed with females Antarctic fur seal, news sightings in the future could result in viable hybrid, and introgressive hybridization could represent a threat for Cape Shirreff population recovery, if still the population way to go to recover to presailing levels.     

Lepidoderma cristatosporum, a new species of myxomycete from Australia

A new species of myxomycete, Lepidoderma cristatosporum, is described from Australia. This species is represented by material collected on subantarctic Macquarie Island. Photographs of fruiting bodies and morphological features as observed under light microscopy are provided, along with micrographs of spore ornamentation as observed by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the new species is compared with other taxa belonging to the genera Lepidoderma and Diderma, especially with the type material of Lepidoderma crustaceum, a very similar species, and Diderma ochraceum and D. sauteri, two species also muscicolous, for which microphotographs are provided.     

Offspring kidnapping with subsequent shared nursing in Antarctic fur seals

Non-offspring maternal care should be common in phocids, but their occurrence would be uncommon among otariids due to the high costs of raising offspring, particularly lactation, and an efficient recognition system that allow for accurate recognition during the frequent mother–pup re-associations. However, non-offspring maternal care has been documented in some otariid species. While the phenomenon in general is not novel among the colonially breeding seals, the exclusive care to a single pup by two lactating females for an extended time is a behavior scarcely documented in natural population. In an extension of this allonursing care, we document the first case of the kidnapping of a pup with subsequent shared nursing in Antarctic fur seal including data on the effect of this interaction on the pup’s growth. While all other lactating females nursed exclusively their own pups, the shared nursing was advantageous for the pup because he grew noticeably larger (in weight and axillary girth) than other of his cohort, particularly after 50 days. This advantage would have been influenced by the asynchrony of the foraging cycle of the biological and foster mother, which resulted in a higher attendance on shore than any other male pups. Although several explanations have been hypothesized for allolactation in mammals, our observations suggest a misguided parental care, associated with recognition errors by the foster mother whose pup was stillborn.     

Absence of anthracycline-induced degradation of nuclear DNA in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

The in vivo effects of anthracycline antibiotics on the integrity of Ehrlich ascites tumour cell DNA have been studied by sedimentation analysis of nuclear structures containing superhelical DNA in neutral sucrose gradients. These fast-sedimenting protein-DNA complexes may be released by gently lysing cells in solution containing non-ionic detergents and high NaCl concentrations (1.95 M). The supercoiled structure of DNA in these protein-DNA complexes is suggested by the characteristic sedimentation in the presence of intercalating agents. Apparently, no DNA damage could be detected in Ehrlich cells from 7-day-old tumours within 3 h after various doses of daunomycin (0.5–10 mg/kg of body wt.) were administered i.p. to mice. Sedimentation anomalies could not be observed even 15 or 30 h after administration of therapeutic doses of daunomycin or adriamycin. In contrast, at 30 min after administration to mice, therapeutic doses of bleomycin (2–8 mg/kg) caused extensive fragmentation of tumour cell DNA, which could be monitored as slowly sedimenting DNA structures (compared with the control). Similarly, DNA damage could be induced by procarbazine at therapeutic doses. Exposure to bleomycin or procarbazine abolished the characteristic biphasic response to ethidium bromide. The absence of anthra-cycline-induced degradation of Ehrlich ascites tumour cell DNA is apparently in contrast with the DNA damage observed in L1210 tumour cells. These observations suggest that DNA damage is not a necessary condition for antitumour activity.     

Long-term subculture affects rooting competence via changes in the hormones and protein profiles in Cedrela fissilis Vell. (Meliaceae) shoots

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Long-term subculture plays an essential role in the large-scale multiplication and production of somatic plantlets. We investigated the effects of...     

Isolation and characterisation of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered ferreous limpet <Emphasis Type="Italic">Patella ferruginea</Emphasis> (Gastropoda,Patellidae)

The limpet Patella ferruginea is one of the most endangered marine invertebrates on western Mediterranean rocky shores. We have isolated and characterised 11 polymorphic microsatellites markers to provide new tools to investigate genetic structure and gather information necessary for the proper management of this severely threatened species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 16 (mean; Na = 8.37) with an average observed heterozygosity of 0.64 (He = 0.66). The levels of polymorphism uncovered at these loci suggest that they should be useful for population genetic studies, parentage analysis and assessment of connectivity among protected areas. None of the pairwaise comparisons among loci showed significant linkage disequilibrium after sequential Bonferroni correction. All but one locus (Pf-31IF1) conformed to HW equilibrium. Further investigation revealed that departures at Pf-31IF1 were not caused by null alleles. Results from cross-species amplifications suggest that some of these loci may also be useful for Patella tenuis (two loci) P. ulyssiponensis (one locus) and P. piperata (three loci).