An integrative approach to characterize cryptic species in the Thoracostoma trachygaster Hope, 1967 complex (Nematoda: Leptosomatidae)

Nematode diversity may seriously be underestimated when taking into account cryptic speciation. Thoracostoma trachygaster is commonly found in kelp holdfasts along the California coastline and was recently shown to consist of at least two distinct molecular clades (I and II). Here, we provide detailed morphological analysis of both clades, based on measurements taken from video vouchers of respectively eight and 16 individuals from the previous study, as well as 80 newly collected specimens from four Californian beaches. The latter were vouchered, measured, and then subjected to molecular analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene, and the ribosomal D2D3 and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. This integrative approach shows that the three molecular clades are phylogenetically and morphologically distinct species, but a combination of morphological characters is needed to distinguish them. Two new species, Thoracostoma fatimae sp. nov. and Thoracostoma igniferum sp. nov. , are identified and described. The spicule length of T. fatimae sp. nov. is significantly shorter than that of T. trachygaster. Thoracostoma igniferum sp. nov. can be distinguished by the irregular posterior edge of the cephalic capsule and the two internal subdorsal tropis‐like projections in the wall of the cephalic capsule, which are lacking in T. fatimae sp. nov. and T. trachygaster. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 18–35.     

Small Mammal Responses to Fine Woody Debris and Forest Fuel Reduction in Southwest Oregon

Abstract: Despite its importance for wildlife, most forests in the Pacific Northwest contain low volumes of large downed wood compared to fine woody debris (FWD). We used a replicated experiment to compare short-term responses of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and western red-backed voles (Clethrionomys californicus) among 3 arrangements of FWD: piled, lopped and scattered, and pile burning, a commonly used method of fuel reduction in commercial Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests in southwest Oregon, USA. We assessed habitat use, density, and survival of mice and voles during 2 consecutive summers (Jun—Aug 1999 and 2000). Both mice and voles used FWD cover disproportionately from its availability, and they differed in their responses to specific FWD arrangements. Mice used piled FWD (proportional use = 37.0%, 90% CI = 33.0–44.0) 43% more than expected (26.0). Number of mice captured (x̄ = 1.9 mice, 90% CI = 1.5–2.5) and index of home range size (x̄ = 4.8 m, 90% CI = 0.7–8.9) at individual FWD piles decreased up to 16% and increased up to 50%, respectively, for each 1-m increase in distance from piles. Voles used all FWD cover classes in proportion to availability, but number of voles captured increased slightly (x̄ = 0.016 voles/m, 90% CI = 0.001–0.031) for each 1-m increase in distance from piles. Piled FWD had no discernable effect on population density and apparent survival of mice, but analyses had low power (0.25, 0.67). Our results suggest that piling FWD would benefit deer mice, whereas lopped and scattered FWD might benefit voles. Thus, a combination of methods to reduce fire risk should be considered to accommodate multiple small mammal species. (JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 72(3):625–632; 2008)     

Predictive Model of Habitat Suitability for the Marbled Murrelet in Western Washington

Abstract: The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a small Pacific seabird with a breeding range that extends from the Aleutian Islands to central California. Throughout most of its breeding range, it uses mature and old-growth coniferous forests as nesting habitat. Although most murrelets seem to nest within 60 km of the coast, occupied nesting habitat has been identified as far as 84 km from the ocean in Washington state. Due to the extensive inland distances within which birds are known to breed, the area requiring surveys to identify breeding sites can be enormous. Therefore, the standard 2-year survey protocol can be expensive and time-consuming for forest management agencies and companies to administer. We developed a logistic regression model to determine whether a suite of forest structural characteristics could be used to reliably predict occupancy of a forest patch by marbled murrelets. We tested the performance of the final model using cross-validation procedures and a sample of independent sites. We used 50 sites surveyed for marbled murrelets to estimate the model, and 48 independent sites were available to test model performance. All 50 sites were on private forestland owned by Rayonier located in the western lowlands of Olympic Peninsula within the Sitka spruce and western hemlock transition zones. We sampled forest habitat at each site, and we collected information on 15 explanatory variables. The best-fitting logistic regression model contained variables that measured number of canopy layers (P<0.001, approx. F test) and mistletoe (Arceuthobium sp.) abundance (P = 0.031, approx. F test). The model misclassified 2 of 33 (94% correct) unoccupied sites as occupied using a classification cut-off (c) of c=0.25. In the other direction, under cross-validation the final model misclassified 2 of 17 (88% correct) occupied sites as unoccupied. On a test of the model against an independent sample, using a classification cut-off value of c = 0.25, the final model correctly classified 36 of 48 sites (75% correct). The final model misclassified 3 of 31 occupied sites as unoccupied (90% correct). Use of predictive models could greatly reduce the amount of forest that requires surveys by screening out those sites with little probability of use and by focusing remaining effort on higher probability sites, resulting in a higher likelihood of identifying occupied sites and thereby more efficiently conserving marbled murrelet nesting habitat.     

DIRECT DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI 0157:H7 IN UNPASTEURIZED APPLE JUICE WITH AN EVANESCENT WAVE BIOSENSOR

An evanescent wave biosensor was used to detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 in unpasteurized apple juice. Light is launched from a 635 nm laser diode into silica or polystyrene optical waveguides, generating an evanescent field which extends from the waveguide surface. Fluorescent molecules within the evanescent field are excited resulting in an emission signal that the biosensor then detects and quantifies. A sandwich immunoassay was performed on the waveguides using cyanine 5 dye-labeled anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibodies for generation of the specific fluorescent signal. The lower limit of detection was between 6.0 × 10² and 6.0 × 10⁴ CFU/mL with silica waveguides and between 3.2 × 10⁴ and 3.2 × 10⁴ CFU/mL using polystyrene waveguides. One-hundred percent correct identification of true positive samples occurred at 6.0 × 10⁴ and 3.2 × 10⁴ CFU/mL for silica and polystyrene waveguides, respectively. Signals from a variety of non-E. coli O157 bacteria, including closely related enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli at concentrations of ˜ 10⁶ CFU/mL, were below the limits of detection. Assays were conducted in near real-time with results obtained within 15 min of sample processing.     

The Role of Exchange in Productive Specialization

Nomadic pastoralists are specialists in complex systems of land use. Their own productive strategies are dependent in large part upon the conversion rates of their products to imported items from other sectors of a larger economy. Changes in these conversion rates are likely to arise for a number of reasons; pastoralists respond to such changes in various ways, depending upon their past histories and current conditions. The case of the Yörük, specialized pastoralists of southeastern Turkey, is used to illustrate this process of changing productive strategies. Generalizations are sought concerning the ways in which large systems of land use become more or less specialized through time, in terms of the consequences of shifting exchange conditions for the productive strategies of component households. [economic anthropology, pastoralism, complex society, interpopulation exchange]     

Genic microsatellite markers derived from EST sequences of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

Switchgrass is a large, North American, perennial grass that is being evaluated as a potential energy crop. There is a need to assess genetic diversity in stored accessions and in remaining native stands to assist breeding and conservation efforts. Marker development will also be necessary for genetic linkage mapping. Toward this end, 32 switchgrass genic di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide repeat microsatellites were identified from expressed sequence tags (ESTs). These microsatellites were used to screen individuals from two different named cultivars. The markers displayed a high level of polymorphism consistent with the tetraploid, allogamous behaviour of the cultivars tested.     

Characterization of 12 new microsatellite loci in Aenictus and Neivamyrmex army ants

Here we describe 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci that were cloned and characterized for three species of army ants: the North American Neivamyrmex nigrescens, and the Asian Aenictus laeviceps and Aenictus dentatus. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.37 to 0.97 (mean 0.70), and from 0.48 to 0.95 (mean 0.72), respectively. We observed 2–30 (mean 12) alleles per locus. These new genetic markers will be useful for studies of overall population structure and the complex pedigrees in colonies of army ants.