Changes to Category C of the British List†

In its maintenance of the British List, the British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) is responsible for assigning species to categories to indicate their status on the List. In 1995, the British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) held a conference on naturalized and introduced birds in Britain ( Holmes & Simons 1996 ). This led to a review of the process of establishment of such species and the terms that best describe their status ( Holmes & Stroud 1995 ) as well as a major review of the categorization of species on the British List ( Holmes et al. 1998 ). The BOURC continues to review the occurrence and establishment of birds of captive origin in Britain. This paper summarizes the status of naturalized and introduced birds in Britain and announces changes to the categorization of many on the British List or its associated appendices (Categories D and E): Mute Swan Cygnus olor Categories AC change to AC2 Black Swan Cygnus atratus Category E* – no change Greylag Goose Anser anser Categories ACE* change to AC2C4E* Snow Goose Anser caerulescens Categories AE* change to AC2E* Greater Canada Goose Branta canadensis Categories ACE* change to C2E* Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Categories AE* change to AC2E* Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus Categories CE* change to C1E* Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Categories BDE* – no change Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata Category E* – alert JNCC Wood Duck Aix sponsa Category E* – no change Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata Categories CE* change to C1E* Gadwall Anas strepera Category A change to AC2 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Categories AE* change to AC2C4E* Red‐crested Pochard Netta rufina Categories AE* change to AC2E* Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Categories CE* change to C1E* Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix Categories AE – no change Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus Categories BC change BC3 Red‐legged Partridge Alectoris rufa Categories CE* change to C1E* Grey Partridge Perdix perdix Categories ACE change to AC2E Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Categories CE* change to C1E* Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus Categories CE* change to C1E* Lady Amherst's Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae Categories CE* change to C6E* Black‐crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Categories AE* – no change Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Category E – no change Red Kite Milvus milvus Categories AC change to AC3 White‐tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Categories ACE change to AC3E Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Categories AE* change to AC3E* Rock/Feral Pigeon Columbia livia Categories AE* change to AC4E* Rose‐ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Categories CE* change to C1E* Barn Owl Tyto alba Categories AE* – no change Little Owl Athene noctua Category C change to C1     

Molecular Epidemiology of Cryptosporidiosis in Children in Malawi

ABSTRACT: Few studies have examined the molecular epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in developing countries. In this study, DNA of 69 microscopy-positive human fecal samples collected from Malawi were examined by multilocus genetic analyses. From 43, 27 and 28 of the samples, the SSU rRNA, 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) and 60 kDa glycoprotein (GP60) genes, respectively, were successfully PCR-amplified. Restriction analysis of the SSU PCR products showed that 41 of the 43 PCR-positive samples had C. hominis and 2 had C. parvum. Sequence analysis of the HSP70 and GP60 gene contirmed the species identification by SSU rRNA PCR-RFLP analysis, but also revealed high intraspecific variations. Altogether, six HSP70 subtypes and six GP60 subtypes (belonging to lour subtype alleles) of C. hominis were found. Linkage diseyuilibrum analysis of the two genetic loci showed possible intraspecitic recombination. Thus, cryptosporidiosis in the study area was largely caused by anthroponotic transmission. The high intraspecitic variation and existence of genetic recombination were probably results of high transmission of cryptosporidiosis in this area.     

Fine-Scale Analysis of Mount Graham Red Squirrel Habitat Following Disturbance

ABSTRACT Habitat destruction and degradation are major factors in reducing abundance, placing populations and species in jeopardy. Monitoring changes to habitat and identifying locations of habitat for a species, after disturbance, can assist mitigation of the effects of human-caused or -amplified habitat disturbance. Like many areas in the western United States, the Pinaleño Mountains of southeastern Arizona, USA, have suffered catastrophic fire and large-scale insect outbreaks in the last decade. The federally endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) is only found in the Pinaleño Mountains, and to assess effects of forest disturbance on habitat we modeled their potential habitat by identifying characteristics of cover surrounding their centrally defended middens. We classified high-spatial resolution satellite imagery into ground cover classes, and we used logistic regression to determine areas used by squirrels. We also used known midden locations in conjunction with slope, elevation, and aspect to create a predictive habitat map. Squirrels selected areas of denser forest with higher seedfall for midden sites. Among active middens, those in the densest and least damaged forests were occupied in more seasons than those in more fragmented and damaged areas. The future conservation of red squirrels and the return of healthy mature forests to the Pinaleño Mountains will rely on preservation of mixed conifer zones of the mountain and active restoration of spruce-fir forests to return them to squirrel habitat. Our ability to evaluate the spectrum of fine- to coarse-scale disturbance effects (individual tree mortality to area wide boundaries of a disturbance) with high-resolution satellite imagery shows the utility of this technique for monitoring future disturbances to habitat of imperiled species.     

The role of leaf wounding and an epigeal predator on caterpillar damage to tomato plants

The effects of leaf wounding and the presence of a New Zealand carabid predator, Megadromus antarcticus, on the mortality of, and leaf damage caused by, Spodoptera litura on tomatoes were examined in glass houses. The presence of the non-climbing carabid increased S. litura mortality with a subsequent decrease in leaf damage. Leaf wounding produced a possible decrease in herbivory but did not affect S. litura mortality. Neither leaf wounding or the presence of carabids affected the vertical distribution of leaf damage on the tomato plants. The role of M. antarcticus as a biocontrol agent for tomato pests in New Zealand is briefly discussed.     

Cloning and Analysis of a Cryptosporidium parvum Gene Encoding a Protein with Homology to Cytoplasmic Form Hsp70

ABSTRACT. An intronless gene encoding a protein of 674 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 73,403 Da showing homology to the cytoplasmic form of the 70 kDa heat shock proteins has been cloned and sequenced from the intestinal pathogen Cryptosporidium parvum . Monospecific polyclonal antibodies obtained to recombinant protein recognized a single band with an approximate molecular mass of 70 kDa on a Western blot of C. parvum proteins, as well as the 70 kDa heat shock protein from bovine brain. Southern blot analysis suggested the gene was single copy in the C. parvum genome. Eleven perfect repeats of the sequence GGMP were found in the predicted protein near the carboxyl terminus.     

The Life Cycle of Cryptosporidium baileyi n. sp. (Apicomplexa, Cryptosporidiidae) Infecting Chickens

ABSTRACT. The life cycle and morphology of a previously undescribed species of Cryptosporidium isolated from commercial broiler chickens is described. The prepatent period for Cryptosporidium baileyi n. sp. was three days post oral inoculation (PI) of oocysts, and the patent period was days 4–24 PI for chickens inoculated at two days of age and days 4–14 for chickens inoculated at one and six months of age. During the first three days PI, most developmental stages of C. baileyi were found in the microvillous region of enterocytes of the ileum and large intestine. By day 4 PI, most parasites occurred in enterocytes of the cloaca and bursa of Fabricius (BF). Mature Type I meronts with eight merozoites first appeared 12 h PI and measured 5.0 × 4.9 μm. Mature Type II meronts with four merozoites and a large granular residuum first appeared 48 h PI and measured 5.1 × 5.1 μm. Type I meronts with eight short merozoites and a large homogeneous residuum first appeared 72 h PI and measured 5.2 × 5.1 μm. Microgamonts (4.0 × 4.0 μm) produced 16 micro-gametes that penetrated into macrogametes (4.7 × 4.7 μm). Macrogametes gave rise to two types of oocysts that sporulated within the host cells. Most were thick-walled oocysts (6.3 × 5.2 μm), the resistant forms that passed unaltered in the feces. Some were thin-walled oocysts whose wall (membrane) readily ruptured upon release from the host cell. Sporozoites from thin-walled oocysts were observed penetrating enterocytes in mucosal smears. The presence of thin-walled, autoinfective oocysts and the recycling of Type I meronts may explain why chickens develop heavy intestinal infections lasting up to 21 days. Oocysts of C. baileyi were inoculated orally into several animals to determine its host specificity. Cryptosporidium baileyi did not produce infections in suckling mice and goats or in two-dayold or two-week-old quail. One of six 10-day-old turkeys had small numbers of asexual stages only in the BF. Four of six one-day-old turkeys developed mild infections only in the BF, and sexual stages of the parasite were observed in only one of the four. All seven one-day-old ducks and seven two-day-old geese developed heavy infections only in the BF with all known developmental stages present.     

Description of the Oocysts of Two New Species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimerüdae) from the Florida Manatee, Trichechus manatus (Sirenia: Trichechidae)

Two new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimerüdae) are described from the feces of the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostrts (Sirenia: Trichechidae). Oocysts of Eimeria manatus n. sp. are spherical to subsphencal, 11.8 × 10.7 (10.5–13.5 × 9.0–13.5) μ m , with a smooth, thin, bilayered wall; shape index (length/width) 1.1 (1.0–1.3). Micropyle and oocyst residuum absent; polar granule(s) usually present. Sporocysts are ovoid, 8.6 × 5.1 (8.0–9.5 × 5.0–5.5) μm, with thin, membrane–like walls and a knoblike Stieda body; shape index 1.7 (1.4–1.8). Sporozoites elongate, each with a large posterior refractile body. The sporocyst residuum consists of a small cluster or row of few to many small granules. Oocysts of Eimeria nodulosa n. sp. are spherical to subspherical, 15.6 × 14.7 (14.5–17.5 × 13.0–16.0) μm, with a distinctly bilayered wall; shape index 1.1 (1.0–1.2). Unsporulated and freshly sporulated oocysts often possess large, knob–like structures on the external surface of the oocyst wall that support a thin membrane or filament. Micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule absent. Sporocysts are ovoid, 10.6 × 5.9 (9.5–12.0 × 5.0–6.5) μm, with a smooth, thin wall and knob–like Stieda body; shape index 1.8 (1.5–2.1). Sporozoites granular and elongate, each with a large posterior refractile body. The sporocyst residuum consists of a loose aggregate or scattered mass of moderately sized granules.     

CLASSIFICATION AND CONTROLS OF INTERNAL BANDING IN PALAEOZOIC STROMATOPOROIDS AND COLONIAL CORALS

Abstract:  Palaeozoic corals and stromatoporoids exhibit a variety of internal banding phenomena, many of which have been commonly interpreted as annual growth bands. We evaluate bands through analysis of colonial corals and stromatoporoids from three stratigraphic intervals: Upper Ordovician of Manitoba Canada, and Llandovery–Wenlock and Ludlow of Gotland, Sweden. Banding features are divided into four categories: (1) absence of banding; (2) density banding formed by variation in density or form of elements; (3) growth-interruption banding indicating growth cessation and regeneration; and (4) post-mortem banding caused by compaction or diagenesis. For discrimination of band types, it is essential to examine internal structures and skeletal margins in thin sections or acetate peels. Species vary considerably in degree and type of banding; each has a distinct pattern of variation. We propose criteria to determine if banding is consistent with seasonally induced growth variation: (1) consistency in band character and thickness; (2) continuity of skeletal growth; (3) marginal features; and (4) evidence of diagenetic alteration. Density bands in tabulate and rugose corals probably represent annual growth variations, but results for stromatoporoids are more ambiguous; although stromatoporoids commonly show banding, unequivocal density banding is poorly developed and growth interruption generated most stromatoporoid banding. Cerioid rugose and tabulate corals possess the thickest density bands; the thinnest bands are in stromatoporoids and heliolitid tabulates.