Evidence for Zoonotic Potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Its First Molecular Characterization in Captive Mammals at Bangladesh National Zoo

To determine the occurrence and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in captive mammals at Bangladesh National Zoo and to assess their zoonotic significance, 200 fecal samples from 32 mammalian species were examined using a nested PCR and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in 16.5% (33/200) of the samples. Seven different ITS genotypes were identified, including two known genotypes (D and J) and five new ones (BAN4 to BAN8). Genotype D was the most common genotype being observed in 19 isolates. In phylogenetic analysis, four genotypes (D, BAN4, BAN5, and BAN6), detected in 30 isolates (90.9%), belonged to Group 1 having zoonotic potential. The sequence of genotype J found in a Malayan pangolin was clustered in so‐called ruminant‐specific Group 2. The other two genotypes BAN7 and BAN8 were clustered in primate‐specific Group 5. To our knowledge, this is the first report of molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in Bangladesh, particularly in captive‐bred wildlife in this country. The potentially zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi are maintained in zoo mammals that may transmit among these animals and to the humans through environmental contamination or contact.     

三种圈养草食性野生动物粪便对 粪食性金龟的引诱效果

圈养草食性野生动物产生的大量粪便堆积容易造成环境污染,且处理耗时耗力。如果能筛选、利用粪食性金龟对草食性野生动物粪便进行处理,无疑具有一定的应用价值。本研究于2019年8和9月,以南京红山森林动物园3种圈养草食性野生动物,亚洲象（Elephas maximus）、黇鹿（Dama dama）和长颈鹿（Giraffa camelopardalis）的新鲜粪便为诱饵,在南京紫金山研究了粪便对粪食性金龟的引诱效果。本实验分为2个阶段,第1阶段采用更换陷阱法,第2阶段采用放置陷阱法,采用单因素方差分析（One-way ANOVA）对粪食性金龟诱捕数量进行检验。第1阶段更换陷阱法共引诱采集粪食性金龟4 597头,隶属于1科5属7种,优势种为中华嗡蜣螂（Onthophagus sinicus）和短亮凯蜣螂（Caccobius brevis）,占总捕获量的比例分别为48.79%和30.95%。第2阶段放置陷阱法共引诱采集粪食性金龟3 512头,同样隶属于1科5属7种,物种与阶段1实验结果相同。粪食性金龟对3种野生动物粪便显示多食性特征,在3种粪便中取食活动的有效时间段主要集中在1 ~ 2 d内,活动时间较短,粪便放置第7天,基本不存在粪食性金龟的活动。粪食性金龟群落的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数在亚洲象粪便中相对较高。本研究表明,动物园3种圈养草食性野生动物粪便对粪食性金龟具有较好的引诱效果,未来需进一步研究粪食性金龟对粪便的处理效果。     

Butterflies of the South Pacific

ABSTRACT

Larvae of the invasive mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say are morphologically similar to those of the native Culex pervigilans Bergroth, yet distinguishing these species can be hampered by morphological variations in Cx. quinquefasciatus. We present detail about the extent of these variations in an urban population of Cx. quinquefasciatus in Auckland. To aid in identification of this exotic species, we provide images of key diagnostic characters and some observed exceptions to these. Details regarding variation in diagnostic characters for < 3rd instar and 3rd/4th instar larvae are given. Of the nine characters used for identification, three were highly consistent (dorsal papillae, mantle plate, pecten teeth); each observed in > 90% of larvae, although these characters were not always visible. Other characters were less reliable, for instance, the expected position of seta 1a-S in relation to the pecten teeth was observed in < 10% of larvae. Further exploration of regional morphological variation in both Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. pervigilans is recommended, ideally with associated molecular characterisation.     

Great Apes in the Giardino Zoologico of Rome (1910-1998): An Overview

This work reviews nearly 90 years of ape keeping and housing at the Giardino Zoologico in Rome, and offers an overview of the scientific research carried out on these primates. It may thus contribute to a better historical knowledge of primate zoo management in Italy. Furthermore, particular attention is paid to morphological aspects in orangutan physical development that should deserve further research.     

A Visit to the Zoos and Aquariums in Japan II

In the year 2013, the authors, who had already visited some Japanese aquariums and zoos in 2012 (Lange & Tai, 2012), revisited several Japanese aquariums and zoos. They were accompanied by two colleagues from Basle Zoo and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who joined the tour.Their goals of the tour were focused on new innovative husbandry methods, on new aquarium buildings and new zoo enclosures as well as on rare Japanese endemic animals, which are never or seldom seen outside of Japan.The perfect new aquariums in Kyoto and Kitami City (Hokkaido), but also the very specialized aquariums like the Kamo Aquarium (for jellyfish) in Yamagata, the Chitose Salmon Aquarium (for salmons), the Otaru Aquarium (for sea mammals) and the Umi Kirara Kujukushima Aquarium (for the fauna of the Kujukushima island National Park) have been destinations for this trip. Besides the aquariums also the Asahiyama Zoo (new enclosures for endemic animals of Hokkaido), Kobe Oji Zoo, Kushiro Zoo (many endemic Hokkaido species), Nagasaki Bio Park, Sapporo Maruyama Zoo (new area for South East Asian animals) and the Sasebo Zoological & Botanical Garden were visited.During this tour it was obvious that neither the colleagues in Japan nor the staff in the zoos outside of Japan know sufficient enough about the conception and the husbandry methods in the different institutions in this part of the world. Therefore it is recommendable to organize such tours often for more people, thus both sides can benefit and learn from each other. This again will influence to help to keep the animals better, to attract more visitors in order to inspire them for the conservation of nature and environment.     

Treatment and utilization of wastewater in the Beijing Zoo by an aquatic macrophyte system

This paper deals with a nutrient cycling experiment in the Beijing Zoo that uses macrophytes as the added link to make a purification system. The whole system consisted of macrophyte cultivating area and no macrophyte area. By making up the different functional groups of aquatic plants, a multilevel cycling network is formed, which has a rather high purification capability. During the experimental period, the water quality of the Waterfowl Lake and the Peony Pavilion Lake improved significantly, with total nitrogen and total phosphorus reductions of up to 58 and 38%, respectively. Other parameters also confirmed the good purification effect of this system. The economic and social benefits met the requirement of the original design.     

Beiträge zur Menschenaffenhaltung im Zoo Berlin nach 1945.: 2. Mitteilung: Bonobos oder Zwergschimpansen (Pan paniscus) Keeping and breeding of Great apes in Berlin Zoo after 1945. 2. Bonobos or Pigmy chimpanzees (Pan paniscus)

The first Bonobo arrived 1987 in Berlin Zoo, the first birth occurred 1995. Up to now four Bonobos were born in Berlin Zoo.     

An off-line filtering ditch–pond system for diffuse pollution control at Wuhan City Zoo

An off-line filtering ditch–pond system was designed and constructed to control the small point and runoff pollution at the Wuhan City Zoo, Hubei Province, China. The quantity and quality of wastewater discharge and runoff from 16 rainfall events were measured to test the effectiveness of the off-line treatment train. The results showed that the water quality was improved and high retention rates for water and pollutants were also achieved by the off-line treatment train. In the outflows, the event mean concentrations (EMCs) of TSS, COD, TN, TDN, TP and TDP were reduced by 75%, 50%, 50%, 57%, 74% and 80% compared to the inflows. In 2005, the annual inflow volume in the catchment was 6783 m³ and the water retention rate was 80.1%. The retention rates in the annual loads of TSS, COD, TN and TP came to 86.4%, 85.5%, 83.9% and 82.9%, respectively. Therefore, the off-line filtering ditch–pond system was shown to be an effective and economical measure to control diffuse pollution. It would be worthwhile to extend the off-line treatment train to regions with limited land resources, especially in urban areas.     

Special wishes for the members of Antwerp Zoo; 65 years of history in pictures (1850-1914)

Antwerp Zoo in Belgium was founded in 1843 and is one of the oldest zoos in the world. It is part of the Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp (RZSA) which also manages Planckendael Wild Animal Park, De Zegge Nature Reserve, Flanders Congress and Concert Center and - since 2009 - Blankenberge Serpentarium - a reptile collection.During its almost 175 years existence the RZSA and Antwerp Zoo in particular went through periods with many highlights but also years with great difficulties. The early years till the start of World War I Antwerp Zoo went through a period that was important for the present zoological garden. The expansion and lay out of the park, the construction of buildings for visitors or to house animals, the offer for visitors to welcome them: much of it still exists or can still be noticed in the park or as part of the day to day operations of Antwerp Zoo and RZSA.For the young society, it was important to have a significant and satisfied membership. Members gave the RZSA not only a key appearance but their financial contributions were also needed for the further development of the gardens. To pamper the members from 1850 on a special annual wishing card was offered to them. This initiative came to an end in 1914. With a few exceptions all of them were very nicely illustrated with pictures of the animals, new constructions or other illustrations which illustrate the development of the zoological garden.The article describes in detail 62 (of 65) known wishing cards, analyzing the relevance of the illustrations for each year. Very often newly arrived species or new constructions are shown. As far as possible more details of these species were gathered. And the future existence of buildings and enclosures and the development of the gardens were also examined.We can conclude that the period before World War I was one with many highlights for Antwerp Zoo. The special whishing cards are very important historical documents and they continue to illustrate the evolution the Zoo went through during the first seventy years.     

Group differences in captive gorillas’ reaction to large crowds

The impact of visitor crowd size on captive animal behaviour can be difficult to interpret in many institutions due to the lack of variation in crowd size over short periods of time. In attempts to compare greater variation in crowd size, animal behaviour is often compared over conditions that create additional confounds, such as day of week or season. Fluctuations in attendance over the holiday season at Disney's Animal Kingdom^® Theme Park provided an opportunity to examine the impact of variation in crowd size on gorilla behaviour without the confounds found in many other studies. Ten western lowland gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla) in a bachelor group (n = 4) and a family group (n = 6) were observed over a period of 8 weeks in late 2005. Observations were classified into Large Crowd and Small Crowd days and a repeated-measures ANOVA procedure was conducted to determine the effects of crowd size and social group on gorilla behaviour patterns. Few overall differences were found in behaviour during the Large Crowd and Small Crowd conditions. However, similar to previous research, gorillas were less visible during the Large Crowd condition (F_1,8 = 14.15, P = 0.01). There was also an interaction of crowd size and group (F_1,8 = 7.58, P = 0.01), indicating the bachelor group of gorillas was more aggressive during the Large Crowd condition, whereas the family group showed no increase in aggression with large crowds. These results indicate the importance of providing complex enclosures with visual barriers to allow animals to move away from large crowds if they choose. Future research should focus on the individual characteristics of animals and enclosures that may contribute to behavioural differences in visitor–animal interaction research, as well as the proximate cues associated with behaviour change when exposed to large crowds.