Low levels of genetic variation within introduced Javan rusa deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cervus timorensis russa</Emphasis>) in Australia

Javan rusa deer (Cervus timorensis russa) is one of six introduced wild deer species in Australia. The largest population is located in the Royal National Park (RNP), New South Wales, Australia. Although the deer are considered a pest in certain areas, they are also commercially valuable. Using molecular markers we aimed to characterise the level of genetic diversity within the RNP population and identify a possible genetic bottleneck associated with the introduction of seven founding individuals. We also aimed to identify appropriate polymorphic microsatellite loci that could assist in commercial breeding programmes and wild population management in Australia. The results indicate that Javan rusa deer from the RNP (n=37) had an average (±SE) of only 2.29±0.095 alleles/locus, which is substantially lower than that reported in source populations from New Caledonia (7.60±0.933 alleles/locus). These data combined with the presence of genetic reduction signatures (P<0.001) indicate that this population has experienced a population bottleneck possibly at the time of establishment in Australia. Despite low allelic diversity, the large suite of identified polymorphic loci (n=24) shows promise for applications in population genetics, including parentage analysis (total parentage exclusion 0.944) within Australia. These data will contribute significantly to improving commercial breeding programmes and possibly to wild population management plans.     

Population structure and genetic diversity of red deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cervus elaphus</Emphasis>) in forest fragments in north-western France

Red deer have been subjected to anthropogenic interference for many centuries. Most populations are managed according to hunting schedules, some have been kept long-term in enclosures and other populations have been restocked with foreign deer. The red deer in the Brittany region of north-western France only occupy the largest forests in the region, reaching quite high densities in restricted areas. Here, we aimed to assess the extent of the genetic variability of the populations in four forest fragments and investigate their population genetic structure. We show that, despite relatively large expected heterozygosity values, these geographically isolated populations are genetically impoverished relative to individuals from large continuous forests in other parts of Western Europe. We provide evidence for population genetic structure with large genetic differentiation between geographically close populations, suggesting the absence of effective exchange between the forests. Using samples from the most likely source population, we show that at least two populations were non-indigenous. In order to limit further loss of genetic diversity, it should be a management objective to reduce isolation of the different forests, rather than further increase it by fences and hunting practices that could limit free movement of red deer.     

Red deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cervus elaphus</Emphasis>) avoid mountain biking trails

Human outdoor activities commonly affect animal behaviour. Ungulates often avoid roads and trails and increase their avoidance with expanding and intensifying human recreational activity. Recently, mountain biking has become increasingly popular in many regions in Norway, but we still have limited knowledge about how mountain biking may affect wildlife. In this study, we used pellet-group counts and camera traps to study the effect of mountain biking on red deer abundance in Kaupanger, Norway. Pellet-group counts decreased close to biking trails, and it appeared that red deer avoided using areas within 40 m of such trails. Camera trap data showed that there was a tendency for deer abundance to decrease with increasing human activity (trail width) during daytime. Males reacted more strongly to this increasing activity than did females. Even with a small-scale approach, focusing on within-stand effects, we found that red deer were affected by mountain bikers and avoided areas close to biking trails. Our findings imply that any further increase in mountain biking may result in greater avoidance and, thus, less suitable habitat for red deer in forest areas.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite markers from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Przewalskia tangutica</Emphasis> (Solanaceae)

Microsatellite-containing regions were isolated and characterized in Przewalskia tangutica Maxim (Solanaceae), an endemic and endangered species to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China. An enrichment protocol yielded 200 positive clones. We designed primers to amplify 29 unique microsatellites, 12 of which amplified cleanly and were polymorphic. A survey of 17 individuals showed that these loci are highly variable with the number of alleles ranging from 3 to 12, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.2929 to 0.4947. Those markers will be useful for studies of population structure and intraspecific variation in P. tangutica.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus anthracis</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Francisella tularensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yersinia pestis</Emphasis>. The most important bacterial warfare agents — <Emphasis Type="Italic">review</Emphasis>

There are three most important bacterial causative agents of serious infections that could be misused for warfare purposes: Bacillus anthracis (the causative agent of anthrax) is the most frequently mentioned one; however, Fracisella tularensis (causing tularemia) and Yersinia pestis (the causative agent of plague) are further bacterial agents enlisted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into the category A of potential biological weapons. This review intends to summarize basic information about these bacterial agents. Military aspects of their pathogenesis and the detection techniques suitable for field use are discussed.     

Coprophagy-related interspecific nocturnal interactions between Japanese macaques (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Macaca fuscata yakui</Emphasis>) and sika deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cervus nippon yakushimae</Emphasis>)

The influence of sympatric large animals on the sleeping behavior of primates in the wild is still largely unknown. In this study, we observed behaviors of wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui) at their sleeping sites, using a highly sensitive video camera. We found evidence of nocturnal interspecific interactions, such as agonistic interactions, between Japanese macaques and sika deer (Cervus nippon yakushimae). Deer approached sleeping clusters of macaques, which slept on the ground, to eat their feces or unidentified materials near the sleeping clusters, and as a result, the macaques were often quickly displaced from their sleeping site. There was a significant difference in the occurrence of macaque–deer agonistic interactions between seasons. Our results suggested that the size of the sleeping cluster, the number of adult macaques in the cluster, and the existence of adult males in the cluster did not influence the occurrence of the agonistic interactions. Finally, we discuss the influence of this interaction on macaques and speculate on the influential factors leading to nocturnal coprophagy of macaques’ feces by deer.     

Interaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus</Emphasis> with bacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campylobacter jejuni</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis>

Interaction of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 100NCJB with bacteria Campylobacter jejuni (strains 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) and Helicobacter pylori, strain TX30a, was confirmed. The results indicate that lytic activity of bdellovibrios both in liquid media and cells attached to a surface was observed. The potential use of the antimicrobial activity of predatory bacteria for environmental bioprotection and public health is discussed.     

Molecular genetic mapping of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">sy1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">sy9</Emphasis> asynaptic genes in rye (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale cereale</Emphasis> L.) using microsatellite and isozyme markers

Studies of phenotypical expression of synaptic mutations in combination with the localization of corresponding genes on a genetic map permit individual stages of the meiotic process to be differentiated. Two rye asynaptic genes, sy1 and sy9, were mapped with the use of microsatellite markers (SSR) in the pericentromeric regions of the long chromosome arms 7R and 2R, respectively. The sy9 gene cosegregated with two SSR markers Xscm43 and Xgwm132. The asynaptic gene sy1 was mapped within the interval between the isozyme locus Aat2 and two cosegregating loci Xrems1188 and Xrems1135 that are located at a distance of 0.4 cM proximally and 0.1 cM distally with respect to the gene lous. Possible evolutionary relationships of the mapped genes with homeological loci of the Triticeae species and more distant cereal species, such as maize and rice, are discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Barleria compacta</Emphasis>: a new species in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Barleria</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prionitis</Emphasis> (Acanthaceae) from Somalia

Following a re-examination of the material treated under Barleria brevispina (Fiori) Hedrén in the recent Flora of Somalia account of the Acanthaceae, it is concluded that two distinct species are involved and Barleria compacta Malombe & I. Darbysh. is described here from north-eastern Somalia. Its affinities and conservation status are discussed.