Geographically diverse Australian isolates of Melissococcus pluton exhibit minimal genotypic diversity by restriction endonuclease analysis

Melissococcus pluton, the causative agent of European foulbrood is an economically significant disease of honey bees (Apis mellifera) across most regions of the world and is prevalent throughout most states of Australia. 49 Isolates of M. pluton recovered from diseased colonies or honey samples in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria were compared using SDS-PAGE, Western immunoblotting and restriction endonuclease analyses. DNA profiles of all 49 geographically diverse isolates showed remarkably similar AluI profiles although four isolates (one each from Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria) displayed minor profile variations compared to AluI patterns of all other isolates. DNA from a subset of the 49 Australian and three isolates from the United Kingdom were digested separately with the restriction endonucleases CfoI, RsaI and DraI. Restriction endonuclease fragment patterns generated using these enzymes were also similar although minor variations were noted. SDS-PAGE of whole cell proteins from 13 of the 49 isolates from different states of Australia, including the four isolates which displayed minor profile variations (AluI) produced indistinguishable patterns. Major immunoreactive proteins of approximate molecular masses of 21, 24, 28, 30, 36, 40, 44, 56, 60, 71, 79 and 95 kDa were observed in immunoblots of whole cell lysates of 22 of the 49 isolates and reacted with rabbit hyperimmune antibodies raised against M. pluton whole cells. Neither SDS-PAGE or immunoblotting was capable of distinguishing differences between geographically diverse isolates of M. pluton. Collectively these data confirm that Australian isolates of M. pluton are genetically homogeneous and that this species may be clonal. Plasmid DNA was not detected in whole cell DNA profiles of any isolate resolved using agarose gel electrophoresis.     

Molecular characterisation of an Australian isolate of Bonamia exitiosa

An Australian (New South Wales) isolate of Bonamia was characterised at the molecular level by sequencing the 18S-ITS-1 region of the small subunit rRNA operon obtained from flat oysters Ostrea angasi shown to be infected by histological examination. Sequence data alignment with homologous genes from 2 other isolates of Bonamia (New Zealand and France) revealed high levels of nucleotide identity with both isolates. However, the Australian Bonamia is shown to be more closely related to the New Zealand isolate, suggesting the existence of an oceanic subgroup of Bonamia.     

Sclerotia of Botrytis as a Source of Primary Inoculum for Bunch Rot of Grapes in New South Wales, Australia

Sclerotia of Botrytis cinerea were found to be a source of primary inoculum for bunch rot of grapes in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Conidia-bearing sclerotia were found on canes on grapevines. Resporulation of sclerotia was observed and sporogenic germination led to infection of flowers and berries. Sclerotia survived for eight months in untreated soil in the laboratory. Application of dicarboximides (procymidone, iprodione and vinclozolin) reduced infection of flowers and bunch rotcaused by the sporogenic germination of sclerotia.     

球孢白僵菌对小猿叶甲的致病力测定

在室内研究了分离自小猿叶甲的一株球孢白僵菌(SCAU-BB 01D)对小猿叶甲的致病力。结果表明,该菌株能感染小猿叶甲的成虫和各龄幼虫,但对不同虫期的致病力存在差异。在105~108孢子/m l的浓度范围内,随着处理浓度的升高,各虫期小猿叶甲的感病死亡率增加,在最高浓度1×108孢子/m l,处理后成虫第14天及1~3龄幼虫第10天的累计死亡率分别为84.7%、94.0%、96.0%和81.0%。用TDM模型对成虫和各龄幼虫的致病力数据进行模拟,所建模型均顺利通过Hosm er-L em eshow拟合异质性检验,表明模型拟合良好,并由模型估计出了该菌株对小猿叶甲各虫期的致死剂量与致死时间。在处理后第10天,成虫和1~3龄幼虫的致死中浓度(LC50)分别为2.68×107、1.07×106、1.63×105孢子/m l和8.31×106孢子/m l,而第14天成虫的LC50为2.38×106孢子/m l。随着浓度的增加,各虫期所需的感病死亡时间缩短,在最高浓度1×108孢子/m l,球孢白僵菌对小猿叶甲成虫及1~3龄幼虫的致死中时(LT50)分别为9.28、4.29、4.40d和5.06 d。综合分析白僵菌对各虫期的致死剂量及致死时间可以看出,不同虫期的小猿叶甲对球孢白僵菌敏感性不同。结果表明该菌株在小猿叶甲生物防治中具有一定的潜力。     

Behavior of pathogenic bacteria in the oyster, Crassostrea commercialis, during depuration, re-laying, and storage

Oysters (Crassostrea commercials) harvested from major cultivation areas within the state of New South Wales, Australia, were commonly contaminated with low levels of the food-poisoning organisms Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Salmonella was found in oysters on only one occasion. These bacteria were cleansed from oysters during oyster purification by re-laying in a non-polluted waterway. Oysters were laboratory contaminated to levels in excess 1,000 cells per g with either B. cereus, C. perfringens, V. parahaemolyticus, Salmonella typhimurium, or S. senftenberg. These species were cleansed from such oysters during purification in a laboratory depuration unit that used ultraviolet light for sterilizing the depuration water. Escherichia coli was also cleansed from oysters under the same re-laying or depuration conditions so that its measurement alone could be used to indicate the cleansing of the above pathogenic species. The levels of these bacteria were also measured during the storage of oysters under conditions that occur during marketing. While B. cereus counts remained relatively stable during storage, the Salmonella spp. gradually decreased in numbers and C. perfringens rapidly died off. V. parahaemolyticus counts increased slightly during the first 4 days of storage, after which decreases occurred.     

Behavior of pathogenic bacteria in the oyster, Crassostrea commercialis, during depuration, re-laying, and storage.

Oysters (Crassostrea commercials) harvested from major cultivation areas within the state of New South Wales, Australia, were commonly contaminated with low levels of the food-poisoning organisms Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Salmonella was found in oysters on only one occasion. These bacteria were cleansed from oysters during oyster purification by re-laying in a non-polluted waterway. Oysters were laboratory contaminated to levels in excess 1,000 cells per g with either B. cereus, C. perfringens, V. parahaemolyticus, Salmonella typhimurium, or S. senftenberg. These species were cleansed from such oysters during purification in a laboratory depuration unit that used ultraviolet light for sterilizing the depuration water. Escherichia coli was also cleansed from oysters under the same re-laying or depuration conditions so that its measurement alone could be used to indicate the cleansing of the above pathogenic species. The levels of these bacteria were also measured during the storage of oysters under conditions that occur during marketing. While B. cereus counts remained relatively stable during storage, the Salmonella spp. gradually decreased in numbers and C. perfringens rapidly died off. V. parahaemolyticus counts increased slightly during the first 4 days of storage, after which decreases occurred.     

Assessing relationships between cattle egret migration and meteorology in the southwest Pacific: a review

 The evolution of research into meteorological factors affecting the migration of the Cattle Egret (Ardeola ibis coromandus) in the southwestern Pacific region (Australia, New Zealand and the Tasman Sea) – from ground-based studies dependent on volunteer observers to a pilot satellite-tracking project – is reviewed and the results are related to the literature on bird migration. The predominant pattern is a seasonal migration from breeding colonies in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales which takes place in stages along the east coastal plain under favourable meteorological conditions. Migration outward (southward) occurs in February through April and return to the breeding colonies occurs in October and November. Wintering destinations include Tasmania, southern Victoria and parts of New Zealand. Favourable meteorological conditions for migration southward include:moderate north to northwest airflow behind a high; light and variable winds in a high or col; and light and variable winds over New South Wales with moderate westerlies over Victoria and Tasmania. A satellite-tracking project helped to validate findings from the ground-based studies, provided additional information not otherwise obtainable, and demonstrated the potential of the technique to further clarify the relation between timing and staging of migration, and meteorology. Received: 1 August 1997 / Accepted: 18 November 1997     

SAPROPHYTIC BEHAVIOUR OF SOME CEREAL ROOT-ROT FUNGI: IV. SAPROPHYTIC SURVIVAL IN SOILS OF HIGH AND LOW FERTILITY

In southern New South Wales the resumption of ley land for wheat growing has been accompanied by an increase in take-all ( Ophiobolus graminis ) and Fusarium root rot ( Fusarium culmorum ). No such increase has been observed in foot and root rots of wheat caused by Helminthosporium sativum and Curvularia ramosa.
It is shown experimentally that these differences are related to the relative capacity of the causal fungi to persist in wheat straw buried in each of two unsterilized soils which, because of past cultural treatments, differed in their organic carbon and total nitrogen content. While the saprophytic survival of O. graminis and F. culmorum was promoted by high soil fertility that of H. sativum was markedly depressed. The survival of C. ramosa was little affected by soil fertility.
F. culmorum, H. sativum and C. ramosa each remained viable under the soil conditions best suited to their survival in one-third to one-half of the test straws for 2 years but O. graminis was not recovered after the 52nd week of sampling.     

Electrophoretic studies of Australasian, North American and European isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and related species.

Forty-seven isolates of Sclerotinia species, collected from a variety of crops growing in Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe, have been classified into three distinct groups on the electrophoretic patterns for soluble proteins, arylesterase, acid phosphatase, tetrazolium oxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP-linked) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate dehydrogenase. There were only small intra-group differences. The electrophoretic patterns of an isolate of Whetzelinia (= Sclerotinia) tuberosa were characteristically different from those of the other isolates. These results support the findings from previous studies when ontogenetic, electrophoretic and mycelial-interaction criteria were used to group a smaller number of isolates from New South Wales, Australia. It is concluded that S. sclerotiorum, S. trifoliorum and S. minor are three distinct species.     

Induction of sexual forms in the rose aphid Macrosiphum rosae

The rose aphid, Macrosiphum rosae (L.), was tested for its ability to produce sexual forms on rose leaves, after induction by environmental conditions in the field and in the laboratory. Clones were collected in Tübingen, Federal Republic of Germany, and in south-eastern New South Wales, Australia. The German clones all produced sexual forms, while the response of the Australian clones was weak. There appeared to be a bias in the sex ratio towards females: This is discussed in developmental terms. The environmental and genetic factors influencing the response are considered.     

New species of Mycosphaerella from Myrtaceae in plantations and native forests in eastern Australia

The majority of Mycosphaerella species from eucalypts (Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora) in Australia have been recorded only from trees growing in plantations. This illustrates a bias in research in the past two decades toward commercial enterprise, and it emphasises a lack of understanding of the occurrence of these important fungi under natural conditions. Surveys of foliar fungi in native forests in eastern Australia, as well as adjacent plantations, thus have been initiated in recent years. In this study we describe four new species of Mycosphaerella from Eucalyptus spp. as well as other Myrtaceae. Mycosphaerella tumulosa sp. nov. (anamorph: Pseudocercospora sp.) was found on more than seven species of Eucalyptus and Corymbia in native forests and plantations in northeastern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland and appears to be relatively common, although not damaging to these trees. Mycosphaerella multiseptata sp. nov. was recorded from several locations on species of Angophora in native forests and amenity plantings. Mycosphaerella pseudovespa sp. nov. was found in one location in native forest on E. biturbinata. The first species of Mycosphaerella to be described from Syncarpia, M. syncarpiae sp. nov., was found in native forests in numerous locations from Sydney through to northeastern New South Wales and appears to be relatively common.     

Molecular epidemiology and spatial distribution of a waterborne cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Australia

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most common waterborne diseases reported worldwide. Outbreaks of this gastrointestinal disease, which is caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite, are often attributed to public swimming pools and municipal water supplies. Between the months of January and April in 2009, New South Wales, Australia, experienced the largest waterborne cryptosporidiosis outbreak reported in Australia to date. Through the course of the contamination event, 1,141 individuals became infected with Cryptosporidium. Health authorities in New South Wales indicated that public swimming pool use was a contributing factor in the outbreak. To identify the Cryptosporidium species responsible for the outbreak, fecal samples from infected patients were collected from hospitals and pathology companies throughout New South Wales for genetic analyses. Genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium oocysts from the fecal samples identified the anthroponotic Cryptosporidium hominis IbA10G2 subtype as the causative parasite. Equal proportions of infections were found in males and females, and an increased susceptibility was observed in the 0- to 4-year age group. Spatiotemporal analysis indicated that the outbreak was primarily confined to the densely populated coastal cities of Sydney and Newcastle.     

Weeds and biodiversity conservation: A review of managing weeds under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995

Summary   In New South Wales, alien plants pose the second greatest threat to biodiversity behind land clearing and habitat loss, yet current weed management does not always address the biodiversity at risk or put in place mechanisms to ensure their recovery. The problem arises in part from an assumption that control programmes which focus only on the weed will result in a biodiversity benefit, rather than acknowledging the need for an assessment of the biodiversity at risk and subsequent incorporation of such information into management strategies. The New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) has been used as a tool to integrate weed control and biodiversity management through the listing of weeds as key threatening processes and the development and implementation of Threat Abatement Plans (TAPs). Through this process, weed management is forced to focus on actual biodiversity conservation outcomes by directing control to areas where the likelihood of a positive biodiversity response is maximized. Bitou Bush ( Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata ) was the first weed species listed under the TSC Act as a key threatening process and to have a TAP prepared. Implementation of the Bitou Bush TAP is now potentially assisting the recovery of over 150 native plant species and 24 ecological communities at more than 160 sites. The TAP process is now being used for Lantana ( Lantana camara ) nationally and for all widespread weed species that threaten biodiversity within each of the 13 Catchment Management Authorities across New South Wales. By focusing the objectives of weed control on biodiversity protection and recovery, and ensuring that sites throughout the distribution of the weed are prioritized, threat reduction and conservation outcomes are more likely to occur at a landscape scale.     

Palaeo‐ecology of the Gap and Coturaundee Ranges,western New South Wales,using stick‐nest rat (Leporillus spp.) (Muridae) middens

Pollen, plant and animal macrofossils recovered from nine Leporillus spp. (Muridae) middens found in the Gap and Coturaundee Ranges, western New South Wales were examined. By comparing current vegetation, pollen from modern surface samples and pollen from midden samples, general vegetation characteristics over the last 6500 years BP were reconstructed. Evidence shows that a greater shrub cover was apparent between 6500 and 5200 BP , while other aspects of the vegetation cover were similar to present. An increase in tree pollen, possibly indicating greater tree cover, occurred around 3400–2600 BP , while vegetation in the last 1300 years was similar to present. These interpretations, particularly from the older samples, are tentative due to spatial and temporal limitations. Animal macrofossils from the middens indicate that several mammal species now extinct or uncommon in western New South Wales have occurred in the area in the past 3000 years. This study also confirms that reconstruction of vegetation from Leporillus spp. midden evidence should be seen as separate ‘snapshots’, rather than continuous records over a stratigraphically defined timescale.     

Bioburden assessment of banked bone used for allografts

Allograft bone is commonly used in reconstructive orthopaedic surgery and needs to be assessed for bioburden before transplant. The Microbiology Department of the South Eastern Area Laboratory Services (SEALS), located at the St. George Hospital, Sydney, has provided this service to the New South Wales (NSW) Bone Bank. This study reviewed the organisms isolated from femoral head allografts of living donors from the NSW Bone Bank over a 7-year period. It was found that growth was reported from 4.9% of samples with the predominant organism being coagulase-negative staphylococci. This review will focus on the micro-organisms isolated, the interaction of the laboratory with the bone bank, the relevance of the bioburden assessment in the overall quality process and patient safety.     

Parasites and associated pathology of the swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor (Marsupialia)

Thirty-five swamp wallabies from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, Australia were examined for parasites. Thirty-nine species of nematodes, five species of cestodes and eight species of arthropods were found. Wallabies from Queensland and northern New South Wales had a less diverse helminth fauna (23 species) than did wallabies from southern New South Wales and Victoria (32 species). Rugopharynx spp. and Cloacina spp. occurred in large numbers in the stomach but provoked no pathological changes. Known pathogenic species (Globocephaloides trifidospicularis and Hypodontus macropi) were encountered in small numbers only and did not produce any lesions. Pathological changes associated with parasites were: gastric nodules associated with Labiostrongylus clelandi and Parazoniolaimus collaris, bronchopneumonia due to Marsupostrongylus spp., biliary fibrosis associated with Progamotaenia festiva and fibrous peritonitis, pleuritis, pericarditis and eosinophilic splenitis due to Breinlia mundayi. Echinococcus granulosus was the only parasite found which also occurs in domestic animals.     

Soil softness, nest initiation and nest sharing in the wasp, Cerceris antipodes (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract. 1. The relationship between soil softness and nest initiation was studied at two aggregations of a ground nesting sphecid wasp, Cerceris antipodes Smith, in New South Wales, Australia.
2. Nests of C.antipodes were initiated throughout the active season. Nests were started more frequently during moist conditions and when more wasps were active.
3. Nest initiation was clumped on days after periods of rain. Nest initiation was only observed when the soil was soft.
4. Two experimental plots that were watered had significantly softer soil and more nests initiated on them than two control plots. Searching female wasps spent considerably more time on the watered plots than the controls.
5. Nest initiation through hard surface soils presents a problem to C.antipodes. Soil softness must be considered in any analysis of nest sharing in this species.     

Arboviruses of coastal south-eastern Australia

During investigations of epidemic polyarthritis at Nelson Bay, New South Wales, 12 strains of Ross River virus, the causative agent, were recovered from pools of mosquitoes. In addition, the mosquito pools yielded 9 strains of the flavivirus Edge Hill, 4 strains of a bunyavirus, Gan Gan, 1 strain of an orbivirus Tilligerry, and 1 strain of an ungrouped probable arbovirus, Yacaaba. The latter 3 viruses were found to be antigenically distinct from previously recorded arboviruses. A case of epidemic polyarthritis probably contracted at Bawley Point, approximately 400 kilometres south of Nelson Bay on the south coast of New South Wales, is recorded. Mosquitoes collected in the nearby Termeil State Forest one year later yielded a strain of Ross River virus and 5 strains of a previously undescribed ungrouped togavirus, Termeil. The extent of arboviral activity in temperate coastal areas of south-eastern Australia was unexpected.     

Experimental Manipulation of Restoration Barriers in Abandoned Eucalypt Plantations

Expansion of the nature conservation estate in northeastern New South Wales, Australia, has captured weed‐infested timber plantations amid a mosaic of high conservation value lands. We adopted a state‐and‐transition approach to test the hypothesis that restoration barriers restrict the natural regeneration of native species in Eucalyptus grandis plantations infested by Lantana camara in Bongil Bongil National Park, New South Wales. Plantation tree thinning and weed control were applied in factorial combination at three sites (totaling to 4.5 ha). Topsoil chemistry responses to these interventions were attributable to the “ash bed” effect, with temporary increases in topsoil pH_W and nitrate, particularly where canopy reduction was greatest. Other soil changes were minor, indicating that thinning and burning did not risk soil degradation. Plant species richness and functional group representation in the regenerating understorey were improved by the interventions. Regeneration of native potential canopy trees, understorey trees, shrubs and woody climbers, and perennial forbs all increased with canopy retention. Grass cover dominated the regeneration where canopy cover was less than 50%. In the absence of weed control, the cover of introduced shrubs increased with reduction in canopy cover, as did the rate of understorey regeneration generally. These responses indicate that thinning and weed control can reinstate succession, leading to structurally and compositionally diverse forest. Given the abundance of native woody regeneration under retained canopy, the lantana understorey was more important in inhibiting native regeneration. The experimental approach will promote efficient use of resources across the remaining 200 ha of low conservation value plantations in this national park.     

利用黄粉虫分离土壤昆虫病原真菌

利用黄粉虫Tenebrio molitorL.作为寄主从土壤中诱感并分离昆虫病原真菌。结果显示,从吉林市的18个土样中分离出球孢白僵菌(Beauveria bassiana)、金龟子绿僵菌(Metarhiziumanisopliae)和玫烟色拟青霉(Paecilomyces fumosoroseus)。土样中的昆虫病原真菌检出率为77.78%。这表明利用黄粉虫分离土壤中的昆虫病原真菌是一种简单、有效的方法。