Habitat overlap between sympatric European hares (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Lepus europaeus</Emphasis>) and Eastern cottontails (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Sylvilagus floridanus</Emphasis>) in northern Italy

In northern Italy, the range of the Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) largely overlaps with that of the native European hare (Lepus europaeus) on the Po Plain. Both species appear to have similar habitat requirements. We studied habitat selection by hares and cottontails during feeding activity from September 2006 to August 2007 in two areas where they occur alone (allopatry) and in one area where they occur together (sympatry). The three areas were basically similar, so that shifts in habitat use observed in sympatry should reflect the response to interspecific competition. Habitat selection was examined at micro- and macro-habitat levels throughout seasons. Habitat breadth of both species followed the change of resource availability through seasons in allopatry as well as in sympatry. No shifts in habitat use were evident at macro-habitat level, even during autumn which was the limiting season. Exploitation of shared habitats by the two species seems to be promoted by differential micro-habitat use within macro-habitat types. Cottontails used woods with dense understory in greater proportion than hares, and their present sites were concentrated within the maximum distance of 20 m of the nearest shelter site. Hares were more likely than cottontails to exploit crops, and their sites were distributed even greater than 80 m away from permanent cover patches. The habitat heterogeneity of agricultural ecosystems within the sympatry range could buffer the negative effects of external factors (climate, human disturbance and predation) on hares, and enhance the chances of exploitation of shared habitats by both species.     

Urease activity in the gastrointestinal tract of the European hare (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Lepus europaeus</Emphasis>)

The intensity of urea recycling in the wild herbivorous European hare has been investigated. The intensity of urease activity in the gastrointestinal tract has been selected as a convenient quantitative measure of nitrogen recycling. High urease activity was detected in the large intestine; it was higher than the previously detected activity in other mammals with postgastric fermentation: pigs, rats, and rabbits. The strong seasonal dynamics of urease activity has been noted: it increases during winter diet consumption, which is poor in available nitrogen.     

Prevalence of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Haemophilus parasuis</Emphasis> infection in hunted wild boars (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Sus scrofa</Emphasis>) in Germany

Haemophilus parasuis is the etiological agent of Glässer’s disease, often involved in pneumonia, and also an early colonizer of the upper respiratory tract of healthy domestic pigs. Little information is available on H. parasuis in wild boars. The aim of the present study was to evaluate H. parasuis infection in wild boars in Germany. Tissue samples from the lungs and tonsils of 531 wild boars from 52 hunts during the hunting seasons 2004/2005 to 2006/2007 were examined independently for H. parasuis by PCR because H. parasuis is a fastidious organism, which hampers its isolation from clinical samples. The overall prevalence of H. parasuis in wild boars in Germany was 74.2%. H. parasuis was detected in 69.1% of tonsils and 40.4% of lungs. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a wide distribution of H. parasuis in German wild boar populations and further research is required to understand the virulence of H. parasuis strains in wild boars, as well as the distribution and potential exchange of different strains between wild boars and domestic pigs.     

Efficient separation and purification of allophycocyanin from <Emphasis Type=Italic>Spirulina</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Arthrospira</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type=Italic>platensis</Emphasis>

Allophycocyanin (APC) is a minor component of phycobiliproteins in cyanobacteria and red algae. This paper describes a simple and inexpensive extracting method for isolating APC from Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis with high efficiency. The crude phycobiliprotein extract was pretreated by ammonium sulfate fractionation. Then, by adding hydroxylapatite into crude phycobiliprotein extract dissolved in 20 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), APC was selectively adsorbed by hydroxylapatite but C-phycocyanin (C-PC) was not. The hydroxylapatite was collected and APC was extracted from the crude phycobiliprotein extract. Then, the enriched APC was washed off from the hydroxylapatite using 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). In this simple extracting method it was easy to remove C-PC and isolate APC in large amounts. The absorbance ratio A ₆₅₀/A ₂₈₀ of extracted APC reached 2.0. The recovery yield was 70%, representing 4.61 mg · g⁻¹ wet weight. The extracted APC could be further purified by a simple anion-exchange chromatography with a pH gradient from 5.6 to 4.0. The absorbance ratio A ₆₅₀/A ₂₈₀ of the purified APC reached 5.0, and the overall recovery yield was 43%, representing 2.83 mg · g⁻¹ wet weight. Its purity was confirmed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE.     

New species of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Dypsis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type=Italic>Ravenea</Emphasis> (Arecaceae) from Madagascar

Fourteen new species of palms (Arecaceae) from Madagascar are described and named, based on material collected over the last 15 years. Twelve species belong to the genus Dypsis, namely D. andilamenensis Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. anjae Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. betsimisarakae Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. culminis Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. dracaenoides Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. gautieri Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. gronophyllum Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. jeremiei Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. metallica Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. reflexa Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. sancta Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. and D. vonitrandambo Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. and two species belong to the genus Ravenea: R. beentjei Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. and R. hypoleuca Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. Despite the fact that most of these species have been recorded from protected areas that are difficult to access in the eastern region of Madagasacar, they are all threatened. Based on IUCN categories and criteria, seven are Critically Endangered and seven are Vulnerable.     

Attenuation of fibrosis <Emphasis Type=Italic>in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type=Italic>in vivo</Emphasis> with <Emphasis Type=Italic>SPARC</Emphasis> siRNA

Introduction  

SPARC is a matricellular protein, which, along with other extracellular matrix components including collagens, is commonly over-expressed in fibrotic diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine whether inhibition of SPARC can regulate collagen expression in vitro and in vivo, and subsequently attenuate fibrotic stimulation by bleomycin in mouse skin and lungs.     

Characteristics of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Phomopsis sclareae</Emphasis> obtained from sage (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Salvia officinalis</Emphasis>)

In the years 2004–2006 the species P. sclareae was isolated from sage stems showing the symptoms in the form of bark peeling off and breaking. On the basis of 5 isolates randomly chosen from the fungus population, morphology and the conditions of temperatures favourable for the most intensive growth and creation of the fungus infectious material were studied. The temperature of −6°C was viewed as unfavourable for the fungus growth, and that of 32°C was considered to prevent the formation of picnidia and conidia. The dynamic growth of the colonies and the formation of numerous picnidia and conidia were observed at the temperatures ranging from 20°C to 28°C.     

Cryopreservation of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Robinia</Emphasis><Emphasis Type=Italic>pseudoacacia</Emphasis>

Cryopreservation of Robinia pseudoacacia explants by vitrification achieved 78% survival following the stepwise preculture of shoot tips in (0.3 + 0.5 + 0.7 M) sucrose with a 80 min incubation in PVS2; compared to 87% survival after desiccation of explants to 30% water content, following 3 days alginate bead (with glycerol and sucrose treatments) preculture in 0.7 M sucrose.     

Survival and causes of death among released brown hares (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Lepus europaeus</Emphasis> Pallas, 1778) in Central Poland

We describe the results of our research on population dynamics among brown hares reared in enclosures and then released into suitable natural habitat. Radio-tracking was used to follow the fate of 60 released brown hares over a 4-year period, extending between November 2005 and November 2009. The survival rate among these animals after 12 months was estimated to be 37 %, with 22 tagged individuals surviving beyond 1 year post-release. The highest (40 %) level of mortality characterised the first month after release, while a second period of enhanced mortality coincided with the breeding season (altogether accounting for a 20 % mortality rate). There was no significant relationship between body mass and mortality rate in the first month following release. A natural cause of death was predation by mammals, which accounted for some 31 % of all losses. Remaining causes were poaching (13 %), hits by vehicles (7 %) and unidentified causes (9 %). However, in at least 40 % of cases, it was not possible to determine the date when a released animal died, to say nothing of the cause of death.     

Potential long-term storage of the predatory mite <Emphasis Type=Italic>Phytoseiulus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type=Italic>persimilis</Emphasis>

Increasing the ability to store mass-reared natural enemies during periods or seasons of low demand is a critical need of the biocontrol industry. We tested the hypothesis that chemicals can enhance long-term cold storage of a predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot. The research objective was to determine the effect of cryoprotectant and carbohydrate chemicals on in-storage survival of predators. In-storage survival at 8°C was greater for predators sprayed with glycerol (5%, v/v) or glucose (10% and 20%, v/v) than with water spray controls. After 74 days in the cryoprotectant experiment, predator survival declined to 11.5% in the 5% glycerol treatment and 7.8% in the water spray control. After 88 days in the carbohydrate experiment, predator survival declined to 22% in the 20% glucose treatment and 2% in the water spray control. Although many individuals expired within 50 days in both experiments, a few females survived more than 200 days. This research suggests that select cryoprotectants and carbohydrates have a limited capacity to facilitate long-term storage of P. persimilis.     

Presence of <Emphasis Type=Italic>C. albidus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type=Italic>C. laurentii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type=Italic>C. uniguttulatus</Emphasis> in Crop and Droppings of Pigeon Lofts (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Columba livia</Emphasis>)

Columba livia is an important reservoir and carrier of Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus uniguttulatus, Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus albidus. Upper digestive tract of this species is also known as a habitat for Cryptococcus neoformans. Given the increasing clinical interest of this microorganism, 331 swabs from crop and 174 dropping samples from pigeon lofts in Grand Canary Island have been studied. The obtained results show an extensive presence samples 81 positive (24.47%) of Cryptococcus spp. in analysed crops: 32 (9.66%) for C. neoformans, 24 (7.2%) for C. uniguttulatus, 23 (6.9%) for C. albidus and 2 (0.6%) for C. laurentii. In the same way, Cryptococcus spp was also isolated in 82 (47.13%), dropping samples: C. neoformans in 59 (33.9%), C. uniguttulatus, in 9 (5.17%), C. laurentii in 8 (4.59%) and C. albidus in 6 (3.44%) of the investigated samples, respectively. The cryptococcosis produced by species of cryptococci other than C. neoformans has become more important during the last decade, supporting the study on the role of pigeon in the epidemiology of this disease.     

Transpiration and stomatal conductance of mistletoe (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Loranthus europaeus</Emphasis>) and its host plant,downy oak (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Quercus pubescens</Emphasis>)

Sap flow rate was measured in the crown of a solitary specimen of downy oak (Quercus pubescens) infested by mistletoe (Loranthus europaeus). Five oak branches and two mistletoe plants were selected for analysis. The seasonal sum of transpired water expressed per leaf area unit was five times higher in the mistletoe than in the oak. In addition, the diurnal curves of sap flow were different between the plants. In the morning, the sap flow measured in the mistletoe lagged one hour behind the sap flow measured in an oak branch unencumbered by mistletoe. In contrast, no time lag was observed in the evening. The proportion of water transpired at night relative to the total transpiration was 7% in both species. The stomatal conductances derived from the inverted Penman-Monteith equation and their dependence on global radiation and the vapour pressure deficit (D) revealed that D exerts a different behaviour in stomatal control of transpiration in the mistletoe. We also determined that the concentration of calcium in the leaf mass could serve as a proxy for transpiration rate, however the relationship was not proportional.     

<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.     

Probiotic <Emphasis Type=Italic>Lactobacillus</Emphasis> strains: <Emphasis Type=Italic>in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type=Italic>in vivo</Emphasis> studies

Three Lactobacillus strains (LOCK 0900, LOCK 0908, LOCK 0919) out of twenty-four isolates were selected according to their antagonistic activity against pathogenic bacteria, resistance to low pH and milieu of bile salts. Intragastric administration of a mixture of these strains to Balb/c mice affected cytokine T_H1-T_H2 balance toward nonallergic T_H1 response. Spleen cells, isolated from lactobacilli-treated mice and re-stimulated in vitro with the mixture of heat-inactivated tested strains, produced significantly higher amounts of anti-allergic tumor necrosis factor- and interferon-γ than control animals whereas the level of pro-allergic interleukin-5 was significantly lower. Lactobacillus cells did not translocate through the intestinal barrier into blood, liver and spleen; a few Lactobacillus cells found in mesenteric lymph nodes could create antigenic reservoir activating the immune system. The mixture of Lactobacillus LOCK 0900, LOCK 0908 and LOCK 0919 strains represents a probiotic bacterial preparation with possible use in prophylaxis and/or therapy of allergic diseases.     

Synthesis of orthogonally protected (<Emphasis Type=Italic>3R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type=Italic>4S</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type=Italic>3S</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type=Italic>4S</Emphasis>)-4,5-diamino-3-hydroxypentanoic acids

Summary.  The paper describes two methods of the synthesis of ethyl (3R,4S)- and (3S,4S)-4-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-5-[(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)amino]-3-hydroxypentanoates, useful for the syntheses of edeine analogs. Differently N-protected (S)-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid was used as a substrate in both procedures. The absolute configuration of newly generated asymmetric carbon atoms C-3 in β-hydroxy-γ,δ-diamino products was assigned by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy after their transformation into corresponding piperidin-2-ones. Received May 24, 2002 Accepted October 10, 2002 Published online December 18, 2002 Acknowledgment The authors are indebted to the Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk for financial support. Authors' address: Zbigniew Czajgucki, M. Sc., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk, 11/12 Narutowicza St., 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland, Fax +48 58 347 11 44, E-mail: zmczaj@wp.pl     

Life cycle of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Aylax hypecoi</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Insecta: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae</Emphasis>), a gall inducer on <Emphasis Type=Italic>Hypecoum</Emphasis> ssp. (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Papaveraceae</Emphasis>)

The life cycle and developmental stages of Aylax hypecoi (Trotter, 1913, Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Aylacini) were studied in detail. Aylax hypecoi is known to induce galls in fruits of two Hypecoum species — H. imberbe and H. geslini (Papaveraceae) and the larva develops in host plant fruits. The morphology and development of egg, larva and pupa were investigated, which has previously not been done. The shape and size of terminal-instar larvae and associated galls are sex-specific. Overwintering stage, adult emergence and flying periods, and egg productivity were studied also.