Rapid Fishery Assessment by Market Survey (RFAMS) – An Improved Rapid-Assessment Approach to Characterising Fish Landings in Developing Countries

The complex multi-gear, multi-species tropical fisheries in developing countries are poorly understood and characterising the landings from these fisheries is often impossible using conventional approaches. A rapid assessment method for characterising landings at fish markets, using an index of abundance and estimated weight within taxonomic groups, is described. This approach was developed for contexts where there are no detailed data collection protocols, and where consistent data collection across a wide range of fisheries types and geographic areas is required, regardless of the size of the site and scale of the landings. This methodology, which was demonstrated at seven fish landing sites/fish markets in southern Indonesia between July 2008 and January 2011, provides a rapid assessment of the abundance and diversity in the wild catch over a wide variety of taxonomic groups. The approach has wider application for species-rich fisheries in developing countries where there is an urgent need for better data collection protocols, monitoring future changes in market demographics, and evaluating health of fisheries.     

霍乱弧菌检测技术研究进展

随着社会的发展,公共卫生及水体质量已得到明显提升,但到目前为止在发展中国家由霍乱疫情导致的死亡率依旧非常高,而霍乱弧菌即为霍乱疫情爆发的病原菌,且霍乱在我国被列为甲类传染病。目前国内外针对霍乱弧菌已经建立了多种有效的检测技术,对控制霍乱暴发作用显著。本文综述了近年来霍乱弧菌检测技术研究新进展,包括微生物学、免疫学、分子生物学等较成熟的检测方法,生物传感器、快速检测技术等新兴检测方法,并总结各种技术优缺点,展望未来霍乱弧菌检测的市场需求。     

The American brine shrimp as an exotic invasive species in the western Mediterranean

The hypersaline environments and salterns present in the western Mediterranean region (including Italy, southern France, the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco) contain autochthonous forms of the brine shrimp Artemia, with parthenogenetic diploid and tetraploid strains coexisting with the bisexual species A. salina. Introduced populations of the American brine shrimp A. franciscana have also been recorded in these Mediterranean environments since the 1980s. Based on brine shrimp cyst samples collected in these countries from 1980 until 2002, we were able to establish the present distribution of autochthonous brine shrimps and of A. franciscana, which is shown to be an expanding invasive species. The results obtained show that A. franciscana is now the dominant Artemia species in Portuguese salterns, along the French Mediterranean coast and in Cadiz bay (Spain). Co-occurrence of autochthonous (parthenogenetic) and American brine shrimp populations was observed in Morocco (Mar Chica) and France (Aigues Mortes), whereas A. franciscana was not found in Italian cyst samples. The results suggest these exotic A. franciscana populations originate as intentional or non-intentional inoculations through aquacultural (hatchery effluents) or pet market activities, and suggest that the native species can be rapidly replaced by the exotic species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dominance of non-native riparian trees in western USA

Concern about spread of non-native riparian trees in the western USA has led to Congressional proposals to accelerate control efforts. Debate over these proposals is frustrated by limited knowledge of non-native species distribution and abundance. We measured abundance of 44 riparian woody plants at 475 randomly selected stream gaging stations in 17 western states. Our sample indicates that Tamarix ramosissima and Elaeagnus angustifolia are already the third and fourth most frequently occurring woody riparian plants in the region. Although many species of Tamarix have been reported in the region, T. ramosissima (here including T. chinensis and hybrids) is by far the most abundant. The frequency of occurrence of T. ramosissima has a strong positive relation with the mean annual minimum temperature, which is consistent with hypothesized frost sensitivity. In contrast the frequency of occurrence of E. angustifolia decreases with increasing minimum temperatures. Based on mean normalized cover, T. ramosissima and E. angustifolia are the second and fifth most dominant woody riparian species in the western USA. The dominance of T. ramosissima has been suspected for decades; the regional ascendance of E. angustifolia, however, has not previously been reported.     

Introduction and establishment of parasitoids for the biological control of the apple ermine moth, Yponomeuta malinellus (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), in the Pacific Northwest

Four parasitoids were imported from five countries in Eurasia and released in northwestern Washington, US, to control the apple ermine moth (AEM), Yponomeuta malinellus Zeller, which colonized the Northwest around 1981. From 1988 to 1991, 95,474 individuals of Ageniaspis fuscicollis (Dalman) from France, China, Korea, and Russia were released in Washington. Parasitism of AEM increased 4- to 5-fold over that produced by preexisting natural enemies between 1989 and 1994 at 22 monitored sites. Subsequently, the wasp dispersed up to 20 km from release sites. A. fuscicollis also parasitized the cherry ermine moth, Yponomeuta padellus (L.), which was discovered in the Pacific Northwest in 1993. A total of 1813 individuals of Herpestomus brunnicornis (Gravenhorst) from France, Korea, and Japan were released in 1989–1991, and 26 wasps were recovered in 1994–1995. From 1989 to 1991, 2647 Diadegma armillata (Gravenhorst) individuals from France were released. D. armillata was recovered at one site in 1991 two months following release, but no other recoveries have been made. A total of 8274 Eurystheae scutellaris(Robineau-Desvoidy) individuals were released in 1989 to 1991. However, this tachinid has not been recovered. A consistent decline of AEM populations occurred in 1989–1995, including at sites where A. fuscicollis was not recovered, suggesting other factors also contributed to this pest’s decline. Now well established in western Washington, A. fuscicollis may help suppress future outbreaks of Y. malinellus and its congener, Y. padellus.     

The trade in bear parts from Myanmar: an illustration of the ineffectiveness of enforcement of international wildlife trade regulations

We assessed the effectiveness of national and international wildlife trade regulations in Asia by surveying four wildlife markets in Myanmar for bears and bear parts. Bears are protected in Myanmar and neighbouring countries, and are included in CITES Appendix I, precluding international trade. Three of the four wildlife markets were situated at the border with neighbouring countries (China and Thailand) whereas the fourth, situated in Myanmar’s interior, also catered to international markets. During seven checks (1999–2006) we recorded 1,200 bear parts, representing a minimum of 215 individual bears. Most items were from Asiatic black bears Ursus thibetanus but also sun bear Helarctos malayanus parts were offered for sale. There were significant temporal and spatial differences in what items were offered for sale. Prices were low (USD 4–40 per item) and the total monetary value of the items for sale was USD 6,500–9,500 (not including gall bladders). Carcasses, skulls, canines, paws, claws, whole skins, pieces of skin, gall bladders and derivates, were openly displayed, with vendors being frank about prices, origin, and potential buyers. Only in the interior were prices quoted in the local currency; at the other three markets currencies of the neighbouring countries were used. Legal (international) trade in bears or bear parts from Myanmar is virtually non-existent, and the observed trade in bear parts strongly indicates a serious lack of enforcement effort. International trade in bear parts from Myanmar is significant, and open, and we conclude that the enforcement of wildlife trade regulations, at least when they concerns bear species, have by and large failed.     

Further clarification of the contribution of the tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) gene to suicidal behavior using systematic allelic and genotypic meta-analyses

Suicide is a major public health issue, especially in western countries, accounting for approximately 1 million deaths every year throughout the world. The tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) gene has been extensively studied as a candidate for suicidal behavior due to its role in serotonergic neurotransmission. Since the first study associating the gene with schizophrenia, there have been many attempts to replicate it. However, a number of these studies have produced contrary results, possibly reflecting inadequate statistical power and the use of different populations. Association data relating European and, more particularly, Asian populations has become increasingly available in recent years. To examine whether the aggregate data provide evidence of statistical significance, the current meta-analysis has combined all the published studies up to July 2005, and examined the polymorphisms (A779C, A218C, A-6526G) in the context of varied suicidal behaviors by analyzing the studies in total and in subsets. Compared with the inconsistent results of previous studies, the current results (22 references) confirm a strong overall association between suicidal behavior and the A779C/A218C polymorphisms, supporting the involvement of TPH in the pathogenesis of suicidal behavior.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Three deeply divided lineages of the freshwater mussel genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anodonta</Emphasis> in western North America

The surprising diversity and recent dramatic decline of freshwater mussels in North America have been well documented, although inventory efforts to date have been concentrated in the eastern United States. Unlike their eastern counterparts, western freshwater mussels have received comparatively little attention. The accurate identity of western lineages is a necessary component for future inventory, monitoring, and ecological work involving these taxa. Here we initiate a study involving the most speciose genus (Anodonta) in western North America, incorporating information about type localities and type specimen morphology and describing the discovery of three highly divergent lineages among four western Anodonta species. In a limited phylogenetic analysis, we find (1) that A. californiensis/nuttalliana and A.oregonensis/kennerlyi are distinct, highly divergent clades, and (2) that A. beringiana is more closely allied with A. woodiana, an Asian species, than either of the other two western North American clades. We were largely unable to resolve the placement of these three clades with respect to other anodontines, and suggest the need for a broader phylogenetic framework. We recommend, however, that the existence of these three deeply divergent groups be considered in the development of regional monitoring, conservation and research plans despite the taxonomic uncertainty.     

Fish farms at sea: the ground truth from Google Earth

In the face of global overfishing of wild-caught seafood, ocean fish farming has augmented the supply of fresh fish to western markets and become one of the fastest growing global industries. Accurate reporting of quantities of wild-caught fish has been problematic and we questioned whether similar discrepancies in data exist in statistics for farmed fish production. In the Mediterranean Sea, ocean fish farming is prevalent and stationary cages can be seen off the coasts of 16 countries using satellite imagery available through Google Earth. Using this tool, we demonstrate here that a few trained scientists now have the capacity to ground truth farmed fish production data reported by the Mediterranean countries. With Google Earth, we could examine 91% of the Mediterranean coast and count 248 tuna cages (circular cages >40 m diameter) and 20,976 other fish cages within 10 km offshore, the majority of which were off Greece (49%) and Turkey (31%). Combining satellite imagery with assumptions about cage volume, fish density, harvest rates, and seasonal capacity, we make a conservative approximation of ocean-farmed finfish production for 16 Mediterranean countries. Our overall estimate of 225,736 t of farmed finfish (not including tuna) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2006 is only slightly more than the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reports. The results demonstrate the reliability of recent FAO farmed fish production statistics for the Mediterranean as well as the promise of Google Earth to collect and ground truth data.     

人源产肠毒素大肠杆菌疫苗的研发进展

腹泻是全球范围内引起5岁以下幼童死亡的第二大病因,而产肠毒素大肠杆菌(ETEC)是引起腹泻的最常见病原菌,其产生的细菌定植因子(CFs)和肠毒素是关键的毒力因子。CFs介导细菌黏附宿主小肠上皮细胞并完成定植,产生热敏肠毒素(LT)和热稳定肠毒素(ST)破坏宿主上皮细胞内的体液平衡,使体液和电介质过量分泌从而导致腹泻。预防ETEC腹泻的首选方法是使用能激发宿主产生抗黏附素免疫力和抗肠毒素免疫力的疫苗,阻断ETEC黏附和定植并中和肠毒素。目前一种名为Dukoral~的霍乱疫苗因能刺激机体产生抗热敏毒素免疫,已经被一些国家批准用于短期保护和预防旅行者腹泻。新型试验性ETEC候选疫苗正在研发中,旨在提供保护期长、反应谱广的抗ETEC感染免疫保护力。本文针对疫苗研发的关键问题和研究现状作一综述,并对未来的研究作出展望。     

Molecular and phenotypic diversity in Chionactis occipitalis (Western Shovel-nosed Snake), with emphasis on the status of C. o. klauberi (Tucson Shovel-nosed Snake).

Chionactis occipitalis (Western Shovel-nosed Snake) is a small colubrid snake inhabiting the arid regions of the Mojave, Sonoran, and Colorado deserts. Morphological assessments of taxonomy currently recognize four subspecies. However, these taxonomic proposals were largely based on weak morphological differentiation and inadequate geographic sampling. Our goal was to explore evolutionary relationships and boundaries among subspecies of C. occipitalis, with particular focus on individuals within the known range of C. o. klauberi (Tucson Shovel-nosed snake). Population sizes and range for C. o. klauberi have declined over the last 25 years due to habitat alteration and loss prompting a petition to list this subspecies as endangered. We examined the phylogeography, population structure, and subspecific taxonomy of C. occipitalis across its geographic range with genetic analysis of 1100 bases of mitochondrial DNA sequence and reanalysis of 14 morphological characters from 1543 museum specimens. We estimated the species gene phylogeny from 81 snakes using Bayesian inference and explored possible factors influencing genetic variation using landscape genetic analyses. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses reveal genetic isolation and independent evolutionary trajectories for two primary clades. Our data indicate that diversification between these clades has developed as a result of both historical vicariance and environmental isolating mechanisms. Thus these two clades likely comprise ‘evolutionary significant units’ (ESUs). Neither molecular nor morphological data are concordant with the traditional C. occipitalis subspecies taxonomy. Mitochondrial sequences suggest specimens recognized as C. o. klauberi are embedded in a larger geographic clade whose range has expanded from western Arizona populations, and these data are concordant with clinal longitudinal variation in morphology.     

Phylogenetic relationships of tropical western Atlantic snappers in subfamily Lutjaninae (Lutjanidae: Perciformes) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

Phylogenetic relationships among 20 nominal species of tropical lutjanine snappers (Lutjanidae) (12 from the western Atlantic, one from the eastern Pacific, and seven from the Indo‐Pacific) were inferred based on 2206 bp (712 variable, 614 parsimony informative) from three protein‐coding mitochondrial genes. Also included in the analysis were DNA sequences from two individuals, identified initially as Lutjanus apodus, which were sampled off the coast of Bahia State in Brazil (western Atlantic), and from three individuals labelled as ‘red snapper’ in the fish market in Puerto Armuelles, Panama (eastern Pacific). Bayesian posterior probabilities and maximum‐likelihood bootstrap percentages strongly supported monophyly of all lutjanines sampled and the hypothesis that western Atlantic lutjanines are derived from an Indo‐Pacific lutjanine lineage. The phylogenetic hypothesis also indicated that oceans where lutjanines are distributed (western Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and Indo‐Pacific) are not reciprocally monophyletic for the species distributed within them. There were three strongly supported clades that included all western Atlantic lutjanines: one included six species of Lutjanus from the western Atlantic, two species of Lutjanus from the eastern Pacific, and the monotypic genera Rhomboplites and Ocyurus (western Atlantic); one that included three, probably four, species of Lutjanus in the western Atlantic; and one that included Lutjanus cyanopterus (western Atlantic), an unknown species of Lutjanus from the eastern Pacific, and three species of Lutjanus from the Indo‐Pacific. Molecular‐clock calibrations supported an early Miocene diversification of an Indo‐Pacific lutjanine lineage that dispersed into the western Atlantic via the Panamanian Gateway. Divergent evolution among these lutjanines appears to have occurred both by vicariant and ecological speciation: the former following significant geographic or geological events, including both shoaling and closure of the Panamanian Gateway and tectonic upheavals, whereas the latter occurred via phenotypic diversification inferred to indicate adaptation to life in different habitats. Taxonomic revision of western Atlantic lutjanines appears warranted in that monotypic Ocyurus and Rhomboplites should be subsumed within the genus Lutjanus. Finally, it appears that retail mislabelling of ‘red snapper’ in commercial markets extends beyond the USA. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 102 , 915–929.     

Public vaccine manufacturing capacity in the Latin American and Caribbean region: Current status and perspectives

The vaccine global market is currently growing at a rate of 16.52%. Nowadays the vaccine manufacturing industry is limited in the sense that not all vaccine manufacturers have the capacity to execute all the steps necessary to produce a successful product. The biological variation inherent to vaccine manufacturing and the initial investment required to bring a vaccine to the market are some of the factors that discourage vaccine manufacturing initiatives.Given the current global context in vaccine innovation and production, and the increasing participation of vaccine manufacturers from developing countries in global markets, this paper aims to review vaccine manufacturing capacity in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries with specific focus on trends in national or public sector manufacturing, presenting current challenges and future opportunities for the sector in meeting national and regional (LAC) needs.Despite the overall low vaccine manufacturing capacity reported within the LAC region within this paper, it is considered that the relatively high and concentrated capacity that exists within a number of countries, combined with political commitment of all countries within the Region, can provide the necessary platform for the continued development of capacity in vaccine development and manufacture within LAC.     

Concentration levels of major and trace elements in rice from sri lanka as determined by the k 0 standardization method

Instrumental neutron activation (INAA) with k ₀ standardization has been used to determine the concentration levels of a variety of major and trace elements (Al, As, Br, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Rb, Sc, Se, and Zn) in rice grains (raw and parboiled) and in rice flour collected from local markets in Sri Lanka. In addition, the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis has been used to determine the three elements Ca, P, and S in powdered samples. To evaluate and assure the accuracy and precision of the k ₀ standardization method, the IAEA standard reference material V-8 rye flour was analyzed. The results obtained in the present investigation were compared with the results reported from other countries. All of the elements detected in the rice matrices from Sri Lanka were very low in concentration or within normal limits for food plants. Approximate daily dietary intakes of the individual elements supplied through rice were calculated and compared with the available literature values of daily allowances.     

Spatial and temporal distributions of epiphytic diatoms growing on Thalassia testudinum Banks ex König: relationships to water quality

The spatial and temporal distributions of the epiphytic diatom flora on Thalassia testudinum was described within the Florida Bay estuary and at one Atlantic site east of the Florida Keys over a 1-year period. Species of the genus Mastogloia dominated the epiphytic diatom flora (82 out of 332 total species). Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) and Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) revealed four distinct spatial assemblages and two temporal assemblages. Eastern and western Florida Bay assemblages were identified within the estuary. The eastern diatom assemblage was characterized by high relative abundances of Brachysira aponina and Nitzschia liebetruthii, while the western assemblage was characterized by the abundance of Reimerothrix floridensis, particularly during summer. Two diverse and distinct marine assemblages, one located in the Gulf of Mexico along the western edge of Florida Bay and the other behind the Florida reef tract in the Atlantic Ocean, were also identified. Analysis of the spatial distribution of diatoms and water quality characteristics within Florida Bay suggest that these assemblages may be structured by salinity and nutrient availability, particularly P. The Gulf of Mexico and the western Florida Bay assemblages were associated with higher water column salinities and TP concentrations and lower DIN concentrations and TN:TP ratios relative to the eastern Florida Bay assemblage. The temporal variation in diatom assemblages was associated with water temperature, though temporal indicator species were few relative to the number of spatial indicators. Electronic supplementary material Electronic supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users.     

Identifying marginal supplying countries of wood products via trade network analysis

Purpose

The consequential inventory modeling approach for life cycle assessment implies that an increase in the demand for a specific product is met by the marginal suppliers within the market. The identification of marginal suppliers is however complicated by difficulties in defining appropriate geographical market delimitations. In this study, an advanced system thinking approach is proposed to address this challenge in the identification of marginal supplying countries of wood products.

Methods

Groups of countries which represent geographical markets are identified from trade data by using a network analysis-based clustering technique. Within these markets, marginal supplying countries are selected based on positive historical increments. The analysis covers 12 different products and all countries in the world using trade data for the period 1998–2013.

Results and discussion

Global indices allow differentiating how product-specific trade networks are separated into communities and how interconnected these networks are. Large differences between products and minor differences between trade years are observed. Communities identified for each product tend to overlap with existing geographical regions and seem thus realistic. By combining this information with product-specific production increment rankings, marginal supplying countries of wood products were identified.

Conclusions

The identified geographical market delimitation is a key for proper consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) inventory modeling in areas such as timber-based construction and biomass-based energy production. The method can in principle be applied to any product for which trade network data are available and ideally should be accompanied by a detailed analysis of technological constrains within the identified supplying country.

     

Can the spread of agriculture in Europe be followed by tracing the spread of the weed Silene latifolia. A RAPD study

On the basis of gene frequency data of three flavone glycosylating genes, populations of the agricultural weed Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae) in Europe can be divided into two chemical races: an eastern and a western race. Morphological data also show a clear east-west division. When the two datasets are combined at least nine different geographical races can be distinguished using cluster analysis. Because these observations are hard to explain by selection, it has been proposed that these different races probably originated as a consequence of migration during the spread of agriculture over Europe in the past. To discriminate between selection and genetic drift many more selectively neutral easy-to-score characters are needed. In order to test whether random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) might be suitable for this purpose, we performed a small-scale RAPD analysis on 16 geographical different populations. Using Jaccard's coefficient of similarity, we calculated genetic distances by pair-wise comparisons of both unique and shared amplification products, and a dendrogram was subsequently constructed using an unweighted pair-group method with arithmetical averages (UPGMA). On the basis of the dendrogram two clusters were discerned that clearly coincide with the aforementioned east-west division in populations. As there has been little or no artificial selection on this weed, its migration routes may be a good reflection of the different geographical routes agriculture has taken. We propose that a phylogenetic analysis of RAPD data of many more populations may provide additional information on the spread of agriculture over Europe.     

The application of MANOVA to analyse <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> metabolomic data from factorially designed experiments

Metabolomic technologies produce complex multivariate datasets and researchers are faced with the daunting task of extracting information from these data. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been widely applied in the field of metabolomics to reduce data dimensionality and for visualising trends within the complex data. Although PCA is very useful, it cannot handle multi-factorial experimental designs and, often, clear trends of biological interest are not observed when plotting various PC combinations. Even if patterns are observed, PCA provides no measure of their significance. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) applied to these PCs enables the statistical evaluation of main treatments and, more importantly, their interactions within the experimental design. The power and scope of MANOVA is demonstrated through two different factorially designed metabolomic investigations using Arabidopsis ethylene signalling mutants and their wild-type. One investigation has multiple experimental factors including challenge with the economically important pathogen Botrytis cinerea and also replicate experiments, while the second has different sample preparation methods and one level of replication ‘nested’ within the design. In both investigations there are specific factors of biological interest and there are also factors incorporated within the experimental design, which affect the data. The versatility of MANOVA is displayed by using data from two different metabolomic techniques; profiling using direct injection mass spectroscopy (DIMS) and fingerprinting using fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy. MANOVA found significant main effects and interactions in both experiments, allowing a more complete and comprehensive interpretation of the variation within each investigation, than with PCA alone. Canonical variate analysis (CVA) was applied to investigate these effects and their biological significance. In conclusion, the application of MANOVA followed by CVA provided extra information than PCA alone and proved to be a valuable statistical addition in the overwhelming task of analysing metabolomic data.     

Global population genetic structure of the starlet anemone <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nematostella vectensis</Emphasis>: multiple introductions and implications for conservation policy

Distinguishing natural versus anthropogenic dispersal of organisms is essential for determining the native range of a species and implementing an effective conservation strategy. For cryptogenic species with limited historical records, molecular data can help to identify introductions. Nematostella vectensis is a small, burrowing estuarine sea anemone found in tidally restricted salt marsh pools. This species’ current distribution extends over three coast lines: (i) the Atlantic coast of North America from Nova Scotia to Georgia, (ii) the Pacific coast of North America from Washington to central California, and (iii) the southeast coast of England. The 1996 IUCN Red List designates N. vectensis as “vulnerable” in England. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting of 516 individuals from 24 N. vectensis populations throughout its range and mtDNA sequencing of a subsample of these individuals strongly suggest that anthropogenic dispersal has played a significant role in its current distribution. Certain western Atlantic populations of N. vectensis exhibit greater genetic similarity to Pacific populations or English populations than to other western Atlantic populations. At the same time, F-statistics showing high degrees of genetic differentiation between geographically proximate populations support a low likelihood for natural dispersal between salt marshes. Furthermore, the western Atlantic harbors greater genetic diversity than either England or the eastern Pacific. Collectively, these data clearly imply that N. vectensis is native to the Atlantic coast of North America and that populations along the Pacific coast and in England are cases of successful introduction.     

Enhanced insect resistance in Thai rice varieties generated by particle bombardment

We used particle bombardment to transform two elite Thai rice varieties, Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML105) and Supanburi 60 (SP60), with the snowdrop lectin gene gna (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin). This gene confers resistance to sap-sucking insects such as the brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens), which is one of the most damaging pests of rice. Traditionally, KDML105 and SP60 have been regarded as recalcitrant to transformation, and this is the first account of successful gene transfer to these varieties. By molecular analysis, we confirmed the recovery of over thirty gna-transgenic lines. GNA protein expression was characterised by western blot analysis, and we achieved expression levels of up to 0.25% total soluble protein. GNA-producing R₁ transgenic plants were significantly more resistant to BPH than control plants (P<0.0001), with 37% and 42% reduction in nymphal survival for constitutive and phloem-specific expression, respectively. Transferring the gna gene to these superior rice varieties thus represents a major step forward for crop improvement in Thailand, and should help to reduce the damage caused by rice pests, and hence increase yields for this vital domestic and export market.