New gall midge taxa (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Australian Chenopodiaceae

Abstract  Five new species and a new genus of gall midge are described from flower galls on native chenopod plants in Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Asphondylia vesicaria sp. n. induces galls on Atriplex vesicaria ; A. mcneilli sp. n. on Sclerolaena diacantha ; and A. tonsura sp. n. on Enchylaena tomentosa . Infested flowers develop into galls and produce no seeds. DNA analysis of part of the cytochrome-c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene supported the morphological and biological differences between each of the new species and the previously described A. floriformis (Veenstra-Quah & Kolesik) and A. sarcocorniae (Veenstra-Quah & Kolesik) that induce galls on leaves and branches, respectively, of Sarcocornia quinqueflora (Chenopodiaceae) in Australian salt marshes. A new genus, Dactylasioptera gen. n. and two new species of Lasiopterini, D. adentata sp. n. and D. dentata sp. n. are described – both were reared from galls of A. mcneilli and A. tonsura .     

Is the anthelmintic effect of heather supplementation to grazing goats always accompanied by anti-nutritional effects?

To test the hypothesis that the beneficial anthelmintic effect of consuming moderate amounts of tannins may not always be accompanied by anti-nutritional effects in goats, two experiments were conducted. In the first, 48 Cashmere goats were randomly assigned to two treatments: supplementation with tannin-containing heather (6.4% total tannins) and non-supplementation. All goats grazed continuously from May to September under farm conditions in a mountainous area of northern Spain. The mean percentage of heather incorporated into the diet of the supplemented animals was 29.1%. Supplementation reduced the mean number of nematode eggs in faeces (P < 0.001) and the goat mortality rate (P < 0.05). The rumen ammonia concentration was markedly reduced in the goats receiving the heather supplement (160 v. 209 mg/l; P < 0.01), while volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were significantly greater (63.0 v. 53.6 mmol total VFA/l; P < 0.05). The heather-supplemented goats also showed a lower loss of live weight (P < 0.01) and body condition score (P < 0.001). In the second experiment, batch cultures of rumen microorganisms with rumen fluid from nine goats whose diet included 29% heather - or not, were used to incubate three substrates (pasture, pasture + heather and pasture + heather + polyethylene glycol) to investigate in vitro ruminal fermentation. Differences (P < 0.01) among substrates were observed in terms of dry matter disappearance (DMD), in vitro true substrate digestibility (ivTSD), gas production and ammonia concentration, the greatest values always associated with the pasture substrate. Cultures involving rumen inoculum derived from goats receiving the heather-containing diet showed slightly lower DMD (46.9 v. 48.5 g/100 g; P < 0.05), ivTSD (64.6 v. 65.9 g/100 g; P < 0.10) and gas production (105 v. 118 ml/g; P < 0.001) values, but much greater total VFA concentrations (48.5 v. 39.3 mmol/l; P < 0.05), and suggest that the efficiency of ruminal fermentation in these animals was probably improved. Together, the results support the absence of a clear nutritional cost counteracting the beneficial anthelmintic effect of supplementing the diet of grazing goats with tannin-containing heather.     

放牧对草地的作用

从牧草生长、种群、群落、土壤和生态系统5个方面分析了放牧的作用、机理与途径。放牧改变牧草的物质与能量分配格局,多途径地诱导牧草的补偿性生长,取决于放牧制度等因素。放牧还改变种间竞争格局、调控种群更新,以及群落结构和功能。介绍了草地健康管理的阈限双因子法,讨论了稳定态一过渡态假说和草地灌丛化。家畜对土壤有直接和间接两种作用途径,作用效果与放牧强度、季节、地形有密切关系,重点分析了放牧对土壤C贮量的作用机制。阐述了提高放牧系统生产力的系统耦合机制,以及放牧对生态系统物质循环的影响。根据放牧生态学的发展趋势和我国放牧管理现状,提出7项值得深入研究的问题。     

Parasite Prevalence, Abundance, and Diversity in a Semi-free-ranging Colony of Mandrillus sphinx

We examined parasite prevalence, abundance of protozoan cysts and helminth eggs in the feces, and number of parasitic taxa in a population of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) in semi-free-ranging conditions in their habitat range, with respect to the annual cycle, sex, age, dominance rank, and female reproductive status. We identified 3 taxa of amebic protozoa (Entamoeba coli, E. histolytica/dispar complex, and Endolimax nana), 1 ciliate protozoa (Balantidium coli), and various nematodes. Prevalence ranged from 1 observation in 874 samples for Trichuris and Mammomonogamus (nematodes) to 100% for Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana. Daily observation, consistency of fecal samples, and periodic veterinary examination indicated that the mandrills were all healthy, suggesting that the presence of intestinal parasites in the provisioned population is well tolerated. Parasite prevalence, abundance in the feces, and number of taxa varied significantly across the annual cycle. Nematode egg prevalence and abundance were lowest during the dry season. We found no sexual difference and no influence of female dominance rank on parasitic infections. Nematode prevalence increased significantly with age in females, but not in males. There was no influence of age on prevalence of other taxa, abundance in the feces, or number of taxa. Abundance of nematode eggs in the feces was higher in pregnant than in lactating or cycling females. However, births are seasonal in the mandrill colony, and pregnant females were present during the months when nematode egg abundance was also higher in males, suggesting that this may be an influence of climatic seasonality in addition to, or instead of, female status.     

Soil conservation in Polylepis mountain forests of Central Argentina: Is livestock reducing our natural capital?

Mountain forests and their soils provide ecological services such as maintenance of biodiversity, provision of clean water, carbon capture and forage for livestock rearing, which is one of the principal economic activities in mountain areas. However, surprisingly little is known about livestock impact in South American mountain forest soils. With the aim of understanding how livestock and topography influence patterns of forest cover, soil compaction, soil loss and soil chemical properties, we analysed these parameters in 100 Polylepis australis woodland plots situated in the humid subtropical mountains of Central Argentina. We used distance from the nearest ranch as an objective index of historical livestock impact and measured standard topographic variables. Our main results reveal that distance from ranch in all cases partly explains tree canopy cover, soil loss, soil compaction and soil chemical properties; suggesting a strong negative effect of livestock. Intermediate altitudes had more tree canopy cover, while landscape roughness – a measure of the variability in slope inclination and aspect – was negatively associated to soil impedance and acidity, and positively associated to soil organic matter content. Finally, flatter areas were more acid. We conclude that livestock has had a substantial influence on forest soil degradation in the Mountains of Central Argentina and possibly other similar South American mountains. Soil degradation should be incorporated into decision making when considering long‐term forest sustainability, or when taking into account retaining livestock for biodiversity conservation reasons. Where soil loss and degradation are ongoing, we recommend drastic reductions in livestock density.     

How does the suppression of energy supplementation affect herbage intake,performance and parasitism in lactating saddle mares?

Agroecology opens up new perspectives for the design of sustainable farming systems by using the stimulation of natural processes to reduce the inputs needed for production. In horse farming systems, the challenge is to maximize the proportion of forages in the diet, and to develop alternatives to synthetic chemical drugs for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes. Lactating saddle mares, with high nutritional requirements, are commonly supplemented with concentrates at pasture, although the influence of energy supplementation on voluntary intake, performance and immune response against parasites has not yet been quantified. In a 4-month study, 16 lactating mares experimentally infected with cyathostome larvae either received a daily supplement of barley (60% of energy requirements for lactation) or were non-supplemented. The mares were rotationally grazed on permanent pastures over three vegetation cycles. All the mares met their energy requirements and maintained their body condition score higher than 3. In both treatments, they produced foals with a satisfying growth rate (cycle 1: 1293 g/day; cycle 2: 1029 g/day; cycle 3: 559 g/day) and conformation (according to measurements of height at withers and cannon bone width at 11 months). Parasite egg excretion by mares increased in both groups during the grazing season (from 150 to 2011 epg), independently of whether they were supplemented or not. This suggests that energy supplementation did not improve mare ability to regulate parasite burden. Under unlimited herbage conditions, grass dry matter intake by supplemented mares remained stable around 22.6 g DM/kg LW per day (i.e. 13.5 kg DM/al per day), whereas non-supplemented mares increased voluntary intake from 22.6 to 28.0 g DM/kg LW per day (13.5 to 17.2 kg DM/al per day) between mid-June and the end of August. Hence total digestible dry matter intake and net energy intake did not significantly differ between supplemented and non-supplemented mares during the second and third cycles. In conclusion, supplementing lactating mares at pasture should not be systematic because their adaptive capacities enable to increase herbage intake and ensure foal growth. Further research is needed to determine the herbage allowance threshold below which supplementation is required.     

不同放牧强度对人工草地牧草生殖分配及种子重量的影响

不同放牧强度对白三叶,红三叶,鸭茅的生殖分配及种子千粒重影响极显著,一定强度的放牧干扰有利于提高休牧后三叶草的花序密度,但鸭茅花序密度却随放牧强度却随放牧强度的提高而出现明显下降,放牧草地三种牧草种群的生殖分配均低于对照草地,在放牧草地,随放牧强度的提高,白三叶生殖分配逐渐增加,红三叶及鸭茅生殖分配逐渐减少,提高放牧强度后,三叶草千粒重出现递减趋势,而鸭茅却出现递增趋势,在无放牧干扰草地,三叶草种群趋于生产数量较少的大粒种子,在放牧干扰下,趋于生产数量较多的小粒种子;鸭茅种群则出现相反的变化。     

Status of Haemaphysalis tick infestation in domestic ruminants in Iran

The geographical distribution and ecological preferences of Haemaphysalis in domestic animals in Iran were studied 4 times a year from April 2003 to March 2005. A total of 1,622 ixodid tick specimens were collected from 3 different zones. Among them, 108 (6.7%) Haemaphysalis ticks, consisting of 6 species, were identified; H. punctata (3.4%), H. parva (0.5%), H. sulcata (0.6%), H. choldokovskyi (1.7%), H. concinna (0.06%) and Haemaphysalis sp. (0.6%). H. punctata was the most abundant species, whereas H. concinna was the rarest species collected in humid and sub-humid zones on cattle, sheep and goats. H. choldokovskyi was principally collected from sheep and goats grazed in cold mountainous areas. The infested areas consisted of Caspian Sea (Guilan, Mazandaran, Golestan, and central provinces), mountainous (Azarbaiejan, Ardebil, Kohgilouyeh, and Kordestan) and semi-dessert (Khorasan, Semnan, Kerman, Sistan, and Baluchestan) zones. The Caspian Sea zone (23.6%) was the most highly infested region. The results show that various species of Haemaphysalis ticks infest domestic ruminants in Iran and each tick species show characteristic geographical distributions.     

短期围封对西藏北部高寒草甸土壤线虫群落的影响

为了解放牧对高寒草甸的影响,以及围封对高寒草甸的恢复作用,2013年5月、8月、10月,分别对藏北短期围封高寒草甸和自由放牧高寒草甸不同深度土层的土壤线虫群落及土壤理化性质等进行了调查。调查结果表明,3a围封提高了土壤全氮、磷、钾及土壤有机质含量,土壤保水能力也明显提高;围封使土壤线虫个体密度下降,但物种多样性和丰富度却提高了;围封使土壤线虫群落中的植食性线虫所占比重呈下降趋势,食真菌线虫比重加大。短期围封有利于高寒草甸生态系统的正向演替,使之向更稳定的方向发展,同时,土壤线虫数量对土壤理化性质变化有明显的响应,通过土壤线虫群落的群落特征可以反映放牧干扰及围封对高寒草甸生态系统的影响。     

Effects of rotational and continuous grazing on herbage quality,feed intake and performance of sheep on a semi-arid grassland steppe

Compared to continuous grazing (CG), rotational grazing (RG) increases herbage production and thereby the resilience of grasslands to intensive grazing. Results on feed intake and animal performance, however, are contradictory. Hence, the objective of the study was to determine the effects of RG and CG on herbage mass, digestibility of ingested organic matter (dOM), organic matter intake (OMI) and live weight gain (LWG) of sheep in the Inner Mongolian steppe, China. During June–September 2005–2008, two 2-ha plots were used for each grazing system. In RG, plots were divided into four 0.5-ha paddocks that were grazed for 10 days each at a moderate stocking rate. Instead, CG sheep grazed the whole plots throughout the entire grazing season. At the beginning of every month, dOM was estimated from faecal crude protein concentration. Faeces excretion was determined using titanium dioxide in six sheep per plot. The animals were weighed every month to determine their LWG. Across the years, herbage mass did not differ between systems (p = 0.820). However, dOM, OMI and LWG were lower in RG than in CG (p ≤ 0.005). Thus, our study showed that RG does not improve herbage growth, feed intake and performance of sheep and suggests that stocking rates rather than management system determine the ecological sustainability of pastoral livestock systems in semi-arid environments.     

放牧家畜的践踏作用研究评述

放牧家畜的践踏作用是家畜作用于草地的 3个途径之一 ,相对于采食和排泄物的作用具有作用时间长、直接作用的草地组分多和效果持久的特点。家畜践踏损伤牧草、埋实种子、促进萌发 ,减少凋落物的现存量 ,增加土壤的紧实度、容重 ,降低土壤孔隙度、水稳性团聚体、透水性和透气性 ,导致雨后水涝和植物根区缺氧 ,引发水土流失。国内外使用的 4种践踏强度指标分别存在不确定性大、忽视践踏强度的时间依赖性和畜种间差异、没有考虑放牧行为及其时间分配模式等问题 ,分析认为践踏强度应为家畜放牧行为、不同行为的持续时间、家畜体重、放牧地面积和坡度的函数。家畜的践踏作用因草地的健康状况差异而与之存在正或负的反馈机制以及践踏强度阈值 ,可能在草地退化和健康维护中起主导作用。今后需建立严格的研究方法和科学的践踏强度指标 ,重视草地植被对践踏的耐受阈限、践踏对牧草更新的调控机理及其对凋落物产生和分解的影响 ,以及土壤水分与践踏作用的关系 ,确定放牧系统的践踏强度阈值。