Distribution of cabbage root flies in brassica crops

Changes in the distribution of adult cabbage root flies were determined in 0–05-0-4 ha brassica plots during 1970 and 1971 using yellow water-traps. The three generations of flies occurred at similar times in both years and the numbers caught generally decreased from the first to the third generation. In resident populations, the numbers of males and females declined by 70 and 40% respectively, between the second and third generations. When there was no decline, immigration presumably compensated for flies trapped or otherwise lost. The results confirmed that male cabbage root fly movement is trivial, that wind has little effect on distribution at a brassica plot and that females move into the crop independently of males. They failed to confirm that females aggregate markedly at hedgerows or fences, that they spend little time in the crop or that they regularly return to hedgerows. Differences in the dispersal behaviour of the male and female flies were reflected in the numbers caught. Some males dispersed actively during the first 2 weeks after emergence but many were displaced slowly downwind. Once at a plot, wind appeared to have little effect on distribution of young males, but older males tended to shelter just downwind of the hedge. Relatively few males were caught near hedges but they tended to aggregate along the crop-interfaces, particularly during the first generation. Plot size did not appear to influence the pattern of fly distribution greatly. Females dispersed more actively than males and were generally more uniformly distributed through the crops even during periods of immigration. Gravid females entered an isolated plot without accompanying males, inferring that they are migratory and mate near the site of emergence. Female distribution was not related to the stage of ovarial development except during maximum oviposition when those that had laid some eggs visited the hedgerow. Aged females became progressively easier to capture and usually died in the crop.     

Tickled to Death: Analysing Public Perceptions of ‘Cute’ Videos of Threatened Species (Slow Lorises – Nycticebus spp.) on Web 2.0 Sites

Background

The internet is gaining importance in global wildlife trade and changing perceptions of threatened species. There is little data available to examine the impact that popular Web 2.0 sites play on public perceptions of threatened species. YouTube videos portraying wildlife allow us to quantify these perceptions.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Focussing on a group of threatened and globally protected primates, slow lorises, we quantify public attitudes towards wildlife conservation by analysing 12,411 comments and associated data posted on a viral YouTube video ‘tickling slow loris’ over a 33-months period. In the initial months a quarter of commentators indicated wanting a loris as a pet, but as facts about their conservation and ecology became more prevalent this dropped significantly. Endorsements, where people were directed to the site by celebrities, resulted mostly in numerous neutral responses with few links to conservation or awareness. Two conservation-related events, linked to Wikipedia and the airing of a television documentary, led to an increase in awareness, and ultimately to the removal of the analysed video.

Conclusions/Significance

Slow loris videos that have gone viral have introduced these primates to a large cross-section of society that would not normally come into contact with them. Analyses of webometric data posted on the internet allow us quickly to gauge societal sentiments. We showed a clear temporal change in some views expressed but without an apparent increase in knowledge about the conservation plight of the species, or the illegal nature of slow loris trade. Celebrity endorsement of videos showing protected wildlife increases visits to such sites, but does not educate about conservation issues. The strong desire of commentators to express their want for one as a pet demonstrates the need for Web 2.0 sites to provide a mechanism via which illegal animal material can be identified and policed.     

The role of small ground‐foraging mammals in topsoil health and biodiversity: Implications to management and restoration

Summary Many early Australian records indicate that at the time of European settlement there were extensive tracts of highly productive, and species‐rich, grassy communities and chenopod shrublands. Topsoils in many areas were soft and friable. The rapid development of livestock industries led to most changes to the environment being simplistically ascribed to domestic stock grazing, land clearance, introduced pests (such as rabbits) or changed burning practices. It has also commonly been assumed that the hoof action of domestic stock was the principal cause of the compaction and surface sealing of soils in many areas. However, the rapid soil deterioration also coincided with the dramatic decline or complete extinction of many small native ground‐foraging mammals and the consequent cessation of the soil disturbances and interactions that they created. This paper reviews the role of small mammals in disturbing soils, and implications for incorporation of organic matter, aeration, improvement in infiltration and the provision of suitable sites for seed germination and seedling establishment. This can aid topsoil formation and health by providing substrate for microorganisms, improved water balance and mineral cycles and enhanced soil structure. Seeds and mycorrhizal fungi, that are integral to the establishment and growth of many plants, are spread. Such intermittent disturbance may be an important driving force in determining the pathway of succession and lead to greater biodiversity. Further ongoing research on Australia's small mammals is needed, especially in areas where they are able to move freely in a natural environment and are protected from introduced predators.     

Production of monoclonal antibodies to Tomato leaf curl Bangalore virus

Purified Tomato leaf curl Bangalore virus (ToLCBV) was injected into mice and the splenocytes were used for establishing hybridoma lines. Initial screening of culture supernatants showed that 13 lines produced antibody, and after further screening four produced functional monoclonal antibodies. Upon characterisation, these were found to be of low affinity, probably due to host protein contamination and poor yield of native virus in the original preparations. In order to circumvent these problems, the coat protein of ToLCBV was over-expressed in Escherichia coli. Fusion experiments using recombinant coat protein as antigen yielded two primary hybridoma clones G₁₁ and E4 that exhibited good affinity of binding to the antigen. Sub-cloning yielded four monoclonal antibodies G₁₁E₇E₇, G₁₁E₇G₁₂, E₄E₂ and E₄G₆. G₁₁E₇E₇ and G₁₁E₇G₁₂ successfully detected ToLCBV in infected leaf extracts of tomato and Nicotiana benthamiana, viruliferous whiteflies and weed samples. These monoclonal antibodies could also detect other type III geminiviruses such as Pumpkin yellow vein mosaic virus and Bhendi yellow vein mosaic virus. Thus these monoclonal antibodies can be used for testing field-collected samples.     

Genetic variability of photosynthesis and water use in Balearic grapevine cultivars

A comparison of photosynthetic characteristics of 20 cultivars of grapevine ( Vitis vinifera L. ) from Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) and two widespread cultivars, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, was made under irrigation as well as in response to drought. Although these cultivars share a common origin, a high variability was found for several photosynthetic characters under irrigation. Interestingly, these variations were significant for gas-exchange parameters (net CO₂ assimilation, stomatal conductance and intrinsic water use efficiency) but not for chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (maximum photochemical efficiency, electron transport rate and non-photochemical quenching). Since water stress is the most limiting factor for plant production under the Mediterranean climate, it is presumable that these findings reflect specific selection pressures over physiological characteristics related to a balance between net carbon gain and water use. Some cultivars presented high carbon assimilation at the expense of a high water loss, whereas others were water savers, accompanied by low CO₂ assimilation even under irrigation. Escursach was found to be an interesting cultivar, presenting low water consumption at the same time as reasonably high carbon assimilation. These cultivars also showed different responses to drought, which allowed their classification in two main groups: alarmist cultivars, which showed strong reductions of stomatal conductance in response to relatively low decreases of leaf water potential, and luxurious cultivars, showing low reductions of stomatal conductance under water stress.     

Utilization of copra meal in the formulation of compound diets for rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings

Six isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) experimental diets were formulated with raw and soaked de-oiled copra meal substituted for fish meal in the diet at 20, 30 and 40% levels by weight. The tannin content of raw de-oiled copra meal was reduced from 2.4 to 0.9% by soaking it in water for 16 h at room temperature. The response of rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), fingerlings fed these diets for 80 days was compared with fish fed a fish meal-based control diet. On the basis of growth response, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, the 30% soaked copra meal diet resulted in the best fish performance (P < 0.01). The growth response of the fish was significantly (P < 0.01) affected by both type and inclusion level of the oilseed meal. The growth of fish declined with the increasing level of inclusion of copra meal, irrespective of the type of meal used. The apparent protein digestibilities (APDs) for the raw copra meal were lower at all levels of inclusion in comparison with those for the soaked meals. The highest amount of carcass protein was recorded in the fish fed the diet containing 30% soaked copra meal. The results showed that de-oiled copra meal can be incorporated into carp diets up to 20% in the raw condition and up to 30% in the treated condition without any deleterious effects on growth performance of Labeo rohita fingerlings.     

Length–weight relationships for three species of mudskippers (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) in the coastal areas of the Persian Gulf, Iran

Length–weight relationships, W  =  aL ^b , were calculated for three species of mudskippers: Scartelaos tenuis , Periophthalmus waltoni and Boleophthalmus dussumieri from the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf. Values of b ranged from 2.10 to 2.86 for both sexes at seven sites for the three species.     

Translocation of Plains Rice-flower (Pimelea spinescens ssp. spinescens), Laverton, Victoria

Summary The Department of Defence established three reserves at Laverton Airbase (now the Westpoint Business Park) prior to its sale to conserve nationally significant species and grassland values. These reserves excluded approximately 30 per cent of the largest known population of Plains Rice-flower ( Pimelea spinescens ssp. spinescens ), an endangered Victorian endemic. These plants were not included in a reserve because they occurred in a small area relatively remote from intact grassland. Rather than accepting the eventual destruction of these plants, two translocation techniques were used to salvage as many plants as possible outside the reserves before the sale of the property was complete. First, a nursery population of approximately 100 plants was established from cuttings for later replanting into the reserves. Second, plants were excavated within blocks of soil and moved into a nearby reserve using two techniques. Plants were moved either in a specially constructed steel box or by using a tree spade. These methods moved a total of 93 and 129 plants, respectively. After approximately 2 years, the survival of the translocated plants was > 60% and the process was considered successful. Translocation using the steel box was relatively inefficient and generated a considerable amount of soil disturbance. Use of the tree spade was the preferred technique. Ongoing ecological management of the site follows an established management plan and is considered essential for the long-term survival of the translocated plants and other nationally significant conservation values present.