Drug‐Resistant Human Staphylococcus Aureus in Sanctuary Apes Pose a Threat to Endangered Wild Ape Populations

Reintroduction of sanctuary apes to natural habitat is considered an important tool for conservation; however, reintroduction has the potential to endanger resident wild apes through the introduction of human pathogens. We found a high prevalence of drug‐resistant, human‐associated lineages of Staphylococcus aureus in sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) from Zambia and Uganda. This pathogen is associated with skin and soft tissue diseases and severe invasive infections (i.e. pneumonia and septicemia). Colonization by this bacterium is difficult to clear due to frequent recolonization. In addition to its pathogenic potential, human‐related S. aureus can serve as an indicator organism for the transmission of other potential pathogens like pneumococci or mycobacteria. Plans to reintroduce sanctuary apes should be reevaluated in light of the high risk of introducing human‐adapted S. aureus into wild ape populations where treatment is impossible. Am. J. Primatol. 74:1071‐1075, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Neotropical taxa referable to acrolophus (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)

Abstract. The new World genus Acrolophus , with about 225 species, has alreay twenty-six generic synonyms. a further four genera, Daulia Walker, 1863 [norm. praeocc., nec Walker, 1859] (monobasic), Brachysymbola Meyrick (monobasic), Orothyntis Meyrick (two species) and Psephocrita Meyrick (monobasic) are here synonmized with Acrolophus. Daulia indecora Walker, Brachysymbola sepulcralis Meyrick, Orothyntis scruopulata Meyrick, O.torata meyrick and Psephocrita melanodoxa Meyrick are transferred to Acrolophus. Acrolophus reflexa (Fabricius) and its genitalia are figured from recently collected materila.     

Two-Dimensional Solid-State NMR Applied to a Chimeric Potassium Channel

Solid-state NMR (ssNMR) represents a spectroscopic method to study membrane protein structure and dynamics in lipid bilayers. We present two-dimensional correlation experiments conducted on a fully [¹³C,¹⁵N] labeled version of a chimeric potassium (KcsA-Kv1.3) channel. Data obtained by using two different ion concentrations suggest a structural conservation of the selectivity filter region. SsNMR experiments conducted at two different temperatures point to differential molecular dynamics of the channel.     

Post-fledging body mass increase in Common Terns Sterna hirundo: influence of age, sex and year

We studied the inter-year and inter-sex variation of the post-fledging body mass development of Common Terns Sterna hirundo in 2000 and 2001 at the Banter See colony, northern Germany. Here, post-fledglings can be identified and weighed remotely and automatically by a transponder system that makes use of automated balances installed at the colony. Individuals were sexed with PCR amplification methods. After fledging, young generally continued to increase their mass. However, in 2000, the young did not significantly increase their mass during the post-fledging period. In 2001, conditions were more favourable and body mass increased continuously. Further, in 2001, male post-fledglings were significantly heavier than female post-fledglings. Once having left the colony area (on average 18–23 days after fledging in 2000, and 14–16 days after fledging in 2001), post-fledgling body mass had still not reached adult body mass. The longer a juvenile stayed at the colony, the higher was its final body mass, which if acting as a threshold level may control departure time. Neither brood size nor hatching order affected post-fledging mass or period. In the unfavourable year 2000, when many individuals were found dead after fledging, fledging age but not fledging mass was found to be a predictor of post-fledging survival before departure: individuals fledging when older had a lower survival probability. Our results stress the importance of the post-fledging period for body mass increase and survival prior to departure. The variation in post-fledging mass growth between years and between the sexes is discussed with respect to parental effort and a possible selective provisioning of sons over daughters.