The effect of anticoagulants on Blennius pholis L. Leucocytes

The effects of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA), heparin and tri-sodium citrate (TSC) on various haematological parameters in the blenny, Blennius pholis, were investigated. EDTA and heparin, at the concentrations tested, proved adequate in preventing coagulation although leucocyte viability was reduced when the higher levels were used. TSC failed to prevent coagulation at all concentrations tested. Short (5 min) and long (20 min) term contact of these anticoagulants with blood did not produce any significant changes in leucocyte proportions. Heparin is regarded as the most suitable anticoagulant for use with B. pholis blood.     

Specimen preparation for high contrast image processing and fractal analysis of branching fungal colonies

Summary A rapid method is presented for the aerosol dispersion of fungal spores onto microporous polycarbonate membrane overlays in petri-dish agar culture, using an air-brush apparatus. Nebulizer inoculation results in the growth from single spores of discrete, filamentous colonies which can be immobilized, fixed, and stainedin situ using Coomassie Brilliant Blue R. High contrast microscopy and image-processing is facilitated using Poretics Cyto-Clear^™ glass slides. This technique was developed specifically for the fractal analysis of branching and the measurement of other morphological parameters in fungi. Emphasis is directed towards the ligninolytic fungi,Pycnoporus cinnabarinus andPhanerochaete chrysosporium.     

The use of image analysis for spore counts of white-rot fungi

Summary An improved method has been developed for the determination of fungal spore counts using a haemocytometer. The method uses a personal computer with a frame grabber card and commercial imaging software. Semi-automation using an iterative programming technique was implemented to count the spores produced byPhanerochaete chrysosporium. Rapid and reliable counts were achieved using image processing.     

Climatic influences on needle cohort survival mediated by Swiss needle cast in coastal Douglas-fir

Swiss needle cast (SNC) severity in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) has been shown to vary spatially and temporally in response to climatic factors both within its native range and in regions where it has been planted as an exotic species. Survival models were developed for different Douglas-fir needle cohorts to enhance our understanding of how climatic influences on needle longevity are mediated by SNC in the Oregon Coast Range. The climate-based models were based on repeated measurement of 100 plots between 1998 and 2005 coupled with downscaled PRISM climate data. Potential predictors of needle survival by annual cohort were selected from numerous climatic variables at annual, seasonal, and monthly scales. Needle survival probability was positively associated with maximum summer temperature, and negatively associated with minimum winter temperature and spring precipitation. Seasonal climate variables associated with needle longevity are consistent with current epidemiological understanding of Phaeocyrptopus gaeumannii, as well as with previous analyses of climatic influences on SNC severity as measured by average years of foliage retention and frequency of fungal fruiting bodies, or pseudothecia, in stomates.