Population Genetics of the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) across Multiple Spatial Scales

Conservation genetics is a powerful tool to assess the population structure of species and provides a framework for informing management of freshwater ecosystems. As lotic habitats become fragmented, the need to assess gene flow for species of conservation management becomes a priority. The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a large, fully aquatic paedamorphic salamander. Many populations are experiencing declines throughout their geographic range, yet the genetic ramifications of these declines are currently unknown. To this end, we examined levels of genetic variation and genetic structure at both range-wide and drainage (hierarchical) scales. We collected 1,203 individuals from 77 rivers throughout nine states from June 2007 to August 2011. Levels of genetic diversity were relatively high among all sampling locations. We detected significant genetic structure across populations (F_st values ranged from 0.001 between rivers within a single watershed to 0.218 between states). We identified two genetically differentiated groups at the range-wide scale: 1) the Ohio River drainage and 2) the Tennessee River drainage. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on landscape-scale sampling of basins within the Tennessee River drainage revealed the majority of genetic variation (∼94–98%) occurs within rivers. Eastern hellbenders show a strong pattern of isolation by stream distance (IBSD) at the drainage level. Understanding levels of genetic variation and differentiation at multiple spatial and biological scales will enable natural resource managers to make more informed decisions and plan effective conservation strategies for cryptic, lotic species.     

The content of protein, fibre and minerals of leaves of selected Acacia species indigenous to north-western Tanzania

Browse tree leaves of six species of Acacia (A. angustissima L., A. drepanolobium L., A. nilotica L., A. polyacantha L., A. senegal L., A. tortilis L.) were screened for chemical composition, including minerals and trace elements. Crude protein (CP) varied among the species from 145 (A. senegal) to 229 g/kg DM (A. angustissima). The species had moderate to high levels of minerals. The concentrations of Ca, P, Mg and S varied among the species from 14.6-31.5, 3.5-4.9, 1.4-3.0 and 1.7-2.8 g/kg DM, respectively. The forages showed relatively low concentrations of trace elements. Content of trace elements varied among the species from 4.5-23.8, 99.4-173.6, 146.2-432, 41.0-90.1, 10.9-22.2 and 0.05-0.65 mg/kg DM for Cu, Mo, Fe, Mn, Zn and Co, respectively. All leaves of browse species would meet the normal requirements for Ca, P, Mg and S in ruminants, although some species had higher levels of Ca than tabulated mineral requirements in livestock. Assayed Cu, Mn, Zn and Co would satisfy the lower range of recommended requirements of trace elements depending on their bioavailability. Therefore, browse leaves from Acacias could form good sources of CP and mineral supplements to ruminants.     

Learning to Avoid Dangerous Habitat Types by Aquatic Salamanders,Eurycea tynerensis

There should be intense selection for predation avoidance mechanisms when prey live in close proximity to their predators. Prey individuals that can learn to associate habitat features with high levels of predation risk should experience increased survival if they subsequently avoid those habitats. We tested whether or not habitat learning occurred in a benthic stream community consisting of adult Oklahoma salamander (Eurycea tynerensis) prey and a syntopic predatory fish, the banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae). We exposed individual salamanders to chemical stimuli from sculpin, non‐predatory tadpoles, or a blank control in training tanks containing either rocks or grass. Two days later, the salamanders were tested in tanks that offered a choice of rocks or grass. Salamanders showed significant avoidance of the habitat where they had previously encountered chemical cues from sculpin in comparison to the non‐predatory controls. Learning to avoid dangerous habitats may be particularly important for prey whose predators are visually cryptic ambush foragers, such as sculpin.     

In vitro antiviral activity of sulfated Auricularia auricula polysaccharides

Total Auricularia auricula polysaccharide (AAP(t)) was prepared by extracting and removing the proteins. Column chromatography was used to further graded it into AAP(1) and AAP(2). Three AAPs were modified by chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine method to obtain three sulfated AAPs (sAAPs), sAAP(t), sAAP(1) and sAAP(2), respectively. Three sAAPs and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were added into cultivation system of chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) in three manners, pre-, post- and simultaneous-adding polysaccharide with NDV respectively, taking three non-modified AAPs as control. Their anti-viral activities were compared by MTT method. The results showed that sAAPs and AAPs at a certain concentration could significantly inhibit the cellular infectivity of NDV in three manners. The effects of sAAPs were better than that of AAPs. It indicated that sulfated modification could enhance the antiviral activity of AAP. sAAP(1) and sAAP(t) possessed stronger activity and would be as the component of a new-type antiviral drug.     

Analysis of vaginal lactobacilli from healthy and infected Brazilian women

Culture-dependent PCR-amplified rRNA gene restriction analysis and culture-independent (PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) methodologies were used to examine vaginal lactobacilli from Brazilian women who were healthy or had been diagnosed with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) or bacterial vaginosis. Only Lactobacillus crispatus was detected accordingly by both methods, and H(2)O(2)-producing lactobacilli were not associated with protection against VVC.     

Infestation by Ergasilus coatiarus (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) in two Amazonian cichlids with new host record from Peru: An ectoparasites natural control approach

The occurrence of copepods ergasilid was investigated in two species of cichlids of economic importance for aquaculture in the Amazon region: Cichla monoculus and Chaetobranchus semifasciatus. The fish were collected from a semi-intensive fish farm, near the city of Nauta, Loreto State, Peru. Copepods were found in the gill filaments of 44 of 85 specimens (51.7%) of C. monoculus and in eight of 30 (26.6%) specimens of C. semifasciatus. The parasite was identified as Ergasilus coatiarus based on its morphological features. The occurrence did not vary significantly with host size (P ≥ 0.05) in both species. This is the first report of E. coatiarus parasitizing C. semifasciatus in the Amazon basin and the first report in C. monoculus from Peru. The high occurrence of these copepods in the present study points out the need of improving the strategies of parasitic prevention and control in order to better prevent future disease outbreaks.     

Health and habitat quality assessment for the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) in Indiana, USA

The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) has experienced precipitous population declines throughout its range. Numerous factors are speculated to be involved, but no empirical evidence has been presented for any. We implemented a population-wide health assessment in Indiana, USA, examining both the physical well-being of individuals and the quality of their habitat. Physicochemical parameters were analyzed directly in the field and later in the laboratory, when appropriate. Samples were collected June 2008-October 2008 and June 2009-September 2009 for reproductive analysis, blood screening, and disease prevalence. Of 27 chemicals screened in water samples, three were found in the study site, including atrazine. Atrazine was found at levels reported to cause reproductive problems in other amphibians. Vitellogenin was detected only in females and proved a reliable indicator of sex. Sperm parameters were generally of high quality and similar to other populations. Most plasma parameters were similar between sexes, although there were significant differences in calcium and potassium concentrations. Abnormalities were common, occurring in 68% of individuals. No hemoparasites were found, but amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) was detected on one individual. Our findings establish a baseline for hematology and water-quality parameters that can be used as a model for evaluating population health throughout the hellbender range.     

Foraging behaviour of wild impala (Aepyceros melampus) and Burchell's zebra (Equus burchelli) in relation to sward height

Foraging behaviour plays a key role in the interaction between herbivores and vegetation, their predominant food source. Understanding this interaction is crucial to providing information that is useful for conservation of herbivores. The objective of this study was to determine how sward height influences functional response and movement patterns of free ranging wild impala and zebra at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute. The study was conducted for 3 months. Sward height is an important parameter that indicates how intensive a sward has been grazed and it influences intake rate through its effect on bite size. Bite size, instantaneous intake rate, specific mass intake rate and feeding station interval for impala and zebra increased with sward height. Sward height in combination with an animal's sex was found to have a profound effect on specific mass intake rate in impala. Zebra had a longer feeding station interval and lower stepping rate in tall swards compared to impala. Despite differences in their specific body mass and digestive strategies, impala and zebra maximized their intake rates in tall swards as a trade‐off among the swards. Tall swards are therefore critical in the study area and should be protected from bush encroachment which is a persistent problem.     

Improved treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis with fluconazole plus probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14

Aims:  To determine the ability of probiotic lactobacilli to improve the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) using a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial.
Methods and Results:  Fifty-five women diagnosed with VVC by vaginal discharge positive for Candida spp. (according to culture method) associated with at least one of the symptoms (itching and burning vaginal feeling, dyspareunia and dysuria), were treated with single dose of fluconazole (150 mg) supplemented every morning for the following 4 weeks with two placebo or two probiotic capsules (containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14). At 4 weeks, the probiotic treated group showed significantly less vaginal discharge associated with any of the above mentioned symptoms (10·3% vs 34·6%; P  =   0·03) and lower presence of yeast detected by culture (10·3% vs 38·5%; P  =   0·014).
Conclusion:  This study has shown that probiotic lactobacilli can increase the effectiveness of an anti-fungal pharmaceutical agent in curing disease.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This novel finding of probiotic lactobacilli augmenting the cure rate of yeast vaginitis, not only offers an alternative approach to a highly prevalent condition that adversely affects the quality of life of women around the world, but also raises the question of how this combination works.