Isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila in piglets

The production of Alentejano breed pig started a recovery two decades ago due to increasing demand for gourmet products. These pigs are raised in rotational semi-extensive or extensive outdoor production systems in the “Montado” (green and cork oak forest), grazing and feeding acorns and other associated food resources. Bacteria of the genus Aeromonas are considered as emerging pathogens of importance for man and animals, but its involvement in swine is not well documented. In the context of a study made at the University of Évora to assess the specific diseases of Alentejano swine, diseased piglets from two farms were submitted for pathological and bacteriological examinations. Pathological examinations revealed changes characteristic of septicemia, and Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated in pure culture from multiple organs of piglets from both farms. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that the isolates from one of the farms were susceptible to gentamicin, oxitetracycline, neomycin, enrofloxacin, colistin sulfate, trimethoprim, ceftiofur, and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. In contrast, the A. hydrophila isolated in the other farm was resistant to all drugs tested but enrofloxacin. This is the first report in the world showing the relationship between septicemia and A. hydrophila infection in piglets. The importance of this finding is further reinforced by the fact that these bacteria can be highly resistant to antimicrobial agents.

Dispersão de sementes por aves na galeria ripícola e matriz envolvente

As galerias ripícolas são habitats com uma grande disponibilidade de recursos alimentares e abrigo para a fauna, estando entre os habitats mais importantes e vulneráveis do mundo. São uma fonte de produção de frutos, o que atrai muitos animais, como as aves frugívoras, que são os principais dispersores de sementes na bacia do Mediterrâneo. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi estudar os padrões de dispersão de sementes por aves na interface galeria ripícola-matriz florestal envolvente (Montado). Foram marcadas com fluorescência plantas-mãe produtoras de frutos, e utilizadas armadilhas para sementes e transectos, para a recolha dos dejetos de aves onde, posteriormente, se detetaram as sementes dispersadas. Constatou-se que a dispersão de sementes e a abundância de plantas-mãe foi superior a distâncias mais próximas da ribeira, diminuindo à medida que esta distância aumenta. A espécie mais dispersada foi Smilax aspera e as espécies com sementes de menor dimensão, foram dispersadas a uma maior distância da planta-mãe, provavelmente devido a este tipo de sementes permanecerem mais tempo no trato intestinal das aves. Os resultados deste estudo apresentam algumas implicações para a colonização da matriz adjacente por plantas produtoras de frutos; ABSTRACT: Riparian galleries are habitats with a large availability food resources and shelter for animals, being among the most important and vulnerable habitats in the world. These zones are a great source of fruits attracting many animals, such as frugivorous birds, which are the main seed dispersers in the Mediterranean basin. The objective of this thesis is the study of seed dispersal patterns by birds, in the riparian gallery and in the surrounding forest matrix (Montado). Fruits of several plant species were used to collect bird droppings and detect fluorescent seeds in those droppings. Fruit abundance and seed dispersal were higher close to the stream, and decreased rapidly with an increase in distance from the stream. From all species, the most dispersed was Smilax aspera and species with smaller seed were found at a significantly larger distance from parents plants than species with large seeds. This can be explained by the fact that smaller seed stay longer in the intestinal tract of the birds. The results of this study present some implications for the colonization of freshly fruit plants from the riparian gallery into the adjacent matrix.

Tecnologia GNSS de baixo custo na monitorização de ovinos em pastoreio

Extensive livestock production is supported by natural and biodiverse pastures, characterized by marked seasonal variation of biomass, plant species and growth stage. The use of the food resources and the occupation of grazing space can be very heterogeneous in such conditions due to ruminants grazing behaviour. Successful grazing and pasture management requires an understanding of the adjustment mechanisms behind the grazing behaviour that enables adaptation to grazing conditions. Use of GNSS technology allows a quick and effective grazing data collection which is, however expensive, limiting its application to research purposes. This paper reviews the principles for the application of GNSS technology and evaluates the use of inexpensive commercial GNSS receivers (commercial of the shelf - COTS: CatTrackTM”). Six receivers were used for six data collection period over two months of continuous grazing on a natural pasture. The measured static and dynamic accuracy of the receivers is 14m and 40m, respectively. The precision was 3m and the reliability 80%. The tested equipment allows the differentiation between animal activities (grazing, resting and transit). It also determines sheep locations, allowing the characterization of patterns, pathways and preferred areas. It is concluded that the COTS equipment has a high quality / price ratio, so it can become an important support decision tool essential to a more precise pasture management.

Relative effect of food supplementation and natural resources on female red deer distribution in a Mediterranean ecosystem

Supplementary feeding is a widespread game management practice in several red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations, with important potential consequences on the biology of this species. InMediterranean ecosystems food supplementation occurs in the rutting period, when it may change mating system characteristics. We studied the role of food supplementation relative to natural resources in the spatial distribution, aggregation, and mean harem size of females in Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) during the rut. We studied 30 red deer populations of southwestern Spain, 63% of which experienced supplementary feeding. Using multivariate spatial analyses we found that food supplementation affected distribution of females in 95% of the populations in which it occurred. Green meadows present during the mating season acted as an important natural resource influencing female distribution. Additionally, the level of female aggregation and mean harem size were significantly higher in those populations in which food supplementation determined female distribution than in populations in which female distribution did not depend on supplementary feeding. Because female aggregation and mean harem size are key elements in sexual selection, supplementary feeding may constitute an important anthropogenic element with potential evolutionary implications for populations of Iberian red deer.

Evaluating potential olive orchard sugar food sources for the olive fly parasitoid Psyttalia concolor

Olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major olive pest in the Mediterranean basin where increasing insecticide resistance has enhanced damage and necessitates more reliance on other control strategies, such as biological control. Provision of floral resources has been reported to improve the effectiveness of natural enemies. Here, we tested the effect of six plant nectars and two honeydew sources on the survival of Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid wasp used in the biological control of olive fruit fly. Our results showed a positive effect on survival associated with nectars of Anchusa azurea Mill., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lavatera cretica L. and Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi, while honeydew proved to be a valuable alternative food source. When offering flowers directly to insects, Anchusa azurea, Lavatera cretica, and Foeniculum vulgare L. were found to be the most beneficial species, indicating also that P. concolor feeds predominantly on shallow corollas.