Sorological evaluation of commercial vaccines against enterotoxemia in goats.

Enterotoxemia in sheep and in goats is caused by the effects of the epsilon toxin of C/ostridium perfringens type D, being considered the main infectious cause of mortality in those animal species. The main prophylactic measures include adequate nutritional management and vaccination of ali animais using vaccines of high immunogenic power. Six commercial vaccines containing in its formulation the epsilon toxoid of C. perfringens type D were sorogically evaluated. Eighty four female goat kids, whose mothers had no previous vaccination history against clostridioses were used. They were divided into six groups of 14 animais each. The animais of the control group didn't receive any vaccine dose and the animais from the groups 1 to 5 received two vaccine doses, The first vaccine dose was applied at 45 days of life (day zero) and the second dose at 75 days (30 days after the first dose). Blood samples were collected from the goat kids at the days zero, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 after the beginning of the experiment, in order to evaluate the immunologic response. The Indirect ELlSA technique was used for the quantification of the antibodies against epsilon toxin in the samples of blood serum of the animais. In day zero, no animal presented titre considered protector. The largest number of animais considered protected was found at day 60, in response to the two initial doses of the vaccine (days O and 30, first and second doses, respectively). Only tive animaIs which received the vaccine 1 and one animal which received the vaccine 3 stayed wilh titres of antibodies considered up to 150 days after the first vaccine dose. Based on the results, it was concluded lhat the evaluated vaccines showed small amount of epsilon toxoid in the commercial formulations, a crucial fact for lhe low efficiency of. the vaccines. For commercial reasons, the vaccines against the clostridioses present versatile formulations, with several toxoid types, used for various animal species, which certainly contributed to reduce their effectiveness in preventing the iIInesses caused by the clostridia or their toxins.

Early reserve effects linked to small home ranges of a commercial fish, Diplodus sargus, Sparidae

Studies that combine both the ecological responses of marine species and protection measures with movement patterns and habitat use are of major importance in order to better understand the performance of marine protected areas (MPA) and how species respond to their implementation. However, few studies have assessed MPA performance by relating local individual movement patterns and the observed reserve effects. In this study, we combined acoustic telemetry with abundance estimates to study the early effects of a recently established small coastal MPA on the local populations of white seabream. The results show that even small, recently established coastal MPAs can increase the abundance and biomass of commercial fish species, provided that target species have small home ranges and exhibit high site fidelity.

Effects of fishing methods on deep water shark species caught as by-catch off southern Portugal

Deep water sharks are commonly caught as by-catch of longlines targeting bony fishes and trawlers targeting crustaceans in deep water off the southern Portuguese coast. Due to low or no commercial value, these species are most of the times discarded at sea, with only the larger specimens of some species commercialized at very low prices. In this study we present size distributions, maturity distributions, and sex ratios of 2,138 specimens belonging to four different species, namely the lantern sharks Etmopterus pusillus and Etmopterus spinax and the catsharks Galeus melastomus and Galeus atlanticus, caught with these two gears. Trawls generally caught smaller-sized specimens, in a wider length range than longlines. Trawls caught mostly immature specimens of all species, namely 83.7% immature of E. pusillus, 84.3% of E. spinax, 89.5% of G. melastomus, and 95.5% of G. atlanticus, while longlines caught mostly immature E. pusillus (69.2%) and G. melastomus (78.6%) and mostly mature E. spinax (88.2%) and G. atlanticus (87.2%). Trawls tended to catch more males than females of all species except E. spinax, while longlines caught more females than males of E. spinax and G. melastomus and more males than females of the other two species. The main conclusion of this work is that trawls are catching smaller-sized and mostly immature specimens when compared to longlines, meaning that they are probably having a more detrimental effect on these shark populations. The data presented here have significant implications for the conservation of these shark populations since sizes, sexes, and the immature and mature components of the populations are being affected differently by these two fishing gears.

Gill net and longlines fisheries in Cyclades waters (Aegean Sea): species composition and gear competition

Species composition and gear competition for the small-scale fisheries in the Cyclades waters (off Naxos Island, Aegean Sea. Hellas) was studied based on samples collected during 1997-1998 with gill nets of different mesh sizes and longlines with hooks of different sizes. Comparisons used univariate and multivariate techniques based on species compositions by number and weight and the commercial/total catch ratio in terms of weight and number. The results of the various techniques were in agreement and suggested that the different gear/size/season combinations fall into two groups (all gill nets and all longlines), which differed from each other in terms of species composition. species diversity and dominance. In contrast, the commercial/total catch ratio did not differ either within and between gears. The implications of the results for the management of the Mediterranean fisheries resources are also discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Non-commercial invertebrate discards in an experimental trammel net fishery

Non-commercial invertebrate discards in an experimental trammel net fishery were studied in relation to selectivity of the gear, depth, soak time and season. Forty experimental fishing trials were carried out over a 1-year period with six combinations of small mesh (100, 120 and 140 mm) inner and large mesh (600 and 800 mm) outer panels. On average, 43.8 +/- 12.2 (SD) (individuals 1000 m(-1) of net) of non-commercial invertebrates were discarded, accounting for 48% and 65% of the total catch and total discards by numbers, respectively. Within non-commercial invertebrates discards, the six most abundant species by number were Phallusia mammillata (Cuvier) (27.5%), Cymbium olla (L.) (13.0%), Sphaerechinus granularis (Lamarck) (11.3%), Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck) (10.9%), Astropartus mediterraneus (Risso) (8.2%) and Astropecten aranciacus (L.) (8.1%); Echinoderms (43.1%) particularly important. The highest and lowest discard ratios were found in autumn and winter, respectively. Discards generally decreased with depth, varied considerably in relation to soak time and were not related to mesh size combinations. Trammel nets seem to be the most important gear in terms of ecological impacts on benthic invertebrates compared with other coastal fishing gears and at the depths studied (15-60 m).

Environmental influence on commercial fishery landings of small pelagic fish in Portugal

Small pelagic fishes are particularly abundant in areas with high environmental variability (zones of coastal upwelling and areas of tidal mixing and river discharge), and because of this, their abundance suffers large inter-annual and inter-decadal fluctuations. In Portugal, the most important species in terms of landings are European sardine, Atlantic horse mackerel and Atlantic chub mackerel. Small pelagic fish landings account for 62.8 % of the total fish biomass and represent 32.7 % of the economical value of all catches. We have investigated trends in landings of these small pelagic fishes and detected the effects of environmental factors in this fishery. In order to explain the variability of landings of small pelagic fishes, we have used official landings (1965-2012) for trawling and purse seine fisheries and applied generalized linear models, using the North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO) (annual and winter NAO index), sea surface temperature (SST), wind data (strength and North-South and East-West wind components) and rainfall, as explanatory variables. Regression analysis was used to describe the relationship between landings and SST. The models explained between 50.16 and 51.07 % of the variability of the LPUE, with the most important factors being winter NAO index, SST and wind strength. The LPUE of European sardine and Atlantic horse mackerel was negatively correlated with SST, and LPUE of Atlantic chub mackerel was positively correlated with SST. The use of landings of three important species of small pelagic fishes allowed the detection of variations in landings associated with changes in sea water temperature and NAO index.

Determination of microplastics in the digestive content of pelagic fish of commercial interest

The study aimed to determine the amount of microplastics (MPs) found in the digestive content of some pelagic tuna fish species of commercial interest caught along the Spanish coasts. In total, 601 individuals belonging to eight tuna species, and one species of the Corypheanidae family, were examined for the presence of MPs in their stomachs. Fish were collected from 9 different locations along the Spanish coasts by commercial fishers. A total of 170 MPs were extracted from the fish stomach of 75 individuals. The number of particles present in the stomach ranged from 1 to 20 (mean 0.3± 1.2 SD MPs per individual). The species with the highest amount of MPs was Auxix rochei whereas the species that did not present any MPs was Coryphaena hippurus, the only species not belonging to the tuna group. In terms of location, the highest ratio of MPs (71%) was found in the fish collected from Azohia, and the lowest in Mazagon (7%). In general, the fish that ingested more MPs were those caught from sites that were closer to the coasts (Canarias Islands stations and Azohia). No correlation between the number of ingested MPs and the size and weight of the fish were detected nor for the whole sample nor for each species separately. Analyzing the MPs in terms of colour, green colour MPs were the most dominant (52%) followed by blue colour (25%). Analyzing the MPs in terms of size, 11 categories were considered and the most dominant size was 0-0.5 micron. Fibers were excluded from the analysis because no protocol was adopted to prevent their contamination. Furthermore, 100% of the MPs found were fragments. The data did not show a high presence of MPs in the analyzed study areas. A bias could probably be due to the method used, allowing to loose a certain quantity of very small microplastics, and also to ethological and biological factors of the species, as documented by other studies: very often MPs do not accumulate in the stomach and are expelled from the individual.

Spatial-temporal variability of the benthic communities in Ravenna harbour using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) with focus on Non-Indigenous Species (NIS)

A Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) is defined as an organism, introduced outside its natural past or present range of distribution by humans, that successfully survives, reproduces, and establish in the new environment. Harbors and tourist marinas are considered NIS hotspots, as they are departure and arrival points for numerous vessels and because of the presence of free artificial substrates, which facilitate colonization by NIS. To early detect the arrival of new NIS, monitoring benthic communities in ports is essential. Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) are standardized passive collectors that are used to assess marine benthic communities. Here we use an integrative approach based on multiple 3-month ARMS deployment (from April 2021 to October 2022) to characterize the benthic communities (with a focus on NIS) of two sites: a commercial port (Harbor) and a touristic Marina (Marina) of Ravenna. The colonizing sessile communities were assessed using percentage coverage of the taxa trough image analyses and vagile fauna (> 2 mm) was identified morphologically using a stereomicroscope and light microscope. Overall, 97 taxa were identified and 19 of them were NIS. All NIS were already observed in port environments in the Mediterranean Sea, but for the first time the presence of the polychaete Schistomeringos cf. japonica (Annenkova, 1937) was observed; however molecular analysis is needed to confirm its identity. Harbor and Marina host significantly different benthic communities, with significantly different abundance depending on the sampling period. While the differences between sites are related to their different environmental characteristic and their anthropogenic pressures, differences among times seems related to the different life cycle of the main abundant species. This thesis evidenced that ARMS, together with integrative taxonomic approaches, represent useful tools to early detect NIS and could be used for a long-term monitoring of their presence.

Characterization Of Microsatellite Markers Developed From Prosopis Rubriflora And Prosopis Ruscifolia (leguminosae - Mimosoideae), Legume Species That Are Used As Models For Genetic Diversity Studies In Chaquenian Areas Under Anthropization In South America.

Prosopis rubriflora and Prosopis ruscifolia are important species in the Chaquenian regions of Brazil. Because of the restriction and frequency of their physiognomy, they are excellent models for conservation genetics studies. The use of microsatellite markers (Simple Sequence Repeats, SSRs) has become increasingly important in recent years and has proven to be a powerful tool for both ecological and molecular studies. In this study, we present the development and characterization of 10 new markers for P. rubriflora and 13 new markers for P. ruscifolia. The genotyping was performed using 40 P. rubriflora samples and 48 P. ruscifolia samples from the Chaquenian remnants in Brazil. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of the P. rubriflora markers ranged from 0.073 to 0.791, and no null alleles or deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HW) were detected. The PIC values for the P. ruscifolia markers ranged from 0.289 to 0.883, but a departure from HW and null alleles were detected for certain loci; however, this departure may have resulted from anthropic activities, such as the presence of livestock, which is very common in the remnant areas. In this study, we describe novel SSR polymorphic markers that may be helpful in future genetic studies of P. rubriflora and P. ruscifolia.

Development And Characterization Of Microsatellite Loci For Ocotea Species (lauraceae) Threatened With Extinction.

The Atlantic rainforest species Ocotea catharinensis, Ocotea odorifera, and Ocotea porosa have been extensively harvested in the past for timber and oil extraction and are currently listed as threatened due to overexploitation. To investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of these species, we developed 8 polymorphic microsatellite markers for O. odorifera from an enriched microsatellite library by using 2 dinucleotide repeats. The microsatellite markers were tested for cross-amplification in O. catharinensis and O. porosa. The average number of alleles per locus was 10.2, considering all loci over 2 populations of O. odorifera. Observed and expected heterozygosities for O. odorifera ranged from 0.39 to 0.93 and 0.41 to 0.92 across populations, respectively. Cross-amplification of all loci was successfully observed in O. catharinensis and O. porosa except 1 locus that was found to lack polymorphism in O. porosa. Combined probabilities of identity in the studied Ocotea species were very low ranging from 1.0 x 10-24 to 7.7 x 10-24. The probability of exclusion over all loci estimated for O. odorifera indicated a 99.9% chance of correctly excluding a random nonparent individual. The microsatellite markers described in this study have high information content and will be useful for further investigations on genetic diversity within these species and for subsequent conservation purposes.

High-throughput Analysis By Sp-ldi-ms For Fast Identification Of Adulterations In Commercial Balsamic Vinegars.

Balsamic vinegar (BV) is a typical and valuable Italian product, worldwide appreciated thanks to its characteristic flavors and potential health benefits. Several studies have been conducted to assess physicochemical and microbial compositions of BV, as well as its beneficial properties. Due to highly-disseminated claims of antioxidant, antihypertensive and antiglycemic properties, BV is a known target for frauds and adulterations. For that matter, product authentication, certifying its origin (region or country) and thus the processing conditions, is becoming a growing concern. Striving for fraud reduction as well as quality and safety assurance, reliable analytical strategies to rapidly evaluate BV quality are very interesting, also from an economical point of view. This work employs silica plate laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SP-LDI-MS) for fast chemical profiling of commercial BV samples with protected geographical indication (PGI) and identification of its adulterated samples with low-priced vinegars, namely apple, alcohol and red/white wines.

Developmental Rate Of Immatures Of Two Fly Species Of Forensic Importance: Sarcophaga (liopygia) Ruficornis And Microcerella Halli (diptera: Sarcophagidae).

Since insect species are poikilothermic organisms, they generally exhibit different growth patterns depending on the temperature at which they develop. This factor is important in forensic entomology, especially for estimating postmortem interval (PMI) when it is based on the developmental time of the insects reared in decomposing bodies. This study aimed to estimate the rates of development, viability, and survival of immatures of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) ruficornis (Fabricius 1794) and Microcerella halli (Engel 1931) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) reared in different temperatures: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 ± 1 °C. Bovine raw ground meat was offered as food for all experimental groups, each consisting of four replicates, in the proportion of 2 g/larva. To measure the evolution of growth, ten specimens of each group were randomly chosen and weighed every 12 h, from initial feeding larva to pupae, and then discarded. Considering the records of weight gain, survival rates, and stability of growth rates, the range of optimum temperature for the development of S. (L.) ruficornis is between 20 and 35 °C, and that of M. halli is between 20 and 25 °C. For both species, the longest times of development were in the lowest temperatures. The survival rate at extreme temperatures (10 and 35 °C) was lower in both species. Biological data such as the ones obtained in this study are of great importance to achieve a more accurate estimate of the PMI.

Molecular And Morphological Evidence Reveals A New Species In The Phyllomedusa Hypochondrialis Group (hylidae, Phyllomedusinae) From The Atlantic Forest Of The Highlands Of Southern Brazil.

The taxonomic status of a disjunctive population of Phyllomedusa from southern Brazil was diagnosed using molecular, chromosomal, and morphological approaches, which resulted in the recognition of a new species of the P. hypochondrialis group. Here, we describe P. rustica sp. n. from the Atlantic Forest biome, found in natural highland grassland formations on a plateau in the south of Brazil. Phylogenetic inferences placed P. rustica sp. n. in a subclade that includes P. rhodei + all the highland species of the clade. Chromosomal morphology is conservative, supporting the inference of homologies among the karyotypes of the species of this genus. Phyllomedusa rustica is apparently restricted to its type-locality, and we discuss the potential impact on the strategies applied to the conservation of the natural grassland formations found within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome in southern Brazil. We suggest that conservation strategies should be modified to guarantee the preservation of this species.

Comparative Cytogenetics Of Physalaemus albifrons And Physalaemus Cuvieri Species Groups (anura, leptodactylidae).

Recently, Physalaemus albifrons (Spix, 1824) was relocated from the Physalaemus cuvieri group to the same group as Physalaemus biligonigerus (Cope, 1861), Physalaemus marmoratus (Reinhardt & Lütken, 1862) and Physalaemus santafecinus Barrio, 1965. To contribute to the analysis of this proposition, we studied the karyotypes of Physalaemus albifrons, Physalaemus santafecinus and three species of the Physalaemus cuvieri group. The karyotype of Physalaemus santafecinus was found to be very similar to those of Physalaemus biligonigerus and Physalaemus marmoratus, which were previously described. A remarkable characteristic that these three species share is a conspicuous C-band that extends from the pericentromeric region almost to the telomere in the short arm of chromosome 3. This characteristic is not present in the Physalaemus albifrons karyotype and could be a synapomorphy of Physalaemus biligonigerus, Physalaemus marmoratus and Physalaemus santafecinus. The karyotype of Physalaemus santafecinus is also similar to those of Physalaemus marmoratus and Physalaemus biligonigerus owing to the presence of several terminal C-bands and the distal localization of the NOR in a small metacentric chromosome. In contrast, the Physalaemus albifrons karyotype has no terminal C-bands and its NOR is located interstitially in the long arm of submetacentric chromosome 8. The NOR-bearing chromosome of Physalaemus albifrons very closely resembles those found in Physalaemus albonotatus (Steindachner, 1864), Physalaemus cuqui Lobo, 1993 and some populations of Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger, 1826. Additionally, the Physalaemus albifrons karyotype has an interstitial C-band in chromosome 5 that has been exclusively observed in species of the Physalaemus cuvieri group. Therefore, we were not able to identify any chromosomal feature that supports the reallocation of Physalaemus albifrons.

A Modified Acidic Approach For Dna Extraction From Plant Species Containing High Levels Of Secondary Metabolites.

Purified genomic DNA can be difficult to obtain from some plant species because of the presence of impurities such as polysaccharides, which are often co-extracted with DNA. In this study, we developed a fast, simple, and low-cost protocol for extracting DNA from plants containing high levels of secondary metabolites. This protocol does not require the use of volatile toxic reagents such as mercaptoethanol, chloroform, or phenol and allows the extraction of high-quality DNA from wild and cultivated tropical species.