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1 Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Zoology, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2 Division of Infectious Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPMUNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil, 3 Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America; One Health Trust, Bengaluru, India, 4 Public Library of Science, San Francisco, United States of America and Cambridge, United Kingdom
Abdullah Al Faruq, Oky Setyo Widodo, Mitsuhiro Takagi
et al.
Reproductive failure in cattle production is a global concern and is influenced by various factors, including genetic alterations. This study explored the relationship between an X-linked single-nucleotide variant (NC_037357.1: g.87298881A>G, rs135720414) in the upstream of the bovine forkhead box P3 (<i>FOXP3</i>) gene and infertility. To this end, we examined the genotypes of the variant in old Asian cattle breeds, including 48 Bali and 5 Jaliteng cattle, and 20 water buffaloes, which have recently shown subclinical signs of infertility and repeated breeding problems among populations in Indonesia. We also examined the genotypes in 69 parous and 39 non-parous Holstein Friesian (HF) cows and investigated the relationship between the genotypes and serum concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). The G allele frequency was markedly high in Bali (0.944) and Jaliteng cattle (0.714), and water buffaloes (1), suggesting that the G allele may be originally a wild-type variant in old Asian cattle and buffaloes. In HF cows, the G allele frequency was moderately high, and the AMH concentration was significantly lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in parous cows carrying the G allele (A/G and G/G genotypes) than in parous cows with the A/A genotype. In contrast, there were no significant differences in AMH concentrations among the three genotypes of non-parous HF cows. This suggests that both G allele and aging are associated with infertility in HF cows. In conclusion, the G allele of the <i>FOXP3</i> gene variant may potentially be associated with infertility in different bovine breeds and species. Therefore, special attention should be paid to this variant, and infertility in bovine herds may be improved by selection and/or introduction of the A allele.
Hameed Byju, Hegde Maitreyi, Raveendran Natarajan
et al.
Background Wetlands, globally, face significant threats from human activities, and waterbirds, as key indicators of wetland health, are essential to maintaining ecological balance. Any long-term conservation measures should prioritize coordinated habitat preservation, wetland restoration, and sustainable management practices involving local communities. Monitoring and analyzing waterbird population trends are critical for understanding restoration, conservation, and management practices. Methods The present study was carried out in five bird sanctuaries Chitrangudi, Kanjirankulam (Ramsar sites), Therthangal, Sakkarakottai, and Mel-Kel Selvanoor of Tamil Nadu, Southeast coast of India, over one year (April 2022 to March 2023). Monthly surveys using direct and block methods, with additional fortnightly visits during the breeding season, were conducted from vantage points to record species diversity, nesting activity, and conservation threats. Assessments of the residential status, national status (SOIB), and Convention for Migratory species (CMS) status were done along with the alpha and beta biodiversity profiles, principal component analysis, Pearson correlation and other statistical methods performed to assess breeding waterbirds community structure. Threats to the breeding waterbirds were categorised into high, medium, and low impacts based on degree of severity and irreversibility. Results The avifaunal checklist revealed a diversity of waterbird species utilizing the sanctuaries for breeding. Notable findings include two Near-Threatened species like, Asian Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, where Asian Woolly-necked Stork recorded only in Therthangal Bird Sanctuary. Avifauna of each sanctuary with breeding waterbirds in parenthesis is as follows: Chitragundi 122 (13); Mel-Kel Selvanoor 117 (19); Therthangal 96 (23); Sakkarakottai 116 (17) and Kanjirankulam 123 (14). The breeding activity (incubation in nests) was from November to February except for Glossy Ibis and Oriental Darter whose breeding started in December; Spot-billed Duck and Knob-billed Duck breed only during January and February. Among the 131 species recorded from all the sanctuaries, 78% were resident birds; 27% were breeding waterbirds, and 21% were Winter visitors. The SOIB and CMS statuses underscore the necessity of implementing effective conservation measures to protect breeding habitats amid anthropogenic pressures. Water unavailability and nest tree unavailability in the sanctuaries are found to be the high degree threats to breeding waterbirds than others. This research provides critical baseline data for the forest department’s future wetland management plans.
The genus Talbotia Bernardi, 1958 is a member of the subfamily Pierinae within the family Pieridae. It consists of a single species, Talbotia naganum (Moore, 1884), commonly known as Naga White, which is a highly uncommon species in India. In order to examine its morphological characteristics, including its genital attributes, a male specimen of Talbotia naganum (Moore) was analyzed from the collections held at the National Museum of Lepidoptera, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. The various male genital attributes of this species have been thoroughly studied, illustrated, and compared in detail for the first time with the commonly found pierid butterfly P. brassicae (Linnaeus).
There are over 60,000 lakes in the Republic of Karelia (Northwest Russia). In recent years, this region has been increasingly used for tourism and recreation. The development of amateur and sport fishing increases the relevance of rational use of the bioresources of the lakes in this region. Due to the unique features of their natural potential, lakes Kroshnozero and Urozero are a favorite vacation spot for local residents, centers of attraction for tourists, and fishing enthusiasts. To assess the fish productivity of two Karelian lakes, Kroshnozero and Urozero, the mass- balance model of V.V. Bulyon was used. This model reflects the most general patterns of distribution of organic matter and energy in trophic networks of a lake ecosystem. The model was verified using hydrochemical and hydrobiological parameters of lakes (phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macrozoobenthos biomass) obtained in field conditions over the past decade. Comparison of empirical data with model calculations showed good convergence. It was shown that the adequacy of the model in describing lake processes allows its use as a tool for assessing fish productivity in various reservoirs.
Prolactin is essential for mammary gland development and lactation. Progesterone also induces ductal branching and alveolar formation via initial secretory differentiation within the mammary gland. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the role of progesterone as a prolactin substitute for the production of cell-cultured milk components in MAC-T cells. Cells were treated with various hormones such as prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P4), 17β-estradiol (E2), cortisol (COR), and insulin (INS) for 5 d. MAC-T cells cultured in a P4 differentiation media (2500 ng/mL of P4, 25 ng/mL of E2, 25 ng/mL of COR, and 25 ng/mL of INS) showed similar levels of E74-like factor 5 (Elf5) and milk component synthesis (<i>α</i>-casein, <i>β</i>-casein, <i>α</i>-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, and triglycerides) compared to those cultured in a PRL differentiation media (5000 ng/mL of PRL, 500 ng/mL of CORT, and 50 ng/mL of INS). The levels of <i>α</i>-casein and triglycerides in the optimal P4 differentiation media were present at comparable levels to those in the PRL differentiation media. Our results demonstrated that P4 induces the activation of Elf5 and the synthesis of milk components in MAC-T cells, similar to PRL. Therefore, P4 may be used as an effective substitute of PRL for cell-cultured milk production in in vitro frameworks.
G. A. Carvalho, P. A. M. Lima, M. A. Carvalho
et al.
Abstract Ateleia glazioveana Baill. is a pioneer, rustic and can be used for forest recovery. This work aimed to study the process of physiological maturation of this species. The research was carried out in the city of Alegre - ES, the trees were identified in the floral anthesis and accompanied during the filling of the fruits and development of the seeds until the complete maturation. The fruits were harvested at the following stages 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after anthesis, and characterized according to: morphometry, moisture, fresh and dry mass of fruits and seeds, germination, germination speed index, shoot and root length and dry mass of seedlings. The regression equations were adjusted for the main characteristics analyzed as a function of the harvest period. The point of physiological maturity of timbó occurred at 42 days after anthesis.
Plant breeding programs in assembling high yielding varieties of melon need to know the qualitative and quantitative characters. The superior melon plants that people are interested in are fresh fruit, sweet taste, thick and durable fruit flesh. The study was to obtain character nine of strains melon, clustering analysis, determine the estimated value of genetic diversity and determine potential melon strains for future breeding programs. The research method was a field experiment in a Completely Randomized Block Design with a single factor and three replications. The treatments used were 9 strains of melons DS-1-2-10-21-11, DS-1-2-10-21-22, DS-1-2-10-21-31, DNG-1-47-13, DNG-1-47-22, DNG-1-47-31, DNG-1-47-32, APL-11 and APL-12. The data were analyzed using Analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with a level 5%. Estimation of genetic diversity is done by calculating the coefficient of diversity and heritability values in a broad sense. Clustering was analyzed using the Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering Method. The coefficient of similarity between strains was measured using the Euclidian Distance measurement transformation matrix. The character of the melon strains 1-2-10-21-31 is shorter, the stem diameter is large, the female flowering ages faster, the fruit diameter is large and the fruit flesh is thick. There are three clusters formed based on parameters. Variable plant height at 2 wap has a wide range of genetic diversity coefficients. A potential strains for further breeding programs is DS-1-2-10-21-31.
R. William Bouchard Jr., Leonard C. Ferrington, Jr.
Annual water temperature variation strongly influences larval growth of aquatic insects in streams located in temperate regions or at high elevations, which produces cohorts with highly synchronized emergence periods and short average annual durations of emergence. Studies of Chironomidae in tropical streams indicate that species in these habitats have longer average durations of emergence due to reduced annual variation in water temperature. We used emergence trap data collected over one year from Quebrada Prieta (El Verde Field Station, Puerto Rico) to test the prediction that chironomids of an insular rainforest stream should have longer average annual durations of emergence than chironomids in both temperate streams and mainland streams in continental tropical regions. Taxa richness was relatively low with twenty-eight Chironomidae taxa collected from Quebrada Prieta. Emergence patterns of the most common taxa demonstrated some seasonally with the highest emergence generally occurring during the dry season (January through April). The estimated average emergence duration of Chironomidae in Quebrada Prieta was 205 days/species/year, which was greater than estimates of average durations for chironomids of three streams in Pennsylvania, USA (70 days/species/year), 6 streams in Minnesota, USA (89 days/species/year), and four streams in Guanacaste National Park in northwestern Costa Rica (116 days/species/year). The emergence duration for the chironomid community in Quebrada Prieta was most similar to another tropical, mountain stream in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (255 days/species/year). Although many taxa emerged throughout the one-year sampling period, some taxa in Quebrada Prieta had distinct emergence peaks. This demonstrates that although environmental conditions are stable enough to allow for emergence throughout the year for many species, there is some seasonality in the development of chironomid taxa in this tropical stream. These results are consistent with predictions that invertebrates in tropical streams will have longer, less synchronous emergence periods than species in temperate regions with high annual fluctuations in temperature. However, this research is also similar to several other studies that have identified seasonal emergence peaks in tropical chironomids which demonstrates a need to better understand the exogenous cues that affect these patterns.
Enkelejda Velo, Fabrizio Balestrino, Fabrizio Balestrino
et al.
The pathogen transmitting Aedes albopictus mosquito is spreading rapidly in Europe, putting millions of humans and animals at risk. This species is well-established in Albania since its first detection in 1979. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is increasingly gaining momentum worldwide as a component of area-wide-integrated pest management. However, estimating how the sterile males will perform in the field and the size of target populations is crucial for better decision-making, designing and elaborating appropriate SIT pilot trials, and subsequent large-scale release strategies. A mark-release-recapture (MRR) experiment was carried out in Albania within a highly urbanized area in the city of Tirana. The radio-sterilized adults of Ae. albopictus Albania strain males were transported by plane from Centro Agricoltura Ambiente (CAA) mass-production facility (Bologna, Italy), where they were reared. In Albania, sterile males were sugar-fed, marked with fluorescent powder, and released. The aim of this study was to estimate, under field conditions, their dispersal capacity, probability of daily survival and competitiveness, and the size of the target population. In addition, two adult mosquito collection methods were also evaluated: BG-Sentinel traps baited with BG-Lure and CO2, (BGS) versus human landing catch (HLC). The overall recapture rates did not differ significantly between the two methods (2.36% and 1.57% of the total male released were recaptured respectively by BGS and HLC), suggesting a similar trapping efficiency under these conditions. Sterile males traveled a mean distance of 93.85 ± 42.58 m and dispersed up to 258 m. Moreover, they were observed living in the field up to 15 days after release with an average life expectancy of 4.26 ± 0.80 days. Whether mosquitoes were marked with green, blue, yellow, or pink, released at 3.00 p.m. or 6.00 p.m., there was no significant difference in the recapture, dispersal, and survival rates in the field. The Fried competitiveness index was estimated at 0.28. This mark-release-recapture study provided important data for better decision-making and planning before moving to pilot SIT trials in Albania. Moreover, it also showed that both BG-traps and HLC were successful in monitoring adult mosquitoes and provided similar estimations of the main entomological parameters needed.
Paola Vanessa Sierra-Baquero, Tatiana Sánchez, José Antonio Rubiano-Rodríguez
Resumen. Las hortalizas son alimentos de consumo básico y fuente importante de nutrientes para la salud. En Colombia los problemas fitosanitarios limitan el rendimiento y competitividad en mercados internacionales. Con el objetivo evaluar la diversidad de la entomofauna asociada en cinco cultivos colindantes como ahuyama, berenjena y dos especies de frijol en el departamento del Cesar en Colombia. En la zona de estudio se realizaron muestreos y colectas quincenales en los sistemas
hortícolas durante agosto a octubre de 2017. Se analizaron las abundancias e índices de diversidad de Shannon y Simpson por familia y género. También se tipificaron los grupos funcionales (fitófagos y controladores biológicos) de los géneros. Los órdenes más abundantes fueron Hemiptera, seguido de Coleoptera e Hymenoptera. El cultivo de ají presentó la mayor abundancia de insectos (P = 0,6275) y mayor e igual dominancia en diversidad de familia y género según el índice Simpson (D=0,34). Frijol caupí presentó mayor riqueza y diversidad de familias según el índice de Shannon (H´=2,32) y género (H´=2,72) respectivamente, mientras que la familia con mayor abundancia fue Cicadellidae en los cultivos de ají y frijol rosado, y ahuyama presentó mayor diferencia entre las familias muestreadas y las previstas (Chao1=21). Los géneros más abundantes fueron Systena sp. (Chrysomelidae) en ahuyama, Solenopsis sp. (Formicidae) en berenjena, Cicadella sp. (Cicadellidae) en ají y frijol rosado. El
mayor porcentaje de fitófagos se presentó en ahuyama y el mayor de depredadores en berenjena. La abundancia de entomofauna fue similar en los diferentes cultivos evaluados, debido a la colindancia que había entre ellos, destacándose las familias Cicadellidae, Chrysomelidae y Carabidae.