Phenotypic Variation within Local Populations of Meadow Fescue Shows Significant Associations with Allele Frequencies at AFLP Loci

To identify markers useful for Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), mapping families are usually constructed and used for Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping. Association mapping offers an alternative strategy for marker development using already characterized germplasm, preferably from natural populations. Simultaneous phenotypic and molecular screening of gene bank accessions can reveal associations between molecular marker alleles and phenotypic traits, and lead to a more targeted construction of mapping families for fine-mapping. In this investigation, we combine molecular (AFLP) and phenotypic data of 15 Norwegian local populations and 5 Nordic cultivars in order to identify markers associated with phenotypic traits of interest

In situ recordings of large gelatinous spheres from NE Atlantic, and the first genetic confirmation of egg mass of Illex coindetii (Vérany, 1839) (Cephalopoda, Mollusca)

In total, 90 gelatinous spheres, averaging one meter in diameter, have been recorded from ~ 1985 to 2019 from the NE Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea, using citizen science. More than 50% had a dark streak through center. They were recorded from the surface to ~ 60–70 m depth, mainly neutrally buoyant, in temperatures between 8 and 24°C. Lack of tissue samples has until now, prohibited confirmation of species. However, in 2019 scuba divers secured four tissue samples from the Norwegian coast. In the present study, DNA analysis using COI confirms species identity as the ommastrephid broadtail shortfin squid Illex coindetii (Vérany, 1839); these are the first confirmed records from the wild. Squid embryos at different stages were found in different egg masses: (1) recently fertilized eggs (stage ~ 3), (2) organogenesis (stages ~ 17–19 and ~ 23), and (3) developed embryo (stage ~ 30). Without tissue samples from each and every record for DNA corroboration we cannot be certain that all spherical egg masses are conspecific, or that the remaining 86 observed spheres belong to Illex coindetii. However, due to similar morphology and size of these spheres, relative to the four spheres with DNA analysis, we suspect that many of them were made by I. coindetii

In situ recordings of large gelatinous spheres from NE Atlantic, and the first genetic confirmation of egg mass of Illex coindetii (Vérany, 1839) (Cephalopoda, Mollusca)

In total, 90 gelatinous spheres, averaging one meter in diameter, have been recorded from ~ 1985 to 2019 from the NE Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea, using citizen science. More than 50% had a dark streak through center. They were recorded from the surface to ~ 60–70 m depth, mainly neutrally buoyant, in temperatures between 8 and 24°C. Lack of tissue samples has until now, prohibited confirmation of species. However, in 2019 scuba divers secured four tissue samples from the Norwegian coast. In the present study, DNA analysis using COI confirms species identity as the ommastrephid broadtail shortfin squid Illex coindetii (Vérany, 1839); these are the first confirmed records from the wild. Squid embryos at different stages were found in different egg masses: (1) recently fertilized eggs (stage ~ 3), (2) organogenesis (stages ~ 17–19 and ~ 23), and (3) developed embryo (stage ~ 30). Without tissue samples from each and every record for DNA corroboration we cannot be certain that all spherical egg masses are conspecific, or that the remaining 86 observed spheres belong to Illex coindetii. However, due to similar morphology and size of these spheres, relative to the four spheres with DNA analysis, we suspect that many of them were made by I. coindetii.publishedVersio

Bioencapsulation and Colonization Characteristics of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CF4MRS in Artemia franciscana: a Biological Approach for the Control of Edwardsiellosis in Larviculture

Predominance of beneficial bacteria helps to establish a healthy microbiota in fish gastrointestinal system and thus to reduce emerging pathogen. In this study, the colonization efficacy of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CF4MRS in Artemia franciscana and its potential as a probiotic in suppressing Edwardsiella sp. infection were investigated in vivo. The colonization extent of the bioencapsulated L. lactis was established through visualization of gfp gene-transformed L. lactis in A. franciscana. Here, we demonstrate that when A. franciscana is administrated with L. lactis at 108 CFU mL−1 for 8 h, the highest relative percentage of survival (RPS = 50.0) is observed after inoculation with Edwardsiella sp. The total counts of L. lactis entrapped in Artemia were the highest (ranged from 3.2 to 5.1 × 108 CFU mL−1), when 108–109 CFU mL−1 of L. lactis was used as starting inoculum, with the bioencapsulation performed within 8–24 h. Fluorescent microscopy showed gfp-transformed L. lactis colonized the external trunk surfaces, mid-gut and locomotion antennules of the A. franciscana nauplii. These illustrations elucidate the efficiency of colonization of L. lactis in the gastrointestinal tract and on the body surfaces of Artemia. In conclusion, L. lactis subsp. lactis CF4MRS shows a good efficacy of colonization in Artemia and has the potential for biocontrol/probiotic activity against Edwardsiella sp. infection

Overvåking av langtransporterte forurensninger 2009. sammendragsrapport

Rapporten presenterer sammendrag av resultatene for 2009 fra tre overvåkingsprogrammer: “Overvåking av langtrans­portert forurenset luft og nedbør”, ”Overvåkingsprogram for skogskader” (OPS) og “Program for terrestrisk naturovervåking” (TOV). The report presents results for 2009 from three national monitoring programmes on long-range transboundary air pollution

Carrion Availability in Space and Time

Introduction Availability of carrion to scavengers is a central issue in carrion ecology and management, and is crucial for understanding the evolution of scavenging behaviour. Compared to live animals, their carcasses are relatively unpredictable in space and time in natural conditions, with a few exceptions (see below, especially Sect. “Carrion Exchange at the Terrestrial-Aquatic Interface”). Carrion is also an ephemeral food resource due to the action of a plethora of consumers, from microorganisms to large vertebrates, as well as to desiccation (i.e., loss of water content; DeVault et al. 2003; Beasley et al. 2012; Barton et al. 2013; Moleón et al. 2014). With a focus on vertebrate carcasses, here we give an overview of (a) the causes that produce carrion, (b) the rate of carrion production, (c) the factors affecting carrion quality, and (d) the distribution of carrion in space and time, both in terrestrial and aquatic environments (including their interface). In this chapter, we will focus on naturally produced carrion, whereas non-natural causes of animal mortality are described in chapter “Human-Mediated Carrion: Effects on Ecological Processes”. However, throughout this chapter we also refer to extensive livestock carrion, because in the absence of strong restrictions such as those imposed in the European Community after the bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis (Donázar et al. 2009; Margalida et al. 2010), the spatiotemporal availability of carrion of extensive livestock and wild ungulates is similar

Molecular and cytological characterization of the global Musa germplasm collection provides insights into the treasure of banana diversity

© 2016, The Author(s). Bananas (Musa spp.) are one of the main fruit crops grown worldwide. With the annual production reaching 144 million tons, their production represents an important contribution to the economies of many countries in Asia, Africa, Latin-America and Pacific Islands. Most importantly, bananas are a staple food for millions of people living in the tropics. Unfortunately, sustainable banana production is endangered by various diseases and pests, and the breeding for resistant cultivars relies on a far too small base of genetic variation. Greater diversity needs to be incorporated in breeding, especially of wild species. Such work requires a large and thoroughly characterized germplasm collection, which also is a safe depository of genetic diversity. The largest ex situ Musa germplasm collection is kept at the International Transit Centre (ITC) in Leuven (Belgium) and currently comprises over 1500 accessions. This report summarizes the results of systematic cytological and molecular characterization of the Musa ITC collection. By December 2015, 630 accessions have been genotyped. The SSR markers confirmed the previous morphological based classification for 84% of ITC accessions analyzed. The remaining 16% of the genotyped entries may need field verification by taxonomist to decide if the unexpected classification by SSR genotyping was correct. The ploidy level estimation complements the molecular data. The genotyping continues for the entire ITC collection, including newly introduced accessions, to assure that the genotype of each accession is known in the largest global Musa gene bank. Open Access ispartof: Biodiversity and Conservation vol:26 issue:4 pages:801-824 status: publishe

Evaluering av effekten på fiskeproduksjonen i Guddalselva, Kvinnherad (Hordaland)

The project is a collaboration between the Institute of Marine Research, the Environmental programme under the Norwegian Electricity Directorate, the Directorate for Nature Management, the Fisheries Directorate, the County Governor of Hordaland and the River Guddal land owners. The aim of the project was to establish a permanent downstream trap for anadromous fish in River Guddal, draining into the Hardangerfjord. The trap facilitates research on environmental aspects of fis11 fanning in a fjord with high abundance of fish fanris. The trap also facilitates precise estimates of smolt production in the river, and sea survival of specific smolt cohorts. The trap was built during the winter 2000, and recording of downstream movement was initiated in early May the same year. The planned habitat improvents in the river, and the difficulties of assessing fish production in this type of river by electrofishing, due to very low catchability, was an important reason to construct the downstream trap. There is little precise information about the condition of the stocks of sea trout and salmon in the Hardangerfjord region. There are indications that most of the anadromous stocks in the region are severly depressed, and salmon louse (Lepeohtheirus salr?zorzis) are suspected to be a major mortality factor. However, until now it has been difficult to estimate smolt production, the sea mortality of specific smolt year classes with any precision, and to relate this to the conditions in the sea. The report describes the construction of the downstream trap, some of the results from the first year of operation as well as some baseline biological studies. NORSK SAMMENDRAG: Prosjektet er eit samarbeid mellom Havforskingsinstituttet, NVE Miljøprogrammet, Direktoratet for naturforvalting, Fiskeridirektoratet, Miljøvernavdelinga hos Fylkesmannen i Hordaland og Guddalsdalen elveeigarlag. Målet var å etablera ei permanent utvandringsfelle for anadrom fisk i Guddalselva som renn ut i midtre del av Hardangerfjorden, Kvinnherad kommune, Hordaland. Anlegget var sett i drift mai 2000. Anlegget gir moglegheit for studiar av miljøeffektar av havbruk i ein oppdrettsintensiv fjord. Fella gir grunnlag for presise registreringa av smoltproduksjonen i elva, sjøoverleving på spesifikke smoltårsklassar, og mengda av rømt fisk. Anlegget var bygd vinteren 2000, og registreringa av smoltutvandringa tok til i byrjinga av mai same år. NVE sitt vedtak om biotopforbetrande tiltak i delar av elvelaupet som tidlegare har blitt kanalisert, for å restaurera elva sin eigenproduksjon av anadrom fisk, og vanskane med å estimera fiskeproduksjonen i elva ved elektrofiske på grunn av låg fangbarheit, var medverkande til at prosjektet vart gjennomført. Det fins lite systematiske observasjonar av sjøaurebestandane i denne regionen, nok0 som aktualiserte prosjektet for Direktoratet for naturforvalting, Fylkesmannen i Hordaland, Havforskingsinstituttet og Fiskeridirektoratet. Fiskeridirektoratet har forvaltingsansvar for havbruksnæringa, og lakselus frå oppdrett er ein potensielt viktig mortalitetsfaktor på vill anadrom fisk. Likevel kjenner ein ikkje parasitten si tyding som bestandsregulerande faktor på gninn av manglande data på årsklassestyrke av smolt og storleiken på gytebestandar. Overlevinga i sjøfasen på definerte smoltårsklassar sett i samanheng med lusesituasjonen i regionen vil gje informasjon om lakselusa sin effekt på bestandsnivå. Gjennomføring av ulike forskingsprosjekt knyta til rømming og populasjonsgenetikk, og behovet for eigna feltlokalitetar, låg til grunn for Havforskingsinstituttet sitt initiativ for å etablera anlegget. Anlegget har fungert godt, og ein trur at rundt 95 % av utvandrande smolt vert fanga opp. Gjennomføring av prosjektet, erfaringane første driftsår og nokre biologiske forundersøkingar er omtala i rapporten