Isolation and characterization of 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Asian green mussel Perna viridis (Mollusca, Mytilidae)

The Asian green mussel Perna viridis is an abundant and important ecological and economical species across its native range. However, outside its native range, this species has been considered invasive and concerns have been raised worldwide regarding its potential impacts. Despite this, little work has been done to investigate the genetics of native and/or introduced populations of this species. In the present study, we developed 16 new polymorphic microsatellite markers using the Illumina MiSeq Platform. Four to 15 alleles per locus were detected. There was no evidence of linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci and all loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

Pig farmers’ perceptions, attitudes, influences and management of information in the decision-making process for disease control

The objectives of this study were (1) to explore the factors involved in the decision-making process used by pig farmers for disease control and (2) to investigate pig farmers’ attitudes and perceptions about different information sources relating to disease control. In 2011 a qualitative study involving 20 face-to-face interviews with English pig farmers was conducted. The questionnaire was composed of three parts. The first part required farmers to identify two diseases they had experienced and which were difficult to recognize and/or control. They were asked to report how the disease problem was recognized, how the need for control was decided, and what affected the choice of control approach. For the latter, a structure related to the Theory of Planned Behaviour was used. Their verbal responses were classified as associated with: (1) attitude and beliefs, (2) subjective norms, or (3) perceived behavioural control (PBC). In the second part, five key sources of information for disease control (Defra, BPEX, research from academia, internet and veterinarians) and the factors related to barriers to knowledge were investigated. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. A qualitative analysis of the text of the interview transcripts was carried out using templates. Drivers for disease control were ‘pig mortality’, ‘feeling of entering in an economically critical situation’, ‘animal welfare’ and ‘feeling of despair’. Veterinarians were perceived by several participating farmers as the most trusted information source on disease control. However, in particular non-sustainable situations, other producers, and especially experiences from abroad, seemed to considerably influence the farmers’ decision-making. ‘Lack of knowledge’, ‘farm structure and management barriers’ and ‘economic constrains’ were identified in relation to PBC. Several negative themes, such as ‘lack of communication’, ‘not knowing where to look’, and ‘information bias’ were associated with research from academia. This study identified a range of factors influencing the decision-making process for disease control by pig farmers. In addition, it highlighted the lack of awareness and difficult access of producers to current scientific research outputs. The factors identified should be considered when developing communication strategies to disseminate research findings and advice for disease control

Early Vascular and Neuronal Changes in a VEGF Transgenic Mouse Model of Retinal Neovascularization

PURPOSE. To investigate early retinal changes in a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transgenic mouse (tr029VEGF; rhodopsin promoter) with long-term damage that mimics nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and mild proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS. Rhodopsin and VEGF expression was assessed up to postnatal day (P)28. Vascular and retinal changes were charted at P7 and P28 using sections and wholemounts stained with hematoxylin and eosin or isolectin IB4 Griffonia simplicifolia Samples were examined using light, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy. RESULTS. Rhodopsin was detected at P5 and reached mature levels by P15; VEGF protein expression was transient, peaking at P10 to P15. In wild-type (wt) mice at P7, vessels had formed in the nerve fiber/retinal ganglion cell layer and showed a centroperipheral maturational gradient; some capillaries had formed a second bed on the vitread side of the inner nuclear layer (INL). By P28, the retinal vasculature had three mature capillary beds, the third abutting the sclerad aspect of the INL. In tr029VEGF mice, capillary bed formation was accelerated compared with that in wt, with abnormal vessels extending to the sclerad side of the INL by P7 and abnormally penetrating the photoreceptors by P28. Compared with P7, vascular lesions were more numerous at P28 when capillary dropout was also evident. At both stages, retinal layers were thinned most where abnormal vessel growth was greatest. CONCLUSIONS. Concomitant damage to the vasculature and neural retina at early stages in tr029VEGF suggest that both tissues are affected, providing opportunities to examine early cellular events that lead to long-term disease. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006;47:4638 -4645

Establishment of a taxonomic and molecular reference collection to support the identification of species regulated by the Western Australian Prevention List for Introduced Marine Pests

Introduced Marine Pests (IMP, = non-indigenous marine species) prevention, early detection and risk-based management strategies have become the priority for biosecurity operations worldwide, in recognition of the fact that, once established, the effective management of marine pests can rapidly become cost prohibitive or impractical. In Western Australia (WA), biosecurity management is guided by the “Western Australian Prevention List for Introduced Marine Pests” which is a policy tool that details species or genera as being of high risk to the region. This list forms the basis of management efforts to prevent introduction of these species, monitoring efforts to detect them at an early stage, and rapid response should they be detected. It is therefore essential that the species listed can be rapid and confidently identified and discriminated from native species by a range of government and industry stakeholders. Recognising that identification of these species requires very specialist expertise which may be in short supply and not readily accessible in a regulatory environment, and the fact that much publicly available data is not verifiable or suitable for regulatory enforcement, the WA government commissioned the current project to collate a reference collection of these marine pest specimens. In this work, we thus established collaboration with researchers worldwide in order to source representative specimens of the species listed. Our main objective was to build a reference collection of taxonomically vouchered specimens and subsequently to generate species-specific DNA barcodes suited to supporting their future identification. To date, we were able to obtain specimens of 75 species (representative of all but four of the pests listed) which have been identified by experts and placed with the WA Government Department of Fisheries and, where possible, in accessible museums and institutions in Australasia. The reference collection supports the fast and reliable taxonomic and molecular identification of marine pests in WA and constitutes a valuable resource for training of stakeholders with interest in IMP recognition in Australia. The reference collection is also useful in supporting the development of a variety of DNA-based detection strategies such as real-time PCR and metabarcoding of complex environmental samples (e.g. biofouling communities). ThePrevention List is under regular review to ensure its continued relevance and that it remains evidence and risk-based. Similarly, its associated reference collection also remains to some extent a work in progress. In recognition of this fact, this report seeks to provide details of this continually evolving information repository publicly available to the biosecurity management community worldwid

Exploring the viability of small scale anaerobic digesters in livestock farming

This report explores the viability of small scale anaerobic digestion for livestock farming where there is a need to deal with animal manure and slurry in a manner that minimises the emission of greenhouse gases. Dairy farming, for example, is dominated by small herds of animals, the slurry from which must be managed efficiently for the farm and to maintain high standards of health in a cost effective manner. AD is an acknowledged technology for farming operations that affords a high standard of manure management, to production of high quality biofertiliser and also the possibility of generating energy for own use as well as export. The report is aimed at energy policy and decision makers as well as WWTP operators and was produced by IEA Bioenergy Task 37, an expert working group that addresses challenges related to the economic and environmental sustainability of biogas production and utilisation

Molecular tools for identification of shark species involved in depredation incidents in Western Australian fisheries.

Shark depredation is an issue of concern in some Western Australian recreational and commercial fisheries where it can have economic, social and ecological consequences. Knowledge of the shark species involved is fundamental to developing effective management strategies to mitigate the impacts of depredation. Identification of the species responsible is difficult as direct observation of depredation events is uncommon and evaluating bite marks on fish has a high degree of uncertainty. The use of trace DNA techniques has provided an alternative method for species identification. We demonstrate proof of concept for a targeted DNA barcoding approach to identify shark species using trace DNA found at bite marks on recovered remains of hooked fish. Following laboratory validation, forensic analysis of swabs collected from samples of bitten demersal fish, led to the definitive identification of shark species involved in 100% of the incidences of depredation (n = 16)

The effects of multiple land use policies upon the use and productivity of farmland Interim report

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Graded ephrin-A2 expression in the developing hamster superior colliculus

During development, ephrin gradients guide retinal ganglion cell axons to their appropriate topographic locations in the superior colliculus (SC). Expression of ephrin-A2, assessed immunohistochemically in the developing hamster SC, revealed a rostrallow to caudalhigh gradient that is most prominent at postnatal days (P)4 and P7 when topography is established. Double-labelling immunohistochemistry for ephrin-A2 and cell specific markers revealed that ephrin-A2 is expressed exclusively by a subset of neurons. The expression pattern has implications for mechanisms underlying establishment of topography during development and following injury. © Springer-Verlag 2006.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Isolation and characterization of 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the widespread ascidian Didemnum perlucidum (Tunicata, Ascidiacea)

The colonial tunicate Didemnum perlucidum has been identified from numerous tropical and temperate locations worldwide, but its native and introduced ranges remain largely unknown. In Australia, D. perlucidum is listed as a target species under the introduced marine pest national monitoring network. In order to investigate the introduced status and potential routes of introduction and dispersal of D. perlucidum, we developed 17 new polymorphic microsatellite markers using 454 shotgun sequencing. Two to six alleles per locus were detected. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was identified and 12 of the 17 loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium