Field trial for assessment of avian influenza vaccination effectiveness in Indonesia

The aim of this field study was to determine the efficacy of vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus strain H5N1 in Indonesia. A limited, prototype clinical trial was performed using a standardised treatment group, in which poultry flocks were vaccinated at least twice with a selected H5N1 vaccine, and a control group comprising flocks treated with nonstandardised procedures chosen by the farmer. Each group consisted of six flocks comprising either layers or native chickens. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody levels were determined by regular serum sampling, and outbreak surveillance relied on non-Al-vaccinated sentinel birds. After three vaccinations high antibody titres were produced in the treatment group, and the percentage of layers with an HI titre > 40 was approximately 90%. Although no conclusions can be drawn regarding reduction of virus transmission, this study demonstrated that 11 farms remained free from Al during the observation period, and that a surveillance programme based on differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) can be implemented

New species of Parmelia (lichens) from Australia

Parmelia queenslandica, Parmelia subtabacina. Parmelia norsticticata, Parmelia numinbahensis, Parmelia springtonensis and Parmelia butleri are described as new from Australia. The intergradation of Hale’s genera Pseudoparmelia and Parmelina is discussed with particular reference to P. norsticticata, Parmelia labrosa and Parmelia conlabrosa

The Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata (Gould 1850) breeding programme: progress and goals

In 1990, NSW Fisheries initiated a mass selection programme in Port Stephens, NSW, with the aim of breeding faster growing Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata (Gould 1850). After two generations of selection, an average weight for age advantage of 18% (range 14-23% per breeding line) was achieved. This equates to a reduction of 3 months in the time taken to reach market size. Experiments are planned to determine how much of this 3 months advantage is additive to the 6 months advantage this laboratory has already obtained using triploid S. glomerata. A parallel set of S. glomerata breeding lines was established on the Georges River, NSW, to include selection for resistance to the protistan parasite Mikrocytos roughleyi, the causal agent of winter mortality. The programme was disrupted by the outbreak of QX disease Marteilia sydneyi, another protistan parasite, in 1994. In 1997, the breeding programme was reorganized and expanded. New lines were bred from oysters that had survived both QX and winter mortality. After one generation, a small improvement in resistance to QX has been recorded; however, the exposure of further generations to M. sydneyi will be required to confirm an increase in resistance

The Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata (Gould 1850) breeding programme: progress and goals

In 1990, NSW Fisheries initiated a mass selection programme in Port Stephens, NSW, with the aim of breeding faster growing Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata (Gould 1850). After two generations of selection, an average weight for age advantage of 18% (range 14-23% per breeding line) was achieved. This equates to a reduction of 3 months in the time taken to reach market size. Experiments are planned to determine how much of this 3 months advantage is additive to the 6 months advantage this laboratory has already obtained using triploid S. glomerata. A parallel set of S. glomerata breeding lines was established on the Georges River, NSW, to include selection for resistance to the protistan parasite Mikrocytos roughleyi, the causal agent of winter mortality. The programme was disrupted by the outbreak of QX disease Marteilia sydneyi, another protistan parasite, in 1994. In 1997, the breeding programme was reorganized and expanded. New lines were bred from oysters that had survived both QX and winter mortality. After one generation, a small improvement in resistance to QX has been recorded; however, the exposure of further generations to M. sydneyi will be required to confirm an increase in resistance