The epidemiology and pathology of Paranannizziopsis australasiensis in New Zealand reptiles : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Veterinary Science in Wildlife Health at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Paranannizziopsis australasiensis, has recently been diagnosed in tuatara at two captive facilities in New Zealand. This newly emerging fungal pathogen, is a member of the onygenalean fungal group formally known as Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV). Fungi of this genera are thought to be obligate primary pathogens in reptiles, and closely related species such as Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, and Nannizziopsis guarroi have caused significant morbidity and mortalities in captive and wild reptile populations. The detection of this disease raised concerns for wild and captive population health and resulted in a temporary cessation of tuatara breed and release programmes from affected facilities. Similar lesions have been reported in tuatara at multiple other captive facilities in New Zealand, but lack of veterinary assessment and, until recently, inadequate diagnostic capabilities has led to an inability to confirm the presence or absence of P. australasiensis in these populations. This research aimed to investigate the epidemiology of P. australasiensis in New Zealand wild and captive endemic reptiles. Skin samples were collected from nine captive, six wild and two ecosanctuary populations of tuatara across New Zealand. Skin samples from in contact geckos and skinks were opportunistically collected to determine the possible cross species infection of P. australasiensis. Samples were tested for presence of P. australasiensis by fungal culture followed by PCR, and by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Soil samples were collected from burrows, basking areas and captive enclosures and analysed by LAMP to determine the presence of P. australasiensis within the environment. Paranannizziopsis australasiensis was found to be wide spread in New Zealand captive and wild reptile populations. In populations where the pathogen was detected prevalence varied between 6.7% and 44.4% for tuatara, 3.8% and 40% for geckos and 6.7% and 66.7% for skinks. A low virulence of disease associated with infection was seen in tuatara across New Zealand, with many LAMP positive tuatara being asymptomatic. Increased severity of disease was seen in two captive tuatara, where ii other concurrent disease was present. One fatality was reported. In other reptile hosts, no disease was identified, and it is suspected these species act as reservoirs for the transmission of this organism to tuatara. Paranannizziopsis australasiensis was detected multiple times in soil samples and may survive as an environmental saprophyte. Paranannizziopsis australasiensis appears to have a close association with New Zealand reptiles. The prevalence, distribution and pathology of P. australasiensis observed in this study suggests that this organism is not a threat to tuatara or other endemic reptile populations in New Zealand. The findings of this study have enabled restrictions placed on tuatara translocations, based on P. australasiensis status, to be removed

Farmers Markets and the Local Food System: The Case of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

In order to examine and obtain a better understanding of the local food system within Adams County, Pennsylvania, this study explores the characteristics and perspectives of the customers and vendors at the farmers markets in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Survey findings from the Gettysburg Farmers Market and the three Adams County Farmers Markets include customer demographic information, perspectives and shopping behavior as well as vendor product information, farm size and location and preference for market management. Introductory background information on the Farm Bill and the influence of agricultural practices on the environment, human health and nutrition and the relationship between farmers markets and the local economy are offered in order to emphasize the value of a well-managed local food system. Conclusions provide evidence that lower income and lower education levels are not sufficiently represented at all the markets and food stamp programs are being underutilized. This study suggests employing additional marketing to target underrepresented demographic groups, public transportation to potentially inaccessible market locations and increased advertisement and encouragement of food stamp programs at all markets in order to expand the customer base and increase access to healthy, local foods for less advantaged citizens. The results from this study are intended to offer evidence that will promote and facilitate market management, strengthen customer/vendor relationships and encourage better ties between the local community and local food systems at the farmers markets within Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania

Capturing what is of value to children : a study exploring the challenges, advantages and issues of participatory research with 5 and 6 year olds

Listening to young children in order to elicit their views, consider their perceptions, and act upon their ideas has become increasingly prominent in policy and research with children. Momentum has gathered in this area since the 1989 United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child and the Children’s Act (2004) in the United Kingdom. These documents committed British policy to the inclusion of children’s voices in matters and services which impact on their lives. Educational research which promotes children’s voices tends to be dominated with projects which include older children, either in the upper stages of their primary education and above, or based in preschool and the transitional phase into schooling. This research gathers perceptions from three cohorts of children in Year 1 (aged 5-6) in England to find out what is important to them and considers the challenges and opportunities which these perceptions present. Using hand-held video cameras as a method of data collection the children filmed what was important to them. A range of activities were developed to support the children in their filming. These included puppetry, drawing, guided tours, interviewing, play and opportunities for filming at home. The children and their class teachers were invited to review and discuss the video clips with the researcher. A thematic content analysis was used to code and categorise the data. A reflexive approach is woven into the methodological discussion and is followed throughout the analysis and findings of the research. Findings indicate that the video methods used to capture children’s perceptions present ethical and methodological challenges. Despite this, the methods are advantageous in enabling a range of multi-faceted and complex relationships to come to the fore. Issues of personal ‘things’, space, rules and boundaries, both at home and at school draw attention to the environmental, physical and non-physical ‘containment’ which impacts on children’s lives. Teachers’ responses to the children’s video footage were influenced by their professional epistemology and experiences

Common Boundaries: Moving Toward Coordinated and Sustainable Planning on the Oneida Reservation

Comprehensive planning can help communities engage in purposeful and sustainable land use development. Previous research has indicated that Indian reservations in the United States often face unique roadblocks to these planning efforts: checkerboard patterns of tribal and nontribal ownership, and the presence of both tribal and local governments exercising land use authority within the same shared space. These roadblocks can lead to uncooperative, uncoordinated, or unsustainable development. Despite these noted problems, there remains an important gap in the current literature regarding solutions to overcome these roadblocks. The purpose of this study was to address that gap. Guided by Forester\u27s critical planning theory to critically examine the social and historical roots of planning within a particular community, this qualitative case study examined government records and conducted 18 interviews of tribal and local government officials. Data analysis consisted of coding data to reveal emergent themes relating to cooperative land use planning in the future. These themes included: (a) approaching planning with a regional philosophy in mind, (b) strengthening interpersonal relationships, (c) finding ways to fairly compensate each other for government services, (d) continuing to acknowledge each government\u27s ability to govern within this shared space, and (e) refraining from asserting authority over a neighboring government. This research is an important contribution to the existing literature and enhances social change initiatives by providing guidance for tribal and local government officials to increase cooperative land use planning

Immune-Related Transcriptional Responses to Parasitic Infection in a Naturally Inbred Fish: Roles of Genotype and Individual Variation

Parasites are strong drivers of evolutionary change and the genetic variation of both host and parasite populations can co-evolve as a function of parasite virulence and host resistance. The role of transcriptome variation in specific interactions between host and parasite genotypes has been less studied and can be confounded by differences in genetic variation. We employed two naturally inbred lines of a self-fertilizing fish to estimate the role of host genotype in the transcriptome response to parasite infection using RNA-seq. In addition, we targeted several differentially expressed immune-related genes to further investigate the relative role of individual variation in the immune response using RT-qPCR, taking advantage of the genomic uniformity of the self-fertilizing lines. We found significant differences in gene expression between lines in response to infection both in the transcriptome and in individual gene RT-qPCR analyses. Individual RT-qPCR analyses of gene expression identified significant variance differences between lines for six genes but only for three genes between infected and control fish. Our results indicate that although the genetic background plays an important role in the transcriptome response to parasites, it cannot fully explain individual differences within genetically homogeneous lines, which can be important for determining the response to parasites

Christian-Muslim Relations in a State Church Situation: Politics of Religion and Interfaith Dialogue

No abstract availabl