Diversity and composition of algal epiphytes on the Mediterranean seagrass Cymodocea nodosa : a scale-based study

Acknowledgements This work has been conducted at the Fisheries Research Institute (ELGO DIMITRA) as an undergraduate dissertation of Soultana Tsioli at the University of Patras with supervisors Prof. E. Papastergiadou and Dr. S. Orfanidis. FCK received funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, program Oceans 2025 – WP 4.5 and grants NE/D521522/1 and NE/J023094/1). Sequencing was conducted at the Molecular Genetics Facility (MGF) of NERC, supported by grant MGF 154.Peer reviewedPostprin

Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Stressors on Fucalean Brown Seaweeds Across Different Spatial Scales in the Mediterranean Sea

Algal habitat-forming forests composed of fucalean brown seaweeds (Cystoseira, Ericaria, and Gongolaria) have severely declined along the Mediterranean coasts, endangering the maintenance of essential ecosystem services. Numerous factors determine the loss of these assemblages and operate at different spatial scales, which must be identified to plan conservation and restoration actions. To explore the critical stressors (natural and anthropogenic) that may cause habitat degradation, we investigated (a) the patterns of variability of fucalean forests in percentage cover (abundance) at three spatial scales (location, forest, transect) by visual estimates and or photographic sampling to identify relevant spatial scales of variation, (b) the correlation between semi-quantitative anthropogenic stressors, individually or cumulatively (MA-LUSI index), including natural stressors (confinement, sea urchin grazing), and percentage cover of functional groups (perennial, semi-perennial) at forest spatial scale. The results showed that impacts from mariculture and urbanization seem to be the main stressors affecting habitat-forming species. In particular, while mariculture, urbanization, and cumulative anthropogenic stress negatively correlated with the percentage cover of perennial fucalean species, the same stressors were positively correlated with the percentage cover of the semi-perennial Cystoseira compressa and C. compressa subsp. pustulata. Our results indicate that human impacts can determine spatial patterns in these fragmented and heterogeneous marine habitats, thus stressing the need of carefully considering scale-dependent ecological processes to support conservation and restoration

Ultrasonographic examination of the musculoskeletal system in sheep

Objective of this review is to present relevant information about ultrasonographic examination of sheep and to discuss its applications within the frame of sheep health management. The technique can be employed primarily in the diagnostic procedure of arthritis. It can be of help in rams as part of the clinical reproductive evaluation, as well in sheep with diseases affecting the joints, in which it may support diagnostic procedure and decision-taking for their management. © 2016 Elsevier B.V

Udder surgery in ewes

Objective of this review is to present relevant information about udder surgery in ewes and to discuss its applications within the frame of sheep health management. The indications, diagnostic procedures, techniques, possible complications, post-operative care and prognosis of surgical conditions of the ovine udder are reviewed. Mammary surgery may help in decision-taking for the management of various udder and teat conditions providing alternative therapeutic solutions. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Management of distal limb skin defects in dogs and cats

Skin defects on the lower limb are common and their management is usually challenging. All trauma patients should be initially assessed for concurrent injuries and stabilized. Debridement and cleansing is performed in all wounds. The most important factors for decision making on wound closure are the wound size, the extent of soft tissue damage, the presence of contamination and impaired perfusion. Primary closure is the preferred choice although; it is seldom applicable in wounds on the distal limbs. Delayed primary closure, secondary closure or second intention healing can be undertaken under certain circumstances in such wounds. When these options are not feasible local pedicle flaps, axial pattern flaps, distant flaps, grafts, muscle or myocutaneous flaps and microvascular free tissue transfer can provide coverage

The Use of Skin Stretching Devices and their Application to Small Animal Cases

In human medicine different skin stretching devices are used in order to close large wound deficits. They take advantage of the viscoelastic properties of the skin. Elongation of skin beyond its inherent extensibility results in mechanical creep, which is the vehicle for wound closure using numerous techniques. Skin stretchers gradually bring together the wound edges by applying constant or incremental tension. The purpose of this review is to describe all the surgical options and the various mechanical devices available for skin stretching, in order to extrapolate to primary or delayed primary closure for large and complex skin defects in small animals. [Tsioli V et al (2009) Aust Vet Practit 39:112