(3R,6S,7aS)-3-Phenyl-6-(phenyl­sulfan­yl)perhydro­pyrrolo[1,2-c]oxazol-5-one

Mol­ecules of the title compound [systematic name: (2R,5S,7S)-2-phenyl-7-phenyl­sulfanyl-1-aza-3-oxa­bicyclo­[3.3.0]octan-8-one], C18H17NO2S, form high quality crystals even though they are only packed using C—H⋯O(carbon­yl) and weak C—H⋯S inter­actions. The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 85.53 (5)°. The fused rings adopt envelope and twist conformations

The Use of Odors to Induce Avoidance Behavior in Pine Voles

Commercial orchards, ornamental nurseries, and residential horticulture in North Carolina experience economic losses due to pine vole (Microtus pinetorum) depredation. Predator odors and the herbicide Casoron were tested as potential repellents for pine voles. To test for avoidance behavior, animals were allowed to build a nest in one of two chambers attached to each arm of a Y-maze. The cage containing the nest was treated with either a test repellent compound, methylene chloride (solvent control), or left unmanipulated (control). Animals were categorized as either maintaining or changing nest cage preference between pre-test and test periods. The number of animals that changed cage preference in the control group was compared to the treatment groups. Only the Casoron treatments were significantly different, with approximately 50% of the animals changing preference. The difference in time spent in the nest cage during the pre-test and test periods for the treatment groups were compared to control groups. The Casoron and DTT treatments resulted in significant time differences. These results indicate that Casoron has repellent potential and warrants further investigation into its effectiveness in the field. The predator odors tested showed little promise as repellents

Bringing Back a Healthy Buzz? Invertebrate Parasites and Reintroductions:A Case Study in Bumblebees

Reintroductions can play a key role in the conservation of endangered species. Parasites may impact reintroductions, both positively and negatively, but few case studies of how to manage parasites during reintroductions exist. Bumblebees are in decline at regional and global scales, and reintroductions can be used to re-establish extinct local populations. Here we report on how the risks associated with parasites are being managed in an ongoing reintroduction of the short-haired bumblebee, Bombus subterraneus, to the UK. Disease risk analysis was conducted and disease risk management plans constructed to design a capture-quarantine-release system that minimised the impacts on both the bumblebees and on their natural parasites. Given that bumblebee parasites are (i) generalists, (ii) geographically ubiquitous, and (iii) show evidence of local adaptation, the disease risk management plan was designed to limit the co-introduction of parasites from the source population in Sweden to the destination site in the UK. Results suggest that this process at best eliminated, or at least severely curtailed the co-introduction of parasites, and ongoing updates of the plan enabled minimization of impacts on natural host-parasite dynamics in the Swedish source population. This study suggests that methods designed for reintroductions of vertebrate species can be successfully applied to invertebrates. Future reintroductions of invertebrates where the parasite fauna is less well known should take advantage of next-generation barcoding and multiple survey years prior to the start of reintroductions, to develop comprehensive disease risk management plans

Zoonotic Viruses Associated with Illegally Imported Wildlife Products

The global trade in wildlife has historically contributed to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. The United States is the world's largest importer of wildlife and wildlife products, yet minimal pathogen surveillance has precluded assessment of the health risks posed by this practice. This report details the findings of a pilot project to establish surveillance methodology for zoonotic agents in confiscated wildlife products. Initial findings from samples collected at several international airports identified parts originating from nonhuman primate (NHP) and rodent species, including baboon, chimpanzee, mangabey, guenon, green monkey, cane rat and rat. Pathogen screening identified retroviruses (simian foamy virus) and/or herpesviruses (cytomegalovirus and lymphocryptovirus) in the NHP samples. These results are the first demonstration that illegal bushmeat importation into the United States could act as a conduit for pathogen spread, and suggest that implementation of disease surveillance of the wildlife trade will help facilitate prevention of disease emergence

Predator Odors as Repellents to Brushtail Possums and Rabbits

Repellents are being developed as an alternative to the use of poisons, traps, or firearms for controlling damage to forest and farm plantings by the introduced Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Such repellents need to protect seedlings from irreversible damage for at least 6 months after application. Seven synthetic predator odor compounds were compared with Treepel , a moderately effective commercial repellent, by assessing relative browse on treated Pinus radiata seedlings in pen tests. Predator odors were repellent to both animals. Generally they were more repellent to possums than to rabbits, but the predator odor-based TOM (formulation confidential) was particularly repellent to rabbits. In a longer field trial at a site heavily infested with rabbits, both TOM and Treepel gave good initial protection, TOM being more effective. However, effectiveness declined after 56 days, and extensive browning was affecting foliage, particularly after treatment with TOM. The formulation of TOM therefore needs refinement to prevent phytotoxicity and to prolong effectiveness. The results support the existence of a sensory mechanism that enables herbivores to avoid predators by detecting by-products of meat-eating animals. If this mechanism is innate for all herbivores rather than interspecific for particular herbivores and predators, development of broad-spectrum herbivore repellents may be possible

THE USE OF ODOR TO INDUCE AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOR IN PINE VOLES

Commercial orchards, ornamental nurseries, and residential horticulture in North Carolina experience economic losses due to pine vole (Microtus pinetorum) depredation. Predator odors and the herbicide Casoron were tested as potential repellents for pine voles. To test for avoidance behavior, animals were allowed to build a nest in one of two chambers attached to each arm of a Y-maze. The cage containing the nest was treated with either a test repellent compound, methylene chloride (solvent control), or left unmanipulated (control). Animals were categorized as either maintaining or changing nest cage preference between pre-test and test periods. The number of animals that changed cage preference in the control group was compared to the treatment groups. Only the Casoron treatments were significantly different, with approximately 50% of the animals changing preference. The difference in time spent in the nest cage during the pre-test and test periods for the treatment groups were compared to control groups. The Casoron and DTT treatments resulted in significant time differences. These results indicate that Casoron has repellent potential and warrants further investigation into its effectiveness in the field. The predator odors tested showed little promise as repellents

LABORATORY EVALUATION OF PREDATOR ODORS FOR ELICITING AN AVOIDANCE RESPONSE IN ROOF RATS (\u3ci\u3eRattus rattus\u3c/i\u3e)

We evaluated eight synthetic predator odors and mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) feces for eliciting avoidance responses and/or reduced feeding by wild captured Hawaiian roof rats (Rattus rattus). In a bioassay arena, we recorded: (1) time until each rat entered the arena, (2) time elapsed until first eating bout, (3) time spent in each half of the arena, (4) number of eating bouts, and (5) consumption. Rats displayed a response to the predator odors in terms of increased elapsed time before initial arena entry and initial eating bout, a lower number of eating bouts, and less food consumption than in the respective control groups. The odor that produced the greatest differences in response relative to the control group was 3,3-dimethyl-l ,2-dithiolane [from red fox (Vulpes vulpes) feces and mustelid anal scent gland]. Mongoose fecal odor produced different responses in four of the five variables measured while (E,Z)-2,4,5-trimethyl-A3-thiazoIine (red fox feces) and 4-mercapto-4- methylpentan-2-one (red fox urine and feces) odors were different from the control group in three of the five variables measured. These laboratory responses suggest that wild Hawaiian roof rats avoid predator odors

The Discovery of 12β-Methyl-18-nor-Bile Acids as Potent and Selective TGR5 Agonists

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