Species In Efforts Research Articles

Distribution and conservation status of the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) in Peru

The mountain tapir Tapirus pinchaque is one of the largest and most threatened mammals of the northern South American Andes. It is distributed in montane forests and paramos mainly above 2000 m, from Colombia to north Peru. The species is categorised as globally Endangered and is mainly threatened by habitat degradation, habitat loss and fragmentation. Although up-to-date information is lacking in Peru on its distribution, population and conservation status, this population could play an important part in the global persistence of the species. We compiled all known recent occurrence records for the species from Peru, as well as data from camera traps with an effort of over 10,000 camera/days between 2016 and 2018. We modelled the tapir’s distribution using remote-sensed vegetation indices, topographic and bioclimatic variables in MaxEnt, followed by post-processing steps to remove unoccupied areas, to produce a current range map for the species in Peru. We overlaid this with spatial information on threats and protected areas. We estimate a range of almost 183,000 ha in Peru, in two main regions, north and south of the Huancabamba river, of which approximately 60% is within protected areas. However, protection gaps still exist, especially in the south of its range. Mining concessions cover 27% of its current range and we estimate 28,000 ha of forest loss within its extent of occurrence between 2001 and 2020. We provide recommendations for its conservation, including priority areas for increased protection, binational initiatives to ensure connectivity with populations in Ecuador and to use the tapir as a flagship species in efforts to protect montane ecosystems for water conservation.

Assessment on the present status of coastal fisheries at Gurunagar, Jaffna

Fishery is a major income source of the Sri Lankan people resides in the coastal region. Among those, Jaffna contributes a considerable proportion to the total fishery production of the island which was 4.5% of the total fish production in Sri Lanka in 2013. This study aimed to collect recent updated fisheries information as the government already identified Gurunagar as a potential site in Jaffna to develop to the status of a harbor. Fishery related data was collected during the period April to June 2015 from commercial fishing vessels and sirakuvalai fishing operations landed at Gurunagar. Primary data was collected through direct observations during the field visits and secondary information was collected from the records of the Fisheries office at Jaffna. Catch, effort species composition, fishing craft and gear information were collected from randomly selected fishing crafts on randomly selected days. Fishers at Gurunagar engage in different fishing practices. Fishing activities of this area are regulated by the Fisher’s societies with the assistance of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. A total number of 28 species, representing 22 families were identified in commercial landings during the study period and also the species diversity and size of the fish (2.4 cm - 69 cm) varied with gear types. The types of gears used varied with the craft types. The catch rates of Outboard Fiber Reinforced Plastic Boats (OFRP - one day boats) recorded as higher than in-board day boats. Total fish production was recorded as around 128 tons during the study period. Production of sirakuvalai was accounted for 7.4 % of the total production in the study area. Commercial production per day is recorded around 3972.5 kg/Day and the average number of boats actively operated is 150. The existing facilities in the Gurunagar landing site for anchoring boats, sorting the catches, auctioning, storing and distribution are not up to the level required for an export oriented fish landings. Results of the present study suggest the need of further monitoring of this landing site to gather reliable information at least one year of time to cover seasonal variations of fish landings.

A refined Panax ginseng karyotype based on an ultra-high copy 167-bp tandem repeat and ribosomal DNAs

BackgroundPanax ginseng Meyer (Asian ginseng) has a large nuclear genome size of > 3.5 Gbp in haploid genome equivalent of 24 chromosomes. Tandem repeats (TRs) occupy significant portions of the genome in many plants and are often found in specific genomic loci, making them a valuable molecular cytogenetic tool in discriminating chromosomes. In an effort to understand the P. ginseng genome structure, we characterized an ultrahigh copy 167-bp TR (Pg167TR) and explored its chromosomal distribution as well as its utility for chromosome identification. MethodsPolymerase chain reaction amplicons of Pg167TR were labeled, along with 5S and 45S rDNA amplicons, using a direct nick-translation method. Direct fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to analyze the chromosomal distribution of Pg167TR. ResultsRecently, we reported a method of karyotyping the 24 chromosome pairs of P. ginseng using rDNA and DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) bands. Here, a unique distribution of Pg167TR in all 24 P. ginseng chromosomes was observed, allowing easy identification of individual homologous chromosomes. Additionally, direct labeling of 5S and 45S rDNA probes allowed the identification of two additional 5S rDNA loci not previously reported, enabling the refinement of the P. ginseng karyotype. ConclusionIdentification of individual P. ginseng chromosomes was achieved using Pg167TR-FISH. Chromosome identification is important in understanding the P. ginseng genome structure, and our method will be useful for future integration of genetic linkage maps and genome scaffold anchoring. Additionally, it is a good tool for comparative studies with related species in efforts to understand the evolution of P. ginseng.

Fish Assemblages in Louisiana Salt Marshes: Effects of the Macondo Oil Spill

Marsh-resident fishes play important roles as both predators and prey in coastal systems, influence secondary production, and are important trophic links to adjacent coastal waters. As such, they also serve as sentinel species in efforts to understand the magnitude and implications of anthropogenic habitat disturbance or degradation. An evaluation of the juvenile and adult marsh fish response to the Macondo oil spill in 2010 was conducted in 2012 and 2013 by sampling in both oiled and unoiled marshes in coastal Louisiana. To complement this analysis, we also examined marsh-fish assemblage structure across several subhabitats (marsh edge, creeks, ponds, depressions). The fauna, collected with traps, was dominated by cyprinodontiform fishes (Fundulus grandis, Fundulus xenicus) and complemented by others in this group (Cyprinodon variegatus, Poecilia latipinna, Fundulus pulvereus, Fundulus jenkinsi, Fundulus similis). Among the dominant species, abundance was often the highest in ponds and marsh surface depressions, with many fish species also commonly found in creeks, but few fish were collected along the marsh edge. Comparisons across representative oiled and unoiled sites from Caminada, Terrebonne, and Barataria Bays did not reflect any consistent differences in species composition, abundance, and size as a function of oiling 2–3 years after the oil spill reached Louisiana marshes. This interpretation may be confounded by multiple stressors, including natural events (e.g., oil redistribution by storms, and seasonal flooding of the marsh surface), and other man-made perturbations (e.g., freshwater discharge).

Validation of Blubber Progesterone Concentrations for Pregnancy Determination in Three Dolphin Species and a Porpoise

Recent studies have validated the use of biopsies as a minimally invasive way to identify pregnant females in several species of wild cetaceans: Balaenaptera acutorostrata , Delphinus delphis , Lissodelphis borealis , and Lagenorhynchus obliquidens . These studies found that progesterone (P4) concentrations quantified from blubber attached to biopsy samples is diagnostic of pregnancy. Here we examine a broader group of cetacean species in efforts to investigate how progesterone levels vary between species with respect to pregnancy status. We compared P4 concentrations in blubber collected from fishery bycatch and beach-stranded specimens for 40 females of known reproductive condition from Delphinus capensis (n = 18), Stenella attenuata (n = 8), S . longirostris (n = 6), and Phocoenoides dalli (n = 8). The P4 concentrations were different (t = -7.1, p = 1.79E-08) between pregnant and non-pregnant animals in all species, with the mean blubber P4 concentration for pregnant animals 164 times higher than that of non-pregnant animals. There was no overlap in concentration levels between sexually immature or non-pregnant sexually mature animals and pregnant animals. No significant differences (F = 0.354, p = 0.559) were found between mature non-pregnant and immature D . capensis and P dalli , suggesting P4 level is not indicative of maturity state in female delphinoids. P4 concentrations in relation to reproductive state were remarkably similar across species. All samples were analyzed with two different enzyme immunoassay kits to gauge assay sensitivity to measure progesterone in small samples, such as biopsies. With the technique now validated for these cetacean species, blubber P4 is a reliable diagnostic of pregnancies across multiple species, and thus expands the utility of this method to study reproduction in free-ranging cetaceans using biopsies.

Evaluation of Cotton Rats as a Model for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Experimental studies were conducted to evaluate two species of cotton rats, Sigmodon hispidus and Sigmodon fulviventer, as a model for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Blood and turbinate wash samples, and lung tissue were collected from each animal at different time points after SARS coronavirus (CoV) infection for determining the growth curve of virus, if any, by the standard infectivity assay in Vero E6 cells. In addition, sections of the lung, liver, spleen, and kidney were taken and used for histology analysis. All animals were observed daily for signs of illness, and in some experiments, animals were weighed on the day when they were sacrificed. The results indicated that the cotton rat species, S. hispidus and S. fulviventer, were not a useful model for either SARS-CoV infection or disease. This observation was supported by the absence of any signs of illness, the failure to consistently demonstrate virus in the blood and tissues, and the absent of any notable histopathology. However, infected animals were capable of producing neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV, suggesting the seroconversion did occur. Further studies are warranted to consider other animal species in efforts to find better animal models for the evaluation of SARS-CoV vaccines and antiviral drugs.

Novel processing of NASICON and sodium carbonate/barium carbonate thin and thick films for a CO2 microsensor

The use of chemical microsensors can be advantageous for the monitoring of gas species in efforts to accurately monitor environmental conditions, detect fires, and determine emissions. The microsensor described herein shows promise for use as a carbon dioxide sensor. Carbon dioxide levels are of particular concern for passenger environments, as a chemical signature of a fire, and as a combustion product.

Tennessee plant species screened for renewable energy sources

The USDA Northern Regional Research Center (NRRC) has previously studied chemical and botanical characteristics of about 1,000 plant species in efforts to identify potential new plant sources for industrial raw materials. For this report, an additional 51 species were collected from Tennessee and studied. Above-ground plant samples were analyzed for yields of oils, polyphenols, hydrocarbons, protein, and ash. Oils were examined for the presence of seven classes of lipids and analyzed for yields of fatty acids and unsaponifiable matter. Hydrocarbons were examined for the presence of rubber, gutta, and waxes. Rubber and gutta were analyzed for average molecular weight (MW) and MW distribution. Chemical and botanical data are presented for eight of the 51 species. A checklist of the 43 other species is given; data on these are available from NRRC.Lapsana communis yielded the most oil (6.1%; dry, ash-free, plant sample basis).Ilex montana yielded the most polyphenol (21.5%) plus 4.5% oil.Agrimonia parviflora and Catalpa bignonioides gave substantial yields of polyphenol (20.0% and 17.9%, respectively), andPassiflora incarnata contained the most apparent protein (19.8%).Chrysopsis graminifolia, Solidago erecta, andVerbesina alternifolia were identified as rubber-producing species with 0.4-0.7% hydrocarbon.