Drastic changes in ground-dwelling beetle communities following high-intensity deer culling: insights from an island ecosystem

The overabundance of large herbivores can have detrimental effects on the local environment due to overgrazing. Culling is a common management practice implemented globally that can effectively control herbivore populations and allow vegetation communities to recover. However, the broader indirect effects of culling large herbivores remain relatively unknown, particularly on insect species such as ground-dwelling beetles that perform key ecosystem processes such as decomposition. Here we undertook a preliminary investigation to determine how culling sika deer on an island in North Japan impacted ground-beetle community dynamics. We conducted pitfall trapping in July and September in 2012 (before culling) and again in 2019 (after culling). We compared beetle abundance and community composition within 4 beetle families (Carabidae, Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, and Silphidae), across seasons and culling treatments. We found each family responded differently to deer culling. Scarabaeidae displayed the greatest decline in abundance after culling. Silphidae also had reduced abundance but to a lesser extent compared to Scarabaeidae. Carabidae had both higher and lower abundance after culling, depending on the season. We found beetle community composition differed between culling and season, but seasonal variability was reduced after culling. Overall, the culling of large herbivores resulted in a reduction of ground-dwelling beetle populations, particularly necrophagous species dependent on dung and carrion for survival. Our preliminary research highlights the need for long-term and large-scale experiments to understand the indirect ecological implications of culling programs on ecosystem processes.

Antagonism between co-infecting gastrointestinal nematodes: A meta-analysis of experimental infections in Sheep

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) have enormous global impacts in humans, wildlife and grazing livestock. Within grazing livestock, sheep are of particular global importance and the economics and sustainability of sheep production are greatly constrained by GIN infections. Natural infections are composed of co-infections with multiple species, and while some past work suggests species can interact negatively with one another within the same host, there is wide variation in reported patterns. Here, we undertook a systematic literature search and meta-analysis of experimental GIN co-infections of sheep to determine whether these experimental studies support the hypothesis of antagonistic interactions between different co-infecting GIN, and test whether aspects of parasite biology or experimental design influence the observed effects. A systematic search of the literature yielded 4848 studies, within which, we identified 19 experimental sheep studies comparing post-mortem worm counts across two co-infecting GIN species. Meta-analysis of 67 effects obtained from these studies provides strong evidence for interactions between GIN species. There was wide variation in the strength and direction of these interactions, but the global effect was significantly antagonistic. On average, there was a decrease in the number of worms of one species when a co-infecting species was also present, relative to a mono-infection with that species alone. This effect was dependent on the infectious dose and was rapidly lost after anthelmintic treatment, suggesting that live worms are required for the effect to occur. Individual parasite species varied in the extent to which they both exerted, and were subject to, these interspecies interactions, and these differences are more complex than simply co-localisation within the gastrointestinal tract. Antagonistic interactions between co-infecting GIN may feedback into their epidemiology as well as potentially affecting the clinical impacts of infection. Furthermore, the consequences of these interactions may be heightened when clinical interventions affect only one species within the co-infecting network. Whilst it was not possible to identify the causes of variation between GIN species in the impact of co-infection, these findings point to new avenues for epidemiological, clinical and mechanistic research on GIN co-infections.

Analyzing captive breeding outcomes to inform reintroduction practice: lessons from the pookila (Pseudomys novaehollandiae)

Captive breeding is often used to produce individuals for reintroduction programs in order to reestablish a species in an area where it has become locally extinct. To maximize the likelihood of establishing a self-sustaining population in the wild, an analysis of data from captive breeding programs is commonly undertaken to (1) increase the quantity of individuals and rate at which they can be released, and (2) maintain or improve the genetic and phenotypic quality of individuals. Here we demonstrate how the knowledge gained from these analyses can also be applied to decision-making during the design of subsequent reintroductions to further advance a reintroduction program toward success. We conducted an analysis of data from a captive breeding program for the threatened pookila (Pseudomys novaehollandiae, New Holland mouse) spanning 6 years. We found evidence for relationships between the reproductive output of pookila and behavioral, demographic, experiential, health, and physiological predictors. Based on a biological interpretation of these results, and with reference to a checklist of all known translocation tactics, we recommend 11 specific design elements to maximize the probability of pookila reproduction postrelease (thereby improving the likelihood of reintroduction success). These recommendations should be interpreted as hypotheses to be evaluated and refined in future reintroduction trials for the pookila. The uncertainty around the postrelease survival and reproduction of a species that is common in reintroduction practice warrants the creative use of existing data to inform adaptive management. Indeed, there is a wealth information in well-kept captive breeding records that is currently underused by reintroduction practitioners. The direct integration of knowledge derived from captive breeding (where available) with decision-making for reintroductions, as described here, will help navigate these uncertainties, which would benefit the conservation of both understudied and well-known species around the world.

The vicious cycle of biophobia

People can express irrational fears and disgust responses towards certain wild organisms. This so-called 'biophobia' can be useful and indeed necessary in some circumstances. Biophobia can, however, also lead to excessive distress and anxiety which, in turn, can result in people avoiding interactions with nature. Here, we highlight concern that this reduction in interactions with nature might lead to progressive increases in biophobia, entrenching it more in individuals and across society. We propose the 'vicious cycle of biophobia', a concept that encapsulates how excessive aversion towards nature might emerge and grow in society. The vicious cycle of biophobia risks accelerating the extinction of experience, leading to long-term adverse consequences for the conservation of biodiversity.

Mini Safe Havens for population recovery and reintroductions 'beyond-the-fence'

In response to the ongoing decline of fauna worldwide, there has been growing interest in the rewilding of whole ecosystems outside of fenced sanctuaries or offshore islands. This interest will inevitably result in attempts to restore species where eliminating threats from predators and competitors is extremely challenging or impossible, or reintroductions of predators that will increase predation risk for extant prey (i.e., coexistence conservation). We propose 'Mini Safe Havens' (MSHs) as a potential tool for managing these threats. Mini Safe Havens are refuges that are permanently permeable to the focal species; allowing the emigration of individuals while maintaining gene flow through the boundary. Crucial to the effectiveness of the approach is the ongoing maintenance and monitoring required to preserve a low-to-zero risk of key threats within the MSH; facilitating in-situ learning and adaptation by focal species to these threats, at a rate and intensity of exposure determined by the animals themselves. We trialled the MSH approach for a pilot reintroduction of the Australian native New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae), in the context of a trophic rewilding project to address potential naïveté to a reintroduced native mammalian predator. We found that mice released into a MSH maintained their weight and continued to use the release site beyond 17 months (525 days) post-release. In contrast, individuals in temporary soft-release enclosures tended to lose weight and became undetectable approximately 1-month post-release. We discuss the broad applicability of MSHs for population recovery and reintroductions 'beyond-the-fence' and recommend avenues for further refinement of the approach.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10531-022-02495-6.

Climate-driven divergent long-term trends of forest beetles in Japan

Concerning declines in insect populations have been reported from Europe and the United States, yet there are gaps in our knowledge of the drivers of insect trends and their distribution across the world. We report on our analysis of a spatially extensive, 14-year study of ground-dwelling beetles in four natural forest biomes spanning Japan's entire latitudinal range (3000 km). Beetle species richness, abundance and biomass declined in evergreen coniferous forests but increased in broadleaf-coniferous mixed forests. Further, beetles in evergreen coniferous forests responded negatively to increased temperature and precipitation anomalies, which have both risen over the study's timespan. These significant changes parallel reports of climate-driven changes in forest tree species, providing further evidence that climate change is altering forest ecosystems fundamentally. Given the enormous biodiversity and ecosystem services that forests support globally, the implications for biodiversity change resulting from climate change could be profound.

Priority effects and density promote coexistence between the facultative predator Chrysomya rufifacies and its competitor Calliphora stygia

Highly competitive ephemeral resources like carrion tend to support much greater diversity relative to longer-lived resources. The coexistence of diverse communities on short-lived carrion is a delicate balance, maintained by several processes including competition. Despite this balance, few studies have investigated the effect of competition on carrion, limiting our understanding of how competition drives coexistence. We investigated how priority effects and larval density influence coexistence between two blowfly species, the facultative predator Chrysomya rufifacies and its competitor Calliphora stygia, which occupy broadly similar niches but differ in their ecological strategies for exploiting carrion. We examined how adult oviposition, larval survival, developmental duration, and adult fitness were affected by the presence of differently aged heterospecific larval masses, and how these measures varied under three larval densities. We found C. rufifacies larval survival was lowest in conspecific masses with low larval densities. In heterospecific masses, survival increased, particularly at high larval density, with priority effects having minimal effect, suggesting a dependency on collective exodigestion. For C. stygia, we found survival to be constant across larval densities in a conspecific mass. In heterospecific masses, survival decreased drastically when C. rufifacies arrived first, regardless of larval density, suggesting C. stygia is temporally constrained to avoid competition with C. rufifacies. Neither species appeared to completely outcompete the other, as they were either constrained by density requirements (C. rufifacies) or priority effects (C. stygia). Our results provide new mechanistic insights into the ecological processes allowing for coexistence on a competitively intense, ephemeral resource such as carrion.

Insect abundance patterns on vertebrate remains reveal carrion resource quality variation

Resource quality is a key driver of species abundance and community structure. Carrion is unique among resources due to its high nutritional quality, rapidly changing nature, and the diverse community of organisms it supports. Yet the role resource quality plays in driving variation in abundance patterns of carrion-associated species remains poorly studied. Here we investigate how species abundances change with a measure of resource change, and interpret these findings to determine how species differ in their association with carrion that changes in quality over time. We conducted field succession experiments using pigs and humans over two winters and one summer. We quantified the effect of total body score, an objective measure of resource change, on adult insect abundance using generalised additive models. For each species, phases of increasing abundance likely indicated attraction to a high-quality resource, and length of abundance maxima indicated optimal oviposition and feeding time. Some species such as the beetle Necrobia rufipes had a rapid spike in abundance, suggesting a narrow window of opportunity for carrion resource exploitation, while species like the wasp Nasonia vitripennis had a gradual change in abundance, indicating a wide window of resource exploitation. Different abundance patterns were also observed between species occurring on pigs and humans, suggesting cadaver type is an important aspect of resource quality. Our findings show that species abundances, unlike species occurrences, can reveal additional detail about species exploitation of carrion and provide information about how resource quality may drive competition and variation in insect community succession.

Density of invasive western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in fragmented woodlands indicates potential for large impacts on native species

Feral Apis mellifera colonies are widespread globally and cause ecological impacts as pollinators and competitors for food and nesting opportunities. The magnitude of impact depends on their population density, but knowledge of this density is poor. We document feral A. mellifera colonies at 69 per km² in fragmented Eucalyptus woodlands in Australia, exceeding estimates from elsewhere in the world, and matched only by one other Australian study. We surveyed 52.5 ha of woodland patches with 357 nest boxes installed to provide nesting opportunities for threatened vertebrates. Our sites covered a region of more than 140 km across with repeated surveys over 3 to 6 years. We show that nest box use by feral A. mellifera colonies is influenced by box design (p = 0.042), with weak evidence for an interactive effect of type of vegetation at a site (woodland remnants vs. replanting) and woody cover within 500 m (p = 0.091). At 69 colonies per km², this density is equivalent to the recommended stocking of hives for pollination of some crops and is therefore likely to influence pollination and lead to competition with other flower visitors. Apis mellifera is also likely to be competing for hollows with cavity dependent native fauna, especially in landscapes where there has been extensive tree removal.

Free-roaming dog population dynamics in Ranchi, India

Rabies causes approximately 20,000 human deaths in India each year. Nearly all of these occur following dog bites. Large-scale, high-coverage dog rabies vaccination campaigns are the cornerstone of rabies elimination strategies in both human and dog populations, although this is particularly challenging to achieve in India as a large proportion of the dog population are free-roaming and unowned. Further, little is known about free-roaming dog ecology in India which makes defining optimum vaccination strategies difficult. In this study, data collected using a mobile phone application during three annual mass vaccination and neutering (surgical sterilisation of both males and females) campaigns of free-roaming dogs in Ranchi, India (during which a total of 43,847 vaccinations, 26,213 neuter surgeries and 28,172 re-sight observations were made) were interrogated, using two novel approaches to estimate the proportion of neutered dogs that were lost from the city (assumed due to mortality or migration) between campaign years. Analysis revealed high losses of neutered dogs each year, ranging from 25.3% (28.2-22.8) to 55.8% (57.0-54.6). We also estimated that the total population declined by 12.58% (9.89-15.03) over the three-year period. This demonstrates that there is a high turnover of free-roaming dogs and that despite neutering a large number of dogs in an annual sterilisation campaign, the decline in population size was modest over a three-year time period. These findings have significant implications for the planning of rabies vaccination campaigns and population management programmes as well as highlighting the need for further research into the demographics of free-roaming, unowned dogs in India.

Is Resource Change a Useful Predictor of Carrion Insect Succession on Pigs and Humans?

Carrion is a dynamic and nutrient-rich resource that attracts numerous insect species that undergo succession due to the rapid change in the carrion resource. Despite this process being well-understood, few studies have examined resource change as a driver of carrion insect succession, and instead have focused on the effects of time per se, or on coarse, qualitative measures such as decay stage. Here we report on three field succession experiments using pig carcasses and human cadavers encompassing two winters and one summer. We quantified the effects of resource change (measured as total body score, TBS), carrion type, initial carrion mass, ambient temperature, and season on insect species richness and community composition. We found that all variables had an effect on different taxonomic or trophic components of the insect community composition, with the exception of initial carrion mass which had no effect. We found significant positive effects of TBS on beetle species richness and composition, while fly species richness was not significantly affected by TBS, but was by ambient temperature. TBS had a significant positive effect on all trophic groups, while ambient temperature also had a significant positive effect on the necrophages and predator/parasitoids. Our study indicates that resource change, as indicated by TBS, is an important driver of carrion insect species turnover and succession on carrion, and that TBS can provide information about insect ecological patterns on carrion that other temporal measures of change cannot.

Maternity Healthcare Chaplains and Perinatal Post-Mortem Support and Understanding in the United Kingdom and Ireland: An Exploratory Study

Perinatal autopsy rates have declined significantly in recent decades. There is a lack of consensus concerning the potential religious influences for bereaved parents in their decision making process for post-mortem. This online study of British and Irish maternity healthcare chaplains explored their understanding of general and local perinatal post-mortem procedures and their experiences in the support of parents. Participants included Christian, Muslim and non-faith chaplains. No chaplain identified any religious prohibition to perinatal post-mortem. A majority of chaplains reported that they had been asked about post-mortem by parents; only a minority felt adequately prepared. A key recommendation is that following appropriate training chaplains may be well placed to support colleagues and parents during the decision making process.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on human-nature interactions: Pathways, evidence and implications

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the global response have dramatically changed people's lifestyles in much of the world. These major changes, as well as the associated changes in impacts on the environment, can alter the dynamics of the direct interactions between humans and nature (hereafter human-nature interactions) far beyond those concerned with animals as sources of novel human coronavirus infections. There may be a variety of consequences for both people and nature.Here, we suggest a conceptual framework for understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect the dynamics of human-nature interactions. This highlights three different, but not mutually exclusive, pathways: changes in (a) opportunity, (b) capability and (c) motivation.Through this framework, we also suggest that there are several feedback loops by which changes in human-nature interactions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to further changes in these interactions such that the impacts of the pandemic could persist over the long term, including after it has ended.The COVID-19 pandemic, which has had the most tragic consequences, can also be viewed as a 'global natural experiment' in human-nature interactions that can provide unprecedented mechanistic insights into the complex processes and dynamics of these interactions and into possible strategies to manage them to best effect. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

A room with a green view: the importance of nearby nature for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and its global response have resulted in unprecedented and rapid changes to most people's day-to-day lives. To slow the spread of the virus, governments have implemented the practice of physical distancing ("social distancing"), which includes isolation within the home with limited time spent outdoors. During this extraordinary time, nature around the home may play a key role in mitigating against adverse mental health outcomes due to the pandemic and the measures taken to address it. To assess whether this is the case, we conducted an online questionnaire survey (n = 3,000) in Tokyo, Japan, to quantify the association between five mental health outcomes (depression, life satisfaction, subjective happiness, self-esteem, and loneliness) and two measures of nature experiences (frequency of greenspace use and green view through windows from home). Accounting for sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, we found that the frequency of greenspace use and the existence of green window views from within the home was associated with increased levels of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and subjective happiness and decreased levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Our findings suggest that a regular dose of nature can contribute to the improvement of a wide range of mental health outcomes. With the recent escalation in the prevalence of mental health disorders, and the possible negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on public mental health, our findings have major implications for policy, suggesting that urban nature has great potential to be used as a "nature-based solution" for improved public health.

A 4 year observation of gastrointestinal nematode egg counts, nemabiomes and the benzimidazole resistance genotypes of Teladorsagia circumcincta on a Scottish sheep farm

Anthelmintic resistance threatens the sustainability of sheep production globally. Advice regarding strategies to reduce the development of anthelmintic resistance incorporates the outcomes of modelling exercises. Further understanding of gastrointestinal nematode species diversity, and population dynamics and genetics (which may vary between species) is required to refine these models; and field studies combining faecal egg outputs, species composition and resistance genetics are needed to calibrate them. In this study, faecal samples were taken from ewes and lambs on a commercial farm in south-eastern Scotland at approximately 3 t-4 week intervals between spring and autumn over a period of 4 years. Faecal egg counts were performed on these samples, and L₃ were collected from pooled coprocultures. Deep amplicon sequencing was used to determine both the species composition of these L₃ and the proportions of benzimidazole-resistant single nucleotide polymorphisms in the isotype-1 β-tubulin locus of the predominant species, Teladorsagia circumcincta L₃. Despite consistent management throughout the study, the results show variation in gastrointestinal nematode species composition with time and between age groups, that was potentially associated with weather conditions. The F200Y benzimidazole resistance mutation is close to genetic fixation in the T. circumcincta population on this farm. There was no evidence of variation in isotype-1 β-tubulin single nucleotide polymorphisms frequency between age groups, and no genetic evidence of reversion to benzimidazole susceptibility, despite targeted benzimidazole usage. This study highlights the need to include speciation when investigating gastrointestinal nematode epidemiology and anthelmintic resistance, and serves as an example of how genetic data may be analysed alongside species diversity and faecal egg counts, when markers for other anthelmintic classes are identified.

Adapting reintroduction tactics in successive trials increases the likelihood of establishment for an endangered carnivore in a fenced sanctuary

Threatened species recovery programs are increasingly turning to reintroductions to reverse biodiversity loss. Here we present a real-world example where tactics (techniques which influence post-release performance and persistence) and an adaptive management framework (which incorporates feedback between monitoring and future actions) improved reintroduction success. Across three successive trials we investigated the influence of tactics on the effective survival and post-release dispersal of endangered eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) reintroduced into Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, Australian Capital Territory. Founders were monitored for 42 days post-release, and probability of survival and post-release dispersal were tested against trial, origin, sex, den sharing and presence of pouch young. We adopted an adaptive management framework, using monitoring to facilitate rapid learning and to implement interventions that improved reintroduction success. Founders released in the first trial were less likely to survive (28.6%, n = 14) than those founders released the second (76.9%, n = 13) and third trials (87.5%, n = 8). We adapted several tactics in the second and third trials, including the selection of female-only founders to avoid elevated male mortality, and post-mating releases to reduce stress. Founders that moved dens between consecutive nights were less likely to survive, suggesting that minimising post-release dispersal can increase the probability of survival. The probability of moving dens was lower in the second and third trials, for females, and when den sharing with another founder. This study demonstrates that, through iterative trials of tactics involving monitoring and learning, adaptive management can be used to significantly improve the success of reintroduction programs.

Pollination and resource limitation as interacting constraints on almond fruit set

Pollination and resource availability are factors determining reproductive success of plants, and in agriculture these factors influence yield of fruit-bearing crops. Our understanding of the importance of crop pollination is fast improving, but less is known about how the interaction between pollination and resources constrains fruit production. We conducted an experiment with almond trees (Prunus dulcis) to examine how the number of flowers, light availability and competition for resources affected nut (fruit) production on individual spurs (fruit-bearing structures) exposed to open-pollination or hand-pollination. We found a positive relationship between flower number and nut number on spurs with up to four flowers, but no further benefit after four flowers, suggesting a resource threshold expressed by individual spurs. Spurs with few flowers increased the conversion rate of flowers to nuts when supplemented with hand-pollination, but spurs with more flowers were more likely to achieve the threshold number of nuts even under open-pollination. Our experiment included a further treatment involving spraying whole trees with pollen. This treatment reduced nut production by spurs with many flowers and high light availability, suggesting competition is experienced by well-resourced spurs when resources need to be shared among developing nuts across the whole tree. Our study supports the hypothesis that excess flower production in fruit trees increases the potential for fruit production when pollinator and resource availability is variable (bet-hedging). Spurs with more flowers typically produce more nuts (within a limited range), but only if both resources and pollen supply increase with flower number. For almond growers, a focus on maintaining high flower numbers, especially in high light regions of the canopy, is the foundation for high levels of production. Strategies to lift flower number and light are complicated by trade-offs inherent in tree architecture and orchard design. However, fruit set would be lifted above that achieved by current practice by an increase in the pollination rate of flowers.

Effects of digging by a native and introduced ecosystem engineer on soil physical and chemical properties in temperate grassy woodland

Temperate grasslands and woodlands are the focus of extensive restoration efforts worldwide. Reintroduction of locally extinct soil-foraging and burrowing animals has been suggested as a means to restore soil function in these ecosystems. Yet little is known about the physical and chemical effects of digging on soil over time and how these effects differ between species of digging animal, vegetation types or ecosystems. We compared foraging pits of a native reintroduced marsupial, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and that of the exotic European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We simulated pits of these animals and measured pit dimensions and soil chemical properties over a period of 2 years. We showed that bettong and rabbit pits differed in their morphology and longevity, and that pits had a strong moderating effect on soil surface temperatures. Over 75% of the simulated pits were still visible after 2 years, and bettong pits infilled faster than rabbit pits. Bettong pits reduced diurnal temperature range by up to 25 °C compared to the soil surface. We did not find any effects of digging on soil chemistry that were consistent across vegetation types, between bettong and rabbit pits, and with time since digging, which is contrary to studies conducted in arid biomes. Our findings show that animal foraging pits in temperate ecosystems cause physical alteration of the soil surface and microclimatic conditions rather than nutrient changes often observed in arid areas.

Towards Quantifying Carrion Biomass in Ecosystems

The decomposition of animal biomass (carrion) contributes to the recycling of energy and nutrients through ecosystems. Whereas the role of plant decomposition in ecosystems is broadly recognised, the significance of carrion to ecosystem functioning remains poorly understood. Quantitative data on carrion biomass are lacking and there is no clear pathway towards improved knowledge in this area. Here, we present a framework to show how quantities derived from individual carcasses can be scaled up using population metrics, allowing for comparisons among ecosystems and other forms of biomass. Our framework facilitates the generation of new data that is critical to building a quantitative understanding of the contribution of carrion to trophic processes and ecosystem stocks and flows.

The Morphological Changes of Moths on Nakajima Island, Hokkaido, Japan

Overgrazing by large mammalian herbivores has led to significant adverse impacts on ecosystems globally. Insects are often a key taxon affected by large herbivores because the plants that are grazed provide crucial food and habitat. By changing vegetation, overgrazing by herbivores could affect aspects of insect morphology, including through changes to larval development due to reduced food availability, and adult dispersal ability due to habitat fragmentation. We investigated the wing morphology of moth species in two contrasting sites at Lake Toya in Hokkaido, Japan. We compared moths on Nakajima Island where deer are overabundant, with moths from the lakeshore 3 km away where deer are far less abundant. We compared forewing size and aspect ratio (length/width) of 13 moth species from both lakeshore and island sites. Four species, three of which were herb-feeding generalists, had significantly smaller wings on the island compared with the lakeshore. Seven species demonstrated a reduction in wing aspect ratio, whereas one species, the largest we measured, showed an increase in wing aspect ratio. We suggest that these morphological changes could be induced by overgrazing by deer (i.e., a reduction in moth host plant biomass and quality) and/or the isolation of moth populations on Nakajima Island. Further work is needed to reveal how these confounded but potentially interacting effects contribute to the morphological changes we found in the moths on the island. Our results show that habitat isolation and overabundance of deer populations can affect moth wing morphology, with potential implications for their population dynamics and community structure.

Effects of halogens on European air-quality

Halogens (Cl, Br) have a profound influence on stratospheric ozone (O₃). They (Cl, Br and I) have recently also been shown to impact the troposphere, notably by reducing the mixing ratios of O₃ and OH. Their potential for impacting regional air-quality is less well understood. We explore the impact of halogens on regional pollutants (focussing on O₃) with the European grid of the GEOS-Chem model (0.25° × 0.3125°). It has recently been updated to include a representation of halogen chemistry. We focus on the summer of 2015 during the ICOZA campaign at the Weybourne Atmospheric Observatory on the North Sea coast of the UK. Comparisons between these observations together with those from the UK air-quality network show that the model has some skill in representing the mixing ratios/concentration of pollutants during this period. Although the model has some success in simulating the Weybourne ClNO₂ observations, it significantly underestimates ClNO₂ observations reported at inland locations. It also underestimates mixing ratios of IO, OIO, I₂ and BrO, but this may reflect the coastal nature of these observations. Model simulations, with and without halogens, highlight the processes by which halogens can impact O₃. Throughout the domain O₃ mixing ratios are reduced by halogens. In northern Europe this is due to a change in the background O₃ advected into the region, whereas in southern Europe this is due to local chemistry driven by Mediterranean emissions. The proportion of hourly O₃ above 50 nmol mol^-1 in Europe is reduced from 46% to 18% by halogens. ClNO₂ from N₂O₅ uptake onto sea-salt leads to increases in O₃ mixing ratio, but these are smaller than the decreases caused by the bromine and iodine. 12% of ethane and 16% of acetone within the boundary layer is oxidised by Cl. Aerosol response to halogens is complex with small (∼10%) reductions in PM_2.5 in most locations. A lack of observational constraints coupled to large uncertainties in emissions and chemical processing of halogens make these conclusions tentative at best. However, the results here point to the potential for halogen chemistry to influence air quality policy in Europe and other parts of the world.

Fetal Dysmorphology-Still an Essential Art. Analysis of the Limitations of Microarray in a Fetal Population and a Look Toward the Genome Sequencing Era

Cytogenomic microarray allows assessment of the genome at higher resolutions than traditional karyotyping. The objective of this study is to evaluate the utility of microarray in a routine fetal autopsy setting before the advent of routine fetal exome/genome sequencing and the issues these technologies may generate. A systematic review of fetal postmortems at 12-24 weeks gestation between January 2011 and December 2014 was undertaken. Cases where there was no consent for audit, research, or genetic testing were excluded as were cases referred to the Procurator Fiscal, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths. Copy number variations were detected in 16 cases. In addition, there was 1 case of uniparental disomy; not all of these were related to the phenotype. There were a number of cases with phenotypic abnormalities and normal array results. Five of these underwent directed mutation analysis-3 were positive. Genetic laboratory investigations such as microarray and Quantitative Fluorescent-Polymerase Chain Reaction may increase the diagnostic yield in the assessment of fetal dysmorphology. However, this study shows that genetic results not only require careful review given the potential uncertain significance but also require phenotypic assessment of the fetus by a competent fetal dysmorphologist to determine the likely causative effect of any detected anomaly. This best practice will also extend to next generation sequencing and interpretation of variants of unknown significance. Fetal medicine teams should ideally include specialists well versed in assessment of fetal anomaly to provide families with the best possible information about the cause of their pregnancy loss and their options for future pregnancies.

Necrophilous Insect Dynamics at Small Vertebrate Carrion in a Temperate Eucalypt Woodland

Insects associated with carrion are critical to the decomposition process and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Yet the communities of insects associated with carrion vary between locations, and detailed case studies are necessary for identifying differences and similarities among contrasting habitats. In this study, we examined temporal changes in the crawling insect community collected from rabbit carcasses placed in contrasting grassland and tree habitats in southeastern Australia. We collected 18,400 adult insects, including 22 species of fly, 57 species of beetle, and 37 species of ant. We found significant effects of habitat type and time, but not their interaction, on the composition of the entire insect community. Several ant species showed early and rapid colonization and highest abundances during early stages of decay, including Iridomyrmex purpureus (Smith, 1858) under trees, and Iridomyrmex rufoniger (Lowne, 1865) and Rhytidoponera metallica (Smith, 1858) in grassland. We found that most fly species showed highest abundance during active decay, but Chrysomya varipes (Macquart 1851) was more abundant under trees than in grassland during this time. Beetles peaked during active or advanced decay stages, with Saprinus and Omorgus the most abundant genera. Our study demonstrates that strong replication of contrasting environmental treatments can reveal new information on habitat preferences of important carrion insect species. The numerical dominance of ants early in decomposition has implications for insect community structure via potential competitive interactions with flies, and should be more rigorously examined in future carrion studies.

Short- and long-term effects of habitat fragmentation differ but are predicted by response to the matrix

Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Our current understanding of the impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation is based largely on studies that focus on either short-term or long-term responses. Short-term responses are often used to predict long-term responses and make management decisions. The lack of studies comparing short- and long-term responses to fragmentation means we do not adequately understand when and how well short-term responses can be extrapolated to predict long-term responses, and when or why they cannot. To address this gap, we used data from one of the world's longest-running fragmentation experiments, The Wog Wog Habitat Fragmentation Experiment. Using data for carabid beetles, we found that responses in the long term (more than 22 yr post-fragmentation ≈22 generations) often contrasted markedly with those in the short term (5 yr post-fragmentation). The total abundance of all carabids, species richness and the occurrence of six species declined in the short term in the fragments but increased over the long term. The occurrence of three species declined initially and continued to decline, whilst another species was positively affected initially but decreased in the long term. Species' responses to the matrix that surrounds the fragments strongly predicted both the direction (increase/decline in occurrence) and magnitude of their responses to fragmentation. Additionally, species' responses to the matrix were somewhat predicted by their preferences for different types of native habitat (open vs. shaded). Our study highlights the degree of the matrix's influence in fragmented landscapes, and how this influence can change over time. We urge caution in using short-term responses to forecast long-term responses in cases where the matrix (1) impacts species' responses to fragmentation (by isolating them, creating new habitat or altering fragment habitat) and (2) is likely to change through time.

The trajectory of dispersal research in conservation biology. Systematic review

Dispersal knowledge is essential for conservation management, and demand is growing. But are we accumulating dispersal knowledge at a pace that can meet the demand? To answer this question we tested for changes in dispersal data collection and use over time. Our systematic review of 655 conservation-related publications compared five topics: climate change, habitat restoration, population viability analysis, land planning (systematic conservation planning) and invasive species. We analysed temporal changes in the: (i) questions asked by dispersal-related research; (ii) methods used to study dispersal; (iii) the quality of dispersal data; (iv) extent that dispersal knowledge is lacking, and; (v) likely consequences of limited dispersal knowledge. Research questions have changed little over time; the same problems examined in the 1990s are still being addressed. The most common methods used to study dispersal were occupancy data, expert opinion and modelling, which often provided indirect, low quality information about dispersal. Although use of genetics for estimating dispersal has increased, new ecological and genetic methods for measuring dispersal are not yet widely adopted. Almost half of the papers identified knowledge gaps related to dispersal. Limited dispersal knowledge often made it impossible to discover ecological processes or compromised conservation outcomes. The quality of dispersal data used in climate change research has increased since the 1990s. In comparison, restoration ecology inadequately addresses large-scale process, whilst the gap between knowledge accumulation and growth in applications may be increasing in land planning. To overcome apparent stagnation in collection and use of dispersal knowledge, researchers need to: (i) improve the quality of available data using new approaches; (ii) understand the complementarities of different methods and; (iii) define the value of different kinds of dispersal information for supporting management decisions. Ambitious, multi-disciplinary research programs studying many species are critical for advancing dispersal research.

Lung effects of inhaled corticosteroids in a rhesus monkey model of childhood asthma

BACKGROUND

The risks for infants and young children receiving inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy are largely unknown. Recent clinical studies indicate that ICS therapy in pre-school children with symptoms of asthma result in decreased symptoms without influencing the clinical disease course, but potentially affect postnatal growth and development. The current study employs a primate experimental model to identify the risks posed by ICS therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To (1) establish whether ICS therapy in developing primate lungs reverses pulmonary pathobiology associated with allergic airway disease (AAD) and (2) define the impact of ICS on postnatal lung growth and development in primates.

METHODS

Infant rhesus monkeys were exposed, from 1 through 6 months, to filtered air (FA) with house dust mite allergen and ozone using a protocol that produces AAD (AAD monkeys), or to FA alone (Control monkeys). From three through 6 months, the monkeys were treated daily with ICS (budesonide) or saline.

RESULTS

Several AAD manifestations (airflow restrictions, lavage eosinophilia, basement membrane zone thickening, epithelial mucin composition) were reduced with ICS treatment, without adverse effects on body growth or adrenal function; however, airway branching abnormalities and intraepithelial innervation were not reduced. In addition, several indicators of postnatal lung growth and differentiation: vital capacity, inspiratory capacity, compliance, non-parenchymal lung volume and alveolarization, were increased in both AAD and Control monkeys that received ICS treatment.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Incomplete prevention of pathobiological changes in the airways and disruption of postnatal growth and differentiation of airways and lung parenchyma in response to ICS pose risks for developing primate lungs. These responses also represent two mechanisms that could compromise ICS therapy's ability to alter clinical disease course in young children.

The atmospheric chemistry of trace gases and particulate matter emitted by different land uses in Borneo

We report measurements of atmospheric composition over a tropical rainforest and over a nearby oil palm plantation in Sabah, Borneo. The primary vegetation in each of the two landscapes emits very different amounts and kinds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resulting in distinctive VOC fingerprints in the atmospheric boundary layer for both landscapes. VOCs over the Borneo rainforest are dominated by isoprene and its oxidation products, with a significant additional contribution from monoterpenes. Rather than consuming the main atmospheric oxidant, OH, these high concentrations of VOCs appear to maintain OH, as has been observed previously over Amazonia. The boundary-layer characteristics and mixing ratios of VOCs observed over the Borneo rainforest are different to those measured previously over Amazonia. Compared with the Bornean rainforest, air over the oil palm plantation contains much more isoprene, monoterpenes are relatively less important, and the flower scent, estragole, is prominent. Concentrations of nitrogen oxides are greater above the agro-industrial oil palm landscape than over the rainforest, and this leads to changes in some secondary pollutant mixing ratios (but not, currently, differences in ozone). Secondary organic aerosol over both landscapes shows a significant contribution from isoprene. Primary biological aerosol dominates the super-micrometre aerosol over the rainforest and is likely to be sensitive to land-use change, since the fungal source of the bioaerosol is closely linked to above-ground biodiversity.

Synergistic effects of osteonectin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor on axotomized retinal ganglion cells neurite outgrowth via the mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathways

Our previous study identified osteonectin (ON) in a screen of factors made by Schwann cells (SCs) which promoted peripheral and central neurons survival and neuritogenesis, however, the mechanisms of ON promoting effects are largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ON-deficient SC-conditioned medium (SCCM) and molecular mechanisms of ON, in regulating retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) survival and neurite outgrowth. Neonatal rat RGCs and SCs were purified by immunopanning technique. RGC survival and neuritogenesis reduced significantly when treated with either ON-null mice SCCM or ON-immunodepleted (IP) SCCM (P<0.05). In contrast to wild type SCCM, in the presence of a tyrosine kinase receptor (Trk) inhibitor (K252a), ON-null mice SCCM-induced neuritogenesis were further reduced by 24%. The Trk-mediated signaling pathways became more sensitive to K252a inhibition in the absence of ON. We also showed the synergistic effects of ON and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in promoting RGCs growth and the involvement of ON in two major neurotrophin-mediated signaling pathways, PI-3K-Akt and MAPK-Erk1/2. ON alone activated Akt phosphorylation and increased survival. Blockage of TrkB signalling pathway by TrkB-Fc chimera (BDNF scavenger) or K252a in ON-treated cultures reduced Akt-P level significantly. This suggests that ON induces BDNF synthesis and secretion from RGCs. The enhancement of neuritogenesis and Erk1/2 phosphorylation by ON in BDNF-treated cultures further demonstrate the signaling pathways responsible for the synergistic effect of ON on BDNF-induced neurite outgrowth. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the synergistic effects of ON on classical neurotrophins which participate in the same signalling pathways in regulating RGC neurite outgrowth.

A hematopoietic stromal lesion associated with fractionated radiotherapy (FxRT): time- and dose-effects

Earlier, we reported that the local exposure of femoral bone marrow to a clinically-relevant course of fractionated radiotherapy [FxRT; 2.0 Gy (q24h x 5) --> 74 Gy] resulted in the delayed appearance of a stromal lesion which temporally appeared after exposures to a threshold dose of 20 Gy FxRT. To further define this threshold dose, the temporal recovery of blood-forming elements ("cobblestone area" forming colonies; CAFC(7-28d)) and the microenvironmental stroma (long-term bone marrow cultures; LTBMC) of the marrow was examined over a 17-week period following 10 and 30 Gy FxRT. After a subthreshold dose of 10 Gy, each of the 4 CAFC subpopulations were significantly dampened, with recovery initiated within a 6-week interval of 10 Gy of FxRT. Above the threshold dose (30 Gy FxRT), the CAFC subpopulations were again reduced to a level similar to that observed with 10 Gy FxRT. However, after exposures to 30 Gy FxRT, CAFC recovery was significantly well beyond the 6-week interval observed with a 10 Gy Dose of FxRT. Similarly, cell production in LTBMC prepared from marrow exposed to either 10 or 30 Gy FxRT was significantly dampened for at least 3 weeks following the FxRT. Moreover, while cell production in LTBMC derived from marrow exposed to 10 Gy was eventually restored to normal, the dampened cell production observed in LTBMC prepared after 30 Gy FxRT persisted for a period in excess of 17 weeks. Collectively, these observations provide additional support to our earlier observation suggesting that FxRT generates two forms of dose-dependent damage in the marrow: the first an early lesion arising in the blood-forming CAFC subpopulations; the second form, a delayed lesion that involves the persistent expression of a dysfunctional microenvironmental phenotype, appearing to disrupt the normal regulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) proliferation and differentiation of the HSC during the recovery process.

Advice given in community pharmacies to patients with possible oral carcinoma

We compared advice given by community pharmacy staff in Worcestershire to a proxy consulter on behalf of a patient with a longstanding oral ulcer, presumed to be an oral cancer. If patients seek advice in this way the quality of the advice given is dependent on whether the respondent is a pharmacist or a community pharmacy assistant.

Smooth muscle hypertrophy in distal airways of sensitized infant rhesus monkeys exposed to house dust mite allergen

BACKGROUND

Airway smooth muscle hypertrophy is closely associated with the pathophysiology of hyper-reactive airways in allergic asthma.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether repeated exposure to allergens during postnatal lung development promotes remodelling of airway smooth muscle.

METHODS

Infant, male rhesus monkeys (30-day-old) were sensitized to house dust mite allergen (HDMA) and then exposed to HDMA aerosol periodically over 5 months. Smooth muscle mass and bundle size and abundance in conducting airways were measured and compared with age-matched control (filtered air-exposed) monkeys.

RESULTS

Total smooth muscle mass and average bundle size were significantly greater in the conducting airways of monkeys exposed to HDMA. Smooth muscle bundle abundance was not affected by exposure to HDMA.

CONCLUSION

Repeated cycles of allergen exposure alter postnatal morphogenesis of smooth muscle, affecting both total mass and bundle size, in conducting airways of infant monkeys.

The use of the laryngeal mask in surgical tracheostomy

The laryngeal mask may be used as an airway during surgical tracheostomy. This techniques has several advantages over conventional oral endotracheal intubation.

Inter-relationships between the secretory dynamics of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone, thyrotrophin and prolactin in periovulatory mares: effect of hypothyroidism

We used our nonsurgical technique for collecting pituitary venous blood to relate the dynamics of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) secretion to the secretion patterns of both prolactin and thyrotrophin in periovulatory mares, either euthyroid (n = 5) or made hypothyroid by treatment with propyl-thiouracil (n = 5). Pituitary venous blood was collected continuously and divided into 1-min aliquots for 4 h. To test the effect of dopamine on the relationship between secretion patterns, sulpiride, a selective D2 receptor antagonist, was given i.m. after 2 h of sampling. Thorough testing of the model and blood collection procedure revealed no sites of TRH loss. Hypothyroidism increased the mean secretion rates of TRH (P = 0.04) and thyrotrophin (P < 0.0001) but not prolactin. Sulpiride increased prolactin secretion rates in hypothyroid (P < 0.0001) and control (P = 0.007) mares, but did not alter TRH or thyrotrophin secretion rates. In both groups of mares, all three hormones were secreted episodically but not rhythmically. In both groups, the secretion pattern of TRH was almost always significantly related to that of thyrotrophin, as assessed by cross correlation and cross approximate entropy (ApEn) analysis. However, the degree of linear correlation was weak, with only 14% (hypothyroid) or 8% (controls) of the variation in thyrotrophin secretion rates attributable to TRH. Prolactin and TRH secretion patterns before sulpiride were coupled on cross ApEn analysis in both groups, and the minute-to-minute secretion rates of the two hormones were correlated in four hypothyroid and three euthyroid mares. Overall, the small, but significant, degree of association between TRH and prolactin was similar to that between TRH and thyrotrophin. In hypothyroid mares, sulpiride increased (P = 0.02) the synchrony between TRH and prolactin patterns. We conclude that in horses: (i) little TRH degradation occurs during passage through the pituitary or in blood after 1 h at 37 degrees C; (ii) TRH is not the major factor controlling minute-to-minute fluctuations in either thyrotrophin or prolactin; and (iii) reducing two strongly inhibitory inputs (i.e. dopamine and thyroid hormones) may magnify the stimulatory effect of TRH on prolactin secretion.

The remodelled tracheal basement membrane zone of infant rhesus monkeys after 6 months of recovery

BACKGROUND

In previous studies, we showed that repeated exposure to (1) house dust mite allergen (HDMA) (Dermatophagoides farinae) caused thickening of the basement membrane zone (BMZ) and (2) HDMA+ozone (O3) caused depletion of BMZ perlecan and atypical development of BMZ collagen (irregular thin areas<2.0 microm in width).

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine if these remodelling changes were reversible after 6 months of recovery.

METHODS

Rhesus monkeys were exposed to a regimen of HDMA and or O3 or filtered air (FA) for 6 months. After the exposure protocol was completed FA and O3 groups were allowed to recover in FA for 6 months. The HDMA and HDMA+O3 exposure groups recovered in a modified environment. They were re-exposed to HDMA aerosol for 2 h at monthly intervals during recovery in order to maintain sensitization for pulmonary function testing. To detect structural changes in the BMZ, collagen I and perlecan immunoreactivity were measured and compared to data from the previous papers.

RESULTS

The remodelled HDMA group had a significantly thicker BMZ and after 6 months of recovery the width had not regressed. In the remodelled BMZ of the HDMA+O3 group, perlecan had returned to the BMZ after 6 months of the recovery protocol, and the thin, irregular, collagen BMZ had been resolved.

CONCLUSION

In summary, this study has shown that: (1) The width of the remodelled HDMA BMZ did not regress during a recovery protocol that included a sensitizing dose of HDMA. (2) The atypical collagen BMZ in the HDMA+O3 BMZ was resolved in the absence of O3. (3) Depletion of perlecan from the BMZ by O3 was reversed by recovery in the absence of O3.