BACKGROUND: Land-use effects on grassland flora are difficult to predict due to poor understanding of species losses caused by transformation. OBJECTIVES: To determine changes in species diversity and composition by comparing transformed with untransformed grassland. METHODS: Floristics of paired plots were sampled within 18 transformed sites (representing agricultural and urban land-uses) and neighbouring untransformed grassland. RESULTS: Endemic and threatened species were negatively affected by transformation, particularly species with belowground bud-banks and storage organs. Species composition, with clear shifts in dominant families, was changed by over 90% on average by transformation CONCLUSION: Land-use transformation lead to the loss of native species and increased alien invasive species.

Thermal stability of both standard and regenerated Bragg gratings written in normal and photosensitive optical fibers was accessed. An apparent spectral wavelength stabilization of common gratings with no thermal hysteresis was reached after thermal treatments. However, after a time interval of 5 months, gratings exhibited a shift in the resonance Bragg wavelength at room temperature, as well as important changes in the thermal sensitivity above 200 ºC. Regenerated gratings proved to be stable only at temperatures below the critical regeneration temperature, with significant loss of reflectivity above that critical value.

This study evaluated the differences in the muscle-fat-bone yield of Namaqua Afrikaner (NA), Dorper (D) and SA Mutton Merino (SAMM) ram lambs. The breeds constituted an indigenous, hardy and late maturing, fat-tailed breed (NA), an early maturing, commercial meat breed (D) and a late maturing commercial dual-purpose breed (SAMM). Lambs were slaughtered at 35 (± 8) days post weaning. Carcasses were cooled for 24 h, separated into retail cuts (leg, loin, rib, and shoulder), weighed and deboned. Meat and fat were separated after deboning and weighed to calculate the muscle-fat-bone yield per cut. Least-square means were computed for the respective breeds, using slaughter age as covariate. Results for percentage meat indicate that, with exception of the rib, retail cuts from the NA breed contained a lower percentage of meat than D and SAMM breeds, particularly in the valuable loin and leg cuts. The shoulder of the NA had a lower percentage meat than that of the D. The percentage fat in retail cuts did not differ between breeds for any of the cuts. In comparison with both D and SAMM, NA contained a higher percentage bone in all cuts. Dorper and SAMM carcasses did not differ in terms of the percentage of bone, fat or muscle for any of the retail cuts. The lower meat yield, particularly in the more expensive loin and leg of the NA, when compared to the commercial meat breed (D) could make the former less preferred for meat production. However, the NA compared more favourably than the dual-purpose SAMM. Differences in carcass composition could be attributed to the fact that the NA is an unimproved and late maturing sheep breed.

Three genotypes of ostrich (South African Black, Zimbabwean Blue Necks and crosses between Zimbabwean Blue Neck males x South African Black females) were used to investigate the influence of genotype on the fatty acid composition of the musculus gastrocnemius and musculus iliofibularis, and abdominal and breast fat depots. Total saturated fatty acids in both the m. gastrocnemius and m. iliofibularis were higher in crosses (36.4% and 35.9%) than in South African Black ostriches (32.9% and 30.4%), whereas mono-unsaturated fatty acids were highest in South African Black ostriches. Total polyunsaturated fatty acids in the m. gastrocnemius were lowest in South African Black ostriches (26.5%) compared with the Zimbabwean Blue Necks (33.2%). Neither the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated (0.73 to 0.99) nor n-6 to n-3 (1.6 to 2.2) fatty acids were influenced by genotype, although the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids in Zimbabwean Blue Necks was higher in the m. gastrocnemius (0.99) than in the m. iliofibularis (0.73). Differences in individual fatty acids were prominent in the breast fat, and total saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids differed between genotypes in both breast and abdominal fat. Only the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids in the fat depots differed between South African Black (0.48) and Zimbabwean Blue Neck ostriches (0.42). The latter ratio was higher in the breast (0.50) than abdominal (0.42) fat in Zimbabwean Blue Necks. These results indicate that crossbreeding of different genotypes of ostriches reared under similar conditions does influence the overall fatty acid profiles of meat and fat.

The efficacy of the disinfectant Duplalim®, a synergistic blend of superquats and glutaraldehyde, was analysed in vitro against 4 fish pathogens. All concentrations tested (1:200 to 1:400 dilutions) were efficacious on killing Vibrio ordalii and Vibrio anguillarum in seawater after 30 s, being the level of reduction equal to 1.8 x 10(6) CFU / ml. Higher concentration of Duplalim® (1:50 dilutions) and time of exposure (at least 5 min) is needed to kill completely Francisella sp, an intracellular freshwater pathogen. When Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) was treated with 1:400 disinfectant dilution, this concentration had a significant effect after 2 minutes, regardless of the IPNV titres employed (concentration greater than 10(7.6) TCID50/ ml). Duplalim® was tested in large scale against Vibrionaceae members. In comparison to the controls (without the disinfectant), 1:400 dilutions of Duplalim® totally killed V. ordalii and V. anguillarum in seawater as well as on the surface of the fishing net (used in the cages of cultured salmon) after 15 min. Cultivable bacteria remained constant in the buckets without the disinfectant (1.4 ± 0.3 × 10(6) CFU / ml), regardless of the period sampled. In the case of the adherence on the fishing net, bacteria not exposed to the disinfectant were detected at a concentration of 7.6 ± 3.2 × 10(5) CFU / ml. These data indicate that the use of Duplalim® against V. ordalii, V. anguillarum and IPNV is effective in low concentration and short time of exposure (15 min at a concentration of 1:400 dilutions), while the intracellular pathogen requires higher concentration.

En el presente trabajo se evaluó la eficacia in vitro del desinfectante Duplalim®, una combinación sinérgica de glutaraldehído y sales de amonio cuaternario de cuarta generación, contra 4 patógenos de peces prevalentes de la salmonicultura chilena. Los resultados muestran que todas las concentraciones ensayadas (diluciones entre 1:200 a 1:400) fueron eficaces sobre los aislados de Vibrio ordalii y Vibrio anguillarum post-30 s de exposición, detectando niveles de reducción igual a 1.8 x 10(6) UFC/ ml. Concentraciones superiores de Duplalim® (dilución 1:50) y un tiempo de exposición no menor a 5 min. Fueron necesarios para eliminar completamente al patógeno intracelular Francisella sp. Cuando el desinfectante fue ensayado contra el Virus de la necrosis Pancreática infecciosa (IPNV), se detectó que la dilución 1:400 tiene un efecto significativo después de 2 minutos sin importar los títulos de IPNV testeados (mayor concentración evaluada 10(7.6) TCID50/ ml). Duplalim® se evaluó en condiciones masivas contra los miembros de la familia Vibrionaceae. En comparación a los controles (sin adición desinfectante), la dilución 1:400 de Duplalim® eliminó completamente V. ordalii y V. anguillarum después de 15 minutos de tratamiento, tanto en el agua de cultivo como en la superficie de mallas usadas en el cultivo del salmón. Así, el análisis microbiológico del agua de los controles mostró concentraciones de 1.4 ± 0.3 × 10(6) UFC/ ml, mientras en el caso de las mallas 7.6 ± 3.2 × 10(5) UFC/ ml¹. En resumen, los antecedentes obtenidos indican que el uso del desinfectante Duplalim® es efectivo contra V. ordalii, V. anguillarum y IPNV en bajas concentraciones y cortos periodos de exposición (dilución 1:400 por 15 min.), mientras que para el patógeno intracelular se requiere una concentración mayor.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of short-time fat supplementation (flushing) on the reproductive performance (postpartum estrus, postpartum anestrus, postpartum estrus interval, calving interval, number of artificial insemination, artificial insemination interval, and pregnancy rate) of postpartum beef cows, submitted to the early weaning. Two hundred and fifty eight beef cows were used from the following genetic groups: Aberdeen Angus (n= 21), Aberdeen Angus x Canchim (n= 20), Canchim x Aberdeen Angus (n= 52), Charoles x Caracu (n= 29), Charolais (n= 18), Cachim (n= 34), Caracu (n= 35), Caracu x Charoles (n= 26) an Purunã (n= 23), with 418.1 kg of body weight and all pregnant. These animals were split into two types of treatments: flushing (30% soybean full + 70% corn) and no supplementation. There was no flushing effect on postpartum estrus percentage (82.9%), anestrus percentage (17.0%), postpartum estrus interval (100.5 days), calf birth weight (34.2 kg), number of artificial insemination (1.4), interval between the 1st and the 2nd artificial insemination (19.2 days), interval between the 1st and the 2nd artificial insemination (19.9 days), and pregnancy percentage (54.6%). The flushing reduced calving interval (391.14 vs. 399.31 days). The November period had lower postpartum estrus percentage (70.6%), anestrus percentage (29.4%), postpartum estrus interval (90.3 days), calving interval (378.3 days), number of artificial insemination (1.2), interval between the 1st and the 2nd artificial insemination (11.5 days), and pregnancy percentage (27.5%).

O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação de gordura por um curto período de tempo (flushing) sobre o desempenho reprodutivo (aparecimento de estro pós-parto, anestro, intervalo de estro pós-parto, intervalo entre partos, número de inseminações artificiais, intervalo entre as inseminações artificiais e percentagem de prenhez) de fêmeas de corte no pós-parto, submetidas ao desmame precoce. Foram utilizadas 258 vacas, dos grupos genéticos: Aberdeen Angus (n= 21), Aberdeen Angus x Canchim (n= 20), Canchim x Aberdeen Angus (n= 52), Charolês x Caracu (n= 29), Charolês (n= 18), Cachim (n= 34), Caracu (n= 35), Caracu x Charolês (n= 26) e Purunã (n= 23), com peso vivo médio de 418,1 kg e diagnóstico de prenhez positivo. Os animais foram distribuídos nos tratamentos flushing (30% de grão de soja + 70% de milho) e não suplementados. Foram avaliados três períodos de acordo com a ordem de parição: setembro, outubro e novembro. Não houve efeito do flushing sobre a percentagem de estro pós-parto (82,9%), percentagem de anestro (17,0%), intervalo de estro pós-parto (100,5 dias), peso ao nascer do bezerro (34,2 kg), número de inseminações artificiais (1,4), intervalo entre a 1ª e a 2ª inseminação artificial (19,2 dias), intervalo entre a 2ª e 3ª inseminação artificial (19,9 dias) e percentagem de prenhez (54,6%). O flushing reduziu o intervalo entre partos (391,1 vs. 399,3 dias). O período de novembro apresentou menor percentagem de estro pós-parto (70,6%), percentagem de anestro (29,4%), intervalo de estro pós-parto (90,3 dias), intervalo entre partos (378,3 dias), número de inseminações artificiais (1,2), intervalo entre a 1ª e a 2ª inseminação artificial (11,5 dias) e percentagem de prenhez (27,5%).

Twenty three 20 months old and 351 kg of initial body weight Nellore heifers were used, during 28 days, to study the effect of omega-3 (whole linseed, LIN), omega-9 (canola seed, CAN) fat sources, and without fat addition (no fat, SOG) on the final live weight, average daily gain, fat tickness, number and weight of luteum corpus and cyst, number of total structures, transferable structures, degenerate structures, and no-fertilized structure. The heifers were allotted into a completely randomized design. There was no effect of LIN and CAN fat sources and SOG on the final body weight, average daily gain, and fat thickness. There was no difference on weight of left, right, and total ovarium, corpus luteum and cyst; and on number of total luteum corpus and left ovarium cyst. CAN presented a higher number of left luteum corpus (18.33 vs. 12.00) and a lower number of right ovarium cyst (1.33 vs. 4.60) and total (3.60 vs. 8.60), compared to LIN. CAN e SOG had a higher number of total structure (8.67 and 10.40). CAN had a higher number of transferable structures (6.67) than SOG and LIN (2.80 vs. 1.17). LIN and CAN had a lower number of degenerate structure than SOG (2.00 and 3.67 vs. 7.60). Therefore, CAN presented a lower number of non-fertilized structure (0%) and a higher viability of produced structure (76.93%).

Foram utilizadas 17 novilhas Nelore, com 20 meses de idade e peso médio inicial de 343,9 kg, durante 28 dias, para estudar o efeito de fontes de gordura ômega-3 (semente de linho, LIN), ômega-9 (semente da canola, CAN) e sem adição de gordura (SGO) sobre o peso vivo final, ganho médio diário, espessura de gordura de corbertura, número e peso de corpos lúteos e cistos ováricos, número de estruturas totais, transferíveis, degeneradas e não fertilizadas. As novilhas foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Não houve efeito das fontes LIN e CAN e SGO sobre o peso vivo final, ganho médio diário e espessura de gordura. Não houve diferença sobre os pesos do ovário, corpo lúteo e cisto, esquerdo, direito e total e para o número de corpo lúteo total e cistos no ovário esquerdo. O CAN apresentou maior número de corpo lúteo esquerdo (18,33 vs. 12,00) e menor número de cistos no ovário direito (1,33 vs. 4,60) e total (3,60 vs. 8,60) comparado ao LIN. As novilhas do CAN e SGO apresentaram maior número de estruturas totais (8,67 e 10,40). O CAN apresentou maior número de estruturas transferíveis (6,67) em relação ao SGO e LIN (2,80 vs. 1,17). LIN e CAN apresentaram menor número de estruturas degeneradas em relação ao SOG (2,00 e 3,67 vs. 7,60). No entanto, o CAN apresentou menor número de estruturas não fecundadas (0%) e maior viabilidade das estruturas (76,93%).

Data obtained from a pair-mated ostrich flock located at Oudtshoorn in South Africa were used to derive line differences for live weight and reproduction performance in sexually mature ostriches of the Zimbabwean Blue (ZB) and South African Black (SAB) strains during 2003 to 2006. At the commencement of breeding ZB breeding stock were, on average, between 9 and 13% heavier than SAB contemporaries. At the cessation of breeding the superiority of ZB birds was reduced to between 4 and 8%, expressed relative to SAB breeding stock. Live weight at the commencement of breeding was complicated by an interaction between sire line and year. The interaction resulted from no line differences between SAB and ZB males in 2003, contrasted to marked differences in subsequent years. Egg production was affected by dam line, but not by the line of the sire or the interaction between dam line and sire line. Egg production of SAB females was almost twice that of ZB contemporaries, at respectively 43.3 and 23.3 eggs per season. The number of infertile eggs was not affected by any of the independent variables considered. The number of shell deaths was affected by both sire line and dam line. Overall, SAB females sustained lower levels of shell deaths than ZB females, while the eggs produced by mates of SAB males had higher shell deaths than mates of ZB males. Chick production was affected by dam line; the effects of sire line and the dam line x sire line interaction being non significant. Overall, SAB females produced more than double the number of chicks produced by their ZB contemporaries, at respectively 23.1 and 10.6 chicks per season. Both egg production and chick production were affected by a dam line x year interaction. No dam line difference was observed during 2003, whereas SAB females clearly outperformed ZB females in subsequent years. Further studies on the ostrich bloodlines and their crosses are needed to devise a selection and crossbreeding strategy for improving production and profitability in the industry.

The growth performance and the carcass and physical and chemical characteristics of the meat of 24 Landrace X Large White pigs were compared when reared under a free-range or a conventional housing system. The free-range pigs had lower feed intakes and slower growth rates than the conventionally housed pigs. The free-range pigs also had a lower P2 fat depth and therefore yielded a carcass with a higher percentage lean meat. Housing systems had no effect on the weight distribution of the commercial cuts (as a percentage of cold carcass weight). The meat from the free-range pigs was slightly more reddish in colour, but apart from that housing systems had no effect on the water-holding capacity (WHC) of the meat, its initial pH (pH45) or its final pH (pH24). The meat from the free-range pigs had the same shear force (WBS) values as those of the conventionally housed pigs. Housing systems had an influence on the fatty acid composition. Stearic acid (C18:0) was significantly lower in the meat of the free-range pigs than that of the conventionally housed pigs while linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations were significantly higher. However, the moisture, fat, protein and ash contents as well as the mineral composition in the meat were unaffected by housing systems. It could be concluded that pigs raised in a conventional housing system produced meat with similar quality characteristics to that of pigs raised in a free-range housing system.