CABI

About: CABI is a nonprofit organization based out in Wallingford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Introduced species. The organization has 789 authors who have published 1759 publications receiving 73843 citations. The organization is also known as: Centre for Biosciences and Agriculture International.

Fungal biological resources to support international development: challenges and opportunities

Abstract: Exploitation of microbes, especially fungi, has the potential to help humankind meet the UN’s sustainable development goals, help feed the worlds growing population and improve bioeconomies of poorer nations. The majority of the world’s fungal genetic resources are held in collections in developed countries, primarily within the USA, Europe and Japan. Very little capacity exists in low to middle income countries, which are often rich in biodiversity but lack resources to be able to conserve and exploit their own microbial resources. In this paper we review the current challenges facing culture collections and the challenges of integrating new approaches, the worth of collaborative networks, and the importance of technology, taxonomy and data handling. We address the need to underpin research and development in developing countries through the need to build ‘in country’ infrastructure to address these challenges, whilst tackling the global challenges to meet the requirements of the research community through the impacts of legislation and the Nagoya protocol on access to biological resources.

Tracing heavy metals in 'swine manure - maggot - chicken' production chain.

Abstract: With the development of large-scale livestock farming, manure pollution has drawn much attention. Conversion by insects is a rapid and cost-effective new method for manure management. Swine manure conversion with maggots (Musca domestica larvae) has developed, and the harvested maggots are often used as animal feed. However, the flow of heavy metals from manure to downstream processes cannot be ignored, and therefore, heavy metal content was measured in untreated raw manure, maggot-treated manure, harvested maggots and maggot-eating chickens (chest muscle and liver) to evaluate potential heavy metal risks. The levels of zinc, copper, chromium, selenium, cadmium and lead had significant differences between untreated raw manure and maggot-treated manure. The concentrations of all detected heavy metals, except for cadmium and selenium, in maggots met the limits established by the feed or feed additive standards of many countries. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of heavy metals decreased with the increase of the maggot instar, indicating that heavy metals were discharged from the bodies of maggots with the growth of maggots. Also, the contents of overall heavy metals in chickens fed harvested maggots met the standards for food. In conclusion, regarding heavy metals, it is eco-safe to use maggots in manure management.

Interaction of a solitary larval endoparasitoid, Microplitis mediator, with its host, Mamestra brassicae: host acceptance and host suitability

Abstract: : Microplitis mediator (Haliday) (Hym., Braconidae) is an important parasitoid of early instar larvae of the European cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae L. (Lep., Noctuidae). In the laboratory, we examined attack responses of female M. mediator to the first three larval instars of M. brassicae. Females were presented with M. brassicae larvae either one individual at a time in a no-choice experiment, or three individuals, one from each instar, simultaneously in a choice experiment. Whether or not there was choice, naive female parasitoids attacked a high proportion of larvae and did not discriminate among instars. In the no-choice experiment, attacked larvae were reared, and parasitoid cocoons were produced from about 76% of larvae attacked as first and second instars, but from only 19% of larvae attacked as third instars. Dissections of attacked larvae from the choice experiment showed that about 79% of attacks on first and second instars resulted in oviposition compared with only 49% for third instars. When given choice, frequency and number of attacks on first instar larvae increased with increasing parasitoid experience. Our results suggest that first and second instar larvae of M. brassicae are suitable hosts for M. mediator, but that third instar larvae are suboptimal both because oviposition attempts were frequently unsuccessful and because immature parasitoids failed to complete development. Nevertheless, naive attacking parasitoids exhibited minimal discrimination among instars, although experienced parasitoids most frequently attacked first instar larvae. The host selection behaviour of M. mediator is discussed in the context of optimal foraging theory and implications for biological control.

Development of a PCR test for the detection of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens.

Abstract: A chromosomal DNA library of the bacterial pathogen of bean, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens NCPPB 559 was constructed in the plasmid pGEM-7Zf(+). Several clones were identified that hybridised to all Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pathovars including: C. f. betae, C. f. flaccumfaciens, C. f. oortii, C. f. poinsettiae and, in addition, to some strains of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. insidiosus and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. One of these clones (pPMP-26), after subsequent digestion with restriction endonucleases EcoRI/SacI, yielded a fragment of approximately 0.2 Kb (pPMP-26D) that hybridised specifically to C. f. flaccumfaciens and not to any of the other plant pathogenic members of the order Actinomycetales or any of the other prokaryotic bean pathogens tested. This fragment was subcloned and sequenced, analysis of the resultant 198 bp sequence showed that no significant homology existed with any other sequence currently deposited in public databases. Further analysis of these data facilitated the design of PCR primers which were subsequently tested against a wide range of plant pathogenic actinomycetes and other prokaryotic bean pathogens. Results show that these primers are highly specific for all strains of C. f. flaccumfaciens with no cross-reaction to strains from any other bacterial taxa tested.

Variations in parasitism in sympatric populations of three invasive leaf miners

Abstract: Parasitism was investigated in sympatric populations of three invasive gracillariid leaf miners in Europe, Cameraria ohridella, Phyllonorycter robiniella and Phyllonorycter platani to test the hypotheses that C. ohridella is less heavily parasitized by native parasitoids and attacked by fewer species than the two other invasive species. In all regions investigated, C. ohridella showed a lower parasitism rate, and its parasitoid complex was poorer in species than those of either Phyllonorycter spp. Comparisons were made between sympatric populations of C. ohridella on its main host tree, Aesculus hippocastanum, and an occasional host, Acer pseudoplatanus. Parasitism rates were similarly low and composed of the same parasitoid species on both trees. In contrast, a sympatric population of Phyllonorycter geniculella, a native species mining A. pseudoplatanus, was heavily parasitized by a totally different parasitoid complex. These results suggest that the low parasitism in C. ohridella by native polyphagous leaf miner parasitoids is due neither to its host tree, nor to a problem of synchronization between the phenology of the pest and that of its parasitoids. Instead, it probably results from the inability of the native parasitoids to locate, attack, or develop on a new host that does not have any native congener in Europe.