Showing papers by "University of Antananarivo published in 2015"
TL;DR: Among the three classes of compounds, phthalates have been found at highest level compared to pesticides and drug residues, and only EPTC could be quantified in SSM.
85 citations
TL;DR: Surprisingly, among the extant lemurs, there was no relationship between body size and genetic diversity, and the decoupling of these variables suggests that risk factors other than body size may have as much or more meaning for establishing future lemur conservation priorities.
78 citations
TL;DR: Ecotoxicological assessment based on the international Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) showed that the toxic effects of the sediment in these watercourses and rivers occurred due to high levels of hydrocarbons.
74 citations
TL;DR: This study highlighted the closed relationship between people in Ambalabe and plant species, especially when faced with frequent diseases, and highlighted the 11 commonly used species for their treatment, and also 16 species with a high fidelity level for each ailment.
Abstract: Traditional medicine remains the only health care available in many rural areas in Madagascar like the rural community of Ambalabe, located in a very remote area in the eastern part of the country. With limited access to modern medicine, the local population uses medicinal plants to treat most diseases. In this study, we aimed to inventory medicinal plants used by local people and how those relate to the treatment of the most frequent diseases encountered in Ambalabe. We interviewed participants in order to identify the most frequent diseases in the region and the medicinal plants used to treat them. The local physician was asked about the most frequent diseases, and ethnobotanical surveys to record medicinal plants and their uses, using semi-structured interviews and free listing, were conducted among 193 informants in local villages, of which 54 % were men and 46 % were women, ageing from 16 to 86 years. The local names, the uses of each plant species and the way they are prepared and administered were recorded and accompanied by herbarium specimens for identification. We also interviewed four traditional healers to elicit more details on the preparation and the use of plants. Our research allowed us to identify six most frequent diseases, namely diarrhea, malaria, stomach-ache, cough, bilharzia and dysentery. Among 209 plant species identified as having medicinal use, 83 species belonging to 49 families and 77 genera were used to treat these diseases. Our analyses highlighted the 11 commonly used species for their treatment, and also 16 species with a high fidelity level (FL ≥ 75 %) for each ailment. Diarrhea is one of the diseases with high number of species recorded. This study highlighted the closed relationship between people in Ambalabe and plant species, especially when faced with frequent diseases. However, most of the species used were collected in the surroundings of the villages. Few species were from Vohibe forest in which a management system on the use of plant species was already established. Therefore, a sustainable use management should be considered for wild species from which medicinal plants are highly abundant.
72 citations
TL;DR: Using the most comprehensively sampled phylogenetic analysis of early archosauromorphs, the clade encompassing Azendohsaurus, Trilophosaurus, Spinosuchus, Pamelaria, and Teraterpeton is found, and it is suggested that most major divergences within this group occurred in the Triassic.
Abstract: During the Triassic, archosauromorphs became one of the first groups of diapsid reptiles to diversify in terms of body size and morphological disparity in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems across Pangaea. This seemingly rapid divergence, and the numerous unique body plans stemming from it, concomitantly has confounded reconstructions of archosauromorph relationships. Teasing apart homology from homoplasy of anatomical characters in this broad suite of body types remains an enormous challenge with the current sample of taxa. Here, we present the postcranial anatomy of Azendohsaurus madagaskarensis, an early archosauromorph from ?Middle to Upper Triassic strata of Madagascar. Azendohsaurus madagaskarensis is known from nearly the entire skeleton in an ontogenetically variable sample. The holotype locality consists of a monotypic bone bed; preservation ranges from complete but disarticulated bones to articulated sections of the skeleton. Azendohsaurus madagaskarensis embodies an aberrant conste...
70 citations
TL;DR: Results show that triterpenoid coumarate esters are suitable chemical backbones to target P. aeruginosa virulence mechanisms, which are key regulators of virulence factor expression and implicated in biofilm formation.
Abstract: Recently, extracts of Dalbergia trichocarpa bark have been shown to disrupt P. aeruginosa PAO1 quorum sensing (QS) mechanisms, which are key regulators of virulence factor expression and implicated in biofilm formation. One of the active compounds has been isolated and identified as oleanolic aldehyde coumarate (OALC), a novel bioactive compound that inhibits the formation of P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm and its maintenance as well as the expression of the las and rhl QS systems. Consequently, the production of QS-controlled virulence factors including, rhamnolipids, pyocyanin, elastase and extracellular polysaccharides as well as twitching and swarming motilities is reduced. Native acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) production is inhibited by OALC but exogenous supply of AHLs does not restore the production of virulence factors by OALC-treated cultures, indicating that OALC exerts its effect beyond AHLs synthesis in the QS pathways. Further experiments provided a significant inhibition of the global virulence factor activator gacA by OALC. OALC disorganizes established biofilm structure and improves the bactericidal activity of tobramycin against biofilm-encapsulated PAO1 cells. Finally, a significant reduction of Caenorhabditis elegans paralysis was recorded when the worms were infected with OALC-pre-treated P. aeruginosa. Taken together, these results show that triterpenoid coumarate esters are suitable chemical backbones to target P. aeruginosa virulence mechanisms.
69 citations
TL;DR: This article evaluated the effect of a school-based education programme run by Malagasy researchers aimed at promoting lemur conservation in Eastern Madagascar, and found that children in villages who received environmental education had higher knowledge about lemurs and more positive attitudes than children in the villages not exposed to the environmental education.
Abstract: Environmental education is widely used to increase awareness of conservation issues. The theory is that increasing knowledge will improve attitudes towards the environment. Often, environmental education is aimed at children with the assumption that this can also impact adults through intergenerational transfer of knowledge and attitudes. However, there are few detailed studies evaluating the effectiveness of environmental education on changing knowledge and attitudes, and whether any changes do transfer between generations. We evaluate the effect of a school-based education programme run by Malagasy researchers aimed at promoting lemur conservation in Eastern Madagascar. We assess changes in the knowledge and attitudes of participating children and their parents (surveying 126 children and 88 parents across four matched villages, 1 year after two of the villages received environmental education). There was very low awareness of the law protecting lemurs. Attitudes towards lemurs varied between species; with the aye-aye (considered scary) and the eastern lesser bamboo lemur (considered a pest) being less preferred. Children in villages who received environmental education had higher knowledge about lemurs and more positive attitudes than children in the villages not exposed to the environmental education. Knowledge about lemurs among parents where children had received environmental education was also higher (although not attitudes). Environmental education programmes can have a lasting effect, certainly on knowledge, but engagement of the research and NGO community is needed to build the capacity of teachers in rural areas to enthuse their pupils about ecology and conservation issues.
67 citations
James Madison University1, Braunschweig University of Technology2, University of Lisbon3, University of Kent4, Zoological Society of London5, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources6, Centre national de la recherche scientifique7, University of Antananarivo8, North-West University9, American Museum of Natural History10, Imperial College London11, University of Porto12
TL;DR: Results may suggest that Bd arrived recently, but do not exclude the existence of a previously undetected endemic Bd genotype, which could pose significant threats to Madagascar's unique “megadiverse” amphibians.
Abstract: Amphibian chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been a significant driver of amphibian declines. While globally widespread, Bd had not yet been reported from within Madagascar. We document surveys conducted across the country between 2005 and 2014, showing Bd's first record in 2010. Subsequently, Bd was detected in multiple areas, with prevalence reaching up to 100%. Detection of Bd appears to be associated with mid to high elevation sites and to have a seasonal pattern, with greater detectability during the dry season. Lineage-based PCR was performed on a subset of samples. While some did not amplify with any lineage probe, when a positive signal was observed, samples were most similar to the Global Panzootic Lineage (BdGPL). These results may suggest that Bd arrived recently, but do not exclude the existence of a previously undetected endemic Bd genotype. Representatives of all native anuran families have tested Bd-positive and exposure trials confirm infection by Bd is possible. Bd's presence could pose significant threats to Madagascar's unique “megadiverse” amphibians.
62 citations
TL;DR: The markets of Antananarivo have always played a vital cultural role in the lives of urban Malagasy, but this study shows they also play an economic role not only for urban residents but rural harvesters as well.
Abstract: This study focuses on the large outdoor markets of the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo. As the largest metropolitan area in Madagascar with a population of nearly two million, the region has great capacity for consumption of medicinal plant remedies despite numerous pharmacies. Medicinal plant use spans all socioeconomic levels, and the diverse metropolitan population allows us to study a wide variety of people who consume these plants for medical purposes. The purpose of this study is to identify and generate a list of medicinal plants sold in the traditional markets with a focus on those collected in the forests around Antananarivo, get an idea of the quantities of medicinal plants sold in the markets around Antananarivo, and assess the economy of the medicinal plant markets. In order to determine which medicinal plants are most consumed in Antananarivo, ethnobotanical enquiries were conducted in the five main markets of the capital city. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted with medicinal plant traders, suppliers, harvesters and cultivators, with voucher specimens created from the plants discussed. Trade circuit information was established and the income generated by the trade of some of the species was assessed. The inventory of the Antananarivo markets resulted in a list of 89 commercialized plant species. Ten of the 89 were mentioned by 60-100 % of vendors. Profitability for vendors is high and competitive with other salaried positions within Antananarivo. Transportation costs are also high and therefore lower profitability for other members in the supply chain. The markets of Antananarivo have always played a vital cultural role in the lives of urban Malagasy, but our study shows they also play an economic role not only for urban residents but rural harvesters as well. Continued research and monitoring of the non-timber forest products trade in Antananarivo is needed to better understand the impact of trade on the wild plant populations.
56 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that lemurs experience seasonality by maintaining nutrient balance at the expense of calories ingested, which contrasts with earlier studies of spider monkeys and gorillas, and abundant season foods should be the target of habitat management.
Abstract: Animals experience spatial and temporal variation in food and nutrient supply, which may cause deviations from optimal nutrient intakes in both absolute amounts (meeting nutrient requirements) and proportions (nutrient balancing). Recent research has used the geometric framework for nutrition to obtain an improved understanding of how animals respond to these nutritional constraints, among them free-ranging primates including spider monkeys and gorillas. We used this framework to examine macronutrient intakes and nutrient balancing in sifakas (Propithecus diadema) at Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar, in order to quantify how these vary across seasons and across habitats with varying degrees of anthropogenic disturbance. Groups in intact habitat experience lean season decreases in frugivory, amounts of food ingested, and nutrient intakes, yet preserve remarkably constant proportions of dietary macronutrients, with the proportional contribution of protein to the diet being highly consistent. Sifakas in disturbed habitat resemble intact forest groups in the relative contribution of dietary macronutrients, but experience less seasonality: all groups’ diets converge in the lean season, but disturbed forest groups largely fail to experience abundant season improvements in food intake or nutritional outcomes. These results suggest that: (1) lemurs experience seasonality by maintaining nutrient balance at the expense of calories ingested, which contrasts with earlier studies of spider monkeys and gorillas, (2) abundant season foods should be the target of habitat management, even though mortality might be concentrated in the lean season, and (3) primates’ within-group competitive landscapes, which contribute to variation in social organization, may vary in complex ways across habitats and seasons.
46 citations
TL;DR: The very high risk of detecting traces of asymptomatic carriage or residual DNA from previous infections limits the value of highly sensitive PCR for the causal attribution of detected enteric pathogens from stool samples to an infectious gastrointestinal disease in the high-endemicity setting.
Abstract: Background: Molecular methods, in particular PCR, are increasingly used for the diagnosis of enteric pathogens in stool samples. In high-endemicity settings, however, asymptomatic carriage or residual DNA from previous infections will hamper the interpretation of positive test results. We assessed the quantitative dimension of this problem in schoolchildren in the rural highlands of Madagascar. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 410 apparently healthy Madagascan schoolchildren and analysed by multiplex real-time PCR for enteroinvasive bacteria ( Salmonella spp., Shigella spp./enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC), Campylobacter jejuni , Yersinia spp.), enteric protozoa ( Entamoebea histolytica , Giardia duodenalis , Cryptosporidium spp., Cyclospora spp.), and helminths ( Ascaris lumbricoides , Ancylostoma spp., Necator americanus , Strongyloides stercoralis ). Symptoms of gastrointestinal disease were assessed. Results: Among the 410 samples, we detected Giardia duodenalis in 195, Campylobacter jejuni in 91, Ascaris lumbricoides in 72, Cyclospora cayetanenesis in 68, Shigella spp./EIEC in 56, and Strongyloides stercoralis and Cryptosporum spp. in 1 case each. Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp. and hookworms were not observed. Relative risk assessment suggested few and incoherent associations with pathogen detections, indicating asymptomatic carriage or DNA residuals. Only 26.1% of the schoolchildren were tested negative for all analysed pathogens. Conclusions: The very high risk of detecting traces of asymptomatic carriage or residual DNA from previous infections limits the value of highly sensitive PCR for the causal attribution of detected enteric pathogens from stool samples to an infectious gastrointestinal disease in the high-endemicity setting. Evaluated standards for the interpretation of such results are needed both for the diagnostic routine and for epidemiological assessments.
TL;DR: Its very high abundance and the detection of Plasmodium coupled with an opportunistic feeding behaviour in villages with malaria cases supports its role in malaria transmission in Madagascar.
Abstract: Indoor spraying of insecticides and the use of insecticide-treated bed nets are key strategies for national malaria vector control in the central highlands of Madagascar. During the year 2013, malaria outbreaks were reported by the National Malaria Control Programme in the highlands, including the district of Ankazobe. Entomological trapping was carried out in April and May 2013 and in March 2014, using human landing catches, collection of mosquitoes resting in stables and in houses by oral aspirators, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps. Detection of Plasmodium in mosquitoes was carried out on head and thorax of anopheline females by ELISA, CSP and PCR (Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium vivax, or Plasmodium ovale). Human biting rate (HBR), sporozoite index and entomological infection rate (EIR) were calculated for Anopheles funestus, Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles mascarensis, and Anopheles coustani.
In Ankazobe district, the presence of malaria vectors such as An. funestus, An. arabiensis and An. mascarensis was confirmed, and a new and abundant potential vector, An. coustani was detected. Indeed, one individual of An. funestus and two An. coustani were detected positive with P. falciparum while one An. mascarensis and four An. coustani were positive with P. vivax. For An. coustani, in March 2014, the EIR varied from 0.01 infectious bites/person/month (ipm) outdoors to 0.11 ipm indoors. For An. funestus, in April 2013, the EIR was 0.13 ipm. The highest HBR value was observed for An. coustani, 86.13 ipm outdoors. The highest sporozoite rate was also for An. coustani, 9.5 % of An. coustani caught in stable was sporozoite positive. The implication of An. coustani in malaria transmission was not previously mentioned in Madagascar. Its very high abundance and the detection of Plasmodium coupled with an opportunistic feeding behaviour in villages with malaria cases supports its role in malaria transmission in Madagascar.
TL;DR: In this article, a green roof model is dynamically coupled with a building thermal model to assess its energy performance that takes into account the indoor air temperature dynamic changes under the climate conditions in Antananarivo, compared with conventional roofs.
Abstract: Green roofs improve building energy performance and constitute an alternative to sustainable buildings A green roof model is dynamically coupled with a building thermal model to assess its energy performance that takes into account the indoor air temperature dynamic changes Under the climate conditions in Antananarivo, we compared green and conventional roofs The present study shows that green roofs protect the roof structure under extreme temperature and large temperature fluctuations For the case of Antananarivo, the amplitude of the temperature fluctuations at the top face of the support is reduced by 28 °C when using green roof The impact of the green roof on indoor air temperature and energy demand is investigated The vegetation decreases the maximum indoor air temperature and improves the building thermal comfort during summer days It has no effect on the minimum indoor air temperature, but additional soil thickness can increase it In addition, a global sensitivity analysis, which is carried out on the proposed model without considering any specific weather data, allows us to identify the most influential parameters on the energy demand It has been found that green roofs have almost insignificant thermal impact in insulated buildings; however, their potential prevails over the building envelope and weather characteristics in the case of non-insulated building
TL;DR: In this article, Hansen et al. examined to what extent the global forest change data set captures forest loss within Masoala National Park by comparing its performance to a locally calibrated, object-oriented classification approach.
Abstract: A global data set on forest cover change was recently published and made freely available for use (Hansen et al. 2013. Science 342: 850– 853). Although this data set has been criticized for inaccuracies in distinguishing vegetation types at the local scale, it remains a valuable source of forest cover information for areas where local data is severely lacking. Masoala National Park, in northeastern Madagascar, is an example of a region for which very little spatially explicit forest cover information is available. Yet, this extremely diverse tropical humid forest is undergoing a dramatic rate of forest degradation and deforestation through illegal selective logging of rosewood and ebony, slash-and-burn agriculture, and damage due to cyclones. All of these processes result in relatively diffuse and small-scale changes in forest cover. In this paper, we examine to what extent Hansen et al.’s global forest change data set captures forest loss within Masoala National Park by comparing its performance to a locally calibrated, object-oriented classification approach. We verify both types of classification with substantial ground truthing. We find that both the global and local classifications perform reasonably well in detecting small-scale slash-and-burn agriculture, but neither performs adequately in detecting selective logging. We conclude that since the use of the global forest change data set requires very little technical and financial investment, and performs almost as well as the more resource-demanding, locally calibrated classification, it may be advantageous to use the global forest change data set even for local conservation purposes.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the role of traditional taboos for the conservation of tamarind trees and identified opportunities and constraints for its conservation and appropriate land management planning in the Mahafaly region of southwestern Madagascar.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify medicinal plants known and used by men in the Commune of Ambalabe sourced from the Vohibe Forest in eastern Madagascar, 35% of which are endemic to Madagascar.
Abstract: Madagascar has high biodiversity and endemism that are threatened by growing human populations and climate change. Species loss has potential impacts on traditional knowledge and community health. The aim of this project was to identify medicinal plants known and used by men in the Commune of Ambalabe sourced from the Vohibe Forest in eastern Madagascar. Interviews were conducted that resulted in collection of 137 plant species used by men to treat illnesses, 35% of which are endemic to Madagascar. Twelve tree species were shown to have the highest Use Index among the men in Ambalabe: Noronhia gracilipes H.Perrier, Xylopia humblotiana Baill., Fenerivia ghesquiereana (Cavaco & Keraudren) R.M.K.Saunders, Phyllarthron bojeranum DC., Mauloutchia humblotii (H.Perrier) Capuron, Aphloia theiformis (Vahl) Benn., Dillenia triquetra (Rottb.) Gilg, Chrysophyllum boivinianum (Pierre) Baehni, Oncostemum boivinianum H.Perrier, Peponidium humbertianum (Cavaco) Razafim., Lantz & B.Bremer, Eugenia goviala H.Perrier, and Macaranga alnifolia Baker.
TL;DR: The crude extracts of Laurencia complanata exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Candida albicans.
Abstract: Several species of red algae (Rhodophyta) from the coastal regions of Madagascar have been investigated for their natural products. The most abundant compound was cholesterol (5) in combination with a series of oxidized congeners. The brominated indoles 1–3 along with the sesquiterpene debilone (4) have been isolated from Laurencia complanata. For the first time, debilone (4) has been obtained from a marine plant. From the methanol extract of Calloseris sp., we have achieved the second isolation of the unusual A-ring contracted steroids (−)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-2β-hydroxy-A-nor-cholest-5-en-4-one (9) and phorbasterone B (10). The crude extracts of Laurencia complanata exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Candida albicans.
TL;DR: In the first issue of Azania Pierre Verin outlined the state of research in Madagascar in 1966 as mentioned in this paper and described three key areas: the nature and origin of human settlement, the influence of Islam and the Swahili world and the archaeology of the historically attested highland kingdoms.
Abstract: In the first issue of Azania Pierre Verin outlined the state of research in Madagascar in 1966. He described three key areas: the nature and origin of human settlement, the influence of Islam and the Swahili world and the archaeology of the historically attested highland kingdoms. In this article we outline the state of archaeological knowledge today, demonstrating the continuing importance of these themes, but also showing how they have been expanded and reshaped through subsequent research. We finish by assessing the potential and challenges that the future holds for archaeology in Madagascar.
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: The African Geoparks Network (AGN) as mentioned in this paper was created to increase the awareness of the local population and decision makers regarding the need for sustainable use and management of geoheritage in particular for the benefit of local socio-economic sustainable development targets through the promotion of both geotourism and the creation of unique geoparks.
Abstract: Africa and the Middle East consist of a rich geodiversity, which is regrettably not well known by the public. This is due partly to limited research and studies undertaken in geoheritage and geoconservation in these parts of world, especially those with the intent to explore, inventory and valorize such inherent geodiversity. With the aim to improve this situation, the African Geoparks Network (AGN) was created to increase the awareness of the local population and decision makers regarding the need for sustainable use and management of geoheritage in particular for the benefit of local socio-economic sustainable development targets through the promotion of both geotourism and the creation of unique geoparks.
TL;DR: It is suggested that CoVs circulate in frugivorous bats of Madagascar, demonstrating the needs to evaluate spillover risk to human populations especially for individuals that hunt and consume infected bats.
Abstract: Bats are amongst the natural reservoirs of many coronaviruses (CoVs) of which some can lead to severe infection in human. African bats are known to harbor a range of pathogens (e.g., Ebola and Marburg viruses) that can infect humans and cause disease outbreaks. A recent study in South Africa isolated a genetic variant closely related to MERS-CoV from an insectivorous bat. Though Madagascar is home to 44 bat species (41 insectivorous and 3 frugivorous) of which 34 are endemic, no data exists concerning the circulation of CoVs in the island’s chiropteran fauna. Certain Malagasy bats can be frequently found in close contact with humans and frugivorous bats feed in the same trees where people collect and consume fruits and are hunted and consumed as bush meat. The purpose of our study is to detect and identify CoVs from frugivorous bats in Madagascar to evaluate the risk of human infection from infected bats. Frugivorous bats belonging to three species were captured in four different regions of Madagascar. We analyzed fecal and throat swabs to detect the presence of virus through amplification of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene, which is highly conserved in all known coronaviruses. Phylogenetic analyses were performed from positive specimens. From 351 frugivorous bats, we detected 14 coronaviruses from two endemic bats species, of which 13 viruses were identified from Pteropus rufus and one from Eidolon dupreanum, giving an overall prevalence of 4.5%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Malagasy strains belong to the genus Betacoronavirus but form three distinct clusters, which seem to represent previously undescribed genetic lineages. Our findings suggest that CoVs circulate in frugivorous bats of Madagascar, demonstrating the needs to evaluate spillover risk to human populations especially for individuals that hunt and consume infected bats. Possible dispersal mechanisms as to how coronaviruses arrived on Madagascar are discussed.
TL;DR: Results showed the efficiency of A. hildebrandtii leaves extract against strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, as the inhibitory activity is more powerful compared to Gentamicin, used as the standard drug.
TL;DR: This study identified the cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) involved in CMD in Madagascar and their associated epidemiological characteristics from countrywide surveys, revealing an unprecedented diversity and co-occurrence of six viruses.
Abstract: Cassava is the staple food for hundreds of millions of people in Africa but its cultivation is seriously constrained by cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in Madagascar, and in Africa in general. This study identified the cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) involved in CMD in Madagascar and their associated epidemiological characteristics from countrywide surveys. Molecular characterization of CMGs in Madagascar revealed an unprecedented diversity and co-occurrence of six viruses: African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV), East African cassava mosaic Kenya virus (EACMKV), East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV) and the recently described Cassava mosaic Madagascar virus (CMMGV). Distinct geographical distributions were observed for the six viruses. While ACMV was more prevalent in the central highlands, EACMV and EACMKV were prevalent in lowlands and coastal regions. Both EACMCV and SACMV occurred in almost all the localities visited. PCR diagnosis revealed that mixed infection (up to four co-infected viruses) occurred in 21% of the samples and were associated with higher symptom severity scores. Pairwise comparisons of virus associations showed that EACMCV was found in mixed infections more often than expected while ACMV and SACMV were mostly found in single infections. A greater abundance of whiteflies was observed in lowland and coastal areas. Nevertheless, infected cuttings remain the primary source of CMD propagation (95%) in Madagascar. (Resume d'auteur)
TL;DR: The use of different sensory modalities by lemurs is marginally predicted in one case by fruit traits—fruits with higher overall smell signals are sniffed less than fruits with lower Overall smell signals.
Abstract: Animal reliance on fruit signals, such as hardness, colour, and odour, during foraging is poorly understood. Here, we present data on fruit foraging behaviour and efficiency (rate of fruit ingestion) of three groups of wild, frugivorous brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus, N = 29 individuals) in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar. We quantify fruit hardness using a modified force gauge, fruit colour using spectroscopy, and fruit odour using volatile organic compound (VOC) sampling with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We relate lemur foraging behaviour to fruit traits by calculating touching, visual inspection, and sniffing indices and relate lemur foraging efficiency to fruit traits by calculating acceptance indices. The use of different sensory modalities by lemurs is marginally predicted in one case by fruit traits—fruits with higher overall smell signals are sniffed less than fruits with lower overall smell signals. When controlling for all fruit traits, fruit size is the only significant predictor of fruit foraging efficiency—lemurs forage more rapidly on smaller fruits relative to larger fruits.
Field Museum of Natural History1, University of Antananarivo2, University of La Réunion3, American Museum of Natural History4, University of the Witwatersrand5, University of Swaziland6, Mammal Research Institute7, University of KwaZulu-Natal8, University of Venda9, Museum Victoria10, Deakin University11
TL;DR: This paper aims to demonstrate the efforts towards in-situ applicability of the EMMARM, which aims to provide real-time information about the response of the immune system to E. coli in the context of Reunion.
TL;DR: It is concluded that forest fragments cannot substitute continuous forest blocs, but are generally important for maintaining amphibian diversity in Madagascar, especially if they comprise streams, and should hence be included in conservation planning.
TL;DR: Rice spikelet sterility caused by chilling during microspore stage of panicle development is a major cause of the rareness of the indica sub-species in cool environments and this resource will be used in a genome wide association (GWA) study to identify putative candidate genes.
14 Jul 2015
TL;DR: It is concluded that phosphatases contribute to the use of organic P for N2 fixation and to the increase in nodule permeability to O2 under P deficiency, and high PUE for SNF may increase the N2-dependent growth of common bean in low-P soils and the overall P bioavailability.
Abstract: Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) by legumes may provide an ecologically acceptable complement or substitute for mineral nitrogen fertilizers that farmers try to minimize for economic limitation and environment sake. However, phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major limiting factor for legume–rhizobia symbioses, particularly in acidic and calcareous soils. Nevertheless, the expression of legume SNF potential under P deficiency may be improved. Indeed genotypes contrasting in P use efficiency (PUE) for SNF could be found for such legumes spp. as Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata, or Medicago truncatula in hydroaeroponic culture under glasshouse conditions after inoculation with specific reference rhizobia. In order to assess the contribution of phosphatase activity to PUE for SNF, an in situ RT-PCR methodology was used to localize and quantify the mRNA of candidate genes in nodules of common bean grown under deficient versus sufficient P supply. The transcript localization of phytase, phosphoenolpyruvate phosphatase, and trehalose 6 phosphate phosphatase was found to be tissue specific and differ among any phosphatase APase genes, P treatments, and legume genotypes. In order to assess whether the genotypic difference in PUE for SNF may contribute to adaptation of the rhizobial symbiosis to low-P soils, the nodulation and growth of contrasting common-bean recombinant lines from the cross of BAT477 and DOR364 were assessed in fields of farmers in reference agroecosystems of the Mediterranean basin following a participatory approach. The most efficient genotype, namely RIL115, was superior in most fields where nodulation was above the threshold for significant contribution to legume nutrition. From those fields with low-P soils where adaptation was observed for low-efficiency genotypes, bacteria were isolated from nodules and rhizosphere in order to search for rhizobia or rhizobacteria that could increase the P efficiency for the legume symbiosis. Since mycorrhizae may contribute to the PUE, the tripartite symbiosis was tested in hydroaeroponic culture, showing that some species may limit nodulation by contrast with Glomus intradices that increased it under P deficiency. It is concluded that (i) phosphatases contribute to the use of organic P for N2 fixation and to the increase in nodule permeability to O2 under P deficiency; (ii) nodulation in agroecosystems varies considerably in space and time; (iii) high PUE for SNF may increase the N2-dependent growth of common bean in low-P soils and the overall P bioavailability; and (iv) some local rhizobia may contribute to the PUE for SNF.
TL;DR: The detection of CyCV-VN species in stool samples from pigs and humans from Africa, far beyond their supposed limited geographic distribution, is reported.
Abstract: Cycloviruses, small ssDNA viruses of the Circoviridae family, have been identified in the cerebrospinal fluid from symptomatic human patients. One of these species, cyclovirus-Vietnam (CyCV-VN), was shown to be restricted to central and southern Vietnam. Here we report the detection of CyCV-VN species in stool samples from pigs and humans from Africa, far beyond their supposed limited geographic distribution.
TL;DR: Yeast strains isolated from the skins of tropical fruits collected in several locations in the South West Indian Ocean identified 26 different species, and Saprochaete suaveolens turned to be the best producer of flavor compounds, with a total of 32 out of the 52 identified VOCs in its flavor profile.
TL;DR: These results provide rare information about the age-related patterns of health in a wild vertebrate population and suggest improvement rather than senescence in the ability to resist helminth infections at old age.
Abstract: Immunosenescence (deteriorating immune function at old age) affects humans and laboratory animals, but little is known about immunosenescence in natural populations despite its potential importance for population and disease dynamics and individual fitness. Although life histories and immune system profiles often differ between the sexes, sex-specific effects of aging on health are rarely studied in the wild. Life history theory predicts that due to their shorter lifespan and higher investment into reproduction at the expense of immune defences, males might experience accelerated immunosenescence. We tested this hypothesis by examining sex-specific age trajectories of endoparasite burden (helminth prevalence and morphotype richness measured via fecal egg counts), an indicator of overall health, in wild gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus). To account for potential interactions between seasonality and host sex or age we examined the predictors of parasite burdens separately for the dry and rainy season. Contrary to the prediction of immunosenescence, parasite prevalence and morphotype richness decreased at old age in the dry season, indicating acquired immunity by older animals. This pattern was primarily caused by within-individual decline in parasite loads rather than the earlier mortality of highly parasitized individuals. With the exception of an increasing cestode prevalence in males from yearlings to prime age in the rainy season, no evidence was found of male-biased ageing in parasite resistance. Besides this sex*age interaction, host age was uncorrelated with rainy season parasite loads. Seasonality did not affect the overall parasite loads but seasonal patterns were found in the predictors of parasite prevalence and morphotype richness. These results provide rare information about the age-related patterns of health in a wild vertebrate population and suggest improvement rather than senescence in the ability to resist helminth infections at old age. Overall, males appear not to suffer from earlier immunosenescence relative to females. This may partially reflect the earlier mortality of males, which can render senescence difficult to detect. While helminth infections are not strongly associated with survival in wild gray mouse lemurs, parasite load may, however, reflect overall good phenotypic quality of long-lived individuals, and is a potential correlate of fitness.