Theex situ conservation of temperate rainforest conifer tree species: A British-based programme
This programme provides a practical initiative promoting the conservation of rare and endangered conifer and associated temperate rainforest tree species, by providing a scientifically sound strategy to minimise further genetic erosion of an already fragmented wild tree resource. Using existing horticultural expertise and the tree-growing potential of the British climate, the programme provides for the development of permanent, scientifically structured, threatened conifer breeding populations, in a network of sites across the British Isles and elsewhere, as a long-term species rescue strategy. To these sites are attached important future research and public education programmes.
Serbian spruce, a narrow endemic, contains much genetic variation
Serbian spruce (Piceaomorika (Pancic) Purk.) is reputedly a self-fertile and morphologically uniform species with a natural distribution restricted to a total area of less than 60 ha in central Yugoslavia. This has led to the conclusion that the species lacks genetic variation. In this study, genetic variation at 19 enzyme loci was investigated in two populations: a natural Yugoslavian population and a cultivated Finnish population. The average expected heterozygosities over 19 loci were 0.13 and 0.15 in the two populations, which are similar to those observed in other conifers. Heritabilities of four seedling traits were estimated on the basis of a progeny trial. They varied from 0.34 to 1.23, with standard deviations of 0.17–0.37. Because of maternal effects, these are probably inflated estimates, but they show that there may be considerable genetic variation in quantitative traits, as well. The observed amount of genetic variation in Serbian spruce is unexpectedly high considering its self-fertility an...
Effects of diet on urine composition of cats with calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
Ten client-owned cats with calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis were evaluated to determine the effect of diet on urine CaOx saturation. Two dietary treatments were evaluated in each cat: the diet consumed just prior to urolith detection and a canned diet formulated to prevent CaOx uroliths. This study revealed that hypercalciuria is a consistent abnormality in cats with CaOx urolith formation. When urolith-forming cats consumed a diet formulated to prevent urolith formation, activity product ratios for CaOx (which estimate the degree to which urine is saturated with CaOx) were significantly lower. These results suggest that consumption of an appropriately formulated urolith-prevention diet will reduce recurrence of CaOx urolithiasis.