1,721,075 research outputs found
Davian behaviour and functional egg fertilization in the Italian Stream Frog Rana italica (Anura: Ranidae)
Get PDFFirst evidence of MC-HtyR associated to a Plankthothrix rubescens blooming in an Italian lake based on a LC-MS method for routinely analysis of twelve microcystins in freshwaters
No full textA recent Italian regulatory level for microcystins (MCs) in drinking water was set at 1.0 μg/L, intended as the sum of all variants that can be determined using commercially available standards. A selective multi-residue method for analyzing twelve variants of MCs (MC-RR, MC-YR, MC-LR, MC-LA, MC-LW, MC-LF, MC-LY, [D-Asp3]-MC-RR, [D-Asp3]-MC-LR, MC-WR, MC-HilR, MC-HtyR) in surface and drinking waters was optimized and validated in accordance with the Italian implementation of the Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC. The proposed method was robust as proved by using nodularin as quality control, with inter-matrices reproducibility better than 17% and matrix effects not significantly dependent among different water samples. LODs were in the range of 0.003-0.030 g/L for all the analytes, allowing the quantitative analysis of selected MCs at levels lower than 1/10 of the proposed new Italian parametric values. The method was tailored for the routine analysis of MCs in the frame of risk management related to MCs production during toxic algal blooms.
The optimized analytical protocol was then applied to the analysis of water samples collected in Occhito Lake (Apulia, Italy), used as a source of drinking water, after an extraordinary bloom of Planktothrix rubescens. In October 2010, the presence of MC-HtyR was detected here with maximum concentration level of 0.025 g/L. To our knowledge, this is the first report on MC-HtyR presence, obtained with a confirmatory method, associated to a P. rubescens bloom in surface waters
Conservation genetics of southern pike: how many different management units?
Get PDFNorthern pike (Esox Lucius L. 1758) is one of the most prized game fish targeted by anglers worldwide and a commercial food fish locally reared and transplanted by professional fisherman. As a consequence, pike populations are heavily managed throughout its entire native distribution area, through translocation and restocking activity.
Statistically significant differences were described, in recent scientific literature, regarding phenotypic features (skin colour pattern), meristic characters (number of scales in the lateral line) and mtDNA (cyt-b and COI sequences) and ncDNA (AFLP, SNPs) genetic traits, pointing to a clear differentiation between a first lineage of northern pike, widely distributed in the palearctic region, and a second lineage of southern pike, naturally occurring in Italy. Based on differentiation and diagnosability of these two recently separating evolutionary entities, pike populations from Italy were proposed to belong to a newly described endemic species, southern pike (E. flaviae Lucentini et al. 2011). At present, however, no clear genetic evidence has been gained on a possible hybridization or introgression between the two species, due to the repeated stocking of European pike in Italy. Moreover, the level and structure of genetic differentiation between different natural populations in Italy is not known.
The present work preliminary investigated the ability and the power of molecular markers to fill both these gaps in available data, aiming at the definition of correct conservation and management plans for the residual populations of the native Italian pike populations.
Based on data from a mtDNA sequence marker (cyt-b) and 17 ncDNA microsatellite markers analysed on populations collected from different Italian sites, we here show that i) the introgression of E. lucius in E. flaviae is proved by genetic data; ii) a significant population substructuring can be observed in the E. flaviae sample from different hydrological districts, pointing to the definition of different Management Units in order to correctly preserve the remnant genetic heritage of this Italian endemic fish. According to the data here presented, particular attention needs to be adopted in translocation and restocking measures aimed at supporting angling activities and professional fishing. The extension of partial sampling coverage preliminarily accomplished in the present study will thus provide a more adequate and complete support to the definition of scientifically based local management plans for E. flavia
Pseudomonas reduction in drinking-water and wastewater distridution systems by chlorine disinfection
No full textBlood glucose normalization induced haemolysis in boys with IDDM at onset and unknown G-6PD deficiency.
No full textWe present three adolescents unknown to be G-6-PD deficient who developed haemolytic anaemia after admission for diabetes at onset uncomplicated by ketoacidosis. These patients had no bacterial infections and had not ingested haemolytic drugs. The fall in glucose availability after the correction of hyperglycaemia is proposed as capable of inducing haemolysis in G-6-PD deficiency
Short exposures to high carbon dioxide and low oxygen at low temperature prevent postharvest grey mould (Botrytis cinerea Pers) of red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L
No full textMolecular identification of an alien temnocephalan crayfish parasite in Italian freshwaters
Get PDFAlthough the symbionts of non-vertebrate metazoans have received scarce attention, scientific interest has recently increased as these
symbionts can spread diseases and alter the diversity of the ecosystem where hosts are introduced. We report here a symbiont newly
described by molecular markers and observed on the yabby Cherax destructor Clark, 1936, collected in Italian freshwaters. Preliminary
morphological observations were performed and a species identification was proposed using molecular techniques. In particular, a 644-bp
long 28S rDNA fragment was successfully sequenced and could be aligned for the entire sample set. The minimum spanning network
identified two haplotypes clustered into a single haplogroup (H1) together with Temnosewellia minor Haswell, 1888 reference sequences.
Considering the introduction of temnocephalans, this represents the third discovery of alien crayfish symbionts in Italian freshwaters, but the
first obtained by molecular data. Outside Europe, there are only few records of alien temnocephalans worldwide, introduced with the
crayfishes from Australia. The occurrence of this new temnocephalid species and the great number of potential hosts species inhabiting
Italian freshwaters suggest that the Italian peninsula might have many undescribed temnocephalid populations/species
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