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Since 1974, conservation efforts to protect an endangered species, the Golden Lion Tamarin (GLT), have led to the creation of the first strict nature reserve in Brazil ‒ the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve (REBIO) ‒ and the subsequent creation of the Environmental Protection Area of the Sao Joao River Basin, for sustainable use. This paper assesses the influence of Protected Areas (PA) creation and conservation programs on GLT habitat. Landscape metrics based on aerial photographs taken from three different periods are used to assess habitat conditions for this species through time. We analyzed the availability and potential quality of habitat in the years following the creation of the REBIO, comparing with its buffer zone and population rates correlations. We observed different trends in landscape dynamics between the REBIO, where most of the forest recovery occurred, and its buffer zone, where habitat loss was recorded. In general, the results showed an increase of continuous forest patches. The conservation/regeneration processes in the buffer zone have intensified in recent years. Comparisons over time, especially with respect to forest core areas and large patches, are valuable tools to assess landscape suitability for GLT survival at different spatial scales.

Eight individual bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains and three bacteriocin-non-producing cheese starter cultures were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of six Listeria monocytogenes strains, originating from the guinea-pig lymph nodes, raw cow milk, and manufacturing dairy equipment. Results showed that either live cells or cell-free neutralised supernatant (CFNS) and/or heated CFNS of six individual LAB strains (Lcc. lactis subsp. lactis CCDM 416 and NIZO R5, Lbc. plantarum HV 11 and DC 1246, P. acidilactici HV 12, and Ent. mundtii CCM 1282) and one starter culture (DELVO-ADD 100-X DSF) were effective in the suppression of at least one listeria strain. Neither any individual LAB strain nor starter culture was antagonistic toward all studied L. monocytogenes strains, indicating diverse sensitivity/resistance among L. monocytogenes strains to antimicrobial compounds of LAB. The significant susceptibility of listerias isolated from raw milk and dairy equipment together with the strong antilisterial activity of DELVO-ADD 100-X DSF could be applied in dairy technology, where commonly used starter cultures could play both the biopreservative and fermentation role.

Among the semi-natural elements in agricultural landscapes, wildfl ower strips sown at fi eld margins or within fi elds are potential habitats for the natural enemies of insect pests. As insects are sensitive to a variety of fi ower traits, we hypothesized that mixtures with high functional diversity attract and support a higher abundance and species richness of aphid fi ower visiting predators than mixtures with low functional diversity. During a fi eld experiment, repeated over two years (2014 and 2015) in Gembloux (Belgium), aphid predators (i.e., lacewings, ladybeetles and hoverfl ies) were pan-trapped in five sown flower mixtures (including a control mixture, with three replicates of each mixture) of low to high functional diversity based on seven traits (i.e., fi ower colour, ultra-violet refl ectance and pattern, start and duration of fi owering, height and flower class, primarily based on corolla morphology). In both years, the species of fi owering plants in the sown mixtures (i.e., sown and spontaneous fi owers) were listed, and the realized functional diversity in each plot calculated. Over the two years, a high functional diversity was not associated with high abundance and richness of aphid predators. Moreover, ladybeetles, which made up the majority of the predators trapped, were more abundant in mixtures with very low or intermediate functional diversity at sowing, especially in 2014. We hypothesize that certain fl owers, which were abundant in certain mixtures (and not in those exhibiting the highest functional diversity), attracted predators and were suffi ciently abundant to support them. Our results present novel information that could be used for developing fi ower mixtures that provide effective ecosystem services, such as pest control.

We tested desiccation and/or vitrification procedures to cryopreserve the adventitious roots of Panax ginseng, the source of commercially produced ginsenosides. When only desiccation was applied, the post-freeze survival of 3- to 4-mm root tips was less than 14% regardless of the composition of the preculture medium or the explant origin. Callus formation was frequently observed after cryopreservation. In contrast, 90% survival and 32.5% root formation efficiency were achieved after cryopreservation when a vitrification protocol was followed. Adventitious root cultures in flasks and bioreactors were reestablished from root tips cryopreserved by vitrification. A prolonged lag-phase and lower biomass production were recorded in post-freeze-regenerated cultures compared with control roots that were subcultured four times in flasks. However, biomass accumulations did not differ between control and regenerated roots at the end of the sixth subculturing period. After 40 days of culture in bioreactors, a mean value of 12.5 g dw L-¹ was recorded for post-freeze-regenerated cultures versus 9.1 g dw L-¹ for the control roots. Production of triol and diol ginsenosides in our bioreactor cultures also was enhanced after cryopreservation, by 41.0% and 89.8%, respectively. These results suggest that the vitrification method is successful for cryopreservation of P. ginseng adventitious roots.

Description of the subject. Irvingia gabonensis and I. wombolu produce edible kernels, with their fruit pulp tasting sweet and bitter, respectively. The overlap of their morphological and ecological traits creates taxonomic uncertainty. Objectives. This study assessed the efficiency of folk classification system for the separation between I. gabonensis and I. wombolu, in the Volta Forest region (Togo), where both species co-occur.Method. Interviews were conducted with 114 respondents of the five main sociolinguistic groups in the Volta Forest region, in order to identify distinctive traits between both species. Field reconnaissance and confirmation test were used to identify I. gabonensis and I. wombolu trees, which were evaluated against ecological features in folk classification system. Results. Variations existed within each species but were not botanically delimited. The folk classification system was mostly based on fruit pulp taste and some ecological traits. Old local residents only trusted fruit taste to separate these species. Only young Akposso men additionally considered ecology and leaf shape in classification. The reconnaissance survey confirmed the consistency of their folk classification system. Dendrometric parameters of I. gabonensis depended on environmental factors, while land use system and soil geomorphology significantly influenced the occurrence of I. wombolu. Conclusions. Fruit pulp taste and flowering seasons were widely used to distinguish between species, while young men used ecological and botanical features. This demonstrates their recent contact with these taxa. It is also likely that domestication is narrowing differences between I. gabonensis and I. wombolu. Distinction taxonomique traditionnelle entre Irvingia gabonensis and I. wombolu (Irvingiaceae) dans la région forestière de la Volta, Afrique de l’OuestDescription du sujet. Irvingia gabonensis et I. wombolu produisent des amandes comestibles, avec des fruits respectivement sucrés et amers. Les chevauchements de caractères morphologiques et écologiques entretiennent un conflit taxonomique entre les deux espèces.Objectifs. Cette étude évalue l’efficacité du système de classification endogène à séparer les deux espèces, I. gabonensis et I. wombolu, dans la région forestière de la Volta (Togo) où les deux espèces cohabitent. Méthode. Cent-quatorze individus, des cinq principaux groupes socioculturels, ont été enquêtés afin d’identifier les critères de différentiation des deux espèces. Une reconnaissance en milieu naturel a été faite pour les arbres de I. gabonensis et de I. wombolu qui ont été évalués avec les facteurs écologiques localement utilisés dans la différentiation des deux espèces.Résultats. Les résultats indiquent des variations au sein de chaque espèce. Mais ces variations sont non botaniques. Ainsi, la classification endogène était beaucoup plus basée sur le goût de la pulpe, ainsi que sur des critères écologiques. Les résidents locaux âgés considéraient le goût des fruits comme critère consistant de séparation des deux espèces. Seuls les jeunes hommes Akposso prennent également en compte l’écologie et la forme des feuilles pour la classification. Le test de reconnaissance en milieu naturel démontrait la consistance du système de classification endogène. Les paramètres dendrométriques de I. gabonensis dépendaient de l’environnement, alors que les systèmes d’utilisation des terres et la géomorphologie de sol influençaient significativement la présence de I. wombolu. Conclusions. L’importance du goût des fruits et des saisons de fructification dans la séparation des deux espèces et l’échec des résidents âgés à utiliser les traits écologiques et botaniques dans la séparation démontre un contact récent des communautés de la région de la Volta avec ces taxa. Il est aussi plausible que la domestication amortit les différences entre I. gabonensis et I. wombolu.

This book explores both the theoretical and practical underpinnings of integrated conservation and development. It synthesizes existing experience to better inform conservationists and decision makers of the role ICDPs play in conservation and management and analyzes their successes and shortcomings.

Known as a genus of great socio-cultural and economical importance, Guibourtia Benn. includes morphologically very similar multipurpose sister species, found in various habitats with different climate and soil conditions. In many places, Guibourtia is subject to local overexploitation by forest companies and local communities. As the population density of Guibourtia species is generally very low, it may be necessary to conduct scientific investigations that will provide valuable information for the management of the populations concerned. This paper is based on an extensive literature review and summarizes the available information on the genus Guibourtia, in terms of botany, ecology, genetics, forestry and ethnobotany. Our review provided evidence that, to date, ecological and silvicultural knowledge regarding Guibourtia species is lacking and that it is very difficult to morphologically differentiate very similar sister species. In addition, we provide a new determination key for the genus Guibourtia. Based on the available information, it is difficult to assess the conservation status of these taxa. Further investigations are needed to suggest appropriate management strategies for Guibourtia. Moreover, species diversity within this genus and its distribution in various tropical biomes make it an excellent biological model for understanding the historical, biological and environmental mechanisms that explain the diversity of tropical moist forests.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in functional status of boar spermatozoa separated from frozen-thawed semen and capacitated in vitro by caffeine. The effect of acrosome reaction development in spermatozoa on the efficiency of oocyte fertilization was studied in boars A, B and C. Motile spermatozoa were separated by Percoll gradient, untreated (control) or treated with both 1mM and 2mM caffeine, and capacitated or co-cultured with matured oocytes. The motility, viability, chromatin and acrosome integrity, and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa were assessed. The separation significantly increased the percentage of viable spermatozoa in all tested boars and percentages of motile and acrosome intact spermatozoa in boars B and C. The capacitation significantly decreased the percentages of viable and motile spermatozoa, but after capacitation, the motility and viability were significantly higher for the caffeine-treated spermatozoa than for the untreated controls. A fall in the proportion of acrosome-intact spermatozoa was different for each caffeine concentration and each boar, but in all boars, acrosome reaction progress was faster and, similarly, monospermy and the total efficiency of fertilization were significantly higher for the spermatozoa treated with 1mM caffeine than for those treated with 2mM caffeine. It can be concluded that there is a potential relationship between the acrosome reaction progress in frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa and the efficiency of fertilization of porcine oocytes. A faster AR induced in spermatozoa by appropriate caffeine treatment resulted in a higher monospermy rate and total efficiency of fertilization. Thus, it is important to test sires before their semen is used for in vitro embryo production. The faster AR induced by 1mM caffeine was more effective in terms of monospermy and total efficiency of fertilization.

We developed a simple method for long-term preservation of the soybean red crown rot fungus, Calonectria ilicicola, using barley grains. Autoclaved barley grains were inoculated with the fungus, then incubated at 25degC for 1 month. After incubation, grains were dried to approximately 3% moisture content, and stored at 4, -20, or -80degC for 3 years. C. ilicicola preserved on barley grains at -80degC remained viable without any change in mycelial growth and virulence. These results showed that C. ilicicola can be successfully cryopreserved for extended periods on barley grains at -80degC. We also confirmed that cultures preserved on barley grains are suitable for direct use without further manipulation as inocula in pathogenicity tests.