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Molecular diagnostics in combination with morphological identification is the method of choice for several cryptic microbial plant pathogens. For some diagnostic applications, traditional sequencing techniques can be time consuming, making them ill-suited for biosecurity incursion responses, where accurate results are needed in real time. More rapid next generation sequencing tools must be tested and compared with traditional methods to assess their utility in biosecurity applications. Here utilizing 95 samples infected with fungal pathogen Phyllosticta cavendishii, from a recent incursion in Australia, we compare species identification success using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene barcode on conventional Sanger and Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing platforms. For Sanger sequencing, the average pairwise identity percentage score between generated consensus sequences and P. cavendishii sequence from holotype material on NCBI database was 99.9% ± SE 0.0 whereas for MinION sequencing the average pairwise identity percentage was 99.1% ± SE 0.1. Relatively larger consensus sequences (mean 486 bp ± SE 2.4) were generated by Sanger sequencing compared to MinION sequencing (mean 435 bp ± SE 4.6). Our results confirm that both sequencing methods can reliably identify P. cavendishii. MinION sequencing, provided quicker results compared to Sanger sequencing and demonstrated diagnostic competence, with the added advantage of being portable, for front-line "point of incursion" biosecurity applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report comparisons between the complete genomic sequences of five historical Western Australian isolates of subterranean clover mottle virus (SCMoV) from 1989–2000, and an infectious clone of its 1989 isolate. Sanger Sequencing (SS) and High Throughput Sequencing (HTS), or both, were used to obtain these genomes. Four of the SCMoV isolates were sequenced by SS in 1999–2002, but re-sequenced again by HTS in 2020. The pairs of sequences obtained from these four isolates differed by only 18–59 nucleotides. This small difference resulted from the different sequencing methods, the < 1–5 years each isolate was host passaged before freeze-drying prior to HTS sequencing, or a combination of both. Since SCMoV has not been reported outside Australia, this similarity suggests the population sequenced represents the progeny of either an indigenous virus that spread from a native legume to subterranean clover after its introduction or a recent seed-borne incursion from elsewhere. The ORF1 was the most variable, and the phylogenetic tree constructed with ORF1s showed the isolates grouped according to their symptom severity in subterranean clover, indicating the probability that ORF1-encoded P1 protein is a symptom determinant. A satellite RNA was associated with all SCMoV genomes obtained by HTS but none derived by SS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parasitic guava root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii Yang and Eisenback (syn. M. mayaguensis), has a wide distribution, host range and is established majorly in tropical-subtropical climates. A routine diagnostic analysis of symptomatic plant roots confirmed the first detection of M. enterolobii in Australia, near Darwin, Northern Territory. The morphology of female perineal patterns, second stage juveniles (J2s) and males were consistent with other reports of this species. The presence of M. enterolobii was first evaluated with a species-specific sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) and the intergenic spacer region (IGS2), followed by sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I and II (COI & COII) and large subunit ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA) gene regions. The nematode was detected on several important crop-host plants in Australia's Northern Territory including chilli, tomato, capsicum, cucumber, pumpkin, eggplant, snake bean and sweet potato. The ability of M. enterolobii to colonise a variety of weeds and native Australian plants makes management challenging. The route of introduction of M. enterolobii is presently unknown but is under investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pig sector in Corsica is based by a wide range of farming systems, mainly characterized on traditional extensive practices, which favor contacts between domestic and wild individuals. These contacts are suspected to influence the maintenance and the transmission of shared infectious diseases between both populations. Therefore, it is important to develop methods that allow to understand and anticipate their occurrence. Modeling these interactions requires accurate data on the presence, location and use of land on pig farms and farming practices, but such data are often unavailable, incomplete or outdated. In this study, we suggest a method to collect and analyze pig farming information that combines approaches from social sciences and epidemiology and enables a spatial representation of an index of potential interaction (IPI) between wild and domestic pigs at municipality level in the Corsican territory. As a first step of the process, interviews were conducted to gather information from 103 pig farms. Then, using hierarchical clustering, we identified five different clusters of pig farming practices which were evaluated and validated by local experts using participatory tools. The five pig farming clusters with their respective estimated levels of direct and indirect interactions with wild boars were combined in a linear equation with pig density to estimate a hypothetical index of potential interaction (IPI) in 155 municipalities. Our results revealed the diversity of pig farming practices across the island of Corsica and pointed out potential hotspots of interaction. Our method proved to be an effective way to collect and update information on the presence and typology of pig farms which has the potential to update official livestock production statistics. The spatial representation of an IPI between wild boars and domestic pigs in the Corsican territory could help design regional disease management strategies and policies to improve the control of certain shared pig pathogens in pig farms from Corsica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incursions by exotic tephritids continue to threaten Australia. Host suitability for a specific tephritid is ranked by the number of adults which can emerge from one kg of fruit or the Host Reproduction Number (HRN). Bactrocera dorsalis has previously invaded northern Australia but was eradicated. However, Bactrocera dorsalis remains the largest exotic threat and is likely to invade through northern Australia but B. tryoni and other tephritids are already well established. One question is what hosts would likely provide the best early warning for an exotic incursion. Here, the HRN for 40 hosts for Bactrocera dorsalis and B. tryoni were established from the scientific literature. The reproductive advantages of one species over the other were calculated by dividing the higher HRN by the lower HRN. The fruits with the highest reproductive advantage (> 30) favouring B. dorsalis were soursop, mango and capsicum. The reproductive advantage estimate was compared to surveillance data collected during B. dorsalis eradication in north Queensland from 1995 to 1997. Mangoes and capsicum were among the mostly commonly infested hosts. Capsicums provided the second highest number of samples and would seem ideal candidates as sentinel plants for current surveillance programs. Some inconsistencies are identified and discussed. The HRN and reproductive advantage may have the potential to identify hosts and industries for early warning exotic fruit fly surveillance, better-targeted eradication programs and risk assessments for imports/exports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hosts of tephritids are known to vary in their capacity to support the life cycle from egg lay to adult. The Host Reproduction Number (HRN) is a measure of this capability and is defined as the number of adults that emerge from one kg of fruit. We collected data from the literature covering 26 New World fruit fly species in the genera, Anastrepha, Bactrocera, Ceratitis and Rhagoletis, on > 350 plant hosts. We provide the HRN where possible but only about 13% of tephritid-host data had HRN figures. More research is required to better understand the risks posed by New World tephritid-host relationships. For the tephritids of the world, there is a need to develop an appendix to ISPM 37 or new ISPM for each tephritid covering different hosts in different countries because one HRN does not fit all situations. A more country-based HRN will help to better inform and triage hosts for targeted surveillance programs, pest management and incursion response. Also, HRN would inform disinfestation activities associated with market access protocols. Therefore, a more HRN informed world will be better able to feed a growing world population using optimised risk management and trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Invasive vertebrates have significant negative impacts on biodiversity and agricultural production worldwide. Increased connectivity among countries, through trade and tourism, is escalating the rate of introductions of vertebrate species, particularly herpetofauna, across international borders. In Australia, Asian black-spined toads (ABSTs; Duttaphrynus melanostictus) are one of the species most intercepted at borders. They are considered a biosecurity risk because of the potential for negative environmental impacts, similar to those caused by cane toads (Rhinella marina). Aims. We aimed to compare ABSTs with cane toads to investigate potential impacts and distribution of ABSTs in the Australian context. We also aimed to identify knowledge gapsregarding ABST biology and the potential role of cane toads in an ABST invasion in Australia. Methods. We undertook a literature review to obtain published data to compare the life history characteristics of ABSTs and cane toads. We also modelled climatic niche overlap and compared suitable habitat for both species in Australia. Key results. Ourresults show ABSTs and cane toads have broadly similar reproductive life histories and feeding niches. In particular, similarities include large clutch sizes, preferred oviposition sites, and diet at tadpole and adult life stages. In Australia, the species share suitable potential habitat, particularly in North Queensland, where the majority of ABST incursions have occurred. The species differ in size, call characteristics, clutch size relative to body size, and egg development rate, although the environment also influences these traits. We identify gaps in our knowledge of ABST spatial ecology, thermal tolerances, water reliance, and habitat. Conclusions. ABSTs pose a significant biosecurity threat to Australia. Similarities in life history to cane toads means they may have similar impacts, but may have a more limited distribution in Australia. Invasion of Australia by ABSTs would likely result in interactions with cane toads, but it is not possible to accurately determine the outcomes of those interactions without further investigation. Implications. Addressing knowledge gaps and quantitatively determining the potential for competition between ABSTs and cane toads will assist surveillance and response planning for ABST incursions in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien species are among the main drivers of the ongoing sixth mass extinction wave, especially affecting island populations. Although the Caribbean is well‐known for its high species richness and endemism, also for reptiles, equally important is the regional contribution of non‐native species to island biodiversity. The Lesser Antilles encompass high genetic diversity in Iguana, though most native populations either have gone extinct or are declining following competitive hybridization with invasive non‐native green iguanas. Here, we assessed non‐native presence in two poorly‐studied native melanistic Iguana iguana populations using available genetic tools and explored utilizing size‐dependent body measurements to discriminate between native and non‐native iguanas. Genetic samples from Saba and Montserrat were genotyped across 17 microsatellite loci with STRUCTURE, and multivariate analyses indicating non‐native iguana presence only on Saba. This was corroborated by mtDNA and nDNA sequences, highlighting a non‐native origin in Central America and the ABC islands. We identified preliminary evidence suggestive of hybridization. Morphological variation among size‐dependent characteristics showed that non‐native iguanas have significantly larger subtympanic plates than native iguanas. Non‐native individuals also differed in scalation and coloration patterns. Overall, our findings demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring of non‐native iguanas within remaining native Iguana populations in the Lesser Antilles, as those not directly threatened by non‐native green iguanas are restricted to only 8.7% of the historic range. Although genetic data allow for the identification of non‐native or hybrid iguana presence, this field‐to‐lab workflow is time‐consuming. Rapid in‐situ identification of non‐native individuals is crucial for conservation management. In addition to patterns of scalation and coloration, we have highlighted the utility of size‐dependent variables for rapid diagnosis. We urge regional partners to build morphometric databases for native Iguana populations allowing the quick detection of future incursions of non‐native green iguanas and the rapid implementation of effective countermeasures during the early phase of invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interception data of insects collected at quarantine borders across China were crosschecked with incursion data from 2003 to 2016. In total, 83,983 insect interceptions were recorded across quarantine borders, involving 1,458 insect species. The species interception index at the family level was calculated to make each insect family comparable. Among the intercepted families, eight families that harm woody plants were intercepted at a high frequency, of which Noctuidae was the most intercepted family. In contrast, seventeen families that harm non-woody plants had a high interception frequency, of which the Silvanidae had the highest species interception frequency. Among the 1,458 intercepted insect species, 147 species were included in a list of quarantine insects in China. In terms of insect species, thirteen species had a high interception frequency (intercepted > 100 times or the cumulative yearly interception = 10 years), accounting for 90.1% of the total interceptions. Among these 13 species, ten species have become established in mainland China, with eight species specifically harmful to woody plants. Looking at the extent of insect pest interceptions, corresponding control measures should be initiated to minimize impacts to natural forests. These results show that border quarantine surveys can help identify and target control measures against invasive alien species. Still, the current quarantine system needs further improvement to successfully prevent alien species from crossing the border and spreading in natural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report the establishment in Hawai'i of a trap-jaw ant, Odontomachus ruginodis, a species well known for its potent sting. In June 2017, a farmer on the island of Kaua'i reported "bites" from large ants and supplied a specimen to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for identification. Additional specimens were found in 2019 and 2020 in multiple locations up to 5 kilometres away from the initial detection. Multiple morphological identifications were made and combined with CO1 genetic assessment confirmed the species to be Odontomachus ruginodis, which had not been recorded prior from Hawai'i. We argue that greater biosecurity protocols are needed in Hawai'i to prevent further incursions, especially the introduction of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pig sector in Corsica is based by a wide range of farming systems, mainly characterized on traditional extensive practices, which favor contacts between domestic and wild individuals. These contacts are suspected to influence the maintenance and the transmission of shared infectious diseases between both populations. Therefore, it is important to develop methods that allow to understand and anticipate their occurrence. Modeling these interactions requires accurate data on the presence, location and use of land on pig farms and farming practices, but such data are often unavailable, incomplete or outdated. In this study, we suggest a method to collect and analyze pig farming information that combines approaches from social sciences and epidemiology and enables a spatial representation of an index of potential interaction (IPI) between wild and domestic pigs at municipality level in the Corsican territory. As a first step of the process, interviews were conducted to gather information from 103 pig farms. Then, using hierarchical clustering, we identified five different clusters of pig farming practices which were evaluated and validated by local experts using participatory tools. The five pig farming clusters with their respective estimated levels of direct and indirect interactions with wild boars were combined in a linear equation with pig density to estimate a hypothetical index of potential interaction (IPI) in 155 municipalities. Our results revealed the diversity of pig farming practices across the island of Corsica and pointed out potential hotspots of interaction. Our method proved to be an effective way to collect and update information on the presence and typology of pig farms which has the potential to update official livestock production statistics. The spatial representation of an IPI between wild boars and domestic pigs in the Corsican territory could help design regional disease management strategies and policies to improve the control of certain shared pig pathogens in pig farms from Corsica.

Simple Summary: Australian horticulture is at risk from incursions by exotic tephritid fruit fly species, particularly oriental fruit fly. An incursion by exotic fruit flies is likely to result in global trade restrictions and will cause significant economic losses. In this study, we investigated global management strategies for exotic fruit fly species and compared them with available local strategies in Australia to identify areas where Australian management practices could be improved. We identified that although Australia has a good understanding of the main exotic fruit fly threats, there remains no species-specific emergency response plan available to implement in the case of an incursion. Australia has effective tools for exotic fruit fly detection, an early warning surveillance network is in place across Australia and control measures used successfully for eradication elsewhere are available in Australia. However, the speed at which Australia could respond to an incursion is currently limited by the lack of a response plan, and this could have major implications for the effectiveness of management strategies for containment and eradication, likely leading to a more severe and costly incursion outcome. Exotic tephritid incursions are of high concern to Australia's biosecurity and its horticultural industries. It is vital that Australia remains ready to respond to incursions as they arise, as an incursion of tephritid fruit fly species will result in significant economic losses. In this review, we compared Australian incursion management strategies for fruit flies with global management strategies and identified possible areas where improvements could be made in an Australian context. Overall, Australia has a good understanding of the main tephritid threats, of which Bactrocera species from across the Torres Strait (northern Australia) are of most concern. Effective tools for tephritid detection and early warning surveillance at points of entry are in place at ports and in horticultural areas Australia-wide and provide the basis for initiating biosecurity responses in the event of an incursion. Area-wide control measures used in successful eradication attempts globally are available for use in Australia. However, a specific tephritid emergency response plan identifying suitable response measures and control options for species of concern is not yet available. We have identified that Australia has the policies and management tools available to respond to an exotic tephritid incursion, but the speed at which this could be accomplished would be greatly improved by the development of species-specific emergency response plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Democracy in Nigeria has been marred with a lot of tribulations threatening continuity of this form of government despite what the nation underwent before changing from military regime to civil rule. These threats include rigging, victimization of voters, imposition of candidates, godfatherism, ethnic and religious hegemony with incidental crisis; lack of respect to due process, corruption, poverty and economic recession bred inter alia by bad governance. If the problems are not nip in the bud, it can lead to secession by an integral part of the economy; serious crisis or another civil war. These lingering problems threatening the sustainability of democratic form of government in Nigeria have triggered serious concern. Despite problems experienced in democracy in this nation and some developing countries, it is still patronised by many countries because of benefits derived from it which has made it to be embraced by them. This form of government which has fortified many developed nations has also triumphed and stable in those nations that had developed good legal frameworks and system of conducting hitch free elections. The contrary is the case of Nigeria where it is wrongly practiced. It has been discovered that the crux of the matter is that constitutional provisions and other legal frameworks are often breached and wrongly executed in Nigeria and many developing countries. These have inter alia been adduced in the past as justification for aborting democracy through military incursion. This paper has considered relevant local statutes, the international standard and the legal framework of countries that have been practicing democracy successfully for a very long time. This has assisted tremendously to reinforce the legal framework with strong antidote against the venom threatening the peace, sustainability of democracy and progress of the nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hosts of tephritids are known to vary in their capacity to support the life cycle from egg lay to adult. This capability is measured by the Host Reproduction Number (HRN) which the number of adults that emerge from one kg of fruit. Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) is one of the economically important fruit flies and is distributed worldwide. Many Medfly hosts are known but data to quantify their capacity to support the life cycle is scattered through many reports. Here, we reviewed published literature and found data on 146 potential hosts. We placed them in order of HRN and their Host Suitability Index. The HRN values ranged from bird plum (HRN = 1019) to three species of Syzygium which were non hosts (HRN = 0). The HRN order will help to inform and triage hosts for targeted surveillance and eradication programs and inform disinfestation activities associated with incursion response management, and for trade and risk mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exotic tephritid incursions are of high concern to Australia’s biosecurity and its horticultural industries. It is vital that Australia remains ready to respond to incursions as they arise, as an incursion of tephritid fruit fly species will result in significant economic losses. In this review, we compared Australian incursion management strategies for fruit flies with global management strategies and identified possible areas where improvements could be made in an Australian context. Overall, Australia has a good understanding of the main tephritid threats, of which Bactrocera species from across the Torres Strait (northern Australia) are of most concern. Effective tools for tephritid detection and early warning surveillance at points of entry are in place at ports and in horticultural areas Australia-wide and provide the basis for initiating biosecurity responses in the event of an incursion. Area-wide control measures used in successful eradication attempts globally are available for use in Australia. However, a specific tephritid emergency response plan identifying suitable response measures and control options for species of concern is not yet available. We have identified that Australia has the policies and management tools available to respond to an exotic tephritid incursion, but the speed at which this could be accomplished would be greatly improved by the development of species-specific emergency response plans.

Current aero-engine sealing materials are reaching their operating limit, as manufacturers seek more efficient engines with longer service lives. Even when utilised in optimum conditions, current materials have inconsistencies in performance due to variabilities in their microstructure, which lead to undesirable responses and events. As such, a new generation of sealing materials is required. Metallic foams are one such material, given the opportunities that exist to both engineer material properties, and achieve relatively consistent microstructures when compared to the current class of thermally sprayed abradable materials. In this study, the abradability of a nickel (70%)–chromium (30%) (NiCr) alloy foam is investigated, with the role of cell size and filler material considered. Tests are performed on a representative high-speed test rig, where a flat blade is used to simulate an aero-engine incursion event. A series of in situ measurement techniques, such as force, temperature and stroboscopic wear measurements are used to characterise the incursion, with DIC (Digital Image Correlation) techniques also employed to investigate breakdown of the foam. Unfilled foams were shown to lead to high blade wear, with the inclusion of filler materials leading to load transfer and collapse of the foam away from the incursion site, along with improved fracture. Both load transfer and ligament collapse mechanisms were found to promote more favourable rub mechanics at all incursion rates tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus was detected in mute swans in the Netherlands during October 2020. The virus shares a common ancestor with clade 2.3.4.4b viruses detected in Egypt during 2018–2019 and has similar genetic composition. The virus is not directly related to H5N8 viruses from Europe detected in the first half of 2020.

The risk of new establishments of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), Bactrocera tryoni , in pest-free areas is linked to the fruit carried by road travellers. However, there is little information on what proportion of carried fruit is infested. Previous studies examined the numbers of fruits carried by travellers but not if the fruits were infested. Here, we report on the results of 989 fruit consignments seized on three main entry roads into the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone and assessed for infestation. We found 1.01% of consignments were infested with tephritids. However, only 0.2% were infested with sufficient Qfly to potentially result in a new establishment. Within the main fruit groups carried, we detected stone fruit, tomatoes, pome fruit, citrus, bananas and tropical fruit in that order. Based on our data and previously published figures, we estimated that there were 1148 consignments infested with tephritids that entered the zone annually. Additionally, we estimated that 227 vehicles carried Qfly-infested fruit consignments into the quarantine zone annually and each of these had the potential to start a new establishment. Our results will help inform managers of quarantine zones. • Travellers carrying fruit pose a risk to fruit fly pest free regions. • We assessed 989 fruit consignments seized fruit for infestation. • Only 0.2% were sufficiently infested to result in a new establishment. • We estimated that 227 vehicles posed a risk to the quarantine zone each year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tramps ants are a constant biosecurity threat to Australia. Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta was detected in Sydney, New South Wales in 2014, and a successful eradication program was undertaken. Stratified surveillance was conducted as part the program, and allowed for scenario tree analysis to statistically support the claim of freedom. Our analysis demonstrated a mean probability of freedom was 93.1%, 99.5% and > 99.9% after one, two or three surveys for two nests within 2 km of the detection. We demonstrated > 99.9% probability of freedom after three surveys if for a threshold value of five nests were present. Our analysis was the basis of declaring Sydney free from S. invicta. Sydney was declared free 18 months after the first detection of S. invicta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is analyze, based on the new Code of Civil Procedure, the Superior Court of Justice historic understanding about the analysis of the merits of the special appeal (violation or not of the federal law) by the appealed court to assess its admissibility. Broach this theme is justified by the necessity of understand if the citizenship Court position is compatible or not with the new Code of Civil Procedure provisions about the appeals dynamics. To achieve the objective proposed, it was performed a bibliography revision of Constitutional law and Civil Procedure law about the admissibility judgment of the special's appeals, its systematic at the anterior Code of Civil Procedure and the dynamic established by the new. Still in the methodological aspect, it was performed a empiric search in which was analyzed, at the São Paulo's Justice Court ambit, admissibility's decisions proclaimed in the last eight years, aim to investigate if those decisions suffered any change after the new Code of Civil Procedure coming. After the comparison of the data get through the bibliography revision front that get through the empiric search, it was conclude by the necessity of think over the way that the admissibility judgment is done by the origin Courts, considering that, despite be in effect a new code, still remains the old problems of incursion in the merits of the special appeal by the appealed court, in clear invasion of the Superior Court of Justice competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus was detected in mute swans in the Netherlands during October 2020. The virus shares a common ancestor with clade 2.3.4.4b viruses detected in Egypt during 2018-2019 and has similar genetic composition. The virus is not directly related to H5N8 viruses from Europe detected in the first half of 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pastoralists and their livestock have long competed with wildlife over access to grazing on shared rangelands. In the dynamic 21st century however, the configuration and quality of these rangelands is changing rapidly. Climate change processes, human range expansion, and the fragmentation and degradation of rangeland habitat have increased competition between pastoralist livestock and wildlife. Interactions of this type are particularly apparent in East Africa, and perhaps most obvious in northern Kenya. In 2017, following months of intense drought, a pastoralist incursion of a protected area (Loisaba Conservancy) occurred in Laikipia County, Kenya. An estimated 40,000 livestock were herded onto the conservancy by armed pastoralists where the cattle were grazed for approximately three months. Using 53 camera trap sites across the 226 km2 conservancy, we quantified spatial patterns in site visitation rates (via spatially-explicit, temporally-dynamic Bayesian models) for seven species of large mammalian herbivores in the three-month period directly before, during, and after the incursion. We detected significant changes in space use of all large mammalian herbivores during the incursion. Furthermore, these patterns did not return to their pre-incursion state in the three-month period after the pastoralists and their livestock left the conservancy. Thus, in addition to reduced site vitiation rates for these large mammalian herbivores, we also detected considerable displacement in response to the livestock incursion. Our results illustrate that pastoralist incursions can cause large-scale disruptions of wildlife space use, supporting the notion that livestock can competitively exclude large mammalian herbivores from grazing access. We discuss the implications of this research for applied management decisions designed to alleviate competition among wildlife and pastoralist livestock for the benefit of wildlife conservation and pastoralist well-being.

[Display omitted] • First detection of Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda , in Bhutan. • Errors in public DNA databases have complicated identification of this species. • An updated reference DNA barcode data set for FAW is presented. • We argue that such reference data sets are needed for pest species identification. • Recent outbreaks of Northern Armyworm, Mythimna separata , in Bhutan are discussed. We report the first detection of Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797), in Bhutan. FAW feeds on more than 300 plant species and is a serious pest of many. It has been spreading through Africa since 2016 and Asia since 2018. In Bhutan, this species was first detected in maize fields in the western part of the country in September 2019 and subsequently found infesting maize crops in southern parts of the country in December 2019 and April 2020. Using morphological and molecular techniques the presence of the first invading populations of S. frugiperda in Bhutan is confirmed through this study. We present an updated reference DNA barcode data set for FAW comprising 374 sequences, which can be used to reliably identify this serious pest species, and discuss some of the reasons why such compiled reference data sets are necessary, despite the public availability of the underlying data. We also report on a second armyworm species, the Northern Armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker, 1865), in rice, maize and other crops in eighteen districts of Bhutan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incursions of the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Qfly) into areas without permanent Qfly populations present serious threats to the Australian and New Zealand horticultural industries. Identifying the origins of recent incursions will help reduce future threats by enabling the targeting of problematic incursion routes for more stringent quarantine protocols. Here we present an analytical framework based on supervised and unsupervised machine learning to identify the origins and recent population history of incursion individuals. Our framework is based on a recently developed reference dataset of genome-wide markers for 35 Qfly populations from across the ranges of Qfly and the related taxon Bactrocera aquilonis (NTfly). We apply our framework to recent incursions into New Zealand, Tasmania and South Australia. Two distinct Qfly sources were identified for incursions into New Zealand (total 18 individuals), one from the east coast of Australia and one from New Caledonia. All eight recent incursion collections analysed (total 85 individuals) from South Australia and Tasmania most likely originated from just one of six clusters of populations in our reference database, Qfly from the east coast of Australia. None were found to originate from clusters containing NTfly or Qfly/NTfly hybrids in the Northern Territory or north Western Australia. Several, but not all, of the collections showed signals of small founding population size and two Tasmanian collections each included individuals apparently derived from three different sources within the east coast of Australia. In total, several more incursion events were detected than previously known, although some were founded by relatively few individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L. 1758) are the most abundant pest fish species in Australia, detrimental to ecosystem integrity and values, and in need of suitable management solutions. In January 1995, this destructive pest was discovered in two large, connected Tasmanian lakes--Lakes Crescent (23 km2) and Sorell (54 km2). After an initial assessment, carp were immediately contained to these waters using screens to prevent their escape down-stream, followed by swift legislation to enforce closure of the lakes to the public. Assessment and evaluation of carp numbers occurred throughout the eradication program, with effort focused on Lake Crescent. Beginning with undirected removal, techniques progressively evolved to more sophisticated targeted removal with assistance from biotelemetry, in conjunction with gill netting and electro-fishing. Real-time population estimates and in situ observations resulted in a detailed cumulative understanding of carp population dynamics, behaviour and seasonal habitat choice. This allowed strategic deployment of fences to block access to marshes, and the installation of steel traps within the fences. These gears specifically prevented spawning opportunities, while concurrently capturing mature fish. Following 12 years of adaptive and integrated effort, 7797 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) were captured from Lake Crescent, with the last carp being caught in December 2007. The subsequent 14 years of monitoring has not resulted in the capture of any carp, confirming the successful eradication of carp from Lake Crescent. These management practices have been successfully replicated in the larger Lake Sorell, where 41,499 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) have been removed. It is now estimated that there are few, if any carp remaining. Collectively, the techniques and strategies described here were reliable, and can be applied as a model to control or eradicate pest populations of carp in freshwater lakes elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Bhutan, dog-mediated rabies has been successfully eliminated from most regions of the country but remains endemic in the Southern region and sporadic incursions are also reported in the East. Elimination of rabies from the southern part of Bhutan is challenged by the porous border with the neighboring states of India which facilitates free and unregulated movement of animals. Around 17 outbreaks of rabies are reported annually in dogs and other domestic animals, posing continuous public health risks and economic losses. Furthermore, due to anthropogenic factors, such as increasing human settlements along highways, increased animal transportation, and the complex and changing human-pet relationship, there is potential to reintroduce rabies from rabies high-risk zone to rabies low-risk zone. This study was undertaken to estimate the risk of rabies re-introduction to the rabies low-risk zone by performing a qualitative risk assessment. The assessment was conducted for three risk pathways (stray dog-pathway, pet dog-pathway and cattle-pathway) under two scenarios: (1) no risk mitigation measures in place and (2) current risk mitigation measures in place. The current control measures include Government led programs, such as mass dog vaccination and dog population management, regulation of the movment of animals through pre-travel check-up and health certification, regular awareness education and rabies surveillance in the rabies endemic areas. The probability of an event occurring was assigned using the data from the available literature. Where gaps in knowledge existed, expert opinion, elicited through modified Delphi method, was used. Under the scenario in which no risk mitigation measures were in place, the risk of rabies re-introduction was estimated to be medium for the stray-dog pathway with a low level of uncertainty, low for pet-dog pathway with a low level of uncertainty, and very low for the cattle-pathway with a medium level of uncertainty. When current risk-mitigation measures were included, the risk of rabies reintroduction was estimated to be very low for the stray-dog pathway with a medium level of uncertainty, low for the pet dog-pathway with a low level of uncertainty, and extremely low for the cattle-pathway with a medium level of uncertainty. The risk of rabies re-introduction through all the pathways was greater than negligible. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining and enhancing current risk mitigation measures to prevent re-introduction of rabies into rabies low-risk zone.

Eradications of invasive species are usually expensive and difficult to conduct. Knowing when to declare an eradication successful requires distinguishing between failed detection of the target species due to imperfect sensitivity of the detection method and true species absence. This is difficult because the sensitivities of many detection methods are unknown.Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods can be used to detect species by analysing DNA present in environmental samples. eDNA has been promoted as a particularly sensitive and cost‐effective way to detect species at low densities and, importantly, the sensitivity of eDNA surveys can be quantified. Nevertheless, the effort and costs involved in detecting species at extremely low densities, such as required during eradication, have not been previously calculated.We evaluated the sensitivity of eDNA surveys in detecting the invasive European carp, Cyprinus carpio, in two lakes in Tasmania, Australia, one in which carp have been eradicated and a second in which carp are currently being eradicated. We determined the sampling effort and associated cost required to detect the species at very low density in these lakes.While our eDNA survey detected the current low density carp population present in Lake Sorell, we show that an exponential increase in sampling effort and associated cost will be required to confidently detect the species as the population declines. Similarly, while our eDNA survey corroborated the species absence from Lake Crescent, our detection confidence was low. We quantify the survey effort and financial investment required to confidently establish eradication success in Lake Crescent.Synthesis and applications. Estimating the environmental DNA (eDNA) survey effort and cost required to detect species at a given density will enable practitioners to make informed decisions on the feasibility of implementing such surveys. Quantifying the sensitivity of eDNA surveys will also inform the confidence practitioners should place in eDNA detection results to ensure appropriate management actions are implemented and provide a suitable stopping point at which to confidently declare eradication success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In a multi-unit housing (MUH) complex, secondhand smoke (SHS) can pass from one living space to another. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SHS incursion, and to establish the relationship between SHS incursion and socio-demographic and built environmental factors in MUH in Korea. Methods A population-based sample of 2600 residents (aged ≥19 years) living in MUH from across the city of Seoul, Korea, was obtained through a web-based selection panel. The residents completed a questionnaire detailing socio-demographic factors, smoking status, frequency of SHS incursion, and built environmental factors. The presence of a personal smoke-free home rule was determined by residents declaring that no one smoked inside the home. Results Of the 2600 participants, non-smoking residents who lived in homes with a personal smoke-free rule were selected for further analysis (n = 1784). In the previous 12 months, 74.7% of residents had experienced SHS incursion ≥1 times. A multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis indicated that residents who spent more time at home, lived with children, supported the implementation of smoke-free regulations in MUH, lived in small homes, lived in homes with natural ventilation provided by opening a front door or the windows and front door, and lived in homes with more frequent natural ventilation were more likely to report SHS incursion into their homes. Conclusions The majority of the non-smoking residents experienced SHS incursion, even with a personal smoke-free rule in their homes. A smoke-free policy in MUH is needed to protect residents from SHS exposure when they are at home.

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L. 1758) are the most abundant pest fish species in Australia, detrimental to ecosystem integrity and values, and in need of suitable management solutions. In January 1995, this destructive pest was discovered in two large, connected Tasmanian lakes—Lakes Crescent (23 km2) and Sorell (54 km2). After an initial assessment, carp were immediately contained to these waters using screens to prevent their escape down-stream, followed by swift legislation to enforce closure of the lakes to the public. Assessment and evaluation of carp numbers occurred throughout the eradication program, with effort focused on Lake Crescent. Beginning with undirected removal, techniques progressively evolved to more sophisticated targeted removal with assistance from biotelemetry, in conjunction with gill netting and electro-fishing. Real-time population estimates and in situ observations resulted in a detailed cumulative understanding of carp population dynamics, behaviour and seasonal habitat choice. This allowed strategic deployment of fences to block access to marshes, and the installation of steel traps within the fences. These gears specifically prevented spawning opportunities, while concurrently capturing mature fish. Following 12 years of adaptive and integrated effort, 7797 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) were captured from Lake Crescent, with the last carp being caught in December 2007. The subsequent 14 years of monitoring has not resulted in the capture of any carp, confirming the successful eradication of carp from Lake Crescent. These management practices have been successfully replicated in the larger Lake Sorell, where 41,499 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) have been removed. It is now estimated that there are few, if any carp remaining. Collectively, the techniques and strategies described here were reliable, and can be applied as a model to control or eradicate pest populations of carp in freshwater lakes elsewhere.

Botryosphaeriales affect a wide range of horticultural and forestry crops as well as plants in natural systems. However, the agronomic and economic significance of this group of fungi remains largely unquantified. The fact that most Botryosphaeriales are often referred to as endophytes or quiescent pathogens only capable of causing diseases due to environmental stimuli has constrained proactive management practices. Consequently, disease control frequently occurs in response to symptom expression. Gaps remain in our understanding of the biology and epidemiology of Botryosphaeriales and effective management practices to control species are still in the developmental stages. There is a need for a multi-disciplinary and cross-industry approach to address the gaps in knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in China and is predominantly due to foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O Mya‐98 lineage. In recent years, FMDV O/ME‐SA/Ind2001 lineage has spread from the Indian subcontinent to South‐East Asia, Middle East and Africa, which may pose potential threats for future trans‐regional livestock movements. In this study, we identified the appearance of FMDV O/ME‐SA/Ind2001 in China; the first time that this virus lineage has been found there. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of VP1 sequences revealed that this newly determined strain belongs to O/ME‐SA/Ind2001 sublineage d and is closely related to strains that have caused recent outbreaks of FMD in Nepal, Myanmar, Russia and South Korea. The results suggest extensive movements of the current O/ME‐SA/Ind2001 sublineage d viruses and provide essential information for an effective national FMDV control programme in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protecting plants from new pathogen incursions requires effective surveillance practices. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding shows considerable promise for detecting invasive organisms in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Metabarcoding is widely used to characterise plant microbiotas and is beginning to be applied to plant biosecurity. However, diagnostic assays for biosecurity must fit within internationally agreed frameworks. Development of new gene targets to improve taxonomic resolution, improved reference databases and simplified bioinformatics platforms are required before phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi can be routinely detected by metabarcoding. Building biodiversity maps from accumulated metabarcoding data represents an important opportunity to define organism presence/absence in New Zealand and Australia and thus to enhance biosecurity decision making. Advances in sequencing technologies and infrastructure promise the creation of eDNA biosecurity surveillance networks from substrates including soil, trapped spores and insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a vector-borne orthobunyavirus in the family Bunyaviridae , first identified in Germany before rapidly spreading throughout Europe. To investigate the events surrounding the incursion of this virus into Great Britain (GB) and its subsequent spread, archived sheep serum samples from an unrelated field survey in 2011 were analysed for the presence of SBV specific antibodies, to determine the earliest date of seroconversion. This serological study, along with analysis of the spatial spread of the sources of samples submitted for SBV analysis after January 2012, suggests that SBV entered GB on more than one occasion and in more than one location. Phylogenetic analysis of SBV sequences from 2012 ovine samples, from a variety of counties and dates, demonstrated a non-linear evolution of the virus, i.e. there was no distinct clustering between host species, geographical locations or during the outbreak. This also supports the notion of multiple viruses entering GB, rather than a single virus incursion. Premature termination signals were present in several non-structural putative protein sequences. One SBV sequence exhibited large deletions in the M segment of the genome. After the first outbreak in 2011–2012, interest in SBV in GB waned and continuous surveillance was not upheld. The re-emergence of SBV in 2016 has raised renewed concern and ended speculation that SBV might have been eradicated permanently from GB. When SBV sequences from 2012 were compared with those from the re-emergence in 2016–2017, a second distinct clade of SBV was identified that separates recent strains from those observed during the first outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife collision data are ubiquitous, though challenging for making ecological inference due to typically irreducible uncertainty relating to the sampling process. We illustrate a new approach that is useful for generating inference from predator data arising from wildlife collisions. By simply conditioning on a second prey species sampled via the same collision process, and by using a biologically realistic numerical response functions, we can produce a coherent numerical response relationship between predator and prey. This relationship can then be used to make inference on the population size of the predator species, including the probability of extinction. The statistical conditioning enables us to account for unmeasured variation in factors influencing the runway strike incidence for individual airports and to enable valid comparisons. A practical application of the approach for testing hypotheses about the distribution and abundance of a predator species is illustrated using the hypothesized red fox incursion into Tasmania, Australia. We estimate that conditional on the numerical response between fox and lagomorph runway strikes on mainland Australia, the predictive probability of observing no runway strikes of foxes in Tasmania after observing 15 lagomorph strikes is 0.001. We conclude there is enough evidence to safely reject the null hypothesis that there is a widespread red fox population in Tasmania at a population density consistent with prey availability. The method is novel and has potential wider application.

Evidence of sulfate input and reduction in coastal freshwater wetlands is often visible in the black iron monosulfide (FeS) complexes that form in iron rich reducing sediments. Using a modified Indicator of Reduction in Soils (IRIS) method, digital imaging, and geostatistics, we examine controls on the spatial properties of FeS in a coastal wetland fresh-to-brackish transition zone over a multi-month, drought-induced saltwater incursion event. PVC sheets (10 × 15 cm) were painted with an iron oxide paint and incubated vertically belowground and flush with the surface for 24 h along a salt-influenced to freshwater wetland transect in coastal North Carolina, USA. Along with collection of complementary water and soil chemistry data, the size and location of the FeS compounds on the plate were photographed and geostatistical techniques were employed to characterize FeS formation on the square cm scale. Herein, we describe how the saltwater incursion front is associated with increased sulfate loading and decreased aqueous Fe(II) content. This accompanies an increased number of individual FeS complexes that were more uniformly distributed as reflected in a lower Magnitude of Spatial Heterogeneity at all sites except furthest downstream. Future work should focus on streamlining the plate analysis procedure as well as developing a more robust statistical based approach to determine sulfide concentration.

In March 2016, an incursion of the paropsine beetle Paropsisterna variicollis (eucalyptus variegated beetle) was detected in the Hawke's Bay during routine Forest Biosecurity Surveillance. Paropsines cause significant damage to eucalypt plantations in several parts of the world. A survey of three Hawke's Bay sites containing 11 durable eucalypt species was conducted in January 2017. Defoliation by paropsines, and numbers of eggs, larvae and adults were recorded. Adult Pst. variicollis were observed on all eucalypt species, and were present in larger numbers than Paropsis charybdis in two sites. Eucalyptus bosistoana sustained the greatest defoliation and incidence of eggs and larvae, and E. macrorhyncha the least. Parasitism of Pst. variicollis eggs was observed but the agent was not definitively confirmed. Results indicate Pst. variicollis will exhibit a wide host range in New Zealand but variability observed in the levels of defoliation between species may be linked to heritable traits that can be exploited through current breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interception data pertaining to Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, and Hymenoptera collected at the Korean quarantine border were cross-checked with incursion data during 1996–2014. Overall, 114,636 interception records of 1,075 species belonging to the six orders were detected, while 33 species (out of 2,710 newly recorded species belonging to the six orders) were confirmed as incursion species in Korea. Of the 33 species, only 14 (42.42%) were recorded as being intercepted at the quarantine border. These results indicate that recent incursion species in Korea are not subject to inspection at Korean borders. Of the 33 incursion species, 30 (90.90%) are agricultural pests, and 10 species (30.30%) are hemipteran. About these species, two factors, greenhouse cultivation and parthenogenesis of exotic species, are newly suggested as reasons for successful incursion into Korea. This study reveals that border inspections do not provide useful information to protect against occurrences of exotic incursive species and that the current quarantine system needs improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how language is used to suggest sexual aggression in Shakespeare’s The Rape of Lucrece. Tarquin commits rape because he wants to sexually conquer Lucrece. Such devices as metaphors of violence and other linguistic devices in the poem are examined for evidence of sexual conquest. The study argues that the kind of language that Tarquin uses reflects his behaviour and actions in significant ways. For example, the language reflects his ideologies and the exercise of power. There are several ways in which the language manifests itself. Examples include figurative language such as imagery and metaphors. The study concludes that the structural metaphor of the poem is crucial to the understanding of rape as the worst form of intrusive crime, comparable to the incursion of a territory by foreign forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]