The 'third pole' of the world is a fitting metaphor for the Himalayan-Tibetan Plateau, in allusion to its vast frozen terrain, rivalling the Arctic and Antarctic, at high altitude but low latitude. Living Tibetan and arctic mammals share adaptations to freezing temperatures such as long and thick winter fur in arctic muskox and Tibetan yak, and for carnivorans, a more predatory niche. Here, we ...

Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) is a recently developed molecular marker technique that is stable, simple, reliable, and achieves moderate to high numbers of codominant markers. This study is the first to apply SRAP markers in a mammal, namely the Arctic fox. In order to investigate the genetic diversity of the Arctic fox and to provide a reference for use of its germplasm, we an...

The author presents an evaluation of the cost of wildlife rabies in France. This study included the vaccination of domestic animals, the reinforcement of epidemiological surveillance networks and the support provided to diagnostic laboratories, the expenses associated with outbreaks of rabies (animal losses and associated economic losses), the clinical observation of those animals which had bit...

In the present study, 21 forkhead box (Fox) genes were identified in Andrias davidianus, including 13 full-length genes and eight partial sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most were conserved in other investigated amphibians, whereas the Foxk1 gene was found exclusively in A. davidianus. Molecular evolution analysis indicated that most Fox genes underwent purifying selection, whereas...

The study was conducted to evaluate a mAb-based coproantigen detection assay for monitoring fox prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis infections in the Shiretoko National Park in Hokkaido, Japan. Eight fox families, each consisting of 2-4 adults and their pups, were selected because their territories have been determined. Faeces of each family (total n = 537) were collected monthly from Apr...

Predator recognition is often dependent upon experience. This behavioural plasticity can potentially be exploited to enhance the antipredator behaviour of captive-bred animals, but it is first necessary to understand the specificity of learning. We enhanced the responses of tammar wallabies, Macropus eugenii, to a model fox, Vulpes vulpes, by presenting this novel predator in conjunction with a...

Hendra virus (HeV) is a lethal paramyxovirus which emerged in humans in 1994. Poor understanding of HeV dynamics in Pteropus spp. (flying fox or fruit bat) reservoir hosts has limited our ability to determine factors driving its emergence. We initiated a longitudinal field study of HeV in little red flying foxes (LRFF; Pteropus scapulatus) and examined individual and population risk factors for...

Identification of gene function is important not only for basic research but also for applied science, especially with regard to improvements in crop production. For rapid and efficient elucidation of useful traits, we developed a system named FOX hunting (Full-length cDNA Over-eXpressor gene hunting) using full-length cDNAs (fl-cDNAs). A heterologous expression approach provides a solution for...

Objective: To compare the fitting time requirements and the efficiency in achieving improvements in speech perception during the first 6 months after initial stimulation of computer-assisted fitting with the Fitting to Outcome eXpert’ (FOXTM) and a standard clinical fitting procedure. Method: Twenty-seven post-lingually deafened adults, newly implanted recipients of the Advanced Bionics HiRes 9...

Decomposition of the energetic material FOX-7 (1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene, C2H4N4O4) is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The NO molecule is observed as an initial decomposition product subsequent to electronic excitation. The observed NO product is rotationally cold (<35 K) and vibrationally hot (2800 K). The initial decomposition mechanism is explored at the complete ac...