The number of equines injured as a result of incidents during road transport is currently unknown in the United Kingdom. Although previous research has identified factors that affect an equine’s behavioural and physiological responses to transportation, their contribution to incident occurrence and injury risk is unclear. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with incident occurrence and equine injury during transportation by road. An online survey was administered between 12 May 2017 and 21 July 2017 in the UK. The survey was open to those transporting equines non-commercially and comprised two sections. Questions relating to general transport behaviour were completed by all participants. Participants who had experienced an incident then provided details of these, including outcomes. Incidents were reported by 16.2% (342/2116) of participants, with details included for 399 incidents. Those participants who had a professional/competitive involvement with equines reported more incidents than those with a predominantly leisure involvement (p < 0.01). Equine behaviour was the attributed cause of 56% of incidents reported and most incidents occurred during the first hour of travel (65%). In over 50% of the incidents reported, the equine was injured, with those incidents attributed to transport vehicle malfunction being associated with the highest percentage of injury (68%). This study highlights the need for better preparation of the equine for transportation and to identify risk factors associated with transport vehicle type, design and operation.

The morphological variation of Keratella cochlearis in a Thames backwater has been studied over 4 years. There was a general inverse relationship between lorica length and temperature, but the annual cycle of change depended upon the rate of change of the temperature, and there was considerable variation between years. There was a similar inverse relationship between posterior spine length and temperature, and a shift in both relationships depending on whether the temperature was increasing or decreasing. As the water temperature increased from winter to summer the lorica and posterior spine were longer than at the same temperature as the water cooled from summer to winter. This shift can be modified by anomalous temperatures, such as a late spring or a cool summer. The form lacking a posterior spine usually, but not consistently, had a longer lorica than the typical spined forms. It usually disappeared from the samples at the end of November and did not reappear until March, although with a mild autumn and winter it persisted until January before disappearing. Forms without posterior spines did not all have the same origins.

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