[ENSCORESW-2595] Implement a dodge to avoid Travis-specific perl segfault around disconnect_if_idle(); At present the issue only appears in gene.t and we may presume it isn't affecting real use.

Broaden the net to see whether it is only perl 5.26 on the travis docker image which is failing gene.t

[ENSCORESW-2540] Remove hash-order dependent testing outcome and replace. Required for versions > perl 5.16

Oracle DB connections: if host is given, use it

- automatically retrieve deadlines from Release calendar
- changed created tickets for handover of REST to Web
- use the Metadata Registry to validate species names