Distribution of immunoglobulin allotypes among local populations of Kenya olive baboons

In this paper we report on the distributions of immunoglobulin allotypes among 564 olive baboons collected at six localities in Kenya. The sample localities and sizes are 1) Lake Magadi, N = 107; 2) Nanyuki, N = 77; 3) Lake Baringo, N = 55; 4) Mosiro, N = 132; 5) Isiolo, N = 36; 6) Gilgil, N = 157. Gm allotypes 1, 10, 13, 15, and 17 are polymorphic among these samples. Gm(11) and Km(3) were present in all samples, and Gm(2,3,5,6,14,16,21,24,26) and Km(1) were absent from all samples. The proportions of individuals positive for polymorphic allotypes varied substantially between different local samples, as did the arrays and estimated frequencies of haplotypes. Allotype frequencies in local samples do not appear to be simply related to either geographic location or habitat characteristics of the localities. Our data suggest that much of the geographic variability in Kenya olive baboon populations occurs between populations separated by small geographic distances.     

Gm and Inv studies on baboons, Papio cynocephalus: analysis of serum samples from Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa.

Serum samples from 526 baboons (Papio cynocephalus) from 10 troops from the Laikipia district of northern Kenya, from 60 baboons from two troops from the Awash National Park, central Ethiopia, and from 127 baboons from South Africa were tested for Gm and Inv allotypes. Four of the 10 troops from Kenya formed a western cluster and six formed an eastern cluster. The clusters were separated by approximately 10 miles. The samples were tested for Gm (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24) and for Inv (1, 2, 3). All samples were negative for Gm (2, 6, 14, 16, 24). All from Kenya and Ethiopia were negative for Inv (2), and all were positive for Gm (11, 17) and for Inv (3). The south African samples differed from the others in that 10 were negative for Gm (11) and four were positive for Inv (2). Taking all animals into account, polymorphism was present for Gm (1, 3, 5, 11, 13, 15, 21) and for Inv (1, 2). No two Kenya troops had the same array of phenotypes or of haplotypes, but the four western troops were more similar to each other than to the six eastern troops. Three haplotypes were present in the eastern troops that were not present in the western troops and five were present in the western troops that were not present in the eastern troops. Five haplotypes appeared in at least some troops of each cluster of troops. The samples from each of the two troops from Ethiopia show the same three phenotypes but with significantly different frequencies. It is suggested that the variation in haplotype frequencies observed among the 10 troops from Kenya is the result of a founder effect deriving largely from fission of a large troop into two smaller troops. The data show that speculations about the evolutionary origin of the allotypes are premature. For most species, too few animals have been tested and except for those in this study their origins are not known. Finally, the samples have been from too restricted an area.     

Change in striation density and systematics ofCocconeis scutellum var.Ornata (Bacillariophyceae)

Cocconeis scutellum var.ornata Grun. from three localities of Japan was studied. The striation density in 10 μm showed a marked tendency to increase with the decrease of the valve length in both raphe and rapheless valves, and this tendency did not vary with locality or environmental condition. The striation densities of rapheless valves were 4–6 in 10 μm for a valve length of 40μm, 4–6.5 for 30 μm, 6–9 for 20μm and 6.5–11 for 15μm. Those of raphe valves were 10–11 in 10μm for a valve length of 40μm, 10–12 for 30μm, 11–14.5 for 20μm and 12.5–17 for 15μm. According to the range of changing value in striation density obtained by the present study,C. scutellum var.schmidti Frenguelli andC. japonica Schmidt are identical withC. scutellum var.ornata. Dedicated to Prof. Munenao Kurogi on the occasion of his academic retirement. Culture experiment in the present study was undertaken at the Institute of Algological Research, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University at Muroran.     

Microsatellite Variation in Two Populations of Free-Ranging Yellow Baboons (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus)

We investigated genetic variation at six microsatellite (simple sequence repeat) loci in yellow baboons (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus) at two localities: the Tana River Primate Reserve in eastern Kenya and Mikumi National Park, central Tanzania. The six loci (D1S158, D2S144, D4S243, D5S1466, D16S508, and D17S804) were all originally cloned from and characterized in the human genome. These microsatellites are polymorphic in both baboon populations, with the average heterozygosity across loci equal to 0.731 in the Tana River sample and 0.787 in the Mikumi sample. The genetic differentiation between the two populations is substantial. Kolmogornov–Smirnov tests indicate that five of the six loci are significantly different in allele frequencies in the two populations. The mean F _ST across loci is 0.069, and Shriver's measure of genetic distance, which was developed for microsatellite loci (Shriver et al., 1995), is 0.255. This genetic distance is larger than corresponding distances among human populations residing in different continents. We conclude that (a) the arrays of alleles present at these six microsatellite loci in two geographically separated populations of yellow baboons are quite similar, but (b) the two populations exhibit significant differences in allele frequencies. This study illustrates the potential value of human microsatellite loci for analyses of population genetic structure in baboons and suggests that this approach will be useful in studies of other Old World monkeys.     

Teeth emergence in wild olive baboons in Kenya and formulation of a dental schedule for aging wild baboon populations

Teeth emergence schedules are presented from analysis of 95 wild olive baboons Papio anubis (age range 2–120 months) and compared to recently published results for wild and captive yellow baboons (P. cynocephalus; Phillips-Conroy and Jolly: American Journal of Primatology 15:17–29, 1988). Age at emergence of M1 (20.5 months males, 19.5 months females), I1 (32.5 and 33.5 months) and I2 (40.0 and 39 months) of olive baboons was earlier than in the wild yellow baboons and similar to captive yellow baboons. However, the later emerging teeth were delayed considerably relative to the captive animals and were similar in age of emergence to those of wild yellow baboons. Considerable variation in age of emergence occurred in the later emerging teeth especially among males. Regression analysis of dental scores with age demonstrated differences between olive baboons and captive yellow baboons but not between olive baboons and wild yellow baboons. Combined data on dental scores for wild yellow, olive, and hamadryas baboons provide schedules of AGE (months) = {SCORE – 11.79} ÷ 0.4405 and AGE (months) = {SCORE – 11.24} ÷ 0.4797 for males and females, respectively, which may be used for aging wild baboons. Full permanent dentition in wild baboons is predicted to occur over 1 year later than in captive animals.     

A new zoarcid,lycenchelys aurantiaca, from the pacific coast off northern japan (teleostei: Perciformes)

A new zoarcid fish,Lycenchelys aurantiaca, is described on the basis of 10 specimens (86.3–135.8 mm SL) from depths of 500–700 m along the Pacific coast of northern Honshu, Japan. Although this species resemblesLycenchelys alta andL. squamosa in having a smaller number of vertebrae (85–88) and a rather short body, it is distinguished from them by the following characters: pectoral fin rays 13–16; preoperculomandibular pores 7 (4 mandibular pores+3 preopercular pores); reddish yellow body.     

Distribution,community structure and production of fishes in the upper Speed River,Ontario: a preimpoundment study

Synopsis The upper Speed River, on which a dam was under construction, was surveyed through fourteen qualitative and six quantitative collections to determine the distribution of fishes in the river above Guelph, Ontario and in a tributary, Luteral Creek. At the quantitative localities the removal method was used to estimate density and standing crop of all species. At three of these localities age and growth of the dominant species were determined and total ecological production calculated. Two approaches to the estimation of production for the 0–1 age class were compared and found to result in differences of 33–39% in the estimates of total production, thus illustrating the extent to which methodology may affect such estimates The dominant species in the river were, Semotilus atromaculatus, Notropis cornutus, Pimephales notatus, Rhinichthys atratulus, Hypentelium nigricans, Catostomus commersoni, Ambloplites rupestris, Micropterus dolomieui and Etheostoma flabellare. Density ranged from 11126 to 74765 individuals per hectare and standing crop from 32.4 to 190.0 kg ha⁻¹. Production values at the three localities were 15, 19 and 54 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ , and are low compared with estimates for other fluvial systems. Comparison with a 1951 survey of the Speed River revealed considerable changes in the composition and distribution of fish species. The ranges of several cold-water species had contracted towards the headwaters, whereas several warm-water species had extended their ranges up the river     

Respiration from C3 plant green manure added to a C4 plant carbon dominated soil

Application of tree leaves (C₃ plants) on maize (Zea mays L.) (C₄ plant) fields is an agroforestry management technology to restore or maintain soil fertility. The rate at which the tree leaves decompose is crucial for the nutrient supply to the crop. We studied the in situ decomposition of Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. leaves or C₃ sugar for 4 – 8 days after application to a maize field in Kenya. By using the difference of around 10‰ in natural abundance of ¹³C between the endogenous soil C (mainly C₄) and the applied C (C₃), we could calculate the contributions of the two C sources to soil respiration. The δ¹³C value of the basal respiration was from –15.9 to –16.7‰. The microbial response to the additions of leaves and sugar to this tropical soil was immediate. Application of sesbania leaves gave an initial peak in respiration rates that lasted from one to less than 6 days, after which it levelled off and remained about 2 – 3 times higher (230–270 mg C m^-2 h^-1) than the control respiration rates throughout the rest of the experiment (5 – 8 days). In the sugar treatment, there was no initial peak in respiration rate. The respiration rate was 170 mg C m^-2 h^-1 after 4 days. At the end of the experiments, after 4–8 days, as much as 14–17% of the added C had been respired and about 60% of the total respiration was from the added sesbania leaves or C₃ sugar. This non-destructive method allows repeated measurements of the actual rate of C mineralisation and facilitates decomposition studies with high temporal resolution in the field. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Symphurus hondoensis Hubbs, 1915, a valid species of western Pacific tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)

Symphurus hondoensis Hubbs, 1915, originally described only from the holotype taken in 390–542 m in Suruga Bay Japan, has long been considered a junior synonym ofS. strictus Gilbert, 1905, known from waters off Hawaii, Japan, the Philippine Islands, and South Africa. Based on new information from the holotype and a specimen recently captured from deep waters (789–815 m) off Amami-Oshima Island, southern Japan,S. hondoensis is now established as a valid species.Symphurus hondoensis is unique among congeners in having the combination of a 1–2–3 pattern of interdigitation of proximal dorsal pterygiophores and neural spines, 10 abdominal vertebrae, 14 caudalfin rays, 111–113 dorsal-fin rays, 95 anal-fin rays, 59 total vertebrae, 105–106 scales in longitudinal series, blind side nearly as darkly pigmented as the ocular surface, and a black peritoneum. Recognition ofS. hondoensis increases the number of described species ofSymphurus in waters off Japan to three (S. orientalis Bleeker,S. strictus, andS. hondoensis), with at least one more underscribed species occurring in deepwater hydrothermal vent areas off southern Japan.     

A biogeographic analysis and review of the far eastern Pacific coral reef region

New information on the presence and relative abundances of 41 reef-building (zooxanthellate) coral species at 11 eastern Pacific and 3 central Pacific localities is examined in a biogeographic analysis and review of the eastern Pacific coral reef region. The composition and origin of the coral fauna and other reef-associated taxa are assessed in the context of dispersal and vicariance hypotheses. A minimum variance cluster analysis using coral species presence–absence classification data at the 14 localities revealed three eastern Pacific reef-coral provinces: (1) equatorial– mainland Ecuador to Costa Rica, including the Galápagos and Cocos Islands; (2) northern– mainland México and the Revillagigedo Islands; (3) island group– eastern Pacific Malpelo Island and Clipperton Atoll, and central Pacific Hawaiian, Johnston and Fanning Islands. Coral species richness is relatively high in the equatorial (17–26 species per locality) and northern (18–24 species) provinces, and low at two small offshore island localities (7–10 species). A high proportion (36.6%, 15 species) of eastern Pacific coral species occurs at only one or two localities; of these, three disappeared following the 1982–83 ENSO event, three occur as death assemblages at several localities, and five are endangered with known populations of ten or fewer colonies. Principal component analysis using ordinal relative density data for the 41 species at the 14 localities indicated three main species groupings, i.e., those with high, mid, and narrow spatial distributions. These groupings correlated with species population-dynamic characteristics. These results were compared with data for riverine discharges, ocean circulation patterns, shoreline habitat characteristics, and regional sea surface temperature data to help clarify the analyses as these measures of environmental variability affect coral community composition. Local richness was highest at localities with the highest environmental variability. Recent information regarding the strong affinity between eastern and central Pacific coral faunas, abundance of teleplanic larvae in oceanic currents, high genetic similarity of numerous reef-associated species, and appearances of numerous Indo-west Pacific species in the east Pacific following ENSO activity, suggest the bridging of the east Pacific filter bridge (formerly east Pacific barrier). Accepted: 20 September 1999     

New Host and Locality Records for the Ixodes Auritulus (Acari: Ixodidae) Species Group, with a Review of Host Relationships and Distribution in the Neotropical Zoogeographic Region

New Neotropical records are presented for ticks belonging to the Ixodes auritulus Neumann, 1904, species group, together with a review of hosts and localities from which members of this complex have previously been collected. The range of the I. auritulus species group is now understood to include Colombia, and 15 bird species are listed as new hosts. From Guatemala to southern Argentina and Chile, specimens of the I. auritulus group have been found on birds belonging to the orders Ciconiiformes, Columbiformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Passeriformes, Piciformes, Procellariiformes and Tinamiformes. Passeriform birds are probably the principal hosts, sustaining tick populations throughout the Neotropics. Collection data have yielded four areas – southern South America (from 56° S to 51° S), southern Brazil (25° S–22° S), south-central Peru (14° S–10° S) and Central America (10° N–15° N) – where the I. auritulus group appears to commonly parasitize birds, but additional collections may show that the range of this complex is less discontinuous than currently perceived. Several morphological differences are described for ticks within and among these areas, but it is still unclear whether the I. auritulus group comprises more than one species.     

Differences in growth,size and sexual dimorphism in skulls of East Greenland and Svalbard polar bears (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ursus maritimus</Emphasis>)

Size, growth and sexual dimorphism of nine skull traits was studied in 300 East Greenland and 391 Svalbard polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Two traits were significantly larger in bears from East Greenland compared to Svalbard bears, and trait size was smaller after 1960 in five traits. For both localities and both age groups (subadult, adult), mean trait size values were higher in males than females (all: P < 0.05). Gompertz growth models showed trait size increasing with age in seven traits. Depending on the trait, males reached 95% asymptotic trait size at age 3–10, females at age 2–6. The females of both localities matured at approximately the same age, whereas the Svalbard males generally matured years later than their East Greenland peers. The differences found in the present study between the two polar bear subpopulations support the notion that East Greenland and Svalbard polar bears probably should be managed as separate units.     

Effects of starvation on morphometric characteristics of olive flounder, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

An experiment was conducted for 12 weeks to determine the effect of feeding and starvation on truss and classical parameters in the external body of olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. There was an increase in the truss dimension of body depth in the trunk region of the fed group at the end of the experiment (P < 0.05). In the olive flounder, the trunk region dimensions, including body depth measurements, are likely to be compromised by variability related to differences in the feeding of fish from different habitats. Classical dimensions in relation to the anterior–posterior body axis decreased and classical dimensions of head characteristics increased upon starvation but decreased upon feeding (P < 0.05). These results suggest that these morphometric parameters may be a useful index of nutritional status in olive flounder.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cabillus atripelvicus</Emphasis>, a new species of gobiid fish from the Ogasawara Islands,with a key to species of the genus

Cabillus atripelvicus is described from three specimens, 26.1–40.6 mm in standard length, collected from depth 17–29 m in the Ogasawara Islands. In addition, two small specimens taken by dredge in 50–55 m from Sagami Bay, Honshu, and one from Tachibana Bay, Kyushu, are identified as this species but not designated as paratypes. Cabillus atripelvicus is distinguished from the four other described species of the genus by its high count of 18–20 pectoral rays, presence of median predorsal scales, longer pectoral fins, and distinctive color pattern, including black pelvic fins. The range of C. lacertops Smith, 1959 is extended east to the Marshall Islands and that of C. tongarevae (Fowler, 1927) east to American Samoa. More species remain to be described in the genus. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic format at     

A modern soft-bottom, shallow-water crinoid fauna (Echinodermata) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

A recent preliminary survey revealed that 12 species of unstalked crinoids occur on a gentle sandy slope (12–18 m depth) at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia; five of which are also found on coral reefs. The other seven appear to constitute a unique assemblage restricted to unconsolidated substrates, where most cling to algae or hide beneath rubble or sponges. Members of this assemblage exhibit all of the basic feeding postures found among reef-dwelling species. However, Comatula rotalaria, which lacks anchoring cirri and bears uniquely differentiated short and long arms, exhibits a posture different from other living crinoids. Quantitative transects reveal apparent depth-related differences in species composition: C. rotalaria dominated the 12 transects in 12–13 m (84% of 82 specimens), while Comatella nigra, Comatula cf. purpurea, Amphimetra cf. tessellata and Zygometra microdiscus accounted for 96% of 54 specimens observed along 12 transects in 16–17 m.     

Mackerel from the northern indian ocean and the red sea arescomber australasicus, notscomber japonicus

The population ofScomber from the Red Sea and northern Indian Ocean (gulfs of Aden and Oman) is identified asS. australasicus rather thanS. japonicus based on having 30–33 vs. 26–29 interneural bones under the first and second dorsal fins and the combination of interneural bone counts of 16–20 under the first dorsal fin (vs. 13–16) and first dorsal fin spine counts of 10–13 (vs. 9–10). These are the best morphological characters to distinguish these two species. This change in identification constitutes a major range extension forS. australasicus which was thought to be restricted to the Pacific Ocean and the southeastern Indian Ocean around Western Australia.     

Fouling community of the red king crab, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralithodes camtschaticus</Emphasis> (Tilesius 1815), in a subarctic fjord of the Barents sea

We examined the species composition of red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) fouling communities in Dolgaya Bay, a small fjord of the Barents Sea, in August 2005 and 2006. In total, there were 13 species observed on 301 crabs collected from water depths of 5–90 m. Barnacles (Balanus crenatus; prevalence 42.9%) and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis; 11.6%) were the most common epibionts, while amphipods (Ischyrocerus commensalis) were the most common symbionts (28.6%). Infestation rates in Dolgaya Bay were different from those in an “open” area of the Barents Sea (Dalnezelenetskaya Bay), probably due to differences in hydrodynamic conditions. Differences in infestation prevalence and intensity were detected neither between male and female crabs nor between crabs collected at 5–35 m versus 90 m depths. Prevalence of common fouling species increased with host size. Amphipods I. commensalis colonized the carapace and limbs in Dolgaya Bay less frequently than in Dalnezelenetskaya Bay, probably due to interspecific competition with barnacles occupying the dorsal parts of the host. Juvenile barnacles and mussels dominated the fouling communities on the crabs. The age of barnacles did not exceed 2–4 months. However, the presence of 4-year-old mussels suggests that these older mollusks have been directly transferred from mussel beds to the hosts. Our results indicate that colonization by epibionts and symbionts is generally not disadvantageous for the crab hosts, except for some possible negative impacts of amphipods occupying the gills.     

Which adult male savanna baboons form coalitions?

We investigated the mechanism of alliance formation among adult male savanna baboons by comparing the characteristics of males that formed coalitions frequently with males that never or seldom took part in coalitions. We observed three groups: two of Papio cynocephalus cynocephalusin Amboseli National Park, Kenya, and one of P. c. anubisin the vicinity of Gilgil, Kenya. We considered four hypotheses: (1) Males must be familiar with each other, (2) males must have an affinitive bond, (3) males must have more than average experience, and (4) the combined fighting ability of the coalition partners relative to the fighting ability of their opponent determines the likelihood that a coalition is formed. We conclude that relative fighting ability forms the key factor in coalition formation. High- ranking males do not form coalitions often, since they hardly need them. Low- ranking males rarefy form coalitions, since they cannot form effective coalitions among themselves. Affinity (“friendship”) may play a role as an additional factor. The relation of coalition formation with age and period of residence, which was found in several studies, can be explained largely by the correlation between these parameters and fighting ability.     

Intraspecific Genetic Diversity of Undaria pinnatifida in Japan, based on the Mitochondrial cox3 Gene and the ITS1 of nrDNA

The intraspecific genetic diversity of the kelp Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) was investigated using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 3 (cox3) gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of nuclear ribosomal DNA in plants collected from 21 localities along the Japanese coast between 2001 and 2003. Morphological variation was also examined and compared with the genetic diversity. Cox3 analyses of 106 plants revealed 9 haplotypes (I–IX) that differed from each other by 1–7 bp (all synonymous substitutions). Haplotype I was distributed in Hokkaido and the northern Pacific coast of Honshu, while haplotype III was found along the Sea of Japan coast of Honshu. Other types were found along the central and southern coast of Honshu. ITS1 analyses of 42 plants revealed 0–1.7% nucleotide differences, but plants from the Sea of Japan coast and northern Japan had similar sequences. The lower genetic differentiation along the Sea of Japan and northern coasts might be due to the recent establishment (after the middle of the last glacial period) of the Sea of Japan flora. The cox3 haplotype of cultivated plants was found in natural populations occurring close to cultivation sites (Naruto, Tokushima Pref., and Hokutan, Hyogo Pref.). This suggests that cultivated plants possibly escaped and spread or crossed with plants of natural populations. Morphological analyses of variation in 10 characters were conducted using 66 plants. The results showed no significant local variation owing to the wide variation in each population and did not support any forma previously described. No correlations between the morphological characters and cox3 haplotypes were detected.     

Breeding ecology of an Old World high-altitude warbler, Phylloscopus affinis

Reproduction of Tickell’s Leaf Warblers Phylloscopus affinis was studied in an alpine valley (29°27′N, 91°40′E, 3,980–5,600 m) in the Lhasa mountains, Tibet, at the upper elevational limit of the species’ breeding range. This species is a summer breeder, and is the only breeding Phylloscopus species in the valley. It nested in all types of shrubby vegetation across the altitudinal range of the valley. Most nests were placed close to the ground (<1 m) in low thorn bushes. Egg-laying dates fell between late May and early July, most within the first 3 weeks after the commencement of breeding. Mean clutch size was 4.0 (3–5) and mean brood size at fledging 3.4 (2–5). Incubation was by the females and lasted 13–14 days, and both parents cared for the young for 14–17 days. Nestlings ready to leave the nest were 13% heavier than the adults. Overall, 76% of nesting attempts produced at least one fledged young. Some aspects of the breeding biology of this high-altitude warbler were compared with those of lower-altitude Phylloscopus species.