Global climate patterns explain range-wide synchronicity in survival of a migratory seabird

To predict the impact of climate change over the whole species distribution range, comparison of adult survival variations over large spatial scale is of primary concern for long-lived species populations that are particularly susceptible to decline if adult survival is reduced. In this study, we estimated and compared adult survival rates between 1989 and 1997 of six populations of Cory's shearwater ( Calonectris diomedea ) spread across 4600 km using capture–recapture models. We showed that mean annual adult survival rates are different among populations along a longitudinal gradient and between sexes. Variation in adult survival is synchronized among populations, with three distinct groups: (1) both females and males of Corsica, Tremiti, and Selvagem (annual survival range 0.88–0.96); (2) both females and males of Frioul and females from Crete (0.82–0.92); and (3) both females and males of Malta and males from Crete (0.74–0.88). The total variation accounted for by the common pattern of variation is on average 71%, suggesting strong environmental forcing. At least 61% of the variation in survival is explained by the Southern Oscillation Index fluctuations. We suggested that Atlantic hurricanes and storms during La Niña years may increase adult mortality for Cory's shearwater during winter months. For long-lived seabird species, variation in adult survival is buffered against environmental variability, although extreme climate conditions such as storms significantly affect adult survival. The effect of climate at large spatial scales on adult survival during the nonbreeding period may lead to synchronization of variation in adult survival over the species' range and has large effects on the meta-population trends. One can thus worry about the future of such long-lived seabirds species under the predictions of higher frequency of extreme large-scale climatic events.     

Influence of temperature and spawning effort on Haliotis tuberculata mortalities caused by Vibrio harveyi: an example of emerging vibriosis linked to global warming

Since 1998, Haliotis tuberculata mass mortalities have been occurring regularly in wild abalone populations in France during their reproductive period and in conjunction with seawater summer temperature maxima and Vibrio harveyi presence. To confirm the importance of bacterial exposure, temperature and reproductive status on abalone susceptibility, experimental infections via bath exposure were performed using abalone ranging from immature to reproductively mature. Ripe abalone were more susceptible to the bacterium than immature specimens ( P <0.001), and a difference of only 1 °C in temperature had a highly significant impact on the mortalities ( P <0.001). The natural mortalities that were surveyed during summer 2007 confirmed that recent epidemic losses of European abalone appeared in conjunction with host reproductive stress, elevated temperatures and presence of the pathogen V. harveyi . In view of the elevation of the mean summer temperatures observed in Brittany and Normandy over the last 25 years, this temperature-dependent vibriosis represents a new case of emerging disease associated with global warming.     

Intermittent breeding in Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea of Selvagem Grande, North Atlantic

Every year, 10% of the breeding population of Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea of Selvagem Grande, between the Canaries and Madeira (30̀09'N, 15̀52'W), fail to breed. These "sabbatical" periods can last up to 7 years but typically last 1 year in 58% of the cases, with an average of 1.7 years. Both sexes are involved, and most are young breeding birds. The frequency and duration of the absences decrease with the increase of breeding experience. During the year preceding the absence, the breeding success, mate fidelity and nest site fidelity of the breeding birds are the same as those of their sabbatical congeners. During the sabbatical absence, the former mate is also absent in just less than half of the cases. Of those present, two-thirds are at the same nest site and one-third at another nest site. On the return of the "missing" birds, the fidelity both to the former mate and the former nest site is low, and more so if the length of the absence has been over 1 year, because the former mate and the former nest site are then seldom available. Divorce is frequent and the breeding success is low. Comparisons with other Procellariiformes reveal few differences in the intermittent breeding except for the proportions involved, which are six times greater for some species than for others.     

Analyse cladistique et Trilobites: un point de vue

On the basis of precise trilobite examples, the difficulties and interest in cladistic analysis are emphasized. The problem of distinguishing plesiomorphic and apomorphic characters is exemplified in Morgatia with reference to auxiliary impressions of the glabella and vincular furrows. In Crozonaspis , cladograms by themselves do not clarify the distinction of primitive versus derived features; the stratigraphical distribution of species, although not conclusive, is helpful in clarifying relationships. Although stratigraphical data are essential for reconstructing species lineages, they may be misleading when dealing with taxa above the species level. For all phylogenetical reconstructions, the completeness of the palaeontological and biogeographical record must be taken into consideration. D Trilobita, Phacopida, cladistics, Ordovician.     

Trilobites Calmoniidae de l'Ordovicien supérieur du Maroc et les origines de la Province Malvino-Cafre

A re-examination of the trilobite Baniaspis globosa Destombes (Phacopina) from the Ashgill of the Anti-Atlas (Morocco) shows that it has several derived characters which allow us to classify it in the family Calmoniidae. Calmoniids were characteristic members of the Malvino-Kaffric province during the Lower Devonian. Hence we regard the origins of this palaeogeographic province as located on the northern Gondwanan margin as early as Ashgill, or even Caradoc, times. We agree with those authors who have suggested that the trilobite associations present in the Anti-Atlas, the Montagne Noire (France) and Bohemia during the earlier Ordovician argue against the existence of a 'proto-Tethys' ocean.     

Un biofacies à Trilobites Homalonotidae dans I'Ordovicien de la marge nord-gondwanienne: implications paléobiologiques et paléogéographiques

During the Llandeilo, the sandy lithological units which develop locally in the Armorican Massif, Spain and Morocco, are all characterized by similar trilobite associations in which endobenthic homalonotids. well adapted to shallow water and sandy substrate, are predominant. During the Llandeilo, on the northern Gondwanan margin, the wide geographical distribution of most of the trilobites, controlled by environmental factors, shows that the existence of a 'Proto-Tethys' ocean is unlikely. □ North Gondwana, Trilobita, Homalonotidae, Ordovician, Llandeilo. palaeoenvironment.     

NOUVELLES OBSERVATIONS SUR QUELQUES ZELISZKELLINAE ET PHACOPIDELLINAE DE L'ORDOVICIEN DE BRETAGNE

Material from Brittany [Bretagne], France, was used for the revision of two trilobite subgenera. Dalmanitina (Eodalmanitina) Henry, 1965 is raised to generic status and maintained in the 'Dalmanitina group' of the Zeliszkellinae; Phacopidella (Prephacopidella) Destombes, 1963, closely related to Eophacops and Phacopidella , is considered an early representative of the Phacopidellinae.