New observations on the Late Miocene–Early Pliocene Lutrinae (Mustelidae: Carnivora,Mammalia) from the Middle Awash,Afar Rift,Ethiopia

New observations on the Late Miocene and Earliest Pliocene mustelids from the Middle Awash of Ethiopia are presented. The Middle Awash study area samples the last six million years of African vertebrate evolutionary history. Its Latest Miocene (Asa Koma Member of the Adu-Asa Formation, 5.54–5.77 Ma) and Earliest Pliocene (Kuseralee and Gawto Members of the Sagantole Formation, 5.2 and 4.85 Ma, respectively) deposits sample a number of large and small carnivore taxa among which mustelids are numerically abundant. Among the known Late Miocene and Early Pliocene mustelid genera, the Middle Awash Late Miocene documents the earliest Mellivora in eastern Africa and its likely first appearance in Africa, a new species of Plesiogulo, and a species of Vishnuonyx. The latter possibly represents the last appearance of this genus in Africa. Torolutra ougandensis is known from both the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene deposits of the Middle Awash. The genus Sivaonyx is represented by at least two species: S. ekecaman and S. aff. S. soriae. Most of the lutrine genera documented in the Middle Awash Late Miocene/Early Pliocene are also documented in contemporaneous sites of eastern Africa. The new observations presented here show that mustelids were more diverse in the Middle Awash Late Miocene and Early Pliocene than previously documented.     

African American-preponderant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and risk of breast cancer

Background: African American women more often present with more aggressive types of breast cancer than Caucasian women, but little is known whether genetic polymorphisms specific to or disproportionate in African Americans are associated with their risk of breast cancer. Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted including 194 cases identified through the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System and 189 controls recruited through random digit dialing to examine polymorphisms in genes involved in estrogen metabolism and action. Results: The African American-specific CYP1A1 5639C allele was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 2.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23–4.44) and this association with the CYP1A1 5639 locus was dependent on another polymorphism in the CYP3A4 gene (P = 0.043 for the interaction). In addition, African American-predominant CYP1B1 432 Val allele was significantly more often found in the cases than in the controls overall and the HSD17B1 312 Gly allele was specifically associated with premenopausal breast cancer risk (OR = 3.00, 95%CI 1.29–6.99). Conclusion: These observations need to be confirmed in larger studies due to the limited statistical power of the study based on a small number of cases.     

Immunoglobulin genes in Andalusia (Spain). Genetic diversity in the Mediterranean space

Andalusia is the most densely populated region of Spain since ancient times, and has a rich history of contacts across the Mediterranean. Earlier studies have underlined the relatively high frequency of the Sub-Saharan GM 1,17 5* haplotype in western Andalusia (Huelva province, n = 252) and neighbouring Atlantic regions. Here, we provide novel data on GM/KM markers in eastern Andalusians (n = 195) from Granada province, where African GM*1,17 5* frequency is relatively high (0.044). The most frequent GM haplotypes in Andalusia parallel the most common in Europe. Altogether, these data allow us to gain insight into the genetic diversity of southern Iberia. Additionally, we assess population structure by comparing our Iberian samples with 41 Mediterranean populations. GM haplotype variation across the Mediterranean reflects intense and complex interactions between North Africans and South Europeans along human history, highlighting that African influence over the Iberian Peninsula does not follow an isotropic pattern.     

Late Pliocene grassland from Olduvai Gorge,Tanzania

The Olduvai fossil plants documented by us in this paper are the first direct evidence for open grassland in the late Neogene of Africa based on macroplant remains. Silicified remains of herbaceous ground cover are exceptionally well preserved in situ within Late Pliocene sediments below the initial pyroclastic ash surge unit of Tuff IF in the uppermost part of Bed I, Olduvai Gorge, northern Tanzania. Published radiometric and palaeomagnetic dates place this grass layer between 1.839 + 0.005 Ma and 1.785 + 0.01 Ma. Exposed at localities on the south side of the Gorge this herbaceous ground cover grew on a floodplain developed on a dried out lake bed, following pronounced lake retreat of saline–alkaline palaeo-Lake Olduvai during a developing dry climatic phase. Sheathed basal culms, rhizomes and roots are interpreted as those of one or more small mat-forming grasses or less likely, sedges. Small dicotyledonous herbs were probably also present. The proximity of adjacent plants indicates a relatively dense ground cover. Roots extended at least 8 cm below the ground surface. Aerial parts of the plants were absent or were not preserved when the weathered basal culms were covered by a thin layer of brown waxy clay, followed by fallout of pyroclastic ash. Both units were mostly eroded away prior to emplacement of a wet, cool pyroclastic surge which then buried and preserved in situ remnants of the herbaceous ground cover. Preservation of the semi-woody rhizomes implies well-drained soils, otherwise the plant material would have quickly rotted. Collections from discontinuous exposures indicate the grassland covered an area of at least a few hectares. This open grassland would have provided grazing for the Late Pliocene fauna.     

The Zanclean palaeofloras around the Mont-Dore strato-volcano: A window into upper Neogene vegetation and environments in the Massif Central (Puy de Dome,France)

New Pliocene macrofloras and microfloras perfectly preserved from the Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme, Massif central, France) have been reinvestigated. Samples come from different stratigraphical levels collected from three localities, Lac Chambon, La Gratade and Pont de Chocol. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar radiometric datings bracketing the Chambon Lake and La Gratade fossil-bearing horizons give 4.46 ± 0.05 Ma and 3.94 ± 0.04 Ma, respectively, representative of the Zanclean Stage (= Brunssumian B and C), a period of the early Pliocene (5.32 to 3.6 Ma), much older than previously thought (i.e., Piacenzian). Pont de Chocol is considered to be close biostratigraphically, or even identical in age to La Gratade. Detailed morphological evaluation of leaf morphotypes completed with pollen analysis contributed to the better taxonomic knowledge of these palaeofloras. The overview focuses on floristic and phytostratigraphical characteristics of the defined stratigraphical units and their dating and correlation with previously defined palaeofloristic units of the Massif central. The study provides detailed identifications of plants representing 11 gymnosperms among which Pinaceae (pollen and winged seeds), Cupressaceae including “Taxodioid” pollen grains and Sciadopitaceae families (only pollen). Besides, different angiosperm trees and shrubs have been determined from both micro- and macro-remains. Fagaceae is the most diversified with several foliage of beech and deciduous oaks, while diversified Juglandaceae contribute mainly as abundant leaf remains of Carya, Pterocarya and Juglans; Ulmaceae with numerous leave of two Zelkova species, and also Ulmus. Various other deciduous dicotyledonous such as Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Populus, Acer laetum and A. interrigenum are well documented. Leguminosae are recorded by a small number of leaflet imprints. Evergreen shrubs of Buxaceae (Buxus pliocenica) are scarce. All these taxa contribute to a rich biodiversity of these Pliocene assemblages. All three sites point towards riverine forest habitats dominated by hygrophilic diversified woody plants while in the surrounding plains and slopes the thermophilic elements were scarce and mesophilic taxa abundant as temperate elements. This vegetation can be compared with mixed mesophytic forests depicting a climate cooling during the two considered periods (ca. 4.46 and 3.95 Ma).     

Estimation of the nutrient consumption by various cell sizes of the diatom Eucampia zodiacus: A representative organism causing bleaching of aquacultured nori

The diatom Eucampia zodiacus is a harmful species that indirectly causes bleaching to nori (Pyropia) cultivation through competitive utilization of nutrients during its bloom, however cellular storage and changes in physiology by asexual reproduction remains unclear. In the present study, we experimentally investigated the nitrate (N), phosphate (P) and silicic acid (Si) consumption by various cell sizes of E. zodiacus strains, the apical axis length of which ranged from 10.2 to 77.3 μm. Nutrient cell quotas of E. zodiacus ranged from 2.7 to 8.4 pM cell⁻¹ for N, 0.34–0.76 pM cell⁻¹ for P and 1.7–7.3 pM cell⁻¹ for Si, and they increased with cell size, in which there is a significant correlation between these two elements. The N and P quotas were estimated to be several times higher than the minimum cell quotas. In contrast, the Si cell quotas were approximately equal to those of the minimum values. Based on the present cell quotas, total nitrate consumption by E. zodiacus population when the blooms reached maximum cell density (=1000 cells ml⁻¹) were estimated to be 6.5 μM. Monthly mean concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) range from 3.5 to 8.2 μM during the period of late nori harvest season when E. zodiacus blooms occur, and nori bleaching is reported at the condition of DIN concentration of less than 3 μM in Harima-Nada, eastern Seto Inland Sea, Japan. Therefore, the present results suggest that E. zodiacus causes serious damage to nori cultivation due to high levels of nutrient consumption.     

Estimating Pliocene sea-surface temperatures in the Mediterranean: An approach based on the modern analogs technique

The possibilities of adapting the Modern Analogs Technique (MAT) based on planktonic foraminifers for estimating sea-surface temperatures (SST) in the Mediterranean during the Pliocene are discussed in this article. The calibration database used comprises 684 core-top samples distributed in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. MAT estimates show an imperceptible bias (− 0.03 °C; σ = 0.59) and a low mean error of estimates (0.42 °C; σ = 0.42) when applied over the samples of the calibration dataset. The procedure used for assimilating the Pliocene taxonomic categories to those of the modern assemblages results in an increase from 17 to 40 in the number of samples showing an error > 2 °C when applied over the calibration database. However, the precision of MAT does not diminish when these samples are removed from the dataset. This methodology was used for obtaining SST estimates of late-middle Pliocene–earliest Pleistocene samples from ODP-site 975 (Menorca area), which have close modern analogs within the calibration database. In order to compare this technique with an additional proxy, we measured also δ¹⁸O values of G. bulloides tests from these samples. The results obtained show a good agreement on the whole, which corroborates the validity of the technical approach proposed.     

Ecological analysis of nematodes associated with vegetable-maize cropping system at Dhapa,Kolkata (India)

The study focused on the ecological analysis of plant and soil nematode communities associated with vegetables-maize crop sequences in the eastern fringe of Kolkata at Dhapa from December 2011 to April 2014 at a monthly interval. Plant-parasitic nematodes like Pratylenchus zeae, Meloidogyne incognita, Hoplolaimus indicus, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Tylenchorhynchus brevilineatus, Rotylenchulus reniformis, and Criconemoides onoensis were observed in two major cropping sequences of chilli-amaranthus-maize-radish-cauliflower and amaranthus-maize-cabbage-chilli. Among them, R. reniformis was found to be the most prevalent genera with the highest relative prominence value (RPV) of 27.29 followed by P. zeae (20.30) and T. brevilineatus (16.70). The population dynamics of P. zeae revealed the lowest density of the nematode was recorded (26 per 200 cc of soil + 5 g of the root) in March and the highest (634) in September. The variation in the abundances of other PPNs was also noted, and that attributed to the crops in the crop sequence and weather conditions. Low numbers of R. reniformis was found in the maize rhizosphere. The saprozoic nematodes (SNs) maintained higher mean densities (1734/200 cc soil); they were recorded in high numbers in the rainy season as compared to other seasons. No significant differences in the Shannon diversity index (H′), evenness (J) were observed across the growing period. A significant relationship was found between nematode abundance and climatic variables observed. This study provides baseline information on nematodes associated with maize-based cropping system, population abundance, Mylonchulus-SNs relationships, and population fluctuation in response to environmental factors.     

A survey for Echinococcus spp. of carnivores in six wildlife conservation areas in Kenya

To investigate the presence of Echinococcus spp. in wild mammals of Kenya, 832 faecal samples from wild carnivores (lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, wild dogs and silver-backed jackals) were collected in six different conservation areas of Kenya (Meru, Nairobi, Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks, Samburu and Maasai Mara National Reserves). Taeniid eggs were found in 120 samples (14.4%). In total, 1160 eggs were isolated and further analysed using RFLP-PCR of the nad1 gene and sequencing. 38 of these samples contained eggs of Echinococcus spp., which were identified as either Echinococcus felidis (n = 27) or Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (n = 12); one sample contained eggs from both taxa. E. felidis was found in faeces from lions (n = 20) and hyenas (n = 5) while E. granulosus in faeces from lions (n = 8), leopards (n = 1) and hyenas (n = 3). The host species for two samples containing E. felidis could not be identified with certainty. As the majority of isolated eggs could not be analysed with the methods used (no amplification), we do not attempt to give estimates of faecal prevalences. Both taxa of Echinococcus were found in all conservation areas except Meru (only E. felidis) and Tsavo West (only E. granulosus). Host species identification for environmental faecal samples, based on field signs, was found to be unreliable. All samples with taeniid eggs were subjected to a confirmatory host species RLFP-PCR of the cytochrome B gene. 60% had been correctly identified in the field. Frequently, hyena faeces were mistaken for lion and vice versa, and none of the samples from jackals and wild dogs could be confirmed in the tested sub-sample. This is the first molecular study on the distribution of Echinococcus spp. in Kenyan wildlife. The presence of E. felidis is confirmed for lions and newly reported for spotted hyenas. Lions and hyenas are newly recognized hosts for E. granulosus s.s., while the role of leopards remains uncertain. These data provide the basis for further studies on the lifecycles and the possible link between wild and domestic cycles of cystic echinococcosis in eastern Africa.     

Chansitheca wudaensis (Gleicheniaceae,fern) from the early Permian Wuda Tuff Flora,Inner Mongolia

A large number of specimens of Chansitheca wudaensis Deng, Sun et Li from the early Permian Wuda Tuff Flora allow an emendation of this species. Characters of the sporangial structure and in situ spores are examined for the first time. Sori are arranged on lateral veins of pinnule lobes, and are 0.61–0.69 mm long and 0.35–0.41 mm wide. Sporangia are sessile and surrounded by an annulus, which is composed of two rows of oblong thick-walled cells. Trilete, smooth in situ spores have diameters of 21.05–26.31 μm. Features of the reproductive organ indicate that this species is similar to Szea Yao et Taylor and some species of Oligocarpia Goeppert and belongs to the Gleicheniaceae. Based on a taphonomical analysis, C. wudaensis was an herbaceous element of the groundcover in the peat-forming coal swamp.     

First fossil record of Vipera Laurenti 1768 “Oriental vipers complex” (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Early Pliocene of the western Mediterranean islands

The first fossil record of Vipera “Oriental vipers complex” (Serpentes: Viperidae) in the western Mediterranean islands is presented. Two large-sized vertebrae were found in an Early Pliocene karstic deposit located on the eastern coast of Mallorca, close to Caló den Rafelino (Manacor). The centrum length of the trunk vertebra (12.7 mm) represents the largest-sized known specimen of the European vipers belonging to the “Oriental vipers complex” and it suggests a body length close or greater than 200 cm. The arrival of this snake to Mallorca probably took place during the Messinian Salinity Crisis of the Mediterranean Sea (Late Miocene, 5.6-5.32 My ago) and it should be considered as one of the largest predators in Mallorca during the Early Pliocene. Although patterns of body size change in island snakes are unclear, some considerations about the large size of the Caló den Rafelino viper and co-evolution with endothermic preys are proposed.     

Rhaetian magneto-biostratigraphy from the Southern Alps (Italy): Constraints on Triassic chronology

New Late Triassic–earliest Jurassic magneto-biostratigraphic data have been obtained from three overlapping sections in the Southern Alps, Italy (Costa Imagna, Brumano, Italcementi Quarry), composed of ~ 520 m of shallow-marine carbonates outcropping in stratigraphic continuity. Characteristic magnetic components of presumed depositional age record a sequence of 9 normal and reverse polarity magnetozones (as defined by at least three stratigraphically superposed samples) linked by conodont and palynofloral evidence from this study and the literature to Rhaetian to Triassic–Jurassic boundary age. This represents a significantly larger number of polarity zones than previously recognized in more condensed Rhaetian sections from the literature, and by inference represents more time. These data are placed in a broader Late Triassic temporal framework by means of correlations to published magneto-biostratigraphic data from the Tethyan marine Pizzo Mondello section and the Newark astronomical polarity time scale (APTS). This framework is consistent with a position of the Norian–Rhaetian boundary (as defined at Brumano and Pizzo Mondello by the first appearance of Misikella posthernsteini) within Newark magnetozones E17r–E19r in the ~ 207–210 Ma time interval, in basic agreement with the position originally estimated in the Newark using pollen biostratigraphy (E18 at 208–209 Ma). This framework is also consistent with the position of the Triassic–Jurassic boundary interval (placed at Italcementi Quarry at the acme of Kraeuselisporites reissingeri coincident with a negative carbon isotope excursion) correlative to just above Newark magnetozone E23r and just below the oldest CAMP lavas dated at ~ 202 Ma. Hence, we estimate the duration of the Rhaetian to be ~ 5.5–8.5 Myr (or even longer if the Triassic–Jurassic boundary is instead placed above the negative carbon isotope excursion as at Kuhjoch, which is the designated GSSP for the base of the Hettangian), and encompassing 9 magnetozones. This duration contrasts with a duration of ~ 2 Myr and only ~ 4 magnetozones in several alternative published magneto-biostratigraphic schemes.     

Pliocene Atlantic molluscan assemblages from the Mondego Basin (Portugal): Age and palaeoceanographic implications

The Pliocene molluscan assemblage from the Mondego Basin (Portugal, Western Iberia) plays a particularly important role in the understanding of the palaeobiogeography of Neogene–Quaternary molluscs of the Atlantic Frontage of Europe and the western Mediterranean. The importance of these Portuguese molluscan deposits is stressed, as it is the only assemblage representative of the southern portion of the Pliocene French–Iberian biogeographical Province.The Pliocene marine fossiliferous deposits of the Mondego Basin (central-west Portugal) are dated using their nannofossil and molluscan assemblages, as well as Strontium dating. The results suggest a late Zanclean to early Piacenzian age. Chronologically they are equivalent to the Mediterranean Pliocene Molluscan Unit 1 (MPMU1). However, due to the more northern geographical location of the Mondego Basin assemblages, their molluscan content is closer to that of MPMU2 than to that of MPMU1 in the Mediterranean.The presence of a stock of thermophilic taxa in the Mondego assemblage, no longer existent in European waters, enabled us to suggest a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction for mid-Pliocene SSTs in the region. We put forward the hypothesis that the SSTs at the latitude of Mondego, during late Zanclean to early Piacenzian, would be characterized by a yearly SST pattern analogous to that of present-day Cape Blanc (West Africa). Consequently, whilst subtropical conditions existed in the Atlantic Zanclean to mid-Piacenzian at Mondego latitude in the Mediterranean fully tropical conditions prevailed at that time. The Mondego SST estimates correlate with those estimated for MPMU2 in the Mediterranean.The global palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of mid-Pliocene SSTs in the PRISM2 Project suggests, for western Iberia, at Mondego latitude, an August SST of about 23 °C, and a February temperature of about 17 to 18 °C. Our hypothesis suggests similar August SST differing in only half a degree Celsius (23.5 vs. 23 °C) and February SSTs slightly higher (19 vs. 17–18 °C).     

Molecular and biochemical characterizations of a novel arthropod endo-β-1,3-glucanase from the Antarctic springtail,Cryptopygus antarcticus,horizontally acquired from bacteria

Collembolan species have been known to have β-1,3-glucanase activity and yet the genes coding such enzymes have not been demonstrated. We report here a novel arthropod endo-β-1,3-glucanase gene CaLam from the Antarctic springtail, Cryptopygus antarcticus. The open reading frame consists of 813 bp encoding 270 amino acids with a putative signal peptide and a typical motif of glycosyl hydrolase family 16 (GHF16), E–I–D–I–T–E. The recombinant protein expressed in E. coli shows the hydrolytic activity toward laminarin (K_m ～ 9.98 mg/mL) with an optimal temperature 50 °C and an optimal pH 6.0. CaLam digests laminarin and laminarioligosaccharides except laminaribiose as an endo-β-1,3-glucanase, releasing glucose, laminaribiose and laminaritriose as the major products. Analyses of molecular phylogeny of CaLam and its protein structure reveal that CaLam is closely related with bacterial β-1,3-glucanases more than with the eukaryotic homologues. Even so, the genomic structure of the CaLam gene consisting of six exons interspersed with approximately 57 to 63 bp introns confirms that it is endogenous in the genome of the Antarctic springtail. These results suggest that CaLam should have been transferred from bacteria to the lineage of the Collembolan species by horizontal gene transfer.     

Genetic structure of Octopus vulgaris (Cephalopoda,Octopodidae) in the central Mediterranean Sea inferred from the mitochondrial COIII gene

The polymorphism of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase III was studied in the Mediterranean octopus, Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797. A total of 202 specimens from seven sampling sites were analysed with the aim of elucidating patterns of genetic structure in the central Mediterranean Sea and to give an insight into the phylogeny of the Octopus genus. Phylogenetic analyses showed that individuals from the central Mediterranean belong to the O. vulgaris species whose limits should nevertheless be clarified. Concerning genetic structure, two high-frequency haplotypes were present in all locations. The overall genetic divergence (Φ_ST = 0.05, P < 0.05) indicated a significant genetic structuring in the study area and an AMOVA highlighted a significant break between western and eastern Mediterranean basins (Φ_CT = 0.094, P < 0.05). Possible explanations for the observed patterns of genetic structuring are discussed with reference to their relevance for fisheries management.     

Effect of supplementing Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) with Madras thorn (Pithecellobium dulce) on intake,digestibility and live weight gains of growing goats

A study was carried out in Coastal Kenya to evaluate the effect of supplementing Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) based diet with increasing level of Madras thorn (Pithecellobium dulce) on feed intake, digestibility and live weight changes of growing goats. Fifteen small East African goats 6 months old on average were randomly allocated to five treatments. Napier grass was either offered alone (control) or supplemented with 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 g DM/kg W^0.75 of Madras thorn. Supplementing with Madras thorn up to 22.5 g DM/kg W^0.75 had no (P > 0.05) significant effect on the intake of the basal diet, however there was a 29% depression in the intake of the basal diet at 30 g DM/kg W^0.75 level of supplementation. A (P < 0.05) increase significant in the TDMI from 242 for the control to 258, 302, 357 and 458 g/kg DM, was recorded for 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 g DM/kg W^0.75, respectively. Supplementation also resulted in increase (P < 0.05) in DM and OM digestibility. Feed N, N retained and loss increased linearly with increase in supplementation. Positive N balance was recorded for all goats 0.2, 1.4, 2.5, 3.2 and 3.6 g/day for control, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 g DM/kg W^0.75, respectively. Goats fed the control diet lost a mean of 8 g BW/day while those supplemented with 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 g DM/kg W^0.75 gained 8, 23, 43 and 44 g/day, respectively. The use of Madras thorn forage as a protein supplement for goats could be an affordable source, especially to the resource-constrained farmers in the tropics.     

Phenology and dispersal of Larinus minutus Gyllenhal and Larinus obtusus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), two biological control agents of Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos (spotted knapweed) in Michigan

Centaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gugler) (spotted knapweed) is an invasive plant that has been the target of classical biological control in North America for more than four decades. The seedhead-feeding weevils Larinus minutus Gyllenhal and Larinus obtusus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are two of the most-widely released C. stoebe control agents, and have more recently been introduced into the eastern US. While there have been many studies focusing on their ability to impact C. stoebe in the western US and Canada, there have been few studies from eastern North America, and basic knowledge of important aspects of their biology is lacking. Here we report on the phenology and dispersal of L. minutus and L. obtusus in Michigan. We regularly sampled two established Larinus spp. populations in southern Michigan in 2012 and 2013, and found that while adult abundance fluctuates during the growing season, they remained at easily detectable levels from mid-June through the end of August. We also used previously established populations of L. minutus and L. obtusus released in 1996 (n = 1), 2007 (n = 2), and 2010 (n = 5) to determine how dispersal of Larinus spp. into the surrounding landscape changes with time since release. Populations of Larinus spp. weevils showed little dispersal for 2 years post-release. However, after initial establishment dispersal rates increased rapidly, resulting in average dispersal rates that increased exponentially with time since release. These findings can inform future biological control release and sampling programs for Larinus spp. in eastern North America.     

Densities of spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) and African golden wolf (Canis anthus) increase with increasing anthropogenic influence

We report densities of spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) and African golden wolf (Canis anthus) in Enderta district in northern Ethiopia with high human and low natural prey densities. We estimated spotted hyaena and African golden wolf abundance and characterized their spatial distribution with three methods we surveyed four road-transects for 66 nights during dry (n = 41) and wet (n = 25) seasons, we used 34 calling stations and we mapped all active spotted hyaena dens at the time of the survey. The density of spotted hyaena and African golden wolf increased with proximity to towns where human density was higher. A total of 562 spotted hyaena and 63 African golden wolf responded to calling stations, leading to estimates of 1145 spotted hyaena and 166 African golden wolf in Enderta district. This method also found a significantly higher spotted hyaena and African golden wolf abundance in high human density areas. Maximum response radius was 2.8 km for spotted hyaena and 2.5 km for African golden wolf, and response probability was 0.83 for spotted hyaena and 0.8 for African golden wolf, respectively. We found 40 active spotted hyaena dens with 1507 remnants of prey, and the majority of the dens were located close to rivers and villages. Our findings show a positive relationship between spotted hyaena, African golden wolf and human concentrations that might demonstrate a case of exceptional coexistence of humans and carnivores, both at high densities. We suggest further investigations into co-adaptations between humans and predators in the study area.     

Development of Neoseiulus womersleyi (Schicha) and Euseius ovalis (Evans) feeding on four tetranychid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae,Tetranychidae) and pollen

The development of the predatory mites, Neoseiulus womersleyi (Schicha) and Euseius ovalis (Evans), feeding on four tetranychid mites (Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus kanzawai, Oligonychus mangiferus, Panonychus citri), maize pollen or Chinese loofah pollen was studied at 25 °C. Immature stages of N. womersleyi feeding on T. urticae and T. kanzawai had shorter developmental duration (4.71 and 5.02 days for females, 4.77 and 5.19 days for males, respectively) than those feeding on other food sources. Immature stages of E. ovalis females feeding on O. mangiferus and T. urticae developed in 4.99 and 5.13 days, respectively, the shortest developmental duration measured. Immature stages of E. ovalis males feeding on O. mangiferus and T. urticae developed in 5.12 and 5.37 days, respectively. The longevity of N. womersleyi males (13.31 to 14.51 days) and females (17.67 to 21.81 days) feeding on T. urticae, T. kanzawai or maize pollen was longer than the longevity of N. womersleyi feeding on O. mangiferus, P. citri or loofah pollen. E. ovalis males (12.91 to 16.74 days) and females (16.24 to 23.77 days) feeding on O. mangiferus, T. urticae or maize pollen lived longer than E. ovalis males and females feeding on T. kanzawai, P. citri or loofah pollen.