Haematozoa of fishes in Humboldt Bay, California.

Five hundred seven fish representing 45 species from Humboldt Bay, California (USA) were examined for blood parasites. Four fish (less than 1%) from two species were infected. Haemogregarina leptocotti sp. n. is described from one of 33 staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus). Haemogregarina roelofsi sp. n. is described from three of 15 black rockfish (Sebastes melanops). Gametocytes of H. leptocotti sp. n. averaged 6.1 x 2.1 microns with a 2.7 x 1.7 microns oval nucleus; those of H. roelofsi sp. n. averaged 5.5 x 2.7 microns with a 2.5 x 2.2 microns rectangular nucleus. Neither species of parasite had distinct chromatin granules, a polar cap, or more than one gametocyte in an infected cell. Haematozoa are relatively rare in fishes of the northeastern Pacific Ocean.     

Mid-eocene climatic change,Southwestern California and Northwestern Baja California

A widespread paleosol of Paleocene and Early Eocene age occurs in southwestern California and northwestern Baja California. The dominant quartz-kaolinite mineralogy and cation-depleted chemistry of the buried soil indicate a humid, tropical paleoclimate similar to the modern equatorial belt. Although the Paleocene—Eocene paleomagnetic latitudes are similar to the modern latitudes (36–37°N to 32–33°N, respectively), rainfall was about 125–190 cm per year and average annual temperature was about 20–25°C in marked contrast to the present annual rainfall of 25 cm and average annual temperature of 16°C.A variety of indicators in the Late Eocene sedimentary succession suggests a change to a semi-arid paleoclimate. The nonmarine portions of the Late Eocene sedimentary record are dominated by a cobble conglomerate lithosome deposited in fluvial, alluvial fan and fan delta systems. Intertongued with the conglomerate is a sandstone lithosome deposited in flood-plain and nearshore marine environments. The conglomerate clasts were transported to the depositional site via a long-distance (200–300 km), moderate gradient, braided river system mostly by flash floods. Characteristic post-depositional, in situ fracturing of conglomerate clasts probably occurred due to salt crystallization.Within the flood plain sandstones, and to a lesser degree the conglomerates, are multiple well-developed caliche horizons of probable pedogenic origin. Clay minerals from the Late Eocene rocks are dominantly vermiculite and smectite with lesser chlorite and illite; this is in marked contrast to the kaolinite that comprises the underlying Early Paleogene lateritic paleosol.The character of the Late Eocene sedimentary succession indicates a semi-arid climate. Rainfall probably did not exceed 63 cm per year; it probably was seasonal and by occasional flash floods. This paleoclimate contrasts markedly with the earlier humid tropical paleoclimate and must indicate a widespread climatic change in late Middle Eocene time.