Cranial variation in the Marquesas Islands

The Marquesas Islands have traditionally been divided into a northwestern and a southeastern group, a division which reflects language dialect differences. Additionally, archaeological studies have also suggested that differences in material culture existed between the northwestern and southeastern islands. This study examines Marquesan cranial discrete and metric traits to evaluate the level of intra-archipelago heterogeneity, and to determine if a northwest/southeast division is evident cranially.The data consist of 28 cranial discrete traits and 49 craniofacial measurements of prehistoric Marquesans. Male and female data are pooled for discrete trait and metric data, following a Z-score standardization technique adjustment. The data represent three island samples: Nuku Hiva (northwest), Fatuiva (southeast), and a combined Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa (southeast). Of the 28 discrete traits, 16 are utilized in a mean measure of divergence analysis that provides scores of 0.259 for Fatuiva-Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa, 1.850 for Nuku Hiva-Fatuiva, and 1.491 for Nuku Hiva-Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa. Of the 49 craniofacial measurements, 46 are utilized in RMET/NORM analyses, providing unbiased D(2) values of 0.0433 for Fatuiva-Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa, 0.1328 for Nuku Hiva-Fatuiva, and 0.0813 for Nuku Hiva-Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa. The islands of the southeastern group are closer to each other than either was to the island of the northwestern group. When a sample from 'Ua Huka is included in the craniometric analysis, the unbiased D(2) values of 0.0829, 0.1175, and 0.0431 are calculated for 'Ua Huka and Nuku Hiva, and Fatuiva and Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa pairings, respectively, indicating a close similarity of 'Ua Huka to the southeastern islands.Mean measure of divergence analysis of cranial discrete traits as well as RMET/NORM analyses of craniometric variables reveal that differences exist between the islands of the northwestern and southeastern Marquesas Islands. These results support previous research that documented linguistic and cultural differences between these regions of the archipelago. However, the results indicate that 'Ua Huka, an island traditionally included in the northwestern Marquesas Islands, has an affinity to the southeastern Marquesas Islands, possibly due to its pivotal position as a waypoint in the Marquesas Island interaction sphere.     

Temporal dynamics of fish communities on an exposed shoreline in Hawaii

Environmental conditions on higher latitude coral reefs can be extremely variable, and may structure fish communities in ways not previously observed in the more stable, low latitude locations where communities have usually been studied. Temporal changes in fish community structure were examined in an intensive two-year study of the reef fishes of Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii. Hanalei Bay is directly exposed to winter swells with high surf, as well as frequent heavy winter rainfall and high river discharge. Twenty-two transects (25 × 5 m) were established in a wide variety of habitats and censused monthly (N = 1052 censuses). Over 121 000 sightings of individuals from 150 species were made during the study. Seasonal patterns in number of species, number of individuals, species diversity, and evenness were observed, with winter values usually lowest. Values of these ensemble variables tended to be higher at deeper sites and at sites with greater habitat complexity. Surf height and degree of wave exposure were negatively correlated with several measures of community organization. Groups of fishes with different levels of spatial mobility tended to occupy depths consistent with their various abilities to respond to events of heavy weather. The rank abundance of fish taxa tended to be more stable seasonally at sites with less exposure to high wave energy. These seasonal effects may suggest some type of short-range movement from more exposed and monotypic habitats to locations that are deeper or otherwise provide refuge from seasonally heavy seas.     

加州Santa Monica海湾鳍足类的生态学

研究了加州Santa Monica海湾鳍足类的生态学.从1997-2007年乘船调查了277次,发现海狮(Zalophus californianus)是最常见的动物(89%,见到的次数为1393次),其次是港海豹(Phoca vitulina richardsi,8%,n=131)和北象海豹(Mirounga angustirostris,1%,n=15).在29%的遇见次数(观察到瓶海豚205次)中,发现海狮(偶尔也发现港海豹)与瓶鼻海豚集群(Tursiops truncatus);短喙真海豚(Delphinus delphis)与长喙真海豚(D.capensis)在53% 的遇见次数(遇见真海豚次数n=155)中,发现短喙真海豚(Delphinus delphis)与长喙真海豚(D.capensis)集群;一般在沿岸水域(离岸边距离<500 m)见到海狮和港海豹,但在整个海湾也能见到,表现出这两个物种对海底峡谷的偏爱.北象海豹仅见于近海,主要在海底峡谷附近. 经常看到海狮、港海豹和北象海豹游动(50%,n=728)、进行热调节(14%,n=205)、以及取食(3.2%,n=47),但几乎见不到有社会性活动(0.21%,n=3).     

A population size estimate of the finless porpoise,Neophocaena phocaenoides, from aerial sighting surveys in Ariake Sound and Tachibana Bay, Japan

We estimated the population size of the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in Ariake Sound and Tachibana Bay of western Kyushu, southwestern Japan, from aerial sighting surveys using line transect methods. All 12 surveys were conducted from May 1993 to May 1994 (8 in Ariake Sound and 4 in Tachibana Bay). In addition to these, 14 surveys were also carried out to obtain information on porpoise occurrence in Tachibana Bay (5 surveys) and in neighboring Sumo Nada (5) and Yatsushiro Sound (4). In Ariake Sound, 225 porpoise groups (369 animals) were detected during all flights totalling 1,694.4 km. In Tachibana Bay, a total of 997.8 km was surveyed and 55 groups (290 animals) were sighted. However, no sightings were recorded in Sumo Nada (distance searched = 148.7 km) and Yatsushiro Sound (208.4 km). In Ariake Sound, few sightings were recorded from waters shallower than 5 m in depth. In Tachibana Bay all animals were detected from waters of less than 50 m depth. The population size was estimated as 1,983 animals in Ariake Sound (95% CI = 1,382-2,847), 1,110 in Tachibana Bay (95% CI = 642-1,920), and 3,093 in the 2 waters (1.3 individuals/km², 95% CI = 2,278-4,201).     

厦门水域中华白海豚出现于围头湾

厦门海域的中华白海豚是一个受威胁的种群。以往有关该种群的调查范围主要集中在厦门以及邻近的南部漳州海域。为了获得厦门岛东部海域（包括晋江围头湾、小嶝岛以及大嶝岛部分水域）白海豚的分布和数量等信息,本文于2013年6—8月对该水域进行了船基样线法调查和照相识别研究。调查期间共目击到白海豚26群,照相识别白海豚个体27头。所有照相识别的白海豚个体均与厦门中华白海豚个体识别数据库中的个体匹配,表明厦门中华白海豚的分布区至少向东延伸至围头湾。本文白海豚遇见率为5.8群/100km和24.8头/100km,均要高于以往在厦门水域的调查结果,表明大嶝岛—围头湾水域是厦门中华白海豚的重要栖息地之一,值得优先保护和管理。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus carbonarius</Emphasis>, a new species of deepwater cardinalfish (Perciformes: Epigonidae) from the Marquesas Islands,with a redefinition of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus oligolepis</Emphasis> group

A new epigonid fish, Epigonus carbonarius, is described on the basis of four specimens (50.8–95.3 mm standard length) collected from off Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands. This species belongs to the Epigonus oligolepis group, redefined in this study. It is distinguished from the three recognized species of the group by the following combination of characters: a small number of total gill rakers (21–23) and pyloric caeca (6), presence of lingual teeth, and absence of teeth from posterior part of vomer. A key to the species in the E. oligolepis group is provided.     

The Ichnofossils of the Triassic Hope Bay Formation,Trinity Peninsula Group,Antarctic Peninsula

The Triassic Hope Bay Formation (Trinity Peninsula Group) includes a diverse ichnocoenosis in the Puerto Moro succession (Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula). The Hope Bay Formation is a thick turbidite succession with a minimum vertical exposure of 533 meters along the Hope Bay coast. The rocks are locally affected by contact metamorphism related to later arc magmatism. The ichnofossils are found mainly in thick- and thin-bedded sandstone-mudstone facies composed of a monotonous repetition of sandstone-mudstone cycles. The sandstones are usually medium grained, massive or parallel laminated; the mudstones are massive and rarely laminated. In the fine-grained rocks, mainly the mudstones, there are distinct densities of bioturbation, and at least six patterns were observed. The following ichnogenera were recognized: Arenicolites Salter 1857, Lophoctenium Richter 1850, Taenidium Heer 1877, Palaeophycus Hall 1847, Phycosiphon von Fischer-Ooster 1858 and Rhizocorallium Zenker 1836. All appear to be feeding-traces. The trace fossil assemblages occur mainly in black mudstones rich in organic material that suggest a low oxygen environment. The stratigraphic interval in which they occur is interpreted as progradational supra-fan lobes with channel fill and levee deposits. The thin-bedded turbidite and mudstone lithofacies, where the ichnofossils are abundant, is interpreted as a distal fan turbidite or levee deposit related to a long-term channel fill. This study is the first significant report of trace fossils in the Hope Bay Formation.     

Evaluation of microsatellite markers in association studies: a search for an immune-related susceptibility gene in sarcoidosis

Association studies using linkage disequilibrium (LD) between candidate loci and nearby markers have been proposed to identify susceptibility genes for complex diseases. We analyzed polymorphisms of microsatellites (MSs) and LD patterns of the regions in which candidate genes related to the Th1 immune response have been annotated and attempted to identify a susceptibility gene for sarcoidosis in a marker-based association study. Nineteen MSs were identified in six Th1-related genes (IFNGR1, IFNGR2, IL12RB1, IL12RB2, STAT1 and STAT4) and then eight were further characterized as useful polymorphic markers. Most of these MSs showed LD with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on both 5 and 3 ends of these candidate genes, in which r² values between at least one of the MS marker alleles and the SNPs were higher than 0.1. A significant association with one MS allele near STAT4 was shown and a cluster of SNPs in LD with the MS marker was associated with sarcoidosis. These results suggest that association studies using not only SNPs but also multi-allelic MS within or near candidate loci would be useful markers to search for a disease susceptibility gene, especially in populations with unknown LD structure.     

Sighting of Stenella attenuata, the spotted dolphin, in Culebra Bay, Costa Rica, 1999-2000

Parallel to a zooplankton study (1999-2000) observations were made (from an inflatable boat), on the presence of dolphins along a transect (-8 km long) on the axis of Culebra Bay (24 km2), Gulf of Papagayo, Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Dolphins were found during 20 of the 31 boat surveys conducted. The only species of cetacean found in the bay was Stenella attenuata, the spotted dolphin. These sightings were more frequent during the rainy season, particularly during the month of May of both years. The presence of S. attenuata in Culebra Bay might be associated to the abundances of fish and mollusks (their presumed prey: for example, squids), as evidenced by fishery statistics available for this zone of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.     

Too hot to handle: Unprecedented seagrass death driven by marine heatwave in a World Heritage Area

The increased occurrence of extreme climate events, such as marine heatwaves (MHWs), has resulted in substantial ecological impacts worldwide. To date, metrics of thermal stress within marine systems have focussed on coral communities, and less is known about measuring stress relevant to other primary producers, such as seagrasses. An extreme MHW occurred across the Western Australian coastline in the austral summer of 2010–2011, exposing marine communities to summer seawater temperatures 2–5°C warmer than average. Using a combination of satellite imagery and in situ assessments, we provide detailed maps of seagrass coverage across the entire Shark Bay World Heritage Area (ca. 13,000 km²) before (2002 and 2010) and after the MHW (2014 and 2016). Our temporal analysis of these maps documents the single largest loss in dense seagrass extent globally (1,310 km²) following an acute disturbance. Total change in seagrass extent was spatially heterogeneous, with the most extensive declines occurring in the Western Gulf, Wooramel Bank and Faure Sill. Spatial variation in seagrass loss was best explained by a model that included an interaction between two heat stress metrics, the most substantial loss occurring when degree heating weeks (DHWm) was ≥10 and the number of days exposed to extreme sea surface temperature during the MHW (DaysOver) was ≥94. Ground truthing at 622 points indicated that change in seagrass cover was predominantly due to loss of Amphibolis antarctica rather than Posidonia australis, the other prominent seagrass at Shark Bay. As seawater temperatures continue to rise and the incidence of MHWs increase globally, this work will provide a basis for identifying areas of meadow degradation, or stability and recovery, and potential areas of resilience.     

Freezing behavior of the Japanese serow (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capricornis crispus</Emphasis>) in relation to habitat and group size

Freezing behavior is frequently observed among forest-dwelling ungulates and is thought to function as a method of concealment from predators. However, because of the difficulty of observing such behaviors, detailed observations have not previously been conducted to provide evidence for this interpretation. Therefore, we have examined the response to human observers of the Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus), a typical forest dweller, in relation to visibility and group size based on direct observations conducted over 3 years. From a total of 221 sightings, freezing behavior was observed more frequently in the closed habitat (14.3% of 196 sightings) and during the growing season (22.8% of 92 sightings) than in the open habitat (0% of 25 sightings) and during the non-growing season (5.2% of 129 sightings). Freezing behavior was also frequently observed in solitary animals (15.2% of 184 sightings) than in groups (0% of 37 sightings). These results suggest that the function of this freezing behavior is concealment from predators. Japanese serows fled more frequently in the open habitat (72%) and during the non-growing season (58.7%) than in the closed habitat (18%) and during the growing season (41.3%). Japanese serows selected closed habitat significantly more often regardless of the season. These results suggest that Japanese serow adopt cryptic anti-predator strategy to avoid detection by predators in the dense forest habitat, and their strategy changes according to visibility.     

CHANGES IN THE RELATIVE ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF GRAY WHALES (ESCHRICHTIUS ROBUSTUS) IN MAGDALENA BAY, MEXICO DURING AN EL NIÑO EVENT

The oceanographic changes during the El Niño and La Niña of 1998–1999 have provided an opportunity to document the effects of these events on the migratory patterns of gray whales ( Eschrichtius robustus ). Magdalena Bay is located at the southernmost point of the gray whale's annual breeding migration along the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. Standardized surveys were conducted for three consecutive seasons (1997–1999) in Magdalena Bay, enabling an assessment of the changes in the relative abundance of gray whales with altered temperature. The average temperature of the bay in 1998 was 4.2°C higher than in 1997 and 5.8°C higher than in 1999. The number of whale sightings during that time period was inversely related to temperature, with nearly 15 times greater relative abundance observed in 1999 than in 1998. It is hypochesized that the decreasing temperatures associated with the La Niña event of 1999 may have induced more whales to travel farther south along their migration route. Alternative hypotheses are also expiored. Comparisons of the three years are discussed with consideration of the importance of environmental conditions versus area fidelity as determining factors in the location of gray whale calving and breeding activities.     

Role of transposable elements in the propagation of minisatellites in the rice genome

A survey of minisatellites (MSs) in 5.3 Mb of randomly selected rice DNA sequences from public databases was carried out to clarify the role of transposable elements (TEs) in the dispersal of MSs in the rice genome. The estimated frequency of MSs in this sample was one per 23.4 kb, and this frequency is approximately equivalent to that of Class I microsatellites in the rice genome. Of the MSs in the 5.3-Mb sequence sample, 82% were found to be present in multiple copies in the rice genome, and all of these were a part of TE sequences. In this study at least 61 TE groups were identified as MS carriers. It was also shown that the GC-rich MS pOs6.2H, which was previously reported to be one of the interspersed MSs in the rice genome, is a component of an En / Spm -like element. These results indicate that the majority of MSs in the rice genome are maintained in TEs, and amplified and dispersed as components of the TEs. The G+C content of the multi-locus MS sequences reflected that of the TE sequences containing those MSs, but no obvious bias towards the high G+C content of DNA was observed. Single locus MSs also did not show any obvious bias towards the high G+C content of DNA in the rice genome. In this respect, the MSs in the rice genome are quite different from those in the human genome: in the latter, the majority of MSs show an obvious bias towards the high G+C content of DNA.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at Communicated by M.-A. Grandbastien     

Lunar synchronization of the monthly reproductive rhythm in the sea urchin Centrostephanus coronatus Verrill

The monthly reproductive rhythm in the diadematid sea urchin Centrostephanus coronatus Verrill at Santa Catalina Island, California, was studied in the summer of 1973 and the results are compared with data for the summer of 1969. In the summer of 1973 the more extreme spring tides coincided with the new moon, while in the summer of 1969 the more extreme spring tides coincided with the full moon. The reproductive rhythm in both years was closely synchronized with lunar phases and not with the monthly tidal cycles; spawning occurred near the third lunar quarter in both years. These observations suggest that this monthly reproductive rhythm is synchronized by monthly changes in moonlight, and not by monthly tidal changes.     

At–Sea Behavior Varies with Lunar Phase in a Nocturnal Pelagic Seabird,the Swallow-Tailed Gull

Strong and predictable environmental variability can reward flexible behaviors among animals. We used long-term records of activity data that cover several lunar cycles to investigate whether behavior at-sea of swallow-tailed gulls Creagrus furcatus, a nocturnal pelagic seabird, varied with lunar phase in the Galápagos Islands. A Bayesian hierarchical model showed that nighttime at-sea activity of 37 breeding swallow-tailed gulls was clearly associated with changes in moon phase. Proportion of nighttime spent on water was highest during darker periods of the lunar cycle, coinciding with the cycle of the diel vertical migration (DVM) that brings prey to the sea surface at night. Our data show that at-sea behavior of a tropical seabird can vary with environmental changes, including lunar phase.     

Trends in bowhead whales in West Greenland: Aerial surveys vs. genetic capture‐recapture analyses

We contrast two methods for estimating the trends of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in West Greenland: (1) double platform visual aerial survey, corrected for missed sightings and the time the whales are available at the surface; and (2) a genetic capture‐recapture approach based on a 14‐yr‐long biopsy sampling program in Disko Bay. The aerial survey covered 39,000 km² and resulted in 58 sightings, yielding an abundance estimate of 744 whales (CV = 0.34, 95% CI: 357–1,461). The genetic method relied on determining sex, mitochondrial haplotypes and genotypes of nine microsatellite markers. Based on samples from a total of 427 individuals, with 11 recaptures from previous years in 2013, this resulted in an estimate of 1,538 whales (CV = 0.24, 95% CI: 827–2,249). While the aerial survey is considered a snapshot of the local spring aggregation in Disko Bay, the genetic approach estimates the abundance of the source of this aggregation. As the whales in Disko Bay primarily are adult females that do not visit the bay annually, the genetic method would presumably yield higher estimates. The studies indicate that an increase in abundance observed between 1998 and 2006 has leveled off.     

TRENDS IN MANATEE (TRICHECHUS MANATUS LATIROSTRIS) COUNTS AND HABITAT USE IN TAMPA BAY, 1987–1994: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION

Aerial surveys ( n = 88) were used to document locations and count sightings of manatees ( Trichechus manatus latirostris ) in the inshore waters of Tampa Bay, Florida, between November 1987 and May 1994. We made 5,358 sightings of manatees in 1,958 groups. Calves represented 8% of the manatees sighted. Counts were significantly higher in winter ( = 79, n = 29 flights) than in non-winter ( = 46, n = 47) months. Counts of manatees in winter increased significantly during the study, but warm-season counts did not. Regression models demonstrated a relationship between counts and environmental factors. Year-round counts were related to air temperatures and seasons, with highest counts in winter. However, in the winter season, counts were significantly correlated only with wind speed, not air temperature. Yearround counts were predicted to be curvilinear with highest counts at 15°C average air temperature. Areas used differed with season: in cold weather, 76% of all sightings occurred in zones with warm-water sources. High-use areas were identified for summer months. Spatial filter analysis was used to compare manatee density in high-use areas between two two-year time periods. The data indicate that (1) manatee use of Tampa Bay was high and increasing in winter, (2) there are particular zones of the bay where conservation of manatees and habitat should be a priority, and (3) sufficient information has been collected for management agencies to develop and implement manatee protection plans.     

Reef Fishes Have Higher Parasite Richness at Unfished Palmyra Atoll Compared to Fished Kiritimati Island

We compared parasite communities at two coral atolls in the Line Islands chain of the central Pacific (Kiritimati Island and Palmyra Atoll). Palmyra Atoll is relatively pristine while Kiritimati Island is heavily fished. At each island, we sampled five fish species for helminth and arthropod endoparasites: Chromis margaritifer, Plectroglyphidodon dickii, Paracirrhites arcatus, Acanthurus nigricans, and Lutjanus bohar. The surveys found monogeneans, digeneans, cestodes, nematodes, acanthocephalans, and copepods. Parasite richness was higher at Palmyra compared to Kiritimati for all five fish species. Fishes from Palmyra also tended to have more parasites species per host, higher parasite prevalence, and higher parasite abundance than did fishes from Kiritimati. The lower parasitism at Kiritimati may result from a simplified food web due to over fishing. Low biodiversity could impair parasite transmission by reducing the availability of hosts required by parasites with complex life cycles. Most notably, the lower abundances of larval shark tapeworms at Kiritimati presumably reflect the fact that fishing has greatly depleted sharks there in comparison to Palmyra.     

AERIAL SURVEYS FOR COASTAL DOLPHINS: ABUNDANCE OF HECTOR'S DOLPHINS OFF THE SOUTH ISLAND WEST COAST, NEW ZEALAND

Line-transect surveys of abundance depend critically on the estimation of detection probability, which includes corrections for availability and visibility. In this aerial line-transect survey for Hector's dolphin ( Cephalorhynchus hectori ) we recorded dive times from a helicopter to estimate the proportion of time that dolphins could be seen at or near the water surface and were therefore "available" to be counted. The proportion of available sightings that were counted on transect lines was estimated by comparing sightings by two independent teams of two observers in the fixed-wing plane. The survey covered the area between Farewell Spit and Milford Sound, off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Survey effort was stratified according to existing distribution data. A total of 142 separate sightings was made on 1,355 km of trackline. Average availability for fifty Hector's dolphin groups observed from the helicopter (161 dive/surface cycles) was 46.3% (CV = 4.2%). Data from the two independent observer teams indicated that 96.2% (CV = 2.3%) of the dolphin groups that were at the surface and on the trackline were seen. The abundance estimate for the South Island west coast, corrected for visibility and availability, was 5,388 Hector's dolphins (CV = 20.6%). The total population estimate for South Island Hector's dolphins is 7,270 (CV = 16.2%).     

Human Microsatellites: Mutation and Evolution

Microsatellites (MSs) are short tandem DNA repeats with the repetitive motif of two to six nucleotides, forming tracts up to hundreds of nucleotides long. Notwithstanding the active use of MSs in genetic studies of various biological problems, the reasons for their wide occurrence in the genome, their possible functions, and mutational behavior are still unclear. The mutation rate in MS repeats is on average several orders of magnitude higher than in the remaining DNA, which allows for direct estimation of evolutionary transformation rate in nucleotide sequences of the genome. Mutation process in MSs is highly heterogeneous, with distinct differences between species; furthermore, within a species it differs among loci with different repeat size, among alleles of one locus, and among individuals of different sex and age. Most MS mutations are caused by DNA slippage during replication but the probability of this event depends on the locus. In this review, a number of models of MS evolution are discussed, which account for the relationship between mutation rate and allele size, different mutation direction in alleles of different size, and the appearance of point mutations within repeat tracts restricting allele size. The MS evolution is considered mainly in the context of selective neutrality, although there is evidence showing functional significance of some variants of tandem repeats and thus their possible selective value.