Effect of hot temperatures on the hematological parameters,health and performance of calves

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effects of high temperatures on calves. The hypothesis that the red and white blood cells, health, and performance of calves would be influenced by the temperature period at birth and gender was tested. Sixty-three Holstein calves were used. They were reared in individual hutches from the second day of life to weaning at the age of 8 weeks. All calves were allotted to treatment groups according to the temperature period at birth: moderate temperature period 1 (MT1), high temperature period (HT), moderate temperature period 2 (MT2). The same conditions of nutrition were ensured. We recorded 62 summer days and 14 tropical days during HT. Sixty-six days with a value above 72.0 of the temperature–humidity index (THI) and 26 with values greater than 78.0 were found. No significant differences were found in red blood cells with the exception of hemoglobin between MT1 and MT2 (p = 0.031) during the 8th week. Significant differences were observed among treatment groups in the percentage of eosinophiles during the 6th week (p  = 0.044). The HT calves had the least body weight from the first week to weaning (p = 0.053) and the highest water consumption (p = 0.042). The results emphasize the ability of dairy calves to maintain homeostasis during prolonged periods of heat stress. The exposure to high temperatures resulted only in a significant decrease of starter concentrate consumption and reduced growth.     

Summer kill rates and predation pattern in a wolf–moose system: can we rely on winter estimates?

So far the vast majority of studies on large carnivore predation, including kill rates and consumption, have been based on winter studies. Because large carnivores relying on ungulates as prey often show a preference for juveniles, kill rates may be both higher and more variable during the summer season than during the rest of the year leading to serious underestimates of the total annual predation rate. This study is the first to present detailed empirical data on kill rates and prey selection in a wolf–moose system during summer (June–September) as obtained by applying modern Global Positioning System-collar techniques on individual wolves (Canis lupus) in Scandinavia. Moose (Alces alces) was the dominant prey species both by number (74.4%) and biomass (95.6%); 89.9% of all moose killed were juveniles, representing 76.0% of the biomass consumed by wolves. Kill rate in terms of the kilogram biomass/kilogram wolf per day averaged 0.20 (range: 0.07–0.32) among wolf territories and was above, or well above, the daily minimum food requirements in most territories. The average number of days between moose kills across wolf territories and study periods was 1.71 days, but increased with time and size of growing moose calves during summer. Over the entire summer (June–September, 122 days), a group (from two to nine) of wolves killed a total of 66 (confidence interval 95%; 56–81) moose. Incorporation of body growth functions of moose calves and yearlings and wolf pups over the summer period showed that wolves adjusted their kill rate on moose, so the amount of biomass/kilogram wolf was relatively constant or increased. The kill rate was much higher (94–116%) than estimated from the winter period. As a consequence, projecting winter kill rates to obtain annual estimates of predation in similar predator–prey systems may result in a significant underestimation of the total number of prey killed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Life cycle of tortoise tick <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyalomma aegyptium</Emphasis> under laboratory conditions

The tortoise tick Hyalomma aegyptium has a typical three-host life-cycle. Whereas its larvae and nymphs are less host-specific feeding on a variety of tetrapods, tortoises of the genus Testudo are principal hosts of adults. Ticks retained this trait also in our study under laboratory conditions, while adults were reluctant to feed on mammalian hosts. Combination of feeding larvae and nymphs on guinea pigs and feeding of adults on Testudo marginata tortoises provided the best results. Feeding period of females was on average 25 days (range 17–44), whereas males remain after female engorgement on tortoise host. Female pre-oviposition period was 14 days (3–31), followed by 24 days of oviposition (18–29). Pre-eclosion and eclosion, both together, takes 31 days (21–43). Larvae fed 5 days (3–9), then molted to nymphs after 17 days (12–23). Feeding period of nymphs lasted 7 days (5–10), engorged nymphs molted to adults after 24 days (19–26). Sex ratio of laboratory hatched H. aegyptium was nearly equal (1:1.09). The average weight of engorged female was 0.95 (0.72–1.12) g. The average number of laid eggs was 6,900 (6,524–7,532) per female, it was significantly correlated with weight of engorged female. Only 2.8% of engorged larvae and 1.8% of engorged nymphs remained un-molted and died. Despite the use of natural host species, feeding success of females reached only 45%. The whole life-cycle was completed within 147 days (98–215).     

Temperature-induced excess mortality in Moscow,Russia

After considering the observed long-term trends in average monthly temperatures distribution in Moscow, the authors evaluated how acute mortality responded to changes in daily average, minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year, and identified vulnerable population groups, by age and causes of death. A plot of the basic mortality–temperature relationship indicated that this relationship was V-shaped with the minimum around 18°C. Each 1°C increment of average daily temperature above 18°C resulted in an increase in deaths from all non-accidental causes by 2.8%, from coronary heart disease by 2.7%, from cerebrovascular diseases by 4.7%, and from respiratory diseases by 8.7%, with a lag of 0 or 1 day. Each 1°C drop of average daily temperature from +18°C to −10°C resulted in an increase in deaths from all non-accidental causes by 0.49%, from coronary heart disease by 0.57%, from cerebrovascular diseases by 0.78%, and from respiratory diseases by 1.5%, with lags of maximum association varying from 3 days for non-accidental mortality to 6 days for cerebrovascular mortality. In the age group 75+ years, corresponding risks were consistently higher by 13–30%. The authors also estimated the increase in non-accidental deaths against the variation of daily temperatures. For each 1°C increase of variation of temperature throughout the day, mortality increased by 0.3–1.9%, depending on other assumptions of the model.     

Reproductive behaviour of wild-living wolves in Białowieża Primeval Forest (Poland)

Characteristics of the reproductive behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) were studied by radio-tracking and snow-tracking of four packs in Białowieża Primeval Forest (BPF), Poland, in 1995–1999. Signs of mating occurred between 12 January and 22 March. Parturition occurred between 19 April and 12 May, and the denning period lasted for 49–64 days. During that time, wolves used 1–3 den sites, spending on average 27 days at each site. The dens were never reused in consecutive years, but year after year the breeding sites were located in the same parts of the pack’s territory. Ten days before parturition pregnant females reduced their normal mobility by half (from 23 to 13.5 km day⁻¹, on average). During the ten days post-partum, they spent 85% of their time with pups and travelled 3.9 km day⁻¹, only. On days 11–30 after parturition, females spent 74% of their time tending pups and increased their daily movement distance to a mean of 13.3 km. The females resumed full mobility 50–70 days after parturition, which coincides with termination of the weaning process. Anecdotal observations indicated that pups were tended by other pack members while the mother was absent. Compared with the years 1947–1950, in 1995–1999 the breeding season of wolves in BPF occurred two weeks earlier. A possible reason was the 1 to 1.5-degree increase in the mean annual temperature during the last 50 years.     

Effects of Parenteral Supply of Iron on RBC Parameters,Performance, and Health in Neonatal Dairy Calves

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of parenteral iron on red blood cell parameters, performance, and health in dairy Holstein calves. Twenty neonatal calves were equally divided at random into two groups, one of which served as controls. Care was taken to ensure homogeneity of sex, age, and general health status of the animals. The controls received a normal diet and water ad libitum, while the study animals were injected with 1 g iron as Fe-dextran 2 days after birth. A daily record was kept of the calves’ weight and growth parameters. At periods of 24–48 h after birth and at 14, 28, and 42 days of age, jugular blood was drawn from all the experimental and control animals to measure the packed cell volume, red blood count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and iron levels. At the start of the experiments, there were no significant differences between these parameters between the two study groups (p > 0.05). With time, significant differences were seen between most of the values measured (p < 0.05) except for the mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and iron level. Significant differences were seen for total weight gain and mean daily weight gain, which were higher in the iron-supplemented group (p < 0.05).     

Flight potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microplitis mediator</Emphasis>, a parasitoid of various lepidopteran pests

The efficacy of using natural enemies to control pests under field conditions largely depends on their mobility and, more specifically, on their capacity to quickly locate pest infestation. For many natural enemies, for example parasitoids, mobility is directly related to flight aptitude, which is determined by the capacity and inclination of a species to engage in flight. In this study, we determined the various factors that affected flight performance of Microplitis mediator (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), using a computer-monitored flight mill. No differences were found in flight performance (i.e., flight distance, duration, speed) between both sexes of M. mediator, and flight capacity increased up to an age of 5–7 days followed by a gradual decline afterwards. For one-day-old female parasitoids, mean (±SE) flight distance and duration were 6.23 ± 0.88 km and 85.15 ± 14.44 min, respectively, with a maximum flight distance of 18.0 km. For male parasitoids, mean flight distance and duration were 5.27 ± 0.51 km and 85.74 ± 7.63 min, respectively. Mating status did not affect flight performance of males, while flight distance of four-day-old ovipositing M. mediator females was much lower than that of un-mated females of the same age. Un-mated adults flew most actively at 22–24°C and inclination to fly gradually declined with decreasing temperature. Temperatures above 26°C considerably reduced flight activity of M. mediator. Wasps engaged in normal flight under a broad range of relative humidity (RH) conditions, with an optimum RH range identified as 75–90%. Our research shows that M. mediator is a highly active parasitoid, because both sexes show great inclination to fly under a range of environmental conditions and flight capacity at different ages. Our results can help explain parasitoid performance in the field and provide baseline information to help guide augmentative releases. Handling editor: Dirk Babendreier.     

The effect of calf jacket usage on performance,behaviour and physiological responses of group-housed dairy calves

Poor performance and ill-health of calves in the pre-wean period can affect future productivity. Increasing numbers of producers are opting to use calf jackets as a means of mitigating the potential negative effects of low ambient temperatures, wind speed and precipitation on growth and health. This study aimed to use a range of noninvasive monitoring technologies to investigate the effects of using calf jackets in the first 3 weeks of life on calf performance and behavioural and physiological parameters. Ninety Holstein-Friesian calves were allocated to one of the two treatments: (i) Jacketed until 21 days of age and (J; n = 44) ii. Nonjacketed (NJ; n = 46). Calves were group housed and fed milk replacer (MR) and concentrate solid feed via automatic feeders. Calves were weaned at day 56, and the experiment was completed at day 63. Health assessments were conducted on a daily basis throughout the experiment using predefined faecal and respiratory scoring protocols. A range of novel, noninvasive monitoring technologies were used to examine the activity, heart rate and thermal profiles of calves on an individual basis throughout the experimental period. There were no differences in calf live weight (LWT), average daily gain (ADG) or feed conversion efficiency (FCE) in J and NJ calves between days 5 to 20. However, NJ calves consumed more MR and had more unrewarded visits to the milk feeder than J calves during this period. Although calf LWT was comparable across treatments in the week following jacket removal (days 21 to 28), both ADG and FCE tended to be greater in NJ calves. There were no treatment differences in calf LWT at the end of the study (d63). When measured over a period of 24 h and at a mean ambient temperature of 7.7°C, skin surface temperature was 6.37°C higher in J calves. Core body temperature was higher in J calves between days 5 to 20; however, there were no differences in IR eye or IR rectal temperature. No differences in lying behaviour occurred, with calves spending 18 and 17 h/day lying between days 5 to 20 and days 21 to 28, respectively. Under the climatic and management conditions described, no significant benefits to calf performance were found as a result of the provision of calf jackets to group-housed calves in the first 3 weeks of life. The higher frequency of unrewarded visits to the milk feeder in NJ calves during the first 3 weeks of life could be suggestive of a lack of satiety in these calves.     

Postnatal changes in the blood of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata): I. Immunoglobulins Ig G,Ig M and Ig A

The levels of immunoglobulin Ig G, Ig M and Ig A in the plasma of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) from birth to 180 days of age were examined. The level of Ig G reached a minimum at 50 to 80 days of age, when the neonates weighed 600–800 g. Anti streptolysin O antibody decreased from birth with age and was not detected from day 80 to 150. The level of Ig M showed a temporary peak at 20–30 days of age and increased again from 60–80 days. The concentration of Ig A increased gradually to reach 20% of the adult level at day 180.     

Time-frequency analysis of the electrocortical activity during maturation using wavelet transform

In this study, we introduce the wavelet transform (WT) as a method for characterizing the maturational changes in electrocortical activity in 24 fetal lambs ranging from 110–144 days gestation (term 145 days). The WT, based on multiresolution signal decomposition, is free of assumptions regarding the characteristics of the signal. The approximation of the electrocortical activity at resolutions varying from 2^j+1 to 2^j can be extracted by decomposing the signal on a wavelet orthonormal basis of L ²(R). We performed multiresolution decomposition for four sets of parameters D _2j, where −1<j<−4. The four series WT represent the detail signal bandwidths: (1) 16–32 Hz, (2) 8–16 Hz, (3) 4–8 Hz, (4) 2–4 Hz. The data were divided into three groups according to gestational age: 110–122 days (early), 123–135 days (middle), and 136–144 days (late). In the early group, the power was highest in the fourth signal bandwidth, with relatively low power in the other bands. Increase in gestational age was characterized by increased power in all four bandwidths. Comparison of the cumulative distribution function of the power in the four wavelet bands confirmed the presence of two statistically different patterns in all three age groups. These two patterns correspond to the visually identified patterns of HVSA (high-voltage slow activity) and LVFA (low-voltage fast activity). The earliest development change occurred in HVSA, with progressive increase in power in the 2–8 Hz band. Later changes occurred in LVFA, with a significant increase in power in the 16–32 Hz band. The same database was also analyzed by the short-term Fourier transform (STFT) method, the most common time-frequency analysis method. Comparison of the results clearly show that the WT provided much better time-frequency resolution than the STFT method and was superior in demonstrating maturational changes in electrocortical activity. Received: 7 July 1993/Accepted in revised form: 15 November 1993     

Microtuberization in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Twenty-two genotypes of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were induced to form microtubers under six in vitro culture conditions. Cultures maintained under a short photoperiod (10 h of 6–12 μmol m^–2 s^–1) and low temperatures (day 20°±2°C and night 18°±2°C) had both a higher yield (255 mg/plantlet) and a greater number (2/plantlet) of microtubers than those maintained under long days (16 h of 38–50 μmol m^–2 s^–1) combined with high temperatures (day 28°±2°C and night 25°±2°C) (yield 207 mg/plantlet; microtuber number, 0.9/plantlet), over a wide range of genotypes. After the plantlets had been cultured under long days for an initial period of 60 days, continuous darkness advanced microtuberization by 2–3 months in various genotypes. Under short-day and low-temperature conditions the addition of 6-benzylaminopurine increased microtuber yield from 255 mg/plantlet to 645 mg/plantlet and average microtuber weight from 115 mg to 364 mg. A similar pattern was observed under conditions of long days and high temperature, and continuous darkness and low-temperature. Microtubers produced under light had a greater number of eyes (maximum average: 5.96/microtuber) than those produced in the dark (maximum average: 3.50/plantlet). The genotype × cultural conditions interactions were significant indicating the importance of developing genotype-specific protocols to maximize microtuberization. Received: 17 September 1997 / Revision received: 12 December 1997 / Accepted: 1 January 1998     

Feeding behaviour and activity as early indicators of disease in pre-weaned dairy calves

Across the industry, there is large variation in health status of dairy calves and as a result, disease incidence and antibiotic use is high. This has significant implications for animal welfare, productivity and profitability of dairy and dairy-beef production systems. Technology-based early detection systems could alleviate these issues; however, methods of early detection of disease in dairy calves have not been widely explored. This study aimed to determine whether changes in activity and feeding behaviour can be used as early warning indicators of respiratory disease in calves. In total, 100 pre-weaned male Holstein calves (age: ~ 8−42 days) were used. Calves were group-housed and provided with starter diet, straw bedding and ad libitum water. Calves were fed milk replacer ad libitum through an automatic calf feeder, and each calf was fitted with a leg-mounted activity monitor. Daily activity and feeding behaviour variables were calculated for each calf. Each calf was assessed daily using a modified version of the Wisconsin Scoring System to assess respiratory disease status. Calves were classed as ‘Diseased’, ‘Intermediate’ or ‘Healthy’ based on their cumulative health score. The peak day of the most extreme illness event was identified for each calf. Data from Diseased and Healthy calves were paired for analysis based on age and BW. Data were compared for the day of peak illness, and for the 3 days previous and post. Compared to healthy calves, diseased calves lay for longer and tended to have longer lying bouts (daily lying: 17.6 ± 0.3 vs 16.7 ± 0.2 h, P < 0.01; bout length: 74.8 ± 10.6 vs 56.0 ± 3.7 min, P = 0.09 for diseased and healthy calves, respectively). Diseased calves fed for a shorter time and had fewer feeder visits (with intake) each day compared to healthy calves (feeding time (min): 19.3 ± 1.4 vs 22.8 ± 1.5; P < 0.05; visits: 2.1 ± 0.2 vs 3.2 ± 0.4; P < 0.05). Importantly, differences between diseased and healthy calves were evident in both activity and feeding behaviour on the days prior to the peak day of disease. Lying bout length was greater in diseased calves for the 2 days prior to the peak day (P < 0.05), lying time was longer on day − 1 (P < 0.05) and feeder visits with milk intake were less frequent on day − 3 (P < 0.05). Thus, measurement of feeding and activity using precision technology within early detection systems could facilitate early intervention and optimized treatment.     

Production, partial characterization and mass spectrometric studies of the extracellular laccase activity from Fusarium proliferatum

Benzyl alcohol and starch-free commercial wheat bran were effective inducers of the laccase activity in cultures of Fusarium proliferatum (MUCL 31970). Initial pH value in the cultures was also an overriding factor for increasing its production. By gel permeation high-performance liquid chromatography, the enzyme eluted as an apparently homogeneous peak with a molecular mass of 54 kDa, but by isoelectrofocusing, two proteins with pI values of 5.17 and 5.07 were revealed. Two different phenoloxidase activities were also detected after nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. By matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight–mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), both proteins showed unique fingerprints, so they were classifiable as isozymes, and were named laccase 1 (Lac1, pI 5.17) and laccase 2 (Lac2, pI 5.07). No clear matches were found when compared with other proteins. The tandem mass spectrometry of some peptides from both isozymes reanalyzed by nanoelectron ionization–ion trap–mass spectrometry (nESI-IT-MS) confirmed their unique character. The following interesting properties, particularly its stability at alkaline pH, make this laccase a promising industrial enzyme for biotechnological applications: maximum activity at 60°C, thermal stability for 2 h at 40°C, optimum pH 3.5 (km=62 μM) measured on 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonate), and pH stability 4–8 (75% stability at pH levels 2.2 and 9) for 2 h at 25°C.     

Verification of daily growth increment formation in saury otoliths by rearing larvae from hatching

Naturally spawned eggs of the Pacific saury,Cololabis saira, were collected in the field and reared in a tank to examine daily periodicity of growth increment formation in the otolith. Larvae were 6.9 mm in knob length at hatching. Their otoliths (sagittae) were 31 μm in radius and had 3–6 faint concentric rings. They started feeding within two days and grew at a rate of 1.1 mm/day on average through larval and juvenile stages feeding on rotifers,Artemia nauplii, and artificial diets. Otolith growth increments showed a concentric pattern with a distance of 3.5–5.0 μm between two adjacent increments. The number of growth increments was almost equal to a known age in days plus 4 or 5. A regression line of number of increments (N) on known age in days (D) between 0–30 days after hatching was N = 4.81 + 1.01D, which shows that one increment was deposited per day.     

Relationship between body condition of American alligators and water depth in the Everglades, Florida

Feeding opportunities of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in freshwater wetlands in south Florida are closely linked to hydrologic conditions. In the Everglades, seasonally and annually fluctuating surface water levels affect populations of aquatic organisms that alligators consume. Since prey becomes more concentrated when water depth decreases, we hypothesized an inverse relationship between body condition and water depth in the Everglades. On average, condition of adult alligators in the dry season was significantly higher than in the wet season, but this was not the case for juveniles/subadults. The correlation between body condition and measured water depth at capture locations was weak; however, there was a significant negative correlation between the condition and predicted water depth prior to capture for all animals except for spring juveniles/subadults which had a weak positive condition–water depth relationship. Overall, a relatively strong inverse correlation occurred at 10–49 days prior to the capture day, suggesting that current body condition of alligators may depend on feeding opportunities during that period. Fitted regression of body condition on water depth (mean depth of 10 days when condition-water depth correlation was greatest) resulted in a significantly negative slope, except for spring adult females and spring juveniles/subadults for which slopes were not significantly different from zero. Our results imply that water management practices may be critical for alligators in the Everglades since water depth can affect animal condition in a relatively short period of time.     

Estimation of desmosponge (Porifera,Demospongiae) larval settlement rates from short-term recruitment rates: Preliminary experiments

During a study of the spatial and temporal patterns of desmosponge (Porifera, Demospongiae) recruitment on rocky and coral reef habitats of Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean Sea, preliminary attempts were made to estimate actual settlement rates from short-term (1 to a few days) recruitment censuses. Short-term recruitment rates on black, acrylic plastic plates attached to open, non-cryptic substratum by anchor screws were low and variable (0–5 recruits/plate in 1–2 days, sets of n=5–10 plates), but reflected the depth and seasonal trends found using mid-term (1 to a few months) censusing intervals. Moreover, mortality of recruits during 1–2 day intervals was low (0–12%). Thus, short-term censusing intervals can be used to estimate actual settlement rates. To be able to make statistical comparisons, however, it is necessary to increase the number of recruits per census by pooling data of n plates per set, and to have more than one set per site or treatment.     

Estimation of food intake and ingested energy in Daubenton’s bats (Myotis daubentonii) during pregnancy and spermatogenesis

We studied food intake of and estimated ingested energy in female and male Myotis daubentonii during the periods of pregnancy (period 1, 8 May–4 June) and of intense spermatogenetic activity (period 2, 24 July–22 August) over 8 years (1996–2003) in central Germany. We used radiotelemetry to determine the time spent foraging and marked animals with chemiluminescent light-sticks to determine prey attack rates. Body length, body mass, moisture content, and caloric content of chironomids, the main prey of Daubenton’s bats, were measured to estimate the nightly food intake and, in consequence, energy intake. Pregnant females spent significantly more time foraging than males during period 1 and females during the post-lactation period. In contrast, male foraged longer during the period of highest spermatogenetic activity than during late spring and also significantly longer than post-lactating females. Based on a mean number of 8.3 prey attacks per minute, the time spent foraging, and a capture success rate of either 50 or 92%, calculated intake values with a feeding rate of 7.6 insects per minute (=92% capture success) were more consistent with literature data for other insectivorous bats than that of values calculated on the basis of a capture success rate of 50%. In the high capture-success model, calculated insect intake of female bats was 8.0 g during pregnancy and 4.9 g per day during post-lactation, providing 5.0 and 3.0 kJ of ingested energy per gram body mass per day. Calculated intake of male bats was 3.6 g insects per day during late spring and 8.0 g during period of intensive spermatogenesis, providing 2.6 and 5.7 kJ of ingested energy per gram body mass.     

Age and composition of carbonate shoreface sediments, Kailua Bay, Oahu, Hawaii

The origin, age, and dynamics of carbonate sediments in Kailua Bay on Oahu, Hawaii, are described. The shoreface (from shoreline to 4 km offshore) consists of a broad (5 km²) fringing coral reef ecosystem bisected by a sinuous, shore-normal, sand-filled paleostream channel 200–300 m wide. The median grain diameter of surface sands is finest on the beach face (<0.3 mm) and increases offshore along the channel axis. Kailua sands are >90% biogenic carbonate, dominated by skeletal fragments of coralline algae (e.g. Porolithon, up to 50%) followed by the calcareous green alga Halimeda (up to 32%), coral fragments (1–24%), mollusc fragments (6–21%), and benthic foraminifera (1–10%). Sand composition and age across the shoreface are correlated to carbonate production. Corals and coralline algae, principal builders of the reef framework, are younger and more abundant in sands along the channel axis and in offshore reefal areas, while Halimeda, molluscs, and foraminifera are younger and more dominant in nearshore waters shoreward of the main region of framework building. Shoreface sediments are relatively old. Of 20 calibrated radiocarbon dates on skeletal constituents of sand, only three are younger than 500 years b.p.; six are 500–1000 years b.p.; six are 1000–2000 years b.p.; and five are 2000–5000 years b.p. Dated fine sands are older than medium to coarse sands and hence may constitute a reservoir of fossil carbonate that is distributed over the entire shoreface. Dominance of fossiliferous sand indicates long storage times for carbonate grains, which tend to decrease in size with age, such that the entire period of relative sea-level inundation (∼5000 years) is represented in the sediment. Despite an apparently healthy modern coral ecosystem, the surficial sand pool of Kailua Bay is dominated by sand reflecting an antecedent system, possibly one that existed under a +1–2 m sea-level high stand during the mid- to late Holocene. Accepted: 20 December 1999     

Growth and pelagic larval duration of presettlement and newly settled neon damselfish, Pomacentrus coelestis, at multiple spatial scales

Variation in planktonic larval duration (PLD) and growth of Pomacentrus coelestis was investigated on the southern Great Barrier Reef at multiple spatial scales. A tetracycline experiment, using presettlement fish, demonstrated that increments were formed daily. Variation in PLD was low between reef clusters (0%), reefs within clusters (0.4–8.5%) and sites within reefs (13.1%), but high among individuals within sites (86.5–91.5%); PLD ranged from 15 to 27 days. It was predicted that PLD would vary at greater spatial scales, but differences were low and a review of all studies on P. coelestis in tropical waters had a similar range of PLDs to our study. Contrary to a hypothesis that fish with slower growth would have longer PLDs, there was no significant relationship between mean presettlement increment width of otoliths and PLD for fish from the two reef clusters examined. There were, however, differences in presettlement growth rates between reef clusters (over 100 km apart) over the last 5–6 days of planktonic life. Warmer waters at the Swain Reefs (0.1–1°C) may have contributed to these differences in growth. Stochastic transport of larvae, habitat choice by presettlement fish in a reef mosaic, and variable conditions in the plankton may contribute to variation in PLD, presettlement growth and size-at-settlement in P. coelestis. We propose that prolonged periods of settlement choice may obscure simple relationships between PLD and size-at-settlement.     

The effects of feeding high or low milk levels in early life on growth performance,fecal microbial count and metabolic and inflammatory status of Holstein female calves

Gut microbial colonization and immune response may be affected by milk feeding method. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding high or low volumes of milk on fecal bacterial count, inflammatory response, blood metabolites and growth performance of Holstein female calves. Colostrum-fed calves (n = 48) were randomly assigned to either high milk (HM; n = 24) or low milk (LM; n = 24) feeding groups. Low milk-fed calves were fed pasteurized whole milk at 10% of BW until weaning. In HM group, milk was offered to calves at 20% of BW for the first 3 weeks of life. Then, milk allowance was decreased gradually to reach 10% of BW on day 26 and remained constant until weaning on day 51. Calves were allowed free access to water and starter throughout the experiment. Body weight was measured weekly, and blood samples were taken on days 14, 28 and 57. Fecal samples were collected on days 7, 14 and 21 of age for the measurement of selected microbial species. By design, HM calves consumed more nutrients from milk during the first 3 weeks and they were heavier than LM calves on days 21, 56 and 98. High milk-fed calves had greater serum glucose and triglyceride levels on day 14 with no significant difference between groups on days 28 and 57. Blood urea nitrogen was higher in LM calves on day 14, but it was lower in HM calves on day 28. Calves in LM group had significantly greater blood tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) than HM calves throughout the experiment. Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration was higher in LM calves on day 14. However, HM calves showed higher levels of SAA at the time of weaning. Feeding high volumes of milk resulted in lower serum cortisol levels on days 14 and 28 but not at the time of weaning in HM calves compared to LM counterparts. Lactobacillus count was higher in feces sample of HM calves. Conversely, the numbers of Escherichia coli was greater in the feces of LM calves. Calves in HM group showed fewer days with fever and tended to have fewer days treated compared to LM group. In conclusion, feeding higher amounts of milk during the first 3 weeks of life improved gut microbiota, inflammation and health status and growth performance of Holstein dairy calves.