The efficacy of culling seals seen preying on seabirds as a means of reducing seabird mortality

In the 2006/2007 breeding season of Cape gannets Morus capensis at Malgas Island, the removal of 61 Cape fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus that preyed on gannet fledglings when they left to sea significantly reduced the mortality rate of these fledglings. However, because seals learned to avoid the boat used for their removal, it was not possible to remove all the seals that killed gannet fledglings and some mortality continued. The seals inflicting the mortality were all sub-adult males, with an average age of <5 years. Sustained removal of these animals may reduce this feeding behaviour, which is at present having an adverse impact on several threatened seabirds in the Benguela ecosystem.     

Effects of glycosylation on the secretion and enzyme activity of Mucor rennin, an aspartic proteinase of Mucor pusillus, produced by recombinant yeast

The Mucor rennin gene encoding a prepro form of the fungal aspartic proteinase from Mucor pusillus was expressed under the control of the yeast GAL7 promoter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The mature M. pusillus rennin secreted efficiently by yeast was a highly glycosylated protein. Analysis by a combination of site-directed mutagenesis of each of the three possible glycosylation sites and treatment of the secreted M. pusillus rennins with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H revealed that the mature yeast M. pusillus rennin contained two asparagine-linked glycosylation sites among the three possible glycosylation sites. A mutation of the 2 glycosylated asparagine residues of M. pusillus rennin resulted in significant decreases in the level of secretion by yeast cells. In addition, the extent of glycosylation of M. pusillus rennin was found to affect the enzyme properties such as milk-clotting and proteolytic activities.     

Post-settlement emigration affects mortality estimates for two Bahamian wrasses

Understanding the dynamics of open marine populations is inherently complex, and this complexity has led to decades of debate regarding the relative importance of pre- versus post-settlement processes in structuring these populations. Movement between patches may be an important modifier of patterns established at settlement, yet local immigration and emigration have received less attention than other demographic rates. I examined loss rates from tagged populations of juvenile wrasses (yellowhead wrasse Halichoeres garnoti and bluehead wrasse Thalassoma bifasciatum) at two sites in the Bahamas. Assuming that all losses were due solely to mortality would have significantly underestimated survivorship of yellowhead wrasse by 29% and bluehead wrasse by 14%. On average, per capita mortality and emigration rates were higher for yellowhead than bluehead wrasse, but neither demographic rate differed between sites for either species. With respect to within-species density, bluehead wrasse mortality was density-dependent at the patch reef site, but mortality rates of yellowhead wrasse were consistently density-independent. Evaluating the effects of between-species density, yellowhead wrasse mortality increased with a decrease in bluehead wrasse density, but this effect was limited to the patch reef site. Emigration rates were not a function of either within-species or between-species density, but instead varied inversely with isolation distance. Numerous previous studies of coral-reef fish, conducted on patch reefs separated by only a few meters of sand and often using untagged fish, may have confounded losses due to emigration with those due to mortality. A better understanding of the factors affecting emigration in marine fishes is important to their effective management using spatial tools such as marine protected areas.     

Cryptic species in an endangered pondweed community (Potamogeton, Potamogetonaceae) revealed by AFLP markers

Cryptic species are morphologically indistinguishable, yet reproductively isolated. Morphological boundaries between species can also be obscured by hybridization and clonality. Determining the roles of reproductive isolation, hybridization, and clonality in morphologically indistinguishable taxa is essential to determining appropriate species-level taxonomic rankings for conservation purposes. The taxonomic status of the endangered Little Aguja pondweed of west Texas, Potamogeton clystocarpus, is uncertain due to a lack of fixed morphological differences between it and two sympatric congeners. Morphology, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), and sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and trnL-F intron and spacer were used to determine the degree of genetic distinctiveness, hybridization and clonality for this rare species. AFLPs indicate that P. clystocarpus is a genetically distinct lineage compared to P. pusillus and P. foliosus. No hybrids involving P. clystocarpus were detected, but two putative hybrids involving P. pusillus and P. foliosus were identified. Clonal growth was only detected in P. pusillus. A combination of morphological and molecular markers was successful in determining the genetic distinctiveness of an endangered cryptic species, Potamogeton clystocarpus. Further sampling in this and adjacent drainages is necessary to assess the degree of endemism of P. clystocarpus and confidently rule out hybridization and clonality in this taxon.     

Serologic survey for potential pathogens and assessment of disease risk in Australian fur seals

The introduction of pathogens into populations of animals with no previous exposure to them and, therefore, no immunologic protection, can result in epizootics. Predicting the susceptibility of populations to infectious diseases is crucial for their conservation and management. Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) have a relatively small population size, a restricted range, and form dense aggregations. These factors make this species vulnerable to epizootics of infectious diseases that spread by direct animal-to-animal contact. Blood samples were collected from 125 adult female Australian fur seals between 2007 and 2009 and tested for exposure to selected pathogens. The testing protocol was based on pathogens important to marine mammal health or those significant to public and livestock health. No antibodies were detected to morbilliviruses, influenza A viruses, six Leptospira serovars, Mycobacterium tuberculosis-complex species, or Toxoplasma gondii. Overall antibody prevalence to an unidentified Brucella sp. was 57% but varied significantly (P<0.02) between 2007 (74%) and 2008 (53%). The findings indicate Brucella infection may be enzootic in the Australian fur seal population. Further investigations are required to isolate the bacteria and establish if infection results in morbidity and mortality. Australian fur seals remain vulnerable to the threat of introduced disease and should be managed and monitored accordingly.     

Submerged macrophytes in the recently freshened lake system Volkerak-Zoom (The Netherlands), 1987–1991

Extensive biological research has been carried out during the first four years after isolation and freshening of Lake Volkerak-Zoom, a former part of the marine-tidal Oosterschelde. Freshening took place in 8 months. Research on submerged macrophytes has been an important part of the investigation because the aim of the water management was to establish a clear and stable freshwater ecosystem, despite high nutrient loading.In the first year after closure the marine Zostera noltii vanished. and the brackish water Ruppia maritima colonized the lake. In subsequent years, several freshwater species colonized the lake (e.g. Potamogeton pusillus, P. pectinatus, Zannichellia palustris, Callitriche sp. and Chara sp.). The total area in the shallow zone (0.5–5.0 m) covered by submerged macrophytes, increased from less than 1% in 1987 to 22.5% in 1991.Characteristics (height, flowering and fruiting) of the main species (P. pusillus, P. pectinatus, Z. palustris, R. maritima) were closely related to water temperature and secchi depth.Waterfowl consumed about half of the production of the submerged macrophytes.     

The pachypleurosaurids (Reptilia: Nothosauria) from the middle triassic of Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland) with the description of a new species

The largest and most diverse collection of Pachypleurosauridae (Nothosauria, Reptilia) comes from Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland. Several hundred complete skeletons were collected from four distinct horizons of bituminous limestones and shales of Anisian-Ladinian boundary to early Ladinian age (Middle Triassic). Serpianosaurus mirigiolensis comes from the oldest strata, the Grenzbitumenzone Beds. The three younger strata, all in the Lower Meride Limestone, yield three species of Neusticosaurus. Neusticosaurus pusillus comes from the Cava Inferiore horizon, Neusticosaurus peyeri, new species, from the Cava Superiore horizon, and Neusticosaurus edwardsii, new combination, from the Alla Cascina horizon. Neusticosaurus pusillus is biostratigraphically important because it is one of the rare species reported from both the Germanic and the Alpine Triassic. Neusticosaurus pusillus and N. peyeri are small and very similar in their anatomy. Neusticosaurus species are easiest separated by their number of presacral vertebrae. Ornamentation of the bone surface is distinctive for all four pachypleurosaurids. Soft parts are rarely preserved, except for one partial squamation. The biological age of Neusticosaurus individuals can be determined by skeletochronology (aging by bone annuli). Small species of Neusticosaurus were sexually mature after three to four years and lived for six to nine years. Taphonomic analysis of the small species indicates attritional mortality and suggests weak bottom currents in the Monte San Giorgio basin during early Ladinian times. Morphometric comparison of all four pachypleurosaurids indicates that the changing vertebral numbers between species are largely due to a change in number of segments. All Monte San Giorgio pachypleurosaurids are sexually dimorphic in forelimb development. Sex x has poorly differentiated and relatively short humeri whereas sex y has well differentiated and relatively long humeri. The sexes are of about the same size and represented in roughly equal numbers. Identification of gender was not possible. Good growth series, especially of Neusticosaurus peyeri, from embryo to large adult permitted qualitative and quantitative study of ontogeny. The skull grows with negative allometry; the humerus grows isometrically or with positive allometry, depending on sex and species; the femur grows isometrically. The adult size range in N. peyeri is considerably larger than in modern reptiles. The Monte San Giorgio pachypleurosaurids are a monophyletic group. The phylogeny of this group is congruent with the stratigraphic distribution of its members.     

Is Marine Mammal Health Deteriorating? Trends in the Global Reporting of Marine Mammal Disease

A recent rise in the reporting of diseases in marine organisms has raised concerns that ocean health is deteriorating. The goal of this study was to determine whether or not there has been a recent deterioration in marine mammal health by investigating the trends in disease reports over the past 40 years (categorized by the method of study, the species affected, and the etiology of the disease) and by exploring the changes in frequency of mass mortality events among marine mammals reported in the United States since 1978. The number of papers on marine mammal disease published each year has increased since 1966, although the annual publication rate appears to have stabilized since ∼1992. Those published in the 1960s and 1970s were largely about helminth and bacterial disease, those investigating viruses emerged in the late 1970s and increased in the 1980s and 1990s, whereas protozoal diseases and harmful algal toxins were largely not reported until the 1990s. The annual number of mass mortality events in the U.S. approximately doubled between 1980 and 1990 but since 2000 has been between seven and eight events per year. Causes of mass mortality events have included biotoxins, viruses, bacteria, parasites, human interactions, oil spills, and changes in oceanographic conditions. Events due to biotoxins appear to be increasing, but the change in the frequency of mass mortality events from other causes over the past 40 years cannot be determined from the available published literature due to changes in marine mammal abundance, inconsistencies in effort and extent of resources for pathological investigation, and advances in technology that have allowed improved detection of pathogens and toxins in more recent years. To ensure future information on the true incidence of marine diseases and their underlying causes is more reliable, specific and directed marine health monitoring programs, well-equipped stranding networks, and dedicated diagnostic laboratories are needed.     

Effect of meiofauna on macrofauna recruitment: settlement inhibition of the polychaete Hydroides elegans by the harpacticoid copepod Tisbe japonica

Various aspects of marine macroinvertebrate ecology cannot be understood without detailed knowledge of larval settlement processes. An important effect underscored during the settlement process is the disturbance of marine invertebrate larvae by predators. We demonstrated that biotic disturbance, comprising physical elimination and mortality due to predation and the behavioral irritation of larvae by the harpacticoid copepod Tisbe japonica, prevent a significant portion of larvae of the polychaete Hydroides elegans from settlement on otherwise suitable substrata. Experiments were performed both in the laboratory and the field showing reproducible significant differences in larval settlement and mortality rates between gender-specific copepod treatments and the control. The trend of decreased larval settlement in the presence of copepods coincided with increased larval mortality in these treatments. In the corresponding field experiments, larval settlement and mortality were similar to the ones obtained under laboratory conditions.     

Ecological observations on epomorphorine fruit-bats (Megachiroptera) in West African savanna woodland

Three species of Megachiroptera were studied in Mole National Park, Ghana, by systematic netting in various habitats and by observations of bats in the field and in captivity. This study, undertaken in July-August 1974 and 1975, is a preliminary attempt to elucidate how these species partition the resources available to them, with particular emphasis upon roosting habits, food resources, and temporal and spatial differences in foraging behaviour. All three species give birth towards the beginning of the wet season and are probably polyoestrus. The larger species, Epomophorus gambianus , does not appear to compete with the other two due to differences in roosting habits and the food resources available to it consequent upon its larger size. The two smaller species, Micropteropus pusillus and Nanonycteris veldkampi , are similar in size. N. veldkampi is presumed absent from Mole in the dry season when food is scarce; in the wet season it may minimise competition by being better adapted for nectarivory, foraging later, and foraging at a greater height than M. pusillus.     

辽宁太子河大型水生植物的群落特征及其与环境的关系

采用样方法对太子河3条支流大型水生植物群落结构与生物量的研究表明：太子河北支大型水生植物的优势种为小眼子菜（Potamogeton pusillus）、菹草（P.crispus）和马来眼子菜（P.malaianus）,主要群落类型为小眼子菜＋菹草群落;细河大型水生植物的优势种为菹草、马来眼子菜和轮叶黑藻（Hydrilla verticillata）,主要群落类型为菹草＋轮叶黑藻群落;海城河大型水生植物的优势种为轮叶黑藻、小眼子菜、五刺金鱼藻（Ceratophyllum oryze-torum）和菹草,主要群落类型为轮叶黑藻＋小眼子菜＋菹草群落。从定量生长型谱来看,太子河北支以小眼子菜型为主要类型,细河以大眼子菜型为主要类型,海城河以大眼子菜型、小眼子菜型、金鱼藻型和伊乐藻型为主要类型;从生活型谱来看,3条支流都是以沉水植物为主要生活型。大型水生植物群落相似性聚类分析表明3条支流水生植物群落组成差异显著。3条支流大型水生植物沿河流纵向分布格局均为间断的斑块状,沿水深的垂直分布格局不明显。太子河北支大型水生植物从上游到下游均有出现;细河大型水生植物主要分布在下游;海城河大型水生植物主要分布在中下游。大型水生植物生产力（湿重）：海城河（644 g/m2）﹥太子河北支（586.8 g/m2）﹥细河（151.1 g/m2）。大型水生植物与环境因子的相关性分析表明：大型水生植物的物种数与氨态氮、水温、pH和电导率显著正相关（p〈0.05）;与溶解氧、底质指数和海拔显著负相关（p〈0.01）;优势种小眼子菜的生物量与水深显著正相关（p〈0.01）,与电导率和总氮显著负相关（p〈0.05）。     

The spring development of phytoplankton in Lake Erken

SUMMARY. In Lake Erken there is a regular phytoplankton peak at ice-breakup in the spring. Pechlaner (1970) studied the spring outburst of 1960. We carried out a similar study in 1973, when the climatic factors were completely different, with only 10 cm of ice and almost no snow. Thus, due to light penetration, there was a high phytoplankton biomass under the ice as early as March.
Stephanodiscus astraea (Ehr.) Grun. and Asterionella formosa Hass. dominated the biomass during the spring development in 1973 instead of the normally dominating S. hantzschii v. pusillus Grun.
The nutrient decrease was slower in 1973 than in 1960. A comparison of carbon assimilation and the decrease of nitrate and phosphate indicate sufficient nutrient supply in 1973. In 1960, the population grew logarithmically until the nutrients became limiting. In 1973, the average biomass was greater, but the mean probable primary production was only half that of 1960. From the activity coefficients for the 2 years it is also clear that, in 1960, S. hantzschii v. pusillus was highly productive during its short but intensive growth period. Its minute size and high surface/volume ratio enabled it to take up nutrients rapidly and efficiently. The chlorophyll content of S. astraea in 1973 was only half as much as that of S. hantzschii v. pusillus in 1960. Since the light conditions under the ice in March 1973 were more unfavourable than during the exponential phase of 1960, production was much lower.     

Morphometric variation in the pusillus group of the genus Rhinolophus (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) in East Asia

Based on 203 specimens belonging to the Rhinolophus "pusillus group" (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae), univariate and multivariate morphometric analyses using 19 characters were performed to assess the confused species taxonomy. The results indicated that R. pusillus (including calidus, parcus, and szechuanus) in the continental region and Hainan Island of China and "R. cornutus" in Japan are morphologically divergent species. Rhinolophus cornutus should be further split into R. cornutus (including orii, pumilus, and miyakonis) in the main islands of Japan, the Amami and Okinawa Group of the central Ryukyu Archipelago, and Miyako Group of the southern Ryukyus; and R. perditus and R. imaizumii from the Yaeyama Group in the southern Ryukyus. Rhinolophus monoceros from Taiwan is morphologically more similar to species in Japan than to R. pusillus. In addition to R. pusillus, another form that is morphologically similar to species in Japan was recognized from Langzhong in Sichuan Province; this may represent an undescribed species, and further examination is necessary to determine its taxonomic status. Specimens from Guang'an in Sichuan Province, China, are also different from the others, and are characterized by the smallest skull size. Although further studies are required, these specimens were tentatively identified as R. subbadius.     

Increased alertness behavior in Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) at a high vessel traffic haul-out site

Vessel impacts on marine mammals are of growing concern, and marine mammals in urbanized marine environments are at particular risk of exposure. Port Phillip Bay (Victoria, Australia) is one such environment, in which Australian fur seals (AUFS; Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) haul-out to rest, yet little is known about the impacts of vessels on resting seals. We used remote camera traps to investigate the influence of vessel traffic on AUFS behavior at a nonbreeding haul-out site. Environmental, temporal, and vessel-related variables were all associated with changes in AUFS alertness at this site. All vessel types elicited increased alertness above base-line levels (25%), with recreational and commercial motorized vessels associated with a 5.7%–10.8% increase in alertness. Unidentified vessels, the government vessel, and kayaks were associated with significantly increased alertness of 21.7%, 46.4%, and 60.7%, respectively, though accounted for only 6.2% of vessel observations. Vessels breaching current approach regulations (<5 m) showed a 32% increase in alertness, significantly higher than nonbreach approaches. Partial and complete flushing of the platform was rare, occurring in 1.0% of images analyzed. These results suggest that vessels do elicit a response from AUFS at this haul-out site, and that further monitoring of vessel activity and compliance is required.     

Molecular markers for identification of Stellantchasmus falcatus and a phylogenic study using the HAT-RAPD method

Stellantchasmus falcatus is a minute intestinal fluke in the family Heterophyidae. Metacercariae, the infective stage, were reported in a marine fish, mullet Liza subviridis, and a fresh water fish, Dermogenus pusillus, in Thailand. Adults were found in chicks, rats, cats, and humans. Morphological studies were done for comparing Stellantchasmus sp. worms found in 2 different fish hosts; their shapes and organ arrangements were very similar except for the prepharynx length. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare their DNA fingerprints using the HAT-RAPD method for both types of Stellantchasmus and several other related species. Ten arbitrarily selected primers (OPA-04, OPA-09, OPN-02, OPN-03, OPN-09, OPN-12, OPP-11, OPR-15, OPX-13, and OPAD-01) were used. It was found that OPA-09, OPN-03, and OPAD-01 were able to generate S. falcatus specific fragments in mullets which consisted of 200, 760, and 280 bp, respectively. In addition, the results of morphologic, DNA fingerprinting, and phylogenetic analyses strongly suggest that the fresh water and marine specimens of Stellantchamus may be different species.     

DNA barcoding of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Pteropodidae). The mitochondrial genome does not provide a reliable discrimination between Epomophorus gambianus and Micropteropus pusillus

Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene have been shown to be useful for species identification in various groups of animals. However, the DNA barcoding approach has never been tested on African fruit bats of the family Pteropodidae (Mammalia, Chiroptera). In this study, the COI gene was sequenced from 120 bats collected in the Central African Republic and belonging to either Epomophorus?gambianus or Micropteropus?pusillus, two species easily diagnosed on the basis of morphological characters, such as body size, skull shape and palatal ridges. Two additional molecular markers were used for comparisons: the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the intron 7 of the nuclear β-fibrinogen (FGB) gene. Our results reveal an unexpected discordance between mitochondrial and nuclear genes. The nuclear FGB signal agrees with our morphological identifications, as the three alleles detected for E.?gambianus are divergent from the fourteen alleles found for M.?pusillus. By contrast, this taxonomic distinction is not recovered with the analyses of mitochondrial genes, which support rather a polyphyletic pattern for both species. The conflict between molecular markers is explained by multiple mtDNA introgression events from M.?pusillus into E.?gambianus or, alternatively, by incomplete lineage sorting of mtDNA haplotypes associated with positive selection on FGB alleles of M.?pusillus. Our work shows the failure of DNA barcoding to discriminate between two morphologically distinct fruit bat species and highlights the importance of using both mitochondrial and nuclear markers for taxonomic identification.     

Coral reef fish populations can persist without immigration

Determining the conditions under which populations may persist requires accurate estimates of demographic parameters, including immigration, local reproductive success, and mortality rates. In marine populations, empirical estimates of these parameters are rare, due at least in part to the pelagic dispersal stage common to most marine organisms. Here, we evaluate population persistence and turnover for a population of orange clownfish, Amphiprion percula, at Kimbe Island in Papua New Guinea. All fish in the population were sampled and genotyped on five occasions at 2-year intervals spanning eight years. The genetic data enabled estimates of reproductive success retained in the same population (reproductive success to self-recruitment), reproductive success exported to other subpopulations (reproductive success to local connectivity), and immigration and mortality rates of sub-adults and adults. Approximately 50% of the recruits were assigned to parents from the Kimbe Island population and this was stable through the sampling period. Stability in the proportion of local and immigrant settlers is likely due to: low annual mortality rates and stable egg production rates, and the short larval stages and sensory capacities of reef fish larvae. Biannual mortality rates ranged from 0.09 to 0.55 and varied significantly spatially. We used these data to parametrize a model that estimated the probability of the Kimbe Island population persisting in the absence of immigration. The Kimbe Island population was found to persist without significant immigration. Model results suggest the island population persists because the largest of the subpopulations are maintained due to having low mortality and high self-recruitment rates. Our results enable managers to appropriately target and scale actions to maximize persistence likelihood as disturbance frequencies increase.     

Passive immunization in murine mucormycosis

Antibody raised in mice against mycelial homogenates of Rhizomucor pusillus was effective in passive immunization against pulmonary and disseminated mucormycosis (phycomycosis) in immunocompromised mice. Mice intranasally inoculated and infected with Rh. pusillus and treated with antisera had a statistically significant increased resistance to infection and a diminished secondary dissemination of viable fungal fragments. Histological examination of infected lung tissues showed that antibody treated animals were apparently able to degrade hyphal fragments.     

Management reference points to account for direct and indirect impacts of fishing on marine mammals

Reference points can help implement an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAF), by establishing precautionary removal limits for nontarget species and target species of ecological importance. PBR (Potential Biological Removal), developed under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), is a limit for direct mortality for marine mammals, but it does not account for indirect effects of fishing due to prey depletion. I propose a generalization of PBR (called PBR*) to account for plausible changes in marine mammal carrying capacity (ΔK) from prey biomass decline relative to two example benchmarks: SSB_MSY (maximum sustainable yield biomass for all known prey species) or SSB_K (unfished prey biomass). PBR* can help identify when indirect fishing effects (alone, or combination with direct mortality estimates) may stymie MMPA objectives, and could inform catch limit estimates for target species that are also important as marine mammal prey. As a case study, I applied PBR* estimates to evaluate the possible combined direct + indirect effects of fishing on cetaceans in northeastern U.S. waters. Estimated distributions for ΔK were based on fish stock assessments and meta‐analysis of predator‐prey relationships from the mammalian literature. Based on this analysis, increased risk of marine mammal depletion due to indirect fishing effects was not evident, although this result must be interpreted cautiously given our limited understanding of cetacean diets and marine trophic dynamics. This study is intended to illustrate a possible practical approach for incorporating indirect fisheries impacts on marine mammals into a comprehensive management framework, and it raises several scientific and policy issues that merit further investigation.     

内蒙古阿左旗乌兰塔塔尔中渐新世的鼠兔科化石及有关问题的讨论

本文记述了发现在内蒙古阿左旗乌兰塔塔尔中渐新世地层中的鼠兔科化石,计两属四种.着重对微型链兔的形态特征做了较多的补充和订正,并对链兔属中种的性质作了初步探讨,取消了步林兔属名,将亚洲的链兔归并成五个种.还对链兔和中华兔的地史分布、某些进化趋势及其他有关问题提出了初步看法.