Cetacean sightings near South Georgia islands,South Atlantic Ocean

The information about cetacean occurrence around the Island of South Georgia is scarce. With the main goal of gathering information on a feeding ground of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) that winter in Brazilian waters, we conducted an expedition to South Georgia. We present here the information regarding cetacean sightings during the expedition. From 28 January to 2 March, 2006 we carried out 13 research cruises, covering 700 nautical miles and 110 h of observation. We registered 10 sightings, in 7 h of ad libitum observations, of the following species: Megaptera novaeangliae, Eubalaena australis, Balaenoptera physalus, Mesoplodon layardii, Orcinus orca and Lagenorhynchus cruciger. We present data on location, depth, group size, structure, and behavior for this geographical area of essential importance for cetacean conservation.     

Influence of feed provisioning prior to digesta sampling on precaecal amino acid digestibility in broiler chickens

A regression approach was applied to determine the influence of feed provisioning prior to digesta sampling on precaecal (pc) amino acid (AA) digestibility in broiler chickens. Soybean meal was used as an example test ingredient. Five feed-provisioning protocols were investigated, four with restricted provision and one with ad libitum provision. When provision was restricted, feed was provided for 30 min after a withdrawal period of 12 h. Digesta were sampled 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after feeding commenced. A diet containing 300 g maize starch/kg was prepared. Half or all the maize starch was replaced with soybean meal in two other diets. Average pc digestibility of all determined AA in the soybean meal was 86% for the 4 and 6-h protocols and 66% and 60% for the 2 and 1-h protocols, respectively. Average pc AA digestibility of soybean meal was 76% for ad libitum feed provision. Feed provisioning also influenced the determined variance. Variance in digestibility ranked in magnitude 1 h > ad libitum > 2 h > 6 h > 4 h for all AA. Owing to the considerable influence of feed-provisioning protocols found in this study, comparisons of pc AA digestibility between studies applying different protocols prior to digesta sampling must be treated with caution. Digestibility experiments aimed at providing estimates for practical feed formulation should use feed-provisioning procedures similar to those used in practice.     

Effect of Thyroid Hormone and Sex Difference on Liver Histidase Activity of Young Rats Fed a Histidine Imbalanced Diet

Histidase (l-histidine ammonia-lyase EC 4.3.1.3) activity of thyroidectomized rats was higher than that of intact animals. The levels of protein bound iodine (PBI) in plasma of rats fed a basal diet were higher than those of an imbalanced diet group under ad libitum condition, while if the food intake of a basal diet group was restricted to that of the imbalanced diet group, the levels of PBI of a paired fed group were practically the same as those of the imbalanced diet ad libitum group. Histidase activity of paired fed rats was twice as high as that of ad libitum fed animals, and was about 60% of that of the imbalanced ones. Thyroxine did not affect histidase activity in vitro.

Neither sex difference nor castration affected the activity of histidase of young rats fed the imbalanced diet.     

SKIN SWABBING FOR GENETIC ANALYSIS: APPLICATION TO DUSKY DOLPHINS (LAGENORHYNCHUS OBSCURUS)

Exfoliated skin was collected from bowriding dolphins with the use of a sterilized nylon scrub pad affixed to a wooden dowel. Initial tests of the effectiveness of the technique and dolphin behavioral responses were conducted on dusky dolphins off Kaikoura, New Zealand. During 14 sampling days, 128 contacts using this procedure were made with bowriding dolphins, of which 114 showed behavioral response. Responses during sampling were mild, with 11% of contacted individuals showing no visible response, and 66% of individuals which could be monitored for 30 sec after contact returning to bowride within 30 sec. Mean return time was 10 sec postcontact and did not vary significantly for groups of different sizes. Behavioral controls suggest that a proportion of responses could be explained by typical dolphin behavior in the presence of boats. Seventy-eight percent of contacts resulted in successful collection of tissue samples. Sample time was three minutes on average. Size of group and behavioral state did not appear to influence sample time. Preliminary genetic analyses revealed that tissue collected by this technique was suitable for amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) via PCR. Comparisons of mtDNA control region sequences with those from known L. obscurus and other delphinid samples verified that this technique was robust against contamination from elements in sea water.     

Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Utilisation of Energy and Protein in Broiler Chicken Fed Different Dietary Fat Levels

Effects of a supplementation of 80mg L-carnitine perkg diet were studied in broiler chicken at two dietary levels of fat (4 and 8 %) and different feeding levels (ad libitum in a growth trial, 95 and 85 % of ad libitum in a balance trial). A low-carnitine basal diet adequate in amino acid concentration was used. In the growth trial, each diet was fed to 9 groups of 10 birds each for 16 days from day 5 of live onwards. Growth and feed intake were determined. At the end of the trial, birds were killed and homogenised for subsequent empty body analysis. Accretion of protein and energy was determined using a representative blank group killed at the beginning of the trial. In the balance trial, 8 individual birds were used per treatment. Birds were offered the feed at approximately 85 and 95% of ad libitum intake, which was determined with separate birds for both fat levels. Excreta were quantitatively collected three times daily for 8 consecutive days beginning on day 17 individually for each bird. Supplemented L-carnitine did not significantly affect any response criterion. However, growth and feed conversion tended to be improved by about 5% in the carnitine supplemented diets when fed ad libitum. An interaction between carnitine and fat level occurred with regard to feed conversion, indicating that carnitine had a positive effect at the high fat level, but not at the low fat level. L-carnitine did not positively affect the metabolisability of energy (ME/GE) and the efficiency of energy utilisation (RE/GE or RE/ME). Similarly, no significant carnitine effect was determined with regard to N accretion and the efficiency of utilisation of dietary protein in both trials. It is concluded that endogenous carnitine synthesis is not the limiting factor for energy utilisation in broiler chicken, even at high dietary fat concentration. Occasionally reported positive effects of supplemental carnitine were likewise caused by reasons other than improved energy or protein utilisation. Further studies on amino acid utilisation and catabolism should consider marginal amino acid supply.     

Review of cetacean biopsy techniques: Factors contributing to successful sample collection and physiological and behavioral impacts

Biopsy techniques have been developed to collect skin and blubber samples through non‐lethal methods. One sample can provide data on genetics, prey preferences, foraging ecology, contaminant loads, and physiological processes. The limited data available suggest that biopsy wounds heal quickly and that there are usually no discernable adverse health effects. Published accounts on factors contributing to the success of collecting biopsy samples and the behavioral impacts to cetaceans following biopsy sampling were standardized to permit statistical analysis. Several factors contribute to the success of acquiring samples; however, sampling rates do not differ significantly between delivery devices. Behavioral responses to biopsy sampling vary by species and other factors. The most predominant response for odontocetes is low, while low and moderate responses are equally prevalent for mysticetes. The use of retrieval lines may increase the occurrence of moderate and strong responses by mysticetes. These findings suggest that biopsy sampling is relatively benign, causing only minor and short‐lived responses. However, most researchers do not report sufficient data to assess short‐ and long‐term physiological and behavioral impacts. Finally, limited data suggest that biopsy sampling does not impact cetacean habitat use or distribution patterns. Yet these impacts are rarely investigated, so additional data are needed.     

The trouble with flippers: a report on the prevalence of digital anomalies in Cetacea

The forelimbs of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are unique among mammals as the digits exhibit hyperphalangy, and the entire limb is encased in a soft tissue flipper that functions to generate lift. The typical morphology of cetacean digits has been well documented by detailed anatomical studies. This study however furthers our understanding of cetacean forelimb anatomy by conducting a taxonomically broad survey of cetacean digital anomalies. Forelimb radiographs from museum collections provided the basis upon which we calculated the prevalence and documented the morphology of cetacean digital abnormalities. Results indicated that 11% (n = 255) of toothed whales displayed some type of aberrant ossification: the majority of these cases displayed a fusion of elements within a single digital ray, whereas cases exhibiting branched digits were rare. A small sample of baleen whale radiographs (n = 6) contained the only documented case of baleen whale polydactyly in a specimen of the gray whale (Eschrichtius). Furthermore, some Balaenoptera specimens displayed ossified elements within the interdigital spaces that lacked attachment to the adjacent digits and carpus. In addition, we speculated on the role that several genes may have played in creating cetacean digital anomalies. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 722–735.     

Molecular identification of small cetacean samples from Peruvian fish markets

In the last 60 years, incidental entanglement in fishing gears (so called by-catch) became the main cause of mortality worldwide for small cetaceans and is pushing several populations and species to the verge of extinction. Thus, monitoring and quantifying by-catches is an important step towards proper and sustainable management of cetacean populations. Continuous studies indicated that by-catches and directed takes of small cetaceans in Peru greatly increased since 1985. Legal measures banning cetacean takes, enforced in 1994 and 1996, ironically made monitoring highly problematic as fishers continue catching these animals but utilize or dispose of carcasses clandestinely. Hence, in locations where cetaceans are landed covertly or already butchered, molecular genetic methods can provide the only means of identification of the species, sex, and sometimes the population of each sample. Here, we generate and analyse a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene and 5 nuclear microsatellite markers from 182 meat and skin samples of unidentified small cetaceans collected at three Peruvian markets between July 2006 and April 2007. Our results, compared to past surveys, indicate that Lagenorhynchus obscurus, Phocoena spinipinnis, Tursiops truncatus, Delphinus capensis, and D. delphis continue to be caught and marketed, but that the relative incidence of P. spinipinnis is highly reduced, possibly because of population depletion. The small number of possible sampling duplicates demonstrates that a high monitoring frequency is required for a thorough evaluation of incidental catches in the area. A wide public debate on by-catch mitigation measures is greatly warranted in Peru.     

Moderate food restriction suppresses the conversion of l-tryptophan to nicotinamide in weaning rats

Calorie restriction leads to a change in the metabolism of nutrients. Nicotinamide is biosynthesized from l-tryptophan. We attempted to determine the effects of food restriction on the biosynthesis of nicotinamide from l-tryptophan. Weaning male rats were fed a conventional chemically defined diet without preformed niacin for 63?d. However, the food intake was restricted to 80 and 65% of the intake of the ad libitum-fed control group of rats. The 24-h urine samples were periodically collected, and the urinary excretion of nicotinamide and its catabolites was measured. The conversion percentages were lower in both restricted groups than in the ad libitum-fed control group during the experimental period (control group, 1.37?±?0.24%; 80%-restricted group, 0.20?±?0.04%; 65%-restricted group, 0.15?±?0.02%; control vs. restricted groups, p?<?0.01). Food restriction, even at mild level, suppressed the conversion of l-tryptophan to nicotinamide when compared to the ad libitum-fed control group.     

Evaluating the utility of cox1 for cetacean species identification

The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) gene has been promoted as a universal reference gene, or barcode, to identify organisms to the species level. We evaluated whether cox1 would be appropriate to diagnose cetacean species. The 5′ end of cox1 (686 base pairs, bp) was sequenced for 46 of 86 recognized species of cetaceans. In addition, we included 105 sequences from GenBank, increasing our taxonomic coverage to 61 species. Particular focus was placed on sampling two subfamilies that contain closely related taxa: the Delphininae and the Globicephalinae. Species‐specific sequences were observed for all but three taxa (Delphinus delphis, D. capensis, and Stenella coeruleoalba). Although correct assignment was seen for most species, significant overlap between intra‐ and interspecific variation makes cox1 an imperfect barcode for cetaceans. The efficacy of cox1 was compared to the 5′ end of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene, a mitochondrial region routinely used for cetacean species identification. Although cytb performed better than cox1 for some species, this marker could not differentiate other closely related taxa (Eubalaena spp.). Species identification for taxa not reliably identified using cox1 or cytb might be best addressed through use of multiple mitochondrial DNA fragments or other newly developed markers.     

Development of Olfactory Behavior in Captive Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta)

We conducted a long-term research project (1996–1999) on developmental aspects of olfactory behavior in ring-tailed lemurs to document the ontogenetic sequence of olfactory behavior, including the possible presence of sexual differences, and the maturation of scent-marking. The subjects were a group of 18 lemurs housed in the Pistoia Zoo (Tuscany, Italy), which we observed during 1,735 h via all-occurrences sampling, scan-animal sampling and ad libitum sampling methods. We determined the time sequence of olfactory exploration and of scent-marking patterns, and investigated sexual differences in timing and frequency. We also followed the development of scent-marking through the juvenile and adolescent phases taking into account the two aspects of motor control and of the acquisition of social competence. On the whole, we found that olfactory investigation appears and matures earlier than scent-marking. Moreover, olfactory investigation of conspecifics appeared later than substrate exploration, and seemed to follow a sequence of increasing level of acceptance by the receiver. Social play is very important for the maturation of the gestural component of scent-marking. The olfactory behavioral pattern appeared to mature during the juvenile and adolescent phases. Although sexual maturation had obvious influence on the development of olfactory behavior, the onset of scent-marking patterns was only partially parallel to sexual maturation.     

A review of cetacean occurrence in West African waters from the Gulf of Guinea to Angola

• 1 The cetacean fauna of the west coast of Africa is poorly described. Therefore, literature on the occurrence of cetacean species in the waters of 13 potential West African range states from the Gulf of Guinea to Angola was reviewed, including sighting, stranding, capture, bycatch and whaling records.
• 2 At least 28 species of cetacean were documented in the study region, comprising seven baleen whale species and 21 species of toothed whale (including at least 17 delphinid species).
• 3 Cetaceans could be broadly split into seven ecological categories, based on their distribution. A warm temperate/tropical deep‐water cetacean community dominated the study area. Cooler water from the Benguela Current influenced southern Angola (≤16°S latitude) and at least three cetacean species occurred predominantly in this region.
• 4 Only three or fewer species were confirmed in the waters of Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Seventeen or more species were documented in Ghana, Gabon and Angola, where dedicated cetacean research projects have been initiated in recent years. Angola had the most diverse documented cetacean community: 28 confirmed species.
• 5 The humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae was the most widely recorded species, and was documented in 11 (85%) countries. Sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus, Bryde's whales Balaenoptera cf. brydei, bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus and Atlantic spotted dolphins Stenella frontalis were recorded in over half of the countries.

     

Behavioral activities and diet of Azaras’s capuchin monkey,Sapajus cay (Illiger, 1815), in a forest remnant of the Brazilian Cerrado

ABSTRACT

Azaras’s capuchin monkey (Sapajus cay) is a poorly studied species in ecological aspects. We investigated behavioral activities and diet of a group of S. cay in a remnant of the Brazilian Cerrado. We sought to identify the most frequent behavior that the group engaged in, as well as to verify possible differences in behavioral patterns and diet between adult males and females. From January to July 2012 we collected behavioral and foraging data for a group of 21 individuals using scan sampling. Behaviors and food items consumed were analyzed using percentages and two proportions Z-tests to assess differences between males and females. We obtained 878 scans in approximately 202 hours of sampling effort, resulting in 4,159 individual activity records of capuchin monkeys. The group allocated time to traveling (41.3%), resting (25.5%), feeding (14.3%), foraging (13.7%), and social activities (5.1%). Females spent more time foraging and feeding, while males spent more time resting. Fruits (61.4%), invertebrates (15.3%), and seeds (14.3%) were the most common food items consumed. We did not find differences in food consumption between sexes. Behavioral activities may be influenced by habitat quality of the studied area, opportunistic habits, and plasticity in the diet.     

First feeding success with two types of prey by the Central American cichlid fish,Cichlasoma managuense (Pisces,Cichlidae): morphology versus behavior

Synopsis The behavioral and morphological correlates of differential capture success at first feeding of the cichlid fish Cichlasoma managuense were investigated. Capture efficiency with nauplii of Artemia salina was 69% compared with only 6% with Daphnia. These drastic differences are attributed largely to the different morphology and behavior of the prey that may have produced behavioral changes in the fish. Daphnia is more evasive and harder to handle than Artemia as reflected in the significantly higher number of missed capture attempts and in spit-outs, a measure of handling effort. Fish hunting Artemia had a high capture rate when they made many attempts. By contrast, fish hunting Daphnia were successful when they handled the prey persistently, made many spit outs and many attempts. Large behavioral variation was observed and may be the substrate for later food specialization. In contrast to previous studies, morphological variation in the predators and prey was kept low; no measured morphological trait of the predators explained a significant portion of the variation in capture rate. The behavioral differences among the predators in each group alone significantly explain the variation in capture rate. The developmental stage of the fish and the behavior of the prey need to be considered when comparing the capture efficiency between species.     

The effects of wintertime undernutrition on plasma leptin and insulin levels in an arctic ruminant, the reindeer

We examined the effects of prolonged undernutrition on plasma leptin and insulin levels and some serum protein metabolites in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) during winter and spring. The reindeer (male < 1 year) were fed their preferred winter feed, low-protein lichen ad libitum for 5 weeks, followed by 40% restriction of energy for 8 weeks and refeeding with high-protein pellets for 6 weeks. The control group received high-protein reindeer pellets ad libitum throughout the experiment. Plasma leptin decreased by 46% and insulin by 54% in the lichen group already during the ad libitum period between January and February, with parallel decreases in body weight, serum total proteins, albumin and urea. Leptin remained low during most of the energy restriction period in March and April, but increased at the end of April while body weight decreased. During the refeeding period in May and June, the body weight and insulin of the lichen group increased in parallel with total proteins and urea, but leptin remained unchanged. Similar significant reductions in plasma leptin (40%) as in the lichen group also took place in the control group fed high-protein pellets ad libitum in January and February, although their feed intake, serum total proteins and body weight remained unchanged. The results show that leptin decreases in reindeer during mid-winter, independent of food or protein intake, and suggest that the decrease may be cued by seasonal factors such as the short photoperiod.     

Characterization of the cardiac phospholipidome of small cetaceans provides adaptational insight and a foundation for indirect population health screening

The maintenance of a tightly regulated heart lipidome is a general hallmark of mammal health. However, in the case of cetaceans, heart tissue lipid composition remains obscure. This work represents a first in-depth state-of-the-art characterization of the lipid content of small cetacean hearts, namely those of Delphinus delphis, Phocoena phocoena, and Stenella coeruleoalba. Phospholipid classes identified were similar to those found in terrestrial mammals. Regarding fatty acid profiles, they revealed a much higher n-3 fatty acid content than that reported for terrestrial counterparts. Phospholipidome characterization allowed identification of 198 lipid species, including phospholipids, lysophospholipids, and sphingomyelins, generally characterized by a high content of species with esterified n-3 fatty acids. The cardiac lipid profile of the three cetacean species is similar in terms of lipid classes, fatty acids, and even molecular lipid species present. However, quantitative differences suggest a divergence of S. coeruleoalba from the other species in terms of fatty acid and phospholipid profile. The identified differences regarding terrestrial counterparts will contribute to better understanding the details of small cetacean cardiac physiology. Moreover, the characterization of cardiac phospholipidome may represent an opportunity to establish lipidomic-based practical tools to reliably and reproducibly assess small cetacean health population status by remote sampling.     

Towards robust and repeatable sampling methods in eDNA‐based studies

DNA‐based techniques are increasingly used for measuring the biodiversity (species presence, identity, abundance and community composition) of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. While there are numerous reviews of molecular methods and bioinformatic steps, there has been little consideration of the methods used to collect samples upon which these later steps are based. This represents a critical knowledge gap, as methodologically sound field sampling is the foundation for subsequent analyses. We reviewed field sampling methods used for metabarcoding studies of both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystem biodiversity over a nearly three‐year period (n = 75). We found that 95% (n = 71) of these studies used subjective sampling methods and inappropriate field methods and/or failed to provide critical methodological information. It would be possible for researchers to replicate only 5% of the metabarcoding studies in our sample, a poorer level of reproducibility than for ecological studies in general. Our findings suggest greater attention to field sampling methods, and reporting is necessary in eDNA‐based studies of biodiversity to ensure robust outcomes and future reproducibility. Methods must be fully and accurately reported, and protocols developed that minimize subjectivity. Standardization of sampling protocols would be one way to help to improve reproducibility and have additional benefits in allowing compilation and comparison of data from across studies.     

鲸类远距离活体采样技术发展概述及其在中国鲸类研究中的应用前景

鲸类位于海洋生态系统食物链的顶端,在国际海洋环境保护研究中备受关注。鲸类的生活环境使得科研人员难以接近它们,为了在保证动物生命安全的前提下进行采样研究,科研人员发明了鲸类远距离活体采样技术。鲸类远距离活体采样工具出现于1973年,由捕鲸鱼叉改制而来,其后40余年,鲸类活体采样工具先后经历了捕鲸鱼叉、十字弓、复合弓、气枪、手持杆等多种不同动力的采样系统交替出现的发展历程。活体采样技术对动物的影响是科研人员关注的核心问题,为此,科研人员开展了大量研究对活体采样技术的风险性进行评价,并最终认可了这一技术的无损伤性。现今,鲸类远距离活体采样技术已成为国际鲸类研究的重要手段。我国是鲸类资源相对丰富的国家,但该技术在我国鲸类研究中的应用仍处于起步阶段,仅在香港海域的中华白海豚（Sousa chinensis）研究中进行过尝试,鲸 类远距离活体采样技术在我国有着广泛的应用前景和发展空间。本文详细介绍了鲸类远距离活体采样技术的发展历程和科研应用,并从遗传学、毒理学、细胞生物学和内分泌学方面对该技术在我国鲸类研究中的应用前景做了展望。     

A quantitative comparison of two sample methods for collecting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amblyomma americanum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dermacentor variabilis</Emphasis> (Acari: Ixodidae) in Missouri

In studies of tick communities, sampling methodology may influence observed patterns. The objective of this study was to compare two sampling methods, dragging and dry ice baiting, in two habitats to assess abundance of off-host ticks. Tick communities were monitored from March to December in a forested and an old-field habitat in northeast Missouri. In each habitat, eight drag and eight dry ice bait samples were collected every 2 weeks on a permanent grid. The most common ticks collected were all life stages of Amblyomma americanum L. and adult and larval Dermacentor variabilis Say. Capture data was analyzed to determine if there were differences due to sampling method, habitat or an interaction for each life stage of each species across the entire monitoring period. Data indicate that there were differences in the methods. Significantly more A. americanum nymphs were captured by bait sampling. Dragging captured significantly more larval A. americanum. Significantly more larval and nymphal A. americanum and larval D. variabilis were caught in the forest, whereas significantly more adult D. variabilis were collected in the field. Significant interaction between site and method was found for A. americanum adults and D. variabilis larvae. These differences are likely due to differences in behavior among species and developmental age that interact with microclimate. These data indicate that community monitoring studies should use multiple sampling methodologies to avoid bias. While comparing these methods, the first documented collection of off-host Ixodes scapularis Say in Adair County, Missouri was made.