The Storm Petrel Colony on Roaninish

The main autumn movements through Britain are oriented S-SSE for a short English Channel crossing. Adults move more directly than juveniles, and the latter have a marked exploratory phase of postfledging dispersal. In the spring, first-year birds arrive back later than older individuals.     

First record of the Storm Petrel,Hydrobates pelagicus,in Turkey

Abstract

Three Storm Petrels were observed on the coast near Ka? on the Turkish Mediterranean Sea, on 29.4.1988. This is the first Turkish record.     

Evolution of Rotifer Life Histories

When compared to most other multicellular animals, rotifers are all relatively small, short-lived and fast-reproducing organisms. However among and within different rotifer species there is a large variation in life history patterns. This review accounts for such variation in rotifers, with a strong focus on monogonont rotifers. As the life cycle of monogonont rotifers involves both asexual and sexual reproduction, life history patterns can be examined on the level of the genetic individual, which includes all asexual females, sexual females and males that originated from one resting egg. This concept has been applied successfully in many areas, for example in predicting optimal levels of mictic reproduction or sex allocation theory. The benefits and implications of the view of the genetic individual are discussed in detail. Rotifer life histories can also be viewed on the level of physiological individuals. A large part of this review deals with the life histories of individual amictic females and addresses life history traits like body size, egg size and resource allocation patterns. It asks which trade-offs exist among those traits, how these traits change under the influence of environmental factors like food availability or temperature, and whether these changes can be interpreted as adaptive.     

The Evolution of Life Histories in Holo-anhydrobiotic Animals: A First Approach

The life histories of holo-anhydrobiotic animals differ fromthose of all other organisms by a regular or irregular entranceinto an ametabolic state induced by desiccation. Such ametabolicperiods will arrest growth and reproduction completely and thusaffect primary life history parameters dramatically. The selectiveforces and the genetic and physiological trade-offs acting onanhydrobiotic animals are to a large extent unknown. Assuminglow growth rates and low juvenile to adult survival, generaltheoretical models on life history responses to stress predictthat anhydrobiotic animals will be selected for a high degreeof iteroparity, with low fecundity, large egg size, and lowtotal reproductive investment. A high degree of variabilityin growth and reproduction should create a selective force inthe same direction. Although basic empirical data on life historyparameters are very scarce, available observations seem to beconsistent with this prediction.     

A New Fulmarine Petrel (Aves: Procellariiformes) from the Upper Miocene of the Western Mediterranean

A new sea bird, Pterodromoides minoricensis gen. et sp. nov., similar in size and proportions to species of the modern genus Pterodroma , is described from Late Miocene breccias situated on the north-west coast of Menorca. The cranial osteology is similar to that of fulmarine petrels, but the large orbitonasal opening and characters of the postcranial skeleton justify its classification as a separate genus. At least one other species of procellariid occurs in the accompanying fossil asemblage, suggesting that Late Tertiary ecological conditions favoured sea bird populations in this area of the Mediterranean.     

Why Life Histories Evolve Differently in the Sea

Marine life histories differ from terrestrial life historiesbecause seawater is denser and more viscous than air, becausedesiccation is not a problem for organisms in water, and becausefood is abundant in suspension and solution. (1) Mating andcompetition for paternity in the sea often differs. Female gametesare often spawned freely. Passively dispersed spermatophorescould in some cases provide single paternity to an entire clutchof offspring. Penises of sessile animals reach far for copulation.There are no pollinators. (2) In many clades of benthic marineanimals, greater dispersal of offspring is associated with largeadult size, and greater parental care of offspring and reducedplanktonic larval periods are associated with small adult size.(3) Many benthic marine animals are colonies with modular construction,and these also commonly brood embryos and have short-lived larvae,in contrast to related solitary forms. (4) Unlike dispersalof terrestrial animals, larval dispersal of marine animals isoften obligate with sexual reproduction and often includes aprecompetent period during which larvae cannot settle at goodsites. Unlike terrestrial seeds, marine larvae have no clearadaptations for dispersal, often grow during dispersal, andoften leave bad sites. Feeding planktonic larvae are commonamong marine animals and rare among other aquatic animals, perhapsbecause of persistent aquatic routes between habitable sitesfor marine animals. Peculiarities in marine life histories mayinfluence many aspects of evolution in the sea. Closely relatedsedentary marine animals can differ greatly in larval dispersalwith consequences for recruitment to populations, genetic exchangebetween benthic populations, adaptation to local conditions,sex allocation, interaction with kin, speciation, and extinction.     

Using miniaturized radiotelemetry to discover the breeding grounds of the endangered New Zealand Storm Petrel Fregetta maoriana

Identification of breeding sites remains a critical step in species conservation, particularly in procellariiform seabirds whose threat status is of global concern. We designed and conducted an integrative radiotelemetry approach to uncover the breeding grounds of the critically endangered New Zealand Storm Petrel Fregetta maoriana (NZSP), a species considered extinct before its rediscovery in 2003. Solar‐powered automated radio receivers and hand‐held telemetry were used to detect the presence of birds on three island groups in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand. At least 11 NZSP captured and radiotagged at sea were detected at night near Te Hauturu‐o‐Toi/Little Barrier Island with the detection of an incubating bird leading to the discovery of the first known breeding site for this species. In total, four NZSP breeding burrows were detected under mature forest canopy and three adult NZSP and two NZSP chicks were ringed. Telemetry data indicated NZSP showed strong moonlight avoidance behaviour over the breeding site, had incubation shifts of approximately 5 days and had a breeding season extending from February to June/July, a different season from other Procellariiformes in the region. Radiotelemetry, in combination with rigorously collected field data on species distribution, offers a valuable technique for locating breeding grounds of procellariiform seabirds and gaining insights into breeding biology while minimizing disturbance to sensitive species or damage to fragile habitat. Our study suggests an avenue for other breeding ground searches in one of the most threatened avian Orders, and highlights the general need for information on the location of breeding sites and understanding the breeding biology in data‐deficient birds.     

Detecting Invasions of Marine Organisms: Kamptozoan Case Histories

Detecting marine invasions can be challenging, especially for lesser-known taxa, and requires (a) thorough field surveys of the region of interest for members of the taxon, (b) systematic analyses to identify all species found, (c) literature searches for the worldwide distribution of these species and for previous records of the taxon in this region, and (d) application of rigorous criteria to assess whether each species found is native or introduced. We carried out these steps in order to detect and document kamptozoan (entoproct) invasions on the American mid-Atlantic coast. We report on the occurrence of two colonial kamptozoans (Barentsia benedeni, Loxosomatoides laevis) in Chesapeake Bay (Maryland and Virginia, USA). On the American Atlantic coast, B. benedeni had previously only been reported from Massachusetts, although this species has a worldwide distribution in bays and harbors. The genus Loxosomatoides had not previously been reported from North America and L. laevis was known only from India. Since the genus Loxosomatoides was very poorly characterized, we briefly review all four of its species, which differ only slightly from each other. We have also synonymized L. japonicum with L. laevis. We did not find any of the kamptozoan species previously recorded in surveys of Chesapeake Bay and the American Atlantic coast. This is the first detailed consideration of anthropogenic influences on kamptozoan distributions, and we emphasize that most kamptozoan species are cryptogenic pending further investigation.     

The Life Histories of Two Temporarily Coexisting,Pond Dwelling Cladocerans

Investigations on the life histories of two cladocerans, Moina brachiata and Daphnia obtusa, in a small, nearly temporary pond in South Germany revealed that M. brachiata is better adapted to fluctuating environmental conditions; the species dominated from May to October. D. obtusa was present in spring and autumn/winter but disappeared completely during the summer months. Both species coexisted for extended periods in spring and autumn; abundance of D. obtusa was generally by an order of magnitute lower. Four periods of low water level were slightly preceded by or coincided with a decrease of clutch size, a decrease of the proportion of egg bearing females indicating that both species suffered from food shortage. Laboratory investigations on life history parameters showed that the two species have different temperature tolerances and preferences. M. brachiata showed its highest reproductive success at 25 and 30°C but died at temperatures <15°C and ≥ 35°C. D. obtusa experienced a broader temperature range (2 to 25°C) but could not withstand temperatures ≥ 30°C. Short term starvation periods (3d) caused the death of M. brachiata females, while D. obtusa soon recovered and reproduced when being refed. M. brachiata is a typical r-species with early reproduction, rapid development, high population growth rates and a high tendency to produce resting eggs; D. obtusa pursues more the concept of k-selection.     

Lightning Injury: Two Case Histories and a Review of Management

Two cases of fatal lightning injury are described. Fixed dilated pupils should not be taken as an indicator of death after a lightning strike. Persons who fail to breath spontaneously within one minute of lightning shock should receive external cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Paralysis may persist as result of cerebral oedema or prolonged hypoxia—it is therefore suggested that adequate ventilation and metabolic balance should be maintained until recovery or death.     

Life histories of Mediterranean pines

The life history of Spanish pines and their relation to fire as the main disturbance factor in their ecosystems was analysed. The primary ecological attributes studied were the canopy seed bank (onset of cone production, percentage and persistence of serotinous cones), seed and cone morphology, sprouting and bark thickness. Four ecological groups were separated using multivariate cluster analysis and their life-history characteristics are discussed. Serotiny and early flowering in Pinus halepensis and P. pinaster reflect their evader strategy in relation to fire as this character is advantageous to survive frequent crown fires and to attain successful post-fire recruitment. Late flowering and absence of serotinous cones in P. nigra, P. sylvestris and P. uncinata indicate that their natural forest did not evolve under frequent crown fires. P. canariensis and P. pinea appeared in two single groups because of their sprouting capability and their seed size respectively. Intraspecific variation in P. pinaster was also analysed using the same criteria and high variability was found in its life history traits. A group of P. pinaster populations showed high levels of serotiny and thin bark as a possible adaptation to frequent stand-replacing crown fires. In contrast, a group of non- or weakly-serotinous populations seems to have evolved under a low-intensity fire regime where the best fitness corresponds to thick-barked individuals capable of surviving ground fires. Intermediate strategies were also evident in this species and were discussed in relation to the effect of different fire regimes caused by the understorey vegetation.     

The separation of Pterodroma madeira (Zino's Petrel) from Pterodroma feae (Fea's Petrel) (Aves: Procellariidae)

The taxonomic status of petrels from the North East Atlantic has long been a matter of debate. Breeding colonies of petrels occurring on the islands of Madeira, Bugio and Cape Verde were originally thought to be outlying populations of the polytypic species Pterodroma mollis . Subsequent taxonomic treatments have varied considerably in their classification of birds from these islands. The petrel populations on Madeira and Bugio represent some of Europe's rarest breeding birds and their exact species designation, and hence relation to conservation mandates, is a question of considerable importance. In this study we use molecular techniques alongside more traditional taxonomic characters to confirm the existence of two species of the genus Pterodroma in the Archipelago of Madeira. We also discuss identification of these species in the field and the implications for their conservation management.     

Suitability of Drought-Preconditioning Techniques in Mediterranean Climate

Abstract Arid and semiarid ecosystems in the Mediterranean are under high risk of desertification. Revegetation with native well‐adapted evergreen shrubs is desirable, but techniques for successful establishment of these species are not fully developed. Transplant shock is a key hurdle to plantation success. The application of a drought‐preconditioning treatment during the last months of nursery culture is a potential technique for reducing transplant shock. This technique has been widely applied in boreal habitats and humid temperate areas. Three representative Mediterranean species (Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, and Juniperus oxycedrus seedlings) were exposed to classic drought‐preconditioning treatment consisting of reductions in the watering regime. The effects of preconditioning on seedling quality were assessed by cell water relationships (pressure–volume curves), minimal transpiration, leaf capacitance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and gas exchange. Moreover, seedlings were exposed to transplant shock (intense drought period) during which water potential (predawn and midday) and maximal photochemical efficiency were evaluated to establish seedling performance. Results showed that preconditioning did not affect cell water relationships and minimal transpiration in any of the three species. Preconditioned seedlings of P. lentiscus maintained higher water content during desiccating conditions as a consequence of an increase in leaf water content at full turgor. These changes allowed plants to maintain higher net CO₂ assimilation rates and an elevated photosystem II status, facilitating an increase in drought survival. Preconditioning improved the performance of Q. coccifera and J. oxycedrus seedlings, but these two species were much less responsive than P. lentiscus seedlings. Finally, results suggest that sensitivity to drought preconditioning may be related to drought tolerance or avoidance strategy of each species. Drought‐related strategies should be considered to optimize management scale preconditioning.     

Climate change and the future of Mediterranean freshwater macroinvertebrates: a model-based assessment

Hydrobiologia - Mediterranean-climate rivers are projected to warm by 0.5–4°C and river flows to decline by 34% by 2071–2100. Using data from 191 Greek streams/rivers, we projected...     

DNA Barcoding for Species Assignment: The Case of Mediterranean Marine Fishes

Background

DNA barcoding enhances the prospects for species-level identifications globally using a standardized and authenticated DNA-based approach. Reference libraries comprising validated DNA barcodes (COI) constitute robust datasets for testing query sequences, providing considerable utility to identify marine fish and other organisms. Here we test the feasibility of using DNA barcoding to assign species to tissue samples from fish collected in the central Mediterranean Sea, a major contributor to the European marine ichthyofaunal diversity.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A dataset of 1278 DNA barcodes, representing 218 marine fish species, was used to test the utility of DNA barcodes to assign species from query sequences. We tested query sequences against 1) a reference library of ranked DNA barcodes from the neighbouring North East Atlantic, and 2) the public databases BOLD and GenBank. In the first case, a reference library comprising DNA barcodes with reliability grades for 146 fish species was used as diagnostic dataset to screen 486 query DNA sequences from fish specimens collected in the central basin of the Mediterranean Sea. Of all query sequences suitable for comparisons 98% were unambiguously confirmed through complete match with reference DNA barcodes. In the second case, it was possible to assign species to 83% (BOLD-IDS) and 72% (GenBank) of the sequences from the Mediterranean. Relatively high intraspecific genetic distances were found in 7 species (2.2%–18.74%), most of them of high commercial relevance, suggesting possible cryptic species.

Conclusion/Significance

We emphasize the discriminatory power of COI barcodes and their application to cases requiring species level resolution starting from query sequences. Results highlight the value of public reference libraries of reliability grade-annotated DNA barcodes, to identify species from different geographical origins. The ability to assign species with high precision from DNA samples of disparate quality and origin has major utility in several fields, from fisheries and conservation programs to control of fish products authenticity.