Age and growth, mortality, reproduction and relative yield per recruit of the bogue, Boops boops Linné, 1758 (Sparidae), from the Algarve (south of Portugal) longline fishery

Samples of Boops boops ranging from 7.4 to 30.5 cm were obtained mainly by longline, supplemented by beach seining in the Ria Formosa lagoon, and by market sampling in the Algarve (southern Portugal). The macroscopic analyses of the gonads and the gonad somatic index showed that the south coast of Portugal B. boops spawn mainly from late winter to spring, between February and May. The length at first maturity was similar for males and females and the value for both sexes combined was estimated to be 15.22 cm, corresponding to an age range of 1–3. Age was determined by reading growth bands on otoliths. Age determination was validated by marginal increment analysis. The estimated parameters were L_∞ = 28.06, K = 0.22 and t₀ = ?1.42. Mortality rates were calculated for fish captured with longlines, and the estimated parameters were M = 0.33, Z = 1.04 and F = 0.71. Relative yield per recruit analysis and sensitivity analysis showed that the resource is moderately exploited. From the perspective of sustainability, these results provide support for the use of longlines as a gear that is among the least harmful for species such as the bogue.     

Presence de pollens d'Hamamelis (Hamamelidaceae,Angiospermae) dans le pliocene du Sud de la France

Pollen-analysis shows the presence of the genus Hamamelis in the pliocene flora of southern France. It contributesto the knowledge of the past distribution of taxa which are now extinct in western Europe.     

Les Ostracodes et le Quaternaire d’Aigion (golfe de Corinthe, Grèce)

The Upper Pleistocene and the Holocene of Aigion have delivered an abundant microfauna with 35 ostracode species. The Pleistocene from Aigion borehole generally provides Ostracodes from oligohaline environment with Cyprideis torosa, Candona angulata and Tyrrhenocythere amnicola while, in the Holocene, marine infralittoral species dominate with Cytheridea neapolitana, Carinocythereis whitei, Loxoconcha ovulata and Cytherois frequens. The marine sedimentation occurred at depth from some meters to some tens of meters. In the Aghios Constantinos section, the lagoonal marls are characterised by Euxinocythere schuldtae and a dwarf species of Xestoleberis. Then, a drastic environmental change occurs around the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary and presumably affected the whole Corinth gulf.     

Empreintes de pas de reptiles au Pic des Merveilles dans le Permien du massif du Mont-Bego (Alpes-Maritimes)

The Permian formations outcropping on the southern side of the Mercantour massif (Barrot dome; Mont-Bego and the Vallée des Merveilles) have not, up until now, yielded vertebrate footprints, unlike other southern French regions (Lodévois, Provence). However, this has now changed. Discoveries have been made, first on loose blocks and then in stratigraphy (upper part of the Meraviglie or Merveilles formation), during a geological survey in the national Mercantour Park. These footprints belong to the same ichnite type, Varanopus curvidactylus Monodi, 1929. Nonetheless, this attribution needs to be confirmed by subsequent footprint discoveries. Despite unfavourable outcropping conditions and often intense tectonic deformation (fracturation, beginning of schistosity, network of quartzous vein, occasionally with epidote), the traces and the associated sedimentary features (current ripples, mudcracks, raindrop imprints, cyanobacterial mats, annelid bioturbations) allow us to correlate the depositional environment of the upper Meraviglie terrigenous formation with a deltaic lower flood plain of a lakeshore.     

Diet of Zonocerus variegatus (Linné, 1758) (Orth., Acrididae) in cassava fields in Bénin

Abstract:  This paper presents the results of a study on the diet of Zonocerus variegatus in cassava agro-ecosystems at Allada, south Benin. The diet was determined by the analysis of plant fragments in the faeces of insects sampled in the fields. The grasshoppers studied consumed 21 plant species among the 81 found in the fields. Cassava, maize, Mallotus oppositifolius and Chromolaena odorata were the major food plants for Z. variegatus in this system. The presence of Z. variegatus in different fields was observed depending on the season and the presence of certain plant species. There was no relationship between plant frequency in the diet and in the field. Cassava was the preferred food resource for mature nymphs and adults. During the dry season, young nymphs stayed near the hatching sites and where good food resources were available. At this time, the grasshoppers were present in a field where cassava was not abundant but where maize and weeds were available. During the dry season, Z. variegatus had a broader diet than during the wet season. This contradicts the current hypothesis that the water content of plants and the floral diversity determines food preference. The dry season is also the time when C. odorata leaves were found in the faeces of both adults and nymphs. These observations made in West Africa are similar to those made in Central Africa, particularly for the number of plant species found in the faeces, 21 (26% of all plant species found in the fields) in Bénin and 17 (23%) in the Congo. The increase of the sample size and the great differences between the ecoregional situation of the study sites do not substantially change the number of plant species included in the diets. In the area covered by this study, C. odorata is not the major substitute for cassava during the dry season, although it remains a major food source and an especially visible food resource.     

Degeneration of the tongue of Boops [(Boops boops L., 1758) (Teleost, Sparidae)] parasitized by Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) (Isopoda, Flabellifera, Cymothoidae) (author's transl)

Host fishes (Boops boops) parasitized by the cymothoid isopod Meinertia oestroides show an atrophied tonuge: its length and its initial weight can decrease of about 50%. These morphological variations are connected with deep histological alterations, such as: A more or less important vanishing of epidermis. A disorganization of the connective tissue, by numerous invading blood cells. A total vanishing of cargilage and a partial vanishing of bone, resulting from the lysis of their own fundamental substance.     

Signification paléoécologique des assemblages de diatomées du Messinien dans le bassin de Melilla-Nador (Rif Nord-Oriental, Maroc)

In the Melilla-Nador basin, the diatomites represent one of the main sedimentary components of the Messinian together with reefal carbonate platforms. Two vertical sections were realised in the diatomitic levels from distal platform. Diatom assemblages are for the first time described in this basin. A total of 125 diatom species were determined: 73 centrics and 52 pennates. Significant diatom assemblages defined from the statistical analysis indicate ecological variations concerning diatomitic levels or parts of diatomitic levels. Using the data sets we propose paleoenvironmental models showing the complexity of the ecological interactions. This study point the permanence of opened marine environment, the impulse of cold waters from Atlantic origin, a general decrease in bathymetry in the Messinian marls-diatomitic series, the influence of the carbonate platform progradation and the occurrence of upwelling systems.     

Sur la presence de vegetaux a structure conservee du Viseen dans le poudingue mosaique du Stephanien du bassin de Saint-Etienne (France)

Upper Visean plant-bearing cherts have been discovered in association with others yielding a Stephanian A flora, in conglomerates (poudingue mosaïque) from the base of the Stephanian B at Grand'Croix. It confirms the distant source, from the Roanne region, of the Dinantian elements during the initial basin sedimentation and constitutes an excellent example of complex reworking of fossil plant material.     

Valeur pronostique du curage ganglionnaire prophylactique dans le cancer différencié de la thyroïde

Objective

Although the efficacy of total thyroidectomy as the first step in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) management is well proven, it is always a matter of controversy whether prophylactic lymph node dissection improves prognosis and survival in DTC patients without suspicion of lymph node metastases either clinically or radiologically. The aim of this work is to study relapse rates in patients according to the initial presentation and type of surgery performed, in order to analyze the prognostic impact of lymph node dissection.

Patients and methods

One hundred and thirty patients with DTC were classified according to clinical presentation and type of surgery performed. They were monitored for six years to watch for recurrence.

Results

In patients with no clinical evident lymph nodes, the relapse rate was lower among patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in one step with prophylactic lymph node dissection.

Conclusion

Based on the results of other studies, and on our department experience of thyroid cancer management and monitoring, we strongly advocate careful and systematic exploration of the central lymph node compartments with exploration of the lateral side of the lesion if in doubt.     

Decouverte du plus ancien Palaeopheide (Reptilia,Serpentes) dans le Maestrichtien du Maroc

The Palaeopheidae (Reptilia, Serpentes) were hitherto known only from the Eocene. The discovery of Palaeophisin the Maestrichtian (and Paleocene) of Morocco strongly modifies the stratigraphic range of the Palaeopheidae.     

Rôle du gypaète barbu (Gypaetus barbatus) dans la constitution de l’assemblage osseux de la grotte du Noisetier (Fréchet-Aure,Hautes-Pyrénées,France)

Located in the Aure Valley (French central Pyrénées), the Noisetier cave opens at 825 m asl. This Middle Palaeolithic site has produced a Mousterian industry associated with a rich faunal assemblage. Bone remains are dominated by Chamois then Ibex and Red deer. Taphonomic analysis strongly suggests a human origin for the Ibex and the Red deer but questions arise for the Chamois. The chamois assemblage differed from the bones of both species by its low cut marks ratio. Semi-digested bones are particularly abundant. Differences are even more perceptible for skeletal portions. For Red deer and Ibex, long bone remains are mostly shaft portions whereas for Chamois, ends are the most abundant. Comparisons of the Noisetier cave bone assemblage with different present-day reference data leads to the conclusion that Chamois bones have mostly been accumulated by bearded vultures.     

Les foraminifères du Burdigalien moyen à supérieur de la région sud-aquitaine (golfe de Saubrigues, SW France)

Many exposures assigned to the Miocene formation of “Marnes de Saubrigues” (southwestern Aquitaine Basin) have been studied. Their revised stratigraphical allocation has made it possible to recognize mainly Middle to Late Burdigalian age deposits which have been widely sampled. They have been correlated with planktonic zones N6 pars-N7 and NN3-NN4 and locally dated 17.7 Ma with Sr isotopes. It is noteworthy that this chronological interval is only known in the southern Basin. An inventory of the rather abundant microplankton is provided, including series crossed by drillings in the Gulf of Biscay. These deposits yield a large diversity of benthic foraminifera, nearly 400 taxa, which can be considered as a reference fauna for western Europe Burdigalian. From a geographic point of view, it has been possible to subdivise the exposures into groups according to their bathymetry. Let us point out the first discovery of Borelis in the Burdigalian of France and in the northeastern Atlantic Miocene as well. Very rare specimens of Cycloclypeus are also present in the Aquitaine Basin. Among smaller foraminifera, the occurrence of Rosalina aguayoi, Pavonitina styriaca, the last appearance of Falsocibicides aquitanicus and the persistance of the genus Almaena must be emphasized. Several assemblages supply diatoms, rare radiolaria and sometimes abundant sponge spicules; the presence of these organisms, seldom reported from the Aquitaine Tertiary, might be linked to upwelling-type currents. Bachmayerella (inc. sed.) is uncommon and cited for the first time in the Burdigalian. A few taxonomical remarks and short notes are given for some species of foraminifera, and palaeoecological details as well. Numerous taxa are represented and comparisons with the foraminifera faunas mainly from the Lower-Middle Miocene of Western Mediterranean and Paratethys are sketched.     

Sur la decouverte dans le Cretace de Laveiras (Portugal) du plus ancien zeiforme connu

The discovery of a zeiform fish belonging to the family Zeidae of the Cretaceous from Laveiras (Portugal) lowersthe appearance of this family and of this order from the Paleocene to the Cenomanian.     

Un habitat de la fin du Mésolithique dans le Centre-Ouest de la France : L’Essart à Poitiers (Vienne)

The excavation of L’Essart (Poitiers) makes it possible for the first time in the west of France to understand a very particular habitat, along a river and very much marked by the firing activities. The substrate of the site assigns the shape of a dome surrounded to the east by the Clain River, to the west by a channel. Abundant vestiges allotted to the recent Neolithic lay in the lower half of a layer of brown silts. Immediately subjacent, a level of ten centimetres, located at the top of orange silts, contained burnt stones structures: 39 hearths (circular area posed flat approximately one meter of diameter) and 14 dismantled hearths. It is dated from the final Mesolithic by the extremely abundant lithic material discovered in the layer. Lithic industry is carried out in a preferential way on bajocians flints available on the slope (62%) and oxfordians flints (8%) known to approximately two kilometres. The principal characters of this industry are a frontal exploitation of core, a production of prismatic blades, many notches of Montbani type on the blades, asymmetrical trapezoids with concave truncations (of which Trapezoids of Payré), right-angled trapezoids with concave truncations, scalene triangles with flat retouches and arrows of Montclus. The analogies with Retzian (Vendée and Loire-Atlantique) are certainly numerous, but it is rather about a relationship in a vaster unit that remains to define. The non anecdotic presence of the arrows of Montclus involves the discussion on the question of the zones of contacts between Neolithic and Mesolithic of the second half of the VI^th millenium BC.     

Biostratigraphie d’après les foraminifères et paléoenvironnements des séries post-Éocène du sondage ASHTART 28, golfe de Gabès (Tunisie)

The Cenozoic sequence of Ashtart 28 well drilled in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) is the subject of a biostratigraphical study. The samples recovered in cuttings from 390 m and downwards allowed to recognize, above the Late Eocene sediments, a sedimentary series, lithologically diversified, nearly 1600 m thick. Marine Pliocene deposits, generally attesting a low bathymetry, lie unconformably above the Messinian (Oued Bel Khedim formation), which shows the usual features of the Mediterranean confinement. The underlying Messinian pre-evaporitic platform series (Melqart formation), that is over 250 m thick, is typical of a perireefal environment. The sediments assigned to the Tortonian (Somâa Sands formation) are continental and occur unconformably above the approximately 500-metres-thick Middle Miocene strata (Saouaf, Mahmoud, Aïn Grab and Salammbô pars formations). The marine Lower Miocene and Oligocene sediments (Salammbô pars and Ketatna formations), that are more than 300 m thick, lie in continuity under the Middle Miocene. The infralittoral Chattian sequence has especially supplied a diversified assemblage of larger foraminifera recovered in other west-mediterranean basins. Datings were obtained based on planktonic and larger benthic foraminifera (Miogypsinidae, Nummulitidae, Lepidocyclinidae) and by correlations obtained by means of well loggings and lithostratigraphy. Benthic foraminifera, mainly listed for the Miocene and Oligocene, are studied from a systematic, stratigraphic and paleogeographic point of view. The paleoenvironments of deposits are defined for each considered stratigraphic interval. Comparisons are sketched with other drillings of the Gulf of Gabes. Thanks to the numerous data obtained by this detailed study, the Ashtart drilling can serve as a reference for the Tertiary sequence of this part of the Mediterranean domain.