Usage of high‐performance mattresses for transport of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphin

Ground transport can be a stressful operation for dolphins if the long period of restraint causes damage to internal organs, especially to the lung, generated by their own weight. Buoyancy is deprived from dolphins under moist transport, in which dolphins are transported on mattresses. Upgrading mattresses is an effective way to modify the transportation method so as to compensate for the loss of buoyancy. In Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), we tried to find mattresses that performed well at distributing the dolphins' weight and preserved their pulmonary function. When using EV‐17 (thickness, 50 mm) put on EE‐20 (thickness, 50 mm), a wider support area, less extreme changes in pressure, and lower maximum pressures were observed compared with other mattress systems tested. On this mattress system, lower breathing rates, lower heart rates, and higher exhaled CO₂ concentrations were shown compared with using standard mattresses. These results suggest that the performance of the combination of EV‐17 and EE‐20 is better than that of the standard mattress in terms of the cardiopulmonary function of dolphins. Zoo Biol 27:331–340, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite markers for Cymodocea serrulata (Cymodoceaceae), a seagrass distributed widely in the Indo‐Pacific region

Cymodocea serrulata is a tropical seagrass species distributed widely in the Indo‐Pacific region. We developed 16 novel microsatellite (simple sequence repeat) markers for C. serrulata using next‐generation sequencing for use in genetic studies. The applicability of these markers was attested by genotyping of 40 individuals collected from a natural population in the Philippines. Of the 16 loci, 15 showed polymorphism. For the 15 polymorphic markers, the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to seven, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.131–1.000 and 0.124–0.788, respectively. These markers are useful tools for elucidating genetic diversity, connectivity, and structure in this foundational coastal species.     

Signature whistles in free‐ranging populations of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops aduncus

Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) use individually distinctive signature whistles which are highly stereotyped and function as contact calls. Here we investigate whether Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (T. aduncus) use signature whistles. The frequency trace of whistle contours recorded from three genetically distinct free‐ranging populations was extracted and sorted into whistle types of similar shape using automated categorization. A signature whistle identification method based on the temporal patterns in signature whistle sequences of T. truncatus was used to identify signature whistle types (SWTs). We then compared the degree of variability in SWTs for several whistle parameters to determine which parameters are likely to encode identity information. Additional recordings from two temporarily isolated T. aduncus made during natural entrapment events in 2008 and 2009 were analyzed for the occurrence of SWTs. All populations were found to produce SWTs; 34 SWTs were identified from recordings of free‐ranging T. aduncus and one SWT was prevalent in each recording of the two temporarily isolated individuals. Of the parameters considered, mean frequency and maximum frequency were the least variable and therefore most likely to reflect identity information encoded in frequency modulation patterns. Our results suggest that signature whistles are commonly used by T. aduncus.     

The largescaled terapon Terapon theraps: a new Indo‐Pacific fish in the Mediterranean Sea

A specimen of the largescaled terapon Terapon theraps was recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. The finding of T. theraps in the northernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea raises the number of Lessepsian migrant species to at least 68 and in the Adriatic Sea to at least 11.     

Habitat and resource partitioning among Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay,Australia

Investigating resource partitioning among mobile marine predators such as cetaceans is challenging. Here we integrate multiple methodologies (analyses of habitat use, stable isotopes and trace elements) to assess ecological niche partitioning amongst two genetically divergent sympatric subpopulations (North and South) of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Moreton Bay, Australia. Comparisons of the mean locations (latitude, longitude) and environmental variables (distance from sandbanks, distance from shore and water depth) observed at sightings of biopsy‐sampled individuals indicated that the North subpopulation occurred in the northwestern bay in significantly deeper water than the South subpopulation, which was found in southeastern nearshore waters and closer to sandbanks. Ratios of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in skin samples suggested that North dolphins foraged on higher trophic level prey in relatively more pelagic, offshore habitats, while South dolphins foraged on lower trophic prey in more nearshore, demersal and/or benthic habitats. Habitat partitioning was also reflected in higher blubber concentrations of most of the 13 measured trace elements, in particular lead, in the coastal South compared to the more pelagic North dolphins. These findings indicate that genetic subpopulations of bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay are adapted to different niches.     

The influence of size on body shape diversification across Indo‐Pacific shore fishes*

Understanding the causes of body shape variability across the tree of life is one of the central issues surrounding the origins of biodiversity. One potential mechanism driving observed patterns of shape disparity is a strongly conserved relationship between size and shape. Conserved allometry has been shown to account for as much as 80% of shape variation in some vertebrate groups. Here, we quantify the amount of body shape disparity attributable to changes in body size across nearly 800 species of Indo‐Pacific shore fishes using a phylogenetic framework to analyze 17 geometric landmarks positioned to capture general body shape and functionally significant features. In marked contrast to other vertebrate lineages, we find that changes in body size only explain 2.9% of the body shape variation across fishes, ranging from 3% to 50% within our 11 sampled families. We also find a slight but significant trend of decreasing rates of shape evolution with increasing size. Our results suggest that the influence of size on fish shape has largely been overwhelmed by lineage‐specific patterns of diversification that have produced the modern landscape of highly diverse forms that we currently observe in nature.     

Digest: A decoupling between size and shape in Indo‐Pacific shore fishes*

To what extent has body size driven body shape disparity across fish species? Friedman et al. found that for Indo‐Pacific shore fishes, body size accounts for a low fraction of variation, suggesting that there is a very weak relationship between body size and shape in this group.     

Estimating the potential for coral adaptation to global warming across the Indo‐West Pacific

The potential of reef‐building corals to adapt to increasing sea‐surface temperatures is often debated but has rarely been comprehensively modeled on a region‐wide scale. We used individual‐based simulations to model adaptation to warming in a coral metapopulation comprising 680 reefs and representing the whole of the Central Indo‐West Pacific. Encouragingly, some reefs—most notably Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, New Caledonia and the southern half of the Great Barrier Reef—exhibited high capacity for adaptation and, in our model, maintained coral cover even under a rapid “business‐as‐usual” warming scenario throughout the modeled period (200 years). Higher resilience of these reefs was observed under all tested parameter settings except the models prohibiting selection and/or migration during warming. At the same time, the majority of reefs in the region tended to collapse within the first 100 years of warming. The adaptive potential (odds of maintaining high coral cover) of a given reef could be predicted based on two metrics: the reef's present‐day temperature, and the proportion of recruits immigrating from warmer locations. The latter metric explains the most variation in adaptive potential, and significantly correlates with actual coral cover changes observed throughout the region between the 1970s and the early 2000s. These findings will help prioritize coral conservation efforts and plan assisted gene flow interventions to boost the adaptive potential of specific coral populations.     

Phylogeny and evolution of shallow‐water squat lobsters (Decapoda,Galatheoidea) from the Indo‐Pacific

Squat lobsters have a worldwide distribution and are highly visible crustaceans living in a broad range of habitats. In this study, partial sequences of two mitochondrial DNA genes (16S rRNA and COI) and a nuclear gene (H3) were obtained for all but one of the known species of the shallow‐water genera Sadayoshia (Munididae) and Lauriea, Macrothea and Triodonthea (Galatheidae). Lauriea siagiani appeared to be phylogenetically closer to Triodonthea and Macrothea than to other Lauriea species, suggesting the need for taxonomic re‐evaluation of these taxa. All species of Sadayoshia formed a monophyletic group that would have diverged during the Paleogene (around 50 Mya). Our results support the hypothesis that the late Paleogene–Neogene transition was a period of rapid diversification for shallow‐water species of both Galatheidae and Munididae in the Indo‐Pacific region. This is probably related to high tectonic activity among the Eurasian, Philippine Sea, Indo‐Australian and Pacific plates and corresponding changes in distribution of habitats and ocean currents during the late Paleogene. Finally, the tropical south‐west Pacific province is identified as a major diversification centre for shallow‐water squat lobsters, from where species dispersed to other Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.     

Mark‐resight abundance and survival estimation of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops aduncus,in the Swatch‐of‐No‐Ground,Bangladesh

A mark‐resight analysis under Pollock's robust design was applied to Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus in the Swatch‐of‐No‐Ground (SoNG) submarine canyon, Bangladesh, during the winter seasons of 2005–2009. Information from sightings of photo‐identified individuals (1,144) and unmarked individuals generated abundance estimates of 1,701 (95% confidence interval [CI]= 1,533–1,888), 1,927 (95% CI = 1,851–2,006), 2,150 (95% CI = 1,906–2,425), and 2,239 (95% CI = 1,985–2,524) individuals for seasons 1–4, respectively. This makes the population among the largest assessed of the species. Overall apparent survival was estimated as 0.958 (95% CI = 0.802–0.992). Interseasonal probabilities of transitioning to an unobservable state were estimated as 0.045, 0.363, and 0.300 for years 1–2, 2–3, and 3–4, respectively, and the overall probability of remaining in an unobservable state was 0.688. These probabilities, together with an apparent increase in abundance during the study period, indicate that the identified dolphins are part of a larger superpopulation moving throughout a more extensive geographic area. Of the photo‐identified dolphins, 28.2% exhibited injuries related to entanglements with fishing gear. This implies a strong potential for fatal interactions that could jeopardize the conservation status of the population, which otherwise appears favorable.     

Potential pollination maintenance by an exotic allodapine bee under climate change scenarios in the Indo‐Pacific region

Recent studies suggest an alarming decline in pollinators across many regions of the world due to multiple factors. One potential factor is climate change, which poses both direct and indirect threats to pollinator populations. To help ameliorate the impact of declining populations on the function of ecological and agricultural systems, there is a need to identify species that may adapt to limit the magnitude of this pollination deficit. The South West Pacific has a highly depauperate endemic bee diversity and numerous non‐indigenous species, including honeybees. One allodapine bee, Braunsapis puangensis, has been accidentally introduced to Fiji where it has rapidly spread across multiple islands and become locally abundant. It is a long‐tongued bee, unaffected by honeybee pathogens, and has the potential to become an important crop pollinator. Here, we model the distribution of this species under different climate scenarios to determine how it is likely to respond to future climate change. We show that its distribution is unlikely to contract, but potentially expand with climate warming. These scenarios therefore indicate that the plasticity in B. puangensis populations may allow it to represent an important crop pollinator in this region should honeybee populations decline.     

Using bioacoustic data to test species limits in an Indo‐Pacific island radiation of Macropygia cuckoo doves

The characterization of species limits and diversification patterns across the geographically complex Indo‐Pacific region has presented biogeographers and evolutionary biologists with great challenges. In the present study, we investigated the brown cuckoo dove (Macropygia amboinensis s.l.) species complex, whose distribution spans this entire region. We analyzed whether bioacoustic data are congruent with previous plumage‐based classifications and whether glacial land bridges have impacted bioacoustic diversification in these doves. Using an unusually large vocal dataset of > 300 recordings from over 30 islands and 24 taxa, we analyzed 29 bioacoustic frequency and temporal parameters and tested for a correlation between geographical and bioacoustic distances. We found a weak correlation between geographical and bioacoustic distances. We identified numerous lineages that are bioacoustically distinct and proposed their elevation to the species level, leading to a doubling of the number of species in this complex and indicating a high proportion of cryptic species‐level diversity that has previously gone unrecognized.     

Volcaniclastic events in coral reef and seagrass environments: evidence for disturbance and recovery (Middle Miocene, Styrian Basin, Austria)

Volcanic disturbances and ecosystem recovery at sites of neritic carbonate production are rarely documented, neither in the recent nor past geological record. Herein, we present a Middle Miocene (ca 14.5 Ma) shallow-marine carbonate record from the Styrian Basin (Austria) that shows recurrent breakdowns of the carbonate producers (i.e., coralline red algae and zooxanthellate corals) in response to ashfalls from nearby volcanic island sources. These volcanic events are preserved as distinct marl layers with idiomorphic biotite crystals and volcaniclasts that mantle the former seafloor topography. The pyroclastic sediments suffocated the carbonate producers in coral reef and seagrass environments. A subsequent turbid, eutrophic phase caused by the redistribution, suspension, and dissolution of volcaniclastics is characterized by the spreading of suspension-feeding biota, coralline algae, and the larger benthic foraminifer Planostegina. During this stage, rapidly consolidated pyroclastic deposits acted as hard grounds for attached-living bivalves. The fact that the facies below and above the studied ashbeds are almost identical suggests that volcaniclastic events had no long-lasting effects on the structure of the carbonate-producing benthic communities. Although Miocene shallow-water carbonate systems of the circum-Mediterranean region are well known and situated in one of the geodynamically most active regions worldwide, this study is the first that exams the impact of volcanic sedimentation events on shallow marine ecosystems.     

Life history of the Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphin in the Pearl River Estuary,southern China

We studied life history characteristics of the Hong Kong/Pearl River Estuary population of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis), based on data from 120 specimens stranded between 1995 and 2009, 40 individuals biopsied at sea, and a long‐term (14+ yr) photo‐identification study. Ages were determined for 112 specimens by thin‐sectioning teeth and counting growth layer groups. Estimated length at birth was 101 cm. Longevity was at least 38 yr, and there was little difference in growth patterns of males and females. Growth was described by a Bayesian two‐phase Gompertz model; asymptotic length was reached at 249 cm. The tooth pulp cavity filled at an average of 18.5 yr of age. Physical maturity was reached at between 14 and 17 yr of age, apparently a few years after attainment of sexual maturity. Maximum lengths and weights of about 268 cm and 240 kg were attained. Females appear to lose all their spots by 30 yr, although males may retain some spotting throughout life. Calving occurred throughout the year, with a broad peak from March to June. Of 60 females monitored at sea for >14 yr of the study, none were documented to have more than three calves, suggestive of low reproductive output or low calf survival.