Rhodalgal-bryomol temperate carbonates from the Apulian shelf (Southeastern Italy), relict and modern deposits on a current dominated shelf

Summary Mound-shaped algal banks and associated bioclastic deposits have been investigated on the Apulian shelf, SE Italy, off Capo d’Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca within a bathymetric range of 53–60m water depth. The bioclastic deposits form different sand-gravel skeletal assemblages; each one characterised by different associations and occurrence of prevailing organisms in relation to substratum types. These deposits lie on a lee shore and form rhodalgal and bryomol relict-modern deposits which originate from the banks’ erosion by means of bottom currents and storms. These play a significant role in reworking bottom preventing colonization by a sessile stabilizing bottom community, and mobile deposits prevent large encrustations. Sediments are thus characterised by a variable taphonomical preservation state and time-averaging as shown by the occurrence of abraded bryozoan growth forms. The banks, sub-circular in shape, display a maximum diameter of 70 m and 1–2m relief. Their position on the shelf coincides with the present day 50 m isobath and it is assumed to correspond to a paleoshore such as that which formed in the Holocene during the transgression following the last ice age. Living counterparts of these banks occur today north of the study area at 10–30 m water depth.     

What to do when there is nothing to do: the ecology of Jamaican intertidal Littorinidae (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) in repose

The littorine gastropods Cenchritis muricatus, Nodilittorina mespillum, N. angustior, N. dilatata, N. riisei, N. ziczac and Tectarius antonii from a natural limestone platform on the north coast of Jamaica were evaluated according to several ecological parameters in an effort to define their respective niches on this shore. Distributions along transects perpendicular to the shore demonstrated that distance from the sea is one, albeit not always consistent, ecological criterion which serves to delineate these species. N. riisei generally occupies that region of the shore frequently wetted by wave splash, N. mespillum is usually found within frequently refreshed tidepools and C. muricatus always occupies the highest regions of the shore most distant from the sea. There is, however, considerable overlap between these and other species and, along much of the rock platform, N. angustior, N. dilatata, T. antonii and C. muricatus are sympatric. N. dilatata has the broadest range on this low profile limestone platform. A comparison of body temperatures and substratum temperatures taken from adjacent rock surfaces revealed that the body temperatures of T. antonii generally reflect that of the ambient environment. On the other hand, C. muricatus, N. dilatata, N. riisei and N. angustior seem to thermoregulate, maintaining body temperatures above ambient at temperatures below 29 °C and below ambient at temperatures above 33 °C. Data were also compiled for most species with respect to resting posture (whether hanging suspended or resting aperture-down), resting site (whether within the shelter of a crevice or upon an exposed rock surface), shell orientation and the relative frequency (presence or absence) of a mucous holdfast. Size-frequency analyses indicate that N. riisei and N. angustior re-populate the shore from the meroplankton at least sometime between January and March.     

Morphologie, Ökologie und Zonierung von Korallenriffen bei Aqaba, (Golf von Aqaba,Rotes Meer)

The coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba are among the most northern ones of the world. This study, the first concerning the east coast of this topographically and hydrographically peculiar sea, considers relationships of biophysiographical and structural reef zones to fundamental abiotic environmental factors. An introduction to paleogeography, geology, petrography, topography, climate and hydrography is followed by terminological definitions used to describe the different reef areas. The investigations were carried out on two transects crossing fringing reefs of different shape. Each transect was 20 m wide and run from the shore over nearly 200 m to the fore reef in about 30 m depth. One reef, a “coastal-fringing reef”, represents an unaltered straight reef flat from shore to the reef edge 60 m away; two large pinnacles reach the surface some 125 m off the shore. The other reef, a “lagoon-fringing reef”, is divided into a 100 m wide lagoon of 0.5–2.3 m depth and a reef crest separated from the former by a rear reef. The reef platform of the lagoon-fringing reef is cut by a system of channels and tunnels; the reef edge is about 135 m off shore. Such water depth, substrate, temperature, illumination and water movement were recorded, about 200 common or dominant species (plants and animals) were collected, their distribution plotted and, together with other data and structural items, charted. Indicator species characterize the biophysiographical zones. Their variation as well as that of the structural and substrate zones depend on different zones of water movement. This basic factor also controls other ecological parameters such as food and oxygen supply as well as temperature and salinity gradients between fore reef and shore. From this point of view the ecological requirements of some indicator and other species and conversely the ecological settings of different reef areas are discussed. The different shapes of both reefs are explained on the basis of a “reef development cycle” — a hypothesis applicable to fringing reefs at unchanging sea level and based on the fact that only a small surf-influenced area of “living reef” is able to compensate for reef destruction: While a young coastal fringing reef is growing outwards, its back reef is gradually altered to a reef lagoon by erosion. After stillstand of seaward expansion the reef crest, too, is cut by a channel system eroded by rip currents. This stage is represented by the lagoon-fringing reef. Isolated pinnacles remain as remnants of the former reef crest; young coastal-fringing reefs develop from the shore. This stage is examplified by the first reef studied. Extension, growth intensity, dominant frame building corals, and the number of species of the Aqaba reefs are compared with those of Eilat and with reefs of the middle Red Sea, South India, Southwest-Pacific and Jamaica.     

Patch shape and orientation influences on seagrass epifauna are mediated by dispersal abilities

While there have been theoretical arguments supporting the importance of the shape and orientation of habitat patches for determining species abundances, there have been few empirical demonstrations that these processes actually operate. Instead, most field studies have focussed on the importance of patch area, isolation and edge effects. I demonstrate that passively dispersed seagrass epifauna respond to the shape and orientation of artificial seagrass patches when currents, the dispersal mechanism, are strong, but not when they are weak. Orientation is important because animals dispersing via tidally induced water currents move predominantly in a single direction, and thus patches oriented across the current intercept more potential colonists than do those patches oriented perpendicular to the current. Currents less affect taxa that actively disperse, or that are relatively sedentary. Fish species that tend to use intertidal areas at high tide, however, were more abundant in patches perpendicular to shore (and parallel to the current), presumably because these patches offer the greatest amount of edge to animals undergoing tidal migrations.     

Survival of Tradescantia fluminensis in sea water

Tradescantia fluminensis stem fragments that had been immersed in sea water for periods of 0, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours and 2, 4 and 7 days were planted into growing media and observed for regrowth for 39 days after immersion. At the end of this time, 93% of untreated fragments had produced new shoots at the nodes but only 43% of fragments produced new shoots after 24 hours immersion, and none survived longer than 2 days of immersion. Because 2 days is sufficient for dispersal to nearby coastlines, there is a real risk of Tradescantia stems being washed by floodwaters into the ocean and being carried by currents and tides into nearby estuaries and onto beaches where they could start new infestations.     

Invasive Spartina and reduced sediments: Shanghai's dangerous silver bullet

Aims This synthesis paper is developed to provide a summary of ecological, socioeconomic challenges facing the estuarine wetlands within the Yangtze River delta.Methods We combined literature review of the estuarine wetlands and ground measurements of sedimentation, vegetation, and carbon fluxes to illustrate the foreseeable crises in managing these wetlands that play a critical role in Shanghai's urban development. Where the Yangtze River meets the Pacific Ocean, 4.15 × 10 8 mg/year of suspended sediments are deposited along mainland and island shorelines of the 40?000 km 2 delta—resulting in an average growth rate of land outwards 64 m/year since 1951. However, completion of the Three Gorges Dam in 2003, and earlier dam projects, reduced the rates of sedimentation and growth of the islands. To meet the increasing demands for lands and agriculture, policymakers have attempted to enlarge the islands by diking coastal areas and introducing Spartina alterniflora— a grass native to tidal salt marshes of the southeastern USA but exotic to China. Spartina is one of the 16 greatest invasive species listed by the State Environmental Protection Administration of China. Successful plantations and rapid spread of this species have increased the production and fertility of the coast, but at the cost of native ecosystems. We outline the social, economic, and ecological controversies related to this land management strategy in the context of global warming.Important findings Combinations of these changes, including sea level rise, and alterations to storm patterns and long-shore currents, with the continued spread of Spartina, human population growth, and river flow and sediment reduction will make current management untenable.     

Distribution,biomass and production of Gracilaria in Lüderitz Bay,Namibia

The extent and biomass of the Gracilaria beds in the Lüderitz Bay area, Namibia were surveyed in winter and summer. The beds covered most of the suitable sediments available (grain size 106–212 μm) and did not occur in water shallower than 1 m or deeper than 11 m. Total surface area, most of which occurred in the Bay system, changed very little from winter to summer but biomass increased by 3.5 fold. In winter, total Gracilaria biomass was 200 t and 650 t and in summer, 150 t and 2850 t respectively in the Lagoon and Bay. Maximum biomass occurred at 3–4 m in the Lagoon and 5–6 m in the Bay in both winter and summer. Gracilaria beach cast data from 1987 to 1991 for the area were analysed for seasonality and, depending on the specific site, correlated with swell, southerly wind velocity and sea temperature. Beach cast in the Lagoon system is a more continuous process than in the Bay, where beach casts at most sites follow an annual pattern. Wind driven currents and chop were the most important causative parameters of beach cast in the Lagoon whereas the depth at which the plants were growing and swell were more important in the Bay system. The two systems viz. Lagoon and Bay are independent of one another with very little or no exchange of Gracilaria between them. This was evidenced by the similar percentage each contributes to the total beach cast and the similar pattern of beach cast from year to year. The decrease in total beach cast from 1989 to the end of the study period was attributed to a trend towards increasing swell height and low sea temperatures in 1991.     

Development of on‐shore behavior among polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea: inherited or learned?

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are experiencing rapid and substantial changes to their environment due to global climate change. Polar bears of the southern Beaufort Sea (SB) have historically spent most of the year on the sea ice. However, recent reports from Alaska indicate that the proportion of the SB subpopulation observed on‐shore during late summer and early fall has increased. Our objective was to investigate whether this on‐shore behavior has developed through genetic inheritance, asocial learning, or through social learning. From 2010 to 2013, genetic data were collected from SB polar bears in the fall via hair snags and remote biopsy darting on‐shore and in the spring from captures and remote biopsy darting on the sea ice. Bears were categorized as either on‐shore or off‐shore individuals based on their presence on‐shore during the fall. Levels of genetic relatedness, first‐order relatives, mother–offspring pairs, and father–offspring pairs were determined and compared within and between the two categories: on‐shore versus off‐shore. Results suggested transmission of on‐shore behavior through either genetic inheritance or social learning as there was a higher than expected number of first‐order relatives exhibiting on‐shore behavior. Genetic relatedness and parentage data analyses were in concurrence with this finding, but further revealed mother–offspring social learning as the primary mechanism responsible for the development of on‐shore behavior. Recognizing that on‐shore behavior among polar bears was predominantly transmitted via social learning from mothers to their offspring has implications for future management and conservation as sea ice continues to decline.     

Global warming, regional trends and inshore environmental conditions influence coral bleaching in Hawaii

Hawaiian waters show a trend of increasing temperature over the past several decades that are consistent with observations in other coral reef areas of the world. The first documented large‐scale coral bleaching occurred in the Hawaii region during late summer of 1996, with a second in 2002. The bleaching events in Hawaii were triggered by a prolonged regional positive oceanic sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly greater than 1°C that developed offshore during the time of annual summer temperature maximum. High solar energy input and low winds further elevated inshore water temperature by 1–2°C in reef areas with restricted water circulation (bays, reef flats and lagoons) and in areas where mesoscale eddies often retain water masses close to shore for prolonged periods of time. Data and observations taken during these events illustrate problems in predicting the phenomena of large‐scale bleaching. Forecasts and hind‐casts of these events are based largely on offshore oceanic SST records, which are only a first approximation of inshore reef conditions. The observed oceanic warming trend is the ultimate cause of the increase in the frequency and severity of bleaching events. However, coral reefs occur in shallow inshore areas where conditions are influenced by winds, orographic cloud cover, complex bathymetry, waves and inshore currents. These factors alter local temperature, irradiance, water motion and other physical and biological variables known to influence bleaching.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of problem polar bears in Churchill,Manitoba

Human–bear interactions near the town of Churchill, Manitoba occur annually because the Western Hudson Bay polar bear population spends 4–5 months on-land each year when the sea ice melts completely. Significant changes have occurred in the Hudson Bay ecosystem and in the bear population as a result of climate warming; however, how these changes may have influenced human–bear interactions near Churchill is unclear. This study examined the temporal and spatial patterns of 1,487 problem bears captured in the Churchill area from 1970 to 2004. We also examined the relationship between problem bears and environmental variables as well as the Nunavut harvest. The number of individual problem bears caught near Churchill varied from 10 to 90 individuals per year and increased over time. Subadult males comprised 39%, subadult females 23%, adult males 18%, females with young 14%, and solitary females 6% of captures. Bears that became problem individuals were in closer proximity to the Churchill area. Nutritional stress and a northward shift in the distribution of the bears that spend the summer on-land in northeastern Manitoba may account for the increase in problem bear numbers. The date of sea ice freeze-up, which is getting progressively later, was the best predictor explaining the annual variation in the occurrence of problem bears. These results provide an understanding of how a warming climate may directly impact polar bear behaviour. This information may allow wildlife managers to predict relative levels of human–bear interactions and thereby implement effective management strategies to improve human safety and the conservation of polar bears.     

The evolution of narrow reef flats at high-latitude in the Ryukyu Islands

This paper describes a Holocene reef structure observed from a cutting in a modern reef on Okierabu Island in the Ryukyu Islands and proposes a process for the initiation and formation of narrow, lagoon-less fringing reef flats. Reef formation began around 7050 yBP at 11 m below present sea level. The reef was constructed by a uniform facies of in situ tabular corals and kept up with sea level rise. Geomorphological zonation has been restricted by the lack of a cross-reef energy gradient during reef formation. Sediment trapped by limestone caves abutting the shore has contributed to this characteristic. The slope break around-10 m and steep scarp of the shore create a narrow substrate that is responsible for the development of an equally narrow reef flat.     

胶州湾浮游桡足类时空分布

根据2003年1月至12月在胶州湾所获得的浮游生物样品,已鉴定浮游桡足类28种,幼虫、幼体6类.分析了该海区浮游桡足类的分布﹑时空变化及其与生态环境因子的关系,同相关历史资料进行了比较,结果表明,浮游桡足类的种类组成单纯,生态属性以暖温带、近岸低盐种类为主.浮游桡足类的丰度分布具明显的月份变化,高峰在7月份,为181.61个/m3,最低在12月份,为23.53个/m3,全年平均为71.42个/m3.浮游桡足类丰度的平面分布不均匀,最大丰度在5号站,为132.62个/m3,最小丰度在8号站,为40.45个/m3,丰度平面分布的变化趋势基本是湾北部海域大于湾南部海域.浮游桡足类丰度的时空分布,主要种类的季节更替,近20a来的变化趋势基本相同,高峰出现时间的差异,是受温度年季变化差异因素的影响.浮游桡足类丰度的时空分布与海水温度和盐度密切相关,与温度的关系更重要于与盐度的关系.并且用胶州湾的调察资料证实了浮游桡足类对浮游植物的依存关系,浮游植物为浮游桡足类的生长、繁衍提供了饵料.     

The late Devonian trilobite crises

Mid‐Devonian to end‐Late Devonian trilobites of different taxonomic categories are updated as to their actual stratigraphical range with respect to the internationally defined stage boundaries. The main palaeogeographical and ecological occurrences are summarized. Numerical analyses emphasize the clear relationship between fluctuations in diversity and global eustatic events. Already declining in diversity from the early mid‐Devonian, shallow‐water communities became most restricted during the mid‐Givetian Taghanic transgression. After a phase of adaptive radiation, off‐shore trilobite communities were severely affected during the mid‐ and end‐Late Devonian crises. From an initial 5 orders 3 were lost at the end‐Frasnian Kellwasser crisis while only 1 from the remaining 2 orders survived the Devonian‐Carboniferous boundary Hangenberg event. In both cases extinction was preceded by a unidirectional evolutionary trend in eye reduction accompanied by impoverishment of lower rank taxa. This phenomenon is obviously a result of selective adaptation under constant long‐lasting environmental influences. Specialization to obligate epi‐ or even endo‐benthic life habit, however, led fatally to extinction when stable conditions became substantially perturbed. Sudden sea‐level changes with subsequent break in the REDOX‐equilibrium took place at the Kellwasser and Hangenberg events, which were most probably responsible for trilobite mass extinctions.     

The early bear gets the goose: climate change,polar bears and lesser snow geese in western Hudson Bay

As climate change advances the date of spring breakup in Hudson Bay, polar bears are coming ashore earlier. Since they would have lost some of their opportunities to hunt ringed seals from a sea ice platform, they may be deficient in energy. Subadult polar bears appear to come ashore before more mature individuals and the earliest subadults are beginning to overlap the nesting period of the large colony of snow geese also occupying the Cape Churchill Peninsula. The eggs these bears are known to eat could make up some of their energy shortfall. The earlier these eggs are consumed during the snow goose nesting period, the greater would be the energy that is available. Recent studies have shown that the annual survival rate for subadult bears declined in contrast to that of prime aged individuals. If this reduction in survival is related to an increasing energy deficit, as suggested by some, the consumption of goose eggs may reverse the trend and help stabilize the population, at least for some period of time. The total number of polar bears that could benefit from this resource will depend on the increasing temporal overlap with the nesting period and on the foraging behaviors of individuals eating the eggs. It is likely that other food sources will also have to play a role if the polar bears are to persist.     

侏罗纪菊石形态──特提斯喜马拉雅海的深度标志

侏罗纪菊石类化石的形态特征是其生存环境水深的良好标志,而通过对菊石壳体结构（体管和隔壁沟）强度的裂限水深（ｉｍｐｌｏｓｉｏｎｄｅｐｔｈｌｉｍｉｔ）计算可获得半定量的水深数据。对西藏南部的聂拉木－古错地区的中保罗世阿连期至晚侏罗世提唐期沉积环境的分析,共识别出１３个自水下２０ｍ到水下５５０ｍ的陆棚至陆坡的不同水深环境。中侏罗世阿连－早巴柔期时,该区内的海水深度表明基本限于浅水碎屑－碳酸岩台地型的内陆棚环境,从晚巴柔至早提唐期间,沉积环境颇不稳定,互相转换于外陆棚和陆坡之间,尤以位于陆棚和陆坡转折端、水深１５０—３００ｍ的中等水深环境延续较长时间。相对下降较快的地块出现浊积底栖相沉积。而在晚提唐期则表现为相对稳定的外陆坡沉积环境。整个侏罗纪期间的特提斯喜马拉雅海最大水深大概不会超过５５０ｍ。菊石类所提供的年代格架及古生态研究所得到的水深数据,可以比较合理地解释本区中、上侏罗统所以有巨大的沉积厚度和复杂的沉积相组合,在很大程度上是源于特提斯被动大陆边缘发育的同沉积断裂为特征的张性犁式断层系和地垒－地堑地质构造的叠加作用。     

Intertidal habitat loss and wildfowl numbers: applications of a spatial depletion model

1. A spatial depletion model of the responses of grazing wildfowl to the availability of intertidal vegetation at Lindisfarne National Nature reserve, north-east England, was used to investigate the capacity of the site's beds of Zostera and other intertidal vegetation to support brent geese Branta bernicla hrota and wigeon Anas penelope .
2. Recent total winter counts of brent geese and wigeon were both only 40% of the maximum that the food supply at the site could theoretically support. Other factors must have been restricting their numbers. Earlier arrival of brent geese at the site could increase the number of brent goose-days which could be supported, but would have only a slight negative effect on the wigeon-days.
3. The model was used to examine three conservation issues: encroachment of Spartina anglica , sea level rise and loss of food plants from the whole site (which could result from increased autumn storms or plant disease). Loss from the top of the shore through encroachment by Spartina anglica had the greatest effect on the site's capacity to sustain geese and wigeon. Loss from the bottom of the shore, as would occur through sea level rise, had less impact. Increased loss of vegetation over the whole site would have an intermediate effect.
4. This work has important implications for the management of the site. Factors such as hunting, that may be restricting current numbers below those that could be supported by the food supply, require urgent investigation. Model predictions indicate that encroachment of Spartina is likely to depress local populations of brent geese and wigeon under current conditions only if it results in the complete loss of Zostera from the top 500 m of the shore.     

GENETIC STRUCTURE OF GIANT CLAM (TRIDACNA MAXIMA) POPULATIONS IN THE WEST PACIFIC IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH DISPERSAL BY PRESENT-DAY OCEAN CURRENTS

The Pacific marine biota, particularly species with long planktonic larval stages, are thought to disperse widely throughout the Pacific via ocean currents. The little genetic data available to date has supported this view in that little or no significant regional differentiation of populations has been found over large geographical distances. However, recent data from giant clams has demonstrated not only significant regional differentiation of populations, but routes of gene flow that run perpendicular to the main present-day ocean currents. Extensive surveys of genetic variation at eight polymorphic loci in 19 populations of the giant clam Tridacna maxima, sampled throughout the West and Central Pacific, confirmed that the patterns of variation seen so far in T. gigas were not unique to that species, and may reflect a fundamental genetic structuring of shallow-water marine taxa. Populations of T. maxima within highly connected reef systems like the Great Barrier Reef were panmictic (average F_ST < 0.003), but highly significant genetic differences between reef groups on different archipelagos (average F_ST = 0.084) and between West and Central Pacific regions (average F_ST = 0.156) were found. Inferred gene flow was high (N_em usually > 5) between the Philippines and the Great Barrier Reef, between the Philippines and Melanesia (the Solomon Islands and Fiji), and between the Philippines and the Central Pacific island groups (Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Cook Islands). Gene flow was low between these three sets of island chains (N_em < 2). These routes of gene flow are perpendicular to present-day ocean currents. It is suggested that the spatial patterns of gene frequencies reflect past episodes of dispersal at times of lower sea levels which have not been erased by subsequent dispersal by present-day circulation. The patterns are consistent with extensive dispersal of marine species in the Pacific, and with traditional views of dispersal from the Indo-Malay region. However, they demonstrate that dispersal along present-day ocean surface currents cannot be assumed, that other mechanisms may operate today or that major dispersal events are intermittent (perhaps separated by several thousands of years), and that the nature and timing of dispersal of Pacific marine species is more complex than has been thought.     

Lipid and DNA Evidence of Dominance of Planktonic Archaea Preserved in Sediments of the South China Sea: Insight for Application of the TEX86 Proxy in an Unstable Marine Sediment Environment

The marine planktonic archaea are dominated by Thaumarchaeotal Marine Group I, which is characterized by the lipid biomarker thaumarchaeol. The marine benthic archaea are characterized by greater diversity of currently unknown species whose lipid biomarker signatures are uncertain. In this study, a sediment core from the northwestern part of the South China Sea (SCS) (water depth 1474 m) was analyzed using molecular DNA and lipid biomarker approaches. While 16S rRNA gene analysis showed changing archaeal community structures with sediment depth, this change had little impact on the fossil record of archaeal lipids that are characteristic of the planktonic community. As a result, the fossil archaeal lipids recorded paleo sea surface temperature of the SCS since the last glacial maxima by the TEX₈₆ proxy, which agreed generally with the winter temperature recorded by planktonic foraminiferas collected from the same area of the SCS that hosted mass-transported deposits. This suggests that this deep water deposit may have partially preserved paleoclimate record reflecting seasonal temperature variation in a near shore setting, which is in contrast to annual sea surface temperature or sub sea surface temperature variation recorded by TEX₈₆ in the open ocean.     

青海湖湖盆南部的植被与海拔梯度

研究地区主要植被类型有三类,即温性草原、高寒灌丛和高寒草甸。温性草原主要分布于研究地区东段湖滨平原上;高寒灌丛分布于山地一定海拔范围内（３４００－３８００ｍ）：高寒草甸主要分布于海拔３８００－４２００ｍ之间,群落中优势种的重要值沿海拔梯度呈“钟型”或近似“钟形”变化趋势,即优势 沿海拔梯度分布上有一最适区,但不同种群其最适区彼此分离;而优势种在其分布区边缘则常常相叠,表明群落之间并无明显界限,这与     

Hydrodynamic properties of a double-helical model for DNA.

The translational and rotational diffusion coefficients of very short DNA fragments have been calculated using a double-helical bead model in which each nucleotide is represented by one bead. The radius of the helix is regarded as an adjustable parameter. The translational coefficient and the perpendicular rotation coefficient agree very well with experimental values for oligonuclotides with 8, 12, and 20 base pairs, for a single value of the helical radius of about 10 A. We have also calculated a nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation time in which the coefficient for rotation about the main axis is involved. As found previously with cylindrical models, the results deviate from experimental values, indicating that the internal motion of the bases has a remarkable amplitude. An attempt to quantify the extent of internal motions is presented.