Spatial and Temporal Occurrence of Blue Whales off the U.S. West Coast,with Implications for Management

Mortality and injuries caused by ship strikes in U.S. waters are a cause of concern for the endangered population of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) occupying the eastern North Pacific. We sought to determine which areas along the U.S. West Coast are most important to blue whales and whether those areas change inter-annually. Argos-monitored satellite tags were attached to 171 blue whales off California during summer/early fall from 1993 to 2008. We analyzed portions of the tracks that occurred within U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone waters and defined the ‘home range’ (HR) and ‘core areas’ (CAU) as the 90% and 50% fixed kernel density distributions, respectively, for each whale. We used the number of overlapping individual HRs and CAUs to identify areas of highest use. Individual HR and CAU sizes varied dramatically, but without significant inter-annual variation despite covering years with El Niño and La Niña conditions. Observed within-year differences in HR size may represent different foraging strategies for individuals. The main areas of HR and CAU overlap among whales were near highly productive, strong upwelling centers that were crossed by commercial shipping lanes. Tagged whales generally departed U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone waters from mid-October to mid-November, with high variability among individuals. One 504-d track allowed HR and CAU comparisons for the same individual across two years, showing similar seasonal timing, and strong site fidelity. Our analysis showed how satellite-tagged blue whales seasonally used waters off the U.S. West Coast, including high-risk areas. We suggest possible modifications to existing shipping lanes to reduce the likelihood of collisions with vessels.     

Projecting Range Limits with Coupled Thermal Tolerance - Climate Change Models: An Example Based on Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus) along the U.S. East Coast

We couple a species range limit hypothesis with the output of an ensemble of general circulation models to project the poleward range limit of gray snapper. Using laboratory-derived thermal limits and statistical downscaling from IPCC AR4 general circulation models, we project that gray snapper will shift northwards; the magnitude of this shift is dependent on the magnitude of climate change. We also evaluate the uncertainty in our projection and find that statistical uncertainty associated with the experimentally-derived thermal limits is the largest contributor (∼ 65%) to overall quantified uncertainty. This finding argues for more experimental work aimed at understanding and parameterizing the effects of climate change and variability on marine species.     

The primary structure of peptide Y (PY) of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias: immunocytochemical localisation and isolation from the pancreas.

1. Endocrine cells within islets, exocrine parenchyma and ductal epithelium in the pancreas of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, were immunostained with an antiserum to the C-terminal region of mammalian neuropeptide Y (NPY). 2. Radioimmunoassay of pancreatic extracts with the same antiserum detected immunoreactivity in the dorsal lobe (338 pmol/g) and ventral lobe (433 pmol/g). Reverse phase HPLC analysis of both extracts resolved a single immunoreactive peptide. 3. The primary structure of the isolated peptide was established as: YPPKPENPGEDAPPEELAKYYSALRHYINLITRQRY.NH2. 4. Peptide Y (PY) from Squalus acanthias is identical in primary structure to an NPY-related peptide isolated from the pancreas of Scyliorhinus canicula and has a 31/36 residue homology with porcine NPY. The 5 substitutions are highly-conservative.     

Stock composition of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) encountered in marine and estuarine environments on the U.S. Atlantic Coast

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) is a large, anadromous fish native to the Atlantic Coast of North America. Although this species once supported important fisheries, centuries of exploitation and habitat degradation have resulted in dramatic declines, presumed extirpation in some rivers, and ultimately listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under the ESA, Atlantic sturgeon are listed as five separate Distinct Population Segments (DPSs), which form the basis for federal management. Despite state and federal protections Atlantic sturgeon still face significant threats to their recovery, including fisheries bycatch mortality, marine construction, dredging, dams, and vessel strikes. However, because subadult and adult Atlantic sturgeon migrate extensively across estuarine and marine environments and frequently form mixed-stock aggregations in non-natal habitats, it can be difficult to determine how these threats impact specific populations and DPSs. To better understand ontogenetic shifts in habitat use and stock-specific exposure to anthropogenic threats, we performed a mixed-stock analysis of 1704 Atlantic sturgeon encountered across the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Collections made north of Cape Cod, MA and south of Cape Hatteras, NC were dominated by individuals from regional stocks; however, we found extensive stock mixing in the mid-Atlantic region, particularly in coastal environments where individuals from all five DPSs were commonly observed. Subadults and adults that were encountered in offshore environments had moved, on average, 277 km from their natal source; however, 23% were sampled over 500 km from their natal river suggesting long-distance movements are relatively common in these age classes. Overall, our work highlights that Atlantic sturgeon populations are vulnerable to threats over vast areas and emphasizes the need for continued genetic monitoring to track recovery progress.

     

The Use of Leuco Triphenylmethanes as Reagents for Bacterial Polysaccharide S. (Preliminary Report)

The present investigation was initiated because of the need of a reagent for detecting and estimating bacterial polysaccharides without having to hydrolyze them before testing. It was found that acidulated solutions of leuco triphenylmethanes and reduced bases of triphenylmethanes are either precipitated or oxidized to colored compounds by bacterial polysaccharides. Nonbacterial polysaccharides and simpler carbohydrates gave negative reactions. The wide variety of reactions obtainable by using different compounds of this group of intermediates makes it possible to apply them to many different polysaccharide problems. An outline is given of the reactions obtained by typical reagents.     

The life cycle of Pteronarcys scotti (Plecoptera: Pteronarcyidae) from the Southern appalachians,U.S.A.

Larval and adult Pteronarcys scotti Ricker were collected from a mountain stream in northwestern South Carolina, USA. The pattern of larval growth indicated a semivoltine life cycle. Emergence occurred in April and early May, and small larvae first appeared in May. Sexual dimorphism in adult size was apparent; males were 0.8 as large as females in head capsule width.

Female larvae possess a midventral notch on the eighth abdominal segment that can be used to sex larvae as small as 2.5 mm in head width. Female larvae as small as 1 mm in head width have a midventral break in the posterior setal row of segment 8. These characters are illustrated.     

Life History of Bittacomorpha clavipes (Fabricius) (Diptera: Ptychopteridae) in an Ozark Spring,U.S.A.

A population of Bittacomorpha clavipes was studied in an Ozark spring from July 1987- August 1988. Measurement of larval head capsules (N=4,544) showed B. clavipes has four distinct larval instars. Seasonal distribution of immature and adult life stages suggests that this population has an asynchronous, non-seasonal, multivoltine life history with at least three cohorts. First instar larvae and pupae were collected during all months except December through March and December through February, respectively. Adults and larval instars II-IV were collected throughout the year. Larval recruitment generally paralleled adult flight periods, and the presence of adults during all months sampled indicates a correlation with ovipositional periods. The life history documented here for B. clavipes suggests that limiting factors for growth and reproduction are not seasonally dependent for this population.     

Population Genetic Patterns of Threatened European Mudminnow (Umbra krameri Walbaum, 1792) in a Fragmented Landscape: Implications for Conservation Management

The European mudminnow (Umbra krameri) is a Middle Danubian endemic fish species, which is characterised by isolated populations living mainly in artificial habitats in the centre of its range, in the Carpathian Basin. For their long term preservation, reliable information is needed about the structure of stocks and the level of isolation. The recent distribution pattern, and the population genetic structure within and among regions were investigated to designate the Evolutionary Significant, Conservation and Management Units (ESUs, CUs, MUs) and to explore the conservation biological value of the shrinking populations. In total, eight microsatellite loci were studied in 404 specimens originating from eight regions. The results revealed a pronounced population structure, where strictly limited gene flow was detected among regions, as well as various strengths of connections within regions. Following the results of hierarchical structure analyses, two ESUs were supposed in the Carpathian Basin, corresponding to the Danube and Tisza catchments. Our results recommend designating the borders of CUs in an 80–90km range and 16 clusters should be set up as MUs for the 33 investigated populations. How these genetic findings can be used to better allocate conservation resources for the long term maintenance of the metapopulation structure of this threathened endemic fish is discussed.     

Varying Body Mass Index Cutoff Points to Describe Overweight Prevalence Among U. S. Adults: NHANES III (1988 to 1994)

KUCZMARSKI, ROBERT J, MARGARET D CARROLL, KATHERINE M FLEGAL, RICHARD P TROIANO. Varying body mass index cutoff points to determine overweight prevalence among U. S. adults: NHANES III (1988 to 1994). Body mass index (BMI; kg/m²) distributions are commonly reported in the scientific literature to describe weight for stature. These data are collected for various groups of subjects in local health and body composition studies, and comparisons with national distributions are often desirable. Tabular data for population prevalence estimates from thethird National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988 to 1994) at selected gender- and age-specific BMI levels ranging from <18. 0 to >45. 0 are presented and compared with various examples of BMI criteria reported in the scientific literature. NHANE HI was a statistically representative national probability sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States in which height and weight were measured as part of a more comprehensive health examination. The implications of varying population prevalence estimates based on varying BMI cutoff points are briefly discussed for selected examples including World Health Organization overweight/obesity criteria and the U. S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The median BMI for U. S. adults aged 20 years and older is 25. 5 kg/m². Median stature and weight for men are 175. 5 cm and 80. 0 kg and for women are 161. 6 cm and 65. 6 kg, respectively. The percentage of the population with BMI <19. 0 is 1. 6% for men, 5. 7% for women; BMI 19. 0 to <25. 0 is 39. 0% for men, 43. 6% for women; BMI 25. 0 is 59. 4% for men, 50. 7% for women. An estimated 97. 1 million adults have a BMI 25. 0. Additional prevalence estimates based on other BMI cutoff points and ages are presented.     

Excision Patterns of Activator (Ac) and Dissociation (Ds) Elements in Zea Mays L.: Implications for the Regulation of Transposition

The pattern of aleurone variegation of maize kernels carrying Ac and bz-m2(DI) as reporter allele for Ac activity depends on the dosage of both Ac and Ds. Alterations of Ac dosage can abolish Ds excision at certain times and allow it to occur at other times. wx-m7 and wx-m9 are different Ac insertions in the Waxy gene which have different dosage effects on Ds excision. Kernels, heterozygous for the two Ac alleles and being either wx-m7/wx-m7/wx-m9 or wx-m9/wx-m9/wx-m7 exhibit characteristic patterns of predominantly late excisions; this is in strong contrast to the pattern of early excisions present on wx-m7/wx-m7/wx-m7 homozygotes. This observation supports the hypothesis that the Ac alleles express different amounts of transposase (TPase) during development and that above a certain level of TPase transposition is inhibited. Furthermore, experimental results suggest that the frequency of Ac-induced events is influenced by the dosage and composition of the transactivated Ds or Ac allele. Thus, transposition frequency seems not to be exclusively determined in trans by the amount of active TPase, but also by specific cis-acting properties of the TPase substrate.     

The influence of anthropogenic pollution on several indicators of congenital immunity and oxidizing processes in the liver of Squalus acanthias Linnaeus, 1758 (Pisces: Squalidae) that inhabit coastal waters of the Black Sea

The results of a study on several parameters of congenital immunity and oxidative processes in the liver of spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias that inhabit the Caucasus coastal waters of the Black Sea with various anthropogenic loads are described. The antimicrobial properties of serum, the content of non-specific immune complexes in the liver, the total lipid value, and antioxidant activity were studied. It was determined that the ratio of immunodeficient individuals was much higher in samples from the polluted areas than in samples from the clean ones. The fish sampled in areas of high anthropogenic load contained higher contents of products of lipid peroxidation and immune complexes, as well as lower values of antioxidants.     

The Morphology of Paranemertes sanjuanensis sp.n. (Nemertea, Monostilifera) from Washington, U.S.A.

The morphology of Paranemertes sanjuanensis sp.n., a new monostiliferous hoplonemertean from San Juan Island, Washington, is described. As in other members of the genus, P. sanjuanensis has numerous eyespots, a proboscis sheath that extends one-half to two-thirds the length of the body, well-developed cephalic and subepidermal glands, and two distinct layers of longitudinal muscles in the body wall of the cerebral region. A precerebral septum is absent, as only fibers from the inner longitudinal layer extend into the proboscis. The cerebral sense organs are well developed and lie just anterior to the brain. The esophagus opens into the rhynchodaeum and leads posteriad, into a highly folded stomach. The intestinal caecum is short and lacks anteriorly directed pouches. Gravid females have numerous ovaries in the posterior two-thirds of their bodies. The proboscis is relatively large and contains an average of 5 reserve stylet sacs, each of which contains 2 to 3 stylets. The stylets are stout and have prominent, helically-arranged grooves.     

Morphometric architecture of the most taxon-rich species in the U.S. flora: Astragalus lentiginosus (Fabaceae)

? Premise of the study: The study of infra-taxa has historically been considered the study of incipient species. Astragalus lentiginosus Douglas ex Hooker (Fabaceae) is the most taxonomically diverse species in the U. S. flora. To gain insight into the nature of infra-taxa, I ask whether an optimal number of groups exists within A. lentiginosus, whether the varieties represent discrete entities, and whether morphological diversity within A. lentiginosus can be explained by climate. ? Methods: Morphometric measurement was made on herbarium specimens. Seasonality was inferred by fitting sine waves to climatic data. Statistical clustering, ordination, and multiple regression analyses were employed to test hypotheses. ? Key results: K-means clustering resulted in no clear optimal number of groups within the species. Principal components analysis demonstrated that taxa occupy contiguous regions of morphospace but do not form distinct clusters. Multiple regression demonstrated significant relations among morphology and climatic parameters, which are generally stronger than geographic relations. ? Conclusions: The bewildering amount of diversity contained within A. lentiginosus begs for decomposition, yet its clinal nature precludes it from division into discrete groups. As a species, A. lentiginosus exists as an array of populations in a delicate balance between homogenizing forces, such as gene flow and retention of ancestral characters, and diversifying forces, such as local adaptation and drift. The effect of these forces has become evident in the phenotype of A. lentiginosus, resulting in more infra-taxa than any other species in the U. S. flora, but has failed to fracture this group into distinct entities.     

The occurrence and significance of Cladocera (Crustacea) in some streams of Central Indiana,U.S.A.

Although Cladocera are collected often in large rivers, their importance in streams has been under-estimated. This paper summarizes the results of a preliminary study of the benthic Cladocera in the streams of three watersheds in South Central Indiana. Seventeen sites were sampled with respect to species of benthic Cladocera present, their relative abundance, population size, and population dynamics.Cladocera were present in all streams and sites in the three watersheds. Nineteen species were collected: 13 species from the family Chydoridae, 3 Daphniidae, 2 Macrothricidae, and 1 Bosminidae. Just four species — Alona circumfimbriata, Chydorus brevilabris, Pleuroxus denticulatus, and Macrothrix laticornis — made up 68–96% of the numbers at all sites.Density of Cladocera ranged from 3–5200 m^–2 and they reproduced and maintained populations in the streams sampled. Numbers were generally high in October and early November and decreased to near zero in late December and January. The most important factor appearing to affect population sizes was discharge. Numbers at almost all sites decreased significantly after a rainfall increased discharge.A Principal Components and clustering analysis grouped sites with similar physical parameters in a continuum of low to high order. Sites with low numbers of Cladocera were generally shallow, narrow, and had a loose unconsolidated substrate. Sites with high population numbers were generally deep, wide, and had a stable substrate that accumulated detritus.