A NEW LATE CRETACEOUS MACROSEMIID FISH (NEOPTERYGII, HALECOSTOMI) FROM MOROCCO, WITH TEMPORAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE EXTENSIONS FOR THE FAMILY

Abstract:  A recent collection of actinopterygian fossil fishes from a previously unreported locality in the Cenomanian or Turonian of southeastern Morocco includes a single specimen of a macrosemiid fish. Macrosemiids are more common in Jurassic and Early Cretaceous deposits, with the previously known range of the family being Late Triassic through Aptian or Albian. This discovery therefore extends the temporal range of the family into the Late Cretaceous. Moreover, macrosemiids had not previously been reported from northern Africa or the Moroccan area of the Tethys basin; therefore, this fossil also increases the geographical range of the family. The Moroccan macrosemiid is described in a new genus and species, Agoultichthys chattertoni . A phylogenetic analysis places it basal to all other genera of the family with the exception of Notagogus . Diagnostic characters of the new species include the high number of scales laterally along the body and the greater number of dorsal fin rays than in other members of the family.     

The Effect of Salicylic Acid on the Growth of Lemna gibba

Salicylic acid added as the iron chelate causes extension ofthe pedicels and distortion in the growth of daughter frondsof Lemna gibba, when included in a nutrient salt medium whichcontains the ammonium ion. The effect is abolished if iron orcopper is omitted from the nutrient solution or if the mediumcontains only nitrate nitrogen. The effect is specific for salicylicacid or acetyl salicylic acid; substituted or analogous compoundsare without effect.     

Autogamy in Boronia falcifolia: consequences for inbreeding and persistence in fragmented coastal heaths

Coastal heath is becoming increasingly fragmented, resulting in reduced pollinator abundance affecting species viability. The reproductive ecology and inbreeding of a common coastal heath species, Boronia falcifolia (Rutaceae), was investigated. Pollination observations and experiments were carried out at one site, and inbreeding was assessed using genetic markers at eight populations. Four pollination treatments were assessed: cross-pollination, self-pollination, autogamous pollination and open (insect) pollination. Boronia falcifolia was found to be highly self-compatible, frequently setting seeds from autogamous pollination. There were no significant differences between the autogamous, self and cross pollen treatments for any measures of reproductive success (pollen tube growth, fruit set, swollen locules and seed production). Insect activity resulted in fewer seeds per fruit than hand cross pollination, although pollinator visits were few. All populations studied were highly inbred. Autogamous self-pollination is widespread in B. falcifolia and this combined with its ability to vegetatively regenerate enhances its potential for survival when pollinators are few.     

Effects of Long Piers on Birds in Tidal Wetlands

ABSTRACT As human development continues in coastal areas, shoreline properties adjacent to expansive tidal marsh habitat are increasingly used for access to coastal waterways via long piers (>30 m) over marsh habitat. These tidal wetlands provide breeding and foraging habitat for many marsh birds, which may be affected by the human disturbance associated with long piers. Our objectives were to determine the effect of long piers over vegetated tidal marshes on the relative abundance and species richness of marsh birds. We completed combined passive and callback surveys in tidal marsh habitat at 22 sites with long piers and 24 sites without long piers, May-July 2005–2006 in Worcester County, Maryland, USA. Pier sites had lower relative abundance and species richness of obligate marsh birds than nonpier sites. Pier sites had a greater relative abundance of gulls, terns, herons, and egrets than nonpier sites. Pier sites had fewer species of herons and egrets than at nonpier sites. The presence of long piers had no affect on facultative marsh birds. Long pier density was negatively related to obligate marsh bird relative abundance and species richness, and facultative marsh bird species richness, whereas it was positively related to the relative abundance and species richness of gulls and terns. Herons and egrets relative abundance and species richness were not related to long pier density. Obligate marsh birds were negatively affected by long piers, whereas herons, egrets, gulls, and terns appeared to benefit from perching opportunities. Based on the negative effects of long piers on obligate marsh birds, management should focus on reducing the presence and density of long piers in tidal marshes by requiring the removal of existing long piers, or reducing or eliminating permits for construction of new long piers.