LOPHOSTEUS SUPERBUS PANDER, EIN TELEOSTOME AUS DEM SILUR OESELS

Numerous scales as well as fragments of spines and bones of Lophosteus superbus Pander 1856, a fish which has not been re-studied since 1893, were found in a rock specimen of Ohesaare Beds (marine Downtonian) from the Isle of Oesel (Estonia). The various remains have been studied morphologically and histologically. The structure of the remains demonstrates the close relationship of L. superbus with Andreolepis hedei Gross 1968. Both genera have been placed in the new family Lophosteidae and the new order Lophosteiformes. The position of this order within the Teleostomi will remain unclear until connected remains or intact fish specimens are found. The scales of both genera indicate a possible connection with the Actinopterygii. In addition, the morphology and histology of some bone fragments covered with small teeth and tubercles are described. These fragments may also belong to L. superbus.
Schuppen und Bruchstücke von Stacheln und Knochen des seit 1893 nicht mehr untersuchten Fisches Lophosteus superbus Pander 1856 wurden zahlreich in einem Handstück der Ohesaare Schichten (marines Downton) der Insel Oesel (Estland) gefunden. Die verschiedenen Reste wurden morphologisch und histologisch untersucht. Intakte Schuppen und der histologische Bau der Reste erwiesen die nahe Verwandschaft von L. superbus mit Andreolepis hedei Gross 1968. Beide Gattungen wurden in der neuen Familie der Lophosteidae und der neuen Ordnung Lophosteiformes vereinigt, deren Stellung innerhalb der Teleostomi (Osteichthyes) unklar bleibt, solange keine zusammenhängenden Fischreste oder intakte Fische gefunden werden. Die Schuppen beider Gattungen weisen auf mögliche Beziehungen zu den Actinopterygiern. – Angefügt wird die morphologische und histologische Beschreibung einiger Knochenreste, die mit zahlreichen konischen Zähnchen und Tuberkeln pflasterförmig besetzt sind. Vielleicht gehören auch diese Reste zu L. superbus.     

Dynamics of Newly Established Elk Populations

Abstract: The dynamics of newly established elk (Cervus elaphus) populations can provide insights about maximum sustainable rates of reproduction, survival, and increase. However, data used to estimate rates of increase typically have been limited to counts and rarely have included complementary estimates of vital rates. Complexities of population dynamics cannot be understood without considering population processes as well as population states. We estimated pregnancy rates, survival rates, age ratios, and sex ratios for reintroduced elk at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA; combined vital rates in a population projection model; and compared model projections with observed elk numbers and population ratios. Pregnancy rates in January (early in the second trimester of pregnancy) averaged 54.1% (SE = 5.4%) for subadults and 91.0% (SE = 1.7%) for adults, and 91.6% of pregnancies resulted in recruitment at 8 months. Annual survival rates of adult females averaged 0.96 (95% CI = 0.94-0.98) with hunting included and 0.99 (95% CI = 0.97-0.99) with hunting excluded from calculations. Our fitted model explained 99.8% of past variation in population estimates and represents a useful new tool for short-term management planning. Although we found no evidence of temporal variation in vital rates, variation in population composition caused substantial variation in projected rates of increase (Λ = 1.20-1.36). Restoring documented hunter harvests and removals of elk by the National Park Service led to a potential rate of Λ = 1.26. Greater rates of increase substantiated elsewhere were within the expected range of chance variation, given our model and estimates of vital rates. Rates of increase realized by small elk populations are too variable to support inferences about habitat quality or density dependence.     

Effect of 6-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Hydroxyphenyl)-azouracil on <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. subtilis</Emphasis> DNA Polymerases

DNA replication in Bacillus subtilis^1,2 and other Gram-positive organisms³ is specifically inhibited by 6-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-azouracil (HPUra). The site of action of this compound has not so far been identified, but important progress was made by Brown et al.⁴, who studied the effect of HPUra on DNA synthesis in B. subtilis cells made permeable to externally supplied deoxynucleoside triphosphates by treatment with toluene. In this in vitro system, HPUra had no inhibitory effect when added alone, but in the presence of NADPH or dithiothreitol (DTT) the drug was reduced to a colourless form which specifically inhibited DNA synthesis.