Distribution and contamination assessment of arsenic and mercury in surface sediments from the intertidal zone of Yantai Sishili Bay,China

Sixty surface sediment samples from the intertidal zone of Yantai Sishili Bay (YSB) have been analyzed for arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) to evaluate their contamination levels and potential ecological risks. Concentrations of As and Hg ranged from 7.01–23.56 and 0.00–0.01 μg g^?1 in the dry season; during the wet season, the corresponding data were 1.44–6.17 and 0.00–0.02 μg g^?1. The geoaccumulation index (I_geo) and potential ecological risk index (E_rⁱ) were used to conduct a pollution assessment. The results demonstrated that the intertidal zone of YSB has good sediment quality and that As and Hg are not likely to cause negative environmental impacts in the region.     

Population pattern and dynamics of the Bluemouth Helicolenus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

Present study evaluated the population status of the Bluemouth (Helicolenus dactylopterus) population distributed in the Antalya Bay for the first time, within the scope of two different surveys carried out in monthly basis, between September 2009 and June 2011 (200–900 m). In accordance with the major availability of the food, 80.9% of the total catch (in number) of the species at the upper slope (200–499 m). The 80.8% of all recruits’ specimens inhabits between 200 and 399 m while 72% of the total spawner specimens (TL ≥ 20 cm) inhabits at depths of between 600 and 799 m. Highest average abundance of the species was estimated 1,060 n/km² (400 m), while the highest average biomass was 93 kg/km² (600 m). Lengths of individuals ranged from 4 to 36 cm, and estimated ages from 0 to 27 years. Parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth curves were L _∞   = 34.14 cm, K = 0.09 year^?1, and t₀ = ?1.28 years. Margin band analysis confirmed the formation of a single growth annulus per year. In the central part of the otolith, close to the nucleus, a strongly marked check ring is formed which presenting first time for this species in the literature. The duration of the spawning stage for the females was observed between December and February. Selectivity rate of the commercially used 44 mm diamond codend mesh, with a 7.4 cm catch size, found to be very low for the species (a first spawning size of 17–20 cm). The stock of Bluemouth in the Antalya Bay was considered in above reference levels and in high abundance status due to estimated low fishing mortality (0.067^?1), exploitation rate status below reference level (0.207^?1) and F_curr is very low than reference point (0.219^?1).     

Do men with more masculine voices have better immunocompetence?

The human voice is often considered to be a secondary sexual characteristic that signals underlying information about the immunocompetence of the speaker (i.e. the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis; ICHH). However, no studies have yet shown a relationship between vocal characteristics and biomarkers of immune function or self-reported health. In a sample of 108 men, we examined correlations between masculine vocal characteristics [i.e. relatively low fundamental frequency (F₀), low F₀ variability (F₀-SD), low formant position (P_f), and high vocal tract length (VTL)] in relation to salivary immunoglobulin-A (sIgA; a marker of mucosal immunity), testosterone (T), and well-validated measures of self-reported health status. Results showed that sIgA correlated with masculinized F₀, P_f, and VTL. Self-report health correlated with masculinized P_f and VTL. Anticipated future health correlated negatively with F₀-SD and sick role propensity (less interference of illness in daily life) correlated positively with VTL. Perceived susceptibility to infection correlated with more feminized F₀ and F₀-SD. Our results demonstrated a small relationship between men's vocal characteristics and one putative indicator of mucosal immunity along with self-identified health status. We suggest that more research is warranted to determine whether the masculinity of men's voices may serve as an indicator of their phenotypic quality.     

A catalog of fungi recorded from the vicinity of Syowa Station

The Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) was started in 1957. The expedition marked its 60th anniversary in January 2017. In total 76 fungal species (61 ascomycetous fungi, including 9 unidentified species, and 16 basidiomycetous fungi) have thus far been recorded from the area around Syowa Station. In this review, I present a catalog of the fungal species isolated from the vicinity of Syowa Station to mark the 60th anniversary of JARE.     

胶州湾海水、海洋生物体中重金属含量的研究

研究了胶州湾海水、海洋生物体中重金属含量.结果表明,沿岸河口地区海水中重金属污染主要受沿岸工业排放废水的影响;海洋生物体内重金属含量不仅受海水中的重金属含量大小的支配,温度对其也有一定的影响.海洋生物体中重金属含量为底栖生物大于鱼类,以沉积物为主要饵料的杂食性底栖动物内重金属含量大于鱼类;海洋生物对于Cu比其它重金属具有较强的富集能力.     

Salinity tolerances of 62 strains of Pflesteria and Pfiesteria-like heterotrophic flagellates (Dinophyceae)

The salinity tolerance of 62 strains of Pfiesteria and Pfiesteria‐like heterotrophic dinoflagellates was measured. All strains were acclimated at 12 psu for at least 1 year before experimentation. Strains isolated from the Chesapeake Bay and Neuse River systems tolerated lower salinities than strains isolated from the Wilmington River system (P< 0.005). Swimming cells were still observed after 5 days at 0.5 psu for one strain, and at 1 psu for most other Chesapeake Bay and Neuse River strains. Swimming cells for the Wilmington River were still observed after 5 days at 3–5 psu, but no swimming cells were observed at ≤ 2 psu. With regard to the upper salinity tolerance, the Wilmington River strains tolerated higher salinities than the Chesapeake Bay and Neuse River systems (P< 0.005). Most Wilmington River strains were swimming after 5 days at salinities ≥ 50 psu, whereas the Chesapeake Bay and Neuse River system strains rarely had swimming cells at salinities exceeding 35–45 psu. For all three water systems and for both lower and higher salinities, cells apparently encysted in many instances. However, when salinities were returned to 12 psu, swimming cells often re‐appeared. Statistically significant geographic differences in salinity tolerance suggest a geographic adaptation has occurred and that salinity tolerance is under genetic control. The results also suggest there is diversity among the strains.     

DECLINES IN HARBOR SEAL (PHOCA VITULINA) NUMBERS IN GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA, 1992–2002

Glacier Bay National Park had one of the largest breeding aggregations of harbor seals in Alaska, and it is functionally the only marine reserve for harbor seals in Alaska; yet, numbers of seals in the Bay are declining rapidly. Understanding why seals in Glacier Bay are declining may clarify their minimal habitat needs. We estimated population trends using models that controlled for environmental and observer‐related factors. In 1992, 6,200 seals were counted on icebergs in a tidewater glacial fjord and at terrestrial sites; by 2002 only 2,550 seals were counted at these same haul‐outs. Numbers of non‐pups in the glacial fjord declined by 6.6%/yr (?39%/8 yr) in June and by 9.6%/yr (?63%/11 yr) in August and at all other haul‐outs by 14.5%/yr (?75%/10 yr) during August. In the glacial fjord the number of pups remained steady from 1994 to 1999 and made up an increasing proportion of seals counted (5.4%/yr), and the proportion of pups peaked at 34%–36%. The rapid declines do not appear to be due to changes in seal behavior or redistribution. The declines reinforce genetic evidence that harbor seals in Glacier Bay are demographically isolated from other populations and indicate that current management stocks need to be redefined. Changes in Glacier Bay's ecosystem and population demographic data from the glacial fjord suggest that interspecific competition and predation are likely factors in the declines.     

REPRODUCTIVE LONGEVITY OF DRIFTING KELP MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA (PHAEOPHYCEAE) IN MONTEREY BAY,USA1

Drifting Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh sporophytes have long been viewed as the primary long‐distance dispersal vector; yet, few data exist that support the ability of reproductive viable sporophytes to actually travel the presumed hundreds to thousands of kilometers. This study addressed the reproductive longevity of experimental and naturally occurring M. pyrifera drifters. Temporal variability in sporophyte size and reproduction was estimated for experimental drifting sporophytes that were tethered to surface buoys and compared with attached plants (controls). Reproductive viability was also studied for beach‐cast drifters (BCD), and naturally drifting sporophytes observed during field surveys in Monterey Bay. Detached drifting sporophytes were tracked with radio transmitters to follow drifter trajectories and to measure drifting speed. Experimental drifters (ED) experienced a 74% reduction in frond length after 35 days, a 76% reduction in average frond number after 70 days, and a reduction in average sorus area by 83% after 28 days. Although zoospore production was reduced following detachment, sporophytes remained fertile with high zoospore germination success as long as sori were present (125 days). Zoospore production and germination success for natural and BCD was similar to ED. The average displacement of radio‐tagged drifters was 7.12 km·day^?1, suggesting that a sporophyte adrift for 125 days disperses viable propagules (zoospores) over 890 km (±363). Dispersal of propagules is important for population restoration, distribution, and genetic diversity. Such dispersal distances are long enough to connect potentially all Northern Hemisphere Macrocystis populations across a generational timescale and may facilitate inter‐hemispheric gene flow.     

Juvenile sockeye salmon distribution, size, condition and diet during years with warm and cool spring sea temperatures along the eastern Bering Sea shelf

Interannual variations in distribution, size, indices of feeding and condition of juvenile Bristol Bay sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka collected in August to September (2000–2003) during Bering–Aleutian Salmon International Surveys were examined to test possible mechanisms influencing their early marine growth and survival. Juvenile sockeye salmon were mainly distributed within the southern region of the eastern Bering Sea, south of 57°0' N during 2000 and 2001 and farther offshore, south of 58°0' N during 2002 and 2003. In general, juvenile sockeye salmon were significantly larger ( P < 0·05) and had significantly higher indices of condition ( P < 0·05) during 2002 and 2003 than during 2000 and 2001. The feeding index was generally higher for age 1.0 year sockeye salmon than age 2.0 year during all years. Among-year comparisons suggested that Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus were important components of the juvenile sockeye salmon diet during 2000 and 2001 (20 to 50% of the mean wet mass) and age 0 year walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma were important components during 2002 and 2003 (50 to 60% of the mean wet mass). Warmer sea temperatures during spring and summer of 2002 and 2003 probably increased productivity on the eastern Bering Sea shelf, enhancing juvenile sockeye salmon growth.