Assessing Allowable Take of Migratory Birds

ABSTRACT Legal removal of migratory birds from the wild occurs for several reasons, including subsistence, sport harvest, damage control, and the pet trade. We argue that harvest theory provides the basis for assessing the impact of authorized take, advance a simplified rendering of harvest theory known as potential biological removal as a useful starting point for assessing take, and demonstrate this approach with a case study of depredation control of black vultures (Coragyps atratus) in Virginia, USA. Based on data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey and other sources, we estimated that the black vulture population in Virginia was 91,190 (95% credible interval = 44,520-212,100) in 2006. Using a simple population model and available estimates of life-history parameters, we estimated the intrinsic rate of growth (r_max) to be in the range 7–14%, with 10.6% a plausible point estimate. For a take program to seek an equilibrium population size on the conservative side of the yield curve, the rate of take needs to be less than that which achieves a maximum sustained yield (0.5 × r_max). Based on the point estimate for r_max and using the lower 60% credible interval for population size to account for uncertainty, these conditions would be met if the take of black vultures in Virginia in 2006 was <3,533 birds. Based on regular monitoring data, allowable harvest should be adjusted annually to reflect changes in population size. To initiate discussion about how this assessment framework could be related to the laws and regulations that govern authorization of such take, we suggest that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act requires only that take of native migratory birds be sustainable in the long-term, that is, sustained harvest rate should be <r_max. Further, the ratio of desired harvest rate to 0.5 X r_max may be a useful metric for ascertaining the applicability of specific requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act.     

[3H]Threo-(±)-Methylphenidate Binding to 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylethylamine Uptake Sites in Corpus Striatum: Correlation with the Stimulant Properties of Ritalinic Acid Esters

Saturable and stereoselective binding sites for [3H]threo-(+/-)-methylphenidate were characterized in rat brain membranes. The highest density of [3H]threo-(+/-)-methylphenidate binding sites was found in the synaptosomal fraction of corpus striatum. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of noninteracting binding sites with an apparent dissociation constant (KD) of 235 nM and a maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of 13.4 pmol/mg protein. Saturable, high-affinity binding of [3H]threo-(+/-)-methylphenidate to striatal synaptosomal membranes was dependent on the presence of sodium ions. A good correlation (r = 0.88; p less than 0.001) was observed between the potencies of various psychotropic drugs in displacing [3H]threo-(+/-)-methylphenidate from these sites and their potencies as inhibitors of [3H]3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine ( [3H]dopamine) uptake into striatal synaptosomes. A good correlation (r = 0.85; p less than 0.001) was also observed between the potencies of a series of ritalinic acid esters in inhibiting [3H]threo-(+/-)-methylphenidate binding to striatal synaptosomal membranes and their potencies as motor stimulants in mice. These observations suggest that the binding sites for [3H]threo-(+/-)-methylphenidate described here are associated with a dopamine uptake or transport complex, and that these sites may mediate the motor stimulant properties of ritalinic acid esters such as methylphenidate.     

India's E‐Waste Rules and Their Impact on E‐Waste Management Practices: A Case Study

India, like many other developed and developing countries, has adopted an extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach for electronic waste (e‐waste) management under its E‐waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. Under these rules, producers have been made responsible for setting up collection centers of e‐waste and financing and organizing a system for environmentally sound management of e‐waste. In this article, we use the implementation of these rules in Ahmedabad in western India as a case study to conduct a critical analysis of the implementation of India's Rules. Interviews of main stakeholder groups, including a sample of regulated commercial establishments, regulatory agencies enforcing the Rules, informal actors involved in waste collection and handling, as well as publicly available information on the implementation constitute data for our case study. Our results indicate that while there has been an increase in the formal waste processing capacity after the implementation of the Rules, only 5% to 15% of the total waste generated is likely channeled through formal processing facilities. While the EPR regulation forced the producers to take action on a few relatively inexpensive aspects of the Rules, the collection and recycling system has not been made convenient for the consumers to deposit e‐waste in formal collection and recycling centers. Based on our findings, we argue that Indian EPR regulation should go beyond simple take‐back mandates and consider implementing other policy instruments such as a deposit‐refund system. An important implication for developing countries is the need for careful attention to instrument choice and design within EPR regulations.     

Marine reserves indirectly affect fine‐scale habitat associations,but not overall densities,of small benthic fishes

Many large, fishery‐targeted predatory species have attained very high relative densities as a direct result of protection by no‐take marine reserves. Indirect effects, via interactions with targeted species, may also occur for species that are not themselves targeted by fishing. In some temperate rocky reef ecosystems, indirect effects have caused profound changes in community structure, notably the restoration of predator–urchin–macroalgae trophic cascades. Yet, indirect effects on small benthic reef fishes remain poorly understood, perhaps because of behavioral associations with complex, refuge‐providing habitats. Few, if any, studies have evaluated any potential effects of marine reserves on habitat associations in small benthic fishes. We surveyed densities of small benthic fishes, including some endemic species of triplefin (Tripterygiidae), along with fine‐scale habitat features in kelp forests on rocky reefs in and around multiple marine reserves in northern New Zealand over 3 years. Bayesian generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate evidence for (1) main effects of marine reserve protection, (2) associations with habitat gradients, including complexity, and (3) differences in habitat associations inside versus outside reserves. No evidence of overall main effects of marine reserves on species richness or densities of fishes was found. Both richness and densities showed strong associations with gradients in habitat features, particularly habitat complexity. In addition, some species exhibited reserve‐by‐habitat interactions, having different associations with habitat gradients inside versus outside marine reserves. Two species (Ruanoho whero and Forsterygion flavonigrum) showed stronger positive associations with habitat complexity inside reserves. These results are consistent with the presence of a behavioral risk effect, whereby prey fishes are more strongly attracted to habitats that provide refuge from predation in areas where predators are more abundant. This work highlights the importance of habitat structure and the potential for fishing to affect behavioral interactions and the interspecific dynamic attributes of community structure beyond simple predator–prey consumption and archetypal trophic cascades.     

雷竹丛枝病病原生物学特性及药剂防效试验

在四川省雅安市雨城区雷竹林区丛枝病发生普遍且危害严重。为明确该病的发生规律和病原种类,以及病原的生物学特性和野外药剂防效,本研究对6个雷竹丛枝病发病林区进行调查与样品采集,通过野外观测与分析,掌握了该病害发生特点和演变规律;运用表型特征观测与多基因(ITS、LSU、SSU、tef1-α、rpb2、mcm7和tub2)系统发育分析,明确该病害病原为竹针孢麦角菌Aciculosporium take;采用不同培养基、pH、光照、碳氮源条件培养病原菌,其最适生长和产孢的培养基为PDA,最佳pH值为7.5,最佳碳源为葡萄糖,最佳氮源为牛肉膏＋酵母膏,最佳光照为24 h全光照;依据含药平板试验,10%苯醚甲环唑WG抑菌效果最佳,EC₅₀值为0.019 μg/mL,野外防治试验中,浓度为400 μg/mL的苯醚甲环唑,防治效果达96.57%。     

Spatial and temporal variation of abundance,biomass and diversity within marine reserves in the Philippines

Aim The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of protection duration (years of fishing closure) and location (distance from shore) on reef fish diversity. Location Danajon Double Barrier Reef, Bohol, Philippines. Methods Reef fish abundance and size structure, by species, were obtained monthly using replicated underwater visual belt transects (n = 8; 70 × 5‐m belt transects) over 3 years (2002–2005) at eight sites that included six marine reserves and two unprotected reef areas. We analysed species accumulation curves, diversity indices and abundance–biomass comparison (ABC) curves within and across the study sites to assess the influence of protection duration and location. Results Analyses showed that longer protection duration impacted reef fish diversity at both inshore and offshore sites by shifting ABC curves from higher abundance than biomass curves at fished sites to higher biomass than abundance curves at most of the protected sites. Protection duration did not significantly influence either the rate of species accumulation within sites or the 12 diversity indices measured across the study sites. The offshore sites consistently showed higher rates of species accumulation and diversity indices values than inshore sites with similar protection duration. One protected offshore young marine reserve site that has been assessed as the least well‐managed showed patterns more consistent with the fished sites. Main conclusions Analyses showed that protection duration mainly impacted diversity by increasing the dominance of large‐bodied species and enhancing total biomass. Besides protection duration, reserve location influenced species accumulation curves and diversity indices.     

Dispersal of adult female fig wasps 1. Arrivals and departures

Ficus burtt-davyi, like most other fig species (Ficus, Moraceae), is exclusively pollinated by its own unique species of fig wasp, in this caseElisabethiella baijnathi (Chalcidoidea, Agaonidae). Because fig crop development on any one tree is usually synchronised, the small and short-lived female wasps have to migrate and find other trees bearing figs which are at suitable stage of development for oviposition. However, the likelihood of successful location and subsequent arrival at a new host tree is dependent on distance and the effect of environmental factors such as wind and temperature. This study examines the relationship between ambient temperatures and the timing of fig wasps emergence from their natal figs and the commencement of their dispersal flight. The behaviour of the wasps arriving at figs which were ready to be pollinated was also examined. The female wasps did not appear to distinguish between the figs and other parts of the tree when in flight. However, after landing on the tree their search for figs was more directed as they visited more figs than leaves. Short-range recognition of figs appears to be by contact chemo-reception, but the wasps showed a preference for entering figs which did not already contain a female wasp.     

2型糖尿病患者血清ADA、FFA测定的临床应用价值

目的:探讨测定血清腺苷脱氨酶(ADA)、游离脂肪酸(FFA)在2型糖尿病患者诊疗中的临床应用价值.方法:比较102例2型糖尿病患者和89例健康对照者及102例2型糖尿病患者中62例血糖控制理想的和40例血糖控制不理想的糖尿病患者的血清ADA、FFA、空腹血糖(FBS)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1C)水平.结果:2型糖尿病患者的血清ADA、FBS、FFA、HbAlC显著高于对照组(P＜0.01),差异有统计学意义,且血清ADA与HbAlC呈显著正相关系(r=0.41,P＜0.01);FFA与HbAlC呈显著正相关系(r=0.19,P＜0.05);血糖控制不理想的2型糖尿病患者血清ADA、FBS、HbAlC、FFA与血糖控制理想的比较显著升高(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).结论:血清ADA、FFA测定对评价2型糖尿病患者血糖控制好坏有良好的应用价值.     

The landscape configuration and lethality of snare poaching of sympatric guilds of large carnivores and ungulates

Poaching of wildlife presents one of the biggest conservation challenges in the 21st century. Snaring is one of the primary means of capturing target animals. To prioritise interventions intending to reduce snaring, we describe an approach for quantifying the configuration and lethality of snares. We conducted transect surveys in Murchison Falls National Park. All the snares that we recovered were made of wire with the majority (81.0%, n = 546 of 674) deriving from vehicle tire wire. The density of snares ranged from 0.08 to 4.58 snares/km², which is the highest known density in sub‐Saharan Africa. The majority (63%) of the animals caught in wire snares were unrecovered and wasted. We found that noose width, vertical drop, wire circumference, anchor height, proportion of un‐thicketed area, grass height, distance to river and village had a significant positive relationships to lethality, while snare thickness, charms, tree DBH, thicket diameter, distance to nearest road negatively affected lethality. We recommend adopting wholistic anti‐snare countermeasures such as the human heritage‐centred conservation to empower local people. Our method illustrates the opportunity to standardise temporal and spatial measurements of snare density and configuration necessary to stop illegal wildlife poaching.