Effects of commercial fishing and predation by cormorants on the Anguilla anguilla stock of a shallow eutrophic lake

Mortality of eels Anguilla anguilla in a large shallow lake in France due to predation by the cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo was found to be moderate when compared to fishery catches over a 9 year period. The results show that, contrary to previous extrapolations made at the pan-European scale, P. carbo predation in shallow lakes is not invariably a major contributor to A. anguilla mortality, even in the presence of large colonies.     

CDF it all: Consensus prediction of intrinsically disordered proteins based on various cumulative distribution functions

Many biologically active proteins are intrinsically disordered. A reasonable understanding of the disorder status of these proteins may be beneficial for better understanding of their structures and functions. The disorder contents of disordered proteins vary dramatically, with two extremes being fully ordered and fully disordered proteins. Often, it is necessary to perform a binary classification and classify a whole protein as ordered or disordered. Here, an improved error estimation technique was applied to develop the cumulative distribution function (CDF) algorithms for several established disorder predictors. A consensus binary predictor, based on the artificial neural networks, NN-CDF, was developed by using output of the individual CDFs. The consensus method outperforms the individual predictors by 4-5% in the averaged accuracy.     

It's about time: the temporal dynamics of phenotypic selection in the wild

Selection is a central process in nature. Although our understanding of the strength and form of selection has increased, a general understanding of the temporal dynamics of selection in nature is lacking. Here, we assembled a database of temporal replicates of selection from studies of wild populations to synthesize what we do (and do not) know about the temporal dynamics of selection. Our database contains 5519 estimates of selection from 89 studies, including estimates of both direct and indirect selection as well as linear and nonlinear selection. Morphological traits and studies focused on vertebrates were well-represented, with other traits and taxonomic groups less well-represented. Overall, three major features characterize the temporal dynamics of selection. First, the strength of selection often varies considerably from year to year, although random sampling error of selection coefficients may impose bias in estimates of the magnitude of such variation. Second, changes in the direction of selection are frequent. Third, changes in the form of selection are likely common, but harder to quantify. Although few studies have identified causal mechanisms underlying temporal variation in the strength, direction and form of selection, variation in environmental conditions driven by climatic fluctuations appear to be common and important.     

Hidden talents of natural killers: NK cells in innate and adaptive immunity

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune lymphocytes capable of killing target cells and producing immunoregulatory cytokines. Herein, we discuss recent studies that indicate that NK cells span the conventional boundaries between innate and adaptive immunity. For example, it was recently discovered that NK cells have the capacity for memory‐like responses, a property that was previously thought to be limited to adaptive immunity. NK cells have also been identified in multiple tissues, and a subset of cells that specialize in the production of the T_H17 cytokine IL‐22, NK‐22s, was recently described in mucosal‐associated lymphoid tissue. Finally, we review work that shows that NK cells develop at sites that were traditionally thought to be occupied only by adaptive immune cells, including the thymus and lymph nodes.     

Adaptation as organism design

The problem of adaptation is to explain the apparent design of organisms. Darwin solved this problem with the theory of natural selection. However, population geneticists, whose responsibility it is to formalize evolutionary theory, have long neglected the link between natural selection and organismal design. Here, I review the major historical developments in theory of organismal adaptation, clarifying what adaptation is and what it is not, and I point out future avenues for research.     

Capitalizing on nature: how to implement an ecosystem approach

The Natural Capital Initiative (www.naturalcapitalinitiative.org.uk) held its first conference ‘Valuing our life support systems’ at Savoy Place, London, from 29 April to 1 May 2009. The aim of the conference was to discuss different perspectives on, and solutions to, the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services. It particularly focused on the link between the environment and the economy, and how to implement an ecosystem approach to environmental management. This event brought together scientists across the natural and social sciences, alongside representatives from government, non-governmental organizations, business and industry.     

Utilization of oligo‐ and polysaccharides at microgram‐per‐litre levels in freshwater by Flavobacterium johnsoniae

Aims: To obtain a bacterial strain that can be used to quantify biodegradable polysaccharides at concentrations of a few micrograms per litre in freshwater. Methods and Results: Flavobacterium johnsoniae strain A3 was isolated from tap water supplemented with laminarin, pectin or amylopectin at 100 μg C l^?1 and river Rhine water. The organism utilized 14 of 23 oligo‐ and polysaccharides, and 1 of 9 monosaccharides, but none of the sugar acids, sugar alcohols, carboxylic acids or aromatic acids tested at 10 μg C l^?1. Amino acids promoted growth of strain A3, but not in coculture with assimilable organic carbon (AOC) test strain Pseudomonas fluorescens P17, which utilized these compounds more rapidly than strain A3. Compounds released by strain P17 and AOC test strain Spirillum sp. NOX grown on acetate promoted the growth of strain A3 at N_max values of ≥ 2 × 10⁵ CFU ml^?1 of strain P17 and ≥ 5 × 10⁵ CFU ml^?1 of strain NOX. Significant growth of strain A3 was observed in surface water and in tap water in the presence of strain P17 (N_max P17 < 2 × 10⁵ CFU ml^?1). Conclusions: Strain A3 utilizes oligo‐ and polysaccharides at microgram‐per‐litre levels. In surface water and in tap water, the organism was able to utilize compounds that were not utilized by strain P17. These compounds may include oligo‐ and/or polysaccharides. Significance and Impact of the Study: Phytoplanktonic and bacterial polysaccharides can constitute an important biodegradable fraction of natural organic matter in water and may promote growth of heterotrophic bacteria during water treatment and drinking water distribution. Strain A3 can be used to quantify a group of compounds that includes oligo‐ and polysaccharides at microgram‐per‐litre levels in freshwater.