Contents:
Three newborn females, stranded dead on the coast of Sergipe and Bahia, Brazil, were used. The Humpback whale sclera was thick and had an irregular surface with mechanoreceptors in its lamina propria. Lens was dense, transparent, and ellipsoidal, consisting of three layers, and the vascularized choroid contains melanocytes, mechanoreceptors, and a fibrous tapetum lucidum. The Humpback whale eyeball is similar to other cetaceans and suggests an adaptation to diving and migration, contributing to the perception of differences in temperature, pressure, and lighting.
Migratory preferences of humpback whales between feeding and breeding grounds in the eastern South Pacific. Powell, Brian F. This project was part of a larger effort to inventory plants and vertebrates in eight National Park Service units in Arizona and New Mexico. Our surveys address many of the objectives that were set forth in the monument's natural resource management plan almost 20 years ago, but until this effort, those goals were never accomplished. From to we surveyed for vascular plants and vertebrates amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals at Gila Cliff Dwellings NM to document presence of species within the boundaries of the monument.
For all taxonomic groups that we studied, we collected 'incidental' sightings on U. Forest Service lands adjacent to the monument, and in a few cases we did formal surveys on those lands. Because we used repeatable study designs and standardized field techniques, these inventories can serve as the first step in a biological monitoring program for Gila Cliff Dwellings NM and surrounding lands. We found no non-native species of reptiles, birds, or mammals, one non-native amphibian American bullfrog , and 33 non-native plants.
Particularly on lands adjacent to the monument we found that the American bullfrog was very abundant, which is a cause for significant management concern. Species of non-native plants that are of management concern include red brome, bufflegrass, and cheatgrass.
The monument's geographic location, with influences from the Rocky Mountain, Chihuahuan Desert, and Madrean ecological provinces, plays an important role in determining. Full Text Available Defining units of conservation below the species level is a widely accepted conservation priority, but is especially challenging for widespread taxa that have experienced diverse geographic histories and exist across heterogenous environments.
We used mtDNA sequence analysis to test for divergent lineages predicted to occur as a result of survival of lake chub in distinct glacial refugia. Lake chub consisted of two major mtDNA lineages separated by 3. We combined these data with those consistent with thermal adaptation in fish living in thermal springs versus those living in a lake with wide seasonal temperature variation, and with data on distribution of lake chub in major watershed units.
We assessed these data against objective criteria developed to identify conservation units under Canadian endangered species legislation. Our analysis identified twelve major units of conservation within C. Our study illustrates how different character traits manifested at very different spatial scales can be used to define conservation units within widely-distributed taxa. No relationship found between mercury and lead concentrations in muscle and scales of chub Squalius cephalus L. This chapter aims to collate recent work done by different research teams along the Indian coast and presents research plans for the conservation and management of the genus Sousa in Indian waters.
Humpback dolphins are the most common nearshore cetaceans found along the Indian coast. The taxonomy is confused, but two or more species of humpback dolphins may be present in India. Dedicated research on humpback dolphins and other cetaceans has been initiated only in the past few years and vast gaps in the ecology and conservation of the genus from the region remain. Dedicated and opportunistic research indicates that humpback dolphin presence is continuous along the west coast of India, owing to the contiguous favourable habitat of shallow nearshore waters, while along the east coast humpback dolphins are apparently found in pockets.
Humpback dolphins are also the most numerous in incidental catch records from the coast, owing to the large overlap in space use with nearshore fisheries like small gillnets, trawls, shore seines and purse seines.
Along many coastal sites, humpback dolphins are known to cause damage and depredation of fish catch of certain fishing gears, making them unpopular. At the same time, many fishers along the west coast have developed local dolphin-watching programmes as an alternate source of livelihood, providing positive impetus for conservation. However, research on the long-term effects of dolphin watching and its management is required. Some recommendations for more effective management of this species are made. Heavy metal contamination in the muscle of Aegean chub Squalius fellowesii and potential risk assessment.
Especially after the industrial revolution, the amount of contaminants released in aquatic ecosystems has considerably increased. For this reason, the necessity to carry on research on the existence of contaminants, specifically heavy metals, has emerged. In this study, heavy metal concentrations in muscle tissues of Aegean chub , which was an endemic species of south western part of Turkey, gathered from Tersakan River were examined.
According to the results of the applied health risk assessment EDI, THQ and CR for heavy metal exposure from fish consumption in children and adults, it was determined that there was no any significant threat to human health.
His defense of the glorious Declaration of Independence from the foul aspirations of Petit [sic], was the finest specimen of terrible denunciations that we have listened to for many years. Instead, he offered Hoosiers this advice: Avoid crowds. March 19, - The U. Social Media. The Bank of Albany — was the second chartered bank in New York. Encyclopedia of Recreation and Leisure in America. Albany, New York: Erastus H.
Molecular characterization of muscle-parasitizing didymozoid from a chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus. Didymozoids found in the muscles of marine fish are almost always damaged because they are usually found after being sliced.
Therefore, identifying muscle-parasitizing didymozoids is difficult because of the difficulty in collecting non-damaged worms and observing their organs as key points for morphological identification. Moreover, muscle-parasitizing didymozoids are not easily found because they parasitize at the trunk muscles. Therefore, muscle-parasitizing didymozoid classification has not progressed because there are few opportunities to detect them.
Our recent report was the first to describe the usefulness of sequencing analysis for discrimination among muscle-parasitizing didymozoids. Recently, we found a didymozoid in the trunk muscle of a chub mackerel Scomber japonicus. The present study genetically compares the present isolate with other muscle-parasitizing didymozoids. The present isolate differs markedly from the previously unidentified didymozoid from an Atlantic mackerel S.
It also differs from other muscle-parasitizing didymozoids from other host species based on phylogenetic analyses of 18S, 28S rDNAs, and coxI loci. These results suggest that sequencing analysis is useful for the discrimination of muscle-parasitizing didymozoids. Combining the present data with earlier data for sequencing analysis, muscle-parasitizing didymozoids from seven marine fish species were classified as seven species.
We proposed appellations for six distinct muscle-parasitizing didymozoids for future analysis: sweetlips fish type from Diagramma pictum and Plectorhinchus cinctus, red sea bream type from Pagrus major, flying fish type from Cypselurus heterurus, Atlantic mackerel type from Scomber scombrus, chub mackerel type from S. A 2-yr, seasonal, parasitological study of 1, fish, belonging to 4 species of native fishes and 7 species of nonnative fishes from the lower Little Colorado River LCR and tributary creeks, Grand Canyon, Arizona, yielded 17 species of parasites.
These comprised 1 myxozoan Henneguya exilis , 2 copepods Ergasilus arthrosis and Lernaea cyprinacea , 1 acarine Oribatida gen. Rhabdochona sp. Infection intensities of Ornithodiplostomum sp. Adult helminths showed a high degree of host specificity, except B. Abundance of B. There was no major taxonomic difference in parasite assemblages between the 2 different reaches of the river LC1 and LC2.
Parasite community diversity was very similar in humpback chub , regardless of sampling site or time. The parasite fauna of the LCR is numerically dominated by B. The richest and most diverse component community occurred in a nonnative species, the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, but infracommunity species richness was highest in a native host, humpback chub.
Does urbanization influence the spatial ecology of Gila monsters in the Sonoran Desert? To assess whether urbanization influences the spatial ecology of a rare and protected venomous reptilian predator, the Gila monster Heloderma suspectum, we compared home range HR size and movement parameters at three sites varying in degree of urbanization in the Sonoran Desert.
We predicted that the urban population of H. Multivariate analysis indicated that males generally exhibited larger HRs and had higher movement rates and activity levels than females at all three sites. Contrary to our predictions, however, HR size and movement parameters did not vary across the sites in relation to the level of urbanization.
At the urban site, individuals often crossed narrow roads and regularly used artificial structures as refuges for extended periods.
Furthermore, the population sex ratio at the urban site was female-biased, consistent with the expectation that occupation of larger HRs and higher movement rates results in higher mortality for males in urbanized areas. Gila monsters did not appear to alter certain aspects of their spatial ecology in response to low levels of human activity but additional work will be required to assess population viability and possible effects in the long term and with higher levels of urbanization.
Causes of interannual to decadal variability of Gila River streamflow over the past century. Study focus: The mechanisms responsible for the variability of the winter—spring and summer streamflow peaks are investigated by correlation of streamflow with precipitation and sea surface temperature for — Decadal Pacific variability helps explain the transition from high winter flow in the late 20th century to lower flows in the most recent decade.
The summer streamflow has a somewhat weaker correlation with precipitation and Pacific SST than the winter—spring streamflow. Its variability is more likely influenced by local North American Monsoon precipitation variability.
PDSI and SPI reconstructions indicate much more severe and extended periods of droughts and pluvials in past centuries as well as periods of concurrent winter and summer drought. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce — This project was part of a larger international project SPLASH designed to estimate the abundance and determine the population structure for humpback whales History and Description of the Remains The genes of major histocompatibility complex MHC provide an excellent opportunity to study host-parasite relationships because they are expected to evolve in response to parasites and variation in parasite communities.
We found significant differences between populations in metazoan parasites, neutral and adaptive genetic diversities. The analyses based on pairwise data revealed that populations with dissimilar MHC allelic profiles were geographically distant populations with significantly different diversity in microsatellites and a dissimilar composition of parasite communities.
The results from the generalized estimating equations method GEE on the level of individuals revealed that metazoan parasite load in European chub was influenced by the diversity of DAB alleles as well as by the diversity of neutral genetic markers and host traits reflecting condition and immunocompetence. The multivariate co-inertia analysis showed specific associations between DAB alleles and parasite species.
DAB1-like alleles were more involved in associations with ectoparasites, while DAB3-like alleles were positively associated with endoparasites which could suggest potential differences between DAB genes caused by different selection pressure. Our study revealed that parasite-mediated selection is not the only variable affecting MHC diversity in European chub ; however, we strongly support the role of neutral processes as the main driver of DAB diversity across populations.
In addition, our study contributes to the understanding of the evolution of MHC genes in wild living fish. Among the many cetacean species that occupy Australian coastal waters, Australian humpback dolphins, Sousa sahulensis, are one of the most vulnerable to extirpation due to human activities. This review summarises the existing knowledge, presently occurring and planned research projects, and current conservation measures for humpback dolphins in Western Australia WA.
Rapid and wide-scale coastal development along the northern WA coastline has occurred despite a lack of baseline data for inshore dolphins and, therefore, without a precautionary approach to their conservation. The distribution, abundance, habitat use, and population structure of humpback dolphins remain poorly understood.
The sparse data available suggest that WA humpback dolphins occur as localised populations in low numbers within a range of inshore habitats, including both clear and turbid coastal waters. Marine protected areas cover a third of their inferred distribution in WA, but the efficacy of these reserves in protecting local cetacean populations is unknown. There is a pressing need for coordination and collaboration among scientists, government agencies, industry bodies, Traditional Owners, and local community groups to fill in the gaps of information on humpback dolphins in WA.
The recently developed strategies and sampling guidelines developed by state and federal governments should serve as a best practise standard for collection of data aimed at assessing the conservation status of humpback dolphins in WA and Australia. Vertebral column anomalies in Indo-Pacific and Atlantic humpback dolphins Sousa spp. Conspicuous vertebral column abnormalities in humpback dolphins genus Sousa were documented for the first time during 3 photo-identification field studies of small populations in Taiwan, Senegal and Angola.
Seven Taiwanese humpback dolphins S. There was evidence from several individuals photographed over consecutive years that the anomalies became more pronounced with age. Three Atlantic humpback dolphins S. Another possible case was identified in a calf, and 2 further animals were photographed with dorsal indents potentially indicative of anomalies.
Vertebral column anomalies of humpback dolphins were predominantly evident in the lumbo-caudal region, but one Atlantic humpback dolphin had an anomaly in the cervico-thoracic region. Lordosis and kyphosis occurred simultaneously in several individuals. Apart from the described anomalies, all dolphins appeared in good health and were not obviously underweight or noticeably compromised in swim speed. This study presents the first descriptions of vertebral column anomalies in the genus Sousa. The causative factors for the anomalies were unknown in every case and are potentially diverse.
Whether these anomalies result in reduced fitness of individuals or populations merits attention, as both the Taiwanese and Atlantic humpback dolphin are species of high conservation concern. Full Text Available We assessed the social structure and behavior of humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae competitive groups off Ecuador between July and August During this time we followed whales in 22 competitive groups for The average group size was 8.
The average sighting time was We used photographs of dorsal fins and video to record interactions and estimate an association index AI between each pair of whales within the groups. Sightings were divided into periods, which were defined by changes in group membership. On average, group composition changed every Interactions between escorts characterized by low level of aggression. Although singletons, as well as pairs or trios were able to join competitive groups at any moment, escorts that joined together were able to stay longer with the group and displace dominant escorts.
Genetic analysis showed that in three occasions more than one female was present within a competitive group, suggesting either males are herding females or large competitive groups are formed by subunits. Males and females performed similar surface displays.