Carry-over effects of male extra-pair copulation opportunity on biparental effort in zebra finches

Whether parental effort can be negotiated between partners over ecological time and adjusted across different contexts is not well understood. We manipulated male extra-pair copulation (EPC) opportunity in captive zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata, to test whether males adjust incubation effort to the mating context and to examine how females respond to their partner’s effort. Birds without previous breeding experience were paired randomly and bred with the same partner twice. In the first breeding attempt, half the males received EPC opportunities with ‘extra-pair females’ during incubation, while the other half did not. Males that received EPC opportunities in the first breeding attempt did not in the second breeding attempt and vice versa. We recorded incubation effort on days when EPC opportunities were not presented. In their first breeding attempt, males with EPC opportunities incubated less than those without. Females compensated fully for the deficit in male care so that a pair’s combined incubation effort was unchanged. In the second attempt, when a male’s opportunity for EPCs was switched, individuals showed the same level of incubation effort that they had previously, irrespective of the current availability of extra-pair females. This suggests that division of effort was negotiated in the first breeding attempt and maintained without significant adjustments in the second attempt. The effects of male EPC opportunity in the first breeding attempt on subsequent incubation effort suggests that individual parental decisions can be shaped by previous experience and this may partly explain conflicting results in studies where individuals’ histories were not known.     

Compensatory Stream and Wetland Mitigation in North Carolina: An Evaluation of Regulatory Success

Data from a probability sample were used to estimate wetland and stream mitigation success from 2007 to 2009 across North Carolina (NC). “Success” was defined as whether the mitigation site met regulatory requirements in place at the time of construction. Analytical results were weighted by both component counts and mitigation size. Overall mitigation success (including preservation) was estimated at 74 % (SE = 3 %) for wetlands and 75 % (SE = 4 %) for streams in NC. Compared to the results of previous studies, wetland mitigation success rates had increased since the mid-1990s. Differences between mitigation providers (mitigation banks, NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program’s design-bid-build and full-delivery programs, NC Department of Transportation and private permittee-responsible mitigation) were generally not significant although permittee-responsible mitigation yielded higher success rates in certain circumstances. Both wetland and stream preservation showed high rates of success and the stream enhancement success rate was significantly higher than that of stream restoration. Additional statistically significant differences when mitigation size was considered included: (1) the Piedmont yielded a lower stream mitigation success rate than other areas of the state, and (2) recently constructed wetland mitigation projects demonstrated a lower success rate than those built prior to 2002. Opportunities for improvement exist in the areas of regulatory record-keeping, understanding the relationship between post-construction establishment and long-term ecological trajectories of stream and wetland restoration projects, incorporation of numeric ecological metrics into mitigation monitoring and success criteria, and adaptation of stream mitigation designs to achieve greater success in the Piedmont.     

Acid-base status in the sea urchins Psammechinus miliaris and Echinus esculentus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) during emersion

The acid-base status of two sea urchins, Psammechinus miliaris (Gmelin) and Echinus esculentus (L.) during experimental emersion has been investigated. Sea urchins were collected from the Firth of Clyde between August and September 1987. The carbon dioxide capacity of the coelomic fluid of P. miliaris was greater than that of E. esculentus, although both were low and only marginally greater than that of sea water. The pH of the coelonic fluid was also low (7.05 to 7.17) and was influenced mainly by the internal partial pressure of CO₂ (P_{CO 2}). Acid-base disturbance in the coelomic fluid of both species during emersion, although minimal, was more pronounced in E. esculentus than in P. miliaris and was due primarily to an increase in the internal P_{CO 2}, although there was an increase in the concentration of L-lactate in the coelomic fluid of E. esculentus. The coelomic fluid of both species was in a state of perfectly compensated respiratory acidosis. An increase in the concentration of divalent ions (Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) may be related to the dissolution of the test as a source of carbonate buffer.     

The disposal of radioactive ferric floc

An iron hydroxide floc is used as treatment for adsorbing low amounts of actinides during nuclear fuel re-processing. This waste is cemented only after pre-treatment with Ca(OH)(2). Characterisation of all simulant material has been undertaken using XRD, TGA and SEM/EDS. The floc is a moderately alkaline colloidal slurry containing approximately 15wt% solids, with the main particulate being an amorphous hydrated iron oxide. The main phase formed during pre-treatment appears to be an X-ray amorphous hydrated calcium-ferrate phase. Embedded within this are small amounts of crystalline Ca(OH)(2), calcite, Fe(6)(OH)(12)(CO(3)), Ca(6)Fe(2)(SO(4))(3)(OH)(12).26H(2)O and Ca(3)B(2)O(6), and can form depending on concentrations of Ca(OH)(2) and time. Apart from Ca(OH)(2) and calcite, none of the crystalline phases detected during pre-treatment are detected when the floc is encapsulated in an OPC/PFA composite cement hydrated for 90 days. The main crystalline phase detected in the hardened wasteform is a solid solution hydrogarnet, Ca(3)AlFe(SiO(4))(OH)(8), known as C(3)(A,F)SH(4) in cement chemistry nomenclature.     

Sea to land transfer of anthropogenic radionuclides to the North Wales coast, Part I: external gamma radiation and radionuclide concentrations in intertidal sediments, soil and air

Previous projects specifically aimed at performing radiological assessments in the vicinity of North Wales, investigating the presence and transfer of radionuclides from sea to land, were in 1986 and 1989. Since then, changes have occurred in the radioactive discharges from the British Nuclear Group Sellafield site. Annual discharges of (137)Cs, (238)Pu, (239,340)Pu and (241)Am have decreased markedly whereas, up until recent years, discharges of (99)Tc have increased. It is therefore desirable to quantify current transfer processes of radionuclides in the North Wales region and thus provide an update on 15-year-old studies. A field campaign was conducted collecting soil samples from 10 inland transects and air particulates on air filters from three High Volume Air Samplers, along the northern coast of Wales at Amlwch, Bangor Pier and Flint. Complementary field data relating to external gamma dose rates were collected at the soil sites. The field data generated for (137)Cs, (238)Pu, (239,340)Pu and (241)Am were consistent with what had been reported 15 years previously. Therefore, there has been no increase in the supply of these Sellafield-derived radionuclides to the terrestrial environment of the North Wales coast. The (99)Tc data in sediments were consistent with reported values within annual monitoring programmes, however, a relatively high activity concentration was measured in one sediment sample. This site was further investigated to determine the reason why such a high value was found. At present there is no clear evidence as to why this elevated concentration should be present, but the role of seaweed and its capacity in accumulating (99)Tc and transferring it to sediment is of interest. The analysis of the field samples for (99)Tc, (137)Cs, (238)Pu, (239,240)Pu and (241)Am has provided a data set that can be used for the modelling of the transfer of anthropogenic radionuclides from sea to land and its subsequent radiological implications and is reported in an accompanying paper.     

Products of biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fishes of the Athabasca/Slave river system,Canada

Concentrations of products of biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PBPAH) were measured in bile of five fishes of nutritional, cultural and ecological relevance from the Athabasca/Slave river system. Samples were collected in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Canada, during three seasons. As a measure of concentrations of PBPAHs to which fishes are exposed and to gain information on the nature and extent of potential exposures of people or piscivorous wildlife, concentrations of biotransformation products of two- and three-ringed, four-ringed and five-ringed PAHs were measured using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. Spatial and seasonal differences were observed with greater concentrations of PBPAHs in samples of bile of fish collected from Fort McKay as well as greater concentrations of PBPAHs in bile of fish collected during summer compared to those collected in other seasons. Overall, PBPAHs were greater in fishes of lower trophic levels and fishes more closely associated with sediments. In particular, goldeye (Hiodon alosoides), consistently contained greater concentrations of all the PBPAHs studied.     

Ocean acidification and warming alter photosynthesis and calcification of the symbiont-bearing foraminifera Marginopora vertebralis

The impact of elevated CO₂ and temperature on photosynthesis and calcification in the symbiont-bearing benthic foraminifer Marginopora vertebralis was studied. Individual specimens of M. vertebralis were collected from Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef (Australia). They were maintained for 5 weeks at different temperatures (28, 32 °C) and pCO₂ (400, 1,000 µatm) levels spanning a range of current and future climate-change scenarios. The photosynthetic capacity of M. vertebralis was measured with O₂ microsensors and a pulse-amplitude-modulated chlorophyll (Chl) fluorometer, in combination with estimates of Chl a and Chl c ₂ concentrations and calcification rates. After 5 weeks, control specimens remained unaltered for all parameters. Chlorophyll a concentrations significantly decreased in the specimens at 1,000 µatm CO₂ for both temperatures, while no change in Chl c ₂ concentration was observed. Photoinhibition was observed under elevated CO₂ and temperature, with a 70–80 % decrease in the maximum quantum yield of PSII. There was no net O₂ production at elevated temperatures in both CO₂ treatments as compared to the control temperature, supporting that temperature has more impact on photosynthesis and O₂ flux than changes in ambient CO₂. Photosynthetic pigment loss and a decrease in photochemical efficiency are thus likely to occur with increased temperature. The elevated CO₂ and high temperature treatment also lead to a reduction in calcification rate (from +0.1 to >?0.1 % day^?1). Thus, both calcification and photosynthesis of the major sediment-producing foraminifer M. vertebralis appears highly vulnerable to elevated temperature and ocean acidification scenarios predicted in climate-change models.     

New epizooic symbioses between sponges of the genera Plakortis and Xestospongia in cryptic habitats of the Caribbean

Three new cases of sponge symbiosis between species of Plakortis and Xestospongia were found in reef caves and mesophotic reef habitats of the Caribbean. Plakortis sp. 1 from the Bahamas associates exclusively with Xestospongia deweerdtae which was originally described living freely on the deep fore-reef and caves of Jamaica. In addition, we found Plakortis sp. 2 from Puerto Rico which associates with both X. deweerdtae and a different Xestospongia sp. Sponge specimens were identified using cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, 28S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequence fragments, spicule analysis, and histological sections with SEM. Unlike previous sponge pairs, Xestospongia spp. not only grew as a thin veneer of tissue over the Plakortis host sponge but through the mesohyl, forming inner channels (0.1–1 cm) that may provide a benefit by facilitating more efficient water transport through the dense Plakortis tissue. Symbioses with both Plakortis spp. were documented from an early recruit stage through adulthood. Spicule measurements conducted on symbiotic versus free-living X. deweerdtae revealed significantly smaller spicule sizes for symbiotic individuals, suggesting a cost in terms of silicon availability, or a benefit in terms of a lower investment in skeleton synthesis for support. This study reveals new specialized symbiotic associations between distantly related sponge genera that likely represent an alternative strategy of adaptation for life in reef caves and mesophotic reefs.     

Relating characteristics of global biodiversity targets to reported progress

To inform governmental discussions on the nature of a revised Strategic Plan for Biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), we reviewed the relevant literature and assessed the framing of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets in the current strategic plan. We asked international experts from nongovernmental organizations, academia, government agencies, international organizations, research institutes, and the CBD to score the Aichi Targets and their constituent elements against a set of specific, measurable, ambitious, realistic, unambiguous, scalable, and comprehensive criteria (SMART based, excluding time bound because all targets are bound to 2015 or 2020). We then investigated the relationship between these expert scores and reported progress toward the target elements by using the findings from 2 global progress assessments (Global Biodiversity Outlook and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). We analyzed the data with ordinal logistic regressions. We found significant positive relationships (p < 0.05) between progress and the extent to which the target elements were perceived to be measurable, realistic, unambiguous, and scalable. There was some evidence of a relationship between progress and specificity of the target elements, but no relationship between progress and ambition. We are the first to show associations between progress and the extent to which the Aichi Targets meet certain SMART criteria. As negotiations around the post-2020 biodiversity framework proceed, decision makers should strive to ensure that new or revised targets are effectively structured and clearly worded to allow the translation of targets into actionable policies that can be successfully implemented nationally, regionally, and globally.