Comparison of light- and SST-based geolocation with satellite telemetry in free-ranging albatrosses

Light-based archival tags are increasingly being used on free-ranging marine vertebrates to study their movements using geolocation estimates. These methods use algorithms that incorporate threshold light techniques to determine longitude and latitude. More recently, researchers have begun using sea surface temperature (SST) to determine latitude in temperate regions. The accuracy and application of these algorithms have not been validated on free-ranging birds. Errors in both geolocation methods were quantified by double-tagging Laysan (Phoebastria immutabilis Rothschild) and black-footed (P. nigripes Audubon) albatrosses with both leg-mounted archival tags that measured SST and ambient light, and satellite transmitters. Laysan albatrosses were captured and released from breeding colonies on Tern Island, northwestern Hawaiian Islands (23°52N, 166°17W) and Guadalupe Island, Mexico (28°31N, 118°10W) and black-footed albatrosses from Tern Island. Studies were carried out between December 2002 and March 2003. For all birds combined, the mean ± SD great circle (GC) distance between light-based locations and satellite-derived locations was 400±298 km (n=131). Errors in geolocation positions were reduced to 202±171 km (n=154) when light-based longitude and SST-based latitude (i.e. SST/light) were used to establish locations. The SST/light method produced comparable results for two Laysan albatross populations that traveled within distinctly different oceanic regions (open ocean vs more coastal) whereas light-based methods produced greater errors in the coastal population. Archival tags deployed on black-footed albatrosses returned a significantly higher proportion of lower-quality locations, which was attributed to interference of the light sensor on the tag. Overall, the results demonstrate that combining measures of light-based longitude and SST-based latitude significantly reduces the error in location estimates for albatrosses and can provide valid latitude estimates during the equinoxes, when light-based latitude measurements are indeterminate.Communicated by J.P. Grassle, New Brunswick     

Toward a Complete Economic Theory of the Utilization and Management of Recreational Fisheries

A model of individual behavior for recreational fisheries which considers both the participation decision and the activity level decision is developed. The model also distinguishes between the catch rate, which is a biologically determined parameter, and the landings rate, which is a control variable. Individual and fisherywide equilibria under open access are described for both homogeneous and heterogeneous participants. Optimal utilization is also described. Optimal utilization differs from open access in terms of activity levels of participants and number and type of participants. Regulations to achieve optimal utilization are described.     

Survival and chloride ion regulation of the porcelain crab Petrolisthes armatus exposed to mercury

Acute toxicity bioassays conducted at various salinities demonstrated that mercury (as mercuric chloride) at low concentrations was lethal to Petrolisthes armatus. Ninety-six hour LC₅₀ values varied from 50 to 64 parts per billion (ppb) of mercury, depending on test salinities. Lower salinities. decreased the time to death of mercuryexposed crabs. Differences in survival after 96 h due to salinity were not statistically significant. Blood chloride concentrations were regulated hyperchloride to the medium at low salinities and hypochloride at high salinities by acclimated crabs. The salinity isochloride to blood was 20 S. Transfer of crabs from 15 S to salinities ranging from 7 to 35 S resulted in new steadystate chloride levels within 12 h. Exposure to 50 ppb mercury did not alter chloride ion regulation of either acclimated crabs or crabs adjusting to new salinities.     

Genetic structure of leopard shark (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triakis semifasciata</Emphasis>) populations in California waters

The leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) is an important predator in coastal marine ecosystems of California, targeted by recreational and commercial fishermen and of specific interest in fisheries management. From October 2003 to August 2006, 169 leopard sharks were collected from the coast of California (between 40.750°N and 32.678°N) and analyzed for mitochondrial and nuclear genetic structure. Analyses of mtDNA control region sequences revealed relatively low levels of genetic variation (five haplotypes, average pairwise divergence π = 0.0067). In contrast, leopard sharks were highly polymorphic for inter simple sequence repeats (ISSRs), which characterize a broad range of the nuclear genome. The null hypothesis of panmixia in California waters was rejected for both genetic markers, and ISSRs displayed a statistically significant pattern of isolation by distance (IBD) across the species range (P = 0.002). A variety of analyses showed that divergence is most pronounced in the northernmost population of Humboldt Bay. Natal philopatry in T. semifasciata was tested using Siegel-Tukey tests on data partitioned by breeding site status, and sex-specific philopatry was tested by comparing IBD plots between sexes. Although there was some evidence for natal philopatry in leopard sharks (P = 0.038), and population divergence may be related to the proximity of breeding sites (P = 0.064), we found no support for sex-specific philopatry. In addition to identifying a novel set of highly variable genetic markers for use in shark population studies, these results may be used to better inform management decisions for leopard sharks in California.     

Behaviour around encounter sites

Summary We develop a model for the distribution of animals around encounter sites. It is particularly applicable to males attending mate-encounter sites, such as hilltops. Major predictions are: male distributions should be unstable; males should show little site tenacity, particularly when at low densities; males with low probability of mate capture should occupy subordinate positions; probability of mate capture is a better predictor of position than resource-holding potential; female choice favours despotic distributions; males should often patrol together. Several of these predictions are met, others are testable. We identify some parameters that should be more extensively studied.     

The influence of pH and household plumbing on water lead concentration

The water lead concentrations measured in the homes of children who were part of the Edinburgh Lead study are related to the characteristics of the water supply and the household plumbing. At the time of the study one of the City of Edinburgh's two water supplies was lime treated to reduce plumbosolvency but in the second supply this treatment had not yet become effective. This allows us to estimate the extent to which this type of water treatment reduces water lead concentrations, in houses with lead plumbing, to comply with existing and proposed limits for lead in water. The kitchen cold water was supplied from a lead storage tank in 69 (15%) of the houses. These houses had the highest lead concentrations and water treTo whom correrspondence should be addressed.     

Effects of symbiont elimination and reinfection on the life processes of the planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides sacculifer

Laboratory experiments were carried out to determine the influence of symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) on the shell growth, longevity, and reproductive potential of Globigerinoides sacculifer (Brady). Its symbionts were eliminated by 72-h treatment with a photosynthetic inhibitor (DCMU). Symbiont elimination resulted in earlier gametogenesis (shortened survival time) and smaller shell sizes of G. sacculifer when compared to untreated foraminifera grown in sea water. Individuals kept in continuous darkness in untreated sea water also exhibited early gametogenesis, short survival times and small shell sizes. Aposymbiotic foraminifera formed on the average one or two chambers fewer per individual and their rate of shell size increase is slower than symbiont-bearing foraminifera. Symbionts were lysed within perialgal vacuoles of G. sacculifer when subjected to DCMU treatment or kept in continuous darkness. One DCMU-treated group was reinfected with symbionts from crushed G. sacculifer donors. Soon after reinfection, these foraminifera resumed a shell growth rate and exhibited developmental stages that were nearly equivalent to those of untreated individuals, as deduced from their shell size, frequency of sac-like chambers, rate of gametogenesis, and survival time. Our experiments indicate that the symbionts aid in calcification and that elimination of symbionts triggers gametogenesis, thus shortening the life span of the foraminiferal host. The results imply that shell growth in symbiont-bearing planktonic foraminifera occurs mainly in the euphotic zone and that they do not survive for long periods below it.     

Osmoregulation of the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio Exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Glycine was the most abundant free amino acid (FAA) in abdominal muscle of grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio, accounting for over 50% of the total pool. Arginine, alanine, proline, taurine and serine were also present at relatively high concentrations. Following transfer from 17%. to 2 and 32%. S, new steady-state levels of total FAA were observed at 72 h. Total FAA and the sum of glycine, alanine and proline exhibited a positive correlation with salinity. Exposure to Aroclor 1254 did not have appreciable effects on total FAA levels, indicating that disruption of intracellular osmoregulation was not a major consequence of PCB toxicity. However, changes in individual amino acid concentrations in exposed shrimp were reflective of an altered metabolic state. Glycine, which did not show changes immediately following exposure, underwent large decreases after transfer to PCB-free water and indicated a delayed effect of PCB exposure. A correlation between salinity and the sum of glycine, alanine and proline did not exist in exposed shrimp.     

Accumulation and release of fuel-oil-derived diaromatic hydrocarbons by the polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata

Male and gravid female Neanthes arenaceodentata (Moore) (Polychaeta: Annelida) were experimentally exposed to a sublethal concentration of No. 2 fuel oil seawater extract for 24 h. Within 1 h both sexes had incorporated, in equal proportions, most of the diaromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalene, methylnaphthalenes) eventually accumulated. No net loss of accumulated naphthalenes was observed during the exposure period. When returned to hydrocarbon-free seawater, male worms slowly released naphthalenes down to undetectable (< 0.1 ppm) levels in 400 h (17 days). Gravid females retained essentially all of the originally accumulated naphthalenes for 3 weeks, at which time they released their eggs during fertilization, with subsequent dramatic decreases in naphthalenes content. Zygotes and trochophore larvae from exposed females contained 18 ppm naphthalenes, accounting for a majority of those amounts initially present in parent females. As trochophore larvae developed into 18-segment juveniles, naphthalenes concentrations dropped to near undetectable levels (0.4 ppm) in 21-day old juveniles (= 18-segment worms). When sampled at the next stage of development (32-segment worms) 5 days later (1050 h after exposure of gravid females), offspring were free of naphthalenes. Results suggest the importance of lipid-rich eggs in the accumulation and retention of diaromatic hydrocarbons by marine polychaetes.