Does reproductive state affect a lizard's behavior toward predator chemical cues?

We examined how reproductive state affected shifts in behavior of adult female Podarcis sicula toward chemical cues from a natural snake predator (Coronella austriaca). The oviparous P. sicula lizards do not experience a major physical burden during reproduction, but gravid females substantially increase duration of basking. Therefore, gravid lizards are likely to experience a greater risk of mortality because they are exposed to predators for longer periods. Both gravid and non-gravid females shifted patterns of locomotion when confronted with snake chemical cues, but the change was notably larger when females were non-gravid. When non-gravid, lizards responded to predator scent by increasing the number of stand-ups and starts, while such a response was not observed when females were gravid. By contrast, gravid lizards clearly reduced the time spent basking in the presence of predator scent, whereas no change in basking behavior was observed when females were non-gravid. Thus, females exhibit differential behavioral responses to predator scents that is dependent on reproductive state.     

Temporal patterns and transport processes in recruitment of spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) postlarvae to south Florida

We used time-series analysis to identify weekly and annual patterns in the supply of spiny lobster, Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804), postlarvae to the Florida Keys, USA, over an 8 yr period. We also investigated the relationship between postlarval influx and wind forcing as a transport mechanism using the complex vector-scalar correlation analysis. Postlarval supply had a lunar phase periodicity at 4.5 wk intervals, with postlarval abundance peaking between the new moon and first-quarter lunar phases. A distinct annual cycle of postlarval supply with two peak periods was also apparent. Cross-correlation analysis between relative postlarval abundance and a 12 mo cycle showed that the annual peak occurs in spring, centered around March. With the 12 mo periodicity removed, a smaller peak at 5 mo intervals was also well defined. Wind-forcing for 7 d prior to the time of postlarval collection was marginally correlated with postlarval abundance through the entire time-series; the association was strongest during the late fall to early spring months. The analysis indicated that postlarval supply was correlated with winds from the northeast (ca. 45°), which are associated with winter atmospheric fronts. In contrast to results reported for other spiny lobster populations, these patterns suggest that recruitment of lobster postlarvae to south Florida is predictable only at a gross level and is presumably affected by the temporally inconsistent structure of regional oceanic gyres and variability in the timing of lobster spawning in the Caribbean. Received: 24 January 1997 / Accepted: 4 March 1997     

Distribution of salmon-habitat potential relative to landscape characteristics and implications for conservation.

The geographic distribution of stream reaches with potential to support high-quality habitat for salmonids has bearing on the actual status of habitats and populations over broad spatial extents. As part of the Coastal Landscape Analysis and Modeling Study (CLAMS), we examined how salmon-habitat potential was distributed relative to current and future (+100 years) landscape characteristics in the Coastal Province of Oregon, USA. The intrinsic potential to provide high-quality rearing habitat was modeled for juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and juvenile steelhead (O. mykiss) based on stream flow, valley constraint, and stream gradient. Land ownership, use, and cover were summarized for 100-m analysis buffers on either side of stream reaches with high intrinsic potential and in the overall area encompassing the buffers. Past management seems to have concentrated nonindustrial private ownership, agriculture, and developed uses adjacent to reaches with high intrinsic potential for coho salmon. Thus, of the area in coho salmon buffers, 45% is either nonforested or recently logged, but only 10% is in larger-diameter forests. For the area in steelhead buffers, 21% is either non-forested or recently logged while 20% is in larger-diameter forests. Older forests are most extensive on federal lands but are rare on private lands, highlighting the critical role for public lands in near-term salmon conservation. Agriculture and development are projected to remain focused near high-intrinsic-potential reaches for coho salmon, increasing the importance of effectively addressing nonpoint source pollution from these uses. Percentages of larger-diameter forests are expected to increase throughout the province, but the increase will be only half as much in coho salmon buffers as in steelhead buffers. Most of the increase is projected for public lands, where policies emphasize biodiversity protection. Results suggest that widespread recovery of coho salmon is unlikely unless habitat can be improved in high-intrinsic-potential reaches on private lands. Knowing where high-intrinsic-potential stream reaches occur relative to landscape characteristics can help in evaluating the current and future condition of freshwater habitat, explaining differences between species in population status and risk, and assessing the need for and feasibility of restoration.     

Six interaction profiles for simple mixtures

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has a program for chemical mixtures that encompasses research on chemical mixtures toxicity, health risk assessment, and development of innovative computational methods. ATSDR prepared a guidance document that instructs users on how to conduct health risk assessment on chemical mixtures (Guidance Manual for the Assessment of Joint Toxic Action of Chemical Mixtures). ATSDR also developed six interaction profiles for chemical mixtures. Two profiles were developed for persistent environmental chemicals that are often found in contaminated fish and also can be detected in human breast milk. The mixture included chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, hexachlorobenzene, dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane, methyl mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Two profiles each were developed for mixtures of metals and mixtures of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that are frequently found at hazardous waste sites. The two metal profiles dealt with (a) lead, manganese, zinc, and copper; and (b) arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead; the two VOCs mixtures dealt with (a) 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene; and (b) benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTEX). Weight-of-evidence methodology was used to assess the joint toxic action for most of the mixtures. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling was used for BTEX. In most cases, a target-organ toxicity dose modification of the hazard index approach is recommended for conducting exposure-based assessments of noncancer health hazards.     

Laboratory evaluation of thermophilic-anaerobic digestion to produce Class A biosolids. 2. Inactivation of pathogens and indicator organisms in a continuous-flow reactor followed by batch treatment.

Thermophilic-anaerobic digestion in a single-stage, mixed, continuous-flow reactor is not approved in the United States as a process capable of producing Class A biosolids for land application. This study was designed to evaluate the inactivation of pathogens and indicator organisms in such a reactor followed by batch treatment in a smaller reactor. The combined process was evaluated at 53 degrees C with sludges from three different sources and at 51 and 55 degrees C with sludge from one of the sources. Feed sludge to the continuous-flow reactor was spiked with the pathogen surrogates Ascaris suum and vaccine-strain poliovirus. Feed and effluent were analyzed for these organisms and for indigenous Salmonella spp., fecal coliforms, Clostridium perfringens spores, and somatic and male-specific coliphages. No viable Ascaris eggs were observed in the effluent from the continuous reactor at 53 or 55 degrees C, with greater than 2-log removals across the digester in all cases. Approximately 2-log removal was observed at 51 degrees C, but all samples of effluent biosolids contained at least one viable Ascaris egg at 51 degrees C. No viable poliovirus was found in the digester effluent at any of the operating conditions, and viable Salmonella spp. were measured in the digester effluent in only one sample throughout the study. The ability of the continuous reactor to remove fecal coliforms to below the Class A monitoring limit depended on the concentration in the feed sludge. There was no significant removal of Clostridium perfringens across the continuous reactor under any condition, and there also was limited removal of somatic coliphages. The removal of male-specific coliphages across the continuous reactor appeared to be related to temperature. Overall, at least one of the Class A pathogen criteria or the fecal coliform limit was exceeded in at least one sample in the continuous-reactor effluent at each temperature. Over the range of temperatures evaluated, the maximum time required to meet the Class A criteria by batch treatment of the continuous-reactor effluent was 1 hour for Ascaris suum and Salmonella spp. and 2 hours for fecal coliforms.     

Biotransformation of the fungicide pentachloronitrobenzene by Tetrahymenathermophila

The protozoan, $\text{Tetrahymena}$$\text{thermophila}$, metabolizes pentachloronitrobenzene to several products, including nitrite, pentachlorothioanisole and pentachloroaniline. The latter two metabolites were identified by gas chromatographymass spectrometry. Pentachlorothioanisole may be produced via a glutathione-dependent pathway, and two key enzymes of this pathway, glutathione transferase and thiol S-methyltransferase, have been detected in crude extracts of this microorganism.     

The Impact of Winter Relocation and Depuration on Norovirus Concentrations in Pacific Oysters Harvested from a Commercial Production Site

Oysters contaminated with norovirus present a significant public health risk when consumed raw. In this study, norovirus genome copy concentrations were determined in Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) harvested from a sewage-impacted production site and then subjected to site-specific management procedures. These procedures consisted of relocation of oysters to an alternative production area during the norovirus high-risk winter periods (November to March) followed by an extended depuration (self-purification) under controlled temperature conditions. Significant differences in norovirus RNA concentrations were demonstrated at each point in the management process. Thirty-one percent of oyster samples from the main harvest area (Site 1) contained norovirus concentrations >?500 genome copies/g and 29% contained norovirus concentrations <?100 genome copies/g. By contrast, no oyster sample from the alternative harvest area (Site 2) or following depuration contained norovirus concentrations >?500 genome copies/g. In addition, 60 and 88% of oysters samples contained norovirus concentrations <?100 genome copies/g in oysters sampled from Site 2 and following depuration, respectively. These data demonstrate that site-specific management processes, supported by norovirus monitoring, can be an effective strategy to reduce, but not eliminate, consumer exposure to norovirus genome copies.     

Sperm economy and limitation in spiny lobsters

Sperm limitation, when female fertilisation success is constrained by the supply of sperm, is generally perceived to be an uncommon feature of reproduction in species which directly transfer gametes during copulation. Male size, previous copulations, and the balance of expected reproductive return and future mating opportunity may, however, limit the amount of sperm males transfer to females. We used laboratory experiments where mate size could be manipulated and its consequences on spermatophore size and clutch size determined, to show that in two genera of spiny lobsters (Crustacea: Palinuridae) male reproductive output limits the size of clutches brooded by females. In Panulirus argus from the Florida Keys, we show that while male size affects spermatophore area, males also vary the amount of ejaculate positively with female size. Furthermore, the area of the spermatophore has a greater influence than female size on subsequent clutch weight. In Jasus edwardsii from New Zealand, female size, male size and mate order all affect clutch weight. In both species, clutches fertilised by small males in the laboratory are significantly smaller than clutches fertilised by large males. These results suggest that to ensure they receive sufficient sperm, females should either mate several times prior to oviposition, mate as early as possible in the reproductive season, or choose large, preferably unmated males as partners and thus compete with other females for preferred males. Sperm-limited female fecundity has the potential to limit the egg production of fished populations where large males are typically rare. Received: 18 May 1998 / Received in revised form: 20 November 1998 / Accepted: 30 November 1998     

Perceptions of observed and model values of male and female managers

To provide evidence of the relationship between expectations for the values that should be exhibited for effective performance by female and male managers and their actual values, data were used that had been collected as part of a leadership program conducted for managers of business organizations in the United States. From a pool of approximately 700 managers, samples were drawn of 130 male and 130 female managers. As part of leadership program, the managers had completed 26-item SYMLOG value questionnaires, rating themselves and the values they judged to be effective for a manager. Prior to their participation in the program, sets of ratings were made by the coworkers of each manager, rating the actual values of the manager and the coworkers' ideal profile for the manager. The questionnaire covers three dimensions of values: dominant versus submissive, friendly versus unfriendly, and accepting the task-orientation of established authority versus opposing it. Comparisons were made of self and coworkers' ratings on the observed (self/actual) and model (effective/ideal) values of female and male managers with ‘matched’ samples that include only female and male managers with similar ratings of actual values, as judged by their coworkers, by removing the ratings of ‘outliers’. The only significant difference in gender ratings that remains is that female managers rate themselves as more positive. There are more differences between observed and model ratings. Managers and their coworkers believe that model managers should be more dominant and friendly than they are rated to be. However the managers also believe that they should be more task-oriented while their coworkers believe that they should be less task-oriented. The majority of the female managers dropped from the matched sample because no matching male could be found were more dominant and positive and less task-oriented, thus closer to the stereotype role for females. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.