Growth of the scyllarid lobsters Ibacus peronii and I. chacei

The growth rates of the morphologically similar scyllarid lobsters Ibacus peronii (Leach, 1815) and I. chacei (Brown and Holthuis, 1998) are described using data from a tag/recapture study and from tagged lobsters kept in captivity. Within particular size classes, we found no differences in moult increments between male and female I. peronii nor between male and female I. chacei. Small individuals of both species always had larger moult increments than larger individuals. For I. peronii, females moulted more frequently than males, and smaller size classes moulted more frequently than larger size classes. Female I. peronii therefore grew more quickly than males and reached their estimated size at sexual maturity (51 mm carapace length) after ∼2 yr. Moulting of I. peronii was seasonal, with most lobsters (96.3%) moulting between October and January. We found no differences in growth rates of I. peronii at two locations along the east coast of Australia: Coffs Harbour in New South Wales (30°18′S; 153°08′E), and Lakes Entrance in Victoria (37°53′S; 148°00′E). For I. chacei, we found no differences in the frequency of moulting between males and females and, because we also found no differences in the moult increments between males and females, the growth rates of both sexes were the same. Received: 14 August 1999 / Accepted: 20 January 2000     

Peak assignments for phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in pH range 5–13 and their application in environmental samples

Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has become popular for the characterization of P species in environmental samples. However, these are commonly made alkaline (pH?>?13) to facilitate sample comparison and ease peak identification, but this may cause hydrolysis of some compounds. This study examined the chemical shift of known P compounds and supplemented this with published data to determine the viability of examining samples at their native pH, thereby minimizing sample disturbance. A ³¹P NMR pH titration of known P compounds resulted in chemical shifts ranging from about ?22 to 8 ppm in the pH range 5–13. Categorization and calculation of chemical shifts for over 100 naturally occurring compounds indicated that good distinction between orthophosphate diesters, orthophosphate monoesters, nucleotides, phosphonates, and phosphagens was best at ≥pH 7, but unlikely below this pH. Analysis of several water extracts of soil and dung, overland flow samples, and lake water indicated a wide variety of well-defined peaks that were assigned to orthophosphate, orthophosphate monoesters, orthophosphate diesters, pyrophosphate, polyphosphate, or phosphonates. Changing the sample pH to >13 caused many species (such as phosphonates, orthophosphate diesters, and polyphosphates) to decrease either by hydrolysis or precipitation. Hence, it is recommended that samples be analysed at their native pH but, if poorly resolved, should have their pH raised to ≥7.     

Mass spawning by the sea urchin Evechinus chloroticus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in a New Zealand fiord

A mass synchronous spawning of the sea urchin Evechinus chloroticus (Valenciennes) was observed in situ in Doubtful Sound, a large New Zealand fiord. Spawning occurred between 17:30 hrs and 18:30 hrs on 27 January 1994 and coincided with a full moon, spring tides and a period of decreasing sea temperatures. During spawning, the sea urchins formed a dense spawning aggregation of both sexes, with >90% of the urchins observed spawning at the time. Spawned gametes clouded the water column, and some were eaten by small labrid fish species. The spawning, which may have been as widespread as 40 km, marked a 42 to 50% decrease in gonad indices and resulted in a widespread, dense cohort of  E. chloroticus larvae within the fiord. Received: 25 September 1997 / Accepted: 6 March 1998     

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A retrospective analysis of 28 cases

In a retrospective analysis of 28 cases of fetal diaphragmatic hernia, overall mortality was 86 per cent, but fell to 70 per cent when multiple anomalies were excluded. Congenital heart disease constituted the majority of associated anomalies. The incidence of an abnormal karyotype was 10·5 per cent, but rose to 20 per cent when only fetuses with multiple anomalies were included. Polyhydramnios, which occurred in 75 per cent, was a poor predictor of fetal outcome. The same applied to the intrathoracic position of the fetal stomach. In all four survivors, diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed beyond 32 weeks of gestation.     

Micro-zooplankton and its abundance relative to the larger zooplankton and other seston components

Micro-zooplankton populations in the upper 100 m were sampled from 5 marine environments in the northeast Pacific Ocean extending from slope waters off San Diego to an oceanic site near Isla Guadalupe, and their abundance related to that of the larger zooplankton, phytoplankton (as estimated from chlorophyll a), and detritus. The micro-zooplankton and other components of the seston were subdivided into 3 fractions on the basis of size in the deck-mounted collecting unit of a seawater pumping system. Through the euphotic zone at each site, the Protozoa, of which ciliates were the dominant forms, accounted for 95% or more of the total micro-zooplankton numbers. Their biomass, as volume, was estimated to be 13 to 28% of that of the total micro-zooplankton. The standing stock of micro-zooplankton over the euphotic zone at the various sites, in terms of dry weight, was estimated to be 14 to 34% (average 23%) of that of the phytoplankton crop. Micro-zooplankton volumes in the upper 100 m were 21 to 26% of those for the larger zooplankton sampled over the same depth.     

Exploring the effects of multiple management objectives and exotic species on great lakes food webs and contaminant dynamics

A simulation model was developed to describe linkages among fish food web, nutrient cycling, and contaminant processes in the southern basin of Lake Michigan. The model was used to examine possible effects of management actions and an exotic zooplankter (Bythotrephes) on Lake Michigan food web and contaminant dynamics. The model predicts that contaminant concentrations in salmonines will decrease by nearly 20% ifBythotrephes successfully establishes itself in the lake. The model suggests that this decrease will result from lowered transfer efficiencies within the food web and increased flux of contaminants to the hypolimnion. The model also indicates that phosphorus management will have little effect on contaminant concentrations in salmonines. The modeling exercise helped identify weaknesses in the data base (e.g., incomplete information on contaminant loadings and on the biomass, production, and ecological efficiencies of dominant organisms) that should be corrected in order to make reliable management decisions.