Incorporating diverse data and realistic complexity into demographic estimation procedures for sea otters.

Reliable information on historical and current population dynamics is central to understanding patterns of growth and decline in animal populations. We developed a maximum likelihood-based analysis to estimate spatial and temporal trends in age/sex-specific survival rates for the threatened southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis), using annual population censuses and the age structure of salvaged carcass collections. We evaluated a wide range of possible spatial and temporal effects and used model averaging to incorporate model uncertainty into the resulting estimates of key vital rates and their variances. We compared these results to current demographic parameters estimated in a telemetry-based study conducted between 2001 and 2004. These results show that survival has decreased substantially from the early 1990s to the present and is generally lowest in the north-central portion of the population's range. The greatest temporal decrease in survival was for adult females, and variation in the survival of this age/sex class is primarily responsible for regulating population growth and driving population trends. Our results can be used to focus future research on southern sea otters by highlighting the life history stages and mortality factors most relevant to conservation. More broadly, we have illustrated how the powerful and relatively straightforward tools of information-theoretic-based model fitting can be used to sort through and parameterize quite complex demographic modeling frameworks.     

Copulatory plug displacement and prolonged copulation in the Iberian rock lizard (Lacerta monticola)

Male Iberian rock lizards (Lacerta monticola) produce copulatory plugs that adhere firmly inside the female cloaca and occlude both oviducts. These plugs do not prevent rival male insemination, as they neither reduce female attractiveness or receptivity to rival males nor do they function as chastity belts. Prior to copulation, males bite various regions of the female body, including the cloacal region. A previous plug in the female cloaca is expelled only after rival male intromission. We hypothesized that: (1) such male pre-copulatory behaviours function to loosen plug adherence to the female cloaca, thereby facilitating intromission, and that (2) the hemipenis plays a role in displacing a previous plug prior to the delivery of a new plug. Neither of these hypotheses was supported. Instead, our results indicate that rival males can intromit the hemipenis past a previous plug in the female cloaca and deliver their own plug underneath it. Consequently, previous plugs are pushed away from the oviductal openings and even dislodged from the female cloaca. Copulation duration was determined both by the time used by males to deliver a plug and by the fact that males prolonged copulation beyond plug delivery. There seemed to be sexual conflict over prolonged copulation, which was resolved by the male/female head-length ratio. The adaptive value of Iberian rock lizard copulatory plugs and prolonged copulation in Iberian rock lizards is discussed in the context of sperm competition.Communicated by S. Downes     

The consequences of avoiding conflict: lessons from conservation planning for Europe's last wild reindeer

This paper seeks to contribute to debates on the potential for conservation planning to engage actively with conflict. Current research in conservation planning generally approaches conflict by concentrating on the challenges of securing agreement and consensus. Recent planning literature advocates approaches that are more open to conflict. In the analysis of a Norwegian regional planning process for wild reindeer conservation, we examine how planning authorities handled conflict, and in particular how planning documents portrayed conflicts expressed during the planning process. Findings show that the aim of reaching regional consensus limited the scope of planning, and led to the exclusion of difficult issues and opposing views. Instead of engaging actively with conflict, the planning authority framed opposing positions as unplannable, and failed to recognise them as legitimate. This contributed to weakening of the legitimacy of the regional plan when put to the test.     

The social network structure of a wild meerkat population: 2. Intragroup interactions

Knowledge of the structure of networks of social interactions is important for understanding the evolution of cooperation, transmission of disease, and patterns of social learning, yet little is known of how environmental, ecological, or behavioural factors relate to such structures within groups. We observed grooming, dominance, and foraging competition interactions in eight groups of wild meerkats (Suricata suricatta) and constructed interaction networks for each behaviour. We investigated relationships between networks for different social interactions and explored how group attributes (size and sex ratio), individual attributes (tenure of dominants), and ecological factors (ectoparasite load) are related to variation in network structure. Network structures varied within a group according to interaction type. Further, network structure varied predictably with group attributes, individual attributes, and ecological factors. Networks became less dense as group size increased suggesting that individuals were limited in their number of partners. Groups with more established dominant females were more egalitarian in their grooming and foraging competition interactions, but more despotic in their dominance interactions. The distribution of individuals receiving grooming became more skewed at higher parasite loads, but more equitable at low parasite loads. We conclude that the pattern of interactions between members of meerkat groups is not consistent between groups but instead depends on general attributes of the group, the influence of specific individuals within the group, and ecological factors acting on group members. We suggest that the variation observed in interaction patterns between members of meerkat groups may have fitness consequences both for individual group members and the group itself.     

Near real time satellite tracking of striped marlin (Kajikia audax) movements in the Pacific Ocean

High-resolution satellite locations were obtained from striped marlin using Argos transmitters attached to the upper lobe of the caudal fin. Twenty-six striped marlin were tagged off New Zealand (2005–2007) and tracked as far as the central Pacific Ocean. Caudal fin mounted Argos tags generated 1,524 locations during a total of 659 tracking days [mean 25 (±21.24) days per fish and 2.3 (±2.30) locations per day]. 38% of locations have an estimated accuracy of ±1 km or better. Displacement rates from high quality locations ranged from 2.9 to 170.8 km in a 24 h period, with a mode at 20–30 km and a mean of 45 km/day. The caudal fin attachment methodology and antenna configuration was adjusted each season to improve transmission life and data quality, with the best results obtained in the last year of deployments (2007). The longest track duration was 102 days, with a total displacement of 4,959 km and a total track distance from all locations received of 6,850 km. Tag shedding and antenna failure appear to have limited the duration of tracks from SPOT tags. The high temporal and spatial resolution data revealed behaviours not previously observed in striped marlin, including associations to subsurface bathymetric features. High resolution location data such as these are useful inputs for statistical models used to investigate habitat selection and switching between different behavioural modes. The geolocations calculated using ukfsst estimates from PAT tag data had RMS errors of 1.01° latitude and 0.59° longitude when compared with SPOT tag Argos locations.     

Prenatal diagnosis,prediction of outcome and in utero therapy of isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can be associated with genetic or structural anomalies with poor prognosis. In isolated cases, survival is dependent on the degree of lung hypoplasia and liver position. Cases should be referred in utero to tertiary care centers familiar with this condition both for prediction of outcome as well as timed delivery. The best validated prognostic indicator is the lung area to head circumference ratio. Ultrasound is used to measure the lung area of the index case, which is then expressed as a proportion of what is expected normally (observed/expected LHR). When O/E LHR is < 25% survival chances are < 15%. Prenatal intervention, aiming to stimulate lung growth, can be achieved by temporary fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO). A balloon is percutaneously inserted into the trachea at 26–28 weeks, and reversal of occlusion is planned at 34 weeks. Growing experience has demonstrated the feasibility and safety of the technique with a survival rate of about 50%. The lung response to, and outcome after FETO, is dependent on pre-existing lung size as well gestational age at birth. Early data show that FETO does not increase morbidity in survivors, when compared to historical controls. Several trials are currently under design. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Living the green city: Freiburg's Solarsiedlung between narratives and practices of sustainable urban development

The solar settlement (Solarsiedlung) in Freiburg, Germany, has been widely hailed as an eco-city or green city neighbourhood and a blueprint for sustainable urban development. However, as there is a noticeable lack of critical analysis of what constitutes Solarsiedlung as an “eco-city”, this paper studies narratives and practices of sustainable urban development. First, we look at Solarsiedlung as a best-practice model – a narrative that was produced and perpetuated by architects, urban planners, investors and academics celebrating this neighbourhood as a technologically leapfrogging, economically sound and socially integrated project. Second, we explore the everyday practices and lived experience of the residents in Solarsiedlung. Bringing together these two perspectives, we contribute to a more comprehensive understanding and critical reading of the interplay between the ecological, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development as seen from different viewpoints. Findings indicate that Solarsiedlung as a best-practice model is embedded in growth-oriented neoliberal strategies that are in conflict with the everyday practices and lived experience of the residents. Our findings put into question the widely assumed transferability of best-practice models in sustainable urban development.     

Reducing discards of fish at sea: a review of European pilot projects

This paper is about improving the viability of discard-reduction pilot projects. One way to address the problem of wasteful discarding of fish at sea is to initiate pilot projects to trial potential solutions, such as selective gear, area closures, discard bans and data enhancement, which could subsequently be adopted by the fishing industry, either voluntarily or through regulation. However, such pilot projects are often difficult both to set up and to sustain through to completion and implementation. This study reviewed 15 discard-related pilot projects to find out what were the most important determinants of their success or lack of it, and to recommend ways in which the prospects of future pilots could be improved. The review identifies the seven most important factors associated with the viability of the pilot projects - fisheries crises; incentivization; funding; expertise; leadership; and enforcement - and shows how fisheries regulators could take steps to reinforce these factors – by faster responses to crises; more incentives and funding; greater use of fishers' knowledge and leadership; and better enforcement mechanisms.