Correlates of male mating success in the ruff Philomachus pugnax,a lekking shorebird

Summary Male ruffs (Philomachus pugnax), a lekking shorebird, can generally be divided into two morphs according to behavior and plumage coloration. Predominantly dark-colored, independent male ruffs defend small territories on a lek, whereas lighter colored satellite males are non-territorial and less site-faithful to a particular lek. The traits associated with the mating success of independent male ruffs were studied at two leks during two seasons on the island of Öland, Sweden in May and June of 1985 and 1987. Using multivariate analyses, three characteristics were found to be significantly related to mating success: high frequency of visits by satellites to an independent male's residence, consistency of lek attendance, and low rates of aggressive behavior. In contrast, mating success was unrelated to the degree of darkness of the independent male nuptial plumage, territory location on the lek, or rate of courtship displays. The use of multivariate analyses helped to resolve conflicting conclusions from previous studies which employed simple statistical analyses, or none at all. Experimental manipulations are suggested which will help to further determine the influence of female mate choice in this lekking system.     

Translocation trisomy 21 in CVS not found in embryoblast: Three different cell lines in CVS,amnion- and placental culture

Chorionic villus samples from a healthy pregnant female were obtained for first-trimester prenatal diagnosis. A translocation trisomy 21 was diagnosed. A consecutive amniocentesis revealed a normal male karyotype. At term a healthy boy was born. Cytogenetic analysis from cord blood showed a regular karyotype of 46,XY, whereas in term placenta a pathological karyotype of 47,XY,+mar was found.     

Effects of development time, biomass and ferromanganese oxides on nickel sorption by stream periphyton

Procedurally defined periphyton frequently includes substantial quantities of hydrous iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) oxides. As these oxides are strong sorbers of heavy metals, their presence may complicate estimation of metal bioaccumulation by periphyton. We examined the relationship between nickel (Ni) sorption and the development time, biomass, and Fe and Mn oxide content of stream periphyton. Development time, the time during which periphyton accrued on submerged tile substrata, was used to provide variation in biomass, Fe and Mn levels. Stream periphyton from four development times was exposed to Ni for 2 h in the laboratory, and then ashed. Development time was significantly associated with ash-free dry mass (AFDM), Fe and Mn levels (ANOVA, P < or = 0.003). Ni extracted by a mild reductant (hydroxylamine hydrochloride) was significantly associated with development time, and with AFDM, Fe and Mn levels (linear models, P < or = 0.0002). A subsequent acid digestion yielded similar associations with the same variables (linear models, P < or = 0.0001). For both extractions, AFDM was significantly and positively correlated with Fe (r = 0.68 and 0.89) and with Mn (r = 0.77 and 0.93) (Spearman rank, P < or = 0.005). These data demonstrate the importance of periphyton development time in influencing both metal sorption and levels of biomass and ferromanganese oxides. The data also suggest that metal contaminant levels in periphyton should not be attributed automatically to biotic sorption. Periphyton metal-accumulation studies conducted where ferromanganese oxide concentrations are elevated should address the potential metal-sorbing roles of Fe and Mn oxides within the periphyton matrix.     

Toxic effects of endocrine disrupters on freshwater sponges: common developmental abnormalities

Endocrine disrupters are of substantial concern, in large part because effects of these compounds on the growth and development of many aquatic organisms are unknown. We examined toxic effects of three substances (ethylbenzene, nonylphenol, and bisphenol A), that are known to be hormonally active in many animals, on growth and development of two species of freshwater sponge. A common developmental abnormality was observed when sponges were treated with each of these compounds. The three compounds also caused significant reductions in growth rates. Lower concentrations resulted in malformed water vascular systems in several replicates. The utility of freshwater sponge bioassays is discussed as it relates to understanding possible mechanisms of action of endocrine disrupters on aquatic invertebrates.     

Assessment of Bacillus subtilis spores as a possible bioindicator for evaluation of the microbicidal efficacy of radiation processing of water.

Gamma and electron-beam irradiation of Bacillus subtilis spores suspended in different types of water was studied to evaluate the inactivation of the spores and assess their possible use as a bioindicator for radiation processing. We found that the inactivation proceeded endogenously, being dose-rate-dependent and affected by oxygen. The radiation resistance of the suspended spores was found to be rather high; therefore, B. subtilis spores used as a bioindicator for efficiency of water treatment by radiation under practical conditions might result in the spores being overly conservative surrogates for pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, the doserate dependency impedes the use of the spores as a bioindicator. Thus, B. subtilis spores cannot be recommended as a bioindicator for evaluation of the microbicidal efficacy of ionizing radiation processing of water.     

Raumbezug und Repr?sentativit?t in der ?kologischen Fl?chenstichprobe

Zusammenfassung  Die Qualit?t von Raumgliederungen kann letztlich nur vor dem Hintergrund des jeweiligen Verwendungskontextes beurteilt werden. Im Bereich der Umweltbeobachtung kommt Raumgliederungen neben ihrer Nutzung zu Analysezwecken inbesondere im Hinblick auf Auswahlverfahren von Untersuchungsfl?chen gro?e Bedeutung zu. Der Beitrag erl?utert den Zusammenhang von Raumgliederung, Auswahlverfahren und Repr?sentativit?t am Beispiel der ?kologischen Fl?chenstichprobe (?FS) und stellt die Gliederung vor, die im Rahmen einer ?FS-Pilotstudie getestet wurde. Online-First: 19. Mai 2000     

Temperature tolerance of the estuarine prawn Upogebia africana (Anomura,Crustacea)

Continuous temperature measurements were made in a typical South East African estuary. Mean summer (November to March) temperatures were in the range 19° to 24°C, and in winter (June to August) from 13° to 16°C. Large daily temperature fluctuations of 6° to 10°C occurred in summer; these appear to result from tidal movement of cool sea water into the estuary. In winter, temperature fluctuations were much smaller (3° to 5°C). The burrowing prawn Upogebia africana (Obtmann) was found to have an upper lethal temperature of 29°C in both winter and summer. The resistance time of prawns to temperatures above 30°C was much greater in summer than in winter. It was possible to acclimate winter prawns and increase their resistance time to a level comparable to that of summer individuals. A latent period of 40 h occurred before acclimation effects were detectable. Long-term exposure of prawns to high temperatures did not increase their resistance above that of summer prawns. Water at a temperature above this upper lethal temperature is not pumped through the burrows. This avoidance behaviour considerably increases the ability of U. africana to withstand short-lived temperature extremes.     

Assessing municipal-level governance responses to climate change in KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

The 2011 Durban Adaptation Charter for Local Governments calls on local governments, worldwide, to institutionalise climate response, with the aim of minimising the impacts of climate change on local livelihoods and vulnerable communities. This paper, through the use of case studies, in-depth interviews and document review, assesses how three non-metropolitan municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, a district municipality, and two local municipalities under its jurisdiction, are responding to this call. The results suggest that while the municipalities have adopted measures to institutionalise climate responses, the responses are relatively new and implementation is slow, complex and fraught with limitations and competing demands. Furthermore, there appears to be a lack of co-ordination of responses between the two levels of government, which has the potential to lead to duplication. Given the multi-scalar nature of climate change, emphasis on co-ordination and the inclusion of all municipal departments in the development and implementation of responses is necessary.