Genetic differentiation of the California spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus (Randall, 1840) along the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Identifying reproductive stocks in commercial species is relevant to fishery management strategies. We obtained muscle samples of California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) from six localities along the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula and analyzed the genetic structure using mtDNA RFLPs. Our results indicated that all localities shared the same major haplotypes and showed a spatial homogeneity in the distribution of haplotype frequencies. An analysis of molecular variance indicated that only 0.84% of the genetic variability was explained by differences among localities and was not significantly different from zero. Weak divergences were found between Bahía Magdalena, the most southerly locality, in relation to other populations. Major oceanographic processes along this coast, combined with a long larval period that supports passive transport among localities, are suggested to explain the results.     

Functional responses of copepod nauplii using a high efficiency gut fluorescence technique

To investigate copepod nauplii ingestion rates on phytoplankton, we have adapted the traditional gut fluorescence technique as it can be used with lower gut pigment concentrations. With the improved technique, laboratory experiments were performed to estimate functional responses for nauplii of Calanus helgolandicus and Centropages typicus. Nauplii were raised from eggs to copepodites and the experiments were performed with stages NIV-NV. Gut evacuation rates and ingestion rates were measured on Isochrysis galbana at different concentrations. Specific ingestion rates ranged between 0.038–0.244 μg C μg⁻¹ nauplii C d⁻¹ for C. typicus and 0.041–1.412 μg C μg⁻¹ nauplii C d⁻¹ for C. helgolandicus. Both species showed a type III functional response, reaching a saturation concentration at around 600 μgC l⁻¹ for C. typicus and 800 μgC l⁻¹ for C. helgolandicus. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Growth,mortality and recruitment of the yellow clam Mesodesma mactroides on Uruguayan beaches

We studied some aspects of the population dynamics of the yellow clam Mesodesma mactroides (Deshayes, 1854) which inhabits the eastern sandy beaches of Uruguay. Observations were made from March 1983 through March 1985 (harvesting season), and additional data from January 1988 to December 1989 (closed season) were also included in the analyses. Parameters of growth and mortality were estimated by methods that make use of age or length information. An age/length relationship was constructed by counting growth rings. Results were consistent with those obtained with modal class progression analysis and other length/frequency methods. The growth curve obtained from the age/length relationship did not account for seasonality in growth rate, and a seasonal growth model explained growth oscillations in a better way. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality (M) estimated for the closed season was 1.64, whereas an increase in fishing mortality (F) was observed during 1984. Age composition did not change during the 2 yr of study, and the first 6 mm class accounted for over 50% of the population. The main contribution of recruits was observed between late summer and early fall (February to April), and the recruitment pattern suggested one main settlement period per year. Growth and recruitment success appeared to be regulated by density-dependence processes. Some implications for management are considered in this context. Methodological aspects concerning the reliability of empirical equations and programs for estimating growth and mortality are discussed.     

Results and evaluation of the first study of organochlorine contaminants (PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs and DDTs), heavy metals and metalloids in birds from Baja California, México

Organochlorine compounds (OCs) including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p-p'-DDE), heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu), and arsenic were measured in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and common ground doves (Columbina passerina) from Baja California Sur, México. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs were low, with 21 pg/g for house sparrows, and 7.7 pg/g for common ground doves. Non-ortho-PCB concentrations in house sparrow and common ground doves were 58 and 254 pg/g, respectively, and are within the highest concentrations reported in species that are in the low levels of food webs. The major differences in organochlorine levels between species were found for ortho-PCBs and DDTs. ortho-PCB levels were higher in the seedeater species, whereas DDT levels were higher in the omnivorous species. Heavy metal levels were far below those associated with negative effects.     

Towards a climate change adaptation strategy for coffee communities and ecosystems in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Mexico

The mountain chain of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas in southern Mexico is globally significant for its biodiversity and is one of the most important coffee production areas of Mexico. It provides water for several municipalities and its biosphere reserves are important tourist attractions. Much of the forest cover outside the core protected areas is in fact coffee grown under traditional forest shade. Unless this (agro)forest cover can be sustained, the biodiversity of the Sierra Madre and the environmental services it provides are at risk. We analyzed the threats to livelihoods and environment from climate change through crop suitability modeling based on downscaled climate scenarios for the period 2040 to 2069 (referred to as 2050s) and developed adaptation options through an expert workshop. Significant areas of forest and occasionally coffee are destroyed every year by wildfires, and this problem is bound to increase in a hotter and drier future climate. Widespread landslides and inundations, including on coffee farms, have recently been caused by hurricanes whose intensity is predicted to increase. A hotter climate with more irregular rainfall will be less favorable to the production of quality coffee and lower profitability may compel farmers to abandon shade coffee and expand other land uses of less biodiversity value, probably at the expense of forest. A comprehensive strategy to sustain the biodiversity, ecosystem services and livelihoods of the Sierra Madre in the face of climate change should include the promotion of biodiversity friendly coffee growing and processing practices including complex shade which can offer some hurricane protection and product diversification; payments for forest conservation and restoration from existing government programs complemented by private initiatives; diversification of income sources to mitigate risks associated with unstable environmental conditions and coffee markets; integrated fire management; development of markets that reward sustainable land use practices and forest conservation; crop insurance programs that are accessible to smallholders; and the strengthening of local capacity for adaptive resource management.     

A Power Law Model for River Flow Velocity in Iowa Basins

This study explores power law relationships to estimate water flow velocity as a function of discharge and drainage area across river networks. We test the model using empirical data from 214 United States (U.S.) Geological Survey gauging stations distributed over the state of Iowa in the U.S. The empirical data are the measurements of the mean cross‐sectional velocity and concurrent discharge. The data are used to estimate parameters for a state‐wide model and to test for spatial variability for 15 large river basins contained within the state. Spatial differences among the basins are small but some parameters significantly differ from the state‐wide model. Using individual station data, the authors also explore a simpler power law model that disregards dependence on the drainage area. Overall, the study shows that including drainage area improves the model. Our study provides parameter values that can be directly incorporated into a regional scale routing model, and provides a framework for developing flow velocity models for hydraulically similar rivers in the U.S. and the world.     

Cellular damage of plant pathogenic fungi by antifungal compounds produced by Bacillus spp. isolates

The use of microorganisms as biological control agents (BCAs) has become an effective alternative to chemical means of controlling plant pathogens. The antagonistic and inhibitory activity of 71 Bacillus spp. strains, which were isolated from different Mexican sites, were tested against several phytopathogen fungi, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium avenaceum, Bipolaris spp. and Alternaria spp. From the antagonism study, the strain ELI149 showed a marked inhibition of growth against all tested fungi; therefore crude metabolites from this strain were extracted using ethyl acetate and amberlite resin and probed against the same fungi as well as strains of Mucor sp., Penicillium spp. and Paecilomyces spp. The results indicated that amberlite was more suitable for extraction of secondary metabolites with antifungal activity. Finally, observation of cell damage in the tested pathogenic fungi showed marked morphological changes on reproductive structures in all tested fungi indicating that antibiosis was the mechanism of the antagonistic effect. These results suggest that metabolites from the Bacillus strains have a wide spectrum of antibiotic activities, which can be used as biocontrol agents for controlling fungal plant diseases of agricultural importance.     

Temporal changes in the trophic ecology of the asymbiotic gorgonian Leptogorgia virgulata

Gorgonians are widespread sub-littoral benthic suspension feeders in the world oceans. However, data on their trophic ecology and role in benthic–pelagic coupling and biogeochemical cycles remain limited. This study assesses the trophic ecology of Leptogorgia virgulata in the Skidaway River estuary, USA (31.9896N, 81.0242W) by analysing carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures of its soft tissue and different-sized fractions of particulate organic matter (POM) in its environment. Samples were taken in 5 April, 2 August, and 15 October 2012 and 11 January 2013. Results support a distinct temporal shift in the diet of L. virgulata from the POM fraction <10 µm (i.e. pico- and nanoplankton) to the 10–63-µm fraction (i.e. microplankton). This trophic regime is likely associated with the natural abundance of prey items within these size classes, thus suggesting that L. virgulata may be an opportunistic feeder, and seasonal shifts in food availability in the water column affect its diet. As such small prey items affect the bioenergetics of L. virgulata, it is important to understand the implications of changes in food availability associated with environmental drivers on the physiology and population dynamics of this dominant species in the western Atlantic Ocean.