Stability in reproductive timing and habitat usage of Chinook salmon across six years of varying environmental conditions and abundance

The spatial and temporal distribution of spawning activity by autumn‐run Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum) was examined across multiple years. The study period included two years of extreme drought conditions when water temperatures in the spawning reach of the Stanislaus River were considered sub‐optimal for spawning and egg incubation. Despite varying levels of superimposition, redd counts and densities remained stable and positively associated with river location, indicating that superimposition may be driven by habitat preference rather than the absence of suitable spawning locations. Spawning occurred slightly later during drought years (6–10 days later compared with wetter years). This delay was attributable to deferred migration instead of deferred spawning, and the majority of redds were constructed at water temperatures exceeding the optimal temperature range. As a consequence, estimates of juvenile production during 2014 and 2015 were among the lowest on record. These findings may be related in part to the high hatchery contribution to the population, above‐average temperatures during spawning and incubation, and superimposition rates. Management recommendations include adequate cold‐water storage in the upstream reservoir, refined spawning habitat restoration techniques in the light of superimposition rates and, on a broader system scale, actions that reduce the amount of stray hatchery Chinook salmon.     

The face of conservation responding to a dynamically changing world

In its 40‐year history, the science of conservation has faced unprecedented challenges in terms of environmental damage and rapid global change, and environmental problems are only increasing as greater demands are placed on limited natural resources. Conservation science has been adapting to keep pace with these changes. Here, we highlight contemporary and emerging trends and innovations in conservation science that we believe represent the most effective responses to biodiversity threats. We focus on specific areas where conservation science has had to adjust its approach to address emerging threats to biodiversity, including habitat destruction and degradation, climate change, declining populations and invasive species. We also document changes in attitudes, norms and practices among conservation scientists. A key component to success is engaging and maintaining public support for conservation, which can be facilitated through the use of technology. These recent trends in conservation and management are innovative and will assist in optimizing conservation strategies, increasing our leverage with the general public and tackling our current environmental challenges.     

Biological performance of a formulation containing water-dispersible copper naphthenate and sodium fluoride against decay fungi

ABSTRACT

Two formulations of wood preservative one containing water-dispersible copper naphthenate (CuN) alone and in combination with sodium fluoride (NaF) were used to treat southern pine sapwood blocks to determine the effect of the addition of sodium fluoride in the QNS on the protection against wood decay fungi using laboratory soil block tests following AWPA (American Wood protection Association) standard E10-16 [American Wood Protection Association AWPA-E10. (2016 American Wood Protection Association. (2016) Standard E10-16 Laboratory Method for Evaluating the Decay Resistance of Wood-Based Materials Against Pure Basidiomycete Cultures: Soil/Block Test. [Google Scholar]) Laboratory Method for Evaluating the Decay Resistance of Wood-based Materials Against Pure Basidiomycete Cultures: Soil/Block Test]. The standard consists in exposing treated blocks to pure monoculture of white rot (Irpex lacteus (FP-105915) and Trametes versicolor (R-105)) and brown rot fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum (Madison 617) and Postia placenta (Madison 698) during a specific period. The weight loss (WL) in percentage of treated blocks was used as an indicator of the biological performance of treated blocks against basidiomycetes at specific retentions. Minimum WL was obtained with blocks treated with the formulation containing mixture of QNS and sodium fluoride with the retention of 0.29?kg/m³ Cu and 0.51?kg/m³ of fluorine in treated blocks. A copper retention of 1.65?kg/m³ from blocks treated with formulations containing only QNS was needed to obtain similar WL to blocks containing blocks Cu++ and F? (fluorine). The lower Cu retention is attributed to a combination of the presence of the fluorine with some toxic activities against bacteria and decay and the interaction of anions fluorine and ionic Cu (II) in the aqueous treating solutions to form more soluble biological toxic hydrate of copper fluoride ((H₂O Cu (II) F2) in treated blocks compared to copper complexes less biological available in water-dispersible CuN-treated bocks.     

Investigation of Interspecies Interactions within Marine Micromonosporaceae Using an Improved Co-Culture Approach

With respect to bacterial natural products, a significant outcome of the genomic era was that the biosynthetic potential in many microorganisms surpassed the number of compounds isolated under standard laboratory growth conditions, particularly among certain members in the phylum Actinobacteria. Our group, as well as others, investigated interspecies interactions, via co-culture, as a technique to coax bacteria to produce novel natural products. While co-culture provides new opportunities, challenges exist and questions surrounding these methods remain unanswered. In marine bacteria, for example, how prevalent are interspecies interactions and how commonly do interactions result in novel natural products? In an attempt to begin to answer basic questions surrounding co-culture of marine microorganisms, we have tested both antibiotic activity-based and LC/MS-based methods to evaluate Micromonosporaceae secondary metabolite production in co-culture. Overall, our investigation of 65 Micromonosporaceae led to the identification of 12 Micromonosporaceae across three genera that produced unique metabolites in co-culture. Our results suggest that interspecies interactions were prevalent between marine Micromonosporaceae and marine mycolic acid-containing bacteria. Furthermore, our approach highlights a sensitive and rapid method for investigating interspecies interactions in search of novel antibiotics, secondary metabolites, and genes.     

Unravelling the impacts of disturbance type and regeneration on movement of threatened species

Landscape Ecology - Anthropogenic disturbance alters animal movements. Large mammals require vast areas to meet their needs, and they encounter anthropogenic disturbances frequently during daily...     

Identification of fonofos metabolites in Latuca sativa, Beta vulgaris, and Triticum aestivum by packed capillary flow fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry

The metabolism of fonofos, a thiophosphonate insecticide, was investigated in mature lettuce (Latuca sativa), beet (Beta vulgaris), and wheat (Triticum aestivum). Six new metabolites were identified by LC-MS and LC-MS-MS analysis using fast atom bombardment (FAB) and packed capillary LC columns with application of the on-column focusing technique. These methods provided the sensitivity required to identify unknown metabolites that were present in the mature plants at only 20-230 ppb. Structural elucidation was facilitated by use of fonofos labeled with both carbon-14 and carbon-13 in the phenyl ring. In all three plants fonofos was converted to a glucose conjugate of thiophenoxylactic acid. Oxidation of the glucose conjugate gave isomeric sulfoxides in all species examined. Thiophenoxylactic acid was found esterified to malonic acid in lettuce. In beets, S-phenylcysteine was found as its malonic acid amide. A second metabolite unique to beets was N-(malonyl)-[2[(ethoxyethylphosphinothionyl)oxy]phenyl]cysteine. This novel structure was confirmed by synthesis.     

Use of the pisces database: Power plant aqueous stream compositions

The Power Plant Integrated Systems: Chemical Emissions Studies (PISCES) Database sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute is a powerful tool for evaluating and comparing the level of trace substances in power plant process streams. In this paper, data are presented on the level of several selected trace metals found in a few of the aqueous streams present in power plants. In addition, a brief discussion of other features of the Database is presented.     

Illegal and unreported fishing on abalone—Quantifying the extent using a fully integrated assessment model

Illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing is a major problem in many of the world's fisheries. The stocks most severely impacted centre on those characterised by high economic value, such as abalone, as well as long lived and slow growing species such as Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides). Effective management of these stocks as well as assessment of the impacts of IUU fishing on the resources is impeded by the technical difficulties associated with determining the magnitude of the IUU catches. The South African abalone Haliotis midae fishery rates as an extreme example of extraordinarily high levels of illegal and unreported (IU) catch. To assess the level and trends in IU catches, we used a combination of approaches that included collation of confiscation records from law enforcement, development of a novel index (the confiscations per unit policing effort—CPUPE), estimation of illegal catches using a spatial and age-structured assessment model, and cross-checking of model outputs through comparison with trade data on abalone imports in destination countries. The model-predicted 2008 IU estimate was 860 tonnes, more than 10 times the total allowable catch (TAC) for that year, and implied that, on average, 14% of all IU catches are confiscated. Associated management responses included the listing of H. midae on Appendix III of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), and a temporary closure of the commercial fishery. We summarise both technical and management lessons to be learnt from this integrated approach to assess and verify the magnitude of IU fishing.     

Grasping primate origins

The evolutionary history that led to Eocene-and-later primates of modern aspect (Euprimates) has been uncertain. We describe a skeleton of Paleocene plesiadapiform Carpolestes simpsoni that includes most of the skull and many postcranial bones. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Carpolestidae are closely related to Euprimates. C. simpsoni had long fingers and an opposable hallux with a nail. It lacked orbital convergence and an ankle specialized for leaping. We infer that the ancestor of Euprimates was primitively an arboreal grasper adapted for terminal branch feeding rather than a specialized leaper or visually directed predator.