Age and growth in wild Kemp''s ridley seaturtles Lepidochelys kempii from skeletochronological data

Skeletochronological analysis provides age estimates, not actual ages, for seaturtles. Unlike age and growth data from captive and headstart turtles, these estimates predict the actual patterns of age and growth in free-living turtles. A moderate-sized sample of 69 Lepidochelys kempii, salvaged from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the USA, had straight-line carapace lengths (SCL) of 188–720 mm and age-estimates of 2–15 years. The von Bertalanffy growth model provides the best fit for the age-estimate and size data and predicts maturity between 11 and 16 years, depending upon the body size selected to represent sexual maturity. The logistic growth model suggests later maturity of 13–19 years. Comparison of the Atlantic and Gulf components of the sample suggests a faster growth rate for ridleys in the Gulf of Mexico, although the sizes of the subsamples are too small for this interpretation to be reliable without additional data. Our age and growth estimates indicate that some members of the early cohorts of headstart ridleys are mature and may have nested already.     

Increased crop yields following application of Bacillus penetrans to field plots infested with Meloidogyne incognita

We found Bacillus penetrans to be pathogenic to Meloidogyne incognita under field conditions. B. penetrans was added to the soil of field plots into which tobacco, soybeans or winter vetch were planted in sequence during 1981 and 1982. Tobacco and winter vetch (1981 and 1982) and soybeans in 1982 showed trends of increasing yields with decreasing pathogenicity of M. incognita. There was insufficient evidence to enable one to declare a similar trend for soybeans in 1981. B. penetrans reduced yield losses caused by M. incognita 23% for tobacco 1981, 38% for winter vetch 1981, 24% for tobacco 1982, 35% for soybeans 1982 and 55% for winter vetch 1982.     

Orangutan movement and population dynamics across human-modified landscapes: implications of policy and management

Landscape Ecology - Agricultural expansion is a leading cause of deforestation and habitat fragmentation globally. Policies that support biodiversity and facilitate species movement across farmland...     

In vitro efficacy and pharmacodynamic profiles of four polyether ionophores against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp.

The objective of this study was to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and pharmacodynamic profiles of four ionophores (lasalocid, monensin, narasin and salinomycin) against staphylococcal isolates from clinical cases of human and veterinary staphylococcal infections, and to determine the effect of methicillin resistance on the antimicrobial activity of ionophores. Broth microdilution MIC testing was used to determine antimicrobial activity against 156 staphylococcal isolates of human and veterinary origin. Pharmacodynamic profiles were examined using time-kill kinetics profiles against an ATCC type strain of Staphylococcus aureus and a clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. All tests were performed in accordance with CLSI guidelines. All four ionophores demonstrated antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant staphylococci at concentrations similar to those observed for methicillin-susceptible isolates of the same species. Testing of human and veterinary MRSA isolates also showed that MIC values were not influenced by the host origin of the isolates. Pharmacodynamic profiles were similar for both isolates tested across all four ionophores, with similar reductions in viable cell counts being observed over an 18- to 24-hr period. Lasalocid, monensin, narasin and salinomycin all demonstrated antimicrobial activity against staphylococcal isolates of human and veterinary origins, with activity being unaffected by methicillin resistance status, although some Staphylococcus species-specific effects were observed that require further investigation.     

Evaluation of Weaning Strategies for Intensively Reared Australian Freshwater Fish, Murray Cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii

The Australian Murray cod supports a growing national industry. However, with regard to the process of weaning fry, there is a lack of information and optimal procedures need to be developed. The aim of the present investigation was to test the biological and economic efficacy of different weaning strategies for Murray cod. Three weaning strategies were tested on triplicate groups of fish: (1) only Artemia for 5 d, 7 d on Artemia plus starter diet, and 14 d on dry diet only; (2) 12 d on Artemia plus starter diet and 14 d on dry diet only; and (3) directly to dry diet for the entire experimental period. No significant differences were recorded in the growth and feed efficiency, while significantly higher mortality (38.4 ± 0.35%) was recorded in fish weaned directly onto dry diet. Fish subjected to the first 5 d on Artemia only showed a growth reduction during this period, which was compensated by a phase of enhanced growth during the dry‐diet phase. No significant differences were noted in the proximate composition of fish under the different treatments. The economic evaluation suggested that the treatment with the simultaneous supply of Artemia and starter diet is preferable.     

Redeveloped docks as artificial lagoons: The development of brackish-water communities and potential for conservation of lagoonal species

• 1 The use of redeveloped docks for the conservation of lagoonal communities is considered with particular reference to the South Docks in Liverpool.
• 2 Redevelopment of the previously derelict South Docks since 1981 has created a semi-enclosed, brackish body of water by dredging of dock basins that were filled with silt. The development of biological communities on the walls and in the sediments of these docks has been studied.
• 3 A reasonably diverse flora and fauna was established on the walls within approximately six years, but a persistent sediment-dwelling community has not yet developed.
• 4 Over 90 species of macroflora and macrofauna have been recorded from the South Docks to date. Three of these species are considered to be lagoonal specialists.
• 5 Considerations for the management of docks as a resource in the conservation of lagoonal communities are discussed.