Ontogenetic diet shifts of age-0 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède) in the New River, West Virginia, USA

Larval and juvenile smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède; 8.5–85.0 mm total length (TL)) were collected from 2 sites in the New River, West Virginia, in the late spring and early summer to document diet shifts during early ontogeny. The first foods of smallmouth bass (TL = 9 mm) were primarily Chironomidae and microcrustaceans (primarily Copepoda). Other aquatic insects, primarily Ephemeroptera, became more abundant in the stomachs as TL increased. A shift in the proportions and types of prey consumed began at approximately 15 mm TL and was primarily attributed to fin development and increased mouth size. Foraging success, measured by number of prey per stomach, stomach fullness, and average prey volume was lower for first-feeding smallmouth bass than for later life stages. Mouth width appeared to restrict the size of prey consumed by larval smallmouth bass, but the maximum prey width never approached the mouth width for fish longer than 35 mm TL.     

Grasses and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neotyphodium</Emphasis> endophytes: co-adaptation and adaptive breeding

Neotyphodium endophytes profoundly affect the biology of their host grasses, including the important forage species perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and meadow fescue. The endophytic association is finely balanced, involving adaptation in each associate. The evidence for co-adaptation is discussed. The presence of endophyte, and the difference between endophyte strains, can affect some plant properties more than genetic variation intrinsic to the host. Conversely, host genotype exerts significant influence on the activity of the endophyte. Control of endophyte status is essential in any grass breeding programme, and developing knowledge of endophyte and its role in a herbage association offers new opportunities to grass breeders.     

The structure of the upper atmosphere of mars: In situ accelerometer measurements from mars global surveyor

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) z-axis accelerometer has obtained over 200 vertical structures of thermospheric density, temperature, and pressure, ranging from 110 to 170 kilometers, compared to only three previous such vertical structures. In November 1997, a regional dust storm in the Southern Hemisphere triggered an unexpectedly large thermospheric response at mid-northern latitudes, increasing the altitude of thermospheric pressure surfaces there by as much as 8 kilometers and indicating a strong global thermospheric response to a regional dust storm. Throughout the MGS mission, thermospheric density bulges have been detected on opposite sides of the planet near 90 degreesE and 90 degreesW, in the vicinity of maximum terrain heights. This wave 2 pattern may be caused by topographically-forced planetary waves propagating up from the lower atmosphere.     

Tiger,Bengal and Domestic Cat Embryos Produced by Homospecific and Interspecific Zona‐Free Nuclear Transfer

The aim of this study was to evaluate three different cloning strategies in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris) and to use the most efficient to generate wild felid embryos by interspecific cloning (iSCNT) using Bengal (a hybrid formed by the cross of Felis silvestris and Prionailurus bengalensis) and tiger (Panthera tigris) donor cells. In experiment 1, zona‐free (ZP‐free) cloning resulted in higher fusion and expanded blastocyst rates with respect to zona included cloning techniques that involved fusion or injection of the donor cell. In experiment 2, ZP‐free iSCNT and embryo aggregation (2X) were assessed. Division velocity and blastocyst rates were increased by embryo aggregation in the three species. Despite fewer tiger embryos than Bengal and cat embryos reached the blastocyst stage, Tiger 2X group increased the percentage of blastocysts with respect to Tiger 1X group (3.2% vs 12.1%, respectively). Moreover, blastocyst cell number was almost duplicated in aggregated embryos with respect to non‐aggregated ones within Bengal and tiger groups (278.3 ± 61.9 vs 516.8 ± 103.6 for Bengal 1X and Bengal 2X groups, respectively; 41 vs 220 ± 60 for Tiger 1X and Tiger 2X groups, respectively). OCT4 analysis also revealed that tiger blastocysts had higher proportion of OCT4‐positive cells with respect to Bengal blastocysts and cat intracytoplasmic sperm injection blastocysts. In conclusion, ZP‐free cloning has improved the quality of cat embryos with respect to the other cloning techniques evaluated and was successfully applied in iSCNT complemented with embryo aggregation.     

Principles for Sustainable Governance of the Oceans

Pressures being exerted on the ocean ecosystems through overfishing, pollution, and environmental and climate change are increasing. Six core principles are proposed to guide governance and use of ocean resources and to promote sustainability. Examples of governance structures that embody these principles are given.