Occurrence of killer whales in Scottish inshore waters: temporal and spatial patterns relative to the distribution of declining harbour seal populations

• 1. Sightings of killer whales around Shetland were recorded between 1991 and 2006 and for the whole of Scotland for 2007. The data were used to investigate temporal patterns in killer whale occurrence around Shetland and spatial patterns in occurrence around Scotland.
• 2. There was a strong seasonal peak in sightings around Shetland during June–July, coinciding with the harbour seal pupping season.
• 3. There was no clear trend in annual sightings around Shetland between 1991 and 2006.
• 4. Killer whales were sighted most frequently around Shetland and the Pentland Firth as well as around Mull and the Treshnish Isles.
• 5. These findings are discussed in terms of potential impacts upon local declining harbour seal populations and future research requirements.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

东海发现的贝氏喙鲸

本文首次报道了５０年代末,从舟山沿海捕获的１条贝氏喙鲸,并对其骨骼特征作了简要记述。     

Comparative anatomy of the ciliary body of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) and selected species

OBJECTIVE: To examine the anatomy of the ciliary body in the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), paying close attention to its vascularization and to compare to those of its distant relative, the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), the amphibious hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the aquatic short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). PROCEDURE: Specimens from each species were preserved in 10% buffered formalin, and observed stereomicroscopically before being embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained by Masson trichrome, hematoxylin and eosin, and periodic acid-Schiff for light microscopic evaluation. RESULTS: The network of blood vessels in the ciliary processes of the West Indian manatee appear to have an intricate pattern, especially with regard to venous outflow. Those of the elephant are slightly less complex, while those of the hippopotamus and whale have different vascular patterns within the ciliary body. Musculature within the ciliary body is absent within the manatee and pilot whale. CONCLUSIONS: In general, there appears to be a direct relationship between the increased development of vasculature and the loss of musculature within the ciliary bodies of the aquatic and amphibious mammals presently studied. Specifically, the ciliary body of the West Indian manatee has a comparatively unique construction, especially with regard to its vasculature.     

Areolae of the Placenta in the Antarctic Minke Whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis)

In this study, we examined the existence and structure of areolae and the steroidogenesis of areolar trophoblast cells in the Antarctic minke whale placenta morphologically and immunohistochemically. Placentas were collected from the 15th, 16th and 18th Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA) and 1st JARPA II organized by the Institute of Cetacean Research in Tokyo, Japan. The opening and cavity of fetal areolae formed by taller columnar trophoblast cells (areolar trophoblast cells) with long microvilli and a bright cytoplasm, as compared with the trophoblast cells of the chorionic villi interdigitating with the endometrial crypts, were recognized in observations of serial sections. The opening of the areolar cavity was hidden by chorionic villi with areolar trophoblast cells. Furthermore, a closed pouch-like structure lined by tall columnar cells similar to areolar trophoblast cells within the stroma of chorionic villi was noticed and continued to the areolar cavity, with the opening seen on serial sections. In a surface investigation of the chorion and endometrium by SEM, maternal (endometrial) areolae irregularly surrounded by endometrial folds were obvious. Moreover, we distinguished areolar trophoblast cells with long microvilli attached with many blebs from trophoblast cells. In our immunohistochemical observations, a steroidogenic enzyme, cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), was detected with strong immunoreactivity in trophoblast cells. However, areolar trophoblast cells showed weak or no immunoreactivity for P450scc.     

The value of conserving whales: the impacts of cetacean‐related tourism on the economy of rural West Scotland

• 1. During the tourist season of 2000, interview surveys were conducted with those involved in whale‐watching in West Scotland. The groups included in the study were boat operators (32), visitor‐centre managers (8), tourists on whale‐watching trips (324), general tourists to West Scotland (673) and local residents (189). The latter two groups were interviewed for comparison of responses of those engaged in whale‐watching against the views of the local community and tourists in general. From the data provided by these interviews, estimates for the economic value of this specialist sector of the Scottish tourism industry were calculated.
• 2. Extrapolating from the surveys, in the year 2000, an estimated total of approximately 242 000 tourists were involved in cetacean‐related tourism activities in West Scotland.
• 3. In 2000, 59 full‐time and one part‐time jobs were estimated to be created as the direct result of cetacean‐related tourism, with 38% of these positions being seasonal.
• 4. Cetacean‐related tourism was estimated to account for 2.5% of the total income from tourism in the region. In remote coastal areas, cetacean‐related tourism may account for as much as 12% of the area's total tourism income.
• 5. The direct economic income (i.e. expenditure on excursion tickets) from cetacean tourism activities was estimated to be £1.77 million per annum.
• 6. A 23% of surveyed whale watchers visited West Scotland specifically to go on whale‐watching trips. The associated expenditure (accommodation, travel, food, etc.) from tourists being brought to rural West Scotland solely due to the presence of whales represented £5.1 million in additional tourism income for the region.
• 7. In addition to the above tourists, 16% of surveyed whale watchers stayed in West Scotland an extra night as a result of going on a whale‐watching trip; thus generating a further £0.9 million of additional associated expenditure (extra accommodation, food, etc.).
• 8. The total gross income generated (directly and indirectly) by cetacean‐related tourism in rural West Scotland was estimated at £7.8 million.
• 9. In comparison with established whale‐watching industries (in countries such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand) the total expenditure by tourists on whale watching in West Scotland is low. However, cetacean tourism in West Scotland is still a relatively young industry and still developing.
• 10. The value of the non‐consumptive utilization of cetaceans (i.e. whale‐watching) to rural, coastal communities in West Scotland was three times greater than the value of the consumptive utilization of cetaceans (i.e. commercial whaling) for rural, coastal communities in Norway.
• 11. This study demonstrates that live cetaceans in Scotland can provide notable financial benefits and, therefore, their conservation has an economic value.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating potential infectious disease threats for southern resident killer whales, Orcinus orca: a model for endangered species

Infectious diseases have the potential to play a role in the decline of threatened wildlife populations, as well as negatively affect their long-term viability, but determining which infectious agents present risks can be difficult. The southern resident killer whale, Orcinus orca, population is endangered and little is known about infectious diseases in this species. Using available reference literature, we identified 15 infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) reported in free-ranging and captive killer whales, as well as 28 additional infectious agents reported in free-ranging and captive odontocete species sympatric to southern resident killer whales. Infectious agents were scored as having a high, medium, or low ability to affect fecundity or reproductive success, to cause disease in individual animals, and to cause epizootics. Marine Brucella spp., cetacean poxvirus, cetacean morbilliviruses, and herpesviruses were identified as high priority pathogens that warrant further study. Using identified pathogens to develop a standardized necropsy and disease testing protocol for southern resident killer whales and sympatric odontocetes will improve future efforts to better understand the impacts of priority and non-priority infectious agents on southern resident killer whales. This model can be used to evaluate potential infectious disease risks in other threatened wildlife populations.     

动态调整粒子群-霍尔特模型在径流预测中的应用

为了提高水库和河流中长期径流预测精度,针对粒子群算法存在的缺陷,提出了动态调整粒子群算法（DAPSO）。借助霍尔特-温特斯线性季节性模型的预测功能,应用DAPSO算法求解和优化霍尔特-温特斯线性季节性模型组合参数,形成动态调整粒子群-霍尔特-温特斯线性季节性模型组合算法,对石泉水库进行中长期径流预测。仿真计算表明,动态调整粒子群-霍尔特-温特斯线性季节性模型算法收敛速度快于霍尔特-温特斯线性季节性模型算法、粒子群-霍尔特-温特斯线性季节性模型算法。该组合算法克服了按梯度试算法搜索质量差和精度不高的缺点,输出稳定性好,预报精度显著提高,置信度为95%时的预测相对误差小于6%。该算法可应用于水库和河川中长期径流预测。     

巨型抹香鲸齿质层元素分析

采用质子激发荧光分析方法(PIXE),对采自广西琼州海峡的一头29龄雄性抹香鲸(Physetermacrocephalus)遗骸的下颌齿齿质层作了元素测定。结果表明,测得的10个元素与Ca的平均相对含量中,以P、Zn、Sr等3个元素最高,与Ca的含量相差不到2个量级;Fe、Mn、K、S的含量中等,与Ca相差约3个量级;Ni、V、Cu等含量最低,比Ca要小约4个量级。在上述元素中,抹香鲸齿质对水中Zn的富集程度最大,达3个量级;P、Mn、Ni、Fe等次之,为2个量级;V、Cu等仅有不足百倍的富集程度;而Sr、S、K等则要比在水中小1~4个量级。除了V,抹香鲸齿质对海产动物(干质量)的其他9种元素都没有富集作用。文章还对抹香鲸不同年轮层内元素含量的变化状况与人类牙齿以及渤海江豚骨组织的元素含量作了比较。     

Ecosystem consideration in conservation planning: energy demand of foraging bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) in a marine protected area

The Gully, a submarine canyon off eastern Canada, was nominated as a pilot Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 1998, largely to safeguard the vulnerable population of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) found there. The boundaries and ultimate management regime for the MPA for this area remain under review. We have estimated the energy consumption of bottlenose whales in the Gully based on the number of whales present at any time, their trophic level, the food requirements of each whale, and the rates of energy transfer between trophic levels. These calculations suggest that there must be a substantial spatial subsidy in the underlying foodweb of the submarine canyon to support the bottlenose whales using the Gully. A substantial area beyond the distribution of bottlenose whales in the area will therefore require protection. Conservation priorities to protect such subsidies will primarily involve additional protection at the level of the sea floor. Spatial subsidies are probably common in the marine environment, urging careful ecological analysis in the establishment of marine reserves and suggesting that conservation priorities need to take into account key ecological linkages and processes that are vital for sustaining species and habitats of concern.     

Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), seasonal abundance and distribution at Head of Bight,South Australia

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