Impact of shark-feeding tourism on surrounding fish populations off Moorea Island (French Polynesia)

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Vignon ◽  
Pierre Sasal ◽  
Ryan L. Johnson ◽  
René Galzin
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Host Species ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Target Fish ◽  
Parasitological Survey ◽  
Moorea Island ◽  
First Time

Shark feeding is widespread throughout tropical, subtropical and temperate marine ecosystems and gives rise to controversy because there is little consensus regarding its management. There are few comprehensive reports that consider how shark feeding with bait might impact local fishes, despite the development of this practice during the last few decades. Although shark feeding might theoretically have parasitological effects on local non-target fish species in the vicinity of feeding areas, this aspect has never been investigated. During an extensive parasitological survey conducted between 2005 and 2007, a total of 1117 fish belonging to six common grouper and snapper species were sampled throughout the entire north coast of Moorea Island (French Polynesia), encompassing three localities where feeding has occurred frequently since the 1990s. Parasites exhibited no spatial patterns except for the infections on the blacktip grouper (Epinephelus fasciatus). On this species, the prevalence of larval cestodes that parasitise sharks as adults and the intensity of their infestation were significantly higher around shark-feeding localities compared with non-shark-feeding localities. Our results suggest for the first time that although long-term shark feeding has parasitological implications, the impacts appear limited, only involve cestode larvae from one host species and do not seem to affect the health of the fish we studied.

scholarly journals Snapshot recordings provide a first description of the acoustic signatures of deeper habitats adjacent to coral reefs of Moorea

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e4019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Bertucci ◽  
Eric Parmentier ◽  
Cécile Berthe ◽  
Marc Besson ◽  
Anthony D. Hawkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
French Polynesia ◽  
Attractive Potential ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Sound Sources ◽  
Outer Reef ◽  
Acoustic Signatures ◽  
The North ◽  
Sound Levels ◽  
Barrier Reefs ◽  
Moorea Island

Acoustic recording has been recognized as a valuable tool for non-intrusive monitoring of the marine environment, complementing traditional visual surveys. Acoustic surveys conducted on coral ecosystems have so far been restricted to barrier reefs and to shallow depths (10–30 m). Since they may provide refuge for coral reef organisms, the monitoring of outer reef slopes and describing of the soundscapes of deeper environment could provide insights into the characteristics of different biotopes of coral ecosystems. In this study, the acoustic features of four different habitats, with different topographies and substrates, located at different depths from 10 to 100 m, were recorded during day-time on the outer reef slope of the north Coast of Moorea Island (French Polynesia). Barrier reefs appeared to be the noisiest habitats whereas the average sound levels at other habitats decreased with their distance from the reef and with increasing depth. However, sound levels were higher than expected by propagation models, supporting that these habitats possess their own sound sources. While reef sounds are known to attract marine larvae, sounds from deeper habitats may then also have a non-negligible attractive potential, coming into play before the reef itself.

scholarly journals How many fish could be vocal? An estimation from a coral reef (Moorea Island)

2021 ◽  
Vol 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Parmentier ◽  
Frédéric Bertucci ◽  
Marta Bolgan ◽  
David Lecchini
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Successful Management ◽  
Acoustic Behaviour ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Moorea Island

A recurrent question arising in fish bioacoustics research concerns the number of vocal fish species that may exist. Although it is not possible to provide a precise globally valid number, an estimation based on recordings already collected at coral reefs (Moorea) and on morphological approaches indicates that approximately half of the fish families of this particular environment has at least one known sound-producing species. In light of this, acoustic behaviour should be fully considered in biology, ecology and management plans as it may provide information on a consistent portion of fish biodiversity. Fish bioacoustics has switched from anecdotal reports to long-term, large-scale monitoring studies, capable of providing high resolution information on fish populations’ composition and dynamics. This information is vital for successful management plans in our quickly changing seas.

scholarly journals Long term relationship between farming damselfish, predators, competitors and benthic habitat on coral reefs of Moorea Island

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Feeney ◽  
Frédéric Bertucci ◽  
Emma Gairin ◽  
Gilles Siu ◽  
Viliame Waqalevu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Benthic Habitat ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Moorea Island ◽  
Term Monitoring ◽  
Dusky Damselfish

AbstractUnderstanding the processes that shape biodiversity is essential for effective environmental management. Across the world’s coral reefs, algal farming damselfish (Stegastes sp.) modify the surrounding benthic community through their creation of algae “farms”. Using a long-term monitoring dataset (2005–2019) from Moorea Island, French Polynesia, we investigated whether the density of dusky damselfish (Stegastes nigricans) is associated with benthic habitat composition, the density of predators and/or competitors, and whether the survey area was inside or outside of a Marine Protected Area (MPA). We found no evidence that benthic cover or number of competitors were associated with dusky damselfish densities, both inside and outside MPAs. In contrast, fluctuations in dusky damselfish densities were negatively associated with the density of predators (e.g. Serranidae, Muraenidae and Scorpaenidae) in the preceding year in non-MPA areas, and both within and outside of MPAs when predator densities were high (2005–2010). These results suggest that healthy predator populations may be important for regulating the abundances of keystone species, such as algal farming damselfish, especially when predator densities are high.

First record of the superfamily Proctotrupoidea from French Polynesia (Hymenoptera)

2020 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-406
Author(s):  
Thibault Ramage
Keyword(s):  
First Record ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Society Islands ◽  
First Time

A Helorid wasp, Helorus ruficornis Förster, 1856, is reported for the first time on Tahiti (Society Islands), which is also the first record of both Proctotrupoidea and family Heloridae in French Polynesia. The potential hosts of Helorus ruficornis in French Polynesia are discussed.

Somatic Embryogenesis and In vitro Plant Regeneration in Vigna trilobata (L.) Verd. - A Potential Pasture Legume

1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
K. Choudhary ◽  
M. Singh ◽  
M. S. Rathore ◽  
N. S. Shekhawat
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Embryogenesis ◽  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Somatic Embryos ◽  
Basal Medium ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Continuous Application ◽  
First Time ◽  
Pasture Legume

This long term study demonstrates for the first time that it is possible to propagate embryogenic Vigna trilobata and to subsequently initiate the differentiation of embryos into complete plantlets. Initiation of callus was possible on 2,4-D. Somatic embryos differentiated on modified MS basal nutrient medium with 1.0 mg/l  of 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l  of Kn. Sustained cell division resulted in globular and heart shape stages of somatic embryos. Transfer of embryos on to a fresh modified MS basal medium with 0.5 mg/l of Kn and 0.5 mg/l of GA3 helped them to attain maturation and germination. However, the propagation of cells, as well as the differentiation of embryos, were inhibited by a continuous application of these growth regulators. For this reason, a long period on medium lacking these growth regulators was necessary before the differentiation of embryos occurred again. The consequences for improving the propagation of embryogenic cultures in Vigna species are discussed. Key words: Pasture  legume, Vigna trilobata, Globular, Heart shape, somatic embryogenesis D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.4990 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 89-99, 2009 (June)

An Evaluation of Provincial Macroeconomic Performance in Vietnam

2017 ◽  
pp. 34-47
Author(s):  
Hoi Le Quoc ◽  
Nam Pham Xuan ◽  
Tuan Nguyen Anh
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Institutional Transformation ◽  
Economic Indicators ◽  
Macroeconomic Performance ◽  
Economic Development Strategy ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Development Objectives ◽  
First Time

The study was targeted at developing a methodology for constructing a macroeconomic performance index at a provincial level for the first time in Vietnam based on 4 groups of measurements: (i) Economic indicators; (ii) oriented economic indicators; (iii) socio-economic indicators; and (iv) economic - social – institutional indicators. Applying the methodology to the 2011 - 2015 empirical data of all provinces in Vietnam, the research shows that the socio-economic development strategy implemented by those provinces did not provide balanced outcomes between growth and social objectives, sustainability and inclusiveness. Many provinces focused on economic growth at the cost of structural change, equality and institutional transformation. In contrast, many provinces were successful in improving equality but not growth. Those facts threaten the long-term development objectives of the provinces.

NEW VARIETIES OF CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRY BREEDING PLANTS

1970 ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
O. D. Golyaeva ◽  
O. V. Kurashev ◽  
S. D. Knyazev ◽  
А. Yu. Bakhotskaya
Keyword(s):  
Powdery Mildew ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Black Currant ◽  
Leaf Spots ◽  
Agricultural Sciences ◽  
Berry Crops ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
First Time ◽  
Red Currant

The main goal of the scientific institution was and remains to improve the assortment of fruit and berry crops for the development of domestic horticulture. Black currant breeding at VNIISPK was started by A.F Tamarova and continued by the doctor of agricultural Sciences T.P.Ogoltsova and doctor of agricultural Sciences S.D. Knyazev. A long-term breeding program has been developed. The main goals of the program are to create black currant cultivars with continuous resistance to diseases, first of all powdery mildew, as wells resistance to pests, i.e. bud mite. As a result of the long-term work, over 40 black currant cultivars have been developed, 14 of them are zoned. Red currant breeding was led by the candidate of agricultural Sciences L.V. Bayanova; since 2001 the work has been continued by the candidate of agricultural Sciences O.D. Golyaeva. ‘Heinemanns Rote Spӓtlese’, the descendant of R. multiflorum Kit., was involved in the red currant breeding for the first time in Russia. On its genetic basis, a series of late maturing cultivars with long and dense racemes was created. At the Institute, in total 21cultivars of red currants have been developed, 13 of them are zoned. At present, red currant cultivars make up 25.5% of the zoned assortment in Russia. The first research on gooseberries was stated by V.P. Semakin and A.F Tamarova; since 1992 the systematic gooseberry breeding has been carried out by the candidate of agricultural Sciences O.V. Kurashev. On the basis of Grossularia robusta, we have created gooseberry forms that are resistant to powdery mildew and leaf spots. These forms are highly productive, weakly thorned, having bush habit suitable for mechanized harvest. The result of breeding activities was the transfer of 6 gooseberry cultivars to State agricultural testing: ‘Solnechny Zaychik’, ‘Nekrasovsky’, ‘Yupiter’, ‘Zemlianichny’, ‘Moryachok’ and ‘Discovery’.

scholarly journals Structure-Properties Correlation of Cross-Linked Penicillin G Acylase Crystals

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
Marta Kubiak ◽  
Janine Mayer ◽  
Ingo Kampen ◽  
Carsten Schilde ◽  
Rebekka Biedendieck
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Bacillus Species ◽  
Diffusion Limitations ◽  
Small Water ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
First Time

In biocatalytic processes, the use of free enzymes is often limited due to the lack of long-term stability and reusability. To counteract this, enzymes can be crystallized and then immobilized, generating cross-linked enzyme crystals (CLECs). As mechanical stability and activity of CLECs are crucial, different penicillin G acylases (PGAs) from Gram-positive organisms have proven to be promising candidates for industrial production of new semisynthetic antibiotics, which can be crystallized and cross-linked to characterize the resulting CLECs regarding their mechanical and catalytic properties. The greatest hardness and Young’s modulus determined by indentation with an atomic force microscope were observed for CLECs of Bacillus species FJAT-PGA CLECs (26 MPa/1450 MPa), followed by BmPGA (Priestia megaterium PGA, 23 MPa/1170 MPa) and BtPGA CLECs (Bacillus thermotolerans PGA, 11 MPa/614 MPa). In addition, FJAT- and BtPGA CLECs showed up to 20-fold higher volumetric activities compared to BmPGA CLECs. Correlation to structural characteristics indicated that a high solvent content and low number of cross-linking residues might lead to reduced stability. Furthermore, activity seems to be restricted by small water channels due to severe diffusion limitations. To the best of our knowledge, we show for the first time in this study that the entire process chain for the characterization of diverse industrially relevant enzymes can be performed at the microliter scale to discover the most important relationships and limitations.

scholarly journals Exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol during rat pregnancy leads to impaired cardiac dysfunction in postnatal life

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendrick Lee ◽  
Steven R. Laviolette ◽  
Daniel B. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Cardiac Remodelling ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
First Time ◽  
Impaired Cardiac Function ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Background Cannabis use in pregnancy leads to fetal growth restriction (FGR), but the long-term effects on cardiac function in the offspring are unknown, despite the fact that fetal growth deficits are associated with an increased risk of developing postnatal cardiovascular disease. We hypothesize that maternal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) during pregnancy will impair fetal development, leading to cardiac dysfunction in the offspring. Methods Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly selected and administered 3 mg/kg of Δ9-THC or saline as a vehicle daily via intraperitoneal injection from gestational days 6 to 22, followed by echocardiogram analysis of cardiac function on offspring at postnatal days 1 and 21. Heart tissue was harvested from the offspring at 3 weeks for molecular analysis of cardiac remodelling. Results Exposure to Δ9-THC during pregnancy led to FGR with a significant decrease in heart-to-body weight ratios at birth. By 3 weeks, pups exhibited catch-up growth associated with significantly greater left ventricle anterior wall thickness with a decrease in cardiac output. Moreover, these Δ9-THC-exposed offsprings exhibited increased expression of collagen I and III, decreased matrix metallopeptidase-2 expression, and increased inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β, all associated with cardiac remodelling. Conclusions Collectively, these data suggest that Δ9-THC-exposed FGR offspring undergo postnatal catch-up growth concomitant with cardiac remodelling and impaired cardiac function early in life. Impact To date, the long-term effects of perinatal Δ9-THC (the main psychoactive component) exposure on the cardiac function in the offspring remain unknown. We demonstrated, for the first time, that exposure to Δ9-THC alone during rat pregnancy results in significantly smaller hearts relative to body weight. These Δ9-THC-exposed offsprings exhibited postnatal catch-up growth concomitant with cardiac remodelling and impaired cardiac function. Given the increased popularity of cannabis use in pregnancy along with rising Δ9-THC concentrations, this study, for the first time, identifies the risk of perinatal Δ9-THC exposure on early postnatal cardiovascular health.

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