scholarly journals Comparative demography of commercially-harvested snappers and an emperor from American Samoa

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett M. Taylor ◽  
Zack S. Oyafuso ◽  
Cassandra B. Pardee ◽  
Domingo Ochavillo ◽  
Stephen J. Newman

The age-based life history of two commercially-important species of snapper (Lutjanidae) and one emperor (Lethrinidae) were characterized from the nearshore fishery of Tutuila, American Samoa. Examination of sagittal otoliths across multiple months and years confirmed the annual deposition of increments and highlighted marked variation in life-history patterns among the three meso-predator species. The humpback red snapper Lutjanus gibbus is a medium-bodied gonochoristic species which exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in length-at-age and consequent growth trajectories and has a life span estimated to be at least 27 years. The yellow-lined snapper Lutjanus rufolineatus is a small-bodied gonochore with weak sexual dimorphism, early maturation, and a short life span of at least 12 years. The yellow-lip emperor Lethrinus xanthochilus is a large-bodied species with a moderate life span (estimated to be at least 19 years in this study), rapid initial growth, and a more complex sexual ontogeny likely involving pre- or post-maturational sex change, although this remains unresolved at present. Ratios of natural to fishing mortality indicate a low level of prevailing exploitation for all three species, which is supported by low proportions of immature female length classes captured by the fishery. However, considerable demographic variability among the three species highlights the value of detailed age-based information as a necessary component for informing monitoring efforts and future management decisions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 1043-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annamária Fenesi ◽  
Dorottya Sándor ◽  
Petr Pyšek ◽  
Wayne Dawson ◽  
Eszter Ruprecht ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims Fruit heteromorphism is considered to be a bet-hedging strategy to cope with spatially or temporally heterogeneous environments. The different behaviours of the fruit morphs of the same species might also be beneficial during naturalization, once the species has been introduced to a new range. Yet, no study to date has tested the association between fruit heteromorphism and global-scale naturalization success for a large set of plant species. Methods We compiled two large datasets on fruit heteromorphism in Asteraceae. One dataset was on native species in Central Europe (n = 321) and the other was on species frequently planted as ornamentals (n = 584). Using phylogenetic linear and logistic regressions, we tested whether heteromorphic species are more likely to naturalize outside their native range, and in more regions of the world than monomorphic species. We also tested whether the effect of heteromorphism is modulated by life history and height of the species. Key Results We show that heteromorphic species were more likely to naturalize outside their native range. However, among the naturalized species, heteromorphic and monomorphic species did not differ in the number of world regions where they became naturalized. A short life span and tall stature both promoted naturalization success and, when life history and height were included in the models, the effect of fruit heteromorphism on the ability to naturalize became non-significant. Nevertheless, among tall plants, heteromorphic ornamental species were significantly more likely to become naturalized in general and in more regions than monomorphic species. Conclusions Our results provide evidence that in Asteraceae the production of heteromorphic fruits is associated with naturalization success. It appears, however, that not fruit heteromorphism per se, but a successful combination of other biological traits in fruit heteromorphic species, namely short life span and tall stature, contributes to their naturalization success.



Author(s):  
R. H. Emson ◽  
R. G. Crump

This paper describes a new asterinid starfish found first in southern Britain, but now also known from the Mediterranean and the Adriatic. Detailed comparison is made between the new species and the closely related Asterina gibbosa in terms of morphology, reproductive biology and life-history. The new species is adapted for life on the upper parts of rocks and on perennial algae in intertidal rock pools; it is small in size, matures early, lays large eggs, broods its young and has a short life span.



2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-24
Author(s):  
V. N. Fursov ◽  
L. S. Cherney

Darkling beetle Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) is recorded here for the first time as a new species for the fauna of Ukraine. Detailed study on morphology of preimaginal stages and biology of this species recently introduced to Ukraine, is given here. Zophobas atratus is an important species being easily reared in laboratory cultures and widely distributed in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Detailed descriptions of all life stages, including egg, young and older larvae, pupa and adult of Z. atratus are required for further taxonomical study of the genus Zophobas, which isn’t yet definitively established. New identification keys for adults and larvae of the genera of tribe Tenebrionini are presented here, based on a comparative analysis of the taxonomic characters of adults and larvae of Z. atratus and species from the genera Tenebrio and Neatus. Comparative analysis of morphology of larva of Z. atratus and larvae of the tribe Cteniopodini of close subfamily Alleculinae was conducted here. The subfamily Alleculinae previously had the rank of family Alleculidae, but our analysis confirmed the reliability of its current taxonomic position as subfamily. The study of morphology of larvae of 1st and 2nd instars of Z. atratus revealed that they are characterized by special taxonomic structures that are not characteristic for oldest instars of larvae of Z. atratus. These characters include absence of spines on caudal segment, presence of a set of 4 setae at posterior margin of tergites of prothorax, metathorax, and 1st to 8th abdominal segments, strongly convex 2nd antennal segment and sensory zone in the form of an open ring on its apex, and etc. Moreover, structure of antenna of larvae of Z. atratus is similar to that of oldest larvae of most species of darkling beetles of the fauna of Ukraine. The most distinctive features of Z. atratus are: sexual dimorphism in structure of clypeus of adults; filiform sclerotized antenna of larva with a continuous sensory zone at apex of 2nd segment, weakly developed 3rd segment; fusion of sclerotized pleurites of 1st–8th abdominal segments with their tergites; sexual dimorphism in structure of 9th abdominal segment of pupa, and presence of two hooks on apex of its appendages. The data of original study of features of life cycle of Z. atratus are given. The pictures and photos of details of morphology of egg, larvae, pupa and adult of Z. atratus are presented. It was recored that life cycle of Z. atratus from laying of egg to the emergence of adult continues from 169 up to 181 days. Adults lived maximum up to 206 days. Maturation of eggs in female after copulation continues 10-11 days. Stage of egg continues 7 days, larva – up to 151 days, including pre-pupal period from 6 to 22 days, pupa – from 8 to 21 days. Twelve larval stages of Z. atratus were recorded in laboratory culture.



Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 157 (4) ◽  
pp. 1531-1542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitch McVey ◽  
Matt Kaeberlein ◽  
Heidi A Tissenbaum ◽  
Leonard Guarente

Abstract Evidence from many organisms indicates that the conserved RecQ helicases function in the maintenance of genomic stability. Mutation of SGS1 and WRN, which encode RecQ homologues in budding yeast and humans, respectively, results in phenotypes characteristic of premature aging. Mutation of SRS2, another DNA helicase, causes synthetic slow growth in an sgs1 background. In this work, we demonstrate that srs2 mutants have a shortened life span similar to sgs1 mutants. Further dissection of the sgs1 and srs2 survival curves reveals two distinct phenomena. A majority of sgs1 and srs2 cells stops dividing stochastically as large-budded cells. This mitotic cell cycle arrest is age independent and requires the RAD9-dependent DNA damage checkpoint. Late-generation sgs1 and srs2 cells senesce due to apparent premature aging, most likely involving the accumulation of extrachromosomal rDNA circles. Double sgs1 srs2 mutants are viable but have a high stochastic rate of terminal G2/M arrest. This arrest can be suppressed by mutations in RAD51, RAD52, and RAD57, suggesting that the cell cycle defect in sgs1 srs2 mutants results from inappropriate homologous recombination. Finally, mutation of RAD1 or RAD50 exacerbates the growth defect of sgs1 srs2 cells, indicating that sgs1 srs2 mutants may utilize single-strand annealing as an alternative repair pathway.



2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
So-mi Kang ◽  
Min-Ho Yoon ◽  
Su-Jin Lee ◽  
Jinsook Ahn ◽  
Sang Ah Yi ◽  
...  

AbstractWerner syndrome (WRN) is a rare progressive genetic disorder, caused by functional defects in WRN protein and RecQ4L DNA helicase. Acceleration of the aging process is initiated at puberty and the expected life span is approximately the late 50 s. However, a Wrn-deficient mouse model does not show premature aging phenotypes or a short life span, implying that aging processes differ greatly between humans and mice. Gene expression analysis of WRN cells reveals very similar results to gene expression analysis of Hutchinson Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) cells, suggesting that these human progeroid syndromes share a common pathological mechanism. Here we show that WRN cells also express progerin, an abnormal variant of the lamin A protein. In addition, we reveal that duplicated sequences of human WRN (hWRN) from exon 9 to exon 10, which differ from the sequence of mouse WRN (mWRN), are a natural inhibitor of progerin. Overexpression of hWRN reduced progerin expression and aging features in HGPS cells. Furthermore, the elimination of progerin by siRNA or a progerin-inhibitor (SLC-D011 also called progerinin) can ameliorate senescence phenotypes in WRN fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes, derived from WRN-iPSCs. These results suggest that progerin, which easily accumulates under WRN-deficient conditions, can lead to premature aging in WRN and that this effect can be prevented by SLC-D011.





1965 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. P. Smereka

AbstractThe life history of Chrysomela crotchi, a univoltine species commonly found on trembling aspen, was studied in northwestern Ontario from 1959 to 1962. The most striking feature of its life history was the longevity of adults, which were capable of overwintering two successive years. Overwintered adults became active and began feeding in late May, and oviposition occurred from early June to late July. The incubation period was approximately 10 days and the three larval instars required approximately one month for development to the adult stage.Females laid more eggs during their second season and the highest number laid was 326. The number of eggs in an egg mass averaged 37.6, and the average interval between the deposition of egg masses was 4 days. Males and females mated more than once, but only one mating was necessary for a female to produce viable eggs throughout the season. Males were capable of fertilizing more than one female and remained potent for more than one season.Parasitism was low, and only two species of larval parasites were reared. Several predator species were observed preying on the immature stages. Predation and overwintering mortality appeared to be the most important control factors.



2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1270-1280
Author(s):  
Tokunbo Ojo

With the mixture of government-owned media outlets and private media establishments, Nigerian news media industry is deemed as one of the leading media industries in Africa. But, in spite of its leading status on the continent, the industry is plagued with a series of multi-faceted challenges of sustainability that is rooted in the socio-economic and political contexts. Consequently, privately owned media outlets have short-life span in Nigeria. This article assesses the challenges of news media sustainability in Nigeria. The article underscores the adverse effects of structural deficit in the democratic norms and institutional capabilities on the news media sustainability in Nigeria.



Ecology ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1495-1501 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Zeh


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 808
Author(s):  
Sara M. Garcia ◽  
Kevin T. Du Clos ◽  
Olivia H. Hawkins ◽  
Brad J. Gemmell

The eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica is an ecologically and economically important species that is vulnerable to oil pollution. We assessed sublethal effects of soluble fractions of crude oil alone (WAF) and crude oil in combination with Corexit 9500 dispersant (CEWAF) on oysters at three life history stages. Veliger swimming, pediveliger settlement, and adult clearance rates were quantified after 24 h exposures to the contaminants. Veliger swimming speeds were not significantly impacted by 24 h exposures to WAF or CEWAF. A larger proportion of veligers were inactive following WAF and CEWAF exposure as compared to the control, but the effect was greater for pediveligers, and pediveliger settlement in the highest concentration CEWAF treatment decreased by 50% compared to controls. Thus, pediveligers may be particularly vulnerable to oil exposure. In the adults, we found significant clearance rates reductions that persisted 33 days after acute exposure to CEWAF. Knowledge of sublethal effects of oil and dispersant at multiple life history stages aids understanding of how this important species will respond to an oil spill.



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