Seasonal Variation in the Nutritional Analysis of Caprella scaura (Amphipoda: Caprellidae) from the Biofouling of Fish Farm Cages in Central Greece

The total lipid and protein content of the invasive caprellid amphipod Caprella scaura, from the biofouling communities of fish farm cages in the Pagasitikos Gulf were analyzed and compared among seasons. Proteins were the most abundant component (48.5 – 49.3%). Lipid content was relatively lower, with a wider range (6.7 – 34%) and showed a distinct seasonal fluctuation with high values in the winter population and a gradual decrease in spring and summer, with the lowest values in Autumn. Composition of the fatty acids profile was consistent among the seasons, with palmitic (16:0), Oleic (18:1n-9), Eicosapentanoic (20:5n-3)(EPA) and Docosahexanoic acid (22:6n-3 )(DHA) being the most abundant fatty acids. The presence of high levels of EPA and DHA fatty acids makes the species a potential candidate for use of these organisms in aquaculture.

BIOTECHNOLOGIES FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF WINTER FOOD FOR THE WINTER POPULATION OF THE SIBERIAN ROE

To preserve the high number of roe deer in the territories of protected areas, it is not enough to apply disparate methods of winter feeding. It is necessary to develop a system for organizing winter meals. This requires the creation of large forage areas, the implementation of the principle of availability of forage crops in the period of high snow, mobile castling of forage resources in the protected area.

The Analysis of Urban Fluvial Landscapes in the Centre of Spain, Their Characterization, Values and Interventions

River areas are undoubtedly among the most valuable territorial areas in Europe, not only in terms of their eco-landscape and use but also, culturally. However, there is currently a sharp reduction in the extension and increase of deterioration of riverbanks around the world. A substantial part of losses and deterioration are associated with the artificialization of the territories, derived mainly from a less than respectful urbanization around these landscapes. Urban and peri-urban riverbanks are landscapes in expansion due to the continuous growth of built-up spaces. Therefore, they should be areas of preferential consideration, especially in territories with a marked tendency to dryness, like the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. This article aims to contribute to our understanding of these spaces through the study of four distinct cases in the centre of the peninsula, in particular: the river Manzanares running through the city of Madrid, the river Tagus in Toledo and running through Talavera de la Reina, and the river Henares in Guadalajara. Three of the four urban water courses analyzed are zones of special interest for waterfowl: they sustain a winter population that varies between 745 and 1529 birds and they provide a home to some globally threatened species. The density of the riparian birds is also very high during winter, these values oscillating between a mean of 141.16 and 240.12 birds/10 ha. It should be noted that the diversity of this group of birds in the four regions studies is also high (H > 2.4 nats). The article also examines the interventions and the urban planning criteria applied to these urban and peri-urban river spaces, inferring the need to reassess urban planning in river areas to ensure it is compatible with their operation, values and possible uses.

Are the Jameson Land muskoxen, Northeast Greenland, in decline?

The Jameson Land region contains the largest muskox population in Northeast Greenland. In the period 1980-1990, late winter population size averaged 3,645. A late winter 2000 survey estimated ca. 1,705 muskoxen. Although no further late winter surveys for muskox abundance have occurred since, there have been two summer bird surveys, which recorded incidental observations of muskoxen, i.e., 607 in 2008 and 610 in 2009. We report on muskox observations obtained in a subarea of Jameson Land during the summer 2016 ground survey for birds. Although in the 1982-2000 period this subarea averaged 1,153 ± 346 muskoxen, we observed 138 individuals and a low calf number. The few muskoxen observed and poor calf production suggest population decline. We briefly discuss possible factors that could influence muskox mortality and population abundance. Surveys specific to muskoxen are necessary to ascertain current population abundance, demographics and trend.

Introduction to the Species Accounts

The core of this book, offering qualitative and quantitative assessments of the migratory, breeding, wintering, and resident avifauna of the Northwest Bronx, New York City back to 1872. The present and historical statuses of 301 study area species and another 70 potential species are described in detail for the Bronx, for New York City, for Long Island, and for Westchester and Rockland Cos. for the first time since 1964. Study area winter population changes are amplified by comparison to their numbers on 90 annual Bronx-Westchester Christmas Bird Counts from 1924. Extended discussion of pertinent identification, ecological, taxonomic, and distributional issues complements the quantitative distribution and occurrence data and update all 371 species to 2016.