Incorporating density dependence in pup production in a stock assessment of NE Atlantic spurdog Squalus acanthias

De Oliveira, J. A. A., Ellis, J. R., and Dobby, H. 2013. Incorporating density dependence in pup production in a stock assessment of NE Atlantic spurdog Squalus acanthias. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: . An age- and sex-structured stock assessment model for Northeast Atlantic spurdog Squalus acanthias is presented that includes length-based processes, such as maturation, pup production, growth, and gear selectivity, with a length-at-age relationship to convert length to age. It relates pup production functionally to numbers of pregnant females, allowing for density-dependent effects. The model was fitted to a combined Scottish groundfish survey biomass index, to proportion-by-length category data from both trawl surveys and commercial catch sampling from target and non-target fisheries, and to fecundity data. The model was run from 1905 to better reflect virgin conditions and to allow early fecundity data to be fitted in order to estimate the extent of density dependence in pup production. The model estimated 2010 population levels to be about 23% relative to 1955 and 19% relative to 1905. Results confirm that the stock is depleted, but not to the extent estimated in a previous assessment. Current estimates of depletion would support an IUCN listing of “Endangered”, but not “Critically Endangered”. Model projections showed that a TAC of 1422 t (the last non-zero TAC) would allow future population growth.

Selection for Delayed Senescence in Drosophila melanogaster

Although theories of the evolution of senescence differ in the mode of action by which genes are thought to control the aging process, they all view the rate of senescence as an adaptable feature of life history and therefore modifiable by natural selection. Tests of theory, however, have generally yielded mixed results. The life-span of Drosophila melanogaster increased strongly in populations selected for late reproduction in these experiments. Delayed senescence was accompanied by a reduced early fecundity, suggesting pleiotropic genetic control of the aging process. Reproduced by permission. Leo S. Luckinbill, Robert Arking, Michael J. Clare, William C. Cirocco, Steven A. Buck, Selection for Delayed Senescence in Drosophila melanogaster. Evolution 38 , 996-1003 (1984).

Quantitative trait locus mapping of fitness-related traits in Drosophila melanogaster

We examined the genetic architecture of four fitness-related traits (reproductive success, ovariole number, body size and early fecundity) in a panel of 98 Oregon-R × 2b3 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Highly significant genetic variation was observed in this population for female, but not male, reproductive success. The cross-sex genetic correlation for reproductive success was 0·20, which is not significantly different from zero. There was significant genetic variation segregating in this cross for ovariole number, but not for body size or early fecundity. The RILs were genotyped for cytological insertion sites of roo transposable elements, yielding 76 informative markers with an average spacing of 3·2 cM. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting female reproductive success and ovariole number were mapped using a composite interval mapping procedure. QTL for female reproductive success were located at the tip of the X chromosome between markers at cytological locations 1B and 3E; and on the left arm of chromosome 2 in the 30D–38A cytological region. Ovariole number QTL mapped to cytological intervals 62D–69D and 98A–98E, both on the third chromosome. The regions harbouring QTL for female reproductive success and ovariole number were also identified as QTL for longevity in previous studies with these lines.