Benthic foraminifera asemblages and isotopic composition of surface sediment samples off Morocco

The influence of different primary productivity regimes on live (Rose Bengal stained) and dead benthic foraminiferal distribution, as well as on the stable carbon isotopic composition of foraminiferal tests, was investigated in sediment surface samples (0-1 cm) from the upwelling region off Morocco between Cape Ghir (31°N) and Cape Yubi (27°N). A combination of factor analysis, detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was applied to the benthic foraminiferal data sets. Five major assemblages for both the live and dead fauna were revealed by factor analysis. In the cape regions organic matter fluxes are enhanced by high chlorophyll-a concentrations in the overlying surface waters. Here, benthic foraminiferal faunas are characterized by identical live and dead assemblages, high standing stocks, and low species delta13C values, indicating constant year-round high productivity. Bulimina marginata dominates the unique fauna at the shallowest station off Cape Ghir indicating highest chlorophyll-a concentrations. Off both capes, the succession of the Bulimina aculeata/Uvigerina mediterranea assemblage, the Sphaeroidina bulloides/Gavelinopsis translucens assemblage, and the Hoeglundina elegans assemblage from the shelf to the deep sea reflects the decrease in chlorophyll-a concentrations, hence the export flux. In contrast, the area between the capes is characterized by differently composed live and dead assemblages, low standing stocks, and less depleted delta13C values, thus reflecting low primary productivity. High foraminiferal numbers of Epistominella exigua, Eponides pusillus, and Globocassidulina subglobosa in the dead fauna indicate a seasonally varying primary productivity signal. Significantly lower mean delta13C values were recorded in Bulimina mexicana, Cibicidoides kullenbergi, H. elegans, U. mediterranea and Uvigerina peregrina. Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi is a faithful recorder of bottom water delta13C in the Canary Islands regions. The mean delta13C signal of this species is not significantly influenced by constant high organic matter fluxes. The species-specific offset between live and dead specimens is the same.

Boron isotope composition and seawater characteristics of cold water scleratinian corals

The boron isotope systematics has been determined for azooxanthellate scleractinian corals from a wide range of both deep-sea and shallow-water environments. The aragonitic coral species, Caryophyllia smithii, Desmophyllum dianthus, Enallopsammia rostrata, Lophelia pertusa, and Madrepora oculata, are all found to have relatively high d11B compositions ranging from 23.2 per mil to 28.7 per mil. These values lie substantially above the pH-dependent inorganic seawater borate equilibrium curve, indicative of strong up-regulation of pH of the internal calcifying fluid (pH(cf)), being elevated by ~0.6-0.8 units (Delta pH) relative to ambient seawater. In contrast, the deep-sea calcitic coral Corallium sp. has a significantly lower d11B composition of 15.5 per mil, with a corresponding lower Delta pH value of ~0.3 units, reflecting the importance of mineralogical control on biological pH up-regulation. The solitary coral D. dianthus was sampled over a wide range of seawater pH(T) and shows an approximate linear correlation with Delta pH(Desmo) = 6.43 - 0.71 pH(T) (r**2 = 0.79). An improved correlation is however found with the closely related parameter of seawater aragonite saturation state, where Delta pH(Desmo) = 1.09 - 0.14 Omega(arag) (r**2 = 0.95), indicating the important control that carbonate saturation state has on calcification. The ability to up-regulate internal pH(cf), and consequently Omega(cf), of the calcifying fluid is therefore a process present in both azooxanthellate and zooxanthellate aragonitic corals, and is attributed to the action of Ca2+ -ATPase in modulating the proton gradient between seawater and the site of calcification. These findings also show that the boron isotopic compositions (d11Bcarb) of aragonitic corals are highly systematic and consistent with direct uptake of the borate species within the biologically controlled extracellular calcifying medium.

Reproductive parameters of rhinobatid and urolophid batoids taken as by-catch in the Queensland (Australia) east coast otter-trawl fishery

Reproductive variables are provided for batoids regularly taken as by-catch in the east coast otter-trawl fishery on the inner-mid continental shelf off the south-east and central coasts of Queensland, Australia. Total length at maturity (LT50 and 95% c.i.) for the eastern shovelnose ray Aptychotrema rostrata was 639·5 mm (617·6–663·4 mm) for females and 597·3 mm (551·4–648·6 mm) for males. Litter size (n = 9) ranged from nine to 20 (mean ± s.e. = 15·1 ± 1·2). This species exhibited a positive litter size–maternal size relationship. Disc width at maturity (WD50 and 95% c.i.) for the common stingaree Trygonoptera testacea was 162·7 mm (155·8–168·5 mm) for females and 145·9 mm (140·2–150·2 mm) for males. Gravid T. testacea (n = 6) each carried a single egg in the one functional (left) uterus. Disc width at maturity (WD50 and 95% c.i.) for the Kapala stingaree Urolophus kapalensis was 153·7 mm (145·1–160·4 mm) for females and 155·2 mm (149·1–159·1 mm) for males. Gravid U. kapalensis (n = 16) each carried a single egg or embryo in the one functional (left) uterus. A single female yellowback stingaree Urolophus sufflavus carried an embryo in each uterus. A global review of the litter sizes of shovelnose rays (Rhinobatidae) and stingarees (Urolophidae) is provided.

Composição botânica e qualidade do pasto selecionado por ovelhas em caatinga raleada e enriquecida.

Resumo: O presente estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de determinar a composição botânica e a qualidade da dieta selecionada por ovelhas, através da técnica de micro-histologia fecal, em caatinga raleada e enriquecida com capim massai (Panicum maximum cv. Massai), recebendo diferentes quantidades de concentrado (0; 200; 350 e 500 g de concentrado por dia), e em diferentes períodos do ano (águas, transição água-seca e seca). Foram estimados também o consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes, bem como a degradabilidade de espécies forrageiras ingeridas pelas ovelhas. Os experimentos foram realizados na Fazenda Crioula do Meio, pertencente a Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos em Sobral, CE no período de março a novembro de 2013. No Experimento 1, para a determinação da composição botânica e qualidade da dieta selecionada, foram utilizadas dezesseis ovelhas Somalis brasileira, gestantes, multíparas e peso médio de 30,58+2,48 kg. O acompanhamento da ingestão do pasto pelas ovelhas foi feito em três períodos (águas, transição água-seca e seca), referentes aos meses de abril, junho e agosto de 2013, respectivamente. Amostras das plantas foram coletadas para o preparo das lâminas de referência, e posterior identificação e caracterização dos descritores epidérmicos. O mesmo foi feito para as fezes coletadas nas ovelhas. Com base na proporção de cada espécie identificada nas lâminas fecais que compuseram a dieta, e na composição química das forrageiras identificadas, foi possível determinar a qualidade da dieta ingerida. De 76 espécies observadas no pasto, 33 foram identificadas na dieta das ovelhas, destacando as espécies sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia), centrosema (Centrosema sp.), ervanço (Alternanthera brasiliana), massai (Panicum maximum cv Massai) e paco-paco (Wissadula rostrata) como as mais selecionadas pelos animais ao longo dos períodos, chegando a compor mais de 50% da dieta selecionada. Com a chegada do período seco, espécies indesejáveis como o marmeleiro (Croton sonderianus) e o mofumbo (Combretum lepreosum), também fizeram parte das plantas selecionadas. Quanto ao valor nutritivo da dieta selecionada, os animais selecionaram uma dieta com valor nutritivo superior ao amostrado no pasto. No Experimento 2, na mesma condição do experimento anterior, trinta e duas ovelhas Somalis brasileira foram utilizadas para determinação do consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes, realizado em três ensaios (abril - terço final de gestação; junho - lactação e agosto - desmame). Para predição do consumo, o indicador LIPE® foi utilizado. Pesagens quinzenais foram realizadas para avaliação do desempenho das ovelhas e dos cordeiros nascidos. O concentrado oferecido favoreceu a maior ingestão e digestibilidade da MS e PB, com efeito substitutivo em relação ao consumo de pasto (P<0,05). Para o período seco, menores consumos foram observados em relação aos períodos das águas e de transição água-seca (P<0,05). Maiores consumos e digestibilidades dos constituintes fibrosos foram observados para as ovelhas não suplementados (P<0,05). Na avaliação do desempenho, a suplementação oferecida determinou os maiores pesos verificados durante a lactação, ao desmame e para os pesos ao nascer e ao desmame dos cordeiros (P<0,05). No Experimento 3, dois ovinos Morada Nova foram utilizados para determinação da degradabilidade da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) de cinco das forrageiras selecionadas pelas ovelhas no Experimento 1: M. caesalpiniaefolia, A. brasiliana, P. maximum cv. Massai, jurema-preta (Mimosa tenuiflora), C. leprosum, nos tempos 0, 6, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas de incubação. Para cada forrageira, foram determinadas equações para o desaparecimento da MS, PB e FDN. Também foi feito o fracionamento da proteína em suas porções degradáveis e não degradáveis no rúmen. Foi observado maior desaparecimento da MS, PB e FDN, além dos melhores níveis de proteína efetivamente degradada no rúmen para A. brasiliana, seguido pelo P. maximum cv. Massai e M. caesalpiniaefolia. Com as informações obtidas, conclui-se que a micro-histologia fecal apresenta-se como uma técnica viável para avaliações da composição botânica da dieta selecionada por ovinos na caatinga. Ovelhas na caatinga possuem uma grande habilidade de selecionar a dieta, modificando-a ao longo das fases fenológicas, sempre na tentativa de estabelecer uma dieta com melhor valor nutritivo. Forrageiras como A. brasiliana, M. caesalpiniaefolia e o P. maximum cv. Massai, podem ser consideradas um interessante recurso alimentar, em virtude de seu valor nutricional e aproveitamento por ovelhas criadas na caatinga. Abstract: This study was conducted in order to determine the botanical composition and diet quality selected by sheep through fecal micro-histological technique, in thinned and enriched caatinga with Massai grass (Panicum maximum cv Massai.), receiving different amounts of concentrate (0; 200; 350 and 500 g of concentrate per day) at different periods (wet, transition wet-dry and dry). Were also estimated the intake, digestibility, as well as the degradability of forage species eaten by sheep. The experiments were performed in the "Fazenda Crioula do Meio", owned by Embrapa Goats and Sheep, in Sobral, Ceará State, Brazil, from march to november 2013. In Trial 1, sixteen female, pregnant, multiparous, with average body weight of 30,58+2,48 kg Somalis brasileira breed sheep were used to determine the botanical composition and the quality of the selected diet. The monitoring of pasture intake of sheep were conducted in three phenological periods of the caatinga's pasture (wet season, transition wet-dry and dry season). Plant samples were collected for the preparation of the reference slides, with subsequent identification and characterization of epidermal descriptors. The same was done for the feces collected in sheep. Considering the proportion of each species identified in fecal slides which composed the diet, and the chemical composition of forage identified, it was possible to determine the quality of the selected diet. From 76 species observed in the pasture, 33 species was identified in the sheep selected diet, emphasizing the Sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia), centrosema (Centrosema sp.), ervanço (Alternanthera brasiliana), massai (Panicum maximum cv Massai) e paco-paco (Wissadula rostrata) as the most selected species by sheep during the study, composing more than 50% of the selected diet. In the Dry Season, undesirable species like marmeleiro (Croton sonderianus) and mofumbo (Combretum leprosum), were also constituent of the diet. Regarding to the nutritional value of selected diet, the sheep selected a diet with more protein than the sampled in the pasture. In the final late gestation, the sheep without supplementation ate a diet above 16% of CP, higher than the selected diet by treatments 350 and 500 g of concentrate per day (P<0.05). Were also observed to the non supplemented sheep, less fiber content intake (P<0.05). In the Trial 2, in the same condition of the first Trial, thirty two Somalis brasileira female sheep were used to determine the intake and digestibility, conducted in three assays (April - third late pregnancy; June - lactation and August - weaning). To predict the intake, the marker LIPE was used. Sheep and lambs were weighted every two weeks to performance evaluation. The concentrate offered to sheep favored to higher intake and digestibility of DM and CP than non supplemented sheep, with inverse relationship to the pasture intake (P<0.05). For the Dry Season, lower intake were observed than for Wet Season and Transition Wet-Dry (P<0.05). Higher intakes and digestibility of the fiber constituents were verified to non supplemented sheep (P<0.05). To performance evaluation, the offered supplementation determined the higher weights observed during lactation and weaning of sheep, and to birth and weaning weights of lambs (P<0.05). In Trial 3, two male sheep were used to determine the degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of five forages selected by sheep in Trial 1: M. caesalpiniaefolia, A. brasiliana, P. maximum cv. Massai, jurema-preta (Mimosa tenuiflora) and C. lepreosum, at zero, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of incubation. For each forage, were determined equations for the disappearance of DM, CP and NDF. It was also realized the protein fractions in their degradable and non-degradable in the rumen parts. Was detected a higher disappearance of DM, CP and NDF, as also better proportion of the rumen degradable protein to A. brasiliana, followed by P. maximum cv. Massai and M. caesalpiniaefolia. With the information obtained, it is concluded that the fecal micro histological technique presents as a viable technique to evaluate the selected diet by sheep in caatinga's pasture. On this pasture, the sheep are skilled to select the diet, changing during the phenological phases, trying to form a diet of better nutritive value. Forages as A. brasiliana, P. maximum cv. Massai and M. caesalpiniaefolia, can be considered an interesting food source to ewes kept in the caatinga.