Lessons from established breeding programs: terrestrial and aquatic animals

Some relevant components of selection program theory and implementation are reviewed. This includes pedigree recording, genetic evaluation, balancing genetic gains and genetic diversity and tactical integration of key issues. Lessons learned are briefly described – illustrating how existing method and tools can be useful when launching a program in a novel species, and yet highlighting the importance of proper understanding and custom application according to the biology and environments of that species.

Preliminary economic evaluation of 10 metre (LOA) shallow draft vessel in daily fishery, off Imo River, Cross River State

Scientists from the Institute with the collaboration of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Rome designed and built a 10-m (LOA) shallow draft vessel. The prototype vessel was tried at Uta-Ewa, Ikot Abasi, Cross River State. The paper deals with the preliminary economic analysis of the performance of prototype vessel. An analysis of the annual return has shown that 43.66% of the annual gross income was paid to labour; 15.91% was spent on repairs and replacements; 7.76% on fuel and lubricants; 24.38% on maintenance costs and the return of investment, 6.2%. This low return of investment is attributable to high percentage of labour costs as well as low fishing intensity

Constraints on the carbon cycle and climate during the early evolution of animals

One of the greatest challenges in science lies in disentangling causality in complex, coupled systems. This is illustrated no better than in the dynamic interplay between the Earth and life. The early evolution and diversification of animals occurred within a backdrop of global change, yet reconstructing the potential role of the environment in this evolutionary transition is challenging. In the 200 million years from the end-Cryogenian to the Ordovician, enigmatic Ediacaran fauna explored body plans, animals diversified and began to biomineralize, forever changing the ocean's chemical cycles, and the biological community in shallow marine ecosystems transitioned from a microbial one to an animal one.

In the following dissertation, a multi-faceted approach combining macro- and micro-scale analyses is presented that draws on the sedimentology, geochemistry and paleontology of the rocks that span this transition to better constrain the potential environmental changes during this interval.

In Chapter 1, the potential of clumped isotope thermometry in deep time is explored by assessing the importance of burial and diagenesis on the thermometer. Eocene- to Precambrian-aged carbonates from the Sultanate of Oman were analyzed from current burial depths of 350-5850 meters. Two end-member styles of diagenesis independent of burial depth were observed.

Chapters 2, 3 and 4 explore the fallibility of the Ediacaran carbon isotope record and aspects of the sedimentology and geochemistry of the rocks preserving the largest negative carbon isotope excursion on record---the Shuram Excursion. Chapter 2 documents the importance of temperature, fluid composition and mineralogy on the delta 18-O min record and interrogates the bulk trace metal signal. Chapter 3 explores the spatial variability in delta 13-C recorded in the transgressive Johnnie Oolite and finds a north-to-south trend recording the onset of the excursion. Chapter 4 investigates the nature of seafloor precipitation during this excursion and more broadly. We document the potential importance of microbial respiratory reactions on the carbonate chemistry of the sediment-water interface through time.

Chapter 5 investigates the latest Precambrian sedimentary record in carbonates from the Sultanate of Oman, including how delta 13-C and delta 34-S CAS vary across depositional and depth gradients. A new model for the correlation of the Buah and Ara formations across Oman is presented. Isotopic results indicate delta 13-C varies with relative eustatic change and delta 34-S CAS may vary in absolute magnitude across Oman.

Chapter 6 investigates the secular rise in delta 18-Omin in the early Paleozoic by using clumped isotope geochemistry on calcitic and phosphatic fossils from the Cambrian and Ordovician. Results do not indicate extreme delta 18-O seawater depletion and instead suggest warmer equatorial temperatures across the early Paleozoic.

Pathways for the uptake of dissolved organic matter (DOM) by aquatic animals

In this article, pathways from freshwater and marine environments are described. DOM is defined operationally as all the organic compounds which pass through a filter of pore size 0.45 microm., those retained on the surface of the filter being particulate organic matter (POM). DOM can be taken up directly by animals by transfer across the body wall, but more commonly DOM is obtained from ingested food. Once ingested POM from food particles are broken down in the gut, small molecules of DOM are released for transfer across the gut wall. Some ingested particles are attacked by micro-organisms living in the gut, thereby making the DOM available to the host animal. The importance of the microbial loop is discussed, as well as aggregation processes between the fractions of DOM which are more obviously particulate in nature. (DBO)

Temporary ponds in the UK; a critical biodiversity resource for freshwater plants and animals

The importance of ponds for biodiversity in Britain has been demonstrated by a number of studies. However, most of the research and interest has been directed at permanent waterbodies, and temporary ponds have been largely neglected. In this article the author present some preliminary findings from a project which aims to fill some of the many gaps in our knowledge of temporary ponds in Britain. The project, which runs for three years until the end of 2001, aims specifically to investigate the ecology of temporary ponds in England and Wales by describing (i) their wetland plant and macroinvertebrate communities, (ii) their physico-chemical characteristics, and (iii) their value as a biodiversity resource. The article focuses on the assessment of temporary ponds as a biodiversity resource and briefly considers aspects of species richness, rarity and distinctiveness. Where possible, temporary ponds are compared with other waterbody types, mainly permanent ponds from the National Pond Survey (NPS), to give the results a broader context.

Production of the chironomids of the Uchinsk Reservoir. [Translation of: Methods for the estimation of production of aquatic animals. (Handbook and papers) (ed. G. G. Vinberg) p226-239. Minsk, Vysheishaya Shkola, 1968]

The method of E.V. Borutski was used for determining the production of chironomids, that is, the dynamics of the number and biomass of the larvae were analysed, their death, a calculation of emergence and the number of deposited egg layings was carried out. In addition to the method of Borutski, the authors also calculated the seasonal dynamics of the number of larvae of the younger age stages in the microbenthos.

The transport of aquatic animals by birds. [Translation from: Binnengewaesser 18, 156-159, 1950.]

A great deal has been written on the part which birds play in the dispersal of freshwater fauna. This article summarises literature on the dispersal of aquatic animals by birds and aquatic insects.

Metallothionein as an indicator of water quality: assessment of the bioavailability of cadmium, copper, mercury and zinc in aquatic animals at the cellular level

The study of metallothioneins (MTs) has greatly improved our understanding of body burdens, metal storage and detoxification in aquatic organisms subjected to contamination by the toxic heavy metals, Cd, Cu, Hg and Zn. These studies have shown that in certain organisms MT status can be used to assess impact of these metals at the cellular level and, whilst validation is currently limited to a few examples, this stress response may be linked to higher levels of organisation, thus indicating its potential for environmental quality assessment. Molluscs, such as Mytilus spp., and several commonly occurring teleost species, are the most promising of the indicator species tested. Natural variability of MT levels caused by the organism's size, condition, age, position in the sexual cycle, temperature and various stressors, can lead to difficulties in interpretation of field data as a definitive response-indicator of metal contamination unless a critical appraisal of these variables is available. From laboratory and field studies these data are almost complete for teleost fish. Whilst for molluscs much of this information is lacking, when suitable controls are utilised and MT measurements are combined with observations of metal partitioning, current studies indicate that they are nevertheless a powerful tool in the interpretation of impact, and may prove useful in water quality assessment.

La Gestión de la Escuela de Ciclismo "Almassora" del Club MTB "Animals de Monte"

Revisión bibliográfica de la situación actual del Deporte Escolar para tener una visión real, deportiva y educacional del mismo dentro de la disciplina del ciclismo en esas edades; proponiendo un modelo de gestión deportiva orientado a las escuelas en general y a las de ciclismo en particular del modelo educativo del Deporte.

River Lune salmon action plan March 1997. Draft Copy.

The River Lune was at one time one of the best salmon fisheries in England and Wales with very high catches to both rods and netsmen. During the 1960's, the stock was decimated by the disease Ulcerative Dermal Necrosis which caused a dramatic reduction in catches. Catches have not recovered to pre-disease levels. The target egg deposition rate for the River Lune system which should produce the maximum number of surplus fish returning to the system has been determined at 13.8 million eggs. This will require 4,779 adult salmon to survive to successfully spawn. Under current rates of exploitation, the target egg deposition will occur at a declared rod catch of 1,974 salmon and a net catch of 2,627 salmon. Two automatic fish counters are in operation on the river system. Data from these suggest that, within the measures of compliance, the river has met it's target egg deposition for the last 3 years.

Salmon action plan consultation. River Lune - draft

In February 1996 "A Strategy for the Management of Salmon in England and Wales" was launched by the then National Rivers Authority. The strategy concentrates on four main objectives for the management of salmon fisheries in England and Wales. These are primarily aimed at securing the well being of the stock but in doing so will strive to improve catches and any associated economic returns to the fisheries: (i) Optimise the number of salmon returning to homewater fisheries. (ii) Maintain and improve the fitness and diversity of salmon stocks. , (iii) Optimise the total economic value of surplus stocks. (iv) Ensure necessary costs are met by beneficiaries. These four objectives will be addressed through local Salmon Action Plans (SAPs) which will be produced for each of the principle salmon rivers in England and Wales by the year 2001. Each plan will review the status of the stock and the fisheries on a particular river, seek to identify the main factors limiting performance, draw up and cost a list of options to address these, and, consult 0with local interest groups. This report is the draft version of the Salmon Action Plan for the River Lune.

River Lune juvenile fish stock assessment 2002 (annotated draft copy, Site Reports only)

This draft copy of the River Lune juvenile fish stock assessment from 2000 provides "Site Reports" from different water bodies in the Lune catchment. These Site Reports provide brief information on habitat features, fishery classification and comments on species caught and stocking. This document provides no summary or interpretation of the given data.