Promoting Amphibian Conservation through the College Classroom: Detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis among Local Amphibians

Many global amphibian declines have been linked to the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). The knowledge on Bd distribution provides a fundamental basis for amphibian conservation planning. Yet, such Bd distribution information is currently insufficient, in particular at a regional scale. The college classroom provides an excellent opportunity to expand the knowledge of Bd distribution. Here we provide an example of such research projects to detect Bd prevalence among local amphibians in a college course setting and present the results of work conducted in central Pennsylvania, USA. We collected toe clips and conducted PCR assays of six species, Plethodon cinereus, Desmognathus fuscus, Notophthalmus viridescens, Lithobates catesbeianus, L. clamitans, and L. sylvaticus (59 individuals). Four groups of students independently conducted entire projects, orally presented their findings, and submitted manuscripts to the professor at the end of the semester. This example demonstrates that it is feasible for an undergraduate class to complete a Bd-detection project within a single semester. Such a project not only contributes to Bd research but also promotes conservation education among students through hands-on research experiences. We found Bd infection in only one sample of N. viridescens, but no sign of infection in the rest of the samples. As a relatively high prevalence of Bd has been reported in surrounding areas, our results suggest spatial heterogeneity in Bd occurrence at a regional scale and thus, the need for continued efforts to monitor Bd prevalence.

Running the Gauntlet: Inhibitory Effects of Algal Turfs on the Processes of Coral Recruitment

Mortality of corals is increasing due to bleaching, disease and algal overgrowth. In the Caribbean, low rates of coral recruitment contribute to the slow or undetectable rates of recovery in reef ecosystems. Although algae have long been suspected to interfere with coral recruitment, the mechanisms of that interaction remain unclear. We experimentally tested the effects of turf algal abundance on 3 sequential factors important to recruitment of corals: the biophysical delivery of planktonic coral larvae, their propensity to settle, and the availability of microhabitats where they survive. We deployed coral settlement plates inside and outside damselfish Stegastes spp. gardens and cages. Damselfish aggression reduced herbivory from fishes, and cages became fouled with turf algae, both locally increasing algal biomass surrounding the plates. This reduced flushing rates in nursery microhabitats on the plate underside, limiting larvae available for settlement. Coral spat settled preferentially on an early successional crustose coralline alga Titanoderma prototypum but also on or near other coralline algae, biofilms, and calcareous polychaete worm tubes. Post-settlement survival was highest in the fully grazed, lowest algal biomass treatment, and after 27 mo 'spat' densities were 73 % higher in this treatment. The 'gauntlet' refers to the sequence of ecological processes through which corals must survive to recruit. The highest proportion of coral spat successfully running the gauntlet did so under conditions of low algal biomass resulting from increased herbivory. If coral recruitment is heavily controlled at very local scales by this gauntlet, then coral reef managers could improve a reef's recruitment potential by managing for reduced algal biomass.

Early and Middle Miocene calcareous nannofossil distribution in the North Atlantic Ocean

Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 563, located on the west flank of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, recovered a long Miocene section from which magnetostratigraphic and isotopic stratigraphy are available. Quantitative analyses of calcareous nannofossil assemblages have been performed in the Lower and Middle Miocene sediments from Site 563. The abundance patterns of the identified species allow us to determine several bioevents for this time interval. The recognized biohorizons, related to the available magnetostratigraphy, provide new data on the biostratigraphic value of many species and on the synchroneity of the events over a wide geographic area. Relations with the oxygen isotope stratigraphy are also reported. Sphenolith distribution is examined in particular detail due to their biostratigraphic importance in the Early Miocene. In particular the recently described species Sphenolithus procerus, Sphenolithus tintinnabulum and Sphenolithus multispinatus can be useful to subdivide the Lower Miocene zones NN2 and NN3. A large variety of Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus has been identified within zones NN6 and NN7.

Quaternary and Paleogene calcareous nannofossils of ODP Leg 115

The occurrences of ten datum events for the Quaternary and top Pliocene nannofossils are identified at nine Leg 115 sites. A quantitative investigation of Paleogene nannofossils in 470 samples selected from 11 holes at 9 sites yielded 197 taxa, including one new species and 10 unidentified taxa that are likely to be new species. Regional differences in the timing of some biostratigraphically important events are recognized, and a set of datum events useful for biostratigra- phy in the tropical Indian Ocean is presented. Biogeographical differences are minor for Paleogene cores from the tropical sites (Sites 707-716); however, the Quaternary and late early Oligocene floras observed at the two subtropical sites (Sites 705 and 706) differ significantly from the corresponding floras of the tropical sites. Bathymetrically controlled dissolution is recognized by the reduction of species diversity in the Paleogene flora. Selective dissolution of nannofossils is also evidenced by the percentage reduction of three holococcolith taxa, Lanternithus minutus, Zygrhablithus bijugatus, and Holococcolith type A as well as by the increase of Coccolithus pelagicusand Cribrocentrum reticulatumin the deeper sites.

Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the central East Pacific Rise

During Leg 92 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, sediments containing calcareous nannofossils of latest Oligocene to Holocene age were recovered from 14 holes at six sites (597 to 602) along the East Pacific Rise. The combined sections yield a virtually complete record for the region, with a compressed upper Miocene to Pleistocene interval. The nannofossil content of 14 U.S.N.S. Eltanin piston cores from the study area were also examined in order to supplement data generated during Leg 92. Two taxonomically new combinations are presented: Sphenolithus umbellus and Pontosphaera segmenta. Assemblages of calcareous nannofossils juxtaposed in reversed stratigraphic order within the upper Miocene provide strong evidence for downslope transport of sediments along the East Pacific Rise during the Messinian. Narrow bands of dark metalliferous sediment of coccolith Zone CN8b alternate with normal light-colored, in situ, pelagic sequences of Zone CN9b. This may indicate more vigorous bottom current activity between 5.40 and 6.70 Ma.

Oligocene-Miocene calcareous nannofossils in ODP Leg 149 holes

During Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 149, five sites were drilled on the Iberia Abyssal Plain in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Both Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments were recovered. Oligocene to Miocene sediments were cored at deepwater Sites 897, 898, 899, and 900. Except for a few intervals, occurrences of generally abundant and well-preserved calcareous nannofossils suggest that the deposition of the turbidite-type sediments occurred above the calcite compensation depth (CCD). One major unconformity in the middle late Miocene is present. Detailed quantitative analyses of calcareous nannofossils are used to determine the changes occurring among the nannoflora in relation to sea-level variation. A succession of 89 biohorizons from the early Oligocene to the late Miocene are defined by combining the biostratigraphic results of the four sites studied in the Iberia Abyssal Plain. One new genus and eight new species are described: Camuralithus, Camuralithus pelliculatus, Ericsonia detecta, Helicosphaera limasera, Sphenolithus akropodus, Sphenolithus aubryae, Sphenolithus cometa, Reticulofenestra circus, and Syracosphaera lamina. Two new variations and seven new combinations are also introduced.

Determination of ages and fossil Coleoptera fauna from eight sites in the London region

These data sets report the fossil beetle assemblages identified from the Mesolithic to Late Bronze Age at eight sites in the London region. All but one of the study sites are within 2 km of the modern course of the Thames. The sites produced 128 faunal assemblages that yielded 218 identified species in 41 families of Coleoptera (beetles).  Beetle faunas of Mesolithic age indicate extensive wetlands near the Thames, bordered by rich deciduous woodlands. The proportion of woodland species declined in the Neolithic, apparently because of the expansion of wetlands, rather than because of human activities. The Early Bronze Age faunas contained a greater proportion of coniferous woodland and aquatic (standing water) species. An increase in the dung beetle fauna indicates the presence of sheep, cattle and horses, and various beetles associated with crop lands demonstrate the local rise of agriculture, albeit several centuries after the beginnings of farming in other regions of Britain. Late Bronze Age faunas show the continued development of agriculture and animal husbandry along the lower Thames. About 33% of the total identified beetle fauna from the London area sites have limited modern distributions or are extinct in the U.K. Some of these species are associated with the dead wood found in primeval forests; others are wetland species whose habitat has been severely reduced in recent centuries. The third group is stream-dwelling beetles that require clean, clear waters and river bottoms.

Miocene calcareous nannofossil abundance and events in sediments of ODP Leg 189 sites

During Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 189, five sites were drilled in the Tasmanian Seaway with the objective to constrain the paleoceanographic implications of the separation of Australia from Antarctica and to elucidate the paleoceanographic developments throughout the Neogene (Shipboard Scientific Party, 2001a, doi:10.2973/odp.proc.ir.189.101.2001). Sediments ranged from Cretaceous to Quaternary in age and provided the opportunity to describe the paleoenvironments in the Tasman Seaway prior to, during, and after the separation of Australia and Antarctica. This study will focus on postseparation distribution of calcareous nannofossils through the Miocene. Miocene sediments were recovered at all five Leg 189 sites, and four of these sites were studied in detail to determine the calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. Hole 1168A, located on the western Tasmanian margin, contains a fairly continuous Miocene record and could be easily zoned using the Okada and Bukry (1980, doi:10.1016/0377-8398(80)90016-X) zonation. Analysis of sediments from Hole 1169A, located on the western South Tasman Rise, was not included in this study, as the recovered sediments were highly disturbed and unsuitable for further analysis (Shipboard Scientific Party, 2001c, doi:10.2973/odp.proc.ir.189.104.2001). Holes 1170A, 1171A, and 1171C are located on the South Tasman Rise south of the modern Subtropical Front (STF). They revealed incomplete Miocene sequences intersected by an early Miocene and late Miocene hiatus and could only be roughly zoned using the Okada and Bukry zonation. Similarly, Hole 1172A, located on the East Tasman Plateau, contains a Miocene sequence with a hiatus in the early Miocene and in the late Miocene and could only be roughly zoned using the Okada and Bukry (1980, doi:10.1016/0377-8398(80)90016-X) zonation. This study aims to improve calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic resolution in this sector of the mid to high southern latitudes. This paper will present abundance, preservation, and stratigraphic distribution of calcareous nannofossils through the Miocene and focus mainly on biozonal assignment.

Seawater carbonate chemistry, thickness and carbonate elemental composition of the test of juvenile sea urchins in a laboratory experiment

Ocean surface CO2 levels are increasing in line with rising atmospheric CO2 and could exceed 900 µatm by year 2100, with extremes above 2000 µatm in some coastal habitats. The imminent increase in ocean pCO2 is predicted to have negative consequences for marine fishes, including reduced aerobic performance, but variability among species could be expected. Understanding interspecific responses to ocean acidification is important for predicting the consequences of ocean acidification on communities and ecosystems. In the present study, the effects of exposure to near-future seawater CO2 (860 µatm) on resting (M O2rest) and maximum (M O2max) oxygen consumption rates were determined for three tropical coral reef fish species interlinked through predator-prey relationships: juvenile Pomacentrus moluccensis and Pomacentrus amboinensis, and one of their predators: adult Pseudochromis fuscus. Contrary to predictions, one of the prey species, P. amboinensis, displayed a 28-39% increase in M O2max after both an acute and four-day exposure to near-future CO2 seawater, while maintaining M O2rest. By contrast, the same treatment had no significant effects on M O2rest or M O2max of the other two species. However, acute exposure of P. amboinensis to 1400 and 2400 µatm CO2 resulted in M O2max returning to control values. Overall, the findings suggest that: (1) the metabolic costs of living in a near-future CO2 seawater environment were insignificant for the species examined at rest; (2) the M O2max response of tropical reef species to near-future CO2 seawater can be dependent on the severity of external hypercapnia; and (3) near-future ocean pCO2 may not be detrimental to aerobic scope of all fish species and it may even augment aerobic scope of some species. The present results also highlight that close phylogenetic relatedness and living in the same environment, does not necessarily imply similar physiological responses to near-future CO2.

Fossil record of Mollusca from Neogene sediments in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Über die Verbreitung, Gliederung und Ausbildung des Jungtertiärs im westlichen Schleswig-Holstein war bisher nicht viel bekannt. Am besten bearbeitet sind die glazial gestauchten Schollen von Morsum/Sylt. Eine Aufzählung erbohrter Miozänvorkommen mit nicht immer überzeugender Begründung lieferte H.-L. HECK 1935. S. THIELE (1941) hat die ihm bekannten Vorkommen hauptsächlich nach faziellen und petrographischen Gesichtspunkten bearbeitet. Er erkannte richtig die Stellung der Braunkohlensande. Die angekündigte palaeontologische Bearbeitung ist nicht erschienen. Eine allgemeine Übersicht über die Entwicklung des Jungtertiärs bringen W. WOLFE und H.-L. HECK 1949. W. HINSCH lieferte wertvolle Beiträge zur Molluskenfauna und zur Gliederung des Miozäns (1952, 1955). Über neue Vorkommen von Braunkohlen-Sanden berichtete E. DITTMER(1 956), eine erste Übersicht über neue Vorkommen der Hemmoorer Stufe gab derselbe Verfasser 1957.